bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cost Analysis of Internet of Things Sensor Data Storage on Blockchain via Smart Contracts
Authors: Kurt Peker Yeşem , Rodriguez Xavier , Ericsson James , Lee Suk Jin , Perez Alfredo J.
Published: February 2020

Blockchain is a developing technology that can be utilized for secure data storage and sharing. In this work, we examine the cost of Blockchain-based data storage for constrained Internet of Things (IoT) devices. We had two phases in the study. In the first phase, we stored data retrieved from a temperature/humidity sensor connected to an Ethereum testnet blockchain using smart contracts in two different ways: first, appending the new data to the existing data, storing all sensor data; and second, overwriting the new data onto the existing data, storing only a recent portion of the data. In the second phase, we stored simulated data from several sensors on the blockchain assuming sensor data is numeric. We proposed a method for encoding the data from the sensors in one variable and compared the costs of storing the data in an array versus storing the encoded data from all sensors in one variable. We also compared the costs of carrying out the encoding within the smart contract versus outside the smart contract. In the first phase, our results indicate that overwriting data points is more cost-efficient than appending them. In the second phase, using the proposed encoding method to store the data from several sensors costs significantly less than storing the data in an array, if the encoding is done outside the smart contract. If the encoding is carried out in the smart contract, the cost is still less than storing the data in an array, however, the difference is not significant. The study shows that even though expensive, for applications where the integrity and transparency of data are crucial, storing IoT sensor data on Ethereum could be a reliable solution.
New RSA Encryption Mechanism Using One-Time Encryption Keys and Unpredictable Bio-Signal for Wireless Communication Devices
Authors: Yu Hoyoung , Kim Youngmin
Published: February 2020

Applying the data encryption method used in conventional personal computers (PC) to wireless communication devices such as IoT is not trivial. Because IoT equipment is extremely slow in transferring data and has a small hardware area compared with PCs, it is difficult to transfer large data and perform complicated operations. In particular, it is difficult to apply the RSA encryption method to wireless communication devices because it guarantees the stability of data encryption because it is difficult to factor extremely large prime numbers. Furthermore, it has become even more difficult to apply the RSA encryption method to IoT devices as a paper recently published indicated that it enables rapid fractional decomposition when using RSA encryption with a prime number generated through several pseudo-random number generators. To compensate for the disadvantages of RSA encryption, we propose a method that significantly reduces the encryption key using a true prime random number generator (TPRNG), which generates a prime number that cannot be predicted through bio-signals, and a disposable RSA encryption key. TPRNG has been verified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The NIST test and an RSA algorithm are implemented through Verilog.
A Low Cost and Fast Cell-to-Cell Balancing Circuit for Lithium-Ion Battery Strings
Authors: Pham Van-Long , Duong Van-Tinh , Choi Woojin
Published: February 2020

This paper proposes a fast cell-to-cell balancing circuit for lithium-ion battery strings. The proposed method uses only one push-pull converter to transfer energy between high- and low-voltage cells directly for a fast balancing speed. The switch network for selecting a certain pair of cells is implemented using relays to achieve a low cost. The control circuit is composed of a battery-monitoring IC and a digital signal processor (DSP) to monitor the cell voltage and to protect the batteries. In order to prove the validity of the proposed method, a prototype circuit is built with twelve lithium-ion batteries in a string. The experimental results show that it takes only 50 min to balance twelve lithium-ion batteries during the charge with 89.5% maximum efficiency. The outstanding performance of the proposed cell balancing circuit is verified through its comparison with other methods in terms of several factors, such as the balancing time and the implementation cost.
Quality Assessment on Authentically Distorted Images by Expanding Proxy Labels
Authors: Guan Xiaodi , Li Fan , He Lijun
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we propose a no-reference image quality assessment (NR-IQA) approach towards authentically distorted images, based on expanding proxy labels. In order to distinguish from the human labels, we define the quality score, which is generated by using a traditional NR-IQA algorithm, as “proxy labels”. “Proxy” means that the objective results are obtained by computer after the extraction and assessment of the image features, instead of human judging. To solve the problem of limited image quality assessment (IQA) dataset size, we adopt a cascading transfer-learning method. First, we obtain large numbers of proxy labels which denote the quality score of authentically distorted images by using a traditional no-reference IQA method. Then the deep network is trained by the proxy labels, in order to learn IQA-related knowledge from the amounts of images with their scores. Ultimately, we use fine-tuning to inherit knowledge represented in the trained network. During the procedure, the mapping relationship fits in with human visual perception closer. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm shows an outstanding performance as compared with the existing algorithms. On the LIVE In the Wild Image Quality Challenge database and KonIQ-10k database (two standard databases for authentically distorted image quality assessment), the algorithm realized good consistency between human visual perception and the predicted quality score of authentically distorted images.
Dual-Active Bridge Series Resonant Electric Vehicle Charger: A Self-Tuning Method
Authors: Namadmalan Alireza , Rouzbehi Kumars , Escaño Juan Manuel , Bordons Carlos
Published: February 2020

