bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Mobile Phone Penetration Affect Divorce Rate? Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Jiaping , Cheng Mingwang , Wei Xinyu , Gong Xiaomei
Published: October 2018

Marital happiness is an important symbol of social harmony and can help promote sustainable economic and social development. In recent years, the rapid rise of the divorce rate in China, a country where the divorce rate had previously been low, has attracted wide attention. However, few articles have focused on the popularization of information and communication technology's impact on China’s rising divorce rate in recent years. As a first attempt, the provincial panel data during the period 2001–2016 is applied to study quantitatively the relationship between mobile phone penetration and the divorce rate. In order to get more reliable estimation results, this paper uses two indicators to measure the divorce rate, and quantile regression is applied for further analysis. Additionally, one-year to five-year lag times of the mobile phone penetration are used as the core explanatory variables in order to analyse the lagging effect of mobile phone penetration on divorce rate. The result shows that the correlation between the mobile phone penetration and the divorce rate was statistically positive significant in China during the period 2001–2016. Furthermore, the paper also finds that mobile phone penetration had the greatest impact on divorce rate in central China, followed by eastern China, but it was not obvious in western China during this period. From a technological perspective, this paper provides some possible explanations for the rising divorce rate in China in recent years, and further enriches the relevant research on the impact of the development of information and communication technology on societal changes.
Internet Use by Secondary School Students: A Digital Divide in Sustainable Societies?
Authors: Ballesta Pagán Francisco Javier , Lozano Martínez Josefina , Cerezo Máiquez Mari Carmen
Published: October 2018

Although the use of the Internet is generalised, its potential as a teaching tool is rarely taken into account. At the same time, there exists a digital divide affecting vulnerable or disadvantaged groups: students of foreign origin and students with special educational needs. It is necessary to identify how inequality can be overcome to reach the objectives set by the United Nations regarding sustainable forms of development for education and to foster more inclusive and egalitarian societies. In this research with students aged 12–16, the objective was to establish profiles according to gender, social class, ethnic background and educational special needs. We used a mixed methodological design, applying a questionnaire to 2734 students from 15 centres and qualitative data collection techniques. We made a descriptive and inferential analysis (SPSS program) and a qualitative data content analysis supported by the “Maxqda” program. The results show that, although most students have Internet access, students of foreign origin and students with special educational needs use this resource less frequently. There are significant differences for gender. Likewise, social divide has an impact on the learning potential of the Internet. Some proposals for improvement are provided, from the framework of the school, with a view to improving socio-educational equity and inclusion in societies in search of a more sustainable form of development.
The Evolving Role of IT Departments in Digital Transformation
Authors: Hsu Che-Chuan , Tsaih Rua-Huan , Yen David C.
Published: October 2018

In the digital era, organizations are increasingly tasked with creating and utilizing new content, applications, and/or services through the use of advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) to sustain a competitive advantage. Indeed, sustainability is now an embedded and overarching feature of organizations’ strategic planning. Research has shown that information technology (IT) departments are vital to organizations’ digital transformation. However, the role of IT departments in non-ICT-oriented organizations undergoing digital transformation has yet to be explored. Our study reveals that although the IT departments of non-ICT-oriented organizations play an important and proactive role in the early stages of organizational transformation and a dominant role in developing ICT capabilities, they will be unable to assume a leadership role within the organizations after transformation is complete.
Capturing the Bigger Picture? Applying Text Analytics to Foster Open Innovation Processes for Sustainability-Oriented Innovation
Authors: Wehnert Peter , Kollwitz Christoph , Daiberl Christofer , Dinter Barbara , Beckmann Markus
Published: October 2018

In open innovation initiatives for sustainability-oriented innovations, it is indispensable to have a wide array of engaging stakeholders. Yet, as not all relevant actors are able or willing to participate, important opinions can go unnoticed. Due to such stakeholder selection effects, aspects of high relevance may remain uncaptured. To address this issue, we first define the concept of silent stakeholders and relate it to sustainability-oriented innovations. We then discuss the new approach of employing analytical methods to examine existing sources outside the innovation process for silent stakeholder opinions. For this purpose, we conduct an action research study demonstrating how to examine broad discourse data with text analytics for an open innovation project aiming to create a sustainability-oriented innovation. To this end, we develop an approach for the efficient integration of external sources in open innovation processes. We find that text analytics of broad discourse data can particularly support the orientation and idea generation phase for sustainability-oriented innovation. Furthermore, we identify possibilities for the application of further data mining methods to complement open innovation approaches along the innovation process. Building on that, we propose an integrated framework. Hence, we add to the literature on stakeholder participation, analytical methods and innovation management, as well as sustainability-oriented innovation.
Using Local Agroecological Knowledge in Climate Change Adaptation: A Study of Tree-Based Options in Northern Morocco
Authors: Kmoch Laura , Pagella Tim , Palm Matilda , Sinclair Fergus
Published: October 2018

