bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attribution Analysis for Runoff Change on Multiple Scales in a Humid Subtropical Basin Dominated by Forest, East China
Authors: Yang Qinli , Luo Shasha , Wu Hongcai , Wang Guoqing , Han Dawei , Lü Haishen , Shao Junming
Published: February 2019

Attributing runoff change to different drivers is vital in order to better understand how and why runoff varies, and to further support decision makers on water resources planning and management. Most previous works attributed runoff change in the arid or semi-arid areas to climate variability and human activity on an annual scale. However, attribution results may differ greatly according to different climatic zones, decades, temporal scales, and different contributors. This study aims to quantitatively attribute runoff change in a humid subtropical basin (the Qingliu River basin, East China) to climate variability, land-use change, and human activity on multiple scales over different periods by using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The results show that runoff increased during 1960–2012 with an abrupt change occurring in 1984. Annual runoff in the post-change period (1985–2012) increased by 16.05% (38.05 mm) relative to the pre-change period (1960–1984), most of which occurred in the winter and early spring (March). On the annual scale, climate variability, human activity, and land-use change (mainly for forest cover decrease) contributed 95.36%, 4.64%, and 12.23% to runoff increase during 1985–2012, respectively. On the seasonal scale, human activity dominated runoff change (accounting for 72.11%) in the dry season during 1985–2012, while climate variability contributed the most to runoff change in the wet season. On the monthly scale, human activity was the dominant contributor to runoff variation in all of the months except for January, May, July, and August during 1985–2012. Impacts of climate variability and human activity on runoff during 2001–2012 both became stronger than those during 1985–2000, but counteracted each other. The findings should help understandings of runoff behavior in the Qingliu River and provide scientific support for local water resources management.
Caribou Conservation: Restoring Trees on Seismic Lines in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Filicetti Angelo T. , Cody Michael , Nielsen Scott E.
Published: February 2019

Seismic lines are narrow linear (~3–8 m wide) forest clearings that are used for petroleum exploration in Alberta’s boreal forest. Many seismic lines have experienced poor tree regeneration since initial disturbance, with most failures occurring in treed peatlands that are used by the threatened woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). Extensive networks of seismic lines, which often reach densities of 40 km/km2, are thought to have contributed to declines in caribou. The reforestation of seismic lines is therefore a focus of conservation. Methods to reforest seismic lines are expensive (averaging $12,500 per km) with uncertainty of which seismic lines need which treatments, if any, resulting in inefficiencies in restoration actions. Here, we monitored the effectiveness of treatments on seismic lines as compared to untreated seismic lines and adjacent undisturbed reference stands for treed peatlands in northeast Alberta, Canada. Mechanical site preparation (mounding and ripping) increased tree density when compared to untreated lines, despite averaging 3.8-years since treatment (vs. 22 years since disturbance for untreated). Specifically, treated lines had, on average, 12,290 regenerating tree stems/ha, which is 1.6-times more than untreated lines (7680 stems/ha) and 1.5-times more than the adjacent undisturbed forest (8240 stems/ha). Using only mechanical site preparation, treated seismic lines consistently have more regenerating trees across all four ecosites, although the higher amounts of stems that were observed on treated poor fens are not significant when compared to untreated or adjacent undisturbed reference stands.
Individual Tree Diameter Growth Models of Larch–Spruce–Fir Mixed Forests Based on Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Ou Qiangxin , Lei Xiangdong , Shen Chenchen
Published: February 2019

Individual tree growth models are flexible and commonly used to represent growth dynamics for heterogeneous and structurally complex uneven-aged stands. Besides traditional statistical models, the rapid development of nonparametric and nonlinear machine learning methods, such as random forest (RF), boosted regression tree (BRT), cubist (Cubist) and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), provides a new way for predicting individual tree growth. However, the application of these approaches to individual tree growth modelling is still limited and short of a comparison of their performance. The objectives of this study were to compare and evaluate the performance of the RF, BRT, Cubist and MARS models for modelling the individual tree diameter growth based on tree size, competition, site condition and climate factors for larch–spruce–fir mixed forests in northeast China. Totally, 16,619 observations from long-term sample plots were used. Based on tenfold cross-validation, we found that the RF, BRT and Cubist models had a distinct advantage over the MARS model in predicting individual tree diameter growth. The Cubist model ranked the highest in terms of model performance (RMSEcv [0.1351 cm], MAEcv [0.0972 cm] and R2cv [0.5734]), followed by BRT and RF models, whereas the MARS ranked the lowest (RMSEcv [0.1462 cm], MAEcv [0.1086 cm] and R2cv [0.4993]). Relative importance of predictors determined from the RF and BRT models demonstrated that the competition and tree size were the main drivers to diameter growth, and climate had limited capacity in explaining the variation in tree diameter growth at local scale. In general, the RF, BRT and Cubist models are effective and powerful modelling methods for predicting the individual tree diameter growth.
Profile, Level of Vulnerability and Spatial Pattern of Deforestation in Sulawesi Period of 1990 to 2018
Authors: Rijal Syamsu , Barkey Roland A. , Nasri Nasri , Nursaputra Munajat
Published: February 2019

