bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Integrity of 3D Rough Surfaces during Contact
Authors: Bigerelle Maxence , Plouraboue Franck , Robache Frederic , Jourani Abdeljalil , Fabre Agnes
Published: December 2019

Rough surfaces are in contact locally by the peaks of roughness. At this local scale, the pressure of contact can be sharply superior to the macroscopic pressure. If the roughness is assumed to be a random morphology, a well-established observation in many practical cases, mechanical indicators built from the contact zone are then also random variables. Consequently, the probability density function (PDF) of any mechanical random variable obviously depends upon the morphological structure of the surface. The contact pressure PDF, or the probability of damage of this surface can be determined for example when plastic deformation occurs. In this study, the contact pressure PDF is modeled using a particular probability density function, the generalized Lambda distributions (GLD). The GLD are generic and polymorphic. They approach a large number of known distributions (Weibull, Normal, and Lognormal). The later were successfully used to model damage in materials. A semi-analytical model of elastic contact which takes into account the morphology of real surfaces is used to compute the contact pressure. In a first step, surfaces are simulated by Weierstrass functions which have been previously used to model a wide range of surfaces met in tribology. The Lambda distributions adequacy is qualified to model contact pressure. Using these functions, a statistical analysis allows us to extract the probability density of the maximal pressure. It turns out that this density can be described by a GLD. It is then possible to determine the probability that the contact pressure generates plastic deformation.
Seaweed Biodiversity of India: Reviewing Current Knowledge to Identify Gaps, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Mantri Vaibhav A. , Kavale Monica Gajanan , Kazi Mudassar Anisoddin
Published: December 2019

Seaweeds are a renewable marine resources and have not yet received considerable attention in the field of taxonomy in India as compared to their terrestrial counterparts, essentially due to the lack of awareness of their economic potential. Although the recent inventory from the Indian region documented the presence of approximately 865 seaweed taxa, of which only a few are taxonomically well characterized, more precise information still awaits with respect to microscopic and molecular examinations of many. Thus far, in terms of spatial extent, probably only a few of the total hospitable seaweed habitats have been explored, and large portions, including island territories and subtidal waters, remain virtually untouched. Surveying those may lead to the reporting of several taxa new to science. Furthermore, more focused efforts are required to understand the endemic and endangered taxa which have high conservation implications. Considering the unprecedented pressures seaweeds are facing, including coastal pollution and human-induced global warming, it is critical to reinforce our knowledge of seaweed biodiversity. In the present communication, we intended to address the status of seaweed biodiversity in India along with the gaps, challenges, and opportunities.
The Current Status of Indigenous Ovine Genetic Resources in Southern Africa and Future Sustainable Utilisation to Improve Livelihoods
Authors: Molotsi Annelin Henriehetta , Dube Bekezela , Cloete Schalk Willem Petrus
Published: December 2019

Indigenous sheep play an important role in the livelihoods of communal farmers in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), and this underlines the need to curb the genetic erosion of these valuable resources. This contribution reports that the phenotypic performance and genetics gains of institutional and commercial sheep in Southern Africa are well recorded. In contrast, there is a dearth of knowledge as far as the performance and genetic gains of indigenous ovine genetic resources utilized by smallholder farmers are concerned. High levels of genetic diversity have been observed in exotic breeds, whereas low levels of genetic diversity were found in the Zulu and Namaqua Afrikaner breeds. Phenotypic measurements for indigenous resources include linear measurements indicative of size and reproduction for Zulu sheep. Lamb survival, reproduction and resistance to ticks of the indigenous, fat-tailed Namaqua Afrikaner sheep, as well as growth and reproduction have also been recorded for Sabi and Landim sheep. This review discusses ways to sustainably utilize ovine genetic resources, which includes the suggested implementation of structured breeding and conservation programs, marketing, improving feed resources, health and diseases, as well as gender and age issues. Clearly, there is ample room for further research and development as far as the performance and improvement of African indigenous sheep are concerned.
An Adaptive Multi-Target Radar Waveform Design Based on PWS Algorithm
Authors: Wang Bin , Li Shumin , Wang Xishi , Li Xin
Published: December 2019

Due to the uncertainty of radar target prior information in actual scenes, waveform design based on radar target prior information cannot meet the requirements of detection performance and parameter estimation. Aiming at the problem of waveform design for detecting multi-target in the presence of clutter, a linear probability-weighted summation (PWS) algorithm based on multi-target impulse response is proposed and includes the radar waveform design based on mutual information (MI) and signal-to-interference ratio (SINR) criteria. In view of the traditional water-filling algorithm, the problem of multi-target is further investigated in a new way to improve the overall performance of the system. The method makes a lot of deductions by using Jensen’s inequality, to determine the algorithm objective function and energy constraint. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has better detection performance and more accurate target information.
Transverse Density Fluctuations around the Ground State Distribution of Counterions near One Charged Plate: Stochastic Density Functional View
Authors: Frusawa Hiroshi
Published: December 2019

