bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Assessment of the Temperature and Humidity of Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) v6 Profiles Using Radiosonde Data in the Lee of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Heng Zhiwei , Jiang Xingwen
Published: July 2019

Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) products are important for weather prediction and climate monitoring in the lee of the Tibetan Plateau (TP), where the terrain is complex. However, the quality of the AIRS products in this region remains unclear due to the unavailability of upper-air observation. In this study, for the first time, we use an 8-year intensive radiosonde observation dataset from 11 sites to assess the quality of the AIRS version 6 products in the lee of the TP at both daytime and nighttime. The results indicate that, overall, the AIRS products have a dry and cold bias in the lee of the TP, and larger biases over the sites of higher altitude. AIRS temperature retrieval has a larger deficiency in low levels at nighttime, while a better representation of moisture is found below 600 hPa over the low-altitude sites. In the lee of the TP, the quality control flags for temperature and moisture should be considered individually. The AIRS profile products could be useful for synoptic analysis of air temperature, moisture, and climate monitoring in this region, and further improvements are needed in the near-surface and nighttime retrieval processes.
Conditions of Functional Null Controllability for Some Types of Singularly Perturbed Nonlinear Systems with Delays
Authors: Glizer Valery Y.
Published: July 2019

Two types of singularly-perturbed nonlinear time delay controlled systems are considered. For these systems, sufficient conditions of the functional null controllability are derived. These conditions, being independent of the parameter of singular perturbation, provide the controllability of the systems for all sufficiently small values of the parameter. Illustrative examples are presented.
Docosahexaenoic Acid Enhances Oxaliplatin-Induced Autophagic Cell Death via the ER Stress/Sesn2 Pathway in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Jeong Soyeon , Kim Dae Yeong , Kang Sang Hee , Yun Hye Kyeong , Kim Jung Lim , Kim Bo Ram , Park Seong Hye , Na Yoo Jin , Jo Min Jee , Jeong Yoon A. , Kim Bu Gyeom , Lee Dae-Hee , Oh Sang Cheul
Published: July 2019

Oxaliplatin is an anticancer drug administered to colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in combination with 5-fluorouracil and antibodies (bevacizumab and cetuximab), thereby significantly improving the survival rate of CRC. However, due to various side effects associated with the above treatment strategy, the need for combinatorial therapeutic strategies has emerged. Based on the demand for new combinatorial therapies and the known antitumor effects of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), we investigated the Oxaliplatin and DHA combination for its effect. Our results indicated that DHA further enhanced Oxaliplatin-induced cell viability and autophagic cell death, in vitro and in vivo. Oxaliplatin and DHA also increased the expression of Sestrin 2 (SESN2) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress related C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). Additionally, treatment with Oxaliplatin and DHA enhanced the binding of CHOP to the promotor region of SESN2, increasing SESN2 expression. These results suggested that DHA enhanced Oxaliplatin-induced reduction in cell viability and increase in autophagy via activating SESN2 and increasing ER stress. Thus, SESN2 may be an effective preclinical target for CRC treatment.
Uncovering Potential Therapeutic Targets in Colorectal Cancer by Deciphering Mutational Status and Expression of Druggable Oncogenes
Authors: Menyhart Otília , Kakisaka Tatsuhiko , Pongor Lőrinc Sándor , Uetake Hiroyuki , Goel Ajay , Győrffy Balázs
Published: July 2019

Background: Numerous driver mutations have been identified in colorectal cancer (CRC), but their relevance to the development of targeted therapies remains elusive. The secondary effects of pathogenic driver mutations on downstream signaling pathways offer a potential approach for the identification of therapeutic targets. We aimed to identify differentially expressed genes as potential drug targets linked to driver mutations. Methods: Somatic mutations and the gene expression data of 582 CRC patients were utilized, incorporating the mutational status of 39,916 and the expression levels of 20,500 genes. To uncover candidate targets, the expression levels of various genes in wild-type and mutant cases for the most frequent disruptive mutations were compared with a Mann–Whitney test. A survival analysis was performed in 2100 patients with transcriptomic gene expression data. Up-regulated genes associated with worse survival were filtered for potentially actionable targets. The most significant hits were validated in an independent set of 171 CRC patients. Results: Altogether, 426 disruptive mutation-associated upregulated genes were identified. Among these, 95 were linked to worse recurrence-free survival (RFS). Based on the druggability filter, 37 potentially actionable targets were revealed. We selected seven genes and validated their expression in 171 patient specimens. The best independently validated combinations were DUSP4 (p = 2.6 × 10−12) in ACVR2A mutated (7.7%) patients; BMP4 (p = 1.6 × 10−04) in SOX9 mutated (8.1%) patients; TRIB2 (p = 1.35 × 10−14) in ACVR2A mutated patients; VSIG4 (p = 2.6 × 10−05) in ANK3 mutated (7.6%) patients, and DUSP4 (p = 7.1 × 10−04) in AMER1 mutated (8.2%) patients. Conclusions: The results uncovered potentially druggable genes in colorectal cancer. The identified mutations could enable future patient stratification for targeted therapy.
Application of Response Surface Methodology for H2S Removal from Biogas by a Pilot Anoxic Biotrickling Filter
Authors: Almenglo Fernando , Ramírez Martín , Cantero Domingo
Published: July 2019

