bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection and Correlation of Single and Concomitant TP53, PTEN, and CDKN2A Alterations in Gliomas
Authors: Pessôa Igor Andrade , Amorim Carolina Koury , Ferreira Wallax Augusto Silva , Sagica Fernanda , Brito José Reginaldo , Othman Moneeb , Meyer Britta , Liehr Thomas , de Oliveira Edivaldo Herculano C.
Published: May 2019

Gliomas are the most frequent primary tumors of central nervous system and represent a heterogeneous group of tumors that originates from the glial cells. TP53, PTEN, and CDKN2A are important tumor suppressor genes that encode proteins involved in sustaining cellular homeostasis by different signaling pathways. Though genetic alterations in these genes play a significant role in tumorigenesis, few studies are available regarding the incidence and relation of concomitant TP53, PTEN, and CDKN2A alterations in gliomas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of mutation and deletion in these genes, through single-strand conformational polymorphism, array-comparative genomic hybridization, and fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques, in 69 gliomas samples. Molecular results demonstrated a significant higher prevalence of TP53, PTEN, and CDKN2A alterations in astrocytoma than other tumor subtypes, and heterozygous deletion was the most frequent event. In addition, a significant association was observed between TP53 and CDKN2A alterations (p = 0.0424), which tend to coexist in low grade astrocytomas (5/46 cases (10.9%)), suggesting that they are early events in development of these tumors, and PTEN and CDKN2A deletions (p = 0.0022), which occurred concomitantly in 9/50 (18%) patients, with CDKN2A changes preceding PTEN deletions, present preferably in high-grade gliomas.
P3HT:Bebq2-Based Photovoltaic Device Enhances Differentiation of hiPSC-Derived Retinal Ganglion Cells
Authors: Hsu Chih-Chen , Lin Yi-Ying , Yang Tien-Chun , Yarmishyn Aliaksandr A. , Lin Tzu-Wei , Chang Yuh-Lih , Hwang De-Kuang , Wang Chien-Ying , Liu Yung-Yang , Lo Wen-Liang , Peng Chi-Hsien , Chen Shih-Jen , Yang Yi-Ping
Published: May 2019

Electric field stimulation is known to affect various cellular processes, including cell fate specification and differentiation, particularly towards neuronal lineages. This makes it a promising therapeutic strategy to stimulate regeneration of neuronal tissues. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is a type of neural cells of the retina responsible for transduction of visual signals from the retina to the brain cortex, and is often degenerated in various blindness-causing retinal diseases. The organic photovoltaic materials such as poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) can generate electric current upon illumination with light of the visible spectrum, and possesses several advantageous properties, including light weight, flexibility and high biocompatibility, which makes them a highly promising tool for electric stimulation of cells in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we tested the ability to generate photocurrent by several formulations of blend (bulk heterojunction) of P3HT (which is electron donor material) with several electron acceptor materials, including Alq3 and bis(10-hydroxybenzo[h]quinolinato)beryllium (Bebq2). We found that the photovoltaic device based on bulk heterojunction of P3HT with Bebq2 could generate photocurrent when illuminated by both green laser and visible spectrum light. We tested the growth and differentiation capacity of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived RGCs when grown in interface with such photostimulated device, and found that they were significantly increased. The application of P3HT:Bebq2-formulation of photovoltaic device has a great potential for developments in retinal transplantation, nerve repair and tissue engineering approaches of treatment of retinal degeneration.
Telomerase Inhibitor TMPyP4 Alters Adhesion and Migration of Breast-Cancer Cells MCF7 and MDA-MB-231
Authors: Konieczna Natalia , Romaniuk-Drapała Aleksandra , Lisiak Natalia , Totoń Ewa , Paszel-Jaworska Anna , Kaczmarek Mariusz , Rubiś Błażej
Published: May 2019

Human telomeres were one of the first discovered and characterized sequences forming quadruplex structures. Association of these structures with oncogenic and tumor suppressor proteins suggests their important role in cancer development and therapy efficacy. Since cationic porphyrin TMPyP4 is known as G-quadruplex stabilizer and telomerase inhibitor, the aim of the study was to analyze the anticancer properties of this compound in two different human breast-cancer MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. The cytotoxicity of TMPyP4 alone or in combination with doxorubicin was measured by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromid) and clonogenic assays, and the cell-cycle alterations were analyzed by flow cytometry. Telomerase expression and activity were evaluated using qPCR and telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assays, respectively. The contribution of G-quadruplex inhibitor to protein pathways engaged in cell survival, DNA repair, adhesion, and migration was performed using immunodetection. Scratch assay and functional assessment of migration and cell adhesion were also performed. Consequently, it was revealed that in the short term, TMPyP4 neither revealed cytotoxic effect nor sensitized MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 to doxorubicin, but altered breast-cancer cell adhesion and migration. It suggests that TMPyP4 might substantially contribute to a significant decrease in cancer cell dissemination and, consequently, cancer cell survival reduction. Importantly, this effect might not be associated with telomeres or telomerase.
A New Thermal Controlling Material with Positive Temperature Coefficient for Body Warming: Preparation and Characterization
Authors: Li Jing , Chang Chang , Li Xue , Li Yang , Guan Guoqiang
Published: May 2019

