bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Skills Involved in Reading Comprehension of Adolescents with Low Educational Opportunities
Authors: Abusamra Valeria , Difalcis Micaela , Martínez Gisela , Low Daniel , Formoso Jesica
Published: September 2020

Reading comprehension is a fundamental resource for educational and social development. It is a skill that brings into play a diverse and complex set of processes and cognitive functions based on building a mental representation of a given text. We set out to study how different domain-general and linguistic abilities explain text comprehension in a population of secondary school students with low educational opportunities. The sample consisted of 45 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 15 from two secondary schools in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Each participant was evaluated both in-group and individually for three sessions during school hours. A text comprehension screening test and a battery of tasks that measure different underlying cognitive processes were administered. Using multiple linear regression, we found that vocabulary, non-word reading, and verbal inhibition are the skills that best explain reading comprehension skills. Understanding how much different domain-general and linguistic subprocesses are associated with text comprehension is key to designing effective interventions that are also grounded in theory.
Study on the Deterioration of Concrete under Dry–Wet Cycle and Sulfate Attack
Authors: Liu Fang , Zhang Tonghuan , Luo Tao , Zhou Mengzhen , Zhang Kunkun , Ma Weiwei
Published: September 2020

In order to study the deterioration and mechanism of dry–wet cycles and sulfate attack on the performance of concrete in seaside and saline areas, the deterioration of compressive strength of concrete with different water cement ratios under different erosion environments (sodium sulfate soaking at room temperature and coupling of dry–wet cycling and sodium sulfate) was studied here. At the same time, ICT (industrial computed tomography) and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) techniques were used to analyze the internal pore structure of concrete under different erosion environments. The results show that the compressive strength under different erosion environments increases first and then decreases, and the dry–wet cycle accelerates the sulfate erosion. With the increase of dry and wet cycles, larger pores are filled with erosion products and developed into small pores in the early stage of erosion; in the later stage of erosion, the proportion of larger pores increases, and cracks occur inside the sample. In the process of sulfate soaking and erosion, the smaller pores in the concrete account for the majority. As the sulfate erosion continues, the T2 spectrum distribution curve gradually moves right, and the signal intensity of the larger pores increases.
Exploring the Effects of Synthetic and Postsynthetic Grinding on the Properties of the Spin Crossover Material [Fe(atrz)3](BF4)2 (atrz = 4-Amino-4H-1,2,4-Triazole)
Authors: Askew Jed H. , Pickup David M. , Lloyd Gareth O. , Chadwick Alan V. , Shepherd Helena J.
Published: September 2020

The effects of mechanochemical synthesis and postsynthetic grinding on the spin crossover material [Fe(atrz)3](BF4)2 was examined in detail using a combination of X-ray diffraction, magnetometry, EXAFS and TEM. Mechanochemical synthesis yielded a different polymorph (β-phase) to the solution synthesised sample (α-phase), with a lower temperature spin crossover. Milling duration did not significantly affect this temperature but did result in the production of smaller nanoparticles with a narrower size distribution. It is also possible to convert from α- to the β-phase via postsynthetic grinding.
Data-Influence Analytics in Predictive Models Applied to Asthma Disease
Authors: Tapia Alejandra , Giampaoli Viviana , Leiva Víctor , Lio Yuhlong
Published: September 2020

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases around the world and represents a serious problem in human health. Predictive models have become important in medical sciences because they provide valuable information for data-driven decision-making. In this work, a methodology of data-influence analytics based on mixed-effects logistic regression models is proposed for detecting potentially influential observations which can affect the quality of these models. Global and local influence diagnostic techniques are used simultaneously in this detection, which are often used separately. In addition, predictive performance measures are considered for this analytics. A study with children and adolescent asthma real data, collected from a public hospital of São Paulo, Brazil, is conducted to illustrate the proposed methodology. The results show that the influence diagnostic methodology is helpful for obtaining an accurate predictive model that provides scientific evidence when data-driven medical decision-making.
Research Analysis on Emerging Technologies in Corporate Accounting
Authors: Abad-Segura Emilio , González-Zamar Mariana-Daniela
Published: September 2020

The technological transformation has directly affected the functional areas of companies. This circumstance has been a challenge for corporate accounting, since the emerging technology allows handling a large volume of data, and providing valuable information for operational management, managerial control, and strategic planning. The aim of this study is to analyze current and future lines of research globally, during the period 1961–2019, on emerging technologies in corporate accounting. For this, bibliometric techniques were applied to 1126 articles on this subject to obtain findings on scientific production and the main subject areas. Scientific production has increased annually, so that in the last decade de 60.66% of all articles have been published. The main subject areas in which more articles were linked were business, management and accounting, social sciences, and economics, econometrics, and finance. Six lines of research have been identified that generate contributions on this topic. Furthermore, the analysis of the relevance of the keywords has detected the main future directions of research. The increasing worldwide trend of scientific production shows interest in developing aspects of this field of study. This study contributes to the academic, scientific, and professional discussion to improve decision-making based on the available information.
A Self-Care Prediction Model for Children with Disability Based on Genetic Algorithm and Extreme Gradient Boosting
Authors: Syafrudin Muhammad , Alfian Ganjar , Fitriyani Norma Latif , Anshari Muhammad , Hadibarata Tony , Fatwanto Agung , Rhee Jongtae
Published: September 2020

