bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Evolutionary EMI Filter Design Approach Based on In-Circuit Insertion Loss and Optimization of Power Density
Authors: Luna Massimiliano , La Tona Giuseppe , Accetta Angelo , Pucci Marcello , Di Piazza Maria Carmela
Published: April 2020

Power density is one of the most significant issues in designing electromagnetic interference (EMI) filters for power electronic-based applications. Therefore, an effective EMI filter design should consider both its capability to ensure the compliance with the related EMI standard limits and the possibility to build it by suitable components leading to the most compact configuration as well. To fulfill the above requirements, in this paper, an automatic procedure to get an improved design of EMI filters is proposed. Specifically, according to the proposed method, the values of filter parameters for both common mode (CM) and differential mode (DM) sections are selected by a genetic algorithm (GA) exploiting the in-circuit insertion loss, thus obtaining a more effective design. Besides, the components that set up the filter are selected by a rule-based procedure searching through a suitable database of commercial components to identify those allowing for the maximum power density. Experimental tests were performed using an inverter-fed induction motor drive as a case study, and the obtained results have demonstrated the validity of the proposed approach.
On the Sensitivity of Local Flexibility Markets to Forecast Error: A Bi-Level Optimization Approach
Authors: Azari Delaram , Shariat Torbaghan Shahab , Cappon Hans , Keesman Karel J. , Gibescu Madeleine , Rijnaarts Huub
Published: April 2020

The large-scale integration of intermittent distributed energy resources has led to increased uncertainty in the planning and operation of distribution networks. The optimal flexibility dispatch is a recently introduced, power flow-based method that a distribution system operator can use to effectively determine the amount of flexibility it needs to procure from the controllable resources available on the demand side. However, the drawback of this method is that the optimal flexibility dispatch is inexact due to the relaxation error inherent in the second-order cone formulation. In this paper we propose a novel bi-level optimization problem, where the upper level problem seeks to minimize the relaxation error and the lower level solves the earlier introduced convex second-order cone optimal flexibility dispatch (SOC-OFD) problem. To make the problem tractable, we introduce an innovative reformulation to recast the bi-level problem as a non-linear, single level optimization problem which results in no loss of accuracy. We subsequently investigate the sensitivity of the optimal flexibility schedules and the locational flexibility prices with respect to uncertainty in load forecast and flexibility ranges of the demand response providers which are input parameters to the problem. The sensitivity analysis is performed based on the perturbed Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) conditions. We investigate the feasibility and scalability of the proposed method in three case studies of standardized 9-bus, 30-bus, and 300-bus test systems. Simulation results in terms of local flexibility prices are interpreted in economic terms and show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Impact of Core Sheet Cutting Method on Parameters of Induction Motors
Authors: Dems Maria , Komeza Krzysztof , Kubiak Witold , Szulakowski Jacek
Published: April 2020

The method of cutting motor core sheets causes a change in their magnetic properties and core losses, especially additional losses. Reducing motor losses is very important because of the fulfillment of increasingly stringent requirements set by international regulations for reducing electricity consumption. Due to fact that more and more often induction motors are supplied with high-frequency voltage, core losses are beginning to play a dominant role in the motor’s loss balance. That is why accurate determination of these losses is very important and cutting has a significant impact on them. This report shows how the method of cutting sheet metal affects losses in the finished induction motor working in a wide frequency range. The paper presents the impact of various motor core fabrication technologies on its operational parameters and an approximate way of including this impact in analytical calculations at the design stage of new machine designs, as it is necessary to use sheet metal cutting technologies such as laser or electrical discharge machining (EDM) at the prototype stage. The proposed method is based on measurements of sheet parameters made on toroidal samples with appropriately selected dimensions, so that the width of the sample corresponds to the average width of the motor core elements.
Outdoor Cultivation of the Microalga Chlorella vulgaris in a New Photobioreactor Configuration: The Effect of Ultraviolet and Visible Radiation
Authors: Lopes Alcinda P. , Santos Francisca M. , Silva Tânia F. C. V. , Vilar Vítor J. P. , Pires José C. M.
Published: April 2020

Microalgae can be a future source of biomass with a wide range of applications, including its use to solve current environmental issues. One of the main variables for microalgal cultivation is the light supply: (i) its intensity that often does not present a uniform spatial distribution inside the culture; (ii) photoperiod; and (iii) spectrum. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the growth of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris in a tubular photobioreactor with compound parabolic collectors (CPCs) under outdoor conditions. The effect of ultraviolet and visible radiation on biomass productivity and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) uptake was assessed. The maximum biomass productivity was (5 ± 1) × 10−3 g·L−1·h−1, and the specific growth rates ranged from (1.1 ± 0.3) × 10−2 to (2.0 ± 0.6) × 10−2 h−1. Regarding nutrient uptake, initial removal rates of (0.9 ± 0.4) mg N·L−1·h−1 for nitrogen and (0.17 ± 0.04) mg P·L−1·h−1 for phosphorus were reached. These values increased with visible and ultraviolet irradiance until certain values (143 WVIS·m−2 and 9 WUV·m−2 for biomass productivity; 101 WVIS·m−2 and 6 WUV·m−2 for nutrient removal) and then decreased for higher ones due to the photoinhibition phenomenon. Therefore, the application of CPCs to photobioreactors (PBRs) may be beneficial for microalgal culture in countries with higher latitude (with lower solar irradiance levels).
Enhanced Coordination Strategy for an Aggregator of Distributed Energy Resources Participating in the Day-Ahead Reserve Market
Authors: Guzman Cindy Paola , Bañol Arias Nataly , Franco John Fredy , Rider Marcos J. , Romero Rubén
Published: April 2020

