bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydropower Dam State and Its Foundation Soil Survey Using Industrial Seismic Oscillations
Authors: Antonovskaya Galina , Kapustian Natalia , Basakina Irina , Afonin Nikita , Moshkunov Konstantin
Published: April 2019

In this article, we suggest a new type of seismic source for surveying both structure state and foundation soil conditions regardless of the level of seismic noise. In our opinion, powerful industrial equipment can be treated as seismic sources. We describe the results of a survey conducted on the Song Tranh-2 hydropower dam located in Central Vietnam. After a М = 4.7 earthquake, the dam visual inspection revealed zones of the excessive durability loss: cracks and areas with an elevated infiltration of water into the dam galleries. Powerful industrial equipment generates continuous quasi-harmonic mechanical oscillations (seismic waves) that travel through layers of rocks. These seismic oscillations are recorded by receivers in different measurement points such as the dam body, abutments, and the foundation soils. Anomalous amplitudes of these oscillations indicate the presence of weakened zones in the structure or in foundation soil. We coupled passive and active seismic methods to more precisely find such zones. In this case, active seismic methods allowed us to investigate dam abutment zones, and passive seismic methods were used to localize weakened zones in the dam-foundation soil system. We assumed that the joint contribution of two factors was the cause of the dam weakening. One of them was caused by increased water infiltration through the rock mass and its contact zones, and the other was reservoir-induced seismicity contributing to the deterioration of the foundation soils, which was possibly the reason for a shift in the dam in the contact zone with the rock mass foundation. It is necessary to perform computer modelling, which was not included in our research. The developed method can be used for the safety control of the hydropower station dams.
Erratum: Insects and the Kafkaesque: Insectuous Re-Writings in Visual and Audio-Visual Media. Humanities 2017, 6, 74
Authors:   Humanities Editorial Office
Published: April 2019

The editorial team would like to make the following changes to the published paper by Grammatikopoulos (2017): [...]
Application of Habitat Evaluation Procedure with Quantifying the Eco-Corridor in the Process of Environmental Impact Assessment
Authors: Choi Jiyoung , Lee Sangdon
Published: April 2019

In contrast to other fields, environmental protection (e.g., habitat protection) often fails to include quantitative evaluation as part of the existing environmental impact assessment (EIA) process, and therefore the EIA is often a poor forecasting tool, which makes selecting a reasonable plan of action difficult. In this study, we used the Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP) to quantify the long-term effects of a road construction project on an ecosystem. The water deer (Hydropotes inermis) was selected as the species of study since it uses an optimum habitat; water deer habitat data were collected on vegetation cover, stream water density, geographic contour, land use class, and road networks. The Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) and Cumulative Habitat Unit (CHU) values for the water deer were estimated to investigate the major land cover classes, the national river systems, and vegetation cover. Results showed that the environmental impact in the road construction project area would result in a net ecological loss value of 1211 without installation of an eco-corridor, which reduced to 662 with an eco-corridor, providing a 55% increase in the net value after 50 years of the mitigation plan. Comparing the 13 proposed ecological mitigation corridors, the corridor that would result in the highest net increase (with an increase of 69.5), was corridor #4, which was regarded as the most appropriate corridor to properly connect water deer habitat. In sum, the study derived the net increase in quantitative values corresponding with different mitigation methods over time for a road construction project; this procedure can be effectively utilized in the future to select the location of ecological corridors while considering the costs of constructing them.
Preparation and Characterization of Cu-Mn-Ce@γ-Al2O3 to Catalyze Ozonation in Coal Chemical Wastewater-Biotreated Effluent
Authors: Teng Yue , Yao Ke , Song Wenbin , Sun Yongjun , Liu Haoliang , Liu Zhiying , Xu Yanhua
Published: April 2019

Cu-Mn-Ce@γ-Al2O3 was prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and used to catalyze ozonation in a coal chemical wastewater-biotreated effluent. The preparation factors that considerably affected the catalytic performance of Cu-Mn-Ce@γ-Al2O3, specifically metal oxide loading percentage, calcination temperature, and calcination time, were examined. The catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. The optimal catalytic ozonation operating parameters, such as ozone dosage, catalyst dosage, pH, and reaction time, were also investigated. Results showed that an optimized catalyst consisted of 17.0% CuO, 3.0% MnO2, and 2.0% CeO2 (wt.%). The optimal calcination temperature and calcination time were 600 °C and 5 h. The optimal catalytic ozonation operating parameters, including ozone dosage, catalyst dosage, pH, and reaction time, were 7, 80.0 mg/L, 20.0 mg/L, 7 and 50 min, respectively. The COD removal of biotreated effluent increased to 61% under these optimal operating conditions. Meanwhile, ozonation alone resulted in only 20% removal. This work proposes the use of easily available Cu-Mn-Ce@γ-Al2O3 catalyst and might drive the advancement of catalytic ozonation for chemical wastewater purification.
Application of Hierarchical Spatial Autoregressive Models to Develop Land Value Maps in Urbanized Areas
Authors: Cellmer Radosław , Kobylińska Katarzyna , Bełej Mirosław
Published: April 2019

