bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute Effects of Substitution, and Addition, of Carbohydrates and Fat to Protein on Gastric Emptying, Blood Glucose, Gut Hormones, Appetite, and Energy Intake
Authors: Giezenaar Caroline , Lange Kylie , Hausken Trygve , Jones Karen L. , Horowitz Michael , Chapman Ian , Soenen Stijn
Published: October 2018

Whey protein, when ingested on its own, load-dependently slows gastric emptying and stimulates gut hormone concentrations in healthy young men. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of substitution, and addition, of carbohydrate (dextrose) and fat (olive oil) to whey protein. In randomized, double-blind order, 13 healthy young men (age: 23 ± 1 years, body mass index: 24 ± 1 kg/m2) ingested a control drink (450 mL; ~2 kcal/‘control’) or iso-volumetric drinks containing protein/carbohydrate/fat: (i) 14 g/28 g/12.4 g (280 kcal/‘M280′), (ii) 70 g/28 g/12.4 g (504kcal/‘M504′), and (iii) 70 g/0 g/0 g (280 kcal/‘P280′), on 4 separate study days. Gastric emptying (n = 11, 3D-ultrasonography), blood glucose, plasma insulin, ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations (0–180 min), appetite (visual analogue scales), and ad-libitum buffet-meal energy intake (180–210 min) were determined. Substitution of protein with carbohydrate and fat was associated with faster gastric emptying (lower 50% emptying time (T50)), reduced suppression of ghrelin, and stimulation of GLP-1 (all P < 0.001); while the addition of carbohydrate and fat to protein did not affect gastric emptying or gut hormone responses significantly. Total energy intake (i.e., drink plus meal) was greater after all caloric drinks than control (P < 0.001). In conclusion, substitution of whey protein with dextrose and olive oil accelerated gastric emptying. Higher protein content of a mixed macronutrient drink increased gut hormone and insulin responses.
Experimental Study of Thermal Behavior of Insulation Material Rigid Polyurethane in Parallel, Symmetric, and Adjacent Building Façade Constructions
Authors: Ma Xin , Tu Ran , Cheng Xudong , Zhu Shuguang , Ma Jinwei , Fang Tingyong
Published: October 2018

Both experimental and theoretical methods were proposed to assess the effects of adjacent, parallel, and symmetric exterior wall structures on the combustion and flame spreading characteristics of rigid polyurethane (PUR) foam insulation. During the combustion of PUR specimens, the flame leading edge was found to transfer from a unique inverted ‘W’ shape to an inverted ‘V’ during flame propagation. This phenomenon is attributed to edge effects related to boundary layer theory. The effects of the adjacent façade angle on flame spreading rate and flame height were shown to be nonlinear, as a result of the combined influences of heat transfer, radiation angle, and the chimney restriction effects. A critical angle around 90 degree with maximum thermal hazards outwards by parallel fire was observed and consistent with the mass loss rate and flame height tendencies. For narrow spacing configurations or angles (e.g., 60 and 90 degrees), phenomenological two-pass processing in conjunction showed that increased preheating lengths were associated with enhanced heat transfer. The results of this study have implications concerning the design of safe façade structures for high-rise buildings, and provide a better understanding of downward flame spreading over PUR.
Luminescent and UV-Shielding ZnO Quantum Dots/Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Nanocomposite Polymer Films
Authors: Li Tianyi , Li Bin , Ji Yali , Wang Lili
Published: October 2018

Luminescent and UV-shielding bio-polymers have seldom been reported. Zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnOQD) (~3.2 nm) was synthesized by a short-term sol-gel method. ZnOQD possessed a crystal lattice spacing of 0.28 nm and a hexagonal wurtzite structure. Luminescent and UV-shielding ZnOQD/carboxymethylcellulose sodium (CMC) nanocomposite polymer films were successfully fabricated by incorporating ZnOQD into a CMC matrix through a solution casting method. Thermal analysis demonstrated that the ZnOQD reduce the thermal decomposition rate of CMC, and a large number of ZnOQD can promote the catalytic degradation of ZnOQD/CMC nanocomposites. Furthermore, ZnOQD/CMC hybrid polymer films exhibited photoluminescence with maximum emission wavelength at 525 nm. More significantly, ZnOQD/CMC showed prominent UV-absorbing capability. Such ZnOQD/CMC nanocomposite polymer films are promising in UV-shielding and optical applications.
Modeling the Separation of Microorganisms in Bioprocesses by Flotation
Authors: Schmideder Stefan , Kirse Christoph , Hofinger Julia , Rollié Sascha , Briesen Heiko
Published: October 2018

Bioprocesses for the production of renewable energies and materials lack efficient separation processes for the utilized microorganisms such as algae and yeasts. Dissolved air flotation (DAF) and microflotation are promising approaches to overcome this problem. The efficiency of these processes depends on the ability of microorganisms to aggregate with microbubbles in the flotation tank. In this study, different new or adapted aggregation models for microbubbles and microorganisms are compared and investigated for their range of suitability to predict the separation efficiency of microorganisms from fermentation broths. The complexity of the heteroaggregation models range from an algebraic model to a 2D population balance model (PBM) including the formation of clusters containing several bubbles and microorganisms. The effect of bubble and cell size distributions on the flotation efficiency is considered by applying PBMs, as well. To determine the sensitivity of the results on the model assumptions, the modeling approaches are compared, and suggestions for their range of applicability are given. Evaluating the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of a dissolved air flotation (DAF) system shows the heterogeneity of the fluid dynamics in the flotation tank. Since analysis of the streamlines of the tank show negligible back mixing, the proposed aggregation models are coupled to the CFD data by applying a Lagrangian approach.
Dark of the World, Shine on Us: The Redemption of Blackness in Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther
Authors: Faithful George
Published: October 2018

Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film Black Panther portrays the heroes of the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda as godlike. They possess otherworldly sophistication by virtue of their blackness, in contrast to longstanding tendencies in mainstream film toward tokenism, stereotyping, and victimhood in depictions of people of African descent. The superhero the Black Panther, a.k.a. King T’Challa, learns to stand in solidarity with the oppressed, even those in whose oppression he has been unwittingly complicit, such as the children of the African diaspora. As a result, the film can function as catalyst for reflection on the part of viewers in terms of how they might perceive more clearly the complexity, variety, and ambiguity represented by blackness, whether others’ or their own, and how they, too, might identify with the Other.
The Implementation of a Mineral Dust Wet Deposition Scheme in the GOCART-AFWA Module of the WRF Model
Authors: Tsarpalis Konstantinos , Papadopoulos Anastasios , Mihalopoulos Nikolaos , Spyrou Christos , Michaelides Silas , Katsafados Petros
Published: October 2018

The principal objective of this study is to present and evaluate an advanced dust wet deposition scheme in the Weather and Research Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem). As far as the chemistry component is concerned, the Georgia Tech Goddard Global Ozone Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport of the Air Force Weather Agency (GOCART-AFWA) module is applied, as it supports a binary scheme for dust emissions and transport. However, the GOCART-AFWA aerosol module does not incorporate a wet scavenging scheme, nor does it interact with cloud processes. The integration of a dust wet deposition scheme following Seinfeld and Pandis into the WRF-Chem model is assessed through a case study of large-scale Saharan dust transport over the Eastern Mediterranean that is characterized by severe wet deposition over Greece. An acceptable agreement was found between the calculated and measured near surface PM10 concentrations, as well as when model estimated atmospheric optical depth (AOD) was validated against the AERONET measurements, indicating the validity of our dust wet deposition scheme.
A Robotic Context Query-Processing Framework Based on Spatio-Temporal Context Ontology
Authors: Lee Seokjun , Kim Incheol
Published: October 2018

Service robots operating in indoor environments should recognize dynamic changes from sensors, such as RGB-depth (RGB-D) cameras, and recall the past context. Therefore, we propose a context query-processing framework, comprising spatio-temporal robotic context query language (ST-RCQL) and a spatio-temporal robotic context query-processing system (ST-RCQP), for service robots. We designed them based on spatio-temporal context ontology. ST-RCQL can query not only the current context knowledge, but also the past. In addition, ST-RCQL includes a variety of time operators and time constants; thus, queries can be written very efficiently. The ST-RCQP is a query-processing system equipped with a perception handler, working memory, and backward reasoner for real-time query-processing. Moreover, ST-RCQP accelerates query-processing speed by building a spatio-temporal index in the working memory, where percepts are stored. Through various qualitative and quantitative experiments, we demonstrate the high efficiency and performance of the proposed context query-processing framework.
Consensus-Based Sequential Estimation of Process Parameters via Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Lin Feilong , Li Wenbai , Yuan Liyong
Published: October 2018

Process parameter estimation, to a large extent, determines the industrial production quality. However, limited sensors can be deployed in a traditional wired manner, which results in poor process parameter estimation in hostile environments. Industrial wireless sensor networks (IWSNs) are techniques that enrich sampling points by flexible sensor deployment and then purify the target by collaborative signal denoising. In this paper, the process industry scenario is concerned, where the workpiece is transferred on the belt and the parameter estimate is required before entering into the next process stage. To this end, a consensus-based sequential estimation (CSE) framework is proposed which utilizes the co-design of IWSN and parameter state estimation. First, a group-based network deployment strategy, together with a TDMA (Time division multiple access)-based scheduling scheme is provided to track and sample the moving workpiece. Then, by matching to the tailored IWSN, the sequential estimation algorithm, which is based on the consensus-based Kalman estimation, is developed, and the optimal estimator that minimizes the mean-square error (MSE) is derived under the uncertain wireless communications. Finally, a case study on temperature estimation during the hot milling process is provided. The results show that the estimation error can be reduced to less than 3 ∘ C within a limited time period, although the measurement error can be more than 100 ∘ C in existing systems with a single-point temperature sensor.
EEG-Based Control for Upper and Lower Limb Exoskeletons and Prostheses: A Systematic Review
Authors: AL-Quraishi Maged S. , Elamvazuthi Irraivan , Daud Siti Asmah , Parasuraman S. , Borboni Alberto
Published: October 2018

