bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL CARTOON IN JAKARTA POST E-PAPER
Authors: Permana Yan Reiza
Published: August 2019

This study was concerned on the way the author explores the hidden meaning and message in semiotics signification of President Jokowi cartoons in Jakarta Post e-paper. The writer focused on five cartoons of President Jokowi published by Jakarta Post e-paper and wanted to know about the hidden meaning and message that tried to convey by the Jakarta Post e-paper. Furthermore, this research covered an interdisciplinary study that scopes semiotics and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA, in which the researcher tried to unhook the messages and explain the linguistic means of that construct the hidden message and ideology of the cartoons. In conducting the research, the researcher used Peirce's semiotic and Van Dijk's ideological square model. The researcher used purposive sampling in taking data. The total of the data analyzed was five cartoons. From the analysis, the message conveyed in the first cartoon criticizes to President Jokowi’s decision which is rated as indifference. The second cartoon also criticizes President Jokowi rated as pretend to against china's exploration. Furthermore, the third cartoon criticizes President Jokowi controlled by some political parties. Meanwhile, the fourth cartoon criticizes President Jokowi as a President uneasily defeated in a political term, but ignoring the humanity, and the last cartoon criticizes about President Jokowi and Prabowo similarities with previous President in terms of attitudes. The researcher also got the linguistic as means of used to convey the message such as the choice of a figure of speech.
Encefalopatía neonatal de origen inflamatorio-infeccioso. Reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura
Authors: Medina-Alva María del Pilar , Alvarado-Merino Rosa Ysabel , Ticona-Vildoso Maricarmen , Valeriano-Valverde Eduar
Published: August 2019

La encefalopatía neonatal es la causa más común de atención neurológica en el recién nacido de término. Un porcentaje de los casos de encefalopatía se atribuye a eventos hipóxico-isquémicos intraparto, problemas metabólicos, accidentes cerebrovasculares y otras etiologías diversas, mientras que aproximadamente la tercera parte quedan sin una causa identificable.

 

La corioamnionitis y funisitis, procesos muchas veces silentes en la gestante, se han asociado desde hace muchos años a discapacidad en el niño, especialmente a parálisis cerebral, pero es más reciente la evidencia de que existe una respuesta inflamatoria fetal y encefalopatía aguda como proceso intermediario entre el mecanismo inflamatorio de la placenta y el cordón.

Se reporta un recién nacido de término con encefalopatía aguda grave de origen inflamatorio-infeccioso, demostrada por hallazgos placentarios, un cuadro clínico neurológico agudo y neuroimágenes compatibles.
Testing for Single Bubble Episode in the Nigerian Stock Market: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Iliyasu Jamilu , Saba Ndayezhin D.
Published: August 2019

This study tested for a single bubble episode in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) by utilizing monthly data on nominal and real all-share index (ASI) from January 2010 to December 2017. Analysis of data based on Sup Augmented Dickey-Fuller (SADF) test for bubble detection suggested non-existence of a bubble in the NSE between 2010 and 2017. Though there was an indication of one explosive episode in September 2011 at which the Dickey-Fuller statistic lied above the critical values sequence line. However, it was not a bubble but a short deviation from trend. The study also estimated a time-varying long memory parameter, using a fractionally-integrated autoregressive model to check the robustness of the SADF test and it provided further evidence on the absence of a bubble. These findings showed that the behaviour of stock prices was not driven by a bubble in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The study, therefore recommended that a time-to-time bubble diagnostic check on the exchange so that symptoms of a bubble can be early detected and managed to avoid losses that may result from the bust.
FACTORS RELATED TO THE SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Putra Kusuma Wijaya Ridi , Toonsiri Chanandchidadussadee
Published: August 2019

Background: Many tuberculosis sufferers experience recurrent events due to incomplete treatment processes. It is often found that tuberculosis sufferers re-enter the hospital because the condition is getting worse. Thus, factors related to the successfulness of the treatment of tuberculosis warrant identification. 

Objectives: This review was to summarize and identify the current literature related to the successful treatment of tuberculosis and its factors.

Design: A Whittemore and Knafl’s integrative review was used.

Data Sources: Data sources included four electronic databases: EBSCO, PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar to search literature published between 2002 and 2017.

Review methods: A systematic process was carried out to extract and analyze the data of all included studies.

Results: A total of 146 articles were deemed appropriate for the topic, but only 28 articles were included based on inclusion criteria. It was found that a wide range of factors related to the successful treatment of tuberculosis, including predisposing factors (socioeconomic, knowledge, psychological stress, and availability to access health service), reinforcing factor (family support and social stigma), and enabling factor (physician and nurse support).

