bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LAPAROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF MAIN BILE DUCT STONES – SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE
Authors: Slavu Iulian , Adrian Tulin , Dan Paduraru Nicolae , Bogdan Socea , Vlad Braga , Lucian Alecu
Published: December 2019

Up to 20% of the patients with gallstones have bile duct stones which are asymptomatic in 50% of the cases. The study aimed to evaluate the role of choledocoscopy with regards to extracting main bile duct stones.  Retrospective study (January 2003 - December 2018). The group comprised 2 309 which had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results: Laparoscopic choledoscopy was practiced in 32 cases. Of the 32 patients with complete clearance, none had residual CBDS at a 1-year postop. Transcystic approach: The ideal approach in our opinion. Shortest hospital stay (mean 3 days) comparable to LC. It was feasible in only 7 patients. All of the patients had transcystic drain which was removed after 10 days. Mean OR time 105 min. Transcholedocal approach:  Technically demanding. Primary ductal closure was practiced in  5 patients. Ductal closure with transcystic drain in 9 patients. A total of 14 patients had a T-tube. Longer OR time (mean 170 min). Conversion to open surgery was realized in 4 cases. Cause: difficult dissection in the porta hepatis. LCBDE for CBDS previously documented or discovered during LC is safe and feasible. The technique is technically demanding, requires advanced laparoscopic skills. Patient selection is very important. The transcystic approach for LCBDE when possible is optimal.
A RARE CASE OF NEUROENTERIC CYST INVOLVING THE ANTERIOR FOSSA; REPORT OF A CASE AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Authors: BULIMAN ANCA , CAZAC TABITA LARISA , MARANDICI NICHOLAS , Gorgan M.
Published: December 2019

Neuroenteric cysts, are rare benign endodermal lesions which mostly occur in the central nervous system. We report a case of a neuroenteric cyst in a 30-year-old man who presented with rhinoliquorrhea at the ENT department. After clinical examination, a semisolid mass was revealed in the left nostril. The Computer Tomography Scan revealed a frontal ethmoidal nasal meningoencephalocele with inferior extension into the left nostril. Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MR images showed a well-defined frontal mass with ring-like enhancement and extension into the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone and into the left nostril. The lesion measured 10/10/20 mm. The tumor was totally resected using a unilateral subfrontal approach. At five months’ follow-up, the patient showed significant amelioration of symptoms and remission of cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Native and Contrast-enhanced Cerebral Computer Tomography, as well as Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed total surgical resection of the cyst. Supratentorial neurenteric cysts involving the anterior fossa are rare. Intracranial neurenteric cysts should be differentiated by any well-demarcated cystic tumors. The gold standard treatment remains complete surgical resection with favorable outcome.
Pengaruh Gaya Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah dan Budaya Sekolah terhadap Kinerja Guru
Authors: Darmawan Aulia
Published: December 2019

Abstrak
Tujuan penelitian adalah menganalisis dan menguji hipotesis tentang pengaruh gaya kepemimpinan kepala sekolah, dan budaya sekolah, terhadap kinerja guru. Hipotesis penelitian diuji meliputi: Terdapat pengaruh gaya kepemimpinan kepala sekolah terhadap kinerja guru, terdapat pengaruh budaya sekolah terhadap kinerja guru, dan terdapat pengaruh gaya kepemimpinan kepala sekolah dan budaya sekolah terhadap kinerja guru. Penelitian menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif. Dan dilakukan analisis dengan analisis regresi berganda. terdapat kesimpulan dari hasil pengujian hipotesis, sebagai berikut. Terdapat pengaruh signifikan gaya kepemimpinan kepala sekolah terhadap kinerja guru SMK rumpun pariwisata di Kota Tangerang. Dibuktikan dengan nilai Sig. = 0,000 < 0,05 dan t0 = 9,606. Terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan budaya sekolah terhadap kinerja guru SMK rumpun pariwisata di Kota Tangerang. Dibuktikan dengan nilai Sig. = 0,000 < 0,05 dan t0 = 4,391 Terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan gaya kepemimpinan kepala sekolah dan budaya sekolah secara bersama-sama terhadap kinerja guru SMK rumpun pariwisata di Kota Tangerang. Dibuktikan dengan nilai Sig. = 0,000 < 0,05 dan Fo = 3471,597.
AbstractThe study aims to analyze and test the truth of the hypothesis of the influence of the style of school leadership and school culture, the performance of teachers. The research hypotheses were tested include influences of the principal's leadership style on teacher performance, there is the influence of school culture on teacher performance, and there are a style influence school leadership and school culture on teacher performance. The study was conducted with descriptive qualitative method. Were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The hypothesis testing results obtained the following conclusions. There is a significant effect of the leadership style of principals on teacher performance SMK clump of tourism in the city of Tangerang. Evidenced by the Sig. = 0.000 <0.05 and t0 = 9.606. There is a significant effect on the performance of the school culture vocational teachers clump of tourism in the city of Tangerang. Evidenced by the Sig. = 0.000 <0.05 and t0 = 4.391 There is a significant influence style of school leadership and school culture together on teacher performance SMK clump of tourism in the city of Tangerang that Evidenced by the Sig. = 0.000 <0.05 and Fo = 3471.597.
Ahlaki Öfke Ölçeğinin Türkçeye Uyarlanması
Authors: ÇELİK OK Melis
Published: December 2019

