bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Energy Efficient and Formally Secured Certificate-Based Signcryption for Wireless Body Area Networks with the Internet of Things
Authors: Ullah Insaf , Alomari Abdullah , Ul Amin Noor , Khan Muhammad Asghar , Khattak Hizbullah
Published: October 2019

Recently, the spectacular innovations in the fields of wireless body area networks (WBAN) and the Internet of Things (IoT) have made e-Care services rise as a promising application domain, which significantly advances the quality of the medical system, however, due to the openness of the wireless environment and privacy of people’s physiological data, WBAN and IoT are prone to various cyber-attacks. There is a significant need for an efficient and highly secured cryptographic scheme that can meet the requirements of resource-constrained devices. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a certificate-based signcryption (CB-SN) scheme for the IoT-enabled WBAN. The proposed scheme is based on the concept of hyper-elliptic curve cryptography (HECC) that offers the same level of security as the elliptic curve and bilinear pairing with lower-key size. The formal security verification using the Automated Validation of the Internet Security Protocols and Applications (AVISPA) tool along with informal security analysis demonstrate that the proposed scheme is not just reducing the complexity of resource-constrained IoT devices, but proves to be secure against several well-known cryptographic attacks. Moreover, performance comparison with relevant existing schemes authenticates that the proposed scheme is far more secure and energy efficient.
A 2.77 μW Ambient RF Energy Harvesting Using DTMOS Cross-Coupled Rectifier on 65 nm SOTB and Wide Bandwidth System Design
Authors: Nguyen Thuy-Linh , Sato Yasuo , Ishibashi Koichiro
Published: October 2019

This paper proposes a structure of the μ W RF energy harvesting (RFEH) system that is used for scavenging RF power from an ambient environment. A cross-coupled rectifier (CCR) with floating sub-circuit structures was utilized in the application of dynamic threshold MOSFET (DTMOS) on Silicon on Thin Buried Oxide (SOTB) to obtain high drain conductance of the MOSFET. A wide bandwidth matching between antenna and rectifier was designed to receive energy from the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) RF signal with a bandwidth of 15 MHz at 950 MHz band. Realistic measurements with a 950 MHz LTE mobile phone signal from the ambient environment indicate that an average DC output power of 2.77 μ W is harvested with the proposed RFEH system at a level of −19.4 dBm input power. The proposed RFEH system exhibits the best performance when compared to that of other realistic RFEH systems and is a potential candidate for battery-less Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Fast Execution of an ASIFT Hardware Accelerator by Prior Data Processing
Authors: Yum Joohyuk , Kim Jin-Sung , Lee Hyuk-Jae
Published: October 2019

This paper proposes a new ASIFT hardware architecture that processes a Video Graphics Array (VGA)-sized (640 × 480) video in real time. The previous ASIFT accelerator suffers from low utilization because affine transformed images are computed repeatedly. In order to improve hardware utilization, the proposed hardware architecture adopts two schemes to increase the utilization of a bottleneck hardware module. The first is a prior anti-aliasing scheme, and the second is a prior down-scaling scheme. In the proposed method, 1 × 1 and 0.5 × 1 blurred images are generated and they are reused for creating various affine transformed images. Thanks to the proposed schemes, the utilization drop by waiting for the affine transform is significantly decreased, and consequently, the operation speed is increased substantially. Experimental results show that the proposed ASIFT hardware accelerator processes a VGA-sized video at the speed of 28 frames/s, which is 1.36 times faster than that of previous work.
Energy Efficiency Improvement Assessment in Africa: An Integrated Dynamic DEA Approach
Authors: Amowine Nelson , Ma Zhiqiang , Li Mingxing , Zhou Zhixiang , Azembila Asunka Benjamin , Amowine James
Published: October 2019

In Africa, energy plays an important role in the processes of economic and sustainable development. However, inefficiency such as mismanagement of resources constrains productivity. Prior energy efficiency studies in Africa have failed to provide the paths through which energy efficiency improvement can be achieved. The current study aims to assess energy efficiency improvement among 25 selected countries in Africa. First, the dynamic slack-based measure (DSBM) data envelopment analysis (DEA) model is applied to gauge the efficiency measurement. Further, the Malmquist productivity index (MPI) is employed to investigate the energy efficiency improvement during 2006–2014. Empirically, the results from the dynamic slack-based measure (DSBM) model show that energy efficiency in Africa is generally low. Also, the findings from the MPI suggest there is no significant improvement in energy efficiency in Africa. Based on the estimated results, some energy efficiency improvement strategies are further proposed for sample countries in Africa.
Techno-Economic Performance of Different Technological Based Bio-Refineries for Biofuel Production
Authors: Gebremariam Shemelis N. , Hvoslef-Eide Trine , Terfa Meseret T. , Marchetti Jorge M.
Published: October 2019

