bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of the Regional Center on the Socio-Economic Development of the Administrative Districts
Authors:   Institute for Regional Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine, Leshchukh Iryna
Published: November 2020

The positive impulses generated and transmitted by the regional center cause structural changes in the socio-economic development of the entire region and even often go beyond its frontiers. The purpose of the article is to determine the intensity of the impact of the regional center on the socio-economic development of the administrative districts, taking into account their territorial remoteness, using the example of Lviv and the districts of the Lviv region. The author classifies the administrative districts of the region according to the index of social (7 indicators), economic (10 indicators) and socio-economic (arithmetic mean of indicators of economic and social development) development. A high inverse dependence of the index of socio-economic development of the districts on their distance from the regional center was established. According to the study results, three types of administrative districts were identified: central, semi-peripheral and peripheral. The central administrative districts located in the immediate vicinity of the “core” (no more than 50 km from the regional center), and their socio-economic development index is within 0.5-0.7. Semi-peripheral administrative districts are located a little further from the “core” (50-75 km from the regional center), their socio-economic development index is in the range of 0.3-0.5. Peripheral administrative districts are the most distant from the regional center and have socio-economic development index < 0.3. It was determined that the influence of the regional center on the socio-economic development of the administrative districts has a centrifugal-zonal character, since the intensity of this influence decreases with an increase in the distance between the administrative districts and the “core”. At the same time, the level of socio-economic development of administrative districts depends, on the one hand, on the strength of development impulses generated by the regional center, and on the other, is determined by the available local economic potential and the ability to absorb the impacts of the regional center and other local growth poles.
Identification of Rent Relations Results in the Accounting System
Authors:   National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine, Bardash Serhiy , Osadcha Tetyana ,   Kherson State University, Kherson, Ukraine
Published: November 2020

In the context of the implementation of the concept of sustainable development of individual countries of the post-Soviet space, the study of the problems of accounting for the results of rent relations becomes relevant given the solution of a number of strategic tasks facing businesses today. It is offered to solve the specified problem on the basis of definition in system of concepts of accounting of the economic nature of results of rent relations arising as a result of involvement in economic process of rent-forming factors. The purpose of the article is to formulate proposals for accounting for the results of rental relationships. The methodological basis of the research is the historical and logical method, which is used to study the evolution of rent and approaches to the disclosure of its economic content. The dialectical method and comparative analysis are used to identify significant differences in the definition of rent, formed at different stages and forms of economic relations. Methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, abstraction, idealization and generalization are used to identify the results of rent relations in the system of accounting concepts and formulate proposals for rent accounting and rent payments. Based on a critical assessment of a certain pluralism of researchers' opinions on the disclosure of the economic content of rent, it is established that: rent is a component of value added, but value added is not taken into account in the accounting system; rent is a component of income from operating activities carried out with the use or exploitation of limited natural resources; the complication of the preliminary valuation of rent makes it impossible to reflect it in income; the amount of rent depends on the demand for the product. Given the above, rent as income from the extraction / use of natural resources, as well as the use of other rent-forming factors, it is proposed to reflect on the off-balance sheet account “Rent” with the allocation of sub-accounts by type of economic rent. It is proposed to attribute rent payments to operating costs, as their inclusion in production costs contradicts the economic nature of such costs, unreasonably increases the cost and contradicts the principle of fair distribution of rent. The practical significance of the study is to increase the level of information disclosure for management decisions, in particular: determining the maximum allowable reduction in the selling price of finished products while maintaining an acceptable level of profitability to increase demand, expand market and, consequently, increase profits; directing all or part of the rent to the implementation of environmental measures, modernization of material and technical base, intensification of innovation.
Mechanism of Guaranteeing Financial Security of Households
Authors:   Mykolayiv National Agrarian University, Mykolayiv, Ukraine, Poltorak Anastasiia , Baryshevska Inna ,   Mykolayiv National Agrarian University, Mykolayiv, Ukraine, Melnyk Olha ,   Mykolayiv National Agrarian University, Mykolayiv, Ukraine
Published: November 2020

Transformation processes in the financial sector of Ukraine are an objective reality of nowadays, associated with new challenges, and threats. The most vulnerable to such changes are households that are directly involved in such economic processes as the production of goods, redistribution of resources, consumption of goods produced. The purpose of the article is to increase insight into the theoretical foundations of the formation of a mechanism for guaranteeing the financial security of households. It is substantiated that the mechanism of guaranteeing the financial security of households is a set of organizational forms of financial relations aimed at creating the necessary conditions for the financial and social development of all household members. The structure of the mechanism for ensuring the financial security of households consists of methods, tools, and levers that systematically interact with each other and create favourable conditions for the life of all household members, help eliminate or minimize financial threats to their financial security. It was found that financial security enhancement of households is carried out directly by household members. But the conditions for the effective functioning of the mechanism for ensuring the financial security of households are provided by the State. Given the growing trends of the financial needs of people, their satisfaction remains one of the priorities of public policy. The directions of development of the mechanism of guaranteeing of financial security of households are offered, among which: formation of possibilities for financial resources increase; enhancement the protection of financial resources of households; increasing the financial literacy of the people; saving financial resources of the population; effective prevention of existing and potential threats.
‘The Cruel Radiance of What Is’: Empathy, Imagination and Estrangement in Johan van der Keuken's Face Value and Herman Slobbe
Authors: Geil Abraham
Published: November 2020

