bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Mechanical Properties of Corroded Prestressing Strands
Authors: Jeon Chi-Ho , Nguyen Cuong Duy , Shim Chang-Su
Published: June 2020

The corrosion of prestressing steel in prestressed concrete bridges is a critical issue for bridge maintenance. To assess structures with corroded strands, it is necessary to define the mechanical properties of the strands and their influence on the structural behavior. In this study, corroded strands were taken from external tendons in existing post-tensioned concrete bridges and tested to determine the effects of corrosion on their tensile properties. Empirical equations for the tensile strength and ductility of the corroded strands were proposed using test results. The most corroded wire governs the mechanical properties of the strand. Experiments on prestressed concrete beams with a single corroded strand were conducted to investigate their structural behavior. A reduction in the flexural strength and maximum deformation was observed in these experiments. According to the section loss of a wire in a strand and its location in a beam, the flexural capacity can be evaluated using the proposed equation. The reduced ultimate strain of the corroded strand can be the governing factor of the flexural strength.
Modularity-Based Incremental Label Propagation Algorithm for Community Detection
Authors: Ma Yunlong , Zhao Yukai , Wang Jingwei , Liu Min , Shen Weiming , Ma Yumin
Published: June 2020

Label Propagation Algorithm (LPA) is a fast community detection algorithm. However, since each node is randomly assigned a different label at first, there is serious randomness in the label updating process of LPA, resulting in great instability of detection results. This paper proposes a modularity-based incremental LPA (MILPA) to address this problem. Unlike LPA, MILPA first assigns all nodes the same label, and then repeatedly uses divide strategy to split locally dense connected nodes into a community and give them a new label. After that, MILPA uses modularity gain as the optimization function to fine-tune the label of nodes so as to obtain an optimal partition. The proposed MILPA has been compared with LPA and other known methods. Experimental results show that MILPA has the best and most stable performance in LFR benchmark networks and is comparable to the best algorithm in many real networks.
Extraction of Quasi-Monochromatic Gravity Waves from an Airglow Imager Network
Authors: Lai Chang , Li Wei , Xu Jiyao , Liu Xiao , Yuan Wei , Yue Jia , Li Qinzeng
Published: June 2020

An algorithm has been developed to isolate the gravity waves (GWs) of different scales from airglow images. Based on the discrete wavelet transform, the images are decomposed and then reconstructed in a series of mutually orthogonal spaces, each of which takes a Daubechies (db) wavelet of a certain scale as a basis vector. The GWs in the original airglow image are stripped to the peeled image reconstructed in each space, and the scale of wave patterns in a peeled image corresponds to the scale of the db wavelet as a basis vector. In each reconstructed image, the extracted GW is quasi-monochromatic. An adaptive band-pass filter is applied to enhance the GW structures. From an ensembled airglow image with a coverage of 2100 km × 1200 km using an all-sky airglow imager (ASAI) network, the quasi-monochromatic wave patterns are extracted using this algorithm. GWs range from ripples with short wavelength of 20 km to medium-scale GWs with a wavelength of 590 km. The images are denoised, and the propagating characteristics of GWs with different wavelengths are derived separately.
Characterization of Synthetic Tf2 as a NaV1.3 Selective Pharmacological Probe
Authors: Israel Mathilde R. , Dash Thomas S. , Bothe Stefanie N. , Robinson Samuel D. , Deuis Jennifer R. , Craik David J. , Lampert Angelika , Vetter Irina , Durek Thomas
Published: June 2020

NaV1.3 is a subtype of the voltage-gated sodium channel family. It has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain, although the contribution of this channel to neuronal excitability is not well understood. Tf2, a β-scorpion toxin previously identified from the venom of Tityus fasciolatus, has been reported to selectively activate NaV1.3. Here, we describe the activity of synthetic Tf2 and assess its suitability as a pharmacological probe for NaV1.3. As described for the native toxin, synthetic Tf2 (1 µM) caused early channel opening, decreased the peak current, and shifted the voltage dependence of NaV1.3 activation in the hyperpolarizing direction by −11.3 mV, with no activity at NaV1.1, NaV1.2, and NaV1.4-NaV1.8. Additional activity was found at NaV1.9, tested using the hNav1.9_C4 chimera, where Tf2 (1 µM) shifted the voltage dependence of activation by −6.3 mV. In an attempt to convert Tf2 into an NaV1.3 inhibitor, we synthetized the analogue Tf2[S14R], a mutation previously described to remove the excitatory activity of related β-scorpion toxins. Indeed, Tf2[S14R](10 µM) had reduced excitatory activity at NaV1.3, although it still caused a small −5.8 mV shift in the voltage dependence of activation. Intraplantar injection of Tf2 (1 µM) in mice caused spontaneous flinching and swelling, which was not reduced by the NaV1.1/1.3 inhibitor ICA-121431 nor in NaV1.9-/- mice, suggesting off-target activity. In addition, despite a loss of excitatory activity, intraplantar injection of Tf2[S14R](10 µM) still caused swelling, providing strong evidence that Tf2 has additional off-target activity at one or more non-neuronal targets. Therefore, due to activity at NaV1.9 and other yet to be identified target(s), the use of Tf2 as a selective pharmacological probe may be limited.
Extensive Evaluation of Morphological Statistical Harmonization for Brain Age Prediction
Authors: Lombardi Angela , Amoroso Nicola , Diacono Domenico , Monaco Alfonso , Tangaro Sabina , Bellotti Roberto
Published: June 2020