Conclusion: Family support, socioeconomic, physician and nurse support, availability to access health services, social stigma, psychological stress, and knowledge were significant factors of the successful treatment of tuberculosis. For future research, the interventions to promote the program for decreasing the occurrence of the recurrent tuberculosis in the community need to consider these factors for the successful treatment of tuberculosis and collaborates with tuberculosis patients, family and health service for development of appropriate intervention.
Journalists’ vision of the evolution of the (metaphorical) ecosystem of communication on health and biomedicine
Authors: Revuelta Gema
Published: August 2019

This article analyses specialist journalists’ perception of transformations in public communication on health and biomedicine in Spain over the last two decades. A total of 20 semi-structured interviews were carried out. The analysis uses the metaphorical concept of “ecosystem”. According to the interviewees, the main “environmental” changes are technological (stressing the expansion and diversity of online information and the impact of social media). They perceive a multiplication and diversification among “information source-species”. Among these, the visibility of specialist sources (researchers and healthcare professionals) and civil associations (patients and consumers) has increased, but “opportunistic species”, such as promoters of fake news and pseudo-medicine, have also emerged. Health journalists rate their profession satisfactorily, while recognising that their working “environment” has deteriorated and perceiving a threat in the dependence on clickbait and social media positioning.
Biogas Production by Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Dairy Wastewater with the Crude Glycerol from Slaughterhouse Sludge Cake Transesterification
Authors: Chou Yu-Chun , Su Jung-Jeng
Published: August 2019

Excessive sludge in the wastewater treatment basins has to be removed periodically and collected as the form of sludge cake for promising good water quality of the effluent. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of biogas production by anaerobic co-digestion of dairy cattle wastewater and crude glycerol from transesterification of sludge cake. Different ratios of crude glycerol, i.e., 2, 4, and 8% (v/v), from the previous experiment were mixed with dairy cattle wastewater and inoculated with anaerobic sludge in cap-sealed 1-L serum bottles as anaerobic digesters. Although the 8% crude glycerol set showed the highest total biogas and methane production, low pH from volatile fatty acid accumulation decreased the removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, and suspended solids after a 14-d incubation period. The experimental sets with 2 and 4% of crude glycerol increased total methane production up to 177 and 226% compared to the control set, respectively. We found that addition of crude glycerol decreased removal efficiency of total solids and volatile solids. In our study, we proved that slaughterhouse sludge cake is a feasible feedstock for producing biogas through transesterification and anaerobic co-digestion.
Housing Horses in Individual Boxes Is a Challenge with Regard to Welfare
Authors: Ruet Alice , Lemarchand Julie , Parias Céline , Mach Núria , Moisan Marie-Pierre , Foury Aline , Briant Christine , Lansade Léa
Published: August 2019

Horses are mainly housed in individual boxes. This housing system is reported to be highly detrimental with regard to welfare and could trigger the expression of four behavioural indicators of a compromised welfare state: stereotypies, aggressiveness toward humans, unresponsiveness to the environment, and stress-related behaviours. The aim of this study was to identify housing and management factors that could alleviate the detrimental effects of individual boxes on welfare. A total of 187 horses were observed over 50 days by scan sampling. The impact of 12 factors was investigated on the expression of the four behavioural indicators in three different analyses. The results show that the majority of factors tested did not influence the expression of the behavioural indicators. Only three (straw bedding, a window opening onto the external environment, and a reduced quantity of concentrated feed) would have beneficial, although limited, effects. Furthermore, the longer the horses spent in individual boxes, the more likely they were to express unresponsiveness to the environment. To preserve the welfare of horses, it seems necessary to allow free exercise, interactions with conspecifics, and fibre consumption as often as possible, to ensure the satisfaction of the species’ behavioural and physiological needs.
Predictors of Outcomes in Patients with EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Receiving EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Buonerba Carlo , Iaccarino Simona , Dolce Pasquale , Pagliuca Martina , Izzo Michela , Scafuri Luca , Costabile Ferdinando , Riccio Vittorio , Ribera Dario , Mucci Brigitta , Carrano Simone , Picozzi Fernanda , Bosso Davide , Formisano Luigi , Bianco Roberto , De Placido Sabino , Di Lorenzo Giuseppe
Published: August 2019

Some commonly available patient or disease characteristics may be associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving EGFR-TKIs (epidermal growth factor receptor - tyrosine kinase inhibitors). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) to explore differences in outcomes associated with EGFR-TKIs among subgroups of EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients. Pooled HRs for progression or death (PFS-HRs) and pooled HRs for death (OS-HRs) were compared among sub-groups defined according to baseline clinical and demographic variables as well as type of EGFR mutation. In the entire assessable population of 4465 EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients, significant interactions with PFS were found for gender (males vs. females; pooled ratio of the PFS-HRs = 1.2; 95% CI 1.12–1.56), smoking history (smokers vs. non-smokers; pooled ratio of the PFS-HRs = 1.26; 95% CI 1.05–1.51), and type of EGFR mutation (patients with exon 21 L858R mutation vs. exon 19 deletion; pooled ratio of the PFS-HRs = 1.39; 95% CI 1.18–1.63). Male patients, smokers and patients with EGFR exon 21 L858R mutation may derive less benefit from EGFR-TKIs compared to female patients, non-smokers and patients with EGFR exon 19 deletion.
Health-Related Quality of Life during Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Impacts and Ethnic Disparities
Authors: Lim Stephanie Hui-Su , Ip Emilia , Ng Weng , Chua Wei , Asghari Ray , Roohullah Aflah , Descallar Joseph , Henderson Christopher , Spring Kevin , de Souza Paul , King Madeleine T.
Published: August 2019

