bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Could Fecal Microbiota Be a Useful Indicator of Serum Cholesterol Levels among Men?
Authors: Chih HuiJun , Smith Stuart C. , Hall Ramon S. , Johnson Stuart K.
Published: October 2020

Trepidation with blood tests among men may result in fewer routine screening and examination of their cardiovascular risk factors. Associations between fecal microbiota and serum cholesterols have not been well-established. The aim of this study was to explore such association in order to determine the potential of fecal microbiota as a non-invasive alternate predictor of serum cholesterols. Secondary data from a cross-over trial were analyzed. Associations between fecal microbiota, mainly Bifidobacterium and Clostridial group, of healthy men (n = 16) and their total cholesterols, low and high-density lipoprotein cholesterols (LDL-C and HDL-C) were assessed using generalized estimating equations, adjusted for diet intervention, diet order, frequency of defecation and flatulence level. For every two-fold increase in fecal Bifidobacterium, geometric mean of LDL-C increases by a factor of 1.23 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.49) whilst that of HDL-C increases by a factor of 1.07 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.10). For every two-fold increase in Clostridial group (C. ramosum, C. spiroforme and C. cocleatum), geometric mean of HDL-C decreases by a factor of 1.10 (95% CI: −1.16, −1.03). No association was found between total bacteria and serum cholesterols. Fecal Bifidobacterium spp. and Clostridium spp., are potential non-invasive surrogate markers of men’s serum cholesterols.
Deregulated Serotonin Pathway in Women with Morbid Obesity and NAFLD
Authors: Binetti Jessica , Bertran Laia , Riesco David , Aguilar Carmen , Martínez Salomé , Sabench Fàtima , Porras Jose Antonio , Camaron Javier , Castillo Daniel Del , Richart Cristóbal , Auguet Teresa
Published: October 2020

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) extends from simple steatosis (SS) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Peripheral serotonin (5-HT) has become as an important regulator of different metabolic pathways. 5-HT has been related to obesity and lipid accumulation in the liver. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between the 5-HT signaling pathway and the degree of NAFLD, as well as to investigate whether peripheral 5-HT levels are related to the hepatic and jejunal mRNA abundance of serotonin receptors (HTR) in a cohort of women with morbid obesity (MO) and NAFLD. ELISA was used to quantify the serum 5-HT from normal-weight subjects (n = 26) and patients with MO (n = 58). We used RTq-PCR analysis to evaluate the relative expression of HTR in women with MO with normal liver (n = 22), SS (n = 21), and NASH (n = 15). The 5-HT was diminished in women with MO under a hypocaloric diet, regardless of the presence of NAFLD. Additionally, we report a negative correlation of 5-HT levels with metabolic syndrome criteria, suggesting that serotonin may have a protective role in obesity. Additionally, the hepatic expression of HTR2A and HTR2B were decreased in women with MO and NAFLD, but no significant differences in the HTR jejunal expression according to the presence of NAFLD were found.
Evaluation of 1-Ethyl-3-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl) Carbodiimide Cross-Linked Collagen Membranes for Guided Bone Regeneration in Beagle Dogs
Authors: Ahn Jong-Ju , Kim Hyung-Joon , Bae Eun-Bin , Cho Won-Tak , Choi YunJeong , Hwang Su-Hyun , Jeong Chang-Mo , Huh Jung-Bo
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bone regeneration efficacy of an 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)-cross-linked collagen membrane for guided bone regeneration (GBR). A non-cross-linked collagen membrane (Control group), and an EDC-cross-linked collagen membrane (Test group) were used in this study. In vitro, mechanical, and degradation testing and cell studies were performed. In the animal study, 36 artificial bone defects were formed in the mandibles of six beagles. Implants were inserted at the time of bone grafting, and membranes were assigned randomly. Eight weeks later, animals were sacrificed, micro-computed tomography was performed, and hematoxylin-eosin stained specimens were prepared. Physical properties (tensile strength and enzymatic degradation rate) were better in the Test group than in the Control group. No inflammation or membrane collapse was observed in either group, and bone volumes (%) in defects around implants were similar in the two groups (p > 0.05). The results of new bone areas (%) analysis also showed similar values in the two groups (p > 0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that cross-linking the collagen membranes with EDC is the method of enhancing the physical properties (tensile strength and enzymatic degradation) of the collagen membranes without risk of toxicity.
Inhomogeneity and Anisotropy in Nanostructured Melt-Spun Ti2NiCu Shape-Memory Ribbons
Authors: Bhale Pranav , Ari-Gur Pnina , Koledov Victor , Shelyakov Alexander
Published: October 2020

