bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
miRNA-29b Inhibits Prostate Tumor Growth and Induces Apoptosis by Increasing Bim Expression
Authors: Sur Subhayan , Steele Robert , Shi Xingyi , Ray Ratna B.
Published: November 2019

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. Currently available therapies improve patient survival against local prostate cancer but have shown severe side effects. Advanced prostate cancer is still incurable. Studies have suggested the involvement of non-coding RNAs, especially micro-RNAs (miRNAs), in the regulation of multiple cellular events in cancer and thus several clinical trials are ongoing using miRNAs mimics or inhibitors. We previously demonstrated that miRNA-29b-3p (miR-29b) was downregulated in prostate cancer and that the overexpression of miR-29b limited prostate cancer metastasis. However, the therapeutic potential of the miR-29b against prostate cancer remains unknown. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic role of miR-29b in in vivo prostate tumors in a mouse model. Intratumoral injection of mimic miR-29b significantly inhibited prostate cancer xenograft tumor growth in nude mice. Subsequent study demonstrated that the overexpression of miR-29b reduced prostate cancer cell PC3 proliferation in a time dependent manner and induced cell death. Mechanistic study using a cancer pathway specific transcriptomic array revealed a significant overexpression of the pro-apoptotic gene BCL2L11 (Bim) in the miR-29b overexpressed PC3 cells, which was further verified in PC3 cells overexpressing miR-29b. We also observed a significant induction of Bim protein in miR-29b treated xenograft tumors. The induction of cytosolic accumulation of cytochrome C and PARP cleavage in miR-29b overexpressed PC3 cells was observed. Thus, our results suggest that miR-29b can be used as a potential molecule for prostate cancer therapy.
Natural Histogel-Based Bio-Scaffolds for Sustaining Angiogenesis in Beige Adipose Tissue
Authors: Di Somma Margherita , Schaafsma Wandert , Grillo Elisabetta , Vliora Maria , Dakou Eleni , Corsini Michela , Ravelli Cosetta , Ronca Roberto , Sakellariou Paraskevi , Vanparijs Jef , Castro Begona , Mitola Stefania
Published: November 2019

In the treatment of obesity and its related disorders, one of the measures adopted is weight reduction by controlling nutrition and increasing physical activity. A valid alternative to restore the physiological function of the human body could be the increase of energy consumption by inducing the browning of adipose tissue. To this purpose, we tested the ability of Histogel, a natural mixture of glycosaminoglycans isolated from animal Wharton jelly, to sustain the differentiation of adipose derived mesenchymal cells (ADSCs) into brown-like cells expressing UCP-1. Differentiated cells show a higher energy metabolism compared to undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. Furthermore, Histogel acts as a pro-angiogenic matrix, induces endothelial cell proliferation and sprouting in a three-dimensional gel in vitro, and stimulates neovascularization when applied in vivo on top of the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane or injected subcutaneously in mice. In addition to the pro-angiogenic activity of Histogel, also the ADSC derived beige cells contribute to activating endothelial cells. These data led us to propose Histogel as a promising scaffold for the modulation of the thermogenic behavior of adipose tissue. Indeed, Histogel simultaneously supports the acquisition of brown tissue markers and activates the vasculature process necessary for the correct function of the thermogenic tissue. Thus, Histogel represents a valid candidate for the development of bioscaffolds to increase the amount of brown adipose tissue in patients with metabolic disorders.
First-Principles Study of Gas Molecule Adsorption on C-doped Zigzag Phosphorene Nanoribbons
Authors: Yang Shuai , Wang Zhiyong , Dai Xueqiong , Xiao Jianrong , Long Mengqiu , Chen Tong
Published: November 2019

Phosphorene, due to its large surface-to-volume ratio and high chemical activity, shows potential application for gas sensing. In order to explore its sensing performance, we have performed the first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the perfect and C-doped zigzag phosphorene nanoribbons (C-ZPNRs) with a series of small gas molecules (NH3, NO, NO2, H2, O2, CO, and CO2) adsorbed. The calculated results show that NH3, CO2, O2 gas molecules have relatively larger adsorption energies than other gas molecules, indicating that phosphorene is more sensitive to these gas molecules. For C-ZPNRs configuration, the adsorption energy of NO and NO2 increase and that of other gas molecules decrease. Interestingly, the adsorption energy of hydrogen is −0.229 eV, which may be suitable for hydrogen storage. It is hoped that ZPNRs may be a good sensor for (NH3, CO2 and O2) and C-ZPNRs may be useful for H2 storage.
Study on the Damage Mechanism of TiN/Ti Coatings Based on Multi-Directional Impact
Authors: Fang Zhihao , Chen Jiao , He Weifeng , Yang Zhufang , Yuan Zhanwei , Geng Mingrui , He Guangyu
Published: November 2019

