bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functionalized Halloysite Nanotubes–Silica Hybrid for Enhanced Curing and Mechanical Properties of Elastomers
Authors: Lin Jing , Hu Dechao , Luo Yuanfang , Zhong Bangchao , Chen Yongjun , Jia Zhixin , Jia Demin
Published: May 2019

Vulcanization and reinforcement are critical factors in governing the ultimate practical applications of elastomer composites. Here we achieved a simultaneous improvement of curing and mechanical properties of elastomer composites by the incorporation of a functionalized halloysite nanotubes–silica hybrid (HS-s-M). Typically, HS-s-M was synthesized by 2-mercapto benzothiazole (M) immobilized on the surface of halloysite nanotubes–silica hybrid (HS). It was found that the HS-s-M uniformly dispersed in the styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) matrix, offering more opportunity for M molecules to communicate with rubber. In addition, the physical loss of accelerator M from migration and volatilization was efficiently suspended. Therefore, SBR/HS-s-M composites showed a lower curing activation energy and a higher crosslinking density than SBR/HS composites. Moreover, a stronger interfacial interaction between HS-s-M and SBR was formed by the cross-linking reaction, giving a positive contribution to the eventual mechanical properties. The possible vulcanization and reinforcement mechanisms of SBR/HS-s-M composites were also analyzed in detail.
Towards a Stable and High-Performance Hindered Phenol/Polymer-Based Damping Material Through Structure Optimization and Damping Mechanism Revelation
Authors: Xu Kangming , Hu Qiaoman , Wang Junhui , Zhou Hongdi , Chen Jinlei
Published: May 2019

Although hindered phenol/polymer-based hybrid damping materials, with excellent damping performance, attract more and more attention, the poor stability of hindered phenol limits the application of such promising materials. To solve this problem, a linear hindered phenol with amorphous state and low polarity was synthesized and related polyurethane-based hybrid materials were prepared in this study. The structure and state of the hindered phenol were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The existence of intermolecular hydrogen bonds (HBs) between hindered phenol and polyurethane was confirmed by FT-IR, and the amorphous state of the hybrids was confirmed by XRD. Moreover, by a combination of molecular dynamics simulation and dynamic mechanical analysis, the relationship between the structure optimization of the hindered phenol and the high damping performance of the hybrids was quantitatively revealed. By constructing the synthetic hindered phenol, the intramolecular HBs between hindered phenols were restricted, while the strength and concentration of the intermolecular HBs increased by increasing the amount of hindered phenol. Thus, intermolecular interactions were enhanced, which lead to the compact chain packing of polyurethane, extended chain packing of hindered phenol, and good dispersion of hindered phenol in polyurethane. Therefore, the stability of the hindered phenol and the damping properties of the hybrids were both improved. The experiment results are expected to provide some useful information for the design and fabrication of high-performance polymeric damping materials.
The Effects of Magnetic Field Alignment on Lithium Ion Transport in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane with Lamellar Morphology
Authors: Majewski Pawel W. , Gopinadhan Manesh , Osuji Chinedum O.
Published: May 2019

The transport properties of block copolymer-derived polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) are sensitive to microstructural disorder originating in the randomly oriented microdomains produced during uncontrolled self-assembly by microphase separation. This microstructural disorder can negatively impact performance due to the presence of conductivity-impeding grain boundaries and the resulting tortuosity of transport pathways. We use magnetic fields to control the orientational order of Li-doped lamellar polyethylene oxide (PEO) microdomains in a liquid crystalline diblock copolymer over large length scales (>3 mm). Microdomain alignment results in an increase in the conductivity of the membrane, but the improvement relative to non-aligned samples is modest, and limited to roughly 50% in the best cases. This limited increase is in stark contrast to the order of magnitude improvement observed for magnetically aligned cylindrical microdomains of PEO. Further, the temperature dependence of the conductivity of lamellar microdomains is seemingly insensitive to the order-disorder phase transition, again in marked contrast to the behavior of cylinder-forming materials. The data are confronted with theoretical predictions of the microstructural model developed by Sax and Ottino. The disparity between the conductivity enhancements obtained by domain alignment of cylindrical and lamellar systems is rationalized in terms of the comparative ease of percolation due to the intersection of randomly oriented lamellar domains (2D sheets) versus the quasi-1D cylindrical domains. These results have important implications for the development of methods to maximize PEM conductivity in electrochemical devices, including batteries.
Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Materials as Selective Recognition Sorbents for Explosives: A Review
Authors: Zarejousheghani Mashaalah , Lorenz Wilhelm , Vanninen Paula , Alizadeh Taher , Cämmerer Malcolm , Borsdorf Helko
Published: May 2019