Electroencephalography (EEG) signals have great impact on the development of assistive rehabilitation devices. These signals are used as a popular tool to investigate the functions and the behavior of the human motion in recent research. The study of EEG-based control of assistive devices is still in early stages. Although the EEG-based control of assistive devices has attracted a considerable level of attention over the last few years, few studies have been carried out to systematically review these studies, as a means of offering researchers and experts a comprehensive summary of the present, state-of-the-art EEG-based control techniques used for assistive technology. Therefore, this research has three main goals. The first aim is to systematically gather, summarize, evaluate and synthesize information regarding the accuracy and the value of previous research published in the literature between 2011 and 2018. The second goal is to extensively report on the holistic, experimental outcomes of this domain in relation to current research. It is systematically performed to provide a wealthy image and grounded evidence of the current state of research covering EEG-based control for assistive rehabilitation devices to all the experts and scientists. The third goal is to recognize the gap of knowledge that demands further investigation and to recommend directions for future research in this area.
BATS: Adaptive Ultra Low Power Sensor Network for Animal Tracking
Authors: Duda Niklas , Nowak Thorsten , Hartmann Markus , Schadhauser Michael , Cassens Björn , Wägemann Peter , Nabeel Muhammad , Ripperger Simon , Herbst Sebastian , Meyer-Wegener Klaus , Mayer Frieder , Dressler Falko , Schröder-Preikschat Wolfgang , Kapitza Rüdiger , Robert Jörg , Thielecke Jörn , Weigel Robert , Kölpin Alexander
Published: October 2018

In this paper, the BATS project is presented, which aims to track the behavior of bats via an ultra-low power wireless sensor network. An overview about the whole project and its parts like sensor node design, tracking grid and software infrastructure is given and the evaluation of the project is shown. The BATS project includes a lightweight sensor node that is attached to bats and combines multiple features. Communication among sensor nodes allows tracking of bat encounters. Flight trajectories of individual tagged bats can be recorded at high spatial and temporal resolution by a ground node grid. To increase the communication range, the BATS project implemented a long-range telemetry system to still receive sensor data outside the standard ground node network. The whole system is designed with the common goal of ultra-low energy consumption while still maintaining optimal measurement results. To this end, the system is designed in a flexible way and is able to adapt its functionality according to the current situation. In this way, it uses the energy available on the sensor node as efficient as possible.
Positioning Performance of BDS Observation of the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China and Its Potential Application on Crustal Deformation
Authors: Su Xiaoning , Meng Guojie , Sun Haili , Wu Weiwei
Published: October 2018

The Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) has begun receiving BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) observations since 2015, and accumulated more than 2.5 years of data. BDS observations has been widely applied in many fields, and long-term continuous data provide a new strategy for the study of crustal deformation in China. This paper focuses on the evaluation of BDS positioning performance and its potential application on crustal deformation in CMONOC. According to the comparative analysis on multipath delay (MPD) and signal to noise ratio (SNR) between BDS and GPS data, the data quality of BDS is at the same level with GPS measurements in COMONC. The spatial distribution of BDS positioning accuracy evaluated as the root mean square (RMS) of daily residual position time series on horizontal component is latitude-dependent, declining with the increasing of station latitude, while the vertical one is randomly distributed in China. The mean RMS of BDS position residual time series is 7 mm and 22 mm on horizontal and vertical components, respectively, and annual periodicity in position time series can be identified by BDS data. In view of the accuracy of BDS positioning, there are no systematic differences between GPS and BDS results. Based on time series analysis with data volume being 2.5 years, the noise characteristics of BDS daily position time series is time-correlated and corresponding noise is white plus flicker noise model, and the derived mean RMS of the BDS velocities is 1.2, 1.5, and 4.1 mm/year on north, east, and up components, respectively. The imperfect performance of BDS positioning relative to GPS is likely attributed to the relatively low accuracy of BDS ephemeris, and the sparse amount of MEO satellites distribution in the BDS constellation. It is expectable to study crustal deformation in CMONOC by BDS with the gradual maturity of its constellation and the accumulation of observations.
Interest Forwarding in Named Data Networking Using Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Akinwande Olumide
Published: October 2018

In-network caching is one of the key features of information-centric networks (ICN), where forwarding entities in a network are equipped with memory with which they can temporarily store contents and satisfy en route requests. Exploiting in-network caching, therefore, presents the challenge of efficiently coordinating the forwarding of requests with the volatile cache states at the routers. In this paper, we address information-centric networks and consider in-network caching specifically for Named Data Networking (NDN) architectures. Our proposal departs from the forwarding algorithms which primarily use links that have been selected by the routing protocol for probing and forwarding. We propose a novel adaptive forwarding strategy using reinforcement learning with the random neural network (NDNFS-RLRNN), which leverages the routing information and actively seeks new delivery paths in a controlled way. Our simulations show that NDNFS-RLRNN achieves better delivery performance than a strategy that uses fixed paths from the routing layer and a more efficient performance than a strategy that retrieves contents from the nearest caches by flooding requests.
Automatic Rectification of the Hybrid Stereo Vision System
Authors: Cai Chengtao , Fan Bing , Liang Xin , Zhu Qidan
Published: October 2018