The integration of distributed energy resources (DERs), e.g., electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable distributed generation (DG), in the electrical distribution system (EDS) brings advantages to society, but also introduces technical challenges (e.g., overloading and voltage issues). A DER aggregator, which has agreements with DERs to manage their consumption/generation, could collaborate with the EDS operator to mitigate those technical challenges. Previous approaches have mainly focused on the aggregator’s strategy to manage demand, aiming at the maximization of profits. Therefore, methods to support the aggregator’s strategy need to be extended to facilitate the integration of renewable DG, leading to an enhanced coordination of DERs. This paper proposes a linear programming model for the aggregator’s coordination strategy to maximize its profit through the management of DERs and the participation in the day-ahead reserve market. The model uses EV charging control to provide up/down reserve and reduces its cost taking advantage of DG. The proposed mathematical model represents the daily EDS operation (hourly resolution) to enforce voltage and current magnitude constraints. A case study carried out in an unbalanced 34-bus EDS with 660 EVs, demonstrates that the application of the proposed method enhances the DER aggregator’s strategy, leading to better outcomes in both profits and EDS operation.
Different Pyrolysis Process Conditions of South Asian Waste Coconut Shell and Characterization of Gas, Bio-Char, and Bio-Oil
Authors: Sarkar Jayanto Kumar , Wang Qingyue
Published: April 2020

In the present study, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the impact of pyrolysis temperature on the outcome yields of waste coconut shells in a fixed bed reactor under varying conditions of pyrolysis temperature, from 400 to 800 °C. The temperature was increased at a stable heating rate of about 10 °C/min, while keeping the sweeping gas (Ar) flow rate constant at about 100 mL/min. The bio-oil was described by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) investigations and demonstrated to be an exceptionally oxygenated complex mixture. The resulting bio-chars were characterized by elemental analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The output of bio-char was diminished pointedly, from 33.6% to 28.6%, when the pyrolysis temperature ranged from 400 to 600 °C, respectively. In addition, the bio-chars were carbonized with the expansion of the pyrolysis temperature. Moreover, the remaining bio-char carbons were improved under a stable structure. Experimental results showed that the highest bio-oil yield was acquired at 600 °C, at about 48.7%. The production of gas increased from 15.4 to 18.3 wt.% as the temperature increased from 400 to 800 °C. Additionally, it was observed that temperature played a vital role on the product yield, as well as having a vital effect on the characteristics of waste coconut shell slow-pyrolysis.
Assessment of Thermal Comfort in the Intelligent Buildings in View of Providing High Quality Indoor Environment
Authors: Majewski Grzegorz , Orman Łukasz J. , Telejko Marek , Radek Norbert , Pietraszek Jacek , Dudek Agata
Published: April 2020

The paper analyses the indoor environment in two modern intelligent buildings located in Poland. Measurements of air and globe temperatures, relative humidity and carbon dioxide concentration in 117 rooms carried out in the space of 1.5 years were presented. Thermal comfort of the occupants has been investigated using a questionnaire survey. Based on 1369 questionnaires, thermal sensation, acceptability and preference votes were analysed in view of their interdependency as well as their dependency on operative temperature, which proved to be very strong. It has been found that the respondents did not completely rate thermal comfort and indoor environment quality as very high, although the overwhelming sensations were positive. Apart from the operation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, this might have also been the cause of individual human factors, such as body mass index, as tested in the study, or the finding that people were generally in favour of a warmer environment. Moreover, thermal environment proved to be the most important element for ensuring the well-being of the occupants.
Food Authentication: Identification and Quantitation of Different Tuber Species via Capillary Gel Electrophoresis and Real-Time PCR
Authors: Schelm Stefanie , Siemt Melanie , Pfeiffer Janin , Lang Christina , Tichy Hans-Volker , Fischer Markus
Published: April 2020

