bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
APLIKASI STRATEGI PEMILIHAN PEMAIN FUTSAL MENGGUNAKAN METODE ELECTRE
Authors: Kurnia Ema , Ogianta Muhammad Ferly
Published: January 2020

Pelatih dalam olahraga futsal memiliki peranan penting bagi kemajuan tim futsal, untuk mencetak pemain yang baik maka diperlukan kemampuan khusus yang dimiliki pelatih. Dalam proses penyeleksian calon pemain, seorang pelatih dituntut untuk mendapatkan pemain yang berkualitas. Penerapan Sistem Penunjang Keputusan (SPK), dimana sistem penunjang keputusan dibangun untuk mendukung solusi atas suatu masalah atau mengevaluasi suatu peluang. Aplikasi ini dirancang dengan menggunakan metode Elimination Et Choix Traduisant La Realite (Electre). Metode electre dapat digunakan pada kondisi dimana alternatif yang kurang sesuai dengan kriteria akan di eliminasi sehingga alternatif yang sesuai dapat dihasilkan. Uji coba validasi dilakukan untuk melihat keakuratan data sistem dengan data aktual pakar, sistem ini menghasilkan keakuratan data sebesar 81.82%, dan hasil dari penelitian ini adalah merekomendasikan calon pemain futsal berdasarkan kategori posisi kepada pelatih sehingga mempermudah dan mempersingkat waktu dalam melakukan penyeleksian calon pemain tim futsal.
PENERAPAN FUZZY LOGIC UNTUK MENINGKATKAN DERAJAT KEBENARAN DETEKSI PADA ALAT BANTU BUTA WARNA BERBASIS SENSOR OPTIK
Authors: Iskandar Johan , Utami Dian Kartika
Published: January 2020

Prototipe deteksi warna berbasis Arduino dan sensor warna TCS3200 telah berhasil dikembangkan. Prototipe ini dibangun dengan menerapkan logika fuzzy untuk meningkatkan akurasi pembacaan warna berdasarkan tingkat keanggotaan (μ (x)). Metode yang digunakan adalah mengubah ruang warna RGB (merah, hijau, biru) menjadi ruang warna HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value). Dari ruang warna HSV, nilai Hue diambil sebagai variabel independen dalam membuat kurva segmentasi warna dan μ (x). Bentuk keluaran dari prototipe adalah suara dengan informasi warna yang terdeteksi. Untuk mendapatkan jarak optimal dari deteksi warna, sensor ditempatkan pada jarak 1 cm, 2, cm dan 3 cm dari objek. Dari hasil pengujian, akurasi yang diperoleh pada jarak 1 cm adalah 100%, jarak 2 adalah 94.7% dan 89.4% pada jarak 3 cm. Oleh karena itu dapat disimpulkan bahwa jarak ideal untuk mengukur prototipe adalah 1 cm.
PENENTUAN POLA SEKUENSIAL DATA TRANSAKSI PENJUALAN MENGGUNAKAN ALGORITMA SEQUENTIAL PATTREN DISCOVERY USING EQUIVALENT CLASSES (SPADE)
Authors: Saputra Diki Andika , Tosida Eneng Tita , W Fajar Delli
Published: January 2020

Transaction data is customer or customer data at a commercial or non-commercial institution that contains the consumer id, transaction time, and transaction items. From transaction data such as supermarket transactions, sequential patterns can be found to determine the interrelationship between items or items. Data if further processed or analyzed will produce information or knowledge that is important and valuable as a support in decision making. This study aims to determine the consumption patterns owned by customers and provide information that can be used in determining the layout of new store shelves. The SPADE algorithm is an algorithm for finding sequential patterns to break down the main problem into sub-problems that can be solved separately. Based on the result obtained it can be concluded that the application of the SPADE algorithm has the highest minimum support value that can still form maximal frequent sequences is 29%. The highest minimum support value of the SPADE algorithm is 0.2% with a maximum minimum confidence value of 81% and the number of rules formed is 1,118 Rule, but confidence is taken 60% up so that there are only 15 Rule. Whereas the Apriori algorithm has the highest minimum support value that can still form the maximum frequent sequences is 25%. The highest minimum support value of the apriori algorithm which can still form a rule is 0.3% with a maximum value of 88% minimum confidence and the number of rules formed as many as 494 Rule, but confidence is taken 60% up so that there are only 29 Rule.
Современное родовспоможение в России как социокультурный феномен (методологические подходы к изучению)
Authors: Шалыгина Наталья
Published: January 2020

Статья посвящена обзору наиболее актуальных концепций гуманизации деторождения в современном мире в целом и в России в частности. Причиной выделения российского опыта в самостоятельную проблему стало очевидное усиление в последние годы «родильного нарратива» в информационном пространстве Рунета, где молодые россияне выражают недовольство существующей практикой оказания акушерской помощи в российских родильных домах. Однако повышенная активность россиян в оценке современных акушерских процессов характеризуется высокой степенью неопределенности ценностных ориентиров. С одной стороны, молодые женщины обсуждают проблему медикализации родов, а, с другой стороны, в блогосфере Рунета растет осознание такого понятия, как гуманистические роды, учитывающие убеждения и чувства женщин, их достоинство и независимость при принятии решения в процессе оказания акушерской помощи.
The Effects of Lactose Induction on a Plasmid-Free E. coli T7 Expression System
Authors: Hausjell Johanna , Kutscha Regina , Gesson Jeannine D. , Reinisch Daniela , Spadiut Oliver
Published: January 2020