Deforestation is an event of loss of forest cover to another cover. Sulawesi forests have the potential to be deforested as with Sumatra and Kalimantan. This study aims to provide information on deforestation events in Sulawesi from 1990 to 2018. The data used in this study are (1) land cover in 1990, 2000, 2010; (2) Landsat 8 imagery in 2018; (3) administrative map of BIG in 2018. The methods used are (1) image classification with on-screen digitation techniques following the PPIK land cover classification guidelines, Forestry Planning Agency (2008) using ArcGIS Desktop 10.6 from ESRI; (2) overlapping maps; (3) analysis of deforestation; (4) analysis of deforestation profiles, (5) vulnerability analysis; and (6) analysis of distribution patterns of deforestation. The results showed that the profile of deforestation occurring on Sulawesi Island in the 1990–2018 observation period was dominated by profile 3-1-1 (the proportion of large forest area, the highest incidence of deforestation early stage at the beginning, at a low rate) in 13 districts. The level of vulnerability to deforestation is a non-vulnerable category (37 districts) which is directed to become a priority in handling deforestation in Sulawesi. Spatial patterns of the deforestation that occurred randomly and were scattered are dominated by shrubs, dryland agricultural activities, and small-scale plantations.
A Fusion Load Disaggregation Method Based on Clustering Algorithm and Support Vector Regression Optimization for Low Sampling Data
Authors: Yuan Quanbo , Wang Huijuan , Wu Botao , Song Yaodong , Wang Hejia
Published: February 2019

In order to achieve more efficient energy consumption, it is crucial that accurate detailed information is given on how power is consumed. Electricity details benefit both market utilities and also power consumers. Non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM), a novel and economic technology, obtains single-appliance power consumption through a single total power meter. This paper, focusing on load disaggregation with low hardware costs, proposed a load disaggregation method for low sampling data from smart meters based on a clustering algorithm and support vector regression optimization. This approach combines the k-median algorithm and dynamic time warping to identify the operating appliance and retrieves single energy consumption from an aggregate smart meter signal via optimized support vector regression (OSVR). Experiments showed that the technique can recognize multiple devices switching on at the same time using low-frequency data and achieve a high load disaggregation performance. The proposed method employs low sampling data acquired by smart meters without installing extra measurement equipment, which lowers hardware cost and is suitable for applications in smart grid environments.
DNS Study of the Bending Effect Due to Smoothing Mechanism
Authors: Yu Rixin , Lipatnikov Andrei N.
Published: February 2019

Propagation of either an infinitely thin interface or a reaction wave of a nonzero thickness in forced, constant-density, statistically stationary, homogeneous, isotropic turbulence is simulated by solving unsteady 3D Navier–Stokes equations and either a level set (G) or a reaction-diffusion equation, respectively, with all other things being equal. In the case of the interface, the fully developed bulk consumption velocity normalized using the laminar-wave speed SL depends linearly on the normalized rms velocity u′/SL. In the case of the reaction wave of a nonzero thickness, dependencies of the normalized bulk consumption velocity on u′/SL show bending, with the effect being increased by a ratio of the laminar-wave thickness to the turbulence length scale. The obtained bending effect is controlled by a decrease in the rate of an increase δAF in the reaction-zone-surface area with increasing u′/SL. In its turn, the bending of the δAF(u′/SL)-curves stems from inefficiency of small-scale turbulent eddies in wrinkling the reaction-zone surface, because such small-scale wrinkles characterized by a high local curvature are smoothed out by molecular transport within the reaction wave.
Optimal Transient Growth in an Incompressible Flow past a Backward-Slanted Step
Authors: Martins Afonso Marco , Meliga Philippe , Serre Eric
Published: February 2019

With the aim of providing a first step in the quest for a reduction of the aerodynamic drag on the rear-end of a car, we study the phenomena of separation and reattachment of an incompressible flow by focusing on a specific aerodynamic geometry, namely a backward-slanted step at 25 ∘ of inclination. The ensuing recirculation bubble provides the basis for an analytical and numerical investigation of streamwise-streak generation, lift-up effect, and turbulent-wake and Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities. A linear stability analysis is performed, and an optimal control problem with a steady volumic forcing is tackled by means of a variational formulation, adjoint methods, penalization schemes, and an orthogonalization algorithm. Dealing with the transient growth of spanwise-periodic perturbations, and inspired by the need of physically-realizable disturbances, we finally provide a procedure attaining a kinetic-energy maximal gain on the order of 10 6 , with respect to the power introduced by the external forcing.
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Interventions against E. coli O157:H7 on the Surface of Raw Beef to Reduce Bacterial Translocation during Blade Tenderization
Authors: Muriana Peter M. , Eager Jackie , Wellings Brent , Morgan Brad , Nelson Jacob , Kushwaha Kalpana
Published: February 2019

