bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative Vegetation States in Tropical Forests and Savannas: The Search for Consistent Signals in Diverse Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Kumar Sanath Sathyachandran , Hanan Niall P. , Prihodko Lara , Anchang Julius , Ross C. Wade , Ji Wenjie , Lind Brianna M
Published: April 2019

Globally, the spatial distribution of vegetation is governed primarily by climatological factors (rainfall and temperature, seasonality, and inter-annual variability). The local distribution of vegetation, however, depends on local edaphic conditions (soils and topography) and disturbances (fire, herbivory, and anthropogenic activities). Abrupt spatial or temporal changes in vegetation distribution can occur if there are positive (i.e., amplifying) feedbacks favoring certain vegetation states under otherwise similar climatic and edaphic conditions. Previous studies in the tropical savannas of Africa and other continents using the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation continuous fields (VCF) satellite data product have focused on discontinuities in the distribution of tree cover at different rainfall levels, with bimodal distributions (e.g., concentrations of high and low tree cover) interpreted as alternative vegetation states. Such observed bimodalities over large spatial extents may not be evidence for alternate states, as they may include regions that have different edaphic conditions and disturbance histories. In this study, we conduct a systematic multi-scale analysis of diverse MODIS data streams to quantify the presence and spatial consistency of alternative vegetation states in Sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis is based on the premise that major discontinuities in vegetation structure should also manifest as consistent spatial patterns in a range of remote sensing data streams, including, for example, albedo and land surface temperature (LST). Our results confirm previous observations of bimodal and multimodal distributions of estimated tree cover in the MODIS VCF. However, strong disagreements in the location of multimodality between VCF and other data streams were observed at 1 km scale. Results suggest that the observed distribution of VCF over vast spatial extents are multimodal, not because of local-scale feedbacks and emergent bifurcations (the definition of alternative states), but likely because of other factors including regional scale differences in woody dynamics associated with edaphic, disturbance, and/or anthropogenic processes. These results suggest the need for more in-depth consideration of bifurcation mechanisms and thus the likely spatial and temporal scales at which alternative states driven by different positive feedback processes should manifest.
Effects of 7-Week Hip Thrust Versus Back Squat Resistance Training on Performance in Adolescent Female Soccer Players
Authors: González-García Jaime , Morencos Esther , Balsalobre-Fernández Carlos , Cuéllar-Rayo Ángel , Romero-Moraleda Blanca
Published: April 2019

Hip thrust (HT) is a loaded bridging exercise that requires more hip extension than a back squat (SQ) does, while in a back squat, triple flex extension occurs. Due to the specificity of each exercise, it is claimed that HT gains can be better transferred to actions where hip extension occurs. In addition, strength improvements during squatting can be transferred in a greater way to vertical plane movement, such as vertical jumping. However, its effects on the performance of female soccer players are unclear. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to analyze a 7-week training program on performance variables using either HT or SQ exercises in female adolescent soccer players without lifting experience (N = 24, age = 16.82 ± 1.56 years, height = 1.64 ± 0.55 cm, body mass = 58.35 ± 6.28 kg). Players were randomized into three groups: A back squat group (SQG; N = 8), hip thrust group (HTG; N = 8), and control group (CG; N = 8). Participants in the HTG and SQG joined a progressive resistance training program twice per week for 7 weeks with either HT or SQ exercises. A countermovement jump, 10–20 m sprint, T-test, and barbell velocity during HTs and SQs (with the load that represents ~60 and ~80% RM) were measured before and after the intervention. The HTG showed greater improvements in the 10-m sprint (d = 0.7), 20-m sprint (d = 0.46), T-test (d = 0.36), and barbell velocity at 80% repetition maximal (RM) (d = 0.53) and 60% RM (d = 1.02) during hip thrusts, while the SQG showed higher barbell velocity at 80% RM (d = −0.7) during back squats. These results may be useful for strength and conditioning coaches working with adolescent female soccer athletes, since both strengthening exercises improved performance in different ways due to the nature of the exercise.
How Development Affects News Media Coverage of Earthquakes: Implications for Disaster Risk Reduction in Observing Communities
Authors: Jamieson Thomas , Van Belle Douglas A.
Published: April 2019

Previous research suggests that lesson-drawing news coverage of disasters can create windows of opportunity for policy learning in the observing communities. This is especially important for cities facing similar vulnerabilities to disaster-affected communities, where they can learn from their events to pursue disaster risk reduction policies to mitigate against those risks at home. However, little is known about the conditions under which newspapers in at-risk communities provide the type of news coverage necessary for policy learning. Using logistic regression to analyze an original dataset produced from a content analysis of five newspapers’ coverage of five earthquakes, we demonstrate that the level of development of the disaster-stricken community systematically influences the nature of news coverage in at-risk communities. These results have important implications for the understanding of urban disaster risk reduction, suggesting that the conditions for bottom-up policy learning are more likely to occur following disasters in wealthier countries.
Chemical or Natural? Including LCA in Social CBA to Compare Remediation Alternatives for a Dry-Cleaning Facility
Authors: Huysegoms Lies , Rousseau Sandra , Cappuyns Valérie
Published: April 2019

