bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Temperature and Elevated Carbon Dioxide Modify Berry Composition of Different Clones of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Tempranillo
Authors: Arrizabalaga-Arriazu Marta , Gomès Eric , Morales Fermín , Irigoyen Juan José , Pascual Inmaculada , Hilbert Ghislaine
Published: December 2020

Tempranillo is a grapevine (Vitis viniferaL.) variety extensively used for world wine production which is expected to be affected by environmental parameters modified by ongoing global climate changes, i.e., increases in average air temperature and rise of atmospheric CO2levels. Apart from determining their effects on grape development and biochemical characteristics, this paper considers the intravarietal diversity of the cultivar Tempranillo as a tool to develop future adaptive strategies to face the impact of climate change on grapevine. Fruit-bearing cuttings of five clones (RJ43, CL306, T3, VN31, and 1084) were grown in temperature gradient greenhouses (TGGs), from fruit set to maturity, under two temperature regimes (ambient temperature vs. ambient temperature plus 4°C) and two CO2levels (ambient, ca. 400 ppm, vs. elevated, 700 ppm). Treatments were applied separately or in combination. The analyses carried out included berry phenological development, the evolution in the concentration of must compounds (organic acids, sugars, and amino acids), and total skin anthocyanins. Elevated temperature hastened berry ripening, sugar accumulation, and malic acid breakdown, especially when combined with high CO2. Climate change conditions reduced the amino acid content 2 weeks after mid-veraison and seemed to delay amino acidic maturity. Elevated CO2reduced the decoupling effect of temperature on the anthocyanin to sugar ratio. The impact of these factors, taken individually or combined, was dependent on the clone analyzed, thus indicating certain intravarietal variability in the response of Tempranillo to these climate change-related factors.
Case Report: Suprasellar Pituitary Adenoma Presenting With Temporal Lobe Seizures
Authors: Hong Christopher S. , Gorrepati Ramana , Kundishora Adam J. , Elsamadicy Aladine A. , Peter Patricia R. , Damisah Eyiyemisi C. , Manes R. Peter , Omay Sacit Bulent
Published: December 2020

Seizures in patients with pituitary pathology are uncommon and typically secondary to electrolyte disturbances. Rarely, seizures have been described from mass effect related to large prolactinomas undergoing medical treatment. We describe a 54 year-old male who presented with a first-time generalized seizure, secondary to a pituitary macroadenoma compressing the left temporal lobe. His seizures abated after endoscopic endonasal debulking of the tumor. This report highlights isolated seizures as a potential sole presenting symptom of pituitary macroadenomas without visual or endocrine dysfunction. Prompt surgical debulking to relieve mass effect on the temporal lobe may effectively prevent further seizure activity.
Aerial Video Trackers Review
Authors: Jia Jinlu , Lai Zhenyi , Qian Yurong , Yao Ziqiang
Published: December 2020

Target tracking technology that is based on aerial videos is widely used in many fields; however, this technology has challenges, such as image jitter, target blur, high data dimensionality, and large changes in the target scale. In this paper, the research status of aerial video tracking and the characteristics, background complexity and tracking diversity of aerial video targets are summarized. Based on the findings, the key technologies that are related to tracking are elaborated according to the target type, number of targets and applicable scene system. The tracking algorithms are classified according to the type of target, and the target tracking algorithms that are based on deep learning are classified according to the network structure. Commonly used aerial photography datasets are described, and the accuracies of commonly used target tracking methods are evaluated in an aerial photography dataset, namely, UAV123, and a long-video dataset, namely, UAV20L. Potential problems are discussed, and possible future research directions and corresponding development trends in this field are analyzed and summarized.
Functional Kernel Density Estimation: Point and Fourier Approaches to Time Series Anomaly Detection
Authors: Lindstrom Michael R. , Jung Hyuntae , Larocque Denis
Published: December 2020

We present an unsupervised method to detect anomalous time series among a collection of time series. To do so, we extend traditional Kernel Density Estimation for estimating probability distributions in Euclidean space to Hilbert spaces. The estimated probability densities we derive can be obtained formally through treating each series as a point in a Hilbert space, placing a kernel at those points, and summing the kernels (a “point approach”), or through using Kernel Density Estimation to approximate the distributions of Fourier mode coefficients to infer a probability density (a “Fourier approach”). We refer to these approaches as Functional Kernel Density Estimation for Anomaly Detection as they both yield functionals that can score a time series for how anomalous it is. Both methods naturally handle missing data and apply to a variety of settings, performing well when compared with an outlyingness score derived from a boxplot method for functional data, with a Principal Component Analysis approach for functional data, and with the Functional Isolation Forest method. We illustrate the use of the proposed methods with aviation safety report data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Review of Methods Used for Selecting Pumps as Turbines (PATs) and Predicting Their Characteristic Curves
Authors: Amelio Mario , Barbarelli Silvio , Schinello Domenico
Published: December 2020

