bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Nebivolol on the Isolated Rat Bladder Strips Precontracted with Carbachol or Potassium Chloride
Authors: ALTUNKAYNAK-CAMCA Hande Ozge
Published: September 2020

Objective: One of the proposed mechanism mediates the vasorelaxant effect of nebivolol is based on its agonistic activity on beta-2 and/or beta-3 adrenergic receptors. These receptors are also involved in the relaxation of urinary bladder. The aim of this study was to explore that the ability of nebivolol to induce relaxation of the isolated rat bladder strip precontracted with cholinergic stimuli using with carbachol or non-cholinergic stimuli using with potassium chloride (KCl).
Methods: The isolated bladder strips were mounted in organ bath and contracted by KCl (40 mM) or carbachol(1 µM) before the cumulative addition of nebivolol (0.0001-100 µM). To investigate the role of beta-adrenergic receptors in the nebivolol-induced relaxant response, some bladder strips were incubated with propranolol (1 µM) for 30 min. Statistical significance was tested by Student’s t-test. p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
Results: Nebivolol elicited concentration-dependent relaxant response in the bladder strips precontracted with KCl or carbachol. Although the relaxant response to nebivolol in the bladder strips precontracted with carbachol was significantly inhibited by propranolol(p<0.05), the nebivolol-induced relaxation was failed to be inhibited by propranolol in the bladder strips precontracted with KCl. The maximum relaxation in response to nebivolol was found to be significantly higher in the bladder strips precontracted with carbachol compared to that of KCl (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that beta-adrenergic receptors play role in the relaxant response of nebivolol in the isolated rat bladder strip precontracted with carbachol.
The final stage of human development? Erikson's view of integrity and old age
Authors: Gilleard Chris
Published: September 2020

This paper considers the significance for ageing studies of Erikson’s theory of adult development, particularly his last stage the crisis of ‘integrity’ versus ‘despair’. Because his model assumes a clear pattern of lifelong upward development, culminating with the ‘achievement’ of integrity and wisdom, it can be seen as helping underpin gerontology’s moral imperative to confer meaning and value upon old age. Despite the difficulties in empirically demonstrating the stage-like nature of adult development, and the dubious evidence that integrity is an essential feature of a successful old age, the inherent directionality of Erikson’s model supplies ageing with a purposive quality in contradistinction to alternative ‘decline’ narratives. Rather than continue a potentially fruitless search for proof , it might be better to conceptualise his adult ‘stages’ of identity, intimacy, generativity and integrity as key narrative themes running through the development of adult character, articulated, expressed and struggled over in various ways throughout adulthood including late life.
I Will Hurt You for This, When and How Subordinates Take Revenge From Abusive Supervisors: A Perspective of Displaced Revenge
Authors: Hongbo Li , Waqas Muhammad , Tariq Hussain , Nana Abena Atuahene Antwiwaa , Akwasi Opoku Charles , Ashraf Sheikh Farhan
Published: September 2020

Abusive supervision, defined as subordinates’ perception of the extent to which supervisors engage in the sustained display of hostile verbal and non-verbal behaviors, excluding physical contact, is associated with various negative outcomes. This has made it easy for researchers to overlook the possibility that some supervisors regret their bad behavior and express remorse for their actions. Hence, we know little about how subordinates react to the perception that their supervisor is remorseful and how this perception affects the outcomes of supervisors’ undesired behavior. Specifically, drawing on the social exchange theory (SET) and displace revenge literature, this study explains how abusive supervision leads to victims’ service sabotage behavior. In addition, this study also investigates how perceived supervisors’ remorse (PSR) mitigates the adverse effects of abusive supervision. Based on time-lagged, dyadic data (63 supervisors, 212 subordinates) from Chinese individuals, this study found support for all the proposed relationships, i.e., abusive supervision leads to service sabotage through the mediating effect of revenge desire. The findings also conclude that PSR lessens the detrimental effects of abusive supervision on victims’ behavior with their customers. Finally, this research contributes to service sabotage literature by highlighting the possibility where abusive supervisors cause service sabotage behavior among victims. This study also shows the importance of PSR’s role in decreasing service sabotage behavior exhibited by victims of abusive supervisors in the service sector.
Genomics Applied to the Analysis of Flowering Time, Abiotic Stress Tolerance and Disease Resistance: A Review of What We Have Learned in Lolium spp.
Authors: Pasquali Elisa , Barcaccia Gianni
Published: September 2020