The US Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) considers mechanically-tenderized beef as “non-intact” and a food safety concern because of the potential for translocation of surface Escherichia coli O157:H7 into the interior of the meat that may be cooked “rare or medium-rare” and consumed. We evaluated 14 potential spray interventions on E. coli O157:H7-inoculated lean beef wafers (~106 CFU/cm2, n = 896) passing through a spray system (18 s dwell time, ~40 pounds per square inch, PSI) integrated into the front end of a Ross TC-700MC tenderizer. Inoculated and processed beef wafers were stomached with D/E neutralizing broth and plated immediately, or were held in refrigerated storage for 1-, 7-, or 14-days prior to microbial enumeration. Seven antimicrobials that showed better performance in preliminary screening on beef wafers were selected for further testing on beef subprimals in conjunction with blade tenderization. Boneless top sirloin beef subprimals were inoculated at ~2 × 104 CFU/cm2 with a four-strain cocktail of E. coli O157:H7 and passed once, lean side up, through an integrated spray system and blade tenderizer. Core samples obtained from each subprimal were examined for the presence/absence of E. coli O157:H7. The absence of E. coli O157:H7 in core samples correlated with the ability of the antimicrobials to reduce bacterial levels on the surface of beef prior to blade tenderization.
A Magnesium Transport Protein Related to Mammalian SLC41 and Bacterial MgtE Contributes to Circadian Timekeeping in a Unicellular Green Alga
Authors: Feord Helen K. , Dear Frederick E.G. , Obbard Darren J. , van Ooijen Gerben
Published: February 2019

Circadian clocks in eukaryotes involve both transcriptional-translational feedback loops, post-translational regulation, and metabolic, non-transcriptional oscillations. We recently identified the involvement of circadian oscillations in the intracellular concentrations of magnesium ions ([Mg2+]i) that were conserved in three eukaryotic kingdoms. [Mg2+]i in turn contributes to transcriptional clock properties of period and amplitude, and can function as a zeitgeber to define phase. However, the mechanism—or mechanisms—responsible for the generation of [Mg2+]i oscillations, and whether these are functionally conserved across taxonomic groups, remain elusive. We employed the cellular clock model Ostreococcus tauri to provide a first study of an MgtE domain-containing protein in the green lineage. OtMgtE shares homology with the mammalian SLC41A1 magnesium/sodium antiporter, which has previously been implicated in maintaining clock period. Using genetic overexpression, we found that OtMgtE contributes to both timekeeping and daily changes in [Mg2+]i. However, pharmacological experiments and protein sequence analyses indicated that critical differences exist between OtMgtE and either the ancestral MgtE channel or the mammalian SLC41 antiporters. We concluded that even though MgtE domain-containing proteins are only distantly related, these proteins retain a shared role in contributing to cellular timekeeping and the regulation of [Mg2+]i.
Development and Use of the ‘SENS’-Structure to Proactively Identify Care Needs in Early Palliative Care—An Innovative Approach
Authors: Fliedner Monica C. , Mitchell Geoffrey , Bueche Daniel , Mettler Monika , Schols Jos M. G. A. , Eychmueller Steffen
Published: February 2019

Anticipatory planning for end of life requires a common language for discussion among patients, families, and professionals. Studies show that early Palliative Care (PC) interventions based on a problem-oriented approach can improve quality of life, support decision-making, and optimize the timing of medical treatment and transition to hospice services. The aim of this quality-improvement project was to develop a pragmatic structure meeting all clinical settings and populations needs. Based on the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework, a literature review identifying approaches commonly used in PC was performed. In addition, more than 500 hospital-based interprofessional consultations were analyzed. Identified themes were structured and compared to published approaches. We evaluated the clinical usefulness of this structure with an online survey among professionals. The emerged ‘SENS’-structure stands for: Symptoms patients suffer from; End-of-life decisions; Network around the patient delivering care; and Support for the carer. Evaluation among professionals has confirmed that the ‘SENS’-structure covers all relevant areas for anticipatory planning in PC. ‘SENS’ is useful in guiding patient-centered PC conversations and pragmatic anticipatory planning, alongside the regular diagnosis-triggered approach in various settings. Following this approach, ‘SENS’ may facilitate systematic integration of PC in clinical practice. Depending on clearly defined outcomes, this needs to be confirmed by future randomized controlled studies.
Modifying a Paediatric Rational Prescribing Tool (POPI) for Use in the UK
Authors: Corrick Fenella , Choonara Imti , Conroy Sharon , Sammons Helen
Published: February 2019

Rational prescribing tools can be used by individual prescribers, organisations, and researchers to evaluate the quality of prescribing for research and quality improvement purposes. A literature search showed that there is only one tool for evaluating rational prescribing for paediatric patients in hospital and outpatient settings. The Pediatrics: Omission of Prescriptions and Inappropriate Prescriptions (POPI) tool was developed in France and comprises 105 criteria. The aim of this study was to modify this tool to facilitate its use in paediatric practice in the United Kingdom (UK). POPI criteria were compared to relevant UK clinical guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network and the British National Formulary for Children. Where guidelines differed, criteria were modified to reflect UK guidance. If there were no relevant guidelines or directly contradictory guidelines, criteria were removed. Overall, no change was made to 49 criteria. There were 29 modified to concord with UK guidelines. Four criteria were reduced to two criteria due to being linked in single guidelines. Twenty-three criteria were omitted, due to the absence of relevant UK guidance or directly conflicting UK practice, including one entire clinical category (mosquitos). One category title was amended to parallel UK terminology. The modified POPI (UK) tool comprises of eighty criteria and is the first rational prescribing tool for the evaluation of prescribing for children in hospital and outpatient settings in the UK.
Heat Waves Occurrence and Outdoor Workers’ Self-assessment of Heat Stress in Slovenia and Greece
Authors: Pogačar Tjaša , Žnidaršič Zala , Kajfež Bogataj Lučka , Flouris Andreas D. , Poulianiti Konstantina , Črepinšek Zalika
Published: February 2019

