bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aqueous Extract of Brazilian Berry (Myrciaria jaboticaba) Peel Improves Inflammatory Parameters and Modulates Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in Rats with Induced-Colitis
Authors: da Silva-Maia Juliana Kelly , Batista Ângela Giovana , Cazarin Cinthia Baú Betim , Soares Edilene Siqueira , Bogusz Junior Stanislau , Leal Raquel Franco , da Cruz-Höfling Maria Alice , Maróstica Junior Mário Roberto
Published: November 2019

Natural compounds could be a complementary alternative to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management. This study determined the effects of an aqueous extract of Myrciaria jaboticaba peel (EJP) (50 g L−1) on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced colitis. Wistar rats were randomized into five groups: HC—healthy control, CC—colitis control, DC—drug control, SJ—short-term treatment with EJP, and LJ—long-term treatment with EJP. The EJP treatments reduced body weight loss, stool consistency score, and spleen enlargement. Gut microbiota was modulated through increased Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium counts after EJP treatment. Short-chain fatty acids were also higher in the EJP treatment groups. The antioxidant enzyme activities were greater than CC or DC controls. Myeloperoxidase activity (LJ), inducible nitric oxide synthase (LJ/SJ), and intercellular adhesion molecule (SJ) levels were lower than in the CC group. EJP decreased histological scoring, mucosal thickness, and preserved the crypts and histological structure. Therefore, EJP showed beneficial effects and could be potentially used as an adjuvant in IBD treatment.
Effects of Weekly Supplementation of Cholecalciferol and Calcifediol Among the Oldest-Old People: Findings From a Randomized Pragmatic Clinical Trial
Authors: Ruggiero Carmelinda , Baroni Marta , Bini Vittorio , Brozzetti Annalisa , Parretti Luca , Zengarini Elisa , Lapenna Maria , Antinolfi Pierluigi , Falorni Alberto , Mecocci Patrizia , Boccardi Virginia
Published: November 2019

Vitamin D inadequacy is pervasive in the oldest-old. Many vitamin D metabolites are available for supplementation, their effects on the recovery of adequate serum levels remain unknown. We investigate the effects of supplementation with cholecalciferol (D3) and calcifediol (25D3) on serum levels of 25(OH)D, 1-25(OH)D, bone and inflammatory markers, ultimately identifying clinical predictors of successful treatment. Sixty-seven oldest-old individuals were randomized to weekly administration of 150 mcg of 25D3 or D3, from hospital admission to 7 months after discharge. Supplementation of 25D3 and D3 were associated with increasing serum levels of 25(OH)D (p < 0.001) and 1-25(OH)D (p = 0.01). Participants on 25D3 experienced a steeper rise than those on D3 (group*time interaction p = 0.01), after adjustment for intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels the differences disappeared (intervention*iPTH interaction p = 0.04). Vitamin D supplementation was associated with a decreasing trend of iPTH and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.001). Polypharmacy and low handgrip strength were predictors of failure of intervention, independent of vitamin D metabolites. In conclusion, D3 and 25D3 supplementation significantly increase vitamin D serum levels in the oldest-old individuals, with a tendency of 25D3 to show a faster recovery of acceptable iPTH levels than D3. Polypharmacy and low muscle strength weaken the recovery of adequate vitamin D serum levels.
White Kidney Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Consumption Reduces Fat Accumulation in a Polygenic Mouse Model of Obesity
Authors: Neil Elizabeth S. , McGinley John N. , Fitzgerald Vanessa K. , Lauck Corey A. , Tabke Jeremy A. , Streeter-McDonald Madyson R. , Yao Linxing , Broeckling Corey D. , Weir Tiffany L. , Foster Michelle T. , Thompson Henry J.
Published: November 2019

Clinical studies indicate that eating common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., plays a role in body weight regulation but mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the anti-obesogenic activity of white kidney bean in a mouse model of dietary-induced obesity. Bean consumption reduced the accumulation of adipose tissue in male and female C57BL6 mice. The anti-obesogenic effect of white kidney bean was not due to alterations in energy intake, energy excreted in the feces, or feed efficiency ratio. While bean consumption increased the mass of the intestine, no marked differences were consistently observed in crypt height, mucin content of goblet cells, proliferation index or zone of proliferation. However, significantly higher concentrations of total bacteria and of Akkermansia muciniphila were detected in cecal content of bean-fed mice, and the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was reduced. Bile acid content was higher in the ileum of bean-fed mice, but transcript levels of farnesoid X receptor were not significantly affected. Whether changes in bile-acid-mediated cell signaling play a role in bean-related differences in fat accumulation and/or overall metabolic health requires further investigation.
Hypovitaminosis D in Postherpetic Neuralgia—High Prevalence and Inverse Association with Pain: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Chen Jen-Yin , Lin Yao-Tsung , Wang Li-Kai , Hung Kuo-Chuan , Lan Kuo-Mao , Ho Chung-Han , Chang Chia-Yu
Published: November 2019

