bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
JNK-Dependent cJun Phosphorylation Mitigates TGFβ- and EGF-Induced Pre-Malignant Breast Cancer Cell Invasion by Suppressing AP-1-Mediated Transcriptional Responses
Authors: Sundqvist Anders , Voytyuk Oleksandr , Hamdi Mohamed , Popeijus Herman E. , Bijlsma-van der Burgt Corina , Janssen Josephine , Martens John W.M. , Moustakas Aristidis , Heldin Carl-Henrik , ten Dijke Peter , van Dam Hans
Published: November 2019

Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) has both tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting effects in breast cancer. These functions are partly mediated through Smads, intracellular transcriptional effectors of TGFβ. Smads form complexes with other DNA-binding transcription factors to elicit cell-type-dependent responses. Previously, we found that the collagen invasion and migration of pre-malignant breast cancer cells in response to TGFβ and epidermal growth factor (EGF) critically depend on multiple Jun and Fos components of the activator protein (AP)-1 transcription factor complex. Here we report that the same process is negatively regulated by Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-dependent cJun phosphorylation. This was demonstrated by analysis of phospho-deficient, phospho-mimicking, and dimer-specific cJun mutants, and experiments employing a mutant version of the phosphatase MKP1 that specifically inhibits JNK. Hyper-phosphorylation of cJun by JNK strongly inhibited its ability to induce several Jun/Fos-regulated genes and to promote migration and invasion. These results show that MEK-AP-1 and JNK-phospho-cJun exhibit distinct pro- and anti-invasive functions, respectively, through differential regulation of Smad- and AP-1-dependent TGFβ target genes. Our findings are of importance for personalized cancer therapy, such as for patients suffering from specific types of breast tumors with activated EGF receptor-Ras or inactivated JNK pathways.
Mechanism-Specific Pharmacodynamics of a Novel Complex-I Inhibitor Quantified by Imaging Reversal of Consumptive Hypoxia with [18F]FAZA PET In Vivo
Authors: Gammon Seth T. , Pisaneschi Federica , Bandi Madhavi L. , Smith Melinda G. , Sun Yuting , Rao Yi , Muller Florian , Wong Franklin , De Groot John , Ackroyd Jeffrey , Mawlawi Osama , Davies Michael A. , Vashisht Gopal Y.N. , Di Francesco M. Emilia , Marszalek Joseph R. , Dewhirst Mark , Piwnica-Worms David
Published: November 2019

Tumors lack a well-regulated vascular supply of O2 and often fail to balance O2 supply and demand. Net O2 tension within many tumors may not only depend on O2 delivery but also depend strongly on O2 demand. Thus, tumor O2 consumption rates may influence tumor hypoxia up to true anoxia. Recent reports have shown that many human tumors in vivo depend primarily on oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos), not glycolysis, for energy generation, providing a driver for consumptive hypoxia and an exploitable vulnerability. In this regard, IACS-010759 is a novel high affinity inhibitor of OxPhos targeting mitochondrial complex-I that has recently completed a Phase-I clinical trial in leukemia. However, in solid tumors, the effective translation of OxPhos inhibitors requires methods to monitor pharmacodynamics in vivo. Herein, 18F-fluoroazomycin arabinoside ([18F]FAZA), a 2-nitroimidazole-based hypoxia PET imaging agent, was combined with a rigorous test-retest imaging method for non-invasive quantification of the reversal of consumptive hypoxia in vivo as a mechanism-specific pharmacodynamic (PD) biomarker of target engagement for IACS-010759. Neither cell death nor loss of perfusion could account for the IACS-010759-induced decrease in [18F]FAZA retention. Notably, in an OxPhos-reliant melanoma tumor, a titration curve using [18F]FAZA PET retention in vivo yielded an IC50 for IACS-010759 (1.4 mg/kg) equivalent to analysis ex vivo. Pilot [18F]FAZA PET scans of a patient with grade IV glioblastoma yielded highly reproducible, high-contrast images of hypoxia in vivo as validated by CA-IX and GLUT-1 IHC ex vivo. Thus, [18F]FAZA PET imaging provided direct evidence for the presence of consumptive hypoxia in vivo, the capacity for targeted reversal of consumptive hypoxia through the inhibition of OxPhos, and a highly-coupled mechanism-specific PD biomarker ready for translation.
TCTP from Loxosceles Intermedia (Brown Spider) Venom Contributes to the Allergic and Inflammatory Response of Cutaneous Loxoscelism
Authors: Boia-Ferreira Marianna , Moreno Kamila , Basílio Alana , da Silva Lucas , Vuitika Larissa , Soley Bruna , Wille Ana , Donatti Lucélia , Barbaro Katia , Chaim Olga , Gremski Luiza , Veiga Silvio , Senff-Ribeiro Andrea
Published: November 2019