This article aims at testing the possibilities of applying hierarchical spatial autoregressive models to create land value maps in urbanized areas. The use of HSAR (Hierarchical Spatial Autoregressive) models for spatial differentiation of prices in the property market supports the multilevel diagnosis of the structure of this phenomenon, taking into account the effect of spatial interactions. The article applies a two-level hierarchical spatial autoregressive model, which will permit the evaluation of interactions and control spatial heterogeneity at two levels of spatial aggregation (general and detailed). The results of the research include both the evaluation of the impact of location on prices (taking into account non-spatial factors) and the creation of the average land price map, taking into consideration the spatial structure of the city. In empirical studies, the HSAR model was compared with classic LM (Linear Model), HLM (Hierarchical Linear Model), and SAR (Spatial Autoregressive) models to perform comparative analyses of the results.
Menaquinone-4 Amplified Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion in Isolated Mouse Pancreatic Islets and INS-1 Rat Insulinoma Cells
Authors: Ho Hsin-Jung , Shirakawa Hitoshi , Hirahara Keisukei , Sone Hideyuki , Kamiyama Shin , Komai Michio
Published: April 2019

Vitamin K2 is indispensable for blood coagulation and bone metabolism. Menaquinone-4 (MK-4) is the predominant homolog of vitamin K2, which is present in large amounts in the pancreas, although its function is unclear. Meanwhile, β-cell dysfunction following insulin secretion has been found to decrease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. To elucidate the physiological function of MK-4 in pancreatic β-cells, we studied the effects of MK-4 treatment on isolated mouse pancreatic islets and rat INS-1 cells. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion significantly increased in isolated islets and INS-1 cells treated with MK-4. It was further clarified that MK-4 enhanced cAMP levels, accompanied by the regulation of the exchange protein directly activated by the cAMP 2 (Epac2)-dependent pathway but not the protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent pathway. A novel function of MK-4 on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was found, suggesting that MK-4 might act as a potent amplifier of the incretin effect. This study therefore presents a novel potential therapeutic approach for impaired insulinotropic effects.
Identifying Knowledge Gaps among LVAD Candidates
Authors: Buchberg Trejo Meredith , Kostick Kristin M. , Estep Jerry D. , Blumenthal-Barby J.S.
Published: April 2019

Education is an important aspect of evaluation and consent for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) candidates. A better understanding of candidate knowledge during the education process can help identify knowledge gaps and improve informed consent processes. This paper presents the results from a validated, LVAD-specific Knowledge Scale administered to candidates before and after education to identify items most and least frequently answered correctly. At baseline and 1-week, both candidates educated with a standard education and an LVAD-specific decision aid were most likely to answer logistical items relating to support and self-care correctly with ≥90% of candidates answering these items correctly after education. Candidates were least likely to answer questions about risks, transplant eligibility, and expenses correctly with <60% of candidates answering them correctly after education. Items with the greatest improvement in correct answers from baseline to 1-week were primarily related to the logistics of living with an LVAD. Candidates educated with the decision aid showed significant improvements on more knowledge items including those related to the forecasting of recovery and complications when compared to candidates educated with a standard education. The 20-item scale provides a standardized way for clinicians to identify knowledge gaps with LVAD candidates, potentially helping to tailor education. Targeted improvements in LVAD education should focus on the understanding of risk and potential complications to ensure that decision-making and informed consent processes emphasize both the patient and clinicians’ conceptualizations of knowledge needs for informed consent.
SDN-Based Routing for Backhauling in Ultra-Dense Networks
Authors: Marabissi Dania , Fantacci Romano , Simoncini Linda
Published: April 2019

Ultra-Dense Network (UDN) deployment is considered a key element to achieve the requested capacity in future fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks. Backhaul networks in UDNs are formed by heterogeneous links with multi-hop connections and must handle massive traffic. Backhauling in future 5G networks may represent the capacity bottleneck. Therefore, there is the need for efficient and flexible routing schemes able to handle the dynamism of the traffic load in capacity-limited networks. Toward this goal, the emerging Software-Defined Network (SDN) paradigm provides an efficient solution, transferring the routing operation from the data plane switches to a central controller, thus achieving more flexibility, efficiency, and faster convergence time in comparison to conventional networks. This paper proposes and investigates an SDN-approach for an efficient routing in a capacity-limited backhaul network that carries data and control traffic of a heterogeneous UDN. The routing algorithm is centralized in the SDN controller and two different types of traffic flow are considered: data and control plane coordination traffic. The goal is to reduce or even to avoid the amount of traffic that the backhaul network is not able to support, distributing in a fair way the eventual lack of bandwidth among different access points. Simulation results show that with the considered approach the performance significantly improves, especially when there is an excess of traffic load in the network. Moreover, thanks to the SDN-based design, the network can reconfigure the traffic routing depending on the changing conditions.
A “Young Farmer Problem”? Opportunities and Constraints for Generational Renewal in Farm Management: An Example from Southern Europe
Authors: Eistrup Mathias , Sanches Ana Rita , Muñoz-Rojas José , Pinto Correia Teresa
Published: April 2019

