bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of stock return and ownership structure on investment risk in manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) 2011 - 2013
Authors: Meliana Anggraeni , Dewi Nurul Hasanah Uswati
Published: February 2017

This research aims to examine the effect of stock returns and ownership structure on the investment risk. The variables of this study are dependent variable, consisting of investment risk, and independent variable, consisting of stock return and ownership structure. The ownership structure in this study is measured using managerial own-ership and institutional ownership. The study sample consists of 101 manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) 2011-2013. The result indicates that stock return has a positive effect on investment risk. If the investors expect the higher return rate, they must have the courage to bear the higher risk. The ownership structure does not have a negative effect on investment risk. It is because the ownership structure of a company is not included among the factors that affect the size of the investment risk that is likely to be experienced by investors. The implication of this study is that investors pay less attention to the ownership of the company to be invested. Therefore, the investors are expected to be more aware of the importance of ownership and corporate governance. Thus, it can reduce the failure experienced by investors in investing.
Incomprehension, dependency, and distrust in the presentation of fixed asset figures: Front stage dramaturgy
Authors: Tresnawati Eka Findi , Djamhuri Ali , Kamayanti Ari
Published: February 2017

This study aims to explore the role of actors in presenting financial statements and those who manage assets in performing the presentation of fixed assets figures in the balance sheet. These actors consist of the major parts in various stories. Dramaturgy was employed as a method to analyze the roles, coupled with an analysis of impression management from John and Pittman Taxonomy. A thorough research review was conducted on the front stage. In some scenes, the actors performed intimidation when forcing other actors to present the asset data instantly. In another time, ingratiation was done to cover the weak-nesses when the assets caretaker felt neglected. The role of self-promotion was performed by the Financial Manager of Regional Work Unit (PPK-SKPD) when he wanted to show that he had worked hard to prepare the balance sheet and refuses to bear the errors when the balance sheet presenting assets data was in trouble. Impression management techniques were used entirely by the actors to show the desired self-image, at certain time and in cer-tain circumstances. The roles played by the actors give rise to the phenomenon that the fixed assets figures presented in the balance sheet rest on the condition of incomprehension, dependency, and distrust between the actors. The presentation of fixed assets figures in the balance sheet shows a series of accounting process filled by conflict, as seen throughout the show. This research is expected to increase the study in the context of academic on the topic of fixed assets, particularly in the public sector (government).
The effect of intellectual capital on the financial performance of insurance companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (ISE)
Authors: Arifa Putri Alif , Ahmar Nurmala
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of Intellectual Capital (VAICTM), with major components of physical capital (VACA), human capital (VAHU), and structural capital (STVA), on financial performance, with indicators of Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE). Data are taken from 10 insurance com-panies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for four years, 2010-2013. The support-ing data include reference books and journals of previous researches. The data analysis is conducted using Partial Least Square (PLS). The results show that intellectual capital (VAICTM) has significant effect on the financial performance. Physical capital (VACA) and human capital (VAHU) are significant indicators for VAICTM. Mean-while, structural capital (STVA) is not significant. The indicators of financial perfor-mance, both ROA and ROE, are significantly affected by intellectual capital for four years.
The determinants of accounting fraud tendency
Authors: Putri Predita Arie Ayu , Irwandi Soni Agus
Published: February 2017

This study aims to retest the effect of internal control effectiveness, compensation system suitability, and information asymmetry, adherence to accounting rules, and management morality on accounting fraud tendency. This study uses agency theory and fraud triangle as a grand theory. This study was conducted in 19 companies in Surabaya with 79 managers as respondents. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression models with SPSS software. The results show that internal control effectiveness, compensation system suitability, information asymmetry, adherence to accounting rules, and management morality have a significant effect on accounting fraud tendency.
Szkoła – nauczyciel – grupa w środowisku zróżnicowanym kulturowo na przykładzie uczniów romskich w polskich szkołach
Authors: Gromadzka Beata
Published: February 2017

Celem artykułu jest ukazanie wartości pracy w grupach wielokulturowych dla tworzenia zróżnicowanego i korzystnego wychowawczo środowiska edukacyjnego. Współczesna sytuacja migracyjna stanowi wyzwanie dla polskiej szkoły z reguły monokulturowej. Najważniejsze obecnie jest wyposażenie nauczycieli w umiejętności, które pozwolą im rozpoznać i kształtować własne postawy wobec zróżnicowania kulturowego oraz wykorzystać wychowawczo i dydaktycznie pracę w wielokulturowych zespołach. Podstawę mogą stanowić praktyki edukacyjne stosowane w klasach, w których uczą się dzieci romskie. Zdobyte doświadczenia mogą posłużyć do modyfikowania programów studiów nauczycielskich i tworzenia modeli pracy w wielokulturowym środowisku.
Duch Hamleta na szklanym ekranie
Authors: Kwiatkowska Agnieszka
Published: February 2017

Każda ekranizacja, adaptacja filmowa lub wystawienie na scenie zawiera w sobie elementy interpretacji dzieła literackiego i determinuje określony sposób jego odczytania. Artykuł prezentuje to na przykładzie ekranizacji i adaptacji Hamleta Szekspira. W tekście przywołano dzieła filmowe takich twórców jak Laurence Olivier, Alan Dent, Akira Kurosawa, John Gielgud, Bill Colleran, Grigori Kozincew i Franco Zeffirelli. Ze szczególną uwagą omówiona została postać ojca Hamleta, różnorodnie przedstawiania w kolejnych ekranizacjach szekspirowskiego dramatu.
Projekt „Literatura”
Authors: Kowalska Urszula
Published: February 2017