Characterizing both neurodevelopmental and aging brain structural trajectories is important for understanding normal biological processes and atypical patterns that are related to pathological phenomena. Initiatives to share open access morphological data contributed significantly to the advance in brain structure characterization. Indeed, such initiatives allow large brain morphology multi-site datasets to be shared, which increases the statistical sensitivity of the outcomes. However, using neuroimaging data from multi-site studies requires harmonizing data across the site to avoid bias. In this work we evaluated three different harmonization techniques on the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) dataset for age prediction analysis in two groups of subjects (i.e., controls and autism spectrum disorder). We extracted the morphological features from T1-weighted images of a mixed cohort of 654 subjects acquired from 17 sites to predict the biological age of the subjects using three machine learning regression models. A machine learning framework was developed to quantify the effects of the different harmonization strategies on the final performance of the models and on the set of morphological features that are relevant to the age prediction problem in both the presence and absence of pathology. The results show that, even if two harmonization strategies exhibit similar accuracy of predictive models, a greater mismatch occurs between the sets of most age-related predictive regions for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) subjects. Thus, we propose to use a stability index to extract meaningful features for a robust clinical validation of the outcomes of multiple harmonization strategies.
Preference for Masculine or Feminine Gender Roles and Its Relationship to Well-Being in Transgender Persons: Comparing Pre-Treatment, Hormonal Therapy, and Post-Surgery Groups
Authors: Kumchenko Sergey , Rasskazova Elena , Tkhostov Aleksander , Emelin Vadim
Published: June 2020

This article aims at identifying different preferences for gender roles in transgender persons and the associations of those preferences with well-being at the different stages of medical transition. A total of 148 Russian transgender subjects (64 in pre-treatment, 41 in hormonal therapy, and 43 in hormonal therapy after some surgery) and 120 Russian cisgender persons filled out the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2. The transgender participants were less satisfied with their lives than the cisgender individuals, and less frequently preferred masculine gender roles, which were related to higher well-being in both groups. However, both preference for masculine gender roles and well-being were higher in the hormonal therapy group, and especially after surgery, regardless of whether they were females transitioning into males or vice versa. In the transwomen, having only hormonal therapy was associated with the poorest satisfaction, while those undergoing hormonal therapy after surgery were much more satisfied with their lives. Those differences are reasonable, considering the visible changes in the body and mood after hormonal therapy in transmen, and because results after surgery are more promising for transwomen than for transmen.
Synergistic Interaction of Cerium and Barium-New Insight into the Promotion Effect in Cobalt Systems for Ammonia Synthesis
Authors: Tarka Aleksandra , Patkowski Wojciech , Zybert Magdalena , Ronduda Hubert , Wieciński Piotr , Adamski Paweł , Sarnecki Adam , Moszyński Dariusz , Raróg-Pilecka Wioletta
Published: June 2020

This study explains a co-promoting interaction of cerium and barium additives in a cobalt catalyst used for ammonia synthesis. The results show that a synergistic effect of Ce and Ba promoters in the catalyst is associated with an emergence of a third promoter—BaCeO3—which forms in situ from its individual components during catalyst activation. The influence of perovskite-type barium cerate is substantial due to its strong basic properties, i.e. high electron-donating ability and a tendency to stabilize the Co hcp cobalt phase (more active in ammonia synthesis than the Co fcc phase). BaCeO3 diversifies the structure of adsorption sites on the cobalt surface by contributing to the exposure of facets with more favourable adsorption and binding energies with regards to rate-limiting reactions steps. It allows to a more fluent formation and transfer of species unrestricted by the hydrogen or product poisoning consequently accelerating the entire ammonia synthesis process.
Kramers’ Theory and the Dependence of Enzyme Dynamics on Trehalose-Mediated Viscosity
Authors: Sampedro José G. , Rivera-Moran Miguel A. , Uribe-Carvajal Salvador
Published: June 2020

The disaccharide trehalose is accumulated in the cytoplasm of some organisms in response to harsh environmental conditions. Trehalose biosynthesis and accumulation are important for the survival of such organisms by protecting the structure and function of proteins and membranes. Trehalose affects the dynamics of proteins and water molecules in the bulk and the protein hydration shell. Enzyme catalysis and other processes dependent on protein dynamics are affected by the viscosity generated by trehalose, as described by the Kramers’ theory of rate reactions. Enzyme/protein stabilization by trehalose against thermal inactivation/unfolding is also explained by the viscosity mediated hindering of the thermally generated structural dynamics, as described by Kramers’ theory. The analysis of the relationship of viscosity–protein dynamics, and its effects on enzyme/protein function and other processes (thermal inactivation and unfolding/folding), is the focus of the present work regarding the disaccharide trehalose as the viscosity generating solute. Finally, trehalose is widely used (alone or in combination with other compounds) in the stabilization of enzymes in the laboratory and in biotechnological applications; hence, considering the effect of viscosity on catalysis and stability of enzymes may help to improve the results of trehalose in its diverse uses/applications.
Development in Additive Methods in Aramid Fiber Surface Modification to Increase Fiber-Matrix Adhesion: A Review
Authors: Palola Sarianna , Vuorinen Jyrki , Noordermeer Jacques W. M. , Sarlin Essi
Published: June 2020