Recombinant production of pharmaceutical proteins like antigen binding fragments (Fabs) in the commonly-used production host Escherichia coli presents several challenges. The predominantly-used plasmid-based expression systems exhibit the drawback of either excessive plasmid amplification or plasmid loss over prolonged cultivations. To improve production, efforts are made to establish plasmid-free expression, ensuring more stable process conditions. Another strategy to stabilize production processes is lactose induction, leading to increased soluble product formation and cell fitness, as shown in several studies performed with plasmid-based expression systems. Within this study we wanted to investigate lactose induction for a strain with a genome-integrated gene of interest for the first time. We found unusually high specific lactose uptake rates, which we could attribute to the low levels of lac-repressor protein that is usually encoded not only on the genome but additionally on pET plasmids. We further show that these unusually high lactose uptake rates are toxic to the cells, leading to increased cell leakiness and lysis. Finally, we demonstrate that in contrast to plasmid-based T7 expression systems, IPTG induction is beneficial for genome-integrated T7 expression systems concerning cell fitness and productivity.
Disulfiram/Copper Induces Antitumor Activity against Both Nasopharyngeal Cancer Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts through ROS/MAPK and Ferroptosis Pathways
Authors: Li Yiqiu , Chen Fangfang , Chen Jun , Chan Siocheong , He Yi , Liu Wanli , Zhang Ge
Published: January 2020

Disulfiram/copper (DSF/Cu) is a promising antitumor reagent for clinical application due to its excellent anticancer activity and safety. However, the anticancer mechanism of DSF/Cu has not been fully elucidated. Our study showed that DSF/Cu strongly induced cytotoxic effects on both nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive fibroblasts. Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis further showed that DSF/Cu induced a higher late apoptosis rate in α-SMA-positive fibroblasts than in tumor cells, and DSF/Cu promoted apoptosis and necrosis by an aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)-independent method. Furthermore, we found that the antitumor activity of DSF/Cu against NPC cells occurred through ROS/MAPK and p53-mediated ferroptosis pathways, and that the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) could reverse the cellular and lipid ROS levels. In 5-8F xenografts, both TUNEL and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses indicated that DSF/Cu could induce apoptosis and inactivate cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) by inhibiting the expression of α-SMA. In addition, combined with cisplatin (CDDP), DSF/Cu was well tolerated in vivo and could significantly suppress the growth of NPC tissues. Our study demonstrated that DSF/Cu induced antitumor activity against both tumor cells, as well as CAFs and suggested that the use of DSF/Cu as an adjunctive therapy for NPC is worthy of consideration.
Inhibition of PP2A with LB-100 Enhances Efficacy of CAR-T Cell Therapy Against Glioblastoma
Authors: Cui Jing , Wang Herui , Medina Rogelio , Zhang Qi , Xu Chen , Indig Iris H. , Zhou Jingcheng , Song Qi , Dmitriev Pauline , Sun Mitchell Y. , Guo Liemei , Wang Yang , Rosenblum Jared S. , Kovach John S. , Gilbert Mark R. , Zhuang Zhengping
Published: January 2020

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells represent a promising modality for treating glioblastoma. Recently, we demonstrated that CAR-T cells targeting carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), a protein involved in HIF-1a hypoxic signaling, is a promising CAR-T cell target in an intracranial murine glioblastoma model. Anti-CAIX CAR-T cell therapy is limited by its suboptimal activation within the tumor microenvironment. LB-100, a small molecular inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), has been shown to enhance T cell anti-tumor activity through activation of the mTOR signaling pathway. Herein, we investigated if a treatment strategy consisting of a combination of LB-100 and anti-CAIX CAR-T cell therapy produced a synergistic anti-tumor effect. Our studies demonstrate that LB-100 enhanced anti-CAIX CAR-T cell treatment efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Our findings demonstrate the role of LB-100 in augmenting the cytotoxic activity of anti-CAIX CAR-T cells and underscore the synergistic therapeutic potential of applying combination LB-100 and CAR-T Cell therapy to other solid tumors.
New Chorological Data for the Italian Vascular Flora
Authors: Rosati Leonardo , Fascetti Simonetta , Romano Vito Antonio , Potenza Giovanna , Lapenna Maria Rita , Capano Antonio , Nicoletti Pietro , Farris Emmanuele , de Lange Peter James , Del Vico Eva , Facioni Laura , Fanfarillo Emanuele , Lattanzi Edda , Cano-Ortiz Ana , Marignani Michela , Fogu Maria Caterina , Bazzato Erika , Lallai Erik , Laface Valentina Lucia Astrid , Musarella Carmelo Maria , Spampinato Giovanni , Mei Giacomo , Misano Giuseppe , Salerno Giovanni , Esposito Assunta , Stinca Adriano
Published: January 2020

