bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Governing Climate Engineering: A Proposal for Immediate Governance of Solar Radiation Management
Authors: Jinnah Sikina , Nicholson Simon , Morrow David R. , Dove Zachary , Wapner Paul , Valdivia Walter , Thiele Leslie Paul , McKinnon Catriona , Light Andrew , Lahsen Myanna , Kashwan Prakash , Gupta Aarti , Gillespie Alexander , Falk Richard , Conca Ken , Chong Dan , Chhetri Netra
Published: July 2019

Solar radiation management (SRM) technologies would reflect a small amount of incoming solar radiation back into space before the radiation can warm the planet. Although SRM may emerge as a useful component of a global response to climate change, there is also good reason for caution. In June 2017, the Academic Working Group on Climate Engineering Governance released a policy report, “Governing Solar Radiation Management”, which developed a set of objectives to govern SRM in the near-term future: (1) keep mitigation and adaptation first; (2) thoroughly and transparently evaluate risks, burdens, and benefits; (3) enable responsible knowledge creation; and (4) ensure robust governance before any consideration of deployment. To advance the governance objectives identified above, the working group developed twelve recommendations, grouped into three clusters: (1) create politically legitimate deliberative bodies; (2) leverage existing institutions; and (3) make research transparent and accountable. This communication discusses the rationale behind each cluster and elaborates on a subset of the recommendations from each cluster.
Mechanism of Spatiotemporal Air Quality Response to Meteorological Parameters: A National-Scale Analysis in China
Authors: Qiao Zhi , Wu Feng , Xu Xinliang , Yang Jin , Liu Luo
Published: July 2019

The air quality over China exhibits seasonal and regional variation, resulting from heterogeneity in industrialization, and is highly affected by variability in meteorological conditions. We performed the first national-scale exploration of the relationship between the Air Pollution Index (API) and multiple meteorological parameters in China, using partial correlation and hierarchical cluster analyses. Relative humidity, wind speed, and temperature were the dominant factors influencing air quality year-round, due to their significant effects on pollutant dispersion and/or transformation of pollutants. The response of the API to single or multiple meteorological factors varied among cities and seasons, and a regional clustering of response mechanisms was observed, particularly in winter. Clear north–south differentiation was detected in the mechanisms of API response to relative humidity and wind speed. These findings provide insight into the spatiotemporal variation in air quality sensitivity to meteorological conditions, which will be useful for implementing regional air pollution control strategies.
Are Green Energies Employment Friendly? Empirical Evidence for Some OECD Countries over the 1985–2013 Period
Authors: Barra Cristian , Ruggiero Nazzareno
Published: July 2019

Using data for a set of 19 OECD economies over the 1985–2013 period, we analyzed the effects of green energies on employment through the application of a fixed effects model. After controlling for a set of labor market institutions, innovation, financial development, and three dimensions of globalization, we found evidence of a positive and significant relationship between green energies and employment. Specifically, a 10% increase in the amount of green energies was found to determine a 0.3% increase in employment. Our results are robust to alternative specifications and to possible external shocks. The findings presented in this paper suggest that governments should incentivize firms in investing in green energies via tax cuts or subsidies to improve environmental quality, further stimulating the creation of new jobs and new employment opportunities.
Findings from a Pilot Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Bulb Exchange Program at a Neighborhood Scale
Authors: Witt Sadie M. , Stults Shelby , Rieves Emma , Emerson Kevin , Mendoza Daniel L.
Published: July 2019

In the United States, 44% of low-income households struggle to pay their utility bills, affecting their ability to afford necessities such as food and health expenses. There is a high demand for, but low availability of, energy efficiency services in underserved neighborhoods, creating an opportunity for community-based programs to fill this inherent gap. This pilot project aims to bring energy savings and education to a uniquely targeted portion of Salt Lake City, UT, through the exchange of light-emitting diode bulbs and examines its feasibility in addressing energy insecurity at larger scales. Through the 8-month project duration, 1432 bulbs were exchanged at 23 events reaching 181 households in low-income areas that, through a year of use, were estimated to save residents approximately $18,219 in electricity bills, reducing CO2 emissions from power plants by 122 metric tons. Since this pilot reached less than 1% of households, we extrapolated a reach of 2%, 5%, and 7.5%, and found substantial potential decreases in power plant emissions and financial savings. Ongoing expansion efforts include more direct engagement with trusted members of the targeted communities and stronger attempts to engage participants in energy efficiency education as our project encountered some difficulties in reaching the intended population.
Pre- and Post-Occupancy Evaluation of Resident Motivations for and Experiences of Establishing a Home in a Low-Carbon Development
Authors: Breadsell Jessica K. , Byrne Joshua J. , Morrison Gregory M.
Published: July 2019

