bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The AabHLH35 Transcription Factor Identified from Anthurium andraeanum is Involved in Cold and Drought Tolerance
Authors: Jiang Li , Tian Xingkai , Li Shuting , Fu Yanxia , Xu Jiaojun , Wang Guangdong
Published: July 2019

Anthurium andraeanum Lind. is a popular potted and cut-flower plant with an attractive spathe and foliage. It is native to tropical rainforest areas and is able to blossom throughout the year under suitable conditions. However, various abiotic stresses seriously restrict the ornamental value of A. andraeanum and increase the costs of cultivation. A dark green (dg) leaf color mutant of A. andraeanum ‘Sonate’, which accumulates high levels of anthocyanin, has shown increased vigor and tolerance to stresses during cultivation and is, thus, an ideal germplasm for studying stress tolerance in this species. Here, we show that the anthocyanin content in dg mutant plants at different stages of leaf development was higher than in wild-type (WT) plants, and the ability to tolerate under low-temperature (LT, 14 °C) stress was stronger in dg than in WT plants. RNA-Seq of cDNA libraries from young leaves of dg and WT identified AabHLH35 as a differentially expressed gene (DEG) that was significantly up-regulated in dg. Furthermore, heterologous expression of AabHLH35 improved tolerance to cold and drought stresses in Arabidopsis. These results have built an important molecular foundation for further study of stress tolerance in A. andraeanum.
Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Hybrid Materials for the Development of Optical Sensors
Authors: Rico-Yuste Alberto , Carrasco Sergio
Published: July 2019

We report on the development of new optical sensors using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) combined with different materials and explore the novel strategies followed in order to overcome some of the limitations found during the last decade in terms of performance. This review pretends to offer a general overview, mainly focused on the last 3 years, on how the new fabrication procedures enable the synthesis of hybrid materials enhancing not only the recognition ability of the polymer but the optical signal. Introduction describes MIPs as biomimetic recognition elements, their properties and applications, emphasizing on each step of the fabrication/recognition procedure. The state of the art is presented and the change in the publication trend between electrochemical and optical sensor devices is thoroughly discussed according to the new fabrication and micro/nano-structuring techniques paving the way for a new generation of MIP-based optical sensors. We want to offer the reader a different perspective based on the materials science in contrast to other overviews. Different substrates for anchoring MIPs are considered and distributed in different sections according to the dimensionality and the nature of the composite, highlighting the synergetic effect obtained as a result of merging both materials to achieve the final goal.
Polymer Electrolyte Membranes Prepared by Graft Copolymerization of 2-Acrylamido-2-Methylpropane Sulfonic Acid and Acrylic Acid on PVDF and ETFE Activated by Electron Beam Treatment
Authors: Ke Xi , Zhang Yufei , Gohs Uwe , Drache Marco , Beuermann Sabine
Published: July 2019

Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM) for potential applications in fuel cells or vanadium redox flow batteries were synthesized and characterized. ETFE (poly (ethylene-alt-tetrafluoroethylene)) and PVDF (poly (vinylidene fluoride)) serving as base materials were activated by electron beam treatment with doses ranging from 50 to 200 kGy and subsequently grafted via radical copolymerization with the functional monomers 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylic acid in aqueous phase. Since protogenic groups are already contained in the monomers, a subsequent sulfonation step is omitted. The mechanical properties were studied via tensile strength measurements. The electrochemical performance of the PEMs was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and fuel cell tests. The proton conductivities and ion exchange capacities are competitive with Nafion 117, the standard material used today.
Oil-Slick Category Discrimination (Seeps vs. Spills): A Linear Discriminant Analysis Using RADARSAT-2 Backscatter Coefficients (σ°, β°, and γ°) in Campeche Bay (Gulf of Mexico)
Authors: Carvalho Gustavo de Araújo , Minnett Peter J. , Paes Eduardo T. , de Miranda Fernando P. , Landau Luiz
Published: July 2019

A novel empirical approach to categorize oil slicks’ sea surface expressions in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) measurements into oil seeps or oil spills is investigated, contributing both to academic remote sensing research and to practical applications for the petroleum industry. We use linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to try accuracy improvements from our previously published methods of discriminating seeps from spills that achieved ~70% of overall accuracy. Analyzing 244 RADARSAT-2 scenes containing 4562 slicks observed in Campeche Bay (Gulf of Mexico), our exploratory data analysis evaluates the impact of 61 combinations of SAR backscatter coefficients (σ°, β°, γ°), SAR calibrated products (received radar beam given in amplitude or decibel, with or without a despeckle filter), and data transformations (none, cube root, log10). The LDA ability to discriminate the oil-slick category is rather independent of backscatter coefficients and calibrated products, but influenced by data transformations. The combination of attributes plays a role in the discrimination; combining oil-slicks’ size and SAR information is more effective. We have simplified our analyses using fewer attributes to reach accuracies comparable to those of our earlier studies, and we suggest using other multivariate data analyses—cubist or random forest—to attempt to further improve oil-slick category discrimination.
Trends in the Seaward Extent of Saltmarshes across Europe from Long-Term Satellite Data
Authors: Laengner Marieke Liesa , Siteur Koen , van der Wal Daphne
Published: July 2019