Truffles are hypogeous fungi mainly found in Europe and Asia. Due to their special aroma and taste, some truffle species are sold on the international market at an extremely high price. Among the economically relevant species, the white Alba truffle (Tuber magnatum) and the black Périgord truffle (T. melanosporum) are the most appreciated species. The fruiting bodies of the Asian black truffle are morphologically very similar to T. melanosporum, and those of the Bianchetto truffle (T. albidum Pico) are similar to T. magnatum, but are of little economic value. Highly valued species are adulterated with cheaper ones, especially. Because of this problem, the aim of this study was the development of methods for detecting possible admixtures to protect consumers from fraud. This study is based on seven different truffle species (117 fruiting bodies) from different growing regions. Additionally, selected truffle products were included. Using this material, a real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assay allowing the detection and quantitation of Asian black truffles in T. melanosporum up to 0.5% was developed. In addition, a capillary gel electrophoresis assay was designed, which allows the identification and quantitation of different species. The methods can be used to ensure the integrity of truffle products.
Nutritional Value of Grain-Based Foods
Authors: Carcea Marina
Published: April 2020

Grains are fundamental in the daily diets of many people worldwide; they are used for the production of popular foods, such as bread, bakery products, breakfast cereals, pasta, couscous, bulgur, and snacks. Botanically, they are the seeds of plants, belonging mainly to the groups of cereals, pseudocereals, and legumes. They contribute macronutrients to the human diet, mainly carbohydrates, but also proteins and lipids, and micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. They are also an important source of dietary fibre and bioactives, particularly wholegrains, which are of interest for the manufacturing of high value foods with enhanced health benefits. They can be used for the production of gluten-containing (as well as gluten-free) products. One of the main objectives of the food industry when producing grain-based foods is to manufacture safe, attractive products, with enhanced nutritional value to respond to consumer expectations. The following Special Issue “Nutritional Value of Grain Based Foods” consists of one review and eight original research papers that contribute to the existing knowledge of important ingredients, such as fat substitutes, and of the technological quality and nutritional role of grains and grain-based foods (gluten-containing and gluten-free), such as bread, muffins, and muesli bars.
Fractional Derivatives and Dynamical Systems in Material Instability
Authors: Béda Peter B.
Published: April 2020

Loss of stability is studied extensively in nonlinear investigations, and classified as generic bifurcations. It requires regularity, being connected with non-locality. Such behavior comes from gradient terms in constitutive equations. Most fractional derivatives are non-local, thus by using them in defining strain, a non-local strain appears. In such a way, various versions of non-localities are obtained by using various types of fractional derivatives. The study aims for constitutive modeling via instability phenomena, that is, by observing the way of loss of stability of material, we can be informed about the proper form of its mathematical model.
Methylation Analysis of CpG Islands in Pineapple SERK1 Promoter
Authors: Luan Aiping , Chen Chengjie , Xie Tao , He Junhu , He Yehua
Published: April 2020

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a more rapid and controllable method for plant propagation than traditional breeding methods. However, it often suffers from limited efficiency. SERK1 promotes SE in several plants, including pineapple (Ananas comosus L.). We investigate the embryonic cell-specific transcriptional regulation of AcSERK1 by methylation analysis of CpG islands in AcSERK1 regulatory sequences. This revealed differences in the methylation status of CpG islands between embryonic callus and non-embryonic callus; the methylation inhibitor 5-azaC increased AcSERK1 expression and also accelerated SE. These findings indicate that the expression of AcSERK1 is regulated epigenetically. This study lays the foundation for further analysis of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that may enhance the efficiency of SE in pineapple and other plants.
LSTrAP-Cloud: A User-Friendly Cloud Computing Pipeline to Infer Coexpression Networks
Authors: Tan Qiao Wen , Goh William , Mutwil Marek
Published: April 2020

As genomes become more and more available, gene function prediction presents itself as one of the major hurdles in our quest to extract meaningful information on the biological processes genes participate in. In order to facilitate gene function prediction, we show how our user-friendly pipeline, the Large-Scale Transcriptomic Analysis Pipeline in Cloud (LSTrAP-Cloud), can be useful in helping biologists make a shortlist of genes involved in a biological process that they might be interested in, by using a single gene of interest as bait. The LSTrAP-Cloud is based on Google Colaboratory, and provides user-friendly tools that process quality-control RNA sequencing data streamed from the European Nucleotide Archive. The LSTRAP-Cloud outputs a gene coexpression network that can be used to identify functionally related genes for any organism with a sequenced genome and publicly available RNA sequencing data. Here, we used the biosynthesis pathway of Nicotiana tabacum as a case study to demonstrate how enzymes, transporters, and transcription factors involved in the synthesis, transport, and regulation of nicotine can be identified using our pipeline.
Screening for Resistance to PVY in Australian Potato Germplasm
Authors: Slater Anthony T. , Schultz Lee , Lombardi Maria , Rodoni Brendan C. , Bottcher Chris , Cogan Noel O. I. , Forster John W.
Published: April 2020

