bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing the Effectiveness of Transfer Interventions Using Solomon Four-Group Designs
Authors: Mai Nu Nu , Takahashi Yoshi , Oo Mon Mon
Published: March 2020

How to enhance the transfer of training remains an important question, and to some extent, post-training interventions can provide an answer. The purpose of this study was to validate inconclusive findings on the effectiveness of two post-training transfer interventions. This study used Solomon four-group design to filter out the effects of pretest sensitization and history, which are threats to the internal and external validity but have rarely been checked in previous transfer studies. Management study undergraduate students were randomly divided into two groups: pretested and unpretested groups. After a time management workshop, the students were randomly subdivided into three additional groups based on the following conditions: full relapse prevention (RP); proximal plus distal goal setting (GS); and the control group. Although results from both intervention groups were not significantly different from those of the control group, a significant difference was found between full RP and proximal plus distal GS in terms of self-reported time-management behavioral change. It is difficult to conclude whether post-training interventions enhance the transfer of training. Further ideas for improving research designs were explored, such as increasing the time intervals between training and interventions so that trainees have opportunities to attempt transfers before the interventions.
Analysis of HMAX Algorithm on Black Bar Image Dataset
Authors: Carlini Alessandro , Boisard Olivier , Paindavoine Michel
Published: March 2020

An accurate detection and classification of scenes and objects is essential for interacting with the world, both for living beings and for artificial systems. To reproduce this ability, which is so effective in the animal world, numerous computational models have been proposed, frequently based on bioinspired, computational structures. Among these, Hierarchical Max-pooling (HMAX) is probably one of the most important models. HMAX is a recognition model, mimicking the structures and functions of the primate visual cortex. HMAX has already proven its effectiveness and versatility. Nevertheless, its computational structure presents some criticalities, whose impact on the results has never been systematically assessed. Traditional assessments based on photographs force to choose a specific context; the complexity of images makes it difficult to analyze the computational structure. Here we present a new, general and unspecific assessment of HMAX, introducing the Black Bar Image Dataset, a customizable set of images created to be a universal and flexible model of any ‘real’ image. Results: surprisingly, HMAX demonstrates a notable sensitivity also with a low contrast of luminance. Images containing a wider information pattern enhance the performances. The presence of textures improves performance, but only if the parameterization of the Gabor filter allows its correct encoding. In addition, in complex conditions, HMAX demonstrates good effectiveness in classification. Moreover, the present assessment demonstrates the benefits offered by the Black Bar Image Dataset, its modularity and scalability, for the functional investigations of any computational models.
Fault Current Limiting Characteristics of a Small-Scale Bridge Type SFCL with Single HTSC Element Using Flux-Coupling
Authors: Han Tae-Hee , Ko Seok-Cheol , Lim Sung-Hun
Published: March 2020

In this paper, a bridge type superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) with a single high-temperature superconducting (HTSC) element is proposed to allow fault current limiting operation in direct current (DC) conditions. First, the principle of operation of the bridge type SFCL with a single HTSC element using flux-coupling was presented. After the fault occurrence, the fault current limiting operation and voltage characteristics, the power load characteristics of each device, and the energy consumption of the two coils and the HTSC element were analyzed in the proposed SFCL. As a result, it is confirmed that in the case of the additive polarity winding, the power consumption and the energy consumption of the HTSC element were lower than those in the subtractive polarity winding, and the fault current limiting characteristics were excellent.
Design of a Cyberattack Resilient 77 GHz Automotive Radar Sensor
Authors: Toker Onur , Alsweiss Suleiman
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we propose a novel 77 GHz automotive radar sensor, and demonstrate its cyberattack resilience using real measurements. The proposed system is built upon a standard Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar RF-front end, and the novelty is in the DSP algorithm used at the firmware level. All attack scenarios are based on real radar signals generated by Texas Instruments AWR series 77 GHz radars, and all measurements are done using the same radar family. For sensor networks, including interconnected autonomous vehicles sharing radar measurements, cyberattacks at the network/communication layer is a known critical problem, and has been addressed by several different researchers. What is addressed in this paper is cyberattacks at the physical layer, that is, adversarial agents generating 77 GHz electromagnetic waves which may cause a false target detection, false distance/velocity estimation, or not detecting an existing target. The main algorithm proposed in this paper is not a predictive filtering based cyberattack detection scheme where an “unusual” difference between measured and predicted values triggers an alarm. The core idea is based on a kind of physical challenge-response authentication, and its integration into the radar DSP firmware.
The Experimental Modeling of Quad-Rotor Actuators with Undefined Hardware Errors for Safety-Flight
Authors: Jee Sun Ho , Cho Hyun Chan , Kim Jongwon
Published: March 2020

