bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Situ X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Studies of the Bromide Anions Dissolved in 1-Ethyl-3-Methyl Imidazolium Tetrafluoroborate
Authors: Kruusma Jaanus , Tõnisoo Arvo , Pärna Rainer , Nõmmiste Ergo , Lust Enn
Published: February 2019

Influence of electrode potential on the electrochemical behavior of a 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMImBF4) solution containing 5 wt % 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (EMImBr) has been investigated using electrochemical and synchrotron-initiated high-resolution in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods. Observation of the Br 3d5/2 in situ XPS signal, collected in a 5 wt % EMImBr solution at an EMImBF4–vacuum interface, enabled the detection of the start of the electrooxidation process of the Br− anion to Br3− anion and thereafter to the Br2 at the micro-mesoporous carbon electrode, polarized continuously at the high fixed positive potentials. A new photoelectron peak, corresponding to B–O bond formation in the B 1s in situ XPS spectra at E ≤ −1.17 V, parallel to the start of the electroreduction of the residual water at the micro-mesoporous carbon electrode, was observed and is discussed. The electroreduction of the residual water caused a reduction in the absolute value of binding energy vs. potential plot slope twice to ca. dBE dE−1 = −0.5 eV V−1 at E ≤ −1.17 V for C 1s, N 1s, B 1s, F 1s, and Br 3d5/2 photoelectrons.
In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity and Probiotic Potential of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus against Species of Clostridium
Authors: Monteiro Cinara R. A. V. , do Carmo Monique S. , Melo Bruna O. , Alves Matheus S. , dos Santos Camilla I. , Monteiro Sílvio G. , Bomfim Maria Rosa Q. , Fernandes Elizabeth S. , Monteiro-Neto Valério
Published: February 2019

Many Clostridium species are found as commensal members of the intestinal microbiota. However, imbalances of the microbiota may lead to certain infections caused by these microorganisms, mainly Clostridium butyricum, Clostridium difficile, and Clostridium perfringens. In many cases, infection recurrence can occur after antibiotics, indicating the need for novel therapeutic options that act on the pathogens and also restore the microbiota. Herein, the in vitro antimicrobial activity and probiotic potential of clinical and reference strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were investigated against Clostridium species. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the agar spot test and inhibition of gas production. Then, the probiotic potential of selected strains was assessed by analyzing their coaggregation ability, adhesive properties to host cells and mucin, tolerance to acidic pH and bile salts, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles. Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 was the most promising strain based on its inhibitory activity against Clostridium spp. Also, this strain met criteria to be considered a probiotic based on its coaggregation ability, adhesive properties, and tolerance to harsh pH and bile acid salt conditions. The results indicate that among the studied strains, L. plantarum ATCC 8014 presents probiotic potential for controlling infections induced by the studied Clostridium species and should be further evaluated in in vivo animal models.
Lessons Learned from the Testing of Neonatal Vitamin A Supplementation
Authors: Benn Christine Stabell , Aaby Peter , Fisker Ane Bærent
Published: February 2019

A total of 12 trials have tested the effect of neonatal vitamin A supplementation (NVAS) on mortality. Overall, NVAS had no effect on mortality, but results were heterogeneous. Two competing hypotheses have been put forward to explain the divergent effects: A) NVAS works by preventing vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and not all countries have VAD; B) NVAS interacts negatively with subsequent diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine, increasing mortality in females; in countries with low DTP coverage NVAS may have a beneficial effect. Only hypothesis A was tested in a recent meta-analysis; there is no strong empirical support for hypothesis A and it would not explain observed negative effects in some settings. Hypothesis B accounts for most observations. However, so far it has only been tested properly in a few trials. If hypothesis B is correct, it has major consequences for the understanding of the effects of vitamin A, and for the VAS policy in older children. As a WHO priority, the DTP coverage is bound to increase, and therefore hypothesis B urgently needs to be tested.
Adiponectin-leptin Ratio is a Functional Biomarker of Adipose Tissue Inflammation
Authors: Frühbeck Gema , Catalán Victoria , Rodríguez Amaia , Ramírez Beatriz , Becerril Sara , Salvador Javier , Colina Inmaculada , Gómez-Ambrosi Javier
Published: February 2019

Obesity favors the development of cardiometabolic alterations such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the metabolic syndrome (MS). Obesity and the MS are distinguished by an increase in circulating leptin concentrations, in parallel to a drop in the levels of adiponectin. Consequently, the Adpn/Lep ratio has been suggested as a maker of dysfunctional adipose tissue. We aimed to investigate in humans (n = 292) the reliability of the Adpn/Lep ratio as a biomarker of adipose tissue dysfunction. We considered that an Adpn/Lep ratio of ≥1.0 can be considered normal, a ratio of ≥0.5 <1.0 suggests moderate-medium increased risk, and a ratio of <0.5 indicates a severe increase in cardiometabolic risk. Using these cut-offs, 5%, 54% and 48% of the lean, normoglycemic and without-MS subjects, respectively, fall within the group with an Adpn/Lep ratio below 0.5; while 89%, 86% and 90% of the obese, with T2D and with MS patients fall within the same group (p < 0.001). A significant negative correlation (r = −0.21, p = 0.005) between the Adpn/Lep ratio and serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations, a marker of adipose tissue dysfunction, was found. We concluded that the Adpn/Lep ratio is a good indicator of a dysfunctional adipose tissue that may be a useful estimator of obesity- and MS-associated cardiometabolic risk, allowing the identification of a higher number of subjects at risk.
Comparison of Conventional and Individualized 1-MET Values for Expressing Maximum Aerobic Metabolic Rate and Habitual Activity Related Energy Expenditure
Authors: Heydenreich Juliane , Schutz Yves , Melzer Katarina , Kayser Bengt
Published: February 2019

