bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PATIENTS’ AND NURSES’ PERCEPTIONS OF PALLIATIVE CARE OUTCOMES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Authors: Dewiyuliana Dewiyuliana , Warsini Sri , Effendy Christantie
Published: April 2019

Background: Patients with advanced cancer require treatment and the fulfillment of their needs, based on the results of assessments regarding their physical symptoms, psychological and spiritual needs. Palliative care should be delivered with a person-centered care approach. It is important to consider the patients’ reports of their carings’ outcomes.  Comparisons between the patients’ and nurses’ perceptions of palliative care outcomes can be used to improve the quality of palliative care.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the patients’ and nurses’ perceptions of palliative care outcomes during the patients’ hospitalization.

Methods: This is a comparative descriptive study with a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from May to June 2018 from a total of 106 patients with advanced cancer, and 61 nurses. The versions of the Palliative care Outcome Scale (POS) for patients and nurses were used to measure the palliative care outcomes of the patients’ and nurses’ perceptions.

Result: The study found a significant difference between the perceptions of the patients and nurses for the palliative care outcomes, particularly in the information availability domain (p = 0.001), the other symptoms domain (p = 0.029), and the anxiety feelings domain (p = 0.030), while the other seven domains had no significant differences between both groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The anxiety feelings, other symptoms and information availability domains are the aspects of palliative care which need more attention from health care providers, especially nurses, when caring for patients with advanced cancer.
Pengaruh Kepemimpinan dan Disiplin Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan: Studi Kayus PT Sucofindo Palembang Indonesia
Authors: Idris Muhammad , Sari Dian Novita
Published: April 2019

The problem in this study is whether there is an influence of leadership and work discipline on the employees’ performance of PT.Sucofindo Palembang City. This research includes associative research. The sample in this study were 88 respondents, with propotionate random sampling analysis technique. The data used were primary data and secondary data. Data collection method through questionnare. Analysis techniques using multiple linear regression analysis, F test (Simultaneoys) and t test (partial) and determination coeffiecient. The results show that there is influence of leadership and work discipline on the performance of PT.Sucofindo Palembang City.
Some Applications Idempotent Probability Measures Space
Authors: Kholturaev Kh.
Published: April 2019

For idempotent probability measures, max–plus variant of Fubini theorem is established. Further, it is proven metrizability of a given compact if the space of idempotent probability measures defined on the compact, is hereditary normal.
Sustainability of Perennial Grasses Under Long-term Use in the Conditions of Drained Lands of the Non-Chernozem Zone (Russia)
Authors: Ivanova N. , Kapsamun A. , Pavlyuchik E. , Vagunin D. , Ambrosimova N. ,   All-Russian Research Institute of Reclaimed Lands
Published: April 2019

Recently, much attention has been paid by grassland farmers to the problem of extending the productive longevity of grasslands of the pasture type. Field studies were carried out on the agropolygon of FGBNU VNIIMZ in the period from 2012 to 2018. The object of research was pasture grass stands created on the basis of pasture ryegrass (Loliurn perenne) and inter-genera festulolium hybrid (× Festulolium F. Aschers. Et Graebn). Two, three, and four species of grass mixtures with various leguminous and cereal herbs were studied in the experiment. The types and varieties of herbs were selected taking into account their potential productivity and sustainable longevity in the conditions of drained soils. Ryegrass grazing VIC 66, festulolium VIC 90, alfalfa changeable (Medicago varia Nakhodka), lotus horned (Lotus cornilatus Sun), creeping clover (Trifolium repens) VIC 70, red fescue (Festuca rubra) Sigma, red clover (Trifolium pratense) VIC 7, timothy grass (Phleum pratense L.) VIC 9, meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) Sakharovskaya were used in the experiments. It has been shown that in the conditions of drained lands, such species as red fescue, alfalfa changeable, horned deer can be attributed to perennial grasses with a competitive advantage for long-term sustained production in multicomponent pasture agrophytocenoses. It has been established that the introduction of additional leguminous species into the grass mixture (alfalfa changeable and lotus horned) increases the period of use and increases the yield of a green mass of grass stands. Over the years of research (2013–2018), the highest average yield of green mass was obtained by grass stands with alfalfa variable and young horned — 24.5–28.2 t/ha, which exceeds the traditional grass mixture by 3.5–7.2 t/ha.
Long Term Metabolic and Health Effects of a Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat, High-Protein Diet in Mus musculus: A Nineteen Week Longitudinal Study
Authors: Harris Donald , Bell Christopher , Retzlaff Misty , Toering Stephanie , Wurdak Elizabeth , Mitchell David
Published: April 2019

This study was designed to investigate the long-term metabolic adaptations and health effects of a low-carbohydrate, high-fat/protein diet in mice. One-month-old male ICR mice were fed a control, conventional high-carbohydrate diet (n=21) or an experimental low-carbohydrate, high-fat, high-protein diet (n=20). One pair of mice per group was euthanized at two-week intervals for five months for tissue analysis. Basic metabolic data, body and tissue weights, blood and plasma metabolite and lipid profiles, liver glycogen and protein content, and liver serine dehydratase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were analyzed. The low-carbohydrate group gained significantly more weight (p<0.005 after 4 weeks) than the normally growing control group. Although ketosis was initially stimulated in the low-carbohydrate group, enzyme and tissue analysis suggest that gluconeogenic activity was sufficient to alleviate the effects of severe dietary carbohydrate restriction and allow for glucose metabolism close to that demonstrated in the control group.
Remote Sensing Calibration of Casey Lake and Silver Lake
Authors: Ellyson Krista , Ecker Mark
Published: April 2019