There are different technologies for biodiesel production, each having its benefits and drawbacks depending on the type of feedstock and catalyst used. In this study, the techno-economic performances of four catalyst technologies were investigated. The catalysts were bulk calcium oxide (CaO), enzyme, nano-calcium oxide, and ionic liquid. The study was mainly based on process simulations designed using Aspen Plus and SuperPro software. The quantity and quality of biodiesel and glycerol, as well as the amount of biodiesel per amount of feedstock, were the parameters to evaluate technical performances. The parameters for economic performances were total investment cost, unit production cost, net present value (NPV), internal return rate (IRR), and return over investment (ROI). Technically, all the studied options provided fuel quality biodiesel and high purity glycerol. However, under the assumed market scenario, the process using bulk CaO catalyst was more economically feasible and tolerable to the change in market values of major inputs and outputs. On the contrary, the enzyme catalyst option was very expensive and economically infeasible for all considered ranges of cost of feedstock and product. The result of this study could be used as a basis to do detail estimates for the practical implementation of the efficient process.
An Online Hybrid Model for Temperature Prediction of Wind Turbine Gearbox Components
Authors: Zhao Qiang , Bao Kunkun , Wang Jia , Han Yinghua , Wang Jinkuan
Published: October 2019

Condition monitoring can improve the reliability of wind turbines, which can effectively reduce operation and maintenance costs. The temperature prediction model of wind turbine gearbox components is of great significance for monitoring the operation status of the gearbox. However, the complex operating conditions of wind turbines pose grand challenges to predict the temperature of gearbox components. In this study, an online hybrid model based on a long short term memory (LSTM) neural network and adaptive error correction (LSTM-AEC) using simple-variable data is proposed. In the proposed model, a more suitable deep learning approach for time series, LSTM algorithm, is applied to realize the preliminary prediction of temperature, which has a stronger ability to capture the non-stationary and non-linear characteristics of gearbox components temperature series. In order to enhance the performance of the LSTM prediction model, the adaptive error correction model based on the variational mode decomposition (VMD) algorithm is developed, where the VMD algorithm can effectively solve the prediction difficulty issue caused by the non-stationary, high-frequency and chaotic characteristics of error series. To apply the hybrid model to the online prediction process, a real-time rolling data decomposition process based on VMD algorithm is proposed. With aims to validate the effectiveness of the hybrid model proposed in this paper, several traditional models are introduced for comparative analysis. The experimental results show that the hybrid model has better prediction performance than other comparative models.
Modeling and Control of Double-Sided LCC Compensation Topology with Semi-Bridgeless Active Rectifier for Inductive Power Transfer System
Authors: Cha Hwa-Rang , Kim Rae-Young , Park Kyung-Ho , Choi Yeong-Jun
Published: October 2019

This paper proposes the modeling and design of a controller for an inductive power transfer (IPT) system with a semi-bridgeless active rectifier (S-BAR). This system consists of a double-sided Inductor-Capacitor-Capacitor (LCC) compensation network and an S-BAR, and maintains a constant output voltage under load variation through the operation of the rectifier switches. Accurate modeling is essential to design a controller with good performance. However, most of the researches on S-BAR have focused on the control scheme for the rectifier switches and steady-state analysis. Therefore, modeling based on the extended describing function is proposed for an accurate dynamic analysis of an IPT system with an S-BAR. Detailed mathematical analyses of the large-signal model, steady-state operating solution, and small-signal model are provided. Nonlinear large-signal equivalent circuit and linearized small-signal equivalent circuit are presented for intuitive understanding. In addition, worst case condition is selected under various load conditions and a controller design process is provided. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed modeling, experimental results using a 100 W prototype are presented.
RETRACTED: Blockchain-Enabled Charging Right Trading Among EV Charging Stations
Authors: Jin Ruijiu , Zhang Xiangfeng , Wang Zhijie , Sun Wengang , Yang Xiaoxin , Shi Zhong
Published: October 2019

Increasing penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) gives rise to the challenges in the secure operation of power systems. The EV charging loads should be distributed among charging stations in a fair and incentive-compatible manner while ensuring that power transmission and transformation facilities are not overloaded. This paper first proposes a charging right (or charging power ration) trading mechanism and model based on blockchain. Considering all kinds of random factors of charging station loads, we use Monte Carlo modeling to determine the charging demand of charging stations in the future. Based on the charging demand of charging stations, a charging station needs to submit the charging demand for a future period. The blockchain first distributes initial charging right in a just manner and ensures the security of facilities. Given that the charging urgency and elasticity differences vary by charging stations, all charging stations then proceed with double auction and peer-to-peer (P2P) transaction of charging right. Bids and offers are cleared via double auctions if bids are higher than offers. The remaining bids and offers are cleared via the P2P market. Then, this paper designs the charging right allocation and trading platform and smart contract based on the Ethernet blockchain to ensure the safety of the distribution network (DN) and the transparency and efficiency of charging right trading. Simulation results based on the Ethereum private blockchain show the fairness and efficiency of the proposed mechanism and the effectiveness of the method and the mechanism.
Procedure to Evaluate the Impact in Distribution Single Phase Transformers Due to Insertion of New Nonlinear Load Which Changes Daily Demand Graphs
Authors: Carrión González Jorge Enrique , Martínez García Antonio , del Castillo Serpa Alfredo , Carrión González Marianela del Cisne , Merino Vivanco Rodolfo Pabel , Alulima Carrión Kelvin Armando
Published: October 2019