The speed error of actuators during the flight of a quad-rotor is included in the attitude error, and this error is immediately corrected by the pilot’s observation. As the control authority of the quad-rotor changes to a computer system, the correction of the error is calculated and performed by the attitude sensor and the mathematical model of the quad-rotor. However, there is a response error to the control signal despite driving the same motor, which causes different results from the model prediction and affects the stability of the flight. Therefore, the response characteristics of hardware represented by the same mathematical model but having errors should be reflected in the modeling of the quad-rotor. In this paper, the response error of the actuators assembled with the same propellers and motors is verified through experiments. The actuators model that reflects this error is presented, and the thrust coefficient range by the propellers is also presented. Additionally, the speed error of actuators due to the voltage drop of the battery was verified through experiments, and a method for applying this error to the actuator model is presented.
Research on Power Quality Disturbance Detection Method Based on Improved Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition
Authors: Wang He , Liu Jinhao , Luo Shuqi , Xu Xiangbo
Published: March 2020

With the increasing proportion of various unbalanced loads in the power grid, power quality is seriously challenged. It is of great significance to effectively detect, analyze, and evaluate the power quality problems. First, this paper introduces the current situation of power quality (PQ) disturbance detection methods. It summarizes that the current PQ disturbance detection methods include Wavelet Transform (WT), Hilbert–Huang Transform (HHT), and Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD). EEMD has a better detection accuracy, but its running time is longer. Therefore, to reduce the running time of the EEMD algorithm, this paper proposed two improvements: increasing the screening threshold and selecting piecewise cubic Hermite interpolation polynomial fitting. At the same time, the mathematical models of transient power quality disturbance and harmonic were established for comparative verification. The experimental results showed that the improved Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (IEEMD) algorithm greatly reduced the running time of the algorithm on the premise of ensuring the detection accuracy. Hence, the improvement of this paper is of great significance for the industrial application of the EEMD algorithm.
Remote-State PWM with Minimum RMS Torque Ripple and Reduced Common-Mode Voltage for Three-Phase VSI-Fed BLAC Motor Drives
Authors: Baik Jaehyuk , Yun Sangwon , Kim Dongsik , Kwon Chunki , Yoo Jiyoon
Published: March 2020

A minimum root mean square (RMS) torque ripple-remote-state pulse-width modulation (MTR-RSPWM) technique is proposed for minimizing the RMS torque ripple under reduced common-mode voltage (CMV) condition of three-phase voltage source inverters (VSI)-fed brushless alternating current (BLAC) motor drives. The q-axis current ripple due to an error voltage vector generated between the reference voltage vector and applied voltage vector is analyzed for all pulse patterns with reduced CMV of the RSPWM. From the analysis result, in the MTR-RSPWM, a sector is divided into five zones, and within each zone, pulse patterns with the lowest RMS torque ripple and reduced CMV are employed. To verify the validity of the MTR-RSPWM, theorical analysis, simulation, and experiments are performed, where the MTR-RSPWM is thoroughly compared with RSPWM3 that generates the minimum RMS current ripple. From the analytical, simulation, and experimental results, it is shown that the MTR-RSPWM significantly reduces the RMS torque ripple under a reduced CMV condition at the expense of an increase in the RMS current ripple, compared to the RSPWM3.
Deep Neural Network Based Ambient Airflow Control through Spatial Learning
Authors: Kim Sunghak , Choi InChul , Kim Dohyeong , Lee Minho
Published: March 2020

As global energy regulations are strengthened, improving energy efficiency while maintaining performance of electronic appliances is becoming more important. Especially in air conditioning, energy efficiency can be maximized by adaptively controlling the airflow based on detected human locations; however, several limitations such as detection areas, the installation environment, and sensor quantity and real-time performance which come from the constraints in the embedded system make it a challenging problem. In this study, by using a low resolution cost effective vision sensor, the environmental information of living spaces and the real-time locations of humans are learned through a deep learning algorithm to identify the living area from the entire indoor space. Based on this information, we improve the performance and the energy efficiency of air conditioner by smartly controlling the airflow on the identified living area. In experiments, our deep learning based spatial classification algorithm shows error less than ± 5 ° . In addition, the target temperature can be reached 19.8% faster and the power consumption can be saved up to 20.5% by the time the target temperature is achieved.
Robust H∞ Load Frequency Control of Power Systems Considering Intermittent Characteristics of Demand-Side Resources
Authors: Yuan Kun , Ding Zhetong , Li Yaping , Huang Mingyu , Zhang Kaifeng
Published: March 2020

Recently, demand-side resources (DSRs) have proceeded to participate in frequency control of the power systems. Compared with traditional generation-side resources, DSRs have unique intermittent characteristics. Taking aggregation of air conditions as an example, they must take a break after providing power support for a period of time considering the user comfort. This behavior, known as the intermittent characteristic, obviously affects the stability of the power systems. Therefore, this paper designs a corresponding controller for DSRs based on the intermittent control method. The designed controller is incorporated into the traditional load frequency control (LFC) system. The time delay is also considered. A rigorous stability proof and the robust H ∞ performance analysis is presented for the new LFC system. Then, the sufficient robust frequency stabilization result is presented in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Finally, a two-area power system is provided to illustrate the obtained results. The results show that the designed intermittent controller can mitigate the impact of intermittent characteristics of DSRs.
Revised Estimation Method for Emissions from Automated Plunger Lift Liquid Unloadings
Authors: Pacsi Adam , Sullivan David W. , Allen David T.
Published: March 2020

