bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in Isolated Single-Atom Catalysts for Zinc Air Batteries: A Focus Review
Authors: Zhang Weimin , Liu Yuqing , Zhang Lipeng , Chen Jun
Published: October 2019

Recently, zinc–air batteries (ZABs) have been receiving attention due to their theoretically high energy density, excellent safety, and the abundance of zinc resources. Typically, the performance of the zinc air batteries is determined by two catalytic reactions on the cathode—the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Therefore, intensive effort has been devoted to explore high performance electrocatalysts with desired morphology, size, and composition. Among them, single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as attractive and unique systems because of their high electrocatalytic activity, good durability, and 100% active atom utilization. In this review, we mainly focus on the advance application of SACs in zinc air batteries in recent years. Firstly, SACs are briefly compared with catalysts in other scales (i.e., micro- and nano-materials). A main emphasis is then focused on synthesis and electrocatalytic activity as well as the underlying mechanisms for mono- and dual-metal-based SACs in zinc air batteries catalysis. Finally, a prospect is provided that is expected to guide the rational design and synthesis of SACs for zinc air batteries.
Serum Phosphorus as a Risk Factor of Metabolic Syndrome in the Elderly in Taiwan: A Large-Population Cohort Study
Authors: Jhuang Yi-Han , Kao Tung-Wei , Peng Tao-Chun , Chen Wei-Liang , Chang Pi-Kai , Wu Li-Wei
Published: October 2019

Background: The impact of serum phosphorus concentration on metabolic syndrome were limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association between the serum phosphorus and incident metabolic syndrome in the elderly in Taiwan. Methods: We included 1491 participants who had health check-ups in the Tri-Service General Hospital for the period 2007 to 2015 and divided them based on age to assess the incidence of metabolic syndrome. We performed the COX regression model to explore the impact of serum phosphorus for metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension by an age-specific group. Results: Our result showed that higher serum phosphorus concentration was noted in the elderly in the baseline characteristics. In the group older than 60 years, serum phosphorus concentration was correlated with the incidence of metabolic syndrome (hazard ratios (HR) = 1.39, 95% CI 1.11–1.74) and diabetes mellitus (HR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.15–1.92) after adjustment. We further found the relationship between serum phosphorus and incidence of the components of metabolic syndrome, including higher waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), serum triglyceride, and fast glucose. Conclusions: Our study might provide an epidemiological evidence that serum phosphorus was related with the incidence of metabolic syndrome in the elderly in Taiwan.
Comparative Investigation of Frankincense Nutraceuticals: Correlation of Boswellic and Lupeolic Acid Contents with Cytokine Release Inhibition and Toxicity against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Schmiech Michael , Lang Sophia J. , Ulrich Judith , Werner Katharina , Rashan Luay J. , Syrovets Tatiana , Simmet Thomas
Published: October 2019

For centuries, frankincense extracts have been commonly used in traditional medicine, and more recently, in complementary medicine. Therefore, frankincense constituents such as boswellic and lupeolic acids are of considerable therapeutic interest. Sixteen frankincense nutraceuticals were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), revealing major differences in boswellic and lupeolic acid compositions and total contents, which varied from 0.4% to 35.7%. Frankincense nutraceuticals significantly inhibited the release of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8, by LPS-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and whole blood. Moreover, boswellic and lupeolic acid contents correlated with TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 inhibition. The nutraceuticals also exhibited toxicity against the human triple-negative breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453, and CAL-51 in vitro. Nutraceuticals with total contents of boswellic and lupeolic acids >30% were the most active ones against MDA-MB-231 with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) ≤ 7.0 µg/mL. Moreover, a frankincense nutraceutical inhibited tumor growth and induced apoptosis in vivo in breast cancer xenografts grown on the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Among eight different boswellic and lupeolic acids tested, β-ABA exhibited the highest cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 with an IC50 = 5.9 µM, inhibited growth of cancer xenografts in vivo, and released proinflammatory cytokines. Its content in nutraceuticals correlated strongly with TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 release inhibition.
Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load and Cancer Risk: An Updated Meta-Analysis
Authors: Turati Federica , Galeone Carlotta , Augustin Livia S. A. , La Vecchia Carlo
Published: October 2019

