bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation and Experimental Verification of Smart Junction Box for Low-Voltage Automotive Electronics in Electric Vehicles
Authors: Lee Sang Wook , Baek Soo-Whang
Published: March 2020

In this study, we designed and implemented a smart junction box (SJB) that was optimized for supplying power to low-voltage headlights (13.5 V) in electric vehicles. The design incorporated a number of automotive semiconductor devices, and components were placed in a high-density arrangement to reduce the overall size of the final design. The heat generated by the SJB was efficiently managed to mount an Intelligent Power Switch (IPS), which was used to power the headlights onto the printed circuit board (PCB) to minimize the impact on other components. The SJB was designed to provide power to the headlights via pulse width modulation to extend their lifetime. In addition, overload protection and fail/safe functions were implemented in the software to improve the stability of the system, and a controller area network (CAN) bus was provided for communications with various components in the SJB as well as with external controllers. The performance of the SJB was validated via a load operation test to assess the short circuit and overload protection functions, and the output duty cycle was evaluated across a range of input voltages to ensure proper operation. Based on our results, the power supplied to the headlights was found to be uniform and stable.
Crab Bioturbation and Seasonality Control Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Semiarid Mangrove Forests (Ceará, Brazil)
Authors: Otero Xosé L. , Araújo José M. C. , Barcellos Diego , Queiroz Hermano M. , Romero Danilo J. , Nóbrega Gabriel N. , Siqueira Neto Marcos , Ferreira Tiago O.
Published: March 2020

Seasonality and crab activity affects the nutrients and physicochemical parameters in mangrove soils, thus, affecting the emissions of greenhouse gases, such as nitrous oxide (N2O). Climate change may intensify rainfall and/or enhance droughts, affecting mangroves and associated biota. Crabs are natural soil bioturbators responsible for soil aeration and turnover. We evaluated the effect of Ucides cordatus crab on N2O emissions from mangrove soils under a semiarid climate in Northeastern Brazil. Soil and gas samples were collected over the rainy and dry seasons in crab-naturally-bioturbated and crab-exclusion mangrove plots. We measured the soil’s pH, redox potential, and the total contents of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. We found higher N2O emissions in the crab-exclusion sites compared to the bioturbated sites, as well as higher N2O emissions in the rainy season compared to the dry season. The fluxes of N2O (µg m−2 h−1) were 47.3 ± 9.7 and 8.9 ± 0.5 for the crab-exclusion sites, and 36.5 ± 7.8 and 4.5 ± 2.1 for the bioturbated sites (wet and dry seasons, respectively). The soil turning over by macrofauna led to lower N2O fluxes in natural crab-bioturbated areas, and seasonality was the environmental factor that contributed the most to the changes in N2O emissions. Broadly, anthropic activities and seasonality influence nitrogen fate, N2O emissions, and ecological services in coastal ecosystems.
Development of an Experimental Platform for Combinative Use of an XFEL and a High-Power Nanosecond Laser
Authors: Inubushi Yuichi , Yabuuchi Toshinori , Togashi Tadashi , Sueda Keiichi , Miyanishi Kohei , Tange Yoshinori , Ozaki Norimasa , Matsuoka Takeshi , Kodama Ryosuke , Osaka Taito , Matsuyama Satoshi , Yamauchi Kazuto , Yumoto Hirokatsu , Koyama Takahisa , Ohashi Haruhiko , Tono Kensuke , Yabashi Makina
Published: March 2020

We developed an experimental platform for combinative use of an X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) and a high-power nanosecond laser. The main target of the platform is an investigation of matter under high-pressure states produced by a laser-shock compression. In this paper, we show details of the experimental platform, including XFEL parameters and the focusing optics, the laser irradiation system and X-ray diagnostics. As a demonstration of the high-power laser-pump XFEL-probe experiment, we performed an X-ray diffraction measurement. An in-situ single-shot X-ray diffraction pattern expands to a large angle side, which shows a corundum was compressed by laser irradiation.
Assessing the Energy Demand Reduction in a Surgical Suite by Optimizing the HVAC Operation During Off-Use Periods
Authors: Cacabelos-Reyes Antón , López-González José Luis , González-Gil Arturo , Febrero-Garrido Lara , Eguía-Oller Pablo , Granada-Álvarez Enrique
Published: March 2020

