bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers and Enablers for the Adoption of Sustainable Manufacturing by Manufacturing SMEs
Authors: Alayón Claudia Lood , Säfsten Kristina , Johansson Glenn
Published: February 2022

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have inherent characteristics, which require specific solutions for improving the sustainability performance of their operations. The purpose of this paper is to increase the knowledge on barriers and enablers for the adoption of sustainable manufacturing by manufacturing SMEs and to provide insights into what enablers can be used to overcome existing barriers. Taking, as a starting point, a systematic literature review, this paper presents a categorization of barriers and enablers for the adoption of sustainable manufacturing by manufacturing SMEs. In total, seven categories for classifying the barriers and enablers for the adoption of sustainable manufacturing within SMEs were identified: organizational, managerial and attitudinal; informational; governmental; financial; training and skills development; market and business context; and technological. Additionally, this study elaborates on what barriers could be mitigated through the enablers. This study found specific enablers with the potential to mitigate a significantly higher number of barriers and referred to them as ‘critical enablers’. SMEs aiming to adopt sustainable manufacturing practices or improve their sustainability performance are encouraged to focus on the enablers in these categories. This paper synthesizes and facilitates interpretation of the existing body of evidence on barriers and enablers for adopting sustainable manufacturing in SMEs.
Bridging Academics’ Roles in Knowledge Diffusion in Sustainability-Driven Public–Private Partnerships: A Case Study of the SDGs Workshop in Central Japan
Authors: Goi Hoe Chin , Hakeem Muhammad Mohsin , Frendy
Published: February 2022

This article discusses the role of academics in knowledge diffusion among various stakeholders using a case study of a sustainability-oriented workshop to address issues of a local forest in central Japan. This research employs thematic analysis through interpreted data from documents, minutes of meetings, workshop interactions among stakeholders, debriefing sessions, questionnaires, and fieldwork findings of participants in a regional business school. The findings show that Bridging Academics (BAs) have effectively facilitated knowledge diffusion amongst global, national and local stakeholder clusters. The interactions among workshop stakeholders resulted in outcomes that enhanced awareness of knowledge gaps, fostered effective communication, enabled knowledge extension, and created shared values. The study contributes towards the understanding of academics’ roles in collaborative settings for sustainability and suggests a multi-node knowledge link model as a collaborative mechanism for knowledge diffusion. The study suggests implications for stakeholders and provides a use case relevant to sustainability-based regional development.
Experimental Study with Plaster Mortars Made with Recycled Aggregate and Thermal Insulation Residues for Application in Building
Authors: Ferrández Daniel , Álvarez Manuel , Saiz Pablo , Zaragoza Alicia
Published: February 2022

The high demand for natural resources and increased industrial activity is driving the construction sector to search for new, more environmentally friendly materials. This research aims to analyse plaster mortars with the incorporation of construction and demolition waste (CDW) to move towards a more sustainable building sector. Three types of aggregates (natural, recycled concrete and recycled from ceramic walls) and two types of insulation waste (expanded polystyrene with graphite and mineral wool) have been added to the plaster matrix to evaluate its mechanical and physical properties and its suitability in the elaboration of prefabricated materials. The results show how plaster mortars made with recycled aggregates have higher mechanical resistance than conventional plaster without incorporating sand. The incorporation of crushed mineral wool residues improves the flexural strength of plaster mortars and their application in the execution of prefabricated panels. Likewise, the expanded polystyrene residues reduce the final density of mortars, improving their behaviour against water absorption and reducing the final thermal conductivity of plaster material.
Optimization of Carboniferous Egyptian Kaolin Treatment for Pharmaceutical Applications
Authors: Gad Ahmed , Al-Mur Bandar A. , Alsiary Waleed A. , Abd El Bakey Sahar M.
Published: February 2022

This paper quantitatively determines the occurrences of potentially toxic elements in Carboniferous kaolin in southwestern Sinai, Egypt. This research describes, in detail, the experimental treatment optimization to be used in pharmaceutical applications. The concentrations of As, Co, Ni, Pb, and V in these kaolin deposits exceed the Permitted Concentrations of Elemental Impurities for oral use in pharmaceutical applications. Herein, six desorbing agents (acetic acid, citric acid, DTPA, EDDS, EDTA, and NTA) were utilized as extracting solutions in batch-wise extractions to select the proper reagents. Parameters such as the pH, the mixing speed and time, and the solid–solution ratio were varied to optimize the extraction conditions. The findings indicate that citric acid and EDTA were effective in the removal of the aforementioned elements. The results reveal that the optimum removal of potentially toxic elements from kaolin can be achieved using citric acid and EDTA concentrations of 0.2 M and 0.1 M, respectively, for the treatment of 5 g of kaolin, under a pH of 4 for citric acid, and a pH of 10 for EDTA. The ideal mixing speed and time are 500 rpm and 6 h, respectively. Using 1:10 S/L of citric acid and EDTA showed removal rates of 100% for all the investigated PTEs. We recommend this treatment for different kinds of kaolin showing various degrees of contamination.
Leaders’ Emotion Regulation and the Influence of Respect and Entitlement on Employee Silence
Authors: Khan Hooria , Chowdhury Md Sohel , Kang Dae-seok
Published: February 2022