Saltmarshes provide crucial functions for flora, fauna, and humankind. Thus far, studies of their dynamics and response to environmental drivers are limited in space and time. Satellite data allow for looking at saltmarshes on a large scale and over a long time period. We developed an unsupervised decision tree classification method to classify satellite images into saltmarsh vegetation, mudflat and open water, integrating additional land cover information. By using consecutive stacks of three years, we considered trends while taking into account water level variations. We used Landsat 5 TM data but found that other satellite data can be used as well. Classification performance for different periods of the Western Scheldt was almost perfect for this site, with overall accuracies above 90% and Kappa coefficients of over 0.85. Sensitivity analysis characterizes the method as being robust. Generated time series for 125 sites across Europe show saltmarsh area changes between 1986 and 2010. The method also worked using a global approach for these sites. We reveal transitions between saltmarsh, mudflat and open water, both at the saltmarsh lower edge and interior, but our method cannot detect changes at the saltmarsh-upland boundary. Resulting trends in saltmarsh dynamics can be coupled to environmental drivers, such as sea level, tidal currents, waves, and sediment availability.
Influence of Landscape Heterogeneity and Spatial Resolution in Multi-Temporal In Situ and MODIS NDVI Data Proxies for Seasonal GPP Dynamics
Authors: Balzarolo Manuela , Peñuelas Josep , Veroustraete Frank
Published: July 2019

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the use of in situ normalized difference vegetation index (NDVIis) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer NDVI (NDVIMD) time series data as proxies for ecosystem gross primary productivity (GPP) to improve GPP upscaling. We used GPP flux data from 21 global FLUXNET sites across main global biomes (forest, grassland, and cropland) and derived MODIS NDVI at contrasting spatial resolutions (between 0.5 × 0.5 km and 3.5 × 3.5 km) centered at flux tower location. The goodness of the relationship between NDVIis and NDVIMD varied across biomes, sites, and MODIS spatial resolutions. We found a strong relationship with a low variability across sites and within year variability in deciduous broadleaf forests and a poor correlation in evergreen forests. Best performances were obtained for the highest spatial resolution at 0.5 × 0.5 km). Both NDVIis and NDVIMD elicited roughly three weeks later the starting of the growing season compared to GPP data. Our results confirm that to improve the accuracy of upscaling in situ data of site GPP seasonal responses, in situ radiation measurement biomes should use larger field of view to sense an area, or more sensors should be placed in the flux footprint area to allow optimal match with satellite sensor pixel size.
Monitoring of Land Use/Land Cover and Socioeconomic Changes in South China over the Last Three Decades Using Landsat and Nighttime Light Data
Authors: Hasan Sarah , Shi Wenzhong , Zhu Xiaolin , Abbas Sawaid
Published: July 2019

Land use and land cover changes (LULCC) are prime variables that reflect changes in ecological systems. The Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau (GHKM) region located in South China has undergone rapid economic development and urbanization over the past three decades (1986–2017). Therefore, this study investigates the changes in LULC of GHKM based on multi-year Landsat and nighttime light (NTL) data. First, a supervised classification technique, i.e., support vector machine (SVM), is used to classify the Landsat images into seven thematic classes: forest, grassland, water, fishponds, built-up, bareland, and farmland. Second, the demographic activities are studied by calculating the light index, using nighttime light data. Third, several socioeconomic factors, derived from statistical yearbooks, are used to determine the impact on the LULCC in the study area. The post-classification change detection shows that the increase in the urban area, from 0.76% (1488.35 km2) in 1986 to 10.31% (20,643.28 km2) in 2017, caused GHKM to become the largest economic segment in South China. This unprecedented urbanization and industrialization resulted in a substantial reduction in both farmland (from 53.54% (105,123.93 km2) to 33.07% (64,932.19 km2)) and fishponds (from 1.25% (2463.35 km2) to 0.85% (1674.61 km2)) during 1986–2017. The most dominant conversion, however, was of farmland to built-up area. The subsequent urban growth is also reflected in the increasing light index trends revealed by NTL data. Of further interest is that the overall forest cover increased from 33.24% (65,257.55 km2) to 45.02% (88,384.19 km2) during the study period, with a significant proportion of farmland transformed into forest as a result of different afforestation programs. An analysis of the socioeconomic indicators shows that the increase in gross domestic product, total investment in real estate, and total sales of consumer goods, combined with the overall industrialization, have led to (1) urbanization on a large scale, (2) an increased light index, and (3) the reduction of farmland. The speed of development suggests that opportunistic development has taken place, which requires a pressing need to improve land policies and regulations for more sustainable urban development and protection of farmland.
Adaptive Method for Quantitative Estimation of Glucose and Fructose Concentrations in Aqueous Solutions Based on Infrared Nanoantenna Optics
Authors: Schuler Benjamin , Kühner Lucca , Hentschel Mario , Giessen Harald , Tarín Cristina
Published: July 2019

