bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antarctic Surface Ice Velocity Retrieval from MODIS-Based Mosaic of Antarctica (MOA)
Authors: Li Teng , Liu Yan , Li Tian , Hui Fengming , Chen Zhuoqi , Cheng Xiao
Published: July 2018

The velocity of ice flow in the Antarctic is a crucial factor to determine ice discharge and thus future sea level rise. Feature tracking has been widely used in optical and radar imagery with fine resolution to retrieve flow parameters, although the primitive result may be contaminated by noise. In this paper, we present a series of modified post-processing steps, such as SNR thresholding by residual, complex Butterworth filters, and triple standard deviation truncation, to improve the performance of primitive results, and apply it to MODIS-based Mosaic of Antarctica (MOA) datasets. The final velocity field result displays the general flow pattern of the peripheral Antarctic. Seventy-eight out of 97 streamlines starting from seed points are smooth and continuous. The RMSE with 178 manually selected tie points is within 60 m·a−1. The systematic comparison with Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs) datasets in seven drainages shows that the results regarding high magnitude and large-scale ice shelf are highly reliable; absolute mean and median difference are less than 18 m·a−1, while the result of localized drainage suffered from too much tracking error. The relative differences from manually selected and random points are controlled within 8% when speed is beyond 500 m·a−1, but bias and uncertainty are pronounced when speed is lower than that. The result through our accuracy control strategy highlights that coarse remote-sensed images such as Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrophotometer (MODIS) can still offer the capability for comprehensive and long-term continental ice sheet surface velocity mapping.
Applications of Fabric Phase Sorptive Extraction to the Determination of Micropollutants in Liquid Samples
Authors: Montesdeoca-Esponda Sarah , Guedes-Alonso Rayco , Santana-Viera Sergio , Sosa-Ferrera Zoraida , Santana-Rodríguez José Juan
Published: July 2018

The occurrence of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in the environment is a global concern due to their potential ecological risks. Several studies have shown that some OMPs are widely detected in environmental matrices such as surface water and sewage. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have received international attention over past decades because they are considered the greatest source of aquatic environmental contamination by anthropogenic micropollutants. Intensive sampling and analysis have been globally made to improve understanding of the occurrence, behavior and fate of OMPs in WWTPs using different types of analytical approach. Recently, special awareness has been devoted to developing new effective strategies to extract the micropollutants of wastewater. In particular, microextraction protocols have gained popularity because of their simplicity, low cost and in-field application for environmental analysis. Among these, fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) is reported as an excellent approach due to its properties, not only reducing the required time but also employing minor solvent volume. In this overview, we summarize the results obtained by the Research Group of Environmental Chemical Analysis of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain) using this technique. Its aim is to show the potential of FPSE for the extraction of some micropollutants, such as personal care products (benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVSs)) and pharmaceuticals (steroid hormones and cytostatic compounds) in different liquid samples, prior to their determination by liquid chromatography.
Assessing Cognitive and Social Attitudes toward Environmental Conservation in Coral Reef Social-Ecological Systems
Authors: Alexandridis Kostas
Published: July 2018

This study addresses the latent construct of attitudes toward environmental conservation based on study participant’s responses. We measured and evaluated the latent scale based on an 18-item scale instrument, over four experimental strata (N = 945) in the US Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. We estimated the latent scale reliability and validity. We further fitted multiple alternative two-parameter logistic (2PL) and graded response models (GRM) from Item-Response Theory. We finally constructed and fitted equivalent structural and generalized structural equation models (SEM/GSEM) for the attitudinal latent scale. All scale measures (composite, alpha-based, IRT-based, and SEM-based) were consistently and reliably valid measures of the study participants’ latent attitudes toward conservation. We found statistically significant differences among participant’s attributes relating to socio-demographic, physical, and core environmental characteristics of participants. We assert that the nature of relationship between cognitive attitudes and individual as well as social behavior related to environmental conservation.
Energy-Efficient Learning System Using Web-Based Panoramic Virtual Photoreality for Interactive Construction Safety Education
Authors: Pham Hai Chien , Dao Nhu-Ngoc , Kim Jung-Ui , Cho Sungrae , Park Chan-Sik
Published: July 2018

Construction safety education plays a crucial role in improving the safety performance in the construction industry. Many research works have successfully adopted computerized three-dimensional model-based virtual reality (3D-VR) to provide students with adequate safety knowledge and skills before they enter construction sites. Despite the advantages of improving learning outcomes, 3D-VR has limitations not only in reflecting real-world visibility but also in consuming significant energy and requiring strict user–device compatibility. Therefore, this research methodology was initiated with a thorough investigation of VR application in construction safety education. On the basis of a literature review, the study subsequently analyzes the energy-consumption problems of conventional VR systems. Initial findings motivate the development of an energy-efficient learning system (the interactive constructive safety education (eCSE)) using Web-based panoramic virtual photoreality technology for interactive construction safety education. The eCSE system provides three key interactive modules, namely, lesson delivery (LD), practical experience (PE), and knowledge assessment (KA), for use in mobile devices. The trial system has been developed and validated through scenarios derived from real construction sites. The preliminary evaluation reveals that the eCSE system not only overcomes the 3D-VR limitations in terms of energy efficiency, user device adaptability, and easy implementation, but also improves learning usability.
The Effects of Customer Perception and Participation in Sustainable Supply Chain Management: A Smartphone Industry Study
Authors: Kim Hyunsoo , Lee Chang Won
Published: July 2018