By combining the advantages of 360-degree field of view cameras and the high resolution of conventional cameras, the hybrid stereo vision system could be widely used in surveillance. As the relative position of the two cameras is not constant over time, its automatic rectification is highly desirable when adopting a hybrid stereo vision system for practical use. In this work, we provide a method for rectifying the dynamic hybrid stereo vision system automatically. A perspective projection model is proposed to reduce the computation complexity of the hybrid stereoscopic 3D reconstruction. The rectification transformation is calculated by solving a nonlinear constrained optimization problem for a given set of corresponding point pairs. The experimental results demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Decentralized Cooperative Localization with Fault Detection and Isolation in Robot Teams
Authors: Wu Mei , Ma Hongbin , Zhang Xinghong
Published: October 2018

Robot localization, particularly multirobot localization, is an important task for multirobot teams. In this paper, a decentralized cooperative localization (DCL) algorithm with fault detection and isolation is proposed to estimate the positions of robots in mobile robot teams. To calculate the interestimate correlations in a distributed manner, the split covariance intersection filter (SCIF) is applied in the algorithm. Based on the split covariance intersection filter cooperative localization (SCIFCL) algorithm, we adopt fault detection and isolation (FDI) to improve the robustness and accuracy of the DCL results. In the proposed algorithm, the signature matrix of the original FDI algorithm is modified for application to DCL. A simulation-based comparative study is conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Beamforming Design for Full-Duplex SWIPT with Co-Channel Interference in Wireless Sensor Systems
Authors: Liu Xiaoqing , Jia Yinglin , Wen Zhigang , Zou Junwei , Li Shan
Published: October 2018

The simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) technique has been regarded as an appealing approach to prolong the lifetime of wireless sensor networks. However, co-channel interferences with SWIPT in wireless networks have not been investigated from a green communication perspective. In this paper, joint transmit and receive beamforming design for a full-duplex multiple-input multiple-output amplify-and-forward relay system with simultaneous wireless information and power transfer in WSNs is investigated. Multiple co-channel interferers are considered at the relay and destination sensor nodes. To minimize the mean-squared-error of the system, joint source and relay beamforming optimization is proposed while guaranteeing the transmit power constraints and destination’s energy harvesting constraint. An iterative algorithm based on alternating optimization with successive convex approximation which converges to a local optimum is proposed to solve the non-convex problem. Moreover, a low-complexity scheme is derived to reduce the computational complexity. Simulations for MSE versus iterations and MSE versus signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) demonstrate the convergence and good performance of the proposed schemes.
In Vivo Evaluation of Antirrhinum majus’ Wound-Healing Activity
Authors: Saqallah Fadi G. , Hamed Wafaa M. , Talib Wamidh H.
Published: October 2018

Mediterranean-native perennial plant Antirrhinum majus was scrutinized in this study for its antioxidant activity and its total phenolic content in order to test for the plant’s wound-healing capability. The traditional uses of this plant to treat gum scurvy, various tumors, ulcers, and hemorrhoids were the main idea behind this study. Leaves and flowers of the A. majus were extracted by maceration. Pilot qualitative phytochemical tests were made to check the presence of various secondary metabolites. Quantitatively, the flowers’ macerate indicated superlative results regarding antioxidant activity and total phenolic content. However, the in vivo wound-healing capability study was made using 30 Wistar strain albino rats. This innovative part of the study revealed that the healing power of the flowers’ extract ointment (5% w/w) was superior compared to the leaves’ extract (5% w/w) and the positive-control ointments (MEBO) (1.5% w/w) (p ≤ 0.001). This activity was assessed by visual examination, wound-length measurement, and estimation of hydroxyproline content. Antirrhinum majus is a promising plant to be considered for wound healing. However, further testing (including histological examination and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis) is necessary to understand more about its mechanisms of action.
Estimating Detection Limits in Chromatography from Calibration Data: Ordinary Least Squares Regression vs. Weighted Least Squares
Authors: Sanchez Juan M.
Published: October 2018

It is necessary to determine the limit of detection when validating any analytical method. For methods with a linear response, a simple and low labor-consuming procedure is to use the linear regression parameters obtained in the calibration to estimate the blank standard deviation from the residual standard deviation (sres), or the intercept standard deviation (sb0). In this study, multiple experimental calibrations are evaluated, applying both ordinary and weighted least squares. Moreover, the analyses of replicated blank matrices, spiked at 2–5 times the lowest calculated limit values with the two regression methods, are performed to obtain the standard deviation of the blank. The limits of detection obtained with ordinary least squares, weighted least squares, the signal-to-noise ratio, and replicate blank measurements are then compared. Ordinary least squares, which is the simplest and most commonly applied calibration regression methodology, always overestimate the values of the standard deviations at the lower levels of calibration ranges. As a result, the detection limits are up to one order of magnitude greater than those obtained with the other approaches studied, which all gave similar limits.
PV Waste Management at the Crossroads of Circular Economy and Energy Transition: The Case of South Korea
Authors: Kim Hana , Park Hun
Published: October 2018