TiN/Ti coatings have great application potential in improving aero-engine server lives in a dusty environment. However, the damage behavior and mechanism of the coating and substrate under high impact speed and multi-direction loading conditions has scarcely been investigated. In this paper, TiN/Ti coatings were deposited on Ti6Al4V alloys by a magnetic filter cathode vacuum arc. Multi-directional impact tests were carried out by a gas gun system at, 45°, 60°, and 90° with a velocity of 330 m/s. The damage behaviors and mechanisms of the TiN/Ti coatings were investigated and revealed by researching the damage morphology, crack propagation, and stress distribution. The results show that plastic deformation occurs both in the coatings and the substrates under high speed impacting. Cracks extend vertically downward in the TiN layer first and are deflected at the Ti layer when the driving force is not enough. Circular cracks and radical cracks are found to form network cracks on the surface of the coating and the shear stress loaded by the particles, which drives cracks’ propagation is the main reason for the peeling off on the coatings.
Is the Use of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy or Systemic Antibiotics More Effective in Improving Periodontal Health When Used in Conjunction with Localised Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy? A Systematic Review
Authors: Pal Animesh , Paul Sanjeev , Perry Rachel , Puryer James
Published: November 2019

Periodontal disease can be treated in several ways. This paper reviewed whether antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in addition to scaling and root planing (SRP) produces improved clinical results over systemic antibiotics (ABs) in conjunction with SRP in adults with periodontitis. Studies were searched using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Web of Science Core Collection up to and including November 2018. Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were reviewed to maximise the reliability of the evidence. All participants suffered from either chronic or aggressive periodontitis and each study contained SRP as an adjunct to ABs or aPDT. To determine whether groups showed improvement after treatment, the outcome parameters chosen were probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Despite finding significant improvements in all groups, the differences among groups were not consistently statistically significant. The lack of homogeneity in the results among these studies indicates that it was not possible to determine a conclusion about whether aPDT or AB as an adjunct to SRP provides better improvements in periodontitis as measured by PD, CAL, and BOP. Further studies with more similar study designs are required before firm conclusions can be deduced.
Microwave Linear Characterization Procedures of On-Wafer Scaled GaAs pHEMTs for Low-Noise Applications
Authors: Caddemi Alina , Cardillo Emanuele , Crupi Giovanni , Boglione Luciano , Roussos Jason
Published: November 2019

This contribution deals with the microwave linear characterization and noise figure measurement of four on-wafer GaAs pseudomorphic high-electron mobility transistors having scaled gate widths. The proposed measurement campaign has been fulfilled in two different laboratories: The University of Messina, Italy and US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA. Two equivalent approaches have been straightforwardly employed: a standard tuner-based technique and a novel tuner-less technique. The effectiveness of the novel technique has been confirmed as carried out independently by the two laboratories, evidencing the benefits of both techniques. The proposed experimental activity highlights the applicability of the tunerless technique for the noise characterization of advanced on-wafer devices without the constraint imposed by the addition of a source tuner to the standard measurement setup.
A Computationally Efficient Mean Sound Speed Estimation Method Based on an Evaluation of Focusing Quality for Medical Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Lee Jaejin , Yoo Yangmo , Yoon Changhan , Song Tai-kyong
Published: November 2019

Generally, ultrasound receive beamformers calculate the focusing time delays of fixed sound speeds in human tissue (e.g., 1540 m/s). However, phase distortions occur due to variations of sound speeds in soft tissues, resulting in degradation of image quality. Thus, an optimal estimation of sound speed is required in order to improve image quality. Implementation of real-time sound speed estimation is challenging due to high computational and hardware complexities. In this paper, an optimal sound speed estimation method with a low-cost hardware resource is presented. In the proposed method, the optimal mean sound speed is determined by measuring the amplitude variance of pre-beamformed radio-frequency (RF) data. The proposed method was evaluated with phantom and in vivo experiments, and implemented on Virtex-4 with Xilinx ISE 12.4 using VHDL. Experiment results indicate that the proposed method could estimate the mean optimal sound speed and enhance spatial resolution with a negligible increase in the hardware resource usage.
Energy and Emission Characteristics of Biowaste from the Corn Grain Drying Process
Authors: Maj Grzegorz , Szyszlak-Bargłowicz Joanna , Zając Grzegorz , Słowik Tomasz , Krzaczek Paweł , Piekarski Wiesław
Published: November 2019

