bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUMO-Activating Enzyme Subunit 1 (SAE1) Is a Promising Diagnostic Cancer Metabolism Biomarker of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ong Jiann Ruey , Bamodu Oluwaseun Adebayo , Khang Nguyen Viet , Lin Yen-Kuang , Yeh Chi-Tai , Lee Wei-Hwa , Cherng Yih-Giun
Published: January 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most diagnosed malignancies and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. This is exacerbated by its highly aggressive phenotype, and limitation in early diagnosis and effective therapies. The SUMO-activating enzyme subunit 1 (SAE1) is a component of a heterodimeric small ubiquitin-related modifier that plays a vital role in SUMOylation, a post-translational modification involving in cellular events such as regulation of transcription, cell cycle and apoptosis. Reported overexpression of SAE1 in glioma in a stage-dependent manner suggests it has a probable role in cancer initiation and progression. In this study, hypothesizing that SAE1 is implicated in HCC metastatic phenotype and poor prognosis, we analyzed the expression of SAE1 in several cancer databases and to unravel the underlying molecular mechanism of SAE1-associated hepatocarcinogenesis. Here, we demonstrated that SAE1 is over-expressed in HCC samples compared to normal liver tissue, and this observed SAE1 overexpression is stage and grade-dependent and associated with poor survival. The receiver operating characteristic analysis of SAE1 in TCGA−LIHC patients (n = 421) showed an AUC of 0.925, indicating an excellent diagnostic value of SAE1 in HCC. Our protein-protein interaction analysis for SAE1 showed that SAE1 interacted with and activated oncogenes such as PLK1, CCNB1, CDK4 and CDK1, while simultaneously inhibiting tumor suppressors including PDK4, KLF9, FOXO1 and ALDH2. Immunohistochemical staining and clinicopathological correlate analysis of SAE1 in our TMU-SHH HCC cohort (n = 54) further validated the overexpression of SAE1 in cancerous liver tissues compared with ‘normal’ paracancerous tissue, and high SAE1 expression was strongly correlated with metastasis and disease progression. The oncogenic effect of upregulated SAE1 is associated with dysregulated cancer metabolic signaling. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that SAE1 is a targetable cancer metabolic biomarker with high potential diagnostic and prognostic implications for patients with HCC.
Sleep among Youth with Severely Disabling Chronic Pain: Before, during, and after Inpatient Intensive Interdisciplinary Pain Treatment
Authors: Krietsch Kendra N. , Beebe Dean W. , King Christopher , Homan Kendra J. , Williams Sara E.
Published: January 2021

Poor sleep is commonly reported in pediatric chronic pain. There are signals that intensive interdisciplinary pain treatments (IIPT) may inadvertently improve objective sleep, but this claim cannot be substantiated without baseline sleep data prior to IIPT. This study followed the objective sleep/wake patterns (e.g., duration, quality, timing, consistency) of pediatric patients with severely functionally disabling chronic pain before, during, and after inpatient IIPT (the Functional Independence Restoration Program—“FIRST Program”), alongside a similarly-disabled chronic pain Comparison Group. The final sample included N = 10 FIRST Patients and N = 9 Comparison Group patients. At baseline, the whole sample showed healthy sleep duration (~9 h), average sleep efficiency <90%, late sleep onset and offset (mean = 11:56 p.m.–8:50 a.m.), and highly inconsistent sleep schedules night to night. During IIPT, FIRST Patients maintained healthy sleep durations, moved sleep schedules 2 h earlier, and decreased timing and duration variability by >60 min while the Comparison Group maintained similar sleep to baseline. At follow up (1–2 months later), FIRST Patients’ sleep schedules shifted later but were still less variable than at baseline. Results point to the malleability of sleep/wake patterns within treatment contexts with strict environmental control but suggest that these gains may be difficult for youth with chronic pain to maintain in the home environment.
Usefulness of Gastrojejunostomy Prior to Fundoplication in Severe Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Complicating Long-Gap Esophageal Atresia Repair: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Destro Francesca , Maestri Luciano , Meroni Milena , Rebosio Federico , Del Re Giulia , Mantegazza Cecilia , Calcaterra Valeria , Pelizzo Gloria
Published: January 2021

Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), requiring surgical correction, and nutritional problems are reported after long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) repair and might jeopardize the postoperative course in some babies. We report an exploratory evaluation of the role of transgastric jejunostomy (TGJ) as a temporary nutritional tool before surgery for GERD in LGEA. Methods: Seven infant patients operated on for LGEA with intra-thoracic gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) and growth failure, requiring improvement in their nutritional profile in anticipation of surgery, were retrospectively evaluated. Post-surgical follow-up, including growth evolution, complications, and parental quality of life (QoL), were considered. Results: The TGJ was placed at a mean age of 8.6 ± 5.6 months. The procedure was uneventful and well-tolerated in all seven cases. At 6.6 ± 2.0 months after TGJ placement, significant weight gain (weight z-score −2.68 ± 0.8 vs −0.9 ± 0.2, p < 0.001) was recorded, allowing the GERD surgery to proceed. A significant difference in hospital admissions between 3 months before and post-TGJ insertion was noted (4.8 ± 0.75 vs. 1.6 ± 0.52, p < 0.01). A significant amelioration of QoL after TGJ placement was also recorded; in particular, the biggest improvements were related to parents’ perceptions of the general health and emotional state of their babies (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The placement of TGJ as a temporary nutritional tool in selected cases of LGEA could improve nutritional conditions and parental QoL before fundoplication, allowing successful surgical treatment of GERD to be carried out.
Alkali Uranyl Borates: Bond Length, Equatorial Coordination and 5f States
Authors: Hunault Myrtille O.J.Y. , Menut Denis , Tougait Olivier
Published: January 2021

