bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MODEL KUANTITATIF MANAJEMEN STRES KERJA DAN MOTIVASI UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KINERJA PETUGAS REKAM MEDIS DI RS ORTOPEDI PROF. DR. R. SOEHARSO SURAKARTA
Authors: Rahmatul Ilmi Laili
Published: March 2018

Background: Workload may indirectly cause stress. The ability to manage work stress may affect staff’s motivation and performance. The staff performance will affect decision-making in improving the service quality.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between stress management, work motivation and work performance.

Method: This was an analytic observational study with a cross sectional approach. A sample of 19 medical record staff, working at Prof. Dr. R Soeharso orthopedic hospital Surakarta, were selected for this study. A set of questionnaires were developed and administered to measure stress management, work motivation and work performance. Data were then analyzed with a bivariate correlation analysis.

Results: There were statistically significant correlations between work stress management, work motivation and work performance. The ability to manage stress positively increased the motivation (r= 0,56; p= 0,013), as well as the work performance (r= 0,49; p= 0,036). Moreover, a higher motivation will lead to a higher performance (r= 0,42; p= 0,071).

Conclusion: There were positive relationships between work stress management, work motivation and work performance.

Key words: work stress management, motivation, performance.
GAMBARAN DUKUNGAN SUAMI TERHADAP DETEKSI DINI KANKER SERVIKS PADA PASANGAN USIA SUBUR (PUS) DI DUSUN NGASEM DESA TIMBULHARJO SEWON BANTUL TAHUN 2016
Authors: Anggraeni Fatimah Dewi , Benedikta Klesia
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

Background: The purpose of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that all three are promoting good health with a target to be achieved is to reduce one-third of deaths from non-communicable diseases such as Hypertension, Heart, Diabetes Mellitus, cancer, Asthma and Lung disease through prevention until 2030. one effort to reduce cervical cancer is by early detection of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in the cervix or uterus that comes from 90% of squamous cells lining the cervix and the remaining 10% comes from mucus-producing gland cells in the cervical canal leading into the uterus. Cervical cancer is the second killer of women worldwide after breast cancer.

Objectives: To know husband support the early detection of cervical cancer in fertile age couple in Ngasem Timbulharjo Sewon Bantul

Methods: This type of research method is quantitative descriptive. The Sampling tecnique Acindental sampling with 30 respondents aged 15-49 years old. The data collection uses the unclosed questionnaire and the analysis of data using univariate analysis.

Results: The husband support in Cervical Cancer Early Detection informational support in the less category is 20 respondents (66.7%), Assesment support in the less category is 18 respondents (60.0%), instrumental support in the less category is 16 respondents (53.3%), emotional support in the less category is 19 respondents (63.3%).

Conclusion: The results showed that the husband's support on the early detection of cervical cancer in Ngasem Timbulharjo Sewon Bantul village in the poor category were 19 respondents (63.3%).

Keywords: Husband Support, Early Detection of Cervical Cancer
UJI EFEKTIVITAS TEKNIK RELAKSASI, SENAM POMPA JANTUNG DAN PENGUATAN OTOT PERUT TERHADAP PENURUNAN NYERI MENSTRUASI
Authors: Fitriahadi Enny
Published: March 2018

Background : dysmenorrhea is pain experienced by adolescents when menstrusi. Dysmenorrhea is caused by an imbalance of progesterone in the blood, prostaglandins and stress factors / psychology resulting in dysmenorrhea in some women. Menstrual pain is often experienced by most women. From the data obtained, dysmenorrhea is disturbing at least 50% of women of reproductive age and 60-85% in their teens.

Objective : This study was to Knowledgeable effectiveness of relaxation techniques, exercise heart pump and strengthening the abdominal muscles to decrease menstrual pain in the second semester student STIKES 'Aisiyah Yogyakarta in 2015.

Methods : Experimental research methods (quasy experimental design) or quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent control group. Sampling was done by simple random sampling probability. The sample in this study of 60 female students. Analysis of the data using formulas Kendal Tau.

Result :The findings showed that the relaxation techniques and exercises the heart pumps less provide effectiveness with p value 0.059 whereas treatment relaxation techniques, exercise heart pumping and strengthening the abdominal muscles showed a relationship closeness of correlation with p value of 0.035, which means there is the effectiveness of relaxation techniques, exercise and strengthening the heart pumps abdominal muscles against menstrual pain.

Conclusion : The effectiveness of relaxation techniques, exercise and strengthening the heart pumps abdominal muscles against menstrual pain.

 

Keyword : decrease menstrual pain, relaxation techniques, exercise cardiac pump, strengthening abdominal muscles
ANALISIS EFISIENSI PENGELOLAAN TEMPAT TIDUR RUMAH SAKIT BERDASARKAN GRAFIK BARBER JOHNSON DI RS PKU MUHAMMADIYAH YOGYAKARTA TAHUN 2015
Authors: Nanda Dewi Maya , Ratna Pratiwi Adesti
Published: March 2018

Background: Hospital Statistic can be applied as a measurement tool of service quality by the hospital and as a concern for decision-making. Barber Johnson Graphic (BJG) can be used as an information source in decision-making process. Barber Johnson indicators are BOR, LOS, TOI, BTO to measure beds utilization efficiency. RS PKU Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta has employed computerized Barber Johnson Graphic, however, in 2015 the graphics did not indicate efficiency.

