bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pengaruh Kreativitas dan Motivasi Kerja terhadap Produktivitas Guru Pendidikan Agama Islam Sekolah Dasar Sekecamatan Baturetno Kabupaten Wonogiri
Authors: Zuliawati Nurul
Published: January 2017

The purposes of this study are: (1) to determine the influence of creativity and productivity of Islamic Education (PAI) teachers of all primary schools in district Baturetno, Wonogiri of 2015/2016 (2) to determine the influence between work motivation and productivity of Islamic Education (PAI) teachers of all primary schools in district Baturetno, Wonogiri of 2015/2016 (3) to determine the influence of creativity and work motivation and productivity of Islamic Education (PAI) teachers of all primary schools in district Baturetno Wonogiri of 2015/2016. This research was conducted at all elementary schools of Baturetno, Wonogiri districts consisted of 32 schools. The method used in this study was a quantitative correlation. Methods of data collection used a questionnaire. The conclusions of this study are (1) There is an influence between creativity and productivity of Islamic Education (PAI) teachers of all primary schools in district Baturetno. (2) There is an influence between work motivation and productivity of Islamic Education (PAI) teachers of all primary schools in district Baturetno. (3) There is an influence between creativity and work motivation as well as productivity of Islamic Education (PAI) teachers of all primary schools in district Baturetno.Keywords: Influence of creativity, Work motivation, Teacher productivity
Analisis Kebutuhan Pengembangan Laboratorium PGMI dalam Perkuliahan IPA
Authors: Suyatman Suyatman
Published: January 2017

Based on documentation of pgmi mentioned that college students are derived from background science class is 36,98 % , less than 50 % of the student PGMI .This has led consequence that lecture believe in science ranging from the base and supported by the laboratory adequate .The laboratory adequate will build real kosep students in understand science.Steps analysis needs research laboratory PGMI in lecture ipa is as follows: 1) analysis of need assessment, 2) the literature study, 3) study komparasi , 4) expert judgment, 5) improvement. Based on analysis of the data can pull conclusions as follows: 1) The lab PGMI FITK IAIN Surakarta especially for science laboratory having 85 set equipment consisting of 737 the tools and can be used to 121 title science experiments. 2) Additional needs necessary the 25 set equipment science experiments, with details as follows: kit science less 24 set, consisting of the balance KIT 4 sets, mineral KIT 5 sets, Sound KIT 4 sets, coal KIT 6 sets, and heat engine KIT 5 sets, and science integrated KIT less 1 set, and 5 the microscopes.Keywords: analysis needs , the development of a laboratory, IPA lecture
Pendidikan Karakter Berbasis Keagamaan (Studi Kasus di SDIT Nur Hidayah Surakarta)
Authors: Annur Fauzi
Published: January 2017

Until now, the education system in our country is more emphasis on the cognitive aspect than educating for character. Meanwhile, the globalization in 21st has given rise to the phenomenon of free trade, dependence science and technology (ICT, Bio-technology, Nano-technology), global life (Speed, Conectivity, Intangable, and Compatibility), human rights, issues of democratization, environment, gender, and multiculturalism. SDIT Nur Hidayah is a school has applied to try appliying character building. These programs of character building is implementating from their own religion. This research uses descriptive qualitative. Subject of these researchs are teachers and students. And informan of these researchs are headmaster, employees, and parents of the children.The results of this research shows that the information program of the characters in SDIT Nur Hidayah Surakarta applied intensively (daily, weekly, monthly). The programs include 1. integrated in the leraning process, 2. any other programs: Pekan Pembiasaan, Pekan Kedisiplinan, Mentoring, Mutabaah Alyaumiyah. The purpose of these programs is intended to build characters of the students. These programs are not only comprehensive, but also very unique. The children are so enjoy and enthusiastic in carrying out various characters, and we hope they have a basic foundation of strong character.Keywords: Character Building, based on Religion
Integrasi dalam Sistem Pendidikan Islam di Desa Mundu Pesisir Kabupaten Cirebon
Authors: Nurizzati Yeti
Published: January 2017

Mundu Pesisir is one of the coastal areas in Cirebon with themajorityof Moslem community that allows rapid development of Islamic education. However, they demanded anintegrated Islamic education in order to produce competent graduates with a good personality. The problems are: How the Islamic education system in this village? What is the percentage of the implementation of an integrated Islamic education there? How is the comparison of the implementation of Islamic education there? This study was an evaluative study with a quantitative comparationalapproach. Selection of samples used proportional stratified random sampling technique with questionnaires distributed to students of DTA Islamiyah 1, MTs Islamiyah and MA Mundu Pesisir. Data was processed using the percentage technique, F test, and Pearson correlation test. Implementation of Islamic education in DTAI 1 Mundu Pesisir, when compared with the characteristics of an integrated Islamic education, reached 91.5%; MTI 86.25%; and MAI 87.25%. Implementation of Islamic education in all three madrasah did not differ significantly at the 5% error level. There was a very strong correlation with a very real significance at 1% error level.Keywords: Islamic Education System, Integration, Mundu Pesisir.
THE ATTITUDES OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN INDIA TOWARDS ENGLISH
Authors: Muttaqin Wildan Mahir
Published: January 2017

