bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Study on Decomposition and Evaporation Characteristics of N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethylenediamine and 1,2,4-Triazole
Authors: Yu Jungmin , Baek Seung Wook , Cho Sung June
Published: August 2019

N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) is one of the candidate substances of hydrazine for hypergolic bipropellant applications. In this study, two experimental analyses were performed to investigate the characteristics of TMEDA and TMEDA mixed with 1,2,4-triazole. First of all, thermogravimetric analysis was performed to analyze thermal decomposition process of the candidate materials. During heating, TMEDA started to evaporate at a temperature below its boiling point and 1,2,4-triazole evaporated subsequently. In addition, evaporation behaviors of TMEDA droplets with two concentrations of 1,2,4-triazole (10% and 20% by weight) were studied at various temperatures. A single droplet experimentation was accomplished in a high-pressure chamber using a heating system under atmospheric nitrogen gas condition. Its droplet behavior was recorded with a high-speed camera and the data were post-processed using Visual Basic software to trace the droplet diameter variation. Bubbling and puffing were observed in the case of the TMEDA containing 1,2,4-triazole above 400 °C. As a result, the rate of evaporation was substantially enhanced by increasing the concentration of 1,2,4-triazole at same temperature. However, the evaporation rates after TMEDA evaporation were the same irrespective of the concentration of 1,2,4-triazole.
Predicting the Bioclimatic Habitat Suitability of Ginkgo biloba L. in China with Field-Test Validations
Authors: Guo Ying , Guo Jing , Shen Xin , Wang Guibin , Wang Tongli
Published: August 2019

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is not only considered a ‘living fossil’, but also has important ecological, economic, and medicinal values. However, the impact of climate change on the performance and distribution of this plant is an increasing concern. In this study, we developed a bioclimatic model based on data about the occurrence of ginkgo from 277 locations, and validated model predictions using a wide-ranging field test (12 test sites, located at the areas from 22.49° N to 39.32° N, and 81.11° E to 123.53° E). We found that the degree-days below zero were the most important climate variable determining ginkgo distribution. Based on the model predictions, we classified the habitat suitability for ginkgo into four categories (high, medium, low, and unsuitable), accounting for 9.29%, 6.09%, 8.46%, and 76.16% of China’s land area, respectively. The ANOVA results of the validation test showed significant differences in observed leaf-traits among the four habitat types (p < 0.05), and importantly the rankings of the leaf traits were consistent with our classification of the habitat suitability, suggesting the effectiveness of our classification in terms of biological and economic significance. In addition, we projected that suitable (high and medium) habitats for ginkgo would shrink and shift northward under both the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate change scenarios for three future periods (the 2020s, 2050s, and 2080s). However, the area of low-suitable habitat would increase, resulting in a slight decrease in unsuitable habitats. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of climate change impact on this plant and provide a scientific basis for developing adaptive strategies for future climate.
Woody Regeneration Response to Overstory Mortality Caused by the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
Authors: Mulroy Meghan L. , Holzmueller Eric J. , Jenkins Michael A.
Published: August 2019

Adelges tsugae Annand (hemlock woolly adelgid, HWA, an invasive insect native to Japan), which causes defoliation and death of Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière (eastern hemlock), was introduced to the United States in the early 1950s and has spread throughout much of the range of T. canadensis causing widespread mortality. In 2016 and 2017, we resampled long-term vegetation monitoring plots across five forest types (ecogroups) within Great Smoky Mountains National Park that contained T. canadensis in 2003 (prior to the spread of HWA within the park) to examine changes in the species composition and diversity of the regeneration layer. We hypothesized that compositional changes in the seedling and sapling strata would be driven primarily by the pre-HWA importance value of T. canadensis and relative dominance of Rhododendron maximum L. (rosebay rhododendron), and that species diversity metrics would differ across year depending on ecogroup and the relative dominance of R. maximum. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) revealed that the seedling and sapling strata of plots with greater pre-HWA importance of T. canadensis and lower basal area of R. maximum generally exhibited greater compositional change between 2003 and 2017. Topo-edaphic variables were also significant in both NMDS ordinations and were associated with the distribution of multiple hardwood species. Species richness, evenness, and Shannon-Wiener diversity varied with strata following the loss of T. canadensis, with the degree and direction of change varying with the dominance of R. maximum.
Distinct Growth and Nutrient Status Responses to Fertilization Regimes in Two Generations of Chinese Fir Seedlings
Authors: Hu Ya-Lin , Fan Hui-Hua , Xuan Han-Feng , Mgelwa Abubakari Said , Chen Shi-Pin
Published: August 2019

