bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SAĞLIK ÇALIŞANLARININ ÖRGÜTSEL BAĞLILIK DÜZEYLERİNİN İNCELENMESİ: ARTVİN İLİ ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: KAYA Mustafa , FİLİZ Mustafa
Published: April 2020

Örgütler; belli amaçları gerçekleştirmek için bir araya gelmiş yapılardır. Amaçlara ulaşma yolunda etkili ve verimli olmayı temel ilke kabul eden örgütler, örgüt üyelerinin performansını en üst düzeyde tutmak zorundadır. Düşük personel devir hızı ve devamsızlık, tıpkı yüksek performans gibi örgütlerin amaçlarındandır. Üyelerden yüksek performans, düşük devir hızı ve düşük devamsızlık beklentisi, üyelerin örgüte olan bağlılıklarıyla ilişkilidir. Örgütsel bağlılık, ‘‘örgüt bünyesinde yer alan bireylerin örgüte karşı hissettikleri bağlılık duygusunun gücü’’ şeklinde tanımlanabilir. Bu çalışmada, hastanede görev yapan sağlık çalışanlarının örgütsel bağlılık düzeylerinin ve bunu etkileyen faktörlerin belirlenmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Bu amaçla çalışma 2019 yılında Artvin Devlet Hastanesi’nde görev yapan 184 sağlık çalışanı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmanın verileri iki bölümden oluşan anket formu ile toplanmıştır. Anketin ilk bölümünde katılımcıların sosyo-demografik özellikleri ile ilgili 13 soru, ikinci kısmında ise Meyer ve arkadaşları tarafından geliştirilen “Örgütsel Bağlılık Ölçeği’’ yer almaktadır. 18 maddeden oluşan ölçeğin duygusal bağlılık, devam bağlılığı ve normatif bağlılık olmak üzere üç boyutu vardır. Araştırma sonucunda sağlık personelinin örgütsel bağlılık düzeyi ortalamalarının 3,09 olduğu, eğitim durumunun, çalışma statüsünün, çalışılan kurumdan ve birimden duyulan memnuniyetlerin örgütsel bağlılık ve/veya boyutları üzerinde etkili olduğu saptanmıştır.
What Social Work Educators and Practitioners Need to Know on Immigrants’ Health Care: a Systematic Review
Authors: Guo Yuqi , Hao Zhichao , Albright David
Published: April 2020

Introduction: 47 million immigrants are living in the United States and they constitute 14.4 percent of the total population in the United States. As the immigrant population grows rapidly, their health care needs require ongoing and additional attention from social workers and health care practitioners.

Methods: This study systematically reviewed content on immigrants and healthcare in social work literature and discussed implications for social services for immigrant populations. Systematic review and content analysis were employed. Research methods, topics, and samples of included studies were screened and coded.

Results: 47 studies met eligibility for inclusion in this review. The majority of included studies were cross-sectional analysis (60%), focusing on mental health care issues (51%), health care utilization (51%) and adult immigrant samples (49%).

Discussion: Encouraging diversity of social work research can directly promote social work services and health care practices for the underrepresented populations. Our findings suggest that more input from the social work profession on evidence-based practice for diverse immigrants are required. Social workers and health care practitioners must continually be reminded of the health care needs of immigrants.
Success History-Based Position Adaptation in Fuzzy-Controlled Ensemble of Biology-Inspired Algorithms
Authors: Akhmedova Shakhnaz , Stanovov Vladimir , Erokhin Danil , Semenkina Olga
Published: April 2020

In this study, a new modification of the meta-heuristic approach called Co-Operation of Biology-Related Algorithms (COBRA) is proposed. Originally the COBRA approach was based on a fuzzy logic controller and used for solving real-parameter optimization problems. The basic idea consists of a cooperative work of six well-known biology-inspired algorithms, referred to as components. However, it was established that the search efficiency of COBRA depends on its ability to keep the exploitation and exploration balance when solving optimization problems. The new modification of the COBRA approach is based on other method for generating potential solutions. This method keeps a historical memory of successful positions found by individuals to lead them in different directions and therefore to improve the exploitation and exploration capabilities. The proposed technique was applied to the COBRA components and to its basic steps. The newly proposed meta-heuristic as well as other modifications of the COBRA approach and components were evaluated on three sets of various benchmark problems. The experimental results obtained by all algorithms with the same computational effort are presented and compared. It was concluded that the proposed modification outperformed other algorithms used in comparison. Therefore, its usefulness and workability were demonstrated.
Echocardiographic Findings in Canine Model of Chagas Disease Immunized with DNA Trypanosoma cruzi Genes
Authors: Rodríguez-Morales Olivia , Roldán Francisco-Javier , Vargas-Barrón Jesús , Parra-Benítez Enrique , Medina-García María de Lourdes , Vergara-Bello Emilia , Arce-Fonseca Minerva
Published: April 2020

