bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring Well-Being: Trial of the Neighbourhood Thriving Scale for Social Well-Being Among Pro-Social Individuals
Authors: Baldwin Cathy , Vincent Penny , Anderson Jamie , Rawstorne Patrick 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe report on a trial of theneighbourhood thriving framework(NTF), a conceptual framework from psychology and social science for measuring collective subjective social well-being. It combines the notions of feeling good and functioning effectively in a neighbourhood social environment in an indicator set of 15 conceptual dimensions. An online questionnaire was used to measureneighbourhood thriving(NT) among 212 pro-social volunteers involved in revitalising neighbourhoods in the UK city of Stoke-on-Trent between May and October 2018. Exploratory factor analysis revealed 11 factors that made conceptual sense including three social epidemiological pathways to well-being, networks, participation and pro-social behaviours, and four criteria forflourishingsocieties, autonomous citizenship, safety, cohesive communities and resilience. The 11 sub-scales of NT showed satisfactory internal consistency reliability and preliminary evidence of construct validity. The sub-scales were used tentatively to examine NT among the volunteer sample, which showed the highest sub-scale score forPositive Regardand the lowest score forCelebration. Different levels of NT were observed among the community, with age and income positively associated with higher levels of NT. Further validation work is needed before the NT scales can be used with confidence. Validated scales offer potential benefits including: measuring NT pre- and -post project implementation; establishing which dimensions of NT are, and are not, working well in a community and need strengthening through further initiatives, and establishing which specific groups of people are experiencing lower levels of NT and designing projects that meet their needs.
Optical Theory-Based Simulation of Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectra of Montmorillonite Films
Authors: Grégoire Brian , Dazas Baptiste , Leloup Maud , Hubert Fabien , Tertre Emmanuel , Ferrage Eric , Petit Sabine 
Published: June 2020

AbstractInfrared analyses of clay mineral samples are usually performed by transmission techniques. While transmission measurements are easy and inexpensive, the sample preparation plays a critical role in the quality of the data. Alternatively, attenuated total reflection (ATR) provides a powerful and often simpler analysis method. However, the ATR spectra reveal significant differences when compared to transmission spectra sometimes leading to confusion in the interpretations. Indeed, optical effects play a prominent role in the ATR spectral profile and their identification is mandatory for obtaining quantitative information regarding molecular/particle orientation or film thickness. The objective of the present study was to perform exact spectral simulations of montmorillonite films by making use of optical theory, including the determination of the anisotropic optical constants from the experimental reflectance spectra by Kramers-Kronig (KK) transformation. This methodology was used: (1) to choose the appropriate optical conditions for advanced and reliable characterization of clay minerals; (2) to extract quantitative information such as the estimation of the film thickness; and (3) to discriminate optical phenomena (optical interferences) from chemical/structural features of the sample.
CFD study of oil-jet gear interaction flow phenomena in spur gears
Authors: Keller M.C. , Kromer C. , Cordes L. , Schwitzke C. , Bauer H.-J. 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTOil-jet lubrication and cooling of high-speed gears is frequently employed in aeronautical systems, such as novel high-bypass civil aero engines based on the geared turbofan technology. Using such oil-jet system, practitioners aim to achieve high cooling rates on the flanks of the highly thermally loaded gears with minimum oil usage. Thus, for an optimal design, detailed knowledge about the flow processes is desired. These involve the oil exiting the nozzle, the oil impacting on the gear teeth, the oil spreading on the flanks, the subsequent oil fling-off, as well as the effect of the design parameters on the oil flow. Better understanding of these processes will improve the nozzle design phase, e.g. regarding the nozzle positioning and orientation, as well as the nozzle sizing and operation.Most related studies focus on the impingement depth to characterize the two-phase flow. However, the level of information of this scalar value is rather low for a complete description of the highly dynamic three-dimensional flow. Motivated by the advancements in numerical methods and the computational resources available nowadays, the investigation of the oil-jet gear interaction by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has come into focus lately.In this work, a numerical setup based on the volume-of-fluid method is presented and employed to investigate the two-phase flow phenomena occurring in the vicinity of the gear teeth. The setup consists of a single oil-jet impinging on a single rotating spur gear. By introducing new metrics for characterizing the flow phenomena, extensive use of the possibilities of modern CFD is made, allowing a detailed transient and spatially resolved flow analysis. Thus, not only the impingement depth, but also the temporal and spatial evolution of wetted areas on the gear flanks, as well as the evolution of the oil volume in contact with the gear flanks are extracted from the simulation data and compared in a CFD study.The study consists of 21 different simulation cases, whereby the effect of varying the jet velocity, the jet inclination angle, the jet diameter, and the gear speed are examined. Consistent results compared to a simplified analytical approach for the impinging depth are obtained and the results for the newly introduced metrics are presented.
