bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developmental Patterns in the Interlanguage Research
Authors: Saric Antonija
Published: July 2017

Interlanguage, defined as a dynamic language system created by the second language learners, can be studied by observing how the language of the learner develops over time. It is argued that interlanguage develops in a regular, predictable way. The regularity of interlanguage development can be confirmed by studying the order or the sequence of the acquisition of a certain structure. The former is studied by choosing one of the grammatical structures (i.e. plural-s), followed by collecting interlanguage samples to determine how often a certain structure is used and finally ranking the structure according to accuracy criteria. The latter deals with the detailed investigation of a certain feature (i.e. interrogatives) to show the sequence of stages through which a learner passes in his/her attempt to arrive at the target language. By studying syntactic structures, such as negatives and interrogatives, the regularities of the acquisition stages are most evident. The regularities have been found across many languages, in particular, English and German. To demonstrate that German language develops in a regular fashion, Processability Theory was proposed stating that L2 learners can produce only those L2 structures which they can process at any given point in time emphasizing thus the fact that developmental stages cannot be skipped. Furthermore, developmental patters can also be studied by applying obligatory occasion, target-like or frequency analysis. Both obligatory occasion and target-like analysis compare the learner's and the target language, whereas frequency analysis lists various linguistic devices used by the learner to express a certain grammatical structure and then shows the frequency of using a certain linguistic device.
Risk and Responsibility in the Medical Pharmaceutical Practice
Authors: Paris Stelian , Sirbu Rodica , Erimia Cristina-Luiza
Published: July 2017

The authors make an analysis of a highly important problem, that is the responsibility in the medical-pharmaceutical practice starting from the fact that a young person who applies for a Medicine or Pharmacy university, gains an idea – no matter how small – of the multitude and the scale of the responsibilities that he/she is going to have during the course of the medical-pharmaceutical activity. We are constantly responsible but the responsibility of those in the medical-pharmaceutical field is permanent and multiple, on a number of levels, being recognized as follows: professional responsibility (deontological) towards the patient, juridical responsibility (civil, criminal), administrative responsibility (the respect of the laws), economic responsibility (spending) and social responsibility.
Multicultural Qualification Necessary for More Qualitative Education for the Roma Community
Authors: Bulku Alketa
Published: July 2017

Education represents a major challenge and it plays a key role in the social inclusion for the Roma and to their financial background also. The Roma children school attendance level is very law and what they learn from school is not equal to the other children. Poverty, illiteracy and insufficient education lead to a vicious surrounding which sets this community in front of difficulties and marginalisation. According to the law, all people are equal as to the right to education. As a complex approach to equal teaching and studying, multicultural education leads the way to the inclusion of this community within the educational system. Multicultural and inclusive practices improve the quality of the teaching and learning process, considering the chance to reduce barriers. This is a qualitative study which aims at exploring the influence of teachers’ qualification on the Roma children engagement at school. The case study is performed through the theoretical study, monitoring, interviews with directors, education specialists and parents and focus groups with parents and teachers. This study presents the teachers, parents and directors’ point of view on the importance of the qualification on social justice and the positive influence on teaching. Multicultural practices, less prejudice and education for social justice make school more effective.
The Role of Political Leadership in Macedonia in Function of EU Integration
Authors: Xhemaili Mirvan
Published: July 2017

The dissolution of the former Yugoslavia was associated by destructive interethnic conflicts, by local and regional wars. Macedonia is also closely related to Europe politically and economically. The paper analyzes the role of political leadership on the road to EU integration. The research is one of many efforts that have been undertaken lately on the European Union development, its enlargement policy and the integration of Macedonia in EU. Specifically, this type of research is very important for the Macedonia, having in mind that the country has experienced the worst and the longest transition after the Cold War. The aim of the paper is to identify the main difficulties and challenges that make this process less successful. Macedonia started this journey in 2001 by signing the PSA/MSA. Right after its independence the country has faced many internal and external challenges. The country id undergoing a 25 years’ transition period of democratization and consolidation. The road to EU Integration has made the country undergo many reforms in many fields. The country views the process of integration as a strategic objective. The EU union has shown its interest to include the aspiring countries from the Western Balkans in its family. There is a high percentage of citizens for this process. The political leadership has not been responsible for the reforms in the country that have been addressed by EU. The political leadership uses the EU membership as a rhetoric in political campaign rather than doing more for the process, the paper analyzes the rhetoric and the reality by different methodologies. Political leaders should do more for the EU Integration and consider themselves as the only responsible party.
Policymaking in a Multiethnic State, the Legal Changes, Practice of Macedonia
Authors: Kadriu Besa , Arifi Blerta
Published: July 2017

