bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban Comprehensive Water Consumption: Nonlinear Control of Production Factor Input Based upon the C-D Function
Authors: Li Kebai , Ma Tianyi , Dooling Tom , Wei Guo
Published: February 2019

Utilizing the urban water demand function and the Cobb-Douglas (C-D) production function, an economic control model for the multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear system was designed and implemented to describe urban comprehensive water consumption, where the urban water demand function was expressed as the product of the number of water users and per capita comprehensive water consumption, and the urban water supply function was expressed as a C-D production function. The control variables included capital investment and labor input for the urban water supply. In contrast to the Solow model, Shell model and aggregate model with renewable labor resources, the proposed model eliminated value constraints on investment and labor input in the state equations and hence avoided the difficulty in applying these models to urban water supply institutions. Furthermore, the feedback linearization control design (FLCD) method was employed to accomplish stability of the system. In contrast to the optimal control method, the FLCD method possesses an explicit solution of the control law and does not require the solution of a two-point boundary value problem of an ordinary differential equation, making the method more convenient for application. Moreover, two different scenarios of urban water consumption, one for the growth period and the other for the decline period, were simulated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Integrating Analytical Frameworks to Investigate Land-Cover Regime Shifts in Dynamic Landscapes
Authors: De Alban Jose Don T. , Prescott Graham W. , Woods Kevin M. , Jamaludin Johanness , Latt Kyaw Thinn , Lim Cheng Ling , Maung Aye Chan , Webb Edward L.
Published: February 2019

Regime shifts—rapid long-term transitions between stable states—are well documented in ecology but remain controversial and understudied in land use and land cover change (LUCC). In particular, uncertainty surrounds the prevalence and causes of regime shifts at the landscape level. We studied LUCC dynamics in the Tanintharyi Region (Myanmar), which contains one of the last remaining significant contiguous forest areas in Southeast Asia but was heavily deforested between 1992–2015. By combining remote sensing methods and a literature review of historical processes leading to LUCC, we identified a regime shift from a forest-oriented state to an agricultural-oriented state between 1997–2004. The regime shift was triggered by a confluence of complex political and economic conditions within Myanmar, notably the ceasefires between various ethnic groups and the military government, coupled with its enhanced business relations with Thailand and China. Government policies and foreign direct investment enabling the establishment of large-scale agro-industrial concessions reinforced the new agriculture-oriented regime and prevented reversion to the original forest-dominated regime. Our approach of integrating complementary analytical frameworks to identify and understand land-cover regime shifts can help policymakers to preempt future regime shifts in Tanintharyi, and can be applied to the study of land change in other regions.
A Decision Support Approach to Provide Sustainable Solutions to the Consumer, by Using Electrical Appliances
Authors: Matias João Carlos de Oliveira , Santos Ricardo , Abreu Antonio
Published: February 2019

The diversity of energy efficiency appliances existent on the market, with all its different issues, contributes to the existence of several tradeoffs (e.g., energy and water consumption vs. initial investment), which make the consumer’s choices in the market difficult. This becomes even more relevant, by knowing that nowadays a consumer tries to get a solution from the market, with a good compromise between the economic, social and environmental dimensions, and according to its priorities and specific needs, which can be different from other consumers. By adopting a multicriteria approach, combined with an optimization technique, based on evolutionary algorithms (EA), it will be possible to provide a set of sustainable solutions from the market to the consumer, that respects the compromise referred before. In this work, it will be presented an approach to support a decision-agent (DA) (consumer), by performing a set of sustainable choices based on electrical appliances, from the market and suitable to its needs. The method will be applied to a case study, to demonstrate its application. Regarding the obtained solutions, several savings are achieved (electrical and water consumption, CO2 emissions) by taking into account the consumer’s relative importance, regarding each dimension considered.
Performance Analysis of Three Intelligent Algorithms on Route Selection of Fishbone Layout
Authors: Zhou Li , Li Zhaochan , Shi Ning , Liu Shaohua , Xiong Ke
Published: February 2019

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become an important strategy in the current round of global economic growth and technological development and provides a new path for the intelligent development of the logistics industry. With the development of the economy, the demand for logistics benefits is becoming more important. The appropriate use of technologies related to IoT to improve logistics efficiency, such as cloud computing, mobile computing and data mining, has become a topic of considerable research interest. Picking operations are currently an extremely important and cumbersome aspect of logistics center tasks. To shorten the picking distance and improve work efficiency, this paper uses the genetic algorithm, ant colony algorithm and cuckoo algorithm to optimize the picking path in a fishbone-layout warehouse and establishes an optimized model of the warehouse picking path under the fishbone layout. Data-mining technology is used to simulate the model and obtain the simulation data under the condition of multiple orders. The results provide a theoretical basis for the study of the fishbone-layout picking path model and has certain practical significance for the efficient operation of logistics enterprises. Through optimization, it is conducive to the sustainable development of enterprises and to achieving long-term profitability.
Searching for the Various Effects of Subprograms in Official Development Assistance on Human Development across 15 Asian Countries: Panel Regression and Fuzzy Set Approaches
Authors: Lee Eunmi , Jung Kwangho , Sul Jinbae
Published: February 2019

