bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Background of the Hybrid VπLES Method for Flows with Variable Transport Properties
Authors: Kornev Nikolai , Denev Jordan , Samarbakhsh Sina
Published: April 2020

The paper presents the theoretical basis for the extension of the V π LES method, originally developed in recent works of the authors for incompressible flows, to flows with variable density and transport properties but without chemical reactions. The method is based on the combination of grid based and grid free computational particle techniques. Large scale motions are modelled on the grid whereas the fine scale ones are modelled by particles. The particles represent the fine scale vorticity, and scalar quantities like e.g., temperature, mass fractions of species, density and mixture fraction. Coupled system of equations is derived for large and fine scales transport.
A Numerical Investigation of the Geometric Parametrisation of Shock Control Bumps for Transonic Shock Oscillation Control
Authors: Geoghegan Jack A. , Giannelis Nicholas F. , Vio Gareth A.
Published: April 2020

At transonic flight conditions, shock oscillations on wing surfaces are known to occur and result in degraded aerodynamic performance and handling qualities. This is a purely flow-driven phenomenon, known as transonic buffet, that causes limit cycle oscillations and may present itself within the operational flight envelope. Hence, there is significant research interest in the development of shock control techniques to either stabilise the unsteady flow or raise the boundary onset. This paper explores the efficacy of dynamically activated contour-based shock control bumps within the buffet envelope of the OAT15A aerofoil on transonic flow control numerically through unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes modelling. A parametric evaluation of the geometric variables that define the Hicks–Henne-derived shock control bump will show that bumps of this type lead to a large design space of applicable shapes for buffet suppression. Assessment of the flow field, local to the deployed shock control bump geometries, reveals that control is achieved through a weakening of the rear shock leg, combined with the formation of dual re-circulatory cells within the separated shear-layer. Within this design space, favourable aerodynamic performance can also be achieved. The off-design performance of two optimal shock control bump configurations is explored over the buffet region for M = 0.73, where the designs demonstrate the ability to suppress shock oscillations deep into the buffet envelope.
Grid-Based and Polytopic Linear Parameter-Varying Modeling of Aeroelastic Aircraft with Parametric Control Surface Design
Authors: Mocsányi Réka Dóra , Takarics Béla , Kotikalpudi Aditya , Vanek Bálint
Published: April 2020

The main direction of aircraft design today and in the future is to achieve more lightweight and higher aspect ratio airframes with the aim to improve performance and to reduce operating costs and harmful emissions. This promotes the development of flexible aircraft structures with enhanced aeroelastic behaviour. Increased aeroservoelastic (ASE) effects such as flutter can be addressed by active control technologies. Control design for flutter suppression heavily depends on the control surface sizing. Control surface sizing is traditionally done in an iterative process, in which the sizing is determined considering solely engineering rules and the control laws are designed afterwards. However, in the case of flexible vehicles, flexible dynamics and rigid body control surface sizing may become coupled. This coupling can make the iterative process lengthy and challenging. As a solution, a parametric control surface design approach can be applied, which includes limitations of control laws in the design process. For this a set of parametric models is derived in the early stage of the aircraft design. Therefore, the control surfaces can be optimized in a single step with the control design. The purpose of this paper is to describe as well as assess the developed control surface parameterized ASE models of the mini Multi Utility Technology Testbed (MUTT) flexible aircraft, designed at the University of Minnesota. The ASE model is constructed by integrating aerodynamics, structural dynamics and rigid body dynamics. In order to be utilized for control design, control oriented, low order linear parameter-varying (LPV) models are developed using the bottom-up modeling approach. Both grid- and polytopic parametric LPV models are obtained and assessed.
Teaching and Learning of Fluid Mechanics
Authors: Vaidya Ashwin
Published: April 2020

Fluid mechanics is arguably one of the oldest branches of physics, and the literature on this subject is vast and complex [...]
Photo-Textual Relations: Emphasizing Vulnerability to Efface AIDS
Authors: Lupașcu Victoria Oana
Published: April 2020

This article considers the relationship between photojournalism and literature about HIV/AIDS in Romania from the late 1980s and the 1990s to examine the ways in which photo-textual relations localize and perpetuate a specific ideological understanding of the AIDS epidemic. The pictures taken by Frank Fournier in Bucharest won the Word Press Photo’s first prize in 1990 and established the AIDS epidemic’s image in and about Romania. Using Diana Taylor’s concept of percepticide to think about what the photographs simultaneously reflect and obscure through an active training of the audience’s gaze, in tandem with Lynn Mie Itagaki’s theorization of visuality of vulnerability as a biopolitical heuristic, I examine the photographs performative erasure of AIDS alongside Rodica Mătușa’s (semi) autobiography, Nobody’s Angels. My Life Alongside Children Living with AIDS. The close-up pictures of malnourished children in a dilapidated hospital have a gritty, abrasive texture that perform a defacing function and dehumanize the central subject. The short descriptions accompanying Fournier’s work, alongside Mătușa’s book, present the images as illustrations and consequences of the Romanian communist regime’s biopolitical measures and tie the medical emergency to the communist ideology. The texts and the photographs impose a methodology of looking, of reading and seeing as evidence of Nicolae Ceaușescu’s austerity measures in the late 1980s in Romania, while the centrality of infants’ naked, malnourished bodies fabricate a causal relationship that obscures larger medical and cultural networks. I claim that image-text interrelations instrumentalize and localize the AIDS epidemic by visually emphasizing vulnerability as a direct result of communism, while dehumanizing and effacing the infants’ and children’s bodies.
Towards a Digital Sensorial Archaeology as an Experiment in Distant Viewing of the Trade in Human Remains on Instagram
Authors: Graham Shawn , Huffer Damien , Blackadar Jeff
Published: April 2020

