bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary Analysis for Residential Consumer Participating in Demand Response Considering Irrational Behavior
Authors: Liu Xiaofeng , Wang Qi , Wang Wenting
Published: September 2019

Demand response (DR) has been recognized as a powerful tool to relieve energy imbalance in the smart grid. Most previous works have ignored the irrational behavior of energy consumers in DR project implementation. Accordingly, in this paper, we focus on solving two questions during the execution of DR. Firstly, considering the bounded rationality of residential users, a population dynamic model is proposed to describe the decision behavior on whether to participate in the DR project, and then the evolutionary process of consumers participating in DR is analyzed. Secondly, for the DR participants, they have to compete dispatching amounts for maximal profit in a day-ahead bidding market, hence, a non-cooperative game model is proposed to describe the competition behavior, and the uniqueness of the Nash equilibrium is analyzed with mathematical proof. Then, the distributed algorithm is designed to search the evolutionary result and the Nash equilibrium. Finally, a case study is performed to show the effectiveness of the formulated models.
Effect of Biodiesel Mixture Derived from Waste Frying-Corn, Frying-Canola-Corn and Canola-Corn Cooking Oils with Various ‎Ages on Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Saeed Renas Hasan Saeed , Kassem Youssef , Çamur Hüseyin
Published: September 2019

Waste frying, corn and canola cooking oil biodiesels were produced through the transesterification ‎process and their properties were measured. Three different mixtures of biodiesel with the same blending ratio, namely, WCME1 (frying-corn biodiesel), WCME2 (frying-canola-corn biodiesel) and WCME3 (canola-corn biodiesel), were prepared. The effect ‎of ‎blending ‎biodiesel with various ages ‎‎(zero months (WCME3), eight months (WCME1), and 30 months (WCME2)) on kinematic ‎viscosity and‎ density was investigated under varying temperature and volume fraction. It was found that the kinematic viscosity of WCME2 remained within the ranges listed in ASTM D445 (‎1.9–6.0‎ mm2/s) and EN-14214‎ (‎3.5–5.0‎ mm2/s) at 30 months. It was also observed that both viscosity and density decreased as the temperature increased for each fuel sample. In order to improve the cold flow properties of the samples, the Computer-Aided ‎Cooling Curve Analysis (CACCA) technique was used to explore the crystallization/melting ‎profiles of ‎pure ‎methyl biodiesel as ‎well their blends. The results show that pure WCME2 has the lowest cold flow properties compared to other samples. Furthermore, 10 ‎correlations ‎were developed, tested and compared with generalized ‎correlations for the ‎estimation of the ‎viscosity and densities of pure biodiesels and their ‎blends. These equations depend on the temperature and volume fraction of pure components as well as the properties of the fuel.
Experiments on Air Compression with an Isothermal Piston for Energy Storage
Authors: Ren Teng , Xu Weiqing , Cai Maolin , Wang Xiaoshuang , Li Minghan
Published: September 2019

Air is usually compressed adiabatically in the compressor. As the operating speed of compressors can be several thousand rpm, heat generated during compression cannot be sufficiently transmitted to the environment in such a short time. It is for this reason that compressor efficiency is limited. Isothermal compression could be an alternative choice applied on industrial compressor and compressed air energy storage (CAES). This paper proposed a new kind of piston to perform isothermal compression. Surface area of such isothermal piston structure is larger. A certain amount of fluid at the chamber bottom absorbs the heat from the isothermal piston. Heat transfer between piston and fluid during compression is investigated. Air pressure is measured to validate the effectiveness of this proposed piston structure in heat transfer. Compression work of the proposed isothermal piston and conventional one is compared. One issue of this comparison is that air-liquid dissolution can affect the pressure and compression work. The influence of dissolution is quantified with Henry’s Law. Quantitative analysis is performed to determine that heat transfer is the dominant factor affecting the pressure and compression work. Some simple experiments are described in this paper, which shed light on that heat transfer could be significantly improved adopting this proposed isothermal piston.
Fractional Calculus-Based Processing for Feature Extraction in Harmonic-Polluted Fault Monitoring Systems
Authors: Murcia-Sepúlveda Nathaly , Cruz-Duarte Jorge M. , Martin-Diaz Ignacio , Garcia-Perez Arturo , Rosales-García J. Juan , Avina-Cervantes Juan Gabriel , Correa-Cely Carlos Rodrigo
Published: September 2019

Fault monitoring systems in Induction Motors (IMs) are in high demand since many production environments require yielding detection tools independent of their power supply. When IMs are inverter-fed, they become more complicated to diagnose via spectral techniques because those are susceptible to produce false positives. This paper proposes an innovative and reliable methodology to ease the monitoring and fault diagnosis of IMs. It employs fractional Gaussian windows determined from Caputo operators to stand out from spectral harmonic trajectories. This methodology was implemented and simulated to process real signals from an induction motor, in both healthy and faulty conditions. Results show that the proposed technique outperforms several traditional approaches by getting the clearest and most useful patterns for feature extraction purposes.
Dynamic Stall of a Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine and Its Control Using Plasma Actuation
Authors: Ma Lu , Wang Xiaodong , Zhu Jian , Kang Shun
Published: September 2019