Interferometric discrimination of cross-track bed clutter in ice-penetrating radar sounding data
Authors: Scanlan Kirk M. , Rutishauser Anja , Young Duncan A. , Blankenship Donald D. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe interpretations of relevant interfaces (i.e. the surface and bed) in radar sounding datasets over glaciers and ice sheets are primary boundary conditions in a variety of climate studies and particularly subglacial water routing models. It is therefore necessary to ensure these interpretations are consistent and not affected by cross-track clutter. For the surface interface, interferometry and a family of methods relying on digital elevation models have been used to successfully discriminate cross-track surface clutter. Here we present how interferometry can be applied to the problem of basal clutter from cross-track bed topography. Our approach is based on a comparison of the differential phases of ambiguous reflectors that may represent bed clutter and the differential phase of a reflector in an adjacent area that appears unaffected by basal clutter. The reflector yielding the smallest interferometric phase difference relative to the unambiguous bed reflector is considered to represent its consistent continuation. We successfully demonstrate our approach using 60 MHz center frequency MARFA data collected over Devon Ice Cap in the Canadian Arctic. Finally, we investigate the effects of clutter-affected and interferometry-corrected bed interpretations on ice layer thickness estimates, basal hydraulic head gradients and the potential extent of inferred subglacial water bodies.
Federal Communications Commission’s experimental radio service as a vehicle for dynamic spectrum access: An analysis of 10 years of experimental licenses data
Authors: Bustamante Pedro , Weiss Martin , Sicker Douglas , Gomez Marcela M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDynamic spectrum access (DSA) systems, commonly known as spectrum sharing, are considered one of the most promising paths for more efficient spectrum allocation. When talking about DSA, the most discussed topics revolve around particular technologies such as cognitive radios or particular solutions such as the advanced wireless services-3 initiative. However, in this work, we explore a less discussed approach for spectrum sharing: the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s experimental radio service (ERS). The ERS grants licenses for experimentation, market trials, and product development in Federal and/or non-Federal bands. Frequencies in these licenses are assigned on a shared basis and not for the exclusive use of any one licensee. Using FCC’s scraped information in the period between 2007 and 2016, we were able to gain a deeper understanding of the ERS. We find that the processing time (i.e., time to get a license) has been reduced from 100 days to an average of 23 days in 2016. Moreover, the assignation process of experimental licenses is characterized great flexibility in terms of the authorized technical and nontechnical characteristics. We also explored what is behind these 10 years of information.
Sex-specific response to delayed and repeated mating in spider mite Tetranychus urticae
Authors: Li Guang-Yun , Zhang Zhi-Qiang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSexual interaction is an important activity that determines the reproductive schedule of organisms and can ultimately influence the fitness traits of both sexes. Although the influence of sexual interaction on the fitness of females has been extensively determined, little is known about the effects on males, which often have different mating strategies and optimal mating regimes from those of females. To understand how mating regimes (timing and frequency) modulate the fitness in both sexes, we used spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) to investigate the influence of delayed mating and repeated mating on the fitness of male and female. For females, the unmated and the delayed mating females outlived those mated immediately after adult emergence. The repeated mating shortened the lifespan of females that mated at 1-day-old, but not that mated 7-day-old. However, no significant variation in lifespan was observed for males across different mating regimes. We found although delayed mating significantly reduced the daily reproductive rate of the females, there was no significant difference in lifetime reproduction of females across treatments because the delayed mating females increased their reproductive lifespan as a compensation. Our study highlighted that the time and frequency of sexual interaction showed a sex-specific consequence on male and female spider mites, indicating that sexual interaction incurs a higher cost to females which have a much lower optimal mating frequency than males.
