bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pelleting of Pine and Switchgrass Blends: Effect of Process Variables and Blend Ratio on the Pellet Quality and Energy Consumption
Authors: Tumuluru Jaya
Published: March 2019

The blending of woody and herbaceous biomass can influence pellet quality and the energy consumption of the process. This work aims to understand the pelleting characteristics of 2-inch top-pine residue blended with switchgrass at high moisture content. The process variables tested are blend moisture content, length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio in the pellet die, and the blend ratio. A flat die pellet mill was also used in this study. The pine and switchgrass blend ratios that were tested include: (1) 25% 2-inch top pine residue with 75% switchgrass; (2) 50% 2-inch top pine residue with 50% switchgrass; and (3) 75% 2-inch top pine residue with 25% switchgrass. The pelleting process conditions tested included the L/D ratio in the pellet die (i.e., 1.5 to 2.6) and the blend moisture content (20 to 30%, w.b.). Analysis of experimental data indicated that blending 25% switchgrass with 75% 2-inch top pine residue and 50% switchgrass with 50% 2-inch top pine residue resulted in pellets with a bulk density of > 550 kg/m3 and durability of > 95%. Optimization of the response surface models developed for process conditions in terms of product properties indicated that a higher L/D ratio of 2.6 and a lower blend-moisture content of 20% (w.b.) maximized bulk density and durability. Higher pine in the blends improved the pellet durability and reduced energy consumption.
Influence Analysis and Optimization of Sampling Frequency on the Accuracy of Model and State-of-Charge Estimation for LiNCM Battery
Authors: Gu Pingwei , Zhou Zhongkai , Qu Shaofei , Zhang Chenghui , Duan Bin
Published: March 2019

Battery characterization data is the basis for battery modeling and state estimation. It is generally believed that the higher the sampling frequency, the finer the data, and the higher the model and state estimation accuracy. However, scientific selection strategy for sampling frequency is very important but rarely studied. This paper studies the influence of sampling frequency on the accuracy of battery model and state estimation under four different sampling frequencies: 0.2 Hz, 1 Hz, 2 Hz, and 10 Hz. Then, a function is proposed to depict the relationship between accuracy and sampling frequency, which shows an optimal selection principle. The iterative identification algorithm is presented to identify the model parameters, and state-of-charge (SOC) is estimated via extended Kalman filter algorithm. Experimental results with different operating conditions clearly show the relationship between sampling frequency, accuracy, and data quantity, and the proposed selection strategy has high practical value and universality.
Influence of Asymmetric Coil Parameters on the Output Power Characteristics of Wireless Power Transfer Systems and Their Applications
Authors: Guan Zhipeng , Zhang Bo , Qiu Dongyuan
Published: March 2019

Nowadays, it is a trend to update electronic products by replacing the traditional wire charging with emerging wireless charging. However, other features of the products must generally be left unchanged, which limits the options in receiving coil design. As a result, asymmetric coil designs should be adopted in wireless charging systems. In this paper, a wireless power transfer system with asymmetric transmitting and receiving coils is modelled using circuit theory. The output power of the asymmetric system is analyzed, and the conditions of the maximum power splitting phenomenon are addressed in detail. Cases for different resonant frequency conditions are elaborated. The splitting frequencies and critical coupling coefficient are obtained, which are different and more complicated compared with the symmetric counterparts. Asymmetric coil designs can be adopted based on the proposed method, so that adequate and efficient output power transfer can be realized. Finally, the asymmetric coils design is utilized in an experimental prototype in order to contactlessly charge a portable power tool lithium-ion battery pack with 18 V DC and 56 W output through 220 V AC input, without altering its original configuration, and the correctness of proposed analysis can thus be verified.
A Supercapacitor-Based Method to Mitigate Overvoltage and Recycle the Energy of Pantograph Arcing in the High Speed Railway
Authors: Xu Cuidong , Chen Zhu , Cheng Ka Wai Eric , Wang Xiaolin , Ho Ho Fai
Published: March 2019

The pantograph arcing phenomenon may shorten the service life of a pantograph and even destroy onboard devices and instruments, due to the irregular motions of the train and the intermittent line–pantograph disconnection. This paper points out that abrupt inductive energy from the magnetizing inductance of the traction transformer can lead to an electromagnetic transient process with unexpected overvoltage across it. Further, a supercapacitor-based power electronic system is proposed, which can not only redirect the inductive energy to the supercapacitor pack through bidirectional converters but also mitigate the overvoltage across the main electrical equipment when pantograph arcing occurs. Simulation results show the overvoltage could be reduced and the energy stored in the supercapacitor which could also be used to provide energy for sensors or other devices.
New Design of a Supervised Energy Disaggregation Model Based on the Deep Neural Network for a Smart Grid
Authors: ÇAVDAR İsmail Hakkı , FARYAD Vahid
Published: March 2019

