bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of β-Glycosidase from Caldicellulosiruptor owensensis and Its Application in the Production of Platycodin D from Balloon Flower Leaf
Authors: Shin Kyung-Chul , Seo Min-Ju , Kim Dae-Wook , Yeom Soo-Jin , Kim Yeong-Su
Published: December 2019

Platycodin D has diverse pharmacological activities. An efficient and economical mechanism for obtaining platycosides (platycodin D in particular) would be very useful. Balloon flower leaf extract (BFLE) was obtained by recycling leaves discarded from Platycodi radix production, as they have a high platycoside E content. A recombinant β-glycosidase from Caldicellulosiruptor owensensis was characterized and applied to BFLE for platycoside bioconversion. The enzyme specifically hydrolyzed the glucose residue at the C-3 position in platycosides and was suitable for platycodin D production. Under optimized reaction conditions, β-glycosidase from C. owensensis completely converted platycoside E from BFLE into platycodin D with the highest concentration and productivity reported so far. These results greatly improve the production process for deglycosylated platycosides.
JNK Signaling Pathway Involvement in Spinal Cord Neuron Development and Death
Authors: Schellino Roberta , Boido Marina , Vercelli Alessandro
Published: December 2019

The c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK) is a Janus-faced kinase, which, in the nervous system, plays important roles in a broad range of physiological and pathological processes. Three genes, encoding for 10 JNK isoforms, have been identified: jnk1, jnk2, and jnk3. In the developing spinal cord, JNK proteins control neuronal polarity, axon growth/pathfinding, and programmed cell death; in adulthood they can drive degeneration and regeneration, after pathological insults. Indeed, recent studies have highlighted a role for JNK in motor neuron (MN) diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy. In this review we discuss how JNK-dependent signaling regulates apparently contradictory functions in the spinal cord, in both the developmental and adult stages. In addition, we examine the evidence that the specific targeting of JNK signaling pathway may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of MN diseases.
Drying Technology Assisted by Nonthermal Pulsed Filamentary Microplasma Treatment: Theory and Practice
Authors: Shorstkii Ivan , Koshevoi Evgeny
Published: December 2019

Nonthermal pulsed filamentary microplasma treatment for drying is a nonthermal technology with promising perspectives to dehydrate plant agricultural materials. The modified set of Luikov’s equations for heat, mass and pressure transfer, has been used to analyze nonthermal pulsed filamentary microplasma treatment effects. The finite element method in combination with the step-by-step finite-difference method for a coupled system of differential equations in partial derivatives was used for numerical simulation of heat, humidity and pressure potentials transfer. The drying time of samples treated by nonthermal pulsed filamentary microplasma treatment assisted by thermionic emission was reduced up to 20.6% (5 kV/cm; 1200 discharges) in comparison to intact tissue. The effect of the obtained approach is very useful for studying process mechanisms and for explaining nonthermal pulsed filamentary microplasma treatment effects. Refined transfer kinetic coefficients from a set of equations based on experimental drying curve can be used for the quantitative determination of thermodynamic coefficients. The agreement of the simulation data with the analytical equation and experimental results is satisfactory (discrepancy less than 3%). Obtained results showed that the proposed model with the refined transfer kinetic coefficients adequately describe the experimental data.
Network Intrusion Detection with a Hashing Based Apriori Algorithm Using Hadoop MapReduce
Authors: Azeez Nureni Ayofe , Ayemobola Tolulope Jide , Misra Sanjay , Maskeliūnas Rytis , Damaševičius Robertas
Published: December 2019

Ubiquitous nature of Internet services across the globe has undoubtedly expanded the strategies and operational mode being used by cybercriminals to perpetrate their unlawful activities through intrusion on various networks. Network intrusion has led to many global financial loses and privacy problems for Internet users across the globe. In order to safeguard the network and to prevent Internet users from being the regular victims of cyber-criminal activities, new solutions are needed. This research proposes solution for intrusion detection by using the improved hashing-based Apriori algorithm implemented on Hadoop MapReduce framework; capable of using association rules in mining algorithm for identifying and detecting network intrusions. We used the KDD dataset to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of the solution. Our results obtained show that this approach provides a reliable and effective means of detecting network intrusion.
Neural Net-Based Approach to EEG Signal Acquisition and Classification in BCI Applications
Authors: Chenane Kathia , Touati Youcef , Boubchir Larbi , Daachi Boubaker
Published: December 2019

