bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fracture Evaluation and Dynamic Stress Concentration of Granite Specimens Containing Elliptic Cavity under Dynamic Loading
Authors: Tao Ming , Ma Ao , Peng Kang , Wang Yiqing , Du Kun
Published: September 2019

The Split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was used to determine the fracture characteristics of a long bar rock specimen with an elliptical cavity under different axial ratios and dip angles. A high speed camera was applied to record the fracturing process of the granite specimen around the cavity. The experimental results showed that the fracture characteristics around the elliptical cavity were closely related to the axial ratio and dip angle. A three-dimensional numerical model was established using LS-DYNA to quantitatively analyze the dynamic stress state around the cavity. The numerical results indicate that the dip angle and axial ratio of the elliptical cavity significantly affected the dynamic stress concentration factor (DSCF), then affected the rock failure. The location of higher DSCF led to a higher possibility of spalling failure. The maximum DSCF remarkably decreased with a decreasing dip angle and increased the axial ratio. In the dynamic loading propagate process, the stress concentration distribution around the cavity formed by a compression stress wave had a certain damaging effect on the destruction of rock around the cavity, and the stress concentration generated by the tensile stress wave was the main factor of the rock fracture, which was most notable in the peak area of the stress concentration.
Investigation of Mass Transfer with Different Models in a Solar Energy Food-Drying System
Authors: Demirpolat Ahmet Beyzade
Published: September 2019

In drying systems, the examination of the drying rate values of the food product in advance gives important information about the raw material to be dried. In this study, thin-layer drying behavior of apple slices in a convective solar dryer was investigated. The experiments were carried out at a drying air temperature of 46–63 °C and a drying air speed of 0.7–1.8 m/s. In order to determine the drying kinetics, the mass change of apple slices was recorded under all drying air conditions. The effects of drying air temperature and speed, drying speed of apple slices, dimensionless moisture content, were investigated. In a solar drying system, thermal efficiency, solar radiation and air velocity values were measured. The drying kinetics of 15-mm thick apple slices were examined for three days in the solar drying system. Using the decision tree algorithm, which is a machine learning algorithm, a predictive model was created for moisture rate in drying experiments and four linear equations were obtained. According to obtained equations, the collector in the drying system depends on the inlet–outlet temperature values, the drying room inlet–outlet temperature values, the drying room humidity values and air velocity values. Moisture rate data were applied to twelve different models and their performance was determined by root mean square error (RMSE) analysis. The mathematical model with the least error rate was (RMSE: 0.09) Midilli model. A comparison was made between these drying models in the literature and the model generated by the decision tree algorithm. According to the results of RMSE error analysis, it was shown that the model created with the decision tree algorithm predicted the moisture rate values with less error values RMSE: 0.03) than the Midilli model.
The Impact of Power Source Performance Decrease in a PV/WT/FC Hybrid Power Generation System on the Result of a Multi-Criteria Analysis of Load Distribution
Authors: Ceran Bartosz , Orłowska Agata
Published: September 2019

The article presents a mathematical model designed for scheduling cooperation between Hybrid Power Generation System HPGS and an electricity system viewed from a multifaceted perspective. The multifaceted approach consists in taking into account energy, economic, and environmental criteria in the calculation process. The considered HPGS is constructed of a photovoltaic installation PV, wind turbines WT, and energy storage in the form of an electrolyzer El coupled with a fuel cell FC. The model consists of energy analysis and multi-variant analysis of the decision-making. Cooperation scheduling is performed in a long-term period taking into account the decrease in performance of HPGS components during the years of its operation. The impact of the performance decline in HPGS devices on the final result of scheduling the work of HPGS in the electricity system is the main issue considered in this article. This matter has not been analyzed yet. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis of the impact of a decrease in the efficiency of selected HPGS components (PV, FC, and El) on the final effect of the simulation is presented.
Control of Hybrid Diesel/PV/Battery/Ultra-Capacitor Systems for Future Shipboard Microgrids
Authors: Mutarraf Muhammad Umair , Terriche Yacine , Niazi Kamran Ali Khan , Khan Fawad , Vasquez Juan C. , Guerrero Josep M.
Published: September 2019

In recent times, concerns over fossil fuel consumption and severe environmental pollution have grabbed attention in marine vessels. The fast development in solar technology and the significant reduction in cost over the past decade have allowed the integration of solar technology in marine vessels. However, the highly intermittent nature of photovoltaic (PV) modules might cause instability in shipboard microgrids. Moreover, the penetration is much more in the case of utilizing PV panels on ships due to the continuous movement. This paper, therefore, presents a frequency sharing approach to smooth the effect of the highly intermittent nature of PV panels integrated with the shipboard microgrids. A hybrid system based on an ultra-capacitor and a lithium-ion battery is developed such that high power and short term fluctuations are catered by an ultra-capacitor, whereas long duration and high energy density fluctuations are catered by the lithium-ion battery. Further, in order to cater for the fluctuations caused by weather or variation in sea states, a battery energy storage system (BESS) is utilized in parallel to the dc-link capacitor using a buck-boost converter. Hence, to verify the dynamic behavior of the proposed approach, the model is designed in MATLAB/SIMULINK. The simulation results illustrate that the proposed model helps to smooth the fluctuations and to stabilize the DC bus voltage.
Investigating Policy Instrument Adoption in Low-Carbon City Development: A Case Study from China
Authors: Mao Qingduo , Ma Ben , Wang Hongshuai , Bian Qi
Published: September 2019