English is now considered as global language, and with every single day its users are increasing numerously. The paper aims to investigate the international studentsâ€™ attitudes towards English language focusing on a case of International studentsâ€™ in India. As the central university, The English and Foreign Lnguages (EFL) University India has many international students from a wide range of countries. The attitudes are in language skills and in other perspectives. UponÂ  theÂ  completionÂ  ofÂ  theÂ  collectionÂ  ofÂ  data,Â  theseÂ  were analyzed,Â  computedÂ  andÂ  tabulatedÂ  usingÂ  MS Excel.The study incorporates quantitative approach and has used close ended questionnaire to collect data from the participants. A total number of twenty students participated in the study. From the findings of the data, The research shows that they hadÂ  shownÂ  aÂ  positiveÂ  attitudeÂ  towardsÂ  useÂ  ofÂ  EnglishÂ  orÂ  an increaseÂ  inÂ  theÂ  useÂ  ofÂ  English. They believed that learning needs process. Motivation and self-confidence are also main factors to master English comprehensively. They also believe that EFL University is the best place in India to study English intensively.
ENGLISH LEARNING MODEL AT 'TA'MIRUL ISLAM' BOARDING HOUSE OF SURAKARTA (MODEL PEMBELAJARAN BAHASA INGGRIS DI PONPES 'TA'MIRUL ISLAM' SURAKARTA)
Authors: Risdianto Faizal
Published: January 2017

This research applies descriptive qualitative method aiming at knowing the format and model as well as theÂ  motivating and resisting power of English learning at Taâ€™mirul Islam Male Boarding School Surakarta. From observations and interviews, it is found that there is as direct learning strategy using teacher-centered approach. This learning strategy is even more detailed by the â€˜army methodâ€™ learning model which emphasizes high discipline and teacher authority as well as direct method which stresses on the teacher instructions. The learning model of the school follows behavioristic patterns that emphasizes on customization in language skills. It is combined with army method patterns that treat students with rewards and punishments. The motivating power of the English learning process at the boarding house is the availability of facilities, biâ€™ah lughowiyah or the environment that supports the students to be able to speak and write in English. Meanwhile, the ressisting factor is the ignorance of most students toward the punishments given by the authority.
STYLISTIC STUDY OF WAROK'S SPELLS OF PANARAGAN JAVANESE ETHNIC (KAJIAN STILISTIKA TERHADAP MANTRA WAROK ETNIK JAWA PANARAGAN)
Authors: Sugianto Alip
Published: January 2017

This research aims at describing spell (mantra) language of Ponorogoâ€™s warok Â on the aspect of language style, diction, and rhyme. This is a field research with Ponorogoâ€™s warok as the informant. It applies observing, listening and note-taking technique. The data are analyzed using descriptive qualitative approach. The results of the research show that the spells of warok have characteristics of aliteration, assonance, polysidenton, asidenton, antonomatia, metaphor, hyperbole, pararhyme, and repetition language style, including anadiplosis, simploke, mesodiplosis, epizeuksis, tautotes, epistrofa, anafora. Meanwhile, on the aspect of diction, they cover connotation, denotation, religious symbols, synonyms, antonyms, and spirits. In addition, the taste of spell rhyme is resulted from some factors, such as sound repetition and connection between lines in a couplet, all that has functions to add artistic values to the spells so that they produce harmonious and synchronous effects of sounds.
Is SOX 404(a) Management Internal Control Reporting an Effective Alternative to SOX 404(b) Internal Control Audits?
Authors: Fan Yangyang , Li Chan , Raghunandan K
Published: January 2017

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX; U.S. House of Representatives 2002) continues to be controversial. Using samples of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registrants with market capitalizations of less than $150 million, we find that non-accelerated filers have a significantly larger reduction in the likelihood of material misstatements, discretionary revenues, and discretionary accruals compared to smaller accelerated filers after non-accelerated filers became subject to the requirements of Section 404(a). Our findings are consistent with the argument that management reporting on internal controls (Section 404(a)) may be a cost-effective alternative to internal control audits (Section 404(b)) for smaller U.S. public companies.
Investment-Related Pressure and Audit Risk
Authors: Lu Louise Yi , Wu Hai , Yu Yangxin
Published: January 2017

This study examines whether auditors regard market pressure on client management as contributing to audit risk. The literature suggests that when management jobs are threatened by negative market reaction to poor mergers and acquisitions investment, managers are more likely to misstate financial statements in the post-investment period due to pressure on their job security (Bens, Goodman, and Neamtiu 2012). We find that firms under such investment-related pressure experience larger increases in audit fees and audit lags in the post-investment period. Our findings suggest that auditors perceive market pressure on client management as a risk factor, as recommended by Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 99.
Glucagon and Amino Acids Are Linked in a Mutual Feedback Cycle: The Liver–α-Cell Axis
Authors: Holst Jens J. , Wewer Albrechtsen Nicolai J. , Pedersen Jens , Knop Filip K.
Published: January 2017

