bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Statistical Approaches to Model Natural Disasters
Authors: Edwards Audrene , Das Kumer
Published: May 2019

The study of extremes has attracted the attention of scientists, engineers, actuaries, policy makers, and statisticians for many years. Extreme value theory (EVT) deals with the extreme deviations from the median of probability distributions and is used to study rare but extreme events. EVT’s main results characterize the distribution of the sample maximum or the distribution of values above a given threshold. In this study, EVT has been used to construct a model on the extreme and rare earthquakes that have happened in the United States from 1700 to 2011.The primary goal of fitting such a model is to estimate the amount of losses due to those extreme events and the probabilities of such events. Several diagnostic methods (for example, QQ plot and Mean Excess Plot) have been used to justify that the data set follows generalized Pareto distribution (GPD). Three estimation techniques have been employed to estimate parameters. The consistency and reliability of estimated parameters have been observed for different threshold values. The purpose of this study is manifold: first, we investigate whether the data set follows GPD, by using graphical interpretation and hypothesis testing. Second, we estimate GPD parameters using three different estimation techniques. Third, we compare consistency and reliability of estimated parameters for different threshold values. Last, we investigate the bias of estimated parameters using a simulation study. The result is particularly useful because it can be used in many applications (for example, disaster management, engineering design, insurance industry, hydrology, ocean engineering, and traffic management) with a minimal set of assumptions about the true underlying distribution of a data set.
KEYWORDS: Extreme Value Theory; QQ Plot; Mean Excess Plot; Mean Residual Plot; Peak Over Threshold; Generalized Pareto Distribution; Maximum Likelihood Method; Method of Moments; Probability-Weighted Moments; Shapiro-Wilk test; Anderson- Darling Test
Effects of the Electronegativity of Second Row Elements on Their Bonding to Boron
Authors: Shiu Xavier , Conceicao J
Published: May 2019

The effects of electronegativity on the bonding between boron and second row elements are studied in this paper. Calculations using Density Functional Theory (DFT), Moller-Plesset Theory (MP2) and Natural Bonding Orbital (NBO) analysis were performed on BF3, B(OH)3 and B(NH2)3 and the localized bonding properties of these molecules were elucidated. All of these molecules showed the absence of pi-bonding and did not obey the octet rule. With decreasing electronegativity of the terminal atoms, F, O and N in BF3, B(OH)3, B(NH2)3 there is increasing the propensity of electron donation from these terminal atoms to the empty p-orbital of the central boron. Within the BH2−F, BH2−OH and BH2−NH2 series, the amino-borane showed the largest change in relative bond length and angle across this set. Furthermore, the borate anion, −O−B(OH) 2 was subjected to identical analysis and pi-bond formation was observed. Our results show that a good match orbital energies between the donor and acceptor orbitals are important for pi-bond formation.
KEYWORDS: Electronegativity; Boron Trifluoride; Boric Acid; Triaminoborane; Borate Anion; Octet Rule; Density Functional Theory; Natural Bonding Orbital; Pi-Bond; Double Bond
On Closure Properties of Irrational and Transcendental Numbers under Addition and Multiplication
Authors: Zahid Shekh , Ray Prasanta
Published: May 2019

In the article 'There are Truth and Beauty in Undergraduate Mathematics Research’, the author posted a problem regarding the closure properties of irrational and transcendental numbers under addition and multiplication. In this study, we investigate the problem using elementary mathematical methods and provide a new approach to the closure properties of irrational numbers. Further, we also study the closure properties of transcendental numbers.
KEYWORDS: Irrational numbers; Transcendental numbers; Dedekind cuts; Algebraic numbers
Peaked T-Waves and Potassium: The Reliability of Peaked T-Waves as Indicators of Hyperkalemia in End-Stage Renal Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Pappal Ryan , Espina Ilse , Rafique Zubaid
Published: May 2019

While peaked T-waves have traditionally been associated with hyperkalemia cases, previous studies have called their reliability for hyperkalemia diagnosis into question. This study examined 89 ESRD patients totaling to 736 patient visits. Linear regressions and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were utilized to assess the reliability of peaked T-waves as a diagnostic criterion for hyperkalemia. Poor correlations between T/R ratio (leads V2-V4) and serum potassium were found, r = 0.23, 0.17, and 0.17, p < 0.001. R2 values ranged from 0.03 to 0.05. ROC analysis found poor sensitivity and specificity of T/R as a predictor of hyperkalemia (area under the curve: 0.61 – 0.66), and the T/R ≥ 0.75 threshold yielded a sensitivity of 0.83 with a specificity of 0.40 when predicting hyperkalemia (serum potassium > 5.5 mEq/L). We conclude that the peaked T-wave is a poor indicator for the early identification of hyperkalemia in ESRD patients presenting to the emergency department.
KEYWORDS: Hyperkalemia; Electrocardiography; End-stage Renal Disease; Hemodialysis; Arrhythmias, Potassium; Sensitivity and Specificity; ROC Curve
Constructing the Imaginative Bridge: Third-Generation Holocaust Narratives
Authors: Reynolds Megan
Published: May 2019

