bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innocence versus Savagery in the Recapitulation Theory of Child Study: Depictions in Picturebooks and Other Cultural Materials
Authors: Varga Donna
Published: November 2018

This article examines the contentions of recapitulation theory in child development study as materialised in images and texts of children's books, and how these contributed to the ideological hegemony of possible and impossible childhoods, with the white innocent and Black savage as counterpoints. In addition, it identifies the continuity of this perspective both in popular culture and academic denials that such racialised distinctions are problematic.
Virtual Belt Algorithm for the Management of Isolated Autonomous Intersection
Authors: Bian Chentong , Yin Guodong , Xu Liwei , Zhang Ning
Published: November 2018

To enhance traffic efficiency, in this paper, a novel virtual belt algorithm is proposed for the management of an isolated autonomous intersection. The proposed virtual belt algorithm consists of an offline algorithm and an online algorithm. Using the offline algorithm, the considered intersection can be modeled as several virtual belts. The online algorithm is designed for the real-time application of the virtual belt algorithm. Compared with the related algorithms, the main advantage of the proposed algorithm is that, there are several candidate trajectories for each approaching vehicle. Thus, there are more opportunities for an approaching vehicle to obtain a permission to pass an intersection, which is effective to improve traffic efficiency. The proposed algorithm is validated using numerical simulations conducted by Matlab and VISSIM. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is effective for autonomous intersection management.
Mycotoxin Contamination of Beverages Obtained from Tropical Crops
Authors: Granados-Chinchilla Fabio , Redondo-Solano Mauricio , Jaikel-Víquez Daniela
Published: November 2018

This review is mainly centered on beverages obtained from tropical crops, including tea, nut milk, coffee, cocoa, and those prepared from fruits. After considering the epidemiological data found on the matrices above, the focus was given to recent methodological approaches to assess the most relevant mycotoxins. Aspects such as singularities among the mycotoxin and the beverage in which their were found, and the economic effects and repercussions that the mycotoxin-tainted ingredients have on the beverage industry were pointed out. Finally, the burden of their consumption through beverages, including risk and health effects on humans, was addressed as well.
Microwave-Driven Plasma-Mediated Methane Cracking: Product Carbon Characterization
Authors: Vander Wal Randy , Sengupta Arupananda , Musselman Evan , Skoptsov George
Published: November 2018

Methane is the primary industrial H2 source, with the vast majority produced by steam reforming of methane—a highly CO2- and water-intensive process. Alternatives to steam reforming, such as microwave-driven plasma-mediated methane decomposition, offer benefits of no water consumption and zero CO2 process emissions while also producing solid carbon formed by pyrolytic reactions and aided by a plasma reactive environment. The economic viability of pyrolytic methane decomposition as a hydrogen source will depend upon the commercial applications of the solid carbon product—which, in turn, will depend upon its physical and chemical characteristics. This study focuses on material characterization of the solid carbon (secondary) product. Characterization by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals forms ranging from graphitic to amorphous. Thermogravimetric analyses reveal three forms by their differing oxidative reactivity, while X-ray diffraction analyses support the different crystalline forms as suggested by Thermogravimetric analysis. Plasma perturbation of the radical pool, elevating radical temperatures and boosting concentrations, is proposed as altering the reaction paths towards solid carbon formation, resulting in the different sp2 forms.
Novel Agents for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Luppi Mario , Fabbiano Francesco , Visani Giuseppe , Martinelli Giovanni , Venditti Adriano
Published: November 2018

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex hematological disease characterized by genetic and clinical heterogeneity. Recent advances in the understanding of AML pathogenesis have paved the way for the development of new agents targeting specific molecules or mechanisms that contribute to finally move beyond the current standard of care, which is “3 + 7” regimen. In particular, new therapeutic options such as targeted therapies (midostaurin and enasidenib), monoclonal antibodies (gemtuzumab ozogamicin), and a novel liposomal formulation of cytarabine and daunorubicin (CPX-351) have been recently approved, and will be soon available for the treatment of adult patients with AML. In this review, we will present and describe these recently approved drugs as well as selected novel agents against AML that are currently under investigation, and show the most promising results as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy. The selection of these emerging treatments is based on the authors’ opinion.
Development of SrTiO3 Photocatalysts with Visible Light Response Using Amino Acids as Dopant Sources for the Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Aqueous Systems
Authors: Konstas Panagiotis-Spyridon , Konstantinou Ioannis , Petrakis Dimitrios , Albanis Triantafyllos
Published: November 2018

