bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Konsep Diri Remaja Jawa saat Bersama Teman
Authors: Sartana - , Helmi Avin Fadilla
Published: November 2016

The aim of the study was to formulate a theory about Javanese adolescent self-concept in relation with friends. The subjects of this research were three Javanese adolescents, two girls and one boy. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and observation and were analyzed with the so-called grounded theory approach. The results of this study indicated that Javanese adolescents interprets himself as plural selves, hierarchical interdependent and altered. Individuals have a lot of selves that represent their relationships with others. The selves are composed with each other in a hierarchical relationship. In a particular time, an individual activates one only of their selves. The self-activation process goes with the principle of "if ..., then ...". After recognizing their friends and situations, individuals will compare and evaluate themselves then choosing and activating one particular self to adjust with a particular friend and situation. When Javanese adolescents are with their friends, they do not think much about physical aspect, they become themselves and feel equal, accepted, understood and trusted as a good person. Such self-viewing makes an individual tend to go through positive feelings and comfort being around friends.

Keywords: self-concept, self-adjustment, adolescents, Javanese, friends
Analisis Faktor Hasil Penilaian Budi Pekerti
Authors: Hadiwinarto -
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this study was to describe the load factor of the assessment results on character education for high school students. The subjects were 545 second grade students. There were four instruments used, namely: cognitive aspect, affective aspect, behavioral aspect in the learning process and behavioral aspect outside the learning process. Each aspect contains nine indicators as factors. Data were analyzed with factor analysis technique and the models used were the Confirmatory Model of Principal Components Analysis with the varimak rotation method and Kaiser normalization. The results showed that each of these factors were statistically independent, not associated with other indicators. These findings reinforced the theories used in this study that character education loads indicators of dedication, conviction, honesty, discipline, tolerance, democracy, sense of belonging, gratitude and empathy. Statistically, each indicator obviously has four aspects of character. Therefore, assessment of manners that includes the aspects of cognitive, affective and behavior is a task that absolutely must be done.

Keywords: character, factor analysis, cognitive, affective and behavioral
Examining the Effectiveness of In-Service English Language Teacher Training in Khartoum State/Sudan 2011/2012
Authors: Elmahid Omer Elsheikh Hago , Bioumi Hatim Sami Mahmoud
Published: November 2016

This study aims at investigating the effectiveness of in-service English language teacher training in Khartoum state: A case study of in-service teacher training programme “English for Teaching 1” (EfT1) provided by the British Council (2011-2012). The Researchers adopted the descriptive analytical method to analyze the collected data. The tool used to collect data was a questionnaire which was analyzed with the Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS). All the Hypotheses of the study were verified to be true and according to the analysis of the questionnaire. The study has come up with the following findings: Teacher training programme English for Teaching (1) (EfT(1)) has a positive impact on developing teaching process, the components of the programme satisfy the training needs of the English language teachers in Khartoum State, and the trainees who attended the programme have a positive attitude and opinions towards the programme. The study has been included with some recommendations that reflect the importance of in-service teacher training for Sudanese English language teachers and the effectiveness of partnership between national and international educational institutions in this field.
AKTIVITAS PEMULIAAN TANAMAN DALAM PERAKITAN KLON KARET UNGGUL DI INDIA
Authors: Sayurandi Sayurandi
Published: November 2016

India merupakan salah satu negara penghasil karet alam di dunia. Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) terus berusaha meningkatkan produksi karet nasional antara lain melalui peningkatan produktivitas klon. Kegiatan pemuliaan dan seleksi di lembaga penelitian ini telah dilakukan sejak tahun 1954. Beberapa kegiatan pemuliaan tanaman yang telah dan sedang dilakukan adalah hibridisasi dari tetua unggul populasi Wickham 1876, seleksi ortet dan tanaman hasil hibridisasi, pengujian genotipe unggul, identifikasi klon berdasarkan morfologi, studi propagasi tanaman, pembangunan kebun biji, studi genetika dan biologi tanaman, dan evaluasi klon-klon karet hasil introduksi. Pemanfaatan  plasma nutfah karet hasil  koleksi IRRDB 1981 juga menjadi kegiatan penting di lembaga penelitian ini. Hasil evaluasi dari koleksi IRRDB 1981 menunjukkan bahwa beberapa genotipe hasil seleksi memiliki pertumbuhan tanaman jagur, ketahanan biotik dan abiotik yang cukup baik seperti resisten terhadap penyakit daun, toleran terhadap cekaman  suhu dingin dan kekeringan. Dari hasil pengujian klon RRII seri 400 menunjukkan bahwa  klon RRII 422 dan RRII 430 memiliki potensi hasil lateks paling tinggi > 50 g/p/s. Klon tersebut juga tergolong cukup resisten terhadap penyakit daun.
Potensi Biochar dari Limbah Biomassa Perkebunan Karet Sebagai Amelioran dan Mengurangi Emisi Gas Rumah Kaca
Authors: Saputra Jamin
Published: November 2016

