bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Nonphaco small incision Cataract Surgery with Conventional Method: An Observational Study
Authors: Sultana Shamima , Sharif AQM Omar , Begum Nazneen , Parveen Salma , Begum Wahida , Haque MM Ehsanul
Published: September 2019

Background: Cataract surgery is very important for the correction of visual acuity among the patients.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the uncorrected visual acuity in small incision cataract surgery (SICS) with PCIOL than conventional method of ECCE with PCIOL implantation.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at National Institute of Ophthalmology, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 1999 to December 2000 for a period of two (02) years. Patients with senile cataract were selected for study. A comparative study of changes in postoperative visual outcome and refractive status during post-operative follow up period up to 2 months were observed and documented between two groups of patients, one with suture less nonphaco SICS with PCIOL another with conventional ECCE with PCIOL. All the cataract surgery were done by the same surgeon, and in same place. All the patients were examined carefully both pre and post-operatively. For the purpose of recording, a proforma was made that includes particulars of the patient, complete history, general examination, ocular examination, relevant investigations, operation note, perioperative complications, post-operative follow-up, pre and post-operative visual acuity with keratometric reading.

Result: A total of 60 eyes of cataract patients were included in the study of which 30 eyes of cataract patients were randomly selected for suture less nonphaco SICS with PCIOL and 30 eyes of cataract patients were for conventional ECCE with PCIOL.Mean age distribution (58.83±5.55 and 58.77±6.56) was similar in both groups. The unaided vision in both SICS & ECCE group at different postoperative intervals was reported. At day7 and month 1 postoperatively the result appears highly significant between the two groups. At day 1 and month 2 also shows the significant result between the 2 groups. The best corrected visual acuity in SICS and ECCE group at different postoperative intervals was measured. At day 7 and month 1 postoperatively the result appears highly significant between the two groups. At day 1 and month 2 also shows the significant result between the 2 groups.In SICS group out of 30 patients, 7(23.3%) cases acquired unaided vision 6/9 at day 1, 10(33.3%) patients at day 7,14(46.6%)patients at month 1 and 15(49.9%) patients at month 2. On the other hand in ECCE group no patient was found with vision ≥6/9 at day 1 and only one patient with vision ≥6/9 at day 7.At month 1 there were 5(16.6%) patients, and at month 2 there were 9(29.9%)patients with vision ≥6/9. Nearly 50.0% patients of SICS group achieve unaided vision of ≥6/9 within the follow up period of 02 months.

Conclusion: In conclusion Uncorrected visual acuity in SICS cases were better than that of ECCE cases with sutures.

Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2019;5(2): 185-190
UPAYA PEMERINTAH DAERAH MENGATASI KERUSAKAN LINGKUNGAN AKIBAT ALIH FUNGSI LAHAN BERDASARKAN KONSEP NEGARA KESEJAHTERAAN
Authors: Riskanita Dinda , Widowaty Yeni
Published: September 2019

Environmental damage in Ponorogo Regency is more caused by land conversion factors that occur in several regions, especially in the highland areas. The problem formulation consists of two questions, first what is the impact of environmental damage from the function of hilly land to plantation land. Second, how do regional governments overcome environmental damage based on welfare state concept. This research aims to (1) know and analyze effect of land conversion toward environmental damage, (2) know and analyze regional government efforts in overcoming  environmental damage based on Welfare State Concept. The research method used is empirical research, which consists of primary data and secondary data. The research approach used in statute approach and sociological approach. This study finds out (1) the impact of environmental damage, such as landslides disaster, difficult to get clean water, difficulties in reforestation, lost soil characteristics, (2) the efforts of regional government in overcoming environmental damage are to conduct spatial planning based on regulations in accordance with Welfare State Concept. Keywords: Social Welfare, Environment, Regional Government, Regulations. Kerusakan lingkungan di Kabupaten Ponorogo banyak disebabkan karena faktor alih fungsi lahan yang terjadi di beberapa wilayah, khususnya di daerah dataran tinggi. Rumusan masalah terdiri dari dua pertanyaan, pertama apa dampak kerusakan lingkungan akibat alih fungsi lahan perbukitan menjadi lahan perkebunan, kedua bagaimana upaya pemerintah daerah mengatasi kerusakan lingkungan berdasarkan Konsep Negara Kesejahteraan. Tujuan penelitian adalah (1) untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis dampak alih fungsi lahan yang berakibat pada kerusakan lingkungan, (2) untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis terkait upaya pemerintah daerah mengatasi kerusakan lingkungan berdasarkan konsep negara kesejahteraan. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian empiris, yang terdiri dari data primer dan data sekunder. Pendekatan penelitian yang digunakan adalah pendekatan perundang-undangan dan pendekatan sosiologis. Hasil penelitian dari dua permasalah yang penulis teliti adalah (1) bahwa dampak yang timbul dari kerusakan lingkungan, yaitu bencana longsor, minimnya air bersih, sulitnya melakukan reboisasi, dan hilangnya karakteristik lahan, (2) upaya pemerintah daerah dalam mengatasi kerusakan lingkungan tersebut adalah melakukan perencanaan tata ruang berdasarkan peraturan perundang-undangan sesuai dengan Konsep Negara Kesejahteraan. Kesimpulan yang diperoleh adalah (1) dampak dari alih fungsi lahan mengakibatkan daerah ditetapkan menjadi Kawasan Rawan Bencana (KRB), (2) upaya pemerintah daerah berdasarkan Konsep Negara Kesejahteraan yaitu perencanaan tata ruang dan tata guna lahan.Kata Kunci: Negara Kesejahteraan; Lingkungan; Pemerintah Daerah;Peraturan.
Produção de Nanopartículas de ferritas do tipo espinélio: Um estudo bibliométrico
Authors: Ribeiro Jomar José Knaip , Porto Paulo Sérgio da Silva , Moscon Paulo Sérgio , Proveti José Rafael Cápua , Pessoa Marcio Solino , Pereira Rodrigo Dias , Muniz Eduardo Perini
Published: September 2019

