bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bathymetry Time Series Using High Spatial Resolution Satellite Images
Authors: Erena Manuel , Domínguez José A. , Atenza Joaquín F. , García-Galiano Sandra , Soria Juan , Pérez-Ruzafa Ángel
Published: February 2020

The use of the new generation of remote sensors, such as echo sounders and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers with differential correction installed in a drone, allows the acquisition of high-precision data in areas of shallow water, as in the case of the channel of the Encañizadas in the Mar Menor lagoon. This high precision information is the first step to develop the methodology to monitor the bathymetry of the Mar Menor channels. The use of high spatial resolution satellite images is the solution for monitoring many hydrological changes and it is the basis of the three-dimensional (3D) numerical models used to study transport over time, environmental variability, and water ecosystem complexity.
Optimal Planning of Low-Impact Development for TSS Control in the Upper Area of the Cau Bay River Basin, Vietnam
Authors: Minh Hai Dang
Published: February 2020

Recently, an increase in impervious area induced by the process of urbanization has significantly affected the quantity and quality of urban surface runoff. Among the pollutants of the storm flow, total suspended solids (TSS) are an extremely important cause of water quality deterioration. This paper aims to use the integrated nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA II)–Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) method to find optimal Low-Impact Development (LID) plans which ensure maximum TSS load reduction and minimum total relative cost. Green roofs, permeable pavements, and tree boxes with fixed parameters and unit costs were considered for seeking optimal planning alternatives in the Cau Bay river basin. The optimization process yielded a cost–effectiveness curve, which relates cost of LID implementation with its corresponding TSS reduction efficiencies. The advantage of the optimization approach was clarified when, with a defined cost of LID implementation, there was a significant difference in TSS reduction efficiencies between the optimal and non-optimal alternatives. The increase in return periods of rainfall patterns not only resulted in a reduction in the TSS removal efficiencies of LID practices at the outfall of the study area, but also spatially changed in terms of the TSS removal efficiencies of the sub-catchments. The return period of the rainfall patterns utilized for LID design should not exceed 2 years. The simulation–multi-optimization approach facilitates integration of LID practice plans into the urban infrastructure master plans in Vietnam.
Numerical Investigation of a Hydrosplitting Fracture and Weak Plane Interaction Using Discrete Element Modeling
Authors: Liu Shuaiqi , Ma Fengshan , Zhao Haijun , Guo Jie , Duan Xueliang , Sun Qihao
Published: February 2020

Water inrush caused by hydrosplitting is an extremely common disaster in the engineering of underground tunnels. In this study, the propagation of fluid-driven fractures based on an improved discrete element fluid-solid coupling method was modeled. First, the interactions between hydrosplitting fractures (HFs) and preexisting weak planes (WPs) with different angles were simulated considering water pressure in the initial fracture. Second, the influence of the in situ stress ratio and the property of WPs were analyzed, and corresponding critical pressure values of different interactions were calculated. Lastly, the maximum principal stress and maximum shear stress variation inside the pieces were reproduced. The following conclusions can be drawn: (1) Five different types of interaction modes between HFs and natural WPs were obtained, prone to crossing the WPs under inclination of 90°. (2) The initiation pressure value decreased with an increased in situ stress ratio, and the confining stress status had an effect on the internal principal stress. (3) During HFs stretching in WPs with a high elastic modulus, the value of the maximum principal stress was low and rose slowly, and the maximum shear stress value was smaller. Through comprehensive analysis, the diversity of the principal stress curves is fundamentally determined by the interaction mode between HFs and WPs, which are influenced by the variants mentioned in the paper. The analysis provides a better guideline for understanding the failure mechanism of water gushing out of deep buried tunnel construction and cracking seepage of high head tunnels.
Glacial Lake Changes and Identification of Potentially Dangerous Glacial Lakes in the Yi’ong Zangbo River Basin
Authors: Duan Hongyu , Yao Xiaojun , Zhang Dahong , Qi Miaomiao , Liu Juan
Published: February 2020

The southeastern Tibetan Plateau, where monsoonal temperate glaciers are most developed, has a huge number of glacial lakes. Based on Landsat Operational Land Imager (OLI) images, 192 glacial lakes with a total area of 45.73 ± 6.18 km2 in 2016 were delineated in the Yi’ong Zangbo River Basin. Glacial lakes with areas of less than 0.1 km2 accounted for 81.77% of the total number, and glacial lakes located above 4500 m elevation comprised 83.33%. Dramatic glacier melting caused by climate warming has occurred, resulting in the formation and expansion of glacial lakes and the increase of potential glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) risk. From 1970 to 2016, the total area of glaciers in the basin has decreased by 35.39%, whereas the number and total area of glacial lakes have, respectively, increased by 86 and 1.59 km2. In that time, 110 new glacial lakes emerged, whereas 24 of the original lakes disappeared. The newly formed lakes have a smaller mean area but higher mean elevation than the lakes that disappeared. Based on five indicators, a first-order method was used to identify glacial lakes that pose potential threats. We identified 10 lakes with very high, 7 with high, 31 with medium, and 19 with low GLOF susceptibility, out of 67 moraine-dammed glacial lakes with areas larger than 0.02 km2. Understanding the behavior of glaciers and glacial lakes is a vital aspect of GLOFs disaster management, and the monitoring of glacial lakes should be strengthened.
A Decision Support System for Irrigation Management: Analysis and Implementation of Different Learning Techniques
Authors: Torres-Sanchez Roque , Navarro-Hellin Honorio , Guillamon-Frutos Antonio , San-Segundo Rubén , Ruiz-Abellón Maria Carmen , Domingo-Miguel Rafael
Published: February 2020

