bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wireless-Powered Cooperative MIMO NOMA Networks: Design and Performance Improvement for Cell-Edge Users
Authors: Le Chi-Bao , Do Dinh-Thuan , Voznak Miroslav
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we study two transmission scenarios for the base station (BS) in cellular networks to serve the far user, who is located at the cell-edge area in such a network. In particular, we show that wireless-powered non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and the cell-center user in such a model can harvest energy from the BS. To overcome disadvantages of the cell-edge user due to its weak received signal, we fabricate a far NOMA user with multiple antennas to achieve performance improvement. In addition, the first scenario only considers a relay link deployed to forward signals to a far NOMA user, while both direct links and relay links are generally enabled to serve a far user in the second scenario. These situations, together with their outage performance, are analyzed and compared to provide insights in the design of a real-multiple-antenna NOMA network, in which the BS is also required to equip multiple antennas for robust quality of transmission. Higher complexity in computations is already known in consideration of outage metrics with respect to performance analysis, since the system model employs multiple antennas. To this end, we employ a transmit antenna selection (TAS) policy to formulate closed-form expressions of outage probability that satisfies the quality-of-service (QoS) requirements in the NOMA network. Our simulation results reveal that the performance of the considered system will be improved in cases of higher quantity of transmit antennas in dedicated devices. Finally, the proposed design in such a NOMA system cannot only ensure a downlink with higher quality to serve a far NOMA user, but also provide significant system performance improvement compared to a traditional NOMA networks using a single antenna.
Pano-RSOD: A Dataset and Benchmark for Panoramic Road Scene Object Detection
Authors: Li Yong , Tong Guofeng , Gao Huashuai , Wang Yuebin , Zhang Liqiang , Chen Huairong
Published: March 2019

Panoramic images have a wide range of applications in many fields with their ability to perceive all-round information. Object detection based on panoramic images has certain advantages in terms of environment perception due to the characteristics of panoramic images, e.g., lager perspective. In recent years, deep learning methods have achieved remarkable results in image classification and object detection. Their performance depends on the large amount of training data. Therefore, a good training dataset is a prerequisite for the methods to achieve better recognition results. Then, we construct a benchmark named Pano-RSOD for panoramic road scene object detection. Pano-RSOD contains vehicles, pedestrians, traffic signs and guiding arrows. The objects of Pano-RSOD are labelled by bounding boxes in the images. Different from traditional object detection datasets, Pano-RSOD contains more objects in a panoramic image, and the high-resolution images have 360-degree environmental perception, more annotations, more small objects and diverse road scenes. The state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms are trained on Pano-RSOD for object detection, which demonstrates that Pano-RSOD is a useful benchmark, and it provides a better panoramic image training dataset for object detection tasks, especially for small and deformed objects.
An Effective FPGA Solver on Probability Distribution and Preprocessing
Authors: Ma Kefan , Xiao Liquan , Zhang Jianmin
Published: March 2019

The Boolean satisfiability (SAT) problem is the key problem in computer theory and application. A novel algorithm is introduced to implement a SLS hardware solver called probSAT+. The algorithm has no complex heuristic, and it only depends on the concepts of preprocessing technology, probability distribution and centralized search. Through constraining the initial assignments of the variables, the number of flipped variables was reduced while the solver finding a solution. Moreover, the algorithm no longer adopts some non-continuous if-then-else decisions, but depends on a single continuous function f(x,v). The flipping probability is not obtained by complex calculations, instead being selected by looking up tables, which effectively improves the performance of the solver. As far as we know, the probability distribution selection strategy descripted by hardware description language is firstly adopted by hardware SAT solver, which can be easily transplanted to any programmable logic device. The experimental results show that the probSAT+ solver is generally lower than the advanced software solver in the number of flips (up to 9.8 × 10 6 ), and the speedup is approximately 2.6 times with single thread, which shows that the probSAT+ has better results with fewer variables flipping times when a solution can be found. In addition, the success ratio of the solver in finding a solution of the problem in a suitable time is 100%.
Fundamental Characteristics and Kinetic Analysis of Lignocellulosic Woody and Herbaceous Biomass Fuels
Authors: Kim Gyeong-Min , Lee Dae-Gyun , Jeon Chung-Hwan
Published: March 2019

Biomass fuels are increasingly being viewed as viable alternatives for energy production in biomass-fired power plants and coal-fired power plants, which aim to employ co-firing technologies to achieve CO2 emission reductions. In this study, wood pellets (woody biomass) and kenaf (herbaceous biomass) were fully characterized in terms of their elemental compositions, pyrolysis, and char oxidation kinetics. Kinetic parameters were obtained through the application of the multi-Gaussian distributed activation energy model (DAEM) and Kissinger equation. Analyses of the ash indicated that, unlike coal, the biomass fuel is mostly composed of metal oxide ash. The calorific values of wood pellets were slightly higher than those of kenaf. Detailed kinetic analyses are presented so that steps can be taken to combust the biomass fuels in power plants. The kinetic data suggested that the mechanism for the char oxidation of wood pellets may be more complex than that for kenaf. In summary, these torrefied and pyrolyzed materials were found to represent potentially useful biomass fuels.
A Harmonic Based Pilot Protection Scheme for VSC-MTDC Grids with PWM Converters
Authors: Ashouri Mani , Faria da Silva Filipe , Leth Bak Claus
Published: March 2019

