bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENERAPAN MULTIMEDIA INTERAKTIF MODEL TUTORIAL TERHADAP PENINGKATAN PEMAHAMAN KONSEP SISWA PADA MATA PELAJARAN TEKNOLOGI INFORMASI DAN KOMUNIKASI
Authors: Diansyah Alifia Nurilmi
Published: September 2018

Proses pembelajaran yang kini banyak dilakukan, umumnya kurang mendorongkemampuan berfikir siswa untuk mengembangkan kemampuan berfikir yang mereka milikiuntuk meningkatkan dan mempercepat proses pembelajaran. Hal ini berpengaruh padatingkat pemahaman yang dimiliki setiap siswa. Untuk mengatasi hal ini, diperlukan sebuahmedia pembelajaran yang dapat menggiring siswa untuk lebih aktif dan partisipatif dalamkegiatan belajar. Salah satu cara meningkatkan kemampuan pemahaman siswa adalahdengan menerapkan multimedia interaktif model tutorial dalam proses pembelajaran.Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui apakah penerapan multimedia interaktif modeltutorial dapat meningkatkan kemampuan pemahaman siswa dalam mata pelajaran TIK.Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode Quasi Experimental dengan sampelpenelitian siswa kelas VIII A dan VIII D SMP Negeri 2 Tarogong Kidul dengan desainControl Group Pretest-Postest Design. Instrumen yang digunakan dalam penelitian iniberupa test (pre-test dan post-test), lembar observasi aktivitas guru dan siswa danmultimedia interaktif. Dari hasil penelitian terdapat perbandingan-perbandingan yangmenunjukkan bahwa peningkatan pemahaman kelas eksperimen lebih baik dibandingkandengan peningkatan pemahaman kelas kontrol dengan perbandingan rerata dari kelaseksperimen dan kelas kontrol adalah 0,63> 0,32. Berdasarkan analisis pada keseluruhantahapan penelitian diperoleh bahwa penerapan multimedia interaktif model tutorial terbuktiefektif dalam meningkatkan pemahaman siswa, selain itu peningkatan hasil belajar siswadalam ranah kognitif di kelas eksperimen berada pada kriteria sedang dan lebih besar darikelas kontrol dan terdapat perbedaan rerata nilai siswa yang cukup jauh antarapembelajaran yang menggunakan multimedia interaktif model tutorial dengan pembelajaranyang menggunakan metode konvensional
PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN CHILDREN LEARNING IN SCIENCE (CLIS) BERBANTUAN MULTIMEDIA UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PENGUASAAN KONSEP FISIKA SISWA SMA
Authors: Ismail Ali
Published: September 2018

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui peningkatan penguasaan konsep danketerampilan proses sains fisika siswa setelah diterapkan model pembelajaran ChildrenLearning In Science (CLIS) berbantuan multimedia pada pokok bahasan fluida. Penelitianini menggunakan desain penelitian randomized control group Pretest-Potstest design dengansampel eksperimen kelas XI di salah satu SMA di Kabupaten Garut. Hasil penelitianmenunjukan bahwa penguasaan konsep setelah diterapkan model pembelajaran ChildrenLearning In Science (CLIS) meningkat secara signifikan dilihat dari nilai gainnya.Berdasarkan hasil analisis data diperoleh rata-rata N-gain penguasaan konsep 63% untukkelas eksperimen dan 52% untuk kelas kontrol. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa modelpembelajaran Children Learning In Science (CLIS) dapat lebih meningkatkan penguasaankonsep siswa di bandingkan dengan pembelajaran konvensional berbantuan multimedia
PENINGKATAN TATA KELOLA TEKNOLOGI INFORMASI PADA LAYANAN INFRASTRUKTUR JARINGAN MENGGUNAKAN FRAMEWORK COBIT 4.1 DI SINERGI FOUNDATION
Authors: Suryadi Andri
Published: September 2018

Infrastruktur jaringan sangat mempengaruhikeberlangsungan operasional di Sinergi Foundation oleh karenaitu layanan infrastruktur jaringan sangat penting untukdiperhatikan. Idealnya layanan infrastruktur jaringan di SinergiFoundation dapat memenuhi kebutuhan setiap aktivitas yang ada,namun masih jauh dari harapan sehingga banyak masalah munculakibat belum sesuainya layanan infrastruktur jaringan tersebut.Sesuai dengan adanya masalah tersebut maka harus ada tatakelola untuk dapat mengukur dan meningkatkan layananinfrastruktur jaringan di Sinergi Foundation. Oleh karena itupenelitian ini akan mengukur dan meningkatkan layananinfrastrktur jaringan di Sinergi Foundation menggunakanFramework Cobit 4.1 dan dan maturity level sebagai alat ukurnya.Hasil yang diharapkan dari penelitian yang telah dilakukan iniadalah adanya rekomendasi untuk dapat meningkatkan layananinfrastruktur jaringan yang telah berjalan. Dengan adanyapeningkatan tersebut maka diharapkan masalah – masalah yangterjadi dapat teratasi dan layanan infrastruktur jaringan dapatberjalan sesuai dengan yang diharapkan
Pengembangan Keterampilan Kominikatif Antar Siswa Melalui Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif Teknik Two Stay Two Stray (TSTS) Dalam Pembelajaran IPS Materi Perpajakan
Authors: Roslina Elsye
Published: September 2018

Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh keprihatinan terhadap permasalahan interaksi  sosial khususnya mengenai kelemahan keterampilan komunikatif siswa. Berdasarkan observasi awal di kelas VIII-A SMP Negeri 1 Cikoneng, terdapat adanya permasalahan mengenai kelemahan keterampilan komunikatif siswa dalam berinteraksi dengan siswa lain. Untuk menanggapi hal tersebut, diperlukan adanya penyusunan strategi pembelajaran dalam pelajaran IPS. Penelitian ini  dilakukan  di SMP Negeri 1 Cikoneng sedangkan yang menjadi subjek  penelitian  adalah  siswa kelas VIII-A. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah penelitian tindakan kelas dengan menerapkan model  pembelajaran  kooperatif  teknik two stay two stray dalam pelajaran IPS. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah lembar observasi penilaian keterampilan komunikatif dan kooperatif siswa, dan dicatat dalam catatan lapangan. Untuk teknik pengumpulan  data  digunakan pedoman observasi, catatan lapangan, dan pedoman wawancara. Pembelajaran selama penelitian, pertama dimulai dengan menentukan SK/KD dan penyusunan RPP, kedua menerangkan penerapan model pembelajaran kooperatif teknik two stay two stray beserta indikator-indikator keterampilan komunikatif yang akan dikembangkan, ketiga menunjukkan adanya perkembangan keterampilan komunikatif siswa pada siklus 1 pertemuan 1 sampai siklus II pertemuan 2, keempat merefleksikan hasil pembelajaran IPS dengan menggunakan teknik two stay two stray. Kesimpulan, keterampilan komunikatif siswa mengalami perkembangan yang signifikan pada siklus II pertemuan 2. Saran bagi peneliti selanjutnya,  peneliti berharap peneliti selanjutnya dapat meneruskan kembali penelitian ini  dan dapat mengembangkan metode yang lebih baik, agar mencapai hasil yang lebih maksimal.
BİLECİK İLİNİN AGRO-TURİZM POTANSİYELİ
Authors: KILIÇ Taner , BAŞKAYA Zafer
Published: September 2018

Dünya genelinde
olduğu gibi Türkiye'de de turizm sektörü hızlı bir şekilde büyümekte ve
çeşitlenmektedir. Turizmin kitlesel bir olgu haline gelmesi, tepkisel olarak
alternatif turizm türlerinin ortaya çıkmasını da beraberinde getirmiştir.
Alternatif turizm türleri içerisinde değerlendirilen agro-turizm, kırsal
nüfusun giderek azaldığı gelişmekte olan ülkelerde, kır nüfusunu koruyabilecek
önemli bir alternatif olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Kırsal nüfusu hızla azalan
Bilecik'te, agro-turizm geliştirilebilirse; kırsal kalkınmaya destek
sağlayarak, önemli bir istihdam alanı olacak ve yöre halkının ekonomisine büyük
katkılar sağlayacaktır. Bilecik'in, İstanbul, Kocaeli, Bursa, Sakarya ve
Eskişehir gibi büyük şehirlere yakın olması önemli bir avantaj olarak
görünmektedir. Farklı iklim özelliklerinin hakim olduğu, dört farklı coğrafi
bölgede toprakları bulunan Bilecik'te, tarımsal ürün çeşitliliği de fazladır. Tarım
ürünlerinin yanı sıra; Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı tarafından koruma altına
alınan geleneksel Osmaneli evleri, Söğüt İlçesindeki Ertuğrul Gazi Türbesi,
Pazaryeri İlçesinin Kınık Köyü'nde geleneksel çömlek yapımı, agro-turizm
bakımından önemli bir potansiyeli barındırmaktadır. Çalışmada Agro-turizm ile
ilgili yapılması planlanan yatırımlara, karar alma aşamasında yardımcı olması
amacıyla SWOT analizi yapılmıştır. Agro-turizm faaliyetleri bakımından
başlangıç aşamasında olan Bilecik, bu turizm çeşidinin geliştirilmesi
bakımından elverişli şartlara sahiptir. Agro-turizm alanında faaliyet gösteren
tek çiftlik olan Zeytinliboğaz bu duruma iyi bir örnektir. Sonuç olarak Bilecik,
agro-turizm faaliyetleri açısından; tarım festivalleri, hıdrellez, Ertuğrul
Gazi'yi Anma ve Söğüt şenlikleri, sahip olduğu tarihi ve kültürel miras,
Harmankaya Kanyonu, kendin topla faaliyetleri ve çiftlik aktiviteleri
bakımından önemli bir potansiyele sahip bulunmaktadır.
Gaming the Heart of Darkness
Authors: Pittner Fruzsina , Donald Iain
Published: September 2018

The history of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness has been one of adaptation and change. The enduring story is based upon Conrad’s experiences in the Congo in the 1890s and was published as a novella in 1902. Since then, the story has been criticised for racism by Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe and relocated to Vietnam by Francis Ford Coppola as Apocalypse Now, influencing computer games such as Far Cry 2 and Spec Ops: The Line. In examining the adaptations of Heart of Darkness, we can consider how the story evolves from the passive reading of post-colonial narratives through to the active participation in morally ambiguous decisions and virtual war crimes through digital games: examining Conrad’s story as it has been adapted for other mediums provides a unique lens in which to view storytelling and retelling within the context of how we interpret the world. This paper compares the source material to its adaptations, considering the blending of historical fact and original fiction, the distortion of the original story for the purpose of creating new meaning, and reflects on whether interactivity impacts upon the feeling of immersion and sense of responsibility in audiences of different narratives.
The Effect of Aerosol Radiative Heating on Turbulence Statistics and Spectra in the Atmospheric Convective Boundary Layer: A Large-Eddy Simulation Study
Authors: Liu Cheng , Huang Jianping , Fedorovich Evgeni , Hu Xiao-Ming , Wang Yongwei , Lee Xuhui
Published: September 2018