Automatic irrigation scheduling systems are highly demanded in the agricultural sector due to their ability to both save water and manage deficit irrigation strategies. Elaborating a functional and efficient automatic irrigation system is a very complex task due to the high number of factors that the technician considers when managing irrigation in an optimal way. Automatic learning systems propose an alternative to traditional irrigation management by means of the automatic elaboration of predictions based on the learning of an agronomist (DSS). The aim of this paper is the study of several learning techniques in order to determine the goodness and error relative to expert decision. Nine orchards were tested during 2018 using linear regression (LR), random forest regression (RFR), and support vector regression (SVR) methods as engines of the irrigation decision support system (IDSS) proposed. The results obtained by the learning methods in three of these orchards have been compared with the decisions made by the agronomist over an entire year. The prediction model errors determined the best fitting regression model. The results obtained lead to the conclusion that these methods are valid engines to develop automatic irrigation scheduling systems.
Operational Efficiency of Mexican Water Utilities: Results of a Double-Bootstrap Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Ablanedo-Rosas Jose Humberto , Guerrero Campanur Aaron , Olivares-Benitez Elias , Sánchez-García Jacqueline Y. , Nuñez-Ríos Juan Enrique
Published: February 2020

The objective of this paper is to estimate the operational efficiency of Mexican water utilities and identify the context variables that impact their efficiency. In particular, a bootstrap data envelopment analysis (DEA) and a bootstrap truncated regression analysis are combined in a two-stage research method. In the first stage, an input-oriented DEA model is used to determine bootstrap efficiency scores. Then, the corrected distribution function of the efficiency scores is used to estimate a truncated regression which is aimed to identify the significant influential context variables. Three categorical and two continuous context variables are considered in the analysis. Results show that only one context variable has a significant impact on the water utilities efficiency scores. Managerial recommendations are drawn from the analysis. It is suggested that water utilities continue or implement wastewater treatment, persist in decreasing and controlling leakage across the distribution network, and maximizing sewer coverage.
Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Assessment of Drinking Water Quality in the Urban Area of Zamora, Mexico
Authors: Reyes-Toscano Claudia Alejandra , Alfaro-Cuevas-Villanueva Ruth , Cortés-Martínez Raúl , Morton-Bermea Ofelia , Hernández-Álvarez Elizabeth , Buenrostro-Delgado Otoniel , Ávila-Olivera Jorge Alejandro
Published: February 2020

This work assessed the groundwater hydrogeochemistry and the drinking water quality of 10 wells supplying the urban area of Zamora, Michoacán, Mexico. Two sampling campaigns were conducted in May 2018 (dry season) and November 2018 (wet season) to describe the chemistry of the water and its interaction with the rock. Physical and chemical constituents (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, color, turbidity, solids, total hardness, total alkalinity, chemical and biochemical oxygen demands), major components (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, SO42−, PO43−, HCO3−, CO32−, Cl−, N-NO3−, and N-NH3), as well as trace elements (As, Fe, Mn, Ba, Al, Sb, Co, V, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Zn, Tl, Pb) were analyzed. Results showed groundwater with a slight tendency to alkalinity. The hydrogeochemical facies observed are Ca2+-HCO3− in all sites. Hydrochemical diagrams indicate immature, cold, non-saline, and uncontaminated water with short residence time. Water–rock interaction predominates. The water in the study area is appropriate for drinking use according to Mexican and international regulations with an excellent quality in 7 wells and good in the other 3.
Geomorphology as a Driver of Heavy Metal Accumulation Patterns in a Floodplain
Authors: Szabó Zsuzsanna , Buró Botond , Szabó József , Tóth Csaba Albert , Baranyai Edina , Herman Petra , Prokisch József , Tomor Tamás , Szabó Szilárd
Published: February 2020

The spatial complexity of floodplains is a function of several processes: hydrodynamics, flow direction, sediment transportation, and land use. Sediments can bind toxic elements, and as there are several pollution sources, the risk of heavy metal accumulation on the floodplains is high. We aimed to determine whether fluvial forms have a role in metal accumulations. Topsoil samples were taken from point bars and swales in the floodplain of the Tisza River, North-East Hungary. Soil properties and metal concentrations were determined, and correlation and hypothesis testing were applied. The results showed that fluvial forms are important drivers of horizontal metal patterns: there were significant differences (p < 0.05) between point bars and swales regarding Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Vertical distribution also differed significantly by fluvial forms: swales had higher metal concentrations in all layers. General Linear Models had different results for macro and micro elements: macro element concentrations were determined by the organic matter, while for micro elements the clay content and the forms were significant explanatory variables. These findings are important for land managers and farmers because heavy metal concentration has a direct impact on living organisms, and the risk of bioaccumulation can be high on floodplains.
When Green Infrastructure Turns Grey: Plant Water Stress as a Consequence of Overdesign in a Tree Trench System
Authors: Tu Min-cheng , Caplan Joshua , Eisenman Sasha , Wadzuk Bridget
Published: February 2020