LiTCTP is a toxin from the Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP) family identified in Loxosceles brown spider venoms. These proteins are known as histamine-releasing factors (HRF). TCTPs participate in allergic and anaphylactic reactions, which suggest their potential role as therapeutic targets. The histaminergic effect of TCTP is related to its pro-inflammatory functions. An initial characterization of LiTCTP in animal models showed that this toxin can increase the microvascular permeability of skin vessels and induce paw edema in a dose-dependent manner. We evaluated the role of LiTCTP in vitro and in vivo in the inflammatory and allergic aspects that undergo the biological responses observed in Loxoscelism, the clinical condition after an accident with Loxosceles spiders. Our results showed LiTCTP recombinant toxin (LiRecTCTP) as an essential synergistic factor for the dermonecrotic toxin actions (LiRecDT1, known as the main toxin in the pathophysiology of Loxoscelism), revealing its contribution to the exacerbated inflammatory response clinically observed in envenomated patients.
Public Spending, Income Inequality and Economic Growth in Asian Countries: A Panel GMM Approach
Authors: Gnangoin Yobouet Thierry Bienvenu , Du Liangsheng , Assamoi GuyRoland , Edjoukou Akadje JeanRoland , Kassi Diby François
Published: November 2019

This paper offers an empirical examination of the relationship between government spending’s, income inequality, and economic growth by using the case of 19 Asian countries from 2002 to 2017. For this purpose, the paper uses robust difference-GMM estimation and panel granger causality test. We found that gross domestic investment and regulatory quality are the main variables that contribute to these countries’ economic growth. While current government consumption reduces economic growth. Also, government expenditure on education and regulatory quality granger cause economic growth in these countries. However, the effect of government expenditure on education on economic growth is not significant. So, to increase their economic growth, this study recommends these countries’ governments to encourage gross domestic investment, maintain regulatory quality and reduce their current consumption. This study also concludes that income inequality has no impact on these countries’ economic growth for this period.
Induction Motor Drives Fed by an NPC Inverter with Unbalanced DC-Link
Authors: Abronzini Umberto , Attaianese Ciro , D’Arpino Matilde , Di Monaco Mauro , Tomasso Giuseppe
Published: November 2019

Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) converters with n levels are traditionally controlled in such a way that the DC-link capacitors operate at 1/(n − 1) of the total DC-link voltage level. The voltage level across the DC-link capacitors has to be properly regulated by the capacitor unbalance control to contain the harmonic distortion of the converter output voltages. State-of-the-art modulation techniques address the problem of the DC-link voltage regulation for NPC inverters. However, they highly show reduced performance when unbalanced DC-link voltages are considered. In this paper, a novel Space Vector Modulation (SVM) is proposed for NPC converters with an unbalanced DC-link. At every modulation interval, the technique defines the optimal switching pattern by considering the actual unbalanced DC-link conditions. The proposed modulation allows improving the harmonic content of the NPC converter output voltage with respect to a traditional ML-SVM, when the same operating conditions are considered. As an extension, the proposed modulation technique will guarantee the same output voltage quality of a traditional ML-SVM with unbalanced DC-link, while improving the conversion efficiency thanks to a reduction of switching frequency.
Closed Loop Control of a Series Class-E Voltage-Clamped Resonant Converter for LED Supply with Dimming Capability
Authors: Ribas Javier , Quintana Pablo J. , Cardesin Jesus , Calleja Antonio J. , Lopera Juan M.
Published: November 2019

In this work, a new closed-loop control system is applied to a class-E resonant DC–DC converter with voltage clamp used for light-emitting diode (LED) supply. The proposed power topology was first described by Ribas et al. in a recent work. In the present paper, the LED current is sensed and used to implement a feedback control loop instead of the simplified feedforward scheme used in this previous reference. To design the control, a novel, simplified small-signal model is presented. This model is used to analyze the converter behavior as a function of the output power. The proposed approximation is significantly simpler than the multifrequency averaging technique normally used to analyze resonant converters. The feedback control loop is designed to reduce the LED low frequency current ripple while providing dimming control. Both the model and the control are verified by simulation and laboratory experimentation and the results obtained are in good accordance with the expected values.
Estimating the Information Source under Decaying Diffusion Rates
Authors: Woo Jiin , Choi Jaeyoung
Published: November 2019

Recently, as arising from online social network services such as Facebook and Twitter, people are more actively using social networks to exchange their new information. In this consideration, finding the information source becomes one of the indispensable and useful tasks in detecting a malicious agent and an influential person in the networks. A seminal work by Shah and Zaman in 2010 showed that the detection probability cannot be beyond 31% even for regular trees if time goes to infinity. From the study, extensive researches have been done for this problem, whose major interests lie in constructing an efficient estimator and providing theoretical analysis on its detection performance. However, most of the works assumed the homogeneous diffusion rate of the information, where the diffusion rate does not change at all times over the network. In practice, it is reported that information has a lifetime and it becomes less attractive over time. In this paper, we study the problem of detecting the information source when the diffusion rate decreases by the distance from the source in the network. As a result, we obtain analytical detection performance of Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE) and validate our theoretical findings over the regular tree, random and real-world networks.
A Hybrid Asymptotic-FVTD Method for the Estimation of the Radar Cross Section of 3D Structures
Authors: Fedeli Alessandro , Pastorino Matteo , Randazzo Andrea
Published: November 2019

