bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of regional designing: New perspectives for the Maastricht/Heerlen, Hasselt/Genk, Aachen and Liège (MHAL) Region
Authors: Kempenaar Annet , Brinkhuijsen Marlies , van den Brink Adri
Published: June 2017

Regional designing is employed to envision regional futures that aim to guide decisions on the environment in the region over a longer period of time. However, longitudinal studies on the long-term use and effect of regional designing are lacking. This paper investigates the impacts of regional designing in the complex and fragmented setting of a cross-border region. Since the late 1980s, the region was subject to four regional design episodes that each had different impacts: from a new perception of the region to initiating regional collaboration and effects on the Dutch professional debate. The study showed that regional designing is a powerful means to overcome difficulties that arise from the fragmented setting of a cross-border region. Moreover, it revealed that the context in which regional designing is embedded determines in what areas regional designing will have its impact. Both plans and people are important in the transference of regional design outcomes to other planning arenas and conditions, such as status and available funding, improve the chances of transference.
Substrate-bound CCL21 and ICAM1 combined with soluble IL-6 collectively augment the expansion of antigen-specific murine CD4+ T cells
Authors: Adutler-Lieber Shimrit , Zaretsky Irina , Sabany Helena , Kartvelishvily Elena , Golani Ofra , Geiger Benjamin , Friedman Nir
Published: June 2017

Key Points

A synthetic immune niche consisting of CCL21, ICAM1 and IL-6 promoted morphological changes of T cell clusters and increased cell expansion. This synthetic immune niche can serve as an improved approach for efficiently generating antigen-specific immunotherapeutic CD4 T cells.
ECMO in major burn patients: feasibility and considerations when multiple modes of mechanical ventilation fail
Authors: Kennedy Jason D. , Thayer Wesley , Beuno Reuben , Kohorst Kelly , Kumar Avinash B.
Published: June 2017

Background

We report two cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome in burn patients who were successfully managed with good outcomes with extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after failing multiple conventional modes of ventilation, and review the relevant literature.

Case presentation

The two patients were a 39-year-old male and 53-year-old male with modified Baux Scores of 79 and 78, respectively, with no known inhalation injury. After the initial modified Parkland-based fluid resuscitation and partial escharotomy, both patients developed worsening hypoxemia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The hypoxemia continued to worsen on multiple modes of ventilation including volume control, pressure regulated volume control, pressure control, airway pressure release ventilation and volumetric diffusive ventilation. In both cases, the PaO2 ≤ 50 mm Hg on a FiO2 100% during the trial of mechanical ventilation. The deterioration was rapid (<12 h since onset of worsening oxygenation) in both cases.

A decision was made to trial the patients on ECMO. Veno-Venous ECMO (V-V ECMO) was successfully initiated following cannulation-under transesophgeal echo guidance—with the dual lumen Avalon® (Maquet, NJ, USA) cannula. ECMO support was maintained for 4 and 24 days, respectively. Both patients were successfully weaned off ECMO and were discharged to rehabilitation following their complex hospital course.

Conclusion

Early ECMO for isolated respiratory failure in the setting on maintained hemodynamics resulted in a positive outcome in our two burn patients suffered from acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Setd1b, encoding a histone 3 lysine 4 methyltransferase, is a maternal effect gene required for the oogenic gene expression program
Authors: Brici David , Zhang Qinyu , Reinhardt Susanne , Dahl Andreas , Hartmann Hella , Schmidt Kerstin , Goveas Neha , Huang Jiahao , Gahurova Lenka , Kelsey Gavin , Anastassiadis Konstantinos , Stewart A. Francis , Kranz Andrea
Published: June 2017

Germ cell development involves major reprogramming of the epigenome to prime the zygote for totipotency. Histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylations are universal epigenetic marks mediated in mammals by six H3K4 methyltransferases related to fly Trithorax, including two yeast Set1 orthologs: Setd1a and Setd1b. Whereas Setd1a plays no role in oogenesis, we report that Setd1b deficiency causes female sterility in mice. Oocyte-specific Gdf9-iCre conditional knockout (Setd1bGdf9cKO) ovaries develop through all stages; however, follicular loss accumulated with age and unfertilized metaphase II (MII) oocytes exhibited irregularities of the zona pellucida and meiotic spindle. Most Setd1bGdf9cKO zygotes remained in the pronuclear stage and displayed polyspermy in the perivitelline space. Expression profiling of Setd1bGdf9 cKO MII oocytes revealed (1) that Setd1b promotes the expression of the major oocyte transcription factors including Obox1, 2, 5, 7, Meis2 and Sall4; and (2) twice as many mRNAs were upregulated than downregulated, suggesting that Setd1b also promotes the expression of negative regulators of oocyte development with multiple Zfp-KRAB factors implicated. Together, these findings indicate that Setd1b serves as maternal effect gene through regulation of the oocyte gene expression program.
Convergence of signaling pathways underlying habenular formation and axonal outgrowth in zebrafish
Authors: Roberson Sara , Halpern Marnie E.
Published: June 2017