The existence of a “young farmer problem” in Europe has been recognized by scientists and policy-makers and is based on the widespread acknowledgement of the poor generational renewal rates in the farming sector and in particular in farmland management across the European Union. Despite existing support policy measures, young farmers (YF) face barriers which hamper the establishment and consolidation of their farming enterprises. Focusing on Alentejo (NUTS II), in Portugal, this paper identifies the difficulties YF face to accessing land, the high investment costs required to set up a farming unit, and the insufficient access to credit as the main reasons why young people are prevented from setting up their farming enterprises. Existing policy support measures targeting YF are widely perceived as inefficient with regard to triggering generational renewal. Hence, our findings suggest that not only is it necessary to pay greater attention to the complex question of land tenure, but that also the impact of policies implemented in the past should be examined in detail in order to develop and implement more effective measures that are sensitive to the different national and regional contexts.
Production of Carbamic Acid Dimer from Ammonia-Carbon Dioxide Ices: Matching Observed and Computed IR Spectra
Authors: Altun Zikri , Bleda Erdi , Trindle Carl
Published: April 2019

The production of complex molecules in ammonia–carbon dioxide ices is presumed to pass through species of formula H3N:CO2 with further addition of ammonia and carbon dioxide. One possible landmark, carbamic acid, H2NCOOH, has been implicated among the products of warming and irradiation of such ices. Experimental study of the IR spectra of residues has suggested the presence of related species, including weakly bound 1:1 and 2:1 complexes of ammonia with carbon dioxide, zwitterionic carbamic acid, ammonium carbamate, and the dimer of carbamic acid. We computed the energetics and vibrational spectra of these species as well as the complex between ammonia and carbamic acid for gas and condensed phases. By means of a new spectrum-matching scoring between computed and observed vibrational spectra, we infer species that are most probably present. The leading candidates are ammonium carbamate, the carbamic acid–ammonia complex, and the carbamic acid dimer.
RETRACTED: Kim, J.R.; Kim, J.J. Epoxy Resins Toughened with Surface Modified Epoxidized Natural Rubber Fibers by One-Step Electrospinning. Materials 2017, 10, 464
Authors: Kim Joo , Kim Jung
Published: April 2019

The published article [...]
The Structure and Performance of Short Glass Fiber/High-Density Polyethylene/Polypropylene Composite Pipes Extruded Using a Shearing–Drawing Compound Stress Field
Authors: Yuan Yi , Liu Changdong , Huang Meina
Published: April 2019

Glass fiber reinforced polyolefin composite materials have many advantages regarding their performance and have been widely used in many fields. However, there are few reports on the simultaneously bidirectional self-enhancement of glass fiber reinforced polyethylene/polypropylene composite pipe. To self-reinforce the pipe’s circular and axial properties simultaneously, short glass fiber reinforced high-density polyethylene/polypropylene (SGF/HDPE/PP) pipes were extruded using a shearing–drawing two-dimensional compound stress field pipe-extrusion device. The effects of the rotating speed of the rotating shear sleeve on the orientation, heat behavior, microstructure, and tensile strength of the pipe were investigated in this paper. The microstructure was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the crystal diffraction was analyzed using a polycrystalline X-ray diffractometer (WAXD), the heat behavior was measured using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and the tensile strength was tested using a universal electronic tensile testing machine. The results showed that the shear induction effect induced by the shear rotating promoted the formation of the oriented structure of the crystal plate and SGFs along the circular and axial directions of the pipe simultaneously. Furthermore, it increased the crystallinity of the system, and self-improved the pipe’s circular and axial tensile strength at the same time.
Evaluation of Protective Coatings for High-Corrosivity Category Atmospheres in Offshore Applications
Authors: López-Ortega Ainara , Bayón Raquel , Arana José Luís
Published: April 2019

The interest in renewable energies obtained from the resources availed in the ocean has increased during the last few years. However, the harsh atmospheric conditions in marine environments is a major drawback in the design of offshore structures. The protective systems that are employed to preserve offshore steel structures are regulated by several standards (ISO 12944, NORSOK M-501), which classify the corrosivity category of offshore installations as C5-M and Im2. In this work, three coatings employed in offshore components protection have been evaluated according to these standards by performing weathering aging tests in different climatic cabinets. The coatings studied were a thermally sprayed carbide coating with an organic sealant (C1), a thermally sprayed aluminum (TSA) coating with an organic topcoat (C2), and an epoxydic organic coating reinforced with ceramic platelets (C3). The only coating that reached the higher categories in all the tests was the C2 coating. The C1 coating presented ferric corrosion products coming from the substrate in some of the tests, and blistering was detected in the C3 coating.
Astaxanthin as a Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) Modulator: Its Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Choi Chang-Ik
Published: April 2019