Energy management technology of demand-side is a key process of the smart grid that helps achieve a more efficient use of generation assets by reducing the energy demand of users during peak loads. In the context of a smart grid and smart metering, this paper proposes a hybrid model of energy disaggregation through deep feature learning for non-intrusive load monitoring to classify home appliances based on the information of main meters. In addition, a deep neural model of supervised energy disaggregation with a high accuracy for giving awareness to end users and generating detailed feedback from demand-side with no need for expensive smart outlet sensors was introduced. A new functional API model of deep learning (DL) based on energy disaggregation was designed by combining a one-dimensional convolutional neural network and recurrent neural network (1D CNN-RNN). The proposed model was trained on Google Colab’s Tesla graphics processing unit (GPU) using Keras. The residential energy disaggregation dataset was used for real households and was implemented in Tensorflow backend. Three different disaggregation methods were compared, namely the convolutional neural network, 1D CNN-RNN, and long short-term memory. The results showed that energy can be disaggregated from the metrics very accurately using the proposed 1D CNN-RNN model. Finally, as a work in progress, we introduced the DL on the Edge for Fog Computing non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM) on a low-cost embedded board using a state-of-the-art inference library called uTensor that can support any Mbed enabled board with no need for the DL API of web services and internet connectivity.
Sensorless Control for IPMSM Based on Adaptive Super-Twisting Sliding-Mode Observer and Improved Phase-Locked Loop
Authors: Chen Shuo , Zhang Xiao , Wu Xiang , Tan Guojun , Chen Xianchao
Published: March 2019

In traditional sensorless control of the interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSMs) for medium and high speed domains, a control strategy based on a sliding-mode observer (SMO) and phase-locked loop (PLL) is widely applied. A new strategy for IPMSM sensorless control based on an adaptive super-twisting sliding-mode observer and improved phase-locked loop is proposed in this paper. A super-twisting sliding-mode observer (STO) can eliminate the chattering problem without low-pass filters (LPFs), which is an effective method to obtain the estimated back electromotive forces (EMFs). However, the constant sliding-mode gains in STO may cause instability in the high speed domain and chattering in the low speed domain. The speed-related adaptive gains are proposed to achieve the accurate estimation of the observer in wide speed range and the corresponding stability is proved. When the speed of IPMSM is reversed, the traditional PLL will lose its accuracy, resulting in a position estimation error of 180°. The improved PLL based on a simple strategy for signal reconstruction of back EMF is proposed to ensure that the motor can realize the direction switching of speed stably. The proposed strategy is verified by experimental testing with a 60-kW IPMSM sensorless drive.
Detection of Vegetation Cover Change in Renewable Energy Development Zones of Southern California Using MODIS NDVI Time Series Analysis, 2000 to 2018
Authors: Nghiem Justin , Potter Christopher , Baiman Rebecca
Published: March 2019

New solar energy facilities on public lands in the deserts of southern California are being monitored long-term to detect environmental impacts. For this purpose, we have developed a framework for detecting changes in vegetation cover region-wide using greenness index data sets from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite sensor. This study focused on three sites, Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR), Mojave National Preserve (MOJA), and a proximal group of solar energy Development Focus Areas (DFAs). Three MODIS vegetation indices (VIs), the normalized difference (NDVI), enhanced (EVI), and soil-adjusted (SAVI), all at 250-m spatial resolution, were evaluated using the Breaks for Additive Season and Trend (BFAST) methodology to estimate significant time series shifts (“breakpoints”) in green vegetation cover, from February 2000 to May 2018. The sample cross-correlation function with local precipitation records and comparison with timing of wildfires near the study sites for breakpoint density (proportion of area with a breakpoint) showed that NDVI had the strongest response and hence greatest sensitivity to these major disturbances compared to EVI and SAVI, supporting its use over the other VIs for subsequent analysis. Time series of NDVI breakpoint change densities for individual solar energy DFAs did not have a consistent vegetation response following construction. Bootstrap-derived 95% confidence intervals show that the DFAs have significantly larger kurtosis and standard deviation in positive NDVI breakpoint distribution than protected National Park System (NPS) sites, but no significant difference appeared in the negative distribution among all sites. The inconsistent postconstruction NDVI signal and the large number of detected breakpoints across all three sites suggested that the largest shifts in greenness are tied to seasonal and total annual precipitation amounts. Further results indicated that existing site-specific conditions are the main control on vegetation response, mostly driven by the history of human disturbances in DFAs. Although the results do not support persistent breakpoints in solar energy DFAs, future work should seek to establish links between statistical significance and physical significance through ground-based studies to provide a more robust interpretation.
Techno-Economic Bottlenecks of the Fungal Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass
Authors: Vasco-Correa Juliana , Shah Ajay
Published: March 2019