In contemporary terms and conditions, in addition to economic and social factors, political processes are one of the basic components of the proper functioning of a multi-ethnic state. Examples of proper practices of multiethnic states which operate in conformity with international standards, within the EU structures abound. This is in a group of countries which have previously significantly overcome the problems of transition and reform of the political system and have managed to establish standard which are inaccessible and levels of genuine democracy. The paper has aspirations to take into consideration the comparative aspects which can serve as a good example of the changes and development of the country towards Euro-Atlantic structures. That it happens with Western Balkan countries. The situation becomes even more difficult, especially in those cases where states and societies of the population is heterogeneous structure; Case of Macedonia, being convinced that has to do with a diverse population, the country still today fails to cross the barriers of the past from the old system. Institutions and decision-making bodies, now more than ever need to change policymaking process, prevention of discrimination and compliance values of the political, economic and social conformity with European standards
Professionalization, Insertion, Mobility and Professional Status. a Comparative Analysis in Populations of Doctors
Authors: Aparicio Miriam
Published: July 2017

This study is in line with the analyses of university and working career in their interaction in relation with conditioning factors, carried out by Dr. Aparicio for the past two decades with a variety of populations.t. The aim was to analyze the relation between working conditions and future working perspectives through social representations. There are three core variables: Professional Mobility, Professional Status and perspectives regarding the future of their careers at the personal development level and within the organizations, considering, on the one hand, insufficient Professionalization and the increasing market demands; and on the other the impact structural limits have on the identity level. The methodology used was quanti-qualitative (semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, and hierarchical evocations, out of which we will analyze one node: Labor Market). The population consisted of doctors (2005-2012) from the National University of Cuyo, in Argentina and the CNAM (France) of different courses of study. The analysis is done from a systemic sui generis perspective involving three interwoven levels (macro-meso-micro-macro), called The Theory of the Three-Dimensional Spiral of Sense (See Aparicio, 2015 c and d; also, 2005 2007a; 2007b, 2013a, 2014 b; 2015 c, 2015 d). The results show that it enters in the nucleus of such representations, which relates to the current issue of professional mobility, as regards different study courses and contexts; we can also observe the effect of professionalization on the insertion environment, and on the personal and organizational identity
Religious Harmony, An Important Factor in the Political Unity of Albanians
in Years 1912-1924
Authors: Mita Rudina
Published: July 2017

In the years 1912-1924, Albania was the place in which were four religions: Islam, Orthodox, Catholic and Bectashi. The ideological, political, cultural, educational movement known as the Albanian National Renaissance, (`30 years of the XIX century until 1912 with the declaration of independence of Albania), it devoted an important attention of the political unity of Albanians face as chauvinistic platforms like Megaliideja and Narcetania. present at the time and at high risk for Albanians. The objective of these platforms was as much territorial and assimilationist. The equality of nationality and religion was an idea which was becoming bigger; who was turk was a Muslim, who was catholic was Latino, who was greek was Orthodox. Endangered the existence of a nation. Albanian Renaissance before 1912 aimed to find ways and approsiate means that political unity of Albanians does not sullied in front of assimilating platforms. An important political act for albanians was the Declaration of Independence from the Ottoman Empire on 28 XI.1912. In such a decisive moment religious unity should be an important part for the benefit of political unity. The motto of the Renaissance was "The religion of Albanians is Albanianism", which resulted successfully. During these years albanians demonstrate unity and religious tolerance for political unification. Among the facts that demonstrated this thing mentioned: The government proposed by Ismail Qemal (primeminister) in the moments of the declaration of independence was not approved by the Albanian personalities in the assembly of Vlora. As part of its dominant elements of the Muslim faith, being rewritten after the elements of the four religions in Albania. Proof of this religious unity was the Regency, (Supreme Council), in 1920 the functions of Monarch with four personalities of four religious which functioned until 1924. This clearly demonstrates that the Albanians of all religious in front of national interests were unique. Respecting religious affiliations between them.
How Do Young People Respond to Conflict? A Comparative Study of Argentinean and Portuguese College Students
Authors: Silva Ana Maria Costa , Brandoni Florencia , Duque Eduardo
Published: July 2017

Questions relating to sociability, relationships concerning conflicts and behaviours of indiscipline and violence among young people have turned out to be of particular importance. Various studies exist about the sociability of young people (e.g. Machado Pais, 1990; Margulis - Urresti, 1998; Cangilini, 2004). Nevertheless, studies focused on sociability and behavior in the face of socially learned conflicts in the context of inter-personal relationships are still very scarce. The investigation carried out falls within the area of Co-operative Conflict Resolution (CCR) - a field of knowledge and practices that emerged in the 1980s (Ury - Fisher, 1991; Aréchaga, Brandoni - Finkelstein, 2004). The work that we present shows the results of a study undertaken with young people attending the first year of university education in public and private universities in Argentina and Portugal. This investigation, which was of an exploratory nature, had two general objectives: i) to analyse the ways of approaching conflicts by young people (aged 18 to 31 years); and ii) to understand the present day social dynamics that characterise these young people. The descriptive analysis of the data, which was obtained from the responses to a questionnaire with open and closed questions completed by around 700 young university students, revealed some differences concerning the behaviour adopted towards conflicts by these young Argentineans and young Portuguese.
The Introduction and the Application of Technological Innovations as Administrative Efficiency Factor in Education
Authors: D. Belias , E. Velissariou , D. Kyriakou , A. Koustelios , L. Sdrolias , K. Varsanis
Published: July 2017

