bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy Efficiency of a Decode-and-Forward Multiple-Relay Network with Rate Adaptive LDPC Codes
Authors: Chaoudhry Bushra Bashir , Hassan Syed Ali , Speidel Joachim , Jung Haejoon
Published: November 2019

This paper presents cooperative transmission (CT), where multiple relays are used to achieve array and diversity gains, as an enabling technology for Internet of Things (IoT) networks with hardware-limited devices. We investigate a channel coding aided decode-and-forward (DF) relaying network, considering a two-hop multiple-relay network, where the data transmission between the source and the destination is realized with the help of DF relays. Low density parity check (LDPC) codes are adopted as forward error correction (FEC) codes to encode and decode the data both at the source and relays. We consider both fixed and variable code rates depending upon the quality-of-service (QoS) provisioning such as spectral efficiency and maximum energy efficiency. Furthermore, an optimal power allocation scheme is studied for the cooperative system under the energy efficiency constraint. We present the simulation results of our proposed scheme, compared with conventional methods, which show that if decoupled code rates are used on both hops then a trade-off has to be maintained between system complexity, transmission delay, and bit error rate (BER).
Sensor to Monitor Localized Stresses on Steel Surfaces Using the Magnetostrictive Delay Line Technique
Authors: Liang Kaiming , Angelopoulos Spyridon , Lepipas Georgios , Tsarabaris Panagiotis , Ktena Aphrodite , Bi Xiaofang , Hristoforou Evangelos
Published: November 2019

In this paper, a new type of force sensor is presented, able to monitor localized residual stresses on steel surfaces. The principle of operation of the proposed sensor is based on the monitoring of the force exerted between a permanent magnet and the under-test steel which is dependent on the surface permeability of the steel providing a non-hysteretic response. The sensor’s response, calibration, and performance are described followed by a discussion concerning the applications for steel health monitoring.
MicroServices Suite for Smart City Applications
Authors: Badii Claudio , Bellini Pierfrancesco , Difino Angelo , Nesi Paolo , Pantaleo Gianni , Paolucci Michela
Published: November 2019

Smart Cities are approaching the Internet of Things (IoT) World. Most of the first-generation Smart City solutions are based on Extract Transform Load (ETL); processes and languages that mainly support pull protocols for data gathering. IoT solutions are moving forward to event-driven processes using push protocols. Thus, the concept of IoT applications has turned out to be widespread; but it was initially “implemented” with ETL; rule-based solutions; and finally; with true data flows. In this paper, these aspects are reviewed, highlighting the requirements for smart city IoT applications and in particular, the ones that implement a set of specific MicroServices for IoT Applications in Smart City contexts. Moreover; our experience has allowed us to implement a suite of MicroServices for Node-RED; which has allowed for the creation of a wide range of new IoT applications for smart cities that includes dashboards, IoT Devices, data analytics, discovery, etc., as well as a corresponding Life Cycle. The proposed solution has been validated against a large number of IoT applications, as it can be verified by accessing the https://www.Snap4City.org portal; while only three of them have been described in the paper. In addition, the reported solution assessment has been carried out by a number of smart city experts. The work has been developed in the framework of the Select4Cities PCP (PreCommercial Procurement), funded by the European Commission as Snap4City platform.
Editors’ Introduction: ‘Access to Justice: Historical Approaches to Victims of Crime’
Authors: Cox Pamela , Godfrey Barry
Published: November 2019

Victims were central to the detection and prosecution of crime for most of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries [...]
The Role of Public Innovation Labs in Collaborative Governance—The Case of the Gipuzkoa Lab in the Basque Country, Spain
Authors: Unceta Alfonso , Barandiaran Xabier , Restrepo Natalia
Published: November 2019

Public sector innovation labs have gained increasing importance as one of the material expressions of public sector innovation and collaborative governance to address complex societal problems. In the current international context, there are various experiences, interpretations, and applications of this concept with similarities and differences but all of them are based fundamentally on the establishment of new forms of participation and collaboration between governments and civil society. This paper aims to examine, through a case study, how policy innovation labs could play a prominent role in promoting decision-making at the local level in order to create a more sustainable public sector. To do this, this article focuses on an analysis of the “Gipuzkoa Lab”, a public innovation lab developed in the Gipuzkoa region located in the Basque Country, Spain, in order to confront future socio-economic challenges via an open participatory approach. An analysis of a pilot project to address worker participation, developed within this participatory process, indicates that these collaborative spaces have important implications for the formulation of public policies and can change public actions, yielding benefits and engaging citizens, workers, private companies and academics. This paper provides a contemporary approach to understanding good practice in collaborative governance and a novel process for facilitating the balance between the state and civil society, and between public functions and the private sphere, for decision-making. In particular, this case study may be of interest to international practitioners and researchers to introduce the increasingly popular concept of public sector innovation labs into debates of citizen participation and decision-making.
Education for Sustainable Development: A Systemic Framework for Connecting the SDGs to Educational Outcomes
Authors: Kioupi Vasiliki , Voulvoulis Nikolaos
Published: November 2019

