bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O gênero multimodal “Post em Facebook” e suas configurações no ideário do círculo de Bakhtin
Authors: Gregol Fernando Arthur , De Souza Tatiana Fasolo Bilhar , Costa-Hübes Terezinha da Conceição
Published: May 2020

As obras do Círculo de Bakhtin chegaram ao ocidente no final dos anos 1970 e, desde então, embora não tenham abordado especificamente o ensino, contribuem de forma profícua para fomentar reflexões sobre o trabalho com a linguagem na sala de aula. Nesse âmbito, o conceito de gênero do discurso aponta para a necessidade de se pensar na configuração de enunciados que se constituem por dimensões sociais verbo-visuais. Neste artigo, analisamos como um enunciado do gênero discursivo “post” em rede social se configura em relação às suas dimensões social e verbo-visual. O enunciado selecionado para estudo foi veiculado pela rede social Facebook, especificamente, pela página “Quebrando o Tabu”. Interessa-nos este gênero próprio do campo digital, pois na era em que vivemos, na hipermodernidade, os enunciados passam a incorporar signos ideológicos de natureza multissemiótica e multimodal em seu escopo constitutivo. Ao atentarmo-nos para esse novo fenômeno e essa nova constituição dos gêneros, pautamos nossas reflexões na teoria do Círculo de Bakhtin, mas também em trabalhos de pesquisadores contemporâneos que dialogam com esse pressuposto teórico, e em autores que trabalham com as múltiplas faces semióticas dos enunciados. Trata-se, portanto, de um estudo inserido no campo da Linguística Aplicada e amparado no método sociológico, uma vez que, na análise, partimos de um plano extraverbal para um plano verbo-visual, objetivando entender como os aspectos sociais determinam as escolhas estilístico-composicionais dos enunciados. Os resultados obtidos apontam para uma nova configuração dos gêneros no campo digital, principalmente no que tange aos conceitos de autoria, horizonte axiológico e estilo de linguagem.
Bebês também aprendem (com) as artes visuais: criação de recursos didáticos a partir dos peixes de Aldemir Martins
Authors: Baliscei João Paulo , De Paula Regina Ridão Ribeiro
Published: May 2020

Quais as contribuições, a criação e exploração de recursos didáticos elaborados por arte-educadores/as podem acrescentar para o ensino de Arte na Educação Infantil? Nesta reflexão, temos como objetivo relatar o processo criativo que envolveu a produção de recursos didáticos para ações com Artes Visuais na Educação Infantil. Tais recursos foram desenvolvidos em 2019, durante a disciplina de Estágio Supervisionado em Artes Visuais, realizada junto a estudantes de um curso de licenciatura em Artes Visuais de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior e um Centro Municipal de Educação Infantil. Os recursos didáticos criados por nós foram elaborados a partir das obras do artista brasileiro Aldemir Martins e levaram em conta as especificidades identificadas em uma turma, com 25 crianças entre 11 meses e 1 ano e 11 meses. Na descrição desse processo, primeiro explicamos as especificidades do Estágio Supervisionado em Artes Visuais e enfatizamos as contribuições que ações educativas com Artes Visuais podem conferir às crianças da Educação Infantil. Depois, relatamos o processo criativo a partir do qual criamos e exploramos um conjunto recursos didáticos, e analisamos as maneiras como as crianças do Infantil 1 interagiram com aspectos artísticos e estéticos das obras de Aldemir Martins. Consideramos, por fim, que as intervenções, estudos e avaliações realizadas durante o Estágio Supervisionado apontam para a valorização das formas de ampliar/diversificar as maneiras como são criados e utilizados os recursos didáticos que promovem o conhecimento em Artes Visuais e chamamos atenção para a potência educativa que o/a arte-educador/a pode acarretar à Educação Infantil.
Additive Manufacturing of a Flexible Carbon Monoxide Sensor Based on a SnO2-Graphene Nanoink
Authors: Zuo Jialin , Tavakoli Sean , Mathavakrishnan Deepakkrishna , Ma Taichong , Lim Matthew , Rotondo Brandon , Pauzauskie Peter , Pavinatto Felippe , MacKenzie Devin
Published: May 2020

Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is an odorless toxic combustion product that rapidly accumulates inside ordinary places, causing serious risks to human health. Hence, the quick detection of CO generation is of great interest. To meet this need, high-performance sensing units have been developed and are commercially available, with the vast majority making use of semiconductor transduction media. In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time a fabrication protocol for arrays of printed flexible CO sensors based on a printable semiconductor catalyst-decorated reduced graphene oxide sensor media. These sensors operate at room temperature with a fast response and are deposited using high-throughput printing and coating methods on thin flexible substrates. With the use of a modified solvothermal aerogel process, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets were decorated with tin dioxide (SnO2) nanoscale deposits. X-ray diffraction data were used to show the composition of the material, and high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization showed the bonding status of the sensing material. Moreover, a very uniform distribution of particles was observed in scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. For the fabrication of the sensors, silver (Ag) interdigitated electrodes were inkjet-printed from nanoparticle inks on plastic substrates with 100 µm linewidths and then coated with the SnO2-rGO nanocomposite by inkjet or slot-die coating, followed by a thermal treatment to further reduce the rGO. The detection of 50 ppm of CO in nitrogen was demonstrated for the devices with a slot-die coated active layer. A response of 15%, response time of 4.5 s, and recovery time of 12 s were recorded for these printed sensors, which is superior to other previously reported sensors operating at room temperature.
Event-Triggered Adaptive Fault Tolerant Control for a Class of Uncertain Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Zhu Chenglong , Li Chenxi , Chen Xinyi , Zhang Kanjian , Xin Xin , Wei Haikun
Published: May 2020