The Finite Volume Time-Domain (FVTD) method is an effective full-wave technique which allows an accurate computation of the electromagnetic field. In order to analyze the scattering effects due to electrically large structures, it can be combined with methods based on high-frequency approximations. This paper proposes a hybrid technique, which combines the FVTD method with an asymptotic solver based on the physical optics (PO) and the equivalent current method (ECM), allowing the solution of electromagnetic problems in the presence of electrically large structures with small details. Preliminary numerical simulations, aimed at computing the radar cross section of perfect electric conducting (PEC) composite objects, are reported in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Zero-Shot Deep Learning for Media Mining: Person Spotting and Face Clustering in Video Big Data
Authors: Abdallah Mohamed , Kim HyungWon , Ragab Mohammad , Hemayed Elsayed
Published: November 2019

The analysis of frame sequences in talk show videos, which is necessary for media mining and television production, requires significant manual efforts and is a very time-consuming process. Given the vast amount of unlabeled face frames from talk show videos, we address and propose a solution to the problem of recognizing and clustering faces. In this paper, we propose a TV media mining system that is based on a deep convolutional neural network approach, which has been trained with a triplet loss minimization method. The main function of the proposed system is the indexing and clustering of video data for achieving an effective media production analysis of individuals in talk show videos and rapidly identifying a specific individual in video data in real-time processing. Our system uses several face datasets from Labeled Faces in the Wild (LFW), which is a collection of unlabeled web face images, as well as YouTube Faces and talk show faces datasets. In the recognition (person spotting) task, our system achieves an F-measure of 0.996 for the collection of unlabeled web face images dataset and an F-measure of 0.972 for the talk show faces dataset. In the clustering task, our system achieves an F-measure of 0.764 and 0.935 for the YouTube Faces database and the LFW dataset, respectively, while achieving an F-measure of 0.832 for the talk show faces dataset, an improvement of 5.4%, 6.5%, and 8.2% over the previous methods.
Combination of High-Order Modulation and Non-Binary LDPC Codes over GF(7) for Non-Linear Satellite Channels
Authors: Liu Yanyan , Chen Weigang , Wang Anguo , Han Changcai
Published: November 2019

High-order modulations are necessary to improve the bandwidth efficiency of the satellite communication system. However, the non-linear characteristic of satellite channels limits the application of high-order modulations. In this paper, we propose a new 7-point constellation which is expected to be effectively applied to the satellite communication system, and combine it with non-binary low-density parity-check (NB-LDPC) codes over Galois field GF(7) to guarantee the reliability of the data transmission. The exact expression for the average symbol error probability (SEP) of 7-order quadrature amplitude modulation (7-QAM) over the Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) channel is derived, and the non-linear distortion over satellite channels is also analyzed. Simulation results reveal that, compared with the traditional 8-order phase-shift keying (8-PSK), the 7-QAM method can achieve about 3 dB gain over the AWGN channel without channel coding at symbol error rate (SER) of 10 - 6 . Moreover, the proposed combined coded modulation scheme also has better SER performance than the NB-LDPC coded 8-PSK modulation scheme over the non-linear satellite channel.
Energy-Efficient Torque Distribution Optimization for an Omnidirectional Mobile Robot with Powered Caster Wheels
Authors: Jia Wenji , Yang Guilin , Wang Chongchong , Zhang Chi , Chen Chinyin , Fang Zaojun
Published: November 2019

A mobile robot with no less than two powered caster wheels (PCWs) has the ability to perform omnidirectional motions and belongs to a redundantly actuated system. Redundant actuation will bring the issue of non-uniqueness of actuating torque distribution, and inappropriate choices of torque distribution schemes will lead to unexpected large required actuating torques and extra energy consumption. This paper proposes a new torque distribution optimization approach based on a gradient projection method (GPM) for the omnidirectional mobile robot (OMR) with direct drive PCWs. It can significantly reduce the maximal required actuating torque and the energy consumption of the system. The modular kinematic and dynamic modeling method is presented first, which is suitable for an arbitrary number of employed PCWs, as well as their install positions in the chassis. The detailed energy consumption model of the OMR, including output energy consumption and electrical energy loss, is formulated through experimental testing. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithms is validated by simulation examples. Lastly, the computational efficiency of the method is verified.
Prediction of PWM-Induced Current Ripple in Subdivided Stator Windings Using Admittance Analysis
Authors: Cizeron Antoine , Ojeda Javier , Labouré Eric , Béthoux Olivier
Published: November 2019