Aims: There is limited data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in locally advanced rectal cancer. We assessed HRQoL before, during and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation, correlated this to corresponding clinician-reported adverse events (CR-AEs) and explored disparities between patients of Asian ethnicity versus Caucasians. Correlation between HRQoL and treatment response was also assessed. Methods: A consecutive sample of patients was recruited. HRQoL was assessed with the EORTC QLQ-C30 before chemoradiation, week three of chemoradiation and one-week pre-surgery. Clinical variables including CR-AEs were recorded at these time-points. Patients self-reported socio-demographic variables. Treatment response was assessed by the tumour regression grade. HRQoL data were analysed with multilevel models. Results: Fifty-one patients were recruited. HRQoL completion rates were ≥86%. Cognitive and role functioning worsened significantly during treatment. Emotional, role and social functioning improved significantly at pre-surgery. Fatigue and nausea/vomiting worsened during treatment while fatigue, appetite loss, diarrhoea and financial difficulties improved from treatment to pre-surgery. Almost 30% of the cohort were Asian ethnicity. Differences were found in multiple HRQoL domains between Asians and Caucasians, with Asians faring worse. Significant differences were evident in physical, role and cognitive functioning, and in seven out of the 8 symptom scales. The correlation between patient-reported outcomes and clinician-reported outcomes was weak, with diarrhoea having the strongest correlation (r = 0.58). Vomiting during treatment correlated with poor response, whilst baseline constipation correlated with good response. Conclusion: Chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer affects multiple HRQoL domains. Our findings highlight the importance of psychological aspects of treatment. Significant differences were identified between the Asian and Caucasian populations, with Asians consistently performing worse. Poor correlations between patient and clinician reporting strongly support the inclusion of patient-reported outcomes in clinical studies. HRQoL domains of vomiting and constipation are potential biomarkers of treatment response.
Glycolipids Recognized by A2B5 Antibody Promote Proliferation, Migration, and Clonogenicity in Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Baeza-Kallee Nathalie , Bergès Raphaël , Soubéran Aurélie , Colin Carole , Denicolaï Emilie , Appay Romain , Tchoghandjian Aurélie , Figarella-Branger Dominique
Published: August 2019

A2B5+ cells isolated from human glioblastomas exhibit cancer stem cell properties. The A2B5 epitope belongs to the sialoganglioside family and is synthetized by the ST8 alpha-N-acetyl-neuraminidase α-2,8-sialyltransferase 3 (ST8SIA3) enzyme. Glycolipids represent attractive targets for solid tumors; therefore, the aim of this study was to decipher A2B5 function in glioblastomas. To this end, we developed cell lines expressing various levels of A2B5 either by genetically manipulating ST8SIA3 or by using neuraminidase. The overexpression of ST8SIA3 in low-A2B5-expressing cells resulted in a dramatic increase of A2B5 immunoreactivity. ST8SIA3 overexpression increased cell proliferation, migration, and clonogenicity in vitro and tumor growth when cells were intracranially grafted. Conversely, lentiviral ST8SIA3 inactivation in low-A2B5-expressing cells resulted in reduced proliferation, migration, and clonogenicity in vitro and extended mouse survival. Furthermore, in the shST8SIA3 cells, we found an active apoptotic phenotype. In high-A2B5-expressing cancer stem cells, lentiviral delivery of shST8SIA3 stopped cell growth. Neuraminidase treatment, which modifies the A2B5 epitope, impaired cell survival, proliferation, self-renewal, and migration. Our findings prove the crucial role of the A2B5 epitope in the promotion of proliferation, migration, clonogenicity, and tumorigenesis, pointing at A2B5 as an attractive therapeutic target for glioblastomas.
Flights of a Multirotor UAS with Structural Faults: Failures on Composite Propeller(s)
Authors: Gururajan Srikanth , Mitchell Kyle , Ebel William
Published: August 2019

Data acquired from several flights of a custom-fabricated Hexacopter Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) with composite structure (carbon fiber arms and central hub) and composite (carbon fiber) propellers are described in this article. The Hexacopter was assembled from a commercially available kit (Tarot 690) and flown in manual and autonomous modes. Takeoffs and landings were under manual control and the bulk of the flight tests was conducted with the Hexacopter in a “position hold” mode. All flights were flown within the UAS flight cage at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology at Saint Louis University for approximately 5 min each. Several failure conditions (different types, artificially induced) on the composite (carbon fiber) propellers were tested, including failures on up to two propellers. The dataset described in this article contains flight data from the onboard flight controller (Pixhawk) as well as three accelerometers, each with three axes, mounted on the arms of the Hexacopter UAS. The data are included as supplemental material.
Considerations about Flip Education in the Teaching of Advanced Mathematics
Authors: Jordán Cristina , Magreñán Ángel , Orcos Lara
Published: August 2019