Ti2NiCu exhibits outstanding properties, such as superelasticity. Recently, its functional properties were also demonstrated on the nanoscale, a fact that makes it the preferred choice for numerous applications. Its properties strongly depend on the manufacturing route. In this work, phase analysis, inhomogeneity, and texture of melt-spun Ti2NiCu ribbons were investigated using X-ray diffraction. Initially, the ribbons are amorphous. Passing an electric current result in controlled crystallization. Ribbons with 0%, 60%, and 96% crystallinity were studied. Both B2 austenite and B19 martensite phases were observed. Using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, the inhomogeneity across the thickness was investigated and found to be substantial. At the free surface, a small presence of titanium dioxide may be present. Pole figures of 60% and 96% crystallinity revealed mostly strong fiber <100>B2 texture in the thickness direction. These observations may be inferred from the manufacturing route. This texture is beneficial. The inhomogeneity across the thickness has to be considered when designing devices.
Brittle Materials in Mechanical Extremes
Authors: Bruno Giovanni
Published: October 2020

The goal of the Special Issue “Brittle Materials in Mechanical Extremes” was to spark a discussion of the analogies and the differences between different brittle materials, such as, for instance, ceramics and concrete. Indeed, the contributions to the Issue spanned from construction materials (asphalt and concrete) to structural ceramics, reaching as far as ice. The data shown in the issue were obtained by advanced microstructural techniques (microscopy, 3D imaging, etc.) and linked to mechanical properties (and their changes as a function of aging, composition, etc.). The description of the mechanical behavior of brittle materials under operational loads, for instance, concrete and ceramics under very high temperatures, offered an unconventional viewpoint on the behavior of brittle materials. This is not at all exhaustive, but a way to pave the road for intriguing and enriching comparisons.
Nickel-Embedded Carbon Materials Derived from Wheat Flour for Li-Ion Storage
Authors: Ding Wen , Wu Xiaozhong , Li Yanyan , Wang Shuo , Zhuo Shuping
Published: October 2020

The biomass-based carbons anode materials have drawn significant attention because of admirable electrochemical performance on account of their nontoxicity and abundance resources. Herein, a novel type of nickel-embedded carbon material (nickel@carbon) is prepared by carbonizing the dough which is synthesized by mixing wheat flour and nickel nitrate as anode material in lithium-ion batteries. In the course of the carbonization process, the wheat flour is employed as a carbon precursor, while the nickel nitrate is introduced as both a graphitization catalyst and a pore-forming agent. The in situ formed Ni nanoparticles play a crucial role in catalyzing graphitization and regulating the carbon nanocrystalline structure. Mainly owing to the graphite-like carbon microcrystalline structure and the microporosity structure, the NC-600 sample exhibits a favorable reversible capacity (700.8 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 after 200 cycles), good rate performance (51.3 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1), and long-cycling durability (257.25 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 800 cycles). Hence, this work proposes a promising inexpensive and highly sustainable biomass-based carbon anode material with superior electrochemical properties in LIBs.
Effect of Additive Ti3SiC2 Content on the Mechanical Properties of B4C–TiB2 Composites Ceramics Sintered by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Yan Xingheng , Zhou Xingui , Wang Honglei
Published: October 2020

B4C–TiB2 composite ceramics with ultra-high fracture toughness were successfully prepared via spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1900 °C using B4C and Ti3SiC2 as raw materials. The results showed that compared with pure B4C ceramics sintered by SPS, the hardness of B4C–TiB2 composite ceramics was decreased, but the flexural strength and fracture toughness were significantly improved; the fracture toughness especially was greatly improved. When the content of Ti3SiC2 was 30 vol.%, the B4C–TiB2 composite ceramic had the best comprehensive mechanical properties: hardness, bending strength and fracture toughness were 27.28 GPa, 405.11 MPa and 18.94 MPa·m1/2, respectively. The fracture mode of the B4C–TiB2 composite ceramics was a mixture of transgranular fracture and intergranular fracture. Two main reasons for the ultra-high fracture toughness were the existence of lamellar graphite at the grain boundary, and the formation of a three-dimensional interpenetrating network covering the whole composite.
Pulmonary Vein Activity Organization to Determine Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: Preliminary Data from a Pilot Study
Authors: Cervigón Raquel , Moreno Javier , Millet José , Pérez-Villacastín Julián , Castells Francisco
Published: October 2020

Ablation of pulmonary veins has emerged as a key procedure for normal rhythm restoration in atrial fibrillation patients. However, up to half of ablated Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients suffer recurrences during the first year. In this article, simultaneous intra-atrial recordings registered at pulmonary veins previous to the ablation procedure were analyzed. Spatial cross-correlation and transfer entropy were computed in order to estimate spatial organization. Results showed that, in patients with arrhythmia recurrence, pulmonary vein electrical activity was less correlated than in patients that maintained sinus rhythm. Moreover, correlation function between dipoles showed higher delays in patients with AF recurrence. Results with transfer entropy were consistent with spatial cross-correlation measurements. These results show that arrhythmia drivers located at the pulmonary veins are associated with a higher organization of the electrical activations after the ablation of these sites.
Research Progress in Preparation and Purification of Rare Earth Metals
Authors: Liu Hang , Zhang Yao , Luan Yikun , Yu Huimin , Li Dianzhong
Published: October 2020