This paper presents a new self-tuning loop for a bidirectional dual-active bridge (DAB) series resonant converter (SRC). For different loading conditions, the two active bridges can be controlled with a minimum time displacement between them to assure zero voltage switching (ZVS) and minimum circulation current conditions. The tuning loop can instantly reverse the power direction with a fast dynamics. Moreover, the tuning loop is not sensitive to series resonant tank tolerances and deviations, which makes it a robust solution for power tuning of the SRCs. For simplicity, the power is controlled based on the power-frequency control method with a fixed time displacement between the active bridges. The main design criteria of the bidirectional SRC are the time displacement, operating frequency bandwidth, and the minimum and maximum power, which are simply derived and formulated based on the self-tuning loop’s parameters. Based on the parameters of the tuning loop, a simplified power equation and power control method is proposed for DAB-SRCs. The proposed control method is simulated in static and dynamic conditions for different loadings. The analysis and simulation results show the effectiveness of the new tuning method.
Bias Temperature Instability Aware and Soft Error Tolerant Radiation Hardened 10T SRAM Cell
Authors: Shah Ambika Prasad , Waltl Michael
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we propose an asymmetric radiation-hardened 10T (AS10T) SRAM cell and analyze the impact of bias temperature instabilities (BTI) on the single event upset of the modified structure. For this, we make use of a read decoupled circuit to improve the stability of the reading cycle, and a charge booster circuit to increase the critical charge at the sensitive node of the SRAM cell. First, we compare the noise margin of several reference cells and can clearly observe that the read static noise margin (RSNM) of AS10T is 3.25× higher than as can be achieved for the 6T SRAM cell. This improvement is due to the read decoupled path used for the read operation. To analyze the soft-error hardening, we calculate the critical charge and observe that the critical charge of the proposed AS10T cell exceed the same parameter of other SRAM cells. Further, we perform critical charge simulations and stability analysis considering BTI and observe that the AS10T SRAM cell is also less affected by BTI as the reference cells.
A Fully Integrated Compact Outphasing CMOS Power Amplifier Using a Parallel-Combining Transformer with a Tuning Inductor Method
Authors: Choi Se-Eun , Ahn Hyunjin , Hur Joonhoi , Kim Kwan-Woo , Nam Ilku , Choi Jaehyouk , Lee Ockgoo
Published: February 2020

This work presents a compact on-chip outphasing power amplifier with a parallel-combining transformer (PCT). A series-combining transformer (SCT) and PCT are analyzed as power-combining transformers for outphasing operations. Compared to the SCT, which is typically used for on-chip outphasing combiners, the PCT is much smaller. The outphasing operations of the transformer combiners and class-D switching PAs are also analyzed. A tuning inductor method is proposed to improve the efficiency of class-D power amplifiers (PAs) with power-combining transformers in the out-of-phase mode. The proposed PA was implemented with a standard 0.18 µm CMOS process. The measured maximum drain efficiency is 37.3% with an output power of 22.4 dBm at 1.7 GHz. A measured adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) of less than −30 dBc is obtained for a long-term evolution (LTE) signal with a bandwidth of 10 MHz.
Experimental Investigation on Injection and Production Pattern in Fractured-Vuggy Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: He Juan , Li Aowei , Wu Shanshan , Tang Ruixue , Lv Dongliang , Li Yongren , Li Xiaobo
Published: February 2020

To constitute and adjust the injection and production pattern in fractured-vuggy reservoirs, we extracted twelve fractured-cave structures, fabricated them into physical models with acrylic plates, and performed experiments via these models. The results show that utilizing oil/water gravity segregation sufficiently and forming valid flow channels should be emphasized. Preferentially exploiting the reservoir body containing intermediate-scaled or large-scaled caves, arranging injection wells in fractures or small-scaled caves while placing production wells in large-scaled caves, and separately putting injection wells and production wells in low/high parts of an intermediate-scaled or large-scaled cave, were found to benefit oil/water gravity segregation and thus gain a better water flooding effect in these experiments. Experiments with combined models also figured out that, after adjusting the injection and production pattern, the valid flow channel newly formed must pass through caves containing enough residual oil to improve the water flooding effect and could be obtained by shutting down the old production well while adding a new production well, adding a new production well, or switching the production well into an injection well while adding a new production well. In the actual field, adjusting the well location and altering the flow channel were proposed to conduct together. This study may provide references on the production management of analogous reservoirs.
An Offshore Floating Wind–Solar–Aquaculture System: Concept Design and Extreme Response in Survival Conditions
Authors: Zheng Xiangyuan , Zheng Huadong , Lei Yu , Li Yi , Li Wei
Published: February 2020