The changes in our society in recent years and the consequent idiosyncrasy of young people demand new teaching methodologies. The methodology known as flip teaching, in which pupils study the subject before the class experience, using the material given by the teacher, makes it possible to turn the classroom into a place to solve different problems, to introduce new advanced concepts and to participate throughout collaborative learning in the classroom. Parallel to the social transformation, Information and Communication Technologies, also known as ICT, have undergone an important development accompanied by a clear reduction in costs and ease of use of different devices to create and edit quality videos, as well as the possibility of disseminating them on the network. In this way, the didactic material provided to the student can be in video format, which let us to be closer to students and also allow them to revise the class everywhere and all the times they need. In this work, we present and discuss the results of an experience carried out over several years with students of first and fourth grade of the subjects Discrete Mathematics and graphs, models and applications, respectively, at the Universitat Politècnica de València, in relation to the acceptance, advantages and drawbacks of flip teaching.
Design of a 335 GHz Frequency Multiplier Source Based on Two Schemes
Authors: Meng Jin , Zhang Dehai , Ji Guangyu , Yao Changfei , Jiang Changhong , Liu Siyu
Published: August 2019

Based on a W-band high-power source, two schemes are proposed to realize a 335 GHz frequency multiplier source. The first scheme involves producing a 335 GHz signal with a two-stage doubler. The first doubler adopts two-way power-combined technology and the second stage is a 335 GHz doubler using a balanced circuit to suppress the odd harmonics. The measured output power was about 17.9 and 1.5 dBm at 167.5 and 335 GHz, respectively. The other scheme involves producing a 335 GHz signal with a single-stage quadrupler built on 50 µm thick quartz circuit adopting an unbalanced structure. The advantage of the unbalanced structure is that it can provide bias to the diodes without an on-chip capacitor, which is hard to realize with discrete devices. The measured output power was about 5.8 dBm at 337 GHz when driven with 22.9 dBm. Such 335 GHz frequency multiplier sources are widely used in terahertz imaging, radiometers, and so on.
Cost Allocation Mechanism Design for Urban Utility Tunnel Construction Based on Cooperative Game and Resource Dependence Theory
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Ren Jiaorong , Xiao Kaichao , Lin Zhenzhi , Xu Jiayu , Wang Wei , Pei Chuanxun
Published: August 2019

The urban utility tunnel presents solutions for the sustainable development of urban underground space, and is an important carrier of power distribution network and integrated energy systems. Considering the high investment cost of utility tunnels and the limitations of traditional cost sharing methods (i.e., spatial proportional method, direct-laying cost method and benefit-based proportional method), it is of great significance to establish a fair and practical cost sharing mechanism. First, an improved Shapley value-based spatial proportional method is proposed. A comprehensive decision-making mechanism for utility tunnel construction cost allocation is established by using the improved spatial proportion, the life-cycle direct-laying cost proportion, and the benefit proportion of pipeline companies as the cost allocation indexes. The resource dependence theory is introduced to quantify the bargaining power of each pipeline company in the negotiation of the cost allocation. The weights of the cost allocation indexes in the comprehensive decision-making model are optimized with the objective of maximizing the overall satisfaction of the pipeline companies. Simulations based on the data of utility tunnel pilots in China illustrate that the proposed cost allocation mechanism has the highest overall satisfaction and is more acceptable and more feasible than the traditional cost allocation methods. For power companies, the cost of laying power cables can be significantly reduced by utility tunnels, and laying 10 kV power cables has been shown to have higher economic benefits.
A Deep Peak Regulation Auxiliary Service Bidding Strategy for CHP Units Based on a Risk-Averse Model and District Heating Network Energy Storage
Authors: Tian Liang , Xie Yunlei , Hu Bo , Liu Xinping , Deng Tuoyu , Luo Huanhuan , Li Fengqiang
Published: August 2019

With the advance of China’s power system reform, combined heat and power (CHP) units can participate in multi-energy market. In order to maximize CHP profit in a multi-energy market, a bidding strategy for deep peak regulation auxiliary service of a CHP based on a two-stage stochastic programming risk-averse model and district heating network (DHN) energy storage was proposed. The quotation set of competitors and load uncertainty was modeled with a Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) method. A dynamic queuing method was used to clear the market for the deep peak regulation auxiliary service to determine the bidding capacities of CHPs in the electricity market and the deep peak regulation auxiliary service market, respectively. Finally, the conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) indicator is used to measure the risk brought by the system uncertainty to the CHP, and the quotation coefficient is determined after considering the expected profit and risk profit comprehensively. The results of the example show that the profits produced by simultaneous participation in both electricity market and the deep peak regulation auxiliary service market are increased by approximately 9.5% compared with the profits produced by only participation in a single market. In addition, the use of DHN energy storage led to a profit increase of approximately 4.6%. As the risk aversion coefficient increases, the expected profit will be further reduced.
Blockchain in Energy Efficiency: Potential Applications and Benefits
Authors: Khatoon Asma , Verma Piyush , Southernwood Jo , Massey Beth , Corcoran Peter
Published: August 2019

