bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HAKIKAT DAN SIGNIFIKANSI PERMAINAN
Authors: Susanto Nugroho
Published: December 2017

Permainan adalah aktivitas yang dilakukan secara sungguh-sungguh, tetapi dalam melakukanpermainan bukan merupakan suatu kesungguhan. Dalam hal ini aktivitas jasmani adalah gerak manusiaitu sendiri yang berarti salah satu tanda adanya permainan adalah adanya gerak/aktivitas jasmani.Filosofi permainan didefnisikan sebagai hasil dari sejarah manusia yang turun temurun tentunya tanpamembedakan ras, kultur, sosial, agama. Permainan ditinjau melalui ilmu filsafat, ada dua analisa. Yangpertama melalui tubuh filsafat yakni dalam permainan ini semua orang terlibat mulai dari usia anak-anaksampai pada orang usia lanjut. Kedua ditinjau melalui nilai filsafat yakni permainan ini adalah melaluipermainan ini secara tidak langsung akan terjalin hubungan sosial antar seseorang yang satu denganyang lain. Fungsi melakukan bermain orang dapat mengaktualisasikan potensi aktivitas manusia dalambentuk gerak, sikap dan perilaku. Tujuan fisik pendidikan (psikomotorik, kognitif, dan afektif),keterampilan dan kesenangan harus diprioritaskan sedangkan pengetahuan untuk membantu individupengalaman kehidupan yang baik. Selanjutnya pengembangan tingkat keterampilan motorik untuk yangkearah prestasi harus di bina dan diarahkan agar nantinya mendapatkan hasil yang maksimal.Kata Kunci: Permainan, Filsafat, Fungsi
KEPRIBADIAN ATLET DAN NON ATLET
Authors: Setiyawan Setiyawan
Published: December 2017

Kepribadian merupakan suatu organisasi psikodinamik yang unik dalam proses penyesuaian diriindividu dengan lingkungan. Secara khusus faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi terbentuknya kepribadianada dua yaitu faktor genetik dan faktor lingkungan. Olahraga sebagai sarana pembentuk kepribadianjuga sebagai sarana untuk mengetahui karakteristik kepribadian memiliki satu ilmu pendukung yangdapat digunakan sebagai cara mengetahui kepribadian seseorang. Psikologi olahraga merupakan ilmuyang mempelajari perilaku manusia dalam hubungan dengan lingkungannya, mulai dari perilakusederhana sampai kompleks yang berhubungan dengan olahraga. Salah satu pembentuk kepribadianyang berasal dari luar adalah faktor lingkungan dan interaksi individu dengan lingkungan. Atlet sebagaisalah satu komponen pelaku olahraga tentu memiliki kepribadian yang berbeda dengan individu yangkurang berkecimpung dalam lingkungan olahraga (non atlet). Perbedaan ini tentu menjadi menarik ketikaolahraga yang dianggap sebagai salah satu cara untuk meningkatkan kualitas manusia justru pada akhirakhirini dipertanyakan tentang manfaat dari segi psikologis.Kata kunci: kepribadian, olahraga, atlet
Fire Design Methodology for Cold-Formed Steel C-Section Flexural Members
Authors: Laím Luís , Rodrigues João Paulo C.
Published: December 2017

Fire design rules for cold-formed steel beams are commonly based on past research on hot-rolled steel beams. Hence this paper present a methodology for calculating the fire response of unrestrained cold-formed steel C-section flexural members, based on guidelines of Eurocode 3 Part

1.2 for fire design of steel beams and on results of experimental and numerical studies. European fire design rules were found to be unsafe or over-conservative, depending on their relative slenderness and serviceability load applied on the beams. Therefore, new formulae for lateral– torsional buckling of unrestrained cold-formed steel C-section flexural members, which approximate better their real behaviour in case of fire are proposed. Comparison with numerical moment capacities demonstrates the accuracy of the new design methodology.
Modeling of Bonding for Epoxy Resins between Steel Rebar and Concrete at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Pothisiri Thanyawat
Published: December 2017

Epoxy resins have increasingly been used to bond steel rebars into existing cast-in-place or precast concrete structures due to the advantage of higher bond strength compared with mechanical steel-to-concrete anchors at normal temperature. At elevated temperatures, however, significant bond deterioration can be expected as the resin’s modulus decreases with an increase of temperature. The decrease in the load bearing capacity of the bond can lead to collapse of the structural systems after exposure to high temperatures.