Innovation is a rapidly developed issue, keeping all the aforementioned alerted. Considering this picture, the key issue of this thesis is to clarify the concept innovation as administrative efficiency factor in relation with education using the relevant literature. The existing literature indicates that educational structure and practices are in the center of great reforms. These reforms associated with New Public Management. NPM is a process that involves interaction between managers and markets. It is a set of cost-cutting and management concepts from the private sector including downsizing, entrepreneurialism, enterprise operations, quality management, customer service etc. According to that concept, school managers are trying to create a smaller, more responsive, more entrepreneurial and more effective public sector. Technological innovation has a key role on this and surely it can be the cornerstone of every change which may occur on this field of public administration.
The Role, Responsibilities and Duties of the Homeroom Teacher in Albania Education System During the Communist Regime (1945 – End of ’60-S)
Authors: Treska Lindita , Treska Tomi
Published: July 2017

Education is one of the most sensitive topics on a worldwide scale as it is one of the core components for a qualitative future generation. In Albania, education is always related and affected by the greatest political movements and events of the country’s history. As such important, observation the history education evolution can serve as a great source of understanding different issues that today society is facing and by the quality and quantity of the actual education we can invest in a better future for the country. The emphasis in this research is put at the period in between 1945 until end of ’60 as a timeframe snapshot of the evolution of the Albanian education. Extreme ideologization and politicization, are the key features of the role, responsibilities and duties of the homeroom teacher during the 50’s but that doesn’t mean that it continues the same for the homeroom teacher at the end of ‘60s. The ideologization and politicization expansion in Albanian schools comes intensified significantly based on the political and economic relations in between Albania and the Soviet Union. This is clearly expressed in the majority of articles and explication by the specialized pedagogical bodies in the periodicals of the time. Despite the fact that the model of the homeroom teacher had to be oriented toward the soviet model, some core features/functions are not changed as; The homeroom teacher been a key figure in the Albanian school, high school as well as seven grade education; He/she was responsible for the progress of his/her students, for order and discipline in class and the education of the class as a collective and each student of it; To achieve his/her role, the homeroom teacher must organize differentiated work as well as individual with students, to collaborate with other teachers with the pioneer and youth organization, with parents and with the school, where was obliged also to report periodically; In conclusion, although the Communist Party was inducting its models in the school and specifically in the role, responsibilities and duties of the homeroom teacher, this key role created some core values and competences inside the institution that would remain mostly untouched throughout different political changings
Negotiating Boundaries Between Gender and Social Identities in the Principality of Samos: The Case of Divorces (1902–1911)
Authors: Gialamas Vasilios , Tachou Sofia Iliadou , Orfanou Alexia
Published: July 2017

This study focuses on divorces in the Principality of Samos, which existed from 1834 to 1912. The process of divorce is described according to the laws of the rincipality, and divorces are examined among those published in the Newspaper of the Government of the Principality of Samos from the last decade of the Principality from 1902 to 1911. Issues linked to divorce are investigated, like the differences between husbands and wives regarding the initiation and reasons for requesting a divorce. These differences are integrated in the specific social context of the Principality, and the qualitative characteristics are determined in regard to the gender ratio of women and men that is articulated by the invocation of divorce. The aim is to determine the boundaries of social identities of gender with focus on the prevailing perceptions of the social roles of men and women. Gender is used as a social and cultural construction. It is argued that the social gender identity is formed through a process of “performativity”, that is, through adaptation to the dominant social ideals.
Teachers’ Professional Training for the Implementation of Learning Technologies
Authors: Këndusi Venera
Published: July 2017

Regarding to the rapid development of technique and technology in all areas of life, also in the education field such developments have a great impact. The frequent use of technologies and their advancement influence on students for the main purpose to achieve faster the knowledge. For this reason teachers should be in trend with new technological developments and they should be familiar with the technology usage in schools. In order that teaching process to be attractive and at the same time to achieve the highest quality of education there is a need that teachers should know the usage and application of technology during the process of teaching. The effect and the progress of teaching labor are gained with usage improvement of teaching technology. The purpose of this research is related to the professional training of primary school teachers in Gjakova municipality for the use of learning technologies as computers, projectors, laptop, etc, and their application in teaching practices in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning facilitation.
The Turkish Province from an English Diplomat’s Viewpoint 70 Years Ago
Authors: Satan Ali , Balcı Meral
Published: July 2017

