bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study to Examine the Criterion Validity of the Modified Shuttle Test-Paeds as a Measure of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Children
Authors: Milne Nikki , Simmonds Michael J. , Hing Wayne
Published: October 2018

With accumulating evidence that exercise capacity decreases all-cause mortality independent of adiposity, benefits may be gained by developing cardiorespiratory fitness measures that are specifically and sensitively designed for use with pediatric populations when cardiorespiratory fitness may be a contributing factor for obesity. This study aimed to examine the criterion validity of the Modified Shuttle Test-Paeds (MSTP) as a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness in children, against the gold-standard reference; VO2peak, compared to the commonly used field-test; 20-m Multi-Stage-Shuttle-Run-Test (20-m MSRT). A cross-sectional pilot study, with 25 school-aged children (age: 6–16 year; male/female: 19/5; BMI: 21 ± 9 kg/m2) was employed. Physical measures included: Bruininks-Oseretsky-Test-of-Motor-Proficiency-2nd Edition (BOT2), VO2peak, 20-m MSRT, MSTP, body composition/anthropometry. The mean cardiorespiratory fitness of participants was: VO2peak: 43.8 ± 11.2 (mL/kg/min); 20-m MSRT: 5.48 ± 2.96 (level); MSTP: 22.10 ± 3.05 (no.). A strong predictive relationship was found between the 20-m MSRT and VO2peak (r2 = 0.486, p < 0.001) whereas a very strong predictive relationship existed between the newly designed MSTP and VO2peak (r2 = 0.749, p < 0.001). Whilst further research with larger study cohorts is needed, this pilot study found the MSTP to have a very high predictive validity for estimating VO2peak in children, suggesting it may be a valid child-specific indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness requiring only a simple equation that is clinically relevant.
Three-Dimensional Rule-Based City Modelling to Support Urban Redevelopment Process
Authors: Agius Tyler , Sabri Soheil , Kalantari Mohsen
Published: October 2018

Multi-dimensional representation of urban settings has received a great deal of attention among urban planners, policy makers, and urban scholars. This is due to the fact that cities grow vertically and new urbanism strategies encourage higher density and compact city development. Advancements in computer technology and multi-dimensional geospatial data integration, analysis and visualisation play a pivotal role in supporting urban planning and design. However, due to the complexity of the models and technical requirements of the multi-dimensional city models, planners are yet to fully exploit such technologies in their activities. This paper proposes a workflow to support non-experts in using three-dimensional city modelling tools to carry out planning control amendments and assess their implications. The paper focuses on using a parametric three-dimensional (3D) city model to enable planners to measure the physical (e.g., building height, shadow, setback) and functional (e.g., mix of land uses) impacts of new planning controls. The workflow is then implemented in an inner suburb of Metropolitan Melbourne, where urban intensification strategies require the planners to carry out radical changes in regulations. This study demonstrates the power of the proposed 3D visualisation tool for urban planners at taking two-dimensional (2D) Geographic Information System (GIS) procedural modelling to construct a 3D model.
The Role of Chemokines in Wound Healing
Authors: Ridiandries Anisyah , Tan Joanne T. M. , Bursill Christina A.
Published: October 2018

Wound healing is a multistep process with four overlapping but distinct stages: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. An alteration at any stage may lead to the development of chronic non-healing wounds or excessive scar formation. Impaired wound healing presents a significant health and economic burden to millions of individuals worldwide, with diabetes mellitus and aging being major risk factors. Ongoing understanding of the mechanisms that underly wound healing is required for the development of new and improved therapies that increase repair. Chemokines are key regulators of the wound healing process. They are involved in the promotion and inhibition of angiogenesis and the recruitment of inflammatory cells, which release growth factors and cytokines to facilitate the wound healing process. Preclinical research studies in mice show that the administration of CCL2, CCL21, CXCL12, and a CXCR4 antagonist as well as broad-spectrum inhibition of the CC-chemokine class improve the wound healing process. The focus of this review is to highlight the contributions of chemokines during each stage of wound healing and to discuss the related molecular pathologies in complex and chronic non-healing wounds. We explore the therapeutic potential of targeting chemokines as a novel approach to overcome the debilitating effects of impaired wound healing.
Unraveling the Connection between Fibroblast Growth Factor and Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling
Authors: Schliermann Anna , Nickel Joachim
Published: October 2018

Ontogeny of higher organisms as well the regulation of tissue homeostasis in adult individuals requires a fine-balanced interplay of regulating factors that individually trigger the fate of particular cells to either stay undifferentiated or to differentiate towards distinct tissue specific lineages. In some cases, these factors act synergistically to promote certain cellular responses, whereas in other tissues the same factors antagonize each other. However, the molecular basis of this obvious dual signaling activity is still only poorly understood. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are two major signal protein families that have a lot in common: They are both highly preserved between different species, involved in essential cellular functions, and their ligands vastly outnumber their receptors, making extensive signal regulation necessary. In this review we discuss where and how BMP and FGF signaling cross paths. The compiled data reflect that both factors synchronously act in many tissues, and that antagonism and synergism both exist in a context-dependent manner. Therefore, by challenging a generalization of the connection between these two pathways a new chapter in BMP FGF signaling research will be introduced.
Effects of Widespread Inotrope Use in Acute Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Kang Jeehoon , Cho Hyun-Jai , Lee Hae-Young , Lee Sangjun , Park Sue K. , Lee Sang Eun , Kim Jae-Joong , Jeon Eun-Seok , Chae Shung Chull , Baek Sang Hong , Kang Seok-Min , Choi Dong-Ju , Yoo Byung-Su , Kim Kye Hun , Cho Myeong-Chan , Oh Byung-Hee
Published: October 2018