The purity of rare earth metals is one of the most important factors to research and develop high technique materials. However, high purity rare earth metals are not easily achieved. This review summarizes the preparation and purification methods of rare earth metals. First, the preparation principle and process of molten salt electrolysis and metal thermal reduction are introduced. The main sources of metallic impurities and interstitial impurities in rare earth metals as well as the action mechanism of reducing the concentration of different impurities are analyzed and summarized. Then, the purification principle and process of vacuum distillation, arc melting, zone melting, and solid state electromigration are also discussed. Furthermore, the removal effect and function rule of metallic impurities and interstitial impurities in rare earth metals are outlined. Finally, the crucial issues in the development of high purity rare earth metals are put forward, and the development direction of high purity rare earth metals in future are pointed out on this basis.
Dietary Protein Intake Patterns and Inadequate Protein Intake in Older Adults from Four Countries
Authors: Gaytán-González Alejandro , Ocampo-Alfaro María de Jesús , Torres-Naranjo Francisco , González-Mendoza Roberto Gabriel , Gil-Barreiro Martha , Arroniz-Rivera Maritza , López-Taylor Juan R.
Published: October 2020

Recent interest in protein intake per meal is observed in studies that have reported the protein intake patterns in different countries; however, comparisons of these data are lacking. We aimed to compare protein intake patterns and the percentage of inadequate protein intake (IPI) per day and meal in older adults from different countries. We acquired data of protein intake in older adults from four countries (Mexico, United States of America, Germany, and United Kingdom). We compared protein intake (per day and meal), IPI per day and meal, and the number of meals with an adequate protein content among countries. The IPI per day significantly differed among countries for <0.8 and <1.0 (both p < 0.001), but not for <1.2 g/kg/d (p = 0.135). IPI per meal (<30 g/meal) did not differ among countries at breakfast (p = 0.287) and lunch (p = 0.076) but did differ at dinner (p < 0.001). Conversely, IPI per meal (<0.4 g/kg/meal) significantly differed among countries at breakfast, lunch, and dinner (all p < 0.001). The percentage of participants that ate ≥30 g/meal or ≥0.4 g/kg/meal at zero, one, and two or three meals per day significantly differed among countries (all p < 0.05). IPI at breakfast and lunch (<30 g/meal) was a common trait in the analyzed samples and might represent an opportunity for nutritional interventions in older adults in different countries.
Characteristic-Grouped Adiposity Indicators for Identifying Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents: Develop and Valid Risk Screening Tools Using Dual Population
Authors: Chin Yu-Ting , Lin Wei-Ting , Wu Pei-Wen , Tsai Sharon , Lee Chun-Ying , Seal David W. , Chen Ted , Huang Hsiao-Ling , Lee Chien-Hung
Published: October 2020

A simple, robust, and characterized adiposity indicator may be appropriate to be used as a risk screening tool for identifying metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adolescents. This study used dual adolescent populations to develop and validate efficient adiposity indicators from 12 characterized candidates for identifying MetS that may occur during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Data from the adolescent Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (n = 1920, 12–18 years) and the multilevel Risk Profiles for adolescent MetS study (n = 2727, 12–16 years) were respectively used as training and validation datasets. The diagnostic criteria defined by the International Diabetes Federation for adolescents (IDF-adoMetS) and the Joint Interim Statement for adults (JIS-AdMetS) were employed to evaluate MetS. In the training dataset, principal component analysis converted 12 interrelated obesity indices into bodyfat-, lipid-, and body-shape-enhanced groups, with the first two characteristic-groups having a higher discriminatory capability in identifying IDF-adoMetS and JIS-AdMetS. In the validation dataset, abdominal volume index (AVI) among girls and waist circumference (WC) among boys were respectively validated to have a higher Youden’s index (0.740–0.816 and 0.798–0.884) in identifying the two MetS. Every 7.4 and 4.3 positive tests of AVI (cutoff = 13.96) had an accurate IDF-adoMetS and JIS-AdMetS, respectively, and every 32.4 total tests of WC (cutoff = 90.5 cm) had a correct identification for the two MetS. This study stresses the discriminatory capability of bodyfat- and lipid-enhanced adiposity indicators for identifying MetS. AVI and WC were, respectively, supported as a risk screening tool for identifying female and male MetS as adolescents transition to adulthood.
Pediatric Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Nutritional Origins and Potential Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Mandala Ashok , Janssen Rachel C. , Palle Sirish , Short Kevin R. , Friedman Jacob E.
Published: October 2020