The habenular nuclei are a conserved integrating center in the vertebrate epithalamus, where they modulate diverse behaviors. Despite their importance, our understanding of habenular development is incomplete. Time-lapse imaging and fate mapping demonstrate that the dorsal habenulae (dHb) of zebrafish are derived from dbx1b-expressing (dbx1b+) progenitors, which transition into cxcr4b-expressing neuronal precursors. The precursors give rise to differentiated neurons, the axons of which innervate the midbrain interpeduncular nucleus (IPN). Formation of the dbx1b+ progenitor population relies on the activity of the Shh, Wnt and Fgf signaling pathways. Wnt and Fgf function additively to generate dHb progenitors. Surprisingly, Wnt signaling also negatively regulates fgf8a, confining expression to a discrete dorsal diencephalic domain. Moreover, the Wnt and Fgf pathways have opposing roles in transcriptional regulation of components of the Cxcr4-chemokine signaling pathway. The chemokine pathway, in turn, directs the posterior outgrowth of dHb efferents toward the IPN and, when disrupted, results in ectopic, anteriorly directed axonal projections. The results define a signaling network underlying the generation of dHb neurons and connectivity with their midbrain target.
Synergism between canoe and scribble mutations causes tumor-like overgrowth via Ras activation in neural stem cells and epithelia
Authors: Rives-Quinto Noemí , Franco Maribel , de Torres-Jurado Ana , Carmena Ana
Published: June 2017

Over the past decade an intriguing connection between asymmetric cell division, stem cells and tumorigenesis has emerged. Neuroblasts, which are the neural stem cells of the Drosophila central nervous system, divide asymmetrically and constitute an excellent paradigm for investigating this connection further. Here we show that the simultaneous loss of the asymmetric cell division regulators Canoe (afadin in mammals) and Scribble in neuroblast clones leads to tumor-like overgrowth through both a severe disruption of the asymmetric cell division process and canoe loss-mediated Ras-PI3K-Akt activation. Moreover, canoe loss also interacts synergistically with scribble loss to promote overgrowth in epithelial tissues, here just by activating the Ras-Raf-MAPK pathway. discs large 1 and lethal (2) giant larvae, which are functionally related to scribble, contribute to repress the Ras-MAPK signaling cascade in epithelia. Hence, our work uncovers novel cooperative interactions between all these well-conserved tumor suppressors that ensure tight regulation of the Ras signaling pathway.
Architectural protein Pita cooperates with dCTCF in organization of functional boundaries in Bithorax complex
Authors: Kyrchanova Olga , Zolotarev Nikolay , Mogila Vladic , Maksimenko Oksana , Schedl Paul , Georgiev Pavel
Published: June 2017

Boundaries in the Bithorax complex (BX-C) of Drosophila delimit autonomous regulatory domains that drive parasegment-specific expression of homeotic genes. BX-C boundaries have two crucial functions: they must block crosstalk between adjacent regulatory domains and at the same time facilitate boundary bypass. The C2H2 zinc-finger protein Pita binds to several BX-C boundaries, including Fab-7 and Mcp. To study Pita functions, we have used a boundary replacement strategy by substituting modified DNAs for the Fab-7 boundary, which is located between the iab-6 and iab-7 regulatory domains. Multimerized Pita sites block iab-6↔iab-7 crosstalk but fail to support iab-6 regulation of Abd-B (bypass). In the case of Fab-7, we used a novel sensitized background to show that the two Pita-binding sites contribute to its boundary function. Although Mcp is from BX-C, it does not function appropriately when substituted for Fab-7: it blocks crosstalk but does not support bypass. Mutation of the Mcp Pita site disrupts blocking activity and also eliminates dCTCF binding. In contrast, mutation of the Mcp dCTCF site does not affect Pita binding, and this mutant boundary retains partial function.
A toolkit for GFP-mediated tissue-specific protein degradation in C. elegans
Authors: Wang Shaohe , Tang Ngang Heok , Lara-Gonzalez Pablo , Zhao Zhiling , Cheerambathur Dhanya K. , Prevo Bram , Chisholm Andrew D. , Desai Arshad , Oegema Karen
Published: June 2017

Proteins that are essential for embryo production, cell division and early embryonic events are frequently reused later in embryogenesis, during organismal development or in the adult. Examining protein function across these different biological contexts requires tissue-specific perturbation. Here, we describe a method that uses expression of a fusion between a GFP-targeting nanobody and a SOCS-box containing ubiquitin ligase adaptor to target GFP-tagged proteins for degradation. When combined with endogenous locus GFP tagging by CRISPR-Cas9 or with rescue of a null mutant with a GFP fusion, this approach enables routine and efficient tissue-specific protein ablation. We show that this approach works in multiple tissues – the epidermis, intestine, body wall muscle, ciliated sensory neurons and touch receptor neurons – where it recapitulates expected loss-of-function mutant phenotypes. The transgene toolkit and the strain set described here will complement existing approaches to enable routine analysis of the tissue-specific roles of C. elegans proteins.
SPEF2 functions in microtubule-mediated transport in elongating spermatids to ensure proper male germ cell differentiation
Authors: Lehti Mari S. , Zhang Fu-Ping , Kotaja Noora , Sironen Anu
Published: June 2017

