bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Roadmap Toward NZEBs in Quito
Authors: Ordoñez Elizabeth , Mora David , Gaudry Karl 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Equatorial and Andean climate has no extreme temperatures; however, the region has a high diurnal oscillation. The government seeks to contribute to the improvement of housing conditions, which is mainly reflected in the emblematic housing program “Plan Casa para Todos” (PCT). PCT that aims to cover the social demand and reduce the qualitative housing deficit. It has been widely discussed that habitability and the housing deficit cannot be improved if the thermal conditions of dwellings and passive designed strategies are ignored, thus passive design principles, active devices, and renewable energy (RE) offer a way forward. Based on the hypothesis to bring out the possibility of reaching Net-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) in Quito, the objective is to develop a roadmap towards possible NZEBs. Inspired by genetic algorithms, optimization models were used to obtain the ideal NZEB for Quito. Simulations were carried using Python software with the calculating engine Energy Plus. First results show that the relationship towards the urban grid, the internal and spatial layout, thickness of walls, roof’s sealing, among other factors, significantly affect the energy-efficiency as well as the thermal comfort conditions. Further research is required from the science-policy interface to apply NZEBs effectively.
Static and dynamic thermal properties of construction components: A comparison in idealized and experimental conditions using lumped parameter models
Authors: Tronchin Lamberto , Manfren Massimiliano , Vodola Vincenzo , Bisegna Fabio , Nardecchia Fabio 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The U values assumptions for construction components represent a significant source of uncertainty when estimating the energy performance of buildings. This uncertainty affects decision-making processes in multiple ways, from policy making to design of new and refurbished buildings. The correct estimation of both static (e.g. thermal transmittance) and dynamic thermal properties is crucial for quality assurance in building performance assessment. Further, while today many sophisticated simulators are available for building performance modelling, lumped parameter models can help reducing computational time for parametric simulation or optimization and enable inverse estimation of lumped thermal characteristics. A lumped parameter approach for construction components is proposed, for example, by the ISO 52016-1:2017 norm, introducing simplifications that are intrinsically dependent on component’s stratigraphy. This approach complements ISO 13786:2017 norm method, which is limited to steady-state periodic temperature and heat flux boundary conditions. In this research we consider these two different approaches, detailed and lumped modelling, comparing them first in idealized conditions and then in experimental conditions to analyse the robustness of methods.
Development of a multi criteria analysis method to optimize the sustainable architectural design of residential buildings.
Authors: Reuter I , Reiter S 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
This research is dedicated to the development of a multi criteria analysis method to optimize the sustainable architectural design of residential buildings. In this perspective, four axes have been chosen on the entire building life cycle: energy, ecology, health (including well-being) and economy. The building setting will be evaluated as its typology, its size, its construction method, the choice of the materials and of the systems implemented, since all these elements influence energy consumptions, environmental impacts, users’ health and financial costs. In order to be able to compare the four dimensions of this assessment, the developed methodology is based on the translation of energy consumption, environmental impacts and health impacts into energy costs, environmental costs and health costs, which makes them comparable to the building life cycle costs. According to users’ selection of the optimization axis and various optimization and design parameters, based on predefined options, this methodology will produce optimal solutions. Finally, this method will be useful for improving the sustainable performances of buildings, helping to create energy-efficient, ecological, healthy and affordable housing projects.
Assessing the annual power reliability of a residential building in relation to its ventilation system type: The case study of the off-grid container house in Shanghai.
Authors: Satola Daniel , Kristiansen Audun Bull , Dziedzic Jakub , Gustavsen Arild 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
In developing countries, electrification of rural and remote areas is an essential need for improving socio-economic conditions. However, increased access to adequate electricity and upgraded facilities may double or even triple present greenhouse gas emissions related to residential buildings operation. From both socio-economic and environmental perspective, implementation of solar-powered houses is widely considered as a sustainable. Power reliability is a key indicator used in assessing the annual performance of the off-grid housing operation. The primary objective of this article is to ascertain the impact of three main ventilation system types: natural (NV), mechanical with heat recovery (MV) and hybrid (HV) on annual power reliability of the case, off-grid building located in Shanghai. Firstly, three scenarios of hourly electricity loads profiles were calculated from an annual simulation via building performance software (BPS). Secondly, electrical load profiles were integrated into a developed model of alternating current (AC) coupled battery off-grid energy system model. The results indicate that the HV system provided the lowest annual electricity consumption (2847 kWh) and the best annual power reliability (98.6%) when compared to MV (2935kWh, 98.5%) and NV (2901kWh, 98.0%). The article discusses correlation between building ventilation scenarios, electrical loads and resultant annual power reliability. In conclusion economic viability of mechanical/hybrid ventilation implementation in off-grid housing is called into question.
