bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benchmark model for multi‐orbital transient analysis of satellite electrical power subsystem
Authors: Khan Omair , El Moursi Mohamed Shawky , Zeineldin Hatem H. , Khadkikar Vinod , Al Hosani Mohamed
Published: December 2019

In this study, an efficient multi‐orbital simulation model is presented for satellite Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS) which is integral to the success of the mission. The model integrates converter models, PV array model, DC bus model, and a numerical battery model according to a generalised EPS architecture to form one unified model of the entire EPS. The proposed model reduces simulation complexity, enhances speed, and enables multi‐orbit analysis capability. Dynamic interaction among the elements is modelled through a coordinated control containing maximum power point tracking (MPPT), voltage regulation, battery charge/discharge control and management. Practical concerns of digital control implementation for PI controllers and MPPT are also incorporated in the model. Anti‐windup is implemented to avoid latency in controller action after the eclipse. Additionally, a robust MPPT algorithm ensures fast immediate action after eclipse. Efficient component models and practical attention‐to‐detail enable the developed model to simulate multiple orbits with eclipse periods. The superior speed of the model, ability to simulate multiple orbits, and test different control strategies are demonstrated with a practical case study of Mysat‐1, an imaging satellite launched by the Khalifa University. The model can be used as a proof‐of‐concept tool for predicting the operational behaviour of EPS during the development of a satellite.
On reduction of differential inclusions and Lyapunov stability
Authors: Kamalapurkar Rushikesh , Dixon Warren E. , Teel Andrew R.
Published: December 2019

In this paper, locally Lipschitz, regular functions are utilized to identify and remove infeasible directions from set-valued maps that define differential inclusions. The resulting reduced set-valued map is pointwise smaller (in the sense of set containment) than the original set-valued map. The corresponding reduced differential inclusion, defined by the reduced set-valued map, is utilized to develop a generalized notion of a derivative for locally Lipschitz candidate Lyapunov functions in the direction(s) of a set-valued map. The developed generalized derivative yields less conservative statements of Lyapunov stability theorems, invariance theorems, invariance-like results, and Matrosov theorems for differential inclusions. Included illustrative examples demonstrate the utility of the developed theory.
Construction of Green Power Development Evaluation System Based on TOPSIS Method
Authors: Li Zhuonan , Tan Xue , Jin Yanming , Zhao Qiuli
Published: December 2019

In this paper, the green development evaluation system and method which is useful in power grid were studied and established, and the indicators that affect the green development process of the power grid were analyzed and classified. In order to reflect the comprehensive indicators of the assessment indicators and their impact on the whole society, the system also includes indirect indicators of power generation enterprises, government and social organizations as the main body of implementation, as the expansion of the power grid’s green development. In the calculation period, the TOPSIS method was introduced for evaluating the results and indicators of different companies in two provinces. This research will provide an important reference for energy companies to improve the internal assessment methods for environmental protection and green development.
BIM-based Collaborative Management and Intelligent Manufacturing in the Shenzhong Link Project
Authors: Liu Cheng , Bu Qinghan , Lin Shutao , Li Faxiong
Published: December 2019

Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology has become a central topic in infrastructure construction industry recently in China. This paper describes the applications of BIM technology, including 3D digital design, intelligent manufacturing, smart site and BIM-based collaborative management platform, in a mega infrastructure project, the Shenzhong Link. Through BIM technology, Shenzhong Link strives to achieve the goal of “improving quality, increasing efficiency, reducing costs and achieve traceability”
A Study on the Factors Influencing Green Warehouse Practice
Authors: Jia Xin Lew , Ching Xien Kang , Norida Wahab Siti
Published: December 2019

Going green in logistics business operation has been the main initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint while generating profit. This study described about the green practice and the drivers in the Malaysia warehousing industry. The purpose of the study is to investigate the factors of adopting green warehousing (GWH) with the main aim of exploring current green warehouse practice (GHP) in Malaysia and the factors affecting them. The relationship between government engagement, customer, supplier, manager, employee’s engagement, technology innovation and green warehouse practice has been analyzed. Data was gathered by survey methods. The survey was established for warehouse’s employees with superior or managerial position based in Malaysia. Quantitative methods used to emphasize the objective measurements and to identify how closed the relationship are. Data were analyzed using SPSS software in terms of inferential analysis. The key findings showed that the independent variables had a strong and significant relationship with the GWP.
Study on Temperature Field of Buried Heat Exchanger in a Residential District
Authors: Kai WANG , Jie MIN , Xuelei SHENG , Haitao WANG
Published: December 2019

The long-term stable operation of soil source heat pump system depends on the recovery characteristics of soil temperature field. Using DEST-h model of Hefei a high-rise residential buildings and FLUENT software to simulate software of soil source heat pump are analyzed through the summer and autumn season recovery after the change of soil temperature field around the buried pipe. It is pointed out that the intermittent operation of the compensation tower soil-coupled heat pump is beneficial to promote the recovery of soil temperature field. It has certain engineering application value for the improvement of soil source heat pump performance in hot summer and cold winter area.
Model of Electricity Trading Risk Warning under The New Power System Reform
Authors: Bu Ning , Zhong-kang Wei , Tian-bo Zhu , Jia-qiang Niu , Jun Liu
Published: December 2019

