bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient Memory Organization for DNN Hardware Accelerator Implementation on PSoC
Authors: Rios-Navarro Antonio , Gutierrez-Galan Daniel , Dominguez-Morales Juan Pedro , Piñero-Fuentes Enrique , Duran-Lopez Lourdes , Tapiador-Morales Ricardo , Dominguez-Morales Manuel Jesús
Published: January 2021

The use of deep learning solutions in different disciplines is increasing and their algorithms are computationally expensive in most cases. For this reason, numerous hardware accelerators have appeared to compute their operations efficiently in parallel, achieving higher performance and lower latency. These algorithms need large amounts of data to feed each of their computing layers, which makes it necessary to efficiently handle the data transfers that feed and collect the information to and from the accelerators. For the implementation of these accelerators, hybrid devices are widely used, which have an embedded computer, where an operating system can be run, and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), where the accelerator can be deployed. In this work, we present a software API that efficiently organizes the memory, preventing reallocating data from one memory area to another, which improves the native Linux driver with a 85% speed-up and reduces the frame computing time by 28% in a real application.
Virtual Reality as a Tool to Study the Influence of the Eating Environment on Eating Behavior: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Oliver James H. , Hollis James H.
Published: January 2021

In this manuscript, we describe a new approach to study the effect of the eating environment on food intake and eating behavior using virtual reality technology. Fifteen adults consumed pizza rolls in two virtual reality (VR) environments: a restaurant and a table in an empty room. The participants’ food intake, eating parameters (e.g., masticatory parameters and eating rate), and their sensory evaluation of the test food was measured. The participants’ sense of presence (the feeling of being in the virtual environment) and markers of arousal were also measured. There was no statistical significant difference in food intake or the sensory evaluation of the test food. In the restaurant condition, participants used fewer masticatory cycles before swallowing but there was no effect on eating rate or maximum bite force. Participants experienced a greater sense of presence when they were in the pizza restaurant scene. Moreover, their heart rate and skin temperature were higher in the restaurant condition. This study suggests that VR could be developed as a new tool to study the effect of the eating environment on food intake and eating behavior.
Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Portulaca oleracea: Influence of the Steaming Cooking Process
Authors: Fernández-Poyatos María del Pilar , Llorent-Martínez Eulogio J. , Ruiz-Medina Antonio
Published: January 2021

In this work, we compared the phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of methanolic extracts of raw and steamed aerial parts of Portulaca oleracea L. Two new cyclo-dopa amides were identified, named oleraceins X and Y, along with six known ones (oleraceins A, B, C, N, J, and U). Compounds identification and quantification were done by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometry detections. The most abundant compounds were phenolic alkaloids (oleraceins), and the main quantified compounds were isocitric and citric acids, with concentrations of 500–550 and 440–600 mg/100 g dried extract, respectively. The study of both the influence of the steaming process in Portulaca oleracea L. and total phenolic content and radical scavenging assays (ABTS·+ and DPPH) were also carried out. The total individual phenolic content of raw Portulaca decreased from 1380 mg/100 g DE to 1140 mg/100 g DE after the steaming process. The antioxidant capacity in ABTS and DPPH assays decreased approximately 50 and 40%, respectively, after samples were cooked by steaming. The raw extracts presented the highest concentration of bioactive compounds, as well as higher antioxidant and radical scavenging values.
Volcanism and Volcanogenic Submarine Sedimentation in the Paleogene Foreland Basins of the Alps: Reassessing the Source-to-Sink Systems with an Actualist View
Authors: Di Capua Andrea , Barilaro Federica , Groppelli Gianluca
Published: January 2021

This work critically reviews the Eocene–Oligocene source-to-sink systems accumulating volcanogenic sequences in the basins around the Alps. Through the years, these volcanogenic sequences have been correlated to the plutonic bodies along the Periadriatic Fault System, the main tectonic lineament running from West to East within the axis of the belt. Starting from the large amounts of data present in literature, for the first time we present an integrated 4D model on the evolution of the sediment pathways that once connected the magmatic sources to the basins. The magmatic systems started to develop during the Eocene in the Alps, supplying detritus to the Adriatic Foredeep. The progradation of volcanogenic sequences in the Northern Alpine Foreland Basin is subsequent and probably was favoured by the migration of the magmatic systems to the North and to the West. At around 30 Ma, the Northern Apennine Foredeep also was fed by large volcanogenic inputs, but the palinspastic reconstruction of the Adriatic Foredeep, together with stratigraphic and petrographic data, allows us to safely exclude the Alps as volcanogenic sources. Beyond the regional case, this review underlines the importance of a solid stratigraphic approach in the reconstruction of the source-to-sink system evolution of any basin.
The Association between Secondhand Smoke and Stress, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents
Authors: Lee Eunmi , Kim Ka Young
Published: January 2021