This paper considers an adaptive fault-tolerant control problem for a class of uncertain strict feedback nonlinear systems, in which the actuator has an unknown drift fault and the loss of effectiveness fault. Based on the event-triggered theory, the adaptive backstepping technique, and Lyapunov theory, a novel fault-tolerant control strategy is presented. It is shown that an appropriate comprise between the control performance and the sensor data real-time transmission consumption is made, and the fault-tolerant tracking control problem of the strict feedback nonlinear system with uncertain and unknown control direction is solved. The adaptive backstepping method is introduced to compensate the actuator faults. Moreover, a new adjustable event-triggered rule is designed to determine the sampling state instants. The overall control strategy guarantees that the output signal tracks the reference signal, and all the signals of the closed-loop systems are convergent. Finally, the fan speed control system is constructed to demonstrate the validity of the proposed strategy and the application of the general systems.
Distributed Steganography in PDF Files—Secrets Hidden in Modified Pages
Authors: Koptyra Katarzyna , Ogiela Marek R.
Published: May 2020

This paper shows how to diffuse a message and hide it in multiple PDF files. Presented method uses dereferenced objects and secret splitting or sharing algorithms. It is applicable to various types of PDF files, including text documents, presentations, scanned images etc. Because hiding process is based on structure manipulation, the solution may be easily combined with content-dependent steganographic techniques. The hidden pages are not visible in typical application usage, which was tested with seven different programs.
Exergetic Life Cycle Assessment: A Review
Authors: Nwodo Martin N. , Anumba Chimay J.
Published: May 2020

Exergy is important and relevant in many areas of study such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), sustainability, energy systems, and the built environment. With the growing interest in the study of LCA due to the awareness of global environmental impacts, studies have been conducted on exergetic life cycle assessment for resource accounting. The aim of this paper is to review existing studies on exergetic life cycle assessment to investigate the state-of-the-art and identify the benefits and opportunity for improvement. The methodology used entailed an in-depth literature review, which involved an analysis of journal articles collected through a search of databases such as Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The selected articles were reviewed and analyzed, and the findings are presented in this paper. The following key conclusions were reached: (a) exergy-based methods provide an improved measure of sustainability, (b) there is an opportunity for a more comprehensive approach to exergetic life cycle assessment that includes life cycle emission, (c) a new terminology is required to describe the combination of exergy of life cycle resource use and exergy of life cycle emissions, and (d) improved exergetic life cycle assessment has the potential to solve characterization and valuation problems in the LCA methodology.
A Passive Control Method of Hub Corner Stall in a 1.5-Stage Axial Compressor under Low-Speed Conditions
Authors: Zhao Wenfeng , Zheng Qun , Jiang Bin , Lin Aqiang
Published: May 2020

Since the use of the compressor of a ship gas turbine is unavoidable at a low-speed operation, the flow field characteristics and stall mechanism at off-design speeds are important aspects for compressor designers. In this study, the first 1.5 stages of an eight-stage compressor are numerically simulated. The mechanism of compressor rotor instability at lower speeds is identified. The characteristic lines of compressors with various partial clearance are calculated at low speed (0.6 N). The flow field of the same outlet pressure (near stall point of the original compressor without clearance) is compared and analyzed. The results show that, at the near stall point, the suction surface separation and backflow occur in the main flow of the rotor top. It develops along the blade span and finally blocks the flow passage of the rotor, which results in the compressor stall. At the same time, the stall also occurs at the corner of the stator hub. In this paper, the characteristics of partial clearance in four different positions of the stator hub are analyzed. The near stall point and the working point are selected for the flow field analysis. It is concluded that the radial development of the stall vortex on the suction surface of the stator can be restrained by the partial clearance at the stator. In this paper, a passive control method by partial clearance is used in the real compressors, which is different from previous studies on cascades. The margin increases at low speeds.
A New Linear State Estimator for Fault Location in Distribution Systems Based on Backward-Forward Currents Sweep
Authors: Rocha Ednardo , Pimentel Filho Max , Cruz Melinda , Almeida Marcos , Medeiros Júnior Manoel
Published: May 2020