In this paper, a dynamic stall control scheme for vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) based on pulsed dielectric-barrier-discharge (DBD) plasma actuation is proposed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The trend of the wind turbine power coefficient with the tip speed ratio is verified, and the numerical simulation can describe the typical dynamic stall process of the H-type VAWT. The tangential force coefficient and vorticity contours of the blade are compared, and the regular pattern of the VAWT dynamic stall under different tip speed ratios is obtained. Based on the understanding the dynamic stall phenomenon in flow field, the effect of the azimuth of the plasma actuation on the VAWT power is studied. The results show that the azimuth interval of the dynamic stall is approximately 60° or 80° by the different tip speed ratio. The pulsed plasma actuation can suppress dynamic stall. The actuation is optimally applied for the azimuthal position of 60° to 120°.
A Hybrid End-to-End Control Strategy Combining Dueling Deep Q-network and PID for Transient Boost Control of a Diesel Engine with Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Cooled EGR
Authors: Hu Bo , Li Jiaxi , Li Shuang , Yang Jie
Published: September 2019

Deep reinforcement learning (DRL), which excels at solving a wide variety of Atari and board games, is an area of machine learning that combines the deep learning approach and reinforcement learning (RL). However, to the authors’ best knowledge, there seem to be few studies that apply the latest DRL algorithms on real-world powertrain control problems. If there are any, the requirement of classical model-free DRL algorithms typically for a large number of random exploration in order to realize good control performance makes it almost impossible to implement directly on a real plant. Unlike most of the other DRL studies, whose control strategies can only be trained in a simulation environment—especially when a control strategy has to be learned from scratch—in this study, a hybrid end-to-end control strategy combining one of the latest DRL approaches—i.e., a dueling deep Q-network and traditional Proportion Integration Differentiation (PID) controller—is built, assuming no fidelity simulation model exists. Taking the boost control of a diesel engine with a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) and cooled (exhaust gas recirculation) EGR as an example, under the common driving cycle, the integral absolute error (IAE) values with the proposed algorithm are improved by 20.66% and 9.7% respectively for the control performance and generality index, compared with a fine-tuned PID benchmark. In addition, the proposed method can also improve system adaptiveness by adding another redundant control module. This makes it attractive to real plant control problems whose simulation models do not exist, and whose environment may change over time.
Simulating Three-Dimensional Plume Migration of a Radionuclide Decay Chain through Groundwater
Authors: Chen Jui-Sheng , Liang Ching-Ping , Chang Cheng-Hung , Wan Ming-Hsien
Published: September 2019

In this study, we present a semi-analytical model for simulating three-dimensional radioactivity transport of a radionuclide decay chain and assessing the radiological dose impact on the general public. The mechanisms and processes considered in the model include the one-dimensional advection, hydrodynamic dispersion in longitudinal and two lateral directions, linear equilibrium sorption, and first-order radioactive decay reactions. The semi-analytical model is derived for a semi-infinite domain, and the solutions in the Laplace domain for members of the decay chain are first generalized in a compact format. The concentrations in the original domain of each nuclide are independently evaluated with the help of the efficient and robust Laplace numerical inverse algorithms. The accuracy of the derived semi-analytical model is demonstrated by comparison of our developed model with an existing analytical model described in the literature. The results of the verification exercise indicate that the derived semi-analytical model is accurate and robust. The developed semi-analytical model is applied to an illustrative example that simulates the three-dimensional plume migration of a radionuclide decay chain on both the temporal and spatial scales. Moreover, the time histories of the radiological doses at different distances from the inflow source boundary are presented to understand the potential radiological impact on the general public. The developed model facilitates rapid assessment of the radiological impact posed by the presence of radionuclides in the environment because of leakage from a nuclear waste repository or accidental discharges from nuclear facilities.
Uncovering Household Carbon Footprint Drivers in an Aging, Shrinking Society
Authors: Huang Yuzhuo , Shigetomi Yosuke , Chapman Andrew , Matsumoto Ken’ichi
Published: September 2019