Under the new power system reform, the scale of electricity trading market in China grows rapidly, burdening power companies with more uncertainty risk relate to market trading. This paper constructs a risk warning model for electricity trading, and take market price fluctuation as the signal of market trading risk to carry out risk warning.
Decoupling Analysis of Water Environmental Pressure and Economic Growth in Shanghai
Authors: Tao Aixiang
Published: December 2019

While developing our economy, we also attach great importance to pollution prevention and control in order to improve the environmental quality. Water environmental pollution is an important part of environmental pollution. It is very meaningful to alleviate the pressure of water environment through the prevention and control of water environmental pollution. This paper uses decoupling theory to analyze the relationship between water environmental pressure and economic growth in Shanghai. The results show that, there is a strong decoupling between water environmental pressure and economic growth in Shanghai. The main reason is the transformation of industrial structure and the increase of investment in science and technology.
An experimental study of a built-middle Photovoltaic Trombe wall system
Authors: Lin Yuan , Ji Jie , Jinwei M , Li Xuefei
Published: December 2019

This paper proposed a PV-integrated Trombe wall system (PVTW) with the photovoltaic panel installed in the middle of air channel, named as built-middle photovoltaic Trombe wall system (PVMTW). The system has multiple functions: such as photovoltaic power generation, passive space heating, heat preservation and heat insulation. A series of tests were carried out in winter between the comparable hot- boxes to investigate the thermal and electrical performance of the PVMTW system. The results showed that the average electrical efficiency and thermal efficiency were 0.12 and 0.40, respectively, under the natural convection mode. The total efficiency of the PVMTW system was calculated to be 0.587, which is 11.4 % higher than that of traditional PVTW system with the solar cells laminated on the glass cover.
The effect of different types of window for residential building based on intermittent heating supply
Authors: Tao Chenyang , Li Nan , Wang Yuchen
Published: December 2019

Aiming to lessen energy consumption and heating cost, this paper analyzes the effect of different types of window for residential building based on intermittent heating supply. The research results show that the type of window with a smaller heat transfer coefficient has higher energy consumption. Otherwise, the rate of temperature rising is slightly affected by the change of window with different heat transfer coefficient and window-to-wall ratio. Based on the economic and technical analysis, through changing the better window, energy-saving ratio can be arrived to 10.4%-16.8% and economic recovery period is 4.4-10.4 years. The research findings can be used for reference to thermal design in new residential buildings and provide improvement of building performance for existing residential buildings.
The study of Coopetition between Public Bus and Bike Sharing based on Environmental Protection
Authors: Zhang Chenyan , Zhou Huiyu
Published: December 2019

Recently, the traditional travel modes and public transportation system in urban areas have undergone some subtle changes under the impact of shared bikes, especially for public bus, which is the most impacted by the shared bikes. Therefore, this paper mainly aims at studying the impact of shared bicycles on the public bus from both competitive and cooperative perspectives. More specifically, this study will explore the coopetition relationship between these two modes from travellers’ behaviour perspective. An SP survey has been conducted on traveller in Beijing and a Multinomial Logit model was adopted to quantitatively analyse the effect of various factors on travellers’ modal choice between bus and shared bikes. In this study, the estimation results show that the travel distance, road infrastructure, and travelers’ psychological factors all suggest a competition between bus and bike sharing. On the contrary, distance between bus transfer stations will also lead to modal cooperation. Finally, some policy implications have been proposed to better facilitate public transports and promote the sustainable development of whole urban transport system.
Finite Element Model Modification of Arch Bridge Based on Radial Basis Function Neural Network
Authors: Chen Tongqing , Wang Lei , Jiang Xijuan , Wang Yubin , Yan Kai
Published: December 2019

Compared with other neural networks, Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network has the advantages of simple structure and fast convergence. As long as there are enough hidden layer nodes in the hidden layer, it can approximate any non-linear function. In this paper, the finite element model of a through tied arch bridge is modified based on Neural Network. The approximation function of RBF neural network is utilized to fit the implicit function relationship between the response of the bridge and its design parameters. Then the finite element model of the bridge structure is modified. The results show that RBF neural network is efficient to modify the model of a through tied arch bridge.
Research on Joint Design of New Type Fabricated Concrete Frame Structure
Authors: Zhang Wanlai , Tian Yue , Zhang Yihang
Published: December 2019

Prefabricated structure is an important way to realize the industrialization of architecture. With its fast construction speed and high economic benefits, it has developed rapidly. This paper introduces the research status of prefabricated structure node at home. The way of beam-column connection of prefabricated concrete frame structure has hindered the progress of prefabricated concrete frame structure to some extent. This paper explores the joints of a new type of fabricated concrete frame structure. By referring to the connection method of steel structure joints, the connection complexity of beam reinforced bars is reduced to a great extent.
Distortional buckling critical sectional dimensions and effective length of cold-formed steel lipped channel members
Authors: Yanli Guo , Pengwen Hu , Xiao Li , Xingyou Yao , Bin Xu
Published: December 2019