The use of Pumps As Turbines (PATs) can be the best solution for exploiting small hydraulic resources. Pump manufacturers do not provide the performances of their machines running in reverse mode, thus several authors developed appropriate prediction models. Some of them can only correlate the pump Best Efficiency Point (BEP) to the PAT corresponding one; other ones are able to obtain the characteristic curves. In this paper, a review of these methodologies is presented with the aim to find the best strategy that allows a designer of a small hydropower plant to select the PAT to be used and to predict its characteristic curves. The study also highlights the possibility of disassembling some models in order to merge the best parts in a more reliable strategy.
Speed Fluctuation Suppression for the Inverter Compressor Based on the Adaptive Revised Repetitive Controller
Authors: Meng Fankun , Zhang Xiaoning , Li Zhengguo , Wen Xiaoqin , You Linru
Published: December 2020

Repetitive operation is extensively present in the inverter compressor refrigeration field. Research illustrates that an approximate periodic load disturbance deteriorates its self-sensing and efficiency in a low frequency range. According to an internal model theorem, a repetitive controller can realize periodic signal tracking or suppression; however, ideal repetitive control (IRC) can not be directly employed in practical application owing to its excessive sensitivity to period-time uncertainties or aperiodic component, etc. In addition, the ratio between period delay to sampling time can not always maintain an integer which causes the resonant frequencies to deviate from the interested. Even if the ratio is a fixed integer, the auxiliary function for stabilization in a conventional repetitive controller can result in the steady state tracking error. In this paper, a revised repetitive controller with a novel Savitzky–Golay (S–G) filter is proposed, the S–G filter cascaded with a traditional delay element can approximate the delay element with any ratio. Aiming at a different operating condition, a second order generalized integrator (SOGI) based observer is employed to extract disturbance fundamental component, and Steiglitz–McBride based adaptive notch filter (SM-ANF) is adopted for frequency estimation. The proposed scheme varies the S–G filter according to variable fundamental frequency and maintains its resonant frequencies corresponding with the fundamental and harmonic disturbance. In the end, simulations and experiments are implemented and results illustrate that speed fluctuation can be effectively suppressed by the proposed method.
Five Predictors Affecting the Prognosis of Patients with Severe Odontogenic Infections
Authors: Pham Dang Nathalie , Delbet-Dupas Candice , Mulliez Aurélien , Devoize Laurent , Dallel Radhouane , Barthélémy Isabelle
Published: December 2020

Background: Dental cellulitis management is no longer a simple procedure, as more and more patients are needing long-time hospitalization, several surgeries and intensive care follow-up. This prospective study seeks to highlight criteria that can split patients with severe odontogenic infection into two groups: those with simple evolution and those for whom complex management is necessary. Methods: In this observational study, all patients considered with a severe odontogenic infection (which necessitated hospital admission, intravenous antibiotics and general anaesthesia) were enrolled between January 2004 and December 2014 from Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital (France). They were split into two groups: those who needed one surgical intervention with tooth extraction and collection drainage combined with probabilistic antibiotic to treat infection and those who need several surgeries, intensive care unit follow-up or tracheotomy to achieve healing. Results: 653 patients were included, of which 611 (94%) had one surgery, 42 (6%) had more than one surgery before healing. Penicillin allergy (p < 0.001), psychiatric disorders (p = 0.005), oropharyngeal oedema (p = 0.008), floor oedema (p = 0.004), fever (p = 0.04) and trismus (p = 0.018) on admission were the most relevant predictors of complex evolution. A conditional inference tree (CTREE) illustrated the association of prognostic factors and the need of multiple surgery. Conclusions: Besides clinical symptoms of severity, complications of severe odontogenic infection are predicted by measurables and objectives criteria as penicillin allergy, mandibular molar, C-reactive protein level, psychiatric disorders and alcohol abuse. Their specific association potentialize the risks. IRB number: CE-CIC-GREN-12-08.
Body Weight Dissatisfaction Is Associated with Cardiovascular Health-Risk Behaviors among Brazilian Adolescents: Findings from a National Survey
Authors: Duarte Luciane , Fujimori Elizabeth , Borges Ana Luiza , Kurihayashi Aline , Steen Mary , Roman Lay Alejandra
Published: December 2020

Body weight dissatisfaction (BWD) among adolescents may be a predictor of adoption of health-risk behaviors. The study aimed to assess the gendered association between two forms of BWD (feeling underweight/overweight) and cardiovascular health-risk behaviors among Brazilian adolescents. This cross-sectional study used data from the National Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA) in Brazil, including 71,740 adolescents aged 12–17 years. BWD was defined as satisfied, dissatisfied feeling underweight and dissatisfied feeling overweight. We considered four health-risk behaviors: tobacco use, alcohol use, physical inactivity and skipping breakfast. Assessment of the associations between BWD and these behaviors were undertaken using logistic regression models. All analyses were stratified by gender. Analyses revealed that 14.9% of male adolescents and 14.5% of female adolescents were dissatisfied feeling underweight and 21.5% of males and 39.9% of females were dissatisfied feeling overweight. Among male adolescents, dissatisfied feeling overweight was associated with greater odds of physical inactivity and skipping breakfast. Among female adolescents, dissatisfied feeling underweight and overweight were associated with higher odds of alcohol use and skipping breakfast. These results highlight the importance of BWD and the association with a range of adolescent health behaviors increasing cardiovascular risk over the life course, depending on gender.
Effect of Comprehensive Interventions Including Nutrition Education and Physical Activity on High Blood Pressure among Children: Evidence from School-Based Cluster Randomized Control Trial in China
Authors: Xu Haiquan , Li Yanping , Shang Xianwen , Du Songming , Zhang Qian , Liu Ailing , Ma Guansheng
Published: December 2020

