bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Dietary Intake and Adherence to the NU-AGE Diet Following a One-Year Dietary Intervention among European Older Adults—Results of the NU-AGE Randomized Trial
Authors: Berendsen Agnes A. M. , Van de Rest Ondine , Feskens Edith J. M. , Santoro Aurelia , Ostan Rita , Pietruszka Barbara , Brzozowska Anna , Stelmaszczyk-Kusz Agnieszka , Jennings Amy , Gillings Rachel , Cassidy Aedin , Caille Aurélie , Caumon Elodie , Malpuech-Brugere Corinne , Franceschi Claudio , De Groot Lisette C. P. G. M.
Published: December 2018

Background: The Mediterranean Diet has been proposed as an effective strategy to reduce inflammaging, a chronic low grade inflammatory status, and thus, to slow down the aging process. We evaluated whether a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern specifically targeting dietary recommendations of people aged over 65 years (NU-AGE diet) could be effective to shift dietary intake of older adults towards a healthful diet. Methods: Adults aged 65–80 years across five EU-centers were randomly assigned to a NU-AGE diet group or control group. The diet group followed one year of NU-AGE dietary intervention specifying consumption of 15 food groups plus the use of a vitamin D supplement. Participants in the diet group received counselling and individually tailored dietary advice, food products and a vitamin D supplement. Dietary intake was assessed by means of seven-day food records at baseline and one-year follow-up. A continuous NU-AGE index (0–160 points) was developed to assess NU-AGE diet adherence. Results: In total 1296 participants were randomized and 1141 participants completed the intervention (571 intervention, 570 control). After one year, the diet group improved mean intake of 13 out of 16 NU-AGE dietary components (p < 0.05), with a significant increase in total NU-AGE index (difference in mean change = 21.3 ± 15.9 points, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The NU-AGE dietary intervention, based on dietary recommendations for older adults, consisting of individual dietary counselling, free healthy foods and a vitamin D supplement, may be a feasible strategy to improve dietary intake in an aging European population.
It Is Time to Make Policy for Healthier Food Environments in Australian Universities
Authors: Shi Yumeng , Wang Qing , Norman Courtney , Allman-Farinelli Margaret , Colagiuri Stephen
Published: December 2018

The obesogenic food environment is likely driving excessive weight gain in young adults. Our study aimed to investigate the nutritional quality of current food and drink offerings in an Australian university. This cross-sectional study included baseline environmental audits of 30 food outlets and 62 vending machines across campus. A recent food and drink benchmark for health facilities by state government was used to classify the food and beverage offerings. It recommended food outlets and vending machines to offer at least 75% ‘Everyday’ (healthy) and less than 25% ‘Occasional’ (less healthy) foods and drinks. Sugary drinks and options with large portion sizes and unhealthy ingredients should be removed from sale. Only two beverage vending machines and none of the food outlets met the full recommendations. The overall proportions of Everyday and Occasional foods in food outlets were 35% and 22%, respectively with 43% falling into the category that should not be sold. Sugary drinks occupied a third of beverage varieties in outlets and 38% of beverage slots in vending machines. The current university food environment was poorly compliant with the existing benchmark. Specific food policy in the university setting may be needed to make healthier choices more accessible to young adults.
Effects of Protein Supplementation Combined with Exercise Intervention on Frailty Indices, Body Composition, and Physical Function in Frail Older Adults
Authors: Liao Chun-De , Lee Pi-Hsia , Hsiao Dun-Jen , Huang Shih-Wei , Tsauo Jau-Yih , Chen Hung-Chou , Liou Tsan-Hon
Published: December 2018

Aging poses a high risk of lean mass loss, which can be effectively improved through resistance exercise training (RET), or multicomponent exercise training (MET) as well as nutrition supplementation, such as protein supplementation (PS). This study investigated the effects of PS plus exercise training on frail older individuals. A comprehensive search of online databases was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported the efficacy of PS combined with RET or MET in frail older individuals. The included RCTs were analyzed through a meta-analysis and risk-of-bias assessment. We finally included 22 RCTs in the meta-analysis, with a mean (range/total) Physiotherapy Evidence Database score of 6.7 (4–9/10). PS plus exercise training significantly improved the frailty status (odds ratio = 2.77; p = 0.006), lean mass (standard mean difference (SMD) = 0.52; p < 0.00001), leg strength (SMD = 0.37; p < 0.00001), and walking speed (SMD = 0.32; p = 0.002). Subgroup analyses revealed that PS plus MET exert significant effects on frailty indices, whereas PS plus RET further improves lean mass. Our findings suggest that PS plus RET as well as MET is effective in improving frailty status, lean mass, muscle strength, and physical mobility in frail older individuals.
The Double-Edged Sword Effects of Maternal Nutrition in the Developmental Programming of Hypertension
Authors: Hsu Chien-Ning , Tain You-Lin
Published: December 2018