Turbulence statistics and spectra in a radiatively heated convective boundary layer (CBL) under aerosol pollution conditions are less investigated than their counterparts in the clear CBL. In this study, a large-eddy simulation (LES) coupled with an aerosol radiative transfer model is employed to determine the impact of aerosol radiative heating on CBL turbulence statistics. One-dimensional velocity spectra and velocity–temperature cospectra are invoked to characterize the turbulence flow in the CBL with varying aerosol pollution conditions. The results show that aerosol heating makes the profiles of turbulent heat flux curvilinear, while the total (turbulent plus radiative) heat flux profile retains the linear relationship with height throughout the CBL. The horizontal and vertical velocity variances are reduced significantly throughout the radiatively heated CBL with increased aerosol optical depth (AOD). The potential temperature variance is also reduced, especially in the entrainment zone and near the surface. The velocity spectral density tends to be smaller overall, and the peak of the velocity spectra is shifted toward larger wavenumbers as AOD increases. This shift reveals that the energy-containing turbulent eddies become smaller, which is also supported by visual inspection of the vertical velocity pattern over horizontal planes. The modified CBL turbulence scales for velocity and temperature are found to be applicable for normalizing the corresponding profiles, indicating that a correction factor for aerosol radiative heating is needed for capturing the general features of the CBL structure in the presence of aerosol radiative heating.
Hydrogen Production from Chemical Looping Steam Reforming of Ethanol over Perovskite-Type Oxygen Carriers with Bimetallic Co and Ni B-Site Substitution
Authors: Li Lin , Jiang Bo , Sun Zhehao , Zhang Qian , Li Duyu , Tang Dawei
Published: September 2018

This paper describes the synthesis of a series of La1.4Sr0.6Ni1−xCoxO4 perovskite OCs using co-precipitation method by employing Co and Ni as the B-site components of perovskite and the synergetic effect of Co doping on chemical looping reforming of ethanol. A variety of techniques including N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and H2 temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) were employed to investigate the physicochemical properties of the fresh and used OCs. The activity and stability in chemical looping reforming were studied in a fixed bed reactor at 600 °C and a S/C ratio of three. The synergetic effect between Ni and Co was able to enhance the catalytic activity and improve the stability of perovskite OCs. La1.4Sr0.6Ni0.6Co0.4O4 showed an average ethanol conversion of 92.4% and an average CO2/CO ratio of 5.4 in a 30-cycle stability test. Significantly, the H2 yield and purity reached 11 wt.% and 73%, respectively. The Co doping was able to significantly improve the self-regeneration capability due to the increase in the number of oxygen vacancies in the perovskite lattice, thereby enhancing the sintering resistance. Moreover, Co promotion also contributes to the improved WGS activity.
Enhancement Photocatalytic Activity of the Heterojunction of Two-Dimensional Hybrid Semiconductors ZnO/V2O5
Authors: Aliaga Juan , Cifuentes Nasla , González Guillermo , Sotomayor-Torres Clivia , Benavente Eglantina
Published: September 2018

In this work, we report the fabrication of the new heterojunction of two 2D hybrid layered semiconductors—ZnO (stearic acid)/V2O5 (hexadecylamine)—and its behavior in the degradation of aqueous methylene blue under visible light irradiation. The optimal photocatalyst efficiency, reached at a ZnO (stearic acid)/V2O5 (hexadecylamine) ratio of 1:0.25, results in being six times higher than that of pristine zinc oxide. Reusability test shows that after three photocatalysis cycles, no significant changes in either the dye degradation efficiency loss, nor the photocatalyst structure, occur. Visible light photocatalytic performance observed indicates there is synergetic effect between both 2D nanocomposites used in the heterojunction. The visible light absorption enhancement promoted by the narrower bandgap V2O5 based components; an increased photo generated charge separation favored by extensive interface area; and abundance of hydrophobic sites for dye adsorption appear as probable causes of the improved photocatalytic efficiency in this hybrid semiconductors heterojunction. Estimated band-edge positions for both conduction and valence band of semiconductors, together with experiments using specific radical scavengers, allow a plausible photodegradation mechanism.
The Hiatus in Global Warming and Interactions between the El Niño and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation: Comparing Observations and Modeling Results
Authors: Seip Knut , Wang Hui
Published: September 2018

