bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The rising stars of social innovations: How do local governments facilitate citizen initiatives to thrive? The case of waste management in Brussels and Hong Kong
Authors: Chin Wing Yee , Mees Heleen L.P. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWaste management is an important issue in cities. The achievement of a zero‐waste future relies on the collective actions of individual households. Indeed, citizens are initiating social innovations in waste management in their communities. However, citizen initiatives (CIs) encounter strategic and operational barriers in the process of social innovation. They often seek support from local governments to overcome these barriers. These initiatives need a “facilitative” local government that is responsive and enables the initiatives to thrive without too much interference from them. Yet, there is a lack of conceptual and empirical understanding of such a new facilitative role of local governments. Furthermore, we do not know whether and how this facilitative role differs between different types of CIs and between different policy contexts. Based on 24 in‐depth interviews with CIs and government officials, this study explores the various facilitative practices offered by the Brussels and Hong Kong local governments, explains patterns of facilitative practices between different types of CIs, and clarifies how divergence in policy contexts influences what, why, and how much the local government can facilitate CIs. This study finds that common facilitative practices include financial and administrative assistance, but certain barriers requiring actions from the government and other actors remain unresolved. Local governments need to review their facilitative role to provide more effective support to CIs as new agents of sustainable urban development at the community level.
Heterogeneity pursuit for spatial point pattern with application to tree locations: A Bayesian semiparametric recourse
Authors: Jiao Jieying , Hu Guanyu , Yan Jun 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSpatial point pattern data are routinely encountered. A flexible regression model for the underlying intensity is essential to characterizing the spatial point pattern and understanding the impacts of potential risk factors on such pattern. We propose a Bayesian semiparametric regression model where the observed spatial points follow a spatial Poisson process with an intensity function which adjusts a nonparametric baseline intensity with multiplicative covariate effects. The baseline intensity is piece‐wise constant, approached with a powered Chinese restaurant process prior which prevents an unnecessarily large number of pieces. The parametric regression part allows for variable selection through the spike‐slab prior on the regression coefficients. An efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is developed for the proposed methods. The performance of the methods is validated in an extensive simulation study. In application to the locations of Beilschmiedia pendula trees in the Barro Colorado Island forest dynamics research plot in central Panama, the spatial heterogeneity is attributed to a subset of soil measurements in addition to geographic measurements with a spatially varying baseline intensity.
Constructing policy narratives for transnational mobilization: Insights from European Citizens’ Initiatives
Authors: Tosun Jale , Schaub Simon 
Published: June 2021

AbstractOne of the European Union (EU) institutions’ responses to the alleged “democratic deficit” in the EU is the introduction of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). The ECI provides an agenda‐setting tool accessible to different advocacy groups. This study investigates the narrative strategies of ECI organizers to mobilize citizens across the EU. Which storytelling characteristics are present in the policy narratives used by ECIs? To address this question theoretically, we rely on the Narrative Policy Framework. Empirically, we examine 59 ECIs registered between 2012 and 2020. The analysis concentrates on three dimensions of policy narratives: the mentioning of (i) story characters and (ii) cost‐benefit frames as forms of narrative strategy to increase public attention, and (iii) evidence as a means of persuasion. Our findings show that ECIs predominantly make use of the devil shift in their policy narratives and use cost‐benefit frames and evidence to expand the scope of conflict.
Modeling interval trendlines: Symbolic singular spectrum analysis for interval time series
Authors: de Carvalho Miguel , Martos Gabriel 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn this article we propose an extension of singular spectrum analysis for interval‐valued time series. The proposed methods can be used to decompose and forecast the dynamics governing a set‐valued stochastic process. The resulting components on which the interval time series is decomposed can be understood as interval trendlines, cycles, or noise. Forecasting can be conducted through a linear recurrent method, and we devised generalizations of the decomposition method for the multivariate setting. The performance of the proposed methods is showcased in a simulation study. We apply the proposed methods so to track the dynamics governing the Argentina Stock Market (MERVAL) in real time, in a case study over a period of turbulence that led to discussions of the government of Argentina with the International Monetary Fund.
