bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Proximity of Singaporean Children’s Dietary Habits to Food-Based Dietary Guidelines
Authors: Brownlee Iain A , Low Jasmine , Duriraju Naageswari , Chun Mavis , Ong Jessica Xiu Yan , Tay Mia Eng , Hendrie Gilly A , Santos-Merx Lourdes
Published: November 2019

Dietary habits in children may not only impact current health status but could also shape future, lifelong dietary choices. Dietary intake data in Singaporean children are limited. The current study aimed to define the overall diet quality of Singaporean children using an existing cross-sectional dataset and to consider how demographic factors (i.e., body mass index (BMI) status, ethnicity, age, and sex) were associated with these scores. Existing, cross-sectional dietary data (n = 561 children aged 6–12 years, collected in 2014–2015) from duplicate 24-h recalls were assessed for diet quality using an index based on the Singaporean Health Promotion Board dietary guidelines. Total diet quality scores were calculated from ten different components (frequencies of rice and alternatives, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, meat and alternatives, dairy and alternatives, total fat, saturated fat, sodium intake, and added sugars). Association with demographic factors and BMI category was evaluated by one-way multivariate ANOVA (MANOVA) tests, with Bonferroni post hoc analyses. Median (interquartile range) total diet quality scores were 65.4 (57.1–73.0). Median scores for whole grains (0.0, 0.0–33.4), fruits (24.1, 0.0–65.3), vegetables (36.5, 10.4-89.8), and sodium (58.4, 0.0–100.0) intake were frequently sub-optimal. Children of Malay ethnic origin had statistically lower total diet quality scores ((55.3, 47.5–60.3) vs. other ethnic groups (combined median 65.4 (57.1, 73.0); p < 0.001). These findings highlight the need for continuing efforts to improve dietary intake in young Singaporeans and for longitudinal dietary monitoring in this group.
Trends in Dietary Nutrients by Demographic Characteristics and BMI among US Adults, 2003–2016
Authors: Han Shan , Wu Lanlan , Wang Wenjie , Li Na , Wu Xiaoyan
Published: November 2019

Background: Limited data were available on trends of US dietary nutrients especially for specific subgroups; Methods: Dietary intakes of energy and 36 kinds of nutrients were analyzed in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003 to 2016 and by age and sex, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and body mass index, which were evaluated by whether not they meet the dietary reference intakes (DRIs); Results: Significantly decreased trends were observed for carbohydrate, total sugars, fiber, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin B6, E, K, and choline, while increased trends were observed for saturated fatty acids, iron, zinc, copper, potassium, sodium, vitamin B1, B2, B12, C and folate DFE (as dietary folate equivalents). A decreased trend of exceeding the estimated energy requirement was found. Population with low socioeconomic status and non-Hispanic blacks accounted for the largest proportion not meeting DRIs for most of nutrients; Conclusions: Most dietary nutrients were improved among US adults from 2003 to 2016 but were still far from optimal levels. Populations with low socioeconomic status and non-Hispanic blacks should be paid more attention to improve their dietary nutrient intake.
Role of Food Neophobia and Allergen Content in Food Choices for a Polish Cohort of Young Women
Authors: Guzek Dominika , Pęska Joanna , Głąbska Dominika
Published: November 2019

Young women are vulnerable to a number of factors which influence their food choices, including beliefs about food products, or information about nutritional value, while information, that product is free from specific component generates consumer perceptions of its healthfulness. Among the factors which may influence such perception, there is food neophobia (FN). The aim of this study was to determine the influence of FN and information about allergens on the food product choices in the Polish cohort of young women, in the choice experiment when given a model restaurant menu. The web-based choice experiment, in a group of 600 women, aged 18–30 years, with no food allergies diagnosed, was conducted using a mock Italian-style restaurant menu. For 2 starters, 2 soups, 3 main courses and 3 desserts that were included, the allergen content, neophobic potential and perceived lack of healthiness, for a Polish population, were defined. Each respondent randomly received the version containing only a description of dishes, or a description accompanied by the allergens listed. The FN was assessed using the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS). The type of menu (with or without allergens listed) did not influence the choices of dishes. The highest FN level was observed for the women being inhabitants of villages (median of 32). The respondents characterized by a high level of FN less commonly chose dishes characterized by neophobic potential as a starter (Carpaccio), main course (Risotto ai frutti di mare) and dessert (Zabaglione). At the same time, the highest FN level was observed for respondents who chose dishes with no neophobic potential (median of 34.5). However, for allergen content and perceived lack of healthiness, no association with FN was observed, so it may be stated that for neophobic respondents, only neophobic potential is a factor limiting the choice of dishes. It may be concluded that food neophobia in young women may limit the consumption of dishes with unknown food products, and the influence is observed independently of other features of a dish, such as allergen content or perceived healthiness. The problem may appear especially for inhabitants of villages, who are characterized by the highest level of FN.
Classification of WHO Essential Oral Medicines for Children Applying a Provisional Pediatric Biopharmaceutics Classification System
Authors: delMoral-Sanchez Jose-Manuel , Gonzalez-Alvarez Isabel , Gonzalez-Alvarez Marta , Navarro Andres , Bermejo Marival
Published: November 2019

