bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal Choline and Betaine Supplementation Modifies the Placental Response to Hyperglycemia in Mice and Human Trophoblasts
Authors: Nanobashvili Khatia , Jack-Roberts Chauntelle , Bretter Rachel , Jones Naudia , Axen Kathleen , Saxena Anjana , Blain Kali , Jiang Xinyin
Published: October 2018

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by excessive placental fat and glucose transport, resulting in fetal overgrowth. Earlier we demonstrated that maternal choline supplementation normalizes fetal growth in GDM mice at mid-gestation. In this study, we further assess how choline and its oxidation product betaine influence determinants of placental nutrient transport in GDM mice and human trophoblasts. C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat (HF) diet 4 weeks prior to and during pregnancy to induce GDM or fed a control normal fat (NF) diet. The HF mice also received 25 mM choline, 85 mM betaine, or control drinking water. We observed that GDM mice had an expanded placental junctional zone with an increased area of glycogen cells, while the thickness of the placental labyrinth zone was decreased at E17.5 compared to NF control mice (p < 0.05). Choline and betaine supplementation alleviated these morphological changes in GDM placentas. In parallel, both choline and betaine supplementation significantly reduced glucose accretion (p < 0.05) in in vitro assays where the human choriocarcinoma BeWo cells were cultured in high (35.5 mM) or normal (5.5 mM) glucose conditions. Expression of angiogenic genes was minimally altered by choline or betaine supplementation in either model. In conclusion, both choline and betaine modified some but not all determinants of placental transport in response to hyperglycemia in mouse and in vitro human cell line models.
Anti-Atherosclerotic Effect of a Polyphenol-Rich Ingredient, Oleactiv®, in a Hypercholesterolemia-Induced Golden Syrian Hamster Model
Authors: Romain Cindy , Piemontese Antonio , Battista Simone , Bernini Franco , Ossoli Alice , Strazzella Arianna , Gaillet Sylvie , Rouanet Jean-Max , Cases Julien , Zanotti Ilaria
Published: October 2018

The development of nutraceutical ingredients has risen as a nutritional solution for health prevention. This study evaluated the effects of Oleactiv®, an ingredient developed for the prevention of atherogenesis, in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Oleactiv® is a polyphenol-rich ingredient obtained from artichoke, olive and grape extracts as part of fruit and vegetables commonly consumed within the Mediterranean diet. A total of 21 Golden Syrian hamsters were divided into three groups. The standard group (STD) was fed a normolipidemic diet for 12 weeks, while the control group (CTRL) and Oleactiv® goup (OLE) were fed a high-fat diet. After sacrifice, the aortic fatty streak area (AFSA), plasmatic total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), non-HDL-C and triglycerides (TG), were assessed. The cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) of hamster plasma was quantified using a radiolabeled technique in murine macrophages J774. OLE administration induced a significant reduction of AFSA (−69%, p < 0.0001). Hamsters of the OLE group showed a significant decrease of both non-HDL-C (−173 mmol/L, p < 0.05) and TG (−154 mmol/L, p < 0.05). Interestingly, OLE induced a significant increase of total CEC (+17,33%, p < 0,05). Oleactiv® supplementation prevented atheroma development and had positive effects on the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic hamsters. The increased CEC underlines the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism at the root of the atheroma reduction observed.
On the Reporting of Odds Ratios and Risk Ratios
Authors: Pace Nelson , Multani Jasjit
Published: October 2018

It is with great interest that we read the article by Ricci et al. entitled “Maternal and Paternal Caffeine Intake and ART Outcomes in Couples Referring to an Italian Fertility Clinic: A Prospective Cohort” [...]
Spatial Disparity in Food Environment and Household Economic Resources Related to Food Insecurity in Rural Korean Households with Older Adults
Authors: Shim Jae Eun , Kim Seo-jin , Kim Kirang , Hwang Ji-Yun
Published: October 2018

Different contextual factors of a household and a community, such as access to resources and transportation, may influence the level of food insecurity. The objective of this study was to identify how food environmental factors and economic resources were related to food insecurity in Korean older adults residing in different contexts of rural areas. Face-to-face interviews with 248 older adults residing in land (n = 149) and mountain (n = 99) rural areas were performed. In both areas, risk of food insecurity was increased for households with limited community food accessibility measured by having difficulties in food purchasing due to food stores far from home. There were discrepancies in factors related to increased risks of food insecurity between households in land and mountain areas. The experience of reducing food expenditure resulting from burden of heating costs during the winter in households in a mountain area whereas the percent proportion of housing fee and household cook’s physical disability in households residing in the land area were found to be factors associated with increased risks of food insecurity. For households residing in mountain areas, the risk of food insecurity was decreased when economic resources measured by average monthly income for the last one year was increased and there was farming or home gardening activity. Such spatial disparity might affect household food insecurity in rural areas. In addition, food environmental factors and economic resources may affect household food insecurity differently according to the diverse contexts of rural areas. Better understanding of spatial challenges in food insecurity faced by seniors in a large rural area would help prepare programs or policy change to strengthen and improve their food environments.
Dairy Foods and Body Mass Index over 10-Year: Evidence from the Caerphilly Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Guo Jing , Dougkas Anestis , Elwood Peter C. , Givens David I.
Published: October 2018