Diets high in glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) have been related to an increased risk of selected cancers, but additional quantification is required. We updated a systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2015 to May 2019 to provide quantitative information on GI/GL and cancer risk. Relative risks (RR) and the corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for the highest versus the lowest categories of GI and GL were extracted from selected studies and pooled using random-effects models. Twenty reports (>22,000 cancer cases) have become available after January 2015, and 15 were added to the meta-analyses by cancer sites, which considered a total of 88 investigations. The five additional reports were reviewed, but not included in the meta-analyses, since data were inadequate to be pooled. For hormone-related cancers, summary RRs for the highest versus lowest GI and GL intakes were moderately increased. They ranged from 1.04 (breast) to 1.12 (endometrium) for GI and from 1.03 (prostate) to 1.22 (ovary) for GL, of borderline significance. High GI was associated with small increased risks of colorectal (summary RR for GI: 1.20, 95% CI, 1.07–1.34—GL: 1.09, 95% CI, 0.97–1.22, 19 studies), bladder (GI: 1.25, 95% CI, 1.11–1.41—GL: 1.10, 95% CI, 0.85–1.42, four studies) and kidney cancers (GI: 1.16, 95% CI, 1.02–1.32—GL: 1.14, 95% CI, 0.81–1.60, five studies). GL was not significantly related to those cancer sites. Stomach, prostate and lung cancers were not associated with GI and GL. The present analysis, based on an updated comprehensive evaluation of the epidemiological literature, indicates moderate unfavorable effects of high versus low GI on colorectal, and possibly bladder and kidney cancers, and a possible moderate positive association between GL and endometrial cancer.
Bidirectional Associations between Obesity and Cognitive Function in Midlife Adults: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Hartanto Andree , Yong Jose , Toh Wei
Published: October 2019

The links between obesity and cognition remain equivocal due to a variety of methodological limitations with current research, such as an overreliance on body mass index (BMI) as a measure of obesity, the use of cross-sectional designs, and inadequate specification over the domains of cognitive function to be examined. To address these issues, we used data from the Cognitive Project of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States, a large-scale, longitudinal dataset on non-institutionalized midlife adults (N = 2652), which enabled us to examine the long-term bidirectional relations between obesity and two latent factors of cognition—executive function and episodic memory—while controlling for potential confounds. Results showed that, over a span of nine years, an increase in obesity in Time 1 is associated with a decline in episodic memory in Time 2 (but not executive function), while an increase in executive function in Time 1 (but not episodic memory) is associated with a reduction in obesity in Time 2. These results were elucidated when obesity was indexed with waist-to-hip ratio but not with BMI. Our findings highlight important directions for further research, in particular the use of more valid obesity indices and a greater focus on the bidirectional effects between obesity and cognition.
Preparation, Characterization and Dermal Delivery of Methadone
Authors: Kung Chin-Ping , Sil Bruno C. , Hadgraft Jonathan , Lane Majella E. , Patel Bhumik , McCulloch Renée
Published: October 2019

The use of methadone for the management of pain has received great interest in recent years. Currently, oral and intravenous formulations are available for clinical use. Dermal delivery represents an attractive alternative route of administration for this drug as it is associated with comparatively fewer side effects. The first stage of the work was the preparation of methadone free base as this form of the drug is expected to permeate the skin to a greater extent than the hydrochloride salt. Subsequently the molecule was characterized with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and thermal analysis, the distribution coefficient was determined and solubility studies were conducted in a range of solvents. In vitro permeation and mass balance studies were conducted under finite dose conditions (5 μL/cm2) in porcine skin. The results confirmed the more favorable penetration of methadone free base compared with the salt. The highest cumulative amount of methadone (41 ± 5 μg/cm2) permeated from d-limonene (LIM). Ethyl oleate (EO), Transcutol® P (TC) and octyl salicylate (OSAL) also appear to be promising candidate components of dermal formulations for methadone base. Future work will focus on further formulation optimization with the objective of progressing to evaluation of prototype dosage forms in clinical trials.
The Control of Apparent Wettability on the Efficiency of Surfactant Flooding in Tight Carbonate Rocks
Authors: Sajjad Rabbani Harris , Osman Yossra , Almaghrabi Ibrahim , Azizur Rahman Mohammad , Seers Thomas
Published: October 2019

In this research, a state-of-the-art experimental core flooding setup is used to assess the efficiency of surfactant flooding as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique in tight carbonate rocks. Specifically, we investigate the role of apparent wettability in governing the effectiveness of surfactant flooding. A series of flooding experiments with well-defined boundary conditions were performed on the low permeability core plug samples of Indiana Limestone (calcite-cemented carbonate grainstones). Experiments were conducted on three samples exhibiting differing apparent wetting characteristics: strongly oil-wet, moderately oil-wet and weakly oil-wet. Initially, the oil-saturated core samples were flooded with brine until the residual oil saturation was achieved, with surfactant flooding performed as a tertiary recovery technique. Interestingly, our experimental results reveal that the efficiency of surfactant flooding increases with the degree of oil-wetness of the tight carbonate rocks. The strongly oil-wet core showed the highest recovery, while the weakly oil-wet core manifested the least additional oil recovery associated with surfactant flooding. Moreover, we provided a pore-scale argument that explains the macroscopic role of surfactant flooding in tight carbonate rocks. We hypothesized that at the pore-scale the presence of thin film plays a critical role in controlling the effectiveness of surfactant flooding in the strongly oil-wet tight carbonate rocks. Overall, we believe that our macroscopic study provides novel insight into the dynamics of surfactant flooding in tight carbonate reservoirs and can aid in optimizing the field development plans for oil recovery.
Modeling and Analysis of Coal-Based Lurgi Gasification for LNG and Methanol Coproduction Process
Authors: Gu Jingfang , Yang Siyu , Kokossis Antonis
Published: October 2019