This project examines two Iowa lakes to explore the feasibility of using remote sensing technologies for assessing water quality in lieu of actual ground samples. We demonstrate that a principal component analysis of the more than 20,000 remote sensed pixels can be used in a regression analysis to accurately predict total phosphorus levels in Casey Lake on three distinct times in the summer of 2004.
Effects of a Glutamine Supplement on the Skeletal Muscle Contractile Force of Mice
Authors: Waddell Derek , Fredricks Kim
Published: April 2019

L-glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in human muscle and plays an important role in protein synthesis. It is, therefore, believed that by increasing L-glutamine levels, protein metabolism can be increased, resulting in skeletal muscle growth. The goal of this research was to determine if increased L-glutamine levels enhanced muscle growth in mice. Comparisons between the contractile force of the gastrocnemis muscles of a control group and a group that received the supplement through their water supply were intended to determine if muscle growth occurred. T-tests were used to compare the contractile forces of the experimental and control mice. There was a significant difference between the contractile forces of the experimental and control groups. This suggests that L-glutamine supplementation increased the muscle growth of the experimental mice.
Noetherian Rings—Dimension and Chain Conditions
Authors: Banerjee Abhishek
Published: April 2019

In this paper we look at the properties of modules and prime ideals in finite dimensional noetherian rings. This paper is divided into four sections. The first section deals with noetherian one-dimensional rings. Section Two deals with what we define a “zero minimum rings” and explores necessary and sufficient conditions for the property to hold. In Section Three, we come to the minimal prime ideals of a noetherian ring. In particular, we express noetherian rings with certain properties as finite direct products of noetherian rings with a unique minimal prime ideal, as an analogue to the expression of an artinian ring as a finite direct product of artinian local rings. Besides, we also consider the set of ideals I in R such that M ≠ I M for a given module M and show that a maximal element among these is prime. In Section Four, we deal with dimensions of prime ideals, Krull’s Small Dimension Theorem and generalize it (and its converse) to the case of a finite set of prime ideals. Towards the end of the paper, we also consider the sets of linear dependencies that might hold between the generators of an ideal and consider the ideals generated by the coefficients in such linear relations.
Evaluating Arm Movement Imitation
Authors: Constantin Alexandra , Matarić Maja
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we present a metric for assessing the quality of arm movement imitation. We develop a joint-rotational-angle-based segmentation and comparison algorithm that rates pairwise similarity of arm movement trajectories on a scale of 1-10. We describe an empirical study designed to validate the algorithm we developed, by comparing it to human evaluation of imitation. The results provide evidence that the evaluation of the automatic metric did not significantly differ from human evaluation.
Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations to Model the DC Electrical Behavior of Confined Layers
Authors: Beougher Nathan , McIntosh Jason , Djuren Jason , Roth M , Wexler Carlos , Thurman Carl
Published: April 2019

A Molecular Dynamics (MD) computer simulation is utilized to qualitatively understand the DC electrical conduction behavior of pentadecane (CH) layers confined between two graphite slabs as related to the dynamics of the layer. At low temperatures the patch remains together and perpendicular to the confining layers. Then, as temperature is increased, tilting of the molecules begins. The molecules tend to remain straight as they tilt with increasing temperature which, in our model, affects the capacitance somewhat but the resistance little. As temperature is increased further, the molecules exhibit gauche defects which accompany patch collapse. During patch collapse, the system shows dramatic changes in its calculated DC resistance and capacitance. Calculated specific capacitance values are in remarkable agreement with recent experimental measurements. Results for two different confining layer separations are discussed as well as future work related to lipid bilayer systems.
Visualizing Bond Types with Electron Density Models: How Informative is Electronegativity?
Authors: Stotts Heath , Conceicao J
Published: April 2019

Electron densities are used to visualize pure covalent, polar covalent and ionic bonds in binary compounds. The rationale for this study stems in part from the observations that within the same bond type, for example pure covalent, a variety of bond properties exist. Simple ΔEN predictions by Pauling do not adequately explain differences within the same bond type, nor determine covalent or ionic bonding. In this study, a series of electron density maps for binary compounds have been calculated to compare the characteristics of the maps to ΔEN predictions.
Comparing 6th Grade Science Classrooms: Inner-City versus Suburb
Authors: Syed Nida
Published: April 2019