Communities in northern Morocco are vulnerable to increasing water scarcity and food insecurity. Context specific adaptation options thus need to be identified to sustain livelihoods and agroecosystems in this region, and increase the resilience of vulnerable smallholders, and their farming systems, to undesired effects of social-ecological change. This study took a knowledge-based systems approach to explore whether and how tree-based (i.e., agroforestry) options could contribute to meeting these adaptation needs. We analysed local agroecological knowledge of smallholders from the Mèknes–Tafilalet region, to (i) characterise existing farming systems at local landscape scale; (ii) identify possible niches for farm-trees within these systems; and (iii) explore locally perceived barriers to tree-based diversification. An iterative cycle of qualitative interviews, with a purposefully selected sample of 32 farmers, revealed that socio-economic constraints and agroecological conditions in the area differed markedly along a relatively short altitudinal gradient. Agroforestry practices were already integral to all farming systems. Yet, many were at risk of degradation, as water scarcity, low profitability of production systems and uncontrolled grazing constituted critical barriers to the maintenance and diversification of farm-trees. We demonstrate the discriminatory power of local knowledge, to characterise farming conditions at the local landscape scale; and unveil adoption barriers and options for tree-based diversification in northern Morocco.
What Determines the Purchase Intention of Liquid Milk during a Food Security Crisis? The Role of Perceived Trust, Knowledge, and Risk
Authors: Hoque Mohammed Ziaul , Alam Md. Nurul
Published: October 2018

Until today, inadequate food supply, malnutrition, food adulteration, etc., are still the key concern in developing economies. In order to address these issues of food security crisis, and to stimulate a sustainable supply of liquid milk (LM), a consumer behavior model was created, in which consumers’ perceived knowledge, trust and risk were the major catalysts. To shed light on this context, the study examined the effect of consumers’ perceived knowledge (PK) on their perceived risk (PR) and trust (in information sources and in the product). Further, the influence of consumers’ perceived knowledge, risk, and trust on their attitude and purchase intention (PI) were investigated via an exclusive survey design. The survey was conducted in the urban area of Dhaka and Chittagong, Bangladesh. The sample of 712 households was selected randomly and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed employing descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modelling. The results show that during a food security crisis, consumers’ perceived knowledge amplifies their perceived risk and their trust in information sources (ISs). During such a period, their perceived knowledge does not induce purchase intention but trust in ISs does. Again, consumers’ perceived risk leads to reduced trust in products, and hence in LM, but not reduced trust in ISs. Moreover, a paradoxical influence was found, where consumers’ perceived risks had no significant effect on the PI, meaning that they underestimate the risk of purchasing LM. The results also show that when explaining the purchase intention of LM, the effect of ‘trust in ISs’ was higher than that of their perceived ‘trust in the product (LM)’ and perceived knowledge.
An Extended VIKOR Method for Multiple Criteria Group Decision Making with Triangular Fuzzy Neutrosophic Numbers
Authors: Wang Jie , Wei Guiwu , Lu Mao
Published: October 2018

In this article, we combine the original VIKOR model with a triangular fuzzy neutrosophic set to propose the triangular fuzzy neutrosophic VIKOR method. In the extended method, we use the triangular fuzzy neutrosophic numbers (TFNNs) to present the criteria values in multiple criteria group decision making (MCGDM) problems. Firstly, we summarily introduce the fundamental concepts, operation formulas and distance calculating method of TFNNs. Then we review some aggregation operators of TFNNs. Thereafter, we extend the original VIKOR model to the triangular fuzzy neutrosophic environment and introduce the calculating steps of the TFNNs VIKOR method, our proposed method which is more reasonable and scientific for considering the conflicting criteria. Furthermore, a numerical example for potential evaluation of emerging technology commercialization is presented to illustrate the new method, and some comparisons are also conducted to further illustrate advantages of the new method.
Localization Free Energy Efficient and Cooperative Routing Protocols for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Shah Sahar , Khan Anwar , Ali Ihsan , Ko Kwang-Man , Mahmood Hasan
Published: October 2018

Mitigation of channel unfavorable circumstances during data routing in underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) has utmost significance. It guarantees saving packet corruption along unfavorable channels so that vital data is not lost or become meaningless. This paper proposes two routing protocols for UWSNs: localization free energy efficient routing (LFEER) and its improved version, localization free energy efficient cooperative routing (Co-LFEER). The LFEER makes decision of choosing a relay based on its maximum residual energy, number of hops and the bit error rate of the link over which packets are transmitted. These metrics are chosen to save packets from corruption to the maximum limit and maintain stable paths (where nodes do not die soon). Since a single link is used in the LFEER for packets forwarding, the link may become worse with changing circumstances of the channel. To deal with this issue, cooperative routing is added to the LFFER to construct the Co-LFEER protocol, in which some copies of packets are received by destination to decide about packets quality. Converse to some prevalent protocols, both LFEER and Co-LFEER are independent of knowing the sensor nodes’ positions, which increases computational complexity and wasteful utilization of resources. Based on extensive simulations, the proposed schemes are better than Co-DBR in reducing energy utilization and advancing packets to the desired destination.
Third-Order Hankel Determinant for Certain Class of Analytic Functions Related with Exponential Function
Authors: Zhang Hai-Yan , Tang Huo , Niu Xiao-Meng
Published: October 2018