It is possible to purchase human remains via Instagram. We present an experiment using computer vision and automated annotation of over ten thousand photographs from Instagram, connected with the buying and selling of human remains, in order to develop a distant view of the sensory affect of these photos: What macroscopic patterns exist, and how do these relate to the self-presentation of these individual vendors? Using Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing and machine learning services, we annotate and then visualize the co-occurrence of tags as a series of networks, giving us that macroscopic view. Vendors are clearly trying to mimic ‘museum’-like experiences, with differing degrees of effectiveness. This approach may therefore be useful for even larger-scale investigations of this trade beyond this single social media platform.
Two Cycad Species Affect the Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Content of Soils
Authors: Marler Thomas , Calonje Michael
Published: April 2020

The influences of Cycas micronesica and Zamia integrifolia plants on soil chemistry were determined in Tinian and Florida in order to more fully understand how cycad plants affect the environments in which they grow. The introduction of C. micronesica plants into a karst habitat generated decreases in soil phosphorus after five years and increases in soil nitrogen after six years. The carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus stoichiometry beneath the cycad plants significantly diverged from those of the adjacent native forests with Pisonia grandis, Psychotria mariana, Aglaia mariannensis, Cynometra ramiflora, and Ficus sp. cover after five years. Mineralization traits were determined beneath nine-year-old C. micronesica plants and revealed the plants greatly increased net nitrification and decreased net ammonification when compared to the native forest soils with Bursera simaruba, Pinus elliottii, and Quercus virginiana cover. These flux changes increased the total available nitrogen and percent available nitrogen in the soils beneath the cycad plants. The substrates of two soil series exhibited increased carbon and nitrogen concentrations beneath Z. integrifolia plants when compared with soils away from the cycad plants. No other mineral or metal was influenced by proximity to the Z. integrifolia plants. These gymnosperms exhibit distinct interactions with their subtending soils, and some of these traits improve ecosystems by increasing recalcitrant carbon and nitrogen and increasing spatial heterogeneity of soil chemistry.
Microbiota and Human Reproduction: The Case of Male Infertility
Authors: Tomaiuolo Rossella , Veneruso Iolanda , Cariati Federica , D’Argenio Valeria
Published: April 2020

The increasing interest in metagenomics is enhancing our knowledge regarding the composition and role of the microbiota in human physiology and pathology. Indeed, microbes have been reported to play a role in several diseases, including infertility. In particular, the male seminal microbiota has been suggested as an important factor able to influence couple’s health and pregnancy outcomes, as well as offspring health. Nevertheless, few studies have been carried out to date to deeper investigate semen microbiome origins and functions, and its correlations with the partner’s reproductive tract microbiome. Here, we report the state of the art regarding the male reproductive system microbiome and its alterations in infertility.
Effects of Using Immersive Media on the Effectiveness of Training to Prevent Ergonomics Risks
Authors: Diego-Mas Jose Antonio , Alcaide-Marzal Jorge , Poveda-Bautista Rocio
Published: April 2020

In this work, the effects of using immersive media such as virtual reality on the performance of training programs to avoid ergonomics risks are analyzed. The advance of technology has made it possible to use low-cost portable devices able to generate highly immersive experiences in training programs. The effects of using this kind of device in training programs have been studied in several fields such as industrial security, medicine and surgery, rehabilitation, or construction. However, there is very little research on the effects of using immersive media in training workers to avoid ergonomics risk factors. In this study, we compare the effects of using traditional and immersive media in a training program to avoid three common ergonomics risk factors in industrial environments. Our results showed that using immersive media increases the participant’s engagement during the training. In the same way, the learning contents are perceived as more interesting and useful and are better remembered over time, leading to an increased perception of the ergonomics risks among workers. However, we found that little training was finally transferred to the workplace three months after the training session.
Census Demographics and Chlorpyrifos Use in California’s Central Valley, 2011–15: A Distributional Environmental Justice Analysis
Authors: Hicks Daniel J.
Published: April 2020