Three uranyl borates, UO2B2O4, LiUO2BO3 and NaUO2BO3, have been prepared by solid state syntheses. The influence of the crystallographic structure on the splitting of the empty 5f and 6d states have been probed using High Energy Resolved Fluorescence Detected X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (HERFD-XAS) at the uranium M4-edge and L3-edge respectively. We demonstrate that the 5f splitting is increased by the decrease of the uranyl U-Oax distance, which in turn correlates with an increased bond covalency. This is correlated to the equatorial coordination change of the uranium. The role of the alkalis as charge compensating the axial oxygen of the uranyl is discussed.
Health-Related Quality of Life 10 Years after Liver Transplantation: A Longitudinal Retrospective Review
Authors: Hager Amber , Mager Diana , Robert Cheri , Nicholas David , Gilmour Susan
Published: January 2021

As survival post-liver transplantation (LTx) improves, it becomes increasingly important to understand how long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is impacted. This was a longitudinal review examining HRQOL measured by Pediatric Liver Transplant Quality of Life (PeLTQL) in children between 8-17 years who underwent LTx (1.4 [0.8–3.3] years) at least one year prior to assessment. Demographic, medical, anthropometric, and HRQOL data (self-reported and parent proxy) were retrospectively collected over four years (2014–2017) at annual LTx clinic visits. The study included 35 patients (18M, 17F) and their parents/guardians. Parent-proxy and child PeLTQL scores (total, subdomain) showed good to excellent agreement (p > 0.05) and did not change over four years (p > 0.05). Younger age (<12 years) and Caucasian ancestry were associated with higher parental and self-reported perceptions of HRQOL, respectively (future health, coping and adjustment, total scores). Parent perceived lower HRQOL in social–emotional sub-domain (p = 0.03) and the child reported lower sub-domain scores related to coping and adjustment (p = 0.04) when the child was noted to have co-morbid conditions related to mental health and neurocognitive development (25.7%). While child–parent perceptions of HRQOL in a multi-ethnic population of pediatric LTx recipients remain unchanged 10 years post-LTx, adolescents of non-Caucasian ancestry remain a population at risk for lower HRQOL.
Prediction of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Using Noninvasive and Non-Imaging Procedures in Japanese Health Checkup Examinees
Authors: Murayama Kenichiro , Okada Michiaki , Tanaka Kenichi , Inadomi Chika , Yoshioka Wataru , Kubotsu Yoshihito , Yada Tomomi , Isoda Hiroshi , Kuwashiro Takuya , Oeda Satoshi , Akiyama Takumi , Oza Noriko , Hyogo Hideyuki , Ono Masafumi , Kawaguchi Takumi , Torimura Takuji , Anzai Keizo , Eguchi Yuichiro , Takahashi Hirokazu
Published: January 2021

Access to imaging is limited for diagnosing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in general populations. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of noninvasive and nonimaging indexes to predict NAFLD in the general Japanese population. Health checkup examinees without hepatitis virus infection or habitual alcohol drinking were included. Fatty liver was diagnosed by ultrasonography. The hepatic steatosis index (HSI), Zhejiang University (ZJU) index, and fatty liver index (FLI) were determined, and risk of advanced liver fibrosis was evaluated by the fibrosis-4 index. NAFLD was diagnosed in 1935 (28.0%) of the 6927 subjects. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve of the HSI, ZJU index, and FLI was 0.874, 0.886, and 0.884, respectively. The AUROC of the ZJU index (p < 0.001) and FLI (p = 0.002) was significantly greater than that for the HSI. In subjects with a high risk of advanced fibrosis, the sensitivity of the HSI, ZJU index, and FLI were 88.8%, 94.4%, and 83.3% with a low cut-off value and the specificity was 98.5%, 100%, and 100% with a high cut-off value. In conclusion, all indexes were useful to diagnose NAFLD in the general Japanese population and in subjects with potentially advanced liver fibrosis.
Expression of Transcript Variants of PTGS1 and PTGS2 Genes among Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps
Authors: Pietruszewska Wioletta , Fendler Wojciech , Podwysocka Marta , Białas Adam J. , Kuna Piotr , Kupryś-Lipińska Izabela , Borowiec Maciej
Published: January 2021