The UN 2030 agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) envisions a future of inclusive equity, justice and prosperity within environmental limits, and places an important emphasis on education as stated in Goal 4. Education is acknowledged as a means for achieving the remaining Goals, with sustainability as a goal for education in target 4.7. However, the interconnectedness of the SDGs and the complexity of sustainability as a concept make it difficult to relate the SDGs to educational learning outcomes, with what Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) aims to achieve, left in ambiguity. Using systems thinking, we developed a framework that redefines ESD as a tool that can deliver the transformation required for society to reach a sustainable state. Using the SDGs as end points for this state, and through a participatory approach, education stakeholders and learners work together to construct a common vision of sustainability, identify the competences needed, and develop appropriate pedagogies and learning strategies. The framework allows for the development of evaluation tools that can support educational institutions to monitor and manage their progress in transforming societies towards sustainability.
Utility of Digital Technologies for the Sustainability of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Korea
Authors: Kim Seulah , Im Dong-uk , Lee Jongoh , Choi Heejae
Published: November 2019

The importance of preserving intangible cultural heritage (ICH) for sustainable development has been widely acknowledged by the international society. Various forms of cooperation have taken place to prevent deterioration and destruction due to its inherent characteristic of ‘intangibleness’. Public engagement, however, has largely been excluded from the system in spite of its significance in safeguarding ICH by inducing people to be trained as successors. In this respect, this paper discusses and emphasises the necessity of public engagement in safeguarding ICH. To this end, it suggests the use of digital technologies to create museum content to encourage public involvement with and learning about ICH. Focusing on ICH in Korea, digital exhibitions on Jultagi and Daemokjang utilising virtual reality technology are proposed. The ultimate aim of this article is to contribute to the sustainability of world ICH for humanity through digital exhibitions.
A Conceptual Framework for Urban Commoning in Shared Residential Landscapes in the UK
Authors: Felstead Aimee , Thwaites Kevin , Simpson James
Published: November 2019

This paper uses ideas central to the notion of urban commoning to develop a conceptual framework that can be used to inform the design and management of shared residential landscapes in the UK. Shared residential landscapes provide an important backdrop for everyday social interaction, chance encounters and mutual understanding. A recent revival of the commons concept within the urban context has brought forth new ideas for the design and long-term management of shared urban resources through participation and collective action. However, despite the potential benefits of urban commons for improved quality of urban living, there remains a disconnect between commons and spatial theory, obstructing effective application. Of particular significance are the role of physical space and the design professions in enabling or hindering the collective practice of urban commoning. To address this, this paper reviews the evolution of the commons, the implications for applying them to the urban context, and spatial theories in developing a conceptual framework for their application within the UK residential sector. Finally, the example of cohousing in the UK is drawn upon as an illustration of the urban commons framework. The framework creates a foundation for further research on the design and long-term management of shared residential landscapes as urban commons to benefit the everyday social lives of residential communities.
Are Emotionally Intelligent People More Creative? A Meta-Analysis of the Emotional Intelligence–Creativity Link
Authors: Xu Xiaobo , Liu Wenling , Pang Weiguo
Published: November 2019

Although emotional intelligence (EI) is positively associated with beneficial outcomes such as higher job performance and better psychological well-being, its relationship with creativity is uncertain. To assess an overall correlation between EI and creativity, in the present study a meta-analysis of 96 correlations obtained from 75 studies with a total sample size of 18,130 was conducted. The results uncovered a statistically significant moderate correlation (r = 0.32, 95% CI, 0.26–0.38, p < 0.01) between these two constructs. Moderation analyses revealed that the link was modulated by the type of EI/creativity measure and sample characteristics, such as gender, employment status, and culture. Specifically, the link was stronger when EI and creativity were measured using subjective reports (EI: trait EI; creativity: creative behavior and creative personality) compared to objective tests (EI: ability EI; creativity: divergent thinking test, remote associate test, and creative product). In addition, the link was stronger in males compared to females, in employees compared to students, and in East Asian samples compared to Western European and American samples. Theoretical implications and future directions are discussed in detail.
Analysis of the Performance of Transporting Soybeans from Mato Grosso for Export: A Case Study of the Tapajós-Teles Pires Waterway
Authors: Garcia Breno Tostes de Gomes , Lopes Diana Mery Messias , Leal Junior Ilton Curty , Amorim José Carlos Cesar , da Silva Marcelino Aurélio Vieira , Guimarães Vanessa de Almeida
Published: November 2019