A coal-based coproduction process of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and methanol (CTLNG-M) is developed and key units are simulated in this paper. The goal is to find improvements of the low-earning coal to synthesis natural gas (CTSNG) process using the same raw material but producing a low-margin, single synthesis natural gas (SNG) product. In the CTLNG-M process, there are two innovative aspects. Firstly, the process can co-generate high value-added products of LNG and methanol, in which CH4 is separated from the syngas to obtain liquefied natural gas (LNG) through a cryogenic separation unit, while the remaining lean-methane syngas is then used for methanol synthesis. Secondly, CO2 separated from the acid gas removal unit is partially reused for methanol synthesis reaction, which consequently increases the carbon element utilization efficiency and reduces the CO2 emission. In this paper, the process is designed with the output products of 642,000 tons/a LNG and 1,367,800 tons/a methanol. The simulation results show that the CTLNG-M process can obtain a carbon utilization efficiency of 39.6%, bringing about a reduction of CO2 emission by 130,000 tons/a compared to the CTSNG process. However, the energy consumption of the new process is increased by 9.3% after detailed analysis of energy consumption. The results indicate that although electricity consumption is higher than that of the conventional CTSNG process, the new CTLNG-M process is still economically feasible. In terms of the economic benefits, the investment is remarkably decreased by 17.8% and an increase in internal rate of return (IRR) by 6% is also achieved, contrasting to the standalone CTSNG process. It is; therefore, considered as a feasible scheme for the efficient utilization of coal by Lurgi gasification technology and production planning for existing CTSNG plants.
Numerical Investigation on the Mechanism of Double-Volute Balancing Radial Hydraulic Force on the Centrifugal Pump
Authors: Yuan Ye , Yuan Shouqi , Tang Lingdi
Published: October 2019

Double-volute is an effective technique to reduce radial hydraulic force on the centrifugal pump and thereby mitigate the pump-casing vibration induced by unsteady flow characteristics. The mechanism of the double-volute structure balancing radial force on the impeller and volute was investigated on the basis of volute cross-sections by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method. The tested performances and simulated inner-flow characteristics of two pumps with single-volute and double-volute were compared in this paper. The performance-test results verify the veracity of CFD method and illustrate that double-volute pump has some losses in terms of pump head and operation efficiency. The numerical simulations reveal that double-volute pump has smaller radial-force magnitude than single-volute pump on the abnormal conditions. Steady pressure field and transient pressure variations of pumps were explored to account for radial-force characteristics of double-volute pump. Compared with the single-volute structure, obvious pressure increases were found in the upper chamber (single part) of the double-volute, while the static pressure decreased in the lower chamber (double chambers). This situation reduces the pressure difference between two volute cross-sections in the collinear radial direction, resulting in smaller radial hydraulic force. Moreover, the transient simulations present the same phenomenon. The radial-forces distribute more uniformly in the double-volute pump, which can alleviate some vibrations.
Numerical Analysis of Two-Phase Flow in the Cavitation Process of a Waterjet Propulsion Pump System
Authors: Jiao Weixuan , Cheng Li , Xu Jing , Wang Chuan
Published: October 2019

The waterjet propulsion system has been widely used in the military and civil fields because of its advantages of in terms of high efficiency and energy savings. In order to study the three-dimensional cavitation flow in the waterjet propulsion pump, the cavitation process of the waterjet propulsion pump was simulated numerically using the Zwart–Gerber–Belamri cavitation model and the RNG (Renormalization Group) k-ε model. The simulation results of cavitation on the waterjet propulsion pump and pump system show that, in the initial stage of cavitation, vapors first collect on the leading edge of the suction surface of the blade near the rim of the impeller. As the total pressure at the impeller inlet decreases, the cavitation region expands toward the trailing edge and the vapor fraction volume gradually increases. In order to simulate the cavitation state of the waterjet propulsion pump under the actual working conditions, a numerical simulation of the entire waterjet propulsion pump system with inlet passage was carried out. After assembling the inlet passage, the flow pattern at the impeller inlet becomes uneven, leading to irregular changes in the cavitation region of the impeller. The potential danger regions of cavitation are the lip of inlet passage and the upper and lower connecting curved section of the inlet passage. The performance of waterjet propulsion pump system changes greatly when the net positive suction head available (NPSHa) value of the pump reaches the critical value.
Unsteady Characteristics of Forward Multi-Wing Centrifugal Fan at Low Flow Rate
Authors: Lun Yuxin , Ye Xinxue , Lin Limin , Ying Cunlie , Wei Yikun
Published: October 2019