Explosives are of significant interest to homeland security departments and forensic investigations. Fast, sensitive and selective detection of these chemicals is of great concern for security purposes as well as for triage and decontamination in contaminated areas. To this end, selective sorbents with fast binding kinetics and high binding capacity, either in combination with a sensor transducer or a sampling/sample-preparation method, are required. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) show promise as cost-effective and rugged artificial selective sorbents, which have a wide variety of applications. This manuscript reviews the innovative strategies developed in 57 manuscripts (published from 2006 to 2019) to use MIP materials for explosives. To the best of our knowledge, there are currently no commercially available MIP-modified sensors or sample preparation methods for explosives in the market. We believe that this review provides information to give insight into the future prospects and potential commercialization of such materials. We warn the readers of the hazards of working with explosives.
Combining Inulin Multifunctional Polycation and Magnetic Nanoparticles: Redox-Responsive siRNA-Loaded Systems for Magnetofection
Authors: Sardo Carla , Craparo Emanuela Fabiola , Porsio Barbara , Giammona Gaetano , Cavallaro Gennara
Published: May 2019

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) are recognized as one of the most promising agents for theranostic applications. Among methods designed for siRNA delivery, magnetofection, that is, nucleic acid cell uptake under the influence of a magnetic field acting on magnetic nucleic acid vectors, is emerging as a unique approach to combining advantages such as strong improvement of the kinetics of the delivery process and the possibility of localizing nucleic acid delivery to an area where the magnetic field is applied. This paper reports on the preparation of siRNA loaded magnetoplexes—named ICD@SS@SPIONs/siRNA—by controlled crosslinking, in the presence of SPIONs, of the polycation INU-C-DETA, synthesized starting from the polysaccharide inulin by grafting diethylenetriamine and cystamine molecules. The obtained ICD@SS@SPIONs/siRNA have suitable chemical-physical characteristics to be employed for iv administration and are also able to release siRNA in a redox-triggered manner thanks to intracellular glutathione (GSH) mediated reduction of disulphide bridges formed during the crosslinking process. Moreover, ICD@SS@SPIONs/siRNA are able to produce magnetic targeting in vitro on breast cancer cells, without appreciable cyto- and hemo-toxic effects, in a wide range of concentrations. Finally, protein binding to nanoparticles revealed that obtained systems are potentially longer circulating and applicable as a smart multifunctional agents for cancer therapy.
Visualization of Polymer Crystallization by In Situ Combination of Atomic Force Microscopy and Fast Scanning Calorimetry
Authors: Zhang Rui , Zhuravlev Evgeny , Androsch René , Schick Christoph
Published: May 2019

A chip-based fast scanning calorimeter (FSC) is used as a fast hot-stage in an atomic force microscope (AFM). This way, the morphology of materials with a resolution from micrometers to nanometers after fast thermal treatments becomes accessible. An FSC can treat the sample isothermally or at heating and cooling rates up to 1 MK/s. The short response time of the FSC in the order of milliseconds enables rapid changes from scanning to isothermal modes and vice versa. Additionally, FSC provides crystallization/melting curves of the sample just imaged by AFM. We describe a combined AFM-FSC device, where the AFM sample holder is replaced by the FSC chip-sensor. The sample can be repeatedly annealed at pre-defined temperatures and times and the AFM images can be taken from exactly the same spot of the sample. The AFM-FSC combination is used for the investigation of crystallization of polyamide 66 (PA 66), poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL).
Writing Behavior of Phospholipids in Polymer Pen Lithography (PPL) for Bioactive Micropatterns
Authors: Angelin Alessandro , Bog Uwe , Kumar Ravi , Niemeyer Christof M. , Hirtz Michael
Published: May 2019

Lipid-based membranes play crucial roles in regulating the interface between cells and their external environment, the communication within cells, and cellular sensing. To study these important processes, various lipid-based artificial membrane models have been developed in recent years and, indeed, large-area arrays of supported lipid bilayers suit the needs of many of these studies remarkably well. Here, the direct-write scanning probe lithography technique called polymer pen lithography (PPL) was used as a tool for the creation of lipid micropatterns over large areas via polymer-stamp-mediated transfer of lipid-containing inks onto glass substrates. In order to better understand and control the lipid transfer in PPL, we conducted a systematic study of the influence of dwell time (i.e., duration of contact between tip and sample), humidity, and printing pressure on the outcome of PPL with phospholipids and discuss results in comparison to the more often studied dip-pen nanolithography with phospholipids. This is the first systematic study in phospholipid printing with PPL. Biocompatibility of the obtained substrates with up to two different ink compositions was demonstrated. The patterns are suitable to serve as a platform for mast cell activation experiments.
PET-RAFT Polymerization Catalyzed by Small Organic Molecule under Green Light Irradiation
Authors: Tao Huazhen , Xia Lei , Chen Guang , Zeng Tianyou , Nie Xuan , Zhang Ze , You Yezi
Published: May 2019

Photocatalyzed polymerization using organic molecules as catalysts has attracted broad interest because of its easy operation in ambient environments and low toxicity compared with metallic catalysts. In this work, we reported that 4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (DTBT) can act as an efficient photoredox catalyst for photoinduced electron transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization under green light irradiation. Well-defined (co)polymers can be obtained using this technique without any additional additives like noble metals and electron donors or acceptors. The living characteristics of polymerization were verified by kinetic study and the narrow dispersity (Đ) of the produced polymer. Excellent chain-end fidelity was demonstrated through chain extension as well. In addition, this technique showed great potential for various RAFT agents and monomers including acrylates and acrylamides.
Estimating Relations of Vegetation, Climate Change, and Human Activity: A Case Study in the 400 mm Annual Precipitation Fluctuation Zone, China
Authors: Li Yang , Xie Zhixiang , Qin Yaochen , Zheng Zhicheng
Published: May 2019

