bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review of the PEA Method for Space Charge Measurements on HVDC Cables and Mini-Cables
Authors: Rizzo Giuseppe , Romano Pietro , Imburgia Antonino , Ala Guido
Published: September 2019

This review takes into account articles and standards published in recent years concerning the application of the Pulsed Electro Acoustic (PEA) method for space charge measurement on High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cables and mini-cables. Since the 80s, the PEA method has been implemented for space charge measurements on flat specimens in order to investigate space charge phenomena and to evaluate the ageing of dielectrics. In recent years, this technique has been adapted to cylindrical geometry. Several studies and experiments have been carried out on the use of the PEA method for full size cables and HVDC cable models. The experiments have been conducted using different arrangements of the measurement setup and focusing attention on different aspects of space charge phenomena. In this work, the importance of space charge measurement is highlighted and the state-of-the-art PEA method application to full size cables and mini-cables is described. The main aim of this paper is to offer a complete and current review of this technique. In addition, limits on the use of PEA method are examined and main possible directions of research are proposed in order to improve the applicability, reliability, and replicability of this method.
Evaluation of New Genetic Toolkits and Their Role for Ethanol Production in Cyanobacteria
Authors: Gundolf Richard , Oberleitner Sandra , Richter Juliane
Published: September 2019

Since the public awareness for climate change has risen, increasing scientific effort has been made to find and develop alternative resources and production processes to reduce the dependency on petrol-based fuels and chemicals of our society. Among others, the biotechnological fuel production, as for example fermenting sugar-rich crops to ethanol, is one of the main strategies. For this purpose, various classical production systems like Escherichia coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae are used and have been optimized via genetic modifications. Despite the progress made, this strategy competes for nutritional resources and agricultural land. To overcome this problem, various attempts were made for direct photosynthetic driven ethanol synthesis with different microalgal species including cyanobacteria. However, compared to existing platforms, the development of cyanobacteria as photoautotrophic cell factories has just started, and accordingly, the ethanol yield of established production systems is still unreached. This is mainly attributed to low ethanol tolerance levels of cyanobacteria and there is still potential for optimizing the cyanobacteria towards alternative gene expression systems. Meanwhile, several improvements were made by establishing new toolboxes for synthetic biology offering new possibilities for advanced genetic modifications of cyanobacteria. Here, current achievements and innovations of those new molecular tools are discussed.
Characterization of Core-Shell Spherical Lens for Microtracking Concentrator Photovoltaic System
Authors: Nakatani Masakazu , Yamada Noboru
Published: September 2019

The optical characteristics of a radially symmetrical core-shell spherical (CSSP) lens is analyzed for its suitability to application in microtracking concentrator photovoltaic systems (MTCPVs). The CSSP lens is compared to a conventional homogenous spherical lens through both ray-tracing simulations and outdoor experiments. Simulation results show that the CSSP lens is superior to the conventional homogenous spherical lens in terms of its optical efficiency for long focal lengths, for which the CSSP lens exhibits less spherical and chromatic aberrations. Outdoor experiments are conducted using test concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules with prototype CSSP and homogenous spherical lenses; the trend of the measured short circuit current agrees with the that of the simulated optical efficiency for both lenses. Furthermore, compared to the homogenous lens, the CSSP lens significantly increases module efficiency because of its better illumination uniformity at the solar cell surface. The optical characteristics of the CSSP lens are preferable for MTCPVs with a spherical lens array to achieve a higher module efficiency for a wider incidence angle although further studies on more practical system configurations are needed.
The Determination of Concession Period for Build-Operate-Transfer Solar Photovoltaic Power Project under Policy Incentives: A Case Study of China
Authors: Zeng Yu , Chen Weidong
Published: September 2019

Since the concession period is one of the most crucial variables influencing the success of a photovoltaic (PV) power project under build-operate-transfer (BOT) mode, this paper presents a real option game model—which integrates the real option and cooperative game theory—to determine the optimal concession period of the BOT solar PV power project under policy incentives by considering the value of the option to defer. In the proposed model, an effective interval of concession period for the BOT project was identified by using a real option, and the equilibrium value of the concession period was obtained by applying classical optimization theory. To evaluate our model, we empirically determined the optimal concession period for the BOT solar PV power project in China, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted to demonstrate how relevant influential factors, which are presented in the model, affect the equilibrium value of the concession period and its effective interval. The results indicate that the current investment environment in China could successfully implement the BOT solar PV power project under policy incentives, including initial cost subsidy and the feed-in tariffs mechanism. While the high volatility of electricity demand, investment cost, and land-use rent fee can lead the failure of the BOT solar PV project implementation, promoting the technological development of PV power generation, maintaining the market stability, and increasing the policy incentives can help the BOT power project to be arranged with an optimal concession period. In addition, the feed-in tariffs mechanism is more helpful than the initial cost subsidy for winning the BOT contract.
Mitigation Strategy for Duck Curve in High Photovoltaic Penetration Power System Using Concentrating Solar Power Station
Authors: Wang Qi , Chang Ping , Bai Runqing , Liu Wenfei , Dai Jianfeng , Tang Yi
Published: September 2019

