bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precise Synthesis of Macromolecular Architectures by Novel Iterative Methodology Combining Living Anionic Polymerization with Specially Designed Linking Chemistry
Authors: Goseki Raita , Ito Shotaro , Matsuo Yuri , Higashihara Tomoya , Hirao Akira
Published: September 2017

This article reviews the development of a novel all-around iterative methodology combining living anionic polymerization with specially designed linking chemistry for macromolecular architecture syntheses. The methodology is designed in such a way that the same reaction site is always regenerated after the polymer chain is introduced in each reaction sequence, and this “polymer chain introduction and regeneration of the same reaction site” sequence is repeatable. Accordingly, the polymer chain can be successively and, in principle, limitlessly introduced to construct macromolecular architectures. With this iterative methodology, a variety of synthetically difficult macromolecular architectures, i.e., multicomponent μ-star polymers, high generation dendrimer-like hyperbranched polymers, exactly defined graft polymers, and multiblock polymers having more than three blocks, were successfully synthesized.
The Chemistry and Physics of Bayfol® HX Film Holographic Photopolymer
Authors: Bruder Friedrich-Karl , Fäcke Thomas , Rölle Thomas
Published: September 2017

Holographic photopolymers are a new technology to create passive diffractive optical elements by a pure laser interference recording. In this review, we explain the chemistry concepts of light harvesting in an interference pattern and the subsequent grating formation as chemical response. Using the example of the newly developed Bayfol® HX film we discuss the reaction-diffusion driven photo-polymerization process for an index modulation formation to create volume phase gratings. Further we elucidate the selection of monomer chemistry and discuss details of the recording conditions based on the concept of exposure dosage and exposure time. Influences ranging from high dosage recording to low power recording are explained and how to affect the desired diffraction efficiency. Finally, we outline and demonstrate the process to mass manufacturing of volume phase gratings.
Improving the Sustainability of Farming Practices through the Use of a Symbiotic Approach for Anaerobic Digestion and Digestate Processing
Authors: Pierie Frank , Dsouza Austin , Van Someren Christian , Benders René , Van Gemert Wim , Moll Henri
Published: September 2017

The dairy sector in the Netherlands aims for a 30% increase in efficiency and 30% carbon dioxide emission reduction compared to the reference year of 1990, and a 20% share of renewable energy, all by the year 2020. Anaerobic Digestion (AD) can play a substantial role in achieving these aims. However, results from this study indicate that the AD system is not fully optimized in combination with farming practices regarding sustainability. Therefore, the Industrial Symbiosis concept, combined with energy and environmental system analysis, Life Cycle Analysis and modeling is used to optimize a farm-scale AD system on four indicators of sustainability (i.e., energy efficiency, carbon footprint, environmental impacts and costs). Implemented in a theoretical case, where a cooperation of farms share biomass feedstocks, a symbiotic AD system can significantly lower external energy consumption by 72 to 92%, carbon footprint by 71 to 91%, environmental impacts by 68 to 89%, and yearly expenditures by 56 to 66% compared to a reference cooperation. The largest reductions and economic gains can be achieved when a surplus of manure is available for upgrading into organic fertilizer to replace fossil fertilizers. Applying the aforementioned symbiotic concept to the Dutch farming sector can help to achieve the stated goals indicated by the Dutch agricultural sector for the year 2020.
Effects of Urban Expansion on Forest Loss and Fragmentation in Six Megaregions, China
Authors: Zhou Weiqi , Zhang Sai , Yu Wenjuan , Wang Jing , Wang Weimin
Published: September 2017

Urban expansion has significant effects on forest loss and fragmentation. Previous studies mostly focused on how the amount of developed land affected forest loss and fragmentation, but neglected the impacts of its spatial pattern. This paper examines the effects of both the amount and spatial pattern of urban expansion on forest loss and fragmentation. We conducted a comparison study in the six largest urban megaregions in China—Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH), Yangtze River Delta (YRD), Pearl River Delta (PRD), Wuhan (WH), Chengdu-Chongqing (CY), and Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan (CZT) urban megaregions. We first quantified both the magnitude and speed of urban expansion, and forest loss and fragmentation from 2000 to 2010. We then examined the relationships between urban expansion and forest loss and fragmentation by Pearson correlation and partial correlation analysis using the prefecture city as the analytical unit. We found: (1) urban expansion was a major driver of forest loss in the CZT, PRD, and CY megaregions, with 34.05%, 22.58%, and 19.65% of newly-developed land converted from forests. (2) Both the proportional cover of developed land and its spatial pattern (e.g., patch density) had significant impacts on forest fragmentation at the city level. (3) Proportional cover of developed land was the major factor for forest fragmentation at the city level for the PRD and YRD megaregions, but the impact of the spatial pattern of developed land was more important for the BTH and WH megaregions.
Spectro-Temporal Heterogeneity Measures from Dense High Spatial Resolution Satellite Image Time Series: Application to Grassland Species Diversity Estimation
Authors: Lopes Mailys , Fauvel Mathieu , Ouin Annie , Girard Stéphane
Published: September 2017

