bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Deficit: Why Nuclear Weapons Are Natural, but Scotland Doesn’t Need Nature
Authors: Gardiner Michael
Published: September 2019

This article argues that millennial Scottish culture has been animated in large part by a push to overcome a historiographical compulsion built into the modern British state’s understanding of nature. This understanding of nature became the foundational principle of government during the Financial Revolution and British unification in the 1690s–1710, then was made the subject of a universal history by the Scottish Enlightenment of the later eighteenth century, and has remained in place to be extended by neoliberalism. The article argues more specifically that the British association of progress with dominion over the world as nature demands a temporal abstraction, or automation, reducing the determinability of the present, and that correspondingly this idea of nature ‘softens’ conflict in a way that points to weapons carrying perfectly abstracted violence. Nuclear weapons become an inevitable corollary of the nature of British authority. Against this, twenty-first century Scottish cultures, particularly a growing mainstream surrounding independence or stressing national specificity, have noticeably turned against both nuclear weapons and the understanding of nature these weapons protect. These cultures draw from a 1980s moment in which anti-nuclear action came both to be understood as ‘national’, and to stand in relief to the British liberal firmament. These cultures are ‘activist’ in the literal sense that they tend to interrupt an assumption of the eternal that stands behind both nuclear terror and its capture of nature as dominion over the world. A dual interruption, nuclear and counter-natural, can be read in pro-independence cultural projects including online projects like Bella Caledonia and National Collective, which might be described as undertaking a thorough ‘denaturing’. But if the question of nature as resources for dominion has been a topic for debate in the environmental humanities, little attention has been paid to this specifically British ‘worlding’ of nature, or to how later constitutional pressures on the UK also mean pressures on this worlding. Andreas Malm’s Fossil Capital (2016), for example, a powerful account of the automation of production in the British industrial revolution, might be related to the automation of ideas of progress pressed during the Scottish Enlightenment, and entrenching a dualism of owning subject and nature as object-world that would drive extraction in empire. Finally, this article suggests that this dualism, and the nature holding it in place, have also been a major target of the ‘wilderness encounters’ that form a large sub-genre in twenty-first century Scottish writing. Such ‘denaturing’ encounters can be read in writers like Alec Finlay, Linda Cracknell, Thomas A. Clark, and Gerry Loose, often disrupting the subject standing over nature, and sometimes explicitly linking this to a disruption of nuclear realism.
Smoke-Free Policies and Smoking Cessation in the United States, 2003–2015
Authors: Titus Andrea R. , Kalousova Lucie , Meza Rafael , Levy David T. , Thrasher James F. , Elliott Michael R. , Lantz Paula M. , Fleischer Nancy L.
Published: September 2019

(1) Background: Smoking restrictions have been shown to be associated with reduced smoking, but there are a number of gaps in the literature surrounding the relationship between smoke-free policies and cessation, including the extent to which this association may be modified by sociodemographic characteristics. (2) Methods: We analyzed data from the Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey, 2003–2015, to explore whether multiple measures of smoking restrictions were associated with cessation across population subgroups. We examined area-based measures of exposure to smoke-free laws, as well as self-reported exposure to workplace smoke-free policies. We used age-stratified, fixed effects logistic regression models to assess the impact of each smoke-free measure on 90-day cessation. Effect modification by gender, education, family income, and race/ethnicity was examined using interaction terms. (3) Results: Coverage by workplace smoke-free laws and self-reported workplace smoke-free policies was associated with higher odds of cessation among respondents ages 40–54. Family income modified the association between smoke-free workplace laws and cessation for women ages 25–39 (the change in the probability of cessation associated with coverage was most pronounced among lower-income women). (4) Conclusions: Heterogeneous associations between policies and cessation suggest that smoke-free policies may have important implications for health equity.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Nature-Based Mindfulness: Effects of Moving Mindfulness Training into an Outdoor Natural Setting
Authors: Djernis Dorthe , Lerstrup Inger , Poulsen Dorthe , Stigsdotter Ulrika , Dahlgaard Jesper , O’Toole Mia
Published: September 2019

Research has proven that both mindfulness training and exposure to nature have positive health effects. The purpose of this study was to systematically review quantitative studies of mindfulness interventions conducted in nature (nature-based mindfulness), and to analyze the effects through meta-analyses. Electronic searches revealed a total of 25 studies to be included, examining 2990 participants. Three analyses were conducted: Nature-based mindfulness interventions evaluated as open trials (k = 13), nature-based mindfulness compared with groups in non-active control conditions (k = 5), and nature-based mindfulness compared with similar interventions but without contact with nature (k = 7). The overall combined psychological, physiological, and interpersonal effects from pre- to post-intervention were statistically significant and of medium size (g = 0.54, p < 0.001). Moderation analyses showed that natural environments characterized as forests/wild nature obtained larger numerical effects than environments characterized as gardens/parks, as did informal mindfulness compared with formal mindfulness. The small number of studies included, as well as the heterogeneity and generally low quality of the studies, must be taken into consideration when the results are interpreted. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42017065639.
The Relationship between Sleep Duration and Perceived Stress: Findings from the 2017 Community Health Survey in Korea
Authors: Kim Hwi Jun , Oh So Yeon , Joo Jae Hong , Choi Dong-Woo , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: September 2019