Concentrating solar power (CSP) station is counted as a promising flexible power supply when the net load power curve is duck-shaped in high photovoltaic (PV) penetration power system, which may lead to the serious phenomenon of PV curtailment and a large-capacity power shortage. This paper presents a mitigation strategy that replaces thermal power station with CSP station to participate in the optimal operation of power system for solving the duck-shaped net load power curve problem. The proposed strategy utilizes the dispatchability of thermal storage system (TSS) and the fast output regulation of unit in the CSP station. Simultaneously, considering the operation constraints of CSP station and network security constraints of the system, an optimization model is developed to minimize the overall cost including operation and penalty. The results obtained by nonlinear optimization function demonstrate that the replacement of concentrating solar power (CSP) station contributes to reducing the PV curtailment and lost load, while increasing the available equivalent slope for power balance. Thus, the proposed mitigation strategy can promote the penetration of PV generation and improve the flexibility of power system.
Aboveground Biomass Response to Release Treatments in a Young Ponderosa Pine Plantation
Authors: Ritchie Martin , Zhang Jianwei , Hammett Ethan
Published: September 2019

Controlling competing vegetation is vital for early plantation establishment and growth. Aboveground biomass (AGB) response to manual grubbing release from shrub competition was compared with no release control in a twelve-year-old ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Lawson & C. Lawson) plantation established after a wildfire in northeastern California. In addition, response to chemical release followed by precommercial thinning in an adjacent plantation was also examined as a growth potential from a more intensively managed regime, where shrub competition was virtually eliminated. We measured AGB in both planted trees and competing woody shrubs to partition the biomass pools in the plantation. The results showed a significant grubbing treatment effect on basal diameter (BD) at 10 cm aboveground (p = 0.02), but not on tree height (p = 0.055). Height and BD were 2.0 m and 7.4 cm in the manual release, respectively, compared to 1.7 m and 5.6 cm in the control. However, chemical release produced much greater rates of tree growth with a height of 3.6 m and BD of 14.7 cm, respectively. Tree AGB was 60% higher with the manual release of shrubs (1.2 Mg ha−1) than with control (0.7 Mg ha−1) (p < 0.05). The planted area without shrub competition yielded a much higher green tree biomass (16.0 Mg ha−1). When woody shrub biomass was included, the total AGB (trees and woody shrubs) appeared slightly higher, but non-significant in the no release control (13.3 Mg ha−1) than in the manual release (11.9 Mg ha−1) (p = 0.66); the chemical release had 17.1 Mg ha−1. Clearly, shrub biomass dominated this young plantation when understory shrubs were not completely controlled. Although the manual release did increase targeted tree growth to some degree, the cost may limit this practice to a smaller scale and the remaining shrub dominance may create long-term reductions in growth and a persistent fuels problem in these fire-prone ecosystems.
Effects of Vegetation Restoration on the Distribution of Nutrients, Glomalin-Related Soil Protein, and Enzyme Activity in Soil Aggregates on the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Qiao Leilei , Li Yuanze , Song Yahui , Zhai Jiaying , Wu Yang , Chen Wenjing , Liu Guobin , Xue Sha
Published: September 2019

Research Highlights: Soil enzymes have a significant impact on the production of glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), directly and indirectly affecting the nutrient metabolism balance, but there is little available information on ecological stoichiometry in soil aggregates. Background and Objectives: Vegetation restoration changes community structure and species composition in ecosystems, thus changing the physicochemical properties of soil. Soil aggregate is the most basic physical structure of the soil. Therefore, in order to understand dynamic changes in soil aggregate nutrients as vegetation restoration progresses, we set out to investigate the nutrient distribution and utilization in aggregates, and how enzymes respond to the nutrient changes in achieving a nutritional balance along successive stages of vegetation restoration. Materials and Methods: We collected and analyzed soil from plots representing six different stages of a vegetation restoration chronosequence (0, 30, 60, 100, 130, and 160 years) after farmland abandonment on the Loess Plateau, China. We investigated soil nutrient stoichiometry, GRSP, and enzyme stoichiometry in the different successional stages. Results: The results revealed that soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, enzyme activity, and GRSP increased with vegetation recovery age, but not total phosphorus, and not all enzymes reached their maximum in the climax forest community. The easily extractable GRSP/total GRSP ratio was the largest at the shrub community stage, indicating that glomalin degradation was the lowest at this stage. Ecological stoichiometry revealed N-limitation decreased and P-limitation increased with increasing vegetation restoration age. Soil enzymes had a significant impact on the GRSP production, directly and indirectly affecting nutrient metabolism balance. Conclusions: Further study of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to identify changes in their category and composition is needed for a better understanding of how soil enzymes affect their release of GRSP, in order to maintain a nutrient balance along successive stages of vegetation restoration.
Drivers of the Distribution of Ecological Species Groups in Temperate Deciduous Managed Forests in the Western Carpathian Mountains
Authors: Gabor Marian , Beracko Pavel , Faltan Vladimir , Matecny Igor , Karlik Lukas , Petrovič František , Vallo Dusan , Machar Ivo
Published: September 2019