The maximum aerobic metabolic rate can be expressed in multiple metabolically equivalent tasks (MET), i.e., METmax. The purpose was to quantify the error when the conventional (3.5 mL∙kg−1∙min−1) compared to an individualized 1-MET-value is used for calculating METmax and estimating activity energy expenditure (AEE) in endurance-trained athletes (END) and active healthy controls (CON). The resting metabolic rate (RMR, indirect calorimetry) and aerobic metabolic capacity (spiroergometry) were assessed in 52 END (46% male, 27.9 ± 5.7 years) and 53 CON (45% male, 27.3 ± 4.6 years). METmax was calculated as the ratio of VO2max over VO2 during RMR (METmax_ind), and VO2max over the conventional 1-MET-value (METmax_fix). AEE was estimated by multiplying published MET values with the individual and conventional 1-MET-values. Dependent t-tests were used to compare the different modes for calculating METmax and AEE (α = 0.05). In women and men CON, men END METmax_fix was significantly higher than METmax_ind (p < 0.01), whereas, in women END, no difference was found (p > 0.05). The conventional 1-MET-value significantly underestimated AEE in men and women CON, and men END (p < 0.05), but not in women END (p > 0.05). The conventional 1-MET-value appears inappropriate for determining the aerobic metabolic capacity and AEE in active and endurance-trained persons.
Congenital Lactase Deficiency: Mutations, Functional and Biochemical Implications, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Wanes Dalanda , Husein Diab M. , Naim Hassan Y.
Published: February 2019

Congenital lactase deficiency (CLD) is a severe autosomal recessive genetic disorder that affects the functional capacity of the intestinal protein lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH). This disorder is diagnosed already during the first few days of the newborn’s life due to the inability to digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in mammalian milk. The symptoms are similar to those in other carbohydrate malabsorption disorders, such as congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency, and include severe osmotic watery diarrhea. CLD is associated with mutations in the translated region of the LPH gene that elicit loss-of-function of LPH. The mutations occur in a homozygote or compound heterozygote pattern of inheritance and comprise missense mutations as well as mutations that lead to complete or partial truncations of crucial domains in LPH, such as those linked to the folding and transport-competence of LPH and to the catalytic domains. Nevertheless, the identification of the mutations in CLD is not paralleled by detailed genotype/protein phenotype analyses that would help unravel potential pathomechanisms underlying this severe disease. Here, we review the current knowledge of CLD mutations and discuss their potential impact on the structural and biosynthetic features of LPH. We also address the question of whether heterozygote carriers can be symptomatic for CLD and whether genetic testing is needed in view of the severity of the disease.
Long-Term Whole Grain Wheat and Rye Intake Reflected by Adipose Tissue Alkylresorcinols and Breast Cancer: A Case-Cohort Study
Authors: Wu Huaxing , Kyrø Cecilie , Tjønneland Anne , Boll Katja , Olsen Anja , Overvad Kim , Landberg Rikard
Published: February 2019

Whole grain rye (WGR) and whole grain wheat (WGW) have been suggested to protect against the development of breast cancer. In this study, we estimated long-term intake of WGR and WGW, using both a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and alkylresorcinol concentrations in adipose tissue biopsies, in relation to the risk of developing invasive breast cancer in a case-cohort study (n = 414 in the case group, n = 933 in the subcohort group) on the Danish “Diet, Cancer and Health” cohort. The median follow-up time of the subcohort was 5.3 years. Total WGR and WGW intake estimated with FFQ or reflected by total alkylresorcinol concentration in adipose tissue was not significantly associated with risk of breast cancer. However, after adjustment for total WGR and WGW intake, women in the highest quartile of relative WGR intake, reflected by the alkylresorcinol C17:0/C21:0 ratio, had a higher risk of overall breast cancer and estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer than women in the lowest quartile of relative WGR intake, while the risk of estrogen-receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer incidence was unaffected. Similar results were obtained with the FFQ data. Based on these data, further investigation of the role of specific grain types in reducing or increasing breast cancer risk, and their overall impact on health, is warranted.
Raw Cow’s Milk and Its Protective Effect on Allergies and Asthma
Authors: Sozańska Barbara
Published: February 2019

