bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Intersection Signal Control Mechanism Assisted by Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Cai Zhen , Deng Zizhen , Li Jinglei , Zhang Jinghan , Liang Mangui
Published: November 2019

The urban intersection signal decision-making in traditional control methods are mostly based on the vehicle information within an intersection area. The far vehicles that have not reached the intersection area are not taken into account, which results in incomplete information and even incorrectness in decision-making. This paper presents an intersection signal control mechanism assisted by far vehicle information. Using the aid of real-time information collection for far vehicles through vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), we can consider them together and calculate the accumulative waiting time for each intersection traffic flow at a future moment to make the optimal signal decision. Simulation results show that, under three different traffic flow environments—same even traffic flows, same uneven traffic flows, and different traffic flows—the two proposed implementation schemes based on the mechanism (fixed phase and period timing improvement scheme, and dynamic phase and period control scheme) show good performances, in which the average waiting time and the ratio of long-waiting vehicles are both less than the results of the traditional signal timing scheme. Especially, in the second scheme, the waiting time was reduced by an average of 38.6% and the ratio of long-waiting vehicles was reduced by an average of 7.67%.
Research on the Heading Calibration for Foot-Mounted Inertial Pedestrian-Positioning System Based on Accelerometer Attitude
Authors: Wang Qiuying , Liu Kaiyue , Sun Zhiguo , Cai Muchun , Cheng Ming
Published: November 2019

Foot-mounted inertial pedestrian positioning (FIPP) plays an important role for facilitating pedestrian activities. It is suitable for indoor environment applications where global navigation satellite systems are unavailable such as during firefighting and military actions. However, the positioning error of FIPP can increase rapidly due to the measurement noise of the sensors. Zero Velocity Update (ZUPT) is an error correction method proposed to solve this accumulative error. However, the heading misalignment angle, which results in a continuous increase in the positioning error, cannot be estimated by ZUPT. In order to solve this problem, the improved ZUPT based on the Improved Attitude Algorithm (IAA) according to accelerometer measurements is proposed in this paper. When a pedestrian is in the stance phase, the horizontal attitude is estimated by using accelerometer measurements. According to the relationship between the heading misalignment angle and horizontal attitude, the heading misalignment angle is obtained by a series of mathematical derivations. By taking the velocity error and the attitude misalignment angle as observations, the heading misalignment angle and positioning error can be estimated and compensated for through the Kalman filter. Finally, we use MTI-G710 sensor manufactured by XSENS for the actual test and the experiment results show that the proposed method is effectively correct.
Peripheral Heat Transfer Coefficient during Flow Boiling: Comparison between 2-D and 1-D Data Reduction and Discussion about Their Applicability
Authors: Mastrullo Rita , Mauro Alfonso William
Published: November 2019

This paper presents a critical analysis of possible data reduction procedures for the evaluation of local heat transfer coefficient during flow boiling experiments. The benchmark method using one-dimensional (1-D) heat transfer in a heated tube was compared to a new data reduction method in which both radial and circumferential contributions to the conductive heat transfer inside a metal tube are considered. Using published experimental flow boiling data, the circumferential profiles of the wall superheat, inner wall heat flux, and heat transfer coefficients were independently calculated with the two data reduction procedures. The differences between the two methods were then examined according to the different heat transfer behavior observed (symmetric or asymmetric), which in turn was related to the two-phase flow regimes occurring in a channel during evaporation. A statistical analysis using the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) index was then performed for a database of 417 collected flow boiling data taken under different operating conditions in terms of working fluid, saturation temperature, mass velocity, vapor quality, and imposed heat flux. Results showed that the maximum deviations between the two methods could reach up to 130% in the case of asymmetric heat transfer. Finally, the possible uses of the two data reduction methods are discussed, pointing out that the two-dimensional (2-D) model is the most reliable method to be employed in the case of high-level modeling of two-phase flow or advanced design of heat exchangers and heat spreader systems.
Spatial Patterns in Different Stages of Regeneration after Clear-Cutting of a Black Locust Forest in Central China
Authors: Zhang Kaiquan , Shen Zhan , Yang Xinchao , Ma Luyi , Duan Jie , Li Yun
Published: November 2019

