bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digestion Procedure and Determination of Heavy Metals in Sewage Sludge—An Analytical Problem
Authors: Turek Anna , Wieczorek Kinga , Wolf Wojciech M.
Published: March 2019

Huge amounts of sewage sludge produced globally is a substantial environmental threat and require rational handling. Application in agriculture is an economical and relatively simple method of sludge management, however, it is associated with restrictions regarding metals content. According to EU regulations, the total amounts of Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Zn have to be analyzed by the AAS technique requiring effective destruction of the organic matrix. Currently used methods of sewage sludge digestion may be biased when applied without optimization. The aim of the presented work was to evaluate the efficiency of the organic substances destruction in either raw or stabilized sludge. Three mineralization procedures were evaluated, namely: (A)—drying and microwave digestion; (B)—ignition and microwave digestion; (C)—drying and conventional digestion. For matrix destruction, a mixture of concentrated HNO3 and HCl (3:1 v/v) was used. Metals were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). No limits of metal concentration were overdrawn. Generally, the method (B) was the most effective. Results obtained for Cu, Cd, and Zn after digestion by method (A) and (B) were comparable. Methods (B) and (C) yield complete decomposition of the matrix. As result, the precision of measurement substantially increases.
Critical Barriers to Social Responsibility Implementation within Mega-Construction Projects: The Case of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alotaibi Ali , Edum-Fotwe Francis , Price Andrew D.F.
Published: March 2019

Even though social responsibility (SR) has been widely discussed as a business concept, it is still not being effectively implemented within mega-construction projects due to a range of barriers. Overcoming these barriers requires detailed information, however, there is a lack of research on the barriers to SR implementation within mega-construction projects, particularly in developing countries like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This study thus aims to investigate the critical barriers to SR implementation with reference to mega-construction projects in the KSA. Eleven barriers were identified from a comprehensive literature review and interviews with experts. These barriers were examined in more detail using a questionnaire survey on two current mega-construction projects in the KSA. There were no differences in the ranking of barriers between the two projects with the 136 respondents identifying the top seven SR barriers as being: (i) additional costs; (ii) lack of awareness and knowledge; (iii) lack of guidelines and coherent strategy; (iv) lack of stakeholder communication; (v) lack of law enforcement; (vi) lack of training; and (vii) unclear project requirements. The findings of this study not only contribute to deeper understanding of the critical SR implementation barriers, but could also encourage industry practitioners and stakeholders to improve SR activities for more effective SR implementation. Moreover, identification and ranking of the critical barriers allows decision-makers to prioritize and develop effective strategies to tackle them at both project and sector scale. Future studies should investigate the interrelationship between the critical barriers and their impact on SR implementation
Sociology of Education for a Sustainable Future
Authors: Serpa Sandro , Sá Maria José
Published: March 2019

The Special Issue of the journal Sustainability—The importance of Sociology of Education for a sustainable future, aims to offer a contribution to the deepening of the relationship between the Sociology of Education and sustainability. There are seven published papers that, to a greater or lesser degree, problematize this relationship. This editorial presents this Special Issue, the published papers, contextualising this topic in contemporary science, concluding that this potential has room to be fully developed.
How to Instill Cultural Values in the New Generation through Cultural Promenades and Ancient Drama: A Field Research
Authors: Brinia Vasiliki , Psoni Paraskevi , Ntantasiou Eleni-Konstantina
Published: March 2019

The present study investigates whether experiential learning through cultural promenades and ancient Greek drama can constitute an effective method of instilling cultural values in the new generation. For this reason, field research was conducted in the broader area of Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Qualitative research through in-depth interviews followed, in order to record 42 student teachers’ perceptions after their own experiential contact with the method of cultural promenades. This research method with teacher candidates during their vocational training as future teachers is of great importance, as it will indicate whether the method of instilling cultural values through cultural promenades and ancient Greek drama is effective enough to be adopted in later teacher candidates’ teaching in schools. The choice of the sample is strategic, since the teaching specialty of the majority is economics and management, and thus teachers get acquainted with an innovative experiential methodology on teaching economic and cultural sustainability, which—according to literature—are interconnected. The findings reported valuable insights on the effectiveness of the said teaching methodology. The present research is the first that focuses on the descriptive interrelations among cultural promenades, experiential learning, cultural values, and sustainability, and thus it provides policy makers and teachers with invaluable insights.
Private over Public Interests in Regional Tourism Governance: A Case Study in Costalegre, Mexico
Authors: Riensche Marion , Castillo Alicia , García-Frapolli Eduardo , Moreno-Casasola Patricia , Tello-Díaz Carlos
Published: March 2019