The following contribution describes a neural net-based, noninvasive methodology for electroencephalographic (EEG) signal classification. The application concerns a brain–computer interface (BCI) allowing disabled people to interact with their environment using only brain activity. It consists of classifying user’s thoughts in order to translate them into commands, such as controlling wheelchairs, cursor movement, or spelling. The proposed method follows a functional model, as is the case for any BCI, and can be achieved through three main phases: data acquisition and preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification of brains activities. For this purpose, we propose an interpretation model implementing a quantization method using both fast Fourier transform with root mean square error for feature extraction and a self-organizing-map-based neural network to generate classifiers, allowing better interpretation of brain activities. In order to show the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, an experimental study was conducted by exploiting five mental activities acquired by a G.tec BCI system containing 16 simultaneously sampled bio-signal channels with 24 bits, with experiments performed on 10 randomly chosen subjects.
Effect of Application Height and Ground Speed on Spray Pattern and Droplet Spectra from Remotely Piloted Aerial Application Systems
Authors: Martin Daniel E. , Woldt Wayne E. , Latheef Mohamed A.
Published: December 2019

The objectives of this study were to characterize the effects of operational factors on spray application parameters for remotely piloted aerial application systems (RPAAS). The effects of application height and ground speed on spray pattern uniformity and droplet spectra characteristics were investigated for two RPAAS (DJI model MG-1 and HSE V6A) delivery vehicles equipped with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) nozzles. A spray mixture of tap water and fluorescent dye was applied at three different application heights in conjunction with four different ground speeds over the center line of a cotton string, suspended 1 m above ground. Fluorometric assessment of spray deposits on cotton strings and spray droplets captured on water-sensitive paper samplers described spray pattern and droplet spectra, respectively. Effective swath was determined based on the widest spray swath with a coefficient of variation (CV) ≤ 25%. Regardless of ground speed, application heights of 2 and 3 m yielded the largest effective swath for the MG-1. Neither application height nor ground speed significantly influenced effective swath for the V6A. These test results may provide guidance to remote aerial applicators as to the best application height and ground speed to use for their RPAAS for efficacious application of pest control products.
The Eigenvalue Complexity of Sequences in the Real Domain
Authors: Liu Lingfeng , Xiang Hongyue , Li Renzhi , Hu Hanping
Published: December 2019

The eigenvalue is one of the important cryptographic complexity measures for sequences. However, the eigenvalue can only evaluate sequences with finite symbols—it is not applicable for real number sequences. Recently, chaos-based cryptography has received widespread attention for its perfect dynamical characteristics. However, dynamical complexity does not completely equate to cryptographic complexity. The security of the chaos-based cryptographic algorithm is not fully guaranteed unless it can be proven or measured by cryptographic standards. Therefore, in this paper, we extended the eigenvalue complexity measure from the finite field to the real number field to make it applicable for the complexity measurement of real number sequences. The probability distribution, expectation, and variance of the eigenvalue of real number sequences are discussed both theoretically and experimentally. With the extension of eigenvalue, we can evaluate the cryptographic complexity of real number sequences, which have a great advantage for cryptographic usage, especially for chaos-based cryptography.
The P-Type Module with Virtual DC Links to Increase Levels in Multilevel Inverters
Authors: Samadaei Emad , Kaviani Mohammad , Iranian Mina , Pouresmaeil Edris
Published: December 2019

There has been an active interest in the evolution of newer multilevel inverter topologies in which the highest operation of DC sources become an important subject. In the paper, a new structure module presented a seventeen levels asymmetrical multilevel inverter by using two unequal DC sources (with the ratio 3:1). The configuration was focused on creating virtual DC links by two chargeable capacitors. The module had a simple inherent charging for capacitors without any additional circuit. The proposed multilevel inverter could produce higher voltage levels by a lower number of components; therefore, it is suitable for a wide range of applications. Also, the cascade connection of the module led to a modular topology with more voltage levels at higher voltages. The capability of the inherent negative voltage was involved. The simulation results obtained in MATLAB/Simulink, as well as the experimental results, verified the proposed topology.
Brain Computer Interface-Based Action Observation Game Enhances Mu Suppression in Patients with Stroke
Authors: Choi Hyoseon , Lim Hyunmi , Kim Joon Woo , Kang Youn Joo , Ku Jeonghun
Published: December 2019

Action observation (AO), based on the mirror neuron theory, is a promising strategy to promote motor cortical activation in neurorehabilitation. Brain computer interface (BCI) can detect a user’s intention and provide them with brain state-dependent feedback to assist with patient rehabilitation. We investigated the effects of a combined BCI-AO game on power of mu band attenuation in stroke patients. Nineteen patients with subacute stroke were recruited. A BCI-AO game provided real-time feedback to participants regarding their attention to a flickering action video using steady-state visual-evoked potentials. All participants watched a video of repetitive grasping actions under two conditions: (1) BCI-AO game and (2) conventional AO, in random order. In the BCI-AO game, feedback on participants’ observation scores and observation time was provided. In conventional AO, a non-flickering video and no feedback were provided. The magnitude of mu suppression in the central motor, temporal, parietal, and occipital areas was significantly higher in the BCI-AO game than in the conventional AO. The magnitude of mu suppression was significantly higher in the BCI-AO game than in the conventional AO both in the affected and unaffected hemispheres. These results support the facilitatory effects of the BCI-AO game on mu suppression over conventional AO.
High-Performance Compact Multi-Mode UWB Filter using High-Temperature Superconductivity
Authors: Zhou Liguo , Long Zhihe , Wu Hang , Li Hui , Zhang Tianliang
Published: December 2019