Estimating underlying mechanisms and dynamics from observed tree patterns can provide guidance for plantation management. Robinia pseudoacacia can reproduce via clonally produced ramets, leading to a complex distribution of stems. Three second generation plots and three third generation plots (each plot 50 m × 50 m) were established across a wide age range after clear-cutting in a Robinia pseudoacacia plantation in central China. We measured spatial coordinates, diameter at breast height (DBH) or diameter at basal stem, and heights of all recruits, as well as the coordinates and base diameter of all stumps, in six plots. The spatial pattern in different plots and the spatial relation between stumps and regenerations after clear-cutting were analyzed. To estimate the underlying processes of the observed patterns, we fitted Matérn and Variance-Gamma cluster processes to the observed dataset. The results revealed that the percentage of ramets from stumps decreasing with age in the two types of stands (from 40.4% to 30.1%, from 57.6% to 35.7%), and trees exhibited an aggregated distribution in all plots, but the degree of aggregation exhibited a decreasing trend with age, and aggregation occurred at different scale. Furthermore, a large proportion of ramets had their nearest neighbor at a short distance (<1 m) based on analysis of the nearest neighbour function. The bivariate analysis revealed that the spatial relation between stumps and ramets changed with age, and a repulsion trend was found between them in all the six plots. The Variance-Gamma process with covariate of Cartesian coordinates fitted the observed patterns better than others. The observed pattern was likely driven by root dispersal limitation, seed dispersal limitation, human disturbance, and intraspecific competition. Spatial patterns are important characteristics in forest stand structure, and understanding the pattern change and its underlying mechanisms could allow for better timing of artificial disturbances to optimize stand structure and promote stand growth.
Photosynthesis, Ecological Stoichiometry, and Non-Structural Carbohydrate Response to Simulated Nitrogen Deposition and Phosphorus Addition in Chinese Fir Forests
Authors: Liu Meihua , Wang Yaoxiong , Li Quan , Xiao Wenfa , Song Xinzhang
Published: November 2019

Phosphorus (P) deficiency in soil affects plant growth and primary production. Accelerated nitrogen (N) deposition can cause ecological carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus (C:N:P) stoichiometry imbalance and increase the degree of relative P deficiency in the soil. However, it remains unclear how N deposition affects P uptake and C:N:P stoichiometry in coniferous timber forests, and whether P addition diminishes the effect of N-induced P limitation on plant growth. From January 2017 to April 2018, we investigated the effects of nine different N and P addition treatments on 10-year old trees of Chinese fir, Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. Our results demonstrated that N and P additions at a high concentration could improve the photosynthetic capacity in Chinese fir by increasing the chlorophyll content and stimulating the photosynthesis activity. The C:N:P stoichiometry varied with the season under different N and P addition treatments, indicating that N addition at a moderate concentration could diminish the effect of the P limitation on the growth of Chinese fir. The soluble sugar content in the leaves displayed more stable seasonal variations, compared with those of starch. However, the non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) content in the leaves did not vary with the season under both P and N addition treatment. The data suggested that N and P combination treatment at moderate concentrations promoted carbon assimilation by accelerating the photosynthetic rate. Thus, our results provide new insights into the adaptation mechanisms of coniferous timber forest ecosystems to the effects of N deposition under P deficiency and can help to estimate the ecological effects of environmental changes linked to human management practices.
Fire Survival of Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) Grass Stage Seedlings: The Role of Seedling Size, Root Collar Position, and Resprouting
Authors: Jin Songheng , Moule Brett , Yu Dapao , Wang G. Geoff
Published: November 2019

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forest is a well-known fire-dependent ecosystem. The historical dominance of longleaf pine in the southeast United States has been attributed to its adaptation known as the grass stage, which allows longleaf pine seedlings to survive under a frequent surface fire regime. However, factors affecting post-fire survival of grass stage seedlings are not well understood. In this study, we measured live and dead longleaf pine grass stage seedlings to quantify the role of seedling size, root collar position, and sprouting in seedling survival following a wildfire in the sandhills of South Carolina. We found that fire resulted in almost 50% mortality for longleaf pine grass stage seedlings. Fire survival rate increased with seedling size, but a size threshold for fire tolerance was not supported. Fire survival depended on the position of root collar relative to the mineral soil. Seedlings with protected root collars (i.e., buried in or at the level of mineral soil) experienced <21%, while seedlings with exposed root collars (i.e., elevated above mineral soil) suffered >90% post-fire mortality. Ability to resprout contributed to 45.6% of the total fire survival, with the small seedlings (root collar diameter (RCD) < 7.6 mm) almost exclusively depending on resprouting. Our findings had significant implications for fire management in longleaf pine ecosystems, and the current frequency of prescribed fire in sandhills might need to be lengthened to facilitate longleaf pine natural regeneration.
Influence of Variable Selection and Forest Type on Forest Aboveground Biomass Estimation Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Li Yingchang , Li Chao , Li Mingyang , Liu Zhenzhen
Published: November 2019