Although numerous researchers have examined leaders’ behavior in promoting employee voice, so far, there have been limited empirical studies in interpersonal emotion regulation (IER) and employee silence literature. This study aims to investigate how leaders’ IER can break the barrier of employee silence through examining the mediating roles of perceived mutual recognition respect and psychological entitlement. To enhance sustainable organization practices, this may be the first study that identifies leaders’ IER strategies as an effective communication tool for diminishing employee silence. By collecting data from 315 management employees in Pakistan, the hypothesized relationships were tested using path analysis and bootstrapping technique with AMOS. Our findings support the mediating role of mutual recognition respect and psychological entitlement in leaders’ IER and employee silence relationship. More specifically, while mutual recognition respect mediates the relationship between leaders’ problem-focused strategies and employee silence, psychological entitlement mediates the association of both problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies with employee silence. In line with the research findings, we have highlighted some notable theoretical contributions and managerial implications. Further, we present limitations and future research directions.
Sustainable Production Clauses and Positioning in the Global Value Chain: An Analysis of International Investment Agreements (IIA) of the ICT Industry in Developing and Developed Markets
Authors: Meng Qi , Mohiuddin Muhammad , Cao Yuliang
Published: February 2022

Positioning in the global value chain (GVC) reflects the level and kinds of value creation of a firm or industry. The value creation can be on the upstream or downstream of the value chain. This study explores the effects of sustainable production clauses on the economic and physical positioning of information and communication technology (ICT) firms in the global value chain (GVC). We examined 2107 international investment agreements (IIA), signed by 54 countries that represent 70% of the global investment agreements. The empirical results show that the sustainable production intensity clauses in the IIAs have a significant impact on the positioning of ICT’s in the GVC. However, the degree of impact on the economic scale of participation and physical location in the GVC differs. The heterogeneity test shows that the sustainable production intensity clauses of IIAs between developed and developing countries affect positively and significantly the physical and economic locations in the GVCs. This is less significant while the IIAs are signed between the developed markets. These findings demonstrate that countries should consider sustainable production principles and responsible business conducts while signing the IIAs, and ensure their implementation while participating in the GVCs. This process can enhance value creation by moving towards higher value creation activities within the GVC.
Identification of Moving Load Characteristic on Pavement Using F-P Cavity Fiber Optical Technology
Authors: Zhao Cai , Bian Zeying , Zhao Hongduo , Ma Lukuan , Guo Mu , Peng Kedi , Gao Erli
Published: February 2022

The weigh-in-motion (WIM) system is a necessary piece of equipment for an intelligent road. It can provide real-time vehicle weight and lateral distribution data on wheel load to effectively support pavement structure design and service life analysis for autonomous driving. This paper proposed an enhanced weigh-in-motion sensors system using Fabry–Pérot (F-P) cavity fiber optical technology. Laboratory testing was performed to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed system and field application was conducted as well. The laboratory results show that the traffic loads could be obtained by measuring the center wavelength changes in the embedded F-P Cavity tunable filter. The laboratory results also show that the vehicle load and the number of vehicle axles can be estimated based on the system transfer function between the dynamic loading and the wavelength variation. The field application indicates that the weighting accuracy of the proposed system could reach 94.46% for moving vehicles, and the vehicle passing speed is the potentially relevant factor. The proposed system also has the ability to estimate the number of vehicle axles and the loading position, and the precision could reach 97.1% and 300 mm, respectively.
Compressive Strength Prediction of Lightweight Concrete: Machine Learning Models
Authors: Kumar Aman , Arora Harish Chandra , Kapoor Nishant Raj , Mohammed Mazin Abed , Kumar Krishna , Majumdar Arnab , Thinnukool Orawit
Published: February 2022

Concrete is the most commonly used construction material. The physical properties of concrete vary with the type of concrete, such as high and ultra-high-strength concrete, fibre-reinforced concrete, polymer-modified concrete, and lightweight concrete. The precise prediction of the properties of concrete is a problem due to the design code, which typically requires specific characteristics. The emergence of a new category of technology has motivated researchers to develop mechanical strength prediction models using Artificial Intelligence (AI). Empirical and statistical models have been extensively used. These models require a huge amount of laboratory data and still provide inaccurate results. Sometimes, these models cannot predict the properties of concrete due to complexity in the concrete mix design and curing conditions. To conquer such issues, AI models have been introduced as another approach for predicting the compressive strength and other properties of concrete. This article discusses machine learning algorithms, such as Gaussian Progress Regression (GPR), Support Vector Machine Regression (SVMR), Ensemble Learning (EL), and optimized GPR, SVMR, and EL, to predict the compressive strength of Lightweight Concrete (LWC). The simulation approaches of these trained models indicate that AI can provide accurate prediction models without undertaking extensive laboratory trials. Each model’s applicability and performance were rigorously reviewed and assessed. The findings revealed that the optimized GPR model (R = 0.9803) used in this study had the greatest accuracy. In addition, the optimized SVMR and GPR model showed good performance, with R-values 0.9777 and 0.9740, respectively. The proposed model is economic and efficient, and can be adopted by researchers and engineers to predict the compressive strength of LWC.
Impact of Cross-Border Tourism on the Sustainable Development of Rural Areas in the Russian–Polish and Russian–Kazakh Borderlands
Authors: Mikhaylova Anna A. , Wendt Jan A. , Hvaley Dmitry V. , Bógdał-Brzezińska Agnieszka , Mikhaylov Andrey S.
Published: February 2022