Background: Secondhand smoke (SHS) is an important risk factor for adolescents’ health. Several studies have reported that SHS is as dangerous as active smoking. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between exposure to SHS and mental health, including stress, depression, and suicidal ideation, in adolescents. Methods: Using raw data from the 2018 14th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey, we analyzed the effects of sociodemographic characteristics on stress, depression, suicidal ideation in 51,500 students, including 85.8% of all sampled students (n = 60,040), after excluding students with a history of smoking, and then we performed logistic regression analysis to determine the level of exposure to SHS and its impact on stress, depression, and suicidal ideation. Results: The increased level of exposure to SHS was positively associated with stress, depression, and suicidal ideation. Furthermore, stress, depression, and suicidal ideation increased as the level of SHS increased, after adjusting for variables such as age, gender, education level of the father and mother, school achievement, economic status, inhabitation, and drinking. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that SHS is positively associated with risk of mental health problems, including stress, depression, and suicidal ideation, in adolescents. Further research and policy strategies and systems to prevent and manage exposure to SHS in adolescents are required.
Does the Type of Exposure to Workplace Violence Matter to Nurses’ Mental Health?
Authors: Havaei Farinaz
Published: January 2021

Workplace violence is a prevalent phenomenon in healthcare, particularly among nursing professionals. Exposure to workplace violence may be direct through firsthand involvement, indirect through secondhand witnessing, or both. Even though implications for victims of workplace violence have been well-studied, less is known about the various types of exposure and their effects on nurse mental health. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of workplace-violence exposure types on the mental health of nurses, while accounting for the intensity of the incident/s. This study employs an exploratory correlational design with survey methods. Nurses from British Columbia (BC), Canada, were invited by the provincial nurses’ union to complete an electronic survey in Fall 2019. A total of 2958 responses from direct-care nurses in acute-care settings were analyzed using logistic regression. The results showed that mental-health problems increased with cumulative exposure; even though nurses with solely indirect exposure to workplace violence did not report greater mental-health problems, those experiencing solely direct exposure, or both direct and indirect exposure, were two to four times more likely to report high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression and burnout compared to their counterparts with no exposure. There is an urgent need for better mental-health support, prevention policies and practices that take into account the type of workplace-violence exposure.
Mapping the Scientific Landscape of Diabetes Research in Malaysia (2000–2018): A Systematic Scientometrics Study
Authors: Ganasegeran Kurubaran , Hor Chee Peng , Jamil Mohd Fadzly Amar , Suppiah Purnima Devi , Noor Juliana Mohd , Hamid Norshahida Abdul , Chuan Deik Roy , Manaf Mohd Rizal Abdul , Ch’ng Alan Swee Hock , Looi Irene
Published: January 2021

The escalated burden of diabetes on the population’s health has catalyzed rigorous scientific research to produce appropriate evidence for treatment and control. Malaysia suffers from the leading diabetes epidemic within the Western Pacific region. It is crucial to map the scientific landscape of diabetes research for the country to identify trends in productivity and determine whether research efforts are directed toward the needs-gaps priority for evidence synthesis that could be used for the drafting of policies and guidelines. This systematic scientometrics study was conducted to map the scientific research output (trends and distribution, citation frequency, keywords link visualization, and thematic cluster conceptualization) related to diabetes between 2000–2018 in Malaysia. Using three international databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus) and one local database (MyCite), scientific publication records related to diabetes in Malaysia between 2000 and 2018 were retrieved and analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Microsoft Excel 2016, EndNote X9.2, BibExcel 2016, GraphPad Prism 8.0.1, VOS viewer software 1.6.13, and R software version 1.3.959 were used to analyze the trend and contents of diabetes publications. A total of 2094 publication records that accounted for 35,497 citations were analyzed. Kuala Lumpur was the most scientifically productive state in Malaysia, contributing 754 papers. Medical Journal of Malaysia had the highest number of publications. The inflection point of the Malaysian diabetes research output was in 2013, with most publications being non-collaborative research works. Most publications originated from academia, especially from local public universities. The overall publication productivity of diabetes research in Malaysia was conceptualized into eleven thematic clusters, with clinical and animal studies being the most prevalent themes. The diabetes literature in Malaysia has grown steadily over the past 19 years. However, the cumulative evidence remains inadequate and is insufficiently powered to guide policymaking and the control of diabetes. It does not yet seem feasible to direct the diabetes epidemic curve to a plateau for the Malaysian population based on Malaysian diabetes publications.
Relationship between Biological Maturation, Physical Fitness, and Kinanthropometric Variables of Young Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Albaladejo-Saura Mario , Vaquero-Cristóbal Raquel , González-Gálvez Noelia , Esparza-Ros Francisco
Published: January 2021

