bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Condition of erythrocyte membranes in people with mental and behavioural disorders caused by alcohol consumption
Authors: Baskevich O. V.
Published: June 2017

We studied the morphological features of the restructuring and osmotic stability of erythrocytes of 30 people with mental disorders and disorders of behavioural reactions caused by 5-7 years consumption of alcohol, the objects of the research being in a state of abstinence during the period of the investigation,. The study of quantitative composition of red blood cells and hemoglobin, as well as their ratio in people with mental and behavioural disorders developed as a result of alcohol consumption showed a decrease in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin of 42.2% and 25.1%, respectively, indicating the presence in those people of anemic hypoxia. This is closely correlated with a decrease of osmotic resistance of red blood cells to different concentrations of sodium chloride solutions, whereby the state of erythrocyte membranes deteriorates and their resistance to hemolysis decreases. Parallel to this, is a reduction in the size of red blood cells coupled with a variety of changes in their microrelief. Conformational changes of erythrocytes are closely correlated with changes in the activity of enzymes responsible for the biotransformation of xenobiotics, primarily products of lipid peroxidation. It is shown that activity of the erythrocyte antioxidant defense system is sharply reduced as a result of increase in partially oxidized products of metabolism. It was found that the state of red blood cells is a sensitive indicator of the normal course of physiological changes, biochemical and biophysical processes in the bodies of people with mental disorders and behaviour reactions developed due to consumption of alcohol.At the same time, the measurement of the osmotic resistance of red blood cells and changes in the shape of red blood cells connected with this phenomenon is an important research method for studying mechanisms of pathological processes and the action of certain drugs or biologically active substances, expands the possibilities of establishing the depth of destruction of body tissues, and also provides excellent opportunities for researchers to identify the effectiveness of treatment and prevention for people with mental disorders and behaviour reactions caused by consumption of alcohol. This article discusses prospects of studies of the level of glutathione peroxidase activity in the erythrocytes among people with mental and behavioural disorders as a marker of highly specific homeostasis in the human body in response to long-term alcohol consumption, and considers using this index as a criterion for selecting patients for different groups of physical rehabilitation and recreation according to the level of rehabilitation potential.
Effect of 3-substituted 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones on maximal normalized rate of bradykinin-induced smooth muscle contraction in the presence of calcium channel blockers
Authors: Virych P. A. , Shelyuk O. V. , Kabanova T. A. , Khalimova O. I. , Martynyuk V. S. , Pavlovsky V. I. , Andronati S. A.
Published: June 2017

The development of modern organic chemistry and molecular modeling technologies simplify the search for potential inhibitors of various receptor systems and biological processes. The one of the directions is the development of analgesics of broad spectrum and low toxicity. It is important to search for inhibitors of the kinin-kallikrein system that regulates many functions: inflammation, pain, carcinogenesis, vascular tone, smooth muscle contraction and other. Derivatives of 3-substituted 1,4-benzodiazepine-2-ones have a unique spatial conformation that allows one to simulate β-structures of bioactive peptides. The functional activity of compounds is determined by properties of their peripheral chemical radicals. We analyzed the effect of 3-substituted 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones derivatives on the normalized maximal rate of bradykinin-induced smooth muscle contraction and relaxation of the stomach in the presence of calcium channel blockers: verapamil (1 μM), gadolinium (300 μM) and 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate (0.1 μM). The levels of bradykinin and 3-arylamino-1,2-dihydro-3H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-ones in incubation solution were 10–6 M. Data processing on dynamics of contraction was performed according to the method of Burdyha and Kosterin. Compounds MX-1775 and MX-1925 reduced maximal normalized rate (Vn) of bradykinin-induced smooth muscle contraction in the presence of Gd3+ by 21.2% and 31.0% respectively. Compound MX-1925 increased Vn of relaxation by 11.6%. A similar effect is typical for MX-2011, where there is an increase by 34.6%. In the presence of verapamil this compound additionally decreased Vn contraction by 20.5%. Substances MX-1775, MX-2004 and MX-1925 restored maximal normalized rate of relaxation to original values of bradykinin-induced contraction. In the presence of 2-aminoethyldiphenylborinate MX-1775 additionally reduced Vn of contractions by 7.5%. 3-substituted 1,4-benzo­diazepine-2-ones did not change the maximal normalized rate of contraction and relaxation of carbachol- and potential-induced smooth muscle contraction. Based on the results and previous investigations, the MX-1775 is a potential blocker of kinin B2-receptors. Effects obtained for other compounds require additional research.
The features of vegetative regulation of the heart rate in athletes with different levels of perception and processing of visual information
Authors: Skyba O. , Pshenychna L. , Ustymenko-Kosorich O.
Published: June 2017

