bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POLA DAN STRATEGI PENGASUHAN ANAK OLEH PEKERJA MIGRAN MIGRAN DI KOTA BANDUNG
Authors: Riasih Teta
Published: September 2018

Persoalan perawatan, pemeliharaan, dan pengasuhan anak pada keluarga migran perempuan menjadi sangat krusial, karena dengan bekerjanya ibu, maka di dalam tanggung jawabnya terhadap keluarga ada waktu yang seharusnya mengasuh dan membimbing anak terpaksa tidak dapat melaksanakannya. Tidak dapat dipungkiri bahwa pada ibu yang bekerja dengan sendirinya menciptakan keadaan ekonomi keluarga yang lebih baik. Namun perubahan peran perempuan sebagai ibu dan pencari nafkah juga mengkibatkan pengaruh tertentu dalam pengasuhan terhadap  anak.       Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengkaji pengasuhan anak pada keluarga pekerja migran  di kota Bandung. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan metode deskriptif kepada dua  orang  pekerja migran perempuan  yang bermukim di Kelurahan Cipamokolan Kecamatan Rancasari Bandung.Teknik Pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah wawancara, observasi dan studi dokumentasi.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Persoalan perawatan, pemeliharaan, dan pengasuhan anak pada keluarga migran perempuan di kelurahan Cipamokolan  menjadi sangat krusial, karena dengan bekerjanya ibu selama 8 sampai 12 jam sehari, maka di dalam tanggung jawabnya terhadap keluarga ada waktu yang seharusnya mengasuh dan membimbing anak terpaksa tidak dapat melaksanakannya. Tidak dapat dipungkiri bahwa pada ibu yang bekerja dengan sendirinya menciptakan keadaan ekonomi keluarga yang lebih baik. Namun perubahan peran perempuan sebagai ibu dan pencari nafkah juga mengkibatkan pengaruh tertentu dalam pengasuhan terhadap  anak.        Keterbatasan kemampuan para buruh  menyebabkan mereka mengalami keterbatasan dalam pengasuhan anak, dengan perawatan dan pengasuhan seadanya sementara di kota tempat bekerja tidak ada sanak saudara dan kerabat yang dapat membantu dalam mengasuh anak menjadi persoalan tersendiri. Kondisi tersebut apabila tidak ditangani secara serius pada gilirannya akan mengancam pertumbuhan dan perkembangan anak baik secara fisik, intelektual maupun sosialnya. Kata kunci: Anak, Pengasuhan anak, Pekerja migran .
Comment appréhender une tuerie de masse pour les équipes Smur primo-intervenantes ?
Authors:   Service médical du RAID,   Antenne médicale spécialisée de Satory (GIGN), Lapostolle F. , Loeb T. , Lecarpentier E. , Vivien B. , Pasquier P. , Raux M.
Published: September 2018

Le risque terroriste présent sur l’ensemble de notre territoire depuis plusieurs années conduit les équipes de Samu–Smur à intervenir sur les lieux d’une tuerie de masse aux côtés de forces de sécurité, voire en tant que primointervenants. De telles circonstances exposent les équipes à un environnement de travail inhabituel et hostile. Cette mise au point, proposée en complément de la recommandation formalisée d’experts sur la prise en charge de tuerie de masse, répond aux interrogations qui naissent sur le terrain en pareilles circonstances. Elle facilite une juste appréciation des événements, aide à réguler ses émotions, dans le but d’augmenter la capacité des soignants à agir, tout en réduisant la phase de sidération initiale, elle-même responsable d’une inertie à même d’impacter le pronostic des blessés en choc hémorragique. Des procédures anticipées, sous forme de check-lists, guident les actions à mener de manière sereine. Les équipes médicales préhospitalières doivent apporter sur le terrain non seulement une compétence médicale, mais également une compétence tactique et décisionnelle pour accélérer les flux d’évacuation. Le premier médecin engagé doit aider à la décision aux côtés du commandant des opérations de secours, du commandant des opérations de police et de gendarmerie et des médecins intégrés aux forces de sécurité intérieure en attendant le directeur des secours médicaux. Il doit donc également faire preuve d’une compétence de chef d’équipe.
Reliability of manual muscle testing: A systematic review
Authors: Bohannon Richard W.
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND:

The legitimacy of manual muscle testing (MMT) is dependent in part on the reliability of assessments obtained using the procedure.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this review, therefore, was to consolidate findings regarding the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of MMT from studies meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria.

METHODS:

An electronic search of PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL databases and a hand search were conducted to identify articles addressing the test-retest or inter-rater reliability of MMT. Data on participants, testing specifics, and findings regarding reliability were extracted.

RESULTS:

Of 189 unique articles identified, 9 were found to meet inclusion/exclusion criteria. The studies were highly variable in regard to the population tested, MMT procedure and scoring, and findings. Nevertheless, based on pairwise comparisons, substantial or almost perfect test-retest and inter-rater agreement was demonstrated for most muscle actions tested.

