bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ОЦІНЮВАННЯ ВПЛИВУ ЛОКАЛЬНИХ НЕОДНОРІДНОСТЕЙ НА ПОКАЗНИКИ МІЦНОСТІ БЕТОНУ В УМОВАХ ОБМЕЖЕННЯ КІЛЬКОСТІ ЗРАЗКІВ, ЩО ПІДЛЯГАЮТЬ ВИПРОБУВАННЮ
Authors: ОКСЕНЬ Є. І. , ШЕЛЯШКО Р. І. , ХРЕБЕТ В. Г.
Published: September 2019

Робота спрямована на підвищення термінів служби споруд шляхом забезпечення надійності визначення міцності захисного шару бетону конструкцій будівель та споруд, зокрема плит проїзної частини мостів перед влаштуванням гідроізоляції. Виконано оцінку впливу випадкового розподілу локальних неоднорідностей властивостей бетону на показники вимірювань міцності в умовах обмеження кількості зразків, що підлягають випробуванню. Шляхом теоретичних досліджень впливу систематичної і випадкової складових похибок встановлена залежність між числом вимірювань і відношенням допустимої випадкової похибки до середньоквадратичного відхилення вимірюваної величини за умови її розподілу за нормальним законом. Виявлено, що для випадкових величин, які розподіляються за нормальним законом, вплив систематичної і випадкової складових похибок на число вимірів має вигляд інтегральної залежності, а вплив відносної похибки на число вимірів при відповідній надійності результатів вимірювання носить гіперболічний характер. За умови ретельної підготовки ділянки вимірювання міцності бетону встановлення надійності 0,70,75 призводить до стабілізації середнього значення міцності на рівні третьої значущої цифри при загальній кількості вимірювань до 16 і може бути рекомендовано для практичного застосування в більшості випадків. Оцінка фактичної міцності бетону можлива на ймовірнісній основі з відповідним обґрунтуванням достатньої кількості вимірювань за обумовленою надійністю випробувань. Розроблено методику визначення необхідної кількості вимірювань для забезпечення заданої надійності визначення міцності бетону і встановлення поточного значення надійності в процесі випробувань.
‘Can you say I am an old man?’: Sentiment and the Mask of Ageing in Thomas Holcroft's Duplicity (1781)
Authors: Fallon David
Published: September 2019

This article examines how in its representation of old age Thomas Holcroft's play Duplicity (1781) registers the impact of concerns over the welfare of his own ageing father as well as the influence of French sentimental comedy. Via a comparison with the rough comedy directed at the character of Solomon Flint in Samuel Foote's The Maid of Bath (1778), the article shows Holcroft's more sympathetic comic treatment of his elderly character Vandervelt. The play represents a progressive shift, associated with the influence of sentimentalism, in the representation of the old man, and anticipates some of the ways in which Romantic writers paid greater attention to questions of interior experience in relation to ageing. The article notes, however, a residual use of the old man as a personification when it comes to national identity, but one orientated towards a pacific resolution of Anglo-Dutch rivalry.
«Ольвийские» золотые украшения из коллекции Б.И. и В.Н. Ханенко (по материалам Музея исторических драгоценностей Украины)
Authors: Velychko Eugenia
Published: September 2019

Статья посвящена анализу ювелирных изделий из коллекции Б.И. и В.Н. Ханенко, приобретенных ими как «ольвийские», которые сейчас хранятся в филиале Национального музея истории Украины – Музее исторических драгоценностей Украины. На данный момент в собрании музея удалось идентифицировать 42 украшения относящиеся к этой коллекции. Это серьги разных типов и нашивные бляшки.

Поражает хронологический размах коллекции – от IV в. до н.э. до эпохи средневековья. В ходе атрибуции удалось выяснить, что «ольвийское» происхождение большинства этих украшений сомнительно. Однако некоторые, исходя из паспортных находок, вполне могли быть найдены при хищнических раскопках ольвийского некрополя в начале ХХ века.
Краніологія кіммерійського населення Наддніпрянщини
Authors: Dolzhenko Yuriy
Published: September 2019

У статті за даними краніології дано індивідуальну характеристику черепа з кургану 1, поховання 3, знайденого на території Північного гірничозбагачувального комбінату Кіровоградської області 2007 р. Поховання чоловіка 30-40 років чорногорівського етапу. Паралельно вивчено дискретно-варіативні ознаки. Створено дві серії кіммерійців чорногорівського етапу та збірну вибірку чорногорівського й новочеркаського етапів із залученням даного поховання, яка виявила подібність до черепів скіфської групи з Верхньої Тарасівки.
Порівняльний аналіз української та російської традиції зображення Страшного Суду XV-XVІII ст.
Authors: Grygorak Anastasiya
Published: September 2019

Стаття присвячена порівняльному аналізу іконографічних особливостей ікон Страшного Суду в українській і російській традиціях. Відзначено, що іконографія Страшного суду представляла найбільш складні у композиційному й ідейному відношенні твори іконопису. Розглядається питання трансформації традиційних іконографічних елементів Страшного Суду в мистецтві християнської православної традиції. Іконописні твори розглядаються у контексті загального розвитку живопису Пізнього Середньовіччя. Поширення у слов’янському ареалі іконографічних композицій Страшного Суду пов’язується з есхатологічним очікуваннями, які визначали зміну світогляду періоду XV-XVІII ст.
Хаджибей и прилегающее побережье Черного моря в годы Первой российско-турецкой войны
Authors: Sapozhnikov Igor
Published: September 2019