Since the 1940s, the Costalegre, on the Pacific coast of Mexico, has been recognized as having a high potential for tourism. The aim of this paper is to understand tourism governance in a place where past and emergent luxury tourism co-exists with small-scale tourism in a largely rural and ecologically important landscape. We conducted in-depth interviews with 29 different stakeholders and administered a questionnaire survey to 27 tourist establishment owners and employees. We also held a workshop with 11 families from three rural communities and administered another questionnaire to a further 125 people from the same localities. Policy document analysis and participant observation completed the research. We found there to be strong discrepancies between the federal government’s legal framework for tourism development and local views and attributes for action. Owners and new investors in luxury tourism developments are well organized and have the economic and political power to obtain authorization for their projects, even in cases where the projects have received negative assessments from environmental scientists. We discuss how an ineffective local governance mode enables the wealthy part of the private sector to prevail, jeopardizing the construction of a regional strategy that is socially just and takes into account the needs of local residents.
A Sustainable Innovation—Additional Services for Products Based on Personalised Customer Value
Authors: Jiang Shaofei , Feng Di , Lu Chunfu
Published: March 2019

As a sustainable innovation, offering additional services for products (ASP) is rapidly emerging as an increasingly important consideration for manufactories. Although additional services can increase enhance product utility, there is no guarantee that they will be accepted by customers. This may lead to a waste of product and service resources. Customer acceptance is a prerequisite for sustainability. However, existing service evaluation methods do not support the evaluation of customer acceptance of ASP prior to implementation. We confirmed that customer value can be used to evaluate customer acceptance of ASP based on the conclusion that this factor plays a decisive role in customer acceptance and customer value can be used to evaluate products and services. Then we establish an evaluation model to measure the difference in customer value between products with and without ASP. Utility, input, and supply–demand coefficient were used to quantitatively describe the personalised customer value of customer segments. This approach supports manufacturers in the process of estimating customer acceptance of ASP prior to the allocation of service resources to the implementation of procedure. Using this model, manufactories can provide the most acceptable ASP for different customer groups with less service resources. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method to measure customer acceptance were established based on the measurement of customer value of the ASP in the case of portable fire extinguishers.
Should I Stay or Should I Go? Assessing Intermodal and Synchromodal Resilience from a Decentralized Perspective
Authors: Ambra Tomas , Caris An , Macharis Cathy
Published: March 2019

Synchromodal transport incorporates real-time events in a dynamic manner in order to facilitate the most suitable selection of modes, routes and handling points. Up until now, current assessments rely on analytical models. Most of these models average distances for barges and trains via route mapping platforms that provide realistic distances for road only. To reflect on real-world developments more accurately, new thinking and modelling approaches are necessary to bridge academic models with physical transport processes. This paper introduces a computational model which computes movements of agents in geographically referenced space. The model captures stochastic parallel processes for each mode, and simulates decentralized delivery performance of each order in terms of cost, time and emissions at an operational level. Furthermore, we study the routing of individual orders and their responsiveness to disruptions. Computational experiments are performed within a case study which concerns imports of retail goods by unimodal truck transport from France to Belgium. Our findings show that dynamic synchromodal solutions cope with disturbances better, but unnecessary deviations and pro-activeness can also lead to negative effects when compared to static intermodal solutions
Brand Revitalization of Heritage Enterprises for Cultural Sustainability in the Digital Era: A Case Study in China
Authors: Li Chenxi , Cui Zhengyan , Chen Jing , Zhou Ning
Published: March 2019

Many heritage enterprises have been struggling with severely declining brands in the digital era and are in desperate need of brand revitalization. Resolving the decline of heritage brands is not only a commercial issue but also a cultural sustainability issue because a living heritage brand can be considered an example of the preservation and even inheritance of a certain culture or history. While the prior literature has largely overlooked the cultural dimension of sustainability and the management of heritage enterprises from a brand revitalization perspective, this study investigates how a heritage enterprise achieves brand revitalization for cultural sustainability in the digital era. Using a Chinese heritage enterprise as a case organization, we identify three key processes of brand revitalization (i.e., redefining the heritage brand, communicating the updated image to consumers, and reconstructing the market boundaries of the heritage brand) for achieving cultural sustainability and examine the detailed mechanisms of each process. Our findings suggest that many brand revitalization efforts rely heavily on the use of various digital technologies. Theoretical and practical contributions are also discussed.
Paternalistic Leadership and Innovative Behavior: Psychological Empowerment as a Mediator
Authors: Dedahanov Alisher Tohirovich , Bozorov Faridun , Sung Sanghyun
Published: March 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of empowerment on the relationship between paternalistic leadership styles such as benevolent, moral, and authoritarian and employee innovative behavior. Design/methodology/approach: The data were collected from 390 employees of manufacturing companies in the Republic of Korea. To assess the validity of hypotheses we used a structural equation modeling procedure. Findings: The findings suggest that empowerment mediates the relationships among moral and authoritarian leadership styles and employee innovative behavior. However, results indicate that employee innovative behavior does not mediate the associations between benevolent leadership style and employee innovative behavior. Originality/value: Our work is the first to investigate the mediating role of empowerment on the link between paternalistic leadership styles such as benevolent, moral, and authoritarian and employee innovative behavior.
Evolution of the Construction Industry in China from the Perspectives of the Driving and Driven Ability
Authors: Gao Jingxin , Tang Xilai , Ren Hong , Cai Weiguang
Published: March 2019