There is some understanding of how an individual’s daily practices consume resources in the home, but the home as a space itself and peoples’ relationships to it remain an interesting research area. In this paper, residents of an Australian low-carbon development (LCD) are studied in order to discover the expectations and motivations driving them to move to their new home, the emotional landscape of the home, and their subsequent experiences living in an LCD. This exploration through mixed methods and a post-occupancy evaluation enables a longitudinal empirical study of the motivations, perceptions, expectations and experiences of an LCD residence. This study aims to further conceptualize the social understanding of a home and what people consider when moving into an LCD, along with the post-occupancy experiences that are important for establishing LCDs in the future. The results show that a home is associated with being a place of community, sustainability, safety and comfort, as well as a place that incorporates aesthetically pleasing features. The motivation for residents moving into an LCD is to have housing stability, live the life they want (including performing sustainable practices) and enjoy the attractive design of the LCD. The user experiences of living in an LCD include unexpected design influences on daily practices and an appreciation of the community atmosphere created. The strong sense of community and the self-reported thermally comfortable homes met residents’ expectations post-occupancy. This research is of interest to academics in the low-carbon and social science sectors, real-estate agents and property developers, as it provides insight into motivations and expectations of low-carbon dwelling residents.
Administrative Reforms in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: The Case of Blockchain Use
Authors: Myeong Seunghwan , Jung Yuseok
Published: July 2019

The increasing interest in blockchain since the end of 2017 has induced many attempts to apply it to public sector administration. Blockchains have been shown to improve the levels of economic efficiency, security and decentralization in administration. This exploratory study examines the determinants of blockchain administration and their priorities through an analytic-hierarchy process (AHP) analysis. The priority ranking of internal factors was security, economic efficiency, and decentralization. The introduction of blockchains in the evolution of the current e-government to the future of convergent governments will be generalized through trial, error, and learning processes. As experienced both in the knowledge and information society and in the e-government development process, reforming government administration is not solely a technical problem. The study results suggest that future blockchain administration in the public sector be used in the field of e-voting to encourage citizen participation in the process of agenda-setting, to enhance the level of security and transparency of taxation, and to increase the level of equity. Blockchain technology can also be used to improve efficiency in the provision of individually oriented social welfare services. Its adoption via administrative reform may reduce the level of corruption in personnel management, recruitment, and procurement in public sector organizations.
A Semantic and Social Approach for Real-Time Green Building Rating in BIM-Based Design
Authors: Zhang Daxin , Zhang Jinyue , Guo Jianing , Xiong Haiming
Published: July 2019

While many countries have developed green building rating systems (GBRSs) to promote the concept of green buildings, it is difficult for designers to achieve better sustainability in the design process when using the real-time green building rating score as a reference. This paper proposes an intelligent green building rating (iGBR) framework supported by a semantic and social approach to realize real-time rating in building design. The framework features four components: (1) An ontology that is used to encapsulate the knowledge of green building rating, (2) score calculation rules that are encoded in Semantic Web Rule Language (SWRL), (3) Autodesk Forge, which is employed as a building information modeling (BIM)–based design platform to synchronize design models from different professions in the cloud, and (4) a group chat tool to connect all project participants in a social communication environment to effectively exchange data/information required for score calculation. A prototype iGBR system is developed based on the Evaluation Standard for Green Building of China (ESGBC) to verify the framework, so that a total of 95 articles can be assessed automatically in the real-time approach.
Comparison of Response Scales as Measures of Indoor Environmental Perception in Combined Thermal and Acoustic Conditions
Authors: Yang Wonyoung , Moon Hyeun Jun , Jeon Jin Yong
Published: July 2019

Response scales are widely used to assess the personal experience of sensation and perception in built environments, and have a great impact on the quality of the responses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of response scales on human sensation and perception in moderate indoor environments. Four different response scales were compared under three room temperatures (19.0 °C, 24.5 °C, and 30.0 °C) and five acoustic stimuli (ambient noise, 42 and 61 dBA × water sounds and traffic noise): a bipolar seven-point scale according to ISO 10551:1995, a unipolar 11-point scale according to ISO/TS 15666:2003, these two scales combined for each sensory comfort assessment, and a bipolar visual analogue scale. The degree of relative differentiation based on indoor physical factors made no significant difference across the four response scales. Therefore, the effects of physical factors on human response could be assessed by using any of the four scales tested in this study, with a statistical significance at p < 0.05 in moderate environments. The choice of response scale would depend not only on the type of physical stimulus but also on the question of sensation or perception. The reliability of each response scale was different according to the subjective attributes. The bipolar visual analogue scale was subjectively preferred by the respondents.
Structural Monitoring and Performance Assessment of Shield Tunnels during the Operation Period, Based on Distributed Optical-Fiber Sensors
Authors: Wang Tao , Shi Bin , Zhu Yihuan
Published: July 2019