A mechanical model is proposed in this study to investigate the characteristics of the adhesive bonding stress between steel rebar and concrete interface at elevated temperatures. The model is calibrated with the results obtained from a series of pull-out tests using deformed bars with varying diameters of 12 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm and 25 mm. It is found that the model provides good prediction of the bond stress.
The Lusail Feature Arch
Authors: Lyttle Peter
Published: December 2017

“Engineering the Future” - Lusail City is a self-contained and comprehensively planned new city currently under construction in Qatar. The Lusail Feature Arch was designed to enhance the Marina Interchange and create a gateway to Lusail City, with an arch spanning 184m and rising 75m above the A1/A6 interchange. The concept and aesthetics were developed in conjunction with international bridge architects, Dissing+Weitling, and comprise a triangular section tapering with height and incorporating an anti-clockwise twist emanating from the springing, creating a shape which is continually changing in profile as it gains height. This paper describes the derivation of the design criteria of this very slender structure. The arch was susceptible to wind induced excitations, and the paper discusses the effects determined through wind tunnel testing which was undertaken to establish the aerodynamic performance of this unique structure.
Structural Engineering Global Interoperability: Knowledge Sharing
Authors: Alsamsam Iyad , Mahamid Mustafa , Ellis Anne
Published: December 2017

Design and engineering work for global projects has increased exponentially in the last two decades and will continue to grow as globalization accelerates. Structural engineers collaborate on projects worldwide to understand and implement local codes and practices, specific environmental hazards, unique construction materials, common building systems and construction sequencing. Efforts also extend to general contracting capabilities including cultural and legal systems’ impact on procurement budget and project construction schedule.

This presentation will provide a synopsis and an overview of how engineering organizations can benefit from developing a framework for standard practices and requirements in forms that allow easy adoption with local modifications in any region of the world. A database of global codes and standards is envisioned to assist structural engineers with their practice to take into account resources required, cultural influences, legal system and customs on structural engineering practice. The presentation further explores steps planned by the Global Activity Division of SEI/ASCE to develop a sharing platform for Structural Engineers to access required resources and materials to efficiently execute projects worldwide. A review of recent and ongoing sharing efforts between SEI and other engineering organizations and local jurisdictions in different parts of the world will be provided. It is hoped these efforts continue to bridge the gap in engineering practices, required education, level of experience, and licensure standard towards a globally integrated and interoperable structural engineering profession. Knowledge sharing will serve to assert the value and importance of the structural engineer in global construction projects.

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Editorial
Authors: Gosling Marlusa De Sevilha
Published: December 2017

Editorial
Espaço e Cicloturismo: a representação urbano-turística de Curitiba/PR em fotografias postadas no Tripadvisor
Authors: Klos Renata Custódio , Miskalo-Cruz Marcelle , Moraes Lauro
Published: December 2017

A gestão do espaço urbano-turístico é um dos componentes elementarespara a competitividade de destinos, ainda mais frente ao desenvolvimento tecnológico e a cibercultura, que permitiram a incorporação de novos conceitos ao planejamento urbano e ao turismo, como a ideia de mobilidade inteligente (smart mobility). Deste modo, o presente trabalho propõe analisar a representação urbano-turística de Curitiba em fotografias compartilhadas por cicloturistas no site TripAdvisor. Realizou-se uma investigação exploratória por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e da netnografia, que permitiram a análise de 162 imagens, caracterizando-as por variáveis advindas da morfologia, da paisagem, da imagem do espaço urbano e dasrepresentações urbano-turísticas organizadas por Manosso (2015) a partir de Lynch (1997), Boullón (2002), Lamas (2004) e Cullen (1983). Observou-se que o cicloturista fotografou, em sua maioria, representações de cunho históricocultural, seguido de aspectos naturais e urbanos.
Does Participation in Music and Performing Arts Influence Child Development?
Authors: Foster E. Michael , Marcus Jenkins Jade V.
Published: December 2017

This article reconsiders the association between childhood arts participation and cognitive and developmental outcomes. Using data from a large, nationally representative sample with extensive covariates, we employ propensity score weighting to adjust comparisons of children who do and do not participate in arts education (music and performing arts lessons) to address potential confounding from selection into arts education. We examine a broad range of outcomes in adolescence and early adulthood (e.g., GPA, self-esteem, college attendance). Our results show that selection into arts education is at least as strong as any direct effect on outcomes, providing no support for the causal associations between arts participation and cognitive outcomes. We do find that arts education increases arts engagement during young adulthood.
The Role of MTurk in Education Research: Advantages, Issues, and Future Directions
Authors: Follmer D. Jake , Sperling Rayne A. , Suen Hoi K.
Published: December 2017

The advent of online platforms such as Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) has expanded considerably researchers’ options for collecting research data. Many researchers, however, express understandable skepticism of the viability of using platforms such as MTurk. In this article, we provide a background on the use of MTurk as a mechanism for collecting research data. We then review what is currently known about the advantages and issues associated with using MTurk and highlight important areas for future research. We conclude by discussing implications of the use of crowdsourcing platforms such as MTurk for education research.
Coaching for Coherence: How Instructional Coaches Lead Change in the Evaluation Era
Authors: Woulfin Sarah L. , Rigby Jessica G.
Published: December 2017