Based on the comparison on buckling stability coefficient between local and distortional buckling, the critical cross-sectional dimensions without considering the distortional buckling for cold-formed steel lipped channel members are put forward. Furthermore, the critical effective length of nonoccurrence of distortional buckling is presented. The research results show that the calculation of distortional bucking strength of cold-formed steel lipped channel members can be avoided by controlling the reasonable cross-sectional dimensions or the effective length.
Mechanical Properties and Failure Mechanism of Sandstone with Mudstone Interlayer
Authors: Wang Chengxiang , Kou Huailiang , Han Wei
Published: December 2019

In order to study the strength and failure characteristics of sandstone with mudstone interlayer. According to mudstone interlayer dip and distribution form, it can be divided into three kinds of sandstone: sandstone with horizontal mudstone interlayer is Class I; sandstone with inclined mudstone interlayer is Class II; sandstone with irregular distribution mudstone is Class III. The three kinds of sandstone uniaxial test were carried out and combined with the theory of layered rock mass failure, it revealed mechanical properties and failure mechanism of sandstone with mudstone interlayer. The results show that: crack generated from interface in Class I and II and crack generated from irregular distribution mudstone interlayer in Class III; The sandstone with higher strength is destroyed before the mudstone interlayer; sandstone at unbonded interface is failure before sandstone at bonded interface; Three kinds of sandstone vary in compressive strength, Class II is greater than Class III while Class III is greater than Class I.
Research on Development Countermeasures of Prefabricated Buildings in New Rural Construction -- A Case Study of Longfeng Village, Hunan Province
Authors: Zhang Ying , Chen Zuzhan , Sun Hongkai , Zhang Shili , Feng Kai , Liu Haoqian
Published: December 2019

This paper introduces the present situation of the development of prefabricated buildings under the background of the development of prefabricated buildings advocated by the state. Through field visit, questionnaire survey and interview in Longfeng village, Hunan province, the present situation of the structure system of rural dwellings was investigated and researched, and its main problems were investigated and analyzed from various perspectives of energy conservation, environmental protection, thermal insulation, seismic resistance and the like. According to the survey data, this paper analyzes the difficulty of assembling rural self-built houses. Finally, the paper puts forward the corresponding development countermeasures for the construction of new rural dwellings on the road of sustainable green building, and provides strategies for the construction of new rural areas.
Household carbon emission characteristics and adaptive strategies for low carbon community planning
Authors: Zhu Longbin , Huang Ying , Chen Wenyu
Published: December 2019

Urban communities are important sector for energy saving and emission reduction. Characterization of household carbon emission is critical to the planning of low-carbon communities. Taking data from five communities in Nanjing, China as the empirical research object, this study explores the relationship between household consumer activities and direct carbon emission of household energy consumption based on the Consumer Lifestyle Approach. Using regression analysis, we identify the characteristics of the emission and the four most significant impact factors. Adaptive low carbon strategies are further suggested as how to influence consumer activities by planning of urban communities.
Emergency logistics vehicle routing optimization based on insufficient supply
Authors: Yuan Yina , Zhou Xiaoguang , Yang Mengke
Published: December 2019

In the face of various emergencies, emergency logistics vehicles are required to meet the needs of the affected areas in a short enough time. However, due to the suddenness of the incident and the shortage of relief supplies, it is necessary to further consider how to optimize the route of emergency vehicles in case of insufficient supply. In this paper, when the supply point is insufficient, the emergency vehicle routing can be optimized in the shortest possible time and at the same time to meet the requirements of the disaster site. By establishing the corresponding mathematical model and using the genetic algorithm to solve the relevant examples, the new solution is provided for the emergency logistics vehicle routing problem when the relief materials are insufficient. According to the analysis results of the example, the effectiveness of the optimization method is further demonstrated, and theoretical support is provided for relevant decision makers.
Cement pavement performance evaluation based on the discrete Hopfield neural network
Authors: Liu Huan , Liu Peng , Peng Qiuyu
Published: December 2019

Because of the deficiency of the index of cement pavement performance evaluation and the defect of the evaluation method in the specification, the performance of the pavement is comprehensively evaluated by seven optimized indexes and grading standards that reflect functional performance and structure of the pavement. Because the discrete Hopfield neural network is available with simple construction procedure, less training samples, and strong objectivity.The DHNN is constructed by MATLAB to evaluate the performance of test pavement. The ideal cement pavement performance grading evaluation index matrix and 6 places unclassified of test pavement performance evaluation index matrix are input to the neural network then the evaluation result is obtained after simulating and learning. Finally, comparing the result of the DHNN with the fuzzy complex matter element method and the nonlinear fuzzy method, it is proved that the discrete Hopfield neural network evaluation method is reliable.
A study on the Barriers in Accessibility for the Disabled at Bus Terminal
Authors: Yin Mun Lee , Kun Xin Wai , Devi Rajendran Salini
Published: December 2019

