bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Mixed-Integer Second-Order Cone Programming Algorithm for the Optimal Power Distribution of AC-DC Parallel Transmission Channels
Authors: Lin Shunjiang , Yang Zhibin , Fan Guansheng , Liu Mingbo , He Sen , Tang Zhiqiang , Song Yunong
Published: September 2019

For the controllability of the transmission power of DC transmission channels, the optimal power distribution (OPD) of AC-DC parallel transmission channels is an effective measure for improving the economic operation of an AC-DC interconnected power grid. A dynamic optimal power flow model for day-ahead OPD of AC-DC parallel transmission channels is established in this paper. The power flow equation constraints of an AC-DC interconnected power grid and the constraints of the discrete regulation requirement of the transmission power of DC channels are considered, which make the OPD model of the AC-DC parallel transmission channels a mixed-integer nonlinear non-convex programming (MINNP) model. Through a cone relaxation transformation and a big M method equivalent transformation, the non-convex terms in the objective function and constraints are executed with the convex relaxation, and the MINNP model is transformed into a mixed-integer second-order cone programming model that can be solved reliably and efficiently using the mature optimization solver GUROBI. Taking an actual large-scale AC-DC interconnected power grid as an example, the results show that the OPD scheme of the AC-DC parallel transmission channels obtained by the proposed algorithm can effectively improve the economical operation of an AC-DC interconnected power grid.
Narrow-Banded UVB Affects the Stability of Secondary Plant Metabolites in Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) and Pea (Pisum sativum) Leaves Being Added to Lentil Flour Fortified Bread: A Novel Approach for Producing Functional Foods
Authors: Klopsch Rebecca , Baldermann Susanne , Voss Alexander , Rohn Sascha , Schreiner Monika , Neugart Susanne
Published: September 2019

Young kale and pea leaves are rich in secondary plant metabolites (SPMs) whose profile can be affected by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Carotenoids and flavonoids in kale and pea exposed to narrow-banded UVB, produced by innovative light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and subsequently used for breadmaking were investigated for the first time, thus combining two important strategies to increase the SPMs intake. Breads were also fortified with protein-rich lentil flour. Antioxidant activity in the ‘vegetable breads’ indicated health-promoting effects. Lentil flour increased the antioxidant activity in all of the ‘vegetable breads’. While carotenoids and chlorophylls showed a minor response to UVB treatment, kaempferol glycosides decreased in favor of increasing quercetin glycosides, especially in kale. Additionally, breadmaking caused major decreases in carotenoids and a conversion of chlorophyll to bioactive degradation products. In ‘kale breads’ and ‘pea breads’, 20% and 84% of flavonoid glycosides were recovered. Thus, kale and pea leaves seem to be suitable natural ingredients for producing innovative Functional Foods.
Spatial and Temporal Variability of Throughfall among Oak and Co-Occurring Non-Oak Tree Species in an Upland Hardwood Forest
Authors: Siegert Courtney M. , Drotar Natasha A. , Alexander Heather D.
Published: September 2019

Canopy throughfall comprises the largest portion of net precipitation that is delivered to the forest floor. This water flux is highly variable across space and time and is influenced by species composition, canopy foliage, stand structure, and storm meteorological characteristics. In upland forests throughout the central hardwoods region of the Eastern United States, a compositional shift is occurring from oak-hickory to more mesic, shade-tolerant species such as red maple, sweetgum, and winged elm. To better understand the impacts of this shift on throughfall flux and the hydrologic budget, we monitored throughfall for one year in Northern Mississippi under the crowns of midstory and overstory oak (post oak and southern red oak) and non-oak species (hickory, red maple, and winged elm). In general, oak had more throughfall than co-occurring non-oak species in both canopy levels. In the overstory during the leaf-off canopy phase, white oak had relatively higher throughfall partitioning (standardized z-score = 0.54) compared to all other species (z-score = −0.02) (p = 0.004), while in the leaf-on canopy phase, red maple had relatively lower throughfall (z-score = −0.36) partitioning compared to all other species (z-score = 0.11). In the midstory, red maple was the only species to exhibit a difference in throughfall between canopy phases, with much lower throughfall in the leaf-off compared to the leaf-on canopy phase (z-score = −0.30 vs. 0.202, p = 0.039). Additionally, throughfall under oak crowns was less variable than under non-oak crowns. These results provide evidence that the spatial and temporal distribution of throughfall inputs under oak crowns are different than non-oak species, likely due to differences in crown architecture (i.e., depth and density). As oak dominance diminishes in these forests, it is possible that the portion of rainfall diverted to throughfall may decrease as well. The net impacts to watershed hydrology are still unknown, but these results provide one mechanism by which the distribution of water resources may be affected.
Role of Warming in Destabilization of Intrapermafrost Gas Hydrates in the Arctic Shelf: Experimental Modeling
Authors: Chuvilin Evgeny , Davletshina Dinara , Ekimova Valentina , Bukhanov Boris , Shakhova Natalia , Semiletov Igor
Published: September 2019