Instructional coaching has emerged as a prevalent and much-lauded instrument for capacity building. This essay argues that coaching can be aligned with teacher evaluation systems to work toward the effective implementation of instructional reforms, including Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Within the current policy context, coaching can support reform by (a) developing shared understandings, (b) modeling practices, and (c) brokering ideas. We discuss examples of coaches’ leadership actions related to the evaluation process, thus illustrating the potential for coaching to promote coherence in instructional improvement. We conclude by discussing barriers to the enactment of reform-aligned coaching as well as implications for leaders positioned at multiple levels of the education system.
Dynamic Measurement Modeling: Using Nonlinear Growth Models to Estimate Student Learning Capacity
Authors: Dumas Denis G. , McNeish Daniel M.
Published: December 2017

Single-timepoint educational measurement practices are capable of assessing student ability at the time of testing but are not designed to be informative of student capacity for developing in any particular academic domain, despite commonly being used in such a manner. For this reason, such measurement practice systematically underestimates the potential of students from nondominant socioeconomic or ethnic groups, who may not have had adequate opportunity to develop various academic skills but can nonetheless do so in the future. One long-standing approach to the partial rectification of this issue is dynamic assessment (DA), a technique that features multiple testing occasions integrated with learning opportunities. However, DA is extremely resource intensive to incorporate into educational assessment practice and cannot be applied to extant large-scale data sets. In this article, the authors describe a recently developed statistical technique, dynamic measurement modeling (DMM), which is capable of estimating quantities associated with DA—including student capacity for learning a particular skill—from existing large-scale longitudinal assessment data, allowing the core concepts of DA to be scaled up for use with secondary data sets such as those collected by Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems in the United States. The authors show that by considering several assessments over time, student capacity can be reliably estimated, and these capacity estimates are much less affected by student race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status than are single-timepoint assessment scores, thereby improving the consequential validity of measurement.
Education Research and the Shifting Landscape of the American School District, 1816 to 2016
Authors: Gamson David A. , Hodge Emily M.
Published: December 2017

Despite decades of critiques and scores of innovations designed to abolish or weaken it, the school district remains a central institution of the American educational system. Yet, although the district remains the primary agent of local democratic control and serves as the main unit for educational decisions, relatively little attention has been given to the historical evolution of the school district as an institutional form. Reformers and researchers alike often hold misperceptions and inaccurate assumptions about the nature of the school district’s development, precisely because the district has been understudied. The authors of this chapter offer a first step toward correcting that oversight by broadening our attention span, providing a solid historical overview of how the district has developed over the past two centuries, and exploring how scholars have analyzed districts at different points in our past. They focus on how the definition of what constitutes a school district has changed over time and on how perceptions of what it has meant to be a good or effective district has shifted throughout our history. They argue that the district has never been a static institution, that its changing forms and functions deserve greater recognition, and that conflicts regarding school districts often reflect deep and enduring frictions that are endemic to American social structures.
Integrating Research on How People Learn and Learning Across Settings as a Window of Opportunity to Address Inequality in Educational Processes and Outcomes
Authors: Lee Carol D.
Published: December 2017

This chapter addresses how fundamental principles regarding how people learn in the last decade open up possibilities for conceptualizing a broad ecological culturally rooted framework for the design of robust learning environments in a variety of settings, especially schools. These cross-disciplinary principles emerging from across relevant disciplines run against the persistent metanarratives warranting inequitable educational and life course outcomes for youth in minoritized nondominant communities and those living in persistent poverty in deficit claims. This chapter synthesizes research findings from across cognition, human development, the neurosciences, and learning in academic disciplines to document emerging consensus around generative principles that can inform the design of robust learning environments.
Challenging Popularized Narratives of Immigrant Youth From West Africa: Examining Social Processes of Navigating Identities and Engaging Civically
Authors: Watson Vaughn W. M. , Knight-Manuel Michelle G.
Published: December 2017

Given polarizing popular-media narratives of immigrant youth from West African countries, we construct an interdisciplinary framework engaging a Sankofan approach to analyze education research literature on social processes of navigating identities and engaging civically across immigrant youth’s heritage practices and Indigenous knowledges. In examining social processes, we disrupt three areas of inequalities affecting educational experiences of immigrant youth: (a) homogenizing notions of a monolithic West Africa and immigrant youth’s West African countries, (b) deficit understandings of identities and the heterogeneity of Black immigrant youth from West African countries living in the United States, and (c) singular views of youth’s civic engagement. We provide implications for researchers, policymakers, and educators to better meet youth’s teaching and learning needs.
Does Attending a Charter School Reduce the Likelihood of Being Placed Into Special Education? Evidence From Denver, Colorado
Authors: Winters Marcus A. , Carpenter Dick M. , Clayton Grant
Published: December 2017

We use administrative data to measure whether attending a charter school in Denver, Colorado, reduces the likelihood that students are newly classified as having a disability in primary grades. We employ an observational approach that takes advantage of Denver’s Common Enrollment System, which allows us to observe each school that the student listed a preference to attend. We find evidence that attending a Denver charter school reduces the likelihood that a student is classified as having a specific learning disability, which is the largest and most subjectively diagnosed disability category. We find no evidence that charter attendance reduces the probability of being classified as having a speech or language disability or autism, which are two more objectively diagnosed classifications.
Modeling Answer Change Behavior: An Application of a Generalized Item Response Tree Model
Authors: Jeon Minjeong , De Boeck Paul , van der Linden Wim
Published: December 2017