A variety of liquid unloading techniques are used to clear accumulated liquids from the wellbore to increase production rates for oil and gas wells. Data from national measurement studies indicate that a small subset of wells with plunger lift assist, that vent with high frequency and short event duration, contribute a significant fraction of methane emissions from liquid unloading activities in the United States. Compared to direct measurement of emissions at 24 wells in a field campaign, the most commonly used engineering emission estimate for this source category, which is based on the volume of gas in the wellbore, does not accurately predict emissions at the individual well (R2 = 0.06). An alternative emission estimate is proposed that relies on the duration of the venting activity and the gas production rate of the well, which has promising statistical performance characteristics when compared to direct measurement data. This work recommends well parameters that should be collected from future field measurement campaigns that are focused on this emission source.
Quaternization of Composite Algal/PEI Beads for Enhanced Uranium Sorption—Application to Ore Acidic Leachate
Authors: Hamza Mohammed F. , Mubark Amal E. , Wei Yuezou , Vincent Thierry , Guibal Eric
Published: March 2020

The necessity to recover uranium from dilute solutions (for environmental/safety and resource management) is driving research towards developing new sorbents. This study focuses on the enhancement of U(VI) sorption properties of composite algal/Polyethylenimine beads through the quaternization of the support (by reaction with glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride). The sorbent is fully characterized by FTIR, XPS for confirming the contribution of protonated amine and quaternary ammonium groups on U(VI) binding (with possible contribution of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, depending on the pH). The sorption properties are investigated in batch with reference to pH effect (optimum value: pH 4), uptake kinetics (equilibrium: 40 min) and sorption isotherms (maximum sorption capacity: 0.86 mmol U g−1). Metal desorption (with 0.5 M NaCl/0.5 M HCl) is highly efficient and the sorbent can be reused for five cycles with limited decrease in performance. The sorbent is successfully applied to the selective recovery of U(VI) from acidic leachate of uranium ore, after pre-treatment (cementation of copper, precipitation of rare earth elements with oxalate, and precipitation of iron). A pure yellow cake is obtained after precipitation of the eluate.
I Am Roha’s Emaye: A Critical Autoethnography of Mothering in Liminal Spaces
Authors: Miheretu Kara Roop , Henward Allison Sterling
Published: March 2020

In this critical autoethnographic study, we examine how one woman, Roha’s emaye (Amharic for mother), developed necessary racialized subjectivities as mother of a child who codes as Black in contemporary U.S. society. While substantial research outlines how mothers of color must prepare children to live in a racist world; typically, this perspective focuses on the child. Often, it excludes how mothers—both Black and White—must ‘do’ identity work to make sense of this. Although race is a social and cultural construct, when women cross the color line to partner and have children, the challenges they face both as part of a couple and mother are real. Data are drawn from journals and memories, blending self-observation and reflexive investigation as fieldwork to intentionally comment on and critique cultural practices surrounding mothering and subjectivity. Data were analyzed using Foucauldian concepts of Genealogy, Power, and Subjectification. Findings indicate that this mother was constructed, regulated, normalized, and categorized and found to occupy multiple liminal spaces. This paper argues that tracing how particular subjectivities are given power and regulated in specific contexts of mothering contributes nuanced understandings of how race comes to matter, for whom, and when.
The Avalanche of Les Fonts d’Arinsal (Andorra): An Example of a Pure Powder, Dry Snow Avalanche
Authors: Furdada Glòria , Margalef Aina , Trapero Laura , Pons Marc , Areny Francesc , Baró Margaret , Reyes Albert , Guinau Marta
Published: March 2020

On 8th February 1996, in the north-western part of Andorra in the Pyrenees, the Les Fonts d’Arinsal (LFd’A) pure powder avalanche was triggered, descending some 1200 m to the bottom of the Arinsal valley and continuing up the opposite slope for about 200 m. This size 4–5 avalanche reached velocities of up to 80 ms−1, devastated 18 ha of forest, involved a minimum volume of up to 1.8 × 106 m−3 and caused major damage to eight buildings. Fortunately, no one was injured thanks to an evacuation, but 322 people lost their properties. This study describes the physical characteristics of the LFd’A avalanche path and provides data on earlier avalanches, the meteorological synoptic situation and snowpack conditions that generated the avalanche episode, the warning and preventive actions carried out, the effects and evidence of the large avalanche, and the defence system implemented afterwards. A discussion of the avalanche dynamics based on observations and damage, including the role of snow entrainment, the total lack of characteristic dense flow deposits, as well as the evidence of a two-phase flow (fluidisation and suspension), is presented. This case study is an example of a paradigmatic large, pure powder, dry-snow avalanche, which will be useful for model calibration.
Designing Socially Assistive Robots for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia Patients and Their Caregivers: Where We Are and Where We Are Headed
Authors: Koutentakis Dimitrios , Pilozzi Alexander , Huang Xudong
Published: March 2020