Hospital surgical suites are high consumers of energy due to the strict indoor air quality (IAQ) conditions. However, by varying the ventilation strategies, the potential for energy savings is great, particularly during periods without activity. In addition, there is no international consensus on the ventilation and hygrothermal requirements for surgical areas. In this work, a dynamic energy model of a surgical suite of a Spanish hospital is developed. This energy model is calibrated and validated with experimental data collected during real operation. The model is used to simulate the yearly energy performance of the surgical suite under different ventilation scenarios. The common issue in the studied ventilation strategies is that the hygrothermal conditions ranges are extended during off-use hours. The maximum savings obtained are around 70% of the energy demand without compromising the safety and health of patients and medical staff, as the study complies with current heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) regulations.
A Sweet Connection? Fructose’s Role in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Dewdney Brittany , Roberts Alexandra , Qiao Liang , George Jacob , Hebbard Lionel
Published: March 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of few cancer types that continues to grow in incidence and mortality worldwide. With the alarming increase in diabetes and obesity rates, the higher rates of hepatocellular carcinoma are a result of underlying non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Many have attributed disease progression to an excess consumption of fructose sugar. Fructose has known toxic effects on the liver, including increased fatty acid production, increased oxidative stress, and insulin resistance. These effects have been linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) disease and a progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). While the literature suggests fructose may enhance liver cancer progression, the precise mechanisms in which fructose induces tumor formation remains largely unclear. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of fructose metabolism in liver disease and liver tumor development. Furthermore, we consider the latest knowledge of cancer cell metabolism and speculate on additional mechanisms of fructose metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Underlying Neurobiological and Neurocognitive Mechanisms of Impulsivity in Risk-Taking Behaviors
Authors: Cyders Melissa A.
Published: March 2020

Impulsivity has been widely implicated in many maladaptive risk-taking and clinical disorders associated with such behaviors [...]
Exploring Changes in Land Surface Temperature Possibly Associated with Earthquake: Case of the April 2015 Nepal Mw 7.9 Earthquake
Authors: Chen Shunyun , Liu Peixun , Feng Tao , Wang Dong , Jiao Zhonghu , Chen Lichun , Xu Zhengxuan , Zhang Guangze
Published: March 2020

Satellite thermal infrared remote sensing has received worldwide attention in the exploration for earthquake precursors; however, this method faces great controversy. Obtaining repeatable phenomena related to earthquakes is helpful to reduce this controversy. In this paper, a total of 15 or 17 years of Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)/Aqua and MODIS/Terra satellite remote sensing land surface temperature (LST) products is selected to analyze the temperature changes before and after the Mw 7.9 earthquake in Nepal on 25 April 2015 and to explore possible thermal information associated with this earthquake. Major findings are given as follows: (1) from the time course, the temperature slowly cooled before the earthquake, reached a minimum at the time of the earthquake, and returned to normal after the earthquake. Since these changes were initiated before the earthquake, they may even have been precursors to the Nepal earthquake. (2) From the space distribution, the cooling areas correspond to the seismogenic structure during the earthquake. These cooling areas are distributed along the Himalayas and are approximately 1300 km long. The widths of the East and West sides are slightly different, with an average temperature decrease of 5.6 °C. For these cooling areas, the Western section is approximately 90 km wide and 500 km long; the East side is approximately 190 km wide and 800 km long. The Western side of the cooling strips appeared before the earthquake. In short, these kinds of spatial and temporal changes are tectonically related to the earthquake and may have been caused by the tectonic activity associated with the Nepal earthquake. This process began before the earthquake and therefore might even be potentially premonitory information associated with the Nepal earthquake.
Performance of Two Approaches of Embedded Recommender Systems
Authors: Pajuelo-Holguera Francisco , Gómez-Pulido Juan A. , Ortega Fernando
Published: March 2020

Nowadays, highly portable and low-energy computing environments require programming applications able to satisfy computing time and energy constraints. Furthermore, collaborative filtering based recommender systems are intelligent systems that use large databases and perform extensive matrix arithmetic calculations. In this research, we present an optimized algorithm and a parallel hardware implementation as good approach for running embedded collaborative filtering applications. To this end, we have considered high-level synthesis programming for reconfigurable hardware technology. The design was tested under environments where usual parameters and real-world datasets were applied, and compared to usual microprocessors running similar implementations. The performance results obtained by the different implementations were analyzed in computing time and energy consumption terms. The main conclusion is that the optimized algorithm is competitive in embedded applications when considering large datasets and parallel implementations based on reconfigurable hardware.
Atopic Dermatitis and Comorbidity
Authors: Bekić Sanja , Martinek Vjenceslav , Talapko Jasminka , Majnarić Ljiljana , Vasilj Mihaljević Mila , Škrlec Ivana
Published: March 2020

Atopic dermatitis is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is often the first indicator of allergic diseases, and a certain percentage of patients are affected by allergic rhinitis and/or asthma as a consequence. The study aimed to investigate the link between atopic dermatitis and comorbidity in family medicine. In the specialist family medicine practice Osijek, a retrospective study was conducted in the period from January 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017 on the percentage of patients with atopic dermatitis in the total number of patients, and their comorbid diseases. The data source was the E-chart. The results showed that 195 (10.53%) out of 2056 patients had atopic dermatitis, 80 (41%) patients had atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis, 34 (17.4%) asthma, 132 (67.7%) infections, 59 (30.3%) gastrointestinal disturbances, and 68 (34.3%) had mental disorders. Patients up to 18 years old were more likely to have infections, and adult patients were exposed to chronic stress. The most commonly used drug was loratadine (60.5%), while mometasone was the most commonly administered topical drug (40%). The result of this research showed the steps of the ˝atopic march˝. Atopic dermatitis is followed by changes in the skin and its progression to other organ systems in most of the patients.
IT Services and Crowdsourcing in Support of the Hellenic Cadastre: Advanced Citizen Participation and Crowdsourcing in the Official Property Registration Process
Authors: Mourafetis George , Potsiou Chryssy
Published: March 2020

