bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGUKURAN RISIKO PROYEK PADA PERUSAHAAN TEKNOLOGI INFORMASI DI INDONESIA
Authors: Harahap Rudy M , Setiawan Andri , Kurniawan Adi Subakti , Mulia Merlin
Published: June 2016

The success rate of information technology (IT) projects is still low. Based on one survey done in 1990s, only about 10% of software development project could be finished according to its planned budget and schedule. Another study in 1995 found that only 16.2% IT project succeed, and at the same time more than 31% IT projects were cancelled before finished. It has been found a lot of IT projects had been implemented with swelling budget. Although it is still debatable, one of the reasons of IT project implementation failure is because risk management in some IT projects is not implemented by the IT providers. The objectives of this research are to get knowledge and assess risks in implementing IT projects. This research also gives recommendations in mitigating IT project risks. In two projects that were used as sample of this research, it has been found some risks that could be happened in IT projects. That risks were then assessed based on the probability and its impact, and finally produced the recommendation for risk mitigation. All risks are described in the Risk Priority, moreover risk probability and impact is described in the probability-impact matrix from all of 4 levels. This research could improve the awareness of IT providers in Indonesia about the important of implementing IT risk management so that more IT projects in Indonesia could be run successfully.Keywords: Risk assessment, information technology project, impact, frequency
AUDIT SISTEM INFORMASI APLIKASI PENJUALAN TUNAI PADA PT AJ
Authors: Herawati Evy
Published: June 2016

The purpose of the study is to determine if general control and application control at PT AJ is sufficient in running the system of cash sale in an efficient and effective. Conclusion obtained are more adequate level of internal control reliability in handling the risks that may occur so that the information produced will be more rapid, accurate, and reliable to support decision making from management. Therefore, it is very important for companies to conduct an audit of internal control, management control, application control, particularly software application on a regular basis so that cash sale can be more reliable anymore.Keywords: audit, information system, cash sale, the company
SISTEM INFORMASI AKUNTANSI DALAM PENYAJIAN AUDIT FINANCIAL REPORT DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN COMPUTER ASSISTED AUDIT TECHNIQUES (CAATs)
Authors: Azizah Nur , Sudarto Ferry
Published: June 2016

The use of computerized technology in the current globalization era has become more rapid therefore assisting all activities in all fields, especially in the financial audit report in an accounting information system. Many problems were encountered with the auditors in conducting audits using conventional methods in an electronic data processing environment. However, these constraints are often ignored and do not get serious attention even by the auditors themselves. Inefficiencies resulted is often not oblivious. Therefore, constraints that occurred can be solved with a variety of ways, including the usage of Computer Assisted Audit Technique (CAATs) through a test data approach and Parallel Test Facility (PTF).Keywords: audit financial report, CATTs, accounting information system
PENERAPAN FITUR ADAPTIVE MULTI RATE (AMR) PADA JARINGAN GSM
Authors: Syarif Abdusy , Fachril Ahmad
Published: June 2016

Adaptive Mutlirate (AMR) is a feature that plays an important role in the efficiency of use of cell/voice channels and GSM networks in overall and it can improve sound quality dynamically based on actual measurements (real time) between Mobile Station (MS) and Base Transmitter Station (BTS). Resources used as analytical parameters are SQI (Speech Quality Index), MOS (Mean Opinion Score) and the sound quality on the network without and with AMR. Measurements using Test Equipment Mobile System (TEMS) while locking devices to the single channel and comparing them between the two types of network. Based on test results it is obtained that with voice channels with AMR can increase the value of SQI approximately 40% for fullrate channels and about 60% for half-rate channels producing a remarkable (excellent) level, with research and further measuring it is expected to produce better and more perfect sound quality.Kata kunci: AMR, SQI, GSM networkABSTRAK
IMPELEMENTASI SISTEM PEMANTAUAN OBJEK BERGERAK DENGAN MEMANFAATKAN FREKUENSI RADIO MENGGUNAKAN GPS (GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
Authors: Triandi Budi
Published: June 2016