Let S l * denote the class of analytic functions f in the open unit disk D = { z : | z | < 1 } normalized by f ( 0 ) = f ′ ( 0 ) − 1 = 0 , which is subordinate to exponential function, z f ′ ( z ) f ( z ) ≺ e z ( z ∈ D ) . In this paper, we aim to investigate the third-order Hankel determinant H 3 ( 1 ) for this function class S l * associated with exponential function and obtain the upper bound of the determinant H 3 ( 1 ) . Meanwhile, we give two examples to illustrate the results obtained.
Pythagorean Fuzzy Hamy Mean Operators in Multiple Attribute Group Decision Making and Their Application to Supplier Selection
Authors: Li Zengxian , Wei Guiwu , Lu Mao
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we extend the Hamy mean (HM) operator and dual Hamy mean (DHM) operator with Pythagorean fuzzy numbers (PFNs) to propose Pythagorean fuzzy Hamy mean (PFHM) operator, weighted Pythagorean fuzzy Hamy mean (WPFHM) operator, Pythagorean fuzzy dual Hamy mean (PFDHM) operator, weighted Pythagorean fuzzy dual Hamy mean (WPFDHM) operator. Then the multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) methods are proposed with these operators. In the end, we utilize an applicable example for supplier selection to prove the proposed methods.
Nekhoroshev Stability for the Dirichlet Toda Lattice
Authors: Henrici Andreas
Published: October 2018

In this work, we prove a Nekhoroshev-type stability theorem for the Toda lattice with Dirichlet boundary conditions, i.e., with fixed ends. The Toda lattice is a member of the family of Fermi-Pasta-Ulam (FPU) chains, and in view of the unexpected recurrence phenomena numerically observed in these chains, it has been a long-standing research aim to apply the theory of perturbed integrable systems to these chains, in particular to the Toda lattice which has been shown to be a completely integrable system. The Dirichlet Toda lattice can be treated mathematically by using symmetries of the periodic Toda lattice. Precisely, by treating the phase space of the former system as an invariant subset of the latter one, namely as the fixed point set of an important symmetry of the periodic lattice, the results already obtained for the periodic lattice can be used to obtain analogous results for the Dirichlet lattice. In this way, we transfer our stability results for the periodic lattice to the Dirichlet lattice. The Nekhoroshev theorem is a perturbation theory result which does not have the probabilistic character of related theorems, and the lattice with fixed ends is more important for applications than the periodic one.
Fibonacci and Lucas Numbers of the Form 2a + 3b + 5c + 7d
Authors: Qu Yunyun , Zeng Jiwen , Cao Yongfeng
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we find all Fibonacci and Lucas numbers written in the form 2 a + 3 b + 5 c + 7 d , in non-negative integers a , b , c , d , with 0 ≤ max { a , b , c } ≤ d .
New Soft Set Based Class of Linear Algebraic Codes
Authors: Ali Mumtaz , Khan Huma , Son Le Hoang , Smarandache Florentin , Kandasamy W. B. Vasantha
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we design and develop a new class of linear algebraic codes defined as soft linear algebraic codes using soft sets. The advantage of using these codes is that they have the ability to transmit m-distinct messages to m-set of receivers simultaneously. The methods of generating and decoding these new classes of soft linear algebraic codes have been developed. The notion of soft canonical generator matrix, soft canonical parity check matrix, and soft syndrome are defined to aid in construction and decoding of these codes. Error detection and correction of these codes are developed and illustrated by an example.
A New Approach to the Solution of the Fredholm Integral Equation via a Fixed Point on Extended b-Metric Spaces
Authors: Karapınar Erdal , Kumari Panda Sumati , Lateef Durdana
Published: October 2018

It is very well known that real-life applications of fixed point theory are restricted with the transformation of the problem in the form of f ( x ) = x . (1) The Knaster–Tarski fixed point theorem underlies various approaches of checking the correctness of programs. (2) The Brouwer fixed point theorem is used to prove the existence of Nash equilibria in games. (3) Dlala et al. proposed a solution for magnetic field problems via the fixed point approach.
Inconsistent Data Cleaning Based on the Maximum Dependency Set and Attribute Correlation
Authors: Li Pei , Dai Chaofan , Wang Wenqian
Published: October 2018

In banks, governments, and Internet companies, inconsistent data problems may often arise when various information systems are collecting, processing, and updating data due to human or equipment reasons. The emergence of inconsistent data makes it impossible to obtain correct information from the data and reduces its availability. Such problems may be fatal in data-intensive enterprises, which causes huge economic losses. Moreover, it is very difficult to clean inconsistent data in databases, especially for data containing conditional functional dependencies with built-in predicates (CFDPs), because it tends to contain more candidate repair values. For the inconsistent data containing CFDPs to detect incomplete and repair difficult problems in databases, we propose a dependency lifting algorithm (DLA) based on the maximum dependency set (MDS) and a reparation algorithm (C-Repair) based on integrating the minimum cost and attribute correlation, respectively. In detection, we find recessive dependencies from the original dependency set to obtain the MDS and improve the original algorithm by dynamic domain adjustment, which extends the applicability to continuous attributes and improves the detection accuracy. In reparation, we first set up a priority queue (PQ) for elements to be repaired based on the minimum cost idea to select a candidate element; then, we treat the corresponding conflict-free instance ( I n v ) as the training set to learn the correlation among attributes and compute the weighted distance (WDis) between the tuple of the candidate element and other tuples in I n v according to the correlation; and, lastly, we perform reparation based on the WDis and re-compute the PQ after each reparation round to improve the efficiency, and use a label, flag, to mark the repaired elements to ensure the convergence at the same time. By setting up a contrast experiment, we compare the DLA with the CFDPs based algorithm, and the C-Repair with a cost-based, interpolation-based algorithm on a simulated instance and a real instance. From the experimental results, the DLA and C-Repair algorithms have better detection and repair ability at a higher time cost.
RNA-Seq Analysis for Assessing the Early Response to DSP Toxins in Mytilus galloprovincialis Digestive Gland and Gill
Authors: Prego-Faraldo María Verónica , Martínez Luisa , Méndez Josefina
Published: October 2018