We present a novel application of a generalized item response tree model to investigate test takers’ answer change behavior. The model allows us to simultaneously model the observed patterns of the initial and final responses after an answer change as a function of a set of latent traits and item parameters. The proposed application is illustrated with large-scale mathematics test items. We also describe how the estimated results can be used to study the benefits of answer change and to further detect potential academic cheating.
A Comparison of Joint Model and Fully Conditional Specification Imputation for Multilevel Missing Data
Authors: Mistler Stephen A. , Enders Craig K.
Published: December 2017

Multiple imputation methods can generally be divided into two broad frameworks: joint model (JM) imputation and fully conditional specification (FCS) imputation. JM draws missing values simultaneously for all incomplete variables using a multivariate distribution, whereas FCS imputes variables one at a time from a series of univariate conditional distributions. In single-level multivariate normal data, these two approaches have been shown to be equivalent, but less is known about their similarities and differences with multilevel data. This study examined four multilevel multiple imputation approaches: JM approaches proposed by Schafer and Yucel and Asparouhov and Muthén and FCS methods described by van Buuren and Carpenter and Kenward. Analytic work and computer simulations showed that Asparouhov and Muthén and Carpenter and Kenward methods are most flexible, as they produce imputations that preserve distinct within- and between-cluster covariance structures. As such, these approaches are applicable to random intercept models that posit level-specific relations among variables (e.g., contextual effects analyses, multilevel structural equation models). In contrast, methods from Schafer and Yucel and van Buuren are more restrictive and impose implicit equality constraints on functions of the within- and between-cluster covariance matrices. The analytic work and simulations underscore the conclusion that researchers should not expect to obtain the same results from alternative imputation routines. Rather, it is important to choose an imputation method that partitions variation in a manner that is consistent with the analysis model of interest. A real data analysis example illustrates the various approaches.
A Weighting Method for Assessing Between-Site Heterogeneity in Causal Mediation Mechanism
Authors: Qin Xu , Hong Guanglei
Published: December 2017

When a multisite randomized trial reveals between-site variation in program impact, methods are needed for further investigating heterogeneous mediation mechanisms across the sites. We conceptualize and identify a joint distribution of site-specific direct and indirect effects under the potential outcomes framework. A method-of-moments procedure incorporating ratio-of-mediator-probability weighting (RMPW) consistently estimates the causal parameters. This strategy conveniently relaxes the assumption of no Treatment × Mediator interaction while greatly simplifying the outcome model specification without invoking strong distributional assumptions. We derive asymptotic standard errors that reflect the sampling variability of the estimated weight. We also offer an easy-to-use R package, MultisiteMediation, that implements the proposed method. It is freely available at the Comprehensive R Archive Network ( http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/MultisiteMediation ).
Normal Theory Two-Stage ML Estimator When Data Are Missing at the Item Level
Authors: Savalei Victoria , Rhemtulla Mijke
Published: December 2017

In many modeling contexts, the variables in the model are linear composites of the raw items measured for each participant; for instance, regression and path analysis models rely on scale scores, and structural equation models often use parcels as indicators of latent constructs. Currently, no analytic estimation method exists to appropriately handle missing data at the item level. Item-level multiple imputation (MI), however, can handle such missing data straightforwardly. In this article, we develop an analytic approach for dealing with item-level missing data—that is, one that obtains a unique set of parameter estimates directly from the incomplete data set and does not require imputations. The proposed approach is a variant of the two-stage maximum likelihood (TSML) methodology, and it is the analytic equivalent of item-level MI. We compare the new TSML approach to three existing alternatives for handling item-level missing data: scale-level full information maximum likelihood, available-case maximum likelihood, and item-level MI. We find that the TSML approach is the best analytic approach, and its performance is similar to item-level MI. We recommend its implementation in popular software and its further study.
Evaluation of ‘Visual prostate symptom score’ in men with benign enlargement of prostate in a tertiary care center in midwestern Nepal
Authors: Gupta Dipesh Kumar
Published: December 2017

