bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can Export Credit Agencies Help Fund Capital Intensive Projects in Emerging Industrializing Economies? Lessons and Applicability in Vietnam
Authors: Quang Dinh Trung , Þór Hilmarsson Hilmar
Published: October 2019

Export growth is now seen by most governments as a key to economic growth and recent growth in emerging East Asia has been export led. The so-called Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) played a critical role in cushioning the downturn in cross border trade to emerging market economies during the global economic and financial crisis that hit in the fall of 2008. This crisis is considered by many to be one of the greatest economic challenges since the Great Depression of the 1930s. In addition to facilitating cross border trade during times of crisis ECAs can also help companies in emerging countries access long term funding and potentially at a lower interest rate than they could locally. This can help companies modernize their processing lines, especially those engaged in capital intensive activities, and enable emerging economies in transition to increase the value added of their industries and boost export earnings. This article discusses the role of ECAs in facilitating cross border trade to emerging markets as well as the economic rationale for the existence of such agencies. It also demonstrates how selected risk mitigation instruments of ECAs, namely: (i) buyer credit guarantee, (ii) supplier credit guarantees and (iii) export loans have been applied in practice. Finally, real cases are presented that highlight how companies have used the service of ECAs, for example, to obtain better terms, including larger loan allocation, and longer term loans at lower interest rates.
ANÁLISE DA FEPRAF - A FEIRA DA PRODUÇÃO DA REFORMA AGRÁRIA DA AGRICULTURA FAMILIAR DE JÚLIO DE CASTILHOS/RS (ANALYSIS OF FEPRAF - THE FAIR OF THE PRODUCTION OF THE AGRARIAN REFORM OF FAMILY AGRICULTURE IN JULIO DE CASTILHOS/RS)
Authors: Menezes Bettina Guterres , Soares Rosângela Oliveira , Tibério Manuel Luiz , Tavares Paulino Varela
Published: October 2019

RESUMO:O artigo baseia-se em relatar as atividades desenvolvidas no projeto de pesquisa, registrado no DEPEP do IF Farroupilha: “A Feira da Produção da Reforma Agrária da Agricultura Familiar – FEPRARF – de Júlio de Castilhos: uma análise”, ocorrido de maio a agosto de 2016, junto aos agricultores familiares, pertencentes a FEPRAF. Identificar o perfil dos feirantes, os produtos comercializados, o processo de produção, os custos, a logística, os canais de comercialização, a rotulagem dos produtos e o marketing realizado foi o objetivo. Pesquisa bibliográfica e o estudo de caso embasaram a elaboração e aplicação de questionários e entrevistas com os feirantes. O diagnóstico demonstrou a importância da agricultura familiar, da FEPRAF e os benefícios oferecidos para o município. A observação participante, por parte de duas estudantes do curso de Agronegócio, possibilitou reflexões expressivas nos envolvidos.Palavras-chave: Agricultura Familiar. Feira da Agricultura familiar. FEPRAF. ABSTRACT:The article is based on reporting the activities carried out in the research project, registered in DEPEP of IF Farroupilha: "The Fair of the Production of Agrarian Reform of Family Agriculture - FEPRAF - by Júlio de Castilhos: an analysis", occurred from May to August 2016, together with family farmers, belonging to FEPRAF. Identifying the profile of marketers, marketed products, production process, costs, logistics, marketing channels, product labeling and marketing was the objective. Bibliographical research and the case study were based on the elaboration and application of questionnaire and interviews with the fairgrounds. The diagnosis demonstrated the importance of family farming, FEPRAF and the benefits offered to the municipality. The participant observation, by two students of the course of Agribusiness, allowed for significant reflections on those involved.Keywords: Family farming. Family Agriculture Fair. FEPRAF.
NOVO OLHAR DA PRODUÇÃO E DO CONSUMO DE ALIMENTOS: UMA EXPERIÊNCIA DE HORTA URBANA NO LAR DOS IDOSOS E SEGURANÇA ALIMENTAR (NEW LOOK AT FOOD PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION: AN URBAN HORTICULTURE EXPERIENCE AT THE MIDDLE EAST AND FOOD SAFETY)
Authors: Sodré Maria Lúcia Da Silva , Santos Ubirani Oliveira , Dias Altemar S.
Published: October 2019

RESUMO:O objetivo aqui proposto foi demostrar a experiência da produção e consumo de hortaliças no lar dos idosos localizado em Cruz das Almas, BA. Metodologicamente, foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa de campo, com entrevistas semiestruturadas. Anterior a este processo foi construída a horta. Os principais resultados apontaram que os alimentos produzidos além de representar acesso ao consumo de alimentos livres de agroquímicos, que proporcionou segurança alimentar e nutricional, retrataram ainda histórias de vidas dos internos, as lembranças familiares, à memória de um tempo que desenvolvia atividades no campo. E assim, com fortes referências da sua identidade, muitas das quais, pautadas em questões subjetivas e simbólicas, aproveitando sua bagagem cultural no território urbano.Palavras-chave: referências identitárias, terceira idade, produção agroecológica. ABSTRACT:The objective here was to demonstrate the experience of the production and consumption of vegetables in the home of the elderly located in Cruz das Almas, BA. Methodologically, a field research was developed, with semi-structured interviews. Prior to this process the vegetable garden was built. The main results pointed out that the food produced besides representing access to the consumption of food free of agrochemicals, which provided food and nutritional security, also portrayed histories of the inmates' lives, the familiar memories, the memory of a time that developed activities in the field. And so, with strong references of their identity, many of them, based on subjective and symbolic issues, taking advantage of their cultural baggage in the urban territory.Keywords: identity references, third age, agroecological production.
SABORES E PRÁTICAS CULINÁRIAS DAS COZINHEIRAS NEGRAS DO SERIDÓ (RN – BRASIL) (SABORES Y PRÁCTICAS CULINARIAS DE LAS COCINERAS NEGRAS DEL SERIDÓ (RN – BRASIL))
Authors: Cavignac Julie Antoinette , Silva Danycelle
Published: October 2019