The construction industry has been developing in recent years, facilitating economic development in China. However, the industry’s development has been confronted by a series of challenges. Exploring the characteristics of the influences of power and the association structure and their level of correlation in the construction industry is important to improve the understanding of the status and development of laws, to optimize industrial structure, and to improve the efficiency of the construction industry—factors that are fundamental to the realization of an optimized, upgraded construction industry. Therefore, the total consumption coefficient and the total distribution coefficient were calculated to reveal the influencing power of the construction industry. Based on the total consumption coefficient and the total distribution coefficient, the driven coefficient and driving coefficient are used to reflect the general effect on the entire industry network. The driven and driving networks were constructed using the total consumption coefficient and the total distribution coefficient to reveal the critical positions of the networks. The results show that the construction industry has significant driven and driving effects on other industries, which facilitate the improvement of the entire economic industry. However, an obvious gap exists between the driven ability and the driving ability as measured by the complex network. The point degree, betweenness degree, and subgroup cohesive characteristics show that the effect of the driven ability is much greater than that of the driving ability for the construction industry in 30 provinces. The findings provide information for policymaking related to the sustainable development of the construction industry in China.
Development of an Event-Based Water Quality Model for Sparsely Gauged Catchments
Authors: Nguyen Hong Quan , Meon Gunter , Nguyen Van Thinh
Published: March 2019

This paper describes an event-based water quality model for sparsely gauged catchments. The model was cultivated in a robust way to cope with practical issues, such as limited available data and error propagation. A simplified model structure and fewer input parameters are the most appealing features of this model. All model components are coupled and controlled within an Excel Spreadsheet Macro as an operational tool. Herein, the geomorphological instantaneous unit hydrograph (GIUH), the simplified process erosion and sedimentation component, the loading function, and the river routing from different existing modeling systems are adopted and linked together. Furthermore, an add-on Monte Carlo simulation tool is provided to deliver an uncertainty analysis for calibration of the output obtained from the model results. The model was successfully applied to simulate nutrient dynamics for small catchment scales during flood events in Vietnam. The success of the model application shows the ability of our model, which can adapt the model complexity to the data availability, i.e., the dominant processes in the system should be captured, whereas the minor processes may be neglected or treated in a less complex manner.
Company’s Sustainability and Accounting Conservatism: Firms Delisting from KOSDAQ
Authors: Shawn Hyuk , Kim Yun-wha , Jung Jae-gyung
Published: March 2019

This paper finds evidence that delisting firms make reported earnings more conservative to avoid litigation risk. Conservatism has been used as one of suitable reporting quality measurements that is separate from discretionary accruals, in that investors can monitor the firm’s contract efficiency or litigation risk by demanding conservatism. We collect a sample that is composed of 6348 listed non-financial companies for the period 2009–2016. Our results are as follows. First, we find that companies ahead of delisting are more conservative than other companies in Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (KOSDAQ). Second, companies that are ahead of delisting whose auditor is non-big4 are significantly more conservative. Our results imply that companies that are in the process of delisting are seeking to increase their sustainability and to improve earnings quality, such as conservatism, and that small auditors are more conservative in order to mitigate the higher risk of litigation in comparison with big4 auditors. This study has a role to complement prior studies regarding delisting, and provides that the delisting institutions in KOSDAQ market can improve the efficiency and the reliability of the capital market.
Regional Competition, Labor Force Mobility, and the Fiscal Behaviour of Local Governments in China
Authors: Yang Gangqiang , Chen Hong , Meng Xia
Published: March 2019

At present, China is in a critical period of transition from labor-intensive industries to capital- and technology-intensive industries. Accordingly, the increasing labor force mobility among Chinese cities has promoted competition over production factors among regions, having a significant impact on local governments’ fiscal expenditure structure. A theoretical analysis shows that the competition of livelihood public good expenditures is playing an increasingly important role in the factor flow competition. Different labor forces’ demand for different public goods and local governments’ demand for different labor forces affect the structural preference of local government fiscal expenditures. Based on panel data on Chinese prefecture-level cities in 2010–2016, this paper empirically tests the impact of different labor mobilities on the structure of local government fiscal expenditures, finding that current decision making on labor mobility is increasingly sensitive to the supply of livelihood public goods, and strengthening labor mobility has reversed the expenditure bias historically caused by the government’s simple capital competition. After dividing the mobile labor force based on whether the labor is settled in the current year, the two labor force types’ demand for different livelihood public goods was found to be different. To attract different labor inflows, local governments should promote an increase in relevant livelihood public good expenditures, showing a strategic fiscal expenditure structural bias. Specifically, with increasing new added general labor mobility, local goverments will increase the proportion of fiscal expenditures on education and medical care, combined with the increase of newly added registered labor mobility, which will correspondingly increase the proportion of environmental protection expenditures.
Fragmented Riverine Habitats in Taiwan Have Spatio-Temporal Consequences, Re-Distributing Caprimulgus affinis into Urban Areas Leading to a Human–Wildlife Conflict
Authors: Cheng Bai-You , Shyu Guey-Shin , Wu Shi-Ching , Lin Hsiao-Hsien , Hsu Chia-Hsuan , LePage Ben A. , Fang Wei-Ta
Published: March 2019

