bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanosecond Pulsed Laser Irradiation of Titanium Alloy Substrate: Effects of Periodic Patterned Topography on the Optical Properties of Colorizing Surfaces
Authors: Vazquez-Martinez J.M. , Salguero J. , Blanco E. , González-Leal J.M.
Published: October 2019

Most of the current works based on surface treatments of metals by laser marking technology are focused on the modification of the color tonality of flat surfaces, or the development of specific topography features, but the combination of both processes is not usually evaluated, mainly due to the complexity of controlling the optical properties on rough surfaces. This research presents an analysis of the influence of the micro-geometrical characteristics of periodic patterned laser tracks on the chromaticity and reflectance of Ti6Al4V substrates. The samples were irradiated with an infrared nanosecond pulsed laser in air atmosphere, taking as the control parameter the scan speed of the beam. A roughness evaluation, microscopic inspection, and absorption and chromaticity examination were conducted. Although micro-crack growth was detected in an isolated case (10 mm/s), the possibility of adjusting the result color was demonstrated by controlling the heat-affected zone thickness of the textures. The results of rough/colored combined textures allow new perspectives in industrial design to open, particularly in aesthetic applications with special properties.
Optimal Stream Gauge Network Design Using Entropy Theory and Importance of Stream Gauge Stations
Authors: Joo Hongjun , Lee Jiho , Jun Hwandon , Kim Kyungtak , Hong Seungjin , Kim Jungwook , Kim Hung Soo
Published: October 2019

Stream gauge stations are facilities for measuring stream water levels and flow rates, and their main purpose is to produce the data required to analyze hydrological phenomena. However, there are no specific criteria for selecting the locations and installation densities of stream gauge stations, which results in numerous problems, including regional imbalances and overlapping. To address these issues, a stream gauge network was constructed in this study considering both the transinformation of entropy (objective function 1) and the importance of each stream gauge station (objective function 2). To account for both factors, the optimal combinations that satisfied the two objective functions were determined using the Euclidean distance. Based on the rainfall runoff analysis results, unit hydrographs reflecting stream connectivity were derived and applied to entropy theory. The importance of each stream gauge station was calculated considering its purposes, such as flood control, water use, and environment. When this method was applied to the Namgang Dam Basin, it was found out that eight out of 12 stream gauge stations were required. The combination of the selected stations reflected both the transinformation of entropy and the importance of each station.
A Fast Charging Balancing Circuit for LiFePO4 Battery
Authors: Wu Sen-Tung , Chang Yong-Nong , Chang Chih-Yuan , Cheng Yu-Ting
Published: October 2019

In this paper, a fast charging balancing circuit for LiFePO4 battery is proposed to address the voltage imbalanced problem of a lithium battery string. During the lithium battery string charging process, the occurrence of voltage imbalance will activate the fast balancing mechanism. The proposed balancing circuit is composed of a bi-directional converter and the switch network. The purpose of bi-directional is that the energy can be delivered to the lowest voltage cell for charging mode. On the other hand, the energy stored in the magnetizing inductors of the transformer can be charged back to the higher voltage cell in recycling mode. This novel scheme includes the following features: (1) The odd-numbered and even-numbered cells in the string with the maximum differential voltage will be chosen for balancing process directly. In this topology, there is no need to store and deliver the energy through any intermediate or the extra storing components. That is, the energy loss can be saved to improve the efficiency, and the fast balancing technique can be achieved. (2) There is only one converter to complete the energy transfer for voltage balancing process. The concept makes the circuit structure much simpler. (3) The structure has bi-directional power flow and good electrical isolation features. (4) A single chip controller is applied to measure the voltage of each cell to achieve the fast balancing process effectively. At the end of the paper, the practical test of the proposed balancing method on LiFePO4 battery pack (28.8 V/2.5 Ah) is verified and implemented by the experimental results.
A Study on Changes of Window Thermal Performance by Analysis of Physical Test Results in Korea
Authors: Kim Seok-Hyun , Jeong Hakgeun , Cho Soo
Published: October 2019

The interest in zero energy buildings is increasing in South Korea. Zero energy buildings need to save energy by using passive technology. The window performance is important to the thermal insulation of the building. Also, the government regulates the window performance through regulation and standards. However, it is difficult to predict window performance because the components of the window have become complicated due to the various materials used in the glass and frame. Based on window performance standards and regulations, the quality of window performance was managed. In this research, to consider thermal performance in proper window design in South Korea, we confirmed the impact on the thermal performance of the window through various kinds of materials and shapes. The authors also propose a window shape classification and frame calculation method based on actual test results. The authors analyzed the thermal performance data of the windows provided by the Korea Energy Agency and confirmed the change in the thermal performance of the windows by year and by frame material. The average U-value of the window decreased from 2012 to 2015 and maintained similar values until 2017. In 2018, this value was decreased to comply. Also, the authors confirmed the U-value of the windows through actual physical experiments and confirmed the change in thermal performance by the construction of the windows based on the results. The results show, in the case of aluminum windows, the U-value corresponding to Grade 3 (1.4–2.1 W/m2·K) was as high as about 60%. Regarding the analyzed results of the U-values of PVC windows, Grade 3 (U-value of 1.4–2.1 W/m2·K) accounted for about 35%, and Grade 2 (U-value of 1.0–1.4 W/m2·K) for about 29%. This paper also confirmed that the frame U-value of the PVC windows is lower than the frame U-value of the aluminum windows. Therefore, the authors proposed the performance index of the glazing part in PVC and aluminum window design. The results of this research can be used as basic data to identify problems in the method of determining the performance of windows in Korea.
On Minimisation of Earthing System Touch Voltages
Authors: Vycital Vaclav , Ptacek Michal , Topolanek David , Toman Petr
Published: October 2019

