bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Levels of Amino Acids and Basic Components in Burley Tobacco Produced by Roasting
Authors: Li P , Wu M , Xie J
Published: July 2016

Three burley tobacco samples from three different areas in China and Brazil were roasted under three processing conditions. The amino acids and basic components of the burley tobacco samples were determined before and after roasting. Routine tobacco variables (reducing sugars, total water-soluble sugars, total nitrogen, total alkaloids, total volatile bases, and pH) were determined according to the Chinese National Standard Methods (CNSM). Free amino acids were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The basic compounds were isolated by use of simultaneous distillation and extraction (SDE) equipment. Their levels were determined qualitatively and quantitatively on a) a gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector (NPD) and b) by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results indicated that the chemical changes occurring during roasting have a significant impact on burley tobacco quality. Roasting decreased the tobacco pH value and the levels of total nitrogen, reducing sugars, free amino acids, and other nitrogenous substances, such as amines and alkaloids. The latter are usually related to the irritancy and sharp taste of burley tobacco smoke. In contrast, the levels of pyrazines, important contributors to the characteristic burley flavor, increased.
On the Estimation of Permeabilities and Draw Resistances of Cigarette Components
Authors: Eitzinger B
Published: July 2016

The goal of this study is to investigate whether the permeability of the tipping/plugwrap system, the permeability of the cigarette paper and the draw resistances of the filter and tobacco rod can be calculated from measurements of the degree of filter ventilation and of the open and closed draw resistance. This issue is investigated for a linear and a non-linear model of the flow in unlit cigarettes. At first it is proven that there exist experimental conditions to which the cigarette can be exposed such that the problem has at least a unique solution. The problem is then solved by least-squares optimisation for a linear and a non-linear model of the air flow in unlit cigarettes with various noise levels on the output quantities. The error sensitivity of the optimisation problem is estimated by calculation of the condition number.

From the simulation several facts can be concluded. Firstly, for the linear model varying the flow velocity at the mouth end of the cigarette does not provide enough information to uniquely determine the properties of the cigarette's components. Secondly, estimates of these properties from the linear model have low standard deviations but a high bias, which makes the linear model useless for the estimation task. Thirdly, estimates from the non-linear model are more reliable if the pressure at the cigarette tip is varied instead of the flow velocity at the mouth end. Fourthly, the measurements of the degree of filter ventilation and of the open and closed draw resistance need to be at least 10 to 20 times more accurate than the desired accuracy of the estimate. Several methods to improve this situation are proposed.
The Influence of Cigarette Moisture to the Chemistry of Particulate Phase Smoke of a Common Commercial Cigarette
Authors: Zha Q , Moldoveanu SC
Published: July 2016

This study presents the results on the influence of cigarette moisture content to the chemical composition of particulate phase smoke. Seventy-five selected compounds were monitored for the comparison of particulate phase smoke of a commercial full-flavored (FF) cigarette with three different moisture contents at 7.8%, 14.5% and 20.4%, respectively. It was demonstrated that the smoke of a dry cigarette is richer in lower molecular mass compounds than a regular cigarette. On the other hand, the smoke of a moist cigarette is richer in higher molecular mass compounds than a regular cigarette. To maximize the influence of cigarette moisture to the chemical composition, a separate set of measurements were done using only the first three puffs of smoke. The accumulation of moisture in the tobacco column of a burning cigarette may influence the smoke composition, as generated during burning. The differences between dry, regular and moist cigarettes were more obvious for the first three puffs.
Effect of Water Regime and Nitrogen Fertilisation on Growth Dynamics, Water Status and Yield of Burley Tobacco (Nicotianatabacum L.)
Authors: Ruggiero C , Angelino G , Ascione S , Napolitano A
Published: July 2016

The results of a two-year research project into burley tobacco are reported and discussed. Three irrigation levels (40, 80 and 120% restitution of evapotranspiration (ET)) were factorially combined with four levels of nitrogen fertilisation (0, 80, 160 and 240 kg ha). Leaf area, leaf and stem dry matter and root development were measured. We monitored the water status of the 0-90 cm soil layer, the plants and stomatal resistance. Relations were also studied between leaf turgor pressure and plant growth, between the irrigation regime and plant water status, and between root and shoot development. Finally, water use efficiency (WUE) and quality and quantity of cured leaves yields were evaluated. Nitrogen fertilisation did not affect plant water status, although it promoted plant growth, both in terms of leaf area and leaf and stem dry matter, and induced a yield increase in quantity and quality. Our trial showed little interaction between nitrogen fertilization level and water regime. Under such agronomic condition, the margins for increasing plant growth with nitrogen fertilization are limited, which is why application of nitrogen rates in excess of 160 kg haappear inadvisable. The difference in irrigation volumes led to a different soil water content which affected plant water status, stomatal functioning, plant growth, both in the roots and shoots, yield and quality of the cured leaves. The latter did not vary with the increase in water volume, while yield increased. Water use efficiency increased as the irrigation volume decreased and varied during the cropping cycle, increasing until early bloom, then decreasing. Relations between leaf turgor pressure and plant growth highlighted the different response of plants subjected to water stress compared with non-stressed plants.
Seminars in Tobacco Science: Terms used for Exposure to Smoke
Authors: Baker RR , Dixon M , Mariner DC , Shepperd CJ , Scherer G , Ogden MW , Robinson JH , Sinclair NM , Sherwood N , Akiyama Y , Sakamoto K , Röper W , Tricker AR , Marchand V , Varignon B , Lionetti G
Published: July 2016

