bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Wealth Status on Food Intake Patterns in Filipino School-Aged Children and Adolescents
Authors: Angeles-Agdeppa Imelda , Lenighan Yvonne M. , Jacquier Emma F. , Toledo Marvin B. , Capanzana Mario V.
Published: December 2019

Socio-economic status (SES) has an impact on food consumption in developing countries. However, the impact of SES on dietary patterns in Filipino school-aged children is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to fill this knowledge gap, using data from the 2013 National Nutrition Survey. Dietary intake of 11,691 children (6–18 years) were assessed using a 24-h recall. All food and beverages were assigned to one of 85 food groups. Mean daily intake, percent consuming (prevalence), and contribution to energy intake were determined, and stratified by SES, in 6–9 years old, 10–12 years old, and 13–18 years old. Rice was the most consumed food and the primary source of energy across all three age groups, independent of SES. Children of poor SES presented greater consumption of fish, vegetables, fruit, and table sugar (p < 0.05). In comparison, children of rich and middle SES presented greater consumption of milk, chicken, pork, sausages, and soft-drinks (p < 0.05). In conclusion, SES impacts the type of foods consumed by Filipino children, with children in the poorest households being most at risk of consuming low-variety diets. This analysis could be used to support public health strategies to improve dietary diversity, and potentially nutrient intake, in Filipino children.
A Randomised Trial to Optimise Gestational Weight Gain and Improve Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes through Antenatal Dietary, Lifestyle and Exercise Advice: The OPTIMISE Randomised Trial
Authors: Dodd Jodie M. , Deussen Andrea R. , Louise Jennie
Published: December 2019

There are well-recognised associations between excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including an increased risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and caesarean birth. The aim of the OPTIMISE randomised trial was to evaluate the effect of dietary and exercise advice among pregnant women of normal body mass index (BMI), on pregnancy and birth outcomes. The trial was conducted in Adelaide, South Australia. Pregnant women with a body mass index in the healthy weight range (18.5–24.9 kg/m2) were enrolled in a randomised controlled trial of a dietary and lifestyle intervention versus standard antenatal care. The dietitian-led dietary and lifestyle intervention over the course of pregnancy was based on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Baseline characteristics of women in the two treatment groups were similar. There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of infants with birth weight above 4.0 kg between the Lifestyle Advice and Standard Care groups (24/316 (7.59%) Lifestyle Advice versus 26/313 (8.31%) Standard Care; adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54 to 1.55; p = 0.732). Despite improvements in maternal diet quality, no significant differences between the treatment groups were observed for total GWG, or other pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Apple Preload Halved the Postprandial Glycaemic Response of Rice Meal in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Lu Jiacan , Zhao Wenqi , Wang Linlin , Fan Zhihong , Zhu Ruixin , Wu Yixue , Zhou Ying
Published: December 2019

This study aimed to investigate the possible glycemic effect of apple preload on acute postprandial glycemic responses (GRs) of a following rice meal, comparing with its co-ingestion counterpart and an apple sugar solution preload, based on equal carbohydrates intake. In a randomized crossover trial, 18 healthy female subjects consumed (1) rice, (2) co-ingestion of apple and rice (A+R), (3) apple preload and rice (PA+R), and (4) rice with sugar solution preload (same sugar profile as in apple) (PSS+R). Acute postprandial GR tests and subjective satiety tests were carried out for each test food. Compared with rice reference, the PA+R achieved a 50% reduction of the iAUC0-120, a 51.4% reduction of the average peak value, and a 52.6% reduction of glycemic excursion in 240 min, while the PSS+R showed 29.7% and 31.6% reduction of peak value and glycemic excursion, respectively. No significant differences were found between R and PA+R in any of the satiety characteristics. Compared with rice control, apple preload of 15 g available carbohydrates remarkably lowered the acute postprandial GR without negative effect on satiety. The sugar component may partly contribute to the glycemic suppressing effect of the apple preload.
Nutrition Transition in the Post-Economic Crisis of Greece: Assessing the Nutritional Gap of Food-Insecure Individuals. A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Chatzivagia Eleni , Pepa Aleks , Vlassopoulos Antonis , Malisova Olga , Filippou Konstantina , Kapsokefalou Maria
Published: December 2019