This review article highlights and summarizes the recent developments in the field of surface modification methods for aramid fibers. Special focus is on methods that create a multifunctional fiber surface by incorporating nanostructures and enabling mechanical interlocking. To give a complete picture of adhesion promotion with aramids, the specific questions related to the challenges in aramid-matrix bonding are also shortly presented. The main discussion of the surface modification approaches is divided into sections according to how material is added to the fiber surface; (1) coating, (2) grafting and (3) growing. To provide a comprehensive view of the most recent developments in the field, other methods with similar outcomes, are also shortly reviewed. To conclude, future trends and insights are discussed.
Study on Dimensional Stability of Veneer Rice Straw Particleboard
Authors: Xiong Xianqing , Niu Yiting , Yuan Yingying , Zhang Liangting
Published: June 2020

As an important industry of the national economy, the development of furniture manufacturing industry is very rapid. In particular, with the development of panel furniture industry, wood-based panels have become a necessary choice for furniture material for modern families in recent years. As a new particleboard material, in order to be more widely used in the furniture industry, it is not enough to have the characteristics of environmental protection. The material should also have excellent appearance and dimensional stability, so as to change people’s dependence on traditional wood-based panels. In this study, the rice straw particleboard (RSP) substrate was veneered by Betula sp. and Cyclobalanopsis glauca. In the process of veneering, different RSP specimens were treated by different sanding thicknesses and moisture contents of the RSP substrate, glue spread, species and thickness of veneer. The dimensional stability of different RSP specimens after veneering was analyzed. Based on the same variables, the change in the panel dimension and warp degree of the specimens of RSP which the sanding thickness was 0.2 mm were higher than the specimens with a sanding thickness of 0.6 mm. The dimensional stability of specimens of Cyclobalanopsis glauca veneer was better than that of Betula sp. veneer. A certain degree of change within the appropriate moisture content had a little effect on dimensional stability of veneered RSP. The greater of the amount of glue, the worse the dimensional stability of veneered RSP. The thinner the veneer, the worse was the dimensional stability of the veneered RSP.
Surface Immobilization Chemistry of a Laminin-Derived Peptide Affects Keratinocyte Activity
Authors: Fischer Nicholas G. , He Jiahe , Aparicio Conrado
Published: June 2020

Many chemical routes have been proposed to immobilize peptides on biomedical device surfaces, and in particular, on dental implants to prevent peri-implantitis. While a number of factors affect peptide immobilization quality, an easily controllable factor is the chemistry used to immobilize peptides. These factors affect peptide chemoselectivity, orientation, etc., and ultimately control biological activity. Using many different physical and chemical routes for peptide coatings, previous research has intensely focused on immobilizing antimicrobial elements on dental implants to reduce infection rates. Alternatively, our strategy here is different and focused on promoting formation of a long-lasting biological seal between the soft tissue and the implant surface through transmembrane, cell adhesion structures called hemidesmosomes. For that purpose, we used a laminin-derived call adhesion peptide. However, the effect of different immobilization chemistries on cell adhesion peptide activity is vastly unexplored but likely critical. Here, we compared the physiochemical properties and biological responses of a hemidesmosome promoting peptide immobilized using silanization and copper-free click chemistry as a model system for cell adhesion peptides. Successful immobilization was confirmed with water contact angle and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Peptide coatings were retained through 73 days of incubation in artificial saliva. Interestingly, the non-chemoselective immobilization route, silanization, resulted in significantly higher proliferation and hemidesmosome formation in oral keratinocytes compared to chemoselective click chemistry. Our results highlight that the most effective immobilization chemistry for optimal peptide activity is dependent on the specific system (substrate/peptide/cell/biological activity) under study. Overall, a better understanding of the effects immobilization chemistries have on cell adhesion peptide activity may lead to more efficacious coatings for biomedical devices.
Comparison of the Isotopic Composition of Silicon Crystals Highly Enriched in 28Si
Authors: Rienitz Olaf , Pramann Axel
Published: June 2020

