bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study of Regional Power Generation Efficiency in China: Based on a Non-Radial Directional Distance Function Model
Authors: Zhu Jin , Zhou Dequn , Pu Zhengning , Sun Huaping
Published: January 2019

With the deterioration caused by environmental pollution, studies on the low-carbon economy have received more attention. As far as we know, electricity production accounts for a large portion of total carbon emissions. Therefore, based on panel data from 2005 to 2014, we used the non-radial directional distance function model based on the data envelope analysis (DEA) to evaluate the static electricity product efficiency of various provinces in China. Further, the global Malmquist index was introduced to analyze the main factors. The relationship between the environmental policy stringency and the regional power production efficiency was also investigated. Static results show that China’s regional power production efficiency has a significant difference between coastal developed and inland areas. Dynamic evaluation further proved that the difference is mainly due to technological change. Finally, regression results show that technological change is the only factor directly affecting regional environmental policy stringency.
Estimation of Soil Organic Matter, Total Nitrogen and Total Carbon in Sustainable Coastal Wetlands
Authors: Zhang Sen , Lu Xia , Zhang Yuanzhi , Nie Gege , Li Yurong
Published: January 2019

Soil plays an important role in coastal wetland ecosystems. The estimation of soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), and total carbon (TC) was investigated at the topsoil (0–20 cm) in the coastal wetlands of Dafeng Elk National Nature Reserve in Yancheng, Jiangsu province (China) using hyperspectral remote sensing data. The sensitive bands corresponding to SOM, TN, and TC content were retrieved based on the correlation coefficient after Savitzky–Golay (S–G) filtering and four differential transformations of the first derivative (R′), first derivative of reciprocal (1/R)′, second derivative of reciprocal (1/R)″, and first derivative of logarithm (lgR)′ by spectral reflectance (R) as R′, (1/R)′, (1/R)″, (lgR)′ of soil samples. The estimation models of SOM, TN, and TC by support vector machine (SVM) and back propagation (BP) neural network were applied. The results indicated that the effective bands can be identified by S–G filtering, differential transformation, and the correlation coefficient methods based on the original spectra of soil samples. The estimation accuracy of SVM is better than that of the BP neural network for SOM, TN, and TC in the Yancheng coastal wetland. The estimation model of SOM by SVM based on (1/R)′ spectra had the highest accuracy, with the determination coefficients (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.93 and 0.23, respectively. However, the estimation models of TN and TC by using the (1/R)″ differential transformations of spectra were also high, with determination coefficients R2 of 0.88 and 0.85, RMSE of 0.17 and 0.26, respectively. The results also show that it is possible to estimate the nutrient contents of topsoil from hyperspectral data in sustainable coastal wetlands.
Applying the Theory of Consumption Values to Explain Drivers’ Willingness to Pay for Biofuels
Authors: Zailani Suhaiza , Iranmanesh Mohammad , Sean Hyun Sunghyup , Ali Mohd Helmi
Published: January 2019

The transportation sector has dominated global fuel consumption and as a result, greenhouse gas emissions have risen at an alarming rate. As a consequence, many countries have adopted policies and strategies to diversify their fuel sources in the transportation sector. Biofuel is one of the potential substitution fuels that has attracted the attention of both researchers and policy makers. Public acceptance of biofuels is one of the major challenges for the implementation of biofuel blends in transportation. To determine the influence of different values that affect drivers’ willingness to pay for biofuels, the theory of consumption values is applied in the present research. The data were gathered by distributing questionnaires to 343 Malaysian people with driving licences and access to cars. The data were analysed using the partial least squares technique. The results of the analysis revealed that functional values, specific condition, emotional values and novelty seeking were among the main factors that influence drivers’ willingness to pay for biofuels. Social values were shown to not be a significant factor. The results of the study contribute to the literature by testing the relationship between consumption values and willingness to pay for biofuels. The information provided in the present research might be beneficial for policy makers in modifying tactics and strategies towards the successful promotion of the usage of biofuels in developing countries.
Development of Sustainable Integrated Design Framework for Stream Restoration
Authors: Park Kidoo , Lee Kil Seong
Published: January 2019

This study analyzed the elements of previously published stream restoration guidelines by clarifying the definition of stream restoration classified for various purposes. The purpose of this study was to establish a sustainable integrated design framework for stream restoration that supplemented the limited scope of application and the resulting problems. Stream restoration procedures were established using the method of securing water resources applied with the integrated watershed management in order to effectively and feasibly recover the modified stream, to resolve the water shortage problem, and to effectively restore the ecosystem due to climate change. An 11-step stream restoration procedure was established in three phases including the pre-restoration design phase, the restoration design phase, and the detailed design phase. Furthermore, the three stages were classified into hydrologic and hydraulic plan, geomorphic and sediment transport plan, and ecological and environmental plan depending on the direction of stream restoration, and the procedure for stream restoration was proposed to prevent river restoration from being biased toward a specific goal. An integrated design framework for stream restoration could be established by allowing the proposed stream restoration design procedures (e.g., three phases and three plans) and the elements to be carried out using numerical models for an effective design in establishing river restoration plans. Lastly, it was possible to quantify the problems of existing stream restoration by applying this stream restoration framework to the existing river restoration project and guideline report. As a result, the existing stream restoration project could be used as base data that could provide directions to supplement the weaknesses of the existing stream restoration project and provide directions for the new river restoration projects in the future.
Smart City Development and Residents’ Well-Being
Authors: Lin Chunpei , Zhao Guanxi , Yu Chuanpeng , Wu Yenchun Jim
Published: January 2019