This empirical study aims to identify the relationship between the role of customer and the customer’s perception and participation in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). It also aims to examine the relationships among customer’s perception in the SSCM practices, self–brand connection, trust, purchase intention, and the willingness to pay a price premium. Previous studies were reviewed, and statistical analysis was conducted with reliability and validity tests, correlation analysis, and a structural equation model. A smartphone industry was selected and a total of 367 data were utilized for this empirical study. The analysis results showed that the customer’s perception of a brand’s SSCM has a positive impact on the customer’s self–brand connection and trust prospectively. Customer’s participation in SSCM also had a positive relation to customer’s self–brand connection and to trust. Self–brand connection and trust played mediating roles between the customer’s perception and purchase intention and between the customer’s perception and the willingness to pay a price premium. The same mediating roles of self–brand connection and trust were found between customers’ participation and purchase intention as well as between customers’ participation and the willingness to pay a price premium. This study identifies the roles of customers as end users in sustainable supply chain management. This study provides managerial insights about customers’ perception of SSCM and their participation in it, resulting in better financial outcomes and improved operational excellence.
Ensemble Modeling for Sustainable Technology Transfer
Authors: Lee Junseok , Kang Ji-Ho , Jun Sunghae , Lim Hyunwoong , Jang Dongsik , Park Sangsung
Published: July 2018

These days, technological advances are being made through technological conversion. Following this trend, companies need to adapt and secure their own sustainable technological strategies. Technology transfer is one such strategy. This method is especially effective in coping with recent technological developments. In addition, universities and research institutes are able to secure new research opportunities through technology transfer. The aim of our study is to provide a technology transfer prediction model for the sustainable growth of companies. In the proposed method, we first collected patent data from a Korean patent information service provider. Next, we used latent Dirichlet allocation, which is a topic modeling method used to identify the technical field of the collected patents. Quantitative indicators on the patent data were also extracted. Finally, we used the variables that we obtained to create a technology transfer prediction model using the AdaBoost algorithm. The model was found to have sufficient classification performance. It is expected that the proposed model will enable universities and research institutes to secure new technology development opportunities more efficiently. In addition, companies using this model can maintain sustainable growth in line, coping with the changing pace of society.
Improving the Technical Efficiency of Sengcu Rice Producers through Better Financial Management and Sustainable Farming Practices in Mountainous Areas of Vietnam
Authors: Bui Thi , Tran Huu , Azadi Hossein , Lebailly Philippe
Published: July 2018

This paper analyzes the impacts of financial management and farming practices on the technical efficiency of Sengcu rice growers in Laocai, a mountainous province of Vietnam. The stratified random sampling method was employed to select 170 households representing two typical ecologies, lowland and upland. The structured questionnaire was applied to collect primary data through face-to-face interviews regarding current farming practices in the 2016–2017 growing seasons and farm-specific characteristics. The importantly, the study makes recommendations for policy-makers regarding how to manage provision extension, irrigation, and credit services more effectively and for producers regarding how to better manage cash-flows and receive more benefits from public support in order to improve the effectiveness of rice production and make a livelihood while working towards sustainability.
Does Multidimensional Service Quality Generate Sustainable Use Intention for Facebook?
Authors: Hossain Md. Alamgir , Kim Minho
Published: July 2018

While social networking services (SNS) have led to major economic and social transformations worldwide, it is becoming increasingly important to understand what constitutes the sustainable use of SNS. The current study focuses on Facebook and examines the impact of multidimensional and hierarchical service quality on sustainable use intention. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze the data that has been collected through online surveys. The results show that all four dimensions of service quality (outcome quality, environment quality, interaction quality, and social quality) have significant positive effects on satisfaction. Satisfaction is found to be a reasonable predictor of sustainable use intention and word-of-mouth (WOM) communication, and the influence of WOM on sustainable use intention is also confirmed. Among all the dimensions, outcome quality and interaction quality influence WOM most strongly. The findings from this study bridge a literature gap in the context of SNS by demonstrating how SNS managers can improve service quality, leading to increases in satisfaction, WOM, and sustainable use intention.
Built Environment and Parking Availability: Impacts on Car Ownership and Use
Authors: Yin Chaoying , Shao Chunfu , Wang Xiaoquan
Published: July 2018