Current guidelines recommend that inotropes should not be used in patients with normal systolic blood pressure (SBP). However, this is not supported with concrete evidence. We aimed to evaluate the effect of inotropes in acute heart failure (HF) patients from a nationwide HF registry. A total of 5625 patients from the Korean Acute Heart Failure (KorAHF) registry were analyzed. The primary outcomes were in-hospital adverse events and 1-month mortality. Among the total population, 1703 (31.1%) received inotropes during admission. Inotrope users had a higher event rate than non-users (in-hospital adverse events: 13.3% vs. 1.4%, p < 0.001; 1-month mortality: 5.5% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.001), while inotrope use was an independent predictor for clinical outcomes (in-hospital adverse events: ORadjusted 5.459, 95% CI 3.622–8.227, p < 0.001; 1-month mortality: HRadjusted 1.839, 95% CI 1.227–2.757, p = 0.003). Subgroup analysis showed that inotrope use was an independent predictor for detrimental outcomes only in patients with normal initial SBP (≥90 mmHg) (in-hospital adverse events: ORadjusted 5.931, 95% CI 3.864–9.104, p < 0.001; 1-month mortality: HRadjusted 3.584, 95% CI 1.280–10.037, p = 0.015), and a propensity score-matched population showed consistent results. Clinicians should be cautious with the usage of inotropes in acute heart failure patients, especially in those with a normal SBP.
Sex Comparisons for Very Short-Term Dynamic Constant External Resistance Training
Authors: Byrd M. Travis , Dinyer Taylor K. , Bergstrom Haley C.
Published: October 2018

This study compared sex responses for strength and barbell velocity from very short-term resistance training (VST, consisting of 2–3 training sessions) for an upper body dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) exercise (bench press [BP]). Ten females (mean ± standard deviation (SD) age: 21.3 ± 3 years, height: 166.2 ± 6 cm, body mass: 71.4 ± 10.7 kg) and 10 males (mean ± SD age: 24.6 ± 4 years, height: 179.5 ± 8 cm, body mass: 88.6 ± 11 kg) completed a pre-test visit to determine the BP 1 repetition maximum (1RM) as well as the mean (BPMV) and peak (BPPV) barbell velocities from the BP 1RM. The VST involved three training visits where the participants performed 5 sets of 6 repetitions, at 65% of the 1RM. The post-test followed the same procedures as the pre-test visit. There were significant increases in 1RM strength for both the males (5.1%) and females (5.4%) between pre-test and post-test. There were no significance differences between sex for mean (BPMV) and peak (BPPV); however, overall there was a 32.7% increase in BPMV and a 29.8% increase in BPPV. These findings indicated an increase in strength and barbell velocity for both males and females as a result of VST upper body DCER exercise in untrained subjects.
Logistics Education and Behavioral Training Decisions, Time Distortion, and the Prae Ante View
Authors: Neukirchen Thomas , Klumpp Matthias
Published: October 2018

In training and education for logistics, time inconsistency affects individual decisions regarding education and career choices. This is especially relevant in view of growing boundarylessness of careers that impacts the logistics sector with its high ratio of lateral entrants. We enrich the analysis of training and education decision-making processes with a third view beyond the common ex ante and ex post perspectives that has not been employed yet in this context. Our insights, modeled as a new prae ante view, can help prevent myopia in educational choice on an individual level and the resulting economic inefficiencies. This translates into more fitting provisions by individuals earlier, and into improved targeting of prospective employees in logistics. The purpose of this study is to provide an agent-based description grounded in behavioral economics, supported by an explorative empirical survey using extensive semi-structured expert-interviews with six participants concerning four to six career transitions each, conducted with employees in logistics professions. Main conclusions include that participants who were asked openly about influential factors for education and career decisions were oblivious of some factors described as highly predictive of educational and career success in literature, not acknowledging social and cultural capital, habitus, and chance, but also consistently ascribing success to a “milestone-mindset” to be described here as well.
First-Principles Calculations on Structural Property and Anisotropic Elasticity of γ1-Ti4Nb3Al9 under Pressure
Authors: Zeng Xianshi , Peng Rufang , Yu Yanlin , Hu Zuofu , Wen Yufeng , Song Lin
Published: October 2018