Hypertension is a growing global epidemic. Developmental programming resulting in hypertension can begin in early life. Maternal nutrition status has important implications as a double-edged sword in the developmental programming of hypertension. Imbalanced maternal nutrition causes offspring’s hypertension, while specific nutritional interventions during pregnancy and lactation may serve as reprogramming strategies to reverse programming processes and prevent the development of hypertension. In this review, we first summarize the human and animal data supporting the link between maternal nutrition and developmental programming of hypertension. This review also presents common mechanisms underlying nutritional programming-induced hypertension. This will be followed by studies documenting nutritional interventions as reprogramming strategies to protect against hypertension from developmental origins. The identification of ideal nutritional interventions for the prevention of hypertension development that begins early in life will have a lifelong impact, with profound savings in the global burden of hypertension.
Mixed Membranes Comprising Carboxymethyl Cellulose (as Capping Agent and Gas Barrier Matrix) and Nanoporous ZIF-L Nanosheets for Gas Separation Applications
Authors: Zhang Fang , Dou Jing , Zhang Hui
Published: December 2018

Two-dimensional metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets with molecular sieving properties and unique dimensional advantages are highly desired as polymer fillers for gas separation applications. Regarding polymer-supported MOF membranes, it is crucial to enhance the adhesion between the polymeric substrate and the MOF component and avoid MOF particle agglomeration. In this study, hydrophobic, embedded nanoporous nanosheets of a 2D zeolitic imidazolate framework synthesized using zinc salt and 2-methylimidazole (Hmim) aqueous solution (ZIF-L) were incorporated into a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution to form a steady mixed aqueous suspension through one-step solution blending. This prepared the composite membranes with a fine dispersion of ZIF-L nanosheets (up to loadings of 52.88 vol %) and good adhesion within the highly dense structural CMC matrix due to the strong interactions between ZIF-L and CMC, as confirmed by FTIR, Zeta potential, XPS, and SEM analysis. The potential advantages of CMC over classic polymer matrices used for gas separation mainly include: (a) Good interaction, (b) high dispersion of ZIF-L nanosheets, (c) the gas barrier nature of the CMC membrane, and (d) a facile water-based synthetic process. Based on the molecular sieving effect of ZIF-L and the gas barrier nature of the CMC matrix, gas permeation tests (H2, CO2, N2, CH4) of the mixed membrane showed a great improvement in gas selectivities compared with the CMC membrane and the reported pure ZIF membranes.
Offshore Power Plants Integrating a Wind Farm: Design Optimisation and Techno-Economic Assessment Based on Surrogate Modelling
Authors: Riboldi Luca , Nord Lars O.
Published: December 2018

The attempt to reduce the environmental impact of the petroleum sector has been the driver for researching energy efficient solutions to supply energy offshore. An attractive option is to develop innovative energy systems including renewable and conventional sources. The paper investigates the possibility to integrate a wind farm into an offshore combined cycle power plant. The design of such an energy system is a complex task as many, possibly conflicting, requirements have to be satisfied. The large variability of operating conditions due to the intermittent nature of wind and to the different stages of exploitation of an oil field makes it challenging to identify the optimal parameters of the combined cycle and the optimal size of the wind farm. To deal with the issue, an optimisation procedure was developed that was able to consider the performance of the system at a number of relevant off-design conditions in the definition of the optimal design. A surrogate modelling technique was applied in order to reduce the computational effort that would otherwise make the optimisation process unfeasible. The developed method was applied to a case study and the resulting optimal designs were assessed and compared to other concepts, with or without wind power integration. The proposed offshore power plant returned the best environmental performance, as it was able to significantly cut the total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in comparison to all the other concepts evaluated. The economic analysis showed the difficulty to repay the additional investment for a wind farm and the necessity of favourable conditions, in terms of gas and carbon dioxide (CO2) prices.
Metanomianism and Religious Praxis in Martin Buber’s Hasidic Tales
Authors: Shonkoff Sam Berrin
Published: December 2018

It is well known that Martin Buber abandoned Jewish law as a binding code. Scholars have identified him accurately as a religious anarchist, and his perspective is best characterized as metanomian—that is, one that locates the essence of religiosity outside of any fixed system, without necessarily opposing that system as a matter of principle. And yet, such general characterizations offer only a very vague picture of Buber’s stance. This paper demonstrates that it is especially illustrative for us to turn to Buber’s Hasidic tales. First of all, precisely because Buber’s concept of practice was irreducible to any static system or code, the genre of narrative conveys far more than any abstract formulation can. Moreover, inasmuch as Buber’s Hasidic tales were his own hermeneutical refractions of earlier sources, which were in themselves teeming with images of practice, our intertextual investigations reveal at once narrative representations of religious life and Buber’s personal interpretations of those narratives. What emerges from this study, then, is a textured and vivid vision of religious practice, which was not merely a peripheral concern but a life-encompassing core of Buber’s thought.
The Contribution of Multi-Sensor Infrared Satellite Observations to Monitor Mt. Etna (Italy) Activity during May to August 2016
Authors: Marchese Francesco , Neri Marco , Falconieri Alfredo , Lacava Teodosio , Mazzeo Giuseppe , Pergola Nicola , Tramutoli Valerio
Published: December 2018