The study involved 32 children aged from 11-12 who were receiving training in sports schools in Sumy .The children were divided into three study groups with high, medium and low levels of sensorimotor reactivity, defined in terms of complex visual-motor response. The study methods were psychophysiological, cardiointervalography, mathematical and statistical. We found that the majority of individuals with a medium level of sensorimotor reactivity possessed vegetative tonus, characterized by background emphotony, while sympathicotonia was prevalent in the group of athletes with a high level of sensorimotor reactivity, in comparison with those with medium and low levels of sensorimotor reactivity. Vegetative imbalance that manifests via hypersympaticotonic reactivity occurred among athletes with high and medium levels of sensorimotor reactivity, which is the evidence of stress on the cardiovascular system, decline of adaptive capacity of the organism in the individuals investigated. Shorter latent periods of complex visual-motor responses (LP SR 1–3 and LP SR 2–3) were observed among athletes with hypersympaticotonic vegetative reactivity, compared to sportsmen with normal type of vegetative reactivity (P < 0.05). Analysis of indicators of heart rate variability revealed an increased activity of the sympathoadrenal system in athletes with a high level of sensorymotor response, which is confirmed by significantly lower values of SDNN and RMSSD in comparison with athletes with a low level of sensorymotor response. The activation of central regulation in athletes with a high level of sensorimotor responses also show significantly higher values IN and Amo, in comparison with athletes with a low level of sensorymotor response. The figures IN (47.7%), and Amo (45.3%) were those most effected by the level of sensorimotor reactivity. Less effected were figures of SDNN (43.1%), which reflects general heart rate variability and RMSSD (43.1%), which reflects high frequency components of heart rate. Analysis of change in dynamics of figures of heart rate variability provides evidence of higher activity of the sympathoadrenal system in athletes with a high level of sensorimotor reactivity, which facilitates increased stress on heart rhythm vegetative regulation mechanisms, accompanied by decline of parasympathetic influences of the vegetative nervous system.
The quality of colostrum and vitality of calves, born from cows with different reaction to stress experiences
Authors: Chernenko O. M. , Chernenko O. I. , Sanjara R. A.
Published: June 2017

The article presents the results of studying cortisol concentration and creatine phosphokinase activity in the blood serum of 40 half-sib Ukrainian black and white dairy cows an hour after planned blood extraction, which was a stress experience. We divided the cows into three groups according to the distribution of cortisol concentration in the animals: I – high, II – average and III – low stress resistance. During the research, the cows from these groups were in their fourth month of lactation after their first calving. They were kept untethered in their summer quarters, natural pastures. The aim of the research was to identify the differences in the quality of colostrum, the vitality of the calves up to the age of 6 months, the vitality of the mother-cows, and also the influence of their different adaptation potentials in cases of abortion and stillborn calves among the cows from different groups. At the dairy complex where the research was conducted, the quality of the cows’ colostrum is not monitored. This is typical for most dairy plants of Ukraine. We found that the classes of A and M immunoglobulins did not depend upon which particular groups the animals belonged to, whereas the content of immunoglobulins of class G is 6.7 g/l higher, and the content of total protein is 8.9 g/l higher in the yield of colostrum of the cows from group 1. The influence of cows’ different levels of resistance to stress experiences on their incidence of abortions and stillborn calves was not determined. Gastroenteritis occurred among calves of cows from group 3 three times more often than with those of group 1. Vitality of calves from cows of groups 1 and 2 was significantly higher. Therefore, technological stress experiences of mother-cows have a negative effect upon the quality of colostrum and upon the vitality of calves. This factor ought to be taken into consideration in the exploitation of animals, especially during pregnancy in order to minimise stress and help individuals with less strong nervous systems. Solving the complex problems of increasing the vitality of calves involves in part guaranteeing their provision with colostrum immunity by compulsory control of the colostrum’ quality using a special aerometer (Colostrometer).
Effects of low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction on high-energy phosphate metabolism and oxygenation level in skeletal muscle
Authors: Yanagisawa Osamu , Sanomura Manabu
Published: June 2017

We aimed to evaluate the effects of low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (BFR) on high-energy phosphate metabolism, intracellular pH, and oxygenation level in the skeletal muscle. Seven males performed low-load ankle plantar flexion exercise (120 repetitions, 30% of one-repetition maximum) with and without BFR (130% of systolic blood pressure) inside a magnetic resonance device. Inorganic phosphate (Pi)-to-phosphocreatine (PCr) ratio, intracellular pH, and tissue oxygenation index (TOI) in the medial gastrocnemius were determined using 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and near-infrared spectroscopy before and during exercise. The Pi-to-PCr ratio significantly increased during exercise in both conditions, with the BFR-condition values significantly exceeding the control-condition values. The BFR and control conditions showed significantly decreased intracellular pH during exercise, with the BFR-condition values being significantly lower than the control-condition values. The TOI significantly decreased during both exercises, but the decreases in the BFR condition were significantly greater than those observed in the control condition. Low-load BFR exercise places greater metabolic stress (greater PCr depletion, lower intracellular pH, and lower oxygenation level) on an exercising muscle than low-load non-restricted exercise.
THE ANTIGEN-SPECIFIC CELL IN VITRO TESTS FOR POST-VACCINATION ANTIPLAGUE IMMUNITY FORMATION
Authors: Kulichenko A. N. , Abzaeva N. V. , Gostischeva S. E. , Rakitina E. L. , Ponomarenko D. G. , Kostuchenko M. V.
Published: June 2017