Chlorpyrifos, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (ACI), is one of the most widely used insecticides in the world, and is generally recognized to be a moderate human neurotoxin. This paper reports a distributional environmental justice (dEJ) analysis of chlorpyrifos use in California’s Central Valley, examining the way distributions of environmental risks are associated with race, ethnicity, class, gender, and other systems of structural oppression. Spatial data on chlorpyrifos use were retrieved from California’s Department of Pesticide Registration public pesticide use records for 2011–2015. These data were combined with demographic data for the Central Valley from the American Community Survey (ACS). Spatial regression models were used to estimate effects of demographic covariates on local chlorpyrifos use. A novel bootstrap method was used to account for measurement error in the ACS estimates. This study finds consistent evidence that Hispanic population proportion is associated with increased local chlorpyrifos use. A 10-point increase in Hispanic proportion is associated with an estimated 1.05–1.4-fold increase in local chlorpyrifos use across Census tract models. By contrast, effects of agricultural employment and poverty on local chlorpyrifos use are ambiguous and inconsistent between Census tracts and Census-designated places.
Is the Random Forest Algorithm Suitable for Predicting Parkinson’s Disease with Mild Cognitive Impairment out of Parkinson’s Disease with Normal Cognition?
Authors: Byeon Haewon
Published: April 2020

Because it is possible to delay the progression of dementia if it is detected and treated in an early stage, identifying mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an important primary goal of dementia treatment. The objectives of this study were to develop a random forest-based Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) prediction model considering health behaviors, environmental factors, medical history, physical functions, depression, and cognitive functions using the Parkinson’s Dementia Clinical Epidemiology Data (a national survey conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and to compare the prediction accuracy of our model with those of decision tree and multiple logistic regression models. We analyzed 96 subjects (PD-MCI = 45; Parkinson’s disease with normal cognition (PD-NC) = 51 subjects). The prediction accuracy of the model was calculated using the overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Based on the random forest analysis, the major risk factors of PD-MCI were, in descending order of magnitude, Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) sum of boxes, Untitled Parkinson’s Disease Rating (UPDRS) motor score, the Korean Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) total score, and the K- Korean Montreal Cognitive Assessment (K-MoCA) total score. The random forest method achieved a higher sensitivity than the decision tree model. Thus, it is advisable to develop a protocol to easily identify early stage PDD based on the PD-MCI prediction model developed in this study, in order to establish individualized monitoring to track high-risk groups.
Factors Associated with Utilization of Primary and Specialist Healthcare Services by Elderly Cardiovascular Patients in the Republic of Serbia: A Cross-Sectional Study from the National Health Survey 2013
Authors: Grustam Andrija , Jovic Vranes Aleksandra , Soldatovic Ivan , Stojicic Predrag , Jovanovic Andersen Zorana
Published: April 2020

The European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) is run every 5 years to examine how people experience and rank their health, how they care about their health, and to what extent they use the healthcare services. We identified the sub-population of special interest, i.e., cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients older than 65 years, in this cross-sectional study from the Serbian national survey of population health (2568 persons from a total of 15,999 subjects surveyed). We performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the correlation between the healthcare system utilization and identified demographic, geographic, socio-economic, and self-rated factors. The most important factor for the utilization of the primary and the specialist healthcare services by elderly CVD patients is the region where one lives (Southern and Eastern Serbia OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.58–3.77/Belgrade OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.32–2.30). Age is another factor, where the 65 to 74 years old CVD patients utilize healthcare services the most. Higher education (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.31–2.47), being a part of the highest Wealth Index group (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.10–2.40), having very poor health status (OR = 3.02, 95% CI = 1.41–6.47), and presence of long-term illness (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.16–1.92), play an important role in the utilization of the specialist care only.
The Joint Effects of Some Beverages Intake and Smoking on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Korean Adults: Data Analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2008–2015
Authors: Min Ji Eun , Huh Da-An , Moon Kyong Whan
Published: April 2020

Some beverages and smoking cause an inflammatory response in the lungs and airways in a similar way, ultimately affecting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) occurrence. Using a nationally representative health survey database, this study investigates the individual and joint effects of consumption of different beverages and smoking on COPD. This study is a cross-sectional analysis of 15,961 Korean adults in the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey of 2008–2015. COPD was defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) divided by forced vital capacity (FVC) <0.70. We used multiple linear and logistic regression models to examine the association of beverage consumption and smoking with an FEV1/FVC ratio and odds ratio (OR) for COPD. The mean FEV1/FVC ratio decreased with increasing soda intake (p = 0.016), coffee intake (p = 0.031), and smoking status; however, the mean FEV1/FVC ratio increased with increasing green tea intake frequency (p = 0.029). When soda intake increased to 10 times/month, the OR of having COPD increased to 1.04 times (95% CI: 1.01, 1.07). The positive joint effect of soda intake and smoking on COPD was marginally significant (p = 0.058). We found that soda intake, coffee intake, and smoking increased airflow limitation while green tea intake decreased it. In addition, soda intake and smoking had a positive joint effect on COPD in the Korean population.
Multiple Dimensions of Self-Esteem and Their Relationship with Health in Adolescence
Authors: Pazzaglia Francesca , Moè Angelica , Cipolletta Sabrina , Chia Monica , Galozzi Paola , Masiero Stefano , Punzi Leonardo
Published: April 2020