GPS was developed by the United States Department of Defense as a reliable means for accurate navigation. The system provides highly accurate position and velocity information and precise time on a continuous global basis to an unlimited number of properly equipped users. By using combined GPS receiver and microcontroller together with radio system, we can design a monitoring system for our vehicles and display the result on the computer. This system consists of a master module that transmits and receives signals from computer and two slave modules to collect GPS data from vehicles. The result of experiment shows that this system is able to track the vehicle on digital map with accuracy as high as 95%.Keywords: GPS, microcontroller, monitoring, RF
EVALUASI SISTEM INFORMASI PERSEDIAAN PADA CV. SARANA TELEMAXINDO
Authors: Nelly Nelly , Stevanus Stevanus , Rosna Rosna , Haryono Ivan
Published: June 2016

Evaluation objectives of inventory information systems at CV. Facilities Telemaxindo was to evaluate the weaknesses of the implementation of internal control, as well as estimating and assessing possible risks that might arise. The research method used is literature study of reference books in the library, and field study consisted of observation, interviews with relevant parties, creating check lists, check the inventory information systems documentation, and testing of inventory application systems. The results are findings of control weaknesses in the implementation of security management, operational management control, boundary control, input control, and output control on the present inventory information system. These weaknesses could pose a risk and if not dealt soon it could hurt the company. The resulting conclusion of the security management control, boundary control, control input, and output control is not running well so that it needs to be improved in accordance with the recommendations, while operational management control has been running fairly well.Keywords: evaluation, information system, inventory
THE ANALYSIS AND THE DESIGN OF E-MARKETING STRATEGY AT SME’S (A CASE STUDY: THE DARE TO DREAM INDONESIA COMMUNITY)
Authors: Ongowarsito Henkie , Nurcahyani Kartika , Djoyo Brata Wibawa
Published: June 2016

The purposes of the research are to analyze the e-marketing strategy and to design e-marketing application which is a website that is appropriate for SME’S of Dare to Dream Indonesia (D2DI) community. The methodology of analysis used consists of 4 stages from 7 stages of e-marketing and the design method consists of three last stages of e-marketing. The result achieved is a website as an e-marketing application that can support marketing and promoting activities, expanding the target market, giving complete information and facilitating the customers to access product information, and supporting the communication between D2DI community, SME’S, and the customers. The conclusions obtained are that e-marketing can be a solution to solve customer needs of the availability of complete and current information and communication.Keywords: Information System, content management system, academic development
THREE-DIMENSIONAL WEB-BASED PHYSICS SIMULATION APPLICATION FOR PHYSICS LEARNING TOOL
Authors: Salim William , Setiawan Arden Sagiterry , Purnama Yudy
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this research is to present a multimedia application for doing simulation in Physics. The application is a web based simulator that implementing HTML5, WebGL, and JavaScript. The objects and the environment will be in three dimensional views. This application is hoped will become the substitute for practicum activity. The current development is the application only covers Newtonian mechanics. Questionnaire and literature study is used as the data collecting method. While Waterfall Method used as the design method. The result is Three-DimensionalPhysics Simulator as online web application. Three-Dimensionaldesign and mentor-mentee relationship is the key features of this application. The conclusion made is Three-DimensionalPhysics Simulator already fulfilled in both design and functionality according to user. This application also helps them to understand Newtonian mechanics by simulation. Improvements are needed, because this application only covers Newtonian Mechanics. There is a lot possibility in the future that this simulation can also covers other Physics topic, such as optic, energy, or electricity.Keywords: Simulation, Physic, Learning Tool, HTML5, WebGL
SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION AS BASIS FOR COMPANY BUSINESS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
Authors: Pelawi Dewan
Published: June 2016

Business process is an activity performed together to achieve business goals. Good business process will support the achievement of the organization’s plan to make profit for the company. In order to understand the business process, the business process needs to be documented and analyzed. The purpose of research is to make the system documentation as a basis to improve or complete the ongoing business process. The research method is system documentation. System documentation is a way to describe the operation of the system. System documentation consists of variety of forms depending on the needs of the system, which wish to be portrayed. The expected result is system documentation in the form of the proposed DFD and business process improvement. The obtained conclusions show that by doing system documentation will provide basic improvements to a better business process by analyzing the relationship between the process with another process, through the data, which are used together.Keywords: systems; documentation; system documentation; DFD
USABILITY TESTING OF VIRTUAL KEYBOARD IN TOUCH SCREEN WITH QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
Authors: Pangetsu Harijanto
Published: June 2016