Living on a farm and having contact with rural exposures have been proposed as one of the most promising ways to be protected against allergy and asthma development. There is a significant body of epidemiological evidence that consumption of raw milk in childhood and adulthood in farm but also nonfarm populations can be one of the most effective protective factors. The observation is even more intriguing when considering the fact that milk is one of the most common food allergens in childhood. The exact mechanisms underlying this association are still not well understood, but the role of raw milk ingredients such as proteins, fat and fatty acids, and bacterial components has been recently studied and its influence on the immune function has been documented. In this review, we present the current understanding of the protective effect of raw milk on allergies and asthma.
Radial Kick in High-Efficiency Output Structures
Authors: Hua Huang , Schächter Levi
Published: February 2019

We have developed an analytical approach that predicts radial oscillation near the aperture of a pillbox cavity. In addition, it provides natural criteria for the design of a tapered guiding magnetic field in the output section of a relativistic klystron amplifier, as well as that of a travelling wave tube, in a method that is self-consistent with the dynamics of the electrons.
Investigation of the Structure-Property Effect of Phosphorus-Containing Polysulfone on Decomposition and Flame Retardant Epoxy Resin Composites
Authors: Zhao Wei , Li Yongxiang , Li Qiushi , Wang Yiliang , Wang Gong
Published: February 2019

The flame retardant modification of epoxy (EP) is of great signification for aerospace, automotive, marine, and energy industries. In this study, a series of EP composites containing different variations of phosphorus-containing polysulfone (with a phosphorus content of approximately 1.25 wt %) were obtained. The obtained EP/polysulfone composites had a high glass transition temperature (Tg) and high flame retardancy. The influence of phosphorus-containing compounds (ArPN2, ArPO2, ArOPN2 and ArOPO2) on the thermal properties and flame retardancy of EP/polysulfone composites was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), a UL-94 vertical burning test, and cone calorimeter tests. The phosphorus-containing polysulfone enhanced the thermal stability of EP. The more stable porous char layer, less flammable gases, and a lower apparent activation energy at a high degree of conversion demonstrated the high gas inhibition effect of phosphorus-containing compounds. Moreover, the gas inhibition effect of polysulfone with a P–C bond was more efficient than the polysulfone with a P–O–C bond. The potential for optimizing flame retardancy while maintaining a high Tg is highlighted in this study. The flame-retardant EP/polysulfone composites with high thermal stability broaden the application field of epoxy.
Delayed Crosslinking Amphiphilic Polymer Gel System with Adjustable Gelation Time Based on Competitive Inclusion Method
Authors: Xu Bin , Zhang Huiming , Bian He
Published: February 2019

Delayed crosslinking polymer gel systems are widely utilized in deep profile control processes for water production control in oilfields. In this paper, a kind of delayed crosslinking amphiphilic polymer gel system with adjustable gelation time based on competitive inclusion was prepared and its delayed crosslinking gelling properties were studied. The amphiphilic polymer of P(acrylamide (AM)–sodium acrylate (NaA)–N-dodecylacrylamide (DDAM)) was synthesized and it showed much better salt resistance, temperature resistance, and shear resistance performance compared with hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM). Phenol can be controlled released from the the cavity of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) ring in the presence of the hydrophobic group used as the competitive inclusion agent in the amphiphilic polymer backbone. Accordingly, the gelation time of the delayed crosslinking amphiphilic polymer gel system is closely related to release rate of the crosslinker from the the cavity of β-CD ring. This study screened an amphiphilic polymer with good salt resistance and temperature resistance performance, which can be used in high temperature and high salinity reservoirs, and provided a feasible way to control the gelation time of the polymer gel system by the competitive inclusion method.
Emergence of Flexible White Organic Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Luo Dongxiang , Chen Qizan , Liu Baiquan , Qiu Ying
Published: February 2019

Flexible white organic light-emitting diodes (FWOLEDs) have considerable potential to meet the rapidly growing requirements of display and lighting commercialization. To achieve high-performance FWOLEDs, (i) the selection of effective flexible substrates, (ii) the use of transparent conducting electrodes, (iii) the introduction of efficient device architectures, and iv) the exploitation of advanced outcoupling techniques are necessary. In this review, recent state-of-the-art strategies to develop FWOLEDs have been summarized. Firstly, the fundamental concepts of FWOLEDs have been described. Then, the primary approaches to realize FWOLEDs have been introduced. Particularly, the effects of flexible substrates, conducting electrodes, device architectures, and outcoupling techniques in FWOLEDs have been comprehensively highlighted. Finally, issues and ways to further enhance the performance of FWOLEDs have been briefly clarified.
Enhanced Lifetime Cathode for Alkaline Electrolysis Using Standard Commercial Titanium Nitride Coatings
Authors: Gannon William J. F. , Jones Daniel R. , Dunnill Charles W.
Published: February 2019

The use of hydrogen gas as a means of decoupling supply from demand is crucial for the transition to carbon-neutral energy sources and a greener, more distributed energy landscape. This work shows how simple commercially available titanium nitride coatings can be used to extend the lifetime of 316 grade stainless-steel electrodes for use as the cathode in an alkaline electrolysis cell. The material was subjected to accelerated ageing, with the specific aim of assessing the coating’s suitability for use with intermittent renewable energy sources. Over 2000 cycles lasting 5.5 days, an electrolytic cell featuring the coating outperformed a control cell by 250 mV, and a reduction of overpotential at the cathode of 400 mV was observed. This work also confirms that the coating is solely suitable for cathodic use and presents an analysis of the surface changes that occur if it is used anodically.
Investigation of Nonthermal Plasma Assisted Charcoal Gasification for Production of Hydrogen-Rich Syngas
Authors: Pang Yin , Hammer Thomas , Müller Dominik , Karl Jürgen
Published: February 2019