The South Korean government’s renewable energy deployment plan aims to increase the share of electricity generated from renewables to 20% by 2030. To reach this goal, the rate of photovoltaic (PV) installation will accelerate in the coming years. This energy transition creates a new challenge: PV wastes. This study estimates the amount of PV waste generated, the material composition of PV waste, and the amount of recyclable metals in South Korea by 2080 under four different scenarios (combining shape parameters of 5.3759 [regular-loss] and 3.5 [early-loss] with PV module lifespans of 25 and 30 years) using the Weibull distribution function. The annual waste generated will fluctuate over time depending on the scenario, but between 4299 and 5764 thousand tons of PV waste will have been generated by 2080. Under the early-loss/25-year lifespan scenario, annual PV waste generation will increase to exceed 130,000 tons in 2045, then decrease through 2063 before increasing once again. The fluctuation in annual PV waste generation appears stronger under regular-loss scenarios. An appropriate system for the monitoring, collection, and storage of PV waste needs to be arranged even before the volume becomes high enough for recycling to be economically viable. International cooperation could be a way to maintain the PV waste stream at an economically feasible scale. It would also be a good idea if the PV module could be designed in a way that would enable easier recycling or reuse.
On Occupant Behavior and Innovation Studies Towards High Performance Buildings: A Transdisciplinary Approach
Authors: Keskin Cem , Mengüç M. Pınar
Published: October 2018

With ever-increasing population and urbanization, it is crucial to decrease energy density in the built environment without sacrificing occupants’ comfort and well-being. This requires consideration of technological developments along with the human factor in order to achieve environmental and social sustainability. Two major contributors to the development of conceptualizations for human-centric technologies are behavior and innovation (B&I) studies. Behavior studies aims to explain individualistic or society-based dynamics of human behavior whereas the innovation studies focuses on social, economic, organizational, and regulatory dimensions and processes of inventive activity. If these studies are incorporated into the hardcore architecture and engineering disciplines with a transdisciplinary approach, the orchestration of occupant behavior and the innovative technologies would be possible, which in turn significantly enhance the comfort and energy efficiency in built environments. This paper aims to provide an overview of interdisciplinary dialog between B&I studies and underlines the role of their collaboration to leverage transdisciplinary research on human-building interaction for energy efficiency. The approach presented here is structured as a conceptual framework and named the ‘socio-technical core’ (STC). STC is to lead to more organic articulation of energy efficiency innovations with real life and pave the way for higher level of acceptance. In order to have a ‘big-picture’ for the well-accepted conceptualizations and the current status of interdisciplinary dialog, we provide a review of (B&I) theories and models along with network analysis of key concepts. Then we investigate the potential directions of future transdisciplinary efforts by discussing the influences of B&I studies to each other for application to energy efficiency studies. In order to put the analysis in a firm background, we provide a case study for thermostat, which can be considered as a product improved with B&I approaches during last decades. We also discuss the benefits of B&I based transdisciplinary research perspective by referring to few examples in literature and the points emerged in this study.
Understanding the Implementation Challenges of Urban Resilience Policies: Investigating the Influence of Urban Geological Risk in Thessaloniki, Greece
Authors: Pitidis Vangelis , Tapete Deodato , Coaffee Jon , Kapetas Leon , Porto de Albuquerque João
Published: October 2018

Urban Resilience has recently emerged as a systematic approach to urban sustainability. The malleable definition of resilience has rendered its operationalisation an intriguing task for contemporary cities trying to address their organisational problems and confront uncertainty in a holistic manner. In this article we investigate the implementation challenges emerging for Resilient Strategies by the inattention paid to urban geological risk. We conceptualise urban geological risk as the combination of urban geohazards, geological vulnerability and exposure of the built environment and focus on the case study of Thessaloniki, Greece, a city that joined the 100 Resilient Cities initiative in 2014 and published its “Resilience Strategy 2030” (RS) in 2017. After a review of the RS, historical records of natural hazard events and with evidence gathered through interviews with city officials, we emphasize on earthquakes and surface flooding as the most relevant geohazards for Thessaloniki to tackle in its journey towards urban resilience. First, we examine geological vulnerability to earthquakes in conjunction with exposure of the built environment, as an outcome of ageing building stock, high building densities and the urban configuration, in Acheiropoietos neighbourhood, within the historic centre of the city. Then, we explore geological risk to surface flooding in Perea, in Thermaikos Municipality, with a particular focus on flash floods, by demonstrating how limited consideration of local geomorphology as well as semi-regulated urban expansion and its limited connection with emergency planning increase exposure of the built environment to surface flooding. Finally, we come up with the major implementation challenges Thessaloniki’s RS faces with regard to urban geohazards.
Is the Social Responsibility Information Disclosed by the Companies really Valuable?—Evidence from Chinese Stock Price Synchronicity
Authors: Dai Jingwen , Lu Chao , Yang Yang , Zheng Yanhong
Published: October 2018

Social responsibility information disclosed by listed companies is an important way to transfer non-financial information to the stock market, which affects the level of stock price synchronicity. In order to explore whether Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) information is valuable in improving capital market pricing efficiency, this paper conducted empirical research based on a sample of China Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listed companies in years 2010–2015. The results showed that: (1) Overall, there is a significant positive correlation between CSR information and stock price synchronicity; (2) under different disclosure motives, there is no significant difference in the impact of CSR on stock price synchronicity; (3) Securities analysts and institutional investors can negatively regulate the positive relationship between CSR and stock price synchronicity, while the media will intensify the positive effect of CSR on stock price synchronicity. This research is of great significance in promoting the fulfillment of CSR and improving capital market pricing efficiency.
Uremia Impacts VE-Cadherin and ZO-1 Expression in Human Endothelial Cell-to-Cell Junctions
Authors: Maciel Rayana A. P. , Cunha Regiane S. , Busato Valentina , Franco Célia R. C. , Gregório Paulo C. , Dolenga Carla J. R. , Nakao Lia S. , Massy Ziad A. , Boullier Agnès , Pecoits-Filho Roberto , Stinghen Andréa E. M.
Published: October 2018