The unsteady flow characteristics of a forward multi-wing centrifugal fan under a low flow rate are studied using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. This paper emphasizes the eddy current distribution in terms of the Q criterion method, as well as pressure fluctuation, frequency spectrum, and kinetic energy spectrum analysis of internal monitoring points in a forward multi-wing centrifugal fan. The numerical results show that abnormal eddies mainly appear at the volute outlet and near the volute tongue, boundary layer separation occurs near the suction surface of the blade, and shedding eddies appear at the trailing edge of the blade with the time evolution. The unsteady flow characteristics of a forward multi-wing centrifugal fan at a small flow rate provide significant physical insight into understanding the internal flow law.
Bistatic Landmine and IED Detection Combining Vehicle and Drone Mounted GPR Sensors
Authors: Garcia-Fernandez Maria , Morgenthaler Ann , Alvarez-Lopez Yuri , Las Heras Fernando , Rappaport Carey
Published: October 2019

This work proposes a novel Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system to detect landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The system, which was numerically evaluated, is composed of a transmitter placed on a vehicle and looking forward and a receiver mounted on a drone and looking downwards. This combination offers both a good penetration and a high resolution, enabling the detection of non-metallic targets and mitigating the clutter at the air–soil interface. First, a fast ray tracing simulator was developed to find proper configurations of the system. Then, these configurations were validated using a full wave simulator, considering a flat and a rough surface. All simulations were post-processed using a fast and accurate Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) algorithm that takes into account the constitutive parameters of the soil. The SAR images for all configurations were compared, concluding that the proposed contribution greatly improves the target detection and the surface clutter reduction over conventional forward-looking GPR systems.
A Synergetic Analysis of Sentinel-1 and -2 for Mapping Historical Landslides Using Object-Oriented Random Forest in the Hyrcanian Forests
Authors: Shirvani Zeinab , Abdi Omid , Buchroithner Manfred
Published: October 2019

Despite increasing efforts in the mapping of landslides using Sentinel-1 and -2, research on their combination for discerning historical landslides in forest areas is still lacking, particularly using object-oriented machine learning approaches. This study was accomplished to test the efficiency of Sentinel-derived features and digital elevation model (DEM) derivatives for mapping old and new landslides, using object-oriented random forest. Two forest subsets were selected including a protected and non-protected forest in northeast Iran. Landslide samples were obtained from CORONA images and aerial photos (old landslides), and also field mensuration and high-resolution images (new landslides). Segment objects were generated from a set combination of Sentinel-1A, Sentinel-2A, and some topographic-derived indices using multiresolution segmentation algorithm. Various object features were derived from the main channels of Sentinel images and DEM derivatives in the seven main groups, including spectral layers, spectral indices, geometric, contextual, textural, topographic, and hydrologic features. A single database was created, including landslide samples and Sentinel- and DEM-derived object features. Roughly 20% of landslide-affected objects and non-landslide-affected objects were randomly selected as an input for training the random forest classifier. Two-thirds of the selected objects were assigned as learning samples for classification, and the remainder were used for testing the accuracy of landslide and non-landslide classification. Results indicated that: (1) The sensitivity of mapping historical landslides was 86.6% and 80.3% in the protected and non-protected forests, respectively; (2) the object features of Sentinel-2A and DEM obtained the highest importance with the total scores of 55.6% and 32%, respectively in the protected forests, and 65.4% and 21% respectively in the non-protected forests; (3) the features derived from the combination of Sentinel-1 and -2A demonstrated a total importance of 10% for mapping new landslides; and (4) textural features were obtained in approximately two-thirds of the total scores for mapping new landslides, however a combination of topographic, spectral, textural, and contextual features were the effective predictors for mapping old landslides. This research proposes applying a synergetic analysis of Sentinel- and DEM-derived features for mapping historical landslides; however, there are no uniformly pre-defined influential variables for mapping historical landslides in different forest areas.
ppb-Level Selective Hydrogen Gas Detection of Pd-Functionalized In2O3-Loaded ZnO Nanofiber Gas Sensors
Authors: Lee Jae-Hyoung , Kim Jae-Hun , Kim Jin-Young , Mirzaei Ali , Kim Hyoun Woo , Kim Sang Sub
Published: October 2019

Pd nanoparticle-functionalized, xIn2O3 (x = 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15)-loaded ZnO nanofibers were synthesized by an electrospinning and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation method and assessed for their hydrogen gas sensing properties. Morphological and chemical analyses revealed the desired morphology and chemical composition of the synthesized nanofibers. The optimal gas sensor namely Pd-functionalized, 0.1In2O3-loaded ZnO nanofibers showed a very strong response to 172–50 ppb hydrogen gas at 350 °C, which is regarded as the optimal sensing temperature. Furthermore, the gas sensors showed excellent selectivity to hydrogen gas due to the much lower response to CO and NO2 gases. The enhanced gas response was attributed to the excellent catalytic activity of Pd to hydrogen gas, and the formation of Pd/ZnO and In2O3/ZnO heterojunctions, ZnO–ZnO homojunction, as well as the formation of PdHx. Overall, highly sensitive and selective hydrogen gas sensors can be produced based on a simple methodology using a synergistic effect from Pd functionalization and In2O3 loading in ZnO nanofibers.
Metal–Organic Frameworks as Key Materials for Solid-Phase Microextraction Devices—A Review
Authors: Gutiérrez-Serpa Adrián , Pacheco-Fernández Idaira , Pasán Jorge , Pino Verónica
Published: October 2019