This paper presents the results of the evaluation of the energy potential of waste from the process of drying corn grain in the form of corn cobs, damaged grains, corn grain husks, and mixtures of starting materials. A technical and elementary analysis was performed for the biomass under investigation. The elemental composition of ash and the tendencies for slagging and boiler slagging were determined, and the emission factors were estimated based on the elemental analysis performed. The tests showed the highest calorific value among the starting materials for corn cobs (CCs) (14.94 MJ·kg−1) and for the mixture of corn cobs with corn husk (CC–CH) (13.70 MJ·kg−1). The estimated emission factors were within ranges of 38.26–63.26 kg·Mg−1 for CO, 936–1549 kg·Mg−1 for CO2, 0.85–4.32 kg·Mg−1 for NOx, 0.91–1.03 kg·Mg−1 for SO2, and 3.88–54.31 kg·Mg−1 for dust. The research showed that the creation of mixtures from starting materials leads to materials with lower potential for negative environmental impact as well as a reduced risk of slagging and fouling of biomass boilers. However, taking into account all the parameters determined for the biomass under study, the highest energy potential was characteristic for corn cobs and the mixture of corn cobs with corn husk.
Nitrogen Addition Alleviates Microbial Nitrogen Limitations and Promotes Soil Respiration in a Subalpine Coniferous Forest
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Qianmei , Wang Zexi , Zheng Haifeng , Chen Yamei , Chen Xian , Wang Lifeng , Li Hongjie , Zhang Jian
Published: November 2019

Soil microbes are an important component of soil ecosystems that influence material circulation and are involved in the energy flow of ecosystems. The increase in atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition affects all types of terrestrial ecosystems, including subalpine forests. In general, alpine and high-latitude ecosystems are N limited. Increased N deposition could therefore affect microbial activity and soil respiration. In this study, four levels of N addition, including CK (no N added), N1 (2 g m−2 a−1), N2 (5 g m−2 a−1), and N3 (10 g m−2 a−1), were carried out in a Sichuan redwood forest at the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The dynamics of soil respiration, major microbial groups, ecoenzymatic stoichiometry, and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen (MBC and MBN, respectively) were investigated over a year. The results showed that N application significantly increased soil respiration (11%–15%), MBC (5%–9%), MBN (23%–34%), N-acetylglucosidase (56.40%–204.78%), and peroxidase (42.28%–54.87%) activities. The promotion of soil respiration, N-acetylglucosidase, and peroxidase was highest under the N2 treatment. The carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus metabolism of soil microbes in subalpine forests significantly responded to N application. In the latter stages of N application, microbial metabolism changed from being N restricted to phosphorus restricted, especially under the N2 treatment. Soil bacteria (B) and gram-positive (G+) bacteria were the dominant microbial groups affecting soil respiration. Structural equation modelling indicated that N application significantly promoted soil respiration and microbial biomass, whereas the main microbial groups did not significantly respond to N application. Therefore, we conclude that short-term N addition alleviates microbial nitrogen limitation and promotes soil respiration in the subalpine forest ecosystem that accelerates soil carbon (C) and N cycling. Continuous monitoring is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms under long-term N deposition, which may help in forecasting C, N, and P cycling in the alpine region under global climate change.
Wideband Spectrum Sensing Based on Reconfigurable Filter Bank in Cognitive Radio
Authors: Wang Huan , Wu Bin , Yao Yuancheng , Qin Mingwei
Published: November 2019

In order to ease the conflict between the bandwidth demand of high-rate wireless communication and the shortage of spectrum resources, a wideband spectrum sensing method based on reconfigurable filter bank (RFB) with adjustable resolution is presented. The wideband signals are uniformly divided into multi-narrowband signals by RFB, which is designed by polyphase uniform Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) modulation, and each sub-band is sensed by energy detection. According to the idle proportion of detected sub-bands, the number of RFB sub-bands is reset in next spectrum-sensing time. By simulating with collected wideband dataset, the influence of filter bank sub-bands number and idle state proportion on the sensing results is analyzed, and then on the basis of the trade-off between spectrum-sensing resolution and computational complexity, the optimal sub-bands number of filter bank is selected, so as to improve the detection performance and save resources.
Increased Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanofiber Mats for Possible Medical Applications
Authors: Trabelsi Marah , Mamun Al , Klöcker Michaela , Sabantina Lilia , Großerhode Christina , Blachowicz Tomasz , Ehrmann Andrea
Published: November 2019

Carbon fibers belong to the materials of high interest in medical application due to their good mechanical properties and because they are chemically inert at room temperature. Carbon nanofiber mats, which can be produced by electrospinning diverse precursor polymers, followed by thermal stabilization and carbonization, are under investigation as possible substrates for cell growth, especially for possible 3D cell growth applications in tissue engineering. However, such carbon nanofiber mats may be too brittle to serve as a reliable substrate. Here we report on a simple method of creating highly robust carbon nanofiber mats by using electrospun polyacrylonitrile/ZnO nanofiber mats as substrates. We show that the ZnO-blended polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber mats have significantly increased fiber diameters, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties and thus supporting tissue engineering applications.
Honey: Chemical Composition, Stability and Authenticity
Authors: Escuredo Olga , Seijo M. Carmen
Published: November 2019

