bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relacionamiento, apego y agresividad: Preadolescentes de colegios públicos en Santa Marta, Colombia
Authors: Alzate Duque Viviana Marcela , Zabarain Cogollo Sara Josefina
Published: August 2019

A través de esta caracterización de los tipos de relación entre preadolescentes con sus padres y compañeros, esta investigación pretende describir los elementos en la conexión con sus padres (en aspectos como el apego, la comunicación, la confianza, la alienación, la distancia familiar y el bloqueo parental) e identifica elementos como comportamiento agresivo o intimidación escolar (cuando está presente en la relación con sus compañeros).  La muestra se obtuvo en un grupo de 70 estudiantes al azar de 5 colegios públicos en Santa Marta, Colombia; estos cursaban sexto grado, entre 8 y 12 años, con un margen de error de 10%. Los datos del estudio fueron recolectados con herramientas como el Test de Figuras Humanas (Koppitz, 1982), la Prueba Familiar de Corman (1961), el IPPA: Inventario de Apego con Padres y Pares (Armsden & Greenberg, 1987; Pardo, Pineda, Carrillo y Castro, 2006), y la Escala Abreviada del Cuestionario de Intimidación Escolar (Moratto, Cárdenas, & Berbesí, 2012). Los resultados obtenidos destacan una comunicación moderada-baja y la confianza de los preadolescentes hacia sus padres, con bajos índices de alienación y percepción de distanciamiento familiar; Además, los tipos de apego que predominan entre ellos son ansioso-inseguros, ambivalentes y evasivos. En cuanto a las relaciones con los compañeros, el índice inconsciente de agresión e impulsividad fueron pruebas, con bajos sentimientos de culpa, así como la manifestación mínima consciente de la admisión de algún tipo de intimidación escolar. Además, el estudio identifica que las prácticas más frecuentes de esta población implican signos de agresividad pasiva como exclusión, ocultamiento de cosas y ser llamado por sobrenombres.
Vida, cognición y sociedad: La Teoría de la Autopoiesis de Maturana y Varela
Authors: Garavito Gómez Maria Clara , Villamil Lozano Andres Felipe
Published: August 2019

En este artículo brindamos elementos para comprender la relación entre lo biológico (entendido como lo que se considera innato o heredado genéticamente) y lo social (lo dado por la relación con el ambiente y la experiencia con otros) en la constitución del ser humano. Nuestra perspectiva cuestiona la separación de esas dos esferas al sostener que ellas están entrelazadas en la autopoiesis de lo vivo. Desde la Teoría de la Autopoiesis, entenderemos a los organismos como sistemas cognitivos que dan sentido al mundo en la medida en que se relacionan con él. En esa experiencia de sentido, lo que es el adentro y el afuera se va resignificando, de modo que la vida va encontrando nuevas maneras de complejizarse. La sociedad es uno de los resultados de la complejización de los seres vivos o autopoiéticos, por lo que se discuten las principales propuestas para entender las sociedades desde la autopoiesis. Al final, se plantea que entre las organizaciones sociales hay unas más complejas, y por ende, más inteligentes, de acuerdo al acoplamiento entre los componentes (los individuos que conforman la sociedad) y el acoplamiento del sistema social con los retos que el mundo le exige.
Justicia retributiva y restaurativa: Análisis comparado a través de estudios de caso en el Valle del Cauca
Authors: Arocha Ramírez Daniela , De la Rosa Guzmán Eilyn Akira , Molina Valencia Nelson
Published: August 2019

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo explorar y comparar las experiencias de personas quienes tienen procesos en el marco de justicia retributiva (tres casos) y en el de justicia restaurativa (tres casos). Para lo anterior, se realizaron estudios de caso a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas en las que se indagó por las comprensiones de justicia, responsabilidad, castigo y reconstrucción de lazos en cada uno de los modelos. Entre los hallazgos más relevantes destaca el hecho que, en ambos marcos de justicia, la pena impuesta para resarcir el daño causado es percibida y vivida como castigo, en particular en la justicia retributiva la persona lleva su proceso aislada en la cárcel, lo que genera rupturas sociales y, por ende, conlleva a que esta institución no cumpla con su fin resocializador. Por su parte, quienes tienen un proceso en el marco restaurativo refieren a una sanción que implica la inmersión en diferentes escenarios sociales que contribuyen a la reparación del daño cometido, lo que repercute en el desarrollo de lazos sociales. En conclusión, aunque ambos modelos de justicia suponen formas de castigo por la falta cometida, en la justicia restaurativa se fomenta y trabaja la responsabilidad del victimario con la sociedad, se provee un lugar y una reparación directa a la víctima, a la vez que se trabaja por la reconstrucción del tejido social. Por lo anterior, su implementación debe ser pensada más allá de la dejación de armas.
REMAJA DAN PANDANGANNYA TERHADAP CYBERBULLYING PADA MEDIA FACEBOOK
Authors: Winoto Yunus
Published: August 2019

