bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indicator Layers Based on Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer (EVA) and Dicyanovinyl Azobenzene Dyes for Fast and Selective Evaluation of Vaporous Biogenic Amines
Authors: Mastnak Tinkara , Lobnik Aleksandra , Mohr Gerhard J. , Finšgar Matjaž
Published: December 2018

The article presents naked-eye methods for fast, sensitive, and selective detection of isopentylamine and cadaverine vapours based on 4-N,N-dioctylamino-4′-dicyanovinylazobenzene (CR-528) and 4-N,N-dioctylamino-2′-nitro-4′-dicyanovinylazobenzene (CR-555) dyes immobilized in ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). The reaction of CR-528/EVA and CR-555/EVA indicator layers with isopentylamine vapours caused a vivid colour change from pink/purple to yellow/orange-yellow. Additionally, CR-555/EVA showed colour changes upon exposure to cadaverine. The colour changes were analysed by ultraviolet–visible (UV/VIS) molecular absorption spectroscopy for amine quantification, and the method was partially validated for the detection limit, sensitivity, and linear concentration range. The lowest detection limits were reached with CR-555/EVA indicator layers (0.41 ppm for isopentylamine and 1.80 ppm for cadaverine). The indicator layers based on EVA and dicyanovinyl azobenzene dyes complement the existing library of colorimetric probes for the detection of biogenic amines and show great potential for food quality control.
Integrating Moving Platforms in a SLAM Agorithm for Pedestrian Navigation
Authors: Kaiser Susanna , Lang Christopher
Published: December 2018

In 3D pedestrian indoor navigation applications, position estimation based on inertial measurement units (IMUss) fails when moving platforms (MPs), such as escalators and elevators, are not properly implemented. In this work, we integrate the MPs in an upper 3D-simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithm which is cascaded to the pedestrian dead-reckoning (PDR) technique. The step and heading measurements resulting from the PDR are fed to the SLAM that additionally estimates a map of the environment during the walk in order to reduce the remaining drift. For integrating MPs, we present a new proposal function for the particle filter implementation of the SLAM to account for the presence of MPs. In addition, a new weighting function for features such as escalators and elevators is developed and the features are learned and stored in the learned map. With this, locations of MPs are favored when revisiting the MPs again. The results show that the mean height error is about 0.1 m and the mean position error is less than 1 m for walks with long distances along the floors, even when using multiple floor level changes with different numbers of floors in a multistory environment. For walks with short walking distances and many floor level changes, the mean height error can be higher (about 0.5 m). The final floor number is in all cases except one correctly estimated.
A Hybrid CNN–LSTM Algorithm for Online Defect Recognition of CO2 Welding
Authors: Liu Tianyuan , Bao Jinsong , Wang Junliang , Zhang Yiming
Published: December 2018

At present, realizing high-quality automatic welding through online monitoring is a research focus in engineering applications. In this paper, a CNN–LSTM algorithm is proposed, which combines the advantages of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and long short-term memory networks (LSTMs). The CNN–LSTM algorithm establishes a shallow CNN to extract the primary features of the molten pool image. Then the feature tensor extracted by the CNN is transformed into the feature matrix. Finally, the rows of the feature matrix are fed into the LSTM network for feature fusion. This process realizes the implicit mapping from molten pool images to welding defects. The test results on the self-made molten pool image dataset show that CNN contributes to the overall feasibility of the CNN–LSTM algorithm and LSTM network is the most superior in the feature hybrid stage. The algorithm converges at 300 epochs and the accuracy of defects detection in CO2 welding molten pool is 94%. The processing time of a single image is 0.067 ms, which fully meets the real-time monitoring requirement based on molten pool image. The experimental results on the MNIST and FashionMNIST datasets show that the algorithm is universal and can be used for similar image recognition and classification tasks.
Assessing Corporate Sustainability with the Enterprise Sustainability Evaluation Tool (E-SET)
Authors: Zenya Aarcha , Nystad Øystein
Published: December 2018

Implementing a sustainable business strategy entails assessment of corporate sustainability. In this communication, the Enterprise Sustainability Evaluation Tool (E-SET) is presented and its importance is illustrated. E-SET was developed using the indicators from six global sustainability reporting frameworks and the programming language R. The platform, which can be used for self-assessment and comparison purposes, will provide a comprehensible sustainability score and its graphical representation. Although different sector-specific indicators are proposed in existing literature, E-SET, which is intended to promote sustainability in business practices, incorporates indicators relevant to the three pillars of sustainability. The free and easy tool is expected to help managers of all industries assess their companies, and, based on the results, they would be able to judge their sustainability standing and take remedial steps founded upon the low-scoring sustainability elements. Wider adoption of E-SET will help firms to contribute significantly to national sustainability goals.
Consumer Preferences for Superfood Ingredients—the Case of Bread in Germany
Authors: Meyerding Stephan G.H. , Kürzdörfer Annemone , Gassler Birgit
Published: December 2018