Bu çalışmanın amacı Ahlaki Öfke Ölçeğini Türkçeye uyarlamaktır. Çalışma 251 üniversite öğrencisinin katılımıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmada kullanılan veri toplama araçları; Ahlaki Öfke Ölçeği (AÖÖ), Sosyal Baskınlık Yönelimi Ölçeği (SBYÖ) ve Sağ Kanat Yetkeciliği Ölçeği (SKYÖ)’dir. Açımlayıcı faktör analizi, Ahlaki Öfke Ölçeği için iki faktörlü bir yapı önermiş; bu faktörler maddelerin içerikleri göz önünde bulundurularak, Duygusal Boyut (DB) ve Bilişsel Boyut (BB) olarak adlandırılmıştır. Doğrulayıcı faktör analizi ise ölçeğin iki faktörlü yapısını doğrulamıştır. Gerçekleştirilen geçerlilik güvenirlik analizleri toplu olarak değerlendirildiğinde, Ahlaki Öfke Ölçeğinin ülkemizdeki çalışmalarda kullanılabilecek psikometrik özelliklere sahip olduğu görülmektedir.
The Effect of Stress and Social Media Use on the Eating Behavior in University Students
Authors: Duran Sedef , Cetinbas Ayca , Basaran Tuba , Kara Ali , Elgun Binevs , Keklik Nursel
Published: December 2019

Aim: It is possible to be phisicially and mentally healthy and maintain health at every stage of life with adequate and balanced nutrition. Stress, social media, family and peer influence are also factors affecting the nutrition attitude. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of stress and social media usage on eating behaviors in university students.

Methods: Retrospective-descriptive study data were collected by using the interview form consisted of four parts. Those four parts were “general informations” for demographic informations, “Eating Attitudes Test” for eating attitudes diagnosis, “Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale” for diagnosis of psychological disorders and “Social Media Use”.

Results: A total of 422 people, 329 women and 93 men participated in the survey conducted at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Trakya University. There was a statistically significant difference between stress degree and eating behavior disorder and it was determined that the increase in stress severity caused abnormal eating behavior. There was a statistically significant difference between the time allocated to social media and eating behavior disorder, and it was determined that increased time allocated to social media caused eating behavior disorder.

Conclusion: In our study, it was determined that stress and social media use had significant negative effects on students' eating behaviors.

Keywords: students, stress, social media, feeding behavior
Effect of Weather Conditions on Yield and Health Status of Faba Bean Seeds in Poland
Authors: Pszczółkowska Agnieszka , Okorski Adam , Fordoński Gabriel , Kotecki Andrzej , Kozak Marcin , Dzienis Grzegorz
Published: December 2019

Faba beans are considered to be one of the most important leguminous crops. The species is characterized by high nutritional value, in terms of both energy and protein content, which makes it suitable for food and feed production. Fungal diseases are among the key biotic factors responsible for a decline in faba bean yields. In this study, the yield and health status of faba bean seeds from the region of Warmia and Mazury (WM) and the region of Lower Silesia (LS), in Poland, were determined. Correlations between weather conditions vs. the yield of faba bean seeds and the occurrence of saprophytic and pathogenic fungi were analyzed. The study revealed that temperature and precipitation influenced the development and yield of faba beans in successive growth stages. Temperature exerted the greatest effect on the yield of faba beans during inflorescence emergence (BBCH 55-Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and CHemical Industry), whereas the effect of precipitation was the maximum at the 4–5 leaves unfolded stage (BBCH 34–35) and at the end of flowering (BBCH 69). The occurrence of saprophytic, pathogenic, and toxin-producing fungi was influenced by temperature and precipitation in the flowering stage (BBCH 61–64).
A Novel SNPs in Alpha-Lactalbumin Gene Effects on Lactation Traits in Chinese Holstein Dairy Cows
Authors: Yang Fan , Zhang Manling , Rong Yuewen , Liu Zaiqun , Yang Shuai , Zhang Wei , Li Jun , Cai Yafei
Published: December 2019