Food insecurity has risen by 40% in Europe’s post-economic crisis, linked to the economic turmoil and austerity. Despite the intensification of efforts to fight all forms of poverty, including the implementation of programs targeted to the most deprived, the study of individuals at risk of food insecurity has been largely neglected. This study aimed to map the nutritional habits and needs of the most deprived in Greece, one of the countries most affected by the economic crisis. Individuals classified as most deprived under the Fund for the European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) criteria (n = 499) from across Greece and an age matched control from the general population (n = 500) were interviewed between December 2017 and December 2019. Participants provided information about demographic characteristics, and self-reported anthropometric measures and nutritional intake of the past month via a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Protein and energy malnutrition were defined as daily intake <1.950 kcal and ≤0.75 g/kg body-weight accordingly. Protein and energy malnutrition were high among FEAD recipients (52.3% and 18.6% respectively, p < 0.001), alongside a high prevalence of overweight and obesity (BMI > 25: 68.4% versus 55.1%; p < 0.001). The diet of FEAD recipients included higher amounts of carbohydrates, lower amounts of monounsaturated fat (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fat (PUFA; p < 0.001 compared to control), larger amounts of plant-based proteins (5.81 ± 1.7 versus 4.94 ± 1.3% E respectively, p < 0.001) and very limited intake of fish (0.07 portions/day). Despite being enrolled in a food assistance program, protein and energy malnutrition is prevalent among Greece’s most deprived who experience not only lower diet quality but also the double burden of malnutrition.
Sociocultural Influences on Dietary Practices and Physical Activity Behaviors of Rural Adolescents—A Qualitative Exploration
Authors: Islam Mohammad , Trenholm Jill , Rahman Anisur , Pervin Jesmin , Ekström Eva-Charlotte , Rahman Syed
Published: December 2019

In the aftermath of nutrition transition and ever-increasing sedentarism, adolescents globally are exposed to negative health consequences. Diverse sociocultural influences play a critical role in their adoption of unhealthy dietary practices and suboptimal physical activity behaviors. Context-specific understandings of how these sociocultural influences shape adolescents’ dietary and physical activity patterns in a rural, resource-limited setting remained elusive. Aiming to address the gap, this qualitative study explored adolescents’ and mothers’ perception of broader sociocultural aspects that sculpt the food choices, eating habits and physical activity behaviors of adolescents in Matlab, Bangladesh. Six digitally-recorded focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim, translated into English and analyzed thematically. Marked taste-driven dietary preference of adolescents and its prioritization within family by the mothers, popularity of street foods, better understanding of the importance of food hygiene and safety contrasting with narrow perception of balance and diversity in diet, peer influence along with deficient school and community food environment, internalization and rigidity of gender norms were found to be exerting major influence. The findings highlighted key targets for community-based nutrition interventions and endorsed thorough consideration of socio-cultural factors in formulating strategies to promote healthful eating and physical activity behaviors among the adolescents.
Gluten Detection Methods and Their Critical Role in Assuring Safe Diets for Celiac Patients
Authors: Osorio Claudia E. , Mejías Jaime H. , Rustgi Sachin
Published: December 2019

Celiac disease, wheat sensitivity, and allergy represent three different reactions, which may occur in genetically predisposed individuals on the ingestion of wheat and derived products with various manifestations. Improvements in the disease diagnostics and understanding of disease etiology unveiled that these disorders are widespread around the globe affecting about 7% of the population. The only known treatment so far is a life-long gluten-free diet, which is almost impossible to follow because of the contamination of allegedly “gluten-free” products. Accidental contamination of inherently gluten-free products could take place at any level from field to shelf because of the ubiquity of these proteins/grains. Gluten contamination of allegedly “gluten-free” products is a constant threat to celiac patients and a major health concern. Several detection procedures have been proposed to determine the level of contamination in products for celiac patients. The present article aims to review the advantages and disadvantages of different gluten detection methods, with emphasis on the recent technology that allows identification of the immunogenic-gluten peptides without the use of antibodies. The possibility to detect gluten contamination by different approaches with similar or better detection efficiency in different raw and processed foods will guarantee the safety of the foods for celiac patients.
Effectiveness of Individual Nutrition Education Compared to Group Education, in Improving Anthropometric and Biochemical Indices among Hypertensive Adults with Excessive Body Weight: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gajewska Danuta , Kucharska Alicja , Kozak Marcin , Wunderlich Shahla , Niegowska Joanna
Published: December 2019

Objective: The study aims to compare the effectiveness of individual and group nutrition education methods in improving key anthropometric and biochemical markers in drug-treated, overweight-obese hypertensive adults. Methods: The randomized trial included 170 patients with pharmacologically well-controlled primary hypertension and body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2. For six months, the patients received six sessions, either one-to-one individual nutrition education (IE, n = 89) or group education (GE, n = 81), developed by dietitians. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, and fasting measures of biochemical parameters were obtained at baseline and after six months of intervention. Results: 150 patients completed the nutrition education program. The IE group significantly improved in many parameters compared to the GE group, including weight (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) (p < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.011), oral glucose tolerance test (OGGT) (p = 0.030), and insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, HOMA-IR) (p < 0.001). The groups did not differ in terms of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations. Conclusion: Individual nutrition education is more effective than group education in terms of improving anthropometric and biochemical indices in overweight-obese hypertensive adults.
Low Serum B12 Concentrations Are Associated with Low B12 Dietary Intake But Not with Helicobacter pylori Infection or Abnormal Gastric Function in Rural Mexican Women
Authors: Anaya-Loyola Miriam A. , Brito Alex , Vergara-Castañeda Haydé , Sosa Carina , Rosado Jorge L. , Allen Lindsay H.
Published: December 2019