Endothelial dysfunction in uremia can result in cell-to-cell junction loss and increased permeability, contributing to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) development. This study evaluated the impact of the uremic milieu on endothelial morphology and cell junction’s proteins. We evaluated (i) serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers in a cohort of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and the expression of VE-cadherin and Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) junction proteins on endothelial cells (ECs) of arteries removed from CKD patients during renal transplant; (ii) ECs morphology in vitro under different uremic conditions, and (iii) the impact of uremic toxins p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), indoxyl sulfate (IS), and inorganic phosphate (Pi) as well as of total uremic serum on VE-cadherin and ZO-1 gene and protein expression in cultured ECs. We found that the uremic arteries had lost their intact and continuous endothelial morphology, with a reduction in VE-cadherin and ZO-1 expression. In cultured ECs, both VE-cadherin and ZO-1 protein expression decreased, mainly after exposure to Pi and uremic serum groups. VE-cadherin mRNA expression was reduced while ZO-1 was increased after exposure to PCS, IS, Pi, and uremic serum. Our findings show that uremia alters cell-to-cell junctions leading to an increased endothelial damage. This gives a new perspective regarding the pathophysiological role of uremia in intercellular junctions and opens new avenues to improve cardiovascular outcomes in CKD patients.
Epidemiology and Elimination of HCV-Related Liver Disease
Authors: Pradat Pierre , Virlogeux Victor , Trépo Eric
Published: October 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, defined by active carriage of HCV RNA, affects nearly 1.0% of the worldwide population. The main risk factors include unsafe injection drug use and iatrogenic infections. Chronic HCV infection can promote liver damage, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in affected individuals. The advent of new second-generation, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents allow a virological cure in more than 90% of treated patients, and therefore prevent HCV-related complications. Recently, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of DAA-regimens in cirrhotic patients with respect to the occurrence and the recurrence of HCC. Here, we review the current available data on HCV epidemiology, the beneficial effects of therapy, and discuss the recent controversy with respect to the potential link with liver cancer. We also highlight the challenges that have to be overcome to achieve the ambitious World Health Organization objective of HCV eradication by 2030.
The First Comparisons of IMERG and the Downscaled Results Based on IMERG in Hydrological Utility over the Ganjiang River Basin
Authors: Ma Ziqiang , Tan Xiao , Yang Yuan , Chen Xi , Kan Guangyuan , Ji Xiang , Lu Hanyu , Long Jian , Cui Yaokui , Hong Yang
Published: October 2018

Rainfall information is a prerequisite to and plays a vital role in driving hydrological models. However, limited by the observation methods, the obtained precipitation data, at present, are still too coarse. In this study, a new downscaling method was proposed to obtain high spatial resolution (~1 km/hourly) precipitation estimates based on Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data at hourly scale. Compared with original IMERG data, the downscaled precipitation results showed the similar spatial patterns with those of original IMERG data, but with finer spatial resolution. In addition, the downscaled precipitation estimates were further analyzed to quantify their improvements using the Coupled Routing and Excess STorage (CREST) model across Ganjiang River basin. Compared with the observed streamflow, the downscaled precipitation results showed satisfying hydrological performance, with Nash-Sutcliffe Coefficient of Efficiency (NSCE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Relative Bias (BIAS), and Correlation Coefficient (CC). The improvement in terms of four statistic metrics in terms of streamflow simulation also indicated great potential of hydrological utility for the downscaled precipitation results.
Numerical Simulation of Hydraulic Characteristics in A Vortex Drop Shaft
Authors: Zhang Wenchuan , Wang Junxing , Zhou Chuangbing , Dong Zongshi , Zhou Zhao
Published: October 2018

A new type of vortex drop shaft without ventilation holes is proposed to resolve the problems associated with insufficient aeration, negative pressure (Unless otherwise specified, the pressure in this text is gauge pressure and time-averaged pressure) on the shaft wall and cavitation erosion. The height of the intake tunnel is adjusted to facilitate aeration and convert the water in the intake tunnel to a non-pressurized flow. The hydraulic characteristics, including the velocity (Unless otherwise specified, the velocity in this text is time-averaged velocity), pressure and aeration concentration, are investigated through model experiment and numerical simulation. The results revealed that the RNG k-ε turbulence model can effectively simulate the flow characteristics of the vortex drop shaft. By changing the inflow conditions, water flowed into the vertical shaft through the intake tunnel with a large amount of air to form a stable mixing cavity. Frictional shearing along the vertical shaft wall and the collisions of rotating water molecules caused the turbulence of the flow to increase; the aeration concentration was sufficient, and the energy dissipation effect was excellent. The cavitation number indicated that the possibility of cavitation erosion was small. The results of this study provide a reference for the analysis of similar spillways.
Predicting the Future Manufacturing Cost of Batteries for Plug-In Vehicles for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2017–2025 Light-Duty Greenhouse Gas Standards
Authors: Safoutin Michael , McDonald Joseph , Ellies Ben
Published: October 2018