Penelitian ini mengkaji mengenai pandangan para remaja terhadap kegiatan cyberbullying pada media facebook.  Penelitian dilakukan terhadap para siswa Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA). Dalam konteks komunikasi ada dua aspek yang dikaji kaitannya dengan kegiatan cyberbullying yaitu aspek verbal dan non verbal dengan  tiga indikator yakni  interaktivitas, konektivitas dan Akses.  Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif dengan pendekatan survei desrikptif. Adapun teori yang digunakan sebagai pijakan dalam mengkaji masalah ini yakni teori perubahan radikal yang untuk mengukur seberapa besarkah pandangan para remaja dalam melihat  kegiatan cyberbullying. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah para siswa   dan untuk teknik penarikan sampelnya menggunakan teknik simple random sampling. Analisis data dilakukan dengan menggunakan teknik analisis secara deskriptif. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diperoleh gambaran bahwa para remaja dilihat dari aspek interaktivitas, konektivitas maupun akses yang pada umumnya cukup baik. Sedangkan dilihat dari bentuk komunikasi yang dalam kegiatan cyberbullying, para remaja berpandangan bahwa cyberbullying yang dikakukan secara verbal akan terlihat lebih kasar, kejam dan lebih terkesan sadis. Sedangkan jika cyberbullying yang disampaikan dengan menggunakan bahasa non verbal, apalagi jika disajikan dengan mengunakan gambar dan simbol-simbol yang lucu kendatipun  tetap merupakan perbuatan yang kurang terpuji menurut pandangan para remaja tidak akan begitu terasa menyakitkan bagi orang yang di bully-nya.
Factors Driving Rice Land Change 1989–2018 in the Deli Serdang Regency, Indonesia
Authors: Siagian Deddy Romulo , Shrestha Rajendra P. , Shrestha Sangam , Kuwornu John K. M.
Published: August 2019

The Deli Serdang Regency produces amongst the highest amounts of rice in the province of North Sumatera in Indonesia. Due to land use change and stagnant productivity, the total rice land area and its production have gradually decreased over the years. Hence, understanding this issue is crucial, especially to ensure the sustainability of rice production in the future. The objectives of this study were to identify the trends in land use change (especially regarding rice land) and to investigate the factors affecting rice land change. We classified the satellite images acquired for the years 1989, 1994, 2003, 2009, and 2018 to determine the total area of various land uses. The factors driving rice land change were analyzed using biophysical and socio-economic factors identified from the collected primary and secondary data. The primary data were derived from field surveys, soil analysis, and household surveys, and the secondary data were derived from the Statistical Institution of the Deli Serdang Regency. Correlation analysis, principle component analysis, binary logistic regression, normalization, and weighted index were used to investigate the factors driving rice land change. The results show that forest and rice land have continuously decreased, while plantations and urban areas have continuously increased over this period. We found that the majority of rice land has been converted to plantation expansion and urban development, especially from 2009 to 2018. The factors most affecting rice land change were the distance of rice land to the district capital, the distance of rice land to the provincial capital, population density, slope, and the distance of farmers’ rice land to a road. A suitability map for rice land was generated. All the outputs could help with making appropriate strategic decisions to achieve sustainable land use management, especially for rice land.
Examination of the Expression of Immunity Genes and Bacterial Profiles in the Caecum of Growing Chickens Infected with Salmonella Enteritidis and Fed a Phytobiotic
Authors: Laptev Georgi Yu. , Filippova Valentina A. , Kochish Ivan I. , Yildirim Elena A. , Ilina Larisa A. , Dubrovin Andrei V. , Brazhnik Evgeni A. , Novikova Natalia I. , Novikova Oksana B. , Dmitrieva Margarita E. , Smolensky Vladimir I. , Surai Peter F. , Griffin Darren K. , Romanov Michael N.
Published: August 2019

This study was performed to investigate the differential expression of eight immunity genes and the bacterial profiles in the caecum of growing chickens challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) at 1 and 23 days post inoculation (dpi) in response to SE infection at 19 days of age and administration of the phytobiotic Intebio. Following infection, the genes CASP6 and IRF7 were upregulated by greater than twofold. Chicks fed Intebio showed at 1 dpi upregulation of AvBD10, IL6, IL8L2, CASP6 and IRF7. At 23 dpi, expression of AvBD11, IL6, IL8L2, CASP6 and IRF7 lowered in the experiment subgroups as compared with the control. Examination of the caecal contents at 1 dpi demonstrated a significant decrease in the microbial biodiversity in the infected subgroup fed normal diet. Bacterial content of Lactobacillus and Bacillus declined, while that of Enterobacteriaceae rose. In the infected subgroup fed Intebio, a pronounced change in composition of the microflora was not observed. In the early infection stages, the phytobiotic seemed to promote response to infection. Subsequently, an earlier suppression of the inflammatory reaction took place in chickens fed Intebio. Thus, use of Intebio as a drug with phytobiotic activity in chickens, including those infected with Salmonella, proved to be promising.
Phage Therapy with a Focus on the Human Microbiota
Authors: Divya Ganeshan Sharita , Hosseinidoust Zeinab
Published: August 2019