Rural areas and peripheral borderland territories are experiencing socio-economic marginalization featuring depopulation, population aging, and an increasing inequality gap in the quality of life compared to cities. Integrated rural tourism is argued to be ideal for supporting the well-being of rural communities, providing an additional income, decreasing unemployment, offering new and appealing jobs out of traditional rural activities, while preserving the conventional lifestyle. In this study, we discovered the tourism capacity of rural borderland territories affected by cross-border tourism using the data on the geography of cross-border movements, the distribution of tourist sights, and the density of tourist accommodation facilities. The geographical scope of the study covered two cross-border coastal regions—the Russian–Polish region on the Baltic Sea and the Russian–Kazakh region on the Caspian Sea. The statistical and geoinformation analysis were used to allocate areas of prospecting rural tourism integrated with cross-border movement. The research results on the development and distribution of tourist infrastructure suggest that: the rural territories of these regions feature tourist attractions and accommodation facilities at a different level of density and remoteness from the border crossing; each cross-border region is featuring different types of travel restrictions for tourists; and both border-land territories show asymmetry by the more active Russian tourists traveling abroad. Each of the regions under consideration is attractive for cross-border tourism while having different degrees of penetration of tourist flows into the interior territories and coverage of rural areas. The study resulted in a tourist flow model that allows integrating rural areas.
Investigating the ‘Short Pain’ and ‘Long Gain’ Effect of Environmental Regulation on Financial Performance: Evidence from Chinese Listed Polluting Firms
Authors: Liu Xiaoting , Dong Jichang , Ji Kangxian , Li Xiuting , Xu Shijie
Published: February 2022

Environmental regulation affects the financial performance of firms, while the findings are mixed. This paper quantitatively analyzes the current and lagged effect of environmental regulation (ER) on financial performance (FP), based on the data of 361 highly polluting A-shares firms and 936 mildly polluting A-shares firms in China. It is proved that ER exerts a negative effect on the FP of polluting firms in the short term and a positive effect in the long term, which unifies the ‘Porter Hypothesis’ (PH) and the ‘Costly Regulation Hypothesis’ (CRH) on the temporal dimension. Mechanism analysis reveals that ER negatively affects current FP of highly polluting firms by improving their green innovation investment. In addition, ER has a significant positive lagged effect on the FP of polluting firms by improving their operating efficiency, rather than reducing production costs. Furthermore, we find that ER significantly improves the FP of highly polluting firms, especially state-owned firms, as opposed to mildly polluting firms and privately-owned firms. The conclusions imply that government should make subsidies for green firms or firms going green, and firms should pay more attention to green innovation investment and green development.
Application of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process in Environmental Economics Education: Under the Online and Offline Blended Teaching Mode
Authors: Zhu Ying , Tan Jicong , Cao Yan , Liu Yalin , Liu Yanzheng , Zhang Qian , Liu Quan
Published: February 2022

This study used fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) to evaluate students’ performance in an environmental economics course under the mode of online and offline blended teaching (OOBT). OOBT was a new teaching mode combining traditional offline teaching with online teaching platform, which could improve students’ after-class learning efficiency and eliminate the limitations of traditional classroom teaching by using an online teaching platform. However, at present, the evaluation methods of OOBT students’ achievement have been scarce. Therefore, this article adopted FAHP to evaluate students’ performance under OOBT. The evaluated course was environmental economics. The results showed that FAHP was not completely dependent on students’ paper scores, and could evaluate students’ scores from group work, attendance, class discussions, and other aspects. The use of OOBT and FAHP led to overall improvement in students’ scores, the average score increased by 7.38, and 81.55% of students were in the middle grade. The case study showed that the integration of FAHP into OOBT could scientifically assign the weight of each evaluation index, make complex performance evaluation problems organized, and fully reflect the comprehensive quality of students. It could also understand students’ dynamics in time, and continuously optimize the course structure according to the feedback information.
Measurements and Modeling of Thermal Conductivity of Recycled Aggregates from Concrete, Clay Brick, and Their Mixtures with Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Grains
Authors: Thai Hong Nam , Kawamoto Ken , Nguyen Hoang Giang , Sakaki Toshihiro , Komatsu Toshiko , Moldrup Per
Published: February 2022