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are part of the nuclear hormone receptors superfamily that plays a pivotal role in functions such as glucose and lipid homeostasis. Astaxanthin (ASX) is a lipid-soluble xanthophyll carotenoid synthesized by many microorganisms and various types of marine life that is known to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-atherosclerotic, and anticancer activities. As such, it is a promising nutraceutical resource. ASX-mediated modulation of PPARs and its therapeutic implications in various pathophysiological conditions are described in this review. ASX primarily enhances the action of PPARα and suppresses that of PPARβ/δ and PPARγ, but it has also been confirmed that ASX displays the opposite effects on PPARs, depending on the cell context. Anti-inflammatory effects of ASX are mediated by PPARγ activation, which induces the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages and gastric epithelial cells. The PPARγ-agonistic effect of ASX treatment results in the inhibition of cellular growth and apoptosis in tumor cells. Simultaneous and differential regulation of PPARα and PPARγ activity by ASX has demonstrated a hepatoprotective effect, maintaining hepatic lipid homeostasis and preventing related hepatic problems. Considering additional therapeutic benefits of ASX such as anti-gastric, cardioprotective, immuno-modulatory, neuroprotective, retinoprotective, and osteogenic effects, more studies on the association between ASX-mediated PPAR regulation and its therapeutic outcomes in various pathophysiological conditions are needed to further elucidate the role of ASX as a novel nutraceutical PPAR modulator.
Comparative Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Different Extracts of Traditionally Used Romanian Ajuga genevensis L. and A. reptans L. (Lamiaceae)
Authors: Toiu Anca , Mocan Andrei , Vlase Laurian , Pârvu Alina Elena , Vodnar Dan Cristian , Gheldiu Ana-Maria , Moldovan Cadmiel , Oniga Ilioara
Published: April 2019

Several Ajuga species are used in Romanian folk medicine for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, to treat pain, fever or arthritis. Still, the active compounds responsible for these effects and their mechanism of action are scarcely known. This research was designed to investigate the phytochemical profile (e.g. iridoids, polyphenolic compounds, phytosterols), as well as the biological potential (antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory properties) of two selected Ajuga species collected from different regions of Romanian spontaneous flora. The main compounds identified in A. reptans aerial parts extracts were 8-O-acetylharpagide, isoquercitrin and β-sitosterol, whilst in A. genevensis were 8-O-acetylharpagide, luteolin and campesterol. The extracts were screened for their antioxidant potential using different methods (DPPH, TEAC, EPR) and the results showed a good activity, in accordance with the polyphenol content (18–26 mg GAE/g dw). The antifungal activity on the tested strains was good. The determination of few parameters linked with the inflammatory mechanism allowed the assessment of in vivo anti-inflammatory potential. Ajuga reptans and A. genevensis ethanol extracts had anti-inflammatory activity through lowering the oxidative stress, phagocytosis, PMN and total leukocytes. The best anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activity was observed for the Ajuga reptans 100 mg dw/mL extract when compared with diclofenac, thus the dose could be correlated with the pharmacological effect. These findings provide substantial evidence that both selected Ajuga species have the potential to be valued as sources of phytochemicals in effective anti-inflammatory herbal preparations.
Full Structural Characterization of Homoleptic Complexes of Diacetylcurcumin with Mg, Zn, Cu, and Mn: Cisplatin-level Cytotoxicity in Vitro with Minimal Acute Toxicity in Vivo
Authors: Meza-Morales William , Estévez-Carmona M. Mirian , Alvarez-Ricardo Yair , Obregón-Mendoza Marco A. , Cassani Julia , Ramírez-Apan María Teresa , Escobedo-Martínez Carolina , Soriano-García Manuel , Reynolds William F. , Enríquez Raúl G.
Published: April 2019

At the present time, scientists place a great deal of effort worldwide trying to improve the therapeutic potential of metal complexes of curcumin and curcuminoids. Herein, the synthesis of four homoleptic metal complexes with diacetylcurcumin (DAC), using a ligand designed to prevent the interaction of phenolic groups, rendering metal complexes through the β-diketone functionality, is reported. Due to their physiological relevance, we used bivalent magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese for complexation with DAC. The resulting products were characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy (IR), liquid and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), magnetic moment, mass spectrometry (MS), single crystal, and powder X-ray diffraction (SCXRD and PXRD). Crystallization was achieved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as triclinic systems with space group P-1, showing the metal bound to the β-diketone function, while the 1H-NMR confirmed the preference of the enolic form of the ligand. Single crystal data demonstrated a 1:2 metal:ligand ratio. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation was evaluated using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay (TBARS). All four metal complexes (Mg, Zn, Cu, and Mn) exhibited good antioxidant effect (IC50 = 2.03 ± 0.27, 1.58 ± 0.07, 1.58 ± 0.15 and 1.24 ± 0.10 μM respectively) compared with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and α-tocopherol. The cytotoxic activity in human cancer cell lines against colon adenocarcinoma (HCT-15), mammary adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and lung adenocarcinoma (SKLU-1) was found comparable ((DAC)2Mg), or ca. 2-fold higher ((DAC)2Zn) than cisplatin. The acute toxicity assays indicate class 5 toxicity, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines at doses of 3 g/kg for all complexes. No mortality or changes in the behavior of animals in any of the treated groups was observed. A therapeutic potential can be envisaged from the relevant cytotoxic activity upon human cancer cell lines in vitro and the undetected in vivo acute toxicity of these compounds.
Cytotoxic Withanolides from the Whole Herb of Physalis angulata L.
Authors: Meng Qinghong , Fan Jiajia , Liu Zhiguo , Li Xiwen , Zhang Fangbo , Zhang Yanlin , Sun Yi , Li Li , Liu Xia , Hua Erbing
Published: April 2019