Sperm differentiation requires specific protein transport for correct sperm tail formation and head shaping. A transient microtubular structure, the manchette, appears around the differentiating spermatid head and serves as a platform for protein transport to the growing tail. Sperm flagellar 2 (SPEF2) is known to be essential for sperm tail development. In this study we investigated the function of SPEF2 during spermatogenesis using a male germ cell-specific Spef2 knockout mouse model. In addition to defects in sperm tail development, we observed a duplication of the basal body and failure in manchette migration resulting in an abnormal head shape. We identified cytoplasmic dynein 1 and GOLGA3 as novel interaction partners for SPEF2. SPEF2 and dynein 1 colocalize in the manchette and the inhibition of dynein 1 disrupts the localization of SPEF2 to the manchette. Furthermore, the transport of a known SPEF2-binding protein, IFT20, from the Golgi complex to the manchette was delayed in the absence of SPEF2. These data indicate a possible novel role of SPEF2 as a linker protein for dynein 1-mediated cargo transport along microtubules.
Puzzles in modern biology. V. Why are genomes overwired?
Authors: Frank Steven A.
Published: June 2017

Many factors affect eukaryotic gene expression. Transcription factors, histone codes, DNA folding, and noncoding RNA modulate expression. Those factors interact in large, broadly connected regulatory control networks. An engineer following classical principles of control theory would design a simpler regulatory network. Why are genomes overwired? Neutrality or enhanced robustness may lead to the accumulation of additional factors that complicate network architecture. Dynamics progresses like a ratchet. New factors get added. Genomes adapt to the additional complexity. The newly added factors can no longer be removed without significant loss of fitness. Alternatively, highly wired genomes may be more malleable. In large networks, most genomic variants tend to have a relatively small effect on gene expression and trait values. Many small effects lead to a smooth gradient, in which traits may change steadily with respect to underlying regulatory changes. A smooth gradient may provide a continuous path from a starting point up to the highest peak of performance. A potential path of increasing performance promotes adaptability and learning. Genomes gain by the inductive process of natural selection, a trial and error learning algorithm that discovers general solutions for adapting to environmental challenge. Similarly, deeply and densely connected computational networks gain by various inductive trial and error learning procedures, in which the networks learn to reduce the errors in sequential trials. Overwiring alters the geometry of induction by smoothing the gradient along the inductive pathways of improving performance. Those overwiring benefits for induction apply to both natural biological networks and artificial deep learning networks.
Long-Term Performance of Preservative-Treated Shingles of Western Wood Species
Authors: Morrell Jeffrey J. , Miller Donald J. , Sichamba Kennedy
Published: June 2017

The performance of western hemlock, sugar pine, and western larch as alternatives to western redcedar (WRC) for roof shingles was investigated on outdoor roof racks with and without an initial brush or dip treatment with either pentachlorophenol (penta) or chromated copper arsenate (CCA). Untreated shingles of all species experienced degradation over a 32-year exposure in western Oregon, but WRC provided the best performance. Penta treatments improved performance to some extent, but the best protection was provided by a dip treatment in CCA prior to installation. The results illustrate the benefits of even shallow surface protection in aboveground exposures.
Book Reviews
Authors: Arnaud Lionel , Hintermann Christiane
Published: June 2017

Multiculturalism and The Arts in European Cities, Marco Martiniello (ed.) (2014)

London and New York: Routledge, 120 pp., ISBN-13: 978-1138689923,

ISBN-10: 1138689920, h/bk, 110$; p/bk, 42$

 

Artifacts and Allegiances: How Museums put the Nation and the World on Display, Peggy Levitt (2015)

Oakland, California: University of California Press, 244 pp.,

ISBN: 9780520286078, p/bk, £24.95
The inclusion of non-Western artistic traditions in cultural policy: Contrasting social justice and public diplomacy approaches
Authors: Dupont Pier-Luc
Published: June 2017

On both sides of the Atlantic, the dissemination of non-Western artistic traditions among the general public has been hampered by the prevalence of Eurocentric aesthetic standards in cultural institutions and organizations. In recent years, however, some states have taken steps in order to increase the exposure of immigrant-origin artists in a variety of disciplines, including theatre, music, dance, literature, cinema and visual arts. This article offers a systematic comparison of two such initiatives that have been developed at the national level: the Equity Office of the Canada Council for the Arts and Spain’s network of cultural ‘Houses’ (Red de Casas). While the former was assigned a social justice mandate, the latter was created to further foreign policy goals through public diplomacy. These diverging approaches have created distinct funding opportunities, policy instruments and structural outcomes, with important implications for processes of artistic segregation and mainstreaming.
Socioeconomic processes as open-ended results. Beyond invariance knowledge for interventionist purposes
Authors: Ivarola Leonardo
Published: June 2017