In order to meet climate change mitigation goals, nations such as Japan need to consider strategies to reduce the impact that lifestyles have on overall emission levels. This study analyzes carbon footprints from household consumption (i.e., lifestyles) using index and structural decomposition analysis for the time period from 1990 to 2005. The analysis identified that households in their 40s and 50s had the highest levels of both direct and indirect CO2 emissions, with decomposition identifying consumption patterns as the driving force behind these emissions and advances in CO2 reduction technology having a reducing effect on lifestyle emissions. An additional challenge addressed by this study is the aging, shrinking population phenomenon in Japan. The increase in the number of few-member and elderly households places upward pressure on emissions as the aging population and declining national birth rate continues. The analysis results offer two mitigatory policy suggestions: the focusing of carbon reduction policies on older and smaller households, and the education of consumers toward low-carbon consumption habits. As the aging, shrinking population phenomenon is not unique to Japan, the findings of this research have broad applications globally where these demographic shifts are being experienced.
Towards a Low Emission Transport System: Evaluating the Public Health and Environmental Benefits
Authors: Farzaneh Hooman , de Oliveira Jose A. Puppim , McLellan Benjamin , Ohgaki Hideaki
Published: September 2019

Climate change mitigation strategies offer significant societal co-benefits such as improvement in public health, air quality, local economy, and even safety. By considering these co-benefits during the transportation planning process, local governments would be able to link their local appreciate mitigation actions into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where diverse objectives should be achieved simultaneously. This study first clarifies the co-benefits approach to climate change mitigation in the transport system, by introducing an integrated multiple-impact framework known as A-S-I (Avoid-Shift-Improve) to evaluate the co-benefits. Thereafter, it applies the quantitative modeling approach to assess public health and environmental co-benefits of the implementation of the Tehran Transportation Master Plan, “the TTMP” in the city of Tehran, Iran, which includes targeted interventions such as shifting from private vehicles to the urban transport system, improving vehicle technologies and introducing alternative fuels. The results from the application of “the TTMP” reveal a significant reduction of CO2 and other local air pollutant emissions by 12.9 and 1.4 million tons, respectively, prevention of about 10,000 mortality cases, and more than USD 35 million savings by 2030.
A Review on Communication Standards and Charging Topologies of V2G and V2H Operation Strategies
Authors: Vadi Seyfettin , Bayindir Ramazan , Colak Alperen Mustafa , Hossain Eklas
Published: September 2019

Electric vehicles are the latest form of technology developed to create an environmentally friendly transportation sector and act as an additional energy source to minimize the demand on the grid. This comprehensive research review presents the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and the vehicle-to-home (V2H) technologies, along with their structures, components, power electronic topologies, communication standards, socket structure, and charging methods. In addition, the charging topologies in V2G and V2H are given in detail. This study is planned as a useful guide for future studies that can be achieved in that it compares the results obtained and analyzes the studies in the literature, finding the advantages and disadvantages of charging topologies in V2G and V2H.
Full-Time-Scale Fluid-to-Ground Thermal Response of a Borefield with Uniform Fluid Temperature
Authors: Naldi Claudia , Zanchini Enzo
Published: September 2019

The most accurate method for the design and the simulation of a borehole heat exchanger (BHE) field is employing the fluid-to-ground thermal response of the field, namely the mean-fluid-temperature rise produced by a time-constant thermal power supplied to the fluid. Usually, a short-term and a long-term model are applied, with results matched at a selected time instant. In this paper we propose a method to determine the full-time-scale thermal response of a BHE field that employs one numerical model and yields accurate results with a reasonable computation time. Each BHE is modeled as a one-material cylinder with the same radius as the BHE, surrounded by the ground and containing a heat-generating cylindrical surface whose temperature represents that of the fluid. The condition of uniform fluid temperature and time-constant total power supplied to the fluid, necessary for the long-term accuracy, is obtained iteratively, by imposing at the generating surface uniform time-dependent temperatures that converge to the desired condition. A 2 × 2 square BHE field is employed as an example. The method is recommended to obtain the thermal response of a BHE field with uniform fluid temperature, with high accuracy both in the short and in the long term.
Restoring Degraded Forest Land with Native Tree Species: The Experience of “Bosques Amazónicos” in Ucayali, Peru
Authors: Rodríguez Jorge Chávez , Sabogal César
Published: September 2019

The case is a private initiative in Peruvian Amazon reforesting with native tree species on degraded lands for timber and carbon purposes. By 2018 around 870 hectares have been reforested and additionally 124 hectares are being restored through protection measures and assisted natural regeneration. The paper describes the local context and project design, the technical and social aspects of project implementation, the outcomes and challenges after 12 years, including some reflections on success factors, lessons learned and implications for other forest landscape restoration (FLR) projects.
Augmentation of Granular Anaerobic Sludge with Algalytic Bacteria Enhances Methane Production from Microalgal Biomass
Authors: Doloman Anna , Pererva Yehor , Cortez Michael H. , Sims Ronald C. , Miller Charles D.
Published: September 2019