Ocean oscillations interact across large regions and these interactions may explain cycles in global temperature anomaly, including hiatus periods. Here, we examine ocean interaction measures and compare results from model simulations to observations for El Niño and the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO). We use the global climate model of the Met Office Hadley Centre. A relatively novel method for identifying running leading-agging LL-relations show that the observed El Niño generally leads the observed PDO and this pattern is strengthened in the simulations. However, LL-pattern in both observations and models shows that there are three periods, around 1910–1920, around 1960 and around 2000 where El Niño lags PDO, or the leading signature is weak. These periods correspond to hiatus periods in global warming. The power spectral density analysis, (PSD), identifies various ocean cycle lengths in El Niño and PDO, but the LL-algorithm picks out common cycles of 7–8 and 24 years that shows leading-lagging relations between them.
ALMA’s Acute View of pPNe: Through the Magnifying Glass... and What We Found There
Authors: Contreras Carmen , Alcolea Javier , Bujarrabal Valentín , Castro-Carrizo Arancha
Published: September 2018

We present recent Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA)-based studies of circumstellar envelopes (CSEs) around Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars and pre-Planetary Nebulae (pPNe). In only a few years of operation, ALMA is revolutionising the field of AGB-to-PN research by providing unprecedentedly detailed information on the complex nebular architecture (at large but also on small scales down to a few ∼10 AU from the centre), dynamics and chemistry of the outflows/envelopes of low-to-intermediate mass stars in their late stages of the evolution. Here, we focus on continuum and molecular line mapping studies with high angular resolution and sensitivity of some objects that are key to understanding the complex PN-shaping process. In particular, we offer (i) a brief summary of ALMA observations of rotating disks in post-AGB objects and (ii) report on ALMA observations of OH 231.8+4.2 providing the most detailed and accurate description of the global nebular structure and kinematics of this iconic object to date.
Introduction: Beyond Foucault: Excursions in Political Genealogy
Authors: Clifford Michael
Published: September 2018

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Flower Strips in Wheat Intercropping System: Effect on Pollinator Abundance and Diversity in Belgium
Authors: Amy Clara , Noël Grégoire , Hatt Séverin , Uyttenbroeck Roel , Van de Meutter Frank , Genoud David , Francis Frédéric
Published: September 2018

The decline of pollinators in agricultural areas has been observed for some decades, this being partly due to landscape simplification in intensive agrosystems. Diversifying agricultural landscapes by sowing flower strips within fields could reduce these adverse effects on biodiversity. In this context, the study presented here aimed at assessing and comparing the abundance and diversity of bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) and hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) found and visiting flowers in three types of flower strips in Belgium: (i) a mixture of 11 wild flowers, (ii) a monofloral strip of Dimorphoteca pluvialis (Asteraceae) and (iii) a monofloral strip of Camelina sativa (Brassicaceae), where the last two are considered to be intercrops since they are valuable on the market, all sown within a field of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Pollinators were captured with pan traps and by netting in standardised transects from May to July 2017. One-thousand one-hundred and eighty-four individuals belonging to 43 bee species and 18 hoverfly species were collected. Significant differences in hoverfly diversity were found between the different flower strips. The multifloral treatment supported a greater diversity of syrphid species. Various pollinator species visited the different flowers composing the mixture and also D. pluvialis. The pollinator community proved to be predominantly generalist, with the exception of an oligolectic species in Belgium, Andrena nitidiuscula. Moreover, the three tested flower strips were effective in attracting hoverflies, among them natural enemies of insect pests. This study opens new perspectives in the design of intercropping systems with flower strips towards the design of sustainable agro-ecosystems. Improving economic profitability of sowing flower strips could encourage farmers to diversify their agricultural systems and foster conservation biology strategies.
Giant Zero-Drift Electronic Behaviors in Methylammonium Lead Halide Perovskite Diodes by Doping Iodine Ions
Authors: Pang Tiqiang , Jia Renxu , Wang Yucheng , Sun Kai , Hu Ziyang , Zhu Yuejin , Luan Suzhen , Zhang Yuming
Published: September 2018

Methylammonium lead halide perovskites have attracted extensive attention for optoelectronic applications. Carrier transport in perovskites is obscured by vacancy-mediated ion migration, resulting in anomalous electronic behavior and deteriorated reliability of the devices. In this communication, we demonstrate that ion migration can be significantly enhanced by doping additional mobile I- ions into the perovskite bulk. Ionic confinement structures of vertical metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) and lateral metal semiconductor metal (MSM) diodes designed to decouple ion-migration/accumulation and electronic transport are fabricated and characterized. Measurement conditions (electric-field history, scan rate and sweep frequency) are shown to affect the electronic transport in perovskite films, through a mechanism involving ion migration and accumulation at the block interfaces. Prominent zero-point drifts of dark current-voltage curves in both vertical and lateral diode are presented, and further varied with the perovskite film containingthe different iodine-lead atomic ratio. The doped perovskite has a large ion current at grain boundaries, offering a large ion hysteresis loopand zero drift value. The results confirmthat the intrinsic behavior of perovskite film is responsible for the hysteresisof the optoelectronic devices, but also paves the way for potential applications in many types of devices including memristors and solid electrolyte batteries by doping the native species (I− ions) in perovskite film.
Influence of Magnetic Nanoparticles on the Focused Ultrasound Hyperthermia
Authors: Kaczmarek Katarzyna , Hornowski Tomasz , Dobosz Bernadeta , Józefczak Arkadiusz
Published: September 2018