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the number one chronic liver disease worldwide and is estimated to affect nearly 40% of obese youth and up to 10% of the general pediatric population without any obvious signs or symptoms. Although the early stages of NAFLD are reversible with diet and lifestyle modifications, detecting such stages is hindered by a lack of non-invasive methods of risk assessment and diagnosis. This absence of non-invasive means of diagnosis is directly related to the scarcity of long-term prospective studies of pediatric NAFLD in children and adolescents. In the majority of pediatric NAFLD cases, the mechanisms driving the origin and rapid progression of NAFLD remain unknown. The progression from NAFLD to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in youth is associated with unique histological features and possible immune processes and metabolic pathways that may reflect different mechanisms compared with adults. Recent data suggest that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are important new biomarkers underlying pathways of liver injury. Several factors may contribute to pediatric NAFLD development, including high-sugar diets, in utero exposures via epigenetic alterations, changes in the neonatal microbiome, and altered immune system development and mitochondrial function. This review focuses on the unique aspects of pediatric NAFLD and how nutritional exposures impact the immune system, mitochondria, and liver/gastrointestinal metabolic health. These factors highlight the need for answers to how NAFLD develops in children and for early stage-specific interventions.
Carbohydrates, Starch, Total Sugar, Fiber Intakes and Food Sources in Spanish Children Aged One to <10 Years—Results from the EsNuPI Study
Authors: Samaniego-Vaesken Maria de Lourdes , Partearroyo Teresa , Valero Teresa , Rodriguez Paula , Soto-Méndez María José , Hernández-Ruiz Ángela , Lara Villoslada Federico , Leis Rosaura , Victoria Emilio Martínez de , Moreno José Manuel , Ortega Rosa M. , Ruiz-López María Dolores , Gil Ángel , Varela-Moreiras Gregorio
Published: October 2020

Diet quality is a modifiable factor that may contribute to the onset of diet-related chronic diseases. Currently, in Spain there are no studies that examine the intakes and sources for total carbohydrates, starch, total sugar, and fiber by both children consuming all kind of milks and children regularly consuming adapted milk formulas. Our goal was to evaluate the contribution of different food groups to total carbohydrates, starch, total sugar, and fiber consumption within the EsNuPI study participants by assessing their usual intakes by applying two 24 h dietary recalls that were completed by 1448 children (1 to <10 years) divided into two cohorts: one Spanish Reference Cohort (SRS) of the general population (n = 707) and another cohort which included children consuming adapted milks including follow-on milk, toddler’s or growing up milk, fortified and enriched milks, here called Adapted Milk Consumers Cohort” (AMS) (n = 741). Estimation of the usual intake showed that nutrient intake increased with age for all nutrients except for fiber. The percentage of children by age and gender who met the reference intake (RI) range for total carbohydrates, was in all groups more than 50% of individuals, except for girls aged 6 to <10 years from the reference cohort in which only 46.9% complied the RI. Median fiber intake, both in the SRS and the AMS, was well below the adequate intake (AI) for children between 3 and 10 years. Main total carbohydrates sources were cereals, followed by milk and dairy products, fruits, bakery and pastry, vegetables and sugars and sweets. The highest contributors to starch intakes were cereals, bakery and pastry, vegetables, and fruits. Major sources of total sugar intakes were milk and dairy products, fruits, bakery and pastry, sugars and sweets, vegetables, and cereals. Nonetheless, milk and dairy products, and fruits, mainly provided lactose and fructose, respectively, which are not considered free sugars. Higher contribution to fiber intakes was provided by fruits, cereals, vegetables and bakery and pastry. There were no significant differences in relation with the total sugar intake according to the body mass index (BMI) between SRS and AMS. The present study suggests a high proportion of children had total carbohydrates intakes in line with recommendations by public health authorities, but still a significant number presented insufficient total carbohydrate and fiber intakes, while total sugar consumption was high, with no major differences between SRS and AMS cohorts.
Offspring Birth Weight Is Associated with Specific Preconception Maternal Food Group Intake: Data from a Linked Population-Based Birth Cohort
Authors: Salavati Nastaran , Vinke Petra C. , Lewis Fraser , Bakker Marian K. , Erwich Jan Jaap H.M. , M.van der Beek Eline M.
Published: October 2020