Cool road pavements contribute to mitigating urban heat islands. To evaluate the heat balance in paved surfaces and to select appropriate road construction materials that help suppress heat islands, an accurate understanding of heat transport parameters such as thermal conductivity (λ) and heat capacity (HC) is important. Recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste, including scrap construction materials and industrial by-products, are often used for road construction; however, λ and HC of recycled aggregates especially for roadbeds are not fully understood. This study involved a series of laboratory tests to measure λ and HC of recycled concrete and clay brick aggregates (<40 mm) and their mixtures with autoclaved aerated concrete grains (<2 mm) under varied moisture conditions. The measured λ and HC increased with increasing volumetric water content (θ). Closed-form models for estimating λ(θ) were proposed using normalized thermal conductivity (λe) and effective saturation (Se). The new λe(Se) models performed well for the measured data compared to previously proposed models and would be useful to evaluate λ of recycled aggregates for roadbed materials.
A Multi-Scenario Simulation and Optimization of Land Use with a Markov–FLUS Coupling Model: A Case Study in Xiong’an New Area, China
Authors: Huo Jingeng , Shi Zhenqin , Zhu Wenbo , Xue Hua , Chen Xin
Published: February 2022

Multi-scenario simulation and pattern optimization of land use plays a role in improving regional functionality and balancing anthropogenic and natural environments. The simulation of future land use can provide a reference to demark the regional urban development boundary and identify spaces for ecological protection and agricultural development. Policy makers can use the simulated dynamic process to identify problems in the current trend of regional land use change. On the basis of land use data for Xiong’an New Area, China in 2010, 2015, and 2020, this paper established four scenarios to meet the planning requirements for this region: comprehensive evolution, protection of basic farmland, control of construction land, and prioritization of ecological protection. We used an optimized Markov–FLUS coupling model to simulate future land use changes. We found that the land suitability probability in the four scenarios successfully calculated the effect of land expansion in Xiong’an New Area. In 2010–2015 and 2015–2020, the overall accuracy was 0.9827 and 0.8805, respectively, and Kappa was 0.9675 and 0.7892, respectively. In 2035, the simulation results from the four scenarios and the eight land types were significantly different. Construction land, water area, wetland, and woodland increased by approximately 380%, 178%, 137%, and 3224%, respectively, while dry land and rural land decreased by approximately 55% and 43%, respectively. The multi-scenario simulation results were able to couple production, living, and ecological needs to optimize the spatial pattern and resource allocation in Xiong’an New Area. The scenarios provide new strategies to control population growth, permanently protect essential farmland, and restrict urban development.
Experiential, Social, Connectivist, or Transformative Learning? Farm Advisors and the Construction of Agroecological Knowledge
Authors: Charatsari Chrysanthi , Lioutas Evagelos D. , Papadaki-Klavdianou Afroditi , Koutsouris Alex , Michailidis Anastasios
Published: February 2022

How do agronomists offering advisory support to farmers who practice agroecology construct agroecology-related knowledge, and how does experiential, social, and connectivist learning lead to knowledge creation and facilitate their personal and professional transformation? In this study, following a mixed research design, which combined thematic analysis and simultaneous regressions, and drawing on data from a sample of Greek farm advisors, we sought to answer these questions. Our analysis revealed that the engagement with the praxis of agroecology lays the basis for the development of advisors’ agroecological knowledge. This knowledge is then negotiated and socially reconstructed within the social fabric of agroecological communities. Connectivist knowledge, derived from multiple sources, is also validated within these communities. In its turn, agroecology-related knowledge leads advisors to alter their worldviews, thus transforming their professional and personal selves. These findings confirm that agroecological knowledge has both an experiential and a social dimension. Our results also disclose that advisors facilitate the osmosis of knowledge toward agroecological communities. From a theoretical point of view, our study highlights that by merging different learning theories, we can better depict how agroecological knowledge emerges and evolves.
Teachers’ Epistemological Assumptions about Educational Inequality in Four Societies: A Holistic Reading Strategy for Examining Sociocultural Epistemologies
Authors: Ham Seung-Hwan , Kim Rae Young
Published: February 2022

Conventional approaches to analyzing cross-national data on teacher knowledge have often failed to recognize qualitative variations across and within different countries. A dilemma confronted by researchers is how to avoid the essentialization of cultures while benefiting from cultural intuition by attending to general national patterns. If researchers focus on exploring the diverse subjectivities of respondents, they are not likely to observe general national patterns because subtle nuances in meaning make it challenging to deal with data with broad categories. There may be too many subtle meanings. However, if researchers focus on general national patterns, they may lose the hidden scripts of the data, as little attention is paid to nuanced meanings. Our data suggest that a holistic reading approach examining different types of semantic foci can be an alternative method for dealing with such a methodological dilemma. This study provides an illustrative example analysis based on this alternative analytic approach.
On a Surface Associated with Pascal’s Triangle
Authors: Beiu Valeriu , Dăuş Leonard , Jianu Marilena , Mihai Adela , Mihai Ion
Published: February 2022

An open problem in reliability theory is that of finding all the coefficients of the reliability polynomial associated with particular networks. Because reliability polynomials can be expressed in Bernstein form (hence linked to binomial coefficients), it is clear that an extension of the classical discrete Pascal’s triangle (comprising all the binomial coefficients) to a continuous version (exhibiting infinitely many values in between the binomial coefficients) might be geometrically helpful and revealing. That is why we have decided to investigate the geometric properties of a continuous extension of Pascal’s triangle including: Gauss curvatures, mean curvatures, geodesics, and level curves, as well as their symmetries.
Topological Sigma-Semiring Separation and Ordered Measures in Noetherian Hyperconvexes
Authors: Bagchi Susmit
Published: February 2022