Reynolds’s research examines the ways in which third-generation Holocaust writers, the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors, approach the subject of their own traumatic history and the intergenerational transmission of trauma and memory. Despite the two generational divide that separates the third generation from the preceding two generations of Holocaust writers, the trans-generational transmission of trauma continues to preoccupy contemporary narratives. This research examines the ways the grandchildren of survivors, represented in this paper by Margot Singer and Jonathan Safran Foer, confront and include lost worlds in their narratives as well as their attempts to resurrect these fractured pasts through innovative uses of imaginative leaps. The third generation continues to suffer from the intergenerational transmission of trauma and memory yet discovers innovative ways to share that trauma, evidence of evolving modes of bearing witness.
KEYWORDS: Holocaust Narratives; Third-Generation; Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma; Literature; Trauma; Memory Studies; Jewish Identity; Grandchildren of Survivors
Mathematical Modeling Analysis to Simulate the Dynamics of Immune Cells, HIV, and Tuberculosis
Authors: Ahmed Rumana , Rahman Mahbubur
Published: May 2019

The dynamics of immune cells, HIV, and tuberculosis can be described by a system of differential equations. We developed the formulations for this dynamical system. To evaluate the system as time goes to infinity, we investigated the equilibrium solutions. We established the criteria for stability based on the characteristics of the Jacobian matrix associated with the dynamical system. To investigate the bifurcation of the solution, we developed phase plane diagrams for the sets of assumed values of the parameters. we have investigated the curves for different values of the starting conditions of immune cells and the antigens. Along the curves, we observed the growth and decay processes. The stability of the system has been established by examining the phase plane diagrams as the solution approaches the equilibrium point. Based on phase diagrams, both stable and unstable systems have been simulated and examined in this study. Finally, we developed and evaluated the graphs for the unsteady variations of immune cells, HIV, and tuberculosis to see how the antigens grow because of the diminishing effects of immune cells in the system as time increases.
KEYWORDS: Mathematical Biology; Infectious Disease Modeling; Dynamical System; Simulation of Immune Cells and Antigens
Blackseed (Nigella sativa) Oil and its Active Ingredient, Thymoquinone, Suppress the Aggressive Phenotype of Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Chaudhry Sabrina , Siddiqui Safia , Steffen Tyrnnon , Raimondi Stacey
Published: May 2019

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in women within the United States. However, current treatment methods for the disease present deleterious side effects themselves. Therefore, there is a move towards finding natural cures in order to mitigate negative side effects while still providing effective treatment for the cancer. Blackseed (Nigella sativa) oil is one particular natural remedy, alongside its active ingredient thymoquinone (TQ), which has been successfully tested for suppressing certain types of breast cancer cell proliferation. TQ itself has been seen to be capable of preventing proliferation of both non-aggressive MCF-7 and highly aggressive MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. However, studies which looked at the effects of TQ on MCF-7 cells alone were limiting in their use of high concentrations of the chemical without emphasis on finding a minimum effective dosage. Additionally, a second study which tested the effects of TQ on both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines conducted the experiments in the presence of a lipid-carrier molecule. This, in turn, may have served as a confounding variable in the results. Therefore, it was hypothesized that a minimal effective dosage for both blackseed oil and TQ could be determined, where a significantly greater suppression of MDA-MB-231, in comparison to MCF-7, cell proliferation would be observed. Cell proliferation, cell adhesion, and soft agar assays were used to test the hypothesis of this study. The minimum effective dosage for each substance, characterized by proliferation of the non-aggressive MCF-7 cells to some extent and suppression of the aggressive MDA-MB-231 cells, were determined to be 0.5 µL for blackseed oil and 1.0 µM for TQ. Additionally, TQ’s effectiveness was noted to be more time-dependent than blackseed oil. This study supports the use of minimal effective doses for blackseed oil or TQ to naturally treat breast cancer while preventing damage to non-aggressive cells.
KEYWORDS: Breast cancer; Blackseed oil; Nigella sativa; Thymoquinone; Effective dose; Natural remedies
Matricial Representations of Certain Finitely Presented Groups Generated by Order-2 Generators and Their Applications
Authors: Golden Ryan , Cho Ilwoo
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we study matricial representations of certain finitely presented groups Γ2Nwith N-generators of order-2. As an application, we consider a group algebra A2 of Γ22; under our representations. Specifically, we characterize the inverses g-1of all group elements g in Γ22; in terms of matrices in the group algebra A2. From the study of this characterization, we realize there are close relations between the trace of the radial operator of A2; and the Lucas numbers appearing in the Lucas triangle.
KEYWORDS: Matricial Representation; Group Presentation; Group Algebras; Lucas Numbers; Lucas Triangle; Finitely Presented Group;Group Relations; Free Probability
Knowledge and Behaviors Associated with a Campus Tobacco-Free Policy
Authors: Powell Sarah , Odahowski Cassie , Crouch Elizabeth , Sercy Erica , Knight Jackie , Eberth Jan
Published: May 2019

Objective: Nearly half of U.S. colleges/universities have implemented tobacco-free campus policies. This study analyzed knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with the tobacco-free policy at a large public university. It is important to study public university tobacco policies to determine the most efficient and cost-effective way to reduce tobacco related disease due to tobacco use and exposure. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional, campus-wide electronic survey distributed in November 2016. The primary outcomes of interest included 1) correct knowledge of the tobacco-free policy, 2) community member willingness to approach observed violation of the policy, and 3) a positive opinion of the policy’s effectiveness. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to examine the impact of demographic factors on the outcomes. Results: After analysis, the team found that 23% of university faculty, staff, and students had incorrect knowledge about the campus tobacco-free policy. Almost 70% of the university community reported not having approached a smoking violator. Males were significantly less likely to understand the tobacco-free policy in full, approach a violator, or have a positive opinion about its effectiveness. Staff had better knowledge of the policy, a higher likelihood of approaching a violator, and a better opinion about the policy’s effectiveness compared to graduate and undergraduate students. Conclusions: Interventions are needed to increase awareness and confidence regarding implementation and enforcement of the tobacco-free policy on campus, particularly among faculty and students. This paper expands on the currently increasing knowledge of tobacco-free policy enforcement and benefits.
KEYWORDS: Campus; Tobacco Regulation; Tobacco; Secondhand Smoke; Cross-Sectional Survey
Syndecan Affects Odor Response as well as Learning and Memory in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Arizanovska Dena , King Jonathan , Johnson Karl
Published: May 2019