Managed broadleaf deciduous forests are an important type of forest vegetation in Central Europe, also in the Western Carpathians. These forests are both economically and environmentally valuable. However, little is known about ecological species groups and the inter-specific associations of dominant species in temperate deciduous managed forests in Central Europe. Since the forest stands are in a managed landscape, they are not consistent with the traditionally recognized and used vegetation associations in the Western Carpathians. For these reasons our research contributes to understanding the consequences of broadleaf deciduous forest management. The aim of this research was the determination of ecological species groups and an investigation into the main environmental drivers, in order to explain the distribution of ecological species groups. The numerical TWINSPAN classification was selected to distribute 146 relevés to the five ecological species groups. Of these, 77 relevés were divided into two groups with Fagus sylvatica dominant, while 63 relevés were Quercus petraea dominant. Carpinus betulus, Tilia cordata and Fraxinus excelsior were dominant in 19 relevés. Constrained Analysis of Principal Components was used to explain the vegetation–environment relationship on three transects in the Male Karpaty Mountains. Altitude, pH, Ca, C, K and Mg were selected as the significant environmental drivers responsible for a large part of the species group variability (31.8%). The main requirement for sustainable forest management is knowledge of the vegetation–environment relationship and this research was focused on gaining such understanding. This knowledge can be used as a decision support tool for sustainable management in managed deciduous forests.
Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Geographical Criteria for Loblolly Pine Management for Bioenergy Production in Virginia
Authors: Smith Meghann , Nguyen Gia , Wieczerak Taylor , Wolde Bernabas , Lal Pankaj , Munsell John
Published: September 2019

This study analyzed the perceptions of four stakeholder groups (forest landowners, private forest consultants, forest management researchers or educators, and federal or state agency foresters), regarding their management practices and preferred geographic growing conditions of loblolly pine in Virginia by combining AHP (analytical hierarchy process) and regression modeling. By ranking the importance of different geographical conditions for managing loblolly pine, we aimed to identify ways to support loblolly growth as a potential feedstock for biofuel generation. We achieved this through collecting survey responses from 43 stakeholders during the 2019 Virginia Forestry Summit. The results showed that the landowner, researcher/educator, and federal/state agency stakeholder groups all indicated that proximity to a mill was the most important criteria, whereas the consultant stakeholder group indicated that proximity to a road was the most important criteria. All the stakeholder groups indicated that distance from protected land was the least important criteria, followed by proximity to a water body and flat land. The regression model revealed that acres of land managed and loblolly rotation age were correlated to the weight given to the distance to a mill criterion, where increased acreage and increased rotation age were associated with an increased prioritization of proximity to a mill. Distance from protected land, the lowest-ranking criteria, was shown to have an association with the level of experience with loblolly, where more experience was associated with a lower prioritization of proximity from protected land. A contingency analysis of the self-identified level of experience with loblolly in each stakeholder group revealed that federal/state agency foresters had the most experience, followed by consultants, landowners, and researchers/educators. The research supports the importance of understanding the variation of perceptions between and within stakeholder groups in order to develop the necessary infrastructural and policy support for the sustainable development of bioenergy.
Genetic Characteristic and RNA-Seq Analysis in Transparent Mutant of Carp–Goldfish Nucleocytoplasmic Hybrid
Authors: Zhou Lingling , Liang Hongwei , Zhou Xiaoyun , Jia Jingyi , Ye Cheng , Hu Qiongyao , Xu Shaohua , Yu Yongning , Zou Guiwei , Hu Guangfu
Published: September 2019

In teleost, pigment in the skin and scales played important roles in various biological processes. Iridophores, one of the main pigment cells in teleost, could produce silver pigments to reflect light. However, the specific mechanism of the formation of silver pigments is still unclear. In our previous study, some transparent mutant individuals were found in the carp–goldfish nucleocytoplasmic hybrid (CyCa hybrid) population. In the present study, using transparent mutants (TM) and wild type (WT) of the CyCa hybrid as a model, firstly, microscopic observations showed that the silver pigments and melanin were both lost in the scales of transparent mutants compared to that in wild types. Secondly, genetic study demonstrated that the transparent trait in the CyCa hybrid was recessively inherent, and controlled by an allele in line with Mendelism. Thirdly, RNA-Seq analysis showed that differential expression genes (DEGs) between wild type and transparent mutants were mainly enriched in the metabolism of guanine, such as hydrolase, guanyl nucleotide binding, guanyl ribonucleotide binding, and GTPase activity. Among the DEGs, purine nucleoside phosphorylase 4a (pnp4a) and endothelin receptor B (ednrb) were more highly expressed in the wild type compared to the transparent mutant (p < 0.05). Finally, miRNA-Seq analysis showed that miRNA-146a and miR-153b were both more highly expressed in the transparent mutant compared to that in wild type (p < 0.05). Interaction analysis between miRNAs and mRNAs indicated that miRNA-146a was associated with six DEGs (MGAT5B, MFAP4, GP2, htt, Sema6b, Obscn) that might be involved in silver pigmentation.
Geological and Geomorphological Controls on the Path of an Intermountain Roman Road: The Case of the Via Herculia, Southern Italy
Authors: Gioia Dario , Del Lungo Stefano , Sannazzaro Annarita , Lazzari Maurizio
Published: September 2019