The Smoking Behaviour Sub Group of the Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) was set up in 1996 with the aims of reviewing information relevant to smoking behaviour, publishing the reviews, identifying gaps in information and suggesting suitable studies. So far three reviews have been published by members of the sub group (1-3) and other reviews are in progress. One aspect of the subject that has become apparent to the sub group is that terms are used inconsistently in various papers on smoking behaviour. We therefore propose that the following terms and their definitions are used in the future.
Identification and Quantification of Sucrose Esters in Various Turkish Tobaccos
Authors: Ashraf-Khorassani N , Nazem N , Taylor LT , Coleman WM
Published: July 2016

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and reversed-phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were used to compare and quantify sucrose esters (SE) in five different tobaccos. The concentration of SE varied from 340 to 950 µg/g. In order to quantify the SE in each tobacco, the trimethylsilane (TMS) derivative of each sample was analyzed via GC-MS. It appeared that in the five tobaccos, the intensities of the five chosen SE-derived molecular masses increased in the order m/z 622 < 636 < 678 < 650 < 664 for samples 1-3, but for samples 4 and 5, the m/z 678 and 650 were reversed. In order to qualitatively characterize the various SE chromatographic fractions LC-MS was used. It was determined that the lowest parent SE m/z in which acetyl was attached to glucose was detected at m/z 566 (10 carbons), and the highest m/z was found at 692 (19 carbons). Some m/z values showed more than one peak which indicated the presence of isomers. All samples showed the presence of at least five different SE peaks wherein acetyl was attached to fructose (i.e. m/z 205). Also, acyl unsaturation was observed in selected fractions.
The Composition of Cigarette Smoke: A Catalogue of the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Authors: Rodgman A , Perfetti TA
Published: July 2016

Classified as toxicants in many of the substances to which humans are exposed are the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Such exposures include air pollutants from a variety of sources, foodstuffs and beverages, and tobacco smoke. Since the early 1950s, the composition of the latter has been more completely defined than that of any other consumer product. Nearly 4800 components have been identified in tobacco smoke and among these are over 500 PAHs either completely or partially identified. Because of the tumorigenicity of many PAHs, much research has been conducted in attempts to define the relationship between the PAH structures and their specific tumorigenicities in laboratory animals. None of the theories to date completely answers all the questions.

As a prelude to an attempt to develop a more reasonable PAH structure-tumorigenicity relationship, the PAHs completely or partially identified in cigarette smoke have been catalogued. In the catalogue, they are categorized as bicyclic, tricyclic, tetracyclic, etc. with each group subdivided into all-benzenoid PAHs and cyclopentanoid-benzenoid PAHs. Another tabulation includes the PAHs considered in several previous studies on structure-tumorigenicity relationships, studies that dealt primarily with all-benzenoid PAHs.
Biomarkers Derived from Nicotine and its Metabolites: A Review
Authors: Tricker AR
Published: July 2016

Nicotine is the major alkaloid present in tobacco and the most frequently determined compound as a biomarker of tobacco exposure in both smokers and non-smokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. Current knowledge on the human metabolism and disposition kinetics of nicotine is reviewed, together with methods for the determination of nicotine and various metabolites in different human biological fluids and matrices. Only short-term biomarkers of nicotine exposure exist and long-term biomarkers of exposure such as the incorporation of nicotine and cotinine into human hair, toenails and deciduous teeth require further investigation. Determination of ‘nicotine boost’, the difference in blood nicotine concentrations that occur after smoking a single cigarette, provides an experimental indication of individual smoking behaviour, but is unsuitable for population studies. The determination of nicotine plus multiple phase I and phase II metabolites in 24-hour urine, often expressed as ‘nicotine equivalents’, provides the most accurate way to determine exposure to nicotine in smokers; however, few laboratories are equipped to perform the complex analysis required for this purpose. Nicotine equivalents can be used to estimate the uptake of nicotine from a cigarette in both individuals and in population studies. Despite recent advancements in analytical methodology and the possibility of determining multiple nicotine metabolites in various biological fluids, determination of cotinine, the major metabolite of nicotine, is likely to remain the most commonly used approach to assess exposure to tobacco smoke in both smokers and non-smokers. Representative data for cotinine in blood, saliva and urine of smokers and non-smokers are presented.
Use of a Tobacco Agar Medium (TAM) to Detect Cryptococcus and Candida Colonies Isolated from Tobacco
Authors: Morin A , Joly J
Published: July 2016