In May 2016, three powerful paroxysmal events, mild Strombolian activity, and lava emissions took place at the summit crater area of Mt. Etna (Sicily, Italy). During, and immediately after the eruption, part of the North-East crater (NEC) collapsed, while extensive subsidence affected the Voragine crater (VOR). Since the end of the May eruptions, a diffuse fumarolic activity occurred from a fracture system that cuts the entire summit area. Starting from 7 August, a small vent (of ~20–30 m in diameter) opened up within the VOR crater, emitting high-temperature gases and producing volcanic glow which was visible at night. We investigated those volcanic phenomena from space, exploiting the information provided by the satellite-based system developed at the Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis (IMAA), which monitors Italian volcanoes in near-real time by means of the RSTVOLC (Robust Satellite Techniques–volcanoes) algorithm. Results, achieved integrating Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) observations, showed that, despite some issues (e.g., in some cases, clouds masking the underlying hot surfaces), RSTVOLC provided additional information regarding Mt. Etna activity. In particular, results indicated that the Strombolian eruption of 21 May lasted longer than reported by field observations or that a short-lived event occurred in the late afternoon of the same day. Moreover, the outcomes of this study showed that the intensity of fumarolic emissions changed before 7 August, as a possible preparatory phase of the hot degassing activity occurring at VOR. In particular, the radiant flux retrieved from MODIS data decreased from 30 MW on 4 July to an average value of about 7.5 MW in the following weeks, increasing up to 18 MW a few days before the opening of a new degassing vent. These outcomes, in accordance with information provided by Sentinel-2 MSI (Multispectral Instrument) and Landsat 8-OLI (Operational Land Imager) data, confirm that satellite observations may also contribute greatly to the monitoring of active volcanoes in areas where efficient traditional surveillance systems exist.
From LiDAR Waveforms to Hyper Point Clouds: A Novel Data Product to Characterize Vegetation Structure
Authors: Zhou Tan , Popescu Sorin , Malambo Lonesome , Zhao Kaiguang , Krause Keith
Published: December 2018

Full waveform (FW) LiDAR holds great potential for retrieving vegetation structure parameters at a high level of detail, but this prospect is constrained by practical factors such as the lack of available handy processing tools and the technical intricacy of waveform processing. This study introduces a new product named the Hyper Point Cloud (HPC), derived from FW LiDAR data, and explores its potential applications, such as tree crown delineation using the HPC-based intensity and percentile height (PH) surfaces, which shows promise as a solution to the constraints of using FW LiDAR data. The results of the HPC present a new direction for handling FW LiDAR data and offer prospects for studying the mid-story and understory of vegetation with high point density (~182 points/m2). The intensity-derived digital surface model (DSM) generated from the HPC shows that the ground region has higher maximum intensity (MAXI) and mean intensity (MI) than the vegetation region, while having lower total intensity (TI) and number of intensities (NI) at a given grid cell. Our analysis of intensity distribution contours at the individual tree level exhibit similar patterns, indicating that the MAXI and MI decrease from the tree crown center to the tree boundary, while a rising trend is observed for TI and NI. These intensity variable contours provide a theoretical justification for using HPC-based intensity surfaces to segment tree crowns and exploit their potential for extracting tree attributes. The HPC-based intensity surfaces and the HPC-based PH Canopy Height Models (CHM) demonstrate promising tree segmentation results comparable to the LiDAR-derived CHM for estimating tree attributes such as tree locations, crown widths and tree heights. We envision that products such as the HPC and the HPC-based intensity and height surfaces introduced in this study can open new perspectives for the use of FW LiDAR data and alleviate the technical barrier of exploring FW LiDAR data for detailed vegetation structure characterization.
High-Resolution Shear Wave Imaging of the Human Cornea Using a Dual-Element Transducer
Authors: Chen Pei-Yu , Shih Cho-Chiang , Lin Wei-Chen , Ma Teng , Zhou Qifa , Shung K. Kirk , Huang Chih-Chung
Published: December 2018

Estimating the corneal elasticity can provide valuable information for corneal pathologies and treatments. Ophthalmologic pathologies will invariably cause changes to the elasticity of the cornea. For example, keratoconus and the phototoxic effects of ultraviolet radiation usually increase the corneal elasticity. This makes a quantitative estimation of the elasticity of the human cornea important for ophthalmic diagnoses. The present study investigated the use of a proposed high-resolution shear wave imaging (HR-SWI) method based on a dual-element transducer (comprising an 8-MHz element for pushing and a 32-MHz element for imaging) for measuring the group shear wave velocity (GSWV) of the human cornea. An empirical Young’s modulus formula was used to accurately convert the GSWV to Young’s modulus. Four quantitative parameters, bias, resolution, contrast, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), were measured in gelatin phantoms with two different concentrations (3% and 7%) to evaluate the performance of HR-SWI. The biases of gelatin phantoms (3% and 7%) were 5.88% and 0.78%, respectively. The contrast and CNR were 0.76, 1.31 and 3.22, 2.43 for the two-side and two-layer phantoms, respectively. The measured image resolutions of HR-SWI in the lateral and axial directions were 72 and 140 μm, respectively. The calculated phase SWV (PSWV) and their corresponding Young’s modulus from six human donors were 2.45 ± 0.48 m/s (1600 Hz) and 11.52 ± 7.81 kPa, respectively. All the experimental results validated the concept of HR-SWI and its ability for measuring the human corneal elasticity.
An Eight-Direction Scanning Detection Algorithm for the Mapping Robot Pathfinding in Unknown Indoor Environment
Authors: Jiang Le , Zhao Pengcheng , Dong Wei , Li Jiayuan , Ai Mingyao , Wu Xuan , Hu Qingwu
Published: December 2018