Forest biomass is a major store of carbon and plays a crucial role in the regional and global carbon cycle. Accurate forest biomass assessment is important for monitoring and mapping the status of and changes in forests. However, while remote sensing-based forest biomass estimation in general is well developed and extensively used, improving the accuracy of biomass estimation remains challenging. In this paper, we used China’s National Forest Continuous Inventory data and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager data in combination with three algorithms, either the linear regression (LR), random forest (RF), or extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), to establish biomass estimation models based on forest type. In the modeling process, two methods of variable selection, e.g., stepwise regression and variable importance-base method, were used to select optimal variable subsets for LR and machine learning algorithms (e.g., RF and XGBoost), respectively. Comfortingly, the accuracy of models was significantly improved, and thus the following conclusions were drawn: (1) Variable selection is very important for improving the performance of models, especially for machine learning algorithms, and the influence of variable selection on XGBoost is significantly greater than that of RF. (2) Machine learning algorithms have advantages in aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation, and the XGBoost and RF models significantly improved the estimation accuracy compared with the LR models. Despite that the problems of overestimation and underestimation were not fully eliminated, the XGBoost algorithm worked well and reduced these problems to a certain extent. (3) The approach of AGB modeling based on forest type is a very advantageous method for improving the performance at the lower and higher values of AGB. Some conclusions in this paper were probably different as the study area changed. The methods used in this paper provide an optional and useful approach for improving the accuracy of AGB estimation based on remote sensing data, and the estimation of AGB was a reference basis for monitoring the forest ecosystem of the study area.
Microalgae as Functional Ingredients in Savory Food Products: Application to Wheat Crackers
Authors: Batista Ana Paula , Niccolai Alberto , Bursic Ivana , Sousa Isabel , Raymundo Anabela , Rodolfi Liliana , Biondi Natascia , Tredici Mario R.
Published: November 2019

Crackers are widely consumed snack foods and there is an increasing trend in adding functional ingredients to their composition. In the present work, the dried biomasses of four microalgae strains—Arthrospira platensis F&M-C256, Chlorella vulgaris Allma, Tetraselmis suecica F&M-M33, and Phaeodactylum tricornutum F&M-M40—were used as a source of proteins, antioxidants, and other bioactive molecules in artisanal wheat crackers. Two incorporation levels were tested: 2% (w/w) and 6% (w/w). The impact of microalgae addition was evaluated in terms of physical properties, biochemical composition, antioxidant activity, in vitro digestibility, and sensory characteristics. Microalgae crackers presented stable color and texture throughout eight weeks of storage. Microalgae crackers were slightly thinner and lighter than the control but presented a similar density in agreement with scanning electron microscope images, indicating that gas retention was not greatly affected by microalgae addition. Regarding biochemical composition, 6% A. platensis and C. vulgaris crackers presented a significantly higher protein content (13.2–13.5%), for which they could be claimed to be a “source of protein” according to the Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006. A. platensis crackers showed the highest antioxidant activity and attained better sensory analysis scores. T. suecica and P. tricornutum crackers showed high phenolic content and antioxidant activity but attained low sensory scores mainly because of their unattractive fishy off-flavor.
In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Peptides from Simulated Gastro-Intestinal Digestion Products of Cyprinus carpio haematopterus Scale Gelatin
Authors: Xiao Feng , Chen Shengjun , Li Laihao , He Jialiang , Cheng Weiwei , Ren Guoyan
Published: November 2019

A two-stage simulated gastro-intestinal (GI) digestion model (2 h pepsin treatment and subsequent 2 h pancreatin treatment at 37 °C) was used to explore the antioxidant activity of the digested products of Cyprinus carpio haematopterus scale gelatin with different molecular weights (MW). From the gastric phase to the intestinal phase, the hydrolysis degree of the products increased from 2.6 ± 0.4% to 16.9 ± 0.7%. The fraction of 0–1 kDa (JCP3) exhibited the best antioxidant activities in hydroxyl radical scavenging, reducing power, and metal chelating activity. The fraction of 1–3 kDa (JCP2) exhibited the best 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. However, the fractions of 0–1 kDa (JCP3) and 1–3 kDa (JCP2) showed similar inhibitory activity of lipid peroxidation. The results indicated that Cyprinus carpio haematopterus scale gelatin can be digested in the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, the digested products had antioxidant activity.
RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Speed and Fidelity are not the Only Determinants of the Mechanism or Efficiency of Recombination
Authors: Kim Hyejeong , Ellis Victor D. , Woodman Andrew , Zhao Yan , Arnold Jamie J. , Cameron Craig E.
Published: November 2019

Using the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) from poliovirus (PV) as our model system, we have shown that Lys-359 in motif-D functions as a general acid in the mechanism of nucleotidyl transfer. A K359H (KH) RdRp derivative is slow and faithful relative to wild-type enzyme. In the context of the KH virus, RdRp-coding sequence evolves, selecting for the following substitutions: I331F (IF, motif-C) and P356S (PS, motif-D). We have evaluated IF-KH, PS-KH, and IF-PS-KH viruses and enzymes. The speed and fidelity of each double mutant are equivalent. Each exhibits a unique recombination phenotype, with IF-KH being competent for copy-choice recombination and PS-KH being competent for forced-copy-choice recombination. Although the IF-PS-KH RdRp exhibits biochemical properties within twofold of wild type, the virus is impaired substantially for recombination in cells. We conclude that there are biochemical properties of the RdRp in addition to speed and fidelity that determine the mechanism and efficiency of recombination. The interwoven nature of speed, fidelity, the undefined property suggested here, and recombination makes it impossible to attribute a single property of the RdRp to fitness. However, the derivatives described here may permit elucidation of the importance of recombination on the fitness of the viral population in a background of constant polymerase speed and fidelity.
Correlation of Elastic Moduli and Serpentine Content in Ultramafic Rocks
Authors: Farough Aida , Karrasch Alexander K.
Published: November 2019