Detecting self-care problems is one of important and challenging issues for occupational therapists, since it requires a complex and time-consuming process. Machine learning algorithms have been recently applied to overcome this issue. In this study, we propose a self-care prediction model called GA-XGBoost, which combines genetic algorithms (GAs) with extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) for predicting self-care problems of children with disability. Selecting the feature subset affects the model performance; thus, we utilize GA to optimize finding the optimum feature subsets toward improving the model’s performance. To validate the effectiveness of GA-XGBoost, we present six experiments: comparing GA-XGBoost with other machine learning models and previous study results, a statistical significant test, impact analysis of feature selection and comparison with other feature selection methods, and sensitivity analysis of GA parameters. During the experiments, we use accuracy, precision, recall, and f1-score to measure the performance of the prediction models. The results show that GA-XGBoost obtains better performance than other prediction models and the previous study results. In addition, we design and develop a web-based self-care prediction to help therapist diagnose the self-care problems of children with disabilities. Therefore, appropriate treatment/therapy could be performed for each child to improve their therapeutic outcome.
Clinical Characteristics of Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Pediatric Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Systematic Review
Authors: Yoon Sojung , Li Han , Lee Keum , Hong Sung , Kim Dohoon , Im Hyunjoon , Rah Woongchan , Kim Eunseol , Cha Seungyeon , Yang Jinho , Kronbichler Andreas , Kresse Daniela , Koyanagi Ai , Jacob Louis , Ghayda Ramy , Shin Jae , Smith Lee
Published: September 2020

Background and objectives: Characterization of pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is necessary to control the pandemic, as asymptomatic or mildly infected children may act as carriers. To date, there are limited reports describing differences in clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics between asymptomatic and symptomatic infection, and between younger and older pediatric patients. The objective of this study is to compare characteristics among: (1) asymptomatic versus symptomatic and (2) less than 10 versus greater or equal to 10 years old pediatric COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: We searched for all terms related to pediatric COVID-19 in electronic databases (Embase, Medline, PubMed, and Web of Science) for articles from January 2020. This protocol followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Results: Eligible study designs included case reports and series, while we excluded comments/letters, reviews, and literature not written in English. Initially, 817 articles were identified. Forty-three articles encompassing 158 confirmed pediatric COVID-19 cases were included in the final analyses. Lymphocytosis and high CRP were associated with symptomatic infection. Abnormal chest CT more accurately detected asymptomatic COVID-19 in older patients than in younger ones, but clinical characteristics were similar between older and younger patients. Conclusions: Chest CT scan findings are untrustworthy in younger children with COVID-19 as compared with clinical findings, or significant differences in findings between asymptomatic to symptomatic children. Further studies evaluating pediatric COVID-19 could contribute to potential therapeutic interventions and preventive strategies to limit spreading.
Microstructure and Performance Analysis of Welded Joint of Spray-Deposited 2195 Al-Cu-Li Alloy Using GTAW
Authors: Luo Chuanguang , Li Huan , Song Yonglun , Yang Lijun , Wen Yuanhua
Published: September 2020

High-strength aluminum alloy fabricated using spray deposition technology possesses many advantages, such as fine crystal grains, low component segregation, uniform microstructure, and small internal stress. In this study, spray-deposited 2195 Al-Cu-Li alloy in forged state was used and welded using the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process to test and verify the features of the fusion joint. Quantitative analysis was carried out to evaluate the relationship between the local microstructures and performances of the fusion joint, which was composed of four zones: weld metal, fusion zone, heat-affected zone, and base metal. The characteristic quantities of each zone, including recrystallized grain fraction, grain sizes, grain misorientation angle, and Vickers hardness, and their distributions were considered as the key factors affecting the performance of the joint because of welding thermal cycle impact on the fusion joint. To recognize the metallurgical characteristics of spray-deposited alloy 2195, a statistical algorithm based on the concept of the Hall–Petch relationship was proposed to validate the actual test results, which include the correlation effects of both the filler wire and welding process. The correlation between the microstructures and performances of several characteristic quantities were evaluated by integrating the above characteristic information of the fusion joint under the strong coupling of multiple factors. Thus, the advantages of weldability of spray-deposited alloy 2195 using GTAW could be understood in detail.
Effect of Basicity on the Structure, Viscosity and Crystallization of CaO-SiO2-B2O3 Based Mold Fluxes
Authors: Sadaf Shama , Wu Ting , Zhong Lei , Liao Zhi You , Wang Hai Chuan
Published: September 2020