Destabilization of intrapermafrost gas hydrates is one of the possible mechanisms responsible for methane emission in the Arctic shelf. Intrapermafrost gas hydrates may be coeval to permafrost: they originated during regression and subsequent cooling and freezing of sediments, which created favorable conditions for hydrate stability. Local pressure increase in freezing gas-saturated sediments maintained gas hydrate stability from depths of 200–250 m or shallower. The gas hydrates that formed within shallow permafrost have survived till present in the metastable (relict) state. The metastable gas hydrates located above the present stability zone may dissociate in the case of permafrost degradation as it becomes warmer and more saline. The effect of temperature increase on frozen sand and silt containing metastable pore methane hydrate is studied experimentally to reconstruct the conditions for intrapermafrost gas hydrate dissociation. The experiments show that the dissociation process in hydrate-bearing frozen sediments exposed to warming begins and ends before the onset of pore ice melting. The critical temperature sufficient for gas hydrate dissociation varies from −3.0 °C to −0.3 °C and depends on lithology (particle size) and salinity of the host frozen sediments. Taking into account an almost gradientless temperature distribution during degradation of subsea permafrost, even minor temperature increases can be expected to trigger large-scale dissociation of intrapermafrost hydrates. The ensuing active methane emission from the Arctic shelf sediments poses risks of geohazard and negative environmental impacts.
Facilitating Green Supply Chain in Dental Care through Kansei Healthscape of Positive Emotions
Authors: Hsu Ling-Hsin , Hsiao Yu-Hsiang
Published: September 2019

Dentistry is highly energy- and resource-intensive with a significant environmental impact. To consolidate green dentistry supply chains, delivering the care of highest quality that meets client value should not be neglected. This study emphasized the importance of client-centered healthscape design for facilitating a green dentistry supply chain. A client-centered healthscape design, which promotes clients’ positive emotions and increases willingness to revisit the dentist, plays a critical role in realizing green dentistry supply chains in the long run. For this purpose, the relationship among dental healthscape design elements, client emotions, and revisit intentions was investigated using a Kansei engineering-based approach. The effects of dental healthscape elements on clients’ positive emotions and the effects of positive emotions on clients’ revisit intentions were holistically examined on the basis of the stimulus–organism–response model. Through this approach, 17 elements of design, ambience, and social interaction factors that comprise the dental healthscape and 20 Kansei words used to express clients’ positive emotions regarding dental service were identified. A questionnaire survey was used to assess Kansei and revisit intention in healthscape scenarios, composed of varied design elements. Primary data were collected from 600 individuals from 2017 to 2018 throughout Taiwan. Partial least squares was applied to holistically analyze the effects of dental healthscape elements on clients’ positive emotions and the effects of positive emotions on clients’ revisit intention to generate a Kansei model for the dental healthscape. All 20 Kansei words had significant positive effects on the dental revisit intention of clients. The five positive emotions most associated with increased revisit intention were thoughtful, hopeful, tender, comfortable, and cozy. The Kansei model of the dental healthscape provides references for healthscape design that maintains positive client emotions during the dental service and results in high revisit intention. This approach can realize an emotion-centered design for dental healthscapes that promotes preventive dental care, early treatment, and effective use of medical resources, and consequently contributes to green dentistry supply chains.
Perceived Discrimination and Stigma in the Context of the Long-Term Care Insurance Law from the Perspectives of Arabs and the Jews in the North of Israel
Authors: Ayalon Liat
Published: September 2019

The Long-Term Care Insurance Law provides support to older Israelis who wish to remain in their home. The present study evaluated the experience of perceived discrimination and stigma in the context of the law among Arab older adults, their family members, and their paid home care workers. For triangulation purposes, we interviewed 15 National Insurance Institute workers (NII; responsible for implementing the law; 47% Arab), 31 older adults (81% Arab), 31 family members (87% Arab), and six paid home care workers (83% Arab) in the north of Israel. Respondents were queried about their home care experience and their encounter with the NII. Thematic analysis was conducted. Four main themes emerged: (a) a strong sense of perceived discrimination among Arab interviewees, (b) reports suggesting the internalization of stigma and the adoption of negative views regarding the Arab population by some Arab respondents, (c) implicit stigma manifested in claims concerning the Arab population (primarily) as “cheating” the system, and (d) the negation of discrimination of Arabs as reported by Jewish interviewees and NII workers. The findings show that a sense of perceived discrimination is common and colors the experience of service seeking among Arabs. On the other hand, the Jewish interviewees in this study completely negated any discrimination or stigma directed toward Arabs. The findings point to the importance of group affiliation (e.g., minority vs. majority) in interpreting the existence of discrimination. The findings likely have major implications for both service providers and policy-makers and legislators.
Association of the Individual and Context Inequalities on the Breastfeeding: A Study from the Sicily Region
Authors: Cernigliaro Achille , Palmeri Sara , Casuccio Alessandra , Scondotto Salvatore , Restivo Vincenzo ,   In Primis Working Group
Published: September 2019