Caprimulgus affinis is an endemic species commonly known as the Taiwan nighthawk, forest nighthawk, or South Asian nighthawk. In recent years, the C. affinis population has gradually moved outward from river habitats into the metropolitan areas of Taiwan. Because male birds’ booming sounds at night can reach up to 90 dB or higher and they can be intermittently tweeting for more than 10 hours, they often disturb the sleep of urban residents and can even cause nightmares. In this study, we analyzed long-term survey data to assess the distribution history of C. affinis in Taiwan. By using 1738 entries of observation data collected from 1999 to 2014, a model of C. affinis distribution was constructed, and a geostatistical method was used to improve the accuracy of the model estimate. In addition, the Mann–Kendall trend test was applied to predict future C. affinis distribution. Based on the results, four variables were selected to construct the C. affinis distribution matrix. Urban population, coastal proximity, and distance to upstream river location represented positive driving forces, whereas city elevation was a negative driving force. C. affinis is currently distributed on the plains of central and southern Taiwan and in eastern Taiwan. The C. affinis emergence trend diagram was plotted using the time–space trend diagram, which showed yearly increases in the C. affinis populations in urban and settled areas including central, western, northeastern, and southeastern Taiwan and yearly decreases in the populations in rural areas including northern and southern Taiwan, especially in fragmented riverine habitats. Regression kriging can correctly describe the distribution of the entire C. affinis population, which leads to the correct understanding of the biological corridor of C. affinis in their migration through the graphical contours in GIS. The analytic model in this study contributes to the establishment of the time–space trend diagram.
The Impact of Perceived Corporate Social Responsibility on Frontline Employee’s Emotional Labor Strategies
Authors: Ji Seonggoo , Jan Ihsan Ullah
Published: March 2019

This study explores the relationship between corporate social responsibility and emotional labor strategies of frontline employees. In particular, the research focuses on the impact of perceived motives of corporate social responsibility on the cynicism, authenticity, and subsequently, the effect of cynicism and authenticity on surface acting and deep acting of frontline employees. Based on the online survey of 258 frontline employees in South Korea and structural equation modeling of the data, the findings show that the selfish motives of corporate social responsibility (CSR) increase cynicism whereas the altruistic motives of corporate social responsibility increase authenticity and decrease cynicism of frontline employees. In addition, this study reveals that CSR-cynicism leads to surface acting and reduces deep acting whereas CSR-authenticity increases deep acting and does not significantly affect surface acting of frontline employees.
Price and Output Elasticities of Energy Demand for Industrial Sectors in OECD Countries
Authors: Chang Boyoon , Kang Sung Jin , Jung Tae Yong
Published: March 2019

The price and output elasticities of energy demand continue to be of interest to academia and policy institutions, having been estimated in previous studies. However, the estimated results show some inconsistencies, especially at the sectoral level, across countries. Based on our conjecture that those inconsistencies are mainly due to the effect of contingent energy intensities and partially to different units of analysis, we narrowed the analysis to the industry level and classified 16 industries into energy-intensive and less energy-intensive groups. The effects of price and output on energy demand were then compared between these two groups using 274 industry panel data across 20 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries from 1978 to 2013. The results showed that the price elasticity of energy demand was consistently lower in the energy-intensive group than in the less energy-intensive group, whereas the output elasticity of energy demand was higher in the energy-intensive group than in the less energy-intensive group. Using panel differences and system generalized method of moments estimations, the dynamic elasticities of energy demand were also estimated. Energy demand in reaction to both price and output changes appeared to be more elastic in the long term than in the short term for both energy-intensive and less energy-intensive groups. These findings could be a useful reference for policy makers to deploy separate energy policies for different industries aiming for different temporal effects.
Does Urbanization Improve Industrial Water Consumption Efficiency?
Authors: Liu Bingquan , Li Yongqing , Hou Rui , Wang Hui
Published: March 2019

Although some studies have focused on the logical connection between industrial water consumption in the industrial economic development (IED) and industrial wastewater treatment (IWT) stages, the master–slave game relationship between these stages has not been considered. This study selected panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2015, divided these provinces into IED- and IWT-dominated regions, and developed a two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) model based on the master–slave game relationship between the IED and IWT stages. In addition, a regression model based on the Simar–Wilson approach was constructed to reveal the effects of urbanization on industrial water consumption efficiency. The results show that the industrial water consumption efficiency in China slightly fluctuated from 2011 to 2015, and there was no significant efficiency improvement. The efficiency of the IED stage was generally higher than that of the IWT stage, and the efficiency gap between stages was smaller in IED-dominated regions than in IWT-dominated regions. Urbanization has different effects on industrial water consumption efficiency, and the same factor can have significantly different effects in different regions. Some policy implications are proposed for the different types of regions.
Performance Analysis of Asphalt Mixtures Modified with Ground Tire Rubber Modifiers and Recycled Materials
Authors: Rath Punyaslok , Love Joshua E. , Buttlar William G. , Reis Henrique
Published: March 2019