Neste artigo foi realizada uma análise bibliométrica sobre a produção de ferritas do tipo espinélio, visando ampliar a gestão de conhecimentos sobre a área de pesquisa, bem como identificar perspectivas futuras voltadas para as aplicações dessas estruturas e lançar luz à pesquisas sequentes. O estudo foi delineado apartir de uma análise estatística e qualitativa dos documentos da base de dados da Web of Science (WoS) no período entre 1995-2017, utilizando como ferramenta adicional o software CiteSpace, que permite a ampliação do domínio do conhecimento sobre o tema coma obtenção de um conjunto de registros bibliográficos de publicações relevantes, com subsequente identificação de grupos interligados de pesquisa (clusters). O software CiteSpace fornece um grupo de parâmetros empíricos, dentre eles o denominado Betweenness Centrality (BC), que descreve a influência de determinado artigo na transferência de informações entre o conjunto de publicações em estudo. Por meio dos resultados foi possível identificar crescimento significativo no número de publicações e citações. Os países com maiores números de publicações são: Índia (946), China (483) e Estados Unidos da América (247), sendo que os EUA detêm o maior parâmetro de centralidade(BC), que reflete o seu papel de destaque na transmissão de informações sobre as ferritas do tipo espinélio. Ao analisar a decomposição das categorias da WoS em grandes grupos ou clusters foi observada a predominância de três áreas de acordo com o número de co-citações: “magnetic properties”, “eletromagnetic properties” e “effective eletrocatalysis properties”, que reflete os principais objetivos das pesquisas sobre esse tema. Dentre as principais palavras-chave,”cobalt ferrite” possui o maior o parâmetro BC, revelando maior interesse da comunidade científica nas ferritas de Cobalto. Os resultados dos clusters foram corroborados a partir da identificação das principais aplicações das ferritas do tipo espinélio nos últimos dois anos, em que foi observada a atuação desses materiais predominantemente em tratamento de efluentes, dispositivos magnéticos, sensores e aplicações na medicina.
A Participação dos Institutos Federais na Interiorização da Educação Superior Presencial no Brasil
Authors: Rosinke João Germano , Carvalho Edione Teixeira de , Rosinke Gisele Cristina Lopes , Silva Guilherme José Santini da
Published: September 2019

Este estudo tem por objetivo primeiro analisar como os Institutos Federais se integraram na oferta da Educação Superior no Brasil. Articuladamente, averiguar-se-á como ocorreu o processo de interiorização das vagas. Ao criar os Institutos Federais no ano de 2008, o governo federal os definiu como instituições de educação superior, básica e profissional, promovendo a ampliação do número de vagas no país. Foi empregada uma pesquisa quanti-qualitativa. A coleta de dados foi realizada a partir das informações do Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira – INEP, por meio do sistema do Censo da Educação Superior, entre os anos de 2008 a 2017.  Os resultados preliminares demonstram como ocorreu a ampliação e interiorização das vagas, com uma contribuição decisiva dos Institutos Federais no acesso à educação superior em regiões que até então não eram atendidas.
PERAN PEMERINTAH DALAM PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT DESA (STUDI PADA DESA SUKAMULYA KECAMATAN PAKENJENG KABUPATEN GARUT PROVINSI JAWA BARAT)
Authors: Sahyana Yana
Published: September 2019

This tudy aimed to describe Role of Village Government in Empowering Village Sukamulya Pakenjeng Sub district Garut District, based on the fact, most of livelihood’s Sukamulya Villagers is farm and level of public education in the productive age tends to below. In this study the authors use descriptive research with a qualitative approach. The data collection techniques were observation interviews and documentation. Based on the research that has been done can be concluded that the village government of Sukamulya can empower people through several development program are; The first is activation of the institution, the second is increasing public participation in the implementation of communal work activities, the rsse village musrenbangdes and physical development. The third is increase in productive economic with activity training of black smiths and embroidery. But, in the implementation of an empowerment society, village government Sukamulya had some constrains such as lack of community participation, lazy culture and the of facilities available to support development activities. Keywords: empowerment, village government.
Data-Driven Predictive Modeling of Neuronal Dynamics Using Long Short-Term Memory
Authors: Plaster Benjamin , Kumar Gautam
Published: September 2019