Green infrastructure (GI) systems are often overdesigned. This may be a byproduct of static sizing (e.g., accounting for a design storm’s runoff volume but not exfiltration rates) or may be deliberate (e.g., buffering against performance loss through time). In tree trenches and other GI systems that require stormwater to accumulate in an infiltration bed before it contacts the planting medium, overdesign could reduce plant water availability significantly. This study investigated the hydrological dynamics and water relations of an overdesigned tree trench system and identified factors contributing to, compounding, and mitigating the risk of plant stress. Water in the infiltration bed reached soil pits only once in three years, with that event occurring during a hydrant release. Moreover, minimal water was retained in soil pits during the event due to the hydraulic properties of the soil media. Through a growing season, one of the two tree types frequently experienced water stress, while the other did so only rarely. These contrasting responses can likely be attributed to roots being largely confined to the soil pits vs. reaching a deeper water source, respectively. Results of this study demonstrate that, in systems where soil pits are embedded in infiltration beds, overdesign can raise the storm size required for water to reach the soil media, reducing plant water availability between storms, and ultimately inducing physiological stress.
Improving the Accuracy of Hydrodynamic Model Predictions Using Lagrangian Calibration
Authors: Mardani Neda , Suara Kabir , Fairweather Helen , Brown Richard , McCallum Adrian , Sidle Roy C.
Published: February 2020

While significant studies have been conducted in Intermittently Closed and Open Lakes and Lagoons (ICOLLs), very few have employed Lagrangian drifters. With recent attention on the use of GPS-tracked Lagrangian drifters to study the hydrodynamics of estuaries, there is a need to assess the potential for calibrating models using Lagrangian drifter data. Here, we calibrated and validated a hydrodynamic model in Currimundi Lake, Australia using both Eulerian and Lagrangian velocity field measurements in an open entrance condition. The results showed that there was a higher level of correlation (R2 = 0.94) between model output and observed velocity data for the Eulerian calibration compared to that of Lagrangian calibration (R2 = 0.56). This lack of correlation between model and Lagrangian data is a result of apparent difficulties in the use of Lagrangian data in Eulerian (fixed-mesh) hydrodynamic models. Furthermore, Eulerian and Lagrangian devices systematically observe different spatio-temporal scales in the flow with larger variability in the Lagrangian data. Despite these, the results show that Lagrangian calibration resulted in optimum Manning coefficients (n = 0.023) equivalent to those observed through Eulerian calibration. Therefore, Lagrangian data has the potential to be used in hydrodynamic model calibration in such aquatic systems.
Wastewater Treatment by Novel Polyamide/Polyethylenimine Nanofibers with Immobilized Laccase
Authors: Maryšková Milena , Schaabová Markéta , Tománková Hana , Novotný Vít , Rysová Miroslava
Published: February 2020

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are highly resistant organic compounds, commonly occurring in the aquatic environment, that can interfere with the endocrine system of animals and humans, causing serious chronic diseases. In recent decades, enzymes from oxidoreductases have been studied for their potential to degrade these compounds effectively. In order to use such enzymes repeatedly, it is necessary to ensure their insolubility in water, a method termed enzyme immobilization. We developed novel polyamide/polyethylenimine (PA/PEI) nanofibers as a promising support material for the immobilization of various biomolecules. Our nanofibers are highly suitable due to a unique combination of mechanical endurance provided by polyamide 6 and their affinity toward biomolecules, ensured by numerous PEI amino groups. Enzyme laccase was successfully immobilized onto PA/PEI nanofibers using a simple and fast method, providing exceptional activity and stability of the attached enzyme. We then tested the degradation ability of the PA/PEI-laccase samples on a highly concentrated mixture of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in real wastewater with adjusted pH. The results indicate that the samples were a suitable material for wastewater treatment by degrading a highly concentrated mixture of bisphenol A, 17α-ethinylestradiol, triclosan, and diclofenac, in real wastewater effluent.
An Integrated Review of River Bars for Engineering, Management and Transdisciplinary Research
Authors: Crosato Alessandra , Mosselman Erik
Published: February 2020

River training and river restoration often imply modifying the patterns and dimensions of bars, channels, and pools. Research since the 1980s has greatly advanced and matured our knowledge on the formation and behavior of river bars, thanks to field work, laboratory experiments, theoretical analyses, and numerical modelling by several research groups. However, this knowledge is not easily accessible to design engineers, river managers, and ecologists who need to apply it. This is mainly due to confusing differences in terminology as well as to difficult mathematical theories. Moreover, existing scientific publications generally focus on specific aspects, so an overall review of the findings and their applications is still lacking. In many cases, the knowledge achieved so far would allow minimizing hard engineering interventions and thus obtaining more natural rivers. We present an integrated review of the major findings of river bar studies. Our aim is to provide accessible state-of-the-art knowledge for nature-based bar management and successful river training and river restoration. To this end we review the results from analytical, numerical, experimental, and field studies, explain the background of bar theories, and discuss applications in river engineering and river restoration.
The Effect of Soil Iron on the Estimation of Soil Water Content Using Dielectric Sensors
Authors: Kargas George , Londra Paraskevi , Anastasatou Marianthi , Moustakas Nick
Published: February 2020

