bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ophiolitic Pyroxenites Record Boninite Percolation in Subduction Zone Mantle
Authors: Le Roux Véronique , Liang Yan
Published: September 2019

The peridotite section of supra-subduction zone ophiolites is often crosscut by pyroxenite veins, reflecting the variety of melts that percolate through the mantle wedge, react, and eventually crystallize in the shallow lithospheric mantle. Understanding the nature of parental melts and the timing of formation of these pyroxenites provides unique constraints on melt infiltration processes that may occur in active subduction zones. This study deciphers the processes of orthopyroxenite and clinopyroxenite formation in the Josephine ophiolite (USA), using new trace and major element analyses of pyroxenite minerals, closure temperatures, elemental profiles, diffusion modeling, and equilibrium melt calculations. We show that multiple melt percolation events are required to explain the variable chemistry of peridotite-hosted pyroxenite veins, consistent with previous observations in the xenolith record. We argue that the Josephine ophiolite evolved in conditions intermediate between back-arc and sub-arc. Clinopyroxenites formed at an early stage of ophiolite formation from percolation of high-Ca boninites. Several million years later, and shortly before exhumation, orthopyroxenites formed through remelting of the Josephine harzburgites through percolation of ultra-depleted low-Ca boninites. Thus, we support the hypothesis that multiple types of boninites can be created at different stages of arc formation and that ophiolitic pyroxenites uniquely record the timing of boninite percolation in subduction zone mantle.
New Functional Ingredients Based on Microencapsulation of Aqueous Anthocyanin-Rich Extracts Derived from Black Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Aprodu Iuliana , Milea Ștefania Adelina , Anghel Roxana-Mădălina , Enachi Elena , Barbu Vasilica , Crăciunescu Oana , Râpeanu Gabriela , Bahrim Gabriela Elena , Oancea Anca , Stănciuc Nicoleta
Published: September 2019

The aqueous anthocyanin-rich extract derived from black rice (Oryza sativa L.) was encapsulated by freeze drying using milk proteins and peptides as coating materials. The molecular modelling approach indicated that all major casein fractions and whey proteins were able to bind at least one anthocyanin molecule. The hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding across the interfaces appeared to be mainly responsible for the stabilizations of the complexes formed between the coating material and bioactive compounds. Two dark purple colored powders, differentiated by the ratio of the encapsulation materials used, rich in phytochemicals were obtained, with an encapsulation efficiency of up to 99%. The powders were tested for antioxidant activity, cytocompatibility, and thermal stability. The morphological structure of the powders highlighted the presence of encapsulated anthocyanins. Both powders showed a remarkable antioxidant activity of about 46 mM Trolox/g D.W., and cytocompatibility on the L929 fibroblast culture. At certain concentrations, both powders stimulated cell proliferation. The powders showed a good thermal stability between 75 and 100 °C for 15 min. The powders were tested in a food model system and checked for stability of phytochemicals during storage. The added value of the powders was demonstrated throughout the antioxidant activity, which remained unchanged during storage.
Proanthocyanidin-Rich Fractions from Red Rice Extract Enhance TNF-α-Induced Cell Death and Suppress Invasion of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell A549
Authors: Subkamkaew Chayaporn , Limtrakul (Dejkriengkraikul) Pornngarm , Yodkeeree Supachai
Published: September 2019

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plays a key role in promoting tumor progression, such as stimulation of cell proliferation and metastasis via activation of NF-κB and AP-1. The proanthocyanidin-rich fraction obtained from red rice (PRFR) has been reported for its anti-tumor effects in cancer cells. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms associated with PRFR on cell survival and metastasis of TNF-α-induced A549 human lung adenocarcinoma. Notably, PRFR enhanced TNF-α-induced A549 cell death when compared with PRFP alone and caused a G0-G1 cell cycle arrest. Although, PRFR alone enhanced cell apoptosis, the combination treatment induced the cells that had been enhanced with PRFR and TNF-α to apoptosis that was less than PRFR alone and displayed a partial effect on caspase-8 activation and PARP cleavage. By using the autophagy inhibitor; 3-MA attenuated the effect of how PRFR enhanced TNF-α-induced cell death. This indicates that PRFR not only enhanced TNF-α-induced A549 cell death by apoptotic pathway, but also by induction autophagy. Moreover, PRFR also inhibited TNF-α-induced A549 cell invasion. This effect was associated with PRFR suppressed the TNF-α-induced level of expression for survival, proliferation, and invasive proteins. This was due to reduce of MAPKs, Akt, NF-κB, and AP-1 activation. Taken together, our results suggest that TNF-α-induced A549 cell survival and invasion are attenuated by PRFR through the suppression of the MAPKs, Akt, AP-1, and NF-κB signaling pathways.
Serum ‘Vitamin-Mineral’ Profiles: Associations with Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk Including Dietary Patterns and Supplementation. A Case-Control Study
Authors: Krusinska Beata , Wadolowska Lidia , Biernacki Maciej , Slowinska Malgorzata Anna , Drozdowski Marek
Published: September 2019