Objective: To analyze the efficiency of beds management based on BJG in RS PKU Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta in 2015.

Methods: This study was descriptive qualitative with cross sectional approach.

Result: RS PKU Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta has been using computerized system to collect and process data of daily inpatient census, and to present hospital indicators with BJG. Based on BJG comparison between wards, it showed that Arafah ward presented efficient area with the value of hospital indicators were BOR= 76.14%, LOS= 5.02, TOI= 1,57, and BTO= 55,38. Whereas the least efficient area is showed by IMC ward with the value of hospital indicators were BOR= 46.81%, LOS= 14.59, TOI=16.57, and BTO= 11,71.

Conclusion: Beds management in RS PKU Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta has employed computerized system. BJG showed that Arafah ward was the most efficient ward in bed management, and IMC is the least efficient in bed management.

Keywords: Efficiency, Beds Management, Barber Johnson Graphic.
PENGETAHUAN DAN SIKAP PERAWAT TENTANG MOBILISASI DINI PASIEN DI ICU RSUD PANEMBAHAN SENOPATI BANTUL YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Nofiyanto Muhamat , Munif Muhamad , Darussalam Miftafu
Published: March 2018

Background: Early mobilization is necessary in critically ill patients in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to prevent hypovolemia which endangers patient’s life. The role of nurses in early mobilization is important by providing explanations and motivating patients to achieve the purpose of healing. Guidance and intensive intervention from nurses can reduce the recurrence of disease.

Objective: To investigate the level of knowledge and attitude of nurses on patients early mobilization in ICU of RSUD Panembahan Senopati Bantul.

Method: A descriptive, cross sectional study, was applied on 20 nurses in ICU of RSUD Panembahan Senopati Bantul. Univariate data analysis was administered to characteristics of respondents, knowledge, attitudes, and cross-tabulations.

Result: Most of nurses have good level of knowledge (70%), and on attitude domain, most nurses are being supportive (75%) in terms of early mobilization to patients. Nurses whose age are  22-35 years old (10%), male (10%), have been working for 1 month up to 5 years (10%), have background of 3 years diploma in nursing (10%)  fall into poor knowledge category. Similar characteristics contribute to attitude domain where nurses whose age are 22-35 years old (25%), male (15%), have been working for 1 month up to 5 years (25%), have background of 3 years diploma in nursing (35%) are placed into unsupportive category.

Conclusion: The level of knowledge of nurses on patients early mobilization is in good category where the attitude is in supportive category.

Keywords: Knowledge, attitude of nurses, early mobilization.
TINGKAT PENGETAHUAN TENTANG PEMANFAATAN BUKU KESEHATAN IBU DAN ANAK BERDASARKAN KARAKTERISTIK IBU HAMIL
Authors: Budi Rahayu Tri
Published: March 2018

Background : High maternal mortality rate is a problem and a concern for all countries due to the impact effect on the economy, politics and policy development. As one of the efforts to reduce maternal mortality and infant mortality rate in Indonesia, KIA book as means of integration of maternal and child health services. Lack of knowledge of pregnant women about the KIA books utilization can increase the risk of maternal and infant mortality.

Objective : This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge about the utilization of KIA book in pregnant women.

Methods : This research was descriptive quantitative with cross sectional data collection. Univariat analysis was used for the data analysis. The sampling technique was total sampling with the number of 48 pregnant women.

Results : The result of univariate analysis showed that 65% pregnant women had enough knowledge about the utilization of KIA book.

Conclusion : The level of knowledge about the utilization of KIA book is categorized into enough category.

Keywords : Knowledge, KIA book
PROFIL LIPID DAN MORTALITAS PASIEN INFARK MIOKARD AKUT DI RSUD PANEMBAHAN SENOPATI TAHUN 2015
Authors: Darussalam Miftafu , Nofiyanto Muhamat
Published: March 2018

Background: Lipid profile is important as supporting data for patients with heart problem as it  is a state of fat seen in the levels of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. Disorders of lipid metabolism characterized by an increase or decrease in blood plasma is called dyslipidemia. Dyslipidemia has a close relationship with the occurrence of atherosclerosis and Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) as one of the leading causes of death.

Objective: To determine  the relationship between lipid profile with the incidence of mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction of Panembahan Senopati Bantul Hopsital in 2015.

Methods: This study used a descriptive exploratory design with data retrieved from Panembahan Senopati Bantul District Hospital 2015 medical record with a total of 106 respondents. To analyze the data, the researchers used the Lamda test.

Results: There are associations between mortality and: total cholesterol (p=.006) with strong level of closeness (.647); LDL (p= .009) with strong the level of closeness (.647); HDL (p= .017) with strong enough level of closeness(.529); and triglycerides (p= .003) with strong  level of closeness (.765).

Conclusion: Mortality of AMI was statistically significant associated with total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides.