Despite the advantages of breastfeeding being widely recognized, the economic level can have an influence on breastfeeding rates, with rich women breastfeeding longer than poor in high-income countries. In Italy, socio-economic differences affect breastfeeding start and continuation among most deprived people, such as in Southern Italy. The objective of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of the initiation and continuation of exclusive breastfeeding and its association with the levels of socio-economic deprivation in Sicily. A prospective cohort study with a two-phase survey in three breastfeeding detection times was conducted. Overall, 1,055 mothers were recruited with a mean age of 31 years. Breastfeeding decreased from 86% during hospitalization to 69% at the first month and 42% at the sixth month, yet at the same time, exclusive breastfeeding increased from 34% to 38% during hospitalization to the first month and went down to 20.2% at the sixth month. The adjusted multivariate analysis showed no association with individual inequalities. On the other hand, the context inequalities had a significant association with the risk of not following exclusive breastfeeding in the deprived class (odds ratio (OR): 2.08, confidence interval (CI) 95% 1.01–4.27) and in the very deprived class (OR: 1.83, CI 95% 1.00–3.38) at the six-month survey. These results indicate that the context inequalities begin to emerge from the return home of the mother and the child.
Workaholism, Intensive Smartphone Use, and the Sleep-Wake Cycle: A Multiple Mediation Analysis
Authors: Spagnoli Paola , Balducci Cristian , Fabbri Marco , Molinaro Danila , Barbato Giuseppe
Published: September 2019

Recent contributions have reported sleep disorders as one of the health impairment outcomes of workaholism. A possible factor affecting the sleep-wake cycle might be the intensive use of smartphones. The current study aimed to explore the role of intensive smartphone use in the relationship between workaholism and the sleep-wake cycle. Two serial multiple mediation models were tested on a sample of 418 employees, who filled self-report questionnaires measuring workaholism, use of smartphones, sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, using conditional process analysis for testing direct and indirect effects. Results supported our hypotheses regarding two serial multiple mediation models—that intensive smartphone use and poor sleep quality mediated the relationship between workaholism and daytime sleepiness, and that smartphone use and daytime sleepiness mediated the relationship between workaholism and poor quality of sleep. Although the use of a cross-sectional design and the snowball technique for collecting data can be considered as possible limitations, the current study is one of the first to document the potential detrimental role of the intensive smartphone use on the workaholism-sleep disorders relationship.
Outpatient Satisfaction with Tertiary Hospitals in China: The Role of Sociodemographic Characteristics
Authors: Hu Linlin , Zhou Bright P. , Liu Shiyang , Wang Zijuan , Liu Yuanli
Published: September 2019

China’s increasing attention to patient satisfaction evaluation is part of an international trend of patient-centered healthcare. Patient sociodemographic characteristics are important intrinsic factors that will influence satisfaction. This paper aims to better understand how sociodemographic factors affect Chinese patient satisfaction with tertiary outpatient services using data from the 2017 China National Patient Survey. A total of 28,760 outpatient survey responses were analyzed, spanning 136 tertiary hospitals across 31 provinces. Multilevel logistic regression with fixed hospital effects was used to examine the association of patient satisfaction across multiple healthcare domains with sociodemographic factors. Results show that patients who were of a migrant population, of highest income, most educated, and who had medical aid insurance reported the lowest levels of overall satisfaction. Specifically, increasing age was correlated with decreased satisfaction in process management and affordability domains, while high-income and high-education outpatients reported lower satisfaction scores in the hospital environment domain. Furthermore, migrant patients experienced lower satisfaction across several domains. These intricate findings suggest that hospitals should tailor their services and evaluation metrics to specific patient demographics, and that the government should adopt policies that reduce disparities in healthcare access and affordability to ultimately improve the satisfaction of vulnerable groups.
Real-Time Displacement of Point Symbols Based on Spatial Distribution Characteristics
Authors: Liu Haipeng , Zhang Ling , Long Yi , Zheng Yi
Published: September 2019

Maps at different scales have different emphases on the information representation of point data. With a focus on large scales, this paper proposes an improved sequential displacement method. While existing approaches mostly use a fixed order to place points during displacement, the proposed method takes into consideration the spatial distribution characteristics, including the spatial structure and the holistic distance relations of a point group. This method first rapidly extracts feature points through a quadtree index to capture the spatial structure of a point group. Then, it uses map information content to determine the points to be processed. Finally, a global distance matrix for the above two sets of points is established. Overlapping of symbols is resolved by processing the global distance matrix. The algorithm is estimated by comparing with the latest strategy, which has overcome the position drift drawback of traditional sequential displacement methods and the results show that the proposed method can improve the effects of map expression and meet the requirements of real-time processing.
Phosphorus Localization and Its Involvement in the Formation of Concentrated Uranium in the Renal Proximal Tubules of Rats Exposed to Uranyl Acetate
Authors: Homma-Takeda Shino , Numako Chiya , Kitahara Keisuke , Yoshida Takanori , Oikawa Masakazu , Terada Yasuko , Kokubo Toshiaki , Shimada Yoshiya
Published: September 2019