A high-performance miniaturized multi-mode ultra-wide band (UWB) filter is proposed in this paper. The simple compact quintuple-mode resonator is constructed by loading three sets of open stubs on a modified conventional triple-mode resonator. Even and odd mode analytical methods are applied to analyze it. In addition, the function of each part of the filter is studied in cases of weak/strong coupling. In order to further improve the insertion loss, selectivity and out-of-band suppression, the designed filter is finally fabricated on double-sided YBCO/MgO/YBCO high-temperature superconducting (HTS) film. The test results show that the HTS UWB filter has excellent performance, and the simulation results are in good agreement with the test ones. The 3-dB bandwidth covers 3.6 ~ 13.2 GHz. The maximum insertion loss in the band was only 0.32 dB, and the reflection was better than –15.1 dB. The band-edge roll-off rate was 56 dB/GHz and the upper stopband with 20 dB rejection extended to 20.7 GHz.
A Low-Voltage Multi-Band ZigBee Transceiver
Authors: Li Zhiqun , Yao Yan , Wang Zengqi , Cheng Guoxiao , Luo Lei
Published: December 2019

This paper presents a low-voltage ZigBee transceiver covering a unique frequency band of 780/868/915/2400 MHz in 180 nm CMOS technology. The design consists of a receiver with a wideband variable-gain front end and a complex band-pass filter (CBPF) based on poles construction, a transmitter employing the two-point direct-modulation structure, a Ʃ-Δ fractional-N frequency synthesizer with two VCOs and some auxiliary circuits. The measured results show that under 1 V supply voltage, the receiver reaches −93.8 dBm and −102 dBm sensitivity for 2.4 GHz and sub-GHz band, respectively, and dissipates only 1.42 mW power. The frequency synthesizer achieves −106.8 dBc/Hz and −116.7 dBc/Hz phase noise at 1 MHz frequency offset along with 4.2 mW and 3.5 mW power consumption for 2.4 GHz and sub-GHz band, respectively. The transmitter features 2.67 dBm and 12.65 dBm maximum output power at the expense of 21.2 mW and 69.5 mW power for 2.4 GHz and sub-GHz band, respectively.
Full-Duplex NOMA Transmission with Single-Antenna Buffer-Aided Relays
Authors: Nomikos Nikolaos , Trakadas Panagiotis , Hatziefremidis Antonios , Voliotis Stamatis
Published: December 2019

The efficient deployment of fifth generation and beyond networks relies upon the seamless combination of recently introduced transmission techniques. Furthermore, as multiple network nodes exist in dense wireless topologies, low-complexity implementation should be promoted. In this work, several wireless communication techniques are considered for improving the sum-rate performance of cooperative relaying non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) networks. For this purpose, an opportunistic relay selection algorithm is developed, employing single-antenna relays to achieve full-duplex operation by adopting the successive relaying technique. In addition, as relays are equipped with buffers, flexible half-duplex transmission can be performed when packets reside in the buffers. The proposed buffer-aided and successive single-antenna (BASSA-NOMA) algorithm is presented in detail and its operation and practical implementation aspects are thoroughly analyzed. Comparisons with other relevant algorithms illustrate significant performance gains when BASSA-NOMA is employed without incurring high implementation complexity.
The Roles of Hypoxia-Inducible Factors and Non-Coding RNAs in Gastrointestinal Cancer
Authors: Cho Hyun-Soo , Han Tae-Su , Hur Keun , Ban Hyun Seung
Published: December 2019

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are transcription factors that play central roles in cellular responses against hypoxia. In most cancers, HIFs are closely associated with tumorigenesis by regulating cell survival, angiogenesis, metastasis, and adaptation to the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Recently, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been reported to play critical roles in the hypoxic response in various cancers. Here, we review the roles of hypoxia-response ncRNAs in gastrointestinal cancer, with a particular focus on microRNAs and long ncRNAs, and discuss the functional relationships and regulatory mechanisms between HIFs and ncRNAs.
Plant Hormones Differentially Control the Sub-Cellular Localization of Plasma Membrane Microdomains during the Early Stage of Soybean Nodulation
Authors: Qiao Zhenzhen , Zogli Prince , Libault Marc
Published: December 2019