The choice between remediation alternatives for contaminated sites is complicated by different elements, e.g., the occurrence of multiple contaminants, the extent of the contamination, or the urban location, complicate the choice between remediation alternatives. This paper addresses this challenging choice by analyzing a case study of an extensive soil and groundwater contamination by a dry-cleaning company. For remediating this site, two alternatives were proposed. The first remediation alternative combines several techniques with in-situ chemical oxidization being the most important one. Due to the potential negative impact of this alternative on local residents a second remediation alternative was drawn up, in which the focus lies on the use of stimulated biological degradation. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was performed on both alternatives and showed that the second alternative had a lower environmental impact. The inclusion of monetized LCA results in the calculation of a social Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) provided a more extensive view of the secondary environmental costs and benefits of the remediation alternatives. The results of the social CBA allow to conclude that both alternatives are not socially desirable, the chemical alternative however is socially less disadvantageous than the more natural remediation alternative.
Horizontal Heat Impacts of a Building on Various Soil Layer Depths in Beijing City
Authors: Zhou Hongxuan , Chen Huan , Wu Yue , Zha Jianfeng , Sun Jing , Hu Dan , Luo Pingjia
Published: April 2019

There is a lot of research on the urban thermal environment, mainly on air temperature. However, fewer studies focus on soil temperature that is influenced by built environment, especially on the horizontal heat impacts from buildings. In this research, soil temperature was investigated at different depths in Beijing, China, to compare the differences between two locations. One was next to the building and the other was far away from the building (10 m). The locations are referred to as site A and site B, respectively. These two sites were chosen to compare the differences in soil temperatures between them to present the horizontal heat impact from facade. The results show that facades caused horizontal heat impacts on the soil at different depths in the winter, spring, and summer. Basically, facades functioned as heat sources to the soil surrounding them. The mean temperature differences between the two sites were 3.282, 4.698 and 0.316 K in the winter, spring and summer, respectively. Additionally, the thermal effects of the buildings were not only exhibited as higher soil temperatures but the temporal appearance of the maximum and minimum temperature was also influenced. Buildings functioned as heat sources to heat soil in the winter and spring and stabilized soil temperature so that it would not fluctuate too much in the summer. Additionally, the coefficient of variation indicates that buildings primarily increased the soil temperature in the winter and spring and stabilized the soil temperature in the summer.
Passenger Repurchase Behaviours in the Green Cruise Line Context: Exploring the Role of Quality, Image, and Physical Environment
Authors: Han Heesup , Eom Taeyeon , Chung Hyunah , Lee Soyeun , Ryu Hyungseo Bobby , Kim Wansoo
Published: April 2019

Little is known about cruise passengers’ post-purchase behaviours and what makes them repurchase eco-friendly cruise trips. This research is an empirical attempt to explore the role of cruise line quality, image, physical environment excellence, satisfaction, and awareness of consequences in determining passenger repurchase intentions in the green cruise line sector. A quantitative method that comprised a structural equation model and an invariance test was used. Our findings revealed that quality, image, and physical environment excellence acted as significant drivers of satisfaction and intention, and cruise line quality had the greatest influence on intention. In addition, satisfaction, which was the most proximal determinant of intention, had a mediating effect. The physical environment excellence and intention relationship was moderated by awareness of consequences. The proposed conceptual framework in general had a sufficient level of prediction power for passenger repurchase intention. Findings of this study can be efficiently used for passenger retention among green cruise line practitioners.
Heterogeneity in the Chemical Composition of Biofertilizers, Potential Agronomic Use, and Heavy Metal Contents of Different Agro-Industrial Wastes
Authors: Cajamarca Sabrina Magaly Navas , Martins Douglas , da Silva Juscimar , Fontenelle Mariana Rodrigues , Guedes Ítalo Moraes Rocha , de Figueiredo Cícero Célio , Pacheco Lima Carlos Eduardo
Published: April 2019

Several agro-industrial, livestock, and food wastes can be recycled to create biofertilizers. This diversity of raw materials can result in nutritional imbalance and an increase in heavy metal content, which could make the final product unfeasible. Thus, the chemical characterization of the raw materials and their influence on the sustainable and safe production of biofertilizers need to be better understood. In this context, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the chemical characteristics of agro-industrial residues used in the manufacture of an aerobic liquid biofertilizer. We analyzed the macronutrient, micronutrient, and trace metal contents of seven waste products used as raw materials to create a biofertilizer. In addition, a survey of secondary biofertilizer data from different residues was carried out that showed great heterogeneity in the chemical compositions of these residues, which has a direct impact on the agronomic efficiency of these biofertilizers. The characterization revealed that some materials may be contaminants of the soil, due to high levels of trace metals, especially cadmium. We conclude that the generation of detailed inventories, such as those of the nutrient and heavy metal contents of the raw materials and biofertilizers produced, is indispensable for the correct recommendation of biologically-based inputs in agriculture.
Cropland Use Transitions and Their Driving Factors in Poverty-Stricken Counties of Western Hubei Province, China
Authors: Xiang Jingwei , Song Xiaoqing , Li Jiangfeng
Published: April 2019