The usage of Ground Tire Rubber (GTR) in asphalt pavements has gained renewed interest due to its potential sustainability, economic, and performance benefits. This study focuses on asphalt mixtures designed with three different rubber modifier products including (1) a terminal-blend GTR, (2) a dry-process, chemically processed rubber product, and (3) a terminal-blend rubber-polymer hybrid product. The modifications were incorporated into Illinois Tollway’s approved Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) designs using (1) a base binder (PG 58-28), (2) a softer binder (PG 46-34), and (3) a softer binder with higher recycled content. Disk-shaped Compact Tension (DC(T)) test, Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test (HWTT) and Acoustic Emission (AE) tests were performed to characterize the mixtures. The fracture energy for most mixtures met the stringent criteria of 690 J/m2 and the rut depths measured were less than 6 mm at 20,000 wheel passes. A Hamburg-DC(T) plot suggests that higher amounts of RAP/RAS (RAP: Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement; RAS: Reusable Asphalt Shingles) can be successfully used if a suitably soft base binder is employed.
Modeling the Consumers Opinion Influence in Online Social Media in the Case of Eco-friendly Products
Authors: Delcea Camelia , Cotfas Liviu-Adrian , Trică Carmen Lenuța , Crăciun Liliana , Molanescu Anca Gabriela
Published: March 2019

Social influence has a positive impact on the purchase intention for eco-friendly products along with other subjective and objective aspects related to environmental attitude, product attitude, and subjective and objective knowledge. Also, exposure to media has been proven to have a significant positive affect on environmental attitude, with effect on the purchase intention. Several recent studies have shown the importance of consumers’ influence in online social networks, underlying the role played by the online environments over consumers’ attitude. As a result, the current research tries to analyze the influence exerted on consumers’ decision to purchase eco-friendly products by their activity in online social environments. Using a questionnaire, filled-in by 409 respondents, a series of variables have been extracted with regard to the eco-friendly products. An agent-based model has been created, fed with the values of the variables extracted from the questionnaire, and used for simulations. As a result, it has been observed that an increase in online media exposure can have a high positive impact on the eco-friendly product adoption. Depending on the type of product—soft or durable good—different times for the eco-friendly product adoption have been determined relatively to the considered variables. Last, the possible limitations of using an agent-based modeling approach are discussed, along with possible extensions and improvements.
Effects of Hadron-Quark Phase Transitions in Hybrid Stars within the NJL Model
Authors: Ranea-Sandoval Ignacio Francisco , Orsaria Milva Gabriela , Malfatti Germán , Curin Daniela , Mariani Mauro , Contrera Gustavo Aníbal , Guilera Octavio Miguel
Published: March 2019

We study local and non-local Polyakov Nambu-Jona-Lasinio models and analyze their respective phase transition diagram. We construct hybrid stars using the zero temperature limit of the local and non-local versions of Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model for quark matter and the modern GM1(L) parametrization of the non-linear relativistic mean field model for hadronic matter. We compare our models with data from PSR J1614-2230 and PSR J0343+0432 and also from GW170817 and its electromagnetic counterpart GRB170817A and AT2017gfo. We study observational signatures of the appearance of a mixed phase as a result of modeling a phase transition that mimics the Gibbs formalism and compare the results with the sharp first-order phase transition obtained using the Maxwell construction. We also study in detail the g-mode associated with discontinuities in the equation of state, and calculate non-radial oscillation modes using relativistic Cowling approximation.
Hirota Difference Equation and Darboux System: Mutual Symmetry
Authors: Pogrebkov Andrei
Published: March 2019

We considered the relation between two famous integrable equations: The Hirota difference equation (HDE) and the Darboux system that describes conjugate curvilinear systems of coordinates in R 3 . We demonstrated that specific properties of solutions of the HDE with respect to independent variables enabled introduction of an infinite set of discrete symmetries. We showed that degeneracy of the HDE with respect to parameters of these discrete symmetries led to the introduction of continuous symmetries by means of a specific limiting procedure. This enabled consideration of these symmetries on equal terms with the original HDE independent variables. In particular, the Darboux system appeared as an integrable equation where continuous symmetries of the HDE served as independent variables. We considered some cases of intermediate choice of independent variables, as well as the relation of these results with direct and inverse problems.
Propensity of Tagetes erecta L., a Medicinal Plant Commonly Used in Diabetes Management, to Accumulate Perfluoroalkyl Substances
Authors: Mudumbi John Baptist Nzukizi , Daso Adegbenro Peter , Okonkwo Okechukwu Jonathan , Ntwampe Seteno Karabo Obed , Matsha Tandi E. , Mekuto Lukhanyo , Itoba-Tombo Elie Fereche , Adetunji Adewole T. , Sibali Linda L.
Published: March 2019