N-doped and N,S-co-doped SrTiO3 photocatalysts were prepared using glycine and L-histidine amino acids as nitrogen sources and L-cysteine as nitrogen and sulphur source. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 porosimetry, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance (DRS) and fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS). Cubic SrTiO3 phase is formed in all samples, with crystal size ranged from 14.2 nm to 35.7 nm. The catalysts’ specific surface area and porosity depend on the amino acid dopant showing micro-mesoporosity for glycine, mesoporosity for histidine and non-porosity for cysteine. The lowest band gap (2.95 eV) was observed for the sample G-N-STO3 prepared with glycine (N:Sr:Ti 3:1:1 molar ratio) which produced also the higher amount of •OH radicals. The photocatalytic activity was tested against the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under UV-Vis and visible light irradiation following first-order kinetics.
Exploring the Effect of Rotenone—A Known Inducer of Parkinson’s Disease—On Mitochondrial Dynamics in Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Chernivec Ethan , Cooper Jacie , Naylor Kari
Published: November 2018

Current treatments for Parkinson’s disease (PD) only alleviate symptoms doing little to inhibit the onset and progression of the disease, thus we must research the mechanism of Parkinson’s. Rotenone is a known inducer of parkinsonian conditions in rats; we use rotenone to induce parkinsonian cellular conditions in Dictyostelium discoideum. In our model we primarily focus on mitochondrial dynamics. We found that rotenone disrupts the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton but mitochondrial morphology remains intact. Rotenone stimulates mitochondrial velocity while inhibiting mitochondrial fusion, increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) but has no effect on ATP levels. Antioxidants have been shown to decrease some PD symptoms thus we added ascorbic acid to our rotenone treated cells. Ascorbic acid administration suggests that rotenone effects may be specific to the disruption of the cytoskeleton rather than the increase in ROS. Our results imply that D. discoideum may be a valid cellular PD model and that the rotenone induced velocity increase and loss of fusion could prevent mitochondria from effectively providing energy and other mitochondrial products in high demand areas. The combination of these defects in mitochondrial dynamics and increased ROS could result in degeneration of neurons in PD.
Fluorescence and Naked-Eye Detection of Pb2+ in Drinking Water Using a Low-Cost Ionophore Based Sensing Scheme
Authors: Hakonen Aron , Strömberg Niklas
Published: November 2018

Drinking water contamination of lead from various environmental sources, leaching consumer products, and intrinsic water-pipe infrastructure is still today a matter of great concern. Therefore, new highly sensitive and convenient Pb2+ measurement schemes are necessary, especially for in-situ measurements at a low cost. Within this work dye/ionophore/Pb2+ co-extraction and effective water phase de-colorization was utilized for highly sensitive lead measurements and sub-ppb naked-eye detection. A low-cost ionophore Benzo-18-Crown-6-ether was used, and a simple test-tube mix and separate procedure was developed. Instrumental detection limits were in the low ppt region (LOD = 3, LOQ = 10), and naked-eye detection was 500 ppt. Note, however, that this sensing scheme still has improvement potential as concentrations of fluorophore and ionophore were not optimized. Artificial tap-water samples, leached by a standardized method, demonstrated drinking water application. Implications for this method are convenient in-situ lead ion measurements.
Carbonates
Authors: Pastero Linda
Published: November 2018

Although the minerals belonging to the carbonate group are a widely discussed subject, their relevance remains unchanged due to their many applications in a wide range of disciplines, from mineralogy, geochemistry and geology, to biology, medicine, industry and waste remediation. [...]
Development and Implementation of an Intraoral Device for Occlusal Stability during Sports Performance: A Case Report
Authors: Silva Diana , Mendes Joaquim , Castro Jorge de Azevedo e , Ferreira Daniel , Moreira André , Clemente Miguel Pais , Vasconcelos Mário
Published: November 2018

Introduction: Sports dentistry assumes a clinical relevance, not only in the prevention of orofacial trauma by the use of mouthguards, but also with the development of intraoral devices that aim to provide greater occlusal stability, as well as a greater balance in the level of certain structures of the cranio-cervical-mandibular complex. In this way, the dentistry can have an intervention action on sports performance. Objectives: The objective of this research was to verify the existence of a correlation between occlusal stability and an eventual balance of some facial structures during sports performance using a specially developed Occlusal Stability Sports Performance Device. Methodology: An individualized mandibular intraoral device was manufactured and evaluated on an athlete canoeing. Infrared thermography was the complementary diagnostic method used for this purpose. Results: Greater symmetry of certain regions of interest of the cranio-cervico-mandibular complex was observed with the implementation of the Occlusal Stability Sports Performance Device. These areas were the anterior temporal muscle, the masseter muscle and the temporomandibular joint. No asymmetry decrease was found in the anterior triangle region of the neck. Conclusion: The use of this type of intraoral devices may allow greater occlusal stability and consequent balance of anatomical structures constituting the cranio-cervical-mandibular complex. Infrared thermography is an effective diagnostic tool for studying the results of the intraoral device on the cranio-cervico-mandibular complex use during canoeing.
The Complexity and Entropy Analysis for Service Game Model Based on Different Expectations and Optimal Pricing
Authors: Huang Yimin , Chen Xingli , Li Qiuxiang , Ma Xiaogang
Published: November 2018