Greece is one of the few European countries that has not yet a fully operating Cadastre at national coverage. Cadastral surveying and property registration have been completed only for about 8% of the Greek territory, which includes about 18% of the total property rights. At the remaining areas, cadastral surveying and property registration is still under development and is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. The cadastral survey is a participatory procedure in which property right holders, or their representatives, are expected to declare the land parcels on which they have property rights and submit all documents that prove these rights. The time frame available for the declaration is 3 months, which is specific for each municipality. Right holders are now enabled to provide both spatial and descriptive information, regarding their properties and property rights, without the need of a professional. That includes the parcel’s boundary lines along with the legal documents required to validate the declaration. Each right holder, or a representative, has the option to submit a declaration over the internet through a web application without the need of a professional. Within the frame of a PhD research, several concerns were addressed such as usability, security, and scalability in order for the outcome to support its scope while respecting binding constrains. As a result, two web applications have been created to officially support the Hellenic Cadaster property rights declaration process. The suggested approach was considered a big success in terms of both public acceptance and usability as shown from the statistics collected during the first eight months of its formal operation.
Abandoned Farmland Location in Areas Affected by Rapid Urbanization Using Textural Characterization of High Resolution Aerial Imagery
Authors: Ruiz-Lendínez Juan José
Published: March 2020

Several studies have demonstrated that farmland abandonment occurs not only in rural areas, but is also closely interlinked with urbanization processes. Therefore, the location of abandoned land and the registration of the spatial information referring to it play important roles in urban land management. However, mapping abandoned land or land in the process of abandonment is not an easy task because the limits between the different land uses are not clear and precise. It is therefore necessary to develop methods that allow estimating and mapping this type of land as accurately as possible. As an alternative to other geomatics methods such as satellite remote sensing, our approach proposes a framework for automatically locating abandoned farmland in urban landscapes using the textural characterization and segmentation of aerial imagery. Using the city of Poznań (Poland) as a case study, results demonstrated the feasibility of applying our approach, reducing processing time and workforce resources. Specifically and by comparing the results obtained with the data provided by CORINE Land Cover, 2275 ha (40.3%) of arable land within the city limits were abandoned, and the area of abandoned arable land was almost 9.2% of the city’s area. Finally, the reliability of the proposed methodology was assessed from two different focuses: (i) the accuracy of the segmentation results (from a positional point of view) and (ii) the efficiency of locating abandoned land (as a specific type of land use) in urban areas particularly affected by rapid urbanization.
Understanding Chinese Urban Form: The Universal Fractal Pattern of Street Networks over 298 Cities
Authors: Ma Ding , Guo Renzhong , Zheng Ye , Zhao Zhigang , He Fangning , Zhu Wei
Published: March 2020

Urban form can be reflected by many city elements, such as streets. A street network serves as the backbone of a city and reflects a city’s physical structure. A street network’s topological measures and statistical distributions have been widely investigated in recent years, but previous studies have seldom characterized the heavy-tailed distribution of street connectivities from a fractal perspective. The long-tail distribution of street connectivities can be fractal under the new, third definition: a set or pattern is fractal if the scaling of far more small things than large ones recurs at least twice. The number of recurred scaling patterns of far more less-connected streets than well-connected ones greatly helps in measuring the scaling hierarchy of a street network. Moreover, it enables us to examine the potential fractality of urban street networks at the national scale. In this connection, the present study aims to contribute to urban morphology in China through the investigation of the ubiquity of fractal cities from the lens of street networks. To do this, we generate hundreds of thousands of natural streets from about 4.5 million street segments over 298 Chinese cities and adopted power-law detection as well as three fractal metrics that emerged from the third definition of fractal. The results show that almost all cities bear a fractal structure in terms of street connectivities. Furthermore, our multiple regression analysis suggests that the fractality of street networks is positively correlated with urban socioeconomic status and negatively correlated with energy consumption. Therefore, the fractal metrics can be a useful supplement to traditional street-network configuration measures such as street lengths.
Universal Implementation of Newborn Screening in India
Authors: Mookken Thomas
Published: March 2020

Newborn screening is a successful program in many developed countries. In India, the benefits of dried blood spot screening have been recognized and that screening is slowly gaining traction. There are significant issues standing in the way of universal implementation of a newborn screening program in India: awareness, cost, advocacy, public policy, and politics. Three regional screening programs, Chandigarh, Goa, and Kerala could serve as models for other programs in India. The data for this commentary were based on personal experiences from managing public newborn screening programs, searches on PubMed and Google, and personal interactions with experts in the field. The overwhelming recommendation is to universally screen for congenital hypothyroidism in India, because it is easy and inexpensive to treat, with excellent outcomes. It would also be beneficial to consider screening universally for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency due to its high incidence and ease of treatment. Finally, sickle cell disease should be screened in those areas in India where it is prevalent due to the costs associated with universal screening. Achieving universal screening is a challenge, and it is very difficult to predict when every baby born in India will be screened for at least congenital hypothyroidism.
Oil Droplet Dispersion under a Deep-Water Plunging Breaker: Experimental Measurement and Numerical Modeling
Authors: Cui Fangda , Geng Xiaolong , Robinson Brian , King Thomas , Lee Kenneth , Boufadel Michel C.
Published: March 2020