A system consists of input, process, and output. User interface is a place for users to interact in the system where one of the functions is as input facility of the system. One of the input tools is keyboard. With the development of touchscreen, then virtual keyboard is required. A good interface must be able to be used easily especially for novice users. The usability testing is required to know the usability level of the interface. A good usability has characteristics of effective to use (effectiveness), efficient to use (efficiency), safe to use (safety), having good utility (utility), easy to learn (learnability) and easy to remember how to use (memorability). Usability testing is an evaluation approach involving users. With usability testing, it is expected that it can give positive inputs in designing an interface especially virtual keyboard interface mainly with the characteristics of easy to learn (learnability), and easy to remember how to use (memorability) so that the resulted design can have good usability level
Assessing bioavailability levels of metals in effluent-affected rivers: effect of Fe(III) and chelating agents on the distribution of metal speciation
Authors: Han Shuping , Naito Wataru , Masunaga Shigeki
Published: June 2016

To assess the effects of Fe(III) and anthropogenic ligands on the bioavailability of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb, concentrations of bioavailable metals were measured by the DGT (diffusive gradients in thin ﬁlms) method in some urban rivers, and were compared with concentrations calculated by a chemical equilibrium model (WHAM 7.0). Assuming that dissolved Fe(III) (<0.45 μm membrane filtered) was in equilibrium with colloidal iron oxide, the WHAM 7.0 model estimated that bioavailable concentrations of Ni, Cu, and Zn were slightly higher than the corresponding values estimated assuming that dissolved Fe(III) was absent. In contrast, lower levels of free Pb were predicted by the WHAM 7.0 model when dissolved Fe(III) was included. Estimates showed that most of the dissolved Pb was present as colloidal iron–Pb complex. Ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) concentrations at sampling sites were predicted from the relationship between EDTA and the calculated bioavailable concentration of Zn. When both colloidal iron and predicted EDTA concentrations were included in the WHAM 7.0 calculations, dissolved metals showed a strong tendency to form EDTA complexes, in the order Ni > Cu > Zn > Pb. With the inclusion of EDTA, bioavailable concentrations of Ni, Cu, and Zn predicted by WHAM 7.0 were different from those predicted considering only humic substances and colloidal iron.
Sorption and toxicity reduction of pharmaceutically active compounds and endocrine disrupting chemicals in the presence of colloidal humic acid
Authors: Kim Injeong , Kim Hyo-Dong , Jeong Tae-Yong , Kim Sang Don
Published: June 2016

This study investigated the toxicity changes and sorption of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupters in the presence of humic acid (HA). For the sorption experiment, a dead end filtration (DEF) system was used to separate bound and free-form target compounds. An algae growth inhibition test and E-screen assay were conducted to estimate the toxic effect of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), respectively. The permeate concentration was confirmed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. In the sorption test, we observed significant sorption of PhACs and EDCs on colloidal HA, except for sulfamethoxazole (SMX). The values of log KCOC derived from DEF determinations ranged from 4.40 to 5.03. The removal efficiency varied with the HA concentration and the target chemical properties. Tetracycline and 4-octylphenol showed the highest sorption or removal efficiency (≈50%), even at 5 mg C/L HA. The algal growth inhibition of PhACs and the estrogenic effects of EDCs were significantly decreased in proportion to HA concentrations, except for SMX. In addition, the chemical analysis results showed a positive relationship with the bioassay results. Consequently, the sorption of PhACs and EDCs onto colloidal HA should be emphasized in natural environments because it significantly reduces bioavailable concentrations and toxicity to aquatic organisms.
Sealing Ability of MTA Used in Perforation Repair of Permanent Teeth; Literature Review
Authors: Baroudi Kusai , Samir Samah
Published: June 2016