This work introduces the results of a geoarchaeological study about a large segment of a Roman road (i.e., Via Herculia, III and the beginning of IV century A.D.), which crossed the Lucanian segment of the southern Apennines (Italy). Classical approach of the archaeological research based on the analysis of bibliographic, archival, literary, archaeological, and historical sources allowed us to infer the Roman road path, which is quite different from previous hypotheses. Geoarchaeological analysis is based on the detailed mapping of lithological and geomorphological features of the study area and has been primarily focused on a well-known segment of the Roman road from Filiano to the southern mountains of the Potenza city (Sasso di Castalda). Our results suggest that the choice of the road path has been driven by the outcrop of some deposits and the presence of specific geomorphological landforms, such as low-relief areas in mountain landscape. Then, the same approach was applied to a sector with controversial archaeological evidences (i.e., the Upper Agri river valley), where geological and geomorphological analyses support archaeological research in the reconstruction of the ancient path. This integrated approach can help archaeology to understand and then discover ancient road paths crossing complex and impervious landscapes such as the intramontane lands.
Study on the Use of Cooking Oil in Chinese Dishes
Authors: Pu Gangwei , Lu Shijun , Zheng Mo , Huang Jiazhang , Cheng Guangyan
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this study was to research the amount of cooking oil used in mainstream Chinese cuisine, as well as the features of cooking oil used in different types of dishes. The results provide reference data for the assessment of edible oil intake for eating out. A total of 302 common Chinese dishes were chosen and prepared following standard procedures. The cooking oils used in these dishes were analyzed in terms of the cooking process, food material combination, types of primary food materials, type of cooking oil, and the purpose of the cooking oil. The results showed that the mean amount of cooking oil used per 100 g of food material was 8.1 g. There were no significant differences in the amount of cooking oil used in the eight major styles of Chinese cuisine. The average amount of cooking oil used in hot dishes (10.0 g) was higher than that used in cold dishes. The amount of cooking oil in pure meat, mixed meat-vegetable, and pure vegetable dishes was up to 10.9 g, 9.3 g, and 4.6 g, respectively. The findings of the present study could be used in future dietary surveys to determine the average oil consumption associated with different dishes. In addition, the results provide reference data for oil intake assessments in nutrition surveys or nutritional recipes.
Characteristics in Stages of Change and Decisional Balance among Smokers: The Burden of Obstructive Lung Diseases (BOLD)-Australia Study
Authors: Ivey Marsha A. , Maguire Graeme P. , Toelle Brett G. , Marks Guy B. , Abramson Michael J. , Wood-Baker Richard
Published: September 2019

Smoking cessation remains a health promotion target. Applying the Transtheoretical Model to Australian Burden of Obstructive Lung Diseases (BOLD) data, we examined differences in stages of change (SoC) and readiness to quit decisional behaviours. Factors were identified likely to influence readiness of smokers, ≥40 years old, to quit. Analysis was restricted to current smokers classified to one of three stages: pre-contemplation (PC), contemplation (C) or preparation (P) to quit. Their ability to balance positive and negative consequences was measured using decisional balance. Among 314 smokers, 43.0% females and 60.8% overweight/obese, the distribution of SoC was: 38.1% PC, 38.3% C and 23.5% P. Overweight/obesity was associated with readiness to quit in stages C and P and there were more negative than positive attitudes towards smoking in those stages. Males were significantly heavier smokers in PC and C stages. Females used smoking cessation medication more frequently in PC stage, were more embarrassed about smoking and had greater negative reinforcements from smoking. Age started smoking and factors related to smoking history were associated with readiness to quit and increased the odds of being in stage C or P. An overweight/obese smoker was likely to be contemplating or preparing to quit. In these stages, smokers have more negative attitudes toward smoking. Starting smoking later, taking advice on cessation from health providers and using quit medications indicate increased readiness to quit. Evaluating these factors in smokers and developing cessation gain-framed messages may prove useful to healthcare providers.
Elderly People’s Acceptance of Death: A Study of a Polish Cohort
Authors: Wysokiński Mariusz , Fidecki Wiesław , Jarosz Magdalena
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Old age is usually the natural time for people to prepare for death, which may evoke various emotions ranging from acceptance to hostility. Aim of the work: The study aimed at specifying various degrees to which elderly people accept death. Material and method: The study employed the diagnostic poll method and an Inventory of the Attitude towards Death (IAD) poll questionnaire. The investigation was administered in a cohort of 150 people over 65 years of age living in Poland. Results: The highest results were noted both for males and females on the “Value” scale (M = 4.94 and M = 4.96) and on the “Necessity” scale (M = 4.79 and M = 4.95). These two scales also had the highest values in the cohorts of city dwellers and country dwellers. A statistically significant difference (Z = 2.339, p = 0.019) was found in the “Necessity” dimension between investigated people with higher education and others. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found in the following dimensions: “Mysteriousness”, “Value”, “Dread”, “Tragedy”, and “Absurdity”. Comparing death dimensions in people with chronic illnesses and in those without such illnesses, meaningful statistical differences were noted in the “Necessity” dimension (t = 1.983, p = 0.049). However, analysing death dimensions in people who suffered because of a severe illness in a family member and respondents whose families were healthy, statistically significant differences were noted in the “Absurdity” dimension (t = 2.057, p = 0.041). Conclusions: Sex, the place of residence, and death of a close person did not affect elderly people’s acceptance of death. On the other hand, those suffering from chronic diseases were more aware of the inevitability of death. People without higher education were also more aware of the inevitability of death. Suffering of a serious disease of a close one considerably affected acceptance of death in the elderly.
Effect of Static Magnetic Field of Electric Vehicles on Driving Performance and on Neuro-Psychological Cognitive Functions
Authors: He Yaqing , Sun Weinong , Leung Peter Sai-Wing , Chow Yuk-Tak
Published: September 2019