In life science and health research one observes a continuous need for new concepts and methods to detect and quantify the presence and concentration of certain biomolecules—preferably even in vivo or aqueous solutions. One prominent example, among many others, is the blood glucose level, which is highly important in the treatment of, e.g., diabetes mellitus. Detecting and, in particular, quantifying the amount of such molecular species in a complex sensing environment, such as human body fluids, constitutes a significant challenge. Surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy has proven to be uniquely able to differentiate even very similar molecular species in very small concentrations. We are thus employing SEIRA to gather the vibrational response of aqueous glucose and fructose solutions in the mid-infrared spectral range with varying concentration levels down to 10 g/l. In contrast to previous work, we further demonstrate that it is possible to not only extract the presence of the analyte molecules but to determine the quantitative concentrations in a reliable and automated way. For this, a baseline correction method is applied to pre-process the measurement data in order to extract the characteristic vibrational information. Afterwards, a set of basis functions is fitted to capture the characteristic features of the two examined monosaccharides and a potential contribution of the solvent itself. The reconstruction of the actual concentration levels is then performed by superposition of the different basis functions to approximate the measured data. This software-based enhancement of the employed optical sensors leads to an accurate quantitative estimate of glucose and fructose concentrations in aqueous solutions.
Spatial Variability of Aroma Profiles of Cocoa Trees Obtained through Computer Vision and Machine Learning Modelling: A Cover Photography and High Spatial Remote Sensing Application
Authors: Fuentes Sigfredo , Chacon Gabriela , Torrico Damir D. , Zarate Andrea , Gonzalez Viejo Claudia
Published: July 2019

Cocoa is an important commodity crop, not only to produce chocolate, one of the most complex products from the sensory perspective, but one that commonly grows in developing countries close to the tropics. This paper presents novel techniques applied using cover photography and a novel computer application (VitiCanopy) to assess the canopy architecture of cocoa trees in a commercial plantation in Queensland, Australia. From the cocoa trees monitored, pod samples were collected, fermented, dried, and ground to obtain the aroma profile per tree using gas chromatography. The canopy architecture data were used as inputs in an artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm, with the aroma profile, considering six main aromas, as targets. The ANN model rendered high accuracy (correlation coefficient (R) = 0.82; mean squared error (MSE) = 0.09) with no overfitting. The model was then applied to an aerial image of the whole cocoa field studied to produce canopy vigor, and aroma profile maps up to the tree-by-tree scale. The tool developed could significantly aid the canopy management practices in cocoa trees, which have a direct effect on cocoa quality.
Dual Microphone Voice Activity Detection Based on Reliable Spatial Cues
Authors: Hwang Soojoong , Jin Yu Gwang , Shin Jong Won
Published: July 2019

Two main spatial cues that can be exploited for dual microphone voice activity detection (VAD) are the interchannel time difference (ITD) and the interchannel level difference (ILD). While both ITD and ILD provide information on the location of audio sources, they may be impaired in different manners by background noises and reverberation and therefore can have complementary information. Conventional approaches utilize the statistics from all frequencies with fixed weight, although the information from some time–frequency bins may degrade the performance of VAD. In this letter, we propose a dual microphone VAD scheme based on the spatial cues in reliable frequency bins only, considering the sparsity of the speech signal in the time–frequency domain. The reliability of each time–frequency bin is determined by three conditions on signal energy, ILD, and ITD. ITD-based and ILD-based VADs and statistics are evaluated using the information from selected frequency bins and then combined to produce the final VAD results. Experimental results show that the proposed frequency selective approach enhances the performances of VAD in realistic environments.
Scattering of Microwaves by a Passive Array Antenna Based on Amorphous Ferromagnetic Microwires for Wireless Sensors with Biomedical Applications
Authors: Moya Alberto , Archilla Diego , Navarro Elena , Hernando Antonio , Marín Pilar
Published: July 2019

Co-based amorphous microwires presenting the giant magnetoimpedance effect are proposed as sensing elements for high sensitivity biosensors. In this work we report an experimental method for contactless detection of stress, temperature, and liquid concentration with application in medical sensors using the giant magnetoimpedance effect on microwires in the GHz range. The method is based on the scattering of electromagnetic microwaves by FeCoSiB amorphous metallic microwires. A modulation of the scattering parameter is achieved by applying a magnetic bias field that tunes the magnetic permeability of the ferromagnetic microwires. We demonstrate that the OFF/ON switching of the bias activates or cancels the amorphous ferromagnetic microwires (AFMW) antenna behavior. We show the advantages of measuring the performing time dependent frequency sweeps. In this case, the AC-bias modulation of the scattering coefficient versus frequency may be clearly appreciated. Furthermore, this modulation is enhanced by using arrays of microwires with an increasing number of individual microwires according to the antenna radiation theory. Transmission spectra show significant changes in the range of 3 dB for a relatively weak magnetic field of 15 Oe. A demonstration of the possibilities of the method for biomedical applications is shown by means of wireless temperature detector from 0 to 100 °C.
BEAT: Beacon Inter-Reception Time Ensured Adaptive Transmission for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Safety Communication
Authors: Son Sunghwa , Park Kyung-Joon
Published: July 2019