Soft Balancing, Binding or Bandwagoning? Understanding Institutional Responses to Power Disparities in the Americas
Authors: Levick Laura , Schulz Carsten-Andreas 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWhat strategies will states pursue in managing their relations with more powerful neighbours? International Relations scholarship identifies a wide range of policy options open to “secondary states,” including soft balancing, bandwagoning and institutional binding. We provide a conceptual framework to distinguish between these similar and often conflated institutional strategies on the basis of two dimensions: threat perception and inclusiveness. We then apply this framework to the inter-American system. Analyzing original data on treaty action between 1946 and 2015, we find that secondary states’ adherence to multilateral agreements increases when the United States participates and when states do not perceive the hegemon to be a threat. These findings suggest that institutional binding captures the dynamics of inter-American cooperation more adequately than either soft balancing or bandwagoning: states balance against perceived threats but bind their friends.
Central blood pressure in adults screened for a genetic polymorphism in folate metabolism
Authors: Rooney M. , Hughes C. F. , Strain J. J. , Clements M. , Blair R. , McNulty H. , Ward M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAs the primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension is the leading cause of preventable, premature mortality globally. Hypertension, or elevated blood pressure (BP), has a number of well-established risk factors, including genetics. A common C677T polymorphism in the gene encoding the folate metabolising enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) affects 10–12% of UK and Irish populations and has been linked with 24–87% increased risk of hypertension globally. Evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted at this Centre has shown BP to be highly responsive (by 5–13 mmHg) to supplementation with riboflavin (MTHFR co-factor), an effect confined to homozygous individuals (TT genotype). To date, our trials have focused on peripheral BP; however, additional measures of vascular health such as central pressure are reported to be more closely correlated with CVD risk. Investigation of central BP, augmentation index (AIx) and pulse pressure amplification (PPA) may thus offer further insight into the role of this gene-nutrient interaction in blood pressure. The present study aims to investigate BP, and measures of vascular health in healthy adults stratified by MTHFR 677 genotype. Apparently healthy adults aged 18–60 years were recruited from workplaces across Northern Ireland and screened for MTHFR genotype via buccal swab. Clinic BP, anthropometry and blood sample were measured in TT individuals (n 209) and age and sex-matched CC (n 98) and CT (n 102) controls. AIx and central BP were assessed using SphygmoCor® (AtCor Medical, Australia). Preliminary results demonstrate higher BP in individuals with the MTHFR 677TT genotype compared to non-TT controls (systolic BP 134.7 ± 13.8 mmHg vs 129.7 ± 12.4 mmHg, P < 0.001; diastolic BP 81.6 ± 9.5 mmHg vs 79.7 mmHg ± 8.9 mmHg, P = 0.023, respectively). The MTHFR 677TT genotype group had significantly higher central systolic BP (119.4 ± 11.8 vs 116.7 ± 10.9 mmHg, P = 0.018), central pulse pressure (P = 0.006) and central mean pressure (P = 0.011) compared to the non-TT group. No significant differences for central diastolic BP, pulse pressure amplification, pulse pressure ratio and augmentation index were observed. This study confirms the phenotype of elevated BP in individuals with the C677T polymorphism in the gene encoding MTHFR. For the first time, this study reports that individuals with the MTHFR 677TT genotype have higher central systolic BP, central mean pressure and pulse pressure. Further investigations through RCTs investigating the effect of the MTHFR cofactor, riboflavin, on central blood pressure in these genetically at-risk adults are warranted.
Can a Nordic diet be implemented as a new strategy for successful long-term weight loss maintenance in subjects with obesity?