Keywords: Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), lipid profile, mortality of AMI
ISIS Crimes Against the Shia: The Islamic State's Genocide Against Shia Muslims
Authors: Hawley Emily
Published: March 2018

This paper reconciles a substantial gap in legal scholarship: the Islamic State's (ISIS's) unrecognized genocide against Shia Muslims. Unlike ISIS's crimes against Yazidis, no substantial legal analysis on ISIS's Shia victims has been published. And while there are popular initiatives demanding ISIS's violence against Christians be recognized as genocide, there are no parallel movements on behalf of ISIS's Shia victims, despite a much stronger legal claim. As this paper expands, ISIS's genocide against Shias is unambiguous; Shia Muslims plainly comprise a protected religious group, ISIS has been transparent in terms of its genocidal intent, and ISIS's systematic killing of Shias clearly constitutes genocidal conduct under the Genocide Convention. Over the course of this paper, I advance this thesis, demarking clear parallels with ISIS's well-established genocide against Iraq's Yazidis. I also explain the significance of the legal community's neglect of ISIS's Shia victims.
Sympathy and Exclusion: The Migration of Child and Women Survivors of the Armenian Genocide from the Eastern Mediterranean to Canada, 1923–1930
Authors: Ohanian Daniel
Published: March 2018

In 1918, some 500,000 Ottoman Armenians found themselves displaced from their homes or living in Muslim households in the Eastern Mediterranean and the South Caucasus. For most, life did not return to normal after WWI. Rather, new wars, war scares, political maneuverings, economic policies, famines, and epidemics during 1918–1930 resulted in a long-term refugee crisis that was responded to by a large number of Armenian and non-Armenian organizations. This article looks at one such response: the humanitarian relocation to Canada of 110 boys and 39 girls and women all genocide refugees and most of them orphans. It traces how this relocation campaign was realized despite Canadian immigration authorities’ long-standing efforts to keep Asians, the impoverished, and the stateless from entering the country. Breaking with the often simplistic and celebratory tone of the literature on humanitarian aid to Ottoman Armenians, this article discusses how the Canadian fundraising campaigns of 1880–1922 were a liability for this subsequent relocation project, and it pays special attention to the people and ideas that opposed it.
Synthesis of 1-aryl-2,4,10a-Triazaphenanthrene-3-Selones Via a Three-Component Condensation of Isoquinolin-1-Amine, Potassium Selenocyanate and an Acyl Chloride
Authors: Singh Sonia , Mosslemin Mohammad H. , Hassanabadi Alireza
Published: March 2018

A simple, one-pot synthesis of six 1-aryl-2,4,10a-triazaphenanthrene-3-selones has been achieved with moderate to good yields via a three-component condensation of isoquinolin-1-amine, potassium selenocyanate and variously substituted benzoyl chlorides in acetone at room temperature.
Muscle size, strength, power, and echo intensity, but not specific tension, are affected by age in physically active adults
Authors: Magrini Mitchel A. , Colquhoun Ryan J. , Barrera-Curiel Alejandra , Thiele Ryan M. , DeFreitas Jason M. , Smith Doug B. , Jenkins Nathaniel D.M.
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVE:

We examined the relationships among and differences between muscle size and strength, specific tension (MQ[Formula: see text]), echo intensity (MQ[Formula: see text]), and functional performance in physically active younger and older women.

METHODS:

Measurements included maximal voluntary isometric knee extension contractions (MVICs), maximal velocity sit-to-stand (STS) movements, and muscle cross sectional area (mCSA), MQ[Formula: see text], and MQ[Formula: see text] of the rectus femoris (RF).

RESULTS:

There were no differences in MQ[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] 0.96) or physical activity levels ([Formula: see text] 0.29). MQ[Formula: see text] and MQ[Formula: see text] were not related in the younger women, but were related in the older women ([Formula: see text] 0.50). MVIC was related to mCSA ([Formula: see text] 0.75) in the older women, but was not significantly related to MQ[Formula: see text] or MQ[Formula: see text] in either age group.

DISCUSSION:

Physical activity may maintain MQ[Formula: see text] in aging. We suggest that studies examining changes in skeletal muscle with aging utilize both traditionally calculated muscle quality (specific tension) and ultrasound EI.
Relationships among anthropometric characteristics, muscular fitness, and sprint performance in adolescents
Authors: Zou Zhichun , Chen Peijie , Yang Yang , Xiao Mouyuan , Wang Zhijie
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND:

Assessment of physical fitness is a common and effective method for evaluating the health status of teenage students.

OBJECTIVES:

The present study was conducted to assess physical fitness in adolescents residing in Shanghai, and investigate the relationships among anthropometry, muscle fitness, and a 20-meter shuttle run test (20-m SRT).

METHODS:

A total of 449 middle school students (12–17 years old, 246 boys and 203 girls) from four different regions of Shanghai, China were included as study participants.

RESULTS:

Multiple linear regression analyses indicate that upper extremity muscle strength and standing vertical jump were positively related to age and weight, while negatively related to gender, scapular skinfold, and calf skinfold. Strong positive correlations were also demonstrated between the number of laps accomplished on the 20-m SRT and upper extremity muscle strength as well as standing vertical jump height.