Previous studies are limited in identifying the effectiveness of each country to seek sectoral support rather than integrated aid. However, it is hypothesized that sector-specific aid by Official Development Assistance (ODA) may be more effective than total aid. This study aims to identify the determinants of economic growth and the living standard levels in 15 Asian countries, focusing particularly on the effects of Official Development Assistance (ODA). In order to explore this research question, we have used two indexes: (1) the annual ODA grants to Korea, with aid type as the key independent variable; and (2) the human development index (HDI), to measure dependent variables from 2006 to 2016, across the 15 Asian countries. Special attention has been paid to understand which is more significant on human development, the effects of each type of aid program individually, and the whole amount of ODA assistance. We have constructed a panel model and a fuzzy set ideal type model to account in the data for qualitative attributes by recipient countries. We have found that the economic and social impacts of ODA on the basis of panel data are significant and that our instrumental variable (IV) method illustrates a statistically significant impact of the total ODA on the HDI of the recipient countries. By separating the total amount of ODA into economic and social sectors, we have found that specific programs of public service, medical care, and welfare are more likely to directly affect HDI. While the total amount of ODA still has a positive impact on HDI, education, health, and the public service field, aids also have significant effects on HDI. Although the effect of sector-specific aid in the water and sanitation field grant-aid is not significant in panel regression results, our fuzzy set method shows that, even if education aid is low, HDI is estimated to increase if the level of health and public service aid is high. Our empirical findings suggest that (1) sector-specific aid may be more effective than total aid with ineffective sub-aid programs and that (2) an optimally specific combination of various sub-programs in ODA may exist for each developing country.
Toward Sustainable Accounting Information: Evidence from IFRS Adoption in Korea
Authors: Lee Woo Jae
Published: February 2019

The harmonization of accounting standards has been an international trend in the past two decades. As of 2018, 144 of 166 profiled jurisdictions require the use of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Nevertheless, there is mixed evidence on the effect of IFRS on sustainable accounting information. This study examines whether IFRS adoption improves earnings sustainability, focusing on emerging markets. Specifically, it tests the effect of IFRS on earnings quality by comparing earnings management and financial statement comparability of Korean listed firms for the pre- and post-IFRS periods. The results show that firms report less managed earnings in the post-IFRS period than in the pre-IFRS period. Furthermore, the results suggest the enhancement of financial statement comparability in the post-IFRS period compared to the pre-IFRS period. In particular, this paper documents that the effect of IFRS on sustainable accounting information is more pronounced in competitive industries. Moreover, it shows that small firms benefit more from adopting IFRS. Overall, this study finds that IFRS adoption in Korea improves the overall sustainability of accounting information.
Exploring the Factors Affecting Mode Choice Intention of Autonomous Vehicle Based on an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior—A Case Study in China
Authors: Jing Peng , Huang Hao , Ran Bin , Zhan Fengping , Shi Yuji
Published: February 2019

Autonomous vehicle (AV) is an innovative transport option that has the potential to disrupt all industries tied to transportation systems. The advent of AV technology will bring a novel on-demand mobility pattern such as shared autonomous vehicle (SAV). To promote AV technology, it is important to understand which factors influence travelers’ intention to use AVs and SAVs. This paper collected literature from databases such as Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect, and made a systematic review. The study aims to explore the determinants that influence travelers’ behavioral intentions towards use AVs and SAVs based on an extended version of the theory of planned behavior, which incorporates knowledge and perceived risk. This study was tested empirically using a valid survey sample collected from 906 respondents in China. Structural equation model was conducted to investigate the predictors of intentions to use AVs and SAVs. Results showed that knowledge about AV technology and perceived risk are the two main potential obstacles for travelers to use AVs and SAVs. Attitude significantly affects AVs and SAV choice intentions. Subjective norm is the most critical factor affecting the travelers’ intention to use AVs. Perceived behavioral control potentially stymie the travelers’ intention to use SAVs. The findings will enhance the understanding of travelers’ choice motivation from psychological and service perspectives, and provide data support for governments and companies in improving travel management strategies and product services.
Governance of Ecosystem Services in Agroecology: When Coordination is Needed but Difficult to Achieve
Authors: Salliou Nicolas , Muradian Roldan , Barnaud Cécile
Published: February 2019

