bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Mobile Phone-Based Interventions for Improving Health Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Son Youn-Jung , Lee Yaelim , Lee Hyeon-Ju
Published: March 2020

Mobile phone-based interventions are increasingly used to prevent adverse health outcomes in heart failure patients. However, the effects of mobile phone-based interventions on the health outcomes of heart failure patients remain unclear. Our review aims to synthesize the randomized controlled trials (RCT) of mobile phone-based interventions for heart failure patients and identify the intervention features that are most effective. Electronic searches of RCTs published from January 2000 to July 2019 were conducted. Primary outcomes included all-cause mortality, readmission, emergency department visits, length of hospital stays, and quality of life. Secondary outcomes were self-care behaviors, including medication adherence and other clinical outcomes. A total of eight studies with varying methodological quality met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Voice call intervention was more frequently used compared with telemonitoring and short message services. Our meta-analysis showed that voice call interventions had significant effects on the length of hospital stays. However, no significant effects on all-cause mortality, readmission, emergency department visits, or quality of life were found. Compared to other mobile phone-based interventions, voice calls were more effective in reducing the length of hospital stay. Future studies are needed to identify which features of mobile phone-based intervention most effectively improve health outcomes.
Determining How Far an Adult Rare Disease Patient Needs to Travel for a Definitive Diagnosis: A Cross-Sectional Examination of the 2018 National Rare Disease Survey in China
Authors: Yan Xiang , He Shenjing , Dong Dong
Published: March 2020

Background: To investigate the multidimensional difficulties in accessing a definitive diagnosis of adult rare diseases and the associated impact factors in China. Methods: A total of 1010 adult rare disease patients from the 2018 China Rare Disease Survey were used for analysis. The Structural Equation Models examined the interrelationships among five accessibility indicators and the effects of three sets of impact factors. Results: (1) Accessibility: 72.97% of patients were misdiagnosed; they waited an average of 4.30 years and visited 2.97 hospitals before the definitive diagnosis; 67.13% were diagnosed outside the home city and traveled an average of 562 km. (2) Interrelationships among accessibility indicators: the experience of misdiagnosis significantly increased diagnosis delay and the number of hospitals visited, but had no significant effect on healthcare utilization across cities. (3) Impact factors: the rarity of disease only increased the number of hospitals visited and residence–hospital distance; high-quality healthcare distribution was key in determining accessibility; the older, disabled, poor, and less-educated individuals, and those in Central/West China were disadvantaged. Conclusion: The socioeconomic dimension of difficulties in accessing a definitive diagnosis of rare diseases should be attended, especially the uneven distribution of high-quality healthcare and those disadvantaged patients. More systematic rare disease surveys are needed in the future.
Dynamic Analysis and Prediction of Food Nitrogen Footprint of Urban and Rural Residents in Shanghai
Authors: Xia Yuling , Liao Chengsong , Wu Dianming , Liu Yanzhuo
Published: March 2020

The food nitrogen (N) footprint reflects the amount of reactive N emission and its impact on the environment as a result of food production and consumption to satisfy the basic food demands of an urban population. The N-Calculator model was used to estimate the food N footprint and its dynamic changes in Shanghai from 2000 to 2017, and the auto regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) time series model was used to predict the food N footprint in Shanghai from 2018 to 2027. The results show that the food N footprint was higher in urban areas (15.3–18.8 kg N/capita/yr) than rural areas (12.6–17.4 kg N/capita/yr) of Shanghai from 2000 to 2017. The change in the food N footprint was consistent with changes in food consumption in urban and rural areas, and the total food N footprint of urban and rural residents was positively correlated with the per capita disposable income and population whereas it was negatively correlated with the Engel’s Coefficient and price index. It was predicted that the per capita food N footprint will gradually decrease in 2018–2027 in urban areas of Shanghai, but it will generally increase in the rural areas. This study will help to initiate policy interventions for sustainable N management and contribute to the achievement of key sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Linking Ecosystem Services to Land Use Decisions: Policy Analyses, Multi-Scenarios, and Integrated Modelling
Authors: Peng Li , Chen Tiantian , Wang Qiang , Deng Wei
Published: March 2020

Rapid industrialization and urbanization have brought dramatic changes to land use structure and layout but have caused several negative impacts on the ecosystem and environment. Increasing the supply of ecosystem services (ESs) in important ecological regions through land use optimization is one strategy that must be seriously considered in land use planning. However, existing land use optimization primarily focuses on economic outcomes, and is difficult to adapt to the practical needs of ecological civilization construction in China. Therefore, we formulated a framework that links ESs to land use decisions by combining policy analyses, multi-scenarios and integrated modelling. The paper is organized into three main parts. First, we conduct a systematic literature review to land use change (LUCC), ESs, and their relationship. Next, we build on insights from the literature review to develop a conceptual framework that integrates ESs into land use optimization. The framework includes a quantitative analysis and spatial allocation of land use. For the quantitative analysis, in addition to considering the development trends, we set ESs to achieve national requirements. Then, an optimized scenario targeted at the maximum ecosystem service value was built. For the spatial allocation, we combined multi-layer perception (MLP) and cellular automaton (CA) and developed an MLP-CA model independently. Last, an empirical study of the proposed framework was implemented in Puge County, China. Our results provide a new technical tool for the layout of optimal land use under the constraint of ecological protection policies and provides a way to address trade-offs between ecological, social, and economic values.
Perinuclear Lamin A and Nucleoplasmic Lamin B2 Characterize Two Types of Hippocampal Neurons through Alzheimer’s Disease Progression
Authors: Gil Laura , Niño Sandra A. , Chi-Ahumada Erika , Rodríguez-Leyva Ildelfonso , Guerrero Carmen , Rebolledo Ana Belén , Arias José A. , Jiménez-Capdeville María E.
Published: March 2020