Introduction: Quantification of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with benign enlargement of prostate (BEP) is required to initiate and regulate treatment. Among many, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is standard though it is time consuming and difficult to understand by many patients. A recent Visual Prostate Symptom Score (VPSS) which is presumed to be simpler and well understood by patients with lower educational status has been in use.Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted in Nepalgunj Medical College, Nepalgunj. In a total of 79 patients, 25 patients of LUTS because of other causes were excluded and 54 patients clinically diagnosed with BEP were enrolled for the study over a period of one year. Symptom evaluation was done in all with both IPSS and VPSS and uroflowmetry parameters were also recorded. The IPSS and VPSS were compared with each other and also with uroflowmetry parameters.Results: Mean age of the patients was 67 years and mean prostate volume was 48 gm. The patients who mostly were farmers had median eighth grade of education. Fourteen were illiterates and 40 were literate patients. Significant number of patients required assistance of a medical personnel to complete IPSS (p= <0.001) including those in literate group as well (p= <0.001). Time taken to complete VPSS was significantly less (p= 0.019). Total IPSS correlated with total VPSS ((r= +0.36; p=0.007). There was negative and significant correlation of VPSS with uroflowmeter parameters while IPSS failed to do so.Conclusion: VPSS is an easy and reliable tool to assess symptom severity in cases of BEP presenting with LUTS. It has the added advantage of utility in assessment of LUTS in patients with lower educational status. Moreover, the patients take shorter time to complete the questionnaire.  Journal of Society of Surgeons of Nepal, 2015; 18 (2), page: 6-10
Teacher Development: Strategies and Perception
Authors: Bharati Padam Lal , Chalise Subas
Published: December 2017

Aspects of teachers’ professional development in general and EFL teachers in non-English speaking countries in particular are issues that warrant constant research. Although these are widely researched areas internationally, within Nepal grounded professional development studies have been sparsely carried out. A considerable section of practicing English language teachers has no clear idea of the issue although it directly concerns themselves. Against this backdrop, this article explores some EFL teachers’ perception on the concept of teacher development in a relatively sophisticated centrally located town of Nepal.The Saptagandaki Journal Vol.8 2017: 69-78
Natural Knockouts: Natural Selection Knocked Out
Authors: Borger Peter
Published: December 2017

In functional genomics studies, research is dedicated to unveiling the function of genes using gene-knockouts, model organisms in which a gene is artificially inactivated. The idea is that, by knocking out the gene, the provoked phenotype would inform us about the function of the gene. Still, the function of many genes cannot be elucidated, because disruption of conserved sequences, including protein-coding genes, often does not directly affect the phenotype. Since the phenomenon was first observed in the early nineties of the last century, these so-called ‘no-phenotype knockouts’ have met with great skepticism and resistance by died-in-the-wool selectionists. Still, functional genomics of the late 20th and early 21st centuries has taught us two important lessons. First, two or more unrelated genes can often substitute for each other; and second, some genes are only present in the genome in a silent state. In the laboratory, the disruption of such genes does not negatively influence reproductive success, and does not show measurable fitness effects of the species. The genes are redundant. Genetic redundancy, one of the big surprises of modern biology, can thus be defined as the condition in which the inactivation of a gene is selectively neutral. The no-phenotype knockout is not just a freak of the laboratory. Genetic variants known as homozygous loss-of-function (HLOF) variants are of considerable scientific and clinical interest, as they represent experiments of nature qualifying as “natural knockouts”. Such natural knockouts challenge the conventional NeoDarwinian appraisal that genetic information is the result of natural selection acting on random genetic variation.
Cu Nanoparticles/Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide (FTO) Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic H2 Evolution under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Liu Hui , Wang An , Sun Quan , Wang Tingting , Zeng Heping
Published: December 2017

Copper nanoparticles/fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) nanocomposites were successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible diffuse-reflectance spectrum (UV-VIS DRS), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The obtained Cu/FTO nanocomposites exhibit high photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution under visible light (λ > 420 nm) irradiation. When the content of Cu is 19.2 wt % for FTO, the Cu/FTO photocatalyst shows the highest photocatalytic activity and the photocatalytic H2 evolution rate is up to 11.22 μmol·h−1. Meanwhile, the photocatalyst exhibits excellent stability and repeatability. It is revealed that the transfer efficiency of the photogenerated electrons is improved greatly because of the intense interaction between Cu NPs and FTO. Furthermore, a possible mechanism is proposed for enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution of Cu/FTO photocatalysts under visible light irradiation.
Photocatalytic Behavior of Water-Based Styrene-Acrylic Coatings Containing TiO2 Sensitized with Metal-Phthalocyanine Tetracarboxylic Acids
Authors: Raditoiu Valentin , Raditoiu Alina , Raduly Monica Florentina , Amariutei Viorica , Gifu Ioana Catalina , Anastasescu Mihai
Published: December 2017

The study presents the results regarding the photocatalytic behavior of some water-based styrene-acrylic coatings containing TiO2 nanoparticles sensitized with metal-phthalocyanine tetracarboxylic acids. Coating materials have been studied in terms of color characteristics, photocatalytic behavior, and resistance to self-degradation depending on the structure of phthalocyanine sensitizers. Coatings that were exposed to Xenon light showed degradation of the organic sensitizer rather than of the binder. Photocatalytic tests using methylene blue as a standard contaminant indicated that the coating containing TiO2 nanoparticles sensitized with Fe(III) phthalocyanine tetracarboxylic acids showed the highest efficiency both in ultraviolet or visible light. In this case, the UV light induced a photodegradation rate that was greatly increased of about fifty times comparatively with that induced by LED light and was determined by two different mechanisms, but side reactions like methylene blue and sensitizer self destruction are possible to occur simultaneously. Photocatalytic materials of this type are suitable to be used as decorative coatings especially for indoor applications.
Colloids and Interfaces
Authors: Miller Reinhard
Published: December 2017