The development of smart cities has greatly improved the living and working environment of urban residents, but whether it can enhance the happiness of urban residents is a controversial topic. In this study, we investigate residents’ experiences of obtaining information, services and networks in smart cities from the aspects of safety, usefulness and convenience, and empirically explore their relationship with residents’ subjective well-being (SWB). The results show that residents’ safety, usefulness and convenience experiences of obtaining information, services and networks in smart cities all have positive impacts on their SWB, and the relationship between residents’ safety experience and SWB is, to a certain extent, mediated by their usefulness and convenience experiences.
Is Bankruptcy Risk Tied to Corporate Life-Cycle? Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Akbar Ahsan , Akbar Minhas , Tang Wenjin , Qureshi Muhammad Azeem
Published: January 2019

In this paper we analyze the relationship between bankruptcy risk and the corporate life cycle in Pakistan from 2005 to 2014. For this purpose, we run a Hierarchical Linear Mixed Model (HLM) for a sample of 301 non-financial listed firms in 12 different sectors. The empirical outcomes reveal that firms during introduction, growth and, decline stages (mature stage) of life-cycle experience higher (lower) bankruptcy risk. Moreover, in juxtaposition with growth stage, bankruptcy risk is higher at the introduction stage of life-cycle. These findings suggest that financial managers should be cautious about the financial fragility of the firm at each stage of corporate life-cycle. The results also entail that Pakistani firms do not follow a sequential pattern in their life-cycle, rather they have the tendency to revert to a previous stage or jump to the next stage of life-cycle. This is the first study that empirically examines the association between firm life-cycle stage and corresponding bankruptcy risk and asserts that managers must incorporate the life-cycle effects into their financial planning and decision making for the sustainable working of an enterprise.
Evaluation of the Improvement Effect of Limestone Powder Waste in the Stabilization of Swelling Clayey Soil
Authors: Pastor José Luis , Tomás Roberto , Cano Miguel , Riquelme Adrián , Gutiérrez Erick
Published: January 2019

The natural stone industry generates large amounts of industrial waste every year. Limestone powder produced by the activity of this industry is dumped into landfills, generating an environmental impact that could be reduced by using this waste as a binder in building materials. In the present work, the use of this by-product as an addition for soil improvement of clayey soils has been studied. The tested natural soil is a soft clay from southeastern Spain, which has been mixed by adding 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% of dry limestone dust by total dry weight of the soil. The natural soil and the additive have been characterized, in addition to the common geotechnical tests, by means of X-Ray diffraction and X-Ray Fluorescence. The improvement of the geotechnical properties of the mixed soil has been evaluated by means of the change in the Atterberg limits, free swell index, unconfined compressive strength, and one-dimensional consolidation test. The change in the microstructure of the mixed soil has been studied by scanning electron microscopy. In general, the results obtained show an increase in the strength of the soil and a reduction of its deformability when limestone powder is added.
Perceptions of Agritourism and Cooperation: Comparisons between an Island and a Mountain Region in Greece
Authors: Karampela Sofia , Papapanos George , Kizos Thanasis
Published: January 2019

The lack of understanding and definitional inconsistencies regarding agritourism and the importance of cooperation in sustaining this kind of tourism are underlined in the literature. This study analyzes the perceptions of agritourism and cooperation from actors in the sector using a plurality of methods, including unsupervised (a) text mining and (b) sentiment analysis with the use of a lexical database, as well as (c) supervised qualitative data analysis. Based on the assumption that destinations with different geographic characteristics have different features and products, two different destinations as for its accessibility and tourism recognition were selected for comparison: (a) an island—Lesvos in the North Aegean Sea, and (b) a continental mountain region—Plastiras Lake, in Greece. The data were collected from personal in-depth interviews and with the use of semi-structured questionnaires. From a methodological perspective, all three methods provided unique insights on the study’s themes, and the overall image of agritourism and cooperation was positive. A common understanding seems important for cooperation and networking; however, training is needed not only for effective promotion of agritourism, but also for cooperation techniques, benefits, trust-building mechanisms and best practices.
Female CEOs and Corporate Innovation Behaviors—Research on the Regulating Effect of Gender Culture
Authors: Han Shuo , Cui Weijun , Chen Jin , Fu Yu
Published: January 2019