To improve vehicle safety, vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) periodically broadcast safety messages known as beacons. Consequently, it becomes safety critical to guarantee the timely reception of periodic beacons under the time-varying environments of VANET. However, existing approaches typically measure the packet delivery ratio, which is a time-average metric that does not consider the temporal behavior associated with beacon reception. In this paper, to properly reflect the temporal aspect of beacon reception, we propose a congestion control algorithm, Beacon inter-reception time Ensured Adaptive Transmission (BEAT). The proposed algorithm tightly regulates the beacon inter-reception time compared to conventional techniques, which can significantly improve vehicle safety. Our simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
HiFinger: One-Handed Text Entry Technique for Virtual Environments Based on Touches between Fingers
Authors: Jiang Haiyan , Weng Dongdong , Zhang Zhenliang , Chen Feng
Published: July 2019

We present a text entry technique called HiFinger, which is an eyes-free, one-handed wearable text entry technique for immersive virtual environments by thumb-to-fingers touch. This technique enables users to input text quickly, accurately, and comfortably with the sense of touch and a two-step input mode. It is especially suitable for mobile scenarios where users need to move (such as walking) in virtual environments. Various input signals can be triggered by moving the thumb towards ultra-thin pressure sensors placed on other fingers. After acquiring the comfort range of the touch between the thumb and other fingers, six placement modes for text entry are designed and tested, resulting in an optimal placement mode that leverages six pressure sensors for the text entry and two for the control function. A three-day study is conducted to evaluate the proposed technique, and experimental results show that novices can achieve an average text entry efficiency of 9.82 words per minute (WPM) in virtual environments based on head-mounted displays after a training period of 25 min.
Fully Inkjet-Printed CuO Sensor on Flexible Polymer Substrate for Alcohol Vapours and Humidity Sensing at Room Temperature
Authors: Krcmar Petr , Kuritka Ivo , Maslik Jan , Urbanek Pavel , Bazant Pavel , Machovsky Michal , Suly Pavol , Merka Petr
Published: July 2019

This work focuses on an inkjet-fabricated sensor based on copper oxide nanostructured particles on polymer flexible substrate for the sensing of alcohol vapours and humidity at room temperature. Nanoparticles were prepared by a microwave-assisted solvothermal sealed vessel synthesis method. The ink composition was developed on the basis of viscosity and surface tension optimization by the addition of polymeric steric surfactant and dispersant. The printing process was optimized with the help of non-dimensional criteria. Silver nanoink was used for the printing of an interdigitated pattern on a PET substrate which was overprinted by the copper oxide ink, thus obtaining a flexible flat sensor. Material design and all fabrication steps of the sensor respected the temperature limitation given by the thermal stability of the polymer substrate. Printed layers and motifs were characterized microscopically and by resistance measurement. The effectiveness of the prepared sensor was demonstrated and studied by measuring the response to saturated vapours at room temperature. The sensing layer showed the opposite resistance response to stimuli than expected for the well-known p-type sensing mechanism of CuO sensors operated at high temperatures. In addition to vapour sorption, condensation and desorption influencing electron, proton and ionic conductivity, manifestation of another mechanism was observed and an explanation suggested in terms of the electrochemical mechanism.
Adaptive Consensus-Based Unscented Information Filter for Tracking Target with Maneuver and Colored Noise
Authors: Li Zhao , Wang Yidi , Zheng Wei
Published: July 2019

Distributed state estimation plays a key role in space situation awareness via a sensor network. This paper proposes two adaptive consensus-based unscented information filters for tracking target with maneuver and colored measurement noise. The proposed filters can fulfill the distributed estimation for non-linear systems with the aid of a consensus strategy, and can reduce the impact of colored measurement noise by employing the state augmentation and measurement differencing methods. In addition, a fading factor that shrinks the predicted information state and information matrix can suppress the impact of dynamical model error induced by target maneuvers. The performances of the proposed algorithms are investigated by considering a target tracking problem using a space-based radar network. This shows that the proposed algorithms outperform the traditional consensus-based distributed state estimation method in aspects of tracking stability and accuracy.
Hyperspectral Imaging in Environmental Monitoring: A Review of Recent Developments and Technological Advances in Compact Field Deployable Systems
Authors: Stuart Mary B. , McGonigle Andrew J. S. , Willmott Jon R.
Published: July 2019

The development and uptake of field deployable hyperspectral imaging systems within environmental monitoring represents an exciting and innovative development that could revolutionize a number of sensing applications in the coming decades. In this article we focus on the successful miniaturization and improved portability of hyperspectral sensors, covering their application both from aerial and ground-based platforms in a number of environmental application areas, highlighting in particular the recent implementation of low-cost consumer technology in this context. At present, these devices largely complement existing monitoring approaches, however, as technology continues to improve, these units are moving towards reaching a standard suitable for stand-alone monitoring in the not too distant future. As these low-cost and light-weight devices are already producing scientific grade results, they now have the potential to significantly improve accessibility to hyperspectral monitoring technology, as well as vastly proliferating acquisition of such datasets.
The Common Good Balance Sheet, an Adequate Tool to Capture Non-Financials?
Authors: Felber Christian , Campos Vanessa , Sanchis Joan R.
Published: July 2019