CONCLUSION:

Muscle strength is an important anthropometric characteristic that may be used for the assessment of sprinting ability in adolescents.
Expertise, Leadership Style and Communication in Interfunctional Coordination
Authors: Tomášková Eva
Published: March 2018

The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the effect of expertise, leadership style and communication on coordination by electrical engineering companies. It is unexceptionable that expertise, communication, teamwork and mutual cooperation are fundamental for interfunctional coordination (IFC). A questionnaire in the form of the Likert scale was prepared, it involves information about IFC. The questionnaire was tested for internal consistency and reliability using Cronbach alpha. The complete database of 60 SMEs was analysed by using statistical software package Minitab, version 17. Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to answer the hypotheses. The main findings show: (1) A positive correlation among items related to expertise and communications and IFC. (2) Some positive correlation among items related to leadership style and IFC – positive correlation shows only with team-work and mutual cooperation. The results of the paper can assist companies in their attitude towards IFC, by reason that companies can better implement IFC. The novelty of the paper is in determination some possible connectedness of IFC, concretely the correlation among experts, leadership style and communications with IFC of a company. The results of the paper can assist companies in their attitude towards IFC, by reason that companies can better implement IFC.
How Do Birds Cope with Losing Members of Their Group?
Authors: Firth Sarah L. , Firth Josh A.
Published: March 2018

Have you ever wondered how animals might respond to losing a member of their group? Many human activities, like hunting or changing the environment animals live in, can cause the loss of individual animals. However, how this loss affects the remaining animals in a group is still widely unknown. We wanted to investigate this question, so we tracked wild birds known as great tits. These birds form small groups within their population, called flocks. By removing individual birds from the wild, we were able to monitor how birds responded to losing a flockmate. Interestingly, the birds that lost their flockmates responded by making new flockmates and also by spending more time with their previous flockmates. These findings show us that losing animals from a population can affect how the remaining animals behave. This research could help improve people’s understanding of the effects of losing animals.
Inverse Properties in Neutrosophic Triplet Loop and Their Application to Cryptography
Authors: Jaiyeola Temitope , Smarandache Florentin
Published: March 2018

This paper is the first study of the neutrosophic triplet loop (NTL) which was originally introduced by Floretin Smarandache. NTL originated from the neutrosophic triplet set X: a collection of triplets ( x , n e u t ( x ) , a n t i ( x ) ) for an x ∈ X which obeys some axioms (existence of neutral(s) and opposite(s)). NTL can be informally said to be a neutrosophic triplet group that is not associative. That is, a neutrosophic triplet group is an NTL that is associative. In this study, NTL with inverse properties such as: right inverse property (RIP), left inverse property (LIP), right cross inverse property (RCIP), left cross inverse property (LCIP), right weak inverse property (RWIP), left weak inverse property (LWIP), automorphic inverse property (AIP), and anti-automorphic inverse property are introduced and studied. The research was carried out with the following assumptions: the inverse property (IP) is the RIP and LIP, cross inverse property (CIP) is the RCIP and LCIP, weak inverse property (WIP) is the RWIP and LWIP. The algebraic properties of neutrality and opposite in the aforementioned inverse property NTLs were investigated, and they were found to share some properties with the neutrosophic triplet group. The following were established: (1) In a CIPNTL (IPNTL), RIP (RCIP) and LIP (LCIP) were equivalent; (2) In an RIPNTL (LIPNTL), the CIP was equivalent to commutativity; (3) In a commutative NTL, the RIP, LIP, RCIP, and LCIP were found to be equivalent; (4) In an NTL, IP implied anti-automorphic inverse property and WIP, RCIP implied AIP and RWIP, while LCIP implied AIP and LWIP; (5) An NTL has the IP (CIP) if and only if it has the WIP and anti-automorphic inverse property (AIP); (6) A CIPNTL or an IPNTL was a quasigroup; (7) An LWIPNTL (RWIPNTL) was a left (right) quasigroup. The algebraic behaviours of an element, its neutral and opposite in the associator and commutator of a CIPNTL or an IPNTL were investigated. It was shown that ( Z p , ∗ ) where x ∗ y = ( p − 1 ) ( x + y ) , for any prime p, is a non-associative commutative CIPNTL and IPNTL. The application of some of these varieties of inverse property NTLs to cryptography is discussed.
A Calibrated Lumped Element Model for the Prediction of PSJ Actuator Efficiency Performance
Authors: Chiatto Matteo , Palumbo Andrea , De Luca Luigi
Published: March 2018

Among the various active flow control techniques, Plasma Synthetic Jet (PSJ) actuators, or Sparkjets, represent a very promising technology, especially because of their high velocities and short response times. A practical tool, employed for design and manufacturing purposes, consists of the definition of a low-order model, lumped element model (LEM), which is able to predict the dynamic response of the actuator in a relatively quick way and with reasonable fidelity and accuracy. After a brief description of an innovative lumped model, this work faces the experimental investigation of a home-designed and manufactured PSJ actuator, for different frequencies and energy discharges. Particular attention has been taken in the power supply system design. A specific home-made Pitot tube has allowed the detection of velocity profiles along the jet radial direction, for various energy discharges, as well as the tuning of the lumped model with experimental data, where the total device efficiency has been assumed as a fitting parameter. The best fitting value not only contains information on the actual device efficiency, but includes some modeling and experimental uncertainties, related also to the used measurement technique.
Helping Agribusinesses—Small Millets Value Chain—To Grow in India
Authors: Adekunle Ademola , Lyew Darwin , Orsat Valérie , Raghavan Vijaya
Published: March 2018