Knowledge of the droplet size distribution (DSD) of spilled oil is essential for the accurate prediction of oil transport, dissolution, and biodegradation. Breaking waves play important roles in oil droplet formation in oceanic environments. To understand the effects of breaking waves on oil DSD, oil spill experiments were designed and performed in a large-scale wave tank. A plunging breaker with a height of about 0.4 m was produced using the dispersive focusing method within the tank. Oil placed within the breaker resulted in a DSD that was measured using a shadowgraph camera and found to fit a Gaussian distribution N (µ = 1.2 mm, σ2 = 0.29 mm2). For droplets smaller than 1500 µm, the number-based DSD matched the DS1988 correlation, which gives N(d) ~ d−2.3, but this was N(d) ~ d−9.7 for droplets larger than 1500 µm. An order of magnitude investigation revealed that a Gaussian volume-based DSD results in a number-based DSD that may be approximated by d−b (with b ≈ 2) for small diameters (relative to the mean), which explains the occurrence of the DS1988 correlation. With the measured wave hydrodynamics, the VDROP model was adopted to simulate the DSD, which closely matched the observed DSD. The present results reduce the empiricism of the DS1988 correlation.
Clinical and Sonographic Evaluation of Postmenopausal Bleeding (PMB) Followed by Diagnostic and/or Therapeutic Hysteroscopy and Guided Biopsy in Jordanian Hospitals
Authors: Omar Abu-Azzam , Seham Abufraijeh , Al-Kharabsheh Ahlam Mahmoud , Alshara Emad , Sindiani Amer Mahmoud , Hamdan Omar , Ghoul Imene , Alrawashdeh Hamzeh Mohammad
Published: March 2020

Background and Objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical sonographic evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) followed by diagnostic and/or therapeutic hysteroscopy and guided biopsy in Jordanian hospitals. Materials and Methods: A retrospective multi-centric study was performed in hospitals in Al-Karak and Amman from 2014–2016. The study recruited 189 cases to evaluate the aetiology of postmenopausal bleeding. Atrophic endometrium was observed as a major cause of postmenopausal bleeding according to histopathology. The cases were also distributed according to parity in which nulliparous patients were observed. Results: Hysteroscopy was observed to be effective for the diagnosis of postmenopausal bleeding. Conclusion: There is a need to assess more approaches for the diagnosis of postmenopausal bleeding among women.
Bonding and Stability of Ternary Structures in the CeT2Al20 (T=Ta, W, Re) and YRe2Al20 Alloys
Authors: Yaniv Gili , Vidal Daniel , Fuks David , Meshi Louisa
Published: March 2020

A-T-Al aluminides, where A = actinide, lanthanide or rare earth elements and T=transition metals, have attracted considerable attention as potential materials where heavy fermions may be formed. This led to the discovery of superconducting properties in cubic AT2Al20 compounds with CeCr2Al20-type crystal structure. Other Al-rich aluminides, belonging to these A-T-Al systems, exhibited different physical properties as a function of their crystal structure. Thus, predicting the stable structure of the Al-richest phase that will form in the A-T-Al systems is highly valuable. Stability of the crystal structures, forming in the CeT2Al20 and YRe2Al20 systems, was studied in current research using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It is demonstrated that the total spin magnetic moment of the transition metal can be used as a descriptor for phase stability assessment in the AT2Al20 systems, where T is a 5d transition metal. Basing on crystallographic considerations, degree of distortion of the coordination polyhedrons, formed around T atoms, can be directly connected to the specific type of structure crystallizing in these systems.
Litterbox—A gnotobiotic Zeolite-Clay System to Investigate Arabidopsis–Microbe Interactions
Authors: Miebach Moritz , Schlechter Rudolf O. , Clemens John , Jameson Paula E. , Remus-Emsermann Mitja N.P.
Published: March 2020

Plants are colonised by millions of microorganisms representing thousands of species with varying effects on plant growth and health. The microbial communities found on plants are compositionally consistent and their overall positive effect on the plant is well known. However, the effects of individual microbiota members on plant hosts and vice versa, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remain largely unknown. Here, we describe “Litterbox”, a highly controlled system to investigate plant–microbe interactions. Plants were grown gnotobiotically, otherwise sterile, on zeolite-clay, a soil replacement that retains enough moisture to avoid subsequent watering. Litterbox-grown plants resemble greenhouse-grown plants more closely than agar-grown plants and exhibit lower leaf epiphyte densities (106 cfu/g), reflecting natural conditions. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sheet was used to cover the zeolite, significantly lowering the bacterial load in the zeolite and rhizosphere. This reduced the likelihood of potential systemic responses in leaves induced by microbial rhizosphere colonisation. We present results of example experiments studying the transcriptional responses of leaves to defined microbiota members and the spatial distribution of bacteria on leaves. We anticipate that this versatile and affordable plant growth system will promote microbiota research and help in elucidating plant-microbe interactions and their underlying mechanisms.
A Study on the Characteristics of the Ionospheric Gradient under Geomagnetic Perturbations
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Liu Yang , Mei Junlei , Zhang Chunxi , Wang Jinling
Published: March 2020