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in females worldwide. Studies evaluating the blood vitamins and minerals status in the breast cancer etiology are limited, and the results are inconclusive. This study analyzed the association between serum vitamin-mineral profiles (V-MPs) and breast cancer (BC) risk with including dietary patterns (DPs) and the use of supplements. This case-control study involved 420 women aged 40–79 years from north-eastern Poland, including 190 newly diagnosed breast cancer cases. The fasting serum concentrations of vitamins (folate, cobalamin, 25(OH) vitamin D) and minerals (iron, calcium, magnesium) were measured in 129 post-menopausal women, including 82 controls and 47 cases. Three V-MPs were derived with a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). A logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of the breast cancer risk associated with serum V-MPs and serum levels of single biomarkers. The risk of BC was lower by 88% (OR: 0.12; 95% Cl: 0.02–0.88; p < 0.05) in the upper tertile of the serum ‘Iron-Calcium’ profile compared to the bottom tertile, lower by 67% (OR: 0.33; 95% Cl: 0.11–0.97; p < 0.05) at the level of serum 25(OH) vitamin D ≥24.6 ng/mL and lower by 68% (OR: 0.32; 95% Cl: 0.11–0.91; p < 0.05) at the level of serum calcium ≥9.6 mg/dL. There was an inverse association of the serum ‘Magnesium’ profile or serum level of iron with the risk of BC, which disappeared after adjustment for the set of confounders accounted for: age, body mass index (BMI), socioeconomic status, overall physical activity, smoking status, age at menarche, number of full-term pregnancies, oral contraceptive use, hormone-replacement therapy use, family history of breast cancer, vitamin/mineral supplement use, the molecular subtype of breast cancer, and dietary patterns. No significant association was found between BC risk and the serum ‘Folate-Cobalamin-Vitamin D’ profile or serum folate, cobalamin or magnesium considered separately. These findings highlight that a higher-normal serum level of both iron and calcium, considered together as the serum profile, as well as a higher-normal serum level of calcium, considered separately, and a slightly below the normal range of serum vitamin D level may protect against breast cancer among postmenopausal women, independent of dietary patterns or the use of vitamin/mineral supplements. Therefore, the maintenance of the adequate status of vitamins and minerals and the regular monitoring of their blood markers should be included in breast cancer prevention.
N-Eicosapentaenoyl Dopamine, A Conjugate of Dopamine and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), Exerts Anti-inflammatory Properties in Mouse and Human Macrophages
Authors: Augimeri Giuseppina , Plastina Pierluigi , Gionfriddo Giulia , Rovito Daniela , Giordano Cinzia , Fazio Alessia , Barone Ines , Catalano Stefania , Andò Sebastiano , Bonofiglio Daniela , Meijerink Jocelijn , Witkamp Renger
Published: September 2019

A large body of evidence suggests that dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), contribute to a reduced inflammatory tone thereby lowering the risk for several chronic and degenerative diseases. Different mechanisms have been proposed to explain these anti-inflammatory effects, including those involving endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-like molecules. In this context, fatty acid amides (FAAs), conjugates of fatty acids with amines or amino acids, are an emerging class of compounds. Dopamine conjugates of DHA (N-docosahexaenoyl dopamine, DHDA) and EPA (N-eicosapentaenoyl dopamine, EPDA) have previously been shown to induce autophagy, apoptosis, and cell death in different tumor lines. Additionally, DHDA has displayed anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. Here, we tested the immune-modulatory properties of EPDA in mouse RAW 264.7 and human THP-1 macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). EPDA suppressed the production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in both cell lines, and nitric oxide (NO), and macrophage-inflammatory protein-3α (MIP3A) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. At a transcriptional level, EPDA attenuated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in both cell lines and that of MCP-1, IL-6, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in THP-1 macrophages. Although further research is needed to reveal whether EPDA is an endogenous metabolite, our data suggest that this EPA-derived conjugate possesses interesting immune-modulating properties.
Effects of Electrospinning on the Viability of Ten Species of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Poly(Ethylene Oxide) Nanofibers
Authors: Zupančič Špela , Škrlec Katja , Kocbek Petra , Kristl Julijana , Berlec Aleš
Published: September 2019

Lactic acid bacteria can have beneficial health effects and be used for the treatment of various diseases. However, there remains the challenge of encapsulating probiotics into delivery systems with a high viability and encapsulation efficacy. The electrospinning of bacteria is a novel and little-studied method, and further investigation of its promising potential is needed. Here, the morphology, zeta potential, hydrophobicity, average cell mass, and growth characteristics of nine different species of Lactobacillus and one of Lactococcus are characterized. The electrospinning of polymer solutions containing ~10 log colony forming units (CFU)/mL lactic acid bacteria enabled the successful incorporation of all bacterial species tested, from the smallest (0.74 µm; Lactococcus lactis) to the largest (10.82 µm; Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus), into poly(ethylene oxide) nanofibers with an average diameter of ~100 nm. All of these lactobacilli were viable after incorporation into nanofibers, with 0 to 3 log CFU/mg loss in viability, depending on the species. Viability correlated with the hydrophobicity and extreme length of lactic acid bacteria, whereas a horizonal or vertical electrospinning set-up did not have any role. Therefore, electrospinning represents a promising method for the incorporation of lactic acid bacteria into solid delivery systems, while drying the bacterial dispersion at the same time.
The Use of Primary Care Electronic Health Records for Research: Lipid Medications and Mortality in Elderly Patients
Authors: Hodgkins Adam J. , Mullan Judy , Mayne Darren J. , Bonney Andrew
Published: September 2019