In this paper a critique to philosophical approaches that presuppose invariant knowledge for policy purposes is carried out. It is shown that socioeconomic processes do not fit to the logic of stable causal factors, but they are more suited to the logic of "open-ended results". On the basis of this ontological variation it is argued that ex-ante interventions are not appropriate in the socioeconomic realm. On the contrary, they must be understood in a “dynamic” sense. Finally, derivational robustness analysis is proposed as a useful tool for overcoming the problem of “overconstraint”, a typical problem of economic models.
Slum tradition introduced in Latife Tekin’s novel called “Berji Kristin Tales” from garbage hills
Latife Tekin’in “Berci Kristin Çöp Masalları” adlı romanında ortaya konan gecekondu âdetleri
Authors: Okyay Damla
Published: June 2017

Rapid depopulation of rural areas caused overpopulation in urban areas. This led to cultural changes and made it inevitably necessary to define the new folk and folklore by the folklorists. The fact that Alan Dundes defines the public as "any group of people whatsoever who share at least one common factor" has enabled the folklorists to examine the cultural products that have emerged in cities as a result of the developments and changes in regard to migration and urbanization.Latife Tekin, one of the prominent authors in Turkish literature after 1980, published her second book called Berji Kristin: Tales from the Garbage Hills in 1984. The book is a story of a slum. The compliance processes of the slum dwellers and the struggle with such issues as the wind, unemployment, and poverty have been narrated through the cultural products. Based on Alan Dundes' perspective from the articles called 'Who are the folk?' and 'What is folklore?', the novel has adopted the point of view that "each group has its own folklore," and some distinctive traditions that squatters call their own have been determined in the novel. The emergence of the traditions due to the fact that the slum dwellers cannot transform into urbanites and yet cannot remain provincial either establishes the primary topic of the present article.Extended English abstract is in the end of PDF (TURKISH) file. ÖzetKöyden kente göçlerin hızla artması köy nüfusunu azaltırken kent nüfusunu arttırmıştır. Bu durum kültürel değişimlere sebep olmuş ve halk bilimciler açısından yeni bir halk ve folklor tanımlamasını gerekli kılmıştır. Alan Dundes’ın halkı “en az bir ortak faktörü paylaşan grup” olarak tanımlaması göç ve şehirleşme eksenindeki gelişmeler ve değişimler sonucunda şehirlerde ortaya çıkan kültürel ürünleri halk bilimciler açısından incelenebilir kılmıştır.1980 sonrası Türk edebiyatının öne çıkan isimlerinden Latife Tekin, ikinci kitabı olan “Berci Kristin Çöp Masalları” romanını 1984 senesinde yayımlamıştır. Kitapta bir gecekondu mahallesinin hikâyesi anlatılmıştır. Gecekondu sakinlerinin şehre uyum süreçleri ve rüzgâr, işsizlik, yoksulluk gibi sorunlarla mücadeleleri kültürel ürünler üstünden verilmiştir. Romana Alan Dundes’ın “Halk kimdir?” ve “Folklor nedir?” makalesindeki görüşlerinden de yola çıkılarak “her topluluğun kendi folkloru vardır.” bakış açısıyla bakılmış, romanda konducuların kendilerine ait olduklarını kabul ettikleri âdetler tespit edilmiştir. Gecekondu sakinlerinin kentli olamayışı bununla birlikte köylü de kalamayışlarının doğurduğu bu âdetler makalenin ana konusunu oluşturmuştur
Comparative sorption studies of chromate by nano-and-micro sized Fe2O3 particles
Authors: Muska M. , Naeem A. , Hamayun M. , Badshah S. L. , Farooq M. , Fida M. , Mahmood A. , Shah K. H. , Mabkhot Y. N.
Published: June 2017

The comparative adsorption studies of Cr (VI) on nano and micro-powder Fe2O3 were investigated using kinetics and batch adsorption techniques. The uptake of chromate onto both the oxides of iron was observed to be dependent on the pH, contact time, temperature, media dosage and concentration of chromate anions. The values of sorption maxima were higher in the case of Fe2O3 nanopowder than the micro-powder which can be ascribed to the high surface area and point of zero charge (PZC) of the former oxide. The Dubinin-Radushkivech and Langmuir models were found well fitted for the description of the batch adsorption data. The FTIR studies confirmed that the hexavalent chromium was adsorbed onto both the iron oxides in the form of the Cr2O72−.
Connecting Chemistry with Global Challenges through Data Standards
Authors: Bruno Ian , Frey Jeremy G.
Published: June 2017

