bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hukkakauran siemenien itävyyden säilymisriski maassa
Authors: Jalli Heikki , Saarisalo Eeva
Published: April 2019

Hukkakaura on yksivuotinen rikkaheinä, joka keväällä orastuttuaan kasvaa aluksi viljaa hitaammin.Hukkakauran siemen itää ja orastuu hitaasti, mutta varmasti, kun olosuhteet ovat sopivat ja itämiskypsyyson saavutettu. Hukkakaura kehittää ensin voimakkaan juuriston, jonka turvin se myöhemmin kasvaanopeasti viljan seassakin muuta kasvustoa korkeammaksi.Lokakuussa 2005 ja 2006 Jokioisilla kylvettiin 200 hukkauransiementä hienolla hiedalla täytettyihinverkkopohjallisiin kehikkoiin. Kehikot upotettiin reunojaan myöten peltomaahan. Kylvösyvyydetolivat 2,5 cm ja pinta. Hukkakauran siementen taimettumista seurattiin kunnes siemeniä ei enäätaimettunut.Hukkakauran taimettuminen ja taimettumisrytmi vaihtelee vuosittain.Maahan mullatun hukkakauran siemenen taimettuminen on varmempaa kuin maan pinnalla olevansiemenen. Syksyn kosteissa ja lämpimissä oloissa voivat maahan mullatut hukkakauransiemenettaimettua huomattavan runsaasti.Maan pinnalla olevien siementen taimettuminen voi myöhästyä kasvukaudella. Pienet taimetvoivat jäädä huomaamatta kemiallisen torjunnan aikaan ja myös mullattuja siemeniä useammat pinnallaolevat voivat taimettua vasta herbisidikäsittelyn jälkeen.
Erityyppiset maaseudut nuorten kotipaikkoina – vertaileva näkökulma
Authors: Lähteenmaa Jaana
Published: April 2019

Suomalainen maaseutu elää, taas, murrosten kourissa. Sen lisäksi, että jo 60-luvulta asti tuttusyrjäseutujen tyhjeneminen vielä paikoin jatkuu, pienteollisuus, palveluelinkeinot yms.korvaavat perinteistä maaseutumaista elinkeinovalikoimaa yhä enemmän elinvoimaisemmallamaaseudulla. Lisäksi suurten kaupunkien ympärille virkoaa ns. pendelöintimaaseutua. Tätenei ole mielekästä puhua vain yhden tyyppisesestä maaseudusta nuorten kotiseutuna. Maansisäistä vertailua maaseudusta nuorten kasvuynpäristönä ei ole aiemmin Suomessa tehty.Omassa tutkimuksessani (Lähteenmaa 2006, 2007) pyrin tekemään tällaista vertailua, tosinkavlitatiivsiella aineistolla ja eräänlaislla ” tapaustutkimuksilla” .Olen jakanut maaseudun karkeasti kolmeen tyyppin: elinvoimainen, kituva ja kasvavamaaseutu. Näiltä kolmelta erityyppiseltä maaseudulta olen kerännyt essee-kirjoituksia 13-16-vuotiaalta; kotiseututuntumuksia ja – ajatuksia sekä poismuutto- vs. jäämishalujahaarukoiden. Tulkintakehikkonani on rakentamani kahden akselin malli: siinä sekä kotipaikan(oletettu) tulevaisuus että oletettu mennisyys ovat ikään kuin ”muuttujia”, jotka voivat saadaeri ”arvoja” – abstraktissa, ei kvantitatiivsiessa mielessä. Oletukseni mukaan, erityyppistenmaaseutujen nuoret asukkaat sijoittuvat tulevaisuus- ja menneisyysvisioineen akseliston eri”kohtiin”.Ensimmäinen ”akseli” on ” suhde kotipaikan menneisyyteen” , toinen taas ”suhde kotipaikanoletetttun tulevaisuuteen”. Esseistä piirtyvän kuvan mukaan näyttää siltä, että elivoimaisellamaaseudulla sekä suhde kotipaikan (oletettuun) menneisyyteen – siis paikallistraditioihin,kunnan taannoisiin suurmiehiin (ja – naisiin) jne. - on elävä, ja jopa paikkalisylpeyden lähde.Suhde kunnan oletettuun tulevaisuuteen on – faktoihin nähden – jopa ”ylioptimistinen”:kotipaikan oletetaan mm. kasvavan tulevaisuudessakin vauhdilla, joka ei tilastojen yms.valossa ole täysin realistinen.Ns. pendelöintimaaseudulla suhde kotipaikan oletettuun tulevaisuuteen on niinikäänoptimistinen – mikä vastannee realiteetteja, ainakin luvassa olevan kasvun osalta. Muttasuhde kotipaikan menneisyyteenkin on vahva, vaikka monet nuoret ovat 1. polvenpaikkakuntalaisia. ”Kotiseutuhenkeä” löytyy silti paljon. Tämä viittaa siihen, että optimistisettulevaisuduenvisiot ruokkivat myönteistä menneisyyssuhdetta. Kitvulla, tyhjenevällämaaseudulla molemmat nämä suhteet ovat varsin kielteisiä. Vaikka kotipaikalla onkinmenneisyyttä, siitä ei puhuta. Yleinen tulevaisuuspessimismi heittää varjonsa myösmenneisyyssuhteeseen: nuoret katsovat, että paikakkunassa ei ole juuri mitään, mistä voisiolla. Ainoastaan mielikuva kotipaikan luonnon kauneudesta ja puhtaudesta ja oman elinympäristönylivertaisuudesta kaupunkiin nähden tässä suhteessa yhdistää kaikentyyppisillä maaseuduillaasuvia nuoria. Näin ollen ei voida puhua yhdentyyppisesetä nuoruudesta suomalaisellamaaseudulla, eikä vain yhdestä ”maaseutunuorten kotipaikka-identiteetistä.”
Kestävää viherrakentamisen ja ennallistamisen kasvimateriaalia pohjoisille matkailualueille
Authors: Pihlajaniemi Henna , Siuruainen Mirja , Laine Kari , Kananen Salla , Peteri Sirkka-Liisa , Hämäläinen Aino , Kauppila Tuomas
Published: April 2019