The efficiency of anaerobic digestion relies upon activity of the inoculum converting organic substrate into biogas. Often, metabolic capacity of the inoculum needs to be augmented with new capabilities to accommodate changes in the substrate feed composition. However, bioaugmentation is not a widely used strategy possibly due to the lack of studies demonstrating successful applications. This study describes the bioaugmentation of granular anaerobic sludge digesting mixed algal biomass in batch-scale reactors. The addition of an algalytic bacterial mixture to the granular consortium increased methane yield by 11%. This study also investigated changes in the microbial 16SrRNA composition of the augmented and non-augmented granular inoculum, which demonstrates a significant change in the hydrolytic microbial community. Overall, the studies’ results aim to provide a feasible checklist to assess the success rates of bioaugmentation of anaerobic digestion applications.
Improvement in Carbonization Efficiency of Cellulosic Fibres Using Silylated Acetylene and Alkoxysilanes
Authors: Mironova Maria , Makarov Igor , Golova Lyudmila , Vinogradov Markel , Shandryuk Georgy , Levin Ivan
Published: September 2019

Comparative studies of the structure and thermal behavior of cellulose and composite precursors with additives of silyl-substituted acetylene and alkoxysilanes were carried out. It is shown that the introduction of silicon-containing additives into the cellulose matrix influenced the thermal behavior of the composite fibers and the carbon yield after carbonization. Comparison of the activation energies of the thermal decomposition reaction renders it possible to determine the type of additive and its concentration, which reduces the energy necessary for pyrolysis. It is shown that the C/O ratio in the additive and the presence of the Si–C bond affected the activation energy and the temperature of the beginning and the end of the pyrolysis reaction.
Genotypic Categorization of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Based on 24 Novel Families and Literature Data
Authors: Camerota Letizia , Ritelli Marco , Wischmeijer Anita , Majore Silvia , Cinquina Valeria , Fortugno Paola , Monetta Rosanna , Gigante Laura , Marfan Syndrome Study Group Tor Vergata University Hospital  , Sangiuolo Federica Carla , Novelli Giuseppe , Colombi Marina , Brancati Francesco
Published: September 2019

Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a connective tissue disorder first described in 2005 featuring aortic/arterial aneurysms, dissections, and tortuosity associated with craniofacial, osteoarticular, musculoskeletal, and cutaneous manifestations. Heterozygous mutations in 6 genes (TGFBR1/2, TGFB2/3, SMAD2/3), encoding components of the TGF-β pathway, cause LDS. Such genetic heterogeneity mirrors broad phenotypic variability with significant differences, especially in terms of the age of onset, penetrance, and severity of life-threatening vascular manifestations and multiorgan involvement, indicating the need to obtain genotype-to-phenotype correlations for personalized management and counseling. Herein, we report on a cohort of 34 LDS patients from 24 families all receiving a molecular diagnosis. Fifteen variants were novel, affecting the TGFBR1 (6), TGFBR2 (6), SMAD3 (2), and TGFB2 (1) genes. Clinical features were scored for each distinct gene and matched with literature data to strengthen genotype-phenotype correlations such as more severe vascular manifestations in TGFBR1/2-related LDS. Additional features included spontaneous pneumothorax in SMAD3-related LDS and cervical spine instability in TGFB2-related LDS. Our study broadens the clinical and molecular spectrum of LDS and indicates that a phenotypic continuum emerges as more patients are described, although genotype-phenotype correlations may still contribute to clinical management.
Transcription Factors Associated with Abiotic and Biotic Stress Tolerance and Their Potential for Crops Improvement
Authors: Baillo Elamin Hafiz , Kimotho Roy Njoroge , Zhang Zhengbin , Xu Ping
Published: September 2019

In field conditions, crops are adversely affected by a wide range of abiotic stresses including drought, cold, salt, and heat, as well as biotic stresses including pests and pathogens. These stresses can have a marked effect on crop yield. The present and future effects of climate change necessitate the improvement of crop stress tolerance. Plants have evolved sophisticated stress response strategies, and genes that encode transcription factors (TFs) that are master regulators of stress-responsive genes are excellent candidates for crop improvement. Related examples in recent studies include TF gene modulation and overexpression approaches in crop species to enhance stress tolerance. However, much remains to be discovered about the diverse plant TFs. Of the >80 TF families, only a few, such as NAC, MYB, WRKY, bZIP, and ERF/DREB, with vital roles in abiotic and biotic stress responses have been intensively studied. Moreover, although significant progress has been made in deciphering the roles of TFs in important cereal crops, fewer TF genes have been elucidated in sorghum. As a model drought-tolerant crop, sorghum research warrants further focus. This review summarizes recent progress on major TF families associated with abiotic and biotic stress tolerance and their potential for crop improvement, particularly in sorghum. Other TF families and non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression are discussed briefly. Despite the emphasis on sorghum, numerous examples from wheat, rice, maize, and barley are included. Collectively, the aim of this review is to illustrate the potential application of TF genes for stress tolerance improvement and the engineering of resistant crops, with an emphasis on sorghum.
Petrologic History of Lunar Phosphates Accounts for the Water Content of the Moon’s Mare Basalts
Authors: Álvarez-Valero Antonio M. , Pernet-Fisher John F. , Kriegsman Leo M.
Published: September 2019