Based on policy instrument theory and a case of low-carbon city development (Qihe County in Shandong), this study examined the policy instruments adopted for low-carbon city development in China and the effectiveness of these instruments. All the policies adopted by the piloted city from 2008 and 2014 were collected, coded, and analyzed. A two-dimensional analytical framework was developed based on a trichotomous policy instrument categorization and low-carbon city connotation. The results showed that the key goal of China’s low-carbon city construction is to develop low-carbon technology and low-carbon energy. Compulsory policy instruments are the most used and most effective, while voluntary policy instruments are rarely used. Further results indicated that when the ratio of compulsory instruments and mixed instruments comes to 2:1, the combination of policy instruments can lead to the optimal completion degree. It seems difficult to balance the stability of various policy instruments with the overall high completion degree. Chinese local governments are more accustomed to compulsory policy instruments. This reminds policymakers to pay more attention to the potential of voluntary instruments and mixed instruments in building low-carbon cities.
Control Technology of Surface Movement Scope with Directional Hydraulic Fracturing Technology in Longwall Mining: A Case Study
Authors: Feng Zhanjie , Guo Wenbing , Xu Feiya , Yang Daming , Yang Weiqiang
Published: September 2019

Mining-induced surface subsidence causes a series of environmental hazards and social problems, including farmland destruction, waterlogging and building damage in the subsidence area. To reduce mining damages, an innovative method of controlling the surface movement scope via artificial weak planes generated by hydraulic fracturing technology was proposed in this paper. Numerical models were built to analyze the influence of weak planes with different heights and dips on the overlying strata movement. The numerical simulation results showed that the weak planes structure cut off the development of the overlying strata displacement to the surface and affected the surface movement scope. When the weak planes’ dips were bigger than the angle of critical deformation, with the increase of the weak planes’ heights (0–120 m) the advance angle of influence changed from 53.61° to 59.15°, and the advance distance of influence changed from 173.31 m to 140.27 m which decreased by 30.04 m. In applications at Sihe coal mine in China, directional hydraulic fracturing technology was used in panel 5304 to form artificial weak planes in overlying strata. The measured surface subsidence and deformation value met the numerical simulation results and the mining-induced surface movement scope reduced. Moreover, no damage occurred to the surface buildings which were predicted to be in the affected area after extraction. This technology provided a new method to protect the surface structures from damages and had great benefits for the sustainable development of coal mines.
Estimation of DBH at Forest Stand Level Based on Multi-Parameters and Generalized Regression Neural Network
Authors: Zhou Runkai , Wu Dasheng , Zhou Ruyi , Fang Luming , Zheng Xinyu , Lou Xiongwei
Published: September 2019

The diameter at breast height (DBH) is an important factor used to estimate important forestry indices like forest growing stock, basal area, biomass, and carbon stock. The traditional DBH ground surveys are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive. To reduce the traditional ground surveys, this study focused on the prediction of unknown DBH in forest stands using existing measured data. As a comparison, the tree age was first used as the only independent variable in establishing 13 kinds of empirical models to fit the relationship between the age and DBH of the forest subcompartments and predict DBH growth. Second, the initial independent variables were extended to 19 parameters, including 8 ecological and biological factors and 11 remote sensing factors. By introducing the Spearman correlation analysis, the independent variable parameters were dimension-reduced to satisfy very significant conditions (p ≤ 0.01) and a relatively large correlation coefficient (r ≥ 0.1). Finally, the remaining independent variables were involved in the modeling and prediction of DBH using a multivariate linear regression (MLR) model and generalized regression neural network (GRNN) model. The (root-mean-squared errors) RMSEs of MLR and GRNN were 1.9976 cm and 1.9655 cm, respectively, and the R2 were 0.6459 and 0.6574 respectively, which were much better than the values for the 13 traditional empirical age–DBH models. The use of comprehensive factors is beneficial to improving the prediction accuracy of both the MLR and GRNN models. Regardless of whether remote sensing image factors were included, the experimental results produced by GRNN were better than MLR. By synthetically introducing ecological, biological, and remote sensing factors, GRNN produced the best results with 1.4688 cm in mean absolute error (MAE), 13.78% in MAPE, 1.9655 cm for the RMSE, 0.6574 for the R2, and 0.0810 for the Theil’s inequality coefficient (TIC), respectively. For modeling and prediction based on more complex tree species and a wider range of samples, GRNN is a desirable model with strong generalizability.
Scaling Up Sap Flow Measurements from the Stem Scale to the Individual Scale for Multibranched Caragana Korshinskii on the Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Wang Guohui , Shen Yuying , Yang Xianlong , Chen Zhixue , Mo Baoru
Published: September 2019