Fungal pretreatment is a biological process that uses rotting fungi to reduce the recalcitrance and enhance the enzymatic digestibility of lignocellulosic feedstocks at low temperature, without added chemicals and wastewater generation. Thus, it has been presumed to be low cost. However, fungal pretreatment requires longer incubation times and generates lower yields than traditional pretreatments. Thus, this study assesses the techno-economic feasibility of a fungal pretreatment facility for the production of fermentable sugars for a 75,700 m3 (20 million gallons) per year cellulosic bioethanol plant. Four feedstocks were evaluated: perennial grasses, corn stover, agricultural residues other than corn stover, and hardwood. The lowest estimated sugars production cost ($1.6/kg) was obtained from corn stover, and was 4–15 times as much as previous estimates for conventional pretreatment technologies. The facility-related cost was the major contributor (46–51%) to the sugar production cost, mainly because of the requirement of large equipment in high quantities, due to process bottlenecks such as low sugar yields, low feedstock bulk density, long fungal pretreatment times, and sterilization requirements. At the current state of the technology, fungal pretreatment at biorefinery scale does not appear to be economically feasible, and considerable process improvements are still required to achieve product cost targets.
Homotopy Perturbation ρ-Laplace Transform Method and Its Application to the Fractional Diffusion Equation and the Fractional Diffusion-Reaction Equation
Authors: Sene Ndolane , Fall Aliou Niang
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the approximate solutions of the fractional diffusion equations described by the fractional derivative operator were investigated. The homotopy perturbation Laplace transform method of getting the approximate solution was proposed. The Caputo generalized fractional derivative was used. The effects of the orders α and ρ in the diffusion processes was addressed. The graphical representations of the approximate solutions of the fractional diffusion equation and the fractional diffusion-reaction equation both described by the Caputo generalized fractional derivative were provided.
Faraday Rotation of Extended Emission as a Probe of the Large-Scale Galactic Magnetic Field
Authors: Ordog Anna , Booth Rebecca A. , Van Eck Cameron L. , Brown Jo-Anne C. , Landecker Thomas L.
Published: March 2019

The Galactic magnetic field is an integral constituent of the interstellar medium (ISM), and knowledge of its structure is crucial to understanding Galactic dynamics. The Rotation Measures (RM) of extragalactic (EG) sources have been the basis of comprehensive Galactic magnetic field models. Polarised extended emission (XE) is also seen along lines of sight through the Galactic disk, and also displays the effects of Faraday rotation. Our aim is to investigate and understand the relationship between EG and XE RMs near the Galactic plane, and to determine how the XE RMs, a hitherto unused resource, can be used as a probe of the large-scale Galactic magnetic field. We used polarisation data from the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey (CGPS), observed near 1420 MHz with the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) Synthesis Telescope. We calculated RMs from a linear fit to the polarisation angles as a function of wavelength squared in four frequency channels, for both the EG sources and the XE. Across the CGPS area, 55 ∘ < ℓ < 193 ∘ , − 3 ∘ < b < 5 ∘ , the RMs of the XE closely track the RMs of the EG sources, with XE RMs about half the value of EG-source RMs. The exceptions are places where large local HII complexes heavily depolarise more distant emission. We conclude that there is valuable information in the XE RM dataset. The factor of 2 between the two types of RM values is close to that expected from a Burn slab model of the ISM. This result indicates that, at least in the outer Galaxy, the EG and XE sources are likely probing similar depths, and that the Faraday rotating medium and the synchrotron emitting medium have similar variation with galactocentric distance.
A Dual Stable Isotope Approach Unravels Common Climate Signals and Species-Specific Responses to Environmental Change Stored in Multi-Century Tree-Ring Series from the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Grießinger Jussi , Bräuning Achim , Helle Gerhard , Schleser Gerhard Hans , Hochreuther Philipp , Meier Wolfgang Jens-Henrik , Zhu Haifeng
Published: March 2019

Tree-rings are recorders of environmental signals and are therefore often used to reconstruct past environmental conditions. In this paper, we present four annually resolved, multi-centennial tree-ring isotope series from the southeastern Tibetan plateau. The investigation site, where juniper and spruce trees jointly occur, is one of the highest known tree-stands in the world. Tree ring cellulose oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) isotopes were analyzed for a common period of 1685–2007 AD to investigate climate–isotope relationships. Therefore, various climate parameters from a local meteorological station and from the CRU 4.02 dataset were used. Tree-ring δ18O of both species revealed highly significant sensitivities with a high degree of coherence to hydroclimate variables during the growing season. The obtained δ18O–climate relationships can even be retained using a species mean. In contrast, the individual δ13C series indicated a weaker and non-uniform response to the tested variables. Underlying species-specific responses and adaptations to the long-term trend in atmospheric CO2 bias even after a trend correction identified dominant environmental factors triggering the tree-ring δ13C at our site. However, analysis of individual intrinsic water-use efficiency in juniper and spruce trees indicated a species-specific adaptation strategy to climate change.
(Re)moving the Masses: Colonisation as Domestic Displacement in the Roman Republic
Authors: Jewell Evan
Published: March 2019

