bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cooling makes recovery of muscle faster after eccentric-concentric than concentric exercise
Authors: Sipavičienė Saulė , Skurvydas Albertas , Ramanauskienė Irina , Senikienė Žibuoklė , Dumčienė Audronė
Published: June 2018

The aim of the study was to establish the influence of muscle cooling on muscle recovery after concentric and eccentric-concentric exercise. Healthy untrained males (n=40) took part in this study. During the first experiment, subjects performed concentric and during the second – eccentric-concentric exercise. During both experiments, the subjects were divided into the groups. In the first group, the muscles of the lower limbs were cooled down after the physical load, while the muscles of the subjects of the second group were not cooled. The rectal, skin, and muscle temperature was repeatedly measured immediately after physical load and after cooling of the muscle. Before exercise and after 2 min and 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 hours after performing exercise, quadriceps muscle strength, generated by electrical stimulation at frequencies of 20 Hz and 50 Hz, and maximal voluntary contraction force were registered. Serum creatine kinase levels were measured before and 24 hours after exercise. In addition, the subjects subjectively rated their muscle pain on a 10-point scale 24, 48, 72 hours after exercise. The results show that cooling applied to muscles after concentric and eccentricconcentric exercise affected the indicators of muscle damage – the activity of creatine kinase was decreased and muscle strength recovered faster. The cooling effect is greater when it is applied after eccentric-concentric exercise.
Association of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and asthma: Clinical and radiological features, allergy and inflammation markers
Authors: Staikūnienė Jūratė , Vaitkus Saulius , Japertienė Lidija , Ryškienė Silvija
Published: June 2018

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with and without nasal polyps represent different stages of one chronic inflammatory disease of the mucosa of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Coexistence of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and asthma and rather similar characteristics of inflammation support assumption that chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps and asthma may be, at least in part, the same disease process. We therefore aimed to evaluate the differences of sinus radiologic findings, systemic inflammation and allergy markers, pulmonary function of chronic rhinosinusitis associated with nasal polyps and asthma. A total of 121 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis referred to tertiary center were evaluated; 23 healthy persons served as controls. Sinus CT scans and nasal endoscopy were performed. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed according to history and positive skin prick tests to common inhalant allergens. Asthma was diagnosed according to GINA by history and pulmonary function tests. Aspirin intolerance was assessed by history. Total IgE, Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgE levels, leukocyte and eosinophil count in the peripheral blood were measured. Nasal polyps were detected in 84 patients (69.4%), asthma diagnosed in 48 patients (39.6%), associated with nasal polyps (91.7%) and allergic rhinitis in 45.5% of patients. Forty-four patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and having nasal polyps and asthma were characterized by older age (P<0.01), greater duration of nasal symptoms (P<0.001), higher number previous surgeries (P<0.01), more severe sinus disease on CT scan (P<0.001), greater blood leukocyte and eosinophil count, total IgE level (P<0.01), bronchial obstruction (P<0.05), incidence of allergic rhinitis (P<0.01), and sensitivity to house dust mite D. pteronyssinus (47.7%, P<0.01) and mold allergens (29.5%, P<0.01) comparing to the patients with isolated chronic rhinosinusitis. The extent of sinus CT changes was greater in asthmatics and correlated with greater duration of asthma (P<0.0001), higher number of previous surgeries (P=0.001), leukocyte count in blood (P=0.025), and age (P=0.039). Conclusion. Our data indicate that patients with chronic rhinosinusitis compose clinically heterogeneous group and when associated with nasal polyps and asthma constitutes the most severe form of unified respiratory tract disease, which is characterized by older age of the patients, greater duration of nasal symptoms, extent of sinus radiological changes, more prominent systemic inflammation markers, greater bronchial obstruction, incidence of perennial allergic rhinitis
Maternal socioeconomic and lifestyle factors during pregnancy and the risk of congenital heart defects
Authors: Kučienė Renata , Dulskienė Virginija
Published: June 2018

The objective of study was to estimate the importance of maternal socioeconomic and lifestyle factors during pregnancy in the risk of congenital heart defects in Kaunas infant population in 1999–2005. Material and methods. An epidemiological case-control study was conducted. The study comprised 187 newborns with congenital heart defects (cases) and 643 randomly selected newborns without any defects (controls), born in Kaunas city during 1999–2005. Modern epidemiological methods were used for data analysis. A multivariate logistic regression was used to determine adjusted risk factors of congenital heart defects. Results. The logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that low and moderate maternal education significantly increased the risk of congenital heart defects (primary or basic [OR=3.43; 95% CI, 1.54–7.64] and secondary [OR=1.56; 95% CI, 1.00–2.45] vs advanced vocational or higher education). The housewives and workers had a higher risk of delivering a newborn with congenital heart defects than the office workers (OR=2.34; 95% CI, 1.34–4.10 and OR=1.28; 95% CI, 0.79–2.07, respectively). Maternal smoking during pregnancy tended to increase the risk of congenital heart defects by 48% (OR=1.48; 95% CI, 0.82–2.67). Conclusions. According to our study results, unfavorable maternal socioeconomic factors and smoking during pregnancy increased the risk of congenital heart defects.
Assessment of disease control in patients with asthma
Authors: Pilkauskaitė Guoda , Malakauskas Kęstutis , Sakalauskas Raimundas
Published: June 2018