Childhood hypertension has increasingly become a public health problem globally. However, limited literature research examined the effect of comprehensive interventions including nutrition education and physical activity on blood pressure among children. A total of 6764 children aged 7–13 years were analyzed based on a multicenter randomized controlled trial for comprehensive interventions in 30 primary schools in China to evaluate the effects on blood pressure, which lasted for two semesters. The standards used for the diagnosis of high blood pressure were the cut-off points based on age and sex for Chinese children. Compared with the control group, the intervention effects were −0.5 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI): −1.1, 0; p = 0.064) for diastolic blood pressure and −0.9 mmHg (95% CI: −1.5, −0.3; p = 0.005) for systolic blood pressure. For the incidence of high blood pressure, the changes were −1.4% in the intervention group and 0.4% in the control group (1.8% difference between the two groups, p = 0.015) after trial. The school-based comprehensive interventions appeared to have moderate effects on high blood pressure prevention among children in China.
Aptamer-Functionalized Nanoparticles in Targeted Delivery and Cancer Therapy
Authors: Fu Zhaoying , Xiang Jim
Published: December 2020

Using nanoparticles to carry and delivery anticancer drugs holds much promise in cancer therapy, but nanoparticles per se are lacking specificity. Active targeting, that is, using specific ligands to functionalize nanoparticles, is attracting much attention in recent years. Aptamers, with their several favorable features like high specificity and affinity, small size, very low immunogenicity, relatively low cost for production, and easiness to store, are one of the best candidates for the specific ligands of nanoparticle functionalization. This review discusses the benefits and challenges of using aptamers to functionalize nanoparticles for active targeting and especially presents nearly all of the published works that address the topic of using aptamers to functionalize nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery and cancer therapy.
Histone Variant H2A.J Marks Persistent DNA Damage and Triggers the Secretory Phenotype in Radiation-Induced Senescence
Authors: Isermann Anna , Mann Carl , Rübe Claudia E.
Published: December 2020

Irreparable double-strand breaks (DSBs) in response to ionizing radiation (IR) trigger prolonged DNA damage response (DDR) and induce premature senescence. Profound chromatin reorganization with formation of senescence-associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF) is an essential epigenetic mechanism for controlling the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). To decipher molecular mechanisms provoking continuous DDR leading to premature senescence, radiation-induced DSBs (53BP1-foci) and dynamics of histone variant H2A.J incorporation were analyzed together with chromatin re-modeling in human fibroblasts after IR exposure. High-resolution imaging by transmission electron microscopy revealed that persisting 53BP1-foci developed into DNA segments with chromatin alterations reinforcing senescence (DNA-SCARS), consistently located at the periphery of SAHFs. Quantitative immunogold-analysis by electron microscopy revealed that H2A.J, steadily co-localizing with 53BP1, is increasingly incorporated into DNA-SCARS during senescence progression. Strikingly, shRNA-mediated H2A.J depletion in fibroblasts modified senescence-associated chromatin re-structuring and abolished SASP, thereby shutting down the production of inflammatory mediators. These findings provide mechanistic insights into biological phenomena of SASP and suggest that H2A.J inhibition could ablate SASP, without affecting the senescence-associated growth arrest.
The Mechanisms Underlying Autonomous Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Secretion in Cushing’s Disease
Authors: Fukuoka Hidenori , Shichi Hiroki , Yamamoto Masaaki , Takahashi Yutaka
Published: December 2020

Cushing’s disease caused due to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary adenomas (ACTHomas) leads to hypercortisolemia, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Autonomous ACTH secretion is attributed to the impaired glucocorticoid negative feedback (glucocorticoid resistance) response. Interestingly, other conditions, such as ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) and non-neoplastic hypercortisolemia (NNH, also known as pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome) also exhibit glucocorticoid resistance. Therefore, to differentiate between these conditions, several dynamic tests, including those with desmopressin (DDAVP), corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), and Dex/CRH have been developed. In normal pituitary corticotrophs, ACTH synthesis and secretion are regulated mainly by CRH and glucocorticoids, which are the ACTH secretion-stimulating and -suppressing factors, respectively. These factors regulate ACTH synthesis and secretion through genomic and non-genomic mechanisms. Conversely, glucocorticoid negative feedback is impaired in ACTHomas, which could be due to the overexpression of 11β-HSD2, HSP90, or TR4, or loss of expression of CABLES1 or nuclear BRG1 proteins. Genetic analysis has indicated the involvement of several genes in the etiology of ACTHomas, including USP8, USP48, BRAF, and TP53. However, the association between glucocorticoid resistance and these genes remains unclear. Here, we review the clinical aspects and molecular mechanisms of ACTHomas and compare them to those of other related conditions.
Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Risk of Breast Cancer
Authors: Eve Louisane , Fervers Béatrice , Le Romancer Muriel , Etienne-Selloum Nelly
Published: December 2020