The weak parts of shield tunnels are not obvious, so it is urgently necessary to implement distributed monitoring based on an advanced sensing method. As the horizontal loads at both sides of the shield tunnel present a type of symmetric distribution, the deformation parameters under the vertical loads are often selected as the key monitored parameters, such as convergence, settlement, and seam opening. In this paper, the monitoring of the proposed deformation parameters is innovatively implemented with only one sensing technology, namely distributed optical-fiber strain sensing technology. First, the improved distributed optical-fiber sensors are introduced with the sensing performance. Second, a structural health monitoring (SHM) system for operational shield tunnels is proposed, including optical-fiber sensor installation, data logging and saving, key parameter analysis, and structural health assessment. The key monitoring theory and technology are also proposed. The proposed system has been verified by experiments at the Nanjing Yangtze River tunnel. In the experiments, the proposed optical-fiber sensors were installed on the surface of a selected tunnel ring, with a longitudinal span of approximately 90 m long. The experiments were conducted over 55 days to measure the distributed strain and temperature. Then the key parameters were obtained from the measurements, with which the structural health was assessed. The possibility that the shield tunnel SHM system can be constructed with the improved distributed optical-fiber sensors, monitoring theory, and technology is proven.
An Enhanced Optimization Scheme Based on Gradient Descent Methods for Machine Learning
Authors: Yi Dokkyun , Ji Sangmin , Bu Sunyoung
Published: July 2019

A The learning process of machine learning consists of finding values of unknown weights in a cost function by minimizing the cost function based on learning data. However, since the cost function is not convex, it is conundrum to find the minimum value of the cost function. The existing methods used to find the minimum values usually use the first derivative of the cost function. When even the local minimum (but not a global minimum) is reached, since the first derivative of the cost function becomes zero, the methods give the local minimum values, so that the desired global minimum cannot be found. To overcome this problem, in this paper we modified one of the existing schemes—the adaptive momentum estimation scheme—by adding a new term, so that it can prevent the new optimizer from staying at local minimum. The convergence condition for the proposed scheme and the convergence value are also analyzed, and further explained through several numerical experiments whose cost function is non-convex.
A Path-Planning Performance Comparison of RRT*-AB with MEA* in a 2-Dimensional Environment
Authors: Noreen Iram , Khan Amna , Asghar Khurshid , Habib Zulfiqar
Published: July 2019

With the advent of mobile robots in commercial applications, the problem of path-planning has acquired significant attention from the research community. An optimal path for a mobile robot is measured by various factors such as path length, collision-free space, execution time, and the total number of turns. MEA* is an efficient variation of A* for optimal path-planning of mobile robots. RRT*-AB is a sampling-based planner with rapid convergence rate, and improved time and space requirements than other sampling-based methods such as RRT*. The purpose of this paper is the review and performance comparison of these planners based on metrics, i.e., path length, execution time, and memory requirements. All planners are tested in structured and complex unstructured environments cluttered with obstacles. Performance plots and statistical analysis have shown that MEA* requires less memory and computational time than other planners. These advantages of MEA* make it suitable for off-line applications using small robots with constrained power and memory resources. Moreover, performance plots of path length of MEA* is comparable to RRT*-AB with less execution time in the 2D environment. However, RRT*-AB will outperform MEA* in high-dimensional problems because of its inherited suitability for complex problems.
Daphnia magna Exudates Impact Physiological and Metabolic Changes in Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Bojadzija Savic Gorenka , Edwards Christine , Briand Enora , Lawton Linda , Wiegand Claudia , Bormans Myriam
Published: July 2019

While the intracellular function of many toxic and bioactive cyanobacterial metabolites is not yet known, microcystins have been suggested to have a protective role in the cyanobacterial metabolism, giving advantage to toxic over nontoxic strains under stress conditions. The zooplankton grazer Daphnia reduce cyanobacterial dominance until a certain density, which may be supported by Daphnia exudates, affecting the cyanobacterial physiological state and metabolites’ production. Therefore, we hypothesized that D. magna spent medium will impact the production of cyanobacterial bioactive metabolites and affect cyanobacterial photosynthetic activity in the nontoxic, but not the toxic strain. Microcystin (MC-LR and des-MC-LR) producing M. aeruginosa PCC7806 and its non-microcystin producing mutant were exposed to spent media of different D. magna densities and culture durations. D. magna spent medium of the highest density (200/L) cultivated for the shortest time (24 h) provoked the strongest effect. D.magna spent medium negatively impacted the photosynthetic activity of M. aeruginosa PCC7806, as well as the dynamics of intracellular and extracellular cyanobacterial metabolites, while its mutant was unaffected. In the presence of Daphnia medium, microcystin does not appear to have a protective role for the strain. On the contrary, extracellular cyanopeptolin A increased in M. aeruginosa PCC7806 although the potential anti-grazing role of this compound would require further studies.
Ciguatera-Causing Dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus spp. (Dinophyceae) in a Subtropical Region of North Atlantic Ocean (Canary Islands): Morphological Characterization and Biogeography
Authors: Bravo Isabel , Rodriguez Francisco , Ramilo Isabel , Rial Pilar , Fraga Santiago
Published: July 2019