Metaphors move—and displace—people. This paper starts from this premise, focusing on how elites have deployed metaphors of water and waste to form a rhetorical consensus around the displacement of non-elite citizens in ancient Roman contexts, with reference to similar discourses in the contemporary Global North and Brazil. The notion of ‘domestic displacement’—the forced movement of citizens within their own sovereign territory—elucidates how these metaphors were used by elite citizens, such as Cicero, to mark out non-elite citizens for removal from the city of Rome through colonisation programmes. In the elite discourse of the late Republican and early Augustan periods, physical proximity to and figurative equation with the refuse of the city repeatedly signals the low social and legal status of potential colonists, while a corresponding metaphor of ‘draining’ expresses the elite desire to displace these groups to colonial sites. The material outcome of these metaphors emerges in the non-elite demographic texture of Julius Caesar’s colonists, many of whom were drawn from the plebs urbana and freedmen. An elite rationale, detectable in the writings of Cicero, Livy, Dionysius of Halicarnassus, and others, underpins the notion of Roman colonisation as a mechanism of displacement. On this view, the colony served to alleviate the founding city—Rome—of its surplus population, politically volatile elements, and socially marginalised citizens, and in so doing, populate the margins of its empire too. Romulus’ asylum, read anew as an Alban colony, serves as one prototype for this model of colonisation and offers a contrast to recent readings that have deployed the asylum as an ethical example for contemporary immigration and asylum seeker policy. The invocation of Romulus’ asylum in 19th century debates about the Australian penal colonies further illustrates the dangers of appropriating the asylum towards an ethics of virtue. At its core, this paper drills down into the question of Roman colonists’ volition, considering the evidence for their voluntary and involuntary movement to a colonial site and challenging the current understanding of this movement as a straightforward, series of voluntary ‘mass migrations’. In recognising the agency wielded by non-elite citizens as prospective colonists, this paper contends that Roman colonisation, when understood as a form of domestic displacement, opens up another avenue for coming to grips with the dynamics of ‘popular’ politics in the Republican period.
Dark Proteome Database: Studies on Dark Proteins
Authors: Perdigão Nelson , Rosa Agostinho
Published: March 2019

The dark proteome, as we define it, is the part of the proteome where 3D structure has not been observed either by homology modeling or by experimental characterization in the protein universe. From the 550.116 proteins available in Swiss-Prot (as of July 2016), 43.2% of the eukarya universe and 49.2% of the virus universe are part of the dark proteome. In bacteria and archaea, the percentage of the dark proteome presence is significantly less, at 12.6% and 13.3% respectively. In this work, we present a necessary step to complete the dark proteome picture by introducing the map of the dark proteome in the human and in other model organisms of special importance to mankind. The most significant result is that around 40% to 50% of the proteome of these organisms are still in the dark, where the higher percentages belong to higher eukaryotes (mouse and human organisms). Due to the amount of darkness present in the human organism being more than 50%, deeper studies were made, including the identification of ‘dark’ genes that are responsible for the production of so-called dark proteins, as well as the identification of the ‘dark’ tissues where dark proteins are over represented, namely, the heart, cervical mucosa, and natural killer cells. This is a step forward in the direction of gaining a deeper knowledge of the human dark proteome.
Time Spent Working in Custody Influences Work Sample Test Battery Performance of Deputy Sheriffs Compared to Recruits
Authors: Lockie Robert G. , Orr Robin M. , Moreno Matthew R. , Dawes J. Jay , Dulla Joseph M.
Published: March 2019

This study determined the influence of years spent working in custody on fitness measured by a state-specific testing battery (Work Sample Test Battery; WSTB) in deputy sheriffs. Retrospective analysis was conducted on one patrol school class (51 males, 13 females) divided into three groups depending on time spent working in custody: DS24 (<24 months; n = 20); DS2547 (25–47 months; n = 23); and DS48+ (≥48 months; n = 21). These groups were compared to a recruit class (REC; 219 males, 34 females) in the WSTB, which comprised five tasks completed for time: 99-yard (90.53-m) obstacle course (99OC); 165-pound (75-kg) dummy drag; six-foot (1.83-m) chain link fence (CLF) and solid wall (SW) climb; and 500-yard (457.2-m) run (500R). A univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) (controlling for sex and age) with Bonferroni post hoc determined significant between-group differences. DS48+ were slower in the 99OC compared to the REC (p = 0.007) and performed the CLF and SW slower than all groups (p ≤ 0.012). DS24, DS2547, and DS48+ were all slower than REC in the 500R (p ≤ 0.002). Physical training should be implemented to maintain fitness and job-specific task performance in deputy sheriffs working custody, especially considering the sedentary nature of this work.
Self-Reported and Parent-Reported School Bullying in Adolescents with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Roles of Autistic Social Impairment, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Symptoms
Authors: Chou Wen-Jiun , Hsiao Ray C. , Ni Hsing-Chang , Liang Sophie Hsin-Yi , Lin Chiao-Fan , Chan Hsiang-Lin , Hsieh Yi-Hsuan , Wang Liang-Jen , Lee Min-Jing , Hu Huei-Fan , Yen Cheng-Fang
Published: March 2019