This article takes up film and imagination via the problem of empathy. Proposing a different entry into contemporary polemics over empathy, the ‘empathic imagination’ is reconceptualized as a problematic of form rather than psychological experience. That is, instead of adopting a pre-given notion of empathy to illuminate the relation between film and the spectator's moral imagination, this article considers how that imagination is constituted in and through the image to begin with. After tracing the genealogy of empathy ( Einfühlung) in German aesthetics, the concept is put into play through readings of ‘#Look Beyond Borders’, an online video produced by Amnesty International, and two documentaries by Johan van der Keuken –  Face Value (1991) and Herman Slobbe (1966). In these works, the facial image is read as the imaginary terrain in which to explore very different notions of what might count as empathy and the empathic imagination in film and media.
CASE REPORT: POSTOPERATIVE PAROTITIS AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Authors: Ece Cem , Uzgur Pınar
Published: November 2020

Anesthesia mumps (mumps), also called postoperative parotitis and characterized by swelling of the salivary glands after general anesthesia. Usually occurs within the first two weeks postoperatively. It is a benign and usually noninfectious complication and usually unilateral. Patients complain of painful swelling. The etiology is unknown.
Postoperative parotitis is usually mild is a preventable clinical picture. In order to prevent this complication, it is recommended to prevent compression of the parotid gland or duct by providing an appropriate position. In addition to providing normal neck venous drainage, it is necessary to select anticholinergics with low antisialagogue activity in premedication and to avoid maneuvers that increase intraoral pressure. In this case repot we presented a 52-year-old woman that developed postoperative parotitis after surgery with general anesthesia for senile cataract.
Method to Characterize Potential UAS Encounters Using Open Source Data
Authors: Weinert Andrew
Published: November 2020

As unmanned aerial systems (UASs) increasingly integrate into the US national airspace system, there is an increasing need to characterize how commercial and recreational UASs may encounter each other. To inform the development and evaluation of safety critical technologies, we demonstrate a methodology to analytically calculate all potential relative geometries between different UAS operations performing inspection missions. This method is based on a previously demonstrated technique that leverages open source geospatial information to generate representative unmanned aircraft trajectories. Using open source data and parallel processing techniques, we performed trillions of calculations to estimate the relative horizontal distance between geospatial points across sixteen locations.
Novel Antibiotics Targeting Bacterial Replicative DNA Polymerases
Authors: Santos Joana A. , Lamers Meindert H.
Published: November 2020

Multidrug resistance is a worldwide problem that is an increasing threat to global health. Therefore, the development of new antibiotics that inhibit novel targets is of great urgency. Some of the most successful antibiotics inhibit RNA transcription, RNA translation, and DNA replication. Transcription and translation are inhibited by directly targeting the RNA polymerase or ribosome, respectively. DNA replication, in contrast, is inhibited indirectly through targeting of DNA gyrases, and there are currently no antibiotics that inhibit DNA replication by directly targeting the replisome. This contrasts with antiviral therapies where the viral replicases are extensively targeted. In the last two decades there has been a steady increase in the number of compounds that target the bacterial replisome. In particular a variety of inhibitors of the bacterial replicative polymerases PolC and DnaE have been described, with one of the DNA polymerase inhibitors entering clinical trials for the first time. In this review we will discuss past and current work on inhibition of DNA replication, and the potential of bacterial DNA polymerase inhibitors in particular as attractive targets for a new generation of antibiotics.
Bordeaux vs. Paris: An Alternative Market for Local and Independent Artists?
Authors: Saint-Raymond Léa
Published: November 2020