Blockchain technology is ready to disrupt nearly every industry and business model, and the energy sector is no exception. Energy businesses across the world have already started exploring the use of blockchain technology in large-scale energy trading systems, peer-to-peer energy trading, project financing, supply chain tracking, and asset management among other applications. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) recently started revolutionizing the energy landscape, and now blockchain technology is providing an additional opportunity to make the energy system more intelligent, efficient, transparent, and secure in the longer term. The idea of this paper is to examine more closely the use of blockchain technology for its possible application in the energy efficiency industry and to determine how it could make energy efficiency markets more secure and transparent in the longer term. This paper examines in detail the key benefits and implications of using blockchain in the energy efficiency sector through the presentation and discussion of two case studies as possible blockchain applications—(i) the UK Energy Company Obligation scheme and (ii) the Italian White Certificate Scheme. We have presented how the key issues around trading energy efficiency savings—correctly estimating the savings, data transparency among stakeholders, and inefficient administrative processes—can be solved through the application of a blockchain-based smart contract system. Finally, this paper presents an implementation of a smart contract for trading of energy-saving certificates achieved via execution of smart contract transactions on the Ethereum blockchain.
Synthesis of Bi2O3-MnO2 Nanocomposite Electrode for Wide-Potential Window High Performance Supercapacitor
Authors: Singh Saurabh , Sahoo Rakesh K. , Shinde Nanasaheb M. , Yun Je Moon , Mane Rajaram S. , Kim Kwang Ho
Published: August 2019

In this work, we report the synthesis of a Bi2O3-MnO2 nanocomposite as an electrochemical supercapacitor (ES) electrode via a simple, low-cost, eco-friendly, and low-temperature solid-state chemical process followed by air annealing. This as-synthesized nanocomposite was initially examined in terms of its structure, morphology, phase purity, and surface area using different analytical techniques and thereafter subjected to electrochemical measurements. Its electrochemical performance demonstrated excellent supercapacitive properties in a wide potential window. Its specific capacitance was able to reach 161 F g−1 at a current density of 1A g−1 and then showed a superior rate capability up to 10 A g−1. Furthermore, it demonstrated promising cycling stability at 5 A g−1 with 95% retention even after 10,000 charge–discharge cycles in a wide potential window of 1.3 V, evidencing the synergistic impact of both Bi2O3 and MnO2 in the Bi2O3-MnO2 ES electrode. Additionally, the practical reliability of the envisioned electrode was ascertained by the fabrication of a symmetric Bi2O3-MnO2//Bi2O3-MnO2 pencil-type supercapacitor device that displayed an energy density of 18.4 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 600 W kg−1 and a substantial cyclic stability up to 5000 cycles. Subsequently, an LED was also powered at its full brightness using three of these devices connected in series in order to demonstrate the real-time application of the Bi2O3-MnO2 ES electrode.
Changes in the Structure of Electricity Generation in Poland in View of the EU Climate Package
Authors: Gawlik Lidia , Mokrzycki Eugeniusz
Published: August 2019

The fuel mix of electricity generation in Poland is currently based predominantly on solid fuels. In addition, the generation power base is outdated. Many of the generating units are inefficient, uneconomic, and do not comply ecological standards, so they should be withdrawn from use in the near future. Poland, which consumes approximately 170 TWh of electricity, needs to determine the direction of the further development of the energy sector. The concepts of covering domestic demand for electricity were outlined by the government in the draft Energy Policy of Poland until 2040, where it was pointed out that the most important pillars of the Energy Policy should be the following: The energy security of the country, competitiveness, and the improvement of the energy efficiency of the economy, as well as limiting the impact on the environment. The article presents the current state of the Polish power sector and the directional changes planned by the government in the area of new capacities for the power industry. The authors present a critical evaluation of this document indicating the opportunities and threats in the area of its implementation. In contrast to many European countries, the Polish government is not considering coal phase-out.
A Stochastic Model for Residential User Activity Simulation
Authors: Liu Xiufeng , Yang Yanyan , Li Rongling , Sieverts Nielsen Per
Published: August 2019

User activities is an important input to energy modelling, simulation and performance studies of residential buildings. However, it is often difficult to obtain detailed data on user activities and related energy consumption data. This paper presents a stochastic model based on Markov chain to simulate user activities of the households with one or more family members, and formalizes the simulation processes under different conditions. A data generator is implemented to create fine-grained activity sequences that require only a small sample of time-use survey data as a seed. This paper evaluates the data generator by comparing the generated synthetic data with real data, and comparing other related work. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed modelling approach and the efficiency of generating realistic residential user activities.
Understory Plant Functional Types Alter Stoichiometry Correlations between Litter and Soil in Chinese Fir Plantations with N and P Addition
Authors: Xie Junyi , Fang Haifu , Zhang Qiang , Chen Mengyun , Xu Xintong , Pan Jun , Gao Yu , Fang Xiangmin , Guo Xiaomin , Zhang Ling
Published: August 2019