Background: Gastric function, Helicobacter pylori infection, and vitamin B12 (B12) dietary intake were assessed as predictors of serum B12. Methods: H. pylori antibodies, gastric function, B12 dietary intake, and biochemical/hematological parameters were measured in 191 adult women from two rural communities in Querétaro, Mexico. Results: The overall mean serum B12 concentration was 211 ± 117 pmol/L. The prevalences of low (≤ 148 pmol/L), marginal (148 to 221 pmol/L), and adequate (> 221 pmol/L) serum B12 were 28.4%, 31.1%, and 40.5%, respectively. Seventy-one percent of women tested positive for H. pylori antibodies. The prevalence of gastric function categories did not differ by serum B12 categories. The odds ratio for having low serum B12 was 2.7 (p = 0.01) for women with an intake below the estimated average requirement, 3.6 (p = 0.01) for those in the lowest tertile of total B12 intake, and 3.0 (p = 0.02) for those in the lowest tertile of B12 intake from animal source foods. Age and B12 intake were predictors of serum B12 concentrations [serum B12 (pmol/L) = 90.060 + 5.208 (B12 intake, µg/day) + 2.989 (age, years). Conclusions: Low serum B12 concentrations were associated with low B12 dietary intake but not with H. pylori infection or abnormal gastric function in rural Mexican women.
The Effects of Calorie Restriction on Autophagy: Role on Aging Intervention
Authors: Chung Ki Wung , Chung Hae Young
Published: December 2019

Autophagy is an important housekeeping process that maintains a proper cellular homeostasis under normal physiologic and/or pathologic conditions. It is responsible for the disposal and recycling of metabolic macromolecules and damaged organelles through broad lysosomal degradation processes. Under stress conditions, including nutrient deficiency, autophagy is substantially activated to maintain proper cell function and promote cell survival. Altered autophagy processes have been reported in various aging studies, and a dysregulated autophagy is associated with various age-associated diseases. Calorie restriction (CR) is regarded as the gold standard for many aging intervention methods. Although it is clear that CR has diverse effects in counteracting aging process, the exact mechanisms by which it modulates those processes are still controversial. Recent advances in CR research have suggested that the activation of autophagy is linked to the observed beneficial anti-aging effects. Evidence showed that CR induced a robust autophagy response in various metabolic tissues, and that the inhibition of autophagy attenuated the anti-aging effects of CR. The mechanisms by which CR modulates the complex process of autophagy have been investigated in depth. In this review, several major advances related to CR’s anti-aging mechanisms and anti-aging mimetics will be discussed, focusing on the modification of the autophagy response.
Adherence to the American Cancer Society Guidelines for Cancer Survivors and Health-Related Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Koh Dahye , Song Sihan , Moon Sang-Eun , Jung So-Youn , Lee Eun Sook , Kim Zisun , Youn Hyun Jo , Cho Jihyoung , Yoo Young Bum , Lee Se Kyung , Lee Jeong Eon , Nam Seok Jin , Lee Jung Eun
Published: December 2019

The development and validation of guidelines for breast cancer survivors are of importance due to the increased survival rate for breast cancer. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to examine the association between adherence to the American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for cancer survivors and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A total of 618 breast cancer survivors aged 30 to 81 years who had been diagnosed with stage I to III primary breast cancer and had surgery at least a year before enrollment were included. The participants completed the 36 Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) to evaluate HRQoL, and adherence scores were calculated based on the Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Survivors, which were released by the ACS. Increasing adherence scores were associated with increasing scores on the physical component summary (PCS) and the physical functioning (PF), bodily pain (BP), and vitality (VT) domains (p for trend <0.001 for PCS and PF, 0.01 for BP, and 0.02 for VT); these scores were mainly driven by the associations among survivors with stage II–III cancer. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate whether adherence to these guidelines improves HRQoL scores among breast cancer survivors.
Effect of a Euglena gracilis Fermentate on Immune Function in Healthy, Active Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Evans Malkanthi , Falcone Paul H. , Crowley David C. , Sulley Abdul M. , Campbell Marybelle , Zakaria Nisrine , Lasrado Joanne A. , Fritz Emily Pankow , Herrlinger Kelli A.
Published: December 2019

Euglena gracilis produce high amounts of algal β-1,3-glucan, which evoke an immune response when consumed. This study investigated the effect of supplementation with a proprietary Euglena gracilis fermentate (BG), containing greater than 50% β-1,3-glucan, on immune function as measured by self-reported changes in upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms. Thirty-four healthy, endurance-trained participants were randomized and received either 367 mg of BG or placebo (PLA) for 90 days. Symptoms were assessed by the 24-item Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey and safety via clinical chemistry, hematology, vitals, and adverse event reporting. Participants supplemented with BG over 90 days reported fewer sick days (BG: 1.46 ± 1.01; PLA: 4.79 ± 1.47 days; p = 0.041), fewer URTI symptoms (BG: 12.62 ± 5.92; PLA: 42.29 ± 13.17; p = 0.029), fewer symptom days (BG: 5.46 ± 1.89; PLA: 15.43 ± 4.59 days; p = 0.019), fewer episodes (BG: 2.62 ± 0.67; PLA: 4.79 ± 0.67; p = 0.032), and lower global severity measured as area under curve for URTI symptoms (BG: 17.50 ± 8.41; PLA: 89.79 ± 38.92; p = 0.0499) per person compared to placebo. Sick days, symptoms, and global severity were significantly (p < 0.05) fewer over 30 days in the BG group compared to PLA. All safety outcomes were within clinically normal ranges. The study provides evidence that supplementation with a proprietary Euglena gracilis fermentate containing greater than 50% β-1,3-glucan may reduce and prevent URTI symptoms, providing immune support and protecting overall health.
Comparison of 24-h Diet Records, 24-h Urine, and Duplicate Diets for Estimating Dietary Intakes of Potassium, Sodium, and Iodine in Children
Authors: Peniamina Rana , Skeaff Sheila , Haszard Jillian J. , McLean Rachael
Published: December 2019