The effect of pressure on the structural property and anisotropic elasticity of γ 1 -Ti 4 Nb 3 Al 9 phase has been investigated in this paper by using first-principles calculations. The obtained bulk properties at zero pressure are in good agreement with the previous data. The structural property and elastic constants under pressures up to 40 GPa have been obtained. According to the elastic stability conditions under isotropic pressure, the phase is found to be mechanically stable under pressures up to 37.3 GPa. From the obtained elastic constants, the elastic moduli, anisotropic factors and acoustic velocities under different pressures have also been obtained successfully together with minimum thermal conductivities and Debye temperature. It is shown that the ductility of the phase is improved and its anisotropy and Debye temperature are enhanced with increasing the pressure.
Estimation of the Onset of Crack Growth in Ductile Materials
Authors: Neimitz Andrzej , Galkiewicz Jaroslaw , Lipiec Sebastian , Dzioba Ihor
Published: October 2018

In this paper, the ductile fracture mechanism is discussed. The results of numerical and experimental analyses were used to estimate the onset of crack front growth. It was assumed that the ductile fracture in front of the crack starts at the location along the crack front where the accumulated effective plastic strain reaches a critical value. According to numerous research articles, the critical effective plastic strain depends on the stress triaxiality and the Lode angle. The experimental program was performed using five different specimen geometries, three different materials, and three different temperatures of +20 °C, −20 °C, and −50 °C. Using the experimental data and results of the finite element computations, the critical effective plastic strains were determined for each material and temperature. However, before the critical effective plastic strain was determined, a careful calibration of the stress–strain curves was performed after modification of the Bai–Wierzbicki procedure. It was found that critical effective plastic strain was a function of triaxiality factor and Lode parameter, as expected, and that the fracture locus was useful to estimate the onset of ductile crack growth.
Experimental Evidence of the Speed Variation Effect on SVM Accuracy for Diagnostics of Ball Bearings
Authors: Cavalaglio Camargo Molano Jacopo , Rubini Riccardo , Cocconcelli Marco
Published: October 2018

In recent years, we have witnessed a considerable increase in scientific papers concerning the condition monitoring of mechanical components by means of machine learning. These techniques are oriented towards the diagnostics of mechanical components. In the same years, the interest of the scientific community in machine diagnostics has moved to the condition monitoring of machinery in non-stationary conditions (i.e., machines working with variable speed profiles or variable loads). Non-stationarity implies more complex signal processing techniques, and a natural consequence is the use of machine learning techniques for data analysis in non-stationary applications. Several papers have studied the machine learning system, but they focus on specific machine learning systems and the selection of the best input array. No paper has considered the dynamics of the system, that is, the influence of how much the speed profile changes during the training and testing steps of a machine learning technique. The aim of this paper is to show the importance of considering the dynamic conditions, taking the condition monitoring of ball bearings in variable speed applications as an example. A commercial support vector machine tool is used, tuning it in constant speed applications and testing it in variable speed conditions. The results show critical issues of machine learning techniques in non-stationary conditions.
The Finite Volume WENO with Lax–Wendroff Scheme for Nonlinear System of Euler Equations
Authors: Dong Haoyu , Lu Changna , Yang Hongwei
Published: October 2018

We develop a Lax–Wendroff scheme on time discretization procedure for finite volume weighted essentially non-oscillatory schemes, which is used to simulate hyperbolic conservation law. We put more focus on the implementation of one-dimensional and two-dimensional nonlinear systems of Euler functions. The scheme can keep avoiding the local characteristic decompositions for higher derivative terms in Taylor expansion, even omit partly procedure of the nonlinear weights. Extensive simulations are performed, which show that the fifth order finite volume WENO (Weighted Essentially Non-oscillatory) schemes based on Lax–Wendroff-type time discretization provide a higher accuracy order, non-oscillatory properties and more cost efficiency than WENO scheme based on Runge–Kutta time discretization for certain problems. Those conclusions almost agree with that of finite difference WENO schemes based on Lax–Wendroff time discretization for Euler system, while finite volume scheme has more flexible mesh structure, especially for unstructured meshes.
The Space–Time Kernel-Based Numerical Method for Burgers’ Equations
Authors: Uddin Marjan , Ali Hazrat
Published: October 2018

It is well known that major error occur in the time integration instead of the spatial approximation. In this work, anisotropic kernels are used for temporal as well as spatial approximation to construct a numerical scheme for solving nonlinear Burgers’ equations. The time-dependent PDEs are collocated in both space and time first, contrary to spatial discretization, and time stepping procedures for time integration are then applied. Physically one cannot in general expect that the spatial and temporal features of the solution behaves on the same order. Hence, one should have to incorporate anisotropic kernels. The nonlinear Burgers’ equations are converted by nonlinear transformation to linear equations. The spatial discretizations are carried out to construct differentiation matrices. Comparisons with most available numerical methods are made to solve the Burgers’ equations.
Characterization of MK8(H2) from Rhodococcus sp. B7740 and Its Potential Antiglycation Capacity Measurements
Authors: Chen Yashu , Mu Qin , Hu Kai , Chen Mo , Yang Jifang , Chen Jigang , Xie Bijun , Sun Zhida
Published: October 2018