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria. After their discovery in the early 1900s, bacteriophages were a primary cure against infectious disease for almost 25 years, before being completely overshadowed by antibiotics. With the rise of antibiotic resistance, bacteriophages are being explored again for their antibacterial activity. One of the critical apprehensions regarding bacteriophage therapy, however, is the possibility of genome evolution, development of phage resistance, and subsequent perturbations to our microbiota. Through this review, we set out to explore the principles supporting the use of bacteriophages as a therapeutic agent, discuss the human gut microbiome in relation to the utilization of phage therapy, and the co-evolutionary arms race between host bacteria and phage in the context of the human microbiota.
Free Vibration Analysis of Triclinic Nanobeams Based on the Differential Quadrature Method
Authors: Karami Behrouz , Janghorban Maziar , Dimitri Rossana , Tornabene Francesco
Published: August 2019

In this work, the nonlocal strain gradient theory is applied to study the free vibration response of a Timoshenko beam made of triclinic material. The governing equations of the problem and the associated boundary conditions are obtained by means of the Hamiltonian principle, whereby the generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method is implemented as numerical tool to solve the eigenvalue problem in a discrete form. Different combinations of boundary conditions are also considered, which include simply-supports, clamped supports and free edges. Starting with some pioneering works from the literature about isotropic nanobeams, a convergence analysis is first performed, and the accuracy of the proposed size-dependent anisotropic beam model is checked. A large parametric investigation studies the effect of the nonlocal, geometry, and strain gradient parameters, together with the boundary conditions, on the vibration response of the anisotropic nanobeams, as useful for practical engineering applications.
Incorporating Word Significance into Aspect-Level Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Mokhosi Refuoe , Qin ZhiGuang , Liu Qiao , Shikali Casper
Published: August 2019

Aspect-level sentiment analysis has drawn growing attention in recent years, with higher performance achieved through the attention mechanism. Despite this, previous research does not consider some human psychological evidence relating to language interpretation. This results in attention being paid to less significant words especially when the aspect word is far from the relevant context word or when an important context word is found at the end of a long sentence. We design a novel model using word significance to direct attention towards the most significant words, with novelty decay and incremental interpretation factors working together as an alternative for position based models. The interpretation factor represents the maximization of the degree each new encountered word contributes to the sentiment polarity and a counter balancing stretched exponential novelty decay factor represents decaying human reaction as a sentence gets longer. Our findings support the hypothesis that the attention mechanism needs to be applied to the most significant words for sentiment interpretation and that novelty decay is applicable in aspect-level sentiment analysis with a decay factor β = 0.7 .
Projected Changes to Mean and Extreme Surface Wind Speeds for North America Based on Regional Climate Model Simulations
Authors: Jeong Dae Il , Sushama Laxmi
Published: August 2019

This study evaluates projected changes to surface wind characteristics for the 2071–2100 period over North America (NA), using four Global Environmental Multiscale regional climate model simulations, driven by two global climate models (GCMs) for two Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios. For the current climate, the model simulates well the climatology of mean sea level pressure (MSLP) and associated wind direction over NA. Future simulations suggest increases in mean wind speed for northern and eastern parts of Canada, associated with decreases in future MSLP, which results in more intense low-pressure systems situated in those regions such as the Aleutian and Icelandic Lows. Projected changes to annual maximum 3-hourly wind speed show more spatial variability compared to seasonal and annual mean wind speed, indicating that extreme wind speeds are influenced by regional level features associated with instantaneous surface temperature and air pressure gradients. The simulations also suggest some increases in the future 50-year return levels of 3-hourly wind speed and hourly wind gusts, mainly due to increases in the inter-annual variability of annual maximum values. The variability of projected changes to both extreme wind speed and gusts indicate the need for a larger set of projections, including those from other regional models driven by many GCMs to better quantify uncertainties in future wind extremes and their characteristics.
Optimal Number of Choices in Rating Contexts
Authors: Ganzfried Sam , Yusuf Farzana
Published: August 2019

In many settings, people must give numerical scores to entities from a small discrete set—for instance, rating physical attractiveness from 1–5 on dating sites, or papers from 1–10 for conference reviewing. We study the problem of understanding when using a different number of options is optimal. We consider the case when scores are uniform random and Gaussian. We study computationally when using 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 options out of a total of 100 is optimal in these models (though our theoretical analysis is for a more general setting with k choices from n total options as well as a continuous underlying space). One may expect that using more options would always improve performance in this model, but we show that this is not necessarily the case, and that using fewer choices—even just two—can surprisingly be optimal in certain situations. While in theory for this setting it would be optimal to use all 100 options, in practice, this is prohibitive, and it is preferable to utilize a smaller number of options due to humans’ limited computational resources. Our results could have many potential applications, as settings requiring entities to be ranked by humans are ubiquitous. There could also be applications to other fields such as signal or image processing where input values from a large set must be mapped to output values in a smaller set.
Modulation of the Visual to Auditory Human Inhibitory Brain Network: An EEG Dipole Source Localization Study
Authors: Chikara Rupesh Kumar , Ko Li-Wei
Published: August 2019