Human neuropsychological reactions and brain activities when driving electric vehicles (EVs) are considered as an issue for traffic and public safety purposes; this paper examined the effect of the static magnetic field (SMF) derived from EVs. A lane change task was adopted to evaluate the driving performance; and the driving reaction time test and the reaction time test were adopted to evaluate the variation of the neuro-psychological cognitive functions. Both the sham and the real exposure conditions were performed with a 350 μT localized SMF in this study; 17 student subjects were enrolled in this single-blind experiment. Electroencephalographs (EEGs) of the subjects were adopted and recorded during the experiment as an indicator of the brain activity for the variations of the driving performance and of the cognitive functions. Results of this study have indicated that the impact of the given SMF on both the human driving performance and the cognitive functions are not considerable; and that there is a correlation between beta sub-band of the EEGs and the human reaction time in the analysis
Environmental Factors Associated with Malocclusion in Children Population from Mining Areas, Western Romania
Authors: Todor Bianca Ioana , Scrobota Ioana , Todor Liana , Lucan Alexandra Ioana , Vaida Luminita Ligia
Published: September 2019

Our study is based on the hypothesis that the prevalence of malocclusions in children is higher in the mining areas from North-Western (NW) Romania than in other geographic areas. We also considered that the distribution of the different types of malocclusions can be correlated with environmental factors. Therefore, the main purpose of the current study was to assess the prevalence of malocclusions in children from the mining areas in NW Romania. Another purpose was to establish the influence of certain environmental factors such as gender, geographical area of origin, and ethnicity on the distribution of malocclusions in order to provide an epidemiological reference for the planning of preventive and treatment programs adapted to the particularity of the mining areas. This cross-sectional study was performed in 2015–2016. The study batch consisted of 960 children from the mining areas, aged 7–14 years, in the period of mixed dentition and early permanent dentition. The clinical examination was conducted by a single examiner, an orthodontic specialist (TBI), in order to avoid inter-operator bias. Occlusion was registered according to Bjoerk. Occlusal clinical signs were followed for the determination of malocclusions. Most children had malocclusions (93.5%). The percentage of anomalies was significantly higher in subjects from Rosia Montana, in girls, and in the Romanians. Data showed that Angle Class I was the most prevalent malocclusion (60.21%), followed by crowding (47.5%), midline shift (43.33%), and deep bite (28.65%). The independent association between ethnicity and total malocclusions shows that the Romanian subjects presented a 3.31 higher chance of developing malocclusions than the Romani ones. The presence of malocclusions was independently influenced by all the studied environmental factors, namely gender, geographical area, and ethnicity. Our results could be relevant for oral health policy-making, i.e., planning preventive and treatment measures of malocclusions, adapted to the peculiarity of the studied mining areas.
Leisure Participation Behavior and Psychological Well-Being of Elderly Adults: An Empirical Study of Tai Chi Chuan in China
Authors: Li Jing , Hsu Chia-Chien , Lin Ching-Torng
Published: September 2019

Theoretical explanation concerning the psychological well-being of elderly adults as they participate in a particular leisure activity has been rare. Based on the theory of planned behavior and the technology acceptance model, this study sought to understand the Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) participation influence factors, process, and psychological well-being of Chinese people. A self-developed questionnaire was developed to test the hypotheses of this study. Applying structural equation models, a survey of 769 TCC participations were used to test the theoretical model. The results indicated that perceived usefulness significantly and positively affect respondent attitude, family members’ influences significantly and positively affect participants’ subjective norm, and resource facilitating conditions significantly and positively affect perceived behavioral control. Perceived behavioral control, attitude, and subjective norm significantly and positively affect TCC participants. The study lends support to the notion that leisure activity participation is vital for elderly adults and their well-being, and it develops a theoretical reference model for better understanding the leisure participation perceptual reasoning processes of elderly adults. Furthermore, the results offer important implications for health policy makers, clinical prevention, and interventions using participation behavior relationships to develop well-constructed leisure programs to attract and inspire participation and, hence, improve the psychological well-being of elderly adults.
Extracting Flooded Roads by Fusing GPS Trajectories and Road Network
Authors: She Shiying , Zhong Haoyu , Fang Zhixiang , Zheng Meng , Zhou Yan
Published: September 2019