Pemanasan global atau global warming disebabkan meningkatnya gas rumah kaca seperti CO2, metan, NO2 dan lain-lain.Aktivitas pertanian berkontribusi terhadap emisi gas rumah kaca, salah satu emisi yang bersumber dari aktivitas pertanian yakni NO2.Upaya yang dapat dilakukan dalam mengurangi emisi NO2 ini dengan meningkatkan efisiensi pemupukan khususnya pupuk nitrogen (N). Biochar merupakan hasil pembakaran tanpa oksigen dari limbah pertanian seperti kayu. Hasil-hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa biochar berfungsi sebagai amelioran yang mampu meningkatkan kesuburan lahan pertanian. Aplikasi biochar (arang) + 0,5 dosis rekomendasi meningkatkan kandungan nitrogen pada daun karet sebesar 4,13 % N dibandingkan dengan aplikasi tanpa biochar dan aplikasi dosis pemupukan sesuai rekomendasi yakni 2,80 % N. Sejalan dengan peningkatan efisiensi pemupukan nitrogen, maka hal ini akan mengurangi emisi NO2 dan meningkatkan pertumbuhan tanaman yang akan meningkatkan pengikatan CO2 melalui proses fotosintesis. Limbah biomassa berbasis kebun karet dinilai potensial sebagai bahan baku pembuatan biochar. Potensi limbah kebun karet dalam kegiatan peremajaan mencapai 5 % per tahun (34 juta m3), hal ini menunjukkan tingginya potensi pemanfaatan limbah biomassa kebun karet untuk dijadikan bahan baku pembuatan biochar.
PEMANFAATAN KAYU KARET DI BEBERAPA NEGARA PRODUSEN KARET ALAM DUNIA
Authors: Agustina Dwi Shinta
Published: November 2016

Permintaan kayu karet semakin meningkat seiring dengan berkurangnya ketersediaan kayu hutan alam sebagai sumber bahan baku industri pengolahan kayu. Hal ini didukung oleh berkembangnya teknologi pengolahan dan pengawetan kayu karet. Pemanfaatan kayu karet merupakan peluang baru untuk meningkatkan marjin keuntungan dalam industri karet. Di tiga negara produsen utama karet yaitu Thailand, Malaysia, dan Indonesia, pemanfaatan kayu karet sebagai bahan baku industri kayu telah berkembang dengan tingkat perkembangan yang berbeda-beda. Thailand, Indonesia, dan Malaysia memiliki potensi kayu karet yang cukup besar, dilihat dari potensi luas lahan serta laju peremajaan karet. Untuk kasus di Indonesia, pemerintah masih perlu memperbaiki kondisi sarana dan prasarana kebun serta peraturan yang mendukung agar potensi ekonomi kayu karet dapat dimanfaatkan secara optimal.
ALTERNATIF STRATEGI PENGEMBANGAN INDUSTRI BARANG JADI KARET DI INDONESIA
Authors: Fauzi Iif Rahmat
Published: November 2016

Pengembangan industri barang jadi perlu dilakukan dalam memperkokoh sistem agribisnis karet di Indonesia. Upaya tersebut dipengaruhi oleh faktor lingkungan internal dan eksternal. Dari faktor lingkungan internal, Indonesia memiliki kekuatan dalam kontinuitas produksi bahan olah karet yang dijamin dengan luas perkebunan karet terbesar di dunia. Namun demikian, Indonesia masih dihadapkan pada kenyataan akan kualitas bahan olah karet yang rendah, akses pemasaran barang jadi yang terbatas, kemampuan pembiayaan yang minim, dan penguasaan teknologi yang masih sederhana sebagai kelemahan. Sementara dari faktor lingkungan eksternal, Indonesia memiliki peluang potensi pasar dalam negeri yang besar. Jika beranjak dari pengembangan industri berbasis skala usaha kecil dan menengah saja, 60 % pasar dalam negeri masih terbuka untuk diraih. Namun demikian, Indonesia juga masih dihadapkan pada ancaman akan pesaing-pesaing besar dari luar negeri sebagai market leader, bahan dan alat penunjang yang masih impor, dan kebijakan pemerintah yang belum mendukung. Dengan kondisi faktor lingkungan internal dan eksternal saat ini, strategi pengembangan industri hilir yang relevan adalah dengan melakukan revitalisasi UKM pengolahan karet berbasis teknologi sederhana yang memfokuskan diri pada produk-produk unggulan yang kreatif dan inovatif.
PRODUKTIVITAS KLON KARET IRR SERI 100 DAN 200 PADA BERBAGAI AGROKLIMAT DAN SISTEM SADAP
Authors: Daslin Aidi
Published: November 2016