Flowering time, abiotic stress tolerance and disease resistance are important agronomic traits of forage species like Lolium spp. Understanding the genetic control of these traits is enabled by the combination of genomic tools with conventional breeding techniques. Flowering time in this genus represents a complex trait due to the differences in the primary induction requirements among the species. In total, 36 QTLs (Quantitative Trait Locus) were identified across all seven linkage groups of Italian and perennial ryegrass involved in the flowering pathways, with several putative orthologous/homologous genes that have been characterized in other major crops. From the perspective of climate change, abiotic stress tolerance has become an essential feature; many QTLs that are involved in the control of plant responses have been identified, and transcriptional studies focusing on drought tolerance reported several DEGs (Differentially Expressed Genes) involved in carbon and lipid metabolism and signal transduction. Due to the incidence of microbial diseases, QTLs useful to developing cultivars resistant to bacterial wilt (Xanthomonas translucens pv. graminis), ryegrass crown rust (Puccinia coronata f. sp. Lolii) and gray leaf spot (Magnaporthe grisea/oryzae) have been mapped in both L. perenne and L. multiflorum populations. Due to the great importance of Lolium species, especially as forage crops, additional information about the three aforementioned agronomic traits is needed.
Sociotechnical Context and Agroecological Transition for Smallholder Farms in Benin and Burkina Faso
Authors: Tapsoba Parfait K. , Aoudji Augustin K. N. , Kabore Madeleine , Kestemont Marie-Paule , Legay Christian , Achigan-Dako Enoch G.
Published: September 2020

West Africa is facing the challenge of its population’s food insecurity in a context of accelerated degradation of natural resources. In order to efficiently face this double bottleneck, agroecological interventions were implemented as a way to promote best agricultural practices. Agroecology is a mode of production that nowadays questions our food system which, despite technological progress, still struggles to feed the world’s population. This systematic review is part of the vision of a deep agroecology and aims at analyzing the institutional, political, organizational, and social obstacles and levers for an agroecological transition and its amplification in Burkina Faso and Benin. For this purpose, a structured literature review was conducted using grey and published literature. It appears that despite the mitigated results of the implementation of the Green Revolution model of agricultural production in West Africa, African public authorities seem to have placed once again their faith in conventional production practices to respond to the challenges facing agriculture in the region. This situation goes beyond the regional framework to take root at the national level, (e.g., Burkina Faso, Benin), with the corollary of an apparent lack of institutional interest in sustainable modes of production. However, there is a network of stakeholders who are developing promising initiatives for scaling up agroecological practices.
Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Summertime Atmospheric Volatile Halogenated Hydrocarbons in a Typical Urban Area of Beijing, China
Authors: Ji Yuanyuan , Xu Linghong , Li Hong , Wang Chuhan , Xu Dongyao , Li Lei , Zhang Hao , Duan Jingchun , Zhang Yujie , Wang Xuezhong , Zhang Weiqi , Bi Fang , Chen Yizhen , Yu Yanting , Meng Lingshuo
Published: September 2020

Twenty-three atmospheric volatile halogenated hydrocarbons (VHHs) were detected in a typical urban area of Beijing, China from 24 August to 4 September, 2012. The mean and range in daily mass concentrations of the 23 VHHs were 30.53 and 13.45–76.33 µg/m3, respectively. Seven of those VHHs were controlled ozone-depleting substances in China, with a mean of 12.95 µg/m3, accounting for 42.43% of the total. Compared with other national and international cities, the concentrations of the selected 11 VHHs in this study were relatively higher. Dichloroethane had the highest mass concentration, followed by difluorochloromethane. Maxima of total VHHs occurred within the period 8:30–9:00 a.m., while minima occurred during 1:30–2:00 p.m. Source apportionment suggested that the main sources of VHHs in the study area were solvents usage and industrial processes, leakage of chlorofluorocarbons banks, refrigerants, and fumigant usage. Among the selected 7 VHHs, trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and 1,4-dichlorobenzene posed potential carcinogenic risks to exposed populations, while none of the selected 11 VHHs posed appreciable non-carcinogenic risks to exposed populations. The carcinogenic risks from atmospheric VHHs in Beijing are higher than in other Chinese cities, indicating that it is necessary to implement immediate control measures for atmospheric VHHs in Beijing.
The Impact of Ensemble Meteorology on Inverse Modeling Estimates of Volcano Emissions and Ash Dispersion Forecasts: Grímsvötn 2011
Authors: Harvey Natalie J. , Dacre Helen F. , Webster Helen N. , Taylor Isabelle A. , Khanal Sujan , Grainger Roy G. , Cooke Michael C.
Published: September 2020

