bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Environmentally Friendly Approach for the Fabrication of Conductive Superhydrophobic Coatings with Sandwich-Like Structures
Authors: Luo Xiaomin , Hu Wenjie , Cao Min , Ren Huijun , Feng Jianyan , Wei Mengyuan
Published: March 2018

A large amount of research has been devoted to developing novel superhydrophobic coatings. However, it is still a great challenge to pursuean environmentally friendly method that leads to superhydrophobic coatings. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time, an environmentally friendly method for the preparation of conductive superhydrophobic coatings with sandwich-like structures by using aminoethylaminopropyl polydimethylsiloxane modified waterborne polyurethane (SiWPU) and N-octadecylamine functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes. These environmentally friendly coatings with the sheet resistance of 1.1 ± 0.1 kΩ/sq exhibit a high apparent contact angle of 158.1° ± 2° and a low sliding angle below 1°. The influence of the surface texture before and after heat treatment on the wetting properties is discussed. In addition, the coatings can be electrically heated by 3~113 °C with a voltage of 12~72 V, and thus, can be used for deicing. Furthermore, the resulting coatings demonstrate good performance of wear resistance and ultraviolet resistance, which will have broad application potential in harsh environments.
Brazilian Validation of the Attachment to God Inventory (IAD-Br)
Authors: August Hartmut , Esperandio Mary Rute G. , Escudero Fabiana Thiele
Published: March 2018

Bowlby’s Attachment Theory proposes that the person seeks protection and security with his or her caregiver, establishing a significant bond, which Bowlby characterizes as “attachment relationship”. The relationship with God can also be understood as an attachment relationship. Until now, there are no instruments in Brazil to measure one’s attachment to God. The purpose of this article is to present the adaptation and validation process of the Attachment to God Inventory for the Brazilian context, resulting in a Brazilian version of the Attachment to God Inventory (IAD-Br). The validation methodology for the IAD-Br consisted of Portuguese translation, reverse translation to English, pre-test, data collection, and validation through confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA). A total of 470 people participated in the study: 179 men and 291 women. Confirmatory factorial analysis presented unsatisfactory statistical parameters. Of the 28 items of the instrument, 11 items did not present adequate Item-Total Correlation. After excluding these 11 items, the instrument presented adequate adjustment indices. The IAD-Br, composed of 17 items, is able to be used to measure attachment to God in Brazil and constitutes a relevant instrument to identify the attachment to God style, being useful for application in the psychotherapeutic clinic and in contexts of spiritual care.
The Consideration of Formal Errors in Spatiotemporal Filtering Using Principal Component Analysis for Regional GNSS Position Time Series
Authors: Li Weiwei , Shen YunZhong
Published: March 2018

In the daily operation of regional GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) networks, the formal errors of all stations’ coordinate components are calculated. However, spatiotemporal filtering based on traditional Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for regional GNSS position time series does not take these formal errors into account. This paper developed a PCA-based approach to extract Common Mode Error (CME) from the position time series of a regional GNSS station network, where formal errors were applied to construct a weight factor. Because coordinate components with larger errors have smaller weight factors in extracting CME, the performance of our proposed approach was anticipated to be better than the traditional PCA approach. The position time series of 25 stations in the Yunnan Province, China, were analyzed using our approach, as well as the traditional PCA approach. The average errors of the residual time series after removing the CMEs with our approach were 1.30 mm, 1.72 mm, and 4.62 mm for North, East and Up components, and the reductions with respect to those of the original time series were 18.23%, 15.42%, and 18.25%, respectively. If CMEs were removed from the traditional PCA approach, the corresponding average errors were 1.34 mm, 1.81 mm, and 4.84 mm, with reductions of 15.84%, 10.86%, and 14.32%, respectively. Compared to the traditional PCA approach, the average errors of our approach were reduced by about 2.39%, 4.56%, and 3.93% in the North, East and Up components, respectively. Analysis of CME indicated that it mainly contained white and flicker noise. In the synthetic position time series with 500 repeated simulations, the CME extracted by our approach was closer to the true simulated values than those extracted by the traditional PCA approach, regardless of whether local effects were considered or not. Specifically, the mean root mean square (RMS) reduction of our approach, relative to PCA, ranged from 1.35% to 3.93%. Our simulations illustrated that the RMS reductions depended not only on the magnitude, but also the variation of the formal error series, which further highlights the necessity of considering formal errors in spatiotemporal filtering.
Discrete Indoor Three-Dimensional Localization System Based on Neural Networks Using Visible Light Communication
Authors: Alonso-González Itziar , Sánchez-Rodríguez David , Ley-Bosch Carlos , Quintana-Suárez Miguel
Published: March 2018