Accurately estimating nutrient intake can be challenging, yet it is important for informing policy. This cross-sectional validation study compared the use of three methods for estimating the intake of sodium, potassium, and iodine in children aged 9–11 years in New Zealand. Over the same 24 hour period, participants collected duplicate diets (n = 37), weighed food records (n = 84), and 24 hour urine samples (n = 82). Important differences were found between dietary estimates of sodium, potassium, and iodine using the three methods of dietary assessment, suggesting that different methods of assessment have specific limitations for the measurement of these nutrients in children. Bland Altman plots show relatively wide limits of agreement for all measures and nutrients. These results support the World Health Organization’s (WHOs) recommendations to use urinary assessment to measure population sodium and iodine intake, while dietary assessment appears to be more accurate for estimating potassium intake. Compared to reference values, our results suggest that the children in this study consume inadequate iodine, inadequate potassium, and excess dietary sodium. Public health measures to reduce sodium intake, increase intake of fruit and vegetables, and iodine-rich foods are warranted in New Zealand.
Modelling the Effects of Beverage Substitution during Adolescence on Later Obesity Outcomes in Early Adulthood: Results from the Raine Study
Authors: Zheng Miaobing , Rangan Anna , Huang Rae-Chi , Beilin Lawrence Joseph , Mori Trevor Anthony , Oddy Wendy Hazel , Ambrosini Gina Leslie
Published: December 2019

High sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has been linked with obesity. The present study examined the associations between adolescent SSB intake and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and overweight status in early adulthood, and modelled the association of alternative beverage substitution with BMI and WC. Data of offspring from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study at ages 14 and 22 years were used (n = 667). SSB intake at 14 years (100 g/day) was associated with higher BMI (β = 0.19 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.04, 0.33), WC (β = 0.41cm, 95% CI 0.04, 0.78), and being overweight at 22 years (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02, 1.18). Every 100g modelled substitution of SSB with milk at age 14 years was associated with lower BMI (−0.19 kg/m2) and WC (−0.52 cm) at age 22 years. Replacement of SSB with diet drink was associated with higher BMI and WC. No association was found for substitutions of SSB with water, tea/coffee, or 100% fruit juice with BMI or WC. SSB intake during adolescence was associated with higher BMI, WC, and being overweight in early adulthood. Milk as an alternative to SSB was associated with less adiposity. Caution is necessary in recommending diet drinks as a SSB alternative.
Targeting Human Thrombus by Liposomes Modified with Anti-Fibrin Protein Binders
Authors: Petroková Hana , Mašek Josef , Kuchař Milan , Vítečková Wünschová Andrea , Štikarová Jana , Bartheldyová Eliška , Kulich Pavel , Hubatka František , Kotouček Jan , Turánek Knotigová Pavlína , Vohlídalová Eva , Héžová Renata , Mašková Eliška , Macaulay Stuart , Dyr Jan Evangelista , Raška Milan , Mikulík Robert , Malý Petr , Turánek Jaroslav
Published: December 2019

Development of tools for direct thrombus imaging represents a key step for diagnosis and treatment of stroke. Nanoliposomal carriers of contrast agents and thrombolytics can be functionalized to target blood thrombi by small protein binders with selectivity for fibrin domains uniquely formed on insoluble fibrin. We employed a highly complex combinatorial library derived from scaffold of 46 amino acid albumin-binding domain (ABD) of streptococcal protein G, and ribosome display, to identify variants recognizing fibrin cloth in human thrombus. We constructed a recombinant target as a stretch of three identical fibrin fragments of 16 amino acid peptide of the Bβ chain fused to TolA protein. Ribosome display selection followed by large-scale Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) screening provided four protein variants preferentially binding to insoluble form of human fibrin. The most specific binder variant D7 was further modified by C-terminal FLAG/His-Tag or double His-tag for the attachment onto the surface of nanoliposomes via metallochelating bond. D7-His-nanoliposomes were tested using in vitro flow model of coronary artery and their binding to fibrin fibers was demonstrated by confocal and electron microscopy. Thus, we present here the concept of fibrin-targeted binders as a platform for functionalization of nanoliposomes in the development of advanced imaging tools and future theranostics.
Development of a Phosphoric Acid-Mediated Hyaluronic Acid Gel Sheet for Efficient Transdermal Delivery of Alendronate for Anti-Osteoporotic Therapy
Authors: Naito Chihiro , Katsumi Hidemasa , Yoneto Kunio , Omura Mao , Nishidono Mayuko , Kamei Sachi , Mizoguchi Akiya , Tamba Ayaka , Tanaka Akiko , Morishita Masaki , Yamamoto Akira
Published: December 2019