Positive temperature coefficient (PTC) materials have many applications in self-regulating heating; however, they are generally used in the high temperature range, and their use in the room temperature range have rarely been reported. A new kind of PTC material with the Curie temperature of 37 °C was proposed in this study. The material was prepared by adding 6wt % carbon black (CB) and 5wt % dioctyl phthalate (DOP) into the copolymer of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and lauric acid (LA) (1:3). The results showed that it had an exceptionally high PTC intensity of 5.5 and rationally low electrical resistivity of 600 Ω·cm. at room temperature. And this PTC material also shows a preferable repeatability in the PTC intensity after the thermal cycle of 4th. Moreover, the PTC material shows a great potential application in warming the human body in a cold environment.
Construction of 3D Cellular Composites with Stem Cells Derived from Adipose Tissue and Endothelial Cells by Use of Optical Tweezers in a Natural Polymer Solution
Authors: Yamazaki Takehiro , Kishimoto Toshifumi , Leszczyński Paweł , Sadakane Koichiro , Kenmotsu Takahiro , Watanabe Hirofumi , Kazama Tomohiko , Matsumoto Taro , Yoshikawa Kenichi , Taniguchi Hiroaki
Published: May 2019

To better understand the regulation and function of cellular interactions, three-dimensional (3D) assemblies of single cells and subsequent functional analysis are gaining popularity in many research fields. While we have developed strategies to build stable cellular structures using optical tweezers in a minimally invasive state, methods for manipulating a wide range of cell types have yet to be established. To mimic organ-like structures, the construction of 3D cellular assemblies with variety of cell types is essential. Our recent studies have shown that the presence of nonspecific soluble polymers in aqueous solution is the key to creating stable 3D cellular assemblies efficiently. The present study further expands on the construction of 3D single cell assemblies using two different cell types. We have successfully generated 3D cellular assemblies, using GFP-labeled adipose tissue-derived stem cells and endothelial cells by using optical tweezers. Our findings will support the development of future applications to further characterize cellular interactions in tissue regeneration.
Effect of Adjusted Gas Nitriding Parameters on Microstructure and Wear Resistance of HVOF-Sprayed AISI 316L Coatings
Authors: Kutschmann Pia , Lindner Thomas , Börner Kristian , Reese Ulrich , Lampke Thomas
Published: May 2019

Gas nitriding is known as a convenient process to improve the wear resistance of steel components. A precipitation-free hardening by low-temperature processes is established to retain the good corrosion resistance of stainless steel. In cases of thermal spray coatings, the interstitial solvation is achieved without an additional surface activation step. The open porosity permits the penetration of the donator media and leads to a structural diffusion. An inhomogeneous diffusion enrichment occurs at the single spray particle edges within the coating’s microstructure. A decreasing diffusion depth is found with increasing surface distance. The present study investigates an adjusted process management for low-temperature gas nitriding of high velocity oxy-fuel-sprayed AISI 316L coatings. To maintain a homogeneous diffusion depth within the coating, a pressure modulation during the process is studied. Additionally, the use of cracked gas as donator is examined. The process management is designed without an additional surface activation step. Regardless of surface distance, microstructural investigations reveal a homogeneous diffusion depth by a reduced processing time. The constant hardening depth allows a reliable prediction of the coatings’ properties. An enhanced hardness and improved wear resistance is found in comparison with the as-sprayed coating condition.
Bromotryptamine and Bromotyramine Derivatives from the Tropical Southwestern Pacific Sponge Narrabeena nigra
Authors: Miguel-Gordo Maria , Gegunde Sandra , Calabro Kevin , Jennings Laurence K. , Alfonso Amparo , Genta-Jouve Grégory , Vacelet Jean , Botana Luis M. , Thomas Olivier P.
Published: May 2019

So far, the Futuna Islands located in the Central Indo-Pacific Ocean have not been inventoried for their diversity in marine sponges and associated chemical diversity. As part of the Tara Pacific expedition, the first chemical investigation of the sponge Narrabeena nigra collected around the Futuna Islands yielded 18 brominated alkaloids: seven new bromotryptamine derivatives 1–7 and one new bromotyramine derivative 8 together with 10 known metabolites of both families 9–18. Their structures were deduced from extensive analyses of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) data. In silico metabolite anticipation using the online tool MetWork revealed the presence of a key and minor biosynthetic intermediates. These 18 compounds showed almost no cytotoxic effect up to 10 µM on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and microglia BV2 cells, and some of them exhibited an interesting neuroprotective activity by reducing oxidative damage.
Mechanism of Floater Formation in the Mold during Continuous Casting of Ti-Stabilized Austenitic Stainless Steels
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Li Min , Wang Xufeng , He Shengping , Wang Qian
Published: May 2019