Alpha-lactalbumin (α-LA) is a major whey protein in bovine and other mammalian milk, which regulates synthesis of lactose. Little is known about its genetic polymorphism and whether can be used as a potential marker for dairy ingredients, milk yield traits, and milk properties. To investigate its polymorphisms and their relationship with milk lactation traits in Chinese Holstein dairy cows, single-strand conformation polymorphism method (PCR-SSCP) and direct sequencing method were used to mark the α-LA gene SNPs. AA (0.7402) and AB (0.2598) genotypes were screened out by PCR-SSCP bands analysis in two independent populations. Direct sequencing revealed that there is one SNP at 1847th (T/C) bp in noncoding region of α-LA gene with highly polymorphic (0.5 < PIC = 0.5623 or 0.5822), of which T is in AA genotype while C in AB. Association analysis also showed that lactose content (p < 0.05) was negatively correlated with fat and protein contents within subgroup, indicating that the SNPs (1847th, T/C) in α-LA gene could be used as a novel potential molecular marker for lactation traits in Chinese Holstein dairy cows.
Short-Term Effect of Daily Herbage Allowance Restriction on Pasture Condition and the Performance of Grazing Dairy Cows during Autumn
Authors: Merino Verónica M. , Balocchi Oscar A. , Rivero M. Jordana , Pulido Rubén G.
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects of daily herbage allowance (DHA, defined as the product of pre-grazing herbage mass and offered area per animal) on pasture conditions and milk production of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Forty-four early lactation dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design that tested two levels of DHA (17 and 25 kg DM/cow.day) and two levels of maize silage supplementation (MSS, 4.5 and 9 kg DM/cow.day) over a 77-day period. Low DHA decreased the post-grazing herbage mass from 1546 to 1430 kg DM/ha and the compressed sward height from 5 to 4.4 cm, while the grazing efficiency remained unaffected. Low DHA induced a faster herbage mass reduction, while the sward-height and pasture characteristics did not differ from the high DHA regime. Low DHA decreased the tiller production rates and daily lamina growth, while the leaf-production rate was not affected by the DHA. Daily increases of herbage mass were greater in the high DHA than in the low DHA treatments. Individual milk production and milk protein concentration decreased at a low DHA compared to high DHA, while the milk fat concentration was greater and the milk output per hectare increased by 1510 kg. Neither the MSS level nor the interaction DHA by the MSS level had any effect on the sward characteristics or the productivity of the cows. From these results, it is suggested that, in a high-quality pasture, using 17 kg DM/cow.day was appropriate for improving both herbage utilization and milk production per hectare while maintaining the short-term conditions of a pasture grazed by dairy cows in the autumn.
Effect of Acacia Polyphenol Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Mice Liver and Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Yada Koichi , Roberts Llion Arwyn , Oginome Natsumi , Suzuki Katsuhiko
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acacia polyphenol (AP) supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress in mouse liver and skeletal muscle. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), liver and skeletal muscle levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and levels of skeletal muscle protein carbonyls increased immediately after exhaustive exercise. Exhaustive exercise also decreased liver glutathione (GSH). These results suggest that the exhaustive exercise used in this study induced tissue damage and oxidative stress. Contrary to our expectations, AP supplementation increased plasma AST and alanine aminotransferase activities, liver levels of TBARS, and protein carbonyls. Furthermore, AP supplementation decreased glutathione and glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver. On the other hand, AP supplementation decreased TBARS levels in skeletal muscle. These results suggest that oral high-dose AP administration decreased oxidative stress in skeletal muscle but induced oxidative stress in the liver and increased hepatotoxicity.
Influence of Cracking on Oxygen Transport in UHPFRC Using Stainless Steel Sensors
Authors: Martínez-Ibernón Ana , Roig-Flores Marta , Lliso-Ferrando Josep , Mezquida-Alcaraz Eduardo J. , Valcuende Manuel , Serna Pedro
Published: December 2019

Reinforced concrete elements frequently suffer small cracks that are not relevant from the mechanical point of view, but they can be an entrance point for aggressive agents, such as oxygen, which could initiate the degradation processes. Fiber-Reinforced Concrete and especially Ultra High Performance Concrete increase the multi-cracking behavior, reducing the crack width and spacing. In this work, the oxygen availability of three types of concrete was compared at similar strain levels to evaluate the benefit of multi-cracking in the transport of oxygen. The types of concrete studied include traditional, High-Performance, and Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete with and without nanofibers. To this purpose, reinforced concrete beams sized 150 × 100 × 750 mm3 were prepared with embedded stainless steel sensors that were located at three heights, which have also been validated through this work. These beams were pre-cracked in bending up to fixed strain levels. The results indicate that the sensors used were able to detect oxygen availability due to the presence of cracks and the detected differences between the studied concretes. Ultra High Performance Concrete in the cracked state displayed lower oxygen availability than the uncracked High Performance Concrete, demonstrating its potential higher durability, even when working in cracked state, thanks to the increased multi-cracking response.
Hybrid External Cavity Laser with an Amorphous Silicon-Based Photonic Crystal Cavity Mirror
Authors: Iadanza Simone , Devarapu Chinna , Liles Alexandros , Sheehan Robert , O’Faoláin Liam
Published: December 2019

The authors present results on the performance of a hybrid external cavity photonic crystal laser-comprising semiconductor optical amplifier, and a 2D photonic crystal cavity fabricated in low-temperature amorphous silicon. The authors demonstrate that lithographic control over amorphous silicon photonic crystal cavity-resonant wavelengths is possible, and that single-mode lasing at optical telecommunications wavelengths is possible on an amorphous silicon platform.
Blast-Resistant Performance of Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (HFRC) Panels Subjected to Contact Detonation
Authors: Yao Wenjin , Sun Weiwei , Shi Ze , Chen Bingcheng , Chen Le , Feng Jun
Published: December 2019

This paper experimentally investigates the blast-resistant characteristics of hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (HFRC) panels by contact detonation tests. The control specimen of plain concrete, polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and steel fiber-reinforced concrete were prepared and tested for characterization in contrast with PP-Steel HFRC and PVA-Steel HFRC. The sequent contact detonation tests were conducted with panel damage recorded and measured. Damaged HFRC panels were further comparatively analyzed whereby the blast-resistance performance was quantitively assessed via damage coefficient and blast-resistant coefficient. For both PP-Steel and PVA-Steel HFRC, the best blast-resistant performance was achieved at around 1.5% steel + 0.5% PP-fiber hybrid. Finally, the fiber-hybrid effect index was introduced to evaluate the hybrid effect on the explosion-resistance performance of HFRC panels. It revealed that neither PP-fiber or PVA-fiber provide positive hybrid effect on blast-resistant improvement of HFRC panels.
Hybrid Filter Based on Fuzzy Techniques for Mixed Noise Reduction in Color Images
Authors: Arnal Josep , Súcar Luis
Published: December 2019

