bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Techno-Economic Assessment of Three Modes of Large-Scale Crop Residue Utilization Projects in China
Authors: Meng Liang , Alengebawy Ahmed , Ai Ping , Jin Keda , Chen Mengdi , Pan Yulong
Published: July 2020

In China, the non-exploitation of bioenergy poses major problems and challenges. To solve bioenergy problems, considerable efforts have been made to expedite the construction of large-scale crop residue utilization projects. In this study, three principal supported modes of large-scale crop residue utilization projects were taken as empirical cases in Hubei province bioenergy planning. In terms of the overall benefit and sustainable development, a third-grade evaluation index system was established. The analysis was carried out using the analytical hierarchy process, principal component projection, and grey relational analysis. The conclusion indicates that according to the evaluation values, the sequence from best to worst was crop residue biogas project, crop residue briquette fuel project, and crop residue gasification project. Nevertheless, there was no remarkable difference in the overall evaluation values. The biogas project had certain advantages in terms of the production cost, soil improvement, and expenditure saving, whereas the gasification project was comparatively insufficient in environmental efficiency, product benefit, by-product disposal, and technical rationality. According to actual evaluation results, the unilateral determination approach of the single weight index can be seen as being overcome through the unified adaptation of the evaluation methods. The research results can serve as a reference for making investment decisions to build large-scale crop residue utilization projects.
Influence of a Thermal Pad on Selected Parameters of Power LEDs
Authors: Górecki Krzysztof , Ptak Przemysław , Torzewicz Tomasz , Janicki Marcin
Published: July 2020

This paper is devoted to the analysis of the influence of thermal pads on electric, optical, and thermal parameters of power LEDs. Measurements of parameters, such as thermal resistance, optical efficiency, and optical power, were performed for selected types of power LEDs operating with a thermal pad and without it at different values of the diode forward current and temperature of the cold plate. First, the measurement set-up used in the paper is described in detail. Then, the measurement results obtained for both considered manners of power LED assembly are compared. Some characteristics that illustrate the influence of forward current and temperature of the cold plate on electric, thermal, and optical properties of the tested devices are presented and discussed. It is shown that the use of the thermal pad makes it possible to achieve more advantageous values of operating parameters of the considered semiconductor devices at lower values of their junction temperature, which guarantees an increase in their lifetime.
Constant Output-Voltage Design for Bi-Directional Wireless Power Transfer System with Multiple Stages
Authors: Wu Jinde , Wang Zhihui , Dai Xin
Published: July 2020

For the application of wireless power transfer (WPT) technology in a robot (like the snake robot), the power is supposed to be transferred to each device across multiple robot joints. This paper proposes a multi-stage bi-directional WPT (MB-WPT) system that not only provides power to multiple loads but also increases the power transfer distance. Besides, the last stage can charge for the preceding stages by reverse power transfer. The constant output voltage can be achieved whether the power is transmitted in a forward or reverse direction, and different output voltages for each stage can be achieved to satisfy the respective voltage requirement through the parameter design method. The validity of the theoretical analysis and the feasibility of the system are verified by experiments.
Role of Silviculture in the Formation of Norway Spruce Forests along the Southern Edge of Their Range in the Central Russian Plain
Authors: Chernenkova Tatiana , Kotlov Ivan , Belyaeva Nadezhda , Suslova Elena , Morozova Olga , Pesterova Olga , Arkhipova Maria
Published: July 2020

East European forests dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) in the broad-leaved–coniferous zone should be considered as secondary communities formed under the influence of centuries-long activities (logging, fires and planting) and extended outside their natural range. The study raises an issue—how stable is the current state of Norway spruce forests in the center of the Russian plain and what is the effect of silviculture on the forest cover of the large urban agglomeration—the Moscow Region? Current study is based on multidisciplinary research and consequently concerns the age dynamics of spruce plantation forests, the species and typological diversity of mature spruce forests and spatial pattern of spruce forests along the south edge of their range. The composition and structure of Norway spruce plantations have been studied for various age classes and compared with mature natural spruce forests and pine plantations on the basis of field data. Remote sensing data and modeling approach were applied to estimate the spatial structure of spruce forests. It is found that mature plantations (over 80 years) become similar to natural forests in terms of structure and composition. The relationship between the distribution of spruce formations and the climatic and geomorphological conditions are confirmed. The proportion of spruce and spruce–aspen/birch communities follows the pattern of zones—the transition from the coniferous and broad-leaved forest zone to the broad-leaved forest zone. Despite the significant anthropogenic impact and the high proportion of plantations in the composition of Norway spruce forests (about 60–80%), their floristic and typological diversities correspond to such properties of zonal broad-leaved–coniferous communities. Over-matured plantations can provide valuable habitats for the re-establishment of native typological diversity. This makes it possible to use silviculture stands as an accelerated alternative to the natural recovery of disturbed habitats.
Formula Fertilization Promotes Phoebe bournei Robust Seedling Cultivation
Authors: Yang Zhi-Jian , Wu Xiao-Hui , Grossnickle Steven C. , Chen Lai-He , Yu Xin-Xiao , El-Kassaby Yousry A. , Feng Jin-Ling
Published: July 2020