The 400 mm annual precipitation fluctuation zone (75°55′–127°6′E and 26°55′–53°6′N) is located in central and western China, which is a transition area from traditional agricultural to animal husbandry. It is extremely sensitive to climatic changes. The corresponding changes of the ecosystem, represented by vegetation, under the dual influences of climate change and human activities are important issues in the study of the regional ecological environment. Based on the Savitzky–Golay (S–G) filtering method, the Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) dataset (NDVI3g) was reconstructed in this paper. Sen’s slope estimation, Mann–Kendall (M–K), multiple regression residual analysis, and the Hurst index were used to quantify the impacts of climate change and human activities on vegetation; in addition, the future persistence characteristics of the vegetation changes trend were analyzed. Vegetation changes in the study area had an obvious spatio-temporal heterogeneity. On an annual scale, the vegetation increased considerably, with a growth rate of 0.50%/10a. The multi-year mean value of NDVI and growth rate of cultivated land were the highest, followed by the forest land and grassland. On a seasonal scale, the vegetation cover increased most significantly in autumn, followed by spring and summer. In the southeastern and central parts of the study area, the vegetation cover increased significantly (P < 0.05), while it decreased significantly in the northeastern and southwestern parts. In summer, the NDVI value of all vegetation types (cultivated land, forest land and grassland) reached the maximum. The change rate of NDVI value for cultivated land reached the highest in autumn (1.57%/10a), forest land reached the highest in spring (1.15%/10a), and grassland reached the highest in autumn (0.49%/10a). The NDVI of cultivated land increased in all seasons, while forest land (−0.31%/10a) and grassland (−0.009%/10a) decreased in winter. Partial correlation analysis between vegetation and precipitation, temperature found that the areas with positive correlation accounted for 66.29% and 55.05% of the total area, respectively. Under the influence of climate change alone, 62.79% of the study area showed an increasing tendency, among which 46.79% showed a significant upward trend (P < 0.05). The NDVI decreased in 37.21% of the regions and decreased significantly in 14.88% of the regions (P < 0.05). Under the influence of human activities alone, the vegetation in the study area showed an upward trend in 59.61%, with a significant increase in 41.35% (P < 0.05), a downward trend in 40.39%, and a significant downward trend in 7.95% (P < 0.05). Vegetation growth is highly unstable and prone to drastic changes, depending on the environmental conditions.
Climate Data Records from Meteosat First Generation Part III: Recalibration and Uncertainty Tracing of the Visible Channel on Meteosat-2–7 Using Reconstructed, Spectrally Changing Response Functions
Authors: Rüthrich Frank , John Viju O. , Roebeling Rob A. , Quast Ralf , Govaerts Yves , Woolliams Emma R. , Schulz Jörg
Published: May 2019

This paper presents a new Fundamental Climate Data Record (FCDR) for the visible (VIS) channel of the Meteosat Visible and Infrared Imager (MVIRI), with pixel-level metrologically traceable uncertainties and error covariance estimates. MVIRI has flown onboard Meteosat First Generation (MFG) satellites between 1982 and 2017. It has served the weather forecasting community with measurements of “visible”, “infra-red” and “water vapour” radiance in near real-time. The precision of the pre-launch sensor spectral response function (SRF) characterisation, particularly of the visible band of this sensor type, improved considerably with time, resulting in higher quality radiances towards the end of the MFG program. Despite these improvements, the correction of the degradation of this sensor has remained a challenging task and previous studies have found the SRF degradation to be faster in the blue than in the near-infrared part of the spectrum. With these limitations, the dataset cannot be immediately applied in climate science. In order to provide a data record that is suited for climate studies, the Horizon 2020 project “FIDelity and Uncertainty in Climate-data records from Earth Observation” (FIDUCEO) conducted (1) a thorough metrological uncertainty analysis for each instrument, and (2) a recalibration using enhanced input data such as reconstructed SRFs. In this paper, we present the metrological analysis, the recalibration results and the resulting consolidated FCDR. In the course of this study we were able to trace-back the remaining uncertainties in the calibrated MVIRI reflectances to underlying effects that have distinct physical root-causes and spatial/temporal correlation patterns. SEVIRI and SCIAMACHY reflectances have been used for a validation of the harmonised dataset. The resulting new FCDR is publicly available for climate studies and for the production of climate data records (CDRs) spanning about 35 years.
The Use of Data from the Parkinson’s KinetiGraph to Identify Potential Candidates for Device Assisted Therapies
Authors: Khodakarami Hamid , Farzanehfar Parisa , Horne Malcolm
Published: May 2019