This paper presents a new linear state estimation model based on a current summation load flow method for three-phase distribution systems. The developed estimator may be applied to both the supervision of distribution systems under normal operating conditions and the fault location in cases of low and high impedance faults. Our studies were conducted using a real distribution feeder. For fault location analysis, the system was modeled using the ATP (alternative transient program) in order to emulate measurements of voltages and currents at the substation, and voltage magnitudes registered by other meters during the fault. We used the MATLAB™ software to process the algorithms. The main contributions that arose after integrating the current method into system supervision in case of network failures under normal operating conditions and the fault location are as follows: (i) estimation of system losses; (ii) modeling of loads in real time to consider their contributions in the fault location process; and (iii) low influence of fault resistance in the location algorithm. The results show that the proposed method has good precision, low computational processing time, and is promising for distribution system supervision with a reduced number of meters.
Research on the Hybrid Recommendation Method of Retail Electricity Price Package Based on Power User Characteristics and Multi-Attribute Utility in China
Authors: He Yongxiu , Wang Meiyan , Yu Jinxiong , He Qing , Sun Huijun , Su Fengyu
Published: May 2020

With the deregulation of the retail electricity market and the increase of the types of electricity price packages, electricity retail companies provide the recommended service of price packages for users, so as to improve the market competitiveness and user stickiness of enterprises. The existing research does not fully consider the impact of user characteristics and package attributes on recommendation results. This paper proposes a hybrid recommendation method of retail electricity price package based on the characteristics of power users and the multi-attribute utility of price package. Firstly, the hierarchical model of hybrid characteristics of power users in retail electricity market is constructed based on the tree structure, and all characteristics are analyzed quantitatively by proximity measurement method. Then, based on the multi-attribute utility theory, the utility model of retail electricity price package to users is constructed. Secondly, the accurate recommendation of the package is realized according to the characteristics of power users and the multi-attribute utility of price package. Finally, the rationality of the hybrid recommendation method of the retail electricity price package is verified by empirical analysis. This study provides valuable support for user to choose the retail electricity price package and improve the competitiveness of power retail companies.
Occurrence, Classification and Formation Mechanisms of the Organic-Rich Clasts in the Upper Paleozoic Coal-Bearing Tight Sandstone, Northeastern Margin of the Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Yang Guanqun , Huang Wenhui , Zhong Jianhua , Sun Ningliang
Published: May 2020

The detailed characteristics and formation mechanisms of organic-rich clasts (ORCs) in the Upper Paleozoic tight sandstone in the northeastern margin of the Ordos Basin were analyzed through 818-m-long drilling cores and logging data from 28 wells. In general, compared with soft-sediment clasts documented in other sedimentary environments, organic-rich clasts in coal-bearing tight sandstone have not been adequately investigated in the literature. ORCs are widely developed in various sedimentary environments of coal-bearing sandstone, including fluvial channels, crevasse splays, tidal channels, sand flats, and subaqueous debris flow deposits. In addition to being controlled by the water flow energy and transportation processes, the fragmentation degree and morphology of ORCs are also related to their content of higher plants organic matter. The change in water flow energy during transportation makes the ORCs show obvious mechanical depositional differentiation. Four main types of ORC can be recognized in the deposits: diamictic organic-rich clasts, floating organic-rich clasts, loaded lamellar organic-rich clasts, and thin interlayer organic-rich clasts. The relationship between energy variation and ORCs deposition continuity is rarely studied so far. Based on the different handling processes under the control of water flow energy changes, we propose two ORCs formation mechanisms: the long-term altering of continuous water flow and the short-term water flow acting triggered by sudden events.
The Potential of Utilizing Buildings’ Foundations as Thermal Energy Storage (TES) Units from Solar Plate Collectors
Authors: Aresti Lazaros , Christodoulides Paul , Panayiotou Gregoris P. , Florides Georgios
Published: May 2020

Underfloor heating systems provide comfort due to the natural heat flow distribution by a network of pipes, conventionally connected to a heat pump operating at low temperatures. To this extent, a renewable energy source could be an alternative solution. Acting as a case to investigate such systems, the Mediterranean island of Cyprus with a plethora of sunny days points to solar energy as the obvious solution. In this study, solar collector systems are recruited to supply the required heat for a typical Cypriot house, with the building’s foundation acting as a thermal energy system (TES) unit. The heat supply to the building can then be distributed with natural convection from the TES. The solar collectors and the building’s foundation system are studied with the aid of two software programs, namely TRNSYS and COMSOL Multiphysics. The former is used for the calculation of the heating and cooling load of the house as well as to estimate the energy provided by the flat plate solar collectors at specific conditions. The latter is then used to examine the TES unit with the heat gain/loss of the building. The obtained results, including analyses on the solar collectors’ area and the foundation thickness indicate that the suggested system would be able to sufficiently cover, partially or fully, the building’s heating load.
Generalized Design Approach on Industrial Wireless Chargers
Authors: Kindl Vladimir , Frivaldsky Michal , Zavrel Martin , Pavelek Miroslav
Published: May 2020