We consider the Dean–Kawasaki (DK) equation of overdamped Brownian particles that forms the basis of the stochastic density functional theory. Recently, the linearized DK equation has successfully reproduced the full Onsager theory of symmetric electrolyte conductivity. In this paper, the linear DK equation is applied to investigate density fluctuations around the ground state distribution of strongly coupled counterions near a charged plate, focusing especially on the transverse dynamics along the plate surface. Consequently, we find a crossover scale above which the transverse density dynamics appears frozen and below which diffusive behavior of counterions can be observed on the charged plate. The linear DK equation provides a characteristic length of the dynamical crossover that is similar to the Wigner–Seitz radius used in equilibrium theory for the 2D one-component plasma, which is our main result. Incidentally, general representations of longitudinal dynamics vertical to the plate further suggest the existence of advective and electrical reverse-flows; these effects remain to be quantitatively investigated.
Television as a Career Motivator and Education Tool: A Final-Year Nursing Student Cohort Study
Authors: Terry Daniel , Peck Blake
Published: December 2019

Fictional medical programs are often used for more than just their recreational enjoyment; they can also influence career decision making. Very little research has examined the pedagogical value of fictional medical programs in terms of their motivational value in the choice of a nursing career. As such, the aim of this study was to examine what motivated nursing students to choose nursing careers, if fictional medical programs were motivators, and if they are used by students as a learning tool. The cross-sectional study collected data using a questionnaire and occurred between April and June 2018. The findings were generated from students’ short answers and extended responses within the questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. A total of 291 students participated (82.6% response rate), with motivations for entering nursing being similar to other international studies; however, as motivators, fictional medical television programs were rated higher than job security. Overall, students engage with medical television programs along a television–learning continuum, ranging from limited watching time, recognising inaccuracies, understanding dialogue, through to using fictional medical television programs as tools for learning. However, this is dependent on time, interest, current level of understanding, and a program’s perceived value.
Exposing Speech Resampling Manipulation by Local Texture Analysis on Spectrogram Images
Authors: Zhang Yujin , Dai Shuxian , Song Wanqing , Zhang Lijun , Li Dongmei
Published: December 2019

Speech tampering may be aided by the resampling operation. It is significant for speech forensics to effectively detect the resampling; however, there are few studies on speech resampling detection. The purpose of this paper was therefore to provide a new training ideal to detect speech resampling. After resampling, the speech signal changes regularly in the time–frequency domain. In this paper, we theoretically analyzed the corresponding relationship between time domain and frequency domain of the resampled speech. Compared with the original speech, the bandwidth of resampled speech was stretched or compressed. First, the spectrogram was generated by short-time Fourier transform (STFT) from the speech. Then, the local binary pattern (LBP) operator was applied to model the statistical changes in the spectrogram and the LBP histogram was calculated as discriminative features. Finally, a support vector machine (SVM) was applied to classify the developed features to identify whether the speech had undergone the resampling operation. The experimental results show that the proposed method has superior detection performance in different resampling scenarios than some existing methods, and the proposed features are very robust against the commonly used compression post-processing operation. This highlights the promising potential of the proposed method as a speech resampling detection tool in practical forensics applications.
Entransy Dissipation Analysis and New Irreversibility Dimension Ratio of Nanofluid Flow Through Adaptive Heating Elements
Authors: Alic Fikret
Published: December 2019

A hollow electric heating cylinder is inserted inside a thermo-insulating cylindrical body of larger diameter, together representing a single cylindrical heating element. Three cylindrical heating elements, with an independent electrical source, are arranged alternately one after the other to form a heating duct. The internal diameters of the hollow heating cylinders are different, and the cylinders are arranged from the largest to the smallest in the nanofluid’s flow direction. Through these hollow heating cylinders passes nanofluid, which is thereby heated. The material of the hollow heating cylinders is a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heating source, which allows maintaining approximately constant temperatures of the cylinders’ surfaces. The analytical analysis used three temperatures of the hollow heating cylinders of 400 K, 500 K, and 600 K. The temperatures of the heating cylinders are varied for each of the three cylindrical heating elements. In the same arrangement, the inner diameters of the hollow cylinders are set to 15 mm, 11 mm, and 7 mm in the nanofluid’s flow direction. The basis of the analytical model is the entransy flow dissipation rate. Furthermore, a new dimension irreversibility ratio is introduced as the ratio between entransy flow dissipation and thermal-generated entropy. This paper provides a suitable basis for optimizing the geometric and process parameters of cylindrical heating elements. An optimization criterion can be maximizing the new dimensionless irreversibility ratio, which implies minimizing thermal entropy and maximizing entransy flow dissipation.
Changes in Wave Energy in the Shelf Seas of India during the Last 40 Years Based on ERA5 Reanalysis Data
Authors: Amrutha M. M. , Kumar V. Sanil
Published: December 2019