In 1928, some young artists living in Bordeaux decided to create a local market for contemporary art, as an alternative to the Salon des Amis des Arts of their own city, on the one hand, which they considered retrograde and conservative, and to the centralized and centripetal Parisian world on the other. They joined forces to create the group of the “Artistes indépendants bordelais” (AIB) and they organized an annual exhibition in which they could sell their works, in Bordeaux. This article aims to understand the functioning of this so-called “provincial” alternative to Paris and to measure its potential success, both as a market and as an arbiter of taste. The analysis proves that the AIB exhibitions happened to be a semi-failure, since this local initiative could not detach itself from Paris. In order to gain legitimacy, the AIB invited avant-garde painters and sculptors and they left the door open to Parisian dealers and art critics but all these actors, in turn, overshadowed the artists from Bordeaux. This economic and symbolic domination stemmed from the lack of a strong artistic identity for this group, the absence of domestic galleries specializing in contemporary art and the low demographics of Bordeaux collectors.
Modelling Maize Yield and Water Requirements under Different Climate Change Scenarios
Authors: Durodola Oludare Sunday , Mourad Khaldoon A.
Published: November 2020

African countries such as Nigeria are anticipated to be more susceptible to the impacts of climate change due to large dependence on rainfed agriculture and to several uncertainties in the responses of crop production to climate change. The impacts of climate change on crop water requirements (CWR), irrigation water requirements (IWR), yields and crop water productivity (CWP) of rainfed maize in Ogun-Osun River Basin, Nigeria were evaluated for a baseline period (1986–2015) and future projection period (2021–2099) under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. For the baseline period, there is no significant trend within the variables studied. However, IWR is projected to increase significantly by up to 140% in the future period, while yield might likely decline under both scenarios up to −12%. This study shows that in the future periods, supplemental irrigation has little impact in improving yields, but an increase in soil fertility can improve yields and CWP by up to 80% in 2099. This paper offers useful information on suitable adaptation measures which could be implemented by stakeholders and policymakers to counterbalance the effects of climate change on crop production.
A Chaotic-Based Encryption/Decryption Framework for Secure Multimedia Communications
Authors: Yasser Ibrahim , Mohamed Mohamed A. , Samra Ahmed S. , Khalifa Fahmi
Published: November 2020

Chaos-based encryption has shown an increasingly important and dominant role in modern multimedia cryptography compared with traditional algorithms. This work proposes novel chaotic-based multimedia encryption schemes utilizing 2D alteration models for high secure data transmission. A novel perturbation-based data encryption for both confusion and diffusion rounds is proposed. Our chaotification structure is hybrid, in which multiple maps are combined combines for media encryption. Blended chaotic maps are used to generate the control parameters for the permutation (shuffling) and diffusion (substitution) structures. The proposed schemes not only maintain great encryption quality reproduced by chaotic, but also possess other advantages, including key sensitivity and low residual clarity. Extensive security and differential analyses documented that the proposed schemes are efficient for secure multimedia transmission as well as the encrypted media possesses resistance to attacks. Additionally, statistical evaluations using well-known metrics for specific media types, show that proposed encryption schemes can acquire low residual intelligibility with excessive nice recovered statistics. Finally, the advantages of the proposed schemes have been highlighted by comparing it against different state-of-the-art algorithms from literature. The comparative performance results documented that our schemes are extra efficacious than their data-specific counterpart methods.
Anisotropic Nucleation, Growth and Ripening under Stirring—A Phenomenological Model
Authors: Gusak Andriy , Huriev Yaroslav , Schmelzer Jürn W. P.
Published: November 2020

The anisotropic formation of elongated metal-oxide aggregates in water under intensive stirring is analyzed. It is treated in terms of anisotropic ballistically mediated aggregation kinetics in open systems. The basic kinetic equations describing the stages of homogeneous nucleation, independent growth, and ripening of the aggregates are formulated for the open system under the external influence with the stirring intensity as the main parameter governing the process. The most significant elongation of the aggregates is shown to evolve at the ripening stage.
Smart and Agile Manufacturing Framework, A Case Study for Automotive Industry
Authors: Jadoon Gullelala , Ud Din Ikram , Almogren Ahmad , Almajed Hisham
Published: November 2020

Smartness and agility are two quality measures that are pragmatic to achieve a flexible, maintainable, and adaptable system in any business. The automotive industry also requires an enhanced performance matrix and refinement in the development strategies for manufacturing. The current development models used in automotive manufacturing are not optimal enough; thus, the overall expenditure is not properly managed. Therefore, it is essential to come up with flexible, agile techniques incorporating traceability methods. It overcomes the traditional manufacturing approaches that are usually inflexible, costly, and lack timely customer feedback. The article focuses on significant Requirements Management (RM) activities, including traceability mechanism, smart manufacturing process, and performance evaluation of the proposed methods in the automotive domain. We propose a manufacturing framework that follows smart agile principles along with proper traceability management. Our proposed approach overcomes the complexities generated by traditional manufacturing processes in automotive industries. It gives an insight into the future manufacturing processes in the automotive industries.
On Applications of Elements Modelled by Fractional Derivatives in Circuit Theory
Authors: Gulgowski Jacek , Stefański Tomasz P. , Trofimowicz Damian
Published: November 2020