The use of a tobacco agar medium (TAM) was investigated to visually differentiate Cryptococcus species from Rhodotorula and Candida species that can be isolated from tobacco. This study was first conducted with pure isolates of each of the major yeast species that have been isolated from tobacco. All Cryptococcus strains that were tested produced colonies with different degrees of pigmentation ranging from light to dark brown or black. All Candida and Pichia colonies were white to off-white. Candidaparapsilosis colonies were easily differentiated since they had rough contours and surfaces. All Rhodotorula colonies were pink or orange. In order to validate the use of this medium, tobacco was spiked with a mixed culture of Cryptococcus, Candida, Rhodotorula and Pichia. TAM allowed visual detection and enumeration of the four yeast genera based on colony colour and/or morphology.
Comparisons of the Composition of Tobacco Smoke and the Smokes from Various Tobacco Substitutes
Authors: Green CR , Schumacher JN , Lloyd RA , Rodgman A
Published: July 2016

By the late 1970s, eight technologies in the design of a ‘less hazardous’ cigarette were classified as significant. The eight included: The tobacco blend, the filter tip, filter-tip additives, reconstituted tobacco sheet, paper additives, air dilution via paper porosity, expanded tobacco, and air dilution via filter-tip perforation. In addition to these eight cigarette-design technologies was another proposed technology which involved the incorporation of a substitute for some or all of the tobacco in the cigarette filler. Despite considerable research and development (R&D) effort on various tobacco substitutes that indicated the replacements in most instances fulfilled the definition of a ‘less hazardous’ cigarette with regard to the chemical and biological properties of their mainstream smoke, tobacco substitute-containing cigarettes failed to attain consumer acceptability. As a result, several marketed products containing tobacco substitutes had an extremely brief tenure in the marketplace. Outlined herein is a summary of some detailed research conducted on the composition of the mainstream smokes from cigarettes containing either all-substitute filler or fillers comprising various substitute and tobacco mixtures as well as an all-tobacco cigarette.
Temperature Conditions Affecting Winter Survival of the Cigarette Beetle, Lasiodermaserricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)
Authors: Imai T , Tsuchiya S
Published: July 2016

Winter survival of cigarette beetle larvae in three tobacco warehouses and three sheds at five locations in Japan was examined to determine critical temperature conditions for eradication under natural situations in locations where temperatures fluctuate seasonally and diurnally. In the tobacco warehouses, where mean diurnal temperature variations were less than 1 °C, the combined exposure to temperatures lower than 7 °C for 9-10 weeks and lower than 6 °C for 1 to 2 weeks inside tobacco cases was found to be required for eradication. Temperatures inside tobacco cases approximated the 7-day moving averages of outside temperatures but were about 1 °C higher. To disinfest the larvae living inside, tobacco cases should be exposed to outside temperatures lower than 6 °C for 7 to 8 weeks and 5 °C for 3 to 4 weeks. Near the critical conditions, larger diurnal temperature ranges resulted in higher winter survival rates. This result suggests that the larvae may survive even in areas cold enough to normally cause eradication provided that daytime temperatures rise sufficiently.
Determination of Carbonyl Compounds in Exhaled Cigarette Smoke
Authors: Moldoveanu S , Coleman W , Wilkins J
Published: July 2016

This paper presents the findings on a quantitative evaluation of carbonyl levels in exhaled cigarette smoke from human subjects. The cigarettes evaluated include products with 5.0 mg ‘tar’, 10.6 mg ‘tar’ and 16.2 mg ‘tar’, where ‘tar’ is defined as the weight of total wet particulate matter (TPM) minus the weight of nicotine and water, and the cigarettes are smoked following U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommendations. The measured levels of carbonyls in the exhaled smoke were compared with calculated yields of carbonyls in the inhaled smoke and a retention efficiency was obtained. The number of human subjects included a total of ten smokers for the 10.6 mg ‘tar’, five for the 16.2 mg ‘tar’, and five for the 5.0 mg ‘tar’ product, each subject smoking three cigarettes. The analyzed carbonyl compounds included several aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, propionaldehyde, crotonaldehyde and n-butyraldehyde), and two ketones (acetone and 2-butanone). The smoke collection from the human subjects was vacuum assisted. Exhaled smoke was collected on Cambridge pads pretreated with a solution of dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) followed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the dinitrophenylhydrazones of the carbonyl compounds. The cigarette butts from the smokers were collected and analyzed for nicotine. The nicotine levels for the cigarette butts from the smokers were used to calculate the level of carbonyls in the inhaled smoke, based on calibration curves. These were generated separately by analyzing the carbonyls in smoke and the nicotine in the cigarette butts obtained by machine smoking under different puffing regimes. The comparison of the level of carbonyl compounds in exhaled smoke with that from the inhaled smoke showed high retention of all the carbonyls. The retention of aldehydes was above 95% for all three different ‘tar’ levels cigarettes. The ketones were retained with a slightly lower efficiency. Acetone was retained in the range of 90% to 95%. The retention for 2-butanone showed a larger scatter compared to other results but it also appeared to be slightly less absorbed than the aldehydes, with an average retention around 95%. The retention of acetaldehyde and acetone by human smokers was previously reported in literature and the findings from this study are in very good agreement with these result.
A Model for the Prediction of Tobacco Temperature and Oxygen Profiles in Warehouse Aging Process
Authors: Zheng Y , Chipley J , Dow A , Midgett C
Published: July 2016