Comparative analysis of the microbial community and nutritional quality of sufu
Authors: Li Xingjiang , He Ying , Yang Wei , Mu Dongdong , Zhang Min , Dai Yilong , Zheng Zhi , Jiang Shaotong , Wu Xuefeng 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSufu is a type of fermented food with abundant nutrients and delicious taste. It is made from the fermentation of tofu by various microorganisms. In this study, three types of sufu were prepared through natural fermentation: (NF), single‐strain fermentation (SF), and mixed‐strain fermentation (MF). Microbial species, amino acids, and fatty acids were identified to investigate dynamic changes in nutritional quality and microbial flora in sufu. The results showed that the number of microbial species in NF sufu was the highest (n = 284), whereas that in SF sufu was the lowest (n = 194). Overall, 153 microbial species were found in all three types of sufu. Relative abundance analysis also revealed that Tetragonococcus, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, and Staphylococcus were the main bacteria in sufu. However, there was a large number of harmful bacteria such as Enterococcaceae in NF sufu. The levels of various nutrients were low in SF sufu, whereas the contents of protein and soy isoflavones were higher in NF and MF sufu. Seventeen kinds of amino acids were detected, comprising seven essential amino acids and ten other amino acids. The contents of essential amino acids and essential fatty acids were higher in MF sufu than the other two types, resulting in its high nutritional value. The sufu produced through the three fermentation methods differed significantly (p < .05) in terms of microbial flora and nutritional quality.
Smoothing of digital elevation models and the alteration of overland flow path length distributions
Authors: Van Nieuwenhuizen Nigel , Lindsay John B. , DeVries Ben 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDEM smoothing is a common pre‐processing technique used to remove undesirable roughness from a DEM. However, it is hypothesized that smoothing straightens and reduces the length of overland flow paths, which is an important factor controlling modelled time‐to‐peak flow. Currently, there is a lack of research comparing how different smoothing techniques alter the distribution of overland flow path length. Four low‐pass filtering techniques were applied to three fine‐resolution LiDAR DEMs of varying relief: the mean filter, the median filter, the Gaussian filter, and the feature‐preserving DEM smoothing (FPDEMS) filter, each with different degrees of smoothing. Downslope‐distance‐to‐stream distributions were then derived using D8 and D∞ flow directions and statistically compared to distributions derived from the unsmoothed DEM for each study site. The results indicate that the alteration of flow path length distributions as a result of smoothing is complex. Mean flow path lengths may decrease or increase in response to smoothing, depending on landscape relief and the derivation of flow directions, and generalized flow paths may become longer. The largest increase in mean flow path lengths was 19.2 m using the 21 × 21 median filter and D8 flow directions in the high‐relief study site, relative to an unsmoothed mean length of 138.6 m in this site. The largest decrease in mean flow path length was 48.9 m using the 21 × 21 mean filter and D∞ flow directions in the low‐relief study site, relative to an unsmoothed mean length of 290.9 m in this site. Furthermore, minimal flow path length alterations were achieved with the Gaussian filter when gentle smoothing is required, and with the FPDEMS filter when moderate to aggressive smoothing is required. These results suggest that an appropriate smoothing method should be chosen based on the relief of the landscape and the degree of smoothing required.
The measurement of ocular axial length in normal human eyes based on an improved Twyman‐Green interferometer
Authors: Wang Cheng , Huangfu Shengnan , Zhou Qi , Li Yanrui , Xiang Huazhong , Chen Minghui , Zheng Gang , Zhuang Songlin , Zhao Jie , Zhang Dawei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn order to meet the demands of myopia prevention, as well as the increasing needs of measurement for refractive and cataract operations in China, a new axial length (AL) measurement system combining an improved Twyman‐Green interferometer with digital signal processing has been established. The ALs of 33 eyes of different optical refractive subjects (−8.50 ~ 0.50 D) were measured with the New AL and intraocular lens (IOL) master. The repeatability of measurements with the New AL was assessed using coefficient of variation (CoV) and intra‐group correlation coefficient (ICC). Comparison, correlation, linear regression and agreement of AL between devices were analyzed. There was good repeatability (CoV = 0.0617%, ICC = 0.9999) with the New AL and great agreement has been obtained with both devices. These show that the New AL is capable of providing precise AL values over the normal AL range compared to the IOL master, and indicate that the New AL developed can be used for routine clinical AL measurements.