Urban roads are the lifeline of urban transportation and satisfy the commuting and travel needs of citizens. Following the acceleration of urbanization and the frequent extreme weather in recent years, urban waterlogging is occurring more than usual in summer and has negative effects on the urban traffic networks. Extracting flooded roads is a critical procedure for improving the resistance ability of roads after urban waterlogging occurs. This paper proposes a flooded road extraction method to extract the flooding degree and the time at which roads become flooded in large urban areas by using global positioning system (GPS) trajectory points with driving status information and the high position accuracy of vector road data with semantic information. This method uses partition statistics to create density grids (grid layer) and uses map matching to construct a time-series of GPS trajectory point density for each road (vector layer). Finally, the fusion of grids and vector layers obtains a more accurate result. The experiment uses a dataset of GPS trajectory points and vector road data in the Wuchang district, which proves that the extraction result has a high similarity with respect to the flooded roads reported in the news. Additionally, extracted flooded roads that were not reported in the news were also found. Compared with the traditional methods for extracting flooded roads and areas, such as rainfall simulation and SAR image-based classification in urban areas, the proposed method discovers hidden flooding information from geospatial big data, uploaded at no cost by urban taxis and remaining stable for a long period of time.
TOST: A Topological Semantic Model for GPS Trajectories Inside Road Networks
Authors: Wu Tao , Qin Jianxin , Wan Yiliang
Published: September 2019

To organize trajectory data is a challenging issue for both studies on spatial databases and spatial data mining in the last decade, especially where there is semantic information involved. The high-level semantic features of trajectory data exploit human movement interrelated with geographic context, which is becoming increasingly important in representing and analyzing actual information contained in movements and further processing. This paper argues for a novel semantic trajectory model named TOST. It considers both semantic and geographic information of trajectory data happens along network infrastructure simultaneously. In TOST, a flexible intersection-based semantic representation is designed to express movement typically constrained by urban road networks by combining sets of local semantic details along the time axis. A relational schema based on this model was instantiated against real datasets, which illustrated the effectivity of our proposed model.
Heat Shock Proteins and Inflammasomes
Authors: Martine Pierre , Rébé Cédric
Published: September 2019

Heat shock proteins (HSP) regulate inflammation in many physiological contexts. However, inflammation is a broad process, involving numerous cytokines produced by different molecular pathways with multiple functions. In this review, we focused on the particular role of HSP on the inflammasomes intracellular platforms activated by danger signals and that enable activation of inflammatory caspases, mainly caspase-1, leading to the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Interestingly, some members of the HSP family favor inflammasomes activation whereas others inhibit it, suggesting that HSP modulators for therapeutic purposes, must be carefully chosen.
Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activity of Pollen Extract Collected by Stingless Bee Melipona fasciculata
Authors: Lopes Alberto Jorge Oliveira , Vasconcelos Cleydlenne Costa , Pereira Francisco Assis Nascimento , Silva Rosa Helena Moraes , Queiroz Pedro Felipe dos Santos , Fernandes Caio Viana , Garcia João Batista Santos , Ramos Ricardo Martins , Rocha Cláudia Quintino da , Lima Silvia Tereza de Jesus Rodrigues Moreira , Cartágenes Maria do Socorro de Sousa , Ribeiro Maria Nilce de Sousa
Published: September 2019

The stingless bee, Melipona fasciculata Smith (Apidae, Meliponini), is a native species from Brazil. Their products have high biotechnological potential, however there are no studies about the biological activities of pollen collected by M. fasciculata. In this context, the present study investigated the chemical composition, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities of hydroethanolic pollen extracts collected by M. fasciculata in three cities in Maranhão State, Brazil. We verified the antioxidant activity of the extracts and inhibitory activity against the cyclooxygenase enzyme using in vitro assays and in allowed to select the extract with higher efficiency to be used on in vivo assays. In these trials, the selected extract showed high anti-inflammatory activity as well as nociceptive effects at central and peripheral level, suggesting that this extract acts on inhibition of histamine release and decreased synthesis of prostaglandins and the in-silico study suggested that polyphenols and acids fatty acids in the extract may be associated with these activities. The results of the present study report the high biological potential of pollen extract and we conclude that the pollen collected by M. fasciculata can be considered as the object of research for new pharmacological alternatives.
Discontinued Drugs for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease from 2016 to 2018
Authors: Li Tingting , Jiang Sida , Ni Bingwei , Cui Qiuji , Liu Qinan , Zhao Hongping
Published: September 2019

