ALBERT

Description / Table of Contents: Since the early design of activities to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the need to engage local communities and indigenous groups in monitoring and reporting has been recognized. REDD+ has advanced under the UNFCCC negotiations, but most countries still need to define formally what the role of communities in their national monitoring systems will be. Previous research and experiences have shown that local communities can effectively contribute in the monitoring of natural resources. This editorial introduces a Special Issue of Forests which discusses the implications of and potential for including community based monitoring (CBM) in monitoring and benefit-sharing systems in REDD+. It outlines the main points of the nine contributions to the Special Issue which cover a wide geographical area and report on projects and research which engages more than 150 communities from eight different countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America. The editorial summarizes how the articles and reports build further understanding of the potential of CBM to contribute to the implementation, monitoring and distribution of benefits in REDD+. It also discusses the results of an on-going opinion survey on issues related to CBM and its relation to benefit sharing, which indicates that there is still disagreement on a number of key elements.

Description / Table of Contents: CIRIAF (Inter-University Research Center on Pollution and Environment “Mauro Felli” is a research center, based at the University of Perugia, which promotes interdisciplinary research activities in the fields of environmental pollution and its health and socio-economic effects, sustainable development, renewable and alternative energy, energy planning, and sustainable mobility. One hundred professors from fourteen different Italian universities are involved in the activities of the center. The CIRIAF National Congress (e.g., the fourteenth one in 2014), has become, over time, an important event for researchers and experts (engineers, physicists, chemists, architects, doctors, and economists). These individuals are not simply academics; they also hail from ministries, environmental agencies, and local authorities. The annual meeting in Perugia is an opportunity to discuss the issues related to energy, environment and sustainable development. The Special Issue will include the best papers presented at the Congress. These were selected by the Scientific Committee with the help of the various Chairmen of the Sessions. The papers cover all the various aspects of sustainability, from an interdisciplinary point of view, with a strong emphasis on the link between energy production, use and conservation, and environmental impact.

Description / Table of Contents: Geothermal energy has been harnessed for recreational uses for millennia, but only for electricity generation for a little over a century. Although geothermal is unique amongst renewables for its baseload and renewable heat provision capabilities, uptake continues to lag far behind that of solar and wind. This is mainly attributable to (i) uncertainties over resource availability in poorly-explored reservoirs and (ii) the concentration of full-lifetime costs into early-stage capital expenditure (capex). Recent advances in reservoir characterization techniques are beginning to narrow the bounds of exploration uncertainty, both by improving estimates of reservoir geometry and properties, and by providing pre-drilling estimates of temperature at depth. Advances in drilling technologies and management have potential to significantly lower initial capex, while operating expenditure is being further reduced by more effective reservoir management—supported by robust models—and increasingly efficient energy conversion systems (flash, binary and combined-heat-and-power). Advances in characterization and modelling are also improving management of shallow low-enthalpy resources that can only be exploited using heat-pump technology. Taken together with increased public appreciation of the benefits of geothermal, the technology is finally ready to take its place as a mainstream renewable technology, exploited far beyond its traditional confines in the world’s volcanic regions.

Description / Table of Contents: The earth is experiencing the adverse effect of climate change. In response to growing global warming issues and the constant increase of energy prices, house-builders and housing manufacturers today are becoming more responsive to the delivery of net zero energy and carbon dioxide emission sustainable homes than ever. Within this context, the sustainability may embrace housing economy and adequacy beyond the legitimacy in which the quality barely coincides with individuals' dynamic various needs, desires and expectations. In this special issue, "mass customisation" is reviewed being considered as a paradoxical concept which has been recognised as a means to lessen production costs of end-user products whilst achieving the customisability through economies of scope rather than economies of scale. Nevertheless, the housing industry's business operation tends to follow routines and the close system mode of operation often hinders the enterprises from adopting unfamiliar inn ovations which may be inevitable in realising the delivery and operation of socially, economically and environmentally sustainable homes. In order to deliver a marketable and replicable zero energy/emission mass custom home, or ZEMCH, the strategic balance between the optional and standard features seems to be critical. The optional features may be provided with the aim to enhance design quality (or customizability) that helps contribute to satisfying desires and expectations of individual stakeholders. The standard equipment, on the other hand, needs to be installed in buildings as it aims to exceed product quality whose levels can be adjusted in conjunction with societal demands and requirements. This edition encompasses a wide spectrum of hopes and fears around the design, production and marketing approaches to the ZEMCH delivery and operation, and showcases some exemplars budding out in different climates around the globe.

Description / Table of Contents: All living organisms are composed of major, minor, and trace elements, given by nature and supplied by geology. Medical geology is a rapidly growing discipline dealing with the influence of natural geological and environmental risk factors on the distribution of health problems in humans and animals. As a multi-disciplinary scientific field, medical geology has the potential of helping medical and public health communities all over the world in the pursuit of solutions to a wide range of environmental and naturally induced health issues. The natural environment can impact health in a variety of ways. The composition of rocks and minerals are imprinted on the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, and the food that we eat. For many people this transference of minerals and the trace elements they contain is beneficial as it is the primary source of nutrients (such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and about a dozen other elements) that are essential for a healthy life. However, sometimes the local geology can cause significant health problems because there is an insufficient amount of an essential element or an excess of a potentially toxic element (such as arsenic, mercury, lead, fluorine, etc.), or a harmful substance such as methane gas, dust-sized particles of asbestos, quartz or pyrite, or certain naturally occurring organic compounds. Current and future medical geology concerns include: dangerous levels of arsenic in drinking water in dozens of countries including the USA; mercury emissions from coal combustion and its bioaccumulation in the environment; the impacts of mercury and lead mobilizations in regions were artisanal gold mining is conducted; the residual health impacts of geologic processes such as volcanic emissions, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and geogenic dust; exposure to fibrous minerals such as asbestos and erionite; and the health impacts of global climate change. Billions of people, most in developing countries, are afflicted by these and other environmental health issues that can be avoided, prevented, mitigated or minimized through research and educational outreach. This Special Issue of Geosciences discusses recent advances in medical geology, providing examples from research conducted all over the world. Among the topics to be discussed are: - Health effects from trace elements, metals and metalloids - Regional and global impacts of natural dust (including the study of nanoparticles) - Chemical and environmental pathology of diseases associated with natural environment - Novel analytical approaches to the study of natural geochemical and environmental agents - Research on beneficial health aspects of natural geological materials - Risk management, risk communication and risk mitigation on medical geology - Remote sensing and GIS applications on medical geology - Epidemiology and public health studies on medical geology - Climate change and medical geology - Clinical and toxicological research on biomarkers of exposure - Veterinary medical geology - Biosurveillance and biomonitoring studies on medical geology

Description / Table of Contents: Over the last decades, the study of extremophiles has providing ground breaking discoveries that challenge the paradigms of modern biology and make us rethink intriguing questions such as “what is life?”, “what are the limits of life?”, and “what are the fundamental features of life?”. The mechanisms by which different microorganisms adapt to extreme environments provide a unique perspective on the fundamental characteristics of biological processes present in most species. Extremophiles are also critical for evolutionary studies related to the origins of life, since they form a cluster on the base of the tree of life. Furthermore, the application of extremophiles in industrial processes has opened a new era in biotechnology. The study of extreme environments has become a key area of research for astrobiology. Extremophiles may help us understand what form life takes on other planetary bodies in our own solar system and beyond. These findings and possibilities have made the study of life in extreme environments one of the most exciting areas of research in recent decades. However, despite the latest advances we are just in the beginning of exploring and characterizing the world of extremophiles. This special issue covers all aspects of life in extreme environments.

Description / Table of Contents: Water is not only an interesting object to be studied on its own, it also is an important component driving almost all ecological processes occurring in our landscapes. Plant growth depends on soil water content, as well is nutrient turnover by microbes. Water shapes the environment by erosion and sedimentation. Species occur or are lost depending on hydrological conditions, and many infectious diseases are water-borne. Modeling the complex interactions of water and ecosystem processes requires the prediction of hydrological fluxes and stages on the one side and the coupling of the ecosystem process model on the other. While much effort has been given to the development of the hydrological model theory in recent decades, we have just begun to explore the difficulties that occur when coupled model applications are being set up.

Description / Table of Contents: Water covers approximately 71% of the planet’s surface and human activities have been relying on it since remote times. Many traces of these exist under the “zero level” and will continue to exist in the future. Measuring, positioning, and mapping objects under water have experienced very significant modifications, brought about by advances in technology and also by changed requirements, demands for new products, introduction of new tools, and the modification of existing equipment. The exploration, documentation, and recording of underwater environments remains a difficult task, and is sometimes still unsolved. The research, design, and development of techniques and procedures for correctly validating underwater environments are more than ever important. This Special Issue originates from the ISPRS/CIPA Workshop "UNDERWATER 3D RECORDING & MODELING—Experiences in Data Acquisition, Calibration, Orientation, Modelling & Accuracy Assessment” (http://3dom.fbk.eu/files/underwater/index.html).