Penggunaan klon-klon karet unggul untuk penanaman komersial di perkebunan  secara nyata dapat meningkatkan produktivitas tanaman. Berdasarkan hasil lapangan, produksi aktual selalu tidak mencapai potensi produksi klon. Hal ini disebabkan adanya pengaruh genetik lingkungan, maupun interaksi genetik dan lingkungan. Faktor lingkungan terkait dengan berbagai kondisi agroekosistem penanaman (agroklimat) serta  perlakuan manajemen tanaman. Dalam upaya optimalisasi potensi produksi klon, dilakukan observasi kinerja klon IRR seri-100 dan seri-200 pada berbagai lingkungan agroklimat dan sistem sadap. Hasil evaluasi memperlihatkan adanya respon klon yang berbeda terhadap tiga agroklimat (daerah dengan curah hujan rendah, sedang dan tinggi)  serta dua sistem penyadapan (½S d/2 dan ½S d/3. 2,5%ET). Klon terbaik dari IRR seri-100 adalah IRR 112 yang sesuai dikembangkan  untuk kondisi lingkungan agroklimat kering, sedang, dan basah dengan rata-rata produktivitas dari tiga tahun sadap antara 2.141-2.734 kg/ha/tahun dan IRR 118 sesuai untuk agroklimat kering dengan produktivitas 2.200 kg/ha/tahun. Untuk IRR seri-200, klon IRR 208 sesuai dikembangkan pada daerah agroklimat kering dan sedang, dengan  produktivitas sebesar 2.260 kg/ha/tahun, klon IRR 209 dan IRR 216 sesuai untuk agroklimat basah dengan produktivitas masing-masing 2.496 dan 2.393 kg/ha/tahun, sedangkan IRR 220 beradaptasi baik pada lingkungan agroklimat sedang dan basah dengan produktivitas 2.017-2.340 kg/ha/tahun. Klon IRR 112 dan IRR 118 memperlihatkan respon yang baik dengan penggunaan sistem sadap ½S d/2, dengan rata-rata produktivitas dari sembilan tahun sadap masing-masing adalah sebesar 2.499 dan 2.030 kg/ha/tahun. Klon IRR seri-200 yang memiliki  rata-rata produktivitas terbaik dari tujuh tahun penyadapan  dengan sistem sadap ½S d/2 adalah IRR 208 (2.273 kg/ha/tahun), IRR 212 (2.370 kg/ha/tahun) dan IRR 220 (2.304 kg/ha/tahun), dan dengan penyadapan ½S d/3. ET 2,5% adalah  IRR 202 (2.634 kg/ha/tahun) dan IRR 207 (2.096 kg/ha/tahun).
PERKEMBANGAN INDUSTRI NANO FILLER UNTUK INDUSTRI KARET DI INDONESIA
Authors: Cifriadi Adi , Kinasih Norma Arisanti
Published: November 2016

Aplikasi teknologi nano pada industri karet dilakukan seiring dicanangkannya konsep “Ban Ramah Lingkungan (Green Tires)” pada tahun 1990an. Penggunaan teknologi nano pada industri karet dilakukan pada pembuatan bahan pengisi nano carbon black (jenis N110, N220, N330) dan silika. Namun, proses pembuatan carbon black menimbulkan emisi CO2, sehingga perlu dikembangkan material baru pensubsitusi carbon black seperti bahan pengisi nano dari lempung (clay), silika (fumed and precipitated silica), pati (starch), selulosa, dan CaCO3. Pengembangan material baru tersebut telah banyak dilakukan dan dikomersialkan. Indonesia memiliki potensi bahan baku yang besar dan peluang pasar yang semakin berkembang sehingga industri nano filler berbahan dasar ramah lingkungan berpotensi untuk dikembangkan.
KOMPARASI TEKNIS DAN FINANSIAL PENGADAAN BENIH MELALUI OKULASI TANAMAN DI POLIBEG DENGAN OKULASI DI LAPANGAN
Authors: Siagian Nurhawaty
Published: November 2016

Benih karet untuk penanaman komersial umumnya adalah benih dalam polibeg yang diproduksi melalui okulasi batang bawah (umur ± 7 bulan) di pembibitan lapangan dan diikuti pembibitan di polibeg. Okulasi batang bawah yang masih muda (umur 3,5- 5 bulan) di pembibitan lapangan jarang dilakukan karena tingkat kematian setelah ditanam di polibeg tinggi dan pada lahan beriklim kering keragaman pertumbuhan tanaman di lapangan besar sehingga memperlambat tercapainya kriteria matang sadap. Okulasi tanaman muda biasanya hanya dilakukan di pembibitan polibeg dengan maksud mengatasi kelemahan tersebut diatas. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk membandingkan pengadaan benih karet melalui okulasi tanaman muda di polibeg dengan okulasi di lapangan ditinjau dari segi teknis dan finansial. Penelitian dilakukan di salah satu perkebunan besar di Sumatera Utara, dengan mengamati langsung aspek teknis dan norma kerja. Data pendukung pertumbuhan tanaman di lapangan disetir dari berbagai penelitian terdahulu.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan  bahwa keunggulan penggunaan benih hasil okulasi tanaman muda (berumur 3,5-5 bulan) di pembibitan polibeg dibandingkan dengan penggunaan benih diperoleh dengan cara okulasi di pembibitan lapangan adalah  1) biaya pengadaan bahan tanam lebih hemat 17%, 2) tanaman lebih mampu bertahan pada kondisi kering saat penanaman di lapangan  3) untuk pembangunan kebun karet dengan luasan tertentu dibutuhkan areal pembibitan yang lebih sedikit 4) penurunan biaya produksi tidaklah mengorbankan pertumbuhan lilit batang untuk mencapai matang sadap dan 5) untuk menghasilkan benih berpayung daun dua dibutuhkan waktu 3,5 bulan lebih singkat pada pembibitan langsung di polibeg. Untuk menjamin keberhasilan pembibitan langsung di polibeg, sangat diperlukan  air yang cukup sepanjang masa pembibitan, mata okulasi dari tunas muda, juru okulasi yang terampil dan polibeg yang berkualitas baik.
The influence of soybean genotypes and HTC processing method on trypsin inhibitor activity of soymilk
Authors: Stanojevic Sladjana , Barac Miroljub , Pesic Mirjana , Vucelic-Radovic Biljana
Published: November 2016