CONCLUSIONS:

Reliable assessments of strength may be obtained by MMT but not assumed. Further research is required to address the reliability of MMT across pathologies, muscle groups, and test procedures.
Verifying constant-time implementations by abstract interpretation
Authors: Blazy Sandrine , Pichardie David , Trieu Alix
Published: September 2018

Constant-time programming is an established discipline to secure programs against timing attackers. Several real-world secure C libraries such as NaCl, mbedTLS, or Open Quantum Safe, follow this discipline. We propose an advanced static analysis, based on state-of-the-art techniques from abstract interpretation, to report time leakage during programming. To that purpose, we analyze source C programs and use full context-sensitive and arithmetic-aware alias analyses to track the tainted flows.

We give semantic evidence of the correctness of our approach on a core language. We also present a prototype implementation for C programs that is based on the CompCert compiler toolchain and its companion Verasco static analyzer. We present verification results on various real-world constant-time programs and report on a successful verification of a challenging SHA-256 implementation that was out of scope of previous tool-assisted approaches.
Milk and Parkinson disease: Could galactose be the missing link
Authors: Sarni Anna Rita , Baroni Luciana
Published: September 2018

Epidemiological evidence has linked the consumption of milk and dairy products to an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the potential pathogenetic mechanisms remain to date yet to be ascertained.

Galactose (D-Gal) is a hexose sugar which, when given orally and by other routes of administration, is picked up by the brain after a few hours. For doses above 100 mg/kg, it appears that galactose can cause biochemical and neuropathological alterations in neurons and astrocytes, similar to those observed in PD. These quantities can be reached and surpassed with the simple daily consumption of two glasses of milk, the main dietary source of D-Gal in humans.

It is likely that, relative to other neurons, dopaminergic neurons are more vulnerable to D-Gal induced damage, because of their greater vulnerability to oxidative stress.

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in both PD and D-Gal toxicity, and mutations of the genes commonly involved in PD and in mitochondrial homeostasis could enhance this mechanism.

If this hypothesis were to be confirmed, dietary interventions, such as reducing the sources of galactose in the diet, and/or increasing the intake of protective molecules, could help reduce the occurrence of this disease in the aging population.
Rational pharmaceutical management of medical oxygen in community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Sekh M. Ya.
Published: September 2018

Medical oxygen has been currently considered as a medication according to the Ukrainian and worldwide data. The WHO has included it into the list of the main medical agents. Moreover, medical oxygen has a broad application spectrum and here it may be the only remedy that cannot be replaced by the analogous one. The most common symptoms of respiratory problems are oxygenation disorder and hypoxemia which require the application of medical oxygen. This factor determined the target group of our research, namely, the patients with community-acquired pneumonia of moderate and severe course.

The aim of the research was to study the state and expense of oxygen provision for patients with community-acquired pneumonia who were admitted to the internal unit of one of the health care institutions in Lviv. Medical documentation was the object of the research. It included: reporting/control documentation and medical prescriptions of patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia. The study involved the application of systemic analysis, as well as analytical and comparative, information and search, clinical and economic, bibliographic of research methods.

The paper describes the importance of oxygen therapy for hypoxia treatment in certain pathological conditions, in particular community-acquired pneumonia. We performed an analysis of the state and expense of oxygen provision in the Lviv Regional Clinical Hospital as well as the patients with community-acquired pneumonia. The study was carried out in two periods (2006 and 2017). It has been established that the total expenses associated with oxygen were increased by 10 times in the hryvnia and by 2 times in dollar equivalents for 11 years. In addition, from the cost of all medicines purchased by the hospital during 2017, 8% was spent on medical oxygen. In the course of our study, the need for oxygen for a single therapeutic patient with non-hospital pneumonia is about 25 m3. The total cost of providing them with this category of patients has also grown almost 10 times in hryvnia and 2 times in dollar equivalents – from 41.56 UAH (8.23 $)/patient) to 477.72 UAH (17.63 $)/patient in 2006 and 2017, respectively. This certainly leads to a significant increase in the costly pharmacotherapy of patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Вeside this, the analysis has revealed a list of problems associated with outdated material and technical equipment, weariness of equipment, danger of explosion, and continuously growing expense of medical oxygen which forces the search for new and safer patient provision methods. Medical oxygen becomes a financial burden in clinical practice particularly under conditions of restricted financing in the branch of health care. Herein, it remains the main and compulsory component of pathogenic therapy in community-acquired pneumonia. The abovementioned problematic aspects require the urgent solution that, in our opinion, can be reached with the application of rational pharmaceutical management.
Influence of diclofenac sodium on antibiofilm activity of azithromycin
Authors: Hrynchuk N. I. , Vrynchanu N.O. , Stepura L. G.
Published: September 2018

Nowadays bacterial biofilms are the major problem in the medical practice, that can lead to chronic infections and decline of antimicrobial therapy efficacy. Therefore, combined use of drugs of various pharmacotherapeutic groups may offer significant benefits in the research of new ways of treatment infections associated with biofilms. The data of the literature shows that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have antimicrobial activity and they can be improved antimicrobial action of antibiotics.

The aim of the study was to establish specific antibiofilm activity of azithromycin in the combined treatment with diclofenac sodium.

Strain S. epidermidis 2265 susceptibility to azithromycin was evaluated by microdilution method and assessed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Action of azithromycin and diclofenac sodium on biofilm formation and preformed biofilms of S. epidermidis was determined by the crystal violet assay.