Despite the importance for scientific and conservation purposes, the knowledge of the Italian territory is far from exhaustive. New chorological data for 87 vascular taxa regarding the central-southern part of Italy and its two main islands (Sicilia and Sardegna) are presented. Among these taxa, Epilobium nummularifolium, Metrosideros excelsa, and Salvinia minima are recorded as casual aliens for the first time in Europe (excluding Azores and Madeira for M. excelsa), while Cyclamen balearicum and Polygala rupestris are reported for the first time and confirmed for Italian native flora, respectively. Furthermore, several taxa are new or confirmed at regional level. Finally, Lathyrus cirrhosus, Urginea fugax, and Linum tenuifolium are excluded from Italy, continental and peninsular Italy, and Sardegna, respectively.
Spatiotemporal Evolution of a Landslide: A Transition to Explosive Percolation
Authors: Singh Kushwant , Tordesillas Antoinette
Published: January 2020

Patterns in motion characterize failure precursors in granular materials. Currently, a broadly accepted method to forecast granular failure from data on motion is still lacking; yet such data are being generated by remote sensing and imaging technologies at unprecedented rates and unsurpassed resolution. Methods that deliver timely and accurate forecasts on failure from such data are urgently needed. Inspired by recent developments in percolation theory, we map motion data to time-evolving graphs and study their evolution through the lens of explosive percolation. We uncover a critical transition to explosive percolation at the time of imminent failure, with the emerging connected components providing an early prediction of the location of failure. We demonstrate these findings for two types of data: (a) individual grain motions in simulations of laboratory scale tests and (b) ground motions in a real landslide. Results unveil spatiotemporal dynamics that bridge bench-to-field signature precursors of granular failure, which could help in developing tools for early warning, forecasting, and mitigation of catastrophic events like landslides.
An Image Encryption Algorithm Based on Random Hamiltonian Path
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Shuwen , Han Weijie , Yu Hai , Zhu Zhiliang
Published: January 2020

In graph theory, Hamiltonian path refers to the path that visits each vertex exactly once. In this paper, we designed a method to generate random Hamiltonian path within digital images, which is equivalent to permutation in image encryption. By these means, building a Hamiltonian path across bit planes can shuffle the distribution of the pixel’s bits. Furthermore, a similar thought can be applied for the substitution of pixel’s grey levels. To ensure the randomness of the generated Hamiltonian path, an adjusted Bernoulli map is proposed. By adopting these novel techniques, a bit-level image encryption scheme was devised. Evaluation of simulation results proves that the proposed scheme reached fair performance. In addition, a common flaw in calculating correlation coefficients of adjacent pixels was pinpointed by us. After enhancement, correlation coefficient becomes a stricter criterion for image encryption algorithms.
Analysis and Design of Innovative Magnetic Wedges for High Efficiency Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines
Authors: Frosini Lucia , Pastura Marco
Published: January 2020

The global decarbonization targets require increasingly higher levels of efficiency from the designers of electrical machines. In this context, the opportunity to employ magnetic or semi-magnetic wedges in surface-mounted permanent magnet machines with fractional-slot concentrated winding has been evaluated in this paper, with the aim to reduce the power losses, especially in the magnets. Since an analytical calculation is not sufficient for this evaluation, finite element methods with two different software have been employed, by using a model experimentally validated on a real motor. The effects of wedges with different values of permeability and different magnetization characteristics have been evaluated on flux density, back electromotive force, and inductances, in order to choose the more suitable wedge for the considered motor. Furthermore, a new wedge consisting of different portions of materials with different magnetic permeability values is proposed. The effects of both conventional and unconventional magnetic wedges were assessed to optimize the motor performance in all working conditions.
Fault Ride-Through Power Electronic Topologies for Hybrid Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Georgious Ramy , Garcia Jorge , Sumner Mark , Saeed Sarah , Garcia Pablo
Published: January 2020

This work presents a fault ride-through control scheme for a non-isolated power topology used in a hybrid energy storage system designed for DC microgrids. The hybrid system is formed by a lithium-ion battery bank and a supercapacitor module, both coordinated to achieve a high-energy and high-power combined storage system. This hybrid system is connected to a DC bus that manages the power flow of the microgrid. The power topology under consideration is based on the buck-boost bidirectional converter, and it is controlled through a bespoke modulation scheme to obtain low losses at nominal operation. The operation of the proposed control scheme during a DC bus short-circuit failure is shown, as well as a modification to the standard control to achieve fault ride-through capability once the fault is over. The proposed control provides a protection to the energy storage systems and the converter itself during the DC bus short-circuit fault. The operation of the converter is developed theoretically, and it has been verified through both simulations and experimental validation on a built prototype.
Switching Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant to Composite Fuel for Recovering Industrial and Municipal Waste: Combustion Characteristics, Emissions, and Economic Effect
Authors: Glushkov Dmitrii , Kuznetsov Geniy , Paushkina Kristina
Published: January 2020