Do teachers in the inner-city have different expectations of their students than teachers in the suburbs? Ethnographic studies of the classroom such as one by Wilcox in 1982 suggest they do. Wilcox describes education as "primarily a process of cultural transmission". In other words, schools in a particular setting or neighborhood aim to instill in their students the cultural norms and behaviors accepted and expected in that setting. This project is an ethnographic study of two sixth grade science classrooms; one in an urban inner-city Detroit, Michigan neighborhood and one in the neighboring suburb of Dearborn. The study examines the way the two classrooms are run by the teachers and their teaching styles by comparing the types of assignments that are given to students and the implications they have on the students’ learning development. Other factors such as a comparison of school funding per pupil and the effect it has on the availability of resources necessary for learning in each classroom were also examined. We found that the Dearborn school students learned how to work individually and in groups whereas the Detroit school students learned only how to work in groups. We also found that Dearborn students were encouraged to read out loud to the class individually whereas Detroit students were often read to by the teacher.
Design Techniques for the DNA Cubic-Lattice
Authors: Hotte Tyler , LaRocque Miranda
Published: April 2019

We use the Watson-Crick properties of DNA and the principles of graph theory to construct origami folding designs for self-assembling cubic lattices. Our objective is a mathematical design strategy that can be expanded systematically to any size cubic lattice. This design consists of threading a scaffolding strand of DNA through the lattice that is secured in place by short staple strands of DNA. We first add augmenting edges to the cubic lattice to enable a single scaffolding strand threading. We then thread the scaffolding strand through the augmented cube in a way that minimizes the number of different vertex configurations in the structure.

Key Words: Watson-Crick, DNA Self-Assembly, Origami folding, Cubic Lattice, Scaffolding Strand, Threading, Staple Strands
Clinical Brain Monitoring with Time Domain NIRS: A Review and Future Perspectives
Authors: Lange Frédéric , Tachtsidis Ilias
Published: April 2019

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is an optical technique that can measure brain tissue oxygenation and haemodynamics in real-time and at the patient bedside allowing medical doctors to access important physiological information. However, despite this, the use of NIRS in a clinical environment is hindered due to limitations, such as poor reproducibility, lack of depth sensitivity and poor brain-specificity. Time domain NIRS (or TD-NIRS) can resolve these issues and offer detailed information of the optical properties of the tissue, allowing better physiological information to be retrieved. This is achieved at the cost of increased instrument complexity, operation complexity and price. In this review, we focus on brain monitoring clinical applications of TD-NIRS. A total of 52 publications were identified, spanning the fields of neonatal imaging, stroke assessment, traumatic brain injury (TBI) assessment, brain death assessment, psychiatry, peroperative care, neuronal disorders assessment and communication with patient with locked-in syndrome. In all the publications, the advantages of the TD-NIRS measurement to (1) extract absolute values of haemoglobin concentration and tissue oxygen saturation, (2) assess the reduced scattering coefficient, and (3) separate between extra-cerebral and cerebral tissues, are highlighted; and emphasize the utility of TD-NIRS in a clinical context. In the last sections of this review, we explore the recent developments of TD-NIRS, in terms of instrumentation and methodologies that might impact and broaden its use in the hospital.
Design and Analysis of Cloud Upper Limb Rehabilitation System Based on Motion Tracking for Post-Stroke Patients
Authors: Bai Jing , Song Aiguo , Li Huijun
Published: April 2019

In order to improve the convenience and practicability of home rehabilitation training for post-stroke patients, this paper presents a cloud-based upper limb rehabilitation system based on motion tracking. A 3-dimensional reachable workspace virtual game (3D-RWVG) was developed to achieve meaningful home rehabilitation training. Five movements were selected as the criteria for rehabilitation assessment. Analysis was undertaken of the upper limb performance parameters: relative surface area (RSA), mean velocity (MV), logarithm of dimensionless jerk (LJ) and logarithm of curvature (LC). A two-headed convolutional neural network (TCNN) model was established for the assessment. The experiment was carried out in the hospital. The results show that the RSA, MV, LC and LJ could reflect the upper limb motor function intuitively from the graphs. The accuracy of the TCNN models is 92.6%, 80%, 89.5%, 85.1% and 87.5%, respectively. A therapist could check patient training and assessment information through the cloud database and make a diagnosis. The system can realize home rehabilitation training and assessment without the supervision of a therapist, and has the potential to become an effective home rehabilitation system.
Thermal Time Constant of PV Roof Tiles Working under Different Conditions
Authors: Kurz Dariusz , Nawrowski Ryszard
Published: April 2019

This paper presents different types of photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles integrating PV cells with roof covering. Selected elastic photovoltaic roof tiles were characterised for their material and electrical characteristics. Practical aspects of using PV roof tiles are discussed, alongside the benefits and drawbacks of their installation on the roof. Thermal resistance, heat transfer coefficient and thermal capacity were identified for elastic PV roof tiles and roof construction built of boards and PV roof tiles, according to valid standards and legal regulations. The resistance–capacity (RC) models of PV roof tiles and roofs are proposed according to the time constants identified for the analysed systems. The energy balance of the studied systems (PV roof tiles alone and the roof as a whole) is presented, based on which temperature changes in the PV cells of the roof tiles working under different environmental conditions were identified. The timing of PV cells’ temperature change obtained by material data and energy balance analyses were compared. The relationship between the temperature change times of PV cells and the thermal resistance and heat capacity of the whole system are demonstrated, alongside environmental parameters.
Targeted Delivery of Nanoparticulate Cytochrome C into Glioma Cells Through the Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter
Authors: Kucheryavykh Yuriy V. , Davila Josue , Ortiz-Rivera Jescelica , Inyushin Mikhael , Almodovar Luis , Mayol Miguel , Morales-Cruz Moraima , Cruz-Montañez Alejandra , Barcelo-Bovea Vanessa , Griebenow Kai , Kucheryavykh Lilia Y.
Published: April 2019