The objective was using the Essential Medicines List for children by the World Health Organization (WHO) to create a pediatric biopharmaceutics classification system (pBCS) of the oral drugs included in the Essential Medicines List by the World Health Organization and to compare our results with the BCS for adults (aBCS). Several methods to estimate the oral drug dose in different pediatric groups were used to calculate dose number (Do) and solubility (high/low). The estimation of the gastrointestinal water volume was adapted to each pediatric group. Provisional permeability classification was done by comparison of each drug lipophilicity versus metoprolol as the model drug of high permeability. As a result, 24.5% of the included drugs moved from the favorable to unfavorable class (i.e., from high to low solubility). Observed changes point out potential differences in product performance in pediatrics compared to adults, due to changes in the limiting factors for absorption. BCS Class Changes 1 to 2 or 3 to 4 are indicative of drugs that could be more sensitive to the choice of appropriate excipient in the development process. Validating a pBCS for each age group would provide a valuable tool to apply in specific pediatric formulation design by reducing time and costs and avoiding unnecessary pediatric experiments restricted due to ethical reasons. Additionally, pBCS could minimize the associated risks to the use of adult medicines or pharmaceutical compound formulations.
Improving In Vivo Brain Delivery of Monoclonal Antibody Using Novel Cyclic Peptides
Authors: Ulapane Kavisha R. , Kopec Brian M. , Siahaan Teruna J.
Published: November 2019

Many proteins can be used to treat brain diseases; however, the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) creates an obstacle to delivering them into the brain. Previously, various molecules were delivered through the paracellular pathway of the BBB via its modulation, using ADTC5 and HAV6 peptides. This study goal was to design new cyclic peptides with N-to-C terminal cyclization for better plasma stability and modulation of the BBB. Cyclic HAVN1 and HAVN2 peptides were derived from a linear HAV6 peptide. Linear and N-to-C terminal cyclic ADTHAV peptides were designed by combining the sequences of ADTC5 and HAV6. These novel cyclic peptides were used to deliver an IRdye800CW-labeled IgG monoclonal antibody into the brain. Cyclic HAVN1 and HAVN2 peptides deliver IgG into the brain, while the parent linear HAV6 peptide does not. Cyclic and linear ADTHAV and ADTC5 peptides enhanced brain delivery of IgG mAb, in which cyclic ADTHAV peptide was better than linear ADTHAV (p = 0.07). Cyclic ADTHAV and ADTC5 influenced the distribution of IgG mAb in other organs while HAV6, HAVN1 and HAVN2 did not. In summary, the novel cyclic peptides are generally better BBB modulators than their linear counterparts for delivering IgG mAb into the brain.
Silicon Nanotubes as Potential Therapeutic Platforms
Authors: Le Nguyen T. , Tian Yuan , Gonzalez-Rodriguez Roberto , Coffer Jeffery L.
Published: November 2019

Silicon nanotubes (SiNTs) with unique well-defined structural morphologies have been successfully fabricated and recognized as a novel architecture in the nanoscale Si family. While the typical dendritic microstructure of mesoporous silicon prepared anodically has been exploited previously for therapeutics and biosensing, our status of utilizing SiNTs in this regard is still in its infancy. In this review, we focus on the fundamental properties of such nanotubes relevant to therapeutic applications, beginning with a description of our ability to sensitively tune the structure of a given SiNT through synthetic control and the associated detailed in vitro dissolution behavior (reflecting biodegradability). Emphasis is also placed here on the range of functional moieties available to attach to the surface of SiNTs through a summary of current studies involving surface functionalization and strategies that facilitate conjugation with molecules of interest for multiple purposes, including cell labeling, nucleotide attachment, and scaffolding of therapeutic metallic nanoparticles. Experiments addressing our ability to load the interior of a given nanotube with species capable of providing magnetic field-assisted drug delivery are also briefly described. Given the range of diverse properties demonstrated to date, we believe the future to be quite promising for employing SiNTs as therapeutic platforms.
BundlED Up: A Narrative Review of Antimicrobial Stewardship Initiatives and Bundles in the Emergency Department
Authors: Santarossa Maressa , Kilber Emily N. , Wenzler Eric , Albarillo Fritzie S. , Sterk Ethan J.
Published: November 2019