The traditional heat balance method for measuring plant sap flow (SF) becomes troublesome and uneconomic for multibranched shrub species if all their stems are used for the measurement. The objectives of this study were to explore specific relationships between stem-scale SF and plant morphological traits and then to scale up SF measurements from the stem scale to the individual scale for Caragana korshinskii Kom., a dominant shrub species on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Sap flow was measured for twenty-one stems from three representative individuals from July to September 2018 during the rainy season. The results indicated that the stem-scale SF in C. korshinskii presented a positive linear correlation with the stem base diameter (SBD), stem length (SL), primary branch numbers in the stem (PBN), and estimated stem biomass (W). The SBD-based statistical models performed well in estimating the stem-scale SF, with an R2 value of 0.9726 and root mean squared error (RMSE) of 2.5389 g h−1. Over the canopy projection area, the individual-scale transpiration flows for the three selected C. korshinskii were 1.91, 1.10, and 1.59 mm·d−1. In addition, stem-scale SF was positively and linearly correlated with air temperature, photosynthetically active radiation, vapor pressure deficit, reference crop evapotranspiration, and variable transpiration. This study sheds light on morphological and meteorological influences on stem-scale SF and has made contributes to the accurate and rapid estimation of the plant sap flow from easily available morphological traits for multibranched shrub species in semiarid regions. Limitations, however, may exist for the established model when it is used to estimate SF of C. korshinskii during the water-limited dry season. Our study deserves further exploration of a more general model to have a better estimation of SF for C. korshinskii in both dry and rainy seasons.
Automatic Classification of Sarcopenia Level in Older Adults: A Case Study at Tijuana General Hospital
Authors: Castillo-Olea Cristián , García-Zapirain Soto Begonya , Carballo Lozano Christian , Zuñiga Clemente
Published: September 2019

This paper presents a study based on data analysis of the sarcopenia level in older adults. Sarcopenia is a prevalent pathology in adults of around 50 years of age, whereby the muscle mass decreases by 1 to 2% a year, and muscle strength experiences an annual decrease of 1.5% between 50 and 60 years of age, subsequently increasing by 3% each year. The World Health Organisation estimates that 5–13% of individuals of between 60 and 70 years of age and 11–50% of persons of 80 years of age or over have sarcopenia. This study was conducted with 166 patients and 99 variables. Demographic data was compiled including age, gender, place of residence, schooling, marital status, level of education, income, profession, and financial support from the State of Baja California, and biochemical parameters such as glycemia, cholesterolemia, and triglyceridemia were determined. A total of 166 patients took part in the study, with an average age of 77.24 years. The purpose of the study was to provide an automatic classifier of sarcopenia level in older adults using artificial intelligence in addition to identifying the weight of each variable used in the study. We used machine learning techniques in this work, in which 10 classifiers were employed to assess the variables and determine which would provide the best results, namely, Nearest Neighbors (3), Linear SVM (Support Vector Machines) (C = 0.025), RBF (Radial Basis Function) SVM (gamma = 2, C = 1), Gaussian Process (RBF (1.0)), Decision Tree (max_depth = 3), Random Forest (max_depth=3, n_estimators = 10), MPL (Multilayer Perceptron) (alpha = 1), AdaBoost, Gaussian Naive Bayes, and QDA (Quadratic Discriminant Analysis). Feature selection determined by the mean for the variable ranking suggests that Age, Systolic Arterial Hypertension (HAS), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Number of chronic diseases (ECNumber), and Sodium are the five most important variables in determining the sarcopenia level, and are thus of great importance prior to establishing any treatment or preventive measure. Analysis of the relationships existing between the presence of the variables and classifiers used in moderate and severe sarcopenia revealed that the sarcopenia level using the RBF SVM classifier with Age, HAS, MNA, ECNumber, and Sodium variables has 82′5 accuracy, a 90′2 F1, and 82′8 precision.
Polysubstance Use among Patients Enrolling in Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program in a Vietnam Province with Drug-Driven HIV Epidemic
Authors: Le Tuan Anh , Pham Duyen T. T. , Quek Travis T. C. , Vu Giang Thu , Hoang Chi Linh , Tran Tung Thanh , Nguyen Cuong Tat , Tran Ninh Hai Thi , Vuong Quan Hoang , Tran Tung Hoang , Tran Bach Xuan , Latkin Carl A. , Ho Cyrus S. H. , Ho Roger C. M.
Published: September 2019

Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) has been scaled up significantly in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the pattern of polysubstance use in 395 MMT patients and its contextualized associated factors. A cross-sectional study was performed in three outpatient MMT clinics in Nam Dinh Province. Multivariate Poisson regression was used to identify factors associated with polysubstance use status. The mean MMT duration and the current MMT dose was 3.3 years and 69.2 mg, respectively. Among participants, 24.8% reported daily alcohol use, 68.6% smoked regularly, and 6% used illicit drugs. Peer pressure and MMT suboptimal adherence were found to associate with continual usage of drugs (47.8%). Participants who lived with a spouse/partner, were self-employed, and smoked were more likely to drink alcohol. Those who drink were also more likely to smoke, and vice versa. Recommendations for policymakers include community-based education and promotional programs aiming to decrease substance usage in the community as well as encouraging and supporting the private health sector in establishing private MMT services and clinics. Further longitudinal studies on polysubstance usage among MMT patients should also be conducted.
Blood Biomarkers of Recovery Efficiency in Soccer Players
Authors: Nowakowska Anna , Kostrzewa-Nowak Dorota , Buryta Rafał , Nowak Robert
Published: September 2019