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer and the fifth deadliest in the world. Exposure to endocrine disrupting pollutants has been suggested to contribute to the increase in disease incidence. Indeed, a growing number of researchershave investigated the effects of widely used environmental chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties on BC development in experimental (in vitro and animal models) and epidemiological studies. The complex effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on hormonal pathways, involving carcinogenic effects and an increase in mammary gland susceptibility to carcinogenesis—together with the specific characteristics of the mammary gland evolving over the course of life and the multifactorial etiology of BC—make the evaluation of these compounds a complex issue. Among the many EDCs suspected of increasing the risk of BC, strong evidence has only been provided for few EDCs including diethylstilbestrol, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, dioxins and bisphenol A. However, given the ubiquitous nature and massive use of EDCs, it is essential to continue to assess their long-term health effects, particularly on carcinogenesis, to eradicate the worst of them and to sensitize the population to minimize their use.
The Role of Mitochondrial Calcium Homeostasis in Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases
Authors: Ryan Kerry C. , Ashkavand Zahra , Norman Kenneth R.
Published: December 2020

Calcium signaling is essential for neuronal function, and its dysregulation has been implicated across neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A close reciprocal relationship exists between calcium signaling and mitochondrial function. Growing evidence in a variety of AD models indicates that calcium dyshomeostasis drastically alters mitochondrial activity which, in turn, drives neurodegeneration. This review discusses the potential pathogenic mechanisms by which calcium impairs mitochondrial function in AD, focusing on the impact of calcium in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–mitochondrial communication, mitochondrial transport, oxidative stress, and protein homeostasis. This review also summarizes recent data that highlight the need for exploring the mechanisms underlying calcium-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction while suggesting potential targets for modulating mitochondrial calcium levels to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.
Benchmarking Long-Read Assemblers for Genomic Analyses of Bacterial Pathogens Using Oxford Nanopore Sequencing
Authors: Chen Zhao , Erickson David L. , Meng Jianghong
Published: December 2020

Oxford Nanopore sequencing can be used to achieve complete bacterial genomes. However, the error rates of Oxford Nanopore long reads are greater compared to Illumina short reads. Long-read assemblers using a variety of assembly algorithms have been developed to overcome this deficiency, which have not been benchmarked for genomic analyses of bacterial pathogens using Oxford Nanopore long reads. In this study, long-read assemblers, namely Canu, Flye, Miniasm/Racon, Raven, Redbean, and Shasta, were thus benchmarked using Oxford Nanopore long reads of bacterial pathogens. Ten species were tested for mediocre- and low-quality simulated reads, and 10 species were tested for real reads. Raven was the most robust assembler, obtaining complete and accurate genomes. All Miniasm/Racon and Raven assemblies of mediocre-quality reads provided accurate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles, while the Raven assembly of Klebsiella variicola with low-quality reads was the only assembly with an accurate AMR profile among all assemblers and species. All assemblers functioned well for predicting virulence genes using mediocre-quality and real reads, whereas only the Raven assemblies of low-quality reads had accurate numbers of virulence genes. Regarding multilocus sequence typing (MLST), Miniasm/Racon was the most effective assembler for mediocre-quality reads, while only the Raven assemblies of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and K. variicola with low-quality reads showed positive MLST results. Miniasm/Racon and Raven were the best performers for MLST using real reads. The Miniasm/Racon and Raven assemblies showed accurate phylogenetic inference. For the pan-genome analyses, Raven was the strongest assembler for simulated reads, whereas Miniasm/Racon and Raven performed the best for real reads. Overall, the most robust and accurate assembler was Raven, closely followed by Miniasm/Racon.
A Comprehensive Study about the Role of Crosslink Density on the Tribological Behavior of DLC Coated Rubber
Authors: Bayrak Suleyman , Paulkowski Dominik , Stöckelhuber Klaus Werner , Staar Benjamin , Mayer Bernd
Published: December 2020

The friction and wear behavior of coated rubber components is strongly dependent on the substrate properties. This work deals with the impact of the crosslink density, i.e., the hardness of the rubber substrate on the tribological performance of uncoated and coated rubber. The hardness of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) is varied altering the sulfur content. Both the uncoated and coated rubber samples are characterized in terms of surface and mechanical properties. Tribological tests comprise the examination of the macroscopic contact area and the temperature in the contact zone. It was found that the functional layer enhances the wear resistance significantly. Apparently, the wear and friction behavior of the coated rubber correlates with the hardness and the bulk properties of the substrate material.
The Effect of Heat Treatment on the Tribological Properties and Room Temperature Corrosion Behavior of Fe–Cr–Al-Based OPH Alloy
Authors: Khalaj Omid , Saebnoori Ehsan , Jirková Hana , Chocholatý Ondřej , Kučerová Ludmila , Hajšman Jan , Svoboda Jiří
Published: December 2020