The association between dairy product consumption and body mass index (BMI) remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between total dairy, milk, cheese, cream and butter consumption and BMI change over a 10-year follow-up by using long-term follow-up cohort data from the Caerphilly Prospective Cohort Study (CAPS). The CAPS included 2512 men aged 45–59 years at baseline, who were followed up at 5-year intervals for over 20-year. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire estimated the intake of dairy consumption, including milk, cheese, cream and butter at baseline, 5-year and 10-year follow-up. In total, men free of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer (n = 1690) were included in current analysis. General linear regression and logistic regression were used for data analysis. The results showed higher cheese consumption was associated with lower BMI at the 5-year follow-up (p = 0.013). There was no evidence that higher consumption of total dairy, milk, cream and butter were significantly associated with BMI during the over the 10-year following-up. This study suggest that cheese consumption have beneficial effects on lowering BMI, which needs further investigation.
Prebiotics for Lactose Intolerance: Variability in Galacto-Oligosaccharide Utilization by Intestinal Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Authors: Arnold Jason W. , Simpson Joshua B. , Roach Jeffery , Bruno-Barcena Jose M. , Azcarate-Peril M. Andrea
Published: October 2018

Lactose intolerance, characterized by a decrease in host lactase expression, affects approximately 75% of the world population. Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are prebiotics that have been shown to alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance and to modulate the intestinal microbiota, promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms. We hypothesized that mechanisms of GOS utilization by intestinal bacteria are variable, impacting efficacy and response, with differences occurring at the strain level. This study aimed to determine the mechanisms by which human-derived Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains metabolize GOS. Genomic comparisons between strains revealed differences in carbohydrate utilization components, including transporters, enzymes for degradation, and transcriptional regulation, despite a high overall sequence identity (>95%) between strains. Physiological and transcriptomics analyses showed distinct differences in carbohydrate metabolism profiles and GOS utilization between strains. A putative operon responsible for GOS utilization was identified and characterized by genetic disruption of the 6-phospho-β-galactosidase, which had a critical role in GOS utilization. Our findings highlight the importance of strain-specific bacterial metabolism in the selection of probiotics and synbiotics to alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders including lactose intolerance.
Sialic Acid and Sialylated Oligosaccharide Supplementation during Lactation Improves Learning and Memory in Rats
Authors: Oliveros Elena , Vázquez Enrique , Barranco Alejandro , Ramírez María , Gruart Agnes , Delgado-García Jose María , Buck Rachael , Rueda Ricardo , Martín María J.
Published: October 2018

Sialic acids (Sia) are postulated to improve cognitive abilities. This study evaluated Sia effects on rat behavior when administered in a free form as N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) or conjugated as 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL). Rat milk contains Sia, which peaks at Postnatal Day 9 and drops to a minimum by Day 15. To bypass this Sia peak, a cohort of foster mothers was used to raise the experimental pups. A group of pups received a daily oral supplementation of Neu5Ac to mimic the amount naturally present in rat milk, and another group received the same molar amount of Sia as 6′-SL. The control group received water. After weaning, rats were submitted to behavioral evaluation. One year later, behavior was re-evaluated, and in vivo long-term potentiation (LTP) was performed. Brain samples were collected and analyzed at both ages. Adult rats who received Sia performed significantly better in the behavioral assessment and showed an enhanced LTP compared to controls. Within Sia groups, 6′-SL rats showed better scores in some cognitive outcomes compared to Neu5Ac rats. At weaning, an effect on polysialylated-neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) levels in the frontal cortex was only observed in 6′-SL fed rats. Providing Sia during lactation, especially as 6′-SL, improves memory and LTP in adult rats.
Grinding as Solvent-Free Green Chemistry Approach for Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex Preparation in the Solid State
Authors: Jug Mario , Mura Paola Angela
Published: October 2018

Among the different techniques proposed for preparing cyclodextrin inclusion complex in the solid state, mechanochemical activation by grinding appears as a fast, highly efficient, convenient, versatile, sustainable, and eco-friendly solvent-free method. This review is intended to give a systematic overview of the currently available data in this field, highlighting both the advantages as well as the shortcomings of such an approach. The possible mechanisms involved in the inclusion complex formation in the solid state, by grinding, have been illustrated. For each type of applied milling device, the respective process variables have been examined and discussed, together with the characteristics of the obtained products, also in relation with the physicochemical characteristics of both the drug and cyclodextrin subjected to grinding. The critical process parameters were evidenced in order to provide a useful guide for a rational selection of the most suitable conditions for an efficient inclusion complex preparation by grinding, with the final purpose of promoting a wider use of this effective solvent-free cyclodextrin inclusion complex preparation method in the solid state.
Design of Silica Multimode Optical Fibers with Extremely Enlarged Core Diameter for Laser-Based Multi-Gigabit Short-Range Optical Networks
Authors: Bourdine Anton V. , Burdin Vladimir A. , Janyani Vijay , Ghunawat Ashish Kumar , Singh Ghanshyam , Zhukov Alexander E.
Published: October 2018