The possibility of post-vaccination anti-plague immunity evaluation was researched using antigen-stimulated cells tests in vitro and cytometry analysis. The object of study — the blood samples of 17 people immunised by the live plague vaccine (Yersinia pestis EV) epicutaneously. Blood taking was carried out before vaccination and after immunisation on 7 and on 21 days, in 3 and in 6 months. Intensity antigen reactivity of lymphocytes was detected by cell tests in vitro, analysing markers of early (CD45+CD3+CD25+) and late (CD45+CD3+HLA-DR+) lymphocyte activation using flow cytometry. The complex of water-soluble Y. pestis antigens and allergen — pestin PP was tested as antigen. The high stimulating potential was defined of the water-soluble antigens Y. pestis complex. It is shown that coefficient of stimulation of relative level T- lymphocytes which express receptors for IL-2 was positive for all observation times after immunisation. The coefficient of stimulation had maximum values at 21 days (56.37%) and at 3 (47.41%) months. In identifying HLADR-positive lymphocytes before vaccination, the negative coefficient of stimulation was indicated on 7 and 21 days and the positive coefficient of stimulation was indicated at 3 and at 6 months. Analysis of intensity expression of early and late lymphocyte activation markers dynamics showed the possibility and prospect of application of cellular in vitro tests for the laboratory evaluation of specific reactivity of cellular immunity in both the early (7 days) and late (6 months) periods after vaccination. The results can be the basis for developing a new algorithm for assessment of immunological effectiveness of vaccination people against plague. It is the algorithm based on the identification of lymphocyte activation markers by antigen stimulation in conditions in vitro.
O uso do role-playing game para o ensino de biologia: aprendendo zoologia de maneira não convencional
Authors: Silva André Maciel da , Silva Gabriel Gonçalves Ribeiro , Nascimento Júnior Antonio Fernandes
Published: June 2017

É claro, atualmente, o fato de que o ensino de ciências enfrenta diversos desafios. As aulas precisam construir o conhecimento com os alunos de forma instigante e interessante, ou existe o risco de não estimularem a reflexão dos estudantes e seu gosto pelo conhecimento. Dessa forma, foi desenvolvida uma metodologia com o objetivo de construir conhecimentos de zoologia com os alunos, além de proporcionar oportunidades de reflexão e contextualização do tema.  Para isso, foi utilizado um RPG (Role-playing Game), construído especialmente para esta aula. Após o processo de planejamento, o jogo foi aplicado para os alunos. Primeiramente, as regras do jogo foram apresentadas aos alunos, que então se dividiram em grupos para jogar, sendo que um dos jogadores de cada grupo foi o mestre e os outros escolheram, cada um, um animal dentro da história do jogo. Após o jogo, foi feita uma discussão sobre os temas abordados. Durante toda a aula, o professor atuou como mediador, orientando os grupos durante o jogo e auxiliando na contextualização dos temas presentes na história. Os alunos escreveram suas impressões sobre as aulas, que foram geralmente positivas. Foi possível perceber que o RPG não apenas se mostra como uma nova maneira de se ensinar ciência, mas também estimula a imaginação, a criatividade e a cooperação entre os alunos, de forma divertida e lúdica. Estratégias como esta aproximam o aluno do conhecimento, e demonstram como métodos alternativos de ensino podem ser não apenas divertidos, mas muito úteis para professores e alunos. PALAVRAS-CHAVE:  Role-playing Game. Metodologias Alternativas. Ensino de Ciências e Biologia.
Avaliação de Danos Ambientais em Sítios Arqueológicos
Authors: Donato Cláudio José , Astolphi José Luís de Lima , Uliana Maira Rodrigues
Published: June 2017

O tema deste estudo é avaliação de danos ambientais em sítios arqueológicos. Justifica-se este estudo por tratar sobre a questão da proteção ambiental e a importância da preservação dos sítios arqueológicos.  O objetivo do presente estudo é analisar a importância de realizar avaliação de danos e impactos  ambientais em sítios arqueológico. A metodologia adotada foi uma pesquisa bibliográfica. Os resultados deste estudo demonstram que a prevenção de impactos ambientais em áreas de sítios arqueológicos se faz por meio de diagnóstico, para que se possa obter a licença ambiental. Com isto se pode minimizar os impactos ambientais e preservar o patrimônio histórico cultural do país. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Sítio arqueológico. IPHAN. Danos Ambientais.
Educação Ambiental frente à Reforma do Ensino Médio no Brasil
Authors: Reis Laís Naiara Gonçalves dos , Martins Marco Túlio , Rosa Daniela Almeida
Published: June 2017