For efficient transdermal delivery of alendronate (ALN) for anti-osteoporotic therapy, we developed a hyaluronic acid (HA) gel sheet that was prepared simply by enhancing HA noncovalent interactions using phosphoric acid and polyhydric alcohol (propanediol and glycerin). HA solution viscosity increased after addition of phosphoric acid, and the HA gel sheet formed after heated drying. The HA gel sheet could be converted to high viscosity state by addition of water. These results indicate that phosphoric acid enhances the noncovalent interactions of HA molecules. The HA gel sheet elicited no skin irritation over 7 days after a 24-h application. The permeation of ALN across rat and human skin was 109 and 7.17 µg/cm2, respectively, up to 24 h after application of the ALN-loaded HA gel sheet, which is sufficient for clinical treatment of osteoporosis. The bioavailability of ALN in rats was ~20% after application of the ALN-loaded HA gel sheet, and plasma calcium levels were effectively reduced 3 days after sheet application. Furthermore, in a rat osteoporosis model, the reduction in tibial bone density was suppressed by treatment with the ALN-loaded HA gel sheet. These results indicate that our phosphoric acid-mediated HA gel sheet is a promising transdermal formulation for efficient ALN delivery.
Clinical Pharmacy Activities Documented (ClinPhADoc): Development, Reliability and Acceptability of a Documentation Tool for Community Pharmacists
Authors: Hamada Nour , Quintana Bárcena Patricia , Maes Karen Alexandra , Bugnon Olivier , Berger Jérôme
Published: December 2019

Documentation of community pharmacists’ clinical activities, such as the identification and management of drug-related problems (DRPs), is recommended. However, documentation is not systematic in Swiss community pharmacies, and relevant information about DRPs, such as consequences or involved partners, is frequently missing. This study aims to evaluate the interrater and test-retest reliability, appropriateness and acceptability of the Clinical Pharmacy Activities Documented (ClinPhADoc) tool. Ten community pharmacists participated in the study. Interrater reliability coefficients were computed using 24 standardized cases. One month later, test-retest reliability was assessed using 10 standardized cases. To assess the appropriateness, pharmacists were asked to document clinical activities in their own practice using ClinPhADoc. Acceptability was assessed by an online satisfaction survey. Kappa coefficients showing a moderate level of agreement (>0.40) were observed for interrater and test-retest reliability. Pharmacists were able to document 131 clinical activities. The good level of acceptability and brief documentation time (fewer than seven minutes) indicate that ClinPhADoc is well-suited to the community pharmacy setting. To optimize the tool, pharmacists proposed developing an electronic version. These results support the reliability and acceptance of the ClinPhADoc tool.
Epigenetics Regulates Reproductive Development in Plants
Authors: Han Qiang , Bartels Arthur , Cheng Xi , Meyer Angela , An Yong-Qiang Charles , Hsieh Tzung-Fu , Xiao Wenyan
Published: December 2019

Seed, resulting from reproductive development, is the main nutrient source for human beings, and reproduction has been intensively studied through genetic, molecular, and epigenetic approaches. However, how different epigenetic pathways crosstalk and integrate to regulate seed development remains unknown. Here, we review the recent progress of epigenetic changes that affect chromatin structure, such as DNA methylation, polycomb group proteins, histone modifications, and small RNA pathways in regulating plant reproduction. In gametogenesis of flowering plants, epigenetics is dynamic between the companion cell and gametes. Cytosine DNA methylation occurs in CG, CHG, CHH contexts (H = A, C, or T) of genes and transposable elements, and undergoes dynamic changes during reproduction. Cytosine methylation in the CHH context increases significantly during embryogenesis, reaches the highest levels in mature embryos, and decreases as the seed germinates. Polycomb group proteins are important transcriptional regulators during seed development. Histone modifications and small RNA pathways add another layer of complexity in regulating seed development. In summary, multiple epigenetic pathways are pivotal in regulating seed development. It remains to be elucidated how these epigenetic pathways interplay to affect dynamic chromatin structure and control reproduction.
Molecular Insights into Sequence Distributions and Conformation-Dependent Properties of High-Phenyl Polysiloxanes
Authors: Zhu Lin , Cheng Xiao , Su Wenlu , Zhao Jiaxin , Zhou Chuanjian
Published: December 2019