During the continuous casting (CC) of Ti-bearing steel, a steel lump can solidify in the mold (i.e., floater steel) more easily than in the Ti-free steels. This causes severe surface defects or even a breakout. We have examined the mechanisms of floater formation during the CC of 321 stainless steel by analyzing the inclusions in the floater steel and in the 321 steel that was sampled from the mold. Additionally, we calculated the disregistry between the metallic phases and common inclusions. The mineralogy and morphology of the inclusions were examined while using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thermodynamic calculations on the TixOy inclusions at different oxygen potentials were performed while using FactSage 7.2. Using this approach, we determined that ferrite nucleates grow on TiN and MgO inclusions following solidification, which then form micro-aggregates as a result of dynamic collisions and alliances. Analysis of the mold slag from the metallurgy stage indicated that altering the basicity and properties of the mold flux systematically might minimize the reaction between the slag and steel, which would achieve a coordinated control over lubrication and heat transfer.
Characterization of Al Incorporation into HfO2 Dielectric by Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Rahman Md. Mamunur , Kim Jun-Gyu , Kim Dae-Hyun , Kim Tae-Woo
Published: May 2019

This study presents the characteristics of HfAlO films for a series of Al incorporation ratios into a HfO2 dielectric by atomic layer deposition on a Si substrate. A small amount of Al doping into the HfO2 film can stabilize the tetragonal phase of the HfO2, which helps to achieve a higher dielectric constant (k) and lower leakage current density, as well as a higher breakdown voltage than HfO2 film on its own. Moreover, assimilation of Al2O3 into HfO2 can reduce the hysteresis width and frequency dispersion. These are indications of border trap reduction, which was also verified by the border trap extraction mechanism. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis also verified the HfAlO microstructural properties for various Al compositions. In addition, higher amounts of Al2O3 in HfAlO resulted in better interface and dielectric behavior through trap minimization, although the equivalent-oxide-thickness (EOT) values show the opposite trend.
Thermally Fully Developed Electroosmotic Flow of Power-Law Nanofluid in a Rectangular Microchannel
Authors: Deng Shuyan
Published: May 2019

The hydrodynamic and thermal behavior of the electroosmotic flow of power-law nanofluid is studied. A modified Cauchy momentum equation governing the hydrodynamic behavior of power-law nanofluid flow in a rectangular microchannel is firstly developed. To explore the thermal behavior of power-law nanofluid flow, the energy equation is developed, which is coupled to the velocity field. A numerical algorithm based on the Crank–Nicolson method and compact difference schemes is proposed, whereby the velocity, temperature, and Nusselt number are computed for different parameters. A larger nanoparticle volume fraction significantly reduces the velocity and enhances the temperature regardless of the base fluid rheology. The Nusselt number increases with the flow behavior index and with electrokinetic width when considering the surface heating effect, which decreases with the Joule heating parameter. The heat transfer rate of electroosmotic flow is enhanced for shear thickening nanofluids or at a greater nanoparticle volume fraction.
Quantum Reality in the Selective Reduction of a Benzofuran System
Authors: Coaviche-Yoval Arturo , Andrade-Jorge Erik , Pérez-González Cuauhtémoc , Luna Héctor , Tovar-Miranda Ricardo , Trujillo-Ferrara José G.
Published: May 2019

Two 2,3-disubstituted benzofurans (1 and 2), analogs of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), were synthesized to obtain their 2,3-dihydro derivatives from the Pd/C-driven catalytic reduction of the double bond in the furanoid ring. The synthesis produced surprising by-products. Therefore, theoretical calculations of global and local reactivity were performed based on Pearson’s hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB) principle to understand the regioselectivity that occurred in the reduction of the olefinic carbons of the compounds. Local electrophilicity (ωk) was the most useful parameter for explaining the selectivity of the polar reactions. This local parameter was defined with the condensed Fukui function and redefined with the electrophilic (Pk+) Parr function. The similar patterns of both resulting sets of values helped to demonstrate the electrophilic behavior (soft acid) of the olefinic carbons in these compounds. The theoretical calculations, nuclear magnetic resonance, and resonance hybrids showed the moieties in each compound that are most susceptible to reduction.
The Multiple Faces of C-Reactive Protein—Physiological and Pathophysiological Implications in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Boncler Magdalena , Wu Yi , Watala Cezary
Published: May 2019