Power electronic development determines the introduction of nonlinear devices in electric power systems. Introduction of nonlinear devices increase current harmonics in transmission and distribution power systems. Distribution transformers and feeders increase power losses and their nominal parameters are reduced. The present work introduces a procedure to evaluate maximum permissible load in single phase distribution transformers with the introduction of a new type of nonlinear load which changes daily demand graphs.
Development of Efficient External Multi-Hazard Risk Quantification Methodology for Nuclear Facilities
Authors: Kwag Shinyoung , Ha Jeong Gon , Kim Min Kyu , Kim Jung Han
Published: October 2019

Probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) of nuclear facilities on external multi-hazards has become a major issue after the Fukushima accident in 2011. However, the existing external hazard PSA methodology is for single hazard events and cannot cover the impact of multi-hazards. Therefore, this study proposes a methodology for quantifying multi-hazard risks for nuclear energy plants. Specifically, we developed an efficient multi-hazard PSA methodology based on the probability distribution-based Boolean algebraic approach and sampling-based method, which are currently single-hazard PSA methodologies. The limitations of the probability distribution-based Boolean algebraic approach not being able to handle partial dependencies between the components are solved through this sampling-based method. In addition, we devised an algorithm that was more efficient than the existing algorithm for improving the limits of the current sampling-based method, as it required a significant computational time. The proposed methodology was applied from simple examples to single- and multi-hazard PSA examples of actual nuclear power plants. The results showed that the proposed methodology was verified in terms of accuracy and efficiency perspectives. Regarding the sampling-based method, it was confirmed that the proposed algorithm yielded fragility and risk results that have similar degrees of accuracy, even though it extracted a smaller number of samples than the existing algorithm.
Influences of Optical Factors on the Performance of the Solar Furnace
Authors: Cui Zhiying , Bai Fengwu , Wang Zhifeng , Wang Fuqiang
Published: October 2019

In this paper, an optical structure design for a solar furnace is described. Based on this configuration, Monte Carlo ray tracing simulations are carried out to analyze the influences of four optical factors on the concentrated solar heat flux distribution. According to the practical mirror shape adjustment approach, the curved surface of concentrator facet is obtained by using the finite element method. Due to the faceted reflector structure, the gaps between the adjacent mirror arrays and the orientations of facets are also considered in the simulation model. It gives the allowable error ranges or restrictions corresponding to the optical factors which individually effect the system in Beijing: The tilt error of heliostat should be less than 4 mrad; the tilt error of the concentrator in the orthogonal directions should be both less than 2 mrad; the concentrator facets with the shape most approaching paraboloid would greatly resolve slope error and layout errors arising in the concentrator. Besides, by comparing the experimentally measured irradiance with the simulated results, the optical performance of the facility is evaluated to investigate their comprehensive influence. The results are useful to help constructors have a better understanding of the solar furnace’s optical behavior under conditions of multiple manufacture restrictions.
Bearing Fault Diagnosis Based on Shallow Multi-Scale Convolutional Neural Network with Attention
Authors: Huang Tengda , Fu Sheng , Feng Haonan , Kuang Jiafeng
Published: October 2019

Recently, deep learning technology was successfully applied to mechanical fault diagnosis. The convolutional neural network (CNN), as a prevalent deep learning model, occupies a place in intelligent fault diagnosis, which reduces the need for human feature extraction and prior knowledge, thereby achieving an end-to-end intelligent fault diagnosis model. However, the data for mechanical fault diagnosis in practical application are limited, the CNN model is too deep and too complex, making it prone to overfitting, and a model with too simple a structure and shallow layers cannot fully learn the effective features of the data. Convolutional filters with fixed window sizes are widely used in existing CNN models, which cannot flexibly select variable pivotal features. The model may be interfered with by redundant information in feature maps during training. Therefore, in this paper, a novel shallow multi-scale convolutional neural network with attention is proposed for bearing fault diagnosis. The shallow multi-scale convolutional neural network structure can fully learn the feature information of input data without overfitting. For the first time, a feature attention mechanism is developed for fault diagnosis to adaptively select features for classification more effectively, where the pivotal feature was emphasized, and the redundant feature was weakened through an attention mechanism. The time frequency representations as the input of the model were obtained from the vibration time domain signals, which contain the complete time domain and frequency domain information of the vibration signals. Compared with the current popular diagnostic methods, the results show that the proposed diagnostic method has fairly high accuracy, and its performance is superior to the existing methods. The average recognition accuracy was 99.86%, and the weak recognition rate of I-07 and I-14 labels was improved.
An Integrated Energy and Environmental Audit Process for Historic Buildings
Authors: Mazzola Elena , Dalla Mora Tiziano , Peron Fabio , Romagnoni Piercarlo
Published: October 2019