Understanding the physical properties of ultramafic rocks is important for evaluating a wide variety of petrologic models of the oceanic lithosphere, particularly upper mantle and lower crust. Hydration of oceanic peridotites results in increasing serpentine content, which affects lithospheric physical properties and the global bio/geochemical cycles of various elements. In understanding tectonic, magmatic, and metamorphic history of the oceanic crust, interpreting seismic velocities, rock composition, and elastic moduli are of fundamental importance. In this study, we show that as serpentine content increases, density decreases linearly with a slope of 7.85. Porosity of the samples does not show any systematic correlation with serpentine content, as it is more strongly affected by local weathering and erosional processes. We also correlate increase in serpentine content with a linear decline in shear, bulk, and Young’s moduli with slopes of 0.48, 0.77, and 0.45, respectively. Our results show that increase in serpentine content of mantle wedge and forearc mantle contributes to their brittle behavior and result in break-offs, obduction, and overthrusting. Therefore, serpentine content strongly affects tectonic processes at subduction zones, particularly serpentinization may be responsible for formation of weak fault zones. Also, serpentinization of fresh oceanic peridotite in slow and ultra-slow spreading ridges may be responsible for observed discontinuities in thin crust.
Bentonite Extrusion into Near-Borehole Fracture
Authors: Islam Mohammad N. , Bunger Andrew P. , Huerta Nicolas , Dilmore Robert
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we discuss laboratory experiments of bentonite swelling and coupled finite element simulations to explicate bentonite extrusion. For the experiments, we developed a swell cell apparatus to understand the bentonite migration to the near-borehole fracture. We constructed the swell cell using acrylic, which comprised of a borehole and open fracture. Initially, the borehole of the swell cell was filled with bentonite and liquid. Then, the apparatus was sealed for observations. Due to the liquid saturation increase of bentonite, its swelling pressure increased. The developed pressure caused the extrusion of bentonite into the fracture, and the flow of bentonite from the borehole decreased with time. Moreover, for the effectiveness of bentonite-based plugging, there is a limiting condition, which represents the relation between the maximum bentonite migration length with the fracture aperture. Additionally, we also performed the bentonite free swelling test to assess the swelling potential to the fluid salinity, and we observed that with the increase of the salinity, the swelling potential decreased. In addition, we present a fully coupled two-phases fluids flow (e.g., liquid and gas) and deformation flow finite element (FE) model for the bentonite column elements and swell cell model. We also combined the Modified Cam Clay (MCC) model and the swelling model for the bentonite deformation flow model. Then, we also present the validation of the bentonite model. To model other sub-domains, we used the poro-elastic model. Additionally, we obtained the transition between the wetting phase (i.e., liquid) and non-wetting phase (i.e., gas) using the Brooks–Corey model. From the finite element results, we observed that due to the liquid intrusion into the bentonite, the developed capillary pressure gradient results in a change of the hydro-mechanical behavior of the bentonite. Initially, we observed that due to the high capillary pressure gradient, the liquid saturation and the swelling pressure increased, which also decreased with time due to a reduction in the capillary pressure gradient. Thereby, the swelling pressure-induced bentonite migration to the fracture also decreased over time, and after the equilibrium state (for a negligible pressure gradient), there was no significant transport of bentonite into the fracture.
Tourism and Taxonomy: Marianne Moore and Natasha Trethewey in Jefferson’s Virginia
Authors: Kinnahan Linda
Published: November 2019

In the poetry of modernist Marianne Moore and contemporary American poet Natasha Trethewey, we find tours of historic places that are associated with the country’s founding history. How does the activity of the tour contemplate the ways in which historical knowledge takes shape and around what priorities and ideals? Exploring this question, these poems stage touristic encounters that serve not only to document the places visited but to question the frames by which a site is “seen” in relation to—often in support of—selected versions of American history. The impact of systems of classification and categorization that are common to the development of taxonomic thought, embraced by Thomas Jefferson and other early Americans, comes under inspection in these touristic poems.
Characteristics of Microbial Communities of Pachygrontha antennata (Hemiptera: Pachygronthidae) in Relation to Habitat Variables
Authors: Kang Jae-Yeon , Kwon Yong-Su , Jeong Gilsang , An Injung , Park Soyeon
Published: November 2019