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of self-reported and parent-reported bullying victimization, perpetration, and victimization-perpetration and the associations of autistic social impairment and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms with bullying involvement in adolescents with high functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 219 adolescents with high functioning ASD participated in this study. The associations of sociodemographic characteristics, parent-reported autistic social impairment, and parent-reported ADHD and ODD symptoms with self-reported and parent-reported bullying victimization, perpetration, and victimization-perpetration were examined using logistic regression analysis. The results found that the agreement between self-reported and parent-reported bullying involvement was low. Compared with bullying involvement experiences reported by adolescents themselves, parents reported higher rates of pure bullying victimization (23.7% vs. 17.8%) and victimization-perpetration (28.8% vs. 9.1%) but a lower rate of pure bullying perpetration (5.9% vs. 9.1%). Deficit in socio-communication increases the risk of being pure victims and victim-perpetrators. Parent-reported victim-perpetrators had more severe ODD symptoms than did parent-reported pure victims.
Analyzing the Association Between Depression and High-Risk Sexual Behavior Among Adult Latina Immigrant Farm Workers in Miami-Dade County
Authors: Kim Hyunjean , He Yingxin , Pham Ryan , Ravelo Gira J. , Rojas Patria , Rodriguez Pura , Castro Grettel , Barengo Noël C. , Acuña Juan M. , Cyrus Elena
Published: March 2019

Latinas are often more affected by HIV due to their socio-economic and demographic profiles and are also less likely to receive proper mental health care. Latina immigrants are often even more vulnerable due to socio-economic and cultural factors that place them at higher risk. The current study seeks to examine the association between depression and risky sexual behaviors among adult Latina immigrants from a farm working community in South Miami-Dade County, (Florida, USA). Cross-sectional secondary data analysis was used for responses from a community-based participatory research (CBPR) study. Out of 234 Latina immigrants, 15% reported being depressed and 80% were reported as having engaged in risky sexual behavior. Although no association was found between depression and high-risk sexual behavior, significant secondary findings present associations between risky sexual behavior and low sexual relationship power, interpersonal violence, and relationship status. Implications for future research on depression and risky sexual behaviors among this population are discussed.
Alcohol Mixed with Energy Drinks (AmED) and Negative Alcohol-Related Consequences among South Korean College Students
Authors: Oh Sarah Soyeon , Ju Yeong Jun , Park Eun-Cheol , Jang Sung-In
Published: March 2019

Consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) has been associated with various alcohol-related consequences among college students. However, more information is required to assess how this relationship is affected by sociodemographic and environmental factors. This paper investigates the association between AmED consumption and negative alcohol-related consequences while (1) stratifying AmED users by sex, (2) examining a range of outcomes specific to the college context (e.g., missing class), and (3) controlling for drinking frequency and amount. We surveyed and analyzed the data of 4592 students in a nationally representative sample of 82 colleges in South Korea. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the association between AmED use and a number of alcohol-related consequences (ranging from a score of 0–12) while adjusting for covariates, including drinking frequency and intake per drinking session. Of our study population, 22.0% of alcohol-consuming men and 13.4% of alcohol-consuming women reported AmED consumption in the past 12 months. AmED users experienced a greater number of alcohol-related consequences (e.g., missing class, engaging in unplanned sexual activity) than non-AmED users (men β: 0.804, p ≤ 0.0001; women β: 0.522, p ≤ 0.0001). Male AmED users consuming alcohol once a month (β: 1.155, p ≤ 0.0001) and female users consuming less than once a month (β: 1.019, p ≤ 0.0001) experienced the greatest number of consequences compared to non-users, as did AmED users consuming 3–4 drinks per drinking session (men β: 1.012, p ≤ 0.0001; women β: 0.993, p ≤ 0.0001). Our findings reveal that both male and female college students who consume AmED experience a greater number of negative alcohol-related consequences than those who do not. Rather than high-risk drinkers, moderate drinkers who consume alcohol infrequently and/or in low amounts may experience more consequences when consumers of AmED.
PM2.5 Concentrations and Subjective Well-Being: Longitudinal Evidence from Aggregated Panel Data from Chinese Provinces
Authors: Zhang Pan , Wang Zhiguo
Published: March 2019

Although haze pollution with PM2.5 as the chief pollutant has become a critical threat worldwide, little research has examined the effects of PM2.5 concentrations on subjective well-being. Based on a longitudinal aggregated panel dataset from Chinese provinces, this study investigates the effects of PM2.5 concentrations on levels of happiness and the inequality of happiness. The results showed that high ground-level PM2.5 concentrations decreased the average level of happiness and high PM2.5 concentrations had stronger negative effects on the happiness of persons with high income than those with low income. In addition, PM2.5 concentrations were also significantly negatively related to inequality of happiness in Chinese provinces. Further empirical tests showed that the negative effects of PM2.5 concentrations on the inequality of happiness could be explained by the stronger influence of PM2.5 concentrations on the subjective well-being of individuals with a higher initial level of happiness than those with a lower initial level of happiness. This confirms that PM2.5 pollution can do harm to subjective well-being and reduce variations in the subjective well-being of individuals. The policy implications of controlling haze pollution and improving well-being are discussed.
Dietary Intake of Polish Female Soccer Players
Authors: Dobrowolski Hubert , Włodarek Dariusz
Published: March 2019