Aiming at the problem of how to enable the mobile robot to navigate and traverse efficiently and safely in the unknown indoor environment and map the environment, an eight-direction scanning detection (eDSD) algorithm is proposed as a new pathfinding algorithm. Firstly, we use a laser-based SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) algorithm to perform simultaneous localization and mapping to acquire the environment information around the robot. Then, according to the proposed algorithm, the 8 certain areas around the 8 directions which are developed from the robot’s center point are analyzed in order to calculate the probabilistic path vector of each area. Considering the requirements of efficient traverse and obstacle avoidance in practical applications, the proposal can find the optimal local path in a short time. In addition to local pathfinding, the global pathfinding is also introduced for unknown environments of large-scale and complex structures to reduce the repeated traverse. The field experiments in three typical indoor environments demonstrate that deviation of the planned path from the ideal path can be kept to a low level in terms of the path length and total time consumption. It is confirmed that the proposed algorithm is highly adaptable and practical in various indoor environments.
Hybrid Blockchain and Internet-of-Things Network for Underground Structure Health Monitoring
Authors: Jo Byung Wan , Khan Rana Muhammad Asad , Lee Yun-Sung
Published: December 2018

The Internet-of-things (IoT) and blockchain are growing realities of modern society, and both are rapidly transforming civilization, either separately or in combination. However, the leverage of both technologies for structural health monitoring (SHM) to enable transparent information sharing among involved parties and autonomous decision making has not yet been achieved. Therefore, this study combines IoT with blockchain-based smart contracts for SHM of underground structures to define a novel, efficient, scalable, and secure distributed network for enhancing operational safety. In this blockchain-IoT network, the characteristics of locally centralized and globally decentralized distribution have been activated by dividing them into core and edge networks. This division enhances the efficiency and scalability of the system. The proposed system was effective in simulation for autonomous monitoring and control of structures. After proper design, the decentralized blockchain networks may effectively be deployed for transparent and efficient information sharing, smart contracts-based autonomous decision making, and data security in SHM.
Biocultural Restoration of Traditional Agriculture: Cultural, Environmental, and Economic Outcomes of Lo‘i Kalo Restoration in He‘eia, O‘ahu
Authors: Bremer Leah , Falinski Kim , Ching Casey , Wada Christopher , Burnett Kimberly , Kukea-Shultz Kanekoa , Reppun Nicholas , Chun Gregory , Oleson Kirsten , Ticktin Tamara
Published: December 2018

There are growing efforts around the world to restore biocultural systems that produce food while also providing additional cultural and ecological benefits. Yet, there are few examples of integrated assessments of these efforts, impeding understanding of how they can contribute to multi-level sustainability goals. In this study, we collaborated with a community-based non-profit in He‘eia, O‘ahu to evaluate future scenarios of traditional wetland and flooded field system agriculture (lo‘i kalo; taro fields) restoration in terms of locally-relevant cultural, ecological, and economic outcomes as well as broader State of Hawai‘i sustainability goals around food, energy, and water. Families participating in the biocultural restoration program described a suite of community and cultural benefits stemming from the process of restoration, including enhanced social connections, cultural (re)connections to place, and physical and mental well-being, which inspired their sustained participation. We also found benefits in terms of local food production that have the potential to provide economic returns and energy savings over time, particularly when carried out through a hybrid non-profit and family management model. These benefits were coupled with potential changes in sediment and nutrient retention with implications for water quality and the health of an important downstream fish pond (loko i‘a) and coral reef social-ecological system. Compared with the current land cover (primarily invasive grasses), results suggest that full restoration of lo‘i kalo would decrease sediment export by ~38%, but triple nitrogen export due to organic fertilizer additions. However, compared with an urban scenario, there were clear benefits of agricultural restoration in terms of reduced nitrogen and sediment runoff. In combination, our results demonstrate that a biocultural approach can support the social and financial sustainability of agricultural systems that provide multiple benefits valued by the local community and non-profit while also contributing to statewide sustainability goals.
How Does Polycentric Urban Form Affect Urban Commuting? Quantitative Measurement Using Geographical Big Data of 100 Cities in China
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Mou Yanchuan , Wang Huiying , Yin Chaohui , He Qingsong
Published: December 2018