Phoebe bournei is a rare and endangered woody species and the success of its plantation development is dependent upon proper seedling cultivation. This study explored the regulation of N, P and K fertilizer and the interaction of these macronutrients on the growth of Phoebe bournei seedlings. To determine the optimum rate and ratio of N–P–K fertilizer in seedling cultivation, we used the unique “3414” incomplete orthogonal regression design to evaluate the effects of N–P–K fertilization on seedling morphological development. One-year-old Phoebe bournei bareroot seedlings were grown for one growing season under the defined fertilization regime, with their morphological development determined by measuring seedling attributes—root, stem, leaves and total biomass, root collar diameter and seedling height. These attributes were then combined to calculate the following indices: height-diameter ratio, shoot-root ratio and the seedling quality index (QI). Results showed that the N–P–K fertilizer had significant and beneficial effect on seedling cultivation. N effect was highest, followed by K and P. The three-way N×P×K interaction effect was strong, and the two-way interactions effect was highest for N×P, followed by P×K and N×K. At the “2” level of N (0.532 g·plant−1), P (P2O5, 0.133 g·plant−1), and K fertilizer (K2O, 0.356 g·plant−1), seedling growth and biomass accumulation were at their maximum. Unary, binary, and ternary quadratic fertilizer effect function equations of QI were established. Through comparative analysis, the ternary quadratic model was the optimal model and through a simulation–optimization, the optimal N–P–K fertilizer rates were 0.373~0.420 g·plant−1 (N), 0.086~0.106 g·plant−1 (P2O5), 0.243~0.280 g·plant−1 (K2O), with a N–P–K ratio of 1:0.20:0.43~1:0.65:0.75.
Association between Gait Variability and Gait-Ability Decline in Elderly Women with Subthreshold Insomnia Stage
Authors: Lee Taesang , Lee Myeounggon , Youm Changhong , Noh Byungjoo , Park Hwayoung
Published: July 2020

This study investigates the gait characteristics of elderly women, aged more than 65 years, with subthreshold insomnia stage at various walking speeds. A total of 392 participants (insomnia: 202 and controls: 190) wearing shoe-type inertial measurement units completed walking tests on a treadmill for a duration of 1 min at slower, preferred, and faster speeds. The insomnia group indicated lower pace parameters (range of Cohen’s d: 0.283–0.499) and the single support phase (Cohen’s d: 0.237), greater gait variability (range of Cohen’s d: 0.217–0.506), and bilateral coordination (range of Cohen’s d: 0.254–0.319), compared with their age-matched controls; the coefficient of variance (CV) of the stance phase at the faster speed condition was a crucial variable for distinguishing between insomnia and control groups. In addition, the insomnia group demonstrated insufficient gait adaptation at the slower and preferred speeds, as indicated by the CVs of the stride length, stride time, and step time. In particular, participants with worsened insomnia symptoms or sleep problems showed that these worse gait patterns may increase the potential risk of falling in elderly women. Thus, elderly women with subthreshold insomnia stage need to improve their sleep quality to enhance their physical functions.
The Study Demands-Resources Framework: An Empirical Introduction
Authors: Lesener Tino , Pleiss Leonard Santiago , Gusy Burkhard , Wolter Christine
Published: July 2020

Based on the well-established job demands-resources (JD-R) framework, in our study we introduce the novel study demands-resources (SD-R) framework. The SD-R framework allows the study of salutogenic and pathogenic effects of university settings on students’ health and well-being. Using a large sample of university students (n = 5660), our aim was to translate and validate the JD-R’s essential assumptions within the university context, and thus establish the SD-R framework. We performed structural equation modelling to examine these essential assumptions. As assumed, we found that study demands—the “bad things” at university—predict student burnout (β = 0.50), whereas study resources—the “good things” at university—predict student engagement (β = 0.70) as well as burnout (β = −0.35). Also, in line with the SD-R’s assumptions, student burnout predicts life satisfaction negatively (β = −0.34), whereas student engagement predicts life satisfaction positively (β = 0.29). Hence, we were able to introduce the novel SD-R framework and validate its core assumptions. The SD-R framework serves as an excellent theoretical basis to examine both the salutogenic and pathogenic effects of the study context on students’ health and well-being. However, the framework needs further longitudinal and meta-analytical verification in accordance with the research on the JD-R framework.
Erratum: Do the Walkability and Urban Leisure Amenities of Neighborhoods Affect the Body Mass Index of Individuals? Based on a Case Study in Seoul, South Korea
Authors: Choi Yunwon , Yoon Heeyeun
Published: July 2020

The grant number in the acknowledgement was incorrect [...]
Use of Online Food Delivery Services to Order Food Prepared Away-From-Home and Associated Sociodemographic Characteristics: A Cross-Sectional, Multi-Country Analysis
Authors: Keeble Matthew , Adams Jean , Sacks Gary , Vanderlee Lana , White Christine M. , Hammond David , Burgoine Thomas
Published: July 2020