The aim of the study was to evaluate the energy expenditure and fulfillment of nutritional needs of female soccer players. Participants in this research were 41 professional soccer players from the three Polish female soccer league levels: Ekstraleague, I League and II League. The participants had their height and body mass measured. Total Energy Expenditure was measured by means of a SenseWear Pro3 Armband device. Data related to the food-intake energy values and the consumption of macro- and micronutrients were obtained through systematic recording of results, which was conducted over a three-day-long period at the start of the competitive season. The average age of the participants was 21 ± 5 years, the average height was 167.5 ± 5 cm, and the average body mass was 62.53 ± 9.8 kg. The average energy expenditure of the participants was 2811 ± 493 kcal/day, and their average energy intake was 1476 ± 434 kcal/day. The average consumption of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins was 199 ± 20.6, 47.3 ± 20.7, and 72.3 ± 24.2 g/day, respectively. There was a prevalence of inadequate intake of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iodine, vitamins D, E and B1, and folate in the diet of the examined group. The remaining micronutrients were consumed in the prescribed amounts by at least 50% of the examined group. The participants demonstrated low energy intakes, and consequently, low consumption of macronutrients and a large number of micronutrients.
In Vivo Comparison of the Phenotypic Aspects and Molecular Mechanisms of Two Nephrotoxic Agents, Sodium Fluoride and Uranyl Nitrate
Authors: Bontemps Alice , Conquet Laurine , Elie Christelle , Magneron Victor , Gloaguen Céline , Kereselidze Dimitri , Tack Karine , Barbier Olivier C. , Guéguen Yann
Published: March 2019

Because of their nephrotoxicity and presence in the environment, uranium (U) and fluoride (F) represent risks to the global population. There is a general lack of knowledge regarding the mechanisms of U and F nephrotoxicity and the underlying molecular pathways. The present study aims to compare the threshold of the appearance of renal impairment and to study apoptosis and inflammation as mechanisms of nephrotoxicity. C57BL/6J male mice were intraperitoneally treated with a single dose of U (0, 2, 4 and 5 mg/kg) or F (0, 2, 5, 7.5 and 10 mg/kg) and euthanized 72 h after. Renal phenotypic characteristics and biological mechanisms were evaluated by urine biochemistry, gene/protein expression, enzyme activity, and (immuno)histological analyses. U and F exposures induced nephrotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, and the highest concentrations induced severe histopathological alterations as well as increased gene expression and urinary excretion of nephrotoxicity biomarkers. KIM-1 gene expression was induced starting at 2 mg/kg U and 7.5 mg/kg F, and this increase in expression was confirmed through in situ detection of this biomarker of nephrotoxicity. Both treatments induced inflammation as evidenced by cell adhesion molecule expression and in situ levels, whereas caspase 3/7-dependent apoptosis was increased only after U treatment. Overall, a single dose of F or U induced histopathologic evidence of nephrotoxicity renal impairment and inflammation in mice with thresholds under 7.5 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg, respectively.
Maximum Temperature and Solar Radiation as Predictors of Bipolar Patient Admission in an Emergency Psychiatric Ward
Authors: Aguglia Andrea , Serafini Gianluca , Escelsior Andrea , Canepa Giovanna , Amore Mario , Maina Giuseppe
Published: March 2019

Environmental variables can regulate behavior in healthy subjects. Recently, some authors investigated the role of meteorological variables in bipolar patients with an impact on both the onset and course of bipolar disorder (BD). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of meteorological variables and other indexes in bipolar hospitalized patients. We examined all patients admitted to the Psychiatric Inpatient Unit of San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Orbassano (Turin, Italy) from September 2013 to August 2015, collecting several socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Seven hundred and thirty patients were included. Compared to the day of admission of control individuals, patients with BD were admitted on a day that presented higher minimum, medium, and maximum temperature, higher maximum humidity, higher solar radiation, and higher hours of sunshine. After logistic regression analysis, admissions to the emergency psychiatric ward due to a primary diagnosis of BD were associated with maximum temperature and solar radiation. The current study provides a novel perspective on the question surrounding seasonal mood patterns in patients with BD. A greater awareness of all possible precipitating factors is needed to inform self-management and psycho-educational programs as well as to improve resilience regarding affective recurrences in the clinical practice.
The Impact of Macroeconomic Factors on the German Stock Market: Evidence for the Crisis, Pre- and Post-Crisis Periods
Authors: Celebi Kaan , Hönig Michaela
Published: March 2019