Modeling brain dynamics to better understand and control complex behaviors underlying various cognitive brain functions have been of interest to engineers, mathematicians and physicists over the last several decades. With the motivation of developing computationally efficient models of brain dynamics to use in designing control-theoretic neurostimulation strategies, we have developed a novel data-driven approach in a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network architecture to predict the temporal dynamics of complex systems over an extended long time-horizon in future. In contrast to recent LSTM-based dynamical modeling approaches that make use of multi-layer perceptrons or linear combination layers as output layers, our architecture uses a single fully connected output layer and reversed-order sequence-to-sequence mapping to improve short time-horizon prediction accuracy and to make multi-timestep predictions of dynamical behaviors. We demonstrate the efficacy of our approach in reconstructing the regular spiking to bursting dynamics exhibited by an experimentally-validated 9-dimensional Hodgkin-Huxley model of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Through simulations, we show that our LSTM neural network can predict the multi-time scale temporal dynamics underlying various spiking patterns with reasonable accuracy. Moreover, our results show that the predictions improve with increasing predictive time-horizon in the multi-timestep deep LSTM neural network.
Simulation on Cooperative Changeover of Production Team Using Hybrid Modeling Method
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Wang Yiqi , Xu Bingcun
Published: September 2019

In the multi-variety and small-quantity manufacturing environment, changeover operation occurs frequently, and cooperative changeover method is often used as a way to shorten the changeover time and balance the workload. However, more workers and tasks will be affected by cooperative changeover. As such, the effectiveness of the cooperative changeover is dependent on other factors, such as the scope of cooperation and the proportion of newly introduced products. For this reason, this paper proposes a hybrid modeling method to support the simulation study of the production team's cooperative changeover strategies under various environments. Firstly, a hybrid simulation modeling method consisting of multi-agent systems and discrete events is introduced. Secondly, according to the scope of cooperation, this paper puts forward four kinds of cooperative changeover strategies. This paper also describes the cooperative line-changing behavior of operators. Finally, based on the changeover strategies, the proposed simulation method is applied to a production cell. Four production scenarios are considered according to the proportion of newly introduced part. The performance of various cooperative strategies in different production scenarios is simulated, and the statistical test results show that the optimal or satisfactory strategy can be determined in each production scenario. Additionally, the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed modeling method are verified.
Field Testing of a Biomass-Fueled Flamer for In-Row Weed Control in the Vineyard
Authors: Pergher Gianfranco , Gubiani Rino , Mainardis Matia
Published: September 2019

Concern about the adverse effects of chemicals on the environment and on human health, and increasing restrictions of herbicide use, have led to a renewed interest in non-chemical weed control, particularly under the row of vineyards. A new, biomass-fueled (wood pellet), flaming prototype (CS Thermos, San Vendemiano, TV) was tested in the vineyard during Spring–Summer 2018, and compared with tillage (disc cultivator, weeder blade, and finger blade) and mowing (in-row, vine-skipping mower). Efficacy (in % of weed biomass removed or killed) and re-growth between two applications (in g dry biomass/m2) were assessed for each treatment at two sampling locations (between the vines, and around the vines). Flaming resulted in greater efficacy of weed removal in comparison to tillage (blade weeder) and mowing, both between the vines (64%–75% versus 44%–68%, and 40%–68%, respectively) and around the vines (56%–78%, 39%–46%, and 37%–48%, respectively). However, five applications of tillage significantly reduced total weed growth until 27 July (by 26%) between vines in comparison to three applications of flaming, while no significant differences were found around vines. Such findings suggest that more frequent applications of flaming may be needed to give average weed control comparable to that of tillage, while improving it close to the vine trunks. Advantages and disadvantages of the prototype versus tillage and mowing, and versus conventional, LPG-fueled flamers are discussed in the paper.
Verbal Interactional Synchronization between Therapist and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder during Dolphin Assisted Therapy: Five Case Studies
Authors: Griffioen Richard , van der Steen Steffie , Cox Ralf F. A. , Verheggen Theo , Enders-Slegers Marie-Jose
Published: September 2019

Synchronizing behaviors in interactions, such as during turn-taking, are often impaired in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Therapies that focus on turn-taking generally lead to increased social skills, less interruptions, and silent pauses, however a positive non-demanding environment is therefore thought to be beneficial. Such an environment can be achieved by incorporating animals into therapy. Our study was guided by the following research questions: (1) How can we characterize the interaction between child and therapist during dolphin-assisted therapy, with regard to synchrony in verbalizations (turn-taking) and (2) does synchrony change over the course of six sessions of therapy? To answer these questions, we performed a cross-recurrence quantification analysis on behavioral data of five children, to give a detailed view of the interaction between therapist and child in the context of dolphin-assisted therapy. We were able to detect synchrony (i.e., adequate turn-taking) in all dyads, although not all children improved equally. The differences might be explained by a delayed reaction time of some children, and their level of language development.
Natural Product Type III Secretion System Inhibitors
Authors: Pendergrass Heather A. , May Aaron E.
Published: September 2019