Online food delivery services like Just Eat and Grubhub facilitate online ordering and home delivery of food prepared away-from-home. It is poorly understood how these services are used and by whom. This study investigated the prevalence of online food delivery service use and sociodemographic characteristics of customers, in and across Australia, Canada, Mexico, the UK, and the USA. We analyzed online survey data (n = 19,378) from the International Food Policy Study, conducted in 2018. We identified respondents who reported any online food delivery service use in the past 7 days and calculated the frequency of use and number of meals ordered. We investigated whether odds of any online food delivery service use in the past 7 days differed by sociodemographic characteristics using adjusted logistic regression. Overall, 15% of respondents (n = 2929) reported online food delivery service use, with the greatest prevalence amongst respondents in Mexico (n = 839 (26%)). Online food delivery services had most frequently been used once and the median number of meals purchased through this mode of order was two. Odds of any online food delivery service use were lower per additional year of age (OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.94, 0.95) and greater for respondents who were male (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.35, 1.66), that identified with an ethnic minority (OR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.38, 1.78), were highly educated (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.46, 1.90), or living with children (OR: 2.71; 95% CI: 2.44, 3.01). Further research is required to explore how online food delivery services may influence diet and health.
Demographic, Social, and Economic Factors of Internalizing Problems in Referred and Non-Referred Adolescents
Authors: Antolín-Suárez Lucía , Nieto-Casado Francisco J. , Rodríguez-Meirinhos Ana , Oliva Alfredo
Published: July 2020

Depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation are common internalizing problems during adolescence. Numerous studies have explored the role of certain demographic, social, and economic factors in their development in referred or non-referred adolescents, but not simultaneously in both groups. In this study, we examined the association between age, gender, parents’ educational level, and socioeconomic status (SES) and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in a referred group (n = 211) and a non-referred (n = 1401) group of adolescents. We also examined the moderating role that these factors play in the relationships between both internalizing problems. The results showed: higher levels of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in the referred group; an increase in both problems during early-to-middle adolescence in the non-referred group; an association between low SES and suicidal ideation in both groups; an association between low father’s education level and depressive symptoms in the non-referred group; and no gender differences in either of these two internalizing problems. The moderation analyses showed that age, in referred adolescents, and SES, in non-referred adolescents, moderated the relationship between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. This study contributes to the identification of groups of vulnerable adolescents that could constitute the target populations of preventive programs.
The Study on Spatial Elements of Health-Supportive Environment in Residential Streets Promoting Residents’ Walking Trips
Authors: Tan Shaohua , Cao Fengxiao , Yang Jinsu
Published: July 2020

Residents’ walking trips are a kind of natural motion that promotes health and wellbeing by modifying individual behavior. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the major influence of the spatial elements of a health-supportive environment on residents’ walking trips. This study analyzes residents’ walking trips’ elements based on the spatiotemporal characteristics of walking trips, as well as the spatial elements of a health-supportive environment in residential streets based on residential health needs. To obtain the spatial elements that promote residents’ walking trips and to build an ordered logistic regression model, two methods—a correlation analysis and a logistic regression analysis—were applied to analyze the elements of residents’ walking trips as well as the spatial elements of a health-supportive environment in residential streets by means of SPSS software, using on-site survey results of ten residential streets and 2738 pieces of research data. The research showed that the nine kinds of spatial elements that significantly affect residents’ walking trips are density of pedestrian access, density of bus routes, near-line rate of roadside buildings, average pedestrian access distance, square area within a 500 m walking distance, distance to the nearest garden, green shade ratio, density of street intersections, and the mixed proportion of differently aged residential buildings. In order to construct a spatial environment that promotes walking trips, it is necessary to improve the convenience of residents’ walking trips, to increase the safety of roadside buildings and pedestrian access, to expand the comfort of “getting out to the nature”, and to enrich the diversity of different architectural styles and street density.
Gender Differences in Sports News Coverage on Twitter
Authors: Sainz-de-Baranda Clara , Adá-Lameiras Alba , Blanco-Ruiz Marian
Published: July 2020

Gender stereotypes influence boys’ and girls’ self-perception, with the differential treatment received by sports figures in the media being one of the main factors in the perpetuation of stereotypes about sports. The objective of this research is to analyze if the new communication channels, such as Twitter, maintain gender stereotypes when reporting sports news. For this purpose, the four most followed media in Spain were analyzed: (@ElPais_Deportes, @ABC_Deportes, @Marca and @MundoDeportivo) over a period of five months, from March to June 2016. Our sample was composed of 6544 tweets, with 96.19% about sportsmen compared to 3.81% that portrayed women. The sport with the most media coverage was football (72.11%), for men as well as for women, followed by basketball (6.63%). It is clear that despite the growing international triumphs of Spanish women athletes in recent years, the latter continue to be underrepresented in the media. Female athletes receive more media coverage according to the sport which they engage in (“gender-appropriate” sports), with the exception of football, and not in accordance with their accomplishments. Twitter remains at the service of traditional media replicating the same gender biases and even augmenting them.
How Do Combustion and Non-Combustion Products Used Outdoors Affect Outdoor and Indoor Particulate Matter Levels? A Field Evaluation Near the Entrance of an Italian University Library
Authors: Cammalleri Vittoria , Marotta Daniela , Protano Carmela , Vitali Matteo , Villari Paolo , Cattaruzza Maria ,   on behalf of the Smoke-free Department Working Group
Published: July 2020