The valorization and sustainable management of historic centers is a topic relevant to the cultural identity and heritage of European cities. A rational strategy to preserve the centers must consider both energy and environmental retrofitting, even if this is a complex issue requiring interdisciplinary approaches, dedicated diagnostic procedures, and specific tools. Within this context, this paper proposes an integrated method for energy and environmental analysis specifically devoted to historical building retrofit. Attention is focused on cases in which building management is not interested in renovation or in a deep conservation project, but instead in green management and maintenance overhaul. The basis of the procedure is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M) rating protocol. The global goal was the definition of an intervention strategy indicating the principal direction of action. The first step is identifying critical issues in the operation of the building through energy diagnosis and dynamic thermophysical simulations. The second step is defining a panel of appropriate retrofit measures. The third step is choosing between alternatives to increase the sustainability performance following an environmental assessment scheme. Ca’ Rezzonico in Venice (Italy), a 17th-century palace, nowadays the seat of a museum, was used as a case study to apply the proposed methodology.
The Impact of Subsidy Programs for Solar Thermal Applications: A Case Study for a Remote Island
Authors: Lin Wei-Min , Chang Keh-Chin , Chung Kung-Ming
Published: October 2019

Government intervention in the form of financial incentives is crucial for translating customer choice into a larger market share for solar thermal applications. The lengthy subsidy programs for solar water heaters in Taiwan have expanded the local market. On a remote island (Kinmen County), the area of solar collectors that are installed per 1000 inhabitants is 192.9 square meters. This study investigates a market-driven mechanism in terms of disposable income, household structure, building type and financial viability. The dual subsidy programs appear to have distorted the local market. The cumulative energy savings for solar water heaters that are installed is misleading because the systems are over-designed and there is a high replacement rate (or shorter service period).
Tests of Geometry of the Powered Roof Support Section
Authors: Szurgacz Dawid , Brodny Jarosław
Published: October 2019

A powered roof support is a basic protection mean for longwall excavations in which highly efficient mining is carried out. The support operates properly when its individual sections are spragged correctly in a working and their operating parameters meet specific requirements. The geometry of the section, and in particular, the correct position of the floor base and the canopy, have a significant impact on the parameters and effectiveness of its work. Disturbances in this area, in many cases, are the cause of damage and improper operation of the support. Therefore, a new method of testing the position of the section in a longwall was developed based on an analysis of its geometry. The basis of this method are inclinometers (angle sensors) mounted on the main structural elements of the section. Recorded values of the angles of inclination of these elements and the developed analytical models are used to determine the positioning of the section in a longwall. The main purpose of the research was to develop a method that would allow, in the simplest possible way, the analysis of section geometry in real conditions. A simplified analytical model was used to determine the actual geometry of the section. It was used then as a basis of an analysis of possible states of the position of the section in the mining wall, including the surrounding rock mass. The results were applied during tests of the section carried out in a testing station and in real (underground) conditions. The developed measuring system helped to determine selected geometrical parameters of the section during these tests. The purpose of the research was to verify the developed model and demonstrate that the geometry of the section has a significant impact on its uneven loading. The obtained results, especially from underground tests, confirmed that during operation the support sections are twisted, which may cause overloading of their construction and disturbance of the operation process. The developed method of testing the geometry of the section is a new approach to analyzing the work of the powered roof support operating in variable mining and geological conditions. The developed method of testing the position of the section based on the angle of inclination of its individual elements is undoubtedly a new approach to this research area. The results obtained should be successfully used in practice to optimize the support section and when selecting support for specific working conditions.
Biofuel Application as a Factor of Sustainable Development Ensuring: The Case of Russia
Authors: Titova Ekaterina S.
Published: October 2019

Diffusion of the biofuels (BF) using is justified by opening up the opportunities for obtaining fuel and energy from previously inaccessible sources and by the existence of energy-deficient regions, in particular in Russia. Works of different scientists on the problems of creating and using BF were the methodological basis of this study. Information on the state and prospects of the development of renewable energy sources in Russian regions was collected from regulatory documents and was obtained by employing a questionnaire survey. For the study of the collected materials, the different methods of comparative analysis, and the methods of expert assessments were used. The results of the Status-Quo analysis of BF production in Russia have shown that the creation of BF performed relatively successfully. However, there are many more perspectives, connected with expanding the utilization of the different raw materials. Also, the analysis of organizational and economic mechanisms applied for production of BF and the obtained data on several organizations-producers allowed for proposing six indexes for the assessment of the BF production effectiveness. It is suggested that BF production in Russia will contribute to the sustainable development of a number of the country’s regions in the near future.
Recycling of Cement Kiln Dust as a Raw Material for Cement
Authors: Seo Minhye , Lee Soo-Young , Lee Chul , Cho Sung-Su
Published: October 2019