Chagas disease (ChD) is considered an emerging disease in the USA and Europe. Trypanosoma cruzi genes encoding a trans-sialidase protein and an amastigote-specific glycoprotein were tested as vaccines in canine model. The aim for this study was determining the prophylactic effect of these genes in experimentally infected dogs by echocardiography evaluation to compare with our findings obtained by other techniques published previously. Low fractional-shortening values of non-vaccinated dogs suggested an impairment in general cardiac function. Low left ventricular ejection fraction values found in infected dogs suggested myocardial injury regardless of whether they were vaccinated. Low left ventricular diastolic/systolic diameters suggested that progressive heart damage or heart dilation could be prevented by DNA vaccination. Systolic peak time was higher in non-vaccinated groups, increasing vulnerability to malignant arrhythmias and sudden death. High left ventricular volume suggested a decrease in wall thickness that might lead to increased size of the heart cavity, except in the pBCSP plasmid-vaccinated dogs. There was an echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular dilation and reduction in systolic function in experimental chagasic dogs. Echocardiography allowed a more complete follow-up of the pathological process in the living patient than with other techniques like electrocardiography, anatomopathology, and histopathology, being the method of choice for characterizing the clinical stages of ChD.
Supplementation of Underfed Twin-Bearing Ewes with Herbal Vitamins C and E: Impacts on Birth Weight, Postnatal Growth, and Pre-Weaning Survival of the Lambs
Authors: Parraguez Víctor H. , Sales Francisco , Peralta Oscar A. , Narbona Eileen , Lira Raúl , De los Reyes Mónica , González-Bulnes Antonio
Published: April 2020

Twin-bearing pregnancies of sheep reared in harsh environmental conditions result in maternal undernutrition and feto-maternal oxidative stress, leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). We assessed the efficiency of supplementation with antioxidant herbal vitamins C and E alone or in combination with concentrate throughout gestation on pregnancy outcomes, pre-weaning growth, and survival of twin lambs from grazing ewes at the Magellan Steppe. Four groups (n = 30 each) of twin-bearing ewes received a base natural prairie (P) diet, supplemented with either herbal vitamins C 500 mg and E 350 IU per day (V) or concentrated food (S); groups were: P, P + V, P + S, and P + VS. Vitamins and concentrate were supplemented until parturition. At birth, lambs were weighed, and blood was drawn for total antioxidant capacity (TAC) evaluation. Lamb body weight (BW) and survival rate were evaluated at mid-lactation (60 days) and at weaning (120 days). Vitamin supplementation resulted in increased lamb birth weight and TAC, with a trend towards higher BW at weaning, while nutritional supplementation only had a positive effect on birth weight. Lamb survival was higher in both vitamin supplemented groups. In conclusion, supplementation with herbal vitamins C and E alone or in combination with concentrate food during pregnancy may constitute a good nutritional strategy for sheep reared in harsh environmental conditions.
Vitrification Using Soy Lecithin and Sucrose: A New Way to Store the Sperm for the Preservation of Canine Reproductive Function
Authors: Zakošek Pipan Maja , Casal Margret L. , Šterbenc Nataša , Virant Klun Irma , Mrkun Janko
Published: April 2020

A challenge in freezing semen for short and long-term availability is avoiding damage to intact spermatozoa caused by the freezing process. Vitrification protocols provide better results through less manipulation of semen and shorter freezing time compared to slow freezing techniques. Our research was aimed at improving vitrification methods for canine semen. Semen quality was determined in 20 ejaculates after collection. Each ejaculate was divided into eight aliquots, each with a different extender. The control extender contained TRIS, citric acid, fructose, and antibiotics. Soy lecithin and sucrose were added to the control extender at different concentrations to make up the test extenders and final concentration of 50 × 106 spermatozoa/mL. From each group, a 33 µL (1.65 × 106 spermatozoa) suspension of spermatozoa was dropped directly into liquid nitrogen and devitrified at least one week later and evaluated as before. Soy lecithin at 1% and 0.25 M sucrose added to the base vitrification media effectively preserved all sperm qualities. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of our methods. Vitrification media containing sucrose and soy lecithin cause a minimal decline in quality of canine semen after devitrification. Furthermore, extenders used in our research did not contain egg yolk, which was replaced by soy lecithin, thus allowing for ease of shipping to other countries with strict requirements.
Neglect and the Kaleidoscopic Mind: Psychology and Mental Health in Contemporary Art
Authors: Lutyens Marcos , Christov-Moore Leonardo
Published: April 2020

This paper seeks to explore the broad question of whether and how art can be applied to medical therapeutic practices. As part of this research, the paper outlines an ongoing project, exemplifying this combined approach, which seeks to improve function in stroke patients. We reviewed previous collaborations between art and psychology dating back to the 1960s, employing methods ranging from simple, analog, haptic interfaces to the contemporary potential of machine learning to improve brain function. We then outline an ongoing project employing machine learning and multisensory stimulation to improve function in stroke patients, which are being run in collaboration with Klinik Lippoldsberg, Germany. We discuss the possibility that these same approaches may also be applied to healthy people as an open-ended inquiry into consciousness and mental optimization. It is hoped that these approaches will be beneficial to the medical community, but also equally broaden the reach and context of contemporary art, which is so often marginalized within institutions that are not readily accessible to or in communication with other disciplines.
Karyopherin-β1 Regulates Radioresistance and Radiation-Increased Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Expression in Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines
Authors: Hazawa Masaharu , Yoshino Hironori , Nakagawa Yuta , Shimizume Reina , Nitta Keisuke , Sato Yoshiaki , Sato Mariko , Wong Richard W. , Kashiwakura Ikuo
Published: April 2020