Kunitz inhibitor (KTI) and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitor (BBI) are inhibitors
of digestive enzymes in raw soybeans. Due to their antinutritive properties
in the active state, their inactivation by heat treatment is commonly used.
Soymilk is a turbid and stable colloidal solution, obtained by thermal
treatment of soybean. In this study soymilk was made on a pilot-plant scale
from six soybean cultivars using hydrothermal cooking (HTC) as the production
method. This procedure is significantly different from the traditional one.
The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of the HTC
processing for soymilk production and different soybean genotypes on trypsin
inhibitor content and activity. Obtained soymilk contained BBI in trace
amounts, in the BBI-polymeric forms. The BBI monomeric forms were not
detected. The soymilk of the investigated soybean genotypes had very similar
KTI levels (2.34-2.99%). Results have suggested that the soybean genotype
does not have substantial effects on the levels of KTI, as well as on the
value of residual trypsin inhibitor activity (rTIA). The total content of TI
and rTIA showed a strong dependence (r=0.91; p<0.05). HTC-soymilk rTIA was
<20% (7.15-19.89%). These results have indicated that HTC processed soymilk
is applicable for human consumption.
Determinants of food insecurity among farming households in Katsina State, north western Nigeria: An ordinal logit regression approach
Authors: Ibrahim Hussaini , Adeola Segun , Ibrahim Hassan
Published: November 2016

The study identified the determinants of food insecurity among farming
households in Katsina State, north western Nigeria. A cross sectional sample
survey design was used to select a total of 150 small-holder farmers from 15
communities across 10 Local Government Areas of the state. A structured
questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion and Key Informant Interview were used
for data collection. The coping strategy index was used to determine the food
security status of the household and the ordered logit regression was used to
identify the determinants of food insecurity among the households. The
majority (73%) were found to be food insecure. In terms of food insecurity
status, 44% of the respondents were less food insecure, while 17% and 12%
were moderately food insecure and severely food insecure respectively. Eating
the less preferred meal, purchasing food on credit and reducing the quantity
of food consumed were the major coping strategies adopted by the food
insecure households. The result of the ordered logit model shows that the
total quantity of cereal saved, number of income sources and dependency ratio
were significant for both the moderately and severely food insecure groups at
p<0.05 while access to credit was also significant for the two groups but at
p<0.01. The output of other crops was significant at p=0.10 but only for the
severely food insecure group. The study concluded that food insecurity was
high in the study area and therefore recommended that the farming households
be provided with opportunities to diversify their livelihood activities.
Comparison of diet in women of reproductive age with and without diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome: Pilot study
Authors: Misir Andreja , Banjari Ines , Loncar Igor
Published: November 2016

Introduction. This study was aimed at comparing diets, dietary patterns and
lifestyle habits of women with polycystic ovary syndrome and controls in
Croatia. Material and Methods. In this pilot, matched pair study, the
participants were women of reproductive age: 12 with Polycystic Ovary
Syndrome and 16 healthy (between the ages of 18 and 41 years). The following
data sets were collected and analysed: nutrient intake, dietary habits and
physical activity, polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms, anthropometry and
biochemical records. Results. The analyses of dietary habits showed a
significantly (p=0.030) higher score for the controls (92.4?8.7 points)
compared to the women with polycystic ovary syndrome (83.3?12.2 points).
There was a significant correlation between the age and intake of total
carbohydrates, and intake of plant protein in the women with polycystic ovary
syndrome. A significant correlation was found between the age and total fats
intake, as well as intake of different types of fats, and energy intake in
the controls. The free time activity index showed a significant difference
(t-test: p=0.043, ANOVA: p=0.004) in favour of the control group of women who
were more active. Conclusions. This study has shown that Croatian women with
polycystic ovary syndrome compared to the controls have significantly poorer
dietary habits characterised by high Glycaemic Index diets, they are less
physically active during free time, and have positive significant correlation
between the age and carbohydrate intake whereas the controls have positive
significant correlation between the age and fat intake.
Microbial evaluation of the effectiveness of different methods for cleansing clear orthodontic retainers: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Albanna Rehaf H. , Farawanah Hisham M. , Aldrees Abdullah M.
Published: November 2016

Objective:

To compare effectiveness of brushing an Essix retainer with water only and brushing followed by soaking in one of three commercial cleansing tablets.

Materials and Methods:

A double-blind, parallel, randomized clinical trial with a split-mouth design was completed with 60 volunteers with specific eligibility criteria assigned to three groups to compare the cleansing effectiveness of brushing an Essix retainer with water only, followed by soaking in one of three alkaline peroxide–based commercial cleansing tablets (Retainer Brite®, Kukis®, and Corega®). Each participant wore an upper Essix retainer (with an electronic microsensor) on a full-time basis for 14 days and used one of the three products on one side of the retainer for 15 min/d. The effectiveness of the cleansing tablets was tested by the scanning electron microscopy, bacterial identification, bacterial quantification, and disk diffusion methods.

Results:

Bacterial quantification tests demonstrated nonsignificant statistical differences between the control and test sides of the three cleansing tablets: Retainer Brite®, Kukis®, and Corega® (Mann-Whitney test P-values were .6, .37, and .5, respectively). A Kruskal-Wallis test also showed nonstatistical difference in the bacterial counts between the three groups (P-value = .5). In vitro tests showed a minimal inhibition zone of Staphylococcus epidermidis only with Corega® tablets.