International guidelines indicate that the main criterion of asthma management is asthma control level. The aim of this study was to assess asthma control and its relation with age, gender, and lung function. Material and methods. A total of 106 family physicians and 13 pulmonologists and allergists took part in this study. Each doctor had selected 10–15 asthma patients and had sent invitations to them by post. On the visit day, the patients themselves filled in the Asthma Control Test. The doctors interviewed the patients and filled in a special questionnaire. Pulmonologists and allergists also assessed lung function by performing spirometry. According to the results of the Asthma Control Test, the disease control level was indicated as “totally controlled” (25 points), “well controlled” (24–20 points), and “uncontrolled” (19 points or less). Results. A total of 876 asthma patients were examined. Uncontrolled asthma was diagnosed to 56.2% of the patients, 36.5% of patients had well controlled and 7.3% totally controlled asthma. There was no significant difference in asthma control level comparing men and women. A correlation between asthma control level and age was found revealing poorer asthma control in older patients. Ninety-five percent of patients were treated with inhaled steroids; most of them had used inhaled steroids in combination with long-acting β2 agonists. It was found that lung function correlated with clinical symptoms of asthma, the demand of shortacting β2 agonists, and asthma control level. Conclusion. The study showed that uncontrolled asthma was diagnosed to more than half of the patients, despite most of them used inhaled steroids. Asthma control was worsening with the age of patients with asthma and it correlated with lung function. We suggest that periodical assessment of asthma control should help to optimize asthma management.
Usefulness of assessment of voice capabilities in female patients with reflux-related dysphonia
Authors: Šiupšinskienė Nora , Adamonis Kęstutis , Toohill Robert
Published: June 2018

Objectives. To analyze vocal capabilities in patients diagnosed with reflux related dysphonia versus controls with healthy voice with selection of the most informative discriminating quantitative parameters and to assess voice changes following treatment. Material and methods. Six parameters of voice range profile (VRP) and five parameters of speech range profile were taken and analyzed from 60 dysphonic outpatient females with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) diagnosed by reflux-related atypical and typical symptoms, videolaryngoscopic findings, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and positive response to empiric 3-month omeprazole treatment. Seventy-six females with healthy voice served as controls. Results. All six parameters of voice range profile and three of 5 parameters of speech range profile showed significant differences comparing LPR patients with controls before omeprazole treatment (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed VRP maximum-minimum intensity range to be the most informative parameter for discrimination between reflux-related dysphonic and healthy voices (overall prediction accuracy, 86.8%). A threshold value of significant parameter was stated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Treatment with omeprazole significantly improved voice quality showing the greatest changes in the mean scores of majority of voice range profile parameters. Conclusions. Vocal capabilities, especially evaluated by voice range profile, are restricted in LPR female patients in comparison to subjects with healthy voice. Quantitative voice assessment with voice range profile may add more objective aspect for screening dysphonia and could be used as a criterion of evaluation of treatment efficacy in such patients.
Synthesis of Ni-Ti Coatings on Different Metallic Substrates by Mechanical Alloying and Subsequent Laser Treatment
Authors: Zadorozhnyy Vladislav Yu , Shahzad Aamir , Pavlov Mikhail D. , Chirkov Anatoly M. , Zagrebin Dmitry S. , Khasenova Renata S. , Novikov Aleksandr I. , Kaloshkin Sergey D.
Published: June 2018

In this work, we proposed a novel mechanical alloying method to deposit Nix-Tixintermetallic coating on various metallic substrates using laser treatment. Three different substrates (Al-based alloy, Ti-based alloy, and hypoeutectoid steel) were used, and 50–70 μm thick NixTix coating was deposited during the process. For mechanical alloying, we used a self-constructed vibratory ball mill (single chamber) and for laser treatment, we used a “TrumpfTruDisk 1000” machine equipped with a four-dimensional control system “Servokon” designed specifically for experimental studies. Different laser beam intensities were used for laser operation. The cross-sectional microstructures of coatings were studied using a scanning electron microscope equipped with a Bruker energy-dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDS). Additional investigation of a cross-sectional area of one of the NixTix-coated samples was performed with field emission high-performance SEM and focused ion beam (FIB). Phase compositions of the obtained coatings, before and after laser treatment, were analyzed using X-Ray diffraction method. After the deposition process, the micro-hardness of the coatings was measured using a Vickers hardness tester. The structure and morphology of the obtained coatings were investigated.
Pre-Concentration of Iron-Rich Sphalerite by Magnetic Separation
Authors: Jeong Soobok , Kim Kwanho
Published: June 2018