The harmful effects of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins on mammalian cell lines have been widely assessed. Studies in bivalves suggest that mussels display a resistance to the cytogenotoxic effects of DSP toxins. Further, it seems that the bigger the exposure, the more resistant mussels become. To elucidate the early genetic response of mussels against these toxins, the digestive gland and the gill transcriptomes of Mytilus galloprovincialis after Prorocentrum lima exposure (100,000 cells/L, 48 h) were de novo assembled based on the sequencing of 8 cDNA libraries obtained using an Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform. The assembly provided 95,702 contigs. A total of 2286 and 4523 differentially expressed transcripts were obtained in the digestive gland and the gill, respectively, indicating tissue-specific transcriptome responses. These transcripts were annotated and functionally enriched, showing 44 and 60 significant Pfam families in the digestive gland and the gill, respectively. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to validate the differential expression patterns of several genes related to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, energy production, genome integrity and defense, suggesting their participation in the protective mechanism. This work provides knowledge of the early response against DSP toxins in the mussel M. galloprovincialis and useful information for further research on the molecular mechanisms of the bivalve resistance to these toxins.
Canine Influenza Virus is Mildly Restricted by Canine Tetherin Protein
Authors: Zheng Yun , Hao Xiangqi , Zheng Qingxu , Lin Xi , Zhang Xin , Zeng Weijie , Ding Shiyue , Zhou Pei , Li Shoujun
Published: October 2018

Tetherin (BST2/CD317/HM1.24) has emerged as a key host-cell ·defence molecule that acts by inhibiting the release and spread of diverse enveloped virions from infected cells. We analysed the biological features of canine tetherin and found it to be an unstable hydrophilic type I transmembrane protein with one transmembrane domain, no signal peptide, and multiple glycosylation and phosphorylation sites. Furthermore, the tissue expression profile of canine tetherin revealed that it was particularly abundant in immune organs. The canine tetherin gene contains an interferon response element sequence that can be regulated and expressed by canine IFN-α. A CCK-8 assay showed that canine tetherin was effective in helping mitigate cellular damage caused by canine influenza virus (CIV) infection. Additionally, we found that the overexpression of canine tetherin inhibited replication of the CIV and that interference with the canine tetherin gene enhanced CIV replication in cells. The impact of canine tetherin on CIV replication was mild. However, these results elucidate the role of the innate immune factor, canine tetherin, during CIV infection for the first time.
Comparative Pathogenicity of Wildlife and Bovine Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains in Experimentally Inoculated Neonatal Jersey Calves
Authors: Antaki-Zukoski Elizabeth M. , Li Xunde , Pesavento Patricia A. , Nguyen Tran H. B. , Hoar Bruce R. , Atwill Edward R.
Published: October 2018

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, like E. coli O157:H7, are important human and animal pathogens. Naturally-acquired E. coli O157:H7 infections occur in numerous species but, particularly, cattle have been identified as a significant reservoir for human cases. E. coli O157:H7 are isolated from a number of domestic and wild animals, including rodents that share a living space with cattle. These Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 strains can be highly virulent in humans, but little is known about the sequelae of interspecies transfer. In a group of neonatal calves, we determined the differences in colonization patterns and lesions associated with infection using either a wildlife or bovine E. coli O157:H7 strain. In calves challenged with the wildlife E. coli O157:H7 strain, the large (descending) colon was solely colonized, which differed substantially from the calves inoculated with the bovine E. coli O157:H7 strain, where the spiral colon was the principal target of infection. This study also demonstrated that while both interspecies- and intraspecies-derived E. coli O157:H7 can infect young calves, the distribution and severity differs.
Least Squares Support Vector Mechanics to Predict the Stability Number of Rubble-Mound Breakwaters
Authors: Gedik Nuray
Published: October 2018

In coastal engineering, empirical formulas grounded on experimental works regarding the stability of breakwaters have been developed. In recent years, soft computing tools such as artificial neural networks and fuzzy models have started to be employed to diminish the time and cost spent in these mentioned experimental works. To predict the stability number of rubble-mound breakwaters, the least squares version of support vector machines (LSSVM) method is used because it can be assessed as an alternative one to diverse soft computing techniques. The LSSVM models have been operated through the selected seven parameters, which are determined by Mallows’ Cp approach, that are, namely, breakwater permeability, damage level, wave number, slope angle, water depth, significant wave heights in front of the structure, and peak wave period. The performances of the LSSVM models have shown superior accuracy (correlation coefficients (CC) of 0.997) than that of artificial neural networks (ANN), fuzzy logic (FL), and genetic programming (GP), that are all implemented in the related literature. As a result, it is thought that this study will provide a practical way for readers to estimate the stability number of rubble-mound breakwaters with more accuracy.
RETRACTED: Liu et al. Evaluation of Water Resource Security Based on an MIV-BP Model in a Karst Area. Water 2018, 10, 786
Authors: Liying Liu , Dongjie Guan , Qingwei Yang ,   Water  Editorial Office
Published: October 2018