O conceito de educação ambiental se diferencia pelos vieses do local de aplicação desta. A formação e desenvolvimento do indivíduo também acontecem nas instituições de ensino e, portanto os princípios que compõem a recente alteração da LDB para Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC) precisam ser claros e dotados de pedagogia para que a educação ambiental seja desenvolvida nas grandes áreas propostas, uma vez que os alunos deverão optar por uma área. A preocupação é que não seja possível desenvolver em sua plenitude a educação ambiental por meio da proposta de flexibilização da grade curricular. Este artigo tem como objetivo avaliar o caráter pedagógico da educação ambiental nas alterações da Reforma do Ensino Médio brasileiro e na BNCC, nos conteúdos itinerários das Ciências da natureza e suas tecnologias e Ciências humanas sociais e aplicadas. Para tal, foi realizado o levantamento bibliográfico na literatura científica sobre a educação ambiental: teoria e aplicabilidades para a construção de reflexões sobre a Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC) e a sua abordagem de EA. Após a leitura dos PCN’s, ficou-se a impressão de uma escola ideal, muito além daquela contemplada pela infraestrutura das escolas públicas brasileiras, sobretudo, no que tange aos aspectos de laboratório. Por ter característica continuada, a escola deverá adotar uma política e práticas que permitam o desenvolvimento integrado da Educação Ambiental no âmbito escolar. Para tal, alguns temas podem ser desenvolvidos na escola e em sua comunidade. Sugere-se um projeto start a partir da investigação da Coleta Seletiva de Resíduos Sólidos (CSRS).  PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Educação ambiental. BNCC. Ensino.
Chrome Azural S (CAS) Plate Assay for Iron-Binding Compounds v1
Authors: Steven Wilhelm Dr.
Published: June 2017

Please contact Dr. Steven Wilhelm (wilhelm@utk.edu) for additional information regarding this protocol. Modified fromSchwyn, B. & Neilands, J. B. Universal chemical assay for the detection and determination of siderophores.Anal Biochem, 160:147-156 (1987).
Молодежь и революция (эскиз к политическому портрету)
Authors: Ильинский Игорь Михайлович
Published: June 2017

В статье проанализированы этапы российской истории XIX в. с точки зрения роли молодежи в ключевые моменты рождения новых социальных идей. Историософский очерк позволяет лучше понять ситуацию, в которой оказалась Россия в начале ХХ в., причины трех русских революций, представляющих собой единое по своей природе явление.

Впервые особая роль молодежи в российской истории резко проявилась во времена реформ Петра I, когда разразился конфликт поколений. Новые поколения молодежи XVIII в. поддерживали новый образ жизни. Они передали духовную эстафету своим детям. Движение декабристов возникло в 1820-х годах под влиянием просветительской деятельности и западноевропейских политических идей. Организации декабристов можно считать первыми по возрастному составу молодежными организациями.  В начале и середине XIX в. движущей силой социально-политических движений была дворянская молодежь. С 1860-х годов инициатива перешла молодежи разночинной, интеллигентской. К концу века революционную массу составляли в основном молодые рабочие и рабочие-интеллигенты. В начале ХХ в. в революционной среде стала появляться крестьянская молодежь. Молодые люди стояли во главе различных революционных кружков и организаций, были духовными вожаками и идеологами различных общественных и революционных течений, составляли практически всю массу революционного движения.

Общественное движение молодежи, будучи на первых порах культурно-просветительским по своим конкретным и ближайшим задачам, в сущности своей в конце концов было революционно-политическим, ибо в той или иной форме вело к изменению или свержению существовавшего строя. Главными причинами возбуждения и непрерывного (с некоторыми спадами в критические моменты) нарастания революционного движения были условия жизни молодежи и внешняя международная обстановка.

Среди различных настроений, кружков и групп в революционном движении наиболее заметным и сильным было социалистическое течение. Социализм более всего отвечал умонастроению и психологическому состоянию, в котором находилось русское общество после реформ начала 1860-х годов.

 
Эволюция погребального обряда хакасов: факторы сохранения системной целостности
Authors: Анжиганова Лариса Викторовна , Арчимаева Маргарита Юрьевна
Published: June 2017

В работе осуществлен анализ основных этапов и факторов эволюции погребального обряда хакасов начиная с древности до начала XXI в. Под понятием «погребальный обряд» авторы понимают систему действий, объединенных единством мировоззренческих оснований, совершаемых с момента смерти человека, во время погребения и после похорон в виде поминальных ритуалов. Анализ научной литературы показал, что погребальный обряд рассматривался как объект либо археологических, либо этнографических изысканий, а также, что потребность рассмотреть обряд в его системной целостности требует культурологического анализа.  

Погребальный обряд хакасов в своих мировоззренческих основах начал формироваться еще в период тагарской культуры VIII–II вв. до н. э. Он соответствовал вертикально-горизонтальной структуре мира, проводился в соответствии с культами Неба, Земли, Огня. Таковым он оставался и в последующие периоды развития народа.