The interplay between topological hyperconvex spaces and sigma-finite measures in such spaces gives rise to a set of analytical observations. This paper introduces the Noetherian class of k-finite k-hyperconvex topological subspaces (NHCs) admitting countable finite covers. A sigma-finite measure is constructed in a sigma-semiring in a NHC under a topological ordering of NHCs. The topological ordering relation maintains the irreflexive and anti-symmetric algebraic properties while retaining the homeomorphism of NHCs. The monotonic measure sequence in a NHC determines the convexity and compactness of topological subspaces. Interestingly, the topological ordering in NHCs in two isomorphic topological spaces induces the corresponding ordering of measures in sigma-semirings. Moreover, the uniform topological measure spaces of NHCs need not always preserve the pushforward measures, and a NHC semiring is functionally separable by a set of inner-measurable functions.
Fungal Naphthalenones; Promising Metabolites for Drug Discovery: Structures, Biosynthesis, Sources, and Pharmacological Potential
Authors: Ibrahim Sabrin R. M. , Fadil Sana A. , Fadil Haifa A. , Eshmawi Bayan A. , Mohamed Shaimaa G. A. , Mohamed Gamal A.
Published: February 2022

Fungi are well-known for their abundant supply of metabolites with unrivaled structure and promising bioactivities. Naphthalenones are among these fungal metabolites, that are biosynthesized through the 1,8-dihydroxy-naphthalene polyketide pathway. They revealed a wide spectrum of bioactivities, including phytotoxic, neuro-protective, cytotoxic, antiviral, nematocidal, antimycobacterial, antimalarial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. The current review emphasizes the reported naphthalenone derivatives produced by various fungal species, including their sources, structures, biosynthesis, and bioactivities in the period from 1972 to 2021. Overall, more than 167 references with 159 metabolites are listed.
Targeting Host PIM Protein Kinases Reduces Mayaro Virus Replication
Authors: Sugasti-Salazar Madelaine , Campos Dalkiria , Valdés-Torres Patricia , Galán-Jurado Paola Elaine , González-Santamaría José
Published: February 2022

Mayaro virus (MAYV) manipulates cell machinery to successfully replicate. Thus, identifying host proteins implicated in MAYV replication represents an opportunity to discover potential antiviral targets. PIM kinases are enzymes that regulate essential cell functions and also appear to be critical factors in the replication of certain viruses. In this study we explored the consequences of PIM kinase inhibition in the replication of MAYV and other arboviruses. Cytopathic effects or viral titers in samples from MAYV-, Chikungunya-, Una- or Zika-infected cells treated with PIM kinase inhibitors were evaluated using an inverted microscope or plaque-forming assays. The expression of viral proteins E1 and nsP1 in MAYV-infected cells was assessed using an immunofluorescence confocal microscope or Western blot. Our results revealed that PIM kinase inhibition partially prevented MAYV-induced cell damage and also promoted a decrease in viral titers for MAYV, UNAV and ZIKV. The inhibitory effect of PIM kinase blocking was observed for each of the MAYV strains tested and also occurred as late as 8 h post infection (hpi). Finally, PIM kinase inhibition suppressed the expression of MAYV E1 and nsP1 proteins. Taken together, these findings suggest that PIM kinases could represent an antiviral target for MAYV and other arboviruses.
Characterization of Influenza D Virus in Danish Calves
Authors: Goecke Nicole B. , Liang Yuan , Otten Nina D. , Hjulsager Charlotte K. , Larsen Lars E.
Published: February 2022

Influenza D virus (IDV) was first described in 2011 and has been found to mainly circulate among cattle and swine populations worldwide. Nasal swab samples were collected from 100 Danish calf herds (83 dairy and 17 veal herds) from 2018–2020. Influenza D virus was detected in 12 of the herds. Samples with the lowest cycle quantification value were selected for full genome sequencing. A hemagglutinin-esterase fusion (HEF) gene sequence from a Danish IDV collected in 2015 was also included in this study. Phylogenetic analysis showed that viruses from seven of the IDV-positive herds belonged to the D/OK lineage and clustered together in the HEF tree with the IDV collected in 2015. Viruses from the four other herds belonged to the D/660 lineage, where three of the viruses clustered closely together, while the fourth virus was more phylogenetically distant in all gene segments. The high level of genetic similarity between viruses from two different herds involved in calf trading suggests that transmission occurred through the movement of calves. This study is, to our knowledge, the first to describe the characterization of IDV in calves in Denmark.
Prevalence of MCPyV, HPyV6, HPyV7 and TSPyV in Actinic Keratosis Biopsy Specimens
Authors: Prezioso Carla , Brazzini Gabriele , Passerini Sara , Di Fabio Carlotta , Cosio Terenzio , Bernardini Sergio , Campione Elena , Moens Ugo , Pietropaolo Valeria , Ciotti Marco
Published: February 2022