Background. Recent reports point to a nuclear origin of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Aged postmitotic neurons try to repair their damaged DNA by entering the cell cycle. This aberrant cell cycle re-entry involves chromatin modifications where nuclear Tau and the nuclear lamin are involved. The purpose of this work was to elucidate their participation in the nuclear pathological transformation of neurons at early AD. Methodology. The study was performed in hippocampal paraffin embedded sections of adult, senile, and AD brains at I-VI Braak stages. We analyzed phospho-Tau, lamins A, B1, B2, and C, nucleophosmin (B23) and the epigenetic marker H4K20me3 by immunohistochemistry. Results. Two neuronal populations were found across AD stages, one is characterized by a significant increase of Lamin A expression, reinforced perinuclear Lamin B2, elevated expression of H4K20me3 and nuclear Tau loss, while neurons with nucleoplasmic Lamin B2 constitute a second population. Conclusions. The abnormal cell cycle reentry in early AD implies a fundamental neuronal transformation. This implies the reorganization of the nucleo-cytoskeleton through the expression of the highly regulated Lamin A, heterochromatin repression and building of toxic neuronal tangles. This work demonstrates that nuclear Tau and lamin modifications in hippocampal neurons are crucial events in age-related neurodegeneration.
The Biology of Prostaglandins and Their Role as a Target for Allergic Airway Disease Therapy
Authors: Lee Kijeong , Lee Sang Hag , Kim Tae Hoon
Published: March 2020

Prostaglandins (PGs) are a family of lipid compounds that are derived from arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenase pathway, and consist of PGD2, PGI2, PGE2, PGF2, and thromboxane B2. PGs signal through G-protein coupled receptors, and individual PGs affect allergic inflammation through different mechanisms according to the receptors with which they are associated. In this review article, we have focused on the metabolism of the cyclooxygenase pathway, and the distinct biological effect of each PG type on various cell types involved in allergic airway diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.
Drinking and Water Handling in the Medaka Intestine: A Possible Role of Claudin-15 in Paracellular Absorption?
Authors: Tipsmark Christian K. , Nielsen Andreas M. , Bossus Maryline C. , Ellis Laura V. , Baun Christina , Andersen Thomas L. , Dreier Jes , Brewer Jonathan R. , Madsen Steffen S.
Published: March 2020

When euryhaline fish move between fresh water (FW) and seawater (SW), the intestine undergoes functional changes to handle imbibed SW. In Japanese medaka, the potential transcellular aquaporin-mediated conduits for water are paradoxically downregulated during SW acclimation, suggesting paracellular transport to be of principal importance in hyperosmotic conditions. In mammals, intestinal claudin-15 (CLDN15) forms paracellular channels for small cations and water, which may participate in water transport. Since two cldn15 paralogs, cldn15a and cldn15b, have previously been identified in medaka, we examined the salinity effects on their mRNA expression and immunolocalization in the intestine. In addition, we analyzed the drinking rate and intestinal water handling by adding non-absorbable radiotracers, 51-Cr-EDTA or 99-Tc-DTPA, to the water. The drinking rate was >2-fold higher in SW than FW-acclimated fish, and radiotracer experiments showed anterior accumulation in FW and posterior buildup in SW intestines. Salinity had no effect on expression of cldn15a, while cldn15b was approximately 100-fold higher in FW than SW. Despite differences in transcript dynamics, Cldn15a and Cldn15b proteins were both similarly localized in the apical tight junctions of enterocytes, co-localizing with occludin and with no apparent difference in localization and abundance between FW and SW. The stability of the Cldn15 protein suggests a physiological role in water transport in the medaka intestine.
Biomaterial-Related Infections
Authors: Martins Natália , Rodrigues Célia F.
Published: March 2020

Medical devices are a typical and important part of health care for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes [...]
Image-Based Molecular Phenotyping of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kaissis Georgios A. , Ziegelmayer Sebastian , Lohöfer Fabian K. , Harder Felix N. , Jungmann Friederike , Sasse Daniel , Muckenhuber Alexander , Yen Hsi-Yu , Steiger Katja , Siveke Jens , Friess Helmut , Schmid Roland , Weichert Wilko , Makowski Marcus R. , Braren Rickmer F.
Published: March 2020