It has been extensively demonstrated that plants accumulate organic substances emanating from various sources, including soil and water. This fact suggests the potentiality of contamination of certain vital bioresources, such as medicinal plants, by persistent contaminants, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS). Hence, in this study, the propensity of Tagetes erecta L. (a commonly used medicinal plant) to accumulate PFOA, PFOS, and PFBS was determined using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS-8030). From the results, PFOA, PFOS, and PFBS were detected in all the plant samples and concentration levels were found to be 94.83 ng/g, 5.03 ng/g, and 1.44 ng/g, respectively, with bioconcentration factor (BCF) ranges of 1.30 to 2.57, 13.67 to 72.33, and 0.16 to 0.31, respectively. Little evidence exists on the bioaccumulative susceptibility of medicinal plants to these persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These results suggest that these medicinal plants (in particular, Tagetes erecta L., used for the management of diabetes) are also potential conduits of PFOA, PFOS, and PFBS into humans.
The Spodoptera exigua ABCC2 Acts as a Cry1A Receptor Independently of its Nucleotide Binding Domain II
Authors: Pinos Daniel , Martínez-Solís María , Herrero Salvador , Ferré Juan , Hernández-Martínez Patricia
Published: March 2019

ABC proteins are primary-active transporters that require the binding and hydrolysis of ATP to transport substrates across the membrane. Since the first report of an ABCC2 transporter as receptor of Cry1A toxins, the number of ABC transporters known to be involved in the mode of action of Cry toxins has increased. In Spodoptera exigua, a mutation in the SeABCC2 gene is described as genetically linked to resistance to the Bt-product XentariTM. This mutation affects an intracellular domain involved in ATP binding, but not the extracellular loops. We analyzed whether this mutation affects the role of the SeABCC2 as a functional receptor to Cry1A toxins. The results show that Sf21 cells expressing the truncated form of the transporter were susceptible to Cry1A toxins. Moreover, specific Cry1Ac binding was observed in those cells expressing the truncated SeABCC2. Additionally, no differences in the irreversible Cry1Ac binding component (associated with the toxin insertion into the membrane) were observed when tested in Sf21 cells expressing either the full-length or the truncated form of the SeABCC2 transporter. Therefore, our results point out that the partial lack of the nucleotide binding domain II in the truncated transporter does not affect its functionality as a Cry1A receptor.
Reduction of Mycotoxins during Fermentation of Whole Grain Sorghum to Whole Grain Ting (a Southern African Food)
Authors: Adebo Oluwafemi Ayodeji , Kayitesi Eugenie , Njobeh Patrick Berka
Published: March 2019

Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites that pose health risks to exposed individuals, requiring necessary measures to reduce them. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), mycotoxins were quantified in whole grain sorghum and ting subsequently derived from two sorghum varieties (high and low tannin). The whole grain (WG) ting samples were obtained by fermenting sorghum with Lactobacillus fermentum strains (FUA 3165 and FUA 3321). Naturally (spontaneously) fermented WG-ting under the same conditions were equally analysed. Among the mycotoxins investigated, fumonisin B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2), B3 (FB3), T-2 toxin (T-2), zearalenone (ZEA), alpha-zearalenol (α-ZOL) and beta-zearalenol (β-ZOL) were detected in sorghum. Results obtained showed that mycotoxin concentrations significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced after fermentation. In particular, L. fermentum FUA 3321 showed the capability to significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduce all the mycotoxins by 98% for FB1, 84% for T-2 and up to 82% for α-ZOL, compared to raw low tannin sorghum. Fermenting with the L. fermentum strains showed potential to effectively reduce mycotoxin contamination in whole grain ting. Thus, we recommended L. fermentum FUA 3321 in particular to be used as a potential starter culture in sorghum fermentation.
Cost Savings of Using Updated Thai Red Cross Intradermal Regimen in a High-Throughput Anti-Rabies Clinic in New Delhi, India
Authors: Kundu Bijit Kumar , Meshram Girish Gulab , Bhargava Shrinath , Meena Omprakash
Published: March 2019