To decrease contamination from a mixed combination of impulse and Gaussian noise on color digital images, a novel hybrid filter is proposed. The new technique is composed of two stages. A filter based on a fuzzy metric is used for the reduction of impulse noise at the first stage. At the second stage, to remove Gaussian noise, a fuzzy peer group method is applied on the image generated from the previous stage. The performance of the introduced algorithm was evaluated on standard test images employing widely used objective quality metrics. The new approach can efficiently reduce both impulse and Gaussian noise, as much as mixed noise. The proposed filtering method was compared to the state-of-the-art methodologies: adaptive nearest neighbor filter, alternating projections filter, color block-matching 3D filter, fuzzy peer group averaging filter, partition-based trimmed vector median filter, trilateral filter, fuzzy wavelet shrinkage denoising filter, graph regularization filter, iterative peer group switching vector filter, peer group method, and the fuzzy vector median method. The experiments demonstrated that the introduced noise reduction technique outperforms those state-of-the-art filters with respect to the metrics peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), the mean absolute error (MAE), and the normalized color difference (NCD).
A Combined Nonstationary Kriging and Support Vector Machine Method for Stochastic Eigenvalue Analysis of Brake Systems
Authors: Lee Gil-Yong , Park Yong-Hwa
Published: December 2019

This paper presents a new metamodel approach based on nonstationary kriging and a support vector machine to efficiently predict the stochastic eigenvalue of brake systems. One of the difficulties in the mode-coupling instability induced by friction is that stochastic eigenvalues represent heterogeneous behavior due to the bifurcation phenomenon. Therefore, the stationarity assumption in kriging, where the response is correlated over the entire random input space, may not remain valid. In this paper, to address this issue, Gibb’s nonstationary kernel with step-wise hyperparameters was adopted to reflect the heterogeneity of the stochastic eigenvalues. In predicting the response for unsampled input, the support vector machine-based classification is utilized. To validate the performance, a simplified finite element model of the brake system is considered. Under various types of uncertainties, including different friction coefficients and material properties, stochastic eigenvalue problems are investigated. Through numerical studies, it is seen that the proposed method improves accuracy and robustness compared to conventional stationary kriging.
The Influence of Laser Sintering Modes on the Conductivity and Microstructure of Silver Nanoparticle Arrays Formed by Dry Aerosol Printing
Authors: Khabarov Kirill , Kornyushin Denis , Masnaviev Bulat , Tuzhilin Dmitry , Saprykin Dmitry , Efimov Alexey , Ivanov Victor
Published: December 2019

The demand for the development of local laser sintering of nanoparticle arrays is explained by the expanding needs for printed electronics for functional microstructure formation, on heat-sensitive substrates in particular. This work is based on the research into the sintering of arrays of silver nanoparticles synthesized in a spark discharge and deposited on a substrate by focused aerosol flow. The sintering was done by continuous and pulsed lasers with wavelengths 527, 980 and 1054 nm. Sintered samples were studied by measuring the resistivity, cross-section profile area and microstructure features. The highest average conductivity, equal to the half of the bulk silver conductivity, was achieved when sintering by continuous radiation with a wavelength 980 nm. The results showed that when using pulsed radiation the direct heating of nanoparticles in the sample surface layer dominates with the formation of a pore-free conductive layer of around 0.5 μm thick and crystallite of 70–80 nm size. It was found that laser sintering by radiation with a wavelength 527 nm required an order of magnitude lower specific energy costs as compared to the longwave laser radiation. The high energy efficiency of laser sintering is explained by special conditions for radiation absorption at plasmon resonance.
Qom—A New Hydrologic Prediction Model Enhanced with Multi-Objective Optimization
Authors: Zavala Gustavo R. , García-Nieto José , Nebro Antonio J.
Published: December 2019

The efficient calibration of hydrologic models allows experts to evaluate past events in river basins, as well as to describe new scenarios and predict possible future floodings. A difficulty in this context is the need to adjust a large number of parameters in the model to reduce prediction errors. In this work, we address this issue with two complementary contributions. First, we propose a new lumped rainfall-runoff hydrologic model—called Qom—which is featured by a limited set of continuous decision variables associated with soil moisture and direct runoff. Qom allows to separate and quantify the volume of losses and excesses of the rainwater falling in a hydrographic basin, while a Clark’s model is used to determine output hydrograms. Second, we apply a multi-objective optimization approach to find accurate calibrations of the model in a systematic and automatic way. The idea is to formulate the process as a bi-objective optimization problem where the Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency coefficient and percent bias have to be minimized, and to combine the results found by a set of metaheuristics used to solve it. For validation purposes, we apply our proposal in six hydrographic scenarios, comprising river basins located in Spain, USA, Brazil and Argentina. The proposed approach is shown to minimize prediction errors of simulated streamflows with regards to those observed in these real-world basins.
Line-Detection Based on the Sum of Gradient Angle Differences
Authors: Seo Suyoung
Published: December 2019