To date, there has been no reliable test to identify unfavorable course of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP), especially in aspirin intolerant patients. The research aimed to analyze the expression of transcript variants of PTGS1 and PTGS2 genes in the pathobiology of the disease. The study was performed on 409 adult patients: 206 CRSwNP patients including 44 (21.36%) aspirin intolerant patients and 203 healthy volunteers in the control group. Transcript variants of the PTGS1 and PTGS2 genes named as follows: COX1.1 for NM_000962, COX1.2 for NM_080591, COX1.3 for NM_001271165.1, COX1.4 for NM_001271368.1, COX1.5 for NM_001271166.1, COX2.1 for NM_000963.3, COX2.2 for AY_151286 and COX2.3 for BQ_722004 were confirmed using direct sequencing and quantified using targeted qPCR. The coexistence of all examined transcript variants in the study and the control group and significant differences between both were found. In aspirin sensitive patients, the levels of COX1.2, COX1.3, COX1.4 and COX1.5 isoforms were higher compared to aspirin-tolerant patients. The severity of symptoms was bigger in patients with higher expressions of variants: COX1.1 (R with dCt = −0.134; p = 0.0490), COX1.3 (R = −0.1429; p = 0.0400) and COX1.5 (Rs = −0.1499; p = 0.032). The expression of COX1.1 (Rs = −0.098; p = 0.049) and COX1.5 (Rs = −0.141; p = 0.043) isoforms increased with polyposis advancement in endoscopy. With the CT extent of sinuses opacification, COX1.1 isoform also significantly increased (Rs = −0.163; p = 0.020). The isoforms COX1.3, COX1.4, COX1.5 and COX2.1 may promote milder CRSwNP course. On the contrary, the variants COX1.1, COX1.2 and COX2.2 may be involved in a more aggressive disease.
Role of Innate Inflammation in the Regulation of Tissue Remodeling during Tooth Eruption
Authors: Makino Yusuke , Fujikawa Kaoru , Matsuki-Fukushima Miwako , Inoue Satoshi , Nakamura Masanori
Published: January 2021

Tooth eruption is characterized by a coordinated complex cascade of cellular and molecular events that promote tooth movement through the eruptive pathway. During tooth eruption, the stratum intermedium structurally changes to the papillary layer with tooth organ development. We previously reported intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression on the papillary layer, which is the origin of the ICAM-1-positive junctional epithelium. ICAM-1 expression is induced by proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor. Inflammatory reactions induce tissue degradation. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether inflammatory reactions are involved in tooth eruption. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed sequential expression of hypoxia-induced factor-1α, interleukin-1β, and chemotactic factors, including keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), during tooth eruption. Consistent with the RT-PCR results, immunohistochemical analysis revealed KC and MIP-2 expression in the papillary layer cells of the enamel organ from the ameloblast maturation stage. Moreover, there was massive macrophage and neutrophil infiltration in the connective tissue between the tooth organ and oral epithelium during tooth eruption. These findings suggest that inflammatory reactions might be involved in the degradation of tissue overlying the tooth organ. Further, these reactions might be induced by hypoxia in the tissue overlying the tooth organ, which results from decreased capillaries in the tissue. Our findings indicate that bacterial infections are not associated with the eruption process. Therefore, tooth eruption might be regulated by innate inflammatory mechanisms.
More Tolerant Reconstructed Networks Using Self-Healing against Attacks in Saving Resource
Authors: Hayashi Yukio , Tanaka Atsushi , Matsukubo Jun
Published: January 2021

Complex network infrastructure systems for power supply, communication, and transportation support our economic and social activities; however, they are extremely vulnerable to frequently increasing large disasters or attacks. Thus, the reconstruction of a damaged network is more advisable than an empirically performed recovery of the original vulnerable one. To reconstruct a sustainable network, we focus on enhancing loops so that they are not trees, which is made possible by node removal. Although this optimization corresponds with an intractable combinatorial problem, we propose self-healing methods based on enhancing loops when applying an approximate calculation inspired by statistical physics. We show that both higher robustness and efficiency are obtained in our proposed methods by saving the resources of links and ports when compared to ones in conventional healing methods. Moreover, the reconstructed network can become more tolerant than the original when some damaged links are reusable or compensated for as an investment of resource. These results present the potential of network reconstruction using self-healing with adaptive capacity in terms of resilience.
Multi-Chaotic Analysis of Inter-Beat (R-R) Intervals in Cardiac Signals for Discrimination between Normal and Pathological Classes
Authors: Gorshkov Oleg , Ombao Hernando
Published: January 2021

Cardiac signals have complex structures representing a combination of simpler structures. In this paper, we develop a new data analytic tool that can extract the complex structures of cardiac signals using the framework of multi-chaotic analysis, which is based on the p-norm for calculating the largest Lyapunov exponent (LLE). Appling the p-norm is useful for deriving the spectrum of the generalized largest Lyapunov exponents (GLLE), which is characterized by the width of the spectrum (which we denote by W). This quantity measures the degree of multi-chaos of the process and can potentially be used to discriminate between different classes of cardiac signals. We propose the joint use of the GLLE and spectrum width to investigate the multi-chaotic behavior of inter-beat (R-R) intervals of cardiac signals recorded from 54 healthy subjects (hs), 44 subjects diagnosed with congestive heart failure (chf), and 25 subjects diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (af). With the proposed approach, we build a regression model for the diagnosis of pathology. Multi-chaotic analysis showed a good performance, allowing the underlying dynamics of the system that generates the heart beat to be examined and expert systems to be built for the diagnosis of cardiac pathologies.
Family Context Assessment to Promote Language and Reading Abilities in 6-Year-Old Children
Authors: Agirregoikoa Ainhize , Acha Joana , Barreto-Zarza Florencia , Arranz-Freijo Enrique B.
Published: January 2021