This Special Issue contains innovative research papers on the characterization, chemical composition and physical properties of honey. This constitutes very useful information to avoid frauds and to guarantee the authenticity of this food product. The knowledge of the particularities of honey is increasingly demanded by beekeepers and consumers, and also by labs to typify honeys according to their botanical origin and to check their quality. Melissopalynological, sensorial and physicochemical techniques are being used to study the characteristics of honeys samples from different plant sources and geographical areas. The combination of these analytical techniques with mathematical and statistical methods or chemometrics allows researchers to identify a set of variables or individual parameters that define independent samples, providing a practical solution to classify honey according to the geographical or the botanical origin.
Effects of Thermal Treatment on the Physical Properties of Edible Calcium Alginate Gel Beads: Response Surface Methodological Approach
Authors: Kim Seonghui , Jeong Chungeun , Cho Suengmok , Kim Seon-Bong
Published: November 2019

Calcium alginate gel (CAG) has been widely investigated for the development of artificial foods; however, there are few studies on its thermal stability. This study aimed to monitor changes in the physical properties of CAG beads during heat treatment using response surface methodology. Heating temperature (X1, 40–100 °C) and heating time (X2, 5–60 min) were chosen as independent variables. The dependent variables were rupture strength (Y1, kPa), size (Y2, μm), and sphericity (Y3, %). The heating temperature (X1) was the independent variable that had a significant effect on the rupture strength (Y1) and size (Y2). Rupture strength (Y1) increased as the heating temperature (X1) increased; at the same time, the CAG beads size (Y2) decreased. With all conditions, the values of sphericity (Y3) were over 94%. SEM images revealed that increase in the rupture strength of the CAG beads by heat treatment resulted from their porous structures. Loss of moisture by syneresis, occurring with heat treatment, was judged to create a dense porous structure of CAG beads. Our findings offer useful information for cooking or sterilizing food products utilizing CAG beads. In addition, thermal treatment could be applied to produce hard CAG beads with a high rupture strength.
Changes in Morphological and Physicochemical Properties of Waxy and Non-waxy Proso Millets during Cooking Process
Authors: Yang Qinghua , Liu Long , Zhang Weili , Li Jing , Gao Xiaoli , Feng Baili
Published: November 2019

Proso millet, a grain which is principally consumed in cooked form, is favored by consumers because of its rich nutritional value. However, the changes in morphological and physicochemical properties of proso millet grains occurring during the cooking process have rarely been reported. In this study, we investigated the changes in morphological and physicochemical properties of cooked waxy and non-waxy proso millets. During the cooking process, starch granules in the grains were gradually gelatinized starting from the outer region to the inner region and were gelatinized earlier in waxy proso millet than in non-waxy proso millet. Many filamentous network structures were observed in the cross sections of cooked waxy proso millet. As the cooking time increased, the long- and short-range, ordered structures of proso millets were gradually disrupted, and the ordered structures were fully disrupted by 20 min of cooking. In both waxy and non-waxy proso millets, thermal and pasting properties significantly changed with an increase in the cooking time. This study provides useful information for the processing of proso millet in the food industry.
Semi-Autonomous Vehicles as a Cognitive Assistive Device for Older Adults
Authors: Knoefel Frank , Wallace Bruce , Goubran Rafik , Sabra Iman , Marshall Shawn
Published: November 2019

Losing the capacity to drive due to age-related cognitive decline can have a detrimental impact on the daily life functioning of older adults living alone and in remote areas. Semi-autonomous vehicles (SAVs) could have the potential to preserve driving independence of this population with high health needs. This paper explores if SAVs could be used as a cognitive assistive device for older aging drivers with cognitive challenges. We illustrate the impact of age-related changes of cognitive functions on driving capacity. Furthermore, following an overview on the current state of SAVs, we propose a model for connecting cognitive health needs of older drivers to SAVs. The model demonstrates the connections between cognitive changes experienced by aging drivers, their impact on actual driving, car sensors’ features, and vehicle automation. Finally, we present challenges that should be considered when using the constantly changing smart vehicle technology, adapting it to aging drivers and vice versa. This paper sheds light on age-related cognitive characteristics that should be considered when developing future SAVs manufacturing policies which may potentially help decrease the impact of cognitive change on older adult drivers.
Robot Helps When Robot Fits: Examining the Role of Baby Robots in Fertility Promotion
Authors: Song Yao , Qin Zhenzhen , Kang Tao , Jin Yang
Published: November 2019

Considering China is facing a precipitous decline in its population, there is an emerging trend of developing baby robots to encourage people’s willingness to become “parents”. Based on the decomposed theory of planned behavior and the theory of uncanny valley, this study empirically investigated whether a baby robot could perform as a prominent antecedent of fertility intention in China, and how this relates to its visual appearance. Consistent with prior research, the current study used a between-subjects design to show (1) a baby robot could significantly improve people’s fertility attitude through temporal visual stimulation; (2) fertility attitude, subjective norms from peers, and perceived behavioral control of finance could significantly contribute to fertility intention. Theoretical contributions and implications are discussed in this study.
Functional Status and Body Mass Index in Postmenopausal Women with Fibromyalgia: A Case–control Study
Authors: Cerón Lorente Laura , García Ríos María Carmen , Navarro Ledesma Santiago , Tapia Haro Rosa María , Casas Barragán Antonio , Correa-Rodríguez María , Aguilar Ferrándiz María Encarnación
Published: November 2019