Authors: Cloetens Lieselotte , Sedin Åsa , Landin-Olsson Mona 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntroductionA key problem in all weight-loss programs to fight obesity is the extent to which the body weight is maintained on a long-term basis. The study examines whether the 1-year consumption of healthy Nordic foods can result in better sustainable weight control compared to a control diet.Material and methodsAfter a successful 6-week VLCD period in obese subjects (n = 80, 52 ± 10y, BMI 34.4 ± 3.1 kg/m2, 69% female; 93% completers, -10.9 ± 3.0 kg, p < 0.001), the subjects were randomized to a new Nordic diet (NND) and a traditional Nordic diet (TND) group. The following 1-year period was a body weight maintenance period where the diets were implemented ad libitum. Weight, BMI, waist circumference and sagittal abdominal diameter were measured at 0 (immediately after VLCD), 6 and 12 months. Results are reported as mean ± SEM. Differences in the anthropometric parameters between the diets at different time points compared to the start of the dietary intervention were statistically evaluated using a general linear model (GLM-ANOVA, Minitab Inc.).ResultsForty-three subjects were randomized to NND and 37 to TND. In the NND group, 31 subjects completed the 6-month visit and 30 subjects 12-month visit. In the TND group, 24 and 21 completed 6-month and 12-month visit, respectively. We observed a non-significant difference in weight change at 6 months between NND (0.04 ± 0.87kg) and TND (2.65 ± 1.08kg). At 12 months, the weight change was significantly different between the diets (NND 1.94 ± 0.99 kg and TND 5.69 ± 1.41 kg, p = 0.029, R2 = 9.39). Change in the BMI at 12 months was significantly lower for NND (0.65 ± 0.33 kg/m2) compared to TND (1.87 ± 0.46 kg/m2, p = 0.034, R2 = 8.87) but not at 6 months (0.01 ± 0.30 kg/m2 for NND and 0.84 ± 0.36 kg/m2 for TND). Differences in waist circumference (at 6 months 0.26 ± 0.93 cm for NND and 3.30 ± 1.45 cm for TND; at 12 months 1.04 ± 1.01 cm for NND and 3.85 ± 1.79 cm for TND) were not statistically different. The sagittal abdominal diameter was borderline statistically different at 6 months (NND -0.28 ± 0.29 cm and TND 0.49 ± 0.22 cm, p = 0.049, R2 = 7.09) but not at 12 months (NND 0.41 ± 0.38 cm and TND 1.23 ± + 0.42cm).ConclusionResults show a tendency that the type of diet has an impact on successful weight maintenance, with a benefit for the NND. Further statistical analyses including dietary compliance and biomarkers are needed and will be performed. Moreover, the study is ongoing with a total of 2-year follow-up.
Comparing effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from marine and plant sources on endothelial cell inflammation
Authors: Baker Ella , Miles Elizabeth , Calder Philip 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHigh consumption of ω-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has long-term health benefits. The principal dietary source of these ω-3 PUFAs (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA and docosapentaenoic acid, DHA) is seafood, particularly oily fish. However current fish stocks are decreasing, indicating a need for alternative sources of bioactive PUFAs. Plant-derived ω-3 PUFAs (alpha-linolenic acid, ALA and stearidonic acid, SDA) may be able to provide land-based sustainable sources, but their functionality has been underexplored.Anti-inflammatory effects of ALA and SDA were compared to EPA and DHA in cultured EA.hy926 endothelial cells. Cells were treated with PUFAs (10, 25 and 50 μM) for 48 hours prior to stimulation with tumour necrosis factor for 24 hours. PUFAs incorporation was measured by gas chromatography and inflammatory responses were measured by ELISA, RT-PCR, western blot and flow cytometry. Adhesion of THP-1 monocytes to EA.hy926 cells was determined using a static adhesion assay.All PUFAs were incorporated into EA.hy926 cells in a dose-dependant manner (10 and 50 μM). Pre-treatment with ALA, SDA, EPA and DHA (50 μM) had differential effects on inflammatory responses in EA.hy926 cells depending on PUFA and response examined.EA.hy926 cells pre-treated with SDA had lower concentrations of soluble ICAM-1 (p < 0.05); however EPA and DHA resulted in greater reduction (p < 0.0001). EPA and DHA pre-treated EA.hy926 cells had significantly lower concentrations of IL-6 (p < 0.0001), IL-8 (p < 0.0001) and MCP-1 (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). ALA pre-treatment did not significantly affect any of the cytokines examined. Lower cell surface expression of ICAM-1 (p < 0.05), was seen for EA.hy926 cells pre-treated with SDA again to a lesser extent than EPA and DHA (p < 0.001, p < 0.0001), with no effect seen after ALA treatment.EA.hy926 cells pre-treated with ALA had significantly higher relative gene expression of NFKB (p < 0.05), as well as a tendency for more phosphorylated NFKBp65 protein (p < 0.06). In contrast, EA.hy926 cells pre-treated with DHA had significantly less phosphorylated NFKB (p < 0.0001). EA.hy926 cells with DHA treatment had significantly higher relative gene expression of PPARa (p < 0.05). SDA and EPA had no effect on expression of either of the genes or proteins examined.Finally pre-treatment with ALA, SDA and DHA all resulted in reduced adhesion of THP-1 monocytes to EA.hy926, however this effect not observed with EPA.Marine derived PUFA, particularly DHA, resulted in potent anti-inflammatory effects within this endothelial cell model. Of the two plant derived PUFAs, SDA treatment lead to some anti-inflammatory effects, which were not seen after treatment with ALA.