Agriculture is important for economic development in most poverty-stricken areas in China, but cropland use is facing challenges due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, causing serious issues for poverty alleviation and sustainable socioeconomic development. Cropland Use Transition (CUT) is one way to alleviate poverty and develop the economy in poverty-stricken areas. This paper chose 16 typical poverty-stricken counties in Western Hubei province as the case area. A morphology index system was established to evaluate CUT, and geographic information system software was used to analyze the temporal-spatial variations in CUT. Using the Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN) model, contributions of driving factors of population, economy, and industrial structure to CUT were analyzed. The results show that: (1) cropland use morphology can be divided into functional morphology and spatial morphology; (2) the spatial distribution of CUT was high in the north and low in the south, the temporal variation of CUT from 1995 to 2013 showed fluctuations, and the coefficient of CUT changed from 0.460 to 0.649 with a growth rate of 41%; (3) for the driving factors, population factors most significantly contributed to CUT, followed by industrial structure and economic factors. The results obtained in this study are in line with the findings of previous studies. The RBFNN model is suitable for evaluating the contributions of driving factors, which can solve the deficiency in previous studies caused by ignoring the internal relationship and target orientation of driving factors. This study suggests that poverty-stricken counties should narrow the urban–rural divide, encourage balanced labor and investment flow into cropland by formulating relevant economic policies, motivate farmers’ agricultural engagement, and use science and technology to promote CUT and the growth of the agricultural economy, poverty alleviation, and to coordinate urban–rural development.
Assessing the Ecological Carrying Capacity Based on Revised Three-Dimensional Ecological Footprint Model in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Wang Yening , Jiang Yuantong , Zheng Yuanmao , Wang Haowei
Published: April 2019

Under the concept of green development, accurately mapping ecological carrying capacity to effectively evaluate regional sustainability has already become an important issue in China. This study introduced ecological carrying capacity intensity (ECintensity) based on the revised three-dimensional ecological footprint (3DEF) model to describe the temporal–spatial patterns of three-dimensional ecological carrying capacity (EC3D) in Inner Mongolia in 2010–2016 and to explore factors affecting socioeconomic sustainable development. The results showed that ecological footprint size (EFsize) differed between cities/leagues but changed little during the study period. Ecological footprint depth (EFdepth) far exceeded the original value of 1.00. Ecological carrying capacity (EC) varied in cities/leagues, while ECintensity increased slowly with stronger potential for regional development. Three-dimensional ecological deficits (ED3D) of cities/leagues were divided into five categories: Hohhot, Hulunbuir and Banyannur were in larger ecological surplus; Hinggan was in slight surplus; Baotou, Chifeng, Tongliao, Ulanqab, Xilin Gol and Erdos were in slight deficit; Wuhai was in stronger deficit; and Alxa was in severely intense deficit. Woodland of cities/leagues was continuously in slight ecological surplus, while cropland and grassland had crucial impacts on deficit. There was a significant positive linear correlation between gross domestic product (GDP) and footprint, while a negative correlation was seen with deficit. These results would help coordinate resource utilization and industrial structure adjustment in Inner Mongolia.
Do Energy Conservation Strategies Limit the Freedom of Architecture Design? A Case Study of Minsheng Community, Taipei, Taiwan
Authors: Sari Dany Perwita , Chiou Yun-Shang
Published: April 2019

The residential sector is one of the largest energy-consuming sectors in Taiwan. Taiwan applies building codes and appliance standards to reduce the total energy demand for buildings, especially for façade design. Some research studies demonstrate that design decisions regarding the envelope shape have a direct effect on a building’s energy performance. This paper presents a comparative study of four façade design strategies for low-rise residential buildings by combining energy performance and architectural creativity. The research aims to provide insights for Taiwan’s building designers and energy policymakers and to provide an overview of façade standards for residential buildings in urban areas that is not only innovative in design but also has an energy-saving potential. The approach used in this research combined the overhang and side fin shading design with an open plan, which allows for optimum daylight exposure across all spaces in order to reduce energy consumption.
Discussion on Sustainable Development Strategies of the Traditional Handicraft Industry Based on Su-Style Furniture in the Ming Dynasty
Authors: Fan Kuo-Kuang , Feng Ting-Ting
Published: April 2019

The fabrication of traditional handicrafts is both an art creation activity and a social economic activity, meaning that the resulting works have dual artistic and economic characteristics. With the development of industrial mass production, the traditional handicraft industry is facing a series of challenges. For sustainable development of the traditional handicraft industry, first the establishment of its historical context and experience is necessary. Therefore, through an analysis of the competitive advantages of the Su-style furniture industry in the Ming Dynasty, this study first sorts out and summarizes the historical experience of the industry’s successful development. Next, sustainable development strategies for the contemporary traditional handicraft industry are explored, and opinions on the inheritance and development of the traditional handicraft industry at the present stage are put forward. Based on the diamond model, this study of Su-style furniture in the Ming Dynasty shows that its competitive advantages in this period included style, material, and skill, and the contributions of the government and consumer demand played important roles in these competitive advantages. Therefore, the current development of the traditional handicraft industry requires both external heritage protection of the government and the internal transformation and innovation of the industry.
Wellness Pursuit and Slow Life Seeking Behaviors: Moderating Role of Festival Attachment
Authors: Kim Myung Ja , Lee Choong-Ki , Kim Jinok Susanna , Petrick James F.
Published: April 2019