We present reaction balancing and thermodynamic modeling based on microtextural observations and mineral chemistry, to constrain the history of phosphate crystallization within two lunar mare basalts, 10003 and 14053. Phosphates are typically found within intercumulus melt pockets (mesostasis), representing the final stages of basaltic crystallization. In addition to phosphates, these pockets typically consist of Fe-rich clinopyroxene, fayalite, plagioclase, ilmenite, SiO2, and a residual K-rich glass. Some pockets also display evidence for unmixing into two immiscible melts: A Si-K-rich and an Fe-rich liquid. In these cases, the crystallization sequence is not always clear. Despite petrologic complications associated with mesostasis pockets (e.g., unmixing), the phosphates (apatite and merrillite) within these areas have been recently used for constraining the water content in the lunar mantle. We compute mineral reaction balancing for mesostasis pockets from Apollo high-Ti basalt 10003 and high-Al basalt 14053 to suggest that their parental magmas have an H2O content of 25 ± 10 ppm, consistent with reported estimates based on directly measured H2O abundances from these samples. Our results permit to constrain in which immiscible liquid a phosphate of interest crystallizes, and allows us to estimate the extent to which volatiles may have partitioned into other phases such as K-rich glass or surrounding clinopyroxene and plagioclase using a non-destructive method.
Respiratory Health in Adults Residing Near a Coal-Burning Power Plant with Coal Ash Storage Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Study
Authors: Hagemeyer Abby N. , Sears Clara G. , Zierold Kristina M.
Published: September 2019

Coal ash, the byproduct of burning coal made up of small particles, including heavy metals and radioactive elements, is discarded in open-air landfills where it can be emitted into the air, contributing to air pollution in the surrounding community. Few regulations exist regarding the storage, disposal, and transport of coal ash. There is limited research on the health impacts of coal ash exposure on communities. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among adults exposed to coal ash and non-exposed adults. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted among two populations: one exposed to coal ash and one not exposed to coal ash. Perception of health (p-Value < 0.0001), cough (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 5.30, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) = 2.60–11), shortness of breath (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.56–4.31), hoarseness (AOR = 4.02, 95% CI = 2.45–6.60), respiratory infections (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.14–2.89), and mean overall respiratory health score (p-Value < 0.0001) were all statistically significantly greater in exposed adults (N = 231) when compared to non-exposed adults (N = 170). Adults residing near the coal ash facility were more likely to report respiratory symptoms than the non-exposed population. More research on the health impact of coal ash and storage regulations needs to be conducted.
Knowledge, Skills, and Support Needed by Teaching Personnel for Managing Challenging Situations with Pupils
Authors: Markkanen Pihla , Anttila Minna , Välimäki Maritta
Published: September 2019

It is not uncommon for teachers to face challenging behavioral issues in their classrooms, including disruptive, aggressive, or insulting behavior toward peers or adults. In this paper, we describe what knowledge, skills, and support is needed among teaching personnel to manage challenging situations with pupils. This study was carried out in one comprehensive school in Southwest Finland. Two focus group interviews were conducted with teaching personnel (schoolteachers and classroom assistants, N = 16). The participants also wrote short texts about challenging situations they had experienced. The qualitative data were analyzed with inductive content analysis. According to the results, the teaching personnel needed better knowledge about the factors affecting pupils’ behavior and about good practices to apply with pupils in challenging situations. Moreover, the personnel lacked the skills needed to anticipate and recognize pupils’ moods and signs of mental distress, and expressed the desire for support from mental health professionals. Teachers with adequate knowledge about the factors linked to behavioral issues are more capable of promoting environments conducive to positive interactions with their pupils, thereby limiting challenging situations. When developing education and support for teaching personnel, collaboration between education and mental health professionals is essential.
Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Dental Attendance and Caries Experience among Children of Newcomers
Authors: Amin Maryam , Elyasi Maryam , Bohlouli Babak , ElSalhy Mohamed
Published: September 2019

Background: This study aimed to explore the predictors of regular dental attendance behavior and caries experience among children of newcomers to Canada using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Methods: A total of 274 newcomer parents with a child aged 1 to 12 years old who had lived in Canada for 10 years or less participated in this cross-sectional study. Children underwent a dental examination to measure their deft/DEFT, and parents completed a self-administered questionnaire. Parental attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intention were examined using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) as predictors of dental attendance behavior and caries experience using the TPB model. Results: Out of all the components of the model, attitude and PBC significantly predicted the intention (p < 0.05) while the subjective norm had no statistical effects on the loading of the model (p > 0.05). Intention significantly predicted behavior, but behavior could not predict caries experience. Although 51.6% of the variance of intention was predicted by this model, only 0.2% of the variance for dental attendance behavior was explained. Conclusions: The theory of planned behavior was successful in predicting dental attendance intention and behavior for children among newcomers, but this behavior could not predict caries experience in children.
Periodontal Disease Status among Adults from South Africa—Prevalence and Effect of Smoking
Authors: Chikte Usuf , Pontes Carla Cruvinel , Karangwa Innocent , Kimmie-Dhansay Faheema , Erasmus Rajiv T. , Kengne Andre P. , Matsha Tandi E.
Published: September 2019