Although the kidneys comprise a critical target of uranium exposure, the dynamics of renal uranium distribution have remained obscure. Uranium is considered to function physiologically in the form of uranyl ions that have high affinity for phosphate groups. The present study applied microbeam-based elemental analysis to precisely determine the distribution of phosphorus and uranium in the kidneys of male Wistar rats exposed to uranium. One day after a single subcutaneous injection of uranyl acetate (2 mg/kg), areas of concentrated phosphorus were scattered in the S3 segments of the proximal tubule of the kidneys, whereas the S3 segments in control rats and in rats given a lower dose of uranium (0.5 mg/kg) contained phosphorus without concentrated phosphorus. Areas with concentrated phosphorus contained uranium 4- to 14-fold more than the mean uranium concentration (126–472 vs. 33.1 ± 4.6 μg/g). The chemical form of uranium in the concentrated phosphorus examined by XAFS was uranium (VI), suggesting that the interaction of uranyl ions with the phosphate groups of biomolecules could be involved in the formation of uranium concentration in the proximal tubules of kidneys in rats exposed to uranium.
Mental Health Correlates of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Gender Diverse Young People: Evidence from a Specialised Child and Adolescent Gender Clinic in Australia
Authors: Mahfouda Simone , Panos Christina , Whitehouse Andrew J.O. , Thomas Cati S. , Maybery Murray , Strauss Penelope , Zepf Florian D. , O’Donovan Amanda , van Hall Hans-Willem , Saunders Liz A. , Moore Julia K. , Lin Ashleigh
Published: September 2019

Research suggests an overrepresentation of autism spectrum diagnoses (ASD) or autistic traits in gender diverse samples, particularly in children and adolescents. Using data from the GENTLE (GENder identiTy Longitudinal Experience) Cohort at the Gender Diversity Service at the Perth Children’s Hospital, the primary objective of the current retrospective chart review was to explore psychopathology and quality of life in gender diverse children with co-occurring ASD relative to gender diverse children and adolescents without ASD. The Social Responsiveness Scale (Second Edition) generates a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) score indicating a likely clinical ASD diagnosis, which was used to partition participants into two groups (indicated ASD, n = 19) (no ASD indicated, n = 60). Indicated ASD was far higher than would be expected compared to general population estimates. Indicated ASD on the Social Responsiveness Scale 2 (SRS 2) was also a significant predictor of Internalising behaviours (Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn/Depressed, Somatic Complaints, Thought Problems subscales) on the Youth Self Report. Indicated ASD was also a significant predictor of scores on all subscales of the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory. The current findings indicate that gender diverse children and adolescents with indicated ASD comprise an especially vulnerable group that are at marked risk of mental health difficulties, particularly internalising disorders, and poor quality of life outcomes. Services working with gender diverse young people should screen for ASD, and also provide pathways to appropriate care for the commonly associated mental health difficulties.
Analysis of the Usefulness of a Serious Game to Raise Awareness about Mental Health Problems in a Sample of High School and University Students: Relationship with Familiarity and Time Spent Playing Video Games
Authors: Cangas Adolfo , Navarro Noelia , Aguilar-Parra José , Trigueros Rubén , Gallego José , Zárate Roberto , Gregg Melanie
Published: September 2019

Background: One of the main challenges in the field of mental health today is the stigma towards individuals who have psychological disorders. Aims: This study aims to analyse the usefulness of applying a serious game developed for the purpose of raising awareness among students about mental health problems and analyse whether its usefulness can be influenced by the type of video games or the time that students usually devote to playing with this type of entertainment. Method: The serious game introduces four characters who display the symptoms of different psychological disorders. A total of 530 students participated in the study, 412 of whom comprised the experimental group and 118 the control group, 291 came from secondary school classes and 239 were university students. Results: The findings show that this serious game significantly reduced total stigma among students. Variables like time habitually spent playing video games or video game preference had no bearing on the results. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the serious game is an appropriated tool to reduce stigma, both in high school and university students, independently of the type of video games that young people usually play, or time spent playing video games.
Ultra-Widefield Retinal Imaging for Analyzing the Association Between Types of Pathological Myopia and Posterior Staphyloma
Authors: Mimura Ririko , Mori Kiwako , Torii Hidemasa , Nagai Norihiro , Suzuki Misa , Minami Sakiko , Ozawa Yoko , Kurihara Toshihide , Tsubota Kazuo
Published: September 2019