Hypovitaminosis D (25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) <75 nmol/L) is associated with neuropathic pain and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immunity. A two-part retrospective hospital-based study was conducted. Part I (a case-control study): To investigate the prevalence and risk of hypovitaminosis D in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients compared to those in gender/index-month/age-auto matched controls who underwent health examinations. Patients aged ≥50 years were automatically selected by ICD-9 codes for shingle/PHN. Charts were reviewed. Part II (a cross-sectional study): To determine associations between 25(OH)D, VZV IgG/M, pain and items in the DN4 questionnaire at the first pain clinic visit of patients. Independent predictors of PHN were presented as adjusted odds ratios(AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Prevalence (73.9%) of hypovitaminosis D in 88 patients was high. In conditional logistic regressions, independent predictors for PHN were hypovitaminosis D (AOR3.12, 95% CI1.73–5.61), malignancy (AOR3.21, 95% CI 1.38–7.48) and Helicobacter pylori-related peptic ulcer disease (AOR3.47, 95% CI 1.71–7.03). 25(OH)D was inversely correlated to spontaneous/brush-evoked pain. Spontaneous pain was positively correlated to VZV IgM. Based on the receiver operator characteristic curve, cutoffs for 25(OH)D to predict spontaneous and brush-evoked pain were 67.0 and 169.0 nmol/L, respectively. A prospective, longitudinal study is needed to elucidate the findings.
Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Isomaltodextrin in a C57BL/6NCrl Mouse Model with Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Low-Grade Chronic Inflammation
Authors: Hann Melissa , Zeng Yuhan , Zong Lingzi , Sakurai Takeo , Taniguchi Yoshifumi , Takagaki Ryodai , Watanabe Hikaru , Mitsuzumi Hitoshi , Mine Yoshinori
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to identify the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of isomaltodextrin (IMD) in a C57BL/6NCrl mouse model with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic low-grade chronic inflammation and the effect on inflammation-induced potential risk of metabolic disorders. Pre-treatment of IMD decreased the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, TNF-α and MCP-1, and stimulated the production of the anti-inflammatory mediator, adiponectin by increasing the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) in the white adipose tissues. IMD administration reduced plasma concentrations of endotoxin, decreased macrophage infiltration into adipocytes, and increased expression of mucin 2, mucin 4, and the tight junction protein claudin 4. These results suggest that IMD administration exerted an anti-inflammatory effect on mice with LPS-induced inflammation, potentially by decreasing circulating endotoxin, suppressing pro-inflammatory mediators and macrophage infiltration, or by improving mucus or tight junction integrity. IMD exerted protein expression of insulin receptor subset-1 (IRS-1). IMD alleviated the disturbance of gut microflora in LPS-treated mice, as the number of B. bifidum, L. casei, and B. fragilis increased, and E. coli and C. difficile decreased, when compared to LPS-treated mice. The analysis of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) further supported that the concentrations of acetic and butyric acids were positively correlated with IMD, as well as the number of beneficial bacteria. This study provides evidence that IMD possesses anti-inflammatory properties and exerts beneficial functions to prevent systemic low-grade chronic inflammation and reduces the risk of developing insulin resistance and associated metabolic diseases.
Ecklonia Cava Extract Attenuates Endothelial Cell Dysfunction by Modulation of Inflammation and Brown Adipocyte Function in Perivascular Fat Tissue
Authors: Son Myeongjoo , Oh Seyeon , Lee Hye Sun , Chung Dong-Min , Jang Ji Tae , Jeon You-Jin , Choi Chang Hu , Park Kook Yang , Son Kuk Hui , Byun Kyunghee
Published: November 2019

It is well known that perivascular fat tissue (PVAT) dysfunction can induce endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction, an event which is related with various cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we evaluated whether Ecklonia cava extract (ECE) and pyrogallol-phloroglucinol-6,6-bieckol (PPB), one component of ECE, could attenuate EC dysfunction by modulating diet-induced PVAT dysfunction mediated by inflammation and ER stress. A high fat diet (HFD) led to an increase in the number and size of white adipocytes in PVAT; PPB and ECE attenuated those increases. Additionally, ECE and PPB attenuated: (i) an increase in the number of M1 macrophages and the expression level of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), both of which are related to increases in macrophage infiltration and induction of inflammation in PVAT, and (ii) the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6, chemerin) in PVAT which led to vasoconstriction. Furthermore, ECE and PPB: (i) enhanced the expression of adiponectin and IL-10 which had anti-inflammatory and vasodilator effects, (ii) decreased HFD-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and (iii) attenuated the ER stress mediated reduction in sirtuin type 1 (Sirt1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) expression. Protective effects against decreased Sirt1 and PPARγ expression led to the restoration of uncoupling protein -1 (UCP-1) expression and the browning process in PVAT. PPB or ECE attenuated endothelial dysfunction by enhancing the pAMPK-PI3K-peNOS pathway and reducing the expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1). In conclusion, PPB and ECE attenuated PVAT dysfunction and subsequent endothelial dysfunction by: (i) decreasing inflammation and ER stress, and (ii) modulating brown adipocyte function.
Reviving the Dead: A Kierkegaardian Turn from the Self-Positing to the Theological Self
Authors: Bowen Amber
Published: November 2019