Artykuł prezentuje refleksje związane z uniwersytecką dydaktyką literatury oraz koniecznością (uzasadnioną bądź nie) dostosowania metod kształcenia do możliwości współczesnego odbiorcy. Poruszone zostały w nim także kwestie dotyczącego definiowania nowego pokolenia studentów przez pryzmat cyfrowych technologii. Fundamentalne dla rozważań jest jednak zagadnienie akademickiej edukacji literackiej, która nierzadko nie wzbudza entuzjazmu wśród studentów, traktujących przedmiot jako mało praktyczny. W tekście odwołuję się do własnych doświadczeń dydaktycznych, wyrażając przekonanie, że odarta ze sztywnych reguł współczesnego kształcenia oraz uwolniona z konieczności urozmaicania dyskusji nowatorskimi metodami aktywizującymi studenta, literatura broni się sama, podlegając jednak w głównej mierze interpretacji przez pryzmat współczesności. Artykuł, zwracając uwagę na przemiany czytelnictwa, edukacji i historycznej pamięci, prezentuje stanowisko wyrażające potrzebę powrotu do klasycznych ścieżek edukacyjnych – dialogu i dyskusji o doświadczeniu czytelniczym.
Synthesis and evaluation of novel mutual prodrugs of Piroxicam
Authors: Redasani Vivekkumar K , Bhalerao Omkar C. , Kalaskar Mohan G. , Surana Sanjay J.
Published: February 2017

Therapeutic efficacy of piroxicam can be improved by retarding gastrointestinal side effects by means of temporarily modification of enolic hydroxyl group chemically. The NSAIDs such as aceclofenac, ibuprofen, mefenamic acid and naproxen were selected as promoities with the aim of getting synergistic effect through these well known pharmaco-counter parts. The targeted prodrugs are synthesized successfully and confirmed by characterization. Synthesis involved chlorination of NSAIDs and coupling of this acid chloride with piroxicam through enolic hydroxyl group to get ester derivatives. Mutual prodrugs were evaluated by hydrolysis study at different pH (acidic, neutral, alkaline) using phosphate buffer. Prodrug derivatives were found to be stable at acidic and neutral pH but prone to hydrolysis at alkaline pH. Thus the objective of the presented study was to overcome the undesirable side effects of NSAIDs. Thus, current studies confirms that the mutual prodrug approach can be appliedÂ  effectively in order toÂ  achieve the purpose of raising effectiveness of piroxicam under two lines; firstly, masking of enolic hydroxyl group through acids and converting them to esters and secondly, utilizing the known NSAIDs for achieving the synergistic effect.
A Validated Stability Indicating RP-HPLC Method for the Estimation of an Anti-Cancer Drug Regorafenib in Pure and Pharmaceutical Dosage Form
Authors: Jayaprakash Ramesh , Natesan Senthil Kumar
Published: February 2017

A simple, economic, accurate, sensitive, specific and precise stability indicating reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic [RP-HPLC] method for the determination of Regorafenib in pure and tablet dosage from was developed and validated. The chromatographic separation was carried out using Phenomenex Luna-C18 column (4.5x250 mm; 5 Âµm particle size) as a stationary phase and methanol: acetonitrile: water (55:25:20 v/v/v) as a mobile phase. The flow rate of 1 mL/min was used with PDA detection at 275 nm. The retention time of Regorafenib was 2.480 min. RP-HPLC method was developed with linearity range of 40-240 Âµg/mL of Regorafenib. The correlation coefficient [r2] was found to be 0.9999. The assay results obtained was in good agreement with the corresponding labeled amount by developed method within range of 98.83 Â± 0.6937. Accuracy of the method was confirmed by recovery studies and the recoveries were found to be between 99.61 % and 100.22 %, the corresponding %RSD was found to be 0.2029. Precision, LOD, LOQ, specificity, robustness and ruggedness were performed as per ICH Q2(R1) guidelines and were within the acceptance criteria. This method can be conveniently used to detect the possible degradation product in the dosage form of Regorafenib during stability studies (acidic, alkaline, oxidative, thermal and photolytic). The method proved to be effective on the analysis of stressed marketed tablet formulation.
Bile acids potentiate proton‐activated currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing human acid‐sensing ion channel (ASIC1a)
Authors: Ilyaskin Alexandr V. , Diakov Alexei , Korbmacher Christoph , Haerteis Silke
Published: February 2017