In relation to organizational performance measurement, there is a growing concern about the creation of value for people, society and the environment. The traditional corporate reporting does not adequately satisfy the information needs of stakeholders for assessing an organization’s past and future potential performance. Practitioners and scholars have developed new non-financial reporting frameworks from a social and environmental perspective, giving birth to the field of Integrated Reporting (IR). The Economy for the Common Good (ECG) model and its tools to facilitate sustainability management and reporting can provide a framework to do it. The present study depicts the theoretical foundations from the business administration field research on which the ECG model relies. Moreover, this paper is the first one that empirically validates such measurement scales by applying of Exploratory Factor Analysis on a sample of 206 European firms. Results show that two out of five dimensions are appropriately defined, along with some guidelines to refine the model. Consequently, it allows knowledge to advance as it assesses the measurement scales’ statistical validity and reliability. However, as this is the first quantitative-driven research on the ECG model, the authors’ future research will confirm the present results by means of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).
Living Labs for Rural Areas: Contextualization of Living Lab Frameworks, Concepts and Practices
Authors: Zavratnik Veronika , Superina Argene , Stojmenova Duh Emilija
Published: July 2019

Living Labs are spaces for innovative and participative research, development and activities that use multidisciplinary approaches and promote the co-creation paradigm. Our specific interest lies in exploring the value of the Living Lab concept for creating environments that enable equal opportunities for people living in rural and urban areas, and for making rural areas attractive places to live. Moreover, through the existing practices and research results available, Living Labs are seen as one of the important building blocks of smart rural development and an important step towards establishing a Smart Village environment. Living Labs are a valuable player in enhancing circular economy, digital transformation, local self-sufficiency and other elements of sustainable living. The main aim of this paper is therefore to put Living Labs in the context of rural areas and evaluate their possible contributions for sustainable rural development. This paper argues that the element of community and social change should be considered as a key element in enabling sustainable living.
Smallholders’ Preferences for Different Contract Farming Models: Empirical Evidence from Sustainable Certified Coffee Production in Vietnam
Authors: Hung Anh Nguyen , Bokelmann Wolfgang , Thi Thuan Ngo , Thi Nga Do , Van Minh Nguyen
Published: July 2019

Contract farming is considered as institutional arrangements that manage the coordination of production and distribution between smallholder farmers and agro-industrial firms. Under the market reforms and industrialization process, contract farming links smallholder farmers to a better market through effective farming management and high-quality products. Despite the many benefits attributed to participation, the existing literature addresses the main issues that result in the opposing attitudes and motivations toward contract farming. This study therefore aims to analyze factors that influence the choices of smallholder farmers for different contract faming models using multinomial logistic (MNL) regression. Different contract attributes and socio-economic characteristics of farmer households are used as endogenous variables in the MNL model. Based on a research sample of 183 smallholder farmers involved in certified coffee production in Dak Lak province, Vietnam, the study revealed that there are different typologies of production contract including the informal model, intermediary model, and nucleus estate model. Significant factors that affect smallholders’ preferences for different contract farming models are gender, farm size, the provision of inputs, price option, technical assistance, delivery schedule, and monitoring. Main issues that induce failures of contract farming are farmer’s overdependence and the monopolistic power of industrial coffee firms in the nucleus estate model, as well as the information asymmetry in the informal model. In addition, a cost-benefit analysis symbolizes the role of the cooperative in the intermediary model, which is essential for augmenting win-win outcomes for smallholder farmers and industrial coffee firms.
Investigation of the Optical, Physical, and Chemical Interactions between Diammonium Hydrogen Phosphate (DAP) and Pigments
Authors: Ma Xiao , Pasco Hélène , Balonis Magdalena , Kakoulli Ioanna
Published: July 2019

This research investigates and evaluates the optical, physical, and chemical interactions between diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP) and seven pigments commonly encountered in archaeological and historic fresco and secco wall paintings and polychrome monuments. The pigments include cinnabar, French ochre, chalk, lapis lazuli, raw sienna, burnt umber, and red lead. The raw pigments were analyzed before and after the interaction with DAP, and the reaction products resulting from the contact of the pigments with the DAP solution were evaluated to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the effects of diammonium hydrogen phosphate on the color, morphology, and chemical composition of the pigments. The results indicated no significant change of the color or of the chemistry of cinnabar, French ochre, and lapis lazuli. Carbonate-containing pigments, such as chalk and calcium carbonate, were transformed into calcium phosphate, though without a significant change in color. Phase and strong color changes occurred only for the red lead pigment, associated with the transformation of red lead into hydroxypyromorphite. These data established the parameters and identified the risks of the direct application of DAP solutions on pigments. Further research will be undertaken to assess the potential use of DAP as a consolidant of wall paintings and other polychrome surfaces through testing on wall painting/polychromy mockups and on-site archaeological/historic painted surfaces.
Differential Pricing Strategies of High Speed Railway Based on Prospect Theory: An Empirical Study from China
Authors: Qin Jin , Qu Wenxuan , Wu Xuanke , Zeng Yijia
Published: July 2019