With the increasing number of female senior executives, the relationship between female senior executives and corporate innovation behaviors has attracted widespread attention, but few works have studied the influences of female CEOs on innovation behaviors and their mechanisms. This paper studies the relationship between CEO’s gender and the selection of corporate innovation behaviors, as well as the regulating effect of gender culture on the relationship between them. It was discovered in the studies that (1) if compared with male CEOs, female CEOs have significantly promoted both incremental innovation behaviors and radical innovation behaviors; (2) gender culture has positively regulated the relationship between CEO’s gender and corporate incremental innovation behaviors, yet the regulating effect of gender culture on the relationship between CEO’s gender and corporate radical innovation behaviors is not significant. Thus, the government needs to further foster a gender culture with gender equality, and actively promote the positive effect of female CEOs in corporate innovations.
Experimental Study on the Indoor Thermo-Hygrometric Conditionsof the Mongolian Yurt
Authors: Xu Guoqiang , Jin Hong , Kang Jian
Published: January 2019

The Mongolian yurt is a circular dwelling with a wooden frame enclosed by a lightweight felt envelope. In this study, field experiments were conducted to understand the patterns of temperature changes of the yurt’s indoor thermal environment. The study found that the felt’s low thermal inertia affected the indoor temperature stability, resulting in a large difference between day and night temperatures inside the yurt. The felts adjusted the indoor humidity in the case of large outdoor humidity fluctuations, but when the outdoor humidity was very low, the indoor air was drier. Indoor temperatures were generally lower in the centre and higher in the surrounding peripheral areas, and the main influencing factors included felt seams, gaps between the door and Khana, the ground, and solar radiation. The main factor influencing the temperature of the felt wall’s inner surface was solar radiation. The effects on temperature and humidity when opening the component felt pieces were obvious: humidity adjustment was best with the top felt piece opened; indoor temperature adjustment was best with the gaps between the floor and felt wall pieces closed; and the door curtain was most effective for insulation when the outdoor temperature was low.
The Importance of Checking Indoor Air Quality in Underground Historic Buildings Intended for Tourist Use
Authors: Rizo Maestre Carlos , Echarri Iribarren Victor
Published: January 2019

This article demonstrates the importance of quantifying the air quality with radon gas level as indicator in any heritage building, especially those intended for the use of people. The tourist activity or historical guide represents a typology where people spend a certain time, that is to say, in no case do they spend the same amount of hours as in their homes or jobs. Different gases that may be present in the environment must be controlled. The Séneca Square shelter, in Alicante, is a very important place for the history of the city during the Spanish Civil War that has recently been rehabilitated for exposure to people. The source of most radon gas inside a building is the ground. Many countries, including Spain, in which the building regulations, regarding the accumulation of radon gas, do not specify in their technical codes, the maximum dose that a building can sustain so that it is not harmful to people, or, the measures required to correct excessive accumulation. The possible existence of radon is verified in any underground building, regardless of the characteristics of the soil (whether granitic or not), the importance of defining and unifying the regulations that specify the different levels of radon in any architectural constructions is evident. Most of the scientific agencies in the field of medicine and health, consider that radon gas is a very harmful element for people. This element in its gaseous state is radioactive and it is present in almost all soils in which buildings are implanted, with granitic types of soil presenting higher levels of radon gas. Non-granitic soils have traditionally been considered to have very low radon levels. However, this work, providing the results of the research carried out in the underground air raid shelter in Seneca Square in Alicante (Spain), demonstrates the relevant presence of radon in non-granitic soils. This research addresses the constructive typology of the underground building and the radon presence in its interior obtained using rigorous measurement techniques.
Too Risky to Focus on Agriculture? An Empirical Study of China’s Agricultural Households’ Off-Farm Employment Decisions
Authors: Chen Xuan , Chen Jing , Huang Chien-Yu
Published: January 2019

This paper investigates China’s agricultural households and their individual members’ off-farm labor supply decision in response to farm production risks and a number of other factors (e.g., demographic characteristics, farm characteristics, and local market features). Whether and to what extent farming risks may affect farmers’ off-farm employment in China are rarely studied. Our paper provides an empirical study to demonstrate that agricultural production risks significantly impact off-farm labor supply in rural China. The impacts of associated variables on households off-farm labor supply decisions are quantified using a sample of large–scale nationwide household finance survey in 2010. The results suggest that off-farm employment serves as a risk adaption strategy for Chinese farmers. Policy suggestions on retaining farmers to focus on agricultural production are discussed.
Evaluation of an Educational Campaign to Improve the Conscious Consumption of Recreationally Caught Fish
Authors: Krabbenhoft Corey A. , Manente Susan , Kashian Donna R.
Published: January 2019