Indoor localization estimation has become an attractive research topic due to growing interest in location-aware services. Many research works have proposed solving this problem by using wireless communication systems based on radiofrequency. Nevertheless, those approaches usually deliver an accuracy of up to two metres, since they are hindered by multipath propagation. On the other hand, in the last few years, the increasing use of light-emitting diodes in illumination systems has provided the emergence of Visible Light Communication technologies, in which data communication is performed by transmitting through the visible band of the electromagnetic spectrum. This brings a brand new approach to high accuracy indoor positioning because this kind of network is not affected by electromagnetic interferences and the received optical power is more stable than radio signals. Our research focus on to propose a fingerprinting indoor positioning estimation system based on neural networks to predict the device position in a 3D environment. Neural networks are an effective classification and predictive method. The localization system is built using a dataset of received signal strength coming from a grid of different points. From the these values, the position in Cartesian coordinates ( x , y , z ) is estimated. The use of three neural networks is proposed in this work, where each network is responsible for estimating the position by each axis. Experimental results indicate that the proposed system leads to substantial improvements to accuracy over the widely-used traditional fingerprinting methods, yielding an accuracy above 99% and an average error distance of 0.4 mm.
Eight-Channel AC Magnetosusceptometer of Magnetic Nanoparticles for High-Throughput and Ultra-High-Sensitivity Immunoassay
Authors: Chieh Jen-Jie , Wei Wen-Chun , Liao Shu-Hsien , Chen Hsin-Hsein , Lee Yen-Fu , Lin Feng-Chun , Chiang Ming-Hsien , Chiu Ming-Jang , Horng Herng-Er , Yang Shieh-Yueh
Published: March 2018

An alternating-current magnetosusceptometer of antibody-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was developed for immunomagnetic reduction (IMR). A high-sensitivity, high-critical-temperature superconducting quantum interference device was used in the magnetosusceptometer. Minute levels of biomarkers of early-stage neurodegeneration diseases were detectable in serum, but measuring each biomarker required approximately 4 h. Hence, an eight-channel platform was developed in this study to fit minimal screening requirements for Alzheimer’s disease. Two consistent results were measured for three biomarkers, namely Aβ40, Aβ42, and tau protein, per human specimen. This paper presents the instrument configuration as well as critical characteristics, such as the low noise level variations among channels, a high signal-to-noise ratio, and the coefficient of variation for the biomarkers’ IMR values. The instrument’s ultrahigh sensitivity levels for the three biomarkers and the substantially shorter total measurement time in comparison with the previous single- and four-channels platforms were also demonstrated in this study. Thus, the eight-channel instrument may serve as a powerful tool for clinical high-throughput screening of Alzheimer’s disease.
Accurate Object Pose Estimation Using Depth Only
Authors: Li Mingyu , Hashimoto Koichi
Published: March 2018

Object recognition and pose estimation is an important task in computer vision. A pose estimation algorithm using only depth information is proposed in this paper. Foreground and background points are distinguished based on their relative positions with boundaries. Model templates are selected using synthetic scenes to make up for the point pair feature algorithm. An accurate and fast pose verification method is introduced to select result poses from thousands of poses. Our algorithm is evaluated against a large number of scenes and proved to be more accurate than algorithms using both color information and depth information.
Relationships between Sprint Ability and Endurance Capacity in Soccer Referees
Authors: Sánchez-García Mario , Sánchez-Sánchez Javier , Rodríguez-Fernández Alejandro , Solano David , Castillo Daniel
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between sprint ability and endurance capacity in soccer referees. Twenty-three Spanish officials participated in this study. Each referee undertook, in this order, a 40 m linear straight sprinting test (40 m Sprint) and the Yo–Yo intermittent recovery level 1 test (YYIR1) interspersed with a 8 min of self-administered rest. The results in the 40 m Sprint test showed that the time spent by referees was 5.56 ± 0.27 s and achieved a maximum velocity of 31.46 ± 2.85 km·h−1. Furthermore, during the YYIR1 the referees covered 1213.91 ± 432.26 m. The distance covered at YYIR1 was moderately correlated to the velocity achieved in the 40 m Sprint test (r = −0.404, p < 0.05). These results suggest that the ability to reach high speeds is a limiting factor in YYIR1 performance.
On Moments of Gamma—Exponentiated Functional Distribution
Authors: Górska Katarzyna , Horzela Andrzej , Pogány Tibor
Published: March 2018

In this note we discuss the development of a new Gamma exponentiated functional GE ( α , h ) distribution, using the Gamma baseline distribution generating method by Zografos and Balakrishnan. The raw moments of the Gamma exponentiated functional GE ( α , h ) distribution are derived. The related probability distribution class is characterized in terms of Lambert W-function.
‘Urban-Rural’ Gradient Analysis of Landscape Changes around Cities in Mountainous Regions: A Case Study of the Hengduan Mountain Region in Southwest China
Authors: Dai Erfu , Wang Yahui , Ma Liang , Yin Le , Wu Zhuo
Published: March 2018