Volcanic ash can interact with the earth system on many temporal and spatial scales and is a significant hazard to aircraft. In the event of a volcanic eruption, fast and robust decisions need to be made by aviation authorities about which routes are safe to operate. Such decisions take into account forecasts of ash location issued by Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAACs) which are informed by simulations from Volcanic Ash Transport and Dispersion (VATD) models. The estimation of the time-evolving vertical distribution of ash emissions for use in VATD simulations in real time is difficult which can lead to large uncertainty in these forecasts. This study presents a method for constraining the ash emission estimates by combining an inversion modeling technique with an ensemble of meteorological forecasts, resulting in an ensemble of ash emission estimates. These estimates of ash emissions can be used to produce a robust ash forecast consistent with observations. This new ensemble approach is applied to the 2011 eruption of the Icelandic volcano Grímsvötn. The resulting emission profiles each have a similar temporal evolution but there are differences in the magnitude of ash emitted at different heights. For this eruption, the impact of precipitation uncertainty (and the associated wet deposition of ash) on the estimate of the total amount of ash emitted is larger than the impact of the uncertainty in the wind fields. Despite the differences that are dominated by wet deposition uncertainty, the ensemble inversion provides confidence that the reduction of the unconstrained emissions (a priori), particularly above 4 km, is robust across all members. In this case, the use of posterior emission profiles greatly reduces the magnitude and extent of the forecast ash cloud. The ensemble of posterior emission profiles gives a range of ash column loadings much closer in agreement with a set of independent satellite retrievals in comparison to the a priori emissions. Furthermore, airspace containing volcanic ash concentrations deemed to be associated with the highest risk (likelihood of exceeding a high concentration threshold) to aviation are reduced by over 85%. Such improvements could have large implications in emergency response situations. Future research will focus on quantifying the impact of uncertainty in precipitation forecasts on wet deposition in other eruptions and developing an inversion system that makes use of the state-of-the-art meteorological ensembles which has the potential to be used in an operational setting.
Metasurfaces as Artificial Crystals for Electromagnetic Polarization Handling
Authors: Zanotto Simone
Published: September 2020

Metasurfaces acting on electromagnetic fields have emerged as powerful tools that can address all the wave’s degrees of freedom: amplitude, phase and polarization. It is especially with respect to polarization that their role is steadily growing: metasurfaces can indeed perform, by design, operations that would usually require very specific, delicate and expensive natural or synthetic ordinary crystals. Here, I will first briefly review the history of light polarization, and its connection with ordinary crystals. Subsequently, I will highlight in which sense metasurfaces are artificial quasi-two-dimensional crystals, evidencing their potential as future polarization-handling (meta) materials.
Martensitic Transformation and Crystalline Structure of Ni50Mn50−xSnx Melt-Spun Heusler Alloys
Authors: Ameur Rim , Chemingui Mahmoud , Bachaga Tarek , Escoda Lluisa , Khitouni Mohamed , Suñol Joan-Josep
Published: September 2020

The structure and thermal behavior are key factors that influence the functional response of Ni–Mn–Sn alloys. The present study reports the production as well as the structure and thermal analysis of melt-spun (solidification rate: 40 ms−1) Ni50 Mn50−xSnx (x = 10, 11, 12 and 13 at.%) alloys. X-ray diffraction measurements were performed at room temperature. The austenite state has an L21 structure, whereas the structure of the martensite is 7M or 10M (depending on the Sn/Mn percentage). Furthermore, the structural martensitic transformation was detected by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). As expected, upon increasing the Sn content, the characteristic temperatures also increase. The same tendency is detected in the thermodynamic parameters (entropy and enthalpy). The e/a control allows the development production of alloys with a transformation close to room temperature.
Frustulia tunariensis sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae) from the Andes of Bolivia, South America
Authors: Morales Eduardo A.
Published: September 2020

Frustulia tunariensis sp. nov. is originated from a high-altitude peatland in the Tunari Cordillera, a branch of the Andean range in Bolivia. The new taxon is distinguished by the thick longitudinal ribs, the globose polar nodule with faint helictoglossa that does not produce an apical extension, and by the high areola and stria density, not found in any of the morphologically closely related taxa. Features of the folded valvocopula, such as the presence of a siliceous membrane as pars interior, and poroids present in the tube-like portion opening as slits to the valve interior and as a single row of poroids to the exterior, are also unique characters in the new taxon. Based on a literature review, a comparison of the newly proposed species with morphologically similar taxa was made. Also, published information shows the potential of girdle bands to distinguish groups of species and species themselves within Frustulia. Likewise, remarks on the ecological and distribution aspects of Frustulia in the Bolivian Altiplano are included, focusing on taxonomic quality, geographic coverage and sampling, and potential to represent the genus in the high Bolivian Andean plateau.
Black-Backed Woodpecker Nest Density in the Sierra Nevada, California
Authors: Hanson Chad T. , Chi Tonja Y.
Published: September 2020

In the western U.S., the black-backed woodpecker has been found to be associated with dense montane conifer forests with high snag densities, typically resulting from moderate- to high-severity wildland fires. However, black-backed woodpeckers are occasionally also detected nesting in unburned forests, raising questions about the type of habitat in which they nest and the potential abundance of such habitat. We conducted intensive black-backed woodpecker nest density surveys in large plots within the middle/upper-montane conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada, California, within general (undisturbed) forests, snag forest habitat from moderate/high-severity wildland fire, and unburned snag forest habitat from drought and native bark beetles. We found black-backed woodpeckers nesting only in the two snag forest conditions, mostly in burned snag forest, and their preferential selection of burned snag forest was statistically significant. No nest was found in general forests. Our spatial analysis indicates that snag forest is rare in the forests of the Sierra Nevada due to fire suppression and logging, raising concerns regarding small population size, which we estimate to be only 461 to 772 pairs in the Sierra Nevada.
Demersal Fish Assemblages in NE Atlantic Seagrass and Kelp
Authors: Furness Evie , Unsworth Richard K.F.
Published: September 2020