Cement kiln dust (CKD) is a major by-product of cement manufacturing and has the potential to be recycled as a raw material if the high concentrations of chlorine and potassium are removed. This study tested four leaching solutions (distilled water and three organic acids) and determined the optimum reaction conditions. At a liquid/solid (L/S ratio) of 10, the removal efficiency of formic, citric, and oxalic acid was higher than that of distilled water, but at L/S 20, distilled water also achieved a high removal efficiency of Cl (≥90%) and K (≥70%). In addition, to minimize the discharge of wastewater after leaching, the efficiency of ion-exchange resins for the recovery of leaching solution was tested. When the cation- and anion-exchange resins were arranged together, more than 95% of both Cl and K contained in the leaching solution could be removed. Leaching solution without Cl and K was found to have a high leaching efficiency even after being recycled three times, resulting in a significant reduction in wastewater emissions.
Harvesting and Local Knowledge of a Cultural Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP): Gum-Resin from Boswellia serrata Roxb. in Three Protected Areas of the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Soumya Kori Veeranna , M. Shackleton Charlie , R. Setty Siddappa
Published: October 2019

Soliga tribes in the Western Ghats, India harvest some NTFPs (non-timber forest products) for religious purposes. They extract gum-resin from Boswellia serrata Roxb. in Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT), Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), and Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary (MMH) in the state of Karnataka, India. They use gum-resin as a cultural offering to the deities in the temples in these study sites and in their households. The traditional harvesting practices adopted by the Soliga tribes in these protected areas, types of gum-resin extracted, and the nature of the extraction processes were examined. The research undertook 346 household surveys with gum-resin harvesters and non-harvesters across 15 villages, along with 60 field trips with the harvesters, during which field harvesting activities and practices were noted. Six different types of gum-resin were harvested, with marked differences between the three sites. Because of the different types of gum-resin, the quantities harvested were also significantly different between sites. Approximately 80% of the harvesters were aware of some harmful methods of harvesting gum-resin, and some harvesters highlighted that B. serrata trees would yield gum-resin only when damaged. Such damage could be human-made or through the effects of elephants, wind, Trigona honey harvest, deer horns or body rubbing and longhorn beetles. Most (81%) of the non-harvesters surveyed previously practiced gum-resin harvesting but had ceased for a variety of reasons, mostly because of insufficient demand and hence income from the sale of gum-resin, insufficient supply, or fear of wild animals in the forests. Considering these cultural practices, experiences, and beliefs of the Soliga communities can help inform management plans and conservation of the species in its natural habitat.
Optimization of Pollen Germination in Tectona grandis (Teak) for Breeding Programs
Authors: Hine Ana , Rojas Alejandra , Suarez Lorenzo , Murillo Olman , Espinoza Mario
Published: October 2019

Teak has become one of the most widely planted species in tropical regions of the world, given its high price for its timber in international markets. This has motivated the development of tree improvement programs in the Latin American region and in the tropical world in general. The latest advances have achieved clonal forestry at an operational scale. Recently, important efforts are being made to advance towards the next breeding generation, since knowledge about floral biology and pollen management have become important issues. A breeding program is being developed through the Tree Improvement Cooperative GENFORES—a vinculation model between the academy and forestry companies that was initiated in Costa Rica and now involves six Latin American countries. In order to advance into the next breeding generations, building capacities in topics such as pollen banks requires pollen quality, thus enabling the exchange of pollen among cooperative members. Pollen fertility studies are of considerable value in breeding programs, in order to determine pollen viability and germination in collections of genotypes, before going into mating operational activities. In this study, we optimized pollen quality analysis protocols in terms of the viability and germination of fresh teak pollen. Results of this research show that 90% viability and 28% germination can be achieved in fresh pollen grains, both inside and outside the anther, previously dehydrated in silica gel for 2 to 4 h (40% and 33% humidity, respectively). Brewbacker and Kwack (BK) medium at 10% of its salts + 10% sucrose and at a pH of 7 must be used as the germination medium. It is possible to evaluate teak pollen quality using the parameters defined in this study, which will in turn allow pollen management and purification, providing an opportunity for carrying out controlled crosses at an operational scale as part of teak breeding programs.
A Conceptual Framework for the Spruce Budworm Early Intervention Strategy: Can Outbreaks be Stopped?
Authors: Johns Robert C. , Bowden Joseph J. , Carleton Drew R. , Cooke Barry J. , Edwards Sara , Emilson Erik J. S. , James Patrick M. A. , Kneeshaw Dan , MacLean David A. , Martel Véronique , Moise Eric R. D. , Mott Gordon D. , Norfolk Chris J. , Owens Emily , Pureswaran Deepa S. , Quiring Dan T. , Régnière Jacques , Richard Brigitte , Stastny Michael
Published: October 2019

The spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana, Clem., is the most significant defoliating pest of boreal balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and spruce (Picea sp.) in North America. Historically, spruce budworm outbreaks have been managed via a reactive, foliage protection approach focused on keeping trees alive rather than stopping the outbreak. However, recent theoretical and technical advances have renewed interest in proactive population control to reduce outbreak spread and magnitude, i.e., the Early Intervention Strategy (EIS). In essence, EIS is an area-wide management program premised on detecting and controlling rising spruce budworm populations (hotspots) along the leading edge of an outbreak. In this article, we lay out the conceptual framework for EIS, including all of the core components needed for such a program to be viable. We outline the competing hypotheses of spruce budworm population dynamics and discuss their implications for how we manage outbreaks. We also discuss the practical needs for such a program to be successful (e.g., hotspot monitoring, population control, and cost–benefit analyses), as well as the importance of proactive communications with stakeholders.
Maximum Branch Diameter in Black Spruce Following Partial Cutting and Clearcutting
Authors: Lemay Audrey , Pamerleau-Couture Émilie , Krause Cornelia
Published: October 2019

Branch diameter is an important aspect of wood quality, as lumber grades can be determined based on the maximum diameter of branches. Crown and branch development can be influenced by the environment surrounding the trees, and silvicultural interventions, which reduce stand density and increase the growth of residual trees, could therefore alter branch properties. We evaluated maximum branch diameter within the crown of residual black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) subjected to five types of silvicultural intervention—three partial-cutting and two clearcutting treatments—as well as trees within unmanaged control stands. We sampled a total of 41 stands and 223 trees. We collected 15 whorls from the live crown of each tree and measured the diameters of the largest branches. For all treatments, we observed a curvilinear relationship between maximum branch diameter and distance from the stem apex, and the largest branches were located in the lower third of the live crown. DBH before treatment and treatment were the variables that best explained maximum branch diameter in the lowest portion of the crown. A generalized additive model showed that maximum branch diameter in black spruce following silvicultural treatment will not differ significantly from trees of unmanaged control stands. Therefore, the studied partial cutting and clearcutting treatments do not have adverse effects on maximum branch diameter when compared to unmanaged control stands. However, DBH prior to treatment must be considered before any treatment is applied in forest management operations if maximum branch diameter is an important wood quality factor at the time of the final harvest of the stands.
Novel Ingredients Based on Grapefruit Freeze-Dried Formulations: Nutritional and Bioactive Value
Authors: Igual Marta , Cebadera Laura , Cámara Rosa Mᵃ , Agudelo Claudia , Martínez-Navarrete Nuria , Cámara Montaña
Published: October 2019

Grapefruit is a fruit with interesting nutritional value and functional properties, but a short life. Freeze-drying (FD) is a valuable technique as it produces high-quality dehydrated products. This study is aimed to obtain new food ingredients based on freeze-dried grapefruit formulated with high molecular weight solutes (gum arabic and bamboo fiber) in three different proportions (F1, F2, and F3). To improve the FD, a mild microwave drying pre-treatment was applied. Influence of the water content and the presence of high molecular weight solutes on freeze-drying kinetics was tested by Midilli-Kucuk and Page models. The best FD kinetic model fit on grapefruit powders were Midilli-Kucuk for F2 and F3, and Page for F1, and the adequate freeze-drying times for F1, F2, and F3 were 24, 16, and 18 h, respectively. Final samples were evaluated for nutritional and antioxidant capacity. Gum arabic and bamboo fiber present a protector effect, which results in a significant antioxidant capacity due to the protection of flavonoids and antioxidant vitamins. These novel food ingredients could be of great interest for the food industry in order to develop foods with improved antioxidant capacity as well as enriched in natural fibers and/or micronutrients.
Cognitive Function and Consumption of Fruit and Vegetable Polyphenols in a Young Population: Is There a Relationship?
Authors: Carrillo Juan Ángel , Zafrilla M Pilar , Marhuenda Javier
Published: October 2019

Scientific evidence has shown the relationship between consumption of fruits and vegetables and their polyphenols with the prevention or treatment of diseases. The aim of this review was to find out whether the same relationship exists between fruits and vegetables and cognitive function, especially memory, in a young population. The mechanisms by which polyphenols of fruits and vegetables can exert cognitive benefits were also evaluated. These compounds act to improve neuronal plasticity through the protein CREB (Camp Response Element Binding) in the hippocampus, modulating pathways of signaling and transcription factors (ERK/Akt). In the same way, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in the maintenance, survival, growth, and differentiation of neurons. All these effects are produced by an increase of cerebral blood flow and an increase of the blood’s nitric oxide levels and oxygenation.
Familiar Places: A History of Place Attachment in a South Sami Community
Authors: Brännlund Isabelle
Published: October 2019