Many known inhibitors of the bacterial type III secretion system (T3SS), a virulence factor used by pathogenic bacteria to infect host cells, are natural products. These compounds, produced by bacteria, fungi, and plants, may have developed as prophylactic treatments for potential attack by bacterial pathogens or as an attempt by symbiotic organisms to protect their hosts. Regardless, better understanding of the structures and mechanisms of action of these compounds may open opportunities for drug development against diseases caused by pathogens utilizing the T3SS. This review will cover selected known natural products of the T3SS and detail what is known of their origin and mechanism of action. These inhibitors highlight nature’s ability to modulate interactions between organisms at a cellular level.
SERS-Active Substrates Nanoengineering Based on e-Beam Evaporated Self-Assembled Silver Films
Authors: Boginskaya Irina , Sedova Marina , Baburin Aleksandr , Afanas’ev Konstantin , Zverev Alexander , Echeistov Vladimir , Ryzhkov Vitaly , Rodionov Ilya , Tonanaiskii Bogdan , Ryzhikov Ilya , Lagarkov Andrey
Published: September 2019

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been intensely studied as a possible solution in the fields of analytical chemistry and biosensorics for decades. Substantial research has been devoted to engineering signal enhanced SERS-active substrates based on semi-continuous nanostructured silver and gold films, or agglomerates of micro- and nanoparticles in solution. Herein, we demonstrate the high-amplitude spectra of myoglobin precipitated out of ultra-low concentration solutions (below 10 μg/mL) using e-beam evaporated continuous self-assembled silver films. We observe up to 105 times Raman signal amplification with purposefully designed SERS-active substrates in comparison with the control samples. SERS-active substrates are obtained by electron beam evaporation of silver thin films with well controlled nanostructured surface morphology. The characteristic dimensions of the morphology elements vary in the range from several to tens of nanometers. Using optical confocal microscopy we demonstrate that proteins form a conformation on the surface of the self-assembled silver film, which results in an effective enhancement of giant Raman scattering signal. We investigate the various SERS substrates surface morphologies by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in combination with deep data analysis with Gwyddion software and a number of machine learning techniques. Based on these results, we identify the most significant film surface morphology patterns and evaporation recipe parameters to obtain the highest amplitude SERS spectra. Moreover, we demonstrate the possibility of automated selection of suitable morphological parameters to obtain the high-amplitude spectra. The developed AFM data auto-analysis procedures are used for smart optimization of SERS-active substrates nanoengineering processes.
Influence of Eddy-Generation Mechanism on the Characteristic of On-Source Fire Whirl
Authors: Wang Cheng , Yuen Anthony Chun Yin , Chan Qing Nian , Chen Timothy Bo Yuan , Chen Qian , Cao Ruifeng , Yip Ho Lung , Kook Sanghoon , Yeoh Guan Heng
Published: September 2019

This paper numerically examines the characterisation of fire whirl formulated under various entrainment conditions in an enclosed configuration. The numerical framework, integrating large eddy simulation and detailed chemistry, is constructed to assess the whirling flame behaviours. The proposed model constraints the convoluted coupling effects, e.g., the interrelation between combustion, flow dynamics and radiative feedback, thus focuses on assessing the impact on flame structure and flow behaviour solely attribute to the eddy-generation mechanisms. The baseline model is validated well against the experimental data. The data of the comparison case, with the introduction of additional flow channelling slit, is subsequently generated for comparison. The result suggests that, with the intensified circulation, the generated fire whirl increased by 9.42 % in peak flame temperature, 84.38 % in visible flame height, 6.81 % in axial velocity, and 46.14 % in velocity dominant region. The fire whirl core radius of the comparison case was well constrained within all monitored heights, whereas that of the baseline tended to disperse at 0.5   m height-above-burner. This study demonstrates that amplified eddy generation via the additional flow channelling slit enhances the mixing of all reactant species and intensifies the combustion process, resulting in an elongated and converging whirling core of the reacting flow.
Multispecies Swarm Electrification for Rural Areas of the Developing World
Authors: Kyriakarakos George , Papadakis George
Published: September 2019

Today, 992 million people still do not have access to electricity globally. Most live in rural areas of the developing world. In 2018, the electrification rate for sub-Saharan Africa was only 27%. Furthermore, off-grid systems are projected to provide 65% of the newly electrified population in sub-Saharan Africa. Current estimations show that the average connection cost per technology in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa is 2000–3000 USD for grid extension, 500–1200 USD for a microgrid solution, and 150–500 USD for a solar home system. The most recent studies for real-world microgrids installed in sub-Saharan Africa show that the average split of capital expenditure (CAPEX) spending on distribution versus generation in microgrids is at 50%/50%. This is the result of the significant cost reduction of photovoltaics, batteries, and power electronics, in comparison with the practically stable unchanged cost of poles and cables. Even if the business model is chosen by the investor—usually a pay-as-you-go implementation—there is still the difficult decision to make on whether to go for a microgrid or solar home systems. Taking inspiration from multispecies swarms, a Multispecies Swarm Electrification approach is developed that is able to meet the real-world needs of the developing world in terms of rural electrification.
Physiological Driver Monitoring Using Capacitively Coupled and Radar Sensors
Authors: Castro Ivan D. , Mercuri Marco , Patel Aakash , Puers Robert , Van Hoof Chris , Torfs Tom
Published: September 2019