Our results of study have shown that azithromycin and diclofenac sodium reduced of biofilm formation to abiotic surface. Dose-depending low antibiofilm effect was found under treatment preformed S. epidermidis biofilms with macrolide antibiotic. Diclofenac sodium possessed antibiofilm activity against the preformed 1-day staphylococcal biofilms (reducing biomass 68.5%). Also diclofenac sodium stimulated biofilms formation and increased biomass accumulation of preformed 12-hour and 2-day staphylococcal biofilms to 12.4%. The data obtained of experiments have shown that combined treatment with both azithromycin and diclofenac sodium lead to reduce activity of macrolide against biofilm formation (to 69.5%) and S. epidermidis mature biofilms (2-day) at therapeutic concentrations (increasing biomass accumulation on 10.4% in comparison with controls). Antibiofilm activity of macrolide antibiotic become higher only against preformed 1-day biofilms.

The data obtained suggest the possibility of using of azithromycin with diclofenac sodium for treatment of acute purulent-inflammatory processes. Because of diclofenac sodium exhibited antibiofilm activity and increased the antibiotic specific activity, that lead to prevention of development of chronic infections. The issue of combined treatment of azithromycin with diclofenac sodium of chronic infections remains open and requires in-depth research.
Strategi Komunikasi Pariwisata Provinsi Maluku Utara pada Event Widi International Fishing Tournamen (WIFT) 2017
Authors: Yuniani Hani
Published: September 2018

Abstract

 

Promotion of tourism that simultaneously surge in various regions in Indonesia is currently experiencing quite encouraging developments. Indonesia's tourism potential, which is largely a marine potential, encourages local governments to manage it so that it can become an icon of the region in the world arena.

Sports tourism activities are now a strategy of local governments to build their region. Like the international cycling race in Ambon that encourages the acceleration of the construction of roads that become the means of competition, as well as build a connecting road to the remote areas. Today International fishing events are also the trigger of development to remote areas. This is done by North Maluku Provincial Government through the international fishing contest, Widi International Fishing Tournament 2017 (WIFT) 2017. The event held in Widi Islands, South Halmahera Regency took place on 25-29 October 2017, is expected to become a prestigious international competition for trophies president of RI.

The research method used descriptive qualitative method by evaluating marketing mix principles (marketing mix). The results revealed that the preparation (planning) is the key to success of an area in organizing a sport tourism event. In communication studies, tourism promotion can be seen as practice / implementation of local government strategy in forming image / image of an organization (government).

The results revealed that promotional activities and publications at the level of government conducted by Disparpor Halsel Regency has not run optimally. However, thanks to the collaboration with all stakeholders, this event can take place orderly and smoothly. This inaugural event can be quite successful. However, with all the limitations that exist, this event has proved that marine tourism Indonesia has ogled international tourists .. this is the image / image that has been successfully built properly.

Keyword: Communication tourism, Marketing Mix, WIFT 2017.
Community Empowerment dan Product Branding “SEKHUIT” Makanan Khas Daerah Lampung
Authors: Hidayat Dasrun Hidayat
Published: September 2018

Artikel ini fokus membahas tentang pemberdayaan komunitas (community empowerment) masyarakat rantau. Tujuannya untuk mengetahui optimalisasi keberadaan komunitas sebagai pendekatan dalam memperkenalkan merek (brand) makanan "sekhuit" khas daerah Lampung. Komunitas yang dimaksud yakni masyarakat rantau yang tergabung dalam Ikatan Keluarga Lampung Bandung (IKLB). Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan studi etnografi public relatons. Studi yang berfokus pada kajian budaya dengan pendekatan teori public relations. Melibatkan masyarakat rantau Lampung yang tergabung di dalam IKLB, penelitian ini menghasilkan bahwa produk "sekhuit" merupakan identitas merek (brand name) produk makanan khas daerah Lampung. Brand identity dibangun oleh nama merek (brand name) dan kepribadian merek (brand personality). Ikatan hubungan budaya menyebabkan brand "sekhuit" melekat kuat di kalangan internal meskipun mereka berada di tanah rantau. Kondisi ini juga diperkuat oleh pola perilaku masyarakat Lampung yakni gemar berkumpul, bersama-sama (nengah-nyampokh) sambil menikmati menu favorit "sekhuit". Realitas yang dikonstruksi melalui kegiatan community empowerment dalam mengelola brand product, mampu memperkuat ikatan budaya Lampuang di tanah rantau. Secara perlahan community empowerment juga mampu membantu memperkenalkannya di lingkungan eksternal. Upaya yang dilakukan dengan membentuk program usaha di bidang kuliner resto "sekhuit" Lampung. Usaha yang mengedepankan hubungan budaya (cultural relationship) sebagai metode community empowerment.
El papel del director escolar en los aprendizajes de los estudiantes
Authors: Morales Daniel , Curiel Claudia , Bonilla Samuel
Published: September 2018