Acid‐sensing ion channels (ASICs) are nonvoltage‐gated sodium channels transiently activated by extracellular protons and belong to the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)/Degenerin (DEG) family of ion channels. Bile acids have been shown to activate two members of this family, the bile acid‐sensitive ion channel (BASIC) and ENaC. To investigate whether bile acids also modulate ASIC function, human ASIC1a was heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Exposing oocytes to tauro‐conjugated cholic (t‐CA), deoxycholic (t‐DCA), and chenodeoxycholic (t‐CDCA) acid at pH 7.4 did not activate ASIC1a‐mediated whole‐cell currents. However, in ASIC1a expressing oocytes the whole‐cell currents elicited by pH 5.5 were significantly increased in the presence of these bile acids. Single‐channel recordings in outside‐out patches confirmed that t‐DCA enhanced the stimulatory effect of pH 5.5 on ASIC1a channel activity. Interestingly, t‐DCA reduced single‐channel current amplitude by ~15% which suggests an interaction of t‐DCA with a region close to the channel pore. Molecular docking predicted binding of bile acids to the pore region near the degenerin site (G433) in the open conformation of the channel. Site‐directed mutagenesis demonstrated that the amino acid residue G433 is critically involved in the potentiating effect of bile acids on ASIC1a activation by protons.
Der Pragmatismus zwischen Naturalismus und Experientalismus
Authors: Henning Christoph
Published: February 2017

Comparing Hans Joas’s book (Die Sakralität der Person, Berlin 2011) with its critique by Anton Leist (“Kann personale Heiligkeit Menschenrechte fördern?”, in this journal), I differentiate different fields of combat. The mainstream of Leist’s criticism is, I think, misdirected. Leist accuses Joas of ‘Christianising’ human rights, which alleges a binary logic (either religious or secular justifications of human rights) that does not do justice to Joas’s approach. For Joas, human rights are something in their own right which emerged from secular and religious discourse and hence cannot be reduced to either of them. I criticize Leist’s effort to draft a new justification of human rights in terms of interests and the counter-intuitive and revisionary consequences of this. Here, Joas’s ‘experientalism’ is to be preferred, because it remains loyal to human rights (that is the point of “affirmative genealogy”). I agree with Leist’s claim, however, that Joas could have made a much stronger case for the secular version of his argument, perhaps by using other authors. As it stands now, Joas’s book can be (mis)read as an effort to re-Christianise human rights. (This would no longer be affirmative, but revisionary as well.) The idea of an „affirmative genealogy“ is an ingenious methodological innovation that allows the combination of normative philosophy with sociological contextualisation (this latter usually has a rather destructive effect on ‘meaning‘). Yet the question remains whether a contextualisation of peoples experiences and emotions, which leads them to believing in certain norms, can also be read as a philosophical justification of these norms.
Double Sequences and Iterated Limits in Regular Space
Authors: Coghetto Roland
Published: February 2017

First, we define in Mizar [5], the Cartesian product of two filters bases and the Cartesian product of two filters. After comparing the product of two Fréchet filters on ℕ (F1) with the Fréchet filter on ℕ × ℕ (F2), we compare limF₁ and limF₂ for all double sequences in a non empty topological space.

Endou, Okazaki and Shidama formalized in [14] the “convergence in Pringsheim’s sense” for double sequence of real numbers. We show some basic correspondences between the p-convergence and the filter convergence in a topological space. Then we formalize that the double sequence converges in “Pringsheim’s sense” but not in Frechet filter on ℕ × ℕ sense.

In the next section, we generalize some definitions: “is convergent in the first coordinate”, “is convergent in the second coordinate”, “the lim in the first coordinate of”, “the lim in the second coordinate of” according to [14], in Hausdorff space.

Finally, we generalize two theorems: (3) and (4) from [14] in the case of double sequences and we formalize the “iterated limit” theorem (“Double limit” [7], p. 81, par. 8.5 “Double limite” [6] (TG I,57)), all in regular space. We were inspired by the exercises (2.11.4), (2.17.5) [17] and the corrections B.10 [18].
Delta sets for nonsymmetric numerical semigroups with embedding dimension three
Authors: García-Sánchez Pedro A. , Llena David , Moscariello Alessio
Published: February 2017

We present a fast algorithm to compute the Delta set of a nonsymmetric numerical semigroup with embedding dimension three. We also characterize the sets of integers that are the Delta set of a numerical semigroup of this kind.
Redescription and phylogenetic analyses of Thaparocleidus gomtius and T. sudhakari (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) from Wallago attu (Siluriformes: Siluridae) in India
Authors: Verma C. , Chaudhary A. , Singh H. S.
Published: February 2017

Two species of Thaparocleidus Jain (1952a) were found harboring W. attu from the Ganga River at two localities, Meerut and Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, during the period of 2013-2015. Morphology and morphometric study of specimens identified as Thaparocleidus gomtius (Jain, 1952a) Lim, 1996 and T. sudhakari (Gusev, 1976) Lim, 1996. Molecular analyses using the 18S rRNA gene confirmed the validity of T. gomtius and T. sudhakari and demonstrated that both the species clustered with other Thaparocleidus species from different geographical regions. We aim at reassessing the taxonomy and establishing the phylogenetic relationships among these two redescribed species with other representatives of the genus Thaparocleidus.
Procamallanus spiculogubernaculus Agarwal, 1958 (Nematoda: Camallanidae) from Stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis in India: morphological characterization and molecular data
Authors: Chaudhary A. , Verma C. , Tomar V. , Singh H. S.
Published: February 2017