Description / Table of Contents: Part I Wheat Genetics: Past, Present, and Future --- 1 Prof. H. Kihara’s genome concept and advancements in wheat cytogenetics in his school --- 2 How a gene from Japan revolutionized the world of wheat: CIMMYT’s quest for combining genes to mitigate threats to global food security --- Part II Germplasm and Genetic Diversity --- 3 Genetic resources of Triticum --- 4 Development of core set of wheat (Triticum spp.) germplasm conserved in the National Genebank in India --- 5 Transfer to wheat of potentially new stem rust resistance genes from Aegilops speltoides --- 6 Genetic variation and its geographical distribution in Aegilops caudata L.: morphology, hybrid sterility and gametocidal genes --- Part III Cytogenetics and Allopolyploid Evolution --- 7 Wheat chromosome analysis --- 8 New aneuploids of common wheat --- 9 Chromosomal changes over the course of polyploid wheat evolution and domestication --- Part IV Toward Whole Genome Sequencing --- 10 Comprehensive functional analyses of expressed sequence tags in common wheat --- 11 Development of the BAC physical maps of wheat chromosome 6B for its genomic sequencing --- Part V Structural and Functional Genomics --- 12 Sequencing of wheat chromosome 6B: toward functional genomics --- 13 Genetic mechanisms of vernalization requirement duration in winter wheat cultivars --- 14 Building ultra-dense genetic maps in the presence of genotyping errors and missing data --- Part VI Functional Gene Analysis and Molecular Tools --- 15 Exploiting comparative biology and genomics to understand a trait in wheat, Ph1 --- 16 The specific features of anthocyanin biosynthesis regulation in wheat --- 17 Association of wheat miRNAs with hybrid incompatibility in interspecific crosses of Triticum and Aegilops --- 18 High efficiency wheat transformation mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens --- 19 extra early-flowering (exe) mutants in einkorn wheat generated by heavy-ion beam irradiation --- Part VII Biotic Stress Response --- 20 Stem rust resistance - two approaches --- 21 Germplasm enhancement for resistance to Pyrenophora tritici-repentis in wheat --- 22 Next Generation Sequencing enabled genetics in hexaploid wheat --- Part VIII Abiotic Stress Response --- 23 Genomics approaches to dissect the genetic basis of drought resistance in durum wheat --- 24 Hybrid breeding in wheat --- 25 Broadening the genetic diversity of common and durum wheat for abiotic stress tolerance breeding --- 26 Early maturity in wheat for adaptation to high temperature stress --- 27 Gene expression profiles involved in development of freezing tolerance in common wheat --- Part IX Improvement of Grain Quality --- 28 Coping with wheat quality in a changing environment - Proteomics evidence for stress caused by environmental changes --- 29 Starch modification: a model for wheat MAS breeding --- 30 Quality characteristics of soft kernel durum - a new cereal crop --- 31 Proposal of international gluten research group --- 32 Enlargement of the genetic diversity for grain quality in bread wheat through alien introgression --- 33 Complex G x E interactions and QTL clusters govern end-use quality traits in hexaploid wheat --- 34 A consistent QTL for flour yield on chromosome 3B in the soft winter wheat variety, Kitahonami --- Part X Marker-Assisted Breeding --- 35 Recent improvements in Japanese wheat varieties --- 36 Determining the order of resistance genes Qsng-3BS, Fhb1 and Sr2 and combining them in coupling on wheat chromosome 3BS --- 37 Meta-analysis of resistance to Fusarium head blight in tetraploid wheat – implications for durum wheat breeding --- 38 Interest of a multiparental and outcrossing wheat population for fine mapping --- 39 The effect of Earliness per se (Eps) genes on flowering time in bread wheat --- Part XI Toward Sustainable Wheat Production --- 40 Recapitulating the OECD-CRP session (sponsored by the OECD’s Co-operative Research Program on Biological Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural Systems --- 41 Exploring genetic resources to increase adaptation of wheat to climate change --- 42 Genomic approaches towards durable fungal disease resistance in wheat --- 43 Review and new progress in wheat wide hybridization for improving the resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses --- 44 Global crop improvement networks to bridge technology gaps --- 45 Genomic selection in plants: empirical results and implications for wheat breeding --- 46 Dietary fibre: wheat genes for enhanced human health --- BM Appendix I: Program --- Appendix II: Poster Presentation List --- Appendix III: Committees

Description / Table of Contents: 1 Introduction: Overview of Our Research on Impacts of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident on Fish and Fishing Grounds --- Part I Seawater and Plankton --- 2 134Cs and 137Cs in the Seawater Around Japan and in the North Pacific --- 3 Temporal Changes in 137Cs Concentration in Zooplankton and Seawater off the Joban–Sanriku Coast, and in Sendai Bay, After the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Accident --- Part II Sediments and Benthos --- 4 Three-Dimensional Distribution of Radiocesium in Sea Sediment Derived from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant --- 5 Radiocesium Concentrations in the Organic Fraction of Sea Sediments --- 6 Bottom Turbidity, Boundary Layer Dynamics, and Associated Transport of Suspended Particulate Materials off the Fukushima Coast --- 7 Investigation of Radiocesium Translation from Contaminated Sediment to Benthic Organisms --- Part III Marine Fish --- 8 Detection of 131I, 134Cs, and 137Cs Released into the Atmosphere from FNPP in Small Epipelagic Fishes, Japanese Sardine and Japanese Anchovy, off the Kanto Area, Japan --- 9 Radiocesium Concentration of Small Epipelagic Fishes (Sardine and Japanese Anchovy) off the Kashima-Boso Area --- 10 Why Do the Radionuclide Concentrations of Pacific Cod Depend on the Body Size? --- 11 Radiocesium Contamination Histories of Japanese Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) After the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident --- Part IV Mechanisms of Severe Contamination in Fish --- 12 Evaluating the Probability of Catching Fat Greenlings (Hexagrammos otakii) Highly Contaminated with Radiocesium off the Coast of Fukushima --- 13 Analysis of the Contamination Process of the Extremely Contaminated Fat Greenling by Fukushima-Derived Radioactive Material --- 14 Contamination Levels of Radioactive Cesium in Fat Greenling Caught at the Main Port of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant --- Part V Freshwater Systems --- 15 Comparison of Radioactive Cesium Contamination of Lake Water, Bottom Sediment, Plankton, and Freshwater Fish Among Lakes of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, After the Fukushima Fallout --- 16 Radiocesium Concentrations and Body Size of Freshwater Fish in Lake Hayama 1 Year After the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident --- 17 Spatiotemporal Monitoring of 134Cs and 137Cs in Ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis, a Microalgae-Grazing Fish, and in Their Freshwater Habitats in Fukushima --- 18 Radiocesium Concentrations in the Muscle and Eggs of Salmonids from Lake Chuzenji, Japan, After the Fukushima Fallout --- 19 Assessment of Radiocesium Accumulation by Hatchery-Reared Salmonids After the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

Description / Table of Contents: This book covers essential aspects of transmutation technologies, highlighting especially the advances in Japan. The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has caused us to focus attention on a large amount of spent nuclear fuels stored in NPPs. In addition, public anxiety regarding the treatment and disposal of high-level radioactive wastes that require long-term control is growing. The Japanese policy on the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle is still unpredictable in the aftermath of the accident. Therefore, research and development for enhancing the safety of various processes involved in nuclear energy production are being actively pursued worldwide. In particular, nuclear transmutation technology has been drawing significant attention after the accident. This publication is timely with the following highlights: 1) Development of accelerator-driven systems (ADSs), which is a brand-new reactor concept for transmutation of highly radioactive wastes; 2) Nuclear reactor systems from the point of view of the nuclear fuel cycle. How to reduce nuclear wastes or how to treat them including the debris from TEPCO’s Fukushima nuclear power stations is discussed; and 3) Environmental radioactivity, radioactive waste treatment, and geological disposal policy. State-of-the-art technologies for overall back-end issues of the nuclear fuel cycle as well as the technologies of transmutation are presented here. The chapter authors are actively involved in the development of ADSs and transmutation-related technologies. The future of the back-end issues in Japan is very uncertain after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi NPP, and this book provides an opportunity for readers to consider the future direction of those issues