Research Highlights: This study identifies the effect of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) addition on stoichiometry correlations between understory plants and soil in subtropical Chinese fir plantations. Background and Objectives: Nitrogen and P are two nutrients limiting forest ecosystem production. To obtain more wood production, N and P are usually applied in plantation management. Changes in soil N and P will generally alter the stoichiometric characteristics of understory plants, which control carbon (C) and nutrient cycles between plants and soil. However, different correlations between plant and soil stoichiometry among functional groups of understory plants have not been investigated, which also impacted element cycling between plants and soil. Materials and Methods: Subtropical Chinese fir plantations were selected for N (100 kg ha−1 year−1) and P (50 kg ha−1 year−1) addition study. We collected fresh litter and the corresponding soil of four understory plants (Lophatherum gracile Brongn., Woodwardia japonica (L.f.) Sm., Dryopteris atrata (Kunze) Ching and Dicranopteris dichotoma (Thunb.) Berhn.) for study of C, N, and P stoichiometric ratios. Results: Nitrogen and P addition affected C, N, and P concentrations and stoichiometric ratios in litter and soil as well as correlations between litter and soil stoichiometric ratios. Understory plant species with different functional types impacted the correlations between plants and soil in C, N, and P stoichiometric ratios, especially correlations between litter C and soil C and N. Conclusions: Changes in soil N and P affect the stoichiometric ratios of understory plants. Functional groups impacted the correlation in C, N, and P stoichiometric ratios between plants and soil, indicating functional groups varied in their impacts on element cycling between plants and soil in plantations with exogenous nutrient addition, which should be considered in future management of plantations with intensive fertilization practice.
New Ensemble Models for Shallow Landslide Susceptibility Modeling in a Semi-Arid Watershed
Authors: Tien Bui Dieu , Shirzadi Ataollah , Shahabi Himan , Geertsema Marten , Omidvar Ebrahim , Clague John , Thai Pham Binh , Dou Jie , Talebpour Asl Dawood , Bin Ahmad Baharin , Lee Saro
Published: August 2019

We prepared a landslide susceptibility map for the Sarkhoon watershed, Chaharmahal-w-bakhtiari, Iran, using novel ensemble artificial intelligence approaches. A classifier of support vector machine (SVM) was employed as a base classifier, and four Meta/ensemble classifiers, including Adaboost (AB), bagging (BA), rotation forest (RF), and random subspace (RS), were used to construct new ensemble models. SVM has been used previously to spatially predict landslides, but not together with its ensembles. We selected 20 conditioning factors and randomly portioned 98 landslide locations into training (70%) and validating (30%) groups. Several statistical metrics, including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, kappa, root mean square error (RMSE), and area under the receiver operatic characteristic curve (AUC), were used for model comparison and validation. Using the One-R Attribute Evaluation (ORAE) technique, we found that all 20 conditioning factors were significant in identifying landslide locations, but “distance to road” was found to be the most important. The RS (AUC = 0.837) and RF (AUC = 0.834) significantly improved the goodness-of-fit and prediction accuracy of the SVM (AUC = 0.810), whereas the BA (AUC = 0.807) and AB (AUC = 0.779) did not. The random subspace based support vector machine (RSSVM) model is a promising technique for helping to better manage land in landslide-prone areas.
Eukaryote Genes Are More Likely than Prokaryote Genes to Be Composites
Authors: Ou Yaqing , McInerney James O.
Published: August 2019

The formation of new genes by combining parts of existing genes is an important evolutionary process. Remodelled genes, which we call composites, have been investigated in many species, however, their distribution across all of life is still unknown. We set out to examine the extent to which genomes from cells and mobile genetic elements contain composite genes. We identify composite genes as those that show partial homology to at least two unrelated component genes. In order to identify composite and component genes, we constructed sequence similarity networks (SSNs) of more than one million genes from all three domains of life, as well as viruses and plasmids. We identified non-transitive triplets of nodes in this network and explored the homology relationships in these triplets to see if the middle nodes were indeed composite genes. In total, we identified 221,043 (18.57%) composites genes, which were distributed across all genomic and functional categories. In particular, the presence of composite genes is statistically more likely in eukaryotes than prokaryotes.
Molecular Therapies for Inherited Retinal Diseases—Current Standing, Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Vázquez-Domínguez Irene , Garanto Alejandro , Collin Rob W. J.
Published: August 2019