Auditory alarms are used to direct people’s attention to critical events in complicated environments. The capacity for identifying the auditory alarms in order to take the right action in our daily life is critical. In this work, we investigate how auditory alarms affect the neural networks of human inhibition. We used a famous stop-signal or go/no-go task to measure the effect of visual stimuli and auditory alarms on the human brain. In this experiment, go-trials used visual stimulation, via a square or circle symbol, and stop trials used auditory stimulation, via an auditory alarm. Electroencephalography (EEG) signals from twelve subjects were acquired and analyzed using an advanced EEG dipole source localization method via independent component analysis (ICA) and EEG-coherence analysis. Behaviorally, the visual stimulus elicited a significantly higher accuracy rate (96.35%) than the auditory stimulus (57.07%) during inhibitory control. EEG theta and beta band power increases in the right middle frontal gyrus (rMFG) were associated with human inhibitory control. In addition, delta, theta, alpha, and beta band increases in the right cingulate gyrus (rCG) and delta band increases in both right superior temporal gyrus (rSTG) and left superior temporal gyrus (lSTG) were associated with the network changes induced by auditory alarms. We further observed that theta-alpha and beta bands between lSTG-rMFG and lSTG-rSTG pathways had higher connectivity magnitudes in the brain network when performing the visual tasks changed to receiving the auditory alarms. These findings could be useful for further understanding the human brain in realistic environments.
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps: Current Perspectives in the Eye
Authors: Estúa-Acosta Gibrán Alejandro , Zamora-Ortiz Rocío , Buentello-Volante Beatriz , García-Mejía Mariana , Garfias Yonathan
Published: August 2019

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been the subject of research in the field of innate immunity since their first description more than a decade ago. Neutrophils are the first cells recruited at sites of inflammation, where they perform their specific functions, including the release of NETs, which consist of web-like structures composed of granule proteins bound to decondensed chromatin fibres. This process has aroused interest, as it contributes to understanding how pathogenic microorganisms are contained, but they are also associated with pathophysiological processes of a wide range of diseases. Currently, there are growing reports of new molecules involved in the formation and release of NETs. However, whether the release of NETs contributes to eye diseases remains unclear. For this reason, the overall aim of this review is to gather current data of recent research in the ophthalmology field, where there is still much to discover.
Osteopontin-Enhanced Autophagy Attenuates Early Brain Injury via FAK–ERK Pathway and Improves Long-Term Outcome after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats
Authors: Sun Chengmei , Enkhjargal Budbazar , Reis Cesar , Zhang Tongyu , Zhu Qiquan , Zhou Keren , Xie Zhiyi , Wu Lingyun , Tang Jiping , Jiang Xiaodan , Zhang John H.
Published: August 2019

Osteopontin (OPN) enhances autophagy, reduces apoptosis, and attenuates early brain injury (EBI) after a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A total of 87 Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to sham or SAH operations to further investigate the signaling pathway involved in osteopontin-enhanced autophagy during EBI, and the potential effect of recombinant OPN (rOPN) administration to improve long-term outcomes after SAH. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: Sham, SAH + Vehicle (PBS, phosphate-buffered saline), SAH + rOPN (5 μg/rat recombinant OPN), SAH + rOPN + Fib-14 (30 mg/kg of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor-14), and SAH + rOPN + DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). Short-term and long-term neurobehavior tests were performed, followed by a collection of brain samples for assessment of autophagy markers in neurons, pathway proteins expression, and delayed hippocampal injury. Western blot, double immunofluorescence staining, Nissl staining, and Fluoro-Jade C staining assay were used. Results showed that rOPN administration increased autophagy in neurons and improved neurobehavior in a rat model of SAH. With the administration of FAK inhibitor-14 (Fib-14), neurobehavioral improvement and autophagy enhancement induced by rOPN were abolished, and there were consistent changes in the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2. In addition, early administration of rOPN in rat SAH models improved long-term neurobehavior results, possibly by alleviating hippocampal injury. These results suggest that FAK–ERK signaling may be involved in OPN-enhanced autophagy in the EBI phase after SAH. Early administration of rOPN may be a preventive and therapeutic strategy against delayed brain injury after SAH.
The Rebirth of Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors: Moving Beyond the Dogma
Authors: Fields Gregg B.
Published: August 2019

The pursuit of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors began in earnest over three decades ago. Initial clinical trials were disappointing, resulting in a negative view of MMPs as therapeutic targets. As a better understanding of MMP biology and inhibitor pharmacokinetic properties emerged, it became clear that initial MMP inhibitor clinical trials were held prematurely. Further complicating matters were problematic conclusions drawn from animal model studies. The most recent generation of MMP inhibitors have desirable selectivities and improved pharmacokinetics, resulting in improved toxicity profiles. Application of selective MMP inhibitors led to the conclusion that MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-13, and MT1-MMP are not involved in musculoskeletal syndrome, a common side effect observed with broad spectrum MMP inhibitors. Specific activities within a single MMP can now be inhibited. Better definition of the roles of MMPs in immunological responses and inflammation will help inform clinic trials, and multiple studies indicate that modulating MMP activity can improve immunotherapy. There is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved MMP inhibitor for periodontal disease, and several MMP inhibitors are in clinic trials, targeting a variety of maladies including gastric cancer, diabetic foot ulcers, and multiple sclerosis. It is clearly time to move on from the dogma of viewing MMP inhibition as intractable.
Neuroinflammatory Reactions in the Brain of 1,2-DCE-Intoxicated Mice during Brain Edema
Authors: Jin Xiaoxia , Wang Tong , Liao Yingjun , Guo Jingjing , Wang Gaoyang , Zhao Fenghong , Jin Yaping
Published: August 2019