Sleep is exceedingly important for our physical, physiological, psychological, and social health. Currently, few Koreans get the recommended daily amount of sleep. Stress can also have a major impact on our physiological, neurological, and mental health. In this study, we explored the correlation between sleep duration and perceived stress. The study used data from the Community Health Survey (CHS), 2017, which included 133,444 responses from Koreans. Sleeping time and stress were measured by self-diagnosis. The relationship between sleeping time and stress was analyzed using the chi-square test and multivariable regression. Both men and women felt the most stress when they slept for an average of 6 h a day. The results of the subgroup analysis showed that even when they sleep for the same time, younger people felt more stressed than older people. In the group that slept for an average of 6 h a day, women were the most stressed. We observed a correlation between sleeping time and stress in Korean adults. We found that about 16.7% of Koreans were sleeping for less than 5 h. This is less than the 7–9 h of sleep recommended by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). In addition, stress was found to increase when sleep was insufficient. In particular, it was also observed that young people who slept for less than 8 h felt stressed more easily.
Why So Serious about Foreign Capital?
Authors: Sedai Ashish Kumar
Published: September 2019

This study examines the cost and benefits of capital inflow in emerging economies and delineates equity and debt to examine the nature and trends of capital inflows in Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS), East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa since their economic reforms. We adopt a two-step process to address endogeneity and to tease out the causal effect of capital flow on economic growth and vice versa. First, we run the panel Granger causality test to examine the precedence of causality between per capita GDP growth, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows, portfolio inflows and the real effective exchange rate. We follow this test with a fixed-effect panel regression model to test for the magnitude of causality between the variables. The study finds the presence of a strong causality between FDI equity flows and a weak and lagged causality between short term capital flows and economic growth. In the short-run, there is bi-directional causality in growth and equity flows. In the longer run, the effects of equity fade away, but the effect of sustained debt kicks in. Among other results, an average currency appreciation for one-year causes equity inflow and causes GDP growth for two years.
Lysates of a Probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Can Improve Skin Barrier Function in a Reconstructed Human Epidermis Model
Authors: Jung Ye-On , Jeong Haengdueng , Cho Yejin , Lee Eun-Ok , Jang Hye-Won , Kim Jinwook , Nam Ki Taek , Lim Kyung-Min
Published: September 2019

The main function of the skin is to protect the body from the external environment. The barrier function of the skin is mainly provided by the stratum corneum, which consists of corneocytes bound with the corneodesmosomes and lamellar lipids. Skin barrier proteins like loricrin and filaggrin also contribute to the skin barrier function. In various skin diseases, skin barrier dysfunction is a common symptom, and skin irritants like detergents or surfactants could also perturb skin barrier function. Many efforts have been made to develop strategies to improve skin barrier function. Here, we investigated whether the microfluidized lysates of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR), one of the most widely used probiotic species for various health benefits, may improve the skin barrier function in a reconstructed human epidermis, Keraskin™. Application of LR lysate on Keraskin™ increased the expression of tight junction proteins; claudin 1 and occludin as determined by immunofluorescence analysis, and skin barrier proteins; loricrin and filaggrin as determined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis and qPCR. Also, the cytotoxicity of a skin irritant, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), was alleviated by the pretreatment of LR lysate. The skin barrier protective effects of LR lysate could be further demonstrated by the attenuation of SLS-enhanced dye-penetration. LR lysate also attenuated the destruction of desmosomes after SLS treatment. Collectively, we demonstrated that LR lysate has protective effects on the skin barrier, which could expand the utility of probiotics to skin-moisturization ingredients.
Deciphering the Evolutionary History of Arowana Fishes (Teleostei, Osteoglossiformes, Osteoglossidae): Insight from Comparative Cytogenomics
Authors: de Bello Cioffi Marcelo , Ráb Petr , Ezaz Tariq , Antonio Carlos Bertollo Luiz , Lavoué Sebastien , Aguiar de Oliveira Ezequiel , Sember Alexandr , Franco Molina Wagner , Henrique Santos de Souza Fernando , Majtánová Zuzana , Liehr Thomas , Basheer Hamid Al-Rikabi Ahmed , Fernanda Yano Cassia , Viana Patrik , Feldberg Eliana , Unmack Peter , Hatanaka Terumi , Tanomtong Alongklod , Fernandez Perez Manolo
Published: September 2019