The paper briefly discusses the most important standards and regulations established for high-power wireless power transfer systems and introduces the main issues concerned with the conceptual design process. It analyses the electromagnetic design of the inductive magnetic coupler and proposes key formulas to optimize its electrical parameters for a particular load. The method applies to both the resistive load and the battery charging. It also suggests basic topologies for conceptual design of power electronics and discusses its proper connection to the grid. The proposed design strategy is verified by experimental laboratory measurement including analyses of the leakage magnetic field.
Investigation of Solar Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) and Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Performance: A Case Study in Ghana
Authors: Abdul-Ganiyu Saeed , Quansah David A , Ramde Emmanuel W , Seidu Razak , Adaramola Muyiwa S.
Published: May 2020

The main objective of this paper is to experimentally assess the real-life outdoor performance of a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) module against a conventional photovoltaic (PV) system in a hot humid tropical climate in Ghana. An experimental setup comprising a water-based mono-crystalline silicon PVT and an ordinary mono-crystalline silicon PV was installed on a rooftop at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi and results evaluated for the entire year of 2019. It was observed that the annual total output energy of PV module was 194.79 kWh/m2 whereas that of the PVT for electrical and thermal outputs were 149.92 kWh/m2 and 1087.79 kWh/m2, respectively. The yearly average daily electrical energy yield for the PV and PVT were 3.21 kWh/kWp/day and 2.72 kWh/kWp/day, respectively. The annual performance ratios for the PV and PVT (based on electrical energy output only) were 79.2% and 51.6%, respectively, whilst their capacity factors were, respectively, 13.4% and 11.3%. Whereas the highest monthly mean efficiency recorded for the PV was 12.7%, the highest combined measured monthly mean electrical/thermal efficiency of the PVT was 56.1%. It is also concluded that the PVT is a worthy prospective alternative energy source in off-grid situations.
Modeling of the Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Wastes: Integration of Heat Transfer and Biochemical Aspects
Authors: Calise Francesco , Cappiello Francesco Liberato , Dentice d’Accadia Massimo , Infante Alessandra , Vicidomini Maria
Published: May 2020

The aim of this work is the development of a simulation model for the anaerobic digestion process of source-sorted organic fractions of municipal solid wastes. In particular, a detailed model simulating both biological and thermal behaviors of the process was developed. The biological model is based on the Anaerobic Digestion Model 1 (ADM1), which allows one to evaluate the dynamic trends of the concentrations of the main components and the biogas production as a function of the digester operating temperature. The work also includes a detailed thermal model which is developed considering the geometrical and structural features of the digester. The thermal behavior of the digester was also modeled, considering a purposely designed heat exchanger immersed inside the digester. Therefore, the thermal behavior of the process was evaluated by the well-known heat exchange equations and thermal energy balances. The combination of these two models is used to analyze the different possible operating conditions of the system. The model is also able to consider that the reactor operating temperature and the biogas production dynamically depend on a plurality of parameters: inlet hot water temperature and flowrate of the heating system, outdoor temperature, flowrate of organic fraction. The numerical resolution of the obtained differential equations and thermal balances of the model was carried out in the MATLAB® environment. The result shows that the calculated biogas production is 0.132 Nm3 per kg of OFMSW. In addition, the model also shows that the inlet hot water temperature must be increased by about 1.5 °C, to increase by 1.0 °C the digester temperature.
Flexibility Assessment of Multi-Energy Residential and Commercial Buildings
Authors: Coelho António , Soares Filipe , Peças Lopes João
Published: May 2020

With the growing concern about decreasing CO 2 emissions, renewable energy sources are being vastly integrated in the energy systems worldwide. This will bring new challenges to the network operators, which will need to find sources of flexibility to cope with the variable-output nature of these technologies. Demand response and multi-energy systems are being widely studied and considered as a promising solution to mitigate possible problems that may occur in the energy systems due to the large-scale integration of renewables. In this work, an optimal model to manage the resources and loads within residential and commercial buildings was developed, considering consumers preferences, electrical network restrictions and CO 2 emissions. The flexibility that these buildings can provide was analyzed and quantified. Additionally, it was shown how this model can be used to solve technical problems in electrical networks, comparing the performance of two scenarios of flexibility provision: flexibility obtained only from electrical loads vs. flexibility obtained from multi-energy loads. It was proved that multi-energy systems bring more options of flexibility, as they can rely on non-electrical resources to supply the same energy needs and thus relieve the electrical network. It was also found that commercial buildings can offer more flexibility during the day, while residential buildings can offer more during the morning and evening. Nonetheless, Multi-Energy System (MES) buildings end up having higher CO 2 emissions due to a higher consumption of natural gas.
Assessing the Impact of Photovoltaics on Rooftops and Facades in the Urban Micro-Climate
Authors: Brito Miguel Centeno
Published: May 2020

This work addresses the potential impact of large-scale deployment of photovoltaics in the urban environment on the local micro-climate. A one- and two-dimensional steady-state irradiance balance model was developed to estimate the impact of changing the effective albedo of rooftops and facades fully covered with photovoltaic modules. Results show that, albeit small, with current PV conversion efficiencies, photovoltaics on rooftops are expected to have a heating effect on the urban environment. The effect of facades depends strongly on the reflective properties of the surroundings (e.g., road albedo) but it is always small (below 4%), and, therefore, photovoltaics ought not to be considered a mitigation strategy for urban heat island.
Numerical and Experimental Efficiency Estimation in Household Battery Energy Storage Equipment
Authors: Moncecchi Matteo , Borselli Alessandro , Falabretti Davide , Corghi Lorenzo , Merlo Marco
Published: May 2020