Syndecan (Sdc) is a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan that plays a crucial role in axon guidance and synapse formation during CNS development in Drosophila melanogaster. To further examine the effect of syndecan on CNS function, Sdc23 mutant D. melanogaster larvae were used to examine odor preference and the capacity for learning and memory. A series of olfaction assays in both wild type and mutant larvae were performed to characterize naive odor responses before adding a training period to identify the capacity for associative learning. These results showed that Sdc23 larvae prefer odors that wild type larvae do not respond to, suggesting a difference in odor receptor pathways and wiring. In addition, associative learning has been documented in wild type larvae, yet no evidence of associative learning in Sdc23 larvae was found, suggesting that the syndecan also plays a role in learning and memory in D. melanogaster larvae.
KEYWORDS: Syndecan; Proteoglycans; Neurodevelopment; Axon Guidance; Olfaction; Attraction Index; Associative Learning; Drosophila
Underneath it All: Soil Differences May Explain Contrasting Outcomes of Adjacent Prairie Restorations in Madison, Wisconsin
Authors: Marshall Krista , Balster Nick , Bajcz Alex
Published: May 2019

The evaluation of prairie restorations tends to focus on aboveground properties such as changes in plant diversity and the encroachment of non-native species. As a result, knowledge gaps persist concerning belowground controls of restoration success. To address these gaps at a 13-year-old prairie restoration site in Madison, Wisconsin, we spatially compared soil chemical, physical, and hydrological properties in two adjacent parcels that differed markedly in response to a tallgrass prairie restoration. We hypothesized that soil properties and their heterogeneity would differ significantly between the two parcels and that these differences would help explain the divergent response. In support of this hypothesis, soil organic matter, pH, and total nitrogen were significantly lower (p = 0.007, p < 0.001, and p = 0.006, respectively) in the restored parcel compared to the parcel that has yet to respond to any restoration efforts. Moreover, despite no significant difference in soil average bulk density between the two parcels, the restored parcel had significantly lower sand and silt fractions overall (p = 0.039 and p = 0.040, respectively). In contrast, except for total nitrogen, there were no apparent differences in the spatial heterogeneity of the measured soil properties between the restored and unrestored parcels, which did not support the second hypothesis of this study. These results demonstrate the utility of measuring belowground properties when assessing unexpected outcomes of prairie restorations as well as inform future hypothesis-driven experiments to determine which soil properties impede restoration and under what circumstances.
KEYWORDS: Prairie Restoration; Bulk Density; Soil Organic Matter; Soil Properties; Soil Texture; Spatial Heterogeneity
Selective Extraction of Red Phosphor (Y2O3:Eu3+) Constituents from Waste Fluorescent Lamps Phosphor Using Acid Leaching
Authors: Johar Parul , Jangir Vishal , Choudhary Yogita , Mallick Sudhanshu
Published: May 2019

Modern fluorescent lamp phosphor powder contains tricolor phosphor. This tricolor phosphor consists of three different types of rare earth phosphors: red (YOX), green (CMAT/LAP) and blue (BAM); mixed in varying proportions. The exact separation of these three rare earth phosphors is essential in order to precisely recover the contained rare earth elements from waste lamps phosphor. In this present work, we reported an efficient methodology for the separation of these three tricolor phosphors and the selective extraction of predominantly presented red phosphor (YOX) constituents using acid leaching. The waste phosphor powder was leached with different acids: both organic and inorganic type. The 3 M H2SO4 leaching was found to be most suitable for the selective extraction of red phosphor constituents, i.e. Y and Eu. The recovered phosphor powder was analyzed with SEM/EDS and XRD analysis. The obtained XRD pattern was refined using Rietveld refinement method for the quantification of phases present. Recovered red phosphor powder contained three main crystalline phases Y2O3, Eu2O3 and Y2OS2.
KEYWORDS: Waste Lamp Phosphor; Tricolor Phosphor; Rare Earth Elements; Acid Leaching
I. Dünya Savaşı Çanakkale Cephesinde Öğretmenler
Authors: Uygun Selçuk
Published: May 2019