Viherrakentamisen ja ennallistamisen kasvilajien valinta ja saatavuus on pohjoisen vaativissa kasvuolosuhteissa usein ongelma. Syksyllä 2007 päättyi laaja pohjoisille matkailualueille keskittynyt EU LIFE ympäristörahaston hanke Matkailualueet maisemalaboratorioina – Työvälineitä kestävän matkailun edistämiseen (LANDSCAPE LAB). Oulun yliopiston kasvitieteellinen puutarha oli hankkeessa mukana yhtenä kumppanina ja toteutti yhteistyössä Lapin ammattiopiston luonto- ja ympäristöalan toimipisteen kanssa Kestävän viherrakentamisen ja ennallistamisen kasvimateriaali, (LABPLANT) osahankkeen. Osahankkeen tavoitteina oli etsiä ja valita pohjoiseen viherrakentamiseen ja ennallistamiseen sopivaa kasvimateriaalia, kehittää kasvien lisäysmenetelmiä ja tuottaa kestävää kasvimateriaalia, perustaa näytealueita pohjoisiin matkailukeskuksiin ja kirjoittaa opaskirja pohjoisen matkailuympäristön kestävistä kasveista.Kestävien kasvien valinta perustui oleellisesti jo olemassa olevaan, aiemmista projekteista tulleeseen tietoon sekä Oulun yliopiston kasvitieteellisen puutarhan ja Lapin ammattiopiston Metsäruusun toimipisteen kasvikokoelmiin. Esiteltävän kasvimateriaalin valinnan kriteerit olivat ilmastollinen kestävyys sekä käyttökelpoisuus pohjoisessa ympäristössä. Kasvimateriaali koostuu perinteisistä viherrakentamisen kasveista, luonnonkasveista ja potentiaalisista uusista viherrakentamisen kasveista. Osahankkeen aikana lisättiin yhteensä lähes sata eri lajia tai kantaa monivuotisia ruohokasveja, varpuja, pensaita ja puita.Osatehtävän aikana perustettiin yhteensä kuusi näyteistutusaluetta, näistä kaksi Leville, kaksi Ylläkselle ja kaksi Pallakselle. Näytealueilla esitellään kasvien käyttöä erilaisissa pohjoisissa matkailuympäristöissä. Valmistunut opaskirja, Pohjoisen matkailuympäristön kestävät kasvit, kertoo pohjoisen ympäristön ja kasvien ominaispiirteistä sekä siitä, miten pohjoisen matkailukeskusten ympäristöistä voidaan kehittää viihtyisämpiä ja ekologisesti kestävämpiä. Opaskirjassa esitellään yli 300 pohjoisilla alueilla käyttökelpoista ja kestävää luonnon- ja viherrakentamisen kasvia lisäys- ja saatavuustietoineen.
Paljasjyväisen kauran kuoriutuvuus, itävyys ja säilyvyys
Authors: Kirkkari Anna-Maija , Peltonen-Sainio Pirjo , Lehtinen Pekka
Published: April 2019

ei saatavilla
Lehmien laiduntaminen laajentavilla tiloilla – työnmenekki ja käytettävän laidunalan riittävyys
Authors: Palva Reetta
Published: April 2019

ei saatavilla
Kuivikkeen vaikutus hevosen hyvinvointiin
Authors: Särkijärvi Susanna , Hyyppä Seppo , Karvinen Anniina , Saastamoinen Markku
Published: April 2019

ei saatavilla
Avomaankurkku hyötyy tihkukastelusta
Authors: Suojala Terhi , Salo Tapio , Pulkkinen Janne
Published: April 2019

ei saatavilla
IGF-1 deletion affects renal sympathetic nerve activity, left ventricular dysfunction, and renal function in DOCA-salt hypertensive mice
Authors: Xiao Bing , Liu Fan , Lu Jing-Chao , Chen Fei , Pei Wei-Na , Yang Xiu-Chun
Published: April 2019

The objective of the paper is to determine the influence of IGF-1 deletion on renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), left ventricular dysfunction, and renal function in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive mice. The DOCA-salt hypertensive mice models were constructed and the experiment was classified into WT (Wild-type mice) +sham, LID (Liverspecific IGF-1 deficient mice) + sham, WT + DOCA, and LID + DOCA groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum IGF-1 levels in mice. The plasma norepinephrine (NE), urine protein, urea nitrogen and creatinine, as well as RSNA were measured. Echocardiography was performed to assess left ventricular dysfunction, and HE staining to observe the pathological changes in renal tissue of mice. DOCA-salt induction time-dependently increased the systolic blood pressure (SBP) of mice, especially in DOCA-salt LID mice. Besides, the serum IGF-1 levels in WT mice were decreased after DOCA-salt induction. In addition, the plasma NE concentration and NE spillover, urinary protein, urea nitrogen, creatinine and RSNA were remarkably elevated with severe left ventricular dysfunction, but the creatinine clearance was reduced in DOCA-salt mice, and these similar changes were obvious in DOCA-salt mice with IGF-1 deletion. Moreover, the DOCA-salt mice had tubular ectasia, glomerular fibrosis, interstitial cell infiltration, and increased arterial wall thickness, and the DOCA-salt LID mice were more serious in those aspects. Deletion of IGF-1 may lead to enhanced RSNA in DOCA-salt hypertensive mice, thereby further aggravating left ventricular dysfunction and renal damage.
Correlation of Cognitive Scores and the Onset of Hypoxia
Authors: Arjun Rajasekar , Acharya Sayandeep , Shender Barry S. , Rorres Chris , Hrebien Leonid , Kam Moshe
Published: April 2019