Subdividing stator winding is a way to lower the DC link voltage value in electric drives and reduce the stress on motor insulation. Coupled windings sharing the same stator teeth are modelled in order to evaluate the link between voltages disparities and current ripple. This paper provides an assessment of current ripple rise in the subdivided windings compared to ordinary topologies through the use of a basic inductive model. A method for PWM-Induced current ripple and high-frequency loss estimation based on admittance measurements is developed and experimentally validated. The use of this subdivided structure does not induce more than a 10% rise of the PWM-induced current ripple compared to a standard winding structure.
On the Study of a Hybrid Indirect Evaporative Pre-Cooling System for Various Climates
Authors: Cui Xin , Sun Le , Zhang Sicong , Jin Liwen
Published: November 2019

A hybrid air-conditioning system has been proposed by integrating an indirect evaporative pre-cooling unit. In the proposed system, the room exhaust air is employed in the indirect evaporative cooler (IEC) to pre-condition the ambient intake air. The mathematical formulation has been judiciously established for the pre-cooling IEC. The validation of the numerical model has been conducted by comparing the simulated results with the experimental data in terms of the outlet temperature and the heat flux along the heat exchanger surface. The pre-cooling performance of the IEC is theoretically investigated for the climate in representative cities selected from five different climate zones. The psychrometric illustration of the air conditioning variation has indicated that the ambient air can be pre-cooled and pre-dehumidified through the IEC. The possibility of water vapor condensation depends on the humidity ratio of the ambient intake air. The simulation result demonstrates the capability of the pre-cooling IEC to fulfill part of the cooling load of the ambient intake air resulting in a marked energy saving potential.
Performance Analysis of Direct Injection Diesel Engine Fueled with Diesel-Tomato Seed Oil Biodiesel Blending by ANOVA and ANN
Authors: Karami Rahim , Rasul Mohammad G. , Khan Mohammad M. K. , Anwar Mohammad
Published: November 2019

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engine. Considering the differences between diesel and biodiesel fuels, the engine condition should be modified based on the fuel or fuel blends to achieve optimum performance. This study presented a performance analysis of a direct-injected (DI) diesel engine with a dynamometer fueled with diesel-tomato seed biodiesel (TSOB) blends employing ANOVA and universal nonlinear model based on ANN. The experiments were carried out under conditions of some independent variables including different engine loads (0, 50, 100%) and speed (1800, 2150, and 2500 rpm) for four diesel-biodiesel combinations (B0, B5, B10, and B20). In this research, the effect of these factors on dependent variables including power, torque, SFC, FC, and Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) are investigated. Duncan′s multi-domain test at a significance level of R < 0.01 shows that the highest and lowest of the torque and power are produced from B5 and B20, respectively. These results show that the lowest EGT of 613 K is related to B20 and the highest EGT is related to B5 and B10. The regression models showed that the torque decreases with increasing the engine speed and biodiesel percentage. These results also show that the highest and the lowest SFC is related to B0 and B20, respectively. The ANN model shows high capability of predicting the engine performance parameters and emissions, without running costly and time-consuming experiments with the histogram error of 0.004 and R = 0.96. It also proved that ANN is a non-linear model of choice to deal with these data, instead of multivariate linear regression employed for preliminary analysis.
Features Recognition from Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams in Image Format Using a Deep Learning Network
Authors: Yu Eun-Seop , Cha Jae-Min , Lee Taekyong , Kim Jinil , Mun Duhwan
Published: November 2019

A piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) is a key drawing widely used in the energy industry. In a digital P&ID, all included objects are classified and made amenable to computerized data management. However, despite being widespread, a large number of P&IDs in the image format still in use throughout the process (plant design, procurement, construction, and commissioning) are hampered by difficulties associated with contractual relationships and software systems. In this study, we propose a method that uses deep learning techniques to recognize and extract important information from the objects in the image-format P&IDs. We define the training data structure required for developing a deep learning model for the P&ID recognition. The proposed method consists of preprocessing and recognition stages. In the preprocessing stage, diagram alignment, outer border removal, and title box removal are performed. In the recognition stage, symbols, characters, lines, and tables are detected. The objects for recognition are symbols, characters, lines, and tables in P&ID drawings. A new deep learning model for symbol detection is defined using AlexNet. We also employ the connectionist text proposal network (CTPN) for character detection, and traditional image processing techniques for P&ID line and table detection. In the experiments where two test P&IDs were recognized according to the proposed method, recognition accuracies for symbol, characters, and lines were found to be 91.6%, 83.1%, and 90.6% on average, respectively.
Towards Energy Efficient Scheduling of Manufacturing Systems through Collaboration between Cyber Physical Production and Energy Systems
Authors: Nouiri Maroua , Trentesaux Damien , Bekrar Abdelghani
Published: November 2019