In this paper, concepts of fractional-order (FO) derivatives are reviewed and discussed with regard to element models applied in the circuit theory. The properties of FO derivatives required for the circuit-level modeling are formulated. Potential problems related to the generalization of transmission-line equations with the use of FO derivatives are presented. It is demonstrated that some formulations of FO derivatives have limited applicability in the circuit theory. Out of the most popular approaches considered in this paper, only the Grünwald–Letnikov and Marchaud definitions (which are actually equivalent) satisfy the semigroup property and are naturally representable in the phasor domain. The generalization of this concept, i.e., the two-sided fractional Ortigueira–Machado derivative, satisfies the semigroup property, but its phasor representation is less natural. Other ideas (including the Riemann–Liouville and Caputo derivatives—with a finite or an infinite base point) seem to have limited applicability.
A General and Accurate Measurement Procedure for the Detection of Power Losses Variations in Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drives
Authors: Caruso Massimo , Di Tommaso Antonino Oscar , Lisciandrello Giuseppe , Mastromauro Rosa Anna , Miceli Rosario , Nevoloso Claudio , Spataro Ciro , Trapanese Marco
Published: November 2020

The research of innovative solutions to improve the efficiency of electric drives is of considerable interest to challenges related to energy savings and sustainable development. In order to successfully validate the adoption of new and innovative software or hardware solutions in the field of electric drives, accurate measurement procedures for either efficiency or power losses are needed. Moreover, high accuracy and expensive measurement equipment are required to satisfy international standard prescriptions. In this scenario, this paper describes an accurate measurement procedure, which is independent of the accuracy of the adopted instrumentation, for the power losses variations involved in electrical drives, namely ΔΔP, useful to detect the efficiency enhancement (or power losses reduction) due to the real-time modification of the related control algorithm. The goal is to define a valuable measurement procedure capable of comparing the impact of different control algorithms on electric drive performance. This procedure is carried out by experimentally verifying the action of different control algorithms by the use of a Field Oriented Control (FOC) with different values of the direct-axis current component (i.e., Id = 0 A and Id = −1 A) applied for fixed working conditions in terms of speed and load torque. Two different measurement systems of power losses, each one characterized by different accuracy and cost, are taken into account for the validation of the proposed method. An investigation is, then, carried out, based on the comparison between the measurements acquired by both instrumentations, for different working conditions in terms of load and speed, highlighting that the uncertainty generated by systematic errors does not affect the ΔΔP measurements. The results reported in this work demonstrate how the ΔΔP parameter can be used as a valuable index for the characterization of the power drive system, which can also be evaluated even with low-accuracy instrumentation.
Economic Impacts of the Demand Response of Electric Vehicles Considering Battery Degradation
Authors: Iwafune Yumiko , Ogimoto Kazuhiko
Published: November 2020

The increase in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) has led to increased global expectations that the application of this technology may result in the reduction of CO2 emissions through the replacement of conventional petrol vehicles and ensure the flexibility of power systems such as batteries. In this paper, we propose a residential demand response (DR) evaluation model that considers the degradation mechanism of the EV battery and examines the effective battery operation. We adopted the already-proposed NiMnCo battery degradation model to develop an EV DR evaluation model. In this model, the battery operation is optimized to minimize the electricity and degradation costs affected by ambient temperature, battery state of charge (SOC), and depth of discharge. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the relevant parameters on the economics of the DR of EV batteries for 10 all-electric detached houses with photovoltaic system assuming multiple EV driving patterns and battery (dis)charging constraints. The results indicated that the degradation costs are greatly affected by the SOC condition. If a low SOC can be managed with a DR strategy, the total cost can be reduced. This is because the sum of the reduction of purchased cost from the utility and calendar degradation costs are higher than the increase of the cycle degradation cost. In addition, an analysis was conducted considering different driving patterns. The results showed that the cost reduction was highest when a driving pattern was employed in which the mileage was low and the staying at home time was large. When degradation costs are included, the value of optimized charging and discharging operations is more apparent than when degradation costs are not considered.
Implementation of Modeling Tools for Teaching Biorefinery (Focused on Bioethanol Production) in Biochemical Engineering Courses: Dynamic Modeling of Batch, Semi-Batch, and Continuous Well-Stirred Bioreactors
Authors: Martín-Lara M. Ángeles , Ronda Alicia
Published: November 2020