Although there is no legal definition of the word ‘superfood’, in recent years exotic foods and ingredients have become popular in German food retailers. The aim of the study was to determine consumer preferences for superfood ingredients in different types of bread; to accomplish this, a choice experiment was set up with a representative sample of 503 German consumers. Respondents had to choose between products with varying attributes such as type of bread, superfood ingredient, nutritional information, production method, durability, and price. The results indicate that consumers value bread that serves a functional purpose through superfood ingredients such as linseed or chia. Using latent class segmentation, the respondents were divided into four segments, of which three groups valued bread with superfood ingredients. All in all, the type of bread is the most important factor when choosing a bread. Further market research could take into account different types of superfoods (processed/unprocessed), as well as regional deviations in Germany and the EU member states to analyze differences regarding the market potential of staple foods such as bread that serve a functional purpose through superfood ingredients.
Dynamic Comprehensive Benefit Evaluation of the Transnational Power Grid Interconnection Project Based on Combination Weighting and TOPSIS Grey Projection Method
Authors: Li Jinying , Xu Jiaming , Tan Xin
Published: December 2018

With the rapid development of the global economy, the interconnection of power grids has become an objective law and a trend of the power industry development. The implementation of power grid interconnection projects, especially transnational power grid interconnection projects, will bring us substantial benefits. To demonstrate these benefits comprehensively, we designed a comprehensive evaluation index system with multiple international engineering characteristics. The index system takes the influencing factors of economic, social, environmental and technical benefits into account. In order to improve the rigidity and power of weight determination, we proposed the least squares method which combines the order relation method and the factor analysis method. Furthermore, the limitation of the one-way evaluation was effectively overcome by combining TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution), grey relation analysis method and vector projection method. In addition, we adjusted the potential impact of the time on evaluation by using the quadratic weighted algorithm, so that we can dynamically evaluate the comprehensive benefits. Finally, we verified the established index system and evaluation model through an example of eight different investment plans of a transnational high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission project. Altogether, results from this paper will provide a guidance reference and decision support for the grid corporation to invest in transnational power grid interconnection projects.
Comprehensive Analysis of Nitrogen Deposition in Urban Ecosystem: A Case Study of Xiamen City, China
Authors: Shi Longyu , Zhang Miao , Zhang Yajing , Yang Bin , Sun Huaping , Xu Tong
Published: December 2018

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition can supply nitrogen for ecosystems while posing a serious threat to ecological security. An assessment of the ecological risks caused by atmospheric nitrogen deposition is critical for urban sustainable development. Based on “Ecological Risk Analysis” and the “Driver-Pressure-State-Response (DPSR) framework,” this paper established a comprehensive ecological risk assessment model and assessed the ecological risk of nitrogen deposition in Xiamen City, China. The results showed that the risk from nitrogen deposition to the forest ecosystem is high due to the impact of nitrogen deposition on the residual rate of litter and survival rate of seedlings. The risks to freshwater and marine ecosystems were determined to be high and moderate, respectively, due to the promotion of eutrophication by nitrogen. The risk to farm ecosystems was low due to the impact on weeds. The proportion of high-risk areas in Xiamen City was 37.1%. Among the districts of Xiamen City, Tong’an and Xiang’an had the highest proportion of high-risk areas (48%) and low-risk areas (31.8%), respectively.
Co-Evolution of the University Technology Transfer: Towards a Sustainability-Oriented Industry: Evidence from Italy
Authors: Paniccia Paola M. A. , Baiocco Silvia
Published: December 2018

Industry is continuously evolving, reflecting changes in society. An important aspect of this evolution concerns how new digital technologies are used and their effects on innovation and sustainability. Thus, the relationship between university, industry, and government grows stronger, shifting the focus on technology transfer processes from university to industry, at local and national levels. To increase our understanding of how these processes take place, more theoretical and empirical research is required. This paper aims to respond to this call by examining the university technology transfer through a co-evolutionary approach. The study analyses the dynamics of the relationships at different organisational levels within universities able to create sustainability-oriented innovative university spin-offs and start-ups, through the Italian National Innovation Award case. The findings show that the creation of these spin-offs and start-ups are the result of effective multi-level co-evolutionary adaptations within universities, and among university, industry and government. The article contributes to the further understanding of the management of technology transfer by combining some elements from the literature about the co-evolution of social organisations and their environment with some elements from the Triple Helix model of innovation. Moreover, both theoretical and managerial implications emerge, together with suggestions for future research.
Role of Local Action Groups in Improving the Sense of Belonging of Local Communities with Their Territories
Authors: Menconi Maria Elena , Artemi Sara , Borghi Piero , Grohmann David
Published: December 2018