Unobtrusive monitoring of drivers’ physiological parameters is a topic gaining interest, potentially allowing to improve the performance of safety systems to prevent accidents, as well as to improve the driver’s experience or provide health-related services. In this article, two unobtrusive sensing techniques are evaluated: capacitively coupled sensing of the electrocardiogram and respiration, and radar-based sensing of heartbeat and respiration. A challenge for use of these techniques in vehicles are the vibrations and other disturbances that occur in vehicles to which they are inherently more sensitive than contact-based sensors. In this work, optimized sensor architectures and signal processing techniques are proposed that significantly improve the robustness to artefacts. Experimental results, conducted under real driving conditions on public roads, demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. R peak sensitivities and positive predictivities higher than 98% both in highway and city traffic, heart rate mean absolute error of 1.02 bpm resp. 2.06 bpm in highway and city traffic and individual beat R-R interval 95% percentile error within ±27.3 ms are demonstrated. The radar experimental results show that respiration can be measured while driving and heartbeat can be recovered from vibration noise using an accelerometer-based motion reduction algorithm.
Personal Information Classification on Aggregated Android Application’s Permissions
Authors: Onik Md Mehedi Hassan , Kim Chul-Soo , Lee Nam-Yong , Yang Jinhong
Published: September 2019

Android is offering millions of apps on Google Play-store by the application publishers. However, those publishers do have a parent organization and share information with them. Through the ‘Android permission system’, a user permits an app to access sensitive personal data. Large-scale personal data integration can reveal user identity, enabling new insights and earn revenue for the organizations. Similarly, aggregation of Android app permissions by the app owning parent organizations can also cause privacy leakage by revealing the user profile. This work classifies risky personal data by proposing a threat model on the large-scale app permission aggregation by the app publishers and associated owners. A Google-play application programming interface (API) assisted web app is developed that visualizes all the permissions an app owner can collectively gather through multiple apps released via several publishers. The work empirically validates the performance of the risk model with two case studies. The top two Korean app owners, seven publishers, 108 apps and 720 sets of permissions are studied. With reasonable accuracy, the study finds the contact number, biometric ID, address, social graph, human behavior, email, location and unique ID as frequently exposed data. Finally, the work concludes that the real-time tracking of aggregated permissions can limit the odds of user profiling.
Biodegradation of Sulfamethoxazole in Milkfish (Chanos chanos) Pond Sediments
Authors: Chang Bea-Ven , Chao Wei-Liang , Yeh Shinn-Lih , Kuo Dong-Lin , Yang Chu-Wen
Published: September 2019

To cope with bacterial infections, broad-spectrum antibiotics such as sulfonamides have been largely used for intensive coastal aquaculture. Sulfonamides are stable and difficult to remove by conventional wastewater treatment. Environmental pollution will occur if sulfonamide-containing aquaculture wastewater is discharged into rivers and oceans. In this study, high salinity-tolerant bacterial strains A12 and L with sulfamethoxazole (SMX)-degrading ability from milkfish (Chanos chanos) culture pond sediments with SMX were isolated, identified, and characterized. The degradation of SMX and the changes in the bacterial community in milkfish culture pond sediments were assessed. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested that bacterial strain A12 was very close (99% sequence identity) to Vibrio sp., and bacterial strain L was very close (99% sequence identity) to Pseudomonas sp. Aerobic and anaerobic batch and continuous SMX addition experiments indicated that bacterial strains A12 and L could enhance SMX degradation in milkfish culture pond sediments. Different microbial community compositions under aerobic and anaerobic conditions exhibited different SMX-degrading abilities. The results of this study suggest that bacterial strains A12 and L provide a solution for treatment of wastewater and sediment from SMX-contaminated high salinity milkfish culture ponds.
Control Strategy of a Hybrid Renewable Energy System Based on Reinforcement Learning Approach for an Isolated Microgrid
Authors: Phan Bao Chau , Lai Ying-Chih
Published: September 2019