This paper presents a selective harmonic-based pilot protection scheme for detecting faults happened in the DC transmission section of VSC-MTDC grids with pulse width modulation (PWM) voltage source converters (VSCs). When a DC fault occurs in VSC-MTDC grids with PWM converters, first carrier frequency harmonic (FCFH) currents will be generated by all VSCs through the grid. FCFH currents have different flowing directions depending on the characteristics and the location of the fault. According to the characteristics of the existing FCFH in the fault currents, a selective pilot protection algorithm is designed for VSC-MTDC grids. Considering the internal and external DC transmission faults for specific zones, and the circulating flow of FCFH current in the DC link capacitors, the relays cannot detect FCFH currents for external faults, while for the internal faults, FCFH currents are clearly detected. To design the selective protection algorithm, Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) is used to detect the instantaneous frequency and the instantaneous amplitude of the high frequency intrinsic mode function (IMF)s, which are extracted from the fault current waves. Multiple faults with different characteristics are applied to CIGRE DCS-2 VSC-MTDC grid with two-level and three-level VSCs modeled in PSCAD, and the HHT-based selective protection scheme is designed in MATLAB. According to the results, the proposed algorithm can truly discriminate between internal and external faults.
Optimization of Geometric Parameters of Thermal Insulation of Pre-Insulated Double Pipes
Authors: Krawczyk Dorota Anna , Teleszewski Tomasz Janusz
Published: March 2019

This paper presents the analysis of the heat conduction of pre-insulated double ducts and the optimization of the shape of thermal insulation by applying an elliptical shape. The shape of the cross-section of the thermal insulation is significantly affected by the thermal efficiency of double pre-insulated networks. The thickness of the insulation from the external side of the supply and return pipes affects the heat losses of the double pre-insulated pipes, while the distance between the supply and return pipes influences the heat flux exchanged between these ducts. An assumed elliptical shape with a ratio of the major axis to the minor half axis of an ellipse equaling 1.93 was compared to thermal circular insulation with the same cross-sectional area. All calculations were made using the boundary element method (BEM) using a proprietary computer program written in Fortran as part of the VIPSKILLS project.
Evaluation of the Nitrous Oxide Emission Reduction Potential of an Aerobic Bioreactor Packed with Carbon Fibres for Swine Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Yamashita Takahiro , Shiraishi Makoto , Yokoyama Hiroshi , Ogino Akifumi , Yamamoto-Ikemoto Ryoko , Osada Takashi
Published: March 2019

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas that is emitted from wastewater treatment plants. To reduce emissions of N2O from swine wastewater treatment plants, we constructed an experimental aerobic bioreactor packed with carbon fibres (ca. 1 m3 bioreactor) as an alternative to conventional activated sludge treatment. The N2O emission factor for the aerobic bioreactor packed with carbon fibres (CF) was 0.002 g N2O-N/g TN-load and the value for the typical activated sludge (AS) reactor was 0.013 g N2O-N/g TN-load. The CF treatment method achieved more than 80% reduction of N2O emissions, compared with the AS treatment method. The experimental introduction of a CF carrier into an actual wastewater treatment plant also resulted in a large reduction in N2O generation. Specifically, the N2O emission factors decreased from 0.040 to 0.005 g N2O-N/g TN-load following application of the carrier. This shows that it is possible to reduce N2O generation by more than 80% by using a CF carrier during the operation of an actual wastewater treatment plant. Some bacteria from the phylum Chloroflexi, which are capable of reducing N2O emissions, were detected at a higher frequency in the biofilm on the CF carrier than in the biofilm formed on the AS reactor.
Exergy Evaluation of a Heat Supply System with Vapor Compression Heat Pumps
Authors: Rijs Agata , Mróz Tomasz
Published: March 2019

The vapor compression heat pumps are very popular solutions regarding heat supply systems of modern, low energy buildings. It is partly due to the fact that they are treated as a sustainable heat supply. The question arises: Can a vapor compression heat pump be treated as a sustainable heat supply? To answer this question; the exergy model of a heat pump system operation has been proposed. The proposed model has been employed for evaluation of exergy efficiency of an existing heat supply system equipped with two heat pumps installed in an educational building located on the campus of Poznan University of Technology, Poznan, Poland. The analysis shows that the system exergy efficiency decreases with an increase in outdoor temperature and its values are in the range of 10.9% to 42.0%. The primary exergy efficiency, which considers the conversion of fossil fuel into electricity, is on average 3.2 times lower than the system exergy efficiency for the outdoor temperature range of −9 °C to 11 °C. The performed analysis allowed for the identification of a set of solutions that may increase the exergy and primary exergy efficiency of the system. The first solution is to cover a part of the electricity demand by a renewable energy source. The second proposition is to apply a low-temperature emission system for heating. The third idea is to apply a district heating network as the heat supply instead of the heat pump. The conclusion is that the exergy performance of systems with heat pumps is rather poor because they generate low-quality heat from high-quality electricity. The best way to improve the primary exergy efficiency of a heat pump system is to power the system by electricity generated from a renewable energy source.
Study on the Thermal Performance of a Hybrid Heat Collecting Facade Used for Passive Solar Buildings in Cold Region
Authors: Wang Xiaoliang , Lei Bo , Bi Haiquan , Yu Tao
Published: March 2019