In 1947, a British diplomat conducted a visit to the places travelled rarely by local and foreign travelers, The Black Sea Coast between Samsun and Giresun in the North, the Malatya-Erzincan train line in the South, the Sivas-Erzurum train route in the West, Erzincan-Şebinkarahisar- Giresun in the East, and reported what he saw to London. In secret report, there provided military, political, ethnographic and historical information. In rapidly changing life conditions in the world, this secret report, which was written seventy years ago, set us on a historical journey. In the year, which the secret report was written, Turkey preferred being part of Western bloc in newly established bipolar international system and British diplomats were trying to understand how Britain and the Soviet Union were looked at in the regions they visited. In the secret report, there were also striking observations regarding the activities of the newly formed opposition party (Democratic Party) in Anatolia, the distance between the Turkish elites and the Anatolian villagers, and the military-civilian relationship in Anatolia.
Professional Coordination in Cases of Child Maltreatment: Challenging Issues in Estonia, Finland, Slovenia and Spain. a Comparative Study
Authors: Järvenpää Elina , Martínez-Molina Sandra , Ferrer Jorge Garcés , Haage Barbara
Published: July 2017

Child maltreatment can be considered as a general term that includes not only what is usually considered overt violence, but all forms of actions and neglect that have a negative impact on the child. When investigating cases of child maltreatment, various kinds of professionals are involved, including ones from the child protection authority, education and healthcare system and judiciary. To make sure that no child in need of assistance would go unnoticed and without help, the skill of co-operating is of high importance. Thus, changing of information between specialists is crucial to recognize the victims at early stage and gather as much information as possible to get the full picture of the situation. To this end, this paper analyses the situation in Estonia, Finland, Slovenia and Spain related to professionals’ coordination challenges. Different methodology and instruments have been used such as desk research, focus groups, interviews and questionnaires to get an overview of the process in each country when child maltreatment cases are investigated. According to the results of the analyses, the main problems and areas which need improvement are quite similar in every country. Professionals intervening at a relatively late stage, the lack of time to co-operate and to discuss as well as and the lack of trust with other professionals can be regarded as the biggest problems in co-operation.
Explaining, Cultural, Educational and Social Needs of Faculty Members of Farhangiyan University - According to the Predetermined Goals of Education’s Fundamental Transformation Document
Authors: Basiri Batool , Nasr Ahmadreza , Mirshahjafari Seyedebrahim , Mehrmohammadi Mahmood
Published: July 2017

The present work is an applied and descriptive analysis survey method. Mixed techniques were applied. The Sample population in the qualitative section of the research consists of 19 thinkers; they were selected by purposeful sampling. The sample population was constituted by 181 faculty members of Farhangiyan Universities in six provinces. 150 of them were randomly selected. Research data was gathered by semi-structured interview and the researcher made the needed questionnaire. The most significant educational needs are:religious needs with emphasis on Islamic training and ethical, cultural and social needs which are discussed in four sub - categories:Cultural, Social, Ethical, Political. Quantitative results indicated that the need of such teachings is higher than intermediate level stated below. The most important need of faculty members in the cultural field is “being aware of the role of the university teachers about preserving, transferring, correcting and recreating culture”and their most important need as regards religious teaching is “the ability to use educational methods obtained from the Qoran and Nahjolbalaghe”( book of religious teachings).
From the Separate International Agreements to the Balkan Common Approach: Achievements and Challenges
Authors: LILA Fejzi
Published: July 2017

The end of the Cold War brought a lot of complication in the Balkans. The centre of problem was former Yugoslavia. The Federation faced political, ethnical end socio-economical challenges. The conflict exploded into bloody war. In order to bring the conflict to the end IC intervened end signed international agreements. The challenges remain these agreements to be implemented.
Numerical Study of Wall Shear and Velocities Using a Commercial CFD Code: Some Crucial Aspects to Consider
Authors: Baidar Binaya , Cervantes Michel
Published: July 2017

This paper presents the numerical prediction of wall shear and velocities in steady and superposed pulsatile turbulent flow in a pipe, the phenomena that can be observed in hydropower. The previously conducted experiment is a base for this study and some crucial aspects of CFD while using a commercial code have been emphasized. The widely-accepted grid convergence index approach is adopted to quantify the discretization uncertainty and the results are validated against the experiment. The influence of the wall functions applied in the code is also studied with two turbulence models: standard k-ε and based SST model. The time-averaged results of superposed flow with small amplitude unsteadiness are equivalent to results from the steady flow. The results and the method used in this paper may be useful for the CFD simulations in hydropower applications like penstock and bifurcations designs. 