Slow lifestyles have become a way for individuals to reduce the amount of stress in their lives. Moreover, along with wellness and slow food, slow life seeking is emerging as an area of study, though little research has been studied at Slow Life Festivals (SLFs) associated with consumers’ wellness pursuits, slow life seeking, and perceptions of slow food. To address this gap, this study examined visitors’ decision-making processes using an extended theory of planned behavior (ETPB) by incorporating wellness pursuit, slow life seeking, and perceptions of slow food at an SLF. Thus, this study developed a theoretically comprehensive framework by applying field survey. Results revealed significant impacts of visitors’ wellness pursuits and slow life seeking on their decision-making, indicating that wellness and slow life were important factors to consider for SLF management. The research further identified the perception of slow food as a mediator in predicting behavioral intentions. Results further demonstrated a strong relationship between wellness pursuit and perception of slow food for highly attached visitors while revealing a significant relationship between slow life seeking and perception of slow food for less attached visitors. Consequently, this study shed significant light on our understanding of why visitors intend to revisit SLFs.
The Chirality Induction and Modulation of Polymers by Circularly Polarized Light
Authors: Yang Guang , Zhang Siyu , Hu Jingang , Fujiki Michiya , Zou Gang
Published: April 2019

Chirality is a natural attribute nature of living matter and plays an important role in maintaining the metabolism, evolution and functional activities of living organisms. Asymmetric conformation represents the chiral structure of biomacromolecules in living organisms on earth, such as the L-amino acids of proteins and enzymes, and the D-sugars of DNA or RNA, which exist preferentially as one enantiomer. Circularly polarized light (CPL), observed in the formation regions of the Orion constellation, has long been proposed as one of the origins of single chirality. Herein, the CPL triggered asymmetric polymerization, photo-modulation of chirality based on polymers are described. The mechanisms between CPL and polymers (including polydiacetylene, azobenzene polymers, chiral coordination polymers, and polyfluorene) are described in detail. This minireview provides a promising flexible asymmetric synthesis method for the fabrication of chiral polymer via CPL irradiation, with the hope of obtaining a better understanding of the origin of homochirality on earth.
A Study on the Presence of Immersive User Interface in Collaborative Virtual Environments Application
Authors: Park Wonjun , Heo Hayoung , Park Seongjun , Kim Jinmo
Published: April 2019

This study proposes a collaboration-based interaction as a new method for providing an improved presence and a satisfying experience to various head-mounted display (HMD) users utilized in immersive virtual reality (IVR), and analyzes the experiences (improved presence, satisfying enjoyment, and social interaction) of applying collaboration to user interfaces. The key objective of the proposed interaction is to provide an environment where HMD users are able to collaborate with each other, based on their differentiated roles and behaviors. To this end, a collaboration-based interaction structured in three parts was designed, including a synchronization procedure and a communication interface that enable users to swiftly execute common goals with precision, based on immersive interactions that allow users to directly exchange information and provide feedback with their hands and feet. Moreover, experimental VR applications were built to systematically analyze the improved presence, enjoyment, and social interaction experienced by users through collaboration. Finally, by conducting a survey on the participants of the experiment, this study confirmed that the proposed interface indeed provided users with an improved presence and a satisfying experience, based on collaboration.
A Preliminary Design-Phase Security Methodology for Cyber–Physical Systems
Authors: Carter Bryan , Adams Stephen , Bakirtzis Georgios , Sherburne Tim , Beling Peter , Horowitz Barry , Fleming Cody
Published: April 2019

Despite “cyber” being in the name, cyber–physical systems possess unique characteristics that limit the applicability and suitability of traditional cybersecurity techniques and strategies. Furthermore, vulnerabilities to cyber–physical systems can have significant safety implications. The physical and cyber interactions inherent in these systems require that cyber vulnerabilities not only be defended against or prevented, but that the system also be resilient in the face of successful attacks. Given the complex nature of cyber–physical systems, the identification and evaluation of appropriate defense and resiliency strategies must be handled in a targeted and systematic manner. Specifically, what resiliency strategies are appropriate for a given system, where, and which should be implemented given time and/or budget constraints? This paper presents two methodologies: (1) the cyber security requirements methodology and (2) a systems-theoretic, model-based methodology for identifying and prioritizing appropriate resiliency strategies for implementation in a given system and mission. This methodology is demonstrated using a case study based on a hypothetical weapon system. An assessment and comparison of the results from the two methodologies suggest that the techniques presented in this paper can augment and enhance existing systems engineering approaches with model-based evidence.
Understanding the Significance of Biochemistry in the Storage, Handling, Purification, and Sampling of Amphiphilic Mycolactone
Authors: Kubicek-Sutherland Jessica Z. , Vu Dung M. , Anderson Aaron S. , Sanchez Timothy C. , Converse Paul J. , Martí-Arbona Ricardo , Nuermberger Eric L. , Swanson Basil I. , Mukundan Harshini
Published: April 2019