The microbial community interacts with the environment and the health and immune function of its host both directly and indirectly. However, very few studies about microbial communities have considered habitat and external environmental variables. This study examined environmental influences on the microbial community of Pachygrontha antennata, which is found in various habitats (e.g., urban, forested, and agricultural areas). The results demonstrated that the composition of the microbial community differed according to land use, while the bacterial diversity did not. In urban areas with high environmental heterogeneity, microbial community diversity tended to be high. Furthermore, bacteria in forests and agricultural areas (e.g., Paraburkholderia, Burkholderia) have been found to be highly correlated with habitat variables. Therefore, we suggest that habitat variables should be considered in future symbiotic studies.
Vitality from Experiences in Nature and Contact with Animals—A Way to Develop Joint Attention and Social Engagement in Children with Autism?
Authors: Byström Kristina , Grahn Patrik , Hägerhäll Caroline
Published: November 2019

Animals are increasingly included in treatment for children with autism, and research has shown positive effects, such as increased social initiatives, decreased typical autistic behaviors, and decreased stress. However, there are still knowledge gaps, for example, on underlying mechanisms and effects from longer treatment duration. The purpose of this study is to contribute to these gaps and ask questions about the ways in which animals and nature can improve conditions for psychological development through support from therapists. The method is based on grounded theory. Data comes from a treatment model (duration 1½ years, a total of nine children), from environmental psychology and developmental psychology, both typical and atypical as in autism. The results consist of three key categories; reduce stress and instill calm, arouse curiosity and interest, and attract attention spontaneously. These three key categories are related to an underlying core variable, vitality forms, which was described by Daniel Stern and, according to him, is important in forming overall experiences. The starting point is the brain’s way of encoding many internal and external events based on movement perception. Here it is argued that the vitality forms from nature and animals are particularly favorable for effecting development-promoting interactions with a therapist.
Predicting Factors Affecting Adolescent Obesity Using General Bayesian Network and What-If Analysis
Authors: Kim Cheong , Costello Francis Joseph , Lee Kun Chang , Li Yuan , Li Chenyao
Published: November 2019

With the remarkable improvement in people’s socioeconomic living standards around the world, adolescent obesity has increasingly become an important public health issue that cannot be ignored. Thus, we have implemented its use in an attempt to explore the viability of scenario-based simulations through the use of a data mining approach. In doing so, we wanted to explore the merits of using a General Bayesian Network (GBN) with What-If analysis while exploring how it can be utilized in other areas of public health. We analyzed data from the 2017 Korean Youth Health Behavior Survey conducted directly by the Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, including 19 attributes and 11,206 individual data points. Our simulations found that by manipulating the amount of pocket money-between $60 and $80-coupled with a low-income background, it has a high potential to increase obesity compared with other simulated factors. Additionally, when we manipulated an increase in studying time with a mediocre academic performance, it was found to potentially increase pressure on adolescents, which subsequently led to an increased obesity outcome. Lastly, we found that when we manipulated an increase in a father’s education level while manipulating a decrease in mother’s education level, this had a large effect on the potential adolescent obesity level. Although obesity was the chosen case, this paper acts more as a proof of concept in analyzing public health through GBN and What-If analysis. Therefore, it aims to guide health professionals into potentially expanding their ability to simulate certain outcomes based on predicted changes in certain factors concerning future public health issues.
Encounter with Bullying in Sport and Its Consequences for Youth: Amateur Athletes’ Approach
Authors: Vveinhardt Jolita , Fominiene Vilija Bite , Andriukaitiene Regina
Published: November 2019

In recent years, the problem of bullying, existing in sport and arising in athletes’ relationships, is increasingly emphasized. The aim of this research was to reveal the specificity of bullying in athletes’ interrelationships by elaborating on causes of its emergence, nature of actions, and its consequences. To achieve the research aim, a qualitative research paradigm was chosen. The theoretical part of the research was prepared by applying the methods of scientific literature analysis and analogy. The empirical study involved seven organized sports athletes representing individual, duel, and team sports branches, belonging to the young adult age category. The survey was conducted using the semi-structured interview method. Data were analyzed employing the conceptual content analysis. Emic and etic perspectives were used for data processing. Research results revealed that the specificity of manifestation of bullying in sport unfolded through three generalized categories: intolerable perception of behavior, nature of bullying, and bipolarity of consequences. Every category was detailed by sub-categories, highlighting the nature, causes, and consequences of bullying accepted by athletes in the contexts of their emotional state and career. We found that the factors falling into these categories were interrelated and supplemented each other; therefore, they should be analyzed in a complex way, as bullying is determined not by some single factor but by the totality of them, functioning as a kind of well-established flawed tradition supported by the cultures of the sports organization and the sport.
The Effect of Strengthened Physical Education on Academic Achievements in High School Students: A Quasi-Experiment in China
Authors: Zhang Yunting , Ma Xiaochen , Zhao Jin , Shen Hong , Jiang Fan
Published: November 2019