Arowanas (Osteoglossinae) are charismatic freshwater fishes with six species and two genera (Osteoglossum and Scleropages) distributed in South America, Asia, and Australia. In an attempt to provide a better assessment of the processes shaping their evolution, we employed a set of cytogenetic and genomic approaches, including i) molecular cytogenetic analyses using C- and CMA3/DAPI staining, repetitive DNA mapping, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and Zoo-FISH, along with ii) the genotypic analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated by diversity array technology sequencing (DArTseq). We observed diploid chromosome numbers of 2n = 56 and 54 in O. bicirrhosum and O. ferreirai, respectively, and 2n = 50 in S. formosus, while S. jardinii and S. leichardti presented 2n = 48 and 44, respectively. A time-calibrated phylogenetic tree revealed that Osteoglossum and Scleropages divergence occurred approximately 50 million years ago (MYA), at the time of the final separation of Australia and South America (with Antarctica). Asian S. formosus and Australian Scleropages diverged about 35.5 MYA, substantially after the latest terrestrial connection between Australia and Southeast Asia through the Indian plate movement. Our combined data provided a comprehensive perspective of the cytogenomic diversity and evolution of arowana species on a timescale.
Role of the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling Pathway in Insecticide Resistance
Authors: Li Ting , Liu Nannan
Published: September 2019

The G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) regulated intracellular signaling pathway is known to be involved in the development of insecticide resistance in the mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus. To elucidate the specific role of each effector in the GPCR regulating pathway, we initially expressed a GPCR, G-protein alpha subunit (Gαs), adenylate cyclase (AC), and protein kinase A (PKA) in insect Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells and investigated their regulation function on cyclic AMP (cAMP) production and PKA activity. GPCR, Gαs, and AC individually expressed Sf9 cells showed higher cAMP production as the expression of each effector increased. All the effector-expressed cell lines showed increased PKA activity however. Moreover, Sf9 cytochrome P450 gene expression and cell tolerance to permethrin were examined. The relative expression of CYP9A32gene in Sf9 cells tested was significantly increased in all effector-expressed cell lines compared to a control cell line; these effector-expressed cell lines also showed significantly higher tolerance to permethrin. Inhibitor treatments on each effector-expressed cell line revealed that Bupivacaine HCl and H89 2HCl robustly inhibited cAMP production and PKA activity, respectively, resulting in decreased tolerance to permethrin in all cell lines. The synergistic functions of Bupivacaine HCl and H89 2HCl with permethrin were further examined in Culex mosquito larvae, providing a valuable new information for mosquito control strategies.
Elevated Systemic L-Kynurenine/L-Tryptophan Ratio and Increased IL-1 Beta and Chemokine (CX3CL1, MCP-1) Proinflammatory Mediators in Patients with Long-Term Titanium Dental Implants
Authors: Merino José Joaquín , Cabaña-Muñoz María Eugenia , Toledano Gasca Adolfo , Garcimartín Alba , Benedí Juana , Camacho-Alonso Fabio , Parmigiani-Izquierdo José María
Published: September 2019

Titanium is the mean biocompatible metal found in dental titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V). The safety of certain dental biomaterial amalgams has been questioned in patients. The levels of several systemic cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-4: pg/mL) and chemokines (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), soluble fractalkine (CX3CL1: pg/mL) were determined using ELISA and compared between these study groups. The study included 30 controls without dental materials (cont), 57 patients with long-term titanium dental implants plus amalgams (A + I group) as well as 55 patients with long-term dental amalgam alone (A group). All patients (except controls) have had dental titanium implants (Ti-6Al-4V) and/or amalgams for at least 10 years (average: 15 years). We evaluated whether systemic levels of cytokines/chemokines, kyn/L-trp ratio and aromatic amino acid levels (HPLC: mM/L, Phe, L-Trp, His, Treo) could be altered in patients with long-term dental titanium and/or amalgams. These systemic markers were evaluated in 142 patients. The A + I group had higher L-Kynurenine/L-Tryptophan ratios than patients with long-term dental amalgam fillings alone (A). In addition, levels of IL-1 Beta cytokine, CX3CL1 and MCP-1 chemokines were higher in the A + I group than in the A group (A). The increased L-kyn/L-trp ratio and MCP-1 and fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) elevations could suggest enhanced chemotactic responses by these chemokines in the A + I group.
Digital Market, Bloggers, and Trendsetters: The New World of Advertising Law
Authors: Reale Mariacristina
Published: September 2019

The importance of digital marketing is continuously growing, at least in the present economic phase. Within this sector, fashion bloggers play a crucial role, which reflects the relevance of fashion on an economic and a social level, as already highlighted in Georg Simmel’s pioneering study. New communication opportunities made available by the development of digital technologies shed more light on this phenomenon. One of the main concerns is the need to guarantee the transparency and the correctness of commercial communications shared through social media in order to ensure the consumers’ full freedom of choice. However, can traditional rules on advertising be considered sufficient, or is there a need for ad hoc rules? Can consumers’ protection be reconciled with other values such as the creative freedom of advertisers and, more generally, the freedom of expression? Thus far, interventions by self-regulatory bodies and independent authorities, both at national and international levels, have proven to be effective, even if more “classic” regulatory interventions may occur in the future. After a short reference to the literature concerning fashion as a social phenomenon, the contribution focuses on the main solutions adopted in Italy and in Europe.
A Hybrid Modeling of the Physics-Driven Evolution of Material Addition and Track Generation in Laser Powder Directed Energy Deposition
Authors: Piscopo Gabriele , Atzeni Eleonora , Salmi Alessandro
Published: September 2019