Glucagon is usually viewed as an important counterregulatory hormone in glucose metabolism, with actions opposing those of insulin. Evidence exists that shows glucagon is important for minute-to-minute regulation of postprandial hepatic glucose production, although conditions of glucagon excess or deficiency do not cause changes compatible with this view. In patients with glucagon-producing tumors (glucagonomas), the most conspicuous signs are skin lesions (necrolytic migratory erythema), while in subjects with inactivating mutations of the glucagon receptor, pancreatic swelling may be the first sign; neither condition is necessarily associated with disturbed glucose metabolism. In glucagonoma patients, amino acid turnover and ureagenesis are greatly accelerated, and low plasma amino acid levels are probably at least partly responsible for the necrolytic migratory erythema, which resolves after amino acid administration. In patients with receptor mutations (and in knockout mice), pancreatic swelling is due to α-cell hyperplasia with gross hypersecretion of glucagon, which according to recent groundbreaking research may result from elevated amino acid levels. Additionally, solid evidence indicates that ureagenesis, and thereby amino acid levels, is critically controlled by glucagon. Together, this constitutes a complete endocrine system; feedback regulation involving amino acids regulates α-cell function and secretion, while glucagon, in turn, regulates amino acid turnover.
Bullying experience in primary school children
Authors: Aulia Farah
Published: January 2017

Bullying is still a significant problem today. Bullying occurs starting from the primary level up to college. The impact of the bullying on victims can be a lonely, difficult to adjust, insecurity, low self-esteem, depression and the worst is suicide. The earlier effort to detect bullying experienced by children will be able to prevent long-term effects caused. This study was conducted on 258 students of class 4-5 primary school in Yogyakarta. Data was collected through open-ended questionnaires associated with feelings and experiences of bullying in schools both as perpetrators and victims. The result showed that students feel negative emotions associated with bullying at school and most children experience bullying at school with a variety of forms, ranging from physical, verbal and relational from peers at school. These findings have implications related to the effort to do the school to help students cope with the impact of bullying experienced.
Association of renin-angiotensin system genetic polymorphisms and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Griessenauer Christoph J. , Tubbs R. Shane , Foreman Paul M. , Chua Michelle H. , Vyas Nilesh A. , Lipsky Robert H. , Lin Mingkuan , Iyer Ramaswamy , Haridas Rishikesh , Walters Beverly C. , Chaudry Salman , Malieva Aisana , Wilkins Samantha , Harrigan Mark R. , Fisher Winfield S. , Shoja Mohammadali M.
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) genetic polymorphisms are thought to play a role in cerebral aneurysm formation and rupture. The Cerebral Aneurysm Renin-Angiotensin System (CARAS) study prospectively evaluated common RAS polymorphisms and their relation to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

METHODS

The CARAS study prospectively enrolled aSAH patients and controls at 2 academic centers in the United States. A blood sample was obtained from all patients for genetic evaluation and measurement of plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) concentration. Common RAS polymorphisms were detected using 5′ exonuclease (TaqMan) genotyping assays and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-eight patients were screened, and 149 aSAH patients and 50 controls were available for analysis. There was a recessive effect of the C allele of the angiotensinogen (AGT) C/T single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (OR 1.94, 95% CI 0.912–4.12, p = 0.0853) and a dominant effect of the G allele of the angiotensin II receptor Type 2 (AT2) G/A SNP (OR 2.11, 95% CI 0.972–4.57, p = 0.0590) on aSAH that did not reach statistical significance after adjustment for potential confounders. The ACE level was significantly lower in aSAH patients with the II genotype (17.6 ± 8.0 U/L) as compared with the ID (22.5 ± 12.1 U/L) and DD genotypes (26.6 ± 14.2 U/L) (p = 0.0195).

CONCLUSIONS

The AGT C/T and AT2 G/A polymorphisms were not significantly associated with aSAH after controlling for potential confounders. However, a strong trend was identified for a dominant effect of the G allele of the AT2 G/A SNP. Downregulation of the local RAS may contribute to the formation of cerebral aneurysms and subsequent presentation with aSAH. Further studies are required to elucidate the relevant pathophysiology and its potential implication in treatment of patients with aSAH.
Physical Therapy Versus a General Exercise Programme in Patients with Hoehn Yahr Stage II Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Dipasquale Savina , Meroni Roberto , Sasanelli Francesco , Messineo Ivan , Piscitelli Daniele , Perin Cecilia , Cornaggia Cesare Maria , Cerri Cesare G.
Published: January 2017

Background and objective: Several studies suggest that general exercise (GE) and physical therapy programmes (PT) improve the outcomes of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients; however, the available data do not allow a determination of which treatment is more effective. Our study aims to compare the effects of physiotherapy and general exercise in Parkinson’s disease.

Methods: Design and setting: Randomized controlled trial –general hospital outpatient clinic. The participants were patients with Hoehn Yahr stage II PD. Two randomized groups: one receiving PT and one receiving GE. The outcome measures were the FIM, Hamilton Rating Scale, TUG test, and UPDRS.

Results: FIM median scores improved by 3 points in the PT group after treatment, and the improvements were maintained at follow-up. The GE FIM median scores were unchanged after treatment and were reduced by 1 point at follow-up ( p < 0.05). The TUG test time was reduced in the PT group but increased in the GE group with a 3-second difference between groups at follow-up, suggesting improved functional mobility after specific physiotherapy ( p < 0.05). The UPDRS median score change from baseline was significantly different between the two groups at the end of treatment (6.5 points) and at follow-up (11 points), with a benefit for the physiotherapy group.