The new millennium, now almost 20 years old, has been characterised by a recognition within the research community of the importance of the free flow of research data; not simply in the ability to access the data, but also in the understanding that this valuable resource needs to be reused and built upon. We believe there have been at least two main drivers for this. First, those who pay for the research want to know it is leading to useful outcomes with impact–the transparency and accountability agenda. Second is an appreciation that the major global concerns (food, health, climate, economy) are extraordinarily complex (‘wicked’) problems, [1] whose solution requires interdisciplinary teams able to exchange data, information, and knowledge across domains. Moreover, ensuring data are understandable by other researchers, a hard-enough proposition in its own right, is no longer sufficient. The scale of modern data-intensive research is now only possible using computational techniques that require data to also be understandable by machines. There is a broad consensus across expert groups and scientific organisations that mutually-agreed data standards are essential to achieving these aims. [2, 3, 4]
Leveraging the Web
Authors: Fyson William , Coles Simon , Frey Jeremy
Published: June 2017

As an open, inexpensive, collaborative platform, the Web is ideal for facilitating communication among scholars and enabling nearly free access to knowledge. The Web’s potential allows researchers to utilize the digital, networked medium to publish more of their research data in comparison to paper-based journal articles and to publish them in context-sensitive formats, enabling wider access and visibility along with increased discoverability and the potential for further use, including through the deployment of e-science techniques. [1] However, this potential is often not fully achieved. Academic publishing has created a market, formed over hundreds of years, that fulfills a number of processes, such as peer review, impact assessment, and allocation of funding. Numerous stakeholders, ranging from publishers to academics to research funders, all have their own agendas and conflicting interests, which can inhibit the adoption of innovative approaches to leveraging the Web. Thus, in order to better enable the potential of e-science, an approach that merely leverages the Web to develop new tools and platforms for dissemination is insufficient; the socio-economic forces that influence stakeholders’ behaviour must also be considered. [2]
Beware the Hype of Digital Publishing
Authors: Hicks Martin G. , Kettner Carsten
Published: June 2017

Scientific publishing is changing; Open Access allows for published information to be freely shared, and Open Data repositories [1] are improving our ability to share and (re-)use data. These and initiatives such as RDA, FORCE11, and FAIR, [2, 3, 4] are changing the way we perceive the notion of publishing science. In the laboratory, equipment is becoming interconnected and new technologies are producing vast amounts of data; transformative change is underway. New publication practices are required that address the needs of the data producers and the data users. Many community-based grassroots projects and initiatives have already successfully set up infrastructures for storing and sharing data.
Modelling loanword success – a sociolinguistic quantitative study of Māori loanwords in New Zealand English
Authors: Calude Andreea Simona , Miller Steven , Pagel Mark
Published: June 2017

Loanword use has dominated the literature on language contact and its salient nature continues to draw interest from linguists and non-linguists. Traditionally, loanwords were investigated by means of raw frequencies, which are at best uninformative and at worst misleading. Following a new wave of studies which look at loans from a quantitatively more informed standpoint, modelling “success” by taking into account frequency of the counterparts available in the language adopting the loanwords, we propose a similar model of loan-use and demonstrate its benefits in a case study of loanwords from Māori into (New Zealand) English. Our model contributes to previous work in this area by combining both the success measure mentioned above with a rich range of linguistic characteristics of the loanwords (such as loan length and word class), as well as a similarly detailed group of sociolinguistic characteristics of the speakers using them (gender, age and ethnicity of both, speakers and addresses). Our model is unique in bringing together of all these factorsat the same time. The findings presented here illustrate the benefit of a quantitatively balanced approach to modelling loanword use. Furthermore, they illustrate the complex interaction between linguistic and sociolinguistic factors in such language contact scenarios.
Micropolar curved rods. 2-D, high order, Timoshenko’s and Euler-Bernoulli models
Authors: Zozulya V.V.
Published: June 2017

New models for micropolar plane curved rods have been developed. 2-D theory is developed from general 2-D equations of linear micropolar elasticity using a special curvilinear system of coordinates related to the middle line of the rod and special hypothesis based on assumptions that take into account the fact that the rod is thin.High order theory is based on the expansion of the equations of the theory of elasticity into Fourier series in terms of Legendre polynomials. First stress and strain tensors,vectors of displacements and rotation and body force shave been expanded into Fourier series in terms of Legendre polynomials with respect to a thickness coordinate.Thereby all equations of elasticity including Hooke’s law have been transformed to the corresponding equations for Fourier coefficients. Then in the same way as in the theory of elasticity, system of differential equations in term of displacements and boundary conditions for Fourier coefficients have been obtained. The Timoshenko’s and Euler-Bernoulli theories are based on the classical hypothesis and 2-D equations of linear micropolar elasticity in a special curvilinear system. The obtained equations can be used to calculate stress-strain and to model thin walled structures in macro, micro and nano scale when taking in to account micropolar couple stress and rotation effects.
A Kantian Argument for the Formula of Humanity
Authors: Kitcher Patricia
Published: June 2017

Although many take the formula of humanity to be Kant’s best formulation of the CI, there is no agreement on his argument for it. Kant says that the argument comes in GMM3, but that section is difficult to interpret. I draw on his remarks about cognizing other minds in the Paralogisms to interpret the argument of sub-section 2 of GMM3, the argument that rational beings must “lend” the idea of freedom to all rational beings. Kant later rejects his attempt to establish the CI in GMM3 and tries again in the fact of reason passages of the
Defending Kant’s conception of matter from the charge of circularity
Authors: Kahn Samuel
Published: June 2017