Over the past few years there has been a large rise in the field of robotics. Robots are being in used in many industries, but there has not been a large surge of robots in the medical field, especially the robots for healthcare use. However, as the aging population keeps growing, current medical staff and healthcare providers are increasingly burdened by caring for the ever-growing number of senior patients, especially those with cognitive impairment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia (ADRD) patients. As a result, we can expect to see a large increase in the field of medical robotics, especially in forms of socially assistive robots (SARs) for senior patients and healthcare providers. In fact, SARs can alleviate AD and ADRD patients and their caregivers’ unmet medical needs. Herein, we propose a design outline for such a SAR, based on a review of the current literature. We believe the next generation of SARs will enhance health and well-being, reduce illness and disability, and improve quality of life for AD and ADRD patients and their caregivers.
Does Internet Use Affect Individuals’ Medical Service Satisfaction? Evidence from China
Authors: Liu Hu , Gong Xiaomei , Zhang Jiaping
Published: March 2020

Empirical evidence that combines traditional factors and information technology factors to predict public attitudes toward to medical services is inadequate. To fill this gap, this study investigates the impact of Internet use on people’s satisfaction with medical services by employing the Chinese Social Survey for 2013, 2015 and 2017 (including 28,239 samples in total). Estimation results under the ordered probit reveal that Internet use is negatively correlated with individuals’ medical services satisfaction. The results support the negativity bias theory, namely, compared with positive information, netizens pay more attention to negative medical-related information on the Internet. The results are still reliable by adopting substitution variable methods, subdividing the samples, employing other estimation methods and carrying out placebo tests to conduct robustness checks. This study further enriches the literature on public attitudes toward medical services and provides additional policy implications for medical risk management in the digital era.
Individual- and City-Level Socioeconomic Factors and Tooth Loss among Elderly People: A Cross-Level Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Vettore Mario Vianna , Rebelo Vieira Janete M. , F. F. Gomes José , Martins Nara M. O. , Freitas Yan N. L. , Lamarca Gabriela de A. , Rebelo Maria A. B.
Published: March 2020

This study aimed to test the association of contextual and individual socioeconomic status with tooth loss among Brazilian elderly people aged 65–74 years. Data from 5435 elderly participants from the Brazilian National Oral Health Survey (2010) were linked to city-level data for 27 state capitals and the Federal District. Tooth loss was clinically assessed according to the number of missing natural teeth. Contextual social variables included Human Development Index income (HDI-income) and HDI-education. Individual socioeconomic measures were monthly family income and years of schooling. Covariates included sex, skin colour, number of residents per room and number of goods. Multilevel Negative Binomial regression models were used to estimate rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals between contextual and individual variables and tooth loss. Contextual and individual income and education measures were consistently associated with tooth loss. Elderly people living in cities with low HDI-income and low HDI-education were respectively 21% and 33% more likely to present tooth loss. Cross-level interaction suggested that the relationship of lower income and lower schooling with tooth loss is different across levels of city-level income and city-level education inequality, respectively. Public policies aiming to reduce the income and education gaps and preventive dental interventions are imperative to tackle tooth loss among elderly people.
Cartographic Vandalism in the Era of Location-Based Games—The Case of OpenStreetMap and Pokémon GO
Authors: Juhász Levente , Novack Tessio , Hochmair Hartwig , Qiao Sen
Published: March 2020

User-generated map data is increasingly used by the technology industry for background mapping, navigation and beyond. An example is the integration of OpenStreetMap (OSM) data in widely-used smartphone and web applications, such as Pokémon GO (PGO), a popular augmented reality smartphone game. As a result of OSM’s increased popularity, the worldwide audience that uses OSM through external applications is directly exposed to malicious edits which represent cartographic vandalism. Multiple reports of obscene and anti-semitic vandalism in OSM have surfaced in popular media over the years. These negative news related to cartographic vandalism undermine the credibility of collaboratively generated maps. Similarly, commercial map providers (e.g., Google Maps and Waze) are also prone to carto-vandalism through their crowdsourcing mechanism that they may use to keep their map products up-to-date. Using PGO as an example, this research analyzes harmful edits in OSM that originate from PGO players. More specifically, this paper analyzes the spatial, temporal and semantic characteristics of PGO carto-vandalism and discusses how the mapping community handles it. Our findings indicate that most harmful edits are quickly discovered and that the community becomes faster at detecting and fixing these harmful edits over time. Gaming related carto-vandalism in OSM was found to be a short-term, sporadic activity by individuals, whereas the task of fixing vandalism is persistently pursued by a dedicated user group within the OSM community. The characteristics of carto-vandalism identified in this research can be used to improve vandalism detection systems in the future.
The Cultural Heritage and the Shaping of Tourist Itineraries in Rural Areas: The Case of Historical Ensembles of Extremadura, Spain
Authors: Sánchez-Martín José-Manuel , Gurría-Gascón José-Luis , García-Berzosa María-José
Published: March 2020