Along with urbanization and economic development, the number of private cars has increased rapidly in recent years in China, which contributes to concerns about traffic congestion, hard parking, energy consumption, and emissions. This study aims to investigate the joint effect of built environment and parking availability on car ownership and use based on a household travel survey conducted in Changchun, China. The binary logistic model was first employed to investigate the determinants of the car ownership in Changchun. Next, this study examined the potential impacts of the built environment and parking availability on car use for the journey to work. The result shows that built environment and parking availability can be both significantly associated with car ownership and use after controlling for the socio-economic characteristics. Moreover, in contrast with the model ignoring the parking availability, the model for car use considering the joint effect fit the data better. The results indicate that car dependency depends on the joint effect of the built environment and parking availability. These results suggest that transit-oriented urban expansion and compact land use can contribute to reducing car commuting. Meanwhile, parking restrictions at both trip start and end would be effective for sustainable transport because parking oversupply could encourage more car dependency.
Why Is Ownership an Issue? Exploring Factors That Determine Public Acceptance of Product-Service Systems
Authors: Cherry Catherine E. , Pidgeon Nick F.
Published: July 2018

Shifting away from ownership towards access-based consumption, innovative new business models known as product-service systems (PSS) are advocated as part of a more circular, resource efficient economy. With product ownership (and responsibility for repair) remaining with providers, pay-per-use services are promoted as one such model, which can both increase product longevity and reduce the ‘burdens of ownership’ on consumers. However, PSS also require public acceptance of access-based consumption, including the long-term use of non-owned products and a range of accompanying contractual obligations. We conducted a series of deliberative workshops with the public, aiming to explore the concept of pay-per-use PSS and the role that concerns about ownership and responsibility may have in determining public acceptance. Rather than focusing on innate desires for product ownership, we found that participants’ concerns regarding pay-per-use PSS were usually related to wider fears surrounding the risks and responsibilities of entering into contract-based service agreements. Identifying four public narratives of service provision (Ownership and convenience; Risk and responsibility; Affordability and security; Care and control), we argue that successful introduction of PSS will only be possible if careful consideration is given to deeply held values pertaining to ownership, responsibility and trust that influence such cultural understandings.
Impact Assessment of Rainfall-Runoff Simulations on the Flow Duration Curve of the Upper Indus River—A Comparison of Data-Driven and Hydrologic Models
Authors: Rauf Ateeq-ur , Ghumman Abdul Razzaq
Published: July 2018

As a major component of the hydrologic cycle, rainfall runoff plays a key role in water resources management and sustainable development. Conceptual models of the rainfall-runoff process are governed by parameters that can rarely be directly determined for use in distributed models, but should be either inferred through good judgment or calibrated against the historical record. Artificial neural network (ANN) models require comparatively fewer such parameters, but their accuracy needs to be checked. This paper compares a Hydrologic Engineering Centre-Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) conceptual model and an ANN model based on the conjugate gradient method for streamflow prediction. Daily precipitation, temperature, and streamflow data of the Upper Indus River for a period of 20 years (1985–2004) are used as input for calibrating in the case of the HEC-HMS, and for training in case of the ANN. Ten years of data (2005–2014) are used to validate the HEC-HMS model and test the ANN. The performance of the models is assessed using different statistical indicators such as the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), root mean square error (RMSE), mean bias error (MBE), and the coefficient of determination (R2). The results show good predictions for streamflow in the case of both HEC-HMS and ANN models. A parametric study is conducted using Monte Carlo analysis and finds that the most important parameters for HEC-HMS models are the storage coefficient and the time of concentration; while for ANN models, input combinations are the most important. This study investigates the sensitivity of these parameters, which can be used to determine preliminary estimation ranges of their values for future modeling. Finally, evaluating the impact of the simulated streamflow’s accuracy on the flow duration curve shows that the curve is significantly affected by any streamflow simulation inaccuracy.
Load Shifting Potentials of Plug-In Electric Vehicles—A Case Study for Germany
Authors: Michaelis Julia , Gnann Till , Klingler Anna-Lena
Published: July 2018

Plug-in electric vehicles are the currently favoured option to decarbonize the passenger car sector. However, a decarbonisation is only possible with electricity from renewable energies and plug-in electric vehicles might cause peak loads if they started to charge at the same time. Both of these issues could be solved with coordinated load shifting (demand response). Previous studies analysed this research question by focusing on private vehicles with domestic and work charging infrastructure. This study additionally includes the important early adopter group of commercial fleet vehicles and reflects the impact of domestic, commercial, work, and public charging. For this purpose, two models are combined that capture the market diffusion of electric vehicles and their charging behaviour (ALADIN), as well as the load shifting potential of several new energy technologies (eLOAD). In a comparison of three different scenarios, we find that the charging of commercial vehicles does not inflict evening load peaks in the same magnitude as purely domestic charging of private cars does. Also, for private cars, charging at work occurs during the day and may reduce the necessity of load shifting while public charging plays a less important role in total charging demand as well as load shifting potential. Nonetheless, demand response reduces the system load by about 2.2 GW or 2.8% when domestic and work charging are considered when compared to a scenario with only domestic charging where a new peak might be created in the winter hours due to load shifting into the night.
The inhibition effect of water on the purification of natural gas with nanoporous graphene membranes
Authors: Nieszporek Krzysztof , Pańczyk Tomasz , Nieszporek Jolanta
Published: July 2018