Passive solar technologies are traditionally considered as cost-effective ways for the building heating. However, conventional passive solar buildings are insufficient to create a relatively stable and comfortable indoor thermal environment. To further increase the indoor air temperature and reduce the heating energy consumption, a hybrid heat collecting facade (HHCF) is proposed in this paper. To analyze the thermal performance of the HHCF, a heat transfer model based on the heat balance method is established and validated by experimental results. Meanwhile, the energy saving potential of a room with the HHCF is evaluated as well. When the HHCF is applied to places where heating is required in the cold season while refrigeration is unnecessary in hot season, the HHCF can reduce the heating need by 40.2% and 21.5% compared with the conventional direct solar heat gain window and the Trombe wall, respectively. Furthermore, a series of parametric analyses are performed to investigate the thermal performance of the room with HHCF under various design and operating conditions. It is found that the thermal performance of the HHCF mainly depends on the window operational schedule, the width and the absorptivity of heat collecting wall, and the thermal performance of the inner double-glass window. The modeling and the parametric study in this paper are beneficial to the design and the optimization of the HHCF in passive solar buildings.
Review of Soft Computing Models in Design and Control of Rotating Electrical Machines
Authors: Dineva Adrienn , Mosavi Amir , Faizollahzadeh Ardabili Sina , Vajda Istvan , Shamshirband Shahaboddin , Rabczuk Timon , Chau Kwok-Wing
Published: March 2019

Rotating electrical machines are electromechanical energy converters with a fundamental impact on the production and conversion of energy. Novelty and advancement in the control and high-performance design of these machines are of interest in energy management. Soft computing methods are known as the essential tools that significantly improve the performance of rotating electrical machines in both aspects of control and design. From this perspective, a wide range of energy conversion systems such as generators, high-performance electric engines, and electric vehicles, are highly reliant on the advancement of soft computing techniques used in rotating electrical machines. This article presents the-state-of-the-art of soft computing techniques and their applications, which have greatly influenced the progression of this significant realm of energy. Through a novel taxonomy of systems and applications, the most critical advancements in the field are reviewed for providing an insight into the future of control and design of rotating electrical machines.
Endophytic Mycobiota of Jingbai Pear Trees in North China
Authors: Ren Fei , Dong Wei , Sun Hui , Yan Dong-Hui
Published: March 2019

Endophytic fungi exist in all known plants and play an important role for plant growth and health. As an important forest tree the Jingbai pear (the best quality cultivar of Pyrus ussuriensi Maxim. ex Rupr.) has great ecological as well as economic value in north China. However, the mycobiota of the pear tree is still unknown. In this study, the fungal communities in different organs of the tree and in rhizosphere soils were investigated by Illumina Miseq sequencing of ITS rDNA. For organs, the roots had the highest fungal richness and diversity, while the flowers had the lowest richness and diversity. The results demonstrated that each of the organs investigated harbored a distinctive fungal assemblage. Overall, Ascomycota was the most abundant phyla, followed by Basidiomycota and Zygomycota. Fungal communities from the different soils also differed from each other. The redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that fungal community structure correlated significantly with soil temperature, soil pH, soil nitrogen and soil carbon contents. The results indicate that plant organs, site conditions and soil properties may have important influences on the endophytic fungal community structure associated with Jingbai pear trees.
Artificial Neural Networks and Linear Regression Reduce Sample Intensity to Predict the Commercial Volume of Eucalyptus Clones
Authors: Tavares Júnior Ivaldo da Silva , Rocha Jonas Elias Castro da , Ebling Ângelo Augusto , Chaves Antônio de Souza , Zanuncio José Cola , Farias Aline Araújo , Leite Helio Garcia
Published: March 2019