Due to the ever-growing pressure on our planet’s natural resources to supply energy, the production of bioethanol by fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass is increasingly important in courses related to engineering and energy. Moreover, recent changes in the teaching–learning paradigm make necessary the introduction of novel teaching tools where students are the protagonist of their education. In this context, the purpose of this study is to compare the results obtained after traditional lessons with those obtained after the implementation of various computer activities based on modeling and simulation of bioreactors to teach biorefinery concepts focused on bioethanol production. Berkeley Madonna was chosen as the digital simulation software package because it is user-friendly, fast, and easy to program. This software allowed students to gain experience writing models that let optimize fermentations in well-stirred bioreactors and others bioprocess of industrial interest. The students (those who participated in the modeling-simulation classes and those who participated in traditional ones) completed a questionnaire and a cognitive test at the end of the course. Students that participated in modeling-simulation classes got a better score than students that participated in traditional classes. Therefore, the study showed the improvement in the understanding of the biorefinery concepts and the students improved their grades. Finally, students’ perception about the proposed modeling-simulation learning was also analyzed and they rated the efficiency of this new learning methodology as satisfactory. There are very few studies providing information about educational experiences regarding the development of skills for the formulation, interpretation, simplification, and use of mathematical models based on mass balances and simple microbial kinetics in biochemical engineering courses. The experience described in this work can be used by professors to plan and conduct courses based on the modeling of biochemical engineering problems.
Influence of the Use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Systems in Woodchippers Powered by Small Engines on Exhaust Emissions and Operating Costs
Authors: Warguła Łukasz , Kukla Mateusz , Lijewski Piotr , Dobrzyński Michał , Markiewicz Filip
Published: November 2020

The use of alternative fuels is a contemporary trend in science aimed at the protection of non-renewable resources, reducing the negative impact on people and reducing the negative impact on the natural environment. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is an alternative fuel within the meaning of the European Union Directive (2014/94/UE), as it is an alternative for energy sources derived from crude oil. The use of LPG fuel in low-power internal combustion engines is one of the currently developed scientific research directions. It results from the possibility of limiting air pollutant emissions compared to the commonly used gasoline and the lower cost of this fuel in many countries. By “gasoline 95” the Authors mean non-lead petrol as a flammable liquid that is used primarily as a fuel in most spark-ignited internal combustion engines, whereas 95 is an octane rating (octane number). This article presents the results of research on fuel consumption, toxic exhaust gas emission, and operating costs of a woodchipper used for shredding branches with a diameter of up to 100 mm in real working conditions. The woodchipper, powered by a 9.5 kW internal combustion engine, fueled by gasoline and LPG was tested. Liberal regulations of the European Union (Regulation 2016/1628/EU) on the emission of harmful exhaust compounds from small spark-ignition engines (up to 19 kW) and non-road applications contribute to the low technical advancement level of these engines. The authors researched a relatively simple and cheap LPG fueling system, as in their opinion, such a system has the best chance of being implemented for use. In the study, the branches of cherry plum were shredded (Prunus cerasiferaEhrh. Beitr. Naturk. 4:17. 1789 (Gartenkalender4:189-204. 1784)). Their diameter was ca. 80 mm, length 3 m, and moisture content ca. 25%. The system was tested during the shredding of the branches in real working conditions (the frequency of supplying the branches about 4 min−1 and the mass productivity of about 0.73 t/h). Based on the recorded results, it was found that the LPG fueled engine was characterized by higher carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 22% and 27%, respectively. A positive effect of using LPG was the reduction of fuel consumption by 28% and carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbons (HC) emissions by 37% and 83%, respectively. The results of the research show that the use of alternative fuels can bring benefits in terms of CO2 and HC emissions, but at the same time be characterized by an increase in CO and NOx emissions. Further research should be conducted on innovative alternative fuel supply systems, such as in the automotive industry. At the same time, legislators should limit the use of low-quality fuel supply systems with the limits of pollutant emissions in exhaust gases, contributing to the development and economic competitiveness of new fuel injection systems.
Off-Grid DoA Estimation on Non-Uniform Linear Array Using Constrained Hermitian Matrix
Authors: Chung Hyeonjin , Joo Jeungmin , Kim Sunwoo
Published: November 2020

In this paper, an off-grid direction-of-arrival (DoA) estimation algorithm which can work on a non-uniform linear array (NULA) is proposed. The original semidefinite programming (SDP) representation of the atomic norm exploits a summation of one-rank matrices constructed by atoms, where the summation of one-rank matrices equals a Hermitian Toeplitz matrix when using the uniform linear array (ULA). On the other hand, when the antennas in the array are placed arbitrarily, the summation of one-rank matrices is a Hermitian matrix whose diagonal elements are equivalent. Motivated by this property, the proposed algorithm replaces the Hermitian Toeplitz matrix in the original SDP with the constrained Hermitian matrix. Additionally, when the antennas are placed symmetrically, the performance can be enforced by adding extra constraints to the Hermitian matrix. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm achieves higher estimation accuracy and resolution than other algorithms on both array structures; i.e., the arbitrary array and the symmetric array.
Study on the Entropy Generation Distribution Characteristics of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell System under Different CO2 Enrichment Conditions
Authors: Bian Jing , Duan Liqiang , Lei Jing , Yang Yongping
Published: November 2020