In the
Gefitinib versus docetaxel in treated non-small-cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Bing , Zuo Zhanjie , Li Fang , Yang Kun , Du Minjun , Gao Yushun
Published: June 2017

The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of gefitinib and docetaxel in treated patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods. A literature search was performed using PubMed and CNKI databases for relevant keywords and the Medical Subject Headings. After further full-text screening, 10 clinical trials were included in the final meta-analysis. Specific odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals were calculated. Results. The outcomes of treatment efficacy included disease control rates, quality-of-life improvement rates, 3~4 grade adverse events. Comparing gefitinib to docetaxel for NSCLC patients, the pooled odds ratios (OR) of disease control rates was 1.09, (95% confidential index [CI] = 0.84–1.43), the pooled OR of quality-of-life improvement rates was 2.49, (95% CI = 1.77–3.49), the pooled OR of 3~4 grade adverse events was 0.49, (95% CI = 0.32–0.75). Conclusion. Gefitinib was found to significantly improve patients’ quality-of-life and obviously decrease patients’ adverse events of 3~4 grade.There is no difference of disease control rates between gefitinib and docetaxel.
Nonlinear control systems - A brief overview of historical and recent advances
Authors: Iqbal Jamshed , Ullah Mukhtar , Khan Said Ghani , Khelifa Baizid , Ćuković Saša
Published: June 2017

Last five decades witnessed remarkable developments in linear control systems and thus problems in this subject has been largely resolved. The scope of the present paper is beyond linear solutions. Modern technology demands sophisticated control laws to meet stringent design specifications thus highlighting the increasingly conspicuous position of nonlinear control systems, which is the topic of this paper. Historical role of analytical concepts in analysis and design of nonlinear control systems is briefly outlined. Recent advancements in these systems from applications perspective are examined with critical comments on associated challenges. It is anticipated that wider dissemination of this comprehensive review will stimulate more collaborations among the research community and contribute to further developments.
Wound healing and dry matter content of orange-fleshed sweetpotato cultivars as influenced by curing methods
Authors: Atuna Richard A. , Carey Edward E. , Low Jan W. , Amagloh Francis K.
Published: June 2017

Curing in sweetpotato is a crucial pre- or postharvest practice that could guarantee improved shelf life,but rarely practised by sweetpotato farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, principally due to lack of knowledge. Wound healing ability of cultivars has been associated with good root storability. In this study, two orange fleshed sweetpotato cultivars (Apomuden and Nane) were either cured in-ground by dehaulming prior to harvest or field-piled over a seven-day period to study their responses to wound healing and changes in dry matter content. Apomuden is a low dry matter content(19%) variety in Ghana while Nane is a high dry matter content (27%) farmer cultivar under evaluation for formal release. A potato peeler was used to deliberately create the wounds on 21 storage roots. The curing treatment was applied and the subsequent post-treatment quality status of the storage roots was monitored daily over a seven-day period. Wound healing ability was scored as follows: 0 = no lignification, 0.5 = patchy lignification and1= complete lignification. Wound healing ability score was not significantly different for Apomuden and Nane (0.83,0.78, respectively; p = 0.120). However, storage roots curedby field-piled curing method resulted in significantly better wound healing ability than dehaulming (0.86, 0.75,respectively, p = 0.001). Over the seven-day curing period,Nane had a significantly higher and stable dry mattercontent compared with Apomuden (p = 0.008), whose dry matter content was lower and fluctuating. The field-piled curing resulted in higher (p = 0.020) dry matter content,24%, compared with in-ground curing (22%). The field piled curing method, which can easily be adopted by sweetpotato farmers, increased the dry matter content of the storage roots; therefore, it could potentially reduce the post-harvest losses in sweetpotato. The high dry matter content of Nane is a desirable root quality attribute for orange-fleshed cultivars and could augment existing cultivars in Ghana.
Modelling of intermittent microwave convective drying: parameter sensitivity
Authors: Zhang Zhijun , Qin Wenchao , Shi Bin , Gao Jingxin , Zhang Shiwei
Published: June 2017

The reliability of the predictions of a mathematical model is a prerequisite to its utilization. A multiphase porous media model of intermittent microwave convective drying is developed based on the literature. The model considers the liquid water, gas and solid matrix inside of food. The model is simulated by COMSOL software. Its sensitivity parameter is analysed by changing the parameter values by ±20%, with the exception of several parameters. The sensitivity analysis of the process of the microwave power level shows that each parameter: ambient temperature, effective gas diffusivity, and evaporation rate constant, has significant effects on the process. However, the surface mass, heat transfer coefficient, relative and intrinsic permeability of the gas, and capillary diffusivity of water do not have a considerable effect. The evaporation rate constant has minimal parameter sensitivity with a ±20% value change, until it is changed 10-fold. In all results, the temperature and vapour pressure curves show the same trends as the moisture content curve. However, the water saturation at the medium surface and in the centre show different results. Vapour transfer is the major mass transfer phenomenon that affects the drying process.
Perspektiven der eG für die Schulträgerschaft
Authors: Zillinger Julia , Göler von Ravensburg Nicole
Published: June 2017