Particulate Matter (PM) is a well-known health risk factor and pollutes both outdoor and indoor air. Using PM as an air pollution indicator, the aims were to assess outdoor and indoor air pollution due to combustion and/or non-combustion products used outdoors and to compare the PM levels emitted by different products. PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10, 4, 2.5 and 1 µm (PM10, PM4, PM2.5, PM1) was simultaneously measured in two areas, respectively, indoors (with smoking ban) and outdoors (where people commonly smoke) of a university library during the morning and the afternoon of two weekdays. Both combustion and non-combustion products determined a relevant worsening of outdoor air quality, with the highest PM1 levels achieved when a single traditional cigarette (9920 µg m−3), a single e-cigarette (9810 µg m−3) and three simultaneous traditional cigarettes (8700 µg m−3) were smoked. An increase of indoor PM1 levels was found during outdoor smoking/vaping sessions, persisting also after the end of sessions. The results highlighted the need for a revision of smoke-free laws, especially for outdoor areas, to include non-combustion products. In addition, it is essential to make society aware of the dangers of smoking outdoors by implementing health promotion interventions.
Does Water, Waste, and Energy Consumption Influence Firm Performance? Panel Data Evidence from S&P 500 Information Technology Sector
Authors: Simionescu Liliana Nicoleta , Gherghina Ștefan Cristian , Sheikha Ziad , Tawil Hiba
Published: July 2020

This paper aimed to investigate the impact of water, waste, and energy consumption on firm performance for a sample of enterprises that belong to the S&P 500 Information Technology sector over the period of 2009–2020. The quantitative framework covered both accounting (e.g., return on assets—ROA; return on common equity—ROE; return on capital—ROC; return on invested capital—ROIC) and market-based measures of performance (e.g., price-to-book value—PB), alongside firm and corporate governance specific variables. By estimating multivariate panel data regression models, the empirical results provided support for a negative impact of total water use on PB but a positive effect on ROA. With reference to the total waste, the econometric outcomes revealed a negative influence on the entire selected performance measures, whereas total energy consumption did not reveal any statistically significant influence.
Comparison of Labor and Delivery Complications and Delivery Methods Between Physicians and White-Collar Workers
Authors: Huang Chun-Che , Lee Wen-Feng , Yeh Ching-Hsueh , Yang Chiang-Hsing , Huang Yu-Tung
Published: July 2020

To evaluate labor and delivery complications and delivery modes between physicians and white-collar workers in Taiwan, this retrospective population-based study used data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. We compared 1530 physicians aged 25 to 50 years old who worked and had singleton births between 2007 and 2013 with 3060 white-collar workers matched by age groups, groups of monthly insured payroll-related premiums, previous cesarean delivery, perinatal history anemia, and gestational diabetes mellitus. The logistic regression models were used to assess the labor and delivery complications between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that physicians had a significantly higher risk of placenta previa (odds ratio (OR) 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–1.69) and other malpresentation (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.45–2.39) than white-collar workers, whereas they had a significantly lower risk of placental abruption (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.40–0.71), preterm delivery (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.61–0.92), and premature rupture of membranes (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.59–0.88). Increased risks of some adverse labor and delivery complications were observed among physicians, when compared to white-collar workers. These findings suggest that working women should take preventative action to manage occupational risks during pregnancy.
Two-Thumb or Two-Finger Technique in Infant Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation by a Single Rescuer? A Meta-Analysis with GOSH Analysis
Authors: Chang Chun-Yu , Hou Yueh-Tseng , Chien Yung-Jiun , Chen Yu-Long , Lin Po-Chen , Chen Chien-Sheng , Wu Meng-Yu
Published: July 2020

Out-of-hospital infant cardiopulmonary arrest is a fatal and uncommon event. High mortality rates and poor neurological outcomes may be improved by early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The ongoing debate over two different infant CPR techniques, the two-thumb (TT) and the two-finger (TF) technique, has remained, especially in terms of the adequate compression depth, compression rate, and hands-off time. In this article, we searched three major databases, PubMed, EMBASE (Excerpta Medica database), and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), for randomized control trials which compared the outcomes of interest between the TT and TF techniques in infant CPR. The results showed that the TT technique was associated with higher proportion of adequate compression depth (Mean difference (MD): 19.99%; 95%, Confidence interval (CI): 9.77 to 30.22; p < 0.01) than the TF technique. There was no significant difference in compression rate and hands-off time. In our conclusion, the TT technique is better in terms of adequate compression depth than the TF technique, without significant differences in compression rate and hands-off time.
The Influence of the Scout Movement as a Free Time Option on Improving Academic Performance, Self-Esteem and Social Skills in Adolescents
Authors: Asensio-Ramon Jorge , Álvarez-Hernández Joaquín F. , Aguilar-Parra José M. , Trigueros Rubén , Manzano-León Ana , Fernandez-Campoy Juan M. , Fernández-Jiménez Carolina
Published: July 2020