Potatoes are an important human food crop, but have a number of yield limiting factors, including disease susceptibility. Potato virus Y (PVY) is found worldwide, and is one of the main virus problems for potato growers. PVY is transmitted by aphids and mechanically by machinery, tools and people, and symptoms are variable across cultivars and strains, including being symptomless in some cultivars. Therefore, breeding resistant cultivars is the best way to control this virus. This study phenotypically screened 74 of the main commercial cultivars and a few other select cultivars grown in Australia, in order to identify sources of resistance to PVY. The cultivars were screened against PVYO and PVYNTN, with 23 out of 71 resistant to PVYO and 13 out of 74 resistant to PVYNTN, and all these 13 were resistant to both strains. When the phenotypic screening was compared to the results listed on the European Cultivated Potato Database, the majority of results were found to be consistent. We then evaluated three molecular markers RYSC3, M45, and STM0003 for the extreme resistance genes Ryadg and Rysto, to validate the usefulness of the markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) on Australian germplasm. The degree of correlation between the resistance phenotypes and the RYSC3, M45, and STM0003 markers for Ryadg and Rysto conferred PVY resistance was determined. Three cultivars amplified the RYSC3 marker, while the M45 marker amplified the same 3 and an additional 9. Of the 12 cultivars, 11 phenotyped as resistant, but 1 was susceptible. The STM0003 marker was amplified from only 2 cultivars that both had resistant phenotypes. The RYSC3, M45, and STM0003 markers were therefore able to identify all the 13 cultivars that were resistant to both strains of PVY. Therefore, these markers will enable the identification of genotypes with resistance to PVY, and enable PVY resistant parents to be used for the development of superior progeny; these genetic markers can be used for MAS in the Australian potato breeding program.
Effects of 5′-3′ Exonuclease Xrn1 on Cell Size, Proliferation and Division, and mRNA Levels of Periodic Genes in Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Zhao Xueru , Li Xin , Zhang Ping , Li Chenxi , Feng Weijia , Zhu Xudong , Wei Dongsheng
Published: April 2020

Cell size affects almost all biosynthetic processes by controlling the size of organelles and disrupting the nutrient uptake process. Yeast cells must reach a critical size to be able to enter a new cell cycle stage. Abnormal changes in cell size are often observed under pathological conditions such as cancer disease. Thus, cell size must be strictly controlled during cell cycle progression. Here, we reported that the highly conserved 5′-3′ exonuclease Xrn1 could regulate the gene expression involved in the cell cycle pathway of Cryptococcus neoformans. Chromosomal deletion of XRN1 caused an increase in cell size, defects in cell growth and altered DNA content at 37 °C. RNA-sequencing results showed that the difference was significantly enriched in genes involved in membrane components, DNA metabolism, integration and recombination, DNA polymerase activity, meiotic cell cycle, nuclear division, organelle fission, microtubule-based process and reproduction. In addition, the proportion of the differentially expressed periodic genes was up to 19.8% when XRN1 was deleted, including cell cycle-related genes, chitin synthase genes and transcription factors, indicating the important role of Xrn1 in the control of cell cycle. This work provides insights into the roles of RNA decay factor Xrn1 in maintaining appropriate cell size, DNA content and cell cycle progression.
Investigation of Natural Beachrock and Physical–Mechanical Comparison with Artificial Beachrock Induced by MICP as a Protective Measure against Beach Erosion at Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Daryono Lutfian R. , Nakashima Kazunori , Kawasaki Satoru , Suzuki Koichi , Suyanto Imam , Rahmadi Arief
Published: April 2020

Typically, the mitigation of coastal erosion is achieved by amending surface conditions using materials, such as concrete. The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of constructing artificial beachrocks using natural materials (e.g., microbes, sand, shell, pieces of coral, and seaweed, etc.) within a short time, and to propose the method as a novel strategy for coastal protection. Initially, a survey on resistivity and a multichannel analysis of seismic waves (MASW) were conducted along the coastal lines to characterize and elucidate the subsurface structure of existing beachrocks in the Southeast Yogyakarta coastal area, Krakal–Sadranan beach, Indonesia. The field survey on natural beachrocks suggested that both resistivity and shear wave velocity were higher in the deeper deposits compared to the underlying unconsolidated sand layer within a depth of approximately 1.5 m and covering an area of 210.496 m2 for the α-section and 76.936 m2 for the β-section of beachrock deposit. The results of the sand solidification test in the laboratory showed that treated sand achieved unconfined compressive strength of up to around 6 MPa, determined after a treatment period of 14 days under optimum conditions.
Active Commuting and Physical Fitness: A Systematic Review
Authors: Henriques-Neto Duarte , Peralta Miguel , Garradas Susana , Pelegrini Andreia , Pinto André Araújo , Sánchez-Miguel Pedro António , Marques Adilson
Published: April 2020