Robust and resilient buildings: A framework for defining the protection against climate uncertainty
Authors: Moazami Amin , Carlucci Salvatore , Geving Stig 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The design of high-performance buildings has been questioned for their actual performance in operation, where the impact of external perturbations such as occupant behavior and climate has proved to be prominent. These sources of variability, called aleatory uncertainties, are inherent variations of nondeterministic systems and are irreducible. Therefore, one of the main approaches to deal with these uncertainties is to consider them as noise during the design phase. The goal of the design is hence achieving a solution whose performance is least sensitive to the noise. This specific design process is called robust design. In this study, a prospect of climate conditions that a building might face during its lifespan is identified. However, although robust design can support the design of building variants whose performance is insensitive to typical climate conditions and also predictable extreme climate conditions, these building variants cannot be considered protected in case of unforeseeable extreme events. During such events, another property called resilience is required, which focuses on withstanding and recovering during and after the occurrence of the event. This study reviews the concepts of robustness and resilience and organizes them into a framework that clarifies their relationships in the protection of buildings against climate uncertainties.
BIM-BEM support tools for early stages of zero-energy building design
Authors: Spiridigliozzi Giulia , Pompei Laura , Cornaro Cristina , Santoli Livio De , Bisegna Fabio 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Due to the Energy Performance of Building Directive 2010/31/UE (EPBD) recast, new and existing buildings have the aim to achieve the Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs) requirements, in order to reduce the carbon emission and the energy building demand. Therefore, the building process cost is increasing, related to the applications of performant construction and efficiencies energy systems. In literature, several studies highlight the importance of innovative approaches in order to reduce the cost of the ZEB targets achievement, during the early stage design process. In this framework, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a useful process that integrated building design since the first design stage, providing high-performance energy solutions and obtaining a single model reducing time and cost during the building design. In fact, in Italy, the regulatory obligations are progressively defined: with the Ministerial Decree 560 of 1 December 2017 (Baratono Decree), the time scale with which the obligation to use BIM will come into force has been established. The obligation started from 1 January 2019 for public tenders for an amount equal to or greater than 100 million euros, then there will be a gradual entry up to 2025 for public works contracts worth less than one million. The research proposes a new workflow that allows to performing energy analysis through the BIM and Building Energy Modeling (BEM) optimization interoperability, allowing to support the zero-energy building during the early stage design.
Towards a phylogenetic classification of the Ocotea complex (Lauraceae): an analysis with emphasis on the Old World taxa and description of the new genus Kuloa
Authors: Trofimov Dimitrij , Rohwer Jens G 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Ocotea is one of the largest genera in the Lauraceae (c. 400 spp.), and it has been known to be paraphyletic with respect to most other genera of the New World Lauraceae for almost 20 years. In the traditional circumscription, Ocotea contains not only Neotropical species, but also about 45 species from the African region, including Macaronesia, Madagascar, and the Comoro and Mascarene Islands. Only a few of the species have been included in previous molecular systematic analyses. Here we present a phylogenetic analysis, based on ITS and psbA-trnH sequences of 168 Lauraceae species, including 151 taxa from the Ocotea complex, among them 26 of the 45 Palaeotropical species currently placed in Ocotea. Our results show that the Old World species belong to two well-supported and morphologically distinguishable clades, one of which is placed unresolved among the Neotropical clades of the Ocotea complex, whereas the other is sister to Cinnamomum section Cinnamomum. The two clades can also be differentiated based morphologically. As a step towards a phylogenetic classification, we recognize the second group as the new genus Kuloa.
Premovement Suppression of Corticospinal Excitability may be a Necessary Part of Movement Preparation
Authors: Ibáñez J , Hannah R , Rocchi L , Rothwell J C 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
In reaction time (RT) tasks corticospinal excitability (CSE) rises just prior to movement. This is preceded by a paradoxical reduction in CSE, when the time of the imperative (“GO”) stimulus is relatively predictable. Because RT tasks emphasise speed of response, it is impossible to distinguish whether reduced CSE reflects a mechanism for withholding prepared actions, or whether it is an inherent part of movement preparation. To address this question, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to estimate CSE changes preceding 1) RT movements; 2) movements synchronized with a predictable signal (predictive timing or PT movements); and 3) self-paced movements. Results show that CSE decreases with a similar temporal profile in all three cases, suggesting that it reflects a previously unrecognised state in the transition between rest and movement. Although TMS revealed reduced CSE in all movements, the TMS pulse itself had different effects on movement times. TMS given ~200 ms before the times to move speeded the onset of RT and self-paced movements, suggesting that their initiation depends on a form of trigger that can be conditioned by external events. On the contrary, PT movements did not show this effect, suggesting the use of a different triggering strategy prioritizing internal events.