Phytohormones regulate the mutualistic symbiotic interaction between legumes and rhizobia, nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria, notably by controlling the formation of the infection thread in the root hair (RH). At the cellular level, the formation of the infection thread is promoted by the translocation of plasma membrane microdomains at the tip of the RH. We hypothesize that phytohormones regulate the translocation of plasma membrane microdomains to regulate infection thread formation. Accordingly, we treated with hormone and hormone inhibitors transgenic soybean roots expressing fusions between the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and GmFWL1 or GmFLOT2/4, two microdomain-associated proteins translocated at the tip of the soybean RH in response to rhizobia. Auxin and cytokinin treatments are sufficient to trigger or inhibit the translocation of GmFWL1 and GmFLOT2/4 to the RH tip independently of the presence of rhizobia, respectively. Unexpectedly, the application of salicylic acid, a phytohormone regulating the plant defense system, also promotes the translocation of GmFWL1 and GmFLOT2/4 to the RH tip regardless of the presence of rhizobia. These results suggest that phytohormones are playing a central role in controlling the early stages of rhizobia infection by regulating the translocation of plasma membrane microdomains. They also support the concept of crosstalk of phytohormones to control nodulation.
Clinical and Haplotypic Variability of Slovenian USH2A Patients Homozygous for the c. 11864G>A Nonsense Mutation
Authors: Zupan Andrej , Fakin Ana , Battelino Saba , Jarc-Vidmar Martina , Hawlina Marko , Bonnet Crystel , Petit Christine , Glavač Damjan
Published: December 2019

Purpose: to determine a detailed clinical and haplotypic variability of the Slovenian USH2A patients with homozygous c.11864G>A (p.Trp3955Ter) nonsense mutation and to develop sensitive, accurate and rapid screening test. Methods: Ten unrelated homozygous patients with detailed ophthalmological exam were included in our study. The High-Resolution Melting (HRM) method was developed for fast and reliable detection of the c.11864G>A mutation. Results: The c.11864G>A mutation represents the vast majority of pathogenic alleles in Slovenian USH2A-Usher syndrome population (84%). The median age of onset of nyctalopia was 16 years and all patients younger than 40 years had hyperautofluorescent rings on fundus autofluorescence imaging. The Kaplan Meier survival analysis showed a decline of central vision after the age of 40, with 50% patients reaching visual acuity (VA) ≤ 0.05 at the average age of 66 years visual field diameter less than 20° at the average age of 59 years. There was a relatively large phenotypic variability in the retinal and audiological phenotype. Analysis of the p.Trp3955Ter-homozygous patients revealed four different haplotypes, with the frequency of the most common haplotype ~65%. Disease severity did not correlate with the haplotype. Conclusions: According to the natural history of homozygous p.Trp3955Ter patients any therapy aimed to slow disease progression in these patients would be best started before the age of 40. Phenotypic variability suggests the presence of cis and/or trans factors outside the USH2A gene that are able to affect disease severity. High frequency of p.Trp3955Ter mutation in Slovenian USH2A gene pool appears to be initiated from different unrelated founders because of migrations from neighboring populations. The mutation on haplotype 2 seems to be the major founder allele.
Comparison between Conventional IMRT Planning and a Novel Real-Time Adaptive Planning Strategy in Hypofractionated Regimes for Prostate Cancer: A Proof-of-Concept Planning Study
Authors: Antico Maria , Prinsen Peter , Fracassi Alice , Isola Alfonso , Cobben David , Fontanarosa Davide
Published: December 2019

In prostate cancer external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), intra-fraction prostate drifts may compromise the treatment efficacy by underdosing the target and/or overdosing the organs at risk. In this study, a recently developed real-time adaptive planning strategy for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for prostate cancer was evaluated in hypofractionated regimes against traditional treatment planning based on a treatment volume margin expansion. The proposed workflow makes use of a “library of plans” corresponding to possible intra-fraction prostate positions. During delivery, at each beam end, the plan prepared for the position of the prostate closest to the current one is selected and the corresponding beam delivered. This adaptive planning strategy was compared with the traditional approach on a clinical prostate cancer case where different prostate shift magnitudes were considered. Five, six and fifteen fraction hypofractionated schemes were considered for each of these scenarios. When shifts larger than the treatment margin were present, using the traditional approach the seminal vesicles were underdosed by 3–4% of the prescribed dose. The adaptive approach instead allowed for correct target dose coverage and lowered the dose on the rectum for each dosimetric endpoint on average by 3–4% in all the fractionation schemes. Standard intensity-modulated radiation therapy planning did not always guarantee a correct dose distribution on the seminal vesicles and the rectum. The adaptive planning strategy proposed resulted insensitive to the intra-fraction prostate drifts, produced a dose distribution in agreement with the dosimetric requirements in every case analysed and significantly lowered the dose on the rectum.
Detectable Levels of Bacterial Pathogens in the Rivers of the Lake Chaohu Basin, China
Authors: Shao Keqiang , Yao Xin , Xie Guijuan , Wu Yuanyuan , Hu Yang , Tang Xiangming , Gao Guang
Published: December 2019