The Earth’s ionosphere is greatly influenced by geomagnetic activities, especially geomagnetic storms. During a geomagnetic storm, the ionosphere suffers many perturbations, leading to a spatial gradient that are neglected during geomagnetically quiet periods. An ionospheric gradient generates potential hazards for a ground-based argumentation system (GBAS) by enlarging the errors in the delay corrections between ground monitor stations and users. To address this problem, this work investigates the characteristics of the ionospheric gradient under geomagnetic storms. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations from the continuously operating reference station (CORS) network were used to analyze the ionospheric gradients during the geomagnetic storm on 8 September 2017. The statistical behavior of the ionospheric gradient was further discussed. Experiments show that strong geomagnetic perturbations lead to large ionospheric gradients, and the gradients also vary with the geomagnetic location.
Presentation Attack Face Image Generation Based on a Deep Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Nguyen Dat Tien , Pham Tuyen Danh , Batchuluun Ganbayar , Noh Kyoung Jun , Park Kang Ryoung
Published: March 2020

Although face-based biometric recognition systems have been widely used in many applications, this type of recognition method is still vulnerable to presentation attacks, which use fake samples to deceive the recognition system. To overcome this problem, presentation attack detection (PAD) methods for face recognition systems (face-PAD), which aim to classify real and presentation attack face images before performing a recognition task, have been developed. However, the performance of PAD systems is limited and biased due to the lack of presentation attack images for training PAD systems. In this paper, we propose a method for artificially generating presentation attack face images by learning the characteristics of real and presentation attack images using a few captured images. As a result, our proposed method helps save time in collecting presentation attack samples for training PAD systems and possibly enhance the performance of PAD systems. Our study is the first attempt to generate PA face images for PAD system based on CycleGAN network, a deep-learning-based framework for image generation. In addition, we propose a new measurement method to evaluate the quality of generated PA images based on a face-PAD system. Through experiments with two public datasets (CASIA and Replay-mobile), we show that the generated face images can capture the characteristics of presentation attack images, making them usable as captured presentation attack samples for PAD system training.
Validation and Improvement of a Bicycle Crank Arm Based in Numerical Simulation and Uncertainty Quantification
Authors: Gutiérrez-Moizant R. , Ramírez-Berasategui M. , Calvo José A. , Álvarez-Caldas Carolina
Published: March 2020

In this study, a finite element model of a bicycle crank arm are compared to experimental results. The structural integrity of the crank arm was analyzed in a universal dynamic test bench. The instrumentation used has allowed us to know the fatigue behavior of the component tested. For this, the prototype was instrumented with three rectangular strain gauge rosettes bonded in areas where failure was expected. With the measurements made by strain gauges and the forces registers from the load cell used, it has been possible to determine the state of the stresses for different loads and boundary conditions, which has subsequently been compared with a finite element model. The simulations show a good agreement with the experimental results, when the potential sources of uncertainties are considered in the validation process. This analysis allowed us to improve the original design, reducing its weight by 15%. The study allows us to identify the manufacturing process that requires the best metrological control to avoid premature crank failure. Finally, the numerical fatigue analysis carried out allows us to conclude that the new crank arm can satisfy the structural performance demanded by the international bicycle standard. Additionally, it can be suggested to the standard to include the verification that no permanent deformations have occurred in the crank arm during the fatigue test. It has been observed that, in some cases this bicycle component fulfils the minimum safety requirements, but presents areas with plastic strains, which if not taken into account can increase the risk of injury for the cyclist due to unexpected failure of the component.
Leveraging LoRaWAN Technology for Precision Agriculture in Greenhouses
Authors: Singh Ritesh , Aernouts Michiel , De Meyer Mats , Weyn Maarten , Berkvens Rafael
Published: March 2020

The technology development in wireless sensor network (WSN) offers a sustainable solution towards precision agriculture (PA) in greenhouses. It helps to effectively use the agricultural resources and management tools and monitors different parameters to attain better quality yield and production. WSN makes use of Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWANs), a wireless technology to transmit data over long distances with minimal power consumption. LoRaWAN is one of the most successful LPWAN technologies despite its low data rate and because of its low deployment and management costs. Greenhouses are susceptible to different types of interference and diversification, demanding an improved WSN design scheme. In this paper, we contemplate the viable challenges for PA in greenhouses and propose the successive steps essential for effectual WSN deployment and facilitation. We performed a real-time, end-to-end deployment of a LoRaWAN-based sensor network in a greenhouse of the ’Proefcentrum Hoogstraten’ research center in Belgium. We have designed a dashboard for better visualization and analysis of the data, analyzed the power consumption for the LoRaWAN communication, and tried three different enclosure types (commercial, simple box and airflow box, respectively). We validated the implications of real-word challenges on the end-to-end deployment and air circulation for the correct sensor readings. We found that temperature and humidity have a larger impact on the sensor readings inside the greenhouse than we initially thought, which we successfully solved through the airflow box design.
Automatic Detection of Changes in Signal Strength Characteristics in a Wi-Fi Network for an Indoor Localisation System
Authors: Luckner Marcin , Górak Rafał
Published: March 2020