Changing patterns of heat waves are part of the global warming effect and the importance of changes is reinforced by their negative impact on society. Firstly, heat waves were analyzed in Brnik (Slovenia) and Larisa (Greece) in the period 1981–2017 to reflect the environment which workers are exposed to. Secondly, outdoor workers (70 from Greece, 216 from Slovenia) provided a self-assessment of heat stress. The heat wave timeline is presented as an effective way of illustrating long-term changes in heat waves’ characteristics for various stakeholders. In both countries, workers assessed as significant the heat stress impact on productivity (Greece 69%, Slovenia 71%; p > 0.05), and in Slovenia also on well-being (74%; p < 0.01). The main experienced symptoms and diseases were thirst (Greece 70%, Slovenia 82%; p = 0.03), excessive sweating (67%, 85%; p = 0.01), exhaustion (51%, 62%; p > 0.05) and headache (44%, 53%; p > 0.05). The most common way to reduce heat stress was drinking more water (Greece 64%, Slovenia 82%; p = 0.001). Among the informed workers, the prevalent source of information was discussions. Therefore, educational campaigns are recommended, together with the testing of the efficiency of mitigation measures that will be proposed on the Heat-Shield project portal.
Biogenic Nanoparticle‒Chitosan Conjugates with Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm, and Anticancer Potentialities: Development and Characterization
Authors: Bilal Muhammad , Zhao Yuping , Rasheed Tahir , Ahmed Ishtiaq , Hassan Sherif T.S. , Nawaz Muhammad Zohaib , Iqbal Hafiz M.N.
Published: February 2019

In the 21st century, with ever-increasing consciousness and social awareness, researchers must tackle the microbial infections that pose a major threat to human safety. For many reasons, the emergence/re-emergence of threatening pathogens has increased and poses a serious challenge to health care services. Considering the changing dynamics of 21st-century materials with medical potentialities, the integration of bioactive agents into materials to engineer antibacterial matrices has received limited attention so far. Thus, antimicrobial active conjugates are considered potential candidates to eradicate infections and reduce microbial contaminations in healthcare facilities. In this context, eco-friendly and novel conjugates with antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and anticancer potentialities were developed using biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Convolvulus arvensis (C. arvensis) extract and chitosan (CHI). A range of instrumental and imaging tools, i.e., UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), were employed to characterize the freshly extracted C. arvensis AgNPs. Biogenic AgNPs obtained after a 24-h reaction period were used to engineer CHI-based conjugates and designated as CHI‒AgNPs1 to CHI‒AgNPs5, subject to the C. arvensis AgNPs concentration. After the stipulated loading period, 92% loading efficiency (LE) was recorded for a CHI‒AgNPs3 conjugate. Gram+ and Gram- bacterial isolates, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, were used to test the antibacterial activities of newly developed CHI‒AgNPs conjugates. In comparison to the control sample with bacterial cell count 1.5 × 108 CFU/mL, a notable reduction in the log values was recorded for the CHI‒AgNPs3 conjugate. The antibiofilm potential of CHI‒AgNPs conjugates was tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, the CHI‒AgNPs3 conjugate also showed substantial cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 (breast cancer) cell line. In summary, the newly engineered CHI‒AgNPs conjugates with antibacterial, antibiofilm, and anticancer potentialities are potential candidate materials for biomedical applications.
A Deep Learning Model for Automated Sleep Stages Classification Using PSG Signals
Authors: Yildirim Ozal , Baloglu Ulas Baran , Acharya U Rajendra
Published: February 2019

Sleep disorder is a symptom of many neurological diseases that may significantly affect the quality of daily life. Traditional methods are time-consuming and involve the manual scoring of polysomnogram (PSG) signals obtained in a laboratory environment. However, the automated monitoring of sleep stages can help detect neurological disorders accurately as well. In this study, a flexible deep learning model is proposed using raw PSG signals. A one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) is developed using electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrooculogram (EOG) signals for the classification of sleep stages. The performance of the system is evaluated using two public databases (sleep-edf and sleep-edfx). The developed model yielded the highest accuracies of 98.06%, 94.64%, 92.36%, 91.22%, and 91.00% for two to six sleep classes, respectively, using the sleep-edf database. Further, the proposed model obtained the highest accuracies of 97.62%, 94.34%, 92.33%, 90.98%, and 89.54%, respectively for the same two to six sleep classes using the sleep-edfx dataset. The developed deep learning model is ready for clinical usage, and can be tested with big PSG data.
Examining Stakeholder Perspectives: Process, Performance and Progress of the Age-Friendly Taiwan Program
Authors: Lin Li-Ju , Hsu Yu-Chang , Scharlach Andrew E. , Kuo Hsien-Wen
Published: February 2019