Physical exercise strongly affects human metabolism and causes biochemical changes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between routine plasma biomarker levels and recovery efficiency in soccer players during an entire competitive match season. The players participating in the study were divided into a midfielder/defender group (seven midfielders and seven defenders) and a goalie/substitute group (six persons—goalkeepers and players with a short cumulative match-time). The fasting capillary blood samples were taken 17–24 h after each competitive match. The blood plasma was used to determine the creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, iron and magnesium levels of the athletes. The levels of (AST) (aspartate aminotransferase), (ALT) (alanine aminotransferase) and (Cr) creatinine were higher in the midfielder/defender group than in the control group, but only AST and Cr significantly varied over time (AST decreased, and Cr increased with time). The (LDH) (lactate dehydrogenase) activity and urea level were significantly lower in the midfielder/defender group than in the goalie/substitute group, and it significantly varied over time (LDH decreased, and urea increased with time). No differences in the (CK) creatine kinase and (ALP) alkaline phosphatase activities between the groups was found, although CK increased significantly with time in the midfielder/defender group (particularly midfielders in the spring round). In midfielders, the AST activity and the iron level were significantly lower in the spring than in the autumn round. On the contrary, ALT, CK, urea and magnesium levels were significantly higher in the spring than in autumn round. A long-term measurement of biochemical parameters in elite soccer players indicated that AST, CK, LDH and creatinine levels, when analyzed together, could constitute a useful set of markers for monitoring recovery periods.
Exposure to Dental Filling Materials and the Risk of Dementia: A Population-Based Nested Case Control Study in Taiwan
Authors: Mikhailichenko Natalia , Yagami Kimitoshi , Chiou Jeng-Yuan , Huang Jing-Yang , Wang Yu-Hsun , Wei James Cheng-Chung , Lai Te-Jen
Published: September 2019

When studying the range of toxic substances triggering dementia, special attention should be paid to the materials used in dental practice, particularly to dental fillings containing amalgam. This necessitated conducting large-scale epidemiologic studies. The aim of our research was to determine the risk factors for developing dementia when filling materials containing amalgam are used in dental practice. In order to achieve the set goals, the following tasks were undertaken: (1) The social and demographic characteristics of the examined patients were studied; (2) the spectrum of concomitant somatic diseases was determined in patients of different gender and age; and (3) the relationship between dementia incidence and the volume of dental filling material containing amalgam was identified in patients with different somatic diseases. In general, the research conducted did not reveal any direct relationship between the development of dementia and the volume of filling material containing amalgam. However, among the people with dementia, there were persons for whom its progression was accelerated in cases where a large volume of dental filling material containing amalgam was present.
Japanese Cross-Sectional Multicenter Survey (JAMS) of Oral Appliance Therapy in the Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Okuno Kentaro , Furuhashi Akifumi , Nakamura Shuhei , Suzuki Hiroshi , Arisaka Takehiro , Taga Hitoshi , Tamura Masataka , Katahira Haruto , Furuhata Minoru , Iida Chisato
Published: September 2019

We conducted a multicenter survey for oral appliance (OA) therapy to grasp and analyze the current situation of OA therapy, including efficacy, side effects, and follow-up, in Japan. The Japanese cross-sectional multicenter survey (JAMS) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was undertaken by patients in 10 institutions associated with oral appliance therapy during two years, from 2014 to 2015, retrospectively. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), baseline apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), OA type, adjustment, adverse reactions with OA, and AHI with OA were elicited from the patient clinical record. The number of included OSA patients was 3217. The number of patients with OA therapy was 2947. We evaluated 1600 patients for the OA treatment. The patients treated with OA, both male and female, were most commonly in their 50s. In terms of OSA severity, snoring was 2.3%, mild was 38.5%, moderate was 39.9%, and severe was 19.3%. The use of mono bloc appliance was 91.8%, bi bloc appliance was 7.9%, and tongue-retaining device (TRD) was 0.3%. After OA treatment, AHI decreased from 22.4/h to 9.3/h. The AHI reduction rate with OA was 52.0%. The rate of AHI <5 with OA was 35.6%. Adverse reactions developed in 14.7% of the subjects. OA reassessment was conducted for 54.3%. This study revealed the current situation of efficacy and side effects of OA therapy, and the problem that the reassessment rate of OA was low in Japan.
Occurrence, Distribution and Ecological Risk of Bisphenol Analogues in the Surface Water from a Water Diversion Project in Nanjing, China
Authors: Zheng Chaoya , Liu Jianchao , Ren Jinghua , Shen Jie , Fan Jian , Xi Ruiyu , Chen Wei , Chen Qing
Published: September 2019