With the rise in metal prices and the growing importance of metallic minerals in the South Korean economy, there has been a steadily increasing demand to redevelop metal mines that have been shut down since the 1990s. However, it is not possible to ensure that such plans are economically feasible by using conventional mining processes, mainly flotation, because of low ore grade and complex mineral compositions. To improve the efficiency, and to reduce the operating cost of the entire process, pre-concentration by magnetic separation of Pb–Zn deposits has been investigated to reduce the mass and improve the grade of feed samples that are loaded into the flotation system. The results show that the response of sphalerite to magnetic separation varied as a function of its iron content: iron-rich sphalerite was recovered at magnetic intensities below 0.65 T, and relatively pure sphalerite was recovered at magnetic intensities above 0.85 T. Therefore, Pb–Zn ore could be sufficiently pre-concentrated by magnetic separation between 0.65 and 0.85 T to remove low-grade target elements. As a result, the mass of the sample fed into the flotation system was reduced almost by half, and the grade of zinc, lead, and copper was enhanced by 65%, 55%, and 33%, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the entire process by reducing the amount of the sample to be fed to subsequent processes, such as grinding and flotation, while minimizing loss of the target mineral through magnetic separation.
Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Activity of Uridine Derivatives of 2-Deoxy Sugars
Authors: Krol Ewelina , Wandzik Ilona , Pastuch-Gawolek Gabriela , Szewczyk Boguslaw
Published: June 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), the etiological agent of the most common and dangerous diseases of the liver, is a major health problem worldwide. Despite many attempts, there is still no vaccine available. Although many drugs have been approved for use mostly in combination regimen, their high costs make them out of reach in less developed regions. Previously, we have synthesized a series of compounds belonging to uridine derivatives of 2-deoxy sugars and have proved that some of them possess antiviral activity against influenza A virus associated with N-glycosylation inhibition. Here, we analyze the antiviral properties of these compounds against HCV. Using cell culture-derived HCV (HCVcc), HCV pseudoparticles (HCVpp), and replicon cell lines, we have shown high anti-HCV activity of two compounds. Our results indicated that compounds 2 and 4 significantly reduced HCVcc propagation with IC50 values in low μM range. Further experiments using the HCVpp system confirmed that both compounds significantly impaired the infectivity of produced HCVpp due to the inhibition of the correct maturation of viral glycoproteins. Overall, our results suggest that inhibiting the glycosylation process might be a good target for new therapeutics not only against HCV, but other important viral pathogens which contain envelopes with highly glycosylated proteins.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Phenylsulfonylurea Derivatives as PI3K/mTOR Dual Inhibitors
Authors: Zhao Bingbing , Lei Fei , Wang Caolin , Zhang Binliang , Yang Zunhua , Li Wei , Zhu Wufu , Xu Shan
Published: June 2018

Five series of novel phenylsulfonylurea derivatives, 19a–d, 20a–d, 21a–d, 22a–d and 23a–d, bearing 4-phenylaminoquinoline scaffold were designed, synthesized and their IC50 values against four cancer cell lines (HepG-2, A549, PC-3 and MCF-7) were evaluated. Most compounds showed moderate cytotoxicity activity against the cancer cell lines. Structure–activity relationships (SARs) and pharmacological results indicated that introduction of 4-aminoquinoline scaffold and phenylsulfonylurea scaffold were beneficial for anti-tumor activity. Moreover, para-methoxyl substitution of 4-anilino moiety and para-halogen substitution of phenylsulfonylurea have different impacts on different series of compounds. Furthermore, the micromolecule group substitution in the 6-position of the quinoline ring have a slight impact on the cellular activity of the target compounds.
Cyclodextrin-Enabled Polymer Composites for Packaging
Authors: Szente Lajos , Fenyvesi Éva
Published: June 2018

Cyclodextrin complexes of fragrances, antimicrobial agents, dyes, insecticides, UV-filters can be incorporated into polymers (packaging films, trays, containers) either to ensure the slow release or a homogeneous distribution of the complexed substances. This way the propagation of microorganisms on surface of enwrapped products is decelerated, or the product is made more attractive by slowly released fragrances, protected against UV-light-induced deterioration, oxidation, etc. Incorporating empty cyclodextrins into the packaging material an aroma barrier packaging is produced, which decelerates the loss of the aroma from the packaged food, prevents the penetration of undesired volatile pollutants from the environment, like components of exhaust gases, cigarette smoke, and reduces the migration of plasticizers, residual solvents and monomers, etc. Applying cyclodextrins in active packaging allows to preserve the quality of food and ensures a longer shelf-life for the packaged items.
A One-Pot Biginelli Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Dihydropyrimidinone Derivatives Containing Piperazine/Morpholine Moiety
Authors: Bhat Mashooq Ahmad , Al-Omar Mohamed A. , Ghabbour Hazem A. , Naglah Ahmed M.
Published: June 2018

Enaminones, 4-methyl-1-[4-(piperazin/morpholin-1-yl) phenyl] pent-2-en-1-one (IIa–b) were synthesized by refluxing 1-[4-(piperazin/morpholin-1-yl) phenyl] ethan-1-one (Ia–b) with dimethylformamide dimethylacetal (DMF–DMA) without any solvent. The three dimensional structure of enaminone (IIb) containing morpholine moiety was confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Finally, the dihydropyrimidinone derivatives (1–20) were obtained by reacting enaminones (IIa–b) with urea and different substituted benzaldehydes in the presence of glacial acetic acid. Dihydropyrimidinone derivatives containing piperazine/morpholine moiety were synthesized in a good yield by means of simple and efficient method.
Structure–Properties Relations for Polyamide 6, Part 1: Influence of the Thermal History during Compression Moulding on Deformation and Failure Kinetics
Authors: Parodi Emanuele , Peters Gerrit W. M. , Govaert Leon E.
Published: June 2018