The isotopic composition and molar mass M of silicon in a new crystal (code: Si28-33Pr11) measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry using a high-resolution multicollector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) is presented using the virtual-element isotope dilution mass spectrometry (VE-IDMS) method. For this new crystal, M = 27.976 950 48 (16) g/mol was determined with urel(M) = 5.7 × 10−9. The “X-ray-crystal-density (XRCD) method”, one of the primary methods for realizing and disseminating the SI units kilogram and mole in the recently revised SI, is based on “counting” silicon atoms in silicon single crystal spheres. One of the key quantities is the isotopic composition—expressed by the molar mass M—of the three stable isotopes 28Si, 29Si, and 30Si in the material highly enriched in 28Si. M was determined with lowest possible uncertainty using latest improvements of the experimental techniques. All uncertainties were estimated according to the “Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement, GUM”. The results of the new crystal are discussed and compared with the four previously available crystals, establishing a worldwide limited pool of primary reference spheres of highest metrological quality.
Does Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Determine Soil Microbial Functionality in Nutrient-Limited Mediterranean Arid Ecosystems?
Authors: Mahmoudi Neji , Dias Teresa , Mahdhi Mosbah , Cruz Cristina , Mars Mohamed , Caeiro Maria F.
Published: June 2020

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are determinant for the performance of plant communities and for the functionality of terrestrial ecosystems. In natural ecosystems, grazing can have a major impact on mycorrhizal fungi and consequently on plant growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the statements referred above in Mediterranean arid areas in Tunisia. Root samples and rhizosphere soils of five dominant herbaceous plants were studied at six distinct arid sites differing on soil proprieties and grazing intensity. At each site, chemical and dynamic properties of the soil were characterized as well as the AMF colonization intensity and the soil functionality. Results showed that the mycorrhizal frequency and intensity and spore density, varied between plants in the same site and, for each plant, between sites and evidenced a positive effect of mycorrhized plants on soil microbial activity. Grazing and soil properties strongly affected AMF composition and the soil microbial and biochemical dynamics, which presented the lowest values at the sites with the highest grazing intensities. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that AMF improve soil biological properties, supporting the hypothesis that mycorrhiza and grazing compete for plant photosynthates, and highlight the importance of mycorrhizal symbiosis towards soil functionality under arid conditions.
Endoscopic Management of Malignant Biliary Stricture
Authors: Dorrell Robert , Pawa Swati , Pawa Rishi
Published: June 2020

A biliary stricture is an area of narrowing in the extrahepatic or intrahepatic biliary system. The majority of biliary strictures are caused by malignancies, particularly cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Most malignant biliary strictures are unresectable at diagnosis. Treatment of these diseases historically required surgical procedures, however, the development of endoscopic techniques has provided alternative minimally invasive treatment options to improve patient quality of life and survival with unresectable disease. While endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with stent placement has been the cornerstone of biliary drainage for decades, cutting edge endoscopic developments, including radiofrequency ablation and endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage, offer new therapy options to patients that historically have a poor quality of life and a grim prognosis. In this review, we explore the endoscopic techniques that have contributed to revolutionary advancements in the endoscopic management of malignant biliary strictures.
State-of-the-Art Technology of Model Organisms for Current Human Medicine
Authors: Konno Masamitsu , Asai Ayumu , Kitagawa Toru , Yabumoto Masami , Ofusa Ken , Arai Takahiro , Hirotsu Takaaki , Doki Yuichiro , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Ishii Hideshi
Published: June 2020

Since the 1980s, molecular biology has been used to investigate medical field mechanisms that still require the use of crude biological materials in order to achieve their necessary goals. Transcription factor-induced pluripotent stem cells are used in regenerative medicine to screen drugs and to support lost tissues. However, these cells insufficiently reconstruct whole organs and require various intact cells, such as damaged livers and diabetic pancreases. For efficient gene transfer in medical use, virally mediated gene transfers are used, although immunogenic issues are investigated. To obtain efficient detective and diagnostic power in intractable diseases, biological tools such as roundworms and zebrafish have been found to be useful for high-throughput screening (HST) and diagnosis. Taken together, this biological approach will help to fill the gaps between medical needs and novel innovations in the field of medicine.
Group Testing-Based Robust Algorithm for Diagnosis of COVID-19
Authors: Seong Jin-Taek
Published: June 2020

At the time of writing, the COVID-19 infection is spreading rapidly. Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment, and researchers around the world are attempting to fight the infection. In this paper, we consider a diagnosis method for COVID-19, which is characterized by a very rapid rate of infection and is widespread. A possible method for avoiding severe infections is to stop the spread of the infection in advance by the prompt and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19. To this end, we exploit a group testing (GT) scheme, which is used to find a small set of confirmed cases out of a large population. For the accurate detection of false positives and negatives, we propose a robust algorithm (RA) based on the maximum a posteriori probability (MAP). The key idea of the proposed RA is to exploit iterative detection to propagate beliefs to neighbor nodes by exchanging marginal probabilities between input and output nodes. As a result, we show that our proposed RA provides the benefit of being robust against noise in the GT schemes. In addition, we demonstrate the performance of our proposal with a number of tests and successfully find a set of infected samples in both noiseless and noisy GT schemes with different COVID-19 incidence rates.
Changes in the 3D Corneal Structure and Morphogeometric Properties in Keratoconus after Corneal Collagen Crosslinking
Authors: Alifa Ramón , Piñero David , Velázquez José , Alió del Barrio Jorge , Cavas Francisco , Alió Jorge L.
Published: June 2020