There is a growing interest in knowing the relationship between biological maturation and sport performance-related variables of young athletes. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between biological maturation, physical fitness, and kinanthropometric variables of athletes during their growing period, according to their sex. The systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement and the search protocol was registered in PROSPERO, code: CRD42020208397. A search through the PubMed, Web of Sciences, and EBSCO databases was performed. A total of 423 studies were screened and 13 were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis was completed by using the mean and standard deviation of each variable according to each maturation status (early, on time, or late). Differences depending on maturation were found on physical fitness, with better results in the advanced maturational groups in the male population (standard mean difference (SMD) = 0.17–2.31; p < 0.001–0.05). Differences depending on maturation were found for kinanthropometric variables in males (SMD = 0.37–2.31; p < 0.001–0.002) and height and body mass in females (SMD = 0.96–1.19; p < 0.001). In conclusion, the early maturation group showed higher values in kinanthropometric variables and better results in physical fitness, highlighting the importance of the maturational process in the talent selection programs. Despite that, more research is needed to clarify the relationship of maturation with the other variables on female populations and the changes in the muscle and bone variables during the maturation processes of both sexes.
Comorbidities and Cofactors of Anaphylaxis in Patients with Moderate to Severe Anaphylaxis. Analysis of Data from the Anaphylaxis Registry for West Pomerania Province, Poland
Authors: Poziomkowska-Gęsicka Iwona , Kostrzewska Magdalena , Kurek Michał
Published: January 2021

Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction that is still rarely diagnosed. For safety reasons, patients should visit an allergologist to identify potential causes and cofactors of this reaction. This paper presents the analysis of data from the Anaphylaxis Registry gathered over ten years at the Allergy Clinic, Pomeranian Medical University (PMU). A questionnaire-based survey was used for patients visiting the Allergy Clinic to identify potential augmentation factors/comorbidities and/or cofactors of anaphylaxis in patients with a history of moderate to severe anaphylaxis. The registry comprised patients with grade II or higher anaphylaxis. The gathered data concerned chronic comorbidities (cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and others), recurrence of anaphylaxis, and potential cofactors in anaphylaxis. In the analyzed group, the incidence rate of anaphylaxis was the highest for women aged 19–60 years. Most common comorbidities in patients with moderate to severe anaphylaxis included: cardiovascular diseases, respiratory tract diseases, features of atopy, and thyroid diseases. More than 30% of drug-induced reactions were anaphylactic reactions due to the re-exposure to the same drug, which points to the need for educational initiatives in this area. The incidence rate of anaphylaxis induced by Hymenoptera stings was comparable in patients who had a previous generalized reaction and those who had good tolerance to the previous sting. It is important to take these cofactors into consideration when evaluating patients with anaphylaxis as they may play a role in future anaphylactic reactions.
Public Health Innovation through Cloud Adoption: A Comparative Analysis of Drivers and Barriers in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore
Authors: Raghavan Aarthi , Demircioglu Mehmet Akif , Taeihagh Araz
Published: January 2021

Governments are increasingly using cloud computing to reduce cost, increase access, improve quality, and create innovations in healthcare. Existing literature is primarily based on successful examples from developed western countries, and there is a lack of similar evidence from Asia. With a population close to 4.5 billion people, Asia faces healthcare challenges that pose an immense burden on economic growth and policymaking. Cloud computing in healthcare can potentially help increase the quality of healthcare delivery and reduce the economic burden, enabling governments to address healthcare challenges effectively and within a short timeframe. Advanced Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore provide successful examples of how cloud computing can be used to develop nationwide databases of electronic health records; real-time health monitoring for the elderly population; genetic database to support advanced research and cancer treatment; telemedicine; and health cities that drive the economy through medical industry, tourism, and research. This article examines these countries and identifies the drivers and barriers of cloud adoption in healthcare and makes policy recommendations to enable successful public health innovations through cloud adoption.
The Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak on the Psychological Flexibility and Behaviour of Cancelling Medical Appointments of Italian Patients with Pre-Existing Medical Condition: The “ImpACT-COVID-19 for Patients” Multi-Centre Observational Study
Authors: Deledda Giuseppe , Riccardi Niccolò , Gori Stefania , Poli Sara , Giansante Matteo , Geccherle Eleonora , Mazzi Cristina , Silva Ronaldo , Desantis Nicoletta , Giovannetti Ambra Mara , Solari Alessandra , Confalonieri Paolo , Grazzi Licia , Sarcletti Elena , Biffa Gabriella , Biagio Antonio Di , Sestito Carlo , Keim Roland , Gangi Hermis Alida M. R. Di , Mazzoldi Mariantonietta , Failo Alessandro , Scaglione Anna , Faldetta Naida , Dorangricchia Patrizia , Moschetto Maria , Soto Parra Hector Josè , Faietti Jennifer , Profio Anna Di , Rusconi Stefano , Giacomelli Andrea , Marchioretto Fabio , Alongi Filippo , Marchetta Antonio , Molon Giulio , Bisoffi Zeno , Angheben Andrea
Published: January 2021