Nuclear transport receptors, such as karyopherin-β1 (KPNB1), play important roles in the nuclear-cytoplasmic transport of macromolecules. Recent evidence indicates the involvement of nuclear transport receptors in the progression of cancer, making these receptors promising targets for the treatment of cancer. Here, we investigated the anticancer effects of KPNB1 blockage or in combination with ionizing radiation on human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). HNSCC cell line SAS and Ca9-22 cells were used in this study. Importazole, an inhibitor of KPNB1, or knockdown of KPNB1 by siRNA transfection were applied for the blockage of KPNB1 functions. The roles of KPNB1 on apoptosis induction and cell surface expression levels of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in irradiated HNSCC cells were investigated. The major findings of this study are that (i) blockage of KPNB1 specifically enhanced the radiation-induced apoptosis and radiosensitivity of HNSCC cells; (ii) importazole elevated p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) expression via blocking the nuclear import of SCC-specific oncogene ΔNp63 in HNSCC cells; and (iii) blockage of KPNB1 attenuated the upregulation of cell surface PD-L1 expression on irradiated HNSCC cells. Taken together, these results suggest that co-treatment with KPNB1 blockage and ionizing radiation is a promising strategy for the treatment of HNSCC.
ERK Dephosphorylation through MKP1 Deacetylation by SIRT1 Attenuates RAS-Driven Tumorigenesis
Authors: Kwon Ok-Seon , Lee Haeseung , Kim Yun-Jeong , Cha Hyuk-Jin , Song Na-Young , Lee Mi-Ok
Published: April 2020

The role of Situin 1 (SIRT1) in tumorigenesis is still controversial due to its wide range of substrates, including both oncoproteins and tumor suppressors. A recent study has demonstrated that SIRT1 interferes in the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)-driven activation of the Raf-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)-ERK pathway, thereby inhibiting tumorigenesis. However, the molecular mechanism of SIRT1 as a tumor suppressor in RAS-driven tumorigenesis has been less clearly determined. This study presents evidence that the ectopic expression of SIRT1 attenuates RAS- or MEK-driven ERK activation and reduces cellular proliferation and transformation in vitro. The attenuation of ERK activation by SIRT1 results from prompt dephosphorylation of ERK, while MEK activity remains unchanged. We identified that MKP1, a dual specific phosphatase for MAPK, was deacetylated by SIRT1. Deacetylation of MKP1 by direct interaction with SIRT1 increased the binding affinity to ERK which in turn facilitated inactivation of ERK. Taken together, these results suggest that SIRT1 would act as a tumor suppressor by modulating RAS-driven ERK activity through MKP1 deacetylation.
MicroRNAs as Emerging Regulators of Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Syed Shahzad Nawaz , Brüne Bernhard
Published: April 2020

A myriad of signaling molecules in a heuristic network of the tumor microenvironment (TME) pose a challenge and an opportunity for novel therapeutic target identification in human cancers. MicroRNAs (miRs), due to their ability to affect signaling pathways at various levels, take a prominent space in the quest of novel cancer therapeutics. The role of miRs in cancer initiation, progression, as well as in chemoresistance, is being increasingly investigated. The canonical function of miRs is to target mRNAs for post-transcriptional gene silencing, which has a great implication in first-order regulation of signaling pathways. However, several reports suggest that miRs also perform non-canonical functions, partly due to their characteristic non-coding small RNA nature. Examples emerge when they act as ligands for toll-like receptors or perform second-order functions, e.g., to regulate protein translation and interactions. This review is a compendium of recent advancements in understanding the role of miRs in cancer signaling and focuses on the role of miRs as novel regulators of the signaling pathway in the TME.
Cytotoxic Effect of Trabectedin In Human Adrenocortical Carcinoma Cell Lines and Primary Cells
Authors: Abate Andrea , Rossini Elisa , Bonini Sara Anna , Fragni Martina , Cosentini Deborah , Tiberio Guido Albero Massimo , Benetti Diego , Hantel Constanze , Laganà Marta , Grisanti Salvatore , Terzolo Massimo , Memo Maurizio , Berruti Alfredo , Sigala Sandra
Published: April 2020

Mitotane is the only drug approved for the treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). The regimen to be added to mitotane is a chemotherapy including etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin. This pharmacological approach, however, has a limited efficacy and significant toxicity. Evidence indicates that ACC seems to be sensitive to alkylating agents. Trabectedin is an anti-tumor drug that acts as an alkylating agent with a complex mechanism of action. Here, we investigated whether trabectedin could exert a cytotoxic activity in in vitro cell models of ACC. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay on ACC cell lines and primary cell cultures. The gene expression was evaluated by q-RT-PCR, while protein expression and localization were studied by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Combination experiments were performed to evaluate their interaction on ACC cell line viability. Trabectedin demonstrated high cytotoxicity at sub-nanomolar concentrations in ACC cell lines and patient-derived primary cell cultures. The drug was able to reduce /β catenin nuclear localization, although it is unclear whether this effect is involved in the observed cytotoxicity. Trabectedin/mitotane combination exerted a synergic cytotoxic effect in NCI-H295R cells. Trabectedin has antineoplastic activity in ACC cells. The synergistic cytotoxic activity of trabectedin with mitotane provides the rationale for testing this combination in a clinical study.
Ciliary Genes in Renal Cystic Diseases
Authors: Adamiok-Ostrowska Anna , Piekiełko-Witkowska Agnieszka
Published: April 2020