High myopia may develop to pathologic myopia, which brings severe visual impairment; however, the etiology is not fully understood. We, therefore, investigated the relationship between the presence of posterior staphyloma and posterior ocular disorders by assessing the patients with high myopia. A retrospective study was performed for the patients, who have more than 26 mm of the axial length and of whom fundus photography was taken with an ultra-widefield retinal imaging system. The objectives were 138 cases encompassing 229 eyes. In 138 cases, 91 were bilateral and 47 were unilateral. The averages ± SD of axial length of bilateral and unilateral were 28.8 ± 2.2 mm, 27.3 ± 1.2 mm, respectively, showing statistically significant difference. The number of eyes with and without posterior staphyloma were 107 (46.7%) and 122 (53.3%), respectively. Retinal detachment and retinal breaks are more observed in cases without posterior staphyloma (p = 0.017). Myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) (p = 0.002), chorioretinal atrophy (p < 0.001), retinoschisis (p < 0.001), and optic neuropathy (p = 0.038) are more often seen in cases with posterior staphyloma. In conclusion, the prevalence rates of myopic choroidal neovascularization, retinal choroidal atrophy, and optic neuropathy were significantly higher with posterior staphyloma. The rate of periocular disorders such as retinal detachment was significantly higher without posterior staphyloma. These results indicate associations between types of pathological myopia and presence or absence of posterior staphyloma analyzed by ultra-widefield retinal imaging.
Brain-Immune Alterations and Mitochondrial Dysfunctions in a Mouse Model of Paediatric Autoimmune Disorder Associated with Streptococcus: Exacerbation by Chronic Psychosocial Stress
Authors: Ajmone-Cat Maria Antonietta , Spinello Chiara , Valenti Daniela , Franchi Francesca , Macrì Simone , Vacca Rosa Anna , Laviola Giovanni
Published: September 2019

Adverse psychosocial experiences have been shown to modulate individual responses to immune challenges and affect mitochondrial functions. The aim of this study was to investigate inflammation and immune responses as well as mitochondrial bioenergetics in an experimental model of Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS). Starting in adolescence (postnatal day 28), male SJL/J mice were exposed to five injections (interspaced by two weeks) with Group-A beta-haemolytic streptococcus (GAS) homogenate. Mice were exposed to chronic psychosocial stress, in the form of protracted visual exposure to an aggressive conspecific, for four weeks. Our results indicate that psychosocial stress exacerbated individual response to GAS administrations whereby mice exposed to both treatments exhibited altered cytokine and immune-related enzyme expression in the hippocampus and hypothalamus. Additionally, they showed impaired mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes IV and V, and reduced adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production by mitochondria and ATP content. These brain abnormalities, observed in GAS-Stress mice, were associated with blunted titers of plasma corticosterone. Present data support the hypothesis that challenging environmental conditions, in terms of chronic psychosocial stress, may exacerbate the long-term consequences of exposure to GAS processes through the promotion of central immunomodulatory and oxidative stress.
The Prognostic Value of Soluble ST2 in Adults with Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Geenen Laurie W. , Baggen Vivan J. M. , Kauling Robert M. , Koudstaal Thomas , Boomars Karin A. , Boersma Eric , Roos-Hesselink Jolien W. , van den Bosch Annemien E.
Published: September 2019

Soluble ST2 (sST2) is upregulated in response to myocardial stress and may serve as biomarker in adults with pulmonary hypertension (PH). This prospective cohort study investigated sST2 levels and its association with echocardiographic and hemodynamic measures, and adverse clinical outcomes in adults with PH of different etiologies. sST2 was measured during the diagnostic right heart catheterization for PH, in adult patients enrolled between May 2012 and October 2016. PH due to left heart failure was excluded. The association between sST2 and a primary endpoint composed of death or lung transplantation and a secondary composite endpoint including death, lung transplantation or heart failure, was investigated using Cox regression with adjustment for NT-proBNP. In total 104 patients were included (median age was 59 years, 66% woman, 51% pulmonary arterial hypertension). Median sST2 was 28 [IQR 20–46] ng/mL. Higher sST2 was associated with worse right ventricular dysfunction and higher mean pulmonary and right atrial pressures. Median follow-up was 3.3 [IQR 2.3–4.6] years. The primary and secondary endpoint occurred in 33 (31.7%) and 43 (41.3%) patients, respectively. sST2 was significantly associated with both endpoints (HR per 2-fold higher value 1.53, 95%CI 1.12–2.07, p = 0.007 and 1.45, 95%CI 1.10–1.90, p = 0.008, respectively). However, after adjustment for NT-proBNP, both associations did not reach statistical significance. In conclusions, higher sST2 levels are associated with more severe PH and right ventricular dysfunction and yields prognostic value in adults with PH, although not independently of NT-proBNP.
Sound Radiation Analysis of Constrained Layer Damping Structures Based on Two-Level Optimization
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Wu Yonghui , Chen Jingyue , Wang Shuwen , Zheng Ling
Published: September 2019

Constrained layer damping (CLD) is an effective method for suppressing the vibration and sound radiation of lightweight structures. In this article, a two-level optimization approach is presented as a systematic methodology to design position layouts and thickness configurations of CLD materials for suppressing the sound power of vibrating structures. A two-level optimization model for the CLD structure is developed, considering sound radiation power as the objective function and different additional mass fractions as constraints. The proposed approach applies a modified bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) method to obtain several optimal position layouts of CLD materials pasted on the base structure, and sound power sensitivity analysis is formulated based on sound radiation modes for the position optimization of CLD materials. Two strategies based on the distributions of average normalized elemental kinetic energy and strain energy of the base plate are proposed to divide optimal position layouts of CLD materials into several subareas, and a genetic algorithm (GA) is employed to optimally reconfigure the thicknesses of CLD materials in the subareas. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the validity and efficiency of this approach. The sound radiation power radiated from the vibrating plate, which is treated with multiple position layouts and thickness reconfigurations of CLD materials, is emphatically discussed.
Effect of Copper Tailing Content on Corrosion Resistance of Steel Reinforcement in a Salt Lake Environment
Authors: Zhang Liming , Li Jia , Qiao Hongxia
Published: September 2019