Psychological distress imposed by the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak particularly affects patients with pre-existing medical conditions, and the progression of their diseases. Patients who fail to keep scheduled medical appointments experience a negative impact on care. The aim of this study is to investigate the psychosocial factors contributing to the cancellation of medical appointments during the pandemic by patients with pre-existing health conditions. Data were collected in eleven Italian hospitals during the last week of lockdown, and one month later. In order to assess the emotional impact of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and the subject’s degree of psychological flexibility, we developed an ad hoc questionnaire (ImpACT), referring to the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) and the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ) were also used. Pervasive dysfunctional use of experiential avoidance behaviours (used with the function to avoid thought, emotions, sensations), feelings of loneliness and high post-traumatic stress scores were found to correlate with the fear of COVID-19, increasing the likelihood of cancelling medical appointments. Responding promptly to the information and psychological needs of patients who cancel medical appointments can have positive effects in terms of psychological and physical health.
Health(care) in the Crisis: Reflections in Science and Society on Opioid Addiction
Authors: Damiescu Roxana , Banerjee Mita , Lee David Y. W. , Paul Norbert W. , Efferth Thomas
Published: January 2021

Opioid abuse and misuse have led to an epidemic which is currently spreading worldwide. Since the number of opioid overdoses is still increasing, it is becoming obvious that current rather unsystematic approaches to tackle this health problem are not effective. This review suggests that fighting the opioid epidemic requires a structured public health approach. Therefore, it is important to consider not only scientific and biomedical perspectives, but societal implications and the lived experience of groups at risk as well. Hence, this review evaluates the risk factors associated with opioid overdoses and investigates the rates of chronic opioid misuse, particularly in the context of chronic pain as well as post-surgery treatments, as the entrance of opioids in people’s lives. Linking pharmaceutical biology to narrative analysis is essential to understand the modulations of the usual themes of addiction and abuse present in the opioid crisis. This paper shows that patient narratives can be an important resource in understanding the complexity of opioid abuse and addiction. In particular, the relationship between chronic pain and social inequality must be considered. The main goal of this review is to demonstrate how a deeper transdisciplinary-enriched understanding can lead to more precise strategies of prevention or treatment of opioid abuse.
Vulnerable Workers and COVID-19: Insights from a Survey of Members of the International Commission for Occupational Health
Authors: Tamin Jacques , Samuel Oluranti , Suraya Anna , Ebuenyi Ikenna D. , Naicker Nisha , Rajput-Ray Minha
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted on the health and wellbeing of populations directly through infection, as well as through serious societal and economic consequences such as unemployment and underemployment. The consequences could be even more severe for those more vulnerable to the disease, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. Indeed, there is evidence that such vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected in terms of both, their health and the socioeconomic impact. The aim of our study was to determine whether occupational health (OH) professionals thought that the COVID-19 pandemic might further disadvantage any particular group(s) of vulnerable workers globally, and if so, which group(s). A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of OH professionals by means of an online questionnaire which was shared via email within the ICOH (International Commission for Occupational Health) community. Data was collected over a period of two weeks in May 2020 and 165 responses from 52 countries were received. In this paper, the responses relating to questions about vulnerable workers are reported and discussed. Globally, our responders felt that those in less secure jobs (precarious employment (79%) and informal work (69%)), or unemployed (63%), were the most at risk of further disadvantage from this pandemic. The majority felt that their governments could act to mitigate these effects. There were suggestions of short-term alleviation such as financial and social support, as well as calls for fundamental reviews of the underlying inequalities that leave populations so vulnerable to a crisis such as COVID-19.
Comparative Mitogenomic Analysis of Two Cuckoo Bees (Apoidea: Anthophila: Megachilidae) with Phylogenetic Implications
Authors: Lu Huanhuan , He Bo , Hao Youjin , Zhou Zeyang , Su Chengyong , Huang Dunyuan
Published: January 2021

Bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea and Anthophila) are distributed worldwide and considered the primary pollinators of angiosperm. Megachilidae is one of the largest families of Anthophila. In this study, two complete mitogenomes of cuckoo bees in Megachilidae, namely Coelioxys fenestrata and Euaspis polynesia, were amplified and sequenced, with a length of 17,004 bp (C. fenestrata) and 17,682 bp (E. polynesia). The obtained results show that 37 mitogenomic genes and one putative control region were conserved within Hymenoptera. Truncated stop codon T was found in the cox3 gene of E. polynesia. The secondary structure of small (rrnS) and large (rrnL) rRNA subunits contained three domains (28 helices) and five domains (44 helices) conserved within Hymenoptera, respectively. Compared with ancestral gene order, gene rearrangement events included local inversion and gene shuffling. In order to reveal the phylogenetic position of cuckoo bees, we performed phylogenetic analysis. The results supported that all families of Anthophila were monophyletic, the tribe-level relationship of Megachilidae was Osmiini + (Anthidiini + Megachilini) and Coelioxys fenestrata was clustered to the Megachile genus, which was more closely related to Megachile sculpturalis and Megachile strupigera than Euaspis polynesia.
Composition and Clinical Significance of Exosomes in Tuberculosis: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Biadglegne Fantahun , König Brigitte , Rodloff Arne C. , Dorhoi Anca , Sack Ulrich
Published: January 2021