Birinci Dünya Savaşında en önemli cephelerden
biri olan Çanakkale Cephesi, askeri ve siyasî yönden olduğu kadar eğitim
boyutunda da araştırılmaya değerdir. Eğitimin canlı aktörlerinden en önemlisi
öğretmendir. Cephede ve cephe gerisinde öğretmenlerin faaliyetleri, eğitim
kurumunu doğrudan etkilediği gibi diğer kurumları da etkileme gücüne sahiptir.
Bu araştırmada Çanakkale Cephesinde ve cephe gerisinde görev alan öğretmen ve
öğretmen adaylarının durumları ve savaşın öğretmen üzerinden eğitim-öğretim
kurumuna etkileri ele alınmıştır. Araştırmanın verileri, 1914-1916 yıllarındaki
resmî yazışmalara dayalı bazı arşiv belgeleri ve konuyla ilgili yazılı
eserlerdir. Bu veriler, betimsel analiz yöntemi kullanılarak
değerlendirilmiştir. Araştırma bulgularından hareketle genel olarak şu sonuca
ulaşılmıştır: Gönüllü veya askere çağrılan öğretmenler,  cephede vatan savunmasında çarpışırken cephe
gerisinde birçok okul, öğretmensiz kalmış ve bundan eğitim-öğretim olumsuz
etkilenmiştir.
TÜRKİYE’DE AR-GE HARCAMALARI, İNOVASYON VE EKONOMİK BÜYÜME İLİŞKİSİ
Authors: BÖRÜ Mustafa Kerem , ÇELİK Duygu
Published: May 2019

Türkiye için 1980’li yılların başından itibaren ekonomik liberalizasyon adımlarının atılması, Türkiye’nin iktisadi plan ve politikalar ile birlikte üretimde diğer ülkeler ile rekabet edilebilecek duruma getirilmesi hedeflenmiştir. Globalleşen dünya içerisinde rekabet her geçen gün daha da artmaktadır. Bu farkı ortaya çıkartmak isteyen ülkeler, Ar-ge, inovasyon, yatırım ve yenilik hareketlerini hızlandırmıştır. Türkiye’de de yapısal reformların sağlanması, ihracat teşvikleri, fabrikaların açılması, sanayileşme hareketleri işsizlik oranını düşürmüş, yabancı sermaye hareketliliğini arttırmıştır. Bu çalışmada; Türkiye’deki bu yenilikçi yatırım hareketlerinin ekonomik büyüme üzerindeki etkileri 2004 – 2016 yılları için ekonometrik yöntemler yardımı ile araştırılmıştır. Değişkenler üzerinde önce arasındaki ilişkiyi sınamak için birim kök testi yapılmış, ikinci adımda ise aralarındaki nedensellik ilişkisi Granger testi yardımı ile sınanmıştır. Türkiye özelinde, Ar-ge yatırımlarının sonucunda üretime dayalı, istihdam sağlayan, yenilikçi ürün ve niteliksel çeşitlilik açısından yüksek katma değerli, dışa bağımlılığı azaltacak iktisat politikasıyla bir ekonomik büyüme modeli oluşturulması ve özel sektörün yaptığı Ar-ge ve inovasyon ilerlemelerinin uzun dönemde de Türkiye’nin GSYH’sinde destekleyici bir etkisi olduğu anlaşılmıştır.  Veriler Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu (TÜİK) ve Dünya Bankası’ndan temin edilmiştir.
OTİSTİK ÇOCUKLARIN BAKIMININ YAPILDIĞI İŞLETMELERDE 24-36 AYLIK ÇOCUKLARIN SOSYAL VE DUYGUSAL GELİŞİM ÖZELLİKLERİNİN İNCELENMESİ
Authors: BALKIR Seçil
Published: May 2019

Bu
araştırma, 24-36 aylık otistik çocukların sosyal ve duygusal gelişim
özelliklerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla planlanmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini,
kar amacı gütmeyen işletmelere kayıtlı, yaşları 24-36 ay arasında değişen 60
otistik çocuk (10 kız, 50 erkek) oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada; otistik çocuk ve
ailesi hakkında bilgi toplamak amacıyla “Kişisel Bilgi Formu”, çocuğun sosyal
ve duygusal gelişim özelliklerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla araştırmacı tarafından
geliştirilen “Otistik Çocuklar İçin Sosyal ve Duygusal Gelişimi Değerlendirme
Aracı” kullanılmıştır. Aracın yapı geçerliği ölçülen özellik bakımından durumu
bilinen grupların karşılaştırılması yoluyla yapılmıştır. Bu amaçla, normal ve
otistik çocukların sosyal-duygusal gelişimi değerlendirme aracından aldıkları
puanlar için yapılan t-testinin sonuçları hesaplanmıştır. Otistik ve normal
gelişim gösteren çocukların sosyal-duygusal gelişimi değerlendirme aracı
aldıkları puanlar arasında anlamlı bir farklılık bulunmuştur. Sosyal ve
duygusal gelişimi değerlendirme aracının güvenilirliğiyle ilgili olarak,
Coranbach’s Alpha katsayısı, öte yandan testte yer alan maddelerin bireyleri
ölçülen özellik açısından ne derece ayırt edip etmediğini açıklamak için madde
korelasyon toplamları hesaplanmıştır. Coranbach’s Alpha katsayısı otistik
çocuklar için .92, normal gelişim gösteren çocuklar için .89, toplam için ise
.97’dir. Elde edilen verilerin istatistiksel değerlendirmesinde parametrik
olmayan testlerden olan Mann Whitney-U Testi ve Kruskal Wallis-H Testi
uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen bulgulara göre; çocukların sosyal-duygusal gelişimi
değerlendirme aracından aldıkları puanlar arasında kardeş sayısına [U= 237.00,
p.0.5 ], çocukların yaşına [x²(2)=4.24, p>.0.5], tanı yaşına [x²(2)= .721,
p>.0.5], eğitim sürelerine[x²(3)= 3.75, p>.0.5], annelerin öğrenim
durumuna [x²(2)= 2.65, p>.0.5], annelerin yaşına [x²(2)= 1.51, p>.0.5],
babaların yaşına [x²(2)= .237, p>.0.5] göre anlamlı bir farklılık
göstermediği bulunmuştur.
Hubungan antara Konsumsi Makanan Kariogenik dan Risiko Kejadian Karies Gigi pada Anak Usia Sekolah di Kabupaten Tangerang
Authors: Winahyu Karina Megasari , Turmuzi Ahmad , Hakim Fauzan
Published: May 2019