Transportation is a highly significant issue for the people with disabilities. The lack of accessibility in bus terminal has led to drawbacks and restricts many of the disabled from moving around without any restriction. The purpose of this research is to identify the barriers of accessibility for the disabled in bus terminals in Malaysia. The main objective of this work was to analyze the level of satisfaction of disabled toward the accessibility in bus terminal and identify the barriers of accessibility for disabled in bus terminal. This study is only focusing on the structural barriers. There are five factors affecting the structural barriers which are infrastructure, pedestrian environment, vehicle design, planning and information. The relationship between these variables and accessibility of disabled people in bus terminal was studied. This work was carried out based on quantitative research method. Questionnaire was used for data collection and data analysis was done using SPSS software in terms of inferential analysis. The key findings of this work showed that all variable has a significant relationship with accessibility of disabled people in bus terminal.
A Study on the awareness of road safety for trucks transportation in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Leong Jie Lee , Wern Kern Choo , Mahmud Bahri
Published: December 2019

Safety is the first priority during the process of transportation as an accident occurs will cause a person’s life or long-term injury. This study identifies the awareness of road safety for trucks transportation in Peninsular Malaysia that highlight the factor of causing drivers not aware about the road safety for trucks transportation in Peninsular Malaysia which include driver behaviour, attitude and human error, surrounding environment, government legislative and distracted driving. Qualitative research approach is adopted in this study and in-depth interview was conducted to gather the data among the selected trucks operations company in Peninsular Malaysia. The finding show that speed performance results the safety procedure, the company greediness for small gains or profits results the awareness of safety their employees, the government’s legislation punishment is not very effective and also the employees lack of understanding on safety precaution results in their own risk. Therefore, Driver Behaviour, Attitude and Human Error, surrounding Environment, Government Legislative as well as Distracted Driving and Tracking are the important factor that cannot be neglected.
A study on the benefits of eco-friendly packaging on sustainable supply chain management in fast moving consumer goods industry
Authors: Ker[en]Xin Wong , Kar Sen Yap , Devi Rajendran Salini
Published: December 2019

The focal of this qualitative study is to identify the benefits of eco-friendly packaging in sustainable supply chain management among FMCG industry regarding the relationship between benefits (cost reduction, brand image, legal compliance, and environmental friendly) that direct relate to sustainable supply chain management. In this study, interview was conducted and data has been collected through face-to-face interview and e-mail among the respondent who have working experience and knowledge in particular FMCG industry. Four hypotheses were set to study those four variables whether has a significant relationship with the benefits of eco-friendly packaging and sustainable supply chain management in FMCG industry. The collected data was analyzed through exploratory analysis to find out whether it can identify or determine the main variables related to the implementation of eco-friendly packaging on sustainable supply chain management towards FMCG industry in this study. The finding shows there is a direct relationship in which the benefit of eco-friendly packaging brings the company in developing more sustainable supply chain management.
Wind tunnel study on the pedestrian-level wind comfort in residential areas of Harbin
Authors: Shui Taotao , Liu Jing , Wang Haitao , Zhang Luxi
Published: December 2019

Pedestrian-level wind conditions in residential areas are closely related to the quality of urban residents' daily life. In this paper, seven representative building layouts of urban residential areas were summarized from actual residential areas of Harbin, and wind tunnel experiments were carried out to study the pedestrian-level wind comfort in these residential areas. The assessments of pedestrian wind comfort are performed by combining the wind tunnel results and long-term local wind statistics. The results show that the hybrid-type and the enclosed-type layouts can provide better pedestrian wind comfort than parallel-type layouts, and the building heights of residential areas need to be controlled in cities of severe cold regions.
Numerical Investigation of a two-inlet PVT air collector
Authors: Kang Zhangyang , Lu Zhaoyang , Deng Xin , Yao Qiongqiong
Published: December 2019

A numerical study of heat and mass transfer characteristics of a two-inlet PV/T air collector is performed. The influence of thermal characteristics and efficiency is investigated as the area ratios of inlet and outlet of the single channel with two inlets are changed. The design of the two-inlet PV/T air collector can avoid the poor heat transfer conditions of the single inlet PV/T air collector and improve the total photo-thermal efficiency. When the inlet/outlet cross-sectional area ratio is reduced, the inlet air from the second inlet enhances the convection heat transfer in the second duct and the temperature distribution is more uniform. As the cross-sectional area of the second inlet increase, the maximum heat exchange amount of the two-inlet PV/T air collector occurs between the inlet and outlet cross-sectional area ratio L=0.645 and L=0.562.
Isolation and Identification of Morchella Pathogenic Fungi and Determination of In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of 30 Plant Essential Oils
Authors: Lu Qiyu , Liu Ji , Tu Caihong , Di Feida , Zheng Qi , Guo Qiliang , Zhang Zhengzhou , Qin Wen
Published: December 2019