Physical fitness (PF) is considered an excellent biomarker of health. One possible strategy to improve PF levels is active commuting. This review, performed accordingly to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines includes scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals up to December 2019 that aim at examining the relationship between active travel/commuting and PF. The search was performed in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). Sixteen studies were included in this review. Findings from the 16 studies were unclear. From the eleven studies on children and adolescents screened, eight were cross-sectional, one prospective cohort, one quasi-experimental, and one experimental. From the five studies on adults, four were experimental and one cross-sectional. Body mass, waist circumference, skinfolds, fat mass, cardiorespiratory fitness, upper and lower strength tests were performed in children, adolescents, and adults. Agility and speed tests were performed only in the young age groups. Majority of the investigations on young ages and adults have shown positive effects or relationships between active commuting and several attributes of PF. However, to avoid misconceptions, there is a need for future robust investigation to identify potential mediators or confounders in this relationship. More robust investigations are essential to understand how and whether decision-makers and public health authorities can use active travel/commuting as a strategy to improve PF in all ages.
Review: Sex-Specific Aspects in the Bariatric Treatment of Severely Obese Women
Authors: Jäger Pia , Wolicki Annina , Spohnholz Johannes , Senkal Metin
Published: April 2020

This systematic literature review aims to point out sex-specific special features that are important in the bariatric treatment of women suffering from severe obesity. A systematic literature search was carried out according to Cochrane and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. After the literature selection, the following categories were determined: sexuality and sexual function; contraception; fertility; sex hormones and polycystic ovary syndrome; menopause and osteoporosis; pregnancy and breastfeeding; pelvic floor disorders and urinary incontinence; female-specific cancer; and metabolism, outcome, and quality of life. For each category, the current status of research is illuminated and implications for bariatric treatment are determined. A summary that includes key messages is given for each subsection. An overall result of this paper is an understanding that sex-specific risks that follow or result from bariatric surgery should be considered more in aftercare. In order to increase the evidence, further research focusing on sex-specific differences in the outcome of bariatric surgery and promising treatment approaches to female-specific diseases is needed. Nevertheless, bariatric surgery shows good potential in the treatment of sex-specific aspects for severely obese women that goes far beyond mere weight loss and reduction of metabolic risks.
Assessing Mental Health for China’s Police: Psychometric Features of the Self-Rating Depression Scale and Symptom Checklist 90-Revised
Authors: Chen I-Hua , Lin Chung-Ying , Zheng Xia , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: April 2020

Police mental health is important because police officers usually encounter stressors that cause high levels of stress. In order to better understand mental health for Chinese police, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R) are commonly used in mainland China. Unfortunately, both the SDS and SCL-90-R lack detailed information on their psychometric properties. More specifically, factor structures of the SDS and SCL-90-R have yet to be confirmed among the police population in mainland China. Therefore, the present study compared several factor structures of the SDS and SCL-90-R proposed by prior research and to determine an appropriate structure for the police population. Utilizing cluster sampling, 1151 traffic police officers (1047 males; mean age = 36.6 years [SD = 6.10]) from 49 traffic police units in Jiangxi Province (China) participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with Akaike information criterion (AIC) was used to decide the best fit structure. In the SDS, the three-factor model (first posited by Kitamura et al.) had the smallest AIC and outperformed other models. In the SCL-90-R, the eight-factor model had the smallest AIC and outperformed the one-factor and nine-factor models. CFA fit indices also showed that both the three-factor model in the SDS and the eight-factor model in the SCL-90-R had satisfactory fit. The present study’s results support the use of both SDS and SCL-90-R for police officers in mainland China.
We Need to Delay the Age of Onset of Alcohol Consumption
Authors: Moure-Rodríguez Lucía , Caamano-Isorna Francisco
Published: April 2020

In recent years, new consumption patterns, such as binge drinking, have increased among young people and have not always been recognized as problematic either by health personnel or by society in general, as they are intensive episodes, interspersed with no consumption periods. Although the prevalence of alcohol use disorders in the adult population continues to be higher in men than in women, these gender differences in relation to alcohol consumption are barely observed in adolescents between 14 and 18. Therefore, we are witnessing a change in the pattern of consumption, from regular to episodic, and an attenuation of gender differences. New patterns of alcohol consumption have not only been associated with an increased risk of alcohol use disorders in adult life, but also with neurocognitive involvement in youth. Understanding the risk and resilience factors of alcoholism or problematic drinking patterns will not only allow us to identify the most vulnerable group, but also to guide prevention programs towards protective factors; the skills that contribute to the natural abandonment of the pattern. Knowing the variables involved in the trajectories of abandonment and dependency would contribute to personalizing the interventions and increasing their efficacy and success—a lower relapse rate—, reducing the economic and socio-sanitary costs associated with alcohol dependency, as well as improving the health and well-being, family relations, work and social status of alcohol-dependent people.
Respiratory and Allergic Effects in Children Exposed to Pesticides—A Systematic Review
Authors: Buralli Rafael Junqueira , Dultra Amana Freitas , Ribeiro Helena
Published: April 2020