Description / Table of Contents: Part I The Road to Reconstruction from the Tsunami and Radioactive Contamination: Two and a Half Years On --- 1 Dealing with Disasters of Unprecedented Magnitude: The Local Government’s Tribulations and the Road to Reconstruction (Hidekiyo Tachiya) --- 2 Tokyo University of Agriculture East Japan Assistance Project Assisting with Reconstruction: Guiding Principles, Planning, and Propagation of Benefits (Toshiyuki Monma) --- 3 Characteristics of the Agricultural and Forestry Industries in the Soma Area and Damage Sustained as a Result of the Great East Japan Earthquake (Takahiro Yamada, Puangkaew Lurhathaiopath, and Toshiyuki Monma) --- Part II Reconstruction from Tsunami Damage --- 4 Reconstruction Support for the Farmland Struck by Tsunami (Itsuo Goto and Kaisei Inagaki) --- 5 Tsunami Damage to Farming Operations and the New Generation of Farmers and Farm Management (Yukio Shibuya, Takahiro Yamada, Nyamkhuu Batdelger, Puangkaew Lurhathaiopath, Gentaro Suzumura, and Toshiyuki Monma) --- 6 Presenting a Model for Revival of Rural Communities in Japan’s Disaster Zones (Shigeyuki Miyabayashi, Yasushi Takeuchi, Hiromu Okazawa, Tomonori Fujikawa, and Yutaka Sasaki) --- 7 Contributing to Restoration of Tidal Flats in Miyagi Prefecture’s Moune Bay Following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (Susumu Chiba, Takeshi Sonoda, Makoto Hatakeyama, and Katsuhide Yokoyama) --- Part III Reconstruction from Radioactive Contamination --- 8 Initiatives by the Soil Fertilization Team to Develop Agricultural Technologies for Paddy Fields with Radioactive Contamination (Itsuo Goto and Kaisei Inagaki) --- 9 The Potential for Producing Rice for Feed and Whole Crop Rice Silage in Radiation-Contaminated Areas (Seiji Nobuoka) --- 10 Developing and Trialing a System to Monitor Radionuclide in Individual Plots of Farmland to Help Reconstruction Farming in Contaminated Areas (Toshiyuki Monma, Puangkaew Lurhathaiopath, Youichi Kawano, Dambii Byambasuren, Yuta Ono, and Quar Evine) --- 11 New Decontamination Methods for Parks and Other Areas in Which Radionuclide Have Accumulated (Mitsuo Kondo and Chizuko Mizuniwa) --- 12 Forest Restoration (Takahisa Hayashi) --- 13 Nuclear Radiation Levels in the Forest at Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture (Iwao Uehara, Tomoko Seyama, Fumio Eguchi, Ryuichi Tachibana, Yukito Nakamura, and Hiroya Obayashi ) --- 14 Radioactive Contamination of Ostriches in a Potentially Permanent Evacuation Zone (Hiroshi Ogawa, Hidehiko Uchiyama, Koji Masuda, Takeshi Sasaki, Tadao Watanabe, Toshiaki Tomizawa, and Schu Kawashima) --- 15 The Radioactive Contamination in Some Arthropod Species in Fukushima (Tarô Adati and Sota Tanaka) --- 16 A Consumer Survey Approach to Reputation-Based Damage Affecting Agricultural Products and How to Overcome It (Puangkaew Lurhathaiopath, Shizuka Matsumoto, Makoto Hoshi, Sayaka Yamaguchi, and Toshiyuki Monma) --- Part IV Activities and Impressions of Students and Farmers Who Supported the Project --- 17 Staking Recovery Hopes on Soma Revival Rice (Kaisei Inagaki, Tomoko Ninagi, Saburo Sasaki, and Akiko Sato) --- 18 Impression of the Students Participated in the Radioactivity Monitoring System of Farmland (Volodymyr Ganzha, Keiji Kanamori, Hana Fujimoto, and Ryo Itakura) --- 19 Impression of the Forestry managers and students participated in the Radioactivity Damage Investigation of Forests (Eihachi Horiuchi, Kiyoaki Sasaki, Masaaki Itakura, Chisato Yasukawa, and Chihiro Kinoshita)

Description / Table of Contents: Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) have been conventionally used in industry for 3D-dimensional and form-error measurements of macro parts for many years. Ever since the first CMM, developed by Ferranti Co. in late 1950s, they have been regarded as versatile measuring equipment, yet many CMMs on the market still have inherent systematic errors due to the violation of the Abbe Principle in the design aspect. Current CMMs are suitable only for part tolerance above 10 μm. With the rapid advent of ultraprecision technology, multi-axis machining, and micro/nanotechnology in the past twenty years, new types of ultraprecision and micro/nao-CMMs are urgently needed in all aspects of society.

Description / Table of Contents: Mercury is a serious environmental toxin that is distributed globally by large-scale atmospheric circulations. Atmospheric chemists have only been studying mercury in earnest for approximately the past 10 years. In the troposphere elemental mercury (Hgo) is observed ubiquitously with contemporary mixing ratios at the parts per quadrillion by volume (ppqv; 1 ng m−3 = 112 ppqv) level. The distributions of gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) and particulate mercury (HgP) are not well documented at this time. In fact, the chemical composition of GOM is presently highly uncertain. At most mid-latitude locations, Hgo exhibits seasonality with the lowest mixing ratios in the fall and the greatest in late winter/early spring. It is highly desirable to conduct measurements of a variety of trace gases along with atmospheric mercury to facilitate source identification, but few studies have done so to date. A serious drawback in modeling atmospheric mercury is a lack of reliable rigorous emission inventories. Consequently, much work is needed to identify mercury sources and to quantify emission strengths. There are few published papers on measurements of atmospheric mercury from aircraft. Initial work has shown that there is little to no Hgo above the tropopause and that HgP is elevated there. The chemical cycling and transformations in the tropopause region are essentially unstudied. Both measurements and modeling are required to ascertain the important processes affecting atmospheric mercury in the tropopause region.

Description / Table of Contents: Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is known to have far-ranging impacts, from human health to climate forcing. The characterization of emission sources and the quantification of specific source impacts to PM concentrations significantly enhance our understanding of and our ability to eventually predict the fate and transport of atmospheric PM and its associated impacts on humans and the environment. The source apportionment of PM has been realized through combinations of chemical analysis (of elemental tracers, particle size, isotopic composition, and organic composition via unique tracers and molecular fingerprints) and numerical modeling (e.g., diagnostic source ratios, chemical mass balance modeling, positive matrix factorization, and Monte Carlo simulations). Recent advances in source apportionment applications have contributed unique combinations of chemical and numerical techniques for determining the contributions of specific sources, including diesel exhaust and biomass burning. These advances also identify and help characterize the contributions of previously uncharacterized sources. Numerical modeling has also enabled estimations of contributions of emission sources to atmospherically processed PM in urban and rural regions.

Description / Table of Contents: Foreword --- Preface --- Cooperators --- Part 1 Radioactivity in the Terrestrial Environment --- Part 2 Decontamination and Radioactive Waste --- Part 3 Environmental Radiation and External Exposure --- Part 4 Radioactivity in Foods and Internal Exposure

Description / Table of Contents: Foreword --- Preface --- Cooperators --- Part 1 Active Faults --- Part 2 Seismic Source Modeling and Seismic Motion --- Part 3 Probabilistic Risk Assessment with External Hazards --- Part 4 Nuclear Risk Governance in Society

Description / Table of Contents: Introduction: concept of TAIGA --- Geochemical constraints on potential biomass sustained by subseafloor water-rock interactions --- Microbial cell densities, community structures, and growth in the hydrothermal plumes of subduction hydrothermal systems --- Systematics of distributions of various elements between ferromanganese oxides and seawater from natural observation, thermodynamics, and structures --- Evaluating hydrothermal system evolution using geochronological dating and biological diversity analyses --- Quantification of microbial communities in hydrothermal vent habitats of the Southern Mariana Trough and the Mid-Okinawa Trough --- Development of hydrothermal and frictional experimental systems to simulate sub-seafloor water–rock–microbe interactions --- Experimental hydrogen production in hydrothermal and fault systems: Significance for habitability of subseafloor H2 chemoautotroph microbial ecosystems --- Experimental assessment of microbial effects on chemical interaction between seafloor massive sulfides and seawater at 4℃ --- A compilation of the stable isotopic compositions of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur in soft body parts of animals collected from deep-sea hydrothermal vent and methane seep fields: variations in energy source and importance of subsurface microbial processes in the sediment-hosted systems --- Tectonic background of four hydrothermal fields along the Central Indian Ridge --- Indian Ocean hydrothermal systems: seafloor hydrothermal activities, physical and chemical characteristics of hydrothermal fluids, and vent-associated biological communities --- Petrology and geochemistry of mid-ocean ridge basalts from the southern Central Indian Ridge --- Petrology of peridotites and related gabbroic rocks around the Kairei-hydrothermal field in the Central Indian Ridge --- Distribution and Biogeochemical Properties of Hydrothermal Plumes in the Rodriguez Triple Junction --- Vent fauna in the Central Indian Ridge --- The mantle dynamics, the crustal formation, and the hydrothermal activity of the Southern Mariana Trough back-arc Basin --- Seismic structure and seismicity in the Southern Mariana Trough and their relation to hydrothermal activity --- Electrical resistivity structure of the Snail site at the Southern Mariana Trough spreading center --- Asymmetric seafloor spreading of the southern Mariana Trough back-arc basin --- Geochemical characteristics of active backarc basin volcanisms at the southern end of Mariana Trough --- Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of hydrothermal minerals collected from hydrothermal vent fields in the Southern Mariana spreading center --- Dating of hydrothermal mineralization in active hydrothermal fields in the Southern Mariana Trough --- Intra-field variation of prokaryotic communities on and below the seafloor in the back-arc hydrothermal system of the Southern Mariana Trough --- Vent fauna in the Mariana Trough --- Population history of a hydrothermal vent-endemic snail Alviniconcha hessleri in the Mariana Trough --- Hydrothermal activity in the Okinawa Trough backarc basin -geological background and hydrothermal mineralization- --- Active rifting structures in Iheya Graben and adjacent area of the mid-Okinawa Trough observed through seismic reflection surveys --- ESR dating of barite in sea-floor hydrothermal sulfide deposits in the Okinawa Trough --- Fluid geochemistry of high-temperature hydrothermal fields in the Okinawa Trough --- Sediment‒pore water system associated with native sulfur formation at Jade hydrothermal field in Okinawa Trough --- Comparative investigation of microbial communities associated with hydrothermal activities in the Okinawa Trough --- In situ determination of bacterial growth in mixing zone of hydrothermal vent field on the Hatoma Knoll, Southern Okinawa Trough --- Vent Fauna in the Okinawa Trough --- Brief report of side-scan sonar observations around the Yokoniwa NTO massif --- Examination of volcanic activity: AUV and submersible observations of fine-scale lava flow distributions along the Southern Mariana Trough spreading axis --- Brief report of side-scan sonar imagery observations of the Archaean, Pika, and Urashima hydrothermal sites --- The Yoron Hole: the shallowest hydrothermal site in the Okinawa Trough --- The Irabu Knoll: Hydrothermal site at the eastern edge of the Yaeyama Graben --- Tarama Knoll: Geochemical and biological profiles of hydrothermal activity --- Petrography and geochemistry of basement rocks drilled from Snail, Yamanaka, Archean, and Pika hydrothermal fields at the Southern Mariana Trough by Benthic Multi-coring System (BMS) --- Pore fluid chemistry beneath active hydrothermal fields in the mid-Okinawa Trough: Results of shallow drilling by BMS during TAIGA11 cruise --- The characteristics of the seafloor massive sulfide deposits at the Hakurei Site in the Izena Hole, the Middle Okinawa Trough --- Occurrence of hydrothermal alteration minerals at the Jade hydrothermal field, in the Izena Hole, mid-Okinawa Trough --- Geochemistry of hydrothermal fluids collected from active hydrothermal systems in the southern Mariana Trough backarc spreading center --- Gamma ray doses in water around sea floor hydrothermal area in South Mariana --- 226Ra-210Pb and 228Ra-228Th dating of barite in submarine hydrothermal sulfide deposits collected at Okinawa Trough and South Mariana Trough --- OSL dating of sea floor sediments at the Okinawa Trough --- Immediate change of radiation doses from hydrothermal deposits --- Periodic behavior of deep sea current in the Hatoma Knoll hydrothermal system --- The gelatinous macroplankton community at the Hatoma Knoll hydrothermal vent