The aim of the present study was to examine how different domains of self-esteem (social, competence, affect, academic, family, and physical) relate to self-reported physical and mental health, lower back pain (LBP), smoking, and physical exercise in a sample of adolescents. A sample of 326 adolescents 14–19 years old completed several self-report questionnaires collecting epidemiological data, and information on their LBP, smoking, and physical exercise, the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale. Pearson’s correlations were calculated between their self-esteem scores and their physical and mental health scores. Three multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) were performed to estimate associations between self-esteem and LBP, smoking, and physical exercise. Self-esteem (total and subcomponent scores) correlated positively with physical and mental health, and with physical exercise, and negatively with smoking. The results also confirm gender-related differences in self-esteem, in favor of boys. This study offers the first findings on the relationship between different domains of self-esteem and a variety of health outcomes in an adolescent population. The results suggest that multidimensional interventions could be devised to improve adolescents’ physical health by promoting their physical exercise, and to prevent their smoking by nurturing their self-esteem.
The Mediation Effect of Self–Report Physical Activity Patterns in the Relationship between Educational Level and Cognitive Impairment in Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Chilean Health National Survey 2016–2017
Authors: Solis-Urra Patricio , Plaza-Diaz Julio , Álvarez-Mercado Ana Isabel , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Fernando , Cristi-Montero Carlos , Zavala-Crichton Juan Pablo , Olivares-Arancibia Jorge , Sanchez-Martinez Javier , Abadía-Molina Francisco
Published: April 2020

The aims of this cross-sectional study were (i) to determine the association of educational level attained with cognitive impairment and (ii) to investigate the mediating effect of different self-report physical activity (PA) patterns in a large sample of older Chileans. A sample of 1571 older adults from the National Chilean Survey (2016–2017) was included. The educational level attained, PA levels, mode of commuting, sedentary time, and leisure-time PA were self-reported through validated questionnaires. Cognitive impairment was determined by Mini-Mental State Examination (modified version). Association between educational level attained and cognitive impairment was examined using logistic regression models. Counterfactual mediation models were used to test the mediating effect of self-reported PA patterns. A lower educational level was consistently associated with higher odds of cognitive impairment (OR range 2.846 to 2.266, all p < 0.001), while leisure-time PA was the only PA pattern that partially mediated this association (proportion mediated 8.0%). In conclusion, leisure-time PA was the solely PA pattern that partially mediated the association between the educational level and cognitive impairment. The rest self-reported PA patterns did not modify this association.
The Prevention of Implant Surface Alterations in the Treatment of Peri-Implantitis: Comparison of Three Different Mechanical and Physical Treatments
Authors: Lollobrigida Marco , Fortunato Lorenzo , Serafini Giorgio , Mazzucchi Giulia , Bozzuto Giuseppina , Molinari Agnese , Serra Emanuele , Menchini Francesca , Vozza Iole , De Biase Alberto
Published: April 2020

The surgical treatment of peri-implantitis is currently based on the removal of biofilms from the implant surface by primary means of mechanical and physical treatments. However, such approaches often determine some alterations of the implant surface with detrimental effects on re-osseointegration. This study aims to evaluate the effects of four different mechanical and physical treatments on titanium samples with moderately rough surface. Air powder abrasion (AP) with glycine powder, a titanium brush (TB) and a diode laser at 3 W (L3) and 4 W (L4) were tested. Surface morphology, roughness and chemical composition were then assessed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), white light interferometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The microscopic analysis revealed significant alterations in surface morphology on TB samples, while AP and L3 had only a minor or null impact. L4 samples revealed signs of overheating due to the excessive power. Nevertheless, the overall roughness of the samples was not significantly altered in terms of roughness parameters. Similarly, surface chemical composition was not significantly affected by the treatments. Among the treatments tested in this study, air powder abrasion with glycine powder and 3 W diode laser had the lowest impact on surface physicochemical properties.
Housing Conditions, Neighborhood Physical Environment, and Secondhand Smoke Exposure at Home: Evidence from Chinese Rural-to-Urban Migrant Workers
Authors: Xiao Chenghan , Yang Yang , Xu Xiaohe , Ma Xiao
Published: April 2020

Over the past two decades, health-related issues among rural-to-urban migrant workers in China have been widely discussed and documented by public health scholars. However, little, if any, scholarly attention has been paid to migrant workers’ secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure at home. This study aims to explore the contours of SHS exposure at home and investigate the effects of inadequate housing conditions and poor neighborhood physical environments on such in-home exposure among Chinese migrant workers. A respondent-driven sampling method was employed to interview 1854 rural-to-urban migrant workers from the period June 2017 to June 2018 in Chengdu, China. The results indicate that Chinese migrant workers are at high risk of SHS exposure at home. Migrant workers who live in homes with inadequate conditions, such as substandard housing and crowdedness, are especially at high risk of SHS exposure at home. Moreover, poor neighborhood physical environments are significantly and positively associated with SHS exposure at home. These findings suggest that strategies that can help improve housing conditions and neighborhood physical environments should be developed and promoted to protect rural-to-urban migrant workers from SHS exposure at home.
Efficacy of BRS® and Alpron®/Bilpron® Disinfectants for Dental Unit Waterlines: A Six-Year Study
Authors: Baudet Alexandre , Lizon Julie , Martrette Jean-Marc , Camelot Frédéric , Florentin Arnaud , Clément Céline
Published: April 2020