Physalis angulata L. is a medicinal plant of the Solanaceae family, which is used to produce a variety of steroids. The present study reports on the cytotoxic withanolides of this plant. The species of Physalis angulata L. was identified by DNA barcoding techniques. Two new withanolides (1–2), together with six known analogues (3–8), were isolated from the whole plant of Physalis angulata L. The structures of these new compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analyses and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. The withanolides exhibited strong cytotoxic activities against A549, Hela and p388 cell lines. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 2 induced typical apoptotic cell death in A549 cell line according to the evaluation of the apoptosis-inducing activity by flow cytometric analysis.
Titania Photonic Crystals with Precise Photonic Band Gap Position via Anodizing with Voltage versus Optical Path Length Modulation
Authors: Ermolaev Georgy A. , Kushnir Sergey E. , Sapoletova Nina A. , Napolskii Kirill S.
Published: April 2019

Photonic crystals based on titanium oxide are promising for optoelectronic applications, for example as components of solar cells and photodetectors. These materials attract great research attention because of the high refractive index of TiO2. One of the promising routes to prepare photonic crystals based on titanium oxide is titanium anodizing at periodically changing voltage or current. However, precise control of the photonic band gap position in anodic titania films is a challenge. To solve this problem, systematic data on the effective refractive index of the porous anodic titanium oxide are required. In this research, we determine quantitatively the dependence of the effective refractive index of porous anodic titanium oxide on the anodizing regime and develop a model which allows one to predict and, therefore, control photonic band gap position in the visible spectrum range with an accuracy better than 98.5%. The prospects of anodic titania photonic crystals implementation as refractive index sensors are demonstrated.
Maternal Experience of Domestic Violence, Associations with Children’s Lipid Biomarkers at 10 Years: Findings from MINIMat Study in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Ziaei Shirin , Naved Ruchira Tabassum , Rahman Anisur , Raqib Rubhana , Ekström Eva-Charlotte
Published: April 2019

The consequences of maternal experience of Domestic Violence (DV) on their children’s cardio-metabolic risk factors are unclear. We aimed to assess if maternal exposure to any or a specific form of DV (i.e., physical, sexual, emotional and controlling behaviors) before and after childbirth was associated with their children’s lipid biomarkers at the age of 10 years. A current observational sub-study of a larger MINIMat trial included a cohort of 1167 mothers and their children. The conflict tactic scale was used to record women’s experience of lifetime DV before and after childbirth at week 30 of pregnancy and at a 10-year follow up, respectively. Five ml of fasting blood sample was collected from the children to evaluate their lipid profile. Children of women who experienced any DV before childbirth had lower Apo A (βadj −0.04; 95% CI: −0.08, −0.01). Women who experienced physical DV both before and after childbirth had children with higher triglycerides (βadj 0.07; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.14). Children whose mother experienced sexual DV before birth had lower Apo A (βadj −0.05; 95% CI: −0.08, −0.01) and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) (βadj −0.05; 95% CI: −0.10, −0.01) as well as higher Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) (βadj 0.17; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.29) and LDL/HDL (β 0.24; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.38). However, levels of LDL (βadj −0.17; 95% CI: −0.28, −0.06), LDL/HDL (βadj −0.12; 95% CI: −0.25, −0.00) and cholesterol (βadj −0.13; 95% CI: −0.25, −0.02) were lower among the children of mothers who experienced controlling behavior after childbirth. Results from the current study suggest that maternal experience of physical or sexual DV might negatively affect their children’s lipid profile at the age of 10 years.
Development of a Choline Database to Estimate Australian Population Intakes
Authors: Probst Yasmine , Guan Vivienne , Neale Elizabeth
Published: April 2019

The AUSNUT 2011–13 food composition database was expanded to include Australian choline values. The development began with a systematic literature review of published studies. Analytical data from the food studies were extracted and aligned with their equivalent AUSNUT food identification code. Global food composition databases containing choline values were matched to the remaining AUSNUT food codes, following the FAO INFOODS food matching guidelines, including adjustments for moisture and protein composition. Composite foods, and not further-specified foods, were developed using the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recipe files. The completed choline database was then employed to analyse the Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2011–12, with population and sampling weightings applied. Survey respondents were classified into categories based on their level of choline intake and compared with the Australian Adequate Intake levels. Food sources of intake were also explored. Multiple linear regression models were developed for food group contributors to choline intake. Mean choline intakes varied from 151.50 mg for pregnant 14–18 years old, to 310.54 mg for 19–64 year old males. Less than 10% of the population by age and gender were achieving the Adequate Intake for choline. Eggs and their contributing food groups were the top ranked food sources of choline for the population.
Graphene Oxide–Platinum Nanoparticle Nanocomposites: A Suitable Biocompatible Therapeutic Agent for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Gurunathan Sangiliyandi , Jeyaraj Muniyandi , Kang Min-Hee , Kim Jin-Hoi
Published: April 2019