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted recently considerable attention in analytical sample preparation, particularly when used as novel sorbent materials in solid-phase microextraction (SPME). MOFs are highly ordered porous crystalline structures, full of cavities. They are formed by inorganic centers (metal ion atoms or metal clusters) and organic linkers connected by covalent coordination bonds. Depending on the ratio of such precursors and the synthetic conditions, the characteristics of the resulting MOF vary significantly, thus drifting into a countless number of interesting materials with unique properties. Among astonishing features of MOFs, their high chemical and thermal stability, easy tuneability, simple synthesis, and impressive surface area (which is the highest known), are the most attractive characteristics that makes them outstanding materials in SPME. This review offers an overview on the current state of the use of MOFs in different SPME configurations, in all cases covering extraction devices coated with (or incorporating) MOFs, with particular emphases in their preparation.
The Validity of Functional Threshold Power and Maximal Oxygen Uptake for Cycling Performance in Moderately Trained Cyclists
Authors: Sørensen Arne , Aune Tore Kristian , Rangul Vegar , Dalen Terje
Published: October 2019

Cycling is a popular sport, and evaluation of the validity of tests to predict performance in competitions is important for athletes and coaches. Similarity between performance in sprints in mass-start bike races and in the laboratory is found, but, to our knowledge, no studies have investigated the relationship between laboratory measurements of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and functional threshold power (FTP) with performance in official mass-start competitions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of a 20 min FTP test and VO2max as predictors for performance in an official mountain bike competition. Eleven moderately trained male cyclists at a local level participated in this study (age: 43 ± 5.1 years; height: 183.4 ± 5.4 m; weight: 84.4 ± 8.7 kg; body mass index: 25.1 ± 2.1). All subjects performed a 20 min FTP test in the laboratory to measure the mean power. In addition, the subjects completed an incremental test to exhaustion to determine VO2max. These two laboratory tests were analyzed together with the results from a 47 km mass-start mountain bike race, with a total elevation of 851 m. A significant relationship was found between the mean relative power (W/kg) for the 20 min FTP test and performance time in the race (r = −0.74, P < 0.01). No significant correlation was found between VO2max and cycling performance for these subjects (r = −0.37). These findings indicate that a 20 min FTP test is a more valid test for prediction of performance in mass-start bike races than a VO2max test for moderately trained cyclists.
Comparison of Branch Water Relations in Two Riparian Species: Populus euphratica and Tamarix ramosissima
Authors: Li Duan , Si Jianhua , Zhang Xiaoyou , Gao Yayu , Luo Huan , Qin Jie , Gao Guanlong
Published: October 2019

Water relations in plants maintain healthy tree branches and drought conditions during plant growth may affect water relations, but the mechanisms are poorly known. In our study, we determined the stomatal conductance, hydraulic conductance, water potential and ion concentration of xylem sap to increase the understanding of changes in water relations in branches of Populus euphratica (P. euphratica) and Tamarix ramosissima (T. ramosissima), which are the dominant plant species in the lower reaches of the Heihe River Basin in China. The results showed that both species responded to vapor pressure deficit (VPD) during the growing season by adjusting stomatal conductance to achieve homeostasis in leaf water potentials. The leaf-specific hydraulic conductance (LSC) of the branch was determined using water status in the branch, and the LSC of the leaf was determined using water status in the leaf. Because of homeostasis in leaf water potentials, hydraulic conductance in leaves remained stable. As a result, branch dieback, which might be induced by deficits in water supply, could rarely be seen in T. ramosissima owing to the homeostasis in branch and leaf water status. The ion sensitivity of xylem hydraulic conductance in P. euphratica induced an increase in hydraulic conductance caused by the deficits in the water supply which might lead to branch dieback. The evaluation of water relations provides a further understanding of the internal mechanisms of drought acclimation for riparian plants.
Dynamic Optimization of Fuel and Logistics Costs as a Tool in Pursuing Economic Sustainability of a Farm
Authors: Gao Tianming , Erokhin Vasilii , Arskiy Aleksandr
Published: October 2019