The perception of the landscape by the population is one of the themes introduced by the European Landscape Convention. Perception is the key to the integration between human and territorial activities, and between economic development and sustainability. Local Action Groups (LAGs) are groups with territorial boundaries, established by the European Common Agricultural Policy for implementing local development strategies by awarding grants to local projects. The aim of this work is the development of a method for evaluating the ability of the LAGs to enhance the sense of belonging of the population with their territories. The developed method includes identification of those natural, agricultural, historical, and cultural resources for which people feel a sense of belonging, and evaluation of the same through a comprehensive multivariate statistical analysis. This paper reports the results of the statistical analysis of the rankings of local landscapes made by 330 residents of an Italian LAG on the basis of their sense of belonging with them. People showed that the community of the studied LAG does not recognize itself in the typical crops of the entire area, and the attachment to minor historical centres scattered in the territory remains the prerogative of the individual municipalities. The results of this method could be used as a performance indicator for a local plan, in respect to the creation of a shared perception of the local area.
The Influence of the Built Environment on School Children’s Metro Ridership: An Exploration Using Geographically Weighted Poisson Regression Models
Authors: Liu Yang , Ji Yanjie , Shi Zhuangbin , Gao Liangpeng
Published: December 2018

Long-distance school commuting is a key aspect of students’ choice of car travel. For cities lacking school buses, the metro and car are the main travel modes used by students who have a long travel distance between home and school. Therefore, encouraging students to commute using the metro can effectively reduce household car use caused by long-distance commuting to school. This paper explores metro ridership at the station level for trips to school and return trips to home in Nanjing, China by using smart card data. In particular, a global Poisson regression model and geographically weighted Poisson regression (GWPR) models were used to examine the effects of the built environment on students’ metro ridership. The results indicate that the GWPR models provide superior performance for both trips to school and return trips to home. Spatial variations exist in the relationship between the built environment and students’ metro ridership across metro stations. Built environments around metro stations, including commercial-oriented land use; the density of roads, parking lots, and bus stations; the number of docks at bikeshare stations; and the shortest distance between bike stations and metro stations have different impacts on students’ metro ridership. The results have important implications for proposing relevant policies to guide students who are being driven to school to travel by metro instead.
Montenegro’s Road to Sustainable Tourism Growth and Innovation
Authors: Cerović Smolović Julija , Janketić Sanja , Jaćimović Danijela , Bučar Maja , Stare Metka
Published: December 2018

Tourism is the most important export sector in Montenegro, with a share of 22% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a strong tendency toward growth. Tourism revenues contribute substantially to both the current account balance and employment. However, the current level of the tourist sector suffers from serious limitations. The switch from the current approach to tourism in Montenegro to a more sustainable tourism is only possible by becoming more innovative. Highlighting the importance of innovation in all its forms has been the motivation for our research. The application of the organizational, marketing, and design innovations of the Montenegrin tourism industry actors was examined in a survey, based on the Community Innovation Survey (CIS), with some necessary adaptations. The sample covered more than 70% of available tourism actors. The authors also analysed the experience from Slovenia, in particular the Slovenian example of the Bank of Tourism Potentials, finding this innovation potentially suitable for transfer to Montenegro. Based on the survey and analysis, the team designed certain recommendations for policy action that can be used as guidelines for policy makers.
Car Sharers’ Interest in Integrated Multimodal Mobility Platforms: A Diffusion of Innovations Perspective
Authors: Keller Ellis , Aguilar Andrea , Hanss Daniel
Published: December 2018

Integrated multimodal mobility (IMM) platforms are being discussed as a promising solution to facilitate the transition to sustainable transport in both urban and rural areas. The idea behind such platforms is to provide a one-stop-shop offering information, booking and payment options for multiple means of transport. The aim of this paper, based on diffusion of innovations theory (DoI), is to investigate the interest in IMM platforms, as well as the factors in potential user groups that may influence the intention to use them. A sample of 711 car-sharing users responded to an online questionnaire containing items on DoI variables, as well as on the specific requirements concerning IMM platforms. The results show that few members of car-sharing schemes have used IMM platforms before, but that the interest in them is generally high. Perceived advantage and personal compatibility show the strongest associations with the intention to adopt IMM platforms followed by innovativeness, observability of use (social visibility of the innovation) and perceived technology security. Additionally, a target group was defined for the efficient and effective promotion of IMM platforms in an early market phase. Measures to promote IMM platforms were suggested based on this group’s perceptions and their specific requirements.
Management Strategies of Thermal Environment in Urban Area Using the Cooling Function of the Mountains: A Case Study of the Honam Jeongmaek Areas in South Korea
Authors: Son Jeong-Min , Eum Jeong-Hee , Kim Dong-Pil , Kwon Jino
Published: December 2018