In this study, a pilot biotrickling filter (BTF) was installed in a wastewater treatment plant to treat real biogas. The biogas flow rate was between 1 and 5 m3·h−1 with an H2S inlet load (IL) between 35.1 and 172.4 gS·m−3·h−1. The effects of the biogas flow rate, trickling liquid velocity (TLV) and nitrate concentration on the outlet H2S concentration and elimination capacity (EC) were studied using a full factorial design (33). Moreover, the results were adjusted using Ottengraf’s model. The most influential factors in the empirical model were the TLV and H2S IL, whereas the nitrate concentration had less influence. The statistical results showed high predictability and good correlation between models and the experimental results. The R-squared was 95.77% and 99.63% for the ‘C model’ and the ‘EC model’, respectively. The models allowed the maximum H2S IL (between 66.72 and 119.75 gS·m−3·h−1) to be determined for biogas use in a combustion engine (inlet H2S concentration between 72 and 359 ppmV). The ‘C model’ was more sensitive to TLV (–0.1579 (gS·m−3)/(m·h−1)) in the same way the ‘EC model’ was also more sensitive to TLV (4.3303 (gS·m−3)/(m·h−1)). The results were successfully fitted to Ottengraf’s model with a first-order kinetic limitation (R-squared above 0.92).
Seasonal Physiological Parameters and Phytotelmata Bacterial Diversity of Two Bromeliad Species (Aechmea gamosepala and Vriesea platynema) from the Atlantic Forest of Southern Brazil
Authors: Giongo Adriana , Medina-Silva Renata , Astarita Leandro V. , Borges Luiz Gustavo dos A. , Oliveira Rafael R. , Simão Taiz L. L. , Gano Kelsey A. , Davis-Richardson Austin G. , Brown Christopher T. , Fagen Jennie R. , Arzivenco Pedro M. , Neto Calino P. , Abichequer André D. , Lindholz Catiéli G. , Baptista-Silva Anelise , Mondin Claudio A. , Utz Laura R. P. , Triplett Eric W. , Eizirik Eduardo
Published: July 2019

The ecology of complex microhabitats remains poorly characterized in most tropical and subtropical biomes, and holds potential to help understand the structure and dynamics of different biodiversity components in these ecosystems. We assessed nutritional and metabolic parameters of two bromeliad species (Aechmea gamosepala and Vriesea platynema) at an Atlantic Forest site and used 16S rDNA metabarcoding to survey the microbial communities inhabiting their tanks. We observed that levels of some nutrients (e.g., nitrogen) varied across seasons consistently in both species, while others (e.g., phenolic compounds) presented considerable differences between the two bromeliads. In contrast, patterns of tank microbial diversity did not follow a similar temporal trend. There was extensive variation in microbial composition among samples, which included intra-specific differences but also some consistent differences between the two bromeliads. For example, Citrobacter, Klebsiella and Pantoea presented significantly different abundances in the two species. Interestingly, the dominant bacterial genera in both species included Pseudomonas and Enterobacter, which have been reported to include plant-beneficial species. Overall, our data contribute to the characterization of the nutritional status of Atlantic Forest bromeliads and the composition of their prokaryotic communities, laying the foundation for detailed investigations targeting the ecological interactions between these plants and their associated microbes.
Smartphone-Based Context Flow Recognition for Outdoor Parking System with Machine Learning Approaches
Authors: Hossen Md Ismail , Michael Goh Kah Ong , Connie Tee , Lau Siong Hoe , Hossain Ferdous
Published: July 2019

Outdoor parking systems are one of the most crucial needs in a smart city to find vacant parking spaces in outdoor environments, such as roadsides, university campuses, and so on. In a typical outdoor parking system, the detection of a vehicle entering and leaving the parking zone is a major step. At present, there are numerous external sensor-based and camera-based parking systems available to detect the entrance and leaving of vehicles. Camera-based parking systems rely on sophisticated camera set-ups, while sensor-based parking systems require the installation of sensors at the parking spots or vehicles’ sides. Due to such complication, the deployment and maintenance costs of the existing parking systems are very high. Furthermore, the need for additional hardware and network capacity increases the cost and complexity, which makes it difficult to use for large deployment. This paper proposes an approach for outdoor parking utilizing only smartphone integrated sensors that do not require manpower support nor additional sensor installation. The proposed algorithm first receives sensor signals from the driver’s phone, performs pre-processing to recognize the context of drivers, which is followed by context flow recognition. The final result is obtained from context flow recognition which provides the output of whether the driver is parking or unparking. The proposed approach is validated with a set of comprehensive experiments. The performance of the proposed method is favorable as it uses only the smartphone’s internal sensors to recognize whether the cars are entering or leaving the parking area.
Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control for an LCL-Filtered Grid-Tied Inverter with Full Status Estimations under Unbalanced Grid Voltage
Authors: Chen Xiaotao , Wu Weimin , Gao Ning , Liu Jiahao , Chung Henry Shu-Hung , Blaabjerg Frede
Published: July 2019