Equations to predict Eucalyptus timber volume are continuously updated, but most of them cannot be used for certain locations. Thus, equations of similar strata are applied to clonal plantations where trees cannot be felled to fit volumetric models. The objective of this study was to use linear regression and artificial neural networks (ANN) to reduce the number of trees sampled while maintaining the accuracy of commercial volume predictions with bark up to 4 cm in diameter at the top (v) of Eucalyptus clones. Two methods were evaluated in two scenarios: (a) regression model fit and ANN training with 80% of the data (533 trees) and per clone group with 80% of the trees in each group; and (b) model fit and ANN training with trees of only one clone group at ages two and three, with sample intensities of six, five, four, three, two, and one tree per diameter class. The real and predicted v averages did not differ in sample intensities from six to two trees per diameter class with different methods. The frequency distribution of individuals by volume class by the two methods (regression and ANN) compared to the real values were similar in scenarios (a) and (b) by the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test (p-value > 0.01). The application of ANN was more effective for total data analysis with non-linear behavior, without sampled environment stratification. The Prodan model also generates estimates with accuracy, and, among the regression models, is the best fit to the data. The volume with bark up to 4 cm in diameter at the top of Eucalyptus clones can be predicted with at least three trees per diameter class with regression (root mean square error in percentage, RMSE = 12.32%), and at least four trees per class with ANN (RMSE = 11.73%).
Does Addition of Perch Larvae as Prey Affect the Growth, Development and Cannibalism Rate of Pikeperch Larvae?
Authors: Cortay Aurore , Colchen Tatiana , Fontaine Pascal , Pasquet Alain
Published: March 2019

Cannibalism occurs in many cultured fish species, especially at the larval and juvenile stages of piscivorous taxa. In farmed percid species, such as pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), intra-cohort cannibalism is a major issue inducing significant losses of the initial stocking density during the first weeks of rearing. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of perch larvae (Perca fluviatilis) as live prey on growth, survival and cannibalism in pikeperch larvae under experimental conditions. Additionally, zootechnical and behavioural variables linked to aggressiveness (S postures, attacks, bites and ingestion), and group structures were considered. The survival rate was not different between the two groups (72% with prey vs. 69% without prey), but the cannibalism rate was higher in the group with the prey (28% vs. 10%). The means of final weight and length of pikeperch larvae were higher in the group fed with perch larvae, but size heterogeneity measured by the coefficients of variation for these two parameters did not differ. The specific growth rate was higher in the group fed with perch larvae, but there was no difference between the two groups concerning Fulton’s condition factor. Among all the behavioural variables (aggressiveness, group structure), none differed between the two groups.
Thermomagnetic Convection of Paramagnetic Gas in an Enclosure under No Gravity Condition
Authors: Song Kewei , Wu Shuai , Tagawa Toshio , Shi Weina , Zhao Shuyun
Published: March 2019

The thermomagnetic convection of paramagnetic gaseous oxygen in an enclosure under a magnetic field was numerically studied to simulate the thermomagnetic convection in a space environment with no gravity. The magnetic field in the enclosure was non-uniform and was generated by a permanent magnet which had a high magnetic energy product. The magnet was placed at different locations along one of the adiabatic walls with magnetic poles perpendicular to the hot and cold walls of the enclosure. The heat transfer performance, flow field, and temperature field were studied with each location of the magnet. The results show that the thermomagnetic convection in the enclosure was obviously affected by the location of the magnet. There was an optimum magnet location in terms of the best heat transfer performance in the enclosure. The optimum magnet location changed slightly and moved toward the hot wall as the magnetic flux density increased. The value of the Nusselt number, defined as the ratio of convection to conduction, reached up to 2.54 in the studied range of parameters. By optimizing the magnet location, the convection was enhanced by up to 77% at the optimum magnet location.
Tokamak Edge Plasma Turbulence Interaction with Magnetic X-Point in 3D Global Simulations
Authors: Galassi Davide , Ciraolo Guido , Tamain Patrick , Bufferand Hugo , Ghendrih Philippe , Nace Nicolas , Serre Eric
Published: March 2019

Turbulence in the edge plasma of a tokamak is a key actor in the determination of the confinement properties. The divertor configuration seems to be beneficial for confinement, suggesting an effect on turbulence of the particular magnetic geometry introduced by the X-point. Simulations with the 3D fluid turbulence code TOKAM3X are performed here to evaluate the impact of a diverted configuration on turbulence in the edge plasma, in an isothermal framework. The presence of the X-point is found, locally, to affect both the shape of turbulent structures and the amplitude of fluctuations, in qualitative agreement with recent experimental observations. In particular, a quiescent region is found in the divertor scrape-off layer (SOL), close to the separatrix. Globally, a mild transport barrier spontaneously forms in the closed flux surfaces region near the separatrix, differently from simulations in limiter configuration. The effect of turbulence-driven Reynolds stress on the formation of the barrier is found to be weak by dedicated simulations, while turbulence damping around the X-point seems to globally reduce turbulent transport on the whole flux surface. The magnetic shear is thus pointed out as a possible element that contributes to the formation of edge transport barriers.
Saffman–Taylor Instability in Yield Stress Fluids: Theory–Experiment Comparison
Authors: Fadoul Oumar Abdoulaye , Coussot Philippe
Published: March 2019