The deformation and failure kinetics of polyamide 6 samples prepared by several thermal histories were investigated by tests at different temperatures and relative humidities. PA6 samples were produced in quiescent condition and multiple cooling procedure. A characterization was performed to investigate the effect of the different thermal histories and the effect of hydration on both structures and glass transition temperature. The mechanical properties were investigated by tensile and creep tests at different temperatures and relative humidity. In order to describe the experimental results, the Ree–Eyring equation, modified with the “apparent temperature”, was employed. In addition, the results of time-to-failure (creep tests) were described by the use of the “critical strain” concept. Eventually, a link between the Eyring theory and the structure evolution was made, i.e., a relation between the rate factors and the average lamellar thickness.
Surrender Risk in the Context of the Quantitative Assessment of Participating Life Insurance Contracts under Solvency II
Authors: Burkhart Tobias
Published: June 2018

Participating life insurance contracts entitle the policyholder to participate in the company’s annual surplus. Typically, they are also equipped with a surrender option that allows the policyholder to terminate the contract prior to maturity, receiving a predetermined surrender value. The option interacts with (often cliquet-style) interest guarantees that are a key feature of traditional participating contracts. Surrender options can considerably affect an insurer’s liabilities and bear material risks. This paper addresses the recognition of those risks in the quantitative assessment of a heterogeneous insurance portfolio under Solvency II, taking into account the complex interrelation between minimum interest guarantees, reserving requirements, and profit sharing. The lapse risk module of the Solvency II standard formula requires the identification of portfolio segments that are exposed to a specific change of surrender rates (long-term increase/decrease, one-off increase). We provide a heuristic that identifies homogeneous risk groups in the sense that the respective stress would increase the insurer’s liabilities. Our approach can be used to derive an appropriate segmentation in practical applications. We further analyze implications of the segmentation on the Risk Margin (as part of the Technical Provisions under Solvency II) and discuss consequences of policyholder options on the calculation of Going Concern Reserve and Surplus Funds. To illustrate our findings, we set up a stochastic balance sheet and cash flow projection model for a stylized life insurance company. We conclude that current methods used for practical applications underestimate surrender risk under Solvency II and that the proposed modeling refinements may improve the appropriateness of solvency ratios for participating business.
Spatial Assessment of Water Quality with Urbanization in 2007–2015, Shanghai, China
Authors: Li Huixuan , Wang Cuizhen , Huang Xiao , Hug Andrew
Published: June 2018

Shanghai, as one of the megacities and economic centers of China, is facing critical water quality challenges. This study analyzed the impact of urbanization on the water quality in Shanghai, from 2007 to 2015, using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Five measurements of water quality were employed: total discharged wastewater volume, general water quality levels, dissolved oxygen (DO), permanganate, and ammonia nitrogen. The impacts of urban land-use changes on water quality were examined. An urban index was extracted from satellite image classification and was used to quantify the anthropogenic activities. In the watershed level, unit watersheds were delineated from topography and stream segments. Results showed that the primary contributors of water quality degradation in Shanghai were DO and ammonia nitrogen. Both indicators expressed clear seasonal patterns that can be explained by agricultural activities and urbanization processes in Shanghai during the study period. Water quality was also regulated through water use policies. For example, the degraded water quality in suburban outskirts and improved water quality was achieved through the enforced wastewater discharge regulations in central Shanghai. Analytical findings provide spatially explicit information for governmental management on protecting water resources and controlling wastewater emissions, thus, improving the quality of living environments in this ever-growing megacity.
Online Model Updating and Dynamic Learning Rate-Based Robust Object Tracking
Authors: Islam Md Mojahidul , Hu Guoqing , Liu Qianbo
Published: June 2018

Robust visual tracking is a significant and challenging issue in computer vision-related research fields and has attracted an immense amount of attention from researchers. Due to various practical applications, many studies have been done that have introduced numerous algorithms. It is considered to be a challenging problem due to the unpredictability of various real-time situations, such as illumination variations, occlusion, fast motion, deformation, and scale variation, even though we only know the initial target position. To address these matters, we used a kernelized-correlation-filter-based translation filter with the integration of multiple features such as histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) and color attributes. These powerful features are useful to differentiate the target from the surrounding background and are effective for motion blur and illumination variations. To minimize the scale variation problem, we designed a correlation-filter-based scale filter. The proposed adaptive model’s updating and dynamic learning rate strategies based on a peak-to-sidelobe ratio effectively reduce model-drifting problems by avoiding noisy appearance changes. The experiment results show that our method provides the best performance compared to other methods, with a distance precision score of 79.9%, overlap success score of 59.0%, and an average running speed of 74 frames per second on the object tracking benchmark (OTB-2015).
Sensitive Spectroscopy of Acetone Using a Widely Tunable External-Cavity Quantum Cascade Laser
Authors: Nadeem Faisal , Mandon Julien , Khodabakhsh Amir , Cristescu Simona M. , Harren Frans J. M.
Published: June 2018