Ocean wave energy is one of the cleanest renewable energy sources around the globe, but wave energy varies widely from place to place and from time to time. The long-term variability of wave power at 20 locations in the Indian shelf seas from 1979 to 2018 is described here using the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts recently released ERA5 reanalysis hourly data. The variability is calculated on a yearly and monthly basis for the locations based on the coefficient of variation. The annual average wave power varied from 2.3 (at location 16 in the western Bay of Bengal) to 11 kW/m (at location 2 in the northeastern Arabian Sea). Along the western shelf seas, the maximum value of wave power is during the southwest monsoon period and along the east coast, it is during the tropical cyclone period. The standard deviation in wave power is more than the mean value at locations along the northern shelf seas of India, indicating a large variability in wave power in an annual cycle. The west coast locations are shown to have a slightly higher increasing trend with an average of 0.024 kW/m per year, while the increasing trend in wave power of east coast locations is with an average of 0.015 kW/m per year. The study also examines the variation in wave power from deep to shallow water at 2 locations using the wave characteristics obtained from the numerical model SWAN. The electric power output from a few wave energy converters are calculated for all the locations and found that the southernmost locations have a steady and higher percentage of power production.
Developing an On-Road Object Detection System Using Monovision and Radar Fusion
Authors: Hsu Ya-Wen , Lai Yi-Horng , Zhong Kai-Quan , Yin Tang-Kai , Perng Jau-Woei
Published: December 2019

In this study, a millimeter-wave (MMW) radar and an onboard camera are used to develop a sensor fusion algorithm for a forward collision warning system. This study proposed integrating an MMW radar and camera to compensate for the deficiencies caused by relying on a single sensor and to improve frontal object detection rates. Density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise and particle filter algorithms are used in the radar-based object detection system to remove non-object noise and track the target object. Meanwhile, the two-stage vision recognition system can detect and recognize the objects in front of a vehicle. The detected objects include pedestrians, motorcycles, and cars. The spatial alignment uses a radial basis function neural network to learn the conversion relationship between the distance information of the MMW radar and the coordinate information in the image. Then a neural network is utilized for object matching. The sensor with a higher confidence index is selected as the system output. Finally, three kinds of scenario conditions (daytime, nighttime, and rainy-day) were designed to test the performance of the proposed method. The detection rates and the false alarm rates of proposed system were approximately 90.5% and 0.6%, respectively.
Performance Analysis and Structure Optimization of a Nautilus Isometric Spiral Wind Turbine
Authors: Li Zheng , Zhang Wenda , Dong Hao , Tian Yongsheng
Published: December 2019

Background: This paper proposes a Nautilus isometric spiral vertical axis wind turbine, which is a new structure, and its aerodynamic performance and power generation performance need to be analyzed. Methods: A 3D model of the wind turbine was built and its aerodynamic performance was analyzed. Then the wind turbine power generation and grid-connected simulation platform was built by MATLAB/SIMULINK, and its power generation performance and subsequent grid connection were studied. Results: The basic parameters of the wind turbine were obtained. In order to improve efficiency, parameters such as pressure, torque, wind energy utilization rate and relative velocity of wind turbines with different blade numbers and different sizes were compared. In addition, by building a simulation platform for the power generation control system, the power generation characteristics and grid connection characteristic curves of the generator were obtained. Conclusions: When the number of blades is three and the ratio between the ellipse major axis and minor axis of the blade inlet is 0.76, the best efficiency of the wind turbine can be obtained. Application of the power generation control system used in this paper can achieve grid-connected operation of this wind turbine. It also confirmed that the Nautilus isometric spiral wind turbine has good performance and is worthy of in-depth research.
Direct Shear Experimental Study on the Mobilized Dilation Behavior of Granite in Alxa Candidate Area for High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal
Authors: Cheng Cheng , Li Xiao , Xu Nengxiong , Zheng Bo
Published: December 2019

Dilation behavior is of great importance for reasonable modeling of the stability of the host rock of the repository for high-level radioactive waste disposal. It is a suitable method for carrying out direct shear experiments to analyze the dilation behavior of rock with well understood physical meanings. Based on a series of direct shear experiments on granite samples from the Alxa candidate area under different normal stresses, the shear stress‒shear strain and shear stress‒normal strain relations have been studied in detail. Five typical stages have been divided associated with the fracturing process and deformation behaviors of the granite samples during the experimental process, and the method to determine the typical stress thresholds has been proposed. It has also been found that the increasing normal stress may reduce the maximum dilation angle, and when the normal stress is relatively lower, the negative dilation angle may occur during the post-peak stage. According to the data collected from the direct shear tests, an empirical model of the mobilized dilation angle dependent on normal stress and plastic shear strain is proposed. This mobilized dilation angle has clear physical meanings and can be used in plastic constitutive models of the host rock of the repository, and this analysis can also be put forward to other types of geomechanical problems, including the deformation behaviors related to landslide, earthquake, and so on.
A Novel Peer-To-Peer Energy Sharing Business Model for the Portuguese Energy Market
Authors: Pires Klein Lurian , Krivoglazova Aleksandra , Matos Luisa , Landeck Jorge , de Azevedo Manuel
Published: December 2019