The preconception period has been recognized as one of the earliest sensitive windows for human development. Maternal dietary intake during this period may influence the oocyte quality, as well as placenta and early embryonic development during the first trimester of pregnancy. Previous studies have found associations between macronutrient intake during preconception and pregnancy outcomes. However, as food products consist of multiple macro- and micronutrients, it is difficult to relate this to dietary intake behavior. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between intake of specific food groups during the preconception period with birth weight, using data from the Perined-Lifelines linked birth cohort. The Perined-Lifelines birth cohort consists of women who delivered a live-born infant at term after being enrolled in a large population-based cohort study (The Lifelines Cohort). Information on birth outcome was obtained by linkage to the Dutch perinatal registry (Perined). In total, we included 1698 women with data available on birth weight of the offspring and reliable detailed information on dietary intake using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire obtained before pregnancy. Based on the 2015 Dutch Dietary Guidelines and recent literature 22 food groups were formulated. Birth weight was converted into gestational age-adjusted z-scores. Multivariable linear regression was performed, adjusted for intake of other food groups and covariates (maternal BMI, maternal age, smoking, alcohol, education level, urbanization level, parity, sex of newborn, ethnicity). Linear regression analysis, adjusted for covariates and intake of energy (in kcal) (adjusted z score [95% CI], P) showed that intake of food groups “artificially sweetened products” and “vegetables” was associated with increased birth weight (resp. (β = 0.001 [95% CI 0.000 to 0.001, p = 0.002]), (β = 0.002 [95% CI 0.000 to 0.003, p = 0.03])). Intake of food group “eggs” was associated with decreased birth weight (β = −0.093 [95% CI −0.174 to −0.013, p = 0.02]). Intake in food groups was expressed in 10 g per 1000 kcal to be able to draw conclusions on clinical relevance given the bigger portion size of the food groups. In particular, preconception intake of “artificially sweetened products” was shown to be associated with increased birth weight. Artificial sweeteners were introduced into our diets with the intention to reduce caloric intake and normalize blood glucose levels, without compromising on the preference for sweet food products. Our findings highlight the need to better understand how artificial sweeteners may affect the metabolism of the mother and her offspring already from preconception onwards.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids Modulate Metabolic Pathways and Membrane Lipids in Prevotella bryantii B14
Authors: Trautmann Andrej , Schleicher Lena , Deusch Simon , Gätgens Jochem , Steuber Julia , Seifert Jana
Published: October 2020

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are bacterial products that are known to be used as energy sources in eukaryotic hosts, whereas their role in the metabolism of intestinal microbes is rarely explored. In the present study, acetic, propionic, butyric, isobutyric, valeric, and isovaleric acid, respectively, were added to a newly defined medium containing Prevotella bryantii B14 cells. After 8 h and 24 h, optical density, pH and SCFA concentrations were measured. Long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) profiles of the bacterial cells were analyzed via gas chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry (GC-ToF MS) and proteins were quantified using a mass spectrometry-based, label-free approach. Cultures supplemented with single SCFAs revealed different growth behavior. Structural features of the respective SCFAs were identified in the LCFA profiles, which suggests incorporation into the bacterial membranes. The proteomes of cultures supplemented with acetic and valeric acid differed by an increased abundance of outer membrane proteins. The proteome of the isovaleric acid supplementation showed an increase of proteins in the amino acid metabolism. Our findings indicate a possible interaction between SCFAs, the lipid membrane composition, the abundance of outer membrane proteins, and a modulation of branched chain amino acid biosynthesis by isovaleric acid.
Hydrological Response to Drought Occurrences in a Brazilian Savanna Basin
Authors: Junqueira Rubens , Viola Marcelo R. , Amorim Jhones da S. , Mello Carlos R. de
Published: October 2020

The Brazilian savanna is one of the world’s 25 biodiversity hotspots. However, droughts can decrease water availability in this biome. This study aimed to analyze meteorological and hydrological droughts and their influence on the hydrological behavior in a Brazilian savanna basin. For that, hydrological indicators were calculated to analyze the hydrological behavior in the Pandeiros river basin (PRB). The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Streamflow Index (SSI) were calculated for the hydrological year and rainy season from 1977 to 2018. The propagation of the meteorological to hydrological drought was studied by means of the Pearson coefficient of correlation between the SSI and SPI with 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12-month lags. A longer meteorological drought was observed from 2014/15 to 2017/18 which caused a reduction in the groundwater recharge, besides potentially reducing the ecological functions of the Brazilian savanna. This drought was intensified by an increase in the average annual temperature, resulting in the increasing of evapotranspiration. Regarding drought propagation, there is no significant difference among the coefficients of correlation from 0 to 6-month lags. For the lags of 9 and 12 months, the correlation decreases, indicating a greater influence of the current rainy season than the past ones.
Addressing Conceptual Randomness in IoT-Driven Business Ecosystem Research
Authors: Rezac Fabien
Published: October 2020

During the almost 27 years of its existence, the business ecosystem research has developed a substantial level of ambiguity and multifacetedness. Because to the technological advancements that promote interconnectedness and value co-creation, the field has consequently spun off into more domain-specific branches, such as the arena of digital business ecosystems that are driven by Internet of Things (IoT). Nonetheless, despite the efforts to mend the theoretical foundations and to close the gap between academia and empirical practice, the absolute majority of IoT-driven digital business ecosystem literature follows the trend of conceptual randomness while expanding the volume of publications exponentially. Therefore, in order to address this unfavourable increase in random adoption of distinct concepts that ultimately refer to the same subject matter, the author encourages other scholars involved in the research field of IoT-driven digital business ecosystems to make extended efforts and support the external validity of their research (as well as the relevance of the research stream as a whole) by bounding the IoT-driven digital business ecosystems on a rigorous basis through deploying the extant theory in a careful and appropriate manner. Via a thorough examination of the theoretical fundaments that underpin the concept of IoT-driven digital business ecosystem, and based on a concise thematic review of corresponding literature published until September 2020, this article articulates logic for viewing the conceptual hierarchy within the business ecosystem research and proposes six literature-based recommendations for developing further IoT-driven digital business ecosystem (DBE) research in a rigorous way.
Supervised Health Stage Prediction Using Convolutional Neural Networks for Bearing Wear
Authors: Suh Sungho , Jang Joel , Won Seungjae , Jha Mayank Shekhar , Lee Yong Oh
Published: October 2020