A mathematical model on the temperature and oxygen profiles for the tobacco warehouse aging process was formulated and solved by numeric analysis. The model parameters were obtained using the non-linear regression method by fitting several years measured temperatures to the model. The R square value between measured and calculated tobacco temperatures in warehouse aging process are all over 0.95. The proposed model can be used to predict the tobacco hogshead temperature profile at different time and positions with ambient temperature, tobacco moisture contents and pH. At the same time, the model also predicts the oxygen profile in the hogshead. The effects of the ambient temperature, pH, void fraction, the reaction active energy, oxygen diffusivity, and the oxygen consumption rate constant on the temperature profile were studied.
Mathematical Modeling of a Lit-End Cigarette: Puffing Cycle and Effects of Puff Counts
Authors: Saidi MS , Mhaisekar A , Hajaligol MR , Subbiah M
Published: July 2016

The burning cycles of a lit-end cigarette were numerically simulated using a 3-D model that includes both the cigarette and its surrounding ambient air and the effects of buoyancy forces. The solid and gas phases were treated separately in a thermally non-equilibrium environment. The tobacco pyrolysis and char oxidation were modeled using multi-precursor models. The changes in tobacco column porosity and its subsequent effects on permeability and gas diffusivity were included. The mass, momentum, energy, and species transport equations were solved in a discretized computational domain using a commercially available computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. The model was applied to puff a cigarette under different puffing intensities and the effects of puff volume, puff profile, and puff duration were studied. The results show that the model is capable of reproducing the major features of a burning cigarette during both smoldering and puffing. For the puffing and puff-by-puff cases, the solid and gas temperatures as well as those mainstream smoke constituents predicted by the model are in a good agreement with experimental results. A parametric study shows the significant effect of puff volume, puff profile, ventilation rate, and puff counts on solid and gas phase temperatures as well as gaseous species concentrations and mainstream smoke delivery. The buoyancy forces have shown to be very important in both smoldering and puffing.
Determination of Benzene and Toluene In Exhaled Cigarette Smoke
Authors: Moldoveanu S , Coleman W III , Wilkins J
Published: July 2016

This study describes the results regarding the evaluation of retention efficiency by humans of benzene and toluene from cigarette smoke. The evaluated cigarette was a common commercial cigarette with 10.6 mg ‘tar’ [U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ‘tar’ is defined as the weight of total particulate matter minus nicotine and water]. The test was performed on ten subjects. The exhaled smoke was collected using a vacuum assisted technique that avoids strain in exhaling the smoke. The study showed that benzene was retained at levels of 89% to 98%, and toluene was retained at similar levels, between 87% and 99%. The lower limits of retention for both benzene and toluene are unexpectedly low compared to the retention of bi-and tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which have retentions from cigarette smoke above 95%. This is probably caused by the fact that monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are present practically only in the vapor phase of cigarette smoke and at considerably higher levels than bi- and tri-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are present almost completely in the particulate phase of cigarette smoke.
Monitoring the Bacterial and Fungal Biota of Eleven Tobacco Grades Stored at Three Different Locations
Authors: Villemur R , Lacasse M , Morin A
Published: July 2016

Tobacco as many other plants has its own microbiota. There are very few studies determining the evolution of this microbiota during tobacco storage, which may affect the quality of tobacco. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) were used to determine changes in the microbiota of tobacco during the aging of eleven different tobacco grades stored at three different locations for twelve months. The microbial fraction of these tobacco grades was extracted, and the bacterial 16S and the fungal 18S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) sequences were PCR amplified before being segregated by DGGE. The bacterial complexity of the tobacco grades was represented by DGGE migrating banding profiles that varied between 20 and 30 bands. Some variations in the banding profiles were observed between the tobacco grades, but overall no substantial changes occurred in the bacterial population of the different grades during their storage at different locations. Most of the fungal DGGE profiles were identical and had only one dominating band related to the genus Aspergillus. Bacterial and fungal isolates were also derived from the microbial fractions of the tobacco, and part of their respective 16S and 18S rDNA sequences were determined. Bacterial isolates belonged to Bacillales and gamma Protobacteria. Fungal isolates belonged to the genus Aspergillus. Our results showed that the bacterial and fungal biota of tobacco are relatively stable throughout 12 months storage time.
Development of Novel Microsatellite Markers for the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter Gentilis) and their Utility in Cross-Species Amplification
Authors: Haughey Christy L. , Sage George K. , DeGange Gabriel R. , Sonsthagen Sarah A. , Talbot Sandra L.
Published: July 2016