The motivation of this work is to investigate experimentally the influence of nonthermal plasma (NTP) application on the reaction kinetics of atmospheric pressure steam gasification of charcoal using a thermostatically controlled drop tube reactor. A gliding-arc generator provides about 1 kW electrical power NTP. For comparison thermal gasification is investigated under comparable flow and specific energy input conditions providing additional heat to the steam. Optical temperature measurement 20 cm flow down of the NTP zone is utilized to characterize the specific enthalpy of the reactive flow. The composition of produced syngas is measured by a gas analyzer and used for the calculation of gas flow rates. The results show a NTP-enhancement on the production of individual syngas components (H2, CO, CH4), especially on hydrogen production by around 39%. The syngas-based carbon conversion and hydrogen release are calculated from the carbon and hydrogen balance between the correspondent content in syngas and in the feedstock. The NTP promoted the carbon conversion and hydrogen release by 25% and 31%, respectively. The first-order reaction kinetics are determined by data-fitting in an Arrhenius diagram. The plasma enhanced the reaction rate coefficients by 27%. Based on experimental results and other literature, possible plasma-induced reactions are proposed.
Quality Issues of CRIS Data: An Exploratory Investigation with Universities from Twelve Countries
Authors: Azeroual Otmane , Schöpfel Joachim
Published: February 2019

Collecting, integrating, storing and analyzing data in a database system is nothing new in itself. To introduce a current research information system (CRIS) means that scientific institutions must provide the required information on their research activities and research results at a high quality. A one-time cleanup is not sufficient; data must be continuously curated and maintained. Some data errors (such as missing values, spelling errors, inaccurate data, incorrect formatting, inconsistencies, etc.) can be traced across different data sources and are difficult to find. Small mistakes can make data unusable, and corrupted data can have serious consequences. The sooner quality issues are identified and remedied, the better. For this reason, new techniques and methods of data cleansing and data monitoring are required to ensure data quality and its measurability in the long term. This paper examines data quality issues in current research information systems and introduces new techniques and methods of data cleansing and data monitoring with which organizations can guarantee the quality of their data.
The Helical Magnet MnSi: Skyrmions and Magnons
Authors: Georgii Robert , Weber Tobias
Published: February 2019

Since the late 1970s, MnSi has played a major role in developing the theory of helical magnets in non-centrosymmetric materials showing the Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interaction (DMI). With a long helimagnetic pitch of 175 Å as compared to the lattice d-spacing of 4.55 Å, it was ideal for performing neutron studies, especially as large single crystals could be grown. A (B-T)-phase diagram was measured, and in these studies, under the application of a field of about 180 mT perpendicular to the scattering vector Q, a so-called A-phase in the B-T phase diagram was found and first interpreted as a re-orientation of the magnetic helix. After the surprising discovery of the skyrmion lattice in the A-phase in 2009, much interest arose due to the rigidity of the skyrmionic lattice, which is only loosely bound to the crystal lattice, and therefore only relatively small current densities can already induce a motion of this lattice. A very interesting approach to even better understand the complex structures in the phase diagram is to measure and model the spin excitations in MnSi. As the helimagnetic state is characterized by a long pitch of about 175 Å, the associated characteristic excitations form a band structure due to Umklapp scattering and can only be observed at very small Q with energies below 1 meV. Similarly, the excitations of the skyrmion lattice are very soft and low-energetic. We investigated the magnons in MnSi in the whole (B,T)-phase diagram starting in the single-k helimagnetic state by applying a small magnetic field, B = 100 mT. This way, the complexity of the magnon spectrum is significantly reduced, allowing for a detailed comparison of the data with theory, resulting in a full theoretical understanding of the spin system of MnSi in all its different magnetic phases.
Thought Experiments as a Tool for Undermining Methodological Naturalism
Authors: Dumsday Travis
Published: February 2019

There is a substantial literature on the question of whether methodological naturalism (MN) is and/or should be among the principles operative in the natural and social sciences; moreover the status of MN has been one of the battle grounds in prominent debates regarding the demarcation lines between science and theology (e.g., the debate over whether intelligent design hypotheses can ever count as genuinely scientific). I review some concrete examples of the use of thought experiments in this context, and argue that there are realistic thought experiments showing how metaphysical naturalism (MTN) could be subjected to empirical falsification; that in turn implies that MN should not be employed universally as an operative principle in the sciences. I conclude by discussing some recent actual experimental work concerning near-death experiences (NDEs), work which may point towards the likelihood of just such empirical falsification taking place in the relatively near future.
A View of Spirituality and Spiritual Care in a Sample of Spanish Nurses
Authors: Reig-Ferrer Abilio , de la Cuesta-Benjumea Carmen , Fernández-Pascual María Dolores , Santos-Ruiz Ana
Published: February 2019