Cardiovascular drug research and development (R&D) has been in active state and continuously attracts attention from the pharmaceutical industry. However, only one individual drug can eventually reach the market from about the 10,000 compounds tested. It would be useful to learn from these failures when developing better strategies for the future. Discontinued drugs were identified from a search performed by Thomson Reuters Integrity. Additional information was sought through PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and pharmaceutical companies search. Twelve compounds discontinued for cardiovascular disease treatment after reaching Phase I–III clinical trials from 2016 to 2018 are detailed in this manuscript, and the reasons for these failures are reported. Of these, six candidates (MDCO-216, TRV027, ubenimex, sodium nitrite, losmapimod, and bococizumab) were dropped for lack of clinical efficacy, the other six for strategic or unspecified reasons. In total, three candidates were discontinued in Phase I trials, six in Phase II, and three in Phase III. It was reported that the success rate of drug R&D utilizing selection biomarkers is higher. Four candidate developments (OPC-108459, ONO-4232, GSK-2798745, and TAK-536TCH) were run without biomarkers, which could be used as surrogate endpoints in the 12 cardiovascular drugs discontinued from 2016 to 2018. This review will be useful for those involved in the field of drug discovery and development, and for those interested in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Use Microfluidic Chips to Study the Phototaxis of Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Lin Fong-Yi , Lin Jin-Young , Lo Kai-Yin , Sun Yung-Shin
Published: September 2019

Cell migration is an important process involved in wound healing, tissue development, and so on. Many studies have been conducted to explore how certain chemicals and electric fields induce cell movements in specific directions, which are phenomena termed chemotaxis and electrotaxis, respectively. However, phototaxis, the directional migration of cells or organisms toward or away from light, is rarely investigated due to the difficulty of generating a precise and controllable light gradient. In this study, we designed and fabricated a microfluidic chip for simultaneously culturing cells and generating a blue light gradient for guiding cell migration. A concentration gradient was first established inside this chip, and by illuminating it with a blue light-emitting diode (LED), a blue light gradient was generated underneath. Cell migration in response to this light stimulus was observed. It was found that lung cancer cells migrated to the dark side of the gradient, and the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was proportional to the intensity of the blue light.
Proteome Profiling of the Exhaled Breath Condensate after Long-Term Spaceflights
Authors: Kononikhin Alexey , Brzhozovskiy Alexander , Ryabokon Anna , Fedorchenko Kristina , Zakharova Natalia , Spasskii Alexander , Popov Igor , Ilyin Vyacheslav , Solovyova Zoya , Pastushkova Lyudmila , Polyakov Alexey , Varfolomeev Sergey , Larina Irina , Nikolaev Evgeny
Published: September 2019

Comprehensive studies of the effects of prolonged exposure to space conditions and the overload experienced during landing on physiological and biochemical changes in the human body are extremely important in the context of planning long-distance space flights, which can be associated with constant overloads and various risk factors for significant physiological changes. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) can be considered as a valuable subject for monitoring physiological changes and is more suitable for long-term storage than traditional monitoring subjects such as blood and urine. Herein, the EBC proteome changes due to the effects of spaceflight factors are analyzed. Thirteen EBC samples were collected from five Russian cosmonauts (i) one month before flight (background), (ii) immediately upon landing modules in the field (R0) after 169–199 days spaceflights, and (iii) on the seventh day after landing (R+7). Semi-quantitative label-free EBC proteomic analysis resulted in 164 proteins, the highest number of which was detected in EBC after landing (R0). Pathways enrichment analysis using the GO database reveals a large group of proteins which take part in keratinization processes (CASP14, DSG1, DSP, JUP, and so on). Nine proteins (including KRT2, KRT9, KRT1, KRT10, KRT14, DCD, KRT6C, KRT6A, and KRT5) were detected in all three groups. A two-sample Welch’s t-test identified a significant change in KRT2 and KRT9 levels after landing. Enrichment analysis using the KEGG database revealed the significant participation of detected proteins in pathogenic E. coli infection (ACTG1, TUBA1C, TUBA4A, TUBB, TUBB8, and YWHAZ), which may indicate microbiota changes associated with being in space. This assumption is confirmed by microbial composition analysis. In general, the results suggest that EBC can be used for noninvasive monitoring of health status and respiratory tract pathologies during spaceflights, and that the obtained data are important for the development of medicine for use in extreme situations. Data are available from ProteomeXchange using the identifier PXD014191.
Silencing of cyp-33C9 Gene Affects the Reproduction and Pathogenicity of the Pine Wood Nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Qiu Xiuwen , Yang Lili , Ye Jianren , Wang Wei , Zhao Tiantian , Hu Hao , Zhou Guixiang
Published: September 2019