Replacement of the Essen intramuscular (EIM) by the updated Thai Red Cross intradermal (UTRCID) regimen for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), in high-throughput hospitals of India, has been advocated since 2006 thanks to its cost-effectiveness. However, several anti-rabies clinics in India and other parts of the world have not initiated this switchover of regimens because of the paucity of financial literature, generated in realistic settings, regarding the same. We calculated the procurement costs of various items required for providing rabies vaccinations via the EIM regimen and UTRCID regimen, on an annual basis, a year before and after the switchover. From a healthcare provider’s perspective, the cost of vaccination per patient was calculated to be 5.60 USD for the EIM regimen and 2.40 USD for the UTRCID regimen. The switchover to the UTRCID regimen from the EIM regimen reduced the financial burden of the rabies vaccination by almost 60%. Procurement of vaccine vials contributed to the majority of the cost (>94%) in both of the regimens. Procurement of syringes with fixed needles contributed negligibly (<6%) to the financial burden in both the regimens. A policy to progressively switch over to the UTRCID regimen from the EIM in all high-throughput anti-rabies centers of India would dramatically reduce the economic burden of running a successful anti-rabies program.
Differential Innate Immune Responses Elicited by Nipah Virus and Cedar Virus Correlate with Disparate In Vivo Pathogenesis in Hamsters
Authors: Schountz Tony , Campbell Corey , Wagner Kaitlyn , Rovnak Joel , Martellaro Cynthia , DeBuysscher Blair L , Feldmann Heinz , Prescott Joseph
Published: March 2019

Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) are a pathogenesis model for the Nipah virus (NiV), and we sought to determine if they are also susceptible to the Cedar virus (CedPV). Following intranasal inoculation with CedPV, virus replication occurred in the lungs and spleens of infected hamsters, a neutralizing antibody was produced in some hamsters within 8 days post-challenge, and no conspicuous signs of disease occurred. CedPV replicated to a similar magnitude as NiV-Bangladesh in type I IFN-deficient BHK-21 Syrian hamster fibroblasts but replicated 4 logs lower in type I IFN-competent primary Syrian hamster and human pulmonary endothelial cells, a principal target of henipaviruses. The coinfection of these cells with CedPV and NiV failed to rescue CedPV titers and did not diminish NiV titers, suggesting the replication machinery is virus-specific. Type I IFN response transcripts Ifna7, Ddx58, Stat1, Stat2, Ccl5, Cxcl10, Isg20, Irf7, and Iigp1 were all significantly elevated in CedPV-infected hamster endothelial cells, whereas Ifna7 and Iigp1 expression were significantly repressed during NiV infection. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that CedPV’s inability to counter the host type I IFN response may, in part, contribute to its lack of pathogenicity. Because NiV causes a fatal disease in Syrian hamsters with similarities to human disease, this model will provide valuable information about the pathogenic mechanisms of henipaviruses.
Autophagy Promotes Infectious Particle Production of Mopeia and Lassa Viruses
Authors: Baillet Nicolas , Krieger Sophie , Journeaux Alexandra , Caro Valérie , Tangy Frédéric , Vidalain Pierre-Olivier , Baize Sylvain
Published: March 2019

Lassa virus (LASV) and Mopeia virus (MOPV) are two closely related Old-World mammarenaviruses. LASV causes severe hemorrhagic fever with high mortality in humans, whereas no case of MOPV infection has been reported. Comparing MOPV and LASV is a powerful strategy to unravel pathogenic mechanisms that occur during the course of pathogenic arenavirus infection. We used a yeast two-hybrid approach to identify cell partners of MOPV and LASV Z matrix protein in which two autophagy adaptors were identified, NDP52 and TAX1BP1. Autophagy has emerged as an important cellular defense mechanism against viral infections but its role during arenavirus infection has not been shown. Here, we demonstrate that autophagy is transiently induced by MOPV, but not LASV, in infected cells two days after infection. Impairment of the early steps of autophagy significantly decreased the production of MOPV and LASV infectious particles, whereas a blockade of the degradative steps impaired only MOPV infectious particle production. Our study provides insights into the role played by autophagy during MOPV and LASV infection and suggests that this process could partially explain their different pathogenicity.
A Novel Hepacivirus in Wild Rodents from South America
Authors: de Souza William Marciel , Fumagalli Marcílio Jorge , Sabino-Santos Gilberto , Motta Maia Felipe Gonçalves , Modha Sejal , Teixeira Nunes Márcio Roberto , Murcia Pablo Ramiro , Moraes Figueiredo Luiz Tadeu
Published: March 2019

The Hepacivirus genus comprises single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses within the family Flaviviridae. Several hepaciviruses have been identified in different mammals, including multiple rodent species in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. To date, no rodent hepacivirus has been identified in the South American continent. Here, we describe an unknown hepacivirus discovered during a metagenomic screen in Akodon montensis, Calomys tener, Oligoryzomys nigripes, Necromys lasiurus, and Mus musculus from São Paulo State, Brazil. Molecular detection of this novel hepacivirus by RT-PCR showed a frequency of 11.11% (2/18) in Oligoryzomys nigripes. This is the first identification of hepavivirus in sigmondonine rodents and in rodents from South America. In sum, our results expand the host range, viral diversity, and geographical distribution of the Hepacivirus genus.
Functional RNA Structures in the 3′UTR of Tick-Borne, Insect-Specific and No-Known-Vector Flaviviruses
Authors: Ochsenreiter Roman , Hofacker Ivo L. , Wolfinger Michael T.
Published: March 2019