Since Taiwan’s age-friendly city (AFC) program was launched in 2012, the central government has provided various resources to the country’s 22 local authorities, including budgetary support, policy advocacy, and consultation from a team of experts. This study examines stakeholder perspectives on the process, performance, and outcome of the AFC program. A 53-item questionnaire was developed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline, including mechanisms and processes (20 items), outcome evaluations (23 items), and resource integration (10 items). There was a “great difference” found among scores between facilitators and experts for “inter-exchange experience with local and international cities” (40%) and “monitor and revise indicators” (37%) in mechanisms and processes, “evaluate performance of indicators and action plans” (37%) in outcome evaluations, and “interaction between government and community” (46%) and “interaction between civil organization and senior society” (39%) in resource integration. Clearly, facilitators showed overly optimistic assessments in AFC mechanisms and processes, outcome evaluation, and resource integration. The results showed disconnect between experts’ expectations versus actual practice conducted by facilitators. Implications of these findings are to integrate top down expectations with the realities of bottom up practice to design more realistic evaluations; continue to educate stakeholders about design, implementation and evaluation; and further integrate resources from government, civil organizations, and community.
Strategically Patrolling in a Chemical Cluster Addressing Gas Pollutants’ Releases through a Game-Theoretic Model
Authors: Chen Bin , Zhu Zhengqiu , Chen Feiran , Zhao Yong , Qiu Xiaogang
Published: February 2019

Chemical production activities in chemical clusters, if not well managed, will pose great threats to the surrounding air environment and impose great burden on emergency handling. Therefore, it is urgent and substantial in a chemical cluster to develop proper and suitable pollution controlling strategies for an inspection agency to monitor chemical production processes. Apart from the static monitoring resources (e.g., monitoring stations and gas sensor modules), patrolling by mobile vehicle resources is arranged for better detecting the illegal releasing behaviors of emission spots in different chemical plants. However, it has been proven that the commonly used patrolling strategies (i.e., the fixed route strategy and the purely randomized route strategy) are non-optimal and fail to interact with intelligent chemical plants. Therefore, we proposed the Chemical Cluster Environmental Protection Patrolling (CCEPP) game to tackle the problem in this paper. Through combining the source estimation process, the game is modeled to detect the illegal releasing behaviors of chemical plants by randomly and strategically arranging the patrolling routes and intensities in different chemical sites. In this game-theoretic model, players (patroller and chemical sites), strategies, payoffs, and game solvers are modeled in sequence. More importantly, this game model also considers traffic delays or bounded cognition of patrollers on patrolling plans. Therefore, a discrete Markov decision process was used to model this stochastic process. Further, the model is illustrated by a case study. Results imply that the patrolling strategy suggested by the CCEPP game outperforms both the fixed route strategy and the purely randomized route strategy.
The Role of Environmental Conditions on Marathon Running Performance in Men Competing in Boston Marathon from 1897 to 2018
Authors: Nikolaidis Pantelis T. , Di Gangi Stefania , Chtourou Hamdi , Rüst Christoph Alexander , Rosemann Thomas , Knechtle Beat
Published: February 2019

This study investigated the effects of weather conditions on male performance during the Boston Marathon from 1897 to 2018. A total of 383,982 observations from 244,642 different finishers were analysed using Generalized Additive Mixed Models. All runners, annual top 100 finishers and annual top ten finishers were considered. Weather conditions, on race day, were: average air temperature (°C), precipitations (mm), wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) (°C), wind speed (km/h), wind direction (N, S, W, E) and pressure (hPa). These effects were examined in multi-variable models with spline smooth terms in function of calendar year. Temperature, when increasing by 1 °C, was related to worsened performance for all groups (i.e., by 00:01:53 h:min:sec for all finishers, p < 0.001). Wind coming from the West, compared to wind coming from other directions, was the most favourable for performance of all groups of finishers. Increasing precipitations worsened performances of top 100 (estimate 00:00:04 h:min:sec, p < 0.001) and top 10 finishers (estimate 00:00:05 h:min:sec, p < 0.001). Wind speed, when increasing by 1 km/h, was related to worsened performance for all finishers (estimate 00:00:19 h:min:sec, p < 0.001), but not for top 100 group, where performances were 00:00:09 h:min:sec faster, p < 0.001. Pressure and WBGT were examined in uni-variable models: overall, performances worsened as pressure and WBGT increased. Our findings contributed to the knowledge about the effect of weather conditions on performance level in male marathon runners.
Sustainable Accessibility: A Mobile App for Helping People with Disabilities to Search Accessible Shops
Authors: Mayordomo-Martínez Diego , Carrillo-de-Gea Juan M. , García-Mateos Ginés , García-Berná José A. , Fernández-Alemán José Luis , Rosero-López Saúl , Parada-Sarabia Salvador , García-Hernández Manuel
Published: February 2019