Keratoconus is an ectatic disorder that is presently considered one of the most prevalent reasons for keratoplasty. Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) is the only proven treatment option available that is capable of halting the progression of the disease by stabilizing the cone in 90% of cases, and by also reducing refractive error and maximal keratometry. This study assesses, by means of a 3D morphogeometric analysis procedure developed by our research team, the corneal structure changes that occur immediately after CXL treatment and during a 6 month follow-up period. A total of 19 eyes from 19 patients diagnosed with keratoconus who underwent CXL were included, and several variables derived from the morphogeometric analysis were calculated and evaluated for the pre-operative, 3 month postoperative, and 6 month postoperative states. Significant reductions were detected in central corneal thickness and corneal spherical-like root mean square (RMS) 3 months after surgery, with non-significant regression of the effect afterward. Significant reductions in the total corneal area/volume were found, with some levels of regression after 6 months in certain volumetric parameters. In conclusion, the eyes with higher values for morphogeometric parameters—posterior apex deviation (PAD), anterior minimum thickness point deviation (AMTPD), and posterior minimum thickness point deviation (PMTPD)—seemed more likely to undergo aberrometric improvement as a result of CXL surgery.
Prognostic Value of Dual-Time-Point 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in Metastatic Breast Cancer: An Exploratory Study of Quantitative Measures
Authors: Naghavi-Behzad Mohammad , Bjerg Petersen Charlotte , Vogsen Marianne , Braad Poul-Erik , Grubbe Hildebrandt Malene , Gerke Oke
Published: June 2020

This study aimed to compare the prognostic value of quantitative measures of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with integrated computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for the response monitoring of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). In this prospective study, 22 patients with biopsy-verified MBC diagnosed between 2011 and 2014 at Odense University Hospital (Denmark) were followed up until 2019. A dual-time-point FDG-PET/CT scan protocol (1 and 3 h) was applied at baseline, when MBC was diagnosed. Baseline characteristics and quantitative measures of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean), corrected SUVmean (cSUVmean), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and corrected TLG (cTLG) were collected. Survival time was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and was regressed on MTV, TLG, and cTLG while adjusting for clinicopathological characteristics. Among the 22 patients included (median age: 59.5 years), 21 patients (95%) died within the follow-up period. Median survival time was 29.13 months (95% Confidence interval: 20.4–40 months). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses of survival time showed no influence from the SUVmean, cSUVmean, or SUVmax, while increased values of MTV, TLG, and cTLG were significantly associated with slightly higher risk, with hazard ratios ranging between 1.0003 and 1.004 (p = 0.007 to p = 0.026). Changes from 1 to 3 h were insignificant for all PET measures in the regression model. In conclusion, MTV and TLG are potential prognostic markers for overall survival in MBC patients.
Design, Dynamics Analysis, and Real-Time Stiffness Control of a Variable Stiffness Joint
Authors: Yu Yang , Wei Shimin , Ji Qiunan , Yang Zheng
Published: June 2020

This paper proposes a variable stiffness joint based on a symmetrical crank slider mechanism (SCM-VSJ). Firstly, the mechanical design and the working principle of the variable stiffness joint is described, and its stiffness regulation characteristics are studied. Secondly, the dynamical model of variable stiffness joint including joint motor, harmonic reducer and stiffness adjustment motor is established, in addition, the transmission mechanism of the crank slider mechanism and the elastic deformation of the spring bar are considered in the dynamic modeling. Finally, in order to control the dynamic stiffness of the variable stiffness joint in real time, a kind of improved PID (proportional-integral-derivative) control algorithm based on feed-forward and feedback closed-loop is proposed on the basis of the existing dynamical model, and the simulation analysis of real-time tracking control of dynamic stiffness for sinusoidal wave expected stiffness signal and random expected stiffness signal is carried out respectively. The research shows that the real-time stiffness control of SCM-VSJ can be realized effectively, and during the stiffness adjustment process, the output torque of the stiffness adjustment motor will be affected by the elastic deformation of the spring bar.
Utilisation of Embodied Agents in the Design of Smart Human–Computer Interfaces—A Case Study in Cyberspace Event Visualisation Control
Authors: Szynkiewicz Wojciech , Kasprzak Włodzimierz , Zieliński Cezary , Dudek Wojciech , Stefańczyk Maciej , Wilkowski Artur , Figat Maksym
Published: June 2020

The goal of the research reported here was to investigate whether the design methodology utilising embodied agents can be applied to produce a multi-modal human–computer interface for cyberspace events visualisation control. This methodology requires that the designed system structure be defined in terms of cooperating agents having well-defined internal components exhibiting specified behaviours. System activities are defined in terms of finite state machines and behaviours parameterised by transition functions. In the investigated case the multi-modal interface is a component of the Operational Centre which is a part of the National Cybersecurity Platform. Embodied agents have been successfully used in the design of robotic systems. However robots operate in physical environments, while cyberspace events visualisation involves cyberspace, thus the applied design methodology required a different definition of the environment. It had to encompass the physical environment in which the operator acts and the computer screen where the results of those actions are presented. Smart human–computer interaction (HCI) is a time-aware, dynamic process in which two parties communicate via different modalities, e.g., voice, gesture, eye movement. The use of computer vision and machine intelligence techniques are essential when the human is carrying an exhausting and concentration demanding activity. The main role of this interface is to support security analysts and operators controlling visualisation of cyberspace events like incidents or cyber attacks especially when manipulating graphical information. Visualisation control modalities include visual gesture- and voice-based commands.
Electronics and Its Worldwide Research
Authors: García Salvador Rosa M. , Novas Nuria , Alcayde Alfredo , El Khaled Dalia , Montoya Francisco G.
Published: June 2020