There were several materials used to seal different types of perforation defects. MTA is one of these restorative materials that is considered the most effective, biocompatible, non-toxic, and non-irritant; promote bone healing and cementum regeneration. The objective of this article was to review and summarize the sealing ability of MTA compared with the other materials used for sealing different types of root perforations of permanent teeth. A literature search was conducted using Medline, accessed via the National Library of Medicine Pub Med from 2005 to 2015 searching for articles related to sealing ability of MTA. This study found that factors affecting prognosis are the size, site of the perforation and time elapsed as well as the repair material. MTA is an important filling material to be used for sealing different types of perforations when perforated sites sealed immediately with MTA.
Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality Risk in Patients with Advanced CKD
Authors: Sun Jia , Axelsson Jonas , Machowska Anna , Heimbürger Olof , Bárány Peter , Lindholm Bengt , Lindström Karin , Stenvinkel Peter , Qureshi Abdul Rashid
Published: June 2016

Background and objectives

The high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature death in patients with CKD associates with a plethora of elevated circulating biomarkers that may reflect distinct signaling pathways or simply, are epiphenomena of CKD. We compared the predictive strength of 12 biomarkers analyzed concomitantly in patients with stage 5 CKD.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

From 1994 to 2014, 543 patients with stage 5 CKD (median age =56 years old; 63% men; 199 patients had CVD) took part in our study on malnutrition, inflammation, and CVD in incident dialysis patients. Circulating levels of albumin, ferritin, high–sensitivity C–reactive protein (hsCRP), IGF-1, IL-6, orosomucoid, troponin T (TnT), TNF, soluble intracellular adhesion molecule, soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), and platelet and white blood cell (WBC) counts were analyzed as predictors of the presence of clinically overt CVD at baseline, protein-energy wasting (PEW), and subsequent all–cause mortality. During follow-up for a median of 28 months, there were 149 deaths, 81 of which were caused by CVD.

Results

Most biomarkers were elevated compared with reference values and–—except for albumin, ferritin, and IGF-1—higher in patients with CVD. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, age, IL-6, TnT, hsCRP, and IGF-1 were classifiers of baseline CVD and predictors of all-cause mortality. In addition to age, diabetes mellitus, smoking (for CVD), and PEW, only IL-6, relative risk (RR) 1.10 and 95% confidence interval ([95% CI], 1.02 to 1.19), sVCAM-1 RR 1.09 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.17), and serum albumin RR 0.89 (95% CI, 0.83 to 0.95) associated with baseline CVD, and only WBC, hazard ratio (HR) 1.94 (95% CI, 1.34 to 2.82), IL-6 HR 1.79 (95% CI, 1.20 to 2.67), and TNF HR 0.65 (95% CI, 0.44 to 0.97) predicted all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

In addition to age and comorbidities, only IL-6, sVCAM-1, and albumin could—independently of other biomarkers—classify clinical CVD, and only IL-6, WBC, and TNF could—independently of other biomarkers—predict all–cause mortality risk. These data underscore the robustness of IL-6 as a classifier of clinically overt CVD and predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with stage 5 CKD.
Arterial Stiffness Is Positively Associated With 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography–Assessed Subclinical Vascular Inflammation in People With Early Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: de Boer Stefanie A. , Hovinga-de Boer Marieke C. , Heerspink Hiddo J.L. , Lefrandt Joop D. , van Roon Arie M. , Lutgers Helen L. , Glaudemans Andor W.J.M. , Kamphuisen Pieter W. , Slart Riemer H.J.A. , Mulder Douwe J.
Published: June 2016

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes is accompanied by premature atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness. The underlying association remains incompletely understood. The possible relationship between subclinical arterial inflammation assessed by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and arterial stiffness was investigated in patients with early type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 44), without cardiovascular disease and any type of antidiabetic medication, were studied (median age 63 years [interquartile range 54–66], men:women 27:17). Arterial inflammation was quantified as the FDG uptake maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax). SUVmax was corrected for the prescan glucose level. A target-to-background ratio (TBR) was calculated by dividing the SUVmax of the arteries by the SUVmean of the caval veins (blood pool). TBRs were calculated for four individual segments (carotid arteries, ascending aorta and aortic arch, descending and abdominal aorta, and iliac and femoral arteries) and averaged for the total aortic tree (meanTBR). Arterial stiffness was assessed as central systolic blood pressure (cSBP), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), and augmentation index (AIx).