Antimicrobial stewardship (ASP) is becoming an increasingly high priority worldwide, yet the emergency department (ED) is an area where stewardship is often neglected. Implementing care bundles, guidelines, and protocols appears to be a rational strategy for ED stewardship given the inherently dynamic and hectic environment of care. Multiple questions still exist such as whether to target certain disease states, optimal implementation of ASP interventions in the ED, and the benefit of unique ED-specific guidelines and protocols. A narrative review was performed on interventions, guidelines, and bundles implemented in the ED setting, in an effort to improve ASP or management of infectious diseases. This review is meant to serve as a framework for the reader to implement these practices at their own institution. We examined various studies related to ASP interventions or care bundles in the ED which included: CNS infections (one study), skin and soft-tissue infections (one study), respiratory infections (four studies), urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections (eight studies), sepsis (two studies), culture follow-up programs (four studies), and stewardship in general or multiple infection types (five studies). The interventions in this review were diverse, yet the majority showed a benefit in clinical outcomes or a decrease in antimicrobial use. Care bundles, guidelines, and antimicrobial stewardship interventions can streamline care and improve the management of common infectious diseases seen in the ED.
Plant Disease Detection and Classification by Deep Learning
Authors: Saleem Muhammad Hammad , Potgieter Johan , Arif Khalid Mahmood
Published: November 2019

Plant diseases affect the growth of their respective species, therefore their early identification is very important. Many Machine Learning (ML) models have been employed for the detection and classification of plant diseases but, after the advancements in a subset of ML, that is, Deep Learning (DL), this area of research appears to have great potential in terms of increased accuracy. Many developed/modified DL architectures are implemented along with several visualization techniques to detect and classify the symptoms of plant diseases. Moreover, several performance metrics are used for the evaluation of these architectures/techniques. This review provides a comprehensive explanation of DL models used to visualize various plant diseases. In addition, some research gaps are identified from which to obtain greater transparency for detecting diseases in plants, even before their symptoms appear clearly.
Fitness of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds: Current Knowledge and Implications for Management
Authors: Vila-Aiub Martin M.
Published: November 2019

Herbicide resistance is the ultimate evidence of the extraordinary capacity of weeds to evolve under stressful conditions. Despite the extraordinary plant fitness advantage endowed by herbicide resistance mutations in agroecosystems under herbicide selection, resistance mutations are predicted to exhibit an adaptation cost (i.e., fitness cost), relative to the susceptible wild-type, in herbicide untreated conditions. Fitness costs associated with herbicide resistance mutations are not universal and their expression depends on the particular mutation, genetic background, dominance of the fitness cost, and environmental conditions. The detrimental effects of herbicide resistance mutations on plant fitness may arise as a direct impact on fitness-related traits and/or coevolution with changes in other life history traits that ultimately may lead to fitness costs under particular ecological conditions. This brings the idea that a “lower adaptive value” of herbicide resistance mutations represents an opportunity for the design of resistance management practices that could minimize the evolution of herbicide resistance. It is evident that the challenge for weed management practices aiming to control, minimize, or even reverse the frequency of resistance mutations in the agricultural landscape is to “create” those agroecological conditions that could expose, exploit, and exacerbate those life history and/or fitness traits affecting the evolution of herbicide resistance mutations. Ideally, resistance management should implement a wide range of cultural practices leading to environmentally mediated fitness costs associated with herbicide resistance mutations.
Utilization of Waste Leather Powders for Highly Effective Removal of Dyes from Water
Authors: Xia Liangjun , Li Chen , Zhou Sijie , Fu Zhuan , Wang Yun , Lyu Pei , Zhang Jiajing , Liu Xin , Zhang Chunhua , Xu Weilin
Published: November 2019

As a natural polymer, leather and its associated industries are known to be the leading economic sector in many countries. However, the huge amounts of leather waste generated from the leather industry causes severe environmental pollution. Herein, cow leather (CL) powders were prepared using a homemade machine and used as a low-cost adsorbent for the effective removal of reactive dyes from wastewater. The as-prepared CL powders exhibited dot-like, rod-like, and fiber-like morphologies. A Fourier transform infrared analysis and an x-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that the CL powders retained the main structure of the protein contained in it. In addition, an improvement in thermal stability was also observed for the CL powders. Dye adsorption experiments indicate that the CL powders showed the highly effective removal of C.I. Reactive Red 120 (RR120), C.I. Reactive Yellow 127 (RY127), and C.I. Reactive Blue 222 (RB222) with the adsorption capacity of 167.0, 178.9, and 129.6 mg·g−1, respectively. The Langmuir, pseudo-second order, and intraparticle diffusion models could well depict the adsorption equilibrium and kinetics of CL powders toward the investigated reactive dyes. The as-prepared CL powders can be used as a potential adsorbent in the treatment of dye contaminated wastewater. Future studies will mainly focus on the application of the adsorbed CL powders for the pigment printing of textile materials.
Mechanically Reinforced Gelatin Hydrogels by Introducing Slidable Supramolecular Cross-Linkers
Authors: Lee Dae Hoon , Tamura Atsushi , Arisaka Yoshinori , Seo Ji-Hun , Yui Nobuhiko
Published: November 2019