Currently, enhancing sustainability, and in particular reducing energy consumption, is a huge challenge for manufacturing enterprises. The vision of the fourth industrial revolution (so-called “industry 4.0”) is not only to optimize production and minimize costs, but also to reduce energy consumption and enhance product life-cycle management. To address this challenge, a multi-agent architecture aimed at elaborating predictive and reactive energy-efficient scheduling through collaboration between cyber physical production and energy systems is proposed in this paper. Smart, sustainable decision tools for cyber physical production systems (CPPS) and cyber physical energy systems (CPES) are proposed. The decision tools are data-driven, agent-based models with dynamic interaction. The main aim of agent behaviours in the cyber part of CPPS is to find a predictive and reactive energy-efficient schedule. The role of agents in CPES is to control the energy consumption of connected factories and switch between the different renewable energy sources. Dynamic mechanisms in CPPS and CPES are proposed to adjust the energy consumption of production systems based on the availability of the renewable energy. The proposed approach was validated on a physically distributed architecture using networked embedded systems and real-time data sharing from connected sensors in each cyber physical systems. A series of instances inspired from the literature were tested to assess the performance of the proposed method. The results prove the efficiency of the proposed approach in adapting the energy consumption of connected factories based on a real-time energy threshold.
A Doubly-Fed Induction Generator Adaptive Control Strategy and Coordination Technology Compatible with Feeder Automation
Authors: Tian Peng , Li Zetao , Hao Zhenghang
Published: November 2019

The extensive connection of distributed generation (DG) with the distribution network (DN) is one of the core features of a smart grid, but in case of a large number, it may result in problems concerning the DN-DG compatibility during fault isolation and service restoration, for which no efficient and economic solutions have been developed. This paper proposes a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) adaptive control strategy (ACS) and a coordination technology to be compatible with the typical feeder automation (FA) protection logics in the ring distribution system. First of all, an ACS simulating the inertia/damping characteristics and excitation principles of synchronous generators is developed to achieve seamless switching between DFIG grid-connection/island modes, and make distant synchronization possible. Next, a technology coordinating the DFIG islands controlled by ACS and the remote tie-switches based on local inspection of synchronization conditions for closing is developed to achieve the safety grid-connection of DFIG islands in the absence of DN-DG communication. At the last, a detailed simulation scenario with a ring DN accessed by five DFIGs is used to validate the effectiveness of ACS and coordination technology compatible with FA in various faults scenes.
Effect of High Temperature on the Mechanical Properties of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Bezerra Augusto C. S. , Maciel Priscila S. , Corrêa Elaine C. S. , Soares Junior Paulo R. R. , Aguilar Maria T. P. , Cetlin Paulo R.
Published: November 2019

The effect of high temperature on the mechanical properties of concrete reinforced by steel fibers with various aspect ratios has been investigated in this study. Concrete specimens were fabricated from four different concrete mixtures and cured for 28 days. After curing and natural drying, the specimens were annealed at a temperature of 500 °C for 3 h in an electric furnace. The compressive and tensile strengths as well as the elastic moduli of the produced specimens were determined. It was found that the mechanical properties (especially flexural toughness) of steel fiber-reinforced concrete were less affected by high temperature as compared to those of control concrete specimens. The flexural tensile strength of fiber-reinforced concrete measured after high-temperature treatment was almost equal to the value obtained for the reference concrete specimen at room temperature. It should be noted that the addition of steel fibers to concrete preserves its mechanical properties after exposure to a temperature of 500 °C due to fire for a period of up to 3 h, and thus is able to improve its high-temperature structural stability. The test results of this study indicate that the use of steel fibers in concrete-based materials significantly enhances their fire and hear-resistant characteristics.
Modulation of Pituitary Response by Dietary Lipids and Throughout a Temperature Fluctuation Challenge in Gilthead Sea Bream
Authors: Sánchez-Nuño Sergio , Silva Sandra C. , Guerreiro Pedro M. , Ordóñez-Grande Borja , Sanahuja Ignasi , Fernández-Alacid Laura , Ibarz Antoni
Published: November 2019

Low temperatures provoke drastic reductions in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) activity and nourishment, leading to growth arrest and a halt in production. However, scarce data exist concerning the implications of central core control during the cold season. The aim of this work was to study the effects of low temperature and recovery from such exposure on the pituitary activity of sea bream juveniles fed 18% or 14% dietary lipid. A controlled indoor trial was performed to simulate natural temperature fluctuation (22 °C to 14 °C to 22 °C). Meanwhile, we determined the regulatory role of the pituitary by analyzing the gene expression of some pituitary hormones and hormone receptors via qPCR, as well as plasma levels of thyroidal hormones. In response to higher dietary lipids, hormone pituitary expressions were up-regulated. Induced low temperatures and lower ingesta modulated pituitary function up-regulating GH and TSH and thyroid and glucocorticoid receptors. All these findings demonstrate the capacity of the pituitary to recognize both external conditions and to modulate its response accordingly. However, growth, peripheral tissues and metabolism were not linked or connected to pituitary function at low temperatures, which opens an interesting field of study to interpret the hypothalamus–pituitary–target axis during temperature fluctuations in fish.
A High-Throughput In Vitro Assay for Screening Rice Starch Digestibility
Authors: Toutounji Michelle R. , Butardo Vito M. , Zou Wei , Farahnaky Asgar , Pallas Laura , Oli Prakash , Blanchard Christopher L.
Published: November 2019