Description / Table of Contents: Introduction: concept of TAIGA --- Geochemical constraints on potential biomass sustained by subseafloor water-rock interactions --- Microbial cell densities, community structures, and growth in the hydrothermal plumes of subduction hydrothermal systems --- Systematics of distributions of various elements between ferromanganese oxides and seawater from natural observation, thermodynamics, and structures --- Evaluating hydrothermal system evolution using geochronological dating and biological diversity analyses --- Quantification of microbial communities in hydrothermal vent habitats of the Southern Mariana Trough and the Mid-Okinawa Trough --- Development of hydrothermal and frictional experimental systems to simulate sub-seafloor water–rock–microbe interactions --- Experimental hydrogen production in hydrothermal and fault systems: Significance for habitability of subseafloor H2 chemoautotroph microbial ecosystems --- Experimental assessment of microbial effects on chemical interaction between seafloor massive sulfides and seawater at 4℃ --- A compilation of the stable isotopic compositions of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur in soft body parts of animals collected from deep-sea hydrothermal vent and methane seep fields: variations in energy source and importance of subsurface microbial processes in the sediment-hosted systems --- Tectonic background of four hydrothermal fields along the Central Indian Ridge --- Indian Ocean hydrothermal systems: seafloor hydrothermal activities, physical and chemical characteristics of hydrothermal fluids, and vent-associated biological communities --- Petrology and geochemistry of mid-ocean ridge basalts from the southern Central Indian Ridge --- Petrology of peridotites and related gabbroic rocks around the Kairei-hydrothermal field in the Central Indian Ridge --- Distribution and Biogeochemical Properties of Hydrothermal Plumes in the Rodriguez Triple Junction --- Vent fauna in the Central Indian Ridge --- The mantle dynamics, the crustal formation, and the hydrothermal activity of the Southern Mariana Trough back-arc Basin --- Seismic structure and seismicity in the Southern Mariana Trough and their relation to hydrothermal activity --- Electrical resistivity structure of the Snail site at the Southern Mariana Trough spreading center --- Asymmetric seafloor spreading of the southern Mariana Trough back-arc basin --- Geochemical characteristics of active backarc basin volcanisms at the southern end of Mariana Trough --- Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of hydrothermal minerals collected from hydrothermal vent fields in the Southern Mariana spreading center --- Dating of hydrothermal mineralization in active hydrothermal fields in the Southern Mariana Trough --- Intra-field variation of prokaryotic communities on and below the seafloor in the back-arc hydrothermal system of the Southern Mariana Trough --- Vent fauna in the Mariana Trough --- Population history of a hydrothermal vent-endemic snail Alviniconcha hessleri in the Mariana Trough --- Hydrothermal activity in the Okinawa Trough backarc basin -geological background and hydrothermal mineralization- --- Active rifting structures in Iheya Graben and adjacent area of the mid-Okinawa Trough observed through seismic reflection surveys --- ESR dating of barite in sea-floor hydrothermal sulfide deposits in the Okinawa Trough --- Fluid geochemistry of high-temperature hydrothermal fields in the Okinawa Trough --- Sediment‒pore water system associated with native sulfur formation at Jade hydrothermal field in Okinawa Trough --- Comparative investigation of microbial communities associated with hydrothermal activities in the Okinawa Trough --- In situ determination of bacterial growth in mixing zone of hydrothermal vent field on the Hatoma Knoll, Southern Okinawa Trough --- Vent Fauna in the Okinawa Trough --- Brief report of side-scan sonar observations around the Yokoniwa NTO massif --- Examination of volcanic activity: AUV and submersible observations of fine-scale lava flow distributions along the Southern Mariana Trough spreading axis --- Brief report of side-scan sonar imagery observations of the Archaean, Pika, and Urashima hydrothermal sites --- The Yoron Hole: the shallowest hydrothermal site in the Okinawa Trough --- The Irabu Knoll: Hydrothermal site at the eastern edge of the Yaeyama Graben --- Tarama Knoll: Geochemical and biological profiles of hydrothermal activity --- Petrography and geochemistry of basement rocks drilled from Snail, Yamanaka, Archean, and Pika hydrothermal fields at the Southern Mariana Trough by Benthic Multi-coring System (BMS) --- Pore fluid chemistry beneath active hydrothermal fields in the mid-Okinawa Trough: Results of shallow drilling by BMS during TAIGA11 cruise --- The characteristics of the seafloor massive sulfide deposits at the Hakurei Site in the Izena Hole, the Middle Okinawa Trough --- Occurrence of hydrothermal alteration minerals at the Jade hydrothermal field, in the Izena Hole, mid-Okinawa Trough --- Geochemistry of hydrothermal fluids collected from active hydrothermal systems in the southern Mariana Trough backarc spreading center --- Gamma ray doses in water around sea floor hydrothermal area in South Mariana --- 226Ra-210Pb and 228Ra-228Th dating of barite in submarine hydrothermal sulfide deposits collected at Okinawa Trough and South Mariana Trough --- OSL dating of sea floor sediments at the Okinawa Trough --- Immediate change of radiation doses from hydrothermal deposits --- Periodic behavior of deep sea current in the Hatoma Knoll hydrothermal system --- The gelatinous macroplankton community at the Hatoma Knoll hydrothermal vent

Description / Table of Contents: Urban water management has somewhat changed since the publication of The Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) Manual in 2007 [1], transforming from building traditional sewers to implementing SuDS, which are part of the best management practice techniques used in the USA and seen as contributing to water-sensitive urban design in Australia. Most SuDS, such as infiltration trenches, swales, green roofs, ponds, and wetlands, address water quality and quantity challenges, and enhance the local biodiversity while also being acceptable aesthetically to the public. Barriers to the implementation of SuDS include adoption problems, flood and diffuse pollution control challenges, negative public perception, and a lack of decision support tools addressing, particularly, the retrofitting of these systems while enhancing ecosystem services.

Description / Table of Contents: Negotiation, reconciliation of multiple scales through both ecological and social dimensions and minimization of power imbalances are considered critical challenges to overcome for effective governance of forest restoration. Finding the right mix of “command and control” in forest restoration vs. “environmental governance”, which includes non-state actors, regulatory flexibility, and market based instruments is at the heart of these challenges. This Special Issue attempts at shedding light on these challenges with case studies from South and Central America, Africa, and Asia. Some provide within-country as well as cross-country comparisons. A few others present case studies at the household level. Both policy and legal constraints towards implementing forest restoration are also discussed as a function of top down vs. bottom up approaches. The effectiveness of payments for environmental services is examined as catalyzers of forest restoration initiatives. Finally, two papers deal with the legal and policy constraints in making restoration through natural regeneration a viable and cost-effective tool. In the face of renewed perspectives for expanding forest restoration programs globally, governance issues will likely play a key role in eventually determining success. As many of the papers in this Special Issue suggest, the fate of forest restoration outcomes is, more often than not, associated with overall governance challenges, some of which are often overlooked particularly across multiple scales.

Description / Table of Contents: China’s road to sustainability has attracted global attention. Since the “Reform & Opening Up” policy, China’s rapid pace of both urbanization and industrialization has made its being the second largesteconomy but meantime a heavy environmental price has been paid over the past few decades for addressing the economic developmental target. Today, as the biggest developing country, China needs to take more responsibilities for constructing its local ecological-civilization society as well as for addressingthe global challenges such as climate change, resources scary and human beings well-fare; therefore, weneed to have deeper understandings into China’s way to sustainability at very different levels, bothspatially and structurally, concerns ranging from generating sustainable household livelihoods to globalclimate change, from developing technological applications to generate institutional changes. In thisspirit, this publication, “Sustainability in China: Bridging Global Knowledge with Local Action” aims to investigate the intended and spontaneous issues concerning China’s road to sustainability in a combined top-down and bottom-up manner, linking international knowledge to local-based studies.