Cilia are microtubule-based organelles, protruding from the apical cell surface and anchoring to the cytoskeleton. Primary (nonmotile) cilia of the kidney act as mechanosensors of nephron cells, responding to fluid movements by triggering signal transduction. The impaired functioning of primary cilia leads to formation of cysts which in turn contribute to development of diverse renal diseases, including kidney ciliopathies and renal cancer. Here, we review current knowledge on the role of ciliary genes in kidney ciliopathies and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Special focus is given on the impact of mutations and altered expression of ciliary genes (e.g., encoding polycystins, nephrocystins, Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) proteins, ALS1, Oral-facial-digital syndrome 1 (OFD1) and others) in polycystic kidney disease and nephronophthisis, as well as rare genetic disorders, including syndromes of Joubert, Meckel-Gruber, Bardet-Biedl, Senior-Loken, Alström, Orofaciodigital syndrome type I and cranioectodermal dysplasia. We also show that RCC and classic kidney ciliopathies share commonly disturbed genes affecting cilia function, including VHL (von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor), PKD1 (polycystin 1, transient receptor potential channel interacting) and PKD2 (polycystin 2, transient receptor potential cation channel). Finally, we discuss the significance of ciliary genes as diagnostic and prognostic markers, as well as therapeutic targets in ciliopathies and cancer.
Annexin A1 Regulates NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Modifies Lipid Release Profile in Isolated Peritoneal Macrophages
Authors: Sanches José Marcos , Branco Laura Migliari , Duarte Gustavo Henrique Bueno , Oliani Sonia Maria , Bortoluci Karina Ramalho , Moreira Vanessa , Gil Cristiane Damas
Published: April 2020

Annexin A1 (AnxA1) is a potent anti-inflammatory protein that downregulates proinflammatory cytokine release. This study evaluated the role of AnxA1 in the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and lipid release by starch-elicited murine peritoneal macrophages. C57bl/6 wild-type (WT) and AnxA1-null (AnxA1-/-) mice received an intraperitoneal injection of 1.5% starch solution for macrophage recruitment. NLRP3 was activated by priming cells with lipopolysaccharide for 3 h, followed by nigericin (1 h) or ATP (30 min) incubation. As expected, nigericin and ATP administration decreased elicited peritoneal macrophage viability and induced IL-1β release, more pronounced in the AnxA1-/- cells than in the control peritoneal macrophages. In addition, nigericin-activated AnxA1-/- macrophages showed increased levels of NLRP3, while points of co-localization of the AnxA1 protein and NLRP3 inflammasome were detected in WT cells, as demonstrated by ultrastructural analysis. The lipidomic analysis showed a pronounced release of prostaglandins in nigericin-stimulated WT peritoneal macrophages, while ceramides were detected in AnxA1-/- cell supernatants. Different eicosanoid profiles were detected for both genotypes, and our results suggest that endogenous AnxA1 regulates the NLRP3-derived IL-1β and lipid mediator release in macrophages.
Comparative 2H NMR and X-Ray Diffraction Investigation of a Bent-Core Liquid Crystal Showing a Nematic Phase
Authors: Ghilardi Maria , Adamo Fabrizio C. , Vita Francesco , Francescangeli Oriano , Domenici Valentina
Published: April 2020

Bent-core liquid crystals showing a nematic phase stable at low temperatures are very attractive for applicative purposes in view of the inherent biaxial nature of the nematic phase. In this work, a typical five-ring bent-core mesogen was investigated by means of 2H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. These techniques provide complementary information on the structural properties of the nematic phase and the average mesogen conformation: small-angle XRD reveals the presence of short-range positional order in the form of skewed cybotaxis, while a comparison of the orientational order parameters measured by wide-angle XRD and NMR provides an estimate of the molecule bend angle. In addition, 2H NMR puts in evidence the occurrence of an unexpected transition to a low-temperature tilted phase, having a crystalline or smectic-like character. The results were compared with those of previous 13C NMR investigations.
Optical Investigation of Eu3+ Doped Bi12GeO20 (BGO) Crystals
Authors: Kowalczyk M. , Ramazanova T.F. , Grigoryeva V.D. , Shlegel V.N. , Kaczkan M. , Fetliński B. , Malinowski M.
Published: April 2020

The spectroscopic properties of Eu3+ doped Bi12GeO20 (BGO) sillenite bulk crystals that were grown by the low-thermal-gradient Czochralski technique (LTG Cz) were investigated. The absorption spectra and the emission properties have been measured at room temperature (300 K) and at 10 K. Luminescence was observed both due to the direct Eu3+ ion excitation, as well as under UV excitation due to the energy transfer between Bi3+ and Eu3+ ions. Bi3+ → Eu3+ energy transfer mechanisms in Eu3+:BGO doped host were investigated. The Ωλ parameters, as well as radiative lifetimes, were calculated based upon the Judd-Ofelt formalism. The branching ratios and electric dipole transition probabilities were also determined, based upon the obtained experimental results. Luminescence has been observed from the 5D0,1,2 levels of Eu3+, with emissions from the 5D0 level being the strongest. The strongest observed luminescence band corresponds to the 5D0 → 7F0 transition at 578.7 nm. Reasons for the strong presence of the theoretically forbidden 5D0 → 7F0 emission were investigated.
Fractional-Order Chaotic Memory with Wideband Constant Phase Elements
Authors: Petrzela Jiri
Published: April 2020