This paper faces the issue of changing the received signal strength (RSS) from an observed access point (AP). Such a change can reduce the Quality of Service (QoS) of a Wi-Fi-based Indoor Localisation System. We have proposed a dynamic system based on an estimator of RSS using the readings from other APs. Using an optimal threshold, the algorithm recognises an AP that has changed its characteristics. Next, the system rebuilds the localisation model excluding the changed AP to keep QoS. For the tests, we simulated a change in the analysed Wi-Fi network by replacing the measured RSS by an RSS obtained from the same AP model that lies in another place inside the same multi-floor building. The algorithm was evaluated in simulations of an isolated single-floor building, a single-floor building and a multi-floor building. The mean increase of the localisation error obtained by the system varies from 0.25 to 0.61 m after the RSS changes, whereas the error increase without using the system is between 1.21 and 1.98 m. The system can be applied to any service based on a Wi-Fi network for various kinds of changes like a reconfiguration of the network, a local malfunction or ageing of the infrastructure.
The effects of perch cooling on performance, carcass, and meat quality characteristics and behaviour of broilers reared at high temperatures with different litter thicknesses
Authors: DERELİ FİDAN Evrim , TÜRKYILMAZ Mehmet Kenan , NAZLIGÜL Ahmet , KAYA Mehmet
Published: March 2020

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of cooled perch and litter thickness on performance, meat quality, carcass, and behaviour traits on broilers reared at high environmental temperatures. A total of 459 1 day-old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to nine treatment groups based on the perch treatment (no perch, non-cooled perches, cooled perches) and litter thicknesses (1, 7 and 14 cm) with three replicates. Body weight was higher in broilers reared at cooled perch group at 6 wks (P<0.05). Body weight of chickens reared under the 1 cm thickness was found higher than the 7 and 14 cm of litter thickness chickens at 6 wks. Live and carcass weights, total breast and drum weights were higher in broilers reared at 1 cm litter thickness. The perch-contact incidence of chickens reared under the cooled perch was found higher than the non-cooled chickens for all hours at 6 wks. In conclusion, it is indicated that perch cooling and 1 cm of litter thickness have a beneficial effect on broiler performance exposed to high temperatures.
Evaluation of melamine and cyanuric acid cytotoxicity: an in vitro study on L929 fibroblasts and CHO cell line
Authors: MELEKOĞLU Abdullah , EKİCİ Hüsamettin , ARAT Esra , KARAHAN Siyami
Published: March 2020

Melamine and its metabolites pose health concern as they are used in various industrial products including feed and drugs. There are a limited number of studies on melamine and cyanuric acid cytotoxicity and cellular damage without a certain conclusion. The present study aimed to evaluate melamine, cyanuric acid and its combined cytotoxic effects using 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) methyl thiazole tetrazolium (MTT) bromide test. The study also evaluated apoptotic and necrotic effect using a double staining method of Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide. Melamine, cyanuric acid and their combination (1:1) were applied to L929 fibroblasts and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells at various concentrations (1000 µg/mL, 500 µg/mL, 250 µg/mL, 125 µg/mL and 62.5 µg/mL). At the highest concentration (1000 µg/mL), the cell viability dropped down approximately to 50% both in CHO cells and L929 cells. Melamine, cyanuric acid and their mixture caused cytotoxicity in CHO cells and L929 fibroblasts in dose-dependent manner. Cell death occurred through both apoptosis and mainly necrosis. Both cell types were more sensitive to the mixture of melamine and cyanuric acid and, furthermore, CHO cells were more sensitive than L929 fibroblasts. As a result, melamine, cyanuric acid and their combination caused cytotoxicity in CHO cells and L929 fibroblasts. Further studies should be conducted in different cell lines. These studies should also aim to reveal the mechanism of cytotoxicity and related pathways.
Utility of Peritoneal Scintigraphy in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: One Center Experience
Authors: Sosa Barrios R. Haridian , Rioja Martín María Eugenia , Burguera Vion Víctor , Santos Carreño Astrid Lucía , Fernández Lucas Milagros , Rivera Gorrín Maite E.
Published: March 2020

Background

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the RRT of choice in 15% of patients with CKD and has multiple advantages over hemodialysis. PD leaks can prompt technique failure and dropout. Use of peritoneal scintigraphy (PS) for diagnosis of PD leaks has declined in favor of more complex and expensive tests. We analyzed the utility of PS for PD leak diagnosis in our center.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed all PS done in our center from January 2000 until December 2018, inclusive, in all patients on PD with a suspected dialysate leak.