The Saffman–Taylor instability for yield stress fluids appears in various situations where two solid surfaces initially separated by such a material (paint, puree, concrete, yoghurt, glue, etc.) are moved away from each other. The theoretical treatment of this instability predicts fingering with a finite wavelength at vanishing velocity, and deposited materials behind the front advance, but the validity of this theory has been only partially tested so far. Here, after reviewing the basic results in that field, we propose a new series of experiments in traction to test the ability of this basic theory to predict data. We carried out tests with different initial volumes, distances and yield stresses of materials. It appears that the validity of the proposed instability criterion cannot really be tested under such experimental conditions, but at least we show that it effectively predicts the instability when it is observed. Furthermore, in agreement with the theoretical prediction for the finger size, a master curve is obtained when plotting the finger number as a function of the yield stress times the sample volume divided by the square initial thickness, in wide ranges of these parameters. This in particular shows that this traction test could be used for the estimation of the material yield stress.
Constructive Study of Modulational Instability in Higher Order Korteweg-de Vries Equations
Authors: Tobisch Elena , Pelinovsky Efim
Published: March 2019

Our present study is devoted to the constructive study of the modulational instability for the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV)-family of equations u t + s u p u x + u x x x (here s = ± 1 and p > 0 is an arbitrary integer). For deducing the conditions of the instability, we first computed the nonlinear corrections to the frequency of the Stokes wave and then explored the coefficients of the corresponding modified nonlinear Schrödinger equations, thus deducing explicit expressions for the instability growth rate, maximum of the increment and the boundaries of the instability interval. A brief discussion of the results, open questions and further research directions completes the paper.
Validation Including Uncertainty Estimation of a GC–MS/MS Method for Determination of Selected Halogenated Priority Substances in Fish Using Rapid and Efficient Lipid Removing Sample Preparation
Authors: Nagyová Slávka , Tölgyessy Peter
Published: March 2019

A rapid method is proposed for the determination of selected H2SO4 stable organic compounds—eight organochlorines (OCs; hexachloro-1,3-butadiene, pentachlorobenzene, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexane—HCH—isomers, heptachlor) and six polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs; BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154)—in fish samples. In the method, a modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) sample preparation using pH-tuned dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) and H2SO4 digestion fish extract clean-up is followed by gas chromatography–triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC–QqQ-MS/MS) analysis. The method was validated in terms of linearity, limits of the method, recovery, accuracy, analysis of standard reference material (NIST SRM 1946), and estimation of combined uncertainty of the measurement (top-down approach). For validation, chub composite samples were used, and subsequently, the method was successfully applied to analysis of real samples of eight fish species. Finally, the method passed the analytical Eco-Scale evaluation as “an acceptable green analysis method”, and showed its advantages (simplicity, rapidity, low cost, high extract clean-up efficiency, good sensitivity) when compared to other reported QuEChERS based methods.
Restoring the Feminine of Indigenous Environmental Thought
Authors: Forster Margaret
Published: March 2019

A feminist genealogy approach to governmentality is used to explore how indigenous knowledge and aspirations related to the environment become embedded into Aotearoa New Zealand environmental policy and practice. Particular consideration is given to the indigenous feminine as an impetus for change as expressed through atua wāhine/Māori female spiritual authority and powers. Political projects and activism by Māori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, provide the basis to explore contests between environmental truths that originate from Māori traditions and those that have come to dominate national environmental politics that originate from British “Western” traditions. It is argued that truth contests have been extremely effective at disrupting the power and authority of environmental policy and practice dominated by Western thought. Furthermore, efforts to maintain the momentum of these transformation and consolidate the authority and power of Māori communities is linked to rendering the indigenous feminine visible, retelling our herstories and developing new relationships and practices that give expression to atua.
DNA Methylation Patterns in the Round Goby Hypothalamus Support an On-The-Spot Decision Scenario for Territorial Behavior
Authors: Somerville Vincent , Schwaiger Michaela , Hirsch Philipp E. , Walser Jean-Claude , Bussmann Karen , Weyrich Alexandra , Burkhardt-Holm Patricia , Adrian-Kalchhauser Irene
Published: March 2019

The question as to how early life experiences are stored on a molecular level and affect traits later in life is highly topical in ecology, medicine, and epigenetics. In this study, we use a fish model to investigate whether DNA methylation mediates early life experiences and predetermines a territorial male reproductive phenotype. In fish, adult reproductive phenotypes frequently depend on previous life experiences and are often associated with distinct morphological traits. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism which is both sensitive to environmental conditions and stably inherited across cell divisions. We therefore investigate early life predisposition in the round goby Neogobius melanostomus by growth back-calculations and then study DNA methylation by MBD-Seq in the brain region controlling vertebrate reproductive behavior, the hypothalamus. We find a link between the territorial reproductive phenotype and high growth rates in the first year of life. However, hypothalamic DNA methylation patterns reflect the current behavioral status independently of early life experiences. Together, our data suggest a non-predetermination scenario in the round goby, in which indeterminate males progress to a non-territorial status in the spawning season, and in which some males then assume a specialized territorial phenotype if current conditions are favorable.
The Genetic Variability of APOE in Different Human Populations and Its Implications for Longevity
Authors: Abondio Paolo , Sazzini Marco , Garagnani Paolo , Boattini Alessio , Monti Daniela , Franceschi Claudio , Luiselli Donata , Giuliani Cristina
Published: March 2019