Exponential fertilization is well-known for improving the growth and nutritional status of seedlings during nursery culture. However, less is known about how genetic variability among seedling species influences the effects of fertilization regimes on the growth of seedlings and their nutritional status under varying fertilization levels. Here, we conducted a greenhouse experiment to compare the growth, as well as the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrient concentration responses, of 2- and 3-generation Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lambert) Hooker) seedlings to the impacts of varying exponential and conventional constant-rate fertilization levels (50, 100, and 200 mg P seedling−1). Seedling size and shoot:root ratios were lower in exponential fertilization than in conventional fertilization. Exponentially fertilized seedlings had higher concentrations of N and P nutrients compared to conventionally fertilized seedlings during low-level fertilization. Conversely, an elevated P concentration was observed in seedlings subjected to conventional fertilization compared to those exposed to exponential fertilization during high-level fertilization. However, there were no significant differences in seedling N and P concentrations between the two fertilization regimes during medium-level fertilization. Furthermore, 2- and 3-generation Chinese fir seedlings differed greatly in their growth and nutritional status. Additionally, there were significant fertilization regime × seedling generation interaction effects on the seedling shoot:root ratio and N concentration. Our findings suggest that exponential fertilization can improve the nutritional status, survival, and growth of Chinese fir seedlings, especially on competitive sites, and that information on both intra-species genetic variability and appropriate fertilizer levels is necessary for the successful fertilization of Chinese fir seedlings, regardless of fertilization regimes.
A Novel Task Caching and Migration Strategy in Multi-Access Edge Computing Based on the Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Tang Lujie , Tang Bing , Kang Linyao , Zhang Li
Published: August 2019

Multi-access edge computing (MEC) brings high-bandwidth and low-latency access to applications distributed at the edge of the network. Data transmission and exchange become faster, and the overhead of the task migration between mobile devices and edge cloud becomes smaller. In this paper, we adopt the fine-grained task migration model. At the same time, in order to further reduce the delay and energy consumption of task execution, the concept of the task cache is proposed, which involves caching the completed tasks and related data on the edge cloud. Then, we consider the limitations of the edge cloud cache capacity to study the task caching strategy and fine-grained task migration strategy on the edge cloud using the genetic algorithm (GA). Thus, we obtained the optimal mobile device task migration strategy, satisfying minimum energy consumption and the optimal cache on the edge cloud. The simulation results showed that the task caching strategy based on fine-grained migration can greatly reduce the energy consumption of mobile devices in the MEC environment.
The Effect of Ingredient Item Depiction on the Packaging Frontal View on Pre- and Post-Consumption Product Evaluations
Authors: Timmerman Nicole , Piqueras-Fiszman Betina
Published: August 2019

The current research focused on the (in)congruity between pictorial (ingredient item depiction) and textual (ingredient list) information on food packaging, namely, an apple–mango juice. Specifically, the influence of these information sources on expected and perceived flavor intensities, mismatched perceptions, perceived deception, and intention to purchase was studied by taking into account the possible moderating role of consumers’ thinking style. Three studies were performed, the first and third at a Dutch University by means of surveys and sensory tests, and the second via an online survey. The results showed that, overall, most consumers did not perceive the incongruity between pictorial and textual information as mismatching. However, a perceived mismatch from packaging, whether originated by the design manipulations or not, did increase perceived deception and lowered willingness to purchase. This effect was robust for both mismatches, among packaging elements (pre-consumption) and from expected and perceived flavor ratios (post-consumption), but was more substantial for the post-consumption mismatch. Although the moderating effect of cognitive processing style regarding expected and perceived flavor ratios from pictorial and textual (ingredient list) information was not confirmed, the results indicated that the effect of salient textual information is substantial, independent of a particular processing style or label usage.
The Role of MIR9-2 in Shared Susceptibility of Psychiatric Disorders during Childhood: A Population-Based Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Tovo-Rodrigues Luciana , Quinte Gabriela , Brum Clarice , Ghisleni Gabriele , Bastos Clarissa , Oliveira Isabel , Barros Fernando , Barros Aluisio , Santos Iná , Rohde Luis , Hutz Mara , Matijasevich Alicia
Published: August 2019

Background: It has been suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs; short non-protein-coding RNA molecules that mediate post-transcriptional regulation), including mir-9 and mir-34 families, are important for brain development. Current data suggest that mir-9 and mir-34 may have shared effects across psychiatric disorders. This study aims to explore the role of genetic polymorphisms in the MIR9-2 (rs4916723) and MIR34B/C (rs4938723) genes on the susceptibility of psychiatric disorders in children from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort. Methods: Psychiatric disorders were assessed in 3585 individuals using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), criteria through the application of standard semi-structured interviews (using the Development and Well-Being Assessment, DAWBA) at the six-years-of-age follow-up. The outcome was defined as the presence of any mental disorder. We also considered two broad groups of internalizing and externalizing disorders to further investigate the role of these variants in mental health. Results: We observed an association between rs4916723 (MIR9-2) and the presence of any psychiatric disorder (odds ratios (OR) = 0.820; 95% CI = 0.7130–0.944; p = 0.006) and a suggestive effect on internalizing disorders (OR = 0.830; 95% CI = 0.698–0.987; p = 0.035). rs4938723 (MIR34B/C) was not associated with any evaluated outcome. Conclusion: The study suggests that MIR9-2 may have an important role on a broad susceptibility for psychiatric disorders and may be important mainly for internalization problems.
Genome-Wide Identification and Transcriptional Expression of the METTL21C Gene Family in Chicken
Authors: Yang Ge , Lu Hongzhao , Wang Ling , Zhao Jiarong , Zeng Wenxian , Zhang Tao
Published: August 2019