Directed Energy Deposition (DED) is one of the most promising additive manufacturing technologies for the production of large metal components and because of the possibility it offers of adding material to an existing part. Nevertheless, DED is considered premature for industrial production, because the identification of the process parameters may be a very complex task. An original hybrid analytic-numerical model, related to the physics of laser powder DED, is presented in this work in order to evaluate easily and quickly the effects of different sets of process parameters on track deposition outcomes. In the proposed model, the volume of the deposited material is modeled as a function of process parameters using a synergistic interaction between regression-based analytic models and a novel element activation strategy. The model is implemented in a Finite Element (FE) software, and the forecasting capability is assessed by comparing the numerical results with experimental data from the literature. The predicted results show a reasonable correlation with the experimental dimensions of the melt pool and demonstrate that the proposed model may be used for prediction purposes, if a specific set of process parameters that guarantees adequate adhesion of the deposited track to the substrate is introduced.
Swelling and Helium Bubble Morphology in a Cryogenically Treated FeCrNi Alloy with Martensitic Transformation and Reversion after Helium Implantation
Authors: Zhang Feifei , Boatner Lynn , Zhang Yanwen , Chen Di , Wang Yongqiang , Wang Lumin
Published: September 2019

A cryo-quenched 70 wt % Fe-15 wt% Cr-15 wt% Ni single-crystal alloy with fcc (face centered cubic), bcc (body centered cubic), and hcp (hexagonal close packed) phases was implanted with 200 keV He+ ions up to 2 × 1017 ions·cm−2 at 773 K. Surface-relief features were observed subsequent to the He+ ion implantation, and transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize both the surface relief properties and the details of associated “swelling effects” arising cumulatively from the austenitic-to-martensitic phase transformation and helium ion-induced bubble evolution in the single-crystal ternary alloy. The bubble size in the bcc phase was found to be larger than that in the fcc phase, while the bubble density in the bcc phase was correspondingly lower. The phase boundaries with misfit dislocations formed during the martensitic transformation and reversion processes served as helium traps that dispersed the helium bubble distribution. Swelling caused by the phase transformation in the alloy was dominant compared to that caused by helium bubble formation due to the limited depth of the helium ion implantation. The detailed morphology of helium bubbles formed in the bcc, hcp, and fcc phases were compared and correlated with the characters of each phase. The helium diffusion coefficient under irradiation at 773 K in the bcc phase was much higher (i.e., by several orders of magnitude) than that in the fcc phase and led to faster bubble growth. Moreover, the misfit phase boundaries were shown to be effective sites for the diffusion of helium atoms. This feature may be considered to be a desirable property for improving the radiation tolerance of the subject, ternary alloy.
Inverse Model for the Control of Induction Heat Treatments
Authors: Asadzadeh Mohammad Zhian , Raninger Peter , Prevedel Petri , Ecker Werner , Mücke Manfred
Published: September 2019

In this work, we present and test an approach based on an inverse model applicable to the control of induction heat treatments. The inverse model is comprised of a simplified analytical forward model trained with experiments to predict and control the temperature of a location in a cylindrical sample starting from any initial temperature. We solve the coupled nonlinear electromagnetic-thermal problem, which contains a temperature dependent parameter α to correct the electromagnetic field on the surface of a cylinder, and as a result effectively the modeled temperature elsewhere in the sample. A calibrated model to the measurement data applied with the process information such as the operating power level, current, frequency, and temperature provides the basic ingredients to construct an inverse model toolbox, which finally enables us to conduct experiments with more specific goals. The input set values of the power supply, i.e., the power levels in the test rig control system, are determined within an iterative framework to reach specific target temperatures in prescribed times. We verify the concept on an induction heating test rig and provide two examples to illustrate the approach. The advantages of the method lie in its simplicity, computationally cost effectiveness and independence of a prior knowledge of the internal structure of power supplies.
Zeolite Nanocrystals Protect the Performance of Organic Additives and Adsorb Acid Compounds during Lubricants Oxidation
Authors: Zaarour Moussa , El Siblani Hussein , Arnault Nicolas , Boullay Philippe , Mintova Svetlana
Published: September 2019

Zeolite nanocrystals were used as proactive agents to extend the lifetime of commercial lubricants by protecting the performance additives from depletion and adsorbing the acid formed during oxidation. The nanosized zeolites were introduced into four lubricants and subjected to oxidation (90 °C and 150 °C). A strong affinity towards protection of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) additive was demonstrated by 31P NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) and FTIR (fourier-transform infrared) spectroscopy even after heating at 150 °C for 24 h. FTIR profiles of lubricants aged in the presence of LTL (Linde Type L zeolite) showed lower oxidation degree while the formed oxidation products (aldehydes, ketones, and acids) were adsorbed on the zeolite crystals acting as scavengers.
Dietary Behaviour Is Associated with Cardiometabolic and Psychological Risk Indicators in Female Hospital Nurses—A Post-Hoc, Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Terada Tasuku , Mistura Matheus , Tulloch Heather , Pipe Andrew , Reed Jennifer
Published: September 2019