Consumption guidelines are a common way of improving conscious consumption behaviors in areas where game fish are known to contain contaminants. However, guideline information can be difficult to distribute, and effectiveness difficult to measure. To increase the distribution and effectiveness of guideline information for the Detroit River, an educational campaign was launched in 2010, which included distribution of pamphlets with consumption information, posting of permanent signs at popular fishing locations, and hiring River Walkers to personally communicate with anglers. In 2013 and 2015, we conducted in-person surveys of active shoreline anglers to determine the effectiveness of education and outreach efforts. Results from the survey indicated that 55% of anglers were aware of the guidelines in 2013, and by 2015 36% had communicated the information to family or friends. However, anglers were often unwilling to reduce consumption of popular game species, despite high contaminant levels. Encouragingly, black anglers were most likely to supplement their diet with species lower in contaminants. Our results suggest that utilizing multiple educational strategies including reaching out directly to individual anglers may improve conscious consumption behavior among the targeted population, providing a template for educational campaigns to successfully target vulnerable populations.
Process Design Characteristics of Syngas (CO/H2) Separation Using Composite Membrane
Authors: Poudel Jeeban , Choi Ja Hyung , Oh Sea Cheon
Published: January 2019

The effectiveness of gas separation membranes and their application is continually growing owing to its simpler separation methods. In addition, their application is increasing for the separation of syngas (CO and H2) which utilizes cryogenic temperature during separation. Polymers are widely used as membrane material for performing the separation of various gaseous mixtures due to their attractive perm-selective properties and high processability. This study, therefore, aims to investigate the process design characteristics of syngas separation utilizing polyamide composite membrane with polyimide support. Moreover, characteristics of CO/H2 separation were investigated by varying inlet gas flow rates, stage cut, inlet gas pressures, and membrane module temperature. Beneficial impact in CO and H2 purity were obtained on increasing the flow rate with no significant effect of increasing membrane module temperature and approximately 97% pure CO was obtained from the third stage of the multi-stage membrane system.
Economic Drivers of Legume Production: Approached via Opportunity Costs and Transaction Costs
Authors: Jouan Julia , Ridier Aude , Carof Matthieu
Published: January 2019

Crop diversification is one of the main mechanisms identified for developing a more sustainable agriculture. Legumes are interesting diversifying crops to add to crop rotations because of their many positive impacts on agronomic systems. Nonetheless, production of these crops remains relatively low in Europe, in part because of socio-economic factors. The objective of this study was to analyze how the economic attractiveness of legumes may be influenced by two factors: opportunity costs and transaction costs. The method is divided into three steps. First, we built a database of opportunity costs of legumes from a literature review. Second, we qualitatively characterized transaction costs associated with exchange of legumes between producers and collectors. Third, we qualitatively analyzed if contracts currently offered in western France decreased transaction costs. For comparison, transaction costs of linseed were also studied. Our results indicate that legumes are economically attractive at the rotation scale due to zero or negative opportunity costs, but that their transaction costs are high. The contracts studied do not decrease these transaction costs sufficiently, in particular because uncertainties in price remain high in half of these contracts. Downstream differentiation seems necessary to decrease transaction costs by creating added value along the entire agro-food chain.
Flow Analysis and Damage Assessment for Concrete Box Girder Based on Flow Characteristics
Authors: Ye Xiong-Fei , Chang Kai-Chun , Kim Chul-Woo , Ogai Harutoshi , Oshima Yoshinobu , Luna Vera O.S.
Published: January 2019

For a system such as the concrete structure, flow can be the dynamic field to describe the motion, interactions, or both in dynamic or static (Eulerian description) states. Further, various kinds of flow propagate through it from the very start to the end of its lifecycle (Lagrangian description) accompanied by rains, winds, earthquakes, and so forth. Meanwhile, damage may occur inside the structure synchronously, developing from micro- to macro-scale damage, and eventually destroy the structure. This study was conducted to clarify the content of flow which has been implicitly used in the damage detection, and to propose a flow analysis framework based on the combination data space and the theory of dissipative structure theory specifically for nondestructive examination in structural damage detection, which can theoretically standardize the mechanism by which flow characteristics vary, the motion of the structure, or the swarm behavior of substructures in engineering. In this paper, a destructive experiment (static loading experiment) and a following nondestructive experiment (impact hammer experiment) were conducted. According to the experimental data analysis, the changing of flow characteristics shows high sensitivity and efficient precision to distinguish the damage exacerbations in a structure. According to different levels of interaction (intensity) with the structure, the information flow can be divided into two categories: Destructive flow and nondestructive flow. The method used in this research is named as a method of “flow analysis based on flow characteristics”, i.e., “FC-based flow analysis”.
Analysis on Bioeconomy’s Contribution to GDP: Evidence from Japan
Authors: Wen Xuezhou , Quacoe Daniel , Quacoe Dinah , Appiah Kingsley , Ada Danso Bertha
Published: January 2019