The aim of this study is to suggest planning strategies for managing comfortable thermal environments in urban areas by local cold air generated in mountains, which finally contributes to making sustainable and eco-friendly cities. For this purpose, we selected urban areas in the Honam Jeongmaek in Korea and analyzed the nighttime cold airflow and altitude of the cold air layer generated in mountains, by using the KALM (Kaltluftabflussmodell) model which calculates the amount of cold air generated during the nighttime without winds. The results of analysis found that the local airflows generated in Mt. Chuwol, Mt. Mudeung, Mt. Cheonun, Mt. Byeongpung and Mt. Geum influenced the entire study site from across Gwangju Metropolitan City to adjacent areas. Therefore, the mountains generated major cold airflows should be designated as the management area for securing cooling function. As a result of detailed analysis, most developed areas, such as Buk-gu, Seo-gu and Nam-gu, as well as industrial areas, did not have a smooth flow, so management strategies were needed. In particular, Mt. Mudeung and Mt. Cheonun were the source areas of the local cold air generation and the generated flows from the mountains could influence into developed areas of Gwangju Metropolitan City. Thus, thorough preservation policies are required for Mt. Mudeung and Mt. Cheonun from development that causes damages to mountainous terrain and topography. This study could support the establishment of systematic management plans of the Honam Jeongmaek in preparation for climate change. In addition, it is expected to be used to develop policies related to the quantitative expansion of mountain areas with cooling functions and the conservation of sustainable mountain areas.
Properties of Biochar from Anaerobically Digested Food Waste and Its Potential Use in Phosphorus Recovery and Soil Amendment
Authors: Alghashm Shakib , Qian Shiying , Hua Yinfeng , Wu Jian , Zhang Haitao , Chen Weihua , Shen Guoqing
Published: December 2018

The disposal of a large amount of biogas residue from anaerobically digested food waste is a burden for biogas production. The aim of this work was to investigate biogas residue as a potential feedstock, by preparing biochar at a broad pyrolysis temperature range of 400–900 °C. The properties required for phosphorus recovery and soil amendment application were evaluated. Biogas residue collected from an urban food waste treatment plant was pyrolyzed in a laboratory scale reactor. It was found that by increasing the pyrolysis temperature, the yield of biochar decreased and the pH, electrical conductivity and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area increased. The amount of phosphorus adsorbed onto the biogas residue-derived biochar (BRB) at 900 °C was larger than that of other kinds of biochar. The kinetics of phosphorus (P) adsorption on BRB could be described by the pseudo-second-order equation. The pot experiments showed that the resulting biochar is beneficial for the growth of cabbage. Overall, turning solid residue from the anaerobic digestion of food waste for biogas production into biochar shows good prospects as a means of solving the disposal problem, while creating new markets for food waste biogas residue.
Composition and Activity of the Board of Directors: Impact on ESG Performance in the Banking System
Authors: Birindelli Giuliana , Dell’Atti Stefano , Iannuzzi Antonia Patrizia , Savioli Marco
Published: December 2018

A growing body of research suggests that the composition of a firm’s board of directors can influence its environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. In the banking industry, ESG performance has not yet been explored to discover how a critical mass of women on the board of directors affects performance. This paper seeks to fill this gap in the literature by testing the impact of a critical mass of female directors on ESG performance. Other board characteristics are accounted for: independence, size, frequency of meetings and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) committee. We use fixed effects panel regression models on a sample of 108 listed banks in Europe and the United States for the period 2011–2016. Our main empirical evidence shows that the relationship between women on the board of directors and a bank’s ESG performance is an inverted U-shape. Therefore, the critical mass theory for banks is not supported, confirming that only gender-balanced boards positively impact a bank’s performance for sustainability. There is a positive link between ESG performance and board size or the presence of a CSR committee, while it is negative with the share of independent directors. With this work, we stress the key role of corporate governance principles in banks’ ESG performance, with relevant implications for both banks and supervisory authorities.
Consistent Registration and Discovery Scheme for Devices and Web Service Providers Based on RAML Using Embedded RD in OCF IoT Network
Authors: Jin Wenquan , Kim Dohyeun
Published: December 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) is comprised of connected devices which are equipped with sensors, actuators, and applications to provide services for enabling those objects to connect and exchange data. For these connected devices and the IoT network environment, heterogeneous protocols and frameworks have been published and applied to provide novel IoT services in our daily life. On the Internet, most of the services are provided by existing web service providers which are based on the high-performance processor, storage, and stable power supply. However, devices of the IoT are developed for constrained environments using the small size of equipment to provide seamless services ubiquitously. For accessing the constrained devices and existing web service providers using the clients in the IoT networks such as smart homes, the services of servers from the devices and web service providers shall be discovered by the clients using a consistent discovery service. In this paper, a consistent registration and discovery scheme is proposed for the devices and web service providers in the Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF)-based IoT network. For supporting the proposed scheme, an embedded resource directory (RD) server is proposed to provide a consistent registration service that is used for publishing information of devices and web service providers. For the registration, a unified profile format is used that is based on the RESTful API Modeling Language to describes the information of devices and web service providers. Furthermore, the discovery service provides the consistent interface to discover the registered devices and web service providers by the client using the unified user interface. Accordingly, the client can access the resources of devices and web service providers based on the discovered information.
Cutting Pattern Identification for Coal Mining Shearer through Sound Signals Based on a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Xu Jing , Wang Zhongbin , Tan Chao , Lu Daohua , Wu Baigong , Su Zhen , Tang Yanbing
Published: December 2018