This paper provides readers with three partial results that are mutually connected. Firstly, the gallery of the so-called constant phase elements (CPE) dedicated for the wideband applications is presented. CPEs are calculated for 9° (decimal orders) and 10° phase steps including ¼, ½, and ¾ orders, which are the most used mathematical orders between zero and one in practice. For each phase shift, all necessary numerical values to design fully passive RC ladder two-terminal circuits are provided. Individual CPEs are easily distinguishable because of a very high accuracy; maximal phase error is less than 1.5° in wide frequency range beginning with 3 Hz and ending with 1 MHz. Secondly, dynamics of ternary memory composed by a series connection of two resonant tunneling diodes is investigated and, consequently, a robust chaotic behavior is discovered and reported. Finally, CPEs are directly used for realization of fractional-order (FO) ternary memory as lumped chaotic oscillator. Existence of structurally stable strange attractors for different orders is proved, both by numerical analyzed and experimental measurement.
Identifying Communities in Dynamic Networks Using Information Dynamics
Authors: Sun Zejun , Sheng Jinfang , Wang Bin , Ullah Aman , Khawaja FaizaRiaz
Published: April 2020

Identifying communities in dynamic networks is essential for exploring the latent network structures, understanding network functions, predicting network evolution, and discovering abnormal network events. Many dynamic community detection methods have been proposed from different viewpoints. However, identifying the community structure in dynamic networks is very challenging due to the difficulty of parameter tuning, high time complexity and detection accuracy decreasing as time slices increase. In this paper, we present a dynamic community detection framework based on information dynamics and develop a dynamic community detection algorithm called DCDID (dynamic community detection based on information dynamics), which uses a batch processing technique to incrementally uncover communities in dynamic networks. DCDID employs the information dynamics model to simulate the exchange of information among nodes and aims to improve the efficiency of community detection by filtering out the unchanged subgraph. To illustrate the effectiveness of DCDID, we extensively test it on synthetic and real-world dynamic networks, and the results demonstrate that the DCDID algorithm is superior to the representative methods in relation to the quality of dynamic community detection.
A New Efficient Step-Up Boost Converter with CLD Cell for Electric Vehicle and New Energy Systems
Authors: Malik Muhammad Zeeshan , Chen Haoyong , Nazir Muhammad Shahzad , Khan Irfan Ahmad , Abdalla Ahmed N. , Ali Amjad , Chen Wan
Published: April 2020

An increase in demand for renewable energy resources, energy storage technologies, and electric vehicles requires high-power level DC-DC converters. The DC-DC converter that is suitable for high-power conversion applications (i.e., resonant, full-bridge or the dual-active bridge) requires magnetic transformer coupling between input and output stage. However, transformer design in these converters remains a challenging problem, with several non-linear scaling issues that need to be simultaneously optimized to reduce losses and maintain acceptable performance. In this paper, a new transformer-less high step-up boost converter with a charge pump capacitorand capacitor-inductor-diode CLD cell is proposed using dynamic modeling. The experimental and simulation results of the proposed converter are carried out in a laboratory and through Matlab Simulink, where 10 V is given as an input voltage, and at the output, 100 V achieved in the proposed converter. A comparative analysis of the proposed converter has also been done with a conventional quadratic converter that has similar parameters. The results suggest that the proposed converter can obtain high voltage gain without operating at the maximum duty cycle and is more efficient than the conventional converter.
Analytical and Experimental Studies of Double Elastic Steel Sheet (DESS) Vibration Energy Harvester System
Authors: Wang Yi-Ren , Wong Ming-Syun , Chen Bo-Yan
Published: April 2020

This study provides a double elastic steel sheet (DESS) piezoelectric energy harvester system, in which the vibration generated by the deformation and clap of two elastic steel sheets is assisted by a piezo patch to generate electric energy. The system is combined with energy storage equipment to propose a complete solution forgreen energy integration. This study buildsexperimentallyon the model of the proposed system to explore its voltage, power output and energy collection efficiency. This study also builds atheoretical model of a nonlinear beam with the piezo patch, including the piezoelectric coupling coefficient and current equation. This nonlinear problem is analyzed by the method of multiple scales (MOMS). The system frequency response wasobserved using fixed points plots. The perturbation technique and numerical method wereused to mutually validate the experimental results; the concept of DESS vibration energy harvester (DESS VEH) is proved feasible. In order to prolong the lifetime of the clapping of DESS piezo patch, a camber protector design is proposed. The findings show that the power-generating effect is best when the piezo patch is placed at the peak of the third mode of the DESS system, and the high camber protector is used to generate electric energy.
Study on the Tri-axial Time-Dependent Deformation and Constitutive Model of Glauberite Salt Rock under the Coupled Effects of Compression and Dissolution
Authors: Cao Mengtao , Yin Shunde
Published: April 2020