Статья посвящена истории местечка и порта Хаджибей во время Первой российско-турецкой войны 1768-1774 годов, которая неплохо освещена в опубликованных письменных источниках. Наиболее известными событиями того периода являются два неудачных штурма османского замка запорожцами вместе с регулярными российскими войсками 1769 и 1770 годов, а также два эпизода 1774 года: попытка турок отбить замок и выпадение самосадочной соли на соседних лиманах. Спорным остается время взятия под контроль российских войск Хаджибейского замка, которое ряд авторов ошибочно относят к 1774 г. Анализ всей суммы информации позволил уточнить, что это событие имело место от середины мая до начала сентября 1771 г., вероятнее всего, во время захода сюда лодок первой части запорожской флотилии Якова Шидловского между 17 и 21 мая 1771 г. Наиболее перспективным для будущих исследований представляется период перемирия между Российской империей и Портой Оттоманской с мая 1772 до конца февраля 1773 г. Тогда корабли Дунайской военной флотилии активизировали гидрографические съемки прибрежной части Северо-Западного Причерноморья от гирла Дуная до крепости Очаков, материалы которых легли в основу ряда морских и топографических карт.
Українська військово-санітарна місія в Німеччині й таборові громади полонених українців у 1919 р.
Authors: Sribniak Ihor , Sribniak Milana
Published: September 2019

У статті йдеться про діяльність Військово-санітарної місії для справ полонених вояків-українців у Німеччині, яка зосередила свої зусилля й на встановленні зв’язків з українськими таборовими громадами та надання їм адресної гуманітарної допомоги від уряду УНР з метою відновлення національно-просвітницької роботи у середовищі полонених українців. Завдяки цьому навесні-влітку 1919 р. у багатьох таборах були засновані аматорські драмгуртки, школи для неписьменних і малописьменних, бібліотеки, кооперативи. Діяльність Місії у таборах мала об’єктивно позитивні наслідки, засвідчивши готовність уряду УНР прийти на допомогу полоненим українцям у Німеччині.
Законодавча регламентація та механізми контролю більшовицької влади за діяльністю громадських об’єднань України у першій половині 1920-х років
Authors: Nikolaev Ihor
Published: September 2019

У публікації, на основі широкої історіографічної та джерельної бази, проаналізовано ключові чинники встановлення більшовицької монополії у суспільно-громадській площині. Показано механізми правової регламентації позадержавного суспільного простору. Доведено, що основною метою встановлених законодавчих норм у сфері функціонування громадських об’єднань було здійснення правлячим режимом контролю за їх діяльністю, залучення їх представників до формування радянського державного апарату.
Окремі аспекти стану сільського господарства Півдня України у 60-х рр. ХХ ст.
Authors: Sharin Oleksandr
Published: September 2019

У статті висвітлюються деякі аспекти розвитку сільського господарства на Півдні УРСР у 60-х рр. ХХ ст., а саме у Миколаївській, Одеській ы Херсонській областях. Розвиток аграрного господарства розглядається у контексті реформування колгоспів ы перетворення їх на радгоспи, подається динаміка скорочення чисельності колгоспів. Аналізуються спроби покращення роботи у сільському господарстві, за сприяння таких явищ, як шефська допомога та соціалістичні змагання. Автором на основі задекларованих директивних планів ы результатів реформ, порівнюється динаміка електрифікації та механізації виробництва у період 1960-1970 рр.
Місце сіоністського руху у листуванні дипломатичної місії Іспанії в Туреччині (1920 рік)
Authors: Khmel Anastasiia
Published: September 2019

У статті аналізується розвиток сіоністського руху у Туреччині після Першої світової війни та ставлення до цього посланця Іспанії в Туреччині Хуана Севента. Також автор прагнув охарактеризувати поради, які надає Х. Севент своєму керівництву щодо сприйняття/реакції на такі події. Було здійснено спробу вписати розвиток сіонізму в Палестині у загальні тенденції міжнародних відносин того часу.
Рукописні джерела «Етнографічної комісії» ВУАН з вивчення писанкарства Київщини
Authors: Tkachenko Viktor
Published: September 2019

У статті розглянуто, проаналізовано й оприлюднено архівні матеріали Інституту мистецтвознавства, фольклористики та етнології імені М.Т. Рильського НАН України пов’язані зі звичаями й обрядами весняних релігійних свят на Київщині. У документах архівних фондів чимало інформації про писанкарство.