To bridge the translational gap between recent discoveries of distinct molecular phenotypes of pancreatic cancer and tangible improvements in patient outcome, there is an urgent need to develop strategies and tools informing and improving the clinical decision process. Radiomics and machine learning approaches can offer non-invasive whole tumor analytics for clinical imaging data-based classification. The retrospective study assessed baseline computed tomography (CT) from 207 patients with proven pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Following expert level manual annotation, Pyradiomics was used for the extraction of 1474 radiomic features. The molecular tumor subtype was defined by immunohistochemical staining for KRT81 and HNF1a as quasi-mesenchymal (QM) vs. non-quasi-mesenchymal (non-QM). A Random Forest machine learning algorithm was developed to predict the molecular subtype from the radiomic features. The algorithm was then applied to an independent cohort of histopathologically unclassifiable tumors with distinct clinical outcomes. The classification algorithm achieved a sensitivity, specificity and ROC-AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) of 0.84 ± 0.05, 0.92 ± 0.01 and 0.93 ± 0.01, respectively. The median overall survival for predicted QM and non-QM tumors was 16.1 and 20.9 months, respectively, log-rank-test p = 0.02, harzard ratio (HR) 1.59. The application of the algorithm to histopathologically unclassifiable tumors revealed two groups with significantly different survival (8.9 and 39.8 months, log-rank-test p < 0.001, HR 4.33). The machine learning-based analysis of preoperative (CT) imaging allows the prediction of molecular PDAC subtypes highly relevant for patient survival, allowing advanced pre-operative patient stratification for precision medicine applications.
Assessment of Physical Activity Patterns in Adolescent Patients with Anorexia Nervosa and Their Effect on Weight Gain
Authors: Kemmer Miriam , Correll Christoph U. , Hofmann Tobias , Stengel Andreas , Grosser Julia , Haas Verena
Published: March 2020

(1) Background: Altered physical activity (PA) affects weight recovery in anorexia nervosa (AN) patients. The study aimed to objectively characterize PA patterns and their effect on weight trajectory in adolescent AN patients. (2) Methods: PA was assessed in 47 patients on admission to inpatient treatment, in n = 25 of these patients again 4 weeks after discharge (follow-up, FU), as well as in 20 adolescent healthy controls using the Sense Wear™ armband. The following PA categories were defined by metabolic equivalent (MET) ranges: sedentary behavior (SB), light (LPA), moderate (MPA), vigorous (VPA), and high-level PA (HLPA= MPA + VPA). (3) Results: LPA on admission was significantly higher in AN patients than in controls (103 vs. 55 min/d, p < 0.001), and LPA in AN decreased over time to 90 min/d (p = 0.006). Patients with higher admission LPA (n = 12) still had elevated LPA at FU (p = 0.003). High admission LPA was associated with a higher inpatient BMI percentage gain (ΔBMI%; 18.2% ± 10.0% vs. 12.0% ± 9.7%, p = 0.037) but with a loss of ΔBMI% at FU (−2.3% ± 3.6% vs. 0.8% ± 3.6%, p = 0.045). HLPA at baseline was associated with a lower inpatient ΔBMI% (p = 0.045). (4) Conclusion: Elevated LPA in AN patients decreased after inpatient treatment, and PA patterns had an impact on weight trajectory.
Antibiofilm and Immune Response of Engineered Bioactive Nanoparticles for Endodontic Disinfection
Authors: Hussein Hebatullah , Kishen Anil
Published: March 2020

The biological aim of root canal treatment is to facilitate periapical tissue healing following endodontic therapy. This study aimed to develop an organotypic infected root canal model to understand the interaction of bacterial biofilm with macrophages and study the therapeutic effect of engineered bioactive chitosan nanoparticles (CSnp) on macrophages. Ex-vivo experiments were conducted in two phases; Phase-1: Enterococcus faecalis biofilms (two and six weeks old) developed in organotypic root canal model were used to characterize residual biofilm after conventional chemical treatment alone and combined with CSnp utilizing Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and colony-forming units from pulverized dentin. Phase-2: The interaction of post-treatment biofilm and RAW macrophages was evaluated regarding pro/anti-inflammatory markers, cell viability and spreading at 24, 48 and 72 h. Compared to conventionally disinfected six-week-old biofilm, CSnp resulted in less viable bacteria (p < 0.01). Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated disruption of the biofilm. CSnp exhibited less residual bacterial load in pulverized dentin (p < 0.001). Macrophage interaction with CSnp-treated biofilm reduced proinflammatory markers (nitric oxide, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), increased anti-inflammatory marker (TGF-β1) and enhanced cell survival and spreading over time (p < 0.01 at 72 h). Engineered chitosan nanoparticles concurrently inactivated biofilm and altered the inflammatory response of macrophages that would promote healing.
Body Composition, Serum Concentrations of Androgens and Insulin Resistance in Different Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Phenotypes
Authors: Polak Aleksandra Maria , Adamska Agnieszka , Krentowska Anna , Łebkowska Agnieszka , Hryniewicka Justyna , Adamski Marcin , Kowalska Irina
Published: March 2020