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are spreading in several applications among transmission and distribution networks. Nevertheless, it is not straightforward to estimate their performances in real life working conditions. This work is aimed at identifying test power profiles for stationary residential storage applications capable of estimating BESS performance. The proposed approach is based on a clustering procedure devoted to group daily power profiles according to their battery efficiency. By performing a k-means clustering on a large dataset of load and generation profiles, four standard charge/discharge profiles have been identified to test BESS’ performances. Different clustering approaches have been considered, each of them splitting the dataset according to different properties of the profiles. A well-performing clustering approach resulted, based on the adoption of reference parameters for the clustering process of the maximum power exchanged by the BESS and the variation of battery energy content. Firstly, the results have been proven through a numerical procedure based on a BESS electrical model and on the definition of a key performance index. Then, an experimental validation has been carried out on a pre-commercial sodium-nickel chloride BESS: this device is available in the IoT lab of Politecnico di Milano within the H2020 InteGRIDy project.
Optimisation and Management of Energy Generated by a Multifunctional MFC-Integrated Composite Chassis for Rail Vehicles
Authors: Liu Yiding , Du Sijun , Micallef Christopher , Jia Yu , Shi Yu , Hughes Darren J.
Published: May 2020

With the advancing trend towards lighter and faster rail transport, there is an increasing interest in integrating composite and advanced multifunctional materials in order to infuse smart sensing and monitoring, energy harvesting and wireless capabilities within the otherwise purely mechanical rail structures and the infrastructure. This paper presents a holistic multiphysics numerical study, across both mechanical and electrical domains, that describes an innovative technique of harvesting energy from a piezoelectric micro fiber composites (MFC) built-in composite rail chassis structure. Representative environmental vibration data measured from a rail cabin have been critically leveraged here to help predict the actual vibratory and power output behaviour under service. Time domain mean stress distribution data from the Finite Element simulation were used to predict the raw AC voltage output of the MFCs. Conditioned power output was then calculated using circuit simulation of several state-of-the-art power conditioning circuits. A peak instantaneous rectified power of 181.9 mW was obtained when eight-stage Synchronised Switch Harvesting Capacitors (SSHC) from eight embedded MFCs were located. The results showed that the harvested energy could be sufficient to sustain a self-powered structural health monitoring system with wireless communication capabilities. This study serves as a theoretical foundation of scavenging for vibrational power from the ambient state in a rail environment as well as to pointing to design principles to develop regenerative and power neutral smart vehicles.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Malay Version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale among Medical Students in Malaysia
Authors: Hassim Siti Rubiaehtul , Arifin Wan Nor , Kueh Yee Cheng , Yaacob Nor Azwany
Published: May 2020

Background: At present, the validity and reliability evidence of the Malay version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-M) is only available by exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The aim of this study is to validate and determine the psychometric properties of the SAS-M by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 323 medical students in Universiti Sains Malaysia. The students were given questionnaire forms consisting of socio-demographic information, the SAS-M and the Malay version of the Internet Addiction Test (MVIAT). The CFA was conducted using robust maximum likelihood estimator. The internal consistency reliability was determined by Raykov’s rho coefficient. The concurrent validity was assessed by the Pearson’s correlations between the factor scores of the SAS-M and the MVIAT. Results: The analysis showed the five-factor model of the SAS-M has an acceptable model fit after the inclusion of 12 correlated errors (SRMR = 0.067, RMSEA 0.059 (90% CI: 0.054, 0.065), CFI = 0.895, TLI = 0.882). The factor loadings ranged from 0.320 to 0.875. The internal consistency reliability was good (Raykov’s rho = 0.713 to 0.858) and it showed good concurrent validity with the MVIAT. Conclusions: The CFA showed that the SAS-M is a valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire to measure the level of smartphone addiction among medical students.
Bayesian Regression Model for a Cost-Utility and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Comparing Punch Grafting Versus Usual Care for the Treatment of Chronic Wounds
Authors: Selva-Sevilla Carmen , Conde-Montero Elena , Gerónimo-Pardo Manuel
Published: May 2020