Today we live in a post-truth and highly digitalized era characterized by a flow of (mis-) information around the world. Identifying the impact of this information on stock markets and forecasting stock returns and volatilities has become a much more difficult task, perhaps almost impossible. This paper investigates the impact of macroeconomic factors, German government bond yields, sentiment and other leading indicators on the main German stock index, namely the DAX30, for the time period from 1991 to 2018. Using a dataset on 24 factors and over a timeframe of about 27 years, we found evidence that across most subsamples, the Composite Leading Indicator (OECD), the Institute for Economic Research (ifo) Export Expectations index, the ifo Export Climate index, exports, the Consumer Price Index CPI, as well as 3 y German government bonds yields show delayed impacts on stock returns. We further found that the delayed impact of the constituents of the monetary aggregate M2 on stock returns changed direction between the crisis and post-crisis periods. Overall, the results illustrate that in the crisis period a larger number of factors and economic indicators had significant impacts on the stock returns compared to the pre- and post-crisis periods. This implies that in the post-crisis period a macro-driven market prevails.
Effects of Motilin Receptor Agonists and Ghrelin in Human motilin receptor Transgenic Mice
Authors: Kawamura Tomoe , Matsuura Bunzo , Miyake Teruki , Abe Masanori , Ikeda Yoshiou , Hiasa Yoichi
Published: March 2019

Gastrointestinal motility is regulated by neural factors and humoral factors. Both motilin and ghrelin improve gastrointestinal motility, but many issues remain unclear. We prepared human motilin receptor transgenic (Tg) mice and performed experiments evaluating the effects of motilin, erythromycin (EM), and ghrelin. EM and ghrelin promoted gastric emptying (GE) when administered either peripherally or centrally to Tg mice. Atropine (a muscarinic receptor antagonist) counteracted GE induced by centrally administered EM, but not that induced by peripherally administered EM. The administration of EM in this model promoted the effect of mosapride (a selective serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 (5-HT4) receptor agonist), and improved loperamide (a μ-opioid receptor agonist)-induced gastroparesis. The level of acyl-ghrelin was significantly attenuated by EM administration. Thus, we have established an animal model appropriate for the evaluation of motilin receptor agonists. These data and the model are expected to facilitate the identification of novel compounds with clinical potential for relieving symptoms of dyspepsia and gastroparesis.
Novel Benzene-Based Carbamates for AChE/BChE Inhibition: Synthesis and Ligand/Structure-Oriented SAR Study
Authors: Bak Andrzej , Kozik Violetta , Kozakiewicz Dariusz , Gajcy Kamila , Strub Daniel Jan , Swietlicka Aleksandra , Stepankova Sarka , Imramovsky Ales , Polanski Jaroslaw , Smolinski Adam , Jampilek Josef
Published: March 2019

A series of new benzene-based derivatives was designed, synthesized and comprehensively characterized. All of the tested compounds were evaluated for their in vitro ability to potentially inhibit the acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes. The selectivity index of individual molecules to cholinesterases was also determined. Generally, the inhibitory potency was stronger against butyryl- compared to acetylcholinesterase; however, some of the compounds showed a promising inhibition of both enzymes. In fact, two compounds (23, benzyl ethyl(1-oxo-1-phenylpropan-2-yl)carbamate and 28, benzyl (1-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl) (methyl)carbamate) had a very high selectivity index, while the second one (28) reached the lowest inhibitory concentration IC50 value, which corresponds quite well with galanthamine. Moreover, comparative receptor-independent and receptor-dependent structure–activity studies were conducted to explain the observed variations in inhibiting the potential of the investigated carbamate series. The principal objective of the ligand-based study was to comparatively analyze the molecular surface to gain insight into the electronic and/or steric factors that govern the ability to inhibit enzyme activities. The spatial distribution of potentially important steric and electrostatic factors was determined using the probability-guided pharmacophore mapping procedure, which is based on the iterative variable elimination method. Additionally, planar and spatial maps of the host–target interactions were created for all of the active compounds and compared with the drug molecules using the docking methodology.
Adiponectin—Consideration for its Role in Skeletal Muscle Health
Authors: Krause Matthew P. , Milne Kevin J. , Hawke Thomas J.
Published: March 2019

Adiponectin regulates metabolism through blood glucose control and fatty acid oxidation, partly mediated by downstream effects of adiponectin signaling in skeletal muscle. More recently, skeletal muscle has been identified as a source of adiponectin expression, fueling interest in the role of adiponectin as both a circulating adipokine and a locally expressed paracrine/autocrine factor. In addition to being metabolically responsive, skeletal muscle functional capacity, calcium handling, growth and maintenance, regenerative capacity, and susceptibility to chronic inflammation are all strongly influenced by adiponectin stimulation. Furthermore, physical exercise has clear links to adiponectin expression and circulating concentrations in healthy and diseased populations. Greater physical activity is generally related to higher adiponectin expression while lower adiponectin levels are found in inactive obese, pre-diabetic, and diabetic populations. Exercise training typically restores plasma adiponectin and is associated with improved insulin sensitivity. Thus, the role of adiponectin signaling in skeletal muscle has expanded beyond that of a metabolic regulator to include several aspects of skeletal muscle function and maintenance critical to muscle health, many of which are responsive to, and mediated by, physical exercise.
Fighting AMR in the Healthcare Environment: Microbiome-Based Sanitation Approaches and Monitoring Tools
Authors: D’Accolti Maria , Soffritti Irene , Mazzacane Sante , Caselli Elisabetta
Published: March 2019