In order to develop natural antistaling agent for Morchella preservation, reduce environmental pollution problems. In this experiment, the fungus pathogenic fungi were isolated and identified, and the antibacterial activity of the pathogen was determined by using 30 plant essential oils. The results showed that the fungal strain YDJ-S was isolated from the naturally occurring Morchella, belonging to the Fusarium proliferatum, which showed obvious pathogenicity. In vitro antibacterial experiments of essential oils show that in 30 kinds of essential oils, five essential oils of Basil, Cinnamon, Litsea cubeba, Clove and Garlic have obvious inhibitory effect on strain YDJ-S, and the inhibition rate is 100% at 1000 μl/L. Basil essential oil has the most obvious inhibitory effect on the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of strain YDJ-S, the minimum inhibitory concentration is 250 μl/L, and the minimum bactericidal concentration is 1000 μl/L, to lay the theoretical foundation for further research.
The Dilemma and solution of Water pollution Control from the Perspective of Environmental Regulation
Authors: Yijing Chu , Jue Wang
Published: December 2019

With the development of the economy in China，water pollution problems have become increasingly prominent and have received extensive attention in academic circles. At present,the environmental regulation on water pollution is still confronted with several dilemmas,for instance,the externalities triggered by "race to the bottom" of local governments，the spillover of water pollution governance and the uncertainty of water pollution control. By combing the mechanism of government environmental regulation, we found that the government environmental regulation still faces such major difficulties as the local government departmentalism is difficult to eliminate, the problem of information asymmetry and the regulatory capture are still not, iceable then puts forward that these plights can be effectively solved through implementing the river chief system,improving the social supervision of water pollution control.
The Monthly Variation Process of Water Temperature in Jiaozhou Bay
Authors: Yang Dongfang , Ren Haoyuan , Yang Dong , Zhang Longlei , Li Haixia
Published: December 2019

According to the investigation materials in the water field of Jiaozhou Bay from May to October 1980, this paper studies the water temperature of Jiaozhou Bay and the monthly variation. The results show that in each monthfrom May to October, the water temperature varies from 10.80 to 26.53 °C in the waters of Jiaozhou Bay, and the interval length of water temperature is 15.73 °C. This paper determines the changing curve of the high or low value of the water temperature ateach month and establishes the corresponding simulation equation.The high water temperature reaches a maximum of 26.53 °C in August, and the low water temperature reaches a maximum of 24.69 °C in August. In the water bodies of Jiaozhou Bay, the high or low water temperature both reaches its highest value in August. In June, the increasing rate of peak value in water temperature is the fastest, and the increasing rate of low value in water temperature is relatively fast. In October, the decreasing rate of the peak water temperature is relatively fast, and decreasing rateof the lowest value in water temperature is the fastest. From May to August, the high (low) water temperature is on the rise in Jiaozhou Bay. The high water temperature appears in the western waters of the top of bay and the western waters inside of bay mouth. The low water temperature appears in the eastern and southern waters outside of bay mouth. In September and October, the high (low) water temperature in the Jiaozhou Bay water bodies is decreasing. The high water temperature appears in the eastern and southern waters outside of bay mouth, and the low water temperature appears in the western waters of the bayhead.
Application and Product Standard of Purified Crystalline Salt from Desulfurization Wastewater of Thermal Power Plant
Authors: Li Zhengkun , Li Ruozheng , Liu Xiaoyu , Zhao Chong , Tian Ying
Published: December 2019

：The shortage of water resources and the increasingly strict requirements of environmental protection make the zero discharge of waste water from thermal power plants imperative. The treatment of high salt desulfurization wastewater is the bottleneck of the application and promotion of "zero discharge" technology. The waste water zero discharge and resource recovery technologies such as salt separation and purification can be used to make sodium chloride crystal salt meeting the standards of "industrial salt" (GB/T 5462-2015) and sodium sulfate crystal salt meeting the standards of "industrial anhydrous sodium sulfate" (GB/T 6009-2014). However, due to the lack of related standards of certification index and certification method of crystal salt products, it is restricted to realize resource recovery as commodities. In this paper, the application field and product standard of purified crystalline salt from desulfurization wastewater are analyzed.
Study on optimum technological conditions for producing androstenedione by microbial method
Authors: SHI Haishan , YANG Ying , LI Weihua , ZHANG Hui , CHENG Xiaolei
Published: December 2019

As an indispensable intermediate, androstenedione is widely used in drug manufacturing, especially steroidal drugs. However, the chemical manufacturing process of androstenedione is generally complicated and difficult, and it will cause serious environmental pollution in the production process. The biological method for the production of androstenedione has a very promising development prospect, because it is more economical and environmentally friendly than chemical methods. In order to better produce androstenedione on a large scale, the imbalance between supply and demand can be solved. In this study, the biaqueous phase system was used to increase the substrate concentration, and the method of transforming plant sterol by mycobacterium was used to produce androstenedione. The optimal conditions for the production of androstenedione by microbial assay were determined by orthogonal test: the aqueous two-phase system was water/ sunflower oil, the temperature was 30 °C, the initial pH was 6.5, the substrate concentration was 0.4 g/L, the rotation speed was 250 rpm, and the inoculation was carried out. The amount was 14.83%, the organic ratio was 20.65%, and the liquid loading was 150/500 mL. The preliminary production of androstenedione by microbial method has found suitable process conditions and provided data and theoretical support for its large-scale production.
A Highly Efficient Bioflocculant Produced by a Strain of Klebsiella sp.
Authors: Bao Lining , Wu Haiwei , Sun Bai , Zhu Shuguang
Published: December 2019