It is of great significance to explore landscape pattern changes around urban areas to maintain regional ecological security and encourage sustainable development. Few studies have focused on the small cities located in the mountain regions. In this study, we established an ‘urban-rural’ gradient, and combined with landscape metrics to analyze the spatial-temporal changes of the landscape pattern around cities located in the Hengduan Mountain region in China. We also explored the impacts of topography on urban sprawl using the ‘relief degree of land surface’ index. Our results showed that: (1) There was an inverse relationship between the urban sprawl and restricted topography; (2) From the city center to rural areas, the landscape dominance degree and connectivity decreased initially and then increased, while the diversity presented an opposite trend and the shape complexity increased first and then fluctuated; (3) For temporal changes, in the internal buffers, the landscape dominance degree and connectivity increased, and the shape complexity and diversity decreased. However, in the outer buffers, the landscape showed opposite trends. It is advisable to use gradient and landscape metrics to explore landscape pattern changes. Similar to cities on plains, the landscape around mountain cities exhibits a circular structure, however, it also possesses unique characteristics when facing topographic restrictions.
Environmental Justice: A Panoptic Overview Using Scientometrics
Authors: Nelson Jake , Grubesic Tony
Published: March 2018

Since its initial introduction in the 1970s, the field of environmental justice (EJ) continues to grow, with significant contributions from the disciplines of sustainability science, geography, political science, public policy and administration, urban planning, law, and many others. Each of these disciplines approach EJ research from slightly different perspectives, but all offer unique and valuable insight to the EJ knowledge domain. Although the interdisciplinary nature of environmental justice should be viewed as a strength, it presents a challenge when attempting to both summarize and synthesize key contributions to the field, due to disciplinary bias, narrow subfield foci, or gaps in knowledge by a research team without a representative disciplinary composition. The purpose of this paper is to provide a succinct, panoptic review of key research contributions to environmental justice, while simultaneously minimizing common problems associated with traditional reviews. In particular, this paper explores the utility of co-citation network analysis, to provide insight into the most important subdomains of environmental justice research. The results suggest that while early EJ research is initially focused on environmental disamenities and a continued focus on race and inequality, the research gradually shifts to foci more concerned with environmental amenities, such as parks and greenspace. We also find that race and inequality remain an important and consist line of research over the duration of the study time period. Implications for environmental justice research and its allied subfields are discussed.
Can Arable Land Alone Ensure Food Security? The Concept of Arable Land Equivalent Unit and Its Implications in Zhoushan City, China
Authors: Tan Yongzhong , He Ju , Yu Zhenning , Tan Yonghua
Published: March 2018

The requisition–compensation balance of farmlands (RCBF) is a strict Chinese policy that aims to ensure food security. However, the process of supplementing arable land has substantially damaged the ecological environment through the blind development of grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands to supplement arable land. Can arable land alone ensure food security? To answer this question, this study introduced the concepts of arable land equivalent unit (ALEU) and food equivalent unit (FEU) based on the idea of food security. Zhoushan City in Zhejiang Province, China was selected as the research area. This study analyzed the ALEU supply and demand capabilities in the study area and presented the corresponding policy implications for the RCBF improvement. The results showed that the proportion of ALEU from arable land and waters for aquaculture is from 46:54 in 2009 to 31:69 in 2015, thereby suggesting that aquaculture waters can also be important in food security. Under three different living standards (i.e., adequate food and clothing, well-off, and affluence), ALEU from arable land can barely meet the needs of the permanent resident population in the study area. However, ALEU from aquaculture waters can provide important supplementation. Therefore, we suggest that food supply capability from land types other than the arable land be taken seriously. Furthermore, RCBF can be improved with ALEU as core of the balance.
Dynamic Change in the Water-Level Fluctuation Zone of the Danjiangkou Reservoir and Its Influence on Water Quality
Authors: Yin Jie , Liu Hai , Chen Xiaoling
Published: March 2018

The water-level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) of the Danjiangkou Reservoir is the last barrier to ensure the water quality of the middle route of the South-North Water Diversion (SNWD) Project and has therefore received widespread attention. Based on the 17-year serial dynamics of the Danjiangkou Reservoir WLFZ extracted from satellite images from 2000 to 2016, this study analyzed the annual and inter-monthly changes in inundation area as well as the non-flooded area within the WLFZ. The first comprehensive map of the temporal and spatial nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) release characteristics of the Danjiangkou Reservoir WLFZ is presented. The results showed that the inundation area underwent a significant increasing trend during this period, and the WLFZ was more frequently affected by off-season alternative drying-wetting than before the water diversion. The total amounts of N and P released into the water from the WLFZ soil layer are considerable (7.6 tons of P and 301.2 tons of N per year) and increasing. Optimizing land use in the WLFZ is an important means to ensure water quality in the Danjiangkou Reservoir and the sustainability of the SNWD Project.
The Study of Utility Valuation of Single-Name Credit Derivatives with the Fast-Scale Stochastic Volatility Correction
Authors: Liu Shican , Zhou Yanli , Wiwatanapataphee Benchawan , Wu Yonghong , Ge Xiangyu
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we study the risk aversion on valuing the single-name credit derivatives with the fast-scale stochastic volatility correction. Two specific utility forms, including the exponential utility and the power utility, are tested as examples in our work. We apply the asymptotic approximation to obtain the solution of the non-linear PDE, and make a comparison of the utility before and after the stochastic volatility modification, and we find that incorporation of fast-scale volatility will lower down the utility. By using the indifference price, we also give the yield spread impacted by the risk adverse valuation. We find that by considering the default risk, yield spread is sloping in a short period and converge in a long run.
A Gateway to Successful River Restorations: A Pre-Assessment Framework on the River Ecosystem in Northeast China
Authors: Jiang Xin , Liu Yuyu , Xu Shiguo , Qi Wei
Published: March 2018