Embracing and controlling risk dependency in cyber-insurance policy underwriting
Authors: Khalili Mohammad Mahdi , Liu Mingyan , Romanosky Sasha 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
This article highlights how cyber risk dependencies can be taken into consideration when underwriting cyber-insurance policies. This is done within the context of a base rate insurance policy framework, which is widely used in practice. Specifically, we show that there is an opportunity for an underwriter to better control the risk dependency and the risk spill-over, ultimately resulting in lower overall cyber risks across its portfolio. To do so, we consider a Service Provider (SP) and its customers as the interdependent insurer’s customers: a data breach suffered by the SP can cause business interruption to its customers. In underwriting both the SP and its customers, we show that the insurer can increase its profit by incentivizing the SP (through a discount on its premium) to invest more in security, thereby decreasing the chance of business interruption to the customers, and increasing social welfare. For comparison, we also consider a scenario where the insurer underwrites only the SP’s customers (but not the SP), and receives compensation from the SP’s insurance carrier when losses are attributed to the SP. We show how the insurer’s best strategy is to underwrite both the SP and its customers. We use an actual cyber-insurance policy and claims data to calibrate and substantiate our analytical findings.
Analysing group contract design using a threshold public goods experiment
Authors: Bouma Jetske A , Nguyen T T Binh , van der Heijden Eline , Dijk Justin J 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis paper presents the results of a threshold public goods game experiment with heterogeneous players. The experiment is designed in close collaboration with the Dutch association of agri-environmental farmer collectives. Subjects are recruited at a university (study 1) and a farm management training centre (study 2), the subjects of the second study most resembling the subjects in the field. The experiment consists of several treatments and each treatment has two different distribution rules, which are varied in a within-subjects manner. After subjects have experienced both, they can vote for one of the two rules: either a differentiated bonus that results in equal payoff for all, or an undifferentiated, equal share of the group bonus. In a between-subjects manner, subjects can vote for a (minimum or average) threshold or are faced with an exogenous threshold. The results indicate that exogenous thresholds perform better, possibly because the focal point they provide facilitates coordination. With regard to the two distribution rules, the results are mixed: in study 1, average contributions and payoffs are higher under the ‘equal-payoff’ rule, but there is no significant difference between the two in study 2. Overall, our results suggest that environmental payment schemes should consider cost heterogeneity in the design of group contracts, and pay explicit attention to coordination problems too.
Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and obesity in adolescence and later chronic disability due to cardiovascular disease: a cohort study of 1 million men
Authors: Henriksson Hanna , Henriksson Pontus , Tynelius Per , Ekstedt Mattias , Berglind Daniel , Labayen Idoia , Ruiz Jonatan R , Lavie Carl J , Ortega Francisco B 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Aims
Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and obesity in adulthood are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, little is known regarding the associations of these risk factors, already in adolescence, with later disability due to chronic CVD. Hence, we investigated associations of cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and body mass index (BMI) in adolescence with later chronic disability due to specific causes of CVD disability (i.e. cerebrovascular disease, ischaemic heart disease and heart failure).

Methods and results
This population-based cohort study included 1 078 685 male adolescents (16–19 years) from the Swedish military conscription register from 1972 to 1994. Cardiorespiratory fitness (bicycle ergometer test), muscular strength (knee extension strength), and BMI were measured during the conscription examination. Information about disability pension due to CVD was retrieved from the Social Insurance Agency during a mean follow-up of 28.4 years. Cardiorespiratory fitness was strongly and inversely associated with later risk of chronic CVD disability for all investigated causes. The association was particularly strong for ischaemic heart diseases (hazard ratio 0.11, 95% confidence interval 0.05–0.29 for highest vs. lowest fitness-quintiles). Furthermore, overweight/obesity were associated with CVD disability for all investigated causes. Conversely, associations of muscular strength with CVD disability were generally weak.

Conclusions
This study provides evidence for associations between low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity with later risk of chronic disability due to CVD. Preventive actions may begin at young ages and include promotion of cardiorespiratory fitness and healthy body weight.