General practice electronic health record (EHR) data have significant potential for clinical research. This study demonstrates the feasibility of utilising longitudinal EHR data analysis to address clinically relevant outcomes and uses the relationship between lipid medication prescription and all-cause mortality in the elderly as an exemplar for the validity of this methodology. EHR data were analysed to describe the association of lipid medication use, non-use or cessation with all-cause mortality in patients aged ≥75 years. Survival analysis with Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios, which were adjusted for confounders. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality among patients according to their use, non-use, or cessation of lipid medications. The outcomes of this study correlate well with the results of other research works. This single-practice study demonstrates the feasibility and potential of analysing EHR data to address important clinical issues such as the relationship between all-cause mortality and lipid medication prescription in the elderly.
Electrospinning of Hyaluronan Using Polymer Coelectrospinning and Intermediate Solvent
Authors: Vítková Lenka , Musilová Lenka , Achbergerová Eva , Minařík Antonín , Smolka Petr , Wrzecionko Erik , Mráček Aleš
Published: September 2019

In the current study, we present methods of sodium hyaluronate, also denoted as hyaluronan (HA), nanofiber fabrication using a direct-current (DC) electric field. HA was spun in combination with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) and as a pure polymer. Nonaggressive solvents were used due to the possible use of the fibers in life sciences. The influences of polymer concentration, average molecular weight (Mw), viscosity, and solution surface tension were analyzed. HA and PVA were fluorescent-labeled in order to examine the electrospun structures using fluorescence confocal microscopy. In this study, two intermediate solvent mixtures that facilitate HA electrospinning were found. In the case of polymer co-electrospinning, the effect of the surfactant content on the HA/PVA electrospinning process, and the effect of HA Mw on HA/PEO nanofiber morphology, were examined, respectively.
Improvement of the Quality of Ginkgo biloba Leaves Fermented by Eurotium cristatum as High Value-Added Feed
Authors: Zou Minmin , Guo Xiaohan , Huang Yan , Cao Fuliang , Su Erzheng , Wang Jiahong
Published: September 2019

Ginkgo biloba leaves are well known for their high content of nutrients and bioactive substances. However, unpleasant smell and a small number of ginkgolic acids greatly reduce the utilization of the leaves. In this work, solid-state fermentation of G. biloba leaves using Eurotium cristatum was studied by investigation of the nutrient changes and its feasibility as a functional feed. E. cristatum could grow on pure G. biloba leaves and the addition of excipients could significantly improve the growth of E. cristatum. The optimal medium was with 10% (w/w) of whole G. biloba seeds and the optimized water content, pH, inoculum size and fermentation time were 45% (w/w), 4.5, 4.76 × 107 CFU/100 g wet medium, and eight days, respectively. Under the optimal conditions, the spore number increased by about 40 times. The content of flavonoids was greatly increased by 118.6%, and the protein and polyprenyl acetates (PPAs) were increased by 64.9% and 10.6%, respectively. The ginkgolic acids, lignin, and cellulose were decreased by 52.4%, 38.5%, and 20.1% than before, respectively. Furthermore, the fermented G. biloba leaves showed higher antioxidant activity and held more aroma substances. Thus, G. biloba leaves fermented by E. cristatum have potential as s high value-added feed. This is the first investigation of E. cristatum fermentation on ginkgo leaves, which will facilitate the use of ginkgo leaves in the feed industry.
Analysis of Air–Oil Flow and Heat Transfer inside a Grooved Rotating-Disk System
Authors: Li Chunming , Wu Wei , Liu Yin , Hu Chenhui , Zhou Junjie
Published: September 2019

An investigation on the two-phase flow field inside a grooved rotating-disk system is presented by experiment and computational fluid dynamics numerical simulation. The grooved rotating-disk system consists of one stationary flat disk and one rotating grooved disk. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model considering two-phase flow and heat transfer was utilized to simulate phase distributions and heat dissipation capability. Visualization tests were conducted to validate the flow patterns and the parametric effects on the flow field. The results indicate that the flow field of the grooved rotating-disk system was identified to be an air–oil flow. A stable interface between the continuous oil phase and the two-phase area could be formed and observed. The parametric analysis demonstrated that the inter moved outwards in the radial direction, and the average oil volume fraction over the whole flow field increased with smaller angular speed, more inlet mass flow of oil, or decreasing disk spacing. The local Nusselt number was remarkably affected by the oil volume fraction and the fluid flow speed distributions in this two-phase flow at different radial positions. Lastly, due to the change of phase volume fraction and fluid flow speed, the variation of the average Nusselt number over the whole flow field could be divided into three stages.
CVD Synthesis, Functionalization and CO2 Adsorption Attributes of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Shukrullah Shazia , Naz Muhammad Yasin , Mohamed Norani M. , Ibrahim Khalid A. , AbdEl-Salam Nasser M. , Ghaffar Abdul
Published: September 2019