Early detection of faults in rotating machinery systems is crucial in preventing system failure, increasing safety, and reducing maintenance costs. Current methods of fault detection suffer from the lack of efficient feature extraction method, the need for designating a threshold producing minimal false alarm rates, and the need for expert domain knowledge, which is costly. In this paper, we propose a novel data-driven health division method based on convolutional neural networks using a graphical representation of time series data, called a nested scatter plot. The proposed method trains the model with a small amount of labeled data and does not require a threshold value to predict the health state of rotary machines. Notwithstanding the lack of datasets that show the ground truth of health stages, our experiments with two open datasets of run-to-failure bearing demonstrated that our method is able to detect the early symptoms of bearing wear earlier and more efficiently than other threshold-based health indicator methods.
A “Single-Use” Ceramic-Based Electrochemical Sensor Chip Using Molecularly Imprinted Carbon Paste Electrode
Authors: Aaryashree  , Takeda Yuuto , Kanai Momoe , Hatano Akihiko , Yoshimi Yasuo , Kida Masahito
Published: October 2020

An inexpensive disposable electrochemical drug sensor for the detection of drugs (vancomycin, meropenem, theophylline, and phenobarbital) is described. Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) templated with the target drugs was immobilized on the surface of graphite particles using a simple radical polymerization method and packed into the working electrode of a three-electrode ceramic-based chip sensor. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to determine the relationship between the response current and the concentration of the targeted drug while using one sensor chip for one single operation. The time required for each DPV measurement was less than 2 min. Concentrations corresponding to the therapeutic range of these drugs in plasma were taken into account while performing DPV. In all the cases, the single-used MIP sensor showed higher sensitivity and linearity than non-imprinted polymer. The selectivity test in drugs with a structure similar to that of the target drugs was performed, and it was found that MIP-based sensors were more selective than the untreated ones. Additionally, the test in whole blood showed that the presence of interfering species had an insignificant effect on the diagnostic responses of the sensor. These results demonstrate that the disposable MIP-sensor is promising for quick and straightforward therapeutic drug monitoring to prevent the toxic side effects and the insufficient therapeutic effect due to the overdose and underdose, respectively.
What, Who, and When? The Perceptions That Young Drivers and Parents Have of Driving Simulators for Use in Driver Education
Authors: Rodwell David , Larue Grégoire S. , Bates Lyndel , Haworth Narelle
Published: October 2020

Driver education providers may utilise technologies such as driving simulators to augment their existing courses. Understanding the perceptions that young drivers and parents have of simulators may help to make simulator-based driver education more accepted and more likely to be effective. Young drivers and parents completed an online questionnaire that included a “simulator invention” visualisation task. Items based on the Goals for Driver Education framework investigated perceptions of the most appropriate skill type, while others examined the most suitable target group for simulator training, and timing in relation to completing a formal driver education course for simulator training to occur. Both groups perceived that simulators were most appropriate for training a combination of physical, traffic, psychological, and social driving skills with learner drivers during attendance at a novice driver education program. Young drivers and parents had similar perceptions regarding the amount that each skill type should be trained using a simulator. Understanding the perceptions of young drivers and parents, and especially those who are somewhat naïve to the use of driving simulators, may aid in the introduction and administration of simulator training and may increase the effectiveness of driver education as a crash countermeasure.
Research Trends in the Economic Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste Management Systems: A Bibliometric Analysis from 1980 to 2019
Authors: Medina-Mijangos Rubí , Seguí-Amórtegui Luis
Published: October 2020

This article analyzes state-of the art studies that focus on the economic aspects (EA) of municipal solid waste (MSW) management systems, including an analysis of articles that have developed methodologies for economic analysis (MEA), as well as those which study the economic analysis of the externalities or external impacts related to these systems. The aim of this study was to determine the trends in research and critical points based on the literature available in the Web of Science database from 1980 to 2019. First, we present the statistics and general trends, then perform an in-depth bibliometric study using the VOSviewer software, which allows the results to be grouped according to references, authors, institutions, countries, and journals. The study showed that 563 articles about the economic aspects have been published, 229 about methodology development, and only 21 considered the methodologies for analyzing externalities generated by the MSW management systems. In general, there is great interest in the economic analysis of the systems and technologies that deal with transforming waste into energy.
Relationship between Resilience and Quality of Life in Patients with Fear of Hypoglycemia: The Mediating Effects of Anxiety and Depression
Authors: Ruiz-Aranda Desireé , Mateo-Rodriguez Carmen , Olmedo Isabel Serrano , García Clara García , Enríquez Alicia Justel , Martinez-Brocca María Asunción
Published: October 2020