Metal nanoparticles and the combination of metal nanoparticles with graphene oxide are widely used in environmental, agriculture, textile, and therapeutic applications. The effect of graphene oxide–green platinum nanoparticles (GO-PtNPs) on human prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize a nanocomposite of GO-PtNPs and evaluate their effect on prostate cancer cells. Herein, we synthesized GO-PtNPs using vanillin and characterized GO-PtNPs. GO-PtNP cytotoxicity in LNCaP cells was demonstrated by measuring cell viability and proliferation. Both decreased in a dose-dependent manner compared to that by GO or PtNPs alone. GO-PtNP cytotoxicity was confirmed by increased lactate dehydrogenase release and membrane integrity loss. Oxidative stress induced by GO-PtNPs increased malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and protein carbonyl contents. The effective reactive oxygen species generation impaired the cellular redox balance and eventually impaired mitochondria by decreasing the membrane potential and ATP level. The cytotoxicity to LNCaP cells was correlated with increased expression of proapoptotic genes (p53, p21, Bax, Bak, caspase 9, and caspase 3) and decreased levels of antiapoptotic genes (Bcl2 and Bcl-xl). Activation of the key regulators p53 and p21 inhibited the cyclin-dependent kinases Cdk2 and Cdk4, suggesting that p53 and p21 activation in GO-PtNP-treated cells caused genotoxic stress and apoptosis. The increased expression of genes involved in cell cycle arrest and DNA damage and repair, and increased levels of 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine and 8-oxoguanine suggested that GO-PtNPs potentially induce oxidative damage to DNA. Thus, GO-PtNPs are both cytotoxic and genotoxic. LNCaP cells appear to be more susceptible to GO-PtNPs than to GO or PtNPs. Therefore, GO-PtNPs have potential as an alternate and effective cancer therapeutic agent. Finally, this work shows that the combination of graphene oxide with platinum nanoparticles opens new perspectives in cancer therapy. However further detailed mechanistic studies are required to elucidate the molecular mechanism of GO-PtNPs induced cytotoxicity in prostate cancer.
Tethered Semiflexible Polymer under Large Amplitude Oscillatory Shear
Authors: Lamura Antonio , Winkler Roland G.
Published: April 2019

The properties of a semiflexible polymer with fixed ends exposed to oscillatory shear flow are investigated by simulations. The two-dimensionally confined polymer is modeled as a linear bead-spring chain, and the interaction with the fluid is described by the Brownian multiparticle collision dynamics approach. For small shear rates, the tethering of the ends leads to a more-or-less linear oscillatory response. However, at high shear rates, we found a strongly nonlinear reaction, with a polymer (partially) wrapped around the fixation points. This leads to an overall shrinkage of the polymer. Dynamically, the location probability of the polymer center-of-mass position is largest on a spatial curve resembling a limaçon, although with an inhomogeneous distribution. We found shear-induced modifications of the normal-mode correlation functions, with a frequency doubling at high shear rates. Interestingly, an even-odd asymmetry for the Cartesian components of the correlation functions appears, with rather similar spectra for odd x- and even y-modes and vice versa. Overall, our simulations yielded an intriguing nonlinear behavior of tethered semiflexible polymers under oscillatory shear flow.
Pelletization of Torrefied Wood Using a Proteinaceous Binder Developed from Hydrolyzed Specified Risk Materials
Authors: Adhikari Birendra B. , Chae Michael , Zhu Chengyong , Khan Ataullah , Harfield Don , Choi Phillip , Bressler David C.
Published: April 2019

Pressing issues such as a growing energy demand and the need for energy diversification, emission reduction, and environmental protection serve as motivation for the utilization of biomass for production of sustainable fuels. However, use of biomass is currently limited due to its high moisture content, relatively low bulk and energy densities, and variability in shape and size, relative to fossil-based fuels such as coal. In recent years, a combination of thermochemical treatment (torrefaction) of biomass and subsequent pelletization has resulted in a renewable fuel that can potentially substitute for coal. However, production of torrefied wood pellets that satisfy fuel quality standards and other logistical requirements typically requires the use of an external binder. Here, we describe the development of a renewable binder from proteinaceous material recovered from specified risk materials (SRM), a negative-value byproduct from the rendering industry. Our binder was developed by co-reacting peptides recovered from hydrolyzed SRM with a polyamidoamine epichlorohydrin (PAE) resin, and then assessed through pelleting trials with a bench-scale continuous operating pelletizer. Torrefied wood pellets generated using peptides-PAE binder at 3% binder level satisfied ISO requirements for durability, higher heating value, and bulk density for TW2a type thermally-treated wood pellets. This proof-of-concept work demonstrates the potential of using an SRM-derived binder to improve the durability of torrefied wood pellets.
Spearman’s Hypothesis Tested Comparing 47 Regions of Japan Using a Sample of 18 Million Children
Authors: Kura Kenya , te Nijenhuis Jan , Dutton Edward
Published: April 2019