Menaquinone (MK) has an important role in human metabolism as an essential vitamin (VK2), which is mainly produced through the fermentation of microorganisms. MK8(H2) was identified to be the main menaquinone from Rhodococcus sp. B7740, a bacterium isolated from the arctic ocean. In this work, MK8(H2) (purity: 99.75%) was collected through a convenient and economic extraction process followed by high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) purification. Additionally, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was performed for further identification and the hydrogenation position of MK8(H2) (terminal unit) was determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for the first time. MK8(H2) showed a superior antioxidant effect and antiglycation capacity compared with ubiquinone Q10 and MK4. High-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS/MS) and molecular docking showed the fine interaction between MK8(H2) with methylglyoxal (MGO) and bull serum albumin (BSA), respectively. These properties make MK8(H2) a promising natural active ingredient with future food and medicine applications.
Dietary Effects on Microbiota—New Trends with Gluten-Free or Paleo Diet
Authors: Zopf Yurdagül , Reljic Dejan , Dieterich Walburga
Published: October 2018

A well-balanced diet is the basis for a healthy life. Both the western diet and special diets can have a relevant impact on the microbiome and promote the development of various diseases. There has been an increase in food-related disorders in recent years, largely associated with dramatic changes in food consumption trends and main nutrients. A major response to food intolerances has been the adoption of new dietary trends involving the reduction or exclusion of specific food ingredients. Especially gluten-containing, but also gluten-free cereals are in the cross-fire. Supporters of the gluten-free diet argue that gluten triggers inflammation and related diseases, while followers of the Paleo diet drastically impeach all cereals as dangerous for human health. To date, no controlled studies support or reject a positive health effect of a gluten-free or cereal-free diet. Future large-scale studies need to evaluate the effect of gluten-containing and gluten-free cereals and the various diets on human health, inflammatory parameters, clinical symptoms, and the gut microbiota (including the bacteria, fungi, and viruses). Dietary-associated changes in compositional and functional microbiota traits should be correlated with the health status for the future development of dietary recommendations and potential clinical interventions.
Fatigue Strength Analysis and Fatigue Damage Evaluation of Roller Chain
Authors: Saito Ryoichi , Noda Nao-Aki , Sano Yoshikazu , Song Jian , Minami Takeru , Birou Yuuka , Miyagi Arata , Huang Yinsa
Published: October 2018

This paper deals with the roller chain commonly used for transmission of mechanical power on many kinds of industrial machinery, including conveyors, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and so forth. It consists of a series of four components called a pin, a bush, a plate, and a roller, which are driven by a sprocket. To clarify the fatigue damage, in this paper, the finite element method (FEM) is applied to those components under three different types of states, that is, the press-fitting state, the static tensile state, and the sprocket-engaging state. By comparing those states, the stress amplitude and the average stress of each component are calculated and plotted on the fatigue limit diagram. The effect of the plastic zone on the fatigue strength is also discussed. The results show that the fatigue crack initiation may start around the middle inner surface of the bush. As am example, the FEM results show that the fatigue crack of the inner plate may start from a certain point at the hole edge. The results agree with the actual fractured position in roller chains used in industry.
Use of Nutraceuticals in Angiogenesis-Dependent Disorders
Authors: Morbidelli Lucia , Terzuoli Erika , Donnini Sandra
Published: October 2018

The term of angiogenesis refers to the growth of new vessels from pre-existing capillaries. The phenomenon is necessary for physiological growth, repair and functioning of our organs. When occurring in a not regulated manner, it concurs to pathological conditions as tumors, eye diseases, chronic degenerative disorders. On the contrary insufficient neovascularization or endothelial disfunction accompanies ischemic and metabolic disorders. In both the cases an inflammatory and oxidative condition exists in supporting angiogenesis deregulation and endothelial dysfunction. The use of nutraceuticals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities can be a therapeutic option to maintain an adequate vascularization and endothelial cell proper functioning or to blunt aberrant angiogenesis. A revision of the updated literature reports on nutraceuticals to guide endothelial cell wellness and to restore physiological tissue vascularization is the objective of this paper. The critical aspects as well as lacking data for human use will be explored from a pharmacological perspective.
Enantioseparation, Stereochemical Assignment and Chiral Recognition Mechanism of Sulfoxide-Containing Drugs
Authors: Xiong Fei , Yang Bei-Bei , Zhang Jie , Li Li
Published: October 2018

The distinct pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of enantiopure sulfoxide drugs have stimulated us to systematically investigate their chiral separation, stereochemical assignment, and chiral recognition mechanism. Herein, four clinically widely-used sulfoxide drugs were chosen and optically resolved on various chiral stationary phases (CSPs). Theoretical simulations including electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation and molecular docking were adopted to assign the stereochemistry and reveal the underlying chiral recognition mechanism. Our results showed that the sequence of calculated mean binding energies between each pair of enantiomers and CSP matched exactly with experimentally observed enantiomeric elution order (EEO). It was also found that the length of hydrogen bond might contribute dominantly the interaction between two enantiomers and CSP. We hope our study could provide a fresh perspective to explore the stereochemistry and chiral recognition mechanism of chiral drugs.
Melt Viscoelastic Assessment of Poly(Lactic Acid) Composting: Influence of UV Ageing
Authors: Verney Vincent , Ramoné Audrey , Delor-Jestin Florence , Commereuc Sophie , Koutny Marek , Perchet Geoffrey , Troquet Julien
Published: October 2018