Improving the performance and economic sustainability of agricultural producers requires the integration of many dimensions, one of which is logistics. Establishing efficient and cost-effective transportation is a key element of establishing sustainable linkages along food supply chains between farmers, storage and transport companies, and consumers. In this regard, infrastructural constraints to sustainability in agricultural production exacerbate transportation costs and risks, and thus result in lower performance of agricultural producers. As fuel consumption is, first, the most significant cost in agricultural logistics and, second, particularly sensitive to disruptions of transport, loading, and storage infrastructure, management of fuel costs is crucial to assure profit margin of an agricultural enterprise. By transforming the standard economic order quantity (EOQ) model, the authors attempt to build an approach to the optimization of fuel costs. The analysis made in the cases of twelve large crop farms in three territories of Southern Russia allowed the consideration of: (1) fragmentation in storage infrastructure; (2) variations in fuel consumption depending on the vehicle load ratio; (3) the use of their own fleet of vehicles against the outsourcing of transport operations. The authors find that the tactics of optimization of fuel costs vary depending on the location of a farm in relation to grain storage facilities. Particularly, the farms located in areas of high concentration of storage facilities benefit from using their own fleet of vehicles, while those experiencing longer distances of transportation should outsource the performance of logistics operations to third parties. To overcome a site-specific nature, the transformed EOQ model should accommodate country-specific requirements, specifically, the level of fragmentation of transport and storage infrastructure, average distance of transportation from a farm to receival site, and average fuel consumption rates depending on the types of trucks commonly used by farmers. The key recommendation is that sustainability-aimed management of logistics costs should consider combining the operation of trucks by a farm with the outsourcing of transportation operations to address the fragmentation of transport and storage infrastructure.
Determinants of the Effectiveness of Using Renewable Resource Management-Based Simulations in the Development of Critical Thinking: An Application of the Experiential Learning Theory
Authors: Urquidi-Martín Ana , Tamarit-Aznar Carmen , Sánchez-García Javier
Published: October 2019

The twenty-first century’s society experiences new challenges in being immersed in a new paradigm of the educational system. Higher education institutions should train professionals so that they are able to experience real situations in order to encourage reflection on affective, aesthetic, and ethical dimensions of these people in their relations with the natural and sociocultural environment. Learning strategies must allow the acquisition of creative, active, and applied knowledge as well as the development of critical thinking. According to the experiential learning theory, to achieve this, higher education should use student-centered interactive and collaborative teaching methodologies and focus studies on the skills that graduates must have, promoting student know-how, initiative, and autonomous learning. Business simulations are instruments that fulfil the above characteristics, facilitating learning. The objective of this research was to provide a model that identifies the determining factors (simulation’s realism and structure, perceived usefulness, and students’ learning motivation) in the effectiveness of using these tools to develop critical thinking focused on sustainability. Three hundred and twenty-six surveys completed by undergraduate students were obtained, which used a structural equation model (SEM) to analyze the influence of realism, simulation structure, perceived usefulness, and students’ motivations to develop critical thinking. The outcomes according to the experiential learning theory showed that the game’s realism lets students perceive its usefulness and, together with an adequate simulation structure, determines the students’ learning motivations by developing critical thinking.
Operation Health Assessment of Power Market Based on Improved Matter-Element Extension Cloud Model
Authors: Dong Jun , Wang Dongxue , Liu Dongran , Ainiwaer Palidan , Nie Linpeng
Published: October 2019

The complex power system and trading environment in China has led to higher requirements for the efficient and stable operation of the electricity market. With the continuous advancement of power system reforms, regular evaluation of the operation of the market can help us grasp its status and trends, which is of great significance for ensuring its sustainable development. In order to effectively evaluate the current operational status of the electricity market, the concept of operation health degree of power market (OHDPM) is proposed to measure whether the operation is safe, efficient, and sustainable. This paper establishes an improved model framework based on the matter-element extension theory for evaluation. In order to effectively avoid information distortion and loss in the evaluation process, this paper combines the cloud model, matter element extension theory, ideal point method (IPM), and cloud entropy optimization algorithm to deal with this problem. The matter-element extension cloud model (MEECM) can clearly represent the characteristics of the object to be evaluated. IPM is used to determine the weight of the index. For the improved matter-element extension model, the traditional rules of “3En” and “50% relevance” are taken into account, and the method of solving the entropy is optimized. Then, for the correlation degree between the object to be evaluated and the graded normal cloud, the weight vector solved by the IPM is used to weigh the cloud correlation degree, which can give a reliable evaluation result. The health evaluation index system of power market operation includes 16 sub-indicators in five categories: supply side, demand side, coordinated operation, market security, and sustainable development. In the empirical analysis, the OHDPM situation in Y Province was evaluated in May 2019. The results prove that the OHDPM level is medium, and the importance and health level of each index are given. The reliability of the power system, transaction price stability, Lerner index, residual proportion of producers, and user satisfaction have a greater impact on the health status. Finally, in order to verify the validity and stability of the model, different methods are used to evaluate the evaluation objects, and the advantages of OHDPM evaluation based on the model framework proposed in this paper are proven.
Improving the Sustainability of Self-Consumption with Cooperative DC Microgrids
Authors: Roldán-Porta Carlos , Roldán-Blay Carlos , Escrivá-Escrivá Guillermo , Quiles Eduardo
Published: October 2019