Punch grafting is a traditional technique used to promote epithelialization of hard-to-heal wounds. The main purpose of this observational study was to conduct a cost-utility analysis (CUA) and a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) comparing punch grafting (n = 46) with usual care (n = 34) for the treatment of chronic wounds in an outpatient specialized wound clinic from a public healthcare system perspective (Spanish National Health system) with a three-month time horizon. CUA outcome was quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) calculated from EuroQoL-5D, whereas CEA outcome was wound-free period. One-way sensitivity analyses, extreme scenario analysis, and re-analysis by subgroups were conducted to fight against uncertainty. Bayesian regression models were built to explore whether differences between groups in costs, wound-free period, and QALYs could be explained by other variables different to treatment. As main results, punch grafting was associated with a reduction of 37% in costs compared to usual care, whereas mean incremental utility (0.02 ± 0.03 QALYs) and mean incremental effectiveness (7.18 ± 5.30 days free of wound) were favorable to punch grafting. All sensitivity analyses proved the robustness of our models. To conclude, punch grafting is the dominant alternative over usual care because it is cheaper and its utility and effectiveness are greater.
The Spread of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Time and Space
Authors: Hafner Christian M.
Published: May 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on public health and global economies in 2020; it is crucial to understand how it developed and spread in time and space. This paper contributes to the growing literature by considering the dynamics of country-wise growth rates of infection numbers. Low-order serial correlation of growth rates is predominantly negative with cycles of two to four days for most countries. The results of fitted spatial autoregressive models suggest that there is high degree of spillover between countries. Forecast variances of many countries, in particular those with a high absolute number of infections, can to a large extent be explained by structural innovations of other countries. A better understanding of the serial and spatial dynamics of the spread of the pandemic may contribute to an improved containment and risk management.
Cancer Incidence Trends in the Oil Shale Industrial Region in Estonia
Authors: Idavain Jane , Lang Katrin , Tomasova Jelena , Lang Aavo , Orru Hans
Published: May 2020

Large oil shale resources are found in Eastern Estonia, where the mineral resource is mined, excavated, and used for electricity generation and shale oil extraction. During industrial activities in the last 100 years, pollutants have been emitted in large amounts, some of which are toxic and carcinogenic. The current study aims to analyse time trends in cancer incidence in the oil shale industry-affected areas and compare them with overall cancer incidence rates and trends in Estonia. We analysed Estonian Cancer Registry data on selected cancer sites that have been previously indicated to have relationships with industrial activities like oil shale extraction. We included lung cancer, kidney cancer, urinary bladder cancer, leukaemia, breast cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A statistically significantly higher lung cancer age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) was found during the study period (1992—2015) only in males in the oil shale areas as compared to males in Estonia overall: 133.6 and 95.5 per 100,000, respectively. However, there appeared to be a statistically significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the lung cancer ASIR in males in the oil shale areas (overall decrease 28.9%), whereas at the same time, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in non-oil shale areas (13.3%) and in Estonia overall (1.5%). Other cancer sites did not show higher ASIRs in the oil shale industrial areas compared to other areas in Estonia. Possible explanations could be improved environmental quality, socio-economic factors, and other morbidities.
The Importance of Reactive Agility Tests in Differentiating Adolescent Soccer Players
Authors: Trajković Nebojša , Sporiš Goran , Krističević Tomislav , Madić Dejan M. , Bogataj Špela
Published: May 2020

The ability to differentiate the elite from nonelite athletes is not clearly defined. We investigated level differences in speed, change of direction speed (CODS), and reactive agility in a group of trained adolescent soccer players. A total of 75 adolescent male soccer players (aged 14–19 years) were recruited. The players were grouped based on the level of play to elite, sub-elite, and amateur players. Players were tested for 5-, 10- and 20-m sprints, CODS, and reactive agility tests (RAT). Elite players had faster reaction movement time during RAT with live opponent stimuli (p ≤ 0.01) compared to sub-elite and amateur players. Moreover, elite players showed a faster time during light stimuli (p ≤ 0.01) but only compared to amateur players. The times for 5-m and 10-m sprint groups did not differ (p > 0.05). The results demonstrated that the skilled players (elite and sub-elite) performed better in reactive agility tests, speed, and COD speed compared to amateur players. Additionally, we can conclude that total and reaction time in the agility test with live opponent stimuli can be a significant factor that differentiates between adolescent soccer players considering their level.
Pedestrian Evacuation Risk Assessment of Subway Station under Large-Scale Sport Activity
Authors: Cheng Zeyang , Lu Jian , Zhao Yi
Published: May 2020

Pedestrian evacuation risk of subway stations is an important concern in city management, as it not only endangers public safety but also affects the efficiency of urban subway transportation. Determination of how to effectively evaluate the pedestrian evacuation risk of subway stations is of great significance to improve pedestrian safety. Previous studies about the pedestrian evacuation of subway station were primarily focused on pedestrian moving behaviors and the evacuation modeling, and the evacuation scenario is the regular subway operation. There is a dearth of studies to quantify the pedestrian evacuation risk in the evacuation process, especially the pedestrian evacuation risk quantitative characterization of subway station in large-scale sport activity. The current study develops a quantitative pedestrian evacuation risk assessment model that integrates pedestrian stampede probability and pedestrian casualty. Then several different simulation scenarios based on the social force model (SFM) are simulated to evaluate the pedestrian evacuation risk of the “Olympic Park Station” in Beijing, China. The results demonstrate that the pedestrian evacuation method, pedestrian stampede location, and distance from the stampede location to the ticket gate have a large impact on pedestrian evacuation risk. Then, the pedestrian evacuation scenarios with the lowest and highest risk for the “Olympic Park Station” in large-scale sport activity are determined. The findings have potential applications in pedestrian safety protection of subway station during large-scale sports activity.
Overview of Mitochondrial E3 Ubiquitin Ligase MITOL/MARCH5 from Molecular Mechanisms to Diseases
Authors: Shiiba Isshin , Takeda Keisuke , Nagashima Shun , Yanagi Shigeru
Published: May 2020