Device-assisted therapies (DAT) benefit people with Parkinsons Disease (PwP) but many referrals for DAT are unsuitable or too late, and a screening tool to aid in identifying candidates would be helpful. This study aimed to produce such a screening tool by building a classifier that models specialist identification of suitable DAT candidates. To our knowledge, this is the first objective decision tool for managing DAT referral. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a construction set (n = 112, to train, develop, cross validate, and then evaluate the classifier’s performance) or to a test set (n = 60 to test the fully specified classifier), resulting in a sensitivity and specificity of 89% and 86.6%, respectively. The classifier’s performance was then assessed in PwP who underwent deep brain stimulation (n = 31), were managed in a non-specialist clinic (n = 81) or in PwP in the first five years from diagnosis (n = 22). The classifier identified 87%, 92%, and 100% of the candidates referred for DAT in each of the above clinical settings, respectively. Furthermore, the classifier score changed appropriately when therapeutic intervention resolved troublesome fluctuations or dyskinesia that would otherwise have required DAT. This study suggests that information from objective measurement could improve timely referral for DAT.
Colour Constancy for Image of Non-Uniformly Lit Scenes
Authors: Hussain Md Akmol , Sheikh-Akbari Akbar , Mporas Iosif
Published: May 2019

Digital camera sensors are designed to record all incident light from a captured scene, but they are unable to distinguish between the colour of the light source and the true colour of objects. The resulting captured image exhibits a colour cast toward the colour of light source. This paper presents a colour constancy algorithm for images of scenes lit by non-uniform light sources. The proposed algorithm uses a histogram-based algorithm to determine the number of colour regions. It then applies the K-means++ algorithm on the input image, dividing the image into its segments. The proposed algorithm computes the Normalized Average Absolute Difference (NAAD) for each segment and uses it as a measure to determine if the segment has sufficient colour variations. The initial colour constancy adjustment factors for each segment with sufficient colour variation is calculated. The Colour Constancy Adjustment Weighting Factors (CCAWF) for each pixel of the image are determined by fusing the CCAWFs of the segments, weighted by their normalized Euclidian distance of the pixel from the center of the segments. Results show that the proposed method outperforms the statistical techniques and its images exhibit significantly higher subjective quality to those of the learning-based methods. In addition, the execution time of the proposed algorithm is comparable to statistical-based techniques and is much lower than those of the state-of-the-art learning-based methods.
Dynamic Parameter Identification for a Manipulator with Joint Torque Sensors Based on an Improved Experimental Design
Authors: Jia Jidong , Zhang Minglu , Zang Xizhe , Zhang He , Zhao Jie
Published: May 2019

As the foundation of model control, robot dynamics is crucial. However, a robot is a complex multi-input–multi-output system. System noise seriously affects parameter identification results, thereby inevitably requiring us to conduct signal processing to extract useful signals from chaotic noise. In this research, the dynamic parameters were identified on the basis of the proposed multi-criteria embedded optimization design method, to obtain the optimal excitation signal and then use maximum likelihood estimation for parameter identification. Considering the movement coupling characteristics of the multi-axis, experiments were based on a two degrees-of-freedom manipulator with joint torque sensors. Simulation and experimental results showed that the proposed method can reasonably resolve the problem of mutual opposition within a single criterion and improve the identification robustness in comparison with other optimization criteria. The mean relative standard deviation was 0.04 and 0.3 lower in the identified parameters than in F1 and F3, respectively, thus signifying that noise is effectively alleviated. In addition, validation experimental curves were close to the estimation model, and the average of root mean square (RMS) is 0.038, thereby confirming the accuracy of the proposed method.
Analyzing the Impact of Traffic Congestion Mitigation: From an Explainable Neural Network Learning Framework to Marginal Effect Analyses
Authors: Sun Jianping , Guo Jifu , Wu Xin , Zhu Qian , Wu Danting , Xian Kai , Zhou Xuesong
Published: May 2019

Computational graphs (CGs) have been widely utilized in numerical analysis and deep learning to represent directed forward networks of data flows between operations. This paper aims to develop an explainable learning framework that can fully integrate three major steps of decision support: Synthesis of diverse traffic data, multilayered traffic demand estimation, and marginal effect analyses for transport policies. Following the big data-driven transportation computational graph (BTCG) framework, which is an emerging framework for explainable neural networks, we map different external traffic measurements collected from household survey data, mobile phone data, floating car data, and sensor networks to multilayered demand variables in a CG. Furthermore, we extend the CG-based framework by mapping different congestion mitigation strategies to CG layers individually or in combination, allowing the marginal effects and potential migration magnitudes of the strategies to be reliably quantified. Using the TensorFlow architecture, we evaluate our framework on the Sioux Falls network and present a large-scale case study based on a subnetwork of Beijing using a data set from the metropolitan planning organization.
Towards Non-Invasive Methods to Assess Population Structure and Biomass in Vulnerable Sea Pen Fields
Authors: Chimienti Giovanni , Di Nisio Attilio , Lanzolla Anna M. L. , Andria Gregorio , Tursi Angelo , Mastrototaro Francesco
Published: May 2019