В ХVIII — начале ХХ1 в. обрядность испытала влияние ряда факторов, в большей степени повлиявших на форму, но не на содержание ритуалов. Так, влияние господствующего рода кыргызов выразилось в доминировании обряда по типу трупосожжения. Взаимодействие различных этнических групп и родов (сеоков) Саяно-Алтая также внесло некоторые новации в обряд и оформление памятников. Особое влияние на проведение погребального обряда хакасов могла бы оказать христианизация, но он сохранил свою целостность. Атеизм ХХ в. лишь изменил форму надгробного памятника, когда распространились постаменты с пятиконечной звездой. В ХXI в. происходит восстановление этнической культуры хакасов. Хакасы выказывают живой интерес к традиционным формам, в том числе в погребальной обрядности.
Análise de crescimento de espécies daninhas do gênero Euphorbia
Authors: Ferreira Débora Teresa , Da Silva Ivanildo Claudino , Da Silva Vicente Mota , Endres Laurício , De Souza Renan Cantalice , Ferreira Vilma Marques
Published: June 2017

Nos canaviais, espécies do gênero Euphorbia são relatadas como plantas daninhas capazes de reduzir a produtividade em até 85%. Para traçar estratégias corretas de controle dessas plantas é necessário o conhecimento tanto da sua biologia quanto do seu crescimento. Assim, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o crescimento de três espécies daninhas do gênero Euphorbia ocorrentes nos canaviais. O estudo foi realizado em casa de vegetação, utilizando delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em esquema de parcela subdividida, com cinco repetições. Os fatores foram três espécies de Euphorbia (E. heterophylla, E. hyssopifolia e E. hirta) e 13 períodos de avaliação: 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84, 91 e 98 dias após a semeadura (DAS). Em cada avaliação foram mensuradas a altura da planta (AP), a área foliar (AF), o número de folhas (NF) e a matéria seca total (MST). Com valores médios de matéria seca da parte aérea (MSPA), MST e AF foram calculadas as taxas de crescimento absoluto (TCA) e relativo (TCR), a razão de área foliar (RAF) e a razão massa foliar (RMF). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e à regressão não-linear. E. heterophylla foi maior em AP até os 63 DAS, a partir desse ponto, E. hyssopifolia ultrapassou obtendo maior altura dentre as espécies estudadas. E. heterophylla destacou-se por ter maior acúmulo de AF, MST e TCA dentre as espécies estudadas, seguida da E. hyssopifolia e E. hirta. O ponto máximo de crescimento das espécies avaliadas ocorreu aos 77 DAS. Dentre as espécies estudadas, E. heterophylla apresenta maior crescimento e desenvolvimento.
The Impact of Asian Foreign Direct Investment, Trade on Africa’s Economic Growth
Authors: Diouf Modou , Hai Yun Liu
Published: June 2017

Globalization of capital and especially foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade has increased dramatically over the past decades. In developing economies; FDI has become the most stable and largest component of capital flows. This study examines the interaction between FDI, trade openness and economic growth with a focus on Asian FDI, trade and 13 West African countries for the period 1980-2015. The results from weighted Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) show that both FDI and trade significantly contribute to economic growth. The study also indicates that a unidirectional causality runs from FDI to economic growth indicating FDI-growth-led hypothesis while a bidirectional causality is detected between trade and economic growth validating feedback-effect. Increasing FDI could also promote trade by opening and expanding market opportunities.
People with Disabilities and Their Representation in Public Spaces: A Case Study of Post-War Jaffna
Authors: N. Baskaran
Published: June 2017

People with disabilities have become an important topic for discussion in the post-war Sri Lanka due to many reasons. In Northern Sri Lanka, different age group of the population in war-torn areas are often direct or indirect victims of violence, and witnesses to various issues associated with war disaster. Over three decades of war in Sri Lanka has changed the traditional views of disability and replaced it with a view of disability as a social oppression. This study, therefore, looks to understand the social background of people with disabilities. The main objective of this study is to consider the meaning of disabilities in public spaces in post-war Jaffna[1]. The chosen field was undertaken in Thenmaradchi Divisional Secretariat of Jaffna district. This paper has reported on the experiences of 59 people with disabilities who were disabled during the war period. The primary data were collected from interviews and surveys with predetermined case study, non-direct and participant observation and key informant interviews through purposive sampling. It is in this context; an attempt is made to understand the meaning of people with disabilities through their day-to-day life events, situations, and their experiences. This paper discusses the meaning of disabilities under three factors namely, Religious Discourse, Family Structure and Women Status based on grounded theory method. Moreover, these socio-cultural interpretations of people with disabilities are linked with other important factors such economic and political aspects. The finding of the study was that the people with disabilities depicted there are usually crippled and socially excluded or hidden in the limited public spaces in post-war Jaffna. Since disability issues have become a central part of the development and social work discourse in the post-war Tamil society, the researcher hopes that this research will contribute to policy formation for people with disabilities and the effective implications of the post-war reintegration process and development process. Finally, it is hoped that the study will create social awareness and mobilize people with disabilities and strengthen the disabled in society.
Economic Power Schedule and Transactive Energy through Intelligent Centralized Energy Management System for DC Residential Distribution System
Authors: Yue Jingpeng , Hu Zhijian , Li Chendan , Vasquez J. C. , Guerrero Josep M.
Published: June 2017