Pesticide exposure may affect children’s respiratory and allergic health, although results from epidemiological studies have not reached consensus. This review aims to analyze the scientific evidence on respiratory and allergic effects of exposure to agricultural pesticides in children aged up to 12 years old. The databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scielo, and Lilacs were screened to select articles published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, and 21 articles were included in this review. Most investigations were conducted in North America (mostly in the United States), while no studies conducted in Latin America or Africa were found, despite their intensive use of pesticides. Children are exposed to pesticides through multiple pathways from the prenatal period throughout later developmental stages and may experience several respiratory effects. Most studies (79%) found positive associations with pesticide exposure and children’s respiratory and allergic effects such as asthma, wheezing, coughs, acute respiratory infections, hay fever, rhinitis, eczema, chronic phlegm, and lung function impairments. Contrastingly, 21% of the studies found no associations between pesticide exposure and children’s respiratory health. The vast differences among the characteristics of the studies hamper any comparison of the results. Exposure to pesticides may have several impacts on childhood respiratory health. More studies must be conducted, especially in low- and middle-income countries, preferably with comparable research protocols adapted to local realities. Efforts should be made to develop comprehensive risk mitigation strategies and behavioral interventions to reduce children’s exposure to pesticides used in agriculture and respiratory health effects, and to ensure healthy childhood growth.
Psychometric Properties of the Decisional Balance Scale: A Confirmatory Study on Malaysian University Students
Authors: Liu Kien Ting , Kueh Yee Cheng , Arifin Wan Nor , Ismail Ibrahim Mohd , Shafei Mohd Nazri , Kuan Garry
Published: April 2020

Decisional balance (DB) is the perceived positive aspects (advantages) and negative aspects (disadvantages) that are associated with behavioural change. Behavioural change is dependent on an individual’s thoughts after considering the advantages of engaging in exercise. When the benefits exceed the barriers, people are more likely to make changes after cognitively evaluating the functional aspects. The purpose of the present study is to determine the validity and reliability of the DB scale among Malaysian university students using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A cross-sectional study was carried out among students who took part in the co-curricular program. By using the purposive sampling method, students were recruited and given written informed consent forms after acknowledging they understood the purpose of the study. The DB scale, which consists of two factors, namely, advantages and disadvantages, was used as the instrument in the study. The advantages referred to the benefits of participating in exercise, whereas the disadvantages referred to the barriers to exercise. The 10-item, self-administered questionnaires were distributed to participating students. Data were analysed using Mplus 8 for the CFA. A total of 562 students (females = 444, males = 118) with a mean age of 19.81 years (SD = 1.22) participated in the study. Most of the students were engaged in regular physical activity for at least three exercise sessions (mean = 2.62) per week, and the average duration per session was 43 minutes. The hypothesised measurement model of DB did not fit the data well; thus, the measurement model was re-specified. The final measurement model fit the data well (comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.960, Tucker–Lewis index (TLI) = 0.943, standardised root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.055, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) (90% confidence interval (CI)) = 0.061 (0.047, 0.074), RMSEA p-value = 0.096). The composite reliability values of 0.757 for the advantages and 0.792 for the disadvantages were acceptable. The 10-item DB scale with two factors displayed a good model fit for the data with good scale reliability. This could be beneficial for Malaysian undergraduate students in making decisions before engaging in physical activity. The benefits of, and barriers to, exercise could be an important component that affects their decision making.
Naive Forecast for COVID-19 in Utah Based on the South Korea and Italy Models-the Fluctuation between Two Extremes
Authors: Qeadan Fares , Honda Trenton , Gren Lisa H. , Dailey-Provost Jennifer , Benson L. Scott , VanDerslice James A. , Porucznik Christina A. , Waters A. Blake , Lacey Steven , Shoaf Kimberley
Published: April 2020

Differences in jurisdictional public health actions have played a significant role in the relative success of local communities in combating and containing the COVID-19 pandemic. We forecast the possible COVID-19 outbreak in one US state (Utah) by applying empirical data from South Korea and Italy, two countries that implemented disparate public health actions. Forecasts were created by aligning the start of the pandemic in Utah with that in South Korea and Italy, getting a short-run forecast based on actual daily rates of spread, and long-run forecast by employing a log-logistic model with four parameters. Applying the South Korea model, the epidemic peak in Utah is 169 cases/day, with epidemic resolution by the end of May. Applying the Italy model, new cases are forecast to exceed 200/day by mid-April, with the potential for 250 new cases a day at the epidemic peak, with the epidemic continuing through the end of August. We identify a 3-month variation in the likely length of the pandemic, a 1.5-fold difference in the number of daily infections at outbreak peak, and a 3-fold difference in the expected cumulative cases when applying the experience of two developed countries in handling this virus to the Utah context.
Perception of E-cigarette Use among Adult Users in China: A Mixed-method Study
Authors: Zhao Duan , Zuo Yantao , Urmi Dilshat S. , Liu Yangyujin , Zheng Pinpin , Fan Wang , Abdullah Abu S.
Published: April 2020