Description / Table of Contents: Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and water banking are of increasing importance to water resources management. MAR can be used to buffer against drought and changing or variable climate, as well as provide water to meet demand growth, by making use of excess surface water supplies and recycled waters. Along with hydrologic and geologic considerations, economic and policy analyses are essential to a complete analysis of MAR and water banking opportunities. The papers included in this Special Issue fill a gap in the literature by revealing the range of economic and policy considerations relevant to the development and implementation of MAR programs. They illustrate novel techniques that can be used to select MAR locations and the importance and economic viability of MAR in semi-arid to arid environments. The studies explain how MAR can be utilized to meet municipal and agricultural water demands in water-scarce regions, as well as assist in the reuse of wastewater. Some papers demonstrate how stakeholder engagement, ranging from consideration of alternatives to monitoring, and multi-disciplinary analyses to support decision-making are of high value to development and implementation of MAR programs. The approaches discussed in this collection of papers, along with the complementary and necessary hydrologic and geologic analyses, provide important inputs to water resource managers.

Description / Table of Contents: Reliable access to water, managing the spatial and temporal variability of water availability, ensuring the quality of freshwater and responding to climatological changes in the hydrological cycle are prerequisites for the development of countries in Africa. Water being an essential input for biomass growth and for renewable energy production (e.g. biofuels and hydropower schemes) plays an integral part in ensuring food and energy security for any nation. Water, as a source of safe drinking water, is furthermore the basis for ensuring the health of citizens and plays an important role in urban sanitation. The concept of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) is seen as an opportunity to help manage water variability and the wide spread water scarcity in Africa. One key component missing from IWRM in Africa is the limited knowledge of the available extent and quality of water resources at basin level. Earth Observation (EO) technology can help fill this information gap by assessing and monitoring water resources at adequate temporal and spatial scales. The goal of this Special Issue is to understand and demonstrate the contribution which satellite observations, consistent over space and time, can bring to improve water resource management in Africa. Possible EO products and applications range from catchment characterization, water quality monitoring, soil moisture assessment, water extent and level monitoring, irrigation services, urban and agricultural water demand modeling, evapotranspiration estimation, ground water management, to hydrological modeling and flood mapping/forecasting. Some of these EO applications have already been developed by African scientists within the 10 year lifetime of the TIGER initiative: Looking after Water in Africa (http://www.tiger.esa.int), whose contributions are intended to be the starting point of this Special Issue and is only one example of the wide range of activities in the field. Contributions from the entire African and international scientific community dealing with the challenges of water resource management in Africa are the target of the special issue. In the years to come, an ever increasing number of international EO missions, such as the Landsat, ALOS, CBERS and RESOURCESAT mission suites, the family of Sentinel missions and the SMAP mission, will provide an unprecedented capacity to observe and monitor the different components of the water cycle. This Special Issue aims also at reviewing the latest developments in terms of new missions as well as related EO products and techniques that will be available in the near future to face some of the major challenges for IWRM in Africa.

Description / Table of Contents: Polar microbiology is a promising field of research that can tell us much about the fundamental features of life. The microorganisms that inhabit Arctic and Antarctic environments are important not only because of the unique species they represent, but also because of their diverse and unusual physiological and biochemical properties. Furthermore, microorganisms living in Polar Regions provide useful models for general questions in ecology and evolutionary biology given the reduced complexity of their ecosystems, the relative absence of confounding effects associated with higher plants or animals, and the severe biological constraints imposed by the polar environment. In terms of applied science, the unique cold-adapted enzymes and other molecules of polar microorganisms provide numerous opportunities for biotechnological development. Another compelling reason to study polar microbial ecosystems is the fact that they are likely to be among the ecosystems most strongly affected by global change. For these reasons, polar microbiology is a thriving branch of science with the potential to provide new insights into a wide range of basic and applied issues in biological science. In this context, it is timely to review and highlight the progress so far and discuss exciting future perspectives. In this special issue, some of the leaders in the field describe their work, ideas and findings.

Description / Table of Contents: This special issue contains selected papers from the 13th International Conference on Estuarine and Coastal Modeling (ECM13), held Nov 4-6, 2013. The conference brings modelers from academic institutions, government and private industry together to present and discuss the latest developments in the field of marine environmental modeling. Begun in 1989 by Dr. Malcolm Spaulding, the conference is held every other year in a retreat-like setting with a maximum of about 125 people to encourage interaction and help strengthen ties between modeling communities. A wide range of modeling issues are encouraged, including advances in physical understanding, numerical algorithm development, model applications, and better tools. A wide range of modeling topics are encouraged as well, including storm surge, eutrophication, larval transport, search and rescue, oil spills, fisheries issues, coastal erosion and contaminated sediment transport. Many conferences also have special themes. The special theme of ECM13 was modeling related to Hurricane Sandy which in late October 2012 devastated the Caribbean and the US East Coast, including record flooding in New York City. The 22 papers presented here cover a broad spectrum of topics, including simulations of cohesive sediment, inundation, effluent mixing, shoaling waves, and water quality and with modeling applications from Alaska to New Zealand.

Description / Table of Contents: Frederiks, E.; Stenner, K.; Hobman, E. The Socio-Demographic and Psychological Predictors of Residential Energy Consumption: A Comprehensive Review. Energies 2015, 8(1), 573-609; doi:10.3390/en8010573 --- Sun, W.; He, Y.; Chang, H. Forecasting Fossil Fuel Energy Consumption for Power Generation Using QHSA-Based LSSVM Model. Energies 2015, 8(2), 939-959; doi:10.3390/en8020939 --- Gutierrez-Escolar, A.; Castillo-Martinez, A.; Gomez-Pulido, J.; Gutierrez-Martinez, J.; Stapic, Z.; Medina-Merodio, J. A Study to Improve the Quality of Street Lighting in Spain. Energies 2015, 8(2), 976-994; doi:10.3390/en8020976 --- Chew, K.; Klemeš, J.; Alwi, S.; Manan, Z.; Reverberi, A. Total Site Heat Integration Considering Pressure Drops. Energies 2015, 8(2), 1114-1137; doi:10.3390/en8021114 --- Kim, S.; Shin, K.; Choi, B.; Jo, J.; Cho, S.; Cho, Y. A Study on the Variation of Heating and Cooling Load According to the Use of Horizontal Shading and Venetian Blinds in Office Buildings in Korea. Energies 2015, 8(2), 1487-1504; doi:10.3390/en8021487 --- Sheng, P.; Yang, J.; Shackman, J. Energy’s Shadow Price and Energy Efficiency in China: A Non-Parametric Input Distance Function Analysis. Energies 2015, 8(3), 1975-1989; doi:10.3390/en8031975 --- Benavides, C.; Gonzales, L.; Diaz, M.; Fuentes, R.; García, G.; Palma-Behnke, R.; Ravizza, C. The Impact of a Carbon Tax on the Chilean Electricity Generation Sector. Energies 2015, 8(4), 2674-2700; doi:10.3390/en8042674 --- Li, W.; Li, H.; Sun, S. China’s Low-Carbon Scenario Analysis of CO2 Mitigation Measures towards 2050 Using a Hybrid AIM/CGE Model. Energies 2015, 8(5), 3529-3555; doi:10.3390/en8053529 --- Nasirov, S.; Silva, C.; Agostini, C. Investors’ Perspectives on Barriers to the Deployment of Renewable Energy Sources in Chile. Energies 2015, 8(5), 3794-3814; doi:10.3390/en8053794 --- Deng, X.; Yu, Y.; Liu, Y. Temporal and Spatial Variations in Provincial CO2 Emissions in China from 2005 to 2015 and Assessment of a Reduction Plan. Energies 2015, 8(5), 4549-4571; doi:10.3390/en8054549 --- Klimscheffskij, M.; Van Craenenbroeck, T.; Lehtovaara, M.; Lescot, D.; Tschernutter, A.; Raimundo, C.; Seebach, D.; Timpe, C. Residual Mix Calculation at the Heart of Reliable Electricity Disclosure in Europe—A Case Study on the Effect of the RE-DISS Project. Energies 2015, 8(6), 4667-4696; doi:10.3390/en8064667 --- Ferrara, R. The Smart City and the Green Economy in Europe: A Critical Approach. Energies 2015, 8(6), 4724-4734; doi:10.3390/en8064724 --- Stenner, K.; Nwokora, Z. Current and Future Friends of the Earth: Assessing Cross-National Theories of Environmental Attitudes. Energies 2015, 8(6), 4899-4919; doi:10.3390/en8064899 --- Atlason, R.; Oddsson, G.; Unnthorsson, R. Theorizing for Maintenance Management Improvements: Using Case Studies from the Icelandic Geothermal Sector. Energies 2015, 8(6), 4943-4962; doi:10.3390/en8064943 --- Ellenbeck, S.; Beneking, A.; Ceglarz, A.; Schmidt, P.; Battaglini, A. Security of Supply in European Electricity Markets—Determinants of Investment Decisions and the European Energy Union. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5198-5216; doi:10.3390/en8065198 --- Hasager, C.; Vincent, P.; Badger, J.; Badger, M.; Di Bella, A.; Peña, A.; Husson, R.; Volker, P. Using Satellite SAR to Characterize the Wind Flow around Offshore Wind Farms. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5413-5439; doi:10.3390/en8065413 --- Puigjaner, L.; Pérez-Fortes, M.; Laínez-Aguirre, J. Towards a Carbon-Neutral Energy Sector: Opportunities and Challenges of Coordinated Bioenergy Supply Chains-A PSE Approach. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5613-5660; doi:10.3390/en8065613 --- Thollander, P.; Palm, J. Industrial Energy Management Decision Making for Improved Energy Efficiency—Strategic System Perspectives and Situated Action in Combination. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5694-5703; doi:10.3390/en8065694 --- Jänicke, M. Horizontal and Vertical Reinforcement in Global Climate Governance. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5782-5799; doi:10.3390/en8065782 --- Benavides, C.; Gonzales, L.; Diaz, M.; Fuentes, R.; García, G.; Palma-Behnke, R.; Ravizza, C. Correction: The Impact of a Carbon Tax on the Chilean Electricity Generation Sector. Energies 2015, 8(6), 6247-6248; doi:10.3390/en8066247 --- Wang, W.; Ouyang, W.; Hao, F. A Supply-Chain Analysis Framework for Assessing Densified Biomass Solid Fuel Utilization Policies in China. Energies 2015, 8(7), 7122-7139; doi:10.3390/en8077122 --- Punys, P.; Dumbrauskas, A.; Kasiulis, E.; Vyčienė, G.; Šilinis, L. Flow Regime Changes: From Impounding a Temperate Lowland River to Small Hydropower Operations. Energies 2015, 8(7), 7478-7501; doi:10.3390/en8077478 --- Reid, G.; Wynn, G. The Future of Solar Power in the United Kingdom. Energies 2015, 8(8), 7818-7832; doi:10.3390/en8087818 --- Scott, C.; Sugg, Z. Global Energy Development and Climate-Induced Water Scarcity—Physical Limits, Sectoral Constraints, and Policy Imperatives. Energies 2015, 8(8), 8211-8225; doi:10.3390/en8088211 --- Lilliestam, J.; Patt, A. Barriers, Risks and Policies for Renewables in the Gulf States. Energies 2015, 8(8), 8263-8285; doi:10.3390/en8088263 --- Van Ackere, S.; Van Eetvelde, G.; Schillebeeckx, D.; Papa, E.; Van Wyngene, K.; Vandevelde, L. Wind Resource Mapping Using Landscape Roughness and Spatial Interpolation Methods. Energies 2015, 8(8), 8682-8703; doi:10.3390/en8088682 --- Komendantova, N.; Vocciante, M.; Battaglini, A. Can the BestGrid Process Improve Stakeholder Involvement in Electricity Transmission Projects?. Energies 2015, 8(9), 9407-9433; doi:10.3390/en8099407 --- Kiyar, D.; Wittneben, B. Carbon as Investment Risk—The Influence of Fossil Fuel Divestment on Decision Making at Germany’s Main Power Providers. Energies 2015, 8(9), 9620-9639; doi:10.3390/en8099620 --- Bernardes, L.; Carneiro, J.; Madureira, P.; Brandão, F.; Roque, C. Determination of Priority Study Areas for Coupling CO2 Storage and CH4 Gas Hydrates Recovery in the Portuguese Offshore Area. Energies 2015, 8(9), 10276-10292; doi:10.3390/en80910276 --- Dovì, V.; Battaglini, A. Energy Policy and Climate Change: A Multidisciplinary Approach to a Global Problem. Energies 2015, 8(12), 13473-13480; doi:10.3390/en81212379