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an intriguing protein which plays a variety of roles in either physiological or pathophysiological states. For years it has been regarded merely as a useful biomarker of infection, tissue injury and inflammation, and it was only in the early 80s that the modified isoforms (mCRP) of native CRP (nCRP) appeared. It soon became clear that the roles of native CRP should be clearly discriminated from those of the modified form and so the impacts of both isoforms were divided to a certain degree between physiological and pathophysiological states. For decades, CRP has been regarded only as a hallmark of inflammation; however, it has since been recognised as a significant predictor of future episodes of cardiovascular disease, independent of other risk factors. The existence of modified CRP isoforms and their possible relevance to various pathophysiological conditions, suggested over thirty years ago, has prompted the search for structural and functional dissimilarities between the pentameric nCRP and monomeric mCRP isoforms. New attempts to identify the possible relevance between the diversity of structures and their opposing functions have initiated a new era of research on C-reactive protein. This review discusses the biochemical aspects of CRP physiology, emphasizing the supposed relevance between the structural biology of CRP isoforms and their differentiated physiological and pathophysiological roles.
Magnetic Attributes of NiFe2O4 Nanoparticles: Influence of Dysprosium Ions (Dy3+) Substitution
Authors: Almessiere Munirah Abdullah , Slimani Y. , Güngüneş H. , Ali S. , Manikandan A. , Ercan I. , Baykal A. , Trukhanov A.V.
Published: May 2019

This paper reports the influence of dysprosium ion (Dy3+) substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of NiDyxFe2−xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) nanoparticles (NPs) prepared using a hydrothermal method. The structure and morphology of the as-synthesized NPs were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscope (SEM, and TEM) analyses. 57Fe Mössbauer spectra were recorded to determine the Dy3+ content dependent variation in the line width, isomer shift, quadrupole splitting, and hyperfine magnetic fields. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of the prepared NPs were also investigated by zero-field cooled (ZFC) and field cooled (FC) magnetizations and AC susceptibility measurements. The MZFC (T) results showed a blocking temperature (TB). Below TB, the products behave as ferromagnetic (FM) and act superparamagnetic (SPM) above TB. The MFC (T) curves indicated the existence of super-spin glass (SSG) behavior below Ts (spin-glass freezing temperature). The AC susceptibility measurements confirmed the existence of the two transition temperatures (i.e., TB and Ts). Numerous models, e.g., Neel–Arrhenius (N–A), Vogel–Fulcher (V–F), and critical slowing down (CSD), were used to investigate the dynamics of the systems. It was found that the Dy substitution enhanced the magnetic interactions.
Experimental Investigation of Polymer-Coated Silica Nanoparticles for Enhanced Oil Recovery
Authors: Bila Alberto , Stensen Jan Åge , Torsæter Ole
Published: May 2019

Recently, polymer-coated nanoparticles were proposed for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) due to their improved properties such as solubility, stability, stabilization of emulsions and low particle retention on the rock surface. This work investigated the potential of various polymer-coated silica nanoparticles (PSiNPs) as additives to the injection seawater for oil recovery. Secondary and tertiary core flooding experiments were carried out with neutral-wet Berea sandstone at ambient conditions. Oil recovery parameters of nanoparticles such as interfacial tension (IFT) reduction, wettability alteration and log-jamming effect were investigated. Crude oil from the North Sea field was used. The concentrated solutions of PSiNPs were diluted to 0.1 wt % in synthetic seawater. Experimental results show that PSiNPs can improve water flood oil recovery efficiency. Secondary recoveries of nanofluid ranged from 60% to 72% of original oil in place (OOIP) compared to 56% OOIP achieved by reference water flood. In tertiary recovery mode, the incremental oil recovery varied from 2.6% to 5.2% OOIP. The IFT between oil and water was reduced in the presence of PSiNPs from 10.6 to 2.5–6.8 mN/m, which had minor effect on EOR. Permeability measurements indicated negligible particle retention within the core, consistent with the low differential pressure observed throughout nanofluid flooding. Amott–Harvey tests indicated wettability alteration from neutral- to water-wet condition. The overall findings suggest that PSiNPs have more potential as secondary EOR agents than tertiary agents, and the main recovery mechanism was found to be wettability alteration.
Day-Ahead Prediction of Microgrid Electricity Demand Using a Hybrid Artificial Intelligence Model
Authors: Ma Yuan-Jia , Zhai Ming-Yue
Published: May 2019

Improved-performance day-ahead electricity demand forecast is important to deliver necessary information for right decision of energy management of microgrids. It supports microgrid operators and stakeholders to have better decisions on microgrid flexibility, stability and control. The available conventional forecasting methods for electricity demand at national or regional level are not effective for electricity demand forecasting in microgrids. This is due to the fact that the electricity consumption in microgrids is many times less than the regional or national demands and it is highly volatile. In this paper, an integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) based approach consisting of Wavelet Transform (WT), Simulated Annealing (SA) and Feedforward Artificial Neural Network (FFANN) is devised for day-ahead prediction of electric power consumption in microgrids. The FFANN is the basic forecasting engine of the proposed model. The WT is utilized to extract relevant features of the target variable (electric load data series) to obtain a cluster of enhanced-feature subseries. The extracted subseries of the past values of the electric load demand data are employed as the target variables to model the FFANN. The SA optimization technique is employed to obtain the optimal values of the FFANN weight parameters during the training process. Historical information of actual electricity consumption, meteorological variables, daily variations, weekly variations, and working/non-working day indicators have been employed to develop the forecasting tool of the devised integrated AI based approach. The approach is validated using electricity demand data of an operational microgrid in Beijing, China. The prediction results are presented for future testing days with one-hour time interval. The validation results demonstrated that the devised approach is capable to forecast the microgrid electricity demand with acceptably small error and reasonably short computation time. Moreover, the prediction performance of the devised approach has been evaluated relative to other four approaches and resulted in better prediction accuracy.
Full Embroidery Designed Electro-Textile Wearable Tag Antenna for WBAN Application
Authors: Abbas Bahaa , K. Khamas Salam , Ismail Alyani , Sali Aduwati
Published: May 2019