Synthesis, characterization, and visible–near infrared properties of some perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylic bisimide derivatives
Authors: Kamal Arash , Abdouss Majid , Mazhar Majid 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDPerylene bisimide pigments are one of the high performance pigment categories that are utilized in near infrared reflective coatings. The relationship between structure and near infrared activity in the perylene pigments has been unknown to date.RESULTSSome of the factors suggested by previous researchers as affecting the near‐infrared (NIR) reflectance of perylene‐bisimide derivatives were investigated in this study and some are validated, while some others are rejected. In the visible region, there are substantial differences between the absorption spectra of the pigments in their solid‐state and dissolved form, indicating that crystallochromic phenomenon present in the pigments. The NIR properties of the synthesized pigments are investigated and the results exhibit an obvious correlation between the imide substitution structure and NIR properties of the pigments. However, a direct relationship cannot be established. Aliphatic substituted PDIs usually exhibit lower reflectance values in comparison to aromatic substituted ones but there are some exceptions in this regard. The results of UV‐visible–NIR reflectance spectra of each pigment were reported in both white and black substrates and, in this regard, the synthesized pigments were classified. All the PDIs fall into the absorbent‐transparent category in the NIR region. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that all the PDIs have a heat resistance of at least 200 °C.CONCLUSIONThe structure‐NIR reflectance relationship of the five synthesized perylene pigments is evaluated and the results illustrate that the N‐substitution of the imide group can significantly influence the cool activity of the pigments. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Degradation of dexamethasone in water using BDD anodic oxidation and persulfate: reaction kinetics and pathways
Authors: Grilla Eleni , Taheri Mir Edris , Miserli Kleopatra , Venieri Danae , Konstantinou Ioannis , Mantzavinos Dionissios 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe presence of micro‐pollutants in conventional wastewater treatment plants raises environmental concerns due to their insufficient removal. Non‐biological methods are needed to treat such compounds and this work demonstrates the use of electrochemical oxidation for the degradation of the drug dexamethasone (DEX).RESULTSA cell consisting of a boron‐doped diamond anode and a stainless steel or carbon cloth cathode was employed, with Na2SO4 being the electrolyte. DEX degradation rate, at the low level of mg L−1 (0.25–2 mg L−1), increases with increasing current (0.02–0.2 A m−2), as well as in the presence of sodium persulfate (50–250 mg L−1); the latter is electrochemically activated to produce additional oxidants and enhances degradation in a synergistic way. A rate constant of 0.194 min−1 was recorded for 0.5 mg L−1 DEX degradation at 0.2 A m−2 with 150 mg L−1 persulfate. The water matrix had little effect on performance compared to experiments in pure water; the only exception was the presence of chloride (50–250 mg L−1), which substantially improved rates due to the formation of active chlorine species (up to about five times). Carbon cloth accelerated DEX removal by up to three times compared to stainless steel and this was partly due to its adsorptive capacity; similarly, reactions involving DEX transformation products (TPs) also occurred faster. Seven TPs were identified and profiles were followed; reaction pathways involve hydroxylation, oxidation, decarboxylation and ring‐opening reactions, followed by fluorine release in the liquid phase.CONCLUSIONA hybrid technology based on electrochemical oxidation and persulfate activation is proposed for the treatment of residual pharmaceuticals in environmental matrices. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
A laboratory and field investigation of aerobic biodegradation of sulfolane in groundwater