Human longevity is a complex phenotype resulting from the combinations of context-dependent gene-environment interactions that require analysis as a dynamic process in a cohesive ecological and evolutionary framework. Genome-wide association (GWAS) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) studies on centenarians pointed toward the inclusion of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms ε2 and ε4, as implicated in the attainment of extreme longevity, which refers to their effect in age-related Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this case, the available literature on APOE and its involvement in longevity is described according to an anthropological and population genetics perspective. This aims to highlight the evolutionary history of this gene, how its participation in several biological pathways relates to human longevity, and which evolutionary dynamics may have shaped the distribution of APOE haplotypes across the globe. Its potential adaptive role will be described along with implications for the study of longevity in different human groups. This review also presents an updated overview of the worldwide distribution of APOE alleles based on modern day data from public databases and ancient DNA samples retrieved from literature in the attempt to understand the spatial and temporal frame in which present-day patterns of APOE variation evolved.
Differential Alternative Splicing Genes in Response to Boron Deficiency in Brassica napus
Authors: Gu Jin , Li Wei , Wang Sheliang , Zhang Xiaoyan , Coules Anne , Ding Guangda , Xu Fangsen , Ren Jian , Lu Chungui , Shi Lei
Published: March 2019

Alternative splicing (AS) can increase transcriptome diversity, protein diversity and protein yield, and is an important mechanism to regulate plant responses to stress. Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), one of the main oil crops in China, shows higher sensitivity to boron (B) deficiency than other species. Here, we demonstrated AS changes that largely increased the diversity of the mRNA expressed in response to B deficiency in B. napus. Each gene had two or more transcripts on average. A total of 33.3% genes in both Qingyou10 (QY10, B-efficient cultivar) and Westar10 (W10, B-inefficient cultivar) showed AS in both B conditions. The types of AS events were mainly intron retention, 3′ alternative splice site, 5′ alternative splice site and exon skipping. The tolerance ability of QY10 was higher than that of W10, possibly because there were far more differential alternative splicing (DAS) genes identified in QY10 at low B conditions than in W10. The number of genes with both DAS and differentially expressed (DE) was far lower than that of the genes that were either with DAS or DE in QY10 and W10, suggesting that the DAS and DE genes were independent. Four Serine/Arginine-rich (SR) splicing factors, BnaC06g14780D, BnaA01g14750D, BnaA06g15930D and BnaC01g41640D, underwent differentially alternative splicing in both cultivars. There existed gene–gene interactions between BnaC06g14780D and the genes associated with the function of B in oilseed rape at low B supply. This suggests that oilseed rape could regulate the alterative pre-mRNA splicing of SR protein related genes to increase the plant tolerance to B deficiency.
Gene Expression Networks Across Multiple Tissues Are Associated with Rates of Molecular Evolution in Wild House Mice
Authors: Mack Katya L. , Phifer-Rixey Megan , Harr Bettina , Nachman Michael W.
Published: March 2019

Interactions between genes can influence how selection acts on sequence variation. In gene regulatory networks, genes that affect the expression of many other genes may be under stronger evolutionary constraint than genes whose expression affects fewer partners. While this has been studied for individual tissue types, we know less about the effects of regulatory networks on gene evolution across different tissue types. We use RNA-sequencing and genomic data collected from Mus musculus domesticus to construct and compare gene co-expression networks for 10 tissue types. We identify tissue-specific expression and local regulatory variation, and we associate these components of gene expression variation with sequence polymorphism and divergence. We found that genes with higher connectivity across tissues and genes associated with a greater number of cross-tissue modules showed significantly lower genetic diversity and lower rates of protein evolution. Consistent with this pattern, “hub” genes across multiple tissues also showed evidence of greater evolutionary constraint. Using allele-specific expression, we found that genes with cis-regulatory variation had lower average connectivity and higher levels of tissue specificity. Taken together, these results are consistent with strong purifying selection acting on genes with high connectivity within and across tissues.
Calciphylaxis as A Rare Cause of A Chronic Wound in An 83-Year-Old Woman
Authors: Dörr Stefan , Weisser Gregor , Lobmann Ralf
Published: March 2019

Chronic wounds are common in elderly patients, and the majority of them are caused by vascular diseases, such as peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) or chronic venous insufficiency. Because of typical signs, these diseases can be usually easily differentiated. However, 10% of chronic wounds are caused by specific rare diseases, such as vasculitis, specific infections, skin cancer, or calciphylaxis. Calciphylaxis is a rare cause of chronic wounds, and it is usually found in patients with end-stage renal disease. In this paper, we describe the case of an 83-year-old woman with a chronic ulcer of the lower leg caused by calciphylaxis.
Analysis of 19th and 20th Century Conservation Key Theories in Relation to Contemporary Adaptive Reuse of Heritage Buildings
Authors: Yazdani Mehr Shabnam
Published: March 2019