The internet has provided a new means for manufacturers to reach consumers. On the background of the widespread multichannel sales in China, based on a literature review of the service game and multichannel supply chain, this paper builds a multichannel dynamic service game model where the retailer operates an offline channel and the manufacturer operates an online channel and offers customers the option to buy online and pick up from the retailer’s store (BOPS). The manufacturer and the retailer take maximizing the channel profits as their business objectives and make channel service game under optimal pricing. We carry on theoretical analysis of the model and perform numerical simulations from the perspective of entropy theory, game theory, and chaotic dynamics. The results show that the stability of the system will weaken with the increase in service elasticity coefficient and that it is unaffected by the feedback parameter adjustment of the retailer. The BOPS channel strengthens the cooperation between the manufacturer and the retailer and moderates the conflict between the online and the offline channels. The system will go into chaotic state and cause the system’s entropy to increase when the manufacturer adjusts his/her service decision quickly. In a chaotic state, the system is sensitive to initial conditions and service input is difficult to predict; the manufacturer and retailer need more additional information to make the system clear or use the method of feedback control to delay or eliminate the occurrence of chaos.
Regional Seismic Information Entropy to Detect Earthquake Activation Precursors
Authors: Ohsawa Yukio
Published: November 2018

A method is presented to detect earthquake precursors from time series data on earthquakes in a target region. The Regional Entropy of Seismic Information (RESI) is an index that represents the average influence of an earthquake in a target region on the diversity of clusters to which earthquake foci are distributed. Based on a simple qualitative model of the dynamics of land crust, it is hypothesized that the saturation that occurs after an increase in RESI precedes the activation of earthquakes. This hypothesis is validated by the earthquake catalog. This temporal change was found to correlate with the activation of earthquakes in Japanese regions one to two years ahead of the real activation, more reliably than the compared baseline methods.
Analysis of the Impact of Auxiliary Ventilation Equipment on the Distribution and Concentration of Methane in the Tailgate
Authors: Tutak Magdalena , Brodny Jarosław
Published: November 2018

Methane, which is commonly found in hard coal deposits, represents a considerable threat to the safety of mining operations in these deposits. The paper presents the results of tests, aiming to limit the negative impact of methane on hard coal exploitation and improve work safety. The tests encompassed an analysis of methane concentration distributions in the tailgate (in the intersection area with the longwall), with account being taken of auxiliary ventilation equipment. This equipment is responsible for reducing methane concentration levels in the intersection area between the longwall and the tailgate. The analyses presented in the article were conducted for a spatial model of a longwall area, using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method. Account was taken of the real-world measurements of the headings as well as the measurement data concerning methane concentration and ventilation parameters. The tests took into account methane emissions from the mined coal and from the goaf with caving. The analyses were performed for the system with and without auxiliary equipment, for different velocities of the additional air stream. This made it possible to compare both systems and determine the impact of auxiliary equipment on the distribution and concentration of methane in the most vulnerable area of exploitation. The distributions of the air and gas mixture were also determined in the analysed headings and goaf with caving. The results obtained clearly demonstrate that using auxiliary equipment has a significant effect on the ventilation parameters of the air stream and leads to reduction in methane concentrations in the most vulnerable section of the longwall. These results also confirmed the advantages of auxiliary ventilation equipment, which should contribute to their wider application in underground hard coal exploitation.
Phase-Locked Loop Research of Grid-Connected Inverter Based on Impedance Analysis
Authors: Jiang Yuxia , Li Yonggang , Tian Yanjun , Wang Luo
Published: November 2018

In order to improve the phenomenon that a traditional phase-locked loop based on a double second-order generalized integrator (DSOGI-PLL) cannot track signal amplitude and phase accurately when the input signal contains DC components and high-order harmonics, the structure of a second-order generalized integrator-quadrature signals generator (SOGI-QSG) is modified. The paper establishes the impedance model considering the DSOGI-PLL structure of the inductor-capacitor-inductor-type (LCL-type) inverter grid-connected system adopting current control measured from the grid terminal in alternating current side, introducing voltage feedback control to enhance the stability of the system. Meanwhile, analyzing the influence of parameters on impedance according to the impedance model established preferable design parameters. The improvement in SOGI-QSG structure is good for PLL to lock the grid voltage phase more accurately and the retrofitting in control strategy based on the impedance is able to uplift the inverter output impedance phase which is conducive to system stability by increasing the phase margin of the system. The simulation in Matlab/Simulink is carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
On the Use of LoRa Technology for Logic Selectivity in MV Distribution Networks
Authors: Angrisani Leopoldo , Bonavolontà Francesco , Liccardo Annalisa , Schiano Lo Moriello Rosario
Published: November 2018