Unfavourable dietary behaviours of female nurses, especially among shift-working nurses, including high snacking frequency, short fasting period and large day-to-day energy intake variability may be linked with adverse health. In this study we: (1) examined the relationship between dietary behaviour and cardiometabolic and psychological health in female nurses; and, (2) compared dietary behaviour, cardiometabolic and psychological health between shift-working and non-shift-working female nurses. A total of 73 nurses had their cardiometabolic health indicators evaluated and completed psychological health questionnaires; 55 completed a 3-day dietary log. Associations between dietary behaviour and health measures were examined using Spearman’s partial correlation analysis. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare dietary behaviour and health indicators between shift- and non-shift-working nurses. The majority of snacks consumed by nurses (70%) were unhealthy snacks (e.g., chocolate and chips), and higher snacking frequency was associated with greater percent body fat (r(50) = 0.287, p = 0.039), and worse mood-tension (r(48) = 0.327, p = 0.021) and anger-hostility (r(48) = 0.289, p = 0.042) scores. Day-to-day energy intake variability was positively associated with body mass index (BMI, r(50) = 0.356, p = 0.010) and waist circumference (r(50) = 0.283, p = 0.042). Shift-working nurses exhibited shorter fasting duration, larger day-to-day energy intake variability and higher total mood disturbance score when compared to their non-shift-working colleagues (all p < 0.05). The results of the present study suggested that addressing dietary behaviours may improve the cardiometabolic and psychological health of female nurses. Shift-working nurses may require a more specific dietary program to improve their psychological health.
Preparation of Lutein-Loaded PVA/Sodium Alginate Nanofibers and Investigation of Its Release Behavior
Authors: Han Xinxu , Huo Peipei , Ding Zhongfeng , Kumar Parveen , Liu Bo
Published: September 2019

This investigation aims to study the characteristics and release properties of lutein-loaded polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate (PVA/SA) nanofibers prepared by electrospinning. In order to increase PVA/SA nanofibers’ water-resistant ability for potential biomedical applications, the electrospun PVA/SA nanofibers were cross-linked with a mixture of glutaraldehyde and saturated boric acid solution at room temperature. The nanofibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Disintegration time and contact angle measurements testified the hydrophilicity change of the nanofibers before and after cross-linking. The lutein release from the nanofibers after cross-linking was measured by an ultraviolet absorption spectrophotometer, which showed sustained release up to 48 h and followed anomalous (non-Fickian) release mechanism as indicated by diffusion exponent value obtained from the Korsmeyer–Peppas equation. The results indicated that the prepared lutein-loaded PVA/SA nanofibers have great potential as a controlled release system.
Deprescribing: Practical Ways to Support Person-Centred, Evidence-Based Deprescribing
Authors: Le Bosquet Katherine , Barnett Nina , Minshull John
Published: September 2019

Deprescribing is complex and multifactorial with multiple approaches described in the literature. Internationally, there are guidelines and tools available to aid clinicians and patients to identify and safely withdraw inappropriate medications, post a shared decision-making medicines optimisation review. The increase in available treatments and use of single disease model guidelines have led to a healthcare system geared towards prescribing, with deprescribing often seen as a separate activity. Deprescribing should be seen as part of prescribing, and is a key element in ensuring patients remain on the most appropriate medications at the correct doses for them. Due to the complex nature of polypharmacy, every patient experience and relationship with medications is unique. The individual’s history must be incorporated into a patient-centred medication review, in order for medicines to remain optimal through changes in circumstance and health. Knowledge of the law and appropriate recording is important to ensure consent is adequately gained and recorded in line with processes followed when initiating a medication. In recent years, with the increase in interested clinicians globally, a number of prominent networks have grown, creating crucial links for both research and sharing of good practice.
Nano-Level Damage Characterization of Graphene/Polymer Cohesive Interface under Tensile Separation
Authors: Koloor S. S. R. , Rahimian-Koloor S. M. , Karimzadeh A. , Hamdi M. , Petrů Michal , Tamin M. N.
Published: September 2019

The mechanical behavior of graphene/polymer interfaces in the graphene-reinforced epoxy nanocomposite is one of the factors that dictates the deformation and damage response of the nanocomposites. In this study, hybrid molecular dynamic (MD) and finite element (FE) simulations of a graphene/polymer nanocomposite are developed to characterize the elastic-damage behavior of graphene/polymer interfaces under a tensile separation condition. The MD results show that the graphene/epoxy interface behaves in the form of elastic-softening exponential regressive law. The FE results verify the adequacy of the cohesive zone model in accurate prediction of the interface damage behavior. The graphene/epoxy cohesive interface is characterized by normal stiffness, tensile strength, and fracture energy of 5 × 10−8 (aPa·nm−1), 9.75 × 10−10 (nm), 2.1 × 10−10 (N·nm−1) respectively, that is followed by an exponential regressive law with the exponent, α = 7.74. It is shown that the commonly assumed bilinear softening law of the cohesive interface could lead up to 55% error in the predicted separation of the interface.
Evaluation of Thermal Properties of 3D Spacer Technical Materials in Cold Environments using 3D Printing Technology
Authors: Eom Ran-i , Lee Hyojeong , Lee Yejin
Published: September 2019