The chicken is a common type of poultry that is economically important both for its medicinal and nutritional values. Previous studies have found that free-range chickens have more skeletal muscle mass. The methyltransferase-like 21C gene (METTL21C) plays an important role in muscle development; however, there have been few reports on the role of METTL21C in chickens. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification of chicken METTL21C genes and analyzed their phylogeny, transcriptional expression profile, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). We identified 10 GgMETTL21C genes from chickens, 11 from mice, and 32 from humans, and these genes were divided into six groups, which showed a large amount of variation among these three species. A total of 15 motifs were detected in METTL21C genes, and the intron phase of the gene structure showed that the METTL21C gene family was conservative in evolution. Further, both the transcript data and qPCR showed that a single gene’s (GgMETTL21C3) expression level increased with the muscle development of chickens, indicating that the METTL21C genes are involved in the development of chicken muscles. Our results provide some reference value for the subsequent study of the function of METTL21C.
Family Economic Burden of Elderly Chronic Diseases: Evidence from China
Authors: Xu Xiaocang , Huang Xiuquan , Zhang Xiaolu , Chen Linhong
Published: August 2019

Chronic diseases among the elderly and their huge economic burden on family have caught much attention from economists and sociologists over the past decade in China. This study measured the economic burden of elderly chronic disease (ECD) in families using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) data set from Peking University (China). We studied some aspects of this burden, including health-service utilization, out-of-pocket expenditure on inpatient and outpatient, total family expenditures on items, and labor force participation rates of family members, etc. Some interesting things were found, for example, the additional annual expenditure on inpatient care (per member) in ECD-families was 37 to 45 percent of the annual expenditure in the control group; the labor-force participation rate in ECD-families was 2.4 to 3.3 percent of points lower than in the control group.
The Spatiotemporal Pattern of Rainy-Season Precipitation in the Haihe River Basin, North China
Authors: Guo Jun , Ren Guoyu , Xiong Mingming , Huang He
Published: August 2019

The Haihe River basin of North China is characterized by extremely low per capita water resources and a consistently long-term decreasing trend of precipitation and runoff over the last few decades. This study analyzes the climatological features of rainy season (May–September) precipitation in the Haihe River basin and its branch systems based on a high-density hourly observational dataset during 2007–2017. We show that there are two high-rainfall zones in the basin, with one along the south of the Yanshan Mountains to Taihang Mountains and another along the Tuma River in the south. Rainstorm centers exist amidst the two zones. July generally sees the highest precipitation, followed by August, and May has the lowest precipitation. The major flood season is reached between the third pentad of July and the fourth pentad of August. The precipitation is high at night but low in the daytime. In the pre-flood season before early July, rainfalls mostly arrive at 16:00–21:00 h. After entering the major flood season, the diurnal precipitation has two peaks, one at 17:00–22:00 h and the other at 0:00–7:00 h. In the post-flood season after mid-August, the most rain occurs at night, with the peak appearing at 0:00–8:00 h. The short-duration precipitation is mainly distributed in the mountainous areas, and the long-duration precipitation that contributes most to seasonal rainfalls appears in the plain areas, and the continuous precipitation mostly occurs in the windward slopes of the Taihang Mountains and the Yanshan Mountains. In addition, urbanization process around large city stations may have affected the rainy season precipitation to a certain extent in the Haihe River basin, with large and medium city stations experiencing around 10% higher precipitation than small city stations. However, this issue needs to be investigated exclusively.
Impact of Safety Warning on Domperidone Prescribing for Geriatric Patients in South Korea: Analysis of National Insurance Claim Data
Authors: Rhew Kiyon , Han Nayoung , Oh Jung Mi
Published: August 2019

Domperidone is a dopamine antagonist used for the symptomatic management of nausea and vomiting. Many countries banned or add a black box warning due to an increased risk of serious adverse cardiac effects. In 2014, the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also released a safety warning to carefully consider adverse cardiac effects when prescribing domperidone. Therefore, we conducted this study to analyze the impact of the safety warning on domperidone prescribing. This study included patients 65 years or older who used national health insurance services in the years 2011 and 2016, using the national patient sample dataset in South Korea. We analyzed the characteristics of domperidone prescribing and compared on pre- and post-safety warning. Prescribing frequency of domperidone was significantly reduced from 603,962 cases in 2011 to 24,623 cases in 2016. In 2011, 53,272 (8.8%) prescriptions were for greater than 30 mg/day, whereas only 200 (0.8%) prescriptions were in 2016. The number of patients with one or more comorbidities and electrocardiogram monitoring showed positive changes after the safety warning. In conclusion, after the 2014 safety letter was issued, domperidone was more safely prescribed in various aspects in elderly patients, including frequency of prescribing, maximum daily dose, and duration of continuous prescription.
My Mind is Working Overtime—Towards an Integrative Perspective of Psychological Detachment, Work-Related Rumination, and Work Reflection
Authors: Weigelt Oliver , Gierer Petra , Syrek Christine J.
Published: August 2019