Cytochrome P450 genes are very important for plant-parasitic nematodes to reproduce and to metabolize xenobiotic compounds generated by their host plants. The pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, causes very high annual economic losses by killing large numbers of pine trees across Asia and into Europe. In this study, we used RNA interference (RNAi) to analyze the function of the cyp-33C9 gene of PWN. Our results showed that expression of the cyp-33C9 gene was suppressed successfully after soaking nematodes for 24 h in cyp-33C9 double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The silencing of the cyp-33C9 gene significantly decreased the feeding, reproduction, oviposition and egg hatch of B. xylophilus. Meanwhile, the migration speed of B. xylophilus in Pinus thunbergii was reduced in the early stages when the cyp-33C9 gene was silenced in the nematodes. Moreover, knockdown of the cyp-33C9 gene in B. xylophilus caused a decrease in pathogenicity to pine trees. These results suggest that the cyp-33C9 gene plays an important role in the reproduction and pathogenicity of B. xylophilus. This discovery identified several functions of the cyp-33C9 gene in B. xylophilus and provided useful information for understanding the molecular mechanism behind pine wilt disease caused by PWN.
Development of National Newborn Screening Quality Indicators in the United States
Authors: Yusuf Careema , Sontag Marci K. , Miller Joshua , Kellar-Guenther Yvonne , McKasson Sarah , Shone Scott , Singh Sikha , Ojodu Jelili
Published: September 2019

Newborn screening is a public health program facilitated by state public health departments with the goal of improving the health of affected newborns throughout the country. Experts in the newborn screening community established a panel of eight quality indicators (QIs) to track quality practices within and across the United States newborn screening system. The indicators were developed following iterative refinement, consensus building, and evaluation. The Newborn Screening Technical assistance and Evaluation Program (NewSTEPs) implemented a national data repository in 2013 that captures the quality improvement metrics from each state. The QIs span the newborn screening process from collection of a dried blood spot through medical intervention for a screened condition. These data are collected and analyzed to support data-driven outcome assessments and tracking performance to improve the quality of the newborn screening system.
Detection of Optic Disc Drusen in Children Using Ultrasound through the Lens and Avoiding the Lens—Point of Care Ultrasound Technique of Evaluation Revisited
Authors: Rajagopal Renuka , Mitchell Ellen , Sylvester Christin , Lope Lea Ann , Nischal Ken Kanwal
Published: September 2019

Aim: To assess whether the detection rate of optic disc drusen (ODD) in children with swollen optic discs varies if the ultrasound scan (USS) is performed through the lens or avoiding the lens. Methods: Retrospective review of the ultrasound machine database for all patients who underwent USS for swollen discs in the department of pediatric ophthalmology, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Only patients who had both fundus pictures and USS performed (through and avoiding the lens) were included in the study. Results: A total of 31 patients (62 eyes) were included in the study. USS detected ODD in 44% of eyes (27 of 62 eyes, 15 patients). In 82% of these eyes (22 of 27 eyes), the ODD were not detected initially when scanning was done through the lens but were only detected when scanning was performed avoiding the lens. Ten out of sixteen patients with no ODD on USS had another identifiable cause for disc elevation, including raised intracranial pressure and sleep apnea. Conclusion: Ultrasound is a sensitive diagnostic tool for detecting ODD. The rate of detection of ODD is increased when USS is done avoiding the lens in children where the ODD are usually buried and not as calcified as those found in adults. Under such circumstances, the reduced echogenicity is absorbed by the absorbent pediatric lens, thus limiting the detection rates when scanning through the lens.
Consensus-Derived Quality Performance Indicators for Neuroendocrine Tumour Care
Authors: Woodhouse Braden , Pattison Sharon , Segelov Eva , Singh Simron , Parker Kate , Kong Grace , Macdonald William , Wyld David , Meyer-Rochow Goswin , Pavlakis Nick , Conroy Siobhan , Gordon Vallerie , Koea Jonathan , Kramer Nicole , Michael Michael , Wakelin Kate , Asif Tehmina , Lo Dorothy , Price Timothy , Lawrence Ben ,   on behalf of the Commonwealth Neuroendocrine Tumour Collaboration (CommNETs)
Published: September 2019

Quality performance indicators (QPIs) are used to monitor the delivery of cancer care. Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are a family of individually uncommon cancers that derive from neuroendocrine cells or their precursors, and can occur in most organs. There are currently no QPIs available for NETs and their heterogeneity makes QPI development difficult. CommNETs is a collaboration between NET clinicians, researchers and advocates in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. We created QPIs for NETs using a three-step consensus process. First, a multidisciplinary team used the nominal group technique to create candidates (n = 133) which were then curated into appropriateness statements (62 statements, 44 sub-statements). A two-stage modified RAND/UCLA Delphi consensus process was conducted: an online survey rated the statement appropriateness then the top-ranked statements (n = 20) were assessed in a face-to-face meeting. Finally, 10 QPIs met consensus criteria; documentation of primary site, proliferative index, differentiation, tumour board review, use of a structured pathology report, presence of distant metastasis, 5- and 10-year disease-free and overall survival. These NET QPIs will be trialed as a method to monitor and improve care for people with NETs and to facilitate international comparison.