bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Industry 4.0 on the Production and Service Sectors in Pakistan: Evidence from Textile and Logistics Industries
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Hameed Waseem ul , Haque Adnan ul
Published: November 2018

This research aims to investigate the role of Industry 4.0 in the production and service sector in Pakistan. It therefore considers five Industry 4.0 factors, namely big data, smart factory, cyber physical systems (CPS), Internet of things (IoT), and interoperability. In order to analyze the role of Industry 4.0, the textile industry is taken as a production industry, while the logistics industry is considered as a service industry. Both are facing various challenges in production and services causing below standard overall performance. To address this issue, a quantitative research approach with cross-sectional research design was selected. First hand data was collected through a survey questionnaire from a total of 224 employees of textile and logistics companies. Smart partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was preferred to analyze the collected data. Findings of the study revealed that Industry 4.0 has a key role in promoting the production and services sector in Pakistan, as it has a significant impact on the overall performance of the considered sectors. This research is one of the pioneer studies that examines the role of Industry 4.0 on the textile and logistics industry of Pakistan. Thus, this research also contributes in a practical dimension by explaining the implementation of Industry 4.0 for improving the performance of the textile and logistics industries.
IntraClusTSP—An Incremental Intra-Cluster Refinement Heuristic Algorithm for Symmetric Travelling Salesman Problem
Authors: Kovács László , Iantovics László Barna , Iakovidis Dimitris K.
Published: November 2018

The Symmetric Traveling Salesman Problem (sTSP) is an intensively studied NP-hard problem. It has many important real-life applications such as logistics, planning, manufacturing of microchips and DNA sequencing. In this paper we propose a cluster level incremental tour construction method called Intra-cluster Refinement Heuristic (IntraClusTSP). The proposed method can be used both to extend the tour with a new node and to improve the existing tour. The refinement step generates a local optimal tour for a cluster of neighbouring nodes and this local optimal tour is then merged into the global optimal tour. Based on the performed evaluation tests the proposed IntraClusTSP method provides an efficient incremental tour generation and it can improve the tour efficiency for every tested state-of-the-art methods including the most efficient Chained Lin-Kernighan refinement algorithm. As an application example, we apply IntraClusTSP to automatically determine the optimal number of clusters in a cluster analysis problem. The standard methods like Silhouette index, Elbow method or Gap statistic method, to estimate the number of clusters support only partitional (single level) clustering, while in many application areas, the hierarchical (multi-level) clustering provides a better clustering model. Our proposed method can discover hierarchical clustering structure and provides an outstanding performance both in accuracy and execution time.
Optimization of Sample Preparation for Detection of 10 Phthalates in Non-Alcoholic Beverages in Northern Vietnam
Authors: Tran-Lam Thanh-Thien , Dao Yen Hai , Nguyen Duong Thanh , Ma Hoi Kim , Pham Trung Quoc , Le Giang Truong
Published: November 2018

A novel method was developed for the sensitive, cheap and fast quantitation of 10 phthalates in non-alcoholic beverages by liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) combined with gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The best results were obtained when n-hexane was used as extraction solvent. A central composite design (CCD) was applied to select the most appreciated operating condition. The method performance was evaluated according to the SANTE/11945/2015 guidelines and was linear in the 0.1 to 200 µg/L range for 10 phthalate compounds, with r2 > 0.996 and individual residuals <15%. Repeatability (RSDr), within-laboratory reproducibility (RSDwr), and the trueness range were from 2.7 to 9.1%, from 3.4 to 14.3% and from 91.5 to 118.1%, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) was between 0.5 to 1.0 ng/L and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was between 1.5 to 3.0 ng/L for all 10 compounds. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of non-alcoholic beverages.
Early, Subclinical Hematological Changes Associated with Occupational Exposure to High Levels of Nitrous Oxide
Authors: Amiri Fatemeh , Neghab Masoud , Shouroki Fatemeh , Yousefinejad Saeed , Hassanzadeh Jafar
Published: November 2018

This study was undertaken to determine whether exposure of operating room personnel to inhalation anesthetics, nitrous oxide, isoflurane, and sevoflurane was associated with any hematological changes. This historical cohort study was performed in 2018 at a large public hospital in Shiraz, where 52 operating room personnel and 52 administrative staff were investigated. The blood sample was taken from all individuals for Complete Blood Count. Furthermore, demographic information was collected through questionnaires. Mean atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, to which subjects were exposed, were 850.92, 2.40, and 0.18 ppm, respectively. The hematological parameters were within the normal range in both groups. However, the mean values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and red blood cell count in the exposed group were significantly lower than the control group. No significant differences were noted between the two groups as far as other hematological factors were concerned. These findings provide circumstantial evidence to further substantiate the notion that occupational exposure to inhalation anesthetics, under the exposure scenario explained in this study, is associated with subtle, subclinical, prepathologic hematological changes. Long-term consequence and ramifications of these effects require further investigation. The range of exposure levels to anesthetic gases in operating rooms.
A Time Series of Water Column Distributions and Sinking Particle Flux of Pseudo-Nitzschia and Domoic Acid in the Santa Barbara Basin, California
Authors: Umhau Blaire P. , Benitez-Nelson Claudia R. , Anderson Clarissa R. , McCabe Kelly , Burrell Christopher
Published: November 2018