In this study, we identified the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) as a route for targeted delivery of drugs to some gliomas. Using the techniques of confocal imaging, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and small interfering (siRNA) knockdown against the PCFT, we demonstrated that Gl261 and A172 glioma cells, but not U87 and primary cultured astrocytes, express the PCFT, which provides selective internalization of folic acid (FA)-conjugated cytochrome c-containing nanoparticles (FA-Cyt c NPs), followed by cell death. The FA-Cyt c NPs (100 µg/mL), had no cytotoxic effects in astrocytes but caused death in glioma cells, according to their level of expression of PCFT. Whole-cell patch clamp recording revealed FA-induced membrane currents in FA-Cyt c NPs-sensitive gliomas, that were reduced by siRNA PCFT knockdown in a similar manner as by application of FA-Cyt c NPs, indicating that the PCFT is a route for internalization of FA-conjugated NPs in these glioma cells. Analysis of human glioblastoma specimens revealed that at least 25% of glioblastomas express elevated level of either PCFT or folate receptor (FOLR1). We conclude that the PCFT provides a mechanism for targeted delivery of drugs to some gliomas as a starting point for the development of efficient methods for treating gliomas with high expression of PCFT and/or FOLR1.
Consumer Neuroscience and Digital/Social Media Health/Social Cause Advertisement Effectiveness
Authors: Harris Joanne M , Ciorciari Joseph , Gountas John
Published: April 2019

This research investigated the use of consumer neuroscience to improve and determine the effectiveness of action/emotion-based public health and social cause (HSC) advertisements. Action-based advertisements ask individuals to ‘do something’ such as ‘act’, ‘share’, make a ‘pledge’ or complete a ‘challenge’ on behalf of a brand, such as doing ‘something good, somewhere, for someone else’. Public health messages as noncommercial advertisements attempt to positively change behavioural intent or increase awareness. Australian health expenditure was $180.7 billion AUD (Australian dollars) in 2016/17 with $17 million AUD spent on government health campaigns. However, evaluation of health advertisement effectiveness has been difficult to determine. Few studies use neuroscience techniques with traditional market research methods. A 2-part study with an exploratory design was conducted using (1) electroencephalography (EEG) using a 64 channel EEG wet cap (n = 47); and (2) a Qualtrics online psychometric survey (n = 256). Participants were asked to make a donation before and after viewing 7 HSC digital/social media advertisements and logos (6 action/emotion-based; 1 control) to measure changes in behavioural intent. Attention is considered a key factor in determining advertising effectiveness. EEG results showed theta synchronisation (increase)/alpha desynchronisation (decrease) indicating attention with episodic memory encoding. sLORETA results displayed approach responses to action/emotion-based advertisements with left prefrontal and right parietal cortex activation. EEG and survey results showed the greatest liking for the ManUp action/emotion-based advertisement which used male facial expressions of raw emotion and vulnerability. ManUp also had the highest increased amount donated after viewing. Lower theta amplitude results for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) action/emotion-based advertisement indicated that novel (possessing distinct features) rather than attractive/conventional faces were more appealing, while the rapid presentation of faces was less effective. None of the highest peak amplitudes for each ad occurred when viewing brand logos within the advertisement. This research contributes to the academic consumer neuroscience, advertising effectiveness, and social media literature with the use of action/challenge/emotion-based marketing strategies, which remains limited, while demonstrating the value in combining EEG and neuroscientific techniques with traditional market research methods. The research provides a greater understanding of advertising effectiveness and changes in behavioural intent with managerial implications regarding the effective use of action/challenge/emotion-based HSC communications to potentially help save a life and reduce expenditure on ineffectual HSC marketing campaigns.
Implementation of Safety Management System for Improving Construction Safety Performance: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach
Authors: Yiu Nicole S.N. , Chan Daniel W.M. , Sze N.N. , Shan Ming , Chan Albert P.C.
Published: April 2019

The construction industry contributes to a large proportion of industrial injury and mortality. It is of high importance to evaluate the effectiveness of the Safety Management System (SMS). In particular, it is necessary to compare the quality and level of achievement of SMS and safety performance of a construction project. However, a sizeable sample of construction accidents is often not available. Therefore, possible proxies to indicate the safety performance were established. Moreover, the motivation factors which characterize the quality and level of achievement should be identified. In this study, a structural model has been established to examine the relationship between the SMS implementation and operational & safety performance of the construction projects. Results of the structural model illustrated the relationship between (i) SMS implementation and project safety outcome, (ii) SMS implementation and five motivation factors, and (iii) project safety outcome and six proxies. Results of this study have unfolded the motivation factors in SMS implementation and their subsequent effects on project performance, throwing light on the need to enhance the safety management practice in order to reduce accidents and injuries in the construction industry in the long run.
Targeting Wnt Signaling via Notch in Intestinal Carcinogenesis
Authors: Kaemmerer Elke , Jeon Min Kyung , Berndt Alexander , Liedtke Christian , Gassler Nikolaus
Published: April 2019

Proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells is assisted by highly specialized and well-regulated signaling cascades. The Wnt pathway, which is one of the fundamental pathways in the intestine, contributes to the organization of proliferative intestinal crypts by positioning and cycling of intestinal stem cells and their derivatives. The Wnt pathway promotes differentiation of intestinal secretory cell types along the crypt-plateau and crypt-villus axis. In contrast to the Wnt pathway, the intestinal Notch cascade participates in cellular differentiation and directs progenitor cells towards an absorptive fate with diminished numbers of Paneth and goblet cells. Opposing activities of Notch and Wnt signaling in the regulation of intestinal stem cells and the enterocytic cell fate have been elucidated recently. In fact, targeting Notch was able to overcome tumorigenesis of intestinal adenomas, prevented carcinogenesis, and counteracted Paneth cell death in the absence of caspase 8. At present, pharmacological Notch inhibition is considered as an interesting tool targeting the intrinsic Wnt pathway activities in intestinal non-neoplastic disease and carcinogenesis.
DIRAS3-Derived Peptide Inhibits Autophagy in Ovarian Cancer Cells by Binding to Beclin1
Authors: Sutton Margie N. , Huang Gilbert Y. , Liang Xiaowen , Sharma Rajesh , Reger Albert S. , Mao Weiqun , Pang Lan , Rask Philip J. , Lee Kwangkook , Gray Joshua P. , Hurwitz Amy M. , Palzkill Timothy , Millward Steven W. , Kim Choel , Lu Zhen , Bast Robert C.
Published: April 2019

Autophagy can protect cancer cells from acute starvation and enhance resistance to chemotherapy. Previously, we reported that autophagy plays a critical role in the survival of dormant, drug resistant ovarian cancer cells using human xenograft models and correlated the up-regulation of autophagy and DIRAS3 expression in clinical samples obtained during “second look” operations. DIRAS3 is an imprinted tumor suppressor gene that encodes a 26 kD GTPase with homology to RAS that inhibits cancer cell proliferation and motility. Re-expression of DIRAS3 in ovarian cancer xenografts also induces dormancy and autophagy. DIRAS3 can bind to Beclin1 forming the Autophagy Initiation Complex that triggers autophagosome formation. Both the N-terminus of DIRAS3 (residues 15–33) and the switch II region of DIRAS3 (residues 93–107) interact directly with BECN1. We have identified an autophagy-inhibiting peptide based on the switch II region of DIRAS3 linked to Tat peptide that is taken up by ovarian cancer cells, binds Beclin1 and inhibits starvation-induced DIRAS3-mediated autophagy.
New Insights into the Implication of Epigenetic Alterations in the EMT of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Khaled Noura , Bidet Yannick
Published: April 2019

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide, encompassing a wide heterogeneity of subtypes with different clinical features. During the last two decades, the use of targeted therapies has emerged in clinical research in order to increase treatment efficiency, improve prognosis and reduce recurrence. However, the triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype remains a clinical challenge, with poor prognosis since no therapeutic targets have been identified. This aggressive breast cancer entity lacks expression of oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), and it does not overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). The major reason for TNBC poor prognosis is early therapeutic escape from conventional treatments, leading to aggressive metastatic relapse. Metastases occur after an epithelial-mesenchymal transition EMT of epithelial cells, allowing them to break free from the primary tumour site and to colonize distant organs. Cancer-associated EMT consists not only of acquired migration and invasion ability, but involves complex and comprehensive reprogramming, including changes in metabolism, expression levels and epigenetic. Recently, many studies have considered epigenetic alterations as the primary initiator of cancer development and metastasis. This review builds a picture of the epigenetic modifications implicated in the EMT of breast cancer. It focuses on TNBC and allows comparisons with other subtypes. It emphasizes the role of the main epigenetic modifications lncRNAs, miRNAs, histone and DNA- modifications in tumour invasion and appearance of metastases. These epigenetic alterations can be considered biomarkers representing potential diagnostic and prognostic factors in order to define a global metastatic signature for TNBC.
BaTi0.8B0.2O3 (B = Mn, Fe, Co, Cu) LNT Catalysts: Effect of Partial Ti Substitution on NOx Storage Capacity
Authors: Aldridge Craig , Torregrosa-Rivero Verónica , Albaladejo-Fuentes Vicente , Sánchez-Adsuar María-Salvadora , Illán-Gómez María-José
Published: April 2019