This study presents a new concept design combining multiple megawatt (MW) vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) and a solar array with a floating steel fish-farming cage. This combined wind–solar–aquaculture (WSA) system is intended to utilize the ocean space and water resources more effectively and more economically, while greatly shortening the payback period of investment in offshore power generation. The details of this WSA design are described, showing that a square-shaped fishing cage serves as a floating foundation for the 7600 m2 solar array and four multi MW VAWTs. The WAMIT program based on potential-flow theory is employed to obtain the WSA’s motion response amplitude operators (RAOs) in sinusoidal waves of varying periods. The motion RAOs indicated that the proposed concept possesses better hydrodynamic seakeeping performances than its OC3Hywind spar and OC4DeepCwind semi-submersible counterparts. A potential site located in the northwest South China Sea is selected to deploy the WSA. Its feasibility is then examined in terms of the hydrodynamic motions and structural dynamic response driven by wind, waves, and current. Fully coupled time-domain simulations are carried out for 50-year survival conditions. The whole structure exhibits outstanding performance for its small motions in random wind and seas. Moreover, under these survival conditions, the top accelerations and tower base stresses of the VAWTs and mooring line tensions readily meet the design requirements. Technically, the WSA has strong competitiveness and wide prospects in the offshore industry for both power exploitation and marine aquaculture in intermediate and deep waters.
Estimating the Optimum Tilt Angles for South-Facing Surfaces in Palestine
Authors: Abdallah Ramez , Juaidi Adel , Abdel-Fattah Salameh , Manzano-Agugliaro Francisco
Published: February 2020

The optimum tilt angle of solar panels or collectors is crucial when determining parameters that affect the performance of those panels. A mathematical model is used for determining the optimum tilt angle and for calculating the solar radiation on a south-facing surface on a daily, monthly, seasonal, semi-annual, and annual basis. Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) and Photovoltaic Software (PVWatts) is developed by the NREL (US National Renewable Energy Laboratory) are also used to calculate the optimum monthly, seasonal, semi-annual, and annual tilt angles and to compare these results with the results obtained from the mathematical model. The results are very similar. PVGIS and PVWatts are used to estimate the solar radiation on south-facing surfaces with different tilt angles. A case study of a mono-crystalline module with 5 kWP of peak power is used to find out the amount of increased energy (gains) obtained by adjusting the Photovoltaic (PV) tilt angles based on yearly, semi-annual, seasonal, and monthly tilt angles. The results show that monthly adjustments of the solar panels in the main Palestinian cities can generate about 17% more solar energy than the case of solar panels fixed on a horizontal surface. Seasonal and semi-annual adjustments can generate about 15% more energy (i.e., it is worth changing the solar panels 12 times a year (monthly) or at least 2 times a year (semi-annually). The yearly optimum tilt angle for most Palestinian cities is about 29°, which yields an increase of about 10% energy gain compared to a solar panel fixed on a horizontal surface.
Weather, Risk, and Resource Orders on Large Wildland Fires in the Western US
Authors: Bayham Jude , Belval Erin J. , Thompson Matthew P. , Dunn Christopher , Stonesifer Crystal S. , Calkin David E.
Published: February 2020

Research Highlights: Our results suggest that weather is a primary driver of resource orders over the course of extended attack efforts on large fires. Incident Management Teams (IMTs) synthesize information about weather, fuels, and order resources based on expected fire growth rather than simply reacting to observed fire growth. Background and Objectives: Weather conditions are a well-known determinant of fire behavior and are likely to become more erratic under climate change. Yet, there is little empirical evidence demonstrating how IMTs respond to observed or expected weather conditions. An understanding of weather-driven resource ordering patterns may aid in resource prepositioning as well as forecasting suppression costs. Our primary objective is to understand how changing weather conditions influence resource ordering patterns. Our secondary objective is to test how an additional risk factor, evacuation, as well as a constructed risk metric combining fire growth and evacuation, influences resource ordering. Materials and Methods: We compile a novel dataset on over 1100 wildfires in the western US from 2007–2013, integrating data on resource requests, detailed weather conditions, fuel and landscape characteristics, values at risk, fire behavior, and IMT expectations about future fire behavior and values at risk. We develop a two-step regression framework to investigate the extent to which IMTs respond to realized or expected weather-driven fire behavior and risks. Results: We find that IMTs’ expectations about future fire growth are influenced by observed weather and that these expectations influence resource ordering patterns. IMTs order nearly twice as many resources when weather conditions are expected to drive growth events in the near future. However, we find little evidence that our other risk metrics influence resource ordering behavior (all else being equal). Conclusion: Our analysis shows that incident management teams are generally forward-looking and respond to expected rather than recently observed weather-driven fire behavior. These results may have important implications for forecasting resource needs and costs in a changing climate.
Valve Geometry and Flow Optimization through an Automated DOE Approach
Authors: Olivetti Micaela , Monterosso Federico Giulio , Marinaro Gianluca , Frosina Emma , Mazzei Pietro
Published: February 2020