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the inhibiting effect of water on the natural gas separation with nanoporous graphene. The membrane separation process involves CH4 + N2 mixtures with and without the addition of water. The results show that water is able to form hydrogen bonds with nitrogen atoms located in a nanopore rim. This effect causes a decrease of separation selectivity as well as a reduction of gas permeation. In the extreme case, when the nanopore rim contains only nitrogen atoms, water agglomerates at the center of the nanopore and effectively closes down the permeation path. The conclusions are confirmed by the analysis of stability and kinetics of hydrogen bonds.
Visible light-mediated difluoroalkylation of electron-deficient alkenes
Authors: Supranovich Vyacheslav I , Levin Vitalij V , Struchkova Marina I , Hu Jinbo , Dilman Alexander D
Published: July 2018

A method for the reductive difluoroalkylation of electron-deficient alkenes using 1,1-difluorinated iodides mediated by irradiation with blue light is described. The reaction involves radical addition of 1,1-difluorinated radicals at the double bond followed by hydrogen atom transfer from sodium cyanoborohydride.
The phenyl vinyl ether–methanol complex: a model system for quantum chemistry benchmarking
Authors: Bernhard Dominic , Dietrich Fabian , Fatima Mariyam , Pérez Cristóbal , Gottschalk Hannes C , Wuttke Axel , Mata Ricardo A , Suhm Martin A , Schnell Melanie , Gerhards Markus
Published: July 2018

The structure of the isolated aggregate of phenyl vinyl ether and methanol is studied by combining a multi-spectroscopic approach and quantum-chemical calculations in order to investigate the delicate interplay of noncovalent interactions. The complementary results of vibrational and rotational spectroscopy applied in molecular beam experiments reveal the preference of a hydrogen bond of the methanol towards the ether oxygen (OH∙∙∙O) over the π-docking motifs via the phenyl and vinyl moieties, with an additional less populated OH∙∙∙P(phenyl)-bound isomer detected only by microwave spectroscopy. The correct prediction of the energetic order of the isomers using quantum-chemical calculations turns out to be challenging and succeeds with a sophisticated local coupled cluster method. The latter also yields a quantification as well as a visualization of London dispersion, which prove to be valuable tools for understanding the role of dispersion on the docking preferences. Beyond the structural analysis of the electronic ground state (S0), the electronically excited (S1) state is analyzed, in which a destabilization of the OH∙∙∙O structure compared to the S0 state is observed experimentally and theoretically.
THE DYNAMIC PARAMETERS OF PASSIVE HUMAN AT TEMPORARY DEMOUNTABLE GRANDSTANDS DURING EXPOSURE TO LATERAL VIBRATION
Authors: Yuan Jian , He Lin , Fan Feng , Liu Cong
Published: July 2018

Modelling the interaction between crowds and temporary demountable grandstands with identifying the human dynamic properties are challenges for structure optimal design. In this paper, for investigating and understanding the human and structural lateral dynamic features. A demountable grandstand was tested to obtain its model parameters firstly. Then it is tested at amplitudes between 0.16 m/s2 to 1.54 m/s2 with 75 random waves through a shaking table when occupied by twenty persons. Afterword a simplified two-degree of freedom lumped dynamic model of the joint human-structure system is reinterpreted. Utilizing the state-space model, the passive crowd dynamic parameters are obtained, based on root mean square accumulation error analysis. Statistical analysis of the predictive results concludes that seated crowd model damping ratio is 0.5, and the probable natural frequency is 2.0 Hz with the model mass ratio 0.7. For standing crowd model, the probable natural frequency is 1.5 Hz with the model mass damping ratio 0.4, and the model mass ratio is 0.7. It may have ability to serve as a reference value that can be utilized in vibration safety and serviceability assessment of TDGs, to estimate realistically the vibration response on the occasions when crowd are seated or standing.
Different diversification histories in tropical and temperate lineages in the ascomycete subfamily Protoparmelioideae (Parmeliaceae)
Authors: Singh Garima , Dal Grande Francesco , Schnitzler Jan , Pfenninger Markus , Schmitt Imke
Published: July 2018

Background: Environment and geographic processes affect species’ distributions as well as evolutionary processes, such as clade diversification. Estimating the time of origin and diversification of organisms helps us understand how climate fluctuations in the past might have influenced the diversification and present distribution of species. Complementing divergence dating with character evolution could indicate how key innovations have facilitated the diversification of species.

Methods: We estimated the divergence times within the newly recognised subfamily Protoparmelioideae (Ascomycota) using a multilocus dataset to assess the temporal context of diversification events. We reconstructed ancestral habitats and substrate using a species tree generated in *Beast.

Results: We found that the diversification in Protoparmelioideae occurred during the Miocene and that the diversification events in the tropical cladeMaroninapredate those of the extratropicalProtoparmelia. Character reconstructions suggest that the ancestor of Protoparmelioideae was most probably a rock-dwelling lichen inhabiting temperate environments.