INTRODUCTION: The negative effects of hypoxia on human cognitive function have been well documented. In this study we assess the correlation of performance in the SynWin cognitive Multi-Task Battery (MTB) and the onset of hypoxia and describe the use of cognitive assessment scores
for real-time hypoxia detection.METHODS: We performed a correlation analysis between MTB scores (Arithmetic, Memory, Audio Monitoring, Video Monitoring tasks) and blood oxygen saturation levels to discover if the scores are good candidates to detect hypoxia. Since this analysis
showed positive correlation, we proceeded to develop a parallel decision fusion system that uses these cognitive scores for real-time hypoxia detection using the Neyman-Pearson criterion.RESULTS: We demonstrate that MTB scores have considerable hypoxia detection potential and can
be used (if measurable passively) in a real-time detection framework. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves established a hierarchy of importance of the various MTB modules. The Arithmetic task module had the most significant contribution toward correct hypoxia detection
(improvement of ∼13.5% and ∼13.9% in detection accuracy under global false alarms of 0.1 and 0.05, respectively), followed by the Memory and Audio Monitoring modules. Fusion of multiple cognitive assessment scores resulted in significantly higher detection accuracy (>86%)
than using any one of the scores by itself.DISCUSSION: When available, cognitive assessment scores can be a useful tool for real-time hypoxia detection. Since these MTB tests also assess neuropsychological functioning, study of distributed detection systems based on MTB scores could
help in designing tests that are more useful for detecting hypoxic symptoms.Rajasekar A, Acharya S, Shender BS, Rorres C, Hrebien L, Kam M. Correlation of cognitive scores and the onset of hypoxia. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2019; 90(5):429–439.
Breath/Blood Alcohol Concentration as an Indicator of Alcohol Use Problems
Authors: Canfield Dennis V. , Forster Estrella M. , Cheong Zhi-Inn , Cowan J. Mack
Published: April 2019

INTRODUCTION: The Federal Aviation Administration Office of Aerospace Medicine (AAM) is required by law to identify pilots who have driving under the influence (DUI) convictions. It is the responsibility of AAM to determine, based on the DUI, if the pilot has a drinking problem
and needs follow-up treatment. Pilots with alcohol problems are at risk to themselves and the public and need to have treatment to reduce the extent of the risk. It has been suggested by some that a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15 g · dL−1 is evidence of tolerance
and the pilot should be placed in an alcohol treatment program.METHOD: The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Clinician’s Guide considers a person at risk for a drinking problem when a man drinks 5 or more drinks or a woman drinks 4 or more drinks in
a day and reaches a 0.08 g · dL−1 of ethanol in the blood. It is possible to estimate from a BAC or breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) the number of drinks consumed using the volume of distribution for ethanol and the weight of the individual. A spread sheet tool was
developed to estimate the number of drinks consumed.RESULTS: It was determined that DUI/DWI concentrations could be used to determine the minimum number of drinks consumed. Overweight people reach binge drinking levels and higher Hingson levels at lower DUI/DWI concentrations than
people with an average weight or lower.DISCUSSION: Using this tool there is a high probability (99.7%) of identifying a true binge drinker.Canfield DV, Forster EM, Cheong Z-I, Cowan JM. Breath/blood alcohol concentration as an indicator of alcohol use problems. Aerosp
Med Hum Perform. 2019; 90(5):488–491.
Modafinil as a Stimulant for Military Aviators
Authors: Ooi Timotheus , Wong Sheau Hwa , See Brian
Published: April 2019

INTRODUCTION: Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting stimulant that has been approved by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) as a fatigue countermeasure medication since 2011. Each RSAF aircrew member must undergo a ground test to exclude operationally relevant adverse drug
effects prior to consuming the medication for operational reasons. This study describes the RSAF’s modafinil ground testing outcomes over a 7-yr period.METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of 243 RSAF aircrew members who underwent modafinil 100-mg test dosing over
the 7-yr period from September 2011 to September 2018.RESULTS: The median age was 31 yr (range, 21–53 yr) and mean age was 31.7 yr ± 6.19 yr. Of the aircrew members, 234 (96.3%) were men and all were of Asian ethnicity. Of the subjects, 237 (97.5%) were medically cleared
for the operational use of modafinil. Among the six (2.47%) who failed modafinil ground testing, headache (cumulative incidence, 1.65%), anxiety (cumulative incidence, 0.41%), diarrhea (cumulative incidence, 0.41%), and insomnia (cumulative incidence, 0.41%) were reported as the side effects
experienced. None of the aircrew members experienced major adverse drug events.DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest a low occurrence of adverse drug effects among military aircrew members who undergo modafinil test dosing prior to using the drug operationally. To our knowledge, this
is the single largest published case series of modafinil ground testing outcomes among Asian military aviators.Ooi T, Wong SH, See B. Modafinil as a stimulant for military aviators. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2019; 90(5):480–483.
Review on Electrical Impedance Tomography: Artificial Intelligence Methods and its Applications
Authors: Khan Talha Ali , Ling Sai Ho
Published: April 2019