Conclusions: Physiotherapy seems to be more effective than a generic exercise programme in patients with Hoehn Yahr stage II PD.
Cerebellar Volume and Executive Function in Parkinson Disease with and without Freezing of Gait
Authors: Myers Peter S. , McNeely Marie E. , Koller Jonathan M. , Earhart Gammon M. , Campbell Meghan C.
Published: January 2017

Background: Freezing of gait (FOG) affects approximately 50% of people with Parkinson Disease (PD), impacting quality of life and placing financial and emotional strain on the individual and caregivers. People with PD and FOG have similar deficits in motor adaptation and cognition as individuals with cerebellar lesions, indicating the cerebellum may play a role in FOG.

Objective: To examine potential differences in cerebellar volumes and their relationships with cognition between PD with (FOG+) and without FOG (FOG-).

Methods: Sixty-three participants were divided into two groups, FOG+ ( n = 25) and FOG- ( n = 38), based on the New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire. Cognitive assessment included Trail Making, Stroop, Verbal Fluency, and Go-NoGo executive function tasks. All participants completed structural T1- and T2-weighted MRI scans. Imaging data were processed with FreeSurfer and the Spatially Unbiased Infratentorial toolbox to segment the cerebellum into individual lobules.

Results: FOG+ performed significantly worse on phonemic verbal fluency (F(1, 22)  =  7.06, p = 0.01) as well as the Go-NoGo task (F(1, 22)  =  9.00, p = 0.004). We found no differences in cerebellar volumes between groups (F(4, 55)  = 1.42, p = 0.24), but there were significant relationships between verbal fluency measures and lobule volumes in FOG-.

Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for longitudinal studies to better characterize potential changes in cerebellar volume, cognitive function, and functional connectivity between people with PD with and without FOG.
Control and Cinema: Intolerable Poverty and the Films of Béla Tarr
Authors: Roberts Phillip
Published: January 2017

In Cinema 2 Deleuze conceptualises the time-image as a cinema of infinite variation, opening the stable forms of the movement-image to an unformed and virtual outside. Five years later he would develop a similar analysis in the short ‘Postscript on the Societies of Control’, arguing that a new system of organisation was expanding the disciplinary formations that had reached their peak in the first part of the twentieth century. In both works Deleuze explores a world in the process of systemic deterritorialisation that has profound implications for the way that society is organised and in which the world is thought. This essay argues that the ungrounding discussed in both of these later works should be understood as part of a similar shift in the ordering of the world, where a new regime of thought has emerged. The relationship between these two concepts in Deleuze's thought has important implications with respect to our understanding of his work on cinema. I argue that this connection reveals the political dimensions of Deleuze's focus on the intolerable in the cinema books. An impoverished life, through lack of access to capital, protection and education, offers less access to life-chances and potential social transformations. I focus on cinematic depictions of poverty and powerlessness in two films by Béla Tarr to account for the significance of poverty in Deleuze's overlapping thought on cinematic creation and media control.
The Death of Gilles Deleuze as Composition of a Concept
Authors: Beaulieu Alain , Ord Douglas
Published: January 2017

There was a wide range of in memoriam and homages published in the years following Deleuze's suicide. However, none of them succeeded in grasping ‘the evential’ aspect of his death. This paper identifies a series of errors in the literature on Deleuze's death. It also suggests a way to overcome them by considering a singular encounter between Alice's passage through the looking glass and Deleuze's defenestration, which both took place on 4 November. We will show how a new conception of death as event comes out of this unseen connection.
Nonlinear Silicon Photonic Signal Processing Devices for Future Optical Networks
Authors: Lacava Cosimo , Ettabib Mohamed , Petropoulos Periklis
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we present a review on silicon-based nonlinear devices for all optical nonlinear processing of complex telecommunication signals. We discuss some recent developments achieved by our research group, through extensive collaborations with academic partners across Europe, on optical signal processing using silicon-germanium and amorphous silicon based waveguides as well as novel materials such as silicon rich silicon nitride and tantalum pentoxide. We review the performance of four wave mixing wavelength conversion applied on complex signals such as Differential Phase Shift Keying (DPSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), 16-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) and 64-QAM that dramatically enhance the telecom signal spectral efficiency, paving the way to next generation terabit all-optical networks.
Combustion Synthesis during Flame Spraying (“CAFSY”) for the Production of Catalysts on Substrates
Authors: Xanthopoulou Galina , Marinou Amalia , Karanasios Konstantinos , Vekinis George
Published: January 2017

Combustion-assisted flame spraying (“CAFSY”) has been used to produce catalytically active nickel aluminide coatings on ceramic substrates. Their catalytic activity was studied in CO2 (dry) reforming of methane, which is particularly significant for environmental protection as well as production of synthesis gas (CO + H2). By varying the CAFSY processing parameters, it is possible to obtain a range of Ni–Al alloys with various ratios of catalytically active phases on the substrate. The influence of the number of coating layers and the type of substrate on the final catalyst composition and on the catalytic activity of the CAFSY coatings was studied and is presented here. The morphology and microstructure of the composite coatings were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific area analysis. Catalytic tests for dry reforming of methane were carried out using crushed pellets from the coatings at temperatures of 750–900 °C, and gas chromatography showed that methane conversion approached 88% whereas that of carbon dioxide reached 100%. The H2/CO ratio in the synthesis gas produced by the reaction varied from about 0.7 to over 1.2, depending on the catalyst and substrate type and testing temperature.
Authoritative and Volunteered Geographical Information in a Developing Country: A Comparative Case Study of Road Datasets in Nairobi, Kenya
Authors: Mahabir Ron , Stefanidis Anthony , Croitoru Arie , Crooks Andrew , Agouris Peggy
Published: January 2017