A flexible and totally wearable textile antenna is proposed by embroidering the conductive threads into garments. A purely polyester substrate has been utilized, which provides a tag that can be easily integrated with the clothes. The proposed tag antenna is small with dimensions of 72 × 20 × 2.75 mm3 and offers an enhanced performance in terms of gain and stability when worn on different body locations. Experimental results demonstrate an improved impedance matching owing to the elasticity of the E-shaped inductive feeder. Close agreement has been achieved between the simulated and measured results.
Exploiting Joint Base Station Equipped Multiple Antenna and Full-Duplex D2D Users in Power Domain Division Based Multiple Access Networks
Authors: Do Dinh-Thuan , Van Nguyen Minh-Sang , Hoang Thi-Anh , Lee Byung Moo
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we investigate power domain division-based multiple access (PDMA) to support the base stations (BS) equipped with multiple antennas to serve mobile users. Such a system deploys multiple input single output (MISO)-based wireless transmission and a full-duplex (FD) scheme. Furthermore, such MISO PDMA system consists of BS employing transmit antenna selection to reduce complexity in signal processing at the receivers. We distinguish two kinds of mobile users, device-to-device (D2D) users and traditional users. In such MISO PDMA, there exists a trade-off between outage performance of each PDMA user and power allocation factors. Since the implementation of the FD scheme at PDMA users, bandwidth efficiency will be enhanced despite the existence of self-interference related to such FD. In particular, exact expressions of outage probability are derived to exhibit system performance with respect to D2D users. Finally, valuable results from the simulated parameters together with the analytical results show that MISO PDMA can improve its performance by increasing the number of transmit antennas at the BS.
Fiber Reshaping-Based Refractive Index Sensor Interrogated through Both Intensity and Wavelength Detection
Authors: Ji Peng , Jiang Shiru , Lee Sang-Shin
Published: May 2019

A fiber reshaping-based refractive index (RI) sensor is proposed relying on both optical intensity variation and wavelength shift. The objective of this study is to completely reshape the core and to ultimately mimic a coreless fiber, thereby creating a highly efficient multimode interference (MMI) coupler. Thus, propagation modes are permitted to leak out into the cladding and eventually escape out of the fiber, depending on the surrounding environment. Two interrogation mechanisms based on both the intensity variation and wavelength shift are employed to investigate the performance of the RI sensor, with the assistance of leaky-mode and MMI theories. By monitoring the output intensity difference and the wavelength shift, the proposed RI sensor exhibits high average sensitivities of 185 dB/RIU and 3912 nm/RIU in a broad range from 1.339 to 1.443, respectively. The operating range and sensitivity can be adjusted by controlling the interaction length, which is appealing for a wide range of applications in industry and bioscience research.
The Role of Smart Contracts in Sustainability: Worldwide Research Trends
Authors: Salmerón-Manzano Esther , Manzano-Agugliaro Francisco
Published: May 2019

The advent and development of digital technologies has had a significant impact on the establishment of contracts. Smart contracts are designed as computer code containing instructions for executing user agreements, offering a technologically secure solution with numerous advantages and applications. However, smart contracts are not without their problems when we try to fit them into the traditional system of contract law, and their presumed benefits can become shortcomings. Bibliometric studies can help to assess the current state of science in a specific subject and support decision making and research direction. Here, this bibliometric study is used to analyze global trend research in relation to this novel contractual methodology, the smart contract, which seems to have experienced exponential growth since 2014. Specially, this analysis was focused on the main countries involved and the institutions that lead this research worldwide. On the other hand, the indexations of these works are analyzed according to major scientific areas and the keywords of all the works, to detect the subjects to which they are grouped. Community detection has been used to establish the relationship between countries researching in this area, and six clusters have been identified, around which all the work related to this topic is grouped. This work shows the temporal evolution of research related to smart contracts, highlighting that there are two trends—e-commerce and smart power grids. From the perspective of driving sustainability, smart contracts could provide a contribution in the near future.
Analysing Habitat Connectivity and Home Ranges of Bigmouth Buffalo and Channel Catfish Using a Large-Scale Acoustic Receiver Network
Authors: Enders Eva C. , Charles Colin , Watkinson Douglas A. , Kovachik Colin , Leroux Douglas R. , Hansen Henry , Pegg Mark A.
Published: May 2019