In this paper, a logic selectivity system based on Long Range (LoRa) technology for the protection of medium-voltage (MV) networks is proposed. The development of relays that communicate with each other using LoRa allows for the combination of the cost-effectiveness and ease of installation of wireless networks with long-range coverage and reliability. The realized demonstrator to assess the proposed system is also presented in the paper; based on different types of faults and different locations, the times needed for clearing a fault and restoring the network were estimated from repeated experiments. The obtained results confirm that, with an optimized design of transmitted packets and of protocol characteristics, LoRa communication grants fault management that meets the criteria of logic selectivity, with fault isolation occurring within the maximum allowed time.
On Simplified 3D Finite Element Simulations of Three-Core Armored Power Cables
Authors: Del-Pino-López Juan Carlos , Hatlo Marius , Cruz-Romero Pedro
Published: November 2018

This paper analyzes different ways to electromagnetically simulate three-core armored cables in 3D by means of the finite element method. Full periodic models, as lengthy as 36 m, are developed to evaluate the accuracy when simulating only a small portion of the cable, as commonly employed in the literature. The adequate length and boundary conditions for having the same accuracy of full periodic models are also studied. To achieve this aim, five medium voltage and high voltage armored cables are analyzed, obtaining the minimum length of the cable that may be simulated for having accurate results in shorter time and with less computational burden. This also results in the proposal of a new method comprising the advantages of short geometries and the applicability of periodic boundary conditions. Its accuracy is compared with experimental measurements and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard for 145 kV and 245 kV cables. The results show a very good agreement between simulations and measurements (errors below 4%), obtaining a reduction in the computation time of about 90%. This new method brings a more effective tool for saving time and computational resources in cable design and the development of new analytical expressions for improving the IEC standard.
A Hybrid Building Power Distribution System in Consideration of Supply and Demand-Side: A Short Overview and a Case Study
Authors: Zhang Yongming , Yan Zhe , Li Li , Yao Jiawei
Published: November 2018

As the quantity of direct current (DC) load and wireless power transmission (WPT) devices are continuously increasing in building, in order to efficiently utilize renewable energy (which outputs DC power) such as photovoltaic (PV), especially for building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV), and regeneration energy from elevators (which also outputs DC power), a novel building power distribution system architecture is explored in consideration of the characteristics of supply and demand-side in this paper. The proposed architecture is a hybrid framework integrated with conventional alternating current (AC) power distribution system, DC power distribution and WPT system. The applied AC and DC hybrid power distribution system has higher conversion efficiency than a single AC power system, which indicates that the former is becoming an important trend of building power distribution. In addition, the results of experimental test in a case study suggest that the proposed architecture can provide fine service for efficient application of renewable energy and regeneration energy in building. The obtained results also can serve as a foundation to promote the development of building power distribution system and related practical application in building.
Cascaded Robust Fault-Tolerant Predictive Control for PMSM Drives
Authors: Hu Fang , Luo Derong , Luo Chengwei , Long Zhuo , Wu Gongping
Published: November 2018

This paper presents a cascaded robust fault-tolerant predictive control (CRFTPC) strategy with integral terminal sliding mode observer (IT-SMO) to achieve high performance speed loop and current loop for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives. The modeling of PMSM considers the disturbance caused by parameter perturbation and permanent magnet demagnetization. With this model, we can derive the optimal control law of the proposed scheme, which avoids the tuning work of the weight factor effectively. This new CRFTPC strategy has a cascaded structure, external loop and internal loop, both implemented with robust fault-tolerant predictive control. In addition, a new integral terminal sliding mode observer is designed to estimate the disturbances, and thus the robustness of the proposed method can be increased significantly. Comparative simulations and experimentations verify that the proposed CRFTPC provides fast dynamic response, static-errorless speed, and current tracking, even with the system disturbance.
Characteristic Analysis of Electromagnetic Force in a High-Power Wireless Power Transfer System
Authors: Zhang Xian , Ni Xuejing , Wei Bin , Wang Songcen , Yang Qingxin
Published: November 2018

In order to explore the influence of the electromagnetic force (EMF) on the coupling mechanism in a high-power wireless power transfer (WPT) system, the characteristics of the EMF are investigated by theoretical calculation and simulation. The expressions of the EMF on the WPT structure with magnetic shielding are derived in time domain and frequency domain, respectively. The EMF is divided into Lorentz force and Kelvin force. The distribution and changing regularity of the EMF on the coil and the magnetic shield under different exciting currents are solved by the finite element model, and the harmonic of the EMF is analyzed in detail. The results show that the coil is subjected to the EMF in both radial and axial directions. The EMF on the magnetic shield is opposite to the EMF on the coil, and the force between the transmitting coil and the receiving coil is repulsive. The frequency of the EMF is twice that of the system resonant frequency. An experimental prototype is built to prove the correctness of the predicted characteristics. It is shown that the EMF should be carefully considered in the application of high-power WPT systems.
Efficiency Optimization of a Variable Bus Voltage DC Microgrid
Authors: García Elvira David , Valderrama Blaví Hugo , Cid Pastor Àngel , Martínez Salamero Luis
Published: November 2018