Colonies of the endangered red sea pen Pennatula rubra (Cnidaria: Pennatulacea) sampled by trawling in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea were analyzed. Biometric parameters, such as total length, peduncle length, number of polyp leaves, fresh weight, and dry weight, were measured and related to each other by means of regression analysis. Ad hoc models for future inferencing of colonies size and biomass through visual techniques were individuated in order to allow a non-invasive study of the population structure and dynamics of P. rubra.
A Study of the Pedestrianized Zone for Tourists: Urban Design Effects on Humans’ Thermal Comfort in Fo Shan City, Southern China
Authors: Ma Xuan , Fukuda Hiroatsu , Zhou Dian , Wang Mengying
Published: May 2019

Ling Nan Tian Di block is in Fo Shan city, which is in the hot-summer and warm-winter climate area of China and is a very important scenic spot. A pedestrianized zone aims to provide a commercial and recreational center for tourists. The utilization of it is determined by the outdoor microclimate, which affects not only humans’ thermal sensation but also the commercial value; thus, putting forward the best time of day to visit this region in extreme summer is very necessary. Using the result of this work, tourists can choose the most comfortable time of day with the most suitable thermal conditions to visit this pedestrianized zone. To this end, we conducted field measurements and numerical simulations to analyze thermal sensation. In addition, a field questionnaire survey was utilized to evaluate the thermal comfort range for tourists. The analyzed result shows that the thermal comfort range of tourists is a physiological equivalent temperature (PET) of 22 to 28 °C and the neutral PET is 25 °C. The final thermal calendar shows that the whole commercial zone is within the comfort range after 7:00 p.m. During the daytime, except for the open space without vegetation, the whole region is in the comfort range from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Participant Outcomes of Biodiversity Citizen Science Projects: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Peter Maria , Diekötter Tim , Kremer Kerstin
Published: May 2019

Citizen science is becoming increasingly popular as a format in environmental and sustainability education. Citizen science not only allows researchers to gather large amounts of biodiversity-related data, it also has the potential to engage the public in biodiversity research. Numerous citizen science projects have emerged that assume that participation in the project affects participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. We investigated what evidence really exists about the outcomes of biodiversity citizen science projects on the side of the individual participants. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed research articles published up to and including 2017. We found evidence for various individual participant outcomes. The outcome reported most often was a gain in knowledge. Other outcomes, found in several articles, referred to changes in behavior or attitudes. Outcomes reported less often were new skills, increased self-efficacy and interest, and a variety of other personal outcomes. We discuss the research design and methods used in the reviewed studies und formulate specific recommendations for future research. We conclude that citizen science is a promising option for environmental and sustainability education focusing on biodiversity. Partnerships between natural and social scientists in the design and evaluation of projects would allow future biodiversity citizen science projects to utilize their full educational potential.
A Novel Collaborative Optimization Model for Job Shop Production–Delivery Considering Time Window and Carbon Emission
Authors: Liao Wenzhu , Wang Tong
Published: May 2019

The manufacturing industry is undergoing transformation and upgrading from traditional manufacturing to intelligent manufacturing, in which Internet of Things (IoT) technology plays a central role in promoting the development of intelligent manufacturing. In order to solve the problem that low production efficiency and machine utilization lead to serious pollution emissions in the workshop caused by untimely transmission of information in all links of the production and manufacturing process to whole supply chains, this study establishes an intelligent production scheduling and logistics delivery model with IoT technology to promote green and sustainable development of intelligent manufacturing. Firstly, an application framework of IoT technology in production–delivery supply chain systems was established to improve efficiency and achieve the integration of production and delivery. Secondly, an integrated production–delivery model was constructed, which takes into account time and low carbon constraints. Finally, a two-layer optimization algorithm was proposed to solve this integration problem. Through a case study, the results show this integration production–delivery model can reduce the cost of supply chains and improve customer satisfaction. Moreover, it proves that carbon emission cost is a major factor affecting total cost, and it could help enterprises to realize the profit and sustainable development of the environment. The production–delivery model could also support the last kilometer distribution problem and extension under E-commerce applications.
Towards Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility Approach in International Projects—Review of South-South Cooperation: A Case Study of Chinese Projects in Angola
Authors: Mihić Marko M. , Shevchenko Svetlana , Gligorijević Ema D. , Petrović Dejan Č.
Published: May 2019

This paper offers a modified theoretical approach towards corporate social responsibility (CSR), adjusted to the specifics of South-South cooperation (SSC). Developing economies are becoming important actors and the number of their companies willing to implement projects in other developing nations is rising. This entrance of developing countries into international projects poses a question whether their companies adhere to basic CSR obligations and their CSR approaches are strategically oriented or if they present an umbrella, covering up their activities. Though the issue of CSR in SSC projects attracts attention, the number of studies on this topic is limited. This paper presents an attempt to work out a theoretical basis to a CSR approach in SSC projects by adjusting a widely accepted CSR model of Carroll (1979, 1991) to the specific conditions of developing economies. For the purpose of this paper, the authors analyzed CSR activities of Chinese companies in Angola. The results lead to the conclusion that governments of countries, participating in SSC projects need a more active approach towards making basic CSR responsibilities (economic, ethical, legal) legally binding. This will allow such international projects to be more beneficial not only for directly interested parties (companies, governments), but also for the local community.
Industrial Policy and Innovation Capability of Strategic Emerging Industries: Empirical Evidence from Chinese New Energy Vehicle Industry
Authors: Zhao Qiuyun , Li Zeyu , Zhao Zuoxiang , Ma Jinqiu
Published: May 2019