 

HYDRO Nepal Journal

Journal of Water Energy and Environment

Issue: 21, July, 2017

Page: 45-49

Upload Date: July 18, 2017
EFFECT OF REPLACING MUSTARD OILCAKE BY LINSEED OILCAKE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF NILE TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Ghimire Suraj Babu , Ranjan Rahul
Published: July 2017

This study was done to explore the effect of replacing mustard oilcake by linseed oilcake in feed on the growth performance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Mustard oilcake (MOC) was replaced by linseed oil cake (LOC) at three different level 0%, 50% and 100% to prepare three different types of diets. Diets were prepared with about 18% analyzed crude protein content. Fingerlings were kept in three happa with three replications for each diet in completely randomized design (CRD). Fish of average weight 5.31 g were stocked in happa having size 1.5m×1.5m×1.2m. The experimental fish were fed 3% of their body weight per day, once in the morning for five months continuously. No significant difference (p>0.05) in final mean weight, final total weight, average daily weight gain (DWG), survival rate, extrapolated gross fish yield (GFY), extrapolated net fish yield (NFY) and apparent feed conversion ratio (AFCR) among different treatments were observed. Hence, linseed oilcake can be used as the substitute in the feed of tilapia, if it is locally available.  Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2017, 22 (1): 10-16
STRUCTURAL, ELECTRONIC AND VIBRATIONAL STUDY OF 4, 6-DICHLORO-5-METHYLPYRIMIDINE: A DFT APPROACH
Authors: Joshi Bhawani Datt
Published: July 2017

Molecular structure, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and theoretical vibrational spectra of 4, 6-dichloro-5-methylpyrimidine (DMP) molecule have been presented in this paper. The vibrational spectra were calculated for monomer, dimer and unit cell DMP molecule using density function theory (DFT) and ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) (for monomer) method employing 6-311++G (d, p) basis set using Gaussian 09 program. The frequencies obtained by DFT have smaller values than obtained from HF due to the inclusion of electron correlation in the previous one. Electronic absorption calculations are performed both in the gas and solvent phase using TD-DFT (including IEF-PCM model) to understand the stability, charge transfer and frontier molecular orbital energy gap. Large value of energy gap leads to the stability of molecule. Overlapping between calculated and the experimental structure show that the optimized geometry reproduced exactly similar structure as by the experiment.Journal of Institute of Science and TechnologyVolume 22, Issue 1, July 2017, Page: 51-60
CHARACTERIZATION OF CuO-NANOADDITIVE BLENDED ENGINE OIL
Authors: Subedi Bishow Raj , Trital Hira Mani , Rajbhandari Armila
Published: July 2017

Copper oxide (CuO) nanoadditives were successfully synthesized in laboratory by precipitation technique. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) showed the crystalline nature of CuO with the average crystal size of 10 nm. The prepared CuO has been blended with engine oil. Thus prepared modified engine oil showed good kinematic viscosity 158 cSt and 19.06 cSt at 40⁰C and 100⁰C respectively. The viscosity index was also found to be improved to 122. Similarly, the pour point was also found to be considerably decreased to -27⁰C which is due to presence of CuO that acts as good pour point depressant. The flash point of modified engine oil reached to 225⁰C. In addition, modified engine oil was found to be reluctant towards water and it does not contain noticeable amount of water and found to be noncorrosive in nature having copper strip corrosion rating 1b according to ASTM D-130 method. Results revealed that the physio-chemical parameters of engine oil could be improved by the addition of CuO nanoadditive.Journal of Institute of Science and TechnologyVolume 22, Issue 1, July 2017, page: 152-158
Literacy Outcomes of a Chinese/English Bilingual Program in Ontario
Authors: Koh Poh Wee , Chen Xi , Cummins James , Li Jia
Published: July 2017

This study examined the performance of Mandarin-speaking students in a K–Grade 4 50/50 Chinese/English bilingual program. The program was intended to facilitate students’ learning of English and their adjustment to English-medium instruction within the school context. The bilingual-program students were compared to students from Mandarin-speaking backgrounds whose school instruction was conducted totally in English but who attended a weekly 2.5-hour Chinese language class conducted outside of the regular school day through the International Languages Program funded by the Ontario government. Students’ abilities in phonological awareness, vocabulary knowledge, morphological awareness, and word reading were measured. Results showed that students in the bilingual program who received less English instruction overall performed comparably in all English measures to their peers in the English-only programs. Some differences in favour of the bilingual-program students were observed in Chinese language and literacy measures, specifically in character recognition. Students in the bilingual program performed above grade norms on standardized measures of English literacy skills and in the Grade 3 provincial standardized testing of English reading and writing abilities.
The Mauritian Truth and Justice Commission: Legitimacy, Political Negotiation and the Consequences of Slavery
Authors: Croucher Richard , Houssart Mark , Michel Didier
Published: July 2017

We examine the origins, processes and outcomes of the Mauritian Truth and Justice Commission's examination of slavery and its contemporary effects. It has not been considered a success by any commentator. We therefore ask how far James L. Gibson's application of legitimacy theory to ‘Truth Commissions’ has purchase in this context and whether it was cynically motivated. We use MTJC documentation, interviews and newspaper reports to show that Gibson's theory provides insight into MTJC outcomes while demonstrating that politico-economic power structures were crucial. Conversely, the MTJC does not sit easily in Van Zyl's ‘cynical operation’ category.
9/11 as False Flag: Why International Law Must Dare to Care
Authors: Benjamin Amy Baker
Published: July 2017

At the heart of contemporary international law lies a paradox: the attacks on the United States of September 11, 2001 have justified 16 years of international war, yet the official international community, embodied principally in the United Nations, has failed to question or even scrutinise the US government's account of those attacks. Despite the emergence of an impressive and serious body of literature that impugns the official account and even suggests that 9/11 may have been a classic (if unprecedentedly monstrous) false-flag attack, international statesmen, following the lead of scholars, have been reluctant to wade into what appears to be a very real controversy.