Within a bioecological model, research works over the past decades have shown the significant influence of family micro systemic variables on child development. This study is aimed to test the factorial structure of the Haezi-Etxadi Family Assessment Scale (HEFAS-6), designed to detect protective family factors for language and reading development through the assessment of family context quality. The sample of this study consisted of 127 children aged 5 to 7 and their families. The factorial structure and the internal consistency of the data were analyzed. Results of the exploratory factor analysis (principal components with varimax rotation) showed the emergence of four factors: promotion of cognitive and linguistic development, promotion of socio-emotional development, family system strain and parental profile fostering child development. This structure was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. The internal consistency indices showed acceptable values. In conclusion, the tool shows good potential to assess the quality of the family context in the field of the promotion of reading and linguistic skills in educational, clinical and social intervention settings and through the implementation of evidence-based parenting policies.
Novel Dual Beam Cascaded Schemes for 346 GHz Harmonic-Enhanced TWTs
Authors: Zhang Ruifeng , Wang Qi , Deng Difu , Dong Yao , Xiao Fei , Travish Gil , Gong Huarong
Published: January 2021

The applications of terahertz (THz) devices in communication, imaging, and plasma diagnostic are limited by the lack of high-power, miniature, and low-cost THz sources. To develop high-power THz source, the high-harmonic traveling wave tube (HHTWT) is introduced, which is based on the theory that electron beam modulated by electromagnetic (EM) waves can generate high harmonic signals. The principal analysis and simulation results prove that amplifying high harmonic signal is a promising method to realize high-power THz source. For further improvement of power and bandwidth, two novel dual-beam schemes for high-power 346 GHz TWTs are proposed. The first TWT is comprised of two cascaded slow wave structures (SWSs), among which one SWS can generate a THz signal by importing a millimeter-wave signal and the other one can amplify THz signal of interest. The simulation results show that the output power exceeds 400 mW from 340 GHz to 348 GHz when the input power is 200 mW from 85 GHz to 87 GHz. The peak power of 1100 mW is predicted at 346 GHz. The second TWT is implemented by connecting a pre-amplification section to the input port of the HHTWT. The power of 600 mW is achieved from 338 GHz to 350 GHz. The 3-dB bandwidth is 16.5 GHz. In brief, two novel schemes have advantages in peak power and bandwidth, respectively. These two dual-beam integrated schemes, constituted respectively by two TWTs, also feature rugged structure, reliable performance, and low costs, and can be considered as promising high-power THz sources.
Autonomous Operation Control of IoT Blockchain Networks
Authors: Kim Jae-Hoon , Lee Seungchul , Hong Sengphil
Published: January 2021

Internet of Things (IoT) networks are typically composed of many sensors and actuators. The operation controls for robots in smart factories or drones produce a massive volume of data that requires high reliability. A blockchain architecture can be used to build highly reliable IoT networks. The shared ledger and open data validation among users guarantee extremely high data security. However, current blockchain technology has limitations for its overall application across IoT networks. Because general permission-less blockchain networks typically target high-performance network nodes with sufficient computing power, a blockchain node with low computing power and memory, such as an IoT sensor/actuator, cannot operate in a blockchain as a fully functional node. A lightweight blockchain provides practical blockchain availability over IoT networks. We propose essential operational advances to develop a lightweight blockchain over IoT networks. A dynamic network configuration enforced by deep clustering provides ad-hoc flexibility for IoT network environments. The proposed graph neural network technique enhances the efficiency of dApp (distributed application) spreading across IoT networks. In addition, the proposed blockchain technology is highly implementable in software because it adopts the Hyperledger development environment. Directly embedding the proposed blockchain middleware platform in small computing devices proves the practicability of the proposed methods.
Design and Validation of Energy Management Strategy for Extended-Range Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Using Bond Graph Method
Authors: Song Ke , Wang Yimin , An Cancan , Xu Hongjie , Ding Yuhang
Published: January 2021

In view of the aggravation of global pollution and greenhouse effects, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have attracted increasing attention, owing to their ability to release zero emissions. Extended-range fuel cell vehicles (E-RFCEVs) are the most widely used type of fuel cell vehicles. The powertrain system of E-RFCEV is relatively complex. Bond graph theory was used to model the important parts of the E-RFCEV powertrain system: Battery, motor, fuel cell, DC/DC, vehicle, and driver. In order to verify the control effect of energy management strategy (EMS) in a real-time state, bond graph theory was applied to hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) development. An HiL simulation test-bed based on the bond graph model was built, and the HiL simulation verification of the energy management strategy was completed. Based on the comparison to a power-following EMS, it was found that fuzzy logic EMS is more adaptive to vehicle driving conditions. This study aimed to apply bond graph theory to HiL simulations to verify that bond graph modeling is applicable to complex systems.
RES and ES Integration in Combination with Distribution Grid Development Using MILP
Authors: Andrychowicz Mateusz
Published: January 2021