The relationship between polycentric urban form and urban commuting has been widely debated in Western academic circles. However, qualitative and quantitative studies have not reached a unified conclusion. The evolution of urban form in China is remarkably different from that of developed Western countries. Many Chinese cities have begun using polycentric structures as their future development strategies. This study quantitatively measures whether polycentric urban form can improve commuting efficiency in China by using traditional statistics and emerging geographic big data. We use the polycentric index (PI) as the dependent variable and the congestion delay index (CDI) and mean traffic speed (MTS) as the main independent variables. Control variables include urban morphological space compactness (CT), number of private cars per thousand people (PC), number of buses per thousand (PB), urban road area per capita (PUA) and urban population density (PD). Regression models are employed to detect the relationships among the variables. The main research conclusions are as follows: (1) A high degree of PI results in low CDI and fast MTS; (2) a compact spatial form increases the impact of polycentricity on commuting efficiency; (3) maturity road infrastructure is an important measure to promote urban commuting under a polycentric urban form; and (4) the order of effect magnitude of polycentricity on MTS is PD > PC > CT > PUA > PB; on CDI, PD > PC > PB > CT > PUA. The results can be used in examining whether the current polycentric urban pattern planning in China’s cities can effectively improve commuting efficiency. They also provide a reference for the healthy development of China’s urban space and policy formulation of subsequent urban planning.
Healthcare Facility Location-Allocation Optimization for China’s Developing Cities Utilizing a Multi-Objective Decision Support Approach
Authors: Wang Li , Shi Huan , Gan Lu
Published: December 2018

With rapid development of the healthcare network, the location-allocation problems of public facilities under increased integration and aggregation needs have been widely researched in China’s developing cites. Since strategic formulation involves multiple conflicting objectives and stakeholders, this paper presents a practicable hierarchical location-allocation model from the perspective of supply and demand to characterize the trade-off between social, economical and environmental factors. Due to the difficulties of rationally describing and the efficient calculation of location-allocation problems as a typical Non-deterministic Polynomial-Hard (NP-hard) problem with uncertainty, there are three crucial challenges for this study: (1) combining continuous location model with discrete potential positions; (2) introducing reasonable multiple conflicting objectives; (3) adapting and modifying appropriate meta-heuristic algorithms. First, we set up a hierarchical programming model, which incorporates four objective functions based on the actual backgrounds. Second, a bi-level multi-objective particle swarm optimization (BLMOPSO) algorithm is designed to deal with the binary location decision and capacity adjustment simultaneously. Finally, a realistic case study contains sixteen patient points with maximum of six open treatment units is tested to validate the availability and applicability of the whole approach. The results demonstrate that the proposed model is suitable to be applied as an extensive planning tool for decision makers (DMs) to generate policies and strategies in healthcare and design other facility projects.
Spatiotemporal Trajectory of China’s Provincial Energy Efficiency and Implications on the Route of Economic Transformation
Authors: Xu Chao , Wang Yunpeng , Li Lili , Wang Peng
Published: December 2018

A comparative analysis of the spatiotemporal trajectory of energy efficiency (STEE) among the provinces in China over the past 21 years was conducted based on a quadrant diagram of the GDP per capita and the energy consumption per capita. An energy macro-efficiency per capita indicator (EMEPCI) was established using the energy consumption data of 30 Chinese provinces from 1996 to 2016. The spatiotemporal trajectory clustering method (STCM) and the industrial structure upgrading index (ISUI) were used for an exploratory analysis of the driving force of the changes in the STEE. The results showed the following: (1) The growth rate and amplitude of energy efficiency differed by province. From a geospatial perspective, the energy efficiency of the eastern regions was higher than that of the western regions, and that of the southern regions was higher than that of the northern regions. The growth trends demonstrated a pattern in which the provinces with higher energy efficiency had higher growth rates, whereas the provinces with lower energy efficiency showed lower growth rates. (2) The majority of the Chinese provinces, particularly the southwest region and the regions near the middle stream of the Yangtze River, were still undergoing a development process. Thus, it is necessary to pay attention to the adjustment of the economic development model to avoid shifting towards quadrants I or II, where the energy consumption is higher. (3) A spatiotemporal trajectory clustering analysis grouped the different provinces into four categories. Besides the majority of the provinces, which remained in quadrant III, Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin have remained in the “dual-high” quadrant for long period of time and are shifting towards quadrant IV. The trajectory of the second group was characterized by movement almost directly from the “dual-low” quadrant (III) towards the target quadrant (IV). The common feature of the energy efficiency trajectory of the third group was that they remained in the high energy consumption and low GDP quadrant for a relatively long period, and immediate changes were required in their development models. (4) The provinces with a similar industrial structure transformation level were more likely to have similar spatiotemporal trajectories of energy efficiency. Particularly, provinces with a similar level of transformation from secondary industries to tertiary industries enjoyed a greater probability of transformation as well as similar spatiotemporal trajectories of energy efficiency.
An Analysis of Gains to US Acquiring REIT Shareholders in Domestic and Cross-Border Mergers before and after the Subprime Mortgage Crisis
Authors: Wang Alan T. , Liu Yu-Hong , Chang Yu-Chen
Published: December 2018