Natural rivers have been disturbed for hundreds of years by human activities. Previous water conservancy projects in the form of dams, reservoirs, dykes, and irrigation infrastructure focused on the social and economic benefits and disregarded the adverse effects on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the affected rivers. Since the 2000s, the comprehension of river remolding has transformed so decisions are more socially and ecologically beneficial. However, restoration actions are often implemented aimlessly, without a detailed plan or sufficient communication, leading to the failure of accomplishing objectives for a variety of ecologic, financial, and social reasons. Thus, a pre-assessment framework is proposed in this paper, to determine river restoration priorities, emphasizing both social and ecological aspects. The vague notion of river health is evaluated using the Variable Fuzzy Assessment Model (VFAM) and expressed by modified Nightingale Rose Diagrams (NRDs). The river social ecosystem was subsequently analysed using this framework in the Ashihe River near Harbin City, Northeast China. The application of VFAM demonstrated that the health status of the upper, middle, and lower sections of the river could be classified as sub-healthy, degraded, or sick in terms of ecosystem structures, and sub-healthy, degraded, or degraded in terms of social functions, respectively. The health status of the lower section was the poorest and should be restored first. Using NRDs, we found that water quality deterioration and irrigation works are the two key factors in river degradation, which must be improved throughout the entire watershed. Aesthetics and recreation should also be given priority to restore the lower section due to the demands of nearby residents. Several measures are also suggested for decision makers who need a more detailed design to implement. This framework potentially assists with communicating with stakeholders, avoids aimless restoration actions, and contributes to comparing with the measuring after restorations.
The Impact of the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup on Sustained Volunteering in the Rugby Community
Authors: Koutrou Niki
Published: March 2018

Major sport events increasingly rely on volunteers to sustain their operations. Thus, event organisers are concerned with the task of identifying volunteers and utilising appropriate strategies to retain them. The purpose of the study is to explore the potential of harnessing volunteer activity in different contexts, as a result of previous single-sport event experience, and to determine which factors influence future volunteering decisions. Data that was related to volunteers’ profile, motivations, satisfaction, and future volunteer intentions was gathered through an online survey on 70 volunteers of the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Factor analysis was employed to summarise volunteers’ motivations and satisfaction with their experience. Regression analysis was then applied to identify which of these factors, for example, which motivations, aspects of satisfaction with the experience, socio-demographic characteristics, and previous sport engagement determine future intentions to volunteer in similar events or in sport clubs. The implications of the findings for event organisers are then discussed.
Social Life Cycle Approach as a Tool for Promoting the Market Uptake of Bio-Based Products from a Consumer Perspective
Authors: Falcone Pasquale , Imbert Enrica
Published: March 2018

The sustainability of bio-based products, especially when compared with fossil based products, must be assured. The life cycle approach has proven to be a promising way to analyze the social, economic and environmental impacts of bio-based products along the whole value chain. Until now, however, the social aspects have been under-investigated in comparison to environmental and economic aspects. In this context, the present paper aims to identify the main social impact categories and indicators that should be included in a social sustainability assessment of bio-based products, with a focus on the consumers’ category. To identify which social categories and indicators are most relevant, we carry out a literature review on existing social life cycle studies; this is followed by a focus group with industrial experts and academics. Afterwards, we conduct semi-structured interviews with some consumer representatives to understand which social indicators pertaining to consumers are perceived as relevant. Our findings highlight the necessity for the development and dissemination of improved frameworks capable of exploiting the consumers’ role in the ongoing process of market uptake of bio-based products. More specifically, this need regards the effective inclusion of some social indicators (i.e., end users’ health and safety, feedback mechanisms, transparency, and end-of-life responsibility) in the social life cycle assessment scheme for bio-based products. This would allow consumers, where properly communicated, to make more informed and aware purchasing choices, therefore having a flywheel effect on the market diffusion of a bio-based product.
Welcome to Surfaces—A New Open Access Journal for an Interdisciplinary Scientific Community
Authors: Granozzi Gaetano
Published: March 2018

Surfaces are ubiquitous. Everyday life gives plenty of examples where surfaces and interfaces play a leading role[...]
Dense Fully Convolutional Segmentation of the Optic Disc and Cup in Colour Fundus for Glaucoma Diagnosis
Authors: Al-Bander Baidaa , Williams Bryan , Al-Nuaimy Waleed , Al-Taee Majid , Pratt Harry , Zheng Yalin
Published: March 2018