Global fisheries are in decline, calling for urgent evidence-based action. One such action is the identification and protection of fishery-associated habitats such as seagrass meadows and kelp forests, both of which have suffered long-term loss and degradation in the North Atlantic region. Direct comparisons of the value of seagrass and kelp in supporting demersal fish assemblages are largely absent from the literature. Here, we address this knowledge gap. Demersal fish were sampled using a baited camera to test for differences between habitats in (1) the species composition of the fish assemblages, (2) the total abundance and species richness of fishes, and (3) the abundances of major commercial species. Seagrass and kelp-associated fish assemblages formed two significantly distinct groupings, which were driven by increased whiting (Merlangius merlangus) and dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) presence in seagrass and higher abundances of pollock (Pollachius pollachius) and goby (Gobiusculus flavescens) in kelp. The abundance, diversity, and species richness did not change significantly between the two habitats. We conclude that seagrass and kelp do support unique demersal fish assemblages, providing evidence that they have different ecological value through their differing support of commercial fish species. Thus, this study improves the foundation for evidence-based policy changes.
Developing a Preoperative Algorithm for the Diagnosis of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Lawlor Hannah , Ward Alexandra , Maclean Alison , Lane Steven , Adishesh Meera , Taylor Sian , DeCruze Shandya Bridget , Hapangama Dharani Kosala
Published: September 2020

Early diagnosis of the rare and life-threatening uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is essential for prompt treatment, to improve survival. Preoperative distinction of LMS from benign leiomyoma remains a challenge, and thus LMS is often diagnosed post-operatively. This retrospective observational study evaluated the predictive diagnostic utility of 32 preoperative variables in 190 women who underwent a hysterectomy, with a postoperative diagnosis of leiomyoma (n = 159) or LMS (n = 31), at the Liverpool Women’s National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, between 2010 and 2019. A total of 7 preoperative variables were associated with increased odds of LMS, including postmenopausal status (p < 0.001, OR 3.08), symptoms of pressure (p = 0.002, OR 2.7), postmenopausal bleeding (p = 0.001, OR 5.01), neutrophil count ≥7.5 × 109/L (p < 0.001, OR 5.72), haemoglobin level <118 g/L (p = 0.037, OR 2.22), endometrial biopsy results of cellular atypia or neoplasia (p = 0.001, OR 9.6), and a mass size of ≥10 cm on radiological imaging (p < 0.0001, OR 8.52). This study has identified readily available and easily identifiable preoperative clinical variables that can be implemented into clinical practice to discern those with high risk of LMS, for further specialist investigations in women presenting with symptoms of leiomyoma.
Mayenite Electrides and Their Doped Forms for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Kuganathan Navaratnarajah , Vovk Ruslan V. , Chroneos Alexander
Published: September 2020

The oxygen reduction reaction is an important reaction at the cathode in solid oxide fuel cells. Materials that exhibit high chemical and mechanical stability, high ionic and electronic conductivity, and are non-toxic are of great interest as cathodes for the reduction of oxygen. Here, we use density functional theory simulations to examine the efficacy of 12CaO·7Al2O3 and 12SrO·7Al2O3 electrides and their doped forms for the conversion of O2 gas to form O2− in their nanocages via encapsulation. Calculations show that encapsulation is exoergic in the un-doped electrides, and the formation of O2− is confirmed by the charge analysis. A stronger encapsulation is noted for C12A7 electride than the S12A7 electride. The C12A7 electride doped with B or Ga also exhibits exoergic encapsulation, but its encapsulation energy is slightly lower than that calculated for the un-doped C12A7 electride. There is an enhancement in the encapsulation for the S12A7 electride doped with B compared to its un-doped form. Doping of Ga in S12A7 electride exhibits only a very small change in the encapsulation with respect to its un-doped form. The present results can be of interest in the design of cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells.
Digital Luminaire Design Using LED Digital Twins—Accuracy and Reduced Computation Time: A Delphi4LED Methodology
Authors: van der Schans Marc , Yu Joan , Martin Genevieve
Published: September 2020