Recently, sound-based diagnosis systems have been given much attention in many fields due to the advantages of their simple structure, non-touching measurement style, and low-power dissipation. In order to improve the efficiency of coal production and the safety of the coal mining process, accurate information is always essential. It is indicated that the sound signal produced during the cutting process of the coal mining shearer contains much cutting pattern identification information. In this paper, the original acoustic signal is first collected through an industrial microphone. To analyze the signal deeply, an adaptive Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) was applied to decompose the sound to several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) to subsequently acquire 1024 Hilbert marginal spectrum points. The 1024 time-frequency nodes were reorganized as a 32 × 32 feature map. Moreover, the LeNet-5 convolutional neural network (CNN), with three convolution layers and two sub-sampling layers, was used as the cutting pattern recognizer. A simulation example, with 10,000 training samples and 2000 testing samples, was conducted to prove the effectiveness of the proposed method. Finally, 1971 testing sound series were recognized accurately through the trained CNN and the proposed method achieved an identification rate of 98.55%.
Combined Cytotoxicity of the Phycotoxin Okadaic Acid and Mycotoxins on Intestinal and Neuroblastoma Human Cell Models
Authors: Hayashi Aiko , José Dorantes-Aranda Juan , Bowman John P. , Hallegraeff Gustaaf
Published: December 2018

Mycotoxins are emerging toxins in the marine environment, which can co-occur with algal toxins to exert synergistic or antagonistic effects for human seafood consumption. The current study assesses the cytotoxicity of the algal toxin okadaic acid, shellfish, and dust storm-associated mycotoxins alone or in combination on human intestinal (HT-29) and neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cell lines. Based on calculated IC50 (inhibitory concentration 50%) values, mycotoxins and the algal toxin on their own exhibited increased cytotoxicity in the order of sydowinin A < sydowinin B << patulin < alamethicin < sydowinol << gliotoxin ≈ okadaic acid against the HT-29 cell line, and sydowinin B < sydowinin A << alamethicin ≈ sydowinol < patulin, << gliotoxin < okadaic acid against the SH-SY5Y cell line. Combinations of okadaic acid–sydowinin A, –alamethicin, –patulin, and –gliotoxin exhibited antagonistic effects at low-moderate cytotoxicity, but became synergistic at high cytotoxicity, while okadaic acid–sydowinol displayed an antagonistic relationship against HT-29 cells. Furthermore, only okadaic acid–sydowinin A showed synergism, while okadaic acid–sydowinol, –alamethicin, –patulin, and –gliotoxin combinations demonstrated antagonism against SH-SY5Y. While diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) from okadaic acid and analogues in many parts of the world is considered to be a comparatively minor seafood toxin syndrome, our human cell model studies suggest that synergisms with certain mycotoxins may aggravate human health impacts, depending on the concentrations. These findings highlight the issues of the shortcomings of current regulatory approaches, which do not regulate for mycotoxins in shellfish and treat seafood toxins as if they occur as single toxins.
Cyanobacterial Neurotoxin Beta-Methyl-Amino-l-Alanine Affects Dopaminergic Neurons in Optic Ganglia and Brain of Daphnia magna
Authors: Brooke-Jones Megan , Gáliková Martina , Dircksen Heinrich
Published: December 2018

The non-proteinogenic amino acid beta-methyl-amino-l-alanine (BMAA) is a neurotoxin produced by cyanobacteria. BMAA accumulation in the brain of animals via biomagnification along the food web can contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Parkinsonism dementia complex (ALS/PDC), the latter being associated with a loss of dopaminergic neurons. Daphnia magna is an important microcrustacean zooplankton species that plays a key role in aquatic food webs, and BMAA-producing cyanobacteria often form part of their diet. Here, we tested the effects of BMAA on putative neurodegeneration of newly identified specific dopaminergic neurons in the optic ganglia/brain complex of D. magna using quantitative tyrosine-hydroxylase immunohistochemistry and fluorescence cytometry. The dopaminergic system was analysed in fed and starved isogenic D. magna adults incubated under different BMAA concentrations over 4 days. Increased BMAA concentration showed significant decrease in the stainability of dopaminergic neurons of D. magna, with fed animals showing a more extreme loss. Furthermore, higher BMAA concentrations tended to increase offspring mortality during incubation. These results are indicative of ingested BMAA causing neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons in D. magna and adversely affecting reproduction. This may imply similar effects of BMAA on known human neurodegenerative diseases involving dopaminergic neurons.
Chrysoviruses in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Moriyama Hiromitsu , Urayama Syun-ichi , Higashiura Tomoya , Le Tuong Minh , Komatsu Ken
Published: December 2018