Insulin resistance and hyperandrogenemia observed in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are associated with metabolic disturbances and could be connected with body composition pattern. To date, several studies defining the parameters of body composition using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method in the group of PCOS patients have been published, however, without the analysis in different phenotypes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between serum androgens concentration, insulin resistance and distribution of fat mass using DXA method in various PCOS phenotypes according to the Rotterdam criteria. We examined 146 women: 34 (38%) had PCOS phenotype A, 20 (23%) phenotype B, 20 (23%) phenotype C and 15 (16%) phenotype D (with mean age of each phenotype 25 years), and 57 control subjects (mean age of 25.5 years). Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Serum concentrations of testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) were assessed and free androgen index (FAI) was calculated. In phenotypes A, B and C, we observed higher FAI in comparison to the control group (all p < 0.01). Serum concentrations of androstenedione and DHEA-S were higher in phenotypes A and C in comparison to the control group (all p < 0.01). However, only in phenotype A we found higher visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass and android/gynoid ratio (A/G ratio) in comparison to the control group (all p < 0.01). In phenotype A, we observed connection of VAT with FAI (r = 0.58, p < 0.01). Accordingly, A/G ratio was related with FAI in all phenotypes (all p < 0.05). Additionally, in phenotype C, A/G ratio was related to serum concentrations of DHEA-S and androstenedione (r = 0.46, p = 0.03; r = 0.53, p = 0.01, respectively). We also found connections of HOMA-IR with VAT and A/G ratio in all phenotypes (all p < 0.05). Women with phenotype A had higher amount of VAT and A/G ratio in comparison to the control group. Serum concentration of androgens and insulin resistance are connected with VAT and A/G ratio in normoandrogenic and hyperandrogenic PCOS phenotypes.
TMJ Dysfunction and Systemic Correlation
Authors: Fiorillo Luca , Musumeci Giuseppe
Published: March 2020

In recent years it has been conclusively shown how the position of the mouth in relation to the body affects the way of walking and standing. In particular, occlusion, the relationship between skull and jaw, swallowing and convergence of the eyes are in neuro-muscular relationship with the control and maintenance system of posture, integrating at different levels. This manuscript aims to be a summary of all the oral, occlusal and articular dysfunctions of TMJ with systemic and postural–muscular repercussions. Recent articles found in the literature that are taken into consideration and briefly analyzed represent an important starting point for these correlations, which are still unclear in the medical field. Posturology, occlusal and oral influences on posture, spine and muscular system are still much debated today. In the literature, there are articles concerning sports performance and dental occlusion or even the postural characteristics of adolescents or children in deciduous and mixed dentition. The temporomandibular joint, as the only joint of the skull, could therefore represent a site to pay particular attention to, and in some cases an ATM dysfunction could be a clue for the diagnosis of systemic pathologies, or it could be the repercussion.
Experimental Investigation of the Mooring System of a Wave Energy Converter in Operating and Extreme Wave Conditions
Authors: Sirigu Sergej Antonello , Bonfanti Mauro , Begovic Ermina , Bertorello Carlo , Dafnakis Panagiotis , Giorgi Giuseppe , Bracco Giovanni , Mattiazzo Giuliana
Published: March 2020

A proper design of the mooring systems for Wave Energy Converters (WECs) requires an accurate investigation of both operating and extreme wave conditions. A careful analysis of these systems is required to design a mooring configuration that ensures station keeping, reliability, maintainability, and low costs, without affecting the WEC dynamics. In this context, an experimental campaign on a 1:20 scaled prototype of the ISWEC (Inertial Sea Wave Energy Converter), focusing on the influence of the mooring layout on loads in extreme wave conditions, is presented and discussed. Two mooring configurations composed of multiple slack catenaries with sub-surface buoys, with or without clump-weights, have been designed and investigated experimentally. Tests in regular, irregular, and extreme waves for a moored model of the ISWEC device have been performed at the University of Naples Federico II. The aim is to identify a mooring solution that could guarantee both correct operation of the device and load carrying in extreme sea conditions. Pitch motion and loads in the rotational joint have been considered as indicators of the device hydrodynamic behavior and mooring configuration impact on the WEC.
Combined Depth Control Strategy for Low-Speed and Long-Range Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
Authors: Bi Anyuan , Zhao Fengye , Zhang Xiantao , Ge Tong
Published: March 2020

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are increasingly being applied to highly detailed survey and inspection tasks over large ocean regions. These vehicles are required to have underwater hovering and low-speed cruising capabilities, and energy-saving property to enable long-range missions. To this end, a combined depth control strategy is proposed in which an on-off type variable ballast system (VBS) is adopted for satisfactory hovering or fast descending/ascending without propulsion to reach the designated cruising depth, whereas the bow and stern fins act as the actuator to maintain the cruising depth for more energy saving. A hierarchical architecture-based VBS controller, which comprises a ballast water mass planner and an on-off mass flowrate controller, is developed to assure good hovering performance of the on-off type VBS. Both numerical studies and basin tests are conducted on a middle-sized AUV to verify the feasibility and validity of this depth control strategy.
Anti-Explosion Performance of Composite Blast Wall with an Auxetic Re-Entrant Honeycomb Core for Offshore Platforms
Authors: Luo Fang , Zhang Shilian , Yang Deqing
Published: March 2020