Based on the single pricing method of the high-speed railway (HSR) in China, a pricing strategy without flexibility leads to the problem of extreme fluctuations in passenger flow and difficulty in increasing revenue. In order to achieve sustainable development of the HSR from the perspective of pricing, in this study, we divided the passenger market according to the different factors affecting passengers’ choice behavior, maximized ticket sales revenue with expected travel cost as the reference point, and used prospect theory to construct a differentiated pricing model under elastic demand. A simulated annealing algorithm was used to solve this model under two passenger flow intensities. Taking the Beijing–Shanghai corridor as an example for analysis, the results show that differential pricing can be implemented on the basis of passenger decision-making, and price reductions at off-peak periods will attract passenger flow which will increase ticket sales revenue by 10.41%. During the peak period, prices can be increased to maintain passenger flow, and ticket sales revenue will increase by 7.98%. We also found that increasing passenger expectations have a greater impact on ticket sales. This study provides theoretical and methodological support for the sustainable development of the HSR.
Family Management and Firm Performance in Family SMEs: The Mediating Roles of Management Control Systems and Technological Innovation
Authors: Ruiz-Palomo Daniel , Diéguez-Soto Julio , Duréndez Antonio , Santos José António C.
Published: July 2019

The aim of this research is to analyze the mediating role of the use of management control systems (MCS) and the achievement of technological innovation (TI) in the relationship between family management and firm performance in family small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A questionnaire was conducted by 617 managers of family SMEs in Spain, and our model was tested using partial least squares. Our findings show that both MCS and TI play crucial mediating roles in the understanding of the relationship between family management and firm performance. As a result, family-managed firms that utilize MCS and produce TI are much more likely to generate better performance. These results encourage family managers to use formal MCS because in that way they will contribute to obtaining better firm performance, directly and indirectly through TI. We focus on private family SMEs, because these specific firms contribute significantly to the economies worldwide. This paper contributes to resolve the controversy regarding the relationship between family management and firm performance introducing MCS and TI as mediating factors.
Mitigation Strategies for Reduction of Embodied Energy and Carbon, in the Construction Systems of Contemporary Quality Architecture
Authors: Sicignano Enrico , Di Ruocco Giacomo , Melella Roberta
Published: July 2019

The criticality related to the consumption of operational energy and related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of existing buildings is clearly decreasing in new buildings due to the strategies tested and applied in recent years in the energy retrofit sector. Recently, studies have been focusing on strategies to reduce environmental impacts related to the entire life cycle of the building organism, with reference to the reduction of embodied energy (and related greenhouse gas emissions) in building materials. As part of EEA’s European EBC project, Annex 57, a wide range of case studies have been promoted with the aim of identifying design strategies that can reduce the embodied energy and related greenhouse gas emissions of buildings. The aim of this paper is to investigate the most common construction systems in the construction industry (concrete, steel, wood) through the analysis of three contemporary architectural works, with the aim of identifying the predisposition for environmental sustainability of each technological system, thus guiding the operators in the sector towards design choices more compatible with the environmental requirements recommended by European legislation.
Monitoring Spatial Changes in Manufacturing Firms in Seoul Metropolitan Area Using Firm Life Cycle and Locational Factors
Authors: An Youngsoo , Wan Li
Published: July 2019

This paper diagnoses the development of the manufacturing industry in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA) using portfolio and regression analyses. Following the life-cycle perspective, four types of spatial changes of firms have been identified, namely firm formation, inflow, outflow, and dissolution, which are applied to analyze the manufacturing development in SMA. For portfolio analysis, we propose the Net Formation Index and Net Inflow Index to measure the spatial changes of firms at the city level. The two indices facilitate horizontal comparison among cities in SMA in terms of firm growth from new opening and relocation. Using spatial regression analysis, we identify significant location factors that contribute to firm change patterns. Our tests show that a high level of industrial specialization (measured by location quotient) has a dual effect. On the one hand, high level specialization attracts new or inflow firms, particularly in the light and high-tech manufacturing industries. On the other hand, it leads to an increased number of closed or outflow firms, plausibly due to increased competition among local firms. The proposed methods can be applied to diagnose industrial development in clusters of inter-connected cities and design policy tools to boost the local industry.
Human Norovirus Cultivation in Nontransformed Stem Cell-Derived Human Intestinal Enteroid Cultures: Success and Challenges
Authors: Estes Mary K. , Ettayebi Khalil , Tenge Victoria R. , Murakami Kosuke , Karandikar Umesh , Lin Shih-Ching , Ayyar B. Vijayalakshmi , Cortes-Penfield Nicolas W. , Haga Kei , Neill Frederick H. , Opekun Antone R. , Broughman James R. , Zeng Xi-Lei , Blutt Sarah E. , Crawford Sue E. , Ramani Sasirekha , Graham David Y. , Atmar Robert L.
Published: July 2019