Description / Table of Contents: Part I The Road to Reconstruction from the Tsunami and Radioactive Contamination: Two and a Half Years On --- 1 Dealing with Disasters of Unprecedented Magnitude: The Local Government’s Tribulations and the Road to Reconstruction (Hidekiyo Tachiya) --- 2 Tokyo University of Agriculture East Japan Assistance Project Assisting with Reconstruction: Guiding Principles, Planning, and Propagation of Benefits (Toshiyuki Monma) --- 3 Characteristics of the Agricultural and Forestry Industries in the Soma Area and Damage Sustained as a Result of the Great East Japan Earthquake (Takahiro Yamada, Puangkaew Lurhathaiopath, and Toshiyuki Monma) --- Part II Reconstruction from Tsunami Damage --- 4 Reconstruction Support for the Farmland Struck by Tsunami (Itsuo Goto and Kaisei Inagaki) --- 5 Tsunami Damage to Farming Operations and the New Generation of Farmers and Farm Management (Yukio Shibuya, Takahiro Yamada, Nyamkhuu Batdelger, Puangkaew Lurhathaiopath, Gentaro Suzumura, and Toshiyuki Monma) --- 6 Presenting a Model for Revival of Rural Communities in Japan’s Disaster Zones (Shigeyuki Miyabayashi, Yasushi Takeuchi, Hiromu Okazawa, Tomonori Fujikawa, and Yutaka Sasaki) --- 7 Contributing to Restoration of Tidal Flats in Miyagi Prefecture’s Moune Bay Following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (Susumu Chiba, Takeshi Sonoda, Makoto Hatakeyama, and Katsuhide Yokoyama) --- Part III Reconstruction from Radioactive Contamination --- 8 Initiatives by the Soil Fertilization Team to Develop Agricultural Technologies for Paddy Fields with Radioactive Contamination (Itsuo Goto and Kaisei Inagaki) --- 9 The Potential for Producing Rice for Feed and Whole Crop Rice Silage in Radiation-Contaminated Areas (Seiji Nobuoka) --- 10 Developing and Trialing a System to Monitor Radionuclide in Individual Plots of Farmland to Help Reconstruction Farming in Contaminated Areas (Toshiyuki Monma, Puangkaew Lurhathaiopath, Youichi Kawano, Dambii Byambasuren, Yuta Ono, and Quar Evine) --- 11 New Decontamination Methods for Parks and Other Areas in Which Radionuclide Have Accumulated (Mitsuo Kondo and Chizuko Mizuniwa) --- 12 Forest Restoration (Takahisa Hayashi) --- 13 Nuclear Radiation Levels in the Forest at Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture (Iwao Uehara, Tomoko Seyama, Fumio Eguchi, Ryuichi Tachibana, Yukito Nakamura, and Hiroya Obayashi ) --- 14 Radioactive Contamination of Ostriches in a Potentially Permanent Evacuation Zone (Hiroshi Ogawa, Hidehiko Uchiyama, Koji Masuda, Takeshi Sasaki, Tadao Watanabe, Toshiaki Tomizawa, and Schu Kawashima) --- 15 The Radioactive Contamination in Some Arthropod Species in Fukushima (Tarô Adati and Sota Tanaka) --- 16 A Consumer Survey Approach to Reputation-Based Damage Affecting Agricultural Products and How to Overcome It (Puangkaew Lurhathaiopath, Shizuka Matsumoto, Makoto Hoshi, Sayaka Yamaguchi, and Toshiyuki Monma) --- Part IV Activities and Impressions of Students and Farmers Who Supported the Project --- 17 Staking Recovery Hopes on Soma Revival Rice (Kaisei Inagaki, Tomoko Ninagi, Saburo Sasaki, and Akiko Sato) --- 18 Impression of the Students Participated in the Radioactivity Monitoring System of Farmland (Volodymyr Ganzha, Keiji Kanamori, Hana Fujimoto, and Ryo Itakura) --- 19 Impression of the Forestry managers and students participated in the Radioactivity Damage Investigation of Forests (Eihachi Horiuchi, Kiyoaki Sasaki, Masaaki Itakura, Chisato Yasukawa, and Chihiro Kinoshita)

Description / Table of Contents: The use of agent-based models (ABMs) and modelling for understanding landscape change and dynamics continues to grow. One reason for the popularity of ABMs is that they provide a framework to represent multiple, discrete, multi-faceted, heterogeneous actors (human or otherwise) and their relationships and interactions between one another and their environment, through time and across space. This special issue seeks to showcase innovative uses of ABMs for investigating and explaining landscape change and dynamics and to explore and identify how researchers in different disciplines can learn from one another to further innovate. Thus, this special issue will emphasise multidisciplinary dialogue between researchers using ABM in physical geography, hydrology, ecology, land change science, economics, alternative histories, archaeology, sociology, psychology and others. Innovation may come in the form of computational, conceptual, analytical, participatory or epistemological advances in the use of ABM for a range of aims and motivations associated with landscape change and dynamics. Modelling advances may include new ways of representing agent decisions and/or interactions, establishing and evaluating model structures and rules, presenting and visualising change, multi-scale analysis, comparative techniques, narrative methods, and more. The presentation of innovative agent-based modelling from diverse research backgrounds and perspectives will demonstrate opportunities for learning and enable dialogue to enhance future use of ABMs for understanding landscape change.

Description / Table of Contents: Climate change affects global and regional water cycling, as well as surficial and subsurface water availability. These changes have increased the vulnerabilities of ecosystems and of human society. Understanding how climate change has affected water resource variability in the past and how climate change is leading to rapid changes in contemporary systems is of critical importance for sustainable development in different parts of the world. This Special Issue focuses on “Water Resource Variability and Climate Change” and aims to present a collection of articles addressing various aspects of water resource variability as well as how such variabilities are affected by changing climates. Topics include the reconstruction of historic moisture fluctuations, based on various proxies (such as tree rings, sediment cores, and landform features), the empirical monitoring of water variability based on field survey and remote sensing techniques, and the projection of future water cycling using numerical model simulations. Articles are about recent discoveries related to water resource variability in paleoenvironmental reconstruction, hydrology, and geomorphology, as well as articles concerning new emerging technologies and their applications in monitoring water resource variability.