The inefficiency of Brazil’s logistics system to handle the outflow of farm products impairs the sector’s performance. From the economic perspective, the high freight rates put the country’s agricultural sector at a competitive disadvantage in the global market. Besides this, the reliance on highway transport causes problems of an environmental (high CO 2 emissions) and social nature (large occurrence of accidents). As an alternative to this dependence, Brazil has an extensive network of actually and potentially navigable rivers that could serve as a key element to improve the performance of the agricultural sector. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the possible influence of the Tapajós-Teles Pires Waterway on the sustainable performance of 19 Brazilian soybean export routes, using data envelopment analysis (DEA). Of these, only three would use the Tapajós-Teles Pires Waterway, which is not yet in operation. The origins of the routes are four soybean-producing centers located in Mato Grosso, the Brazilian state that produces the most soybeans, destined for 12 seaports. The inputs considered are Accident Cost and CO2 Emissions, while the output is Cargo Carried per US$. For this, we use the DEA-VRS (Variable Return Scale) input-oriented model. The results obtained from the DEA model revealed satisfactory performance of the routes using the Tapajós-Teles Pires Waterway from three of the four production centers. In Campo Novo do Parecis, some 16% (471 km) of the route is composed of highways and the rest of the waterway (84%, 1576 km). In Sorriso, only 3% (85 km) of the route consists of highways, while waterway transport is responsible for 97% (2388 km), and in Querência, 24.55% of the route to the Port of Barcarena consists of highways. The use of these routes and the combination of the two transport modes presented the best efficiency indexes, making development of the waterway a key element to improve the outflow of soybeans for export. The results of this study may help Brazilian authorities to define public policies and apply resources to improve the deficiencies of the transportation system, which can lead to a better balance of the Brazilian transportation matrix.
Mapping Urban Park Cultural Ecosystem Services: A Comparison of Twitter and Semi-Structured Interview Methods
Authors: Johnson Michelle , Campbell Lindsay , Svendsen Erika , McMillen Heather
Published: November 2019

Understanding the benefits received from urban greenspace is critical for planning and decision-making. The benefits of parks can be challenging to measure and evaluate, which calls for the development of novel methods. Crowdsourced data from social media can provide a platform for measuring and understanding social values. However, such methods can have drawbacks, including representation bias, undirected content, and a lack of demographic data. We compare the amount and distribution of park benefits elicited from (1) tweets on Twitter about Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York (n = 451) with park benefits derived from (2) broad (n = 288) and (3) directed (n = 39) questions on two semi-structured interview protocols for park users within Prospect Park. We applied combined deductive and inductive coding to all three datasets, drawing from the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment’s (MEA) cultural ecosystem services (CES) framework. All three methods elicited an overlapping set of CES, but only the Twitter dataset captured all 10 MEA-defined CES. All methods elicited social relations and recreation as commonly occurring, but only the directed question interview protocol was able to widely elicit spiritual values. We conclude this paper with a discussion of tradeoffs and triangulation opportunities when using Twitter data to measure CES and other urban park benefits.
Determinants of Residents’ Willingness to Accept and Their Levels for Ecological Conservation in Ganjiang River Basin, China: An Empirical Analysis of Survey Data for 677 Households
Authors: Xiong Kai , Zhang Ning , Kung Chih-Chun , Kong Fanbin
Published: November 2019

Using the contingent valuation method and the Heckman two-stage model, we explore residents’ willingness to accept (WTA) compensation and their WTA level for ecological conservation compensation in the upstream of the Ganjiang River Basin in China. The findings reveal that 86.26% of the respondents are willing to accept compensation, and the average compensation level is ¥789.60/household per year. The residents’ gender, annual disposable income, residential location, decision on whether or not the watershed environment is important, and their satisfaction with water quality and quantity are significantly related to their WTA. The influencing factors that significantly affect compensation level are residents’ occupation, educational background, annual disposable income, family size, residential location, decision on whether or not the watershed environment is important, and their satisfaction with water quality and quantity. The results of this empirical research have important policy implications: the government should strengthen advocacy and education of watershed ecological environment protection, intensify farming and other agricultural activities, establish a differentiated and diversified compensation strategy, so as to protect and improve the ecological environment of the Ganjiang River Basin.
Analysis of Public Complaints to Identify Priority Policy Areas: Evidence from a Satellite City around Seoul
Authors: Lee Eunmi , Lee Sanghyuk , Kim Kyeong Soo , Pham Van Huy , Sul Jinbae
Published: November 2019