Dinoflagellates belonging to the genus Gambierdiscus produce ciguatoxins (CTXs), which are metabolized in fish to more toxic forms and subsequently cause ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) in humans. Five species of Gambierdiscus have been described from the Canary Islands, where CTXs in fish have been reported since 2004. Here we present new data on the distribution of Gambierdiscus species in the Canary archipelago and specifically from two islands, La Palma and La Gomera, where the genus had not been previously reported. Gambierdiscus spp. concentrations were low, with maxima of 88 and 29 cells·g−1 wet weight in samples from La Gomera and La Palma, respectively. Molecular analysis (LSUrRNA gene sequences) revealed differences in the species distribution between the two islands: only G. excentricus was detected at La Palma whereas four species, G. australes, G. caribaeus, G. carolinianus, and G. excentricus, were identified from La Gomera. Morphometric analyses of cultured cells of the five Canary Islands species and of field specimens from La Gomera included cell size and a characterization of three thecal arrangement traits: (1) the shape of the 2′ plate, (2) the position of Po in the anterior suture of the 2′ plate, and (3) the length–width relationship of the 2″″ plate. Despite the wide morphological variability within the culture and field samples, the use of two or more variables allowed the discrimination of two species in the La Gomera samples: G. cf. excentricus and G. cf. silvae. A comparison of the molecular data with the morphologically based classification demonstrated important coincidences, such as the dominance of G. excentricus, but also differences in the species composition of Gambierdiscus, as G. caribaeus was detected in the study area only by using molecular methods.
Comparative Analysis of Listeria monocytogenes Plasmids and Expression Levels of Plasmid-Encoded Genes during Growth under Salt and Acid Stress Conditions
Authors: Hingston Patricia , Brenner Thomas , Truelstrup Hansen Lisbeth , Wang Siyun
Published: July 2019

Listeria monocytogenes strains are known to harbour plasmids that confer resistance to sanitizers, heavy metals, and antibiotics; however, very little research has been conducted into how plasmids may influence L. monocytogenes’ ability to tolerate food-related stresses. To investigate this, a library (n = 93) of L. monocytogenes plasmid sequences were compared. Plasmid sequences were divided into two groups (G1 and G2) based on a repA phylogeny. Twenty-six unique plasmid types were observed, with 13 belonging to each of the two repA-based groups. G1 plasmids were significantly (p < 0.05) smaller than G2 plasmids but contained a larger diversity of genes. The most prevalent G1 plasmid (57,083 bp) was observed in 26 strains from both Switzerland and Canada and a variety of serotypes. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) revealed a >2-fold induction of plasmid-contained genes encoding an NADH peroxidase, cadmium ATPase, multicopper oxidase, and a ClpL chaperone protein during growth under salt (6% NaCl) and acid conditions (pH 5) and ProW, an osmolyte transporter, under salt stress conditions. No differences in salt and acid tolerance were observed between plasmid-cured and wildtype strains. This work highlights the abundance of specific plasmid types among food-related L. monocytogenes strains, the unique characteristics of G1 and G2 plasmids, and the possible contributions of plasmids to L. monocytogenes tolerance to food-related stresses.
Sclerostin as Regulatory Molecule in Vascular Media Calcification and the Bone–Vascular Axis
Authors: De Maré Annelies , Maudsley Stuart , Azmi Abdelkrim , Hendrickx Jhana O. , Opdebeeck Britt , Neven Ellen , D’Haese Patrick C , Verhulst Anja
Published: July 2019

Sclerostin is a well-known inhibitor of bone formation that acts on Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This manuscript considers the possible role of sclerostin in vascular calcification, a process that shares many similarities with physiological bone formation. Rats were exposed to a warfarin-containing diet to induce vascular calcification. Vascular smooth muscle cell transdifferentiation, vascular calcification grade, and bone histomorphometry were examined. The presence and/or production of sclerostin was investigated in serum, aorta, and bone. Calcified human aortas were investigated to substantiate clinical relevance. Warfarin-exposed rats developed vascular calcifications in a time-dependent manner which went along with a progressive increase in serum sclerostin levels. Both osteogenic and adipogenic pathways were upregulated in calcifying vascular smooth muscle cells, as well as sclerostin mRNA and protein levels. Evidence for the local vascular action of sclerostin was found both in human and rat calcified aortas. Warfarin exposure led to a mildly decreased bone and mineralized areas. Osseous sclerostin production and bone turnover did not change significantly. This study showed local production of sclerostin in calcified vessels, which may indicate a negative feedback mechanism to prevent further calcification. Furthermore, increased levels of serum sclerostin, probably originating from excessive local production in calcified vessels, may contribute to the linkage between vascular pathology and impaired bone mineralization.
Aflatoxin in Chili Peppers in Nigeria: Extent of Contamination and Control Using Atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus Genotypes as Biocontrol Agents
Authors: Ezekiel Chibundu N. , Ortega-Beltran Alejandro , Oyedeji Eniola O. , Atehnkeng Joseph , Kössler Philip , Tairu Folasade , Hoeschle-Zeledon Irmgard , Karlovsky Petr , Cotty Peter J. , Bandyopadhyay Ranajit
Published: July 2019