We previously reported that expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) mRNA and protein was upregulated during 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) induced brain edema in mice. We also found that the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway resulted in MMP-9 overexpression and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in mice treated with 1,2-DCE. In this study, we further hypothesized that inflammatory reactions mediated by the p38 MAPK/ NF-κB signaling pathway might be involved in MMP-9 overexpression, blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption and edema formation in the brain of 1,2-DCE-intoxicated mice. Our results revealed that subacute poisoning by 1,2-DCE upregulates protein levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and p-p65 in mouse brains. Pretreatment with an inhibitor against p38 MAPK attenuates these changes. Moreover, pretreatment with an inhibitor against NF-κB attenuates alterations in brain water content, pathological indications notable in brain edema, as well as mRNA and protein expression on levels of MMP-9, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, iNOS, and IL-1β, tight junction proteins (TJs), GFAP and Iba-1 in the brain of 1,2-DCE-intoxicated mice. Furthermore, pretreatment with an inhibitor against MMP-9 obstructs the decrease of TJs in the brain of 1,2-DCE-intoxicated mice. Lastly, pretreatment with an antagonist against the IL-1β receptor also attenuates changes in protein levels of p-p38 MAPK, p-p65, p-IκB, VCAM -1, ICAM-1, IL-1β, and Iba-1 in the brain of 1,2-DCE-intoxicated-mice. Taken together, findings from the current study indicate that the p38 MAPK/ NF-κB signaling pathway might be involved in the activation of glial cells, and the overproduction of proinflammatory factors, which might induce inflammatory reactions in the brain of 1,2-DCE-intoxicated mice that leads to brain edema.
Interpretation of Entropy Algorithms in the Context of Biomedical Signal Analysis and Their Application to EEG Analysis in Epilepsy
Authors: Amarantidis Lampros Chrysovalantis , Abásolo Daniel
Published: August 2019

Biomedical signals are measurable time series that describe a physiological state of a biological system. Entropy algorithms have been previously used to quantify the complexity of biomedical signals, but there is a need to understand the relationship of entropy to signal processing concepts. In this study, ten synthetic signals that represent widely encountered signal structures in the field of signal processing were created to interpret permutation, modified permutation, sample, quadratic sample and fuzzy entropies. Subsequently, the entropy algorithms were applied to two different databases containing electroencephalogram (EEG) signals from epilepsy studies. Transitions from randomness to periodicity were successfully detected in the synthetic signals, while significant differences in EEG signals were observed based on different regions and states of the brain. In addition, using results from one entropy algorithm as features and the k-nearest neighbours algorithm, maximum classification accuracies in the first EEG database ranged from 63% to 73.5%, while these values increased by approximately 20% when using two different entropies as features. For the second database, maximum classification accuracy reached 62.5% using one entropy algorithm, while using two algorithms as features further increased that by 10%. Embedding entropies (sample, quadratic sample and fuzzy entropies) are found to outperform the rest of the algorithms in terms of sensitivity and show greater potential by considering the fine-tuning possibilities they offer. On the other hand, permutation and modified permutation entropies are more consistent across different input parameter values and considerably faster to calculate.
Classical Model of Quons
Authors: Kaniadakis Giorgio , Scarfone Antonio M.
Published: August 2019

By using the kinetic interaction principle, the quons statistics in the framework of kinetic theory is introduced. This is done by properly generalizing the inclusion/exclusion principle of standard boson and fermion statistics within a nonlinear classical model. The related nonlinear Fokker-Planck equation is introduced and the corresponding steady distribution describing quons statistics of type I and type II is derived.
Comparison as a Method for Geography Education
Authors: Wilcke Holger , Budke Alexandra
Published: August 2019

Comparison is an everyday process of thinking, which is also frequently used in geography lessons. However, in geography pedagogy, the term ‘comparison’ remains vague and insufficiently defined. In this paper, we will propose a clear definition of what comparison is and introduce it as a systematic method for secondary school geography education. This definition and method is the result of our theoretical–conceptual approach, according to which we have analyzed the current academic discussion about scientific comparison and converted it into a method for teaching. We argue that applying comparison as a pedagogical tool may improve students’ skills to argue, reflect, solve problems, and promote good judgement.
Enhanced CO2 Conversion to Acetate through Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES) by Continuous Headspace Gas Recirculation
Authors: Mateos Raúl , Sotres Ana , Alonso Raúl M. , Morán Antonio , Escapa Adrián
Published: August 2019