Small millets, a group of highly nutritious food, have taken a back seat in the Indian agriculture landscape in recent years, due to government policies and failings in the value chain. In this commentary, the unusual decline of small millets in comparison to its substitutes, and the repercussions thereof, were first presented as context. Thereafter, based on analysis of data from literature, survey, and stakeholder contributions, a cluster map for the Indian small millets value chain was designed, and its competitive state presented. This information was used to conceptualize an open innovation driven business model, and an ecosystem for the proposed model was discussed. This commentary provides the first cluster map analysis of small millets value chain in India, and a business model-based approach to stimulating its agribusinesses growth through a synthesis of stakeholders’ contributions and market data.
Kinematics and Dynamics Analysis of a 3-DOF Upper-Limb Exoskeleton with an Internally Rotated Elbow Joint
Authors: Wang Xin , Song Qiuzhi , Wang Xiaoguang , Liu Pengzhan
Published: March 2018

The contradiction between self-weight and load capacity of a power-assisted upper-limb exoskeleton for material hanging is unresolved. In this paper, a non-anthropomorphic 3-degree of freedom (DOF) upper-limb exoskeleton with an internally rotated elbow joint is proposed based on an anthropomorphic 5-DOF upper-limb exoskeleton for power-assisted activity. The proposed 3-DOF upper-limb exoskeleton contains a 2-DOF shoulder joint and a 1-DOF internally rotated elbow joint. The structural parameters of the 3-DOF upper-limb exoskeleton were determined, and the differences and singularities of the two exoskeletons were analyzed. The workspace, the joint torques and the power consumption of two exoskeletons were analyzed by kinematics and dynamics, and an exoskeleton prototype experiment was performed. The results showed that, compared with a typical anthropomorphic upper-limb exoskeleton, the non-anthropomorphic 3-DOF upper-limb exoskeleton had the same actual workspace; eliminated singularities within the workspace; improved the elbow joint force situation; and the maximum elbow joint torque, elbow external-flexion/internal-extension and shoulder flexion/extension power consumption were significantly reduced. The proposed non-anthropomorphic 3-DOF upper-limb exoskeleton can be applied to a power-assisted upper-limb exoskeleton in industrial settings.
Short-Term Changes in Weather and Space Weather Conditions and Emergency Ambulance Calls for Elevated Arterial Blood Pressure
Authors: Vencloviene Jone , Braziene Agne , Dobozinskas Paulius
Published: March 2018

Circadian rhythm influences the physiology of the cardiovascular system, inducing diurnal variation of blood pressure. We investigated the association between daily emergency ambulance calls (EACs) for elevated arterial blood pressure during the time intervals of 8:00–13:59, 14:00–21:59, and 22:00–7:59 and weekly fluctuations of air temperature (T), barometric pressure, relative humidity, wind speed, geomagnetic activity (GMA), and high-speed solar wind (HSSW). We used the Poisson regression to explore the association between the risk of EACs and weather variables, adjusting for seasonality and exposure to CO, PM10, and ozone. An increase of 10 °C when T > 1 °C on the day of the call was associated with a decrease in the risk of EACs during the time periods of 14:00–21:59 (RR (rate ratio) = 0.78; p < 0.001) and 22:00–7:59 (RR = 0.88; p = 0.35). During the time period of 8:00–13:59, the risk of EACs was positively associated with T above 1 °C with a lag of 5–7 days (RR = 1.18; p = 0.03). An elevated risk was associated during 8:00–13:59 with active-stormy GMA (RR = 1.22; p = 0.003); during 14:00–21:59 with very low GMA (RR = 1.07; p = 0.008) and HSSW (RR = 1.17; p = 0.014); and during 22:00–7:59 with HSSW occurring after active-stormy days (RR = 1.32; p = 0.019). The associations of environmental variables with the exacerbation of essential hypertension may be analyzed depending on the time of the event.
Epstein–Barr Virus Gene BARF1 Expression is Regulated by the Epithelial Differentiation Factor ΔNp63α in Undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Hoebe Eveline , Wille Coral , Hagemeier Stacy , Kenney Shannon , Greijer Astrid , Middeldorp Jaap
Published: March 2018

Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) BamHI-A rightward frame 1 (BARF1) protein is considered a viral oncogene in epithelial cells and has immune-modulating properties. During viral lytic replication BARF1 is expressed as an early gene, regulated by the immediate early EBV protein R. However, in viral latency BARF1 is exclusively expressed in epithelial tumors such as nasopharyngeal (NPC) and gastric carcinoma (GC) but not in lymphomas, indicating that activation of the BARF1 promoter is cell type specific. Undifferentiated NPC is characterized by high expression of ΔNp63 isoforms of the epithelial differentiation marker p63, a member of the p53 family of transcription factors. Transcription factor binding site analysis indicated potential p53 family binding sites within the BARF1 promoter region. This study investigated ability of various p53 family members to transactivate the BARF1 promoter. Using BARF1 promoter luciferase reporter constructs we demonstrate that only p63 isoform ΔNp63α is capable of transactivating the BARF1 promoter, but not the TAp63 isoforms, p53 or p73. Direct promoter binding of ΔNp63α was confirmed by Chromatin Immune Precipitation (ChIP) analysis. Deletion mutants of the BARF1 promoter revealed multiple ΔNp63 response elements to be responsible for BARF1 promoter transactivation. However, ΔNp63α alone was not sufficient to induce BARF1 in tumor cells harboring full EBV genomes, indicating that additional cofactors might be required for full BARF1 regulation. In conclusion, in EBV positive NPC and GC, BARF1 expression might be induced by the epithelial differentiation marker ΔNp63α, explaining BARF1 expression in the absence of lytic reactivation.
Hydrodynamics of Bubble Columns: Turbulence and Population Balance Model
Authors: Braga Vieira Camila , Litrico Giuliana , Askari Ehsan , Lemieux Gabriel , Proulx Pierre
Published: March 2018

This paper presents an in-depth numerical analysis on the hydrodynamics of a bubble column. As in previous works on the subject, the focus here is on three important parameters characterizing the flow: interfacial forces, turbulence and inlet superficial Gas Velocity (UG). The bubble size distribution is taken into account by the use of the Quadrature Method of Moments (QMOM) model in a two-phase Euler-Euler approach using the open-source Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code OpenFOAM (Open Field Operation and Manipulation). The interfacial forces accounted for in all the simulations presented here are drag, lift and virtual mass. For the turbulence analysis in the water phase, three versions of the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) k-ε turbulence model are examined: namely, the standard, modified and mixture variants. The lift force proves to be of major importance for a trustworthy prediction of the gas volume fraction profiles for all the (superficial) gas velocities tested. Concerning the turbulence, the mixture k-ε model is seen to provide higher values of the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate in comparison to the other models, and this clearly affects the prediction of the gas volume fraction in the bulk region, and the bubble-size distribution. In general, the modified k-ε model proves to be a good compromise between modeling simplicity and accuracy in the study of bubble columns of the kind undertaken here.
Effect of Untampered Plasma Coating and Surface Texturing on Friction and Running-in Behavior of Piston Rings
Authors: Akbarzadeh Amirabbas , Khonsari M.
Published: March 2018

The running-in behavior and the associated transient friction characteristics of a piston ring with different surface treatments are experimentally evaluated using a custom-made engine testing apparatus. Results are reported for a series of running-in and steady-state experiments on piston rings with different combinations of coated and textured surfaces. Comparisons are provided between five different types of piston rings: (1) with no textures; (2) with textures only; (3) with coating only; (4) first textured and then coated; and (5) first coated and then textured. A combination of the texturing and coating showed 12.5% improvement in the frictional behavior and up to 50% improvement in break-in time compared to cases when only one surface treatment was applied.
Generalized Lagrangian Path Approach to Manifestly-Covariant Quantum Gravity Theory
Authors: Tessarotto Massimo , Cremaschini Claudio
Published: March 2018

A trajectory-based representation for the quantum theory of the gravitational field is formulated. This is achieved in terms of a covariant Generalized Lagrangian-Path (GLP) approach which relies on a suitable statistical representation of Bohmian Lagrangian trajectories, referred to here as GLP-representation. The result is established in the framework of the manifestly-covariant quantum gravity theory (CQG-theory) proposed recently and the related CQG-wave equation advancing in proper-time the quantum state associated with massive gravitons. Generally non-stationary analytical solutions for the CQG-wave equation with non-vanishing cosmological constant are determined in such a framework, which exhibit Gaussian-like probability densities that are non-dispersive in proper-time. As a remarkable outcome of the theory achieved by implementing these analytical solutions, the existence of an emergent gravity phenomenon is proven to hold. Accordingly, it is shown that a mean-field background space-time metric tensor can be expressed in terms of a suitable statistical average of stochastic fluctuations of the quantum gravitational field whose quantum-wave dynamics is described by GLP trajectories.
Application of Entropy Ensemble Filter in Neural Network Forecasts of Tropical Pacific Sea Surface Temperatures
Authors: Foroozand Hossein , Radić Valentina , Weijs Steven
Published: March 2018

Recently, the Entropy Ensemble Filter (EEF) method was proposed to mitigate the computational cost of the Bootstrap AGGregatING (bagging) method. This method uses the most informative training data sets in the model ensemble rather than all ensemble members created by the conventional bagging. In this study, we evaluate, for the first time, the application of the EEF method in Neural Network (NN) modeling of El Nino-southern oscillation. Specifically, we forecast the first five principal components (PCs) of sea surface temperature monthly anomaly fields over tropical Pacific, at different lead times (from 3 to 15 months, with a three-month increment) for the period 1979–2017. We apply the EEF method in a multiple-linear regression (MLR) model and two NN models, one using Bayesian regularization and one Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm for training, and evaluate their performance and computational efficiency relative to the same models with conventional bagging. All models perform equally well at the lead time of 3 and 6 months, while at higher lead times, the MLR model’s skill deteriorates faster than the nonlinear models. The neural network models with both bagging methods produce equally successful forecasts with the same computational efficiency. It remains to be shown whether this finding is sensitive to the dataset size.
Comparison of Loneliness and Social Skill Levels of Children with Specific Learning Disabilities in Terms of Participation in Sports
Authors: Yılmaz Atike , Kırımoğlu Hüseyin , Soyer Fikret
Published: March 2018