The nematode, Procamallanus spiculogubernaculus Agarwal, 1958 was found from the Stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794) from Ghazipur, Delhi, India. Morphological characterization, including scanning electron microscope observation supplemented with DNA sequences is provided. Specimens recently found are characterized by the presence of an unlined buccal capsule having a small basal ring, esophagus muscular and glandular, vulva position is slightly post-equatorial, tail conical, long, and ending in three digit-like processes, phasmids present at about mid-length and cloaca located at the posterior end. In this study the species P. spiculogubernaculus is validated on the basis of molecular data after 47 years from its original description. In the scanning electron microscope examination, the topology of mouth and sensory pits in anterior portion, while the phasmids and digit like processes in posterior portion is clearly observed. Molecular data of the 18S ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene were analyzed. Molecular phylogenetic analyses supported the validity of Procamallanus spiculogubernaculus and confirmed the paraphyletic status of the members of Procamallanus, Spirocamallanus, Camallanus and Paracamallanus. Taxonomic status of members of the family Camallanidae are briefly discussed along with the results of the systematic evaluation of P. spiculogubernaculus based on molecular data.
Aging of a Low Carbon Heat Resistant Cast Alloy
Authors: Sustaita-Torres Ireri A. , Haro-Rodríguez Sergio , Colás Rafael
Published: February 2017

The changes in microstructure that take place during aging a low carbon heat resistant alloy at 750°C for a period of time of up to 1,000 h were studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and mechanical testing. The microstructure of the as-cast alloy consisted of an austenitic matrix and a network of Nb- and Cr-rich primary carbides that were identified by their tonality when viewed in backscattered mode in a scanning electron microscopy. Aging promotes precipitation of secondary carbides and the transformation of the Nb-rich particles. The mechanical properties are affected by the occurrence of the different phenomena.
Price Responsive Demand Management of an Industrial Buyer in Day-ahead Electricity Market
Authors: Jain Arvind Kumar , Srivastava S. C.
Published: February 2017

An industrial buyer, who can reschedule its production plan, may develop strategic bid by shifting its demand from high price period to low price period. Based on this concept, a new optimization formulation has been proposed to develop bidding strategy of such buyers considering Price Responsive Demand Shifting (PRDS). Since the bidding strategy of the buyer depends upon the market clearing price, which is volatile/uncertain due to various factors like gaming behavior of participants, demand forecasting error, transmission congestion etc, the proposed optimization problem is formulated as a stochastic linear problem, comprising of two sub-problems. The first sub-problem represents the market clearing process by the System Operator, which is formulated to maximize the social welfare of the market participants, while the second sub-problem aims at maximizing the purchase cost saving of the industrial buyer. The optimal bidding strategy has been obtained by solving these two sub-problems considering hourly market clearing for 24-hour scheduling period. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been tested on a 5-bus system and modified IEEE 30-bus system. Results obtained with the demand shifting based bidding strategy have been compared with those obtained with a Conventional Price Quantity (CPQ) bid strategy. It has been observed that the proposed approach leads to enhancement in the purchase cost saving as compared to the CPQ and meets the energy consumption targets of the industrial buyer.
On Thompson’s conjecture for alternating groups of large degree
Authors: Gorshkov Ilya B.
Published: February 2017

For a finite group G, let

N
⁢

(
G
)

{N(G)}

denote the set of conjugacy
class sizes of G. We show that if G is a finite group with trivial
center such that

N
⁢

(
G
)

=

N
⁢

(

Alt
n

)

{N(G)=N(\mathrm{Alt}_{n})}

, where

n
>
1361

{n>1361}

and
n or

n
-
1

{n-1}

is a sum of two primes, then

G
≃

Alt
n

{G\simeq\mathrm{Alt}_{n}}

.
Serum cholesterol acceptor capacity in intrauterine growth restricted fetuses
Authors: Pecks Ulrich , Rath Werner , Bauerschlag Dirk O. , Maass Nicolai , Orlikowsky Thorsten , Mohaupt Markus G. , Escher Geneviève
Published: February 2017

Aim:

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases later in life. The mechanisms whereby slowed intrauterine growth confers vascular risk are not clearly established. In general, a disturbed cholesterol efflux has been linked to atherosclerosis. The capacity of serum to accept cholesterol has been repeatedly evaluated in clinical studies by the use of macrophage-based cholesterol efflux assays and, if disturbed, precedes atherosclerotic diseases years before the clinical diagnosis. We now hypothesized that circulating cholesterol acceptors in IUGR sera specifically interfere with cholesterol transport mechanisms leading to diminished cholesterol efflux.

Methods:

RAW264.7 cells were used to determine efflux of [3H]-cholesterol in response to [umbilical cord serum (IUGR), n=20; controls (CTRL), n=20].

Results:

Cholesterol efflux was lower in IUGR as compared to controls [controls: mean 7.7% fractional [3H]-cholesterol efflux, standard deviation (SD)=0.98; IUGR: mean 6.3%, SD=0.79; P<0.0001]. Values strongly correlated to HDL (ρ=0.655, P<0.0001) and apoE (ρ=0.510, P=0.0008), and mildly to apoA1 (ρ=0.3926, P=0.0122) concentrations.