The contributions of researchers at a global level in the journal Electronics in the period 2012–2020 are analyzed. The objective of this work is to establish a global vision of the issues published in the Electronic magazine and their importance, advances and developments that have been particularly relevant for subsequent research. The magazine has 15 thematic sections and a general one, with the programming of 385 special issues for 2020–2021. Using the Scopus database and bibliometric techniques, 2310 documents are obtained and distributed in 14 thematic communities. The communities that contribute to the greatest number of works are Power Electronics (20.13%), Embedded Computer Systems (13.59%) and Internet of Things and Machine Learning Systems (8.11%). A study of the publications by authors, affiliations, countries as well as the H index was undertaken. The 7561 authors analyzed are distributed in 87 countries, with China being the country of the majority (2407 authors), followed by South Korea (763 authors). The H-index of most authors (75.89%) ranges from 0 to 9, where the authors with the highest H-Index are from the United States, Denmark, Italy and India. The main publication format is the article (92.16%) and the review (5.84%). The magazine publishes topics in continuous development that will be further investigated and published in the near future in fields as varied as the transport sector, energy systems, the development of new broadband semiconductors, new modulation and control techniques, and more.
Overstory Effects on the Understory of Aleppo Pine Plantations—Implications for Ecosystem Restoration
Authors: Tartarino Patrizia , Greco Roberto , Silva Joaquim S.
Published: June 2020

At the end of the 19th century and along the first half of the 20th century, public policies in Mediterranean countries and elsewhere in Europe strongly promoted pine afforestation for land reclamation and wood production. In many cases, the transition to native forests, more resilient and more diverse, was also foreseen. This study aims to find the overstory characteristics that are best related to the understory of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) plantations, to assist ecosystem restoration goals. We installed 33 circular plots in mature Aleppo pine plantations located in the southeastern Salento peninsula, Apulia, Italy. We measured overstory characteristics and the corresponding understory on these plots. We assessed the effects of overstory variables on understory development (plant density, plant height, and the Magini regeneration index) and diversity (species richness and the Shannon–Wiener index) using linear mixed models (LMM). Understory development and diversity were positively correlated with the Hart–Becking spacing index and negatively correlated with basal area and canopy cover, the three overstory variables that best explained variance. We used polynomial fitting and the subsequent derivation of these functions to determine the values of the Hart–Becking index and of the canopy cover that corresponded to the maximum development (33.7% and 84.6%, respectively) and diversity (32.6% and 86.5%, respectively) of the understory. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that late-successional species, including Quercus coccifera, were associated with higher levels of understory development and stand spacing. These results may assist in the restoration of native ecosystems in Aleppo pine plantations installed in similar ecological conditions.
The Influence of Deforestation on Land Surface Temperature—A Case Study of Perak and Kedah, Malaysia
Authors: Wan Mohd Jaafar Wan Shafrina , Abdul Maulud Khairul Nizam , Muhmad Kamarulzaman Aisyah Marliza , Raihan Asif , Md Sah Syarina , Ahmad Azizah , Saad Siti Nor Maizah , Mohd Azmi Ahmad Tarmizi , Jusoh Syukri Nur Khairun Ayuni , Razzaq Khan Waseem
Published: June 2020

Over the past few decades, there has been a rapid change in forest and land cover, especially in tropical forests due to massive deforestation. The major factor responsible for the changes is to fulfill the growing demand of increasing population through agricultural intensification, rural settlements, and urbanization. Monitoring forest cover and vegetation are essential for detecting regional and global environmental changes. The present study evaluates the influence of deforestation on land surface temperature (LST) in the states of Kedah and Perak, Malaysia, between 1988 and 2017. The trend in forest cover change over the time span of 29 years, was analyzed using Landsat 5 and Landsat 8 satellite images to map the sequence of forest cover change. With the measurement of deforestation and its relationship with LST as an end goal, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used to determine forest health, and the spectral radiance model was used to extract the LST. The findings of the study show that nearly 16% (189,423 ha) of forest cover in Perak and more than 9% (33,391 ha) of forest cover in Kedah have disappeared within these 29 years as a result of anthropogenic activities. The correlation between the LST and NDVI is related to the distribution of forests, where LST is inversely related to NDVI. A strong correlation between LST and NDVI was observed in this study, where the average mean of LST in Kedah (25 °C) is higher than in Perak (22.6 °C). This is also reflected by the decreased NDVI value from 0.6 to 0.5 in 2017 at both states. This demonstrated that a decrease in the vegetation area leads to an increase in the surface temperature. The resultant forest change map would be helpful for forest management in terms of identifying highly vulnerable areas. Moreover, it could help the local government to formulate a land management plan.
CMS: A Continuous Machine-Learning and Serving Platform for Industrial Big Data
Authors: Li KeDi , Gui Ning
Published: June 2020