The effect of partial Ti substitution by Mn, Fe, Co, or Cu on the NOx storage capacity (NSC) of a BaTi0.8B0.2O3 lean NOx trap (LNT) catalyst has been analyzed. The BaTi0.8B0.2O3 catalysts were prepared using the Pechini’s sol–gel method for aqueous media. The characterization of the catalysts (BET, ICP-OES, XRD and XPS) reveals that: i) the partial substitution of Ti by Mn, Co, or Fe changes the perovskite structure from tetragonal to cubic, whilst Cu distorts the raw tetragonal structure and promotes the segregation of Ba2TiO4 (which is an active phase for NOx storage) as a minority phase and ii) the amount of oxygen vacancies increases after partial Ti substitution, with the BaTi0.8Cu0.2O3 catalyst featuring the largest amount. The BaTi0.8Cu0.2O3 catalyst shows the highest NSC at 400 °C, based on NOx storage cyclic tests, which is within the range of highly active noble metal-based catalysts.
Use of Calcined Dolomite as Chemical Precipitant in the Simultaneous Removal of Ammonium and Phosphate from Synthetic Wastewater and from Agricultural Sludge
Authors: Pesonen Janne , Myllymäki Pekka , Tuomikoski Sari , Vervecken Gwen , Hu Tao , Prokkola Hanna , Tynjälä Pekka , Lassi Ulla
Published: April 2019

Phosphorus as phosphate and nitrogen as ammonium or nitrate are the main nutrients in wastewaters and agricultural sludges. They runoff easily to waterways and cause eutrophication in water bodies. However, ammonium and phosphate could be precipitated simultaneously and used as recycled nutrients. In this research, dolomite calcined at 650 °C, 750 °C, or 950 °C and commercial MgO were used as precipitants in simultaneous phosphate and ammonium removal from synthetic (NH4)2HPO4 solution and agricultural sludge. Calcination at 750 °C was the preferred option as dolomite was decomposed to MgO and CaCO3 for optimal struvite precipitation. Molar ratios of 1.1–1.6:1–2:2 (Mg:P:N) were employed in the experiments. Very robust ammonium removal was obtained with MgO (57%), dolomite 650 °C and dolomite 750 °C (75%). MgO removed almost all phosphate, while dolomite 650 °C removed 65%, and dolomite 750 °C removed 60% (70% from agricultural sludge). Some part of the phosphate was adsorbed, most likely by CaCO3, during dolomite precipitation. Struvite was the only identified reaction product in all samples after 24 h of precipitation. Calcined dolomite had great potential in ammonium and phosphate precipitation from both synthetic waters and agricultural sludges and the precipitates could be used as recycled fertilizers.
Data Engineering for Affective Understanding Systems
Authors: El-Khalili Nuha , Alnashashibi May , Hadi Wael , Banna Abed Alkarim , Issa Ghassan
Published: April 2019

Affective understanding is an area of affective computing which is concerned with advancing the ability of a computer to understand the affective state of its user. This area continues to receive attention in order to improve the human-computer interactions of automated systems and services. Systems within this area typically deal with big data from different sources, which require the attention of data engineers to collect, process, integrate and store. Although many studies are reported in this area, few look at the issues that should be considered when designing the data pipeline for a new system or study. By reviewing the literature of affective understanding systems one can deduct important issues to consider during this design process. This paper presents a design model that works as a guideline to assist data engineers when designing data pipelines for affective understanding systems, in order to avoid implementation faults that may increase cost and time. We illustrate the feasibility of this model by presenting its utilization to develop a stress detection application for drivers as a case study. This case study shows that failure to consider issues in the model causes major errors during implementation leading to highly expensive solutions and the wasting of resources. Some of these issues are emergent such as performance, thus implementing prototypes is recommended before finalizing the data pipeline design.
A Hierarchical Cooperative Mission Planning Mechanism for Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Zhao Zhe , Yang Jian , Niu Yifeng , Zhang Yu , Shen Lincheng
Published: April 2019

In this paper, the cooperative multi-task online mission planning for multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is studied. Firstly, the dynamics of unmanned aerial vehicles and the mission planning problem are studied. Secondly, a hierarchical mechanism is proposed to deal with the complex multi-UAV multi-task mission planning problem. In the first stage, the flight paths of UAVs are generated by the Dubins curve and B-spline mixed method, which are defined as “CBC)” curves, where “C” stands for circular arc and “B” stands for B-spline segment. In the second stage, the task assignment problem is solved as multi-base multi-traveling salesman problem, in which the “CBC” flight paths are used to estimate the trajectory costs. In the third stage, the flight trajectories of UAVs are generated by using Gaussian pseudospectral method (GPM). Thirdly, to improve the computational efficiency, the continuous and differential initial trajectories are generated based on the “CBC” flight paths. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the proposed approach, the designed initial solution search algorithm is compared with existing methods. These results indicate that the proposed hierarchical mission planning method can produce satisfactory mission planning results efficiently.
Area-Efficient Embedded Resistor-Triggered SCR with High ESD Robustness
Authors: Hou Fei , Du Feibo , Yang Kai , Liu Jizhi , Liu Zhiwei
Published: April 2019