A variable bus voltage DC microgrid (MG) is simulated in Simulink for optimization purposes. It is initially controlled with a Voltage Event Control (VEC) algorithm supplemented with a State of Charge Event Control (SOCEC) algorithm. This control determines the power generated/consumed by each element of the MG based on bus voltage and battery State of Charge (SOC) values. Two supplementary strategies are proposed and evaluated to improve the DC-DC converters’ efficiency. First, bus voltage optimization control: a centralized Energy Management System (EMS) manages the battery power in order to make the bus voltage follow the optimal voltage reference. Second, online optimization of switching frequency: local drivers operate each converter at its optimal switching frequency. The two proposed optimization strategies have been verified in the simulations.
Cyclic CH4 Injection for Enhanced Oil Recovery in the Eagle Ford Shale Reservoirs
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Di Yuan , Shi Yang , Hu Jinghong
Published: November 2018

Gas injection is one of the most effective enhanced oil recovery methods for the unconventional reservoirs. Recently, CH4 has been widely used; however, few studies exist to accurately evaluate the cyclic CH4 injection considering molecular diffusion and nanopore effects. Additionally, the effects of operation parameters are still not systematically understood. Therefore, the objective of this work is to build an efficient numerical model to investigate the impacts of molecular diffusion, capillary pressure, and operation parameters. The confined phase behavior was incorporated in the model considering the critical property shifts and capillary pressure. Subsequently, we built a field-scale simulation model of the Eagle Ford shale reservoir. The fluid properties under different pore sizes were evaluated. Finally, a series of studies were conducted to examine the contributions of each key parameter on the well production. Results of sensitivity analysis indicate that the effect of confinement and molecular diffusion significantly influence CH4 injection effectiveness, followed by matrix permeability, injection rate, injection time, and number of cycles. Primary depletion period and soaking time are less noticeable for the well performance in the selected case. Considering the effect of confinement and molecular diffusion leads to the increase in the well performance during the CH4 injection process. This work, for the first time, evaluates the nanopore effects and molecular diffusion on the CH4 injection. It provides an efficient numerical method to predict the well production in the EOR process. Additionally, it presents useful insights into the prediction of cyclic CH4 injection effectiveness and helps operators to optimize the EOR process in the shale reservoirs.
Techno-Economic Evaluations of Copper-Based Chemical Looping Air Separation System for Oxy-Combustion and Gasification Power Plants with Carbon Capture
Authors: Cormos Calin-Cristian
Published: November 2018

Energy and economic penalties for CO2 capture are the main challenges in front of the carbon capture technologies. Chemical Looping Air Separation (CLAS) represents a potential solution for energy and cost-efficient oxygen production in comparison to the cryogenic method. This work is assessing the key techno-economic performances of a CLAS system using copper oxide as oxygen carrier integrated in coal and lignite-based oxy-combustion and gasification power plants. For comparison, similar combustion and gasification power plants using cryogenic air separation with and without carbon capture were considered as benchmark cases. The assessments were focused on large scale power plants with 350–500 MW net electricity output and 90% CO2 capture rate. As the results show, the utilization of CLAS system in coal and lignite-based oxy-combustion and gasification power plants is improving the key techno-economic indicators e.g., increasing the energy efficiency by about 5–10%, reduction of specific capital investments by about 12–18%, lower cost of electricity by about 8–11% as well as lower CO2 avoidance cost by about 17–27%. The highest techno-economic improvements being noticed for oxy-combustion cases since these plants are using more oxygen than gasification plants.
Flexural Behavior of Carbon Textile-Reinforced Geopolymer Composite Thin Plate
Authors: Le Chi Hiep , Louda Petr , Periyasamy Aravin Prince , Bakalova Totka , Kovacic Vladimir
Published: November 2018

Textile-reinforced Portland cement-based concrete has been researched and developed over the last few decades. It was widely used in a different range of applications, such as repair and/or strengthening of structural elements, thin walls, lightweight structures, façade elements, and others. Due to its varied application, this study aims to develop the carbon textile-reinforced geopolymer composite. Specimens of rectangular form with the dimensions of 400 × 100 × 15 mm3, reinforced with carbon textile, were produced. Four-point bending test was used to evaluate the effect of carbon textile on the mechanical strength of reinforced geopolymer composite based on the three factors: the different mortar compositions corresponding to the addition of the chopped basalt fiber (BF), the number of carbon textile layers, and the different thicknesses of the mortar cover layer. Besides that, a small part of the pull-out test was also considered to assess the adhesion strength at the interface between carbon textile and geopolymer mortar. The experimental results from the four-point bending test showed that the mechanical strength of composite specimens increased when the content of the chopped basalt fiber increased. With the increasing number of the textile layers, the specimens improved the flexural strength significantly. However, the flexural toughness of the specimens reinforced with three textile layers did not improve, as compared to those reinforced with two textile layers. The experimental results for the specimens related to the mortar cover thicknesses indicated that specimens with the mortar cover thickness of 2 mm provide the best strength. The experimental results from the pull-out tests showed that all the specimens have the same failure mode by slipping of the fiber yarn from the matrix.
The MAPKKK CgMck1 Is Required for Cell Wall Integrity, Appressorium Development, and Pathogenicity in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
Authors: Fang Yu-Lan , Xia Li-Ming , Wang Ping , Zhu Li-Hua , Ye Jian-Ren , Huang Lin
Published: November 2018