This study was conducted in order to compare loneliness and social skill levels of children with specific learning disabilities in terms of participation in sports. For this study, a screening model was used. The study group was composed of 56 children who were aged between 7 and 14 years and diagnosed with a specific learning disability (30 boys and 26 girls). “Personal Information Form”, “Children’s Loneliness Scale”, “Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters (MESSY)” were used in this study. For the data processes and data analyses, SPSS 22 was used. According to the test of normality, non-parametric tests were employed for those data that did not follow a normal distribution and the correlations among variables were tested with correlation analysis at p < 0.05 while differences among variables were tested with Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests at p < 0.05. According to the findings obtained in this study, there were no significant differences in terms of sex, the number of family members and the number of brothers and sisters while there were significant correlations in terms of age, sports status, MESSY-subscales and loneliness. In sum, it may be concluded that sports played a positive role in social skill and loneliness levels among children with specific learning disabilities.
Stochastic Stability Analysis of the Power System with Losses
Authors: Li Hongyu , Ju Ping , Gan Chun , Wu Feng , Zhou Yichen , Dong Zhe
Published: March 2018

Renewable energy and electric vehicles have become involved in power systems, which has attracted researchers to stochastic continuous disturbances (SDEs). This paper addresses stochastic analysis issues for the stability of a power system with losses under SDEs. Firstly, the quasi-Hamiltonian models of power systems with losses under SDEs are given. Secondly, a novel analytical method is proposed to analyze the stability of the power system with losses under SDEs based on the stochastic averaging method. Thirdly, comparisons of stability probability under different parameters are performed, from which insights to improve the stability probability of power systems with losses under SDEs can be obtained. Even though it is challenging to assess the stability of a power system with losses under SDEs, the proposed method in this paper could serve well in this regard.
Research on Economic Comprehensive Control Strategies of Tractor-Planter Combinations in Planting, Including Gear-Shift and Cruise Control
Authors: Li Baogang , Sun Dongye , Hu Minghui , Liu Junlong
Published: March 2018

An automatic control strategy for forward speed in the planting process is proposed to improve the fuel economy and reduce the labor intensity of drivers. Models of tractors with power-shift transmission (PST) and a precise pneumatic planter with an electric-driven seed metering device are built as research objects and simulated using Matlab with Simulink. The economic comprehensive control strategies for forward speed, including gear-shift schedule and cruise control strategy, are developed. Four levels control mode with different fuel economy performances are implemented to meet different driver or operation condition requirements. In addition, the control strategy is developed for the seed-metering device motor to maintain the required seed spacing in planting. Finally, the fuel economy and effectiveness of the control strategies for forward speed and planting quality are verified by simulations with Matlab/Simulink and Matlab/Stateflow. The simulation results verify the satisfactory performance of the proposed control strategies. The error of seed spacing is less than 3% when planting with speed fluctuation. Under the premise of ensuring planting quality and driver’s demands, the cruise control strategies for forward speed have more significant effects on the fuel economy than previous cruise control strategies. Furthermore, the control mode with higher level has better fuel economy and a larger speed deviation range.
A Statistical Analysis of Industrial Penetration and Internet Intensity in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Chia-Lin , McAleer Michael , Wu Yu-Chieh
Published: March 2018

This paper is the first to investigate the effect of industrial penetration (geographic concentration of industries) and internet intensity (the proportion of enterprises that uses the internet) for Taiwan manufacturing firms, and analyses whether the relationships are substitutes or complements. The sample observations are based on a unique set of data, namely 153,081 manufacturing plants, and covers 26 two-digit industry categories and 358 geographical townships in Taiwan. The Heckman sample selection model is used to accommodate sample selectivity for unobservable data for firms that use the internet. The empirical results from Heckman’s two-stage estimation show that: (1) a higher degree of industrial penetration will not affect the probability that firms will use the internet, but it will affect the total expenditure on internet intensity; (2) for two-digit SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) industries, industrial penetration generally decreases the total expenditure on internet intensity; and, (3) industrial penetration and internet intensity are substitutes.
The Growth of Interest in Astronomical X-Ray Polarimetry
Authors: Marin Frédéric
Published: March 2018