Water column bulk Pseudo-nitzschia abundance and the dissolved and particulate domoic acid (DA) concentrations were measured in the Santa Barbara Basin (SBB), California from 2009–2013 and compared to bulk Pseudo-nitzschia cell abundance and DA concentrations and fluxes in sediment traps moored at 147 m and 509 m. Pseudo-nitzschia abundance throughout the study period was spatially and temporally heterogeneous (<200 cells L−1 to 3.8 × 106 cells L−1, avg. 2 × 105 ± 5 × 105 cells L−1) and did not correspond with upwelling conditions or the total DA (tDA) concentration, which was also spatially and temporally diverse (<1.3 ng L−1 to 2.2 × 105 ng L−1, avg. 7.8 × 103 ± 2.2 × 104 ng L−1). We hypothesize that the toxicity is likely driven in part by specific Pseudo-nitzschia species as well as bloom stage. Dissolved (dDA) and particulate (pDA) DA were significantly and positively correlated (p < 0.01) and both comprised major components of the total DA pool (pDA = 57 ± 35%, and dDA = 42 ± 35%) with substantial water column concentrations (>1000 cells L−1 and tDA = 200 ng L−1) measured as deep as 150 m. Our results highlight that dDA should not be ignored when examining bloom toxicity. Although water column abundance and pDA concentrations were poorly correlated with sediment trap Pseudo-nitzschia abundance and fluxes, DA toxicity is likely associated with senescent blooms that rapidly sink to the seafloor, adding another potential source of DA to benthic organisms.
Mycotoxins Contaminant in Kelp: A Neglected Dietary Exposure Pathway
Authors: Li Yanshen , Sun Mingxue , Mao Xin , You Yanli , Gao Yonglin , Yang Jianrong , Wu Yongning
Published: November 2018

In order to investigated current occurrence of major mycotoxins in dietary kelp in Shandong Province in Northern China, a reliable, sensitive, and rapid liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of the 7 most frequent mycotoxins, including 3-acetoxy deoxynivalenol (3AcDON), 15-acetoxy deoxynivalenol (15AcDON), Deoxynivalenol (DON), Fusarenon-X (F-X), Nivalenol (NIV), T-2 toxin (T-2), and Zearalenone (ZEA). Based on optimized pretreatment and chromatographic and mass spectrometry conditions, these target analytes could be monitored with mean recoveries from 72.59~107.34%, with intra–day RSD < 9.21%, inter–day RSD < 9.09%, LOD < 5.55 μg kg−1, and LOQ < 18.5 μg kg−1. Approximately 43 kelp samples were detected, 3AcDON/15AcDON ranged from 15.3 to 162.5 μg kg−1 with positive rate of 86% in Shandong Province in Northern China. Considering there were no related investigations about mycotoxin contamination in kelp, the high contamination rate of 3AcDON/15AcDON in kelp showed a neglected mycotoxin exposure pathway, which might lead to high dietary exposure risk to consumers.
Parawixin2 Protects Hippocampal Cells in Experimental Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Liberato José Luiz , Godoy Lívea Dornela , Cunha Alexandra Olimpio Siqueira , Mortari Marcia Renata , De Oliveira Beleboni Rene , Fontana Andréia C. K. , Lopes Norberto Peporine , Dos Santos Wagner Ferreira
Published: November 2018

Epilepsy is considered as one of the major disabling neuropathologies. Almost one third of adult patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) do not respond to current antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Additionally, most AEDs do not have neuroprotective effects against the inherent neurodegenerative process underlying the hippocampal sclerosis on TLE. Dysfunctions in the GABAergic neurotransmission may contribute not only to the onset of epileptic activity but also constitute an important system for therapeutic approaches. Therefore, molecules that enhance GABA inhibitory effects could open novel avenues for the understanding of epileptic plasticity and for drug development. Parawixin2, a compound isolated from Parawixia bistriata spider venom, inhibits both GABA and glycine uptake and has an anticonvulsant effect against a wide range of chemoconvulsants. The neuroprotective potential of Parawixin2 was analyzed in a model of TLE induced by a long-lasting Status Epilepticus (SE), and its efficiency was compared to well-known neuroprotective drugs, such as riluzole and nipecotic acid. Neuroprotection was assessed through histological markers for cell density (Nissl), astrocytic reactivity (GFAP) and cell death labeling (TUNEL), which were performed 24 h and 72 h after SE. Parawixin2 treatment resulted in neuroprotective effects in a dose dependent manner at 24 h and 72 h after SE, as well as reduced reactive astrocytes and apoptotic cell death. Based on these findings, Parawixin2 has a great potential to be used as a tool for neuroscience research and as a probe to the development of novel GABAergic neuroprotective agents.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Chinese Yellow Catfish Provides a Valuable Genetic Resource for High-Throughput Identification of Toxin Genes
Authors: Zhang Shiyong , Li Jia , Qin Qin , Liu Wei , Bian Chao , Yi Yunhai , Wang Minghua , Zhong Liqiang , You Xinxin , Tang Shengkai , Liu Yanshan , Huang Yu , Gu Ruobo , Xu Junmin , Bian Wenji , Shi Qiong , Chen Xiaohui
Published: November 2018