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect up to 15% of all hospitalized patients, representing a global concern. Major causes include the persistent microbial contamination of hospital environment, and the growing antimicrobial-resistance (AMR) of HAI-associated microbes. The hospital environment represents in fact a reservoir of potential pathogens, continuously spread by healthcare personnel, visiting persons and hospitalized patients. The control of contamination has been so far addressed by the use of chemical-based sanitation procedures, which however have limitations, as testified by the persistence of contamination itself and by the growing AMR of hospital microbes. Here we review the results collected by a microbial-based sanitation system, inspired by the microbiome balance principles, in obtaining more effective control of microbial contamination and AMR. Whatever the sanitation system used, an important aspect of controlling AMR and HAIs relates to the ability to check any variation of a microbial population rapidly and effectively, thus effective monitoring procedures are also described.
Neuroprotective Effects of Thymol, a Dietary Monoterpene Against Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in Rotenone-Induced Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Javed Hayate , Azimullah Sheikh , Meeran MF Nagoor , Ansari Suraiya A , Ojha Shreesh
Published: March 2019

Parkinson’s disease (PD), a multifactorial movement disorder that involves progressive degeneration of the nigrostriatal system affecting the movement ability of the patient. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation both are shown to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of PD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of thymol, a dietary monoterpene phenol in rotenone (ROT)-induced neurodegeneration in rats that precisely mimics PD in humans. Male Wistar rats were injected ROT at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight for 4 weeks, to induce PD. Thymol was co-administered for 4 weeks at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight, 30 min prior to ROT injection. The markers of dopaminergic neurodegeneration, oxidative stress and inflammation were estimated using biochemical assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting and immunocytochemistry. ROT challenge increased the oxidative stress markers, inflammatory enzymes and cytokines as well as caused significant damage to nigrostriatal dopaminergic system of the brain. Thymol treatment in ROT challenged rats appears to significantly attenuate dopaminergic neuronal loss, oxidative stress and inflammation. The present study showed protective effects of thymol in ROT-induced neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration mediated by preservation of endogenous antioxidant defense networks and attenuation of inflammatory mediators including cytokines and enzymes.
Addendum: Liu, B. et al. The Effect of GPRC5a on the Proliferation, Migration Ability, Chemotherapy Resistance, and Phosphorylation of GSK-3β in Pancreatic Cancer. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19, 1870
Authors: Liu Bin , Yang Hai , Pilarsky Christian , Weber Georg
Published: March 2019

It has been brought to our attention that one note was missing in the Acknowledgements section of our published paper [...]
Chondrocyte Culture Parameters for Matrix-Assisted Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation Affect Catabolism and Inflammation in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Sauerschnig Martin , Berninger Markus T. , Kaltenhauser Theresa , Plecko Michael , Wexel Gabriele , Schönfelder Martin , Wienerroither Valerie , Imhoff Andreas B. , Schöttle Philip B. , Rosado Balmayor Elizabeth Rosado , Salzmann Gian M.
Published: March 2019

Cartilage defects represent an increasing pathology among active individuals that affects the ability to contribute to sports and daily life. Cell therapy, such as autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), is a widespread option to treat larger cartilage defects still lacking standardization of in vitro cell culture parameters. We hypothesize that mRNA expression of cytokines and proteases before and after ACI is influenced by in vitro parameters: cell-passage, cell-density and membrane-holding time. Knee joint articular chondrocytes, harvested from rabbits (n = 60), were cultured/processed under varying conditions: after three different cell-passages (P1, P3, and P5), cells were seeded on 3D collagen matrices (approximately 25 mm3) at three different densities (2 × 105/matrix, 1 × 106/matrix, and 3 × 106/matrix) combined with two different membrane-holding times (5 h and two weeks) prior autologous transplantation. Those combinations resulted in 18 different in vivo experimental groups. Two defects/knee/animal were created in the trochlear groove (defect dimension: ∅ 4 mm × 2 mm). Four identical cell-seeded matrices (CSM) were assembled and grouped in two pairs: One pair giving pre-operative in vitro data (CSM-i), the other pair was implanted in vivo and harvested 12 weeks post-implantation (CSM-e). CSMs were analyzed for TNF-α, IL-1β, MMP-1, and MMP-3 via qPCR. CSM-i showed higher expression of IL-1β, MMP-1, and MMP-3 compared to CSM-e. TNF-α expression was higher in CSM-e. Linearity between CSM-i and CSM-e values was found, except for TNF-α. IL-1β expression was higher in CSM-i at higher passage and longer membrane-holding time. IL-1β expression decreased with prolonged membrane-holding time in CSM-e. For TNF-α, the reverse was true. Lower cell-passages and lower membrane-holding time resulted in stronger TNF-α expression. Prolonged membrane-holding time resulted in increased MMP levels among CSM-i and CSM-e. Cellular density was of no significant effect. We demonstrated cytokine and MMP expression levels to be directly influenced by in vitro culture settings in ACI. Linearity of expression-patterns between CSM-i and CSM-e may predict ACI regeneration outcome in vivo. Cytokine/protease interaction within the regenerate tissue could be guided via adjusting in vitro culture parameters, of which membrane-holding time resulted the most relevant one.