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway plays key roles in sensing extracellular signals and transmitting them from the cell membrane to the nucleus in response to various environmental stimuli. A MAPKKK protein CgMck1 in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was characterized. Phenotypic analyses of the ∆Cgmck1 mutant showed that the CgMck1 was required for vegetative growth, fruiting body development, and sporulation. Additionally, the CgMCK1 deletion mutant showed significant defects in cell wall integrity, and responses to osmotic stresses. The mutant abolished the ability to develop appressorium, and lost pathogenicity to host plants. The ∆Cgmck1 mutant also exhibited a higher sensitivity to antifungal bacterium agent Bacillus velezensis. The deletion mutants of downstream MAPK cascades components CgMkk1 and CgMps1 showed similar defects to the ∆Cgmck1 mutant. In conclusion, CgMck1 is involved in the regulation of vegetative growth, asexual development, cell wall integrity, stresses resistance, and infection morphogenesis in C. gloeosporioides.
The Tree Is My Anchor: A Pilot Study on the Treatment of BED through Nature-Based Therapy
Authors: Corazon Sus Sola , Sidenius Ulrik , Vammen Katrine Schjødt , Klinker Sabine Elm , Stigsdotter Ulrika Karlsson , Poulsen Dorthe Varning
Published: November 2018

Binge eating disorder (BED), characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating with a subjective experience of lack of control, is the world’s most common eating disorder. The aim of the present pilot study was to examine the feasibility of implementing nature-based therapy (NBT) in the treatment of BED. The NBT intervention was compared to Support Group Meetings (SGMs), which are the only publicly available form of support for people diagnosed with BED in Denmark. Twenty participants with a BED diagnosis were included in the study, which had a mixed-methods design including Eating Disorder Examination interviews, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires measuring well-being (The Psychological General Well-Being Index) and self-esteem (Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale). Both the NBT and the SGMs showed positive results on all outcome measures (decreases in binge eating episodes and increases in general psychological well-being and self-esteem). The interviews indicated that the NBT context made the psychotherapeutic content more accessible to the participants and further helped them transfer the therapeutic gains to daily life after completing treatment. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size—ideally, they would need to be tested on a larger, randomized sample.
Long-Term Effect of Outdoor Air Pollution on Mortality and Morbidity: A 12-Year Follow-Up Study for Metropolitan France
Authors: Sanyal Shreosi , Rochereau Thierry , Maesano Cara Nichole , Com-Ruelle Laure , Annesi-Maesano Isabella
Published: November 2018

Background: Short-term effects of air pollution are documented more than long-term effects. Objective: We investigated 12-year impacts of ambient air pollutants on cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality at the departmental level in metropolitan France. Methods: Daily air pollution data at 2-km resolution, including concentrations of particulate matter of 10 µm or 2.5 µm in diameter or less (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3), were accrued from the CHIMERE database for 1999 and 2000. Simultaneously, morbidity (hospitalizations) and mortality data were collected in 2012 using the ESPS (Enquête Santé et Protection Sociale/Health, Health Care and Insurance Survey) survey data and the CepiDc (Centre d’Épidémiologie sur les Causes Médicales de Décès/French Epidemiology Centre on Medical Causes of Death) database. Based on Poisson regression analyses, the long-term effect was estimated. A higher risk of all-cause mortality was observed using CépiDc database, with a relative risk of 1.024 (95% CI: 1.022, 1.026) and 1.029 (95% CI: 1.027, 1.031) for a 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. Mortality due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases likewise exhibited long-term associations with both PM2.5 and PM10. Using ESPS survey data, a significant risk was observed for both PM2.5 and PM10 in all-cause mortality and all-cause morbidity. Although a risk for higher all-cause mortality and morbidity was also present for NO2, the cause-specific relative risk due to NO2 was found to be lesser, as compared to PM. Nevertheless, cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity were related to NO2, along with PM2.5 and PM10. However, the health effect of O3 was seen to be substantially lower in comparison to the other pollutants. Conclusion: Our study confirmed that PM has a long-term impact on mortality and morbidity. Exposure to NO2 and O3 could also lead to increased health risks.
The Effect of Manufacturing Agglomeration on Haze Pollution in China
Authors: Liu Jun , Zhao Yuhui , Cheng Zhonghua , Zhang Huiming
Published: November 2018