Naturally derived toxins from animals are good raw materials for drug development. As a representative venomous teleost, Chinese yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) can provide valuable resources for studies on toxin genes. Its venom glands are located in the pectoral and dorsal fins. Although with such interesting biologic traits and great value in economy, Chinese yellow catfish is still lacking a sequenced genome. Here, we report a high-quality genome assembly of Chinese yellow catfish using a combination of next-generation Illumina and third-generation PacBio sequencing platforms. The final assembly reached 714 Mb, with a contig N50 of 970 kb and a scaffold N50 of 3.65 Mb, respectively. We also annotated 21,562 protein-coding genes, in which 97.59% were assigned at least one functional annotation. Based on the genome sequence, we analyzed toxin genes in Chinese yellow catfish. Finally, we identified 207 toxin genes and classified them into three major groups. Interestingly, we also expanded a previously reported sex-related region (to ≈6 Mb) in the achieved genome assembly, and localized two important toxin genes within this region. In summary, we assembled a high-quality genome of Chinese yellow catfish and performed high-throughput identification of toxin genes from a genomic view. Therefore, the limited number of toxin sequences in public databases will be remarkably improved once we integrate multi-omics data from more and more sequenced species.
The Fever Tree: from Malaria to Neurological Diseases
Authors: Eyal Sara
Published: November 2018

This article describes the discovery and use of the South American cinchona bark and its main therapeutic (and toxic) alkaloids, quinine and quinidine. Since the introduction of cinchona to Europe in the 17th century, it played a role in treating emperors and peasants and was central to colonialism and wars. Over those 400 years, the medical use of cinchona alkaloids has evolved from bark extracts to chemical synthesis and controlled clinical trials. At the present time, the use of quinine and quinidine has declined, to a large extent due to their toxicity. However, quinine is still being prescribed in resource-limited settings, in severe malaria, and in pregnant women, and quinidine made a limited comeback in the treatment of several cardiac and neurological syndromes. In addition, the article presents more recent studies which improved our understanding of cinchona alkaloids’ pharmacology. The knowledge gained through these studies will hopefully lead to a wider use of these drugs in precision medicine and to design of new generation, safer quinine and quinidine derivatives.
Current Status of the Sm14/GLA-SE Schistosomiasis Vaccine: Overcoming Barriers and Paradigms towards the First Anti-Parasitic Human(itarian) Vaccine
Authors: Tendler Miriam , Almeida Marília S. , Vilar Monica M. , Pinto Patrícia M. , Limaverde-Sousa Gabriel
Published: November 2018

Schistosomiasis, a disease historically associated with poverty, lack of sanitation and social inequality, is a chronic, debilitating parasitic infection, affecting hundreds of millions of people in endemic countries. Although chemotherapy is capable of reducing morbidity in humans, rapid re-infection demonstrates that the impact of drug treatment on transmission control or disease elimination is marginal. In addition, despite more than two decades of well-executed control activities based on large-scale chemotherapy, the disease is expanding in many areas including Brazil. The development of the Sm14/GLA-SE schistosomiasis vaccine is an emblematic, open knowledge innovation that has successfully completed phase I and phase IIa clinical trials, with Phase II/III trials underway in the African continent, to be followed by further trials in Brazil. The discovery and experimental phases of the development of this vaccine gathered a robust collection of data that strongly supports the ongoing clinical phase. This paper reviews the development of the Sm14 vaccine, formulated with glucopyranosyl lipid A (GLA-SE), from the initial experimental developments to clinical trials including the current status of phase II studies.
The Pierre Auger Observatory: Review of Latest Results and Perspectives
Authors: Góra Dariusz ,   For the Pierre Auger Collaboration
Published: November 2018

The Pierre Auger Observatory is the world’s largest operating detection system for the observation of ultra high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs), with energies above 10 17 eV. The detector allows detailed measurements of the energy spectrum, mass composition and arrival directions of primary cosmic rays in the energy range above 10 17 eV. The data collected at the Auger Observatory over the last decade show the suppression of the cosmic ray flux at energies above 4 × 10 19 eV. However, it is still unclear if this suppression is caused by the energy limitation of their sources or by the Greisen–Zatsepin–Kuzmin (GZK) cut-off. In such a case, UHECRs would interact with the microwave background (CMB), so that particles traveling long intergalactic distances could not have energies greater than 5 × 10 19 eV. The other puzzle is the origin of UHECRs. Some clues can be drawn from studying the distribution of their arrival directions. The recently observed dipole anisotropy has an orientation that indicates an extragalactic origin of UHECRs. The Auger surface detector array is also sensitive to showers due to ultra high energy neutrinos of all flavors and photons, and recent neutrino and photon limits provided by the Auger Observatory can constrain models of the cosmogenic neutrino production and exotic scenarios of the UHECRs origin, such as the decays of super heavy, non-standard-model particles. In this paper, the recent results on measurements of the energy spectrum, mass composition and arrival directions of cosmic rays, as well as future prospects are presented.
First Results on the Rare Decay K+ → π+νν from the NA62 Experiment at CERN
Authors: Gonnella Francesco
Published: November 2018