Biofilms in dental unit waterlines (DUWL) are a potentially significant source of contamination posing a significant health risk as these may come into contact with patients and dental staff during treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of DUWL water treated by Biofilm-Removing-System® (BRS®) and Alpron®/Bilpron® disinfectant solutions for six years in a French university hospital. The microbiological quality of water supplied by 68 dental units—initially shock treated with BRS®, then continuously treated by Alpron® with sterile water during working days and Bilpron® during inactivity period, and combined with purging every morning and after each patient—was assessed biannually during six years for total culturable aerobic bacteria at 22 °C and 36 °C, Legionella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and total coliforms. A total of 628 samples were analyzed, 99.8% were compliant with extended microbiological levels, and we never detected pathogen bacteria like Legionella sp. and P. aeruginosa. Only one sample (0.2%) was noncompliant with the level of total culturable aerobic bacteria at 36 °C, which exceeded 140 colony forming units per mL. The protocol implemented in our university hospital gives excellent results and enables control of the microbiological quality of DUWL water in the long term.
Asbestos Air Pollution: Description of a Mesothelioma Cluster Due to Residential Exposure from an Asbestos Cement Factory
Authors: Vimercati Luigi , Cavone Domenica , Delfino Maria Celeste , Caputi Antonio , De Maria Luigi , Sponselli Stefania , Corrado Vincenzo , Ferri Giovanni Maria , Serio Gabriella
Published: April 2020

The study describes a cluster of 71 malignant mesothelioma cases among Bari residents without asbestos exposure other than residential exposure. This small cohort, as expected, was composed of a majority of females (56.34%) with a M/F ratio of 0.8, ages ≤ 65 years old (52.11%) and the epithelioid morphological type (78.87%). Sixty-four subjects (90.14%) lived between 10 m and 1000 m from the asbestos cement factory (Fibronit), and the latency length was longer than 55 years for 25 subjects (35.21%). The adjusted risk (adjusted OR) of observing the epithelial form of mesothelioma among subjects living at small distances from Fibronit was high (OR = 1.870 (0.353–9.905)) for people living 550–1000 m from the site and for those living less than 550 m from the site (OR = 1.470 (0.262–8.248)). Additionally, the subjects with a high length of exposure showed a relevant risk of epithelioid mesothelioma both for 21–40 years of exposure (OR = 2.027 (0.521–7.890)) and more than 40 years of exposure (OR = 2.879 (0.651–12.736)). All of the estimates were high but not significant because this transitional study has a typically low power. The adjustment for latency showed the same trend. Using detailed information collected by the regional mesothelioma registry, this study provided evidence of a continuing health impact of the Fibronit asbestos cement factory in Bari on the resident population.
Stability of the Mitigating Effect of Students’ Perceived Teacher Enthusiasm on Class-related Boredom: Moderating Role of Boredom Proneness and Perceived Task Difficulty
Authors: Wang Chen , Hu Yunjun , Zhang Xia , Wang Jing , Cui Guangli , Cui Guanyu
Published: April 2020

The aim of the current study was to explore the stability of the mitigating effect of students’ perceived teacher enthusiasm on class-related boredom and the moderating role of boredom proneness and perceived task difficulty in such effect. A total of 984 students from five universities in China participated in the study. Questionnaires on class-related boredom, perceived teacher enthusiasm, boredom proneness, and perceived task difficulty were used to measure the respective variables. Results showed that boredom proneness and perceived task difficulty significantly moderated the relationship between perceived teacher enthusiasm and class-related boredom. Moreover, when considering perceived task difficulty, boredom proneness became silent in the moderating path between perceived teacher enthusiasm and class-related boredom. Even so, the mitigating effect of students’ perceived teacher enthusiasm on class-related boredom was stable in students with different levels of boredom proneness and perceived task difficulty. The implications for learning and teaching are discussed.
The Influence of Negative Life Events on Suicidal Ideation in College Students: The Role of Rumination
Authors: Wang Shuai , Jing Huilan , Chen Liang , Li Yan
Published: April 2020