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health issue worldwide. In order to contain TB infections, improved vaccines as well as accurate and reliable diagnostic tools are desirable. Exosomes are employed for the diagnosis of various diseases. At present, research on exosomes in TB is still at the preliminary stage. Recent studies have described isolation and characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) derived exosomes in vivo and in vitro. Mtb-derived exosomes (Mtbexo) may be critical for TB pathogenesis by delivering mycobacterial-derived components to the recipient cells. Proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of Mtbexo have revealed a variety of proteins and miRNA, which are utilized by the TB bacteria for pathogenesis. Exosomes have been isolated in body fluids, are amenable for fast detection, and could contribute as diagnostic or prognostic biomarker to disease control. Extraction of exosomes from biological fluids is essential for the exosome research and requires careful standardization for TB. In this review, we summarized the different studies on Mtbexo molecules, including protein and miRNA and the methods used to detect exosomes in biological fluids and cell culture supernatants. Thus, the detection of Mtbexo molecules in biological fluids may have a potential to expedite the diagnosis of TB infection. Moreover, the analysis of Mtbexo may generate new aspects in vaccine development.
Satellite-Based Monitoring of Annual Coastal Reclamation in Shenzhen and Hong Kong since the 21st Century: A Comparative Study
Authors: Feng Tanxin , Xu Nan
Published: January 2021

To solve the shortage of land resources, many coastal cities have implemented coastal reclamation projects over the past few decades. Coastal reclamation can promote the economic development of coastal cities and improve human well-being in coastal zones. However, it can inevitably cause a series of ecological and environmental issues, such as coastal water pollution, ecosystem destruction, habitat loss, and land subsidence. Shenzhen and Hong Kong are two large neighboring Chinese coastal cities in southern China with different systems. As densely populated and economically developed cities, they face similar land shortage issues. However, recent coastal reclamation changes in Shenzhen and Hong Kong are unclear under different social and political systems. To fill this gap, this study aimed to monitor and compare recent annual coastal reclamation in Shenzhen and Hong Kong with totally different systems using free and open satellite products. Then, to compare the results of coastal reclamation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Large-scale coastal reclamation in Shenzhen and Hong Kong from 2000 to 2018 can be observed. The total area of coastal reclamation was 4140.7 hm2, of which the total coastal reclamation area in Shenzhen was 3409.8 hm2 and the total coastal reclamation area in Hong Kong was 730.9 hm2. Coastal reclamation in Shenzhen showed a temporal characteristic of “increasing slightly and then decreasing sharply”. Before and after 2010, the area of accumulated coastal reclamation were 3202.9 hm2 and 206.9 hm2. Comparatively, coastal reclamation in Hong Kong exhibited a temporal characteristic of “first decreasing and then increasing and then decreasing”. In 2002 and 2014, the scale of coastal reclamation was relatively large, with a total area of 501.8 hm2, accounting for 69.19% of its total area of coastal reclamation. The comparison between our produced coastal reclamation and the official area on coastal reclamation exhibited a good agreement based on correlation analysis (r = 0.99) and RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) (0.72). Since the 21st century, Shenzhen and Hong Kong have shown different, even opposite, policies on coastal reclamation. It will be necessary to continuously monitor future coastal reclamation driven by policies for better conducting sustainable coastal development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Inhibition and Hydrodynamic Analysis of Twin Side-Hulls on the Porpoising Instability of Planing Boats
Authors: Wang Jiandong , Zhuang Jiayuan , Su Yumin , Bi Xiaosheng
Published: January 2021

A comparative analysis of the hydrodynamic performance of a planing craft in the monomer-form state (MFS) and trimaran-form state (TFS) was performed, and the inhibition mechanism of twin side-hulls on porpoising instability was evaluated based on the numerical method. A series of drag tests were conducted on the monomer-form models with different longitudinal locations of the center of gravity (Lcg); the occurrence of porpoising and the influence of Lcg on porpoising by the model was discussed. Then, based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) solver and overset grid technology, numerical simulations of the model were performed, and using test data, the results were verified by incorporating the whisker spray equation of Savitsky. To determine how the porpoising is inhibited in the TFS, simulations for the craft in the MFS and TFS when porpoising were performed and the influence of side-hulls on sailing attitudes and hydrodynamic performance at different speeds were analyzed. Using the full factor design spatial sampling method, the influence of longitudinal and vertical side-hull placements on porpoising inhibition were deliberated, and the optimal side-hull location range is reported and verified on the scale of a real ship. The results indicate that the longitudinal side-hull location should be set in the ratio (a/Lm) range from 0.1 to 0.3, and vertically, the draft ratio (Dd/Tm) should be less than 0.442. Following these recommendations, porpoising instability can be inhibited, and lesser resistance can be achieved.
Blood Biomarkers for Assessing Headaches in Healthcare Workers after Wearing Biological Personal Protective Equipment in a COVID-19 Field Hospital
Authors: Martín-Rodríguez Francisco , López-Izquierdo Raúl , Portillo Rubiales Raquel M. , Fadrique Millán Laura N. , Carbajosa Rodríguez Virginia , Sanz-García Ancor , Ortega Rabbione Guillermo , Polonio-López Begoña , Castro Villamor Miguel Ángel , Martín-Conty José L.
Published: January 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to a pandemic, which among other things, has highlighted biosafety as a key cornerstone in the management of disease transmission. The aim of this work was to analyze the role played by different blood biomarkers in predicting the appearance of headaches in healthcare workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in a COVID-19 treatment unit. A prospective cohort study of 38 healthcare workers was performed during April 2020. Blood analysis, performed just before the start of a 4 hour shift, was carried out on all volunteers equipped with PPE. At the end of their shifts and after decontamination, they were asked if they had suffered from headache in order to obtain a binary outcome. The baseline creatinine value reflected a specific odds ratio of 241.36 (95% CI: 2.50–23,295.43; p = 0.019) and an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.737 (95%CI: 0.57–0.90; p < 0.01). Blood creatinine is a good candidate for predicting the appearance of a de novo headache in healthcare workers after wearing PPE for four hours in a COVID-19 unit.
Investigating the Dynamic Interlinkages between Exchange Rates and the NSE NIFTY Index
Authors: Victor Vijay , K K Dibin , Bhaskar Meenu , Naz Farheen
Published: January 2021