Conclusions: Major diversification within the subtropical/tropical genusMaroninaoccurred between the Paleocene and Miocene whereas the diversifications within the montane, arctic/temperate genusProtoparmeliaoccurred much more recently, i.e. in the Miocene.
Evaluación de la posibilidad de almacenamiento de energía renovable en el subsuelo de la cuenca Vasco-Cantábrica: estudio geomecánico de la Formación Keuper
Authors: Laín C. , Llamas B. , Laín R. , Sanchez A. B. , Arlandi M.
Published: July 2018

El aumento de las energías renovables, como fuente de generación de electricidad, es una solución tecnológica respetuosa con el medioambiente y competitiva. Sin embargo, la garantía de suministro requiere la consideración de almacenes de energía para este tipo de soluciones cuya energía primaria es intermitente.
La tecnología de almacenamiento de aire comprimido en el subsuelo, supone una solución con gran capacidad de almacenamiento y gestión, además de que sus costes son los menores frente a otras soluciones. Sin embargo, requiere de una cuidadosa caracterización del macizo objetivo, con el fin de minimizar el riesgo exploratorio.
En este caso se evalúan las propiedades mecánicas de la formación Keuper, como formación donde construir la infraestructura energética propuesta, considerando para ello el concepto mini-CAES, como concepto de almacenamiento de aire comprimido en el subsuelo mediante cavidades someras. Se han llevado a cabo estudios mediante ensayos uniaxiales y propagación de onda con el fin de determinar los principales parámetros y de esta forma un coeficiente de seguridad.
De acuerdo al cálculo del coeficiente de seguridad, se considera que estas cavidades someras ofrecen un valor netamente superior frente a las cavidades convencionales, cuya profundidad es superior a los 700m. De esta forma se avanza en la definición de estas cavidades de menor capacidad volumétrica y profundidad.
Woon-werkverplaatsingen: stand van zaken en actieperspectieven voor de bedrijven
Authors: Ermans Thomas , Brandeleer Céline , Hubert Michel , Lebrun Kevin , Sieux Florentine
Published: July 2018

De woon-werkverplaatsingen structureren het dagelijkse leven van de vele werknemers die in België aan de slag zijn. Hoe wordt die mobiliteit georganiseerd? Welke factoren beïnvloeden de werknemers bij de keuze van hun vervoersmodus? Welke hefbomen kunnen die keuze beïnvloeden? Wat is de rol van de bedrijven op dat gebied? Deze synthesenota strekt ertoe een up-to-date stand van zaken te geven van die complexe kwesties en bestaat uit drie delen: de context van de verplaatsingen, de evoluties van de mobiliteitspraktijken en hun bepalende factoren en de hefbomen om evoluties naar een duurzamere mobiliteit te bewerkstelligen. De synthesenota toont tevens aan dat de woon‑werkverplaatsingen meer zijn dan een loutere kwestie van vervoer, maar ook afhangen van de woontrajecten van de werknemers en de ruimtelijke ordening. Deze laatste lijdt onder de Belgische institutionele versnippering. Meer coherentie en overleg tussen de actoren is dan ook nodig. Toch hebben de bedrijven een aanzienlijke manoeuvreerrruimte. Dat wordt in deze nota toegelicht via drie actiegebieden: de organisatie van het werk, het beheer van de mobiliteit van de werknemers en de bereikbaarheid van de tewerkstellingsplaats.
Travel between home and work: current situation and perspectives for action for companies
Authors: Ermans Thomas , Brandeleer Céline , Hubert Michel , Lebrun Kevin , Sieux Florentine
Published: July 2018

Travel between home and work structures the daily life of many workers in Belgium. How is this mobility organised and what are the factors which influence the modal choice of workers? What are the levers which influence this choice and, in particular, what is the role of companies in this area? The objective of this synopsis is to review the current situation of these complex questions and it is organised in three parts: the context of these journeys, the evolution of mobility behaviour and its deciding factors, and the levers for action in order to evolve towards more sustainable mobility. This synopsis also shows that travel between home and work is not only a transport issue, but is also related to people’s residential situation and land use planning. The latter suffers because of the institutional division of Belgium and calls for more coherence and dialogue among stakeholders. Despite this context, companies have significant room for manoeuvre, which this synopsis illustrates through three areas for action: the organisation of work, the management of the mobility of workers and accessibility.
Laboratory Tests of the Fissure Impervious Materials in Longmen Grottoes
Authors: Sun Bing , Fang Yun
Published: July 2018

Among all kinds of environmental geological factors, the water permeability has the most significant influence on grottoes. The main reason for the destruction of caves is the recurrence and persistence of water seepage. Longmen grottoes mainly used epoxy resin and superfine cement grouting materials in the early seepage prevention. Superfine cement has the problem of efflorescence. The epoxy resin material has a large shrinkability and poor durability. Laboratory tests of the impervious materials were carried out. The results shown that the modified epoxy resin, compared with the waterborne epoxy resin, demonstrated higher strength, lower shrinkage and less volatile. Among all the laboratory test schemes, two samples of the modified epoxy resin which were added several adjuvants had the lower shrinkage and volatile, the higher strength and the stronger acid and alkali resistance, which possessed favourable comprehensive performance and were proved to be the best impervious materials in this study.
Osteogenic Response of Osteoblastic Cells to Root-End Filling Materials
Authors: Na Eui Ri , Moon Jong Wook , Kim Young Joon
Published: July 2018