Combustion characteristics were studied experimentally for single droplets of fuel slurries based on wet coal processing waste with municipal solid waste components (cardboard, plastic, rubber, and wood) and used turbine oil. We established the ignition delay time for three various groups of fuel compositions in motionless air at 600–1000 °C. The minimum values are 3 s, and the maximum ones are 25 s. The maximum temperatures in the droplet vicinity reach 1300 °C during fuel combustion for compositions with 10% of used oil. The combustion temperatures of fuel compositions without oil are 200–300 °C lower. The concentrations of anthropogenic emissions in flue gases do not exceed those from dry coal combustion. Adding used oils to composite fuels reduces the concentrations of dioxins and furans in flue gases when municipal solid waste in the fuel burns out due to high combustion temperatures. Based on the experimental research findings, we have elaborated a strategy of combined industrial and municipal waste recovery by burning it as part of composite fuels, as illustrated by three neighboring regions of the Russian Federation with different industrial structures and levels of social development. This strategy suggests switching three typical coal-fired thermal power plants (one in each of the regions) to composite liquid fuel. It will reduce the hazard of waste to the environment and decrease the consumption of high-quality coals for power generation. Implementing the developed strategy for 25 years will save 145 Mt of coal and recover 190–260 Mt of waste. The positive economic effect, considering the modernization of fuel handling systems at thermal power plants and the construction of a fuel preparation plant, will make up 5.7 to 6.9 billion dollars, or 65–78%, respectively, of the main costs of three thermal power plants operating on coal within the identical period.
Treatment of Liquid By-Products of Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) of Agricultural Digestate Using Membrane Separation
Authors: Urbanowska Agnieszka , Kabsch-Korbutowicz Małgorzata , Wnukowski Mateusz , Seruga Przemysław , Baranowski Marcin , Pawlak-Kruczek Halina , Serafin-Tkaczuk Monika , Krochmalny Krystian , Niedzwiecki Lukasz
Published: January 2020

Agriculture affects both the quantity and the quality of water available for other purposes, which becomes problematic, especially during increasingly frequent severe droughts. This requires tapping into the resources that are typically neglected. One such resource is a by-product of anaerobic digestion, in which moisture content typically exceeds 90%. Application of hydrothermal carbonization process (HTC) to this residue could partially remove organic and inorganic material, improve dewatering, decrease the overall solid mass, sanitize the digestate, change its properties, and eliminate problems related with emissions of odors from the installation. However, a significant gap still exists in terms of the dewatering of the hydrochars and the composition of the effluents. This work presents results of experimental investigation focused on the removal of organic compounds from the HTC effluent. Results of qualitative and quantitative analysis of liquid by-products of HTC of the agricultural digestate showed that acetic acid, 3-pyridinol, 1-hydroxyacetone, and 1,3-propanediol were the main liquid organic products of the process. Application of ultrafiltration process with the use of 10 kDa membrane for liquid HTC by-product treatment allows for the reduction of chemical oxygen demand up to 30%, biological oxygen demand up to 10%, and dissolved organic carbon up to 21%.
A Standard-Based Method to Simulate the Behavior of Thermal Solar Systems with a Stratified Storage Tank
Authors: Piana Edoardo Alessio , Grassi Benedetta , Socal Laurent
Published: January 2020

Thermal solar systems are interesting solutions to reduce CO 2 emissions and gradually promote the use of renewable sources. However, sizing such systems and analysing their behavior are still challenging issues, especially for the trade-off between useful solar energy maximization and stagnation risk minimization. The new EPB (Energy Performance of Buildings) standard EN 15316-4-3:2017 offers several methods to evaluate the performance of a forced circulation solar system. One of them is a dynamic hourly method that must be used together with EN 15316-5:2017 for the simulation of the stratified storage tank connected with the solar loop. In this work, such dynamic hourly method is extended to provide more realistic predictions. In particular, modeling of the pump operation due to solar fluid temperature exceeding a set threshold, or due to low temperature differential between solar field and storage tank, is introduced as an on–off control. The implemented code is applied to a case study of solar system for the preparation of domestic hot water and the impact of different design parameters is evaluated. The model predicts a higher risk of overtemperature lock-out or stagnation when the solar field surface is increased, the storage volume is reduced and water consumption is set to zero to simulate summer vacation periods. Finally, a simple modulating control with a time step of a few seconds to a few minutes is introduced, quantitatively showing the resulting benefits in terms of useful solar energy increase, back-up operation savings and reduced auxiliary energy use.
Experimental Investigation on the Thermal Performance of Pulsating Heat Pipe Heat Exchangers
Authors: Yang Kai-Shing , Jiang Ming-Yean , Tseng Chih-Yung , Wu Shih-Kuo , Shyu Jin-Cherng
Published: January 2020

In this study, the vertically-oriented pulsating heat pipe (PHP) heat exchangers charged with either water or HFE-7000 in a filling ratio of 35% or 50% were fabricated to exchange the thermal energy between two air streams in a parallel-flow arrangement. Both the effectiveness of the heat exchangers and the thermal resistance of PHP with a size of 132 × 44 × 200 mm, at a specific evaporator temperature ranging from 55 to 100 °C and a specific airflow velocity ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 m/s were estimated. The results show that the heat pipe charged with HFE-7000 in either filling ratio is likely to function as an interconnected array of thermosiphon under all tested conditions because of the unfavorable tube inner diameter, whereas the water-charged PHP possibly creates the pulsating movement of the liquid and vapor slugs once the evaporator temperature is high enough, especially in a filling ratio of 50%. The degradation in the thermal performance of the HFE-7000-charged PHP heat exchanger resulted from the non-condensable gas in the tube became diminished as the evaporator temperature was increased. By examining the effectiveness of the present heat exchangers, it is suggested that water is a suitable working fluid while employing the PHP heat exchanger at an evaporator temperature higher than 70 °C. On the other hand, HFE-7000 is applicable to the PHP used at an evaporator temperature lower than 70 °C.
Mechanical Properties and Consolidation Performances of High-Polymer Material in Coal
Authors: Chen Yulong , Li Yingchun
Published: January 2020