Astronomical X-ray polarimetry was first explored in the end of the 1960s by pioneering rocket instruments. The craze arising from the first discoveries of stellar and supernova remnant X-ray polarization led to the addition of X-ray polarimeters to early satellites. Unfortunately, the inadequacy of the diffraction and scattering technologies required to measure polarization with respect to the constraints driven by X-ray mirrors and detectors, coupled with long integration times, slowed down the field for almost 40 years. Thanks to the development of new, highly sensitive, compact X-ray polarimeters in the beginning of the 2000s, observing astronomical X-ray polarization has become feasible, and scientists are now ready to explore our high-energy sky thanks to modern X-ray polarimeters. In the forthcoming years, several X-ray missions (rockets, balloons, and satellites) will create new observational opportunities. Interest in astronomical X-ray polarimetry field has thus been renewed, and this paper presents for the first time a quantitative assessment, all based on scientific literature, of the growth of this interest.
Geomorphology and Late Pleistocene–Holocene Sedimentary Processes of the Eastern Gulf of Finland
Authors: Ryabchuk Daria , Sergeev Alexander , Krek Alexander , Kapustina Maria , Tkacheva Elena , Zhamoida Vladimir , Budanov Leonid , Moskovtsev Alexandr , Danchenkov Aleksandr
Published: March 2018

In 2017, a detailed study of the Eastern Gulf of Finland (the Baltic Sea) seafloor was performed to identify and map submerged glacial and postglacial geomorphologic features and collect data pertinent to the understanding of sedimentation in postglacial basins. Two key areas within the Gulf were investigate using a multibeam echosounder, SeaBat 8111 and an EdgeTech 3300-HM acoustic sub-bottom profiling system. High-resolution multibeam bathymetric data (3-m resolution) were used to calculate aspect, slope, terrain ruggedness and bathymetric position index using ArcGIS Spatial Analyst and the Benthic Terrain Modeler toolbox. These data and resultant thematic maps revealed, for the first time, such features as streamlined till ridges, end-moraine ridges, and De Geer moraines that are being used for the reconstruction of the deglaciation in the Eastern Gulf of Finland. This deglaciation occurred between 13.8 and 13.3 ka BP (Pandivere–Neva stage) and 12.25 ka BP (Salpausselkä I stage). Interpretations of the seismic-reflection profiles and 3D models showing the surfaces of till, and the identification of the Late Pleistocene sediment and modern bottom relief, indicate deep relative water-level fall in the Early Holocene and, most likely, several water-level fluctuations during this time.
Patterns of Time Use across the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Severity Spectrum
Authors: Hunt Toby , Williams Marie , Olds Timothy , Dumuid Dorothea
Published: March 2018

Descriptions of time use patterns in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are scarce and the relationship between use-of-time and COPD severity remains unclear. This study aimed to describe a typical day for people with COPD and to explore the differences in time-use patterns across the Body Mass-Index, Airflow Obstruction, Dyspnoea and Exercise Capacity (BODE) index using compositional analyses. Using a cross-sectional design, 141 adults with clinically stable COPD had their demographics, objective measures of function (pulmonary, exercise capacity and physical activity), and self-reported COPD-related impairment recorded. Daily time-use compositions were derived from 24-h accelerometry and 24-h use-of-time recall interviews. Compositional multiple linear regression models were used to explore the relationship between the BODE index and 24-h time-use compositions. These models were used to predict daily time (min/d) that is spent in time-use components across the BODE index. The BODE index score was clearly associated with 24-h accelerometry (p < 0.0001) and 24-h use-of-time recall (p < 0.0001) compositions. Relative to the remaining time-use components, higher BODE index scores were associated with greater sedentary behaviour (p < 0.0001), Quiet time (p < 0.0001), Screen time (p = 0.001) and Self-care (p = 0.022), and less daily Chores (p < 0.0001) and Household administration (p = 0.015) time. As the BODE index scores increased, time-use predictions were strongly associated with decreases in Chores (up to 206 min/d), and increases in Screen (up to 156 min/d) and Quiet time (up to 131 min/d). Time–use patterns may provide a basis for planning interventions relative to the severity of COPD.
Work Stress and the Development of Chronic Diseases
Authors: Siegrist Johannes , Li Jian
Published: March 2018

In modern societies, major changes have occurred in the world of work and employment in the recent past.
The Relationship between Persistent Organic Pollutants Exposure and Type 2 Diabetes among First Nations in Ontario and Manitoba, Canada: A Difference in Difference Analysis
Authors: Marushka Lesya , Hu Xuefeng , Batal Malek , Sadik Tonio , Schwartz Harold , Ing Amy , Fediuk Karen , Tikhonov Constantine , Chan Hing
Published: March 2018

We previously studied the association between fish consumption and prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Manitoba and Ontario First Nations (FNs), Canada and found different results. In this study, we used a difference in difference model to analyze the data. Dietary and health data from the First Nations Food Nutrition and Environment Study, a cross-sectional study of 706 Manitoba and 1429 Ontario FNs were analyzed. The consumption of fish was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire. Fish samples were analyzed for dichloro diphenyldichloro ethylene (DDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) content. Difference in difference model results showed that persistent organic pollutant (POP) exposure was positively associated with T2D in a dose-response manner. Stronger positive associations were found among females (OR = 14.96 (3.72–60.11)) than in males (OR = 2.85 (1.14–8.04)). The breakpoints for DDE and PCB intake were 2.11 ng/kg/day and 1.47 ng/kg/day, respectively. Each further 1 ng/kg/day increase in DDE and PCB intake increased the risk of T2D with ORs 2.29 (1.26–4.17) and 1.44 (1.09–1.89), respectively. Our findings suggest that the balance of risk and benefits associated with fish consumption is highly dependent on the regional POP concentrations in fish.