Across sub-Saharan Africa, chili peppers are fundamental ingredients of many traditional dishes. However, chili peppers may contain unsafe aflatoxin concentrations produced by Aspergillus section Flavi fungi. Aflatoxin levels were determined in chili peppers from three states in Nigeria. A total of 70 samples were collected from farmers’ stores and local markets. Over 25% of the samples contained unsafe aflatoxin concentrations. The chili peppers were associated with both aflatoxin producers and atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus genotypes. Efficacy of an atoxigenic biocontrol product, Aflasafe, registered in Nigeria for use on maize and groundnut, was tested for chili peppers grown in three states. Chili peppers treated with Aflasafe accumulated significantly less aflatoxins than nontreated chili peppers. The results suggest that Aflasafe is a valuable tool for the production of safe chili peppers. Use of Aflasafe in chili peppers could reduce human exposure to aflatoxins and increase chances to commercialize chili peppers in premium local and international markets. This is the first report of the efficacy of any atoxigenic biocontrol product for controlling aflatoxin in a spice crop.
Mycotoxin Contamination of Edible Non-Timber Forest Products in Cameroon
Authors: Djeugap Joseph Fovo , Ghimire Sita , Wanjuki Immaculate , Muiruri Anne , Harvey Jagger
Published: July 2019

The prevalence and concentrations of three major mycotoxins, total aflatoxin (AFs), fumonisin (F), and zearalenone (ZEN), were determined on seven edible non-timber forest products (ENTFP) in Cameroon. A total of 210 samples consiting of 30 samples from each ENTFP commodity was collected from farmers and local markets in three agroecological zones of Cameroon and analyzed for moisture content and mycotoxins. Mycotoxins were analyzed using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and results were validated using the VICAM fluorometric method. The European Union regulation of mycotoxins for human consumption (N°1881/2006) was adopted as reference. The moisture content of samples varied from 5.0% to 22.6%. Aflatoxin contamination was detected in 84.3% samples and only 5.7% exceeded the legal limit (10 ppb). Similarly, 53% of samples were contaminated with fumonisin and 5% of samples exceeded the legal limit (1000 ppb). Zearalenone contamination was detected in 92% of samples and 21% of samples exceeded the legal limit (100 ppb). This is the first report on mycotoxin contamination of ENTFP in the Congo Basin forest. The findings of this study will form a basis for educating farmers and other stakeholders of ENTFP values chain on mycotoxins and mycotoxin mitigation measures to produce safe ENTFP for local and international markets.
The String Theory Landscape
Authors: Douglas Michael R.
Published: July 2019

String/M theory is formulated in 10 and 11 space-time dimensions; in order to describe our universe, we must postulate that six or seven of the spatial dimensions form a small compact manifold. In 1985, Candelas et al. showed that by taking the extra dimensions to be a Calabi–Yau manifold, one could obtain the grand unified theories which had previously been postulated as extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics. Over the years since, many more such compactifications were found. In the early 2000s, progress in nonperturbative string theory enabled computing the approximate effective potential for many compactifications, and it was found that they have metastable local minima with small cosmological constant. Thus, string/M theory appears to have many vacuum configurations which could describe our universe. By combining results on these vacua with a measure factor derived using the theory of eternal inflation, one gets a theoretical framework which realizes earlier ideas about the multiverse, including the anthropic solution to the cosmological constant problem. We review these arguments and some of the criticisms, with their implications for the prediction of low energy supersymmetry and hidden matter sectors, as well as recent work on a variation on eternal inflation theory motivated by computational complexity considerations.
Bike Station Suitability on University Campus Using Origin–Destination Matrix—A Morgan State University Case Study
Authors: Khadem Nashid K. , Kabir Md Muhib , Banerjee Snehanshu , Jeihani Mansoureh
Published: July 2019

In contemporary times, bike sharing programs are gaining importance as an influential transportation mode in both urban and rural areas. They are also used as a vital transportation mode on university campuses which serve as a healthy and environmentally-friendly transportation system. However, having an appropriate location for a bike station is important, so as to maximize the benefits of the service. This study used an origin–destination (O-D) matrix to identify appropriate bike station locations at the Morgan State University campus. The O-D matrix analysis identifies three locations Cumming Hall/University Health Center, Rawling Hall, and Center for Built Environment and Infrastructure Studies as the most appropriate locations to start a pilot, which will serve most of the campus (students, faculty, staff) and connect them to the maximum number of facilities at Morgan State University. The O-D matrix takes into account the occupancy or population of individual buildings based on enrollment over the past four years, the distance to the center of the campus where maximum facilities including the graduate and undergraduate offices are located, and the frequency of the university shuttle connecting most of the buildings. This methodology can be replicated and used on other university campuses and will help further bike sharing programs.
Feline Foamy Virus Infection: Characterization of Experimental Infection and Prevalence of Natural Infection in Domestic Cats with and without Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Ledesma-Feliciano Carmen , Troyer Ryan M. , Zheng Xin , Miller Craig , Cianciolo Rachel , Bordicchia Matteo , Dannemiller Nicholas , Gagne Roderick , Beatty Julia , Quimby Jessica , Löchelt Martin , VandeWoude Sue
Published: July 2019