Light-emitting diode (LED) digital twins enable the implementation of fast digital design flows for LED-based products as the lighting industry moves towards Industry 4.0. The LED digital twin developed in the European project Delphi4LED mimics the thermal-electrical-optical behavior of a physical LED. It consists of two parts: a package-level LED compact thermal model (CTM), coupled to a chip-level multi-domain model. In this paper, the accuracy and computation time reductions achieved by using LED CTMs, compared to LED detailed thermal models, in 3D system-level models with a large number of LEDs are investigated. This is done up to luminaire-level, where all heat transfer mechanisms are accounted for, and up to 60 LEDs. First, we characterize a physical phosphor-converted white high-power LED and apply LED-level modelling to produce an LED detailed model and an LED CTM following the Delphi4LED methodology. It is shown that the steady-state junction temperature errors of the LED CTM, compared to the detailed model, are smaller than 2% on LED-level. To assess the accuracy and the reduction of computation time that can be realized in a 3D system-level model with a large number of LEDs, two use cases are considered: (1) an LED module-level model, and (2) an LED luminaire-level model. In the LED module-level model, the LED CTMs predict junction temperatures within about 6% of the LED detailed models, and reduce the calculation time by up to nearly a factor 13. In the LED luminaire-level model, the LED CTMs predict junctions temperatures within about 1% of LED detailed models and reduce the calculation time by about a factor of 4. This shows that the achievable computation time reduction depends on the complexity of the 3D model environment. Nevertheless, the results demonstrate that using LED CTMs has the potential to significantly decrease computation times in 3D system-level models with large numbers of LEDs, while maintaining junction temperature accuracy.
Drilling Localization and Error Analysis of Radial Horizontal Jet Drilling Based on Magnetic Gradient Tensor
Authors: Liu Zhongxiang , Wei Minghui , Zhang Peng , Zhang Yutao , Lu Tingtao , Xiong Rui , Qin Changchun
Published: September 2020

To obtain the real-time drilling trajectory of radial horizontal jet drilling (RHJD), a magnetized nozzle localization method based on magnetic gradient tensor (MGT) is proposed. The MGT system consisting of five tri-axial magnetometers, a tri-axial accelerometer, and a tri-axial gyroscope are installed in the casing. The magnetized nozzle is made of a strong magnetic permanent magnet whose position can be obtained by measuring the MGT generated by itself at the measurement point. The simulation and experiment of the localization method are carried out, which show that the method has high accuracy. When the detection distance is 40 m, the error is only 0.07 m, which meets the requirements of engineering practice. The accuracy of the magnetometer, the baseline distance and the magnetization strength of the nozzle are the main factors affecting the localization error. This localization method can meet the requirements of positioning accuracy in practical engineering, which greatly avoids the drilling failure of RHJD and has a wide application prospect.
Performance Analysis of Axial-Flux Induction Motor with Skewed Rotor
Authors: Keskin Arabul Fatma , Senol Ibrahim , Oner Yasemin
Published: September 2020

In recent years, with developing technology in the field of electrical machines, more efficient and high power density electric motors have been produced. The use of high energy efficiency motors gains importance due to the increase in global energy demand. The main purpose of this study was to design an Axial Flux Induction Motor (AFIM) with the same efficiency class as the Radial Flux Induction Motor (RFIM) in premium efficiency (IE3) class which is used commonly in industrial applications. Various AFIMs are designed with different rotor slot numbers and performance analyses as efficiency and torque ripple changes are investigated. It is known that torque ripple is one of the key parameters in electrical machine design which should be kept as low as possible without decreasing efficiency and torque. Accordingly, AFIMs’ rotor slots are skewed considering the stator and rotor slot numbers. The use of a Soft Magnetic Composites (SMC) material in design is also investigated. As a result of the analyses, many premium efficiency classes for AFIMs are obtained. In addition, using SMC material and skewing the rotor slots provides that torque ripples be reduced.
Fast Pyrolysis of Lignin Pretreated with Magnesium Formate and Magnesium Hydroxide
Authors: Patel Mayank , Hill Nick , Mullen Charles A. , Gunukula Sampath , DeSisto William J.
Published: September 2020

Kraft lignin (Indulin AT) pretreated with magnesium formate and magnesium hydroxide was fast-pyrolyzed in a continuously fed, bench-scale system. To avoid fouling issues typically associated with lignin pyrolysis, a simple laboratory test was used to determine suitable ranges of magnesium hydroxide and formic acid to lignin for feeding without plugging problems. Various feedstock formulations of lignin pretreated with magnesium hydroxide and formic acid were pyrolyzed. For comparison, calcium formate pretreated lignin was also tested. The organic oil yield ranged from 9% to 17% wt % on a lignin basis. Carbon yields in the oil ranged from 10% to 18% wt % on a lignin basis. Magnesium formate pretreatment increased oil yield and carbon yield in the oil up to 35% relative to the higher 1:1 g magnesium hydroxide/g lignin pretreatment. However, a lower magnesium hydroxide pretreatment (0.5:1 g magnesium hydroxide/g lignin) resulted in oil yields and carbon yields in the oils similar to the magnesium formate pretreatments. Magnesium formate pretreatment produced more oil but with a higher oxygen content than calcium formate under the same conditions. The GC-MS analysis of product oils indicated that phenols and aromatics were more prevalent in pyrolyzed magnesium-formate-pretreated lignin.
Design and Installation of 500-kW Floating Photovoltaic Structures Using High-Durability Steel
Authors: Kim Sun-Hee , Baek Seung-Cheol , Choi Ki-Bong , Park Sung-Jin
Published: September 2020