Невідомі широкому загалу, розглянуті джерела засвідчують існування писанок та їх використання під час великодніх звичаєво-обрядових традицій, у віруваннях українців Київщини 20-х рр. ХХ ст.
Консульська служба Німеччини у Північному Приазов'ї очима бердянських істориків
Authors: Trygub Oleksandr
Published: September 2019

Рецензія на книгу: Лиман І., Константінова В. Німецькі консули в Північному Приазов'ї. Дніпро: ЛІРА, 2018 500 с.
The Detection of Pre-Diabetic Patients in the Dental Setting
Authors: AlMesmar Hamda , Saleh Nadia , AlMashhadani Shiamaa , Farghali Khaled
Published: September 2019

Pre-diabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes puts one at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 384 patients aged 20-70 years old, attending the dental clinics to assess the risk for diabetes, using the FINDRISC (Finnish Diabetes Risk Score) questionnaire, HbA1c blood test and a periodontal examination.
Results: The mean age of participants was 38.90 ± 10.74. 32.3% were categorized as no risk, 46.6% low risk, while 19% and 2.1% moderate and high risk of developing diabetes respectively. Tests for serum HbA1c Level showed 46.1% had normal HbA1c followed by 18.0% and 3.6% were pre-diabetic and diabetic respectively. 19.3% of participants had periodontal pockets measuring more than 4mm and 15.9% measuring more than 6mm.
Conclusion: The study has proven to be useful in identifying patients at high-risk of developing diabetes. Controlling and managing periodontal disease could be a new aspect to include in the standards for diabetes care. Dental settings could be a successful platform to carry out the screening and risk stratification of pre-diabetic patients.
Does Mexico Have Enough Land to Fulfill Future Needs for the Consumption of Animal Products?
Authors: Ibarrola-Rivas Maria-Jose , Nonhebel Sanderine
Published: September 2019

Land demand arising from the consumption of animal products is one of the greatest challenges for future sustainability. Developing countries are changing rapidly in both the consumption of animal products and the livestock production systems. Mexico is used as an example of a developing country. An approach is developed to identify the production variables that drive the Land Requirement for Animal Products (LRAP) for beef, milk, pork, chicken meat, and eggs. An average medium-scale farm of Mexico is described using farm-scale production data from the National Agricultural Survey of Mexico. The results show that the use of grassland outweighs the use of cropland for feed production, and the use of barn area is least. The production of beef protein requires more land than any other animal product because of its large demand for pasture land. The use of grassland represents 70% of the total demand for land for food by the Mexican population, and this is mainly for beef and milk consumption. Population growth and changes to a more affluent diet will result in a demand for more land for food; however, there will not be enough land if food is produced with present livestock production systems. It is necessary to implement strategies to reduce the use of land for food by focusing on both production and consumption.
Suitability of Biochar and Biomass Ash in Basket Willow (Salix Viminalis L.) Cultivation
Authors: Saletnik Bogdan , Puchalski Czesław
Published: September 2019

The article presents the findings of a field experiment investigating the effectiveness of biochar and plant biomass ash when used as a soil fertiliser in the cultivation of basket willow (Salix viminalis L.). The purpose of the study was to determine the optimal dose of fertiliser to enable a maximum increase in the crop yield and enhancement of the chemical properties of the soil. In the course of the two-year experiment, the increase in basket willow yield was in the range of 6%–49%. The highest dry matter yield from the plants, at the end of both the first and the second year of the experiment, was obtained in the plots where the soil was amended with biochar alone (11.5 t ha−1), a combination of biochar and ash (respectively 11.5 and 1.5 t ha−1) and ash added at the rate of 1.5 t ha−1. The yield was reduced when the soil was amended with ash added at the rates of 3.0 t ha−1 and 4.5 t ha−1 or with the latter doses of ash combined with biochar. The results indicated that too high a concentration of ash (rate of 3.0 t ha−1 or higher for basket willow) have negative effects on plant growth and may represent a limiting factor. The study suggests that biochar is a better soil amendment than ash, because biochar application gave the highest improvement in the soil properties and plant growth. It was found that the addition of biochar, biomass ash or combinations of the two materials applied in suitable doses may be a good soil amendment.. In particular in soils which are severely damaged and require restoration, this fertilization may have a noticeable effect on soil properties and plant growth.
Cost Analysis of Chaff Harvesting Concepts in Germany
Authors: Unger Jannike Sophie , Glasner Christoph
Published: September 2019

This work assesses the costs of exploiting the biomass feedstock chaff. Chaff is a harvest residue generated during the conventional grain harvesting process and usually remains on the field. In this paper, the costs of collecting and supplying chaff to the end user with different harvesting methods and supply chains are analyzed. The costs are estimated for a base case defining a set of general assumptions. The impact of these assumptions is analyzed in a sensitivity analysis by means of tornado diagrams. A full costing method based on the VDI guideline 2067 part 1 is applied for the cost estimation. The cost analysis reveals that ceasing the fractioning of grain, straw and chaff during harvesting and transporting them as a mixture reduces the harvesting costs significantly. The costs are decreased due to a reduction in agricultural operations and processing large amounts of material. The lowest total costs originate from the production of chaff-straw bales. Harvesting chaff as a single fraction leads to the highest costs with the investigated supply chains. Comparing the costs of chaff supply to potential revenues shows that an exploitation of the harvest residue can be economically feasible.
Vineyard Variability Analysis through UAV-Based Vigour Maps to Assess Climate Change Impacts
Authors: Pádua Luís , Marques Pedro , Adão Telmo , Guimarães Nathalie , Sousa António , Peres Emanuel , Sousa Joaquim João
Published: September 2019