RESULTS

The meanTBR was significantly associated with PWV (R = 0.47, P = 0.001) and cSBP (R = 0.45, P = 0.003) but not with AIx. TBR of each separate segment was also significantly associated with PWV and cSBP. In a multiple linear regression model including age, sex, BMI, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), hs-CRP, cholesterol, cSBP, and PWV, PWV was the strongest determinant of meanTBR.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with type 2 diabetes, FDG-PET/CT–imaged subclinical arterial inflammation is positively associated with determinants of arterial stiffness.
Billes de pin, capitalisme et famille : le parcours en justice des Baptist, entrepreneurs forestiers de la Mauricie (Québec), 1852–1911
Authors: Nootens Thierry , Bérubé Julie
Published: June 2016

On connaît assez mal la relation entre droit et monde des affaires, telle qu'elle se présente lors de la transition au capitalisme industriel. Les vues d'ensemble du contentieux civil d'entrepreneurs actifs durant cette période sont également assez rares. L'auteur propose une reconstitution de la juridicité et de la litigiosité telles que vécues par les Baptist, une famille qui domine l'industrie forestière d'une région du Québec, la Mauricie, au cours de la seconde moitié du XIXe siècle. Les procès impliquant les Baptist lèvent le voile sur certains recours stratégiques au droit civil, notamment en matière de partenariats d'affaires et de dispositions testamentaires. Ces litiges rendent compte aussi des liens juridiques prêtant à conflit, de leur point de vue, que ce soit à propos de l'usage du territoire régional, de marchés conclus avec des sous-entrepreneurs ou de patrimoine. Les résultats obtenus, dans leur ensemble, permettent aux auteurs de remettre en question la notion d'usage du droit et l'idée voulant que les tribunaux servent à maximiser l'efficacité du marché capitaliste au XIXe siècle.
Magic Growth Produced Zero Effect on Rice Yield
Authors: Islam MN , Alam F , Saha PK , Shah AL , Islam A , Biswas JC
Published: June 2016

CORRECTION: Due to a number of formatting and layout issues, the PDF of this paper was replaced on 10th October 2016. The page numbers of this article have changed from 87-93 to 91-97.Investigation during T. Aus 2012 through Boro 2013-14 at BRRI farm, Gazipur evaluated the effect of magic growth (MG) solution on rice. The experiment compared variable doses of N with or without MG along with N control in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Basal application of N with its top dress was also compared with only top dress of N (no basal). All the plots (except control) received a blanket application of phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and zinc. The application of MG spraying produced no yield advantage on rice grain yield in Aus, Aman and Boro seasons. Basal application of N with top dress produced higher yield over N top dressing only in Boro season at lower rate of N.Bangladesh Rice j. 2015, 19(2): 91-97
Review of Recent Type-2 Fuzzy Controller Applications
Authors: Tai Kevin , El-Sayed Abdul-Rahman , Biglarbegian Mohammad , Gonzalez Claudia , Castillo Oscar , Mahmud Shohel
Published: June 2016

Type-2 fuzzy logic controllers (T2 FLC) can be viewed as an emerging class of intelligent controllers because of their abilities in handling uncertainties; in many cases, they have been shown to outperform their Type-1 counterparts. This paper presents a literature review on recent applications of T2 FLCs. To follow the developments in this field, we first review general T2 FLCs and the most well-known interval T2 FLS algorithms that have been used for control design. Certain applications of these controllers include robotic control, bandwidth control, industrial systems control, electrical control and aircraft control. The most promising applications are found in the robotics and automotive areas, where T2 FLCs have been demonstrated and proven to perform better than traditional controllers. With the development of enhanced algorithms, along with the advancement in both hardware and software, we shall witness increasing applications of these frontier controllers.
Development of a New Backdrivable Actuator for Haptic Interfaces and Collaborative Robots
Authors: Gosselin Florian , Ferlay Fabien , Janot Alexandre
Published: June 2016