Conventional studies on policy demand identification that are anchored in big data on urban residents are limited in that they mostly involve the top-down and government-oriented use of such data. It restricts treatment to specific issues (e.g., public safety and disaster management), even from the beginning of data collection. Scant research has emphasized the general use of data on civil complaints—which are independent of areas of application—in the examination of sustainable cities. In this work, we hypothesized that the analyses of civil complaint data and big data effectively identify what urban residents want from local governments with respect to a broad range of issues. We investigated policy demand using big data analytics in examining unstructured civil complaint data on safety and disaster management. We extracted major keywords associated with safety and disaster management via text mining to inquire into the relevant matters raised in the civil complaints. We also conducted a panel analysis to explore the effects exerted by the characteristics of 16 locally governed towns on residents’ policy demands regarding safety and disaster management-related complaints. The results suggest that policy needs vary according to local sociocultural characteristics such as the age, gender, and economic status of residents as well as the proportion of migrants in these localities, so that, city governments need to provide customized services. This research contributes to extend with more advanced big data analysis techniques such as text mining, and data fusion and integration. The technique allows the government to identify more specifically citizens’ policy needs.
The Impact of TBT and SPS Measures on Japanese and Korean Exports to China
Authors: Wood Jacob , Wu Jie , Li Yilin , Kim Jungsuk
Published: November 2019

(1) Background: As countries with troubled histories, China, Japan, and Korea have, in recent times, attempted to overcome political and economic differences in a bid to forge strong trade relationships. However, Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) have emerged in recent times, which has the potential to complicate matters. (2) Method: Our study analyzes the impact that two forms of NTM, technical barriers to trade (TBT) and sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), have on Japanese and Korean exports to China. In order to effectively measure their impact, we utilize a modified version of the Gravity model and the Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood method (PPML). Using three measures (coverage ratio, frequency index, and the dummy variable) to determine their impact, our study displayed a range of findings. (3) Results: The key results from our study showed that from a coverage ratio perspective, our research clearly demonstrates that Chinese TBT measures, reduce Japan and Korea’s manufacturing and total exports as a whole, while Chinese SPS measures encourage Korean agricultural exports. Moreover, the frequency index results and dummy variable estimations in the main also supported the coverage ratio findings with SPS measures promoting Korean agricultural goods exports. (4) Conclusions: Our research highlights the important role the TBT measures have played to shelter China’s emerging industrial sector from the rigors of highly competitive Korean and Japanese exporters. In doing so, the Chinese government is able to actively pursue some of its key sustainable development strategies such as “Made in China 2025” and “Industrial 4.0”.
Study on Shear Strength of Xanthan Gum-Amended Soil
Authors: Soldo Antonio , Miletić Marta
Published: November 2019

When construction work is planned on soil with inadequate shear strength, its engineering properties need to be improved. Chemical stabilization is one of the solutions for soil strength improvement. Currently, the most common additive that is used for chemical soil improvement is cement. Cement is an effective solution, but it has several negative effects on the environment. Therefore, the urges for environment-friendly solutions that can replace cement and show good potential for sustainable engineering are rising. One of the promising environment-friendly solutions is the use of biopolymers. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the biopolymer xanthan gum on the strength of different types of soil. Xanthan gum was mixed with three different types of soil: sand, clay, and silty sand. The strength of treated and non-treated soil was experimentally investigated by performing unconfined compression, direct shear, and triaxial tests. From the results, it was observed that xanthan gum significantly increased the strength of each soil, which shows its major potential for the future of sustainable engineering.
Towards a Preservation–Sustainability Nexus: Applying LCA to Reduce the Environmental Footprint of Modern Built Heritage
Authors: Karoglou Maria , Kyvelou Stella Sofia , Boukouvalas Christos , Theofani Chryssa , Bakolas Asterios , Krokida Magdalini , Moropoulou Antonia
Published: November 2019

There is a deep and often impassioned postulation that preservation is virtuous for societal well-being, collective identity and for the environment. This idea is an important paradigm to guide rehabilitation strategies for historic buildings. However, there is a need for data and research in order to validate the contribution of preservation to environmental and cultural sustainability. These research results will support preservation-related decision-making, in which tensions and conflicts with sustainability goals are a routine. Nowadays, there is a strong belief that historic buildings of the 20th century also need to be preserved to create the identities of neighborhoods and cities and suitable strategies need to be applied to extend their lifespan in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. This research, based on the assumption that integrating sustainability considerations in historic buildings needs a quantifiable approach, selected eight refugee block apartment flats dating back to the interwar period—endowed with architectural, aesthetical and urban history-related values and acknowledged as exceptional examples of Bauhaus architecture in Greece—for an experimental procedure based on life cycle analysis (LCA). Taking into account the deteriorated state of conservation of the buildings, different preservation interventions were analyzed, focusing on the conservation of the initial architectural form of the buildings and critical issues such as the increase in energy efficiency after restoration. The research concludes that this type of assessment can inform urban strategies, making a nexus between preservation and the environmental component of sustainability.
Sustainable Requalification: Hemp, Raw Earth, Sun, and Wind for Energy Strategies in a Case Study in Naples, Italy
Authors: Ausiello Gigliola , Di Girolamo Luca , Marano Antonio
Published: November 2019