Kierkegaard scholars have traditionally chosen to read Kierkegaard as either a theologian or a philosopher. As a result, his corpus is bifurcated as theologians and philosophers lean on their preferred texts. Beneath this practice is an underlying assumption that philosophy and theology “make two,” or should be kept in separate corners. However, a contemporary movement in philosophy known as New Phenomenology has challenged this dualistic maxim and instead finds it appropriate for phenomenology to draw from a theological archive. This article suggests that the possibilities New Phenomenology makes available help us retroactively better understand Kierkegaard’s text, Sickness unto Death. Fictional author, Anti-Climacus uses theology strategically to open up J. G. Fichte’s ontological monism and to move constructively beyond the dead end of his philosophy. Sickness unto Death effectively demonstrates New Phenomenologist, Emmanuel Falque’s claim that the more we theologize, the better we philosophize.
Lane-Level Road Extraction from High-Resolution Optical Satellite Images
Authors: Dai Jiguang , Zhu Tingting , Zhang Yilei , Ma Rongchen , Li Wantong
Published: November 2019

High-quality updates of road information play an important role in smart city planning, sustainable urban expansion, vehicle management, urban planning, traffic navigation, public health and other fields. However, due to interference from road geometry and texture noise, it is difficult to avoid the decline of automation while accurately extracting roads. Therefore, we propose a high-resolution optical satellite image lane-level road extraction method. First, from the perspective of template matching and considering road characteristics and relevant semantic relations, an adaptive correction model, an MLSOH (multi-scale line segment orientation histogram) descriptor, a sector descriptor, and a multiangle beamlet descriptor are proposed to solve the interference from geometry and texture noise in road template matching and tracking. Second, based on refined lane-level tracking, single-lane and double-lane road-tracking modes are designed to extract single-lane and double-lane roads, respectively. In this paper, Pleiades satellite and GF-2 images are selected to set up different scenarios for urban and rural areas. Experiments are carried out on the phenomena that restrict road extraction, such as tree occlusion, building shadow occlusion, road bending, and road boundary blurring. Compared with other methods, the proposed method not only ensures the accuracy of lane-level road extraction but also greatly improves the automation of road extraction.
Robust, Model-Based External Calibration of Multi-Channel Airborne SAR Sensors Using Range Compressed Raw Data
Authors: Jäger Marc , Scheiber Rolf , Reigber Andreas
Published: November 2019

The paper describes a method for the accurate calibration of multi-channel SAR instruments, such as those required to support SAR polarimetry, single-pass interferometry and digital beam-forming (DBF), on the basis of dedicated SAR acquisitions containing reference targets with known properties. Unlike conventional approaches, the method is based entirely on the analysis of range-compressed raw data. It leverages the pulse-by-pulse analysis of amplitude, phase and delay variations observed within the range histories of reference targets to fully characterize and correct propagation direction dependent calibration issues such as those related to antenna pointing or antenna phase center positions. The fact that the approach does not require SAR image focusing in azimuth is especially relevant in the context of DBF, where individual channels need to be calibrated but are, by themselves, under-sampled. The calibration techniques presented are illustrated and validated using multi-channel polarimetric and single-pass interferometric SAR data acquired by DLR’s airborne F-SAR and DBFSAR instruments.
Using Tree Detection Based on Airborne Laser Scanning to Improve Forest Inventory Considering Edge Effects and the Co-Registration Factor
Authors: Pascual Adrián
Published: November 2019

The estimation of forest biophysical attributes improves when airborne laser scanning (ALS) is integrated. Individual tree detection methods (ITD) and traditional area-based approaches (ABA) are the two main alternatives in ALS-based forest inventory. This study evaluated the performance of the enhanced area-based approach (EABA), an edge-correction method based on ALS data that combines ITD and ABA, at improving the estimation of forest biophysical attributes, while testing its efficiency when considering co-registration errors that bias remotely sensed predictor variables. The study was developed based on a stone pine forest (Pinus pinea L.) in Central Spain, in which tree spacing and scanning conditions were optimal for the ITD approach. Regression modeling was used to select the optimal predictor variables to estimate forest biophysical attributes. The accuracy of the models improved when using EABA, despite the low-density of the ALS data. The relative mean improvement of EABA in terms of root mean squared error was 15.2%, 17.3%, and 7.2% for growing stock volume, stand basal area, and dominant height, respectively. The impact of co-registration errors in the models was clear in the ABA, while the effect was minor and mitigated under EABA. The implementation of EABA can highly contribute to improve modern forest inventory applications.
Estimating Maize Above-Ground Biomass Using 3D Point Clouds of Multi-Source Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Data at Multi-Spatial Scales
Authors: Zhu Wanxue , Sun Zhigang , Peng Jinbang , Huang Yaohuan , Li Jing , Zhang Junqiang , Yang Bin , Liao Xiaohan
Published: November 2019