The co-evolution of techno-economic, societal, environmental and political-institutional systems towards sustainable energy transitions is largely influencing the disruptive reconfiguration of the energy sector across the globe. At the heart of this disruption is the peer-to-peer energy sharing concept. Nonetheless, peer-to-peer energy sharing business models are yet very little put into practice due to the rigid energy market structures and lagging regulatory frameworks across the globe. In view of this, this paper presents a novel peer-to-peer energy sharing business model developed specifically for the context of the Portuguese energy market, which was successfully trialed in three pilot projects in Portugal under real market conditions. All things considered, the novelty of this paper lies on an innovative approach for the collaborative use of the surplus electricity generation from photovoltaic systems between end-users under the same low voltage/medium voltage transformer substation, which resulted in direct financial benefits to them. While absent deregulation obstructs the implementation of effective peer-to-peer energy sharing markets in Portugal, such demonstration projects are essential to challenge restrictive regulatory frameworks that do not keep pace with techno-economic and societal innovations, thus helping to build the emerging consumer-centric energy regime and disrupt the old one.
A Multi-Objective Optimization Approach towards a Proposed Smart Apartment with Demand-Response in Japan
Authors: Susowake Yuta , Masrur Hasan , Yabiku Tetsuya , Senjyu Tomonobu , Motin Howlader Abdul , Abdel-Akher Mamdouh , M. Hemeida Ashraf
Published: December 2019

In Japan, residents of apartments are generally contracted to receive low voltage electricity from electric utilities. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of high voltage batch power receiving contracts for condominiums. In this research, a high voltage batch receiving contractor introduces a demand–response in a low voltage power receiving contract, which maximizes the profit of a high voltage batch receiving contractor and minimizes the electricity charge of residents by utilizing battery storage, electric vehicles (EV), and heat pumps. A multi-objective optimization algorithm calculates a Pareto solution for the relationship between two objective trade-offs in the MATLAB ® environment.
Improved Cellular Automaton for Stand Delineation
Authors: Jia Weiwei , Sun Yusen , Pukkala Timo , Jin Xingji
Published: December 2019

Airborne laser scanning (ALS) is becoming common in forest inventories. The data obtained by laser scanning contain the locations of the echoes of laser pulses. If these data are used in forest management, they need to be segmented into spatially continuous stands that are homogeneous in terms of stand attributes. Prior to segmentation, the laser pulse data can be processed into canopy height model, which shows the distance of canopy surface from the ground. This study used a cellular automaton with a canopy height model for the delineation of tree stands, considering three criteria: homogeneity of the stand in terms of growing stock attributes, stand area, and stand shape. A new method to consider stand shape in cellular automaton was presented. This method had a clear beneficial effect on the stand delineation result. Increasing weight of the shape criterion led to more roundish and less irregular stand shapes. Also, increasing weight of the stand area improved the shape of the stands. The cellular automaton led to average stand areas of 1–1.7 ha, depending on cell size and the parameters of the automaton. The cellular automaton explained 84.7–94.2% of the variation in maximum canopy height when 5 m × 5 m cells were used. Cell sizes of 5–10 m were found to result in the best stand delineation results.
Heritability Estimates and Genetic Correlation for Growth Traits and LCDV Susceptibility in Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata)
Authors: Carballo Carlos , Shin Hyun Suk , Berbel Concepción , Zamorano Maria Jesús , Borrego Juan Jose , Armero Eva , Afonso Juan Manuel , Manchado Manuel
Published: December 2019

The lymphocystis disease (LCD) is a viral infection with a high economic impact in gilthead sea bream aquaculture. In this study, genetic estimates associated with lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) disease susceptibility and growth were determined in sea bream juveniles. Two fish batches (named batch 1 and batch 2) were built from mass spawning and reared under industrial conditions until disease outbreak. At the moment of the sampling (n = 500 specimens for each batch), all animals had the typical LCDV lesions in the skin. For phenotyping, animals were weighted and photographed for image analysis (surface covered and lesion intensity). LCDV DNA copies were quantified in the liver by qPCR. Batch 1 had a higher surface covered and lesion intensity than batch 2, and the body caudal region was the lowest affected region in both batches. The average LCDV DNA copies in liver were higher in the batch 1 than batch 2, and they were positively correlated with severity index (SI) categories (r2 = 0.90–0.94). The total number of families evaluated were 150 and 128 for batch 1 and batch 2, respectively, with a high bias in offspring contribution by family and broodstock. Heritabilities for weight and length were 0.18 and 0.14 in batch 1 and 0.06 and 0.05 in batch 2, respectively. Heritability for the number of viral DNA copies was low (<0.08) in both batches. Heritabilities for SI in binary scale were 0.32/0.33 and 0.21/0.24 (underlying liability/Bayesian approach) for batch 1 and batch 2, respectively. Genetic correlations were very high and positive when growth traits (weight and length) or disease traits (LCDV DNA copies and SI) were compared. In contrast, the genetic correlations between growth and disease traits were moderate–high and positive in the batch 1 but negative in batch 2. These results indicate the genetic selection for LCDV susceptibility and growth is feasible in sea bream juveniles, although estimates are highly dependent on the age. The information provided is relevant to designing selective breeding programs in sea bream.
The Shamba Chef Educational Entertainment Program to Promote Modern Cookstoves in Kenya: Outcomes and Dose–Response Analysis
Authors: Evans W. Douglas , Young Bonnie N , Johnson Michael A , Jagoe Kirstie A. , Charron Dana , Rossanese Madeleine , Morgan K Lloyd , Gichinga Patricia , Ipe Julie
Published: December 2019