Karies gigi pada anak usia sekolah merupakan masalah kesehatan yang sering terjadi, tetapi kurang mendapat penanganan yang optimal. Salah satu faktor yang dapat mempengaruhi terjadinya karies gigi, yaitu makanan kariogenik yang bersifat manis dan lengket. Tujuan penelitian ini, yaitu untuk mengetahui hubungan antara konsumsi makanan kariogenik dan risiko kejadian karies gigi pada anak usia sekolah. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan desain deskriptif analitik dengan pendekatan cross sectional. Sampel pada penelitian ini sebanyak 163 anak usia sekolah yang dipilih dengan teknik random sampling. Teknik analisis yang digunakan pada penelitian ini, yaitu chisquare. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa tingkat konsumsi makanan kariogenik yang tinggi sebanyak 55,8% responden, sedangkan tingkat konsumsi makanan kariogenik rendah sebanyak 44,2% responden dan responden yang berisiko tinggi karies gigi sebanyak 76,7% responden, sedangkan responden yang berisiko rendah karies gigi sebanyak 23,3% responden. Hasil analisis penelitian menunjukan bahwa ada hubungan antara konsumsi makanan kariogenik dengen risiko kejadian karies gigi dengan nilai (p value < 0,05). Hasil penelitian menyarankan tenaga kesehatan untuk mencegah kejadian karies gigi dengan menurunkan tingkat konsumsi makanan kariogenik.
FASTSET: A Fast Data Structure for the Representation of Sets of Integers
Authors: Lancia Giuseppe , Dalpasso Marcello
Published: May 2019

We describe a simple data structure for storing subsets of { 0 , … , N − 1 } , with N a given integer, which has optimal time performance for all the main set operations, whereas previous data structures are non-optimal for at least one such operation. We report on the comparison of a Java implementation of our structure with other structures of the standard Java Collections.
Production and Cultivated Area Variation in Cereal, Rice, Wheat and Maize in China (1998–2016)
Authors: Wang Yunqi , Gao Fuli , Gao Guoying , Zhao Jianyun , Wang Xiaoge , Zhang Rui
Published: May 2019

The production of cereals, including rice, wheat, and maize has increased in China over the past 20 years. However, variations in the production and cultivated area of cereals remains unclear. In this study, we collected and analyzed the cereal production and cultivated area in China from 1998 to 2016. An 85% increase in cereal production was recorded from 1998 to 2016, due to an increase in the maize production along with the increase in the cultivated area. Meanwhile, rice and wheat production have been stable since 2000. No change occurred in the rice cultivated area through 2016, and a 19% decrease in the wheat cultivated area was observed in 2016 relative to 1998. In addition, a significant positive relationship was observed among cereal production, maize production, and cultivated area (p < 0.0001). Together, the increase in cereal production in China over the past two decades has resulted from the increase in maize cultivated area and the consequent increase in maize production.
Optimization of Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density and Root-Zone Temperature for Enhancing Secondary Metabolite Accumulation and Production of Coriander in Plant Factory
Authors: Nguyen Duyen T. P. , Lu Na , Kagawa Natsuko , Takagaki Michiko
Published: May 2019

Coriander is an important aromatic plant, and contains abundant secondary metabolites that are considered to be beneficial for health. The demand for high-quality and fresh coriander in large cities has been growing rapidly. Plant factories are advanced indoor cultivation systems that can produce high-quality plants inside cities with a high productivity. This study aimed to maximize plant growth and the secondary metabolites production of coriander, by regulating photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and root-zone temperature (RZT). Three PPFDs (100, 200, and 300 µmol m−2 s−1) and three RZTs (20, 25, and 30 °C) were applied on coriander plants grown hydroponically in a plant factory. The plant biomass and water content of leaf and stem were highest under RZT of 25 °C with a PPFD of 300 µmol m−2 s−1. However, chlorogenic acid, rutin, trans-2-decenal, total phenolic concentrations and the antioxidant capacity of the coriander plant were greatest under the combination of PPFD (300 µmol m−2 s−1) and RZT (30 °C). Chlorogenic acid in leaves responded more sensitively to PPFD and RZT than rutin. Controlling PPFD and RZT is effective in optimizing the yield and quality of coriander plants. The findings are expected to be applied to commercial plant production in plant factories.
Specificity in the Susceptibilities of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates to Six Metal Antimicrobials
Authors: Gugala Natalie , Vu Dennis , Parkins Michael D. , Turner Raymond J.
Published: May 2019

In response to the occurrence of antibiotic resistance, there has been rapid developments in the field of metal-based antimicrobials. Although it is largely assumed that metals provide broad-spectrum microbial efficacy, studies have shown that this is not always the case. Therefore, in this study, we compared the susceptibilities of 93 clinical isolates belonging to the species Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus against six metals, namely aluminum, copper, gallium, nickel, silver and zinc. To provide qualitative comparative information, the resulting zones of growth inhibition were compared to the minimal inhibitory concentrations of three indicator strains E. coli ATCC 25922, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and S. aureus ATCC 25923. Here, we demonstrate that the metal efficacies were species- and isolate-specific. Only several isolates were either resistant or sensitive to all of the six metals, with great variability found between isolates. However, the greatest degree of similarity was found with the E. coli isolates. In contrast, the susceptibilities of the remaining two collections, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, were more highly dispersed. Using this information, we have shown that metals are not equal in their efficacies. Hence, their use should be tailored against a particular microorganism and care should be taken to ensure the use of the correct concentration.
The Continuing Threat of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Gajdács Márió
Published: May 2019