In this study, the structure, viscosity characteristics, and crystallization behavior of CaO-SiO2-B2O3 based melts were studied combining molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, rotating viscometer test, and FactSage thermodynamic calculation. The results showed that, in the ternary CaO-SiO2-B2O3 glass system, stable structural units of [SiO4]4− tetrahedral, [BO3]3− trihedral and [BO4]5− tetrahedral were formed, and the Si-O and B-O structure depolymerize with the basicity increase from 1.15 to 1.25, then the B-O structure become complex with the basicity further increase to 1.35. In fluorine-free mold fluxes, with the basicity increases, the viscosity at 1300 °C increases, the liquidus temperature decreases and then increases, the network structure polymerizes, it indicates that the structural complexity rather than the melting property change plays a predominant role in increasing the viscosity at 1300 °C. Moreover, due to the changes in crystallization phase and solid solution ratio, the viscosity-temperature curve of fluorine-free slag shows the characteristics of alkaline slag and the break temperature increase with the basicity increase. The MD simulation, FTIR experiment, viscosity test, and FactSage calculation results are verified and complemented each other.
Effect of Added Dietary Betaine and Soluble Fiber on Metabolites and Fecal Microbiome in Dogs with Early Renal Disease
Authors: Ephraim Eden , Jewell Dennis E.
Published: September 2020

Renal diets are recommended for dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study examined the effects of foods with added betaine and fiber on the plasma and fecal metabolome and fecal microbiome in dogs with early stage CKD. At baseline, several metabolites differed between healthy dogs and those with CKD. Dogs with CKD (n = 28) received a control food, low soluble fiber plus betaine food (0.5% betaine, 0.39% oat beta-glucan, and 0.27% short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS)), or high soluble fiber plus betaine food (0.5% betaine, 0.59% oat beta-glucan, and 0.41% scFOS) each for 10 weeks in different sequences. Consumption of test foods led to several favorable, significant changes in the plasma metabolome, including decreases of several uremic toxins and other deleterious metabolites, and increases in favorable metabolites compared with the control food. Only 7 fecal metabolites significantly changed with consumption of the test foods compared with the control food, largely increases in polyphenols and lignans. Few changes were seen in the fecal microbiome, though some taxa that significantly changed in response to the test foods have beneficial effects on health, with some negatively correlating with uremic toxins. Overall, foods with added betaine and soluble fiber showed positive effects on the plasma and fecal metabolomes.
Characterization of the Bacterial Biofilm Communities Present in Reverse-Osmosis Water Systems for Haemodialysis
Authors: Cuevas Juan-Pablo , Moraga Ruben , Sánchez-Alonzo Kimberly , Valenzuela Cristian , Aguayo Paulina , Smith Carlos T. , García Apolinaria , Fernandez Ítalo , Campos Víctor L
Published: September 2020

Biofilm in reverse osmosis (RO) membranes is a common problem in water treatment at haemodialysis facilities. Bacteria adhere and proliferate on RO membranes, forming biofilms, obstructing and damaging the membranes and allowing the transfer of bacteria and/or cellular components potentially harmful to the health of haemodialysis patients. Our aim was to characterize the bacterial community associated to biofilm of RO membranes and to identify potentially pathogenic bacteria present in the haemodialysis systems of two dialysis centres in Chile. The diversity of the bacterial communities present on RO membranes and potable and osmosed water samples was evaluated using Illumina sequencing. Additionally, bacteria from potable water, osmosed water and RO membrane samples were isolated, characterized and identified by Sanger’s sequencing. The molecular analyses of metagenomics showed that the phyla having a greater relative abundance in both dialysis centres were Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes. Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Agrobacterium, Pigmentiphaga, Ralstonia, Arthrobacter, Bacteroides and Staphylococcus were bacterial genera isolated from the different samples obtained at both haemodialysis centres. Pseudomonas spp. was a bacterial genus with greater frequency in all samples. Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus showed higher levels of resistance to the antibiotics tested. Results demonstrated the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria, showing resistance to antimicrobials on RO membranes and in osmosed water in both dialysis centres studied.
Recrystallization and Uptake of 226Ra into Ba-Rich (Ba,Sr)SO4 Solid Solutions
Authors: Brandt Felix , Klinkenberg Martina , Poonoosamy Jenna , Bosbach Dirk
Published: September 2020

226Ra is an important contributor to naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) and also considered in safety cases related to the disposal of spent nuclear fuel in a deep geological repository. Recrystallization and solid solution formation with sulfates is regarded as an important retention mechanism for 226Ra. In natural systems sulfates often occur as (Ba,Sr)SO4. Therefore, we have chosen this solid solution at the Ba-rich end for investigations of the 226Ra uptake. The resulting 226Ra-solubility in aqueous solution was assessed in comparison with a thermodynamic model of the solid solution-aqueous solution system (Ba,Sr,Ra)SO4 + H2O. The temperature and composition of the initial (Ba,Sr)SO4 solid solution were varied. Measurements of the solution composition were combined with microscopic observations of the solid and thermodynamic modeling. A complex recrystallization behavior of the solid was observed, including the dissolution of significant amounts of the solid and formation of metastable phases. The re-equilibration of Ba-rich (Ba,Sr)SO4 to (Ba,Sr,Ra)SO4 leads to a major reconstruction of the solid. Already trace amounts of Sr in the solid solution can have a significant impact on the 226Ra solubility, depending on the temperature. The experimental findings confirm the thermodynamic model, although not all solids reached equilibrium with respect to all cations.
Inkjet Printing of Synthesized Melanin Nanoparticles as a Biocompatible Matrix for Pharmacologic Agents
Authors: Ballard Matthew , Shafiee Ashkan , Grage Elinor , DeMarco Max , Atala Anthony , Ghadiri Elham
Published: September 2020