This study aimed to investigate the influence of negative life events on suicidal ideation in college students and the role of rumination. Using a cluster sampling method, 894 college students were asked to fill out the adolescent life event scale, ruminative response scale, and suicidal ideation scale. The study revealed the following: (1) negative life events, rumination, and suicidal ideation were significantly positively correlated with each other; (2) rumination played a full mediating role in the influence of negative life events on suicidal ideation; and (3) rumination also played a moderating role in the influence of negative life events on suicidal ideation. Under a high level of rumination, negative life events had a significant positive effect on suicidal ideation in college students; however, under a low level of rumination, negative life events did not have a significant effect on suicidal ideation. Rumination played mediating and moderating roles in the relationship between negative life events and suicidal ideation among college students.
Profile of Long-Term Care Recipients Receiving Home and Community-Based Services and the Factors That Influence Utilization in Taiwan
Authors: Shih Chia-Mei , Wang Yu-Hua , Liu Li-Fan , Wu Jung-Hua
Published: April 2020

In response to the irreversible aging trend, the Taiwan government has promoted the Long-Term Care (LTC) policy 1.0 launched in 2007 and the LTC policy 2.0 reform since 2016. This study aimed to explore the utilization of formal home and community-based care under LTC policy 1.0 to add scientific support for the on-going LTC policy 2.0 reform. Methods: By using Andersen and Aday’s behavioral model of healthcare utilization, the long-term care dataset was analyzed from 2013 to 2016. A total of 101,457 care recipients were identified after data cleaning. Results: The results revealed that about 40.7% of the care recipients stayed in the care system for more than two years. A common factor influencing the length of home and community-based services (HCBS) utilization period included need factors, where more dependent recipients leave the LTC system regardless of their socio-economic status. However, the utilization period of non-low-income households is significantly affected by the level of service resources. Conclusion: For long-term care needs, the phenomenon of a short utilization period was concerning. This study adds information which suggests policy should reconsider care capacity and quality, especially for moderate to severely dependent recipients. This will allow for better understanding to help maintain care recipients in their own communities to achieve the goal of having an aging in place policy.
Teen Dating Violence, Sexism, and Resilience: A Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Dosil María , Jaureguizar Joana , Bernaras Elena , Sbicigo Juliana Burges
Published: April 2020

The aim of this research was to know the factors associated with teen dating violence and victimization because violence in teenagers’ relationships is increasing in recent years, constituting a serious social problem. For this purpose, we analyzed teen dating violence and explored the variables (sexist attitudes, personal adjustment, clinical maladjustment, and resilience) related to teen dating violence and victimization using multinomial logistic models. The sample was composed of 268 school teenagers aged 12 to 17 from the Basque Country (Spain). Results showed that sex, age, sexism, and self-esteem predicted teen dating violence and that sex and social problems predicted victimization. Associations between the wide range of variables and types of perpetration and victimization (verbal-emotional, relational, and physical) were also explored. These results could be taken into consideration for future prevention programs.
High Physical Self-Concept Benefits on School Adjustment of Korean Student-Athletes
Authors: Kim Young-Jae , Jang Jin-Hoon , Cho Jeong-Hyung
Published: April 2020

Successful adjustment of student-athletes to their school is an internationally relevant issue. In Korea, school-athletes abandon their athletic activity at a rate of over 40%, suggesting an urgent need to develop measures that allow them to balance sports and academic life. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of physical self-concept on school adaptation among student-athletes. We analyzed data from 589 student-athletes, including sex and award-winning career as covariates. Then, reliability and validity of scales were obtained. The results showed that student-athletes with higher physical self-concept are more likely to be successful in school adjustment. The effects of physical self-concept on school adjustment were proven to be mediated by sex and award-winning career of student-athletes. This result provides the basis for the importance of recognizing the concept of physical self as a way for student athletes to adapt well to school life. As differences depending on gender and award experience exist, they should be taken into account when teaching student athletes.
Implementation of Cigarette Plain Packaging: Triadic Reactions of Consumers, State Officials, and Tobacco Companies—The Case of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Hassounah Marwah M. , Al-Zalabani Abdulmohsen H. , AlAhmari Mohammed D. , Murriky Afraa A. , Makeen Anwar M. , Alanazi Abdullah M.M.
Published: April 2020

Objectives: In August 2019, Saudi Arabia started implementing plain packaging for cigarettes. Three months later, an opposing campaign on twitter using an Arabic hashtag “the new smoke” gained momentum amongst smokers. The purpose of this study is to document this opposing campaign’s timeline and describe consumers, government, and tobacco industry rhetoric. Methods: We created a timeline of the campaign events then performed online social listening of Arabic twitter hashtags related to the campaign. Results: Campaigners mainly complained of an unfavorable new taste in cigarette packs with plain packaging. The messaging developed to accusations to government entities and neighboring countries, and then after threats to boycott tobacco companies. The campaign received a significant amount of media coverage and elicited an official response from a number of Saudi government bodies, such as the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and Ministry of Commerce and Investment. Conclusion: This case points at a need for risk communication training, possible tobacco industry manipulation, and a need to gain consumer trust with evidence-based messaging techniques. The case of cigarette plain packaging adoption in Saudi Arabia serves as an example to other countries of potential consumer interaction, tobacco industry interference, and state official counter-reactions.
General Method for Extending Discrete Global Grid Systems to Three Dimensions
Authors: Ulmer Benjamin , Hall John , Samavati Faramarz
Published: April 2020