Climate change is projected to be a key influence on crop yields across the globe. Regarding viticulture, primary climate vectors with a significant impact include temperature, moisture stress, and radiation. Within this context, it is of foremost importance to monitor soils’ moisture levels, as well as to detect pests, diseases, and possible problems with irrigation equipment. Regular monitoring activities will enable timely measures that may trigger field interventions that are used to preserve grapevines’ phytosanitary state, saving both time and money, while assuring a more sustainable activity. This study employs unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to acquire aerial imagery, using RGB, multispectral and thermal infrared sensors in a vineyard located in the Portuguese Douro wine region. Data acquired enabled the multi-temporal characterization of the vineyard development throughout a season through the computation of the normalized difference vegetation index, crop surface models, and the crop water stress index. Moreover, vigour maps were computed in three classes (high, medium, and low) with different approaches: (1) considering the whole vineyard, including inter-row vegetation and bare soil; (2) considering only automatically detected grapevine vegetation; and (3) also considering grapevine vegetation by only applying a normalization process before creating the vigour maps. Results showed that vigour maps considering only grapevine vegetation provided an accurate representation of the vineyard variability. Furthermore, significant spatial associations can be gathered through (i) a multi-temporal analysis of vigour maps, and (ii) by comparing vigour maps with both height and water stress estimation. This type of analysis can assist, in a significant way, the decision-making processes in viticulture.
Sustainable and Profitable Nitrogen Fertilization Management of Potato
Authors: Ierna Anita , Mauromicale Giovanni
Published: September 2019

Nitrogen fertilization is indispensable to improving potato crop productivity, but there is a need to manage it suitably by looking at environmental sustainability. In a three-season experiment, we studied the effects of five nitrogen (N) fertilization rates: 0 (N0), 100 (N100), 200 (N200), 300 (N300) and 400 (N400) kg N ha−1 on crop N uptake, apparent nitrogen recovery efficiency (ANRE), tuber yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE), nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (AgNUE) of five different potato cultivars: Daytona, Ninfa, Rubino, Sieglinde and Spunta. The economically optimum N fertilizer rates (EONFR) were also calculated. In seasons with high soil nitrogen availability for the crop (about 85 kg ha−1 of N), tuber yield increased only up to N100 and ANRE was about 50%; in seasons with medium (from 50 to 60 kg ha−1 of N) soil N availability, tuber yield increased up to N200 and ANRE was about 45%. Rubino and Sieglinde (early cultivars) responded for tuber yield only up to N100; Daytona, Ninfa, Spunta (late cultivars) up to N200, showing the highest values of NUE, NUpE, NUtE and AgNUE at N100. EONFR ranged from 176 to 268 kg ha−1 in relation to cultivar and season, but the reduction by 50% led to a tuber yield decrease of only around 16%. The adoption of cultivars characterized by high AgNUE at a low N rate and a soil nitrate test prior to planting, are effective tools to achieve a more sustainable and cost-effective nitrogen fertilization management.
Initial Field Testing Results from Building-Integrated Solar Energy Harvesting Windows Installation in Perth, Australia
Authors: Vasiliev Mikhail , Nur-E-Alam Mohammad , Alameh Kamal
Published: September 2019

We report on the field testing datasets and performance evaluation results obtained from a commercial property-based visually-clear solar window installation site in Perth-Australia. This installation was fitted into a refurbished shopping center entrance porch and showcases the potential of glass curtain wall-based solar energy harvesting in built environments. In particular, we focus on photovoltaic (PV) performance characteristics such as the electric power output, specific yield, day-to-day consistency of peak output power, and the amounts of energy generated and stored daily. The dependencies of the generated electric power and stored energy on multiple environmental and geometric parameters are also studied. An overview of the current and future application potential of high-transparency, visually-clear solar window-based curtain wall installations suitable for practical building integration is provided.
Combination of 2D Compressive Sensing Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Microscopy
Authors: Yi Luying , Sun Liqun , Guo Xiangyu , Hou Bo
Published: September 2019

Combining the advantages of compressive sensing spectral domain optical coherence tomography (CS-SDOCT) and interferometric synthetic aperture microscopy (ISAM) in terms of data volume, imaging speed, and lateral resolution, we demonstrated how compressive sampling and ISAM can be simultaneously used to reconstruct an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image. Specifically, an OCT image is reconstructed from two-dimensional (2D) under-sampled spectral data dimension-by-dimension through a CS reconstruction algorithm. During the iterative process of CS algorithm, the deterioration of lateral resolution beyond the depth of focus (DOF) of a Gaussian beam is corrected. In the end, with less spectral data, we can obtain an OCT image with spatially invariant lateral resolution throughout the imaging depth. This method was verified in this paper by imaging the cells of an orange. A 0.7 × 1.5 mm image of an orange was reconstructed using only 50% × 50% spectral data, in which the dispersion of the structure was decreased by approximately 2.4 times at a depth of approximately 5.7 Rayleigh ranges above the focus. This result was consistent with that obtained with 100% data.
Surface Patterns for Drag Modification in Volleyballs
Authors: Hong Sungchan , Asai Takeshi , Weon Byung Mook
Published: September 2019