The trigger voltage of the direct-connected silicon-controlled rectifier (DCSCR) was effectively reduced for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. However, a deep NWELL (DNW) is required to isolate PWELL from P-type substrate (PSUB) in DCSCR, which wastes part of the layout area. An area-efficient embedded resistor-triggered silicon-controlled rectifier (ERTSCR) is proposed in this paper. As verified in a 0.3-μm CMOS process, the proposed ERTSCR exhibits lower triggering voltage due to series diode chains and embedded deep n-well resistor in the trigger path. Additionally, the proposed ERTSCR has a failure current of more than 5 A and a corresponding HBM ESD robustness of more than 8 KV. Furthermore, compared with the traditional DCSCR, to sustain the same ESD protection capability, the proposed ERTSCR will consume 10% less silicon area by fully utilizing the lateral dimension in the deep n-well extension region, while the proposed ERTSCR has a larger top metal width.
Process-Structure-Function in Association with the Main Bioactive of Black Rice Flour Sieving Fractions
Authors: Bolea Carmen Alina , Grigore-Gurgu Leontina , Aprodu Iuliana , Vizireanu Camelia , Stănciuc Nicoleta
Published: April 2019

The aim of this work was to advance knowledge on the potential use of black rice different sieving fractions for various functional applications, through proximate analysis, thermal degradation kinetics of phytochemical and characterization of the thermal behavior of the main proteins, from the perspectives of their use as a food ingredient. The results indicated that the thermal degradation of phytochemicals followed a first-order reaction kinetics for all the tested fractions. The temperature-dependent degradation was adequately modeled according to the Arrhenius equation. The calculated activation energies (Ea) and k values were different among the four studied parameters. The kinetic parameters depended on the grinding and sieving degree, the anthocyanins being the most thermolabile compounds, thus affecting the antioxidant activity. Three protein fractions were identified by electrophoresis with different molecular weight, such as albumin, globulin, and glutelin. The fluorescence spectroscopy experiments revealed the sequential character of the heat-induced conformational changes, different molecular events being suggested, such as folding in the lower temperature range and unfolding at higher temperature. The significance of the study is evidenced by the need to identify and advance the process-structure-function relationships for various biologically active compounds from the perspective of obtaining food or ingredients nutritionally optimized.
Investigating Manuka Honey Antibacterial Properties When Incorporated into Cryogel, Hydrogel, and Electrospun Tissue Engineering Scaffolds
Authors: Hixon Katherine R. , Bogner Savannah J. , Ronning-Arnesen Gabriela , Janowiak Blythe E. , Sell Scott A.
Published: April 2019

Honey is well-known for its wound healing capability and Manuka honey (MH) contains a unique Manuka factor, providing an additional antibacterial agent. Previously, there has not been a practical way to apply MH to a wound site, which renders treatment for an extended period extremely difficult. Tissue-engineered scaffolds offer an alternative treatment method to standard dressings by providing varying geometries to best treat the specific tissue. MH was incorporated into cryogels, hydrogels, and electrospun scaffolds to assess the effect of scaffold geometry on bacterial clearance and adhesion, as well as cellular adhesion. Electrospun scaffolds exhibited a faster release due to the nanoporous fibrous geometry which led to a larger partial bacterial clearance as compared to the more three-dimensional cryogels (CG) and hydrogels (HG). Similarly, the fast release of MH from the electrospun scaffolds resulted in reduced bacterial adhesion. Overall, the fast MH release of the electrospun scaffolds versus the extended release of the HG and CG scaffolds provides differences in cellular/bacterial adhesion and advantages for both short and long-term applications, respectively. This manuscript provides a comparison of the scaffold pore structures as well as bacterial and cellular properties, providing information regarding the relationship between varying scaffold geometry and MH efficacy.
Theoretical Importance of PVP-Alginate Hydrogels Structure on Drug Release Kinetics
Authors: Abrami Michela , Marizza Paolo , Zecchin Francesca , Bertoncin Paolo , Marson Domenico , Lapasin Romano , de Riso Filomena , Posocco Paola , Grassi Gabriele , Grassi Mario
Published: April 2019

Background: The new concepts of personalized and precision medicine require the design of more and more refined delivery systems. In this frame, hydrogels can play a very important role as they represent the best surrogate of soft living tissues for what concerns rheological properties. Thus, this paper focusses on a global theoretical approach able to describe how hydrogel polymeric networks can affect the release kinetics of drugs characterized by different sizes. The attention is focused on a case study dealing with an interpenetrated hydrogel made up by alginate and poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone). Methods: Information about polymeric network characteristics (mesh size distribution and polymer volume fraction) is deduced from the theoretical interpretation of the rheological and the low field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) characterization of hydrogels. This information is then, embodied in the mass balance equation whose resolution provides the release kinetics. Results: Our simulations indicate the influence of network characteristics on release kinetics. In addition, the reliability of the proposed approach is supported by the comparison of the model outcome with experimental release data. Conclusions: This study underlines the necessity of a global theoretical approach in order to design reliable delivery systems based on hydrogels.
The “oro di metà” Gilding in the Fifteenth-Century: A Multi-Analytical Investigation
Authors: Osticioli Iacopo , Capozzoli Laura , Salvadori Barbara , Banchelli Martina , Lavacchi Alessandro , Matteini Paolo , Siano Salvatore , Gallo Loredana
Published: April 2019