With volunteered geographic information (VGI) platforms such as OpenStreetMap (OSM) becoming increasingly popular, we are faced with the challenge of assessing the quality of their content, in order to better understand its place relative to the authoritative content of more traditional sources. Until now, studies have focused primarily on developed countries, showing that VGI content can match or even surpass the quality of authoritative sources, with very few studies in developing countries. In this paper, we compare the quality of authoritative (data from the Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD)) and non-authoritative (data from OSM and Google’s Map Maker) road data in conjunction with population data in and around Nairobi, Kenya. Results show variability in coverage between all of these datasets. RCMRD provided the most complete, albeit less current, coverage when taking into account the entire study area, while OSM and Map Maker showed a degradation of coverage as one moves from central Nairobi towards rural areas. Furthermore, OSM had higher content density in large slums, surpassing the authoritative datasets at these locations, while Map Maker showed better coverage in rural housing areas. These results suggest a greater need for a more inclusive approach using VGI to supplement gaps in authoritative data in developing nations.
Metabolic Response of Human Osteoarthritic Cartilage to Biochemically Characterized Collagen Hydrolysates
Authors: Schadow Saskia , Simons Viktor , Lochnit Guenter , Kordelle Jens , Gazova Zuzana , Siebert Hans-Christian , Steinmeyer Juergen
Published: January 2017

The most frequent disease of the locomotor system is osteoarthritis (OA), which, as a chronic joint disease, might benefit more from nutrition than acute illnesses. Collagen hydrolysates (CHs) are peptidic mixtures that are often used as nutraceuticals for OA. Three CHs were characterized biochemically and pharmacologically. Our biophysical (MALDI-TOF-MS, NMR, AFM) and fluorescence assays revealed marked differences between CHs of fish (Peptan® F 5000, Peptan® F 2000) and porcine (Mobiforte®) origin with respect to the total number of peptides and common peptides between them. Using a novel dual radiolabeling procedure, no CH modulated collagen biosynthesis in human knee cartilage explants. Peptan® F 2000 enhanced the activities of the aggrecanase ADMATS4 and ADMATS5 in vitro without loss of proteoglycan from cartilage explants; the opposite effect was observed with Mobiforte®. Interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -3 and -13 levels were elevated in explants that were treated with Mobiforte® and Peptan® F 5000, but not with Peptan® F 2000. In conclusion, the heterogeneous peptide composition and disparate pharmacological effects between CHs suggest that the effect of a CH preparation cannot be extrapolated to other formulations. Thus, the declaration of a CH as a safe and effective nutraceutical requires a thorough examination of its pleiotropic effects.
Mechanism Governing Human Kappa-Opioid Receptor Expression under Desferrioxamine-Induced Hypoxic Mimic Condition in Neuronal NMB Cells
Authors: Babcock Jennifer , Herrera Alberto , Coricor George , Karch Christopher , Liu Alexander , Rivera-Gines Aida , Ko Jane
Published: January 2017

Cellular adaptation to hypoxia is a protective mechanism for neurons and relevant to cancer. Treatment with desferrioxamine (DFO) to induce hypoxia reduced the viability of human neuronal NMB cells. Surviving/attached cells exhibited profound increases of expression of the human kappa-opioid receptor (hKOR) and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). The functional relationship between hKOR and HIF-1α was investigated using RT-PCR, Western blot, luciferase reporter, mutagenesis, siRNA and receptor-ligand binding assays. In surviving neurons, DFO increased HIF-1α expression and its amount in the nucleus. DFO also dramatically increased hKOR expression. Two (designated as HIFC and D) out of four potential HIF response elements of the hKOR gene (HIFA–D) synergistically mediated the DFO response. Mutation of both elements completely abolished the DFO-induced effect. The CD11 plasmid (containing HIFC and D with an 11 bp spacing) produced greater augmentation than that of the CD17 plasmid (HIFC and D with a 17 bp-spacing), suggesting that a proper topological interaction of these elements synergistically enhanced the promoter activity. HIF-1α siRNA knocked down the increase of endogenous HIF-1α messages and diminished the DFO-induced increase of hKOR expression. Increased hKOR expression resulted in the up-regulation of hKOR protein. In conclusion, the adaptation of neuronal hKOR under hypoxia was governed by HIF-1, revealing a new mechanism of hKOR regulation.
Synthesis of Magnetic Microspheres with Sodium Alginate and Activated Carbon for Removal of Methylene Blue
Authors: Li Chaodao , Lu Jianjiang , Li Shanman , Tong Yanbin , Ye Bangce
Published: January 2017