This study analyzes seven bioeconomy sectors with the aim of establishing the leading contributing sectors to gross domestic product (GDP), and also determines the future relationship between bioeconomy and the national economy in Japan. We use data from World Input–Output Database (WIOD), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the World Bank Group for this analysis. First, we use principal component analysis (PCA) techniques to identify the bioeconomy sectors that contribute significantly to the national economy. We find through the PCA that all the bioeconomy sectors that we analyzed contribute almost uniformly and significantly to the national economy. We also find forestry and wood sectors to be the most significant contributing bioeconomy sectors. We use the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds test to prove the existence of short-run and long-run relationships between bioeconomy and gross domestic product (GDP). We finally use the vector error correction Granger causality model to establish a bicausality between bioeconomy and GDP in the long-run, but not in the short-run.
Integrated Reporting Assurance: Perceptions of Auditors and Users in Spain
Authors: Goicoechea Estibaliz , Gómez-Bezares Fernando , Ugarte José Vicente
Published: January 2019

Integrated reporting is a key instrument used to inform stakeholders about the sustainability issues of a company. Only an assured report can effectively instill confidence in its users regarding the sustainability of the company. Based on the International Integrated Reporting Framework issued by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), the authors solicited perceptions from auditors and audit report users about several aspects of integrated reporting assurance. An analysis of the responses suggests that integrated reporting assurance is important, but there are many challenges (both methodological and related to the characteristics of non-financial information) for auditors to overcome. Reporting companies and auditors must work to overcome these problems. The former ones must improve the quality of non-financial information and the later must adapt their audit procedures. This paper provides valuable insights into preferences regarding the form and content of the audit report on integrated reporting. This study is useful to regulators of audit activity, auditors’ corporations, the IIRC, and other international associations, academics, and audit report users, and contributes to the current integrated reporting literature by examining the perceptions of auditors and users regarding the assurance of integrated reporting. Integrated reporting assurance is still an under-explored field of research.
On Some Fractional Integral Inequalities of Hermite-Hadamard’s Type through Convexity
Authors: Qaisar Shahid , Nasir Jamshed , Butt Saad Ihsan , Hussain Sabir
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we incorporate the notion of convex function and establish new integral inequalities of type Hermite–Hadamard via Riemann—Liouville fractional integrals. It is worth mentioning that the obtained inequalities generalize Hermite–Hadamard type inequalities presented by Özdemir, M.E. et. al. (2013) and Sarikaya, M.Z. et. al. (2011).
Gentle Slow Start to Alleviate TCP Incast in Data Center Networks
Authors: Memon Sheeba , Huang Jiawei , Saajid Hussain
Published: January 2019

Modern data center networks typically adopt symmetric topologies, such as leaf-spine and fat-tree. When a large number of transmission control protocol (TCP) flows in data center networks send data to the same receiver, the congestion collapse, called TCP Incast, frequently happens because of the huge packet losses and Time-Out. To address the TCP Incast issue, we firstly demonstrate that adjusting the increasing speed of the congestion window during the slow start phase is crucially important. Then we propose the Gentle Slow Start (GSS) algorithm, which adjusts the congestion window according to real-time congestion state in a gentle manner and smoothly switches from slow start to congestion avoidance phase. Furthermore, we present the implementation and design of Gentle Slow Start and also integrate it into the state-of-the-art data center transport protocols. The test results show that GSS effectively decreases the Incast probability and increases the network goodput by average 8x.
An Approach toward a Q-Neutrosophic Soft Set and Its Application in Decision Making
Authors: Abu Qamar Majdoleen , Hassan Nasruddin
Published: January 2019