Roof collapse and wall spalling in mines commonly occurred. Grouting in the rock mass of a collapsed zone is one of the most effective technologies for solving this problem. Through grouting, the rock mass of a collapsed zone can be cemented into continuous and stable blocks, and the physical and mechanical parameters of the rock mass can be significantly improved. In order to investigate the mechanical properties and damage of rock samples after the injection of a high-polymer material, we conducted uniaxial compression tests in a laboratory on grouted specimens. A high-polymer material is commonly used to address the gangue stacking that is caused by large roof collapse and wall spalling accidents in the mining face and the cracking of coal walls. Research has shown that a high-polymer material effectively solidifies gangues. The results indicate a micromechanics effect of the grouted specimens under uniaxial compression. The compressive strength, fracture propagation, damage mode, and other specimen behaviors are related to the amount of injected high-polymer materials. A high-polymer material substantially improves the mechanical strength of the prefabricated fractured coal and rock mass via strong material adhesion. The vertically- and horizontally-consolidated coal/rock masses exhibit different properties. The use of a high-polymer material results in distinct properties of the consolidated coal and rock masses.
Three-Port Converter for Integrating Energy Storage and Wireless Power Transfer Systems in Future Residential Applications
Authors: Lee Hyeon-Seok , Yun Jae-Jung
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a highly efficient three-port converter to integrate energy storage (ES) and wireless power transfer (WPT) systems. The proposed converter consists of a bidirectional DC-DC converter and an AC-DC converter with a resonant capacitor. By sharing an inductor and four switches in the bidirectional DC-DC converter, the bidirectional DC-DC converter operates as a DC-DC converter for ES systems and simultaneously as a DC-AC converter for WPT systems. Here, four switches are turned on under the zero voltage switching conditions. The AC-DC converter for WPT system achieves high voltage gain by using a resonance between the resonant capacitor and the leakage inductance of a receiving coil. A 100-W prototype was built and tested to verify the effectiveness of the converter; it had a maximum power-conversion efficiency of 95.9% for the battery load and of 93.8% for the wireless charging load.
Exploration of Food-Seeking Behaviour, Food Preparation, and Restrictions to Sufficient Food among the Jahai Sub-Tribe (Indigenous People) in Gerik, Malaysia
Authors: Gan Wan Ying , Sulaiman Norhasmah , Law Leh Shii , Zalbahar Nurzalinda , Ahmad Fuzi Salma Faeza , Wilkes Martin A.
Published: January 2020

Access to food has been determined to be a factor that strongly influences the dietary intake and eating habit of indigenous people (Orang Asli, OA). This study explored food acquisition and the barriers in obtaining traditional and market foods among the Jahai subtribe (within the Negrito ethnic group) via a qualitative approach. Twenty-eight OA (14 males and 14 females) from Gerik, Perak, Malaysia participated in four focus group discussions (FGDs; two male-only and two female-only groups; seven informants in each FGD). Thematic analysis was adopted to analyse the gathered data. The results found that the Jahai applied both modern (buying and receiving food assistance) and traditional (gathering, farming, fishing, and hunting) methods in obtaining food. The barriers they faced in gathering sufficient food supply included low purchasing power, high demand for food, high transport costs, depletion of food supplies in their surroundings, threats from wild animals on the farm and during food searching activities, and food sharing. Food preparation methods practiced by the OA include roasting and grilling, frying, simmering (gulai), and boiling. In conclusion, this study enhances our understanding of the dietary behaviour of the Jahai subtribe and highlights restricted food access among the OA, which demands urgent attention.
Descriptive Epidemiology of Safety Events at an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Marra Alexandre R. , Algwizani Abdullah , Alzunitan Mohammed , Brennan Theresa M. H. , Edmond Michael B.
Published: January 2020

Background: Adverse safety events in healthcare are of great concern, and despite an increasing focus on the prevention of error and harm mitigation, the epidemiology of safety events remains incomplete. Methods: We performed an analysis of all reported safety events in an academic medical center using a voluntary incident reporting surveillance system for patient safety. Safety events were classified as: serious (reached the patient and resulted in moderate to severe harm or death); precursor (reached the patient and resulted in minimal or no detectable harm); and near miss (did not reach the patient). Results: During a three-year period, there were 31,817 events reported. Most of the safety events were precursor safety events (reached the patient and resulted in minimal harm or no detectable harm), corresponding to 77.3%. Near misses accounted for 10.8%, and unsafe conditions for 11.8%. The number of reported serious safety events was low, accounting for only 0.1% of all safety events. Conclusions: The reports analysis of these events should lead to a better understanding of risks in patient care and ways to mitigate it.
Knowledge and Knowledge Needs about Lyme Disease among Occupational and Recreational Users of the Outdoors
Authors: St. Pierre Sarah E. , Gould Odette N. , Lloyd Vett
Published: January 2020