To improve the anti-explosion performance of blast wall in offshore platforms, an auxetic re-entrant blast wall (ARBW) was proposed and designed based on the indentation resistance effect of an auxetic structure. Based on the numerical nonlinear dynamic analysis method verified by the explosion experiment of a conventional steel corrugated blast wall (CBW), the failure mechanisms of ARBW, steel honeycomb sandwich blast wall (HSBW) and CBW were investigated under distributed impulse loads. Computational results demonstrated the excellent anti-explosion performance of the proposed ARBW design. Concerning the minimal deformation at the mid-point of the proposed protective structures, the ARBW performed best. As regards the minimal deformation at the connection, both ARBW and HSBW worked well. The stress distribution of the connection illustrated the different energy absorption and transmission modes of the three blast walls.
Dynamic Linkages among Mining Production and Land Rehabilitation Efficiency in China
Authors: Shi Zhen , Wu Yingju , Chiu Yung-ho , Wu Fengping , Shi Changfeng
Published: March 2020

In the context of China’s economic transformation, the consumption of mineral resources plays an important role in its economy’s sustainable development, and so improving mining efficiency is regarded as the basis of industrial development. However, in the pursuit of mine exploitation, the destruction of land resources has attracted greater attention by government and society, with many scholars focusing more on land rehabilitation in recent years. Thus, from the perspective of climate change, this research synthetically analyzes the two stages of mining production and land rehabilitation, by applying mining employees, fixed assets’ investment stock, production of non-petroleum mineral resources, accumulated destruction of land area, rehabilitation investment, rehabilitation of land area, and average temperature to the dynamic two-stage directional-distance-function data envelopment analysis (DEA) model under exogenous variables for 29 provinces in China. The results show that the overall efficiency of mining-production-land rehabilitation in most provinces fluctuates around 0.5 and spans a large range of improvement. The efficiency of the mining production stage fluctuates around 0.55 and is relatively flat over four years. The efficiency of the land rehabilitation stage fluctuates during the four years, with it being higher in 2014, but lower in 2015. Generally speaking, the efficiency of the land rehabilitation stage is higher, promoting the improvement of overall efficiency, but the efficiencies of some provinces’ land rehabilitation stage are quite different, as some provinces still need to improve their overall efficiency level. There are also differences in the efficiencies of each decision-making units (DMU)’s variables. In sum, China should initiate corresponding policies according to specific situations, promote scientific mining in each province, and coordinate the development of mining production and land rehabilitation.
Farmers’ Intentions to Lease Forestland: Evidence from Rural China
Authors: Li Xiaoyong , Cirella Giuseppe T. , Wen Yali , Xie Yi
Published: March 2020

In the last decade, despite considerable research developed for the forestland leasing market, little has been published in terms of econometric results on determinants of intentions and behaviors of Chinese farmers. With respect to leasing forestland, this study uses a Bayesian logit model to examine the factors that influence farmers’ intentions, using household data collected in one county in 2017. The results show that farmers’ past experience of leasing forestlands have significant impacts on their leasing intentions. Once farmers participated in leasing in or leasing out forestland in the last five years, it was shown that they will have stronger intentions of doing so in the future. Farmers will neither lease in or out forestland if the leasing profits are less than the profits originated from forestland management. As such, household head age, household population, proportion of income from nonfarm sources to total income, and security of rights to forestland use are significant factors in influencing farmers’ decisions on leasing in forestland. On the other hand, household head age and educational level, proportion of income from nonfarm sources to total income, and importance of forestland in terms of inheritance are significant factors in influencing farmers’ decisions on leasing it out. Results imply that institutional and market factors, which have impacts on transaction costs, are important for farmers in making decisions on forestland leases. Policy implications to reduce institutional intervention are discussed.
Participatory Land Administration in Indonesia: Quality and Usability Assessment
Authors: Aditya Trias , Maria-Unger Eva , vd Berg Christelle , Bennett Rohan , Saers Paul , Lukman Syahid Han , Erwan Doni , Wits Tjeerd , Widjajanti Nurrohmat , Budi Santosa Purnama , Atunggal Dedi , Hanafi Imam , Sutejo Dewi
Published: March 2020

This paper presents the results from a quality and usability analysis of participatory land registration (PaLaR) in Indonesia’s rural areas, focusing on data quality, cost, and time. PaLaR was designed as a systematic community-centered land titling project collecting requisite spatial and legal data. PaLaR was piloted in two communities situated in Tanggamus and Grobogan districts in Indonesia. The research compared spatial data accuracy between two approaches, PaLaR and the normal systematic land registration approach (PTSL) with respect to point accuracy and polygon area. Supplementary observations and interviews were undertaken in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the spatial and legal data collection, as well as logical consistency of the data collected by the community committee, using a mobile application. Although the two pilots showed a lower spatial accuracy than the normal method (PTSL), PaLaR better suited local circumstances and still delivered complete spatial and legal data in a more effective means. The accuracy and efficiency of spatial data collection could be improved through the use of more accurate GNSS antennas and a seamless connection to the national land databases. The PaLaR method is dependent on, amongst other aspects, inclusive and flexible community awareness programs, as well as the committed participation of the community and local offices.
The Efficiency of Utilisation of High-strength Steel in Tubular Profiles
Authors: Misiūnaitė Ieva , Gribniak Viktor , Rimkus Arvydas , Jakubovskis Ronaldas
Published: March 2020