People with motor disabilities must face many barriers and obstacles in their daily lives, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks. The purpose of this work is to improve their living conditions by providing an app with accessibility information in an updated, reliable and friendly form. The development of the system integrates national and regional accessibility regulations, architectural aspects, with an extensive field work, and a sustainable software process. The levels of accessibility and the requirements of the application are defined in the first phases of the project. The field work included the evaluation of 357 commercial establishments in the city of Murcia, Spain, showing that only 25% have a good accessibility, 40% are practicable with help, and 35% are inaccessible shops. The proposed system achieves its objectives of being sustainable and helping in the accessibility. Besides, the system can be a great incentive for businesses to improve their accessibility conditions. In conclusion, new technologies must have a much more active role in the promotion of universal accessibility. These tools must also consider the necessary requirements of sustainable development.
A Deliberate Choice? Exploring the Decision to Switch from Cigarettes to E-Cigarettes
Authors: Romijnders Kim A.G.J. , van Osch Liesbeth , de Vries Hein , Talhout Reinskje
Published: February 2019

E-cigarettes are increasingly popular among both cigarette smokers and non-users. Although smoking cessation yields the most individual and population health benefits, switching to exclusive e-cigarette use offers some individual health benefits for cigarette smokers. However, e-cigarette use is not harmless, and its use among non-cigarette smokers should be prevented. Our study aims to explore the decision-making process about e-cigarettes among an e-cigarette users, cigarette smokers, and non-users. We conducted 12 semi-structured focus group interviews with e-cigarette users, cigarette smokers, and non-users. We performed a thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. First, knowledge reported by e-cigarette users was mainly based on other users’ experiences. Second, cigarette smokers and non-users were more negative towards e-cigarettes than e-cigarette users. Third, e-cigarette users considered switching from cigarette smoking to e-cigarette use by deliberating relevant information, and weighing up the benefits and disadvantages of e-cigarette use versus smoking. Additionally, important factors in the decision-making process were a perception of risks and benefits of e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes, a supportive social environment about e-cigarette use, and trust in information offered about the risks and benefits of e-cigarettes. Our findings provide insight into what we can learn from the conscious decision-making process of e-cigarette users who switched from cigarettes to e-cigarettes. This information can be considered to develop targeted communications strategies to stimulate a conscious decision-making process, these may highlight benefits of switching to e-cigarettes for cigarette smokers, discussing the risks of smoking, and correcting misperceptions about the perceived risks and benefits of e-cigarette use.
Characterization of Urban Subway Microenvironment Exposure—A Case of Nanjing in China
Authors: Mao Peng , Li Jie , Xiong Lilin , Wang Rubing , Wang Xiang , Tan Yongtao , Li Hongyang
Published: February 2019

Environmental quality in public rail transit has recently raised great concern, with more attention paid to underground subway microenvironment. This research aimed to provide guidance for healthy urban subway microenvironments (sub-MEs) according to comprehensive micro-environmental categories, including thermal environment, air quality, lighting environment, and acoustic environment from both practical and regulation perspectives. Field sampling experiments were conducted in Nanjing Metro Line X (NMLX). Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis and one-way analysis of variance were used to investigate the status quo of urban sub-MEs. A paired samples t-test was then performed to compare among subway station halls, platforms, and in-cabin trains based on integrated sub-MEs. Results show that relative humidity, air velocity, respirable particulate matter (PM10) concentration, and illuminance dissatisfy the requirements in relevant national standards. Significant difference was observed in lighting environment between station hall and platform. It was detected platforms are warmer and more polluted than train cabins. Additionally, subway trains generate main noise on platform which is much louder when leaving than arriving. Protective strategies for sub-ME improvement as well as principles for updating standards were proposed from a proactive point of view. The findings are beneficial for moving towards healthy urban sub-MEs and more sustainable operation of subway systems.
Strengthening the AntiTumor NK Cell Function for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Greppi Marco , Tabellini Giovanna , Patrizi Ornella , Candiani Simona , Decensi Andrea , Parolini Silvia , Sivori Simona , Pesce Silvia , Paleari Laura , Marcenaro Emanuela
Published: February 2019

The crosstalk between cancer cells and host cells is a crucial prerequisite for tumor growth and progression. The cells from both the innate and adaptive immune systems enter into a perverse relationship with tumor cells to create a tumor-promoting and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the most lethal of all gynecological malignancies, is characterized by a unique TME that paves the way to the formation of metastasis and mediates therapy resistance through the deregulation of immune surveillance. A characteristic feature of the ovarian cancer TME is the ascites/peritoneal fluid, a malignancy-associated effusion occurring at more advanced stages, which enables the peritoneal dissemination of tumor cells and the formation of metastasis. The standard therapy for EOC involves a combination of debulking surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. However, most patients experience disease recurrence. New therapeutic strategies are needed to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced EOC. Harnessing the body’s natural immune defenses against cancer in the form of immunotherapy is emerging as an innovative treatment strategy. NK cells have attracted attention as a promising cancer immunotherapeutic target due to their ability to kill malignant cells and avoid healthy cells. Here, we will discuss the recent advances in the clinical application of NK cell immunotherapy in EOC.
Overexpression of Transglutaminase from Cucumber in Tobacco Increases Salt Tolerance through Regulation of Photosynthesis
Authors: Zhong Min , Wang Yu , Zhang Yuemei , Shu Sheng , Sun Jin , Guo Shirong
Published: February 2019