The aim of this paper was to explore a select group of Spanish nurses’ views of spirituality and spiritual care. An exploratory design using both qualitative and quantitative methods was used in this study. The participants were nurses who were enrolled in a Master of Nursing Research. Data were collected via an open questionnaire. Furthermore, participants completed the Meaning in Life Scale (MiLS-Sp), whose results were analysed using quantitative methodology. The results that were obtained from the quantitative analyses reported a satisfactory mean score on nurses’ self-reported spirituality. Qualitative data were analysed using grounded theory procedures. Qualitative analysis showed two approaches to spirituality nurses’ views: (i) a clinical approach that influenced by the context of their clinical practice and (ii) an alternative approach where spirituality was viewed as a health resource, moving away from the biomedical model of nursing training. Nurses are sensitive to spirituality issues and acknowledge their importance to practice. Despite this, they view spirituality in a rather mechanistic way without changing their attitudes, competences and perspectives on healthcare.
The Sacred and the Digital. Critical Depictions of Religions in Digital Games
Authors: Bosman Frank G.
Published: February 2019

In this editorial, guest editor Frank Bosman introduces the theme of the special issue on critical depictions of religion in video games. He does so by giving a tentative oversight of the academic field of religion and video game research up until present day, and by presenting different ways in which game developers critically approach (institutionalized, fictional and non-fictional) religions in-game, of which many are discussed by individual authors later in the special issue. In this editorial, Bosman will also introduce all articles of the special issue at hand.
Mortality Forecasting: How Far Back Should We Look in Time?
Authors: Li Han , O’Hare Colin
Published: February 2019

Extrapolative methods are one of the most commonly-adopted forecasting approaches in the literature on projecting future mortality rates. It can be argued that there are two types of mortality models using this approach. The first extracts patterns in age, time and cohort dimensions either in a deterministic fashion or a stochastic fashion. The second uses non-parametric smoothing techniques to model mortality and thus has no explicit constraints placed on the model. We argue that from a forecasting point of view, the main difference between the two types of models is whether they treat recent and historical information equally in the projection process. In this paper, we compare the forecasting performance of the two types of models using Great Britain male mortality data from 1950–2016. We also conduct a robustness test to see how sensitive the forecasts are to the changes in the length of historical data used to calibrate the models. The main conclusion from the study is that more recent information should be given more weight in the forecasting process as it has greater predictive power over historical information.
Analysis of Man-Machine Interfaces in Upper-Limb Prosthesis: A Review
Authors: Ribeiro José , Mota Francisco , Cavalcante Tarique , Nogueira Ingrid , Gondim Victor , Albuquerque Victor , Alexandria Auzuir
Published: February 2019

This paper compiles and analyzes some of the most current works related to upper limb prosthesis with emphasis on man-machine interfaces. A brief introduction of the basic subjects is given to explain what a prosthesis is, what types of prostheses exist, what they serve for, how they communicate with the user (control and feedback), and what technologies are involved. The method used in this review is also discussed, as well as the cataloging process and analysis of articles for the composition of this review. Each article is analyzed individually and its results are presented in a succinct way, in order to facilitate future research and serve as a source for professionals related to the area of prosthesis, such as doctors, engineers, researchers, and anyone interested in this subject. Finally, the needs and difficulties of the current prostheses, as well as the negative and positive points in the results are analyzed, and the progress achieved so far is discussed.
Spatiotemporal Patterns and Morphological Characteristics of Ulva prolifera Distribution in the Yellow Sea, China in 2016–2018
Authors: Cao Yingzhi , Wu Yichen , Fang Zhixiang , Cui Xiaojian , Liang Jianfeng , Song Xiao
Published: February 2019

The world’s largest macroalgal blooms, Ulva prolifera, have appeared in the Yellow Sea every summer on different scales since 2007, causing great harm to the regional marine economy. In this study, the Normalized Difference of Vegetation Index (NDVI) index was used to extract the green tide of Ulva prolifera from MODIS images in the Yellow Sea in 2016–2018, to investigate its spatiotemporal patterns and to calculate its occurrence probability. Using the standard deviational ellipse (SDE), the morphological characteristics of the green tide, including directionality and regularity, were analyzed. The results showed that the largest distribution and coverage areas occurred in 2016, with 57,384 km2 and 2906 km2, respectively and that the total affected region during three years was 163,162 km2. The green tide drifted northward and died out near Qingdao, Shandong Province, which was found to be a high-risk region. The coast of Jiangsu Province was believed to be the source of Ulva prolifera, but it was probably not the only one. The regularity of the boundary shape of the distribution showed a change that was opposite to the variation of scale. Several sharp increases were found in the parameters of the SDE in all three years. In conclusion, the overall situation of Ulva prolifera was still severe in recent years, and the sea area near Qingdao became the worst hit area of the green tide event. It was also shown that the sea surface wind played an important part in its migration and morphological changes.
Mapping Winter Wheat Planting Area and Monitoring Its Phenology Using Sentinel-1 Backscatter Time Series
Authors: Song Yang , Wang Jing
Published: February 2019