Bacterial pathogens are one of the causes of human diseases and have a serious impact on environmental health. In this study, we investigated the bacterial pathogen community in 88 sites at rivers around Lake Chaohu Basin, China, using Illumina miseq sequencing. The results showed that three opportunistic pathogens: Acinetobacter, Massilia, and Brevundimonas, were the three abundant bacterial genera in all samples, and had a relative abundance of 0.33 to 49.28% (average 8.80%), 0.06 to 25.4% (average 4.6%), 0.01 to 12.82% (average 2.6%) of all bacterial sequences, respectively. Our results indicated that a high abundance of opportunistic pathogens was observed in the rivers of the Lake Chaohu Basin, and that effective treatment and monitoring of sewage entering into rivers should be further strengthened.
Should We Be Trained to Train? Nursing Students’ and Newly Qualified Nurses’ Perception on Good Lecturers and Good Clinical Preceptors
Authors: Martínez-Linares José Manuel , Parra-Sáez Celia , Tello-Liébana Carlos , López-Entrambasaguas Olga María
Published: December 2019

Background: The reform of the Spanish higher education studies from the Bologna Declaration did not entail the necessary changes in the teaching methodologies used. The clinical preceptor emerged as the main guiding professional in the practical training of nursing students. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand fourth-year nursing students’ and newly qualified nurses’ (NQNs) perception on their lecturers’ and clinical preceptors’ effectiveness. Methods: Exploratory, descriptive qualitative study was carried out at a Spanish University. By convenience sampling and according to defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, twelve newly qualified nurses and twelve fourth-year students of the Degree in Nursing were included in order to contrast the results. A thematic analysis of data was carried out, to later be coded by two researchers. Results: Two main themes were identified: the good lecturer and the good clinical preceptor, with several subthemes in each. These included the characteristics that both should have, both in teaching, nursing and interpersonal-relation skills. Conclusions: The need of preceptorship training programs has been highlighted in our context. Educators all over the world should be properly qualified in order to train and educate competent nurses for the future.
‘Not to Be Harsh but Try Less to Relate to ‘the Teens’ and You’ll Relate to Them More’: Co-Designing Obesity Prevention Text Messages with Adolescents
Authors: Partridge Stephanie R. , Raeside Rebecca , Latham Zoe , Singleton Anna C. , Hyun Karice , Grunseit Alicia , Steinbeck Katharine , Redfern Julie
Published: December 2019

Text messages remain a preferred way for adolescents to communicate, and recent evidence suggests adolescents would like access to digital healthcare options. However, there is limited evidence for text messages to engage adolescent populations in obesity prevention behaviors. We aimed to co-design a bank of text messages that are evidence-based, acceptable, and engaging for adolescents. An established iterative mixed methods process, consisting of three phases, was used to develop the text message program. The first bank of 145 text messages was drafted based on current evidence, behavior change techniques, and input from researchers and health professionals. A survey was then administered to adolescents and professionals for review of text message content, usefulness, understanding, and age-appropriateness. An adolescent research assistant collaborated with the research team on all three phases. Forty participants (25 adolescents and 15 professionals) reviewed the initial bank of 145 text messages. On average, all reviewers agreed the text messages were easy to understand (13.6/15) and useful (13.1/15). In total, 107 text messages were included in the final text message bank to support behavior change and prevent obesity. This study may guide other researchers or health professionals who are seeking to engage adolescents in the co-design of health promotion or intervention content. Effectiveness of the text message program will be tested in a randomized controlled trial.
Standard Expected Years of Life Lost Due to Malignant Neoplasms in Poland, 2000–2014
Authors: Pikala Małgorzata , Burzyńska Monika , Maniecka-Bryła Irena
Published: December 2019

The aim of the study was an analysis of mortality trends due to malignant neoplasms in Poland. The study material was a database, consisting of 1,367,364 death certificates of inhabitants of Poland who died during the period 2000–2014 due to malignant cancer. To calculate years of life lost, the SEYLLp index (Standard Expected Years of Life Lost per living person) was applied. We also calculated AAPC (Average Annual Percentage Change). The SEYLLp index (per 10,000 population) due to malignant neoplasms in Poland in males decreased from 586.3 in 2000 to 575.5 in 2014, whereas in females it increased from 398.6 in 2000 to 418.3 in 2014. The greatest number of lost years of life in 2014 was attributed to lung cancer (174.7 per 10,000 males and 77.3 per 10,000 females), breast cancer in females (64.5) and colorectal cancer in males (39.0). The most negative trends were observed for lung cancer in females (AAPC = 3.5%) and for colorectal cancer (AAPC = 1.8%) and prostate cancer (AAPC = 1.6%) in males. Many lost years could have been prevented by including a greater number of Polish inhabitants in screening examinations, mostly targeted at malignant neoplasm, whose incidence is closely connected with modifiable risk factors.
Measurements of Oxidative Potential of Particulate Matter at Belgrade Tunnel; Comparison of BPEAnit, DTT and DCFH Assays
Authors: Jovanovic Maja V. , Savic Jasmina Z. , Salimi Farhad , Stevanovic Svetlana , Brown Reece A. , Jovasevic-Stojanovic Milena , Manojlovic Dragan , Bartonova Alena , Bottle Steven , Ristovski Zoran D.
Published: December 2019