Nowadays, the estimation of volumetric soil water content (θ) through apparent dielectric permittivity (εa) is the most widely used method. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the high iron content of two sandy loam soils on estimating their water content using two dielectric sensors. These sensors are the WET sensor operating at 20 MHz and the ML2 sensor operating at 100 MHz. Experiments on specific soil columns, in the laboratory, by mixing different amounts of water in the soils to obtain a range of θ values under constant temperature conditions were conducted. Analysis of the results showed that both sensors, based on manufacturer calibration, led to overestimation of θ. This overestimation is due to the high measured values of εa by both sensors used. The WET sensor, operating at a lower frequency and being strongly affected by soil characteristics, showed the greatest overestimation. The difference of εa values between the two sensors ranged from 14 to 19 units at the maximum actual soil water content (θm). Compared to the Topp equation, the WET sensor measures 2.3 to 2.8 fold higher value of εa. From the results, it was shown that the relationship θm-εa0.5 remained linear even in the case of these soils with high iron content and the multi-point calibration (CALALL) is a good option where individual calibration is needed.
Impact of Sea Ice on the Hydrodynamics and Suspended Sediment Concentration in the Coastal Waters of Qinhuangdao, China
Authors: Jiang Man , Pang Chongguang , Liu Zhiliang , Jiang Jingbo
Published: February 2020

The influence of sea ice on the hydrodynamics, sediment resuspension, and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in the coastal area of Qinhuangdao was systematically investigated using 45-day in situ measurements at two stations (with ice at station M1 and without ice at station M2) in the Bohai Sea in the winter of 2018. It was found that the daily fluctuations of temperature and salinity at M1 are more significant than those at M2. During a typical seawater icing event on January 28, the temperature and salinity of the bottom water at M1 were decreased by 1.77 °C and increased by 0.4 psu, respectively. Moreover, due to the shielding effect of the sea ice, the residual current was much less affected by the wind at M1 than at M2. For the vertical distribution of current velocity, it changed from a traditional logarithmic type under ice-free conditions to parabolic type under ice-covered conditions due to the larger drag coefficient of the water body on the solid ice surface. For the SSC and turbidity at the bottom layer, the average values were 4.9 μL/L and 8.6 NTU at M1, respectively, approximately half of those at M2. The smaller SSC and turbidity at M1 can be attributed to the lower near-bottom turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). At M2, however, the larger SSC is closely related to the strong wind forcing, which could induce higher TKE without sea ice cover, and hence stronger turbulent resuspension. The seabed sediment analysis results showed that in the study area, fine sand is most likely to resuspend, while cohesive particles would resuspend only under strong hydrodynamic conditions.
Financovanie a hospodárenie územnej samosprávy na Slovensku (optikou OECD)
Authors: Cíbik Lukáš
Published: February 2020

The aim of the paper is to divide the OECD aggregate data and analyze the revenues and expenditures of the Slovak (local, regional) self-government. The reason is the absence of these OECD data. The aim of our article is to analyze the system of revenues and expenditures of territorial self-government, which was created by fiscal decentralization, in the conditions of the Slovak Republic during the period 2009-2018. This is based on the OECD methodology, which divides income into five areas, namely taxes, grants and subsidies, tariffs and fees, property income and social contributions. Expenditure areas correspond to the classification according to the functional classification COFOG and reported as a share of GDP.In the area of income, tax revenue is a more important component in the case of local self-government. In all expenditure areas, the regional self-government shows lower expenditure, except for health and social security.
Recent Investment Cases Against EU Member States: Europe’s Green Energy Policies Under Threat?
Authors: Hajdu Gábor
Published: February 2020

As a consequence of rising environmental concerns, a substantial number of EU member states undertook various programs aimed at subsidizing the renewable energy sector and promoting related foreign (and domestic) investment. During the 2010s, several renewable energy programs were replaced by less favourable legal regimes. These changes led to foreign investors suing the relevant countries, through the controversial investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism reserved solely for foreign investors. The costly nature of ISDS proceedings (such as legal fees and large arbitral awards) could cause a discouraging effect among member states considering similar renewable energy programs. This research thus aimed to examine whether such concerns have potential merit, whether the cases result in a downturn for renewable promotion in the EU. The method for doing so was through investigating two ISDS cases, followed by an analysis of the two affected countries' stance towards renewable energy before, during and after the ISDS process, and briefly discussing what lessons for other states could be found in the rulings. The research's finding was that a clear discouraging effect could not be established in either cases, and that it is unlikely that ISDS will negatively affect renewable energy promotion.
Komparácia Slovenska a Estónska vo fungovaní fenoménu 21.storočia e-governmentu
Authors: Chrenová Martina
Published: February 2020