This paper highlights the development of strategies using a green approach that can be adopted to manage interventions to promote energy efficiency. It focuses on the result of a case study carried out on an existing residential building located in Naples, Italy. The green methodology adopted in this study met the needs and requests of the building owner, who asked for natural materials. We assessed the possibility of maximizing achievable thermal energy savings and hygrometric behavior, starting from the climatic characteristics. The first step was to evaluate the aspects related to sunshine, thermal inputs, natural lighting, and natural ventilation, and prevailing winds. Subsequently, the casing was redesigned with the aim of minimizing energy consumption by using natural materials. Such materials added value to the project by combining high performance and considerations of the residents’ health. The objective here was to identify strategies for the well-being of residents both in winter and summer, by reducing energy consumption and installation management costs as well as increasing livability.
Stories that Change Our World? Narratives of the Sustainable Economy
Authors: Guske Anna-Lena , Jacob Klaus , Hirschnitz-Garbers Martin , Peuckert Jan , Schridde Stefan , Stinner Sven , Wolff Franziska , Zahrnt Dominik , Ziesemer Florence
Published: November 2019

Narratives are shaping our understanding of the world. They convey values and norms and point to desirable future developments. In this way, they justify and legitimize political actions and social practices. Once a narrative has emerged and this world view is supported by broad societal groups, narratives can provide powerful momentum to trigger innovation and changes in the course of action. Narratives, however, are not necessarily based on evidence and precise categories, but can instead be vague and ambiguous in order to be acceptable and attractive to different actors. However, the more open and inclusive a narrative is, the less impact can be expected. We investigate whether there is a shared narrative in research for the sustainable economy and how this can be evaluated in terms of its potential societal impact. The paper carves out the visions for the future that have been underlying the research projects conducted within the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funding programme “The Sustainable Economy”. It then analyzes whether these visions are compatible with narratives dominating societal discourse on the sustainable economy, and concludes how the use of visions and narratives in research can contribute to fostering societal transformations.
Generalized Truncation Positive Normal Distribution
Authors: Gómez Héctor J. , Gallardo Diego I. , Venegas Osvaldo
Published: November 2019

In this article we study the properties, inference, and statistical applications to a parametric generalization of the truncation positive normal distribution, introducing a new parameter so as to increase the flexibility of the new model. For certain combinations of parameters, the model includes both symmetric and asymmetric shapes. We study the model’s basic properties, maximum likelihood estimators and Fisher information matrix. Finally, we apply it to two real data sets to show the model’s good performance compared to other models with positive support: the first, related to the height of the drum of the roller and the second, related to daily cholesterol consumption.
Discrete Quantum Harmonic Oscillator
Authors: Dobrogowska Alina , Fernández C. David J.
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we propose a discrete model for the quantum harmonic oscillator. The eigenfunctions and eigenvalues for the corresponding Schrödinger equation are obtained through the factorization method. It is shown that this problem is also connected with the equation for Meixner polynomials.
The Face of Early Cognitive Decline? Shape and Asymmetry Predict Choice Reaction Time Independent of Age, Diet or Exercise
Authors: Brown William M. , Usacka Agnese
Published: November 2019

Slower reaction time is a measure of cognitive decline and can occur as early as 24 years of age. We are interested if developmental stability predicts cognitive performance independent of age and lifestyle (e.g., diet and exercise). Developmental stability is the latent capacity to buffer ontogenetic stressors and is measured by low fluctuating asymmetry (FA). FA is random—with respect to the largest side—departures from perfect morphological symmetry. The degree of asymmetry has been associated with physical fitness, morbidity, and mortality in many species, including humans. We expected that low FA (independent of age, diet and exercise) will predict faster choice reaction time (i.e., correct keyboard responses to stimuli appearing in a random location on a computer monitor). Eighty-eight university students self-reported their fish product consumption, exercise, had their faces 3D scanned and cognitive performance measured. Unexpectedly, increased fish product consumption was associated with worsened choice reaction time. Facial asymmetry and multiple face shape variation parameters predicted slower choice reaction time independent of sex, age, diet or exercise. Future work should develop longitudinal interventions to minimize early cognitive decline among vulnerable people (e.g., those who have experienced ontogenetic stressors affecting optimal neurocognitive development).
Statistical Criteria of Nanofluid Flows over a Stretching Sheet with the Effects of Magnetic Field and Viscous Dissipation
Authors: Jedi Alias , Razali Noorhelyna , Wan Mahmood Wan Mohd Faizal , Bakar Nor Ashikin Abu
Published: November 2019

In this study, the heat and mass transfer characteristics of nanofluid flow over a nonlinearly stretching sheet are investigated. The important effects of axisymmetric of thermal conductivity and viscous dissipation have been included in the model of nanofluids. The Buongiorno model is considered to solve the nanofluid boundary layer problem. The governing nonlinear partial differential equations have been transformed into a system of ordinary differential equations and are solved numerically via the shooting technique. The validity of this method was verified by comparison with previous work performed for nanofluids without the effects of the magnetic field and viscous dissipation. The analytical investigation is carried out for different governing parameters, namely, the Brownian motion parameter, thermophoresis parameter, magnetic parameter, Biot number, and Eckert number. The results indicate that the skin friction coefficient has a direct relationship with the Brownian motion number and thermophoresis number. Moreover, it can be seen that the Nusselt number decreases with the increase of the magnetic parameter and Eckert number.
Combined Conflict Evidence Based on Two-Tuple IOWA Operators
Authors: Zhou Ying , Qin Xiyun , Zhao Xiaozhe
Published: November 2019