Magnaporthe oryzae, the fungus that causes rice blast, is the most destructive pathogen of rice worldwide. A number of M. oryzae mycoviruses have been identified. These include Magnaporthe oryzae. viruses 1, 2, and 3 (MoV1, MoV2, and MoV3) belonging to the genus, Victorivirus, in the family, Totiviridae; Magnaporthe oryzae. partitivirus 1 (MoPV1) in the family, Partitiviridae; Magnaporthe oryzae. chrysovirus 1 strains A and B (MoCV1-A and MoCV1-B) belonging to cluster II of the family, Chrysoviridae; a mycovirus related to plant viruses of the family, Tombusviridae (Magnaporthe oryzae. virus A); and a (+)ssRNA mycovirus closely related to the ourmia-like viruses (Magnaporthe oryzae. ourmia-like virus 1). Among these, MoCV1-A and MoCV1-B were the first reported mycoviruses that cause hypovirulence traits in their host fungus, such as impaired growth, altered colony morphology, and reduced pigmentation. Recently we reported that, although MoCV1-A infection generally confers hypovirulence to fungi, it is also a driving force behind the development of physiological diversity, including pathogenic races. Another example of modulated pathogenicity caused by mycovirus infection is that of Alternaria alternata chrysovirus 1 (AaCV1), which is closely related to MoCV1-A. AaCV1 exhibits two contrasting effects: Impaired growth of the host fungus while rendering the host hypervirulent to the plant, through increased production of the host-specific AK-toxin. It is inferred that these mycoviruses might be epigenetic factors that cause changes in the pathogenicity of phytopathogenic fungi.
Tet-Inducible Production of Infectious Zika Virus from the Full-Length cDNA Clones of African- and Asian-Lineage Strains
Authors: Zhang Lizhou , Ji Wei , Lyu Shuang , Qiao Luhua , Luo Guangxiang
Published: December 2018

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that has emerged as an important human viral pathogen, causing congenital malformation including microcephaly among infants born to mothers infected with the virus during pregnancy. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that ZIKV can be classified into African and Asian lineages. In this study, we have developed a stable plasmid-based reverse genetic system for robust production of both ZIKV prototype African-lineage MR766 and clinical Asian-lineage FSS13025 strains using a tetracycline (Tet)-controlled gene expression vector. Transcription of the full-length ZIKV RNA is under the control of the Tet-responsive Ptight promoter at the 5′ end and an antigenomic ribozyme of hepatitis delta virus at the 3′ end. The transcription of infectious ZIKV RNA genome was efficiently induced by doxycycline. This novel ZIKV reverse genetics system will be valuable for the study of molecular viral pathogenesis of ZIKV and the development of new vaccines against ZIKV infection.
Reactions of 3-(p-substituted-phenyl)-5-chloromethyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with KCN leading to acetonitriles and alkanes via a non-reductive decyanation pathway
Authors: Sağırlı Akın , Dürüst Yaşar
Published: December 2018

The present work describes an unfamiliar reaction of 5-(chloromethyl)-3-substituted-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with KCN affording trisubstituted 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-ylacetonitriles and their parent alkanes, namely, 1,2,3-trisubstituted-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-ylpropanes. To the best of our knowledge, the current synthetic route leading to decyanated products will be the first in terms of a decyanation process which allows the transformation of trisubstituted acetonitriles into alkanes by the incorporation of KCN with the association of in situ-formed HCN and most likely through the extrusion of cyanogen which could not be detected or isolated. In addition, the plausible mechanisms were proposed for both transformations. The structures of the title compounds were identified by means of IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 2D NMR spectra, TOF–MS and X-ray measurements.
Comparison of spallation reaction models based on multiple-criteria decision analysis
Authors: Andrianov Andrey , Korovin Yury , Kuptsov Ilya , Konobeyev Aleksandr , Andrianova Olga
Published: December 2018

The paper presents the results of a comparative evaluation of the predictive ability of seventeen spallation reaction models (CEM02, CEM03, Phits/jam, Cascade/ASF, Phits/Bertini, Bertini/Dresner, Cascade-4, INCL4/Abla, INCL4/smm, geant4/binary, Isabela/smm, geant4/Bertini, Isabela/Abla, INCL4/Gemini, CASCADeX-1.2, Isabel/Gemini, Phits/jqmd) for the interaction reactions of high-energy protons with natPb nuclei using the most popular methods of multiple-criteria decision analysis (MAVT/MAUT, AHP, TOPSIS, PROMETHEE). Multiple-criteria decision analysis methods are used extensively to support decision-making in various fields of knowledge, including nuclear physics and engineering, when aggregating conflicting criteria with due account for the expert and decision-maker opinions. Four factors of computational and experimental agreement (R, D, F, H), most commonly used in this field of knowledge, have been employed as the criteria, which, having been aggregated as part of applying respective multiple-criteria decision analysis methods, make it possible to estimate the integral measure of the computational model effectiveness and to rank the models, using this as the basis, depending on the degree of their predictive ability. It has been demonstrated that the ranking results obtained using different multiple-criteria decision analysis methods show a good agreement. Using a stochastic approach to the generation of weights, the models were ranked in conditions with the absence of data on the significance of individual agreement factors. Recommendations are presented for using the multiple-criteria decision analysis methods to address tasks involved in the preparation of nuclear data in conditions of a multiple-factor evaluation of discrepancies between calculations and experiment.
Safe development of nuclear power technologies in the Arctic: prospects and approaches
Authors: Smolentsev Dmitry , Sarkisov Ashot , Antipov Sergey
Published: December 2018

The demands for nuclear power technologies in the Arctic for solving social and economic problems of the state can only be satisfied if adequate strategies of their safe handling at all stages from design to decommissioning are defined, methodological approaches and mathematical models for predicting and minimizing adverse environmental impacts of potential emergency situations at such facilities are developed, and scientifically-based results yielded within a decision-making support system for the elimination of such emergencies are applied. Special relevance of these requirements is determined by unique features of the Arctic nature and its role in the generation of climatic and hydrological processes in the World Ocean.