Perforations can occur during endodontic treatment, post placement and removal, and operative procedures. These defects have been treated with a variety of different materials such as resin ionomer, glass ionomer cement and intermediate restorative material. However, the osteogenic response to these substances using osteoblasts have been rarely studied. Thus, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the osteogenic response to resin ionomer (Geristore) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). The surface roughness was significantly higher in the MTA than in the resin ionomer (p<0.05). After 72 hours of incubation mouse osteoblasts attached and spread well over the surfaces of resin ionomer and MTA. As a result from MTT assay, the number of cells gradually increased as the cell incubation time increased. In particular, control group showed higher cell proliferation than the other two groups on days 3 and 5. Resin ionomer showed more active early cell proliferation than MTA (p<0.05). The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was significantly higher in the MTA surface than in the resin ionomer and glass coverslip (p<0.05). Resin ionomer was active in early cell proliferation and adhesion. Resin ionomer may be more suitable for cervical perforation or for perforation of adjacent to the gingiva requiring rapid wound closure. Also, MTA has a rough surface and low initial cell adhesion but because of its superior osteogenic response, it may be appropriate for the area close to the apical region, where the perforation site is wide and the bone tissue regeneration is necessary.
Effect of Stainless Steel Flakes Content on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Cast 96.66% Pure Aluminum
Authors: Seretis Georgios V. , Polyzou Aikaterini K. , Manolakos Dimitrios E. , Provatidis Christopher G.
Published: July 2018

Stainless steel flakes-reinforced cast aluminum matrix composites were produced using aluminum alloy of 96.66% purity as matrix material and different steel flakes contents as reinforcements. Aluminum matrix specimens with no steel flakes fillers addition were also produced for performance comparison. All specimens were cast into a slightly heated rectangular quenched steel mold, the temperature of which was 35 °C. Both matrix aluminum specimens and aluminum matrix composite specimens underwent tensile and bending tests as well as hardness measurements and microstructural investigation. As observed through microstructural examination, the interdendritic regions do not seem to be affected by steel flakes addition on their at% chemical composition, which remains Al:Fe:Mn:Mg ; 92.28:3.75:2.96:1.01, but only on their size. An increase of the flexure strength of about 20% was achieved by steel flakes-reinforcement of the matrix aluminum. In the case of the highest wt% addition, groups of steel flakes of high directivity towards solidification kernels were observed. These steel flakes group formations resulted in an impressive hardness increase, performing as hard support elements.
Fabrication and Characterization of Pineapple Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Based Composites
Authors: Hoque Mohammad Bellal , Hossain M. Sahadat , Nahid Abdul M. , Bari Solaiman , Khan Ruhul A.
Published: July 2018

Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF)-reinforced polypropylene (PP) based composites were prepared successfully by conventional compression molding technique. Different percentages (25,30,35, 40 and 405% by weight) of fiber were used to prepare composites. Tensile Strength (TS), Tensile Modulus (TM), Elongation at Break (Eb %), Bending Strength (BS), Bending Modulus (BM) and Impact Strength (IS) were evaluated. The 45 wt% PALF/PP composite exhibited an increase of 132% TS, 412% TM, 155% BS, 265% BM, and 140% IS with respect to the matrix material (PP). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy was employed for functional group analysis of PALF/PP composites. For all percentages of fiber, the composites demonstrated lower water uptake. The fabricated composites were immersed in alkali solution (Sodium hydroxide solution, 3%, 5% and 7% by weight) for 60 min and showed low TS, TM and Eb% compared to control composites.
Illegal gold mining, land degradation and food security in nigeria: a case of yauri, kebbi state, Nigeria
Authors: Godwin P. A. , Umaru P. Z.
Published: July 2018

Illegal gold mining and land degradation can affect food production negatively. This study examines the impacts of illegal/surface gold mining and land degradation on food security in Yauri, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Data for this study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. A total of 250 copies of questionnaire were administered to the respondents in the study area using systematic random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics such as simple percentages, graph and frequency among others were used to analyze the data. Result revealed that majority of the respondents (97.1%) and (98.4%) used farmland as their mining site and excavated soil and tailings were dumped on the farmland respectively. The result further showed that more than 96% of the respondents abandoned farming activities for illegal gold mining. This finding indicates loss of farm labour which may result to food insecurity in the study area. The study calls for constitutional provision that will empower states to control and extract whatever minerals deposited within their domain for the overall economic benefit of the citizenry.
Influence of Stream Characteristics on Diversity and Distribution of Benthic Algae in Gongawwa Ela in Kottawa Rain forest, Galle, Sri Lanka
Authors: Chandrathilaka W. A. A. S. , Asanthi H. B. , Dayananda T. G. , Gunasekera R. G.
Published: July 2018