The word scouting refers to the Scout movement, born more than a hundred years ago, which educates millions of young people between the ages of six and twenty-one in their leisure time. We aimed to study the effects of scouting on the academic results, social skills, and self-esteem of high school youths compared to a non-scout sample. The selected sample consisted of 430 secondary students aged between thirteen and seventeen. Self-esteem and social skills were measured, and the average mark of the total sample was analysed. After the study, it was shown that belonging to the scout movement significantly influences the improvement of academic results in formal education and conflict resolution; however, there are no statistically significant differences in self-esteem and other social skills.
Maltitol: Analytical Determination Methods, Applications in the Food Industry, Metabolism and Health Impacts
Authors: Saraiva Ariana , Carrascosa Conrado , Raheem Dele , Ramos Fernando , Raposo António
Published: July 2020

Bulk sweetener maltitol belongs to the polyols family and there have been several dietary applications in the past few years, during which the food industry has used it in many food products: bakery and dairy products, chocolate, sweets. This review paper addresses and discusses in detail the most relevant aspects concerning the analytical methods employed to determine maltitol’s food safety and industry applications, its metabolism and its impacts on human health. According to our main research outcome, we can assume that maltitol at lower doses poses little risk to humans and is a good alternative to using sucrose. However, it causes diarrhoea and foetus complications at high doses. Regarding its determination, high-performance liquid chromatography proved the primary method in various food matrices. The future role of maltitol in the food industry is likely to become more relevant as processors seek alternative sweeteners in product formulation without compromising health.
A Sex/Gender Perspective on Interventions to Reduce Sedentary Behaviour in Girls and Boys: Results of the genEffects Systematic Review
Authors: Vondung Catherina , Demetriou Yolanda , Reimers Anne K. , Schlund Annegret , Bucksch Jens
Published: July 2020

This systematic review aims to evaluate the extent of sex/gender consideration and effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce sedentary behaviour (SB). We searched for randomised or non-randomised controlled trials with the outcome SB and a sex/gender analysis in eleven electronic databases. Sixty-seven studies were included. Sex/gender considerations were qualitatively rated. Sex/gender was reported separately in 44.8% of studies, 14.9% of studies conducted a sex/gender interaction analysis, and 19.4% enrolled either girls or boys. SB was significantly reduced for girls in 16.4%, for boys in 11.9% and for both in 13.4%. No sex/gender intervention effect was found in 38.8%. According to the qualitative rating, studies without significant sex/gender effects reached “detailed” rating twice as often as studies finding a significant intervention effect for either girls or boys, or both. Overall, no clear pattern according to the qualitative rating and in terms of intervention effectiveness can be drawn. The results reveal a lack of sufficient sex/gender information in intervention planning and delivery. Further research should consider analysing sex/gender intervention effects as well as consider sex/gender inclusive intervention planning and delivery.
Attitudes of the Public to Receiving Medical Care during Emergencies through Remote Physician–Patient Communications
Authors: Hamlin Matilda , Steingrimsson Steinn , Cohen Itzhak , Bero Victor , Bar-Tl Avishay , Adini Bruria
Published: July 2020

Providing health services through remote communications for sub-acute health issues during emergencies may help reduce the burden of the health care system and increase availability of care. This study aimed to investigate the attitudes of the public towards receiving medical services and providing medical information through remote communication in times of emergencies. During the pandemic outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), pandemic outbreak, 507 participants answered a structured online survey, rating their mean willingness to receive medical care and provide medical information, on a four-point Likert scale. Furthermore, demographic characteristics, social media use, and trust in data protection was collected. The mean willingness to receive medical services was 3.1 ± 0.6 and the mean willingness to provide medical information was 3.0 ± 0.7, with a strong significant correlation between the two (r = 0.76). The multiple regression model identified higher trust in data protection, level of education, and social media use as statistically significant predictors for a higher willingness to receive medical information while the first two predicted willingness to provide information. The findings suggest an overall positive attitude to receive medical care through remote communications.
High Resolution Viewscape Modeling Evaluated Through Immersive Virtual Environments
Authors: Tabrizian Payam , Petrasova Anna , Baran Perver , Vukomanovic Jelena , Mitasova Helena , Meentemeyer Ross
Published: July 2020