Industrial policy is an important tool for developing countries to protect their own industries and improve innovation capabilities. This paper takes China’s new energy vehicle industry as an example, and uses the number of invention patents as a measure of independent innovation capability in order to analyze the impact mechanism of industrial policy on innovation. The estimation results of difference-in-differences and propensity score matching estimations show that the “Ten Cities Thousand Vehicles Project” for promoting the new energy vehicle industry has indeed increased the number of invention patents filed in new energy automobile manufacturers, as compared with traditional automakers. This paper also provides empirical evidence and statistical support for the implementation of industrial policies.
Understanding Transience and Participation in University Student-Led Food Gardens
Authors: Laycock Pedersen Rebecca , Robinson Zoe P. , Surman Emma
Published: May 2019

In an increasingly mobile world, transience is becoming the norm. Sustainable community food initiatives, therefore, must organise to withstand high turnover of volunteers. Using a case study of the United Kingdom’s National Union of Students’ food growing scheme in universities, this paper aims to map the causes and effects of short-term, irregular, and low participation using a causal loop diagram to understand how to mitigate their negative impacts and improve participation. Data was gathered through interviews, workshops, photovoice, a fishbowl discussion, and a reflective diary. We found three amplifying feedback loops increasing short-term, irregular and low participation, their causes, and their impacts. These feedback loops were precariously buffered by a continuous in-flow of new potential participants each academic year. We also found that the stakeholders of these gardens conceptualised time akin to both temporary and permanent organisations, and these differing conceptualisations were a source of tension. Furthermore, although ‘organisational amnesia’ was a problem, the gardens were still learningful spaces. We recommend both upstream and downstream solutions are implemented to buffer the impacts of transience and suggest that university and students’ union staff could play a crucial and subtle supporting role.
Temporal-Spatial Nonlinear Filtering for Infrared Focal Plane Array Stripe Nonuniformity Correction
Authors: Li Jia , Qin Hanlin , Yan Xiang , Zeng Qingjie , Yang Tingwu
Published: May 2019

In this work, we introduce a temporal-spatial approach for infrared focal plane array (IRFPA) stripe nonuniformity correction in infrared images that generates visually appealing results. We posit that the nonuniformity appears as a striped structure in the spatial domain and that the pixel values change slowly in the temporal domain. Based on this, we formulate our correction method in two steps. In the first step, weighted guided image filtering with our adaptive weight is utilized to predict the stripe nonuniformity using a single frame. In the second step, the temporal profile of each pixel can be formed using a few frames of successive nonuniformity images. Further, we present a temporal nonlinear diffusion equation to remove scene residuals from the temporal profile of nonuniformity images in order to estimate a more accurate value of the stripe nonuniformity. The results of extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed nonuniformity correction algorithm substantially outperforms many state-of-the-art approaches, including both traditional and deep convolution-neural-network-based methods, on four popular infrared videos. In addition, the proposed method only requires a fraction (less than ten) of the video frames.
Impact of Five Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors on DON Biosynthesis of Fusarium asiaticum, Causing Fusarium Head Blight in Wheat
Authors: Xu Chao , Li Meixia , Zhou Zehua , Li Jiaosheng , Chen Dongming , Duan Yabing , Zhou Mingguo
Published: May 2019

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a class of mycotoxin produced in cereal crops infected with Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC). In China, FGSC mainly includes Fusarium asiaticum and F. graminearum. DON belongs to the trichothecenes and poses a serious threat to the safety and health of humans and animals. Succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs) are a class of fungicides that act on succinate dehydrogenase and inhibit the respiration of pathogenic fungi. In this study, the fungicidal activities of five SDHIs, including fluopyram, flutolanil, boscalid, benzovindiflupyr, and fluxapyroxad, against FGSC were determined based on mycelial growth and spore germination inhibition methods. The five SDHIs exhibited better inhibitory activities in spore germination than mycelial growth. Fluopyram exhibited a higher inhibitory effect in mycelial growth and spore germination in comparison to the other four SDHIs. In addition, the biological characteristics of F. asiaticum as affected by the five SDHIs were determined. We found that these five SDHIs decreased DON, pyruvic acid and acetyl-CoA production, isocitrate dehydrogenase mitochondrial (ICDHm) and SDH activities, and NADH and ATP content of F. asiaticum but increased the citric acid content. In addition, TRI5 gene expression was inhibited, and the formation of toxisomes was disrupted by the five SDHIs, further confirming that SDHIs can decrease DON biosynthesis of F. asiaticum. Thus, we concluded that SDHIs may decrease DON biosynthesis of F. asiaticum by inhibiting glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Overall, the findings from the study will provide important references for managing Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by FGSC and reducing DON contamination in F. asiaticum-infected wheat grains.
Label-Free Direct Detection of Saxitoxin Based on a Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Aptasensor
Authors: Ha Su-Ji , Park Jin-Ho , Lee Bobin , Kim Min-Gon
Published: May 2019