Crop planting area mapping and phenology monitoring are of great importance to analyzing the impacts of climate change on agricultural production. In this study, crop planting area and phenology were identified based on Sentinel-1 backscatter time series in the test region of the North China Plain, East Asia, which has a stable cropping pattern and similar phenological stages across the region. Ground phenological observations acquired from a typical agro-meteorological station were used as a priori knowledge. A parallelepiped classifier processed VH (vertical transmitting, horizontal receiving) and VV (vertical transmitting, vertical receiving) backscatter signals in order to map the winter wheat planting area. An accuracy assessment showed that the total classification accuracy reached 84% and the Kappa coefficient was 0.77. Both the difference ( σ d ) between VH and VV and its slope were obtained to contrast with a priori knowledge and then used to extract the phenological metrics. Our findings from the analysis of the time series showed that the seedling, tillering, overwintering, jointing, and heading of winter wheat may be closely related to σ d and its slope. Overall, this study presents a generalizable methodology for mapping the winter wheat planting area and monitoring phenology using Sentinel-1 backscatter time series, especially in areas lacking optical remote sensing data. Our results suggest that the main change in Sentinel-1 backscatter is dominated by the vegetation canopy structure, which is different from the established methods using optical remote sensing data, and it is available for phenological metrics extraction.
The Influence of Spectral Pretreatment on the Selection of Representative Calibration Samples for Soil Organic Matter Estimation Using Vis-NIR Reflectance Spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Yi , Liu Yaolin , Chen Yiyun , Zhang Yang , Shi Tiezhu , Wang Junjie , Hong Yongsheng , Fei Teng , Zhang Yang
Published: February 2019

In constructing models for predicting soil organic matter (SOM) by using visible and near-infrared (vis–NIR) spectroscopy, the selection of representative calibration samples is decisive. Few researchers have studied the inclusion of spectral pretreatments in the sample selection strategy. We collected 108 soil samples and applied six commonly used spectral pretreatments to preprocess soil spectra, namely, Savitzky–Golay (SG) smoothing, first derivative (FD), logarithmic function log(1/R), mean centering (MC), standard normal variate (SNV), and multiplicative scatter correction (MSC). Then, the Kennard–Stone (KS) strategy was used to select calibration samples based on the pretreated spectra, and the size of the calibration set varied from 10 samples to 86 samples (80% of the total samples). These calibration sets were employed to construct partial least squares regression models (PLSR) to predict SOM, and the built models were validated by a set of 21 samples (20% of the total samples). The results showed that 64−78% of the calibration sets selected by the inclusion of pretreatment demonstrated significantly better performance of SOM estimation. The average improved residual predictive deviations (ΔRPD) were 0.06, 0.13, 0.19, and 0.13 for FD, log(1/R), MSC, and SNV, respectively. Thus, we concluded that spectral pretreatment improves the sample selection strategy, and the degree of its influence varies with the size of the calibration set and the type of pretreatment.
A New Remote Sensing Dryness Index Based on the Near-Infrared and Red Spectral Space
Authors: Zhang Jieyun , Zhang Qingling , Bao Anming , Wang Yujuan
Published: February 2019

Soil moisture, as a crucial indicator of dryness, is an important research topic for dryness monitoring. In this study, we propose a new remote sensing dryness index for measuring soil moisture from spectral space. We first established a spectral space with remote sensing reflectance data at the near-infrared (NIR) and red (R) bands. Considering the distribution regularities of soil moisture in this space, we formulated the Ratio Dryness Monitoring Index (RDMI) as a new dryness monitoring indicator. We compared RDMI values with in situ soil moisture content data measured at 0–10 cm depth. Results showed that there was a strong negative correlation (R = −0.89) between the RDMI values and in situ soil moisture content. We further compared RDMI with existing remote sensing dryness indices, and the results demonstrated the advantages of the RDMI. We applied the RDMI to the Landsat-8 imagery to map dryness distribution around the Fukang area on the Northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, and to the MODIS imagery to detect the spatial and temporal changes in dryness for the entire Xinjiang in 2013 and 2014. Overall, the RDMI index constructed, based on the NIR–Red spectral space, is simple to calculate, easy to understand, and can be applied to dryness monitoring at different scales.
Using Colour Images for Online Yeast Growth Estimation
Authors: August Elias , Sabani Besmira , Memeti Nurdzane
Published: February 2019

Automatisation and digitalisation of laboratory processes require adequate online measurement techniques. In this paper, we present affordable and simple means for non-invasive measurement of biomass concentrations during cultivation in shake flasks. Specifically, we investigate the following research questions. Can images of shake flasks and their content acquired with smartphone cameras be used to estimate biomass concentrations? Can machine vision be used to robustly determine the region of interest in the images such that the process can be automated? To answer these questions, 18 experiments were performed and more than 340 measurements taken. The relevant region in the images was selected automatically using K-means clustering. Statistical analysis shows high fidelity of the resulting model predictions of optical density values that were based on the information embedded in colour changes of the automatically selected region in the images.
Class-C Linearized Amplifier for Portable Ultrasound Instruments
Authors: Choi Hojong
Published: February 2019