The objective of this paper is to show how a completely virtual optimization approach is useful to design new geometries in order to improve the performance of industrial components, like valves. The standard approach for optimization of an industrial component, as a valve, is mainly performed with trials and errors and is based on the experience and knowledge of the engineer involved in the study. Unfortunately, this approach is time consuming and often not affordable for the industrial time-to-market. The introduction of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) tools significantly helped reducing time to market; on the other hand, the process to identify the best configuration still depends on the personal sensitivity of the engineer. Here a more general, faster and reliable approach is described, which uses a CFD code directly linked to an optimization tool. CAESES® associated with SimericsMP+® allows us to easily study many different geometrical variants and work out a design of experiments (DOE) sequence that gives evidence of the most impactful aspects of a design. Moreover, the result can be further optimized to obtain the best possible solution in terms of the constraints defined.
Constitutive and Plastic Gene Expression Variation Associated with Desiccation Resistance Differences in the Drosophila americana Species Group
Authors: Davis Jeremy S , Moyle Leonie C
Published: February 2020

Stress response mechanisms are ubiquitous and important for adaptation to heterogenous environments and could be based on constitutive or plastic responses to environmental stressors. Here we quantify constitutive and plastic gene expression differences under ambient and desiccation stress treatments, in males and females of three species of Drosophila known to differ in desiccation resistance. Drosophila novamexicana survives desiccation trials significantly longer than the two subspecies of Drosophila americana, consistent with its natural species range in the desert southwest USA. We found that desiccation stress reduces global expression differences between species—likely because many general stress response mechanisms are shared among species—but that all species showed plastic expression changes at hundreds of loci during desiccation. Nonetheless, D. novamexicana had the fewest genes with significant plastic expression changes, despite having the highest desiccation resistance. Of the genes that were significantly differentially expressed between species—either within each treatment (>200 loci), constitutively regardless of treatment (36 loci), or with different species-specific plasticity (26 loci)—GO analysis did not find significant enrichment of any major gene pathways or broader functions associated with desiccation stress. Taken together, these data indicate that if gene expression changes contribute to differential desiccation resistance between species, these differences are likely shaped by a relatively small set of influential genes rather than broad genome-wide differentiation in stress response mechanisms. Finally, among the set of genes with the greatest between-species plasticity, we identified an interesting set of immune-response genes with consistent but opposing reaction norms between sexes, whose potential functional role in sex-specific mechanisms of desiccation resistance remains to be determined.
Integrative Groundwater Studies in a Small-Scale Urban Area: Case Study from the Municipality of Penafiel (NW Portugal)
Authors: Freitas Liliana , Chaminé Helder I. , Afonso Maria José , Meerkhan Helen , Abreu Tiago , Trigo José Filinto , Pereira Alcides J. S. C.
Published: February 2020

The occurrence of groundwater in urban hard rock areas is mostly controlled by secondary permeability caused by the fracturing degree and weathering grade. Vulnerability GIS-mapping, monitoring, and infiltration/recharge of water resources, and the delineation of the environmental protective background are key issues in evaluating, planning, managing, and decision-making for urban water systems. A small-scale urban area in Penafiel City was used as a case study. Historical and current scenarios were compared using hydrogeological GIS-based modelling. Water sources and potential contamination sources were mapped around the study area. Groundwater is mainly acidic, with a low mineralization and a Cl-Na to Cl-SO4-Na or Cl-Ca to Cl-SO4-Ca hydrogeochemical facies. Considering potential contamination sources, the moderate and the moderate-high classes dominate the area. The combined approach of the vulnerability indexes suggests that most of the area has a low to moderate vulnerability to contamination. The Infiltration Potential Index in urban areas (IPI-urban) indicates the prevalence of a low to moderate infiltration. Groundwater recharge evaluation indicates values < 2.3 mm/year and <60 mm/year for summer and winter scenarios, respectively. Finally, the investigation addresses insights for decision-makers for the appropriate planning and sustainable management of groundwater resources in small-scale urban areas.
Geochronology and Stable Isotope Analysis of Fracture-Fill and Karst Mineralization Reveal Sub-Surface Paleo-Fluid Flow and Microbial Activity of the COSC-1 Borehole, Scandinavian Caledonides
Authors: Drake Henrik , Roberts Nick M. W. , Whitehouse Martin J.
Published: February 2020