Carbon dioxide is one of the major greenhouse gases and a leading source of global warming. Several adsorbent materials are being tested for removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The use of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a CO2 adsorbent material is a relatively new research avenue. In this study, Fe2O3/Al2O3 composite catalyst was used to synthesize MWCNTs by cracking ethylene gas molecules in a fluidized bed chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chamber. These nanotubes were treated with H2SO4/HNO3 solution and functionalized with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTS). Chemical modification of nanotubes removed the endcaps and introduced some functional groups along the sidewalls at defected sites. The functionalization of nanotubes with amine introduced carboxylic groups on the tube surface. These functional groups significantly enhance the surface wettability, hydrophilicity and CO2 adsorption capacity of MWCNTs. The CO2 adsorption capacity of as-grown and amine-functionalized CNTs was computed by generating their breakthrough curves. BELSORP-mini equipment was used to generate CO2 breakthrough curves. The oxidation and functionalization of MWCNTs revealed significant improvement in their adsorption capacity. The highest CO2 adsorption of 129 cm3/g was achieved with amine-functionalized MWCNTs among all the tested samples.
Editorial for Special Issue: “Remote Sensing of Environmental Changes in Cold Regions”
Authors: Du Jinyang , Watts Jennifer D. , Lu Hui , Jiang Lingmei , Tarolli Paolo
Published: September 2019

Cold regions, characterized by the presence of permafrost and extensive snow and ice cover, are significantly affected by changing climate [...]
Concept Development and Risk Reduction for MISTiC Winds, A Micro-Satellite Constellation Approach for Vertically Resolved Wind and IR Sounding Observations in the Troposphere
Authors: Maschhoff Kevin , Polizotti John , Aumann Hartmut , Susskind Joel , Bowler Dennis , Gittins Christopher , Janelle Mark , Fingerman Samuel
Published: September 2019

MISTiC Winds is an instrument and constellation mission approach to simultaneously observe the global thermodynamic state and the vertically resolved horizontal wind field in the troposphere from LEO SSO. The instrument is a wide-field imaging spectrometer operated in the 4.05–5.75 μm range, with the spectral resolution, sampling, radiometric sensitivity, and stability needed to provide temperature and water vapor soundings of the atmosphere, with 1 km vertical resolution in the troposphere-comparable to those of NASA’s atmospheric infrared sounder (AIRS). These instruments have much higher spatial resolution (<3 km at nadir) and finer spatial sampling than current hyperspectral sounders, allowing a sequence of such observations from several micro-satellites in an orbital plane with short time separation, from which atmospheric motion vector (AMV) winds are derived. AMVs for both cloud-motion and water vapor-motion, derived from hyperspectral imagery, will have improved velocity resolution relative to AMVs obtained from multi-spectral instruments operating in GEO. MISTiC’s extraordinarily small size, low mass (<15 kg), and minimal cooling requirements can be accommodated aboard an ESPA-class microsatellite. Low fabrication and launch costs enable this constellation to provide more frequent atmospheric observations than current-generation sounders provide, at much lower mission cost. Key technology and observation method risks have been reduced through recent laboratory and airborne (NASA ER2) testing funded under NASA’s Instrument Incubator Program and BAE Systems IR&D, and through an observing system simulation experiment performed by NASA GMAO. This approach would provide a valuable new capability for the study of the processes driving high-impact weather events, and critical high-resolution observations needed for future numerical weather prediction.
Remote Sensing Based Binary Classification of Maize. Dealing with Residual Autocorrelation in Sparse Sample Situations
Authors: Gilcher Mario , Ruf Thorsten , Emmerling Christoph , Udelhoven Thomas
Published: September 2019

In order to discuss potential sustainability issues of expanding silage maize cultivation in Rhineland-Palatinate, spatially explicit monitoring is necessary. Publicly available statistical records are often not a sufficient basis for extensive research, especially on soil health, where risk factors like erosion and compaction depend on variables that are specific to every site, and hard to generalize for larger administrative aggregates. The focus of this study is to apply established classification algorithms to estimate maize abundance for each independent pixel, while at the same time accounting for their spatial relationship. Therefore, two ways to incorporate spatial autocorrelation of neighboring pixels are combined with three different classification models. The performance of each of these modeling approaches is analyzed and discussed. Finally, one prediction approach is applied to the imagery, and the overall predicted acreage is compared to publicly available data. We were able to show that Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification and Random Forests (RF) were able to distinguish maize pixels reliably, with kappa values well above 0.9 in most cases. The Generalized Linear Model (GLM) performed substantially worse. Furthermore, Regression Kriging (RK) as an approach to integrate spatial autocorrelation into the prediction model is not suitable in use cases with millions of sparsely clustered training pixels. Gaussian Blur is able to improve predictions slightly in these cases, but it is possible that this is only because it smoothes out impurities of the reference data. The overall prediction with RF classification combined with Gaussian Blur performed well, with out of bag error rates of 0.5% in 2009 and 1.3% in 2016. Despite the low error rates, there is a discrepancy between the predicted acreage and the official records, which is 20% in 2009 and 27% in 2016.
Addressing Challenges in Fabricating Reflection-Based Fiber Optic Interferometers
Authors: Wahl Markus Solberg , Wilhelmsen Øivind , Hjelme Dag Roar
Published: September 2019