Countries around the world are expanding their investment in the new and renewable energy industry for strengthening energy security, improving air pollution, responding to climate change, and tackling energy poverty. In Korea, with the nuclear phase-out declaration in 2017, the government has announced a policy to expand the ratio of new and renewable energy from 4.7% to 20% by 2030. This study examines a floating photovoltaic power generation system, which is a new and renewable energy source. A structure composed of high-durability steel with excellent corrosion resistance and durability was designed for constructing and installing a 500-kW-class floating photovoltaic power generation structure. In addition, the safety of the structure was verified through finite element analysis. By reviewing the safety of the structure with respect to the wave height, the behavior of the structure was confirmed through the design wave height formula proposed in the domestic standard. The verification result confirms that the stress is within the allowable design limit. Moreover, the energy production of the floating photovoltaic generation system was measured and compared with that of a terrestrial photovoltaic generation system, and that of the former was shown to be 10% higher than that of the latter.
Chloroplast Haplotypes of Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra L.) Stands in Germany Suggest Their Origin from Northeastern Canada
Authors: Götz Jeremias , Krutovsky Konstantin V. , Leinemann Ludger , Müller Markus , Rajora Om P. , Gailing Oliver
Published: September 2020

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) is one of the most important foreign tree species in Germany and considered as a major candidate for prospective sustainable forestry in the face of climate change. Therefore, Q. rubra was subject of many previous studies on its growth traits and attempts to infer the origin of various populations of this species using nuclear and chloroplast DNA markers. However, the exact geographic origin of German red oak stands has still not been identified. Its native range widely extends over North America, and the species can tolerate a broad range of environmental conditions. We genotyped individual trees in 85 populations distributed in Germany and North America using five chloroplast microsatellite and three novel chloroplast CAPS markers, resulting in the identification of 29 haplotypes. The new marker set enabled the identification of several new red oak haplotypes with restricted geographic origin. Some very rare haplotypes helped us narrow down the origin of Q. rubra stands in Germany, especially some stands from North Rhine-Westphalia, to the northern part of the species’ natural distribution area including the Peninsula of Nova Scotia, where the most similar haplotype composition was observed, compared to distinct German stands.
Xeric Tree Populations Exhibit Delayed Summer Depletion of Root Starch Relative to Mesic Counterparts
Authors: Oswald Scott W. , Aubrey Doug P.
Published: September 2020

Research linking soil moisture availability to nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) storage suggests greater NSC reserves promote survival under acute water stress, but little is known about how NSC allocation responds to long-term differences in water availabilty. We hypothesized populations experiencing chronic or frequent water stress shift carbon allocation to build greater NSC reserves for increased survival probability during drought relative to populations rarely experiencing water stress. Over a year, we measured soluble sugar and starch concentrations from branches, stems, and coarse roots of mature Pinus palustris trees at two sites differing in long-term soil moisture availability. Xeric and mesic populations exhibited a cycle of summer depletion-winter accumulation in root starch. Xeric populations reached a maximum root starch concentration approximately 1–2 months later than mesic populations, indicating delayed summer depletion. Xeric and mesic populations reached the same minimum root starch at similar times, suggesting extended winter accumulation for xeric populations. These results suggest seasonal mobilization from root starch is compressed into a shorter interval for xeric populations instead of consistently greater reserves as hypothesized. Seasonal trends differed little between xeric and mesic populations for starch and sugars, suggesting the importance of roots in seasonal carbon dynamics and the primacy of starch for storage. If roots are the primary organ for longterm storage, then our results suggest that whole-plant mobilization and allocation respond to chronic differences in water availability.
Living in Drylands: Functional Adaptations of Trees and Shrubs to Cope with High Temperatures and Water Scarcity
Authors: Peguero-Pina José Javier , Vilagrosa Alberto , Alonso-Forn David , Ferrio Juan Pedro , Sancho-Knapik Domingo , Gil-Pelegrín Eustaquio
Published: September 2020

Plant functioning and survival in drylands are affected by the combination of high solar radiation, high temperatures, low relative humidity, and the scarcity of available water. Many ecophysiological studies have dealt with the adaptation of plants to cope with these stresses in hot deserts, which are the territories that have better evoked the idea of a dryland. Nevertheless, drylands can also be found in some other areas of the Earth that are under the Mediterranean-type climates, which imposes a strong aridity during summer. In this review, plant species from hot deserts and Mediterranean-type climates serve as examples for describing and analyzing the different responses of trees and shrubs to aridity in drylands, with special emphasis on the structural and functional adaptations of plants to avoid the negative effects of high temperatures under drought conditions. First, we analyze the adaptations of plants to reduce the input of energy by diminishing the absorbed solar radiation through (i) modifications of leaf angle and (ii) changes in leaf optical properties. Afterwards, we analyze several strategies that enhance the ability for heat dissipation through (i) leaf size reduction and changes in leaf shape (e.g., through lobed leaves), and (ii) increased transpiration rates (i.e., water-spender strategy), with negative consequences in terms of photosynthetic capacity and water consumption, respectively. Finally, we also discuss the alternative strategy showed by water-saver plants, a common drought resistance strategy in hot and dry environments that reduces water consumption at the expense of diminishing the ability for leaf cooling. In conclusion, trees and shrubs living in drylands have developed effective functional adaptations to cope with the combination of high temperature and water scarcity, all of them with clear benefits for plant functioning and survival, but also with different costs concerning water use, carbon gain, and/or leaf cooling.
Unveiling COVID-19 from CHEST X-Ray with Deep Learning: A Hurdles Race with Small Data
Authors: Tartaglione Enzo , Barbano Carlo Alberto , Berzovini Claudio , Calandri Marco , Grangetto Marco
Published: September 2020