African nations are no strangers to the concept of the false flag tactic, and to its use historically in the pursuit of illegitimate geopolitical aims and interests. This article draws on recent African history in this regard, as well as on deeper twentieth-century European and American history, to lay a foundation for entertaining the possibility of 9/11-as-false-flag. This article then argues that the United Nations should seek to fulfil its core and incontrovertible ‘jury’ function of determining the existence of inter-state aggression in order to exercise a long-overdue oversight of the official 9/11 narrative.
Revisiting Chinese-ness: A Transcultural Exploration of Chinese Christians in Germany
Authors: Rao Xinzi
Published: July 2017

This paper proposes a transcultural exploration of Chinese Christians in Germany, based on two years of fieldwork. I problematise the key term ‘Chinese-ness’ in particular, and offer a re-imagination of culture, religion and religious community.

Literature on Chinese migrants rarely focuses on the religious perspective, and even when it does, it does not focus on the practitioners of Christianity and often assumes ‘Chinese’ as a national category or a culture that is confined to traditional philosophy. I call my informants ‘transcultural Chinese’ because this term best captures the complex dynamics of their unique community. Instead of being fellowships that only welcome Christian believers from the People's Republic of China, the term ‘Chinese’ in the name of these fellowships must be understood culturally rather than politically. My transcultural approach to their focus on being ‘Chinese’ and preserving the ‘Chinese-ness’ of the fellowship – a ‘Chinese-ness’ which lies in sharing the same language, similar experiences and selected cultural traditions – illuminates perception of the members’ identities and agency. Moreover, such selective Chinese-ness is a two-way street: non-Christian Chinese deny a welcome to the Christian Chinese as a part of their Chinese identity.
Optimized Neural Architecture for Automatic Landslide Detection from High‐Resolution Airborne Laser Scanning Data
Authors: Mezaal Mustafa Ridha , Pradhan Biswajeet , Sameen Maher Ibrahim , Mohd Shafri Helmi Zulhaidi , Yusoff Zainuddin Md
Published: July 2017

An accurate inventory map is a prerequisite for the analysis of landslide susceptibility, hazard, and risk. Field survey, optical remote sensing, and synthetic aperture radar techniques are traditional techniques for landslide detection in tropical regions. However, such techniques are time consuming and costly. In addition, the dense vegetation of tropical forests complicates the generation of an accurate landslide inventory map for these regions. Given its ability to penetrate vegetation cover, high-resolution airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) has been used to generate accurate landslide maps. This study proposes the use of recurrent neural networks (RNN) and multi-layer perceptron neural networks (MLP-NN) in landscape detection. These efficient neural architectures require little or no prior knowledge compared with traditional classification methods. The proposed methods were tested in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. Segmentation parameters and feature selection were respectively optimized using a supervised approach and correlation-based feature selection. The hyper-parameters of network architecture were defined based on a systematic grid search. The accuracies of the RNN and MLP-NN models in the analysis area were 83.33% and 78.38%, respectively. The accuracies of the RNN and MLP-NN models in the test area were 81.11%, and 74.56%, respectively. These results indicated that the proposed models with optimized hyper-parameters produced the most accurate classification results. LiDAR-derived data, orthophotos, and textural features significantly affected the classification results. Therefore, the results indicated that the proposed methods have the potential to produce accurate and appropriate landslide inventory in tropical regions such as Malaysia.
Street-Level Ventilation in Hypothetical Urban Areas
Authors: Ho Yat-Kiu , Liu Chun-Ho
Published: July 2017

Street-level ventilation is often weakened by the surrounding high-rise buildings. A thorough understanding of the flows and turbulence over urban areas assists in improving urban air quality as well as effectuating environmental management. In this paper, reduced-scale physical modeling in a wind tunnel is employed to examine the dynamics in hypothetical urban areas in the form of identical surface-mounted ribs in crossflows (two-dimensional scenarios) to enrich our fundamental understanding of the street-level ventilation mechanism. We critically compare the flow behaviors over rough surfaces with different aerodynamic resistance. It is found that the friction velocity u τ is appropriate for scaling the dynamics in the near-wall region but not the outer layer. The different freestream wind speeds ( U ∞ ) over rough surfaces suggest that the drag coefficient C d (= 2 u τ 2 / U ∞ 2 ) is able to characterize the turbulent transport processes over hypothetical urban areas. Linear regression shows that street-level ventilation, which is dominated by the turbulent component of the air change rate (ACH), is proportional to the square root of drag coefficient ACH ″ ∝ C d 1 / 2 . This conceptual framework is then extended to formulate a new indicator, the vertical fluctuating velocity scale in the roughness sublayer (RSL) w ^ RSL ″ , for breathability assessment over urban areas with diversified building height. Quadrant analyses and frequency spectra demonstrate that the turbulence is more inhomogeneous and the scales of vertical turbulence intensity w ″ w ″ ¯ 1 / 2 are larger over rougher surfaces, resulting in more efficient street-level ventilation.
A Bacteria-Based Self-Healing Cementitious Composite for Application in Low-Temperature Marine Environments
Authors: Palin Damian , Wiktor Virginie , Jonkers Henk
Published: July 2017