DC residential distribution system (RDS) consisted by DC living home will be a significant integral part in the future green transmission. Meanwhile, the increasing number of distributed resources and intelligent devices will change the power flow between main grid and demand sides. The utilization of distributed generations (DGs) requires an economic operation, stability, environmentally friendly in the whole DC system. This paper not only presents an optimization schedule and transactive energy (TE) approach through centralized energy management system (CEMS), but a control approach to implement and ensure DG output voltages to various DC buses in DC RDS. Based on data collection, prediction and a certain objection, the expert system in CEMS can work out the optimization schedule, after this, the voltage droop control for steady voltage is aligned with the command of unit power schedule. In this work, a DC RDS is as a case study to demonstrate the process, the RDS is associated with unit economic models, cost minimization objective is proposed to achieve based on real-time electrical price. The results show that the proposed framework and methods will help the targeted DC residential system to reduce the total cost and reach stability and efficiency.
On-chip High-finesse Fabry-Perot Microcavities for Optical Sensing and Quantum Information
Authors: Bitarafan Mohammad H. , DeCorby Ray G.
Published: June 2017

For applications in sensing and cavity-based quantum computing and metrology, open-access Fabry-Perot cavities – with an air or vacuum gap between a pair of high reflectance mirrors – offer important advantages compared to other types of microcavities. For example, they are inherently tunable using MEMS-based actuation strategies, and they enable atomic emitters or target analytes to be located at high field regions of the optical mode. Integration of curved-mirror Fabry-Perot cavities on chips containing electronic, optoelectronic, and optomechanical elements is a topic of emerging importance. Micro-fabrication techniques can be used to create mirrors with small radius-of-curvature, which is a prerequisite for cavities to support stable, small-volume modes. We review recent progress towards chip-based implementation of such cavities, and highlight their potential to address applications in sensing and cavity quantum electrodynamics.
Reviews on “Progresses of Earthquake Engineering in Japan”
Authors: Takiguchi Katsuki ,   Tokyo Institute of Technology
Published: June 2017

It seems that when human beings attain one thing, it is at the simultaneous loss of something else. Upon developing recording devices, we lose our ability to memorize. Upon creating convenient computers, we lose our ability to calculate. What, then, do progress and development really mean? In considering this, time spans become especially important.

How are we to properly understand the progress and changes that have occurred in the last 3 decades in light of disaster prevention and reduction? Advances in communication technologies and developments in transportation system seem somehow to have accelerated the speed at which we live and at which our lives pass. How are we to balance the changes between progress in disaster prevention/reduction and the increasing potential risks disasters can bring due to our increasingly complex society? It seems certain that one thing has not advanced at all – the human capacity for foresight.

Let us consider the span of 3 decades from another perspective: Henry Petroski, in his Design Paradigms – Case Histories of Error and Judgment in Engineering – (Cambridge University Press, 1994), introduces the theory that every 30 years, a bridge falls – within the span of 30 years, succession in wisdom dies out.

Articles published more than 30 years ago give us a unique opportunity to assess their foresight, especially those written by persons in leadership positions at the time.

In the 3 years from 1973 to 1975, the journal Technocrat, published by Fuji Technology Press Ltd., presented 9 review articles on earthquake disaster prevention. They were all written by leaders in the field. An editorial reviewing urban disaster prevention in Japan was also published in Toshi bousai keikakuron (Urban Disaster Prevention Planning) (Dobunshoin) in 1986 – roughly a decade later.

These 10 articles will be republished in Vol. 1 Nos. 1-3 in this journal, together with new articles reviewing progress and development afterward. This unique series will consist of 18 articles as shown in the following list. Don’t miss it!

Katsuki Takiguchi

Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Nuclear Accidents and Leakage of Radioactive Materials at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Office Fuji Technology Press Editorial
Published: June 2017

Of all things relevant to the Great East Japan Earthquake, what drew the highest degree of attention from not only Japan but elsewhere around the world was the Fukushima Daiichi (No.1) Nuclear Power Plant’s nuclear power accidents that bears comparison with Chernobyl’s. During the subsequent four months, though this nuclear plant has not gone critical again, the leakage of radioactive materials from within the plant’s compounds continues. The possibility of another major accident happening, e.g. hydrogen explosion, breaking of containment vessel, in which radioactive materials would once again be strewed over the peripheral districts is not totally eradicated, albeit not so high. Given such a situation, the JDR Editorial staff has decided to examine the developments since the outbreak of the Great East Japan Earthquake and furnish the readers with updated information about developments leading to the outbreak of the accidents at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and on debates that have since evolved in Japan. Thus, this presentation here could be termed a summarization of articles that have been carried in Japanese newspapers and magazines. It admittedly includes such information whose authenticity was not fully confirmed. The judgments and views expressed in this article represent the common ground shared by vernacular newspapers and magazines. As was the case with the previous issue of this journal, the judgments and views that represent the majority opinion in Japan are carried in this issue without modification. (K.J., July 11, 2011)
Message from the Winner
Authors: Yeh Harry ,   Professor, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
Published: June 2017

I am honored to receive the JDR Award and am very grateful to the editors and staff members of the Journal of Disaster Research. I am also deeply indebted to the authors who contributed their excellent papers to the two special issues that I had the privilege of guest editing. One issue focused on tsunami forces and effects on structures (Vol.4 No.6) and the other on uncertainties in tsunami effects (Vol.11 No.4). I organized these special issues in cooperation with professors Shuto1 and Sato2, without whom I could not have achieved such fruitful special issues. So this award must be shared with both professor Shuto and professor Sato.