Effect of vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status in pregnant women: findings from the MO-VITD study
Authors: Alhomaid Raghad , Mulhern Maria , Cassidy Laura , Laird Eamon , Healy Martin , Strain Sean , Livingstone Barbara , Parker Michael , McCann Mary 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPregnant women who are overweight/obese are particularly vulnerable to vitamin D insufficiency owing to higher physiological requirements and lower status (25(OH)D concentrations) associated with obesity. Achieving adequate maternal vitamin D status with current recommendations (10μg/d) remains controversial.This study examined supplementation effects (10μg-vs-20μg vitamin D3/d) throughout pregnancy (12 weeks gestation until delivery) on vitamin D status of normal weight, overweight and obese pregnant women and on cord blood, using a double-blind randomised vitamin D intervention study (MO-VITD). 240 pregnant women were recruited throughout the year at antenatal clinics in Northern Ireland (equal numbers of normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25–29.9 kg/m2), and obese (> 30kg/m2)). Non-fasting maternal blood samples were collected at 12, 28 and 34–36 weeks gestation and from the umbilical cord after delivery and analysed for total serum 25(OH)D using LCMS.A high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (25–50nmol/L) was found in the 1st trimester in both treatment groups (41.5% and 48.8%; 10μg vs. 20μg respectively). Maternal 25(OH)D concentrations increased from the 1st to 3rd trimester in both the 10μg/d and 20μg/d groups, with a higher increase in the 20μg group (17.1 ± 24.7 and 28.8 ± 33.3nmol/L, P = 0.002). There was no difference in cord blood 25(OH)D concentrations between treatment groups.Women who started pregnancy with insufficient 25(OH)D concentrations remained insufficient throughout pregnancy in the 10μg/d group (49.9 ± 28.2nmol/L at trimester 3). In the 20μg/d group, women starting pregnancy as insufficient achieved levels of sufficiency in the 2nd (58.9 ± 30.6nmol/L) and 3rd (64.0 ± 35.9nmol/L) trimesters. Women who started pregnancy with sufficient vitamin D status (25(OH)D > 50nmol/L), maintained levels of sufficiency throughout pregnancy irrespective of treatment group (83.1 ± 24.4 and 96.7 ± 30.7 at trimester 3 in 10μg/d and 20 μg/d groups respectively); findings were similar across all BMI categories.Obese women who started pregnancy with an insufficient status were found to have deficient cord blood (25(OH)D < 25 nmol/L) in both the 10μg/d and 20μg/d groups (19.4 ± 20.2 vs. 19.5 ± 9.4nmol/L respectively), whilst obese women who started pregnancy with sufficient status (> 50nmol/L) had cord blood concentrations considered insufficient (40.2 ± 18.4 vs. 44.2 ± 15.6nmol/L; 10μg vs. 20μg groups respectively).Based on our findings of the high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in early pregnancy, maternal vitamin D supplementation of 20μg/d is advisable to maintain maternal vitamin D status in pregnant women in Northern Ireland.