Foamy viruses (FVs) are globally prevalent retroviruses that establish apparently apathogenic lifelong infections. Feline FV (FFV) has been isolated from domestic cats with concurrent diseases, including urinary syndromes. We experimentally infected five cats with FFV to study viral kinetics and tropism, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) phenotype, urinary parameters, and histopathology. A persistent infection of primarily lymphoid tropism was detected with no evidence of immunological or hematologic perturbations. One cat with a significant negative correlation between lymphocytes and PBMC proviral load displayed an expanded FFV tissue tropism. Significantly increased blood urea nitrogen and ultrastructural kidney changes were noted in all experimentally infected cats, though chemistry parameters were not outside of normal ranges. Histopathological changes were observed in the brain, large intestine, and other tissues. In order to determine if there is an association of FFV with Chronic Kidney Disease, we additionally screened 125 Australian pet cats with and without CKD for FFV infection and found that FFV is highly prevalent in older cats, particularly in males with CKD, though this difference was not statistically significant compared to controls. Acute FFV infection was clinically silent, and while some measures indicated mild changes, there was no overt association of FFV infection with renal disease.
MERS Coronavirus: An Emerging Zoonotic Virus
Authors: Li Fang , Du Lanying
Published: July 2019

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging virus that was first reported in humans in June 2012 [...]
Human Cytomegalovirus Cell Tropism and Host Cell Receptors
Authors: Gerna Giuseppe , Kabanova Anna , Lilleri Daniele
Published: July 2019

In the 1970s–1980s, a striking increase in the number of disseminated human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections occurred in immunosuppressed patient populations. Autopsy findings documented the in vivo disseminated infection (besides fibroblasts) of epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. As a result, multiple diagnostic assays, such as quantification of HCMV antigenemia (pp65), viremia (infectious virus), and DNAemia (HCMV DNA) in patient blood, were developed. In vitro experiments showed that only low passage or endothelial cell-passaged clinical isolates, and not laboratory-adapted strains, could reproduce both HCMV leuko- and endothelial cell-tropism, which were found through genetic analysis to require the three viral genes UL128, UL130, and UL131 of the HCMV UL128 locus (UL128L). Products of this locus, together with gH/gL, were shown to form the gH/gL/pUL128L pentamer complex (PC) required for infection of epithelial cells/endothelial cells, whereas gH/gL and gO form the gH/gL/gO trimer complex (TC) required for infection of all cell types. In 2016, following previous work, a receptor for the TC that mediates entry into fibroblasts was identified as PDGFRα, while in 2018, a receptor for the PC that mediates entry into endothelial/epithelial cells was identified as neuropilin2 (Nrp2). Furthermore, the olfactory receptor family member OR14I1 was recently identified as a possible additional receptor for the PC in epithelial cells. Thus, current data support two models of viral entry: (i) in fibroblasts, following interaction of PDGFRα with TC, the latter activates gB to fuse the virus envelope with the cell membrane, whereas (ii) in epithelial cells/endothelial cells, interaction of Nrp2 (and OR14I1) with PC promotes endocytosis of virus particles, followed by gB activation by gH/gL/gO (or gH/gL) and final low-pH entry into the cell.
Analysis of Long-Term Trends of Annual and Seasonal Rainfall in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Mulugeta Solomon , Fedler Clifford , Ayana Mekonen
Published: July 2019

With climate change prevailing around the world, understanding the changes in long-term annual and seasonal rainfall at local scales is very important in planning for required adaptation measures. This is especially true for areas such as the Awash River basin where there is very high dependence on rain- fed agriculture characterized by frequent droughts and subsequent famines. The aim of the study is to analyze long-term trends of annual and seasonal rainfall in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia. Monthly rainfall data extracted from Climatic Research Unit (CRU 4.01) dataset for 54 grid points representing the entire basin were aggregated to find the respective areal annual and seasonal rainfall time series for the entire basin and its seven sub-basins. The Mann-Kendall (MK) test and Sen Slope estimator were applied to the time series for detecting the trends and for estimating the rate of change, respectively. The Statistical software package R version 3.5.2 was used for data extraction, data analyses, and plotting. Geographic information system (GIS) package was also used for grid making, site selection, and mapping. The results showed that no significant trend (at α = 0.05) was identified in annual rainfall in all sub-basins and over the entire basin in the period (1902 to 2016). However, the results for seasonal rainfall are mixed across the study areas. The summer rainfall (June through September) showed significant decreasing trend (at α ≤ 0.1) over five of the seven sub-basins at a rate varying from 4 to 7.4 mm per decade but it showed no trend over the two sub-basins. The autumn rainfall (October through January) showed no significant trends over four of the seven sub-basins but showed increasing trends over three sub-basins at a rate varying from 2 to 5 mm per decade. The winter rainfall (February through May) showed no significant trends over four sub-basins but showed significant increasing trends (at α ≤ 0.1) over three sub-basins at a rate varying from 0.6 to 2.7 mm per decade. At the basin level, the summer rainfall showed a significant decreasing trend (at α = 0.05) while the autumn and winter rainfall showed no significant trends. In addition, shift in some amount of summer rainfall to winter and autumn season was noticed. It is evident that climate change has shown pronounced effects on the trends and patterns of seasonal rainfall. Thus, the study contribute to better understanding of climate change in the basin and the information from the study can be used in planning for adaptation measures against a changing climate.
Seepage Comprehensive Evaluation of Concrete Dam Based on Grey Cluster Analysis
Authors: Li Junjie , Chen Xudong , Gu Chongshi , Huo Zhongyan
Published: July 2019