Authors: Mulder D'Arcy W , Yu Linlong , Achari Gopal 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDSulfolane has recently emerged as a contaminant of concern in and around oil and gas processing sites in North America and elsewhere. In this research, a comprehensive laboratory study was conducted to investigate the importance of several factors (nutrient levels, aeration methods and inoculants) involved in aerobic biodegradation of sulfolane in groundwater. The aerobic biodegradation of sulfolane was also evaluated under field conditions, which can provide useful information for future field application.RESULTSA lag period of 40–141 h and a zero‐order rate of 0.6–6 mg L−1 h−1 for sulfolane degradation were observed under different laboratory conditions. The aerobic biodegradation rates observed in the field in Alberta, Canada were 4–6 mg L−1 day−1. A C:N:P ratio of 100:5:1 was determined to be suitable for aerobic degradation of sulfolane. The introduction of sediments from sulfolane‐contaminated sites can shorten the lag period from 141 to 74 h.CONCLUSIONSSulfolane can be effectively degraded in groundwater using aerobic biodegradation in both laboratory and field conditions. A negative correlation was obtained between adenosine triphosphate and sulfolane concentration when it started to degrade. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Quantification of the nonlinear susceptibility of the hydrogen and deuterium stretch vibration for biomolecules in coherent Raman micro‐spectroscopy
Authors: Boorman Dale , Pope Iestyn , Masia Francesco , Watson Peter , Borri Paola , Langbein Wolfgang 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDeuterium labelling is increasingly used in coherent Raman imaging of complex systems, such as biological cells and tissues, to improve chemical specificity. Nevertheless, quantitative coherent Raman susceptibility spectra for deuterated compounds have not been previously reported. Interestingly, it is expected theoretically that –D stretch vibrations have a Raman susceptibility lower than –H stretch vibrations, with the area of their imaginary part scaling with their wavenumber, which is shifted from around 2900 cm−1 for C–H into the silent region around 2100 cm−1 for C–D. Here, we report quantitative measurements of the nonlinear susceptibility of water, succinic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and deuterated isoforms. We show that the –D stretch vibration has indeed a lower area, consistent with the frequency reduction due to the doubling of atomic mass from hydrogen to deuterium. This finding elucidates an important trade‐off between chemical specificity and signal strength in the adoption of deuterium labelling as an imaging strategy for coherent Raman microscopy.
Can nonlinear agrometeorological models estimate coffee foliation?
Authors: de Oliveira Aparecido Lucas Eduardo , Lorençone João A , Lorençone Pedro A , de Souza Rolim Glauco , de Meneses Kamila C , da Silva Cabral de Moraes José R , Torsoni Guilherme B 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe loss of coffee leaves caused by the attack of pests and diseases significantly reduces its production and bean quality. Thus this study aimed to estimate foliation for regions with the highest production of arabica coffee in Brazil using nonlinear models as a function of climate. A 25‐year historical series (1995–2019) ofCoffea arabicafoliation (%) data was obtained by the Procafé Foundation in cultivations with no phytosanitary treatment. The climate data were obtained on a daily scale by NASA/POWER platform with a temporal resolution of 33 years (1987–2019) and a spatial resolution of approximately 106 km, thus allowing the calculation of the reference evapotranspiration (PET). Foliation estimation models were adjusted through regression analysis using four‐parameter sigmoidal logistic models. The analysis of the foliation trend of coffee plantations was carried out from degrees‐day for 70 locations.RESULTSThe general model calibrated to estimate the arabica coffee foliation was accurate (mean absolute percentage error = 2.19%) and precise (R2adj = 0.99) and can be used to assist decision‐making by coffee growers. The model had a sigmoidal trend of reduction, with parametersymax = 97.63%,ymin = 9%,Xo = 3517.41 DD, andp = 6.27%, showing that foliation could reach 0.009% if the necessary phytosanitary controls are not carried out.CONCLUSIONLocations with high air temperatures over the year had low arabica coffee foliation, as shown by the correlation of −0.94. Therefore, coffee foliation can be estimated using degree days with accuracy and precision through the air temperature. This represents great convenience because crop foliation can be obtained using only a thermometer. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
The effects of depth perception viewing on hand–eye coordination in virtual reality environments