Grasslands represent a significant source of biodiversity that is important to monitor over large extents. The Spectral Variation Hypothesis (SVH) assumes that the Spectral Heterogeneity (SH) measured from remote sensing data can be used as a proxy for species diversity. Here, we argue the hypothesis that the grassland’s species differ in their phenology and, hence, that the temporal variations can be used in addition to the spectral variations. The purpose of this study is to attempt verifying the SVH in grasslands using the temporal information provided by dense Satellite Image Time Series (SITS) with a high spatial resolution. Our method to assess the spectro-temporal heterogeneity is based on a clustering of grasslands using a robust technique for high dimensional data. We propose new SH measures derived from this clustering and computed at the grassland level. We compare them to the Mean Distance to Centroid (MDC). The method is experimented on 192 grasslands from southwest France using an intra-annual multispectral SPOT5 SITS comprising 18 images and using single images from this SITS. The combination of two of the proposed SH measures—the within-class variability and the entropy—in a multivariate linear model explained the variance of the grasslands’ Shannon index more than the MDC. However, there were no significant differences between the predicted values issued from the best models using multitemporal and monotemporal imagery. We conclude that multitemporal data at a spatial resolution of 10 m do not contribute to estimating the species diversity. The temporal variations may be more related to the effect of management practices.
Metrological Characterization for Vital Sign Detection by a Bioradar
Authors: Cerasuolo Giovanni , Petrella Orsola , Marciano Luigi , Soldovieri Francesco , Gennarelli Gianluca
Published: September 2017

In space missions, during the long isolation at extreme conditions for human health, it is of paramount importance to monitor vital parameters. One such parameter is the breathing rate. Indeed, several factors can induce some breathing anomalies during the sleep, which may cause apnea episodes. In order to act timely with the right therapy, an early diagnosis is required. Conventional devices are usually uncomfortable since they require electrodes or probes in contact with the subject. An alternative way to perform this kind of measurement in a remote sensing modality is provided by a continuous wave bioradar operating in the microwave frequency band. This is an effective contactless tool for monitoring the respiratory activity through the measurement of chest deformation due to inhalation and exhalation. The radar emits a low power electromagnetic wave at a single frequency, which is reflected by the human chest. By measuring of the phase shift between the incident and reflected wave, it is possible to detect and monitor the respiratory rate. The main contribution of this work is concerned with a metrological characterization of the continuous wave bioradar; which is a topic not thoroughly assessed in the relevant literature. In particular, the bioradar measurements are also compared with data recorded by a spirometer, which is a standard medical device that measures the air volume inhaled and exhaled by the subject. The purpose of this study is the characterization of the measurement standard uncertainty to enable the assessment of the bioradar system performance.
SAW-Based Phononic Crystal Microfluidic Sensor—Microscale Realization of Velocimetry Approaches for Integrated Analytical Platform Applications
Authors: Oseev Aleksandr , Lucklum Ralf , Zubtsov Mikhail , Schmidt Marc-Peter , Mukhin Nikolay , Hirsch Soeren
Published: September 2017

The current work demonstrates a novel surface acoustic wave (SAW) based phononic crystal sensor approach that allows the integration of a velocimetry-based sensor concept into single chip integrated solutions, such as Lab-on-a-Chip devices. The introduced sensor platform merges advantages of ultrasonic velocimetry analytic systems and a microacoustic sensor approach. It is based on the analysis of structural resonances in a periodic composite arrangement of microfluidic channels confined within a liquid analyte. Completed theoretical and experimental investigations show the ability to utilize periodic structure localized modes for the detection of volumetric properties of liquids and prove the efficacy of the proposed sensor concept.
Raman Hyperspectral Imaging for Detection of Watermelon Seeds Infected with Acidovorax citrulli
Authors: Lee Hoonsoo , Kim Moon , Qin Jianwei , Park Eunsoo , Song Yu-Rim , Oh Chang-Sik , Cho Byoung-Kwan
Published: September 2017

The bacterial infection of seeds is one of the most important quality factors affecting yield. Conventional detection methods for bacteria-infected seeds, such as biological, serological, and molecular tests, are not feasible since they require expensive equipment, and furthermore, the testing processes are also time-consuming. In this study, we use the Raman hyperspectral imaging technique to distinguish bacteria-infected seeds from healthy seeds as a rapid, accurate, and non-destructive detection tool. We utilize Raman hyperspectral imaging data in the spectral range of 400–1800 cm−1 to determine the optimal band-ratio for the discrimination of watermelon seeds infected by the bacteria Acidovorax citrulli using ANOVA. Two bands at 1076.8 cm−1 and 437 cm−1 are selected as the optimal Raman peaks for the detection of bacteria-infected seeds. The results demonstrate that the Raman hyperspectral imaging technique has a good potential for the detection of bacteria-infected watermelon seeds and that it could form a suitable alternative to conventional methods.
Towards the Automatic Detection of Pre-Existing Termite Mounds through UAS and Hyperspectral Imagery
Authors: Sandino Juan , Wooler Adam , Gonzalez Felipe
Published: September 2017