To estimate the oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM), two commonly used cell-free, molecular probes were applied: dithiothreitol (DTT) and dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), and their performance was compared with 9,10-bis (phenylethynyl) anthracene-nitroxide (BPEAnit). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in which the performance of the DTT and DCFH has been compared with the BPEAnit probe. The average concentrations of PM, organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) for fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10) particles were determined. The results were 44.8 ± 13.7, 9.8 ± 5.1 and 9.3 ± 4.8 µg·m−3 for PM2.5 and 75.5 ± 25.1, 16.3 ± 8.7 and 11.8 ± 5.3 µg·m−3 for PM10, respectively, for PM, OC and EC. The water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) fraction accounted for 42 ± 14% and 28 ± 9% of organic carbon in PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. The average volume normalized OP values for the three assays depended on both the sampling periods and the PM fractions. The OPBPEAnit had its peak at 2 p.m.; in the afternoon, it was three times higher compared to the morning and late afternoon values. The DCFH and BPEAnit results were correlated (r = 0.64), while there was no good agreement between the BPEAnit and the DTT (r = 0.14). The total organic content of PM does not necessarily represent oxidative capacity and it shows varying correlation with the OP. With respect to the two PM fractions studied, the OP was mostly associated with smaller particles.
How Much Is Too Much? The Influence of Work Hours on Social Development: An Empirical Analysis for OECD Countries
Authors: Liu Bei , Chen Hong , Gan Xin
Published: December 2019

Work is a cornerstone of social development. Quantifying the impact on development of fluctuations in work hours is important because longer work hours increasingly seem to be the norm. Based on an integrative perspective that combines individual, organizational, and social factors, we constructed a model using data from 31 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The proposed model was used to test the effect of work hours on different levels and to propose feasible suggestions accordingly. The results show that people in developing countries work more hours per week than those in developed countries, and that males work longer hours than females. Furthermore, regression analysis shows that current work hours are having a negative impact on development in OECD countries, especially in developing countries where people are working longer hours. Longer hours, in other words, do not promote development effectively. Specifically, work hours at the individual level are negatively related to health. At the level of organization, work hours are a reverse indicator of organizational performance, and at the level of society, there is a negative relationship between work hours and economic development. This study provides support for the proposition by the International Labour Organization to reduce work hours, and it facilitates our understanding of the relationship between work hours and social development.
Density of Green Spaces and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the City of Madrid: The Heart Healthy Hoods Study
Authors: Plans Elena , Gullón Pedro , Cebrecos Alba , Fontán Mario , Díez Julia , Nieuwenhuijsen Mark , Franco Manuel
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the density of green spaces at different buffer sizes (300, 500, 1000 and 1500 m) and cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes) as well as to study if the relationship is different for males and females. We conducted cross-sectional analyses using the baseline measures of the Heart Healthy Hoods study (N = 1625). We obtained data on the outcomes from clinical diagnoses, as well as anthropometric and blood sample measures. Exposure data on green spaces density at different buffer sizes were derived from the land cover distribution map of Madrid. Results showed an association between the density of green spaces within 300 and 500 m buffers with high cholesterol and diabetes, and an association between the density of green spaces within 1500 m buffer with hypertension. However, all of these associations were significant only in women. Study results, along with other evidence, may help policy-makers creating healthier environments that could reduce cardiovascular disease burden and reduce gender health inequities. Further research should investigate the specific mechanisms behind the differences by gender and buffer size of the relationship between green spaces and cardiovascular risk factors.
Spatial Variations of Trace Metals and Their Complexation Behavior with DOM in the Water of Dianchi Lake, China
Authors: Yi Yuanbi , Xiao Min , Mostofa Khan M. G. , Xu Sen , Wang Zhongliang
Published: December 2019

The dynamics of trace metals and the complexation behavior related to organic matter in the interface between water and sediment would influence water quality and evolution in the lake system. This study characterized the distribution of trace metals and the optical properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the surface, and the underlying and pore water of Dianchi Lake (DC) to understand the origin of metals and complexation mechanisms to DOM. Some species of trace metals were detected and Al, Ti, Fe, Zn, Sr and Ba were found to be the main types of metals in the aquatic environment of DC. Ti, Fe, Sr and Ba predominated in water above the depositional layer. Al, Ti, Fe and Sr were the most abundant metallic types in pore water. Mn and Zn were the main type found at the southern lake site, reflecting the contribution of pollution from an inflowing river. The correlations between DOM and metals suggested that both originated from the major source as particulate organic matter (POM), associated with weathering of Ca-, Mg-carbonate detritus and Fe- or Mn-bearing minerals. High dynamics of DOM and hydrochemical conditions would change most metal contents and speciation in different water compartments. Proportions of trace metals in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in natural waters were correlated with both DOM molecular weight and structure, different metals were regulated by different organic properties, and the same metal also had specific binding characteristic with DOM in various water compartments. This study highlighted the interrelation of DOM and metals, as well as the pivotal role that organic matter and nutrients played during input, migrations and transformations of metals, thereby reflecting water quality evolution in the lake systems.
Assessing the Spatial Distribution of Soil PAHs and their Relationship with Anthropogenic Activities at a National Scale
Authors: Zeng Siyan , Ma Jing , Ren Yanhua , Liu Gang-Jun , Zhang Qi , Chen Fu
Published: December 2019