This study is devoted to the degradation pathway (bio, photo degradation and photo/bio) of Poly(Lactic acid) PLA polymers by means of melt viscoelasticity. A comparison was made between three PLA polymers with different microstructures (L, D stereoisomers). Biodegradability was determined during composting by burying the polymer films in compost at 58 °C. Melt viscoelasticity was used to assess the molecular evolution of the materials during the composting process. Viscoelastic data were plotted in the complex plane. We used this methodology to check the kinetics of the molecular weight decrease during the initial stages of the degradation, through the evolution of Newtonian viscosity. After a few days in compost, the Newtonian viscosity decreased sharply, meaning that macromolecular chain scissions began at the beginning of the experiments. However, a double molar mass distribution was also observed on Cole–Cole plots, indicating that there is also a chain recombination mechanism competing with the chain scission mechanism. PLA hydrolysis was observed by infra-red spectroscopy, where acid characteristic peaks appeared and became more intense during experiments, confirming hydrolytic activity during the first step of biodegradation. During UV ageing, polymer materials undergo a deep molecular evolution. After photo-degradation, lower viscosities were measured during biodegradation, but no significant differences in composting were found.
Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Assay for Determination of Endogenous GHB and GHB-Glucuronide in Nails
Authors: Busardò Francesco Paolo , Gottardi Massimo , Tini Anastasio , Mortali Claudia , Giorgetti Raffaele , Pichini Simona
Published: October 2018

Background: The short chain fatty acid gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a precursor, and the metabolite of gamma-aminobutyric acid is commonly used as an illegal recreational drug of abuse. Methods: An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated for endogenous GHB and its glucuronide in nails, to complement hair in forensic contexts for a retrospective detection of psychotropic drugs consumption. Results: GHB endogenous values for children and adolescents, adult females, and adult males in fingernails ranged from 0.3 to 3.0, 3.2, and 3.8 ng/mg, respectively, and toenails values ranged from 0.3 to 1.8, 2.0, and 2.4 ng/mg, respectively. In the three different groups, values of GHB in fingernails were statistically higher than those in toenails. GHB glucuronide could only be detected in finger nails with values ranging from 0.08 to 0.233, 0.252 and 0.243 in children and adolescents, adult females and adult males, respectively. Conclusions: The validated method was efficaciously applied to real finger and toe nails specimens from a population of males and females non GHB consumers. A preliminary cut-off of 5.0 ng/mg nail for endogenous GHB and 0.5 ng/mg for endogenous GHB-Gluc in the general population was proposed.
Carotenoid Intake and Serum Concentration in Young Finnish Children and Their Relation with Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Authors: Prasad Marianne , Takkinen Hanna-Mari , Uusitalo Liisa , Tapanainen Heli , Ovaskainen Marja-Leena , Alfthan Georg , Erlund Iris , Ahonen Suvi , Åkerlund Mari , Toppari Jorma , Ilonen Jorma , Knip Mikael , Veijola Riitta , Virtanen Suvi M.
Published: October 2018

Fruit and vegetable intake has been associated with a reduced risk of many chronic diseases. These foods are the main dietary source of carotenoids. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between dietary intake and serum concentrations of α- and β-carotene in a sample of young Finnish children from the population-based birth cohort of the Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention (DIPP) Study. The current analysis comprised 3-day food records and serum samples from 207 children aged 1, 2 and 3 years. Spearman and partial correlations, as well as a cross-classification analyses, were used to assess the relationship between dietary intake and the corresponding biomarkers. Serum concentrations of α- and β-carotene were significantly higher among the 1-year-old compared to the 3-year-old children. Dietary intakes of α- and β-carotene correlated significantly with their respective serum concentrations in all age groups, the association being highest at the age of 1 year (α-carotene r = 0.48; p < 0.001 and β-carotene r = 0.47; p < 0.001), and lowest at the age of 3 years (α-carotene r = 0.44; p < 0.001 and β-carotene r = 0.30; p < 0.001). A cross-classification showed that 72–81% of the participants were correctly classified to the same or adjacent quartile, when comparing the reported dietary intakes and the concentrations of the corresponding carotenoid in serum. The 3-day food record seems to be reasonably valid in the assessment of root vegetable consumption among young Finnish children. Root vegetables were the main dietary source of both carotenoids in all age groups. The high consumption of commercial baby foods among the 1-year-old children was reflected in the relatively high dietary intake and serum concentration of both carotenoids.
Fish Intake in Pregnancy and Offspring Metabolic Parameters at Age 9–16—Does Gestational Diabetes Modify the Risk?
Authors: Maslova Ekaterina , Hansen Susanne , Strøm Marin , Halldorsson Thorhallur I. , Grunnet Louise G. , Vaag Allan A. , Olsen Sjurdur F.
Published: October 2018