The current paper presents a bacteria-based self-healing cementitious composite for application in low-temperature marine environments. The composite was tested for its crack-healing capacity through crack water permeability measurements, and strength development through compression testing. The composite displayed an excellent crack-healing capacity, reducing the permeability of cracks 0.4 mm wide by 95%, and cracks 0.6 mm wide by 93% following 56 days of submersion in artificial seawater at 8 °C. Healing of the cracks was attributed to autogenous precipitation, autonomous bead swelling, magnesium-based mineral precipitation, and bacteria-induced calcium-based mineral precipitation in and on the surface of the bacteria-based beads. Mortar specimens incorporated with beads did, however, exhibit lower compressive strengths than plain mortar specimens. This study is the first to present a bacteria-based self-healing cementitious composite for application in low-temperature marine environments, while the formation of a bacteria-actuated organic–inorganic composite healing material represents an exciting avenue for self-healing concrete research.
Lidar and Multispectral Imagery Classifications of Balsam Fir Tree Status for Accurate Predictions of Merchantable Volume
Authors: Yoga Sarah , Bégin Jean , St-Onge Benoît , Gatziolis Demetrios
Published: July 2017

Recent increases in forest diseases have produced significant mortality in boreal forests. These disturbances influence merchantable volume predictions as they affect the distribution of live and dead trees. In this study, we assessed the use of lidar, alone or combined with multispectral imagery, to classify trees and predict the merchantable volumes of 61 balsam fir plots in a boreal forest in eastern Canada. We delineated single trees on a canopy height model. The number of detected trees represented 92% of field trees. Using lidar intensity and image pixel metrics, trees were classified as live or dead with an overall accuracy of 89% and a kappa coefficient of 0.78. Plots were classified according to their class of mortality (low/high) using a 10.5% threshold. Lidar returns associated with dead trees were clipped. Before clipping, the root mean square errors were of 22.7 m3 ha−1 in the low mortality plots and of 39 m3 ha−1 in the high mortality plots. After clipping, they decreased to 20.9 m3 ha−1 and 32.3 m3 ha−1 respectively. Our study suggests that lidar and multispectral imagery can be used to accurately filter dead balsam fir trees and decrease the merchantable volume prediction error by 17.2% in high mortality plots and by 7.9% in low mortality plots.
Single-Valued Neutrosophic Hybrid Arithmetic and Geometric Aggregation Operators and Their Decision-Making Method
Authors: Lu Zhikang , Ye Jun
Published: July 2017

Single-valued neutrosophic numbers (SVNNs) can express incomplete, indeterminate, and inconsistent information in the real world. Then, the common weighted aggregation operators of SVNNs may result in unreasonably aggregated results in some situations. Based on the hybrid weighted arithmetic and geometric aggregation and hybrid ordered weighted arithmetic and geometric aggregation ideas, this paper proposes SVNN hybrid weighted arithmetic and geometric aggregation (SVNNHWAGA) and SVNN hybrid ordered weighted arithmetic and geometric aggregation (SVNNHOWAGA) operators and investigates their rationality and effectiveness by numerical examples. Then, we establish a multiple-attribute decision-making method based on the SVNNHWAGA or SVNNHOWAGA operator under a SVNN environment. Finally, the multiple-attribute decision-making problem about the design schemes of punching machine is presented as a case to show the application and rationality of the proposed decision-making method.
Infrared Dissimilar Joining of Ti50Ni50 and 316L Stainless Steel with Copper Barrier Layer in between Two Silver-Based Fillers
Authors: Shiue Ren-Kae , Wu Shyi-Kaan , Yang Sheng-Hao , Liu Chun-Kai
Published: July 2017

Infrared dissimilar joining Ti50Ni50 and 316L stainless steel using Cu foil in between Cusil-ABA and BAg-8 filler metals has been studied. The Cu foil serves as a barrier layer with thicknesses of 70 μm and 50 μm, and it successfully isolates the interfacial reaction between Ti and Fe at the 316L SS (stainless steel) substrate side. In contrast, the Cu foil with 25 μm in thickness is completely dissolved into the braze melt during brazing and fails to be a barrier layer. A layer of (CuxNi1−x)2Ti intermetallic is formed at the Ti50Ni50 substrate side, and the Cu interlayer is dissolved into the Cusil-ABA melt to from a few proeutectic Cu particles for all specimens. For the 316L SS substrate side, no interfacial layer is observed and (Ag, Cu) eutectic dominates the brazed joint for 70 μm/50 μm Cu foil. The average shear strength of the bond with Cu barrier layer is greatly increased compared with that without Cu. The brazed joints with a 50 μm Cu layer demonstrate the highest average shear strengths of 354 MPa and 349 MPa for samples joined at 820 °C and 850 °C, respectively. Cracks are initiated/propagated in (Ag, Cu) eutectic next to the 316L substrate side featured with ductile dimple fracture. It shows great potential for industrial application.
An Inexpensive Paper-Based Aluminum-Air Battery
Authors: Avoundjian Ani , Galvan Vicente , Gomez Frank
Published: July 2017