Ultrasound hyperthermia is a medical treatment used to increase temperature of tissues. It can be used independently or as a supportive method for an anticancer treatment. The therapeutic efficacy of focused ultrasound hyperthermia can be improved using sonosensitizers, nanoparticles enhancing the attenuation and dissipation of acoustic energy. As sonosensitizers, we propose magnetic nanoparticles owing to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and simple positioning in tissues using a magnetic field. Focused ultrasound hyperthermia studies were performed using tissue-mimicking phantoms. Temperature changes were measured at various ultrasound powers and distances from the center of the ultrasound focus. Specific absorption rate (SAR) values, describing the power deposition in the tissues during the hyperthermia treatment, were evaluated for the center of the focus point and for various distances from it. The results show that the addition of nanoparticles increases the SAR almost two times compared to that for the pure phantom. The highest SAR is obtained in the ultrasound focus; it decreases with the increase of the distance from the focus.
Supramolecular Networks from Block Copolymers Based on Styrene and Isoprene Using Hydrogen Bonding Motifs—Part 1: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Rahmstorf Elaine , Abetz Volker
Published: September 2018

The combination of controlled anionic polymerization and subsequent introduction of hydrogen bonding groups was established to form thermo-reversible, supramolecular networks. Several polyisoprene-block-polystyrene-block-polyisoprene (ISI) copolymers—with polystyrene (PS) as the main block, and consequently giving the decisive material characteristics—were synthesized. The novel modification approach to post-functionalize the polyisoprene (PI) end-blocks and to introduce different motifs, which are able to form self-complementary hydrogen bonds, was attained. In the first step, hydroxylation was accomplished using 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane. Starting from the hydroxylated polymer, esterification with succinic anhydride was implemented to form an ester group with carboxylic end-group (-O-CO-CH2-CH2-COOH). In a second approach, 1,1’-carbonyldiimidazole was used as coupling agent to introduce various types of diamines (diethylenetriamine, triethylentetramine, and 2,6-diaminopyridine) to prepare urethane groups with amine end-group (-O-CO-NH-R-NH2). 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to confirm the successful synthesis and to calculate the degree of functionalization Df. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed a difference of the glass transition temperature Tg between unfunctionalized and functionalized block copolymers, but no greater influence between the different types of modification, and thus, on the Tg of the PS block. In temperature dependent FTIR spectroscopy, reversible processes were observed.
Application of Plasma Treatment in Preparation of Soybean Oil Factory Sludge Catalyst and Its Application in Selective Catalytic Oxidation (SCO) Denitration
Authors: Zhang Lei , Yang Chao , Zhang Lei , He Huibin , Luo Min , Jia Yang , Li Yonghui
Published: September 2018

At present, the most commonly used denitration process is the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) method. However, in the SCR method, the service life of the catalyst is short, and the industrial operation cost is high. The selective catalytic oxidation absorption (SCO) method can be used in a low temperature environment, which greatly reduces energy consumption and cost. The C/N ratio of the sludge produced in the wastewater treatment process of the soybean oil plant used in this paper is 9.64, while the C/N ratio of the sludge produced by an urban sewage treatment plant is 10–20. This study shows that the smaller the C/N ratio, the better the denitration efficiency of the catalyst. Therefore, dried oil sludge is used as a catalyst carrier. The influence of different activation times, and LiOH concentrations, on catalyst activity were investigated in this paper. The denitration performance of catalysts prepared by different activation sequences was compared. The catalyst was characterized by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental results showed that: (1) When the concentration of the LiOH solution used for activation is 15%, and the activation time is four hours, the denitration effect of the catalyst is the best; (2) the catalyst prepared by activation before plasma roasting has the best catalytic activity.
Correction: Calvo Guirado, J.L., et al. Peri-Implant Behavior of Sloped Shoulder Dental Implants Used for All-On-Four Protocols: An Histomorphometric Analysis in Dogs. Materials 2018, 11, 119
Authors: Calvo Guirado José , Lucero-Sánchez Aldo , Boquete Castro Ana , Abboud Marcus , Gehrke Sergio , Fernández Dominguez Manuel , Delgado Ruiz Rafael
Published: September 2018

The authors would like to correct following typing and two images errors[...]
Electroactive Hydrogels Made with Polyvinyl Alcohol/Cellulose Nanocrystals
Authors: Jayaramudu Tippabattini , Ko Hyun-U , Kim Hyun Chan , Kim Jung Woong , Muthoka Ruth M. , Kim Jaehwan
Published: September 2018

This paper reports a nontoxic, soft and electroactive hydrogel made with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC). The CNC incorporating PVA-CNC hydrogels were prepared using a freeze–thaw technique with different CNC concentrations. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results proved the good miscibility of CNCs with PVA. The optical transparency, water uptake capacity and mechanical properties of the prepared hydrogels were investigated in this study. The CNC incorporating PVA-CNC hydrogels showed improved displacement output in the presence of an electric field and the displacement increased with an increase in the CNC concentration. The possible actuation mechanism was an electrostatic effect and the displacement improvement of the hydrogel associated with its enhanced dielectric properties and softness. Since the prepared PVA-CNC hydrogel is nontoxic and electroactive, it can be used for biomimetic soft robots, actively reconfigurable lenses and active drug-release applications.
On the Role of Short-Term Animal Movements on the Persistence of Brucellosis
Authors: Lolika Paride O. , Mushayabasa Steady
Published: September 2018