In the literature on occupational stress and recovery from work, several facets of thinking about work during off-job time have been conceptualized. However, research on the focal concepts is currently rather diffuse. In this study we take a closer look at the five most well-established concepts: (1) psychological detachment, (2) affective rumination, (3) problem-solving pondering, (4) positive work reflection, and (5) negative work reflection. More specifically, we scrutinized (1) whether the five facets of work-related rumination are empirically distinct, (2) whether they yield differential associations with different facets of employee well-being (burnout, work engagement, thriving, satisfaction with life, and flourishing), and (3) to what extent the five facets can be distinguished from and relate to conceptually similar constructs, such as irritation, worry, and neuroticism. We applied structural equation modeling techniques to cross-sectional survey data from 474 employees. Our results provide evidence for (1) five correlated, yet empirically distinct facets of work-related rumination. (2) Each facet yields a unique pattern of association with the eight aspects of employee well-being. For instance, detachment is strongly linked to satisfaction with life and flourishing. Affective rumination is linked particularly to burnout. Problem-solving pondering and positive work reflection yield the strongest links to work engagement. (3) The five facets of work-related rumination are distinct from related concepts, although there is a high overlap between (lower levels of) psychological detachment and cognitive irritation. Our study contributes to clarifying the structure of work-related rumination and extends the nomological network around different types of thinking about work during off-job time and employee well-being.
Spatial Distributions, Sources, Potential Risks of Multi-Trace Metal/Metalloids in Street Dusts from Barbican Downtown Embracing by Xi’an Ancient City Wall (NW, China)
Authors: Li Xiaoping , Liu Bin , Zhang Yu , Wang Jiwen , Ullah Hameed , Zhou Ming , Peng Liyuan , He Ana , Zhang Xu , Yan Xiangyang , Yang Tao , Wang Lijun , Yu Hongtao
Published: August 2019

A total of 116 dust samples in downtown within the city wall were collected, and the spatial occurrence, source and health risk status of 19 trace metal/metalloids bound in street dusts (SDs) were systematically investigated. Geochemical maps, associations, risk models and indices were calculated to define levels of distribution, possible natural or anthropogenic sources, ecological and human health risks. It was found that the wide variations of these 19 trace metals would be observed in spatial maps, which indicated strongly anthropogenic activities inputs. Compared to the calculations of the potential ecological risk index of toxic trace metals, Pb (Eri = 20.32) ranked at the level of considerable ecological risk. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk from most trace metals exposed to children and adults were no significant health risks, except for the non-carcinogenic risk of Cr and As to children, and the carcinogenic risk of Cr to adults. The unacceptable risk locations were observed at traffic conjunctions, which should be given attention. The source apportionment results indicated that the trace metals/metalloids Co, Ga, Nb, As, Ni, and Y, coupled with main elements Al, K, Mg, Ca and Si, would possibly originate from “Soil Re-suspension”, whereas Fe, Cu, Rb, La, Ba, Mn, Ti, Ce and Zr were possibly derived from “Brake Wear”. As regards the Na, no valid assumption was formulated about the presence of this element in brake wear, while Cr, Sr, Zn were possibly associated with “Tire Wear”. Comparatively, V would be suggested as a representative source of fuel consumption, and Pb could possibly belong to “Traffic Pigment”. It was noted that the barbican city, surrounded by the Xi’an Ancient City Wall at 12 m high, would trap the trace metal emissions, and consequently increase the health risk for local residents.
Occupational Exposure to Solar UV Radiation of a Group of Fishermen Working in the Italian North Adriatic Sea
Authors: Modenese Alberto , Ruggieri Francesco Pio , Bisegna Fabio , Borra Massimo , Burattini Chiara , Della Vecchia Elena , Grandi Carlo , Grasso Anna , Gugliermetti Luca , Manini Marco , Militello Andrea , Gobba Fabriziomaria
Published: August 2019

Occupational solar radiation exposure is a relevant heath risk in the fishing sector. Our aim was to provide a detailed evaluation of individual UV exposure in three different fishing activities in Italy, with personal UV dosimeters and a simple formula to calculate the fraction of ambient erythemal UV dose received by the workers. The potential individual UV exposure of the fishermen was between 65 and 542 Joules/m2. The percentages of the ambient exposure were estimated between 2.5% and 65.3%. Workers’ UV exposure was mainly influenced by the characteristics of the work activity, the postures adopted, and the type of boats. Overall, our data showed that 43% of the daily measurements could result largely above the occupational limits of 1–1.3 standard erythemal dose (i.e., 100 Joules/m2) per day, in case of exposure of uncovered skin areas. Measurements of individual UV exposure are important not only to assess the risk but also to increase workers’ perception and stimulate the adoption of preventive measures to reduce solar UV risk. Furthermore, the simple method proposed, linking ambient erythemal UV dose to the workers’ exposure, can be a promising tool for a reliable assessment of the UV risk, as time series of environmental UV dose are widely available.
Ecological and Health Effects of Lubricant Oils Emitted into the Environment
Authors: Nowak Paulina , Kucharska Karolina , Kamiński Marian
Published: August 2019