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are both genetically and clinically highly heterogeneous and have long been considered incurable. Following the successful development of a gene augmentation therapy for biallelic RPE65-associated IRD, this view has changed. As a result, many different therapeutic approaches are currently being developed, in particular a large variety of molecular therapies. These are depending on the severity of the retinal degeneration, knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanism underlying each subtype of IRD, and the therapeutic target molecule. DNA therapies include approaches such as gene augmentation therapy, genome editing and optogenetics. For some genetic subtypes of IRD, RNA therapies and compound therapies have also shown considerable therapeutic potential. In this review, we summarize the current state-of-the-art of various therapeutic approaches, including the pros and cons of each strategy, and outline the future challenges that lie ahead in the combat against IRDs.
The Use of the Internet of Things for Estimating Personal Pollution Exposure
Authors: Arano Keith April G. , Sun Shengjing , Ordieres-Mere Joaquin , Gong and Bing
Published: August 2019

This paper proposes a framework for an Air Quality Decision Support System (AQDSS), and as a proof of concept, develops an Internet of Things (IoT) application based on this framework. This application was assessed by means of a case study in the City of Madrid. We employed different sensors and combined outdoor and indoor data with spatiotemporal activity patterns to estimate the Personal Air Pollution Exposure (PAPE) of an individual. This pilot case study presents evidence that PAPE can be estimated by employing indoor air quality monitors and e-beacon technology that have not previously been used in similar studies and have the advantages of being low-cost and unobtrusive to the individual. In future work, our IoT application can be extended to include prediction models, enabling dynamic feedback about PAPE risks. Furthermore, PAPE data from this type of application could be useful for air quality policy development as well as in epidemiological studies that explore the effects of air pollution on certain diseases.
Socio-Cultural Adaptation and Its Related Factors for Chinese Medical Aid Team Members (CMATMs) in Africa
Authors: Chen Xiaochang , Liu Xiaojun , Mao Zongfu
Published: August 2019

Chinese Medical Aid Team Members (CMATMs) have a significant impact on the implementation of China’s health assistance strategies in Africa. The socio-cultural adaptation of CMATMs not only relates to the psychological situation and life quality of each member of the medical aid team, but also to the health aid performance of every single member and the medical aid team as a whole. This study evaluated CMATMs’ socio-cultural adaptation and its related factors. This was a cross-sectional survey study. The participants’ socio-cultural adaptation was measured by the Chinese version of the Socio-cultural Adaptation Scale (CSCAS). Stepwise multiple linear regression models were used to identify the main factors that are associated with CMATMs’ socio-cultural adaptation in general and in each dimension. The present study demonstrated that, to some extent, CMATMs are facing problems in socio-cultural adaptation, specifically in interaction. The type of service region, annual aid income, and length of service were identified as the main factors that were the most predictive of the CMATMs’ socio-cultural adaptation in Africa. This study obtained baseline information that is useful to relevant stakeholders in their attempts to improve CMATMs’ socio-cultural adaptation.
Acute Effects of a Speed Training Program on Sprinting Step Kinematics and Performance
Authors: Mackala Krzysztof , Fostiak Marek , Schweyen Brian , Osik Tadeusz , Coch Milan
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of speed training on sprint step kinematics and performance in male sprinters. Two groups of seven elite (best 100-m time: 10.37 ± 0.04 s) and seven sub-elite (best 100-m time: 10.71 ± 0.15 s) sprinters were recruited. Sprint performance was assessed in the 20 m (flying start), 40 m (standing start), and 60 m (starting block start). Step kinematics were extracted from the first nine running steps of the 20-m sprint using the Opto-Jump–Microgate system. Explosive power was quantified by performing the CMJ, standing long jump, standing triple jump, and standing five jumps. Significant post-test improvements (p < 0.05) were observed in both groups of sprinters. Performance improved by 0.11 s (elite) and 0.06 s (sub-elite) in the 20-m flying start and by 0.06 s (elite) and 0.08 s (sub-elite) in the 60-m start block start. Strong post-test correlations were observed between 60-m block start performance and standing five jumps (SFJ) in the elite group and between 20-m flying start and 40-m standing start performance and standing long jump (SLJ) and standing triple jump (STJ) in the sub-elite group. Speed training (ST) shows potential in the reduction of step variability and as an effective short-term intervention program in the improvement of sprint performance.
Education and Lifestyle Factors Are Associated with DNA Methylation Clocks in Older African Americans
Authors: Zhao Wei , Ammous Farah , Ratliff Scott , Liu Jiaxuan , Yu Miao , Mosley Thomas H. , Kardia Sharon L. R. , Smith Jennifer A.
Published: August 2019

DNA methylation (DNAm) clocks are important biomarkers of cellular aging and are associated with a variety of age-related chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. Examining the relationship between education and lifestyle risk factors for age-related diseases and multiple DNAm clocks can increase the understanding of how risk factors contribute to aging at the cellular level. This study explored the association between education or lifestyle risk factors for age-related diseases and the acceleration of four DNAm clocks, including intrinsic (IEAA) and extrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (EEAA), PhenoAge acceleration (PhenoAA), and GrimAge acceleration (GrimAA) in the African American participants of the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy. We performed both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. In cross-sectional analyses, gender, education, BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption were all independently associated with GrimAA, whereas only some of them were associated with other clocks. The effect of smoking and education on GrimAA varied by gender. Longitudinal analyses suggest that age and BMI continued to increase GrimAA, and that age and current smoking continued to increase PhenoAA after controlling DNAm clocks at baseline. In conclusion, education and common lifestyle risk factors were associated with multiple DNAm clocks. However, the association with each risk factor varied by clock, which suggests that different clocks may capture adverse effects from different environmental stimuli.
Fine Tuning: Effects of Post-Translational Modification on Hsp70 Chaperones
Authors: Griffith Alijah A. , Holmes William
Published: August 2019