RESUMO:A região do Seridó é marcada por seu passado colonial, em particular pelos ciclos econômicos do gado e do algodão. A memória da escravidão ficou silenciada aos longos dos anos e só recentemente ressurge, lançando novas luzes sobre um passado de sombras e silêncios. A retomada das memórias e a emergência étnica apoiam-se nos sabores e nas práticas culinárias tradicionais que substituem os silêncios e possibilitam recontar uma outra história. Através de pesquisas realizadas junto a atividades do Projeto de Pesquisa e Extensão Tronco, Ramos e Raízes, coletamos dados etnográficos em diversas localidades do Seridó, seguindo os rastros das memórias das cozinheiras negras. Nas cozinhas do Seridó, emerge um patrimônio cultural de matriz africana que estava invisibilizado mas, no entanto, presentes no cotidiano: conforme apontamos ao longo do artigo, as comidas “do tempo do cativeiro” ainda são a base da alimentação cotidiana na atualidade e são pouco a pouco revalorizadas. Práticas e técnicas alimentares transmitidas pelas mulheres no seio das famílias negras ao longo das gerações: essas comidas de raízes ultrapassam hoje o âmbito doméstico e entra para o gosto público, como patrimônio.Palavras-chave: Saberes. Alimentação. Patrimônio Cultural. Memórias. RESUMEN:La región del Seridó tiene en sus huellas la fuerte presencia de su pasado colonial, en particular por los ciclos económicos del ganado y del algodón. La memoria de la esclavitud se quedó silenciada a lo largo de los años y sólo recientemente resurge, lanzando nuevas luces sobre un pasado de sombras y silencios. La retomada de las memorias y la emergencia étnica se apoyan en los sabores y en las prácticas culinarias tradicionales que sustituyen a los silencios y posibilitan el recuerdo de otra historia. A través de investigaciones realizadas junto a actividades del Proyecto de Investigación y Extensión Tronco, Ramos y Raíces, recogemos datos etnográficos en diversas localidades del Seridó, siguiendo los rastros de las memorias de las cocineras negras. En las cocinas del Seridó, emerge un patrimonio cultural de matriz africana que estaba invisible pero, sin embargo, presentes en el cotidiano: como señalamos a lo largo del artículo, las comidas “del tiempo del cautiverio” todavía son la base de la alimentación cotidiana en la actualidad y son poco a poco revalorizadas. Prácticas y técnicas alimentares transmitidas por las mujeres en el seno de las familias negras a lo largo de las generaciones: esas comidas de raíces sobrepasan hoy el ámbito doméstico y entra al gusto público, como patrimonio.Palabras clave: Saberes. Alimentación. Patrimonio cultural. Memorias.
CASAS DE FARINHA: RESISTÊNCIA E TRADIÇÃO NO MACIÇO DO BATURITÉ (FLOURS HOUSE: RESISTANCE AND TRADITION IN THE MACIÇO OF BATURITÉ)
Authors: Oliveira Renata Lima , Santos Jaqueline Sgarbi , Zuliani Daniela Queiroz
Published: October 2019

RESUMO:No Maciço de Baturité, assim como em outras regiões do Nordeste brasileiro, a farinhada – produção artesanal de farinha de mandioca –, assume diversos sentidos para além da dimensão do alimento, pois trata-se de prática cultural de grande importância para região. A casa de farinha remete às memórias dos farinheiros, aos gostos e sabores, ao tempo em que havia um circuito de farinhadas em grande parte das comunidades rurais. Porém, em tempos de padronizações dos alimentos, muitas formas de produção tradicionais estão em transformação. Como passos iniciais desta pesquisa, foram feitas incursões exploratórias na região, através da cooperação de informantes chave atuantes no território. O desenvolvimento da mandiocultura em sistema de consórcio, garante às famílias, não só o consumo da produção, como também a comercialização, contribuindo, concomitantemente com a segurança alimentar e nutricional e desenvolvimento dos agricultores familiares. Apesar de várias casas de farinha terem sido abandonadas, algumas chegando até a cair pela ação do tempo, ainda há muitas que persistem e se tornam um ambiente vivo para compreensão das práticas e modos de vida associados a atividade de elaboração artesanal da farinha de mandioca naquela realidade.Palavras-chave: Farinhada. Produtos tradicionais. Autoconsumo. Identidade. ABSTRACT:In the Maciço of Baturité, as well as in other regions of the Brazilian northeast, the flour-handmade production of manioc flour, assumes several senses beyond the size of the food goes beyond the process of production of flour, because it is deé a practice Culture of great importance for the region. It refers to the memories of the farinheiros, to the tastes and flavors, to the time when they had a circuit of flours in most of the rural communities. However, in times of food standardization, many traditional forms of production are in transformation. As the initial steps of this research, exploratory raids were made in the region, through the cooperation of the territorial articulators. The development of Mandiocultura in a consortium system guarantees families, not only the consumption of their production, but also the marketing, contributing to the food and nutritional security of family farmers. Although several flour houses have been abandoned, some coming up to fall by the action of time, there are still many that persist and become a living environment for understanding the practices and ways of life associated with the artisanal crafting of the flour of mandioca.Keywords: Flour. Traditional products. Self-consumption. Identity.
From Hybridity of Cultural Production to Hyperreality of Post-feminism in K-pop: A Theoretical Reconsideration for Critical Approaches to Cultural Assemblages in Neoliberal Culture Industry
Authors: Kim Gooyong
Published: October 2019