As the prevalence of Lyme disease increases across Canada, it is imperative that the educational needs of at-risk groups be identified. The current study compared the level of knowledge and the knowledge needs about Lyme disease among individuals that spend time outdoors for work and for recreational purposes. Between December 2018 and February 2019, a survey was distributed to outdoor organizations across New Brunswick, Canada. Within the current sample of 137 individuals, 36% spent time outdoors for their occupation and 64% for recreational activities. Results showed no significant difference between these groups with regard to their level of knowledge, perceived efficacy and performance of various methods of prevention, and educational needs. Overall, the entire sample reported a low level of knowledge about Lyme disease. Participants perceived each prevention behavior to be at least somewhat effective, and behaviors perceived to be more effective were more likely to be carried out, but the performance of the behaviors varied. The most frequently performed behaviors included wearing long pants and protective footwear. Participants identified several aspects of Lyme disease about which they would like to have more information. The findings call attention to the specific needs of at-risk groups that must be considered when developing educational interventions.
Measurement of the Energy Intensity of Human Well-Being and Spatial Econometric Analysis of Its Influencing Factors
Authors: Long Ruyin , Zhang Qin , Chen Hong , Wu Meifen , Li Qianwen
Published: January 2020

Current energy efficiency indicators (such as energy intensity) do not properly reflect the inherent relationship between “energy-environment-health”. Therefore, this study introduces the indicator of energy intensity of human well-being (EIWB) to depict the efficiency problem between energy consumption and residents’ health. In this paper, panel data of 30 provinces in mainland China from 2005 to 2016 is used to calculate the EIWB of each province and analyze its spatial distribution. Moreover, the effect of influencing factors on EIWB is investigated by using the spatial Durbin model. The results show that: (1) The EIWB presents a spatial agglomeration. The provinces with high EIWB mostly cluster in the northern China. (2) Industrial structure and energy structure have positive effects on EIWB in local area through increasing energy consumption and damaging residents’ health. (3) The effect of urbanization and income on local EIWB is significantly positive because it will promote energy consumption. (4) Industrial structure, health expenditure, foreign direct investment and technological progress have spatial spillover effects due to its significant impact on residents’ health in neighboring areas. Based on conclusions, the corresponding policy recommendations are proposed.
Fe, Rather Than Soil Organic Matter, as a Controlling Factor of Hg Distribution in Subsurface Forest Soil in an Iron Mining Area
Authors: Qu Rui , Han Guilin , Liu Man , Yang Kunhua , Li Xiaoqiang , Liu Jinke
Published: January 2020

To identify whether the iron (Fe) mining area in the Jiulongjiang River basin (JRB) has an influence on the mercury in the forest soil, the spatial distribution patterns of mercury’s behavior on different controlling factors were analyzed, and a potential ecological risk assessment was done. A total of 107 soil samples were collected from two forest soil profiles, one profile near the Fe mining area and the other far from it. The soil near the mining area had a moderate potential ecological risk with high Fe content rich in the upper layer of soil (<70 cm), whereas soil collected far from the mining area had a low potential ecological risk. These results indicated that the rise of iron content in the soil near the mining area was beneficial to the enrichment of mercury, probably causing damage to the forest ecosystem. Both soil organic carbon (SOC) and Fe content have strong positive correlations with THg content, controlling the mercury behavior in the upper layer (<70 cm) and a lower layer (>70 cm) of soil, respectively. The high Fe content in the upper layer of soil will compete for the adsorption of mercury by SOC, leading to the poor correlation between SOC and THg.
Expansion of Impervious Surfaces and Their Driving Forces in Highly Urbanized Cities in Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Omurakunova Gulkaiyr , Bao Anming , Xu Wenqiang , Duulatov Eldiiar , Jiang Liangliang , Cai Peng , Abdullaev Farkhod , Nzabarinda Vincent , Durdiev Khaydar , Baiseitova Makhabat
Published: January 2020

The expansion of urban areas due to population increase and economic expansion creates demand and depletes natural resources, thereby causing land use changes in the main cities. This study focuses on land cover datasets to characterize impervious surface (urban area) expansion in select cities from 1993 to 2017, using supervised classification maximum likelihood techniques and by quantifying impervious surfaces. The results indicate an increasing trend in the impervious surface area by 35% in Bishkek, 75% in Osh, and 15% in Jalal-Abad. The overall accuracy (OA) for the image classification of two different datasets for the three cities was between 82% and 93%, and the kappa coefficients (KCs) were approximately 77% and 91%. The Landsat images with other supplementary data showed positive urban growth in all of the cities. The GDP, industrial growth, and urban population growth were driving factors of impervious surface sprawl in these cities from 1993 to 2017.Landscape Expansion Index (LEI) results also provided good evidence for the change of impervious surfaces during the study period. The results emphasize the idea of applying future planning and sustainable urban development procedures for sustainable use of natural resources and their management, which will increase life quality in urban areas and environments.
TRP Channels in the Focus of Trigeminal Nociceptor Sensitization Contributing to Primary Headaches
Authors: Dux Mária , Rosta Judit , Messlinger Karl
Published: January 2020