Finding cost efficient earthing system design with acceptable level of safety might be quite tedious work. Thus, many earthing system engineers try to find the most suitable design either by employing only their best experience or taking advantage of some more complex optimisation programs. Although both approaches might work well under certain circumstances, they might fail either due to counter-intuitiveness of the specific situation or by misunderstanding of the applied optimisation method, its limitations etc. Thus, in this paper, the earthing system design optimisation problem was addressed by analysing optimisation simulation results together with conducted sensitivity analysis. In the paper, a simple double ring earthing system was optimised while using five different optimisation methods. The earthing system was placed in different horizontally stratified soil models and the earthing system was optimised by minimising touch voltages instead of commonly minimised earth potential rise. The earthing system was modelled by Ansys Maxwell software. Apart from using Ansys Maxwell built-in optimisers, the possible solution space has also been mapped by performing sensitivity analysis with changing the earthing system design dimensions and the results of optimisation were compared and validated. It was found out that the Sequential Non-Linear Programming Optimisation technique was quite superior to the other techniques. Additionally, in most cases, the Ansys Maxwell optimiser was able to found optimal solution; however, in some cases, based on the initial conditions, it might get stuck in local minima or the results might be influenced by the solution noise. Additionally, some quite non intuitive dependencies of earthing system electrodes positions had been found when different spatial dimensions constraints are used.
Forecasting Methane Emissions from Hard Coal Mines Including the Methane Drainage Process
Authors: Tutak Magdalena , Brodny Jarosław
Published: October 2019

With regard to underground mining, methane is a gas that, on the one hand, poses a threat to the exploitation process and, on the other hand, creates an opportunity for economic development. As a result of coal exploitation, large amounts of coal enter the natural environment mainly through ventilation systems. Since methane is a greenhouse gas, its emission has a significant impact on global warming. Nevertheless, methane is also a high-energy gas that can be utilized as a very valuable energy resource. These different properties of methane prompted an analysis of both the current and the future states of methane emissions from coal seams, taking into account the possibilities of its use. For this reason, the following article presents the results of the study of methane emissions from Polish hard coal mines between 1993–2018 and their forecast until 2025. In order to predict methane emissions, research methodology was developed based on artificial neural networks and selected statistical methods. The multi-layer perceptron (MLP) network was used to make a prognostic model. The aim of the study was to develop a method to predict methane emissions and determine trends in terms of the amount of methane that may enter the natural environment in the coming years and the amount that can be used as a result of the methane drainage process. The methodology developed with the use of neural networks, the conducted research, and the findings constitute a new approach in the scope of both analysis and prediction of methane emissions from hard coal mines. The results obtained confirm that this methodology works well in mining practice and can also be successfully used in other industries to forecast greenhouse gas and other substance emissions.
Research on the Lightning Intruding Overvoltage and Protection Measures of 500 kV AC Fault Current Limiter
Authors: Chen Changfu , Han Yongxia , Liu Junxiang , Mo Wenxiong , Yuan Zhao , Huang Jianning , Su Haibo , Zhang Xiancong , Wu Kaijian
Published: October 2019

As one of the key technologies to solve the problem of high short-circuit current, the fault current limiter (FCL) has become a research hotspot in China and abroad. The overvoltage and protection measures of the FCL are the key technologies for its application. Therefore, this paper studies the lightning intruding overvoltage and protection measures for a 500 kV FCL based on a high coupled split reactor (HCSR). Firstly, according to the main topology of the system and the 500 kV HCSR-FCL structure, the lightning intruding overvoltage simulation model of the 500 kV station, including the nearby transmission lines, is established on the PSCAD (Power Systems Computer Aided Design) program. Secondly, the lightning overvoltage of the equipment in the station and the components of the HCSR-FCL are simulated and analyzed when the transmission lines nearby are subjected to lightning shielding failure and back flashover. Meanwhile, the influence of the HCSR-FCL on the lightning overvoltage of the equipment in the station are compared and analyzed before and after the HCSR-FCL is installed. The simulation results show that the overvoltage of the equipment in the station and the components of the HCSR-FCL is more serious when the shielding failure occurs in the transmission lines nearby. The HCSR-FCL can reduce the lightning overvoltage of the equipment in the station, but the maximum inter-terminal and inter-arm lightning overvoltage of the HCSR can reach 1064 kV and 790 kV, respectively, under the current limiting state and the current sharing state. Finally, methods of increasing the arresters on the transmission lines side of the HCSR-FCL and shunt capacitor between each module of the HCSR-FCL are proposed to reduce the lightning overvoltage. The lightning impulse withstand voltage of each component of the HCSR is also proposed: The inter-terminal lightning impulse withstand voltage of HCSR is 170 kV. The inter-arm lightning impulse withstand voltage of HCSR is 200 kV. The terminal-to-ground lightning impulse withstand voltage of the HCSR-FCL is 1550 kV.
A Hybrid Nine-Arm High-Voltage Inverter with DC-Fault Blocking Capability
Authors: Jiao Luyun , Qiu Dongyuan , Zhang Bo , Chen Yanfeng
Published: October 2019