This paper proposes a novel finite control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) strategy with merely grid-injected current sensors for an inductance-capacitance-inductance (LCL)-filtered grid-tied inverter, which can obtain a sinusoidal grid-injected current whether three-phase grid voltages are balanced or not. Compared with the conventional FCS-MPC method, four compositions are added in the proposed FCS-MPC algorithm, where the grid voltage observer (GVO) and Luenberger observer are combined together to achieve full status estimations (including grid voltage, capacitor voltage, inverter-side current, and grid-injected current), while the sequence extractor and the reference generator are applied to eliminate the double frequency ripples of the active or reactive power, or the negative sequence component (NSC) of the grid-injected current caused by the unbalanced grid voltage. Simulation model and experimental platform are established to verify the effectiveness of the proposed FCS-MPC strategy, with full status estimations under both balanced and unbalanced grid voltage conditions.
Electric Vehicle Charging Load Forecasting: A Comparative Study of Deep Learning Approaches
Authors: Zhu Juncheng , Yang Zhile , Mourshed Monjur , Guo Yuanjun , Zhou Yimin , Chang Yan , Wei Yanjie , Feng Shengzhong
Published: July 2019

Load forecasting is one of the major challenges of power system operation and is crucial to the effective scheduling for economic dispatch at multiple time scales. Numerous load forecasting methods have been proposed for household and commercial demand, as well as for loads at various nodes in a power grid. However, compared with conventional loads, the uncoordinated charging of the large penetration of plug-in electric vehicles is different in terms of periodicity and fluctuation, which renders current load forecasting techniques ineffective. Deep learning methods, empowered by unprecedented learning ability from extensive data, provide novel approaches for solving challenging forecasting tasks. This research proposes a comparative study of deep learning approaches to forecast the super-short-term stochastic charging load of plug-in electric vehicles. Several popular and novel deep-learning based methods have been utilized in establishing the forecasting models using minute-level real-world data of a plug-in electric vehicle charging station to compare the forecasting performance. Numerical results of twelve cases on various time steps show that deep learning methods obtain high accuracy in super-short-term plug-in electric load forecasting. Among the various deep learning approaches, the long-short-term memory method performs the best by reducing over 30% forecasting error compared with the conventional artificial neural network model.
Application of Machine Learning in Transformer Health Index Prediction
Authors: Alqudsi Alhaytham , El-Hag Ayman
Published: July 2019

The presented paper aims to establish a strong basis for utilizing machine learning (ML) towards the prediction of the overall insulation health condition of medium voltage distribution transformers based on their oil test results. To validate the presented approach, the ML algorithms were tested on two databases of more than 1000 medium voltage transformer oil samples of ratings in the order of tens of MVA. The oil test results were acquired from in-service transformers (during oil sampling time) of two different utility companies in the gulf region. The illustrated procedure aimed to mimic a realistic scenario of how the utility would benefit from the use of different ML tools towards understanding the insulation health index of their transformers. This objective was achieved using two procedural steps. In the first step, three different data training and testing scenarios were used with several pattern recognition tools for classifying the transformer health condition based on the full set of input test features. In the second step, the same pattern recognition tools were used along with the three training/testing scenarios for a reduced number of test features. Also, a previously developed reduced model was the basis to reduce the needed number of tests for transformer health index calculations. It was found that reducing the number of tests did not influence the accuracy of the ML prediction models, which is considered as a significant advantage in terms of transformer asset management (TAM) cost reduction.
Heat Transfer Characteristics of Heat Exchangers for Waste Heat Recovery from a Billet Casting Process
Authors: Kang Ju O , Kim Sung Chul
Published: July 2019

The application of the thermoelectric generator (TEG) system to various industrial facilities has been explored to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the efficiency of such industrial facilities. In this study, numerical analysis was conducted according to the types and geometry of heat exchangers and manufacture process conditions to recover waste heat from a billet casting process using the TEG system. The total heat absorption increased by up to 10.0% depending on the geometry of the heat exchanger. Under natural convection conditions, the total heat absorption increased by up to 45.5%. As the minimum temperature increased, the effective area increased by five times. When a copper heat exchanger of direct conduction type was used, the difference between the maximum and minimum temperatures was significantly reduced compared to when a stainless steel heat exchanger was used. This confirmed that the copper heat exchanger is more favorable for securing a uniform heat exchanger temperature. A prototype TEG system, including a thermosyphon heat exchanger, was installed and a maximum power of 8.0 W and power density of 740 W/m2 was achieved at a hot side temperature of 130 °C. The results suggest the possibility of recovering waste heat from billet casting processes.
Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Quercus bawanglingensis Huang, Li et Xing, a Vulnerable Oak Tree in China
Authors: Liu Xue , Chang Er-Mei , Liu Jian-Feng , Huang Yue-Ning , Wang Ya , Yao Ning , Jiang Ze-Ping
Published: July 2019