Reduced functional capacity is a common characteristic of fibromyalgia (FMS). We aimed to investigate the relationship between functional status and body mass index (BMI) in a population with and without FMS. A pilot case–control study was performed in 34 women with FMS and 22 healthy controls which were classified according to their BMI. The main outcome measures were: Balance (MiniBestest, One Leg Stance Test), functional mobility (Timed up and Go), physical disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index), spinal range of motion (Spinal Mouse), level of physical activity at work (Leisure Time Physical Activity Instrument), and home and leisure time (Physical Activity at Home and Work). Statistical differences were observed between overweight/obese healthy controls and women with FMS for several indicators of functional capacity. FMS patients reported worse dynamic (p = 0.001) and static balance (right: p = 0.002, left: p = 0.001), poorer functional mobility (p = 0.008), and higher levels of physical disability (p = 0.001). Functional status is altered in FMS women compared to the healthy control group, independently of nutritional status; therefore, BMI is unlikely to play a main role in functional capacity indicators in postmenopausal FMS women. Only dynamic balance seems to reduce the obesity status in this population.
The Attempt Was My Own! Suicide Attempt Survivors Respond to an Australian Community-Based Suicide Exposure Survey
Authors: Maple Myfanwy , McKay Kathy , Sanford Rebecca
Published: November 2019

Those who attempt suicide have often been overlooked in the suicide prevention literature. Where stories of lived experience have been included, it is often from the perspectives of healthcare professionals who treat the physical and/or psychological impacts following an attempt, rather than firsthand accounts. Yet, the most intimate insights of suicide are lost by not including the voices of those with lived experience of suicide attempt. Through an online, community-based, non-representative survey exploring the impact of exposure to suicide, a sub-sample of 88 participants responded who reported their exposure to suicide as being their own attempt. The survey covered demographic information, questions assessing exposure to suicide attempts and death, current global psychological distress via the Kessler Psychological Distress (K10) Scale, and short qualitative responses provided by 46 participants. The qualitative data was thematically analysed resulting in three themes; the way in which individuals experienced being suicidal; who they were able, or not, to disclose these intentions to—before and after their suicide attempt; and, how these people experienced the formal and informal health care supports available to them to assist with their suicidal crisis. This paper presents important findings from a sample of participants who are highly distressed, and have previously attempted to take their own lives. This adds depth to our understanding of lived experience of suicide attempt, issues associated with seeking appropriate support after suicide attempt, and also demonstrates a willingness of participants to share their stories, even in a study that did not explicitly target those with lived experience of suicide attempt. The need for consistent and compassionate mental health care after a suicide attempt is identified as a vital component of living well after a suicide attempt.
Electrophysiological Correlates of an Alcohol-Cued Go/NoGo Task: A Dual-Process Approach to Binge Drinking in University Students
Authors: Blanco-Ramos Javier , Cadaveira Fernando , Folgueira-Ares Rocío , Corral Montserrat , Rodríguez Holguín Socorro
Published: November 2019

Binge drinking is a common pattern of alcohol consumption in adolescence and youth. Neurocognitive dual-process models attribute substance use disorders and risk behaviours during adolescence to an imbalance between an overactivated affective-automatic system (involved in motivational and affective processing) and a reflective system (involved in cognitive inhibitory control). The aim of the present study was to investigate at the electrophysiological level the degree to which the motivational value of alcohol-related stimuli modulates the inhibition of a prepotent response in binge drinkers. First-year university students (n = 151, 54 % females) classified as binge drinkers (n = 71, ≥6 binge drinking episodes, defined as 5/7 standard drinks per occasion in the last 180 days) and controls (n = 80, <6 binge drinking episodes in the last 180 days) performed a beverage Go/NoGo task (pictures of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks were presented according to the condition as Go or NoGo stimuli; Go probability = 0.75) during event-related potential recording. In binge drinkers but not controls, the amplitude of the anterior N2-NoGo was larger in response to nonalcohol than in response to alcohol pictures. No behavioural difference in task performance was observed. In terms of dual-process models, binge drinkers may require increased activation to monitor conflict in order to compensate for overactivation of the affective-automatic system caused by alcohol-related bias.
Assessing Agricultural Livelihood Vulnerability to Climate Change in Coastal Bangladesh
Authors: Hoque Muhammad Ziaul , Cui Shenghui , Xu Lilai , Islam Imranul , Tang Jianxiong , Ding Shengping
Published: November 2019