Melanin is a natural biopigment that is produced by melanocytes and can be found in most living organisms. The unique physical and chemical properties of melanin render it potentially useful for numerous applications, particularly those in which a biocompatible functional material is required. Herein, we introduce one important technology in which melanin can be utilized: a drug delivery system in terms of a biocompatible matrix. However, extracting melanin from different biological sources is costly and time-consuming and introduces variabilities in terms of chemical structure, properties, and functions. Hence, a functionally reproducible system is hard to achieve using biologically extracted melanin. Here we report the synthesis of melanin nanoparticles of controlled uniform sizes and chemical characteristics. The optical, chemical, and structural characteristics of synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by optical confocal photoluminescence (PL) imaging, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Zeta potentiometry. The melanin nanoparticles have 100 nm size and a narrow size distribution. The advantage of a nanoparticle structure is its enhanced surface-to-volume ratio compared to bulk pigments, which is important for applications in which controlling the microscopic surface area is essential. Using the inkjet printing technique, we developed melanin thin films with minimum ink waste and loaded them with methylene blue (our representative drug) to test the drug-loading ability of the melanin nanoparticles. Inkjet printing allowed us to create smooth uniform films with precise deposition and minimum ink-waste. The spectroscopic analysis confirmed the attachment of the “drug” onto the melanin nanoparticles as a matrix. Hence, our data identify melanin as a material system to integrate into drug release applications.
Mechanical Properties of Electrospun, Blended Fibrinogen: PCL Nanofibers
Authors: Sharpe Jacquelyn M. , Lee Hyunsu , Hall Adam R. , Bonin Keith , Guthold Martin
Published: September 2020

Electrospun nanofibers manufactured from biocompatible materials are used in numerous bioengineering applications, such as tissue engineering, creating organoids or dressings, and drug delivery. In many of these applications, the morphological and mechanical properties of the single fiber affect their function. We used a combined atomic force microscope (AFM)/optical microscope technique to determine the mechanical properties of nanofibers that were electrospun from a 50:50 fibrinogen:PCL (poly-ε-caprolactone) blend. Both of these materials are widely available and biocompatible. Fibers were spun onto a striated substrate with 6 μm wide grooves, anchored with epoxy on the ridges and pulled with the AFM probe. The fibers showed significant strain softening, as the modulus decreased from an initial value of 1700 MPa (5–10% strain) to 110 MPa (>40% strain). Despite this extreme strain softening, these fibers were very extensible, with a breaking strain of 100%. The fibers exhibited high energy loss (up to 70%) and strains larger than 5% permanently deformed the fibers. These fibers displayed the stress–strain curves of a ductile material. We provide a comparison of the mechanical properties of these blended fibers with other electrospun and natural nanofibers. This work expands a growing library of mechanically characterized, electrospun materials for biomedical applications.
Folic Acid Induces Intake-Related Changes in the Mammary Tissue Transcriptome of C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Burton Mark A. , Antoun Elie , Penailillo Reyna S. , Burdge Graham C. , Lillycrop Karen A.
Published: September 2020

Folic acid (FA) intake has been associated with increased breast cancer risk in some studies. Although underlying mechanisms are unknown, epigenetic modifications that persistently alter transcription have been suggested. We tested the hypothesis that high FA (HFA) intake alters the adult mammary transcriptome in a manner consistent with increased potential for carcinogenesis, detectable beyond the period of intake. C57BL/6 mice were fed control FA (CFA) (1 mg/kg diet) or HFA (5 mg/kg diet) diets for 4 weeks, followed by AIN93M maintenance diet for 4 weeks. Plasma 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, p-aminobenzoylglutamate and unmetabolised FA concentrations were greater (1.62, 1.56, 5.80-fold, respectively) in HFA compared to CFA mice. RNA sequencing of the mammary transcriptome (~20 million reads) showed 222 transcripts (191 upregulated) differentially expressed between groups. Gene Set Enrichment showed upregulated genes significantly enriched in Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition, Myogenesis and Apical Junction and downregulated genes in E2F targets, MYC targets and G2M checkpoint. Cancer was the most altered Disease and Disorder pathway, with Metastasis, Mammary Tumour and Growth of Tumour the most upregulated pathways. ChIP-seq enrichment analysis showed that targets of histone methyltransferase EZH2 were enriched in HFA mice. This study demonstrates HFA intake during adulthood induces mammary transcriptome changes, consistent with greater tumorigenic potential.
Differences and Similarities in the Peptide Profile of Preterm and Term Mother’s Milk, and Preterm and Term Infant Gastric Samples
Authors: Nielsen Søren D. , Beverly Robert L. , Underwood Mark A. , Dallas David C.
Published: September 2020