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has been a hot topic among researchers for the last 30 years. It is a new imaging method and has evolved over the last few decades. By injecting a small amount of current, the electrical properties of tissues are determined and measurements of the resulting voltages are taken. By using a reconstructing algorithm these voltages then transformed into a tomographic image. EIT contains no identified threats and as compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans (imaging techniques), it is cheaper in cost as well. In this paper, a comprehensive review of efforts and advancements undertaken and achieved in recent work to improve this technology and the role of artificial intelligence to solve this non-linear, ill-posed problem are presented. In addition, a review of EIT clinical based applications has also been presented.
Study of a Large Square Baler with Innovative Technological Systems that Optimize the Baling Effectiveness
Authors: Guerrieri Arrigo Salvatore , Anifantis Alexandros Sotirios , Santoro Francesco , Pascuzzi Simone
Published: April 2019

The employment of bales is of considerable interest in the agricultural sector due to the mechanization of the production chain, the ease of their manipulation and transport, the low requirements for, and flexibility of, their storage and the low manpower requirements. Forage bales are mainly employed in zootechny, which albeit with important changes, is today still an essential economic sector for our society. The optimization of results in the zootechnical field depends largely on the feeding of the animals; in this regard, fodder-crops play a fundamental role in the European agricultural and economic sector. The soil inside the fodder is often the vehicle for a large number of CFUs (colony forming units) of bacteria of the Clostridium genus, with consequent repercussions for the welfare of the cows as well as for the quality of the milk products. The purpose of this work was to assess the performance of the large square baler HD 1270, made by the Italian manufacturer “Cicoria Square Bales”, whose main characteristic is the high cleanliness level of the dried fodder. The experimental tests carried out seem to confirm the efficacy of the technical solutions adopted for this machine. However, in order to better understand the reliability of the machine in lowering the amount of impurities and soil present in the built square bales, further tests in different working conditions should be carried out in order to statistically evaluate the influence and the mutual interaction of the operating parameters.
Addition of Carbonaceous Material to Aquatic Sediments for Sorption of Lindane and p,p’-Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene
Authors: Guo Zhiyong , Chen Tianyi , Wang Xinzhou , Zhang Liwen , Wang Liting , Dong Deming , Hua Xiuyi
Published: April 2019

Isomers of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and metabolites of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) are still frequently detected worldwide in considerable amounts, even decades after their prohibition. Carbonaceous materials (CMs) have been shown to significantly reduce risks of propagation to humans by binding the hydrophobic organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) present in aquatic sediments. In the present study, black carbons extracted from natural sediments, and artificially produced black carbons, including black carbons by burning rice straw at 450 and 850 °C, and a commercial activated carbon were compared to investigate the factors affecting the sorption of γ-HCH (lindane) and p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p’-DDE) on CMs. The results indicated that when the proportion of CMs to total organic carbon (ƒCM/ƒOC) was greater than 0.35, CMs played a leading role in the sorption of lindane and p,p’-DDE by the sediments. The sorption contribution rate of CMs could reach up to 64.7%. When the ratio of ƒCM/ƒOC was less than 0.10, CMs played a minor role in the sorption. In addition, the nonlinearity of the sorption isotherms was strengthened with the increasing the proportion of CMs to total organic carbon. Our findings show that ƒCM/ƒOC value is a principal parameter for assessing the sorption capacity of sediments added by CMs for OCPs.
Automatic Spatial Audio Scene Classification in Binaural Recordings of Music
Authors: Zieliński Sławomir K. , Lee Hyunkook
Published: April 2019

The aim of the study was to develop a method for automatic classification of the three spatial audio scenes, differing in horizontal distribution of foreground and background audio content around a listener in binaurally rendered recordings of music. For the purpose of the study, audio recordings were synthesized using thirteen sets of binaural-room-impulse-responses (BRIRs), representing room acoustics of both semi-anechoic and reverberant venues. Head movements were not considered in the study. The proposed method was assumption-free with regards to the number and characteristics of the audio sources. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator was employed as a classifier. According to the results, it is possible to automatically identify the spatial scenes using a combination of binaural and spectro-temporal features. The method exhibits a satisfactory classification accuracy when it is trained and then tested on different stimuli but synthesized using the same BRIRs (accuracy ranging from 74% to 98%), even in highly reverberant conditions. However, the generalizability of the method needs to be further improved. This study demonstrates that in addition to the binaural cues, the Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients constitute an important carrier of spatial information, imperative for the classification of spatial audio scenes.
A Joint Training Model for Face Sketch Synthesis
Authors: Wan Weiguo , Lee Hyo Jong
Published: April 2019

The exemplar-based method is most frequently used in face sketch synthesis because of its efficiency in representing the nonlinear mapping between face photos and sketches. However, the sketches synthesized by existing exemplar-based methods suffer from block artifacts and blur effects. In addition, most exemplar-based methods ignore the training sketches in the weight representation process. To improve synthesis performance, a novel joint training model is proposed in this paper, taking sketches into consideration. First, we construct the joint training photo and sketch by concatenating the original photo and its sketch with a high-pass filtered image of their corresponding sketch. Then, an offline random sampling strategy is adopted for each test photo patch to select the joint training photo and sketch patches in the neighboring region. Finally, a novel locality constraint is designed to calculate the reconstruction weight, allowing the synthesized sketches to have more detailed information. Extensive experimental results on public datasets show the superiority of the proposed joint training model, both from subjective perceptual and the FaceNet-based face recognition objective evaluation, compared to existing state-of-the-art sketch synthesis methods.
Long-Term Behavior of RC Beams Strengthened with Hybrid Composite Beam
Authors: Kim IL-Heon , Lee Hyung-Joo , Kang Joo-Won , Choi Yeol
Published: April 2019