The microstructure, mechanical, tribological, and corrosion properties of Fe–Cr–Al–Y-based oxide-precipitation-hardened (OPH) alloy at room temperature are presented. Two OPH alloys with a composition of 0.72Fe–0.15Cr–0.06Al–0.03Mo–0.01Ta–0.02Y2O3 and 0.03Y2O3 (wt.%) were prepared by mechanical alloying with different milling times. After consolidation by hot rolling, the alloys presented a very fine microstructure with a grain size of approximately 180 nm. Such a structure is relatively brittle, and its mechanical properties are enhanced by heat treatment. Annealing was performed at three temperatures (1000 °C, 1100 °C, and 1200 °C), with a holding time from 1 to 20 h. Tensile testing, wear testing, and corrosion testing were performed to evaluate the effect of heat treatment on the behavior and microstructural properties. The grain size increased almost 10 times by heat treatment, which influenced the mechanical properties. The ultimate tensile strength increased up to 300% more compared to the initial state. On the other hand, heat treatment has a negative effect on corrosion and wear resistance.
Role of Stimuli on Liquid Crystalline Defects: From Defect Engineering to Switchable Functional Materials
Authors: Shin Min Jeong , Yoon Dong Ki
Published: December 2020

Achieving tunable physical properties is currently one of the most exciting research topics. In order to realize this goal, a medium that is responsive to external stimuli and can undergo a change in its physical property is required. Liquid crystal (LC) is a prominent candidate, as its physical and optical properties can be easily manipulated with various stimuli, such as surface anchoring, rubbing, geometric confinement, and external fields. Having broken away from the past devotion to obtaining a uniform domain of LCs, people are now putting significant efforts toward forming and manipulating ordered and oriented defect structures with a unique arrangement within. The complicated molecular order with tunability would benefit the interdisciplinary research fields of optics, physics, photonics, and materials science. In this review, the recent progress toward defect engineering in the nematic and smectic phases by controlling the surface environment and electric field and their combinational methods is introduced. We close the review with a discussion of the possible applications enabled using LC defect structures as switchable materials.
Synthesis and Characterization of a New Aluminosilicate Molecular Sieve from Aluminosilica Perhydrate Hydrogel
Authors: Ma Haiqiang , Jiao Kun , Xu Xiangyu , Song Jiaqing
Published: December 2020

A novel structure aluminosilicate molecular sieve, named BUCT-3, was prepared by dynamic hydrothermal synthesis, and the critical factor to obtain the new structure is using an active silicon and aluminum source, aluminosilica perhydrate hydrogel. Meanwhile, only high content of O-O bonds can ensure the pure phase of BUCT-3. Through the characterization of x-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and so on, some structure and morphology information of BUCT-3 molecular sieves as well as the special silicon and aluminum source was obtained. It’s worth noticing that the O-O bonds of reactants can be reserved in the products, and thus, help us to get a new structure with cell parameters a = 8.9645 Å, b = 15.2727 Å, c = 11.3907 Å, α = 90°, β = 93.858°, γ = 90°. The crystal system is monoclinic. Though the thermostability of BUCT-3 is not satisfactory, its potential application derived from O-O bonds cannot be neglected.
Anti-Hyperuricemic Effects of Astaxanthin by Regulating Xanthine Oxidase, Adenosine Deaminase and Urate Transporters in Rats
Authors: Le Yanzuo , Zhou Xie , Zheng Jiawen , Yu Fangmiao , Tang Yunping , Yang Zuisu , Ding Guofang , Chen Yan
Published: December 2020

This study was designed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of Astaxanthin (AST) on high-fructose-induced hyperuricemia (HUA) from the perspectives of the uric acid (UA) synthesis and excretion in rat models. Following six weeks of a 10% fructose diet, the level of serum UA effectively decreased in the AST groups as compared to the model group. The enzymatic activities of xanthine oxidase (XOD) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) were significantly inhibited, and the mRNA expression levels of XOD and ADA significantly decreased after the AST administration. These results suggested that the AST reduced UA synthesis by inhibiting the mRNA expressions and enzyme activities of XOD and ADA, thereby contributing to HUA improvement. On the hand, the relative expressions of the mRNA and protein of kidney reabsorption transport proteins (GLUT9 and URAT1) were significantly down-regulated by AST, while that of the kidney secretion proteins (OAT1, OAT3 and ABCG2) were significantly up-regulated by AST. These results indicated that the AST promoted UA excretion by regulating the urate transport proteins, and thus alleviated HUA. This study suggested that the AST could serve as an effective alternative to traditional medicinal drugs for the prevention of fructose-induced HUA.
Reflection Absorption Infrared Spectroscopy Characterization of SAM Formation from 8-Mercapto-N-(phenethyl)octanamide Thiols with Phe Ring and Amide Groups
Authors: Kuodis Zenonas , Matulaitienė Ieva , Špandyreva Marija , Labanauskas Linas , Stončius Sigitas , Eicher-Lorka Olegas , Sadzevičienė Rita , Niaura Gediminas
Published: December 2020