Crop above-ground biomass (AGB) is a key parameter used for monitoring crop growth and predicting yield in precision agriculture. Estimating the crop AGB at a field scale through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is promising for agronomic application, but the robustness of the methods used for estimation needs to be balanced with practical application. In this study, three UAV remote sensing flight missions (using a multiSPEC-4C multispectral camera, a Micasense RedEdge-M multispectral camera, and an Alpha Series AL3-32 Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor onboard three different UAV platforms) were conducted above three long-term experimental plots with different tillage treatments in 2018. We investigated the performances of the multi-source UAV-based 3D point clouds at multi-spatial scales using the traditional multi-variable linear regression model (OLS), random forest (RF), backpropagation neural network (BP), and support vector machine (SVM) methods for accurate AGB estimation. Results showed that crop height (CH) was a robust proxy for AGB estimation, and that high spatial resolution in CH datasets helps to improve maize AGB estimation. Furthermore, the OLS, RF, BP, and SVM methods all maintained an acceptable accuracy for AGB estimation; however, the SVM and RF methods performed slightly more robustly. This study is expected to optimize UAV systems and algorithms for specific agronomic applications.
Virtual Current Sensor in the Fault-Tolerant Field-Oriented Control Structure of an Induction Motor Drive
Authors: Adamczyk Michal , Orlowska-Kowalska Teresa
Published: November 2019

Designing electrical drives resistant to the failures of chosen sensors has recently become increasingly popular due to the possibility of their use in fault-tolerant control (FTC) systems including drives for electric vehicles. In this article, a virtual current sensor (VCS) based on an algorithmic method for the reconstruction of the induction motor (IM) phase currents after current sensor faults was proposed. This stator current estimator is based only on the measurements of the DC-bus voltage in the intermediate circuit of the voltage-source inverter (VSI) and a rotor speed. This proposal is dedicated to fault-tolerant vector controlled IM drives, where it is necessary to switch to scalar control as a result of damage to the current sensors. The proposed VCS allows further uninterrupted operation of the direct rotor-field oriented control (DRFOC) of the induction motor drive. The stator current estimator has been presented in the form of equations, enabling its practical implementation in a microprocessor system. Simulation studies of the proposed algorithm in an open and closed-loop DRFOC structure are presented under different operation conditions of the drive system. The experimental verification of the proposed method is also presented and the accuracy of the stator current estimation algorithm is analyzed under various operating conditions of the drive system.
Design of a Low-Cost Indoor Navigation System for Food Delivery Robot Based on Multi-Sensor Information Fusion
Authors: Sun Yunlong , Guan Lianwu , Chang Zhanyuan , Li Chuanjiang , Gao Yanbin
Published: November 2019

As the restaurant industry is facing labor shortage issues, the use of meal delivery robots instead of waiters/waitresses not only allows the customers to experience the impact of robot technology but also benefits the restaurant business financially by reducing labor costs. Most existing meal delivery robots employ magnetic navigation technologies, which require magnetic strip installation and changes to the restaurant decor. Once the moving path is changed, the magnetic strips need to be re-laid. This study proposes multisource information fusion, i.e., the fusion of ultra-wide band positioning technology with an odometer and a low-cost gyroscope accelerometer, to achieve the positioning of a non-rail meal delivery robot with navigation. By using a low-cost electronic compass and gyroscope accelerometer, the delivery robot can move along a fixed orbit in a flexible and cost-effective manner with steering control. Ultra-wide band (UWB) and track estimation algorithm are combined by extended Kalman filter (EKF), and the positioning error after fusion is about 15 cm, which is accepted by restaurants. In summary, the proposed approach has some potential for commercial applications.
A Photoelectrochemical Sensor Based on Anodic TiO2 for Glucose Determination
Authors: Syrek Karolina , Skolarczyk Maciej , Zych Marta , Sołtys-Mróz Monika , Sulka Grzegorz D.
Published: November 2019

A simple photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor based on non-modified nanostructured anodic TiO2 was fabricated and used for a rapid and sensitive detection of glucose. The anodic TiO2 layers were synthesized in an ethylene glycol-based solution containing NH4F (0.38 wt.%) and H2O (1.79 wt.%) via a three-step procedure carried out at the constant voltage of 40 V at 20 °C. At the applied potentials of 0.2, 0.5, and 1 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE), the developed sensor exhibited a photoelectochemical response toward the oxidation of glucose, and two linear ranges in calibration plots were observed. The highest sensitivity of 0.237 µA µmol−1 cm−2 was estimated for the applied bias of 1 V. The lowest limit of detection (LOD) was obtained for the potential of 0.5 V vs. SCE (7.8 mM) with the fastest response at ~3 s. Moreover, the proposed PEC sensor exhibited relatively high sensibility, good reproducibility, and due to its self-cleaning properties, a good long-term stability. Interfering tests showed the selective response of the sensor in the presence of urea and uric acid. Real-life sample analyses were performed using an intravenous glucose solution, which confirmed the possibility of determining the concentration of analyte in such types of samples.
Development of an Image Grating Sensor for Position Measurement
Authors: Fu Shaowei , Cheng Fang , Tjahjowidodo Tegoeh , Liu Mengjun
Published: November 2019