This work presents an alternative fast and simple method for the design of a refractive index profile of silica multimode optical fibers (MMFs) with extremely enlarged core diameters of up to 100 µm for laser-based multi-gigabit short-range optical networks. We demonstrate some results of 100 µm core MMF graded index profile optimization performed by a proposed solution, which provides a selected mode staff differential mode delay (DMD) reduction over the “O”-band under particular launching conditions. Earlier on, a developed alternative model for a piecewise regular multimode fiber optic link operating in a few-mode regime for the computation of laser-excited optical pulse dynamics during its propagation over an irregular silica graded-index MMF with an extremely large core diameter, is utilized to estimate the potentiality of fiber optic links with the described MMFs. Here, we also present the comparison results of the simulation of 10GBase-LX optical signal transmission over 100 µm core MMFs with conventional and optimized graded-index refractive index profiles.
Genetic, Phenotypic, and Commercial Characterization of an Almond Collection from Sardinia
Authors: Rapposelli Emma , Rigoldi Maria Pia , Satta Daniela , Delpiano Donatella , Secci Sara , Porceddu Andrea
Published: October 2018

Background: Recent nutritional and medical studies have associated the regular consumption of almonds with a wide range of health benefits. As a consequence, kernel quality has become an important goal for breeding, considering not only the chemical composition conferring a specific organoleptic quality but also physical traits related to industrial processing. Methods: We characterized an almond collection from Sardinia through analysis of 13 morpho-physiological traits and eight essential oil profiles. The genetic structure of the collection was studied by analyzing the polymorphism of 11 simple sequence repeats (SSR). Results: Both commercial and phenotypic traits showed wide ranges of variation. Most genotypes were early flowering with low yield potential. Several genotypes showed moderate to high yield and very interesting oil compositions of kernels. Based on 11 SSR profiles and Bayesian clustering, the Sardinian cultivars were assigned to groups which were differentiated for several agronomic and commercial traits. Conclusions: Several cultivars showed a high kernel oil content and high oleic to linoleic content ratio. Based on morphological traits, we propose that some of the analyzed cultivars could be interesting for industrial applications. Finally, we highlight the importance of characterizing early blooming cultivars for sites which are experiencing a rise in mean temperatures due to the effects of global climate changes.
A Phenolphthalein-Dummy Template Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Highly Selective Extraction and Clean-Up of Bisphenol A in Complex Biological, Environmental and Food Samples
Authors: Yang Jiajia , Li Yun , Huang Chaonan , Jiao Yanna , Chen Jiping
Published: October 2018

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for highly selective solid-phase extraction (SPE) of bisphenol A (BPA) was prepared using phenolphthalein (PP) as the novel dummy template by bulk polymerization. A particle diameter distribution of 40–60 μm, a specific surface area of 359.8 m2·g−1, and a total pore volume of 0.730 cm3·g−1 for the prepared PP-imprinted polymer (PPMIP) were obtained. Good selectivity and specific adsorption capacity for BPA of the prepared PPMIP were also demonstrated by the chromatographic evaluation and sorption experiments. The PPMIP as a SPE sorbent was evaluated for the selective extraction and clean-up of BPA from complex biological, environmental, and food samples. Meanwhile, an accurate and sensitive analytical method based on the PPMIP-SPE purification procedure coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) detection has been successfully developed for the rapid determination of BPA from these samples, with detection limits of 1.3 ng·mL−1 for bovine serum and milk, 2.6 ng·mL−1 for human urine and edible oil, 5.2 ng·mL−1 for soybean sauce, and 1.3 ng·g−1 for sediment. The BPA recoveries at two different spiking levels were in the range of 82.1–106.9%, with relative standard deviation (RSD) values below 7.7%.
Facile Route for Bio-Phenol Siloxane Synthesis via Heterogeneous Catalytic Method and its Autonomic Antibacterial Property
Authors: Pang Xiaoyan , Ge Xin , Ji Jianye , Liang Weijie , Chen Xunjun , Ge Jianfang
Published: October 2018