Novel materials have been recently developed for coping with various environmental factors. Generally, to improve the thermal comfort to humans in cold environments, securing an air layer is important. Therefore, this study analyzed the thermal properties of 3D spacer technical materials, 3D printed using thermoplastic polyurethane, according to the structural changes. Four 3D spacer technical material structures were designed with varying pore size and thickness. These samples were moved into a cold climate chamber (temperature 5 ± 1 °C, relative humidity (60 ± 5)%, wind velocity ≤0.2 m/s) and placed on a heating plate set to 30 °C. The surface and internal temperatures were measured after 0, 10, 20, and 30 min and then 10 min after turning off the heating plate. When heat was continuously supplied, the 3D spacer technical material with large pores and a thick air layer showed superior insulation among the materials. However, when no heat was supplied, the air gap thickness dominantly affected thermal insulation, regardless of the pore size. Hence, increasing the air gap is more beneficial than increasing the pore size. Notably, we found that the air gap can increase insulation efficiency, which is of importance to the new concept of 3D printing an interlining.
Precision Agriculture Techniques and Practices: From Considerations to Applications
Authors: Shafi Uferah , Mumtaz Rafia , García-Nieto José , Hassan Syed Ali , Zaidi Syed Ali Raza , Iqbal Naveed
Published: September 2019

Internet of Things (IoT)-based automation of agricultural events can change the agriculture sector from being static and manual to dynamic and smart, leading to enhanced production with reduced human efforts. Precision Agriculture (PA) along with Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) are the main drivers of automation in the agriculture domain. PA uses specific sensors and software to ensure that the crops receive exactly what they need to optimize productivity and sustainability. PA includes retrieving real data about the conditions of soil, crops and weather from the sensors deployed in the fields. High-resolution images of crops are obtained from satellite or air-borne platforms (manned or unmanned), which are further processed to extract information used to provide future decisions. In this paper, a review of near and remote sensor networks in the agriculture domain is presented along with several considerations and challenges. This survey includes wireless communication technologies, sensors, and wireless nodes used to assess the environmental behaviour, the platforms used to obtain spectral images of crops, the common vegetation indices used to analyse spectral images and applications of WSN in agriculture. As a proof of concept, we present a case study showing how WSN-based PA system can be implemented. We propose an IoT-based smart solution for crop health monitoring, which is comprised of two modules. The first module is a wireless sensor network-based system to monitor real-time crop health status. The second module uses a low altitude remote sensing platform to obtain multi-spectral imagery, which is further processed to classify healthy and unhealthy crops. We also highlight the results obtained using a case study and list the challenges and future directions based on our work.
A BCI Gaze Sensing Method Using Low Jitter Code Modulated VEP
Authors: Kaya Ibrahim , Bohórquez Jorge , Özdamar Özcan
Published: September 2019

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are used in clinical applications in ophthalmology, neurology, and extensively in brain–computer interface (BCI) research. Many BCI implementations utilize steady-state VEP (SSVEP) and/or code modulated VEP (c-VEP) as inputs, in tandem with sophisticated methods to improve information transfer rates (ITR). There is a gap in knowledge regarding the adaptation dynamics and physiological generation mechanisms of the VEP response, and the relation of these factors with BCI performance. A simple, dual pattern display setup was used to evoke VEPs and to test signatures elicited by non-isochronic, non-singular, low jitter stimuli at the rates of 10, 32, 50, and 70 reversals per second (rps). Non-isochronic, low-jitter stimulation elicits quasi-steady-state VEPs (QSS-VEPs) that are utilized for the simultaneous generation of transient VEP and QSS-VEP. QSS-VEP is a special case of c-VEPs, and it is assumed that it shares similar generators of the SSVEPs. Eight subjects were recorded, and the performance of the overall system was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, accuracy plots, and ITRs. In summary, QSS-VEPs performed better than transient VEPs (TR-VEP). It was found that in general, 32 rps stimulation had the highest ROC area, accuracy, and ITRs. Moreover, QSS-VEPs were found to lead to higher accuracy by template matching compared to SSVEPs at 32 rps. To investigate the reasons behind this, adaptation dynamics of transient VEPs and QSS-VEPs at all four rates were analyzed and speculated.
Automatic Indoor Reconstruction from Point Clouds in Multi-room Environments with Curved Walls
Authors: Yang Fan , Zhou Gang , Su Fei , Zuo Xinkai , Tang Lei , Liang Yifan , Zhu Haihong , Li Lin
Published: September 2019