This paper evaluates a current discourse of cultural hybridity that is deployed to examine the global success of local popular culture from South Korea. Indicating the discourse is descriptive without retaining an explanatory merit, I propose an alternative perspective based on Jean Baudrillard’s notion of simulation and hyperreality, while focusing on the political economy of cultural hybridization. Examining how the Korean popular music (K-pop) industry mixes various audio-visual elements, I argue cultural hybridity in K-pop is not so much an autonomous, self-reflective cultural endeavor as an industrial means to maximize profits while perpetuating the status quo of gender relations. Re-inserting K-pop within the industry’s structural configurations, I analyze how and why a hyper-real personality of female idols who sport contradictory characteristics, innocence and explicit sexuality, becomes a new ideal femininity. Indicating neoliberal and post-feminist ramifications in K-pop’s hybridity, I redress the myopic, descriptive nature of the current scholarship.
Imagination as a Research Method: Spatial Futures for Pyongyang in 2050
Authors: Pedret Annie
Published: October 2019

Conventional methods are necessary for addressing certain types of problems, but they are inadequate for investigating subjects that cannot be known in an increasingly complex and emergent world. The method proposed in this paper acknowledges the role of imagination as a cognitive function involved in all human activities from perception and reasoning to experiment and speculation. It forms the theoretical basis for an inter-disciplinary research method that combines the scenario method from Future Studies, fictive narrative, and design thinking and visualization for examining the projects for alternative plausible spatial futures of Pyongyang in the context of a unified Korean peninsula.
Ruins, Memory and Vibrant Matter: Imagining Future North Korean Rural Terrains
Authors: Winstanley-Chesters Robert
Published: October 2019

With recent work in mind from the fields of Critical and Human Geography and Philosophy on webs of political life and ruins as lively matters, in process and becoming the paper considers the futures for North Korean non-urban landscapes from a temporal (and spatial) frame beyond that of Pyongyang’s present. Following a change of status quo on the Korean Peninsula in which North Korea as we know now it ceases to exist, how will both state bureaucracy and popular cultural power impact on terrains so heavily transformed by the ideology and political culture of North Korea? Will post-transformation forces consider architectures of ideological memory entirely ruined, attempt to write their own cultures and memories on these spaces, or unwrite previous ones, co-producing new landscapes of memory on the Korean Peninsula? In particular, this paper examines the physical and material futures for two important sites in North Korea. Firstly, the Samjiyon Grand Monument and the Birch Trees of Lake Samji, representative within North Korea’s historical narrative of both military struggles in the area and the first acknowledgement of Kim Il Sung and his first wife, Kim Jong Suk’s relationship. Secondly the paper considers Mt. Paektu and very specifically the Secret Guerrilla Camp below it, and Jong Il Peak, part of the mountain now graced by Kim Jong Il’s signature written in huge Korean script. Both sites, along with North Korea’s wider rural and wild spaces are in a sense ruined by their enmeshing with the political narratives of Pyongyang. However, in their ruination the paper sees the unpicking and untwining of this state, through the processes of time and culturalpolitical re-configurations.
Recommending Links to Control Elections via Social Influence
Authors: Corò Federico , D’Angelo Gianlorenzo , Velaj Yllka
Published: October 2019

Political parties recently learned that they must use social media campaigns along with advertising on traditional media to defeat their opponents. Before the campaign starts, it is important for a political party to establish and ensure its media presence, for example by enlarging their number of connections in the social network in order to assure a larger portion of users. Indeed, adding new connections between users increases the capabilities of a social network of spreading information, which in turn can increase the retention rate and the number of new voters. In this work, we address the problem of selecting a fixed-size set of new connections to be added to a subset of voters that, with their influence, will change the opinion of the network’s users about a target candidate, maximizing its chances to win the election. We provide a constant factor approximation algorithm for this problem and we experimentally show that, with few new links and small computational time, our algorithm is able to maximize the chances to make the target candidate win the elections.
Study of Exposure Uniformity of UV LED Exposure System for Wafer-Level Camera Lenses
Authors: Wu Kuo-Tsai , Hwang Sheng-Jye , Lee Huei-Huang
Published: October 2019

Wafer-level camera lenses are a very promising process for camera lens fabrication. However, there exist some problems with this technology, such as uneven exposure due to curing non-uniformities. In this study, an optical simulation was implemented to simulate the UV light-emitting diodes (LEDs) curing process. We design the LED arrangement, and then find the corresponding LED and adjust the LED power to improve exposure uniformity. The simulation results are very close to the experimental data, and the uniformity is also within the standard range.
Glucose-Mediated Synthesis of Hierarchical Porous ZnGa2O4 Microspheres for Effective Photocatalytic Removal of Aromatic and Arsenic Pollutants
Authors: Tian Qinfen , Ren Shiming , Cai Zaiwei , Chen Changhao , Zheng Yi , Zhuang Jiandong
Published: October 2019