Periodontal diseases are among the six most prevalent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide, constituting a burden for oral and general health. There is a shortage of epidemiological data on periodontal diseases in Africa. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to present the periodontal status and cotinine levels of a South African population of adults. This study included individuals living in the Belville South area. Bleeding on probing (BOP) and pocket depth were recorded for each tooth, and clinical attachment loss (CAL) was recorded as the highest score per sextant. Cotinine levels were measured in ng/mL. A total of 951 individuals were included. More than one third of all subjects had BOP. Regarding pocket depth, over 50% of the subjects had shallow pockets (4–5 mm), and almost 6% had deep pockets. CAL ≥ 4 mm was present in 40.1% of the subjects. Males presented worse periodontal conditions than females. In total, 52.7% of the participants had serum cotinine levels of ≥15 ng/mL. Cotinine levels had no effect on periodontal variables. Periodontal diseases were highly prevalent, and periodontal conditions were worse in males. Preventive and restorative public health programs are required to improve oral health in this population.
Toward an Integrated Model for Soft-Mobility
Authors: Chapman David , Larsson Agneta
Published: September 2019

A key urban design challenge is to create built environments that encourage outdoor activity all year round. This study explores a new model for soft-mobility that places the interaction between the urban form, the seasonal climate and climate change, and the individual at the center of people’s soft-mobility choices, or in more general, their modal choice. The research methods used were comparative studies of documents, surveys, mental mapping, and photo elicitation. These studies were undertaken to research people’s outdoor activity in the built environment during the winter season of a cold climate settlement. The results were analyzed against the three-dimensions of the model. In the discussion it is argued that in places with significant climate variation, the interaction between the urban form, the season, and the individual together influence soft-mobility choices. In turn, these interactions influence people’s level of outdoor activity and the individual health benefits such activity can afford. In conclusion, it is highlighted that all three dimensions of the model are in a constant state of change and evolution, especially in relation to planning and development processes and climate change.
Factors Associated with Preventable Emergency Department Visits for Nontraumatic Dental Conditions in the U.S.
Authors: Kim Pearl C. , Zhou Wenlian , McCoy Shawn J. , McDonough Ian K. , Burston Betty , Ditmyer Marcia , Shen Jay J.
Published: September 2019

This study was designed to examine national trends and evaluate social determinants of health that were associated with the provision of dental services in emergency rooms in the United States between 2007 and 2014. A pooled cross-sectional database of emergency department (ED) visits combined the 2007–2014 waves of the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. A total of 3,761,958 ED visits with dental conditions were extracted and the principal diagnosis was identified. A series of modified Poisson regression models were used to assess the relationship between patient sociodemographic factors and hospital characteristics, and the likelihood of visiting the ED for a nontraumatic dental reason. Unadjusted descriptive results indicated that there was no apparent increase in the percentage of patients who visited an ED with nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDCs) between 2007 and 2014. The greatest users of EDs for NTDCs were among those who were uninsured and Medicaid beneficiaries relative to persons privately insured. ED visitors were more likely to reside in lower socioeconomic areas (when compared with visitors in the top quartile of the income distribution). Patients in all other age groups were more likely to seek care in an ED for NTDCs relative to those 65 years of age or older. Multiple strategies are required to reduce the use of EDs for routine dental care. This approach will require an interprofessional dialogue and solutions that reduce barriers to receiving dental care.
Enjoyment and Intensity of Physical Activity in Immersive Virtual Reality Performed on Innovative Training Devices in Compliance with Recommendations for Health
Authors: Dębska Małgorzata , Polechoński Jacek , Mynarski Arkadiusz , Polechoński Piotr
Published: September 2019

The aim of the study is to assess the enjoyment and intensity of physical exercise while practicing physical activity (PA) in immersive virtual reality (IVR) using innovative training devices (omni-directional Omni treadmill and Icaros Pro flight simulator). The study also contains the results of subjective research on the usefulness of such a form of PA in the opinion of users. In total, 61 adults (10 women and 51 men) took part in the study. To assess the enjoyment level (EL) Interest/Enjoyment subscale of Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) was used. Exercise intensity was assessed during 10-min sessions of active video games (AVGs) in IVR based on heart rate (HR). The average enjoyment level during physical exercise in IVR on the tested training devices was high (Omni 5.74 points, Icaros 5.60 points on a 1–7 Likert scale) and differed significantly in favor of PA on Omni. In the opinion of the majority of participants, AVGs in IVR on the tested devices constitute a sufficiently useful form of PA to meet the needs of leisure time activities, and they can even replace some forms of physical effort performed in a classic way. The intensity of PA during games on training devices was at the level recommended for health benefits for 80.55% (Omni) and 50.77% (Icaros Pro) of its duration. Based on the conducted research, it can be assumed that AVGs in IVR using a multi-directional treadmill and a flight simulator can be an effective tool for increasing participation in health-oriented PA.
How Does Economic Inequality Affect Infanticide Rates? An Analysis of 15 Years of Death Records and Representative Economic Data
Authors: Baek Seong-Uk , Lim Sung-Shil , Kim Jihyun , Yoon Jin-Ha
Published: September 2019