Mycolactone, the amphiphilic macrolide toxin secreted by Mycobacterium ulcerans, plays a significant role in the pathology and manifestations of Buruli ulcer (BU). Consequently, it follows that the toxin is a suitable target for the development of diagnostics and therapeutics for this disease. Yet, several challenges have deterred such development. For one, the lipophilic nature of the toxin makes it difficult to handle and store and contributes to variability associated with laboratory experimentation and purification yields. In this manuscript, we have attempted to incorporate our understanding of the lipophilicity of mycolactone in order to define the optimal methods for the storage, handling, and purification of this toxin. We present a systematic correlation of variability associated with measurement techniques (thin-layer chromatography (TLC), mass spectrometry (MS), and UV-Vis spectrometry), storage conditions, choice of solvents, as well as the impact of each of these on toxin function as assessed by cellular cytotoxicity. We also compared natural mycolactone extracted from bacterial culture with synthesized toxins in laboratory (solvents, buffers) and physiologically relevant (serum) matrices. Our results point to the greater stability of mycolactone in organic, as well as detergent-containing, solvents, regardless of the container material (plastic, glass, or silanized tubes). They also highlight the presence of toxin in samples that may be undetectable by any one technique, suggesting that each detection approach captures different configurations of the molecule with varying specificity and sensitivity. Most importantly, our results demonstrate for the very first time that amphiphilic mycolactone associates with host lipoproteins in serum, and that this association will likely impact our ability to study, diagnose, and treat Buruli ulcers in patients.
Assessment of Immunogenicity and Neutralisation Efficacy of Viral-Vectored Vaccines Against Chikungunya Virus
Authors: López-Camacho César , Kim Young Chan , Blight Joshua , Lazaro Moreli Marcos , Montoya-Diaz Eduardo , T Huiskonen Juha , Mareike Kümmerer Beate , Reyes-Sandoval Arturo
Published: April 2019

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has caused extensive outbreaks in several countries within the Americas, Asia, Oceanic/Pacific Islands, and Europe. In humans, CHIKV infections cause a debilitating disease with acute febrile illness and long-term polyarthralgia. Acute and chronic symptoms impose a major economic burden to health systems and contribute to poverty in affected countries. An efficacious vaccine would be an important step towards decreasing the disease burden caused by CHIKV infection. Despite no licensed vaccine is yet available for CHIKV, there is strong evidence of effective asymptomatic viral clearance due to neutralising antibodies against the viral structural proteins. We have designed viral-vectored vaccines to express the structural proteins of CHIKV, using the replication-deficient chimpanzee adenoviral platform, ChAdOx1. Expression of the CHIKV antigens results in the formation of chikungunya virus-like particles. Our vaccines induce high frequencies of anti-chikungunya specific T-cell responses as well as high titres of anti-CHIKV E2 antibodies with high capacity for in vitro neutralisation. Our results indicate the potential for further clinical development of the ChAdOx1 vaccine platform in CHIKV vaccinology.
Tomato Twisted Leaf Virus: A Novel Indigenous New World Monopartite Begomovirus Infecting Tomato in Venezuela
Authors: Romay Gustavo , Geraud-Pouey Francis , Chirinos Dorys T. , Mahillon Mathieu , Gillis Annika , Mahillon Jacques , Bragard Claude
Published: April 2019

Begomoviruses are one of the major groups of plant viruses with an important economic impact on crop production in tropical and subtropical regions. The global spread of its polyphagous vector, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, has contributed to the emergence and diversification of species within this genus. In this study, we found a putative novel begomovirus infecting tomato plants in Venezuela without a cognate DNA-B component. This begomovirus was genetically characterized and compared with related species. Furthermore, its infectivity was demonstrated by agroinoculation of infectious clones in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The name Tomato twisted leaf virus (ToTLV) is proposed. ToTLV showed the typical genome organization of the DNA-A component of New World bipartite begomoviruses. However, the single DNA component of ToTLV was able to develop systemic infection in tomato and N. benthamiana plants, suggesting a monopartite nature of its genome. Interestingly, an additional open reading frame ORF was observed in ToTLV encompassing the intergenic region and the coat protein gene, which is not present in other closely related begomoviruses. A putative transcript from this region was amplified by strand-specific reverse transcription-PCR. Along with recent studies, our results showed that the diversity of monopartite begomoviruses from the New World is greater than previously thought.
Increased Antimicrobial Resistance of MRSA Strains Isolated from Pigs in Spain between 2009 and 2018
Authors: Abreu Rossana , Rodríguez-Álvarez Cristobalina , Lecuona María , Castro Beatriz , González Juan Carlos , Aguirre-Jaime Armando , Arias Ángeles
Published: April 2019