Colloids and Interfaces is a new, online, open access journal published by MDPI. It aims at publishing manuscripts for all aspects of colloid and interfaces science [...]
Chance-Constrained Real-Time Dispatch with Renewable Uncertainty Based on Dynamic Load Flow
Authors: Bie Pei , Zhang Buhan , Li Hang , Wang Yong , Luan Le , Chen Guoyan , Lu Guojun
Published: December 2017

In this paper, a comprehensive real-time dispatch model considering renewable uncertainty based on dynamic load flow (DLF) is proposed. Through DLF, the primary and secondary frequency regulation amount caused by the variation of renewable energy as well as the line flow when primary and secondary regulation are deployed can be obtained easily. Not only the frequency constraints, but also the regular constraints like generator production limits and line flow limits are respected under both primary and secondary frequency regulation. To solve the dispatch problem with renewable uncertainty, chance-constrained programming based on cumulants and Cornish-fisher expansions (CCP-CMCF) is adopted to get the probability of holding the chance constraints and then the real-time dispatch model can be transformed into a quadratic programming. The simulation results show that the dispatch model proposed in this paper can deal with both primary and secondary regulation well and has a fast computation speed.
The Contribution of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Practices to Forest Management: The Case of Northeast Asia
Authors: Kim Seongjun , Li Guanlin , Son Yowhan
Published: December 2017

This study aims to introduce the potential applicability of traditional ecological knowledge and community forestry in Northeast Asia, including China, Japan, and South Korea. In ancient Northeast Asia, forest policies and practices were based on Fengshui (an old Chinese concept regarding the flow of vital forces), with which forests were managed under community forestry. However, these traditional systems diminished in the twentieth century owing to the decline of traditional livelihood systems and extreme deforestation. Recently, legacies from traditional ecological knowledge and community forestry have been revisited and incorporated into forest policies, laws, and management practices because of growing needs for sustainable forest use in China, Japan, and Korea. This reevaluation of traditional ecological knowledge and community forestry has provided empirical data to help improve forestry systems. Although traditional ecological knowledge and community forestry in Northeast Asia have been scarcely theorized, they play a significant role in modifying forest management practices in the face of socioeconomic changes.
Magnetic Field Studies in BL Lacertae through Faraday Rotation and a Novel Astrometric Technique
Authors: Molina Sol , Gómez José , Dodson Richard , Rioja María
Published: December 2017

It is thought that dynamically important helical magnetic fields twisted by the differential rotation of the black hole’s accretion disk or ergosphere play an important role in the launching, acceleration, and collimation of active galactic nuclei (AGN) jets. We present multi-frequency astrometric and polarimetric Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) images at 15, 22, and 43 GHz, as well as Faraday rotation analyses of the jet in BL Lacertae as part of a sample of AGN jets aimed to probe the magnetic field structure at the innermost scales to test jet formation models. The novel astrometric technique applied allows us to obtain the absolute position at mm wavelengths without any external calibrator.
Functional Characterization of the Versatile MYB Gene Family Uncovered Their Important Roles in Plant Development and Responses to Drought and Waterlogging in Sesame
Authors: Mmadi Marie , Dossa Komivi , Wang Linhai , Zhou Rong , Wang Yanyan , Cisse Ndiaga , Sy Mame , Zhang Xiurong
Published: December 2017

The MYB gene family constitutes one of the largest transcription factors (TFs) modulating various biological processes in plants. Although genome-wide analysis of this gene family has been carried out in some species, only three MYB members have been functionally characterized heretofore in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Here, we identified a relatively high number (287) of sesame MYB genes (SIMYBs) with an uncommon overrepresentation of the 1R-subfamily. A total of 95% of SIMYBs was mapped unevenly onto the 16 linkage groups of the sesame genome with 55 SIMYBs tandemly duplicated. In addition, molecular characterization, gene structure, and evolutionary relationships of SIMYBs were established. Based on the close relationship between sesame and Arabidopsis thaliana, we uncovered that the functions of SIMYBs are highly diverse. A total of 65% of SIMYBs were commonly detected in five tissues, suggesting that they represent key TFs modulating sesame growth and development. Moreover, we found that SIMYBs regulate sesame responses to drought and waterlogging, which highlights the potential of SIMYBs towards improving stress tolerance in sesame. This work presents a comprehensive picture of the MYB gene family in sesame and paves the way for further functional validation of the members of this versatile gene family.
Comparing Three Twentieth-Century Philosophical Antitheodicies
Authors: Pihlström Sami
Published: December 2017