The excellent performance and wide applications of phenyl polysiloxanes are largely due to their phenyl units and monomer sequences. However, the relationship between molecular structure and material properties has not been explicitly elucidated. In this work, the sequence distribution and microstructure of random copolymers were quantitatively investigated by means of a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation combined with experimental verification. The results of 29Si NMR showed that the large number of phenyl units not only shortened the length of the dimethyl units, but also significantly increased the proportion of consecutive phenyl units. The simulation results indicated the attraction between adjacent phenyl groups that were effectively strengthened intra- and inter- molecular interactions, which determined the equilibrium population of conformations and the dynamics of conformational transitions. Furthermore, the evolution of bond angle distribution, torsion distribution, and mean-squared displacements (MSD) shed light on the conformational characteristics that induce the unique thermodynamics properties and photophysical behavior of high-phenyl polysiloxanes. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA), spectrofluorimetry, and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) were performed to verify the conclusions drawn from the simulation. Overall, the complementary use of MD simulations and experiments provided a deep molecular insight into structure–property relationships, which will provide theoretical guidance for the rational design and preparation of high-performance siloxanes.
Entropy-Induced Separation of Binary Semiflexible Ring Polymer Mixtures in Spherical Confinement
Authors: Zhou Xiaolin , Guo Fuchen , Li Ke , He Linli , Zhang Linxi
Published: December 2019

Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the conformations of binary semiflexible ring polymers (SRPs) of two different lengths confined in a hard sphere. Segregated structures of SRPs in binary mixtures are strongly dependent upon the number density of system (ρ), the bending energy of long SRPs (Kb, long), and the chain length ratio of long to short SRPs (α). With a low ρ or a weak Kb, long at a small ratio α, long SRPs are immersed randomly in the matrix of short SRPs. As ρ and bending energy of long SRPs (Kb, long) are increased up to a certain value for a large ratio α, a nearly complete segregation between long and short SRPs is observed, which can be further characterized by the ratio of tangential and radial components of long SRPs velocity. These explicit segregated structures of the two components in spherical confinement are induced by a delicate competition between the entropic excluded volume (depletion) effects and bending contributions.
Influence of Single/Collective Use of Curing Agents on the Curing Behavior and Bond Strength of Soy Protein-Melamine-Urea-Formaldehyde (SMUF) Resin for Plywood Assembly
Authors: Wu Zhigang , Zhang Bengang , Zhou Xiaojian , Li Lifen , Yu Liping , Liao Jingjing , Du Guanben
Published: December 2019

Soybean protein hydrolysate, melamine, urea, and concentrated formaldehyde were used to synthesize an environmentally friendly soybean protein-melamine-urea-formaldehyde (SMUF) co-condensation resin. (NH4)2SO4, (NH4)2HPO4, (NH4)2HPO4 + (NH4)2SO4, (NH4)2HPO4 + (NH4)2S2O8, and (NH4)2HPO4 + (NH4)2SO4 + (NH4)2S2O8 were employed as curing agents for SMUF resin. The curing and thermal behaviors of the SMUF resin were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed the following: (1) (NH4)2SO4 alone could not cure the SMUF resin completely; thus, the final shear strength accomplished plywood with the resin was low, and its water resistance was poor, while the adhesive section was loose and porous/brittle after curing. (2) (NH4)2HPO4 could be hydrolyzed to generate H+ and promote SMUF curing, but it could also form polyphosphoric acids, resulting in crosslinking reactions with SMUF in parallel; thereby, the curing properties were improved. (3) When (NH4)2HPO4 + (NH4)2SO4 + (NH4)2S2O8 were engaged collectively as curing agent, the shear strength, water resistance, and heat resistance of SMUF attained were the best possible whereas the curing temperature was decreased and the heat released by curing was elevated substantially, which signifies maximized extent of crosslinking was achieved. Further, the adhesive section exhibited mostly a crosslinking intertexture as demonstrated by means of SEM. Accordingly, this study may serve as a guide for the curing of amino resins, with low-molar ratio of formaldehyde to amine in adhesives, which are applied to plywood production.
Further Exploration of Sucrose–Citric Acid Adhesive: Investigation of Optimal Hot-Pressing Conditions for Plywood and Curing Behavior
Authors: Zhao Zhongyuan , Sakai Shunsuke , Wu Di , Chen Zhen , Zhu Nan , Huang Caoxing , Sun Shijing , Zhang Min , Umemura Kenji , Yong Qiang
Published: December 2019

In previous research, sucrose and citric acid were used to synthesize an eco-friendly plywood adhesive. Herein, further research was performed to determine the optimal hot-pressing conditions and curing behavior of a sucrose-citric acid (SC) adhesive. The results of dry and wet shear strength measurements showed that the optimal hot-pressing temperature, hot-pressing time, and spread rate of plywood samples bonded by the SC adhesive were 190 °C, 7 min, and 140 g/m2, respectively. When plywood was bonded at the optimal hot-pressing conditions, the wet shear strength met the requirements of the China National Standard GB/T 9846-2015. Thermal analysis showed that the thermal degradation and endothermic reaction temperatures of the SC 25/75 adhesive were lower than either sucrose or citric acid individually. In addition, the insoluble mass proportion increased with the heating temperature and time. The Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometr (Py-GC/MS) analysis confirmed that the SC adhesive was cured by the reaction between furan compounds, saccharide, and citric acid, and the resulting polymer appeared to be joined by ether linkages.
A DEA Approach for Assessing the Energy, Environmental and Economic Performance of Top 20 Industrial Countries
Authors: Iqbal Wasim , Altalbe Ali , Fatima Arooj , Ali Amjad , Hou Yumei
Published: December 2019