The Water Editorial Office has been made aware that the published paper [1] has a significant overlap with a previously published manuscript from the same authors, submitted to a Chinese journal.[...]
Historical Trends of Academic Research on the Water Environment in Japan: Evidence from the Academic Literature in the Past 50 Years
Authors: Kuroda Masashi , Hara Keishiro , Takekawa Masashi , Uwasu Michinori , Ike Michihiko
Published: October 2018

This paper analyzes historical trends of academic research on the water environment in Japan over the past 50 years in relation to societal circumstances by looking into 1470 articles published in a Japanese domestic journal during 1961–2010. We examined three components of the individual articles to substantiate the trends including “Visions”, “Target Water”, and “Objects”. The database of these components was first constructed, and then statistically analyzed. Principal components analyses revealed two historical turning points of the research trends, in 1970 and in the mid-1990s, showing first a clear transition of the main concern from industrial pollution to eutrophication, and later, a transition to global environmental issues. We also demonstrate that Visions and Target Water gradually diversified during the past 50 years, indicating that although the research activity in the early periods focused on serious pollution issues, more recently, the scope of water environmental studies expanded to various other issues along with the improvement in the quality of the water environment. We argue that academic research activity in Japan was conducted in close association with public concern and global movements in a timely and sensitive manner. Such knowledge could also provide implications to other nations facing serious water pollution.
Removal of Natural Organic Matter and Organic Micropollutants during Riverbank Filtration in Krajkowo, Poland
Authors: Dragon Krzysztof , Górski Józef , Kruć Roksana , Drożdżyński Dariusz , Grischek Thomas
Published: October 2018

The aim of this article is to evaluate the removal of natural organic matter and micropollutants at a riverbank filtration site in Krajkowo, Poland, and its dependence on the distance between the wells and the river and related travel times. A high reduction in dissolved organic carbon (40–42%), chemical oxygen demand (65–70%), and colour (42–47%) was found in the riverbank filtration wells at a distance of 60–80 m from the river. A lower reduction in dissolved organic carbon (26%), chemical oxygen demand (42%), and colour (33%) was observed in a horizontal well. At greater distances of the wells from the river, the removal of pharmaceutical residues and pesticides was in the range of 52–66% and 55–66%, respectively. The highest removal of pharmaceutical residues and pesticides was found in a well located 250 m from the river and no micropollutants were detected in a well located 680 m from the river. The results provide evidence of the high efficacy of riverbank filtration for contaminant removal.
An Accelerated Tool for Flood Modelling Based on Iber
Authors: García-Feal Orlando , González-Cao José , Gómez-Gesteira Moncho , Cea Luis , Domínguez José Manuel , Formella Arno
Published: October 2018

This paper presents Iber+, a new parallel code based on the numerical model Iber for two-dimensional (2D) flood inundation modelling. The new implementation, which is coded in C++ and takes advantage of the parallelization functionalities both on CPUs (central processing units) and GPUs (graphics processing units), was validated using different benchmark cases and compared, in terms of numerical output and computational efficiency, with other well-known hydraulic software packages. Depending on the complexity of the specific test case, the new parallel implementation can achieve speedups up to two orders of magnitude when compared with the standard version. The speedup is especially remarkable for the GPU parallelization that uses Nvidia CUDA (compute unified device architecture). The efficiency is as good as the one provided by some of the most popular hydraulic models. We also present the application of Iber+ to model an extreme flash flood that took place in the Spanish Pyrenees in October 2012. The new implementation was used to simulate 24 h of real time in roughly eight minutes of computing time, while the standard version needed more than 15 h. This huge improvement in computational efficiency opens up the possibility of using the code for real-time forecasting of flood events in early-warning systems, in order to help decision making under hazardous events that need a fast intervention to deploy countermeasures.
Communication Optimization for Multiphase Flow Solver in the Library of OpenFOAM
Authors: Lin Zhipeng , Yang Wenjing , Zhou Houcun , Xu Xinhai , Sun Liaoyuan , Zhang Yongjun , Tang Yuhua
Published: October 2018