Tough mechanical properties are generally required for tissue substitutes used in regeneration of damaged tissue, as these substitutes must be able to withstand the external physical force caused by stretching. Gelatin, a biopolymer derived from collagen, is a biocompatible and cell adhesive material, and is thus widely utilized as a component of biomaterials. However, the application of gelatin hydrogels as a tissue substitute is limited owing to their insufficient mechanical properties. Chemical cross-linking is a promising method to improve the mechanical properties of hydrogels. We examined the potential of the chemical cross-linking of gelatin hydrogels with carboxy-group-modified polyrotaxanes (PRXs), a supramolecular polymer comprising a poly(ethylene glycol) chain threaded into the cavity of α-cyclodextrins (α-CDs), to improve mechanical properties such as stretchability and toughness. Cross-linking gelatin hydrogels with threading α-CDs in PRXs could allow for freely mobile cross-linking points to potentially improve the mechanical properties. Indeed, the stretchability and toughness of gelatin hydrogels cross-linked with PRXs were slightly higher than those of the hydrogels with the conventional chemical cross-linkers 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). In addition, the hysteresis loss of gelatin hydrogels cross-linked with PRXs after repeated stretching and relaxation cycles in a hydrated state was remarkably improved in comparison with that of conventional cross-linked hydrogels. It is considered that the freely mobile cross-linking points of gelatin hydrogels cross-linked with PRXs attenuates the stress concentration. Accordingly, gelatin hydrogels cross-linked with PRXs would provide excellent mechanical properties as biocompatible tissue substitutes exposed to a continuous external physical force.
Influence of the Test Method on the Characterization of the Fatigue Delamination Behavior of a Composite Material under Mixed Mode I/II Fracture
Authors: Argüelles Antonio , Rocandio Clara , Rubiera Silvia , Viña Isabel , Viña Jaime
Published: November 2019

Composite materials manufactured by overlapping plies with certain specific geometries are likely to lose part of their strength due to the presence of internally delaminated regions. The aim of this paper is to experimentally evaluate the generation and propagation of these interlaminar cracks in a carbon-epoxy composite material subjected to fatigue loading under mixed mode I/II fracture. Two different test methods were used for this purpose: The standardized mixed-mode bending (MMB) test and the asymmetric double cantilever beam (ADCB) test, with the goal of exploring the viability of the ADCB test as a simpler alternative to perform than the MMB test, especially in fatigue testing. With this aim in mind and after prior static characterization of the material in which the critical values of the energy release rate were determined under both test methods, the levels of the energy release rate to be applied in fatigue tests were defined for two mode mixity ratios, GII/Gc = 0.2 and 0.4 (0.34 ADCB), and a fatigue loading ratio, R = Gmin/Gmax = 0.1. The G-N fatigue onset curves were subsequently obtained from these experimental data. The most relevant result of the study is that the fatigue limits obtained using the MMB method are generally more conservative than those obtained via the ADCB method.
Combinations of Antimicrobial Polymers with Nanomaterials and Bioactives to Improve Biocidal Therapies
Authors: Yañez-Macías Roberto , Muñoz-Bonilla Alexandra , De Jesús-Tellez Marco A. , Maldonado-Textle Hortensia , Guerrero-Sánchez Carlos , Schubert Ulrich S. , Guerrero-Santos Ramiro
Published: November 2019

The rise of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms has become a critical issue in recent years and has promoted substantial research efforts directed to the development of more effective antimicrobial therapies utilizing different bactericidal mechanisms to neutralize infectious diseases. Modern approaches employ at least two mixed bioactive agents to enhance bactericidal effects. However, the combinations of drugs may not always show a synergistic effect, and further, could also produce adverse effects or stimulate negative outcomes. Therefore, investigations providing insights into the effective utilization of combinations of biocidal agents are of great interest. Sometimes, combination therapy is needed to avoid resistance development in difficult-to-treat infections or biofilm-associated infections treated with common biocides. Thus, this contribution reviews the literature reports discussing the usage of antimicrobial polymers along with nanomaterials or other inhibitors for the development of more potent biocidal therapies.
Magnetic-Responsive Bendable Nozzles for Open Surface Droplet Manipulation
Authors: Prieto-López Lizbeth O. , Xu Jiajia , Cui Jiaxi
Published: November 2019

The handling of droplets in a controlled manner is essential to numerous technological and scientific applications. In this work, we present a new open-surface platform for droplet manipulation based on an array of bendable nozzles that are dynamically controlled by a magnetic field. The actuation of these nozzles is possible thanks to the magnetically responsive elastomeric composite which forms the tips of the nozzles; this is fabricated with Fe3O4 microparticles embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane matrix. The transport, mixing, and splitting of droplets can be controlled by bringing together and separating the tips of these nozzles under the action of a magnet. Additionally, the characteristic configuration for droplet mixing in this platform harnesses the kinetic energy from the feeding streams; this provided a remarkable reduction of 80% in the mixing time between drops of liquids about eight times more viscous than water, i.e., 6.5 mPa/s, when compared against the mixing between sessile drops of the same fluids.
Finite Element Study on the Impact Resistance of Laminated and Textile Composites
Authors: Xing Jun , Du Chunlin , He Xin , Zhao Zhenqiang , Zhang Chao , Li Yulong
Published: November 2019