The life-long monitoring and analysis for complex industrial equipment demands a continuously evolvable machine-learning platform. The machine-learning model must be quickly regenerated and updated. This demands the careful orchestration of trainers for model generation and modelets for model serving without the interruption of normal operations. This paper proposes a container-based Continuous Machine-Learning and Serving (CMS) platform. By designing out-of-the-box common architecture for trainers and modelets, it simplifies the model training and deployment process with minimal human interference. An orchestrator is proposed to manage the trainer’s execution and enables the model updating without interrupting the online operation of model serving. CMS has been deployed in a 1000 MW thermal power plant for about five months. The system running results show that the accuracy of eight models remains at a good level even when they experience major renovations. Moreover, CMS proved to be a resource-efficient, effective resource isolation and seamless model switching with little overhead.
Improvements of the xAAL Home Automation System
Authors: Lohr Christophe , Kerdreux Jérôme
Published: June 2020

The xAAL home automation system has been designed on the basis of distributed systems principles with messages passing and home network communications over IP. The proposal makes extensive use of standards and provides a clear separation of roles along the distributed system with no predominant actor. This allows openness and interoperability. This objective can be reached once all parts are convinced: consumers, manufacturers, service providers, etc. To get a broad adoption, the proposal comes with fine-tuned communication, architecture, security, and simplicity. Tests and experiments in the long term have led us to optimize the protocol, adjust the architecture, and rearrange device descriptions. This paper provides a full description of the improved system, with all details to make feasible compatible alternative implementations. It also discusses alternatives and all aspects that led us to make structuring choices: CBOR messages on an IP multicast channel, intranet communication, ciphering with Poly1305/Chacha20, structured and extensible abstract device description, and a distributed system architecture.
Influence of Milled Glass Fiber Fillers on Mode I & Mode II Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Epoxy Resin for Fabrication of Glass/Epoxy Composites
Authors: Saravanakumar Kannivel , Arumugam Vellayaraj , Souhith Rotte , Santulli Carlo
Published: June 2020

The present work is focused on improving mode I and mode II delamination resistance of glass/epoxy composite laminates (50 wt.% of glass fibers) with milled glass fibers, added in various amounts (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% of the epoxy weight). Including fillers in the interlayer enhances the delamination resistance by providing a bridging effect, therefore demanding additional energy to initiate the crack in the interlaminar domain, which results in turn in enhanced fracture toughness. The maximal increase of mode I and mode II fracture toughness and of flexural strength was obtained by the addition of 5% milled glass fiber. The mechanism observed suggests that crack propagation is stabilized even leading to its arrest/deflection, as a considerable amount of milled glass fiber filler was oriented transverse to the crack path. In contrast, at higher filler loading, tendency towards stress concentration grows due to local agglomeration and improper dispersion of excess fillers in inter/intralaminar resin channel, causing poor adhesion to the matrix, which leads to reduction in fracture toughness, strength and strain to failure. Fractured surfaces analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a number of mechanisms, such as crack deflection, individual debonding and filler/matrix interlocking, all contributing in various ways to improve fracture toughness.
Nursing Care Ethical Implications Regarding Chronic Patients at Hospital Discharge
Authors: Coronado-Vázquez Valle , Canet-Fajas Carlota , Ramírez-Durán María Valle , Gómez-Salgado Juan , Robles-Romero José Miguel , Fagundo-Rivera Javier , Romero-Martín Macarena
Published: June 2020

Mortality rates among pluripathological patients are significantly higher in the hospital setting, with advanced age and dependence on certain vital functions the main clinical aspects. Other features involved in the care, such as the loss of autonomy and social problems, have important ethical implications. The aim of this article is to analyze the health problems and the functional and social situation of chronic patients after hospital admission in order to determine their care needs and the ethical implications these might have. For this, a cross-sectional descriptive study is being carried out with a sample of 111 chronic pluripathological patients admitted to the internal medicine service and discharged later. Overall, 96.6% of the patients in the sample were dependent, 91.7% had social problems or were at social risk and 36.9% had cognitive impairment. Among dependent patients, 59.4% had social problems (p = 0.029), 19.2% lived alone (p = 0.13), and in 73.3% of cases the housing was inadequate (p = 0.47). Among those with cognitive impairment, 79.5% of patients had social problems (p = 0.001), and 10.3% lived alone (p = 0.038). The results of the study confirm the presence of dependence and social problems at hospital discharge in a high proportion of chronic patients. Planning their care can lead to ethical conflicts related to the use of information technologies, which are destined to promote the patients’ autonomy, and to the social problems associated with the illness.
Growth and Bioactive Compounds of Salvia plebeia R. Br. Grown under Various Ratios of Red and Blue Light
Authors: Lee Hye , Kim Hyeon , Jeong Hyeon , Hwang Seung
Published: June 2020