Based on panel data on 285 Chinese cities from 2003 to 2012, we use a dynamic spatial panel model to empirically analyze the effect of manufacturing agglomeration on haze pollution. The results show that when economic development levels, population, technological levels, industrial structure, transportation, foreign direct investment, and greening levels are stable, manufacturing agglomeration significantly aggravates haze pollution. However, region-specific analysis reveals that the effects of manufacturing agglomeration on inter-regional haze pollution depends on the region: the effect of manufacturing agglomeration on haze pollution is the largest in the Western region, followed by the Central region, and is the least in the Eastern region. Based on the above conclusions, we put forward several specific suggestions, such as giving full play to the technology and knowledge spillover effects of manufacturing agglomeration, guiding manufacturing agglomerations in a scientific and rational way, accelerating the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing industries in agglomeration regions.
SWAT Modeling of Non-Point Source Pollution in Depression-Dominated Basins under Varying Hydroclimatic Conditions
Authors: Tahmasebi Nasab Mohsen , Grimm Kendall , Bazrkar Mohammad Hadi , Zeng Lan , Shabani Afshin , Zhang Xiaodong , Chu Xuefeng
Published: November 2018

Non-point source (NPS) pollution from agricultural lands is the leading cause of various water quality problems across the United States. Particularly, surface depressions often alter the releasing patterns of NPS pollutants into the environment. However, most commonly-used hydrologic models may not be applicable to such depression-dominated regions. The objective of this study is to improve water quantity/quality modeling and its calibration for depression-dominated basins under wet and dry hydroclimatic conditions. Specifically, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was applied for hydrologic and water quality modeling in the Red River of the North Basin (RRB). Surface depressions across the RRB were incorporated into the model by employing a surface delineation method and the impacts of depressions were evaluated for two modeling scenarios, MS1 (basic scenario) and MS2 (depression-oriented scenario). Moreover, a traditional calibration scheme (CS1) was compared to a wet-dry calibration scheme (CS2) that accounted for the effects of hydroclimatic variations on hydrologic and water quality modeling. Results indicated that the surface runoff simulation and the associated water quality modeling were improved when topographic characteristics of depressions were incorporated into the model (MS2). The Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) coefficient indicated an average increase of 30.4% and 19.6% from CS1 to CS2 for the calibration and validation periods, respectively. Additionally, the CS2 provided acceptable simulations of water quality, with the NSE values of 0.50 and 0.74 for calibration and validation periods, respectively. These results highlight the enhanced capability of the proposed approach for simulating water quantity and quality for depression-dominated basins under the influence of varying hydroclimatic conditions.
Customer Purchase Intentions and Choice in Food Retail Environments: A Scoping Review
Authors: Castro Iana A. , Majmundar Anuja , Williams Christine B. , Baquero Barbara
Published: November 2018

Food purchasing and consumption behaviors have implications for nutrition and obesity. Food retail environments, in particular, shape customer food choices and energy intake. The marketing literature offers insights about how public health practitioners can work within food retail environments to encourage healthy food choices. We reviewed experimental studies in the marketing literature to examine factors influencing customer purchase intentions and choice for food products in retail stores. Database searches were conducted in February 2016 for original, empirical articles published in English from 2000–2015 in marketing journals. Each research article included at least one experimental design study conducted in a real or simulated retail environment with purchase intentions or choice of food products as an outcome variable. Backward and forward reference searches were conducted for articles meeting inclusion criteria. Narrative synthesis methods were used to thematically group and summarize the findings of forty-one articles that met inclusion criteria into three categories: shelf display and product factors, pricing and price promotion factors, and in-store and customer decision-making factors. This research contributes to the literature by providing specific and actionable approaches that can increase/decrease customer purchase intentions and choice for food products in retail environments. Translating marketing strategies into public health applications can provide recommendations for future intervention research and policy related to customer food purchasing behavior.
Teamwork and Safety Climate in Homecare: A Mixed Method Study
Authors: Larsson Agneta , Westerberg Mats , Karlqvist Lena , Gard Gunvor
Published: November 2018

A rapidly changing homecare service sector implies difficulties to control safety and health risks for staff and to guarantee standardised deliveries of services to recipients. This study aimed to describe staff perceptions of safety climate and practices in homecare service teams, and suggestions for improvements. A second aim was to identify if and how the appraisals of safety climate were related to individual perceptions of safety, mental strain and adverse events/injury. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used. Nursing assistants and care aides (133 in total, representing 11 work teams) in the north of Sweden replied to a survey and participated in focus group interviews. Results were analysed with ANOVA (inter-team differences) and by qualitative content analysis. Significant diversity was identified between the teams in five of seven dimensions of safety climate. Important areas for improvement were: a need to define and agree on criteria for a safe working environment; leadership prioritising safety at work; and management able to provide trust, support and time. A prerequisite for these agreements was improved authority and communication between all parties involved. The safety climate dimensions were related to personal perceptions of safety and mental strain and, partly, to adverse events/injuries.
A Bayesian Network Model for Reducing Accident Rates of Electrical and Mechanical (E&M) Work
Authors: Chan Albert P. C. , Wong Francis K. W. , Hon Carol K. H. , Choi Tracy N. Y.
Published: November 2018