Con el fin de aprovechar la aplicación de la Evaluación Diagnóstica de Segundo Año de Educación Media en mayo del 2013, se administró un instrumento que pregunta a los directores acerca de su percepción sobre la efectividad, al realizar diversas tareas de gestión en su escuela. En adición, se consideraron algunas características de los directores, como el género, si obtuvo el cargo por concurso, si ha realizado algún programa en gestión educativa, años de experiencia y su última titulación académica. Tomando en cuenta también diversas características de los estudiantes, se encontró que las titulaciones académicas de maestría y doctorado del director están relacionadas con mejores resultados de aprendizaje, y que los directores que se consideran más efectivos en tareas de gestión pedagógica están relacionados con menores resultados de aprendizaje de los estudiantes.
Evaluación de objetos de aprendizaje de realidad aumentada por estudiantes universitarios
Authors: Fernández Robles Bárbara
Published: September 2018

El estudio que presentamos perseguía conocer la valoración que realizaban estudiantes universitarios sobre objetos de realidad aumentada que habían utilizado en su aprendizaje.  Para tal fin, se llevó a cabo un estudio experimental con 274 estudiantes del Grado de Educación Primaria de la Universidad de Sevilla, los cuales emplearon dos recursos de realidad aumentada en el aprendizaje de una asignatura denominada “Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación Aplicadas a la Educación”. Para conocer las valoraciones de los alumnos, se diseñó un instrumento “ad hoc” con construcción tipo Likert, el cual recogía información de los aspectos técnicos y estéticos, de la facilidad de uso del sistema, y de la guía/ tutorial del programa. Las valoraciones positivas realizadas por los alumnos nos permiten afirmar que es una tecnología con grandes posibilidades en educación, pero sin lugar a duda, su eficacia y aceptación depende en gran medida del diseño del material didáctico de realidad aumentada (RA) y de su correcta integración en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje.
Penilaian Likelihood Risiko Fraud Dalam Manajemen Pemerintahan
Authors: Kamal Mustofa
Published: September 2018

This study aims to determine the likelihood level of fraud risk in the planning, organizing, actuating, controlling (POAC) aspects of government agencies and gives an example of fraud risk ranking list. Qualitative research method used with survey technique to 83 respondents of training participants in education center and supervision training of BPKP. Respondents rated likelihood on fraud risk in the POAC aspect. The results show that 8 fraud risks in POA with likelihood levels are frequent/often occurring and 31 fraud risks in POAC with likelihood levels have occurred. This suggests there is an increase in the likelihood of POA fraud risk, often occurring, from previous studies (BPKP, 2004), have occurred.
Hypertension and Cerebral Microangiopathy (Cerebral Small Vessel Disease): Genetic and Epigenetic Aspects of Their Relationship
Authors: Dobrynina L. A. , Zabitova M. R. , Kalashnikova L. A. , Gnedovskaya E. V. , Piradov M. A.
Published: September 2018

Hypertension (HT) and its cerebral complications are extremely vexing medical and social problems. Despite the obvious association between hypertension and the clinical and neuroimaging features of cerebral microangiopathy (CMA) (also known as cerebral small vessel disease), the causal links between them remain ambiguous. Besides, antihypertensive therapy as the only way to manage these patients does not always prevent brain damage. Knowledge about the key factors and mechanisms involved in HT and CMA development is important for predicting the risk of cerebral complications and developing new approaches to their prevention and treatment. At present, genome-wide association studies and other approaches are used to investigate the common hereditary mechanisms of HT and CMA development, which will explain a large number of CMA cases not associated with hypertension, lack of a correlation between HT severity and the degree of cerebral injury, and failure of antihypertensive therapy to prevent CMA progression. Epigenetic markers likely play a modulating role in the development of these diseases.
Characterization and genetic diversity of brinjal germplasm
Authors: Islam MT , Chhanda RA , Pervin N , Hossain MA , Chowdhury RU
Published: September 2018

The experiment was carried out in a non replicated design with 40 accessions of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) at Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC), BARI Gazipur to characterize and study the genetic diversity and identify the useful traits. Each accession of nine plants was grownin a 3 X 2 m size plot. The accessions were collected from 16 districts of Bangladesh. Two to four classes were found for plant growth habit, leaf blade lobing, leaf prickles, flower colour, fruit shape, fruit apex shape and fruit colour distribution. The accessions exhibited 64% straight, 13% both slightly curved and curved, and 10% snaked shaped edible fruit along with 55% purple and 45% green fruit. Fruit length of accessions ranged from 5 to 31.23 cm, breadth 2.4 to 10.6 cm, weight 13 to 95.2 g and 3 to 30 fruits per plant. The accessions were grouped into five clusters. The inter and intra cluster distances ranged from 4.01 to 8.32 and 0.94 to 1.36, respectively. Accessions collected from the same districts felt into different clusters. The results obtained by D2 analysis were also confirmed by canonical analysis. Crosses BD-7327 (Rangpur) of cluster II with BD-9954 (Chittagong) of Cluster-III and BD-7319 (Panchagarh) of Cluster-I with BD-11732 (Bandarban) of cluster V, could be performed for obtaining wider variability in the segregating generations. The breeders could use the selected accessions for varietal improvement of brinjal.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 43(3): 499-512, September 2018
“We Do Not Look At Them As They Really Are”: Technics andPhotogéniein Jean Epstein's Film-Philosophy
Authors: Sullivan Gordon
Published: September 2018