Eugenol, used as bio-phenol, was designed to replace the hydrogen atom of hydrogenterminated siloxane by hydrosilylation reaction under the presence of alumina-supported platinum catalyst (Pt-Al2O3), silica-supported platinum catalyst (Pt-SiO2) and carbon nanotube-supported platinum catalyst (Pt-CNT), respectively. The catalytic activities of these three platinum catalysts were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectrometer (1H NMR). The properties of bio-phenol siloxane were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT–IR), UV-visible spectrophotometer (UV) and thermogravimeter (TGA), and its antibacterial property against Escherichia coli was also studied. The results showed that the catalytic activity of the catalyst Pt-CNT was preferable. When the catalyst concentration was 100 ppm, the reaction temperature was 80 °C and reaction time was 6 h, the reactant conversion rate reached 97%. After modification with bio-phenol, the thermal stability of the obtained bio-phenol siloxane was improved. For bio-phenol siloxane, when the ratio of weight loss reached 98%, the pyrolysis temperature was raised to 663 °C which was 60 °C higher than hydrogenterminated siloxane. Meanwhile, its autonomic antibacterial property against Escherichia coli was improved significantly.
Effects of Calcium Alginate Submicroparticles on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: He Jinxia , Li Ruixin , Sun Xue , Wang Wenxia , Hu Jianen , Xie Hongguo , Yin Heng
Published: October 2018

Calcium alginate (CaAlg) submicroparticles have a potential application in agricultural delivery systems. This study investigated the effects of CaAlg submicroparticles on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat. CaAlg submicroparticles with a Z-average diameter of around 250.4 nm and a measured zeta potential value of about −25.4 mV were prepared and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). After this, the effects of the concentration of CaAlg submicroparticles (10–500 μg/mL) on germination percentage, seedling length, the number of adventitious roots, chlorophyll content and soluble protein content were evaluated. The results demonstrated a significant increase in the level of germination percentage (9.0%), seedling index (50.3%), adventitious roots (27.5%), seedling length (17.0%), chlorophyll (8.7%) and soluble protein contents (4.5%) at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. However, an inhibitory effect was observed at a concentration of 500 μg/mL. The SEM examination showed that CaAlg submicroparticles could be successfully adsorbed onto the surface of the wheat seed. Further studies proved that CaAlg submicroparticles at a concentration of 100 μg/mL promoted the expression of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-related genes (YUCCA9, AUX1, ARF and UGT) in wheat, which resulted in an increase of 69% and 21% in IAA concentration in wheat roots and shoots, respectively.
Slip Spring-Based Mesoscopic Simulations of Polymer Networks: Methodology and the Corresponding Computational Code
Authors: Megariotis Grigorios , Vogiatzis Georgios G. , Sgouros Aristotelis P. , Theodorou Doros N.
Published: October 2018

In previous work by the authors, a new methodology was developed for Brownian dynamics/kinetic Monte Carlo (BD/kMC) simulations of polymer melts. In this study, this methodology is extended for dynamical simulations of crosslinked polymer networks in a coarse-grained representation, wherein chains are modeled as sequences of beads, each bead encompassing a few Kuhn segments. In addition, the C++ code embodying these simulations, entitled Engine for Mesoscopic Simulations for Polymer Networks (EMSIPON) is described in detail. A crosslinked network of cis-1,4-polyisoprene is chosen as a test system. From the thermodynamic point of view, the system is fully described by a Helmholtz energy consisting of three explicit contributions: entropic springs, slip springs and non-bonded interactions. Entanglements between subchains in the network are represented by slip springs. The ends of the slip springs undergo thermally activated hops between adjacent beads along the chain backbones, which are tracked by kinetic Monte Carlo simulation. In addition, creation/destruction processes are included for the slip springs at dangling subchain ends. The Helmholtz energy of non-bonded interactions is derived from the Sanchez–Lacombe equation of state. The isothermal compressibility of the polymer network is predicted from equilibrium density fluctuations in very good agreement with the underlying equation of state and with experiment. Moreover, the methodology and the corresponding C++ code are applied to simulate elongational deformations of polymer rubbers. The shear stress relaxation modulus is predicted from equilibrium simulations of several microseconds of physical time in the undeformed state, as well as from stress-strain curves of the crosslinked polymer networks under deformation.
Seepage and Damage Evolution Characteristics of Gas-Bearing Coal under Different Cyclic Loading–Unloading Stress Paths
Authors: Li Qingmiao , Liang Yunpei , Zou Quanle
Published: October 2018

The mechanical properties and seepage characteristics of gas-bearing coal evolve with changes in the loading pattern, which could reveal the evolution of permeability in a protected coal seam and allow gas extraction engineering work to be designed by using the effect of mining multiple protective seams. Tests on gas seepage in raw coal under three paths (stepped-cyclic, stepped-increasing-cyclic, and crossed-cyclic loading and unloading) were carried out with a seepage tester under triaxial stress conditions. The permeability was subjected to the dual influence of stress and damage accumulation. After being subjected to stress unloading and loading, the permeability of coal samples gradually decreased and the permeability did not increase before the stress exceeded the yield stage of the coal samples. The mining-enhanced permeability of the coal samples in the loading stage showed a three-phase increase with the growth of stress and the number of cycles and exhibited an N-shaped increase under the stepped-cyclic loading while it linearly increased under the other two paths in the unloading stage. With the increase of peak stress and the accumulation of damage in coal samples, the sensitivity of the permeability of coal samples to stress gradually declined. The relationship between the damage variable and the number of cycles conformed to the Boltzmann function.
Rheological Behavior and Modeling of a Crushed Sandstone-Mudstone Particle Mixture
Authors: Qiu Zhenfeng , Cao Ting , Li Yongsuo , Wang Junjie , Chen Yulong
Published: October 2018