To date, 14 human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) have been identified using high-throughput technologies. Among them, MCPyV, HPyV6, HPyV7 and TSPyV present a skin tropism, but a causal role in skin diseases has been established only for MCPyV as a causative agent of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and TSPyV as an etiological agent of Trichodysplasia Spinulosa (TS). In the search for a possible role for cutaneous HPyVs in the development of skin malignant lesions, we investigated the prevalence of MCPyV, HPyV6, HPyV7 and TSPyV in actinic keratosis (AK), a premalignant skin lesion that has the potential to progress towards a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). One skin lesion and one non-lesion skin from nine affected individuals were analyzed by qualitative PCR. MCPyV was detected in 9 out of 9 lesion biopsies and 6 out of 8 non-lesion biopsies. HPyV6 was detected only in healthy skin, while HPyV7 and TSPyV were not detected in any skin sample. These findings argue against a possible role of cutaneous HPyVs in AK. However, considering the small sample size analyzed, a definitive conclusion cannot be drawn. Longitudinal studies on large cohorts are warranted.
RNAi-Based Antiviral Innate Immunity in Plants
Authors: Jin Liying , Chen Mengna , Xiang Meiqin , Guo Zhongxin
Published: February 2022

Multiple antiviral immunities were developed to defend against viral infection in hosts. RNA interference (RNAi)-based antiviral innate immunity is evolutionarily conserved in eukaryotes and plays a vital role against all types of viruses. During the arms race between the host and virus, many viruses evolve viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs) to inhibit antiviral innate immunity. Here, we reviewed the mechanism at different stages in RNAi-based antiviral innate immunity in plants and the counteractions of various VSRs, mainly upon infection of RNA viruses in model plant Arabidopsis. Some critical challenges in the field were also proposed, and we think that further elucidating conserved antiviral innate immunity may convey a broad spectrum of antiviral strategies to prevent viral diseases in the future.
A Novel Wide-Range Freshwater Cyanophage MinS1 Infecting the Harmful Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Zhang Shanshan , He Xiaoqi , Cao Lei , Tong Yigang , Zhao Baohua , An Wenlin
Published: February 2022

Microcystis aeruginosa, as one of the major players in algal bloom, produces microcystins, which are strongly hepatotoxic, endangering human health and damaging the ecological environment. Biological control of the overgrowth of Microcystis with cyanophage has been proposed to be a promising solution for algal bloom. In this study, a novel strain of Microcystis cyanophage, MinS1, was isolated. MinS1 contains an icosahedral head approximately 54 nm in diameter and a 260 nm-long non-contractile tail. The phage genome consists of a linear, double-stranded 49,966 bp DNA molecule, which shares very low homology with known phages in the NCBI database (only 1% of the genome showed weak homology with known phages when analyzed by megablast). The phage contains 75 ORFs, of which 23 ORFs were predicted to code for proteins of known function, 39 ORFs were predicted to code for proteins of unknown function, and 13 ORFs showed no similarity to any protein sequences. Transmission electron microscopy and phylogenetic analysis showed that MinS1 belongs to the family Siphoviridae. Various experiments confirmed that the phage could infect several different orders of cyanobacteria, including Chroococcales, Nostocales, Oscillatoriales, Hormogonales, and Synechococcales, indicating that it has a very broad host range. In addition, MinS1 has no known antibiotic tolerance genes, virulence genes, and tRNAs, and it is tolerant to temperature, pH, UV, and salinity, suggesting that MinS1 has good potential for application as a biological control agent against cyanobacterial blooms. This study expands the diversity and knowledge of cyanophages, and it provides useful information for the development of novel prevention and control measures against cyanobacterial blooms.
Mineralization of High-Concentration Aqueous Aniline by Hybrid Process
Authors: Zhang Haibing , Zhou Yasong , Guo Shaohui , Wang Zhipu , Wang Qing
Published: February 2022

The efficient mineralization of high-concentration aqueous aniline (HCAA) is an issue needing to be resolved. In this study, a hybrid process of ozonation and electrochemical oxidation (ECO) was proposed for improving the mineralization of HCAA (1000 mg·L−1). The results indicated that chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal by the hybrid process was far greater than that of a single ozonation or ECO process, revealing that the hybrid process might avoid low efficiency in late ozonation and initial ECO. Thus, a subsequent combination effect clearly existed. In this hybrid process, ozonation stage time was selected as 60 min for optimal COD removal. The main products of the ozonation stage were maleic and succinic acids, with declining pH which was beneficial to the following ECO stage. Nitrite and nitrate formed during ozonation, which acted as electrolytes for the ECO stage, in which maleic and succinic acids were fully degraded and pH thus increased. Moreover, the aniline degradation mechanism of the hybrid process was deduced, demonstrating the superiority of this hybrid process. Finally, more than 95% COD removal was achieved, which met the COD limit requirement and achieved pH control simultaneously, according to the discharge standards of water pollutants for dyeing and finishing of the textile industry in China (GB 4287–2012).
Application of Magnesium Oxide Media for Remineralization and Removal of Divalent Metals in Drinking Water Treatment: A Review
Authors: Szymoniak Lena , Claveau-Mallet Dominique , Haddad Maryam , Barbeau Benoit
Published: February 2022