Conclusions:

Reduced cholesterol efflux in IUGR could account for the enhanced risk of developing cardiovascular diseases later in life.
The market for English Premier League (EPL) odds
Authors: Feng Guanhao , Polson Nicholas , Xu Jianeng
Published: February 2017

This paper employs a Skellam process to represent real-time betting odds for English Premier League (EPL) soccer games. Given a matrix of market odds on all possible score outcomes, we estimate the expected scoring rates for each team. The expected scoring rates then define the implied volatility of an EPL game. As events in the game evolve, we re-estimate the expected scoring rates and our implied volatility measure to provide a dynamic representation of the market’s expectation of the game outcome. Using a dataset of 1520 EPL games from 2012–2016, we show how our model calibrates well to the game outcome. We illustrate our methodology on real-time market odds data for a game between Everton and West Ham in the 2015–2016 season. We show how the implied volatility for the outcome evolves as goals, red cards, and corner kicks occur. Finally, we conclude with directions for future research.
Mechanical Stimulation Modifies Canopy Architecture and Improves Volume Utilization Efficiency in Bell Pepper: Implications for Bioregenerative Life-support and Vertical Farming
Authors: Graham Thomas , Wheeler Raymond
Published: February 2017

Mechanical stimuli or stress has been shown to induce characteristic morphogenic responses (thigmomorphogenesis) in a range of crop species. The typical mechanically stimulated phenotype is shorter and more compact than non-mechanically stimulated plants. This dwarfing effect can be employed to help conform crop plants to the constraints of spaceflight and vertical agriculture crop production systems. Capsicum annum (cv. California Wonder) plants were grown in controlled environment chambers and subjected to mechanical stimulation in the form of firm but gentle daily rubbing of internode tissue with a tightly wrapped cotton swab. Two studies were conducted, the first being a vegetative growth phase study in which plants were mechanically stimulated until anthesis. The second study carried the mechanical stimulation through to fruit set. The response during the vegetative growth experiment was consistent with other results in the literature, with a general reduction in all plant growth metrics and an increase in relative chlorophyll (SPAD) content under mechanical stimulation. In the fruiting phase study, only height and stem thickness differed from the control plants. Using the data from the fruiting study, a rudimentary calculation of volume use efficiency (VUE) improvements was conducted. Results suggest that VUE can be improved, particularly in terrestrial vertical agriculture systems that can take advantage of moderate height reductions by exploiting much greater vertical capacity in the production system. Mechanical stimulation can also improve VUE in spaceflight applications by reducing vertical system requirements or by expanding the species range that can be grown in a fixed production volume. Mechanical stimulation is also discussed as a microgravity countermeasure for crop plants.
“The thick and black clouds of Obloquie”:
Modality and Point of View in Abiezer
Coppe’s ‘A Remonstrance’
Authors: Borgogni Daniele
Published: February 2017

This article discusses the interaction between modality, point of view and ideology in Abiezer
Coppe’s A Remonstrance (1651), a letter of protestation written in prison by one of the most infamous
radical thinkers of England in the 1650’s. Point of view is one the most fruitful topics of stylistic enquiry,
in particular in its interaction with modality as carrier of ideological effects, but, as recent studies amply
demonstrate, it is advisable to adopt a heuristic methodology integrating a code-driven approach with
a use-driven model in order to account for a wider variety of expressive means for the realisation of
modality. As this article tries to show, in Coppe’s text this modal function is mainly performed by periodic
sentences and digressions, which act as modalizing structures in the text and, together with the creation
of weak implicatures, introduce a destabilizing element with clear ideological implications. The stylistic
analysis of A Remonstrance shows how this apparently sincere protestation of innocence is in fact a
layered, polysemous text that problematizes the idea itself of sincerity, uses a varied set of modalizing
elements to convey an alternative point of view, and produces interstitial (even subversive) reading
possibilities.
Natural rubber/tetra-needle-like zinc oxide whisker composites: their preparation and characterization
Authors: Chen Xi , Hu Zhibiao , Zhang Fuquan , Zhang Zhusen
Published: February 2017

Tetra-needle-like zinc oxide whiskers (T-ZnOw) were modified by Si69, and natural rubber (NR)/Si69-T-ZnOw composites were developed by latex-compounding techniques. The mechanical properties, morphology, cross-link density, and thermogravimetry of the composites were investigated. The results show that the tetra-needles of T-ZnOw tightly insert into the rubber matrix. T-ZnOw, which have a special four-dimensional structure, act as a skeleton in the rubber matrix. In comparison with the host NR, the mechanical properties, cross-link density, and thermostability of the resulting composites were significantly improved at Si69-T-ZnOw loadings of 4 wt%. During the thermal decomposition, various characteristic temperatures of the NR/Si69-T-ZnOw composites increase 5–9°C over those of the pure NR. The NR/Si69-T-ZnOw composites have great potential to manufacture medical protective products with high performances.
Biogenetic and morphofunctional heterogeneity of mitochondria: the case of synaptic mitochondria
Authors: Fedorovich Sergei V. , Waseem Tatyana V. , Puchkova Ludmila V.
Published: February 2017

The mitochondria of different cells are different in their morphological and biochemical properties. These organelles generate free radicals during activity, leading inevitably to mitochondrial DNA damage. It is not clear how this problem is addressed in long-lived cells, such as neurons. We propose the hypothesis that mitochondria within the same cell also differ in lifespan and ability to divide. According to our suggestion, cells have a pool of ‘stem’ mitochondria with low metabolic activity and a pool of ‘differentiated’ mitochondria with significantly shorter lifespans and high metabolic activity. We consider synaptic mitochondria as a possible example of ‘differentiated’ mitochondria. They are significantly smaller than mitochondria from the cell body, and they are different in key enzyme activity levels, proteome, and lipidome. Synaptic mitochondria are more sensitive to different damaging factors. It has been established that neurons have a sorting mechanism that sends mitochondria with high membrane potential to presynaptic endings. This review describes the properties of synaptic mitochondria and their role in the regulation of synaptic transmission.
Biochemical changes in the leaves of mungbean (Vigna radiata) plants infected by phytoplasma
Authors: Hameed Sidra , Akhtar Khalid Pervaiz , Hameed Amjad , Gulzar Tehsen , Kiran Shumaila , Yousaf Sumaira , Abbas Ghulam , Asghar Muhammad Jawad , Sarwar Nighat
Published: February 2017