Our previous studies revealed that milk proteases begin to hydrolyze proteins in the mammary gland and that proteolytic digestion continues within the infant stomach. No research has measured how the release of milk peptides differs between the gastric aspirates of term and premature infants. This study examined the presence of milk peptides in milk and gastric samples from term and preterm infants using an Orbitrap Fusion Lumos mass spectrometer. Samples were collected from nine preterm-delivering and four term-delivering mother–infant pairs. Our study reveals an increased count and ion abundance of peptides and decreased peptide length from mother’s milk to the infant stomach, confirming that additional break-down of the milk proteins occurred in both preterm and term infants’ stomachs. Protein digestion occurred at a higher level in the gastric contents of term infants than in gastric contents of preterm infants. An amino acid cleavage site-based enzyme analysis suggested that the observed higher proteolysis in the term infants was due to higher pepsin/cathepsin D activity in the stomach. Additionally, there was a higher quantity of antimicrobial peptides in term infant gastric contents than in those of preterm infants, which could indicate that preterm infants benefit less from bioactive peptides in the gut.
On the History and Applications of Congenic Strains in Cryptococcus Research
Authors: Chadwick Benjamin J. , Lin Xiaorong
Published: September 2020

Congenic strains have been utilized in numerous model organisms to determine the genetic underpinning of various phenotypic traits. Congenic strains are usually derived after 10 backcrosses to a recipient parent, at which point they are 99.95% genetically identical to the parental strain. In recent decades, congenic pairs have provided an invaluable tool for genetics and molecular biology research in the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex. Here, we summarize the history of Cryptococcus congenic pairs and their application in Cryptococcus research on topics including the impact of the mating type locus on unisexual reproduction, virulence, tissue tropism, uniparental mitochondrial inheritance, and the genetic underpinning of other various traits. We also discuss the limitations of these approaches and other biological questions, which could be explored by employing congenic pairs.
Thermal Insulation and Mechanical Properties of Polylactic Acid (PLA) at Different Processing Conditions
Authors: Barkhad Mohamed Saeed , Abu-Jdayil Basim , Mourad Abdel Hamid I. , Iqbal Muhammad Z.
Published: September 2020

This work aims to provide an extensive evaluation on the use of polylactic acid (PLA) as a green, biodegradable thermal insulation material. The PLA was processed by melt extrusion followed by compression molding and then subjected to different annealing conditions. Afterwards, the thermal insulation properties and structural capacity of the PLA were characterized. Increasing the annealing time of PLA in the range of 0–24 h led to a considerable increase in the degree of crystallization, which had a direct impact on the thermal conductivity, density, and glass transition temperature. The thermal conductivity of PLA increased from 0.0643 W/(m·K) for quickly-cooled samples to 0.0904 W/(m·K) for the samples annealed for 24 h, while the glass transition temperature increased by approximately 11.33% to reach 59.0 °C. Moreover, the annealing process substantially improved the compressive strength and rigidity of the PLA and reduced its ductility. The results revealed that annealing PLA for 1–3 h at 90 °C produces an optimum thermal insulation material. The low thermal conductivity (0.0798–0.0865 W/(m·K)), low density (~1233 kg/m3), very low water retention (<0.19%) and high compressive strength (97.2–98.7 MPa) in this annealing time range are very promising to introduce PLA as a green insulation material.
Tunable Wettability of Biodegradable Multilayer Sandwich-Structured Electrospun Nanofibrous Membranes
Authors: Alam A. K. M. Mashud , Ewaldz Elena , Xiang Chunhui , Qu Wangda , Bai Xianglan
Published: September 2020

This research aims to develop multilayer sandwich-structured electrospun nanofiber (ENF) membranes using biodegradable polymers. Hydrophilic regenerated cellulose (RC) and hydrophobic poly (lactic acid) (PLA)-based novel multilayer sandwich-structures were created by electrospinning on various copper collectors, including copper foil and 30-mesh copper gauzes, to modify the surface roughness for tunable wettability. Different collectors yielded various sizes and morphologies of the fabricated ENFs with different levels of surface roughness. Bead-free thicker fibers were collected on foil collectors. The surface roughness of the fine fibers collected on mesh collectors contributed to an increase in hydrophobicity. An RC-based triple-layered structure showed a contact angle of 48.2°, which is comparable to the contact angle of the single-layer cellulosic fabrics (47.0°). The polar shift of RC membranes on the wetting envelope is indicative of the possibility of tuning the wetting behavior by creating multilayer structures. Wettability can be tuned by creating multilayer sandwich structures consisting of RC and PLA. This study provides an important insight into the manipulation of the wetting behavior of polymeric ENFs in multilayer structures for applications including chemical protective clothing.
Mussel-Inspired Approach to Constructing Dual Network Coated Layered Clay for Enhanced Barrier and Antibacterial Properties of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanocomposites
Authors: Mao Long , Xie Jianda , Wu Huiqing , Liu Yuejun
Published: September 2020