Multiphase flow solvers are widely-used applications in OpenFOAM, whose scalability suffers from the costly communication overhead. Therefore, we establish communication-optimized multiphase flow solvers in OpenFOAM. In this paper, we first deliver a scalability bottleneck test on the typical multiphase flow case damBreak and reveal that the Message Passing Interface (MPI) communication in a Multidimensional Universal Limiter for Explicit Solution (MULES) and a Preconditioned Conjugate Gradient (PCG) algorithm is the short slab of multiphase flow solvers. Furthermore, an analysis of the communication behavior is carried out. We find that the redundant communication in MULES and the global synchronization in PCG are the performance limiting factors. Based on the analysis, we propose our communication optimization algorithm. For MULES, we remove the redundant communication and obtain optMULES. For PCG, we import several intermediate variables and rearrange PCG to reduce the global communication. We also overlap the computation of matrix-vector multiply and vector update with the non-blocking computation. The resulting algorithms are respectively referred to as OFPiPePCG and OFRePiPePCG. Extensive experiments show that our proposed method could dramatically increase the parallel scalability and solving speed of multiphase flow solvers in OpenFOAM approximately without the loss of accuracy.
The design and synthesis of an antibacterial phenothiazine–siderophore conjugate
Authors: Tarapdar Abed , Norris James K S , Sampson Oliver , Mukamolova Galina , Hodgkinson James T
Published: October 2018

Siderophore–antibiotic conjugates consist of an antibiotic covalently linked by a tether to a siderophore. Such conjugates can demonstrate enhanced uptake and internalisation to the bacterial cell resulting in significantly reduced MIC values and extended spectrum of activity. Phenothiazines are a class of small molecules that have been identified as a potential treatment for multidrug resistant tuberculosis and latent TB. Herein we report the design and synthesis of the first phenothiazine–siderophore conjugate. A convergent synthetic route was developed whereby the functionalised phenothiazine component was prepared in four steps and the siderophore component also prepared in four steps. In M. smegmatis the functionalised phenothiazine demonstrated an equipotent MIC value in direct comparison to the parent phenothiazine from which it was derived. The final conjugate was synthesised by amide bond formation between the two components and global deprotection of the PMB protecting groups to unmask the catechol iron chelating groups of the siderophore. The synthesis is readily amenable to the preparation of analogues whereby the siderophore component of the conjugate can be modified. The route will be used to prepare a library of siderophore–phenothiazine conjugates for full biological evaluation of much needed new antibacterial agents.
Statistical Study of the Swift X-Ray Flash and X-Ray Rich Gamma-Ray Bursts
Authors: Bi Xiongwei , Mao Jirong , Liu Chuanxi , Bai Jin-Ming
Published: October 2018

We build a comprehensive sample to statistically describe the properties of X-ray flashes (XRFs) and X-ray riches (XRRs) from the third Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT3) catalog of Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). We obtain 81 XRFs, 540 XRRs, and 394 classical GRBs (C-GRBs). We statistically explore the different properties of the γ-ray prompt emission, the X-ray emission, the X-ray light-curve type, the association with supernovae (SNe), and the host galaxy properties for these sources. We confirm that most XRFs/XRRs are long GRBs with low values of peak energy

and they are low-luminosity GRBs. XRFs, XRRs, and C-GRBs follow the same E

X,iso–E

γ,iso–E
peak,z
correlations. Compared to the classical GRBs, XRFs are favorable to have the association with SN explosions. We do not find any significant differences of redshift distribution and host galaxy properties among XRFs, XRRs, and C-GRBs. We also discuss some observational biases and selection effects that may affect our statistical results. The GRB detectors with wide energy range and low energy threshold are expected for the XRF/XRR research in the future.
Rotational Quenching of HD in Collisions with H2: Resolving Discrepancies for Low-lying Rotational Transitions
Authors: Balakrishnan N. , Croft J. F. E. , Yang B. H. , Forrey R. C. , Stancil P. C.
Published: October 2018

The deuterated hydrogen molecule HD has been observed in a variety of cool molecular astrophysical environments. By virtue of its small dipole moment the HD molecule is believed to have played an important role in the cooling of the primordial gas in the formation of the first stars and galaxies. HD has also recently been proposed as a tracer of molecular hydrogen in protoplanetary disk evolution, providing a diagnostic for the total disk mass. Here we report benchmark computations of rotational quenching rate coefficients for HD in collisions with H2 based on quantum coupled channel methods within the rigid rotor model, and validate them against full-dimensional rovibrational scattering formalism. It is found that the rigid rotor model yields accurate rate coeffiicents for rotational transitions in HD+H2 collisions at astrophysically relevant kinetic temperatures. Results are reported using the most recent highly accurate interaction potentials for the H2–H2 system. We obtain excellent agreement with previous results of Schaefer for the most important Δj = ±1, ±2 transitions in HD induced by ortho- and para-H2, but find significant differences with recent results of Sultanov et al. that employed the same interaction potential as the one adopted here.
Betatron Cooling of Suprathermal Electrons in the Terrestrial Magnetotail
Authors: Liu C. M. , Liu Y. Y. , Xu Y. , Zhao M. J.
Published: October 2018

The cigar distribution of suprathermal electrons (40–200 keV), showing electron pitch angles primarily in the parallel and anti-parallel directions, has been frequently observed in the terrestrial magnetotail. The formation of such a distribution is typically attributed to Fermi acceleration, betatron cooling, or a combination of these. To date, Fermi acceleration has been well studied via both observations and simulations, while betatron cooling has not been verified directly. In this study, we focus on the betatron cooling of suprathermal electrons. By analyzing a unique case observed by the Cluster spacecraft in the Earth's magnetotail (X
GSM ≈ −15 R