This study aims at examining the short-run and long-run dynamic linkages among exchange rates and stock market index in India through a structured cointegration and Granger causality tests. Daily exchange rates of USD, EUR, CNY, JPY, and GBP to INR along with the daily movement of NSE NIFTY for a period spanning 13 years from 6 September 2005 to 31 December 2018 were used for the analysis. The results reveal that there is no evidence for a stable long-run relationship between NSE NIFTY and the exchange rates under study. However, the VAR-based Granger causality test shows that USD, JPY, and CNY have short-run causal relationship with NSE NIFTY. The NSE NIFTY also seemed to have an influence on USD expressed in terms of Indian rupee. The impulse response analysis further supports the results of the Granger causality test and provides information on the time required for the NSE NIFTY index to recover from a shock caused by the fluctuation in exchange rates.
Spatio-Temporal Grassland Development in Inner Mongolia after Implementation of the First Comprehensive Nation-Wide Grassland Conservation Program
Authors: Xue Zhichao , Kappas Martin , Wyss Daniel
Published: January 2021

Protection of the grassland’s ecological environment and improvement of people’s livelihoods are major tasks for the management of pastoral areas in Inner Mongolia. The comprehensive program for grassland conservation in China, the Subsidy and Incentive System for Grassland Conservation (SISGC), was launched in 2011. To comprehend the effects of this major step towards sustainable grassland development, this study focuses on the spatio-temporal development of grasslands in Inner Mongolia since 2011. Through the combination of MODIS (Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite data with up to date meteorological data, we used the indicators of Fractional Vegetation Cover (FVC) and Net Primary Productivity (NPP) to analyze qualitative and quantitative grassland changes. A classification system on the pixel level, reflecting change trends and fluctuations of both FVC and NPP, was applied to monitor and analyze the grassland development from 2011 to 2019. In particular, the spatial transfer matrix of the recent two years (2018 to 2019) was analyzed to reveal the latest potential issues and random impact factors. The results show a positive overall but spatially unbalanced effect of SISGC, with a prominent positive impact in the semi-desert grassland area. The potential threats from both social and natural aspects as well as the importance of a forecast system for local stakeholders in the pastoral area are discussed.
A Review of Urban Ecosystem Services Research in Southeast Asia
Authors: Lourdes Karen , Gibbins Chris , Hamel Perrine , Sanusi Ruzana , Azhar Badrul , Lechner Alex
Published: January 2021

Urban blue-green spaces hold immense potential for supporting the sustainability and liveability of cities through the provision of urban ecosystem services (UES). However, research on UES in the Global South has not been reviewed as systematically as in the Global North. In Southeast Asia, the nature and extent of the biases, imbalances and gaps in UES research are unclear. We address this issue by conducting a systematic review of UES research in Southeast Asia over the last twenty years. Our findings draw attention to the unequal distribution of UES research within the region, and highlight common services, scales and features studied, as well as methods undertaken in UES research. We found that while studies tend to assess regulating and cultural UES at a landscape scale, few studies examined interactions between services by assessing synergies and tradeoffs. Moreover, the bias in research towards megacities in the region may overlook less-developed nations, rural areas, and peri-urban regions and their unique perspectives and preferences towards UES management. We discuss the challenges and considerations for integrating and conducting research on UES in Southeast Asia based on its unique and diverse socio-cultural characteristics. We conclude our review by highlighting aspects of UES research that need more attention in order to support land use planning and decision-making in Southeast Asia.
Biological Nanopores: Engineering on Demand
Authors: Crnković Ana , Srnko Marija , Anderluh Gregor
Published: January 2021