Results

A total of 39 PS procedures were done in 36 patients on PD in the study period. Of those, 81% were male and 11% had CKD due to polycystic kidney disease. During this period, 23 leaks were diagnosed, showing an incidence of 6% (three episodes per patient per year). In all cases with negative PS, other tests did not confirm a peritoneal dialysate leak.

Conclusions

PS is a safe, inexpensive, reproducible, and highly effective diagnostic tool for peritoneal dialysate leaks that allows nephrologists to tailor or stop PD therapy if required. In our opinion, it should be the first-line imaging test to diagnose PD leaks with minimum exposure to radiation, contrast, or other substances that could irritate the peritoneal membrane. We believe PS should be considered as the initial test of choice to diagnose this PD complication as soon as possible, minimizing technique failure and dropout due to leaks.
α1-Acid Glycoprotein Attenuates Adriamycin-Induced Nephropathy via CD163 Expressing Macrophage Induction
Authors: Fujimura Rui , Watanabe Hiroshi , Nishida Kento , Fujiwara Yukio , Koga Tomoaki , Bi Jing , Imafuku Tadashi , Kobayashi Kazuki , Komori Hisakazu , Miyahisa Masako , Maeda Hitoshi , Tanaka Motoko , Matsushita Kazutaka , Wada Takashi , Fukagawa Masafumi , Maruyama Toru
Published: March 2020

Background

Recent clinical studies have shown that proteinuria is a critical factor in the progression of CKD and onset of cardiovascular disease. Inflammation and infiltration of macrophages into renal tissue are implicated as causes of proteinuria. α1-Acid glycoprotein (AGP), an acute-phase plasma protein, is leaked into the urine in patients with proteinuria. However, the relationship between urinary leakage of AGP, renal inflammation, and proteinuria remains unclear.

Methods

Human AGP (hAGP) was exogenously administrated for 5 consecutive days to adriamycin-induced nephropathy model mice.

Results

Adriamycin treatment increased urinary AGP, accompanied by decreased plasma AGP in mice. Exogenous hAGP administration to adriamycin-treated mice suppressed proteinuria, renal histologic injury, and inflammation. hAGP administration increased renal CD163 expression, a marker of anti-inflammatory macrophages. Similar changes were observed in PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells treated with hAGP. Even in the presence of LPS, hAGP treatment increased CD163/IL-10 expression in differentiated THP-1 cells.

Conclusions

AGP alleviates proteinuria and renal injury in mice with proteinuric kidney disease via induction of CD163-expressing macrophages with anti-inflammatory function. The results demonstrate that endogenous AGP could work to protect against glomerular disease. Thus, AGP supplementation could be a possible new therapeutic intervention for patients with glomerular disease.
A STUDY ON THE QUALITY DECREASE OF AMOXICILLIN, ASPIRIN PH8 AND VITAMIN C DRUGS BY TIME UNDER THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY AT DIFFERENT AREAS IN HUE PROVINCE
Authors: Tran Huu Dung , Nguyen Quynh Phuong , Huynh Thi Hong Phuc , Nguyen Huu Tien
Published: March 2020

Background: A preliminary research about the relation of drug quality decrease through period of stored time by temperature and humidity at different geographic areas was carried on Aspirin pH8 intestine-disolved coated tablets, Vitamin C film coated tablets and Amoxcycillin capsules. Materials and method: Pharmaceuticals possessing same manufacture batch and date expire longer than experimental period preserved at Thuan An coastal area, Nam Dong mountainous region, flat country of Hue Province and Hue Drug Quality Control Centre, Vietnam. The change of temperature and humidity at drug stored pharmacies was recorded contineuosly. Monthly, these drugs were examed quality following Standards of Vietnam Pharmacopie Volumn III, edition 2002 and in-home Standards. Results: The decrease of drug quality happened earliest and strongest at Than An, then Nam Dong, sustained a severe elimate condition yearly. Especially, effect of humidity element on the drug decomposition was serious than temperature. The decrease of drug quality was also happened at Hue city but in gentle degree, while all drugs were still in good quality under the standard store condition at Drug Quality Control Centre (25oC, 60%). Conclusion: This research showed an importance of the temperature and humidity control during the store and delivery periods to maintain the drug quality sufficiently for treatment. Key words: drug quality, stored time, geographic areas, temperature, humidity
LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF COLON CANCER: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Authors: Pham Anh Vu , Pham Nhu Hiep , Pham Trung Vy , Pham Minh Duc
Published: March 2020

Background: The role of laparoscopic resection in the management of colon cancer is still controversial. We prospectively evaluated technical profile and outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic resection for colon cancer at a single institution. Methods: From January 2009 to June 2010, patients with colon cancer were treated by laparoscopy at Hue Central Hospital. Results: Mean operating time was 175 minutes. Conversion to open surgery was required in 6 of 40 patients (15percent). There was no per-operative complication. There was no postoperative mortality. Post-operative complications were one anastomotic leakage, one early intestinal obstruction and two wound infections. Mean hospital stay was 11 days (range, 7-26). There was no local recurrence and no port site metastases at 6 months after the surgery Conclusions: Laparoscopic colon surgery is feasible and safe but also technically demanding (conversion rate of 15 percent), time-consuming (mean operating time, 175 minutes). Authors should have a longer follow-up to fully assess the oncologic outcome in this group of patients. At present, the technique should only be performed in specialist centers by teams experienced in laparoscopic surgery.
A STUDY ON CLINICAL FEATURES OF ENT CANCERS AT HUE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND HUE CENTRAL HOSPITAL
Authors: Nguyen Tu The , Nguyen The Thanh
Published: March 2020