Influence of stream characteristics on diversity and distribution of benthic algae were studied at Gongawwa Ela during the period of September to November in 2016. Four sampling sites were selected and the distance between two sampling sites was 1.5km. Substrate types were categorized by sieve analysis and grain size distribution curves. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to identify the most important stream characteristics that could potentially influence on the growth of benthic algae. Physicochemical characteristics of water (nitrate, Total Dissolved Solids, temperature, pH, and Dissolved Oxygen) and substrates (pH, phosphate and nitrate) showed significant temporal variations. Conductivity and water velocity levels of the substrate varied significantly among the sampling sites. Species richness of benthic algae (29 genera) showed significantly negative correlations with the level of phosphate content (R2=-0.9592, P<0.05) and pH levels (R2=-0.999, P<0.05) of the substrate. Well graded substrate was observed only at the most downstream site (site 3) while other sites showed poorly graded substratum consisting over 90% of sand. The most abundant algal division was Bacillariophyta and the abundance of Flagilaria sp., Pinnularia sp., Stigeoclonium sp., and Pediastrum sp. showed significant temporal variation. Pinnularia sp., Synedra sp., Anabaena sp. and Navicula sp. were possible indicators of the upstream characteristics. Meanwhile, Cosmarium sp., Pinnularia sp., Surirella sp., Tabellaria sp., Synedra sp., Closterium sp. and Navicula sp. were possible indicators of the downstream characteristics. The PCA showed that the most important stream characteristics were DO, conductivity, Total Suspended Solids, water pH, nitrate in water and water discharge, while conductivity, nitrate, phosphate, % organic matter, pH, and % canopy cover were the types of substrate characteristics.
Study on caviar substitute production using readily available freshwater fish species: Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822)
Authors: Jayamanne S. C. , Thushari G. G. N. , Liyanage N. P. P. , Abeyrathne I. G. S. N. K.
Published: July 2018

Fish egg is considered as one of the by-products with low demand at present, therefore adding value is important to increase the demand of fish roe in the fishery sector in Sri Lanka. Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) which is a commercially important freshwater fish species in inland fishery sector was selected as the resource fish species for the present study. Key objective of the current study was to identify the most suitable methodology for production of simulated caviar using Mrigal roe. Mrigal fish egg samples were subjected to dry-salting technique. Three ratios of salt: fish eggs were used as 0.05:1 (S1), 0.25:1(S2) and 0.45:1(S3) to determine the best ratio. Proximate composition evaluation, sensory assessment, microbiological tests and pH analysis were carried out to identify the most suitable roe processing method. Protein level of S1 and Lipid content of S3 sample were significantly different from other two samples (p<0.05). Highest protein percentage was reported from caviar produced by the S2 treatment (6.58 %), although maximum crude lipid level was recorded from the product of the S1 treatment (11.30 %). Moreover, moisture contents of three samples were statistically different when compared with each other. pH values of three products changed significantly within the period of 28 days of storage time (p<0.05). After evaluation of four sensory parameters (Overall consumer preference, Mouth feel, Odor, and Salty taste) highest consumer acceptance was received for the outcome of the S2 treatment. Finally, as the caviar produced by theS2 treatment preserves the highest protein value in the final product, moderate salt requirement and the best sensory qualities, it could be considered 0.25g of salt: 1g of fish eggs is the most appropriate treatment to process simulated caviar by Mirigal fish roe, among all three treatments.
Prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection among school-aged children in Afikpo North local government area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Authors: Nwachukwu P.C. , Ohaeri C.C. , Ukpai O.M. , Irole-eze O.P. , Amaechi E.C.
Published: July 2018

The present study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium among school children of ages 5 to 16 years in Afikpo North L.G.A. of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study was carried out between February 2016 and January 2017. Urine samples were analyzed in the laboratory using the sedimentation and centrifugation technique. Of 504 persons (250 males and 254 females) that were randomly selected and screened for S. haematobium infection, 20 (3.97 %) were found to be infected. The intensity of infection was greater in males (n=12; 2.38 %) than in the females (n =8; 1.59 %). The sex of an individual was not statistically associated with the prevalence of S. haematobium. The highest prevalence rate of S. haematobium was recorded in the age bracket of 14 -16 yrs. 7 (1.39 %) while the least prevalent was recorded among the 5 – 7 yrs.2 (0.40 %). There is no significant relationship between the age and the prevalence of S. haematobium (p> 0.05). No case of infection was found in the pupils using boreholes and rain water. The highest prevalence with respect to the source of water was in pupils using the stream 15(2.98%). There was a significant relationship between the source of water and the prevalence of S. haematobium. Additionally, there was no significant relationship between occupation of the parents and the prevalence of S. haematobium (p> 0.05). The results reveal that the prevalence of S. haematobium is not location specific, but there is a need to integrate the control of snails to reduce the prevalence of S. haematobium in Afikpo North L.G.A. Ebonyi State.
Effectiveness of Imperata cylindrica, Sida acuta, Chromolaena odorata and Gmelina arborea against Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky, 1855) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Ehisianya C. N. , Ikpi P. O.
Published: July 2018