The nine-arm inverter integrates two modular multilevel converters (MMCs) into one compact inverter to diminish the number of power semiconductor devices. It can be used for dual-motor driving or connecting two AC power sources in a multi-terminal high voltage direct current (HVDC) system, etc. Although the half-bridge based modular multilevel converter has the fewest components, it is generally not resistant to the DC-side faults. In order to achieve a DC fault blocking capability with high efficiency and low cost, this paper proposes a hybrid nine-arm high-voltage inverter, which is consists of a full-bridge sub-module (FBSM) and a half-bridge sub-module (HBSM). Firstly, the topology, operation modes, and modulation strategy of the proposed hybrid inverter are presented. Then, by analyzing the potential short-circuit current paths between different ports, the ability of the proposed hybrid inverter to block the DC faults is described and the appropriate ratio of HBSM and FBSM is determined to further reduce the number of devices and the losses of the proposed hybrid inverter. Finally, simulation results based on MATLAB/Simulink are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed hybrid nine-arm high-voltage inverter under normal operation and DC fault condition.
Effects of Changing Temperature on Gross N Transformation Rates in Acidic Subtropical Forest Soils
Authors: Dan Xiaoqian , Chen Zhaoxiong , Dai Shenyan , He Xiaoxiang , Cai Zucong , Zhang Jinbo , Müller Christoph
Published: October 2019

Soil temperature change caused by global warming could affect microbial-mediated soil nitrogen (N) transformations. Gross N transformation rates can provide process-based information about abiotic–biotic relationships, but most previous studies have focused on net rates. This study aimed to investigate the responses of gross rates of soil N transformation to temperature change in a subtropical acidic coniferous forest soil. A 15N tracing experiment with a temperature gradient was carried out. The results showed that gross mineralization rate of the labile organic N pool significantly increased with increasing temperature from 5 °C to 45 °C, yet the mineralization rate of the recalcitrant organic N pool showed a smaller response. An exponential response function described well the relationship between the gross rates of total N mineralization and temperature. Compared with N mineralization, the functional relationship between gross NH4+ immobilization and temperature was not so distinct, resulting in an overall significant increase in net N mineralization at higher temperatures. Heterotrophic nitrification rates increased from 5 °C to 25 °C but declined at higher temperatures. By contrast, the rate of autotrophic nitrification was very low, responding only slightly to the range of temperature change in the most temperature treatments, except for that at 35 °C to 45 °C, when autotrophic nitrification rates were found to be significantly increased. Higher rates of NO3− immobilization than gross nitrification rates resulted in negative net nitrification rates that decreased with increasing temperature. Our results suggested that, with higher temperature, the availability of soil N produced from N mineralization would significantly increase, potentially promoting plant growth and stimulating microbial activity, and that the increased NO3− retention capacity may reduce the risk of leaching and denitrification losses in this studied subtropical acidic forest.
Dehydration Sensitivity at the Early Seedling Establishment Stages of the European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)
Authors: Kalemba Ewa M. , Bagniewska-Zadworna Agnieszka , Suszka Jan , Pukacka Stanisława
Published: October 2019

Shortage of water is a limiting factor for the growth and development of plants, particularly at early developmental stages. We focused on the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), which produces seeds and further seedlings in large intervals of up to ten years. To explore the beech seedling establishment process, six stages referring to embryo expansion were studied to determine sensitivity to dehydration. The characterization of the response of elongating embryonic axes and cotyledons included a viability test before and after dehydration and measurement of the amounts of electrolyte leakage, concentration, and arrangement of storage materials, changes in chaperone proteins related to water deficit, and accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion radicals. Elongating embryonic axes and cotyledons differed in water content, dehydration rates, membrane permeability before and after dehydration, protein, and lipid decomposition pattern, and amount of 44-kDa dehydrin and 22-kDa small heat shock protein (sHSP). Protruding embryonic axes were more sensitive to dehydration than cotyledons, although dehydration caused transient reinduction of three dehydrin-like proteins and sHSP synthesis, which accompany desiccation tolerance. Extended deterioration, including overproduction of hydrogen peroxide and depletion of superoxide anion radicals, was reported in dehydrated embryonic axes longer than 10 mm characterized by highly elevated cellular leakage. The apical part elongating embryonic axes consisting of the radicles was the most sensitive part of the seed to dehydration, and the root apical meristem area was the first to become inviable. The effects of severe dehydration involving ROS imbalance and reduced viability in beech seedlings with embryonic axes longer than 10 mm might help to explain the difficulties in beech seedling establishment observed in drought-affected environments. The conversion of environmental drought into climate-originated oxidative stress affecting beech seedling performance is discussed in this report.
Low Delay Inter-Packet Coding in Vehicular Networks
Authors: Bocharova Irina , Kudryashov Boris , Lyamin Nikita , Frick Erik , Rabi Maben , Vinel Alexey
Published: October 2019

In Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems (C-ITSs), vehicles need to wirelessly connect with Roadside units (RSUs) over limited durations when such point-to-point connections are possible. One example of such communications is the downloading of maps to the C-ITS vehicles. Another example occurs in the testing of C-ITS vehicles, where the tested vehicles upload trajectory records to the roadside units. Because of real-time requirements, and limited bandwidths, data are sent as User Datagram Protocol (UDP) packets. We propose an inter-packet error control coding scheme that improves the recovery of data when some of these packets are lost; we argue that the coding scheme has to be one of convolutional coding. We measure performance through the session averaged probability of successfully delivering groups of packets. We analyze two classes of convolution codes and propose a low-complexity decoding procedure suitable for network applications. We conclude that Reed–Solomon convolutional codes perform better than Wyner–Ash codes at the cost of higher complexity. We show this by simulation on the memoryless binary erasure channel (BEC) and channels with memory, and through simulations of the IEEE 802.11p DSRC/ITS-G5 network at the C-ITS test track AstaZero.
Bottle Emptying: A Fluid Mechanics and Measurements Exercise for Engineering Undergraduate Students
Authors: Mayer Hans C.
Published: October 2019

A comprehensive exercise, suitable for an undergraduate engineering audience studying fluid mechanics, is presented, in which participants were tasked with emptying a bottle. That simple request yielded data collected by students and the author for N = 454 commercially available bottles, spanning nearly four orders of magnitude for volume V , and representing the largest experimental dataset available in the literature. Fundamental statistics are used to describe the emptying time, T ¯ e , for any single bottle. Dimensional analysis is used to transform the raw data to yield a predictive trend, and a method of least-squares regression analysis is performed to find an empirical correlation relating dimensionless time T ¯ e g / d and dimensionless volume V / d 3 . We find that volume, V , and neck diameter, d, can be used to estimate the emptying time for any bottle, although the data suggests that the shape of the neck plays a role. Furthermore, two basic analytical models found in the literature compare favorably to our data and empirical correlation when recast using our dimensionless groups. The documented exercise provides students with the opportunity to use basic engineering statistics and to see the utility of dimensional analysis.
A Novel Missense Variant Associated with A Splicing Defect in A Myopathic Form of PGK1 Deficiency in The Spanish Population
Authors: Garcia-Solaesa Virginia , Serrano-Lorenzo Pablo , Ramos-Arroyo Maria Antonia , Blázquez Alberto , Pagola-Lorz Inmaculada , Artigas-López Mercè , Arenas Joaquín , Martín Miguel A. , Jericó-Pascual Ivonne
Published: October 2019

Phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK)1 deficiency is an X-linked inherited disease associated with different clinical presentations, sometimes as myopathic affectation without hemolytic anemia. We present a 40-year-old male with a mild psychomotor delay and mild mental retardation, who developed progressive exercise intolerance, cramps and sporadic episodes of rhabdomyolysis but no hematological features. A genetic study was carried out by a next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel of 32 genes associated with inherited metabolic myopathies. We identified a missense variant in the PGK1 gene c.1114G > A (p.Gly372Ser) located in the last nucleotide of exon 9. cDNA studies demonstrated abnormalities in mRNA splicing because this change abolishes the exon 9 donor site. This novel variant is the first variant associated with a myopathic form of PGK1 deficiency in the Spanish population.
Anthropocene Shiftings: Response to Perego, E. and Scopacasa, R. The Agency of the Displaced? Roman Expansion, Environmental Forces, and the Occupation of Marginal Landscapes in Ancient Italy. Humanities 2018, 7, 116
Authors: Farbotko Carol
Published: October 2019

In this response to Elisa Perego and Rafael Scopacasa’s article, I reflect on connections across time and space from an Anthropocenic perspective that is, by urgent necessity, open to the unexpected. In Ancient Italy, and contemporary Tuvalu and Brazil, it is possible to find similarly unexpected ends being achieved among populations that move, whose lives are lived on ground that cannot be assumed to be inert: earth has agency, and over time, it shifts, or is flooded, or buries things. When non-elites are moving into marginal places where life is tough, where earthly agency cannot be ignored, such people are also finding themselves at the centre of major turning points in history. Mobility and survival in marginal places can offer a way to live a less colonized life.
Affect and Porosity: Ethics and Literature between Teresa Brennan and Hélène Cixous
Authors: Walker Michelle Boulous
Published: October 2019