The deep biosphere hosted in fractured rocks within the upper continental crust is one of the least understood and studied ecological realms on Earth. Scarce knowledge of ancient life and paleo-fluid flow within this realm is owing to the lack of deep drilling into the crust. Here we apply microscale high spatial-resolution analytical techniques to fine-grained secondary minerals in a deep borehole (COSC-1) drilled into the Silurian-Devonian Scandinavian Caledonide mountain range in central Sweden. The aim is to detect and date signs of ancient microbial activity and low-temperature fluid circulation in micro-karsts (foliation-parallel dissolution cavities in the rock) and fractures at depth in the nappe system. Vein carbonates sampled at 684 to 2210 m show a decreased C isotope variability at depths below 1050 m; likely due to decreased influence of organic-C at great depth. Micro-karsts at 122–178 m depth feature at least two generations of secondary calcite and pyrite growth in the voids as shown by secondary ion mass spectrometry analytical transects within individual grains. The younger of these two precipitation phases shows 34S-depleted δ34Spyrite values (−19.8 ± 1.6‰ vs. Vienna-Canyon Diablo Troilite (V-CDT)) suggesting microbial sulfate reduction in situ. The calcite of this late phase can be distinguished from the older calcite by higher δ18Ocalcite values that correspond to precipitation from ambient meteoric water. The late stage calcite gave two separate laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry-derived U-Pb ages (9.6 ± 1.3 Ma and 2.5 ± 0.2 Ma), marking a minimum age for widespread micro-karst formation within the nappe. Several stages of fluid flow and mineral precipitation followed karst formation; with related bacterial activity as late as the Neogene-Quaternary; in structures presently water conducting. The results show that our combined high spatial-resolution stable isotope and geochronology approach is suitable for characterizing paleo-fluid flow in micro-karst; in this case, of the crystalline crust comprising orogenic nappe units.
Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Portuguese Version of the CANHELP Lite Bereavement Questionnaire
Authors: Pereira Alexandra , Ferreira Amélia , Abrantes Ana Rita , Gomes Cristiana , Saraiva Joana , Teixeira Laetitia , Heyland Daren K. , Martins José , Pinto Sara , Fernandes Olga
Published: February 2020

Background: Satisfaction with care is an important outcome measure in end-of-life care. Validated instruments are necessary to evaluate and disseminate interventions that improve satisfaction with care at the end of life, contributing to improving the quality of care offered at the end of life to the Portuguese population. The purpose of this study was to perform a cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric analysis of the Portuguese version of the CANHELP Lite Bereavement Questionnaire. Methods: Methodological research with an analytical approach that includes translation, semantic, and cultural adaptation. Results: The Portuguese version comprised 24 items. A panel of experts and bereaved family members found it acceptable and that it had face and content validity. A total of 269 caregivers across several care settings in the northern region of Portugal were recruited for further testing. The internal consistency analysis of the adapted instrument resulted in a global alpha value of 0.950. The correlation between the adapted CANHELP questionnaire and a global rating of satisfaction was of 0.886 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The instrument has good psychometric properties. It was reliable and valid in assessing caregivers’ satisfaction with end-of-life care and can be used in both clinical and research settings.
Hearts—An Open Access Journal of Cardiology
Authors: Lin Shu-Kun
Published: February 2020

MDPI has been publishing several medical journals, including: International Journal of Neonatal Screening [...]
Dietary Knowledge among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes—Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Sami Waqas , Alabdulwahhab Khalid M , Ab Hamid Mohd Rashid , Alasbali Tariq A. , Alwadani Fahd Al , Ahmad Mohammad Shakil
Published: February 2020

Dietary management is considered as a major step in assessing a patient’s knowledge related to nutritional aspects, treatment, and complications of diabetes. Diabetes patients frequently face difficulty in identifying the recommended diet, including its quality and quantity. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), sedentary lifestyle, along with food choices and portion sizes, have increased considerably and this has resulted in the soaring risk of diabetes. In addition, there is paucity of literature focusing on the Dietary Knowledge (DK) of type 2 diabetics in KSA. The study aimed to assess and evaluate the DK of type 2 diabetics. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 type 2 diabetics using a valid and reliable self-prepared questionnaire comprising of 21 questions. Results showed that type 2 diabetics had an overall poor DK (28.57%). Sub-group analysis further revealed that diabetes patients had poor knowledge related to the consumption of carbohydrates and food choices, whereas they had good knowledge related to lipids and fats, proteins and food types. The role of diet in controlling of diabetes is considered imperative, but still, diabetes patients are unaware how they should approach this issue. The patient empowerment approach can be used to counsel patients with a poor DK. Primary care physicians and dietitians should work together and carry out individualized, tailored and patient-centered dietary education sessions.
Volume and Intensity of Stepping Activity and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in a Multi-ethnic Asian Population
Authors: Sumner Jennifer , Uijtdewilligen Léonie , Yee Anne Chu Hin , Xian Sheryl Ng Hui , Barreira Tiago V , Sloan Robert Alan , Van Dam Rob M , Müller-Riemenschneider Falk
Published: February 2020