The development of microgrids is of great interest to facilitate the integration of distributed generation in electricity networks, improving the sustainability of energy production. Microgrids in DC (DC-MG) provide advantages for the use of some types of renewable generation and energy storage systems, such as batteries. In this article, a possible practical implementation of an isolated DC-MG for residential use with a cooperative operation of the different nodes is proposed. The main criterion is to achieve a very simple design with only primary control in a residential area. This application achieves a simple system, with low implementation costs, in which each user has autonomy but benefits from the support of the other users connected to the microgrid, which improves its reliability. The description of the elements necessary to create this cooperative system is one of the contributions of the work. Another important contribution is the analysis of the operation of the microgrid as a whole, where each node can be, arbitrarily, a consumer or an energy generator. The proposed structures could promote the use of small distributed generation and energy storage systems as the basis for a new paradigm of a more sustainable electricity grid of the future.
Symmetry in Hyperstructure: Neutrosophic Extended Triplet Semihypergroups and Regular Hypergroups
Authors: Zhang Xiaohong , Smarandache Florentin , Ma Yingcang
Published: October 2019

The symmetry of hyperoperation is expressed by hypergroup, more extensive hyperalgebraic structures than hypergroups are studied in this paper. The new concepts of neutrosophic extended triplet semihypergroup (NET- semihypergroup) and neutrosophic extended triplet hypergroup (NET-hypergroup) are firstly introduced, some basic properties are obtained, and the relationships among NET- semihypergroups, regular semihypergroups, NET-hypergroups and regular hypergroups are systematically are investigated. Moreover, pure NET-semihypergroup and pure NET-hypergroup are investigated, and a strucuture theorem of commutative pure NET-semihypergroup is established. Finally, a new notion of weak commutative NET-semihypergroup is proposed, some important examples are obtained by software MATLAB, and the following important result is proved: every pure and weak commutative NET-semihypergroup is a disjoint union of some regular hypergroups which are its subhypergroups.
A Robust Color Image Watermarking Algorithm Based on APDCBT and SSVD
Authors: Yu Xiaoyan , Wang Chengyou , Zhou Xiao
Published: October 2019

With the wide application of color images, watermarking for the copyright protection of color images has become a research hotspot. In this paper, a robust color image watermarking algorithm based on all phase discrete cosine biorthogonal transform (APDCBT) and shuffled singular value decomposition (SSVD) is proposed. The host image is transformed by the 8 × 8 APDCBT to obtain the direct current (DC) coefficient matrix, and then, the singular value decomposition (SVD) is performed on the DC matrix to embed the watermark. The SSVD and Fibonacci transform are mainly used at the watermark preprocessing stage to improve the security and robustness of the algorithm. The watermarks are color images, and a color quick response (QR) code with error correction mechanism is introduced to be a watermark to further improve the robustness. The watermark embedding and extraction processes are symmetrical. The experimental results show that the algorithm can effectively resist common image processing attacks, such as JPEG compression, Gaussian noise, salt and pepper noise, average filter, median filter, Gaussian filter, sharpening, scaling attacks, and a certain degree of rotation attacks. Compared with the color image watermarking algorithms considered in this paper, the proposed algorithm has better performance in robustness and imperceptibility.
A Novel Two-Stage Heuristic for Solving Storage Space Allocation Problems in Rail–Water Intermodal Container Terminals
Authors: Chang Yimei , Zhu Xiaoning
Published: October 2019

In the past, most researchers have paid attention to the storage space allocation problem in maritime container terminals, while few have studied this problem in rail–water intermodal container terminals. Therefore, this paper proposes a storage space allocation problem to look for a symmetry point between the efficiency and effectivity of rail–water intermodal container terminals and the unbalanced allocations and reallocation operations of inbound containers in the railway operation area, which are two interactive aspects. In this paper, a two-stage model on the storage space allocation problem is formulated, whose objective is to balance inbound container distribution and minimize overlapping amounts, considering both stacking principles, such as container departure time, weight and stacking height, and containers left in railway container yards from earlier planning periods. In Stage 1, a novel simulated annealing algorithm based on heuristics is introduced and a new heuristic algorithm based on a rolling horizon approach is developed in Stage 2. Computational experiments are implemented to verify that the model and algorithm we introduce can enhance the storage effect feasibly and effectively. Additionally, two comparison experiments are carried out: the results show that the approach in the paper performs better than the regular allocation approach and weight constraint is the most important influence on container storage.
Optimal System and New Approximate Solutions of a Generalized Ames’s Equation
Authors: Ruggieri Marianna , Speciale Maria Paola
Published: October 2019