Description / Table of Contents: Today, sustainability of a healthy freshwater ecosystem and its associated ecosystem services are hot issues with ever-growing attention placed upon them. We are increasingly recognizing that they are crucial for the survival of the aquatic biota and human beings on our planet. The efficient monitoring of water resources is fundamental for effective management of water quality and aquatic ecosystems. The first stage in sustainable ecosystem management is the evaluation of the current status of target ecosystems. Traditionally, and even today, physico-chemical parameters have mainly been used to evaluate the quality of water resources. However, they have a large limit to grab the wholeness of water system, particularly in the sense of ecosystem health and integrity, for which ecological monitoring should be based on biological factors. Various approaches are applicable to ecosystem health assessment at different levels of the biological hierarchy, from genes to ecosystems. This Special Issue is designed to improve scientific understanding and strategies for sound aquatic ecosystem management and services for researchers, decision makers, and stakeholders.

Description / Table of Contents: Foreword --- Preface --- Cooperators --- Part 1 Active Faults --- Part 2 Seismic Source Modeling and Seismic Motion --- Part 3 Probabilistic Risk Assessment with External Hazards --- Part 4 Nuclear Risk Governance in Society

Description / Table of Contents: 1 An Overview of Our Research --- 2 Monitoring Inspection for Radioactive Substances in Agricultural, Livestock, Forest, and Fishery Products in Fukushima Prefecture --- 3 Rice Inspections in Fukushima Prefecture --- 4 Cesium accumulation in paddy field rice grown in Fukushima from 2011 to 2013: cultivars and fertilization --- 5 Physiological verification of the effect of potassium supply on the reduction of radiocesium content in rice grain --- 6 Consecutive Field Trials of Rice Cultivation in Partially Decontaminated Paddy Fields to Reduce Radiocesium Absorption in the Iitate Village in Fukushima Prefecture --- 7 Effects of “clean feeding” management on livestock products contaminated with radioactive cesium due to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident --- 8 Adverse effects of radiocesium on the promotion of sustainable circular agriculture including livestock due to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident --- 9 Wild boars in Fukushima after the nuclear power plant accident: Distribution of radiocesium --- 10 Contamination of Wild Animals: Microhabitat Heterogeneity and Ecological Factors of Radioactive Cesium Exposure in Fukushima --- 11 Translocation of radiocesium in fruit trees --- 12 The effects of radioactive contamination on the forestry industry and commercial mushroom-log production in Fukushima, Japan --- 13 Radiocesium in timber of Japanese cedar, and Japanese red pine, in the forests of Minamisoma, Fukushima --- 14 Ecosystem monitoring of radiocesium redistribution dynamics in a forested catchment in Fukushima after the nuclear power plant accident in March 2011 --- 15 Reduction of air radiation dose by ponding paddy fields --- 16 Collaboration Structure for the Resurrection of Iitate Village, Fukushima: A Case Study of a Nonprofitable Organization --- 17 Impacts of the nuclear power plant accident and the start of trial operations in Fukushima fisheries --- 18 Consumer evaluation of foods from the disaster affected area: Change in 3 years --- 19 Imaging Techniques for Radiocesium in Soil and Plants

Description / Table of Contents: 1 Introduction: Overview of Our Research on Impacts of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident on Fish and Fishing Grounds --- Part I Seawater and Plankton --- 2 134Cs and 137Cs in the Seawater Around Japan and in the North Pacific --- 3 Temporal Changes in 137Cs Concentration in Zooplankton and Seawater off the Joban–Sanriku Coast, and in Sendai Bay, After the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Accident --- Part II Sediments and Benthos --- 4 Three-Dimensional Distribution of Radiocesium in Sea Sediment Derived from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant --- 5 Radiocesium Concentrations in the Organic Fraction of Sea Sediments --- 6 Bottom Turbidity, Boundary Layer Dynamics, and Associated Transport of Suspended Particulate Materials off the Fukushima Coast --- 7 Investigation of Radiocesium Translation from Contaminated Sediment to Benthic Organisms --- Part III Marine Fish --- 8 Detection of 131I, 134Cs, and 137Cs Released into the Atmosphere from FNPP in Small Epipelagic Fishes, Japanese Sardine and Japanese Anchovy, off the Kanto Area, Japan --- 9 Radiocesium Concentration of Small Epipelagic Fishes (Sardine and Japanese Anchovy) off the Kashima-Boso Area --- 10 Why Do the Radionuclide Concentrations of Pacific Cod Depend on the Body Size? --- 11 Radiocesium Contamination Histories of Japanese Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) After the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident --- Part IV Mechanisms of Severe Contamination in Fish --- 12 Evaluating the Probability of Catching Fat Greenlings (Hexagrammos otakii) Highly Contaminated with Radiocesium off the Coast of Fukushima --- 13 Analysis of the Contamination Process of the Extremely Contaminated Fat Greenling by Fukushima-Derived Radioactive Material --- 14 Contamination Levels of Radioactive Cesium in Fat Greenling Caught at the Main Port of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant --- Part V Freshwater Systems --- 15 Comparison of Radioactive Cesium Contamination of Lake Water, Bottom Sediment, Plankton, and Freshwater Fish Among Lakes of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, After the Fukushima Fallout --- 16 Radiocesium Concentrations and Body Size of Freshwater Fish in Lake Hayama 1 Year After the Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident --- 17 Spatiotemporal Monitoring of 134Cs and 137Cs in Ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis, a Microalgae-Grazing Fish, and in Their Freshwater Habitats in Fukushima --- 18 Radiocesium Concentrations in the Muscle and Eggs of Salmonids from Lake Chuzenji, Japan, After the Fukushima Fallout --- 19 Assessment of Radiocesium Accumulation by Hatchery-Reared Salmonids After the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

Description / Table of Contents: Foreword --- Preface --- Cooperators --- Part 1 Radioactivity in the Terrestrial Environment --- Part 2 Decontamination and Radioactive Waste --- Part 3 Environmental Radiation and External Exposure --- Part 4 Radioactivity in Foods and Internal Exposure

Description / Table of Contents: Falcinelli, S.; Pirani, F.; Vecchiocattivi, F. The Possible Role of Penning Ionization Processes in Planetary Atmospheres. Atmosphere 2015, 6(3), 299-317; doi:10.3390/atmos6030299 --- Park, S.; Seo, B.; Lee, G.; Kahng, S.; Jang, Y. Chemical Composition of Water Soluble Inorganic Species in Precipitation at Shihwa Basin, Korea. Atmosphere 2015, 6(6), 732-750; doi:10.3390/atmos6060732 --- Kassianov, E.; Berg, L.; Pekour, M.; Barnard, J.; Chand, D.; Flynn, C.; Ovchinnikov, M.; Sedlacek, A.; Schmid, B.; Shilling, J.; Tomlinson, J.; Fast, J. Airborne Aerosol in Situ Measurements during TCAP: A Closure Study of Total Scattering. Atmosphere 2015, 6(8), 1069-1101; doi:10.3390/atmos6081069 --- Majewski, G.; Rogula-Kozłowska, W.; Czechowski, P.; Badyda, A.; Brandyk, A. The Impact of Selected Parameters on Visibility: First Results from a Long-Term Campaign in Warsaw, Poland. Atmosphere 2015, 6(8), 1154-1174; doi:10.3390/atmos6081154 --- Khwaja, H.; Aburizaiza, O.; Hershey, D.; Siddique, A.; E., D.; Zeb, J.; Abbass, M.; Blake, D.; Hussain, M.; Aburiziza, A.; Kramer, M.; Simpson, I. Study of Black Sand Particles from Sand Dunes in Badr, Saudi Arabia Using Electron Microscopy. Atmosphere 2015, 6(8), 1175-1194; doi:10.3390/atmos6081175 --- Wu, Z.; Liu, F.; Fan, W. Characteristics of PM10 and PM2.5 at Mount Wutai Buddhism Scenic Spot, Shanxi, China. Atmosphere 2015, 6(8), 1195-1210; doi:10.3390/atmos6081195 --- Saldarriaga-Noreña, H.; López-Márquez, R.; Murillo-Tovar, M.; Hernández-Mena, L.; Ospina-Noreña, E.; Sánchez-Salinas, E.; Waliszewski, S.; Montiel-Palma, S. Analysis of PAHs Associated with Particulate Matter PM2.5 in Two Places at the City of Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. Atmosphere 2015, 6(9), 1259-1270; doi:10.3390/atmos6091259 --- Faxon, C.; Bean, J.; Ruiz, L. Inland Concentrations of Cl2 and ClNO2 in Southeast Texas Suggest Chlorine Chemistry Significantly Contributes to Atmospheric Reactivity. Atmosphere 2015, 6(10), 1487-1506; doi:10.3390/atmos6101487 --- Asa-Awuku, A.; Sorooshian, A.; Flagan, R.; Seinfeld, J.; Nenes, A. CCN Properties of Organic Aerosol Collected Below and within Marine Stratocumulus Clouds near Monterey, California. Atmosphere 2015, 6(11), 1590-1607; doi:10.3390/atmos6111590 --- Yang, M.; Wang, Y.; Liu, Q.; Ding, A.; Li, Y. The Influence of Sandstorms and Long-Range Transport on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 in the High-Altitude Atmosphere of Southern China. Atmosphere 2015, 6(11), 1633-1651; doi:10.3390/atmos6111633 --- Rubio, M.; Lissi, E.; Gramsch, E.; Garreaud, R. Effect of Nearby Forest Fires on Ground Level Ozone Concentrations in Santiago, Chile. Atmosphere 2015, 6(12), 1926-1938; doi:10.3390/atmos6121838 --- Lopez, D.; Rabbani, M.; Crosbie, E.; Raman, A.; Arellano, A.; Sorooshian, A. Frequency and Character of Extreme Aerosol Events in the Southwestern United States: A Case Study Analysis in Arizona. Atmosphere 2016, 7(1), 1; doi:10.3390/atmos7010001 --- Stovern, M.; Guzmán, H.; Rine, K.; Felix, O.; King, M.; Ela, W.; Betterton, E.; Sáez, A. Windblown Dust Deposition Forecasting and Spread of Contamination around Mine Tailings. Atmosphere 2016, 7(2), 16; doi:10.3390/atmos7020016 --- Raman, A.; Arellano, A.; Sorooshian, A. Decreasing Aerosol Loading in the North American Monsoon Region. Atmosphere 2016, 7(2), 24; doi:10.3390/atmos7020024 --- Hetem, I.; Andrade, M. Characterization of Fine Particulate Matter Emitted from the Resuspension of Road and Pavement Dust in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo, Brazil. Atmosphere 2016, 7(3), 31; doi:10.3390/atmos7030031