The use of high-strength steel (HSS) is a current trend of the construction industry. Tubular profiles are widely used in various structural applications because of their high stiffness-to-weight ratio, exceptional resistance to torsion, and aesthetic appearance. However, the increase of the strength for the same elastic modulus of the material and geometry of tubular profiles is often not proportional to the rise of the load-bearing capacity of the structural element. The obtained experimental results support the above inference. The study was based on the flexural test results of two groups of HSS and normal-strength steel (NSS) tubular specimens with a 100 × 100 × 4 mm (height × width × thickness) cross-section. Numerical (finite element) simulation results demonstrated that the shape of the cross-section influenced the efficiency of utilisation of HSS. The relationship between the relative increase of the load-bearing capacity of the beam specimen and the corresponding change of the steel strength determined the utilisation efficiency.
TiO2 Nanotubes with Pt and Pd Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Electro-Oxidation of Formic Acid
Authors: Pisarek Marcin , Kędzierzawski Piotr , Andrzejczuk Mariusz , Hołdyński Marcin , Mikołajczuk-Zychora Anna , Borodziński Andrzej , Janik-Czachor Maria
Published: March 2020

In the present work, the magnetron sputtering technique was used to prepare new catalysts of formic acid electrooxidation based on TiO2 nanotubes decorated with Pt (platinum), Pd (palladium) or Pd + Pt nanoparticles. TiO2 nanotubes (TiO2 NTs) with strictly defined geometry were produced by anodization of Ti foil and Ti mesh in a mixture of glycerol and water with ammonium fluoride electrolyte. The above mentioned catalytically active metal nanoparticles (NPs) were located mainly on the top of the TiO2 NTs, forming ‘rings’ and agglomerates. A part of metal nanoparticles decorated also TiO2 NTs walls, thus providing sufficient electronic conductivity for electron transportation between the metal nanoparticle rings and Ti current collector. The electrocatalytic activity of the TiO2 NTs/Ti foil, decorated by Pt, Pd and/or Pd + Pt NPs was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and new Pd/TiO2 NTs/Ti mesh catalyst was additionally tested in a direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC). The results so obtained were compared with commercial catalyst—Pd/Vulcan. CV tests have shown for carbon supported catalysts, that the activity of TiO2 NTs decorated with Pd was considerably higher than that one decorated with Pt. Moreover, for TiO2 NTs supported Pd catalyst specific activity (per mg of metal) was higher than that for well dispersed carbon supported commercial catalyst. The tests at DFAFC have revealed also that the maximum of specific power for 0.2 Pd/TiO2 catalyst was 70% higher than that of the commercial one, Pd/Vulcan. Morphological features, and/or peculiarities, as well as surface composition of the resulting catalysts have been studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and chemical surface analytical methods (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy—XPS; Auger electron spectroscopy—AES).
Failure Analysis of Retrieved Osteosynthesis Implants
Authors: Nica Mihai , Cretu Bogdan , Ene Dragos , Antoniac Iulian , Gheorghita Daniela , Ene Razvan
Published: March 2020

Failure of osteosynthesis implants is an intricate matter with challenging management that calls for efficient investigation and prevention. Using implant retrieval analysis combined with standard radiological examination, we evaluated the main causes for osteosynthesis implant breakdown and the relations among them for a series of cases. Twenty-one patients diagnosed with implant failure were assessed for this work. For metallurgical analysis, microscopy techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), stereomicroscopy, and optical microscopy were employed. The results showed that material structural deficiencies (nine patients) and faulty surgical techniques (eight patients) were the main causes for failure. An important number of patients presented with material structural deficiencies superimposed on an imperfect osteosynthesis technique (six patients). Consequently, the importance of failure retrieval analysis should not be overlooked, and in combination with other investigational techniques, must provide information for both implant manufacturing and design improvement, as well as osteosynthesis technique optimization.
Establishment of Collagen: Hydroxyapatite/BMP-2 Mimetic Peptide Composites
Authors: Schuster Liane , Ardjomandi Nina , Munz Marita , Umrath Felix , Klein Christian , Rupp Frank , Reinert Siegmar , Alexander Dorothea
Published: March 2020