The Northern Goshawk ( Accipiter gentilis) is a large forest raptor with a Holarctic distribution and, in some portions of its range, a species of conservation concern. To augment previously reported genetic markers, 13 novel polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed to establish individual identification and familial relationships, to assess levels of genetic diversity, and to identify diagnostic markers. Of the 22 loci tested, 13 were polymorphic, seven were monomorphic, and two failed to amplify. This suite of microsatellite loci yielded a combined probability of parental exclusion of 98%; a single individual sampled from a North American population can be reliably identified using a combination of seven of the 13 polymorphic loci. Cross-species screening in Cooper's Hawks (A. cooperii) and Sharp-shinned Hawks (A. striatus) of the 20 loci that successfully amplified in Northern Goshawks identified 13 loci as polymorphic in each species. Six of these loci (Age1303, Age1308, Age1309, Age1312, and Age1314) appeared to be useful in distinguishing between Accipiter species. These markers will be useful to researchers investigating populations of North American accipiters.
Circadian Regulation of Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: Frank Marcos
Published: July 2016

Circadian rhythms refer to oscillations in biological processes with a period of approximately 24 h. In addition to the sleep/wake cycle, there are circadian rhythms in metabolism, body temperature, hormone output, organ function and gene expression. There is also evidence of circadian rhythms in synaptic plasticity, in some cases driven by a master central clock and in other cases by peripheral clocks. In this article, I review the evidence for circadian influences on synaptic plasticity. I also discuss ways to disentangle the effects of brain state and rhythms on synaptic plasticity.
Investigating the Influence of Light Shelf Geometry Parameters on Daylight Performance and Visual Comfort, a Case Study of Educational Space in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Moazzeni Mohammad , Ghiabaklou Zahra
Published: July 2016

Daylight can be considered as one of the most important principles of sustainable architecture. It is unfortunate that this is neglected by designers in Tehran, a city that benefits from a significant amount of daylight and many clear sunny days during the year. Using a daylight controller system increases space natural light quality and decreases building lighting consumption by 60%. It also affects building thermal behavior, because most of them operate as shading. The light shelf is one of the passive systems for controlling daylight, mostly used with shading and installed in the upper half of the windows above eye level. The influence of light shelf parameters, such as its dimensions, shelf rotation angle and orientation on daylight efficiency and visual comfort in educational spaces is investigated in this article. Daylight simulation software and annual analysis based on climate information during space occupation hours were used. The results show that light shelf dimensions, as well as different orientations, especially in southern part, are influential in the distribution of natural light and visual comfort. At the southern orientation, increased light shelf dimensions result in an increase of the area of the work plane with suitable daylight levels by 2%–40% and a significant decrease in disturbing and intolerable glare hours.
The Logical Consistency of Simultaneous Agnostic Hypothesis Tests
Authors: Esteves Luís , Izbicki Rafael , Stern Julio , Stern Rafael
Published: July 2016

Simultaneous hypothesis tests can fail to provide results that meet logical requirements. For example, if A and B are two statements such that A implies B, there exist tests that, based on the same data, reject B but not A. Such outcomes are generally inconvenient to statisticians (who want to communicate the results to practitioners in a simple fashion) and non-statisticians (confused by conflicting pieces of information). Based on this inconvenience, one might want to use tests that satisfy logical requirements. However, Izbicki and Esteves shows that the only tests that are in accordance with three logical requirements (monotonicity, invertibility and consonance) are trivial tests based on point estimation, which generally lack statistical optimality. As a possible solution to this dilemma, this paper adapts the above logical requirements to agnostic tests, in which one can accept, reject or remain agnostic with respect to a given hypothesis. Each of the logical requirements is characterized in terms of a Bayesian decision theoretic perspective. Contrary to the results obtained for regular hypothesis tests, there exist agnostic tests that satisfy all logical requirements and also perform well statistically. In particular, agnostic tests that fulfill all logical requirements are characterized as region estimator-based tests. Examples of such tests are provided.
Using Wearable Accelerometers in a Community Service Context to Categorize Falling Behavior
Authors: Lee Chia-Hsuan , Sun Tien-Lung , Jiang Bernard , Choi Victor
Published: July 2016