The NA62 experiment at CERN Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) is currently taking data to measure the ultra-rare decay K + → π + ν ν ¯ . This decay, whose Branching Ratio (BR) is predicted with high precision within the Standard Model (SM), is one of the best candidates to reveal the indirect effects of New Physics (NP) at the highest mass scales. The NA62 experiment is designed to measure BR ( K + → π + ν ν ¯ ) with a decay-in-flight technique, novel for this channel. NA62 took data in 2016, 2017 and 2018; statistics collected in 2016 allows NA62 to reach the SM sensitivity for this decay, reaching the single event sensitivity (SES) and showing the proof of principle of the experiment. The preliminary result on BR ( K + → π + ν ν ¯ ) from the analysis of the 2016 data set is described.
Humanized Mouse Models for the Study of Infection and Pathogenesis of Human Viruses
Authors: Lai Fritz , Chen Qingfeng
Published: November 2018

The evolution of infectious pathogens in humans proved to be a global health problem. Technological advancements over the last 50 years have allowed better means of identifying novel therapeutics to either prevent or combat these infectious diseases. The development of humanized mouse models offers a preclinical in vivo platform for further characterization of human viral infections and human immune responses triggered by these virus particles. Multiple strains of immunocompromised mice reconstituted with a human immune system and/or human hepatocytes are susceptible to infectious pathogens as evidenced by establishment of full viral life cycles in hope of investigating viral–host interactions observed in patients and discovering potential immunotherapies. This review highlights recent progress in utilizing humanized mice to decipher human specific immune responses against viral tropism.
HCV-Specific T Cell Responses During and After Chronic HCV Infection
Authors: Luxenburger Hendrik , Neumann-Haefelin Christoph , Thimme Robert , Boettler Tobias
Published: November 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cell responses are closely linked to the clinical course of infection. While T cell responses in self-limiting infection are typically broad and multi-specific, they display several distinct features of functional impairment in the chronic phase. Moreover, HCV readily adapts to immune pressure by developing escape mutations within epitopes targeted by T cells. Much of our current knowledge on HCV-specific T cell responses has been gathered under the assumption that this might eventually pave the way for a therapeutic vaccine. However, with the development of highly efficient direct acting antivirals (DAAs), there is less interest in the development of a therapeutic vaccine for HCV and the scope of T cell research has shifted. Indeed, the possibility to rapidly eradicate an antigen that has persisted over years or decades, and has led to T cell exhaustion and dysfunction, provides the unique opportunity to study potential T cell recovery after antigen cessation in a human in vivo setting. Findings from such studies not only improve our basic understanding of T cell immunity but may also advance immunotherapeutic approaches in cancer or chronic hepatitis B and D infection. Moreover, in order to edge closer to the WHO goal of HCV elimination by 2030, a prophylactic vaccine is clearly required. Thus, in this review, we will summarize our current knowledge on HCV-specific T cell responses and also provide an outlook on the open questions that require answers in this field.
A PB1-K577E Mutation in H9N2 Influenza Virus Increases Polymerase Activity and Pathogenicity in Mice
Authors: Kamiki Haruhiko , Matsugo Hiromichi , Kobayashi Tomoya , Ishida Hiroho , Takenaka-Uema Akiko , Murakami Shin , Horimoto Taisuke
Published: November 2018

H9N2 avian influenza viruses are present in poultry worldwide. These viruses are considered to have pandemic potential, because recent isolates can recognize human-type receptor and several sporadic human infections have been reported. In this study, we aimed to identify mutations related to mammalian adaptation of H9N2 influenza virus. We found that mouse-adapted viruses had several mutations in hemagglutinin (HA), PB2, PA, and PB1. Among the detected mutations, PB1-K577E was a novel mutation that had not been previously reported to involve mammalian adaptation. A recombinant H9N2 virus bearing only the PB1-K577E mutation showed enhanced pathogenicity in mice, with increased virus titers in nasal turbinates compared to that in mice infected with the wild-type virus. In addition, the PB1-K577E mutation increased virus polymerase activity in human cell culture at a lower temperature. These data suggest that the PB1-K577E mutation is a novel pathogenicity determinant of H9N2 virus in mice and could be a signature for mammalian adaptation.
Virus-Derived Small Interfering RNAs Affect the Accumulations of Viral and Host Transcripts in Maize
Authors: Xia Zihao , Zhao Zhenxing , Jiao Zhiyuan , Xu Tengzhi , Wu Yuanhua , Zhou Tao , Fan Zaifeng
Published: November 2018