Seafood is an emerging health food, and interest in improving the quality of seafood is increasing. Saxitoxin (STX) is a neurotoxin produced by marine dinoflagellates that is accumulated in seafood. It can block the neuronal transmission between nerves and muscle cell membranes, resulting in the disturbance of neuromuscular transmission and subsequent voluntary muscle paralysis. Here, we developed a new aptamer for the detection of STX using graphene oxide–systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (GO-SELEX). Furthermore, we confirmed sensitivity and selectivity of the developed aptamer specific to STX using a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor. The sensing chip was fabricated by fixing the new STX aptamer immobilized on the gold nanorod (GNR) substrate. The STX LSPR aptasensor showed a broad, linear detection range from 5 to 10,000 μg/L, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.46 μg/L (3σ). Moreover, it was suitable for the detection of STX (10, 100, and 2000 μg/L) in spiked mussel samples and showed a good recovery rate (96.13–116.05%). The results demonstrated that the new STX aptamer-modified GNR chip was sufficiently sensitive and selective to detect STX and can be applied to real samples as well. This LSPR aptasensor is a simple, label-free, cost-effective sensing system with a wide detectable range.
Cannabis: From a Plant That Modulates Feeding Behaviors toward Developing Selective Inhibitors of the Peripheral Endocannabinoid System for the Treatment of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Hirsch Shira , Tam Joseph
Published: May 2019

In this review, we discuss the role of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in regulating energy and metabolic homeostasis. Endocannabinoids, via activating the cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1R), are commonly known as mediators of the thrifty phenotype hypothesis due to their activity in the central nervous system, which in turn regulates food intake and underlies the development of metabolic syndrome. Indeed, these findings led to the clinical testing of globally acting CB1R blockers for obesity and various metabolic complications. However, their therapeutic potential was halted due to centrally mediated adverse effects. Recent observations that highlighted the key role of the peripheral eCB system in metabolic regulation led to the preclinical development of various novel compounds that block CB1R only in peripheral organs with very limited brain penetration and without causing behavioral side effects. These unique molecules, which effectively ameliorate obesity, type II diabetes, fatty liver, insulin resistance, and chronic kidney disease in several animal models, are likely to be further developed in the clinic and may revive the therapeutic potential of blocking CB1R once again.
Virion-Associated Cholesterol Regulates the Infection of Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 3
Authors: Tang Qiaopeng , Liu Pengfei , Chen Mingzhou , Qin Yali
Published: May 2019

The matrix (M) proteins of paramyxoviruses bind to the nucleocapsids and cytoplasmic tails of glycoproteins, thus mediating the assembly and budding of virions. We first determined the budding characterization of the HPIV3 Fusion (F) protein to investigate the assembly mechanism of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3). Our results show that expression of the HPIV3 F protein alone is sufficient to initiate the release of virus-like particles (VLPs), and the F protein can regulate the VLP-forming ability of the M protein. Furthermore, HPIV3F-Flag, which is a recombinant HPIV3 with a Flag tag at the C-terminus of the F protein, was constructed and recovered. We found that the M, F, and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) proteins and the viral genome can accumulate in lipid rafts in HPIV3F-Flag-infected cells, and the F protein mainly exists in the form of F1 in VLPs, lipid rafts, and purified virions. Furthermore, the function of cholesterol in the viral envelope and cell membrane was assessed via the elimination of cholesterol by methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD). Our results suggest that the infectivity of HPIV3 was markedly reduced, due to defective internalization ability in the absence of cholesterol. These results reveal that HPIV3 might assemble in the lipid rafts to acquire cholesterol for the envelope of HPIV3, which suggests the that disruption of the cholesterol composition of HPIV3 virions might be a useful method for the design of anti-HPIV3 therapy.
Addressing the Challenges of Hepatitis C Cure and Persistent Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Baumert Thomas F. , Hoshida Yujin
Published: May 2019

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)—the second leading, and rising, cause of death due to cancer world-wide [...]
Identification and Analysis of Potential Genes Regulated by an Alphasatellite (TYLCCNA) that Contribute to Host Resistance against Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl China Virus and Its Betasatellite (TYLCCNV/TYLCCNB) Infection in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Luo Chaohu , Wang Zhan Qi , Liu Xianan , Zhao Liling , Zhou Xueping , Xie Yan
Published: May 2019