We employed a single-mode, widely tunable (~300 cm−1) external-cavity quantum cascade laser operating around 8 µm for broadband direct absorption spectroscopy and wavelength modulation spectroscopy where a modulation frequency of 50 kHz was employed with high modulation amplitudes of up to 10 GHz. Using a compact multipass cell, we measured the entire molecular absorption band of acetone at ~7.4 µm with a spectral resolution of ~1 cm−1. In addition, to demonstrate the high modulation dynamic range of the laser, we performed direct absorption (DAS) and second harmonic wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS-2f) of the Q-branch peak of acetone molecular absorption band (HWHM ~10 GHz) near 1365 cm−1. With WMS-2f, a minimum detection limit of 15 ppbv in less than 10 s is achieved, which yields a noise equivalent absorption sensitivity of 1.9 × 10−8 cm−1 Hz−1/2.
Sensitivity Analysis of Geometrical Parameters on the Aerodynamic Performance of Closed-Box Girder Bridges
Authors: Yang Yongxin , Zhou Rui , Ge Yaojun , Du Yanliang , Zhang Lihai
Published: June 2018

In this study, the influence of two critical geometrical parameters (i.e., angles of wind fairing, α; and lower inclined web, β) in the aerodynamic performance of closed-box girder bridges was systematically investigated through conducting a theoretical analysis and wind tunnel testing using laser displacement sensors. The results show that, for a particular inclined web angle β, a closed-box girder with a sharper wind fairing angle of α = 50° has better flutter and vortex-induced vibration (VIV) performance than that with α = 60°, while an inclined web angle of β = 14° produces the best VIV performance. In addition, the results from particle image velocimetry (PIV) tests indicate that a wind fairing angle of α = 50° produces a better flutter performance by inducing a single vortex structure and a balanced distribution of the strength of vorticity in both upper and lower parts of the wake region. Furthermore, two-dimensional three-degrees-of-freedom (2D-3DOF) analysis results demonstrate that the absolute values of Part A (with a reference of flutter derivative A2*) and Part D (with a reference of A1*H3*) generally decrease with the increase of β, while the change of the participation level of heaving degrees of freedom (DOF) in torsion-dominated coupled flutter initially increases, reaches its peak, and then decreases with the increase of β.
Shear Elasticity of Magnetic Gels with Internal Structures
Authors: Borin Dmitry , Chirikov Dmitri , Zubarev Andrey
Published: June 2018

We present the results of the theoretical modeling of the elastic shear properties of a magnetic gel, consisting of soft matrix and embedded, fine magnetizable particles, which are united in linear chain-like structures. We suppose that the composite is placed in a magnetic field, perpendicular to the direction of the sample shear. Our results show that the field can significantly enhance the mechanical rigidity of the soft composite. Theoretical results are in quantitative agreement with the experiments.
Sensitivity Enhancement in Surface Plasmon Resonance Biochemical Sensor Based on Transition Metal Dichalcogenides/Graphene Heterostructure
Authors: Zhao Xiang , Huang Tianye , Ping Perry Shum , Wu Xu , Huang Pan , Pan Jianxing , Wu Yiheng , Cheng Zhuo
Published: June 2018

In this work, a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor based on two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) is proposed to improve the biosensor’s sensitivity. In this sensor, different kinds of two-dimensional TMDCs are coated on both surfaces of metal film. By optimizing the structural parameters, the angular sensitivity can reach as high as 315.5 Deg/RIU with 7-layers WS2 and 36 nm Al thin film, which is 3.3 times of the conventional structure based on single Al thin film. We also obtain maximum phase sensitivity (3.85 × 106 Deg/RIU) with bilayer WS2 and 35 nm Al thin film. The phase sensitivity can be further improved by employing Ag and removing air layer. The proposed configuration is of great potential for biochemical sensing.
RES-Q-Trace: A Mobile CEAS-Based Demonstrator for Multi-Component Trace Gas Detection in the MIR
Authors: Lang Norbert , Macherius Uwe , Zimmermann Henrik , Glitsch Sven , Wiese Mathias , Röpcke Jürgen , Van Helden Jean-Pierre H.
Published: June 2018

Sensitive trace gas detection plays an important role in current challenges occurring in areas such as industrial process control and environmental monitoring. In particular, for medical breath analysis and for the detection of illegal substances, e.g., drugs and explosives, a selective and sensitive detection of trace gases in real-time is required. We report on a compact and transportable multi-component system (RES-Q-Trace) for molecular trace gas detection based on cavity-enhanced techniques in the mid-infrared (MIR). The RES-Q-Trace system can operate four independent continuous wave quantum or interband cascade lasers each combined with an optical cavity. Twice the method of off-axis cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (OA-CEAS) was used, twice the method of optical feedback cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (OF-CEAS), respectively. Multi-functional software has been implemented (i) for the general system control; (ii) to drive the four different laser sources and (iii) to analyze the detector signals for concentration determination of several molecular species. For the validation of the versatility and the performance of the RES-Q-Trace instrument the species NO, N2O, CH4, C2H4 and C3H6O, with relevance in the fields of breath gas analysis and the detection of explosives have been monitored in the MIR with detection limits at atmospheric pressure in the ppb and ppt range.
How Environmental Values Predict Acquisition of Different Cognitive Knowledge Types with Regard to Forest Conservation
Authors: Thorn Christine , Bogner Franz X.
Published: June 2018