The adverse impacts of climate change exert mounting pressure on agriculture-dependent livelihoods of many developing and developed nations. However, integrated and spatially specific vulnerability assessments in less-developed countries like Bangladesh are rare, and insufficient to support the decision-making needed for climate-change resilience. Here, we develop an agricultural livelihood vulnerability index (ALVI) and an integrated approach, allowing for (i) mapping out the hot spots of vulnerability distribution; (ii) identifying key factors of spatially heterogeneous vulnerability; and (iii) supporting intervention planning for adaptation. This study conceptualized vulnerability as a function of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity by developing a composite index from a reliable dataset of 64 indicators comprising biophysical, agro-ecological, and socioeconomic variables. The empirical studies of coastal Bangladesh revealed that Bhola, Patuakhali, and Lakshmipur districts, around the mouth of the deltaic Meghna estuaries, are the hot spot of vulnerability distribution. Furthermore, the spatially heterogeneous vulnerability was triggered by spatial variation of erosion, cyclones, drought, rain-fed agriculture, land degradation, soil phosphorus, crop productivity, sanitation and housing condition, infant mortality, emergency shelters, adoption of agro-technology. The integrated approach could be useful for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of adaptation intervention by substituting various hypothetical scenarios into the ALVI framework for baseline comparison.
Policy Debates Regarding Nicotine Vaping Products in Australia: A Qualitative Analysis of Submissions to a Government Inquiry from Health and Medical Organisations
Authors: Erku Daniel A , Morphett Kylie , Steadman Kathryn J , Gartner Coral E
Published: November 2019

Australia has maintained a highly restrictive regulatory framework for nicotine vaping products (NVPs) and the regulatory approach differs from most other high income countries. This paper employed a thematic analysis to assess policy consultation submissions made to a government inquiry regarding use and marketing of NVPs. We included in the analysis submissions (n = 40) made by Australian institutions that influence or contribute to health policy-making including government agencies, health bodies and charities (n = 23), and public health academics and healthcare professionals (n = 18). Submissions from commercial entities and consumers were excluded. The majority of submissions from representatives of government agencies, health bodies and charities recommended maintaining current restrictions on NVPs. Arguments against widening access to NVPs included the demand for long-term evidence on safety and efficacy of an unusually high standard. There was widespread support for restrictions on sales, advertising and promotion, with most submissions supporting similar controls as for tobacco products. In contrast, the majority of individual submissions from healthcare professionals and public health academics advocated for widening access to NVPs for smokers and emphasized the potential benefits of smokers switching to vaping and the policy incoherence of regulating less harmful nicotine products more strictly than tobacco cigarettes. Progress in resolving the policy debate concerning NVP regulation in Australia will require policy makers, clinicians and the public health community to engage in a meaningful dialogue which gives due consideration to both intended and unintended consequences of proposed policies.
Oral Health Status and Need for Oral Care in an Aging Population: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lauritano Dorina , Moreo Giulia , Della Vella Fedora , Di Stasio Dario , Carinci Francesco , Lucchese Alberta , Petruzzi Massimo
Published: November 2019

Background. The world population is aging. This phenomenon is accompanied by an increase in the number of elderly with dementia, whose oral hygiene care is a challenge. Objective. This paper presents a literature review of oral health status and the need for oral care in people with dementia, as compared to people without dementia and also of the relationship between periodontal disease and cognitive impairment. Methods. A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. Fifty-six articles met the inclusion criteria and were consequently included for quality assessment and data extraction. Results. No significant differences were found between both groups with regard to the number of present teeth, DMFT Index, edentulousness/use of denture, and orofacial pain. Coronal/root caries and retained roots were more common in people with dementia than in those without dementia. Most of the participants with dementia presented gingival bleeding or inflammation and they suffered from the periodontal disease more than people without dementia. Conclusions. Poor oral health is a common condition among the elderly with dementia. The education process of caregivers might improve the oral health status of people with dementia. Finally, periodontal disease might contribute to the onset or progression of dementia.
Analysis of Health in Environmental Assessments—A Literature Review and Survey with a Focus on Denmark
Authors: Humboldt-Dachroeden Sarah , Fischer-Bonde Birgitte , Gulis Gabriel
Published: November 2019

In the European Union, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (2014/52/EU) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive (2011/92/EU) emphasise the assessment of population and human health. The directives require health to be considered within Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). To date, health is mainly considered in connection with negative environmental factors and in terms of risk assessments. The integration of health in EIA as well as SEA has not been investigated in a Danish context, and this study aims to address the missing knowledge. There is a need for a more comprehensive health assessment within EIA and SEA to comply with the EIA and SEA directives. An integration of health into EIA and SEA will ensure a sound examination of health determinants which can improve decision making and thus comprehensively promote and protect health. To establish the status of the inclusion of the assessment of impacts on health into EIA and SEA, a literature review was performed. In addition, a survey addressed to researchers and practitioners was conducted and analysed through a comparative analysis. The survey examined the needs of practitioners and researchers, focusing on the Danish context, regarding the inclusion of health into EIA and SEA. Enhanced intersectoral cooperation of the health and environmental sectors, more specific guidance documents, and underlying this, stronger political support, were identified among needs for more comprehensive health assessments.
UTSM: A Trajectory Similarity Measure Considering Uncertainty Based on an Amended Ellipse Model
Authors: Guo Ning , Shekhar Shashi , Xiong Wei , Chen Luo , Jing Ning
Published: November 2019