E
), we find a significant drop of electron flux in association with the decrease of magnetic field strength, i.e., a magnetic dip. This magnetic dip is formed due to the expansion of flux tubes driven by two opposite flows. The drop in electron flux, primarily in the perpendicular direction, is therefore strong evidence of betatron cooling. We successfully reproduce these processes using an analytical model.
SMASHing the LMC: A Tidally Induced Warp in the Outer LMC and a Large-scale Reddening Map
Authors: Choi Yumi , Nidever David L. , Olsen Knut , Blum Robert D. , Besla Gurtina , Zaritsky Dennis , van der Marel Roeland P. , Bell Eric F. , Gallart Carme , Cioni Maria-Rosa L. , Clifton Johnson L. , Katherina Vivas A. , Saha Abhijit , de Boer Thomas J. L. , Noël Noelia E. D. , Monachesi Antonela , Massana Pol , Conn Blair C. , Martinez-Delgado David , Muñoz Ricardo R. , Stringfellow Guy S.
Published: October 2018

We present a study of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) using ∼2.2 million red clump (RC) stars selected from the Survey of the MAgellanic Stellar History. To correct for line-of-sight dust extinction, the intrinsic RC color and magnitude and their radial dependence are carefully measured by using internal nearly dust-free regions. These are then used to construct an accurate 2D reddening map (165 deg2 area with ∼10′ resolution) of the LMC disk and the 3D spatial distribution of RC stars. An inclined disk model is fit to the 2D distance map, yielding a best-fit inclination angle

degrees with random errors of ±0.°19 and line-of-nodes position angle

degrees with random errors of ±0.°49. These angles vary with galactic radius, indicating that the LMC disk is warped and twisted likely due to the repeated tidal interactions with the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). For the first time, our data reveal a significant warp in the southwestern part of the outer disk starting at ρ ∼ 7° that departs from the defined LMC plane up to ∼4 kpc toward the SMC, suggesting that it originated from a strong interaction with the SMC. In addition, the inner disk encompassing the off-centered bar appears to be tilted up to 5°–15° relative to the rest of the LMC disk. These findings on the outer warp and the tilted bar are consistent with the predictions from the Besla et al. simulation of a recent direct collision with the SMC.
On the Weak Field Approximation for Ca 8542 Å
Authors: Centeno Rebecca
Published: October 2018

The weak field approximation (WFA) is a conceptually simple and computationally light method for inferring the magnetic field strength and its orientation in the Sun’s atmosphere. In this work, we study the validity and limitations of this tool when applied to full Stokes Ca ii 8542 Å profiles to extract information about the chromospheric magnetic field. We find that the range of validity of the WFA depends, among other things, on the component of the magnetic field that one is trying to infer. The retrieval of the line-of-sight component of the chromospheric magnetic field from the core of the spectral line is reliable for field strengths up to ∼1200 G, even when moderate velocity gradients are present. The horizontal component, on the other hand, is suitably derived using the wing–core boundary of the spectral line, but typically yields systematic errors of

. The effects of scattering polarization further compound the problem by rendering the transverse field inference problematic in quiet Sun areas, and for observing geometries within 30◦ of the limb. Magneto-optical effects disproportionately challenge the determination of the magnetic field azimuth in the transverse plane, leading to errors of

. Typical noise levels of

relative to the continuum intensity preclude the accurate retrieval of the transverse field strength and its azimuth below a threshold of a few hundred Gauss. Striving for a noise level of

significantly improves the diagnostic capability of the WFA with this spectral line, at which point the magnetic field inference becomes limited by systematic errors.
Dust Motions in Magnetized Turbulence: Source of Chemical Complexity
Authors: Cassone Giuseppe , Saija Franz , Sponer Jiri , Sponer Judit E. , Ferus Martin , Krus Miroslav , Ciaravella Angela , Jiménez-Escobar Antonio , Cecchi-Pestellini Cesare
Published: October 2018

In addition to the manufacture of complex organic molecules from impacting cometary and icy planet surface analogs, which is well-established, dust grain–grain collisions driven by turbulence in interstellar or circumstellar regions may represent a parallel chemical route toward the shock synthesis of prebiotically relevant species. Here we report on a study, based on the multi-scale shock-compression technique combined with ab initio molecular dynamics approaches, where the shock-wave-driven chemistry of mutually colliding isocyanic acid (HNCO) containing icy grains has been simulated by first principles. At the shock-wave velocity threshold triggering the chemical transformation of the sample (7 km s−1), formamide is the first synthesized species, thus being the springboard for the further complexification of the system. Also, upon increasing the shock impact velocity, formamide is formed in progressively larger amounts. More interestingly, at the highest velocity considered (10 km s−1), impacts drive the production of diverse carbon–carbon bonded species. In addition to glycine, the building block of alanine (i.e., ethanimine) and one of the major components of a plethora of amino acids including, e.g., asparagine, cysteine, and leucine (i.e., vinylamine), have been detected after shock compression of samples containing the most widespread molecule in the universe (H2) and the simplest compound bearing all of the primary biogenic elements (HNCO). The present results indicate novel chemical pathways toward the chemical complexity typical of interstellar and circumstellar regions.
The family Ismaridae Thomson (Hymenoptera, Diaprioidea): first record for the Afrotropical region with description of fourteen new species
Authors: Kim Chang-Jun , Copeland Robert , Notton David
Published: October 2018