The Journal of Disaster Research was founded in 2006, immediately after two impactful disasters: the 2004 Great Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami, and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina. The founding of the journal was very timely, and I was inspired when I was invited to serve as an international member of the editorial board. Recognizing that research in natural hazards must be trans-disciplinary and interwoven with expertise in geophysics, engineering, and social sciences, I felt it was difficult to locate a proper arena for reporting research findings. And because natural hazards do not recognize national borders, I felt it was crucial that research be conducted with close international collaboration.

In the Journal’s early days, it published collections of papers originating mostly from Japanese research activities. But contributions from other countries have increased dramatically, and today the Journal is in the process of establishing an exceptional reputation, attracting truly outstanding research articles from around the world. The Journal of Disaster Research now serves as an excellent dissemination outlet for cutting-edge natural hazard and disaster research, and I intend to continually contribute to this exemplary international journal.
An Examination of the Impact of Computer Skills on the Effective Use of ICT in the Classroom
Authors: Khaloufi Az-eddine , Laabidi Hicham
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of computer skills on the successful integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Moroccan higher education institutions. Actually, the survival of these institutions in the expansion of modern technologies depends on their readiness to qualify professors and students to implement ICTs for educational objectives. Because of the significant role that computer technologies play in today’s job markets, higher education institutions are required to provide the most appropriate learning and teaching conditions for both professors and students to make effective use of these new technologies within classroom practices. The findings revealed that teachers consider ICTs very essential in their teaching. However, there are low levels of computer technology integration in teaching processes.  This lack of computer technology use in instruction is attributed to several factors. One of these various factors is teachers’ computer skills. It has been found that there are statistically significant differences between professors’ use of ICT with respect to their computer skills, F (4,158) = 32.776, p<0.05.
Update on the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Effect of Cholecystokinin and Cholecystokinin-1 Receptor on the Formation of Cholesterol Gallstones
Authors: Wang Helen H. , Portincasa Piero , Wang David Q.-H.
Published: June 2017

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is an important neuro-intestinal peptide hormone produced by the enteroendocrine I-cells in the upper part of small intestine. Protein- and fat-enriched food plays an important role in triggering CCK secretion from the intestine. Carbohydrates stimulate only small amounts of CCK release. The CCK-1 receptor (CCK-1R) is largely localized in the gallbladder, sphincter of Oddi, pancreas, small intestine, gastric mucosa, and pyloric sphincter, where it is responsible for CCK to regulate multiple digestive processes including gallbladder contraction, pancreatic secretion, small intestinal transit, and gastric emptying. Accumulated evidence clearly demonstrates that CCK regulates gallbladder and small intestinal motility through CCK-1R signaling cascade and the effect of CCK-1R on small intestinal transit is a physiological response for regulating intestinal cholesterol absorption. Disruption of the Cck or the Cck-1r gene in mice significantly increases the formation of cholesterol gallstones by disrupting gallbladder emptying and biliary cholesterol metabolism, as well as promoting intestinal absorption of cholesterol. Abnormalities in gallbladder motility function in response to exogenously administered CCK are found primarily in patients with cholesterol gallstones. Patients with pigment gallstones display an intermediate degree of gallbladder motility defect without gallbladder inflammation and enlarged fasting gallbladder. Dysfunctional gallbladder contractility has been found under several conditions such as pregnancy, obesity, diabetes, celiac disease, and total parenteral nutrition although gallstones are not observed. The gallbladder-specific CCK-1R-selective agonist may lead to an efficacious novel way for preventing gallstone formation by promoting gallbladder emptying, particularly for pregnant women and subjects with dysfunctional gallbladder motility function such as celiac patients, as well as patients with total parenteral nutrition.
BSoniq: A 3-D EEG Sound Installation
Authors: Mathew Marlene , Cetinkaya Mert , Roginska Agnieszka
Published: June 2017

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) methods have received a lot of attention in the past several decades, owing to the exciting possibility of computer-aided communication with the outside world. Most BCIs allow users to control an external entity such as games, prosthetics, musical output etc. or are used for offline medical diagnosis processing. Most BCIs that provide neurofeedback, usually categorize the brainwaves into mental states for the user to interact with. Raw brainwave interaction by the user is not usually a feature that is readily available for a lot of popular BCIs. If there is, the user has to pay for or go through an additional process for raw brain wave data access and interaction. BSoniq is a multi-channel interactive neurofeedback installation which, allows for real-time sonification and visualization of electroencephalogram (EEG) data. This EEG data provides multivariate information about human brain activity. Here, a multivariate event-based sonification is proposed using 3D spatial location to provide cues about these particular events. With BSoniq, users can listen to the various sounds (raw brain waves) emitted from their brain or parts of their brain and perceive their own brainwave activities in a 3D spatialized surrounding giving them a sense that they are inside their own heads.
Using Auditory Display Techniques to Enhance Decision Making and Perceive Changing Environmental Data Within a 3D Virtual Game Environment
Authors: Broderick James , Duggan Jim , Redfern Sam
Published: June 2017