Surface patterns on objects are important in aerodynamics. We show how surface patterns on volleyballs modify their aerodynamic performances. Conventional volleyballs with six panels show different aerodynamic characteristics along transverse and diagonal directions. Interestingly, isotropic surface patterning with hexagons or dimples enables us to achieve isotropic aerodynamics. This result gives insight into surface-mediated flight controls of projectiles through resisting fluid media.
Modeling of Atmospheric Pollution in Urban and Rural Sites Using a Probabilistic and Objective Approach
Authors: Moral Francisco J. , Rebollo Francisco J. , Valiente Pablo , López Fernando
Published: September 2019

Atmospheric pollution is affected by different individual pollutants (IP) and climatic factors (CF). In this work, the formulation of the Rasch model is proposed to get representative measures of atmospheric pollution in two urban locations, Badajoz and Cáceres, and one rural site, the Monfragüe Park (Southwest Spain). After applying the Rasch methodology, the ranking of all days was obtained according to their atmospheric pollution level and the influence on the environmental deterioration of each IP and CF (NO2, NO, SO2, O3, CO, benzene, PM10, precipitation, relative humidity, solar radiation, air temperature, and barometric pressure). The most influential items on atmospheric pollution are the O3 and the CF, mainly the lack of precipitation and those related to ozone generation (air temperature and solar radiation). Other IP exert a lower influence at both urban locations, being irrelevant at the Monfragüe Park. Unexpected behaviors of the CF or IP can be also analyzed.
Locomotion Control of Snake-Like Robot with Rotational Elastic Actuators Utilizing Observer
Authors: Nansai Shunsuke , Yamato Takumi , Iwase Masami , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this paper is designing a head control system capable of adapting to passive side-slipping. The environments in which snake-like robots are expected to be utilized generally have ground surface conditions with nonuniform frictional coefficients. In such conditions, the passive wheels of the snake-like robot have a chance of side-slipping. To locomote the snake-like robot dexterously, a control system which adapts to such side-slipping is desired. There are two key points to realizing such a system: First, a dynamic model capable of representing the passive side-slipping must be formulated. A solution for the first key point is to develop a switching dynamic model for the snake-like robot, which switches depending on the occurrence of the side-slipping, by utilizing a projection method. The second key point is to adapt the control system’s behavior to side-slipping. An idea for such a solution is to include the side-slipping velocity in the weighting matrices. An algorithm to estimate the occurrence of side-slipping and the particular side-slipping link is constructed, to formulate the dynamic model depending on the actual side-slipping situation. The effectiveness of the designed Luenberger observer and the head control system for side-slipping adaptation is verified through numerical simulation.
Synthesis and Evaluation of the Lifespan-Extension Properties of Oleracones D–F, Antioxidative Flavonoids from Portulaca oleracea L.
Authors: Yoon Jeong A , Lim Changjin , Cha Dong Seok , Han Young Taek
Published: September 2019

Plant-derived antioxidants have been widely used as supplementary health foods, as well as having been regarded as drug candidates for aging and aging-associated diseases. Oleracones, a novel series of flavonoids isolated from Portulaca oleracea L., possess potent antioxidative activities and are expected to exhibit therapeutic potential on the aging process. The current paper describes the concise sequential synthesis of oleracones D–F. Oleracones D and F were efficiently synthesized via selective intramolecular oxa-Michael addition from oleracone E. In addition, we investigated their possible lifespan-extension properties using Caenorhabditis elegans, which is excellently suited as an experimental model to study aging. A significant longevity effect was observed when nematodes were grown with 20 μM of oleracone E.
Isothermal Drying Process and its Effect on Compressive Strength of Concrete in Multiscale
Authors: Du Xiangqin , Li Zongli , Tong Taotao , Li Bo , Liu Hengjie
Published: September 2019

Drying could change the microstructure of cement-based materials and inevitably affect their mechanical properties. The isothermal drying process of concrete at three scales and its effect on compressive behavior and microstructure were investigated. The deformations of cement paste, mortar, and concrete in the drying process all exhibit the characteristics of expansion first and then shrinkage. The porosity and average pore diameter increase after drying, which is mainly attributed to the increase of pores less than 100 nm diameter for paste and to the pores within 100~1000 nm for mortar. Drying makes paste denser, while the bonding between paste and aggregate is weakened. Microstructural studies indicate that the increase in compressive strength of concrete caused by isothermal drying is the competition result between the strengthening effect and the weakening effect, and is related to the paste content.
Capturing Plume Rise and Dispersion with a Coupled Large-Eddy Simulation: Case Study of a Prescribed Burn
Authors: Moisseeva Nadya , Stull Roland
Published: September 2019

Current understanding of the buoyant rise and subsequent dispersion of smoke due to wildfires has been limited by the complexity of interactions between fire behavior and atmospheric conditions, as well as the uncertainty in model evaluation data. To assess the feasibility of using numerical models to address this knowledge gap, we designed a large-eddy simulation of a real-life prescribed burn using a coupled semi-emperical fire–atmosphere model. We used observational data to evaluate the simulated smoke plume, as well as to identify sources of model biases. The results suggest that the rise and dispersion of fire emissions are reasonably captured by the model, subject to accurate surface thermal forcing and relatively steady atmospheric conditions. Overall, encouraging model performance and the high level of detail offered by simulated data may help inform future smoke plume modeling work, plume-rise parameterizations and field experiment designs.
Estimation of CO2 Emissions from Wildfires Using OCO-2 Data
Authors: Guo Meng , Li Jing , Wen Lixiang , Huang Shubo
Published: September 2019