Due to poor natural factors and human interference, the information that was obtained by sensors tends to have high uncertainty and high conflict with others. A combination of highly conflicting evidence with Dempster’s rule often produces results that run counter to intuition. To solve the above problem, a conflict evidence combination methodology is proposed in this article, which contains the distance of evidence, classical conflict coefficient, and two-tuple IOWA operator. Both the classical conflict coefficient and Jousselme distance indicate the degree of evidence conflict, and it is clear that the two parameters are symmetrical. First, the two-tuple IOWA operator is proposed. Second, the orness is determined by aggregated data; then, the weighting vector is calculated by a maximal entropy method. Finally, the weighted average is the evidence in the system by a two-tuple IOWA operator; then, the Dempster combination rule is utilized to fuse information. Compared with other existing methods, the presented methodology has high performance when dealing with conflict evidence and has strong anti-interference ability.
Using Botulinum Toxin A for Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome—Possible Pathomechanisms and Practical Issues
Authors: Jhang Jia-Fong
Published: November 2019

Treatment for patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is always challenging for urologists. The main mechanism of the botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) is inhibition of muscle contraction, but the indirect sensory modulation and anti-inflammatory effect in the bladder also play important roles in treating patients with IC/BPS. Although current guidelines consider BoNT-A injection to be a standard treatment, some practical issues remain debatable. Most clinical evidence of this treatment comes from retrospective uncontrolled studies, and only two randomized placebo-control studies with limited patient numbers have been published. Although 100 U BoNT-A is effective for most patients with IC/BPS, the potential efficacy of 200 U BoNT-A has not been evaluated. Both trigone and diffuse body BoNT-A injections are effective and safe for IC/BPS, although comparison studies are lacking. For IC/BPS patients with Hunner’s lesion, the efficacy of BoNT-A injection remains controversial. Most patients with IC/BPS experience symptomatic relapse at six to nine months after a BoNT-A injection, although repeated injections exhibit a persistent therapeutic effect in long-term follow-up. Further randomized placebo-controlled studies with a larger number of patients are needed to support BoNT-A as standard treatment for patients with IC/BPS.
Measles Encephalitis: Towards New Therapeutics
Authors: Ferren Marion , Horvat Branka , Mathieu Cyrille
Published: November 2019

Measles remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide among vaccine preventable diseases. Recent decline in vaccination coverage resulted in re-emergence of measles outbreaks. Measles virus (MeV) infection causes an acute systemic disease, associated in certain cases with central nervous system (CNS) infection leading to lethal neurological disease. Early following MeV infection some patients develop acute post-infectious measles encephalitis (APME), which is not associated with direct infection of the brain. MeV can also infect the CNS and cause sub-acute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in immunocompetent people or measles inclusion-body encephalitis (MIBE) in immunocompromised patients. To date, cellular and molecular mechanisms governing CNS invasion are still poorly understood. Moreover, the known MeV entry receptors are not expressed in the CNS and how MeV enters and spreads in the brain is not fully understood. Different antiviral treatments have been tested and validated in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo, mainly in small animal models. Most treatments have high efficacy at preventing infection but their effectiveness after CNS manifestations remains to be evaluated. This review describes MeV neural infection and current most advanced therapeutic approaches potentially applicable to treat MeV CNS infection.
Recombinant Lactobacillus casei Expressing Capsid Protein VP60 can Serve as Vaccine Against Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus in Rabbits
Authors: Wang Li , Xia Tian , Guo Tiantian , Ru Yi , Jiang Yanping , Cui Wen , Zhou Han , Qiao Xinyuan , Tang Lijie , Xu Yigang , Li Yijing
Published: November 2019

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is the causative agent of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD). RHD, characterized by hemorrhaging, liver necrosis, and high morbidity and mortality in rabbits and hares, causes severe economic losses in the rabbit industry worldwide. Due to the lack of an efficient in-vitro propagation system for RHDV, the current vaccine is produced via chemical inactivation of crude RHDV preparation derived from the livers of infected rabbits. Inactivated vaccines are effective for controlling RHD, but the potential problems of biosafety and animal welfare have negative effects on the application of inactivated vaccines. In this study, an oral Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) vaccine was used as an antigen delivery system to express RHDV capsid protein VP60(VP1)-eGFP fusion protein. The expression of the recombinant protein was confirmed via western blotting and immunofluorescence (IFA). Our results indicate that oral administration of this probiotic vaccine can stimulate secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA)-based mucosal and IgG-based humoral immune responses in rabbits. The immunized rabbits were completely protected against challenge with RHDV. Our findings indicate that the L. casei expression system is a new strategy for the development of a safe and efficient vaccine against RHDV.
Significant Interference with Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Pandemic and Classical Strain Replication in Small-Intestine Epithelial Cells Using an shRNA Expression Vector
Authors: Shi Da , Wang Xiaobo , Shi Hongyan , Zhang Jiyu , Han Yuru , Chen Jianfei , Zhang Xin , Liu Jianbo , Zhang Jialin , Ji Zhaoyang , Jing Zhaoyang , Feng Li
Published: November 2019