The health benefits of objectively measured physical activity volume versus intensity have rarely been studied, particularly in non-western populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cardiometabolic risk factors and stepping activity including; volume (step count), intensity (cadence) or inactivity (zero-steps/minute/day), in a multi-ethnic Asian population. Participants clinical data was collected at baseline and their physical activity was monitored for seven days, using an accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X+) in 2016. Tertiles (low, moderate, high) of the mean daily step count, peak one-minute, 30-min, 60-min cadences and time/day spent at zero-steps/minute were calculated. Adjusted linear regressions explored the association between stepping activity tertiles and cardiometabolic risk factors. A total of 635 participants (41% male, 67% Chinese, mean age 48.4 years) were included in the analyses. The mean daily step count was 7605 (median daily step count 7310) and 7.8 h of awake time per day were spent inactive (zero-steps/minute). A greater number of associations were found for step intensity than volume. Higher step intensity was associated with reduced body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressures and higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Future health promotion initiatives should consider the greater role of step intensity to reduce cardiometabolic risk.
Gender Based Violence against Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Sectional Studies
Authors: Muluneh Muluken Dessalegn , Stulz Virginia , Francis Lyn , Agho Kingsley
Published: February 2020

This study aimed to systematically review studies that examined the prevalence of gender based violence (GBV) that included intimate partner violence (IPV) and non-IPV among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This evidence is an important aspect to work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) target of eliminating all forms of violence in SSA. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Ovid Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Central, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were used to source articles with stringent eligibility criteria. Studies on GBV in SSA countries that were published in English from 2008 to 2019 were included. A random effect meta-analysis was used. Fifty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of IPV among women was 44%, the past year-pooled prevalence of IPV was 35.5% and non-IPV pooled prevalence was 14%. The highest prevalence rates of IPV that were reported included emotional (29.40%), physical (25.87%) and sexual (18.75%) violence. The sub-regional analysis found that women residing in Western (30%) and Eastern (25%) African regions experienced higher levels of emotional violence. Integrated mitigation measures to reduce GBV in SSA should focus mainly on IPV in order to achieve the SDG’s that will lead to sustainable changes in women’s health.
Work–Life Balance: Weighing the Importance of Work–Family and Work–Health Balance
Authors: Gragnano Andrea , Simbula Silvia , Miglioretti Massimo
Published: February 2020

To date, research directed at the work–life balance (WLB) has focused mainly on the work and family domains. However, the current labor force is heterogeneous, and workers may also value other nonworking domains besides the family. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of other nonworking domains in the WLB with a particular focus on health. Moreover, the importance of the effects of the work–family balance (WFB) and the work–health balance (WHB) on job satisfaction was investigated. Finally, we explored how the effects of the WFB and the WHB on job satisfaction change according to worker characteristics (age, gender, parental status, and work ability). This study involved 318 workers who completed an online questionnaire. The importance of the nonworking domains was compared with a t-test. The effect of the WFB and the WHB on job satisfaction was investigated with multiple and moderated regression analyses. The results show that workers considered health as important as family in the WLB. The WHB explained more of the variance in job satisfaction than the WFB. Age, gender and parental status moderated the effect of the WFB on job satisfaction, and work ability moderated the effect of the WHB on job satisfaction. This study highlights the importance of the health domain in the WLB and stresses that it is crucial to consider the specificity of different groups of workers when considering the WLB.
Sustainable Work Performance: The Roles of Workplace Violence and Occupational Stress
Authors: Rasool Samma Faiz , Wang Mansi , Zhang Yanping , Samma Madeeha
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationships between workplace violence, occupational stress, and sustainable work performance. Multiple dimensions of workplace violence (harassment, mobbing, ostracism, and stalking) were used in this study. A questionnaire survey was used, composed of 48 items with a 5-point Likert scale (1, strongly disagree, to 5, strongly agree). Data were collected from 15 hospitals in the vicinity of Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, Pakistan. The target population of this study consisted of doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff. We distributed 500 questionnaires among the target population. In total, 345 usable questionnaires were returned, resulting in a response rate of 69%. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the direct and indirect effects. The results of this study highlight that in both direct and indirect relationships, workplace violence negatively influences sustainable work performance. The findings of this study are as follows: First, harassment reduces employee morale, which consistently lessens employees’ work performance. Second, mobbing at the workplace reduces productivity, increases levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and irritability, and increases low work engagement, work absences, and work destruction. Third, ostracism at the workplace reduces motivation among workers and organizations, which reduces work efficiency. Work performance is undermined due to stalking at the workplace because it creates a bad image and brings toxicity among colleagues and peers. Fourth, occupational stress is considered a stigma among employees who are facing stress at the workplace. We can conclude that if employees are happy and healthy, they can be their most productive. So, organizations need to construct a culture where employees can be at their best and shine.
Malay Version of Exercise Self-Efficacy: A Confirmatory Analysis among Malaysians with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Hidrus Aizuddin , Kueh Yee Cheng , Norsa’adah Bachok , Kuan Garry
Published: February 2020