Inspired by complexation and mussel adhesion of catechol groups in tannic acid (TA), organophilic layered double hydroxides (LDHs@TA-Ti) were synthesized by forming a one-pot assembled TA-titanium (Ti) dual network coating on the surface of layered clay for the first time. LDHs@TA-Ti/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposites were prepared by the solution casting method. The results show that TA-Ti(IV) and TiO2 coordination compounds are simultaneously formed due to hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride and complexation of TA in aqueous solution. Upon TA-Ti coatings onto the surface of LDHs, the antibacterial rate of LDHs@TA-Ti is up to 99.98%. Corresponding LDHs@TA-Ti/PVA nanocomposites also show outstanding antibacterial properties. Compared with pure PVA, LDHs@TA-Ti/PVA nanocomposites show a 40.9% increase in tensile strength, a 17.5% increase in elongation at break, a 35.9% decrease in oxygen permeability and a 26.0% decrease in water vapor permeability when adding 1 wt % LDHs@TA-Ti. UV transmittance (at 300 nm) of LDHs@TA-Ti/PVA nanocomposites decrease by 99.4% when the content of LDHs@TA-Ti reaches 3 wt %. These results indicate that PVA matrix incorporated with LDHs@TA-Ti could be used as a potential active packaging material to extend the shelf life of food products.
Plasma Activation of Polyethylene Powder
Authors: Šourková Hana , Špatenka Petr
Published: September 2020

Polyethylene powder of average particle diameter of 160 µm was activated in a plasma reactor made from aluminum of volume 64 dm3 at the pressure 100 Pa. Dense oxygen plasma was sustained with a microwave discharge powered by a pulsed magnetron source of power 1 kW mounted onto the top flange of the plasma reactor. Polymer powder was treated in a batch mode with 0.25 kg/batch. The powder was placed into a stainless-steel dish mounted in the center of the reactor where diffusing plasma of low ion density, and the O-atom density of 2 × 1021 m−3 was sustained. The powder was stirred in the dish at the rate of 40 rpm. The evolution of powder wettability versus treatment time was measured using the Washburne method, and the surface composition was determined by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The wettability versus the oxygen concentration assumed a parabolic behavior. The maximal oxygen concentration, as revealed by XPS, was 17.5 at.%, and the maximal increase of wettability was 220%. The efficiency of O-atoms utilization in these experimental conditions was about 10% taking into account the spherical geometry of dust particles and perfectly smooth surface. The method is scalable to large industrial systems.
Optimization of Extrusion and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Jizi439 Black Wheat Bran
Authors: Chen Xi , Li Xinyue , Zhu Xiangwei , Wang Guozhen , Zhuang Kun , Wang Yuehui , Ding Wenping
Published: September 2020

Jizi439, a newly developed black wheat breeding line, was reported to effectively regulate blood glucose, which may potentially be associated with its intrinsic high level of phenolic compounds (PCs). To maximize the PCs yield and thereby enhance their antioxidant activity, orthogonal experiments were designed in sequence for extrusion of Jizi439 black wheat bran (BWB) powder and followed by the extraction of PCs assisted with ultrasound technique. White wheat bran was used as a control. The optimum condition for extrusion was 110 °C, 25% feed water content, 140 rpm screw speed; meanwhile, 50 °C, 40 min, 35 kHz ultrasonic frequency, 300 W ultrasonic power for ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Total phenolic content (TPC) as determined by Folin–Ciocalteu method was 2856.3 ± 57.7 μg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per gram of dry weight (DW) of phenolic extract; meanwhile, antioxidant activity (AA) in terms of DPPH radical scavenging ratio was 85.5% ± 1.1% under optimized conditions, which were both significantly higher than the control. Phenolic acids except for gallic acid, as well as flavonoids, including luteolin and apigenin were increased by extrusion and ultrasound, as suggested by HPLC results. In conclusion, our study would provide a valuable reference for processing Jizi439 BWB before making or commercially utilize it into health-related food products.
Influence of Family Violence on the Marital Quality in Pakistani Muslims: Role of Personal Factors
Authors: Perveen Aisha , Malik Sadia
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of self-compassion and religiosity in marital quality among married Pakistani Muslims in abusive or violent relationships. The study aimed at exploring religion and self-kindness as protective factors that could save and strengthen marital relationships despite family violence. Four standardized scales, Family Violence Scale, Self-Compassion Questionnaire, Centrality of Religiosity Questionnaire and Marital Quality Questionnaire were used for data collection from married Muslims of Punjab (N = 600). Analysis was carried out with PROCESS macro for SPSS which revealed that religiosity moderated between family violence and marital quality and buffered its negative effects. Furthermore, self-compassion mediated family violence and marital quality influencing its quality. These findings would benefit researchers, and other practitioners who work with married adults helping them work out their abusive differences improving marital quality of life.
A Cluster Approach to Cloud Cover Classification over South America and Adjacent Oceans Using a k-means/k-means++ Unsupervised Algorithm on GOES IR Imagery
Authors: Yuchechen Adrián E. , Lakkis S. Gabriela , Caferri Agustín , Canziani Pablo O. , Muszkats Juan Pablo
Published: September 2020