Porous ZnGa2O4 microspheres (P-ZGO) are synthesized by a facial glucose-mediated microwave hydrothermal method followed by annealing. The morphological, photoelectric and photocatalytic properties of the as-prepared P-ZGO sample are characterized in detail, and the results show that the P-ZGO photocatalyst has a good crystallinity, large species surface area, hierarchical mesoporosity, and distinguished photoelectric properties. Under 254 nm UV irradiation, the P-ZGO sample shows a much higher activity and stability than TiO2 in the photocatalytic degradation of gas-phase aromatic pollutants. The average conversion efficiencies of toluene and benzene over P-ZGO are ~56.6% and ~44.3%, and with corresponding mineralization rates of ~86.3% and ~65.2%, respectively. No remarkable deactivation of P-ZGO is observed in a 60 h heterogeneous photoreaction. Furthermore, the as-prepared P-ZGO sample also shows an excellent photocatalytic efficiency (up to 99.8%) for the liquid-phase As(III) removal from water. The distinguished photocatalytic performance of P-ZGO can be ascribed to its unique electronic structures and hierarchical morphologies. According to the results of our analysis, a possible mechanism is also proposed to elaborate the photocatalytic oxidation process in the pollutants/P-ZGO system.
Analysis of Lifetime Mortality Trajectories in Wildlife Disease Research: BaSTA and Beyond
Authors: Hudson Dave W. , Delahay Richard , McDonald Robbie A. , McKinley Trevelyan J. , Hodgson Dave J.
Published: October 2019

Wildlife hosts are important reservoirs of a wide range of human and livestock infections worldwide, and in some instances, wildlife populations are threatened by disease. Yet wildlife diseases are difficult to monitor, and we often lack an understanding of basic epidemiological parameters that might inform disease management and the design of targeted interventions. The impacts of disease on host survival are generally associated with age, yet traditional epidemiological models tend to use simplistic categories of host age. Mortality trajectory analysis provides the opportunity to understand age-specific impacts of disease and uncover epidemiological patterns across complete life histories. Here, we use Bayesian survival trajectory analysis (BaSTA) software to analyse capture-mark-recapture data from a population of wild badgers Meles meles naturally infected with Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of tuberculosis in badgers and cattle. We reveal non-constant mortality trajectories, and show that infection exaggerates an age-dependent increase in late-life mortality. This study provides evidence for actuarial senescence in badgers, a species previously believed to display constant mortality throughout life. Our case study demonstrates the application of mortality trajectory analysis in wildlife disease research, but also highlights important limitations. We recommend BaSTA for mortality trajectory analysis in epidemiological research, but also suggest combining approaches that can include diagnostic uncertainty and the movement of hosts between disease states as they age. We recommend future combinations of multi-state and multi-event modelling frameworks for complex systems incorporating age-varying disease states.
First Report of the Coral-Killing Sponge Terpios hoshinota Rützler and Muzik, 1993 in Western Australia: A New Threat to Kimberley Coral Reefs?
Authors: Fromont Jane , Richards Zoe T. , Wilson Nerida G.
Published: October 2019

The cyanobacteriosponge Terpios hoshinota has been reported throughout the Indo-Pacific including the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The species encrusts live coral, giant clams, and other benthos and can be a threat to benthic communities on coral reefs. The Kimberley region of Western Australia has some of the least impacted reefs globally. We report for the first time the presence of T. hoshinota in the eastern Indian Ocean on Kimberley inshore coral reefs. Given its invasive potential, reef health surveys should include this species, and monitoring approaches developed to audit the remote Kimberley for this and other invasive species.
Swimming Abilities of Temperate Pelagic Fish Larvae Prove that They May Control Their Dispersion in Coastal Areas
Authors: Baptista Vânia , Morais Pedro , Cruz Joana , Castanho Sara , Ribeiro Laura , Pousão-Ferreira Pedro , Leitão Francisco , Wolanski Eric , Teodósio Maria Alexandra
Published: October 2019

The Sense Acuity and Behavioral (SAAB) Hypothesis proposes that the swimming capabilities and sensorial acuity of temperate fish larvae allows them to find and swim towards coastal nursery areas, which are crucial for their recruitment. To gather further evidence to support this theory, it is necessary to understand how horizontal swimming capability varies along fish larvae ontogeny. Therefore, we studied the swimming capability of white seabream Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus, 1758) larvae along ontogeny, and their relationship with physiological condition. Thus, critical swimming speed (Ucrit) and the distance swam (km) during endurance tests were determined for fish larvae from 15 to 55 days post-hatching (DPH), and their physiological condition (RNA, DNA and protein contents) was assessed. The critical swimming speed of white seabream larvae increased along ontogeny from 1.1 cm s−1 (15 DPH) to 23 cm s−1 (50 and 55 DPH), and the distance swam by larvae in the endurance experiments increased from 0.01 km (15 DPH) to 86.5 km (45 DPH). This finding supports one of the premises of the SAAB hypothesis, which proposes that fish larvae can influence their transport and distribution in coastal areas due to their swimming capabilities. The relationship between larvae’s physiological condition and swimming capabilities were not evident in this study. Overall, this study provides critical information for understanding the link between population dynamics and connectivity with the management and conservation of fish stocks.
Age-Independent Adult Mortality in a Long-Lived Herb
Authors: Edelfeldt Stina , Lindell Torbjörn , Dahlgren Johan P.
Published: October 2019