Compared to other sectors of welfare almost no practical or academic attention is drawn to the cooperative’s organization and legal form. This surprises considering the current boom of private school formations and the rising skepticism regarding registered associations as proper legal forms for highselling initiatives. To approach a first explanation, this article explores the influence of context and general framework as well as the motivation for such formations and the central experiences of three selected school cooperatives.
Effectiveness of Critical Thinking Indicator-Based Module in Empowering Student’s Learning Outcome in Respiratory System Study Material
Authors: Khasanah A. N. , Widoretno S. , Sajidan S.
Published: June 2017

Research and development are aiming to develop critical thinking skills-based modules on the respiration system materials to empower the learning outcomes; verify the effectiveness of critical thinking skills-based modules with teaching materials in schools based on student learning outcomes. Research and development method are using Borg & Gall development procedure with nine phases. Data analysis that used for the research and development are qualitative and quantitative descriptive. Research and development results show that critical thinking skills-based modules on the respiration system materials were developed according to the indicators of critical thinking skills and knowledge dimension that visualised on the objectives, materials, activities and evaluation questions which are developed to empower the learning outcomes. The result of module effectiveness test, showed by Anacova test result are FCount = 180,4 on factual, conceptual, procedural learning outcomes which are visualised in the form of multiple choice questions and FCount = 40.2 metacognitive learning results are visualised in the form of essays.
Natural Science Big Book with Baduy Local Wisdom Base Media Development for Elementary School
Authors: Andriana E. , Syachruroji A. , Alamsyah T. P. , Sumirat F.
Published: June 2017

Big Book is an especially characterized storybook that being enlarged, both the text and the pictures and designed as interesting as possible so it could motivate the students in learning the lesson in school. Big Book media in this research was developed based on local wisdom in Baduy as the effort to introduce the local wisdom values in Baduy custom area, so it may grow the love towards the local custom. The benefit of using the local wisdom based Big Book is the teacher can easily interest the students to focus on the story that will be read and make it easier for the students in understanding the material because the contents of the material are related directly to the student’s daily life. From the data that have been gathered, there are 79.7% to learning material expert validation and 83.41% to learning media validation. So, it can be concluded that Big Book media is appropriate to be used in the learning process.
Computer-Based Experiment of Free Fall Movement to Improve the Graphical Literacy
Authors: Subali B. , Rusdiana D. , Firman H. , Kaniawati I. , Ellianawati E.
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this study is to develop computer-based experiment of free fall movement to improve the graphical literacy of the Physics Education students. This study employed quasi-experimental design, particularly the pre-test and post-test control group design. The sample was 58 students of the first semester of Physics Education study program. They were divided into two groups, namely 38 students constituted an experimental group and 20 students constituted the control group. Both groups joined learning activities at laboratory and classrooms with the same topic which is the free fall movement. Computer-based learning models were used to design learning activities for the experimental group, while the control group used a traditional learning model with manual experiment with stopwatch and never use experiment tool of free fall movement. It was indicated in this study that the use of such learning model improved the graphical literacy capability better than the traditional learning, which covered ability to identify experimental variables, using the experimental tools, making a graph, formulating mathematical equation, making predictions on the basis of the graph.
Analysis of Students’ Difficulties about Rotational Dynamic Topic Based on Resource Theory
Authors: Rahmawati I. , Sutopo S , Zulaikah S.
Published: June 2017

Students’ difficulties commonly are analyzed based on misconception theory. This paper aimed to analyze students’ difficulties on the rotational dynamic based on resource theory. The subject of research consisted of 108 first-year undergraduate students of Physics Education, State University of Malang. Firstly, the students were asked to solve 15 multiple-choice questions and gave open explanation. We then implemened a constant comparative method to identify and categorize some resources that students employed in solving several problems that most the students failed to respond correctly. The results indicated that the students had difficulties in solving problems related to the torque and the equilibrium of rigid body. The students’ difficulties were not merely caused by the lack of correct knowledge. Instead, they have the correct knowledge or resources but they activated them on inappropriate context. The students will be successfully used the resources to solve problems if they activated them in the right context.
The Evaluation of Science Learning Program, Technology and Society Application of Audio Bio Harmonic System with Solar Energy to Improve Crop Productivity
Authors: Rosana D. , Kadarisman N. , Maryanto A. , Sugiharsono A.
Published: June 2017