Multifunctional amide-containing self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) provide prospects for the construction of interfaces with required physicochemical properties and distinctive stability. In this study, we report the synthesis of amide-containing thiols with terminal phenylalanine (Phe) ring functionality (HS(CH2)7CONH(CH2)2C6H5) and the characterization of the formation of SAMs from these thiols on gold by reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). For reliable assignments of vibrational bands, ring deuterated analogs were synthesized and studied as well. Adsorption time induced changes in Amide-II band frequency and relative intensity of Amide-II/Amide-I bands revealed two-state sigmoidal form dependence with a transition inflection points at 2.2 ± 0.5 and 4.7 ± 0.5 min, respectively. The transition from initial (disordered) to final (hydrogen-bonded, ordered) structure resulted in increased Amide-II frequency from 1548 to 1557 cm−1, which is diagnostic for a strongly hydrogen-bonded amide network in trans conformation. However, the lateral interactions between the alkyl chains were found to be somewhat reduced when compared with well-ordered alkane thiol monolayers.
Appetite Control across the Lifecourse: The Acute Impact of Breakfast Drink Quantity and Protein Content. The Full4Health Project
Authors: Crabtree Daniel , Buosi William , Fyfe Claire , Horgan Graham , Manios Yannis , Androutsos Odysseas , Giannopoulou Angeliki , Finlayson Graham , Beaulieu Kristine , Meek Claire , Holst Jens , Van Norren Klaske , Mercer Julian , Johnstone Alexandra ,   on behalf of the Full4Health-Study Group
Published: December 2020

Understanding the mechanisms of hunger, satiety and how nutrients affect appetite control is important for successful weight management across the lifecourse. The primary aim of this study was to describe acute appetite control across the lifecourse, comparing age groups (children, adolescents, adults, elderly), weight categories, genders and European sites (Scotland and Greece). Participants (n = 391) consumed four test drinks, varying in composition (15% (normal protein, NP) and 30% (high protein, HP) of energy from protein) and quantity (based on 100% basal metabolic rate (BMR) and 140% BMR), on four separate days in a double-blind randomized controlled study. Ad libitum energy intake (EI), subjective appetite and biomarkers of appetite and metabolism (adults and elderly only) were measured. The adults’ appetite was significantly greater than that of the elderly across all drink types (p < 0.004) and in response to drink quantities (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in EI between age groups, weight categories, genders or sites. Concentrations of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) were significantly greater in the elderly than the adults (p < 0.001). Ghrelin and fasting leptin concentrations differed significantly between weight categories, genders and sites (p < 0.05), while GLP-1 and PYY concentrations differed significantly between genders only (p < 0.05). Compared to NP drinks, HP drinks significantly increased postprandial GLP-1 and PYY (p < 0.001). Advanced age was concomitant with reduced appetite and elevated anorectic hormone release, which may contribute to the development of malnutrition. In addition, appetite hormone concentrations differed between weight categories, genders and geographical locations.
Investigating the Uncertainties Propagation Analysis of CO2 Emissions Gridded Maps at the Urban Scale: A Case Study of Jinjiang City, China
Authors: Dai Shaoqing , Ren Yin , Zuo Shudi , Lai Chengyi , Li Jiajia , Xie Shengyu , Chen Bingchu
Published: December 2020

Gridded CO2 emission maps at the urban scale can aid the design of low-carbon development strategies. However, the large uncertainties associated with such maps increase policy-related risks. Therefore, an investigation of the uncertainties in gridded maps at the urban scale is essential. This study proposed an analytic workflow to assess uncertainty propagation during the gridding process. Gridded CO2 emission maps were produced using two resolutions of geospatial datasets (e.g., remote sensing satellite-derived products) for Jinjiang City, China, and a workflow was applied to analyze uncertainties. The workflow involved four submodules that can be used to evaluate the uncertainties of CO2 emissions in gridded maps, caused by the gridded model and input. Fine-resolution (30 m) maps have a larger spatial variation in CO2 emissions, which gives the fine-resolution maps a higher degree of uncertainty propagation. Furthermore, the uncertainties of gridded CO2 emission maps, caused by inserting a random error into spatial proxies, were found to decrease after the gridding process. This can be explained by the “compensation of error” phenomenon, which may be attributed to the cancellation of the overestimated and underestimated values among the different sectors at the same grid. This indicates a nonlinear change between the sum of the uncertainties for different sectors and the actual uncertainties in the gridded maps. In conclusion, the present workflow determined uncertainties were caused by the gridded model and input. These results may aid decision-makers in establishing emission reduction targets, and in developing both low-carbon cities and community policies.
Radar Remote Sensing to Supplement Pipeline Surveillance Programs through Measurements of Surface Deformations and Identification of Geohazard Risks
Authors: Bayramov Emil , Buchroithner Manfred , Kada Martin
Published: December 2020