The development of rice that can produce slow and steady postprandial glucose in the bloodstream is a response to alarmingly high global rates of obesity and related chronic diseases. However, rice grain quality programs from all over the world currently do not have access to a high-throughput method to distinguish rice breeding materials that are digested slowly. The objective of this study was to develop a high-throughput in vitro assay to screen the digestibility of cooked white rice grains and to investigate its ability to differentiate rice genotypes with a low starch digestibility rate. The digestibility rate and extent of three commercial rice genotypes with diverse GI values (Doongara, Reiziq and Waxy) were successfully differentiated using the protocol. Further investigations with eight rice genotypes indicated the percentage of starch hydrolysed at a single time point of the assay (SH-60) successfully differentiated genotypes with a low digestibility rate (the SH-60 of Doongara and YRL127 was 50% and 59%, respectively) from genotypes with an intermediate or high digestibility rate (SH-60 values were between 64% and 93%). Application of this methodology in rice breeding programs may assist in the screening and development of new varieties with a desirable postprandial glycaemic response.
A New Sensory Approach Combined with a Text-Mining Tool to Create a Sensory Lexicon and Profile of Monovarietal Apple Juices
Authors: Mendes da Silva Thais , Torello Marinoni Daniela , Peano Cristiana , Roberta Giuggioli Nicole
Published: November 2019

Single-cultivar juices may be a valuable way to introduce different versions of a product to the market and obtain price discrimination. To communicate a product’s value, complex characteristics incorporated by each cultivar must be identified. New sensory methods rely on the assessor’s ability to recall attributes; however, the use of objective vocabularies may improve the sensory profiling. This work aimed to profile monovarietal apple juices by using projective mapping (PM) combined with ultra-flash profiling (UFP) supported by a sensory wheel built with a text-mining tool. Samples were also analyzed for physicochemical parameters to provide more information to the assessment. The assessor coordinates from PM were used in multiple factor analysis with confidence ellipses to assess differences among samples. A goodness-of-fit test was applied to select the most meaningful descriptors generated through the UFP test by calculating the expected frequency of choosing a descriptor from the sensory wheel and comparing it with the observed values. The methodology provided a more accurate sensory profile compared to previous research on fresh apples and juices. Elstar, Jonagold, and Pinova were considered as sweet juices, and Gravensteiner was described as sour and astringent, with green-apple notes. Rubinette was described as having a strong taste and cloudy aspect.
Purification and Characterization of Pathogenesis Related Class 10 Panallergens
Authors: McBride Jane K. , Cheng Hsiaopo , Maleki Soheila J. , Hurlburt Barry K.
Published: November 2019

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) describes an allergic reaction where an individual sensitized by pollen allergens develops symptoms after eating certain foods. OAS is caused by cross-reactivity among a class of proteins ubiquitous in plants called pathogenesis related class 10 (PR-10) proteins. The best characterized PR-10 protein is Bet v 1 from birch pollen and its putative function is binding hydrophobic ligands. We cloned a subset of seven recombinant PR-10 proteins from pollens, peanuts, and hazelnuts and developed a standard purification method for them. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) binding of purified PR-10 proteins was analyzed by ImmunoCAP ISAC microarray and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with sera from allergic patients. We investigated the binding activities of PR10s by testing 16 different ligands with each protein and compared their secondary structures using circular dichroism (CD). The PR-10s in this study had very similar CD spectra, but bound IgE with very different affinities. All seven proteins showed a similar pattern of binding to the polyphenol ligands (resveratrol, flavonoids, and isoflavones) and variable binding to other potential ligands (fatty acids, sterols, and plant hormones). We suggest our protocol has the potential to be a near-universal method for PR-10 purification that will facilitate further research into this important class of panallergens.
Local Governments’ Disaster Emergency Communication and Information Collection for Nutrition Assistance
Authors: Sudo Noriko , Urakawa Miyu , Tsuboyama-Kasaoka Nobuyo , Yamada Kanami , Shimoura Yoshiyuki , Yoshiike Nobuo
Published: November 2019

We examined local governments’ disaster emergency communication and information collection and distribution systems. Postal surveys were conducted for all prefectures, cities with public health centers, and specified districts in Tokyo Metropolis in 2005 and 2013. Municipalities were included in the 2013 survey only. The response rate for the 2013 survey was 71.2% (n = 1272). Thirty-six prefectures, 41 cities with health centers, and 16 specified districts in Tokyo Metropolis answered both surveys. A majority of respondents (88.8% in 2005 and 92.1% in 2013) of respondents reported that disaster management radio broadcasting was written into their local disaster management plans, guidelines, or manuals as the main communication tool. The proportion of respondents using computer networks (41.6–60.7%) and cell phones (email) (40.4–62.9%) had significantly increased between the surveys. It was also found that municipalities that had been previously affected by disasters (39.6%) were more likely to have systems to collect information from shelters and affected communities than those without any experience (24.3%), and prefectures that had been previously affected by disasters were more likely to have food supply damage reporting systems (36.4%) than those without such experience (3.3%).
Being at the Bottom Rung of the Ladder in an Unequal Society: A Qualitative Analysis of Stories of People without a Home
Authors: Mabhala Mzwandile A. , Yohannes Asmait
Published: November 2019