Solution mining for glauberite salt rock is a long-term process that takes several years to several decades. Therefore, deposit deformations and subsidence of ground surfaces are time-dependent deformation problems that should consider the effect of water dissolution. In order to investigate the time-dependent deformation characteristics of glauberite salt rock, tri-axial time-dependent deformation tests were conducted under the condition of 4 MPa confining pressure and 5 MPa axial pressure with infiltration pressures of 3, 2, 1, and 0 MPa, respectively, and the micro-CT scan system was used to scan the glauberite specimens before and after the experiment in order to study the fracture evolution inside the specimen, and a damage constitutive model was established to fit the time-dependent deformation curves based on the damage mechanics and effective stress principle. To simulate the solution mining process, the time-dependent deformation process of glauberite salt rock was divided into three stages: hydraulic connection stage, water-saturated stage, and drainage stage. The results demonstrate that the hydraulic connection time for glauberite salt rock decreases with increasing infiltration pressure. The time-dependent deformations of the specimens at the hydraulic connection and saturated-water stages are significantly affected by the effective stress and continual mineral dissolution. At the drainage stage, the softening degree of the solid skeleton mechanical properties, which is caused by the dissolution effect and infiltration pressure loading history, decides the deformation of glauberite salt rock. In addition, the degree of softening inside glauberite salt rock caused by dissolution becomes more severe with increasing infiltration pressure using the micro-CT scan technology. Lastly, the time-dependent damage constitutive model is able to describe the tri-axial time-dependent deformation behavior of glauberite salt rock, and the variations of time-dependent deformation parameters further indicate the damage evolution of the solid skeleton mechanical properties of glauberite caused by infiltration pressure and dissolution effect.
Operational Management Implemented in Biofuel Upstream Supply Chain and Downstream International Trading: Current Issues in Southeast Asia
Authors: Ying Hoo , Phun Chien Cassendra , Yee Van Fan
Published: April 2020

Bioenergy is one of the alternatives to secure energy demand, despite increasing debate on the sustainability of using bioenergy as a renewable source. As the source is disseminated over a large area and affected by seasonality, the potential benefit is highly dependent on other cost and benefit trade-offs along the supply chain. This review paper aims to assess operational management research methods used in biofuel supply chain planning, including both upstream production and international downstream trading. There have been considerable operational management studies done on upstream processes in biofuel production based on different strategic and tactical decision making of a single or multiple feedstocks, considering economic and environmental factor. However, the environmental consideration is often limited to carbon emission where the other environmental impact such as land-use change, biodiversity loss, irrigation and fertilisation are often being overlooked. Biofuel supply chain and trading at international level remain as an apparent research potential where only limited numbers of global energy models explicitly simulate international bioenergy trade. The leading biofuel producing countries in Southeast Asia: Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, are selected as a case study to investigate further on how the supply chain management model could be applied considering the existing biofuel support policies. This study is expected to contribute to the selection of operational management research methods used for decision making under robust policy context, followed by several recommendations.
Wet Chemical Oxidation to Improve Interfacial Properties of Al2O3/Si and Interface Analysis of Al2O3/SiOx/Si Structure Using Surface Carrier Lifetime Simulation and Capacitance–Voltage Measurement
Authors: Min Kwan Hong , Choi Sungjin , Jeong Myeong Sang , Park Sungeun , Kang Min Gu , Lee Jeong In , Kang Yoonmook , Kim Donghwan , Lee Hae-Seok , Song Hee-eun
Published: April 2020

A thin silicon oxide (SiOx) layer (thickness: 1.5–2.0 nm) formed at an Al2O3/Si interface can enhance the interface properties. However, it is challenging to control the characteristics of thin SiOx layers because SiOx forms naturally during Al2O3 deposition on Si substrates. In this study, a ~1.5 nm-thick SiOx layer was inserted between Al2O3 and Si substrates by wet chemical oxidation to improve the passivation properties. The acidic solutions used for wet chemical oxidation were HCl:H2O2:H2O, H2SO4:H2O2:H2O, and HNO3. The thicknesses of SiOx layers formed in the acidic solutions were ~1.48, ~1.32, and ~1.50 nm for SiOx-HCl, SiOx-H2SO4, and SiOx-HNO3, respectively. The leakage current characteristics of SiOx-HNO3 were better than those of the oxide layers formed in the other acidic solutions. After depositing a ~10 nm-thick Al2O3 on an SiOx-acidic/Si structure, we measured the effective carrier lifetime using quasi steady-state photoconductance and examined the interfacial properties of Al2O3/SiOx-acidic/Si using surface carrier lifetime simulation and capacitance–voltage measurement. The effective carrier lifetime of Al2O3/SiOx-HNO3/Si was relatively high (~400 μs), resulting from the low surface defect density (2.35–2.88 × 1010 cm−2eV−1). The oxide layer inserted between Al2O3 and Si substrates by wet chemical oxidation helped improve the Al2O3/Si interface properties.
Infrastructuring the Circular Economy
Authors: Nogueira André , Ashton Weslynne , Teixeira Carlos , Lyon Elizabeth , Pereira Jonathan
Published: April 2020