Transglutaminase (TGase) is a regulator of posttranslational modification of protein that provides physiological protection against diverse environmental stresses in plants. Nonetheless, the mechanisms of TGase-mediated salt tolerance remain largely unknown. Here, we found that the transcription of cucumber TGase (CsTGase) was induced in response to light and during leaf development, and the CsTGase protein was expressed in the chloroplast and the cell wall. The overexpression of the CsTGase gene effectively ameliorated salt-induced photoinhibition in tobacco plants, increased the levels of chloroplast polyamines (PAs) and enhanced the abundance of D1 and D2 proteins. TGase also induced the expression of photosynthesis related genes and remodeling of thylakoids under normal conditions. However, salt stress treatment reduced the photosynthesis rate, PSII and PSI related genes expression, D1 and D2 proteins in wild-type (WT) plants, while these effects were alleviated in CsTGase overexpression plants. Taken together, our results indicate that TGase-dependent PA signaling protects the proteins of thylakoids, which plays a critical role in plant response to salt stress. Thus, overexpression of TGase may be an effective strategy for enhancing resistance to salt stress of salt-sensitive crops in agricultural production.
Activated Protein C in Cutaneous Wound Healing: From Bench to Bedside
Authors: Zhao Ruilong , Lin Haiyan , Bereza-Malcolm Lara , Clarke Elizabeth , Jackson Christopher , Xue Meilang
Published: February 2019

Independent of its well-known anticoagulation effects, activated protein C (APC) exhibits pleiotropic cytoprotective properties. These include anti-inflammatory actions, anti-apoptosis, and endothelial and epithelial barrier stabilisation. Such beneficial effects have made APC an attractive target of research in a plethora of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Of note, the past decade or so has seen the emergence of its roles in cutaneous wound healing—a complex process involving inflammation, proliferation and remodelling. This review will highlight APC’s functions and mechanisms, and detail its pre-clinical and clinical studies on cutaneous wound healing.
The Effects of Resveratrol in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease and Heart Failure: A Narrative Review
Authors: Dyck Garrison J. B. , Raj Pema , Zieroth Shelley , Dyck Jason R. B. , Ezekowitz Justin A.
Published: February 2019

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death globally and responsible for the second highest number of deaths in Canada. Medical advancements in the treatment of CVD have led to patients living longer with CVD but often progressing to another condition called heart failure (HF). As a result, HF has emerged in the last decade as a major medical concern. Fortunately, various “traditional” pharmacotherapies for HF exist and have shown success in reducing HF-associated mortality. However, to augment the treatment of patients with CVD and/or HF, alternative pharmacotherapies using nutraceuticals have also shown promise in the prevention and treatment of these two conditions. One of these natural compounds considered to potentially help treat HF and CVD and prevent their development is resveratrol. Herein, we review the clinical findings of resveratrol’s ability to be used as an effective treatment to potentially help treat HF and CVD. This will allow us to gain a more fulsome appreciation for the effects of resveratrol in the health outcomes of specific patient populations who have various disorders that constitute CVD.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of the Pinewood Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Reveals the Molecular Mechanism Underlying Its Defense Response to Host-Derived α-pinene
Authors: Li Yongxia , Meng Fanli , Deng Xun , Wang Xuan , Feng Yuqian , Zhang Wei , Pan Long , Zhang Xingyao
Published: February 2019

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is fatal to the pine trees around the world. The production of the pine tree secondary metabolite gradually increases in response to a B. xylophilus infestation, via a stress reaction mechanism(s). α-pinene is needed to combat the early stages of B. xylophilus infection and colonization, and to counter its pathogenesis. Therefore, research is needed to characterize the underlying molecular response(s) of B. xylophilus to resist α-pinene. We examined the effects of different concentrations of α-pinene on the mortality and reproduction rate of B. xylophilus in vitro. The molecular response by which B. xylophilus resists α-pinene was examined via comparative transcriptomics of the nematode. Notably, B. xylophilus genes involved in detoxification, transport, and receptor activities were differentially expressed in response to two different concentrations of α-pinene compared with control. Our results contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which B. xylophilus responds to monoterpenes in general, and the pathogenesis of B. xylophilus.
Correction: Complex Epigenetic Regulation of Chemotherapy Resistance and Biology in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma via MicroRNAs. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19, 499
Authors: Lindner Kirsten , Eichelmann Ann-Kathrin , Matuszcak Christiane , Hussey Damian James , Haier Jörg , Hummel Richard
Published: February 2019

We would like to submit a correction to the published paper [...]
Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium-Role in Dead Cell Clearance and Inflammation
Authors: Szatmári-Tóth Mária , Ilmarinen Tanja , Mikhailova Alexandra , Skottman Heli , Kauppinen Anu , Kaarniranta Kai , Kristóf Endre , Lytvynchuk Lyubomyr , Veréb Zoltán , Fésüs László , Petrovski Goran
Published: February 2019