The term e-Government is from the English term electronic government, which means electronic government. The aim of introducing e-Government is to provide more efficiently, reliably, faster and cheaper public administration services to citizens. At the end of the last century, specifically in 1998, e-Government began to address some European countries, including Estonia and Slovakia. However, Estonia has become a leader in e-Govenment not only in Europe but also in the world. We decided in this paper to compare the functioning of e-Government of Slovakia and Estonia and to point out the differences that reduce the quality of providing electronic services for citizens in Slovakia. In this paper, the method used will be to compare two case studies, using contextual contexts to highlight the specificities of each case. The content of the case studies is the implementation processes and tools used in the implementation of e-Government elements. The aim of the paper is to find shortcomings in the system of functioning of e-Government by comparing two case studies and to propose solutions based on the system that effectively exists in Estonia.
Konsociačný model ako politické riešenie pri demograficky heterogénnych štátoch
Authors: Kolárik Andrej
Published: February 2020

The model of consociationalism appears to be an optimal solution in case of demographically heterogeneous countries, especially populated by more than two major groups. Especially, when it is difficult to draw clear borders between them, a power-sharing agreement is necessary. In the following article, we have compared the power-sharing arrangements in Bosnia and Lebanon, as these two countries have implemented mechanisms of power-sharing, with Bosnia favouring a more territorially-based approach, while Lebanon has divided its major political offices among the different segments of the population. The similarities between the two countries include the fact that both have experienced a civil war and the divides in the country are based upon religious, rather than linguistic lines.
Cyclodextrin Based Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery and Theranostics
Authors: Gadade Dipak Dilip , Pekamwar Sanjay Sudhakar
Published: February 2020

Colloidal nanoparticulate technology has been described in the literature as a versatile drug delivery system. But it possesses some inherent lacunae in their formulation. Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been extensively reported for the solubility enhancement of poorly water-soluble drugs. The CDs can cause intervention in aspects related to nanoparticles (NPs) that include improving drug loading in nano-system, improving stability, site-specific/targeted drug delivery, improving solubility profile and absorption of the drug in nanosystem with consequent improvement in bioavailability, with the possibility of controlled release, safety and efficacy. They find application in for simultaneous diagnosis and therapeutics for better treatment procedures. The current communication is focused on the application of CDs to overcome troubles in nanoparticulate formulation and enhancement of their performance. It also envisages the theranostic aspects of CDs.
The Role of Natural Antioxidants Against Reactive Oxygen Species Produced by Cadmium Toxicity: A Review
Authors: Unsal Velid , Dalkiran Tahir , Çiçek Mustafa , Kölükçü Engin
Published: February 2020

Cadmium (Cd) is a significant ecotoxic heavy metal that adversely affects all biological processes of humans, animals and plants. Exposure to acute and chronic Cd damages many organs in humans and animals (e.g. lung, liver, brain, kidney, and testes). In humans, the Cd concentration at birth is zero, but because the biological half-life is long (about 30 years in humans), the concentration increases with age. The industrial developments of the last century have significantly increased the use of this metal. Especially in developing countries, this consumption is higher. Oxidative stress is the imbalance between antioxidants and oxidants. Cd increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and causes oxidative stress. Excess cellular levels of ROS cause damage to proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, membranes and organelles. This damage has been associated with various diseases. These include cancer, hypertension, ischemia/perfusion, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, insulin resistance, acute respiratory distress syndrome, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, skin diseases, chronic kidney disease, eye diseases, neurodegenerative diseases (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Huntington disease). Natural antioxidants are popular drugs that are used by the majority of people and have few side effects. Natural antioxidants play an important role in reducing free radicals caused by Cd toxicity. Our goal in this review is to establish the relationship between Cd and oxidative stress and to discuss the role of natural antioxidants in reducing Cd toxicity.
Cupric Oxide Nanoparticles Induce Cellular Toxicity in Liver and Intestine Cell Lines
Authors: Abudayyak Mahmoud , Guzel Elif , Özhan Gül
Published: February 2020