Heritage is a very complex concept that is characterized by having multiple meanings. Despite this, there is no doubt as to its attraction for carrying out tourist activities. In the specific case of cultural heritage, there is widespread agreement in considering it as a tourist resource given the interest it raises amongst visitors of all origins. This is not, however, always the case and it can be observed that in certain areas, especially rural ones, certain limitations exist. They are caused by multiple factors such as the importance of the resource itself, although the distance to the main centers of tourist attraction is also considered a key point. Due to this, the study puts forward the need for joining forces and attractions in order to create tourist itineraries based on a peculiar kind of resource: Historical Ensembles. In order to achieve this aim, we used the network analysis tools included in a geographical information system and applied it to a rural context, which was that of Extremadura in Spain. To be precise, the closest facility and service area tools were used. The results of the various analyses reflect the real possibility of generating tourist itineraries as a first step in the design of tourist products. In this way, the administration can be provided with a management tool capable of laying the foundations of a coherent and efficient tourist policy.
Disaster Mitigation in Urban Pakistan Using Agent Based Modeling with GIS
Authors: Maqbool Ayesha , Usmani Zain ul Abideen , Afzal Farkhanda , Razia Alia
Published: March 2020

This study aims to propose an application of agent based modeling (ABM) and simulation for disaster mitigation in an urban region of Pakistan. Pakistan has been working over the past few decades to reduce the risk factor of disasters by using different disaster management approaches. However, these efforts are in an early stage. Although lack of planning and unchecked urbanization are the main hurdles, insufficient resources in terms of technology is also a major contributing factor that impedes achieving desired results. In this paper, we are proposing ABM and simulation of approaches using geographical information system (GIS) maps for disaster management in the urban locality of Pakistan. The conceptual model was implemented for analysis of resource allocation (RA) of first response units (ambulances, fire brigade, etc.). In the proposed model, we used two allocation algorithms; high severity level (HSL) and first come first serve (FCFS). These algorithms were simulated in NetLogo by creating a hypothetical disaster scenario in Rawalpindi city. In our experiments, the design was based on demand, resource agents, and their allocation behavior for disaster management. We analyzed the resource allocation mechanism using average wait time, overall number of demands, execution time, and unallocated demands as performance measures.
Spatial Paradigms in Road Networks and Their Delimitation of Urban Boundaries Based on KDE
Authors: Lin Yuying , Hu Xisheng , Lin Mingshui , Qiu Rongzu , Lin Jinguo , Li Baoyin
Published: March 2020

An in-depth analysis of urban road network distribution plays a critical role in understanding the urbanization process. However, effective ways to quantitatively analyze the spatial paradigms of road networks are still lacking, and few studies have utilized road networks to rapidly identify urban areas of a region. Thus, using a fast-developing region in the south-eastern costal region of China, Fuzhou City, as a case, we introduced kernel density estimation (KDE) to characterize road networks and quantified the area’s spatial heterogeneity using exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) and semivariance analysis (SA). The results show that there is an uneven spatial distribution of the networks both at the regional and downtown levels. At the regional level, there is a conspicuous polarization in the road distribution, with the KDE being much higher in the urban areas than in the rural areas; at the downtown level, the KDE gradually decreases from the center to the periphery. Quantitatively, the ranges of the spatial dependence of the networks are approximately 25 km for the entire study region and 12 km for the downtown area. Additionally, the spatial variations vary among different directions, with greater variations in the northeast–southwest and the southeast–northwest directions compared with the other directions, which is in line with the urban sprawl policy of the study area. Both the qualitative and quantitative results show that the distribution of road networks has a clear urban–rural dual structure, which indicates that road networks can be an active tool in identifying the urban areas of a region. To this end, we propose a quick and easy method to delimit urban areas using KDE. The extraction results of KDE are better than those of the index-based built-up index (IBI), indicating the effectivity and feasibility of our proposed method to identify the urban areas in the region. This research sheds new light on urbanization development research.
An Analysis of Online Reputation Indicators by Means of Geostatistical Techniques—The Case of Rural Accommodation in Extremadura, Spain
Authors: Martín-Delgado Luz-María , Sánchez-Martín José-Manuel , Rengifo-Gallego Juan-Ignacio
Published: March 2020