Due to the rising cost of fossil fuels and environmental pollution, renewable energy (RE) resources are currently being used as alternatives. To reduce the high dependence of RE resources on the change of weather conditions, a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) is introduced in this research, especially for an isolated microgrid. In HRES, solar and wind energies are the primary energy resources while the battery and fuel cells (FCs) are considered as the storage systems that supply energy in case of insufficiency. Moreover, a diesel generator is adopted as a back-up system to fulfill the load demand in the event of a power shortage. This study focuses on the development of HRES with the combination of battery and hydrogen FCs. Three major parts were considered including optimal sizing, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control, and the energy management system (EMS). Recent developments and achievements in the fields of machine learning (ML) and reinforcement learning (RL) have led to new challenges and opportunities for HRES development. Firstly, the optimal sizing of the hybrid renewable hydrogen energy system was defined based on the Hybrid Optimization Model for Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software for the case study in an island in the Philippines. According to the assessment of EMS and MPPT control of HRES, it can be concluded that RL is one of the most emerging optimal control solutions. Finally, a hybrid perturbation and observation (P&O) and Q-learning (h-POQL) MPPT was proposed for a photovoltaic (PV) system. It was conducted and validated through the simulation in MATLAB/Simulink. The results show that it showed better performance in comparison to the P&O method.
Eerie Systems and Saudade for a Lost Nature
Authors: Goodfellow Paul
Published: September 2019

This paper considers Art’s engagement with the socio-ecological systems in operation in the world. Drawing from both environmental and art history, this paper employs the Deleuzean concept of the fold to suggest three overlapping periods of ecological-systems awareness over the past sixty years. This paper demonstrates how we have shifted our attention from a material engagement with the Earth to a primary engagement with systems which describe and simulate the Earth. This shift in attention to secondary information and an enfoldment within systems, defined as the Post-Systems Condition, manifests in the aesthetic quality of the eerie and a profound sense of saudade or longing for a lost nature.
Big Data and Energy Poverty Alleviation
Authors: Hassani Hossein , Yeganegi Mohammad Reza , Beneki Christina , Unger Stephan , Moradghaffari Mohammad
Published: September 2019

The focus of this paper is to bring to light the vital issue of energy poverty alleviation and how big data could improve the data collection quality and mechanism. It also explains the vicious circle of low productivity, health risk, environmental pollution and energy poverty and presents currently used energy poverty measures and alleviation policies and stresses the associated problems in application due to the underlying dynamics.
Extraction, Storage Duration, and Storage Temperature Affect the Activity of Ascorbate Peroxidase, Glutathione Reductase, and Superoxide Dismutase in Rice Tissue
Authors: Hartmann Julia , Asch Folkard
Published: September 2019

In experimental plant science, research often faces large numbers of tissue samples resulting from sequential harvests of a larger number of genotypes and treatments combinations. Analyses of biological processes such as enzyme kinetics are often time-consuming or need specific sample preparation procedures before the actual measurements can be done. Time is thus often the critical factor and the possibility to store plant samples either as tissue or as extracts increases the available timeframe for analyses. Biological molecules such as enzymes often change their activities when stored and thus do not reflect the processes occurring in living tissue. We investigated the effect of different storage methods such as freeze-drying, freezing at −20 °C, and freezing at −80 °C on the activity of three enzymes known as antioxidants, namely ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase from two rice varieties. Varieties differed in enzyme activity in extracts of fresh material from leaf blades, leaf sheaths, and roots. When subjected to different storage methods, there were no differences between varieties, but strong effects of the different storage methods on enzyme activities were found. The effects of the storage methods on enzyme activity strongly differed between extracts from stored tissue samples or extracts stored from freshly sampled material. We propose enzyme-specific storage methods and durations that allow for expanding the window for analyses in large experimental studies involving destructive samplings for enzyme kinetics.
Behavioral and Electrophysiological Arguments in Favor of a Relationship between Impulsivity, Risk-Taking, and Success on the Iowa Gambling Task
Authors: Giustiniani Julie , Joucla Coralie , Bennabi Djamila , Nicolier Magali , Chabin Thibault , Masse Caroline , Trojak Benoît , Vandel Pierre , Haffen Emmanuel , Gabriel Damien
Published: September 2019

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between trait impulsivity, risk-taking, and decision-making performance. We recruited 20 healthy participants who performed the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and the Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART) to measure decision-making and risk-taking. The impulsivity was measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Resting-state neural activity was recorded to explore whether brain oscillatory rhythms provide important information about the dispositional trait of impulsivity. We found a significant correlation between the ability to develop a successful strategy and the propensity to take more risks in the first trials of the BART. Risk-taking was negatively correlated with cognitive impulsivity in participants who were unable to develop a successful strategy. Neither risk-taking nor decision-making was correlated with cortical asymmetry. In a more exploratory approach, the group was sub-divided in function of participants’ performances at the IGT. We found that the group who developed a successful strategy at the IGT was more prone to risk, whereas the group who failed showed a greater cognitive impulsivity. These results emphasize the need for individuals to explore their environment to develop a successful strategy in uncertain situations, which may not be possible without taking risks.
Tumour Microenvironment and Immune Evasion in EGFR Addicted NSCLC: Hurdles and Possibilities
Authors: Santaniello Antonio , Napolitano Fabiana , Servetto Alberto , De Placido Pietro , Silvestris Nicola , Bianco Cataldo , Formisano Luigi , Bianco Roberto
Published: September 2019