Based on the adsorption performance of composite microspheres with activated carbon (AC) and sodium alginate (SA), as well as the magnetic property of Fe3O4, we designed and explored an efficient strategy to prepare a unique, multifunctional Fe3O4/AC/SA composite absorbent (MSA-AC) that extracted dye from aqueous solution. The composite exhibited the following advantages: rapid and simple to prepare, environmentally friendly process, low-cost, recyclability, and multi-functionality. The physicochemical properties of the prepared magnetic microspheres were measured, and methylene blue (MB) was selected to investigate the performance of the magnetic absorbent. The results showed a maximum adsorption capacity of 222.3 mg/g for MB. Adsorption studies revealed that the data of adsorption isotherms and kinetics fit the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model.
On the Injection Molding Processing Parameters of HDPE-TiO2 Nanocomposites
Authors: Mourad Abdel-Hamid , Mozumder Mohammad , Mairpady Anusha , Pervez Hifsa , Kannuri Uma
Published: January 2017

In recent years, the development and use of polymeric nanocomposites in creating advanced materials has expanded exponentially. A substantial amount of research has been done in order to design polymeric nanocomposites in a safe and efficient manner. In the present study, the impact of processing parameters, such as, barrel temperature, and residence time on the mechanical and thermal properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE)-TiO2 nanocomposites were investigated. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy were used to analyze the dispersion, location, and phase morphology of TiO2 on the HDPE matrix. Mechanical tests revealed that tensile strength of the fabricated HDPE-TiO2 nanocomposites ranged between 22.53 and 26.30 MPa, while the Young’s modulus showed a consistent increase as the barrel temperature increased from 150 °C to 300 °C. Moreover, the thermal stability decreased as the barrel temperature increased.
Study on the Tribological Properties of Porous Titanium Sliding against Tungsten Carbide YG6
Authors: Liu Zhiqiang , Ji Feifei , Wang Mingqiang , Zhu Tianyu
Published: January 2017

In the metal cutting process, the friction and wear behavior between the cutting tool and machined surface is the most important factor that affects the surface quality and the service life of the cutter. The irregular pore structure of porous titanium alloy has changed its mechanical properties and the processing technology. The friction and wear mechanism of the cutting tool and the machined surface is greatly different from the traditional dense metal processing because of the crumbling at the edges, tearing phenomenon and the pore agglomeration effect of chips. In this paper, the tribological characteristics and the wear mechanism of friction pair which was formed by porous titanium alloy material and hard alloy cutter were studied from cutting force, cutting speed and temperature in micro-cutting condition, and the influence of porosity on the wear rate and friction coefficient was analyzed. Results show that the main factor which influences the friction coefficient and wear rate is the porosity. The wear mechanisms of porous titanium materials were abrasive and oxidation wear while the wear mechanism of tungsten carbide YG6 was abrasive wear. The friction coefficient and wear rate of the relatively stable state are beneficial to improve the surface quality and tool life. As a result, in the micro-cutting process of porous titanium alloys, the best choice of machining parameters for different porosity materials are as follows: the load is about 8 N, the sliding speed is about 400 r/min and the temperature is about 300 °C.
A Review of Mid-Infrared and Near-Infrared Imaging: Principles, Concepts and Applications in Plant Tissue Analysis
Authors: Türker-Kaya Sevgi , Huck Christian
Published: January 2017

Plant cells, tissues and organs are composed of various biomolecules arranged as structurally diverse units, which represent heterogeneity at microscopic levels. Molecular knowledge about those constituents with their localization in such complexity is very crucial for both basic and applied plant sciences. In this context, infrared imaging techniques have advantages over conventional methods to investigate heterogeneous plant structures in providing quantitative and qualitative analyses with spatial distribution of the components. Thus, particularly, with the use of proper analytical approaches and sampling methods, these technologies offer significant information for the studies on plant classification, physiology, ecology, genetics, pathology and other related disciplines. This review aims to present a general perspective about near-infrared and mid-infrared imaging/microspectroscopy in plant research. It is addressed to compare potentialities of these methodologies with their advantages and limitations. With regard to the organization of the document, the first section will introduce the respective underlying principles followed by instrumentation, sampling techniques, sample preparations, measurement, and an overview of spectral pre-processing and multivariate analysis. The last section will review selected applications in the literature.
Adsorption Properties of Nano-MnO2–Biochar Composites for Copper in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Zhou Li , Huang Yifan , Qiu Weiwen , Sun Zhanxiang , Liu Zhongqi , Song Zhengguo
Published: January 2017