With the increasing proportions of copper tailings of concrete in the Qinghai Salt Lake area of China, there arises the problem of corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete structures. In this study, we determine the corrosion rate (CR), crack width, and corrosion potential of the steel reinforcement with copper tailing. This was achieved by conducting the constant-current accelerated corrosion test with different proportions of copper tailing in the brine environment of the Qinghai province. The results demonstrate that the corrosion potential (Ecorr) and the passivation area of the polarization curve decrease with the increase in the corrosion time, and the corrosion rate and crack width increase with the increase in the corrosion time. When the corrosion time is the same, the corrosion potential, crack width, and corrosion depth of the reinforcement decrease first and then increase with the increase in the copper tailing powder content. When the copper tailing powder content is 20%, the above parameters reach the minimum value. In the salt lake environment of Qinghai, China, the copper tailing powder content is recommended to be 20%.
Prediction and Analysis of the Residual Capacity of Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Stub Columns under Axial Compression Subjected to Combined Freeze–Thaw Cycles and Acid Rain Corrosion
Authors: Zhang Tong , Lyu Xuetao , Yu Yang
Published: September 2019

This paper presents a theoretical investigation on the safety evaluation, stability evaluation, and service life prediction of concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) structures in a Northern China area with acid rain. The finite element software ABAQUS was used to establish a numerical model, which was used to simulate the axial compression behavior of CFST columns subjected to the combined actions of freeze–thaw cycles and acid rain corrosion. The model performance was validated using the experimental results of the evaluation of mechanical properties, including the failure mode and load–displacement curve. Then, the effects of the section size, material strength, steel ratio, and combined times on the residual capacity were studied. The results show that the section size has a smaller influence on the residual strength than the other parameters and can be neglected in the design procedure. However, the other parameters, including the material strength, steel ratio, and combined times have relatively large influences on the axial compressive performance of CFST stub columns subjected to a combination of freeze–thaw cycles and acid rain corrosion. Finally, design formulae for predicting the residual strength of CFST stub columns that are under axial compression and the combined effect of freeze–thaw cycles and acid rain corrosion are proposed, and their results agree well with the numerical results.
Weld Formation Mechanism and Microstructural Evolution of TC4/304 Stainless Steel Joint with Cu-Based Filler Wire and Preheating
Authors: Li Junzhao , Liu Yibo , Zhen Zuyang , Jin Peng , Sun Qingjie , Feng Jicai
Published: September 2019

Ti-Fe intermetallic compounds were effectively suppressed with Cu-based filler wire and weld formation was greatly improved with the preheating of substrates when joining TC4 titanium alloy and 304 stainless steel. A Ti/Cu transition zone consisting of complex TiCu, Ti2Cu3, TiFe, and TiFe2 phases was formed between Cu-weld/TC4 interface, while Cu-weld/304ss interface was mainly composed of α-Fe and ε-Cu solid solution. At lower heat input, the undercut defect in back surface had potential to cause crack initiation and joint fracture. Though increasing heat input would improve weld morphology, the formation of thick interfacial reaction layer and weld cracking led to low weld quality and joint strength. The preheating of substrates had an obvious effect on wetting ability of liquid filler metal and could achieve a better weld quality at lower heat input. The back formation of weld was improved to decrease the occurrence of weld defects. The highest tensile strength of 365 MPa occurred at welding heat input of 0.483 kJ/cm, increasing by 47% compared to the joint without preheating. The interfacial reaction mechanism was discussed to reveal the relationship between microstructural characteristics and fracture behavior of Ti/steel welded joints with Cu-based filler wire.
Seasoning Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Bone Cements with Incorrect Mix Ratio
Authors: Karpiński Robert , Szabelski Jakub , Maksymiuk Jacek
Published: September 2019