Lubricating oils used in machines with an open cutting system, such as a saw or harvester, are applied in forest areas, gardening, in the household, and in urban greenery. During the operation of the device with an open cutting system, the lubricating oil is emitted into the environment. Therefore, the use of an oil base and refining additives of petroleum origin in the content of lubricants is associated with a negative impact on health and the environment. The current legal regulations concerning lubricants applicable in the European Union (EU) assess the degree of biodegradability. Legislation permits the use of biodegradable oils at 60% for a period of 28 days. This means that, in practice, lubricating oil considered to be biodegradable can contain up to 50% of the so-called petroleum oil base. The paper aims to draw public attention to the need to reduce the toxicity and harmful effects, due to their composition, of lubricating oils emitted into the environment on health. The authors discuss the impact of petroleum oil lubricants on soils, groundwater, vegetation, and animals, and the impact of petroleum-origin oil mist on health. An overview of test methods for the biodegradability of lubricating oils is presented, including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 301 A–F, 310, and 302 A–D tests, as well as their standard equivalents. The current legal regulations regarding the use and control of lubricating oils emitted into the environment are discussed. Legal provisions are divided according to their area of application. Key issues regarding the biodegradability and toxicity of petroleum fractions in lubricating oils are also addressed. It is concluded that lubricating oils, emitted or potentially emitted into the environment, should contain only biodegradable ingredients in order to eliminate the negative impact on both the environment and health. Total biodegradability should be confirmed by widely applied tests. Therefore, a need to develop and implement low-cost and simple control procedures for each type of lubricating oil, ensuring the possibility of an indisputable conclusion about the presence and total absence of petroleum-derived components in oil, as well as the content of natural ingredients, occurs.
VOC Removal Performance of a Joint Process Coupling Biofiltration and Membrane-Filtration Treating Food Industry Waste Gas
Authors: Lelicińska-Serafin Krystyna , Rolewicz-Kalińska Anna , Manczarski Piotr
Published: August 2019

This study aimed to assess the efficiency of removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from process gases from a food industry plant in East Poland, producing high-quality animal (goose, duck, and pig) and vegetable fats, using a two-stage method which is a combination of biological purification and membrane-separation. The research, conducted on the semi-technical scale, compared the effects of traditional and two-stage biofiltration carried out under the same process conditions. The concentrations of VOCs in process gases were measured by means of a multi-gas detector. Additionally the temperature and humidity of gases were determined by a thermoanemometer under filter bed, following the EU and Polish National Standard Methods Two different types of filling materials (the mix of stumpwood chips and bark, and the mix of stumpwood chips, bark, and compost) and two types of membranes (three-layer semi-permeable membrane fabrics were used, with differences in air permeability and water tightness) were analyzed. During all processes basic operational parameters, the biofilters were controlled, including surface load, volumetric load, duration of gas contact with the filling layer, flow rate, and pressure drops (in the biofilter and on the membrane). The analyzed gases were characterized by very high variability of VOC concentrations (ranging from 350 ppb to 11,170 ppb). The effectiveness of VOC removal (REvoc) was calculated by comparing the analytical results of raw and purified gases. The effectiveness of VOC removal with the application of traditional biofiltration during the experiment varied between 82% to 97% and was related to different parameters of the filling materials (mainly specific surface and moisture), reaching lower value for the mix of stumpwood chips and bark filling. The obtained results showed that the application of membrane improved the efficiency of biofiltration in all the analysed cases from 7% to 9%. The highest effectiveness was obtained using the filter bed in the form of stumpwood chips, bark, and compost in connection with the more permeable membrane. It was maintained between 96% to 99%, reaching an average value of 98%. The selection of the membrane should be determined by its permeability and the values of flow resistance.
Suicide Mortality in Foreign Residents of Japan
Authors: Gilmour Stuart , Hoshino Haruko , Dhungel Bibha
Published: August 2019

Suicide is a major public health issue in Japan, with very high rates of death compared to other countries in the Asia Pacific. Foreigners living in Japan may be at increased risk of suicide, but little is known about how their risk of suicide differs from that of their country of origin or Japanese nationals. We used data on suicide mortality from the Japan Vital Registration System for the period 2012–2016 to analyze risk of suicide mortality in Japan for Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and other nationalities living in Japan, adjusting for age and separately by sex. We estimated standardized mortality rates using both the Japanese population as a reference, and also the population of the home nation of the foreign residents. We found that Korean nationals living in Japan have significantly higher mortality rates than Japanese nationals, and that the suicide mortality rate of Korean nationals living in Japan is higher than in their home country, but that this is not the case for Chinese or other nationals resident in Japan. Koreans living in Japan have a very high risk of mortality due to suicide which may reflect the special social, economic, and cultural pressures they face as a marginalized population in Japan.
Safeguarding Health at the Workplace: A Study of Work Engagement, Authenticity and Subjective Wellbeing among Religious Workers
Authors: Ariza-Montes Antonio , Leal-Rodríguez Antonio L. , Ramírez-Sobrino Jesús , Molina-Sánchez Horacio
Published: August 2019