The post-treatment of soft and desalinated waters is an integral step in the production of quality drinking water. Remineralization is therefore often essential in order to stabilize the effluent for distribution and to attain mineral levels that fulfill aesthetic and health goals. According to the World Health Organization, magnesium (Mg2+) is a nutrient essential to human health. This review summarizes the effectiveness of magnesium oxide (MgO) media for soft water remineralization, as well as its potential for divalent metal removal (e.g., Mn, Cu, and Zn), which is of particular interest in small or residential applications. We present MgO sources, properties, and dissolution mechanisms. Water treatment applications are then reviewed, and the available design models are critically appraised in regard to remineralization and contaminant removal processes. In addition, we review the process operation challenges and costs. Finally, we discuss the use of MgO in combination with calcite and address the technical advantages and limitations compared to other available methods.
Advance Oxidation Process (AOP) of Bisphenol A Using a Novel Surface-Functionalised Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) Fibre Catalyst
Authors: Wang Jiafan , Farias Jorgelina , Tiwary Abhishek , Tangyie George Chi , Huddersman Katherine
Published: February 2022

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disruptor in the environment which is not readily oxidised during wastewater treatment at Municipal Authorities. The aim of this work is to evaluate the environmental value of the wastewater treatment of a novel heterogeneous oxidation catalyst by means of the degradation of BPA, avoiding sewage sludge and its post-treatments. A surface-functionalised polyacrylonitrile (PAN) mesh has been produced by reaction of the cyano group of PAN with hydrazine and hydroxylamine salts. This surface-functionalised PAN is then exposed to iron (III) salt solution to promote the ligation of Fe(III) to the functional groups to form the active catalytic site. The experiments were set up in two different batch reactors at laboratory scale at different temperatures and initial pH. The degradation of BPA was detected by measuring the absorbance of BPA in Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography at 280 nm. A total elimination of 75 ppm of BPA in less than 30 min was achieved under 300 ppm H2O2, 0.5 g PAN catalyst, initial pH 3 and 60 °C. Almost no adsorption of BPA on the catalyst was detected and there was no significant difference in activity of the catalyst after use for two cycles.
Meteorological and Hydrological Drought Risk Assessment Using Multi-Dimensional Copulas in the Wadi Ouahrane Basin in Algeria
Authors: Achite Mohammed , Bazrafshan Ommolbanin , Wałęga Andrzej , Azhdari Zahra , Krakauer Nir , Caloiero Tommaso
Published: February 2022

A persistent precipitation deficiency (meteorological drought) could spread to surface water bodies and produce a hydrological drought. Meteorological and hydrological droughts are thus closely related, even though they are separated by a time lag. For this reason, it is paramount for water resource planning and for drought risk analysis to study the connection between these two types of drought. With this aim, in this study, both meteorological and hydrological drought were analyzed in the Wadi Ouahrane Basin (Northwest Algeria). In particular, data from six rainfall stations and one hydrometric station for the period 1972–2018 were used to evaluate the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Runoff Index (SRI) at multiple timescales (1, 2, 3, 4, …, 12 months). By means of a copula function, the conditional return period for both types of drought was evaluated. Results evidenced that runoff is characterized by high level of temporal correlation in comparison to rainfall. Moreover, the composite index JDHMI (Joint Deficit Hydro-meteorological Index) was evaluated. This index is able to reflect the simultaneous hydrological and meteorological behavior at different timescales of 1–12 months well and can present the probability of a common hydrological and meteorological deficit situation more accurately and realistically compared to precipitation or runoff-based indicators. It was found that, over the analyzed basin, the average severity of combined hydro-meteorological drought (JDHMI) was 10.19, with a duration of 9 months and a magnitude of 0.93.
Spatio-Temporal Interpolation and Bias Correction Ordering Analysis for Hydrological Simulations: An Assessment on a Mountainous River Basin
Authors: Skoulikaris Charalampos , Venetsanou Panagiota , Lazoglou Georgia , Anagnostopoulou Christina , Voudouris Konstantinos
Published: February 2022

Triggering hydrological simulations with climate change gridded datasets is one of the prevailing approaches in climate change impact assessment at a river basin scale, with bias correction and spatio-temporal interpolation being functions routinely used on the datasets preprocessing. The research object is to investigate the dilemma arisen when climate datasets are used, and shed light on which process—i.e., bias correction or spatio-temporal interpolation—should go first in order to achieve the maximum hydrological simulation accuracy. In doing so, the fifth generation of the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Reanalysis v5 (ERA5) temperature and precipitation products of 9 × 9 km spatial resolution, which are considered as the reference data, are initially compared with the same hindcast variables of a regional climate model of 12.5 × 12.5 km spatial resolution over a specific case study basin and for a 10-year period (1991–2000). Thereafter, the climate model’s variables are (a) bias corrected followed by their spatial interpolation at the reference resolution of 9 × 9 km with the use of empirical quantile mapping and spatio-temporal kriging methods respectively, and (b) spatially downscaled and then bias corrected by using the same methods as before. The derived outputs from each of the produced dataset are not only statistically analyzed at a climate variables level, but they are also used as forcings for the hydrological simulation of the river runoff. The simulated runoffs are compared through statistical performance measures, and it is established that the discharges attributed to the bias corrected climate data followed by the spatio-temporal interpolation present a high degree of correlation with the reference ones. The research is considered a useful roadmap for the preparation of gridded climate change data before being used in hydrological modeling.
Про деякі сучасні тенденції, що склались у сфері виконання покарань України у зв’язку із вчиненням персоналом колоній кримінальних правопорушень
Authors: Колб О. Г. , Попельнюк Т. В.
Published: February 2022