Exercise self-efficacy (ESE) is one of the psychological constructs in the Transtheoretical Model (TTM). The objective of the present study is to assess the validity and reliability of the Malay version of Exercise self-efficacy scale (ESE-M) among Malaysians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling method using a self-administered questionnaire was carried out. Participants were invited to complete the ESE-M with 18 items. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted and composite reliability (CR) was computed using Mplus 8. A total of 331 Malaysians with T2DM with a mean age of 63 years old (Standard Deviation = 0.57) completed the questionnaire. Most of the participants were male (52%) and Malay (89.4%). Two initial CFA models (single factor and three factors) of ESE-M scale were tested and they did not fit to the data well. Several re-specifications of the models were conducted. The final model for the ESE-M showed improvement on the value of model fit indices for the single factor model (comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.952, Tucker and Lewis index (TLI) = 0.938, standardised root mean square (SRMR) = 0.044, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.054) and three factors model (CFI = 0.891, TLI = 0.863, SRMR = 0.049, RMSEA = 0.081). The CR for the self-efficacy factor was 0.921 (single factor), while CR for internal feelings, competing demands and situational (three factors) were 0.762, 0.818 and 0.864, respectively. The final model of single factor ESE-M showed better fit to the data compared to the three factors ESE-M. This indicated that the single factor ESE-M is more suitable to be adopted for future study among Malaysians with T2DM.
Behavioral Health at School: Do Three Competences in Road Safety Education Impact the Protective Road Behaviors of Spanish Children?
Authors: Alonso Francisco , Gonzalez-Marin Adela , Esteban Cristina , Useche Sergio A.
Published: February 2020

Background: Education in road safety (also known as Road Safety Education—RSE) constitutes, nowadays, an emergent approach for improving present and future road behaviors, aiming at taking action against the current, and concerning, state-of-affairs of traffic crashes, through a behavioral perspective. In the case of children, and despite their overrepresentation in traffic injury figures, RSE-based strategies for behavioral health in transportation remain a “new” approach, whose impact still needs to be empirically tested. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of three key road safety skills of the Positive Attitudes, Risk perception and Knowledge of norms (PARK) model, addressed in RSE-based interventions, on the safe road behavior of Spanish children. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, a representative sample of 1930 (50.4% males and 49.6% females) Spanish children attending primary school, with a mean age of 10.1 (SD = 1.6) years, was gathered from 70 educational centers across all Spanish regions, through a national study on RSE and road safety. Results: Road safety skills show a positive relationship with children’s self-reported safe behaviors on the road. However, the knowledge of traffic norms alone does not predict safe behaviors: it needs to be combined with risk perception and positive attitudes towards road safety. Furthermore, the degree of exposure to previous RSE interventions was shown to have an effect on the score obtained by children in each road safety skill; on the other hand, road misbehaviors observed in parents and peers had a negative impact on them. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study suggest that education in road safety is still a key process for the acquisition of safe habits, patterns and behaviors among young road users.
Exploration of Disparities in Regions and Specialized Fields of Day Surgery System
Authors: Gavurova Beata , Khouri Samer , Korony Samuel
Published: February 2020

The main objective of this paper was to find similarities among eight Slovak regions from the viewpoint of five specialized day surgery fields and among specialized day surgery fields from the viewpoint of Slovak regions on the basis of day surgery operated and hospitalized patient counts. Day surgery data of paediatric patients and of adult patients from the National Health Information Centre during the years 2009–2017 were used. Correspondence analysis in two dimensions of the Slovak regions and of specialized day surgery fields was applied in order to achieve the paper’s objective. The Košice Region differs most from the overall national average in both groups of paediatric day surgery. This is caused by its largest proportions in the fields of Gynaecology (29.7%) and Urology (48.0%) (operated patients), and in the fields of Gynaecology (60.5%) and Surgery (21.6%) (hospitalized patients). The most different specialized day surgery fields from overall average are: Urology (operated paediatric patients), Gynaecology (hospitalized paediatric patients), Otorhinolaryngology (operated adult patients) and Ophthalmology (hospitalized adult patients). Urogenital system day surgery procedures (Gynaecology, Urology) are separated from other three fields (i.e., Surgery, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology) either in the first or in the second dimension of the singular value matrix decomposition.
Associations between Cadmium Exposure and Taste and Smell Dysfunction: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2011–2014
Authors: Zheng Yi , Shen Yun , Zhu Zheng , Hu Hui
Published: February 2020