The advances achieved in ICT in recent years have led to numerous changes in a multitude of sectors including tourism. The origin of a new communicative reality which allows interaction between users by means of various web portals should be emphasised. In this sense, online reputation arises, which corresponds to the recording of the opinions which the tourist expresses on the Internet of the various tourist destinations and accommodation. This reputation has a significant influence on the processes of planning and choice of the final destination, in such a way that the recording of a number of negative mentions can lead to a decrease in the number of tourists visiting a place. It is for this reason that this study aimed to determine the situation of the online reputation of rural accommodation establishments located in the Autonomous Region of Extremadura by means of an analysis of the opinions recorded by the rural tourist on various web portals of some of the services provided. To do so, we resorted to the application of spatial statistical techniques to determine which districts show an aggregation of high or low values of both positive and negative mentions. At the same time, the strengths and weaknesses of the online reputation of these accommodation establishments were detected.
Tri-Clustering Based Exploration of Temporal Resolution Impacts on Spatio-Temporal Clusters in Geo-Referenced Time Series
Authors: Wu Xiaojing , Zheng Donghai
Published: March 2020

Unprecedented amounts of spatio-temporal data instigates an urgent need for patterns exploration in it. Clustering analysis is useful in extracting patterns from big data by grouping similar data elements into clusters. Compared with one-way clustering and co-clustering methods, tri-clustering methods are more capable of exploring complex patterns. However, the explored patterns or clusters could be different due to varying temporal resolutions of input data. This study presents a tri-clustering based method to explore the impacts of different temporal resolutions on spatio-temporal clusters identified in geo-referenced time series (GTS), one type of spatio-temporal data. Dutch daily temperature data at 28 stations over 20 years was used to illustrate this study. The temperature data at daily, monthly, and yearly resolutions were subjected to the Bregman cube average tri-clustering algorithm with I-divergence (BCAT_I) to detect spatio-temporal clusters, which were then compared in terms of patterns exhibited, compositions, and changed elements. Results confirm the temporal resolution impacts on the spatio-temporal clusters identified in the Dutch temperature data: most compositions of clusters are varying when changing the temporal resolutions of input data in the GTS. Nevertheless, there is almost no change of elements in certain clusters (12 stations in the northeast of the country; years 1996, 2010) at all temporal resolutions, suggesting them as the “true” clusters in the case study dataset.
Automatic Generation of High-Accuracy Stair Paths for Straight, Spiral, and Winder Stairs Using IFC-Based Models
Authors: Lin Will Y.
Published: March 2020

The indoor space model is the foundation of most indoor location-based services (LBS). A complete indoor space model includes floor-level paths and non-level paths. The latter includes passages connecting different floors or elevations such as stairs, elevators, escalators, and ramps. Most related studies have merely discussed the modeling and generation of floor-level paths, while those considering non-level paths usually simplify the formation and generation of non-level paths, especially stairs, which play an important role in emergency evacuation and response. Although the algorithm proposed by i-GIT approach, which considers both floor-level and non-level paths, can automatically generate paths of straight stairs, it is not applicable to the spiral stairs and winder stairs that are common in town houses and other public buildings. This study proposes a novel approach to generate high-accuracy stair paths that can support straight, spiral, and winder stairs. To implement and verify the proposed algorithm, 54 straight and spiral stairs provided by Autodesk Revit’s official website and three self-built winder stairs are used as test cases. The test results show that the algorithm can successfully produce the stair paths of most test cases (49/50), which comprehensively extends the applicability of the proposed algorithm.
n–3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Amides: New Avenues in the Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer
Authors: Giordano Cinzia , Plastina Pierluigi , Barone Ines , Catalano Stefania , Bonofiglio Daniela
Published: March 2020

Over the last decades a renewed interest in n−3 very long polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), derived mainly from fish oils in the human diet, has been observed because of their potential effects against cancer diseases, including breast carcinoma. These n−3 PUFAs mainly consist of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that, alone or in combination with anticancer agents, induce cell cycle arrest, autophagy, apoptosis, and tumor growth inhibition. A large number of molecular targets of n−3 PUFAs have been identified and multiple mechanisms appear to underlie their antineoplastic activities. Evidence exists that EPA and DHA also elicit anticancer effects by the conversion to their corresponding ethanolamide derivatives in cancer cells, by binding and activation of different receptors and distinct signaling pathways. Other conjugates with serotonin or dopamine have been found to exert anti-inflammatory activities in breast tumor microenvironment, indicating the importance of these compounds as modulators of tumor epithelial/stroma interplay. The objective of this review is to provide a general overview and an update of the current n−3 PUFA derivative research and to highlight intriguing aspects of the potential therapeutic benefits of these low-toxicity compounds in breast cancer treatment and care.
Achieving Congruence among Reference Laboratories for Absolute Abundance Measurement of Analytes for Rare Diseases: Psychosine for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Krabbe Disease
Authors: Herbst Zackary , Turgeon Coleman T. , Biski Chad , Khaledi Hamid , Shoemaker Nancy B. , DeArmond Patrick D. , Smith Sara , Orsini Joseph , Matern Dietrich , Gelb Michael H.
Published: March 2020