This paper describes the results of long-term tests on reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with hybrid composite beam (HCB) under two different sustained loads. Test specimens were fabricated to reflect the most common RC beam size used in school buildings in South Korea. The specimens had dimensions of 400 mm (width) × 600 mm (depth) × 6000 mm (length), and were tested with or without external strengthening by a hybrid composite beam (HCB). Test results showed that strengthening the RC beams with HCB not only reduced the instantaneous deflection but was also effective in decreasing long-term deflection. In this study, time-dependent factors were investigated using a modified version of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) equation. Time-dependent factors of HCB-strengthened RC beams found in the present work differed from those of other investigations due to various experimental conditions. In the present study, we found that the ACI equation may not provide a reasonable estimation of the long-term behavior of HCB-strengthened RC beams.
Latitudinal and Cross-Shelf Patterns of Size, Age, Growth, and Mortality of a Tropical Damselfish Acanthochromis polyacanthus on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Kingsford Michael , Welch David , O’Callaghan Mark
Published: April 2019

Patterns of age and growth of a sedentary damsel fish Acanthochromis polyacanthus were tested over a latitudinal range of approximately 10 degrees (1200 km) on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. Within latitudes, these patterns were also compared on reefs in distance strata (inner, mid, and outer) across a continental shelf that ranged in width from 52 to 128 km. Although variation in length-max (SLMAX), growth, age-max (AMAX), and the von Bertalanffy metrics of Linf and K were found within and among latitudes, the greatest variation in some demographic characteristics was found among distance strata across the shelf regardless of latitude. Fish were always relatively smaller at inner shelf reefs and grew more slowly when compared to mid and outer shelf reefs; this was true regardless of the color morph of fish. The oldest fish collected was 11 years old, and there was no consistent variation in age-max among distances from shore. On outer reefs, there was a negative linear relationship with age-max and latitude. This “tropical gradient” of age only explained 34% of the variation; furthermore, this was not found when only the oldest group of fish was considered (top 10%). Fish only reached an age-max of six years on the southernmost reefs. There was a trend for a smaller Linf with latitude but it was not significant and Linf did not vary predictably with water temperature. The sampling of marine protected areas (MPAs) and fished zones did not confound the resultant patterns in that fish were not consistently larger or older in MPAs or fished zones. Instantaneous mortality rates were 0.245–0.685; they were highest at inner reefs and also showed no consistent MPA-related patterns. Our study suggested that the mid and outer shelf waters of the GBR appeared best suited for growth of A. polyacanthus. In conclusion, the position on continental shelves dominated other geographical patterns and needs to be considered in spatial models of growth. We suggest that local environmental conditions such as turbidity and the quality and quantity of plankton likely have a strong influence on distance across the shelf-based demographic patterns of planktivores.
Design and Implementation of Autonomous and Non-Autonomous Time-Delay Chaotic System Based on Field Programmable Analog Array
Authors: Hu Han-Ping , Liu Xiao-Hui , Xie Fei-Long
Published: April 2019

Time-delay chaotic systems can have hyperchaotic attractors with large numbers of positive Lyapunov exponents, and can generate highly stochastic and unpredictable time series with simple structures, which is very suitable as a secured chaotic source in chaotic secure communications. But time-delay chaotic systems are generally designed and implemented by using analog circuit design techniques. Analog implementations require a variety of electronic components and can be difficult and time consuming. At this stage, we can now solve this question by using FPAA (Field-Programmable Analog Array). FPAA is a programmable device for implementing multiple analog functions via dynamic reconfiguration. In this paper, we will introduce two FPAA-based design examples: An autonomous Ikeda system and a non-autonomous Duffing system, to show how a FPAA device is used to design programmable analog time-delay chaotic systems and analyze Shannon entropy and Lyapunov exponents of time series output by circuit and simulation systems.
The Weibull-Gamma Distribution: Properties and Applications
Authors: Klakattawi Hadeel S.
Published: April 2019

A new member of the Weibull-generated (Weibull-G) family of distributions—namely the Weibull-gamma distribution—is proposed. This four-parameter distribution can provide great flexibility in modeling different data distribution shapes. Some special cases of the Weibull-gamma distribution are considered. Several properties of the new distribution are studied. The maximum likelihood method is applied to obtain an estimation of the parameters of the Weibull-gamma distribution. The usefulness of the proposed distribution is examined by means of five applications to real datasets.
M-ary Rank Classifier Combination: A Binary Linear Programming Problem
Authors: Vigneron Vincent , Maaref Hichem
Published: April 2019

The goal of classifier combination can be briefly stated as combining the decisions of individual classifiers to obtain a better classifier. In this paper, we propose a method based on the combination of weak rank classifiers because rankings contain more information than unique choices for a many-class problem. The problem of combining the decisions of more than one classifier with raw outputs in the form of candidate class rankings is considered and formulated as a general discrete optimization problem with an objective function based on the distance between the data and the consensus decision. This formulation uses certain performance statistics about the joint behavior of the ensemble of classifiers. Assuming that each classifier produces a ranking list of classes, an initial approach leads to a binary linear programming problem with a simple and global optimum solution. The consensus function can be considered as a mapping from a set of individual rankings to a combined ranking, leading to the most relevant decision. We also propose an information measure that quantifies the degree of consensus between the classifiers to assess the strength of the combination rule that is used. It is easy to implement and does not require any training. The main conclusion is that the classification rate is strongly improved by combining rank classifiers globally. The proposed algorithm is tested on real cytology image data to detect cervical cancer.
Review of Pulsed-Eddy-Current Signal Feature-Extraction Methods for Conductive Ferromagnetic Material-Thickness Quantification
Authors: Ulapane Nalika , Nguyen Linh
Published: April 2019