The discovery of heat shock proteins shaped our view of protein folding in the cell. Since their initial discovery, chaperone proteins were identified in all domains of life, demonstrating their vital and conserved functional roles in protein homeostasis. Chaperone proteins maintain proper protein folding in the cell by utilizing a variety of distinct, characteristic mechanisms to prevent aberrant intermolecular interactions, prevent protein aggregation, and lower entropic costs to allow for protein refolding. Continued study has found that chaperones may exhibit alternative functions, including maintaining protein folding during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) import and chaperone-mediated degradation, among others. Alternative chaperone functions are frequently controlled by post-translational modification, in which a given chaperone can switch between functions through covalent modification. This review will focus on the Hsp70 class chaperones and their Hsp40 co-chaperones, specifically highlighting the importance of post-translational control of chaperones. These modifications may serve as a target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of diseases of protein misfolding and aggregation.
A Cyclic Pentamethinium Salt Induces Cancer Cell Cytotoxicity through Mitochondrial Disintegration and Metabolic Collapse
Authors: Krejcir Radovan , Krcova Lucie , Zatloukalova Pavlina , Briza Tomas , Coates Philip J. , Sterba Martin , Muller Petr , Kralova Jarmila , Martasek Pavel , Kral Vladimir , Vojtesek Borivoj
Published: August 2019

Cancer cells preferentially utilize glycolysis for ATP production even in aerobic conditions (the Warburg effect) and adapt mitochondrial processes to their specific needs. Recent studies indicate that altered mitochondrial activities in cancer represent an actionable target for therapy. We previously showed that salt 1-3C, a quinoxaline unit (with cytotoxic activity) incorporated into a meso-substituted pentamethinium salt (with mitochondrial selectivity and fluorescence properties), displayed potent cytotoxic effects in vitro and in vivo, without significant toxic effects to normal tissues. Here, we investigated the cytotoxic mechanism of salt 1-3C compared to its analogue, salt 1-8C, with an extended side carbon chain. Live cell imaging demonstrated that salt 1-3C, but not 1-8C, is rapidly incorporated into mitochondria, correlating with increased cytotoxicity of salt 1-3C. The accumulation in mitochondria led to their fragmentation and loss of function, accompanied by increased autophagy/mitophagy. Salt 1-3C preferentially activated AMP-activated kinase and inhibited mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways, sensors of cellular metabolism, but did not induce apoptosis. These data indicate that salt 1-3C cytotoxicity involves mitochondrial perturbation and disintegration, and such compounds are promising candidates for targeting mitochondria as a weak spot of cancer.
The Human Ovary and Future of Fertility Assessment in the Post-Genome Era
Authors: Ouni Emna , Vertommen Didier , Amorim Christiani A.
Published: August 2019

Proteomics has opened up new avenues in the field of gynecology in the post-genome era, making it possible to meet patient needs more effectively and improve their care. This mini-review aims to reveal the scope of proteomic applications through an overview of the technique and its applications in assisted procreation. Some of the latest technologies in this field are described in order to better understand the perspectives of its clinical applications. Proteomics seems destined for a promising future in gynecology, more particularly in relation to the ovary. Nevertheless, we know that reproductive biology proteomics is still in its infancy and major technical and ethical challenges must first be overcome.
Transcriptomic and Metabolomics Analysis of Different Endosperm Region under Nitrogen Treatments
Authors: Ma Dongyun , Gao Honghuan , Du Chenyang , Li Lingli , Sun Wan , Liu Sujun , Wang Chenyang , Xie Yingxin , Kang Guozhang
Published: August 2019

Storage protein distribution in wheat-grain endosperm is heterogeneous, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Two parts of the endosperm region, the innermost endosperm (IE) region and the remaining endosperm (RE) region, grown under low nitrogen (LN) and high nitrogen (HN) treatments were used to perform metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis. We identified 533 and 503 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with at least a two-fold expression change (p < 0.05) between IE and RE, among which 81 and 78 transcripts under LN and HN, respectively, related to carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and encoded transcription factors or proteins involved in post-translational modification (PTM). The significantly differentially abundant metabolites between IE and RE were mainly amino acids, N-compounds, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. More upregulated transcripts and metabolites were identified in RE than IE under HN conditions, indicating that HN activates metabolism in the endosperm periphery. In addition to carbon and nitrogen metabolism, transcription factors and protein PTMs, such as phosphorylation and acetylation, might determine the protein heterogeneous distribution between IE and RE and its response to nitrogen fertilizer supply.