Transitioning towards agroecology involves the integration of biodiversity based ecosystem services into farming systems: for example, relying on biological pest control rather than pesticides. One promising approach for pest control relies on the conservation of semi-natural habitats at the landscape scale to encourage natural enemies of insect pests. However, this approach may require coordination between farmers to manage the interdependencies between the providers and beneficiaries of this ecosystem service. The main objective of this study was to identify hindrances to landscape-scale coordination strategies to control pests. To this end, we used a theoretical framework specifically designed to explore social interdependencies linked to ecosystem services. We applied this framework to a participatory research case study on pest control in apple orchards in southwest France to identify and describe key obstacles. We found four main impediments: (1) The perception of most stakeholders that the landscape does not deliver significant pest control services, (2) the challenge of coping with agroecological uncertainties, (3) an integrated vertical supply chain focused on pesticide use, (4) the existence of independent, non-collective alternatives. We discuss the potential of overcoming these obstacles or turning them into opportunities that promote a transition to agroecology and the integration of ecosystem services in farms and their supply chains.
Are We Doing ‘Systems’ Research? An Assessment of Methods for Climate Change Adaptation to Hydrohazards in a Complex World
Authors: Bedinger Melissa , Beevers Lindsay , Collet Lila , Visser Annie
Published: February 2019

Climate change is a product of the Anthropocene, and the human–nature system in which we live. Effective climate change adaptation requires that we acknowledge this complexity. Theoretical literature on sustainability transitions has highlighted this and called for deeper acknowledgment of systems complexity in our research practices. Are we heeding these calls for ‘systems’ research? We used hydrohazards (floods and droughts) as an example research area to explore this question. We first distilled existing challenges for complex human–nature systems into six central concepts: Uncertainty, multiple spatial scales, multiple time scales, multimethod approaches, human–nature dimensions, and interactions. We then performed a systematic assessment of 737 articles to examine patterns in what methods are used and how these cover the complexity concepts. In general, results showed that many papers do not reference any of the complexity concepts, and no existing approach addresses all six. We used the detailed results to guide advancement from theoretical calls for action to specific next steps. Future research priorities include the development of methods for consideration of multiple hazards; for the study of interactions, particularly in linking the short- to medium-term time scales; to reduce data-intensivity; and to better integrate bottom–up and top–down approaches in a way that connects local context with higher-level decision-making. Overall this paper serves to build a shared conceptualisation of human–nature system complexity, map current practice, and navigate a complexity-smart trajectory for future research.
Mobile Augmented Reality for Cultural Heritage: Following the Footsteps of Ovid among Different Locations in Europe
Authors: Boboc Răzvan , Duguleană Mihai , Voinea Gheorghe-Daniel , Postelnicu Cristian-Cezar , Popovici Dorin-Mircea , Carrozzino Marcello
Published: February 2019

There are many examples of cultural events that distinguish people nationally. Celebrating this can bring people closer, as inhabitants of different countries share similar cultural values. This study investigates a sustainable way to enhance these types of events. On the occasion of the 2000-year anniversary of the death of the Roman poet Ovid, we propose a mobile augmented reality (MAR) application that contains historical information related to his life. As Ovid often stated in his last poems, he feared his work would be forgotten after his exile from Rome. This paper focuses on assessing whether this is the case, while also disseminating factual, historic data to people who tested the application. Experiments were conducted in Italy and Romania, in three different cities: Sulmona, Rome, and Constanta. Based on the results collected, four constructs were investigated: comprehensibility, manipulability, enjoyment, and usefulness. The results revealed that the usability of the MAR application, and the interaction metaphor, are appropriate for the general public. The MAR application provided a positive experience, and thus, increased the extent of the occasion.
Effects of Different Intervention Methods on Novice Drivers’ Speeding
Authors: Niu Shi Feng , Liu Yan Jun , Wang Lin , Li Hai Qin
Published: February 2019

The objective of this work is to examine the human response to different interventions to determine its direct intervention effect and education effect on the speeding of novice drivers. Several experiments, in which participants received different interventions when they were speeding, were conducted on the simulating driving system. The direct intervention effect of different intervention methods was measured by speed reduction and the education effect of voice intervention was measured by questionnaires. A total of 60 novice drivers and 20 experienced drivers were involved in this study, and the personality, gender and driving experience were considered in the analysis. We found that the steer wheel vibration has a significant influence on the intervention effect, but the lighting does not. The driving experience has more impact on the intervention effect of voice intervention with the Rational Style. While gender mainly influences the intervention effect of Emotional Style. The education effect of voice intervention designed with Emotional Style performs better than Rational Style. The personality from Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) does not have a significant influence on the intervention effect. At last, a new driving style variable which can be calculated automatically from driving data was designed and the novel intervention strategy was proposed according to the research results. Our research provides a novel intervention strategy for drivers’ speeding behavior and gives an underlying insight into urban traffic safety, which is beneficial to ensure the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the transportation system. It also serves as a reference for traffic safety research management agencies, the government, and the produced smart vehicles companies, providing guidance not limited to speeding intervention and aimed at improving other unsafe driving behavior.
Impact of Participative Leadership on Organizational Citizenship Behavior: Mediating Role of Trust and Moderating Role of Continuance Commitment: Evidence from the Pakistan Hotel Industry
Authors: Hayat Bhatti Misbah , Ju Yanbin , Akram Umair , Hasnat Bhatti Muhammad , Akram Zubair , Bilal Muhammad
Published: February 2019