We describe a student-centered, hands-on conservational program designed to alter adolescent environmental values and cognitive knowledge. The values (defined as sets of attitudes towards nature conservation) were measured using the 2-MEV scale (Two Major Environmental Values: Preservation, Utilization). Pre-existing knowledge levels and subsequent cognitive learning (short-, medium- and long-term) were scored on the basis of the three knowledge dimensions (system knowledge: Sys, action-related knowledge: Act and effectiveness knowledge: Eff). Two hundred and seventy-one 6th to 8th graders, unaware of the testing schedules, completed our questionnaires two weeks before (T0), immediately after (T1), six weeks after (T2) and six months (T3) after participation in our nature and wildlife conservation program module. The linear mixed effects model (LMM) was used to analyze the relationships of cognitive knowledge with Preservation and Utilization: high Preservation scores predicted high overall pre-knowledge for all three knowledge types. High Utilization scores correlated with low pre-knowledge scores for all knowledge types. For Preservation, this positive relationship remained constant at all testing schedules. Utilization and knowledge acquisition correlated negatively in both the short (six weeks) and long terms (six months). Students scoring high on Preservation knew more, learned more, and forgot less in the short term than the low scorers. Students scoring high on Utilization briefly added cognitive knowledge immediately after the intervention, though this disappeared again in the short term. Educators are advised to build upon existing values and adjust their teaching on nature conservation issues accordingly.
Analyzing Transfer Commuting Attitudes Using a Market Segmentation Approach
Authors: Ye Jiao , Chen Jun , Bai Hua , Yue Yifan
Published: June 2018

Commuting by transfer in the public transit network is a green travel choice compared to private cars which should be encouraged when direct transit lines cannot take the commuters to their destinations. Therefore, transfer commuting attitudes are important for finding appropriate ways to attract more transfer commuters. Firstly, since attitudes are usually unobserved, a combined revealed preference (RP) and stated preference (SP) survey was conducted in Nanjing, China to obtain the observed attitudinal variables. Then the market segmentation approach including the factor analysis, the structural equation modelling (SEM) model and the K-means clustering method was used to identify the underlying attitudinal factors and variables and analyze the interrelationship between them. Six segments were identified by four key factors including the willingness to transfer, the sensitivity to time, the need for flexibility and the desire for comfort. The sensitivity to time is the most important factor for commuters influencing their willingness to transfer. The socio-economic features of each segment were also analyzed and compared. The result shows that socio-economic features have a great impact on the willingness to transfer. Corresponding policy and strategy implications to increase transfer commuting proportion were finally proposed.
Regional CSR Policies and SMEs’ CSR Actions: Mind the Gap—The Case of the Tourism SMEs in Crete
Authors: Apospori Eleni
Published: June 2018

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) actions have the potential to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs. Regional authorities can support the development of SME CSR actions within the framework of their sustainable competiveness agenda. The alignment between regional CSR policy initiatives and SMEs’ CSR needs is crucial for achieving the regional sustainable competitiveness’ goals. We introduce a conceptual framework to facilitate the alignment between regional CSR policies and SMEs’ needs. We use this conceptual framework and the quantitative technique of survey to empirically investigate the alignment of regional CSR policies with the CSR needs of tourism for SMEs in Crete, Greece. The findings indicate gaps between the perceived level and type of support offered by regional CSR policies and the CSR needs of the SMEs. Based on the findings, we provide recommendations to the regional authorities and tourism SMEs in Crete for implementing CSR policies and actions.
An Empirical Study on the Innovation Sharing Express Box: Collaborative Consumption and the Overlay Network Design
Authors: Liu Aijun , Ji Xiaohui , Tsai Sang-Bing , Lu Hui , Du Gang , Li Feng , Li Guodong , Wang Jiangtao
Published: June 2018

Sharing express boxes is an effective disposal method for obsolete express packages. Its appearance also represents an unstoppable trend in the development of green logistics. This paper takes the sharing express box as research object and conducts two-stage research. In the first stage, the collaborative consumption theory and calculus are used to analyze the economic benefits that sharing express boxes bring to operators, that is, to demonstrate the feasibility of this business model from an economic perspective. In the second stage, the design of the overlay network is studied from the management science perspective. Firstly, an optimal coverage model is established considering the characteristics of the sharing express box, and cleaning costs, relocation costs, etc. are all integrated into the model. Secondly, the genetic algorithm is used to solve the model. A numerical example is described to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed method. In addition, sensitivity analysis investigates the effect of hub coverage change on the results. Finally, the theoretical guidance gained from this paper can be beneficial to the sustainable development of sharing express boxes.
The Impact of Government Subsidies on Private R&D and Firm Performance: Does Ownership Matter in China’s Manufacturing Industry?
Authors: Jin Zhenji , Shang Yue , Xu Jian
Published: June 2018