Relative to mammals and birds, little is known about the mortality trajectories of perennial plants, as there are few long-term demographic studies following multiple yearly cohorts from birth to death. This is particularly important because if reproductively mature individuals show actuarial senescence, current estimations of life spans assuming constant survival would be incorrect. There is also a lack of studies documenting how life history trade-offs and disturbance influence the mortality trajectories of plants. We conducted Bayesian survival trajectory analyses (BaSTA) of a 33-year individual-based dataset of Pulsatilla vulgaris ssp. gotlandica. Mortality trajectories corresponded to “Type III” survivorship patterns, with rapidly decreasing annual mortality rates for young plants, but with constant mortality for reproductively mature individuals. We found trade-off effects resulting in a cost of growth for non-reproductive plants but no apparent cost of reproduction. Contrarily to our expectation, young plants that had previously shrunk in size had a lower mortality. However, accounting for trade-offs and disturbance only had minor effects on the mortality trajectories. We conclude that BaSTA is a useful tool for assessing mortality patterns in plants if only partial age information is available. Furthermore, if constant mortality is a general pattern in polycarpic plants, long-term studies may not be necessary to assess their age-dependent demography.
An Ultra-Wide Band Polarization-Independent Random Coding Metasurface for RCS Reduction
Authors: Dai Huijuan , Zhao Yongjiu , Li Huangyan , Chen Jiaqing , He Zheng , Qi Wenjun
Published: October 2019

In this paper, a novel ultra-wide band (UWB) random 3-bit coding metasurface with polarization independence has been designed to realize radar cross-section (RCS) reduction. The proposed structure consists of polarization conversion metasurfaces (PCMs), which possess the capability of rotating linear polarization waves to their orthogonal ones in an UWB. The polarization-independent property can be attributed to the random rotation angle of each constituting unit. Due to the randomness of 3-bit coding and rotation angle of each element, the divergence of the reflected beam is greatly improved. In addition, the effect of RCS reduction with respect to the unit period length and the unit position are also discussed. Finally, a prototype is fabricated and measured to validate the simulation. The experimental results demonstrate that an ultra-wide band RCS reduction over 10 dB, ranging from 18.3–42.2 GHz, can be attained by the proposed coding metasurface and the maximum reduction is 28.7 dB.
Numerical Analysis of Roadway Rock-Burst Hazard under Superposed Dynamic and Static Loads
Authors: Kong Peng , Jiang Lishuai , Jiang Jinquan , Wu Yongning , Chen Lianjun , Ning Jianguo
Published: October 2019

Microseismic events commonly occur during the excavation of long wall panels and often cause rock-burst accidents when the roadway is influenced by dynamic loads. In this paper, the Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua in 3-Dimensions (FLAC3D) software is used to study the deformation and rock-burst potential of roadways under different dynamic and static loads. The results show that the larger the dynamic load is, the greater the increase in the deformation of the roadway under the same static loading conditions. A roadway under a high static load is more susceptible to deformation and instability when affected by dynamic loads. Under different static loading conditions, the dynamic responses of the roadway abutment stress distribution are different. When the roadway is shallow buried and the dynamic load is small, the stress and elastic energy density of the coal body in the area of the peak abutment stress after the dynamic load are greater than the static calculations. The dynamic load provides energy storage for the coal body in the area of the peak abutment stress. When the roadway is deep, a small dynamic load can still cause the stress in the coal body and the elastic energy density to decrease in the area of the peak abutment stress, and a rock-burst is more likely to occur in a deep mine roadway with a combination of a high static load and a weak dynamic load. When the dynamic load is large, the peak abutment stress decreases greatly after the dynamic loading, and under the same dynamic loading conditions, the greater the depth the roadway is, the greater the elastic energy released by the dynamic load. Control measures are discussed for different dynamic and static load sources of rock-burst accidents. The results provide a reference for the control of rock-burst disasters under dynamic loads.
Influence of Thorny Bamboo Plantations on Soil Microbial Biomass and Community Structure in Subtropical Badland Soils
Authors: Chang Ed-Haun , Tian Guanglong , Shiau Yo-Jin , Chen Tsai-Huei , Chiu Chih-Yu
Published: October 2019