Oily fish, an important source of marine n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), has shown to reduce cardiometabolic risk in adults. Whether maternal fish intake affects offspring metabolic health is less established, especially among high-risk pregnancies. We aimed to examine the association of fish intake in pregnancy with offspring metabolic health who were either exposed or unexposed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Our study included 1234 mother-offspring dyads (608 with a GDM index pregnancy and 626 control dyads) nested within the Danish National Birth Cohort, which is a prebirth cohort. Maternal seafood and marine n-3 LCPUFA consumption was quantified by a food frequency questionnaire (gestational week 25) and a sub-sample with interview data (weeks 12 and 30). The offspring were clinically examined at 9–16 years, including a Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan and a fasting blood sample. We calculated multivariable effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for anthropometric, adiposity, and metabolic parameters. The median (IQR) intake of total seafood was 23(24) g/day. We found largely no association for total seafood and marine n-3 LCPUFA with offspring metabolic parameters in either group. Using interview data, GDM-exposed women reporting no fish in week 12 and 30 (versus intake >2 times/week) had offspring with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) (ratio of geometric means (RGM): 1.28, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.55), waist circumference (RGM: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.40), triglycerides (RGM: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.03, 3.03), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance HOMA-IR (RGM: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.17, 3.97). We found no associations of n-3 LCPUFA and seafood intake with offspring metabolic outcomes. However, GDM-exposed women who consistently reported eating no fish had offspring with a poorer metabolic profile. Fish intake in pregnancy may mitigate some adverse effects of intrauterine hyperglycemia, however, these findings need replication in better powered studies.
Poor Dietary Quality Is Associated with Increased Inflammation in Swedish Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Bärebring Linnea , Winkvist Anna , Gjertsson Inger , Lindqvist Helen M.
Published: October 2018

The aim was to study whether dietary quality was associated with disease activity and inflammation among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This cross-sectional analysis included 66 Swedish participants, who each completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at screening. Food intake was scored by a dietary quality index created by the Swedish National Food Agency. Disease activity was measured as Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28), based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), a patient administered visual analogue scale of perceived global health and the number of tender and swollen joints out of 28 examined. Inflammation was measured as ESR and C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Associations between dietary quality, disease activity and inflammation were evaluated using multivariable linear regression analysis. High dietary quality (high intake of fish, shellfish, whole grain, fruit and vegetables and low intake of sausages and sweets) was not related to DAS28 (B = −0.02, p = 0.787). However, dietary quality was significantly negatively associated with hs-CRP (B = −0.6, p = 0.044) and ESR (B = −2.4, p = 0.002) after adjusting for body mass index, age, education, smoking and gender. Both hs-CRP and ESR decreased with increasing dietary quality. In conclusion, among patients with RA, high dietary quality was associated with reduced inflammation but not with disease activity.
Mathematical Modelling and Simulation of a Spray Fluidized Bed Granulator
Authors: Kaur Gurmeet , Singh Mehakpreet , Kumar Jitendra , De Beer Thomas , Nopens Ingmar
Published: October 2018

In this present work, a study of the modelling and simulation for a top-sprayed fluidized bed granulator (SFBG) is presented, which is substantially used by the pharmaceutical industry to prepare granules. The idea is to build a number-based mathematical model using the notion of population balances by dividing a top SFBG into two different zones, namely the wet zone and dry zone. To solve a two-compartment model, an existing accurate and efficient finite volume scheme is implemented. In order to validate the compartmental model, a new class of analytical moments is derived corresponding to various combinations of aggregation and breakage kernels. To verify the accuracy of a modified finite volume scheme, the zeroth and first order moments computed using the finite volume scheme are compared with the newly-derived analytical results. Moreover, the stability of the compartmental model and the numerical scheme is tested by varying the size of the wet zone. It is also shown that the relative errors in both order moments increase with the increase in the size of the wet zone.
Identification of Potential Plasma Biomarkers for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Using Tandem Mass Tag Quantitative Proteomics
Authors: Henriksson Anders E. , Lindqvist Markus , Sihlbom Carina , Bergström Jörgen , Bylund Dan
Published: October 2018

Plasma biomarkers that identify abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture risk would greatly assist in stratifying patients with small aneurysms. Identification of such biomarkers has hitherto been unsuccessful over a range of studies using different methods. The present study used an alternative proteomic approach to find new, potential plasma AAA biomarker candidates. Pre-fractionated plasma samples from twelve patients with AAA and eight matched controls without aneurysm were analyzed by mass spectrometry applying a tandem mass tag (TMT) technique. Eight proteins were differentially regulated in patients compared to controls, including decreased levels of the enzyme bleomycin hydrolase. The down-regulation of this enzyme was confirmed in an extended validation study using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The TMT-based proteomic approach thus identified novel potential plasma biomarkers for AAA.
Planning for Academic Publishing after Retirement
Authors: Donovan Stephen K.
Published: October 2018