Quercus bawanglingensis Huang, Li et Xing, an endemic evergreen oak of the genus Quercus (Fagaceae) in China, is currently listed in the Red List of Chinese Plants as a vulnerable (VU) plant. No chloroplast (cp) genome information is currently available for Q. bawanglingensis, which would be essential for the establishment of guidelines for its conservation and breeding. In the present study, the cp genome of Q. bawanglingensis was sequenced and assembled into double-stranded circular DNA with a length of 161,394 bp. Two inverted repeats (IRs) with a total of 51,730 bp were identified, and the rest of the sequence was separated into two single-copy regions, namely, a large single-copy (LSC) region (90,628 bp) and a small single-copy (SSC) region (19,036 bp). The genome of Q. bawanglingensis contains 134 genes (86 protein-coding genes, 40 tRNAs and eight rRNAs). More forward (29) than inverted long repeats (21) are distributed in the cp genome. A simple sequence repeat (SSR) analysis showed that the genome contains 82 SSR loci, involving 84.15% A/T mononucleotides. Sequence comparisons among the nine complete cp genomes, including the genomes of Q. bawanglingensis, Q. tarokoensis Hayata (NC036370), Q. aliena var. acutiserrata Maxim. ex Wenz. (KU240009), Q. baronii Skan (KT963087), Q. aquifolioides Rehd. et Wils. (KX911971), Q. variabilis Bl. (KU240009), Fagus engleriana Seem. (KX852398), Lithocarpus balansae (Drake) A. Camus (KP299291) and Castanea mollissima Bl. (HQ336406), demonstrated that the diversity of SC regions was higher than that of IR regions, which might facilitate identification of the relationships within this extremely complex family. A phylogenetic analysis showed that Fagus engleriana and Trigonobalanus doichangensis form the basis of the produced evolutionary tree. Q. bawanglingensis and Q. tarokoensis, which belong to the group Ilex, share the closest relationship. The analysis of the cp genome of Q. bawanglingensis provides crucial genetic information for further studies of this vulnerable species and the taxonomy, phylogenetics and evolution of Quercus.
Paleoliquefaction Studies and the Evaluation of Seismic Hazard
Authors: Tuttle Martitia P. , Hartleb Ross , Wolf Lorraine , Mayne Paul W.
Published: July 2019

Recent and historical studies of earthquake-induced liquefaction, as well as paleoliquefaction studies, demonstrate the potential usefulness of liquefaction data in the assessment of the earthquake potential of seismic sources. Paleoliquefaction studies, along with other paleoseismology studies, supplement historical and instrumental seismicity and provide information about the long-term behavior of earthquake sources. Paleoliquefaction studies focus on soft-sediment deformation features, including sand blows and sand dikes, which result from strong ground shaking. Most paleoliquefaction studies have been conducted in intraplate geologic settings, but a few such studies have been carried out in interplate settings. Paleoliquefaction studies provide information about timing, location, magnitude, and recurrence of large paleoearthquakes, particularly those with moment magnitude, M, greater than 6 during the past 50,000 years. This review paper presents background information on earthquake-induced liquefaction and resulting soft-sediment deformation features that may be preserved in the geologic record, best practices used in paleoliquefaction studies, and application of paleoliquefaction data in earthquake source characterization. The paper concludes with two examples of regional paleoliquefaction studies—in the Charleston seismic zone and the New Madrid seismic zone in the southeastern and central United States, respectively—which contributed to seismic source models used in earthquake hazard assessment.
Selection of Heat Tolerant Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Cultivars Grown in Deep Water Culture and Their Marketability
Authors: Holmes Sydney C. , Wells Daniel E. , Pickens Jeremy M. , Kemble Joseph M.
Published: July 2019

Lettuce is a cool season vegetable often produced in greenhouses and other protective structures to meet market demands. Greenhouses are being increasingly adopted in warm climate zones where excessive heat often leads to physiological disorders of lettuce, such as tipburn and premature bolting. Greenhouse lettuce growers in warm climates need cultivar recommendations that can help improve production without ignoring marketability. In the current study, eighteen lettuce cultivars were grown in deep water culture and evaluated for growth, bolting, and tipburn in a greenhouse in Auburn, AL, starting on 30 June and 19 August 2016. Based on the severity of bolting and tipburn, nine cultivars were then selected and evaluated on 17 November 2016 for sensory attributes and marketability by 50 untrained consumer panelists. Cultivars ‘Adriana’, ‘Aerostar’, ‘Monte Carlo’, ‘Nevada’, ‘Parris Island’, ‘Salvius’, ‘Skyphos’, and ‘Sparx’ were selected as having higher heat tolerance than cultivars ‘Bambi’, ‘Buttercrunch’ ‘Coastal Star’, ‘Flashy Trout Back’, ‘Green Forest’, ‘Green Towers’, ‘Jericho’, ‘Magenta’, and ‘Truchas’. Higher crispness, lower bitterness, higher overall texture, and higher overall flavor each correlated to higher marketability, regardless of cultivar, but the strongest predictor of marketability was overall flavor. Overall flavor and overall texture were more strongly correlated to marketability than bitterness and crispness, respectively, suggesting that broader sensory categories may better capture human sensory perceptions of lettuce than narrower categories. Cultivars ‘Aerostar’, ‘Monte Carlo’, ‘Nevada’, ‘Parris Island’, ‘Rex’, ‘Salvius’, and ‘Sparx’ performed well in a hot greenhouse and were preferred by consumers. This step-wise experiment could be an adaptable tool for determining highest performing cultivars under any given production constraint, without ignoring marketability.
ATR–FTIR Spectral Analysis and Soluble Components of PM10 And PM2.5 Particulate Matter over the Urban Area of Palermo (Italy) during Normal Days and Saharan Events
Authors: Varrica Daniela , Tamburo Elisa , Vultaggio Marcello , Di Carlo Ida
Published: July 2019