A neutrosophic set was proposed as an approach to study neutral uncertain information. It is characterized through three memberships, T , I and F, such that these independent functions stand for the truth, indeterminate, and false-membership degrees of an object. The neutrosophic set presents a symmetric form since truth enrolment T is symmetric to its opposite false enrolment F with respect to indeterminacy enrolment I that acts as an axis of symmetry. The neutrosophic set was further extended to a Q-neutrosophic soft set, which is a hybrid model that keeps the features of the neutrosophic soft set in dealing with uncertainty, and the features of a Q-fuzzy soft set that handles two-dimensional information. In this study, we discuss some operations of Q-neutrosophic soft sets, such as subset, equality, complement, intersection, union, AND operation, and OR operation. We also define the necessity and possibility operations of a Q-neutrosophic soft set. Several properties and illustrative examples are discussed. Then, we define the Q-neutrosophic-set aggregation operator and use it to develop an algorithm for using a Q-neutrosophic soft set in decision-making issues that have indeterminate and uncertain data, followed by an illustrative real-life example.
Sign Language Technologies and the Critical Role of SL Resources in View of Future Internet Accessibility Services
Authors: Efthimiou Eleni , Fotinea Stavroula-Evita , Goulas Theodore , Vacalopoulou Anna , Vasilaki Kiki , Dimou Athanasia-Lida
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we touch upon the requirement for accessibility via Sign Language as regards dynamic composition and exchange of new content in the context of natural language-based human interaction, and also the accessibility of web services and electronic content in written text by deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. In this framework, one key issue remains the option for composition of signed “text”, along with the ability for the reuse of pre-existing signed “text” by exploiting basic editing facilities similar to those available for written text that serve vocal language representation. An equally critical related issue is accessibility of vocal language text by born or early deaf signers, as well as the use of web-based facilities via Sign Language-supported interfaces, taking into account that the majority of native signers present limited reading skills. It is, thus, demonstrated how Sign Language technologies and resources may be integrated in human-centered applications, enabling web services and content accessibility in the education and an everyday communication context, in order to facilitate integration of signer populations in a societal environment that is strongly defined by smart life style conditions. This potential is also demonstrated by end-user-evaluation results.
Rapid Determination of Ochratoxin A in Grape and Its Commodities Based on a Label-Free Impedimetric Aptasensor Constructed by Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembly
Authors: Nan Mina , Bi Yang , Xue Huali , Xue Sulin , Long Haitao , Pu Lumei , Fu Guorui
Published: January 2019

A simple and sensitive label-free impedimetric aptasensor for rapid determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) has been developed, which was based on the combination between thiolated aptamer and gold nanoparticles by layer-by-layer self-assembly. Because of the interaction between aptamer and OTA, the relative normalized electron-transfer resistance (ΔRct) values obtained by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was proportional to the concentration of OTA and showed a good linear relationship from 0.1 to 10.0 ng/mL, with a lower detection limit (0.030 ng/mL) than one-step thiolated DNA aptasensor. The established method was successfully applied to detect and analyze OTA in table wine and grape juice, and the recovery was 90.56%–104.21% when PVP effective removed of phenolic substances. The label-free impedimetric aptasensor was used for rapid detection and quantitation of OTA in the inoculated grapes with the Aspergillus Nigri (H1), and the production of OTA (62.4 μg/kg, 20 μg/kg) far exceeded the maximum levels of 2 μg/kg after inoculation for three days. The developed method exhibited a good specificity, high sensitivity, time-efficient, and it could be applied to detect the OTA concentration in grape and its commodities.
The MoEDAL Experiment at the LHC—A Progress Report
Authors: Pinfold James
Published: January 2019

MoEDAL is a pioneering LHC experiment designed to search for anomalously ionizing messengers of new physics. It started data taking at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, in 2015. Its ground breaking physics program defines a number of scenarios that yield potentially revolutionary insights into such foundational questions as: Are there extra dimensions or new symmetries? What is the mechanism for the generation of mass? Does magnetic charge exist? What is the nature of dark matter? After a brief introduction, we report on MoEDAL’s progress to date, including our past, current and expected future physics output. We also discuss two new sub-detectors for MoEDAL: MAPP (Monopole Apparatus for Penetrating Particles) now being prototyped at IP8; and MALL (Monopole Apparatus for very Long Lived particles), currently in the planning stage. I conclude with a brief description of our program for LHC Run-3.
Current In Vitro Models to Study Varicella Zoster Virus Latency and Reactivation
Authors: Baird Nicholas L. , Zhu Shuyong , Pearce Catherine M. , Viejo-Borbolla Abel
Published: January 2019

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a highly prevalent human pathogen that causes varicella (chicken pox) during primary infection and establishes latency in peripheral neurons. Symptomatic reactivation often presents as zoster (shingles), but it has also been linked to life-threatening diseases such as encephalitis, vasculopathy and meningitis. Zoster may be followed by postherpetic neuralgia, neuropathic pain lasting after resolution of the rash. The mechanisms of varicella zoster virus (VZV) latency and reactivation are not well characterized. This is in part due to the human-specific nature of VZV that precludes the use of most animal and animal-derived neuronal models. Recently, in vitro models of VZV latency and reactivation using human neurons derived from stem cells have been established facilitating an understanding of the mechanisms leading to VZV latency and reactivation. From the models, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and nerve growth factor (NGF) have all been implicated as potential modulators of VZV latency/reactivation. Additionally, it was shown that the vaccine-strain of VZV is impaired for reactivation. These models may also aid in the generation of prophylactic and therapeutic strategies to treat VZV-associated pathologies. This review summarizes and analyzes the current human neuronal models used to study VZV latency and reactivation, and provides some strategies for their improvement.
The Characteristics and Genome Analysis of vB_AviM_AVP, the First Phage Infecting Aerococcus viridans
Authors: Xi Hengyu , Dai Jiaxin , Tong Yigang , Cheng Mengjun , Zhao Feiyang , Fan Hang , Li Xinwei , Cai Ruopeng , Ji Yalu , Sun Changjiang , Feng Xin , Lei Liancheng , Rahman Sadeeq ur , Han Wenyu , Gu Jingmin
Published: January 2019