Nanopore-based sensing is a powerful technique for the detection of diverse organic and inorganic molecules, long-read sequencing of nucleic acids, and single-molecule analyses of enzymatic reactions. Selected from natural sources, protein-based nanopores enable rapid, label-free detection of analytes. Furthermore, these proteins are easy to produce, form pores with defined sizes, and can be easily manipulated with standard molecular biology techniques. The range of possible analytes can be extended by using externally added adapter molecules. Here, we provide an overview of current nanopore applications with a focus on engineering strategies and solutions.
On Admissible Orders on the Set of Discrete Fuzzy Numbers for Application in Decision Making Problems
Authors: Riera Juan Vicente , Massanet Sebastia , Bustince Humberto , Fernandez Javier
Published: January 2021

The study of orders is a constantly evolving topic, not only for its interest from a theoretical point of view, but also for its possible applications. Recently, one of the hot lines of research has been the construction of admissible orders in different frameworks. Following this direction, this paper presents a new representation theorem in the field of discrete fuzzy numbers that enables the construction of two families of admissible orders in the set of discrete fuzzy numbers whose support is a closed interval of a finite chain, leading to the first admissible orders introduced in this framework.
Mathematical Modelling, Analysis and Control of a Three to Five-Phase Matrix Converter for Minimal Switching Losses
Authors: Tawfiq Kotb B. , Ibrahim Mohamed N. , Rezk Hegazy , El-kholy Elwy E. , Sergeant Peter
Published: January 2021

The interest in motor drive systems with a number of phases greater than three has increased, mainly in high-power industrial fields due to their advantages compared with three-phase drive systems. In this paper, comprehensive mathematical modeling of a five-phase matrix converter (MC) is introduced. Besides that, the direct and indirect space vector modulation (SVM) control methods are compared and analyzed. Furthermore, a mathematical model for the MC with the transformation between the indirect and direct topology is constructed. The indirect technique is used to control the five-phase MC with minimum switching losses. In this technique, SVM deals with a five-phase MC as a virtual two-stage converter with a virtual DC link (i.e., rectifier and inverter stages). The voltage gain is limited to a value of 0.79. Moreover, to analyze the effectiveness of the control technique and the advantages of the MC, a static R-L load is employed. However, the load can also be an industrial load, such as hospital pumping or vehicular applications. The presented analysis proves that the MC gives a wide range of output frequencies, and it has the ability to control the input displacement factor and the output voltage magnitude. In addition, the absence of the massive DC link capacitors is an essential feature for the MC, resulting in increased reliability and a reduced size converter. Eventually, an experimental validation is conducted on a static load to validate the presented model and the control method. It is observed that good matching between the simulation and the experimental results is achieved.
Synthesis of C-Plane Oriented Hexagonal Tungsten Oxide Membranes on Tubular Substrates and Their Acetic Acid/Water Separation Performances
Authors: Kunishi Hiroto , Wada Shintaro , Kamimoto Yuki , Ichino Ryoichi , Lin Yan , Kong Long , Li Liang , Hagio Takeshi
Published: January 2021

Hexagonal tungsten oxide (h-WO3) membrane is a novel candidate for dehydration of acetic acid (CH3COOH)/water mixtures owing to its molecular sieving property and acidic resistance. Meanwhile, c-plane orientation is an important factor for h-WO3 membranes because the pores of h-WO3 run along its c-axis. However, so far, high c-plane orientation has not been successful on tubular substrates. Here, the effect of synthesis conditions of h-WO3 membranes on tubular substrates against c-plane orientation and CH3COOH/water separation performance are investigated. The h-WO3 membranes were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis from a precursor sol containing various amounts of sodium tungstate (Na2WO4) in the presence of tubular substrates with seeds embedded on their outside surface. The seeding method and the amount of Na2WO4 in the precursor sol significantly affected both crystal orientation and densification of the membrane. A precursor sol with appropriate amounts of Na2WO4 was essential to simultaneously satisfy high c-plane orientation and densification of the membrane while excess Na2WO4 drastically decreased the degree of c-plane orientation. A highly c-plane oriented h-WO3 membrane was successfully obtained under the optimized condition, which exhibited a maximum separation factor of 40.0 and a water permeance of 1.53 × 10−7 mol·m−2·s−1·Pa−1 in a 90:10 wt % CH3COOH/water mixture. The water permeance approximately doubled compared to the previous report, possibly owing to the significantly higher degree of c-plane orientation. Furthermore, it was found that its separation ability can be maintained while stored in 90:10 wt % CH3COOH/water mixture with pH < 0 for more than 500 h.
Post Processing Strategies for the Enhancement of Mechanical Properties of ENMs (Electrospun Nanofibrous Membranes): A Review
Authors: Nauman Saad , Lubineau Gilles , Alharbi Hamad F.
Published: January 2021