The increased technological developments in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) combined with artificial intelligence and Machine Learning (ML) approaches have opened the possibility of remote sensing of extensive areas of arid lands. In this paper, a novel approach towards the detection of termite mounds with the use of a UAV, hyperspectral imagery, ML and digital image processing is intended. A new pipeline process is proposed to detect termite mounds automatically and to reduce, consequently, detection times. For the classification stage, several ML classification algorithms’ outcomes were studied, selecting support vector machines as the best approach for their role in image classification of pre-existing termite mounds. Various test conditions were applied to the proposed algorithm, obtaining an overall accuracy of 68%. Images with satisfactory mound detection proved that the method is “resolution-dependent”. These mounds were detected regardless of their rotation and position in the aerial image. However, image distortion reduced the number of detected mounds due to the inclusion of a shape analysis method in the object detection phase, and image resolution is still determinant to obtain accurate results. Hyperspectral imagery demonstrated better capabilities to classify a huge set of materials than implementing traditional segmentation methods on RGB images only.
Copper Oxide Chitosan Nanocomposite: Characterization and Application in Non-Enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide Sensing
Authors: Arena Antonella , Scandurra Graziella , Ciofi Carmine
Published: September 2017

Electrochemical dissolution of metallic copper into slightly acidic aqueous solutions of chitosan yields a clear and stable dispersion of Copper Oxide nanoparticles into the organic polymer host. The electrochemically synthesized chitosan:CuOx nanocomposite is characterized by means of spectrophotometry, frequency domain electrical measurements and morphological analysis. Solid state electrochemical cells having pure chitosan as the electrolyte and using chitosan:CuOx as the electrode, are developed and characterized by means of electrical measurements performed in the ±1 V voltage window. The current-voltage loops of the cells, measured in deionized water, are found to reversibly change in response to hydrogen peroxide added to the water in 0.2 μM subsequent steps. Such changes, clearly distinguishable from changes recorded in response to other analytes, can be exploited in order to develop a hydrogen peroxide sensor able to work without the need for any supporting electrolyte.
A Fast Terahertz Imaging Method Using Sparse Rotating Array
Authors: Jiang Yanwen , Deng Bin , Qin Yuliang , Wang Hongqiang , Liu Kang
Published: September 2017

For fast and standoff personal screening, a novel terahertz imaging scheme using a sparse rotating array is developed in this paper. A linearly sparse array is designed to move along a circular path with respect to an axis perpendicular to the imaging scenario. For this new scheme, a modified imaging algorithm is proposed based on the frequency-domain reconstruction method in circular synthetic aperture radar. To achieve better imaging performance, an optimization method of the sparse array is also proposed, according to the distribution of the spectral support. Theoretical and numerical analysis of the point spread function (PSF) is provided to demonstrate the high-resolution imaging ability of the proposed scheme. Comprehensive simulations are carried out to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the array optimization method. Finally, the imaging results of a human-scattering model are also obtained to further demonstrate the good performance of this new imaging scheme and the effectiveness of the array optimization approach. This work can facilitate the design and practice of terahertz imaging systems for security inspection.
EDOVE: Energy and Depth Variance-Based Opportunistic Void Avoidance Scheme for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks
Authors: Bouk Safdar , Ahmed Syed , Park Kyung-Joon , Eun Yongsoon
Published: September 2017

Underwater Acoustic Sensor Network (UASN) comes with intrinsic constraints because it is deployed in the aquatic environment and uses the acoustic signals to communicate. The examples of those constraints are long propagation delay, very limited bandwidth, high energy cost for transmission, very high signal attenuation, costly deployment and battery replacement, and so forth. Therefore, the routing schemes for UASN must take into account those characteristics to achieve energy fairness, avoid energy holes, and improve the network lifetime. The depth based forwarding schemes in literature use node’s depth information to forward data towards the sink. They minimize the data packet duplication by employing the holding time strategy. However, to avoid void holes in the network, they use two hop node proximity information. In this paper, we propose the Energy and Depth variance-based Opportunistic Void avoidance (EDOVE) scheme to gain energy balancing and void avoidance in the network. EDOVE considers not only the depth parameter, but also the normalized residual energy of the one-hop nodes and the normalized depth variance of the second hop neighbors. Hence, it avoids the void regions as well as balances the network energy and increases the network lifetime. The simulation results show that the EDOVE gains more than 15 % packet delivery ratio, propagates 50 % less copies of data packet, consumes less energy, and has more lifetime than the state of the art forwarding schemes.
A Technique for the Retrospective and Predictive Analysis of Cognitive Errors for the Oil and Gas Industry (TRACEr-OGI)
Authors: Theophilus Stephen , Ekpenyong Ikpang , Ifelebuegu Augustine , Arewa Andrew , Agyekum-Mensah George , Ajare Tochukwu
Published: September 2017