This research focused on the quantitative assessment of the surface deformation velocities and rates and their natural and man-made controlling factors as the potential risks along the seismically active 70 km section of buried oil and gas pipeline in Azerbaijan using Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR) and Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) remote sensing analysis. Both techniques showed that the continuous subsidence was prevailing in the kilometer range of 13–70 of pipelines crossing two seismic faults. The ground uplift deformations were observed in the pipeline kilometer range of 0–13. Although both PS-InSAR and SBAS measurements were highly consistent in deformation patterns and trends along pipelines, they showed differences in the spatial distribution of ground deformation classes and noisiness of produced results. High dispersion of PS-InSAR measurements caused low regression coefficients with SBAS for the entire pipeline kilometer range of 0–70. SBAS showed better performance than PS-InSAR along buried petroleum and gas pipelines in the following aspects: the complete coverage of the measured points, significantly lower dispersion of the results, continuous and realistic measurements and higher accuracy of ground deformation rates against the GPS historical measurements. As a primary factor of ground deformations, the influence of tectonic movements was observed in the wide scale analysis along 70 km long and 10 km wide section of petroleum and gas pipelines; however, the largest subsidence rates were observed in the areas of agricultural activities which accelerate the deformation rates caused by the tectonic processes. The diverse spatial distribution and variation of ground movement processes along pipelines demonstrated that general geological and geotechnical understanding of the study area is not sufficient to find and mitigate all the critical sites of subsidence and uplifts for the pipeline operators. This means that both techniques outlined in this paper provide a significant improvement for ground deformation monitoring or can significantly contribute to the assessment of geohazards and preventative countermeasures along petroleum and gas pipelines.
Utilization of an OLED-Based VLC System in Office, Corridor, and Semi-Open Corridor Environments
Authors: Nazari Chaleshtori Zahra , Ghassemlooy Zabih , Eldeeb Hossien B. , Uysal Murat , Zvanovec Stanislav
Published: December 2020

Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) have recently received growing interest for their merits as soft light and large panels at a low cost for the use in public places such as airports, shopping centers, offices, and train or bus stations. Moreover, the flexible substrate-based OLEDs provide an attractive feature of having curved or rolled lighting sources for the use in wearable devices and display panels. This technology can be implemented in visible light communications (VLC) for several applications such as visual display, data communications, and indoor localization. This article aims to investigate the use of flexible OLED-based VLC in indoor environments (i.e., office, corridor and semi-open corridor in shopping malls). We derive a two-term power series model to be match with the root-mean-square delay spread and optical path loss (OPL). We show that, for OLED positioned on outer-wall of shops, the channel gain is enhanced in contrast to them being positioned on the inner-wall. Moreover, the channel gain in empty environments is higher compare with the furnished rooms. We show that, the OPL for a 10 m link span are lower by 4.4 and 6.1 dB for the empty and semi-open corridors compared with the furnished rooms, when OLED is positioned on outer-wall of shops. Moreover, the channel gain in the corridor is higher compared with the semi-open corridor. We also show that, in furnished and semi-open corridors the OPL values are 55.6 and 57.2 dB at the center of corridor increasing to 87.6 and 90.7 dB at 20 m, respectively, when OLED is positioned on outer-wall of shops.
Glide-Symmetric Holey Structures Applied to Waveguide Technology: Design Considerations
Authors: Sipus Zvonimir , Cavar Katarina , Bosiljevac Marko , Rajo-Iglesias Eva
Published: December 2020

Recently, there has been an increased interest in exploring periodic structures with higher symmetry due to various possibilities of utilizing them in novel electromagnetic applications. The aim of this paper is to discuss design issues related to the implementation of holey glide-symmetric periodic structures in waveguide-based components. In particular, one can implement periodic structures with glide symmetry in one or two directions, which we differentiate as 1D and 2D glide symmetry, respectively. The key differences in the dispersion and bandgap properties of these two realizations are presented and design guidelines are indicated, with special care devoted to practical issues. Focusing on the design of gap waveguide-based components, we demonstrate using simulated and measured results that in practice it is often sufficient to use 1D glide symmetry, which is also simpler to mechanically realize, and if larger attenuation of lateral waves is needed, a diagonally directed 2D glide symmetric structure should be implemented. Finally, an analysis of realistic holes with conical endings is performed using a developed effective hole depth method, which combined with the presented analysis and results can serve as a valuable tool in the process of designing novel electrically-large waveguide-based components.
Development of a Tuneable NDIR Optical Electronic Nose
Authors: Esfahani Siavash , Tiele Akira , Agbroko Samuel O. , Covington James A.
Published: December 2020