Most concrete dams have seepage problems to some degree, so it is a common strategy to maintain ongoing monitoring and take timely repair measures. In order to grasp the real operation state of dam seepage, it is vital to analyze the measured data of each monitoring indicator and establish an appropriate prediction equation. However, dam seepage states under the load and environmental influences are very complicated, involving various monitoring indicators and multiple monitoring points of each indicator. For the purpose of maintaining the temporal continuity and spatial correlation of monitoring objects, this paper used a multi-indicator grey clustering analysis model to explore the grey correlation among various indicators, and realized a comprehensive evaluation of a dam seepage state by computation of the clustering coefficient. The case study shows that the proposed method can be successfully applied to the health monitoring of concrete dam seepage.
Improving Yield and Quality of Processing Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller) Using Alternate Partial Root-Zone Drip Irrigation in Arid Northwest China
Authors: Zhao Di , Wang Zhenhua , Zhang Jinzhu , Li Wenhao , Zhou Bo
Published: July 2019

Processing tomato is one of the most important economic crops in Xinjiang, China, which was constrained with severe water shortage and extreme arid climate. Alternate partial root-zone irrigation (APRI) may provide an effective way to increase irrigation water use efficiency (iWUE) without yield reduction. However, limited studies concerned about applying APRI in processing tomato plantation have been done, especially combined with drip irrigation to further control the irrigation and improve iWUE. Therefore, the two-year pot experiments were conducted to study the effects of different irrigation treatments, including three APRI treatments (irrigation quota of 67.5, 51.6, and 43.7 mm, respectively), fixed partial root-zoon drip irrigation (FPRI, 67.5 mm) and conventional drip irrigation (CDI, 67.5 mm). The results indicated that APRI was an appropriate irrigation method in processing tomato plantation in arid desert area such as Xinjiang, as high irrigation quota of APRI (APRIH) significantly improved its yield without fruit quality reduction in comparison with those of CDI. However, the yield without fruit quality of FPRI significantly decreased. Even if the irrigation quota of APRI decreased to the medium level (APRIM, 51.6 mm), iWUE by increased 31.8–32.7% on the contrary, as irrigation water was saved by 23.6%; while keeping the yield and fruit quality. Therefore, APRIM is recommended for processing tomato plantation in arid northwest China, to increase plant growth, fruit quality, yield, and iWUE synergistically.
Assessing the Self-Purification Capacity of Surface Waters in Lake Baikal Watershed
Authors: Semenov Mikhail Yu. , Semenov Yuri M. , Silaev Anton V. , Begunova Larisa A.
Published: July 2019

The removal of trace metals (TM), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), mineral nitrogen (Nmin.), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the water of Lake Baikal and its tributaries was evaluated. The contaminant removal rate (CRR) and the contaminant removal capacity (CRC) were used as water self-purification parameters. The CRR was calculated as the difference between contaminant mass flow rates at downstream and upstream gauging stations. The CRC was calculated as the quotient of the CRR and the change in water discharge between downstream and upstream gauging stations. Whether the CRR and CRC have positive or negative values depends on whether contaminant release or removal occurs in the water body. The CRR depends on the size of the water body. The lowest and the highest CRRs observed for Baikal were equal to −15 mg/s (PAHs) to −7327 g/s (DOC), whereas the highest PAH and DOC removal rates observed for Selenga River (the major Baikal tributary) in summer were equal to −9 mg/s and −3190 g/s correspondingly. The highest PAH and DOC removal rates observed for small tributaries were equal to 0.0004 mg/s and −0.7 g/s respectively. The amplitude of annual CRR oscillations depends on contaminant abundance. The highest amplitude was typical for most abundant contaminants such as Nmin. and DOC. In unpolluted sections of the Selenga River the highest rates of N and C removal (−85 g/s and −3190 g/s, respectively) were observed in summer and the lowest rates (4 g/s and 3869 g/s, respectively) were observed in the spring. The lowest amplitude was typical for PAHs and some low-abundance TM such as V and Ni. The highest summer rates of V and Ni removal were equal to −378 mg/s and −155 mg/s respectively, whereas lowest spring rates are equal to 296 mg/s and 220 mg/s. The intermediate CRR amplitudes were typical for most abundant TM such as Sr, Al, and Fe. The spatial CRR variability depends on water chemistry and the presence of pollution sources. The lowest (up to 38 g/s) rates of Nmin. removal was observed for polluted lower Selenga sections characterized by low water mineralization and high DOC concentrations. The highest rates (−85 g/s) were observed for unpolluted upper sections. Seepage loss from the river to groundwater was also recognized as an important means of contaminant removal. The CRC values depend mostly on water residence time. The DOC removing capacity value of Baikal (−26 g/m3) were lower than those of Selenga in summer (−35 g/m3) but higher than the CRCs of all tributaries during the other seasons (from 30 mg/m3 to −10 g/m3).
Identifying a Suitable Model for Low-Flow Simulation in Watersheds of South-Central Chile: A Study Based on a Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Parra Víctor , Arumí Jose Luis , Muñoz Enrique
Published: July 2019