RNA silencing is a conserved surveillance mechanism against invading viruses in plants, which involves the production of virus-derived small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) that play essential roles in the silencing of viral RNAs and/or specific host transcripts. However, how vsiRNAs function to target viral and/or host transcripts is poorly studied, especially in maize (Zea mays L.). In this study, a degradome library constructed from Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV)-inoculated maize plants was analyzed to identify the cleavage sites in viral and host transcripts mainly produced by vsiRNAs. The results showed that 42 maize transcripts were possibly cleaved by vsiRNAs, among which several were involved in chloroplast functions and in biotic and abiotic stresses. In addition, more than 3000 cleavage sites possibly produced by vsiRNAs were identified in positive-strand RNAs of SCMV, while there were only four cleavage sites in the negative-strand RNAs. To determine the roles of vsiRNAs in targeting viral RNAs, six vsiRNAs were expressed in maize protoplast based on artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs), of which four could efficiently inhibit the accumulations of SCMV RNAs. These results provide new insights into the genetic manipulation of maize with resistance against virus infection by using amiRNA as a more predictable and useful approach.
Does Mussel Farming Promote Cost Savings and Equity in Reaching Nutrient Targets for the Baltic Sea?
Authors: Gren Ing-Marie , Säll Sarah , Aklilu Abenezer Zeleke , Tirkaso Wondmagegn
Published: November 2018

Mussel farming has been suggested as a low-cost option for reducing nutrient content in eutrophied waters. This study examines whether mussel farming contributes to reductions in total nutrient abatement cost and increases in equity for achieving nutrient load reduction targets to the Baltic Sea under different international policy regimes (cost-effective, country targets set by the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), and nutrient-trading markets). A cost-minimizing model is used to calculate the cost savings, and the analytical results show that mussel farming is a cost-effective option only when the marginal abatement cost is lower than for other abatement measures. The numerical cost-minimizing model of the Baltic Sea indicates that the largest abatement cost reductions from introduction mussel farming, approximately 3.5 billion SEK (9.36 SEK = 1 Euro), are obtained under the cost-effective and nutrient-trading systems. Equity, as measured by abatement cost in relation to affordability in terms of gross domestic product, is improved by mussel farming under the cost-effective regime but reduced under the BSAP country targets and nutrient-trading regimes.
Assessing the Use of Satellite-Based Estimates and High-Resolution Precipitation Datasets for the Study of Extreme Precipitation Events over the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Hénin Riccardo , Liberato Margarida L. R. , Ramos Alexandre M. , Gouveia Célia M.
Published: November 2018

An assessment of daily accumulated precipitation during extreme precipitation events (EPEs) occurring over the period 2000–2008 in the Iberian Peninsula (IP) is presented. Different sources for precipitation data, namely ERA-Interim and ERA5 reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA), both in near-real-time and post-real-time releases, are compared with the best ground-based high-resolution (0.2° × 0.2°) gridded precipitation dataset available for the IP (IB02). In this study, accuracy metrics are analysed for different quartiles of daily precipitation amounts, and additional insights are provided for a subset of EPEs extracted from an objective ranking of extreme precipitation during the extended winter period (October to March) over the IP. Results show that both reanalysis and multi-satellite datasets overestimate (underestimate) daily precipitation sums for the least (most) extreme events over the IP. In addition, it is shown that the TRMM TMPA precipitation estimates from the near-real-time product may be considered for EPEs assessment over these latitudes. Finally, it is found that the new ERA5 reanalysis accounts for large improvements over ERA-Interim and it also outperforms the satellite-based datasets.
Impacts of Sea Level Rise and Groundwater Extraction Scenarios on Fresh Groundwater Resources in the Nile Delta Governorates, Egypt
Authors: Mabrouk Marmar , Jonoski Andreja , H. P. Oude Essink Gualbert , Uhlenbrook Stefan
Published: November 2018

As Egypt’s population increases, the demand for fresh groundwater extraction will intensify. Consequently, the groundwater quality will deteriorate, including an increase in salinization. On the other hand, salinization caused by saltwater intrusion in the coastal Nile Delta Aquifer (NDA) is also threatening the groundwater resources. The aim of this article is to assess the situation in 2010 (since this is when most data is sufficiently available) regarding the available fresh groundwater resources and to evaluate future salinization in the NDA using a 3D variable-density groundwater flow model coupled with salt transport that was developed with SEAWAT. This is achieved by examining six future scenarios that combine two driving forces: increased extraction and sea level rise (SLR). Given the prognosis of the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC), the scenarios are used to assess the impact of groundwater extraction versus SLR on the seawater intrusion in the Delta and evaluate their contributions to increased groundwater salinization. The results show that groundwater extraction has a greater impact on salinization of the NDA than SLR, while the two factors combined cause the largest reduction of available fresh groundwater resources. The significant findings of this research are the determination of the groundwater volumes of fresh water, brackish, light brackish and saline water in the NDA as a whole and in each governorate and the identification of the governorates that are most vulnerable to salinization. It is highly recommended that the results of this analysis are considered in future mitigation and/or adaptation plans.
Analysis of Precipitation Extremes in the Source Region of the Yangtze River during 1960–2016
Authors: Zhou Baojia , Liang Chuan , Zhao Peng , Dai Qiong
Published: November 2018