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) re-emerged in China in 2010 and is now widespread. Evidence indicates that highly virulent porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strains belonging to genotype G2 caused a large-scale outbreak of diarrhea. Currently, vaccines derived from PEDV classical strains do not effectively prevent infection by virulent PEDV strains, and no specific drug is available to treat the disease. RNA interference (RNAi) is a novel and effective way to cure a wide range of viruses. We constructed three short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-expressing plasmids (shR-N307, shR-N463, and shR-N1071) directed against nucleocapsid (N) and determined their antiviral activities in intestine epithelial cells infected with a classical CV777 strain and LNCT2. We verified that shR-N307, shR-N463, and shR-N1071 effectively inhibited the expression of the transfected N gene in vitro, comparable to the control shRNA. We further demonstrated the shRNAs markedly reduced PEDV CV777 and LNCT2 replication upon downregulation of N production. Therefore, this study provides a new strategy for the design of antiviral methods against coronaviruses by targeting their processivity factors.
Success and Limitation of Equine Influenza Vaccination: The First Incursion in a Decade of a Florida Clade 1 Equine Influenza Virus that Shakes Protection Despite High Vaccine Coverage
Authors: Fougerolle Stéphanie , Fortier Christine , Legrand Loïc , Jourdan Marion , Marcillaud-Pitel Christel , Pronost Stéphane , Paillot Romain
Published: November 2019

Every year, several epizooties of equine influenza (EI) are reported worldwide. However, no EI case has been identified in France between 2015 and late 2018, despite an effective field surveillance of the pathogen and the disease. Vaccination against equine influenza virus (EIV) remains to this day one of the most effective methods to prevent or limit EI outbreaks and the lack of detection of the pathogen could be linked to vaccination coverage. The aim of this study was to evaluate EI immunity and vaccine coverage in France through a large-scale serological study. A total of 3004 archived surplus serums from French horses of all ages, breeds and sexes were selected from four different geographical regions and categories (i.e., sanitary check prior to exportation, sale, breeding protocol or illness diagnosis). EIV-specific antibody response was measured by single radial hemolysis (SRH) and an EIV-nucleoprotein (NP) ELISA (used as a DIVA test). Overall immunity coverage against EIV infection (i.e., titers induced by vaccination and/or natural infection above the clinical protection threshold) reached 87.6%. The EIV NP ELISA results showed that 83% of SRH positive serum samples from young horses (≤3 years old) did not have NP antibodies, which indicates that the SRH antibody response was likely induced by EI vaccination alone (the HA recombinant canarypoxvirus-based EI vaccine is mostly used in France) and supports the absence of EIV circulation in French horse populations between 2015 and late 2018, as reported by the French equine infectious diseases surveillance network (RESPE). Results from this study confirm a strong EI immunity in a large cohort of French horses, which provides an explanation to the lack of clinical EI in France in recent years and highlights the success of vaccination against this disease. However, such EI protection has been challenged since late 2018 by the incursion in the EU of a Florida Clade 1 sub-lineage EIV (undetected in France since 2009), which is also reported here.
A Marker-Free Bordetella bronchiseptica aroA/bscN Double Deleted Mutant Confers Protection against Lethal Challenge
Authors: Ai Weicheng , Peng Zhong , Wang Fei , Zhang Yue , Xie Sisi , Liang Wan , Hua Lin , Wang Xiangru , Chen Huanchun , Wu Bin
Published: November 2019

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a leading cause of swine respiratory disorders which depict a great threat to well-flourished porcine industry. Vaccination remains an effective way for the prevention of B. bronchiseptica infections, as live B. bronchiseptica vaccines possess many advantages compared to inactivated vaccines and/or sub-unit vaccines, however, their safety is not up to the mark. In present study, we constructed marker-free aroA/bscN double deleted B. bronchiseptica QH09 through two-step homologous recombination strategy. Our data showed that QH09 attenuated virulence to mice compared with the parent aroA deleted B. bronchiseptica QH0814. We also found that QH09 meets the vaccine safety standards, upon challenge in piglets, did not cause any visible clinical signs or lesions on organs. Finally, we demonstrated that vaccination of QH09 activated the systemic as well as the mucosal immunity in pigs and provided protection against lethal bacterial challenge. These findings suggest that the aroA/bscN double deleted B. bronchiseptica QH09 may be an effective vaccine candidate, with safety assurance of animals against B. bronchiseptica infections.
Purification and Characterisation of Badger IgA and Its Detection in the Context of Tuberculosis
Authors: Dalley Deanna , Lesellier Sandrine , Salguero Francisco J. , Chambers Mark A.
Published: November 2019