Background: Is there a relationship between economic inequality and infanticide rates? Few studies have examined the socioeconomic factors that trigger infanticide. This study aims to statistically analyze the effect of these factors on infanticide rates. Methods: This study used infant death records in South Korea from 2003 to 2017 to assess the impact of unemployment rates and various statistical indicators (e.g., GDP and income inequality index) on the rate of infanticide. A generalized additive model and a quasi-Poisson regression were used for statistical analyses. Results: A time-trend analysis shows that the infanticide rate tended to grow despite a decreasing trend in the quarterly infant mortality rate. A 1% increase in the unemployment rate is associated with a significant rise in the relative risk of infanticide after a lag of two quarters. Relative risks increased significantly three and four quarters after a 0.1 rise in the p80/p20 ratio (income inequality index). Conclusions: Policymakers should pay attention to socioeconomic factors while formulating healthcare regulations to protect potential infanticide victims, including vulnerable infants and their parents.
A Multiform, Group-Based Rehabilitation Program for Visually Impaired Young People to Promote Activity and Participation. A Pilot Study
Authors: Salminen Anna-Liisa , Heiskanen Tuija , Suomela-Markkanen Tiina
Published: September 2019

Young people with visual impairment (YPWVI) face several challenges in their everyday lives. However, little is known about interventions that focus on promoting their participation that contributes to health and well-being and is considered the most relevant outcome in rehabilitation. Objectives: This study investigated the clinical outcomes and acceptability of a new one-year, multiform, group-based rehabilitation program for YPWVI. The aim of the pilot program was to support them becoming more independent and to promote their participation. Rehabilitation consisted of group-meetings in an institutional setting, online group meetings, individually tailored one-on-one guidance, individual online discussions and parents’ group meetings. Fifteen young persons with visual impairment were recruited and 14 completed the intervention, six of whom were blind or had severe visual impairment and eight had mild visual loss. Methodology: The study utilized a mixed methods triangulation design. Clinical outcome measures were goal attainment scaling (GAS) and occupational performance (COPM) completed with qualitative interview data. Focus group interviews with participants and parents were used to evaluate the acceptability of the program. Results: GAS-rated personal goals were widely achieved and the scores of both performance and satisfaction scales of COPM improved. Overall, the rehabilitation program proved to be acceptable. Group-based rehabilitation was deemed very important and it enabled peer support. However, two-day periods of inpatient rehabilitation, proved to be too short, whereas five-day periods were considered to disturb schoolwork. Conclusions: Group-based multi-form rehabilitation for YPWVI can have a positive impact on activity and participation of the participants. The program can support independence and the achievement of rehabilitation goals. The group format was applauded for providing social support and company. The program required some structural modifications.
Analysis of the Local Agenda 21 in Madrid Compared with Other Global Actions in Sustainable Development
Authors: Diaz-Sarachaga Jose Manuel
Published: September 2019

Over the last two decades, numerous towns have been involved in the Local Agenda 21 program in Spain, which is founded on social participation. In the wake of this initiative, the recent promotion of the new Spanish Urban Agenda by the national government seeks to implement the 2030 Agenda in municipalities nationwide. This research aims to examine the Local Agenda 21 process by using Madrid as a case study to determine the lessons learned to enable the effective application of the new Spanish Urban Agenda. A total of 3712 activities included in the action plans of the 21 districts of Madrid were analyzed to identify linkages with the Sustainable Development Goals and the targets of Sustainable Development Goal # 11 (“Sustainable cities and communities”). Methodologies used were solely oriented to develop an ad hoc Local Agenda 21 plan for each district, hindering the comparison of schemes and findings. Social, institutional, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development were not equally considered by the plans, being the first two aspects the most predominant. Social engagement hardly reached 0.44% of the registered population. The contribution of all action plans to the sustainable development of Madrid was not assessed due to the absence of indicators in the program.
Development of Subjective Well-Being in Adolescence
Authors: Steinmayr Ricarda , Wirthwein Linda , Modler Laura , Barry Margaret M.
Published: September 2019