Soil polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution is a major concern due to its negative impact on soil quality around the world. In China, accurate data on soil PAHs and information on the relationship with anthropogenic activities are limited. In this study, about 30,800 samples from 1833 soil sample sites were reviewed from 306 published reports to build a soil PAHs database. Based on the data obtained, the results demonstrated that 24.11% of surface soils in China are heavily contaminated. Meanwhile, the concentration of soil PAHs varied, in the order of independent mining and industrial areas (IMIA) > urban areas > suburban areas > rural areas, and the spatial distribution in China demonstrated a descending trend from north to south. Moreover, the characteristic ratio and PCA-MLR (principal component analysis-multiple linear regression) analysis demonstrated that coal combustion and vehicular exhaust emissions were the main sources of soil PAH pollution in China. On the other hand, provincial total Σ16PAHs in surface soil were significantly correlated with the per square kilometer GDP (gross domestic product) of industrial land, the per capita GDP, as well as the production and consumption of energy. These results indicate that anthropogenic factors have greatly affected the levels of soil PAHs in China. This study improves our understanding on the status and sources of soil PAH contamination in China, thereby facilitating the implementation of strategies of prevention, control, and remediation of soils.
Head and Neck Trauma in a Rapidly Growing African Metropolis: A Two-Year Audit of Hospital Admissions
Authors: Minja Irene Kida , Lowery Wilson Michael , Shaikh Masood Ali , Perea-Lowery Leila
Published: December 2019

Understanding injury-related burdens is an essential part of trauma quality improvement programs aimed at decreasing morbidity and mortality. This is especially the case in low and middle-income country settings where data on injuries remains limited. The aim of this study was to audit the types of head and neck injuries, which have been diagnosed among patients admitted to a major national hospital in the context of a rapidly growing sub Saharan city. Data were collected retrospectively for head and neck trauma from the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from the years 2016 and 2017. Distribution of ICD-10 codes by age and sex for the five most common diagnoses were determined using frequencies and percentages. The most common diagnosis was ICD-10-S02 (fracture of skull and facial bones) with 277 cases (44.1%), which was followed by S05 (injury of the eye and orbit), 114 cases (18.2%), and S09 (other and unspecified injuries of head) 77 cases (12.3%). The mean ages of admission for these three diagnoses were 28.1 (SD: 11.6), 23.8 (SD: 18.9), and 30.8 (SD: 18.0) years, respectively. This study provides information on the overall burden of head and neck trauma at a major regional tertiary care facility. It provides an initial understanding of the burden of head and neck trauma and suggests follow-up in the form of clarification of injury mechanisms and contextual factors for future work.
What Are the Occupational Risks in Forestry? Results of a Long-Term Study in Slovakia
Authors: Jankovský Martin , Allman Michal , Allmanová Zuzana
Published: December 2019

Temporal patterns in occupational safety and health can shed light on the efficiency of safety measures companies adopt and identify when workers are prone to occupational accidents. We analyzed these patterns to identify the effects of factors such as the share of salvage logging, experience, age, daytime, weekday, and more on the number of occupational accidents at Forests of the Slovak Republic (FSR). We analyzed a database of 2963 occupational accidents and 443 occupational illnesses suffered by FSR employees and contractors. We then analyzed a subset of said database, containing 401 accident records coded according to European Statistics at Work manual. We used regression and correlation analyses and generalized linear models to test the relationship between the accident frequency and volume of harvested timber and volume of salvage logging. We used logistic regression, chi2 tests, and Cramér’s V statistic to test when accidents occur within shifts, weeks, and months. We found the volume of harvested timber significantly affects the frequency of severe and fatal accidents of contractors (R 0.81; p < 0.05), whereas, for employees, the relationship was insignificant. Over time, the number of accidents and incidence rate decreased, and inexperienced or older workers were the most prone to accidents.
Spatial Variation and Controlling Factors of H and O Isotopes in Lancang River Water, Southwest China
Authors: Yang Kunhua , Han Guilin , Zeng Jie , Liang Bin , Qu Rui , Liu Jinke , Liu Man
Published: December 2019