Objective

Phyllody disease caused by phytoplasma is an emerging problem in mungbean worldwide. However, the alterations in the host physiology and its associated biochemical components induced by the infection with phytoplasma in mungbean plant remain unknown. Hence the present study was performed with the diseased plants in order to determine the patho-physiological changes that take place.

Methods

Under present study, the changes in total phenolic compounds, total soluble proteins, peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll were studied in leaves of phytoplasma-infected and healthy plants of six mungbean genotypes.

Results

Total phenols were decreased significantly in four but increased in one genotype. Protein contents were increased significantly in two genotypes, POD in four, PPO in one and PAL in two genotypes. However, activity of CAT and amount of Chl a, Chl b and total Chl were decreased significantly in all genotypes.

Conclusion

These results suggest that phytoplasma can interfere with host metabolism and photosynthesis to induce disease. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the mungbean response to phytoplasma infection.
OD- and non-OD-polytypism of 9-(3-chloropyridin-4-yl)-9H-carbazole
Authors: Kader Thomas , Kautny Paul , Stöger Berthold , Fröhlich Johannes
Published: February 2017

9-(3-Chloropyridin-4-yl)-9H-carbazole (1) crystallizes as polytypes made up of layers of one kind with P(c)21
b symmetry, in which layer contacts are geometrically non-equivalent (non-OD polytypes). In both polytypes adjacent layers are related by a glide reflection with a plane parallel to (100). In polytype I (Ic2a), the intrinsic translation vector of the glide reflection is b/2. In polytype II (P21), the intrinsic translation vector is s
c/2 with s=0.771. It is a polytype with a maximum degree of order (MDO) of a family of OD structures. Fragments of the second MDO polytype lead to systematic twinning by reflection at (100). For crystals of both polytypes the absolute structure was determined [Flack parameters −0.03(5) and −0.05(5)]. Despite being of the non-OD type, the formalism of OD theory is applied to achieve a unified description of the symmetry of both polytypes.
Performance of Micro- and Nano-Modified Asphalt Mixtures Through Flow Number and Moisture Susceptibility Evaluations
Authors: Yao H. , You Z.
Published: February 2017

The objective of this study was to utilize micro- and nano-materials to improve the overall performance of asphalt mixtures through flow number and moisture susceptibility evaluations. The materials included non-modified nanoclay and polymer modified nanoclay, carbon microfiber, nanomer material, and nanosilica. These materials were mixed with the control asphalt to prepare the modified asphalt, and then, the modified asphalt was mixed with the aggregates to compact the modified asphalt mixtures. The Superpave performance tests were employed to evaluate the resistance to permanent deformation and moisture susceptibility of asphalt mixtures, including the flow number and indirect tensile strength tests. The microstructures of modified asphalt were examined by the field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and the images helped to understand the modification mechanism. Statistical analysis was used to analyze the levels of impact of these modifiers on the improvement in performance. Based on the results of test data processing, (1) the flow number values of modified asphalt mixtures improved significantly, and it indicated that the rutting performance of modified mixtures was enhanced after the addition of these modifiers; the statistical analysis data revealed that all modifiers had a significant influence on the improvement in performance; (2) the dry and wet tensile strengths increased in most of the modified mixtures, and the statistical analysis results implied that most of the modifiers can greatly impact the moisture susceptibility of asphalt mixtures.
Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete: Shrinkage Strain Development at Early Ages and Potential for Cracking
Authors: Yoo D.-Y. , Banthia N. , Yoon Y.-S.
Published: February 2017

This study investigates the effects of the concrete-ring thickness and steel fiber on the restrained shrinkage behavior of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) using the ring test. To do this, three different concrete-ring thicknesses (tc = 20, 30, and 40 mm) and two different fiber contents (Vf = 0 % and 2 %) were considered. The test results indicated that the ring specimen without fiber exhibited shrinkage cracking after nearly 1.4 days because of its low tensile strength, whereas no shrinkage cracking was observed for the ring specimens with fibers during testing. A thicker concrete ring provided lower residual stress, relaxed stress, degree of restraint, and cracking potential. Therefore, it was concluded that using steel fiber and increasing the concrete thickness perpendicular to the tensile stress direction can improve the shrinkage cracking resistance of UHPFRC.
Interface Bond Strength of Ultra-Thin Whitetopping (UTW) and Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Composites by Direct Shear
Authors: Suresha S. N. , Satish D.
Published: February 2017