Transistor linearizer networks are proposed to increase the transmitted output voltage amplitudes of class-C amplifiers, thus, increasing the sensitivity of the echo signals of piezoelectric transducers, which are the main components in portable ultrasound instruments. For such instruments, class-C amplifiers could be among the most efficient amplifier schemes because, compared with a linear amplifier such as a class-A amplifier, they could critically reduce direct current (DC) power consumption, thus, increasing the battery life of the instruments. However, the reduced output voltage amplitudes of class-C amplifiers could deteriorate the sensitivity of the echo signals, thereby affecting the instrument performance. Therefore, a class-C linearized amplifier was developed. To verify the capability of the class-C linearized amplifier, typical pulse-echo responses using the focused piezoelectric transducers were tested. The echo signal amplitude generated by the piezoelectric transducers when using the class-C linearized amplifier was improved (1.29 Vp-p) compared with that when using the class-C amplifier alone (0.56 Vp-p). Therefore, the class-C linearized amplifier could be a potential candidate to increase the sensitivity of echo signals while reducing the DC power consumption for portable ultrasound instruments.
Development of an Automatic Alpine Skiing Turn Detection Algorithm Based on a Simple Sensor Setup
Authors: Martínez Aaron , Jahnel Rüdiger , Buchecker Michael , Snyder Cory , Brunauer Richard , Stöggl Thomas
Published: February 2019

In order to gain insight into skiing performance, it is necessary to determine the point where each turn begins. Recent developments in sensor technology have made it possible to develop simpler automatic turn detection methodologies, however they are not feasible for regular use. The aim of this study was to develop a sensor set up and an algorithm to precisely detect turns during alpine ski, which is feasible for a daily use. An IMU was attached to the posterior upper cuff of each ski boot. Turn movements were reproduced on a ski-ergometer at different turn durations and slopes. Algorithms were developed to analyze vertical, medio-lateral, anterior-posterior axes, and resultant accelerometer and gyroscope signals. Raw signals, and signals filtered with 3, 6, 9, and 12 Hz cut-offs were used to identify turn switch points. Video recordings were assessed to establish a reference turn-switch and precision (mean bias = 5.2, LoA = 51.4 ms). Precision was adjusted based on reference and the best signals were selected. The z-axis and resultant gyroscope signals, filtered at 3Hz are the most precise signals (0.056 and 0.063 s, respectively) to automatically detect turn switches during alpine skiing using this simple system.
JamCatcher: A Mobile Jammer Localization Scheme for Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Smart Grid
Authors: Zhang Taimin , Ji Xiaoyu , Zhuang Zhou , Xu Wenyuan
Published: February 2019

As the core component of the smart grid, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is responsible for automated billing, demand response, load forecasting, management, etc. The jamming attack poses a serious threat to the AMI communication networks, especially the neighborhood area network where wireless technologies are widely adopted to connect a tremendous amount of smart meters. An attacker can easily build a jammer using a software-defined radio and jam the wireless communications between smart meters and local controllers, causing failures of on-line monitoring and state estimation. Accurate jammer localization is the first step for defending AMIs against jamming attacks. In this paper, we propose JamCatcher, a mobile jammer localization scheme for defending the AMI. Unlike existing jammer localization schemes, which only consider stationary jammers and usually require a high density of anchor nodes, the proposed scheme utilizes a tracker and can localize a mobile jammer with sparse anchor nodes. The time delay of data transmission is also considered, and the jammer localization process is divided into two stages, i.e., far-field chasing stage and near-field capturing stage. Different localization algorithms are developed for each stage. The proposed method has been tested with data from both simulation and real-world experiment. The results demonstrate that JamCatcher outperforms existing jammer localization algorithms with a limited number of anchor nodes in the AMI scenario.
Automated Modal Analysis for Tracking Structural Change during Construction and Operation Phases
Authors: Teng Jun , Tang De-Hui , Zhang Xiao , Hu Wei-Hua , Said Samir , Rohrmann Rolf. G.
Published: February 2019

The automated modal analysis (AMA) technique has attracted significant interest over the last few years, because it can track variations in modal parameters and has the potential to detect structural changes. In this paper, an improved density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) is introduced to clean the abnormal poles in a stabilization diagram. Moreover, the optimal system model order is also discussed to obtain more stable poles. A numerical simulation and a full-scale experiment of an arch bridge are carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Subsequently, the continuous dynamic monitoring system of the bridge and the proposed algorithm are implemented to track the structural changes during the construction phase. Finally, the artificial neural network (ANN) is used to remove the temperature effect on modal frequencies so that a health index can be constructed under operational conditions.
A Printable Device for Measuring Clarity and Colour in Lake and Nearshore Waters
Authors: Brewin Robert , Brewin Thomas , Phillips Joseph , Rose Sophie , Abdulaziz Anas , Wimmer Werenfrid , Sathyendranath Shubha , Platt Trevor
Published: February 2019