Endophytic nitrogen fixation – a possible ‘hidden’ source of nitrogen for lodgepole pine trees growing at unreclaimed gravel mining sites
Authors: Padda Kiran Preet , Puri Akshit , Chanway Chris 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTLodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) trees have been thriving on unreclaimed gravel mining sites in British Columbia, Canada, with tissue nitrogen-content and growth-rate unaffected by extremely low soil nitrogen-levels. This indicates that pine trees could be accessing a hidden nitrogen source to fulfill their nitrogen requirements – possibly via endophytic nitrogen-fixation. Endophytic bacteria originally isolated from native pine trees growing at gravel sites were selected (n = 14) for in vitro nitrogen-fixation assays and a year long greenhouse study to test the overall hypothesis that naturally occurring endophytic nitrogen-fixing bacteria sustain pine tree growth under nitrogen-limited conditions. Each of the 14 bacteria colonized the internal tissues of pine trees in the greenhouse study and fixed significant amounts of nitrogen from atmosphere (23%–53%) after one year as estimated through 15N isotope dilution assay. Bacterial inoculation also significantly enhanced the length (31%–64%) and biomass (100%–311%) of pine seedlings as compared to the non-inoculated control treatment. In addition, presence of the nifH gene was confirmed in all 14 bacteria. Our results support the possibility that pine trees associate with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, capable of endophytic colonization, to survive at unreclaimed gravel mining pits and this association could potentially be utilized for effective reclamation of highly disturbed sites in a sustainable manner.
Association between matrix Gla protein and ulcerative colitis according to DNA microarray data
Authors: Dong Xu-Yang , Wu Mei-Xu , Zhang Hui-Min , Lyu Hong , Qian Jia-Ming , Yang Hong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundMatrix Gla protein (MGP) is a secreted protein contributed to the immunomodulatory functions of mesenchymal stromal cells. Microarray profiling found a significantly higher expression level of the extracellular matrix gene MGP in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, little is known about the role of MGP in UC and its upstream signaling regulation. This study aimed to identify the expression of MGP in UC and its upstream regulator mechanism.MethodsColonic mucosa biopsies were obtained from patients with UC and healthy controls. DNA microarray profiling was used to explore underlying genes correlating with UC development. Mice were fed with water containing different concentrations of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to induce an experimental colitis model. Colonic tissues were collected and evaluated using immunohistochemistry, immunoblot, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify candidate MGP gene-promoter sequence and transcription-initiation sites. Luciferase-reporter gene assay was conducted to examine the potential transcription factor of MGP gene expression.ResultsThe expression of MGP was significantly increased in colonic tissues from UC patients and DSS-induced colitis models, and was positively correlated with disease severity. Bioinformatics analysis showed a conserved binding site for Egr-1 in the upstream region of human MGP gene. The significantly higher level of Egr-1 gene expression was found in UC patients than in healthy controls. The activity of luciferase was significantly enhanced in the Egr-1 expression plasmid co-transfected group than in the control group and was further inhibited when co-transfected with the Egr-1 binding-site mutated MGP promoter.ConclusionsUp-regulated expression of MGP was found in UC patients and DSS-induced colitis. The expression of MGP can be regulated by Egr-1.
Epigenetic Age Acceleration and Cognitive Function in African American Adults in Midlife: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
Authors: Bressler Jan , Marioni Riccardo E , Walker Rosie M , Xia Rui , Gottesman Rebecca F , Windham B Gwen , Grove Megan L , Guan Weihua , Pankow James S , Evans Kathryn L , Mcintosh Andrew M , Deary Ian J , Mosley Thomas H , Boerwinkle Eric , Fornage Myriam 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Methylation levels measured at defined sites across the genome have recently been shown to be correlated with an individual’s chronological age. Age acceleration, or the difference between age estimated from DNA methylation status and chronological age, has been proposed as a novel biomarker of aging. In this study, the cross-sectional association between two different measures of age acceleration and cognitive function was investigated using whole blood samples from 2,157 African American participants 47–70 years of age in the population-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Cognition was evaluated using three domain-specific tests. A significant inverse association between a 1-year increase in age acceleration calculated using a blood-based age predictor and scores on the Word Fluency Test was found using a general linear model adjusted for chronological age, gender, and years of education (β = −0.140 words; p = .001) and after adding other potential confounding variables (β = −0.104 words, p = .023). The results were replicated in 1,670 European participants in the Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study (fully adjusted model: β = −0.199 words; p = .034). A significant association was also identified in a trans-ethnic meta-analysis across cohorts that included an additional 708 European American ARIC study participants (fully adjusted model: β = −0.110 words, p = .003). There were no associations found using an estimate of age acceleration derived from multiple tissues. These findings provide evidence that age acceleration is a correlate of performance on a test of verbal fluency in middle-aged adults.