The impact resistance of fiber-reinforced polymer composites is a critical concern for structure design in aerospace applications. In this work, experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact performance of four types of composite panels, using a gas-gun test system. Computational efficient finite element models were developed to model the high-speed ballistic impact behavior of laminate and textile composites. The models were first validated by comparing the critical impact threshold and the failure patterns against experimental results. The damage progression and energy evolution behavior were combined to analyze the impact failure process of the composite panels. Numerical parametric studies were designed to investigate the sensitivity of impact resistance against impact attitude, including impact deflection angles and projectile deflection angles, which provide a comprehensive understanding of the damage tolerance of the composite panels. The numerical results elaborate the different impact resistances for laminate and textile composites and their different sensitivities to deflection angles.
Developing Fall-impact Protection Pad with 3D Mesh Curved Surface Structure using 3D Printing Technology
Authors: Park Jung Hyun , Lee Jeong Ran
Published: November 2019

In this study, we present the development of fall-impact protection pads for elderly people using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. To develop fall-impact protection clothing, it is important to maintain the functionality of the protection pad while ensuring that its effectiveness and appearance remain optimal in the process of inserting it. Therefore, this study explores the benefit of exploiting 3D scan data of the human body using 3D printing technology to develop a fall-impact protection pad that is highly suited to the human body shape. The purpose of this study was to present a 3D modeling process for creating curved protective pads comprising a hexagonal mesh with a spacer fabric structure and to verify the impact protection performance by printing curved pads. To this end, we set up a section that includes pads in the 3D human body scan data and extracted body surface information to be applied in the generation of the pad surface. The sheet-shaped hexagonal mesh structure was cut and separated according to the pad outline, and then deformed according to the curved surface of the human body. The pads were printed, and their protection performance was evaluated; a 79.2–81.8% reduction in impact force was observed compared to similar cases in which the pads were not used.
Evaluating Production Process Efficiency of Provincial Greenhouse Vegetables in China Using Data Envelopment Analysis: A Green and Sustainable Perspective
Authors: Liang Yuhu , Jing Xu , Wang Yanan , Shi Yan , Ruan Junhu
Published: November 2019

The evaluation of vegetable production process efficiency is of great significance for energy saving and waste reduction in production processes. However, few studies have considered the effect of greenhouse vegetable production process efficiency on energy saving and waste reduction. In this paper, data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to analyze the production process efficiency and the effective use of input elements of greenhouse vegetables at the provincial level in China. The results reveal that many chemical fertilizers, farmyard manure, and pesticides in China are inefficient. On the other hand, the pure technical efficiency of greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers is low in most areas of China. Meanwhile, the scale efficiency of greenhouse eggplants and greenhouse peppers is low in most areas of China. In order to save energy and develop green sustainable agriculture, we put forward some suggestions to improve the production efficiency of greenhouse vegetables in different provinces.
Experimental Investigation of Sludge Treatment Using a Rotor-Stator Type Hydrodynamic Cavitation Reactor and an Ultrasonic Bath
Authors: Kim Hyunsoo , Sun Xun , Koo Bonchan , Yoon Joon Yong
Published: November 2019

In the present work, the sludge treatment performance of a sludge treatment using a rotor-stator type hydrodynamic cavitation reactor (HCR) was investigated. To verify the performance, a comparison with an ultrasonic bath was conducted in four experimental cases using three assessment factors. The HCR consisted of a rotor and three covers with inserted dimples resulting in variation of the cross-sectional area in a flow. The experimental cases were established using the same energy consumption for each device. Disintegration performance was analyzed with assessment factors using particle size distribution and sludge volume index (SVI), oxidation performance using total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) and volatile suspended solids (VSS) reduction rate, as well as solubilization rate using soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD). As a result, the particle disintegration and oxidation performance of the HCR were generally superior to those of the ultrasonic bath. However, due to the contradictory interactions of these factors, the solubilization rate of the two devices was measured similarly as 42.3% and 41.4% for each device. Results of the current study proved that the HCR can be an effective, promising and clean sludge treatment technique for use in wastewater treatment plants.
Social Cohesion in Australia: Comparing Church and Community
Authors: Pepper Miriam , Powell Ruth , Bouma Gary D.
Published: November 2019