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) is a term that encompasses a group of novel technologies able to interconvert electrical energy and chemical energy by means of a bioelectroactive biofilm. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) systems, which branch off from BESs, are able to convert CO2 into valuable organic chemicals and fuels. This study demonstrates that CO2 reduction in MES systems can be enhanced by enriching the inoculum and improving CO2 availability to the biofilm. The proposed system is proven to be a repetitive, efficient, and selective way of consuming CO2 for the production of acetic acid, showing cathodic efficiencies of over 55% and CO2 conversions of over 80%. Continuous recirculation of the gas headspace through the catholyte allowed for a 44% improvement in performance, achieving CO2 fixation rates of 171 mL CO2 L−1·d−1, a maximum daily acetate production rate of 261 mg HAc·L−1·d−1, and a maximum acetate titer of 1957 mg·L−1. High-throughput sequencing revealed that CO2 reduction was mainly driven by a mixed-culture biocathode, in which Sporomusa and Clostridium, both bioelectrochemical acetogenic bacteria, were identified together with other species such as Desulfovibrio, Pseudomonas, Arcobacter, Acinetobacter or Sulfurospirillum, which are usually found in cathodic biofilms. Moreover, results suggest that these communities are responsible of maintaining a stable reactor performance.
Intake of Radionuclides in the Trees of Fukushima Forests 2. Study of Radiocesium Flow to Poplar Seedlings as a Model Tree
Authors: Aoki Shoko , Nonaka Miki , Yasukawa Chisato , Itakura Masateru , Tsubokura Masaharu , Baba Kei’ichi , Ohbayashi Hiroya , Seyama Tomoko , Uehara Iwao , Kaida Rumi , Taji Teruaki , Sakata Yoichi , Hayashi Takahisa
Published: August 2019

After the nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima, radionuclides were deposited over a large area of local forest. However, almost nothing is known about radionuclide infiltration into trees. Here, we used poplar seedlings as a model to show that radiocesium can enter directly into leaves and bark, moving via ray cells through the symplastic pathways to the xylem and concentrating around the meristems, cork, and vascular cambium. During induced potassium incorporation and reduced seasonal growth, the radiocesium in the meristems of stems mainly passes into abscission tissues such as leaves and heartwood. There is no turnover of radiocesium after it enters the heartwood.
Transcriptome Analysis of Elm (Ulmus pumila) Fruit to Identify Phytonutrients Associated Genes and Pathways
Authors: Zhang Luoyan , Zhang Xuejie , Li Mengfei , Wang Ning , Qu Xiaojian , Fan Shoujin
Published: August 2019

Plant fruit is an important source of natural active phytonutrients that are profitable for human health. Elm (Ulmus pumila) fruit is considered as natural plant food in China that is rich in nutrients. In the present study, high-throughput RNA sequencing was performed in U. pumila edible fruits and leaves and 11,386 unigenes were filtered as dysregulated genes in fruit samples, including 5231 up- and 6155 downregulated genes. Hundreds of pathways were predicted to participate in seed development and phytonutrient biosynthesis in U. pumila by GO, MapMan, and KEGG enrichment analysis, including “seed maturation”, “glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism” and “phenylpropanoid biosynthesis”. ABA-mediated glucose response-related ethylene-activated signaling pathway (e.g., ABI4) were supposed to associate with elm fruit development; unsaturated fatty acids pathway (e.g., ACX2 and SAD) were predicted to participate in determination of fatty acid composition in elm fruit; flavonoid and coumarins biosynthesis (e.g., CYP98A3 and CCoAOMT1) were demonstrated to correlate with the bioactivity of elm fruits in human cancer and inflammation resistance. To provide more information about fruit developmental status, the qRT-PCR analysis for key genes of “phenylpropanoid biosynthesis” and “alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism” were conducted in samples of young fruits, ripe fruit, old fruit, and leaves. Two biosynthetic pathways for unsaturated fatty acid and Jasmonic acid (JA) were deduced to be involved in fruit development in U. pumila and the phenylpropanoid glycoside, syringin, was speculated to accumulate in the early development stages of elm fruit. Our transcriptome data supports molecular clues for seed development and biologically active substances in elm fruits.
Selection and Validation of Reference Genes for qRT-PCR in Lentinula edodes under Different Experimental Conditions
Authors: Luo Yi , Wang Gangzheng , Wang Chen , Gong Yuhua , Bian Yinbing , Zhou Yan
Published: August 2019

Lentinula edodes is the most consumed mushroom in Asia due to its nutritional and medicinal values, and the optimal reference gene is crucial for normalization of its gene expression analysis. Here, the expression stability of 18 candidate reference genes (CRGs) in L. edodes was analyzed by three statistical algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper) under different stresses (heat, cadmium excess and Trichoderma atroviride infection), different substrates (straw, sawdust and corn stalk) and different development stages (mycelia, primordia and fruit bodies). Among the 18 CRGs, 28S, Actin and α-tub exhibited the highest expression stability in L. edodes under all conditions, while GPD, SPRYP and MSF showed the least stable expression. The best reference gene in different conditions was different. The pairwise variation values showed that two genes would be sufficient for accurate normalization under different conditions of L. edodes. This study will contribute to more accurate estimation of the gene relative expression levels under different conditions using the optimal reference gene in qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) analysis.
Development and Themes of Diagnostic and Treatment Procedures for Secondary Leg Lymphedema in Patients with Gynecologic Cancers
Authors: Watanabe Yumiko , Koshiyama Masafumi , Seki Keiko , Nakagawa Miwa , Ikuta Eri , Oowaki Makiko , Sakamoto Shin-ichi
Published: August 2019