Several epidemiological studies have shown a close relationship between the mass of particulate matter (PM) and its effects on human health. This study reports the identification of inorganic and organic components by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analysis in PM10 and PM2.5 filters collected from three air quality monitoring stations in the city of Palermo (Sicily, Italy) during non-Saharan dust events and Saharan events. It also provides information on the abundance and types of water-soluble species. ATR-FTIR analysis identified sulfate, ammonium, nitrate, and carbonate matter characterized by vibrational frequencies at 603, 615, 670, and 1100 cm–1 (SO42–); at 1414 cm–1 (NH4+); at 825 and 1356 cm–1 (NO3–); and at 713, 730, and 877 cm–1 (CO32–) in PM10 and PM2.5 filters. Moreover, aliphatic hydrocarbons were identified in the collected spectra. Stretching frequencies at 2950 cm–1 were assigned to CH3 aliphatic carbon stretching absorptions, while frequencies at 2924 and 2850 cm–1 indicated CH2 bonds. In filters collected during Saharan dust events, the analysis also showed the presence of absorbance peaks typical of clay minerals. The measurement of soluble components confirmed the presence of a geogenic component (marine spray and local rocks) and secondary particles ((NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3) in the PM filters. ATR-FTIR characterization of solid surfaces is a powerful analytical technique for identifying inorganic and organic compounds in samples of particulate matter.
What is the Role of Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms in Adolescent Suicide Behaviors?
Authors: Piqueras José Antonio , Soto-Sanz Victoria , Rodríguez-Marín Jesús , García-Oliva Carlos
Published: July 2019

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 29 years. Specifically, the presence of internalizing and externalizing symptomatology is related to increased risk for suicide at these ages. Few studies have analyzed the relations between these symptoms and their role as mediators in predicting suicide behavior. This study aimed to examine the relation between internalizing and externalizing symptomatology and suicide behaviors through a longitudinal study. The sample consisted of 238 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. The data were analyzed via the PROCESS Statistical Package. The main results showed that previous depression symptoms had a significant indirect effect, through previous suicide behaviors and current depression symptoms, on current suicide behaviors, accounting for 61% of the total variance explained. Additionally, being a girl increased this risk. Therefore, the implementation of early identification and intervention programs to address youth symptoms of depression and suicidal behaviors could significantly reduce the risk for future suicidal behaviors in adolescence.
Travelers to U.S.: Zika Virus Knowledge, Attitudes, and Determinants of Practices in the Middle East—Insights for Future Awareness Campaigns
Authors: Abu-rish Eman Y. , Elayeh Eman R. , Browning Michael J.
Published: July 2019

Travelers act as sentinels for the spread of Zika virus. Imported Zika cases and the presence of Zika virus-transmitting mosquitoes have been documented in the Middle East. However, data on travelers’ knowledge, attitude and practices regarding Zika and its prevention measures within the Middle East are scarce. This study aimed to address this issue in a sample of Jordanian and non-Jordanian travelers to U.S. in Jordan. A paper-based questionnaire was distributed to 301 travelers to U.S. in Queen Alia International airport, Amman, Jordan. Only 2.7% of the travelers knew that Zika is associated with birth defects. A total of 10.4% of the participants knew that the bite of infected mosquitoes is a route of Zika transmission. Only 12.6% of respondents correctly identified Zika prevention measures. The level of education and future plans for pregnancy were significantly associated with a high knowledge score (R2 = 0.140, p-value < 0.005). Although 76.2% of the travelers perceived Zika as a health threat, only 11.2% believed in the efficacy of the prevention measures. Formulation of educational campaigns within Middle Eastern countries and development of awareness strategies regarding Zika and its prevention within the airports are required. This is particularly essential with the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Spatiotemporal Clustering of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Incidence in Saudi Arabia, 2012–2019
Authors: Al-Ahmadi Khalid , Alahmadi Sabah , Al-Zahrani Ali
Published: July 2019

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a great public health concern globally. Although 83% of the globally confirmed cases have emerged in Saudi Arabia, the spatiotemporal clustering of MERS-CoV incidence has not been investigated. This study analysed the spatiotemporal patterns and clusters of laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV cases reported in Saudi Arabia between June 2012 and March 2019. Temporal, seasonal, spatial and spatiotemporal cluster analyses were performed using Kulldorff’s spatial scan statistics to determine the time period and geographical areas with the highest MERS-CoV infection risk. A strongly significant temporal cluster for MERS-CoV infection risk was identified between April 5 and May 24, 2014. Most MERS-CoV infections occurred during the spring season (41.88%), with April and May showing significant seasonal clusters. Wadi Addawasir showed a high-risk spatial cluster for MERS-CoV infection. The most likely high-risk MERS-CoV annual spatiotemporal clusters were identified for a group of cities (n = 10) in Riyadh province between 2014 and 2016. A monthly spatiotemporal cluster included Jeddah, Makkah and Taif cities, with the most likely high-risk MERS-CoV infection cluster occurring between April and May 2014. Significant spatiotemporal clusters of MERS-CoV incidence were identified in Saudi Arabia. The findings are relevant to control the spread of the disease. This study provides preliminary risk assessments for the further investigation of the environmental risk factors associated with MERS-CoV clusters.
Road Traffic Noise Exposure and Birth Outcomes: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dzhambov Angel M. , Lercher Peter
Published: July 2019