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases which can cause vision loss by damaging the optic nerve. Early glaucoma detection is key to preventing vision loss yet there is a lack of noticeable early symptoms. Colour fundus photography allows the optic disc (OD) to be examined to diagnose glaucoma. Typically, this is done by measuring the vertical cup-to-disc ratio (CDR); however, glaucoma is characterised by thinning of the rim asymmetrically in the inferior-superior-temporal-nasal regions in increasing order. Automatic delineation of the OD features has potential to improve glaucoma management by allowing for this asymmetry to be considered in the measurements. Here, we propose a new deep-learning-based method to segment the OD and optic cup (OC). The core of the proposed method is DenseNet with a fully-convolutional network, whose symmetric U-shaped architecture allows pixel-wise classification. The predicted OD and OC boundaries are then used to estimate the CDR on two axes for glaucoma diagnosis. We assess the proposed method’s performance using a large retinal colour fundus dataset, outperforming state-of-the-art segmentation methods. Furthermore, we generalise our method to segment four fundus datasets from different devices without further training, outperforming the state-of-the-art on two and achieving comparable results on the remaining two.
Allelic RNA Motifs in Regulating Systemic Trafficking of Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid
Authors: Takeda Ryuta , Zirbel Craig , Leontis Neocles , Wang Ying , Ding Biao
Published: March 2018

Intercellular RNA trafficking has been shown as a widely-existing phenomenon that has significant functions in many aspects of biology. Viroids, circular noncoding RNAs that cause plant diseases, have been a model to dissect the role of RNA structural motifs in regulating intercellular RNA trafficking in plants. Recent studies on potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) showed that the RNA motif loop 19 is important for PSTVd to spread from palisade to spongy mesophyll in infected leaves. Here, we performed saturated mutational analysis to uncover all possible functional variants of loop 19 and exploit this data to pinpoint to a three-dimensional structural model of this motif. Interestingly, we found that two distinct structural motifs can replace loop 19 and retain the systemic trafficking capacity. One of the alternative structures rapidly emerged from the inoculation using a loop 19 abolished mutant that is not capable of systemic trafficking. Our observation indicates the flexibility of multiple structural arrangements interchangeably exerting similar function at a particular RNA locus. Taken together, this study deepens the understanding of RNA structural motifs-regulated viroid RNA trafficking, which has broad implications for studying RNA intercellular trafficking as well.
In Vitro Characteristics of Phages to Guide ‘Real Life’ Phage Therapy Suitability
Authors: Casey Eoghan , Van Sinderen Douwe , Mahony Jennifer
Published: March 2018

The increasing problem of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has put enormous pressure on healthcare providers to reduce the application of antibiotics and to identify alternative therapies. Phages represent such an alternative with significant application potential, either on their own or in combination with antibiotics to enhance the effectiveness of traditional therapies. However, while phage therapy may offer exciting therapeutic opportunities, its evaluation for safe and appropriate use in humans needs to be guided initially by reliable and appropriate assessment techniques at the laboratory level. Here, we review the process of phage isolation and the application of individual pathogens or reference collections for the development of specific or “off-the-shelf” preparations. Furthermore, we evaluate current characterization approaches to assess the in vitro therapeutic potential of a phage including its spectrum of activity, genome characteristics, storage and administration requirements and effectiveness against biofilms. Lytic characteristics and the ability to overcome anti-phage systems are also covered. These attributes direct phage selection for their ultimate application as antimicrobial agents. We also discuss current pitfalls in this research area and propose that priority should be given to unify current phage characterization approaches.
Crop Evapotranspiration, Irrigation Water Requirement and Water Productivity of Maize from Meteorological Data under Semiarid Climate
Authors: Djaman Koffi , O’Neill Michael , Owen Curtis , Smeal Daniel , Koudahe Komlan , West Margaret , Allen Samuel , Lombard Kevin , Irmak Suat
Published: March 2018

Under the semiarid climate of the Southwest United States, accurate estimation of crop water use is important for water management and planning under conservation agriculture. The objectives of this study were to estimate maize water use and water productivity in the Four Corners region of New Mexico. Maize was grown under full irrigation during the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017 seasons at the Agricultural Science Center at Farmington (NM). Seasonal amounts of applied irrigation varied from 576.6 to 1051.6 mm and averaged 837.7 mm and the total water supply varied from 693.4 to 1140.5 mm. Maize actual evapotranspiration was estimated using locally developed crop coefficient curve and the tabulated United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) crop coefficients, and from this maize water productivity was determined. Maize actual daily evapotranspiration (ETa) varied from 0.23 to 10.2 mm and the seasonal ETa varied with year and ranged from 634.2 to 697.7 mm averaging 665.3 mm by the local Kc curve, from 687.3 to 739.3 mm averaging 717.8 mm by the non-adjusted FAO Kc values, and from 715.8 to 779.6 mm averaging 754.9 mm with the FAO adjusted Kc values. Maize irrigation requirements varied from 758.4 to 848.3 mm and averaged 800.2 mm using the local developed Kc and varied from 835.5 to 935.6 mm and averaged 912.2 mm using FAO Kc. The net irrigation requirement varied from 606.8 to 678.6 using local Kc curve, and from 682.78 to 748.5 mm when adopting the FAO Kc values. Average irrigation requirement was 641 mm under the local Kc option and 730 mm under FAO Kc values option. Maize crop water use efficiency (CWUE) ranged from 1.3 to 1.9 kg/m3 and averaged 1.53 kg/m3, evapotranspiration water use efficiency (ETWUE) values were higher than CWUE and varied from 2.0 to 2.3 kg/m3, averaging 2.1 kg/m3. Maize irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) was varied with years and averaged 1.74 kg/m3. There were strong relationships between maize CWUE and maize seasonal irrigation amounts of IWUE and the seasonal irrigation amounts with R2 of 0.97 and 0.92, respectively. Maize CWUE increased linearly with maize IWUE with a coefficient of determination R2 of 0.99, while IWUE showed a strong quadratic relationship with ETWUE (R2 = 0.94). The results of this study can be used as a guideline for maize water management under the semiarid conditions in northwestern New Mexico and other locations with similar climate and management conditions. Irrigation requirements for maize should be adjusted to the local meteorological conditions for optimizing maize irrigation requirement and improving maize water productivity.
A Simplified Nitrogen Assessment in Tagus River Basin: A Management Focused Review
Authors: Cordovil Cláudia , Cruz Soraia , Brito António , Cameira Maria , Poulsen Jane , Thodsen Hans , Kronvang Brian
Published: March 2018