Two expanding areas of science and technology are citizen science and three-dimensional (3D) printing. Citizen science has a proven capability to generate reliable data and contribute to unexpected scientific discovery. It can put science into the hands of the citizens, increasing understanding, promoting environmental stewardship, and leading to the production of large databases for use in environmental monitoring. 3D printing has the potential to create cheap, bespoke scientific instruments that have formerly required dedicated facilities to assemble. It can put instrument manufacturing into the hands of any citizen who has access to a 3D printer. In this paper, we present a simple hand-held device designed to measure the Secchi depth and water colour (Forel Ule scale) of lake, estuarine and nearshore regions. The device is manufactured with marine resistant materials (mostly biodegradable) using a 3D printer and basic workshop tools. It is inexpensive to manufacture, lightweight, easy to use, and accessible to a wide range of users. It builds on a long tradition in optical limnology and oceanography, but is modified for ease of operation in smaller water bodies, and from small watercraft and platforms. We provide detailed instructions on how to build the device and highlight examples of its use for scientific education, citizen science, satellite validation of ocean colour data, and low-cost monitoring of water clarity, colour and temperature.
Occupational Accidents Assessment by Field of Activity and Investigation Model for Prevention and Control
Authors: Ivascu Larisa , Cioca Lucian-Ionel
Published: February 2019

The rate of occupational accidents is increasing, leading to a number of organizational deficiencies. For European Union (EU), the non-fatal accident number in 2017 was 3,315,101. An increase in the number of accidents is recorded in many of the member states. In addition, the increase in accidents tends to focus on certain sectors and is due more to the increase in the incidence rate than the increase in the workforce. Companies in these industry sectors have also implemented less intensive prevention practices than firms in other sectors. Performing a statistical evaluation of non-fatal and fatal accidents is an important one. This assessment helps managers understand the importance of implementing prevention and control methods across organizations. For this research, we used series of data obtained from the Romanian National Institute of Statistics (NIS), Labor Inspection in Romania, and Eurostatof the European Commission. Data series evaluations were conducted for the EU and Romania. A qualitative assessment of the industry data series had been carried out. Furthermore, T-tests and analysis of variance analysis (ANOVA) were performed to identify the relationships between the frequency index of fatal and non-fatal accidents, and the categories chosen. The values obtained for men were significantly higher than those of female workers. Based on the results of the qualitative assessment and European and national strategies, an experimental model for the prevention and control of occupational accidents is proposed. At the end of the paper, the situation of labor accidents in Romania and Bulgaria, two EU member states, is assessed in the agriculture, forestry and fishing, manufacturing, construction and transport, and storage sectors. A series of trends are presented for the period 2018–2020. The results obtained from the evaluation of the data series represent an important core of the Romanian Labor Inspectorate for the development of strategic actions.
A Comparative Study of Fitness Levels among Norwegian Youth in 1988 and 2001
Authors: Aaberge Kari , Mamen Asgeir
Published: February 2019

We compared the fitness levels of cohorts of 15-year-old youth in 1988 and 2001 to ascertain whether there was a negative trend in fitness. The subjects were 15-year-old boys and girls from the same geographical area, n = 192 in 1988 and n = 191 in 2001. They participated voluntarily and could leave the project whenever they wished. The following variables were used to assess fitness: Maximal oxygen uptake, jump height, shoulder flexibility, and hamstring flexibility. Maximal oxygen uptake was estimated with submaximal ergometer cycling, jump height by the Sargent jump-and-reach test, shoulder flexibility as the distance between thumbs when doing straight-arm backwards circling while holding a broomstick, and hamstring flexibility by an active straight-leg-raise test. Differences between groups and quartiles were analyzed by Gosset’s (Student’s) t-test, using a significance level of 0.05. The two cohorts did show different levels of physical fitness. The 1988 group was 3.9 cm better on jump height and 4.2 cm better on shoulder flexibility, while the 2001 group had 3.3° better hamstring flexibility. The lowest performing quartile did less well in 2001 on oxygen uptake and jump height. We recommend an increased focus on improving fitness in low-performing adolescents.
Effects of Eight Weeks of High Intensity Functional Training on Glucose Control and Body Composition among Overweight and Obese Adults
Authors: Feito Yuri , Patel Pratik , Sal Redondo Andrea , Heinrich Katie M.
Published: February 2019

High-intensity exercise has been found to positively influence glucose control, however, the effects of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) for overweight and obese sedentary adults without diabetes is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in body composition and glucose control from eight weeks of aerobic and resistance training (A-RT) compared to HIFT. Session time spent doing daily workouts was recorded for each group. Baseline and posttest measures included height, weight, waist circumference, dual X-ray absorptiometry (body fat percentage, fat mass, lean mass), and fasting blood glucose. Participants completing the intervention (78%, n = 9 per group) were 67% female, age = 26.8 ± 5.5 years, and had body mass index = 30.5 ± 2.9 kg/m2. Fasting blood glucose and 2-h oral glucose tolerance tests were used as primary outcome variables. On average, the HIFT group spent significantly less time completing workouts per day and week (ps < 0.001). No significant differences were found for body composition or glucose variables within- or between-groups. Even though our findings did not provide significant differences between groups, future research may utilize the effect sizes from our study to conduct fully-powered trials comparing HIFT with other more traditional training modalities.