Background: Globally, an estimated 3.6 billion people rely on solid fuels for cooking over open fires or in simple cookstoves. Universal access to clean cooking fuels and technology by 2030 is a United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal. Methods: The Mediae Company created a home makeover television and radio show, Shamba Chef, designed to promote modern, cleaner, safer cooking methods and improved nutrition in Kenya, which reached 5 million homes in late 2017. This was accompanied by a mobile phone platform called iChef. Researchers evaluated the effects of Shamba Chef on cookstove purchase, use, and attitudes, beliefs, and intentions. Results: The study revealed dose–response effects of Shamba Chef exposure on several key outcomes. Exposure to the program was associated with an awareness of improved biomass stoves (OR 4.4; 95% CI 2.8 to 6.9), and aspirations to own an improved biomass stove (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.4 to 2.9). Receiving information about modern stoves from two or more sources generated greater awareness of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.3 to 3.1). The qualitative study revealed that Shamba Chef explained how the stoves worked, communicated their benefits, and encouraged participants to trust and purchase those cookstoves. Conclusion: Shamba Chef was successful in influencing determinants of cookstove purchase and use, and there is evidence from the qualitative study that it influenced the purchase and use of improved biomass stoves.
Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Associated Work-Related Factors among Indoor Workers in a Multi-Ethnic Southeast Asian Country
Authors: Divakar Ushashree , Sathish Thirunavukkarasu , Soljak Michael , Bajpai Ram , Dunleavy Gerard , Visvalingam Nanthini , Nazeha Nuraini , Soh Chee Kiong , Christopoulos Georgios , Car Josip
Published: December 2019

Little is known about the effect of working conditions on vitamin D status in Southeast Asia, where vitamin D deficiency is common despite the presence of sunlight all year round in most places. We examined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated work-related factors among indoor workers using the data of 213 participants (aged ≥21 years) from a workplace cohort study in Singapore. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration <50 nmol/L. Data on work-related factors, socio-demographic characteristics, and lifestyle habits were collected using standardized questionnaires. Clinical and biochemical measurements were performed using standard tools and protocols. Multivariate Poisson regression was used to examine the independent association of work-related factors with vitamin D deficiency. Mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 59.6 nmol/L. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 32.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 26.6–39.6%). In the multivariate analysis, office workers (prevalence ratio (PR): 2.16, 95% CI: 1.12–4.16 versus control room workers), workshop workers (PR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.05–4.81 versus control room workers), and night shift workers (PR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.03–1.67) were at a greater risk for vitamin D deficiency. Workplace policies and wellness programs should encourage workers to take regular breaks to go outdoors for sunlight exposure and to consume adequate amounts of vitamin D-rich foods to maintain optimal vitamin D levels.
Effectiveness of Mechanical Horse-Riding Simulators on Postural Balance in Neurological Rehabilitation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dominguez-Romero Juan G. , Molina-Aroca Assumpta , Moral-Munoz Jose A. , Luque-Moreno Carlos , Lucena-Anton David
Published: December 2019

Mechanical horse-riding simulators consist of a device that mimics the movement of a real horse, generating between 50 and 100 three-dimensional physical movements (forward and back, left and right, up and down). The main objective of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of mechanical horse-riding simulators to improve postural balance in subjects with neurological disorders. The search was conducted during January–March 2019 in PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cochrane, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Scopus. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated through the PEDro scale. A total of seven articles were included in this systematic review, of which four contributed information to the meta-analysis. Statistical analysis showed favorable results for balance in stroke patients, measured by the Berg Balance Scale (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 3.24; 95%; confidence interval (CI): 1.66–4.83). Not conclusive results were found in sitting postural balance, measured using the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) Sitting Dimension, in patients with cerebral palsy. Most studies have shown beneficial effects on postural balance compared with conventional physical therapy. However, due to the limited number of articles and their low methodological quality, no solid conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness of this therapy.
A Geospatial Analysis of Access to Ethnic Food Retailers in Two Michigan Cities: Investigating the Importance of Outlet Type within Active Travel Neighborhoods
Authors: Rybarczyk Greg , Taylor Dorceta , Brines Shannon , Wetzel Richard
Published: December 2019