Untranslated regions (UTRs) of flaviviruses contain a large number of RNA structural elements involved in mediating the viral life cycle, including cyclisation, replication, and encapsidation. Here we report on a comparative genomics approach to characterize evolutionarily conserved RNAs in the 3 ′ UTR of tick-borne, insect-specific and no-known-vector flaviviruses in silico. Our data support the wide distribution of previously experimentally characterized exoribonuclease resistant RNAs (xrRNAs) within tick-borne and no-known-vector flaviviruses and provide evidence for the existence of a cascade of duplicated RNA structures within insect-specific flaviviruses. On a broader scale, our findings indicate that viral 3 ′ UTRs represent a flexible scaffold for evolution to come up with novel xrRNAs.
Safety and Immunogenicity of the Heterosubtypic Influenza A Vaccine MVA-NP+M1 Manufactured on the AGE1.CR.pIX Avian Cell Line
Authors: Folegatti Pedro M. , Bellamy Duncan , Flaxman Amy , Mair Catherine , Ellis Chris , L. Ramon Raquel , Ramos Lopez Fernando , Mitton Celia , Baker Megan , Poulton Ian , Lawrie Alison , Roberts Rachel , Minassian Angela , Ewer Katie J. , Evans Thomas G. , Hill Adrian V. S. , Gilbert Sarah C.
Published: March 2019

Seasonal influenza infections have a significant global impact leading to increased health and economic burden. The efficacy of currently available seasonal influenza vaccines targeting polymorphic surface antigens has historically been suboptimal. Cellular immune responses against highly conserved Influenza A virus antigens, such as nucleoprotein (NP) and matrix protein-1 (M1), have previously been shown to be associated with protection from disease, whilst viral-vectored vaccines are an effective strategy to boost cell-mediated immunity. We have previously demonstrated that MVA encoding NP and M1 can induce potent and persistent T cell responses against influenza. In this Phase I study, we evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of MVA-NP+M1, which was newly manufactured on an immortalized cell line, in six healthy adult participants. The vaccine was well-tolerated with only mild to moderate adverse events that resolved spontaneously and were comparable to previous studies with the same vaccine manufactured in chick embryo fibroblasts. A significant increase in vaccine-specific T cell responses was detected seven days after immunization and was directed against both antigens in the vector insert. This small Phase I study supports progression of this vaccine to a Phase IIb study to assess immunogenicity and additional protective efficacy in older adults receiving licensed seasonal influenza vaccines.
Aging and Pattern Complexity Effects on the Visual Span: Evidence from Chinese Character Recognition
Authors: Xie Fang , Li Lin , Zhao Sainan , Wang Jingxin , Paterson Kevin B. , White Sarah J. , Warrington Kayleigh L.
Published: March 2019

Research suggests that pattern complexity (number of strokes) limits the visual span for Chinese characters, and that this may have important consequences for reading. With the present research, we investigated age differences in the visual span for Chinese characters by presenting trigrams of low, medium or high complexity at various locations relative to a central point to young (18–30 years) and older (60+ years) adults. A sentence reading task was used to assess their reading speed. The results showed that span size was smaller for high complexity stimuli compared to low and medium complexity stimuli for both age groups, replicating previous findings with young adult participants. Our results additionally showed that this influence of pattern complexity was greater for the older than younger adults, such that while there was little age difference in span size for low and medium complexity stimuli, span size for high complexity stimuli was almost halved in size for the older compared to the young adults. Finally, our results showed that span size correlated with sentence reading speed, confirming previous findings taken as evidence that the visual span imposes perceptual limits on reading speed. We discuss these findings in relation to age-related difficulty reading Chinese.
The Impact of Climate Change on Hydroecological Response in Chalk Streams
Authors: Visser Annie , Beevers Lindsay , Patidar Sandhya
Published: March 2019

Climate change represents a major threat to lotic freshwater ecosystems and their ability to support the provision of ecosystem services. England’s chalk streams are in a poor state of health, with significant concerns regarding their resilience, the ability to adapt, under a changing climate. This paper aims to quantify the effect of climate change on hydroecological response for the River Nar, south-east England. To this end, we apply a coupled hydrological and hydroecological modelling framework, with the UK probabilistic climate projections 2009 (UKCP09) weather generator serving as input (CMIP3 A1B high emissions scenario, 2021 to the end-of-century). The results indicate a minimal change in the long-term mean hydroecological response over this period. In terms of interannual variability, the median hydroecological response is subject to increased uncertainty, whilst lower probability extremes are virtually certain to become more homogeneous (assuming a high emissions scenario). A functional matrix, relating species-level macroinvertebrate functional flow preferences to functional food groups reveals that, on the baseline, under extreme conditions, key groups are underrepresented. To date, despite this limited range, the River Nar has been able to adapt to extreme events due to interannual variation. In the future, this variation is greatly reduced, raising real concerns over the resilience of the river ecosystem, and chalk ecosystems more generally, under climate change.