A mixture of sandstone and mudstone particles is often used as the main filling material for many agriculture-related and civil engineering projects, including rock-fill dams and foundations. The long-term rheological deformation experienced by rock-fill dams and foundations filled with this mixture is much bigger than that of coarse-grained and cohesive soils, due to the deterioration and softening of the mudstone particles. This study focuses on the rheological deformation of a sandstone-mudstone particle mixture, prepared by mixing sandstone and mudstone particles, based on the content by weight of four mudstone particle types. Confined uniaxial compression tests were performed to test the rheological deformation of 24 samples of the mixture, and a stress-strain curve was obtained for each test. On the basis of compression curves, the rheological process of the mixture was divided into four phases: linear, attenuation rheological, secondary attenuation rheological and stable phases. The three defining features of the curve, namely the rheological attenuation factors, attenuation rheology critical strain and limited rheological strain, were then determined and modeled. A segmented rheological model was then proposed, based on a modified attenuation rheological constitutive model for coarse-grained soil. The modelled results compared well with the experimental data, and the modelled compression-curve prediction was able to describe the two-stage attenuation rheology features (attenuation rheological and secondary attenuation rheological phases) of the sandstone-mudstone particle mixture.
That Suggestion: Catholic Casuistry, Complexity, and Macbeth
Authors: Curran John E.
Published: October 2018

In a keeping with the view that Shakespeare harbored a sympathetic attitude to Catholic ways of seeing, this essay argues that Macbeth is a study in the dangers of oversimplification and certainty. In contradistinction to how Spenser’s Redcrosse Knight escapes the Cave of Despaire, Macbeth would benefit greatly from probing, questioning, nuancing, and sifting through ambiguity. He needs to examine the particular attenuation of his own moral thinking, and needs to engage equivocation, in the forms of both amphibology and mental reservation.
The Ecological Footprint Accounting of Products: When Larger Is Not Worse
Authors: Patrizi Nicoletta , Niccolucci Valentina , Pulselli Riccardo M. , Neri Elena , Bastianoni Simone
Published: October 2018

One of the main goals of any (sustainability) indicator should be the communication of a clear, unambiguous, and simplified message about the status of the analyzed system. The selected indicator is expected to declare explicitly how its numerical value depicts a situation, for example, positive or negative, sustainable or unsustainable, especially when a comparison among similar or competitive systems is performed. This aspect should be a primary and discriminating issue when the selection of a set of opportune indicators is operated. The Ecological Footprint (EF) has become one of the most popular and widely used sustainability indicators. It is a resource accounting method with an area based metric in which the units of measure are global hectares or hectares with world average bio-productivity. Its main goal is to underline the link between the (un)sustainability level of a product, a system, an activity or a population life style, with the land demand for providing goods, energy, and ecological services needed to sustain that product, system, activity, or population. Therefore, the traditional rationale behind the message of EF is: the larger EF value, the larger environmental impact in terms of resources use, the lower position in the sustainability rank. The aim of this paper was to investigate if this rationale is everywhere opportune and unambiguous, or if sometimes its use requires paying a special attention. Then, a three-dimensional modification of the classical EF framework for the sustainability evaluation of a product has been proposed following a previous work by Niccolucci and co-authors (2009). Finally, the potentialities of the model have been tested by using a case study from the agricultural context.
Hyperspectral and LiDAR Fusion Using Deep Three-Stream Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Li Hao , Ghamisi Pedram , Soergel Uwe , Zhu Xiao
Published: October 2018

Recently, convolutional neural networks (CNN) have been intensively investigated for the classification of remote sensing data by extracting invariant and abstract features suitable for classification. In this paper, a novel framework is proposed for the fusion of hyperspectral images and LiDAR-derived elevation data based on CNN and composite kernels. First, extinction profiles are applied to both data sources in order to extract spatial and elevation features from hyperspectral and LiDAR-derived data, respectively. Second, a three-stream CNN is designed to extract informative spectral, spatial, and elevation features individually from both available sources. The combination of extinction profiles and CNN features enables us to jointly benefit from low-level and high-level features to improve classification performance. To fuse the heterogeneous spectral, spatial, and elevation features extracted by CNN, instead of a simple stacking strategy, a multi-sensor composite kernels (MCK) scheme is designed. This scheme helps us to achieve higher spectral, spatial, and elevation separability of the extracted features and effectively perform multi-sensor data fusion in kernel space. In this context, a support vector machine and extreme learning machine with their composite kernels version are employed to produce the final classification result. The proposed framework is carried out on two widely used data sets with different characteristics: an urban data set captured over Houston, USA, and a rural data set captured over Trento, Italy. The proposed framework yields the highest OA of 92 . 57 % and 97 . 91 % for Houston and Trento data sets. Experimental results confirm that the proposed fusion framework can produce competitive results in both urban and rural areas in terms of classification accuracy, and significantly mitigate the salt and pepper noise in classification maps.
A Flexible Hot-Film Sensor Array for Underwater Shear Stress and Transition Measurement
Authors: Sun Baoyun , Wang Pengbin , Luo Jian , Deng Jinjun , Guo Shiqi , Ma Binghe
Published: October 2018