Thickness quantification of conductive ferromagnetic materials has become a common necessity in present-day structural health monitoring and infrastructure maintenance. Recent research has found Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) sensing, especially the detector-coil-based PEC sensor architecture, to effectively serve as a nondestructive sensing technique for this purpose. As a result, several methods of varying complexity have been proposed in recent years to extract PEC signal features, against which conductive ferromagnetic material thickness behaves as a function, in return enabling thickness quantification owing to functional behaviours. It can be seen that almost all features specifically proposed in the literature for the purpose of conductive ferromagnetic material-thickness quantification are in some way related to the diffusion time constant of eddy currents. This paper examines the relevant feature-extraction methods through a controlled experiment in which the methods are applied to a single set of experimentally captured PEC signals, and provides a review by discussing the quality of the extractable features, and their functional behaviours for thickness quantification, along with computational time taken for feature extraction. Along with this paper, the set of PEC signals and some MATLAB codes for feature extraction are provided as supplementary materials for interested readers.
Integration of Hydrothermal Carbonisation with Anaerobic Digestion; Opportunities for Valorisation of Digestate
Authors: Parmar Kiran R. , Ross Andrew B.
Published: April 2019

Hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) has been identified as a potential route for digestate enhancement producing a solid hydrochar and a process water rich in organic carbon. This study compares the treatment of four dissimilar digestates from anaerobic digestion (AD) of agricultural residue (AGR); sewage sludge (SS); residual municipal solid waste (MSW), and vegetable, garden, and fruit waste (VGF). HTC experiments were performed at 150, 200 and 250 °C for 1 h using 10%, 20%, and 30% solid loadings of a fixed water mass. The effect of temperature and solid loading to the properties of biocoal and biochemical methane potential (BMP) of process waters are investigated. Results show that the behaviour of digestate during HTC is feedstock dependent and the hydrochar produced is a poor-quality solid fuel. The AGR digestate produced the greatest higher heating value (HHV) of 24 MJ/kg, however its biocoal properties are poor due to slagging and fouling propensities. The SS digestate process water produced the highest amount of biogas at 200 °C and 30% solid loading. This study concludes that solely treating digestate via HTC enhances biogas production and that hydrochar be investigated for its use as a soil amender.
Wind Turbines on German Farms—An Economic Analysis
Authors: Fuchs Clemens , Marquardt Karl , Kasten Joachim , Skau Katharina
Published: April 2019

Only a small number of German farmers invest in wind turbines on the land they own; rather, they tend to lease land for that purpose to external investors. In this study, an explorative qualitative analysis of the reasons for this investment pattern was conducted. Calculations of the economic efficiency (e.g., net present value, payoff) of wind turbines built the foundation of the study. In addition, farmers in the northeastern federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania were interviewed to assess their motives for capital expenditure. A considerable amount of equity capital is required to set up a wind turbine. The capital invested frequently competes with the purchase of agricultural land. Erecting wind turbines involves risks. Substantial financial means for planning permission and other examinations precede the construction of a wind turbine. Only at the very end of these costly investigations will a construction permit be issued; as such, farmers face a high level of uncertainty during the whole process. Fluctuations in wind yield resulting in volatile revenues confront farmers with additional financial uncertainties. The risk-taking behavior of farmers was assessed normatively by the Hurwicz criterion. The results showed that farmers with the necessary funds at their disposal and a high level of optimism were more likely to take the risk to set up a wind turbine on their own land. They make this decision despite the fact that leasing one’s own land to external investors is predictably profitable and clearly less risky.
Selection of Earmuffs and Other Personal Protective Equipment Used in Combination
Authors: Kozlowski Emil , Mlynski Rafal
Published: April 2019

In a work environment, in addition to noise, people may be exposed to other harmful factors. Therefore, they wear both hearing protectors and other personal protective equipment (OPPE). Incorrect use of such a combination may increase the risk of hearing loss. The aim of this study was to determine whether the simultaneous use of earmuffs and other personal protective equipment could affect the effectiveness of hearing protection. The study was carried out under laboratory conditions using an acoustic test fixture. This fixture replicated the anatomical shapes of the head and the pinnae, and was also equipped with ear simulators. The study was carried out for five models of earmuffs and eight models of other personal protection equipment. We found that a change in the sound pressure level (SPL) under the earmuffs when using a full face respirator could reach up to 40 dB. On the other hand, the use of a half respirator had practically no adverse impact on the efficiency of hearing protection. In the selection process, it is recommended to consider safety spectacles equipped with thin temples, and half respirators equipped with band adjustment elements positioned on the facial part, rather than the back, of the user’s head.
Prevalence of Burnout in Medical and Surgical Residents: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Low Zhi Xuan , Yeo Keith A. , Sharma Vijay K. , Leung Gilberto K. , McIntyre Roger S. , Guerrero Anthony , Lu Brett , Sin Fai Lam Chun Chiang , Tran Bach X. , Nguyen Long H. , Ho Cyrus S. , Tam Wilson W. , Ho Roger C.
Published: April 2019