Geospatial sensors are generating increasing amounts of three-dimensional (3D) data. While Discrete Global Grid Systems (DGGS) are a useful tool for integrating geospatial data, they provide no native support for 3D data. Several different 3D global grids have been proposed; however, these approaches are not consistent with state-of-the-art DGGSs. In this paper, we propose a general method that can extend any DGGS to the third dimension to operate as a 3D DGGS. This extension is done carefully to ensure any valid DGGS can be supported, including all refinement factors and non-congruent refinement. We define encoding, decoding, and indexing operations in a way that splits responsibility between the surface DGGS and the 3D component, which allows for easy transference of data between the 2D and 3D versions of a DGGS. As a part of this, we use radial mapping functions that serve a similar purpose as polyhedral projection in a conventional DGGS. We validate our method by creating three different 3D DGGSs tailored for three specific use cases. These use cases demonstrate our ability to quickly generate 3D global grids while achieving desired properties such as support for large ranges of altitudes, volume preservation between cells, and custom cell aspect ratio.
Potential Water Harvesting Sites Identification Using Spatial Multi-Criteria Evaluation in Maysan Province, Iraq
Authors: Alwan Imzahim A. , Aziz Nadia A. , Hamoodi Mustafa N.
Published: April 2020

Rainwater harvesting is a promising tool for supplementing surface water and groundwater to overcome the imbalance between water supply and demand under changing climate conditions. Multi-Criteria Evaluation is one of the well-known methods of decision-making. In this study, the geographical information system (GIS)-based Multi-Criteria Evaluation is used to select the optimum rainwater harvesting sites in Maysan province, Iraq. Fuzzy membership is used for standardization of the criteria, and Fuzzy Gamma overlay for a combination of multi-layers using ArcGIS 10.5. Seven criteria layers, including slope, stream order, soil type, precipitation, evaporation, roads, and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) are derived to identify rainwater-harvesting catchment. The results determined the optimum sites for water storage within the study area. The resultant potential rainwater harvesting catchment map can be used as a reference to enhance the effectiveness of water management, especially in drought-stricken areas that offer significant potential for sustainable agricultural production in the semi-arid region.
A Postearthquake Multiple Scene Recognition Model Based on Classical SSD Method and Transfer Learning
Authors: Xu Zhiqiang , Chen Yumin , Yang Fan , Chu Tianyou , Zhou Hongyan
Published: April 2020

The recognition of postearthquake scenes plays an important role in postearthquake rescue and reconstruction. To overcome the over-reliance on expert visual interpretation and the poor recognition performance of traditional machine learning in postearthquake scene recognition, this paper proposes a postearthquake multiple scene recognition (PEMSR) model based on the classical deep learning Single Shot MultiBox Detector (SSD) method. In this paper, a labeled postearthquake scenes dataset is constructed by segmenting acquired remote sensing images, which are classified into six categories: landslide, houses, ruins, trees, clogged and ponding. Due to the insufficiency and imbalance of the original dataset, transfer learning and a data augmentation and balancing strategy are utilized in the PEMSR model. To evaluate the PEMSR model, the evaluation metrics of precision, recall and F1 score are used in the experiment. Multiple experimental test results demonstrate that the PEMSR model shows a stronger performance in postearthquake scene recognition. The PEMSR model improves the detection accuracy of each scene compared with SSD by transfer learning and data augmentation strategy. In addition, the average detection time of the PEMSR model only needs 0.4565s, which is far less than the 8.3472s of the traditional Histogram of Oriented Gradient + Support Vector Machine (HOG+SVM) method.
Digital Twin and CyberGIS for Improving Connectivity and Measuring the Impact of Infrastructure Construction Planning in Smart Cities
Authors: Shirowzhan Sara , Tan Willie , Sepasgozar Samad M. E.
Published: April 2020

Smart technologies are advancing, and smart cities can be made smarter by increasing the connectivity and interactions of humans, the environment, and smart devices. This paper discusses selective technologies that can potentially contribute to developing an intelligent environment and smarter cities. While the connectivity and efficiency of smart cities is important, the analysis of the impact of construction development and large projects in the city is crucial to decision and policy makers, before the project is approved. This raises the question of assessing the impact of a new infrastructure project on the community prior to its commencement—what type of technologies can potentially be used for creating a virtual representation of the city? How can a smart city be improved by utilizing these technologies? There are a wide range of technologies and applications available but understanding their function, interoperability, and compatibility with the community requires more discussion around system designs and architecture. These questions can be the basis of developing an agenda for further investigations. In particular, the need for advanced tools such as mobile scanners, Geospatial Artificial Intelligence, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Geospatial Augmented Reality apps, Light Detection, and Ranging in smart cities is discussed. In line with smart city technology development, this Special Issue includes eight accepted articles covering trending topics, which are briefly reviewed.
Identifying Urban Residents’ Activity Space at Multiple Geographic Scales Using Mobile Phone Data
Authors: Gong Lunsheng , Jin Meihan , Liu Qiang , Gong Yongxi , Liu Yu
Published: April 2020