Research in work and organizational psychology has paid little attention to religious workers, something certainly surprising as faith-based organizations play a key role in the welfare state of many countries. This research shows that religious workers in a Catholic order present a high degree of subjective wellbeing, both in terms of flourishing and satisfaction with life in general, and a positive balance of positive and negative feelings. More specifically, this study examines the relationship between authenticity and wellbeing amongst religious workers. Survey responses from 142 religious workers in Spain were analyzed using partial least squares path modelling. The results reveal that subjective wellbeing at work is positively related to authenticity. In addition, this relationship is mediated by their level of work engagement.
How Does Financial Development Affect Reductions in Carbon Emissions in High-Energy Industries?—A Perspective on Technological Progress
Authors: Zhou Yingying , Fang Zhuoqing , Li Nan , Wu Xueyan , Du Yuehan , Liu Zonghan
Published: August 2019

Climate change has made countries around the world realize the importance of reducing carbon emissions. Reductions in carbon emissions needs the support of policy, technology, and financial capital. The single/double/three-threshold model is used here with data from China to study the different impact of financial development in carbon emissions in high-energy industries when the threshold variables are in different intervals. The results show that when loan size is the core explanatory variable, and research and development (R and D) expenditure and energy structure are the threshold variables, the loan size variable has a significant effect on emission reductions in high-energy industries, and this effect is strengthened with increases in R and D expenditure and decreases in the proportion of energy from coal. Taking energy intensity as the threshold variable, the relationship between loan size and carbon dioxide emissions is V-shaped. With economic structure as the threshold variable, loan size has a significant effect on emissions reduction when the proportion of industrial added value in high-energy industries is low. When using foreign investment as the core explanatory variable, R and D expenditure, energy consumption intensity, and industrial structure are threshold variables. The impact of foreign investment on carbon dioxide emissions is negative, but when the threshold variable is within different intervals, this negative impact differs. With stock market value as the core explanatory variable, and R and D expenditure and energy structure as the threshold variables, the stock market value can promote reductions in carbon emissions, but when R and D expenditure and the proportion of coal consumption is high, stock market value has no significant effect on emissions reduction. When energy consumption intensity is the threshold variable, the relationship between stock market value and carbon dioxide emissions is V-shaped.
Optimizing School Food Supply: Integrating Environmental, Health, Economic, and Cultural Dimensions of Diet Sustainability with Linear Programming
Authors: Eustachio Colombo Patricia , Patterson Emma , Schäfer Elinder Liselotte , Lindroos Anna Karin , Sonesson Ulf , Darmon Nicole , Parlesak Alexandr
Published: August 2019

There is great potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) from public-sector meals. This paper aimed to develop a strategy for reducing GHGE in the Swedish school food supply while ensuring nutritional adequacy, affordability, and cultural acceptability. Amounts, prices and GHGE-values for all foods and drinks supplied to three schools over one year were gathered. The amounts were optimized by linear programming. Four nutritionally adequate models were developed: Model 1 minimized GHGE while constraining the relative deviation (RD) from the observed food supply, Model 2 minimized total RD while imposing stepwise GHGE reductions, Model 3 additionally constrained RD for individual foods to an upper and lower limit, and Model 4 further controlled how pair-wise ratios of 15 food groups could deviate. Models 1 and 2 reduced GHGE by up to 95% but omitted entire food categories or increased the supply of some individual foods by more than 800% and were deemed unfeasible. Model 3 reduced GHGE by up to 60%, excluded no foods, avoided high RDs of individual foods, but resulted in large changes in food-group ratios. Model 4 limited the changes in food-group ratios but resulted in a higher number of foods deviating from the observed supply and limited the potential of reducing GHGE in one school to 20%. Cost was reduced in almost all solutions. An omnivorous, nutritionally adequate, and affordable school food supply with considerably lower GHGE is achievable with moderate changes to the observed food supply; i.e., with Models 3 and 4. Trade-offs will always have to be made between achieving GHGE reductions and preserving similarity to the current supply.
Effort-Reward Imbalance, Over-Commitment and Depressive Episodes at Work: Evidence from the ELSA-Brasil Cohort Study
Authors: de Araújo Tânia Maria , Siegrist Johannes , Moreno Arlinda B. , de Jesus Mendes da Fonseca Maria , Barreto Sandhi M. , Chor Dóra , Griep Rosane Härter
Published: August 2019

A growing burden of mental illness, and in particular depression, among workers is a concern of occupational public health. Scientific evidence has revealed consistent associations of work-related stress, as measured by theoretical models, with depression, but mostly so in developed countries. This contribution explores these associations in a developing Latin American country, Brazil, by applying an internationally established work stress model, the effort-reward imbalance (ERI). This model focuses on the work contract where unjust exchange between high efforts spent and low rewards received in turn contributes to stress-related disorders. The model’s extrinsic (‘effort’, ‘reward’) and intrinsic components (‘over-commitment’), as well as their combination, are hypothesized to be related to a higher risk of depressive episodes (DE). Using cross-sectional data from the ELSA-Brasil study, including 10,034 workers from the public sector, we observed increased prevalence ratio (PR) of DE according to ERI scales. The quartiles of highest ‘effort’ (PR = 1.85; 1.44–2.37), highest ‘over-commitment’ (PR = 3.62; 2.80–4.70) and lowest ‘reward’ (PR = 3.44; 2.55–4.64) were associated with DE, on adjusted models, as well was the E–R ratio (PR = 2.47; 1.92–3.17). An additive interaction was identified between the E–R ratio and ‘over-commitment’. The results support the use of ERI as a screening tool for work stress in the Brazilian context and will offer guidance for worksite health promotion programs.
Spatial Effects of Environmental Regulation and Green Credits on Green Technology Innovation under Low-Carbon Economy Background Conditions
Authors: Guo Quan , Zhou Min , Liu Nana , Wang Yaoyu
Published: August 2019