Many academics retire, yet continue to tread a well-worm research path. In contrast, retirement may also be a time for reinvention and changes in direction—place, name, institutional links, where to publish, and what to review. These changes may be by pursuing a more restricted research agenda, but in a way convenient or interesting to the retiree. In short, the anticipation is that research in retirement will be a lot of fun; may the retiree leave the angst to the professionals.
A Place of Pretense and Escapism: The Coffeehouse in Early 20th Century Budapest Jewish Literature
Authors: Rethelyi Mari
Published: October 2018

In Budapest, going to the coffeehouiennese Café and Fin-De-Siecle Cultuse was the quintessential urban habit. The coffeehouse, a Judaized urban space, although devoid of any religious overtones, was Jewish in that most of the owners and significant majority of the intellectual clientele were Jewish—secular and non-affiliated—but Jewish. The writers’ Jewishness was not a confessed faith or identity, but a lens on the experience of life that stemmed from their origins, whether they were affiliated with a Jewish institution or not, and whether they identified as Jews or not. The coffeehouse enabled Jews to create and participate in the culture that replaced traditional ethnic and religious affiliations. The new secular urban Jew needed a place to express and practice this new identity, and going to the coffeehouse was an important part of that identity. Hungarian Jewish literature centered in Budapest contains a significant amount of material on the coffeehouse. Literature provided a non-constrained and unfiltered venue for the secular Jewish urban intellectuals to voice freely and directly their opinions on Jewish life at the time. In the article I examine what the Jewish writers of the early 20th century wrote about Budapest’s coffeehouses and how their experience of them is connected to their being Jewish.
Generating VaR Scenarios under Solvency II with Product Beta Distributions
Authors: Pfeifer Dietmar , Ragulina Olena
Published: October 2018

We propose a Monte Carlo simulation method to generate stress tests by VaR scenarios under Solvency II for dependent risks on the basis of observed data. This is of particular interest for the construction of Internal Models. The approach is based on former work on partition-of-unity copulas, however with a direct scenario estimation of the joint density by product beta distributions after a suitable transformation of the original data.
A Tactile Sensor Decoupling Process
Authors: Xu Yuyun , Zhuang Xuekun , Hu Guangyu , Pan Hongqing , Shuang Feng
Published: October 2018

An improved hybrid homotopy method is proposed to decouple the multi-input model of tactile sensors. The time-embedded homotopy algorithm is proved to be very suitable for solving the problem. Three tracking factors that control the efficiency of the algorithm are studied: tracking operator, stepsize, and accuracy. Trust region methods are applied to track the zero paths instead of the traditional differential algorithm, and a periodic sampling method is proposed to improve the efficiency of the algorithm. Numerical experiments show that both the robustness and accuracy have received a huge boost after the hybrid algorithm is applied.
Silicon Photonic Biosensors Using Label-Free Detection
Authors: Luan Enxiao , Shoman Hossam , Ratner Daniel M. , Cheung Karen C. , Chrostowski Lukas
Published: October 2018

Thanks to advanced semiconductor microfabrication technology, chip-scale integration and miniaturization of lab-on-a-chip components, silicon-based optical biosensors have made significant progress for the purpose of point-of-care diagnosis. In this review, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art in evanescent field biosensing technologies including interferometer, microcavity, photonic crystal, and Bragg grating waveguide-based sensors. Their sensing mechanisms and sensor performances, as well as real biomarkers for label-free detection, are exhibited and compared. We also review the development of chip-level integration for lab-on-a-chip photonic sensing platforms, which consist of the optical sensing device, flow delivery system, optical input and readout equipment. At last, some advanced system-level complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip packaging examples are presented, indicating the commercialization potential for the low cost, high yield, portable biosensing platform leveraging CMOS processes.
Gas–Solid Two-Phase Flow Pattern Identification Based on Artificial Neural Network and Electrostatic Sensor Array
Authors: Fu Fei-fei , Li Jian
Published: October 2018

A method for gas–solid two-phase flow pattern identification in horizontal pneumatic conveying pipelines is proposed based on an electrostatic sensor array (ESA) and artificial neural network (ANN). The ESA contains eight identical arc shaped electrodes. Numerical simulation is conducted to discuss the contributions of the electrostatic signals to the flow patterns according to the error recognition rate, and the results show that the amplitudes of the output signals from each electrode of the ESA can give important information on the particle distribution and further infer the flow patterns. In experiments, the average values and standard deviations of the eight output signals’ amplitudes are respectively extracted as the inputs of the ANN to identify four kinds of flow patterns in a pneumatic conveying pipeline, which are fully suspended flow, stratified flow, dune flow and slug flow. Results show that for any one of those two input values, the correct rates of the ANN model are all 100%.
Effects of Aggregate Types on the Stress-Strain Behavior of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP)-Confined Lightweight Concrete
Authors: Li Pengda , Sui Lili , Xing Feng , Huang Xiaoxu , Zhou Yingwu , Yun Yanchun
Published: October 2018