Due to growing concerns of global warming, reducing carbon emissions has become one of the major tasks for developing countries to meet the national demand for energy policies. The objective of this study is to measure the energy consumption, carbon emission and economic-environmental efficiency in terms of the environmental performance of the top 20 industrial countries by employing a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model from 2013 to 2017. This study used the trilemma of energy efficiency, CO2 emission efficiency, and environmental efficiency, and also the contribution included the quantitative analysis of 20 industrial countries The results show that the energy efficiency of Australia, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Poland are the best performing countries, whereas Mexico, Indonesia, Russia, and Brazil are identified as least efficient among all 20 countries. Furthermore, Russia’s energy intensity has a maximum score while Poland has a minimum score. Additionally, in the case of CO2 emission efficiency, Brazil, France, and Saudi Arabia are considered as efficient while nine country’s scores were less than 0.5. The results show that most countries exhibit higher performance in economic efficiency than environmental efficiency. The study provides valuable information for energy policy-makers.
The Effect of Jumps in the Crude Oil Market on the Sovereign Risks of Major Oil Exporters
Authors: Bouri Elie
Published: December 2019

We study the jump behaviour in the sovereign risks of major oil-exporting countries and examine whether it is affected by jumps in the price and volatility of crude oil. Data used are daily from 14 February 2011, to 31 July 2019. We detect the presence of jumps in many oil exporters and find evidence of less frequent jumps in the crude oil market. The jumps in sovereign risks of oil-exporters are significantly affected by oil volatility jumps, not by oil price jumps. These findings suggest that the sovereign risks of oil-exporters are affected by abrupt movements in oil implied volatility, which points to a contagion effect. The findings are useful not only for refining the prediction of the sovereign risks of oil-exporters but also in reducing the potential effect of price discontinuity of sovereign risks on public finances sustainability and financial health.
Ship Detection Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks for PolSAR Images
Authors: Fan Weiwei , Zhou Feng , Bai Xueru , Tao Mingliang , Tian Tian
Published: December 2019

Ship detection plays an important role in many remote sensing applications. However, the performance of the PolSAR ship detection may be degraded by the complicated scattering mechanism, multi-scale size of targets, and random speckle noise, etc. In this paper, we propose a ship detection method for PolSAR images based on modified faster region-based convolutional neural network (Faster R-CNN). The main improvements include proposal generation by adopting multi-level features produced by the convolution layers, which fits ships with different sizes, and the addition of a Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN)-based classifier for training sample generation and coast mitigation. The proposed method has been validated by four measured datasets of NASA/JPL airborne synthetic aperture radar (AIRSAR) and uninhabited aerial vehicle synthetic aperture radar (UAVSAR). Performance comparison with the modified constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detector and the Faster R-CNN has demonstrated that the proposed method can improve the detection probability while reducing the false alarm rate and missed detections.
Detection of New Zealand Kauri Trees with AISA Aerial Hyperspectral Data for Use in Multispectral Monitoring
Authors: Meiforth Jane J. , Buddenbaum Henning , Hill Joachim , Shepherd James , Norton David A.
Published: December 2019

The endemic New Zealand kauri trees (Agathis australis) are of major importance for the forests in the northern part of New Zealand. The mapping of kauri locations is required for the monitoring of the deadly kauri dieback disease (Phytophthora agathidicida (PTA)). In this study, we developed a method to identify kauri trees by optical remote sensing that can be applied in an area-wide campaign. Dead and dying trees were separated in one class and the remaining trees with no to medium stress symptoms were defined in the two classes “kauri” and “other”. The reference dataset covers a representative selection of 3165 precisely located crowns of kauri and 21 other canopy species in the Waitakere Ranges west of Auckland. The analysis is based on an airborne hyperspectral AISA Fenix image (437–2337 nm, 1 m2 pixel resolution). The kauri spectra show characteristically steep reflectance and absorption features in the near-infrared (NIR) region with a distinct long descent at 1215 nm, which can be parameterised with a modified Normalised Water Index (mNDWI-Hyp). With a Jeffries–Matusita separability over 1.9, the kauri spectra can be well separated from 21 other canopy vegetation spectra. The Random Forest classifier performed slightly better than Support Vector Machine. A combination of the mNDWI-Hyp index with four additional spectral indices with three red to NIR bands resulted in an overall pixel-based accuracy (OA) of 91.7% for crowns larger 3 m diameter. While the user’s and producer’s accuracies for the class “kauri” with 94.6% and 94.8% are suitable for management purposes, the separation of “dead/dying trees” from “other” canopy vegetation poses the main challenge. The OA can be improved to 93.8% by combining “kauri” and “dead/dying” trees in one class, separate classifications for low and high forest stands and a binning to 10 nm bandwidths. Additional wavelengths and their respective indices only improved the OA up to 0.6%. The method developed in this study allows an accurate location of kauri trees for an area-wide mapping with a five-band multispectral sensor in a representative selection of forest ecosystems.
A Novel Ensemble Approach for Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (LSM) in Darjeeling and Kalimpong Districts, West Bengal, India
Authors: Roy Jagabandhu , Saha Sunil , Arabameri Alireza , Blaschke Thomas , Bui Dieu Tien
Published: December 2019