Background: Cadmium is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and has been associated with many adverse health outcomes. However, little is known about the effect of cadmium exposure on taste and smell dysfunction. Methods: We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014 to investigate the associations between blood cadmium and taste and smell dysfunction among 5038 adults aged 40–80 years old. Taste and smell dysfunction were defined by questionnaires, examinations, or both criteria. Results: In survey weighted logistic regression models adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, income-to-poverty ratio (IPR), and education, individuals with a blood cadmium level in the highest tertiles had significantly higher odds of having perceived smell dysfunction (odds ratio (OR) = 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08, 1.84), perceived taste dysfunction (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.89), and taste dysfunction defined by both self-reported and objectively measured data (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.07). After further adjusting for body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, and alcohol drinking, consistent results were observed for perceived taste dysfunction (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.00), and no significant associations were found between cadmium exposure and other outcomes. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that cadmium exposure is associated with perceived taste dysfunction.
Comparative Advantages of Free Trade Port Construction in Shanghai under the Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Hu Hao , Wang Shufang , He Jin-liao
Published: February 2020

As China’s opening-up grows wider under the Belt and Road Initiative, the exploration and construction of free trade ports have received increasing attention. In 2018, China’s first free trade port was settled in Hainan instead of Shanghai. In 2019, after the Lingang New Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone was approved by the central government, six new pilot free trade zones were launched in Shandong, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Yunnan, and Guangxi provinces. As the bridgehead of the Belt and Road Initiative, Shanghai established the first and biggest pilot free trade zone in China and gained the priority of institutional innovation exploration in Lingang New Area. Whether and how Shanghai will lead the construction of free trade ports and the new round of higher-level opening-up has become a research agenda that requires further study. Based on the document analysis, competition analysis and factor analysis in this paper, the following results were drawn out: (1) The construction of a free trade port is an upgrade of the 18 free trade zones and the 50 cities involved, and it needs more high-level opening-up, more sophisticated services, more rigorous supervision, and more professional talent; (2) With its geographical location, economic foundation, development support, and industrial services, Shanghai has the potential, foundation, and momentum to explore institutional innovation in the construction of pilot free trade zones and free trade port; (3) Development basis, port shipping, talent attraction, service support, risk supervision and control are the five major comparative advantages and the important driving factors that need to be considered in exploring and leading the construction of China’s free trade port under the higher quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Application of AHP to Road Selection
Authors: Han Yuan , Wang Zhonghui , Lu Xiaomin , Hu Bowei
Published: February 2020

The analytic hierarchy process (AHP), a decision-making method, allows the relative prioritization and assessment of alternatives under multiple criteria contexts. This method is also well suited for road selection. The method for road selection based on AHP involves four steps: (i) Points of Interest (POIs), the point-like representations of the facilities and habitations in maps, are used to describe and build the contextual characteristic indicator of roads; (ii) form an AHP model of roads with topological, geometrical, and contextual characteristic indicators to calculate their importance; (iii) select roads based on their importance and the adaptive thresholds of their constituent density partitions; and (iv) maintain the global connectivity of the selected network. The generalized result at a scale of 1:200,000 by AHP-based methods better preserved the structure of the original road network compared with other methods. Our method also gives preference to roads with relatively significant contextual characteristics without interfering with the structure of the road network. Furthermore, the result of our method largely agrees with that of the manual method.
Mapping Urban Spatial Structure Based on POI (Point of Interest) Data: A Case Study of the Central City of Lanzhou, China
Authors: Lu Chenyu , Pang Min , Zhang Yang , Li Hengji , Lu Chengpeng , Tang Xianglong , Cheng Wei
Published: February 2020

The study of urban spatial structure is currently one of the most popular research fields in urban geography. This study uses Lanzhou, one of the major cities in Northwest China, as a case area. Using the industry classification of POI data, the nearest-neighbor index, kernel density estimation, and location entropy are adopted to analyze the spatial clustering-discrete distribution characteristics of the overall economic geographical elements of the city center, the spatial distribution characteristics of the various industry elements, and the overall spatial structure characteristics of the city. All of these can provide a scientific reference for the sustainable optimization of urban space. The urban economic geographical elements generally present the distribution trend of center agglomeration. In respect of spatial distribution, the economic geographical elements in the central urban area of Lanzhou have obvious characteristics of central agglomeration. Many industrial elements have large-scale agglomeration centers, which have formed specialized functional areas. There is a clear “central–peripheral” difference distribution in space, with an obvious circular structure. Generally, tertiary industry is distributed in the central area, and secondary industry is distributed in the peripheral areas. In general, a strip-shaped urban spatial structure with a strong main center, weak subcenter and multiple groups is present. Improving the complexity of urban functional space is an important goal of spatial structure optimization.