Measuring the similarity between a pair of trajectories is the basis of many spatiotemporal clustering methods and has wide applications in trajectory pattern mining. However, most measures of trajectory similarity in the literature are based on precise models that ignore the inherent uncertainty in trajectory data recorded by sensors. Traditional computing or mining approaches that assume the preciseness and exactness of trajectories therefore risk underperforming or returning incorrect results. To address the problem, we propose an amended ellipse model, which takes both interpolation error and positioning error into account by making use of the motion features of the trajectory to compute the ellipse’s shape parameters. A specialized similarity measure method considering uncertainty called the Uncertain Trajectory Similarity Measure (UTSM) based on the model is also proposed. We validate the approach experimentally on both synthetic and real-world data and show that UTSM is not only more robust to noise and outliers, but also more tolerant of different sample frequencies and asynchronous sampling of trajectories.
Impacts of Rapid Socioeconomic Development on Cropping Intensity Dynamics in China during 2001–2016
Authors: Li Le , Ao Zurui , Zhao Yaolong , Liu Xulong
Published: November 2019

Changes in cropping intensity reflect not only changes in land use but also the transformation of land functions. Although both natural conditions and socioeconomic factors can influence the spatial distribution of the cropping intensity and its changes, socioeconomic developments related to human activities can exert great impacts on short term cropping intensity changes. The driving force of this change has a high level of uncertainty; and few researchers have implemented comprehensive studies on the underlying driving forces and mechanisms of these changes. This study produced cropping intensity maps in China from 2001 to 2016 using remote sensing data and analyzed the impacts of socioeconomic drivers on cropping intensity and its changes in nine major agricultural zones in China. We found that the average annual cropping intensity in all nine agricultural zones increased from 2001 to 2016 under rapid socioeconomic development, and the trends in the seven major agricultural zones were significantly increased (p < 0.05), based on a Mann–Kendall test, except for the Northeast China Plain (NE Plain) and Qinghai Tibet Plateau (QT Plateau). Based on the results from the Geo-Detector, a widely used geospatial analysis tool, the dominant factors that affected cropping intensity distribution were related to the arable land output in the plain regions and topography in the mountainous regions. The factors that affected cropping intensity changes were mainly related to the arable land area and crop yields in northern China, and regional economic developments, such as machinery power input and farmers’ income in southern China. These findings provide useful cropping intensity data and profound insights for policymaking on how to use cultivated land resources efficiently and sustainably.
Long Noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-Mediated Competing Endogenous RNA Networks Provide Novel Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Wang Liye , Cho Kwang Bog , Li Yan , Tao Gabriel , Xie Zuoxu , Guo Bin
Published: November 2019

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and has a high metastasis and reoccurrence rate. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in CRC growth and metastasis. Recent studies revealed that lncRNAs participate in CRC progression by coordinating with microRNAs (miRNAs) and protein-coding mRNAs. LncRNAs function as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) by competitively occupying the shared binding sequences of miRNAs, thus sequestering the miRNAs and changing the expression of their downstream target genes. Such ceRNA networks formed by lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA interactions have been found in a broad spectrum of biological processes in CRC, including liver metastasis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), inflammation formation, and chemo-/radioresistance. In this review, we summarize typical paradigms of lncRNA-associated ceRNA networks, which are involved in the underlying molecular mechanisms of CRC initiation and progression. We comprehensively discuss the competitive crosstalk among RNA transcripts and the novel targets for CRC prognosis and therapy.
Y-chromosome and Surname Analyses for Reconstructing Past Population Structures: The Sardinian Population as a Test Case
Authors: Grugni Viola , Raveane Alessandro , Colombo Giulia , Nici Carmen , Crobu Francesca , Ongaro Linda , Battaglia Vincenza , Sanna Daria , Al-Zahery Nadia , Fiorani Ornella , Lisa Antonella , Ferretti Luca , Achilli Alessandro , Olivieri Anna , Francalacci Paolo , Piazza Alberto , Torroni Antonio , Semino Ornella
Published: November 2019