Fabrication of multimode fiber optic interferometers requires accurate control of certain parameters to obtain reproducible results. This paper evaluates the consequences of practical challenges in fabricating reflection-based, fiber optic interferometers by the use of theory and experiments. A guided-mode propagation approach is used to investigate the effect of the end-face cleave angle and the accuracy of the splice in core-mismatched fiber optic sensors. Cleave angles from high-end fiber cleavers give differences in optical path lengths approaching the wavelength close to the circumference of the fiber, and the core-mismatched splice decides the ensemble of cladding modes excited. This investigation shows that the cleave angle may significantly alter the spectrum, whereas the splice is more robust. It is found that the interferometric visibility can be decreased by up to 70% for cleave angles typically obtained. An offset splice may reduce the visibility, but for offsets experienced experimentally the effect is negligible. An angled splice is found not to affect the visibility but causes a lower overall intensity in the spectrum. The sensitivity to the interferometer length is estimated to 60 nm/mm, which means that a 17 µm difference in length will shift the spectrum 1 nm. Comparisons to experimental results indicate that the spliced region also plays a significant role in the resulting spectrum.
Benefits of Ryegrass on Multicontaminated Soils Part 1: Effects of Fertilizers on Bioavailability and Accumulation of Metals
Authors: Waterlot Christophe , Hechelski Marie
Published: September 2019

Effects of three phosphorus fertilizers on the shoot biomass and on the accumulation of alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metals in the shoots and roots of ryegrass were studied with two contaminated garden soils. Phosphates were added in sustainable quantities in order to reduce the environmental availability of carcinogenic metals (e.g., Cd and Pb) and to enhance the bioavailability of alkali and alkaline earth metals as well as micronutrients needed by plants. Addition of Ca(H2PO4)2 was the most convenient way to (i) limit the concentration of Cd and Pb, (ii) keep constant the transfer of macro- and micronutrient from the soil to the ryegrass shoots, (iii) decrease the availability of metals, and (iv) increase the ratio values between potential Lewis acids and Cd or Pb in order to produce biosourced catalysis. For instance, the real phytoavailability was reduced by 27%–57% and 64.2%–94.8% for Cd and Pb, respectively. Interestingly, the real phytoavailability of Zn was the highest in the least contaminated soils. Even if soils were highly contaminated, no visual toxicity symptoms were recorded in the growing ryegrasses. This indicates that ryegrass is suitable for the revegetation of contaminated gardens. To promote the sustainable ryegrass production on contaminated soils for production of new organic fragrance and drugs in green processes according to REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation, two processes should be recommended: assisted phytostabilization of the elements, and then assisted phytoextraction by using chelators.
Calculation of the Risk of Lawsuits over Construction Flaws in Flat Roofs
Authors: Carretero-Ayuso Manuel J. , Rodríguez-Jiménez Carlos E.
Published: September 2019

In order to achieve sustainability objectives in the use of a building, its elements’ operating problems should be minimized. From this premise, a total of 497 cases related to construction flaws in flat roofs were analyzed in this research. A matrix was developed indicating the risk of lawsuits by owners according to the degree of nuisance resulting from the construction flaws studied, their technical importance, and the type of pathological origin. Based on these factors, it is possible to predict a greater or lesser probability of an owner filing a lawsuit—risk factor (F). A wide range was found for this probability, with the largest value being 865 times greater than the smallest value. The value of F was divided into 5 categories to classify the diverse results obtained and determine the number of cases and interrelations ascribed to each category. Additionally, the level of presence of said cases was calculated through the analysis of 3 different demographic aspects, it being noted that a greater purchasing power and a higher concentration of urban population lead to more stringent requirements and, subsequently, to a greater number of lawsuits. With all these results, building quality can be improved while resulting in greater constructive-financial sustainability and in a reduction of the economic resources required of society (fewer lawsuits and associated human resources).
Computational Thinking and Robotics: A Teaching Experience in Compulsory Secondary Education with Students with High Degree of Apathy and Demotivation
Authors: Díaz-Lauzurica Belkis , Moreno-Salinas David
Published: September 2019