In this research paper, a precision position-measurement system based on the image grating technique is presented. The system offers a better robustness and flexibility for 1D position measurement compared to a conventional optical encoder. It is equipped with an image grating attached to a linear stage as the target feature and a line scan camera as the stationary displacement reader. By measuring the position of the specific feature in the image and applying a subpixel image registration method, the position of the linear stage can be obtained. In order to improve the computational efficiency, the calculations for pattern correlation and subpixel registration are performed in the frequency domain. An error compensation method based on a lens distortion model is investigated and implemented to improve the measurement accuracy of the proposed system. Experimental data confirms the capability of the developed image grating system as ±0.3 µm measurement accuracy within a 50 mm range and ±0.2 µm measurement accuracy within a 25 mm range. By applying different optics, the standoff distance, measurement range, and resolution can be customized to conform to different precision measurement applications.
Underactuated AUV Nonlinear Finite-Time Tracking Control Based on Command Filter and Disturbance Observer
Authors: Xu Hao , Zhang Guo-cheng , Cao Jian , Pang Shuo , Sun Yu-shan
Published: November 2019

The three-dimensional (3D) path following problem of an underactuated autonomous underwater vehicle with ocean currents disturbances is addressed in this paper. Firstly, the motion equation under the ocean currents disturbance is established, and the dynamic model of 3D tracking error is constructed based on virtual guidance method. Then, a finite-time control scheme based on super-twisting observer and command filtered backstepping technology is proposed. We adopt super-twisting observer based on finite-time theory to observe the ocean currents disturbances for improving the system robust. A command filtered backstepping is proposed to replace the differential process in the conventional backstepping method for avoiding the differential expansion problem. The filter compensation loop is designed to ensure the accuracy of the filtered signal, and the anti-integration saturation link is designed considering the influence of integral saturation. Lyapunov stability theory is used to prove the stability of the underactuated AUV. Simulation studies are conducted to show the effectiveness and robustness of the controller.
Bayesian Prediction of Order Statistics Based on k-Record Values from a Generalized Exponential Distribution
Authors: Vidović Zoran
Published: November 2019

We examine in this paper the implementation of Bayesian point predictors of order statistics from a future sample based on the k th lower record values from a generalized exponential distribution.
Classifying Street Spaces with Street View Images for a Spatial Indicator of Urban Functions
Authors: Gong Zhaoya , Ma Qiwei , Kan Changcheng , Qi Qianyun
Published: November 2019

Streets, as one type of land use, are generally treated as developed or impervious areas in most of the land-use/land-cover studies. This coarse classification substantially understates the value of streets as a type of public space with the most complexity. Street space, being an important arena for urban vitality, is valued by various dimensions, such as transportation, recreation, aesthetics, public health, and social interactions. Traditional remote sensing approaches taking a sky viewpoint cannot capture these dimensions not only due to the resolution issue but also the lack of a citizen viewpoint. The proliferation of street view images provides an unprecedented opportunity to characterize street spaces from a citizen perspective at the human scale for an entire city. This paper aims to characterize and classify street spaces based on features extracted from street view images by a deep learning model of computer vision. A rule-based clustering method is devised to support the empirically generated classification of street spaces. The proposed classification scheme of street spaces can serve as an indirect indicator of place-related functions if not a direct one, once its relationship with urban functions is empirically tested and established. This approach is empirically applied to Beijing city to demonstrate its validity.
The Impact of Value Created by Culture on Approaching the Sustainable Development Goals: Case of the Baltic States
Authors: Streimikiene Dalia , Mikalauskiene Asta , Kiausiene Ilona
Published: November 2019

Culture plays an important role in implementing sustainability principles and approaching sustainable development goals across different countries. This paper aims to analyse the relationship between the value created by culture and the implementation of sustainable development goals of countries. The majority of attention in this research is devoted to composing and calculating the integrated cultural value index, which provides clear linkages between value created by culture and sustainable development goals. An expert survey was conducted, during which experts had to assess indicators by ranking them according to importance. There have been 14 indicators included in total to calculate the integrated cultural value index. The values created by culture in the selected Baltic States have been determined by calculating the weight coefficient of each indicator and providing a composite cultural value index. Statistical data analysis unquestionably confirms that cultural input when implementing sustainable development goals is significant, because there exists a very strong positive relationship between the cultural value index and achieved sustainable development goals in all three case studies.
Passenger Flow Pushing Assignment Method for an Urban Rail Network Based on Hierarchical Path and Line Decomposition
Authors: Deng Lianbo , Zeng Junhao , Mei Hongda
Published: November 2019

For urban rail transit, an environmentally-friendly transportation mode, reasonable passenger flow assignment is the basis of train planning and passenger control, which is conducive to the sustainability of finance, operation and production. With the continuous expansion of the scale of urban rail networks, passenger travel path decision-making tends to be complex, which puts forward higher requirements of networked transportation organization. Based on undirected graphs and the idea of the recursive divide-and-conquer algorithm, this paper proposes a hierarchical effective path search method made up of a three-layer path generation strategy, which consists of deep search line paths, key station paths composed of origin–destination (O-D) nodes and transfer stations, and the station sequence path between the key stations. It can effectively simplify the path search and eliminate obvious unreasonable paths. Comparing the existing research results based on the classical polynomial Logit model, a practical Improved C-Logit multi-path passenger flow assignment model is proposed to calculate the selection ratio of each path in the set of effective paths. Combining the hierarchical path search strategy, the O-D pairs of passenger flow are divided into local-line and cross-line situations. The time-varying cross-line passenger flow is decomposed into a series of passenger sections along the key station paths. A passenger flow pushing assignment algorithm based on line decomposition is designed, which satisfies the dynamic, time-varying and continuous characteristics. The validation of Guangzhou Metro’s actual line network and time-varying O-D passenger demand in 2019 shows that the spatio-temporal distribution results of the passenger pushing assignment have a high degree of coincidence with the actual statistical data.
Sustainability of Urban Development with Population Decline in Different Policy Scenarios: A Case Study of Northeast China
Authors: Yang Zhenshan
Published: November 2019