Electrospinning is a versatile technique which results in the formation of a fine web of fibers. The mechanical properties of electrospun fibers depend on the choice of solution constituents, processing parameters, environmental conditions, and collector design. Once electrospun, the fibrous web has little mechanical integrity and needs post fabrication treatments for enhancing its mechanical properties. The treatment strategies include both the chemical and physical techniques. The effect of these post fabrication treatments on the properties of electrospun membranes can be assessed through either conducting tests on extracted single fiber specimens or macro scale testing on membrane specimens. The latter scenario is more common in the literature due to its simplicity and low cost. In this review, a detailed literature survey of post fabrication strength enhancement strategies adopted for electrospun membranes has been presented. For optimum effect, enhancement strategies have to be implemented without significant loss to fiber morphology even though fiber diameters, porosity, and pore tortuosity are usually affected. A discussion of these treatments on fiber crystallinity, diameters, and mechanical properties has also been produced. The choice of a particular post fabrication strength enhancement strategy is dictated by the application area intended for the membrane system and permissible changes to the initial fibrous morphology.
Hydrophobic Modification of Graphene Oxide and Its Effect on the Corrosion Resistance of Silicone-Modified Epoxy Resin
Authors: Yuan Wei , Hu Qian , Zhang Jiao , Huang Feng , Liu Jing
Published: January 2021

This study modified graphene oxide (GO) with hydrophilic octadecylamine (ODA) via covalent bonding to improve its dispersion in silicone-modified epoxy resin (SMER) coatings. The structural and physical properties of ODA-GO were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and contact angle tests. The ODA-GO composite materials were added to SMER coatings by physical mixing. FE-SEM, water absorption, and contact angle tests were used to evaluate the physical properties of the ODA-GO/SMER coatings, while salt spray, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) methods were used to test the anticorrosive performance of ODA-GO/SMER composite coatings on Q235 steel substrates. It was found that ODA was successfully grafted onto the surfaces of GO. The resulting ODA-GO material exhibited good hydrophobicity and dispersion in SMER coatings. The anticorrosive properties of the ODA-GO/SMER coatings were significantly improved due to the increased interfacial adhesion between the nanosheets and SMER, lengthening of the corrosive solution diffusion path, and increased cathodic peeling resistance. The 1 wt.% ODA-GO/SMER coating provided the best corrosion resistance than SMER coatings with other amounts of ODA-GO (including no addition). After immersion in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution for 28 days, the low-frequency end impedance value of the 1 wt.% ODA-GO/SMER coating remained high, at 6.2 × 108 Ω·cm2.
Age Heat Treatment of Al0.5CoCrFe1.5NiTi0.5 High-Entropy Alloy
Authors: Lee Che-Fu , Shun Tao-Tsung
Published: January 2021

In this study, Al0.5CoCrFe1.5NiTi0.5 high-entropy alloy was heat-treated from 500 °C to 1200 °C for 24 h to investigate age-hardening phenomena and microstructure evolution. The as-cast alloy, with a hardness of HV430, exhibited a dendritic structure comprising an (Fe,Cr)-rich FCC phase and a (Ni,Al,Ti)-rich B2 phase, and the interdendrite exhibited a spinodal decomposed structure comprising an (Fe,Cr)-rich BCC phase and a (Ni,Al,Ti)-rich B2 phase. Age hardening and softening occurred at 500 °C to 800 °C and 900 °C to 1100 °C, respectively. We observed optimal age hardening at 700 °C, and alloy hardness increased to HV556. The hardening was attributed to the precipitation of the σ phase, and the softening was attributed to the dissolution of the σ phase back into the matrix and coarsening of the microstructure. The appearance of fine Widmanstätten precipitates formed by the (Al,Ti)-rich BCC phase and (Ni,Al,Ti)-rich B2 phase at 1200 °C led to secondary hardening.
Analytical Platforms for the Determination of Phospholipid Turnover in Breast Cancer Tissue: Role of Phospholipase Activity in Breast Cancer Development
Authors: Perestrelo Rosa , Petkovic Marijana , Silva Catarina Luís
Published: January 2021

Altered lipid metabolism has been associated with the progression of various cancers, and aberrant expression of enzymes involved in the lipid metabolism has been detected in different stages of cancer. Breast cancer (BC) is one of the cancer types known to be associated with alterations in the lipid metabolism and overexpression of enzymes involved in this metabolism. It has been demonstrated that inhibition of the activity of certain enzymes, such as that of phospholipase A2 in BC cell lines sensitizes these cells and decreases the IC50 values for forthcoming therapy with traditional drugs, such as doxorubicin and tamoxifen. Moreover, other phospholipases, such as phospholipase C and D, are involved in intracellular signal transduction, which emphasizes their importance in cancer development. Finally, BC is assumed to be dependent on the diet and the composition of lipids in nutrients. Despite their importance, analytical approaches that can associate the activity of phospholipases with changes in the lipid composition and distribution in cancer tissues are not yet standardized. In this review, an overview of various analytical platforms that are applied on the study of lipids and phospholipase activity in BC tissues will be given, as well as their association with cancer diagnosis and tumor progression. The methods that are applied to tissues obtained from the BC patients will be emphasized and critically evaluated, regarding their applicability in oncology.