Main results and generalized conclusions based on the analysis of radiological consequences of the large-scale application of nuclear power industry for the benefit of economic development of the Arctic region are provided in the present paper. The analysis was performed within the framework of the complex research project “Development of the methodological approaches and mathematical models to access the environmental impact of the possible accidents at the floating nuclear power objects, model calculations of the radiation propagation in the Arctic aquatic territories in case of emergency situations”. The increasing demand for the low-power nuclear power plants for the benefit of development of remote areas, the technological and economic advantages of such power plants as well as minimal possible environmental consequences of the hypothetic accidents resulted in the qualitative changes in the attitude towards their usage. Estimation was made of the scale of application of nuclear power and results were obtained of numerical modeling of distribution of reactivity in case of accidents. The conclusion was drawn on the necessity to adhere to the low-power nuclear energy generation development strategy based on the modular design concept.
Analysis of temporal diversification of African Cyprinidae (Teleostei, Cypriniformes)
Authors: Adeoba Mariam I. , Yessoufou Kowiyou
Published: December 2018

Recent evidence that freshwater fishes diversify faster than marine fishes signifies that the evolutionary history of biodiversity in freshwater system is of particular interest. Here, the evolutionary diversification events of African Cyprinidae, a freshwater fish family with wide geographic distribution, were reconstructed and analysed. The overall diversification rate of African Cyprinidae is 0.08 species per million year (when extinction rate is very high, i.e., ε = 0.9) and 0.11 species per million year (when ε = 0). This overall rate is lower than the rate reported for African Cichlids, suggesting that African freshwaters might be less conducive for a rapid diversification of Cyprinidae. However, the observed diversification events of African Cyprinidae occurred in the last 10 million years. The temporal pattern of these events follows a non-constant episodic birth-death model (Bayes Factor > 28) and the rate-constant model never outperformed any of the non-constant models tested. The fact that most diversification events occurred in the last 10 million years supports the pattern reported for Cyprinidae in other continent, e.g., Asia, perhaps pointing to concomitant diversification globally. However, the diversification events coincided with major geologic and paleo-climatic events in Africa, suggesting that geological and climatic events may have mediated the diversification patterns of Cyprinidae on the continent.
Timarete posteria, a new cirratulid species from Korea (Annelida, Polychaeta, Cirratulidae)
Authors: Choi Hyun Ki , Kim Hana , Yoon Seong Myeong
Published: December 2018

A new cirratulid species,Timareteposteriasp. n., is described from the intertidal habitats of the eastern coast of South Korea. The new species is closely related toTimareteluxuriosa(Moore, 1904) from southern California based on morphological similarity of the branchial and tentacular finalents and the noto- and neuropodial spines. However,T.posteriasp. n.differs from the latter based on the following characteristics: 1) evenly divided peristomium into three annulations; 2) 2–4 neuropodial spines originating in the posterior chaetigers alternated by a few capillaries; and 3) complete shift in branchial finalents located about one-third between the notopodium and the dorsal midline. The new species has a methyl green staining pattern (MGSP) distinct from otherTimaretespecies. Detailed description and illustrations of the new species are provided with molecular information based on the partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S). This study also includes a key and discussion of knownTimaretespecies from East Asia.
Deciphering the influence of paraimmunobiotic bifidobacteria on the innate antiviral immune response of bovine intestinal epitheliocytes by transcriptomic analysis
Authors: Albarracin L. , Komatsu R. , Garcia-Castillo V. , Aso H. , Iwabuchi N. , Xiao J.-Z. , Abe F. , Takahashi H. , Villena J. , Kitazawa H.
Published: December 2018