A flexible hot-film sensor array for wall shear stress, flow separation, and transition measurement has been fabricated and implemented in experiments. Parylene C waterproof layer is vapor phase deposited to encapsulate the sensor. Experimental studies of shear stress and flow transition on a flat plate have been undertaken in a water tunnel with the sensor array. Compared with the shear stress derived from velocity profile and empirical formulas, the measuring errors of the hot-film sensors are less than 5%. In addition, boundary layer transition of the flat plate has also been detected successfully. Ensemble-averaged mean, normalized root mean square, and power spectra of the sensor output voltage indicate that the Reynolds number when transition begins at where the sensor array located is 1.82 × 105, 50% intermittency transition is 2.52 × 105, and transition finishes is 3.96 × 105. These results have a good agreement with the transition Reynolds numbers, as measured by the Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) system.
Accurate Needle Localization Using Two-Dimensional Power Doppler and B-Mode Ultrasound Image Analyses: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Daoud Mohammad I. , Shtaiyat Ahmad , Zayadeen Adnan R. , Alazrai Rami
Published: October 2018

Curvilinear ultrasound transducers are commonly used in various needle insertion interventions, but localizing the needle in curvilinear ultrasound images is usually challenging. In this paper, a new method is proposed to localize the needle in curvilinear ultrasound images by exciting the needle using a piezoelectric buzzer and imaging the excited needle using a curvilinear ultrasound transducer to acquire a power Doppler image and a B-mode image. The needle-induced Doppler responses that appear in the power Doppler image are analyzed to estimate the needle axis initially and identify the candidate regions that are expected to include the needle. The candidate needle regions in the B-mode image are analyzed to improve the localization of the needle axis. The needle tip is determined by analyzing the intensity variations of the power Doppler and B-mode images around the needle axis. The proposed method is employed to localize different needles that are inserted in three ex vivo animal tissue types at various insertion angles, and the results demonstrate the capability of the method to achieve automatic, reliable and accurate needle localization. Furthermore, the proposed method outperformed two existing needle localization methods.
An Equilibrium Strategy-Based Routing Optimization Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Tang Liangrui , Lu Zhilin , Cai Jinqi , Yan Jiangyu
Published: October 2018

In energy-constrained wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the design of an energy-efficient smart strategy is a key to extend the network lifetime, but the unbalance of energy consumption and node load severely restrict the long-term operation of the network. To address these issues, a novel routing algorithm which considers both energy saving and load balancing is proposed in this paper. First of all, the transmission energy consumption, node residual energy and path hops are considered to create the link cost, and then a minimum routing graph is generated based on the link cost. Finally, in order to ensure the balance of traffic and residual energy of each node in the network, an “edge-cutting” strategy is proposed to optimize the minimum routing graph and turn it into a minimum routing tree. The simulation results show that, the proposed algorithm not only can balance the network load and prolong the lifetime of network, but meet the needs of delay and packet loss rate.
Electrochemical DNA Sensor Based on Carbon Black—Poly(Neutral Red) Composite for Detection of Oxidative DNA Damage
Authors: Kuzin Yurii , Kappo Dominika , Porfireva Anna , Shurpik Dmitry , Stoikov Ivan , Evtugyn Gennady , Hianik Tibor
Published: October 2018

Voltammetric DNA sensor has been proposed on the platform of glassy carbon electrode covered with carbon black with adsorbed pillar[5]arene molecules. Electropolymerization of Neutral Red performed in the presence of native or oxidatively damaged DNA resulted in formation of hybrid material which activity depended on the DNA conditions. The assembling of the surface layer was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The influence of DNA and pillar[5]arene on redox activity of polymeric dye was investigated and a significant increase of the peak currents was found for DNA damaged by reactive oxygen species generated by Cu2+/H2O2 mixture. Pillar[5]arene improves the electron exchange conditions and increases the response and its reproducibility. The applicability of the DNA sensor developed was shown on the example of ascorbic acid as antioxidant. It decreases the current in the concentration range from 1.0 μM to 1.0 mM. The possibility to detect antioxidant activity was qualitatively confirmed by testing tera infusion. The DNA sensor developed can find application in testing of carcinogenic species and searching for new antitumor drugs.
Accident Report Interpretation
Authors: Heraghty Derek , Dekker Sidney , Rae Andrew
Published: October 2018