The possibility to use widespread and simple chest X-ray (CXR) imaging for early screening of COVID-19 patients is attracting much interest from both the clinical and the AI community. In this study we provide insights and also raise warnings on what is reasonable to expect by applying deep learning to COVID classification of CXR images. We provide a methodological guide and critical reading of an extensive set of statistical results that can be obtained using currently available datasets. In particular, we take the challenge posed by current small size COVID data and show how significant can be the bias introduced by transfer-learning using larger public non-COVID CXR datasets. We also contribute by providing results on a medium size COVID CXR dataset, just collected by one of the major emergency hospitals in Northern Italy during the peak of the COVID pandemic. These novel data allow us to contribute to validate the generalization capacity of preliminary results circulating in the scientific community. Our conclusions shed some light into the possibility to effectively discriminate COVID using CXR.
Impact of Job Insecurity on Psychological Well- and Ill-Being among High Performance Coaches
Authors: Bentzen Marte , Kenttä Göran , Richter Anne , Lemyre Pierre-Nicolas
Published: September 2020

Background: The evaluative nature of high performance (HP) sport fosters performance expectations that can be associated with harsh scrutiny, criticism, and job insecurity. In this context, (HP) sport is described as a highly competitive, complex, and turbulent work environment. The aim of this longitudinal, quantitative study was to explore whether HP coaches’ perceptions of job insecurity and job value incongruence in relation to work would predict their psychological well- and ill-being over time. Methods: HP coaches (n = 299) responded to an electronic questionnaire at the start, middle, and end of a competitive season, designed to measure the following: job insecurity, values, psychological well-being (vitality and satisfaction with work), and psychological ill-being (exhaustion and cynicism). Structural equation model analyses were conducted using Mplus. Results: Experiencing higher levels of job insecurity during the middle of the season significantly predicted an increase in coaches’ psychological ill-being, and a decrease in their psychological well-being at the end of the season. However, value incongruence did not have a significant longitudinal impact. Conclusions: These findings cumulatively indicate that coaches’ perceptions of job insecurity matter to their psychological health at work. Consequently, it is recommended that coaches and organizations acknowledge and discuss how to handle job security within the HP sport context.
How Older Citizens in Germany Perceive and Handle Their Food Environment—A Qualitative Exploratory Study
Authors: Rueter Jana , Brandstetter Susanne , Curbach Janina , Lindacher Verena , Warrelmann Berit , Loss Julika
Published: September 2020

Apart from individual factors like knowledge or personal motivation, the environment also influences a person’s eating behaviour. Food environments can be described as the collective physical, economic, policy and sociocultural surroundings, opportunities and conditions that influence people’s food choices and nutritional status. In order to explore how older citizens in rural Germany perceive and handle their food environment, we conducted semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 35 older adults (71 ± 7 years), asking about micro-, meso- and macro-level influences on eating habits. Participants reported social factors to be crucial in shaping their diets, such as preferences of family members or social expectations connected to roles (guest, host). On a physical level, structural aspects and resources in their nearby surroundings influenced shopping and eating behaviour (for example access to an own vegetable garden, local shopping facilities and restaurants). Macro-level influences such as the food industry were hardly mentioned. Participants noticed that the environment affects their diets but dealt with undesired influences using strategies of adaptation and behaviour change, rather than challenging the environmental influences. Public health projects should raise the awareness of the multiple environmental influences on eating behaviour and also help people to create healthier food environments.
Racial Differences in the Biochemical Effects of Stress in Pregnancy
Authors: Ekeke Paris , Mendez Dara D. , Yanowitz Toby D. , Catov Janet M.
Published: September 2020

Prenatal stress has been linked to preterm birth via inflammatory dysregulation. We conducted a cross-sectional study on female participants who delivered live, singleton infants at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Magee Women’s Hospital. Participants (n = 200) were stratified by cumulative risk scores using a combination of individual factors (maternal education, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, relationship status, obesity, depression) and neighborhood deprivation scores. We hypothesized that inflammatory cytokines levels differ by risk group and race. Multiplex analyses of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13 and TNF-alpha were run. We found that Black birthing people had more risk factors for chronic stress and had lower levels of IL-6 compared to White birthing people. When stratified by risk group and race, low-risk Black birthing people had lower levels of IL-6 compared to low-risk White birthing people, and high-risk Black birthing people had lower levels of IL-8 compared to high-risk White birthing people. Higher area deprivation scores were associated with lower IL-6 levels. Our results suggest that the relationship between chronic stress and inflammatory cytokines is modified by race. We theorize that Black birthing people encounter repetitive stress due to racism and social disadvantage which may result in stress pathway desensitization and a blunted cytokine response to future stressors.
The Association of Grip Strength with Depressive Symptoms among Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Different Chronic Diseases
Authors: Marconcin Priscila , Peralta Miguel , Ferrari Gerson , Gaspar de Matos Margarida , Espanha Margarida , Murawska-Ciałowicz Eugenia , Marques Adilson
Published: September 2020