The circular economy (CE), and its focus on the cycling and regeneration of resources, necessitates both a reconfiguration of existing infrastructures and the creation of new infrastructures to facilitate these flows. In urban settings, CE is being realized at multiple levels, from within individual organizations to across peri-urban landscapes. While most attention in CE research and practice focuses on organizations, the scale and impact of many such efforts are limited because they fail to account for the diversity of resources, needs, and power structures across cities, consequently missing opportunities for adopting a more effective and inclusive CE. Reconfiguring hard infrastructures is necessary for material resource cycling, but intervening in soft infrastructures is also needed to enable more inclusive decision-making processes to activate these flows. Utilizing participatory action research methods at the intersection of industrial ecology and design, we developed a new framework and a model for considering and allocating the variety of resources that organizations utilize when creating value for themselves, society, and the planet. We use design prototyping methods to synthesize distributed knowledge and co-create hard and soft infrastructures in a multi-level case study focused on urban food producers and farmers markets from the City of Chicago. We discuss generalized lessons for “infrastructuring” the circular economy to bridge niche-level successes with larger system-level changes in cities.
Energy Recovery from Waste Tires Using Pyrolysis: Palestine as Case of Study
Authors: Abdallah Ramez , Juaidi Adel , Assad Mahmoud , Salameh Tareq , Manzano-Agugliaro Francisco
Published: April 2020

The first industrial-scale pyrolysis plant for solid tire wastes has been installed in Jenin, northern of the West Bank in Palestine, to dispose of the enormous solid tire wastes in the north of West Bank. The disposable process is an environmentally friendly process and it converts tires into useful products, which could reduce the fuel crisis in Palestine. The gravimetric analysis of tire waste pyrolysis products from the pyrolysis plant working at the optimum conditions is: tire pyrolysis oil (TPO): 45%, pyrolysis carbon black (PCB): 35%, pyrolysis gas (Pyro-Gas): 10% and steel wire: 10%. These results are depending on the tire type and size. It has been found that the produced pyrolysis oil has a High Heating Value (HHV), with a range of 42 − 43   ( MJ / kg ) , which could make it useful as a replacement for conventional liquid fuels. The main disadvantage of using the TPO as fuel is its strong acrid smell and its low flash point, as compared with the other conventional liquid fuels. The produced pyrolysis carbon black also has a High Heating Value (HHV) of about 29 (MJ/kg), which could also encourage its usage as a solid fuel. Carbon black could also be used as activated carbon, printers’ ink, etc. The pyrolysis gas (Pyro-Gas) obtained from waste tires mainly consist of light hydrocarbons. The concentration of H2 has a range of 30% to 40% in volume and it has a high calorific value (approximately 31   MJ / m 3 ), which can meet the process requirement of energy. On the other hand, it is necessary to clean gas before the burning process to remove H2S from Pyro-Gas, and hence, reduce the acid rain problem. However, for the current plant, some recommendations should be followed for more comfortable operation and safer environment work conditions.
Electromagnetic–Mechanical Coupling Optimization of an IPM Synchronous Machine with Multi Flux Barriers
Authors: Wu Wenye , Chen Qingzhang , Zhu Xiaoyong , Zhao Fuzhou , Xiang Zixuan
Published: April 2020

In this paper, an interior permanent magnet (IPM) synchronous machine with multiflux barriers is proposed to meet the wide speed regulation application requirements of electric vehicles. Based on the flux barrier characteristic, an electromagnetic–mechanical coupling optimization strategy is employed for the machine design. In order to facilitate the optimization design, the rotor barriers are divided into two optimization zones, the maximum stress zone and the maximum deformation zone. The electromagnetic–mechanical coupling optimization strategy is divided into two stages accordingly. In the first stage, the machine is regarded as a synchronous reluctance machine by ignoring permanent magnets, where the dimensions of the arc-shaped barriers are optimized to achieve a large reluctance torque and small stress. In the second stage, the dimensions of the arc-shaped PMs and the elliptical barrier are optimized with three objectives of minimum torque ripple, minimum flux linkage, and minimum deformation. After machine optimization, the comparison investigations are carried out on the basis of finite-element analysis by considering both the electromagnetic performances and mechanical performances.
An Online Super-Twisting Sliding Mode Anti-Slip Control Strategy
Authors: Huang Zhiwu , Du Wei , Chen Bin , Gao Kai , Liu Yongjie , Tang Xuanheng , Yang Yingze
Published: April 2020

The variability of rail surfaces can result in wheel–rail slippage, which reduces the accuracy of subway braking systems, or even endangers the operation safety. It is necessary to conduct optimal anti-slip control with the estimation of the wheel–rail adhesion state. In this paper, an online super-twisting sliding mode anti-slip control strategy is proposed for subway vehicles. Firstly, real-time wheel–rail adhesion state estimation is performed by utilizing the recursive least squares algorithm under complex and variable rail surface conditions. Then, the differential evolution algorithm is adopted to search the current optimal slip velocity based on the wheel–rail adhesion state. The super-twisting sliding mode controller is designed to implement the optimal sliding velocity tracking. The controller exploits the high-order derivatives of the sliding mode to eliminate chatter vibration and avoid the effect of disturbance, improving the anti-slip control performance. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed anti-slip strategy is verified by experimental results.
An Experimental Investigation of the External Wind Effects on the Ceiling Temperature Distribution of Fire-Induced Thermal Flow in a Corridor Connected to a Compartment
Authors: Cao Bei , Zhou Xiaodong , Huang Yubiao , Zheng Yuan , Ye Kai , Liu Hong , Yang Lizhong
Published: April 2020