To date, the research that examines food accessibility has tended to ignore ethnic food outlets. This void leaves us with a limited understanding of how such food stores may, or may not, impact food security. The study discussed herein addressed this by conducting a geospatial assessment of ethnic food outlet accessibility in two U.S. cities: Flint and Grand Rapids, Michigan. We used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools to create a revealed accessibility index for each food outlet, and used the index to determine access within active travel service areas. We utilized an ordinary least squares regression (OLS), and two local models: spatial autoregression (SAR) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) to enhance our understanding of global and localized relationships between outlet accessibility and type (while controlling for known covariates). The results show that the local models outperformed (R2 max = 0.938) the OLS model. The study found that there was reduced access to ethnic restaurants in all service areas of Grand Rapids. However, in Flint, we observed this association in the bicycling areas only. Also notable were the influences that demographic characteristics had on access in each city. Ultimately, the findings tell us that nuanced planning and policy approaches are needed in order to promote greater access to ethnic food outlets and reduce overall food insecurity.
Consumer Understanding of Food Quality, Healthiness, and Environmental Impact: A Cross-National Perspective
Authors: Petrescu Dacinia Crina , Vermeir Iris , Petrescu-Mag Ruxandra Malina
Published: December 2019

The last few decades testify that consumers’ concerns for healthier lifestyles and environment care are driving forces for reshaping food buying intentions and their perspectives on food quality. The present study identifies the importance that consumers attach to quality, health, and environment selected cues of purchased food products. More precisely, to elicit preferences for social, environmental, and qualitative food cues, a survey instrument was developed and applied on 797 Belgian and Romanian consumers. Our findings suggest that investigated consumers most frequently use freshness, taste, and appearance to evaluate food quality. The use frequency of food quality cues related to health is primarily influenced by the attention paid to food quality. The most relevant cues of food healthiness are ingredients, nutrition facts, and additives and for food environmental impact are packaging, food origin, and production type. It is concluded that food quality receives high attention both from Belgian and Romanian consumers and health and environment related cues can be used as a means of improving consumer health and environmental protection.
Wastewater Treatment by Advanced Oxidation Process and Their Worldwide Research Trends
Authors: Garrido-Cardenas José Antonio , Esteban-García Belén , Agüera Ana , Sánchez-Pérez José Antonio , Manzano-Agugliaro Francisco
Published: December 2019

Background: Water is a scarce resource and is considered a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. The modern development of society requires more and more drinking water. For this cleaner wastewater, treatments are key factors. Among those that exist, advanced oxidation processes are being researched as one of the sustainable solutions. The main objective of this manuscript is to show the scientific advances in this field. Methods: In this paper, a systematic analysis of all the existing scientific works was carried out to verify the evolution of this line of research. Results: It was observed that the three main countries researching this field are China, Spain, and the USA. Regarding the scientific collaboration between countries, three clusters were detected—one of Spain, one of China and the USA, and one of Italy and France. The publications are grouped around three types of water: industrial, urban, and drinking. Regarding the research, 15 clusters identified from the keywords analyzed the advanced oxidation process (alone or combined with biological oxidation) with the type of wastewater and the target pollutant, removal of which is intended. Finally, the most important scientific communities or clusters detected in terms of the number of published articles were those related to the elimination of pollutants of biological origin, such as bacteria, and of industrial nature, such as pesticides or pharmaceutical products.
Reply to Comment on Nakai, Y.; Makizako, H.; Kiyama, R.; Tomioka, K.; Taniguchi, Y.; Kubozono, T.; Takenaka, T.; Ohishi, M. Association between Chronic Pain and Physical Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 1330, doi:10.3390/ijerph16081330
Authors: Nakai Yuki , Makizako Hyuma , Kiyama Ryoji , Tomioka Kazutoshi , Taniguchi Yoshiaki , Kubozono Takuro , Takenaka Toshihiro , Ohishi Mitsuru
Published: December 2019

Seven participants had a diagnosis of dementia; the number of excluded participants differed based on different exclusion processes, and there was missing data of one participant with a dementia diagnosis [...]
The Unbalanced Analysis of Economic Urbanization—A Case Study of Typical Cities in China
Authors: Cao Xiangyang , Zhou Bingzhong , Shi Yishao , Pei Xiaowen
Published: December 2019