Heritage buildings are important in demonstrating the cultural identities of cities and, consequently, communities throughout the world. In the contemporary era, adaptive reuse has been considered as a strategy for protecting these buildings for both present and future generations. At present, the 19th and 20th century conservation and restoration theories are the backbone of the contemporary adaptation movement by introducing different forms of adaptive reuse over time. These theories revealed how the prioritization system for protecting heritage buildings has changed from a value base to technological needs and user demands. These theories have become theoretical guidelines and policies under modern development. However, these theories are less considered in the contemporary practice of adaptive reuse, and thus remain as theoretical guidelines and policies that are still being developed periodically in the national and international levels. The main aim of this study is to review and critically analyze principal 19th and 20th century theories of conservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings in order to provide a holistic view of their application, aspects of which may be incorporated in future research, practice, and discussion on the subject. For this paper, these key theories are critically reviewed, analyzed, and discussed, contributing to the study of contemporary practice of adaptive reuse. A summary of the analysis of all key theories is presented. The analysis of the theories presents the evolution of different approaches to adaptive reuse of heritage buildings over time and shows the role of theories in the establishment of international conservation policies. The analysis further reveals the existing gap between theory and practice in contemporary adaptive reuse practice.
Vermiliquer (Vermicompost Leachate) as a Complete Liquid Fertilizer for Hydroponically-Grown Pak Choi (Brassica chinensis L.) in the Tropics
Authors: Churilova Elena V. , Midmore David J.
Published: March 2019

The processing of organic wastes and composts by worms results in castes and vermiliquer (i.e., vermicompost leachate). Both castes and vermiliquer contain plant available nutrients, the latter better suited to hydroponic operations, but the optimum pH for worm productivity and vermiliquer production makes the latter too alkaline for hydroponics. We show that under optimal hydroponic management practices, the growth and yield of pak choi (Brassica chinensis) based entirely on pH buffered vermiliquer collected after 8–10 weeks of vermicomposting was comparable with those treated with a conventional inorganic hydroponic fertiliser. Nitric acid proved to be a superior pH buffer compared with orthophosphoric acid. The total fresh weight in the nitric acid buffered vermiliquer treatments ranged from 70% to 98% of the total fresh weight of the control. However, the non-buffered hydroponic production of pak choi using off-line (batch) vermiliquer or direct linkage with vermifarms was not successful. There were no statistically significant differences between pak choi yields using vermiliquer from kitchen wastes or composted paunch materials. A 50% dilution of vermiliquer led to yield loss, but less proportionately than the dilution, and the use of pot hydroponics rather than nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponics led to a better performance of pak choi under less favourable conditions. This is the first report of comparable yields between vermiliquer treatments and an inorganic nutrient source and highlights the feasibility and commercial potential of this hydroponic practice.
Assessment of Groundwater Recharge, Evaporation, and Runoff in the Drava Basin in Hungary with the WetSpass Model
Authors: Salem Ali , Dezső József , El-Rawy Mustafa
Published: March 2019

The assessment of spatial and temporal distribution of groundwater recharge is required as an input to develop the regional groundwater model in the Drava flood plain for more accurate simulations of different management scenarios. WetSpass-M, a GIS-based spatially-distributed water balance model, was implemented to assess monthly, seasonal, and the annual averages of groundwater recharge, surface runoff and actual evapotranspiration in the Drava basin, Hungary for the period between 2000–2018. The basic relevant input-data for the Wetspass-M model is prepared in grid-maps using the tool ARCGIS tool. It comprises monthly climatological recordings (e.g., rainfall, temperature, wind speed), distributed land cover, soil map, groundwater depth, topography, and slope. The long-term temporal and spatial average monthly precipitation (58 mm) is distributed as 29% (17 mm) surface runoff, 27% (16 mm) actual evapotranspiration, and 44% (25 mm) groundwater recharge. The mean annual groundwater recharge, actual evapotranspiration, and surface runoff were 307, 190, and 199 mm, respectively. The findings of the WetSpass-M model are intended to support integrated groundwater modeling. The analysis of simulation results shows that WetSpass-M model works properly to simulate hydrological water budget components in the Drava basin. Moreover, a better understanding of the simulated long-term average spatial distribution about water balance components is useful for managing and planning the available water resources in the Drava basin.
Impact of Socio-Economic Factors and Health Information Sources on Place of Birth in Sindh Province, Pakistan: A Secondary Analysis of Cross-Sectional Survey Data
Authors: Noh Jin-Won , Kim Young-mi , Akram Nabeel , Yoo Ki-Bong , Cheon Jooyoung , Lee Lena J. , Kwon Young Dae , Stekelenburg Jelle
Published: March 2019