Due to the widespread use of bisphenol analogues (BPs) as alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA), considerable attention for health risk has been shown in aquatic ecosystems. The occurrence and distribution of six BPs were researched in a soluble phase (<10−3 μm), colloidal phase (10−3 μm to 1 µm), and suspended particulate matter (SPM >1 µm) in a water diversion project of Nanjing, China. Except for bisphenol Z, all BPs were detected in two or three phases, where the total concentrations of detected BPs were 161–613 ng/L, 5.19–77.2 ng/L, and 47.5–353 ng/g for the soluble phase, colloidal phase, and SPM, respectively. Among the detected compounds, BPA is still the dominant BPs in the soluble and colloidal phases, which is followed by bisphenol-S , while bisphenol-AF was the major contaminant in SPM, followed by BPA. The mean contribution proportions of colloids were 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than SPM, which suggests that colloids have a clear impact on regulating BPs’ environmental behaviors. In terms of spatial distribution, the water diversion project could reduce the pollution levels of BPs, which might further affect the ecological security of the Yangtze River.
Seasonal Release Potential of Sediments in Reservoirs and its Impact on Water Quality Assessment
Authors: Hu Suduan , Wang Tianxiang , Xu Shiguo , Ma Lingxiao , Sun and Xinguo
Published: September 2019

Reservoir sediments act as important receivers and sources for nutrients in the overlaying water. To determine the sediments adsorption and release characteristics and their impacts on water quality, surface sediments samples collected from Biliuhe reservoir in August 2015 were studied through simulation experiments in a laboratory. The results demonstrated that the equilibrium concentrations (EC0) of ammonia nitrogen (NH4+–N) and total phosphorus (TP) were 8.29 mg/L and 0.025 mg/L, respectively, which were both higher than the average concentrations in the overlying water. Therefore, the sediments of Biliuhe reservoir mainly acted as the pollution sources for NH4+–N and TP, and the release to water showed a seasonal variation. When potential release amounts were considered, the average concentrations of NH4+–N and TP in the overlaying water could reach 6.4 mg/L and 0.21 mg/L, respectively, which significantly exceeded the current contents. Further, water quality exhibited a decreased tendency after taking the release potential of nutrients into account of water quality assessment. Among the samples, 42% and 33% of them in summer and autumn exceeded the third level of the National Surface Water Quality Standards of China (GB3838-2002). The results indicated that sediments release potential had an unignored influence on water quality during various seasons.
Changes in the Prevalence of Induced Abortion in the Floating Population in Major Cities of China 2007–2014
Authors: Wang Xing , Wu Junqing , Li Yuyan , Zhou Ying , Li Yiran , Zhao Rui , Tong Qi , Luo Mingzhong
Published: September 2019

Objective: Our aim was to assess the changes in induced abortion in different migrant groups in China between 2007 and 2014 and the contraceptive methods used prior to induced abortion. Methods: The studies of two population-based cross sections were conducted in urban China, involving 9146 sexually active migrant women. Within the selected sociodemographic subgroups, the changes in the percentage of women who had induced abortions, the proportion of pregnancies ending in induced abortions, the causes of induced abortions, and the methods of contraception were identified. A chi-squared test was used to calculate the differences in induced abortion in the subgroups. Results: Between 2007 and 2014, in the study groups from the major cities of China, the percentage of sexually active migrant women who had induced abortions increased 10.1%, from 21.8% to 24.0%. The proportion of pregnancies ending in induced abortions increased 23.7%, from 21.5% to 26.6%. Both of the aforementioned statistics increased significantly within most of the selected sociodemographic subgroups, especially in the 18–19 and 45–49 age groups. Over 50% of pregnancies were aborted in the cohabiting group, although this figure declined by 12.3% over the course of the seven-year study period. Contraceptive failure was the primary cause of induced abortion, although its contribution to induced abortion declined from 51.3% to 42.4%. The proportion of women not using contraception prior to induced abortion increased from 30.9% to 41.2%. Conclusion: The prevalence of induced abortion is high and continues to increase among sexually active migrant women in China. An increasing trend is forecasted over the next few decades. Special attention should be paid to the younger cohort of migrant women, especially 18–19-year-olds, and unmarried cohabitants, who are increasingly seeking induced abortions.
Exposure to Bacterial and Fungal Aerosols: Microorganism Indices in A Waste-Sorting Plant in Poland
Authors: Brągoszewska Ewa
Published: September 2019