This paper presents a method to detect line pixels based on the sum of gradient angle differences (SGAD). The gradient angle differences are calculated by comparing the four pairs of gradients arising from eight neighboring pixels. In addition, a method to classify line pixels into ridges and valleys is proposed. Furthermore, a simple line model is defined for simulation experiments. Experiments are conducted with simulation images generated using the simple line model for three line-detection methods: second-derivatives (SD)-based method, extremity-count (EC)-based method, and proposed method. The results of the simulation experiments show that the proposed method produces more accurate line-detection results than the other methods in terms of the root mean square error when the line width is relatively large. In addition, the experiments conducted with natural images show that the SD- and EC-based methods suffer from bifurcation, fragmentation, and missing pixels. By contrast, for the original and the noise-contaminated versions of the natural images, the proposed SGAD-based line-detection method is affected by such problems to a considerably smaller extent than the other two methods.
Effect of Hot Water Setting Temperature on Performance of Solar Absorption-Subcooled Compression Hybrid Cooling Systems
Authors: Zhang Jinfang , Li Zeyu , Chen Hongkai , Xu Yongrui
Published: December 2019

The solar absorption-subcooled compression hybrid cooling system (SASCHCS) displays outstanding advantages in high-rise buildings. Since the performance coupling of collectors and absorption subsystems is stronger due to the absence of backup heat and the effect of generator setting temperature has not been realized adequately, it is highly important to study the relationship of SASCHCS operation and the set point temperature of hot water to prevent performance deterioration by inappropriate settings. Therefore, the paper mainly deals with the effect of collector and generator setting temperature. The investigation was based on the entire cooling period of a typical high-rise office building in subtropical Guangzhou. The off-design model of hybrid systems was built at first. Subsequently, the impact mechanism of setting temperature in two hot water cycles on facility operation was analyzed. It was found that the excessive rise of collector setting temperature deteriorated the energy saving, while the appropriate improvement of generator set point temperature was beneficial for the solar cooling. Besides, global optimization by the genetic algorithm displayed that 71.6 °C for the collector setting temperature with 64.5 °C for the generator was optimal for annual operation. The paper is helpful in enhancing the operation performance of SASCHCS.
Evaluation of Selected Metasurfaces’ Sensitivity to Planar Geometry Distortions
Authors: Lopato Przemyslaw , Herbko Michal
Published: December 2019

In the last decade, the application of metamaterials has become a very interesting way of implementing passive devices in microwave, terahertz, and optical frequency ranges. Up until now, selective filters, absorbers, polarizers, and lenses have been designed and constructed using these artificial materials, simultaneously showing the possibility for many other potential applications. Because of the simplified fabrication process, in particular, planar structures called metasurfaces (MS), are developing very fast. In the literature, there are many studies on the properties of various metasurfaces, but there are a lack of papers related to the analysis of the impact of structure deformations on their properties. In this paper, three commonly utilized structures of metasurfaces were designed for the same resonant frequency and on the same substrate. The numerical models were built and verified using the measurements of fabricated structures. During the experiment, the geometrical parameters of the metasurface cells were swept and a mechanical in-plane deformation in orthogonal directions was applied to the examined structures. Finally, sensitivity to the geometry distortions of the analyzed structures was evaluated and discussed.
A Coupled Extraction/Re-Extraction Method for the Chemical Speciation of Nickel in Natural Waters
Authors: Mendiguchía Carolina , Vergel Cristina , Moreno Carlos
Published: December 2019

Chemical fractionation and speciation of metals species in natural waters and its relation with bioavailability have received increased attention in recent years. A simple liquid membranes method, based on coupled liquid extraction and re-extraction processes, is proposed to separate and quantify the species of nickel present in water samples. A simplex optimization of chemical variables, such as carrier concentration in the organic solution and nitric acid concentration in the receiving solution, was performed and, under optimized conditions, the extraction system was applied to determine nickel species in water samples at natural level concentrations. A linear relationship was established between extraction efficacy and the concentration of dissolved organic carbon in the samples, allowing the separation and determination of labile and non-labile nickel fractions, since the latter was not transported through the organic solution acting as liquid membrane. When the total and labile concentrations of metals were analyzed in real samples with different salinities, no significant differences were found between the results obtained and those from well-established methods. An average relative error of 1.50 and 2.37 was obtained for total Ni concentration and labile fraction, respectively. Finally, a comparison with the theoretical speciation data calculated with the software WinHumic V was successfully performed. Thus, the proposed method allows the simultaneous determination of labile and non-labile nickel fractions, presented as a simple alternative to nickel fractionation in natural waters.
Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Slab-Column Connections with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Laminates
Authors: Chen Cheng-Chih , Chen Shun-Long
Published: December 2019