Recently, begomovirus/betasatellite disease complexes were found to be associated with alphasatellites, and their presence modulated disease symptoms and/or viral DNA accumulation in infected plants. However, the biological functions of alphasatellites during begomovirus/betasatellite infections remain unclear. Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) associated with a betasatellite (TYLCCNB) is a widespread monopartite begomovirus in China. In the Yunnan province of China, the TYLCCNV/TYLCCNB disease complex is found in association with an alphasatellite (TYLCCNA). In this study, in order to explain the mechanisms underlying TYLCCNV/TYLCCNB infection and reductions in viral DNA accumulation caused by TYLCCNA, we analyzed the transcriptome profiles of Nicotiana benthamiana seedlings challenged by TYLCCNV/TYLCCNB or TYLCCNV/TYLCCNB/TYLCCNA using RNA sequencing. In total, 2272 and 1207 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified to respond to TYLCCNV/TYLCCNB and TYLCCNV/TYLCCNB/TYLCCNA infections, respectively. Compared with the DEGs in the TYLCCNV/TYLCCNB-infected N. benthamiana seedlings, the number of DEGs in plants co-infected with TYLCCNV/TYLCCNB + TYLCCNA was significantly reduced. Additionally, 36 DEGs were identified to be regulated by TYLCCNA, six of which were further analyzed using the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) approach. Silencing of these six TYLCCNA responsive DEGs caused more severe disease symptoms and higher viral DNA accumulation levels, suggesting that TYLCCNA responsive DEGs may attenuate TYLCCNV/TYLCCNB infection.
Assessing the Agricultural Drainage Water with Water Quality Indices in the El-Salam Canal Mega Project, Egypt
Authors: Assar Walaa , Ibrahim Mona G. , Mahmod Wael , Fujii Manabu
Published: May 2019

The water quality index (WQI) is considered one of the most promising methods for the classification of water quality (WQ), which also contributes to water resource management. This study adopted the irrigation WQ index (IWQI) and an analogous index based on a fuzzy logic approach, namely, the fuzzy logic water reuse index (FWRI) to assess the water quality in the El-Salam canal project in Egypt where agriculture drainage water (ADW) is expected to be reused for irrigation. Simulated WQ data using a one-dimensional hydrodynamic model indicated that the WQ deteriorated towards the downstream of the canal due to the polluted water discharged from canal feeders (e.g., the El-Serw and Bahr Hadous drains). The comparison of the FWRI and IWQI indices showed that the FWRI was more sensitive to variations in the WQ parameters compared to the IWQI. In contrast, the Z-test indicated that the indices have different statistical properties. Moreover, a chi-square test (X2) illustrated that the FWRI and IWQI values can both reasonably explain the current situation. However, the FWRI was more relevant to the official classification than the IWQI. Overall, the FWRI proved its capability and accuracy for the assessment of water quality in the El-Salam canal.
The Response of Regeneration Ability of Myriophyllum spicatum Apical Fragments to Decaying Cladophora oligoclona
Authors: Zhang Lu , Huang Suzhen , Peng Xue , Liu Biyun , Zhang Yi , Zhou Qiaohong , Wu Zhenbin
Published: May 2019

During the restoration of eutrophic shallow lakes, submerged macrophyte recovery is often accompanied by an excessive proliferation of filamentous green algae (FGA). This can lead to the recession or even disappearance of the submerged macrophytes in these lakes. However, the use of plant fragments in reproduction and dispersion is an important life history strategy for submerged macrophytes. In this work, it studied apical fragment propagation in Myriophyllum spicatum and its physiological and biochemical responses to the decomposing liquid of Cladophora oligoclona. Myriophyllum spicatum apical fragments showed no new roots or buds when treated with 0.4 times the original decomposing liquid, and their PSII functional parameters were lower than those of the control. In contrast, the relevant sugar content accumulated to 115.26%, and the activities of an energy enzyme (Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase) and a secondary metabolic-related enzyme (PAL) increased by 490.63% and 28.13%, showing an elevated defense response. These results indicated that the early regeneration of M. spicatum could be hindered by environmental stress, and that this may further affect the reproduction and colonization of these submerged macrophytes.
A Pilot Study of an Electromagnetic Field for Control of Reverse Osmosis Membrane Fouling and Scaling During Brackish Groundwater Desalination
Authors: Jiang Wenbin , Xu Xuesong , Lin Lu , Wang Huiyao , Shaw Randall , Lucero Daniel , Xu Pei
Published: May 2019

This study investigated the effects of an electromagnetic field (EMF) on control of membrane fouling and scaling during desalination of brackish groundwater using a pilot reverse osmosis (RO) skid. The groundwater was primarily CaSO4 type with a total dissolved solids concentration of 5850 mg/L and hardness of 2500 mg/L as CaCO3. Two EMF devices were installed in the pipeline before a cartridge filter and in the RO feed inlet to induce an electric signal of ±150 kHz to the groundwater. The effects of EMF on membrane scaling were evaluated under accelerated conditions, i.e., without pH adjustment and addition of antiscalant. Two-phase experiments were conducted: Phase 1 (376 h) with the EMF devices turned on after 150 h baseline operation; and Phase 2 (753 h) with the EMF devices turned on from the beginning of testing. The EMF significantly reduced membrane scaling and improved RO performance by 38.3% and 14.3% in terms of normalized water permeability decline rate after 150 h and 370 h operation, respectively. Membrane autopsy results indicated that the fouling layer formed under the influence of EMF was loose with a low density and was easily removed by hydraulic flushing.