Accidents in Repair, Maintenance, Alteration, and Addition (RMAA) work have become a growing concern, in recent years. The repair and maintenance works of electrical and mechanical (E&M) installations involves a variety of trades, a large number of practitioners and a series of high-risk activities. The uniqueness of E&M work, in the RMAA sector, requires a discrete and specific research to improve its safety performance. Understanding the causal relationships between safety factors and the number of accidents becomes crucial to develop a more effective safety management strategy. The Bayesian Network (BN) model is proposed to establish a probabilistic relational network between the causal factors, including both safety climate factors and personal experience factors that have influences on the number of accidents related to E&M RMAA work. The data were collected using a survey questionnaire, involving a hundred and fifty-five E&M practitioners. The BN results demonstrated that safety attitude and safety procedures were the most important factors to reduce the number of accidents. The proposed BN provides the ability to find out the most effective strategy with the best utilization of resources, to reduce the chance of a high number of E&M accidents, by controlling a single factor or simultaneously controlling, both, the safety climate and personal factors, to improve safety performance.
The Associations between Dietary Patterns and Short Sleep Duration in Polish Adults (LifeStyle Study)
Authors: Gębski Jerzy , Jezewska-Zychowicz Marzena , Guzek Dominika , Świątkowska Monika , Stangierska Dagmara , Plichta Marta
Published: November 2018

Short sleep duration appears to put adults at risk of excessive energy intake and obesity; less is known specifically about how sleep quantity relates to dietary patterns. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the associations of dietary patterns (DPs) with short sleep duration. The data were collected in November 2016 through a cross-sectional quantitative survey among 972 Polish adults with both normal weight and excessive weight. Principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted to derive DPs. Logistic regression analysis was used to verify associations between short sleep duration (independent variable) and DPs (dependent variables). Five DPs (‘Fast foods & sweets’—FF&S; ‘Meat & meat products’—M&MP; ‘Fruit & vegetable’—F&V; ‘Wholemeal food’—WF; and ‘Fruit & vegetable juices’—F&VJ) were identified. Adults whose diet was based both on fruit and vegetables (OR 0.62, 95% CI: 0.44–0.88; p < 0.01) and on fast food and sweets (OR 0.63, 95% CI: 0.44–0.99; p < 0.01) were less likely to be short sleepers on weekdays. On weekdays short sleep duration was associated with smaller odds of FF&S both for men (OR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.33–0.97; p < 0.05) and for women (OR 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38–0.98; p < 0.05), and with smaller odds of F&V (OR 0.34, 95% CI: 0.20–0.58; p < 0.001) for men. Short sleep duration on weekend days was associated with a smaller odds of F&VJ (OR 0.56, 95% CI: 0.30–0.96; p < 0.05- only in crude model) and higher odds of F&V (OR 1.70, 95% CI: 1.02–3.11; p < 0.05) for women, and with a smaller odds of FF&S (OR 0.37, 95% CI: 0.17–0.79; p < 0.05) for men. The number of significant associations between dietary patterns and sleep duration was higher among people with normal weight and overweight compared to those with BMI ≥ 30. We found that both short sleep duration on weekdays and weekend days was associated with some dietary patterns including both healthy and unhealthy DPs. Gender significantly differed these relationships in groups with normal and excessive weight. Findings of the study confirmed the potential effectiveness of combined use of sleep duration and dietary patterns in the development of recommendations for prevention of obesity. Future studies are called for to evaluate these links using dietary patterns identified according to food intake.
Perceptions of Health Risks from Hot Weather, and Coping Behaviors among Ethnic Minority Groups in Mountain Areas of China: A Case Study in the Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
Authors: Ye Hui , Ma Juan , Wu Yang , Zhang Ying
Published: November 2018

Limited research focuses on risk perceptions of hot weather among ethnic minority groups in remote mountain areas of China. Adopting a multi-stage sampling method, this study received completed questionnaires from 643 participates in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of China in 2017 and 2018. We used multivariate logistic regression models to explore the factors affecting risk perceptions and coping behaviors with regards to hot weather. Results showed that despite a relatively high level of risk perception, the study population in the mountain areas of China had a very low level of preparedness in responding to the risks from heat, and a lack of professional health knowledge in general. In particular, 61.3% (95% CI: 57.1%−5.6%) of the participants felt increasing temperatures in recent years, 73.2% (95% CI: 69.3%−7.0%) thought extreme high temperatures would be a health threat, and 61.3% (95% CI: 57.1%−5.4%) reported physical discomfort during hot weather. However, only 12% (95% CI: 9.5%−4.5%) had the information or knowledge to stay healthy during the extreme high temperatures, and only 24.2% had (95% CI: 20.8%−7.6%) preparation. The logistic regression models suggested that ethnic group, health status, marital status, gender, and employment could affect their perceptions, which could significantly affect the adoption of coping behaviors. In conclusion, our findings have significant implications for developing policies and health education and promotion programs for ethnic minorities in remote regions to maintain good health during hot weather.