Visual characteristics of urban environments influence human perception and behavior, including choices for living, recreation and modes of transportation. Although geospatial visualizations hold great potential to better inform urban planning and design, computational methods are lacking to realistically measure and model urban and parkland viewscapes at sufficiently fine-scale resolution. In this study, we develop and evaluate an integrative approach to measuring and modeling fine-scale viewscape characteristics of a mixed-use urban environment, a city park. Our viewscape approach improves the integration of geospatial and perception elicitation techniques by combining high-resolution lidar-based digital surface models, visual obstruction, and photorealistic immersive virtual environments (IVEs). We assessed the realism of our viewscape models by comparing metrics of viewscape composition and configuration to human subject evaluations of IVEs across multiple landscape settings. We found strongly significant correlations between viewscape metrics and participants’ perceptions of viewscape openness and naturalness, and moderately strong correlations with landscape complexity. These results suggest that lidar-enhanced viewscape models can adequately represent visual characteristics of fine-scale urban environments. Findings also indicate the existence of relationships between human perception and landscape pattern. Our approach allows urban planners and designers to model and virtually evaluate high-resolution viewscapes of urban parks and natural landscapes with fine-scale details never before demonstrated.
Measuring Accessibility to Various ASFs from Public Transit using Spatial Distance Measures in Indian Cities
Authors: Yenisetty Pavan , Bahadure Pankaj
Published: July 2020

Nowadays, accessibility to facilities is one of the most discussed issues in sustainable urban planning. In the current research, two spatial distance accessibility measures were applied to evaluate the accessibility to amenities, services, and facilities (ASFs) from public transit (PT) by walking distance in six Indian cities. The first stage accounts for distance measures using the Euclidean distance with a new methodical approach derived from the built-up area with a spatial resolution of 30 m from Landsat data, and for the network distance method, the actual road distances using OpenStreetMap (OSM) for different threshold ranges of distances were derived. Meanwhile, in the second stage, indicators such as built-up area, network connectivity, and network density with the percentage of ASFs are evaluated and combined for normalization process for ranking the city. The present study assesses the accessibility to various ASFs from PT at city level and explores whether the actual road network access (by measuring distance) in Indian cities is contributing to a high level of accessibility. It adopts a unique approach using statistical tools while assessing both Euclidean and network distances. It models a framework for overall benchmarking in all six cities by ranking them for their accessibility. The results show various scenarios in terms of the rank of cities, which had been strongly affected by distance metrics (Euclidean vs. network) and thus emphasize the careful use of these measures as supporting tools for planning. This facilitates the identification of the local barriers and problems with network access that affect the actual distance. This unique approach can help policymakers to identify the gaps in PT coverage for reaching ASFs. Furthermore, it helps in crucial implementation by strategic planning that can be achieved using these distance criteria.
An Accurate Matching Method for Projecting Vector Data into Surveillance Video to Monitor and Protect Cultivated Land
Authors: Shao Zhenfeng , Li Congmin , Li Deren , Altan Orhan , Zhang Lei , Ding Lin
Published: July 2020

The integration of intelligent video surveillance and GIS (geograhical information system) data provides a new opportunity for monitoring and protecting cultivated land. For a GIS-based video monitoring system, the prerequisite is to align the GIS data with video image. However, existing methods or systems have their own shortcomings when implemented in monitoring cultivated land. To address this problem, this paper aims to propose an accurate matching method for projecting vector data into surveillance video, considering the topographic characteristics of cultivated land in plain area. Once an adequate number of control points are identified from 2D (two-dimensional) GIS data and the selected reference video image, the alignment of 2D GIS data and PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) video frames can be realized by automatic feature matching method. Based on the alignment results, we can easily identify the occurrence of farmland destruction by visually inspecting the image content covering the 2D vector area. Furthermore, a prototype of intelligent surveillance video system for cultivated land is constructed and several experiments are conducted to validate the proposed approach. Experimental results show that the proposed alignment methods can achieve a high accuracy and satisfy the requirements of cultivated land monitoring.
A CityGML Multiscale Approach for the Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage: The Case Study of the Old Town of Taranto (Italy)
Authors: Pepe Massimiliano , Costantino Domenica , Alfio Vincenzo Saverio , Angelini Maria Giuseppa , Restuccia Garofalo Alfredo
Published: July 2020

The aim of this article is to provide a dedicated approach to the realisation of a CityGML model for the valorisation and the conservation of existing cultural heritage. In particular, for the ancient city of Taranto (Italy), several levels of details (LODs) have been built. CityGML models in LOD1 for the most representative periods were realised, which were characterised by urban changes from the mid-1800s until today. To achieve this aim, great importance was devoted to the process of integration of the different file formats. A geographic information system (GIS) approach has been put in place for the construction of the CityGML model in LOD1. In addition, the study also focused on the realisation of a CityGML model in LOD3 of a bridge of a particular historical and architectural interest, called “Ponte di Porta Napoli”, also situated in the city of Taranto. In the latter case, the CityGML model was realised starting from the geomatics survey. Therefore, the project structured in this way represents an important tool for the sharing of (georeferenced) territorial information. The CityGML models represent a valid support for spatial planning processes and measures for the protection, monitoring and conservation of urban elements.
LASDU: A Large-Scale Aerial LiDAR Dataset for Semantic Labeling in Dense Urban Areas
Authors: Ye Zhen , Xu Yusheng , Huang Rong , Tong Xiaohua , Li Xin , Liu Xiangfeng , Luan Kuifeng , Hoegner Ludwig , Stilla Uwe
Published: July 2020