A bioflocculant-producing bacterium isolated from activated sludge, named B3, was identified as Klebsiella sp. The bioflocculant produced by B3 was named MBFB3. The main component of MBFB3 was glycoprotein analyzed by IR. The water quality of sewage and the rate of sludge dewatering were increased after treating with MBFB3, indicating the bioflocculant has a wide application prospect in the sewage biological treatment.
Study on adsorption characteristics and regeneration effect of iron - based alumina composites
Authors: Sun Bai , Xu Fangwen , Liu Fei , Wang Hui , Ding Chengfeng , Cheng Yunming , Tang Zhuo , Zhang Jie , Shen Wei , Zhu Shuguang
Published: December 2019

In this paper, an iron-based alumina composite was synthesized by modifying activated alumina with ferric chloride. The adsorption performance of iron-based alumina composite modified with 15% ferric chloride solution reached a certain peak. At lower initial fluoride concentration, the amount of fluoride treated by this composite is much more than that of water samples with higher initial fluoride concentration. To some degree, the slower flow rate of fluoride solution, the better adsorption performance of adsorbent. The iron-based alumina composite expressed a better performance of fluoride adsorption at pH=6.5. The adsorbent treated with aluminum potassium sulfate had the best adsorption performance.
The influence of application hyperaccumulator plant straw on photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic parameter of lettuce under cadmium stress
Authors: Liang Le , Ao Qiaoman , Zhu Ying , Zhao Yan , Zhang Ran , Tang Yi
Published: December 2019

Pot experiments were conducted to study the effects of straw application of three hyperaccumulator plants (Solanum nigrum, Bidens pilosa and Galinsoga parviflora) influence photosynthetic pigments content and photosynthetic parameters of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under Cd stress. The results showed that: compared with no straw application, the photosynthetic pigment content of lettuce was increased by applying three kinds of hyperaccumulator plants straw (S. nigrum, B. pilosa and G. parviflora), but there was no significant difference among the three kinds of hyperaccumulator plant straws; also improved the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), Stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) of lettuce, among them, the effect of G. parviflora straw was the most obvious. Application of three kinds of hyperaccumulator plant straw promoted the growth of lettuce by increasing the photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic parameter of lettuce under Cd stress.
Test Study on the Creep Behaviors of Tianjin Clays
Authors: Li Gang , Yan Zhen , Zhang Jinli , Liu Jia , Xi Yu
Published: December 2019

The drained triaxial creep tests were carriedout to investigate the relationshipsbetween axial strain and time, axial strain and deviatoricstress, and axial strain rate and time for the undisturbed samples of muddy clay and clay in Tianjin.Based on the creep test results, the Singh-Mitchell modelwas used for creep calculation. The results showed that the muddyclay and clay exhibited typical non-linear creep properties. The axial strain increasedwith time and then gradually tendedto be stable.The strain rate increasedasthe deviatoric stress increased, and the muddy clay and clay showedthe characteristics of attenuation creep under deviatoricstresses. The axial strain of muddy clay wassignificantly larger than that of clay, and reachedthestable state within 3000 minutes.Under low deviatoricstress, the slope of the isochronal curve was smaller; while under high deviatoric stress, the slope of the isochronal curve waslarger.The test results were in good agreement with the calculation results, which indicated that the Singh-Mitchell model wassuitable for describing the creep behaviorsof the undisturbed claysin Tianjin.
Intra and Inter-Rater Reliability for Deep Neck Flexor and Neck Extensor Muscle Endurance Tests in Subjects with and without Subclinical Neck Pain
Authors: Alahmari Khalid A. , Reddy Ravi S. , Silvian Paul , Ahmad Irshad , Kakarparthi Venkata Nagaraj , Rengaramanujam Kanagaraj
Published: December 2019

Purpose Deep neck flexor (DNF) and neck extensor (NE) muscle endurance tests are a part of standard assessment procedure in routine physical therapy practice and these tests needs to be reliable.

Materials and Methods Intra-rater (between-day) and inter-rater (within-day) reliability was assessed for 2 neck muscle endurance tests in 26 subclinical neck pain and 31 normal subjects by 2 blinded assessors. The tests conducted included 1) DNF endurance test performed in supine and 2) NE muscle endurance test performed in prone position.

Results and discussion The Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability was determined by means of Intra Class Correlation (ICC), with 95% confidence intervals. The intra rater reliability testing showed good agreement for both DNF (ICC=0.76 and 0.78) and NE muscle endurance (ICC=0.75 and 0.76) tests. Meanwhile, the inter-rater reliability showed moderate to good agreement for both DNF (ICC – 0.58 and 0.61) and NE muscle endurance tests (ICC – 0.57 and 0.74) in subjects with subclinical neck pain. Subclinical neck pain subjects had a significantly lower endurance holding times compared to normal (p<0.001).