Conclusions:

Using chemical cleansing tablets after mechanical cleansing did not significantly reduce the bacterial count in Essix retainers when compared to use of mechanical cleansing alone. However, the tablets seem to be effective against “cocci” bacterial species.
Simulation of residual biomass gasification in fluidized bed reactor: Preliminary study of the efficiency of the process with temperature
Authors: Durán-García Martín Enrique , Zeppieri Susana
Published: November 2016

This paper aims to study the equivalence ratio, the carbon efficiency and the mass ratio of steam - biomass in accordance to the temperature in a fluidized bed reactor. Regarding the modeling, hydrodynamic considerations, reaction kinetics and mass balances were applied in terms of the reaction rate processes of the main reactions participating in the residual biomass gasification, adiabatic and isothermal operation, with L/D about 23, bed made in modeling Silica Sand with an average spherical particle diameter of 0.275 mm and a height of a 1.4 m reactor, while the biomass is gasified pine sawdust ( Pinus Arizonica Engelm). It was found that the efficiency decreases as coal increases hydrogen production with an average percent deviation of about 3.5%. The equivalence ratio increased with a temperature of 700-900°C, with an average percentage deviation of 2.8%. When increasing the relation steam-biomass, the percentage in weight produced by hydrogen is increased with an average percentage deviation of 5.9%.
Relationship Between Scarring and Dog Aggression in Pit Bull-Type Dogs Involved in Organized Dogfighting
Authors: Miller Katherine , Touroo Rachel , Spain C. , Jones Kelly , Reid Pamela , Lockwood Randall
Published: November 2016

When pit bull-type dogs are seized in an investigation of organized dogfighting, heavily scarred dogs are often assumed to be highly dog aggressive due to a history of fighting. These dogs may be deemed dangerous and euthanized based on scarring alone. We analyzed our existing data on dogs seized from four dogfighting investigations, examining the relationship between the dogs’ scars with aggression towards other dogs. Scar and wound data were tallied in three body zones where dogfighting injuries tend to be concentrated. Dog aggression was assessed using a model dog and a friendly stimulus dog in a standardized behavior evaluation. Scarring and dog aggression were significantly related, more strongly among male (Fisher’s Exact p < 0.001) than female dogs (Fisher’s Exact p = 0.05). Ten or more scars in the three body zones was a reasonable threshold with which to classify a dog as high risk for dog aggression: 82% of males and 60% of females with such scarring displayed dog aggression. However, because many unscarred dogs were dog aggressive while some highly scarred dogs were not, we recommend collecting behavioral information to supplement scar counts when making disposition decisions about dogs seized in dogfighting investigations.
Mathematical Models of Androgen Resistance in Prostate Cancer Patients under Intermittent Androgen Suppression Therapy
Authors: Baez Javier , Kuang Yang
Published: November 2016

Predicting the timing of a castrate resistant prostate cancer is critical to lowering medical costs and improving the quality of life of advanced prostate cancer patients. We formulate, compare and analyze two mathematical models that aim to forecast future levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). We accomplish these tasks by employing clinical data of locally advanced prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). While these models are simplifications of a previously published model, they fit data with similar accuracy and improve forecasting results. Both models describe the progression of androgen resistance. Although Model 1 is simpler than the more realistic Model 2, it can fit clinical data to a greater precision. However, we found that Model 2 can forecast future PSA levels more accurately. These findings suggest that including more realistic mechanisms of androgen dynamics in a two population model may help androgen resistance timing prediction.
A Music Therapist Shares Stories of Patients with Cancer
Authors: Gutgsell Kathy
Published: November 2016

Since the publication of my research reporting that music therapy reduces pain in palliative care patients [1], many people have expressed curiosity about what it is I do with patients.[...]
An Improved Retrievability-Based Cluster-Resampling Approach for Pseudo Relevance Feedback
Authors: Bashir Shariq
Published: November 2016

Cluster-based pseudo-relevance feedback (PRF) is an effective approach for searching relevant documents for relevance feedback. Standard approach constructs clusters for PRF only on the basis of high similarity between retrieved documents. The standard approach works quite well if the retrieval bias of the retrieval model does not create any effect on the retrievability of documents. In our experiments we observed when a collection contains retrieval bias, then high retrievable documents of clusters are frequently retrieved at top positions for most of the queries, and these drift the relevance feedback away from relevant documents. For reducing (retrieval bias) noise, we enhance the standard cluster construction approach by constructing clusters on the basis of high similarity and retrievability. We call this retrievability and cluster-based PRF. This enhanced approach keeps only those documents in the clusters that are not frequently retrieve due to retrieval bias. Although this approach improves the effectiveness, however, it penalizes high retrievable documents even if these documents are most relevant to the clusters. To handle this problem, in a second approach, we extend the basic retrievability concept by mining frequent neighbors of the clusters. The frequent neighbors approach keeps only those documents in the clusters that are frequently retrieved with other neighbors of clusters and infrequently retrieved with those documents that are not part of the clusters. Experimental results show that two proposed extensions are helpful for identifying relevant documents for relevance feedback and increasing the effectiveness of queries.
Integrative Systems Biology Investigation of Fabry Disease
Authors: Fernandes Marco , Husi Holger
Published: November 2016

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked recessive genetic disorder caused by a deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) and is characterised by intra-lysosomal accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). We performed a meta-analysis of peer-reviewed publications including high-throughput omics technologies including naïve patients and those undergoing enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). This study describes FD on a systems level using a systems biology approach, in which molecular data sourced from multi-omics studies is extracted from the literature and integrated as a whole in order to reveal the biochemical processes and molecular pathways potentially affected by the dysregulation of differentially expressed molecules. In this way new insights are provided that describe the pathophysiology of this rare disease. Using gene ontology and pathway term clustering, FD displays the involvement of major biological processes such as the acute inflammatory response, regulation of wound healing, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, regulation of peptidase activity, and cellular response to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Differential expression of acute-phase response proteins in the groups of naïve (up-regulation of ORM1, ORM2, ITIH4, SERPINA3 and FGA) and ERT (down-regulation of FGA, ORM1 and ORM2) patients could be potential hallmarks for distinction of these two patient groups.
Association between Low Serum Bicarbonate Concentrations and Cardiovascular Disease in Patients in the End-Stage of Renal Disease
Authors: Raikou Vaia , Kyriaki Despina
Published: November 2016