The semantic labeling of the urban area is an essential but challenging task for a wide variety of applications such as mapping, navigation, and monitoring. The rapid advance in Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems provides this task with a possible solution using 3D point clouds, which are accessible, affordable, accurate, and applicable. Among all types of platforms, the airborne platform with LiDAR can serve as an efficient and effective tool for large-scale 3D mapping in the urban area. Against this background, a large number of algorithms and methods have been developed to fully explore the potential of 3D point clouds. However, the creation of publicly accessible large-scale annotated datasets, which are critical for assessing the performance of the developed algorithms and methods, is still at an early age. In this work, we present a large-scale aerial LiDAR point cloud dataset acquired in a highly-dense and complex urban area for the evaluation of semantic labeling methods. This dataset covers an urban area with highly-dense buildings of approximately 1 km2 and includes more than three million points with five classes of objects labeled. Moreover, experiments are carried out with the results from several baseline methods, demonstrating the feasibility and capability of the dataset serving as a benchmark for assessing semantic labeling methods.
Nighttime Mobile Laser Scanning and 3D Luminance Measurement: Verifying the Outcome of Roadside Tree Pruning with Mobile Measurement of the Road Environment
Authors: Maksimainen Mikko , Vaaja Matti T. , Kurkela Matti , Virtanen Juho-Pekka , Julin Arttu , Jaalama Kaisa , Hyyppä Hannu
Published: July 2020

Roadside vegetation can affect the performance of installed road lighting. We demonstrate a workflow in which a car-mounted measurement system is used to assess the light-obstructing effect of roadside vegetation. The mobile mapping system (MMS) includes a panoramic camera system, laser scanner, inertial measurement unit, and satellite positioning system. The workflow and the measurement system were applied to a road section of Munkkiniemenranta, Helsinki, Finland, in 2015 and 2019. The relative luminance distribution on a road surface and the obstructing vegetation were measured before and after roadside vegetation pruning applying a luminance-calibrated mobile mapping system. The difference between the two measurements is presented, and the opportunities provided by the mobile 3D luminance measurement system are discussed.
The Cellular and Molecular Bases of Allergy, Inflammation and Tissue Fibrosis in Patients with IgG4-related Disease
Authors: Hsieh Song-Chou , Shen Chieh-Yu , Liao Hsien-Tzung , Chen Ming-Han , Wu Cheng-Han , Li Ko-Jen , Lu Cheng-Shiun , Kuo Yu-Min , Tsai Hung-Cheng , Tsai Chang-Youh , Yu Chia-Li
Published: July 2020

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a spectrum of complex fibroinflammatory disorder with protean manifestations mimicking malignant neoplasms, infectious or non-infectious inflammatory process. The histopathologic features of IgG4-RD include lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, storiform fibrosis and obliterative phlebitis together with increased in situ infiltration of IgG4 bearing-plasma cells which account for more than 40% of all IgG-producing B cells. IgG4-RD can also be diagnosed based on an elevated serum IgG4 level of more than 110 mg/dL (normal < 86.5 mg/mL in adult) in conjunction with protean clinical manifestations in various organs such as pancreato–hepatobiliary inflammation with/without salivary/lacrimal gland enlargement. In the present review, we briefly discuss the role of genetic predisposition, environmental factors and candidate autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of IgG4-RD. Then, we discuss in detail the immunological paradox of IgG4 antibody, the mechanism of modified Th2 response for IgG4 rather than IgE antibody production and the controversial issues in the allergic reactions of IgG4-RD. Finally, we extensively review the implications of different immune-related cells, cytokines/chemokines/growth factors and Toll-like as well as NOD-like receptors in the pathogenesis of tissue fibro-inflammatory reactions. Our proposals for the future investigations and prospective therapeutic strategies for IgG4-RD are shown in the last part.
Downregulation of GLI3 Expression Mediates Chemotherapy Resistance in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Freisleben Fabian , Behrmann Lena , Thaden Vanessa , Muschhammer Jana , Bokemeyer Carsten , Fiedler Walter , Wellbrock Jasmin
Published: July 2020

Aberrant activation of the hedgehog (HH) pathway is observed in many neoplasms, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) transcription factors are the main downstream effectors of the HH signaling cascade and are responsible for the proliferation and maintenance of leukemic stem cells, which support chemotherapy resistance and leukemia relapse. Cytarabine (Ara-C)-resistant variants of AML cell lines were established through long-term cultivation with successively increasing Ara-C concentrations. Subsequently, differences in GLI expression were analyzed by RT-qPCR. GLI3 mRNA levels were detectable in parental Kasumi-1, OCI-AML3, and OCI-AML5 cells, whereas GLI3 expression was completely silenced in all resistant counterparts. Therefore, we generated GLI3-knockdown cell lines using small hairpin RNAs (shRNA) and evaluated their sensitivity to Ara-C in vitro. The knockdown of GLI3 partly abolished the effect of Ara-C on colony formation and induction of apoptosis, indicating that GLI3 downregulation results in Ara-C resistance. Moreover, we analyzed the expression of several genes involved in Ara-C metabolism and transport. Knockdown of GLI3 resulted in the upregulation of SAM and HD domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1), cytidine deaminase (CDA), and ATP-binding cassette C11 (ABCC11)/multidrug resistance-associated protein 8 (MRP8), each of which has been identified as a predictive marker for Ara-C response in acute myeloid leukemia. Our results demonstrate that GLI3 downregulation is a potential mechanism to induce chemotherapy resistance in AML.
Pulmonary Artery Thrombosis: A Diagnosis That Strives for Its Independence
Authors: Porembskaya Olga , Toropova Yana , Tomson Vladimir , Lobastov Kirill , Laberko Leonid , Kravchuk Viacheslav , Saiganov Sergey , Brill Alexander
Published: July 2020