Government subsidies as a policy instrument are used to alleviate market failure in research and development (R&D) activities. We aim to understand the influence of government subsidies on enterprises’ R&D investment and performance. We are also interested in examining how the attributes of enterprise ownership act as a moderating variable for the relationship between government subsidies, R&D investment, and firm performance. We use firm-level data on China’s manufacturing listed companies from 2011 to 2015. The results show that receiving government subsidies improves private R&D investment and firm performance, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) can obtain more subsidies than private-owned enterprises (POEs). However, the impact of government subsidies on private R&D investment is stronger in POEs than in SOEs of China. In additional analyses, we also examine this relationship by industry, region, subsidy intensity, and R&D intensity. This study has important policy implications for regulators to improve the effectiveness of government subsidies.
Burkholderia Lethal Factor 1, a Novel Anti-Cancer Toxin, Demonstrates Selective Cytotoxicity in MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma Cells
Authors: Rust Aleksander , Shah Sajid , Hautbergue Guillaume M. , Davletov Bazbek
Published: June 2018

Immunotoxins are being investigated as anti-cancer therapies and consist of a cytotoxic enzyme fused to a cancer targeting antibody. All currently used toxins function via the inhibition of protein synthesis, making them highly potent in both healthy and transformed cells. This non-specific cell killing mechanism causes dose-limiting side effects that can severely limit the potential of immunotoxin therapy. In this study, the recently characterised bacterial toxin Burkholderia lethal factor 1 (BLF1) is investigated as a possible alternative payload for targeted toxin therapy in the treatment of neuroblastoma. BLF1 inhibits translation initiation by inactivation of eukaryotic initiation translation factor 4A (eIF4A), a putative anti-cancer target that has been shown to regulate a number of oncogenic proteins at the translational level. We show that cellular delivery of BLF1 selectively induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells that display MYCN amplification but has little effect on non-transformed cells. Future immunotoxins based on this enzyme may therefore have higher specificity towards MYCN-amplified cancer cells than more conventional ribosome-inactivating proteins, leading to an increased therapeutic window and decreased side effects.
Display of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Spike Protein on Baculovirus to Improve Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy
Authors: Chang Chia-Yu , Hsu Wei-Ting , Chao Yu-Chan , Chang Hui-Wen
Published: June 2018

A new variant of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an emerging swine disease, killing considerable numbers of neonatal piglets in North America and Asia in recent years. To generate immunogens mimicking the complex spike (S) protein folding with proper posttranslational modification to mount a robust immune response against the highly virulent PEDV, two baculoviruses displaying the full-length S protein (S-Bac) and the S1 protein (S1-Bac) of the virulent Taiwan genotype 2b (G2b) PEDV Pintung 52 (PEDV-PT) strain were constructed. Intramuscular immunizations of mice and piglets with the S-Bac and S1-Bac demonstrated significantly higher levels of systemic anti-PEDV S-specific IgG, as compared with control group. Our results also showed that piglets in the S-Bac group elicited superior PEDV-specific neutralizing antibodies than those of the S1-Bac and control groups. The highly virulent PEDV-PT strain challenge experiment showed that piglets immunized with S-Bac and S1-Bac showed milder clinical symptoms with significantly less fecal viral shedding as compared with non-immunized control piglets. More importantly, piglets immunized with the S-Bac exhibited no to mild clinical signs, with a delayed, minimal viral shedding. Our results demonstrated that the S-Bac could serve as a safe, easy to manipulate, and effective vaccine candidate against the PEDV infection.
Unauthorised Domestic Water Consumption in the City of Alicante (Spain): A Consideration of Its Causes and Urban Distribution (2005–2017)
Authors: Morote Álvaro-Francisco , Hernández-Hernández María
Published: June 2018

Since 2014 and 2015 numerous projections and macroeconomic indicators have shown sustained growth, allowing governments to affirm that the economic crisis has been overcome. In Spain, the onset of the crisis and the bursting of the real estate bubble (2008) have caused a profound impression on the country and society in recent years. The aim of the study is to analyse the evolution and the determining factors of unauthorised domestic water consumption and its geographic distribution in the city of Alicante (south-east Spain). Methodologically, data have been examined regarding this topic in the city of Alicante for the period 2005–2017 and according to their location and the type of residential property (compact or dispersed). In conclusion, it should be indicated that in Alicante unauthorised consumption is recorded in all social classes and neighbourhoods, especially in the properties of the North District of the city (a lower economic income neighbourhood) but also in those ones that are home to the better-off social classes who reside in detached houses. In the latter, residents commit unauthorised consumption to reduce the high levels of water consumption, aggravated by the current drought (the need to provide greater volumes of water for outdoor uses) and by the increase in the price of water over the last decade. Besides, since the implementation of the Remote Meter Reading Plan in 2011 and the increase of the surveillance of the employers of the water company, the detection of the unauthorised water consumption has increased.
Rainfall Generation Using Markov Chain Models; Case Study: Central Aegean Sea
Authors: Mammas Konstantinos , Lekkas Demetris Francis
Published: June 2018