Short-term animal movements play an integral role in the transmission and control of zoonotic infections such as brucellosis, in communal farming zones where animal movements are highly uncontrolled. Such movements need to be incorporated in models that aim at informing animal managers effective ways to control the spread of zoonotic diseases. We developed, analyzed and simulated a two-patch mathematical model for brucellosis transmission that incorporates short-term animal mobility. We computed the basic reproduction number and demonstrated that it is a sharp threshold for disease dynamics. In particular, we demonstrated that, when the basic reproduction number is less than unity, then the disease dies out. However, if the basic reproduction number is greater than unity, the disease persists. Meanwhile, we applied optimal control theory to the proposed model with the aim of exploring the cost-effectiveness of different culling strategies. The results demonstrate that animal mobility plays an important role in shaping optimal control strategy.
Optimal Strategies for Psoriasis Treatment
Authors: Grigorieva Ellina , Khailov Evgenii
Published: September 2018

Within a given time interval we consider a nonlinear system of differential equations describing psoriasis treatment. Its phase variables define the concentrations of T-lymphocytes, keratinocytes and dendritic cells. Two scalar bounded controls are introduced into this system to reflect medication dosages aimed at suppressing interactions between T-lymphocytes and keratinocytes, and between T-lymphocytes and dendritic cells. For such a controlled system, a minimization problem of the concentration of keratinocytes at the terminal time is considered. For its analysis, the Pontryagin maximum principle is applied. As a result of this analysis, the properties of the optimal controls and their possible types are established. It is shown that each of these controls is either a bang-bang type on the entire time interval or (in addition to bang-bang type) contains a singular arc. The obtained analytical results are confirmed by numerical calculations using the software “BOCOP-2.0.5”. Their detailed analysis and the corresponding conclusions are presented.
Effect of Microstructure on Post-Rolling Induction Treatment in a Low C Ti-Mo Microalloyed Steel
Authors: Larzabal Gorka , Isasti Nerea , Rodriguez-Ibabe Jose M. , Uranga Pello
Published: September 2018

Cost-effective advanced design concepts are becoming more common in the production of thick plates in order to meet demanding market requirements. Accordingly, precipitation strengthening mechanisms are extensively employed in thin strip products, because they enhance the final properties by using a coiling optimization strategy. Nevertheless, and specifically for thick plate production, the formation of effective precipitation during continuous cooling after hot rolling is more challenging. With the aim of gaining further knowledge about this strengthening mechanism, plate hot rolling conditions were reproduced in low carbon Ti-Mo microalloyed steel through laboratory simulation tests to generate different hot-rolled microstructures. Subsequently, a rapid heating process was applied in order to simulate induction heat treatment conditions. The results indicated that the nature of the matrix microstructure (i.e., ferrite, bainite) affects the achieved precipitation hardening, while the balance between strength and toughness depends on the hot-rolled microstructure.
Human Milk Composition and Dietary Intakes of Breastfeeding Women of Different Ethnicity from the Manawatu-Wanganui Region of New Zealand
Authors: Butts Christine A. , Hedderley Duncan I. , Herath Thanuja D. , Paturi Gunaranjan , Glyn-Jones Sarah , Wiens Frank , Stahl Bernd , Gopal Pramod
Published: September 2018

Human milk is nutrient rich, complex in its composition, and is key to a baby’s health through its role in nutrition, gastrointestinal tract and immune development. Seventy-eight mothers (19–42 years of age) of Asian, Māori, Pacific Island, or of European ethnicity living in Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand (NZ) completed the study. The women provided three breast milk samples over a one-week period (6–8 weeks postpartum), completed a three-day food diary and provided information regarding their pregnancy and lactation experiences. The breast milk samples were analyzed for protein, fat, fatty acid profile, ash, selected minerals (calcium, magnesium, selenium, zinc), and carbohydrates. Breast milk nutrient profiles showed no significant differences between the mothers of different ethnicities in their macronutrient (protein, fat, carbohydrate, and moisture) content. The breast milk of Asian mothers contained significantly higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and linoleic acids. Arachidonic acid was significantly lower in the breast milk of Māori and Pacific Island women. Dietary intakes of protein, total energy, saturated and polyunsaturated fat, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iodine, vitamin A equivalents, and folate differed between the ethnic groups, as well as the number of serves of dairy foods, chicken, and legumes. No strong correlations between dietary nutrients and breast milk components were found.
Photo-Crosslinked Keratin/Chitosan Membranes as Potential Wound Dressing Materials
Authors: Lin Che-Wei , Chen Yi-Kai , Lu Min , Lou Kuo-Long , Yu Jiashing
Published: September 2018

In this study, we combined two kinds of natural polymers, chitosan and keratin, to develop a portable composite membrane via UV irradiation. UV-crosslinking without an additional chemical agent makes the fabrication more ideal by reducing reactants and avoiding residual toxic chemicals. This novel composite could perform synergistic functions benefitting from chitosan and keratin; including a strong mechanical strength, biodegradability, biocompatibility, better cell adhesion, and proliferation characteristics. Furthermore, compared with our previous research, this keratin-chitosan composite membrane was improved in that it was made to be portable, enabling it to be versatile and have various applications in vitro and in vivo. Based on these facts, this innovative composite membrane has high potential for serving as an outstanding candidate for wound healing or other biomedical applications.
Public Policy for Solid Waste and the Organization of Waste Pickers: Potentials and Limitations to Promote Social Inclusion in Brazil
Authors: Da Silva Christian Luiz , Bolson Camille
Published: September 2018