Human error remains a major cause of several accidents in the oil and gas (O&G) industry. While human error has been analysed in several industries and has been at the centre of many debates and commentaries, a detailed, systematic and comprehensive analysis of human error in the O&G industry has not yet been conducted. Hence, this report aims to use the Technique for Retrospective and Predictive Analysis of Cognitive Errors (TRACEr) to analyse historical accidents in the O&G industry. The study has reviewed 163 major and/or fatal O&G industry accidents that occurred between 2000 and 2014. The results obtained have shown that the predominant context for errors was internal communication, mostly influenced by factors of perception. Major accident events were crane accidents and falling objects, relating to the most dominant accident type: ‘Struck by’. The main actors in these events were drillers and operators. Generally, TRACEr proved very useful in identifying major task errors. However, the taxonomy was less useful in identifying both equipment errors and errors due to failures in safety critical control barriers and recovery measures. Therefore, a modified version of the tool named Technique for the Retrospective and Predictive Analysis of Cognitive Errors for the Oil and Gas Industry (TRACEr-OGI) was proposed and used. This modified analytical tool was consequently found to be more effective for accident analysis in the O&G industry.
Investment Strategy in a Closed Loop Supply Chain: The Case of a Market with Competition between Two Retailers
Authors: Yoon Sungwook , Jeong Sukjae
Published: September 2017

To survive in the ceaseless cycle of competition, businesses have developed strategies to become sustainable. These strategies include reusing products, which can lead not only to the creation of economic benefits but also to improvements in a corporation’s social and environmental responsibility. Product reuse can also increase the profit earned on new products by compensating customers who bring in old products to buy new ones, as the ensuing remanufacturing process allows for the reuse of materials and thus drives down costs. As businesses have come to recognize these values, the marketing competition to retrieve used products from customers has intensified. This research focuses on identifying effective compensation strategies to determine the appropriate advertising investment and trade-in value in a market where two homogeneous retailers compete. Retailers advertise to secure more customers to trade in their used products and to generate more trade-in sales than competitors do. A retailer’s results may vary according to its competitor’s investment strategy, which makes it useful to employ information on past competitor investment patterns to plan future investment strategies. However, as competitors using one another’s information may intensify the competition, better investment results could be obtained by ignoring competitor investment information. Therefore, this study suggests four competition strategies that determine the advertisement costs and trade-in allowance spent by retailers and discusses the difference in the profits obtained by the retailers under each of the four strategies.
Efficiency and Sustainability of CSR Projects
Authors: Bosch-Badia Maria-Teresa , Montllor-Serrats Joan , Tarrazon-Rodon Maria-Antonia
Published: September 2017

The progressive expansion of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been accompanied by an increasing interest from regulators and market analysts. Governments and supra-national organisations have issued guidance rules on CSR, while market analysts have created a set of gatekeepers focused on its evaluation, publishing rankings and comparative reports. The UN Global Compact and the sustainability indexes are two relevant examples. The complexity and some of the functions of this CSR infrastructure have common features with the financial system. Information is at the core of both. The distinction between information and noise is central for building up efficient financial markets. The aim of this paper is to analyse how information can be separated from noise in CSR. To this end, we develop a qualitative model that centres on the following variables: the CSR features of the project under consideration, its financial features, its relationship with corporate strategy, the performance metrics for its analysis, the different kinds of risk it involves, and its impact on value creation. This model relies on two common functions that we identify in the CSR infrastructure and the financial system: the defining function and the performance information function. The model is applied to Adidas’ CSR policy.
Spatial Interactions between the Settlement Network, Natural Landscape and Zones of Economic Activities: A Case Study in a Greek Region
Authors: Yiannakou Athena , Eppas Dimosthenis , Zeka Dimitra
Published: September 2017