Residents’ activity space reflects multiple aspects of human life related to space, time, and type of activity. How to measure the activity space at multiple geographic scales remains a problem to be solved. Recently, the emergence of big data such as mobile phone data and point of interest data has brought access to massive geo-tagged datasets to identify human activity at multiple geographic scales and to explore the relationship with built environment. In this research, we propose a new method to measure three types of urban residents’ activity spaces—i.e., maintenance activity space, commuting activity space, and recreational activity space—using mobile phone data. The proposed method identifies the range of three types of residents’ activity space at multiple geographic scales and analyzing the relationship between the built environment and activity space. The research takes Zhuhai City as its case study and discovers the spatial patterns for three activity space types. The proposed method enables us to achieve a better understanding of the human activities of different kinds, as well as their relationships with the built environment.
Identification and Characterization of the Lactating Mouse Mammary Gland Citrullinome
Authors: Li Guangyuan , Young Coleman H. , Snow Bryce , Christensen Amanda O. , Demoruelle M. Kristen , Nemmara Venkatesh V. , Thompson Paul R. , Rothfuss Heather M. , Cherrington Brian D.
Published: April 2020

Citrullination is a post-translational modification (PTM) in which positively charged peptidyl-arginine is converted into neutral peptidyl-citrulline by peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD or PADI) enzymes. The full protein citrullinome in many tissues is unknown. Herein, we used mass spectrometry and identified 107 citrullinated proteins in the lactation day 9 (L9) mouse mammary gland including histone H2A, α-tubulin, and β-casein. Given the importance of prolactin to lactation, we next tested if it stimulates PAD-catalyzed citrullination using mouse mammary epithelial CID-9 cells. Stimulation of CID-9 cells with 5 µg/mL prolactin for 10 min induced a 2-fold increase in histone H2A citrullination and a 4.5-fold increase in α-tubulin citrullination. We next investigated if prolactin-induced citrullination regulates the expression of lactation genes β-casein (Csn2) and butyrophilin (Btn1a1). Prolactin treatment for 12 h increased β-casein and butyrophilin mRNA expression; however, this increase was significantly inhibited by the pan-PAD inhibitor, BB-Cl-amidine (BB-ClA). We also examined the effect of tubulin citrullination on the overall polymerization rate of microtubules. Our results show that citrullinated tubulin had a higher maximum overall polymerization rate. Our work suggests that protein citrullination is an important PTM that regulates gene expression and microtubule dynamics in mammary epithelial cells.
Correction: Wang, Y.T., et al. Selenium Nanoparticle Synthesized by Proteus mirabilis YC801: An Efficacious Pathway for Selenite Biotransformation and Detoxification. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19, 3809
Authors: Wang Yuting , Shu Xian , Hou Jinyan , Lu Weili , Zhao Weiwei , Huang Shengwei , Wu Lifang
Published: April 2020

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
Histone Deacetylase TaHDT701 Functions in TaHDA6-TaHOS15 Complex to Regulate Wheat Defense Responses to Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici
Authors: Zhi Pengfei , Kong Lingyao , Liu Jiao , Zhang Xiaona , Wang Xiaoyu , Li Haoyu , Sun Maokai , Li Yan , Chang Cheng
Published: April 2020

Powdery mildew disease caused by Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici (Bgt) leads to severe economic losses in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). To date, only a few epigenetic modulators have been revealed to regulate wheat powdery mildew resistance. In this study, the histone deacetylase 2 (HD2) type histone deacetylase TaHDT701 was identified as a negative regulator of wheat defense responses to Bgt. Using multiple approaches, we demonstrated that TaHDT701 associates with the RPD3 type histone deacetylase TaHDA6 and the WD40-repeat protein TaHOS15 to constitute a histone deacetylase complex, in which TaHDT701 could stabilize the TaHDA6-TaHOS15 association. Furthermore, knockdown of TaHDT701, TaHDA6, and TaHOS15 resulted in enhanced wheat powdery mildew resistance, suggesting that the TaHDT701-TaHDA6-TaHOS15 histone deacetylase complex negatively regulates wheat defense responses to Bgt. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that TaHDT701 could function in concert with TaHOS15 to recruit TaHDA6 to the promoters of defense-related genes such as TaPR1, TaPR2, TaPR5, and TaWRKY45. In addition, silencing of TaHDT701, TaHDA6, and TaHOS15 resulted in the up-regulation of TaPR1, TaPR2, TaPR5, and TaWRKY45 accompanied with increased histone acetylation and methylation, as well as reduced nucleosome occupancy, at their promoters, suggesting that the TaHDT701-TaHDA6-TaHOS15 histone deacetylase complex suppresses wheat powdery mildew resistance by modulating chromatin state at defense-related genes.