Measurement of the absolute concentration of the biomarker psychosine in dried blood spots (DBS) is useful for diagnosis and prognosis of Krabbe disease and to support newborn screening of this leukodystrophy. As for assays for more common diseases, it is important to achieve congruence when multiple clinical laboratories provide testing. Four clinical laboratories, one research laboratory, and a commercial vendor collaborated with the goal to achieve congruence in quantitative psychosine measurement in DBS. A set of DBS calibrators was prepared by a single vendor and used in each reference laboratory to make a standard curve of measured psychosine in DBS versus the stated calibrator psychosine level. Congruence between the participating five laboratories was achieved using the psychosine DBS calibrators. This allowed application of disease-specific reference ranges obtained by the reference laboratory with the most extensive data by the other reference laboratories. Congruence between multiple reference laboratories in the measurement of the absolute concentration of biomarkers in DBS (and by extension other samples) is possible by the use of a common set of DBS calibrators.
Molecular Characterization of Neoseiulus barkeri Vitellogenin Genes and Vitellogenin Receptor during Reproductive Diapause
Authors: Jiang Junqi , Zhang Ying , Ma Lei , Niu Tingting , Dong Tingting , Sheng Ruirui , Li Ling , Xu Yeyu , Xi Lingyu , Li Guiting
Published: March 2020

The relationship between reproductive diapause and the genes related to vitellogenin (Vg) and its receptor (VgR) in insectoid ovarian development is still unclear. Accordingly, in the present study, we used hematoxylin and eosin staining to study the ovarian structure in the predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri, a species that shows promise as a biological pest control agent. Staining revealed the presence of oocytes on ovary surfaces, and the oocytes were deposited as yolk granules through the intake of Vg and other nutrients with the development of the ovary. Development of the ovary stopped at the oocyte stage in diapausing adult mites, and this stage presented the same characteristics as the first day of adulthood in non-diapause female adults, where oocytes with nutrient cells, but no yolk granules are observed. In order to further explore the effects of the Vg gene and its receptor on reproduction, the sequences of the N. barkeri vitellogenin genes NbVg1, NbVg2, NbVg3, and NbVgR were analyzed using bioinformatics, and the expression levels of the NbVgs and the VgR at different developmental stages were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The results showed that the NbVgs and NbVgR have complete domains and that the positions of many conservative regions and conservative motif are consistent. The expression levels of the NbVgs and NbVgR were highest in the ovipositional period, followed by those in the preovipositional period. The expression levels of the NbVgs and the VgR in non-diapause female adult mites were significantly higher than those in reproductive diapause female adult mites.
Cultural Ecosystem Services of Geodiversity: A Case Study from Stránská skála (Brno, Czech Republic)
Authors: Kubalíková Lucie
Published: March 2020

The concept of ecosystem services developed in the second half of the 20th century, and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment was crucial for its acceptance. This assessment identified the services that ecosystems provide to society, but geodiversity (as an indispensable component of ecosystems) was somewhat underestimated. At present, geodiversity is intensively used by human society and it provides numerous services including cultural as a resource for tourism, recreation, as a part of natural heritage, and to satisfy matters of spiritual importance. The main purpose of this paper is to present the geocultural issues of Stránská skála (a limestone cliff with caves and an anthropogenic underground) in Brno (Czech Republic) and to evaluate the cultural ecosystem services of geodiversity by using the abiotic ecosystem services approach. This assessment of cultural ecosystem services of the Stránská skála enables the identification and description of the functions and services which are provided by geodiversity and confirms the high cultural and geoheritage value of the site.
Plasticity of Mitochondrial DNA Inheritance and Its Impact on Nuclear Gene Transcription in Yeast Hybrids
Authors: Hewitt Sarah K. , Duangrattanalert Kobchai , Burgis Tim , Zeef Leo A.H. , Naseeb Samina , Delneri Daniela
Published: March 2020

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in yeast is biparentally inherited, but colonies rapidly lose one type of parental mtDNA, thus becoming homoplasmic. Therefore, hybrids between the yeast species possess two homologous nuclear genomes, but only one type of mitochondrial DNA. We hypothesise that the choice of mtDNA retention is influenced by its contribution to hybrid fitness in different environments, and the allelic expression of the two nuclear sub-genomes is affected by the presence of different mtDNAs in hybrids. Saccharomyces cerevisiae/S. uvarum hybrids preferentially retained S. uvarum mtDNA when formed on rich media at colder temperatures, while S. cerevisiae mtDNA was primarily retained on non-fermentable carbon source, at any temperature. Transcriptome data for hybrids harbouring different mtDNA showed a strong environmentally dependent allele preference, which was more important in respiratory conditions. Co-expression analysis for specific biological functions revealed a clear pattern of concerted allelic transcription within the same allele type, which supports the notion that the hybrid cell works preferentially with one set of parental alleles (or the other) for different cellular functions. Given that the type of mtDNA retained in hybrids affects both nuclear expression and fitness, it might play a role in driving hybrid genome evolution in terms of gene retention and loss.
Characterization of Streptomyces piniterrae sp. nov. and Identification of the Putative Gene Cluster Encoding the Biosynthesis of Heliquinomycins
Authors: Zhuang Xiaoxin , Wang Zhiyan , Peng Chenghui , Su Can , Gao Congting , Wang Yongjiang , Huang Shengxiong , Liu Chongxi
Published: March 2020