In the last few years, the treatment strategy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients has been heavily modified by the introduction of the immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Anti-programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) therapy has improved both progression-free and the overall survival in almost all subgroups of patients, with or without PDL1 expression, with different degrees of responses. However, there are patients that are not benefitting from this treatment. A defined group of immune-checkpoint inhibitors non-responder tumours carry EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) mutations: nowadays, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 clinical trials often do not involve this type of patient and the use of immune-checkpoint inhibitors are under evaluation in this setting. Our review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this resistance: we focused on evaluating the role of the tumour microenvironment, including infiltrating cells, cytokines, secreted factors, and angiogenesis, and its interaction with the tumour tissue. Finally, we analysed the possible role of immunotherapy in EGFR mutated tumours.
Monoclonal Antibodies in Dermatooncology—State of the Art and Future Perspectives
Authors: Bobrowicz Malgorzata , Zagozdzon Radoslaw , Domagala Joanna , Vasconcelos-Berg Roberta , Guenova Emmanuella , Winiarska Magdalena
Published: September 2019

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting specific proteins are currently the most popular form of immunotherapy used in the treatment of cancer and other non-malignant diseases. Since the first approval of anti-CD20 mAb rituximab in 1997 for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, the market is continuously booming and the clinically used mAbs have undergone a remarkable evolution. Novel molecular targets are constantly emerging and the development of genetic engineering have facilitated the introduction of modified mAbs with improved safety and increased capabilities to activate the effector mechanisms of the immune system. Next to their remarkable success in hematooncology, mAbs have also an already established role in the treatment of solid malignancies. The recent development of mAbs targeting the immune checkpoints has opened new avenues for the use of this form of immunotherapy, also in the immune-rich milieu of the skin. In this review we aim at presenting a comprehensive view of mAbs’ application in the modern treatment of skin cancer. We present the characteristics and efficacy of mAbs currently used in dermatooncology and summarize the recent clinical trials in the field. We discuss the side effects and strategies for their managing.
Conversion of Shrimp Head Waste for Production of a Thermotolerant, Detergent-Stable, Alkaline Protease by Paenibacillus sp.
Authors: Doan Chien , Tran Thi , Wen I-Hong , Nguyen Van , Nguyen Anh , Wang San-Lang
Published: September 2019

Fishery processing by-products have been of great interest to researchers due to their beneficial applications in many fields. In this study, five types of marine by-products, including demineralized crab shell, demineralized shrimp shell, shrimp head, shrimp shell, and squid pen, provided sources of carbon and nitrogen nutrition by producing a protease from Paenibacillus sp. TKU047. Strain TKU047 demonstrated the highest protease productivity (2.98 U/mL) when cultured for two days on a medium containing 0.5% of shrimp head powder (SHP). The mass of TKU047 protease was determined to be 32 kDa (approximately). TKU047 protease displayed optimal activity at 70–80 °C and pH 9, with a pH range of stability from 6 to 11. TKU047 protease also showed stability in solutions containing surfactants and detergents. Based on its excellent properties, Paenibacillus sp. TKU047 protease may be a feasible candidate for inclusion in laundry detergents.
Potential Roles of Adiponectin Isoforms in Human Obesity with Delayed Wound Healing
Authors: Ryu Jiyoon , Loza Colleen , Xu Huan , Zhou Min , Hadley Jason , Wu Jielei , You Huayu , Wang Huaiqing , Yang Jihong , Bai Juli , Liu Feng , Bialowas Christie , Dong Lily
Published: September 2019

Adiponectin is an adipokine with anti-insulin resistance and anti-inflammatory functions. It exists in serum predominantly in three multimeric complexes: the trimer, hexamer, and high-molecular-weight forms. Although recent studies indicate that adiponectin promotes wound healing in rodents, its role in the wound healing process in humans is unknown. This study investigated the expression levels of adiponectin in adipose tissue and serum of women who experienced either normal or delayed wound healing after abdominal plastic surgery. We found that obese women with delayed healing had slightly lower total adiponectin levels in their adipose tissue compared with women with normal healing rates. Among the different isoforms of adiponectin, levels of the trimer forms were significantly reduced in adipose tissue, but not the serum, of obese women with delayed healing compared to women who healed normally. This study provides clinical evidence for a potential role of low-molecular-weight oligomers of adiponectin in the wound healing process as well as implications for an autocrine and/or paracrine mechanism of adiponectin action in adipose tissues.
Bringing Fronts Back: A Research Agenda to Investigate the Health and Well-Being Impacts of Front Gardens
Authors: Chalmin-Pui Lauriane Suyin , Griffiths Alistair , Roe Jenny J. , Cameron Ross W. F.
Published: September 2019

This perspective article proposes an agenda to investigate the impacts of front gardens (yards) on health and well-being. As front gardens are increasingly being paved over, significant ecological benefits will be lost. In addition, urban green infrastructure has a measurable role to play in addressing major public health issues related to mental health, chronic stress, inflammatory, and cardiovascular diseases. The social value of front gardens remains un-quantified. Future research can contribute to assessing the psycho-socio-cultural value of front gardens, and fostering healthy environments for people to live, work, and play in. A better understanding of the health impacts of front gardens can provide a relatable argument to protect permeable surfaces and spaces for nature, as well as to discourage the general public from paving over their front gardens. We propose eight central research questions to be addressed in future work, and elaborate on further variables, lines of inquiry, and suggested intervention trials and observational studies. Potential research findings will have implications for decision-making in fields of horticulture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and public health.
Heart Rate Dynamics in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Heart Rate Variability and Entropy
Authors: Zhang Lulu , Fu Mingyu , Xu Fengguo , Hou Fengzhen , Ma Yan
Published: September 2019