Based on the data of green credit (GC), environmental regulation (ER) and green technology innovation (GTI) in 30 provinces and cities of China from 2007 to 2016, this study investigated the relationship between green credit and green technology innovation development and analyzed the adjustment effect of ER on GC to promote GTI using Geoda and Matlab2016 software, so as to further guide and encourage GC. The results show that GTI in 30 provinces and municipalities in China has a significant spatial agglomeration effect. Single GC plays a certain role in promoting local technology innovation, but it fails to influences the surrounding areas. Environmental regulation has a certain regulatory effect on the relationship between green credit and green technology innovation in the province but also fails to influences the surrounding areas.
ICD-11 Adjustment Disorder among Organ Transplant Patients and Their Relatives
Authors: Bachem Rahel , Baumann Jan , Köllner Volker
Published: August 2019

Adjustment disorder (AD) is one of the most frequent mental health conditions after stressful life experiences in the medical setting. The diagnosis has been conceptually redefined in International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and now includes specific symptoms of preoccupations and failure to adapt. The current study assesses the prevalence of self-reported ICD-11 AD among organ transplantation patients and their relatives, explores the association of patients’ demographic-, transplant-, and health-related characteristics and ICD-11 AD symptoms, and evaluates the role of social support in the post- transplant context. A total of N = 140 patient-relative dyads were examined cross-sectionally. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to explore potential predictive factors of AD. The results revealed an AD prevalence of 10.7% among patients and 16.4% among relatives at an average of 13.5 years after the transplantation. The time that had passed since the transplantation was unrelated to AD symptom severity. Women tended to be at a higher risk in both groups. Somatic issues were predictive for AD only among patients and social support was predictive mainly among relatives. The results suggest that ICD-11 AD is a relevant diagnosis after organ transplantations for patients and relatives and its specific symptom clusters may provide important information for developing intervention strategies.
IL-4 Augments IL-31/IL-31 Receptor Alpha Interaction Leading to Enhanced Ccl 17 and Ccl 22 Production in Dendritic Cells: Implications for Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Miake Sho , Tsuji Gaku , Takemura Masaki , Hashimoto-Hachiya Akiko , Vu Yen Hai , Furue Masutaka , Nakahara Takeshi
Published: August 2019

Severe pruritus is a characteristic feature of atopic dermatitis (AD) and is closely related to its activity. Recent studies have shown that IL-31 is a key determinant of pruritus in AD. Anti-IL-31 receptor alpha (IL-31RA) antibody treatment has also been reported to improve pruritus clinically, subsequently contributing to the attenuation of AD disease activity. Therefore, IL-31 has been thought to be an important cytokine for regulating pruritus and AD disease activity; however, how IL-31 is involved in the immune response in AD has remained largely unknown. Epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) and dermal dendritic cells (DCs) derived from bone marrow cells have been reported to play a critical role in AD pathogenesis. LCs and DCs produce Ccl 17 and Ccl 22, which chemoattract Th2 cells, leading to AD development. Therefore, we aimed to clarify how IL-31/IL-31RA interaction affects Ccl 17 and Ccl 22 production. To test this, we analyzed murine bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) stimulated with IL-4, an important cytokine in AD development. We found that IL-31RA expression was upregulated by IL-4 stimulation in a dose-dependent manner in BMDCs. Furthermore, IL-31 upregulates Ccl 17 and Ccl 22 production in the presence of IL-4, whereas IL-31 stimulation alone did not produce Ccl 17 and Ccl 22. These findings suggest that IL-4 mediates IL-31RA expression and IL-31/IL-31RA interaction augments Ccl 17 and Ccl 22 production in BMDCs, which promotes Th2-deviated immune response in AD. Since we previously reported that soybean tar Glyteer, an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) ligand, impairs IL-4/Stat 6 signaling in BMDCs, we examined whether Glyteer affects IL-31RA expression induced by IL-4 stimulation. Glyteer inhibited upregulation of IL-31RA expression induced by IL-4 stimulation in a dose-dependent manner. Glyteer also inhibited Ccl 17 and Ccl 22 production induced by IL-4 and IL-31 stimulation. Taken together, these findings suggest that Glyteer treatment may improve AD disease activity by impairing IL-31/IL-31RA interaction in DCs.
Lipolytic Effects of 3-Iodothyronamine (T1AM) and a Novel Thyronamine-Like Analog SG-2 through the AMPK Pathway
Authors: Rogowski Michael , Bellusci Lorenza , Sabatini Martina , Rapposelli Simona , Rahman Shaikh M. , Chiellini Grazia , Assadi-Porter Fariba M.
Published: August 2019