Unlike the other WHO evidence reviews, the systematic review on birth outcomes could not provide a quantitative estimate of the effect of environmental noise. With that in mind, we aimed to update it with additional studies published through to 12 May, 2019 to allow for a formal meta-analysis of the association of residential road traffic noise with birth weight, low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA), and preterm birth (PTB). The quality effects and random effects estimators were used for meta-analysis and the robustness of findings was tested in several sensitivity analyses. Nine studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, from which we extracted seven estimates for birth weight (n = 718,136 births) and LBW (n = 620,221), and five for SGA (n = 547,256) and PTB (n = 74,609). We found −8.26 g (95% CI: −20.61 g, 4.10 g) (I2 = 87%) lower birth weight associated with a 10 dB(A) increase in day-evening-night noise level (Lden), and this effect became significant in sensitivity analyses. No evidence of significant effects was found for LBW (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.23) (I2 = 49%), SGA (OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.86, 1.21) (I2 = 90%), or PTB (OR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.27) (I2 = 69%). The quality of evidence for continuous birth weight was graded as “moderate”, while for the other outcomes it was deemed “very low”. Finally, we discuss limitations of the risk of bias assessment criteria employed by Nieuwenhuijsen et al.
Effect of Different Classes of Antihypertensive Drugs on Endothelial Function and Inflammation
Authors: Silva Isabella Viana Gomes , de Figueiredo Roberta Carvalho , Rios Danyelle Romana Alves
Published: July 2019

Hypertension is characterized by structural and functional changes in blood vessels that travel with increased arterial stiffness, vascular inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Some antihypertensive drugs have been shown to improve endothelial function and reduce levels of inflammatory markers regardless of the effect of blood pressure lowering. Third-generation β-blockers, such as nebivolol and carvedilol, because they have additional properties, have been shown to improve endothelial function in patients with hypertension. Calcium channel antagonists, because they have antioxidant effects, may improve endothelial function and vascular inflammation.The Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARBs) are able to improve endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation in patients with hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have shown beneficial effects on endothelial function in patients with hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, however there are few studies evaluating the effect of treatment with this class on the reduction of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Further studies are needed to assess whether treatment of endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation may improve the prognosis of patients with essential hypertension.
Unraveling the Impact of Cysteine-to-Serine Mutations on the Structural and Functional Properties of Cu(I)-Binding Proteins
Authors: Pavlin Matic , Qasem Zena , Sameach Hila , Gevorkyan-Airapetov Lada , Ritacco Ida , Ruthstein Sharon , Magistrato Alessandra
Published: July 2019

Appropriate maintenance of Cu(I) homeostasis is an essential requirement for proper cell function because its misregulation induces the onset of major human diseases and mortality. For this reason, several research efforts have been devoted to dissecting the inner working mechanism of Cu(I)-binding proteins and transporters. A commonly adopted strategy relies on mutations of cysteine residues, for which Cu(I) has an exquisite complementarity, to serines. Nevertheless, in spite of the similarity between these two amino acids, the structural and functional impact of serine mutations on Cu(I)-binding biomolecules remains unclear. Here, we applied various biochemical and biophysical methods, together with all-atom simulations, to investigate the effect of these mutations on the stability, structure, and aggregation propensity of Cu(I)-binding proteins, as well as their interaction with specific partner proteins. Among Cu(I)-binding biomolecules, we focused on the eukaryotic Atox1-ATP7B system, and the prokaryotic CueR metalloregulator. Our results reveal that proteins containing cysteine-to-serine mutations can still bind Cu(I) ions; however, this alters their stability and aggregation propensity. These results contribute to deciphering the critical biological principles underlying the regulatory mechanism of the in-cell Cu(I) concentration, and provide a basis for interpreting future studies that will take advantage of cysteine-to-serine mutations in Cu(I)-binding systems.
Quantitative Analysis of Carbonic Anhydrase IX Uncovers Hypoxia-Related Functional Differences in Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Subtypes
Authors: Matolay Orsolya , Beke Lívia , Gyurkovics Andrea , Francz Mónika , Varjasi Gabriella , Rejtő László , Illés Árpád , Bedekovics Judit , Méhes Gábor
Published: July 2019