In contrast to situations in most other countries, Indigenous land rights in Sweden are tied to a specific livelihood—reindeer husbandry. Consequently, Sami culture is intimately connected to it. Currently, Sami who are not involved in reindeer husbandry use genealogy and attachment to place to signal Sami belonging and claim Sami identity. This paper explores the relationship between Sami genealogy and attachment to place before the reindeer grazing laws of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I show that within local Sami communities the land representing home was part of family history and identity while using historical archive material, narratives, and storytelling. State projects in the late 19th century challenged the links between family and land by confining Sami land title to reindeer husbandry, thereby constructing a notion of Sami as reindeer herders. The idea has restricted families and individuals from developing their culture and livelihoods as Sami. The construct continues to cause conflicts between Sami and between Sami and other members of local communities. Nevertheless, Sami today continue to evoke their connections to kinship and place, regardless of livelihood.
Ubiquitin Ligases Involved in the Regulation of Wnt, TGF-β, and Notch Signaling Pathways and Their Roles in Mouse Development and Homeostasis
Authors: Baloghova Nikol , Lidak Tomas , Cermak Lukas
Published: October 2019

The Wnt, TGF-β, and Notch signaling pathways are essential for the regulation of cellular polarity, differentiation, proliferation, and migration. Differential activation and mutual crosstalk of these pathways during animal development are crucial instructive forces in the initiation of the body axis and the development of organs and tissues. Due to the ability to initiate cell proliferation, these pathways are vulnerable to somatic mutations selectively producing cells, which ultimately slip through cellular and organismal checkpoints and develop into cancer. The architecture of the Wnt, TGF-β, and Notch signaling pathways is simple. The transmembrane receptor, activated by the extracellular stimulus, induces nuclear translocation of the transcription factor, which subsequently changes the expression of target genes. Nevertheless, these pathways are regulated by a myriad of factors involved in various feedback mechanisms or crosstalk. The most prominent group of regulators is the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). To open the door to UPS-based therapeutic manipulations, a thorough understanding of these regulations at a molecular level and rigorous confirmation in vivo are required. In this quest, mouse models are exceptional and, thanks to the progress in genetic engineering, also an accessible tool. Here, we reviewed the current understanding of how the UPS regulates the Wnt, TGF-β, and Notch pathways and we summarized the knowledge gained from related mouse models.
TRIM39-RPP21 Variants (∆19InsCCC) Are Not Associated with Juvenile Idiopathic Epilepsy in Egyptian Arabian Horses
Authors: Rivas Victor N. , Aleman Monica , Peterson Janel A. , Dahlgren Anna R. , Hales Erin N. , Finno Carrie J.
Published: October 2019

Juvenile idiopathic epilepsy (JIE) is an inherited disease characterized by recurrent seizures during the first year of life in Egyptian Arabian horses. Definitive diagnosis requires an electroencephalogram (EEG) performed by a veterinary specialist. A recent study has suggested that a 19 base-pair deletion, along with a triple-C insertion, in intron five of twelve (∆19InsCCC; chr20:29542397-29542425: GTTCAGGGGACCACATGGCTCTCTATAGA>TATCTTAAGACCC) of the Tripartite Motif-Containing 39-Ribonuclease p/mrp 21kDa Subunit (TRIM39-RPP21) gene is associated with JIE. To confirm this association, a new sample set consisting of nine EEG-phenotyped affected and nine unaffected Egyptian Arabian horses were genotyped using Sanger sequencing. There was no significant genotypic (P = 1.00) or allelic (P = 0.31) association with the ∆19InsCCC variant and JIE status. The previously reported markers in TRIM39-RPPB1 are therefore not associated with JIE in well-phenotyped samples. The ∆19InsCCC variant is a common variant that happens to be positioned in a highly polymorphic region in the Arabian breed.
Selecting and Performing Service-Learning in a Team-Based Learning Format Fosters Dissonance, Reflective Capacity, Self-Examination, Bias Mitigation, and Compassionate Behavior in Prospective Medical Students
Authors: Horst Alexis , Schwartz Brian D. , Fisher Jenifer A. , Michels Nicole , Van Winkle Lon J.
Published: October 2019

More compassionate behavior should make both patients and their providers happier and healthier. Consequently, work to increase this behavior ought to be a major component of premedical and medical education. Interactions between doctors and patients are often less than fully compassionate owing to implicit biases against patients. Such biases adversely affect treatment, adherence, and health outcomes. For these reasons, we studied whether selecting and performing service-learning projects by teams of prospective medical students prompts them to write reflections exhibiting dissonance, self-examination, bias mitigation, dissonance reconciliation, and compassionate behavior. Not only did these students report changes in their behavior to become more compassionate, but their reflective capacity also grew in association with selecting and performing team service-learning projects. Components of reflective capacity, such as reflection-on-action and self-appraisal, correlated strongly with cognitive empathy (a component of compassion) in these students. Our results are, however, difficult to generalize to other universities and other preprofessional and professional healthcare programs. Hence, we encourage others to test further our hypothesis that provocative experiences foster frequent self-examination and more compassionate behavior by preprofessional and professional healthcare students, especially when teams of students are free to make their own meaning of, and build trust and psychological safety in, shared experiences.
Influence of Intensity RAMP Incremental Test on Peak Power, Post-Exercise Blood Lactate, and Heart Rate Recovery in Males: Cross-Over Study
Authors: Michalik Kamil , Korta Kuba , Danek Natalia , Smolarek Marcin , Zatoń Marek
Published: October 2019