In present and future society, all individuals must be able to face the problems, risks, advantages and opportunities that will arrive with new paradigms in the labour market, social relations and technology. To reach this goal, a quality and inclusive education together with a proper and complete formation in technology (communications, robotics, programming, computational thinking (CT), etc.) must be imparted at all educational levels. Moreover, all individuals should have the same opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge, as stated in Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainable Education. Following this trend, in the present work, a practical experience about how to teach CT using robotics is developed, showing the results and evaluation of the lessons on robotics taught to students in their 4th year of compulsory secondary education, and where the students showed a high degree of apathy and demotivation. The teaching unit was based on an action research approach that includes a careful selection of pedagogical techniques and instruments to attract and keep the attention and interest of the students. In addition to the robotics lessons, a previous computational thinking training with Blockly Games was carried out, which contributed to noticeably increase the students motivation and to introduce them to the programming of robots. Moreover, gamification was used to motivate and evaluate the individual knowledge, and the students were required to present the work performed through a final project. The individual needs of the students were fulfilled with a daily monitoring. The results show that the pedagogical techniques, instruments and evaluation were adequate to increase the motivation of the students and to obtain a significant learning, showing how the teaching of CT may attract students that have lost interest and motivation, while providing them with abilities that will be essential for the learning throughout life.
Assessment of the Financial Sustainability of China’s New Rural Pension Plan: Does the Demographic Policy Reform Matter?
Authors: Wang Huan , Huang Jianyuan , Sun Shuangyue
Published: September 2019

Rural China is experiencing a rapid aging process caused by low fertility and large-scale rural-to-urban migration, which will place an increasing payment burden on the rural pension plan. To allay the negative impact of the aging transition, China has recently carried out a demographic policy reform, replacing the famous one-child policy with the two-child policy. This paper evaluates the impacts of the demographic policy reform on the financial sustainability of China’s New Rural Pension Plan (NRPP). By applying the cohort component population projection method and building actuarial models, the solvency sustainability of the NRPP between 2019 and 2080 is estimated under six demographic policy scenarios, followed by sensitivity analysis. The simulation results show that under the one-child policy, the current and the accumulated pension fund would run deficits in 2030 and 2042, and then the pension deficits would expand rapidly. The two-child policy would relieve the pension pressure moderately before 2075, but thereafter, the pension deficits would become much worse. Sensitivity analysis of a series of demographics and pension parameters on the financial sustainability of the NRPP are displayed. On average, the long-term pension gap may not be avoided for the NRPP, regardless of raising the contribution rate, delaying the retirement age, or encouraging people to have more children.
Demand Function for Industrial Electricity: Evidence from South Korean Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Kim Hyo-Jin , Kim Gyeong-Sam , Yoo Seung-Hoon
Published: September 2019

Electricity is a crucial input to the industrial production of South Korea. Estimating the demand function for electricity in the manufacturing sector is an important task because electricity consumption in the manufacturing sector accounts for 56.3% of total electricity consumption in South Korea. Thus, this article tries to estimate the demand function for industrial electricity in the manufacturing sector of South Korea using cross-sectional data for analyzing the influence of manufacturing firms’ characteristics. To this end, 946 observations collected from a nationwide survey of manufacturing firms in 2018 are used and analyzed. As a robust approach, the least absolute deviations estimation method is applied to obtaining the demand function. The results show that the price elasticity and the sales amount elasticity of the industrial electricity demand are estimated to be −0.9206 and 0.2568, respectively, which are statistically significant at the 1% level. Furthermore, the economic benefits of industrial electricity consumption are computed to be 1.46 times as great as the price of electricity. The results of this study can be utilized in policy planning, making, and evaluation.
A Model-Based Estimation of Resource Use Efficiencies in Maize Production in Nigeria
Authors: Lopez Gina , Kolem Hannah Beate , Srivastava Amit Kumar , Gaiser Thomas , Ewert Frank
Published: September 2019

Food security is an increasingly serious problem worldwide, and especially in sub-Saharan Africa. As land and resources are limited and environmental problems caused by agriculture are worsening, more efficient ways to use the resources available must be found. The objective of this study was to display the spatial variability in crop yield and resource use efficiencies across Nigeria and to give recommendations for improvement. Based on simulations from the crop model LINTUL5 we analyzed the influence of fertilizer application on the parameters Water Use Efficiency (WUE), Fertilizer Use Efficiency (FUE), and Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE) in maize. High spatial variability was observed, especially between the north and the south of the country. The highest potential for yield improvement was found in the south. While WUE and RUE increased with higher rates of fertilizer application, FUE decreased with higher rates. In order to improve these resource use efficiencies, we suggest optimizing management strategies, demand-oriented fertilizer application, and breeding for efficient traits.
Sustainable Management of Carbon Sequestration Service in Areas with High Development Pressure: Considering Land Use Changes and Carbon Costs
Authors: Chun Joungyoon , Kim Choong-Ki , Kang Wanmo , Park Hyemin , Kim Gieun , Lee Woo-Kyun
Published: September 2019