Authors: Cheng Lai‐Yu , Lin Chiuhsiang Joe 
Published: June 2021

AbstractVirtual reality (VR) has been applied to many fields such as visualization, architecture, education, medical science, and sports simulation. Recent VR advancements allow direct manipulation of three‐dimensional (3D) objects in interactive displays, but problems of inefficiency in movement due to inaccuracy in depth perception have been reported. As human interaction in virtual environments (VE) is being realized, factors that may affect depth perception and movement need to be addressed. This study investigated the effects of viewing angle, stereo viewing technology, and visual cues on hand movement performance in a 3D movement task. Ten right‐handed participants performed continuous Fitts' pointing tasks using a computer mouse. Participants were asked to move a cursor to a target ball as quickly as possible. Fitts' law was employed to test effects to capture differences while the hand was moving in the 3D space under three factors, angle of declination, visual depth, and space cue and with varied index of difficulty (ID). Movement time (MT), error rate, and throughput (TP) were recorded as dependent variables. This study found significant effects of angle of declination, visual depth, space cue, and ID. This study investigated the effectiveness of hand movements in 3D environments for a further immersive VE using a two‐dimensional (2D) mouse. Potential applications of this research include the design of interactive 3D display interfaces in which fast and accurate selection is required and the manipulation of 3D objects in 3D environments may be expected.
A new look for TWS publications
Authors: Krausman Paul R. , Collier Bret , Ben‐David Merav , Cox Allison S. , Knipps Anna C. S. , Levengood Jeffrey M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe appearance of The Wildlife Society (TWS) publications (i.e., Journal of Wildlife Management [JWM], Wildlife Monographs [WM], Wildlife Society Bulletin [WSB]) has changed over the years. In 2021, a new journal design (NJD) will be implemented for TWS publications following months of discussion with Council and the journal editors. The scope of the articles and the mission of the journals will not change, but the format and layouts will be modified to simplify typesetting, assist with online reading, and provide a contemporary look for the publications of TWS.
Well‐posedness of initial‐boundary value problem for a coupled Benjamin–Bona–Mahony–Schrödinger system
Authors: Guo Boling , Wu Jun 
Published: June 2021

We derive the well‐posedness results concerning the initial‐boundary value problem for a class of coupled Benjamin–Bona–Mahony (BBM)–Schrödinger system. More precisely, we obtain the existence of local smooth solutions of (1) for initial and boundary data in the energy space Hm × Hm for
. Depending on a priori estimates, we also prove that the solutions exist global in time in the energy space H2 × H2.
Matrix‐free room‐temperature phosphorescence graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots based on halogen bond interactions for security applications
Authors: Kong Yuelin , He Yu , Wang Yaping , Song Gongwu 
Published: June 2021

AbstractHerein, we first designed a one‐step strategy to achieve matrix‐free room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials by low temperature solid phase synthesis, using sodium citrate as carbon source and urea as nitrogen source. The NaF, NaCl, NaBr, and NaI were chosen as the inducer source of halogens to effective trigger the RTP emission from graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQDs) denoted F‐CNQDs, Cl‐CNQDs, Br‐CNQDs and I‐CNQDs. All the doped‐CNQDs emitted bright fluorescence upon 365 nm irradiation. After the 365 nm UV lamp is off, only the Br‐CNQDs showed green phosphorescence which can be observed by naked eye. The phosphorescence emission of Br‐CNQDs is excitation‐dependent from 510 to 610 nm with the average RTP lifetime of 70 milliseconds, which indicated Br‐CNQDs could exhibit color‐tunable phosphorescence. When 365 nm UV is off, Br‐CNQDs emitted green afterglow for about 3 seconds observed naked eye, while the Br‐CNQDs presented visible yellow afterglow for about 3 seconds with ceasing off 395 nm irradiation. The absolute phosphorescence quantum yield (PQY) of the Br‐CNQDs powder reaches up to 3.64%. Thus, the color change and long lifetime of phosphorescence from the excitation‐dependent feature could provide a security application for counterfeiting and information protection systems.