Whitetopping is a portland cement concrete (PCC) overlay that is constructed on the top of existing bituminous or hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavement. The design and construction of UTW over HMA enables the composite to act as a monolithic layer. This article presents the findings of a laboratory study performed on interface shear strengths of UTW and HMA composites by direct shear approach. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the main effects of (i) different interface treatments, (ii) variation in the design binder content of HMA, and (iii) temperature conditioning and moisture conditioning on the interface shear strength. Based on the results of interface shear strength tests, the range of bond strength of UTW-HMA was found to be 0.22–1.29 MPa. Other factors like age of UTW, temperature conditioning, and moisture conditioning also had significant effects on the interface shear strengths of UTW-HMA composites.
Preliminary Study on the Durability Properties of High-Volume Fly Ash Mortar Composites
Authors: Aydin E. , Balkis A. P.
Published: February 2017

The use of fly ash, a common industrial byproduct waste, is gaining popularity, especially in developing countries, in addressing environmental concerns surrounding the construction industry, such as reducing waste and CO2 emissions. However, the full potential of fly ash usage is yet to be exploited. The physical, mechanical, and durability properties of fly ash in concrete are well documented; in contrast, its durability properties in mortar require further investigations. The present study investigated the durability properties of high-volume fly ash (HVFA) mortar composites. Specifically, varying proportions of sand were replaced with cement and fly ash to examine the effects on the durability properties of the resulting mortar composites by studying the porosity, weight loss upon sodium sulfate attack, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV). Specimens with a diameter of 50 mm and height of 100 mm were examined. The results showed that UPVmortar > UPVpastes. Increasing the amount of cement led to a decrease in weight loss for the 50-, 150-, and 250-mm slumps. The maximum weight loss (15 %) was recorded for the HVFA mortar composites comprising 80 % sand. Furthermore, all prepared samples displayed adequate resistance to sulfate (weight loss was below 16 %). Based on the dry unit weight values, all the final products, aside from that comprising 20 wt. % fly ash and 80 wt. % cement, can be considered as a lightweight material, at ∼12.58 kN/m3, and can satisfactorily be used in the manufacture of lightweight aggregates and semi-isolating materials.
Evaluating the Performance of Physical Fitness by Statistical Inference of Physical Fitness Index
Authors: Lin Yun-Tsan , Chang Tsang-Chuan , Chen Kuen-Suan
Published: February 2017

Improving fitness levels is a key area of preventive medicine and plays an essential role in health promotion. Most organizations, constrained by time, manpower, and cost, conduct fitness tests on a random sample of the population in order to gain an understanding of overall fitness levels. However, a great degree of uncertainty may be introduced into performance assessments owing to sampling errors. Therefore, it is important to take sampling errors into account. For this reason, this article proposes a physical fitness index (PFI) based on 5 components: (1) cardiorespiratory endurance, (2) muscular endurance, (3) muscular strength, (4) flexibility, and (5body composition. Using statistical inference, we further develop a testing model of PFI to evaluate the performance of physical fitness. We hope that the results of our research contribute to the accurate determination of the overall fitness levels of the population and help provide a valuable reference for improving fitness levels. Finally, we present an example to illustrate the applicability of the proposed PFI in practice.
Analysis of the Textured Surface of Tangential Turn-Milling
Authors: Karpuschewski B. , Döbberthin C. , Risse K. , Deters L.
Published: February 2017

Surface texturing is significant for the influence on the functional behavior of contacting parts. Different manufacturing processes like hard-turning, grinding, or honing offer the possibility of accurate surface finishing. Turn-milling seems to be an alternative to apply functional structures on workpieces due to the positive effect of the simultaneous rotary movement of workpiece and tool. The objective of this research was to demonstrate the impact of the process parameters during tangential turn-milling on friction and wear behavior in cylindrical roller bearings in interest of the technical community. Thus, an alternative production sequence with improved tribological performance and reduced resource input was drawn.
Improved Tribological Behavior of Grey Cast Iron Under Low and High Viscous Lubricants by Laser Surface Texturing
Authors: Tripathi K. , Gyawali G. , Joshi B. , Amanov A. , Wohn S.
Published: February 2017

The main objective of this paper was to investigate the effect of laser surface texturing (LST) on the friction and wear behavior of gray cast iron in lubricated conditions. The dimples with a diameter of 54 μm and depth of about 10 μm were produced with various dimple densities in the range from 5 to 35 %. Ball-on-disc friction tests were carried out for all the specimens in low and high viscous oils. The friction coefficient was reduced by about 35 % after the LST compared with the untextured specimen at a load of 5 N and speed of 5 cm/s. The textured specimen with a dimple density of 10 % possessed the lowest friction coefficient of all the dimpled specimens in both low and high viscous oils. However, the high viscous oil was found to be more effective to achieve a lower friction coefficient compared to the low viscous oil. The friction coefficient reduced by about 46 % in high viscous oil compared to the low viscous oil. Similarly, the lower wear was noticed for the specimen with a dimple density of 10 % and 5 % among all the specimens in both low and high viscous oils. The resistance to wear of the specimens was also found to be enhanced in high viscous oil compared to those in low viscous oil.
Effect of Homogenization and Microstructural Refining on the High Temperature Deformation of a Cast Al-Si-Mg Alloy
Authors: Espinosa L. A. , Pérez-González F. A. , Garza-Montes-de-Oca N. F. , Haro S. , Rossainz R. E. , Marín I. , Colás R.
Published: February 2017