The problem of emerging resistant microorganisms such as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) associated to livestock is closely linked to improper use of antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence and characteristics of these strains, as well as their evolution in healthy pigs on the Island of Tenerife, Spain. Between October 2009 and December 2010, 300 pigs from 15 wean-to-finishing farms were screened. Between 1 September 2017 and 31 March 2018, a new sampling was performed collecting 125 nasal swabs from pigs belonging to the same farms and under the same conditions as the previous study. MRSA antibiotic resistant patterns were studied. Results: Prevalence of MRSA isolates was 89.6%. All isolates belonged to Sequence Type 398 (ST398), a livestock related strain. All strains studied were resistant to beta-lactamic non-carbapenemic antibiotics and sensitive to teicoplanin, linezolid, vancomycin, rifampicin, quinupristin-dalfospristin, and mupirocine. Between 2009/2010–2017/2018 a significant increase in resistance to gentamicin, tobramycin, trimethoprim-sulfomethoxazole, clindamycin, Fosfomycin, and tigecycline antibiotics was observed in isolated MRSA strains compared to the previous period. We consider a major control and surveillance program of antibiotic use in veterinary care is needed in order to reduce the presence of MRSA strains in livestock and control this significant multi-resistance increase.
Effects of Human Activities on Hydrological Components in the Yiluo River Basin in Middle Yellow River
Authors: Wang Xiujie , Zhang Pengfei , Liu Lüliu , Li Dandan , Wang Yanpeng
Published: April 2019

Land use and land cover change (LUCC) and water resource utilization behavior and policy (WRUBAP) affect the hydrological cycle in different ways. Their effects on streamflow and hydrological balance components were analyzed in the Yiluo River Basin using the delta method and the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The multivariable (runoff and actual evapotranspiration) calibration and validation method was used to reduce model uncertainty. LUCC impact on hydrological balance components (1976–2015) was evaluated through comparison of simulated paired land use scenarios. WRUBAP impact on runoff was assessed by comparing natural (simulated) and observed runoff. It showed that urban area reduction led to decreased groundwater, but increased surface runoff and increased water area led to increased evaporation. LUCC impact on annual runoff was found limited; for instance, the difference under the paired scenarios was <1 mm. Observed runoff was 34.7–144.1% greater than natural runoff during November–June because of WRUBAP. The effect of WRUBAP on wet season runoff regulation was limited before the completion of the Guxian Reservoir, whereas WRUBAP caused a reduction in natural runoff of 21.6–35.0% during the wet season (July–October) after its completion. The results suggest that WRUBAP has greater influence than LUCC on runoff in the Yiluo River Basin. Based on existing drought mitigation measures, interbasin water transfer measures and deep groundwater exploitation could reduce the potential for drought attributable to predicted future climate extremes. In addition to reservoir regulation, conversion of farmland to forestry in the upstream watershed could also reduce flood risk.
Analysis of Shear Stress and Stream Power Spatial Distributions for Detection of Operational Problems in the Stare Miasto Reservoir
Authors: Wicher-Dysarz Joanna
Published: April 2019

In this paper an analysis of the lowland reservoir operation in atypical conditions is presented. The chosen study object is the Stare Miasto reservoir in the Powa river (Poland), which has been in operation since 2006. It is a two-stage reservoir, consisting of an upper sedimentation part and a lower main reservoir. The upper part is separated from the main part by an internal dam with a sluice gate. Such a construction enabled better control of sediment deposits and their removal. The atypical conditions were caused by flood wave propagation in the Powa river and the reservoir in 2014. In the research, three reservoir bathymetries are analyzed—from 2006, 2013, and 2018. Two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamic modeling is applied to analyze spatial variability of investigated hydraulic parameters. Such an approach enabled better recognition of the changes observed in the reservoir during 2006–2018. In the research, the spatial distributions of the velocities, the shear stresses, and the stream power are the basis for the analyses and comparisons. The simulations enabled identification of the main elements prone to collapse during flood wave propagation. The presented results and approach may be applied for improvement of reservoir design, with special emphasis on specific structures located in a reservoir basin.
La Configuración del Perfil de Competencias Profesionales del Docente de Educación Superior: Aproximaciones y Propuestas
Authors: Bell Rodríguez Rafael Felix , Lema Cachinell Belinda Marta , Vacacela Conforme Lissette Juleysi
Published: April 2019

En ese contexto, el objetivo de este artículo es realizar, a partir del estudio de fuentes primarias, una revisión descriptiva de diferentes aproximaciones y propuestas para la configuración del perfil de competencias profesionales del docente de Educación Superior, que favorezca el análisis y la reflexión acerca de las competencias del docente de las Instituciones de Educación Superior (IES), recurriendo para ello al análisis de diversas propuestas y modelos, incluidos algunos escasamente difundidos en los países de habla hispana debido fundamentalmente a barreras de tipo lingüístico. Su esbozo permite corroborar la naturaleza compleja y el alcance global del tema objeto de estudio.
La Universidad Contemporánea: Su Contribución para una Sociedad Próspera y Sostenible
Authors: Márquez Rodríguez Aleida
Published: April 2019

La universidad contemporánea tiene un papel fundamental en la preparación de los nuevos profesionales desde una perspectiva que se corresponda con las nuevas exigencias que requiere la era del conocimiento, para alcanzar niveles superiores de desempeño. Se significa el estado insuficientemente actualizado en que se encuentran algunas de estas instituciones del tercer mundo, en lo referente a los aspectos estructuro - funcionales y a los modos de pensarse a sí misma, en particular las latinoamericanas y caribeñas, no obstante, se realiza una breve panorámica de lo alcanzado por las universidades cubanas en algunos de estos aspectos.