Upregulation of carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) was found to be associated with unfavorable prognosis and resistance to treatment in a broad spectrum of malignancies, recently also in classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cHL). As demonstrated, variable CAIX expression in a significant number of cHL cases was associated with poor treatment response. The current study focused on the quantification CAIX immunopositivity and its relative expression compared to the total CD30+ neoplastic pool using digital image analysis. One hundred and one lymph node samples featuring cHL histology were analyzed for both CD30 and CAIX by immunohistochemistry. Whole histological slides were scanned and immunopositivity was determined as the histoscore (H-score) using the DensitoQuant software module (3DHistech Kft., Budapest, Hungary). CAIX positivity was observed in the HRS-cells of 56/101 cases (55.44%) and frequently observed in the proximity of necrotic foci. CAIX H-scores were highly variable (range: 2.16–90.36, mean 18.7 ± 18.8). Individual CAIX values were independent of the much higher CD30 values (range 3.46–151.3, mean 52.37 ± 30.74). The CAIX/CD30 index proved to be the highest in the aggressive lymphocyte-depleted (LD) subtype (CAIX/CD30: 0.876). The CAIX expression and the CAIX/CD30 relative index can be precisely determined by image analysis, and values reflect the extent of a tumor mass undergoing hypoxic-stress-related adaptation in the most aggressive forms of cHL.
The Confidence of Undergraduate Dental Students When Undertaking Indirect Restorations
Authors: Puryer James , Khalaf Shaikho , Ilkhani Maryam
Published: July 2019

The General Dental Council expects United Kingdom graduating dentists to be competent at providing crown and bridge treatments and graduating students should feel confident to undertake these treatments. The aim of this study was to explore the confidence of undergraduate dental students when providing crown and fixed dental prosthesis treatments. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to all (n = 198) undergraduate students in Years 3 to 5 at Bristol Dental School. The questionnaire comprised confidence interval ranked responses, and respondents’ data was analysed using SPSS. The response rate was 76%. Undergraduate perception of confidence increased throughout the three years of study (p < 0.01). There was a strong association between the amount of exposure students had to certain treatment stages and their perceived confidence levels. Confidence levels may be increased further with increased clinical experience.
Experimental Analysis of Wave Overtopping: A New Small Scale Laboratory Dataset for the Assessment of Uncertainty for Smooth Sloped and Vertical Coastal Structures
Authors: Williams Hannah E , Briganti Riccardo , Romano Alessandro , Dodd Nicholas
Published: July 2019

Most physical model tests carried out to quantify wave overtopping are conducted using a wave energy spectrum, which is then used to generate a free surface wave time series at the wave paddle. This method means that an infinite number of time series can be generated, but, due to the expense of running physical models, often only a single time series is considered. The aim of this work is to investigate the variation in the main overtopping measures when multiple wave times series generated from the same spectrum are used. Physical model tests in a flume measuring 15 m (length) by 0.23 m (width) with an operating depth up to 0.22 m were carried out using a stochastic approach on two types of structures (a smooth slope and a vertical wall), and a variety of wave conditions. Results show variation of overtopping discharge, computed by normalising the range of the discharges at a certain wave condition with the maximum value of the discharge in the range up to 10 % , when the same wave time series is used, but this range increases to 75 % when different time series are used. This variation is found to be of a similar magnitude to both the one found with similar experiments looking at the phenomena in numerical models, and that specified by the confidence bounds in empirical methods.
Wave Energy in Tropical Regions: Deployment Challenges, Environmental and Social Perspectives
Authors: Felix Angélica , V. Hernández-Fontes Jassiel , Lithgow Débora , Mendoza Edgar , Posada Gregorio , Ring Michael , Silva Rodolfo
Published: July 2019

The harnessing of renewable sources of marine energy has become a promising solution for a number of problems, namely satisfying the increasing demand for electricity, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the provision of energy to regions unconnected to a national grid. Tropical countries have an interesting dichotomy: Despite their varied potential sources of marine energy, their environmental and social conditions impose severe constraints on the development of a renewable energy industry. Moreover, the exploitation of these opportunities is limited by national economies’ reliance on fossil fuels, political and social restraints, and technological immaturity. The present work addresses challenges and opportunities common to wave energy implementation in tropical nations, as a first approach to a regional diagnosis. The motivation for this work is to encourage research on wave energy policies in the Tropics. Technical, environmental, and social challenges to be overcome in wave energy projects are discussed. The technical challenges are grouped into development, deployment, and operation stages of wave energy converters; environmental challenges are divided into biodiversity, cumulative effects, and monitoring aspects, whilst social issues include population growth and energy access matters. The Mexican strategy for developing sustainable technology throughout the wave energy production chain is also presented.
Optical Properties and Mechanical Modeling of Acetylated Transparent Wood Composite Laminates
Authors: Foster Kyle E. O. , Hess Kristen M. , Miyake Garret M. , Srubar Wil V.
Published: July 2019

Transparent wood composites (TWCs) are a new class of light-transmitting wood-based materials composed of a delignified wood template that is infiltrated with a refractive- index-matched polymer resin. Recent research has focused primarily on the fabrication and characterization of single-ply TWCs. However, multi-ply composite laminates are of interest due to the mechanical advantages they impart compared to the single ply. In this work, 1- and 2-ply [0°/90°] TWC laminates were fabricated using a delignified wood template (C) and an acetylated delignified wood template (AC). The optical and mechanical properties of resultant C and AC TWC laminates were determined using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and tensile testing (5× replicates), respectively. In addition, the ability of classical lamination plate theory and simple rule of mixtures to predict multi-ply tensile modulus and strength, respectively, from ply-level mechanical properties were investigated and are reported herein. Experimental results highlight tradeoffs that exist between the mechanical and optical responses of both unmodified and chemically modified TWCs. Template acetylation reduced the stiffness and strength in the 0° fiber direction by 2.4 GPa and 58.9 MPa, respectively, compared to the unmodified samples. At high wavelengths of light (>515 nm), AC samples exhibited higher transmittance than the C samples. Above 687 nm, the 2-ply AC sample exhibited a higher transmittance than the 1-ply C sample, indicating that thickness-dependent optical constraints can be overcome with improved interfacial interactions. Finally, both predictive models were successful in predicting the elastic modulus and tensile strength response for the 2-ply C and AC samples.
Corrosion Resistance and Apatite-Forming Ability of Composite Coatings formed on Mg–Al–Zn–Ca Alloys
Authors: Anawati Anawati , Asoh Hidetaka , Ono Sachiko
Published: July 2019