Background: The study made to determine the epidemiologic and clinical features of cancers in ENT. Patients and method: Study 103 patients of ENT cancers by cross-sectional and descriptive methods. Results: - Male patients (78.6%) are more numerous than female patients (21.4%). Adults (98.1%) are more numerous than children (1.9%). - Age range more than 45 years (73.8%), living in rural and mountainous area (70.9%), urban area (29.1%), manual labor profession (48.6%). - The percentage of smokers (69.9%) and alcoholics (57.3%). - Hospitalization in the first 6 months of disease (75.8%), diseased time more than 1 year (2.8%). - Reasons of hospitalization following in order: Pain at tumor area (47.5%), dysphagy (44.7%), laryngeal syndrome (41.8%), headache (37.9%), otologic syndrome (31.1%), nasosinusal syndrome (29.1%), cervical nodes (25.2 %)...- Order of ENT cancers: nasopharyngeal cancer (33.0%), laryngeal cancer (24.3%), hypopharyngeal cancer (19.4%), nasosinusal cancer (11.7%), tonsillar cancer (9, 7%), otologic cancer (1.9%). - Metastasis to lymphatic nodes of superior carotide group (28.2%) is most frequent. - Squamous cell carcinoma (88.4%) is most common. Conclusion: ENT cancers in Hue having epidemiologic and clinical features similar to those of other regions in the country. Result of treatment will be better if cancers are diagnosed early and treated properly.
RADIOGRAPHIC AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FINDINGS IN DEGENERATIVE DISC OF THE LUMAR SPINE
Authors: Le Trong Binh , Hoang Minh Loi , Le Trong Khoan , Nguyen Cong Quynh
Published: March 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to describe the patterns of radiographic and MRI changes in subjects with degenerative disc of the lumbar spine. Materials and Method: a cross-sectional study was done in a sample of 212 individuals who had been diagnosed degenerative disc on MRI sagittal T2 FSE. The degree of degeneration was classified into 5 grades according to Pfirrmann’s classification. All individuals underwent clinical examination, lumbar conventional radiograph and lumbar MRI using 0.23T Open MRI system. Peridiscal lesions such as discal herniation, thecal sac compression, canal stenosis, vertebral osteochondrosis, Modic change and Schmorl’s node were also included in this study. Results: The result showed the proportion of subjects with lumbar disc degeneration by age. The rate was highest in the age group ³ 50 (45.4%) and lowest in the age group <30 (12.7%). There was no significant difference between male and female (χ2 = 2,42; p=0,12). The most common finding of lumbar radiograph was osteophytes (77.4%; p<0.001). There was a correlation between age, osteophytes, disc space narrowing with the degree of degeneration. Cut-off value for age was estimated > 47 (Se=73.4%, Sp=76.1%) with area under ROC curve was 0.806. The most usually affected level was found to be L4-L5 (31.8%). Most of degenerated disc were classifies as grade III (59.5%). Subjects with 1 or 2 degenerative levels made the definitely higher rate compared to 4 or 5 levels. Common peridiscal lesions were disc herniation, canal stenosis, thecal sac compression, vertebral osteochodrosis, Modic change and Schmorl’s node (respectively). Conclusion: The prevalent rate and degree of disc degeneration increased by age meaning that age is risk factor for disc degeneration. Lumbar radiograph and MRI are useful in the evaluation of degenerative disc disease.
Key words: lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, magnetic resonance imaging.
MENTAL DISTRESS AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN VIET NAM IN COMPARISON TO OTHER COUNTRIES
Authors:   Michael P Dunne, Thanh Truc Thai, Xuan Loan Kim, Van Thang Vo, Minh Tam Nguyen, Vuong Diem Khanh Doan, Jiandong Sun, Jason Dixon, Do Nguyen Nguyen,  Thanh Huong Nguyen
Published: March 2020

Globally, depression and suicidal thinking among young people are remarkably common and have serious consequences for the well-being of families and for public health services. In many countries, more than one in every four adolescents experience depressive symptoms of a persistent type, and between 15%-20% have occasional or frequent thoughts about suicide. The epidemic of mental distress has attracted substantial attention in leading medical journals such as The Lancet and JAMA. Although most research has been based in North America and Europe, there is a growing body of research in East Asia. This paper reviews recent research from Viet Nam, and by comparison to published research in Asia and elsewhere, examines whether these problems have similar prevalence. The data strongly indicate that depressive symptoms among youth in Viet Nam are very similar to young people internationally. However, suicidal ideation - at this point in time – appears to be significantly less common than in most countries. Possible reasons for this pattern are discussed.