The biomass burning model (BBM) has been the most widely used method for estimation of trace gas emissions. Due to the difficulty and variability in obtaining various necessary parameters of BBM, a new method is needed to quickly and accurately calculate the trace gas emissions from wildfires. Here, we used satellite data from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) to calculate CO2 emissions from wildfires (the OCO-2 model). Four active wildfires in Siberia were selected in which OCO-2 points intersecting with smoke plumes identified by Aqua MODIS (MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) images. MODIS band 8, band 21 and MISR (Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer) data were used to identify the smoke plume area, burned area and smoke plume height, respectively. By contrast with BBM, which calculates CO2 emissions based on the bottom–top mode, the OCO-2 model estimates CO2 emissions based on the top–bottom mode. We used a linear regression model to compute CO2 concentration (XCO2) for each smoke plume pixel and then calculated CO2 emissions for each wildfire point. The CO2 mass of each smoke plume pixel was added to obtain the CO2 emissions from wildfires. After verifying our results with the BBM, we found that the biases were between 25.76% and 157.11% for the four active fires. The OCO-2 model displays the advantages of remote-sensing technology and is a useful tool for fire-emission monitoring, although we note some of its disadvantages. This study proposed a new perspective to estimate CO2 emissions from wildfire and effectively expands the applied range of OCO-2 satellite data.
All-Trans Retinoic Acid Attenuates Fibrotic Processes by Downregulating TGF-β1/Smad3 in Early Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Sierra-Mondragon Edith , Rodríguez-Muñoz Rafael , Namorado-Tonix Carmen , Molina-Jijon Eduardo , Romero-Trejo Daniel , Pedraza-Chaverri Jose , Reyes Jose L.
Published: September 2019

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) involves damage associated to hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. Renal fibrosis is a major pathologic feature of DN. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-fibrogenic and renoprotective effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in isolated glomeruli and proximal tubules of diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by single injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/Kg). ATRA (1 mg/Kg) was administered daily by gavage, from days 3–21 after STZ injection. ATRA attenuated kidney injury through the reduction of proteinuria, renal hypertrophy, increase in natriuresis, as well as early markers of damage such as β2-microglobulin, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). The following parameters increased: macrophage infiltration, localization of alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-positive cells in renal tissue, and pro-fibrotic proteins such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1), laminin beta 1 (LAM-β1), and collagens IV and I. Remarkably, ATRA treatment ameliorated these alterations and attenuated expression and nuclear translocation of Smad3, with increment of glomerular and tubular Smad7. The diabetic condition decreased expression of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR-α) through phosphorylation in serine residues mediated by the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). ATRA administration restored the expression of RAR-α and inhibited direct interactions of JNK/RAR-α. ATRA prevented fibrogenesis through down-regulation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling.
The Effects of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on the Parameters of Leptin Resistance in Obesity
Authors: Mazahreh Tagleb S. , Alfaqih Mahmoud , Saadeh Rami , Al-Zoubi Nabil A. , Hatamleh Moad , Alqudah Ahmad , Aleshawi Abdelwahab J. , Alzoubi Abdallah
Published: September 2019

Obesity is a growing public health problem worldwide. Bariatric surgical procedures achieve the most sustainable and efficacious outcomes in the treatment of morbid obesity. However, little is known about the underlying molecular pathways modulated by these surgical interventions. Since leptin resistance is implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity, we herein report the effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on the serum levels of leptin and leptin receptor, in addition to its overall effect on leptin resistance. This was an interventional and follow-up clinical study. In the first part, patients attending the general surgery outpatient clinics at our university hospital were first stratified according to their Body-Mass Index (BMI) into cases (n = 38) with BMI ≥ 35 who were scheduled to undergo LSG, and controls (n = 75) with a normal BMI. Serum leptin and leptin receptor levels were measured by sandwich ELISA technique. A leptin resistance index was estimated by adjusting leptin to BMI ratio to leptin receptor concentration. In the second part of the study, cases who underwent LSG were followed up one year postoperatively to assess their BMI and serum leptin and leptin receptor levels. Leptin to BMI ratio was significantly higher, while serum leptin receptor was significantly lower, in obese patients compared to controls. This translated into a significantly higher leptin resistance index in obese patients. LSG resulted in a significant reduction of BMI, leptin to BMI ratio, and leptin resistance index, as it significantly increased leptin receptor levels. In conclusion, LSG showed significant decrease in leptin resistance in obese patients after one year. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical impact of this finding on LSG outcomes.
Does Video Gaming Have Impacts on the Brain: Evidence from a Systematic Review
Authors: Brilliant T. Denilson , Nouchi Rui , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: September 2019