An increased understanding of airborne microorganism populations should enable a better interpretation of bioaerosol exposure found in a working environment. An assessment of the contamination levels of mesophilic bacterial aerosol (MBA) and fungal aerosol (FA) was carried out using two evaluation indices for microbiological pollution—the total index of microbiological contamination per cubic meter (TIMC/m3) and the indoor–outdoor index (IOI). An advantage of selected indices is the inclusion of several co-existing factors that have an impact on the formation of bioaerosol. When properly used, they also highlight the low efficiency of the ventilation system caused by an insufficient air exchange. In this study, the microbial air quality (MAQ) of the working environment was assessed during the spring season at a sorting plant located in Southern Poland. Sampling was undertaken in the plant using an Andersen six-stage impactor which allows the obtainment of information about the size distribution of the air microflora. The value of average concentrations of MBA and the average concentration of FA collected in the preliminary cabin of the sorting plant (PCSP) and the cleaning cabin of the sorting plant (CCSP) were analyzed. The obtained values of MBA were 1.6 times higher indoors, compared to outdoors, while FA was 1.7 times higher outdoors than indoors. The maximum TIMC/m3 value was obtained in PCSP (2626). The calculated IOI in this study suggests that MBA concentrations are influenced by internal sources, as opposed to FA. The purpose of this work was to present the usefulness of using indices in assessing air quality.
“Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda”. Workers’ Proactivity in the Association between Emotional Demands and Mental Health
Authors: Mazzetti Greta , Simbula Silvia , Panari Chiara , Guglielmi Dina , Paolucci Alessio
Published: September 2019

The present study aimed to explore the mediating role of hostile customer relations in the association between emotional dissonance and workers’ mental health. Moreover, the moderating role of proactive personality as a buffer against hostile customer relations was assessed. Emotional demands become crucial within professions that involve a direct relationship with clients and, if poorly managed, can negatively affect workers’ health and performance. Accordingly, data were collected on a sample of n = 918 mass-retail employees working for one of the leading Italian supermarket companies. Most participants were women (62.7%) with a mean age = 40.38 (SD = 7.68). The results of a moderated mediation analysis revealed that emotional dissonance was related to more hostile customer relations that, in turn, were associated with higher rates of mental health symptoms. Proactive personality emerged as a protecting factor that prevented the onset of conflicts with clients, particularly among workers experiencing high levels of emotional dissonance. The identification of resources enabling management of emotional demands could suggest suitable adaptive strategies for customer-facing roles, thus preventing the occurrence of adverse mental health symptoms.
Shifting from “Community-Placed” to “Community-Based” Research to Advance Health Equity: A Case Study of the Heatwaves, Housing, and Health: Increasing Climate Resiliency in Detroit (HHH) Partnership
Authors: Ziegler Todd B. , Coombe Chris M. , Rowe Zachary E. , Clark Sarah J. , Gronlund Carina J. , Lee Michelle , Palacios Angelina , Larsen Larissa S. , Reames Tony G. , Schott Justin , Williams Guy O. , O’Neill Marie S.
Published: September 2019

Extreme summertime heat is a significant public health threat that disproportionately impacts vulnerable urban populations. Research on health impacts of climate change (including increasing intensity, duration, and frequency of hot weather) is sometimes designed and implemented without the involvement of the communities being studied, i.e., “community-placed” not “community-based.” We describe how the Heatwaves, Housing, and Health: Increasing Climate Resiliency in Detroit (HHH) partnership engaged relevant communities by integrating a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach into an existing, academic-designed research project through a steering committee of community and academic partners. Using a case study approach, we analyze program documentation, partnership evaluation questionnaires, and HHH steering committee meeting notes. We describe the CBPR process by which we successfully collected research data in Detroit during summer 2016, engaged in collaborative analysis of data, and shared results with Detroit residents. Evaluations of the partnership over 2 years show community involvement in research; enhanced capacities; success in securing new grant funding; and ways that CBPR strengthened the validity, relevance, and translation of research. Engaging communities as equal partners using CBPR, even after a study is underway, can strengthen research to understand and address the impacts of extreme heat on health and equity in urban communities.
Role of Knowledge, Sociodemographic, and Behavioral Factors on Lifetime HIV Testing among Adult Population in Nepal: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional National Survey
Authors: Sharma Bimala , Nam Eun Woo
Published: September 2019

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing is important to HIV prevention, treatment, and care. We aimed to assess the role of sociodemographic, behavioral factors and HIV knowledge on HIV testing among people aged 15–49 years in Nepal. The 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey data was used for secondary data analysis. Herein, 9843 women and 3017 men who had experienced coitus were included. The respondents were asked if they underwent HIV testing and received the test results in their lifetime. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were applied at 5% level of significance. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed separately for women and men. Of the total, 18.0% of men and 7.4% of women had been tested for HIV in their lifetime. As compared to the age of 15 to 24 years, males aged 25 to 29 years were more likely to report, whereas females aged 35 to 49 years were less likely to report HIV testing. Lower caste groups had more likelihood of reporting HIV testing than the other caste in both sexes. The odds of being tested for HIV were significantly higher among those who had higher education in both sexes. There was significant positive association between HIV testing and economic status in males whereas this association was reverse among females. The male respondents who spent more than one month away from home in the last 12 months were 1.68 times more likely to have been tested for HIV in their lifetime. Having multiple sexual partners was associated with higher odds of testing for HIV in both sexes. Having comprehensive HIV knowledge was independently associated with the reporting of higher odds of HIV testing in females. Promotion of HIV testing should consider sociodemographic factors, sexual behavior, and imparting comprehensive HIV knowledge.
Do Barrier Test Results Predict Survival in Specialist Police Tactical Selection Courses?
Authors: Robinson Jeremy , Schram Ben , Canetti Elisa , Orr Robin
Published: September 2019