In her posthumously published work The Transmission of Affect, Teresa Brennan challenges the modern ego’s understanding of itself as self-contained. This illusion, she argues, is supported by what she refers to as the “foundational fantasy”. In explaining what this means, Brennan rejects a bounded sense of the self, arguing that affect (both positive and negative) circulates energetically between subjects. In patriarchal cultures, mothers (and “feminine beings”) act as repositories of projected fear, typically carrying the greater burden of the negative affects—anger, aggression, and envy. Importantly, Brennan’s work brings the question of intersubjective boundaries to the fore, arguing that these are open, and that any account of ethical relations between self and other needs to acknowledge this. Drawing on pre-modern sources, she develops a new theory of intersubjective and energetic affectivity and, in a positive vein, offers love—in the form of attention and discernment—as the positive gift of affect that can potentially circulate between bodies, infusing intersubjective relations with life. Brennan’s work on the transmission of affect offers a bold and very political philosophical intervention into early twenty-first century ethical accounts. Her exploration of the intricacies of our relational entanglements with others and the material world challenges our understanding of what it means to be a self in relation to others. In effect, her account of the transmission of affect highlights the other’s vulnerability to my affect, to my hostile projections, even as it accounts for the flow of affect in both directions. In a slightly different way, Hélène Cixous offers us an account of our relations with others that focusses on the self’s openness to the force of the other, the self’s vulnerability to the dangerous other. Here, the other is the focus of a potential threat, a potential undoing of the self. For Cixous, writing is the place of witness to the unfolding of this vulnerability or porosity between two (entre deux). While this essay focuses on Brennan’s philosophical account, and the potentially paradoxical nature of her work to produce a theory of affect, it offers a brief discussion of the ways in which Cixous’s focus on literature and writing provide a different frame for appreciating the challenge that Brennan’s work makes. It explores the important ways in which Cixous extends Brennan’s philosophical concerns to the domains of literature and writing. Throughout her work, Brennan calls for us to invent or reinvent a vocabulary for the exploration of discernment, the protective attitude of thoughtfulness that opens us to the other. Cixous’s work, I argue, embodies this call in hopeful and optimistic ways. As such, it allows us to think of literature and writing as privileged sites for the exploration of our complex intersubjective relations.
Research on Evaluation Index System of Chinese City Safety Resilience Based on Delphi Method and Cloud Model
Authors: Pei Jingjing , Liu Wen , Han Lu
Published: October 2019

To scientifically and quantitatively evaluate the current city safety resilience and improve the city safety resilience level, this project puts forward the concept and degree of city safety resilience based on the systematic analysis of the city safety resilience curve and establishes the framework of a city safety resilience evaluation index system, including predisaster prevention, disaster-bearing carrier, emergencies and emergency management. The Delphi method and cloud model are used to construct the city safety resilience evaluation model, and the weight and application of the model are analyzed and discussed. The research results show that the theory and method of Chinese city safety resilience evaluation based on the Delphi method and cloud model have important guiding significance for improving the city safety resilience level.
Involvement of Akt/mTOR in the Neurotoxicity of Rotenone-Induced Parkinson’s Disease Models
Authors: Zhang Yu , Guo Hui , Guo Xinyu , Ge Denfeng , Shi Yue , Lu Xiyu , Lu Jinli , Chen Juan , Ding Fei , Zhang Qi
Published: October 2019

Rotenone has recently been widely used to establish Parkinson’s disease (PD) models to replicate the features of PD. However, the mechanisms involved in rotenone neurotoxicity have not been elucidated. The aim of the present study was to identify the neurotoxicity of rotenone through intraperitoneal injection in mice and to investigate the global changes of phosphorylation proteomic profiles in rotenone-injured SH-SY5Y cells through a label-free proteomic analysis using a PTMScan with LC–MS/MS. ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice were intraperitoneally injected with different dosages of rotenone (1 mg/kg/d or 3 mg/kg/d) daily for 21 consecutive days. Rotenone caused a dose-dependent decrease in locomotor activities and a decrease in the number of Nissl-positive and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Here, 194 phosphopeptides on 174 proteins were detected in SH-SY5Y cells, and 37 phosphosites on 33 proteins displayed statistically significant changes in expression after rotenone injury. The downregulation of phosphorylated Akt and mTOR was further confirmed by western blot analysis. A specific Akt activator, SC79, could protect cell viability and induce autophagy in rotenone-injured SH-SY5Y cells. This study indicates the involvement of the Akt/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway in rotenone-injured SH-SY5Y cells and provides molecular information for the neurotoxicity of rotenone.
Understanding an Urban Park through Big Data
Authors: Sim Jisoo , Miller Patrick
Published: October 2019