This study presents the structural behavior and punching shear strength of the concrete slab-column connections strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. The variables considered for the twelve specimens included the compressive strength of the concrete, the ratio of the tensile steel reinforcement, and the amount of the CFRP laminates. Square concrete slabs were simply supported along four edges. During the test, monotonically concentrated load was applied to the stub column located at the center of the slab. The punching shear strength, stiffness, and mode of failure were investigated. Test results demonstrated that increasing the compressive strength of concrete, ratio of the steel reinforcement, and amount of the CFRP laminates led to an increase in the punching shear strength of the slabs. Moreover, the CFRP laminates were effective in appreciably increasing the punching shear strength of the slab-column connections. An analytical approach was conducted to calculate the punching shear strength of the slab-column connections strengthened with CFRP laminates. Based on the theory of reinforced concrete members, the application of the CFRP laminates increased the flexural strength of the slab and resulted in an increase of the effective depth of the slab section. Consequently, the punching shear strength was increased. The results of the analytical calculation revealed that the analytical work accurately predicted the experimental punching shear strength.
Reinforcement Mechanism and Optimisation of Reinforcement Approach of a High and Steep Slope Using Prestressed Anchor Cables
Authors: Li Jian , Chen Shanxiong , Yu Fei , Jiang Lingfa
Published: December 2019

Using prestressed anchor cables is one of the most common approaches for reinforcing slopes. By establishing a calculation model for a high and steep slope, the changes of displacement of slope foot and increment of force on the cables under different prestresses were calculated. Furthermore, the influence of prestress on the changes of displacement of slope foot and force on the cables was analysed. By analysing the changes in force on cables in different parts of the slope, the reinforcement mechanism of a prestressed anchor cable on the slope was attained. The result showed that the reinforcement effect of prestressed anchor cable on the slope was mainly attributed to it effectively restricting the displacement of sliding mass in the slope, while the effect of cables in the lower part of the slope was more significant than that of those in the upper part of the slope. Therefore, to reduce the number of cables, decrease the construction difficulty of cables and save money, it is feasible to remove cables in the range of the upper-third of the slope. Afterwards, by improving the cable prestress in the range of the lower-third and reducing the cable prestress in the middle, the safety factor of the slope can satisfy design requirements, thus reinforcing the slope.
Perceptions of Occupational Heat, Sun Exposure, and Health Risk Prevention: A Qualitative Study of Forestry Workers in South Africa
Authors: Rother Hanna-Andrea , John Juanette , Wright Caradee Y. , Irlam James , Oosthuizen Riëtha , Garland Rebecca M.
Published: December 2019

Occupational exposure to heat and solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) threatens the health and wellbeing of outdoor workers. These threats are likely to increase as a result of climate change. This study examined the perceptions of occupational heat and sun exposure and health risk prevention among forestry workers removing alien invasive vegetation in the Western Cape, South Africa. The linkages between workers’ perceptions of heat, solar UVR, and herbicide exposure and impacts under the current climate were investigated to better understand potential adaptation needs under a changing climate. Using focus group discussions and participatory risk mapping, heat stresses identified by workers were either environmental (e.g., lack of shade) or work-related (e.g., wearing required personal protective equipment). Several heat and solar UVR health impacts were reportedly experienced by workers; local indigenous knowledge and coping mechanisms, such as wearing ochre for sun protection, were used to prevent these impacts. Despite workers’ current efforts to protect their health, existing gaps and opportunities to improve working conditions were identified. Institutional structures for improved reporting of adverse events are imperative, together with awareness and education campaigns about the risks associated with working in hot and sunny environments.
Diurnal Cycle of Raindrops Size Distribution in a Valley of the Peruvian Central Andes
Authors: Villalobos-Puma Elver , Martinez-Castro Daniel , Flores-Rojas Jose Luis , Saavedra-Huanca Miguel , Silva-Vidal Yamina
Published: December 2019

In the Central Andes of Peru, convective and stratiform rainfall occurs, frequently associated with convective storms. The raindrop size distributions (RSD), measured by a Parsivel-2 optical disdrometer, were characterized by the variation of their normalized parameters. The RSD dataset includes measurements corresponding to 18 months between 2017 and 2019. As a result, it was found that the mass-weighted mean diameter Dm and the Nw parameter present respectively high and low values, in the interval of 15–20 LST (local standard time), wherein deeper and more active clouds appear. The events including convective rainfall contribute 67.5% of the accumulated total, wherein 92% corresponds to the 15–20 LST interval. It is concluded that the spectral variability of the RSD is strongly controlled by the cloudiness configuration field developing over the west (convection over highlands) and east (convection over Amazon) sides of the valley. In the afternoon, clouds develop and drift to the east, over the Andean valleys and towards the Amazon, intensified by local orographic circulation. The opposite happens at night, when the stratiform rainfall is dominant and it is controlled by clouds, located in the Inter-Andean valley, generated by the convection fields formed over the Amazon forest.
Adaption of an Evaporative Desert Cooler into a Liquid Desiccant Air Conditioner: Experimental and Numerical Analysis
Authors: Jaradat Mustafa , Al-Addous Mohammad , Albatayneh Aiman
Published: December 2019