The present study examines the mediating role of affective and cognitive trust, and the moderating role of continuous commitment on participative leadership and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) relationships. Four hundred employees were recruited from the hotel industry in Pakistan. The bootstrapping method was used for an estimation of the mediation effect by the process macro. This study employs confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Results revealed that affective trust significantly mediates the relationship between participative leadership and OCB. Moreover, continuous commitment significantly plays a moderating role in the relationship between participative leadership and OCB. This study provides unique insight into the OCB in the hotel industry. Affective and cognitive trust as a mediator and moderator of continuance commitment are examined, which is the novel characteristic of this study. Managerial implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.
Optimization of Passenger Transportation Corridor Mode Supply Structure in Regional Comprehensive Transport Considering Economic Equilibrium
Authors: Song Jingni , Chen Feng , Wu Qunqi , Liu Weiyu , Xue Feiyang , Du Kai
Published: February 2019

Reasonable transportation network layoutsarecritical for optimizing a comprehensive transport system. With the gradual development of a transportation industry from quantitative expansion to structural optimization, and transformation of various transportation modes from independent operation to integrated development, traditional comprehensive transport planning theories and methods have not adapted. In thispaper, a new planning concept is proposed from the perspective of economic equilibrium with theaim ofoptimizing a supply structure for a comprehensive transport passenger transportation corridor. An in-depth analysis was conducted of the internal mechanism of the dynamic equilibrium between supply and demand of this corridor,wherein the maximum of the globaltransportation demand subjectcustomer surplus wastaken as a target function, respective interest functions of a demand subject and a supply subject served as constraints to quantitatively optimize the supply structure of the passenger transportation corridor in comprehensive transport, and a Gradient Descent algorithmwasdesigned. The results show that the proposed model better reflectstheeconomic operation mechanism of a passenger transportation market in a comprehensive transport corridor (CTC), and prove that the supply structure of CTC is closely related to passenger flow, travel value distribution, a supply subject's scale rate of return,and travel time. These research results have important academic values in terms of improving passenger transportation corridor structure optimization in region-specific comprehensive transport that conforms to a market economy mechanism. This concept can be extended from single corridor planning to point-to-point and door-to-door transportation supply structure planning, andto comprehensive transport network planning and urban transportation planning without loss of generality.
Knowledge Analysis of the Prospective Secondary School Teacher on a Key Concept in Sustainability: Waste
Authors: Martínez-Borreguero Guadalupe , Maestre-Jiménez Jesús , Mateos-Núñez Milagros , Naranjo-Correa Francisco Luis
Published: February 2019

The framework of sustainable development encompasses a series of behaviours which include the proper management of the waste we produce. This concept should be addressed in classrooms to ensure proper waste management. The amount of knowledge of the teachers and the inclusion of these concepts in the education curricula are essential factors when providing proper teaching about waste and waste management. The general objective was to analyse the amount of knowledge about waste of teachers in training within the framework of sustainable development. The sample consisted of 72 secondary school teachers in training belonging to three scientific-technological areas (Physics & Chemistry, Biology & Geology, and Technology). The methodology used was exploratory and quantitative. As a measuring instrument, a questionnaire was elaborated based on the educational curricula and based on previous research, made up of five categories (Waste and Society, Regulations, Awareness, Technological Development, and Typology). The results of the study show that teachers in training lack knowledge regarding waste. Within teacher education programs, it is, therefore, necessary to address issues of sustainability including waste in order to prepare teachers that are competent and willing to teach such important topics.
Crowdfunding and Social Entrepreneurship: Spotlight on Intermediaries
Authors: Rey-Martí Andrea , Mohedano-Suanes Antonia , Simón-Moya Virginia
Published: February 2019

This study contributes to the literature by describing how crowdfunding platforms that host social entrepreneurship projects build and preserve legitimacy. We study three intermediaries, analyzing the actions they take to ensure that creators and funders perceive crowdfunding as a trustworthy form of alternative finance. This study shows that the legitimacy that funders ascribe to a project’s social and/or environmental aims is also a source of legitimacy for the intermediaries that promote social entrepreneurship projects. These intermediaries act as agents of social change, using a range of mechanisms to promote projects that seek to create social and/or environmental value in addition to economic value. Our study also has practical implications. We highlight the mechanisms used to reduce potential risks for intermediaries, creators, and funders and ensure their trust in crowdfunding.
A Single-Valued Neutrosophic Linguistic Combined Weighted Distance Measure and Its Application in Multiple-Attribute Group Decision-Making
Authors: Cao Chengdong , Zeng Shouzhen , Luo Dandan
Published: February 2019