Low grip strength has been associated with an increase in depressive symptoms, independent of age group or gender, although the literature has not investigated this association among different chronic diseases. The present study aims to investigate the association of grip strength and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults with different chronic diseases. A cross-section of data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe wave 6 (collected in 2015) was analysed. Grip strength was measured by a handgrip dynamometer, and the European Depression Symptoms 12-item scale (EURO-D) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. Those in the high strength tertile had 42% (95% confidence interval: 0.50, 0.71; p < 0.005) and 41% (95% confidence interval: 0.50, 0.70; p < 0.001) lower odds of depressive symptoms in the ‘no disease’ and in the ‘metabolic diseases’ groups of participants, respectively, compared with those in the lower strength tertile. No statistically significant relationship between grip strength and depression was observed in the ‘arthritis diseases’ group of participants. The association of grip strength with depressive symptoms must consider, besides gender and age group, the chronic conditions that an individual could have.
Rationing of Nursing Care in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Młynarska Agnieszka , Krawuczka Anna , Kolarczyk Ewelina , Uchmanowicz Izabella
Published: September 2020

The nursing practice refers to a wide range of tasks and responsibilities. In a situation where there is a problem of limited resources, nurses are forced to ration the patient’s care—that is, minimize and skip some tasks. The main purpose of this work was to assess the rationing level of nursing care among staff in the intensive care units. Methods: The research included 150 anaesthesiological nurses in the Silesian Region in Poland. The research was conducted from July to October 2019 using the standardized Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care (PRINCA) questionnaire on rationing nursing care, assessing the quality of patient care, and job satisfaction. The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) standardized questionnaire was used to assess the level of fatigue of respondents in the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial spheres. Results: Sociodemographic factors, such as gender, age, place of residence, education, seniority, and type of employment were not found to affect the rationing level of nursing care in the intensive care unit. The average quality of patient care was 6.05/10 points, while the average job satisfaction rating was 7.13/10 points. Analysis of the MFIS questionnaire showed that respondents experienced fatigue between “rare” and “sometimes”, and nursing staff fatigue was the main factor for rationing care. Conclusions: The higher the level of fatigue, the greater the rationing of care and the less satisfaction from work.
Inadequate Regulation of the Geological Aspects of Shale Exploitation in the UK
Authors: Smythe David K.
Published: September 2020

Unconventional oil and gas exploitation, which has developed in the UK since 2009, is regulated by four main agencies: The Oil and Gas Authority, the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive and local Mineral Planning Authorities (usually county councils). The British Geological Survey only has an advisory role, as have ad hoc expert committees. I firstly define terms, and summarise the remits of the regulators and background history. Fourteen case histories are then discussed, comprising most of the unconventional exploitation to date; these cases demonstrate the failure of regulation of the geological aspects of fracking operations in the UK. The regulators let inadequacies in geological understanding, and even mendacious geological interpretations by the hydrocarbon operators slip through the net. There are potentially severe implications for environmental safety—if and when permits are granted. Geological pathways, if not properly understood and mitigated, may lead to long-term pollution of groundwater and surface water; methane and H2S emissions. Induced earthquakes have not been well regulated. The case histories demonstrate a laissez-faire and frequently incompetent regulatory regime, devised for the pre-unconventional era, and which has no geological oversight or insight.
The Recommended and Excessive Preventive Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Community-Based Online Survey in China
Authors: Ye Yisheng , Wang Ruoxi , Feng Da , Wu Ruijun , Li Zhifei , Long Chengxu , Feng Zhanchun , Tang Shangfeng
Published: September 2020

COVID-19 presents unprecedented challenges to the global public health response. Preventive behaviors and keeping social distance are regarded as compelling ways to prevent COVID-19. This study focused on the sociological and psychological factors associated with proper and excessive preventive behaviors of the COVID-19 outbreak in China. For the sample, we collected the data of 4788 participants who were surveyed between 4 April and 15 April 2020 from eight provinces in China. This study designed a self-filled questionnaire that included demographic information, six components of the Health Belief Model, and target preventive behaviors. Descriptive analysis, Chi-square test, logistic regression analysis, Mantel–Haenszel hierarchical analysis, and propensity score matching were employed in this study. The results showed that 54.7% of the participants had adequate basic prevention, 63.6% of the participants had adequate advanced prevention, and 5.8% of the participants practiced excessive prevention. The elder participants were less likely to engage in proper preventive behaviors. Perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and knowledge levels were associated with preventive behaviors. Excessive preventive behaviors in high-risk groups with suspected symptoms were associated with their extreme psychological condition, while the support from the community and family plays an important role in avoiding these behaviors.