The determination if fish movement of potadromous species is impeded in a river system is often difficult, particularly when timing and extent of movements are unknown. Furthermore, evaluating river connectivity poses additional challenges. Here, we used large-scale, long-term fish movement to study and identify anthropogenic barriers to movements in the Lake Winnipeg basin including the Red, Winnipeg, and Assiniboine rivers. In the frame of the project, 80 Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) and 161 Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were tagged with acoustic transmitters. Individual fish were detected with an acoustic telemetry network. Movements were subsequently analyzed using a continuous-time Markov model (CTMM). The study demonstrated large home ranges in the Lake Winnipeg basin and evidence of frequent transborder movements between Canada and the United States. The study also highlighted successful downstream fish passage at some barriers, whereas some barriers limited or completely blocked upstream movement. This biological knowledge on fish movements in the Lake Winnipeg basin highlights the need for fish passage solutions at different obstructions.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Analyzing Questions of Justice Issues in Urban Greenspace
Authors: Zuniga-Teran Adriana , Gerlak Andrea
Published: May 2019

Greenspace can alleviate many of the negative effects of urbanization and help enhance human well-being yet, in most cities in the world, greenspace is inequitably distributed. In western societies, wealthy white neighborhoods typically have more access to greenspace, constituting an environmental and social justice issue. Although scholars from multiple disciplines and academic domains study questions of justice in greenspace, the scholarship remains fragmented. The purpose of this qualitative review is to explore the diverse disciplinary approaches to justice in urban greenspace to identify patterns and trends in how justice is conceptualized and realized. We analyze a set of case studies across multiple disciplines using a sample of 21 peer-reviewed articles following the framework set out by Bulkeley and colleagues that conceptualizes justice according to recognition, distribution, procedures, rights, and responsibilities. Our results suggest that the various solutions proposed in the diverse streams of scholarship often call for solutions that transcend individual disciplinary boundaries. This finding supports the need for collaborative and cross-disciplinary work to effectively address injustice in urban greenspace. In an effort to integrate findings, we identify five main objectives that need to be addressed by scholars, built environment practitioners, and policymakers, which include: (1) appropriate funding mechanisms for long-term maintenance; (2) recognition of safety concerns; (3) connectivity of greenspace; (4) multifunctionality in greenspace design; and (5) community engagement.
Environmentally Sustainable Logistics Performance Management Process Integration between Buyers and 3PLs
Authors: Persdotter Isaksson Maria , Hulthén Hana , Forslund Helena
Published: May 2019

To ensure environmentally sustainable logistics, organizations need to have an environmentally sustainable logistics performance management (ESLPM) process. In line with supply chain management (SCM) literature, there is a desire towards integrating processes with supply chain partners to increase performance. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for ESLPM process integration and to illustrate this framework in practice between buyers and third-party logistics (3PLs) providers. The method used is multiple case studies of three dyads of 3PLs and buyers from the public and private sector. Data were collected through 10 semi-structured interviews. Our major result is a proposed framework with criteria for the degree of ESLPM process integration between buyers and 3PLs. It includes six activities: Selecting environmentally sustainable logistics performance (ESLP) variables, defining ESLP metrics, setting ESLP targets, measuring ESLP metrics, ESLPM feedback, and analyzing ESLP outcomes and processes. It considers suggested operationalization of each activity and the corresponding degree of integration. The framework can provide guidelines for practitioners in identifying current degree of process integration. It may also support decisions regarding actions needed to advance to a higher degree. This framework is the first to address logistics performance management process integration including environmental sustainability.
The Effect of Local Government Debt on Regional Economic Growth in China: A Nonlinear Relationship Approach
Authors: Zhao Rubo , Tian Yixiang , Lei Ao , Boadu Francis , Ren Ze
Published: May 2019

By drawing on the concept of sustainable economic development, this study advances the research on debt sustainability in the economic literature. We explore the correlation between local government debt and regional economic growth in 30 provinces in China. Previous studies have established that the development of economic growth between regions is not independent and we, therefore, investigate the spatial effect of regional economic growth due to the existence of a spatial spillover effect or spatial expansion among regions. Using Moran’s scatter plot, a Local Indicator of Spatial Association (LISA) map, and a semiparametric spatial model (SE-SDM), our results demonstrate the following: (1) the spatial agglomeration effect has a significant influence on regional economic growth; (2) the relationship between local government debt and regional economic growth presents nonlinear characteristics, rather than having an inverted U-shaped relationship; (3) the semiparametric spatial model more accurately characterizes in the nonlinear relationship between local government debt and regional economic growth compared to a basic regression model and the spatial Durbin model; and (4) when the scale of local government debt exceeds a certain level, economic growth will be suppressed by the crowding-out of private investment and the reduction of public expenditure.
Challenges and limtations of site specific crop production applications of wheat and maize
Authors: István Balla  , Ákos Tarnawa  , Csaba Horváth  , Judit Kis  , Márton Jolánkai
Published: May 2019