Background: The linearly increased loading (RAMP) incremental test is a method commonly used to evaluate physical performance in a laboratory, but the best-designed protocol remains unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the selected variables used in training control resulting from the two different intensities of RAMP incremental tests. Methods: Twenty healthy and physically active men took part in this experiment. The tests included two visits to a laboratory, during which anthropometric measurements, incremental test on a cycle ergometer, and examinations of heart rate and blood lactate concentration were made. The cross-over study design method was used. The subjects underwent a randomly selected RAMP test with incremental load: 0.278 W·s−1 or 0.556 W·s−1. They performed the second test a week later. Results: Peak power output was significantly higher by 51.69 W (p < 0.001; t = 13.10; ES = 1.13) in the 0.556 W·s−1 group. Total work done was significantly higher in the 0.278 W·s−1 group by 71.93 kJ (p < 0.001; t = 12.55; ES = 1.57). Maximal heart rate was significantly higher in the 0.278 W·s−1 group by 3.30 bpm (p < 0.01; t = 3.72; ES = 0.48). There were no statistically significant differences in heart rate recovery and peak blood lactate. Conclusions: We recommend use of the 0.556 W·s−1 RAMP protocol because it is of shorter duration compared with 0.278 W·s−1 and as such practically easier and of less effort for subjects.
The Association Between Cephalosporin and Hypoprothrombinemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Park Gi Hyue , Kim Seungyeon , Kim Min Soo , Yu Yun Mi , Kim Gun Hee , Lee Jeong Sang , Lee Euni
Published: October 2019

Cephalosporins that contain the N-methylthiotetrazole side chain (NMTT-cephalosporin) have been reported to be associated with coagulation-related adverse events; however, a comprehensive evaluation regarding the association is lacking. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the safety profile of NMTT-cephalosporins with respect to hypoprothrombinemia and bleeding. The MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and RISS databases were systematically searched for clinical studies up to October 2018. The association between NMTT-cephalosporins and hypoprothrombinemia was estimated using an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 15 studies on cefamandole, cefoperazone, cefotetan, cefmetazole, and moxalactam were identified and included in the meta-analysis. Hypoprothrombinemia (OR 1.676, 95% CI 1.275–2.203) and prothrombin time (PT) prolongation (OR 2.050, 95% CI 1.398–3.005) were significantly associated with NMTT-cephalosporins, whereas bleeding was not (OR 1.359, 95% CI 0.920–2.009). Subgroup analyses revealed that cefoperazone (OR 2.506, 95% CI 1.293–4.860), cefamandole (OR 3.247, 95% CI 1.083–9.733), and moxalactam (OR 3.367, 95% CI 1.725–6.572) were significantly associated with hypoprothrombinemia. An Antimicrobial Stewardship Program led by a multidisciplinary team could play a critical role in monitoring cephalosporin-related hypoprothrombinemia or PT prolongation in patients with underlying clinical conditions at risk for bleeding. The multidisciplinary team could also assist in communicating the potential safety concerns regarding NMTT-cephalosporin use with healthcare professionals to decrease the risk of adverse events.
Quality of Life, Social Support, Acceptance of Illness, and Self-Efficacy among Pregnant Women with Hyperglycemia
Authors: Iwanowicz-Palus Grażyna , Zarajczyk Marta , Pięta Beata , Bień Agnieszka
Published: October 2019

Carbohydrate metabolism disorders resulting in hyperglycemia are among the most common metabolic complications of pregnancy. According to 2017 data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 16.2% of pregnancies are complicated with hyperglycemia, of which gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) accounts for 86.4% of cases. Carbohydrate metabolism disorders developing during pregnancy require the patient to change her lifestyle or, in some cases, to undergo pharmaceutical treatment, which may affect various aspects of the patient’s life, including her perceived quality of life (QoL). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate levels of QoL, social support, acceptance of illness, and self-efficacy among pregnant patients with hyperglycemia. The study was performed between July 2016 and September 2017 in a group of hyperglycemic pregnant women. The following instruments were used: the World Health Organization Quality of Life—BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), the Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS), the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and a standardized interview questionnaire. Participants rated their overall QoL (3.64 points) higher than their overall perceived health (3.43). In terms of social support, the highest scores were obtained in terms of actually received support (3.53) and perceived available instrumental support (3.52), while the lowest in terms of support seeking (2.99) and the need for support (2.95). The mean acceptance of illness score among the hyperglycemic pregnant women that were studied was 31.37, and the mean generalized self-efficacy score was 31.58. Participants’ reported QoL in the various WHOQOL-BREF domains was associated with specific social support scales, acceptance of illness, and generalized self-efficacy.