The use of electronic cigarettes (ECs) is increasing rapidly in China, but the perception of these products and their health impact among Chinese users have received little research attention. This study collected semi-structured in-depth interview data from experienced adult EC (including heated tobacco products also named ECs on the Chinese market) users in the Shanghai area. The subjects were recruited from those who participated in a previous online survey on EC use. A thematic narrative approach was used to analyze the data. Thirty current EC users were interviewed for evaluation of their perception of EC use in a variety of categories, including reasons for using, concerns, social acceptance, satisfaction, and health impacts. Participants’ common reasons for using ECs were the ease of use and carrying, hygiene, no fire hazard, reduced smoke exposure, aiding quitting smoking, reduced health hazard, palatable flavor, being fashionable, and substituting cigarettes in non-smoking areas. Most (90%; 27/30) participants reduced (77%) or quit smoking (13%) after using ECs, and 80% were willing to recommend these products to others. Most (90%) of the participants reportedly noticed positive health changes after using ECs. Regulatory concerns were expressed by 33% participants. Participants predominately viewed ECs as a viable substitute for smoking, with substantial effects on tobacco harm reduction. These findings lend support to EC use as a promising opportunity for public health promotion in China through engaging smokers in smoking cessation attempts. However, overall public health benefits/risks of EC use, and its regulatory affairs need to be considered.
Relative Validity of an Online Herb and Spice Consumption Questionnaire
Authors: Blanton Cynthia
Published: April 2020

Culinary herbs and spices contribute bioactives to the diet, which act to reduce systemic inflammation and associated disease. Investigating the health effects of herb/spice consumption is hampered, however, by a scarcity of dietary assessment tools designed to collect herb/spice data. The objective of this study was to determine the relative validity of an online 28-item herb/spices intake questionnaire (HSQ). In randomized order, 62 volunteers residing in Idaho, USA, completed the online Diet History Questionnaire III + the HSQ followed one week later by one of two comparative methods: 7-day food records or three telephone-administered 24-h dietary recalls. Relative validity of the HSQ was tested two ways: (1) by comparing herb/spice intakes between the HSQ and comparator, and (2) by determining the correlation between herb/spice data and Healthy Eating Index 2015 score. The HSQ and both comparators identified black pepper, cinnamon and garlic powder as the three most commonly used herbs/spices. The HSQ captured significantly higher measures of the number and amount of herbs/spices consumed than the comparators. The number of herbs/spices consumed was significantly directly correlated with diet quality for the HSQ. These results support the ability of the HSQ to record general herb/spice use, yet suggest that further validation testing is needed.
Self-Perception of Periodontal Health and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study
Authors: Romano Federica , Perotto Stefano , Bianco Laura , Parducci Francesca , Mariani Giulia Maria , Aimetti Mario
Published: April 2020

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical factors associated with self-awareness of periodontal health. Data were collected from a representative sample of 736 adults (25–75 years old) in a city of Northern Italy who self-assessed gingival bleeding, oral malodor, and tooth mobility in a questionnaire and who underwent clinical periodontal examination and organoleptic evaluation. Approximately 50% of the subjects were aware of their actual gingival health status and oral odor. The logistic regression analysis revealed that females presented higher odds of correctly perceiving their gingival conditions and mouth odor, while those who were older and smokers had a greater probability of being less objective in reporting them. Tooth type and position in the dental arches were positively associated with self-perception of tooth mobility. These findings reflected a low level of self-awareness that may influence oral care-seeking behavior. Subjects may be unconcerned about their periodontal health condition or lack enough knowledge to be aware of it. This points to the need for planning strategies to improve education and knowledge about periodontal health, which, by enhancing self-perception of periodontal symptoms, could help everyone to seek treatment in the initial stage of the disease.
Influence of Sleeping Patterns in Health and Academic Performance Among University Students
Authors: Toscano-Hermoso María Dolores , Arbinaga Félix , Fernández-Ozcorta Eduardo J. , Gómez-Salgado Juan , Ruiz-Frutos Carlos
Published: April 2020

Sleep problems in university students are important and have implications for health, quality of life, and academic performance. Using an ex post facto design, a total sample of 855 students (55.7% women) participated in the study. Sleep assessment was conducted using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Nightmare Frequency Scale, the Nightmare Proneness Scale, and the Composite Morningness Scale. Women show a higher risk [OR = 2.61] of presenting poor sleep quality (> 5 points on the PSQI) compared with men (p < 0.001). Similarly, women reported a greater frequency of nightmares (p < 0.001, d = 0.60), greater propensity for nightmares (p < 0.001, d = 0.70) and a higher score on Item-5h of the PSQI regarding nightmares (p < 0.001, d = 0.59). Women, compared with men, show higher risk [OR = 2.84] for a sleep disorder related to nightmares (p = 0.012). Women need more time to reach a state of alertness after getting up (p = 0.022), and there was an interaction between sex and the alertness factor when evaluating the subjective quality of sleep (p = 0.030). Women show worse sleep quality and a higher frequency and propensity for suffering nightmares. When considering the relationship between sleep quality and academic performance, it is observed that students with poor sleep quality obtain lower academic scores (M = 7.21, SD = 0.805) than those with good sleep quality (M = 7.32, SD = 0.685), an effect that reaches significance (t = 2.116, p = 0.035). Regarding the relationship between the categorized chronotype and academic performance, students with a morning chronotype achieve better academic results (M = 7.41, SD = 0.89) than their evening counterparts (M = 7.15, SD = 0.76), although these differences have a small effect size (d = 0.31).
The Relationship between Economic Growth and Air Pollution—A Regional Comparison between China and South Korea
Authors: Jiang Min , Kim Euijune , Woo Youngjin
Published: April 2020