The realization of reducing concrete self-weight is mainly to replace ordinary aggregates with lightweight aggregates; such replacement usually comes with some intrinsic disadvantages in concrete, such as high brittleness and lower mechanical properties. However, these shortages can be effectively remedied by external confinement such as fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) jacketing. To accurately predict the stress-strain behavior of lightweight concrete with lateral confinement, it is necessary to properly understand the coupling effects that are caused by diverse aggregates types and confinement level. In this study, FRP-confined lightweight concrete cylinder with varying aggregate types were tested under axial compression. Strain gauges and linear variable displacement transducers were used for monitoring the lateral and axial deformation of specimens during the tests. By sensing the strain and deformation data for the specimens under the tri-axial loads, the results showed that the lateral to axial strain relation is highly related to the aggregate types and confinement level. In addition, when compared with FRP-confined normal weight aggregate concrete, the efficiency of FRP confinement for lightweight concrete is gradually reduced with the increase of external pressure. Replace ordinary fine aggregate by its lightweight counterparts can be significantly improved the deformation capacity of FRP-confined lightweight concrete, meanwhile does not lead to the reduction of compressive strength. Plus, this paper modified a well-established stress-strain model for an FRP-confined lightweight concrete column, involving the effect of aggregate types. More accurate expressions pertaining to the deformation capacity and the stress-strain relation were proposed with reasonable accuracy.
Static Characterization of the Driving, Normal and Stall Forces of a Double-Sided Moving-Permanent Magnet-Type Planar Actuator Based on Orthogonal Planar Windings
Authors: Silveira Marilia A. da , Susin Marcos J. , Flores Filho Aly F. , Dorrell David G.
Published: October 2018

This work presents a study of the traction, normal and stall forces in a two-sided planar actuator with orthogonal planar windings and a mover that comprises two cars magnetically coupled to each other through two pairs of permanent magnets (PMs). There is no ferromagnetic armature core because of the permanent magnets array in the mover and orthogonal traction forces can be generated in order to move both cars jointly in any direction on a plane. The stall force is the minimal force necessary to break up the magnetic coupling between the two cars. When one of the cars is subjected to an external force through the x- or y-axis, the cars can become out of alignment with respect to each other and the planar actuator cannot work properly. The behavior of the forces was modelled by numerical and analytical methods and experimental results were obtained from tests carried out on a prototype. The average sensitivity of the measured static propulsion planar force along either axis is 4.48 N/A. With a 20-mm displacement between the cars along the direction of the x-axis and no armature current, a magnetic stall force of 17.26 N is produced through the same axis in order to restore the alignment of the two cars.
Standardization of the Evaluation Index System for Low-Carbon Cities in China: A Case Study of Xiamen
Authors: Shi Longyu , Xiang Xueqin , Zhu Wei , Gao Lijie
Published: October 2018

The construction of a reasonable evaluation index system for low-carbon cities is an important part of China’s green development strategy in urban areas. In this study, based on the theoretical framework for the concept of low-carbon cities, the perspectives from three index systems—that is, the Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact, Response model of intervention (DPSIR), a complex ecosystem, and a carbon source/sink process—were integrated to extract common indicators from existing evaluation index systems for low-carbon cities. Subsequently, a standardized evaluation index system for low-carbon cities that contained five indicators—carbon emission, low carbon production, low carbon consumption, low-carbon policy, and social economic development—was established. Thereafter, Xiamen was selected for an empirical analysis by determining the indicator weight with an entropy weight method and by carrying out a comprehensive evaluation using a linear summation model. The results showed that the weights of the five selected primary indicators for the evaluation of low-carbon cities were: low-carbon production > low-carbon consumption > social economic development > carbon emission > low-carbon policy. Among the secondary indicators, the average entropy weight of “pollution emission” was the highest at 0.1591, while the average entropy weight of “urbanization rate” was the lowest at 0.0360. Furthermore, the comprehensive index of low-carbon development in 2015 was higher than that in 2010, while the rate of economic growth was greater than the growth rate of carbon emission, which indicated that the relative decoupling of economic growth from carbon emission was basically achieved.
Genetic Algorithm-Optimized Long Short-Term Memory Network for Stock Market Prediction
Authors: Chung Hyejung , Shin Kyung-shik
Published: October 2018

With recent advances in computing technology, massive amounts of data and information are being constantly accumulated. Especially in the field of finance, we have great opportunities to create useful insights by analyzing that information, because the financial market produces a tremendous amount of real-time data, including transaction records. Accordingly, this study intends to develop a novel stock market prediction model using the available financial data. We adopt deep learning technique because of its excellent learning ability from the massive dataset. In this study, we propose a hybrid approach integrating long short-term memory (LSTM) network and genetic algorithm (GA). Heretofore, trial and error based on heuristics is commonly used to estimate the time window size and architectural factors of LSTM network. This research investigates the temporal property of stock market data by suggesting a systematic method to determine the time window size and topology for the LSTM network using GA. To evaluate the proposed hybrid approach, we have chosen daily Korea Stock Price Index (KOSPI) data. The experimental result demonstrates that the hybrid model of LSTM network and GA outperforms the benchmark model.