Climate changes and other human activities have substantially altered the hydrological cycle with respect to elevation. In this study, longitudinal patterns in the stable isotopic composition (δ2H and δ18O) of Lancang River water, originating from the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, are presented, and several controlling factors in the wet season are hypothesized. Lancang River water δ2H (−145.2‰ to −60.7‰) and δ18O (−18.51‰ to −8.49‰) were low but close to those of the Global Meteoric Water Line. In the upper reaches of the river, δ2H decreased longitudinally, potentially due to groundwater inputs and melting ground ice in the headwater zone and to an increasing proportion of glacier meltwater with decreasing elevation. In the middle reaches of the river, δ2H values increased slowly moving downstream, likely due to shifts in precipitation inputs, as evidenced by the isotopic composition of tributaries to the main stream. In the lower reaches of the river, the isotopic composition was relatively invariant, potentially related to the presence of large artificial reservoirs that increase the water resident time. The results reveal different hydrological patterns along an alpine river in central Asia associated with both natural and anthropogenic processes. Understanding the degree and type of human interference with the water cycle in this region could improve water management and water security.
Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis for Automated Landslide Detection Using Open Source GIS Software
Authors: Knevels Raphael , Petschko Helene , Leopold Philip , Brenning Alexander
Published: December 2019

With the increased availability of high-resolution digital terrain models (HRDTM) generated using airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR), new opportunities for improved mapping of geohazards such as landslides arise. While the visual interpretation of LiDAR, HRDTM hillshades is a widely used approach, the automatic detection of landslides is promising to significantly speed up the compilation of inventories. Previous studies on automatic landslide detection often used a combination of optical imagery and geomorphometric data, and were implemented in commercial software. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of open source software for automated landslide detection solely based on HRDTM-derived data in a study area in Burgenland, Austria. We implemented a geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) consisting of (1) the calculation of land-surface variables, textural features and shape metrics, (2) the automated optimization of segmentation scale parameters, (3) region-growing segmentation of the landscape, (4) the supervised classification of landslide parts (scarp and body) using support vector machines (SVM), and (5) an assessment of the overall classification performance using a landslide inventory. We used the free and open source data-analysis environment R and its coupled geographic information system (GIS) software for the analysis; our code is included in the Supplementary Materials. The developed approach achieved a good performance (κ = 0.42) in the identification of landslides.
Data Fusion and Accuracy Analysis of Multi-Source Land Use/Land Cover Datasets along Coastal Areas of the Maritime Silk Road
Authors: Hou Wan , Hou Xiyong
Published: December 2019

High-precision land use/land cover classification mapping derived from remote sensing supplies essential datasets for scientific research on environmental assessment, climate change simulation, geographic condition monitoring, and environmental management at global and regional scales. It is an important issue in the study of earth system science, and the coastal area is a hot spot region in this field. In this paper, the coastal areas of the Maritime Silk Road were used as the research object and a fusion method based on agreement analysis and fuzzy-set theory was adopted to achieve the fusion of three land use/land cover datasets: MCD12Q1-2010, CCI-LC2010, and GlobeLand30-2010. The accuracy of the fusion results was analyzed using an error matrix, spatial confusion, average overall consistency, and average type-specific consistency. The main findings were as follows. (1) After the establishment of reference data based on Google Earth, both the producer accuracy and user accuracy of the fusion data were improved when compared with those of the three input data sources, and the fusion data had the highest overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient, with values of 90.37% and 0.8617, respectively. (2) Various input data sources differed in terms of the correctly classified contributions and misclassified influences of different land use/land cover types in the fusion data; furthermore, the overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient between the fusion data and any one of the input data sources were far higher than those between any two of the input data sources. (3) The average overall consistency of the fusion data was the highest at 89.29%, which was approximately 5% higher than that of the input data sources. (4) The average type-specific consistencies of cropland, forest, grassland, shrubland, wetland, artificial surfaces, bare land, and permanent snow and ice in the fusion data were the highest, with values of 69.95%, 74.41%, 21.24%, 34.22%, 97.62%, 51.83%, 84.39%, and 2.46%, respectively; compared with the input data sources, the average type-specific consistencies of the fusion data were 0.61–20.32% higher. This paper provides information and suggestions for the development and accuracy evaluation of future land use/land cover data in global and regional coastal areas.
Lercanidipine Synergistically Enhances Bortezomib Cytotoxicity in Cancer Cells via Enhanced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Mitochondrial Ca2+ Overload
Authors: Lee A Reum , Seo Min Ji , Kim Jin , Lee Dong Min , Kim In Young , Yoon Mi Jin , Hoon Hur , Choi Kyeong Sook
Published: December 2019

The proteasome inhibitor (PI), bortezomib (Btz), is effective in treating multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma, but not solid tumors. In this study, we show for the first time that lercanidipine (Ler), an antihypertensive drug, enhances the cytotoxicity of various PIs, including Btz, carfilzomib, and ixazomib, in many solid tumor cell lines by inducing paraptosis, which is accompanied by severe vacuolation derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. We found that Ler potentiates Btz-mediated ER stress and ER dilation, possibly due to misfolded protein accumulation, in MDA-MB 435S cells. In addition, the combination of Btz and Ler triggers mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, critically contributing to mitochondrial dilation and subsequent paraptotic events, including mitochondrial membrane potential loss and ER dilation. Taken together, our results suggest that a combined regimen of PI and Ler may effectively kill cancer cells via structural and functional perturbations of the ER and mitochondria.