Description / Table of Contents: 1. Introduction: Needs for New Global Strategies --- Part I. Global Business Strategy --- 2. Management Strategies for Global Businesses --- 3. Changes in the Global Economic Environment --- 4. Comparison of Economic Institutions in China and India --- 5. New Business Model as Response to Competition from Emerging Economies --- 6. India’s Neemrana Industrial Park for Japanese Firms --- Part II. Fundamentals Of Strategic Planning --- 7. Alliance-based Global Strategy --- 8. Hitachi Construction Machinery: Becoming a Wholly Owned Chinese Entity --- 9. Marketing Theory in Global Business Context --- 10. Shiseido Marketing in China --- 11. International R&D Management --- 12. Multinationals’ R&D in China and India --- 13. Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency and Japanese Firms --- 14. Suzuki Motor’s Expansion in India --- 15. Strategy Integration at the Global Level

Description / Table of Contents: 1 An Overview of Our Research --- 2 Monitoring Inspection for Radioactive Substances in Agricultural, Livestock, Forest, and Fishery Products in Fukushima Prefecture --- 3 Rice Inspections in Fukushima Prefecture --- 4 Cesium accumulation in paddy field rice grown in Fukushima from 2011 to 2013: cultivars and fertilization --- 5 Physiological verification of the effect of potassium supply on the reduction of radiocesium content in rice grain --- 6 Consecutive Field Trials of Rice Cultivation in Partially Decontaminated Paddy Fields to Reduce Radiocesium Absorption in the Iitate Village in Fukushima Prefecture --- 7 Effects of “clean feeding” management on livestock products contaminated with radioactive cesium due to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident --- 8 Adverse effects of radiocesium on the promotion of sustainable circular agriculture including livestock due to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident --- 9 Wild boars in Fukushima after the nuclear power plant accident: Distribution of radiocesium --- 10 Contamination of Wild Animals: Microhabitat Heterogeneity and Ecological Factors of Radioactive Cesium Exposure in Fukushima --- 11 Translocation of radiocesium in fruit trees --- 12 The effects of radioactive contamination on the forestry industry and commercial mushroom-log production in Fukushima, Japan --- 13 Radiocesium in timber of Japanese cedar, and Japanese red pine, in the forests of Minamisoma, Fukushima --- 14 Ecosystem monitoring of radiocesium redistribution dynamics in a forested catchment in Fukushima after the nuclear power plant accident in March 2011 --- 15 Reduction of air radiation dose by ponding paddy fields --- 16 Collaboration Structure for the Resurrection of Iitate Village, Fukushima: A Case Study of a Nonprofitable Organization --- 17 Impacts of the nuclear power plant accident and the start of trial operations in Fukushima fisheries --- 18 Consumer evaluation of foods from the disaster affected area: Change in 3 years --- 19 Imaging Techniques for Radiocesium in Soil and Plants

Description / Table of Contents: This book covers essential aspects of transmutation technologies, highlighting especially the advances in Japan. The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has caused us to focus attention on a large amount of spent nuclear fuels stored in NPPs. In addition, public anxiety regarding the treatment and disposal of high-level radioactive wastes that require long-term control is growing. The Japanese policy on the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle is still unpredictable in the aftermath of the accident. Therefore, research and development for enhancing the safety of various processes involved in nuclear energy production are being actively pursued worldwide. In particular, nuclear transmutation technology has been drawing significant attention after the accident. This publication is timely with the following highlights: 1) Development of accelerator-driven systems (ADSs), which is a brand-new reactor concept for transmutation of highly radioactive wastes; 2) Nuclear reactor systems from the point of view of the nuclear fuel cycle. How to reduce nuclear wastes or how to treat them including the debris from TEPCO’s Fukushima nuclear power stations is discussed; and 3) Environmental radioactivity, radioactive waste treatment, and geological disposal policy. State-of-the-art technologies for overall back-end issues of the nuclear fuel cycle as well as the technologies of transmutation are presented here. The chapter authors are actively involved in the development of ADSs and transmutation-related technologies. The future of the back-end issues in Japan is very uncertain after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi NPP, and this book provides an opportunity for readers to consider the future direction of those issues

Description / Table of Contents: Climate change will bring about significant changes to the capacity of, and the demand on, water resources. The resulting changes include increasing climate variability that is expected to affect hydrologic conditions. The effects of climate variability on various meteorological variables have been extensively observed in many regions around the world. Of these, rainfall is one of the most important variables. Understanding the effects of climate variability on spatial and temporal rainfall characteristics is of special interest to water resource policy makers. Investigating rainfall variability at the regional scale is essential for understanding potential impacts on humans and the natural environment. Atmospheric circulation, topography, land use and other regional features modify global changes to produce unique patterns of change at the regional scale. As the future changes to these water resources cannot be measured in the present, hydrological models are critical in the planning required to adapt our water resource management strategies to future climate conditions. Such models include catchment runoff models, reservoir management models, flood prediction models, groundwater recharge and flow models, and crop water balance models. In water-scarce regions such as Australia, urban water systems are particularly vulnerable to rapid population growth and climate change. In the presence of climate change induced uncertainty, urban water systems need to be more resilient and multi-sourced. Decreasing volumetric rainfall trends have an effect on reservoir yield and operation practices. Severe intensity rainfall events can cause failure of drainage system capacity and subsequent urban flood inundation problems. Policy makers, end users and leading researchers need to work together to develop a consistent approach to interpreting the effects of climate variability and change on water resources.

Description / Table of Contents: 1. Introduction: Needs for New Global Strategies --- Part I. Global Business Strategy --- 2. Management Strategies for Global Businesses --- 3. Changes in the Global Economic Environment --- 4. Comparison of Economic Institutions in China and India --- 5. New Business Model as Response to Competition from Emerging Economies --- 6. India’s Neemrana Industrial Park for Japanese Firms --- Part II. Fundamentals Of Strategic Planning --- 7. Alliance-based Global Strategy --- 8. Hitachi Construction Machinery: Becoming a Wholly Owned Chinese Entity --- 9. Marketing Theory in Global Business Context --- 10. Shiseido Marketing in China --- 11. International R&D Management --- 12. Multinationals’ R&D in China and India --- 13. Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency and Japanese Firms --- 14. Suzuki Motor’s Expansion in India --- 15. Strategy Integration at the Global Level

Description / Table of Contents: Part I Basic Research for Innovative Medicine --- 1. Diverting Glycolysis to Combat Oxidative Stress --- 2. Metabolic Regulation by Nuclear Receptors --- 3. Fighting Fire with Fire in Cancer --- 4. Linear Polyubiquitination: a Crucial Regulator of NF-kB Activation --- 5. VCP, a major ATPase in the cells, as a novel drug target for currently incurable disorders --- 6. Roles of E-cadherin in hepatocarcinogenesis --- 7. The Hippo Signaling Pathway: A Candidate New Drug Target for Malignant Tumors --- 8. Inhibitory immunoreceptors on mast cells in allergy and inflammation --- 9. Doxycycline-inducible Autoimmune Blistering Skin Disease Model --- 10. T-cell Senescence and Autoimmunity --- Part II Translational Research for Innovative Medicine --- 11. IL-6: A new era for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases --- 12. Pathogenesis of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis and Its Potential Therapeutic Strategies --- 13. Multifaceted translational approach of major mental illness --- 14. Translational research of leptin in lipodystrophy and its related diseases --- 15. Translational research of the activation of the C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP)-guanylyl cyclase-B pathway for skeletal dysplasia --- 16. Clarity and Challenges in Tissue Fibrosis --- 17. TRP Channels: Their Function and Potentiality as Drug Targets --- 18. Autophagic Cell Death and Cancer Chemotherapeutics --- 19. Adrenomedullin as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Refractory Ulcerative Colitis --- 20. RNA activation --- Part III New Technology for Innovative Medicine --- 21. Cardiac Reprogramming for Heart Repair --- 22. Development of a new in vivo optical probe for biological diagnosis and therapy --- 23. Introduction of mesenchymal stem cells for liver surgery (hepatectomy and transplantation) --- 24. Synaptic and axonal plasticity induction in the human cerebral cortex --- 25. TIM-3 is a novel therapeutic target for eradicating acute myelogenous leukemia stem cells --- 26. TGF-beta LAP degradation products, a novel biomarker and promising therapeutic target for liver fibrogenesis --- 27. Cell-based regenerative therapy for liver disease