Paper-based batteries are an alternative to traditional batteries due to their low cost, portability, and simplicity to operate. In the present work, we demonstrate an improved and inexpensive paper-based aluminum-air battery employing KOH as the electrolyte with sufficient energy to power small devices. The dimensions of the device, electrode size, and electrolyte concentration were optimized with respect to amperage and reproducibility. The maximum amperage of 17.4 mA and maximum power of 3.0 mW was achieved with a 9 cm2 battery with anode and cathode electrode areas of 5.1 cm2 and 3.75 cm2 respectively, using 1.5 M potassium hydroxide (KOH). In a series configuration, the batteries generate sufficient energy to power light-emitting diodes (LEDs), a flashlight, a glucometer, and a pregnancy test.
Investigation of the Effect of the Degree of Processing of Radix Rehmanniae Preparata (Shu Dihuang) on Shu Dihuangtan Carbonization Preparation Technology
Authors: Meng Xianglong , He Meijing , Guo Rui , Duan Rui , Huo Fengxian , Lv Chenzi , Wang Bo , Zhang Shuosheng
Published: July 2017

Carbonization of Radix Rehmanniae Preparata (Shu Dihuangtan) via stir-frying could increase its homeostasis maintaining and antidiarrheal effects. To ensure these pharmacological functions, the quality of the raw material (processed Rehmanniae Radix) must be well controlled. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of different degrees of processing and adjuvants on processed Rehmanniae Radix (Shu Dihuang) by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) chromatographic fingerprints, thermal gravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Based on the results from HPLC fingerprints combined with similarity analysis (SA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) the optimum processing method for Shu Dihuang was five cycles of steaming and polishing, which follows the ancient processing theory. The intensity of thermal weight loss rate peaked near 210.33 ± 4.32 °C or 211.33 ± 2.62 °C, which was an important indicator for the degree of processing of Shu Dihuang. A temperature near 290.89 ± 2.51 °C was the upper limit for carbonizing Shu Dihuangtan. FTIR spectroscopy analysis showed that the overall chemical composition of Shu Dihuangtan was affected by both the degree of processing and adjuvant, which are very important for its quality.
Photosynthesis-Inhibiting Activity of 1-[(2-Chlorophenyl)carbamoyl]- and 1-[(2-Nitrophenyl)carbamoyl]naphthalen-2-yl Alkylcarbamates
Authors: Gonec Tomas , Stranik Josef , Pesko Matus , Kos Jiri , Oravec Michal , Kralova Katarina , Jampilek Josef
Published: July 2017

Eight 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)carbamoyl]naphthalen-2-yl alkylcarbamates and eight 1-[(2-nitrophenyl)carbamoyl]naphthalen-2-yl alkylcarbamates were tested for their activity related to the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport (PET) in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts. The PET-inhibiting activity of the compounds was relatively low; the corresponding IC50 values ranged from 0.05 to 0.664 mmol/L; and the highest activity within the series of compounds was observed for 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)-carbamoyl]naphthalen-2-yl propylcarbamate. It has been proven that the compounds are PET-inhibitors in photosystem II. Despite rather low PET-inhibiting activities, primary structure-activity trends can be discussed.
Akanthopyrones A–D, α-Pyrones Bearing a 4-O-Methyl-β-d-glucopyranose Moiety from the Spider-Associated Ascomycete Akanthomyces novoguineensis
Authors: Kuephadungphan Wilawan , Helaly Soleiman , Daengrot Charuwan , Phongpaichit Souwalak , Luangsa-ard Janet , Rukachaisirikul Vatcharin , Stadler Marc
Published: July 2017

Hypocrealean fungi have proved to be prolific bioactive metabolite producers; they have caught the attention of mycologists throughout the world. However, only a few studies on the insect and spider parasitic genus Akanthomyces have so far been carried out. In this study, we report the isolation, structural elucidation and biological activities of four unprecedented glycosylated α-pyrone derivatives, akanthopyrones A–D (1–4), from a culture of Akanthomyces novoguineensis collected in Thailand. The chemical structures of the akanthopyrones were determined by extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR, and HRMS spectroscopic analysis. Their absolute configurations were determined. Akanthopyrone A (1) exhibited weak antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis DSM10 and cytotoxicity against the HeLa cell line KB-3-1, while akanthopyrone D (4) showed weak activity against Candida tenuis MUCL 29892.