Staphylococcus aureus has been an exceptionally successful pathogen, which is still relevant in modern age-medicine due to its adaptability and tenacity. This bacterium may be a causative agent in a plethora of infections, owing to its abundance (in the environment and in the normal flora) and the variety of virulence factors that it possesses. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains—first described in 1961—are characterized by an altered penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a/c) and resistance to all penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems, which makes the β-lactam armamentarium clinically ineffective. The acquisition of additional resistance determinants further complicates their eradication; therefore, MRSA can be considered as the first representative of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Based on 230 references, the aim of this review is to recap the history, the emergence, and clinical features of various MRSA infections (hospital-, community-, and livestock-associated), and to summarize the current advances regarding MRSA screening, typing, and therapeutic options (including lipoglycopeptides, oxazolidinones, anti-MRSA cephalosporins, novel pleuromutilin-, tetracycline- and quinolone-derivatives, daptomycin, fusidic acid, in addition to drug candidates in the development phase), both for an audience of clinical microbiologists and infectious disease specialists.
Emerging Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Acute and Stable Coronary Artery Disease: Levels and Determinants
Authors: Lubrano Valter , Pingitore Alessandro , Traghella Irene , Storti Simona , Parri Serena , Berti Sergio , Ndreu Rudina , Andrenelli Andrea , Palmieri Cataldo , Iervasi Giorgio , Mastorci Francesca , Vassalle Cristina
Published: May 2019

Background: Oxidative stress is crucial in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Under the generic terms “oxidative stress” (OS), many biomarkers belonging to different pathways have been proposed. Aim: To compare the levels of recently proposed OS-related parameters in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD), to evaluate their effectiveness as additive risk or illness indicators of stable and acute ischemic events, and their response over time during the course of AMI. Methods: 76 ACS, 77 CAD patients, and 63 controls were enrolled in the study. Different OS-related biomarkers, including reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM), the total antioxidant capacity (OXY), nitrite/nitrate (final nitric oxide products, NOx), and Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), were evaluated. Moreover, time response during AMI course (admission, and 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 hours after, T0-T6, respectively) and correlation with traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking habit) were also assessed. Results: Over time, ROM progressively increased while OXY and NOx decreased. Kinetics of LOX-1 during AMI shows that this biomarker boosts early during the acute event (T1 and T2) and then progressively decreases, being significantly lower from T0 to T6. Different OS-related biomarkers were differentially associated with CV risk factors and CAD or ACS presence. Conclusion: Differences in OS-related biomarkers (between groups, according to the response over time during AMI, and to the presence of CV risk factors) confirmed OS involvement in the transition from healthy status to stable CAD and ACS, although evidencing the heterogeneous nature of redox processes. In future, a multi-marker panel including different biomarkers and pathways of oxidative stress could be evaluated as an additive tool to be used in the CV prevention, diagnosis, patient stratification, and treatment.
Novel Characterization of Antioxidant Enzyme, 3-Mercaptopyruvate Sulfurtransferase-Knockout Mice: Overexpression of the Evolutionarily-Related Enzyme Rhodanese
Authors: Nagahara Noriyuki , Tanaka Mio , Tanaka Yukichi , Ito Takaaki
Published: May 2019

The antioxidant enzyme, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MST, EC 2.8.1.2) is localized in the cytosol and mitochondria, while the evolutionarily-related enzyme, rhodanese (thiosulfate sulfurtransferase, TST, EC 2.8.1.1) is localized in the mitochondria. Recently, both enzymes have been shown to produce hydrogen sulfide and polysulfide. Subcellular fractionation of liver mitochondria revealed that the TST activity ratio of MST-knockout (KO)/wild-type mice was approximately 2.5; MST activity was detected only in wild-type mice, as expected. The ratio of TST mRNA expression of KO/wild-type mice, as measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, was approximately 3.3. It is concluded that TST is overexpressed in MST-KO mice.
Evaluation of Fruit and Vegetable Containers Made from Mulberry Wood (Morus Alba L.) Waste
Authors: Ferrandez-Villena Manuel , Ferrandez-Garcia Clara Eugenia , Garcia-Ortuño Teresa , Ferrandez-Garcia Antonio , Ferrandez-Garcia Maria Teresa
Published: May 2019

Mulberry trees (Morus alba L.) are used as ornamental and shade trees in urban gardening in Spain. These trees must be pruned once a year, and the waste is usually sent to the tip. Current research efforts aim to optimize biomass-based material sources and reduce the pressure on natural and planted forests. The objective of this study was to produce fruit and vegetable containers using particleboards made from mulberry tree pruning waste and to evaluate their properties. Mulberry particleboards were made and their mechanical properties were tested to demonstrate their suitability for industrial uses. Afterwards, the containers made with mulberry particleboards were tested. The strength of the containers was less than 5000 kg to dynamic compressive strength. Deformation by stacking was 3.15 mm, which is less than the maximum allowed of 6.1 mm, and flexural deformation of the base was 2 mm.
Data-Driven Model-Free Tracking Reinforcement Learning Control with VRFT-based Adaptive Actor-Critic
Authors: Radac Mircea-Bogdan , Precup Radu-Emil
Published: May 2019