There is a continuing need to develop effective materials for the environmental remediation of copper-contaminated sites. Nano-MnO2–biochar composites (NMBCs) were successfully synthesized through the reduction of potassium permanganate by ethanol in a biochar suspension. The physicochemical properties and morphology of NMBCs were examined, and the Cu(II) adsorption properties of this material were determined using various adsorption isotherms and kinetic models. The adsorption capacity of NMBCs for Cu(II), which was enhanced by increasing the pH from 3 to 6, was much larger than that of biochar or nano-MnO2. The maximum adsorption capacity of NMBCs for Cu(II) was 142.02 mg/g, which was considerably greater than the maximum adsorption capacities of biochar (26.88 mg/g) and nano-MnO2 (93.91 mg/g). The sorption process for Cu(II) on NMBCs fitted very well to a pseudo-second-order model (R2 > 0.99). Moreover, this process was endothermic, spontaneous, and hardly influenced by ionic strength. The mechanism of Cu(II) adsorption on NMBCs mainly involves the formation of complexes between Cu(II) and O-containing groups (e.g., COO–Cu and Mn–O–Cu). Thus, NMBCs may serve as effective adsorbents for various environmental applications, such as wastewater treatment or the remediation of copper-contaminated soils.
A Comprehensive Systematic Study on Thermoresponsive Gels: Beyond the Common Architectures of Linear Terpolymers
Authors: Constantinou Anna , Zhao Hanyi , McGilvery Catriona , Porter Alexandra , Georgiou Theoni
Published: January 2017

In this study, seven thermoresponsive methacrylate terpolymers with the same molar mass (MM) and composition but various architectures were successfully synthesized using group transfer polymerization (GTP). These terpolymers were based on tri(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (TEGMA, A unit), n-butyl methacrylate (BuMA, B unit), and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA, C unit). Along with the more common ABC, ACB, BAC, and statistical architectures, three diblock terpolymers were also synthesized and investigated for the first time, namely (AB)C, A(BC), and B(AC); where the units in the brackets are randomly copolymerized. Two BC diblock copolymers were also synthesized for comparison. Their hydrodynamic diameters and their effective pKas were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and hydrogen ion titrations, respectively. The self-assembly behavior of the copolymers was also visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both dilute and concentrated aqueous copolymer solutions were extensively studied by visual tests and their cloud points (CP) and gel points were determined. It is proven that the aqueous solution properties of the copolymers, with specific interest in their thermoresponsive properties, are influenced by the architecture, with the ABC and A(BC) ones to show clear sol-gel transition.
Characterisation of Nature-Based Solutions for the Built Environment
Authors: Xing Yangang , Jones Phil , Donnison Iain
Published: January 2017

Nature has provided humankind with food, fuel, and shelter throughout evolutionary history. However, in contemporary cities, many natural landscapes have become degraded and replaced with impermeable hard surfaces (e.g., roads, paving, car parks and buildings). The reversal of this trend is dynamic, complex and still in its infancy. There are many facets of urban greening initiatives involving multiple benefits, sensitivities and limitations. The aim of this paper is to develop a characterisation method of nature based solutions for designing and retrofitting in the built environment, and to facilitate knowledge transfer between disciplines and for design optimisation. Based on a review of the literature across disciplines, key characteristics could be organised into four groups: policy and community initiatives, multiple benefits assessment, topology, and design options. Challenges and opportunities for developing a characterisation framework to improve the use of nature based solutions in the built environment are discussed.
Siting of Carsharing Stations Based on Spatial Multi-Criteria Evaluation: A Case Study of Shanghai EVCARD
Authors: Li Wenxiang , Li Ye , Fan Jing , Deng Haopeng
Published: January 2017

Carsharing is one of the effective ways to relieve the problems of traffic jams, parking difficulties, and air pollution. In recent years, the numbers of carsharing services and their members have remarkably increased around the world. The project of electric carsharing in Shanghai, called EVCARD, has also developed rapidly with very large demand and supply. Aiming to determine the optimal locations of future stations of the EVCARD, this research employs a novel method combining the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and geographical information system (GIS) with big data. Potential users, potential travel demand, potential travel purposes, and distance from existing stations are selected as the decision criteria. A siting decision system is established, consisting of 15 evaluation indicators which are calculated from multi-source data on mobile phones, taxi trajectory, point of interests (POI), and the EVCARD operation. The method of the AHP is used to determine the indicator weights, and the “Spatial Analyst” tool of ArcGIS is adopted to generate the indicator values for every 1 km × 1 km decision unit. Finally, synthetic scores are calculated to evaluate the candidate sites of EVCARD stations. The results of the case study verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, which can provide a more scientific and feasible method for carsharing operators to site stations, avoiding aimless and random decisions.
Data-Filtering System to Avoid Total Data Distortion in IoT Networking
Authors: Kim Dae-Young , Jeong Young-Sik , Kim Seokhoon
Published: January 2017

In the Internet of Things (IoT) networking, numerous objects are connected to a network. They sense events and deliver the sensed information to the cloud. A lot of data is generated in the IoT network, and servers in the cloud gather the sensed data from the objects. Then, the servers analyze the collected data and provide proper intelligent services to users through the results of the analysis. When the server analyzes the collected data, if there exists malfunctioning data, distortional results of the analysis will be generated. The distortional results lead to misdirection of the intelligent services, leading to poor user experience. In the analysis for intelligent services in IoT, malfunctioning data should be avoided because integrity of the collected data is crucial. Therefore, this paper proposes a data-filtering system for the server in the cloud. The proposed data-filtering system is placed in front of the server and firstly receives the sensed data from the objects. It employs the naïve Bayesian classifier and, by learning, classifies the malfunctioning data from among the collected data. Data with integrity is delivered to the server for analysis. Because the proposed system filters the malfunctioning data, the server can obtain accurate analysis results and reduce computing load. The performance of the proposed data-filtering system is evaluated through computer simulation. Through the simulation results, the efficiency of the proposed data-filtering system is shown.
Experimental Study of Air Vessel Behavior for Energy Storage or System Protection in Water Hammer Events
Authors: Besharat Mohsen , Teresa Viseu Maria , Ramos Helena
Published: January 2017