In developing the U.S. 2017–2025 Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) modeled lithium-ion battery packs for future electrified vehicles to estimate their direct manufacturing costs through 2025. As part of the 2016 Midterm Evaluation of the standards for model years (MY) 2022 to 2025, the analysis was revised to account for developments in battery design since the 2012 rulemaking. This paper describes the methodology that was used for estimating battery capacity, power, and cost, and compares the projected cost estimates to other sources. An empirical equation is derived for specifying motor power as a function of target acceleration time, and suggested factors for converting cell-level costs to pack-level costs are developed.
Attitudes towards faecal immunochemical testing in patients at increased risk of colorectal cancer: an online survey of GPs in England
Authors: von Wagner Christian , Stoffel Sandro , Freeman Madeleine , Laszlo Helga , Nicholson Brian D , Sheringham Jessican , Szinay Dorothy , Hirst Yasemin
Published: October 2018

Background

There is increasing interest in using a quantitative faecal immunochemical test (FIT) to rule out colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with high-risk symptoms in primary care.

Aim

This study aimed to investigate GPs’ attitudes and willingness to use a FIT over an urgent 2-week wait (2WW) referral.

Design and setting

A cross-sectional online survey involving 1024 GPs working across England.

Method

Logistic regression models were used to explore the likelihood of GPs using a FIT instead of a 2WW referral, and reported using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results

Just over one-third of GPs (n = 365) preferred to use a FIT as a rule-out test over a 2WW referral. GPs were more willing if they were: aged 36–45 years (OR 1.59 [95% CI = 1.04 to 2.44]); 46–55 years (OR 1.99 [95% CI = 1.14 to 3.47]); thought a FIT was highly accurate (OR 1.63 [95% CI = 1.16 to 2.29]); thought patients would benefit compared with having a colonoscopy (OR 2.02 [95% CI = 1.46 to 2.79]); and were highly confident about discussing the benefits of a FIT (OR 2.14 [95% CI = 1.46 to 3.16]). GPs were less willing if they had had >10 urgent referrals in the past year (OR 0.62 [95% CI = 0.40 to 0.94]) and thought that longer consultations would be needed (OR 0.61 [95% CI = 0.44 to 0.83]).

Conclusion

The study findings suggest that the acceptability of using a FIT as a rule-out test in primary care is currently low, with less than half of GPs who perceived the test to be accurate preferring it over colonoscopy. Any potential guideline changes recommending a FIT in patients with high-risk symptoms, instead of urgent referral to rule out CRC, are likely to require intensive supporting educational outreach to increase GP confidence in the accuracy and application of a FIT in this context.
Structure cristalline des trioxalates complexes de potassium. II. — Structure du ferrotrioxalate de potassium racémique et comparaison avec les trioxalates complexes actifs
Authors: Herpin Paulette
Published: October 2018

Les cristaux de ferrotrioxalate de potassium racémique sont monocliniques ; leur groupe de symétrie contient 4 molécules Fe (C₂O₄)₃K₃, 3 H₂O. L'ion Fe (C₂O₄)₃ a une configuration semblable à celle de l'ion Ir (C₂O₄)₃ avec de petites différences en ce qui concerne les positions précises des atomes et les longueurs des liaisons M-O.

Après l'étude des structures des sels actifs et racémiques, on peut alors comparer la configuration, la stabilité de l'ion complexe et de l'édifice cristallin quand le métal M de l'ion complexe M (C₂O₄)₃ est Ir, Rh, Ru, Al, Cr, Mn, Co, Fe.
V1224 Cas: An EL CVn-type Eclipsing Binary Consisting of a Helium White Dwarf Precursor and a Delta Scuti Pulsator
Authors: Wang Kun , Luo Changqing , Zhang Xiaobin , Zhang Bo , Deng Licai , Luo Zhiquan
Published: October 2018

We report the discovery of a new eclipsing EL CVn-type binary, consisting of a δ Sct-type pulsator and a thermally bloated low-mass pre-He white dwarf (WD). Spectroscopy and time-series BV photometry of V1224 Cas were carried out. The spectroscopy reveals a spectral type of A3 for the star. Light curve modeling indicates that V1224 Cas is a short-period detached system containing a possible low-mass WD with an effective temperature of about 9516 K. Based on the effective temperature and the surface gravity of the A-type primary star from the spectroscopic results, the absolute parameters of the components were estimated as: M

P
 = 2.16 ± 0.22M
☉, R

P
 = 3.54 ± 0.12R
☉, L

P
 = 55.9 ± 6.9L
☉, M

S
 = 0.19 ± 0.02M
☉, R

S
 = 0.97 ± 0.04R
☉, and L

S
 = 6.9 ± 0.6L
☉. We therefore introduce V1224 Cas as a new EL CVn-type binary candidate. The light curves in both filters all show multi-periodic pulsations, superimposed on binary effects. We performed a preliminary frequency analysis of the light residuals after removing the synthetic eclipsing curve from the original observational data. The results suggest that the rapid light variations among the light curves could be attributed to the δ Sct-type primary component. We therefore conclude that V1224 Cas is very likely a WD+δ Sct binary.
The Three-dimensional Orbit, Orbital Parallax, and Individual Masses of the Double-lined Spectroscopic Binaries HD 183255, HD 114882, and HD 30712
Authors: Docobo J. A. , Campo P. P , Gomez J. , Horch Elliott P.
Published: October 2018