An unsupervised k-means/k-means++ clustering algorithm was implemented on daily images of standardized anomalies of brightness temperature (Tb) derived from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-13 infrared data for the period 1 December 2010 to 30 November 2016. The goal was to decompose each individual Tb image into four clusters that captures the characteristics of different cloud regimes. The extracted clusters were ordered by their mean value in an ascending fashion so that the lower the cluster order, the higher the clouds they represent. A linear regression between temperature and height with temperature used as the predictor was conducted to estimate cloud top heights (CTHs) from the Tb values. The analysis of the results was performed in two different ways: sample dates and seasonal features. Cluster 1 is the less dominant one, representing clouds with the highest tops and variabilities. Cluster 4 is the most dominant one and represents a cloud regime that spans the lowest 2 km of the troposphere. Clusters 2 and 3 are entangled in the sense that both have their CTHs spanning the middle troposphere. Correlations between the monthly time series of the number of pixels in each cluster and of the entropy with several circulation indices are also introduced. Additionally, a fractal-related analysis was carried out on cluster 1 in order to resolve cirrus and cumulonimbus.
Effects of an Initial Muscle Strength Level on Sports Performance Changes in Collegiate Soccer Players
Authors: Ishida Ai , Rochau Kyle , Findlay Kyle P. , Devero Brandon , Duca Marco , Stone Michael H.
Published: September 2020

The purposes of this study were to investigate effects of partial block periodized strength training on physical performance and to examine relationships between initial muscle strength measured with isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) and performance changes after 7 weeks of strength training. Seventeen collegiate male soccer players participated. Initial muscle strength was determined using IMTP while physical performance included 10 m and 20 m sprints and static vertical jump with a polyvinyl chloride pipe (SJ0), 20 kg barbell (SJ20), and barbell loaded to 40 kg bar (SJ40). Performance testing was performed at three points: before first week (baseline), fourth week (T1), and seventh week (T2). Statistically small to moderate changes were found from baseline to T2 in peak power (PP; p < 0.001, ES = 0.49), net impulse (NI; p < 0.001, ES = 0.49), peak velocity (PV; p < 0.001, ES = 0.62), allometrically scaled PP (PPa; p < 0.001, ES = 0.62) in SJ20 and jump height (JH) in SJ40 (p < 0.001, ES = 0.36). Moderate to large correlations were found between isometric peak force and the changes from baseline to T2 in SJ20 PP (p = 0.04, r = −0.49), SJ20 PF (p = 0.03, r = −0.52), PPa (p = 0.04, r = −0.50), and SJ20 allometrically scaled peak force (p = 0.04, r = −0.49). Properly structured strength training maximizes task-specific physical performance. Initial muscle strength negatively affects the magnitudes of adaptations to physical performance.
An Approach to Environmental Criteria in Public Procurement for the Renovation of Buildings in Spain
Authors: Soto Teresa , Escrig Teresa , Serrano-Lanzarote Begoña , Matarredona Desantes Núria
Published: September 2020

In order to contribute to climate neutrality within the EU in 2050, it is necessary for administrations to play a driving role through green public procurement for building renovation (GPPBR). Among the main barriers that slow down the GPPBR, a lack of knowledge of the parties involved can be highlighted. Faced with this scenario, the aim of this article is to provide a compilation, as a preliminary state of the art, of the most important environmental measures to bring to the GPPBR specifications. The methodology used for this compilation and critical analysis consisted of a systematic search for laws, regulations and guides prepared by Spanish public administrations, as well as looking into other international information sources, mainly collected from the EU. Despite the fact that related technical information is abundant, it is scattered and at times impractical. This study can be useful as a basis for both drafting specifications and highlighting the need to develop other specific and advanced technical procedures to assist GPPBR professionals.
From Dichotomy to an Integrated Approach: Cities’ Benefits of Integrating Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Authors: Huang-Lachmann Jo-Ting , Guenther Edeltraud
Published: September 2020