This article argues that we can understand Jean Epstein's theory of photogénie as an instance of technics. Starting from a reading of Epstein's final fictional film Le Tempestaire (1947), we can see that Epstein collapses the distinction between human and technological. This insight leads to a discussion of Epstein's theory of photogénie more generally, and one that highlights the term's relationship to temporality. This temporal dimension recalls Bernard Stiegler's discussion of technics in Technics and Time (3 volumes). As the series evolves, Stiegler increasingly foregrounds cinema as technics, and the essay ends with a discussion of the ways that Epstein's understanding of photogénie can press on Stiegler's claims.
Action and Agency inThe Red Shoes
Authors: Schofield Paul
Published: September 2018

In this paper, I argue that Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's ballet musical The Red Shoes (1948) is concerned with topics surrounding phenomenology, action, and embodied agency, and that it exploits resources that are uniquely cinematic in order to “do philosophy.” I argue that the film does philosophy in two ways. First, it explicates a phenomenological model of action and agency. Second, it addresses itself to the philosophical question of whether an individual's non-reflective movements – those that are not the result of deliberation or practical reasoning – are properly understood to be actions attributable to her as her own.
An Algorithm for Mapping the Asymmetric Multiple Traveling Salesman Problem onto Colored Petri Nets
Authors: Essani Furqan Hussain , Haider Sajjad
Published: September 2018

The Multiple Traveling Salesman Problem is an extension of the famous Traveling Salesman Problem. Finding an optimal solution to the Multiple Traveling Salesman Problem (mTSP) is a difficult task as it belongs to the class of NP-hard problems. The problem becomes more complicated when the cost matrix is not symmetric. In such cases, finding even a feasible solution to the problem becomes a challenging task. In this paper, an algorithm is presented that uses Colored Petri Nets (CPN)—a mathematical modeling language—to represent the Multiple Traveling Salesman Problem. The proposed algorithm maps any given mTSP onto a CPN. The transformed model in CPN guarantees a feasible solution to the mTSP with asymmetric cost matrix. The model is simulated in CPNTools to measure two optimization objectives: the maximum time a salesman takes in a feasible solution and the collective time taken by all salesmen. The transformed model is also formally verified through reachability analysis to ensure that it is correct and is terminating.
Caring about the Past, Present, and Future in William Gibson’s Pattern Recognition and Guerrilla Games’ Horizon: Zero Dawn
Authors: Tobeck Janine , Jellerson Donald
Published: September 2018

This essay argues that William Gibson’s 2003 novel, Pattern Recognition, rejects the stylistic and formal trappings of cyberpunk that he himself helped create in the 1980s in order to reformulate the movement’s aesthetics of participation for the 21st Century. This participatory aesthetic is structured by a set of temporal concerns: A past made ever more available through information technology and yet ever more materially irrecoverable, a present subject to increasingly rapid change and therefore briefer and more difficult to interpret, and a bleak future of inevitable capitalist commodification. Within this temporal vortex, Gibson’s protagonist finds compensatory solace in her ability to see patterns and thus develop strategies by which to value objects and people in new ways. She learns how to care, and what to care for. From this analysis of Pattern Recognition, the essay tracks this aesthetic into Guerrilla Games’ 2017 Horizon: Zero Dawn—a popular entry in a medium that promises participatory involvement on a new scale.
Long-Range Transport of Water Channelized through the Southern Subtropical Jet
Authors: Larroza Eliane G. , Keckhut Philippe , Baray Jean-Luc , Nakaema Walter M. , Vérèmes Hélène , Landulfo Eduardo , Dionisi Davide , Khaykin Sergey , Ravetta François
Published: September 2018

In this study, an air mass (containing a cirrus cloud) was detected by light detection and ranging (lidar) above São Paulo (Brazil) in June 2007 and tracked around the globe, thanks to Lagrangian calculations as well as ground-based and satellite observations. Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) data were also used to provide locations of occurrence of cirrus around the globe and extract their respective macro physical parameters (altitude and temperature). An analysis of the air mass history based on Lagrangian trajectories reveals that water coming from the Equator is channelized through the southern subtropical jet for weeks. In this case, the back-trajectories showed that the cirrus cloud detected at São Paulo was a mixture of air masses from two different locations: (1) the active convective area located around the Equator, with transport into the upper troposphere that promotes cirrus cloud formation; and (2) the South Pacific Ocean, with transport that follows the subtropical jet stream (STJ). Air masses coming from equatorial convective regions are trapped by the jet, which contributes to maintaining the lifetime of the cirrus cloud for a few days. The cloud disappears near the African continent, due to a southern excursion and warmer temperatures, then reappears and is detected again by the lidar system in São Paulo after 12 days. The observed cloud is located at a similar altitude, revealing that sedimentation is small or compensated by radiative uplift.
RETRACTED: Evaluation of Anti-Obesity Activity, Acute Toxicity, and Subacute Toxicity of Probiotic Dark Tea
Authors: Ling Wang , Li Shungeng , Zhang Xingcai , Xu Yongquan , Gao Ying , Du Qizhen , Wang Guangguang , Fan Wentong , Sun Kai , Bian Jianchun
Published: September 2018