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a highly prevalent sleep disorder, is closely related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our previous work demonstrated that Shannon entropy of the degree distribution (EDD), obtained from the network domain of heart rate variability (HRV), might be a potential indicator for CVD. Method: To investigate the potential association between OSA and EDD, OSA patients and healthy controls (HCs) were identified from a sleep study database. Then EDD was calculated from electrocardiogram (ECG) signals during sleep, followed by cross-sectional comparisons between OSA patients and HCs, and longitudinal comparisons from baseline to follow-up visits. Furthermore, for OSA patients, the association between EDD and OSA severity, measured by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), was also analyzed. Results: Compared with HCs, OSA patients had significantly increased EDD during sleep. A positive correlation between EDD and the severity of OSA was also observed. Although the value of EDD became larger with aging, it was not OSA-specified. Conclusion: Increased EDD derived from ECG signals during sleep might be a potential dynamic biomarker to identify OSA patients from HCs, which may be used in screening OSA with high risk before polysomnography is considered.
Orthogonal Chaotic Binary Sequences Based on Bernoulli Map and Walsh Functions
Authors: Tsuneda Akio
Published: September 2019

The statistical properties of chaotic binary sequences generated by the Bernoulli map and Walsh functions are discussed. The Walsh functions are based on a 2 k × 2 k Hadamard matrix. For general k (= 1 , 2 , ⋯ ), we will prove that 2 k - 1 Walsh functions can generate essentially different balanced and i.i.d. binary sequences that are orthogonal to each other.
Closing the Wearable Gap—Part III: Use of Stretch Sensors in Detecting Ankle Joint Kinematics During Unexpected and Expected Slip and Trip Perturbations
Authors: Chander Harish , Stewart Ethan , Saucier David , Nguyen Phuoc , Luczak Tony , Ball John E. , Knight Adam C. , Smith Brian K. , V Reuben F. Burch , Prabhu R. K.
Published: September 2019

Background: An induced loss of balance resulting from a postural perturbation has been reported as the primary source for postural instability leading to falls. Hence; early detection of postural instability with novel wearable sensor-based measures may aid in reducing falls and fall-related injuries. The purpose of the study was to validate the use of a stretchable soft robotic sensor (SRS) to detect ankle joint kinematics during both unexpected and expected slip and trip perturbations. Methods: Ten participants (age: 23.7 ± 3.13 years; height: 170.47 ± 8.21 cm; mass: 82.86 ± 23.4 kg) experienced a counterbalanced exposure of an unexpected slip, an unexpected trip, an expected slip, and an expected trip using treadmill perturbations. Ankle joint kinematics for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion were quantified using three-dimensional (3D) motion capture through changes in ankle joint range of motion and using the SRS through changes in capacitance when stretched due to ankle movements during the perturbations. Results: A greater R-squared and lower root mean square error in the linear regression model was observed in comparing ankle joint kinematics data from motion capture with stretch sensors. Conclusions: Results from the study demonstrated that 71.25% of the trials exhibited a minimal error of less than 4.0 degrees difference from the motion capture system and a greater than 0.60 R-squared value in the linear model; suggesting a moderate to high accuracy and minimal errors in comparing SRS to a motion capture system. Findings indicate that the stretch sensors could be a feasible option in detecting ankle joint kinematics during slips and trips.
Thermal Performance Optimization and Experimental Evaluation of Vacuum-Glazed Windows Manufactured via the In-Vacuum Method
Authors: Park Jaesung , Oh Myunghwan , Lee Chul-sung
Published: September 2019

Windows are essential in buildings; however, they have poor thermal performance, so extensive research has been conducted on improving their performance. In this study, we developed vacuum-glazed windows with excellent insulation via the in-vacuum method, which shortens the manufacturing time and vacuuming degree considerably. In addition, the configuration of the pillars, low-emissivity (low-e) coating, and frame from a thermal performance perspective was experimentally optimized. The results revealed that the optimal pillar placement spacing is 40 mm and that the low-e coating surface must be located inside the vacuum layer to maximize insulation performance. The vacuum-glazed window produced by the in-vacuum method was applied to an actual residential building to investigate its thermal performance, which was compared with that of a triple-glazed window. The results showed that the center-of-glazing heat flow of the vacuum-glazed window was approximately 0.8 W/m2K lower than that of the triple-glazed window. The difference between the average indoor and outdoor surface temperatures during the nighttime was found to be up to 35.1 °C for the vacuum-glazed window and 23.1 °C for the triple-glazed window. Therefore, the energy efficiency of the building can be greatly improved by applying vacuum windows manufactured via the in-vacuum method and optimized for the best thermal performance.