This paper examines the abnormal returns of acquiring real estate investment trusts (REITs) around the announcement of acquisitions before and after the subprime mortgage crisis. Based on 182 domestic and cross-border US REIT acquisition announcements from 2005 to 2010, the acquiring trusts experienced a 0.73% abnormal return, on average. When the sample was divided into pre-crisis, crisis, and after-crisis subsamples, the acquiring trusts enjoyed the largest abnormal returns (1.86%) for domestic acquisitions during the crisis period. Before the crisis, when the acquisition was cross-border, the target was private, or the transaction was cash-financed, the acquiring trust experienced larger abnormal returns. During the crisis period, the acquiring trust gained larger abnormal returns when the transaction value was larger. After the crisis period, the acquiring trust achieved less abnormal returns in cross-border mergers. For both pre- and after-crisis periods, the shareholders of the acquirer enjoyed larger abnormal returns when the mergers were cash-financed, regardless of whether the target was public or privately held. Neither the blockholder monitoring nor the signaling hypothesis can explain such value gains. The structural changes in the acquirer’s abnormal returns are possibly due to the increased risk aversion of the market participants following the crisis.
Assessment of the Effects of Climate Change on Evapotranspiration with an Improved Elasticity Method in a Nonhumid Area
Authors: Tian Lei , Jin Jiming , Wu Pute , Niu Guo-yue
Published: December 2018

Climatic elasticity is a crucial metric to assess the hydrological influence of climate change. Based on the Budyko equation, this study performed an analytical derivation of the climatic elasticity of evapotranspiration (ET). With this derived elasticity, it is possible to quantitatively separate the impacts of precipitation, air temperature, net radiation, relative humidity, and wind speed on ET in a watershed. This method was applied in the Wuding River Watershed (WRW), located in the center of the Yellow River Watershed of China. The estimated rate of change in ET caused by climatic variables is −10.69 mm/decade, which is close to the rate of change in ET (−8.06 mm/decade) derived from observable data. The accurate estimation with the elasticity method demonstrates its reliability. Our analysis shows that ET in the WRW had a significant downward trend, but the ET ratio in the WRW has increased continually over the past 52 years. Decreasing precipitation is the first-order cause for the reduction of ET, and decreasing net radiation is the secondary cause. Weakening wind speed also contributed to this reduction. In contrast, regional warming led to an increase in ET that partly offset the negative contributions from other climatic variables. Moreover, reforestation can affect the energy budget of a watershed by decreasing albedo, compensating for the negative influence of global dimming. The integrated effect from precipitation and temperature can affect the energy budget of a watershed by causing a large fluctuation in winter albedo.
How Does the New Urban Agenda Align with Comprehensive Planning in U.S. Cities? A Case Study of Asheville, North Carolina
Authors: Cohen Matthew , Habron Geoffrey
Published: December 2018

Despite growing interests in sustainable urban development, planning lacks unifying themes or directives for achieving sustainability in cities. While professional rating systems provide some guidance, they can be context-specific by country and may at best target weak sustainability as their intended outcome. The United Nations’ New Urban Agenda attempts to offer a singular vision for urban sustainability, and its language appears flexible enough to apply across contexts. In this research, we explore the extent that emergent themes from the New Urban Agenda can guide urban planning for sustainability, specifically in the United States (U.S.). We develop inductive codes from the New Urban Agenda and compare these emergent themes to the content of Asheville, North Carolina’s (U.S.) comprehensive plan, Living Asheville as well as to the STAR Community rating system (Sustainability Tools for Assessing and Rating Communities). We ask how well the New Urban Agenda can align with conventional U.S. planning processes and whether it offers value beyond the contributions of industry-standard practices like STAR Communities. We find that the New Urban Agenda voices common urban sustainability goals while making some new contributions, particularly in areas such as equity and governance. We conclude that in contexts like the U.S., the New Urban Agenda might be best carried out by integrating it into already existing frameworks like STAR, which have already been widely implemented. These conclusions are based on a reading of one case study city, and future research should analyze and compare themes of the New Urban Agenda and STAR and analyze case studies of multiple certified cities.
Could Education for Sustainable Development Benefit from a Systems Thinking Approach?
Authors: Hofman-Bergholm Maria
Published: December 2018

Sustainable development is not a novel concept. However, we continue with our unsustainable way of living. It is as though we cannot see our own part in the unsustainable system. Values, ethics and morals are connected to education and therefor education is in a key position to change the way we think and act for a sustainable future. Both education for sustainable development (ESD) and systems thinking are concepts connected to changes toward a sustainable future. However, they have proven to be conceptually problematic and are characterized by their complexity, making implementation more difficult. The purpose of this study is to discover whether it could be possible to interlace ESD and systems education to a strong and solid entirety in order to overcome the obstacles preventing the implementation of sustainability in education. This is done through a literature review in the fields of systems thinking and ESD. The literature review identifies two joint approaches that could be worth exploring more in order to develop an excellent instrument in the educational work toward sustainability.
Nitrite Enhances MC-LR-Induced Changes on Splenic Oxidation Resistance and Innate Immunity in Male Zebrafish
Authors: Lin Wang , Guo Honghui , Wang Lingkai , Zhang Dandan , Wu Xueyang , Li Li , Li Dapeng , Tang Rong
Published: December 2018