To meet the needs of park users, planners and designers must know what park users want to do and how they want the park to offer different activities. Big data may help planners and designers gain this knowledge. This study examines how big data collected in an urban park could be used to identify meaningful implications for planning and design. While big data have emerged as a new data source, big data have not become an accepted source of data due to a lack of understanding of big data analytics. By comparing a survey as a traditional data source with big data, this study identifies the strengths and weaknesses of using big data analytics in park planning and design. There are two research questions: (1) what activities do park users want; and (2) how satisfied are users with different activities. The Gyeongui Line Forest Park, which was built on an abandoned railway, was selected as the study site. A total of 177 responses were collected through the onsite survey, and 3703 tweets mentioning the park were collected from Twitter. Results from the survey show that ordinary activities such as walking and taking a rest in the park were the most common. These findings also support existing studies. The results from social media analytics found notable things such as positive tweets about how the railway was turned into a park, and negative tweets about diseases that may occur in the park. Therefore, a survey as traditional data and social media analytics as big data can be complementary methods for the design and planning process.
How Do Nurses Cope with Shift Work? A Qualitative Analysis of Open-Ended Responses from a Survey of Nurses
Authors: Savic Michael , Ogeil Rowan P. , Sechtig Megan J. , Lee-Tobin Peta , Ferguson Nyssa , Lubman Dan I.
Published: October 2019

Nurses are frequently required to engage in shift work given the 24/7 nature of modern healthcare provision. Despite the health and wellbeing costs associated with shift work, little is known about the types of coping strategies employed by nurses. It may be important for nurses to adopt strategies to cope with shift work in order to prevent burnout, maintain wellbeing, and ensure high quality care to patients. This paper explores common strategies employed by nurses to cope with shift work. A workforce survey was completed by 449 shift working nurses that were recruited from a major metropolitan health service in Melbourne, Australia. Responses to open-ended questions about coping strategies were analysed using the framework approach to thematic analysis. Four interconnected main themes emerged from the data: (i) health practices, (ii) social and leisure, (iii) cognitive coping strategies, and (iv) work-related coping strategies. Although a range of coping strategies were identified, sleep difficulties often hindered the effective use of coping strategies, potentially exacerbating poor health outcomes. Findings suggest that in addition to improving nurses’ abilities to employ effective coping strategies on an individual level, workplaces also play an important role in facilitating nurses’ wellbeing.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Crowdsourcing in the Field of Public Health
Authors: Wang Lingling , Xia Enjun , Li Hao , Wang Wei
Published: October 2019

With the characteristics of low cost and open call, crowdsourcing has been widely adopted in many fields, particularly to support the use of surveys, data processing, and the monitoring of public health. The objective of the current study is to analyze the applications, hotspots, and emerging trends of crowdsourcing in the field of public health. Using CiteSpace for the visualization of scientific maps, this study explores the analysis of time-scope, countries and institutions, authors, published journals, keywords, co-references, and citation clusters. The results show that the United States is the country with the most publications regarding crowdsourcing applications for public health. Howe and Brabham are the two leading authors in this field. Further, most of the articles published in this field are found in medical and comprehensive journals. Crowdsourcing in public health is increasing and diversifying. The results of this study will enable and support the analysis of the specific role of crowdsourcing in the public health ecosystem.
A Comparative Analysis of Risk Perception and Coping Behaviors among Chinese Poultry Farmers Regarding Human and Poultry Infection with Avian Influenza
Authors: Cui Bin , Wang Feifei , Wang Linda Dong-Ling , Pan Chengyun , Ke Jun , Tian Yi
Published: October 2019

Poultry farmers face a dual risk when mutant avian influenza (AI) virus exhibits zoonotic characteristics. A/H5N1 and A/H7N9 are two principal strains of the AI virus that have captured public attention in recent years, as they have both been reported and can infect poultry and humans, respectively. Previous studies have focused either on poultry farmers’ risk perception and biosecurity preventive behaviors (BPBs) against A/H5N1 infection with poultry, or on their risk perception and personal protective behaviors (PPBs) against human infection with A/H7N9, even though these two strains often appear simultaneously. To bridge this research gap, a survey (N = 426) was conducted in the Chinese provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui to assess risk perception and coping behaviors adopted by poultry farmers facing the dual risk of these two viral strains. Paired sample t-tests revealed that farmers’ perceived risk of poultry infection with A/H5N1 was significantly higher than their perceived risk of human infection with A/H7N9, and that their reported frequency of BPBs against A/H5N1 was significantly higher than the frequency of PPBs against A/H7N9. Moreover, farmers were less familiar with AI infection in human beings compared to that in poultry, but they felt a higher sense of control regarding human AI infection. Multivariate regression analyses showed that farm size and perceived risks of both human and poultry infection with AI were positively associated with BPBs and PPBs. The findings of this research suggest that a campaign to spread knowledge about human AI infection among poultry farmers is needed, and that a policy incentive to encourage large-scale poultry farming could be effective in improving implementation of BPBs and PPBs.
What Is the Relationship between the Neighbourhood Built Environment and Time Spent in Outdoor Play? A Systematic Review
Authors: Lambert Amalie , Vlaar Janae , Herrington Susan , Brussoni Mariana
Published: October 2019