Interactions among nitrogen (N) management and water resources quality are complex and enhanced in transboundary river basins. This is the case of Tagus River, which is an important river flowing from Spain to Portugal in the Iberian Peninsula. The aim was to provide a N assessment review along the Tagus River Basin regarding mostly agriculture, livestock, and urban activities. To estimate reactive nitrogen (Nr) load into surface waters, emission factor approaches were applied. Nr pressures are much higher in Spain than in Portugal (~13 times), which is mostly because of livestock intensification. Some policy and technical measures have been defined aiming at solving this problem. Main policy responses were the designation of Nitrate Vulnerable and Sensitive Zones, according to European Union (EU) directives. Nitrate Vulnerable Zone comprise approximately one third of both territories. On the contrary, Sensitive Zones are more extended in Spain, attaining 60% of the watershed, against only 30% in Portugal. Technical measures comprised advanced urban and industrial wastewater treatment that was designed to remove N compounds before discharge in the water bodies. Given this assessment, Tagus River Basin sustainability can only be guaranteed through load inputs reductions and effective transnational management processes of water flows.
Assessment of Aesthetic Quality on Soil and Water Conservation Engineering Using the Scenic Beauty Estimation Method
Authors: Peng Szu-Hsien , Han Ke-Tsung
Published: March 2018

Taiwan has rich natural landscapes, but the sensitive geology and concentrated rainfall have resulted in frequent sediment hazards. Thus, various stream control works are established in watersheds to secure midstream and downstream citizens’ lives and properties. Taking care of slope safety and natural landscapes has become a primary issue for soil and water conservation engineering. The scenic preference beauty estimation method (SBE) in psychophysics, which was proposed by Daniel and Boster in 1976, is utilized herein to evaluate the scenic aesthetics of stream control engineering in watersheds. It aims to discuss various landscape factors (water body, vegetation) in the aesthetic preference and differences of various artificial structures in a watershed under people’s psychology. First, pictures and images related to soil and water conservation engineering are collected, and an in-situ investigation is performed to determine the pictures and images for discussion and design of the relevant questionnaire. The scenic aesthetics evaluation results are standardized with RMRATE, a computer program for analyzing rating judgments, of the United States Department of Agriculture, and then transformed into SBE values to compare the difference of various engineering structures in scenic aesthetics. The results reveal that flowing waterscape elements and the coverage of vegetation on the surrounding artificial structure volume in images present positive effects on the public overall scenic aesthetics. This study is expected to provide engineering designers with reference for considering a design integrating engineering structure with natural landscapes.
How Young Tourists are Motivated: The Role of Destination Personality
Authors: Xu Jing (Bill) , Tavitiyaman Pimtong
Published: March 2018

This study explores the travel motivation and behavioral intention of Hong Kong's young market towards Japan, as well as investigates the moderating effect of the destination personality of Japan. The results found that the travel intention of young Hong Kong tourists towards Japan
is affected by motivation factors, such as Japanese foods, reputation, tourist attractions, escape, perceived value, and culture. Furthermore, destination personality in terms of "ruggedness" has a moderating effect on the relationship between motivation and behavioral intention. However,
"success and upper class" and "sincerity" have no moderating effect on such relationship. This study draws some implications to support the effective marketing and positioning strategies for tourism in Japan.
Does Verifying Uses Influence Rankings? Analyzing Booking.Com and Tripadvisor
Authors: Martin-Fuentes Eva , Mateu Carles , Fernandez Cesar
Published: March 2018