The molecular pathology of diseases seen from the mitochondrial axis has become more complex with the progression of research. A variety of factors, including the failure of mitochondrial dynamics and quality control, have made it extremely difficult to narrow down drug discovery targets. We have identified MITOL (mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase: also known as MARCH5) localized on the mitochondrial outer membrane and previously reported that it is an important regulator of mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial quality control. In this review, we describe the pathological aspects of MITOL revealed through functional analysis and its potential as a drug discovery target.
X-ray Structure-Based Chemoinformatic Analysis Identifies Promiscuous Ligands Binding to Proteins from Different Classes with Varying Shapes
Authors: Feldmann Christian , Bajorath Jürgen
Published: May 2020

(1) Background: Compounds with multitarget activity are of interest in basic research to explore molecular foundations of promiscuous binding and in drug discovery as agents eliciting polypharmacological effects. Our study has aimed to systematically identify compounds that form complexes with proteins from distinct classes and compare their bioactive conformations and molecular properties. (2) Methods: A large-scale computational investigation was carried out that combined the analysis of complex X-ray structures, ligand binding modes, compound activity data, and various molecular properties. (3) Results: A total of 515 ligands with multitarget activity were identified that included 70 organic compounds binding to proteins from different classes. These multiclass ligands (MCLs) were often flexible and surprisingly hydrophilic. Moreover, they displayed a wide spectrum of binding modes. In different target structure environments, binding shapes of MCLs were often similar, but also distinct. (4) Conclusions: Combined structural and activity data analysis identified compounds with activity against proteins with distinct structures and functions. MCLs were found to have greatly varying shape similarity when binding to different protein classes. Hence, there were no apparent canonical binding shapes indicating multitarget activity. Rather, conformational versatility characterized MCL binding.
Genome-Wide Identification of Epigenetic Regulators in Quercus suber L.
Authors: Silva Helena G. , Sobral Rómulo S. , Magalhães Alexandre P. , Morais-Cecílio Leonor , Costa M. Manuela R.
Published: May 2020

Modifications of DNA and histones, including methylation and acetylation, are critical for the epigenetic regulation of gene expression during plant development, particularly during environmental adaptation processes. However, information on the enzymes catalyzing all these modifications in trees, such as Quercus suber L., is still not available. In this study, eight DNA methyltransferases (DNA Mtases) and three DNA demethylases (DDMEs) were identified in Q. suber. Histone modifiers involved in methylation (35), demethylation (26), acetylation (8), and deacetylation (22) were also identified in Q. suber. In silico analysis showed that some Q. suber DNA Mtases, DDMEs and histone modifiers have the typical domains found in the plant model Arabidopsis, which might suggest a conserved functional role. Additional phylogenetic analyses of the DNA and histone modifier proteins were performed using several plant species homologs, enabling the classification of the Q. suber proteins. A link between the expression levels of each gene in different Q. suber tissues (buds, flowers, acorns, embryos, cork, and roots) with the functions already known for their closest homologs in other species was also established. Therefore, the data generated here will be important for future studies exploring the role of epigenetic regulators in this economically important species.
Study of the Oxygen Evolution Reaction at Strontium Palladium Perovskite Electrocatalyst in Acidic Medium
Authors: Eskandrani Areej A. , Ali Shimaa M. , Al-Otaibi Hibah M.
Published: May 2020

The catalytic activity of Sr2PdO3, prepared through the sol-gel citrate-combustion method for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in a 0.1 M HClO4 solution, was investigated. The electrocatalytic activity of Sr2PdO3 toward OER was assessed via the anodic potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The glassy carbon modified Sr2PdO3 (GC/Sr2PdO3) electrode exhibited a higher electrocatalytic activity, by about 50 times, in comparison to the unmodified electrode. The order of the reaction was close to unity, which indicates that the adsorption of the hydroxyl groups is a fast step. The calculated activation energy was 21.6 kJ.mol−1, which can be considered a low value in evaluation with those of the reported OER electrocatalysts. The Sr2PdO3 perovskite portrayed a high catalyst stability without any probability of catalyst poisoning. These results encourage the use of Sr2PdO3 as a candidate electrocatalyst for water splitting reactions.
GABAergic Transmission in the Basolateral Amygdala Differentially Modulates Plasticity in the Dentate Gyrus and the CA1 Areas
Authors: Vouimba Rose-Marie , Anunu Rachel , Richter-Levin Gal
Published: May 2020