Few and fragmentary is the information regarding the “oro di metà” (halfway gold) gilding due to the low probability of finding it in paintings as well as its short durability because of tarnishing. However, the very rare, excellent state of conservation of the gilding found in the fifteenth-century wood panel painting of the Master of St. Ivo studied in this work along with a multi-analytical approach allowed shedding light on the structure, the composition and the conservation state of this type of gilding. An Ultra-High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (UHR-SEM) along with Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analysis and polarised light Optical Microscopy (OM) were employed in order to image and analyse a cross-section of a sample taken from the wood panel painting. Results highlighted a divided structure of the gilding which is constituted by two separated layers of gold and silver with different thickness. This is the first time that scientific evidence on this issue is provided. Moreover, considerations on the tarnishing process of the gilding were made. Finally, complementary vibrational spectroscopic techniques such as micro-Raman and micro-ATR-FTIR were employed in order to identify the molecular composition of the “bole” (gilding preparation layer) and the ground layers.
Fusion of Multi-Sensor-Derived Heights and OSM-Derived Building Footprints for Urban 3D Reconstruction
Authors: Bagheri Hossein , Schmitt Michael , Zhu Xiaoxiang
Published: April 2019

So-called prismatic 3D building models, following the level-of-detail (LOD) 1 of the OGC City Geography Markup Language (CityGML) standard, are usually generated automatically by combining building footprints with height values. Typically, high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) or dense LiDAR point clouds are used to generate these building models. However, high-resolution LiDAR data are usually not available with extensive coverage, whereas globally available DEM data are often not detailed and accurate enough to provide sufficient input to the modeling of individual buildings. Therefore, this paper investigates the possibility of generating LOD1 building models from both volunteered geographic information (VGI) in the form of OpenStreetMap data and remote sensing-derived geodata improved by multi-sensor and multi-modal DEM fusion techniques or produced by synthetic aperture radar (SAR)-optical stereogrammetry. The results of this study show several things: First, it can be seen that the height information resulting from data fusion is of higher quality than the original data sources. Secondly, the study confirms that simple, prismatic building models can be reconstructed by combining OpenStreetMap building footprints and easily accessible, remote sensing-derived geodata, indicating the potential of application on extensive areas. The building models were created under the assumption of flat terrain at a constant height, which is valid in the selected study area.
Sexual Distress in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Cuenca-Barrales Carlos , Ruiz-Villaverde Ricardo , Molina-Leyva Alejandro
Published: April 2019

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic auto-inflammatory skin disease with a great impact in quality of life. However, there is little research about the impact of HS on sex life. The aims of this study are to describe the frequency of sexual distress (SD) in patients with HS and to explore potentially associated epidemiological and clinical factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study by means of a crowd-sourced online questionnaire hosted by the Spanish hidradenitis suppurativa patients’ association (ASENDHI). Sexual distress (SD) was evaluated with a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for HS impact on sex life. A total of 393 participants answered the questionnaire. The mean NRS for HS impact on sex life was 7.24 (2.77) in women and 6.39 (3.44) in men (p < 0.05). Variables significantly associated (p < 0.05) with SD in the multiple linear regression model were sex, with a higher risk in females, the presence of active lesions in the groin and genitals and NRS for pain and unpleasant odor; being in a stable relationship was an important protector factor. Regarding these results, it seems that SD in HS patients is due, at least in part, to disease symptoms and active lesions in specific locations, emphasizing the importance of disease control with a proper treatment according to management guidelines. Women and single patients are more likely to suffer from sexual distress.
A Survey on Efficiency and Profitable Trading Opportunities in Cryptocurrency Markets
Authors: Kyriazis Nikolaos A.
Published: April 2019

This study conducts a systematic survey on whether the pricing behavior of cryptocurrencies is predictable. Thus, the Efficient Market Hypothesis is rejected and speculation is feasible via trading. We center interest on the Rescaled Range (R/S) and Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) as well as other relevant methodologies of testing long memory in returns and volatility. It is found that the majority of academic papers provides evidence for inefficiency of Bitcoin and other digital currencies of primary importance. Nevertheless, large steps towards efficiency in cryptocurrencies have been traced during the last years. This can lead to less profitable trading strategies for speculators.
Correlation between Slow Magnetic Relaxations and Molecular Structures of Dy(III) Complexes with N5O4 Nona-Coordination
Authors: Kobayashi Kaede , Harada Yukina , Ikenaga Kazuki , Kitagawa Yasutaka , Nakano Masayoshi , Kajiwara Takashi
Published: April 2019

A series of Dy(III) mononuclear complexes [DyA2L]+ (L denotes Schiff base N5 ligand that occupies equatorial positions and A− denotes bidentate anionic O-donor ligands such as NO3− (1), AcO− (2), and acac− (3)) were synthesized to investigate the correlation between the slow magnetic relaxation phenomena and the coordination structures around Dy(III). The Dy(III) ion in each complex is in a nona-coordination with the anionic O-donor ligand occupying up- and down-side positions of the N5 equatorial plane. 2 and 3 show slow magnetic relaxation phenomena under a zero bias-field condition, and all complexes showed slow magnetic relaxation under the applied 1000-Oe bias-field conditions. Arrhenius analyses revealed that the ΔE/kB, the barrier height for magnetization flipping, increases in this order, with the values of 24.1(6), 85(3), and 140(15) K. The effects of the exchanging axial ligands on the magnetic anisotropy were discussed together with the DFT calculations.