The efficient and clean use of fuel is very important for the sustainable development of energy. In this article, a numerical study of molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) unit is carried out, and the source, distribution, and extent of six irreversible losses (fluid friction loss, mass transfer loss, ohmic loss, activation loss, heat transfer loss, the coupling loss between heat and mass transfer) are described and quantified. The effects of the operation temperature, current density, CO2 concentration, and cathode CO2 utilization rate on the exergy destruction and exergy efficiency during the power generation process are investigated. The results show that the main source of entropy generation in MCFC is the potential difference, which affects the ohmic and activation entropy generation, especially when the CO2 concentration is very low. The second is the temperature gradient, which causes the entropy production of the heat transfer. With the rise of the CO2 concentration at the cathode inlet, the exergy destruction reduces and the exergy efficiency increases. With the rise of the cathode CO2 utilization rate, the exergy destruction rises and the exergy efficiency reduces. Therefore, analyzing the irreversible process transfer mechanism in MCFC can provide the theoretical basis for its thermal performance optimization and structure design.
A Higher Order Mining Approach for the Analysis of Real-World Datasets
Authors: Abghari Shahrooz , Boeva Veselka , Brage Jens , Grahn Håkan
Published: November 2020

In this study, we propose a higher order mining approach that can be used for the analysis of real-world datasets. The approach can be used to monitor and identify the deviating operational behaviour of the studied phenomenon in the absence of prior knowledge about the data. The proposed approach consists of several different data analysis techniques, such as sequential pattern mining, clustering analysis, consensus clustering and the minimum spanning tree (MST). Initially, a clustering analysis is performed on the extracted patterns to model the behavioural modes of the studied phenomenon for a given time interval. The generated clustering models, which correspond to every two consecutive time intervals, can further be assessed to determine changes in the monitored behaviour. In cases in which significant differences are observed, further analysis is performed by integrating the generated models into a consensus clustering and applying an MST to identify deviating behaviours. The validity and potential of the proposed approach is demonstrated on a real-world dataset originating from a network of district heating (DH) substations. The obtained results show that our approach is capable of detecting deviating and sub-optimal behaviours of DH substations.
Thermal Degradation Kinetics of Anthocyanins Extracted from Purple Maize Flour Extract and the Effect of Heating on Selected Biological Functionality
Authors: (Ursu) Mioara Slavu , Aprodu Iuliana , Milea Ștefania Adelina , Enachi Elena , Râpeanu Gabriela , Bahrim Gabriela Elena , Stănciuc Nicoleta
Published: November 2020

The thermal degradation of the anthocyanins and antioxidant activity in purple maize extracts was determined between 80 and 180 °C. The anthocyanins were found to be thermostable in the temperature range of 80 to 120 °C, whereas at higher temperatures the thermal degradation of both anthocyanins and antioxidant activity followed a first-order kinetic model. The z-values started from 61.72 ± 2.28 °C for anthocyanins and 75.75 ± 2.87 °C for antioxidant activity. The conformational space of pairs of model anthocyanin molecules at 25 and 180 °C was explored through a molecular dynamics test, and results indicated the occurrence of intermolecular self-association reactions and intramolecular co-pigmentation events, which might help explaining the findings of the degradation kinetics. The relationship between thermal degradation of anthocyanins and antioxidant activity and the in vitro release was further studied. The unheated extracts showed a high stability under gastric environment, whereas after heating at 180 °C, the digestion ended quickly after 60 min. After simulated intestinal digestion, the anthocyanins were slowly decreased to a maximum of 12% for the unheated extracts, whereas an 83% decrease was found after preliminary heating at 180 °C. The thermal degradation of anthocyanins was positively correlated with the in vitro decrease of antioxidant activity.
Effect of Brine Concentrations on the Bacteriological and Chemical Quality and Histamine Content of Brined and Dried Milkfish
Authors: Hwang Chiu-Chu , Lee Yi-Chen , Huang Chung-Yung , Kung Hsien-Feng , Cheng Hung-Hui , Tsai Yung-Hsiang
Published: November 2020