Vegetation in southeastern Taiwan plays an important role in rehabilitating badland soils (high silt and clay content) and maintaining the soil microbial community. The establishment of thorny bamboo (Bambusa stenostachya Hackel) may have had a profound impact on the abundance and community structure of soil microorganisms. However, little is known regarding the influence of bamboo on soil biota in the badland ecosystem. The present study was conducted at three badland sites in southwestern Taiwan and focused on the measurement of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) together with soil microbial biomass C (Cmic) and N (Nmic) contents, enzyme activities, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) assessments. The abundances of whole soil microbes as well as bacterial and fungal groups—as evident by PLFA, Cmic and Nmic contents—were much higher in the bamboo plantation soils than the bare land soils. The increased soil organic matter in bamboo plantations relative to the control largely explained the enhancement, the abundance and diversity in the soil microbial community. Principal component analysis of individual PLFA peaks separated the bamboo plantation soil from the non-plantation bare land soil. DGGE analysis also revealed a difference in both bacterial and fungal community structures between soil types. Redundancy analysis of PLFA peak abundance and soil properties indicated that microbial community structure was positively correlated with soil organic C and total N and negatively correlated with pH. This differentiation could be attributed to bamboo in suitable habitats providing an essential nutrient source for soil microbes. The pH reduction in these alkaline soils also contributed to the increase in the size of the microbial community in bamboo-regenerated soils. Together, the results of this study indicate that bamboo plantations are beneficial for soil microbial activities and soil quality in badland areas.
Phylogeographical Structure of Liquidambar formosana Hance Revealed by Chloroplast Phylogeography and Species Distribution Models
Authors: Sun Rongxi , Lin Furong , Huang Ping , Ye Xuemin , Lai Jiuxin , Zheng Yongqi
Published: October 2019

To understand the origin and evolutionary history, and the geographical and historical causes for the formation of the current distribution pattern of Lquidambar formosana Hance, we investigated the phylogeography by using chloroplasts DNA (cpDNA) non-coding sequences and species distribution models (SDM). Four cpDNA intergenic spacer regions were amplified and sequenced for 251 individuals from 25 populations covering most of its geographical range in China. A total of 20 haplotypes were recovered. The species had a high level of chloroplast genetic variation (Ht = 0.909 ± 0.0192) and a significant phylogeographical structure (genetic differentiation takes into account distances among haplotypes (Nst) = 0.730 > population differentiation that does not consider distances among haplotypes (Gst) = 0.645; p < 0.05), whereas the genetic variation within populations (Hs = 0.323 ± 0.0553) was low. The variation of haplotype mainly occurred among populations (genetic differentiation coefficient (Fst) = 0.73012). The low genetic diversity within populations may be attributed to the restricted gene flow (Nm = 0.18). The time of the most recent common ancestor for clade V mostly distributed in Southwestern China, Central China, Qinling and Dabieshan mountains was 10.30 Ma (95% Highest posterior density (HPD): 9.74–15.28) dating back to the middle Miocene, which revealed the genetic structure of L. formosana was of ancient origin. These results indicated that dramatic changes since the Miocene may have driven the ancestors of L. formosana to retreat from the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere to subtropical China in which the establishment and initial intensification of the Asian monsoon provided conditions for their ecological requirements. This scenario was confirmed by the fossil record. SDM results indicated there were no contraction–expansion dynamics, and there was a stable range since the last interglacial period (LIG, 130 kya). Compared with the population expansion detected by Fu’s Fs value and the mismatch distribution, we speculated the expansion time may happen before the interglacial period. Evidence supporting L. formosana was the ancient origin and table range since the last interglacial period.
Hyaluronic Acid-Based Medical Device for Treatment of Alveolar Osteitis—Clinical Study
Authors: Suchánek Jakub , Ivančaková Romana , Mottl Radovan , Browne Klára , Pilneyová Kristýna , Pilbauerová Nela , Schmidt Jan , Suchánková Kleplová Tereza
Published: October 2019

Alveolar Osteitis (AO) is a complication following the extraction of a tooth. AO manifests through localized pain in, and around, the extraction site, where the post-operative blood clot has been disintegrated. The aim of this single cohort study was to evaluate the outcome of a treatment of AO, using a pharmacological device composed of hyaluronic acid and octenidine dihydrochloride. The tested device is a sponge-like material, composed solely of a fully dissoluble medicaments (hyaluronic acid, calcium chloride, and octenidine dihydrochloride). It was designed to serve as a non-toxic, slow-dissolving antiseptic, that adheres to mucosa and obturates the wound. This study includes 58 subjects who were diagnosed with AO. The tested device was administered once daily until local pain subsided to < 20 mm of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The treatment was considered effective when the pain subsided to < 20 mm VAS in < 8 days of treatment; as per comparative studies. Our findings provide a statistically significant success rate of 96.0% (95.0% confidence interval of 75.75% to 97.8%) after pharmacological device administrations. No adverse medical effects were detected. Acquired data confirmed that lyophilized hyaluronic acid, combined with octenidine, is effective for the treatment of AO. The results are clinically important as AO is a common complication after third molar extractions.
The Primary Care of Immigrant Workers and Their Associated Characteristics within A Taiwanese Fishing Community
Authors: Kang Shih-Chao , Lin Chun-Chi , Tsai Chia-Chen , Chang Yin-Chieh , Wu Chi-Yi , Chang Ke-Chang , Lo Su-Shun
Published: October 2019

In Taiwan, immigrant workers play an important role in fisheries but they are easily ignored by society. The health problems and associated characteristics of immigrant workers in fisheries remain unclear. Descriptive and retrospective analyses were performed. Outpatient data were collected from a primary care clinic for six fishing villages in North Eastern Taiwan between 1 August 2016 and 31 July 2017. The data of immigrant workers was recorded and compared with that of natives. A total of 241 immigrant workers and 1342 natives were enrolled. Compared with the natives, the immigrant workers had a significantly younger age, male predominance, and fewer mean visits per year. The immigrant worker’s visits tended to be more highly focused during the third quarter of the year. Immigrant workers paid more registration fees and self-payment, but they paid less on diagnosis fees, oral medication, laboratory exams and had reduced total costs. The top five diagnoses for immigrant workers were respiratory diseases (38.3%), trauma (15.2%), musculoskeletal diseases (11.2%), skin-related diseases (9.5%), and digestive diseases (9.1%). Immigrant workers were positively correlated with infectious/parasitic diseases, and negatively correlated with medical consults and endocrine/metabolic diseases. Immigrant workers were also positively associated with registration fees and self-payment, but negatively correlated with diagnosis fees and total costs (all p < 0.05). The distribution of skin diseases and trauma were affected by age and sex as opposed to ethnic group. Immigrant status’ health issues should be given more attention.
The Effect of Brick and Granite Block Paving Materials on Traffic Speed
Authors: Nogueira Xavier Rojas , Mennis Jeremy
Published: October 2019