Urban shrinkage is becoming a major global challenge and causing a series of challenges to the sustainable urban development. In this study, a system dynamics-based model was proposed and used to dynamically evaluate the sustainability of the urban development under five different policy scenarios in response to population shrinkage. A model was applied to socioeconomic data from eight shrinking cities in Northeast China from 2002 to 2017 to investigate the past and future trends in their urban development sustainability from 2002 to 2035. The results show that the development sustainability indices of the eight cities increased overall up to 2017. However, some then peaked and are now declining. The model predicts that the cities would vary considerably in their development sustainability across the five different scenarios. For example, with smart shrinkage policies, cities are predicted to sustain their current levels of development sustainability; meanwhile, with anti-shrinkage policies, where growth-oriented development is pursued, some cities are also predicted to see improvements in sustainability. The present study provides a technical approach to simulating and investigating the circular feedback mechanism between components of a city system and effectively correlating population shrinkage with urban development sustainability across different policy responses to urban shrinkage.
Normal-G Class of Probability Distributions: Properties and Applications
Authors: Silveira Fábio V. J. , Gomes-Silva Frank , Brito Cícero C. R. , Cunha-Filho Moacyr , Gusmão Felipe R. S. , Xavier-Júnior Sílvio F. A.
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we propose a novel class of probability distributions called Normal-G. It has the advantage of demanding no additional parameters besides those of the parent distribution, thereby providing parsimonious models. Furthermore, the class enjoys the property of identifiability whenever the baseline is identifiable. We present special Normal-G sub-models, which can fit asymmetrical data with either positive or negative skew. Other important mathematical properties are described, such as the series expansion of the probability density function (pdf), which is used to derive expressions for the moments and the moment generating function (mgf). We bring Monte Carlo simulation studies to investigate the behavior of the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of two distributions generated by the class and we also present applications to real datasets to illustrate its usefulness.
Competitive Relationship between Flood Control and Power Generation with Flood Season Division: A Case Study in Downstream Jinsha River Cascade Reservoirs
Authors: Yao Hongyi , Dong Zengchuan , Jia Wenhao , Ni Xiaokuan , Chen Mufeng , Zhu Cailin , Li Dayong
Published: November 2019

The lower reaches of Jinsha River host the richest hydropower energy sources in China. With the construction of Wudongde and Baihetan, the multi-objective optimization for cascade reservoirs (along with Xiluodu and Xiangjia Dam) in the lower reaches of Jinsha River will create significant benefits. This paper focuses on the competitive relationship between flood control and power generation, and attaches attention to the measurement of different objective functions and their competitive relationship. With observations of the flood in 1974, 1981, and 1985, a 100-year return period flood with peak-3d volume pair as different inputs for the optimal model is approached by NSGA-II. Different flood seasons divided by flood feature is applied to figure out specific competitive relationship. The results can be concluded as the following: (1) Strong competitive relationship mainly occurs in pre-flood season. (2) Whether it shows a strong competitive relationship depends on the amount of discharge. If the turbine is set to full capacity, power generation is fulfilled certainly, which means that there exists a weak competitive relationship between multi-objectives. (3) The different processes of floods have an effect on the duration of a competitive relationship. A flood with a late peak causes the extension of strong competition in the pre-flood season, which lends itself to a strong competition relationship in the post-flood season. (4) The intensity of competition in the pre-flood season is higher than that in the post-flood season because it has a larger range.
Hydraulic Responses and Flow Regulation in Multi-Demand Water Transfer Systems
Authors: Liu Xiaolian , Tian Yu , Lei Xiaohui , Fan Honggang , Wang Hao
Published: November 2019

It is of great significance for the practical operation scheduling to comprehensively analyze the influencing factors of the long-term steady-state operation state of different water demand scenarios and the coupled operation of hydraulic facilities when switching demand scenario as the demand changes. In the study, a case study is performed in the Daxing Branch project, the numerical model of which considered pipelines, pumps, valves, air valves, and regulating tanks is established using Method of Characteristics. The hydraulic responses and corresponding flow regulation of different demand scenarios and between changing demand scenarios are analyzed. The results show that steady-state working conditions can have important impacts on the transient process. Energy consumption and the amount of water transfer, as well as water hammer pressure and the allowable reaction time during the transient process should be taken into account in the selection of long-term steady-state working conditions of different demand scenarios. The sequence and maximum allowable time interval of the coupled operation of pumps and valves should be considered when switching demand scenario. Finally, the optimal steady-state working conditions of different demand scenarios, the coupled operation sequence of pumps and valves, the maximum allowable time interval of the Daxing Branch project are proposed, which can provide some insights into the safe operation of the project and other similar complex water transfer projects.
Celtic saga and the contexts of old English elegiac poetry
Authors: Jacobs Nicolas
Published: November 2019