An experimental assessment of an air pocket (AP), confined in a compressed air vessel (CAV), has been investigated under several different water hammer (WH) events to better define the use of protection devices or compressed air energy storage (CAES) systems. This research focuses on the size of an AP within an air vessel and tries to describe how it affects important parameters of the system, i.e., the pressure in the pipe, stored pressure, flow velocity, displaced volume of water and water level in the CAV. Results present a specific range of air pockets based on a dimensionless parameter extractable for other real systems.
THE VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION OF GALAXY CLUSTERS AS A COSMOLOGICAL PROBE
Authors: Ntampaka M. , Trac H. , Cisewski J. , Price L. C.
Published: January 2017

We present a new approach for quantifying the abundance of galaxy clusters and constraining cosmological parameters using dynamical measurements. In the standard method, galaxy line-of-sight velocities, v, or velocity dispersions are used to infer cluster masses, M, to quantify the halo mass function (HMF),

, which is strongly affected by mass measurement errors. In our new method, the probability distributions of velocities for each cluster in the sample are summed to create a new statistic called the velocity distribution function (VDF),

. The VDF can be measured more directly and precisely than the HMF and can be robustly predicted with cosmological simulations that capture the dynamics of subhalos or galaxies. We apply these two methods to realistic (ideal) mock cluster catalogs with (without) interlopers and forecast the bias and constraints on the matter density parameter Ω
m
and the amplitude of matter fluctuations σ
8 in flat ΛCDM cosmologies. For an example observation of 200 massive clusters, the VDF with (without) interloping galaxies constrains the parameter combination

and shows only minor bias. However, the HMF with interlopers is biased to low Ω
m
and high σ
8 and the fiducial model lies well outside of the forecast constraints, prior to accounting for Eddington bias. When the VDF is combined with constraints from the cosmic microwave background, the degeneracy between cosmological parameters can be significantly reduced. Upcoming spectroscopic surveys that probe larger volumes and fainter magnitudes will provide clusters for applying the VDF as a cosmological probe.
A NEW GENERATION OF PARSEC-COLIBRI STELLAR ISOCHRONES INCLUDING THE TP-AGB PHASE
Authors: Marigo Paola , Girardi Léo , Bressan Alessandro , Rosenfield Philip , Aringer Bernhard , Chen Yang , Dussin Marco , Nanni Ambra , Pastorelli Giada , Rodrigues Thaíse S. , Trabucchi Michele , Bladh Sara , Dalcanton Julianne , Groenewegen Martin A. T. , Montalbán Josefina , Wood Peter R.
Published: January 2017

We introduce a new generation of PARSEC–COLIBRI stellar isochrones that includes a detailed treatment of the thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch (TP-AGB) phase, covering a wide range of initial metallicities (0.0001 < Z
i < 0.06). Compared to previous releases, the main novelties and improvements are use of new TP-AGB tracks and related atmosphere models and spectra for M and C-type stars; inclusion of the surface H+He+CNO abundances in the isochrone tables, accounting for the effects of diffusion, dredge-up episodes and hot-bottom burning; inclusion of complete thermal pulse cycles, with a complete description of the in-cycle changes in the stellar parameters; new pulsation models to describe the long-period variability in the fundamental and first-overtone modes; and new dust models that follow the growth of the grains during the AGB evolution, in combination with radiative transfer calculations for the reprocessing of the photospheric emission. Overall, these improvements are expected to lead to a more consistent and detailed description of properties of TP-AGB stars expected in resolved stellar populations, especially in regard to their mean photometric properties from optical to mid-infrared wavelengths. We illustrate the expected numbers of TP-AGB stars of different types in stellar populations covering a wide range of ages and initial metallicities, providing further details on the “C-star island” that appears at intermediate values of age and metallicity, and about the AGB-boosting effect that occurs at ages close to 1.6-Gyr for populations of all metallicities. The isochrones are available through a new dedicated web server.
STELLAR, GAS, AND DARK MATTER CONTENT OF BARRED GALAXIES
Authors: Cervantes Sodi Bernardo
Published: January 2017

We select a sample of galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 (SDSS-DR7) where galaxies are classified, through visual inspection, as hosting strong bars, weak bars, or as unbarred galaxies, and make use of H i mass and kinematic information from the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA survey catalog, to study the stellar, atomic gas, and dark matter content of barred disk galaxies. We find, in agreement with previous studies, that the bar fraction increases with increasing stellar mass. A similar trend is found with total baryonic mass, although the dependence is not as strong as with stellar mass, due to the contribution of gas. The bar fraction shows a decrease with increasing gas mass fraction. This anticorrelation between the likelihood of a galaxy hosting a bar with the gas richness of the galaxy results from the inhibiting effect the gas has in the formation of bars. We also find that for massive galaxies with stellar masses larger than 1010
M
⊙, at fixed stellar mass, the bar fraction decreases with increasing global halo mass (i.e., halo mass measured up to a radius of the order of the H i disk extent).