Background: Homelessness is rising in the United Kingdom, despite investment in measures to eradicate it made by the government and charity organisations. Aim: The aim is to examine the stories of homeless people in order to document their perceptions of their social status, the reasons that led to their homelessness, and propose a conceptual explanation. Method: We conducted 26 semi-structured interviews in three centres for homeless people in Cheshire, North West of England. Results: Three categories—education, employment, and health—emerged from the data and provided a theoretical explanation for the reasons that led to their homelessness. These are vital not only for the successful negotiation of one’s way out of homelessness, but also for achieving other social goods, including social connections, social mobility, and engaging in positive social relationships. Conclusion: Participants catalogued the adverse childhood experiences, which they believe limited their capacity to meaningfully engage with the social institution for social goods, such as education, social services, and institutions of employment. Since not all people who have misfortunes of poor education, poor health, and loss of job end up being homeless, we contend that a combination of these with multiple adverse childhood experiences may have weakened their resilience to traumatic life changes, such as loss of job and poor health.
Variability of Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) in the Indoor Air of Retail Stores
Authors: Jia Chunrong , Cao Kevin , Valaulikar Riya , Fu Xianqiang , Sorin Anna Bess
Published: November 2019

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released to the indoor air of retail stores from numerous products and activities, but available literature lacks a systematic understanding of the variability of VOC concentrations. In this study, we measured concentrations of total VOCs (TVOC) in 32 retail stores using a high-sensitivity photoionization detector (PID). Indoor thermal comfort parameters, including temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity, were simultaneously measured using an anemometer. The store-level TVOC concentrations ranged from 30 to 869 ppb and exceeded the LEED guideline in 31 stores. TVOC levels were notably high in hardware stores (median = 536 ppb, p = 0.0002) and paints, household, and home accessories sections within stores (p < 0.05). TVOC levels were elevated in mornings and evenings, possibly due to low ventilation and cleaning activities at the beginning and end of business hours. The between-store, within-store, and temporal variations accounted for 85%, 0.5%, and 14% of the total variance, respectively. The variance structure suggested that in-store VOC concentrations were predominantly driven by their source location, and representative monitoring should first consider covering various store types. Current store VOC levels present health concerns, but further studies are needed to evaluate risks among customers.
Insomnia, Benzodiazepine Use, and Falls among Residents in Long-term Care Facilities
Authors: Jiang Yu , Xia Qinghua , Wang Jie , Zhou Peng , Jiang Shuo , Diwan Vinod K. , Xu Biao
Published: November 2019

Background: Falls are leading cause of injury among older people, especially for those living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Very few studies have assessed the effect of sleep quality and hypnotics use on falls, especially in Chinese LTCFs. The study aimed to examine the association between sleep quality, hypnotics use, and falls in institutionalized older people. Methods: We recruited 605 residents from 25 LTCFs in central Shanghai and conducted a baseline survey for sleep quality and hypnotics use, as well as a one-year follow-up survey for falls and injurious falls. Logistic regression models were applied in univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Among the 605 participants (70.41% women, mean age 84.33 ± 6.90 years), the one-year incidence of falls and injurious falls was 21.82% and 15.21%, respectively. Insomnia (19.83%) and hypnotics use (14.21%) were prevalent. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that insomnia was significantly associated with an increased risk of falls (adjusted risk ratio (RR): 1.787, 95% CI, 1.106–2.877) and the use of benzodiazepines significantly increased the risk of injurious falls (RR: 3.128, 95% CI, 1.541–6.350). Conclusion: In elderly LTCF residents, both insomnia and benzodiazepine use are associated with an increased risk of falls and injuries. Adopting non-pharmacological approaches to improve sleep quality, taking safer hypnotics, or strengthening supervision on benzodiazepine users may be useful in fall prevention.
Semiconductor Work and the Risk of Spontaneous Abortion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kim Kyungsik , Sung Ho , Lee Kwan , Park Sue
Published: November 2019

(1) Background: In the semiconductor industry, female workers were identified as having an increased risk of spontaneous abortion (SA). To date, the association between semiconductor work and SA is controversial. We aimed to assess the association between semiconductor work and specific processes and SA, in the semiconductor industry. (2) Methods: A literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and other core databases, from the date of inception of these databases to 31 July 2019. Studies that identified SA risk in female workers in the semiconductor industry were included. (3) Results: We identified 529 studies, of which six studies were included in the meta-analysis. During 1980–1993, the risk of SA in fabrication (Fab) workers was significantly higher than non-Fab workers (RR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.05–1.57). Photolithography workers had a higher SA risk than non-process and office workers (RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.13–1.77). (4) Conclusion: Meta-analysis indicates a statistically significant association between Fab-work and SA. Specific process and chemical exposure meta-analyses need to be interpreted carefully considering bias. Because of the rapid change in the semiconductor industry, it is necessary to conduct an elaborate cohort study taking into consideration the current working environment.
Environmental Management Breadth, Environmental Management Depth, and Manufacturing Performance
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Ma Yuan , Yin Qiyue
Published: November 2019