Les élégies en vieil-anglais sont des poèmes lyriques ou moraux, exprimant la souffrance, la solitude, le regret du passé, etc. L’auteur leur compare les poèmes gallois anciens conservés dans le Livre noir et le Livre rouge : ces poèmes se présentent comme des extraits de légendes (cycles de Llywarch Hen, de Heledd). Il est vraisemblable que les littératures anglaises et galloises ont connu un genre narratif destiné à la récitation, et mêlant prose et poésie.
Factors in the assignment of grammatical gender in Welsh
Authors: Surridge Marie E.
Published: November 2019

Peut-on prévoir le genre d’un nom gallois à sa désinence ou à son sémantisme ? Outre les facteurs phonétiques, morphologiques et sémantiques (et notamment la répartition faite entre masculin et féminin pour les inanimés), l’auteur étudie la proportion numérique des deux genres : le féminin est assez minoritaire en gallois, ce qui en fait le genre «marqué» comme en français. Les données indiquent que nous pouvons effectivement formuler une série de règles pour l’attribution du genre en gallois.
Penentuan Waktu Proses Pembuatan Kain dengan Pendekatan Cross-Case pada Industri Tekstil
Authors: Nugraha Evan , Sari Rini Mulyani
Published: November 2019

PT. X was a company engaged in weaving cotton production. Many types of cotton consisted of type 185, type 186, type 188 and type 189. Nevertheless, there were still many problems in the operational production of the weaving department. One of them was the length in processing time of the weaving section that could affect the next process. Based on a literature review, it showed that lean method could be implemented in process industry even it was not entirely. The method that usually used in the process industry was the cross-case method. A case study was a method that chosen in conducting this research by forming propositions first. There were two products selected as the case study: cotton 188 and cotton 189. This research consisted of two steps. The first step was the measurement of operational performance before implementing the lean method.  The second step was cross-case analysis by synchronizing between the empirical data and the propositions. The lean method would increase the accuracy of product delivery. It had been proven by reduction of the cycle time of both products ranges from 18,5% to 31,5%. The cross-case method could be applied with the Kanban, the set-up time reduction and forming the pull system in the production floor.
Pengaruh Pendapatan Usaha, Beban Usaha, dan Bagi Hasil Pihak Ketiga terhadap Laba Usaha pada PT Bank Syariah Mandiri
Authors: Purnamasari Laely
Published: November 2019

The development of operating revenue in Syariah Mandiri Bank is quiet excellent along with the increasing awareness of Muslims in using Islamic banking services. However, the development of this revenue is not accompanied by proportional increase in net operating income. This article focuses on the discussion of the relationship of operating revenue, operating expense and profit sharing of third parties and their effects on net operating income at Syariah Mandiri Bank. The purposes of this research are to describe and analyze the relationship of operating revenue, operating expense and profit sharing of third parties and their effects on net operating income both partially and simultaneously. The research method used descriptive and verification. The results showed that the operating revenue and the operating expenses had a strong relationship with the third party profit sharing. For the results of the third parties, the operating revenue and the operating expenses partially were not proven to significantly affect the net operating income but the operating revenue and the operating expenses were proven to affect the net operating income significantly. From this research, it was also known that the operating revenue component that most influenced net operating income was the mudharabah income and the operating expenses that most influenced net operating income was the loss expense for the elimination of productive assets.
Pengaruh DER, CAR, dan ROE terhadap Peringkat Obligasi Perbankan yang Listing di PT Bursa Efek Indonesia pada Periode 2008-2013
Authors: Phety Debora Tri Oktarina
Published: November 2019

This study aims to analyze the effect of Debt to Equity Ratio (DER), Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Return on Equity (ROE) both partially and simultaneously to bank bond ratings. Bond rating agencies are needed to assess the performance of banks that issue bonds by providing information about the quality and risk of bonds. The phenomenon in Indonesia occurs when several issuers fail to pay but have a bond rating at the investment grade level. The risk of a default on bonds is seen in the case of a failure to pay PT Bank Global Tbk bonds where the Kasnic rating agent gave an A- rating, but when BI announced a freeze on Bank Global's license, the bond rating was reduced to D. This research used Ordered Logit Model (OLM) as a method of data analysis.The random sampling method was carried out as a sampling method. The results of this study showed two things. First, the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Return on Equity (ROE) had a positive impact on the bond rating. Second, the Debt to Equity Ratio (DER) had a negative impact on the bond rating. Whilst simultaneously Debt to Equity Ratio (DER), Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), and Return on Equity (ROE) affected the bond rating.
El liderazgo de aprendizaje y su incidencia en la innovación y competitividad de las MIPYMES de la ciudad de Durango, México
Authors: Gómez Romero José Gerardo Ignacio
Published: November 2019