In this research, the occurrence of hygienic quality and histamine in commercial brined and dried milkfish products, and the effects of brine concentrations on the quality of brined and dried milkfish, were studied. Brined and dried milkfish products (n = 20) collected from four retail stores in Taiwan were tested to investigate their histamine-related quality. Among them, five tested samples (25%, 5/20) had histamine contents of more than 5 mg/100 g, the United States Food and Drug Administration guidelines for scombroid fish, while two (10%, 2/20) contained 69 and 301 mg/100 g of histamine, exceeding the 50 mg/100 g potential hazard level. In addition, the effects of brine concentrations (0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, and 15%) on the chemical and bacteriological quality of brined and dried milkfish during sun-drying were evaluated. The results showed that the aerobic plate count (APC), coliform, water activity, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN), and histamine content values of the brined and dried milkfish samples decreased with increased brine concentrations, whereas those of salt content and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) increased with increasing brine concentrations. The milkfish samples prepared with 6% NaCl brine had better quality with respect to lower APC, TVBN, TBA, and histamine levels.
Emerging Processing Technologies for the Recovery of Valuable Bioactive Compounds from Potato Peels
Authors: Calcio Gaudino Emanuela , Colletti Alessandro , Grillo Giorgio , Tabasso Silvia , Cravotto Giancarlo
Published: November 2020

Potato peel (PP) is the major underutilised by-product in the potato-processing industry and a potential source of valuable bioactive molecules. Among them, glycoalkaloids and polyphenols are important precursors for steroid hormones and natural antioxidants, respectively. Moreover, the huge quantities of industrial potato-peel waste that are produced are a rich source of primary metabolites, which principally include starch as well as non-starch polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, lignin and cellulose. All carbohydrates are prone to undergo fermentation to produce ethanol, lactic and acetic acid. Finally, the main portion of PP is made up of alcohol-insoluble matter with a dietary fibre content of approximatively 40%. The present review summarises the recent advances and emerging technologies in potato-peel extraction and further valorisation processing in the food industry.
Prolonged Effect of Seminal Plasma on Global Gene Expression in Porcine Endometrium
Authors: Bogacki Marek , Jalali Beenu Moza , Wieckowska Anna , Kaczmarek Monika M.
Published: November 2020

Seminal plasma (SP) deposited in the porcine uterine tract at the time of mating is known to elicit an initial response that is beneficial for pregnancy outcome. However, whether SP has any long-term effect on alterations in endometrial molecular and cellular processes is not known. In this study, using microarray analyses, differential changes in endometrial transcriptome were evaluated after Day 6 of SP-infusion (6DPI) or Day 6 of pregnancy as compared to corresponding day of estrous cycle. Both, pregnancy and SP induced significant changes in the endometrial transcriptome and most of these changes were specific for a particular group. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that inhibition in immune response was affected by both pregnancy and SP infusion. Long-term effects of SP included differential expression of genes involved in inhibition of apoptosis, production of reactive oxygen species and steroid biosynthesis, and activation of processes such as proliferation of connective tissue cells and microvascular endothelial cells. Moreover, interleukin-2 and interferon-γ was identified to be responsible for regulating expression of many DEGs identified on 6DPI. The present study provides evidence for the long-term effects of SP on porcine endometrium that can be beneficial for pregnancy success.
Characteristics of Individuals with Disagreement between Home and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurements for the Diagnosis of Hypertension
Authors: Kim Chee Hae , Kim Je Sang , Rhee Moo-Yong
Published: November 2020

Home and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements are recommended for the diagnosis of hypertension. However, the clinical characteristics of individuals showing a diagnostic disagreement between their home and ambulatory BP measurements are unclear. Of the 470 individuals who were not on antihypertensive drug treatment with a BP ≥140/90 mmHg at an outpatient clinic, 399 who had valid office, home, and ambulatory BP results were included. Hypertension was diagnosed based on an average home BP ≥135/85 mmHg and/or an average daytime ambulatory BP ≥135/85 mmHg. The participants were divided into three groups: Agree-NT (home and ambulatory BP normotension), Disagree (home BP normotension and ambulatory BP hypertension, or home BP normotension and ambulatory BP hypertension), and Agree-HT (home and ambulatory BP hypertension). Eighty-four individuals (21.1%) were classified as the Disagree group. The mean serum creatinine, triglycerides, and electrocardiogram voltage in the Disagree group were intermediate between those observed in the Agree-NT and the Agree-HT group. In the Disagree group, the mean levels of office and home diastolic BP, all of the components of ambulatory BP, the aortic systolic BP, and the BP variabilities were found to be intermediate between those of the Agree-NT and the Agree-HT groups. These results indicate that individuals showing a diagnostic disagreement between their home and ambulatory BP may have cardiovascular risks that are intermediate between those with sustained home and ambulatory normotension and hypertension.
Effects of Handgrip Strength on 10-Year Cardiovascular Risk among the Korean Middle-Aged Population: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014
Authors: Shim JaeLan , Yoo Hye Jin
Published: November 2020