Background: Fear of hypoglycemia is an important problem in individuals with diabetes and could produce a negative impact on blood glucose control and quality of life in individuals with type 1 diabetes. Aim: To analyze (1) the associations among resilience, diabetes-related quality of life, and anxiety and depression in patients with type 1 diabetes with fear of hypoglycemia and (2) whether anxiety and depression mediate the relationship between resilience and quality of life. Design: A non-experimental, descriptive correlational design was used. Methods: Participants were 30 patients with type 1 diabetes with fear of hypoglycemia. Data were collected using several questionnaires administered between September 2019 and March 2020. Results: Resilience played a significant role in the anxiety and depression that accompanies diabetes. Mediation analysis was performed to assess whether the association between resilience and quality of life was mediated by anxiety and depression in series. The results show that the effect of resilience was mainly mediated by anxiety but not by depression. Conclusions: This study provides further evidence that high resilience could be a protective factor against the development of psychological symptomatology, which has a high prevalence in chronic conditions such as diabetes and can improve quality of life. Impact: Our study addresses the relationship between the positive psychological characteristic of resilience and anxiety, depression, and quality of life and the association between these variables. The results indicate that resilience has a positive impact on quality of life in people with type 1 diabetes who experience fear of hypoglycemia. Moreover, health professionals who provide care to these individuals should consider implementing programs to build resilience.
Towards the Use of 3D Thermal Models in Constructions
Authors: Adán Antonio , Quintana Blanca , García Aguilar Juan , Pérez Víctor , Castilla Francisco Javier
Published: October 2020

The use of point clouds in architecture and civil engineering has, to date, been limited almost exclusively to functional geometric features. Nevertheless, hardly any works have attempted to process and explore 3D thermal models for buildings. This paper presents a method for the visualisation and exploration of 3D thermal models (3D-T) of building interiors. A 3D-T model consists of a thermal point cloud, which has been generated with a 3D thermal-scanner platform. Given a 3D-T of a building at a specific time, the user can visualise and navigate through different room models and each room can, in turn, be segmented into its architectonic components (walls, ceilings and floors), from which thermal orthoimages can be generated. When the building is sensed at different times, a 3D temporal-thermal (3D-TT) model is integrated. The temporal-thermal evolution of these structural components, along with selected zones of them, can then be analysed by performing a new type of thermal characterisation. This method has successfully been tested using real building-related data.
Organic Growth Theory for Corporate Sustainability
Authors: Karnama Ahmad , Vinuesa Ricardo
Published: October 2020

This paper introduces a theory for the evolution of corporates in which the growth and sustainability strategies are developed simultaneously. Since the introduction of corporate sustainability, it has been seen an extra cost for risk mitigation and making “compensating” positive impact. The world has reached a tipping point of volatility, mainly due to climate change but also due to the emergence of COVID-19, therefore the applicability of existing corporate structures is under question and this poses high risk to the existence of our planet. On the other hand, the technology cost for sustainable investment has reached parity in comparison with non-sustainable alternatives. Therefore, our proposed Organic Growth Theory introduces a step-by-step approach so that corporates can grow and be profitable without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It is concluded that a new structure for corporates, called founcorps, would be required to direct corporates to evolve into being a responsible legal entity.
The Sustainability of Artificial Intelligence: An Urbanistic Viewpoint from the Lens of Smart and Sustainable Cities
Authors: Yigitcanlar Tan , Cugurullo Federico
Published: October 2020