In this paper, the Multiscale Entropy (MSE) analysis of acceleration data collected from a wearable inertial sensor was compared with other features reported in the literature to observe falling behavior from the acceleration data, and traditional clinical scales to evaluate falling behavior. We use a fall risk assessment over a four-month period to examine >65 year old participants in a community service context using simple clinical tests, including the Short Form Berg Balance Scale (SFBBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ), with wearable accelerometers for the TUG test. We classified participants into fallers and non-fallers to (1) compare the features extracted from the accelerometers and (2) categorize fall risk using statistics from TUG test results. Combined, TUG and SFBBS results revealed defining features were test time, Slope(A) and slope(B) in Sit(A)-to-stand(B), and range(A) and slope(B) in Stand(B)-to-sit(A). Of (1) SPMSQ; (2) TUG and SPMSQ; and (3) BBS and SPMSQ results, only range(A) in Stand(B)-to-sit(A) was a defining feature. From MSE indicators, we found that whether in the X, Y or Z direction, TUG, BBS, and the combined TUG and SFBBS are all distinguishable, showing that MSE can effectively classify participants in these clinical tests using behavioral actions. This study highlights the advantages of body-worn sensors as ordinary and low cost tools available outside the laboratory. The results indicated that MSE analysis of acceleration data can be used as an effective metric to categorize falling behavior of community-dwelling elderly. In addition to clinical application, (1) our approach requires no expert physical therapist, nurse, or doctor for evaluations and (2) fallers can be categorized irrespective of the critical value from clinical tests.
Ensemble Equivalence for Distinguishable Particles
Authors: Fernández-Peralta Antonio , Toral Raúl
Published: July 2016

Statistics of distinguishable particles has become relevant in systems of colloidal particles and in the context of applications of statistical mechanics to complex networks. In this paper, we present evidence that a commonly used expression for the partition function of a system of distinguishable particles leads to huge fluctuations of the number of particles in the grand canonical ensemble and, consequently, to nonequivalence of statistical ensembles. We will show that the alternative definition of the partition function including, naturally, Boltzmann’s correct counting factor for distinguishable particles solves the problem and restores ensemble equivalence. Finally, we also show that this choice for the partition function does not produce any inconsistency for a system of distinguishable localized particles, where the monoparticular partition function is not extensive.
Analysis of In-to-Out Wireless Body Area Network Systems: Towards QoS-Aware Health Internet of Things Applications
Authors: Liao Yangzhe , Leeson Mark , Higgins Matthew , Bai Chenyao
Published: July 2016

In this paper, an analytical and accurate in-to-out (I2O) human body path loss (PL) model at 2.45 GHz is derived based on a 3D heterogeneous human body model under safety constraints. The bit error rate (BER) performance for this channel using multiple efficient modulation schemes is investigated and the link budget is analyzed based on a predetermined satisfactory BER of 10−3. In addition, an incremental relay-based cooperative quality of service-aware (QoS-aware) routing protocol for the proposed I2O WBAN is presented and compared with an existing scheme. Linear programming QoS metric expressions are derived and employed to maximize the network lifetime, throughput, minimizing delay. Results show that binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) outperforms other modulation techniques for the proposed I2O WBAN systems, enabling the support of a 30 Mbps data transmission rate up to 1.6 m and affording more reliable communication links when the transmitter power is increased. Moreover, the proposed incremental cooperative routing protocol outperforms the existing two-relay technique in terms of energy efficiency. Open issues and on-going research within the I2O WBAN area are presented and discussed as an inspiration towards developments in health IoT applications.
A Galvanic Coupling Method for Assessing Hydration Rates
Authors: Asogwa Clement , Collins Stephen , Mclaughlin Patrick , Lai Daniel
Published: July 2016

Recent advances in biomedical sensors, data acquisition techniques, microelectronics and wireless communication systems opened up the use of wearable technology for ehealth monitoring. We introduce a galvanic coupled intrabody communication for monitoring human body hydration. Studies in hydration provide the information necessary for understanding the desired fluid levels for optimal performance of the body’s physiological and metabolic processes during exercise and activities of daily living. Current measurement techniques are mostly suitable for laboratory purposes due to their complexity and technical requirements. Less technical methods such as urine color observation and skin turgor testing are subjective and cannot be integrated into a wearable device. Bioelectrical impedance methods are popular but mostly used for estimating total body water with limited accuracy and sensitive to 800 mL–1000 mL change in body fluid levels. We introduce a non-intrusive and simple method of tracking hydration rates that can detect up to 1.30 dB reduction in attenuation when as little as 100 mL of water is consumed. Our results show that galvanic coupled intrabody signal propagation can provide qualitative hydration and dehydration rates in line with changes in an individual’s urine specific gravity and body mass. The real-time changes in galvanic coupled intrabody signal attenuation can be integrated into wearable electronic devices to evaluate body fluid levels on a particular area of interest and can aid diagnosis and treatment of fluid disorders such as lymphoedema.
Reliability Analysis of Distribution Systems with Photovoltaic Generation Using a Power Flow Simulator and a Parallel Monte Carlo Approach
Authors: Martinez-Velasco Juan , Guerra Gerardo
Published: July 2016

This paper presents a Monte Carlo approach for reliability assessment of distribution systems with distributed generation using parallel computing. The calculations are carried out with a royalty-free power flow simulator, OpenDSS (Open Distribution System Simulator). The procedure has been implemented in an environment in which OpenDSS is driven from MATLAB. The test system is an overhead distribution system represented by means of a three-phase model that includes protective devices. The paper details the implemented procedure, which can be applied to systems with or without distributed generation, includes an illustrative case study and summarizes the results derived from the analysis of the test system during one year. The goal is to evaluate the test system performance considering different scenarios with different level of system automation and reconfiguration, and assess the impact that distributed photovoltaic generation can have on that performance. Several reliability indices, including those related to the impact of distributed generation, are obtained for every scenario.
Do Indigenous Street Trees Promote More Biodiversity than Alien Ones? Evidence Using Mistletoes and Birds in South Africa
Authors: Shackleton Charlie
Published: July 2016