Desert coolers have attracted much attention as an alternative to mechanical air conditioning systems, as they are proving to be of lower initial cost and significantly lower operating cost. However, the uncontrolled increase in the moisture content of the supply air is still a great issue for indoor air quality and human thermal comfort concerns. This paper represents an experimental and numerical investigation of a modified desert air cooler into a liquid desiccant air conditioner (LDAC). An experimental setup was established to explore the supply air properties for an adapted commercial desert cooler. Several experiments were performed for air–water and air–desiccant as flow media, at several solutions to air mass ratios. Furthermore, the experimental results were compared with the result of a numerical simplified effectiveness model. The outcomes indicate a sharp reduction in the air humidity ratio by applying the desiccant solutions up to 5.57 g/kg and up to 4.15 g/kg, corresponding to dew point temperatures of 9.5 °C and 12.4 °C for LiCl and CaCl2, respectively. Additionally, the experimental and the numerical results concurred having shown the same pattern, with a maximal deviation of about 18% within the experimental uncertainties.
Study on Land-use Changes and Their Impacts on Air Pollution in Chengdu
Authors: Sun Wei , Liu Zhihong , Zhang Yang , Xu Weixin , Lv Xiaotong , Liu Yuanyue , Lyu Hao , Li Xiaodong , Xiao Jianshe , Ma Fulin
Published: December 2019

The expansion of urban areas and the increase in the number of buildings and urbanization characteristics, such as roads, affect the meteorological environment in urban areas, resulting in weakened pollutant dispersion. First, this paper uses GIS (geographic information system) spatial analysis technology and landscape ecology analysis methods to analyze the dynamic changes in land cover and landscape patterns in Chengdu as a result of urban development. Second, the most appropriate WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model parameterization scheme is selected and screened. Land-use data from different development stages in the city are included in the model, and the wind speed and temperature results simulated using new and old land-use data (1980 and 2015) are evaluated and compared. Finally, the results of the numerical simulations by the WRF-Chem air quality model using new and old land-use data are coupled with 0.25° × 0.25°-resolution MEIC (Multi-resolution Emission Inventory for China) emission source data from Tsinghua University. The results of the sensitivity experiments using the WRF-Chem model for the city under different development conditions and during different periods are discussed. The meteorological conditions and pollution sources remained unchanged as the land-use data changed, which revealed the impact of urban land-use changes on the simulation results of PM2.5 atmospheric pollutants. The results show the following. (1) From 1980 to 2015, the land-use changes in Chengdu were obvious, and cultivated land exhibited the greatest changes, followed by forestland. Under the influence of urban land-use dynamics and human activities, both the richness and evenness of the landscape in Chengdu increased. (2) The microphysical scheme WSM3 (WRF Single–Moment 3 class) and land-surface scheme SLAB (5-layer diffusion scheme) were the most suitable for simulating temperatures and wind speeds in the WRF model. The wind speed and temperature simulation results using the 2015 land-use data were better than those using the 1980 land-use data when assessed according to the coincidence index and correlation coefficient. (3) The WRF-Chem simulation results obtained for PM2.5 using the 2015 land-use data were better than those obtained using the 1980 land-use data in terms of the correlation coefficient and standard deviation. The concentration of PM2.5 in urban areas was higher than that in the suburbs, and the concentration of PM2.5 was lower on Longquan Mountain in Chengdu than in the surrounding areas.
The Effect of Particulate Matter Exposure on the Inflammatory Airway Response of Street Runners and Sedentary People
Authors: Pagani Lucas G. , Santos Juliana M.B. , Foster Roberta , Rossi Marcelo , Luna Junior Luiz A. , Katekaru Catherine M. , de Sá Matheus C. , Jonckheere Anne-Charlotte , Almeida Francine M. , Amaral Jonatas B. , Vieira Rodolfo P. , Bullens Dominique M.A. , Bachi Andre L.L. , Vaisberg Mauro
Published: December 2019

Physical exercise promotes many health benefits. However, its effects are not well known in a polluted environment. Thus, this study aimed to compare upper airway inflammatory responses between street runners and sedentary individuals. Twenty-eight volunteers were recruited: runners (n = 14) and sedentary individuals (n = 14), who lived and worked in the same metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil. Particulate matter (PM) levels were monitored ten weeks before winter (low PM levels) and ten weeks after the beginning of winter (high PM levels) [PM10 (p < 0.0001) and PM2.5 (p < 0.0001)]. The cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A) levels in the nasal lavage and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were taken at the beginning of the winter (baseline) and ten weeks afterwards (after ten weeks of high PM exposure). IL-6 concentration increased in both runners (p = 0.037) and sedentary individuals (p = 0.027) after high PM exposure compared to the baseline. IL-10 concentration increased in sedentary individuals (p = 0.037) while IL-17A levels were increased in runners (p = 0.001) after high PM exposure compared to the baseline. FeNO levels decreased in runners (p = 0.025) after high PM exposure compared to the baseline. Outdoor endurance training acts as an inducer of a differentiated immune response in the upper airways of runners compared to individuals with a sedentary lifestyle from the same community after elevated PM exposure.
Sensitivity Studies for a Hybrid Numerical–Statistical Short-Term Wind and Gust Forecast at Three Locations in the Basque Country (Spain)
Authors: Carreno-Madinabeitia Sheila , Ibarra-Berastegi Gabriel , Sáenz Jon , Zorita Eduardo , Ulazia Alain
Published: December 2019