Background: Metabolic acidosis, a common condition particularly in the end-stage of renal disease patients, results in malnutrition, inflammation and oxidative stress. In this study, we focused on the association between low serum bicarbonate and cardiovascular disease in patients on intermittent dialysis. Methods: We studied 52 on-line-pre-dilution hemodiafiltration (on-l HDF) patients, 32 males and 20 females, with a mean age of 58.01 ± 15.4 years old. Metabolic acidosis was determined by serum bicarbonate concentrations less than 22 mmol/L. Residual renal function (RRF) was defined by interdialytic urine volume. Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression models were performed to predict coronary artery disease (CAD), defined by ejection fraction <50%, or diastolic dysfunction congestive heart failure (CHF) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Results: Kaplan–Meier analyses showed that a lower or higher than 22 mmol/L serum bicarbonate metabolic acidosis status was significantly associated with both PVD and diastolic dysfunction (log-rank = 5.07, p = 0.02 and log-rank = 5.84, p = 0.01, respectively). A similar prevalence of serum bicarbonate on CAD or CHF by low ejection fraction was not shown. The RRF was associated with PVD event and serum bicarbonate less than 22 mmol/L (log-rank = 5.49, p = 0.01 and log-rank = 3.9, p = 0.04, respectively). Cox regression analysis revealed that serum bicarbonate and RRF were significant risk factors for PVD after adjustment for confounders. Furthermore, RRF adjusted for covariates was shown to be a significant risk factor for diastolic dysfunction. Conclusion: Low serum bicarbonate was associated with peripheral vascular disease and diastolic dysfunction in intermittent dialysis. The residual renal function may impact patients’ outcomes through its relationship with metabolic acidosis status, particularly for peripheral vascular disease manifestation.
Study on Insulator Flashover Voltage Gradient Correction Considering Soluble Pollution Constituents
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Zhang Zhijin , Jiang Xingliang , Yang Zhongyi , Zhao Jiayao , Li Yongfu
Published: November 2016

Natural polluted insulator surfaces are always coated with various kinds of soluble constituents, and those constituents affect flashover performance differentially. Currently, this fact is not considered either in laboratory experiments or field pollution degree measurements, causing the existing insulation selection method to be deficient. In this paper, a systematic study on insulator flashover voltage gradient correction involving different types of soluble pollution constituents is presented. Using a typical type glass insulator as the sample, its flashover tests, polluted by typical soluble chemicals (NaCl, NaNO3, KNO3, NH4NO3, MgSO4, Ca(NO3)2 and CaSO4), were carried out. Then, the flashover gradient correction was made by combining the flashover performance of each soluble constituent, the equivalent salt deposit density (ESDD) contribution of the seven constituents, and the saturation performance of CaSO4. The correction agreed with the flashover test results of insulator polluted by three types of soluble mixture. Research results indicate that the flashover gradient correction method proposed in this paper performs well in reducing the calculating error. It is recommended to carry out component measurements and flashover gradient correction to better select outdoor insulation configuration.
Surface CO2 Exchange Dynamics across a Climatic Gradient in McKenzie Valley: Effect of Landforms, Climate and Permafrost
Authors: Startsev Natalia , Bhatti Jagtar , Jassal Rachhpal
Published: November 2016

Northern regions are experiencing considerable climate change affecting the state of permafrost, peat accumulation rates, and the large pool of carbon (C) stored in soil, thereby emphasizing the importance of monitoring surface C fluxes in different landform sites along a climate gradient. We studied surface net C exchange (NCE) and ecosystem respiration (ER) across different landforms (upland, peat plateau, collapse scar) in mid-boreal to high subarctic ecoregions in the Mackenzie Valley of northwestern Canada for three years. NCE and ER were measured using automatic CO2 chambers (ADC, Bioscientific LTD., Herts, England), and soil respiration (SR) was measured with solid state infrared CO2 sensors (Carbocaps, Vaisala, Vantaa, Finland) using the concentration gradient technique. Both NCE and ER were primarily controlled by soil temperature in the upper horizons. In upland forest locations, ER varied from 583 to 214 g C·m−2·year−1 from mid-boreal to high subarctic zones, respectively. For the bog and peat plateau areas, ER was less than half that at the upland locations. Of SR, nearly 75% was generated in the upper 5 cm layer composed of live bryophytes and actively decomposing fibric material. Our results suggest that for the upland and bog locations, ER significantly exceeded NCE. Bryophyte NCE was greatest in continuously waterlogged collapsed areas and was negligible in other locations. Overall, upland forest sites were sources of CO2 (from 64 g·C·m−2·year−1 in the high subarctic to 588 g C·m−2·year−1 in mid-boreal zone); collapsed areas were sinks of C, especially in high subarctic (from 27 g·C·m−2 year−1 in mid-boreal to 86 g·C·m−2·year−1 in high subarctic) and peat plateaus were minor sources (from 153 g·C·m−2·year−1 in mid-boreal to 6 g·C·m−2·year−1 in high subarctic). The results are important in understanding how different landforms are responding to climate change and would be useful in modeling the effect of future climate change on the soil C balance in the northern regions.
Photo-Crosslinkable Colloids: From Fluid Structure and Dynamics of Spheres to Suspensions of Ellipsoids
Authors: Cohen Avner , Alesker Maria , Schofield Andrew , Zitoun David , Sloutskin Eli
Published: November 2016