The popularity and application of artificial intelligence (AI) are increasing rapidly all around the world—where, in simple terms, AI is a technology which mimics the behaviors commonly associated with human intelligence. Today, various AI applications are being used in areas ranging from marketing to banking and finance, from agriculture to healthcare and security, from space exploration to robotics and transport, and from chatbots to artificial creativity and manufacturing. More recently, AI applications have also started to become an integral part of many urban services. Urban artificial intelligences manage the transport systems of cities, run restaurants and shops where every day urbanity is expressed, repair urban infrastructure, and govern multiple urban domains such as traffic, air quality monitoring, garbage collection, and energy. In the age of uncertainty and complexity that is upon us, the increasing adoption of AI is expected to continue, and so its impact on the sustainability of our cities. This viewpoint explores and questions the sustainability of AI from the lens of smart and sustainable cities, and generates insights into emerging urban artificial intelligences and the potential symbiosis between AI and a smart and sustainable urbanism. In terms of methodology, this viewpoint deploys a thorough review of the current status of AI and smart and sustainable cities literature, research, developments, trends, and applications. In so doing, it contributes to existing academic debates in the fields of smart and sustainable cities and AI. In addition, by shedding light on the uptake of AI in cities, the viewpoint seeks to help urban policymakers, planners, and citizens make informed decisions about a sustainable adoption of AI.
Growing and Eating Food during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Farmers’ Perspectives on Local Food System Resilience to Shocks in Southern Africa and Indonesia
Authors: Paganini Nicole , Adinata Kustiwa , Buthelezi Nomonde , Harris David , Lemke Stefanie , Luis Alberto , Koppelin Jennifer , Karriem Abdulrazak , Ncube Fezile , Nervi Aguirre Enzo , Ramba Tandu , Raimundo Inês , Sulejmanović Nedim , Swanby Haidee , Tevera Daniel , Stöber Silke
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak forced governments to make decisions that had adverse effects on local food systems and supply chains. As a result, many small-scale food producers faced difficulties growing, harvesting, and selling their goods. This participatory research examines local small-scale farmers’ challenges as farmers but also as consumers and their coping strategies during the month of April and one week in June 2020. The study was initiated and conceptualized in collaboration with small-scale farmer members of an existing research network in selected urban and rural areas in South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Indonesia. Participants co-designed the research, collected and uploaded data through digital survey tools, and contributed to data analysis and interpretation. A common observation across regions is that the measures imposed in response to COVID-19 highlighted and partly exacerbated existing socio-economic inequalities among food system actors. Strict lockdowns in Cape Town, South Africa, and Masvingo, Zimbabwe, significantly restricted the production capacity of small-scale farmers in the informal economy and created more food insecurity for them. In Maputo, Mozambique, and Toraja and Java, Indonesia, local food systems continued to operate and were even strengthened by higher social capital and adaptive capacities.
Public Strategy and Eco-Social Engagement in Latin American States: An Analysis of Complex Networks Arising from Their Constitutions
Authors: Luque González Arturo , Casado Gutiérrez Fernando
Published: October 2020

Over the past four decades, Latin American states have drafted relatively new constitutions in comparison with other regions of the world. These transformations, in some cases, have helped governments leave behind the former authoritarian regimes, or in others, have simply established a more democratic system incorporating a forward-looking approach to rights. For example, stronger individual and collective rights have been forged, together with new avenues for citizen participation. Certainly, many of the new constitutions grant a much broader base of rights, including collective political and territorial rights for indigenous communities, protections against ethnic, racial, and gender discrimination, and greater guarantees of privacy and control over information. Consequently, some Latin American constitutions are held up as among the best in the world. For this study, the constitutional texts of 22 Latin American countries were analyzed with the aim of understanding their regulatory changes and impacts, pointing out the existing inequalities they address, as well as the clear positive trend established in terms of the generation of greater social engagement.
Web Service Instant Recommendation for Sustainable Service Mashup
Authors: Zhang Feng , Chen Benming , Liu Cong
Published: October 2020

Service Mashups can help users to integrate data of multiple sources based on Web services composition. Considering a kind of sustainable service Mashup whose data requirement cannot be predetermined, so users need to choose and compose services in a tentative manner. Meanwhile, users can choose and compose services continually to obtain more data based on existing composition results. In such Mashups, a Web service is chosen according to the data provided by the service. Because it is difficult for users to choose from large amounts of services manually, it is a challenge to recommend services instantly for users during the construction of a sustainable service Mashup. This paper proposes an approach to recommend Web services instantly for a sustainable service Mashup. According to the services used in the service Mashup under construction, candidate services are chosen based on the Mashups that are similar to the constructing Mashup, as well as the parameter correlations of services from the perspective of actual operations of Web service composition. Experimental results indicate that the proposed approach has better precision, recall, and coverage values compared to existing state-of-the-art approaches, and therefore, it is more suitable for instant service recommendation of sustainable service Mashups.
How Can I Help You? Questioning the Role of Evaluation Techniques in Democratic Decision-Making Processes
Authors: Lami Isabella M. , Moroni Stefano
Published: October 2020

In the past, evaluation techniques were considered to be “decisional techniques”, “decisional tools”. There was a rough idea that, after the important data had been collected, the technique in question would, by itself, indicate the best decision. Evaluations of this kind clearly depended on the more or less implicit adoption of a “rational-comprehensive model”, which tended to downplay the ethical and political dimension of decisions, while stressing the role of both technique and technicians. This approach has been widely criticized. Partly as a result of such criticism, many evaluation techniques are now considered to be not “decisional tools” but forms of “decision aid”. The problem is that the expression “decision aid” lacks clarity and is by no means unequivocal in urban decisional situations. We believe in this regard that there is a gap in research and in the academic literature. Starting from this conviction, the article presents an investigation of what being a “decision aid” might mean for a technical evaluation today. The aim is to provide a conceptual framework within which to critically revisit and rediscuss the question, with particular regard to urban sustainability issues.