Cemented joint prostheses are widely used in orthopaedic surgery; however, implants/bone bonds are known to be susceptible to aseptic loosening, particularly in the case of long-term performance. The exact mechanism of this failure is under constant examination. One of the critical factors to the final mechanical functionality of bone cement can be an incorrect mix ratio of a two-component material (powdered polymer and liquid monomer). It can result in the deterioration of the final mechanical strength properties. The paper presents the results from an experimental study on the effects of the deviation from the correct mix ratio on the moisture uptake and the compression strength of cement depending on the seasoning time in Ringer’s solution. The results were subjected to statistical analysis and a mathematical model was developed.
Does Colchicine Substitute Corticosteroids in Treatment of Idiopathic and Viral Pediatric Pericarditis?
Authors: Vukomanovic Vladislav , Prijic Sergej , Krasic Stasa , Borovic Ruzica , Ninic Sanja , Nesic Dejan , Bjelakovic Bojko , Popovic Sasa , Stajević Mila , Petrović Gordana
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: Recurrence of pericarditis (ROP) is an important complication of the acute pericarditis. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of aetiology, clinical findings and treatment on the outcome of acute pericarditis. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from medical records of patients treated from 2011 to 2019 at a tertiary referent heart paediatric center. Results: Our investigation included 56 children with idiopathic and viral pericarditis. Relapse was registered in 8/56 patients, 2/29 (7.41%) treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and 6/27 (28.57%) treated with corticosteroids (CS) and NSAID. Independent risk factors for ROP were viral pericarditis (p = 0.01, OR 31.46), lack of myocardial affection (p = 0.03, OR 29.15), CS use (p = 0.02, OR 29.02) and ESR ≥ 50 mm/h (p = 0.03, OR 25.23). In 4/8 patients the first recurrence was treated with NSAID and colchicine, while treatment of 4/8 patients included CS. Children with ROP treated with CS had higher median number of recurrence (5, IQR: 2–15) than those treated with colchicine (0, IQR: 0–0.75). Conclusions: Independent risk factors for recurrence are CS treatment, viral aetiology, pericarditis only and ESR ≥ 50 mm/h. Acute pericarditis should be treated with NSAID. Colchicine and NSAID might be recommended in children with the first ROP.
A Two-Stage Culture Method for Zygotic Embryos Effectively Overcomes Constraints Imposed by Hypocotyl and Epicotyl Seed Dormancy in Paeonia ostii ‘Fengdan’
Authors: Ren Xiuxia , Liu Ya , Jeong Byoung Ryong
Published: September 2019

The effect of the exogenous hormone and light quality on breaking hypocotyl and epicotyl dormancy was studied. The results showed that the greatest percentage of hypocotyl dormancy breaking was observed with the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with or without 1.0 mg·L−1 gibberellin 3 (GA3), while ABA and endosperm greatly inhibited hypocotyl dormancy breaking. This suggests that hypocotyl dormancy of the Paeonia ostii ‘Fengdan’ embryo could be easily overcome by removing constraints of the surrounding endosperm, and ABA may be one of the constraint factors contained in the endosperm. The percentage of epicotyl dormancy breaking was also greatly affected by the concentration of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and GA3. Compared to BA by itself, adding GA3 to the medium containing BA highly enhanced epicotyl dormancy breaking, with the greatest percentage of epicotyl dormancy breaking in MS medium supplemented with both 0.5 mg·L−1 BA and 0.5–1.0 mg·L−1 GA3. The percentage of hypocotyl and epicotyl dormancy breaking was also affected by light and its quality. Red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) had the same effect as a dark condition on the hypocotyl dormancy breaking, while blue LEDs and a combination of red and blue LEDs had a negative effect on the hypocotyl dormancy breaking. Unexpectedly, blue LEDs greatly enhanced, whereas red LEDs inhibited, epicotyl dormancy breaking. Conclusively, a two-stage culture method was recommended for breaking the hypocotyl and epicotyl dormancy: hypocotyl dormancy was broken first using the MS medium without any plant growth regulators in the dark (25 °C), and epicotyl dormancy was subsequently broken with the MS medium supplemented with both 1.0 mg·L−1 GA3 and 0.5 mg·L−1 BA under blue light.
Role of Galactolipids in Plastid Differentiation Before and After Light Exposure
Authors: Fujii Sho , Wada Hajime , Kobayashi Koichi
Published: September 2019

Galactolipids, monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), are the predominant lipid classes in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts. These lipids are also major constituents of internal membrane structures called prolamellar bodies (PLBs) and prothylakoids (PTs) in etioplasts, which develop in the cotyledon cells of dark-grown angiosperms. Analysis of Arabidopsis mutants defective in the major galactolipid biosynthesis pathway revealed that MGDG and DGDG are similarly and, in part, differently required for membrane-associated processes such as the organization of PLBs and PTs and the formation of pigment–protein complexes in etioplasts. After light exposure, PLBs and PTs in etioplasts are transformed into the thylakoid membrane, resulting in chloroplast biogenesis. During the etioplast-to-chloroplast differentiation, galactolipids facilitate thylakoid membrane biogenesis from PLBs and PTs and play crucial roles in chlorophyll biosynthesis and accumulation of light-harvesting proteins. These recent findings shed light on the roles of galactolipids as key facilitators of several membrane-associated processes during the development of the internal membrane systems in plant plastids.
A New Heavy Tailed Class of Distributions Which Includes the Pareto
Authors: Bhati Deepesh , Calderín-Ojeda Enrique , Meenakshi Mareeswaran
Published: September 2019