Recent speckle observations performed at the Discovery Channel Telescope, the Gemini North Telescope, and the Special Astrophysical Observatory 6 m Telescope have permitted us to calculate the visual orbit of SB2 HD 114882 for the first time and to improve the visual orbits of two other SB2 systems, HD 30712 and HD 183255, using algorithms published by the authors of this research. Recently, new high-quality spectroscopic orbits have been obtained for these binaries by other authors. We determine their 3D orbits, individual masses, and orbital parallaxes, and present them in this paper. The parallaxes are compared with those available from the Gaia mission, and a comparison between the values confirms the precision of the results obtained here.
Resonant Temperature Fluctuations in Nebulae Ionized by Short-period Binary Stars
Authors: Bautista Manuel A. , Ahmed Ehab E.
Published: October 2018

A prevailing open problem in planetary nebulae (PNe) research, and photoionized gaseous nebulae research at large, is the systematic discrepancies in electron temperatures and ionic abundances as derived from recombination and collisionally excited lines. Peimbert proposed the presence of “temperature fluctuations” in these nebulae, but the apparent amplitude of such fluctuations, as deduced from spectral diagnostics and/or abundance discrepancy factors (ADFs), remain unexplained by standard photoionization modeling. While this and other alternative models to explain the temperature and abundance discrepancies remain inconclusive, recent observations seem to point at a connection between nebular ADFs and a binary nature of photoionizing stars. In this paper, we show that large amplitude temperature fluctuations are expected to form in PNe photoionized by short-period binary stars. Resonant temperature fluctuations (RTFs) are first formed along the orbital disk around the binary stars, as the periodically varying ionizing radiation field induces periodic oscillations in the heating-minus-cooling function. Then, the temperature fluctuations propagate vertically to the disk as thermal waves that later steepen into radiative shocks. The binary period of the ionizing stars is determinant in the formation and propagation of temperature fluctuations, as well as in associated density fluctuations. Fluctuations propagate efficiently only in systems with binary periods significantly shorter than the gas thermalization time, of the order of 10 days. Furthermore, we propose temperature diagnostic line ratios that combine [O iii] collisionally excited lines and O ii recombination lines to determine the equilibrium temperature and the magnitude of RTFs in nebulae.
The Origin of the 300 km s−1 Stream near Segue 1
Authors: Fu Sal Wanying , Simon Joshua D. , Shetrone Matthew , Bovy Jo , Beers Timothy C. , Fernández-Trincado J. G. , Placco Vinicius M. , Zamora Olga , Allende Prieto Carlos , García-Hernández D. A. , Harding Paul , Ivans Inese , Lane Richard , Nitschelm Christian , Roman-Lopes Alexandre , Sobeck Jennifer
Published: October 2018

We present a search for new members of the 300 km s−1 stream (300S) near the dwarf galaxy Segue 1 using wide-field survey data. We identify 11 previously unknown bright stream members in the APOGEE-2 and SEGUE-1 and 2 spectroscopic surveys. Based on the spatial distribution of the high-velocity stars, we confirm for the first time that this kinematic structure is associated with a 24°-long stream seen in SDSS and Pan-STARRS imaging data. The 300S stars display a metallicity range of −2.17 < [Fe/H] < −1.24, with an intrinsic dispersion of

0.21

−
0.09

+
0.12

dex. They also have chemical abundance patterns similar to those of Local Group dwarf galaxies, as well as that of the Milky Way halo. Using the open-source code galpy to model the orbit of the stream, we find that the progenitor of the stream passed perigalacticon about 70 Myr ago, with a closest approach to the Galactic center of about 4.1 kpc. Using Pan-STARRS DR1 data, we obtain an integrated stream luminosity of 4 × 103
L
⊙. We conclude that the progenitor of the stream was a dwarf galaxy that is probably similar to the satellites that were accreted to build the present-day Milky Way halo.
The Mass of the Cepheid V350 Sgr*
Authors: Evans Nancy Remage , Proffitt Charles , Carpenter Kenneth G. , Winston Elaine M. , Kober Gladys V. , Günther H. Moritz , Gorynya Natalia , Rastorguev Alexey , Inno L.
Published: October 2018

V350 Sgr is a classical Cepheid suitable for mass determination. It has a hot companion which is prominent in the ultraviolet (UV) and which is not itself a binary. We have obtained two high-resolution echelle spectra of the companion at orbital velocity maximum and minimum with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope in the 1320 to 1510 Å region. By cross-correlating these spectra we obtained the orbital velocity amplitude of the companion with an uncertainty in the companion amplitude of 1.9 km s−1. This provides a mass ratio of the Cepheid to the companion of 2.1. The UV energy distribution of the companion provides the mass of the companion, yielding a Cepheid mass of 5.2 ± 0.3 M
⊙. This mass requires some combination of moderate main sequence core convective overshoot and rotation to match evolutionary tracks.