In countries and regions where development projects are frequently implemented, there is a significant change in the value of carbon sequestration services according to land use and land cover (LULC) changes. In this study, we analyzed the changes in the carbon sequestration services which occurred due to the LULC changes over a 20 years period (1989–2009) in Korea where local development projects have been active, since 1990s. As a result, the total carbon stocks decreased by about 0.07 billion t C. Significant changes in the carbon stocks mostly occurred in areas where development projects were frequently implemented. The loss of economic value due to the changes in carbon stocks over 20 years was 4.7 trillion won (4159 million USD) when market price of carbon is applied. Therefore, in countries and regions where there is an active development, it is necessary to monitor the land-use changes with high carbon stocks, to reconsider the value of the carbon when making policy decisions which cause LULC changes, and to internalize social costs into the market prices. Especially at a local level, it is necessary to promote management policy based on carbon sequestration services in accordance with local conditions such as size and types of the changes in carbon stocks.
A Modified Equation for Thickness of the Film Fabricated by Spin Coating
Authors: Lee Un Gi , Kim Woo-Byoung , Han Do Hyung , Chung Hyun Soo
Published: September 2019

According to the equation for Newtonian fluids, the film thickness after spin coating is determined by five parameters: angular velocity, spin coating time, viscosity, density of the coating material, and initial thickness of the material before spin coating. The spin coating process is commonly controlled by adjusting only the angular velocity parameter and the coating time in the Newtonian expression. However, the measured coating thickness obtained is then compared to the theoretical thickness calculated from the Newtonian fluid equation. The measured coating thickness usually varies somewhat from the theoretical thickness; further details are described in Section 1. Thus, the Newtonian fluid equation must be modified to better represent the actual film thickness. In this paper, we derive a new formula for the spin coating film thickness, which is based on the equation for Newtonian fluids, but modified to better represent film thicknesses obtained experimentally. The statistical analysis is performed to verify our modifications.
Soil and Water Conservation in Agricultural and Forestry Systems
Authors: López-Vicente Manuel , Wu Gao-Lin
Published: September 2019

This special issue includes six articles that cover a variety of issues about the topic of soil and water conservation in agricultural systems, including the following: a bibliometric analysis of soil and water conservation in the Loess Region of China; regarding croplands, one study evaluated the influence of vegetation covers on topsoil moisture and the effect of physiographic conditions on sediment yield in Spanish vineyards; another study evaluated the influence of plant age on soil water depletion in alfalfa pastures in the Tibet Autonomous Region; in a Chinese forest plantation, the effect of plant age and species on soil bulk density and pH was evaluated, and the most suitable afforestation species and stand age recommended to harvest maximum benefits were determined; regarding water pollution, a study evaluated soil water dynamics during two fallow years and three barley crop seasons in Spain and estimated the effect of the applied fertilizer (slurries or minerals) on nitrate leaching; and finally, another study identified the key information, including heavy metals, for water conservation in the border areas of the Syr Darya River in Kazakhstan. The proper use of soil and water resources is necessary to ensure the future well-being of humans and of the environment.
APPLICATION OF ELASTOGRAPHY FOR DIAGNOSIS BREAST TUMORS
Authors: Tran Thi Song Huong , Vo Thi Kim Yen , Nguyen Phuoc Bao Quan
Published: September 2019

Breast tumor is common in women. Benign tumors account for 80%, malignant tumors account for 20%. Breast cancer is the most common and deadly cancer among women, including Vietnam. Elastography, evaluates the stiffness of the tissue, helps to distinguish soft or hard tumors, which can help distinguish benign or malignant. Benign lesions tend to be softer than malignant lesions. There are two types of elastography: SE (Strain Elastography) and Shear Ware Elastography (SWE). In examining breast lesions, the maligne tumor tends to be stronger and the higher the velocity. Studies have shown that the SWE features should be combined with 2D ultrasound to complement the BIRADS classification. Elastography is a new technique that has emerged in the past few years, promising good diagnostic prospects, more and more research and application of elastography in diagnostics breast lesions. Breast elastogarphy, survey of hardness of breast cancer showed 4 times higher than that of benign tumor and 7 folds of normal breast tissue.
Fonksiyonel Tıp Nedir?
Authors: TÜREL Baybars
Published: September 2019

Fonksiyonel tıp, ilk kez ABD’de 2000’li yılların başında popülerleşmeye başlayan sistem biyolojileri temelli yeni bir tıbbi bakış açısıdır. Semptomların baskılanmasının hasta için akut dönemdeki rahatlatıcı etkisini kabul etmekle birlikte, hastalıkların derininde yatan sebeplerini araştırır ve düzeltilebilmesini sağlamaya çalışır; daha da önemlisi bu hastalıklara zemin hazırlayan yaşam stili faktörlerine işaret ederek koruyucu tıbbi bir çerçeve de çizer. Kişileri, sağlıklı kalmaları veya sağlıklarını tekrar kazanmalarına götürecek planlamaların yapılmasında işin içerisine katmaya ve hasta hekim ilişkilerine bir patronaj ilişkisinden çok iyileştirici ortaklık zemini kazandırmayı ilke edinir. Gün geçtikçe artmakta olan kronik dejeneratif hastalıkların önlenmesi ve tedavisinde sağladığı bütüncül bakış açısıyla sağlık finansman modellerinin altından kalkmakta zorlandığı ağır mali yükü hafifletmeye aday bir tıbbi yaklaşım tarzıdır.
The Importance of Environmental Research of the Great Hungarian Plain
Authors: Kerék Barbara , Vatai József
Published: September 2019