Trees in urban landscapes provide a range of ecosystem services, including habitat, refugia, food, and corridors for other fauna and flora. However, there is some debate whether the richness and abundance of other biodiversity supported is influenced by the provenance of trees, i.e., native or non-native. This study assessed the presence of mistletoes and birds (and nests) in 1261 street trees. There were marked differences between native and non-native street trees, with the former having a significantly higher prevalence of birds (and nests) and supporting more species and in greater densities, whilst the latter supported a higher prevalence of mistletoes. Additionally, for birds, the proximity to green space, tree size and species were also important, whilst for mistletoes, the proximity to green space, slope aspect, and tree species were significant. Preference ratios indicated that some tree species had a higher than random occurrence of birds or mistletoes, whilst others had a low abundance. The indigenous tree species, Acacia karroo Hayne was the only reasonably abundant street tree species that was important for birds, nests, and mistletoes. At the street scale, there was a positive relationship between street tree species richness and bird species richness. These results emphasise the importance of selecting appropriate tree species if biodiversity conservation is a core outcome.
Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Short Flax Fibers on the Permeability Behavior of a New Unidirectional Flax/Paper Composite
Authors: Habibi Mohamed , Laperrière Luc , Lebrun Gilbert , Chabot Bruno
Published: July 2016

A new type of reinforcement for unidirectional natural fiber composites has been developed, where a paper layer is assembled with a layer of unidirectional flax yarns. The paper layer chemically and mechanically bonds to the loose yarns to maintain their alignment and enables better manipulability of the reinforcement during stacking in the mold. Unfortunately, the paper layer adversely affects the permeability of the whole reinforcement to liquid resin and thus limits the impregnation quality of the final part. In this paper, a technique is adopted to increase the impregnation performance by modifying the architecture of the fibrous network in the paper layer. In particular, a method has been developed to replace a proportion of the Kraft fibers by short flax fibers in the paper layer, in an attempt to open the structure and increase the paper permeability. Permeability measurements show a major improvement in global reinforcement permeability. Basic mechanical properties of resulting composites were also analysed. Results show a slight decrease in modulus and strength when the paper layer is present. This is compensated by an important reduction in variability. Furthermore, increasing the flax proportion in the paper layer limits the loss of mechanical properties, while reducing variability even further.
Steps towards Smarter Solutions in Optometry and Ophthalmology—Inter-Device Agreement of Subjective Methods to Assess the Refractive Errors of the Eye
Authors: Ohlendorf Arne , Leube Alexander , Wahl Siegfried
Published: July 2016

Purpose: To investigate the inter-device agreement and mean differences between a newly developed digital phoropter and the two standard methods (trial frame and manual phoropter). Methods: Refractive errors of two groups of participants were measured by two examiners (examiner 1 (E1): 36 subjects; examiner 2 (E2): 38 subjects). Refractive errors were assessed using a trial frame, a manual phoropter and a digital phoropter. Inter-device agreement regarding the measurement of refractive errors was analyzed for differences in terms of the power vector components (spherical equivalent (SE) and the cylindrical power vector components J0 and J45) between the used methods. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC’s) were calculated to evaluate correlations between the used methods. Results: Analyzing the variances between the three methods for SE, J0 and J45 using a two-way ANOVA showed no significant differences between the methods (SE: p = 0.13, J0: p = 0.58 and J45: p = 0.96) for examiner 1 and for examiner 2 (SE: p = 0.88, J0: p = 0.95 and J45: p = 1). Mean differences and ±95% Limits of Agreement for each pair of inter-device agreement regarding the SE for both examiners were as follows: Trial frame vs. digital phoropter: +0.10 D ± 0.56 D (E1) and +0.19 D ± 0.60 D (E2), manual phoropter vs. trial frame: −0.04 D ± 0.59 D (E1) and −0.12 D ± 0.49 D (E2) and for manual vs. digital phoropter: +0.06 D ± 0.65 D (E1) and +0.08 D ± 0.45 D (E2). ICCs revealed high correlations between all methods for both examiner (p < 0.001). The time to assess the subjective refraction was significantly smaller with the digital phoropter (examiner 1: p < 0.001; examiner 2: p < 0.001). Conclusion: “All used subjective methods show a good agreement between each other terms of ICC (>0.9). Assessing refractive errors using different subjective methods, results in similar mean differences and 95% limits of agreement, when compared to those reported in studies comparing subjective refraction non-cylcoplegic retinoscopy or autorefraction”.
Association of Mid-Life Changes in Body Size, Body Composition and Obesity Status with the Menopausal Transition
Authors: Karvonen-Gutierrez Carrie , Kim Catherine
Published: July 2016