Objectives: Evidence of school-based physical activity (PA) on academic performance in children and adolescents was inconsistent, especially in high school students who face a high academic burden. In this study, we tested the efficacy of a strengthened physical education (PE) program on academic outcomes in Shanghai. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was conducted to investigate the effect of strengthened PE on academic scores by calculating the grade-cohort difference before and after the intervention. PE curriculum switched from traditional short duration (40 minutes) general fitness training to long duration (90 minutes) specialized sports (e.g., football, aerobics). A total of 460 high school students (236 pre-intervention and 224 post-intervention) were enrolled in grade 10 and followed for two and three semesters. The academic outcome was assessed by district-standardized test scores. A difference-in-difference approach was employed. Results: After two semesters, the standardized Chinese language scores and English language scores for the post intervention group were increased by 0.61 SD (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44, 0.78, p < 0.001) and 0.28 SD (95% CI: 0.09, 0.47, p = 0.01). However, the standardized math scores for the post intervention group were decreased in girls. After three semesters, standardized Chinese language scores for the post intervention group were increased by 0.27 SD (95% CI: 0.06, 0.48, p = 0.01). Math scores and English language scores decreased by 0.18 SD (95% CI: −0.36, −0.01, p = 0.04) and 0.23 SD (95% CI: −0.38, −0.09, p = 0.00), respectively. Conclusion: A school-based physical education program had mixed effects on academic scores in high school students.
Workplace Bullying as Experienced by Managers and How They Cope: A Qualitative Study of Swedish Managers
Authors: Björklund Christina , Hellman Therese , Jensen Irene , Åkerblom Cecilia , Björk Brämberg Elisabeth
Published: November 2019

Background: The aim of the study was to describe factors that contribute to the occurrence of workplace bullying, that enable it to continue and the coping strategies managers use when they are bullied. Methods: A qualitative study design was applied. Twenty-two managers from the private and public sectors were interviewed. Data were analyzed by means of content analysis. Results: Several factors could be linked to the bullying: being new in the managerial position; lack of clarity about roles and expectations; taking over a work group with ongoing conflicts; reorganizations. The bullying usually lasted for quite some time. Factors that allowed the bullying to continue were passive bystanders and the bullies receiving support from higher management. The managers in this study adopted a variety of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies. However, in the end most chose to leave the organization. Only four remained in their managerial position at the time of the interview. Conclusions: The study concludes that bullying can occur in all types of organization. To prevent it we need to look primarily at organizational factors. Social support is also crucial for managers’ ability to cope successfully with bullying.
Mapping Creative Industries: A Case Study on Supporting Geographical Information Systems in the Olomouc Region, Czech Republic
Authors: Netek Rostislav , Burian Tomas , Kohn Jakub
Published: November 2019

The article presents an interdisciplinary link between the geospatial and the cultural sector. This is a unique study of Central Europe in visualizing and interpreting the spatial location of elements in cultural and creative industries. The main purpose was to create suitable visualizations and to process the spatial aspects of cultural and creative industries in a cartographical environment. A team of professionals from several fields (geoinformatics, economics, culture, social sciences, cartography) was assembled to map the creative industries in Olomouc Region, Czech Republic. A total of 1,211 subjects were identified which created the conditions for the employment of more than 5,000 people. Their turnover exceeds EUR 190,000,000 annually. This study was based on an initially examined dataset. Seven spatial analyses were applied. Thirty analogue maps and one interactive map application were created. The point character map was the most used one. The price map, as a background layer, was considered very useful for further map reading. The essential phenomena were topics of population density and transport. Based on the generated map outputs, we found that subjects had a tendency to concentrate in the city center or in areas with higher prices and service levels.
Automated Method for Detection of Missing Road Point Regions in Mobile Laser Scanning Data
Authors: Ma Yang , Zheng Yubing , Easa Said , Hou Mingyu , Cheng Jianchuan
Published: November 2019

The paper proposes a method supported by MATLAB for detection and measurement of missing point regions (MPR) which may cause severe road information loss in mobile laser scanning (MLS) point clouds. First, the scan-angle thresholds are used to segment the road area for MPR detection. Second, the segmented part is mapped onto a binary image with a pixel size of ε through rasterization. Then, MPR featuring connected 1-pixels are identified and measured via image processing techniques. Finally, the parameters regarding MPR in the image space are reparametrized in relation to the vehicle path recorded in MLS data for a better understanding of MPR properties on the geodetic plane. Tests on two MLS datasets show that the output of the proposed approach can effectively detect and assess MPR in the dataset. The ε parameter exerts a substantial influence on the performance of the method, and it is recommended that its value should be optimized for accurate MPR detections.
Allosteric Modulation of Cannabinoid Receptor 1—Current Challenges and Future Opportunities
Authors: Hryhorowicz Szymon , Kaczmarek-Ryś Marta , Andrzejewska Angelika , Staszak Klaudia , Hryhorowicz Magdalena , Korcz Aleksandra , Słomski Ryszard
Published: November 2019