Hazardous contaminants, such as nitrite and microcystin-leucine arginine (MC-LR), are released into water bodies during cyanobacterial blooms and may adversely influence the normal physiological function of hydrobiontes. The combined effects of nitrite and MC-LR on the antioxidant defense and innate immunity were evaluated through an orthogonal experimental design (nitrite: 0, 29, 290 μM; MC-LR: 0, 3, 30 nM). Remarkable increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels have suggested that nitrite and/or MC-LR exposures induce oxidative stress in fish spleen, which were indirectly confirmed by significant downregulations of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione (GSH) contents, as well as transcriptional levels of antioxidant enzyme genes cat1, sod1 and gpx1a. Simultaneously, nitrite and MC-LR significantly decreased serum complement C3 levels as well as the transcriptional levels of splenic c3b, lyz, il1β, ifnγ and tnfα, and indicated that they could jointly impact the innate immunity of fish. The severity and extent of splenic lesions were aggravated by increased concentration of nitrite or MC-LR and became more serious in combined groups. The damages of mitochondria and pseudopodia in splenic macrophages suggest that oxidative stress exerted by nitrite and MC-LR aimed at the membrane structure of immune cells and ultimately disrupted immune function. Our results clearly demonstrate that nitrite and MC-LR exert synergistic suppressive effects on fish innate immunity via interfering antioxidant responses, and their joint toxicity should not be underestimated in eutrophic lakes.
Aspergillus texensis: A Novel Aflatoxin Producer with S Morphology from the United States
Authors: Singh Pummi , Orbach Marc J. , Cotty Peter J.
Published: December 2018

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic metabolites produced primarily by fungi within Aspergillus section Flavi. These fungi infect a wide range of crops in warm regions. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of fungi with S morphology (average sclerotium size < 400 µm) within section Flavi collected from across the United States (US) resulted in the discovery of a novel aflatoxin-producing species, Aspergillus texensis. Aspergillus texensis was isolated from maize grown in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, and from soils cropped to maize in Texas. Aspergillus texensis produces sparse conidia and abundant sclerotia on various culture media, and on maize. Physiological studies have revealed optimal growth on culture media at 35 °C. All isolates of A. texensis produced B and G aflatoxins, cyclopiazonic acid and aspergillic acid. Aspergillus texensis and A. flavus S strain morphotypes produced similar concentrations of total aflatoxins on maize (p > 0.05). Phylogenetic analyses of aflatoxin-producers based on partial gene sequences of the β-tubulin (0.9 kb), calmodulin (1.2 kb), and nitrate reductase (2.1 kb) genes placed A. texensis in a highly supported monophyletic clade closely related to A. minisclerotigenes and a previously reported unnamed lineage designated Lethal Aflatoxicosis Fungus.
Characterization of the Intrinsic Phospholipase A1 Activity of Bordetella pertussis Adenylate Cyclase Toxin
Authors: González-Bullón David , Martín César , Ostolaza Helena
Published: December 2018

Adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT, CyaA) is one of the important virulence factors secreted by the whooping cough bacterium Bordetella pertussis, and it is essential for the colonization of the human respiratory tract by this bacterium. Cytotoxicity by ACT results from the synergy between toxin’s two main activities, production of supraphysiological cAMP levels by its N-terminal adenylate cyclase domain (AC domain), and cell membrane permeabilization, induced by its C-terminal pore-forming domain (hemolysin domain), which debilitate the host defenses. In a previous study we discovered that purified ACT is endowed with intrinsic phospholipase A1 (PLA) activity and that Ser in position 606 of the ACT polypeptide is a catalytic site for such hydrolytic activity, as part of G-X-S-X-G catalytic motif. Recently these findings and our conclusions have been directly questioned by other authors who claim that ACT-PLA activity does not exist. Here we provide new data on ACT phospholipase A1 characteristics. Based on our results we reaffirm our previous conclusions that ACT is endowed with PLA activity; that our purified ACT preparations are devoid of any impurity with phospholipase A activity; that ACT-S606A is a PLA-inactive mutant and thus, that Ser606 is a catalytic site for the toxin hydrolytic activity on phospholipids, and that ACT-PLA activity is involved in AC translocation.
Correction: Fang, G., et al. Combining Grey Relational Analysis and a Bayesian Model Averaging Method to Derive Monthly Optimal Operating Rules for a Hydropower Reservoir. Water 2018, 10, 1099
Authors: Fang Guohua , Guo Yuxue , Huang Xianfeng , Rutten Martine , Yuan Yu
Published: December 2018

In the published article [1], the authors realized some errors in the Funding Section, and thus wish to replace the Funding Section with the paragraph below: Funding: This research was funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD) and the Postgraduate Research and Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (KYZZ16_0287). [...]
Derivation of Canopy Resistance in Turbulent Flow from First-Order Closure Models
Authors: Wang Wei-Jie , Peng Wen-Qi , Huai Wen-Xin , Katul Gabriel , Liu Xiao-Bo , Dong Fei , Qu Xiao-Dong , Zhang Hai-Ping
Published: December 2018