Electronic nose (E-nose) technology provides an easy and inexpensive way to analyse chemical samples. In recent years, there has been increasing demand for E-noses in applications such as food safety, environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics. Currently, the majority of E-noses utilise an array of metal oxide (MOX) or conducting polymer (CP) gas sensors. However, these sensing technologies can suffer from sensor drift, poor repeatability and temperature and humidity effects. Optical gas sensors have the potential to overcome these issues. This paper reports on the development of an optical non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) E-nose, which consists of an array of four tuneable detectors, able to scan a range of wavelengths (3.1–10.5 μm). The functionality of the device was demonstrated in a series of experiments, involving gas rig tests for individual chemicals (CO2 and CH4), at different concentrations, and discriminating between chemical standards and complex mixtures. The optical gas sensor responses were shown to be linear to polynomial for different concentrations of CO2 and CH4. Good discrimination was achieved between sample groups. Optical E-nose technology therefore demonstrates significant potential as a portable and low-cost solution for a number of E-nose applications.
Home Country Institutions and Outward FDI: An Exploratory Analysis in Emerging Economies
Authors: Buitrago R. Ricardo E. , Barbosa Camargo María Inés
Published: December 2020

Although the internationalization of economies is driven by specific industry conditions or business-specific differences, the institutions that exist as background conditions directly determine firms’ strategies and interactions in the international environment. This paper contributes to the discussion on the relationship between institutional quality and outward FDI (OFDI). We used 30 indicators in 48 emerging economies in the period 2007–2017; we collected the indicators from alternative secondary sources. After we applied Factor Analysis, six factors were retained. We named the components as follows: “Transparency of government” (F1), “Research, development and innovation, R&D+I” (F2), “Inequality” (F3), “Rules on inward FDI (IFDI)” (F4), “Education and training” (F5), and “Financial market” (F6). The panel data model outcomes suggest that Factor 2, Research, development and innovation, has a significant and positive effect on OFDI. Factor 6, the Financial market, has a significant and negative effect on OFDI. When we include lagged values of OFDI stocks the results also show that the government measures transparency positively and significantly affects OFDI stocks. These findings imply that the institutional environment creates two streams of OFDI: leverage and escapism.
Perceptions of Change: Adopting the Concept of Livelihood Styles for a More Inclusive Approach to ‘Building with Nature’
Authors: de Jong Edwin B. P. , Kuipers Kimberly
Published: December 2020

The world’s wetlands are threatened by deforestation, fires, agriculture, mining, overfishing, and human settlement. While policymakers strive for comprehensive technical solutions, sustainable solutions also require the active engagement of the people affected. To mobilize local human action, it is not enough to investigate the facts and figures of the biophysical natural landscape: we also need a better understanding of how local people perceive these changes. In this article, we adopt the concept of livelihood styles to explain the ways in which people construe a perspective of their aquatic environment with which they continuously, and according to a certain pattern, interact to make a living. Our study is based on a mixed-method study with data collected between 2005 and 2015 in the Mahakam Wetlands of Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan). We found five distinct livelihood styles: investors, boatmen, breeders, traditional fishermen, and “indolent” fishermen, that each possess characteristics related to fishing practices, and found significant differences in their perceptions of water quality changes. As such, we demonstrate that perceptions and patterns of practice are interdependently related. Understanding perceptions through a livelihood styles approach provides an opening for policymakers to build with local people and nature towards a sustainable environment, both in Indonesia and beyond.
Towards Sustainable Human Resources: How Generational Differences Impact Subjective Wellbeing in the Military?
Authors: Smaliukiene Rasa , Bekesiene Svajone
Published: December 2020

The article analyzes the generational (age cohorts) effect on subjective wellbeing at work. The main aim is to reveal generational differences that lead to subjective wellbeing at work and possible discrepancies between the generations. The article contributes to the literature by creating and testing a theoretical model of subjective wellbeing at work as a composition of several dimensions that vary among generations, including physical experience, cognitive job performance, and appraisal, as well as social relationships and socio-emotional enablement at work. Using the military as an organization where daily routine creates similar conditions for different generations, we surveyed 890 army professionals representing three different generations: Gen Y, Gen X, and Gen Z. A structural equation modelling (SEM) technique is used to test the research model. The results support the hypothesis that generation has a strong moderating impact on the components of subjective wellbeing at work. Social relationship, as a socio-emotional experience, is the most important component of wellbeing at work for Gen Z, while socio-emotional enablement plays a central role in subjective wellbeing at work for Gen X and Gen Y.
Do Emotional Competencies Influence Students’ Entrepreneurial Intentions?
Authors: Bigos Krystian , Michalik Adam
Published: December 2020

Entrepreneurship is one of the critical determinants of economic development. In this research area, many scientists are trying to identify the competencies that influence later decisions about starting a business—so-called entrepreneurial intentions. The subject of the research contained in this article is the relationship between emotional competencies and declared entrepreneurial intentions, which, according to the authors, constitute an added value supporting research in the field of education for entrepreneurship. The article contributes to developing behavioral theories and solves the problem of identifying essential competencies to start a business. The survey was conducted among 209 students at Cracow University of Economics. Based on a binomial logistic regression model applied in the study, a statistically significant correlation between self-awareness and self-motivation and the students’ entrepreneurial intentions was demonstrated. In contrast, the statistically significant influence of self-regulation, empathy, and social skills on the formation of these intentions was not confirmed. Therefore, to shape entrepreneurial intentions, the education process should support developing these two key factors: self-awareness and self-motivation of young people. Decision-makers should formulate the syllabuses to develop the students’ emotional competencies, which, in turn, are a source of entrepreneurial intentions.