Inefficient removal of dying retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells by professional phagocytes can result in debris formation and development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Chronic oxidative stress and inflammation play an important role in AMD pathogenesis. Only a few well-established in vitro phagocytosis assay models exist. We propose human embryonic stem cell-derived-RPE cells as a new model for studying RPE cell removal by professional phagocytes. The characteristics of human embryonic stem cells-derived RPE (hESC-RPE) are similar to native RPEs based on their gene and protein expression profile, integrity, and barrier properties or regarding drug transport. However, no data exist about RPE death modalities and how efficiently dying hESC-RPEs are taken upby macrophages, and whether this process triggers an inflammatory responses. This study demonstrates hESC-RPEs can be induced to undergo anoikis or autophagy-associated cell death due to extracellular matrix detachment or serum deprivation and hydrogen-peroxide co-treatment, respectively, similar to primary human RPEs. Dying hESC-RPEs are efficiently engulfed by macrophages which results in high amounts of IL-6 and IL-8 cytokine release. These findings suggest that the clearance of anoikic and autophagy-associated dying hESC-RPEs can be used as a new model for investigating AMD pathogenesis or for testing the in vivo potential of these cells in stem cell therapy.
Antennal Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism of Antennal Sensilla in Callitettix versicolor (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)
Authors: Zhu Qing , Wu Nan , Brożek Jolanta , Dai Wu
Published: February 2019

The rice spittlebug Callitettix versicolor (Fabricius) is an important pest of rice and maize in South Asia and causes severe economic damage. To provide background information for chemical ecology studies, the fine morphology of antennae and the types and distribution of the sensilla on the male and female antennae of Callitettix versicolor (Fabricius) are investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results show that the antenna is filiform and composed of three segments: a scape, a pedicel, and a flagellum. The female antennae are slightly shorter than the male antennae. In both sexes, four types and nine subtypes of sensilla were observed: sensilla basiconica (SB1, SB2), sensilla campaniformia (SCa1, SCa2 and SCa3), sensilla coeloconica (SCo1, SCo2 and SCo3) and sensilla trichodea (ST). In addition, sensilla coeloconica (SCo1) are observed on the membrane of the top of the pedicel in Cercopidae for the first time. Sexual dimorphism mainly occurs in variation in the number of sensilla coeloconica (SCo2, SCo3) on the bulb-shaped portion of the flagellum and in the shape of sensilla basiconica (SB2). There are significantly more sensilla coeloconica in males than in females. The external structure and distribution of these sensilla are compared to those of other cercopids and possible functions of the antennal sensilla are discussed.
Distinct Activities of Gli1 and Gli2 in the Absence of Ift88 and the Primary Cilia
Authors: Wang Yuan , Zeng Huiqing , Liu Aimin
Published: February 2019

The primary cilia play essential roles in Hh-dependent Gli2 activation and Gli3 proteolytic processing in mammals. However, the roles of the cilia in Gli1 activation remain unresolved due to the loss of Gli1 transcription in cilia mutant embryos, and the inability to address this question by overexpression in cultured cells. Here, we address the roles of the cilia in Gli1 activation by expressing Gli1 from the Gli2 locus in mouse embryos. We find that the maximal activation of Gli1 depends on the cilia, but partial activation of Gli1 by Smo-mediated Hh signaling exists in the absence of the cilia. Combined with reduced Gli3 repressors, this partial activation of Gli1 leads to dorsal expansion of V3 interneuron and motor neuron domains in the absence of the cilia. Moreover, expressing Gli1 from the Gli2 locus in the presence of reduced Sufu has no recognizable impact on neural tube patterning, suggesting an imbalance between the dosages of Gli and Sufu does not explain the extra Gli1 activity. Finally, a non-ciliary Gli2 variant present at a higher level than Gli1 when expressed from the Gli2 locus fails to activate Hh pathway ectopically in the absence of the cilia, suggesting that increased protein level is unlikely the major factor underlying the ectopic activation of Hh signaling by Gli1 in the absence of the cilia.
Exploring Possible Influence of Dust Episodes on Surface Marine Chlorophyll Concentrations
Authors: Kotta Dionysia , Kitsiou Dimitra
Published: February 2019

Desert dust deposition is thought to act as fertilizer for phytoplankton growth, since it is rich in the required nutrients. The Mediterranean Sea is a nutrient poor marine environment—with its eastern part being the most oligotrophic—which is subject to dust transport. The Hellenic Seas are part of this low-nutrient, low-chlorophyll environment and they are also affected by dust deposition events. Thus, the dust fertilizing effect can be particularly important, especially during the stratification period, when the nutrients needed for phytoplankton growth are not imported from deeper layers. Some individual dust events are examined here in respect of their possible influence on phytoplankton, through the observed variations of satellite derived chlorophyll concentrations. Two strong dust events that were also extreme weather events and three events in the June–September stratification period are examined for the Hellenic Seas as well as a strong dust event in the Central Mediterranean Sea. The results, only when based on absolute chlorophyll differences above 50%, show that dust events seem to favour phytoplankton abundance mainly during the low productive period; however, these differences are area-limited. The difficulty of reaching safe results through specific dust events and discriminating between other meteorological factors favouring phytoplankton growth are also discussed.