The structure of a settlement network has been influenced historically by physical, geographical and socioeconomic factors. Theories of spatial development have focused on the interaction between urban areas and socioeconomic processes considering the natural surroundings as a steady parameter rather than a potentially varying element contributing to spatial development. Over the past 25 years in Greece, a number of socio-economic factors along with improvements in transport infrastructure led to crucial changes in the traditional settlement system. The development of new economic activities was often associated with the special characteristics of the natural landscape. In this way, natural landscape as a dynamic element interacts with the built environment and the economic activities of a place, leading to the formation of new clusters of relationships. Using the case study of the Region of Western Macedonia, a mountainous, border zone Greek region, and based on an interactive framework of analysis whereby human and natural systems are considered strongly interconnected, this paper examines the spatial interactions between the settlement network, as the basic representation of human activity, the natural landscape, as a crucial element of the natural system, and the dynamic zones of economic activities, as a parameter that encompasses crucial attributes of both human and natural systems. The paper proposes that the heterogeneity of these interactions and the way they affect the thresholds and resilience of a specific place are important for the understanding of spatial change and for an integrated spatial planning for sustainable development.
Analysis of Environmental Accounting and Reporting Practices of Listed Banking Companies in Bangladesh
Authors: Masud Md. , Bae Seong , Kim Jong
Published: September 2017

“Bangladesh faces many ecological challenges, including air and water contamination, land degradation, and waste management”. Bangladesh faces many ecological challenges, including air and water contamination, land degradation, and waste management. This study was designed to investigate the extent and nature of environmental accounting and reporting of listed banks in Bangladesh in 12 major categories. Information was collected from the annual reports of 20 banks listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange for the period 2010 to 2014. The results indicate that the banks examined significantly disclosed environmental information for the 12 categories. The study found that banks disclosed the most environmental information for green banking and renewable energy categories, whereas they disclosed the least for environmental recognition and waste management categories. Furthermore, yearly comparison reveals that disclosure of environmental information increased sharply from 16% in 2010 to 83% in 2014. In addition, Bangladesh Bank’s recent fruitful initiatives on environmental disclosures were reviewed, and the findings of the 12 categories have managerial implications for policy makers in corporations as well as the government. It is recommended that professional accounting bodies of Bangladesh, along with international and government policy makers develop a separate conceptual framework for environmental accounting and reporting for the financial and non-financial sectors of the country.
A New Framework for Understanding Urban Social Vulnerability from a Network Perspective
Authors: Ge Yi , Dou Wen , Zhang Haibo
Published: September 2017

Rapid urbanization in China has strengthened the connection and cooperation among cities and has also led urban residents to be more vulnerable in adverse environmental conditions. Vulnerability research has been an important foundation in urban risk management. To make cities safe and resilient, it is also necessary to integrate the connection among cities into a vulnerability assessment. Therefore, this paper proposed a new conceptual framework for urban social vulnerability assessment based on network theory, where a new dimension of social vulnerability (connectivity) was added into the framework. Using attribute data, the traditional social vulnerability index of a city (SVInode) was calculated via the projection pursuit cluster (PPC) model. With the relational data retrieved from the Baidu search index, a new dimension (connectivity) of social vulnerability (SVIconnectivity) was evaluated. Finally, an integrated social vulnerability index (SVIurban) was measured combined with SVInode and SVIconnectivity. This method was applied in the Yangtze River Delta region of China, where the top three high values of SVInode belonged to the cities of Taizhou (Z), Jiaxing, and Huzhou. The three lowest cities were Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Shanghai. For SVIurban, the social vulnerability of cities in different hierarchies behaved differently. For Hierarchies 2 and 3, when compared to SVInode, the SVIurban was significantly reduced. However, the variation between SVInode and SVIurban in Hierarchy 4 was slight. Furthermore, an increase for the city of Taizhou (J) in its social vulnerability was achieved after connecting to the network. Huzhou, in Hierarchy 5, increased its social vulnerability the most when adding connectivity in the social vulnerability assessment. Based on the results of our case study, a conclusion was drawn that network connectivity had an influence on social vulnerability. However, when connectivity was strong enough, it could help cities to mitigate their traditional social vulnerability, whereas a loose connection in the network aggregated their traditional social vulnerability. Hence, the latter should be emphasized in future urban risk management.
Infiltration and Soil Loss Changes during the Growing Season under Ploughing and Conservation Tillage
Authors: Jakab Gergely , Madarász Balázs , Szabó Judit , Tóth Adrienn , Zacháry Dóra , Szalai Zoltán , Kertész Ádám , Dyson Jeremy
Published: September 2017

Decreased water retention and increased runoff and soil loss are of special importance concerning soil degradation of hilly crop fields. In this study, plots under ploughing (conventional) tillage (PT) and conservation tillage (CT; 15 years) were compared. Rainfall simulation on 6 m2 plots was applied to determine infiltration and soil loss during the growing season. Results were compared with those measured from 1200 m2 plots exposed to natural rainfalls in 2016. Infiltration was always higher under CT than PT, whereas the highest infiltration was measured under the cover crop condition. Infiltration under seedbed and stubble resulted in uncertainties, which suggests that natural pore formation can be more effective at improving soil drainage potential than can temporary improvements created by soil tillage operations. Soil erodibility was higher under PT for each soil status; however, the seedbed condition triggered the highest values. For CT, soil loss volume was only a function of runoff volume at both scales. Contrarily, on PT plots, some extreme precipitation events triggered extremely high soil loss owing to linear erosion, which meant no direct connection existed between the scales. Improved soil conditions due to conservation practice are more important for decreasing soil loss than the better surface conditions.
Adoption of Falsified Medical Products in a Low-Income Country: Empirical Evidence for Suriname
Authors: Franses Philip , Lede Madesta
Published: September 2017