Aerococcus viridans is an opportunistic pathogen that is clinically associated with various human and animal diseases. In this study, the first identified A. viridans phage, vB_AviM_AVP (abbreviated as AVP), was isolated and studied. AVP belongs to the family Myoviridae. AVP harbors a double-stranded DNA genome with a length of 133,806 bp and a G + C content of 34.51%. The genome sequence of AVP showed low similarity (<1% identity) to those of other phages, bacteria, or other organisms in the database. Among 165 predicted open reading frames (ORFs), there were only 69 gene products exhibiting similarity (≤65% identity) to proteins of known functions in the database. In addition, the other 36 gene products did not match any viral or prokaryotic sequences in any publicly available database. On the basis of the putative functions of the ORFs, the genome of AVP was divided into three modules: nucleotide metabolism and replication, structural components, and lysis. A phylogenetic analysis of the terminase large subunits and capsid proteins indicated that AVP represents a novel branch of phages. The observed characteristics of AVP indicate that it represents a new class of phages.
Persistent Viral Reservoirs in Lymphoid Tissues in SIV-Infected Rhesus Macaques of Chinese-Origin on Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Siddiqui Summer , Perez Stefanie , Gao Yong , Doyle-Meyers Lara , Foley Brian T , Li Qingsheng , Ling Binhua
Published: January 2019

Understanding HIV latent reservoirs in tissues is essential for the development of new strategies targeting these sites for eradication. Here, we assessed the size of latent reservoirs and the source of residual viruses in multiple lymphoid tissues of SIV-infected and fully suppressed rhesus macaques of Chinese-origin (cRMs). Eight cRMs were infected with SIVmac251 and treated with tenofovir and emtricitabine daily for 24 weeks initiated 4 weeks post-infection. Four of the eight animals reached sustained full viral suppression with undetectable viremia. The levels of cell-associated SIV DNA varied in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and multiple lymphoid tissues, but with higher levels in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MesLNs). The levels of cell-associated SIV RNA also varied in different tissues. The higher frequency of viral RNA detection in the MesLNs was also observed by in situ hybridization. Consistently, the infection unit per million cells (IUPM) in the MesLNs was higher than in PBMCs and other tested lymphoid tissues by quantitative viral outgrowth assay (QVOA). Furthermore, env gp120 from tissue SIV RNA was amplified by single genome amplification. Phylogenetic analysis revealed diverse variants from tissues parallel to the viral inoculum in all viral suppressed animals. These results demonstrate that the latency and viral reservoirs in the lymphoid tissues still exist in aviremic macaques under full suppressive therapy. Moreover, the size of viral latent reservoirs differs in various lymphoid tissues with a relatively larger size in the MesLNs.
Viruses Teaching Immunology: Role of LCMV Model and Human Viral Infections in Immunological Discoveries
Authors: Abdel-Hakeem Mohamed S.
Published: January 2019

Virology has played an essential role in deciphering many immunological phenomena, thus shaping our current understanding of the immune system. Animal models of viral infection and human viral infections were both important tools for immunological discoveries. This review discusses two immunological breakthroughs originally identified with the help of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) model; immunological restriction by major histocompatibility complex and immunotherapy using checkpoint blockade. In addition, we discuss related discoveries such as development of tetramers, viral escape mutation, and the phenomenon of T-cell exhaustion.
Whole Genome Sequencing of A(H3N2) Influenza Viruses Reveals Variants Associated with Severity during the 2016–2017 Season
Authors: Simon Bruno , Pichon Maxime , Valette Martine , Burfin Gwendolyne , Richard Mathilde , Lina Bruno , Josset Laurence
Published: January 2019

Influenza viruses cause a remarkable disease burden and significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, and these impacts vary between seasons. To understand the mechanisms associated with these differences, a comprehensive approach is needed to characterize the impact of influenza genomic traits on the burden of disease. During 2016–2017, a year with severe A(H3N2), we sequenced 176 A(H3N2) influenza genomes using next generation sequencing (NGS) for routine surveillance of circulating influenza viruses collected via the French national influenza community-based surveillance network or from patients hospitalized in the intensive care units of the University Hospitals of Lyon, France. Taking into account confounding factors, sequencing and clinical data were used to identify genomic variants and quasispecies associated with influenza severity or vaccine failure. Several amino acid substitutions significantly associated with clinical traits were found, including NA V263I and NS1 K196E which were associated with severity and co-occurred only in viruses from the 3c.2a1 clade. Additionally, we observed that intra-host diversity as a whole and on a specific set of gene segments increased with severity. These results support the use of whole genome sequencing as a tool for the identification of genetic traits associated with severe influenza in the context of influenza surveillance.
Mechanisms of Strain Diversity of Disease-Associated in-Register Parallel β-Sheet Amyloids and Implications About Prion Strains
Authors: Taguchi Yuzuru , Otaki Hiroki , Nishida Noriyuki
Published: January 2019