This paper compares three twentieth-century examples of antitheodicist thought in the philosophy of religion (and, more generally, ethics): William James’s pragmatism, D.Z. Phillips’s Wittgensteinianism, and Emmanuel Levinas’s post-Holocaust ethical reflection on suffering. It is argued that all three—despite their enormous differences, given that the three thinkers discussed come from distinct philosophical traditions—share the fundamental antitheodicist argument according to which theodicies seeking to justify God’s reasons for allowing the world to contain horrible evil and suffering amount to morally problematic, or even immoral, failures to acknowledge other human beings and their meaningless suffering. Furthermore, it is suggested that this antitheodicist line of thought shared by all three is based on a Kantian transcendental analysis of the necessary conditions for the possibility of occupying a moral perspective on the world.
Predicting the Functional Impact of CDH1 Missense Mutations in Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer
Authors: Melo Soraia , Figueiredo Joana , Fernandes Maria , Gonçalves Margarida , Morais-de-Sá Eurico , Sanches João , Seruca Raquel
Published: December 2017

The role of E-cadherin in Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer (HDGC) is unequivocal. Germline alterations in its encoding gene (CDH1) are causative of HDGC and occur in about 40% of patients. Importantly, while in most cases CDH1 alterations result in the complete loss of E-cadherin associated with a well-established clinical impact, in about 20% of cases the mutations are of the missense type. The latter are of particular concern in terms of genetic counselling and clinical management, as the effect of the sequence variants in E-cadherin function is not predictable. If a deleterious variant is identified, prophylactic surgery could be recommended. Therefore, over the last few years, intensive research has focused on evaluating the functional consequences of CDH1 missense variants and in assessing E-cadherin pathogenicity. In that context, our group has contributed to better characterize CDH1 germline missense variants and is now considered a worldwide reference centre. In this review, we highlight the state of the art methodologies to categorize CDH1 variants, as neutral or deleterious. This information is subsequently integrated with clinical data for genetic counseling and management of CDH1 variant carriers.
Web-Based Scientific Exploration and Analysis of 3D Scanned Cuneiform Datasets for Collaborative Research
Authors: Fisseler Denis , Müller Gerfrid , Weichert Frank
Published: December 2017

The three-dimensional cuneiform script is one of the oldest known writing systems and a central object of research in Ancient Near Eastern Studies and Hittitology. An important step towards the understanding of the cuneiform script is the provision of opportunities and tools for joint analysis. This paper presents an approach that contributes to this challenge: a collaborative compatible web-based scientific exploration and analysis of 3D scanned cuneiform fragments. The WebGL -based concept incorporates methods for compressed web-based content delivery of large 3D datasets and high quality visualization. To maximize accessibility and to promote acceptance of 3D techniques in the field of Hittitology, the introduced concept is integrated into the Hethitologie-Portal Mainz, an established leading online research resource in the field of Hittitology, which until now exclusively included 2D content. The paper shows that increasing the availability of 3D scanned archaeological data through a web-based interface can provide significant scientific value while at the same time finding a trade-off between copyright induced restrictions and scientific usability.
Bipolar Switching Properties of Neodymium Oxide RRAM Devices Using by a Low Temperature Improvement Method
Authors: Chen Kai-Huang , Kao Ming-Cheng , Huang Shou-Jen , Li Jian-Zhi
Published: December 2017

Bipolar resistive switching properties and endurance switching behavior of the neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) thin films resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices for a high resistive status/low resistive status (HRS/LRS) using a low temperature supercritical carbon dioxide fluid (SCF) improvement post-treatment process were investigated. Electrical and physical properties improvement of Nd2O3 thin films were measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and current versus voltage (I-V) measurement. The metal-like behavior of ohmic conduction mechanism and metallic cluster reaction of hopping conduction mechanism in initial metallic filament path forming process of the SCF-treated thin films RRAM devices was assumed and discussed. Finally, the electrical conduction mechanism of the thin films RRAM derives for set/reset was also discussed and verified in filament path physical model.
LaAlO3:Mn4+ as Near-Infrared Emitting Persistent Luminescence Phosphor for Medical Imaging: A Charge Compensation Study
Authors: Du Jiaren , De Clercq Olivier Q. , Korthout Katleen , Poelman Dirk
Published: December 2017

Mn4+-activated phosphors are emerging as a novel class of deep red/near-infrared emitting persistent luminescence materials for medical imaging as a promising alternative to Cr3+-doped nanomaterials. Currently, it remains a challenge to improve the afterglow and photoluminescence properties of these phosphors through a traditional high-temperature solid-state reaction method in air. Herein we propose a charge compensation strategy for enhancing the photoluminescence and afterglow performance of Mn4+-activated LaAlO3 phosphors. LaAlO3:Mn4+ (LAO:Mn4+) was synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reaction in air. The charge compensation strategies for LaAlO3:Mn4+ phosphors were systematically discussed. Interestingly, Cl−/Na+/Ca2+/Sr2+/Ba2+/Ge4+ co-dopants were all found to be beneficial for enhancing LaAlO3:Mn4+ luminescence and afterglow intensity. This strategy shows great promise and opens up new avenues for the exploration of more promising near-infrared emitting long persistent phosphors for medical imaging.
Local and Average Structural Changes in Zeolite A upon Ion Exchange
Authors: Price Lisa , Leung Ka , Sartbaeva Asel
Published: December 2017