Video gaming, the experience of playing electronic games, has shown several benefits for human health. Recently, numerous video gaming studies showed beneficial effects on cognition and the brain. A systematic review of video gaming has been published. However, the previous systematic review has several differences to this systematic review. This systematic review evaluates the beneficial effects of video gaming on neuroplasticity specifically on intervention studies. Literature research was conducted from randomized controlled trials in PubMed and Google Scholar published after 2000. A systematic review was written instead of a meta-analytic review because of variations among participants, video games, and outcomes. Nine scientific articles were eligible for the review. Overall, the eligible articles showed fair quality according to Delphi Criteria. Video gaming affects the brain structure and function depending on how the game is played. The game genres examined were 3D adventure, first-person shooting (FPS), puzzle, rhythm dance, and strategy. The total training durations were 16–90 h. Results of this systematic review demonstrated that video gaming can be beneficial to the brain. However, the beneficial effects vary among video game types.
Outdoor Test Cell Modelling with Modelica
Authors: Wüest Thomas , Schuetz Philipp , Luible Andreas
Published: September 2019

The experimental setup implements a simplified PASSYS test cell construction, which is combined with a detailed simulation to reduce measurement effort. To analyze the cell’s dynamic behavior, the test cell was closely monitored with thermal sensors, and different static and dynamic heating modes were applied during a three-week calibration period. Co-heating tests were performed for steady-state measurements and cyclic heating periods account for the transient behavior of the test cell. The cells response was compared to the results of transient simulations with the software packet Modelica. The equation based Modelica framework allowed a detailed transient thermal simulation of the test cell’s dynamic to be set up that shows close agreement with the measurements. In addition, the flexibility of Modelica allowed unforeseen events affecting the experimental setup to be replicated, thereby ensuring an uninterrupted heat flow history of all surfaces. More than 96% of the predicted air temperatures (1 min resolution) match the experimental values within an error band of ±1.5 K, and 90% of all predictions are within ±1.0 K.
Liquid Biopsy Testing Can Improve Selection of Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients to Rechallenge with Gefitinib
Authors: Esposito Abate Riziero , Pasquale Raffaella , Sacco Alessandra , Piccirillo Maria Carmela , Morabito Alessandro , Bidoli Paolo , Finocchiaro Giovanna , Chiari Rita , Foltran Luisa , Buosi Roberta , Tiseo Marcello , Giannetta Laura , Battiloro Ciro , Fasola Gianpiero , Romano Gianpiero , Ciuffreda Libero , Frassoldati Antonio , de Marinis Filippo , Cappuzzo Federico , Normanno Nicola
Published: September 2019

The ICARUS trial is a phase II, open label, multicenter, single arm study conducted to investigate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a rechallenge treatment with the first-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) gefitinib in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients carrying activating mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The ICARUS trial enrolled 61 patients who were rechallenged with gefitinib at progression after second-line chemotherapy. Serum-derived circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) collected before the rechallenge from a cohort of 29 patients, was retrospectively analyzed for the EGFR exon 19 deletions and for the p.L858R and p.T790M single nucleotide variants (SNV). The analysis of cfDNA detected the same EGFR activating mutation reported in the tumor tissue in 20/29 patients, with a sensitivity of 69%. Moreover, a p.T790M variant was found in 14/29 patients (48.3%). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.7 months for p.T790M positive patients (CI 95% 1.4–3.1 months) versus 3.5 months for the p.T790M negative patients (CI 95% 1.6–5.3 months), resulting in a statistically significant difference (Long rank test p = 0.0180). These findings confirmed the role of the p.T790M mutation in the resistance to first-generation TKIs. More importantly, our data suggest that TKI rechallenge should be guided by biomarker testing.
Biocatalysis as Useful Tool in Asymmetric Synthesis: An Assessment of Recently Granted Patents (2014–2019)
Authors: de María Pablo , de Gonzalo Gonzalo , Alcántara Andrés
Published: September 2019

The broad interdisciplinary nature of biocatalysis fosters innovation, as different technical fields are interconnected and synergized. A way to depict that innovation is by conducting a survey on patent activities. This paper analyses the intellectual property activities of the last five years (2014–2019) with a specific focus on biocatalysis applied to asymmetric synthesis. Furthermore, to reflect the inventive and innovative steps, only patents that were granted during that period are considered. Patent searches using several keywords (e.g., enzyme names) have been conducted by using several patent engine servers (e.g., Espacenet, SciFinder, Google Patents), with focus on granted patents during the period 2014–2019. Around 200 granted patents have been identified, covering all enzyme types. The inventive pattern focuses on the protection of novel protein sequences, as well as on new substrates. In some other cases, combined processes, multi-step enzymatic reactions, as well as process conditions are the innovative basis. Both industries and academic groups are active in patenting. As a conclusion of this survey, we can assert that biocatalysis is increasingly recognized as a useful tool for asymmetric synthesis and being considered as an innovative option to build IP and protect synthetic routes.
The Role of miRNAs in Immune Cell Development, Immune Cell Activation, and Tumor Immunity: With a Focus on Macrophages and Natural Killer Cells
Authors: Xu Shi Jun , Hu Hong Tao , Li Hai Liang , Chang Suhwan
Published: September 2019

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is the primary arena where tumor cells and the host immune system interact. Bidirectional communication between tumor cells and the associated stromal cell types within the TME influences disease initiation and progression, as well as tumor immunity. Macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells are crucial components of the stromal compartment and display either pro- or anti-tumor properties, depending on the expression of key regulators. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as such regulators. They affect several immune cell functions closely related to tumor evasion of the immune system. This review discusses the role of miRNAs in the differentiation, maturation, and activation of immune cells as well as tumor immunity, focusing particularly on macrophages and NK cells.
Epigenetic Regulation of Inflammatory Cytokine-Induced Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Cell Transition and Cancer Stem Cell Generation
Authors: Markopoulos Georgios S. , Roupakia Eugenia , Marcu Kenneth B. , Kolettas Evangelos
Published: September 2019