The aim of this paper is to present a multiple-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) framework based on a new single-valued neutrosophic linguistic (SVNL) distance measure. By unifying the idea of the weighted average and ordered weighted averaging into a single-valued neutrosophic linguistic distance, we first developed a new SVNL weighted distance measure, namely a SVNL combined and weighted distance (SVNLCWD) measure. The focal characteristics of the devised SVNLCWD are its ability to combine both the decision-makers’ attitudes toward the importance, as well as the weights, of the arguments. Various desirable properties and families of the developed SVNLCWD were contemplated. Moreover, a MAGDM approach based on the SVNLCWD was formulated. Lastly, a real numerical example concerning a low-carbon supplier selection problem was used to describe the superiority and feasibility of the developed approach.
Implicative Neutrosophic Quadruple BCK-Algebras and Ideals
Authors: Muhiuddin G. , Al-Kenani Ahmad N. , Roh Eun Hwan , Jun Young Bae
Published: February 2019

A neutrosophic set is initiated by Smarandache, and it is a novel tool to deal with vagueness considering the truth, indeterminacy and falsity memberships satisfying the condition that their sum is less than 3. The concept of neutrosophic quadruple numbers was introduced by Florentin Smarandache. Using this idea, Jun et al. introduced the notion of neutrosophic quadruple B C K / B C I -numbers, and studied neutrosophic quadruple B C K / B C I -algebras. As a continuation of Jun et al.’s paper, the notion of implicative neutrosophic quadruple B C K -algebras is introduced, and several properties are investigated. Given a set Y, conditions for the neutrosophic quadruple Y-set N q ( Y ) to be a neutrosophic quadruple B C I -algebra are provided. Conditions for the neutrosophic quadruple Y-set N q ( Y ) to be an implicative neutrosophic quadruple B C K -algebra are provided. Given subsets I and J of a B C K -algebra Y, conditions for the neutrosophic quadruple ( I , J ) -set N q ( I , J ) to be an implicative ideal of the neutrosophic quadruple B C K -algebra N q ( Y ) are discussed.
Existence Theory for Nonlinear Third-Order Ordinary Differential Equations with Nonlocal Multi-Point and Multi-Strip Boundary Conditions
Authors: Alsaedi Ahmed , Alsulami Mona , Srivastava Hari , Ahmad Bashir , Ntouyas Sotiris
Published: February 2019

We investigate the solvability and Ulam stability for a nonlocal nonlinear third-order integro-multi-point boundary value problem on an arbitrary domain. The nonlinearity in the third-order ordinary differential equation involves the unknown function together with its first- and second-order derivatives. Our main results rely on the modern tools of functional analysis and are well illustrated with the aid of examples. An analogue problem involving non-separated integro-multi-point boundary conditions is also discussed.
Extending the Adapted PageRank Algorithm Centrality to Multiplex Networks with Data Using the PageRank Two-Layer Approach
Authors: Agryzkov Taras , Curado Manuel , Pedroche Francisco , Tortosa Leandro , Vicent José F.
Published: February 2019

Usually, the nodes’ interactions in many complex networks need a more accurate mapping than simple links. For instance, in social networks, it may be possible to consider different relationships between people. This implies the use of different layers where the nodes are preserved and the relationships are diverse, that is, multiplex networks or biplex networks, for two layers. One major issue in complex networks is the centrality, which aims to classify the most relevant elements in a given system. One of these classic measures of centrality is based on the PageRank classification vector used initially in the Google search engine to order web pages. The PageRank model may be understood as a two-layer network where one layer represents the topology of the network and the other layer is related to teleportation between the nodes. This approach may be extended to define a centrality index for multiplex networks based on the PageRank vector concept. On the other hand, the adapted PageRank algorithm (APA) centrality constitutes a model to obtain the importance of the nodes in a spatial network with the presence of data (both real and virtual). Following the idea of the two-layer approach for PageRank centrality, we can consider the APA centrality under the perspective of a two-layer network where, on the one hand, we keep maintaining the layer of the topological connections of the nodes and, on the other hand, we consider a data layer associated with the network. Following a similar reasoning, we are able to extend the APA model to spatial networks with different layers. The aim of this paper is to propose a centrality measure for biplex networks that extends the adapted PageRank algorithm centrality for spatial networks with data to the PageRank two-layer approach. Finally, we show an example where the ability to analyze data referring to a group of people from different aspects and using different sets of independent data are revealed.
Magnesium Fluoride Forms Unique Protein Corona for Efficient Delivery of Doxorubicin into Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Al-Busaidi Hamed , Karim Md. Emranul , Abidin Syafiq Asnawi Zainal , Tha Kyi Kyi , Chowdhury Ezharul Hoque
Published: February 2019