Cities are facing impacts of climate change and encountering risks such as extreme weather events, while cities are also aiming to contribute to their mitigation goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the differences in characteristics of climate change mitigation and adaptation have shown the possible reasons for a dichotomy in climate policy. This has motivated us to further look into whether cities could integrate their actions in climate change mitigation and adaptation in their planning and how they achieve benefits to overcome the dichotomy. To answer our research question, we have developed an analysis framework built on the endogenous risk theory to analyse how cities overcome the different characteristics to integrate their climate strategies and obtain benefits. The theory of endogenous risk involves seeing both climate change mitigation and adaptation as risk reduction strategies because both of them aim to reduce climate risks and can be carried out by actors who perceive such risks. Therefore, the actors will be more willing to integrate and implement both mitigation and adaptation policy. Our results show that mitigation and adaptation in cities are interlinked and that benefits of an integrated climate change policy exist. A list of entry points how cities overcome the dichotomy are also identified. Our research outcomes also provide a list of benefits identified by the cities in their integrated climate strategies and we call for more public disclosed data for future research and policy assessments.
The State of Experimental Research on Community Interventions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions—A Systematic Review
Authors: Biglan Anthony , Bonner Andrew C. , Johansson Magnus , Ghai Jessica L. , Van Ryzin Mark J. , Dubuc Tiffany L. , Seniuk Holly A. , Fiebig Julia H. , Coyne Lisa W.
Published: September 2020

This paper reviews research on community efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We conducted a systematic search of the relevant literature, and supplemented our findings with an analysis of review papers previously published on the topic. The results indicate that there have been no peer-reviewed experimental evaluations of community-wide interventions to reduce greenhouse gases involving electricity, refrigeration, or food. The lack of findings limits the conclusions which can be made about the efficacy of these efforts. As a result, we are not accumulating effective interventions, and some communities may be implementing strategies that are not effective. We advocate for the funding of experimental evaluations of multi-sector community interventions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Such interventions would attempt to engage every sector of the community in identifying and implementing policies and practices to reduce emissions. Comprehensive multi-sector interventions are likely to have synergistic effects, such that the total impact is greater than the sum of the impact of the individual components. We describe the value of interrupted time-series designs as an alternative to randomized trials, because these designs confer particular advantages for the evaluation of strategies in entire communities.
Perception, Motivation, and Satisfaction of Female Tourists with Their Visit to the City of Cordoba (Spain)
Authors: Lenis Escobar Alexandra , Rueda López Ramón , Pérez-Priego Manuel , García-Moreno García María de los Baños
Published: September 2020

The cultural and historical heritage of a city is a major resource for attracting tourists. Therefore, determining how to perceive and identify the characteristics of persons visiting a locality attracted by its heritage is relevant for the purpose of better meeting their expectations and needs. This research focuses on understanding the perceptions, motivations, and satisfaction of women visiting Cordoba (Spain). Thus, on the basis of a questionnaire completed by women visiting Cordoba between the months of June and November 2019, statistical analysis was conducted. Using various multivalent case-grouping techniques, segments of tourists holding similar perceptions of cultural heritage were detected. Moreover, non-parametric statistical techniques highlighted significant differences between the valuations obtained in the various segments. This analysis exposed a segment of women who, known as absorptive tourists, are characterized by a high cultural motivation to visit the city of Cordoba linked to the heritage sites they have visited. The conclusions obtained herein should be useful for adjusting the city’s provision of tourism services to satisfy the demand of female tourists visiting the city.
Investigations of HAWT Airfoil Shape Characteristics and 3D Rotational Augmentation Sensitivity Toward the Aerodynamic Performance Improvement
Authors: Kim Youjin , Bangga Galih , Delgado Antonio
Published: September 2020

This study investigates the impacts of dierent airfoil shapes on the 3D augmentationand power production of horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs). The aerodynamic eect fromchanging the leading and trailing edge of the airfoil is the emphasis of the research. Varied powerproduced from modifying sensitivity on 3D augmentations, caused by revamping airfoil shapes, areshown. The 3D correction law, considering the chord to radius ratio and the blades’ pitch angle inthe rotation, is applied to the airfoil lift coecients. The blade element method (BEM) embeddedin the software Qblade with modified lift coecients simulates the power productions of threewind turbines from these airfoils. The comparisons of the boundary layer characteristics, sectionalforces, and inflow angle of the blade sections are calculated. The k-omega SST turbulence model inOpenFoam visualizes the stall and separation of the blades’ 2D section. The airfoils with a roundedleading edge show a reduced stall and separated flow region. The power production is 2.3 timeshigher for the airfoil constructed with a more rounded leading edge S809r and two times higher forthe airfoil S809gx of the symmetric structure.
Spillover Index Approach in Investigating the Linkage between International Tourism and Economic growth in Central and Eastern European Countries
Authors: Chirilă Viorica , Butnaru Gina Ionela , Chirilă Ciprian
Published: September 2020

The present study analyses the relationship between economic growth and tourism growth at the level of Central and East European countries, using the spillover indices approach. Based on the monthly data obtained for the period 2000–2019, the analysis of this paper presents certain empirical results. Firstly, the relationship economic growth-international tourism grow is not stable over time, both from the point of view of its size and its direction, which suggests that the specific activities of international tourism contribute to the economic growth and hypotheses according to which international tourism growth causes economic growth are time-dependent. Secondly, the relationship economic growth-international tourism growth is dependent on certain major events, such as the economic and financial crisis that started in 2008 and the debt crises from 2010. The results obtained show that the impact of these events influences the direction of the relationship between international tourism and economic growth which becomes more accentuated during the economic growth periods.