The language and approach we use to describe the past can have a strong influence on the audience’s interpretation of our story. In our experiment, we explore, using 3 different conditions, how the framing, language and style of an accident report can affect the audience’s proposed solutions to manage the problems found. We find that the approach used to create an accident report can have a powerful influence on the audience’s decision making. Whether we are describing an accident in a linear manner, using a systems approach, or we are accepting of multiple stories which are not linear or coherent, the methods we use to capture and communicate the story have a profound impact on the actions decided upon by the reader.
France’s #Nuit Debout Social Movement: Young People Rising up and Moral Emotions
Authors: Pickard Sarah , Bessant Judith
Published: October 2018

Set against a backdrop of austerity and neoliberal policies affecting many young people adversely, the Nuit Debout protest movement in France began in March 2016 when people gathered in public spaces to oppose the Socialist government’s plan to introduce neoliberal labour legislation. Like other post-2008 movements, Nuit Debout was leaderless, non-hierarchical, and relied on social media for political communication and to mobilise participants. The Nuit Debout was also a movement inspired by powerful moral-political emotions such as righteous anger and hope. In this article, the authors address two questions. First, what features of Nuit Debout distinguished it from earlier social movements in France? Second, what role did moral emotions play in mobilising people to act as they did? Drawing on interviews with young protestors and their own testimonies, we argue that Nuit Debout was a distinctive form of protest for France. One distinguishing feature was the way young people—the “precarious generation”—were motivated by a strong sense of situated injustice, much of which related to what they saw as the unfairness of austerity policies, being deprived of a decent future and the feeling they had been betrayed by governments.
Cardio-Respiratory Endurance Responses Following a Simulated 3 × 3 Minutes Amateur Boxing Contest in Elite Level Boxers
Authors: El-Ashker Said , Chaabene Helmi , Negra Yassine , Prieske Olaf , Granacher Urs
Published: October 2018

This study aimed at examining physiological responses (i.e., oxygen uptake [VO2] and heart rate [HR]) to a semi-contact 3 × 3-min format, amateur boxing combat simulation in elite level male boxers. Eleven boxers aged 21.4 ± 2.1 years (body height 173.4 ± 3.7, body mass 74.9 ± 8.6 kg, body fat 12.1 ± 1.9, training experience 5.7 ± 1.3 years) volunteered to participate in this study. They performed a maximal graded aerobic test on a motor-driven treadmill to determine maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), oxygen uptake (VO2AT) and heart rate (HRAT) at the anaerobic threshold, and maximal heart rate (HRmax). Additionally, VO2 and peak HR (HRpeak) were recorded following each boxing round. Results showed no significant differences between VO2max values derived from the treadmill running test and VO2 outcomes of the simulated boxing contest (p > 0.05, d = 0.02 to 0.39). However, HRmax and HRpeak recorded from the treadmill running test and the simulated amateur boxing contest, respectively, displayed significant differences regardless of the boxing round (p < 0.01, d = 1.60 to 3.00). In terms of VO2 outcomes during the simulated contest, no significant between-round differences were observed (p = 0.19, d = 0.17 to 0.73). Irrespective of the boxing round, the recorded VO2 was >90% of the VO2max. Likewise, HRpeak observed across the three boxing rounds were ≥90% of the HRmax. In summary, the simulated 3 × 3-min amateur boxing contest is highly demanding from a physiological standpoint. Thus, coaches are advised to systematically monitor internal training load for instance through rating of perceived exertion to optimize training-related adaptations and to prevent boxers from overreaching and/or overtraining.
Resource Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis of a Grid-Connected Solar PV-Wind Hybrid System for Different Locations in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alharthi Yahya Z. , Siddiki Mahbube K. , Chaudhry Ghulam M.
Published: October 2018

The economic growth and demographic progression in Saudi Arabia increased spending on the development of conventional power plants to meet the national energy demand. The conventional generation and continued use of fossil fuels as the main source of electricity will raise the operational environmental impact of electricity generation. Therefore, using different renewable energy sources might be a solution to this issue. In this study, a grid-connected solar PV-wind hybrid energy system has been designed considering an average community load demand of 15,000 kWh/day and a peak load of 2395 kW. HOMER software is used to assess the potential of renewable energy resources and perform the technical and economic analyses of the grid-connected hybrid system. The meteorological data was collected from the Renewable Resources Atlas developed by the King Abdullah City of Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE). Four different cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, namely, the cities of Riyadh, Hafar Albatin, Sharurah, and Yanbu were selected to do the analyses. The simulation results show that the proposed system is economically and environmentally feasible at Yanbu city. The system at this city has the lowest net present cost (NPC) and levelized the cost of energy (LCOE), highest total energy that can be sold to the grid, as well as the lowest CO2 emissions due to a highly renewable energy penetration. This grid-connected hybrid system with the proposed configuration is applicable for similar meteorological and environmental conditions in the region, and around the world. Reduction of some greenhouse gasses as well as the reduction of energy costs are main contributors of this research.
Wind Speed Forecasting Method Using EEMD and the Combination Forecasting Method Based on GPR and LSTM
Authors: Huang Yuansheng , Liu Shijian , Yang Lei
Published: October 2018