The source region of the Yangtze River (SRYR) on the central Tibetan Plateau has seen one of the most significant increases in temperature in the world. Climate warming has altered the temporal and spatial characteristics of precipitation in the SRYR. In this study, we analyzed the temporal trends and spatial distributions of extreme precipitation in the SRYR during 1960–2016 using 11 extreme precipitation indices (EPIs) derived from daily precipitation data collected at five meteorological stations in the region. The trends in the EPIs were estimated using the linear least squares method, and their statistical significance was assessed using the Mann–Kendall test. The results show the following. Temporally, the majority of SRYR EPIs (including the simple daily intensity index, annual maximum 1-day precipitation (RX1day), annual maximum 5-day precipitation (RX5day), very wet day precipitation, extremely wet day precipitation, number of heavy precipitation days, number of very heavy precipitation days, and number of consecutive wet days) exhibited statistically nonsignificant increasing trends during the study period, while annual total wet-day precipitation (PRCPTOT) and the number of wet days exhibited statistically significant increasing trends. In addition, the number of consecutive dry days (CDD) exhibited a statistically significant decreasing trend. For the seasonal EPIs, the PRCPTOT, RX1day, and RX5day all exhibited nonsignificant increasing trends during the wet season, and significant increasing trends during the dry season. Spatially, changes in the annual and wet season EPIs in the study area both exhibited significant differences in their spatial distribution. By contrast, changes in dry season PRCPTOT, RX1day, and RX5day exhibited notable spatial consistency. These three indices exhibited increasing trends at each station. Moreover, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the annual PRCPTOT and each of the other EPIs (except CDD). However, the contribution of extreme precipitation to annual PRCPTOT exhibited a nonsignificant decreasing trend.
Barrier-based Longitudinal Connectivity Index for Managing Urban Rivers
Authors: Li Heying , Zhou Demin , Hu Shanshan , Zhang Jianchen , Jiang Yuemei , Zhang Yue
Published: November 2018

A large variety of barriers can affect longitudinal connectivity, which leads to shipping blocking and even flood hazard. However, few existing methods can quantify physically the river channel connectivity from the barrier’s details perspective in a watershed. This paper establishes a new model of the River Channel Connectivity Index (RCCI) to quantify the unobstructed degree of river flow in river channels within geographic information system (GIS ) platforms based on the modified concept of time accessibility. A comprehensive classification system of barriers is setup before these barriers are identified by the remote sensing technology. The model is applied to Dashi Watershed in suburban Beijing, China. Results show that submersible bridges and sediment siltation are the main barriers in the watershed. RCCI values in the mountainous areas are generally higher than that of the plains. The assessment results verified by two historical flood events show that the RCCI can reveal where the river channel connectivity is impaired, how serious it is, and what the reason is for managers. Through scenarios’ results, the best restoration measure for each tributary is obtained from the perspective of reducing flood hazards. The new RCCI method not only has methodological significance, but also helps policymakers to enhance river flooding reduction and determine restoration priorities of the river channel.
Synthetic Impacts of Internal Climate Variability and Anthropogenic Change on Future Meteorological Droughts over China
Authors: Gu Lei , Chen Jie , Xu Chong-Yu , Wang Hui-Min , Zhang LiPing
Published: November 2018

The climate change impacts on droughts have received widespread attention in many recent studies. However, previous studies mainly attribute the changes in future droughts to human-induced climate change, while the impacts of internal climate variability (ICV) have not been addressed adequately. In order to specifically consider the ICV in drought impacts, this study investigates the changes in meteorological drought conditions for two future periods (2021–2050 and 2071–2100) relative to a historical period (1971–2000) in China, using two multi-member ensembles (MMEs). These two MMEs include a 40-member ensemble of the Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1) and a 10-member ensemble of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Mark, version 3.6.0 (CSIRO-Mlk3.6.0). The use of MMEs significantly increases the sample size, which makes it possible to apply an empirical distribution to drought frequency analysis. The results show that in the near future period (2021–2050), the overall drought conditions represented by drought frequency of 30- and 50-year return periods of drought duration and drought severity in China will deteriorate. More frequent droughts will occur in western China and southwestern China with longer drought duration and higher drought severity. In the far future period (2071–2100), the nationwide drought conditions will be alleviated, but model uncertainty will also become significant. Deteriorating drought conditions will continue in southwestern China over this time period. Thus, future droughts in southwestern China should be given more attention and mitigation measures need to be carefully conceived in these regions. Overall, this study proposed a method of taking into account internal climate variability in drought assessment, which is of significant importance in climate change impact studies.
Faune aquatique souterraine de France : base de données et éléments de biogéographie
Authors: Ferreira David , Dole Olivier Marie-José , Malard Florian , Deharveng Louis , Gibert Janine , Bou Claude , Brancelj A. , Coineau Nicole , Falkner M. , Falkner Gerhard , Galassi D. , Giani Narcisse , Ginet René , Henry J.-P. , Jouin-Toulmond C. , Juget Jacques , Lescher-Moutoué Françoise , Magniez G. , Marmonier Pierre , Mathieu Julien , Richoux Philippe , Turquin Marie-José
Published: November 2018

De nombreuses données existent sur la faune aquatique souterraine de France mais elles sont encore dispersées. Depuis 2002, un effort a été entrepris pour rassembler sous la forme d'une base de données, les informations disponibles concernant la distribution de cette faune aquatique souterraine de France. Un premier bilan en est présenté dans cet article. La base comprend actuellement 381 espèces et sous-espèces correspondant à plus de 5700 enregistrements.