Choosing a model that suitably represents the characteristics of a watershed to simulate low flows is crucial, especially in watersheds whose main source of baseflow generation depends on groundwater storage and release. The goal of this investigation is to study the performance and representativeness of storage-release process modeling, considering aspects such as the topography and geology of the modeled watershed through regional sensitivity analysis, in order to improve low-flow prediction. To this end, four groundwater storage-release structures in various watersheds with different geological (fractured and sedimentary rock) and topographic domains (steep and gentle slopes) were analyzed. The results suggest that the two-reservoir structure with three runoff responses is suitable (better) for simulating low flows in watersheds with fractured geological characteristics and rugged or steep topography. The results also indicate that a one-reservoir model can be adequate for predicting low flows in watersheds with a sedimentary influence or flat topography.
Low-End Probabilistic Sea-Level Projections
Authors: Le Cozannet Gonéri , Thiéblemont Rémi , Rohmer Jeremy , Idier Déborah , Manceau Jean-Charles , Quique Robin
Published: July 2019

In the area of sea-level rise, recent research has focused on assessing either likely or high end future sea levels, but less attention has been given to “low-end” sea-level projections, exploring best-case potential sea-level changes and providing the basis for estimating minimum adaptation needs. Here, we provide global and regional probabilistic sea-level projections using conservative projections of glaciers and ice-sheets melting and a selection of models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) delivering moderate thermal expansion. Our low-end sea-level projections are higher than previously estimated because they rely on modeling outcomes only, and do not add any expert judgement, aiming essentially at delivering more realistic upper tails. While there are good reasons to believe that our projections are excessively optimistic, they can be used as low-end sea-level projections in order to inform users with low aversion to uncertainty. Our low-end sea-level projection exceeds 0.5 m along most inhabited coasts by 2100 for business as usual greenhouse gas emissions (RCP8.5), which is relevant for adaptation practitioners as long as efficient climate change mitigation policies are not implemented. This means that without efficient climate mitigation, an acceleration of sea-level rise can hardly be avoided during the 21st century.
Net Fisheries’ Métiers in the Eastern Mediterranean: Insights for Small-Scale Fishery Management on Kalymnos Island
Authors: Roditi Kyriakoula , Vafidis Dimitris
Published: July 2019

Small-scale fisheries constitute an important component of coastal human societies. The present study describes the small-scale net fisheries on Kalymnos Island (south-east Aegean Sea) that harbors the largest small-scale fleet in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. In addition, this study aims to evaluate their characteristics and economics. Relevant métiers were identified through a multivariate analysis by inputting the main resources and fishing gear data that were recorded during landings. Four main practices were observed being used as fishing gears, gillnets and trammel nets, targeting the species Mullus barbatus, Boops boops, Mullus surmuletus, Scorpaena porcus, and Sepia officinalis. Further analysis, which incorporated data concerning the type of the gear used, revealed 11 distinct métiers. Most of these métiers are practiced by other Mediterranean small-scale fisheries as well, in terms of target species, gear and seasonality. However, the métier that had its target species as B.boops is not practiced in other Mediterranean small-scale fisheries. The seasonal rotation of métiers was determined by the availability of different species rather than their market price. The results revealed the difference in fishing practice used by the fishermen in the study area compared to other fishing practices in the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, the fishermen of this study area targeted more species (B.boops) with a very low market price. They also provided essential information for the development and implementation of management plans aiming at the sustainability of small-scale fisheries.
Assessing Reclaimed Urban Wastewater for Reuse in Agriculture: Technical and Economic Concerns for Mediterranean Regions
Authors: Giannoccaro Giacomo , Arborea Stefania , de Gennaro Bernardo C. , Iacobellis Vito , Piccinni A. Ferruccio
Published: July 2019

Direct reuse of treated wastewater can offer a realistic supply alternative for irrigation in Mediterranean areas. In this study, we conducted a spatial cost-benefit analysis to quantify and locate the volume of technically and economically feasible and readily available reclaimed urban wastewater. We considered the case of Puglia (Italy) and the results are discussed in terms of the implications for policy-making and pointing out future research needs. The results showed that the main technical barrier is the shortness of the irrigation season. On the other hand, the main economic concern is related to filtration followed by lack of conveyance systems. While our results are based on estimates, future research should try to include practical experiments based on actual data. Further research should also address the issue of transaction costs by establishing the obligations of wastewater treatment plants to deliver reclaimed water to farmers.