Generalized linear models (GLMs) are popular tools for simulating daily rainfall series. However, the application of GLMs in drought-prone areas is challenging, as there is inconsistency in rainfall data during long and irregular periods. The majority of studies include regions where rainfall is well distributed during the year indicating the capabilities of the GLM approach. In many cases, the summer period has been discarded from the analyses, as it affects predictive performance of the model. In this paper, a two-stage (occurrence and amounts) GLM is used to simulate daily rainfall in two Greek islands. Summer (June–August) smooth adjustments have been proposed to model the low probability of rainfall during summer, and consequently, to improve the simulations during autumn. Preliminary results suggest that the fitted models simulate adequate rainfall occurrence and amounts in Milos and Naxos islands, and can be used as input in future hydrological applications.
The Exoplanet Population Observation Simulator. I. The Inner Edges of Planetary Systems
Authors: Mulders Gijs D. , Pascucci Ilaria , Apai Dániel , Ciesla Fred J.
Published: June 2018

The Kepler survey provides a statistical census of planetary systems out to the habitable zone. Because most planets are non-transiting, orbital architectures are best estimated using simulated observations of ensemble populations. Here, we introduce EPOS, the Exoplanet Population Observation Simulator, to estimate the prevalence and orbital architectures of multi-planet systems based on the latest Kepler data release, DR25. We estimate that at least 42% of Sun-like stars have nearly coplanar planetary systems with seven or more exoplanets. The fraction of stars with at least one planet within 1 au could be as high as 100% depending on assumptions about the distribution of single transiting planets. We estimate an occurrence rate of planets in the habitable zone around Sun-like stars of η
⊕ = 36 ± 14%. The innermost planets in multi-planet systems are clustered around an orbital period of 10 days (0.1 au), reminiscent of the protoplanetary disk inner edge, or which could be explained by a planet trap at that location. Only a small fraction of planetary systems have the innermost planet at long orbital periods, with fewer than ≈8% and ≈3% having no planet interior to the orbit of Mercury and Venus, respectively. These results reinforce the view that the solar system is not a typical planetary system, but an outlier among the distribution of known exoplanetary systems. We predict that at least half of the habitable zone exoplanets are accompanied by (non-transiting) planets at shorter orbital periods, hence knowledge of a close-in exoplanet could be used as a way to optimize the search for Earth-size planets in the Habitable Zone with future direct imaging missions.
Using Deep Space Climate Observatory Measurements to Study the Earth as an Exoplanet
Authors: Jiang Jonathan H. , Zhai Albert J. , Herman Jay , Zhai Chengxing , Hu Renyu , Su Hui , Natraj Vijay , Li Jiazheng , Xu Feng , Yung Yuk L.
Published: June 2018

Even though it was not designed as an exoplanetary research mission, the Deep Space Climate Observatory (
DSCOVR
) has been opportunistically used for a novel experiment in which Earth serves as a proxy exoplanet. More than 2 yr of
DSCOVR
Earth images were employed to produce time series of multiwavelength, single-point light sources in order to extract information on planetary rotation, cloud patterns, surface type, and orbit around the Sun. In what follows, we assume that these properties of the Earth are unknown and instead attempt to derive them from first principles. These conclusions are then compared with known data about our planet. We also used the DSCOVR data to simulate phase-angle changes, as well as the minimum data collection rate needed to determine the rotation period of an exoplanet. This innovative method of using the time evolution of a multiwavelength, reflected single-point light source can be deployed for retrieving a range of intrinsic properties of an exoplanet around a distant star.
Excess in the High-frequency Radio Background: Insights from Planck
Authors: Murphy Eric J. , Chary Ranga-Ram
Published: June 2018

We conduct a stacking analysis using the combination of 1.4 GHz detections in the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) and Planck all-sky maps to estimate the differential source counts down to the few 100 μJy level at 30, 44, 70, and 100 GHz. Using these source count estimates, we are able to measure the integrated extragalactic background light from discrete sources at these frequencies for comparison with the fit to the total radio sky measurements from ARCADE 2. By integrating down to a 1.4 GHz flux density of ≈2 μJy, we measure integrated, extragalactic brightness temperatures from discrete sources of 105.63 ± 10.56 mK, 21.76 ± 3.09 μK, 8.80 ± 0.95 μK, 2.59 ± 0.27 μK, and 1.15 ± 0.10 μk at 1.4, 30, 44, 70, and 100 GHz, respectively. Our measurement at 1.4 GHz is slightly larger than previous measurements, most likely due to using NVSS data compared with older interferometric data in the literature, but it still remains a factor of ≈4.5 below that required to account for the excess extragalactic sky brightness measured at 1.4 GHz by ARCADE 2. The fit to ARCADE 2 total extragalactic sky brightness measurements is also a factor of ≈8.6, 6.6, 6.2, and 4.9 times brighter than what we estimate from discrete sources at 30, 44, 70, and 100 GHz, respectively. The extragalactic sky spectrum (i.e., T
b ∝ ν

β
) from discrete sources appears to flatten with increasing frequency, having a spectral index of β = −2.82 ± 0.06 between 1.4 and 30 GHz, flattening to β = −2.39 ± 0.12 between 30 and 100 GHz. We estimate that the spectral flattening most likely arises from a combination of gigahertz-peaked sources and the hardening of the spectra of radio-detected sources at higher frequencies, particularly at faint flux densities. However, the precise origin of a hard component of energetic electrons responsible for the emission remains unclear.