According to a widespread theory, thrombotic masses are not formed in the pulmonary artery (PA) but result from migration of blood clots from the venous system. This concept has prevailed in clinical practice for more than a century. However, a new technologic era has brought forth more diagnostic possibilities, and it has been shown that thrombotic masses in the PA could, in many cases, be found without any obvious source of emboli. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, sickle cell anemia, emergency and elective surgery, viral pneumonia, and other conditions could be complicated by PA thrombosis development without concomitant deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Different pathologies have different causes for local PA thrombotic process. As evidenced by experimental results and clinical observations, endothelial and platelet activation are the crucial mechanisms of this process. Endothelial dysfunction can impair antithrombotic function of the arterial wall through downregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) or via stimulation of adhesion receptor expression. Hypoxia, proinflammatory cytokines, or genetic mutations may underlie the procoagulant phenotype of the PA endothelium. Both endotheliocytes and platelets could be activated by protease mediated receptor (PAR)- and receptors for advanced glycation end (RAGE)-dependent mechanisms. Hypoxia, in particular induced by high altitudes, could play a role in thrombotic complications as a trigger of platelet activity. In this review, we discuss potential mechanisms of PA thrombosis in situ.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids (Except Hexanoic Acid) Lower NF-kB Transactivation, Which Rescues Inflammation-Induced Decreased Apolipoprotein A-I Transcription in HepG2 Cells
Authors: Tayyeb Jehad Z. , Popeijus Herman E. , Mensink Ronald P. , Konings Maurice C. J. M. , Mokhtar Fatma B. A. , Plat Jogchum
Published: July 2020

Concentrations of apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) decrease during inflammation, which may lead to dysfunctional ApoA-I-poor high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, and as such, elevate cardiovascular risk. Therefore, rescuing ApoA-I concentrations, especially during inflammation, seems beneficial. Recently, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have received more attention as a strategy in reversing atherosclerosis. We here evaluated the effects of SCFAs on inflammatory pathways in relation to ApoA-I transcription. SCFAs dose–response studies were performed in the presence and absence of inflammatory cytokines. ApoA-I and interleukin 8 (IL-8) mRNA expression were analyzed using qPCR and ELISA, respectively. To study underlying mechanisms, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) transactivation and changes in mRNA expressions of the genes targets of bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibition, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) transactivation and activator protein 1 (AP-1) pathway were analyzed. SCFAs (except hexanoic acid) increased ApoA-I mRNA transcription in both normal and inflammatory conditions and lowered IL-8 mRNA expression. This anti-inflammatory effect of SCFAs was confirmed by inhibition of NF-κB transactivation. Moreover, butyric acid increased carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), PPARα target gene, mRNA transcription in both conditions, and there was a negative correlation between CPT1 and NF-κB. Therefore, PPARα transactivation is probably involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of SCFAs, which rescues ApoA-I transcription. In conclusion, propionate, butyrate and valerate elicit anti-inflammatory effects which might rescue ApoA-I transcription in inflammatory conditions via PPARα transactivation mediated NF-κB inhibition.
Combination of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) Alpha and Gamma Agonists Prevents Corneal Inflammation and Neovascularization in a Rat Alkali Burn Model
Authors: Nakano Yuji , Arima Takeshi , Tobita Yutaro , Uchiyama Masaaki , Shimizu Akira , Takahashi Hiroshi
Published: July 2020

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and gamma (PPARγ) agonists have anti-inflammatory and anti-neovascularization effects, but few reports have tested the combination of PPARα and PPARγ agonists. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of ophthalmic solutions of agonists of PPARα, PPARγ, and the combination in a rat corneal alkali burn model. After alkali injury, an ophthalmic solution of 0.05% fenofibrate (PPARα group), 0.1% pioglitazone (PPARγ group), 0.05% fenofibrate + 0.1% pioglitazone (PPARα+γ group), or vehicle (vehicle group) was topically instilled onto the rat’s cornea twice a day. After instillation, upregulation was seen of PPAR mRNA corresponding to each agonist group. Administration of agonists for PPARα, PPARγ, and PPARα+γ suppressed inflammatory cells, neovascularization, and fibrotic changes. In addition, the PPARγ agonist upregulated M2 macrophages, which contributed to wound healing, whereas the PPARα agonist suppressed immature blood vessels in the early phase. Administration of PPARα+γ agonists showed therapeutic effects in corneal wound healing, combining the characteristics of both PPARα and PPARγ agonists. The results indicate that the combination of PPARα and γ agonists may be a new therapeutic strategy.