Medical facility birth with skilled birth attendance is essential to reduce maternal mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess the demographic characteristics, socio-economic factors, and varied health information sources that may influence the uptake of birth services in Pakistan. We used pooled data from Maternal-Child Health Program Indicator Survey 2013 and 2014. Study population was 9719 women. Generalized linear model with log link and a Poisson distribution was used to identify factors associated with place of birth. 3403 (35%) women gave birth at home, and 6316 (65%) women gave birth at a medical facility. After controlling for all covariates, women’s age, number of children, education, wealth, and mother and child health information source (doctors and nurses/midwives) were associated with facility births. Women were significantly less likely to give birth at a medical facility if they received maternal-child health information from low-level health workers or relatives/friends. The findings suggest that interventions should target disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of women after considering rural-urban differences. Training non-health professionals may help improve facility birth. Further research is needed to examine the effect of individual information sources on facility birth, both in urban and rural areas in Pakistan.
Policymakers’ Perspectives Towards Developing a Guideline to Inform Policy on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Adebiyi Babatope O. , Mukumbang Ferdinand C. , Cloete Lizahn G. , Beytell Anna-Marie
Published: March 2019

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) has a high prevalence in South Africa, especially among the poor socioeconomic communities. However, there is no specific policy to address FASD. Using a qualitative study design, we explored the perspectives of policymakers on guidelines/policies for FASD, current practices and interventions, and what practices and interventions could be included in a policy for FASD. The data analysis was done using the Framework Method. Applying a working analytical framework to the data, we found that there is no specific policy for FASD in South Africa, however, clauses of FASD policy exist in other policy documents. Preventive services for women and screening, identification, assessment, and support for children are some of the current practices. Nevertheless, a multi-sectoral collaboration and streamlined program for the prevention and management of FASD are aspects that should be included in the policy. While there are generic clauses in existing relevant policy documents, which could be attributed to the prevention and management of FASD, these clauses have not been effective in preventing and managing the disorder. Therefore, a specific policy to foster a holistic and coordinated approach to prevent and manage FASD needs to be developed.
Depressive Symptoms After PCB Exposure: Hypotheses for Underlying Pathomechanisms via the Thyroid and Dopamine System
Authors: Gaum Petra Maria , Gube Monika , Esser André , Schettgen Thomas , Quinete Natalia , Bertram Jens , Putschögl Franziska Maria , Kraus Thomas , Lang Jessica
Published: March 2019

Polychlorinated biphenyls’ (PCB) exposure has been reported to be associated with depressive symptoms, which is correlated to lower dopamine- (DA) and thyroxine-concentrations (T4). T4 is necessary for DA-synthesis and it binds to transthyretin (TTR) being transported into the brain. PCBs can displace T4 by binding to TTR itself, being transported into the brain and disturbing DA-synthesis, where depressive symptoms might occur. Consequently, the free T4-concentration (fT4) increases when PCBs bind to TTR. The interaction of PCBs with fT4 and its associations with the main DA metabolite, homovanillic acid (HVA), and depressive symptoms were investigated. In total, 116 participants (91.6% men) were investigated, who took part in three annual examinations (t1–t3) of the HELPcB health surveillance program. Blood was collected for measuring PCBs, hydroxy PCBs (OH-PCBs), and fT4 and urine for HVA. Depressive Symptoms were assessed with a standardized questionnaire. Interactions were tested cross-sectionally with multiple hierarchical regressions and longitudinally with mixed effect models. Related to HVA, an interaction was cross-sectionally found for lower-chlorinated PCBs (LPCBs) and dioxin-like PCBs (dlPCBs); longitudinally only for LPCBs. Related to depressive symptoms, the interaction was found for LPCBs, dlPCBs, and OH-PCBs; longitudinally again only for LPCBs. The results give first hints that a physiological process involving the thyroid and DA system is responsible for depressive symptoms after PCB exposure.
Analysis of the Effect of Concentrations of Four Whitening Products in Cover Transmissivity of Mediterranean Greenhouses
Authors: López-Martínez Alejandro , Valera-Martínez Diego Luis , Molina-Aiz Francisco Domingo , Moreno-Teruel María de los Ángeles , Peña-Fernández Araceli , Espinoza-Ramos Karlos Emmanuel
Published: March 2019

The present work analyses the traditional method of applying whitening products on Mediterranean greenhouses. Four commercial whitening products (agricultural solar protectors, ASPs), applied at four doses, were compared with a non-whitened cover. The traditional product “Blanco de España” with 99% calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and other three products with 97% CaCO3 that incorporate adhesives were tested. The use of adhesives in ASP did not influence the effect of the different products on the inside temperature, and at the same dose all four products show a similar behaviour. The findings support the maximum dose recommended by other authors of 0.50 kg L−1 (50/100), above which the transmissivity of the greenhouse cover decreases by over 50%. The effect of ASP on the transmissivity of the cover depends principally on the dose applied, but also on the climatic conditions (solar radiation, cloud cover, etc.) and on the time of year (solar elevation). The habitual use of a constant dose throughout the year does not seem to be the most adequate. Recommended doses should vary according to the time of year and the desired degree of transmissivity reduction. The adhesive components are shown to provide a high degree of protection against heavy rain. The study recommends a standardised method of ASP application, establishing a method that allows the grower to verify the concentration of the product that will remain on the greenhouse cover.