Based on detailed shipping figures for Suriname’s main harbour in Paramaribo, we estimate the total shipments (in kilograms) of original and falsified medical products for 1996–2008 across five product categories. Using various time series techniques and diffusion models, we document that total cumulative shipments of falsified products make about 40% of total shipments. We observe that there are apparently two distinct sets of consumers for original and for falsified products. Subsequently, we survey more than 300 citizens of Suriname from various demographics and ask questions about their potential adoption of falsified medicines. We find that income, age, and family size have no correlation, while the way people are insured does. Hence, the two sets of consumers can roughly be identified and clear-cut policy suggestions are presented. “The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 1% of medicines available in the developed world is likely to be counterfeited. This figure rises to 10% globally, although in some developing countries they estimate one third of medicines are counterfeit” (Various internet sites consulted January 2010 and the best estimate we have).
Dark Energy, QCD Axion, and Trans-Planckian-Inflaton Decay Constant
Authors: Kim Jihn
Published: September 2017

Pseudoscalars appear frequently in particle spectra. They can be light if they appear as pseudo-Goldstone bosons from some spontaneously broken global symmetries with the decay constant f. Since any global symmetry is broken at least by quantum gravitational effects, all pseudoscalars are massive. The mass scale of a pseudoscalar is determined by the spontaneous symmetry breaking scale f of the corresponding global symmetry and the explicit breaking terms in the effective potential. The explicit breaking terms can arise from anomaly terms with some non-Abelian gauge groups among which the best-known example is the potential of the QCD axion. Even if there is no breaking terms from gauge anomalies, there can be explicit breaking terms in the potential in which case the leading term suppressed by f determines the pseudoscalar mass scale. If the breaking term is extremely small and the decay constant is trans-Planckian, the corresponding pseudoscalar can be a candidate for a quintessential axion. In the other extreme that the breaking scales are large, still the pseudo-Goldstone boson mass scales are in general smaller than the decay constants. In such a case, still the potential of the pseudo-Goldstone boson at the grand unification scale is sufficiently flat near the top of the potential that it can be a good candidate for an inflationary model. We review these ideas in the bosonic collective motion framework.
Inference of a Geminivirus−Host Protein−Protein Interaction Network through Affinity Purification and Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Authors: Wang Liping , Ding Xue , Xiao Jiajing , Jiménez-Gόngora Tamara , Liu Renyi , Lozano-Durán Rosa
Published: September 2017

Viruses reshape the intracellular environment of their hosts, largely through protein-protein interactions, to co-opt processes necessary for viral infection and interference with antiviral defences. Due to genome size constraints and the concomitant limited coding capacity of viruses, viral proteins are generally multifunctional and have evolved to target diverse host proteins. Inference of the virus-host interaction network can be instrumental for understanding how viruses manipulate the host machinery and how re-wiring of specific pathways can contribute to disease. Here, we use affinity purification and mass spectrometry analysis (AP-MS) to define the global landscape of interactions between the geminivirus Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and its host Nicotiana benthamiana. For this purpose, we expressed tagged versions of each of TYLCV-encoded proteins (C1/Rep, C2/TrAP, C3/REn, C4, V2, and CP) in planta in the presence of the virus. Using a quantitative scoring system, 728 high-confidence plant interactors were identified, and the interaction network of each viral protein was inferred; TYLCV-targeted proteins are more connected than average, and connect with other proteins through shorter paths, which would allow the virus to exert large effects with few interactions. Comparative analyses of divergence patterns between N. benthamiana and potato, a non-host Solanaceae, showed evolutionary constraints on TYLCV-targeted proteins. Our results provide a comprehensive overview of plant proteins targeted by TYLCV during the viral infection, which may contribute to uncovering the underlying molecular mechanisms of plant viral diseases and provide novel potential targets for anti-viral strategies and crop engineering. Interestingly, some of the TYLCV-interacting proteins appear to be convergently targeted by other pathogen effectors, which suggests a central role for these proteins in plant-pathogen interactions, and pinpoints them as potential targets to engineer broad-spectrum resistance to biotic stresses.
Assessing Agricultural Drought in the Anthropocene: A Modified Palmer Drought Severity Index
Authors: Yang Mingzhi , Xiao Weihua , Zhao Yong , Li Xudong , Lu Fan , Lu Chuiyu , Chen Yan
Published: September 2017