Noroviruses, in the genus Norovirus, are a significant cause of viral gastroenteritis in humans and animals. For almost 50 years, the lack of a cultivation system for human noroviruses (HuNoVs) was a major barrier to understanding virus biology and the development of effective antiviral strategies. This review presents a historical perspective of the development of a cultivation system for HuNoVs in human intestinal epithelial cell cultures. Successful cultivation was based on the discovery of genetically-encoded host factors required for infection, knowledge of the site of infection in humans, and advances in the cultivation of human intestinal epithelial cells achieved by developmental and stem cell biologists. The human stem cell-derived enteroid cultivation system recapitulates the multicellular, physiologically active human intestinal epithelium, and allows studies of virus-specific replication requirements, evaluation of human host-pathogen interactions, and supports the pre-clinical assessment of methods to prevent and treat HuNoV infections.
Flow Cytometric Analysis of Freshwater Cyanobacteria: A Case Study
Authors: Patel Ruchit , de Oliveira Aline , Newby Robert , Chu Tinchun
Published: July 2019

Eutrophication is a process that occurs due to the excessive accumulation of nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, from natural and anthropogenic sources. This phenomenon causes cyanobacterial overgrowth, which over time leads to cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) that affect public drinking water sources and water sites with recreational usage. The rapid detection of bloom-forming cyanobacteria in freshwater bodies is critical in order to implement prevention strategies. Cyanobacteria contain phycobiliproteins such as phycoerythrin and allophycocyanin as part of the phycobilisome that allows autofluorescence. In this study, samples from 36 freshwater bodies in 14 New Jersey counties were collected and analyzed using flow cytometry with forward-scatter phycoerythrin and allophycocyanin parameters. Pure cultures of Synechococcus sp. IU 625, Cylindrospermum spp. and Microcystis aeruginosa were used as references. The results revealed that 17 out of the 36 analyzed sites contained all three references and related species. Seven sites showed Microcystis and Cylindrospermum-like species, while four sites indicated Microcystis and Cylindrospermum-like species. Six water bodies showed Cylindrospermum-like species, and two sites showed Microcystis-like species. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays further confirmed the flow cytometric results. The findings from this study suggest that flow cytometry could potentially serve as a rapid method for freshwater cyanobacteria detection and screening.
Effects of Different Irrigation Treatments on Aquaculture Purification and Soil Desalination of Paddy Fields
Authors: Xie Yi , Wang Zhenchang , Guo Xiangping , Lakthan Sirikanya , Chen Sheng , Xiao Zhiming , Alhaj Hamoud Yousef
Published: July 2019

Aquaculture wastewater contains considerable quantities of organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Irrigation of paddy rice with aquaculture wastewater can make full use of water and fertilizer, which has practical significance for alleviating water-use conflicts in the coastal areas of Jiangsu Province and promoting soil desalinization. Our objective in this study was to evaluate the effects of water quality indexes of surface discharge in paddy fields, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) losses of discharge in paddy fields, growing indexes of plants, grain yield, as well as soil salinity affected by the different irrigation treatments. To achieve this objective, experiments were conducted from May to October in 2017. There were four treatment combinations: I1W1 (shallow–frequent irrigation and aquaculture wastewater), I2W1 (shallow–wet irrigation and aquaculture wastewater), I3W1 (flooding irrigation and aquaculture wastewater), and I1W2 (shallow–frequent irrigation and fresh water). The results revealed that there was no significant difference in grain yield among the three wastewater irrigation treatments. Meanwhile, the values of water quality indexes were optimal in I3W1; the total losses of TN and TP of the I3W1 treatment were the lowest over the three important growth stages; the desalinization rate of I3W1 was the largest due to its long hydraulic retention time and large irrigation depth. The overall results suggested that the I3W1 treatment was the optimal treatment.
Experimental Investigations and CFD Modeling of Contaminant Intrusion in a Water Network during Transient Events
Authors: Mahmoud Mohammed , Farahat Ashraf , Hamouda Mohamed A. , Al-Zahrani Muhammad , Sharif Muhammad Nadeem , Sadiq Rehan
Published: July 2019

Intrusion in drinking water networks (DWN) can be triggered by transient low-pressure events. This intrusion may result in the contamination of drinking water supplied to consumers, which may have major health impacts. This research aims to investigate the influence of a DWN’s operating parameters on the intrusion and progression of the contaminant in a pilot drinking water network setup. Results show that the minimum time required for the contaminant to begin entering the system was influenced by the system operating pressure. Faster initial intrusion times were observed under low operating pressure. In addition, the crack size influenced the time required for the contaminant to fully intrude the system. Similarly, the time required for the contaminant to reach certain points in the DWN was influenced by the operating pressure. These results were verified using two additional tools; a high-speed camera was used to monitor the contaminant transient progression through the DWN under different pressures; and computational fluid dynamics modeling was used to calculate the corresponding contaminant concentration. The results suggest that the ability of the system to quickly stabilize its operating pressure would reduce the probability of a contaminant intrusion into the DWN.
Revisiting SWAT as a Saturation-Excess Runoff Model
Authors: Steenhuis Tammo S. , Schneiderman Elliot M. , Mukundan Rajith , Hoang Linh , Moges Mamaru , Owens Emmet M.
Published: July 2019

The Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is employed throughout the world to simulate watershed processes. A limitation of this model is that locations of saturation excess overland flow in hilly and mountainous regions with an impermeable layer at shallow depth cannot be simulated realistically. The objective of this research is to overcome this limitation with minor changes in the original SWAT code. The new approach is called SWAT-with-impervious-layers (SWAT-wil). Adaptations consisted of redefining the hillslope length, restricting downward percolation from the root zone, and redefining hydrologic response units (HRUs) such that they are associated with the landscape position. Finally, input parameters were chosen such that overland flow from variable saturated areas (VSAs) corresponds to the variable source interpretation of the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) curve number runoff equation. We tested the model for the Town Brook watershed in the Catskill Mountains. The results showed that the discharge calculated with SWAT-wil agreed with observed outflow and results simulated with the original SWAT and SWAT-hillslope (SWAT-HS) models that had a surface aquifer that transferred water between groups of HRUs. The locations of the periodically saturated runoff areas were predicted by SWAT-wil at the right locations. Current users can utilize the SWAT-wil approach for catchments where VSA hydrology predominates.
Le Velebit (Croatie occidentale), une chaîne typique du karst dinarique : mise au point d'après des articles récents
Authors: Nicod Jean
Published: July 2019

Le Velebit est parmi les chaînes nord-méditerranéennes une des plus importantes pour plusieurs raisons : rôle de la néotectonique, formes héritées (karst conique, pédiments), nombre de grandes dépressions glacio-kars tiques, etc... C'est une montagne forestière (à l'exception de la zone dégradée du littoral) à dissymétrie bio-climatique marquée. Les eaux des poljés de la Lika résurgent aux sources sous-marines (vruljés) et dans celles du bassin de la Zermanja. Les études hydrogéologiques, géotechniques et spéléologiques ont montré l 'importance de la karstification profonde, en rapport avec l 'activité néotectonique, les conditions paléo-climatiques et les flux en transit.
Le bassin-versant de l'Oued Tafna (Algérie occidentale) : mise en place du réseau hydrographique et processus morphogéniques à l'origine de l'organisation du bassin
Authors: Remaoun Khadidja
Published: July 2019

A cheval sur deux domaines structuraux différents (domaine atlasique ou tlemcénien et domaine alpin), le bassin-versant de la Tafna s 'articule en cinq unités morphodynamiques. Celles-ci sont le résultat d'une évolution récente qui a commencé dès le Messinien et dont l'empreinte a été décisive au Pliocène, avec des retouches importantes au Quaternaire (ancien et moyen essentiellement). Les facteurs de la morphogenèse dans le bassin-versant de l'Oued Tafna relèvent aussi bien de la néotectonique des marges de la Méditerranée nord-occidentale (qui a eu par exemple comme conséquence, au Miocène supérieur, un maillage de la région en môles et grabens de volumes très inégaux), que d'une activité volcanique diversifiée dans le temps et dans l'espace (production de laves calco-alcalines puis alcalines avec des rhyolites au Miocène supérieur en moyenne Tafna ; prédominance à partir du Pliocène du phréatomagmatisme en basse Tafna essentiellement). Ces deux, facteurs ont agi indifféremment l 'un de l 'autre alors que leurs effets se conjuguent et se surajoutent à ceux dus aux variations climatiques plio-quaternaires (processus morphoclimatiques). Ce travail a pour but de présenter un schéma global de la morphogenèse plio-quaternaire, à l'origine des caractéristiques actuelles du bassin-versant de la Tafna et qui éclaire d'un jour nouveau son fonctionnement.
La métamorphose des lits torrentiel à la fin du XIXe siècle : un effet du changement climatique ou du reboisement ? (bassin du Haut-Bez, Drôme)
Authors: Thevenet Grégoire , Astrade Laurent , Bravard Jean-Paul
Published: July 2019

Fluvial metamorphosis in the end of XIXe century : results of climate changes or effect of reforestation ?

The Bez stream, one of the main Drome river tributaries, is characterised by an incision of its bed and a contraction of its active channel as many rivers of the east of France. These are induced by a decrease in the bedload sediment supply. Because of its Mediterranean middle mountain climate, its marl and limestone outcrops, its steep relief and also its important human activity, Bez drainage basin has been very sensitive to the XIX century erosion crisis. This paper shows the interest of the fluvial morphology study for a better determining of the part of man and climate since the end of the little ice age and the beginning of its stabilisation. Pine dendrochronolgy results show an early incision in alluvial terraces due to the RTM works and change in landscape occupations. Reafforestation and other works are posterior to the beginning of the stabilisation. Nevertheless, these landscape managements have accelerated the stabilisation process. Thus, climate proxy seems to be the main cause of the river bed metamorphose.