In the process of economic urbanization, because of competition among cities, agglomerations and polarization of regional economies are produced. This paper studies the urban polarization with Chinese characteristics and the regional economic urbanization, which include the imbalance under the influence of different geographical factors between the east and west of China and the imbalance under the comprehensive influence of natural and human factors in the province. The urban economic polarization index (UEPI) is constructed to describe the regional imbalance caused by the economic polarization of capital cities in China. The purpose is to explore the polarization of provincial capitals in their respective provinces and to reveal the strength and evolution of their role in the imbalance of economic urbanization. Then, combined with relevant analysis of natural and socio-economic background data, the induced factors and the mechanism of urban polarization are diagnosed. The results show the following: (1) The UEPI can accurately measure the polarization level of provincial capitals through the calculation of typical cities. (2) Based on the UEPI, capital cities can be divided into four categories, which include inapparent, obvious, prominent, and striking. Different cities have different effects on the imbalance in economic urbanization. (3) The main inducing factors of urban polarization are the resource environment, policy system, industrial structure, investment, scientific and technological innovation, location, and extroversion. The policy system is often an important link that integrates and adjusts various factors to form a comprehensive driving mechanism.
Isolation and Characterization of Copper- and Zinc- Binding Metallothioneins from the Marine Alga Ulva compressa (Chlorophyta)
Authors: Zúñiga Antonio , Laporte Daniel , González Alberto , Gómez Melissa , Sáez Claudio A. , Moenne Alejandra
Published: December 2019

In this work, transcripts encoding three metallothioneins from Ulva compressa (UcMTs) were amplified: The 5′and 3′ UTRs by RACE-PCR, and the open reading frames (ORFs) by PCR. Transcripts encoding UcMT1.1 (Crassostrea-like), UcMT2 (Mytilus-like), and UcMT3 (Dreissena-like) showed a 5′UTR of 61, 71, and 65 nucleotides and a 3′UTR of 418, 235, and 193 nucleotides, respectively. UcMT1.1 ORF encodes a protein of 81 amino acids (MW 8.2 KDa) with 25 cysteines (29.4%), arranged as three motifs CC and nine motifs CXC; UcMT2 ORF encode a protein of 90 amino acids (9.05 kDa) with 27 cysteines (30%), arranged as three motifs CC, nine motifs CXC, and one motif CXXC; UcMT3 encode a protein of 139 amino acids (13.4 kDa) with 34 cysteines (24%), arranged as seven motifs CC and seven motifs CXC. UcMT1 and UcMT2 were more similar among each other, showing 60% similarity in amino acids; UcMT3 showed only 31% similarity with UcMT1 and UcMT2. In addition, UcMTs displayed structural similarity with MTs of marine invertebrates MTs and the terrestrial invertebrate Caenorhabtidis elegans MTs, but not with MTs from red or brown macroalgae. The ORFs fused with GST were expressed in bacteria allowing copper accumulation, mainly in MT1 and MT2, and zinc, in the case of the three MTs. Thus, the three MTs allowed copper and zinc accumulation in vivo. UcMTs may play a role in copper and zinc accumulation in U. compressa.
Autophagy Deficiency in Renal Proximal Tubular Cells Leads to an Increase in Cellular Injury and Apoptosis under Normal Fed Conditions
Authors: Suzuki Chigure , Tanida Isei , Oliva Trejo Juan Alejandro , Kakuta Soichiro , Uchiyama Yasuo
Published: December 2019

Renal proximal tubular epithelial cells are significantly damaged during acute kidney injury. Renal proximal tubular cell-specific autophagy-deficient mice show increased sensitivity against renal injury, while showing few pathological defects under normal fed conditions. Considering that autophagy protects the proximal tubular cells from acute renal injury, it is reasonable to assume that autophagy contributes to the maintenance of renal tubular cells under normal fed conditions. To clarify this possibility, we generated a knock out mouse model which lacks Atg7, a key autophagosome forming enzyme, in renal proximal tubular cells (Atg7flox/flox;KAP-Cre+). Analysis of renal tissue from two months old Atg7flox/flox;KAP-Cre+ mouse revealed an accumulation of LC3, binding protein p62/sequestosome 1 (a selective substrate for autophagy), and more interestingly, Kim-1, a biomarker for early kidney injury, in the renal proximal tubular cells under normal fed conditions. TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling)-positive cells were also detected in the autophagy-deficient renal tubular cells. Analysis of renal tissue from Atg7flox/flox;KAP-Cre+ mice at different age points showed that tubular cells positive for p62 and Kim-1 continually increase in number in an age-dependent manner. Ultrastructural analysis of tubular cells from Atg7flox/flox;KAP-Cre+ revealed the presence of intracellular inclusions and abnormal structures. These results indicated that autophagy-deficiency in the renal proximal epithelial tubular cells leads to an increase in injured cells in the kidney even under normal fed conditions.
Tumor Microenvironment: A Metabolic Player that Shapes the Immune Response
Authors: Cassim Shamir , Pouyssegur Jacques
Published: December 2019