This paper analyzes the interaction between regional economic growth and air pollution in China and Korea. The relationship between gross regional product per capita and industrial emission of sulfur dioxide emission is examined at the regional level using simultaneous equation models covering 286 cities in China and 228 cities and counties in South Korea of the period 2006–2016. The results find that regional differences existed in the relationship between air pollution and economic growth in two countries. In both countries, an inverted U-shaped pattern was found in metropolitan areas while a U-shaped pattern of non-metropolitan areas. Although the emissions of pollutants in metropolitan areas of both countries have shown a downward trend in recent years, there is still a large gap between the overall emission levels of China and South Korea. Moreover, the level of pollutant emissions of China’s metropolitan areas is much higher than in non-metropolitan areas, while the opposite result has occurred in Korea. In China, there was an inverted U-shaped relationship of the eastern and northwest region, while U-shaped relationships existed in the southwest, central and northeast regions.
Synthesis and Hydration Characteristic of Geopolymer Based on Lead Smelting Slag
Authors: Yao Liwei , Liu Degang , Ke Yong , Li Yuancheng , Wang Zhongbing , Fei Jiangchi , Xu Hui , Min Xiaobo
Published: April 2020

Lead smelting slag (LSS) has been identified as general industrial solid waste, which is produced from the pyrometallurgical treatment of the Shuikoushan process for primary lead production in China. The LSS-based geopolymer was synthesized after high-energy ball milling. The effect of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) on the synthesis parameters of the geopolymer was optimized. Under the best parameters of the geopolymer (modulus of water glass was 1–1.5, dosage of water glass (W(SiO2+Na2O)) was 5% and water-to-binder ratio was 0.2), the UCS reached 76.09 MPa after curing for 28 days. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) leaching concentration of Zn from LSS fell from 167.16 to 93.99 mg/L after alkali-activation, which was below the limit allowed. Meanwhile, C-S-H and the geopolymer of the hydration products were identified from the geopolymer. In addition, the behavior of iron was also discussed. Then, the hydration process characteristics of the LSS-based geopolymer were proposed. The obtained results showed that Ca2+ and Fe2+ occupied the site of the network as modifiers in the glass phase and then dissociated from the glass network after the water glass activation. At the same time, C-S-H, the geopolymer and Fe(OH)2 gel were produced, and then the Fe(OH)2 was easily oxidized to Fe(OH)3 under the air curing conditions. Consequently, the conclusion was drawn that LSS was an implementable raw material for geopolymer production.
Does Diabetes Induce the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Expression in Periodontal Tissues? A Systematic Review
Authors: Nardi Gianna Maria , Ferrara Elisabetta , Converti Ilaria , Cesarano Francesca , Scacco Salvatore , Grassi Roberta , Gnoni Antonio , Grassi Felice Roberto , Rapone Biagio
Published: April 2020

Aim: Diabetes and periodontal disease are both chronic pathological conditions linked by several underlying biological mechanisms, in which the inflammatory response plays a critical role, and their association has been largely recognized. Recently, attention has been given to diabetes as an important mediator of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression in periodontal tissues, by virtue of its ability to affect microvasculature. This review aims to summarize the findings from studies that explored VEGF expression in diabetic patients with periodontitis, compared to periodontally healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A PubMed search of select medical subject heading (MeSH) terms was carried out to identify all studies reporting findings about VEGF expression in periodontal tissues of diabetic patients up to May 2018. The inclusion criteria were studies on VEGF expression in periodontally diseased tissues of diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic subjects, with any method of analysis, and published in the English language. Results: Eight articles met the inclusion criteria. Immunohistochemistry was used in six of the studies, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) aiming to quantify mRNA VEGF expression was used in one study, and ELISA analysis was used for one study. Compared with nondiabetic patients, a higher VEGF expression in gingival tissue and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples in diabetic patients with periodontitis was reported. Conclusions: Overall, novel evidence for the VEGF expression within the periodontal tissue of diabetic patients paves the way for further studies on the role of this protein in neovascularization physiology and pathophysiology in microvasculature of the periodontium.