Recent developments in laser scanning systems have inspired substantial interest in indoor modeling. Semantically rich indoor models are required in many fields. Despite the rapid development of 3D indoor reconstruction methods for building interiors from point clouds, the indoor reconstruction of multi-room environments with curved walls is still not resolved. This study proposed a novel straight and curved line tracking method followed by a straight line test. Robust parameters are used, and a novel straight line regularization method is achieved using constrained least squares. The method constructs a cell complex with both straight lines and curved lines, and the indoor reconstruction is transformed into a labeling problem that is solved based on a novel Markov Random Field formulation. The optimal labeling is found by minimizing an energy function by applying a minimum graph cut approach. Detailed experiments were conducted, and the results indicate that the proposed method is well suited for 3D indoor modeling in multi-room indoor environments with curved walls.
Highly Fluorescent Green Carbon Dots as a Fluorescent Probe for Detecting Mineral Water pH
Authors: Wang Tingyu , Chen Guoqing , Li Lei , Wu Yamin
Published: September 2019

In this report, high-brightness green carbon dots were successfully prepared using 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid as the sole precursor and synthesized in one step using a solvothermal strategy. Under the excitation of 365 nm ultraviolet light, the quantum yield of carbon dots is as high as 53.8%. Experiments revealed that the carbon dots are highly carbonized and the surface is rich in amino and carboxyl groups. The synthesized carbon dots have good water solubility, and are resistant to ions and temperature. The fluorescence intensity of CDs is sensitive to pH changes and is linearly correlated with the pH in the near-neutral range (pH = 6.0 to 9.0). Our experiments showed that carbon dots were sensitive and accurate fluorescent probes for measuring the pH value of drinking water, which could provide an effective method for measuring the pH value of water in the future.
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers for Antiulcer Treatment
Authors: Phromnoi Kanokkarn , Sinchaiyakij Puksiri , Khanaree Chakkrit , Nuntaboon Piyawan , Chanwikrai Yupa , Chaiwangsri Thida , Suttajit Maitree
Published: September 2019

For centuries, many kinds of native plants and their products have been used for the treatment of gastric ulcers by traditional healers in Phayao province. The current study aimed to investigate the polyphenol content in some of these medicinal plants and to point out the relationship between their antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory activities. Six species were selected based on ethnopharmacologic considerations: Punica granatum L., Psidium guajava L., Careya arborea Roxb., Gochnatia decora (Kurz) Cabr., Shorea obtusa Wall. ex Blume, and Ficus hispida L.f. The leaves or bark of these plants were extracted with 70% ethanol and water. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the extracts were analyzed based on nitric oxide (NO) and proinflammatory cytokine production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and through the determination of scavenging activity. The results demonstrated that the ethanol extract from P. granatum and P. guajava leaves significantly inhibited NO production by suppressing nitric oxide synthase. The extracts also inhibited tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6 in terms of both mRNA and protein levels and possessed high antioxidants. These extracts were shown to contain the highest amount of polyphenols. Our study concluded that among the plants studied, P. granatum and P. guajava have the most significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and polyphenols. These plants may have the potential for use in gastric ulcer therapy due to their indicated properties. Future research should focus on the isolation of their active compounds and their in vivo biological activities. Their beneficial applications need to be warranted by such evidence.
Two Parametric Kinds of Eulerian-Type Polynomials Associated with Euler’s Formula
Authors: Kilar Neslihan , Simsek Yilmaz
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this article is to construct generating functions for new families of special polynomials including two parametric kinds of Eulerian-type polynomials. Some fundamental properties of these functions are given. By using these generating functions and the Euler’s formula, some identities and relations among trigonometric functions, two parametric kinds of Eulerian-type polynomials, Apostol-type polynomials, the Stirling numbers and Fubini-type polynomials are presented. Computational formulae for these polynomials are obtained. Applying a partial derivative operator to these generating functions, some derivative formulae and finite combinatorial sums involving the aforementioned polynomials and numbers are also obtained. In addition, some remarks and observations on these polynomials are given.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Study of Water Entry Impact Forces of an Airborne-Launched, Axisymmetric, Disk-Type Autonomous Underwater Hovering Vehicle
Authors: Chen Chen-Wei , Lu Yi-Fan
Published: September 2019

An autonomous underwater hovering vehicle (AUH) is a novel, dish-shaped, axisymmetric, multi-functional, ultra-mobile submersible in the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) family. Numerical studies of nonlinear, asymmetric water entry impact forces on symmetrical, airborne-launched AUVs from conventional single-arm cranes on a research vessel, or helicopters or planes, is significant for the fast and safe launching of low-speed AUVs into the target sea area in the overall design. Moreover, a single-arm crane is one of the important ways to launch AUVs with high expertise and security. However, AUVs are still subject to a huge load upon impact during water entry, causing damage to the body, malfunction of electronic components, and other serious accidents. This paper analyses the water entry impact forces of an airborne-launched AUH as a feasibility study for flight- or helicopter-launched AUHs in the future. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis software STAR-CCM+ solver was adopted to simulate AUH motions with different water entry speeds and immersion angles using overlapping grid technology and user-defined functions (UDFs). In the computational domain for a steady, incompressible, two-dimensional flow of water with identified boundary conditions, two components (two-phase flow) were modeled in the flow field: Liquid water and free surface air. The variations of stress and velocity versus time of the AUH and fluid structure deformation in the whole water entry process were obtained, which provides a reference for future structural designs of an AUH and appropriate working conditions for an airborne-launched AUH. This research will be conducive to smoothly carrying out the complex tasks of AUHs on the seabed.
A Convex Combination Approach for Mean-Based Variants of Newton’s Method
Authors: Cordero Alicia , Franceschi Jonathan , Torregrosa Juan R. , Zagati Anna C.
Published: September 2019