Despite the importance of subjective well-being (SWB) for students’ mental and physical health, there is a lack of longitudinal studies investigating the development of SWB in adolescents and what factors are associated with it over time. The present study seeks to shed further light on this question by investigating adolescents longitudinally. A sample of German academic tracks students (N = 476) from five schools were followed longitudinally over a time period of 30 months with four measurement points from Grade 11 to Grade 13. Alongside the longitudinal assessment of SWB (mood and life satisfaction), a range of other factors were also assessed at t1 including; demographic factors (sex, age, socio-economic status (HISEI)), intelligence, grades (report cards provided by the schools), personality (neuroticism, extraversion) and perceived parental expectations and support. Latent growth curve models were conducted to investigate the development of SWB and its correlates. On average, mood and life satisfaction improved at the end of mandatory schooling. However, students significantly differed in this pattern of change. Students’ life satisfaction developed more positively if students had good grades at t1. Furthermore, even though introverted students started with lower life satisfaction at t1, extraverts’ life showed greater increases over time. Changes in mood were associated with socio-economic background; the higher the HISEI the more positive the change. As social comparisons in school performance are almost inevitable, schools should intervene to buffer the influence of school grades on students’ SWB.
What Are the Driving Forces of Urban CO2 Emissions in China? A Refined Scale Analysis between National and Urban Agglomeration Levels
Authors: Wang Hui , Liu Guifen , Shi Kaifang
Published: September 2019

With the advancement of society and the economy, environmental problems have increasingly emerged, in particular, problems with urban CO2 emissions. Exploring the driving forces of urban CO2 emissions is necessary to gain a better understanding of the spatial patterns, processes, and mechanisms of environmental problems. Thus, the purpose of this study was to quantify the driving forces of urban CO2 emissions from 2000 to 2015 in China, including explicit consideration of a comparative analysis between national and urban agglomeration levels. Urban CO2 emissions with a 1-km spatial resolution were extracted for built-up areas based on the anthropogenic carbon dioxide (ODIAC) fossil fuel emission dataset. Six factors, namely precipitation, slope, temperature, population density, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and gross domestic product (GDP), were selected to investigate the driving forces of urban CO2 emissions in China. Then, a probit model was applied to examine the effects of potential factors on urban CO2 emissions. The results revealed that the population, GDP, and NDVI were all positive driving forces, but that temperature and precipitation had negative effects on urban CO2 emissions at the national level. In the middle and south Liaoning urban agglomeration (MSL), the slope, population density, NDVI, and GDP were significant influencing factors. In the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration (PRD), six factors had significant impacts on urban CO2 emissions, all of which were positive except for slope, which was a negative factor. Due to China’s hierarchical administrative levels, the model results suggest that regardless of which level is adopted, the impacts of the driving factors on urban CO2 emissions are quite different at the national compared to the urban agglomeration level. The degrees of influence of most factors at the national level were lower than those of factors at the urban agglomeration level. Based on an analysis of the forces driving urban CO2 emissions, we propose that it is necessary that the environment play a guiding role while regions formulate policies which are suitable for emission reductions according to their distinct characteristics.
Crystal Structure of Kluyveromyces lactis Glucokinase (KlGlk1)
Authors: Zak Krzysztof M. , Kalińska Magdalena , Wątor Elżbieta , Kuśka Katarzyna , Krutyhołowa Rościsław , Dubin Grzegorz , Popowicz Grzegorz M. , Grudnik Przemysław
Published: September 2019

Glucose phosphorylating enzymes are crucial in the regulation of basic cellular processes, including metabolism and gene expression. Glucokinases and hexokinases provide a pool of phosphorylated glucose in an adenosine diphosphate (ADP)- and ATP-dependent manner to shape the cell metabolism. The glucose processing enzymes from Kluyveromyces lactis are poorly characterized despite the emerging contribution of this yeast strain to industrial and laboratory scale biotechnology. The first reports on K. lactis glucokinase (KlGlk1) positioned the enzyme as an essential component required for glucose signaling. Nevertheless, no biochemical and structural information was available until now. Here, we present the first crystal structure of KlGlk1 together with biochemical characterization, including substrate specificity and enzyme kinetics. Additionally, comparative analysis of the presented structure and the prior structures of lactis hexokinase (KlHxk1) demonstrates the potential transitions between open and closed enzyme conformations upon ligand binding.
Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter Structure and Function in Different Types of Muscle Tissues in Health and Disease
Authors: Tarasova Nadezhda , Vishnyakova Polina , Logashina Yulia , Elchaninov Andrey
Published: September 2019

Calcium ions (Ca2+) influx to mitochondrial matrix is crucial for the life of a cell. Mitochondrial calcium uniporter (mtCU) is a protein complex which consists of the pore-forming subunit (MCU) and several regulatory subunits. MtCU is the main contributor to inward Ca2+ currents through the inner mitochondrial membrane. Extensive investigations of mtCU involvement into normal and pathological molecular pathways started from the moment of discovery of its molecular components. A crucial role of mtCU in the control of these pathways is now recognized in both health and disease. In particular, impairments of mtCU function have been demonstrated for cardiovascular and skeletal muscle-associated pathologies. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on mtCU structure, regulation, and function in different types of muscle tissues in health and disease.