Quantification of roughness effects on free surface flows is unquestionably necessary when describing water and material transport within ecosystems. The conventional hydrodynamic resistance formula empirically shows that the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor f~(r/hw)1/3 describes the energy loss of flowing water caused by small-scale roughness elements characterized by size r (<<hw), where hw is the water depth. When the roughness obstacle size becomes large (but <hw) as may be encountered in flow within canopies covering wetlands or river ecosystem, the f becomes far more complicated. The presence of a canopy introduces additional length scales above and beyond r/hw such as canopy height hv, arrangement density m, frontal element width D, and an adjustment length scale that varies with the canopy drag coefficient Cd. Linking those length scales to the friction factor f frames the scope of this work. By adopting a scaling analysis on the mean momentum equation and closing the turbulent stress with a first-order closure model, the mean velocity profile, its depth-integrated value defining the bulk velocity, as well as f can be determined. The work here showed that f varies with two dimensionless groups that depend on the canopy submergence depth and a canopy length scale. The relation between f and these two length scales was quantified using first-order closure models for a wide range of canopy and depth configurations that span much of the published experiments. Evaluation through experiments suggests that the proposed model can be imminently employed in eco-hydrology or eco-hydraulics when using the De Saint-Venant equations.
Delaying and reversing frailty: a systematic review of primary care interventions
Authors: Travers John , Romero-Ortuno Roman , Bailey Jade , Cooney Marie-Therese
Published: December 2018

Background

Recommendations for routine frailty screening in general practice are increasing as frailty prevalence grows. In England, frailty identification became a contractual requirement in 2017. However, there is little guidance on the most effective and practical interventions once frailty has been identified.

Aim

To assess the comparative effectiveness and ease of implementation of frailty interventions in primary care.

Design and setting

A systematic review of frailty interventions in primary care.

Method

Scientific databases were searched from inception to May 2017 for randomised controlled trials or cohort studies with control groups on primary care frailty interventions. Screening methods, interventions, and outcomes were analysed in included studies. Effectiveness was scored in terms of change of frailty status or frailty indicators and ease of implementation in terms of human resources, marginal costs, and time requirements.

Results

A total of 925 studies satisfied search criteria and 46 were included. There were 15 690 participants (median study size was 160 participants). Studies reflected a broad heterogeneity. There were 17 different frailty screening methods. Of the frailty interventions, 23 involved physical activity and other interventions involved health education, nutrition supplementation, home visits, hormone supplementation, and counselling. A significant improvement of frailty status was demonstrated in 71% (n= 10) of studies and of frailty indicators in 69% (n=22) of studies where measured. Interventions with both muscle strength training and protein supplementation were consistently placed highest for effectiveness and ease of implementation.

Conclusion

A combination of muscle strength training and protein supplementation was the most effective intervention to delay or reverse frailty and the easiest to implement in primary care. A map of interventions was created that can be used to inform choices for managing frailty.
The Polytropic Index of Solar Coronal Plasma in Sunspot Fan Loops and Its Temperature Dependence
Authors: Prasad S. Krishna , Raes J. O. , Van Doorsselaere T. , Magyar N. , Jess D. B.
Published: December 2018

Observations of slow magneto-acoustic waves have been demonstrated to possess a number of applications in coronal seismology. Determination of the polytropic index (γ) is one such important application. Analyzing the amplitudes of oscillations in temperature and density corresponding to a slow magneto-acoustic wave, the polytropic index in the solar corona has been calculated and, on the basis of the obtained value, it has been inferred that thermal conduction is highly suppressed in a very hot loop, in contrast to an earlier report of high thermal conduction in a relatively colder loop. In this study, using Solar Dynamics Observatory/AIA data, we analyzed slow magneto-acoustic waves propagating along sunspot fan loops from 30 different active regions and computed polytropic indices for several loops at multiple spatial positions. The obtained γ values vary from 1.04 ± 0.01 to 1.58 ± 0.12 and, most importantly, display a temperature dependence indicating higher γ at hotter temperatures. This behavior brings both the previous studies to agreement, and perhaps implies a gradual suppression of thermal conduction with increase in temperature of the loop. The observed phase shifts between temperature and density oscillations, however, are substantially larger than that expected from the classical Spitzer thermal conduction, and appear to be influenced by a line-of-sight integration effect on the emission measure.
Atmospheric Circulation and Thermal Phase-curve Offset of Tidally and Nontidally Locked Terrestrial Exoplanets
Authors: Penn James , Vallis Geoffrey K.
Published: December 2018

Using an idealized general circulation model, we investigate the atmospheric circulation of Earth-like terrestrial planets in a variety of orbital configurations. We relax the common assumption of the planet being tidally locked and look at the role atmospheric dynamics can have in the observed thermal phase curve when the substellar point is nonstationary. In slowly rotating planets, a moving forcing can induce strong jets in the upper troposphere, both prograde and retrograde, sensitive to the speed and direction of the diurnal forcing. We find that, consistent with previous shallow-water model experiments, the thermal phase-curve offset is sensitive to the velocity of the substellar point moving across the surface of the planet. For a planet with a known orbital period, the results show that the observed hot spot on the planet could be either east or west of the substellar point, depending on whether the planet is tidally locked or not.