In this paper, by applying Valenti’s theory for the approximate symmetry, we introduce and define the concept of a one-dimensional optimal system of approximate subalgebras for a generalized Ames’s equation; furthermore, the algebraic structure of the approximate Lie algebra is discussed. New approximately invariant solutions to the equation are found.
Prediction of Suspended Sediment Load Using Data-Driven Models
Authors: Adnan Rana Muhammad , Liang Zhongmin , El-Shafie Ahmed , Zounemat-Kermani Mohammad , Kisi Ozgur
Published: October 2019

Estimation of suspended sediments carried by natural rivers is essential for projects related to water resource planning and management. This study proposes a dynamic evolving neural fuzzy inference system (DENFIS) as an alternative tool to estimate the suspended sediment load based on previous values of streamflow and sediment. Several input scenarios of daily streamflow and suspended sediment load measured at two locations of China—Guangyuan and Beibei—were tried to assess the ability of this new method and its results were compared with those of the other two common methods, adaptive neural fuzzy inference system with fuzzy c-means clustering (ANFIS-FCM) and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) based on three commonly utilized statistical indices, root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE). The data period covers 01/04/2007–12/31/2015 for the both stations. A comparison of the methods indicated that the DENFIS-based models improved the accuracy of the ANFIS-FCM and MARS-based models with respect to RMSE by 33% (32%) and 31% (36%) for the Guangyuan (Beibei) station, respectively. The NSE accuracy for ANFIS-FCM and MARS-based models were increased by 4% (36%) and 15% (19%) using DENFIS for the Guangyuan (Beibei) station, respectively. It was found that the suspended sediment load can be accurately estimated by DENFIS-based models using only previous streamflow data.
Exploring why patients with cancer consult GPs: a 1-year data extraction
Authors: Fidjeland Heidi Lidal , Vistad Ingvild , Gjelstad Svein , Brekke Mette
Published: October 2019

Background

Survival rates of patients with cancer are increasing owing to improvements in diagnostics and therapies. The traditional hospital-based follow-up model faces challenges because of the consequent increasing workload, and it has been suggested that selected patients with cancer could be followed up by GPs.

The hypothesis of the study was that, regardless of the hospital-based follow-up care, GPs see their patients with cancer both for cancer-related problems as well as for other reasons. Thus, a formalised follow-up by GPs would not mean too large a change in GPs’ workloads.

Aim

To explore to what extent patients with cancer consult their GPs, and for what reasons.

Design & setting

A 1-year explorative study was undertaken, based on data from 91 Norwegian GPs from 2016–2017.

Method

The data were electronically extracted from GPs' electronic medical records (EMR).

Results

Data were collected from 91 GPs. There were 11 074 consultations in total, generated by 1932 patients with cancer. The mean consultation rate was higher among the patients with cancer compared with Norwegian patients in general. In one-third of the consultations, cancer was the main diagnosis. Apart from cancer, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diagnoses were common. Patients with cancer who had multiple diagnoses or psychological diagnoses did not consult their GP significantly more often than patients with cancer without such comorbidity.

Conclusion

This study confirms that patients with cancer consult their GP more often than other patients, both for cancer-related reasons and for various comorbidities. A formalised follow-up by GPs would probably be feasible, and GPs should prepare for this responsibility.
White-coat hypertension: management and adherence to guidelines by European and Canadian GPs. A cross-sectional clinical vignette study
Authors: Humbert Xavier , Fedrizzi Sophie , Touzé Emmanuel , Alexandre Joachim , Puddu Paolo-Emilio
Published: October 2019

Background

White-coat hypertension (WCH) is also referred to as 'isolated clinic hypertension'. While it is a frequently encountered phenomenon, WCH is not systematically evoked, and its management remains unclear due to the contradictory guidelines provided by professional societies.

Aim

To examine WCH management by GPs in Europe and Canada.

Design & setting

A clinical vignette of a possible case of WCH was created from the literature, and the responses of GPs to WCH-specific questions in a cross-sectional electronic questionnaire were compared.

Method

Complete electronic questionnaire responses from Europe and Canada were systematically analysed.

Results

Among 770 eligible questionnaires (useful response rate: 10.6%), 43.5% were from France, 19.2% from Belgium, 7.8% from England, 19.5% from Switzerland, and 10.0% from Canada. Based on the clinical information provided in the vignette, GPs overall diagnosed hypertension and WCH equally (50.7% versus 49.3%, respectively). Canadian GPs suggested hypertension more frequently than European GPs in general (64.2% versus 46.1%, P<10–4), and more frequently used ambulatory blood pressure monitoring ([ABPM] 42.3% versus 26.1%, P = 0.01). In both groups of GPs, WCH was managed similarly (no treatment, 100% versus 97.3%, P = 0.39). Generally, the GPs all followed WCH patients for 3–6 months (51.3% versus 66.2%, P = 0.1), and they were not aware of the WCH guidelines (47.3% versus 52.1%, P = 0.54).

Conclusion

Although WCH guidelines are different, WCH management by GPs is very similar except for diagnosis. Homogeneity in WCH guidelines is required and should be systematically implemented in hypertension guidelines to avoid inappropriate management of the condition.