Conclusion The intra and inter rater reliability ranged from moderate to good agreement. Neck flexor and extensor muscle endurance can be measured reliably in a clinical setup in subjects with subclinical neck pain.
Definitive therapy of colonic angioectasia by submucosal coagulation
Authors: Sriram Nagaraj , Bar-Yishay Iddo , Kumarasinghe Priyanthi , Yusoff Ian , Segarajasingam Dev , Bourke Michael J. , Raftopoulos Spiro
Published: December 2019

Background and study aims Colonic angioectasia are the most common vascular lesions in the gastrointestinal tract and are among the most common causes for chronic or recurrent lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopic treatment involves a variety of techniques, all of which focus on destruction of the mucosal abnormality. However, recurrent bleeding after endoscopic treatment is common, with more than one treatment frequently necessary. We report a technique for definitive treatment of colonic angioectasia by targeting the feeding submucosal vessel.

Patients and methods Analogous to endoscopic mucosal resection, a submucosal injection is made beneath the target lesion which is then removed by electrocautery snare resection of the mucosal lesion. The exposed feeding vessel is then destroyed by application of coagulation current. The resection defect is closed by clips.

Results Six patients with a total of 14 colonic angioectasia were treated over the study period. All lesions were destroyed without adverse events.

Conclusion Elevation, hot snare resection and coagulation (ESC) of the visible vessel for treating colonic angioectasia appears safe and effective. Larger prospective comparative studies are required to assess its specific role.
Secure Linking of Data from Population-Based Cancer Registries with Healthcare Data to Evaluate Screening Programs
Authors: Bartholomäus Sebastian , Siegert Yannik , Hense Hans Werner , Heidinger Oliver
Published: December 2019

Background The evaluation of population-based screening programs, like the German Mammography Screening Program (MSP), requires collection and linking data from population-based cancer registries and other sources of the healthcare system on a case- specific level. To link such sensitive data, we developed a method that is compliant with German data protection regulations and does not require written individual consent.

Methods Our method combines a probabilistic record linkage on encrypted identifying data with ‘blinded anonymisation’. It ensures that all data either are encrypted or have a defined and measurable degree of anonymity. The data sources use a software to transform plain-text identifying data into a set of irreversibly encrypted person cryptograms, while the evaluation attributes are aggregated in multiple stages and are reversibly encrypted. A pseudonymisation service encrypts the person cryptograms into record assignment numbers and a downstream data-collecting centre uses them to perform the probabilistic record linkage. The blinded anonymisation solves the problem of quasi-identifiers within the evaluation data. It allows selecting a specific set of the encrypted aggregations to produce data export with ensured k-anonymity, without any plain-text information. These data are finally transferred to an evaluation centre where they are decrypted and analysed. Our approach allows creating several such generalisations, with different resulting suppression rates allowing dynamic balance information depth with privacy protection and also highlights how this affects data analysability.

Results German data protection authorities approved our concept for the evaluation of the impact of the German MSP on breast cancer mortality. We implemented a prototype and tested it with 1.5 million simulated records, containing realistically distributed identifying data, calculated different generalisations and the respective suppression rates. Here, we also discuss limitations for large data sets in the cancer registry domain, as well as approaches for further improvements like l-diversity and how to reduce the amount of manual post-processing.

Conclusion Our approach enables secure linking of data from population-based cancer registries and other sources of the healthcare system. Despite some limitations, it enables evaluation of the German MSP program and can be generalised to be applicable to other projects.
Genetic analysis of postoperative recurrence of pancreatic cancer potentially owing to needle tract seeding during EUS-FNB
Authors: Kawabata Hidemasa , Miyazawa Yuki , Sato Hiroki , Okada Tetsuhiro , Hayashi Akihiro , Iwama Takuya , Fujibayashi Shugo , Goto Takuma , Sasajima Junpei , Takauji Shuhei , Fujiya Mikihiro , Torimoto Yoshihiro , Tanino Mishie , Omori Yuko , Ono Yusuke , Karasaki Hidenori , Mizukami Yusuke , Okumura Toshikatsu
Published: December 2019

Background and study aims Needle tract seeding during endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) remains a concern. We investigated whether such seeding occurred in a patient with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA).

Patient and methods Surgically resected and EUS-FNB-derived specimens were genotyped to determine if a gastric wall tumor that emerged 3 years after curative resection of an early-stage PDA was clonally related to the original tumor.

Results The gastric tumor histologically resembled the primary PDA; the lesions also shared KRAS, SMAD4, and RNF43 mutations. Genotyping of the preoperative EUS-FNB specimen, in which cancer was not detected, nevertheless revealed mutations that were identical to those in the resected primary and recurrent tumors. While the primary PDA had a low frequency of mutant SMAD4, such mutations were highly prevalent in both the EUS-FNB and recurrent tumor specimens.