A series of studies were conducted to evaluate the effect that microstructural refining and homogenization exerts on the deformation of a heat treatable Al-Si-Mg alloy compressed at high temperature. These studies were carried out in samples that solidified and cooled down to room-temperature at different rates, and that exhibited microstructural components of various size and shape. Some samples were homogenized to evaluate the effect that such treatment exerts on intermetallic particles. Cylindrical samples were machined from different positions within the ingots to compress them at 450°C in a universal testing machine. The samples were tested in the as-cast and homogenized conditions to the same reduction in height. It was found that the as-cast samples were susceptible to the development of cracks at the lateral surface of the samples, in comparison to those ones that were treated, and that the incidence of cracking increased as the cooling rate during solidification was reduced. Analyses of the compressed samples showed that the cracks developed at the surface of the sample and grew along the path of intermetallic inclusions.
Study of Scale Formation on Al2O3-Scale Forming Alloys by Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF–SIMS)
Authors: Abbasi K. , Zahiri M. Azar , Heuer A. H.
Published: February 2017

Al2O3-scale formation on high temperature Ni-base and Fe-base structural alloys is a subject of significant technological and scientific interest. Such scale formation involves either (or both) inward oxygen grain boundary diffusion and new oxide growth at the scale/metal interface, or outward aluminum grain boundary diffusion and new oxide growth at the scale/gas interface. The details of scale growth have been studied using a commercial Kanthal A1 alloy and so-called double oxidation experiments—growth of an Al2O3 scale in 16O2, followed by further oxidation for twice the 16O2 duration in 18O2—at temperatures between 1000 and 1400°C. A time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer (TOF-SIMS) with isotopic imaging resolution of ≈100 nm was used for determination of the 16O and 18O distributions in the scale. A focused primary Ga+ ion beam was used for imaging the oxygen isotopes in the negative polarity mode, and a de-focused Xe+ beam was used for sputtering. One novel aspect of this work was the use of taper sections to compensate for the sub-micrometer scale thickness of this oxidation-resistant alloy.
Evolution of Gene Expression Balance Among Homeologs of Natural Polyploids
Authors: Mutti Jasdeep S , Bhullar Ramanjot K , Gill Kulvinder S
Published: February 2017

Polyploidy is a major evolutionary process in eukaryotes, yet the expression balance of homeologs in natural polyploids is largely unknown. To study this expression balance, the expression patterns of 2180 structurally well-characterized genes of wheat were studied, of which 813 had the expected three copies and 375 had less than three. Copy numbers of the remaining 992 ranged from 4 to 14, including homeologs, orthologs, and paralogs. Of the genes with three structural copies corresponding to homeologs, 55% expressed from all three, 38% from two, and the remaining 7% expressed from only one of the three copies. Homeologs of 76–87% of the genes showed differential expression patterns in different tissues, thus have evolved different gene expression controls, possibly resulting in novel functions. Homeologs of 55% of the genes showed tissue-specific expression, with the largest percentage (14%) in the anthers and the smallest (7%) in the pistils. The highest number (1.72/3) of homeologs/gene expression was in the roots and the lowest (1.03/3) in the anthers. As the expression of homeologs changed with changes in structural copy number, about 30% of the genes showed dosage dependence. Chromosomal location also impacted expression pattern as a significantly higher proportion of genes in the proximal regions showed expression from all three copies compared to that present in the distal regions.
Violência contra pessoa idosa a partir da análise de boletins de ocorrência
Authors: Crippa Anelise , Rohde Karen Letícia Canedo , Schwanke Carla Helena Augustin , Feijó Anamaria Gonçalves dos Santos
Published: February 2017

Buscou-se descrever frequência dos tipos de violência contra o idoso, perfil sócio-demográfico dos envolvidos e associação violência/sexo. Foram avaliados boletins de ocorrência (BO) da Delegacia de Proteção ao Idoso de Porto Alegre/RS. Para análise utilizou-se o teste qui-quadrado ou teste exato de Fisher. O nível de significância foi P≤0,05. Foram analisados 1996 BO - 2011. A violência mais frequente foi ameaça e o menos, abandono. A maioria que sofreu violência foi mulher, baixa escolaridade, cor branca, aposentada e sem relacionamento estável. Quanto aos comunicantes, a maioria era mulher, com pouca escolaridade e cor branca. A maioria dos acusados era homem, com maior escolaridade, cor branca e com atividade remunerada. Abandono e negligência foram mais cometidos por mulheres e ameaça por homens. Faz-se necessário a conscientização em relação à vulnerabilidade biopsicossocial dos idosos e a busca por medidas protetivas e políticas públicas de apoio a esta crescente parcela da população brasileira.
A criminologia crítica para além da crise: um estudo sobre a suposta crise da criminologia e suas transformações no período neoliberal
Authors: Leal Jackson Da Silva , Vechi Fernando
Published: February 2017

O presente artigo tem como foco central o que se postulou como sendo a crise da criminologia crítica na década de 80 do século XX. Analisa-se em que contexto se insere essa suposta crise, e o debate travado entre importantes teóricos como Massimo Pavarini e Alessandro Baratta, tendo-se ainda a contribuição de Elena Larrauri. Tem-se como objetivo o aprofundamento teórico e reflexão sobre as funções que desempenha a criminologia em meio a sociedade da virada do século XX para o XXI e suas transformações sociais. Trabalha-se com o marco teórico proporcionado pelas últimas décadas de desenvolvimento analítico e empírico da criminologia crítica, tendo-se como ponto de partida uma visão desde a região latino-americana.
Front Matter
Authors: Matter Front
Published: February 2017

Front Matter