Probiotic dark tea (PDT) is a novel kind of dark tea produced by fresh albino tea leaves and fermented with specific probiotics. Our study demonstrates that PDT can ameliorate high-fat diet-induced overweight and lipid metabolic disorders and shows no acute or subacute toxicity in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Daily intragastric administration of 5% PDT infusion for 14 days caused no obvious effect on general physiological features and behaviors of rats. Oral administration of 1%, 2%, and 3% of PDT infusion for six weeks had no influence on the biochemistry and histopathology of rats’ organs and blood, as well as the body weight and ratios of organ/body weight. To investigate its anti-obesity activity, SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, treated with normal diet + water (Group I), high-fat diet + water (Group II), high-fat diet + 3% traditional dark tea infusion (Group III), high-fat diet + 3% PDT infusion (Group IV). After six weeks, the body weight, serum total triacylglycerol (TG) and serum total cholesterol (TC) levels of rats in Group II were significantly increased and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) levels were significantly decreased compared with those in the other three groups. Both traditional dark tea and PDT treatment effectively counteracted the adverse effect of a high-fat diet in SD rats. These results suggest that PDT could be applied for the prevention of obesity, which ameliorates overweight and lipid metabolic disorders and which shows no acute or subacute toxicity.
Design and Preparation of Biomass-Derived Carbon Materials for Supercapacitors: A Review
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Jiareng , Cui Bin , Yin Pengfei , Zhang Chao
Published: September 2018

The synthesis and application of biomass-derived carbon in energy storage have drawn increasing research attention due to the ease of fabrication, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of the meso/microporous carbon produced from various biological precursors, including plants, fruits, microorganisms, and animals. Compared to the artificial nanostructured carbons, such as fullerene, carbon nanotube and graphene, the biomass-derived carbons may obtain superior capacitance, rate performance and stability in supercapacitor applications ascribing to their intrinsic nanoporous and hierarchical structures. However, challenges remain in processing techniques to obtain biomass-derived carbons with high carbon yield, high energy density, and controllable graphitic microstructures, which may require a clear understanding over the chemical and elemental compositions, and the intrinsic microstructural characteristics of the biological precursors. Herein we present comprehensive analyses over the impacts of the chemical and elemental compositions of the precursors on the carbon yield of the biomass, as well as the mechanism of chemical activation on the nanoporous structure development of the biomass-derived carbons. The structure–property relationship and functional performance of various biomass-derived carbons for supercapacitor applications are also discussed in detail and compared. Finally, useful insights are also provided for the improvements of biomass-derived carbons in supercapacitor applications.
Targeting Crosstalk between Nrf-2, NF-κB and Androgen Receptor Signaling in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Khurana Namrata , Sikka Suresh
Published: September 2018

Oxidative stress, inflammation and androgen receptor (AR) signaling play a pivotal role in the initiation, development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Numerous papers in the literature have documented the interconnection between oxidative stress and inflammation; and how antioxidants can combat the inflammation. It has been shown in the literature that both oxidative stress and inflammation regulate AR, the key receptor involved in the transition of PCa to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). In this review, we discuss about the importance of targeting Nrf-2-antioxidant signaling, NF-κB inflammatory response and AR signaling in PCa. Finally, we discuss about the crosstalk between these three critical pathways as well as how the anti-inflammatory antioxidant phytochemicals like sulforaphane (SFN) and curcumin (CUR), which can also target AR, can be ideal candidates in the chemoprevention of PCa.
Synthesis of Bimetallic Gold-Silver (Au-Ag) Nanoparticles for the Catalytic Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol to 4-Aminophenol
Authors: Berahim Nurafaliana , Basirun Wan Jefrey , Leo Bey Fen , Johan Mohd Rafie
Published: September 2018

Bimetallic gold-silver nanoparticles as unique catalysts were prepared using seed colloidal techniques. The catalytic capabilities of the nanoparticles were ascertained in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride. Our results clearly showed that the rate of 4-NP reduction to 4-AP increased with a corresponding decrease in the diameter of the bimetallic NPs. The Au-Ag nanoparticles prepared with 5.0 mL Au seed volume indicated higher reduction activity, which was approximately 1.2 times higher than that of 2.0 mL Au seed volume in the reductive conversion of 4-NP to 4-AP. However, the monometallic NPs showed relatively less catalytic activity in the reductive conversion of 4-NP to 4-AP compared to bimetallic Au-Ag nanoparticles. Our studies also reinforced the improved catalytic properties of the bimetallic Au-Ag nanoparticles structure with a direct impact of the size or diameter and relative composition of the bimetallic catalytic nanoparticles.
Effect of Ce Doping of a Co/Al2O3 Catalyst on Hydrogen Production via Propane Steam Reforming
Authors: Do Jeong Yeon , Chava Rama Krishna , Son Namgyu , Kim Junyeong , Park No-Kuk , Lee Doyeon , Seo Myung Won , Ryu Ho-Jung , Chi Jun Hwa , Kang Misook
Published: September 2018