Conclusions The genetic lineages of sampled tissues from our patient revealed that needle tract seeding may have incidentally occurred when a subset of neoplastic cells within a heterogeneous tumor (i. e., an aggressive clone) was targeted during EUS-FNB.
Predictive Validity of Each Item of the
8-Item Short-Form Health Survey for All-Cause
Mortality in Japanese patients with type 2
diabetes: A prospective Cohort Study (Diabetes
Distress and Care Registry at Tenri [DDCRT
19])
Authors: Hayashino Yasuaki , Okamura Shintaro , Tsujii Satoru , Ishii Hitoshi ,   for the Diabetes Distress and
                                                  Care Registry at Tenri Study Group*
Published: December 2019

Aims While health-related quality of life
(HRQOL) is reported to be associated with
mortality, this assessment was made using surveys
with a large number of questions, not specifically
focused on populations with diabetes, or in
western countries alone. We thus evaluated the
predictive validity of summary scores, and each
item score of the 8-Item Short-Form Health Survey
in Japanese individuals with type-2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods Longitudinal data
from 3269 individuals with diabetes were obtained
from a large Japanese diabetes registry. To assess
the independent correlation between the 10-point
scores of the SF-8 physical component summary
(PCS) and mental component summary (MCS), each
item score, and all-cause mortality, the Cox
proportional hazards model was used with
adjustment for potential confounders.

Results Mean cohort parameters included age
(64.9 years [SD 11.2]), body mass index
(24.6 kg/m2 [SD, 3.9]), and HbA1c level
(7.5% [SD, 1.2]; or 58.6 mmol/mol [SD, 12.7]). We
recorded 248 deaths during the median follow-up of
7.2 years (incidence ratio, 12.2 per 1000
person-years). Multivariable-adjusted HRs for
all-cause mortality were 0.780 (95%CI,
0.674–0.902; p=0.001) and 0.776 (95%CI,
0.656–0.917; p=0.003), respectively, for 10-point
increment of PCS and MCS scores. Higher score of
any single item of SF-8 was associated with lower
risk of all-cause mortality even after adjusting
for possible confounders.

Conclusions As assessed by the SF-8, higher
PCS, MCS, and any single 1-item scores were
associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality
in Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Pharmakologisches Neuroenhancement in Deutschland
Authors: Schäfer Markus
Published: December 2019

Hintergrund Die Angaben zur Verbreitung des pharmakologischen Neuroenhancements (pNE) in Deutschland variieren stark. Der Beitrag diskutiert, inwieweit dieser Umstand methodischen Aspekten der Prävalenzstudien geschuldet sein könnte.

Methode Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick zum aktuellen Forschungsstand und beleuchtet methodische Probleme der Prävalenzforschung in Deutschland.

Ergebnisse Die Prävalenzangaben variieren je nach Erhebungsmethode, abgefragtem Zeitpunkt der Einnahme und untersuchten Zielgruppen und Stoffen bei verschreibungspflichtigen und illegalen Substanzen zwischen einem und 39%. Für frei erhältliche Mittel werden z. T. höhere Prävalenzen berichtet. Es lassen sich 4 große methodische Probleme der Forschung identifizieren: 1.) Die Heterogenität der Definitionen, 2.) die Heterogenität der Befragungsmethoden und die Qualität der Stichproben(ziehungen), 3.) Defizite bei der Frageformulierung, 4.) das Fehlen wichtiger Angaben in den zugehörigen Veröffentlichungen.

Schlussfolgerung Verlässliche Aussagen zur Verbreitung von pNE in Deutschland sind schwierig. Zwischen den Untersuchungen bestehen inhaltlich und methodisch große Unterschiede, die Ergebnisse lassen sich nur bedingt vergleichen. Notwendig sind regelmäßige bevölkerungsrepräsentative Erhebungen auf Basis einheitlicher Definitionen.
Does Heart Valve Team Risk Assessment Predict Outcomes after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement?
Authors: Catalano Michael A. , Rutkin Bruce , Kohn Nina , Hartman Alan , Yu Pey-Jen
Published: December 2019

Consideration for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) necessitates an integrated risk assessment by members of the Heart Valve Team. The utility of the integrated risk assessment for predicting TAVR outcomes is not established. This article aims to compare the utility of the integrated risk assessment to that of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS-PROM) score for predicting patient outcomes after TAVR. A total of 274 patients who underwent TAVR from January 2016 to August 2017 were included in this study. Patients were deemed intermediate or high risk by two surgeons on the Heart Valve Team based on an integrated risk assessment that incorporates the STS-PROM score, fragility measures, end-organ dysfunction, and surgeon evaluation. Patients were also deemed low, intermediate, or high risk based solely on their STS-PROM scores of <3%, ≥3% to <8%, and ≥8%, respectively. Differences in postoperative outcomes between intermediate- and high-risk groups as categorized by the integrated risk assessment versus STS-PROM were compared. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative outcomes between patients who were deemed high and intermediate risk by the Heart Valve Team risk assessment. In contrast, postoperative complication rates were significantly higher in patients deemed high risk as compared with intermediate risk by STS-PROM. Integrated risk assessment by the Heart Valve Team is not superior to STS-PROM in predicting postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing TAVR.