Extensive efforts were undertaken to develop suitable biomaterials for tissue engineering (TE) applications. To facilitate clinical approval processes and ensure the success of TE applications, bioinspired concepts are currently focused on. Working on bone tissue engineering, we describe in the present study a method for biofunctionalization of collagen/hydroxyapatite composites with BMP-2 mimetic peptides. This approach is expected to be fundamentally transferable to other tissue engineering fields. A modified BMP-2 mimetic peptide containing a negatively charged poly-glutamic acid residue (E7 BMP-2 peptide) was used to bind positively charged hydroxyapatite (HA) particles by electrostatic attraction. Binding efficiency was biochemically detected to be on average 85% compared to 30% of BMP-2 peptide without E7 residue. By quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) analysis, we could demonstrate the time-dependent dissociation of the BMP-2 mimetic peptides and the stable binding of the E7 BMP-2 peptides on HA-coated quartz crystals. As shown by immunofluorescence staining, alkaline phosphatase expression is similar to that detected in jaw periosteal cells (JPCs) stimulated with the whole BMP-2 protein. Mineralization potential of JPCs in the presence of BMP-2 mimetic peptides was also shown to be at least similar or significantly higher when low peptide concentrations were used, as compared to JPCs cultured in the presence of recombinant BMP-2 controls. In the following, collagen/hydroxyapatite composite materials were prepared. By proliferation analysis, we detected a decrease in cell viability with increasing HA ratios. Therefore, we chose a collagen/hydroxyapatite ratio of 1:2, similar to the natural composition of bone. The following inclusion of E7 BMP-2 peptides within the composite material resulted in significantly elevated long-term JPC proliferation under osteogenic conditions. We conclude that our advanced approach for fast and cost-effective scaffold preparation and biofunctionalization is suitable for improved and prolonged JPC proliferation. Further studies should prove the functionality of composite scaffolds in vivo.
Optimization of Artificial Intelligence System by Evolutionary Algorithm for Prediction of Axial Capacity of Rectangular Concrete Filled Steel Tubes under Compression
Authors: Nguyen Hung Quang , Ly Hai-Bang , Tran Van Quan , Nguyen Thuy-Anh , Le Tien-Thinh , Pham Binh Thai
Published: March 2020

Concrete filled steel tubes (CFSTs) show advantageous applications in the field of construction, especially for a high axial load capacity. The challenge in using such structure lies in the selection of many parameters constituting CFST, which necessitates defining complex relationships between the components and the corresponding properties. The axial capacity (Pu) of CFST is among the most important mechanical properties. In this study, the possibility of using a feedforward neural network (FNN) to predict Pu was investigated. Furthermore, an evolutionary optimization algorithm, namely invasive weed optimization (IWO), was used for tuning and optimizing the FNN weights and biases to construct a hybrid FNN–IWO model and improve its prediction performance. The results showed that the FNN–IWO algorithm is an excellent predictor of Pu, with a value of R2 of up to 0.979. The advantage of FNN–IWO was also pointed out with the gains in accuracy of 47.9%, 49.2%, and 6.5% for root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and R2, respectively, compared with simulation using the single FNN. Finally, the performance in predicting the Pu in the function of structural parameters such as depth/width ratio, thickness of steel tube, yield stress of steel, concrete compressive strength, and slenderness ratio was investigated and discussed.
Hydrophobically Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxides Nanoparticles Incorporated into Polymer-Based Nanocapsules Dispersed in Water
Authors: Gumieniczek-Chłopek Elżbieta , Odrobińska Joanna , Strączek Tomasz , Radziszewska Agnieszka , Zapotoczny Szczepan , Kapusta Czesław
Published: March 2020

This paper reports the characterization of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles obtained via the thermal decomposition of an organometallic precursor, which were then loaded into nanocapsules prepared via the emulsification process in the presence of an amphiphilic derivative of chitosan. The applied synthetic method led to the formation of a hydrophobic layer on the surface of nanoparticles that enabled their loading in the hydrophobic liquid inside of the polymer-based capsules. The average diameter of nanoparticles was determined to be equal to 15 nm, and they were thoroughly characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetometry, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. A core–shell structure consisting of a wüstite core and maghemite-like shell was revealed, resulting in an exchange bias effect and a considerable magnetocrystalline anisotropy at low temperatures and a superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. Importantly, superparamagnetic behavior was observed for the aqueous dispersion of the nanocapsules loaded with the superparamagnetic nanoparticles, and the dispersion was shown to be very stable (at least 48 weeks). The results were analyzed and discussed with respect to the potential future applications of these nanoparticles and nanocapsules based on biopolymers as platforms designed for the magnetically navigated transport of encapsulated hydrophobic substances.
Optimization of Electro-Discharge Texturing Parameters for Steel Sheets’ Finishing Rollers
Authors: Evin Emil , Tomáš Miroslav , Kmec Jozef
Published: March 2020

Exterior car-body parts are made of steel or aluminum sheets. Their formability and appearance after painting depends not only on the mechanical properties but also on their surface texture. The surface roughness characteristics, the roughness average Ra and the peak count Pc per centimeter depend on the texture of rolling mill’s finishing rollers, their wear and the degree of removal by the rolling mill. The research was carried out on heat-treated finishing rollers on the surface of which a controlled texture was created by changing the electro-discharge texturing (EDT) parameters. Parameters and the number of electro-discharge texturing experiments were optimized using full four-factor experiment techniques at the upper and lower levels of the parameters in the form of 24. The significance of the impact of individual EDT parameters and their interactions was identified based on the variance results. The ANOVA variance analysis results confirmed that the roughness Ra and the peak count Pc depend primarily on peak current (Ip), discharge peak voltage (Up), pulse on time (Pont) and pulse off time (Pofft). Optimization of the effect of the above parameters on the target roughness RaT,FR values and the peak count PcT,FR of finishing rollers was performed by the response surface methodology (RSM). Obtained regression models describe relationships between the input parameters of the electro-discharge texturing of finishing rollers and the output characteristics of the RaT,FR and the PcT,FR texture to a very high degree. The reliability of the electro-discharge texturing process of working rollers was assessed using the process capability index Cpk.
Discrete Gompertz-G Family of Distributions for Over- and Under-Dispersed Data with Properties, Estimation, and Applications
Authors: Eliwa M. S. , Alhussain Ziyad Ali , El-Morshedy M.
Published: March 2020