In a context of increasing ethnic and religious diversity, Australia’s future prosperity may depend, in part, on the ability to maintain social cohesion. Drawing on the framework developed by the Scanlon Foundation Social Cohesion Research Program, this study examines data from the 2016 National Church Life Survey and the 2016 Australian Community Survey to compare levels of social cohesion among Australian churchgoers and among the general population. Social cohesion metrics were stronger among churchgoers than the wider population across the domains of belonging, social justice, civic participation, acceptance of others and worth. Differences were also observed between Christian denominations on most domains, but with few exceptions, social cohesion among churchgoers from each denomination was still higher than that observed for all Australians. The findings suggest that Christian groups play a positive role in the promotion of social cohesion by building both bridging and bonding social capital among those who participate, but that these groups are unlikely to be a significant source of agitation to prevent some of the greatest contemporary threats to social cohesion.
Using Vegetation Indices and a UAV Imaging Platform to Quantify the Density of Vegetation Ground Cover in Olive Groves (Olea Europaea L.) in Southern Spain
Authors: Lima-Cueto Francisco J. , Blanco-Sepúlveda Rafael , Gómez-Moreno María L. , Galacho-Jiménez Federico B.
Published: November 2019

In olive groves, vegetation ground cover (VGC) plays an important ecological role. The EU Common Agricultural Policy, through cross-compliance, acknowledges the importance of this factor, but, to determine the real impact of VGC, it must first be quantified. Accordingly, in the present study, eleven vegetation indices (VIs) were applied to quantify the density of VGC in olive groves (Olea europaea L.), according to high spatial resolution (10–12 cm) multispectral images obtained by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The fieldwork was conducted in early spring, in a Mediterranean mountain olive grove in southern Spain presenting various VGC densities. A five-step method was applied: (1) generate image mosaics using UAV technology; (2) apply the VIs; (3) quantify VGC density by means of sampling plots (ground-truth); (4) calculate the mean reflectance of the spectral bands and of the VIs in each sampling plot; and (5) quantify VGC density according to the VIs. The most sensitive index was IRVI, which accounted for 82% (p < 0.001) of the variability of VGC density. The capability of the VIs to differentiate VGC densities increased in line with the cover interval range. RVI most accurately distinguished VGC densities > 80% in a cover interval range of 10% (p < 0.001), while IRVI was most accurate for VGC densities < 30% in a cover interval range of 15% (p < 0.01). IRVI, NRVI, NDVI, GNDVI and SAVI differentiated the complete series of VGC densities when the cover interval range was 30% (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05).
Automated Inspection of Railway Tunnels’ Power Line Using LiDAR Point Clouds
Authors: Sánchez-Rodríguez Ana , Soilán Mario , Cabaleiro Manuel , Arias Pedro
Published: November 2019

Transport networks need periodic inspections to increase their safety and improve their management. In the last few years, LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology has become a tool for helping to create a precise database of almost any type of infrastructure. Mobile laser scanning (MLS) systems use a laser beam to collect dense three dimensional (3D) point clouds, which include geometric and radiometric data of the environment in which they are placed. In the context of this paper, a methodology for automatically inspecting the clearance gauge and the deflection of the aerial contact line in railway tunnels is presented. The main objective is to compare results and verify their compliance with the Spanish norm. The 3D data are provided by a LYNX Mobile Mapper System (MMS). First, the area is surveyed and then the obtained (3D) point cloud is classified into contact wire, suspension wire, and remaining points. Finally, the inspection of the railway’s power line is performed. The validation of the proposed methodology has been carried out in three different tunnel point clouds, obtaining both qualitative and quantitative results for points’ classification, together with the results of the measures performed.
Cold Bias of ERA5 Summertime Daily Maximum Land Surface Temperature over Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Johannsen Frederico , Ermida Sofia , Martins João P. A. , Trigo Isabel F. , Nogueira Miguel , Dutra Emanuel
Published: November 2019

Land surface temperature (LST) is a key variable in surface-atmosphere energy and water exchanges. The main goals of this study are to (i) evaluate the LST of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA-Interim and ERA5 reanalyses over Iberian Peninsula using the Satellite Application Facility on Land Surface Analysis (LSA-SAF) product and to (ii) understand the main drivers of the LST errors in the reanalysis. Simulations with the ECMWF land-surface model in offline mode (uncoupled) were carried out over the Iberian Peninsula and compared with the reanalysis data. Several sensitivity simulations were performed in a confined domain centered in Southern Portugal to investigate potential sources of the LST errors. The Copernicus Global Land Service (CGLS) fraction of green vegetation cover (FCover) and the European Space Agency’s Climate Change Initiative (ESA-CCI) Land Cover dataset were explored. We found a general underestimation of daytime LST and slightly overestimation at night-time. The results indicate that there is still room for improvement in the simulation of LST in ECMWF products. Still, ERA5 presents an overall higher quality product in relation to ERA-Interim. Our analysis suggested a relation between the large daytime cold bias and vegetation cover differences between (ERA5 and CGLS FCocver) with a correlation of −0.45. The replacement of the low and high vegetation cover by those of ESA-CCI provided an overall reduction of the large Tmax biases during summer. The increased vertical resolution of the soil at the surface, has a positive impact, but much smaller when compared with the vegetation changes. The sensitivity of the vegetation density parameter, that currently depends on the vegetation type, provided further proof for a needed revision of the vegetation in the model, as there is a reasonable correlation between this parameter and the Tmax mean errors when using the ESA-CCI vegetation cover (while the same correlation cannot be reproduced with the original model vegetation). Our results support the hypothesis that vegetation cover is one of the main drivers of the LST summertime cold bias in ERA5 over Iberian Peninsula.
A Minimally Invasive Microsensor Specially Designed for Simultaneous Dissolved Oxygen and pH Biofilm Profiling
Authors: Guimerà Xavier , Moya Ana , Dorado Antonio David , Illa Xavi , Villa Rosa , Gabriel David , Gamisans Xavier , Gabriel Gemma
Published: November 2019