Purpose: The wide application of cupric oxide nanoparticles (copper (II) oxide, CuO-NPs) in various fields has increased exposure to the kind of active nanomaterials, which can cause negative effects on human and environment health. Although CuO-NPs were reported to be harmful to human, there is still a lack information related to their toxic potentials. In the present study, the toxic potentials of CuO-NPs were evaluated in the liver (HepG2 hepatocarcinoma) and intestine (Caco-2 colorectal adenocarcinoma) cells. Methods: After the characterization of particles, cellular uptake and morphological changes were determined. The potential of cytotoxic, genotoxic, oxidative and apoptotic damage was investigated with several in vitro assays. Results: The average size of the nanoparticles was 34.9 nm, about 2%-5% of the exposure dose was detected in the cells and mainly accumulated in different organelles, causing oxidative stress, cell damages, and death. The IC50 values were 10.90 and 10.04 µg/mL by MTT assay, and 12.19 and 12.06 µg/mL by neutral red uptake (NRU) assay, in HepG2 and Caco-2 cells respectively. Apoptosis assumes to the main cell death pathway; the apoptosis percentages were 52.9% in HepG2 and 45.5% in Caco-2 cells. Comet assay result shows that the highest exposure concentration (20 µg/mL) causes tail intensities about 9.6 and 41.8%, in HepG2 and Caco-2 cells, respectively. Conclusion: CuO-NPs were found to cause significant cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and oxidative and apoptotic effects in both cell lines. Indeed, CuO-NPs could be dangerous to human health even if their toxic mechanisms should be elucidated with further studies.
Characterization and Prospective Applications of the Exopolysaccharides Produced by Rhodosporidium babjevae
Authors: Mirzaei Seveiri Rasool , Hamidi Masoud , Delattre Cédric , Sedighian Hamid , Pierre Guillaume , Rahmani Babak , Darzi Sina , Brasselet Clément , Karimitabar Fatemeh , Razaghpoor Ali , Amani Jafar
Published: February 2020

Purpose: Due to the potential industrial and therapeutic applications of the yeast exopolysaccharides (EPSs), there has been an increasing demand to assess these biopolymers with improved characteristics. This study aimed to characterize the EPSs from Rhodosporidium babjevae (ATCC 90942 and IBRC-M 30088) as well as to evaluate their possible antioxidant, emulsifying and antiproliferative activities. Methods: Rhodosporidium babjevae was cultured for 5 days and following isolation of supernatant, EPSs precipitated with adding of cold absolute ethanol and freeze-dried. The EPSs chemical structure was determined by FT-IR, SEM, HPLC-SEC and GC-MS. Additionally the solubility, water holding capacity and emulsifying activity of EPSs were evaluated. In vitro, antioxidant activity was investigated against DPPH, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. Finally the EPSs consequence on the cell proliferation of human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell lines was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Results: R. babjevae excreted 1.6±0.2 g/L of the EPSs. The EPSs had three fractions with molecular weights of 1.02 ×106 , 5×105 and 2×105 Da. Mannose and glucose were found as the main monosaccharides of the EPSs (84:16 mol%, respectively). The EPSs exhibited emulsifying activity on sun flower oil. The scavenging activities were found to be dose-dependent and higher than hyaluronic acid. Significant difference among the EPSs treatments on the proliferation of MCF-7 and MDCK cell lines was not observed (P>0.05). Conclusion: These results show the interesting potential of the EPSs from R. babjevae as biocompatible compounds for using in food and pharmaceutical fields.
Effect of Hypoxia Preconditioned Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Conditioned Medium on Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Mice
Authors: Abdolmohammadi Kamal , Mahmoudi Tayebeh , Nojehdehi Shahrzad , Tayebi Lobat , Hashemi Seyed Mahmoud , Noorbakhsh Farshid , Abdollahi Alireza , Soleimani Masoud , Nikbin Behrouz , Nicknam Mohammad Hossein
Published: February 2020

Purpose: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disorder distinguished by tissue injury and inflammation of the pancreas. Using paracrine potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provides a useful clinical approach in treating inflammatory diseases. We investigated the therapeutic effects of adipose-derived MSC conditioned medium (CM) and hypoxia preconditioned adipose-derived MSC conditioned medium (HCM) in cerulein-induced AP in mice. Methods: AP was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of cerulein (75 μg/ kg/h × 7 times). One hour following the last injection of cerulein, mice were treated with intraperitoneal injection of CM and HCM (500 µL/mice/30 min × 3 times). Twelve hours following the treatment, serum levels of amylase and lipase were measured. In addition, pancreas pathological changes, immunohistochemical examinations for evaluation of IL-6 expression and pancreatic myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity were analyzed. Results: The in vitro results of the morphological, differentiation and immunophenotyping analyses confirmed that hypoxia preconditioned MSCs (HP-MSCs) conserve MSCs characteristics after preconditioning. However, HP-MSCs significantly expressed high mRNA level of hypoxia inducible factor 1-α and higher level of total protein. The in vivo findings of the current study showed that CM and HCM significantly reduced the amylase & lipase activity, the severity of pancreas tissue injury and the expression of IL-6 and MPO enzyme activity compared with the AP group. However, no significant difference between CM and HCM groups was demonstrated. Conclusion: Use of CM and HCM can attenuate cerulein-induced AP and decrease inflammation in the pancreas tissue in AP mice.
Expression of Diverse Angiogenesis Factor in Different Stages of the 4T1 Tumor as a Mouse Model of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Malekian Saba , Rahmati Marveh , Sari Soyar , Kazemimanesh Monireh , Kheirbakhsh Raheleh , Muhammadnejad Ahad , Amanpour Saeid
Published: February 2020

Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is specified by high vascularity and repetitious metastasis. Although several studies have indicated that angiogenesis has an important role in invasive breast cancer, a suitable model of TNBC that can show the exact onset of angiogenesis factors still needs to be developed. The purpose of this study is to determine the expression level of angiogenesis factors in different clinical stages of the 4T1 tumor as TNBC mouse model. Methods: Twenty mice were injected by the 4T1 cell line, and four mice selected as healthy controls. Following by tumor induction, the mice were randomly put into four groups, each contains four mice. Once the tumor volume reached to the early stage (<100 mm3 ), intermediate stage (100-300 mm3 ), advanced stage (300-500 mm3 ), and end stage (>500 mm3 ), they were removed by surgery. Then, the expression levels of Hif1α, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 genes, as well as tumor markers of VEGF, bFGF and CD31, were evaluated by qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) respectively. The statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 16. Results: TNBC tumors were confirmed and multi-foci metastasis in the lung were seen. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the angiogenesis factors increased in the early stage and as the tumor grew, their expression level enhanced dramatically. Conclusion: The 4T1 syngeneic mouse tumor may serve as an appropriate TNBC model for further investigation of the angiogenesis and therapies. Moreover, angiogenesis factors are induced before the advanced stage, and anti-angiogenesis therapy is necessary to be considered at the first line of treatment in TBNC.
Validation and Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Dispersive LiquidLiquid Microextraction as a Preparation Method for Detection of Methadone in Saliva with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Technique
Authors: Shekari Ahmad , Forouzesh Mehdi , Valipour Roohollah , Fallah Fardin , Shojaei Pardis
Published: February 2020

Purpose: We investigated validation and optimization of ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquidliquid microextraction (UADLLME) as a preparation method for detection of methadone in saliva samples. Methods: We used blank and methadone-containing saliva samples and also standard methadone solution. Sodium hydroxide and chloroform were added to samples and they were held in ultrasonic bath. Then preparations were centrifuged and extracted analyte was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Accuracy was measured by Intra and between-day mean relative errors (RE). Precision was assessed by coefficient of variation (CV). Recovery, specificity, linearity and limits of detection and quantification were also determined. Optimization was conducted for ultrasound duration, pH and extraction phase volume. Efficiency of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and UADLLME were compared. Results: Intra and between-day accuracies (2.3 -7.5%), recovery (89.4-115.5%) and precision (5.2-11.3%) were all acceptable. Calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 150 ng/mL-10 µL/mL with R2 >0.9995 and equation of y=86.901x-5342.5. Limits of detection and quantification were 50 and 150 ng/mL, respectively. Specificity was measured by comparing retention times of saliva samples (containing methadone metabolites and other commonly used drugs) during UADLLME/GC-MS analysis and no interference was observed. Recovery of UADLLME was 1.4 of DLLME. Solvent and sample volumes required for UADLLME were 1/200 and 1/20 of DLLME. The greatest efficiency obtained at pH of 10, with ultrasound treatment duration of 5 minutes and extraction phase volume of 1000 µL. Conclusion: Study found that UADLLME/GC-MS is a valid and efficient method for detection of methadone in oral fluid.
NOVÝ WEBOVÝ PORTÁL A WEBOVÉ SLUŽBY PRO PREZENTACI MEZINÁRODNÍ KLASIFIKACE NEMOCÍ (MKN)
Authors: Reimer Michal
Published: February 2020

Mezinárodní statistická klasifikace nemocí a přidružených zdra-votních problémů (MKN) je publikace založená na kodifikaci a klasifikaci onemocnění, poruch, příznaků či zranění, které jsou strukturovaně hierarchicky zařazené do jednotlivých kapitol a podkapitol v závislosti na typu onemocnění a je jim přiřazeno kódové označení usnadňující identifikaci pojmu ve struktuře. MKN spravuje Světová zdravotnická organizace, která zajiš-ťuje vydávání nových verzí obsahujících opravy, vylepšení a do-plnění tohoto klasifikátoru. MKN v současné 10. revizi slouží jako mezinárodní standard pro zaznamenávání (kódování) diagnóz. S přicházející 11. revizí, jejímž hlavním přínosem je rozšíření množství obsažených informací o jednotlivých pojmech napří-klad o detailnější popis onemocnění, stupnici závažnosti, popis symptomů či navrhované léčebné postupy se násobně zvyšuje potenciál této klasifikace jako informačního zdroje a nástroje pro práci se zdravotnickými daty. Cílem naší práce je vytvoření nového webového portálu, který bude sloužit jako nástroj pro prezentaci informací obsaže-ných v MKN a vlastní kódování. Tento portál by měl být schopen po přijetí vstupních dat, ať už ve formě vyhledávaného názvu, kódu či názvu kapitol, klasifikaci prohledat a zobrazit veškeré nalezené výsledky – záleží pak jen na uživateli, do jaké míry specifikuje své vyhledávání. S touto specifikací by měla být uživateli nápomocná intuitivní realtimová nápověda, která při vyhledávání doporučí pravděpodobný hledaný výraz. Cílem je získání co největšího množství informací k danému pojmu, které by zároveň díky struktuře a kódovému označením bylo možné jednoznačně zařadit a velmi snadno a intuitivně i zpět-ně získat dané informace při znalosti pouze tohoto kódu, což by velmi usnadnilo kódování klinických dat, s čímž se setkáváme například při vykazování zdravotní péče, vedení zdravotnických statistik, či uchovávání zdravotnických záznamů a dat.
A Novel Application of Senstivity Factor (Ptdf) for Transmission Pricing Evaluation in a Deregulated Power Market
Authors: SINGH AMIT KUMAR , OZVEREN CUNEYT SUHEYL
Published: February 2020