Many anthropological, linguistic, genetic and genomic analyses have been carried out to evaluate the potential impact that evolutionary forces had in shaping the present-day Sardinian gene pool, the main outlier in the genetic landscape of Europe. However, due to the homogenizing effect of internal movements, which have intensified over the past fifty years, only partial information has been obtained about the main demographic events. To overcome this limitation, we analyzed the male-specific region of the Y chromosome in three population samples obtained by reallocating a large number of Sardinian subjects to the place of origin of their monophyletic surnames, which are paternally transmitted through generations in most of the populations, much like the Y chromosome. Three Y-chromosome founding lineages, G2-L91, I2-M26 and R1b-V88, were identified as strongly contributing to the definition of the outlying position of Sardinians in the European genetic context and marking a significant differentiation within the island. The present distribution of these lineages does not always mirror that detected in ancient DNAs. Our results show that the analysis of the Y-chromosome gene pool coupled with a sampling method based on the origin of the family name, is an efficient approach to unravelling past heterogeneity, often hidden by recent movements, in the gene pool of modern populations. Furthermore, the reconstruction and comparison of past genetic isolates represent a starting point to better assess the genetic information deriving from the increasing number of available ancient DNA samples.
The Synthesis of Organic Oils Blended Magnetorheological Fluids with the Field-Dependent Material Characterization
Authors: Jinaga Rakesh , Jagadeesha T. , Kolekar Shreedhar , Choi Seung-Bok
Published: November 2019

Automation is one of the trending terminologies in the field of engineering to achieve various sensors and actuators such as the hydraulic system. Smart fluid is also one of the hot topics for researchers to develop a type of actuator in many control systems since the fluid’s rheological characteristics can be controlled or tuned by the intensity of the external stimuli. In this work, a new smart fluid of magnetorheological (MR) fluid is proposed and its field-dependent rheological characteristics are experimentally identified. An MR fluid using the carrier fluid as the blend of three different fluids, namely silicon oil, honey, and organic oil is prepared. In addition, two types of natural oils are used, sunflower oil and cottonseed oil. The samples are prepared using the blend as the carrier fluid, electrolytic iron powder coated with guar gum as the dispersed phase, and oleic acid as an additive. The quantity of oleic acid is optimized for 30% by weight of electrolytic iron powder. Two samples based on sunflower and cottonseed oil are synthesized and characterized for shear viscosity and shear stress with respect to shear rate subjected to a variable magnetic field. The blend-based MR fluid shows about 10% improvement over the sedimentation rate of silicon oil-based MR fluid as compared to that to conventional MR fluid. The cottonseed oil blend-based MR fluid performs better than sunflower-based fluid in terms of the viscosity and structure.
Synthesis, Bioapplications, and Toxicity Evaluation of Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles
Authors: Rizeq Balsam R. , Younes Nadin N. , Rasool Kashif , Nasrallah Gheyath K.
Published: November 2019

The development of advanced nanomaterials and technologies is essential in biomedical engineering to improve the quality of life. Chitosan-based nanomaterials are on the forefront and attract wide interest due to their versatile physicochemical characteristics such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, which play a promising role in biological applications. Chitosan and its derivatives are employed in several applications including pharmaceuticals and biomedical engineering. This article presents a comprehensive overview of recent advances in chitosan derivatives and nanoparticle synthesis, as well as emerging applications in medicine, tissue engineering, drug delivery, gene therapy, and cancer therapy. In addition to the applications, we critically review the main concerns and mitigation strategies related to chitosan bactericidal properties, toxicity/safety using tissue cultures and animal models, and also their potential environmental impact. At the end of this review, we also provide some of future directions and conclusions that are important for expanding the field of biomedical applications of the chitosan nanoparticles.
Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenases: Identification, Expression, and Evolutionary Analysis of This Gene Family in Tobacco
Authors: Zhou Qianqian , Li Qingchang , Li Peng , Zhang Songtao , Liu Che , Jin Jingjing , Cao Peijian , Yang Yongxia
Published: November 2019

Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) selectively catalyze carotenoids, forming smaller apocarotenoids that are essential for the synthesis of apocarotenoid flavor, aroma volatiles, and phytohormone ABA/SLs, as well as responses to abiotic stresses. Here, 19, 11, and 10 CCD genes were identified in Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana tomentosiformis, and Nicotiana sylvestris, respectively. For this family, we systematically analyzed phylogeny, gene structure, conserved motifs, gene duplications, cis-elements, subcellular and chromosomal localization, miRNA-target sites, expression patterns with different treatments, and molecular evolution. CCD genes were classified into two subfamilies and nine groups. Gene structures, motifs, and tertiary structures showed similarities within the same groups. Subcellular localization analysis predicted that CCD family genes are cytoplasmic and plastid-localized, which was confirmed experimentally. Evolutionary analysis showed that purifying selection dominated the evolution of these genes. Meanwhile, seven positive sites were identified on the ancestor branch of the tobacco CCD subfamily. Cis-regulatory elements of the CCD promoters were mainly involved in light-responsiveness, hormone treatment, and physiological stress. Different CCD family genes were predominantly expressed separately in roots, flowers, seeds, and leaves and exhibited divergent expression patterns with different hormones (ABA, MeJA, IAA, SA) and abiotic (drought, cold, heat) stresses. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the NtCCD gene family and a foundation for future functional characterization of individual genes.