Many groups differ in their mean intelligence score. Spearman’s hypothesis states that the differences are a function of cognitive complexity. There tend to be large differences on subtests of high cognitive complexity and small differences on subtests of low cognitive complexity. Spearman’s hypothesis has been supported by a large number of studies. Can Spearman’s hypothesis be generalized to regions of a country, where these regions differ in mean intelligence? We utilized data from 86 different cognitive tests from all 47 Japanese prefectures and correlated the g loadings of 86 subtests with standardized differences on the same subtests. Spearman’s hypothesis was clearly supported: the biggest differences between the regions were on the tests that were of the greatest complexity, meaning that Spearman’s hypothesis may be generalizable from groups to regions. In Japan, g loadings offer a better explanation of group differences in intelligence than cultural differences. Future research should explore whether Spearman’s hypothesis is also supported for differences between regions of other countries.
Willingness to Pay for Watershed Management
Authors: Abebe S. T. , Dagnew A. B. , Zeleke V. G. , Eshetu G. Z. , Cirella G. T.
Published: April 2019

Equitable payments for ecosystem services are emerging as a viable tool to protect and restore ecosystems. Unlike previous studies using contingent valuation approach in Ethiopia, this study is unique in its scope and target users. It explores the possibility of payment for watershed services as an economic tool in supporting and promoting sustainable land management and financing community-based watershed investments from electric users at a national level. We examine the sensitivity of users’ ability to generate funds for watershed services for sustainable watershed management through the raising of small amounts of money added onto a monthly electrical bill. Sampling frame covered four of the nine regional states of Ethiopia with more than 86% coverage dating back to 2014. A total of 501 urban and rural households and 100 organizations were interviewed over a five-year period from 2014–2019. We used a multistage sampling technique; we first selected cities, towns, and villages based on several data collection methodologies. The findings indicate that about 84% and 90% of households and organizations, respectively, showed their willingness to pay (WTP) additional fees for watershed management that could potentially reduce upland degradation and siltation. Specifically, more than half of the households and organizations and industries were willing to pay the surcharge for watershed management. Likewise, we developed a model estimation of results which verified the WTP amount, respectively. We concluded that funds generated from electric users play a possible role in contributing to the financing of watershed management efforts and could be taken as an important lesson for the watershed management continuum efforts Ethiopia-wide and in other countries.
Impedance Control Self-Calibration of a Collaborative Robot Using Kinematic Coupling
Authors: Nadeau Nicholas A. , Bonev Ilian A. , Joubair Ahmed
Published: April 2019

This paper presents a closed-loop calibration approach using impedance control. The process is managed by a data communication architecture based on open-source tools and designed for adaptability. The calibration procedure uses precision spheres and a kinematic coupling standard machine tool components, which are suitable for harsh industrial environments. As such, the required equipment is low cost (approximately $2000 USD), robust, and is quick to set up, especially when compared to traditional calibration devices. As demonstrated through an experimental study and validated with a laser tracker, the absolute accuracy of the KUKA LBR iiwa robot was improved to a maximum error of 0.990 mm, representing a 58.4% improvement when compared to the nominal model. Further testing showed that a traditional calibration using a laser tracker only improved the maximum error by 58 µm over the impedance control approach.
A New Integrated Vegetation Index for the Estimation of Winter Wheat Leaf Chlorophyll Content
Authors: Cui Bei , Zhao Qianjun , Huang Wenjiang , Song Xiaoyu , Ye Huichun , Zhou Xianfeng
Published: April 2019

Leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) provides valuable information about the nutrition and photosynthesis statuses of crops. Vegetation index-based methods have been widely used in crop management studies for the non-destructive estimation of LCC using remote sensing technology. However, many published vegetation indices are sensitive to crop canopy structure, especially the leaf area index (LAI), when crop canopy spectra are used. Herein, to address this issue, we propose four new spectral indices (The red-edge-chlorophyll absorption index (RECAI), the red-edge-chlorophyll absorption index/optimized soil-adjusted vegetation index (RECAI/OSAVI), the red-edge-chlorophyll absorption index/ the triangular vegetation index (RECAI/TVI), and the red-edge-chlorophyll absorption index/the modified triangular vegetation index(RECAI/MTVI2)) and evaluate their performance for LCC retrieval by comparing their results with those of eight published spectral indices that are commonly used to estimate LCC. A total of 456 winter wheat canopy spectral data corresponding to physiological parameters in a wide range of species, growth stages, stress treatments, and growing seasons were collected. Five regression models (linear, power, exponential, polynomial, and logarithmic) were built to estimate LCC in this study. The results indicated that the newly proposed integrated RECAI/TVI exhibited the highest LCC predictive accuracy among all indices, where R2 values increased by more than 13.09% and RMSE values reduced by more than 6.22%. While this index exhibited the best association with LCC (0.708** ≤ r ≤ 0.819**) among all indices, RECAI/TVI exhibited no significant relationship with LAI (0.029 ≤ r ≤ 0.167), making it largely insensitive to LAI changes. In terms of the effects of different field management measures, the LCC predictive accuracy by RECAI/TVI can be influenced by erective winter wheat varieties, low N fertilizer application density, no water application, and early sowing dates. In general, the newly developed integrated RECAI/TVI was sensitive to winter wheat LCC with a reduction in the influence of LAI. This index has strong potential for monitoring winter wheat nitrogen status and precision nitrogen management. However, further studies are required to test this index with more diverse datasets and different crops.
Developments in Transduction, Connectivity and AI/Machine Learning for Point-of-Care Testing
Authors: O’Sullivan Shane , Ali Zulfiqur , Jiang Xiaoyi , Abdolvand Reza , Ünlü M Selim , Plácido da Silva Hugo , Baca Justin T. , Kim Brian , Scott Simon , Sajid Mohammed Imran , Moradian Sina , Mansoorzare Hakhamanesh , Holzinger Andreas
Published: April 2019

We review some emerging trends in transduction, connectivity and data analytics for Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) of infectious and non-communicable diseases. The patient need for POCT is described along with developments in portable diagnostics, specifically in respect of Lab-on-chip and microfluidic systems. We describe some novel electrochemical and photonic systems and the use of mobile phones in terms of hardware components and device connectivity for POCT. Developments in data analytics that are applicable for POCT are described with an overview of data structures and recent AI/Machine learning trends. The most important methodologies of machine learning, including deep learning methods, are summarised. The potential value of trends within POCT systems for clinical diagnostics within Lower Middle Income Countries (LMICs) and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are highlighted.
Is Female Entrepreneurship Only Empowering for Single Women? Evidence from France and Germany
Authors: Eib Constanze , Siegert Steffi
Published: April 2019

Entrepreneurship has been suggested as an alternative career model for women to gain economic empowerment while maintaining caring obligations. In this study, we investigate how gender and living situation affect entrepreneurs’ engagement in their business, home, well-being and business success in both France and Germany. Data from the European Social Survey were used, which included 470 French and 622 German self-employed people. For the French, women reported more working hours when living alone but there were no gender differences for the other living situations. For the Germans, there were no gender differences when the self-employed person lived alone; for the other living situations, men reported more working hours. Women reported working more household hours than men in both countries. There were no gender differences in life satisfaction for German self-employed people regardless of living situation; for the French, gender differences varied by living situation. Men reported more business success than women in both countries. Results suggest that self-employed people in Germany follow a traditional breadwinner model, whereas in France, self-employed women do more paid and unpaid work at the same time. In sum, entrepreneurship may only be empowering for self-employed women living alone.
Knowing and Doing: The Perception of Subsidy Policy and Farmland Transfer
Authors: Zhang Yali , Wang Yihan , Bai Yunli
Published: April 2019

Farmland transfer is conducive to the rational allocation of farmland resources and scaling of agricultural production in China. The Chinese government launched a pilot program to subsidize moderate-scale farmland management in 2016, yet the perception of the program and its effects are rarely empirically tested using micro-level data. Using data on 523 households extracted from a rural household survey, the Probit and Tobit model results determined a significant positive impact of the perception of moderate-scale subsidies on both farmland transfer behavior and farmland transfer area. If the household knows about the moderate-scale subsidy policy, then it is 19.2% more likely to have moderate-scale land endowment, and the household has 17.626 ha more inflow land than that who do not know the policy. The results show that only 5% of the households know the moderate-scale subsidy policy, thus hindering the process of farmland transfer. Additionally, high levels of educational attainment and non-agricultural income promote farmers’ decisions to transfer farmland and to expand farmland areas for moderate-scale households. However, age, household size, the family dependency ratio, and non-agricultural labor are obstacles to farmland transfer. The findings imply that the government should adopt a more effective policy transmission mechanism to increase the proportion of knowing the subsidy policy for both small-scale and moderate-scale households.
Investigating the Energy-Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis for the Asia-Pacific Region
Authors: Aruga Kentaka
Published: April 2019

As mitigating the effects of energy consumption on the environment is a crucial issue for the Asia-Pacific region, this study investigates the energy-environmental Kuznets curve (EEKC) hypothesis among the 19 Asia-Pacific countries. The study also tests the EEKC hypothesis for the low-, middle-, and high-income groups of the region. The panel regression and cointegration models are used for this purpose. Our test results of both models suggest that the EEKC hypothesis holds for the whole Asia-Pacific region. However, the test performed on the three different income groups revealed that the hypothesis only holds for the high-income group. The hypothesis was not apparent for the low- and middle-income groups. This indicates that the transition in the energy consumption along the EEKC is only occurring in the developed countries of the Asia-Pacific region and the developed countries need to support the developing countries to achieve economic growth along the EEKC.