This study evaluates the performance of statistical models applied to the output of numerical models for short-term (1–24 h) hourly wind forecasts at three locations in the Basque Country. The target variables are horizontal wind components and the maximum wind gust at 3 h intervals. Statistical approaches such as persistence, analogues, linear regression, and random forest (RF) are used. The verification statistics used are coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE). Statistical models use three inputs: (1) Local wind observations; (2) extended EOFs (empirical orthogonal functions) derived from past local observations and ERA-Interim variables in a previous 24-h period covering a domain around the area of study; and (3) wind forecasts provided by ERA-Interim. Results indicate that, for horizons less than 1–4 h, persistence is the best model. For longer predictions, RF provides the best forecasts. For horizontal components at 4–24 h horizons, RF slightly outperformed ERA-Interim wind forecasts. For gust, RF performs better than ERA-Interim for all the horizons. Persistence is the most influential factor for 2–5 h. Beyond this horizon, predictors from the ERA-Interim wind forecasts led the contribution. Hybrid numerical–statistical methods can be used to improve short-term wind forecasts.
Fifty Years of PMV Model: Reliability, Implementation and Design of Software for Its Calculation
Authors: d’Ambrosio Alfano Francesca , Olesen Bjarne , Palella Boris , Pepe Daniela , Riccio Giuseppe
Published: December 2019

In most countries, PMV is the reference index for the assessment of thermal comfort conditions in mechanically conditioned environments. It is also the basis to settle input values of the operative temperature for heating and cooling load calculations, sizing of equipment, and energy calculations according to EN 16798-1 and 16798-2 Standards. Over the years, great effort has been spent to study the reliability of PMV, whereas few investigations were addressed to its calculation. To study this issue, the most significant apps devoted to its calculation have been compared with a reference software compliant with EN ISO 7730 and the well-known ASHRAE Thermal Comfort Tool. It has been revealed that only few apps consider all six variables responsible for the thermal comfort. Relative air velocity is not considered by ASHRAE Thermal Comfort Tool and, finally, the correction of basic insulation values due to body movements introduced by EN ISO 7730 and EN ISO 9920 Standards has only been considered in one case. This implies that most software and apps for the calculation of PMV index should be used with special care, especially by unexperienced users. This applies to both research and application fields.
Oxidized Products of α-Linolenic Acid Negatively Regulate Cellular Survival and Motility of Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Gutierrez-Pajares Jorge L. , Ben Hassen Celine , Oger Camille , Galano Jean-Marie , Durand Thierry , Frank Philippe G.
Published: December 2019

Despite recent advances in our understanding of the biological processes leading to the development and progression of cancer, there is still a need for new and effective agents to treat this disease. Phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) and phytofurans (PhytoFs) are non-enzymatically oxidized products of α-linolenic acid that are present in seeds and vegetable oils. They have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and apoptosis-promoting activities in macrophages and leukemia cells, respectively. In this work, seven PhytoPs (PP1–PP7) and one PhytoFs (PF1) were evaluated for their cytotoxic, chemosensitization, and anti-migratory activities using the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Among the tested compounds, only three PhytoPs had a significant effect on cell viability compared to the control group: Ent-9-L1-PhytoP (PP6) decreased cell viability in both cell lines, while 16-F1t-PhytoP (PP1) and 9-L1-PhytoP (PP5) decreased viability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. When combined with a sub-cytotoxic dose of doxorubicin, these three PhytoPs displayed significantly enhanced cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells while the chemotherapeutic drug alone had no effect. In cellular motility assays, Ent-9-(RS)-12-epi-ST-Δ10-13-PhytoF could significantly inhibit cellular migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, Ent-9-(RS)-12-epi-ST-Δ10-13-PhytoF also enhanced cellular adhesion of MDA-MB-231 cells.
Development of Human Monoclonal Antibody for Claudin-3 Overexpressing Carcinoma Targeting
Authors: Yang Hobin , Park Hayeon , Lee Yong Jin , Choi Jun Young , Kim TaeEun , Rajasekaran Nirmal , Lee Saehyung , Song Kyoung , Hong Sungyoul , Choi Joon-Seok , Shim Hyunbo , Kim Young-Deug , Hwang Soohyun , Choi Yoon-La , Shin Young Kee
Published: December 2019

Most malignant tumors originate from epithelial tissues in which tight junctions mediate cell–cell interactions. Tight junction proteins, especially claudin-3 (CLDN3), are overexpressed in various cancers. Claudin-3 is exposed externally during tumorigenesis making it a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. However, the development of antibodies against specific CLDN proteins is difficult, because CLDNs are four-transmembrane domain proteins with high homology among CLDN family members and species. Here, we developed a human IgG1 monoclonal antibody (h4G3) against CLDN3 through scFv phage display using CLDN3-overexpressing stable cells and CLDN3-embedded lipoparticles as antigens. The h4G3 recognized the native conformation of human and mouse CLDN3 without cross-reactivity to other CLDNs. The binding kinetics of h4G3 demonstrated a sub-nanomolar affinity for CLDN3 expressed on the cell surface. The h4G3 showed antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) according to CLDN3 expression levels in various cancer cells by the activation of FcγRIIIa (CD16a). The biodistribution of h4G3 was analyzed by intravenous injection of fluorescence-conjugated h4G3 which showed that it localized to the tumor site in xenograft mice bearing CLDN3-expressing tumors. These results indicate that h4G3 recognizes CLDN3 specifically, suggesting its value for cancer diagnosis, antibody-drug conjugates, and potentially as a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) for CLDN3-expressing pan-carcinoma.