Se proponen particularidades que deben atender estas instituciones para su actualización, así como para obtener una formación profesional que influya positivamente en las transformaciones necesarias en lo referido al cambio de mentalidad y al logro de la excelencia educativa, para alcanzar una sociedad próspera y sostenible.
CALCULATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS, FORCES AND TEMPERATURE IN A FINITE CYLINDER
Authors: Buikis A. , Kalis H.
Published: April 2019

The distribution of electromagnetic fields, forces and temperatures induced by a three‐phase axially‐symmetric system of electric current in a conducting cylinder of a finite length has been calculated. An original method was used to calculate the radial and axial components of the magnetic fields and the mean values of electromagnetic forces, as well as the azimuthal component of the electric field and of the mean curl of the electromagnetic forces. For finding the source term in the temperature equation we applied an approximation of the heat transport problem based on the finite‐difference method. Such a procedure allows one to calculate the distribution of temperatures inside the cylinder depending on that of currents in the wires.
ON CLASSICAL FORMULATION OF HELE‐SHAW MOVING BOUNDARY PROBLEM FOR POWER‐LAW FLUID
Authors: Rogosin S. V.
Published: April 2019

A model of the Hele‐Shaw flow for power‐law fluid is proposed. A classical formulation of the corresponding moving boundary value problem is given.
MONOTONE ECONOMICAL SCHEMES FOR QUASILINEAR PARABOLIC EQUATIONS
Authors: Dzenisenko N. V. , Matus A. P. , Matus P. P.
Published: April 2019

In order to approximate a multidimensional quasilinear parabolic equation with unlimited nonlinearity the economical vector‐additive scheme is constructed. It is shown that its solution satisfies the maximum principle and, hence, the scheme is monotone. The proof is based on the equivalence of the vector‐additive scheme and the scheme of summarized approximation (locally one‐dimensional scheme). The a priori estimates of the difference solution in the uniform norm are obtained.
OBVIOUS AND HIDDEN FEATURES OF CORPORATE DEFAULT IN BANKRUPTCY MODELS
Authors: Kuběnka Michal , Myšková Renáta
Published: April 2019

The aim of this article is to prove the key role of the structure of the research sample used for accuracy determining on the accuracy of bankruptcy models. The creators of these models report the accuracy usually in the range of 60 to 90%. The authors of this article claim that these values are inaccurate and misleading. The real I. type error should be detected on a sample where obvious features of financial default were eliminated. The research tested more than 1200 of thriving businesses and also 270 businesses in future bankruptcy. The research has determined real current accuracy of selected three bankruptcy models on the standard sample of Czech businesses amounting 67.77%, 62.27% and 74.36%. This confirmed hypothesis no. 1, which says that actual accuracy of bankruptcy model is lower than original accuracy indicated by model makers. An accuracy of 58.70%, 61.59% and 65.94% was measured on a sample where businesses with obvious features of financial distress were eliminated. Due to the modification of the test sample, the order of accuracy has changed. This confirmed hypothesis no. 2. The Index of Karas and Reznakova reached the highest overall accuracy of 80.31% including incorrect prediction of bankruptcy also.
A Fast and Exact w-stacking and w-projection Hybrid Algorithm for Wide-field Interferometric Imaging
Authors: Pratley Luke , Johnston-Hollitt Melanie , McEwen Jason D.
Published: April 2019

The standard wide-field imaging technique, the w-projection, allows correction for wide fields of view for non-coplanar radio interferometric arrays. However, calculating exact corrections for each measurement has not been possible due to the amount of computation required at high resolution and with the large number of visibilities from current interferometers. The required accuracy and computational cost of these corrections is one of the largest unsolved challenges facing next-generation radio interferometers such as the Square Kilometre Array. We show that the same calculation can be performed with a radially symmetric w-projection kernel, where we use one-dimensional adaptive quadrature to calculate the resulting Hankel transform, decreasing the computation required for kernel generation by several orders of magnitude, while preserving the accuracy. We confirm that the radial w-projection kernel is accurate to approximately 1% by imaging the zero-spacing with an added w-term. We demonstrate the potential of our radially symmetric w-projection kernel via sparse image reconstruction, using the software package PURIFY. We develop a distributed w-stacking and w-projection hybrid algorithm. We apply this algorithm to individually correct for non-coplanar effects in 17.5 million visibilities over a 25 by 25 degree FoV Murchison Widefield Array observation for image reconstruction. Such a level of accuracy and scalability is not possible with standard w-projection kernel generation methods. This demonstrates that we can scale to a large number of measurements with large image sizes while still maintaining both speed and accuracy.
Re-evaluation of Zospeum schaufussi von Frauenfeld, 1862 and Z. suarezi Gittenberger, 1980, including the description of two new Iberian species using Computer Tomography (CT) (Eupulmonata, Ellobioidea, Carychiidae)
Authors: Jochum Adrienne , Prieto Carlos E. , Kampschulte Marian , Martels Gunhild , Ruthensteiner Bernhard , Vrabec Marko , Dörge Dorian D. , de Winter Anton J.
Published: April 2019