The burnout syndrome is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal achievement. Uncertainty exists about the prevalence of burnout among medical and surgical residents. Associations between burnout and gender, age, specialty, and geographical location of training are unclear. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to quantitatively summarize the global prevalence rates of burnout among residents, by specialty and its contributing factors. We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Web of Science to identify studies that examined the prevalence of burnout among residents from various specialties and countries. The primary outcome assessed was the aggregate prevalence of burnout among all residents. The random effects model was used to calculate the aggregate prevalence, and heterogeneity was assessed by I2 statistic and Cochran’s Q statistic. We also performed meta-regression and subgroup analysis. The aggregate prevalence of burnout was 51.0% (95% CI: 45.0–57.0%, I2 = 97%) in 22,778 residents. Meta-regression found that the mean age (β = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.28–0.40, p < 0.001) and the proportion of males (β = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.10–0.69, p = 0.009) were significant moderators. Subgroup analysis by specialty showed that radiology (77.16%, 95% CI: 5.99–99.45), neurology (71.93%, 95% CI: 65.78–77.39), and general surgery (58.39%, 95% CI: 45.72–70.04) were the top three specialties with the highest prevalence of burnout. In contrast, psychiatry (42.05%, 95% CI: 33.09–51.58), oncology (38.36%, 95% CI: 32.69–44.37), and family medicine (35.97%, 95% CI: 13.89–66.18) had the lowest prevalence of burnout. Subgroup analysis also found that the prevalence of burnout in several Asian countries was 57.18% (95% CI: 45.8–67.85); in several European countries it was 27.72% (95% CI: 17.4–41.11) and in North America it was 51.64% (46.96–56.28). Our findings suggest a high prevalence of burnout among medical and surgical residents. Older and male residents suffered more than their respective counterparts.
WHODAS 2.0 Can Predict Institutionalization among Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Huang Shih-Wei , Chang Kwang-Hwa , Escorpizo Reuben , Chang Feng-Hang , Liou Tsan-Hon
Published: April 2019

Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) often present with disabilities associated with a high burden of care for caregivers or family members at home. When family members cannot afford to care for patients with TBI, they are often required to find them residence in long-term care institutions. To date, there are no quantitative assessment tools developed to predict institutionalization. Therefore, this study analyzed the accuracy of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) for predicting the institutionalization of patients with TBI. We designed a cross-sectional study using a nationwide disability database. We analyzed the data of 8630 patients with TBI with injury for more than six months from the Taiwan Data Bank of Persons with Disability during July 2012–October 2018. The demographic data and WHODAS 2.0 standardized scores of patients with TBI who resided in community and long-term care institutions were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to investigate the predictive accuracy of WHODAS 2.0 for being institutionalized, and the optimal cut-off point was determined using the Youden index. Binary logistic regression was employed to determine the predictors of the participants being institutionalized. The WHODAS 2.0 scores in each domain were lower in the community group than in the institutionalized group. ROC analysis revealed the highest accuracy for the summary scores of WHODAS 2.0 (area under the curve = 0.769). Binary logistic regression revealed that age, gender, work status, urbanization level, socioeconomic status, severity of impairment, and WHODAS 2.0 domain scores were factors associated with the institutionalization status of patients with TBI. Our results suggest that WHODAS 2.0 may be a feasible assessment tool for predicting the institutionalization of patients with TBI.
The Water Extract of Juniperus communis L. Induces Cell Death and Sensitizes Cancer Cells to Cytostatic Drugs through p53 and PI3K/Akt Pathways
Authors: Raasmaja Atso , Stenius Ulla , Ghalali Aram
Published: April 2019

Juniper (Juniperus communis L.) is a northern coniferous plant generally used as a spice and for nutritional purposes in foods and drinks. It was previously reported that juniper extract (JE) affects p53 activity, cellular stress, and gene expression induced cell death in human neuroblastoma cells. Therefore, the effects of juniper on p53 and Akt signaling was examined further in A549 lung, 22RV1 and DU145 prostate, and HepG2 liver cancer cells using Western blot, confocal microscopy, and MTT analysis. We found that juniper simultaneously decreased cell viability, activated the p53 pathway, and inactivated the PI3K/Akt pathway. The p53 activation was associated with increased nuclear p53 level. Akt was dephosphorylated, and its inactivation was associated with increased levels of PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 phosphatases. Parallel increases of PARP suggest that JE decreased cell viability by activating cell death. In addition, JE potentiated the effects of gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil anticancer drugs. Thus, JE can activate cell death in different cancer cell lines through p53 and Akt pathways.
Rewarming Injury after Cold Preservation
Authors: Minor Thomas , von Horn Charlotte
Published: April 2019

Organ dysfunction pertinent to tissue injury related to ischemic ex vivo preservation during transport from donor to recipient still represents a pivotal impediment in transplantation medicine. Cold storage under anoxic conditions minimizes metabolic activity, but eventually cannot prevent energetic depletion and impairment of cellular signal homeostasis. Reoxygenation of anoxically injured tissue may trigger additional damage to the graft, e.g., by abundant production of oxygen free radicals upon abrupt reactivation of a not yet equilibrated cellular metabolism. Paradoxically, this process is driven by the sudden restoration of normothermic conditions upon reperfusion and substantially less pronounced during re-oxygenation in the cold. The massive energy demand associated with normothermia is not met by the cellular systems that still suffer from hypothermic torpor and dys-equilibrated metabolites and eventually leads to mitochondrial damage, induction of apoptosis and inflammatory responses. This rewarming injury is partly alleviated by preceding supply of oxygen already in the cold but more effectively counteracted by an ensuing controlled and slow oxygenated warming up of the organ prior to implantation. A gentle restitution of metabolic turnover rates in line with the resumption of enzyme kinetics and molecular homeostasis improves post transplantation graft function and survival.
Carbon-Doped TiO2 Activated by X-Ray Irradiation for the Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species to Enhance Photodynamic Therapy in Tumor Treatment
Authors: Yang Chun-Chen , Tsai Min-Hsiung , Li Keng-Yuan , Hou Chun-Han , Lin Feng-Huei
Published: April 2019