The term “metaplasticity” is used to describe changes in synaptic plasticity sensitivity following an electrical, biochemical, or behavioral priming stimulus. For example, priming the basolateral amygdala (BLA) enhances long-term potentiation (LTP) in the dentate gyrus (DG) but decreases LTP in the CA1. However, the mechanisms underlying these metaplastic effects are only partly understood. Here, we examined whether the mechanism underlying these effects of BLA priming involves intra-BLA GABAergic neurotransmission. Low doses of muscimol, a GABAA receptor (GABAAR) agonist, were microinfused into the rat BLA before or after BLA priming. Our findings show that BLA GABAAR activation via muscimol mimicked the previously reported effects of electrical BLA priming on LTP in the perforant path and the ventral hippocampal commissure-CA1 pathways, decreasing CA1 LTP and increasing DG LTP. Furthermore, muscimol application before or after tetanic stimulation of the ventral hippocampal commissure-CA1 pathways attenuated the BLA priming-induced decrease in CA1 LTP. In contrast, muscimol application after tetanic stimulation of the perforant path attenuated the BLA priming-induced increase in DG LTP. The data indicate that GABAAR activation mediates metaplastic effects of the BLA on plasticity in the CA1 and the DG, but that the same GABAAR activation induces an intra-BLA form of metaplasticity, which alters the way BLA priming may modulate plasticity in other brain regions. These results emphasize the need for developing a dynamic model of BLA modulation of plasticity, a model that may better capture processes underlying memory alterations associated with emotional arousing or stressful events.
Serum Biomarkers for Connective Tissue and Basement Membrane Remodeling Are Associated with Vertebral Endplate Bone Marrow Lesions as Seen on MRI (Modic Changes)
Authors: Dudli Stefan , Ballatori Alexander , Bay-Jensen Anne-Christine , McCormick Zachary L. , O’Neill Conor W. , Demir-Deviren Sibel , Krug Roland , Heggli Irina , Juengel Astrid , Karppinen Jaro , Brunner Florian , Farshad Mazda , Distler Oliver , Lotz Jeffrey C. , Fields Aaron J.
Published: May 2020

Vertebral endplate bone marrow lesions, visualized on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as Modic changes (MC), are associated with chronic low back pain (cLBP). Since guidelines recommend against routine spinal MRI for cLBP in primary care, MC may be underdiagnosed. Serum biomarkers for MC would allow early diagnosis, inform clinical care decisions, and supplement treatment monitoring. We aimed to discover biomarkers in the blood serum that correlate with MC pathophysiological processes. For this single-site cross-sectional study, we recruited 54 subjects with 38 cLBP patients and 16 volunteers without a history of LBP. All subjects completed an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire and 10-cm Visual Analog Score (VAS) for LBP (VASback) and leg pain. Lumbar T1-weighted and fat-saturated T2-weighted MRI were acquired at 3T and used for MC classification in each endplate. Blood serum was collected on the day of MRI. Biomarkers related to disc resorption and bone marrow fibrosis were analyzed with enzyme-linked immune-absorbent assays. The concentration of biomarkers between no MC and any type of MC (AnyMC), MC1, and MC2 were compared. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) of the Receiver Operating Characteristics were calculated for each biomarker and for bivariable biomarker models. We found that biomarkers related to type III and type IV collagen degradation and formation tended to correlate with the presence of MC (p = 0.060–0.088). The bivariable model with the highest AUC was PRO-C3 + C4M and had a moderate diagnostic value for AnyMC in cLBP patients (AUC = 0.73, specificity = 78.9%, sensitivity = 73.7%). In conclusion, serum biomarkers related to the formation and degradation of type III and type IV collagen, which are key molecules in bone marrow fibrosis, correlated with MC presence. Bone marrow fibrosis may be an important pathophysiological process in MC that should be targeted in larger biomarker and treatment studies.
Prediction of Novel Inhibitors of the Main Protease (M-pro) of SARS-CoV-2 through Consensus Docking and Drug Reposition
Authors: Gimeno Aleix , Mestres-Truyol Júlia , Ojeda-Montes María José , Macip Guillem , Saldivar-Espinoza Bryan , Cereto-Massagué Adrià , Pujadas Gerard , Garcia-Vallvé Santiago
Published: May 2020

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019 and its rapid spread worldwide, the scientific community has been under pressure to react and make progress in the development of an effective treatment against the virus responsible for the disease. Here, we implement an original virtual screening (VS) protocol for repositioning approved drugs in order to predict which of them could inhibit the main protease of the virus (M-pro), a key target for antiviral drugs given its essential role in the virus’ replication. Two different libraries of approved drugs were docked against the structure of M-pro using Glide, FRED and AutoDock Vina, and only the equivalent high affinity binding modes predicted simultaneously by the three docking programs were considered to correspond to bioactive poses. In this way, we took advantage of the three sampling algorithms to generate hypothetic binding modes without relying on a single scoring function to rank the results. Seven possible SARS-CoV-2 M-pro inhibitors were predicted using this approach: Perampanel, Carprofen, Celecoxib, Alprazolam, Trovafloxacin, Sarafloxacin and ethyl biscoumacetate. Carprofen and Celecoxib have been selected by the COVID Moonshot initiative for in vitro testing; they show 3.97 and 11.90% M-pro inhibition at 50 µM, respectively.