Cette diversité place la faune française parmi l'une des plus riches faunes aquatiques souterraines d'Europe. Le bilan réalisé montre que l'état actuel des connaissances est très hétérogène en fonction du groupe zoologique considéré et de la région étudiée. La base de données sera utilisée pour identifier les régions à forte de biodiversité (richesse spécifique, endémisme) et les aires françaises de conservation prioritaires. Elle permettra également de formuler et de tester différentes hypothèses sur l'origine et les facteurs responsables de la biodiversité aquatique souterraine.
Les cavités glaciaires sous le regard spéléologique
Authors: Pulina Marian , Rehak Joseph , Schroeder Jacques
Published: November 2018

Englacial caves observed by speleologists.

The speleological investigation of moulins, intraglacial conduits and subglacial tunnels allows to collect informations which help better to understand the behavior of the glacier in movement. To find these field data it is necessary at first to conceive how appear and evolve intra-and subglacial cavities. They consist of four types : 1) those opened by meltwater ; 2) properly so called crevasses ; 3) cavities of volcanic origin ; 4) cavities in the lee of bedrock bumps. Directly observable data by the cavers must be always propped up with the time. They concern : 1) the location of cavities and their zone of drainage ; 2) the morphology of accessible entrances ; 3) the state and the stress of the ice host of cavities ; 4) an informed morphometry of investigated voids ; 5) level variations and relative age of the trapped waters, and present solid load, the nature and its disposal if necessary. All these data should be represented on plans, profits and cross sections that usually draw up the cavers. Because these documents are easely conveyed and available for consultation by a widened scientific community.
La grotte d'Alisadr, un témoin exceptionnel de l'évolution morphologique du Zagros (Iran)
Authors: Dumas Dominique
Published: November 2018

Cave of Alisadr : a geomorphological site of outstanding interect in the Zagros mountains of Iran.

The tourist cave of Alisadr, located on the eastern boundaries of the Zagros Mountains, is biggest subsurface cave visited in Iran. Most part of the karstic underground galleries are permanently filled with water : on the sides of the galleries former water table levels are indicated by numerous calcareous sinters. The sub-surface karst has preserved numerous relics and paleoenvironmental residual deposits which show the geomorphological karstic development. Datating of the three conspicuous calcareous levels in the cave and that of the surface basaltic mesa, to be established a few kilometres from the cave enable a chronology the stages of karstic evolution. The place of pre-quaternary vestiges in the landscapes of this country is also determined. For example, no typical landform of glacial erosion has been identified. The current karstic denudation rate is about 3 mm/Ky. The geomorphological evolution of surface and sub-surface landforms during the quaternary era is shown and deduced from the processes which have led to breccia formations in calcareous rocks.
Don Quichotte, spéléologue avant la lettre, et Sancho Panza par accident
Authors: Salomon Jean-Noël , Diaz del Olmo Fernando
Published: November 2018

Don Quijote, espeleôlogo anticipadamente, y Sancho Panza accidentalmente.

En el «Don Quijote » de Cervantes, cuyo 400° aniversario se festeja en 2005, se hace alusiôn varias veces a la exploration del mundo subterrâneo. No se trata de una invention total de parte del famoso autor espahol pues este ultimo se apoya sobre una «realidad » muy concreta. Tanto la cueva de Montesinos como las lagunas cârsticas de Ruidera, son una realidad : las habemos visitadas en 1961 por curiosidad, despues de haber leido la narration. De hecho, estos lugares célébrés de la Mancha son lugares carsicos que han sido acondicionados para el turismo El 400 aniversario es para los autores la oportunidad de baordar la fiction (la «exploration » de Don Quixote) y la realidad de las morfologias cârsicas, dando rodeo con una comparaciôn y sacando ensenanzas mas generales.
Les partages de la table
Authors: Hakata Kaoru
Published: November 2018

La table, lieu de partages et de « convivialité », constitue chez Balzac le carrefour des diverses valeurs, des intérêts et des désirs. Chaque convive y cherche sa « part » : des intrigues se tissent derrière les jeux de mots et les commérages. En même temps que la table représente son hôte et ses invités, elle devient elle-même l’objet de la représentation dans le roman, le déroulement du repas étant souvent superposé à des effets de composition théâtrale et musicale. Parfois, un étranger ou un parasite changent la loi du partage et font émerger à table des secrets, des voix cachées, des récits inattendus. Ainsi l’écrivain qui observe l’exclusion du parasite semble-t-il chercher à redéfinir le rapport entre le tiers et la fonction représentative de la table.
Du bon usage des passions
Authors: Conrad Thomas
Published: November 2018

Cet article analyse le sens de la « passion » chez Balzac à travers une lecture de La Cousine Bette . À l’époque de Balzac, la passion ne se définit plus par son opposition à l’action ni à la raison : la passion balzacienne est une énergie active et souvent calculatrice. Elle n’est pas non plus un tempérament unifié : plutôt la composition de forces multiples en interaction . La Cousine Bette raconte précisément une telle interaction : la capture de la passion de Hulot (sa sexualité compulsive) par celle de Lisbeth (la vengeance). Le romantisme de la passion devient ainsi un romanesque de la manipulation, représentatif de la conflictualité inhérente à la société bourgeoise moderne.
La cellule de traitement des informations financières belge face au blanchiment (Ctif) : de l’emprise des flux aux ajustements du cadre
Authors: Baudrihaye-Gérard Laure , Cardon Marie-Charlotte
Published: November 2018