Pain in trigeminal areas is driven by nociceptive trigeminal afferents. Transduction molecules, among them the nonspecific cation channels transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), which are activated by endogenous and exogenous ligands, are expressed by a significant population of trigeminal nociceptors innervating meningeal tissues. Many of these nociceptors also contain vasoactive neuropeptides such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P. Release of neuropeptides and other functional properties are frequently examined using the cell bodies of trigeminal neurons as models of their sensory endings. Pathophysiological conditions cause phosphorylation, increased expression and trafficking of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, neuropeptides and other mediators, which accelerate activation of nociceptive pathways. Since nociceptor activation may be a significant pathophysiological mechanism involved in both peripheral and central sensitization of the trigeminal nociceptive pathway, its contribution to the pathophysiology of primary headaches is more than likely. Metabolic disorders and medication-induced painful states are frequently associated with TRP receptor activation and may increase the risk for primary headaches.
Arabidopsis Class II Formins AtFH13 and AtFH14 Can Form Heterodimers but Exhibit Distinct Patterns of Cellular Localization
Authors: Kollárová Eva , Baquero Forero Anežka , Stillerová Lenka , Přerostová Sylva , Cvrčková Fatima
Published: January 2020

Formins are evolutionarily conserved multi-domain proteins participating in the control of both actin and microtubule dynamics. Angiosperm formins form two evolutionarily distinct families, Class I and Class II, with class-specific domain layouts. The model plant Arabidopsis thaliana has 21 formin-encoding loci, including 10 Class II members. In this study, we analyze the subcellular localization of two A. thaliana Class II formins exhibiting typical domain organization, the so far uncharacterized formin AtFH13 (At5g58160) and its distant homolog AtFH14 (At1g31810), previously reported to bind microtubules. Fluorescent protein-tagged full length formins and their individual domains were transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves under the control of a constitutive promoter and their subcellular localization (including co-localization with cytoskeletal structures and the endoplasmic reticulum) was examined using confocal microscopy. While the two formins exhibit distinct and only partially overlapping localization patterns, they both associate with microtubules via the conserved formin homology 2 (FH2) domain and with the periphery of the endoplasmic reticulum, at least in part via the N-terminal PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin)-like domain. Surprisingly, FH2 domains of AtFH13 and AtFH14 can form heterodimers in the yeast two-hybrid assay—a first case of potentially biologically relevant formin heterodimerization mediated solely by the FH2 domain.
Systematic Analysis of the Maize OSCA Genes Revealing ZmOSCA Family Members Involved in Osmotic Stress and ZmOSCA2.4 Confers Enhanced Drought Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis
Authors: Cao Liru , Zhang Pengyu , Lu Xiaomin , Wang Guorui , Wang Zhenhua , Zhang Qianjin , Zhang Xin , Wei Xin , Mei Fujian , Wei Li , Wang Tongchao
Published: January 2020

OSCAs are hyperosmolality-gated calcium-permeable channel proteins. In this study, two co-expression modules, which are strongly associated with maize proline content, were screened by weighted correlation network analysis, including three ZmOSCA family members. Phylogenetic and protein domain analyses revealed that 12 ZmOSCA members were classified into four classes, which all contained DUF221 domain. The promoter region contained multiple core elements responsive to abiotic stresses and hormones. Colinear analysis revealed that ZmOSCAs had diversified prior to maize divergence. Most ZmOSCAs responded positively to ABA, PEG, and NaCl treatments. ZmOSCA2.3 and ZmOSCA2.4 were up-regulated by more than 200-fold under the three stresses, and showed significant positive correlations with proline content. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation indicated that ZmOSCA2.3 and ZmOSCA2.4 proteins interacted with ZmEREB198. Over-expression of ZmOSCA2.4 in Arabidopsis remarkably improved drought resistance. Moreover, over-expression of ZmOSCA2.4 enhanced the expression of drought tolerance-associated genes and reduced the expression of senescence-associated genes. We also found that perhaps ZmOSCA2.4 was regulated by miR5054.The results provide a high-quality molecular resource for selecting resistant breeding, and lay a foundation for elucidating regulatory mechanism of ZmOSCA under abiotic stresses.
Characterization of Effectiveness in Concerted Ih Inhibition and IK(Ca) Stimulation by Pterostilbene (Trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4′-hydroxystilbene), a Stilbenoid
Authors: So Edmund Cheung , Gao Zi-Han , Ko Shun Yao , Wu Sheng-Nan
Published: January 2020

Pterostilbene (PTER), a natural dimethylated analog of resveratrol, has been demonstrated to produce anti-neoplastic or neuroprotective actions. However, how and whether this compound can entail any perturbations on ionic currents in electrically excitable cells remains unknown. In whole-cell current recordings, addition of PTER decreased the amplitude of macroscopic Ih during long-lasting hyperpolarization in GH3 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with an effective IC50 value of 0.84 μM. Its presence also shifted the activation curve of Ih along the voltage axis to a more hyperpolarized potential, by 11 mV. PTER at a concentration greater than 10 μM could also suppress l-type Ca2+ and transient outward K+ currents in GH3 cells. With the addition of PTER, IK(Ca) amplitude was increased, with an EC50 value of 2.23 μM. This increase in IK(Ca) amplitude was attenuated by further addition of verruculogen, but not by tolbutamide or TRAM-39. Neither atropine nor nicotine, in the continued presence of PTER, modified the PTER-stimulated IK(Ca). PTER (10 μM) slightly suppressed the amplitude of l-type Ca2+ current and transient outward K+ current. The presence of PTER (3 μM) was also effective at increasing the open-state probability of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels identified in hippocampal mHippoE-14 neurons; however, its inability to alter single-channel conductance was detected. Our study highlights evidence to show that PTER has the propensity to perturb ionic currents (e.g., Ih and IK(Ca)), thereby influencing the functional activities of neurons, and neuroendocrine or endocrine cells.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of JPM in 2019
Authors:   JPM Editorial Office
Published: January 2020