The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), plays an essential role in the control of many physiological processes such as hunger, memory loss, gastrointestinal activity, catalepsy, fear, depression, and chronic pain. Therefore, it is an attractive target for drug discovery to manage pain, neurodegenerative disorders, obesity, and substance abuse. However, the psychoactive adverse effects, generated by CB1R activation in the brain, limit the use of the orthosteric CB1R ligands as drugs. The discovery of CB1R allosteric modulators during the last decade provided new tools to target the CB1R. Moreover, application of the site-directed mutagenesis in combination with advanced physical methods, especially X-ray crystallography and computational modeling, has opened new horizons for understanding the complexity of the structure, function, and activity of cannabinoid receptors. In this paper, we present the latest advances in research on the CB1R, its allosteric modulation and allosteric ligands, and their translational potential. We focused on structural essentials of the cannabinoid 1 receptor- ligand (drug) interactions, as well as modes of CB1R signaling regulation.
Bacteriotherapy in Breast Cancer
Authors: Yaghoubi Atieh , Khazaei Majid , Hasanian Seyed , Avan Amir , C. Cho William , Soleimanpour Saman
Published: November 2019

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality among women around the world. Conventional treatments in the fight against breast cancer, such as chemotherapy, are being challenged regarding their effectiveness. Thus, strategies for the treatment of breast cancer need to be continuously refined to achieve a better patient outcome. We know that a number of bacteria are pathogenic and some are even associated with tumor development, however, recent studies have demonstrated interesting results suggesting some bacteria may have potential for cancer therapy. Therefore, the therapeutic role of bacteria has aroused attention in medical and pharmaceutical studies. Furthermore, genetic engineering has been used in bacterial therapy and may led to greater efficacy with few side effects. Some genetically modified non-pathogenic bacterial species are more successful due to their selectivity for cancer cells but with low toxicity for normal cells. Some live, attenuated, or genetically modified bacterias are capable to multiply in tumors and inhibit their growth. This article aims to review the role of bacteria and their products including bacterial peptides, bacteriocins, and toxins for the treatment of breast cancer.
The Biological Bases of Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Fernández Ana I. , Yotti Raquel , González-Mansilla Ana , Mombiela Teresa , Gutiérrez-Ibanes Enrique , Pérez del Villar Candelas , Navas-Tejedor Paula , Chazo Christian , Martínez-Legazpi Pablo , Fernández-Avilés Francisco , Bermejo Javier
Published: November 2019

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a potentially fatal condition with a prevalence of around 1% in the world population and most commonly caused by left heart disease (PH-LHD). Usually, in PH-LHD, the increase of pulmonary pressure is only conditioned by the retrograde transmission of the left atrial pressure. However, in some cases, the long-term retrograde pressure overload may trigger complex and irreversible biomechanical and biological changes in the pulmonary vasculature. This latter clinical entity, designated as combined pre- and post-capillary PH, is associated with very poor outcomes. The underlying mechanisms of this progression are poorly understood, and most of the current knowledge comes from the field of Group 1-PAH. Treatment is also an unsolved issue in patients with PH-LHD. Targeting the molecular pathways that regulate pulmonary hemodynamics and vascular remodeling has provided excellent results in other forms of PH but has a neutral or detrimental result in patients with PH-LHD. Therefore, a deep and comprehensive biological characterization of PH-LHD is essential to improve the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of patients and, eventually, identify new therapeutic targets. Ongoing research is aimed at identify candidate genes, variants, non-coding RNAs, and other biomarkers with potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications. In this review, we discuss the state-of-the-art cellular, molecular, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms potentially involved in PH-LHD. Signaling and effective pathways are particularly emphasized, as well as the current knowledge on -omic biomarkers. Our final aim is to provide readers with the biological foundations on which to ground both clinical and pre-clinical research in the field of PH-LHD.
Stability and Fermentability of Green Tea Flavonols in In-Vitro-Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion and Human Fecal Fermentation
Authors: Rha Chan-Su , Seong Hyunbin , Jung Young Sung , Jang Davin , Kwak Jun-Gu , Kim Dae-Ok , Han Nam Soo
Published: November 2019