Electronic word of mouth (eWOM) is of recent and considerable importance in tourism, particularly because of the intangible nature of the industry. Users' online reviews are a source of information for other consumers, who take them into account before making a reservation at a lodging
property. The aim of this study is to establish whether or not the anonymity of the reviews on TripAdvisor alters hotel rankings by comparing them with verified users' reviews on Booking.com. Moreover, the study analyzes whether or not the differences in the rating scales of both websites
favor some hotels over others. A large amount of data is used in this study, with more than 40,000 hotels on Booking.com and 70,000 on TripAdvisor in 447 cities around the world, comparing the rankings of about 20,000 hotels matched on both websites. Our findings suggest that the behavior
of both rankings is similar and the lack of veracity on TripAdvisor due to the anonymity in the user's verification system is baseless. In addition, some differences are found depending on the hotel category and region, due mainly to the unique rating scale on Booking.com (from 2.5 to 10) compared with the rating scale on TripAdvisor (from 1 to 5).
Satisfaction as a Bridge to Loyalty in a Tourist Destination
Authors: Vo Thanh Tan , Cam Tran Thi Ai , Dang Rey
Published: March 2018

This study examines the mediating role of satisfaction between destination image and destination loyalty, and novelty seeking and destination loyalty. The research model is developed on the basis of previous studies in the fields of marketing and tourism. A structural equation model
tests data collected from international tourists who visited Nha Trang, Vietnam. The results indicate that four dimensions of cognitive image (culture and social, environment, infrastructure and accessibility, and local food), affective image, and novelty seeking are the important and direct
antecedents of satisfaction and destination loyalty, and that satisfaction mediates the relationships among destination image, novelty seeking, and destination loyalty. Theoretical and managerial implications are drawn based on the study's findings, and recommendations for further research
are made.
Analyzing Cultural Saliency in Hedonistic Tourism Experiences Using Free Listing, Multidimensional Scaling, and Graphic Layout Algorithm
Authors: Ribeiro Nuno F. , Chick Garry E.
Published: March 2018

In this study, comparisons were made between two related cultural domains pertaining to a hedonistic tourism experience (spring break) using free listing to elicit constituents of related cultural domains, both cognitive and behavioral. Data were analyzed using a variety of methods
and visualized using multidimensional scaling and graphic layout algorithm. Conflicting evidence for both similarities and differences was found between the two cultural domains under study. Tentative conclusions were reached concerning the relationship between the two related cultural domains
only through a combination of multiple methods of analysis. Findings validated free listing as an emic tool and reinforced the confirmatory value of complementary methodologies in tourism research.
Starburst to Quiescent from HST/ALMA: Stars and Dust Unveil Minor Mergers in Submillimeter Galaxies at z ∼ 4.5
Authors: Gómez-Guijarro C. , Toft S. , Karim A. , Magnelli B. , Magdis G. E. , Jiménez-Andrade E. F. , Capak P. L. , Fraternali F. , Fujimoto S. , Riechers D. A. , Schinnerer E. , Smolčić V. , Aravena M. , Bertoldi F. , Cortzen I. , Hasinger G. , Hu E. M. , Jones G. C. , Koekemoer A. M. , Lee N. , McCracken H. J. , Michałowski M. J. , Navarrete F. , Pović M. , Puglisi A. , Romano-Díaz E. , Sheth K. , Silverman J. D. , Staguhn J. , Steinhardt C. L. , Stockmann M. , Tanaka M. , Valentino F. , van Kampen E. , Zirm A.
Published: March 2018

Dust-enshrouded, starbursting, submillimeter galaxies (SMGs) at z ≥ 3 have been proposed as progenitors of z ≥ 2 compact quiescent galaxies (cQGs). To test this connection, we present a detailed spatially resolved study of the stars, dust, and stellar mass in a sample of six submillimeter-bright starburst galaxies at z ∼ 4.5. The stellar UV emission probed by HST is extended and irregular and shows evidence of multiple components. Informed by HST, we deblend Spitzer/IRAC data at rest-frame optical, finding that the systems are undergoing minor mergers with a typical stellar mass ratio of 1:6.5. The FIR dust continuum emission traced by ALMA locates the bulk of star formation in extremely compact regions (median r
e = 0.70 ± 0.29 kpc), and it is in all cases associated with the most massive component of the mergers (median

). We compare spatially resolved UV slope (β) maps with the FIR dust continuum to study the infrared excess (IRX = L
IR/L
UV)–β relation. The SMGs display systematically higher IRX values than expected from the nominal trend, demonstrating that the FIR and UV emissions are spatially disconnected. Finally, we show that the SMGs fall on the mass–size plane at smaller stellar masses and sizes than the cQGs at z = 2. Taking into account the expected evolution in stellar mass and size between z = 4.5 and z = 2 due to the ongoing starburst and mergers with minor companions, this is in agreement with a direct evolutionary connection between the two populations.
NuSTAR Detection of X-Ray Heating Events in the Quiet Sun
Authors: Kuhar Matej , Krucker Säm , Glesener Lindsay , Hannah Iain G. , Grefenstette Brian W. , Smith David M. , Hudson Hugh S. , White Stephen M.
Published: March 2018