Landslides are among the most harmful natural hazards for human beings. This study aims to delineate landslide hazard zones in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal, India using a novel ensemble approach combining the weight-of-evidence (WofE) and support vector machine (SVM) techniques with remote sensing datasets and geographic information systems (GIS). The study area currently faces severe landslide problems, causing fatalities and losses of property. In the present study, the landslide inventory database was prepared using Google Earth imagery, and a field investigation carried out with a global positioning system (GPS). Of the 326 landslides in the inventory, 98 landslides (30%) were used for validation, and 228 landslides (70%) were used for modeling purposes. The landslide conditioning factors of elevation, rainfall, slope, aspect, geomorphology, geology, soil texture, land use/land cover (LULC), normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI), topographic wetness index (TWI), sediment transportation index (STI), stream power index (SPI), and seismic zone maps were used as independent variables in the modeling process. The weight-of-evidence and SVM techniques were ensembled and used to prepare landslide susceptibility maps (LSMs) with the help of remote sensing (RS) data and geographical information systems (GIS). The landslide susceptibility maps (LSMs) were then classified into four classes; namely, low, medium, high, and very high susceptibility to landslide occurrence, using the natural breaks classification methods in the GIS environment. The very high susceptibility zones produced by these ensemble models cover an area of 630 km2 (WofE& RBF-SVM), 474 km2 (WofE& Linear-SVM), 501km2 (WofE& Polynomial-SVM), and 498 km2 (WofE& Sigmoid-SVM), respectively, of a total area of 3914 km2. The results of our study were validated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and quality sum (Qs) methods. The area under the curve (AUC) values of the ensemble WofE& RBF-SVM, WofE & Linear-SVM, WofE & Polynomial-SVM, and WofE & Sigmoid-SVM models are 87%, 90%, 88%, and 85%, respectively, which indicates they are very good models for identifying landslide hazard zones. As per the results of both validation methods, the WofE & Linear-SVM model is more accurate than the other ensemble models. The results obtained from this study using our new ensemble methods can provide proper and significant information to decision-makers and policy planners in the landslide-prone areas of these districts.
Scattering Transform Framework for Unmixing of Hyperspectral Data
Authors: Zeng Yiliang , Ritz Christian , Zhao Jiahong , Lan Jinhui
Published: December 2019

The scattering transform, which applies multiple convolutions using known filters targeting different scales of time or frequency, has a strong similarity to the structure of convolution neural networks (CNNs), without requiring training to learn the convolution filters, and has been used for hyperspectral image classification in recent research. This paper investigates the application of the scattering transform framework to hyperspectral unmixing (STFHU). While state-of-the-art research on unmixing hyperspectral data utilizing scattering transforms is limited, the proposed end-to-end method applies pixel-based scattering transforms and preliminary three-dimensional (3D) scattering transforms to hyperspectral images in the remote sensing scenario to extract feature vectors, which are then trained by employing the regression model based on the k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) to estimate the abundance of maps of endmembers. Experiments compare performances of the proposed algorithm with a series of existing methods in quantitative terms based on both synthetic data and real-world hyperspectral datasets. Results indicate that the proposed approach is more robust to additive noise, which is suppressed by utilizing the rich information in both high-frequency and low-frequency components represented by the scattering transform. Furthermore, the proposed method achieves higher accuracy for unmixing using the same amount of training data with all comparative approaches, while achieving equivalent performance to the best performing CNN method but using much less training data.
Assessing the Feasibility of Using Sentinel-2 Imagery to Quantify the Impact of Heatwaves on Irrigated Vineyards
Authors: Cogato Alessia , Pagay Vinay , Marinello Francesco , Meggio Franco , Grace Peter , De Antoni Migliorati Massimiliano
Published: December 2019

Heatwaves are common in many viticultural regions of Australia. We evaluated the potential of satellite-based remote sensing to detect the effects of high temperatures on grapevines in a South Australian vineyard over the 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 seasons. The study involved: (i) comparing the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from medium- and high-resolution satellite images; (ii) determining correlations between environmental conditions and vegetation indices (Vis); and (iii) identifying VIs that best indicate heatwave effects. Pearson’s correlation and Bland–Altman testing showed a significant agreement between the NDVI of high- and medium-resolution imagery (R = 0.74, estimated difference −0.093). The band and the VI most sensitive to changes in environmental conditions were 705 nm and enhanced vegetation index (EVI), both of which correlated with relative humidity (R = 0.65 and R = 0.62, respectively). Conversely, SWIR (short wave infrared, 1610 nm) exhibited a negative correlation with growing degree days (R = −0.64). The analysis of heat stress showed that green and red edge bands—the chlorophyll absorption ratio index (CARI) and transformed chlorophyll absorption ratio index (TCARI)—were negatively correlated with thermal environmental parameters such as air and soil temperature and growing degree days (GDDs). The red and red edge bands—the soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) and CARI2—were correlated with relative humidity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the effectiveness of using medium-resolution imagery for the detection of heat stress on grapevines in irrigated vineyards.