When it comes to understanding our environment, we use all our senses. Within the study and implementation of virtual environments and systems, huge advancements in the quality of visuals and graphics have been made, but when it comes to the audio in our environment, many people have been content with very basic sound information. Video games have strived towards powerful sound design, both for player immersion and information perception. Research exists showing how we can use audio sources and waypoints to navigate environments, and how we can perceive information from audio in our surroundings. This research explores using sonification of changing environmental data and environmental objects to improve user's perception of virtual spaces and navigation within simulated environments, with case studies looking at training and for remote operation of unmanned vehicles. This would also expand into how general awareness and perception of dynamic 3D environments can be improved. Our research is done using the Unity3D game engine to create a virtual environment, within which users navigate around water currents represented both visually and through sonification of their information using Csound, a C based programming language for sound and music creation.
Auditory and Head-Up Displays for Eco-Driving Interfaces
Authors: Shortridge Woodbury , Gable Thomas M. , Noah Brittany E. , Walker Bruce N.
Published: June 2017

Eco-driving describes a strategy for operating a vehicle in a fuel-efficient manner. Current research shows that visual eco-driving interfaces can reduce fuel consumption by shaping motorists’ driving behavior but may hinder safe driving performance. The present study aimed to generate insights and direction for design iterations of auditory eco-driving displays and a potential matching head-up visual display to minimize the negative effects of using purely visual head-down eco-driving displays. Experiment 1 used a sound card-sorting task to establish mapping, scaling, and polarity of acoustic parameters for auditory eco-driving interfaces. Surveys following each sorting task determined preferences for the auditory display types. Experiment 2 was a sorting task to investigate design parameters of visual icons that are to be paired with these auditory displays. Surveys following each task revealed preferences for the displays. The results facilitated the design of intuitive interface prototypes for an auditory and matching head-up eco-driving display that can be compared to each other.
Reflections on the Representation of Women in the International Conferences on Auditory Displays (ICAD)
Authors: Andreopoulou Areti , Goudarzi Visda
Published: June 2017

This paper investigates the representation of women researchers and artists in the conferences of the International Community for Auditory Display (ICAD). In the absence of an organized membership mechanism and/or publicly available records of conference attendees, this topic was approached through the study of publication and authorship patterns of female researchers in ICAD conferences. Temporal analysis showed that, even though there has been an increase in the number of publications co-authored by female researchers, the annual percentage of female authors remained in relatively unchanged levels (mean = 17.9%) throughout the history of ICAD conferences. This level, even though low, remains within the reported percentages of female representation in other communities with related disciplines, such as the International Computer Music Association (ICMA) and the Conferences of the International Society for Music Information Retrieval (ISMIR), and significantly higher than in more audio engineering-related communities, such as the Audio Engineering Society (AES).
EchoExplorer(TM): A Game App for Understanding Echolocation and Learning to Navigate Using Echo Cues
Authors: Wu Wenyu , Morina Rudina , Schenker Arley , Gotsis Alexander , Chivukula Harsha , Gardner Madeline , Liu Felix , Barton Spencer , Woyach Steven , Sinopoli Bruno , Grover Pulkit , Heller Laurie M.
Published: June 2017

Echolocation - the ability to detect objects in space through the perception of echoes from these objects - has been identified as a promising venue to help visually impaired individuals navigate within their environments. The interest is in part because a proof-of-concept exists: certain visually impaired individuals are able to navigate using active echolocation. Why, then is echolocation is not in more widespread use among visually impaired individuals? It is possible that a lack of systematic echolocation training platforms has impeded individuals in picking up this skill. We designed a game-application that serves as a training platform for individuals, sighted or not, to train themselves to echolocate. Preliminary testing from both sighted and visually impaired individuals showed that users uniformly understood the game, although their enjoyment of the game was mixed. Although a number of game features could be improved, it is a promising training tool prototype for individuals learning to use echo cues for navigational purposes.
Progress Toward Sonifying Napoleon’s March and Fluid Flow Simulations Through Binaural Horizons
Authors: Coppin Peter W. , Windeyer Richard C. , MacDonald Daniel E. , Steinman David A.
Published: June 2017

Cross-modal data analytics — that can be rendered for experience through vision, hearing, and touch — poses a fundamental challenge to designers. Non-linguistic sonification is a well-researched means for non-visual pattern recognition but higher density datasets pose a challenge. Because human hearing is optimized for detecting locations on a horizontal plane, our approach recruits this optimization by employing an immersive binaural horizontal plane using auditory icons. Two case studies demonstrate our approach: A sonic translation of a map and a sonic translation of a computational fluid dynamics simulation.
madBPM: Musical and Auditory Display for Biological Predictive Modeling
Authors: Fox K. Michael , Stewart Jeremy , Hamilton Rob
Published: June 2017

The modeling of biological data can be carried out using structured sound and musical process in conjunction with integrated visualizations. With a future goal of improving the speed and accuracy of techniques currently in use for the production of synthetic high value chemicals through the greater understanding of data sets, the madBPM project couples real-time audio synthesis and visual rendering with a highly flexible data-ingestion engine. Each component of the madBPM system is modular, allowing for customization of audio, visual and data-based processing.