Fire-induced thermal flow is the greatest threat to trapped people and the heat-resistant quality of building structures. This paper presents an experimental investigation of the effects of external wind on the ceiling temperature distribution of fire-induced thermal flow in a one-sixth scale corridor connected to a compartment. In the experiments, the fire source was placed in the compartment with hot thermal flow spilled into the connected corridor. The heat release rate (HRR) was changed from 10 to 20 kW and the external wind velocity was changed from 0 to 2.09 m/s. The ends of the corridor could be adjusted to be fully or partially open to the environment with dam-boards arranged at the ends of the corridor. An effective corridor HRR, Qcorridor, was defined to account for the amount of the spilled plume into the corridor. Results show that the temperature under the ceiling changed in a non-monotonic way with wind velocity: it first increased and then decreased with wind velocity. It was revealed that the dam-boards at the corridor opening had an evidently shielding effect, leading to higher temperature compared to the fully open environment. Finally, uniform correlations are proposed for predicting the attenuation law of ceiling temperature profiles in corridors for different wind conditions.
Cheap Talk Games with Two-Senders and Different Modes of Communication
Authors: Bayindir Esra E. , Gurdal Mehmet Y. , Ozdogan Ayca , Saglam Ismail
Published: April 2020

This paper deals with the effects of different modes of communication in a costless information transmission environment with multiple senders. To this aim, we present a theoretical and experimental study of three Cheap Talk games, each having two senders and one receiver. The communication of senders is simultaneous in the first, sequential in the second and determined by the receiver in the third game (the Choice Game). We find that the overcommunication phenomenon observed with only one sender becomes insignificant in our two-sender model regardless of the mode of communication. However, as to the excessive trust of the receiver, our results are not distinguished from those in the one-sender model. Regarding the Choice Game, our logistic regressions on experimental results suggest that the receiver is more likely to select simultaneous play if the previous play was simultaneous and the receiver earned the high payoff and much more likely to select simultaneous play if the messages were nonconflicting.
The Impact of the CFTR Gene Discovery on Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosis, Counseling, and Preventive Therapy
Authors: Farrell Philip M. , Rock Michael J. , Baker Mei W.
Published: April 2020

Discovery of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene was the long-awaited scientific advance that dramatically improved the diagnosis and treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). The combination of a first-tier biomarker, immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT), and, if high, DNA analysis for CF-causing variants, has enabled regions where CF is prevalent to screen neonates and achieve diagnoses within 1–2 weeks of birth when most patients are asymptomatic. In addition, IRT/DNA (CFTR) screening protocols simultaneously contribute important genetic data to determine genotype, prognosticate, and plan preventive therapies such as CFTR modulator selection. As the genomics era proceeds with affordable biotechnologies, the potential added value of whole genome sequencing will probably enhance personalized, precision care that can begin during infancy. Issues remain, however, about the optimal size of CFTR panels in genetically diverse regions and how best to deal with incidental findings. Because prospects for a primary DNA screening test are on the horizon, the debate about detecting heterozygote carriers will likely intensify, especially as we learn more about this relatively common genotype. Perhaps, at that time, concerns about CF heterozygote carrier detection will subside, and it will become recognized as beneficial. We share new perspectives on that issue in this article.
TWINKLE and Other Human Mitochondrial DNA Helicases: Structure, Function and Disease
Authors: Peter Bradley , Falkenberg Maria
Published: April 2020

Mammalian mitochondria contain a circular genome (mtDNA) which encodes subunits of the oxidative phosphorylation machinery. The replication and maintenance of mtDNA is carried out by a set of nuclear-encoded factors—of which, helicases form an important group. The TWINKLE helicase is the main helicase in mitochondria and is the only helicase required for mtDNA replication. Mutations in TWINKLE cause a number of human disorders associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, neurodegeneration and premature ageing. In addition, a number of other helicases with a putative role in mitochondria have been identified. In this review, we discuss our current knowledge of TWINKLE structure and function and its role in diseases of mtDNA maintenance. We also briefly discuss other potential mitochondrial helicases and postulate on their role(s) in mitochondria.
Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) in China: Evidence from Citywide Representative Surveys from Five Chinese Cities in 2018
Authors: Huang Jidong , Duan Zongshuan , Wang Yu , Redmon Pamela B. , Eriksen Michael P.
Published: April 2020

China is the largest cigarette consuming country in the world. The emergence of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) in China may have important implications for the Chinese tobacco market. Unfortunately, research on ENDS in China, while growing, is still limited. This study was designed to examine the awareness and use of ENDS among adult urban residents in China. Data from five citywide representative surveys conducted in 2017–2018 were used. Percentages of residents who had ever heard of, ever used, or used ENDS in the past 30 days among all residents and smokers were estimated, in total and by demographic characteristics. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted associations between awareness and use of ENDS and individual-level demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status (SES). Overall, 51.3% had ever heard, 4.8% ever used, and 0.9% used ENDS in the past 30 days. Men, young adults, those with high levels of education, and current smokers were more likely to be aware of and use ENDS. Among smokers, 67.8% had ever heard, 17.1% ever used, and 3.9% used ENDS in the past 30 days, respectively. Young adult smokers and smokers with high levels of education were more likely to be aware of and use ENDS. Our study results on ENDS awareness and use patterns and associated factors in China provide important evidence to inform research and policies related to ENDS manufacture, marketing, and sales in China.