The infamous ‘structure–property relationship’ is a long-standing problem for the design, study and development of novel functional materials. Most conventional characterization methods, including diffraction and crystallography, give us a good description of long-range order within crystalline materials. In recent decades, methods such as Solid State NMR (SS NMR) are more widely used for characterization of crystalline solids, in order to reveal local structure, which could be different from long-range order and sometimes hidden from long-range order probes. In particular for zeolites, this opens a great avenue for characterization through studies of the local environments around Si and Al units within their crystalline frameworks. In this paper, we show that some structural modifications occur after partially exchanging the extraframework Na + ions with monovalent, Li + , K + , Rb + and NH 4 + and divalent, Ca 2 + cations. Solid state NMR is deployed to study the local structure of exchanged materials, while average stricture changes can be observed by powder diffraction (PXRD). To corroborate our findings, we also employ Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and further characterization of some samples was done using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).
Recovery of Gold from Pregnant Thiosulfate Solutions by the Resin Adsorption Technique
Authors: Dong Zhonglin , Jiang Tao , Xu Bin , Yang Yongbin , Li Qian
Published: December 2017

This review is devoted to an integrated evaluation of the current use and future development of the resin adsorption technique in gold recovery from pregnant thiosulfate solutions. Comparisons are firstly made with other recovery techniques, including precipitation, activated carbon adsorption, solvent extraction, electrowinning and mesoporous silica adsorption. A detailed discussion about the recent advances of the technique in gold recovery from pregnant thiosulfate solutions is then presented from the aspects of gold adsorption on the resins and gold-loaded resin elution, respectively. On the basis of summarizing the present research, the major limitations of the resin adsorption technique are eventually pointed out and future development will also be prospected.
Bioactive Compounds Produced by Hypoxylon fragiforme against Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms
Authors: Yuyama Kamila Tomoko , Chepkirui Clara , Wendt Lucile , Fortkamp Diana , Stadler Marc , Abraham Wolf-Rainer
Published: December 2017

Treating infections organized in biofilms is a challenge due to the resistance of the pathogens against antibiotics and host immune cells. Many fungi grow in a wet environment, favorable for the growth of bacterial biofilms, and we speculated that fungi possess some strategies to control these bacterial biofilms. A fungus identified as Hypoxylon fragiforme, was collected in the Harz Mountains, Germany, and its mycelial culture was fermented in different culture media for 67 days to test its biological potential against bacterial biofilms. Sclerin, sclerin diacid and its 3-methyl monoester (methyl 1-(5-hydroxy-6-carboxylic-2,3,4-trimethylphenyl) propionate) are here described for the first time from this fungus. Sclerin and its diacid interfered with the biofilm formation of the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, inhibiting 86% and 80% of the biofilm at 256 μg mL−1, respectively, but not killing the bacterium. Interestingly, the monomethylester of sclerin diacid was inactive. Although these compounds did not possess any activity against a pre-formed biofilm, they prevented its formation at subtoxic concentrations. Furthermore, sclerin and its diacid displayed a high specificity against Staphylococcus aureus, indicating a good strategy against pathogenic biofilms when combined with antibiotics.
Conserved Binding Regions Provide the Clue for Peptide-Based Vaccine Development: A Chemical Perspective
Authors: Curtidor Hernando , Reyes César , Bermúdez Adriana , Vanegas Magnolia , Varela Yahson , Patarroyo Manuel
Published: December 2017

Synthetic peptides have become invaluable biomedical research and medicinal chemistry tools for studying functional roles, i.e., binding or proteolytic activity, naturally-occurring regions’ immunogenicity in proteins and developing therapeutic agents and vaccines. Synthetic peptides can mimic protein sites; their structure and function can be easily modulated by specific amino acid replacement. They have major advantages, i.e., they are cheap, easily-produced and chemically stable, lack infectious and secondary adverse reactions and can induce immune responses via T- and B-cell epitopes. Our group has previously shown that using synthetic peptides and adopting a functional approach has led to identifying Plasmodium falciparum conserved regions binding to host cells. Conserved high activity binding peptides’ (cHABPs) physicochemical, structural and immunological characteristics have been taken into account for properly modifying and converting them into highly immunogenic, protection-inducing peptides (mHABPs) in the experimental Aotus monkey model. This article describes stereo–electron and topochemical characteristics regarding major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mHABP-T-cell receptor (TCR) complex formation. Some mHABPs in this complex inducing long-lasting, protective immunity have been named immune protection-inducing protein structures (IMPIPS), forming the subunit components in chemically synthesized vaccines. This manuscript summarizes this particular field and adds our recent findings concerning intramolecular interactions (H-bonds or π-interactions) enabling proper IMPIPS structure as well as the peripheral flanking residues (PFR) to stabilize the MHCII-IMPIPS-TCR interaction, aimed at inducing long-lasting, protective immunological memory.