Outdoor play has been associated with children’s and adolescents’ healthy development and physical activity. Attributes of the neighbourhood built environment can influence play behaviours. This systematic review examined the relationship between attributes of the neighbourhood built environment and the time children and adolescents (0–18 years) spend in self-directed outdoor play. We identified and evaluated 18 relevant papers using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and developed a narrative synthesis of study results. We found moderate evidence that lower traffic volumes (ages 6–11), yard access (ages 3–10), and increased neighbourhood greenness (ages 2–15) were positively associated with time spent in outdoor play, as well as limited evidence that specific traffic-calming street features such as fewer intersections, low traffic speeds, neighbourhood disorder, and low residential density were positively associated with time spent in outdoor play. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review on this topic. The limited number of “good quality” studies identified highlights the need for additional research on the topic.
Exploring Proactive Behaviors of Employees in the Prevention of Burnout
Authors: Otto Madelon C.B. , Hoefsmit Nicole , van Ruysseveldt Joris , van Dam Karen
Published: October 2019

Extensive evidence indicates that burnout can have detrimental consequences for individuals as well as organizations; therefore, there is a great need for burnout prevention. While burnout prevention interventions initiated by the employer have previously been studied, the proactive behaviors employees deploy themselves to prevent burnout have received less research attention. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative interview study was to enhance our understanding of the self-initiated actions employees undertake to prevent burnout, using the model of proactive motivation and conservation of resources theory as theoretical frameworks. Findings indicated that most participants reported to engage in specific kinds of proactive burnout prevention behaviors. The reported self-initiated proactive actions were aimed at maintaining and/or increasing resources and/or reducing demands in the work, home, and personal domain. The study contributes to the literature by linking the proactive motivation process to the prevention of burnout and by focusing on both work and non-work factors. Results of this study can be used in further research into the (effectiveness of) employees’ proactive burnout prevention behaviors and serve as a starting point for developing interventions aimed at enhancing proactive burnout prevention.
Mapping Time-Space Brickfield Development Dynamics in Peri-Urban Area of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Hassan Mohammad Mehedy , Juhász Levente , Southworth Jane
Published: October 2019

Due to the high demand for cheap construction materials, clay-made brick manufacturing has become a thriving industry in Bangladesh, with manufacturing kilns heavily concentrated in the peripheries of larger cities and towns. These manufacturing sites, known as brickfields, operate using centuries-old technologies which expel dust, ash, black smoke and other pollutants into the atmosphere. This in turn impacts the air quality of cities and their surroundings and may also have broader impacts on health, the environment, and potentially contribute to global climate change. Using remotely sensed Landsat imagery, this study identifies brickfield locations and areal expansion between 1990 and 2015 in Dhaka, and employs spatial statistics methods including quadrat analysis and Ripley’s K-function to analyze the spatial variation of brickfield locations. Finally, using nearest neighbor distance as density functions, the distance between brickfield locations and six major geographical features (i.e., urban, rural settlement, wetland, river, highway, and local road) were estimated to investigate the threat posed by the presence of such polluting brickfields nearby urban, infrastructures and other natural areas. Results show significant expansion of brickfields both in number and clusters between 1990 and 2015 with brickfields increasing in number from 247 to 917 (total growth rate 271%) across the Dhaka urban center. The results also reveal that brickfield locations are spatially clustered: 78% of brickfields are located on major riverbanks and 40% of the total are located in ecologically sensitive wetlands surrounding Dhaka. Additionally, the average distance from the brick manufacturing plant to the nearest urban area decreased from 1500 m to 500 m over the study period. This research highlights the increasing threats to the environment, human health, and the sustainability of the megacity Dhaka from brickfield expansion in the immediate peripheral areas of its urban center. Findings and methods presented in this study can facilitate data-driven decision making by government officials and city planners to formulate strategies for improved brick production technologies and decreased environmental impacts for this urban region in Bangladesh.
Chiral Cocrystal Solid Solutions, Molecular Complexes, and Salts of N-Triphenylacetyl-l-Tyrosine and Diamines
Authors: Czapik Agnieszka , Jelecki Maciej , Kwit Marcin
Published: October 2019

The molecular recognition process and the ability to form multicomponent supramolecular systems have been investigated for the amide of triphenylacetic acid and l-tyrosine (N-triphenylacetyl-l-tyrosine, TrCOTyr). The presence of several supramolecular synthons within the same amide molecule allows the formation of various multicomponent crystals, where TrCOTyr serves as a chiral host. Isostructural crystals of solvates with methanol and ethanol and a series of binary crystalline molecular complexes with selected organic diamines (1,5-naphthyridine, quinoxaline, 4,4′-bipyridyl, and DABCO) were obtained. The structures of the crystals were planned based on non-covalent interactions (O–H···N or N–H+···O− hydrogen bonds) present in a basic structural motif, which is a heterotrimeric building block consisting of two molecules of the host and one molecule of the guest. The complex of TrCOTyr with DABCO is an exception. The anionic dimers built off the TrCOTyr molecules form a supramolecular gutter, with trityl groups located on the edge and filled by DABCO cationic dimers. Whereas most of the racemic mixtures crystallize as racemic crystals or as conglomerates, the additional tests carried out for racemic N-triphenylacetyl-tyrosine (rac-TrCOTyr) showed that the compound crystallizes as a solid solution of enantiomers.
Structural Determination of Lysosphingomyelin-509 and Discovery of Novel Class Lipids from Patients with Niemann–Pick Disease Type C
Authors: Maekawa Masamitsu , Jinnoh Isamu , Matsumoto Yotaro , Narita Aya , Mashima Ryuichi , Takahashi Hidenori , Iwahori Anna , Saigusa Daisuke , Fujii Kumiko , Abe Ai , Higaki Katsumi , Yamauchi Shosei , Ozeki Yuji , Shimoda Kazutaka , Tomioka Yoshihisa , Okuyama Torayuki , Eto Yoshikatsu , Ohno Kousaku , T Clayton Peter , Yamaguchi Hiroaki , Mano Nariyasu
Published: October 2019