We synthesized cerium-doped cobalt-alumina (CoxCey/Al2O3) catalysts for the propane steam reforming (PSR) reaction. Adding cerium introduces oxygen vacancies, and the oxygen transfer capacity of the Ce promoter favors CO to CO2 conversion during PSR, inhibiting coke deposition and promoting hydrogen production. The best PSR activity was achieved at 700 °C using the Co0.85Ce0.15/Al2O3 catalyst, which showed 100% propane (C3H8) conversion and about 75% H2 selectivity, and 6% CO, 5% CO2, and 4% CH4 were obtained. In contrast, the H2 selectivity of the base catalyst, Co/Al2O3, is 64%. The origin of the difference in activity was the lower C3H8 gas desorption temperature of the Co0.85Ce0.15/Al2O3 catalyst compared to that of the Co/Al2O3 catalyst; thus, the PSR occurred at low temperatures. Furthermore, more CO was adsorbed on the Co0.85Ce0.15/Al2O3 catalyst, and subsequently, desorbed as CO2. The activation energy for water desorption from the Co0.85Ce0.15/Al2O3 catalyst was 266.96 kJ/mol, higher than that from Co/Al2O3. Furthermore, the water introduced during the reaction probably reacted with CO on the Co0.85Ce0.15/Al2O3 catalyst, increasing CO2 generation. Finally, we propose a mechanism involving the Co0.85Ce0.15/Al2O3 catalyst, wherein propane is reformed on CoxCey sites, forming H2, and CO, followed by the conversion of CO to CO2 by water on CeO2 sites.
Laccase-Catalyzed Reduction of Oxygen at Electrodes Modified by Carbon Nanotubes with Adsorbed Promazine or Acetosyringone
Authors: Olszewski Bartłomiej , Stolarczyk Krzysztof
Published: September 2018

One of the problems with the use of enzymes as catalysts in biofuel cells is to achieve good contact between the enzyme and the electrode surface. One solution to this problem is the use of various nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, graphene derivatives, gold nanoparticles, as well as mediators for the construction of electrodes. Acetosyringone and promazine adsorbed on glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) covered with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and laccase were used as biocathodes. These mediators showed very efficient adsorption on modified glassy carbon electrodes covered with MWCNTs and enabled efficient and stable adsorption of laccase, which acts as the bioelectrocatalyst. Very good electrical contact between the electrode surface and the laccase enzymatic active sites made it possible to increase the catalytic current density of oxygen-reduction by about 82% compared to electrodes without mediators. Application of acetosyringone and promazine used in the construction of biocathode also improved the current and power of the biobattery ca. twice comparing to the system without mediators. The device output reached the power that equaled approximately 2 mW/cm2 at 0.8 V and open circuit potential (OCP) was 1.6 V. The systems elaborated proved also useful in oxygen sensing and allowed to determine lower oxygen concentrations in solution compared to the GCE modified with MWCNTs and laccase alone. The electrode showed also better stability in long-timescale measurements.
Effect of H2O and O2 on the Adsorption and Degradation of Acetaldehyde on Anatase Surfaces—An In Situ ATR-FTIR Study
Authors: Melchers Stephanie , Schneider Jenny , Emeline Alexei V. , Bahnemann Detlef W.
Published: September 2018

The effect of H2O and O2 on the adsorption and degradation of gaseous acetaldehyde on the anatase TiO2 surface has been studied, in the dark and upon UV illumination, at ambient temperatures. The processes occurring at the surface have been elucidated by means of in situ ATR–FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflection—Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy, while gas detectors allowed the analysis of the adducts and products in the gas phase. In the dark and under dry conditions acetaldehyde reacts independently of the atmosphere, upon aldol condensation to crotonaldehyde. However, under humid conditions, this reaction was prevented due to the replacement of the adsorbed acetaldehyde molecules, by water molecules. Upon UV illumination under oxygenic conditions, acetaldehyde was decomposed to acetate and formate. Under an N2 atmosphere, the formation of acetate and formate was observed during the first hour of illumination, until all adsorbed oxygen had been consumed. In the absence of molecular oxygen acetate, methane, and CO2 were detected, the formation of which most likely involved the participation of the bridging O atoms, within the TiO2 lattice.
Influence of Bio-Oil Phospholipid on the Hydrodeoxygenation Activity of NiMoS/Al2O3 Catalyst
Authors: Abdus Salam Muhammad , Creaser Derek , Arora Prakhar , Tamm Stefanie , Lind Grennfelt Eva , Olsson Louise
Published: September 2018

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) activity of a typical hydrotreating catalyst, sulfided NiMo/γ-Al2O3 for deoxygenation of a fatty acid has been explored in a batch reactor at 54 bar and 320 °C in the presence of contaminants, like phospholipids, which are known to be present in renewable feeds. Oleic acid was used for the investigation. Freshly sulfided catalyst showed a high degree of deoxygenation activity; products were predominantly composed of alkanes (C17 and C18). Experiments with a major phospholipid showed that activity for C17 was greatly reduced while activity to C18 was not altered significantly in the studied conditions. Characterization of the spent catalyst revealed the formation of aluminum phosphate (AlPO4), which affects the active phase dispersion, blocks the active sites, and causes pore blockage. In addition, choline, formed from the decomposition of phospholipid, partially contributes to the observed deactivation. Furthermore, a direct correlation was observed in the accumulation of coke on the catalyst and the amount of phospholipid introduced in the feed. We therefore propose that the reason for the increased deactivation is due to the dual effects of an irreversible change in phase to aluminum phosphate and the formation of choline.
Oxidation Simulation of Thermal Barrier Coatings with Actual Microstructures Considering Strength Difference Property and Creep-Plastic Behavior
Authors: Lin Chen , Chai Yijun , Li Yueming
Published: September 2018