The research of the Great Hungarian Plain has been going on for a long time and there are a lot of information could be used by environmental protection too. The connection between the two topics are diversified, that is why it is necessary to choose a few subject to explain. The chosen subjects are:The protection of the geological media cannot be solved, either practically and legally, with the protection of the separated elements of that, just if we see it as a system.The prevention, which is the most effective (and also the most inexpensive) way of environmental protection, can be supported by the compilation of vulnerability- and risk maps (i.e. risk of inland water, erosion vulnerability, deflation vulnerability, contamination sensibility).Survey on the environmental state containing indispensable geological information for the optimal land use and country planning of a region, county or settlement.Marking out of the possible areas for waste depositing.
Spatially Discrete GIS Analysis of Sampling Points Based on Yield and Quality Analysis of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)
Authors: Tamás János , Buzás István , Nagy Ildikó
Published: September 2019

Fulfilment of the increasing quality requirements of sugar beet production can be analysed with sampling of plants and soil at the cultivated area. Analyses of the spatial characteristics of samples require exact geodetic positioning. This is applied in practice using GPS in precision agriculture. The examinations were made in a sample area located in north-western Hungary with sugar beet test plant. According to the traditional sample taking procedure N=60 samples were taken in regular 20 x 20 m grid, where besides the plant micro and macro elements, the sugar industrial quality parameters (Equations 1-2) and the agro-chemical parameters of soils were analysed. Till now, to gain values of mean, weighted mean and standard variance values, geometric analogues used in geography were adapted, which correspond to the mean centre (Equation 3), the spatially weighted mean centre (Equation 4), the standard distance (Equation 5), and the standard distance circle values. Robust spatial statistical values provide abstractions, which can be visually estimated immediately, and applied to analyse several parameters in parallel or in time series (Figure 1). This interpretation technique considers the spatial position of each point to another individually (distance and direction), and the value of the plant and soil parameters. Mapping the sample area in GIS environment, the coordinates of the spatially weighted mean centre values of the measured plant and soil parameters correlated to the mean centre values showed a northwest direction. Exceptions were the total salt and calcium-carbonate contents, and the molybdenum concentration of the soil samples (Table 1). As a new visual analysis, the spatially weighted mean centre values of the parameters as eigenvectors were projected to the mean centre values as origin. To characterize the production yield, the raw and digested sugar contents of the sample area, the absolute rotation angles of the generated vectors were determined, which indicate numerically the inhomogenity of the area (Figure 2). The generated spatial analogues are applicable to characterise visually and quantitatively the spatial positions of sampling points and the measured parameters in a quick way. However, their disadvantage is that they do not provide information on the tightness and direction of the spatial correlation similarly to the original statistical parameters.
Social capital as a resource influencing social and economic processes
Authors: Kis Krisztián
Published: September 2019

The concept of social capital became well-known in the 1980s and as a non-material resource existing in the society and today it is one of the most popular fields of the sociological and economic research. There are many definitions of social capital, but there is a common point that they all have: a network-related interpretation. The networks are made up of discrete elements, which have some kind of relation between them. Accordingly, social capital is manifested in the totality of the relations between elements (actors of the economy and society) forming the network not in the elements themselves (e.g. human capital). This is a resource which influences the social and economic processes of a community – even if it is a community of a micro region or a nation. Consequently, social capital has a significant impact on the development and improvement of an area or a territorial unit. In this paper, I try to summarise the information concerning social capital and to sketch the relation between rural development and social capital as one of the immanent resources of a territorial unit.
Evaluation of tourism in the Erdőspuszták sub-region
Authors: Suta Éva
Published: September 2019

The Erdőspuszták sub-region established an Association of Local Municipalities in 1992, 10 settlements of which set up the Erdőspuszták Association in 1995, as a voluntary organization. One third of the settlements in Hajdú-Bihar county are handicapped from an economic or infrastructural point of view.Tourism has become the most dynamically developing industrial sector. Unfortunately, in Hungary and, especially, in the eastern region, this way of earning a living is still in its infancy. Nevertheless, these areas possess such untouched natural values, cultural monuments and unexploited possibilities which could attract tourists.In my study, the problem is examined from two aspects. First, interviews with mayors are included, consisting of three questions. The leaders of the settlements were first asked about the impact of EU accession, then the most important development plans were mapped and finally the local tourism plans were investigated. Second, I have made an evaluation of each settlement which reviews the infrastructural and environmental conditions, the accommodation and boarding possibilities offered the different tourist attractions and leisure possibilities.The development of tourism can be an obvious solution to this problem. The toots of tourism entails the creation of job opportunities, the development of infrastructure, the enhancement of living conditions. It has a diverse effect and it contributes to the improvement of living standards in rural areas.Regarding tourism, it can be stated that each settlement has its own image and value, which the citizens are proud of. It has been realized that collaboration between the settlements could greatly contribute to the development of a tourist programme of several days length, as a result of which the guests would spend more time in the region, which would be beneficial to everybody. My suggestion is that the settlements should work out a plan for the development of tourism jointly, in which they would determine the targets, describe the specific development plans and tasks and elaborate the ideas for the different investments.