European badgers are a wildlife reservoir of bovine tuberculosis in parts of Great Britain. Accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis in badgers is important for the development of strategies for the control of the disease. Sensitive serological tests for badger TB are needed for reasons such as cost and simplicity. Assay of mucosal IgA could be useful for diagnosing respiratory pathogens such as Mycobacterium bovis and for monitoring the response to mucosal vaccination. To develop an IgA assay, we purified secretory IgA from badger bile, identifying secretory component (SC), heavy chain (HC) and light chain (LC), at 66, 46 and 27 Kda, respectively, on the basis of size comparison with other species. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were generated to purified IgA. We selected two for ELISA development. The detection limit of the IgA-specific mAbs was found to be approximately 20 ng/mL when titrated against purified badger bile. One monoclonal antibody specific for badger IgA was used to detect IgA in serum and tracheal aspirate with specificity to an immunodominant antigen of M. bovis. An M. bovis infection dose-dependent IgA response was observed in experimentally infected badgers. IgA was also detected by immunohistochemistry in the lungs of bTB-infected badgers. With further characterisation, these represent new reagents for the study of the IgA response in badgers.
Mathematical Modeling of Ice Thrusting on the Shore of the Vistula Lagoon (Baltic Sea) and the Proposed Artificial Island
Authors: Kolerski Tomasz , Zima Piotr , Szydłowski Michał
Published: November 2019

Coastal lagoons are inland and shallow water bodies, separated from the ocean by a barrier. In cold regions, ice phenomena in shallow water coastal lagoons occur every winter season. Ice is predominantly formed on the surface due to density stratification and surface cooling. The ice dynamics in such areas are dominantly affected by winds. Water dynamics also cause ice movement, but due to the large areal scale of lagoons, the effect is usually limited to the direct vicinity of river estuaries. For open lagoons, which are connected to the sea by straits, tides will also cause significant movement of the ice inside the lagoon. Due to the limitation of ice outflow from a lagoon, ice fields will form ridges or hummocks on the shores. In this paper, the case of the Vistula Lagoon, located on the southern Baltic coast, is analyzed. Currently, the project of a new strait connecting the Baltic Sea with the Vistula Lagoon is in progress. As an effect of extensive dredging for the waterway to the port of Elblag, the material will be disposed of at a Confined Disposal Facility (CDF), which will form an artificial island. The island will be located on the western part of the lagoon, limiting the cross-section by about 20%. In consequence, ice cover pushed by winds blowing along the lagoon will create significant force action on the island banks. The DynaRICE mathematical model has been used to evaluate the ice dynamics and to determine the force produced by the ice on the coasts of the lagoon and the artificial island.
Impact of Soil Conservation and Eucalyptus on Hydrology and Soil Loss in the Ethiopian Highlands
Authors: Mhiret Demesew A. , Dagnew Dessalegn C. , Alemie Tilashwork C. , Guzman Christian D. , Tilahun Seifu A. , Zaitchik Benjamin F. , Steenhuis Tammo S.
Published: November 2019

The Ethiopian highlands suffer from severe land degradation, including erosion. In response, the Ethiopian government has implemented soil and water conservation practices (SWCPs). At the same time, due to its economic value, the acreage of eucalyptus has expanded, with croplands and pastures converted to eucalyptus plantations. The impact of these changes on soil loss has not been investigated experimentally. The objective of this study, therefore, is to examine the impacts of these changes on stream discharge and sediment load in a sub-humid watershed. The study covers a nine-year period that included installation of SWCPs, a three-fold increase from 1.5 ha in 2010 to 5 ha in 2018 in eucalyptus, and the upgrading of an unpaved to the paved road. Precipitation, runoff, and sediment concentration were monitored by installing weirs at the outlets of the main and four nested watersheds. A total of 867 storm events were collected in the nine years. Runoff and sediment concentration decreased by more than half in nine years. In the main watershed W5, we estimated that evapotranspiration by eucalyptus during the dry phase (November to May) increased approximately from 30 mm a−1 in 2010 to 100 mm a−1 in 2018. In watershed W3 it increased from 2 mm a−1 to 400 mm a−1, requiring more rainfall before saturation excess runoff began in the rain phase. The reduction in runoff led to a decreased sediment load from 70 Mg ha−1 a−1 in 2010 to 2.8 Mg ha−1 a−1 in 2018, though the reduction in discharge may have negative impacts on ecology and downstream water resources. SWCPs became sediment-filled and minimally effective by 2018. This indicates that these techniques are either inappropriate for this sub-humid watershed or require improved design and maintenance.