Previously, we reported that the non-viable immunomodulatory Bifidobacterium infantis MCC12 and Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 strains (paraimmunobiotic bifidobacteria) were able to increase the protection against rotavirus infection in bovine intestinal epithelial (BIE) cells. In order to gain insight into the influence of paraimmunobiotic bifidobacteria on the innate antiviral immune response of BIE cells, their effect on the transcriptomic response triggered by Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) activation was investigated. By using microarray technology and qPCR analysis, we obtained a global overview of the immune genes involved in the innate antiviral immune response in BIE cells. Activation of TLR3 by poly(I:C) in BIE cells significantly increased the expression of interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-β, several interferon-stimulated genes, cytokines, and chemokines. It was also observed that both paraimmunobiotic bifidobacteria differently modulated immune genes expression in poly(I:C)-challenged BIE cells. Most notable changes were found in genes involved in antiviral defence (IFN-β, MX1, OAS1X, MDA5, TLR3, STAT2, STAT3), cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6), and chemokines (CCL2, CXCL2, CXCL6) that were significantly increased in bifidobacteria-treated BIE cells. B. infantis MCC12 and B. breve MCC1274 showed quantitative and qualitative differences in their capacities to modulate the innate antiviral immune response in BIE cells. B. breve MCC1274 was more efficient than the MCC12 strain to improve the production of type I IFNs and antiviral factors, an effect that could be related to its higher ability to protect against rotavirus replication in BIE cells. Interestingly, B. infantis MCC12 showed a remarkable anti-inflammatory effect. The MCC12 strain was more efficient to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (IL-16, IL-20, CX3CL1) when compared with B. breve MCC1274. These results provided valuable information for the deeper understanding of the antiviral immune response of intestinal epithelial cells as well as the host-paraimmunobiotic interaction in the bovine host.
Probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis, anti-oxidant vitamin E/C and anti-inflammatory dha attenuate lung inflammation due to pm2.5 exposure in mice
Authors: Panebianco C. , Eddine F. Bou Nasser , Forlani G. , Palmieri G. , Tatangelo L. , Villani A. , Xu L. , Accolla R. , Pazienza V.
Published: December 2018

The incidence of asthma and allergic diseases of the airways is constantly increasing, both in the industrialised and developing countries, due to harmful and excessive quantities of air pollution. Although some studies have shown an effect of dietary supplementation of specific nutrients (especially with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties) in reducing airways inflammatory response, the results are not yet conclusive and the science is still at its infancy. Our hypothesis is that combining such nutrients could provide more benefits than using them alone. The aim of the research project proposed here is to investigate whether specific combinations of nutrients (docosahexanoic acid, vitamin C and E, and Bifidobacterium lactis strain BB-12®, included in an engineered diet) can act synergistically to reduce inflammation given by high level of air pollution. Beside the role of docosahexanoic acid, vitamins C and E on airways inflammatory disease, no study examined the effect of the supplementation of this probiotic strain in pathological conditions caused by air pollution so far. Herein we used a well-established in vivo model for the study of pollution effects, which consists in female BALB/c mice receiving by pharyngeal aspiration either a sham or a particulate matter with diameter <2.5 μm (PM 2.5) containing aerosol. Before treatment, mice were fed either a chow or a supplemented diet. By performing histological analyses and gene expression profiles on lung sections and serum measurement of the cytokine interleukin 10, we found that a specific combination of all the aforementioned nutrients rather than nutrients alone had a synergistic protective effect against PM2.5-induced inflammation. In conclusion, our study support that a supplemental nutritional intervention based on a combination of the probiotic B. lactis BB-12, the anti-oxidant vitamin C and E, and the anti-inflammatory docosahexanoic acid represents a rational option for alleviating air pollution-related lung inflammation.
Cuento y refrán en la «Novela del capitán cautivo» de Cervantes: el Honesto y agradable entretenimiento de Francisco Truchado y los Refranes de Hernán Núñez
Authors: Baras Escolá Alfredo
Published: December 2018

Hasta la fecha han sido mencionados con frecuencia los orígenes folclóricos de la «Novela del capitán cautivo» interpolada en el Quijote de 1605, pero nunca se ha propuesto ningún modelo unitario y completo del cuento en el que Cervantes pudo haberse basado para ensamblar todos los componentes de esta historia con estructura tripartita. Sin embargo, cierto relato latino de Morlini, vertido al italiano por Straparola y, muy especialmente, la libre traducción de este al castellano por Francisco Truchado, nos ofrecen una secuela del cuento popular de «Los tres hermanos hábiles» coincidente en múltiples detalles precisos con el texto cervantino. Debe destacarse que en 1591 el autor visitó Baeza, patria y lugar de trabajo y de residencia de Truchado, donde había sido publicada la versión de Straparola bajo el título de Segunda parte del Honesto y agradable entretenimiento de damas y galanes (Juan Bautista de Montoya, 1581, 1582, 1583).
La Numancia de Cervantes y la múltiple temporalidad del teatro histórico
Authors: Calvo Florencia
Published: December 2018

En este trabajo se propone una lectura de la Numancia de Miguel de Cervantes teniendo en cuenta las características básicas del teatro de tema histórico y en diálogo con el teatro histórico de Lope de Vega. Si bien está claro que la matriz dramática de la Numancia dista de lo que será la fórmula del teatro lopesco, es importante considerar categorías comunes a ambos que tienen que ver con el reconocimiento de la pieza fundamentalmente como una obra de tema histórico. Así, el análisis de las múltiples temporalidades que implica dramatizar un hecho histórico podrá arrojar luz sobre diferencias entre ambos autores y sumar sentidos a la tragedia cervantina. Especificidad que estará relacionada con las posibilidades de interpretación que la Numancia deja abiertas para sus receptores en sintonía con la obra no dramática de Cervantes y en oposición con el monológico teatro histórico de Lope de Vega.