3-Iodothyronamine (T1AM) and its synthetic analog SG-2 are rapidly emerging as promising drivers of cellular metabolic reprogramming. Our recent research indicates that in obese mice a sub-chronic low dose T1AM treatment increased lipolysis, associated with significant weight loss independent of food consumption. The specific cellular mechanism of T1AM’s lipolytic effect and its site of action remains unknown. First, to study the mechanism used by T1AM to gain entry into cells, we synthesized a fluoro-labeled version of T1AM (FL-T1AM) by conjugating it to rhodamine (TRITC) and analyzed its cellular uptake and localization in 3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes. Cell imaging using confocal microscopy revealed a rapid intercellular uptake of FL-T1AM into mitochondria without localization to the lipid droplet or nucleus of mature adipocytes. Treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with T1AM and SG-2 resulted in decreased lipid accumulation, the latter showing a significantly higher potency than T1AM (10 µM vs. 20 µM, respectively). We further examined the effects of T1AM and SG-2 on liver HepG2 cells. A significant decrease in lipid accumulation was observed in HepG2 cells treated with T1AM or SG-2, due to increased lipolytic activity. This was confirmed by accumulation of glycerol in the culture media and through activation of the AMPK/ACC signaling pathways.
BA-12 Inhibits Angiogenesis via Glutathione Metabolism Activation
Authors: Cui Herong , Guo Wenbo , Zhang Beibei , Li Guoping , Li Tong , Yuan Yanyan , Zhang Na , Yang Yuwei , Feng Wuwen , Chu Fuhao , Wang Shenglan , Xu Bing , Wang Penglong , Lei Haimin
Published: August 2019

There is a need for an efficient and low-cost leading compound discovery mode. However, drug development remains slow, expensive, and risky. Here, this manuscript proposes a leading compound discovery strategy based on a combination of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulae and pharmacochemistry, using a ligustrazine–betulinic acid derivative (BA-12) in the treatment of angiogenesis as an example. Blocking angiogenesis to inhibit the growth and metastasis of solid tumors is currently one recognized therapy for cancer in the clinic. Firstly, based on a traditional Prunella vulgaris plaster, BA-12 was synthesized according to our previous study, as it exhibited better antitumor activities than other derivatives on human bladder carcinoma cells (T24); it was then uploaded for target prediction. Secondly, the efficacy and biotoxicity of BA-12 on angiogenesis were evaluated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), a quail chick chorioallantoic membrane, and Caenorhabditis elegans. According to the prediction results, the main mechanisms of BA-12 were metabolic pathways. Thus, multiple metabolomics approaches were applied to reveal the mechanisms of BA-12. Finally, the predictive mechanisms of BA-12 on glutathione metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism activation were validated using targeted metabolomics and pharmacological assays. This strategy may provide a reference for highly efficient drug discovery, with the aim of sharing TCM wisdom for unmet clinical needs.
CRB2 Loss in Rod Photoreceptors Is Associated with Progressive Loss of Retinal Contrast Sensitivity
Authors: Alves C. Henrique , Boon Nanda , Mulder Aat A. , Koster Abraham J. , Jost Carolina R. , Wijnholds Jan
Published: August 2019

Variations in the Crumbs homolog-1 (CRB1) gene are associated with a wide variety of autosomal recessive retinal dystrophies, including early onset retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). CRB1 belongs to the Crumbs family, which in mammals includes CRB2 and CRB3. Here, we studied the specific roles of CRB2 in rod photoreceptor cells and whether ablation of CRB2 in rods exacerbates the Crb1-disease. Therefore, we assessed the morphological, retinal, and visual functional consequences of specific ablation of CRB2 from rods with or without concomitant loss of CRB1. Our data demonstrated that loss of CRB2 in mature rods resulted in RP. The retina showed gliosis and disruption of the subapical region and adherens junctions at the outer limiting membrane. Rods were lost at the peripheral and central superior retina, while gross retinal lamination was preserved. Rod function as measured by electroretinography was impaired in adult mice. Additional loss of CRB1 exacerbated the retinal phenotype leading to an early reduction of the dark-adapted rod photoreceptor a-wave and reduced contrast sensitivity from 3-months-of-age, as measured by optokinetic tracking reflex (OKT) behavior testing. The data suggest that CRB2 present in rods is required to prevent photoreceptor degeneration and vision loss.
Autism Spectrum Disorder-Related Syndromes: Modeling with Drosophila and Rodents
Authors: Ueoka Ibuki , Pham Hang Thi Nguyet , Matsumoto Kinzo , Yamaguchi Masamitsu
Published: August 2019

Whole exome analyses have identified a number of genes associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ASD-related syndromes. These genes encode key regulators of synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity, cytoskeleton dynamics, protein synthesis and degradation, chromatin remodeling, transcription, and lipid homeostasis. Furthermore, in silico studies suggest complex regulatory networks among these genes. Drosophila is a useful genetic model system for studies of ASD and ASD-related syndromes to clarify the in vivo roles of ASD-associated genes and the complex gene regulatory networks operating in the pathogenesis of ASD and ASD-related syndromes. In this review, we discuss what we have learned from studies with vertebrate models, mostly mouse models. We then highlight studies with Drosophila models. We also discuss future developments in the related field.