The properties of composite coatings formed by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) were affected by the alloy composition. The corrosion resistance and apatite-forming ability of PEO coatings formed on Mg–6Al–1Zn–xCa alloys with a variation of Ca content were investigated. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements showed an order magnitude improvement of corrosion resistance in the AZ61 alloy as a result of the coating. A higher enhancement in polarization resistance was obtained in the Mg–6Al–1Zn–1Ca and Mg–6Al–1Zn–2Ca alloys due to thicker coatings were formed as a result of the incorporation of calcium oxide/hydroxide. However, the underlying substrates were more prone to localized corrosion with increasing Ca content. The microstructure investigation revealed an enlargement in precipitates (Al2Ca, Mg2Ca) sizes with increasing Ca content in the alloys. The growth of larger size precipitates increased the danger to micro galvanic corrosion. Apatite layers were formed on all of the coatings indicating high apatite-forming ability, but the layers formed on the Mg–6Al–1Zn–1Ca and Mg–6Al–1Zn–2Ca alloys contained higher Mg, possibly due to the accumulation of corrosion product, than that on the Mg–6Al–1Zn alloy. The alloying element Ca should be limited to 1 wt.% as the excess tended to degrade the corrosion resistance and apatite-forming ability of the PEO coating.
Improving the Mechanical Strength of Ductile Cast Iron Welded Joints Using Different Heat Treatments
Authors: Marques Eva S.V. , Silva F.J.G. , Paiva Olga C. , Pereira António B.
Published: July 2019

The main advantage of welding cast iron is to recover parts by repairing defects induced by casting processes (porosities, etc.), before they enter their working cycle, as well as repair cracks or fractures when already in service. This method contributes to decreased foundry industrial waste and avoids the additional energy costs of their immediate recycling. Therefore, it is necessary to have a welded joint with similar or better characteristics than the parent material. The major problem of welding cast iron is that this material has a very high content of carbon in comparison to steel (≈3%). Therefore, when it is heated by the very high temperatures from arc welding and during its process of solidification, very hard and brittle phases originate, known as ledeburite and martensite, and appear in the partially melted zone and in the heat-affected zone. Eventually, this problem can be solved by implementing heat treatments such as preheat or post weld heat treatments under specific parameters. Therefore, in this study, the aim is to collect data about the effects of heat treatments performed at different temperatures on welded joints of high strength ductile cast iron (SiboDur® 450), and to evaluate the effects of heat treatments performed at diverse temperatures on welded joints of this type of material, using Shield Metal Arc Welding and nickel electrodes. Mechanical strength, hardness, and microstructure were analyzed, showing that the best mechanical strength in the joint (380 MPa) was obtained using two passes of E C Ni-Cl (ISO EN 1071:2015) filler metal and post weld heat treatments (PWHT) of 400 °C for two hours.
Growth of Pleurotus Ostreatus on Different Textile Materials for Vertical Farming
Authors: Helberg Julia , Klöcker Michaela , Sabantina Lilia , Storck Jan Lukas , Böttjer Robin , Brockhagen Bennet , Kinzel Franziska , Rattenholl Anke , Ehrmann Andrea
Published: July 2019

The mycelium of the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus can be used for diverse technical applications, such as packaging materials or wastewater treatment, besides the more obvious use for nutrition. While P. ostreatus usually grows on sawdust, wood or similar materials, a former study investigated mycelium growth on different nanofiber mats. Here, we report on growing P. ostreatus on fabrics knitted from different materials, enabling the use of this mushroom in textile-based vertical farming. Our results underline that P. ostreatus grows similar on natural fibers and on synthetic fibers. The agar medium used to provide nutrients was found to support mycelium growth optimally when applied by dip-coating, suggesting that, in this way, P. ostreatus can also be grown on vertically aligned textile fabrics for vertical farming.
A Bi-Level Programming Model for Optimal Bus Stop Spacing of a Bus Rapid Transit System
Authors: Cheng Gang , Zhao Shuzhi , Zhang Tao
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this study is to create a bi-level programming model for the optimal bus stop spacing of a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, to ensure simultaneous coordination and consider the interests of bus companies and passengers. The top-level model attempts to optimize and determine optimal bus stop spacing to minimize the equivalent costs, including wait, in-vehicle, walk, and operator costs, while the bottom-level model reveals the relation between the locations of stops and spatial service coverage to attract an increasing number of passengers. A case study of Chengdu, by making use of a genetic algorithm, is presented to highlight the validity and practicability of the proposed model and analyze the sensitivity of the coverage coefficient, headway, and speed with different spacing between bus stops.