Niemann–Pick disease type C (NPC) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the mutation of cholesterol-transporting proteins. In addition, early treatment is important for good prognosis of this disease because of the progressive neurodegeneration. However, the diagnosis of this disease is difficult due to a variety of clinical spectrum. Lysosphingomyelin-509, which is one of the most useful biomarkers for NPC, was applied for the rapid and easy detection of NPC. The fact that its chemical structure was unknown until recently implicates the unrevealed pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of NPC. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the structure of lysosphingomyelin-509 by various mass spectrometric techniques. As our identification strategy, we adopted analytical and organic chemistry approaches to the serum of patients with NPC. Chemical derivatization and hydrogen abstraction dissociation–tandem mass spectrometry were used for the determination of function groups and partial structure, respectively. As a result, we revealed the exact structure of lysosphingomyelin-509 as N-acylated and O-phosphocholine adducted serine. Additionally, we found that a group of metabolites with N-acyl groups were increased considerably in the serum/plasma of patients with NPC as compared to that of other groups using targeted lipidomics analysis. Our techniques were useful for the identification of lysosphingomyelin-509.
Autophagy, Metabolism, and Alcohol-Related Liver Disease: Novel Modulators and Functions
Authors: Yan Shengmin , Khambu Bilon , Hong Honghai , Liu Gang , Huda Nazmul , Yin Xiao-Ming
Published: October 2019

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is caused by over-consumption of alcohol. ALD can develop a spectrum of pathological changes in the liver, including steatosis, inflammation, cirrhosis, and complications. Autophagy is critical to maintain liver homeostasis, but dysfunction of autophagy has been observed in ALD. Generally, autophagy is considered to protect the liver from alcohol-induced injury and steatosis. In this review, we will summarize novel modulators of autophagy in hepatic metabolism and ALD, including autophagy-mediating non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), and crosstalk of autophagy machinery and nuclear factors. We will also discuss novel functions of autophagy in hepatocytes and non-parenchymal hepatic cells during the pathogenesis of ALD and other liver diseases.
Function of miR825 and miR825* as Negative Regulators in Bacillus cereus AR156-elicited Systemic Resistance to Botrytis cinerea in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Nie Pingping , Chen Chen , Yin Qian , Jiang Chunhao , Guo Jianhua , Zhao Hongwei , Niu Dongdong
Published: October 2019

Small RNAs function to regulate plant defense responses to pathogens. We previously showed that miR825 and miR825* downregulate Bacillus cereus AR156 (AR156)-triggered systemic resistance to Pseudomonassyringae pv. tomato DC3000 in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis). Here, Northern blotting revealed that miR825 and miR825* were more strongly downregulated in wild type Arabidopsis Col-0 (Col-0) plants pretreated with AR156 than in nontreated plants upon Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea) B1301 infection. Furthermore, compared with Col-0, transgenic plants with attenuated miR825 and miR825* expression were more resistant to B. cinerea B1301, yet miR825- and miR825*-overexpressing (OE) plants were more susceptible to the pathogen. With AR156 pretreatment, the transcription of four defense-related genes (PR1, PR2, PR5, and PDF1.2) and cellular defense responses (hydrogen peroxide production and callose deposition) were faster and stronger in miR825 and miR825* knockdown lines but weaker in their OE plants than in Col-0 plants upon pathogen attack. Also, AR156 pretreatment caused stronger phosphorylation of MPK3 and MPK6 and expression of FRK1 and WRKY53 genes upon B. cinerea B1301 inoculation in miR825 and miR825* knockdown plants than in Col-0 plants. Additionally, the assay of agrobacterium-mediated transient co-expression in Nicotiana benthamiana confirmed that AT5G40910, AT5G38850, AT3G04220, and AT5G44940 are target genes of miR825 or miR825*. Compared with Col-0, the target mutant lines showed higher susceptibility to B. cinerea B1301, while still expressing AR156-triggered induced systemic resistance (ISR). The two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant (P < 0.01) interactive effect of treatment and genotype on the defense responses. Hence, miR825 and miR825*act as negative regulators of AR156-mediated systemic resistance to B. cinerea B1301 in Arabidopsis.