El propósito de la presente investigación se centra en determinar cuál es estilo del liderazgo de aprendizaje predominante en las MIPyMES de la ciudad de Durango, México; así como analizar la forma en la que el liderazgo de aprendizaje influye en el desempeño del negocio (innovación y competitividad). Se aplicó un cuestionario basado en Yeung, A., Ulrich, D., Nason, S. y Von Glinow, M. A. (2000), validado y adaptado al entorno Mexicano por Gómez (2008), a una muestra de 362 empresas. Los resultados muestran que el estilo de liderazgo predominante es el Entrenador. Además revelan que el liderazgo de aprendizaje influye estadísticamente en el desempeño del negocio (innovación y competitividad) en las empresas estudiadas.
Análisis Confirmatorio del Modelo Contable y la Gestión Ambiental en la Industria Hotelera de Panamá​
Authors: Palacios Copete Marino José , Suarez Kimura Elsa Beatriz
Published: November 2019

El objetivo del estudio es explicar el fundamento de la relación causal de las variables medibles y los factores latentes que exponen los constructos enunciados por Palacios & Suarez (2015) en la investigación denominada “Análisis Confirmatorio en el Modelo Contable para la Gestión Ambiental en la Industria Hotelera de Panamá.” Por consiguiente, el diseño del estudio es explicativo, se utilizan los métodos cualitativo y cuantitativo. La limitantación del proceso metodológico se da en la aplicación del instrumento de indagación a los gerentes de los hoteles seleccionados. No obstante, se llega al hallazgo que la conducta ecológica se ha convertido en un factor de competitividad. Lo que accede a la conclusión que el elemento causal de los constructos, definidos a través de sus variables medibles y los factores latentes, es consecuencia del diseño del modelo contable y a la gestión ambiental, responde a la matriz de producción de la rentabilidad económica.
Impacto del Índice Riesgo País en el Mercado Accionario Colombiano
Authors: Ceballos Aristizábal Gloria Cecilia , Perez Noreña Daniela , Gutiérrez Castañeda Belky Esperanza
Published: November 2019

El objetivo de la investigación es evaluar los impactos que han generado las calificaciones de riesgo país emitidas por las tres principales empresas calificadoras de riesgo (ECR) a nivel internacional (Standar & Poors, Moody`s Investor y Fitch Ratings) en la volatilidad del mercado accionario colombiano, durante el periodo de estudio 2010 al 2016. Es así como por medio de herramientas contabilométricas y la métodologia de estudio de eventos y utilizando modelos matemáticos y estadísticos se calculó los retornos anormales acumulados (CAR) el cual se pudo evidenciar resultados de la no existencia de retornos anormales derivados de la emisión de calificación de riesgo país y por lo tanto no se presentaron impactos en el precio de las acciones. Este artículo cuenta con originalidad debido a que en Colombia no se han hecho investigaciones en el ámbito de la contabilometría y mucho menos evaluando en impacto del riesgo país en el mercado accionario, pero se contó con limitaciones, debido a que el enfoque contabilometríco es un nuevo tópico en el área contable principalmente en Colombia y su relación en la evaluación del Riesgo País.
Responsabilidad Social en la Hotelería. Una Percepción Desde el Turista de Negocios
Authors: Hernández Sánchez Alexis Ricardo , Vargas Martínez Elva Esther , Delgado Cruz Alejandro , Rodríguez Torres Federico , Vargas Martínez Elva Esther
Published: November 2019

El objetivo es analizar la percepción de los turistas de negocios respecto a la responsabilidad social empresarial (RSE) y consumo responsable (CR), identificando la asociación entre estas variables. Método: Se trata de una investigación cuantitativa, empleando pruebas estadísticas T-student, ANOVA y correlaciones para la comprobación de hipótesis. Resultados: Se evidencia que entre la RSE y la CR existen asociaciones significativas y positivas, denotando la importancia de la interacción con el cliente para dar a conocer las prácticas de RSE. Limitaciones del estudio: La naturaleza transversal y el tamaño de la muestra. Originalidad: El estudio es relevante para el sector turístico como estrategia de RSE para atraer clientes con demandas alineadas por el CR. Hallazgos: La edad de los turistas y la categoría del hotel influyen en la percepción sobre la RSE y el CR, al encontrar que entre más jóvenes y mayor sea la categoría del hotel mejor se aprecia las variables.
Competencia, inclusión y desarrollo del sistema financiero en México
Authors: López Mateo Celina , Ríos-Manríquez Martha , Cárdenas Alba Luis Fernando
Published: November 2019

En el desarrollo del sistema financiero el papel de la banca ha sido frecuentemente discutido. De esta forma, el objetivo de esta investigación es analizar los determinantes del desarrollo del sistema financiero en México para el periodo 2001-2014. Específicamente se consideran los niveles de competencia, la rentabilidad, la regulación y la inclusión financiera en el sector bancario. Se utiliza un método de corte cuantitativo basado en un modelo econométrico de datos de panel. Los resultados indican que el desarrollo del sistema financiero depende directamente de la concentración y rentabilidad bancarias. Algunas de las limitaciones del trabajo se centran en la falta de información estadística para algunos años, así como la no diferenciación entre bancos de capital nacional y extranjero. Los hallazgos pueden ser útiles en el ámbito de las políticas públicas. La originalidad y relevancia radica en el estudio de la relación entre banca y sector financiero desde un enfoque microeconómico.