This paper proposes a neural network (NN)-based control scheme in an Adaptive Actor-Critic (AAC) learning framework designed for output reference model tracking, as a representative deep-learning application. The control learning scheme is model-free with respect to the process model. AAC designs usually require an initial controller to start the learning process; however, systematic guidelines for choosing the initial controller are not offered in the literature, especially in a model-free manner. Virtual Reference Feedback Tuning (VRFT) is proposed for obtaining an initially stabilizing NN nonlinear state-feedback controller, designed from input-state-output data collected from the process in open-loop setting. The solution offers systematic design guidelines for initial controller design. The resulting suboptimal state-feedback controller is next improved under the AAC learning framework by online adaptation of a critic NN and a controller NN. The mixed VRFT-AAC approach is validated on a multi-input multi-output nonlinear constrained coupled vertical two-tank system. Discussions on the control system behavior are offered together with comparisons with similar approaches.
Quantitative Evaluation of Subsurface Damage by Improved Total Internal Reflection Microscopy
Authors: Ni Kaizao , Cheng Xin , Huang Baoming , Liu Shijie , Shao Jianda , Wu Zhouling , Chen Jian , Huang Ming
Published: May 2019

Subsurface damage (SSD), having a great impact on the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of ultra-smooth optics applied in high-power laser systems, should be tightly controlled. An improved total internal reflection microscopy (TIRM), combined with digital image processing techniques, is proposed to quantitatively inspect SSD. With the characteristic that there is a relatively small depth of field (DOF) for a microscope at high magnification (50×), a series of SSD images are captured along with the microscope focusing at different depths under the surface by means of micro-focusing control. The definition of each image is calculated through wavelet transformation. By simulation, the relationship between the definition of TIRM images and the depth of the SSD has been established. According to the definition curve, the SSD depth is acquired. Fused silica glasses polished after fine grinding are measured non-destructively by our TIRM setup. The results show that the improved TIRM is a useful method to evaluate SSD. It is helpful to improve the efficiency of optical fabrication.
Data Balancing Based on Pre-Training Strategy for Liver Segmentation from CT Scans
Authors: Zhang Yong , Wang Yi , Wang Yizhu , Fang Bin , Yu Wei , Long Hongyu , Lei Hancheng
Published: May 2019

Data imbalance is often encountered in deep learning process and is harmful to model training. The imbalance of hard and easy samples in training datasets often occurs in the segmentation tasks from Contrast Tomography (CT) scans. However, due to the strong similarity between adjacent slices in volumes and different segmentation tasks (the same slice may be classified as a hard sample in liver segmentation task, but an easy sample in the kidney or spleen segmentation task), it is hard to solve this imbalance of training dataset using traditional methods. In this work, we use a pre-training strategy to distinguish hard and easy samples, and then increase the proportion of hard slices in training dataset, which could mitigate imbalance of hard samples and easy samples in training dataset, and enhance the contribution of hard samples in training process. Our experiments on liver, kidney and spleen segmentation show that increasing the ratio of hard samples in the training dataset could enhance the prediction ability of model by improving its ability to deal with hard samples. The main contribution of this work is the application of pre-training strategy, which enables us to select training samples online according to different tasks and to ease data imbalance in the training dataset.
Genesis, Maintenance and Demise of a Simulated Tornado and the Evolution of Its Preceding Descending Reflectivity Core (DRC)
Authors: Yao Dan , Meng Zhiyong , Xue Ming
Published: May 2019

This study demonstrates the capability of a cloud model in simulating a real-world tornado using observed radiosonde data that define a homogeneous background. A reasonable simulation of a tornado event in Beijing, China, on 21 July 2012 is obtained. The simulation reveals the evolution of a descending reflectivity core (DRC) that has commonalities with radar observations, which retracts upward right before tornadogenesis. Tornadogenesis can be divided into three steps: the downward development of mesocyclone vortex, the upward development of tornado vortex, and the eventual downward development of condensation funnel cloud. This bottom-up development provides a numerical evidence for the growing support for a bottom-up, rapid tornadogenesis process as revealed by the state-of-the-art mobile X-band phase-array radar observations. The evolution of the simulated tornado features two replacement processes of three near-surface vortices coupled with the same midlevel updraft. The first replacement occurs during the intensification of the tornado before its maturity. The second replacement occurs during the tornado’s demise, when the connection between the midlevel mesocyclone and the near-surface vortex is cut off by a strong downdraft. This work shows the potential of idealized tornado simulations and three-dimensional illustrations in investigating the spiral nature and evolution of tornadoes.
PIP-Space Valued Reproducing Pairs of Measurable Functions
Authors: Antoine Jean-Pierre , Trapani Camillo
Published: May 2019

We analyze the notion of reproducing pairs of weakly measurable functions, a generalization of continuous frames. The aim is to represent elements of an abstract space Y as superpositions of weakly measurable functions belonging to a space Z : = Z ( X , μ ), where ( X , μ ) is a measure space. Three cases are envisaged, with increasing generality: (i) Y and Z are both Hilbert spaces; (ii) Y is a Hilbert space, but Z is a pip-space; (iii) Y and Z are both pip-spaces. It is shown, in particular, that the requirement that a pair of measurable functions be reproducing strongly constrains the structure of the initial space Y. Examples are presented for each case.
Comparative Study of the Conventional Mathematical and Fuzzy Logic Controllers for Velocity Regulation
Authors: Valdez Fevrier , Castillo Oscar , Caraveo Camilo , Peraza Cinthia
Published: May 2019