Alizadeh et al. introduced a flexible family of distributions, in the so-called Gompertz-G family. In this article, a discrete analogue of the Gompertz-G family is proposed. We also study some of its distributional properties and reliability characteristics. After introducing the general class, three special models of the new family are discussed in detail. The maximum likelihood method is used for estimating the family parameters. A simulation study is carried out to assess the performance of the family parameters. Finally, the flexibility of the new family is illustrated by means of four genuine datasets, and it is found that the proposed model provides a better fit than the competitive distributions.
On a Fractional Operator Combining Proportional and Classical Differintegrals
Authors: Baleanu Dumitru , Fernandez Arran , Akgül Ali
Published: March 2020

The Caputo fractional derivative has been one of the most useful operators for modelling non-local behaviours by fractional differential equations. It is defined, for a differentiable function f ( t ) , by a fractional integral operator applied to the derivative f ′ ( t ) . We define a new fractional operator by substituting for this f ′ ( t ) a more general proportional derivative. This new operator can also be written as a Riemann–Liouville integral of a proportional derivative, or in some important special cases as a linear combination of a Riemann–Liouville integral and a Caputo derivative. We then conduct some analysis of the new definition: constructing its inverse operator and Laplace transform, solving some fractional differential equations using it, and linking it with a recently described bivariate Mittag-Leffler function.
Asymptotic Approximations of Ratio Moments Based on Dependent Sequences
Authors: Fang Hongyan , Ding Saisai , Li Xiaoqin , Yang Wenzhi
Published: March 2020

The widely orthant dependent (WOD) sequences are very weak dependent sequences of random variables. For the weighted sums of non-negative m-WOD random variables, we provide asymptotic expressions for their appropriate inverse moments which are easy to calculate. As applications, we also obtain asymptotic expressions for the moments of random ratios. It is pointed out that our random ratios can include some models such as change-point detection. Last, some simulations are illustrated to test our results.
A Fractional Derivative Modeling of Heating and Cooling of LED Luminaires
Authors: Balvís Eduardo , Paredes Angel , Area Iván , Bendaña Ricardo , Carpentier Alicia V. , Michinel Humberto , Zaragoza Sonia
Published: March 2020

In the context of energy efficient lighting, we present a mathematical study of the heating and cooling processes of a common type of luminaires, consisting of a single light-emitting diode source in thermal contact with an aluminum passive heat sink. First, we study stationary temperature distributions by addressing the appropriate system of partial differential equations with a commercial finite element solver. Then, we study the temporal evolution of the temperature of the chip and find that it is well approximated with a fractional derivative generalization of Newton’s cooling law. The mathematical results are compared and shown to largely agree with our laboratory measurements.
Integral Representation for the Solutions of Autonomous Linear Neutral Fractional Systems with Distributed Delay
Authors: Madamlieva Ekaterina , Konstantinov Mihail , Milev Marian , Petkova Milena
Published: March 2020

The aim of this work is to obtain an integral representation formula for the solutions of initial value problems for autonomous linear fractional neutral systems with Caputo type derivatives and distributed delays. The results obtained improve and extend the corresponding results in the particular case of fractional systems with constant delays and will be a useful tool for studying different kinds of stability properties. The proposed results coincide with the corresponding ones for first order neutral linear differential systems with integer order derivatives.
The Weitzenböck Type Curvature Operator for Singular Distributions
Authors: Popescu Paul , Rovenski Vladimir , Stepanov Sergey
Published: March 2020

We study geometry of a Riemannian manifold endowed with a singular (or regular) distribution, determined as an image of the tangent bundle under smooth endomorphisms. Following construction of an almost Lie algebroid on a vector bundle, we define the modified covariant and exterior derivatives and their L 2 adjoint operators on tensors. Then, we introduce the Weitzenböck type curvature operator on tensors, prove the Weitzenböck type decomposition formula, and derive the Bochner–Weitzenböck type formula. These allow us to obtain vanishing theorems about the null space of the Hodge type Laplacian. The assumptions used in the results are reasonable, as illustrated by examples with f-manifolds, including almost Hermitian and almost contact ones.
Delay Effect and Subadditivity. Proposal of a New Discount Function: The Asymmetric Exponential Discounting
Authors: Cruz Rambaud Salvador , Ortiz Fernández Piedad
Published: March 2020

The framework of this paper is intertemporal choice and, more specifically, the so-called delay effect. Traditionally, this anomaly, also known as decreasing impatience, has been revealed when individuals reverse their preferences over monetary or non-monetary rewards. In this manuscript, we will analyze the delay effect by using preference relations and discount functions. The treatment of the delay effect with discount functions exhibits several scenarios for this paradox. Thus, the objective of this paper is to deduce the different expressions of the delay effect and their mathematical characterizations by using discount functions in stationary and dynamic settings. In this context, subadditivity will be derived as a particular case of decreasing impatience. Finally, we will introduce a new discount function, the so-called asymmetric exponential discount function, able to describe decreasing impatience.