In the current human-influenced era, drought is initiated by natural and human drivers, and human activities are as integral to drought as meteorological factors. In large irrigated agricultural regions with high levels of human intervention, where the natural farmland soil moisture has usually been changed significantly by high-frequency irrigation, the actual severity of agricultural drought is distorted in traditional drought indices. In this work, an agricultural drought index that considering irrigation processes based on the Palmer drought severity index (IrrPDSI) was developed to interpret the real agricultural drought conditions in irrigated regions, with a case study in the Haihe River Basin in northeast China. The water balance model in the original PDSI was revised by an auto-irrigation threshold method combined with a local irrigation schedule. The auto-irrigation setting of the index was used by taking irrigation quotas during specific growth stages of specific crops (wheat–corn) into consideration. A series of weekly comparative analyses are as follows: (1) The soil moisture analyses showed that soil moisture values calculated by the modified water balance model were close to the real values; (2) The statistical analyses indicated that most of the stations in the study area based on IrrPDSI had nearly normal distributed values; (3) The time series and spatial analyses showed that the results of the IrrPDSI-reported dry-wet evaluation were more consistent with documented real conditions. All the results revealed that IrrPDSI performed well when used to assess agricultural drought. This work has direct significance for agricultural drought management in large irrigated areas heavily disturbed by human activity.
The role of the Quality and Outcomes Framework in the care of long-term conditions: a systematic review
Authors: Forbes Lindsay JL , Marchand Catherine , Doran Tim , Peckham Stephen
Published: September 2017

Background

Improving care for people with long-term conditions is central to NHS policy. It has been suggested that the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), a primary care pay-for-performance scheme that rewards practices for delivering effective interventions in long-term conditions, does not encourage high-quality care for this group of patients.

Aim

To examine the evidence that the QOF has improved quality of care for patients with long-term conditions.

Design and setting

This was a systematic review of research on the effectiveness of the QOF in the UK.

Method

The authors searched electronic databases for peer-reviewed empirical quantitative research studying the effect of the QOF on a broad range of processes and outcomes of care, including coordination and integration of care, holistic and personalised care, self-care, patient experience, physiological and biochemical outcomes, health service utilisation, and mortality. Because the studies were heterogeneous, a narrative synthesis was carried out.

Results

The authors identified three systematic reviews and five primary research studies that met the inclusion criteria. The QOF was associated with a modest slowing of both the increase in emergency admissions and the increase in consultations in severe mental illness (SMI), and modest improvements in diabetes care. The nature of the evidence means that the authors cannot be sure that any of these associations is causal. No clear effect on mortality was found. The authors found no evidence that the QOF influences integration or coordination of care, holistic care, self-care, or patient experience.

Conclusion

The NHS should consider more broadly what constitutes high-quality primary care for people with long-term conditions, and consider other ways of motivating primary care to deliver it.
Use of the electronic Frailty Index to identify vulnerable patients: a pilot study in primary care
Authors: Lansbury Lynn N , Roberts Helen Clare , Clift Esther , Herklots Annie , Robinson Nicola , Sayer Avan A
Published: September 2017

Background

Identifying frailty is key to providing appropriate treatment for older people at high risk of adverse health outcomes. Screening tools proposed for primary care often involve additional workload. The electronic Frailty Index (eFI) has the potential to overcome this issue.

Aim

To assess the feasibility and acceptability of using the eFI in primary care.

Design and setting

Pilot study in one suburban primary care practice in southern England in 2016.

Method

Use of the eFI on the primary care TPP SystmOne database was explained to staff at the practice where a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) clinic was being trialled. The practice data manager ran an eFI report for all patients (n = 6670). Date of birth was used to identify patients aged ≥75 years (n = 589). The eFI was determined for patients attending the CGA clinic (n = 18).

Results

Practice staff ran the eFI reports in 5 minutes, which they reported was feasible and acceptable. The eFI range was 0.03 to 0.61 (mean 0.23) for all patients aged ≥75 years (mean 83 years, range 75 to 102 years). For CGA patients (mean 82 years, range 75 to 94 years) the eFI range was 0.19 to 0.53 (mean 0.33). Importantly, the eFI scores identified almost 12% of patients aged ≥75 years in this practice to have severe frailty.