The development and implementation of precision agriculture or site-specific farming has been made possible by combining the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Site specific agronomic applications are of high importance concerning the efficiency of management in crop production as well as the protection and maintenance of environment and nature. Precision crop production management techniques were applied at four locations to evaluate their impact on small plot units sown by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) in a Hungarian national case study. The results obtained suggest the applicability of the site specific management techniques, however the crops studied responded in a different way concerning the impact of applications. Maize had a stronger response regarding grain yield and weed canopy. Wheat was responding better than maize concerning plant density and protein content performance.
Agricultural aspects in river basin management plans
Authors: János Fehér
Published: May 2019

In the European Region agriculture is the second largest water user after power industry cooling water use. As part of the implementation of Water Framework Directive EU Member States prepared their river basin management plans by the end of 2009 or first half of 2010, In these plans impacts of agriculture on water bodies have received attention. The detailed information elaborated in the plans by countries and river basin districts were uploaded into the WFD section of the WISE system. This database provides opportunity for multi-criteria analysis for different water types. The paper discusses the effects of agriculture on hydromorphological pressures and impacts affecting surface water bodies. It was pointed out that among the pressures affecting European surface water bodies the hydromorphological and diffuse pressures represent the highest ratios (Figure 1). Within the hydromorphological pressures affecting classified surface water bodies the ratio of pressures related to agricultural activities is low,it does not exceed 1% at European level. In case of Hungary the agriculture related river management pressures effect about 80% of the surface water bodies, which is much higher than the corresponding European average. The agricultural water abstractions affect about 10% of the Hungarian surface water bodies (Figures 2 and 3). The river and lake water bodies are impacted in significant ratio by nutrient enrichments and organic material enrichments, while in case of river water bodies the impact of organic material enrichments is also significant (Figures 4 and 5).
Some aspects of food safety from animal origin
Authors: József Fenyvessy
Published: May 2019

The relationship between the civilisation illnesses and incorrect nutrition can be considered as demonstrated. The functional foods having one or several nutritional- biological advantage can contribute to the healthy nutrition and to improving the quality of life. Beside the healthy nutrition it is an another important requirement that the food does not contain pathogens or substances of chemical and biological origin namely it has to be safe. In this publication the foods of animal origin were investigated in the point of view of public health hazards arising during their production and processing.The contamination and infection of food raw materials, the consequence of chemical substances getting in or developing it the food, the judgement of food deviring from genetically modified or cloned animals are discussed.
The effect of water supply for yield formation of processing tomato
Authors: Lajos Helyes  , Zoltán Pék
Published: May 2019

The effect of irrigation on tomato yield depends on the actual weather conditions, basically the air temperature and precipitation (quantity and dispersion). The irrigated plants gave a significantly higher yield, and rainfed plants showed a yield loss. The optimum water supply treatment gave a significantly higher proportion of lycopene than the control (rainfed) treatment (89% and 80% respectively) in case of Brixsol F1 variety. In spite of this we have not found significant difference in case of Strombolino F1 (cherry type). Content of total poly-phenols measured in Strombolino F1 (cherry type) was significantly higher than that found in the Brixol F1 (normal type). The optimum water supply treatment resulted in a significantly lower content of total polyphenols in both years. Tomato fruits are rich in polyphenols the largest amount of which is rutin from among the identified components.
Soil biological challenges in our age
Authors: János Kátai
Published: May 2019

The paper deals with the soil biological research and its contribution to the changed cropping strategy and to the sustainable and environmentally friendly farming and management. The paper emphasizes the importance of biodiversity, as one of the most important ecological functions of soil. The organisms, populations and communities living in the soil play a key importance in the preservation of soil fertility. The most important research areas are presented dealing with in the last decades the national researchers and the challenges we face regarding the current soil biological problems. We have to prepare to examine the soil biological effectiveness of the more widely spread bio-preparations, bacterium preparations, and bioregulators. The prerequisites are the versatile knowledge of the biological state of soils and monitoring examination of the different effects soils had (including the mentioned preparations).
Role of some agrotechnical elements in the precision crop technology of cereals
Authors: Péter Pepó
Published: May 2019

The crop models and precision technology have an important role in the development of winter wheat and maize agrotechnics, which crops have determinative role in Hungarian crop production. The effects of agrotechnical elements (crop rotation, fertilization, irrigation, crop protection, plant density) were studied in our longterm experiments on chernozem soil. Our scientific results proved that the high yields, and good yield stability were obtained in the input-intensive crop models. Maize had lower ecological adaptive capacity than winter wheat. The optimatization of agrotechnical elements reduces the harmful climatic effects so we can increase the yield and yield stability of cereals agro-ecosystems. The yields of wheat varied between 2 and 7 t ha-1 in extensive and 8 and 10 t ha-1 in intensive crop models and the yields of maize ranged between 2 and 11 t ha-1 and 10 and 15 t ha-1, respectively.
Economic questions of maize production on different soil types
Authors: Dénes Sulyok
Published: May 2019