Recently-developed photo-crosslinkable PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) colloidal spheres are a highly promising system for fundamental studies in colloidal physics and may have a wide range of future technological applications. We synthesize these colloids and characterize their size distribution. Their swelling in a density- and index- matching organic solvent system is demonstrated and we employ dynamic light scattering (DLS), as also the recently-developed confocal differential dynamic microscopy (ConDDM), to characterize the structure and the dynamics of a fluid bulk suspension of such colloids at different particle densities, detecting significant particle charging effects. We stretch these photo-crosslinkable spheres into ellipsoids. The fact that the ellipsoids are cross-linked allows them to be fluorescently stained, permitting a dense suspension of ellipsoids, a simple model of fluid matter, to be imaged by direct confocal microscopy.
Using Technology, Bioinformatics and Health Informatics Approaches to Improve Learning Experiences in Optometry Education, Research and Practice
Authors: Gupta Vivek , Gupta Veer
Published: November 2016

Rapid advances in ocular diagnostic approaches and emerging links of pathological changes in the eye with systemic disorders have widened the scope of optometry as the front line of eye health care. Expanding professional requirements stipulate that optometry students get a meticulous training in relevant information and communication technologies (ICT) and various bioinformatics and health informatics software to meet current and future challenges. Greater incorporation of ICT approaches in optometry education can facilitate increased student engagement in shared learning experiences and improve collaborative learning. This, in turn, will enable students to participate in and prepare for the complex real-world situations. A judicious use of ICTs by teachers in learning endeavors can help students develop innovative patterns of thinking to be a successful optometry professional. ICT-facilitated learning enables students and professionals to carry out their own research and take initiatives and thus shifts the equilibrium towards self-education. It is important that optometry and allied vision science schools adapt to the changing professional requirements with pedagogical evolution and react appropriately to provide the best educational experience for the students and teachers. This review aims to highlight the scope of ICT applications in optometry education and professional development drawing from similar experiences in other disciplines. Further, while enhanced use of ICT in optometry has the potential to create opportunities for transformative learning experiences, many schools use it merely to reinforce conventional teaching practices. Tremendous developments in ICT should allow educators to consider using ICT tools to enhance communication as well as providing a novel, richer, and more meaningful medium for the comprehensive knowledge construction in optometry and allied health disciplines.
Belgium through the Lens of Rail Travel Requests: Does Geography Still Matter?
Authors: Jones Jonathan , Cloquet Christophe , Adam Arnaud , Decuyper Adeline , Thomas Isabelle
Published: November 2016

This paper uses on-line railway travel requests from the iRail schedule-finder application for assessing the suitability of that kind of big data for transportation planning and to examine the temporal and regional variations of the travel demand by train in Belgium. Travel requests are collected over a two-month period and consist of origin-destination flows between stations operated by the Belgian national railway company in 2016. The Louvain method is applied to detect communities of tightly-connected stations. Results show the influence of both the urban and network structures on the spatial organization of the clusters. We also further discuss the implications of the observed temporal and regional variations of these clusters for transportation travel demand and planning.
Mechanical Properties and In Vitro Degradation of Sputtered Biodegradable Fe-Au Foils
Authors: Jurgeleit Till , Quandt Eckhard , Zamponi Christiane
Published: November 2016

Iron-based materials proved being a viable candidate material for biodegradable implants. Magnetron sputtering combined with UV-lithography offers the possibility to fabricate structured, freestanding foils of iron-based alloys and even composites with non-solvable elements. In order to accelerate the degradation speed and enhance the mechanical properties, the technique was used to fabricate Fe-Au multilayer foils. The foils were annealed after the deposition to form a homogeneous microstructure with fine Au precipitates. The characterization of the mechanical properties was done by uniaxial tensile tests. The degradation behavior was analyzed by electrochemical tests and immersion tests under in vitro conditions. Due to the noble Au precipitates it was possible to achieve high tensile strengths between 550 and 800 MPa depending on the Au content and heat treatment. Furthermore, the Fe-Au foils showed a significantly accelerated corrosion compared to pure iron samples. The high mechanical strength is close to the properties of SS316L steel. In combination with the accelerated degradation rate, sputtered Fe-Au foils showed promising properties for use as iron-based, biodegradable implants.
Do Sex Differences in Respiratory Burst Enzyme Activities Exist in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Infection?
Authors: Emokpae Mathias , Mrakpor Beatrice
Published: November 2016

Studies have shown that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disproportionally affects more females than males. Affected individuals are susceptible to infections due to depressed immunity, qualitative defects in phagocytic function and altered phagocytosis as well as lowered oxidative burst capacity. This study seeks to determine whether sex differences exist in serum activities of respiratory burst enzymes in HIV-1–infected female and male subjects. Serum myeloperoxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were assayed in 170 confirmed HIV-1 positive and 50 HIV-1 negative subjects using ELISA. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test and p values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. The measured enzyme activities were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in females than males in HIV-1 negative subjects while no sex differences were observed in HIV-1 positive subjects. The absence of sex differences in the activities of respiratory burst enzymes in HIV-1 infection may be due to immune activation as a result of active phagocytic leukocytes, immune reactivity and inflammation.
Results of High-Temperature Heating Test for Irradiated U-10Zr(-5Ce) with T92 Cladding Fuel
Authors: Kim June-Hyung , Cheon Jin-Sik , Lee Byoung-Oon , Kim Jun-Hwan , Kim Hee-Moon , Yoo Boung-Ok , Jung Yang-Hong , Ahn Sang-Bok , Lee Chan-Bock
Published: November 2016