Patients with leg lymphedema sometimes suffer under constraint feeling leg heaviness and pain, requiring lifelong treatment and psychosocial support after surgeries or radiation therapies for gynecologic cancers. We herein review the current issues (a review of the relevant literature) associated with recently developed diagnostic procedures and treatments for secondary leg lymphedema, and discuss how to better manage leg lymphedema. Among the currently available diagnostic tools, indocyanine green lymphography (ICG-LG) can detect dermal lymph backflow in asymptomatic legs at stage 0. Therefore, ICG-LG is considered the most sensitive and useful tool. At symptomatic stage ≥1, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging-lymphography/computed tomography-lymphography (MRI-LG/CT-LG) and lymphosintiography are also useful. For the treatment of lymphedema, complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) including manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), compression therapy, exercise and skin care, is generally performed. In recent years, CDP has often required effective multi-layer lymph edema bandaging (MLLB) or advanced pneumatic compression devices (APCDs). If CDP is not effective, microsurgical procedures can be performed. At stage 1–2, when lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) is performed, lymphaticovenous side-to-side anastomosis (LVSEA) is principally recommended. At stage 2–3, vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) is useful. These ingenious procedures can help maintain the patient’s quality of life (QOL) but unfortunately cannot cure lymphedema. The most important concern is the prevention of secondary lymphedema, which is achieved through approaches such as skin care, weight control, gentle limb exercises, avoiding sun and heat, and elevation of the affected leg.
A Measurement Scale to Assess Children’s Satisfaction with Hospitalization in the Andalusian Population
Authors: Gómez-de-Terreros-Guardiola Montserrat , Lozano-Oyola José F. , Lanzarote-Fernández María-Dolores , Rupérez Bautista Raquel , Avilés-Carvajal Isabel , Schoenfelder Tonio , Martínez-Cervantes Rafael J.
Published: August 2019

Background: Patient satisfaction is a principal indicator in the evaluation of the stay of pediatric patients in hospitals, since its consequences can emotionally interfere with health treatment. The aim of this study was to obtain a valid scale to assess children’s satisfaction with their time spent as a patient in an Andalusian hospital. Method: The Children’s Satisfaction with Hospitalization Questionnaire (CSHQ) was applied to 623 pediatric patients hospitalized in Andalusia. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) showed one dimension underlying the children’s satisfaction with their hospitalization. After that, we developed a depuration analysis process to achieve a valid and unidimensional scale to assess children’s satisfaction. Results: The eleven-item one-dimension solution showed suitable consistency and goodness-of-fit indices. The final scale addresses hosting aspects as the main dimension of a minor’s satisfaction in Andalusian hospitals. Conclusion: A unidimensional scale has been determined for the assessment of children’s satisfaction with their stay in Andalusian hospitals based on hosting aspects. Nonetheless, other dimensions underlying the satisfaction of patients should also be considered.
Priority Setting for the Management of Chemicals Using the Globally Harmonized System and Multivariate Analysis: Use of the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System
Authors: Lim Hong Lyuer , Huh Eun-Hae , Huh Da-An , Sohn Jong-Ryeul , Moon Kyong Whan
Published: August 2019

This study aims to provide a new methodology using the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and the Mahalanobis–Taguchi System (MTS) that can be used to assess the overall hazard of a chemical using GHS information. Previously, hazardous chemicals were designated and managed by the Chemical Management Act, but many more chemicals are now in use. Damage prediction modeling programs predict the extent of damage and proactively manage high-risk chemicals, but the lack of physical and chemical characterization information relating to chemicals has limitations that cannot be modeled. To overcome such limitations, a new method of chemical management prioritization was developed using the GHS and Mahalanobis–Taguchi System (MTS). For effective management, the risk of a chemical can be ranked according to a comprehensive risk assessment and calculated through multivariate analysis using the GHS. Relative hazards are then identified using MTS multivariate analysis with GHS information, even when there is insufficient information about the chemical’s characteristics, and the method can be applied to a large number of different chemicals.
A Comparative Study on the Routing Problem of Electric and Fuel Vehicles Considering Carbon Trading
Authors: Liao Wenzhu , Liu Lin , Fu Jiazhuo
Published: August 2019

In order to explore the impact of using electric vehicles on the cost and environment of logistics enterprises, this paper studies the optimization of vehicle routing problems with the consideration of carbon trading policies. Both the electric vehicle routing model and the traditional fuel vehicle routing model are constructed aiming at minimizing the total costs, which includes the fixed costs of vehicles, depreciation costs, penalty costs for violating customer time window, energy costs and carbon trading costs. Then a hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA) is proposed to address these two models, the advantages of greedy algorithm and random full permutation are combined to set the initial population, at the same time, the crossover operation is improved to retain the excellent gene fragments effectively and the hill climbing algorithm is embedded to enhance the local search ability of HGA. Furthermore, a case data is used with HGA to carry out computational experiments in these two models and the results indicate that first using electric vehicles for distribution can indeed reduce the carbon emissions, but results in a low customer satisfaction compared with using fuel vehicles. Besides, the battery capacity and charge rate have a great influence on total costs of using electric vehicles. Second, carbon price plays an important role in the transformation of logistics companies. As the carbon price changes, the total costs, carbon trading costs, and carbon emissions of using electric vehicles and fuel vehicles are affected accordingly, yet the trends are different. The changes of carbon quota have nothing to do with the distribution scheme and companies’ transformation but influence the total costs of using electric and fuel vehicles for distribution, and the trends are the same. These reasonable proposals can support the government on carbon trading policy, and also the logistics companies on dealing the relationship between economic and social benefits.
Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Air Quality across Weifang from 2014–2018
Authors: Li Chengming , Dai Zhaoxin , Yang Lina , Ma Zhaoting
Published: August 2019