Handgrip strength is a simple, inexpensive health status indicator and can be used to assess mortality rate and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study used data from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014) to determine the effective use of handgrip strength to predict CVD risk. We analyzed data from 2427 adults aged from 40 to 64 years without CVD at baseline. Relative handgrip strength was calculated as the sum of the maximal absolute handgrip strength of both hands divided by body mass index, and the 10-year risk of CVD was calculated using the Framingham risk score. We performed logistic regression analysis to assess the association between handgrip strength and 10-year CVD risk. Results showed that CVD risk increased with age (95% CI: 1.19–1.33, p < 0.001). Men were 38.05 times more likely to develop CVD than women (95% CI: 15.80–91.58, p < 0.001). Every increase by 1 in handgrip strength reduced the 10-year CVD risk by 1.76 times (95% CI: 1.58–3.71, p < 0.001), and when waist-to-height ratio was <0.50, the CVD risk decreased by 3.3 times (95% CI: 0.16–0.56, p < 0.001). Developing specific modifications and improving lifestyle habits that could lead to increased handgrip strength and reduced obesity, which could prevent CVD, is recommended.
Nurse Reports of Stressful Situations during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Analysis of Survey Responses
Authors: Arnetz Judith E. , Goetz Courtney M. , Arnetz Bengt B. , Arble Eamonn
Published: November 2020

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed nurses to conditions that threaten their health, well-being, and ability to work. It is therefore critical to study nurses’ experiences and well-being during the current crisis in order to identify risk groups for ill health and potential sources of organizational intervention. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of the most salient sources of stress in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic in a sample of U.S. nurses. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among a sample of 695 U.S. nurses in May 2020. Content analysis was conducted on nurses’ responses (n = 455) to an open-ended question on the most stressful situations they had experienced during the pandemic. Six distinct themes emerged from the analysis: exposure/infection-self; illness/death-others; workplace; personal protective equipment/supplies; unknowns; opinions/politics. Two sub-themes concerned restrictions associated with the pandemic and feelings of inadequacy/helplessness regarding patients and their treatment. More than half of all comments concerned stress related to problems in workplace response to the pandemic. Healthcare institutions should provide opportunities for nurses to discuss the stress they are experiencing, support one another, and make suggestions for workplace adaptations during this pandemic.
Self-Directed Female Migration in Ghana: Health and Wellness of Elderly Family Caregivers Left Behind. An Ethnographic Study
Authors: Richter Solina , Jarvis Kimberly , Yakong Vida N. , Aniteye Patience , Vallianatos Helen
Published: November 2020

Driven by the global economic crisis, families are developing strategies for survival, including self-directed female migration. Female migration has negative and positive impacts on families in rural areas. The purpose of the project was to explore the health and wellness experiences of elderly family caregivers who have female family members who have migrated to improve the status of their families. In this focused ethnographic study, we interviewed elderly family members who had a female family member who migrated outside their community for employment. Participants were enrolled from northern Ghanaian communities known to be economically disadvantaged in comparison to their southern counterparts. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Data were analyzed based on thematic content. Majors themes that emerged were reasons for children leaving their families; physical, emotional, and spiritual health; and social and economic struggles. Challenges of family care work undertaken by the elderly in families with emigrated female kin strongly also emerged as a theme. New contextual knowledge was developed about the impact of self-directed female migration on the health and wellness of elderly family caregivers. The information is valuable for the development of culturally appropriate social support and health practices for female migrants and their families.
Dual-Task Tests Predict Conversion to Dementia—A Prospective Memory-Clinic-Based Cohort Study
Authors: B Åhman Hanna , Berglund Lars , Cedervall Ylva , Kilander Lena , Giedraitis Vilmantas , McKee Kevin J. , Ingelsson Martin , Rosendahl Erik , Åberg Anna Cristina
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate whether Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) dual-task (TUGdt) tests predict dementia incidence among patients with subjective or mild cognitive impairment (SCI; MCI). Other study objectives were to determine whether TUGdt improves dementia prediction compared to a) demographic characteristics and standard cognitive tests alone; and b) TUG and Verbal Fluency performed separately. Patients (n = 172, age range 39–91 years, 78 women) with SCI or MCI performed TUGdt tests, including 1) naming animals and 2) reciting months backwards, and clinical cognitive tests at baseline. Diagnoses were identified at follow-up after 2.5 years. Logistic regression was used to predict dementia incidence, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and c-statistics for predictive capacity. Analyses were stratified by age and gender. At follow-up, 51 patients had developed dementia. The TUGdt result “animals/10 s” was associated with dementia incidence (standardized odds ratio (OR) = 4.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.28–7.23, p < 0.001), more so among patients under the median age of 72 years (standardized OR = 19.4, 95% CI 3.53–106.17, p < 0.001). TUGdt “animals/10 s” improved dementia prediction compared to demographic characteristics and standard tests alone (c-statistics 0.88 to 0.94) and single-task tests (c-statistics 0.86 to 0.89), but only in the younger patient group. TUGdt has the potential to become a useful tool for dementia prediction.