The effectiveness of powdered leaves of Imperata cylindrica (Spear grass), Sida acuta (Wire weed), Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed) and Gmelina arborea (Gmelina) at different dosages (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 g) against Sitophilus zeamais infesting stored maize grains was assessed. Treatments were mixed with 100 g of maize grains (landrace, Esa’ mayewangha), infested with 30 adults S. zeamais and stored in 200 ml glass jars with perforated lids. The setup was maintained under ambient conditions (25 - 300C and 70 - 90% RH) between April and June, 2017. Mortality assessment was at 2, 4 and 6 days after treatment (DAT). The trial was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated four times. Analysis of variance showed that Cypermethrin caused significantly higher mortality than the tested plant powders. Cumulative mortality of adult S. zeamais significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased with increased treatment dosages and durations of storage. There were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher mortality in maize grains treated with 7.5 g/100 g of S. acuta (55.00 and 64.17%) and I. cylindrica (53.33 and 60.00%) compared with C. odorata (44.17 and 50.83%) and G. arborea (35.83 and 40.00 %), respectively at 4 and 6 DAT.
Breadth and Dynamics of HLA-A2– and HLA-B7–Restricted CD8+ T Cell Responses against Nonstructural Viral Proteins in Acute Human Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Infection
Authors: Lampen Margit H , Uchtenhagen Hannes , Blom Kim , Varnaitė Renata , Pakalniene Jolita , Dailidyte Laura , Wälchli Sébastien , Lindquist Lars , Mickiene Aukse , Michaëlsson Jakob , Schumacher Ton N , Ljunggren Hans-Gustaf , Sandberg Johan K , Achour Adnane , Gredmark-Russ Sara
Published: July 2018

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a leading cause of viral meningoencephalitis in many parts of Europe and eastwards in Asia, with high morbidity and often long-term neurologic sequelae. With no treatment available, studies of the immune response to TBEV are essential for the understanding of the immunopathogenesis of tick-borne encephalitis and for the development of therapeutics. We have previously demonstrated that CD8+ T cell responses in peripheral blood in patients with acute TBEV peak at around 7 d after hospitalization in the neuroinvasive phase of the disease. In this study, we identified six novel TBEV HLA-A2– and HLA-B7–restricted epitopes, all derived from the nonstructural proteins of TBEV. This identification allowed for a comprehensive phenotypic and temporal analysis of the HLA-A2– and HLA-B7–restricted Ag-specific CD8+ T cell response during the acute stages of human TBEV infection. HLA-A2– and HLA-B7–restricted TBEV epitope–specific effector cells predominantly displayed a CD45RA−CCR7−CD27+CD57− phenotype at day 7, which transitioned into separate distinct phenotypes for HLA-A2– and HLA-B7–restricted TBEV-specific CD8+ T cells, respectively. At day 21, the most prevalent phenotype in the HLA-A2–restricted CD8+ T cell populations was CD45RA−CCR7−CD27+CD57+, whereas the HLA-B7–restricted CD8+ T cell population was predominantly CD45RA+CCR7−CD27+CD57+. Almost all TBEV epitope–specific CD8+ T cells expressed α4 and β1 integrins at days 7 and 21, whereas the bulk CD8+ T cells expressed lower integrin levels. Taken together, human TBEV infection elicits broad responses to multiple epitopes, predominantly derived from the nonstructural part of the virus, establishing distinct maturation patterns for HLA-A2– and HLA-B7–restricted TBEV epitope–specific CD8+ T cells.
Rhabdovirus-Inducible MicroRNA-210 Modulates Antiviral Innate Immune Response via Targeting STING/MITA in Fish
Authors: Xu Tianjun , Chu Qing , Cui Junxia
Published: July 2018

Viral infection induces type I IFN production, which plays critical roles in orchestrating the antiviral defense by inducing direct antiviral activities. To establish a persistent infection, viruses have evolved numerous strategies to specifically interfere with IFN production or its downstream mediators, thereby evading the immune responses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small noncoding RNAs that posttranscriptionally regulate the expressions of specific target genes. Although accumulating evidence demonstrates that miRNAs play vital roles in regulating viral infection, miRNAs that target intracellular sensors and adaptors of innate immunity have not been fully uncovered. In this paper, we identify fish miR-210 as a robust regulator involved in regulating virus–host interactions. We found that rhabdovirus significantly upregulated the expression of fish miR-210. Inducible miR-210 modulates virus-triggered type I IFN and inflammatory cytokine production by targeting stimulator of IFN genes (STING), thereby promoting viral replication. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-210 regulates innate immune response through NF-κB, IFN regulatory factor 3, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The collective findings indicate that inducible miR-210 plays a regulatory role in virus–host interactions through STING-mediated singling pathway by targeting STING.