Slowing traffic speed in urban areas has been shown to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities due to automobile accidents. This research aims to measure how brick and granite block paving materials, which were widely used historically prior to the use of asphalt paving in many cities, may influence free flow traffic speed. Traffic speeds for 690 vehicles traversing street blocks paved with asphalt, granite block, and brick materials were measured using a radar gun on a sample of 18 matched pair (asphalt and historic paving material) street blocks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fixed effects linear regression was used to estimate the effect of paving material on vehicle speed after controlling for the street class (e.g., arterial versus local road) and the matched pair. Results indicate that brick reduced speeds by approximately 3 mph (~5 km/h) and granite block reduced speeds by approximately 7 mph (~11 km/h), as compared to asphalt paved city streets, which we attribute to drivers intentionally slowing due to road roughness. This research suggests that brick and granite block paving materials may be an effective traffic calming strategy, having implications for reducing negative health outcomes associated with pedestrian–automobile collisions.
Public Attitudes, Preferences and Willingness to Pay for River Ecosystem Services
Authors: Khan Imran , Lei Hongdou , Ali Gaffar , Ali Shahid , Zhao Minjuan
Published: October 2019

River basins are key sources of ecosystem services, with a wide range of social and economic benefits and many effects on human well-being. However, intensified land use and other dramatic variations in river ecosystems can alter ecosystem functions and services. In this study, we explored the public awareness, attitude and perception regarding environmental and water resource issues and assessed the willingness to pay (WTP) for improving selected attributes of the Wei River basin. Various rankings, Likert scales and random parameter logit (RPL) models were used to analyze data obtained from 900 surveyed respondents. Most respondents were more concerned about environmental and water resource management issues rather than socioeconomic attributes. From a policy perspective, 83.32% and 50.50% of the residents ranked “improvement in water quality” and “improving irrigation conditions,” respectively, as their main priorities regarding ecological restoration. Moreover, the results obtained using RPL models showed that the coefficients were significant for all ecological attributes and monetary attributes, as expected. The positive and significant coefficient for the alternative specific constant demonstrated that the respondents preferred restoration alternatives to the status quo. Furthermore, the highest WTP was found for water quality (91.99 RMB), followed by erosion intensity (23.59 RMB) and water quantity (11.79 RMB). Our results are relevant to policy development and they indicate that ecological restoration is the favored option.
Comment on: “Gene–Diet Interactions in Type 2 Diabetes: The Chicken and Egg Debate”
Authors: Onur Cura Duygu
Published: October 2019

Ortega et al. published a comprehensive review which examines the relationship between nutritional genomics and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from a wide perspective [1] [...]
Exogenous Iron Increases Fasciocidal Activity and Hepatocellular Toxicity of the Synthetic Endoperoxides OZ78 and MT04
Authors: Brecht Karin , Kirchhofer Carla , Bouitbir Jamal , Trapani Francesca , Keiser Jennifer , Krähenbühl Stephan
Published: October 2019

The synthetic peroxides OZ78 and MT04 recently emerged as fasciocidal drug candidates. However, the effect of iron on fasciocidal activity and hepatocellular toxicity of these compounds is unknown. We investigated the in vitro fasciocidal activity and hepatocellular toxicity of OZ78 and MT04 in absence and presence of Fe(II)chloride and hemin, and conducted a toxicological study in mice. Studies were performed in comparison with the antimalarial artesunate (AS), a semisynthetic peroxide. Fasciocidal effects of OZ78 and MT04 were confirmed and enhanced by Fe2+ or hemin. In HepG2 cells, AS reduced cellular ATP and impaired membrane integrity concentration-dependently. In comparison, OZ78 or MT04 were not toxic at 100 µM and reduced the cellular ATP by 13% and 19%, respectively, but were not membrane-toxic at 500 µM. The addition of Fe2+ or hemin increased the toxicity of OZ78 and MT04 significantly. AS inhibited complex I, II, and IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, and MT04 impaired complex I and II, whereas OZ78 was not toxic. All three compounds increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration-dependently, with a further increase by Fe2+ or hemin. Mice treated orally with up to 800 mg OZ78, or MT04 showed no relevant hepatotoxicity. In conclusion, we confirmed fasciocidal activity of OZ78 and MT04, which was increased by Fe2+ or hemin. OZ78 and MT04 were toxic to HepG2 cells, which was explained by mitochondrial damage associated with ROS generation in the presence of iron. No relevant hepatotoxicity was observed in mice in vivo, possibly due to limited exposure and/or high antioxidative hepatic capacity.
Apoptotic Fragmentation of Tricellulin
Authors: Janke Susanne , Mittag Sonnhild , Reiche Juliane , Huber Otmar
Published: October 2019