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) image based direct finite element (FE) mesh reconstruction method is employed to reflect microstructure features of thermal barrier coatings (TBC). The creep-plastic assumption of thermally grown oxide (TGO) scale and metallic bond coat (BC) as well as the strength difference (SD) property of ceramic top coat (TC) are considered to simulate the mechanical behavior. A diffusion oxidation model considering oxygen consumption is proposed to characterize TGO growth. The oxidation simulation of TBC is carried out under the consideration of actual microstructure features. The results revealed that the interface defects increase the surface-area-to-volume ratio of BC exposed to oxygen anion. This leads to the non-uniform TGO growth, which has also been observed in experimental studies. The microstructures and mechanical behavior strongly affect stress evolution in TBC. The consideration of actual microstructure features and reasonable mechanical behaviors, including the creep-plastic behavior and SD property, is helpful for the accurate evaluation of interface stress.
Hair Strengthening Evaluation of Anisotropic Osmolite Solutions (Inositol + Arginine): Cross-Talk between Dermal Papilla Fibroblast and Keratinocytes of the Outer Root Sheath Using a µHair Follicle 3D Model
Authors: Baratto Gianni , Caviola Elisa , Meloni Marisa , Lionetti Nicola , Bonfigli Adriana , Sironi Maurizio , Pieraccini Stefano , Oliver Marc , Coderch Luisa , Rigano Luigi
Published: September 2018

The hair follicle (HF) is a dynamic “mini-organ” which undergoes bi-continuous cycles of growth, destruction and rest. The molecular mechanisms underlying the HF cycle are complex yet not fully understood. Anyhow, it is clear that the epithelial–mesenchymal interactions, and in particular the cross-talk between dermal papilla fibroblast (DPF) and the keratinocytes of the outer root sheath (ORSK) play a pivotal role. Aim of this study is the evaluation of the biological activity of anisotropic osmolyte solutions on the HF cycle. As reported in recent studies, dermal papilla cells deeply modify their gene expression profile when cultured as monolayers, but their transcriptional pattern can be partially restored when they are cultured as 3-dimensional spheroids. This draws our attention to the discovery that the spatial distribution of cells in the growth medium is fundamental in order to produce a verisimilar model. Therefore, we used the hanging drop technology to produce a scaffold-free micro-tissue model applied to a DPF-ORSK co-culture in order to create a µHF 3-dimensional model. As a result, this system was capable of evaluating the efficacy of the anisotropic osmolyte solutions on the progressive increase of the follicle turnover and ‘health’. Moreover, an in silico model was used in order to screen the most promising combination of osmolyte molecules. In vivo objective evaluations were finally carried out on volunteers having hair disorders.
Inorganic Cement Grouting for Reinforcing Triangular Zone of Highly Gassy Coal Face with Large Mining Height
Authors: Song Bin , Zhang Shuai , Zhang Dongsheng , Fan Gangwei , Yu Wei , Zhao Qiang , Liang Shuaishuai
Published: September 2018

Aiming to address the serious problem of coal wall spalling in the triangular zone of the coal face end under high-intensity mining, this paper introduces inorganic cement grouting reinforcement technology for medium-depth holes based on the specific geological conditions of the Sihe coal mine in China. Firstly, the effects of different water-to-material ratios and various accelerators on setting time and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of grouting materials and consolidation coal are studied. The results show that the combination of 2% accelerator I, 0.3% accelerator II, and 3.0% accelerator III was the most effective. Then, FLAC3D numerical simulation software was used to analyze the distribution laws of the plastic zone, the lateral abutment pressure, and abutment stresses in the face ends during repeated mining. The results indicate that the zone within 25–65 m of the front of the coal face was initially affected by the front abutment pressure. In this area, the stress value decreased slowly and fracture development was relatively intense. Grouting with high pressure and a large flow rate should be used in this scenario as the industrial experiment results indicated that the proposed inorganic cement grouting reinforcement technology could effectively control coal wall spalling and provide technical support for safe and efficient mining.
Research on Ultracapacitors in Hybrid Systems: Case Study
Authors: Piórkowski Piotr , Chmielewski Adrian , Bogdziński Krzysztof , Możaryn Jakub , Mydłowski Tomasz
Published: September 2018

This work is concerned with the use of the engine start module (ESM) ULTRA 31/900/24V ultracapacitor in specific hybrid systems consisting of a photovoltaic (PV) module, battery, and internal combustion engine (ICE). The test bench research on the ESM cooperating with the photovoltaic module to prevent its self-discharge has been tested, analyzed, and discussed. Moreover, the power distribution between electrochemical batteries and the ultracapacitor is shown. The potential application of the ultracapacitor connected with batteries for the start-up of an ICE engine is also presented. Furthermore, we analyze the possible application of the ultracapacitor plus battery system in heavy transport vehicles and buses. The main advantages and disadvantages of the system consisting of an ultracapacitor and a battery is presented along with the problem of self-discharge and the conditions of ultracapacitor and battery cooperation. This work also features the assumptions made for the conducted tests, selected accordingly for nominal current values of typical starter motors available on the market.