The explanation of the coronal heating problem potentially lies in the existence of nanoflares, numerous small-scale heating events occurring across the whole solar disk. In this Letter, we present the first imaging spectroscopy X-ray observations of three quiet Sun flares during the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope ARray (NuSTAR) solar campaigns on 2016 July 26 and 2017 March 21, concurrent with the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (SDO/AIA) observations. Two of the three events showed time lags of a few minutes between peak X-ray and extreme ultraviolet emissions. Isothermal fits with rather low temperatures in the range 3.2–4.1 MK and emission measures of (0.6–15) × 1044 cm−3 describe their spectra well, resulting in thermal energies in the range (2–6) × 1026 erg. NuSTAR spectra did not show any signs of a nonthermal or higher temperature component. However, as the estimated upper limits of (hidden) nonthermal energy are comparable to the thermal energy estimates, the lack of a nonthermal component in the observed spectra is not a constraining result. The estimated Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) classes from the fitted values of temperature and emission measure fall between 1/1000 and 1/100 A class level, making them eight orders of magnitude fainter in soft X-ray flux than the largest solar flares.
The DIARS toolbox: a spatially explicit approach to monitor alien plant invasions through remote sensing
Authors: Garzon-Lopez Carol X. , Hattab Tarek , Skowronek Sandra , Aerts Raf , Ewald Michael , Feilhauer Hannes , Honnay Olivier , Decocq Guillaume , Van De Kerchove Ruben , Somers Ben , Schmidtlein Sebastian , Rocchini Duccio , Lenoir Jonathan
Published: March 2018

The synergies between remote sensing technologies and ecological research have opened new avenues for the study of alien plant invasions worldwide. Such scientific advances have greatly improved our capacity to issue warnings, develop early-response systems and assess the impacts of alien plant invasions on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Hitherto, practical applications of remote sensing approaches to support nature conservation actions are lagging far behind scientific advances. Yet, for some of these technologies, knowledge transfer is difficult due to the complexity of the different data handling procedures and the huge amounts of data it involves per spatial unit.

In this context, the next logical step is to develop clear guidelines for the application of remote sensing data to monitor and assess the impacts of alien plant invasions, that enable scientists, landscape managers and policy makers to fully exploit the tools which are currently available. It is desirable to have such guidelines accompanied by freely available remote sensing data and generated in a free and open source environment that increases the availability and affordability of these new technologies.

Here we present a toolbox that provides an easy-to-use, flexible, transparent and open source set of tools to sample, map, model and assess the impact of alien plant invasions using two high-resolution remote sensing products (hyperspectral and LiDAR images). This online toolbox includes a real case dataset designed to facilitate testing and training in any computer system and processing capacity.
Les valeurs du dirigeant de PME au service du développement durable : le cas des PME de la région Lorraine
Authors: Morin-Esteves Christine , Gendron Corinne , Ivanova Ruffo Olga , Mnisri Kamel
Published: March 2018

Cette recherche porte sur les valeurs des dirigeants de PME d’une région désindustrialisée et vise à comprendre comment ils envisagent leur engagement à l’égard du développement durable, leur ancrage dans le territoire et leur responsabilité à l’égard de son développement. Elle révèle que les dirigeants ont une perspective traditionnelle de leur responsabilité, et que même si leurs valeurs sont compatibles avec celles du développement durable, ils restent centrés sur leur entreprise et s’envisagent peu comme des acteurs à part entière du devenir du territoire, de son développement et de sa transition.
L’accompagnement vers l’emploi de jeunes à faible capital scolaire initial dans le pays du Chablais
Authors: Montargot Nathalie
Published: March 2018

Cette recherche explore les modalités de co-construction des parcours d’accompagnement vers l’emploi durable de jeunes à faible capital scolaire initial (JFCSI), mis en place par différents acteurs territoriaux de l’insertion professionnelle. Elle est basée sur l’étude d’un dispositif d’insertion sociale et professionnelle mis en place dans le pays du Chablais en Savoie. Initié à l’origine par le groupe Danone, il implique plusieurs acteurs privés et publics, qui conduisent les jeunes vers la voie de l’apprentissage. L’analyse de la littérature présente les spécificités des JFCSI, à la lumière de la théorie sur le processus d’ajustement ( fit ). Afin d’explorer la logique de construction d’une initiative locale destinée à ce public en difficulté, une étude de terrain longitudinale et compréhensive a été menée auprès de l’ensemble des partenaires du dispositif. Ainsi, la mission locale, la structure de formation pré-qualifiante concernée (ADAPT), l’ensemble des DRH impliqués, une élue territoriale et de jeunes bénéficiaires ont été interrogés. Le choix d’une démarche intégrative originale, évolutive, fédérant les efforts sur un territoire permet de questionner les processus, en tant que leviers d’intégration sociale et professionnelle.
Risk perception and diversity issues in audit: Influence of languages and craft speeches
Authors: Ducray Luc Frederic
Published: March 2018

L’extension de leur revue à des domaines éloignés de la comptabilité met les auditeurs face à une superdiversité qu’ils ne semblent pas mesurer. Ceci renforce d’autant plus la culture de la peur que les parlures métier leur sont quasi inconnues. Les langues ne sont pas neutres. Elles délimitent des mondes culturels et ceux qui y appartiennent. Les incompréhensions exacerbent le totem de la norme qui conduit les auditeurs à surestimer le risque d’audit et à alourdir inutilement le contrôle interne.