Apoptotic extrusion of cells from epithelial cell layers is of central importance for epithelial homeostasis. As a prerequisite cell–cell contacts between apoptotic cells and their neighbors have to be dissociated. Tricellular tight junctions (tTJs) represent specialized structures that seal polarized epithelial cells at sites where three cells meet and are characterized by the specific expression of tricellulin and angulins. Here, we specifically addressed the fate of tricellulin in apoptotic cells. Methods: Apoptosis was induced by staurosporine or camptothecin in MDCKII and RT-112 cells. The fate of tricellulin was analyzed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Caspase activity was inhibited by Z-VAD-FMK or Z-DEVD-FMK. Results: Induction of apoptosis induces the degradation of tricellulin with time. Aspartate residues 487 and 441 were identified as caspase cleavage-sites in the C-terminal coiled-coil domain of human tricellulin. Fragmentation of tricellulin was inhibited in the presence of caspase inhibitors or when Asp487 or Asp441 were mutated to asparagine. Deletion of the tricellulin C-terminal amino acids prevented binding to lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR)/angulin-1 and thus should impair specific localization of tricellulin to tTJs. Conclusions: Tricellulin is a substrate of caspases and its cleavage in consequence contributes to the dissolution of tTJs during apoptosis.
Newborn Screening: Current Status in Alberta, Canada
Authors: De Souza Andy , Wolan Vanessa , Battochio Angie , Christian Susan , Hume Stacey , Johner Grace , Lilley Margaret , Ridsdale Ross , Schnabl Kareena , Tran Chi , Yuen-Jung Jolene , Sosova Iveta
Published: October 2019

Newborn screening (NBS) in Alberta is delivered by a number of government and health service entities who work together to provide newborn screening to infants born in Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and the Kitikmeot region of the Nunavut territory. The Alberta panel screens for 21 disorders (16 metabolic, two endocrine, cystic fibrosis, severe combined immunodeficiency, and sickle cell disease). NBS is a standard of care, but is not mandatory. NBS performance is monitored by the Alberta Newborn Metabolic Screening (NMS) Program and NMS Laboratory, who strive for continuous quality improvement. Performance analysis found that over 99% of registered infants in Alberta received a newborn screen and over 98% of these infants received a screen result within 10 days of age.
Spatial and Temporal Genetic Diversity of the Peach Potato Aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) in Tunisia
Authors: Hlaoui Amen , Boukhris-Bouhachem Sonia , Sepúlveda Daniela A. , Correa Margarita C.G. , Briones Lucía M. , Souissi Rebha , Figueroa Christian C.
Published: October 2019

The peach potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is a worldwide pest of many crops, and the most important aphid pest of peach and potato crops in Tunisia, mainly due to virus transmission, for which insecticides are frequently applied. We studied the genetic structure of M. persicae populations in Tunisia, in order to further our understanding of the biotic and abiotic factors shaping populations and to predict their evolutionary responses to the present management practices. We monitored peach orchards and seed potato crops in different seasons and regions from 2011–2013 and in 2016 (19 populations), assessing the genetic diversity of M. persicae at six microsatellite loci. Temporal and spatial changes in the frequency and distribution of 397 genotypes in 548 sampled aphids were studied. Only 37 genotypes were found more than once (clonal amplification), as most genotypes were found only once (91.60% in peach; 88.73% in potato crops). A similarly high genetic diversity was observed in aphids sampled from peach (G/N = 0.76; Ho = 0.617) and potato (G/N = 0.70; Ho = 0.641). Only a weak genetic differentiation among populations was found, mainly between geographic locations. Clustering analysis revealed genotypes to be grouped mainly according to host plant. The availability of the primary host, high proportion of unique genotypes, high genetic diversity and lack of structuring suggest that the aphid reproduces mainly through cyclical parthenogenesis in Tunisia. On the other hand, we provide a farm-scale study that shows how easily M. persicae can colonize different areas and hosts, which may have important implications in relation to plant virus vectoring.
Cell-Penetrating Peptides as a Tool for the Cellular Uptake of a Genetically Modified Nitroreductase for use in Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy
Authors: Anderson Simon D. , Hobbs Robert J. , Gwenin Vanessa V. , Ball Patrick , Bennie Lindsey A. , Coulter Jonathan A. , Gwenin Chris D.
Published: October 2019

Directed enzyme prodrug therapy (DEPT) involves the delivery of a prodrug-activating enzyme to a solid tumour site, followed by the subsequent activation of an administered prodrug. One of the most studied enzyme–prodrug combinations is the nitroreductase from Escherichia coli (NfnB) with the prodrug CB1954 [5-(aziridin-1-yl)-2,4-dinitro-benzamide]. One of the major issues faced by DEPT is the ability to successfully internalize the enzyme into the target cells. NfnB has previously been genetically modified to contain cysteine residues (NfnB-Cys) which bind to gold nanoparticles for a novel DEPT therapy called magnetic nanoparticle directed enzyme prodrug therapy (MNDEPT). One cellular internalisation method is the use of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), which aid cellular internalization of cargo. Here the cell-penetrating peptides: HR9 and Pep-1 were tested for their ability to conjugate with NfnB-Cys. The conjugates were further tested for their potential use in MNDEPT, as well as conjugating with the delivery vector intended for use in MNDEPT and tested for the vectors capability to penetrate into cells.