The neoplastic transformation of normal to metastatic cancer cells is a complex multistep process involving the progressive accumulation of interacting genetic and epigenetic changes that alter gene function and affect cell physiology and homeostasis. Epigenetic changes including DNA methylation, histone modifications and changes in noncoding RNA expression, and deregulation of epigenetic processes can alter gene expression during the multistep process of carcinogenesis. Cancer progression and metastasis through an ‘invasion–metastasis cascade’ involving an epithelial-to-mesenchymal cell transition (EMT), the generation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), invasion of adjacent tissues, and dissemination are fueled by inflammation, which is considered a hallmark of cancer. Chronic inflammation is generated by inflammatory cytokines secreted by the tumor and the tumor-associated cells within the tumor microenvironment. Inflammatory cytokine signaling initiates signaling pathways leading to the activation of master transcription factors (TFs) such as Smads, STAT3, and NF-κB. Moreover, the same inflammatory responses also activate EMT-inducing TF (EMT-TF) families such as Snail, Twist, and Zeb, and epigenetic regulators including DNA and histone modifying enzymes and micoRNAs, through complex interconnected positive and negative feedback loops to regulate EMT and CSC generation. Here, we review the molecular regulatory feedback loops and networks involved in inflammatory cytokine-induced EMT and CSC generation.
CTC-Derived Models: A Window into the Seeding Capacity of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs)
Authors: Tayoun Tala , Faugeroux Vincent , Oulhen Marianne , Aberlenc Agathe , Pawlikowska Patrycja , Farace Françoise
Published: September 2019

Metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related death owing to the blood-borne dissemination of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) early in the process. A rare fraction of CTCs harboring a stem cell profile and tumor initiation capacities is thought to possess the clonogenic potential to seed new lesions. The highest plasticity has been generally attributed to CTCs with a partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype, demonstrating a large heterogeneity among these cells. Therefore, detection and functional characterization of these subclones may offer insight into mechanisms underlying CTC tumorigenicity and inform on the complex biology behind metastatic spread. Although an in-depth mechanistic investigation is limited by the extremely low CTC count in circulation, significant progress has been made over the past few years to establish relevant systems from patient CTCs. CTC-derived xenograft (CDX) models and CTC-derived ex vivo cultures have emerged as tractable systems to explore tumor-initiating cells (TICs) and uncover new therapeutic targets. Here, we introduce basic knowledge of CTC biology, including CTC clusters and evidence for EMT/cancer stem cell (CSC) hybrid phenotypes. We report and evaluate the CTC-derived models generated to date in different types of cancer and shed a light on challenges and key findings associated with these novel assays.
Tubulin-Dependent Transport of Connexin-36 Potentiates the Size and Strength of Electrical Synapses
Authors: Brown Cherie A. , del Corsso Cristiane , Zoidl Christiane , Donaldson Logan W. , Spray David C. , Zoidl Georg
Published: September 2019

Connexin-36 (Cx36) electrical synapses strengthen transmission in a calcium/calmodulin (CaM)/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII)-dependent manner similar to a mechanism whereby the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit NR2B facilitates chemical transmission. Since NR2B–microtubule interactions recruit receptors to the cell membrane during plasticity, we hypothesized an analogous modality for Cx36. We determined that Cx36 binding to tubulin at the carboxy-terminal domain was distinct from Cx43 and NR2B by binding a motif overlapping with the CaM and CaMKII binding motifs. Dual patch-clamp recordings demonstrated that pharmacological interference of the cytoskeleton and deleting the binding motif at the Cx36 carboxyl-terminal (CT) reversibly abolished Cx36 plasticity. Mechanistic details of trafficking to the gap-junction plaque (GJP) were probed pharmacologically and through mutational analysis, all of which affected GJP size and formation between cell pairs. Lys279, Ile280, and Lys281 positions were particularly critical. This study demonstrates that tubulin-dependent transport of Cx36 potentiates synaptic strength by delivering channels to GJPs, reinforcing the role of protein transport at chemical and electrical synapses to fine-tune communication between neurons.
Recent Advances in TiO2 Films Prepared by Sol-Gel Methods for Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants and Antibacterial Activities
Authors: Pant Bishweshwar , Park Mira , Park Soo-Jin
Published: September 2019

Photocatalysis has recently emerged as an advanced, green, and eco-friendly process for the treatment of wastewater and air, and antimicrobial disinfection applications. In this context, TiO2 nanostructures have been shown to be the prominent photocatalyst candidates due to their low cost, non-toxicity, and ease of fabrication. This review highlights the investigation and development of TiO2 photocatalyst film by sol-gel method with special emphasis on the photodecolorization of synthetic dyes and antibacterial activities. Furthermore, various synthesis methods for the preparation of TiO2 films and their advantages, as well as limitations, are summarized. Finally, recent advances in TiO2 films by sol-gel method for dye degradation and antibacterial activities, challenges, and future perspective are discussed.