A novel actinomycete producing heliquinomycin and 9’-methoxy-heliquinomycin, designated strain jys28T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Pinus yunnanensis and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strain had morphological characteristics and chemotaxonomic properties identical to those of members of the genus Streptomyces. It formed spiral chains of spores with spiny surfaces. The menaquinones detected were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids were iso-C16:0, C15:0, C16:1ω7с and anteiso-C15:0. The phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The DNA G + C content of the draft genome sequence, consisting of 8.5 Mbp, was 70.6%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain jys28T belongs to the genus Streptomyces with the highest sequence similarities to Streptomyces chattanoogensis NBRC 13058T (99.2%) and Streptomyces lydicus DSM 40002T (99.2%) and phylogenetically clustered with them. Multilocus sequence analysis based on five other house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA and trpB) and the low level of DNA–DNA relatedness and phenotypic differences allowed the novel isolate to be differentiated from its most closely related strains. Therefore, the strain is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces piniterrae sp. nov. is proposed. Furthermore, the putative biosynthetic gene cluster of heliquinomycins was identified and the biosynthetic pathway was discussed. The type strain is jys28T (=CCTCC AA 2018051T =DSM 109823T).
The Effect of Biochars and Endophytic Bacteria on Growth and Root Rot Disease Incidence of Fusarium Infested Narrow-Leafed Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.)
Authors: Egamberdieva Dilfuza , Shurigin Vyacheslav , Alaylar Burak , Ma Hua , Müller Marina E. H. , Wirth Stephan , Reckling Moritz , Bellingrath-Kimura Sonoko Dorothea
Published: March 2020

The effects of biochar on plant growth vary depending on the applied biochar type, study site environmental conditions, microbial species, and plant–microbial interactions. The objectives of the present study were therefore to assess 1) the response of growth parameters of lupin and root disease incidence to the application of three biochar types in a loamy sandy soil, and 2) the role of endophytic bacteria in biological control of root rot disease incidence in lupin after the amendment of soil with different biochar types. As biochar types we tested (i) hydrochar (HTC) from maize silage, (ii) pyrolysis char from maize (MBC), and (iii) pyrolysis char from wood (WBC) at three different concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3% of char as soil amendments). There were no significant effects in lupin shoot and root growth in soils amended with WBC at any of the concentrations. MBC did not affect plant growth except for root dry weight at 2% MBC. HTC char at 2% concentration, significantly increased the root dry weight of lupin by 54–75%, and shoot dry weight by 21–25%. Lupin plants grown in soil amended with 2% and 3% WBC and MBC chars showed 40–50% and 10–20% disease symptoms, respectively. Plants grown in soil without biochar and with HTC char were healthy, and no disease incidence occurred. Pseudomonas putida L2 and Stenotrophomonas pavanii L8 isolates demonstrated a disease reduction compared to un-inoculated plants under MBC and WBC amended soil that was infested with Fusarium solani.
Advances in Heterocatalysis by Nanomaterials
Authors: Yentekakis Ioannis V. , Chu Wei
Published: March 2020

Heterogeneous catalysis played, plays, and will continue to play a major key role in industrial processes for the large-scale synthesis of commodity chemicals of global importance [...]
Polypseudorotaxanes of Pluronic® F127 with Combinations of α- and β-Cyclodextrins for Topical Formulation of Acyclovir
Authors: Di Donato Cristina , Iacovino Rosa , Isernia Carla , Malgieri Gaetano , Varela-Garcia Angela , Concheiro Angel , Alvarez-Lorenzo Carmen
Published: March 2020

Acyclovir (ACV) is one of the most used antiviral drugs for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections and other relevant mucosal infections caused by viruses. Nevertheless, the low water solubility of ACV limits both its bioavailability and antiviral performance. The combination of block copolymer micelles and cyclodextrins (CDs) may result in polypseudorotaxanes with tunable drug solubilizing and gelling properties. However, the simultaneous addition of various CDs has barely been investigated yet. The aim of this work was to design and characterize ternary combinations of Pluronic® F127 (PF127), αCD and βCD in terms of polypseudorotaxane formation, rheological behavior, and ACV solubilization ability and controlled release. The formation of polypseudorotaxanes between PF127 and the CDs was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and NMR spectroscopy. The effects of αCD/βCD concentration range (0–7% w/w) on copolymer (6.5% w/w) gel features were evaluated at 20 and 37 °C by rheological studies, resulting in changes of the copolymer gelling properties. PF127 with αCD/βCD improved the solubilization of ACV, maintaining the biocompatibility (hen’s egg test on the chorio-allantoic membrane). In addition, the gels were able to sustain acyclovir delivery. The formulation prepared with similar proportions of αCD and βCD provided a slower and more constant release. The results obtained suggest that the combination of Pluronic with αCD/βCD mixtures can be a valuable approach to tune the rheological features and drug release profiles from these supramolecular gels.