The mechanism of prion strain diversity remains unsolved. Investigation of inheritance and diversification of protein-based pathogenic information demands the identification of the detailed structures of abnormal isoforms of the prion protein (PrPSc); however, achieving purification is difficult without affecting infectivity. Similar prion-like properties are recognized also in other disease-associated in-register parallel β-sheet amyloids including Tau and α-synuclein (αSyn) amyloids. Investigations into structures of those amyloids via solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy recently made remarkable advances due to their relatively small sizes and lack of post-translational modifications. Herein, we review advances regarding pathogenic amyloids, particularly Tau and αSyn, and discuss implications about strain diversity mechanisms of prion/PrPSc from the perspective that PrPSc is an in-register parallel β-sheet amyloid. Additionally, we present our recent data of molecular dynamics simulations of αSyn amyloid, which suggest significance of compatibility between β-sheet propensities of the substrate and local structures of the template for stability of amyloid structures. Detailed structures of αSyn and Tau amyloids are excellent models of pathogenic amyloids, including PrPSc, to elucidate strain diversity and pathogenic mechanisms.
The Two Prevalent Genotypes of an Emerging Infectious Disease, Deformed Wing Virus, Cause Equally Low Pupal Mortality and Equally High Wing Deformities in Host Honey Bees
Authors: Tehel Anja , Vu Quynh , Bigot Diane , Gogol-Döring Andreas , Koch Peter , Jenkins Christina , Doublet Vincent , Theodorou Panagiotis , Paxton Robert
Published: January 2019

Deformed wing virus (DWV) is an emerging infectious disease of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) that is considered a major cause of elevated losses of honey bee colonies. DWV comprises two widespread genotypes: the originally described genotype A, and genotype B. In adult honey bees, DWV-B has been shown to be more virulent than DWV-A. However, their comparative effects on earlier host developmental stages are unknown. Here, we experimentally inoculated honey bee pupae and tested for the relative impact of DWV-A versus DWV-B on mortality and wing deformities in eclosing adults. DWV-A and DWV-B caused similar, and only slightly elevated, pupal mortality (mean 18% greater mortality than control). Both genotypes caused similarly high wing deformities in eclosing adults (mean 60% greater wing deformities than control). Viral titer was high in all of the experimentally inoculated eclosing adults, and was independent of wing deformities, suggesting that the phenotype ‘deformed wings’ is not directly related to viral titer or viral genotype. These viral traits favor the emergence of both genotypes of DWV by not limiting the reproduction of its vector, the ectoparasitic Varroa destructor mite, in infected pupae, and thereby facilitating the spread of DWV in honey bees infested by the mite.
Drug Repurposing Campaigns for Human Cytomegalovirus Identify a Natural Compound Targeting the Immediate-Early 2 (IE2) Protein: A Comment on “The Natural Flavonoid Compound Deguelin Inhibits HCMV Lytic Replication within Fibroblasts”
Authors: Mercorelli Beatrice , Luganini Anna , Palù Giorgio , Gribaudo Giorgio , Loregian Arianna
Published: January 2019

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus that establishes a lifelong persistence in the host through both chronic and latent states of infection [...]
Rainfall-Runoff Modelling Using Hydrological Connectivity Index and Artificial Neural Network Approach
Authors: Asadi Haniyeh , Shahedi Kaka , Jarihani Ben , Sidle Roy C.
Published: January 2019

The input selection process for data-driven rainfall-runoff models is critical because input vectors determine the structure of the model and, hence, can influence model results. Here, hydro-geomorphic and biophysical time series inputs, including Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Index of Connectivity (IC; a type of hydrological connectivity index), in addition to climatic and hydrologic inputs were assessed. Selected inputs were used to develop Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) in the Haughton River catchment and the Calliope River catchment, Queensland, Australia. Results show that incorporating IC as a hydro-geomorphic parameter and remote sensing NDVI as a biophysical parameter, together with rainfall and runoff as hydro-climatic parameters, can improve ANN model performance compared to ANN models using only hydro-climatic parameters. Comparisons amongst different input patterns showed that IC inputs can contribute to further improvement in model performance, than NDVI inputs. Overall, ANN model simulations showed that using IC along with hydro-climatic inputs noticeably improved model performance in both catchments, especially in the Calliope catchment. This improvement is indicated by a slight increase (9.77% and 11.25%) in the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency and noticeable decrease (24.43% and 37.89%) in the root mean squared error of monthly runoff from Haughton River and Calliope River, respectively. Here, we demonstrate the significant effect of hydro-geomorphic and biophysical time series inputs for estimating monthly runoff using ANN data-driven models, which are valuable for water resources planning and management.