Flavonols, the second most abundant flavonoids in green tea, exist mainly in the form of glycosides. Flavonols are known to have a variety of beneficial health effects; however, limited information is available on their fate in the digestive system. We investigated the digestive stability of flavonol aglycones and glycosides from green tea under simulated digestion and anaerobic human fecal fermentation. Green tea fractions rich in flavonol glycosides and aglycones, termed flavonol-glycoside-rich fraction (FLG) and flavonol-aglycone-rich fraction (FLA) hereafter, were obtained after treatment with cellulase and tannase, respectively. Kaempferol and its glycosides were found to be more stable in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids than the derivatives of quercetin and myricetin. Anaerobic human fecal fermentation with FLG and FLA increased the populations of Lactobacilli spp. and Bifidobacteria spp. and generated various organic acids, such as acetate, butyrate, propionate, and lactate, among which butyrate was produced in the highest amount. Our findings indicate that some stable polyphenols have higher bioaccessibilities in the gastrointestinal tract and that their health-modulating effects result from their interactions with microbes in the gut.
Caspase-8 Regulates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Necroptosis Independent of the Apoptosis Pathway in Auditory Cells
Authors: Kishino Akihiro , Hayashi Ken , Maeda Miyoko , Jike Toyoharu , Hidai Chiaki , Nomura Yasuyuki , Oshima Takeshi
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study is to elucidate the detailed mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced auditory cell death based on the function of the initiator caspases and molecular complex of necroptosis. Here, we demonstrated that ER stress initiates not only caspase-9-dependent intrinsic apoptosis along with caspase-3, but also receptor-interacting serine/threonine kinase (RIPK)1-dependent necroptosis in auditory cells. We observed the ultrastructural characteristics of both apoptosis and necroptosis in tunicamycin-treated cells under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We demonstrated that ER stress-induced necroptosis was dependent on the induction of RIPK1, negatively regulated by caspase-8 in auditory cells. Our data suggested that ER stress-induced intrinsic apoptosis depends on the induction of caspase-9 along with caspase-3 in auditory cells. The results of this study reveal that necroptosis could exist for the alternative backup cell death route of apoptosis in auditory cells under ER stress. Interestingly, our data results in a surge in the recognition that therapies aimed at the inner ear protection effect by caspase inhibitors like zVAD-fmk might arrest apoptosis but can also have the unanticipated effect of promoting necroptosis. Thus, RIPK1-dependent necroptosis would be a new therapeutic target for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss due to ER stress.
Remote Ischemic Preconditioning and Diazoxide Protect from Hepatic Ischemic Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting HMGB1-Induced TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling
Authors: Koh Won Uk , Kim Jiye , Lee Jooyoung , Song Gi-Won , Hwang Gyu Sam , Tak Eunyoung , Song Jun-Gol
Published: November 2019

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is known to have a protective effect against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in animal models. However, the underlying mechanism of action is not clearly understood. This study examined the effectiveness of RIPC in a mouse model of hepatic IR and aimed to clarify the mechanism and relationship of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) and HMGB1-induced TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling. C57BL/6 male mice were separated into six groups: (i) sham-operated control, (ii) IR, (iii) RIPC+IR, (iv) RIPC+IR+glyburide (KATP blocker), (v) RIPC+IR+diazoxide (KATP opener), and (vi) RIPC+IR+diazoxide+glyburide groups. Histological changes, including hepatic ischemia injury, were assessed. The levels of circulating liver enzymes and inflammatory cytokines were measured. Levels of apoptotic proteins, proinflammatory factors (TLR4, HMGB1, MyD88, and NF-κB), and IκBα were measured by Western blot and mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokine factors were determined by RT-PCR. RIPC significantly decreased hepatic ischemic injury, inflammatory cytokine levels, and liver enzymes compared to the corresponding values observed in the IR mouse model. The KATP opener diazoxide + RIPC significantly reduced hepatic IR injury demonstrating an additive effect on protection against hepatic IR injury. The protective effect appeared to be related to the opening of KATP, which inhibited HMGB1-induced TRL4/MyD88/NF-kB signaling.
The Knockdown of TREK-1 in Hippocampal Neurons Attenuate Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Depressive-Like Behavior in Mice
Authors: Kim Ajung , Jung Hyun-Gug , Kim Yeong-Eun , Kim Seung-Chan , Park Jae-Yong , Lee Seok-Geun , Hwang Eun Mi
Published: November 2019

TWIK-related potassium channel-1 (TREK-1) is broadly expressed in the brain and involved in diverse brain diseases, such as seizures, ischemia, and depression. However, the cell type-specific roles of TREK-1 in the brain are largely unknown. Here, we generated a Cre-dependent TREK-1 knockdown (Cd-TREK-1 KD) transgenic mouse containing a gene cassette for Cre-dependent TREK-1 short hairpin ribonucleic acid to regulate the cell type-specific TREK-1 expression. We confirmed the knockdown of TREK-1 by injecting adeno-associated virus (AAV) expressing Cre into the hippocampus of the mice. To study the role of hippocampal neuronal TREK-1 in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression model, we injected AAV-hSyn-BFP (nCTL group) or AAV-hSyn-BFP-Cre (nCre group) virus into the hippocampus of Cd-TREK-1 KD mice. Interestingly, the immobility in the tail suspension test after LPS treatment did not change in the nCre group. Additionally, some neurotrophic factors (BDNF, VEGF, and IGF-1) significantly increased more in the nCre group compared to the nCTL group after LPS treatment, but there was no difference in the expression of their receptors. Therefore, our data suggest that TREK-1 in the hippocampal neurons has antidepressant effects, and that Cd-TREK-1 KD mice are a valuable tool to reveal the cell type-specific roles of TREK-1 in the brain.