The management model for the National Solid Waste Policy to develop sustainable actions, proposes the social inclusion of recyclable waste pickers in the waste management system. Compliance with the law, the form of participation of the waste pickers, and incentive mechanisms are configured as a relationship open to analysis. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the potentials and limitations of a recycling cooperative, in terms of social technologies and inclusion, to encourage local development. The qualitative approach was aided by structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation. The resulting evidence suggests that the organization of a cooperative, enabled access to information on the legislation of the National Solid Waste Policy. It showed the need to strengthen relationships with education institutions and public authorities. Despite the low levels of education of the members of the cooperative, projects and knowledge could be developed to aid social technologies. No technological innovations were observed, nor the production of alternative artifacts for recyclable materials. This weakens the cooperative in terms of articulation among peers, most notably the integration of the Catamare cooperative in the network of Cataparaná, to support the sale of material produced for industry. It may be concluded that joining the cooperative improved the social, economic, and political conditions of the members, but there were also structural limits to the recycling production chain that were not considered in the National Solid Waste Policy; and to a certain extent this weakens the development of sustainable actions. Furthermore, the organization of the cooperative hindered the development of social technologies and the social inclusion of the waste pickers.
Rett Syndrome: Treatment with IGF-I, Melatonin, Blackcurrant Extracts, and Rehabilitation
Authors: Devesa Jesús , Devesa Olga , Carrillo María , Casteleiro Nerea , Devesa Ana , Llorente David , González Cristina
Published: September 2018

(1) This study describes the good evolution of a 6-year-old girl genetically diagnosed (R106X) with Rett syndrome (RTT), after having been treated with IGF-I, melatonin (MT), blackcurrant extracts (BC) and rehabilitated for 6 months. (2) The patient stopped normal development in the first year of age. The patient showed short stature and weight and fulfilled the main criteria for typical RTT. Despite her young age, there was pubic hair (Tanner II), very high plasma testosterone, and low levels of plasma gonadotrophins. There were no adrenal enzymatic deficits, and abdominal ultrasound studies were normal. The treatment consisted of IGF-I (0.04 mg/kg/day, 5 days/week, subcutaneous (sc)) for 3 months and then 15 days of rest, MT (50 mg/day, orally, without interruption) and neurorehabilitation. A new blood test, after 3 months of treatment, was absolutely normal and the pubic hair disappeared (Tanner I). Then, a new treatment was started with IGF-I, MT, and BC for another 3 months. In this period, the degree of pubertal development increased to Tanner III (pubic level), without a known cause. (3) The treatment followed led to clear improvements in most of the initial abnormalities, perhaps due to the neurotrophic effect of IGF-I, the antioxidant effects of MT and BC, and the cerebral increase in the cyclic glycine-proline (cGP) achieved with administration of BC. (4) A continuous treatment with IGF-I, MT, and BC appears to be useful in RTT.
JAXA High-Resolution Land Use/Land Cover Map for Central Vietnam in 2007 and 2017
Authors: Duong Phan Cao , Trung Ta Hoang , Nasahara Kenlo Nishida , Tadono Takeo
Published: September 2018

Robust remote monitoring of land cover changes is essential for a range of studies such as climate modeling, ecosystems, and environmental protection. However, since each satellite data has its own effective features, it is difficult to obtain high accuracy land cover products derived from a single satellite’s data, perhaps because of cloud cover, suboptimal acquisition schedules, and the restriction of data accessibility. In this study, we integrated Landsat 5, 7, and 8, Sentinel-2, Advanced Land Observing Satellite Advanced Visual, and Near Infrared Radiometer type 2 (ALOS/AVNIR-2), ALOS Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) Mosaic, ALOS-2/PALSAR-2 Mosaic, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), and ancillary data, using kernel density estimation to map and analyze land use/cover change (LUCC) over Central Vietnam from 2007 to 2017. The region was classified into nine categories, i.e., water, urban, rice paddy, upland crops, grassland, orchard, forest, mangrove, and bare land by an automatic model which was trained and tested by 98,000 reference data collected from field surveys and visual interpretations. Results were the 2007 and 2017 classified maps with the same spatial resolutions of 10 m and the overall accuracies of 90.5% and 90.6%, respectively. They indicated that Central Vietnam experienced an extensive change in land cover (33 ± 18% of the total area) during the study period. Gross gains in forests (2680 km2) and water bodies (570 km2) were primarily from conversion of orchards, paddy fields, and crops. Total losses in bare land (495 km2) and paddy (485 km2) were largely to due transformation to croplands and urban & other infrastructure lands. In addition, the results demonstrated that using global land cover products for specific applications is impaired because of uncertainties and inconsistencies. These findings are essential for the development of resource management strategy and environmental studies.
Investigation of the Fetch Effect Using Onshore and Offshore Vertical LiDAR Devices
Authors: Shimada Susumu , Takeyama Yuko , Kogaki Tetsuya , Ohsawa Teruo , Nakamura Satoshi
Published: September 2018