The family Ismaridae Thomson, 1858 is reported from the Afrotropical region for the first time. A total of 15 species are recognised, 14 of which are described as new: Ismarusafricanussp. n. from Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa; I.apertussp. n. from Kenya; I.bicolorsp. n. from Cameroon, Kenya; I.goodrichisp. n. from Kenya; I.kakamegensissp. n. from Kenya; I.kenyensissp. n. from Kenya; I.laevigatussp. n. from South Africa; I.madagascariensissp. n. from Madagascar; I.minutussp. n. from Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe; I.nigrofasciatussp. n. from Malawi, Uganda; I.notaulicussp. n. from Kenya; I.rawlinsisp. n. from Kenya, Malawi; I.steinerisp. n. from Madagascar; I.watshamisp. n. from Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe. Ismarushalidayi Förster is reported for continental Africa from South Africa (new record). We provide an identification key to all species in Afrotropical region.
Les pays européens sortent difficilement du « chacun pour soi »
Authors: Tandonnet Maxime
Published: October 2018

Malgré une forte impulsion donnée par le sommet de Tampere (Finlande) en 1999, les quinze Etats-membres de l’Union européenne peinent à définir une politique commune face à l’immigration. L’impact électoral de cette question entraine un repli sur des stratégies nationales.
Les cadres venus du sud développent une identité transationale
Authors: Latreche Abdelkader
Published: October 2018

La circulation des scientifiques et des cadres constitue un aspect important des migrations internationales. Les pays européens n’ont pourtant pas encore fait le choix d’une politique ciblée à leur égard. Ce sont les multinationales qui ont vu quel profit tirer des contacts permanents que ces expatriés maintiennent avec leur pays d’origine.
Les Balkans, carrefour de l’exil et de la prostitution
Authors: Dérens Jean-Arnault
Published: October 2018

La destabilisation des Balkans par la guerre durant la dernière décade y a notamment favorisé le trafic de la prostitution. Les réseaux ont d’abord exploités des victimes qui proviennent majoritairement des pays de l’extrême Est de l’Europe mais cette activité criminelle tend aujourd’hui à affecter directement les sociétés albanaises et monténégrines.
L’Italie prend à bras le corps la question albanaise
Authors: Sciaresa Alfio
Published: October 2018

L’Italie, avec ses 7600 kilomètres de côtes, constitue sans doute le plus important pays d’entrée des immigrants clandestins dans l’Union européenne. Elle a mis en place une politique active de contrôle en Albanie mais la poursuite du phénomène migratoire donne des arguments aux partis populistes.
L’après-séparation ou les limites de la voie judiciaire dans la poursuite de la coparentalité
Authors: Stock Carine Vander
Published: October 2018

La sollicitation de la justice en cas de divorce litigieux est fréquente. L’auteur, juriste, souligne que cependant, le cadre judiciaire ne permet pas toujours de tenir compte de la complexité des liens déterriorés entre les partenaires d’un couple. Parfois même, il risque d’amplifier les tensions. Insistant sur l’importance de préserver les enfants d’un couple en guerre, elle décrit une forme de justice participative, récemment mise sur pied et mieux adaptée à ce type de situation.
Séparation, violences conjugales et parentalité : l’expertise psychologique familiale, une aide à la décision
Authors: Vasselier Novelli Catherine , Bosquet Cécile
Published: October 2018

Dans les contextes de violences conjugales, la séparation est une période sensible. De multiples enjeux existent. Le premier concerne la sécurité des victimes, adultes et enfants. Le second, la parentalité. Conjugalité et parentalité étant intimement liées, nos interventions doivent tenir compte de ce contexte spécifique et proposer deux monoparentalités. Enfin, le dernier enjeu est lié à l’exercice de l’autorité parentale en fonction des compétences encore actives chez chacun des parents. L’expertise psychologique familiale nous semble un support adapté d’aide à la décision, dans l’intérêt de l’enfant.
Observaciones ecológicas, corológicas y taxonómicas de hídridos dulceacuícolas (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa: Hydridae) en la Cuenca del Duero
Authors: Morales Javier , Negro Ana I. , Lizana Miguel
Published: October 2018

Se describe la presencia de cuatro taxones de hidras de agua dulce (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa: Hydridae) en zonas someras epicontinentales de la cuenca del Duero (NO de España). En la subcuenca del Tera se encontraron individuos aislados sobre macrófitos sumergidos de tres taxones: Hydra vulgaris Pallas, 1766, Hydra (Pelmatohydra) oligactis Pallas, 1766 e Hydra (Chlorohydra) viridissima Pallas, 1766, y además en el Carrión grupos coloniales sobre bloques de cuarcita de la forma H. vulgaris var. aurantiaca Ehrenberg, 1838. En todos los casos se corresponde con ecosistemas de media montaña de aguas frías, transparentes y oligotróficas, de pH ligeramente ácido y con escasa mineralización. Todas las especies fueron localizadas en simpatría estricta, aunque en el lago de Sanabria se pudo citar tres taxones en diferentes hábitats. Se documenta la predación en cautividad de H. oligactis sobre gusanos oligoquetos y los periodos de formación de pólipos por gemación.