The mid-life period is a critical window for increases in body weight and changes in body composition. In this review, we summarize the clinical experience of the menopausal transition by obesity status, and examine the evidence regarding the menopausal transition and reproductive hormones effects on body weight, body composition, or fat distribution. Mid-life obesity is associated with a different menopausal experience including associations with menstrual cycle length prior to the final menstrual period (FMP), age at the FMP, and higher prevalence of vasomotor symptoms. The menopausal transition is associated with weight gain and increased central body fat distribution; the majority of evidence suggests that changes in weight are due to chronological aging whereas changes in body composition and fat distribution are primarily due to ovarian aging. Continuous and regular physical activity during mid-life may be an efficacious strategy to counteract the age-related and menopause-related changes in resting energy expenditure and to prevent weight gain and abdominal adiposity deposition.
Hazard Prevention Regarding Occupational Accidents Involving Blue-Collar Foreign Workers: A Perspective of Taiwanese Manpower Agencies
Authors: Chang Huan-Cheng , Wang Mei-Chin , Liao Hung-Chang , Cheng Shu-Fang , Wang Ya-huei
Published: July 2016

Since 1989, blue-collar foreign workers have been permitted to work in Taiwanese industries. Most blue-collar foreign workers apply for jobs in Taiwan through blue-collar foreign workers’ agencies. Because blue-collar foreign workers are not familiar with the language and culture in Taiwan, in occupational accident education and hazard prevention, the agencies play an important role in the coordination and translation between employees and blue-collar foreign workers. The purpose of this study is to establish the agencies’ role in the occupational accidents education and hazard prevention for blue-collar foreign workers in Taiwan. This study uses a qualitative method—grounded theory—to collect, code, and analyze the data in order to understand the agencies’ role in occupational accident education and hazard prevention for blue-collar foreign workers in Taiwan. The results show that the duty of agencies in occupational accident education and hazard prevention includes selecting appropriate blue-collar foreign workers, communicating between employees and blue-collar foreign workers, collecting occupational safety and health information, assisting in the training of occupational safety and health, and helping blue-collar foreign workers adapt to their lives in Taiwan. Finally, this study suggests seven important points and discusses the implementation process necessary to improve governmental policies. The government and employees should pay attention to the education/training of occupational safety and health for blue-collar foreign workers to eliminate unsafe behavior in order to protect the lives of blue-collar foreign workers.
Performance Analysis of Stop-Skipping Scheduling Plans in Rail Transit under Time-Dependent Demand
Authors: Cao Zhichao , Yuan Zhenzhou , Zhang Silin
Published: July 2016

Stop-skipping is a key method for alleviating congestion in rail transit, where schedules are sometimes difficult to implement. Several mechanisms have been proposed and analyzed in the literature, but very few performance comparisons are available. This study formulated train choice behavior estimation into the model considering passengers’ perception. If a passenger’s train path can be identified, this information would be useful for improving the stop-skipping schedule service. Multi-performance is a key characteristic of our proposed five stop-skipping schedules, but quantified analysis can be used to illustrate the different effects of well-known deterministic and stochastic forms. Problems in the novel category of forms were justified in the context of a single line rather than transit network. We analyzed four deterministic forms based on the well-known A/B stop-skipping operating strategy. A stochastic form was innovatively modeled as a binary integer programming problem. We present a performance analysis of our proposed model to demonstrate that stop-skipping can feasibly be used to improve the service of passengers and enhance the elasticity of train operations under demand variations along with an explicit parametric discussion.
Cellular Stress and p53-Associated Apoptosis by Juniperus communis L. Berry Extract Treatment in the Human SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells
Authors: Lantto Tiina , Laakso Into , Dorman H. , Mauriala Timo , Hiltunen Raimo , Kõks Sulev , Raasmaja Atso
Published: July 2016

Plant phenolics have shown to activate apoptotic cell death in different tumourigenic cell lines. In this study, we evaluated the effects of juniper berry extract (Juniperus communis L.) on p53 protein, gene expression and DNA fragmentation in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, we analyzed the phenolic composition of the extract. We found that juniper berry extract activated cellular relocalization of p53 and DNA fragmentation-dependent cell death. Differentially expressed genes between treated and non-treated cells were evaluated with the cDNA-RDA (representational difference analysis) method at the early time point of apoptotic process when p53 started to be activated and no caspase activity was detected. Twenty one overexpressed genes related to cellular stress, protein synthesis, cell survival and death were detected. Interestingly, they included endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inducer and sensor HSPA5 and other ER stress-related genes CALM2 and YKT6 indicating that ER stress response was involved in juniper berry extract mediated cell death. In composition analysis, we identified and quantified low concentrations of fifteen phenolic compounds. The main groups of them were flavones, flavonols, phenolic acids, flavanol and biflavonoid including glycosides of quercetin, apigenin, isoscutellarein and hypolaetin. It is suggested that juniper berry extract induced the p53-associated apoptosis through the potentiation and synergism by several phenolic compounds.