An offshore wind measurement campaign using vertical light detection and ranging (LiDAR) devices was conducted at the Hazaki Oceanographic Research Station (HORS) as part of an investigation into determining the optimal distance from the coast for a nearshore wind farm from a meteorological perspective. The research platform was a 427 m long pier located on a rectilinear coastline on the Pacific coast of the central Honshu Island in Japan. The relationship between the ratios of the increase of wind speed near the surface and fetch length within 5 km of the coast was analyzed via LiDAR observations taken at heights from 40 to 200 m. The results showed that the speed of the coastal wind blowing from land to sea gradually increased as the fetch length increased, by approximately 15–20% at 50 m above sea level around a fetch length of 2 km. Moreover, empirical equations were derived by applying the power law to the relationship between the increase of wind speed and fetch lengths at 1–5 km, as obtained from the LiDAR measurements. It was also found that the wind speed increase at a 2 km fetch length was equivalent to the effect of a 50–90 m vertical height increase on the coast in this region.
Homeownership: What Does Houston Habitat for Humanity Homeowners Have to Say?
Authors: Thomas Talya D.
Published: September 2018

Homeownership, labeled as the American Dream, confers several benefits to the individual homeowner and their children, the homeowners’ community, and the national economy. Several policies and programs have been established to promote homeownership. One of such organizations is Houston Habitat, a subsidiary of Habitat for Humanity International. A sampling procedure was implemented to examine the perceptions of homeowners on previous residence and their current Habitat home.
Multi-Criteria Group Decision Making for Green Supply Chain Management under Uncertainty
Authors: Deng Hepu , Luo Feng , Wibowo Santoso
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a multi-criteria group decision making model for effectively evaluating the performance of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices under uncertainty in an organization. The subjective assessments of individual decision makers are appropriately represented with the use of intuitionistic fuzzy numbers for better tackling the uncertainty existent. An algorithm is developed to assist individual decision makers in evaluating the performance of alternative GSCM practices across all the evaluation criteria. An example is presented for demonstrating the applicability of the proposed model in solving similar problems in the real-world setting.
Fumonisin Distribution in Maize Dry-Milling Products and By-Products: Impact of Two Industrial Degermination Systems
Authors: Vanara Francesca , Scarpino Valentina , Blandino Massimo
Published: September 2018

In temperate areas, the main limitation to the use of maize in the food chain is its contamination by B-series fumonisins (FBs) during cultivation. Since the content of this group of mycotoxins may be distributed unevenly after milling, the aim of this study was to compare the distribution of FBs in maize fractions derived from two industrial dry-milling processes, that is, a dry-degermination (DD) system and a tempering-degermination (TD) system. Grain cleaning reduces FBs by about 42%. The germ of the two degermination processes showed a similar FB content of kernel after cleaning. Conversely, an animal feed flour resulted in a FB content that was two times higher than whole grain before cleaning. A significant FB reduction was observed in the milling fractions in both processes, with a higher reduction in the TD system than in the DD one. The average decontamination respect to uncleaned kernels in the DD process was 50%, 83% and 87%, for maize flour, break meal and pearl meal, respectively, while it was 78%, 88% and 94% in the TD process for small, medium and flaking grits, respectively. Among the milling fractions, the flaking grits with the highest particle size resulted in the highest FB reduction.
Two Novel Approaches to the Hadron-Quark Mixed Phase in Compact Stars
Authors: Abgaryan Vahagn , Alvarez-Castillo David , Ayriyan Alexander , Blaschke David , Grigorian Hovik
Published: September 2018

First-order phase transitions, such as the liquid-gas transition, proceed via formation of structures, such as bubbles and droplets. In strongly interacting compact star matter, at the crust-core transition but also the hadron-quark transition in the core, these structures form different shapes dubbed “pasta phases”. We describe two methods to obtain one-parameter families of hybrid equations of state (EoS) substituting the Maxwell construction that mimic the thermodynamic behaviour of pasta phase in between a low-density hadron and a high-density quark matter phase without explicitly computing geometrical structures. Both methods reproduce the Maxwell construction as a limiting case. The first method replaces the behaviour of pressure against chemical potential in a finite region around the critical pressure of the Maxwell construction by a polynomial interpolation. The second method uses extrapolations of the hadronic and quark matter EoS beyond the Maxwell point to define a mixing of both with weight functions bounded by finite limits around the Maxwell point. We apply both methods to the case of a hybrid EoS with a strong first order transition that entails the formation of a third family of compact stars and the corresponding mass twin phenomenon. For both models, we investigate the robustness of this phenomenon against variation of the single parameter: the pressure increment at the critical chemical potential that quantifies the deviation from the Maxwell construction. We also show sets of results for compact star observables other than mass and radius, namely the moment of inertia and the baryon mass.
Why Are Algal Viruses Not Always Successful?
Authors: Horas Elena L. , Theodosiou Loukas , Becks Lutz
Published: September 2018

Algal viruses are considered to be key players in structuring microbial communities and biogeochemical cycles due to their abundance and diversity within aquatic systems. Their high reproduction rates and short generation times make them extremely successful, often with immediate and strong effects for their hosts and thus in biological and abiotic environments. There are, however, conditions that decrease their reproduction rates and make them unsuccessful with no or little immediate effects. Here, we review the factors that lower viral success and divide them into intrinsic—when they are related to the life cycle traits of the virus—and extrinsic factors—when they are external to the virus and related to their environment. Identifying whether and how algal viruses adapt to disadvantageous conditions will allow us to better understand their role in aquatic systems. We propose important research directions such as experimental evolution or the resurrection of extinct viruses to disentangle the conditions that make them unsuccessful and the effects these have on their surroundings.