A novel sensing device for simultaneous dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH monitoring specially designed for biofilm profiling is presented in this work. This device enabled the recording of instantaneous DO and pH dynamic profiles within biofilms, improving the tools available for the study and the characterization of biological systems. The microsensor consisted of two parallel arrays of microelectrodes. Microelectrodes used for DO sensing were bare gold electrodes, while microelectrodes used for pH sensing were platinum-based electrodes modified using electrodeposited iridium oxide. The device was fabricated with a polyimide (Kapton®) film of 127 µm as a substrate for minimizing the damage caused on the biofilm structure during its insertion. The electrodes were covered with a Nafion® layer to increase sensor stability and repeatability and to avoid electrode surface fouling. DO microelectrodes showed a linear response in the range 0–8 mg L−1, a detection limit of 0.05 mg L−1, and a sensitivity of 2.06 nA L mg−1. pH electrodes showed a linear super-Nernstian response (74.2 ± 0.7 mV/pH unit) in a wide pH range (pH 4−9). The multi-analyte sensor array was validated in a flat plate bioreactor where simultaneous and instantaneous pH and DO profiles within a sulfide oxidizing biofilm were recorded. The electrodes spatial resolution, the monitoring sensitivity, and the minimally invasive features exhibited by the proposed microsensor improved biofilm monitoring performance, enabling the quantification of mass transfer resistances and the assessment of biological activity.
Self-Adaptive Filtering Approach for Improved Indoor Localization of a Mobile Node with Zigbee-Based RSSI and Odometry
Authors: Loganathan Anbalagan , Ahmad Nur , Goh Patrick
Published: November 2019

This study presents a new technique to improve the indoor localization of a mobile node by utilizing a Zigbee-based received-signal-strength indicator (RSSI) and odometry. As both methods suffer from their own limitations, this work contributes to a novel methodological framework in which coordinates of the mobile node can more accurately be predicted by improving the path-loss propagation model and optimizing the weighting parameter for each localization technique via a convex search. A self-adaptive filtering approach is also proposed which autonomously optimizes the weighting parameter during the target node’s translational and rotational motions, thus resulting in an efficient localization scheme with less computational effort. Several real-time experiments consisting of four different trajectories with different number of straight paths and curves were carried out to validate the proposed methods. Both temporal and spatial analyses demonstrate that when odometry data and RSSI values are available, the proposed methods provide significant improvements on localization performance over existing approaches.
Towards a System for Tracking Drug Delivery Using Frequency Excited Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Neshatvar Nazanin , Damaso Rui , Seifnaraghi Nima , Demosthenous Andreas , Bayford Richard
Published: November 2019

Nanoparticle-based drugs are rapidly evolving to treat different conditions and have considerable potential. A new system based on the combination of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) imaging and a power amplifier with a RF coil has been developed to study the effect of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) when excited in the MHz frequency range. We show that samples including AuNPs have a temperature increase of 1–1.5 °C due to the presence of RF excitation at 13.56 MHz which provides a higher rate of change for solutions without AuNPs. They also show more than a 50% increase in conductivity in difference imaging as the result of this excitation. The change for samples without AuNPs is 40%.
A Novel Signal Separation and De-Noising Technique for Doppler Radar Vital Signal Detection
Authors: Li Xiaoling , Liu Bin , Liu Yang , Li Jiawei , Lai Jiarui , Zheng Ziming
Published: November 2019

Doppler radar for monitoring vital signals is an emerging tool, and how to remove the noise during the detection process and reconstruct the accurate respiration and heartbeat signals are hot issues in current research. In this paper, a novel radar vital signal separation and de-noising technique based on improved complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (ICEEMDAN), sample entropy (SampEn), and wavelet threshold is proposed. First, the noisy radar signal was decomposed into a series of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) using ICEEMDAN. Then, each IMF was analyzed using SampEn to find out the first few IMFs containing noise, and these IMFs were de-noised using the wavelet threshold. Finally, in order to extract accurate vital signals, spectrum analysis and Kullback–Leible (KL) divergence calculations were performed on all IMFs, and appropriate IMFs were selected to reconstruct respiration and heartbeat signals. Moreover, as far as we know, there is almost no previous research on radar vital signal de-noising based on the proposed technique. The effectiveness of the algorithm was verified using simulated and measured experiments. The results show that the proposed algorithm could effectively reduce the noise and was superior to the existing de-noising technologies, which is beneficial for extracting more accurate vital signals.
Adaptive Controller Based on Spatial Disturbance Observer in a Microgravity Environment
Authors: Fan Chunguang , Xie Zongwu , Liu Yiwei , Li Chongyang , Liu Hong
Published: November 2019