In the paper, a new method of long-term planning of operation and development of the distribution system, taking into account operational aspects such as power flows, power losses, voltage levels, and energy balances, is presented. The developed method allows for the allocation and selection of the power of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), control of energy storage (ES), curtailing of RES production (EC), and the development of the distribution grid (GD). Different types of RES and loads are considered, represented by generation/demand profiles reflecting their typical operating conditions. RES allocation indicates the node in the distribution system and the power level for each type of RES that may be built. Energy storage (ES) allows generation to be transferred from the demand valley to the peak load. Curtailment of RES generation indicates the moment and level of power by which generation will be reduced, while the grid development (GD) determines between which network nodes a new power line should be built. All these activities allow to minimize the costs of planning work and development of the distribution system at a specific level of energy consumption from RES in the analyzed distribution system using a Mixed Integer-Linear Programming (MILP).
Effect of the In-Cylinder Back Pressure on the Injection Process and Fuel Flow Characteristics in a Common-Rail Diesel Injector Using GTL Fuel
Authors: Lešnik Luka , Kegl Breda , Torres-Jiménez Eloísa , Cruz-Peragón Fernando , Mata Carmen , Biluš Ignacijo
Published: January 2021

The presented paper aims to study the influence of mineral diesel fuel and synthetic Gas-To-Liquid fuel (GTL) on the injection process, fuel flow conditions, and cavitation formation in a modern common-rail injector. First, the influence on injection characteristics was studied experimentally using an injection system test bench, and numerically using the one-dimensional computational program. Afterward, the influence of fuel properties on internal fuel flow was studied numerically using a computational program. The flow inside the injector was considered as multiphase flow and was calculated through unsteady Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations using a Eulerian–Eulerian two-fluid approach. Finally, the influence of in-cylinder back pressure on the internal nozzle flow was studied at three distinctive back pressures. The obtained numerical results for injection characteristics show good agreement with the experimental ones. The results of 3D simulations indicate that differences in fuel properties influence internal fuel flow and cavitation inception. The location of cavitation formation is the same for both fuels. The cavitation formation is triggered regardless of fuel properties. The size of the cavitation area is influenced by fuel properties and also from in-cylinder back pressure. Higher values of back pressure induce smaller areas of cavitation and vice versa. Comparing the conditions at injection hole exit, diesel fuel proved slightly higher average mass flow rate and velocities, which can be attributed to differences in fluid densities and viscosities. Overall, the obtained results indicate that when considering the injection process and internal nozzle flow, GTL fuel can be used in common-rail injection systems with solenoid injectors.
Production Line Optimization to Minimize Energy Cost and Participate in Demand Response Events
Authors: Mota Bruno , Gomes Luis , Faria Pedro , Ramos Carlos , Vale Zita , Correia Regina
Published: January 2021

The scheduling of tasks in a production line is a complex problem that needs to take into account several constraints, such as product deadlines and machine limitations. With innovative focus, the main constraint that will be addressed in this paper, and that usually is not considered, is the energy consumption cost in the production line. For that, an approach based on genetic algorithms is proposed and implemented. The use of local energy generation, especially from renewable sources, and the possibility of having multiple energy providers allow the user to manage its consumption according to energy prices and energy availability. The proposed solution takes into account the energy availability of renewable sources and energy prices to optimize the scheduling of a production line using a genetic algorithm with multiple constraints. The proposed algorithm also enables a production line to participate in demand response events by shifting its production, by using the flexibility of production lines. A case study using real production data that represents a textile industry is presented, where the tasks for six days are scheduled. During the week, a demand response event is launched, and the proposed algorithm shifts the consumption by changing task orders and machine usage.
GHG Emissions Mitigation in the European Union Based on Labor Market Changes
Authors: Simionescu Mihaela , Bilan Yuriy , Zawadzki Piotr , Wojciechowski Adam , Rabe Marcin
Published: January 2021

The effects of the labor market on environmental issues are an actual problem at the global level, and recommendations are required to achieve equilibrium between labor productivity and environmental protection. Considering the ecological limits of work and the necessity of reducing the working time to mitigate GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, this paper aims to assess the impact of the labor market on GHG emissions in the EU-28 countries. Using panel data models for 2007–2019, a positive effect of working time for employed persons on GHG emissions was detected. Labor productivity has a positive impact on emissions for most of the developed countries in the EU (old member states), while the effect is negative in the case of most of the new member states, which suggests that more efforts should be made by old member states to correlate labor productivity with a sustainable level of GHG emissions. As a novelty for research in the field, we assessed also the effect of targeted labor utilization on GHG emissions in order to describe the context of a sustainable economy that is an objective for each country in the EU. These results suggest that progress in GHG emissions mitigation might be achieved by reducing the working time for employed persons, which will also improve well-being. These recommendations could be useful also for other developed countries outside the EU that encounter the same difficulties.
A Single-Stage High Power Factor Power Supply for Providing an LED Street-Light Lamp Featuring Soft-Switching and Bluetooth Wireless Dimming Capability
Authors: Cheng Chun-An , Cheng Hung-Liang , Chang Chien-Hsuan , Chang En-Chih , Hung Wei-Shiang , Lai Chin-Chih , Lan Long-Fu
Published: January 2021