One of the greatest challenges in science learning is how to integrate a wide range of basic scientific concepts of physics, chemistry, and biology into an integrated learning material. Research-based teaching material in this area is still very poor and does not much involve students of science education in its implementation as part of the learning program science technology and society (STS). The purpose of this study is to get the result of evaluation of the teaching and learning of STS in the form of public service in Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta. The program to improve crop productivity through the application of Audio Bio Harmonic System (ABHS) with solar energy have been selected for utilizing the natural animal sounds to open stomata of the leaves conducted during foliar fertilization, making it suitable for integrated science lessons. Component of evaluation model used is Stufflebeam model evaluation (CIPP). CIPP evaluation in these activities resulted in two aspects: The first aspect was improving the skills of students and farmers in using ABHS, and these two aspects, namely food crop productivity; (1) cayenne increased 76.4%, (2) increased red onions (56.3%) and (3) of maize increased by 67.8%. Besides, it was also the effect of the application of ABHS on the rate of plant growth. The outcome of this study is the STS teaching materials and appropriate technology of ABHS with solar energy.
Usability Testing Analysis on The Bana Game as Education Game Design References on Junior High School
Authors: Adnan F. , Prasetyo B. , Nuriman N.
Published: June 2017

Learning media is one of the important elements in the learning process. Technological development support makes learning media more varied. The approach of using digital technology as a learning media has a better and more effective impact than other approaches. In order to increase the students’ learning interest, it requires the support of an interesting learning media. The use of gaming applications as learning media can improve learning outcomes. The benefits of using the maximum application cannot be separated from the determination of application design. The Bana game aims to increase the ability of critical thinking of the junior high school students. The usability-testing analysis on the Bana game application is used in order to get the design reference as an educational game development. The game is used as an object of the analysis because it has the same characteristics and goals with the game application to be developed. Usability Testing is a method used to measure the ease of use of an application by users. The Usability Testing consists of learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors, and satisfaction. The results of the analysis obtained will be used as a reference for educational game applications that will be developed.
The Effect of Science Learning Integrated with Local Potential of Wood Carving and Pottery Towards the Junior High School Students' Critical Thinking Skills
Authors: Dewi I. P. M. , Suryadarma I. G. P. , Wilujeng I. , Wahyuningsih S.
Published: June 2017

This study aims to analyze the influence of science learning integrated with the local potential of wood carving and pottery to the critical thinking skill of class VIII SMP students. This research is a quasi-experimental research (quasi-experiment). The research design uses pretest-posttest control group design. The population in this study is the students of class VIII MTs Negeri Piyungan, while the sample is the students of class VIII A and VIII B MTs Negeri Piyungan. The technique of collecting data in this research is in the form of test. The data collection instrument is a critical thinking skill descriptive test. The data were analyzed using ANOVA test. The results of this study indicate that the learning of science integrated with the local potency of wood carving and pottery have an effect on critical thinking skill of class VIII SMP student. This effect is indicated by a significance of 0.008 (significance <0.05).
The Importance of Training Needs’ Questionnaire in order to Arrange Science Teacher Training Program
Authors: Tapilouw M. C. , Firman H. , Redjeki S. , Chandra D. T.
Published: June 2017

An ideal teacher training program is by participant’s need. The major aim of this study is getting information about science teacher’s perception and needs in their professional’s life as a science teacher in Junior High School. The main idea of teacher training is to strengthen the integrated science of Natural Science concepts and problem-based learning. Data is gathered by spreading training needs questionnaire to 20 science teachers under an education foundation in Bandung. The questionnaire consists of six main parts which are teacher’s profile, teacher’s training, integrated science, problem-based learning, environmental problem and lesson preparation. The result of the training needs questionnaire is used as a basic of Science Teacher Training Program’s Arrangement. There are four significant findings in training needs questionnaire. The first finding, the method of training is important. Most of the participant choose discussion method with sharing. The second finding, webbed model/ thematic approach in integrated science is unfamiliar for the participant. Therefore, the thematic approach can be a potential material for teacher training program. The third finding, 70% participants find obstacles in problem-based learning. This finding shows that the need to put problem-based learning material in teacher training program. The fourth finding, 65% participant, express opinions that material about lesson preparation is critical in teacher training. Based on the explanation above, we can conclude that training program for science teacher needs to be arranged according to teacher needs. So, the training program should use discussion method with sharing. Material about the thematic approach, problem-based learning and learning preparation are very potential to put into a training program for Junior High School science teacher.
Addressing an Undergraduate Research Issue about Normalized Change for Critical Thinking Test
Authors: Sriyansyah S. P. , Azhari D.
Published: June 2017

Normalized change is a familiar expression used to measure student’s improvement in physics education research, including critical thinking skill improvement. A widely used standardized critical thinking test is the Cornell Critical Thinking Test. The CCTT scoring method, rights minus one-half the number wrong, results from possible interval scores ranging from the negative minimum score to positive maximum score. The problem then arises in the use of the normalized change in CCTT scores, particularly in the situation when the post-test score is worse than the pre-test score. We reveal the used equation deficiencies and demonstrate the mistakes made by undergraduate researchers, as well as suggesting a modified equation that can be used under the normalized change rationale, i.e. the ratio of the gain or the loss of the maximum possible gain or loss. Some frequently asked questions about normalized change are also discussed.