A microstructure observation using an optical microscope, SEM and EPMA was performed for the irradiated U-10Zr and U-10Zr-5Ce fuel slugs with a T92 cladding specimen after a high-temperature heating test. Also, the measured eutectic penetration rate was compared with the value predicted by the existing eutectic penetration correlation being used for design and modeling purposes. The heating temperature and duration time for the U-10Zr/T92 specimen were 750 °C and 1 h, and those for the U-10Zr-5Ce/T92 specimen were 800 °C and 1 h. In the case of the U-10Zr/T92 specimen, the migration phenomena of U, Zr, Fe, and Cr as well as the Nd lanthanide fission product were observed at the eutectic melting region. The measured penetration rate was similar to the value predicted by the existing eutectic penetration rate correlation. In addition, when comparing with measured eutectic penetration rates for the unirradiated U-10Zr fuel slug with FMS (ferritic martensitic steel, HT9 or Gr.91) cladding specimens which had been reported in the literature, the measured eutectic penetration rate for the irradiated fuel specimen was higher than that for the unirradiated U-10Zr specimen. In the case of the U-10Zr-5Ce/T92 specimen in which there had been a gap between the fuel slug and cladding after the irradiation test, the eutectic melting region was not found because contact between the fuel slug and cladding did not take place during the heating test.
An Integrated Membrane Process for Butenes Production
Authors: Melone Leonardo , Brunetti Adele , Drioli Enrico , Barbieri Giuseppe
Published: November 2016

Iso-butene is an important material for the production of chemicals and polymers. It can take part in various chemical reactions, such as hydrogenation, oxidation and other additions owing to the presence of a reactive double bond. It is usually obtained as a by-product of a petroleum refinery, by Fluidized Catalytic Cracking (FCC) of naphtha or gas-oil. However, an interesting alternative to iso-butene production is n-butane dehydroisomerization, which allows the direct conversion of n-butane via dehydrogenation and successive isomerization. In this work, a simulation analysis of an integrated membrane system is proposed for the production and recovery of butenes. The dehydroisomerization of n-butane to iso-butene takes place in a membrane reactor where the hydrogen is removed from the reaction side with a Pd/Ag alloys membrane. Afterwards, the retentate and permeate post-processing is performed in membrane separation units for butenes concentration and recovery. Four different process schemes are developed. The performance of each membrane unit is analyzed by appropriately developed performance maps, to identify the operating conditions windows and the membrane permeation properties required to maximize the recovery of the iso-butene produced. An analysis of integrated systems showed a yield of butenes higher than the other reaction products with high butenes recovery in the gas separation section, with values of molar concentration between 75% and 80%.
Nanostructured TiO2-based gas sensors with enhanced sensitivity to reducing gases
Authors: Maziarz Wojciech , Kusior Anna , Trenczek-Zajac Anita
Published: November 2016

2D TiO2 thin films and 3D flower-like TiO2-based nanostructures, also decorated with SnO2, were prepared by chemical and thermal oxidation of Ti substrates, respectively. The crystal structure, morphology and gas sensing properties of the TiO2-based sensing materials were investigated. 2D TiO2 thin films crystallized mainly in the form of rutile, while the flower-like 3D nanostructures as anatase. The sensor based on the 2D TiO2 showed the best performance for H2 detection, while the flower-like 3D nanostructures exhibited enhanced selectivity to CO(CH3)2 after sensitization by SnO2 nanoparticles. The sensor response time was of the order of several seconds. Their fast response, high sensitivity to selected gas species, improved selectivity and stability suggest that the SnO2-decorated flower-like 3D nanostructures are a promising material for application as an acetone sensor.
Et3B-mediated and palladium-catalyzed direct allylation of β-dicarbonyl compounds with Morita–Baylis–Hillman alcohols
Authors: Abidi Ahlem , Oueslati Yosra , Rezgui Farhat
Published: November 2016

A practical and efficient palladium-catalyzed direct allylation of β-dicarbonyl compounds with both cyclic and acyclic Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) alcohols, using Et3B as a Lewis acid promoter, is described herein. A wide range of the corresponding functionalized allylated derivatives have been obtained in good yields and with high selectivity.
Hospitalized Older Adults With Established Delirium: Recognition, Documentation, and Reporting
Authors: Zalon Margarete L. , Sandhaus Sonia , Kovaleski Mary , Roe-Prior Paula
Published: November 2016

Delirium, a life-threatening complication for hospitalized older adults associated with adverse outcomes, is often underrecognized and underreported. The purpose of the current study was to analyze delirium documentation for hospitalized older adults. Charts of 34 patients, aged 71 and older with documented delirium and referral to a Hospital Elder Life Program, were reviewed. With the exception of International Classification of Diseases-9 coding, delirium was only mentioned in 12 (35.3%) charts, although descriptors potentially indicative of delirium were usually recorded. Of these, the most frequently recorded were confusion (94.1%), mental d61.8%). When nurses charted delirium descriptors, only 5.9% of their notes included physician referral. Physician responses were to order diagnostic tests and medications, usually antipsychotic or benzodiazepine agents. Of 28 patients requiring transfer to another facility after discharge, delirium was mentioned in only one transfer note. Commonly used delirium descriptors can be used for the development of natural language processing tools for clinical decision support. [
Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 43
(3), 32–40.]