Entry to specialist police tactical teams is governed by performance on a physically intense and psychologically demanding selection course. The aim of this study was to determine the attributes associated with completion of a specialist police selection course. Data pertaining to 18 candidates was obtained including 1 min push-ups, loaded pull-ups, loaded 30 m crawl, agility run, 1.2 km run and multi-stage fitness assessment. Comparisons from those who did and did not complete the selection week were performed and a hierarchical multiple regression performed. Eleven candidates finished, with significant difference found in those who completed the course in push-ups (+9.1 reps), loaded pull-ups (+2.9 reps), 1.2 km run (−16 s), loaded crawl (−6.3 s), agility (−0.67 s) and VO2max (+4.8 mL/kg/min). In combination, the fitness assessments pull-ups, 30 m loaded crawl and agility time were found to predict 70% of the variability in course completion (adjusted R2 = 0.70, F (3,14) = 14.373, p = 0.001). When assessed independently, push-ups, 1.2 km run and VO2max results only predicted a non-significant 0.02%, 0.29% and 0.12%, respectively, of course completion. Completion was influenced by aerobic fitness, upper limb strength and endurance and agility. These variables appear to be predictive of course success.
Chemical Forms and Health Risk of Cadmium in Water Spinach Grown in Contaminated Soil with An Increased Level of Phosphorus
Authors: Lam Chun-Ming , Chen Kuei-San , Lai Hung-Yu
Published: September 2019

(1) Background: Even in croplands with a low concentration of cadmium (Cd), there is still a risk for planting crops because of the high accumulation capacity of some leafy vegetables. (2) Methods: In this study, water spinach was planted in four main soil series (Wa, Eh, Tk, and Yu) in central Taiwan, which were spiked with Cd. The soil available phosphorous content was increased to 10–17 mg/kg, and the accumulation and developed chemical forms of Cd were analyzed. (3) Results: The experimental results showed that addition of phosphorous to Wa and Eh promoted the growth of water spinach. Accumulation and upward translocation of Cd were also increased in the phosphorus treatment compared with the control. The addition of phosphorus increased the percentage of Cd compartmentalized in undissolved Cd phosphate, which revealed that the mobility and toxicity of Cd were reduced in the phosphorus treatment. However, most of the water spinach was not edible because the vegetable-induced hazard quotient, which was calculated using three methods, showed hazardous potential in general.
Effect of Diabetes Education Through Pattern Management on Self-Care and Self-Efficacy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Lee Sung-Kyoung , Shin Dong-Hyun , Kim Yong-Hyun , Lee Kang-Sook
Published: September 2019

This study investigated the effect of applying a customized diabetes education program through pattern management (PM), using continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) results, on individual self-care behaviors and self-efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients with type 2 diabetes who had never received diabetes education, enrolled from March to September 2017, were sequentially assigned to either PM education or control groups. In the PM education group, the CGMS test was first conducted one week before diabetes education and repeated three times by PM in order to obtain data on self-care behaviors and self-efficacy. These results were then compared before and after education at three and six months. The control group received the traditional diabetes education. Self-efficacy showed statistically significant interactions between the two groups over time, indicating a significant difference in the degree of self-efficacy between the PM education and control groups. Diabetes education by PM using CGMS result analysis improved life habits with a positive influence on self-care behaviors and self-efficacy for diabetes management. Further studies are needed to further develop and apply individual diabetes education programs in order to sustain the effects of self-care behaviors and self-efficacy in patients with diabetes who experience a decrease in self-efficacy after three months of education.
The Highly Conserved Barley Powdery Mildew Effector BEC1019 Confers Susceptibility to Biotrophic and Necrotrophic Pathogens in Wheat
Authors: Zhang Yi , Xu Kedong , Yu Deshui , Liu Zhihui , Peng Chunfeng , Li Xiaoli , Zhang Ju , Dong Yinghui , Zhang Yazhen , Tian Pan , Guo Tiancai , Li Chengwei
Published: September 2019

Effector proteins secreted by plant pathogens play important roles in promoting colonization. Blumeria effector candidate (BEC) 1019, a highly conserved metalloprotease of Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh), is essential for fungal haustorium formation, and silencing BEC1019 significantly reduces Bgh virulence. In this study, we found that BEC1019 homologs in B. graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) and Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt) have complete sequence identity with those in Bgh, prompting us to investigate their functions. Transcript levels of BEC1019 were abundantly induced concomitant with haustorium formation in Bgt and necrosis development in Ggt-infected plants. BEC1019 overexpression considerably increased wheat susceptibility to Bgt and Ggt, whereas silencing this gene using host-induced gene silencing significantly enhanced wheat resistance to Bgt and Ggt, which was associated with hydrogen peroxide accumulation, cell death, and pathogenesis-related gene expression. Additionally, we found that the full and partial sequences of BEC1019 can trigger cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. These results indicate that Bgt and Ggt can utilize BEC1019 as a virulence effector to promote plant colonization, and thus these genes represent promising new targets in breeding wheat cultivars with broad-spectrum resistance.
Salicylic Acid Binding Proteins (SABPs): The Hidden Forefront of Salicylic Acid Signalling
Authors: Pokotylo Igor , Kravets Volodymyr , Ruelland Eric
Published: September 2019