Light-emitting diode (LED) has the characteristics of environmental protection and energy saving, having become the lighting source of a new generation of street-light lamps. The traditional two-stage power supply for providing an LED street-light lamp is composed of an AC-DC converter with a power-factor-correction (PFC) function at the front stage and a DC-DC converter at the rear stage. The two-stage power supply for an LED street-light lamp has a large number of electronic components and costs, and the circuit efficiency is not high. Therefore, this paper presents a novel single-stage high power factor AC-DC power supply for providing an LED street-light lamp featuring soft-switching and Bluetooth wireless dimming capability through using smart tablets or smartphones to remote control the output power of the LED street-light lamp for achieving energy-saving benefits. The proposed AC-DC LED power supply integrates an interleaved buck converter circuit with coupled inductors and a half-bridge LLC resonant converter circuit into a single-stage power conversion circuit. Moreover, the coupled inductor of the interleaved buck converter circuit is designed to operate in the discontinuous conduction mode, which can naturally achieve PFC. In addition, the two power switches in the novel LED power supply have zero-voltage switching (ZVS) characteristics, which can reduce the switching losses of the power switches. The two output diodes have the characteristics of zero-current switching (ZCS), which can reduce the conduction losses of the power diodes. This paper developed a single-stage prototype circuit for providing an 144 W (36 V/4 A)-rated LED street-light lamp. According to the experimental results of the prototype circuit with an AC input voltage of 110 volts, the presented single-stage LED power supply offers high power factor (PF > 0.99), low input-current total harmonic distortion factor (THD < 3%), and high efficiency (>89%). In addition, this paper used the built-in Bluetooth wireless communication function of a smart tablet or smart phone to fulfill remote dimming control. By changing the duty ratio of the control signal, we could realize remote dimming control of 20% to 100% of the output LED street-light lamp power.
Green Infrastructure—Countering Ecosystem Fragmentation: Case Study of a Municipality in the Carpathian Foothills
Authors: Rafał Blazy , Hanna Hrehorowicz-Gaber , Alicja Hrehorowicz-Nowak
Published: January 2021

This paper discusses green infrastructure, which can be considered a useful tool in the process of ensuring the sustainable development of rural structures in the polish Carpathian region. It allows for achieving a better quality of the environment of human life and healthy wildlife linkages. The element that supports defining information about the existing state of green infrastructure and its resources is the green infrastructure fragmentation coefficient based on edge effect calculations, which is the relation between the edge of the patch (circumference) to its surface area. With the use of model analysis of green infrastructure, it is possible to implement the provisions of the Carpathian Convention and coordinate planning documents that facilitate the sustainable development of spatial structures. Our study on the state of green infrastructure in rural areas of the Polish Carpathian Mountains is a source of knowledge about the quality of this area, its natural environment and fragmentation. Determining the territory’s green infrastructure fragmentation coefficient provides an opportunity for higher-precision studies and the detection of threats and integration of GI fragments and addressing proper solutions in conflict areas.
Relationship between Soil Fungi and Seedling Density in the Vicinity of Adult Conspecifics in an Arid Desert Forest
Authors: Long Yanxin , Yang Xiaodong , Cao Yuee , Lv Guanghui , Li Yan , Pan Yingji , Yan Kaihong , Liu Yanju
Published: January 2021

Research Highlights: 1. Soil fungi have a higher influence on seedling density compared to soil environmental factors; 2. Host-specific pathogens and beneficial fungi affect seeding density via different influencing mechanisms. Background and Objectives: The growth and development of seedlings are the key processes that affect forest regeneration and maintain community dynamics. However, the influencing factors of seedling growth around their adult conspecifics are not clear in arid desert forests. Probing the intrinsic relations among soil fungi, soil environmental factors (pH, water content, salinity, and nutrition), and seedling density will improve our understanding of forest development and provide a theoretical basis for forest management and protection. Materials and Methods: Four experimental plot types, depending on the distance to adult conspecifics, were set in an arid desert forest. Soil environmental factors, the diversity and composition of the soil fungal community, and the seedlings’ density and height were measured in the four experimental plot types, and their mutual relations were analyzed. Results: Seedling density as well as the diversity and composition of the soil fungal community varied significantly among the four plot types (p < 0.05). Soil environmental factors, especially soil salinity, pH, and soil water content, had significant influences on the seedling density and diversity and composition of the soil fungal community. The contribution of soil fungi (72.61%) to the variation in seedling density was much higher than the soil environmental factors (27.39%). The contribution of detrimental fungi to the variation in seedling density was higher than the beneficial fungi. Conclusions: Soil fungi mostly affected the distribution of seedling density in the vicinity of adult conspecifics in an arid desert forest. The distribution of seedling density in the vicinity of adults was mainly influenced by the detrimental fungi, while the adults in the periphery area was mainly influenced by the beneficial fungi.
Antioxidant Potential of Pine Needles: A Systematic Study on the Essential Oils and Extracts of 46 Species of the Genus Pinus
Authors: Koutsaviti Aikaterini , Toutoungy Samer , Saliba Rouba , Loupassaki Sofia , Tzakou Olga , Roussis Vassilios , Ioannou Efstathia
Published: January 2021