Immune cells survey and patrol throughout the body and sometimes take residence in niche environments with distinct cellular subtypes and nutrients that may fluctuate from those in which they matured. Rooted in immune cell physiology are metabolic pathways and metabolites that not only deliver substrates and energy for growth and survival, but also instruct effector functions and cell differentiation. Unlike cancer cells, immune cells are not subject to a “Darwinian evolutionary pressure” that would allow them to adapt to developing tumors but are often irrevocably affected to local nutrient deprivation. Thus, immune cells must metabolically adapt to these changing conditions in order to perform their necessary functions. On the other hand, there is now a growing appreciation that metabolic changes occurring in cancer cells can impact on immune cell functionality and contribute to tumor immune evasion, and as such, there is a considerable and growing interest in developing techniques that target metabolism for immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the metabolic plasticity displayed by innate and adaptive immune cells and highlight how tumor-derived lactate and tumor acidity restrict immunity. To our knowledge, this review outlines the most recent insights on how tumor microenvironment metabolically instructs immune responsiveness.
Transcriptome Response to Drought, Rehydration and Re-Dehydration in Potato
Authors: Chen Yongkun , Li Canhui , Yi Jing , Yang Yu , Lei Chunxia , Gong Ming
Published: December 2019

Potato is an important food crop and its production is susceptible to drought. Drought stress in crop growth is usually multiple- or long-term. In this study, the drought tolerant potato landrace Jancko Sisu Yari was treated with drought stress, rehydration and re-dehydration, and RNA-seq was applied to analyze the characteristics of gene regulation during these treatments. The results showed that drought-responsive genes mainly involved photosynthesis, signal transduction, lipid metabolism, sugar metabolism, wax synthesis, cell wall regulation, osmotic adjustment. Potato also can be recovered well in the re-emergence of water through gene regulation. The recovery of rehydration mainly related to patatin, lipid metabolism, sugar metabolism, flavonoids metabolism and detoxification besides the reverse expression of the most of drought-responsive genes. The previous drought stress can produce a positive responsive ability to the subsequent drought by drought hardening. Drought hardening was not only reflected in the drought-responsive genes related to the modified structure and cell components, but also in the hardening of gene expression or the “memory” of drought-responsive genes. Abundant genes involved photosynthesis, signal transduction, sugar metabolism, protease and protease inhibitors, flavonoids metabolism, transporters and transcription factors were subject to drought hardening or memorized drought in potato.
Photocycle Dynamics of the Archaerhodopsin 3 Based Fluorescent Voltage Sensor QuasAr1
Authors: Penzkofer Alfons , Silapetere Arita , Hegemann Peter
Published: December 2019

The retinal photocycle dynamics of the fluorescent voltage sensor QuasAr1 (Archaerhodopsin 3 P60S-T80S-D95H-D106H-F161V mutant from Halorubrum sodomense) in pH 8 Tris buffer was studied. The samples were photoexcited to the first absorption band of the protonated retinal Schiff base (PRSB) Ret_580 (absorption maximum at λmax ≈ 580 nm), and the retinal Schiff base photoisomerization and protonation state changes were followed by absorption spectra recordings during light exposure and after light exposure. Ret_580 turned out to be composed of two protonated retinal Schiff base isomers, namely Ret_580I and Ret_580II. Photoexcitation of Ret_580I resulted in barrier-involved isomerization to Ret_540 (quantum yield ≈ 0.056) and subsequent retinal proton release leading to Ret_410 deprotonated retinal Schiff base (RSB). In the dark, Ret_410 partially recovered to Ret_580I and partially stabilized to irreversible Ret_400 due to apoprotein restructuring (Ret_410 lifetime ≈ 2 h). Photoexcitation of Ret_580II resulted in barrier-involved isomerization to Ret_640 (quantum yield ≈ 0.00135) and subsequent deprotonation to Ret_370 (RSB). In the dark, Ret_370 partially recovered to Ret_580II and partially stabilized to irreversible Ret_350 due to apoprotein restructuring (Ret_370 lifetime ≈ 10 h). Photocycle schemes and reaction coordinate diagrams for Ret_580I and Ret_580II were developed and photocyle parameters were determined.
Therapeutic Potential of Hericium erinaceus for Depressive Disorder
Authors: Chong Pit Shan , Fung Man-Lung , Wong Kah Hui , Lim Lee Wei
Published: December 2019

Depression is a common and severe neuropsychiatric disorder that is one of the leading causes of global disease burden. Although various anti-depressants are currently available, their efficacies are barely adequate and many have side effects. Hericium erinaceus, also known as Lion’s mane mushroom, has been shown to have various health benefits, including antioxidative, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects. It has been used to treat cognitive impairment, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Bioactive compounds extracted from the mycelia and fruiting bodies of H. erinaceus have been found to promote the expression of neurotrophic factors that are associated with cell proliferation such as nerve growth factors. Although antidepressant effects of H. erinaceus have not been validated and compared to the conventional antidepressants, based on the neurotrophic and neurogenic pathophysiology of depression, H. erinaceus may be a potential alternative medicine for the treatment of depression. This article critically reviews the current literature on the potential benefits of H. erinaceus as a treatment for depressive disorder as well as its mechanisms underlying the antidepressant-like activities.