Traditional photodynamic therapy (PDT) is limited by the penetration depth of visible light. Although the light source has been changed to near infrared, infrared light is unable to overcome the penetration barrier and it is only effective at the surface of the tumors. In this study, we used X-ray as a light source for deep-seated tumor treatment. A particle with a narrow band gap when exposed to soft X-rays would produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill tumor cell, with less damage to the normal tissues. Anatase TiO2 has been studied as a photosensitizer in PDT. In the experiment, C was doped into the anatase lattice at an optimum atomic ratio to make the band gap narrower, which would be activated by X-ray to produce more ROS and kill tumor cells under stress. The results showed that the synthesized TiO2:C particles were identified as crystal structures of anatase. The synthesized particles could be activated effectively by soft X-rays to produce ROS, to degrade methylene blue by up to 30.4%. Once TiO2:C was activated by X-ray irradiation, the death rate of A549 cells in in vitro testing was as high as 16.57%, on day 2. In the animal study, the tumor size gradually decreased after treatment with TiO2:C and exposure to X-rays on day 0 and day 8. On day 14, the tumor declined to nearly half of its initial volume, while the tumor in the control group was twice its initial volume. After the animal was sacrificed, blood, and major organs were harvested for further analysis and examination, with data fully supporting the safety of the treatment. Based on the results of the study, we believe that TiO2:C when exposed to X-rays could overcome the limitation of penetration depth and could improve PDT effects by inhibiting tumor growth effectively and safely, in vivo.
Screening for Cholesterol-Lowering Probiotics from Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Corn Silage Based on Three Hypothesized Pathways
Authors: Ma Changlu , Zhang Shuwen , Lu Jing , Zhang Cai , Pang Xiaoyang , Lv Jiaping
Published: April 2019

A total of 85 strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from corn silage in this study and analyzed in vitro for their cholesterol removal, NPC1L1 protein down-regulation and bile salt deconjugation ability, respectively. Nineteen strains were selected for further analysis for their probiotic potential. Finally, 3 strains showing better probiotic potential were evaluated for their cholesterol-lowering activity in hamsters. The strains showing the greater cholesterol removal and NPC1L1 protein down-regulation activity had no significant effects on serum and hepatic cholesterol levels in hamsters (p > 0.05). However, Lactobacillus plantarum CAAS 18008 (1 × 109 CFU/d) showing the greater bile salt deconjugation ability significantly reduced serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and hepatic total cholesterol levels by 28.8%, 21.7%, and 30.9%, respectively (p < 0.05). The cholesterol-lowering mechanism was attributed to its bile salt hydrolase activity, which enhanced daily fecal bile acid excretion levels and thereby accelerated new bile acid synthesis from cholesterol in liver. This study demonstrated that the strains showing greater cholesterol removal and NPC1L1 protein down-regulation activity in vitro hardly reveal cholesterol-lowering activity in vivo, whereas the strains showing greater bile salt deconjugation ability in vitro has large potential to decrease serum cholesterol levels in vivo.
Phylogenetic, Molecular, and Functional Characterization of PpyCBF Proteins in Asian Pears (Pyrus pyrifolia)
Authors: Ahmad Mudassar , Li Jianzhao , Yang Qinsong , Jamil Wajeeha , Teng Yuanwen , Bai Songling
Published: April 2019

C-repeat binding factor/dehydration-responsive element (CBF/DRE) transcription factors (TFs) participate in a variety of adaptive mechanisms, and are involved in molecular signaling and abiotic stress tolerance in plants. In pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) and other rosaceous crops, the independent evolution of CBF subfamily members requires investigation to understand the possible divergent functions of these proteins. In this study, phylogenetic analysis divided six PpyCBFs from the Asian pear genome into three clades/subtypes, and collinearity and phylogenetic analyses suggested that PpyCBF3 was the mother CBF. All PpyCBFs were found to be highly expressed in response to low temperature, salt, drought, and abscisic acid (ABA) as well as bud endodormancy, similar to PpyCORs (PpyCOR47, PpyCOR15A, PpyRD29A, and PpyKIN). Transcript levels of clade II PpyCBFs during low temperature and ABA treatments were higher than those of clades I and III. Ectopic expression of PpyCBF2 and PpyCBF3 in Arabidopsis enhanced its tolerance against abiotic stresses, especially to low temperature in the first case and salt and drought stresses in the latter, and resulted in lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant gene activities compared with the wild type. The increased expression of endogenous ABA-dependent and -independent genes during normal conditions in PpyCBF2- and PpyCBF3-overexpressing Arabidopsis lines suggested that PpyCBFs were involved in both ABA-dependent and -independent pathways. All PpyCBFs, especially the mother CBF, had high transactivation activities with 6XCCGAC binding elements. Luciferase and Y1H assays revealed the existence of phylogenetically and promoter-dependent conserved CBF–COR cascades in the pear. The presence of a previously identified CCGA binding site, combined with the results of mutagenesis of the CGACA binding site of the PpyCOR15A promoter, indicated that CGA was a core binding element of PpyCBFs. In conclusion, PpyCBF TFs might operate redundantly via both ABA-dependent and -independent pathways, and are strongly linked to abiotic stress signaling and responses in the Asian pear.