Background: The efficacy of chemotherapy is undermined by adverse side effects and chemoresistance of target tissues. Developing a drug delivery system can reduce off-target side effects and increase the efficacy of drugs by increasing their accumulation in target tissues. Inorganic salts have several advantages over other drug delivery vectors in that they are non-carcinogenic and less immunogenic than viral vectors and have a higher loading capacity and better controlled release than lipid and polymer vectors. Methods: MgF2 crystals were fabricated by mixing 20 mM MgCl2 and 10 mM NaF and incubating for 30 min at 37 °C. The crystals were characterized by absorbance, dynamic light scattering, microscopic observance, pH sensitivity test, SEM, EDX and FTIR. The binding efficacy to doxorubicin was assessed by measuring fluorescence intensity. pH-dependent doxorubicin release profile was used to assess the controlled release capability of the particle-drug complex. Cellular uptake was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Cytotoxicity of the particles and the drug-particle complex were assessed using MTT assay to measure cell viability of MCF-7 cells. Results and Discussion: Particle size on average was estimated to be <200 nm. The crystals were cubic in shape. The particles were pH-sensitive and capable of releasing doxorubicin in increasing acidic conditions. MgF2 nanocrystals were safe in lower concentrations, and when bound to doxorubicin, enhanced its uptake. The protein corona formed around MgF2 nanoparticles lacks typical opsonins but contains some dysopsonins. Conclusion: A drug delivery vector in the form of MgF2 nanocrystals has been developed to transport doxorubicin into breast cancer cells. It is pH-sensitive (allowing for controlled release), size-modifiable, simple and cheap to produce.
Usutu Virus Isolated from Rodents in Senegal
Authors: Diagne Moussa Moïse , Ndione Marie Henriette Dior , Di Paola Nicholas , Fall Gamou , Bedekelabou André Pouwedeou , Sembène Pape Mbacké , Faye Ousmane , Zanotto Paolo Marinho de Andrade , Sall Amadou Alpha
Published: February 2019

Usutu virus (USUV) is a Culex-associated mosquito-borne flavivirus of the Flaviviridae family. Since its discovery in 1959, the virus has been isolated from birds, arthropods and humans in Europe and Africa. An increasing number of Usutu virus infections in humans with neurological presentations have been reported. Recently, the virus has been detected in bats and horses, which deviates from the currently proposed enzootic cycle of USUV involving several different avian and mosquito species. Despite this increasing number of viral detections in different mammalian hosts, the existence of a non-avian reservoir remains unresolved. In Kedougou, a tropical region in the southeast corner of Senegal, Usutu virus was detected, isolated and sequenced from five asymptomatic small mammals: Two different rodent species and a single species of shrew. Additional molecular characterization and in vivo growth dynamics showed that these rodents/shrew-derived viruses are closely related to the reference strain (accession number: AF013412) and are as pathogenic as other characterized strains associated with neurological invasions in human. This is the first evidence of Usutu virus isolation from rodents or shrews. Our findings emphasize the need to consider a closer monitoring of terrestrial small mammals in future active surveillance, public health, and epidemiological efforts in response to USUV in both Africa and Europe.
Mastomys Species as Model Systems for Infectious Diseases
Authors: Hasche Daniel , Rösl Frank
Published: February 2019

Replacements of animal models by advanced in vitro systems in biomedical research, despite exceptions, are currently still not satisfactory in reproducing the whole complexity of pathophysiological mechanisms that finally lead to disease. Therefore, preclinical models are additionally required to reflect analogous in vivo situations as found in humans. Despite proven limitations of both approaches, only a combined experimental arrangement guarantees generalizability of results and their transfer to the clinics. Although the laboratory mouse still stands as a paradigm for many scientific discoveries and breakthroughs, it is mandatory to broaden our view by also using nontraditional animal models. The present review will first reflect the value of experimental systems in life science and subsequently describes the preclinical rodent model Mastomys coucha that—although still not well known in the scientific community—has a long history in research of parasites, bacteria, papillomaviruses and cancer. Using Mastomys, we could recently show for the first time that cutaneous papillomaviruses—in conjunction with UV as an environmental risk factor—induce squamous cell carcinomas of the skin via a “hit-and-run” mechanism. Moreover, Mastomys coucha was also used as a proof-of-principle model for the successful vaccination against non-melanoma skin cancer even under immunosuppressive conditions.
Co-Infection of Swine with Porcine Circovirus Type 2 and Other Swine Viruses
Authors: Ouyang Ting , Zhang Xinwei , Liu Xiaohua , Ren Linzhu
Published: February 2019

Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) is the etiological agent that causes porcine circovirus diseases and porcine circovirus-associated diseases (PCVD/PCVAD), which are present in every major swine-producing country in the world. PCV2 infections may downregulate the host immune system and enhance the infection and replication of other pathogens. However, the exact mechanisms of PCVD/PCVAD are currently unknown. To date, many studies have reported that several cofactors, such as other swine viruses or bacteria, vaccination failure, and stress or crowding, in combination with PCV2, lead to PCVD/PCVAD. Among these cofactors, co-infection of PCV2 with other viruses, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, porcine parvovirus, swine influenza virus and classical swine fever virus have been widely studied for decades. In this review, we focus on the current state of knowledge regarding swine co-infection with different PCV2 genotypes or strains, as well as with PCV2 and other swine viruses.
Biological Diversity in Headwater Streams
Authors: Richardson John S.
Published: February 2019

Headwaters, the sources of all stream networks, provide habitats that are unique from other freshwater environments and are used by a specialised subset of aquatic species. The features of headwaters that provide special habitats include predator-free or competitor-free spaces; specific resources (particularly detrital based); and moderate variations in flows, temperature and discharge. Headwaters provide key habitats for all or some life stages for a large number of species across just about all freshwater phyla and divisions. Some features of headwaters, including isolation and small population sizes, have allowed for the evolutionary radiation of many groups of organisms within and beyond those habitats. As small and easily engineered physical spaces, headwaters are easily degraded by streambank development, ditching and even burial. Headwater streams are among the most sensitive of freshwater ecosystems due to their intimate linkage with their catchments and how easily they are impacted. As a unique ecosystem with many specialist species, headwater streams deserve better stewardship.
The Use of Large-Scale Climate Indices in Monthly Reservoir Inflow Forecasting and Its Application on Time Series and Artificial Intelligence Models
Authors: Kim Taereem , Shin Ju-Young , Kim Hanbeen , Kim Sunghun , Heo Jun-Haeng
Published: February 2019

Climate variability is strongly influencing hydrological processes under complex weather conditions, and it should be considered to forecast reservoir inflow for efficient dam operation strategies. Large-scale climate indices can provide potential information about climate variability, as they usually have a direct or indirect correlation with hydrologic variables. This study aims to use large-scale climate indices in monthly reservoir inflow forecasting for considering climate variability. For this purpose, time series and artificial intelligence models, such as Seasonal AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA), SARIMA with eXogenous variables (SARIMAX), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Adaptive Neural-based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), and Random Forest (RF) models were employed with two types of input variables, autoregressive variables (AR-) and a combination of autoregressive and exogenous variables (ARX-). Several statistical methods, including ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), were used to select the lagged climate indices. Finally, monthly reservoir inflow was forecasted by SARIMA, SARIMAX, AR-ANN, ARX-ANN, AR-ANFIS, ARX-ANFIS, AR-RF, and ARX-RF models. As a result, the use of climate indices in artificial intelligence models showed a potential to improve the model performance, and the ARX-ANN and AR-RF models generally showed the best performance among the employed models.
Fluorescence Excitation-Emission Spectroscopy: An Analytical Technique to Monitor Drugs of Addiction in Wastewater
Authors: Yadav Meena K. , Aryal Rupak , Short Michael D. , Saint Christopher P.
Published: February 2019

Emerging contaminants of concern have become a serious issue for the scientific community and society more broadly in recent years due to their increasingly widespread environmental distribution and largely unknown environmental and human health impacts. This study aimed to explore the use of fluorescence excitation-emission (F-EEM) spectroscopy as an alternative analytical method to evaluate the presence of key drugs of addiction (benzoylecgonine, methamphetamine, MDMA, codeine and morphine) in wastewater treatment plants. The chemicals of interest from wastewater were extracted by mixed-mode solid phase extraction and quantified using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The same wastewater samples were also analysed by a fluorescence spectrophotometer for fluorescence spectra at wavelengths 280–600 nm (emission) and 200–600 nm (excitation). The study also investigated the relevance of different methods for interpreting F-EEM matrices data including parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) modelling and fluorescence regional integration technique. PARAFAC identified four components, and among them, component C2, identified at the λex/λem = 275/340 nm wavelength associated with proteinaceous compounds most likely related to tryptophan amino acid, showed significant correlation with codeine removal. MDMA and morphine were not correlated to any of the fluorescence regions. The fluorescence regions related to aromatic protein-like fluorescence were correlated significantly with drug concentration and so may offer a suitable alternative approach for monitoring drugs including benzoylecgonine, methamphetamine and codeine.
Complementary Relationship and Dual Crop Coefficient Approach-Based Study on Green Water Separation
Authors: Fu Na , Song Xiaoyu , Xia Lu , Li Lanjun , Li Huaiyou , Li Yaolin
Published: February 2019