The selection and application of pricing method is generally influenced by the concern of investors and participators. In this paper, the results of the broad assessment of the transmission pricing and the summary of potential key methodologies to explore, are listed and reported. This paper outlines a “hybrid analysis and decision-making framework" for transmission costing and pricing. The proposed hybrid framework facilitates a comparative costing approach of several widely used well-known cost allocation algorithms based online flows and a "generator contributions and transmission pricing" approach with the proposed application of power transfer distribution factors (PTDF) method. The paper reports the results of IEEE 30-bus system case study that demonstrates the effectiveness of the framework. In this paper, a full AC load flow is utilized to determine the line capacity-use, as it is evaluated by the quantity of power transmitted. This approach also allows to look into the effects of reactive power.
Theoretical Analysis of the Weibull Alpha Power Inverted Exponential Distribution: Properties and Applications
Authors: EFE-EYEFIA Eferhonore , THOMAS Joseph , ZELIBE Samuel Chiabom
Published: February 2020

This article proposed a Weibull-Alpha Power Inverted Exponential (WAPIE) distribution for lifetime processes. Statistical properties of this distribution such as survival, hazard, reversed hazard, cumulative, odd functions, kurtosis, quantiles, skewness, order statistics and the entropies were derived. Parameters of this family of distribution were also obtained by maximum likelihood method. The behaviour of the estimators was studied through simulation. The behavior of the new developed distribution was further examined through real life data. The WAPIE distribution competes favourably well with other distributions.
Electrical Energy Demand Prediction: A Comparison Between Genetic Programming and Decision Tree
Authors: DANANDEH MEHR Ali , BAGHERİ Farzaneh , SAFARİ Mir Jafar Sadegh
Published: February 2020

Several recent studies have used various data mining techniques to obtain accurate electrical energy demand forecasts in power supply systems. This paper, for the first time, compares the efficiency of the decision tree (DT) and classic genetic programming (GP) data mining models developed for electrical energy demand forecasting in Nicosia, Northern Cyprus. The models were trained and tested using daily electricity consumptions measured during the period 2011-2016 and were compared in terms of three statistical performance indices including coefficient of determination, mean absolute percentage error and concordance coefficient. The prediction results showed that the proposed models can be effectively applied to forecasts of electrical energy demand. The results also indicated that the GP is slightly superior to DT in terms of the performance indices.
Effect of Inhomogeneity Constant on Equivalent Stresses in Elastic Analysis of Hollow Cylinder Made from Functionally Graded Material
Authors: BOĞA Cem
Published: February 2020

In this study, the determination of the equivalent stresses required for the elastic analysis of a hollow cylinder made of functional graded material (FGM) subjected to internal and external pressures was determined quickly and accurately, and its evaluation was discussed. The Poisson’s ratio is thought to be constant. The functional grading for the modulus of elasticity varies radially along the thickness of the cylinder and depending on a simple power law function. Radial, tangential (hoop) and equivalent stresses with radial displacements in the cylinder are determined rapidly by modeling both analytically and by the finite element method (FEM) numerically. Outcomes of both methods were compared and found to be in harmony. At the same time, differently from previous studies in my paper, the influence of the inhomogeneity constant of the material on equivalent stresses was investigated and the results are presented in graphical form.
Déficit calórico en estudiantes de ciencias de la salud en una universidad de Lambayeque, 2018
Authors: Becerra-Rojas Becerra-Rojas , Leonardo-Flores Christopher Steven , Mechán-Capuñay Paula Catalina , Ramos-Castro Nelly Almendra , Velásquez-Balladares Carlos Alberto , Barreto-Pérez Daysi Del Carmen , León-Jiménez Franco Ernesto , Yacarini-Martínez Antero Enrique
Published: February 2020

Objetivo: Comparar las calorías requeridas y calorías consumidas en universitarios de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Católica Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo, 2018. El Estudio. Estudio descriptivo, transversal. Se aplicó un recordatorio de 24 horas para evaluar la cantidad de kilocalorías ingeridas por los estudiantes, diseñado por la estrategia Nacional del Ministerio de Salud. Hallazgos. Se entrevistaron a 212 estudiantes de las escuelas de: Medicina Humana, Odontología, Psicología y Enfermería; 62,7% fueron mujeres y 37,3% fueron varones. La edad promedio fue: 18,7 años ± 1,55. Del total de estudiantes de la Facultad entrevistados, en la escuela de Medicina Humana se encontró que el 31,03% tiene un exceso de calorías y el 41,37% déficit. En la escuela de Odontología, se encontró que el 77,55% tiene un déficit de calorías, y el 10,2% exceso. El promedio total de déficit de kilocalorías 703,615 Kcal. ± 4,39. Conclusiones. Las calorías que consumen los estudiantes a diario, es deficiente en comparación con las calorías que necesitan según su requerimiento diario energético.