Short-term wind speed prediction is of cardinal significance for maximization of wind power utilization. However, the strong intermittency and volatility of wind speed pose a challenge to the wind speed prediction model. To improve the accuracy of wind speed prediction, a novel model using the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) method and the combination forecasting method for Gaussian process regression (GPR) and the long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network based on the variance-covariance method is proposed. In the proposed model, the EEMD method is employed to decompose the original data of wind speed series into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). Then, the LSTM neural network and the GPR method are utilized to predict the IMFs, respectively. Lastly, based on the IMFs’ prediction results with the two forecasting methods, the variance-covariance method can determine the weight of the two forecasting methods and offer a combination forecasting result. The experimental results from two forecasting cases in Zhangjiakou, China, indicate that the proposed approach outperforms other compared wind speed forecasting methods.
A Method to Compare the Biodiversity Conservation Effectiveness between Regions based on a Reference Condition
Authors: Dong Kaikai , Hou Guanglei , Xu Dandan , He Honglin , Liu Zhaoli
Published: October 2018

Assessment of conservation effectiveness in biodiversity ecological function zones (BEFZs) is important for biodiversity in China. However, a scientific and practical method for effectively comparing biodiversity conservation between different BEFZs is lacking. In this study, a reference condition index that can represent the optimum value of biodiversity in one BEFZ and a conservation effectiveness index that can reflect the effect of conservation measures were developed. Then a method to compare the biodiversity conservation effectiveness between different BEFZs on both temporal and spatial scales was developed. The method was applied to three BEFZs in China—Yili-Tianshan Mountain, San Jiang Plain Wetland and Minshan-Qionglai Mountain—which are located in different geographic environments. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) the reference condition index can reflect differences in the background of conservation capacity among BEFZs examined, allowing comparison of the biodiversity conservation effectiveness between different BEFZs; (2) the conservation effectiveness index is a useful quantitative measure of the biodiversity conservation effectiveness in BEFZs; and (3) application of this method to the three BEFZs indicated that the method can provide a powerful tool for the management of biodiversity conservation in BEFZs at a macroscale in China. Meanwhile, this method can also provide a reference for building strategies for protecting the ecological environments in other countries on a case-by-case basis.
Simulation-Based Decision Support Tools in the Early Design Stages of a Green Building—A Review
Authors: Han Tian , Huang Qiong , Zhang Anxiao , Zhang Qi
Published: October 2018

Early simulation work in the decision-making stage faces several challenges, including, for example, rapid changes of design, input variable uncertainties, and the lack of design information, although early design work represents a large percentage of energy saving potential. The availability of simulation tools for early design stages can help the architect analyze more alternatives. In this study, the existing simulation tools were explored and classified into three categories: simulation plugins based on the design software, geometry user interfaces for a simulation engine, and self-governing simulation tools. Each category’s typical tools were illustrated with their use, and a uniform standard comparison was conducted to screen tools that are available in the early design stages. The future trends of simulation tools are discussed in the second part: building databases based on existing knowledge, uncertainty and sensitivity analyses, and optimization. Time-consuming simulation is a problem in the use of simulation tools in early design stages. Advanced techniques were developed in this part for fast computing, i.e., cloud computing, parallel computing, meta-models, and more statistical methods. This paper illustrates the practical application of particular simulation tools in the early design stage, presents their limitations, and discusses decision-support tools for specific building design activities.
Holistic Approaches to Develop Sustainability and Research Competencies in Pre-Service Teacher Training
Authors: Albareda-Tiana Silvia , Vidal-Raméntol Salvador , Pujol-Valls Maria , Fernández-Morilla Mónica
Published: October 2018

Since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) came into effect, both UNESCO and other international organisations recommend empowering youth to implement the SDGs in universities. Getting started with the SDGs at university level is of special relevance in pre-service teacher training since future teachers are powerful agents of change in the lives of young people. Future teachers need to acquire competencies in sustainability to be able to promote meaningful changes in sustainable behaviour. To that end, holistic approaches to facilitate their acquisition need to be developed. The aim of this study is to explore which teaching methodologies are suitable for the development of competencies in sustainability and research in Higher Education (HE). The participants taking part in the study are students in pre-service teacher training. The experimental educational model used for the development of competencies in sustainability and research consists of a methodological sequence of Project-Oriented Learning (POL) and a Cross-disciplinary Workshop on Sustainable Food. This study provides evidence that POL is an excellent methodology for developing competencies in sustainability and facilitates the relationship between sustainability and research competencies.