У статті здійснено аналіз кількісно-якісних показників, що стосуються вчинення персоналом колоній кримінальних правопорушень у процесі виконання – відбування покарання у виді позбавлення волі на певний строк, та запропоновані науково обґрунтовані заходи, спрямовані на їх запобігання.
Встановлення або поширення злочинного впливу: актуальні питання кримінальної відповідальності
Authors: Вознюк А. А.
Published: February 2022

У статті аналізуються актуальні проблеми, пов’язані з криміналізацією встановлення або поширення злочинного впливу у ст. 255-1 Кримінального кодексу України. Досліджено доцільність криміналізації злочинного впливу, розкрито його поняття, ознаки та концептуальні вади, визначено суспільну небезпеку злочину, передбаченого у ст. 255-1 Кримінального кодексу України, висвітлено питання про об’єкт, об’єктивну сторону, суб’єкта та кваліфікуючі й особливо кваліфікуючі ознаки цього злочину.

Виявлено суттєві вади, що перешкоджають ефективному застосуванню ст. 255-1 Кримінального кодексу України на практиці, та надано пропозиції щодо їх усунення. Сформульовано рекомендації щодо кваліфікації встановлення або поширення злочинного впливу.
EFFECT OF INUNDATIVE RELEASE OF TRICHOGRAMMA CHILONIS AGAINST HELICOVERPA ARMIGERA (HUBNER)(LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) ON YIELD OF PEA CROP
Authors: Jan Rahim , Solangi Bhai khan , Bizenjo Muhammad Azim , Memon Shafique Ahmed , Pandran Zahoor Ahmed , Gola Ali Asghar , jatoi Maqbool Ahmed , Aminullah  , Haroon Muhammad , Wahab Abdul
Published: February 2022

The present study was conducted at ARI Quetta during the year 2018, to know the outcome of egg parasitoid (Trichogrammachilonis) against Helicoverpaarmigera and spotted bollworm complex. The observations were recorded on the weekly basis population of Helicoverpaarmigera and spotted bollworm under control and biological control plots. The reduction percentage and crop yield was also calculated. Spotted bollworm maximum population in   control plot was counted in second week (15.82±2.48) and minimum population was observed in sixth week (12.56±1.53b) during ten weeks respectively. Spotted bollworm population in biological plot (Trichogrammachilonis) maximum population was observed (10.90±1.61) during 1 weeks and least population was observed in tenth week (8.12±0.32) in treated plot. Helicoverpaarmigera population in control plot maximum population was counted (16.74±2.23) during 9th week and minimum population was observed (13.54±1.75 b) during 10 weeks duration, respectively. Helicoverpaarmigera population in biological plot (Trichogrammachilonis) maximum population was counted (11.90±1.72a) and minimum population was observed (9.08±0.33d) during 10 weeks of duration, respectively. Statistical analysis indicates that there was no significant variation in spotted bollworms and Helicoverpaarmigera population for control plot in all weeks, but significant variation in population of both lepidopteran complexes in biological control (Trichogrammachilonis) plot in all weeks.

The data indicates that 61.33% and 66.57% reduction was observed in spotted bollworms and Helicoverpaarmigeraunder biological control (Trichogrammachilonis). It was noted that Trichogrammachilonis is valuable biological agent for Integrated Pest Management program.
“aborto” de Júlio Prestes na campanha presidencial de 1929-1930
Authors: De Almeida Pinto Jefferson , Machado Neves Santos Gabriella , Fernandes da Silva Marcela
Published: February 2022

Este artigo analisa e avalia como o debate religioso estava presente durante a campanha presidencial de 1929-1930, e suas influências na candidatura de Júlio Prestes e de Getúlio Vargas. O candidato da oligarquia paulista à presidência, Júlio Prestes, foi acusado de não estar condizente com os interesses da família brasileira e da Igreja. A imprensa brasileira teve uma importante função nesse contexto, uma vez que as informações alcançavam a população por meio dos veículos de comunicação da época. Nesse cenário, ficam evidentes as questões religiosas e suas relações com a família, o divórcio, a política e a influência midiática.
Japão passado, presente e futuro:
Authors: De Jesus Amaral Spíndola Marina
Published: February 2022

Este artigo tem como função discutir parte do contexto japonês no pós-guerra, a partir das noções do historiador Reinhart Koselleck sobre “espaço de experiência” e “horizonte de expectativa”. Sendo assim, serão levadas em consideração diferentes leituras existentes sobre os motivos que levaram a Segunda Guerra Mundial (1939-1945) e, consequentemente, ao seu desfecho para o Japão. Averiguando as tomadas de atitude de inúmeros membros da máquina governamental japonesa como agressões a seus antigos inimigos, procuraremos demonstrar como essas atitudes são resultados de revisões históricas e negacionismos sobre a guerra, e sobre a posição imperialista do Japão enquanto a Ásia.