The present study aims to clarify the confused taxonomy of Z.schaufussi von Frauenfeld, 1862 and Zospeumsuarezi Gittenberger, 1980. Revision of Iberian Zospeum micro snails is severely hindered by uncertainties regarding the identity of the oldest Iberian Zospeum species, Z.schaufussi von Frauenfeld, 1862. In this paper, we clarify its taxonomic status by designating a lectotype from the original syntype series and by describing its internal and external shell morphology. Using SEM-EDX, we attempt to identify the area of the type locality cave more precisely than “a cave in Spain”. The shell described and illustrated by Gittenberger (1980) as Z.schaufussi appears not to be conspecific with the lectotype shell, and is considered a separate species, Z.gittenbergeri Jochum, Prieto & De Winter, sp. n.

Zospeumsuarezi was described from various caves in NW Spain. Study of the type material reveals that these shells are not homogenous in shell morphology. The holotype shell of Z.suarezi is imaged here for the first time. The paratype shell, illustrated by Gittenberger (1980) from a distant, second cave, is described as Zospeumpraetermissum Jochum, Prieto & De Winter, sp. n. The shell selected here as lectotype of Z.schaufussi, was also considered a paratype of Z.suarezi by Gittenberger (1980). Since this specimen is morphologically very similar to topotypic shells of Z.suarezi, the latter species is considered a junior synonym of Z.schaufussi (syn. n.). The internal shell morphology of all these taxa is described and illustrated using X-ray Micro Computer Tomography (Micro-CT).
Análisis del envejecimiento artificial en horno de inducción y los costos de energía de los materiales 6082 Al y 7075 Al
Authors: Taştan Mehmet , Gökozan Hayrettin , Sarı Çavdar Pınar , Soy Gürkan , Çavdar Uğur
Published: April 2019

Muestras de las aleaciones 6082 A1 y 7075 A1 se sometieron a un tratamiento térmico en horno de inducción de ultraalta frecuencia (UHFIHS) a 580 ºC durante 1 min y suministro de agua al final del proceso. El envejecimiento artificial se llevó a cabo a 190 °C durante 2, 4, 6 y 8 min. En ambas aplicacio-nes, el calentamiento se llevó a cabo utilizando un sistema de inducción con una frecuencia de 900 kHz y una potencia de 2,8 kW. Para estas series y diseños de aluminio, se calcularon los costos del tratamiento térmico. Adicionalmente, se compararon los valores de dureza de las muestras de 6082 A1 y 7075 A1 envejecidas artificialmente a 190 °C durante 10 h con los métodos convencionales 540 °C durante 5 h. Los resultados de dureza de la muestra 6082 Al obtenidos en 10 h mediante métodos convencionales, tardaron sólo 8 min mediante el envejecimiento artificial con el sistema de inducción.
Exploring and Ranking Factors Affecting Currency Counterfeiting Using Factor Analysis and Regression
Authors: Upadhyaya Akanksha , Shokeen Vinod , Srivastava Garima
Published: April 2019

Currency counterfeiting is a serious matter of concern for government and national finance organizations. The policy makers have formed a zero tolerance policy for counterfeiting, but still the incidence of counterfeit notes is becoming an alarming situation. The counterfeited banknotes reduce the value of real money and an increase in the money supply is not just a solution, because it leads to inflation. Counterfeiting poses tangible as well as intangible impacts and affects business organizations and thereby a nation's economy. Therefore, the research study aims to identify the factors that affects the counterfeiting in Indian banknotes. Questionnaire as a data collection instrument was used to collect data from the north-west region of Delhi. The factors were then identified through exploratory factor analysis and standardized using a confirmatory factor analysis. At last, the relative effect of each factor was measured using multiple regression analysis as a part of confirmatory factor analysis. IBM SPSS 20 and IBM AMOS is used for factor analysis.
Improved Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization Algorithm and its Application in PID Parameter Optimization
Authors: Gu Fahui , Wang Wenxiang , Lai Luyan
Published: April 2019

The teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO) algorithm has been applied to many optimization problems, but its theoretical basis is relatively weak, its control parameters are difficult to choose, and it converges slowly in the late period and makes it too early to mature. To overcome these shortcomings, this article proposes a dual-population co-evolution teaching and learning optimization algorithm (DPCETLBO) in which adaptive learning factors and a multi-parent non-convex hybrid elite strategy are introduced for a population with high fitness values to improve the convergence speed of the algorithm, while an opposition-based learning algorithm with polarization is introduced for a population with lower fitness values to improve the global search ability of the algorithm. In a proportion integration differentiation (PID) parameter optimization experiment, the simulation results indicate that the convergence of the DPCETLBO algorithm is fast and precise, and its global search ability is superior to those of the TLBO, ETLBO and PSO algorithms.