Several authors have designed variants of Newton’s method for solving nonlinear equations by using different means. This technique involves a symmetry in the corresponding fixed-point operator. In this paper, some known results about mean-based variants of Newton’s method (MBN) are re-analyzed from the point of view of convex combinations. A new test is developed to study the order of convergence of general MBN. Furthermore, a generalization of the Lehmer mean is proposed and discussed. Numerical tests are provided to support the theoretical results obtained and to compare the different methods employed. Some dynamical planes of the analyzed methods on several equations are presented, revealing the great difference between the MBN when it comes to determining the set of starting points that ensure convergence and observing their symmetry in the complex plane.
O DECLÍNIO DO PT? O PANORAMA DOS FILIADOS DO PARTIDO NO ESTADO DO RIO DE JANEIRO
Authors: Guedon Philippe Chaves
Published: September 2019

O presente artigo trabalha com o panorama de filiação ao Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT) no estado do Rio de Janeiro no período de 2011-2016. Assim, dialoga com a literatura recente sobre partidos políticos e a escassa produção específica sobre filiação partidária. A questão do artigo é, além da construção do panorama, testar se o período crítico vivido pelo partido afetou os incentivos a participação na estrutura organizacional a partir dos impulsos de filiação ou desfiliação. Para tal, utiliza os dados do Tribunal Superior Eleitoral nesses anos. Nos resultados, observa que a filiação segue estável em relação ao quadro associativo geral, apesar do número crescente de pedidos de desfiliação. O número de filiados ao partido no estado não sofre, portanto, alterações significativas. Ao fim, constata que os ex-filiados do PT tendem a realocar-se em outras legendas do sistema partidário, em detrimento de deixar de participar da política partidária, com maior presença em outras agremiações de esquerda.
ELEIÇÕES SUPLEMENTARES NOS MUNICÍPIOS BRASILEIROS: OS CASOS NAS ELEIÇÕES DE 2012.
Authors: Crespo Ralph , Peixoto Vitor
Published: September 2019

Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo analisar as eleições suplementares ocorridas no Brasil nos anos de 2013, 2014 e 2015, por irregularidades no pleito de 2012. Verificam-se nesta pesquisa aspectos relativos à competição eleitoral como o perfil dos candidatos, suas relações com o pleito anulado e os partidos políticos envolvidos.  Utilizou-se a metodologia quantitativa, com revisões bibliográficas, pesquisa documental de legislações e o estudo dos casos das eleições suplementares ocorridas no Brasil no período analisado.  Percebeu-se com a pesquisa que as eleições suplementares ocorreram em municípios onde não há 2º turno e a quantidade de concorrentes foi maior do que nas ordinárias. A maioria dos eleitos participou de alguma forma das eleições ordinárias. Embora seja possível a realização de eleições suplementares para Presidente da República e Governadores, foca-se nesta pesquisa apenas as eleições para Prefeitos.
Análisis de la Demanda del Turismo para la Gestión Sustentable del Destino en las Islas Galápagos-Ecuador
Authors: Saeteros Angelica Maria , Da Silva Edson Vicente , Calles Veronica Gabriela
Published: September 2019

El artículo presenta una compilación de estadísticas sobre el perfil del turista que visita las Islas Galápagos. La información estadística sobre el turismo es importante para la gestión sostenible del destino y es una sólida herramienta para el análisis de las tendencias actuales y futuras del turismo además fundamental para la toma de decisiones por parte de gobiernos locales. El objetivo de esta investigación es generar información sobre las generalidades del turismo en las Islas Galápagos para la gestión sostenible del destino. Para lo cual, se realizó un estudio estadístico con la totalidad de turistas que llegan a Galápagos, tomados de la encuesta realizada mediante la tarjeta de control de tránsito turístico del Parque Nacional Galápago durante los año 2007 – 2014. En el análisis realizado se observa crecimiento sostenido del turismo en Galápagos y se conoce sobre preferencias y las características de los principales mercados emisores concluyendo que Ecuador y Estados Unidos encabezan el ranking de visitas, con respecto al modo de transportación del turista se conoce que el turismo nacional prefiere modalidad de viaje con visitas a los centros poblados y el turismo extranjero a bordo de cruceros con visitas entre islas, la temporada alta es en los meses de junio, julio y agosto y la temporada baja en septiembre; estas características sociodemográficas  permitieron identificar las tendencias del turismo en Galápagos de una manera integrada y sirven para mejorar la gestión del destino por parte de los empresarios y las instituciones rectoras del turismo.