The editorial team greatly appreciates the reviewers who have dedicated their considerable time and expertise to the journal’s rigorous editorial process over the past 12 months, regardless of whether the papers are finally published or not [...]
Change in Diet Quality over 12 Years in the 1946–1951 Cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health
Authors: Baldwin Jennifer N. , Forder Peta M. , Haslam Rebecca L. , Hure Alexis J. , Loxton Deborah J. , Patterson Amanda J. , Collins Clare E.
Published: January 2020

Understanding patterns of dietary change over time can provide important information regarding population nutrition behaviours. The aims were to investigate change in diet quality over 12 years in a nationally representative sample of women born in 1946–1951 and to identify characteristics of women whose diet quality changed over time. The Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS) was measured in 2001 (n = 10,629, mean age 52.1 years) and 2013 (n = 9115; n = 8161 for both time points) for the mid-aged cohort from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Participants were categorised by tertiles of baseline diet quality and also classified as ‘diet quality worsened’ (ARFS decrease ≤ −4 points, n = 2361), ‘remained stable’ (−3 ≤ change in ARFS ≤ 3 points, n = 3077) or ‘improved’ (ARFS increase ≥ 4 points, n = 2723). On average, ARFS total and subscale scores remained relatively stable over time (mean [SD] change 0.3 [7.6] points) with some regression to the mean. Women whose diet quality worsened were more likely to be highly physically active at baseline compared with women whose diet quality improved (p < 0.001). Among women with poor diet quality initially (lowest baseline ARFS tertile, n = 2451, mean [SD] baseline ARFS 22.8 [4.5] points), almost half (47%, n = 1148) had not improved after 12 years, with women less likely to be in the healthy weight range (41% compared to 44%) and be never smokers (56% versus 62%, p < 0.05) compared with those whose diet improved. Diet quality remained relatively stable over 12 years’ follow up among mid-aged women. Almost half of those with poor baseline diet quality remained poor over time, emphasizing the need to target high-risk groups for nutrition interventions.
Low FODMAP Diet: Evidence, Doubts, and Hopes
Authors: Bellini Massimo , Tonarelli Sara , Nagy Attila , Pancetti Andrea , Costa Francesco , Ricchiuti Angelo , de Bortoli Nicola , Mosca Marta , Marchi Santino , Rossi Alessandra
Published: January 2020

Food is often considered to be a precipitating factor of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides, And Polyols), which can be found in many common foods. A low FODMAP diet (LFD) is increasingly suggested for IBS treatment. However, long-term, large, randomized controlled studies are still lacking, and certainties and doubts regarding LFDs have grown, often in a disorderly and confused manner. Some potential LFD limitations and concerns have been raised, including nutritional adequacy, cost, and difficulty in teaching the diet and maintaining it. Most of these limitations can be solved with the involvement of a skilled nutritionist, who can clearly explain the different phases of the LFD and ensure nutritional adequacy and compliance. Further studies should focus on new methods of teaching and learning the LFD and on predictors of response. Moreover, particular interest should be focused on the possible use of LFD in gastrointestinal diseases other than functional disorders and, possibly, also in non-gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of the present review was to clarify the effective and appropriate indications and limitations of an LFD and to discuss its possible future uses.
Changes in Age at Diagnosis and Nutritional Course of Celiac Disease in the Last Two Decades
Authors: Villanueva Mónica , Oyarzún Amaya , Leyton Bárbara , González Mónica , Navarro Elizabeth , Canales Paulina , Ossa Cristobal , Muñoz María Paz , Bascuñán Karla A. , Araya Magdalena
Published: January 2020

The frequency of celiac disease (CD) has increased along time, with relevant changes reported in geographical variations, clinical presentation and nutritional repercussions. In recent years, some celiac patients are presenting overweight/obesity, but it is unclear how frequent this is and to what extent undernutrition remains a concern. This is relevant because CD tends to be overlooked in overweight patients. With this in mind, we assessed age at diagnosis, clinical characteristics and nutritional status of 155 celiac patients diagnosed between 1994–2017 in four pediatric hospitals in Santiago, Chile. Since 2003, the number of patients diagnosed has increased (p < 0.0033), coinciding with antitransglutaminase and antiendomysial antibodies becoming available to public health systems. In 2000, 4.5% of patients were asymptomatic at diagnosis, suggesting that active search is not routinely applied. Gastrointestinal symptoms plus failure to thrive were significantly more frequent under 2 years (p = 0.0001). Nutritional status has improved at diagnosis and during follow up, but undernutrition remains more frequent in children <2 and <5 years (p < 0.002 and p < 0.0036, respectively). Overweight at diagnosis was reported in 2002 and obesity in 2010. After initiating treatment, since 2010, patients changing from undernourishment to overweight has sometimes been observed after only 6 months on a gluten-free diet.