Air pollution has become a severe threat and challenge in China. Focusing on air quality in a heavily polluted city (Weifang Cty), this study aims to investigate spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of air pollution and identify the influence of weather factors on primary pollutants in Weifang over a long period from 2014–2018. The results indicate the annual Air quality Index (AQI) in Weifang has decreased since 2014 but is still far from the standard for excellent air quality. The primary pollutants are O3 (Ozone), PM10 (Particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤10 µm), and PM2.5 (Particles with aerodynamic diameter ≤10 µm); the annual concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 show a significant reduction but that of O3 is basically unchanged. Seasonally, PM10 and PM2.5 show a U-shaped pattern, while O3 exhibits inverted U-shaped variations, and different pollutants also present different characteristics daily. Spatially, O3 exhibits a high level in the central region and a low level in the rural areas, while PM10 and PM2.5 are high in the northwest and low in the southeast. Additionally, the concentration of pollutants is greatly affected by meteorological factors, with PM2.5 being negatively correlated with temperature and wind speed, while O3 is positively correlated with the temperature. This research investigated the spatiotemporal characteristics of the air pollution and provided important policy advice based on the findings, which can be used to mitigate air pollution.
Conformation and Domain Movement Analysis of Human Matrix Metalloproteinase-2: Role of Associated Zn2+ and Ca2+ Ions
Authors: Voit-Ostricki Leah , Lovas Sándor , Watts Charles R.
Published: August 2019

Matrix metaloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is an extracellular Zn2+ protease specific to type I and IV collagens. Its expression is associated with several inflammatory, degenerative, and malignant diseases. Conformational properties, domain movements, and interactions between MMP-2 and its associated metal ions were characterized using a 1.0 µs molecular dynamics simulation. Dihedral principle component analysis revealed ten families of conformations with the greatest degree of variability occurring in the link region connecting the catalytic and hemopexin domains. Dynamic cross-correlation analysis indicated domain movements corresponding to the opening and closing of the hemopexin domain in relation to the fibronectin and catalytic domains facilitated by the link region. Interaction energies were calculated using the molecular mechanics Poisson Boltzman surface area-interaction entropy (MMPBSA-IE) analysis method and revealed strong binding energies for the catalytic Zn2+ ion 1, Ca2+ ion 1, and Ca2+ ion 3 with significant conformational stability at the binding sites of Zn2+ ion 1 and Ca2+ ion 1. Ca2+ ion 2 diffuses freely away from its crystallographically defined binding site. Zn2+ ion 2 plays a minor role in conformational stability of the catalytic domain while Ca2+ ion 3 is strongly attracted to the highly electronegative sidechains of the Asp residues around the central β-sheet core of the hemopexin domain; however, the interacting residue sidechain carboxyl groups are outside of Ca2+ ion 3′s coordination sphere.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer with High Levels of Annexin A1 Expression Is Associated with Mast Cell Infiltration, Inflammation, and Angiogenesis
Authors: Okano Maiko , Oshi Masanori , Butash Ali Linsk , Katsuta Eriko , Tachibana Kazunoshin , Saito Katsuharu , Okayama Hirokazu , Peng Xuan , Yan Li , Kono Koji , Ohtake Toru , Takabe Kazuaki
Published: August 2019

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is a phospholipid-linked protein involved in inflammation, immune response, and mast cell reactivity. Recently, we reported that ANXA1 is associated with aggressive features of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC); however, its clinical relevance remains controversial. We hypothesized that human TNBC with high expression of ANXA1 mRNA is associated with pro-cancerous immune cell infiltration, including mast cells, and with an aggressive phenotype. Clinical and RNA-seq data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA, n = 1079) and Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) (n = 1904). TNBC patients had significantly higher levels of ANXA1 expression compared to the other subtypes in both TCGA and METABRIC cohorts (p < 0.001). ANXA1 protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in Japanese TNBC patient cohort (n = 48), where 17 cases (35.4%) had positive ANXA1 staining, and their overall survival was significantly shorter compared with negative staining group (p = 0.008). The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to calculate immune cell infiltrations. ANXA1 high tumors were associated with activated mast cells and M2 macrophages (p > 0.01), but did not show any association with tumor heterogeneity nor cytolytic activity. High expression of ANXA1 group enriched inflammation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and angiogenesis-related genes in a gene set enrichment assay in both cohorts. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that ANXA1 is associated with infiltration of mast cells and inflammation that is associated with the aggressive phenotype of TNBC, such as EMT and angiogenesis.