In this paper, a new heavy-tailed distribution, the mixture Pareto-loggamma distribution, derived through an exponential transformation of the generalized Lindley distribution is introduced. The resulting model is expressed as a convex sum of the classical Pareto and a special case of the loggamma distribution. A comprehensive exploration of its statistical properties and theoretical results related to insurance are provided. Estimation is performed by using the method of log-moments and maximum likelihood. Also, as the modal value of this distribution is expressed in closed-form, composite parametric models are easily obtained by a mode matching procedure. The performance of both the mixture Pareto-loggamma distribution and composite models are tested by employing different claims datasets.
Human Activities and Postures Recognition: From Inertial Measurements to Quaternion-Based Approaches
Authors: Zmitri Makia , Fourati Hassen , Vuillerme Nicolas
Published: September 2019

This paper presents two approaches to assess the effect of the number of inertial sensors and their location placements on recognition of human postures and activities. Inertial and Magnetic Measurement Units (IMMUs)—which consist of a triad of three-axis accelerometer, three-axis gyroscope, and three-axis magnetometer sensors—are used in this work. Five IMMUs are initially used and attached to different body segments. Placements of up to three IMMUs are then considered: back, left foot, and left thigh. The subspace k-nearest neighbors (KNN) classifier is used to achieve the supervised learning process and the recognition task. In a first approach, we feed raw data from three-axis accelerometer and three-axis gyroscope into the classifier without any filtering or pre-processing, unlike what is usually reported in the state-of-the-art where statistical features were computed instead. Results show the efficiency of this method for the recognition of the studied activities and postures. With the proposed algorithm, more than 80% of the activities and postures are correctly classified using one IMMU, placed on the lower back, left thigh, or left foot location, and more than 90% when combining all three placements. In a second approach, we extract attitude, in term of quaternion, from IMMUs in order to more precisely achieve the recognition process. The obtained accuracy results are compared to those obtained when only raw data is exploited. Results show that the use of attitude significantly improves the performance of the classifier, especially for certain specific activities. In that case, it was further shown that using a smaller number of features, with quaternion, in the recognition process leads to a lower computation time and better accuracy.
Estimating Chlorophyll Content of Leafy Green Vegetables from Adaxial and Abaxial Reflectance
Authors: Lu Fan , Bu Zhaojun , Lu Shan
Published: September 2019

As a primary pigment of leafy green vegetables, chlorophyll plays a major role in indicating vegetable growth status. The application of hyperspectral remote sensing reflectance offers a quick and nondestructive method to estimate the chlorophyll content of vegetables. Reflectance of adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces from three common leafy green vegetables: Pakchoi var. Shanghai Qing (Brassica chinensis L. var. Shanghai Qing), Chinese white cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. Chinensis Makino var. communis Tsen et Lee), and Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa var longifoliaf. Lam) were measured to estimate the leaf chlorophyll content. Modeling based on spectral indices and the partial least squares regression (PLS) was tested using the reflectance data from the two surfaces (adaxial and abaxial) of leaves in the datasets of each individual vegetable and the three vegetables combined. The PLS regression model showed the highest accuracy in estimating leaf chlorophyll content of pakchoi var. Shanghai Qing (R2 = 0.809, RMSE = 62.44 mg m−2), Chinese white cabbage (R2 = 0.891, RMSE = 45.18 mg m−2) and Romaine lettuce (R2 = 0.834, RMSE = 38.58 mg m−2) individually as well as of the three vegetables combined (R2 = 0.811, RMSE = 55.59 mg m−2). The good predictability of the PLS regression model is considered to be due to the contribution of more spectral bands applied in it than that in the spectral indices. In addition, both the uninformative variable elimination PLS (UVE-PLS) technique and the best performed spectral index: MDATT, showed that the red-edge region (680–750 nm) was effective in estimating the chlorophyll content of vegetables with reflectance from two leaf surfaces. The combination of the PLS regression model and the red-edge region are insensitive to the difference between the adaxial and abaxial leaf structure and can be used for estimating the chlorophyll content of leafy green vegetables accurately.
An Event-Aware Cluster-Head Rotation Algorithm for Extending Lifetime of Wireless Sensor Network with Smart Nodes
Authors: Lewandowski Marcin , Płaczek Bartłomiej
Published: September 2019

Smart sensor nodes can process data collected from sensors, make decisions, and recognize relevant events based on the sensed information before sharing it with other nodes. In wireless sensor networks, the smart sensor nodes are usually grouped in clusters for effective cooperation. One sensor node in each cluster must act as a cluster head. The cluster head depletes its energy resources faster than the other nodes. Thus, the cluster-head role must be periodically reassigned (rotated) to different sensor nodes to achieve a long lifetime of wireless sensor network. This paper introduces a method for extending the lifetime of the wireless sensor networks with smart nodes. The proposed method combines a new algorithm for rotating the cluster-head role among sensor nodes with suppression of unnecessary data transmissions. It enables effective control of the cluster-head rotation based on expected energy consumption of sensor nodes. The energy consumption is estimated using a lightweight model, which takes into account transmission probabilities. This method was implemented in a prototype of wireless sensor network. During experimental evaluation of the new method, detailed measurements of lifetime and energy consumption were conducted for a real wireless sensor network. Results of these realistic experiments have revealed that the lifetime of the sensor network is extended when using the proposed method in comparison with state-of-the-art cluster-head rotation algorithms.