Currently, we are in the digital era, where robotics, with the help of the Internet of Things (IoT), is exponentially advancing, and in the technology market we can find multiple devices for achieving these systems, such as the Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and so on. The use of these devices makes our work easier regarding processing information or controlling physical mechanisms, as some of these devices have microcontrollers or microprocessors. One of the main challenges in speed control applications is to make the decision to use a fuzzy logic control (FLC) system instead of a conventional controller system, such as a proportional integral (PI) or a proportional integral-derivative (PID). The main contribution of this paper is the design, integration, and comparative study of the use of these three types of controllers—FLC, PI, and PID—for the speed control of a robot built using the Lego Mindstorms EV3 kit. The root mean square error (RMSE) and the settling time were used as metrics to validate the performance of the speed control obtained with the controllers proposed in this paper.
A Note on Anosov Homeomorphisms
Authors: Achigar Mauricio
Published: May 2019

For an α -expansive homeomorphism of a compact space we give an elementary proof of the following well-known result in topological dynamics: A sufficient condition for the homeomorphism to have the shadowing property is that it has the α -shadowing property for one-jump pseudo orbits (known as the local product structure property). The proof relies on a reformulation of the property of expansiveness in terms of the pseudo orbits of the system.
Synthetic vs. Real Driving Cycles: A Comparison of Electric Vehicle Battery Degradation
Authors: Baure George , Dubarry Matthieu
Published: May 2019

Automobile dependency and the inexorable proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) compels accurate predictions of cycle life across multiple usage conditions and for multiple lithium-ion battery systems. Synthetic driving cycles have been essential in accumulating data on EV battery lifetimes. However, since battery deterioration is path-dependent, the representability of synthetic cycles must be questioned. Hence, this work compared three different synthetic driving cycles to real driving data in terms of mimicking actual EV battery degradation. It was found that the average current and charge capacity during discharge were important parameters in determining the appropriate synthetic profile, and traffic conditions have a significant impact on cell lifetimes. In addition, a stage of accelerated capacity fade was observed and shown to be induced by an increased loss of lithium inventory (LLI) resulting from irreversible Li plating. New metrics, the ratio of the loss of active material at the negative electrode (LAMNE) to the LLI and the plating threshold, were proposed as possible predictors for a stage of accelerated degradation. The results presented here demonstrated tracking properties, such as capacity loss and resistance increase, were insufficient in predicting cell lifetimes, supporting the adoption of metrics based on the analysis of degradation modes.
Effect of Asparaginase Enzyme in the Reduction of Asparagine in Green Coffee
Authors: Porto Ana Carolina Vieira , Freitas-Silva Otniel , Souza Erika Fraga de , Gottschalk Leda Maria Fortes
Published: May 2019

Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world, especially in Nordic countries. Its composition has substances considered to have high value for human health, such as chlorogenic and phenolic acids. However, the roasting of coffee can form substances such as acrylamide that are considered toxic and carcinogenic, depending on the time and the heat of roasting. However, there are some ways of reducing acrylamide formation during the processing of coffee beans. The reduction of its precursor asparagine is one of these ways. This can be achieved by the treatment of beans with the enzyme asparaginase. This study aimed to test the effectiveness of applying asparaginase (Acrylaway™) and evaluate the reduction of the amount of asparagine in Coffea arabica and C. canephora beans. The results showed the effectiveness of the enzyme in the reduction of free asparagine in green coffee beans of both species (C. arabica and C. canephora). Steam pretreatment was effective for the two species but required different times (30 min for C. arabica and 45 min for C. canephora). This can be attributed to the different chemical compositions found in the two species.
Kavalactones and Flavokavins Profiles Contribute to Quality Assessment of Kava (Piper methysticum G. Forst.), the Traditional Beverage of the Pacific
Authors: Lebot Vincent , Michalet Serge , Legendre Laurent
Published: May 2019

Kava (Piper methysticum) is increasingly traded internationally and there is need for a rapid method to analyze kava raw material before export. The objectives of the present study were: (i) to develop a simple and robust protocol for high throughput simultaneous quantification of kavalactones (KLs) and flavokavins (FKs) in kava and (ii) to assess its potential for quality control. Methysticin; dihydromethysticin; kavain; desmethoxyyangonin; dihydrokavain; yangonin; and flavokavin A, B and C were quantified using HPTLC in acetonic extracts of 174 kava varieties. UHPLC analysis was conducted on a subset of six varieties representing the genetic variation of the species. The genetically distinct groups of nobles, two-day and wichmannii varieties were clearly differentiated and multivariate analyses of UHPLC and HPTLC data were congruent. Noble varieties have significantly low FKs/KLs (0.13) and high kavain/flavokavin B (K/FKB = 7.31). Two-day and wichmannii varieties are characterized by high FKs/KLs (0.36, 0.21) and low K/FKB (1.5, 1.7). A high-throughput HPTLC protocol was developed with a total analytical time of 50 min for 20 samples and only 10 mL of mobile phase. The use of acetone, sonication and two different detection wavelengths improves the accuracy compared to previous HPLC studies and confirms that kava varieties exhibit distinct chemotypes clearly differentiated by their FKs/KLs profiles. These results will strengthen the use of Codex Alimentarius regional standards.