In this paper, a new controller for an operating manipulator work in the space microgravity environment is proposed. First, on the basis of the load variation caused by microgravity, a sliding mode control method is used to model the gravity term, and the logistic function is introduced as the approaching function. An improved sliding mode reaching law is proposed to control the manipulator effectively, and Lyapunov theory is used to deduce its closed-loop stability. A friction compensation scheme, which regards friction as disturbance, is introduced to the microgravity environment, and a space disturbance observer (SDO) is designed from the viewpoint of disturbance suppression to identify the friction characteristics of the control system accurately. To model the lagging friction phenomenon caused by velocity inversion during operation tasks, an adaptive compensation scheme based on the LuGre model is proposed. Finally, the design of a manipulator system, which consists of a robot arm, dexterous hand, teleoperation system, central controller, and visual system, is presented. On-orbit maintenance and capture experiments are carried out successively. The effectiveness and reliability of the controller are verified, and the on-orbit operation tasks are completed successfully.
Mechanical Properties of Recycled Polymer Composites Made from Side-Stream Materials from Different Industries
Authors: Keskisaari Anna , Kärki Timo , Vuorinen Tommi
Published: November 2019

This study examines the mechanical properties of thermoplastic polymer composites manufactured by utilizing different side-stream materials as fillers. Two composites were manufactured from side-stream materials from the construction industry, two were manufactured from side-stream materials from the paper industry, and one was manufactured from side-stream materials from a coating factory. The matrix polymer used in the composites originated from recycling facility. The side-stream materials were used as fillers. One composite was manufactured as a reference by using wood-fiber as the filler. The tensile properties and impact strength were tested. The materials were also observed with a scanning electron microscope. Compared to the reference material, tensile strength and modulus decreased in all cases except for the sludge from the paper industry. The sludge also improved the impact strength remarkably, as the impact strength with the stone wool and stone dust from the construction industry remained the same, while the values were weakened for the others. Scanning electron microscope images showed that powder coating waste from the coating factory increased porosity and, thus, decreased the density of the material.
Technology-Driven Transition in Urban Food Production Practices: A Case Study of Shanghai
Authors: Hosseinifarhangi Mohsen , Turvani Margherita E. , van der Valk Arnold , Carsjens Gerrit J.
Published: November 2019

The continuing decline of arable land per person and global human population growth are raising concerns about food security. Recent advances in horticultural technology (i.e., growing using light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, hydroponics, vertical farming, and controlled environments) have changed the ways in which vegetables can be produced and supplied. The emerging technology makes it possible to produce more food using fewer resources, independent of the weather and the need for land. They allow bringing agricultural practices inside urban built up spaces and making horticultural production an integrated part of the daily life of urban residents. However, the process and consequences of this technology-driven transition on urban planning and development are hardly understood. This paper uses the theory of multi-level perspective (MLP) on sustainability transitions and actor–network theory (ANT) to explore this technology-driven transition and its adoption in urban planning and development. The high-tech horticulture zone development in Shanghai was used as a case study. The results show the importance of both social (i.e., policymakers and planners) and material (i.e., technologies and policy documents) actants in the transition of the sociotechnical regime. Furthermore, the transition toward sustainable urban horticulture practices requires the simultaneous preparation of supportive and compatible spatial development, agricultural and sustainable development policies, and adequate policy implementation and evaluation tools to increase the competitive strength of innovative practices.
Does State-level Upgrade of High-tech Zones Promote Urban Innovation Efficiency: Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Qiong , Yang Ru , Zhao Ruyue , Wang Chengyuan
Published: November 2019

Among China’s existing state-level High-tech Industry Development Zones (HIDZ), the number of upgraded ones account for more than 65%, which are supposed to fulfill the important mission of leading innovation. However, while the upgraded state-level HIDZ enjoy more opportunities than before, they also face major challenges such as the significant inter-generational differences between them and the born state-level HIDZ. Based on the panel data of Chinese (prefecture-level) cities from 2007 to 2015, the paper empirically examines the impact of the state-level upgrade of HIDZ on urban innovation efficiency by using a difference-in-differences propensity score matching approach (PSM-DID). The results show that the upgraded state-level HIDZ has significantly improved urban innovation efficiency, and this positive effect has gradually increased with the implementation of the upgrade policy. The further heterogeneity analysis shows that the higher the scientific research level of higher education institutions in the cities, the greater the promotion effect of the state-level upgrade. The paper evaluates the policy effect of the upgraded state-level HIDZ from their stated mission, which is a powerful complement to the existing research and provides more effective guidance for policy-makers.