Separating productive green water from non-productive green water could determine the potential for improving green water use through water-to-vapor conversion and the optimization of green water resource management. This study selected three typical planted forests of Robinia pseudoacacia, Platycladus orientalis, and Pinus tabulaeformis in the Nanxiaohegou sub-basin, a typical small sub-basin located in the gully region of the Loess Plateau. A combination of field monitoring, hydrological models, and statistical tests was used to obtain the crop coefficient and to differentiate productive green water from non-productive green water, based on the hydrological, climatic, and ecological processes in the basin. The results demonstrated that the complementary relationship areal evapotranspiration (CRAE) model was the most effective complementary relationship-based model for the simulation. Based on the calibrated parameters, it could be used for the simulation of green water flux of different vegetation types in the studied region. In the Nanxiaohegou sub-basin, the amounts of productive green water, non-productive green water, and total green water flux of R. pseudoacacia were the highest among all three types of vegetation, followed by those of P. orientalis and P. tabulaeformis forests during the growing seasons between 2015 and 2017.
Recent Precipitation Trends and Floods in the Colombian Andes
Authors: Ávila Álvaro , Guerrero Faisury Cardona , Escobar Yesid Carvajal , Justino Flávio
Published: February 2019

This study aims to identify spatial and temporal precipitation trends by analyzing eight extreme climate indices of rainfall in the High Basin of the Cauca River in Southwestern Colombia from 1970 to 2013. The relation between historical floods and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is also analyzed. Results indicate that in general, the reduction of precipitation, especially in the center of the basin with negative annual and seasonal trends in intensity indices, namely, the annual maximum 1-day precipitation amount (RX1day) and annual maximum 5-day precipitation amount (RX5day). Sixty-four percentage of the stations exhibit an increasing trend in September–October–November in the consecutive dry days. In December–January–February interval, positive trends in most of the stations is noted for total precipitation and for the number of wet days with rainfall greater than or equal to 1 mm. The findings also show that sea surface temperature (SST) in the equatorial Pacific is statistically correlated (r) with indices of extreme precipitation (r ≥ −0.40). However, the effect of ENSO is evident with a time lag of 2–3 months. These results are relevant for forecasting floods on a regional scale, since changes in SST of the equatorial Pacific may take place 2–3 months ahead of the basin inundation. Our results contribute to the understanding of extreme rainfall events, hydrological hazard forecasts and climate variability in the Colombian Andes.
A New Method to Estimate Reference Crop Evapotranspiration from Geostationary Satellite Imagery: Practical Considerations
Authors: de Bruin Henk A. R. , Trigo Isabel F.
Published: February 2019

Reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo) plays a role in irrigation advisory being of crucial importance for water managers dealing with scarce water resources. Following the ETo definition, it can be shown that total solar radiation is the main driver, allowing ETo estimates from satellite observations. As such, the EUMETSAT LSA-SAF operationally provides ETo primarily derived from the European geostationary satellite MSG. ETo estimations following the original FAO report require several meteorological observations gathered over actual well-watered grass. Here we will consider the impact of two effects on ETo using the LSA-SAF and FAO methodologies: (i) local advection, related to the impact of advection of surrounding warm dry air onto the reference non-water stressed surface; and (ii) the so-called surface aridity error, which occurs when calculating ETo according to FAO, but with input data not collected over well-watered grass. The LSA-SAF ETo is not sensitive to any of these effects. However, it is shown that local advection may increase evapotranspiration over a limited field by up to 30%, while ignoring aridity effects leads to a great overestimation. The practical application of satellite estimates of ETo provided by the LSA-SAF are discussed here, and, furthermore, water managers are encouraged to consider its advantages and ways for improvement.
Transdisciplinary Learning Communities to Involve Vulnerable Social Groups in Solving Complex Water-Related Problems in Bolivia
Authors: Agramont Afnan , Craps Marc , Balderrama Melina , Huysmans Marijke
Published: February 2019

Bolivia has influenced the international water arenas as a pioneer of the Human Water Rights Declaration before the United Nations General Council. However, despite a positive but rather ideological evolution, the country is still facing several water challenges in practice. Water governance is extremely complex due to intricate social structures, important spatial and temporal differences in the availability of water resources, ecological fragility, and weak institutions. A Transdisciplinary Learning Community approach has been adopted by the Universidad Católica Boliviana to take into account the complexity of the water problems caused by social, hydrological, and ecological system imbalances. In this approach, researchers and non-academic actors work closely together to integrate different ways of conceiving, using, valuing, and deciding on water issues. The approach aims at co-creating resilient solutions by recovering and restoring not only the ecological system, but also the social system in which all actors are aware of their role and responsibility. We explain the challenges and concerns raised by this approach in a case study of the Katari River Basin (KRB), which is impacted by a high degree of contamination that is mainly caused while crossing El Alto city, leading to dramatic consequences for the Lake Titicaca ecosystem and its surrounding communities.