Conclusion

It was feasible and acceptable to use the eFI in this pilot study. A higher mean eFI in the CGA patients demonstrated construct validity for frailty identification. Practice staff recognised the potential for the eFI to identify the top 2% of vulnerable patients for avoiding unplanned admissions.
Mechanochemical Knoevenagel condensation investigated in situ
Authors: Haferkamp Sebastian , Fischer Franziska , Kraus Werner , Emmerling Franziska
Published: September 2017

The mechanochemical Knoevenagel condensation of malononitrile with p-nitrobenzaldehyde was studied in situ using a tandem approach. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy were combined to yield time-resolved information on the milling process. Under solvent-free conditions, the reaction leads to a quantitative conversion to p-nitrobenzylidenemalononitrile within 50 minutes. The in situ data indicate that the process is fast and proceeds under a direct conversion. After stopping the milling process, the reaction continues until complete conversion. The continuous and the stopped milling process both result in crystalline products suitable for single crystal X-ray diffraction.
Automatic Generalization of Cartographic Data for Multi-scale Maps Representations
Authors: Budrevičius Julius Donatas , Papšienė Lina , Beconytė Giedrė
Published: September 2017

The multi-scale base map compiled from the official 1:10 000 framework data is served as the background in the national geoportal map browser. High expectations of the users of this map – both up-to-datedness and comfort of use – are pressing to search for more efficient methods to generate it preserving highest cartographic quality. There are two ways towards that: (a) automated generalization of the georeference base dataset into smaller scale datasets that are then used as sources for the multi-scale web map and (b) automated cartographic generalization of the single source dataset into multi-scale map layers (used in Lithuanian geoportal). As it is commonly believed that generation of Web map layers from separately generalised data sources is more appropriate, the authors performed a research in order to compare the two methods in terms of precision of representations, efficiency of update and communicative quality of the resulting maps. Some procedures that allow for improvement of visualization quality when the second method is used are discussed in the paper. The main conclusion drawn from the research is that a multi-scale map generated by means of cartographic generalization can for many applications successfully replace multi-scale map generated from separately generalized data sources.
Analysis of the Impact of Quantitative and Qualitative Price-setting Attributes on a Market of Real Estate Intended for the Purpose of the Transformer Stations on the Example of Krakow
Authors: Butryn Krzysztof , Preweda Edward
Published: September 2017

Based on appraisal reports, obtained from the City Office of Krakow, there were formulated base of real estate properties on which is situated the building of transformer station or which are intended for such purpose. The base consists of 90 properties located in the administrative boundaries of the city of Krakow. Most of these properties are the plots of very small areas, mainly in the range from 30 to 70 square meters. Based on the completed database, there were conducted a statistical analysis of the relevant market the property. In order to determine the relationship between the attributes and the price of real estate, there were calculated coefficients of the Pearson complete correlation and coefficients of the Spearman correlation. The analysis showed significant differences between quantitative and qualitative correlation coefficients for some variables. In order to improve the consistency of the database, using statistical methods eliminated property turned out. Finally, the analysis considered two bases, numbering respectively 90 and 77 real estates. In the following values, there were defined standardized regression coefficients (scale 9), the partial correlation coefficients for the dependent variable (price) relative to the rest of variables and coefficients of determination. On the basis of calculations and analysis, there have been drawn conclusions on the impact of each attribute on the market prices of these unusual properties.
Augmentation of GNSS Autonomous Positioning Using a Ground Based ZigBee Phase Shift Distance Measurement
Authors: Janowski Artur , Rapinski Jacek
Published: September 2017

The article presents the impact of GNSS positioning system augmentation using a ZigBee device. Ground based augmentation is based on the distance measurement between two ZigBee devices – one embedded into the rover and one acting as an anchor. The paper describes the device that was used in the experiment along with experiment results. Experiment results shows the significant impact of an additional distance measurement on the positioning results, especially in the case when there is a small number of satellites in view
Testing the Correlation Between the Vertical Crustal Movements and Temperature Changes on the Example of Selected Vectors Permanent GNSS Stations
Authors: Kowalczyk Kamil
Published: September 2017

In the last years air temperature increasing gradual. It also changes depending on the area: metropolitan, rural. The temperature changes directly affects the expansion of materials of which are made geodetic control network and support infrastructure. This may be influenced on the daily change in the amount determined for permanent GNSS stations. The main aim of the article is to examine the relationship between height changes and temperature changes. Daily difference in height between the selected stations Polish ASG EUPOS and the temperature in the vicinity of the stabilization of these stations data were used. Three year period was taken to the analysis. The results give a view on the article thesis.
The Ranking Destination Areas for Land Consolidation Works, due to the Size Checkerboard Land on the Example of Białaczów
Authors: Leń Przemysław
Published: September 2017

The aim of this paper was to analyze the degree of fragmentation of the checkerboard of land ownership to determine a priority ranking of areas intended for land consolidation in the commune of Białaczów, the Łódz Province (Voivodeship). For a village to be qualified for land consolidation, according to the Act of 26 March 1982 on the Consolidation and Exchange of Land (Official Journal of Laws of 2003, no 178, item 1749, as amended), more than 50% of land owner signatures have to be obtained. On the other hand, the guiding principle for the qualification of a village for a land merger, within the framework of a consolidation program, is that the highest percentage of owners accede to the program. A common obstacle to collecting signatures from landowners is that some of them live outside the village concerned (non-resident owners). The aim of this article was to identify those villages in which land consolidation was an urgent priority.