According to the number of environmental management practices implemented by the firm and the degree of integration of environmental management with other functions of the firm, this study divides environmental management into two dimensions: environmental management breadth and environmental management depth. We argue that the impact of environmental management breadth on manufacturing performance is moderated by environmental management depth. A survey data including 225 Chinese manufacturing firms is used to test the hypotheses. Results show that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between environmental management breadth and manufacturing performance; the impact of environmental management depth is positive; meanwhile, environmental management depth moderates the relationship between environmental management breadth and manufacturing performance.
Measuring Gastronomic Image Online
Authors: Marine-Roig Estela , Ferrer-Rosell Berta , Daries Natalia , Cristobal-Fransi Eduard
Published: November 2019

Culinary or gastronomic tourism has become one of the main exponents of cultural tourism and a key element of a destination’s image identity. Since travellers consult and produce online travel reviews (OTR) before and during a trip, this research aims to provide and implement a framework for analysing OTRs of dining establishments to measure their contribution to destination image formation in their designative (cognitive) and appraisive (affective and evaluative) aspects. To do this, a website was selected from which to download OTRs, extract useful information from the textual and paratextual elements, build a keyword frequency matrix, and perform a quantitative and thematic content analysis. This method was applied to a random sample of 500,000 OTRs from the TripAdvisor restaurants section, written in English, between 2013 and 2017, by tourists visiting the Canary Islands. Results show that, although the gastronomic image of the destination is positive in general, the local and regional gastronomy representative of the community’s sociocultural identity is not the most popular nor the best valued in tourists’ comments. This research shows a method to measure the main aspects that make up the gastronomic image of a destination and that allow for extracting insights and business intelligence through big data from user-generated content.
Social Inequalities in Use of Preventive Dental and Medical Services among Adults in European Countries
Authors: Kino Shiho , Bernabé Eduardo , Sabbah Wael
Published: November 2019

This study examined inequalities in dental check-ups and medical screenings using subjective and objective socioeconomic indicators. Data from 23,464 adults, aged 20 years old and over, who participated in a multi-national survey across Europe (Eurobarometer 72.3) were analysed. Participants’ socioeconomic position (SEP) was measured by education, difficulty in paying bills and subjective social status. Use of preventive services was measured by attendance for dental check-ups, cancer and cardiovascular screenings in the past 12 months. Socioeconomic inequalities were assessed in two-level logistic regression (adults nested within countries), adjusting for demographic factors and type of healthcare system. There were apparent social inequalities in using all three preventive services. However, only dental check-ups showed consistent and significant inequalities across all socioeconomic indicators with those in the bottom groups in education (odds ratio: 0.51; 95% confidence interval: 0.46–0.55), difficulty in paying bills (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.59–0.72) and subjective social status (OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.57–0.69) having lower odds of reporting dental check-ups in the past 12 months than those in the top groups. Cancer screening was not associated with difficulty in paying bills whereas cardiovascular disease screening was not associated with education and subjective social status. Despite the availability of universal health coverage, there were clear social gradients in using preventive services particularly across education and subjective social status groups. The stronger and more consistent gradients observed in dental check-ups compared to cancer and cardiovascular screening could be attributed to difference in the level of coverage of dental and medical services in Europe.
Listening to Japanese Gardens: An Autoethnographic Study on the Soundscape Action Design Tool
Authors: Cerwén Gunnar
Published: November 2019

Landscape architecture and urban design disciplines could benefit from soundscape thinking in order to enhance experiential qualities in their projects, though the available tools are not yet fully developed nor tested. The present research aims to substantiate one of the available tools, Soundscape Actions, and thereby increase the understanding of soundscape design. The study focuses on the Japanese garden tradition, which is known for high preference ratings, tranquil qualities and consideration for sound and other sensory experiences. An autoethnographic approach was used to conduct field studies in 88 gardens in Japan, the majority of which are located in urban areas with potential noise disturbance. The studies are based on observations in situ, supported by video documentation, field recordings and readings of sound pressure levels (SPL). A total of 19 Soundscape Actions are described and discussed in the paper. They are structured around three main categories: localisation of functions, reduction of unwanted sounds and introduction of wanted sounds. The study provides concrete examples of how the tool can be used to enhance tranquil qualities, particularly focusing on small green spaces in dense urban settings, involving the (simultaneous) reduction of unwanted sounds and enhancement of wanted sounds/effects. The autoethnographic approach allowed for the phenomenological perspective to be brought forward, which contributed new insights regarding the design tool. The findings are discussed in relation to health and soundscape research, focusing on multisensory experiences, masking strategies and potentials for implementation and future developments of the design tool.