The antioxidant activity of the essential oils, as well as of the organic and hydroethanolic extracts, of the fresh needles of 54 pine taxa was evaluated using the peroxy-oxalate and luminol chemiluminescence assays. Among all evaluated essential oils, P. canariensis and P. attenuata displayed the highest levels of activity. P. contorta var. murrayana, followed by P. nigra var. caramanica, exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity among the organic extracts, while the most active hydroethanolic extract was that of P. nigra subsp. nigra. Based on the overall levels of activity, the latter taxon was selected for phytochemical analysis targeting the isolation of the bioactive constituents. As such, the organic extract of P. nigra subsp. nigra was subjected to chromatographic separations to yield 11 secondary metabolites (1−11) that were evaluated for their antioxidant activity. Nonetheless, the isolated compounds were found to be less active than the crude extract, thus suggesting the potential role of synergism.
Target and Non-Target Approaches for Food Authenticity and Traceability
Authors: Amaral Joana S.
Published: January 2021

In the last decade, consumers have become increasingly aware of and concerned about the quality and safety of food, in part due to several scandals that were widely disseminated by the media [...]
Interactions between L. monocytogenes and P. fluorescens in Dual-Species Biofilms under Simulated Dairy Processing Conditions
Authors: Maggio Francesca , Rossi Chiara , Chaves-López Clemencia , Serio Annalisa , Valbonetti Luca , Pomilio Francesco , Chiavaroli Alessio Pio , Paparella Antonello
Published: January 2021

In dairy processing environments, many bacterial species adhere and form biofilms on surfaces and equipment, leading to foodborne illness and food spoilage. Among them, Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas spp. could be present in mixed-species biofilms. This study aimed to evaluate the interactions between L. monocytogenes and P. fluorescens in biofilms simulating dairy processing conditions, as well as the capability of P. fluorescens in co-culture to produce the blue pigment in a Ricotta-based model system. The biofilm-forming capability of single- and mixed-cultures was evaluated on polystyrene (PS) and stainless steel (SS) surfaces at 12 °C for 168 h. The biofilm biomass was measured, the planktonic and sessile cells and the carbohydrates in biofilms were quantified. The biofilms were also observed through Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy analysis. Results showed that only P. fluorescens was able to form biofilms on PS. Moreover, in dual-species biofilms at the end of the incubation time (168 h at 12 °C), a lower biomass compared to P. fluorescens mono-species was observed on PS. On SS, the biofilm cell population of L. monocytogenes was higher in the dual-species than in mono-species, particularly after 48 h. Carbohydrates quantity in the dual-species system was higher than in mono-species and was revealed also at 168 h. The production of blue pigment by P. fluorescens was revealed both in single- and co-culture after 72 h of incubation (12 °C). This work highlights the interactions between the two species, under the experimental conditions studied in the present research, which can influence biofilm formation (biomass and sessile cells) but not the capability of P. fluorescens to produce blue pigment.
Gravitational Measurements in Higher Dimensions
Authors: Yekta Davood Mahdavian , Alavi Seyed Aliasghar , Karimabadi Majid
Published: January 2021

We attempt to study three significant tests of general relativity in higher dimensions, both in commutative and non-commutative spaces. In the context of non-commutative geometry, we will consider a solution of Einstein’s equation in higher dimensions, with a source given by a static, spherically symmetric Gaussian distribution of mass. The resulting metric would describe a regular or curvature singularity free black hole in higher dimensions. The metric should smoothly interpolate between Schwarzschild geometry at large distance, and de-Sitter spacetime at short distance. We will consider gravitational redshift, lensing, and time delay in each sector. It will be shown that, compared to the four-dimensional spacetime, there can be significant modifications due to the presence of extra dimensions and the non-commutative corrected black holes. Finally, we shall attempt to obtain a lower bound on the size of the extra dimensions and on the mass needed to form a black hole in different dimensions.
Elevated Expression of SLC6A4 Encoding the Serotonin Transporter (SERT) in Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome
Authors: Hildonen Mathis , Levy Amanda M. , Dahl Christina , Bjerregaard Victoria A. , Birk Møller Lisbeth , Guldberg Per , Debes Nanette M. , Tümer Zeynep
Published: January 2021