La Ctif, cellule de renseignement financier belge, se situe à la charnière entre les volets préventif et répressif de la lutte contre le blanchiment. Responsables de recevoir et d’analyse les soupçons de blanchiment, les professionnels de la Ctif investissent des espaces d’action dans la mise en œuvre des mécanismes de sélection et de renvoi des dossiers à la justice pénale. Sous l’emprise de considérations gestionnaires relatives aux flux d’informations financières, quelle est la place de la finalité judiciaire de la Ctif ?
L’impunité environnementale. L’État entre gestion différentielle des illégalismes et désinvestissement global
Authors: Barone Sylvain
Published: November 2018

Cet article cherche à rendre compte de l’impunité persistante qui règne en matière d’environnement dans un contexte marqué, paradoxalement, par un durcissement tendanciel du cadre juridique. Se focalisant sur le traitement judiciaire, et notamment pénal, des illégalismes environnementaux, il met en avant cinq principaux facteurs : le manque de moyens des polices de l’environnement ; le ménagement de certains groupes d’intérêt ; la doctrine judiciaire conduisant à privilégier, dans ce domaine, les procédures transactionnelles ; la déconnexion des magistrats par rapport aux questions environnementales ; la faible coordination entre les acteurs locaux des politiques pénales environnementales. En fin de compte, cet article met en lumière un État oscillant entre gestion différentielle des illégalismes et désinvestissement global.
Ethnographie de la gestion des illégalismes boursiers
Authors: Badrudin Marie
Published: November 2018

Au croisement des enseignements théoriques de Foucault sur les illégalismes de droits et la littérature sur la criminalité en col blanc, ainsi qu’en écho à mes expériences ethnographiques lors d’une observation in situ d’un an au sein de la Direction des enquêtes d’une Autorité de régulation provinciale au Canada, cet article tente d’élucider comment les acteurs de cette institution gèrent les transgressions boursières selon un jeu de priorisation leur permettant in fine de sélectionner uniquement ceux qui « méritent » d’être enquêtés et poursuivis. Pour ce faire, le cheminement des dossiers, de leur détection à leur judiciarisation, est étudié afin d’éclairer cet entonnoir institutionnel filtrant la pléthore d’anomalies de marchés détectées pour finalement déboucher sur quelques cas traduits en justice.
Providing an Accurate Performance Measure of the Economic Contribution of the Freight Industry
Authors: Shin Hyeon-Shic , Bapna Sanjay , Farkas Andrew , Nickkar Amirreza
Published: November 2018

The economic impacts of freight movement on Maryland's economy were estimated by input-output analysis using the 2010 IMPLAN data. This effort was motivated by the absence of defendable performance measures for the economic contribution of freight transportation services. The analysis revealed that the freight industry generates sizable ripple effects. While the trucking sector is the largest by absolute employment size, the spillovers of maritime freight and port services are about seven times their employment size. The impact of government spending is also significant. The study findings and method will help decision-makers understand the role that each freight mode plays to make more informed decisions on transportation investments. The economic indicators used in this study (jobs, income, and gross domestic product (GDP)) can be used to mitigate the negative perceptions of freight movement. While travel time reduction and increased business productivity (used in past studies) are useful performance measures, jobs and income measures are more informative for public discourse.
Choice Models Adjusted to Non-Available Items and Network Effects
Authors: Lipovetsky Stan , Conklin W. Michael
Published: November 2018

Discrete choice modeling is one of the main tools of estimation utilities and preference probabilities among multiple alternatives in economics, psychology, social sciences, and marketing research. One of popular DCM tools is the Best-Worst Scaling, also known as Maximum Difference. Data for such modeling is given by respondents presented with several items, and each respondent chooses the best alternative. Estimation of utilities is usually performed in a multinomial-logit modeling which produces utilities and choice probabilities. This article describes how to obtain probability estimation adjusted to possible absence of items in actual purchasing. We apply Markov chain modeling in the form of Chapman-Kolmogorov equations and its steady-state solution for stochastic matrix can be obtained analytically. An adjustment to choice probability with network effects is also considered. Numerical example by marketing research data is used.
A Mathematical Foundation for Stochastic Opinion Dynamics
Authors: Castro Luis E. , Shaikh Nazrul I.
Published: November 2018

This article presents a stochastic opinion dynamics model where (a) the opinion of each agent in a network is modeled as a probability distribution as against a point object, (b) consensus is defined as the stability region of the ensuing set of stochastic difference equations, and (c) compromise solutions can be derived between agents who don't have a consensus. The model is well suited for tracking opinion dynamics over large online systems such as Twitter and Yelp where opinions need to be extracted from the user-generated text data. Theoretical conditions for the existence of consensus and the impact that stubborn agents have on opinion dynamics are also presented.