The requirements and objective of cultivation are in constant change. For example, different cultivation systems are developed for the purpose of soil protection, the preservation of its moisture content and on soils with various precipitation supply or production site conditions. Traditionally, one of the most important cultivation aims is crop needs. Further cost saving in fertilisation and crop protection can only be achieved by reducing the quality and quantity of production or it cannot be achieved at all. Furthermore, the costs can be significantly reduced by means of the rationalisation of cultivation. Energy and working time demand can also be notably reduced if ploughing is left out from the conventional tillage method. The key requirement of economicalness is to perform the cultivation at the optimal date, moisture level and the lowest possible cost.Within production costs, the cost of cultivation is between 3–17%, while they are between 8–36% within machinery costs. It is the vital condition the usability of each technological method to progressively reduce costs. Our evaluation work was carried out with the consideration of the yield data obtained from cooperating farms and the experiment database of the Institute for Land Utilisation, Regional Development and Technology of the Centre for Agricultural and Applied Economic Sciences of the University of Debrecen. Three technological methods (ploughing, heavy cultivator and loosening tillage) were used on several soil types which differ from in terms of cultivability (chernozem, sandy and sandy clay soils) from the economic/economical aspect. We examined the sectoral cost/income relation of maize production as an indicator plant. The maize price during the analytical period was 45 thousand HUF per t. On chernozem soils, the production of maize can be carried out on high income level, while maize production on sandy soils has a huge risk factor. The role of cultivation is the highest on high plasicity soils, since they have a huge energydemand and the there is a short amount of time available for each procedure in most cases.
PENINGKATAN PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL KACANG TANAH (Arachis hypogea L.) AKIBAT PEMBERIAN TAKARAN PUPUK KANDANG DOMBA DAN KONSENTRASI PUPUK ORGANIK CAIR TRUBUS
Authors: Budiasih Raden
Published: May 2019

We report the dose of sheep manure and POC concentration Poster which aims to study changes in the dose of sheep manure and Poster POC concentration on growth and yield of peanut (Arachis hypogea L.). This research is compiled in a randomized block design (RAK) factorial design consisting of two factors. The first factor sheep manure dosage form consists of three levels ie d1 (5 t ha-1), d2 (10 ton ha-1) and d3 (15 ton ha). The second factor in the form of the concentration of liquid organic fertilizer Poster consists of three levels ie p1 (1 ml-1), p2 (3 ml l-1) and P3 (5 ml l-1), respectively - each combination treatment was repeated 3 times. Different test average - average use multiplerange test duncant 5% significance level. Award dose sheep manure and POC concentration Poster melihatkan their interaction on plant height 9 MST, pong numberper plant and weight of pods per plant, giving a high dose of manure that requires  concentration POC rendah. Secara an Independent Award dose effect of manure 10 ton ha-1 and 15 ton ha-1 showed the best effect on the plant height ages 5 and 7 MST MST, the percentage of pithy pods and number of seeds per plant.
La Otra Institucionalización y la vida cotidiana: posibilidades analíticas desde una concepción pragmática
Authors: Furfaro Cristian
Published: May 2019

El presente artículo tiene por objetivo reflexionar sobre las posibilidades analíticas que la noción de “institucionalización” nos brinda, indagando si es posible abrir nuevas perspectivas que –situándose en una concepción pragmática– nos permitan orientarnos hacia otros usos del concepto de institucionalización.En la primera parte, presentaremos una experiencia que, emergiendo en uno de los casos trabajados en nuestra tesis doctoral en curso, constituyó el disparador desde el cual nos preguntamos y reflexionamos sobre las posibilidades analíticas que nos brinda la noción de “institucionalización”. En la segunda parte, expondremos la noción de institucionalización que elabora O’Donnell (1996) y propondremos su complementación –e interpretación– con los aportes teóricos de Wittgenstein, Giddens y Nun. En la tercera parte, trazaremos algunos puntos de contacto entre el constructo teórico elaborado y la experiencia que obró como disparador, utilizando el  caso como ejemplo de referencia. Finalmente, reflexionaremos sobre las potencialidades del análisis propuesto.
De la política de la imaginación a la política Imaginal
Authors: Bottici Chiara
Published: May 2019

El presente artículo se propone reevaluar el vínculo conceptual entre la política y nuestra capacidad de crear imágenes. A pesar de que se ha escrito mucho en torno a la política de la imaginación, no hay muchos trabajos que evalúen críticamente el vínculo conceptual entre estos dos conceptos de una forma sistemática. Este escrito propone el concepto de Imaginal, entendido como aquello hecho por imágenes, para trascender el impasse actual de la oposición, por una parte, entre teorías de la  imaginación como una facultad individual, y por otra, teoría de lo imaginario como un contexto social. A raíz de lo dicho, se fundamentará que la teoría de lo imaginal es el instrumento teórico que más se adapta para comprender la relación conceptual entre la política y nuestra capacidad de producir imágenes. Por último, este análisis se aplica a la política contemporánea y demuestra su capacidad de esclarecer muchas de sus paradojas, incluida aquella de un mundo de la política lleno de  imágenes, pero privado de imaginación.