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics. Most of the GTS individuals have comorbid diagnoses, of which obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are the most common. Several neurotransmitter systems have been implicated in disease pathogenesis, and amongst these, the dopaminergic and the serotonergic pathways are the most widely studied. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the serotonin transporter (SERT) gene (SLC6A4) was differentially expressed among GTS individuals compared to healthy controls, and whether DNA variants (the SERT-linked polymorphic region 5-HTTLPR, together with the associated rs25531 and rs25532 variants, and the rare Ile425Val variant) or promoter methylation of SLC6A4 were associated with gene expression levels or with the presence of OCD as comorbidity. We observed that SLC6A4 expression is upregulated in GTS individuals compared to controls. Although no specific genotype, allele or haplotype was overrepresented in GTS individuals compared to controls, we observed that the LAC/LAC genotype of the 5-HTTLPR/rs25531/rs25532 three-locus haplotype was associated with higher SLC6A4 mRNA expression levels in GTS individuals, but not in the control group.
The Meaning of Boarding in a Swedish Accident & Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study on Patients’ Experiences of Awaiting Admission
Authors: Rantala Andreas , Nordh Sören , Dvorani Mergime , Forsberg Anna
Published: January 2021

The number of in-hospital beds in Sweden has decreased during recent decades, resulting in the smallest number (2.2 available beds/1000 inhabitants) within the European Union. At the same time, the number of patients attending Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments has increased, resulting in overcrowding and boarding. The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of being subjected to boarding at an A&E department, as experienced by patients. A phenomenological-hermeneutic approach was chosen to interpret and understand the meaning of boarding at A&E. The study was carried out at a hospital in the south of Sweden. Seventeen participants with a mean age of 64 years (range: 35–86 years) were interviewed. The thematic structural analysis covers seven themes: Being in a state of uncertainty, Feeling abandoned, Fearing death, Enduring, Adjusting to the circumstances, Being a visitor in an unsafe place, and Acknowledging the staff, all illustrating that the participants were in a state of constant uncertainty and felt abandoned with no guidance or support from the clinicians. The conclusion is that the situation where patients are forced to wait in A&E, i.e., boarding, violates all conditions for professional ethics, presumably causing profound ethical stress in the healthcare professionals involved. Thus, boarding should be avoided.
Palliative Care Professionals’ Inner Lives: Cross-Cultural Application of the Awareness Model of Self-Care
Authors: Oliver Amparo , Galiana Laura , Simone Gustavo de , Tomás José M. , Arena Fernanda , Linzitto Juan , Grance Gladys , Sansó Noemí
Published: January 2021

Compassionate professional qualities traditionally have not received the most attention in either critical or end of life care. Constant exposure to death, time pressure and workload, inadequate coping with personal emotions, grieving, and depression urge the development of an inner curricula of competences to promote professional quality of life and compassionate care. The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the universality of these problems and the need to equip ourselves with rigorously validated measurement and monitoring approaches that allow for unbiased comparisons. The main objective of this study was to offer evidence on the generalizability of the awareness model of self-care across three care systems under particular idiosyncrasy. Regarding the sample, 817 palliative care professionals from Spain, Argentina, and Brazil participated in this cross-sectional study using a multigroup structural equation modeling strategy. The measures showed good reliability in the three countries. When testing the multigroup model against the configural and constrained models, the assumptions were fulfilled, and only two relationships of the model revealed differences among contexts. The hypotheses posited by the awareness model of self-care were supported and a similar predictive power on the professional quality of life dimensions was found. Self-care, awareness, and coping with death were competences that remained outstanding no matter the country, resulting in optimism about the possibility of acting with more integrative approaches and campaigns by international policy-makers with the consensus of world healthcare organizations.
Emotions, Feelings, and Experiences of Social Workers While Attending to Vulnerable Groups: A Qualitative Approach
Authors: Ruiz-Fernández María Dolores , Ortiz-Amo Rocío , Andina-Díaz Elena , Fernández-Medina Isabel María , Hernández-Padilla José Manuel , Fernández-Sola Cayetano , Ortega-Galán Ángela María
Published: January 2021

Social workers in the community setting are in constant contact with the suffering experienced by the most vulnerable individual. Social interventions are complex and affect social workers’ emotional well-being. The aim of this study was to identify the emotions, feelings, and experiences social workers have while attending to individuals in situations of vulnerability and hardship. A qualitative methodology based on hermeneutic phenomenology was used. Six interviews and two focus group sessions were conducted with social workers from the community social services and health services of the Andalusian Public Health System in the province of Almería (Spain). Atlas.ti 8.0 software was used for discourse analysis. The professionals highlighted the vulnerability of certain groups, such as the elderly and minors, people with serious mental problems, and people with scarce or no economic resources. Daily contact with situations of suffering generates a variety of feelings and emotions (anger, sadness, fear, concern). Therefore, more attention should be paid to working with the emotions of social workers who are exposed to tense and threatening situations. Peer support, talking, and discussions of experiences are pointed out as relevant by all social workers. Receiving training and support (in formal settings) in order to learn how to deal with vulnerable groups could be positive for their work and their professional and personal quality of life.