We investigated the effects of red and blue light on the growth and content of bioactive compounds of Salvia plebeia R. Br in a closed-type plant production system (CPPS). The seedlings of Salvia plebeia R. Br. were transplanted into a deep floating technique system with nutrient recycling (pH 6.5 and electrical conductivity (EC) 1.5 dS∙m−1). The plants were cultured for a duration of 35 days at 25 ± 1 °C, with relative humidity 60 ± 5%, a 12/12 h (light/dark) photoperiod, and a light intensity of 180 µmol∙m−2∙s−1 photosynthetic flux photon density, providing standard fluorescent (FL) lighting and various light qualities of red:blue ratios (10:0, 7:3, 5:5, 3:7, and 0:10) in the CPPS. The growth characteristics of Salvia plebeia R. Br., such as leaf length, leaf area, and fresh and dry weights of shoots, were the greatest in Red only and R7B3. The leaf shape index was the highest in Blue only and specific leaf weight was lower in FL and Blue than in the other treatments. The photosynthetic rate was the highest in R7B3. The total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations per gram of fresh weight of Salvia plebeia R. Br. were higher in combined light, such as R7B3, R5B5, and B3B7, than in the monochromatic light treatments. However, the antioxidant activity per fresh weight was the highest in FL. In conclusion, the results suggest that 7:3 is the most effective red and blue light ratio for production of high quality Salvia plebeia R. Br. in a CPPS.
Source Apportionment of Coarse Particulate Matter (PM10) in Yangon, Myanmar
Authors: Sricharoenvech Piyaporn , Lai Alexandra , Oo Tin Nwe , Oo Min M. , Schauer James J. , Oo Kyi Lwin , Aye Kay Khine
Published: June 2020

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is one of many developing countries facing concerns about particulate matter (PM). Previously, a preliminary study of PM2.5 in 2018 suggested that the main source of PM in Yangon, the former capital, was vehicle emissions. However, this suggestion was not supported by any chemical composition data. In this study, to fill that gap, we quantitatively determined source contributions to coarse particulate matter (PM10) in Yangon, Myanmar. PM10 samples were collected in Yangon from May 2017 to April 2018 and chemically analyzed to determine composition. Chemical composition data for these samples were then used in the Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) model to identify the major sources of particulate matter in this area. The results indicate that PM10 composition varies seasonally according to both meteorological factors (e.g., precipitation and temperature) and human activities (e.g., firewood and yard waste burning). The major sources of PM in Yangon annually were dust, secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA), and secondary organic aerosols (SOA), while contributions from biomass burning were more important during the winter months.
The Emergence of Risk Communication Networks and the Development of Citizen Health-Related Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Social Selection and Contagion Processes
Authors: Lim Seunghoo , Nakazato Hiromi
Published: June 2020

Amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, a variety of public health strategies have been implemented by governments worldwide. However, the fact that strict government mandates focus on physical distancing does not mean that social connectedness for voluntary risk communication among citizens should be sacrificed. Furthermore, we lack an understanding of citizens’ behaviors regarding the voluntary adoption of public health measures and the control of mental wellbeing in the age of physical distancing. Key variables in the response to the global pandemic are the emergence of risk deliberation networks, voluntary compliance with government guidelines, and the restoration of citizens’ subjective health. However, little is known about how citizens’ health-related behaviors coevolve with social connections for sharing information and discussing urgent pandemic issues. The findings show that selection and social influence mechanisms coexist by affecting each citizen’s health-related behaviors and community-led risk discourses in the face of the urgent health crisis.
Exercise Addiction and Its Relationship with Health Outcomes in Indoor Cycling Practitioners in Fitness Centers
Authors: Bueno-Antequera Javier , Mayolas-Pi Carmen , Reverter-Masià Joaquin , López-Laval Isaac , Oviedo-Caro Miguel Ángel , Munguía-Izquierdo Diego , Ruidíaz-Peña Mercedes , Legaz-Arrese Alejandro
Published: June 2020

We studied the prevalence and possible association between exercise addiction and health in indoor cycling practitioners. In 1014 (492 women) adult indoor cyclists and 926 (597 women) controls with low levels of physical activity according to the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, we examined the risk of exercise addiction according to the Exercise Addiction Inventory and several health outcomes through a web-based experiment. The prevalence of a high risk of exercise addiction in cyclists was 13.3%, and it was higher in men than in women (16.5% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.002). Women cyclists with a high risk of exercise addiction had higher levels of physical activity (p < 0.001; effect size = −0.62, 95% CI: (−0.91, −0.32)) and anxiety symptom severity (p = 0.001; Effect Size (ES) = −0.59 (−0.89, −0.30)) than those with a low risk. For both sexes, cyclists with a low risk of exercise addiction had better social function, emotional role, and anxiety symptom severity compared with the controls (all p < 0.002; ES ranged from 0.25 to 0.47). Higher anxiety symptom severity and cardiorespiratory fitness were the main determinants of exercise addiction in cyclists (both p < 0.001). Our data suggest the importance of considering exercise addiction in indoor cyclists.