Salicylic acid (SA) is a phytohormone that plays important roles in many aspects of plant life, notably in plant defenses against pathogens. Key mechanisms of SA signal transduction pathways have now been uncovered. Even though details are still missing, we understand how SA production is regulated and which molecular machinery is implicated in the control of downstream transcriptional responses. The NPR1 pathway has been described to play the main role in SA transduction. However, the mode of SA perception is unclear. NPR1 protein has been shown to bind SA. Nevertheless, NPR1 action requires upstream regulatory events (such as a change in cell redox status). Besides, a number of SA-induced responses are independent from NPR1. This shows that there is more than one way for plants to perceive SA. Indeed, multiple SA-binding proteins of contrasting structures and functions have now been identified. Yet, all of these proteins can be considered as candidate SA receptors and might have a role in multinodal (decentralized) SA input. This phenomenon is unprecedented for other plant hormones and is a point of discussion of this review.
OsCAF1, a CRM Domain Containing Protein, Influences Chloroplast Development
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Shen Lan , Wang Zhongwei , Hu Guanglian , Ren Deyong , Hu Jiang , Zhu Li , Gao Zhenyu , Zhang Guangheng , Guo Longbiao , Zeng Dali , Qian Qian
Published: September 2019

The chloroplast RNA splicing and ribosome maturation (CRM) domain proteins are involved in the splicing of chloroplast gene introns. Numerous CRM domain proteins have been reported to play key roles in chloroplast development in several plant species. However, the functions of CRM domain proteins in chloroplast development in rice remain poorly understood. In the study, we generated oscaf1 albino mutants, which eventually died at the seedling stage, through the editing of OsCAF1 with two CRM domains using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The mesophyll cells in oscaf1 mutant had decreased chloroplast numbers and damaged chloroplast structures. OsCAF1 was located in the chloroplast, and transcripts revealed high levels in green tissues. In addition, the OsCAF1 promoted the splicing of group IIA and group IIB introns, unlike orthologous proteins of AtCAF1 and ZmCAF1, which only affected the splicing of subgroup IIB introns. We also observed that the C-terminal of OsCAF1 interacts with OsCRS2, and OsCAF1–OsCRS2 complex may participate in the splicing of group IIA and group IIB introns in rice chloroplasts. OsCAF1 regulates chloroplast development by influencing the splicing of group II introns.
Differential Regulation of Anthocyanins in Green and Purple Turnips Revealed by Combined De Novo Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis
Authors: Zhuang Hongmei , Lou Qian , Liu Huifang , Han Hongwei , Wang Qiang , Tang Zhonghua , Ma Yanming , Wang Hao
Published: September 2019

Purple turnip Brassica rapa ssp. rapa is highly appreciated by consumers but the metabolites and molecular mechanisms underlying the root skin pigmentation remain open to study. Herein, we analyzed the anthocyanin composition in purple turnip (PT) and green turnip (GT) at five developmental stages. A total of 21 anthocyanins were detected and classified into the six major anthocynanin aglycones. Distinctly, PT contains 20 times higher levels of anthocyanins than GT, which explain the difference in the root skin pigmentation. We further sequenced the transcriptomes and analyzed the differentially expressed genes between the two turnips. We found that PT essentially diverts dihydroflavonols to the biosynthesis of anthocyanins over flavonols biosynthesis by strongly down-regulating one flavonol synthase gene, while strikingly up-regulating dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), anthocyanidin synthase and UDP-glucose: flavonoid-3-O-glucosyltransferase genes as compared to GT. Moreover, a nonsense mutation identified in the coding sequence of the DFR gene may lead to a nonfunctional protein, adding another hurdle to the accumulation of anthocyanin in GT. We also uncovered several key members of MYB, bHLH and WRKY families as the putative main drivers of transcriptional changes between the two turnips. Overall, this study provides new tools for modifying anthocyanin content and improving turnip nutritional quality.
Gene Therapy for ALS—A Perspective
Authors: Cappella Marisa , Ciotti Chiara , Cohen-Tannoudji Mathilde , Biferi Maria Grazia
Published: September 2019

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron disease (MND) with no cure. Recent advances in gene therapy open a new perspective to treat this disorder—particularly for the characterized genetic forms. Gene therapy approaches, involving the delivery of antisense oligonucleotides into the central nervous system (CNS) are being tested in clinical trials for patients with mutations in SOD1 or C9orf72 genes. Viral vectors can be used to deliver therapeutic sequences to stably transduce motor neurons in the CNS. Vectors derived from adeno-associated virus (AAV), can efficiently target genes and have been tested in several pre-clinical settings with promising outcomes. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zolgensma, an AAV-mediated treatment for another MND—the infant form of spinal muscular atrophy. Given the accelerated progress in gene therapy, it is potentially a promising avenue to develop an efficient and safe cure for ALS.