Industrial robots are most often position controlled and insensitive to external forces. In many robotic applications, however, such as teleoperation, haptics for virtual reality, and collaborative robotics, a close cooperation between humans and robots is required. For such applications, force sensing and control capabilities are required for stable interactions with the operator and environment. The robots must also be backdrivable, i.e., the robot must be able to follow user’s induced movements with the least possible resistance. High force efficiency is also desirable. These requirements are different from the design drivers of traditional industrial robots and call for specific actuators and reducers. Many such devices were proposed in the literature. However, they suffer from several drawbacks, offering either a limited reduction ratio or being complex and bulky. This paper introduces a novel solution to this problem. A new differential cable drive reducer is presented. It is backdrivable, has a high efficiency, and a potentially infinite reduction ratio. A prototype actuator using such a reducer has been developed and integrated on a test bench. The experimental characterization of its performance confirms its theoretical advantages.
Empirical Operational Energy Analysis of Downtown High-Rise vs. Suburban Low-Rise Lifestyles: A Chicago Case Study
Authors: Du Peng , Wood Antony , Stephens Brent
Published: June 2016

It is widely accepted that the concentration of people living in high-density city centers offers greater operational energy efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions than lower-density expanded suburbs. The prevailing assumption is that lower-density suburbs are dominated by larger low-rise buildings that have higher building energy use requirements and greater per-person automobile travel requirements than high-density city centers dominated by medium- and high-rise buildings located in close proximity to a variety of public transit systems. However, very few studies to date have utilized empirical data at an individual household scale to evaluate differences in the operational energy (OE) footprints for both building and transportation energy end-uses between high-rise urban and low-rise suburban households. Therefore, this work collects empirical data on building and transportation OE consumption by individuals and households living in two economically similar groups: existing high-rise residential buildings in downtown Chicago, IL, USA and existing low-rise residential buildings in suburban Oak Park, IL, USA. Data were collected from over 500 households via an online survey. We considered the following components of residential living: (1) building OE (BOE), which includes electricity and/or natural gas use for all building energy end-uses; and (2) transportation OE (TOE), which includes the OE for multiple modes of transportation (i.e., automobile, bus, subway, regional train, etc.) based on average travel behavior in each location, as well as the OE for supporting transportation infrastructure. We estimate that downtown high-rise living in this sample of residences in Chicago, IL accounts for approximately 427 GJ of primary OE per household per year, on average, which was 14% lower than the average for suburban low-rise living in the Oak Park, IL homes (499 GJ per household per year). However, on a per-person basis, downtown high-rise living accounts for approximately 246 GJ of primary OE per person per year, which was approximately 61% higher than suburban low-rise living (153 GJ per person per year). In both building types, building OE was the single largest contributor to total OE use. This study accurately captured the energy requirements associated with realistic behaviors and lifestyles of occupants of both low-rise suburban and high-rise urban households, and found that building OE dominates the total OE, which suggests that efforts to reduce building OE should be given high priority in building design and management as well as urban planning.
The Influence of Environmental Constraints on the Water Value
Authors: Guisández Ignacio , Pérez-Díaz Juan , Wilhelmi José
Published: June 2016

The establishment of more severe hydrological environmental constraints, usually as seasonal minimum flows (ϕ) and maximum ramping rates (ρ), on hydropower operation is a growing trend. This paper presents a study on the influence of ϕ and ρ on the water values (WV) of a real hydropower plant that participates in the Spanish day-ahead electricity market. For this purpose, a master-slave algorithm, based on stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) and deterministic mixed integer linear programming (DMILP), is used on a real hydropower plant. The master module, based on SDP, has a yearly planning period with weekly time steps and considers three state variables: stored water volume in the reservoir at the beginning of each week; weekly water inflow; and average weekly energy price. The slave module, based on DMILP, has a weekly planning period with hourly time steps and considers many features of the hydropower plant operation, such as: start-up costs, evaporation, wear and tear costs, etc. The results indicate that WV of a hydropower plant are very sensitive to the presence of these constraints; ϕ especially during the wettest season and ρ during the driest one. As the severity of ϕ and ρ increase, WV increase and decrease, respectively.
“They All Lived Happily Ever After. Obviously.”: Realism and Utopia in Game of Thrones-Based Alternate Universe Fairy Tale Fan Fiction
Authors: Kustritz Anne
Published: June 2016

Fan fiction alternate universe stories (AUs) that combine Game of Thrones characters and settings with fairy tale elements construct a dialogue between realism and wonder. Realism performs a number of functions in various genres, but becomes a particularly tricky concept to tie down in fantasy. Deployments of realism in “quality TV” series like Game of Thrones often reinforce social stigmatization of feminine genres like the romance, melodrama, and fairy tale. The happily-ever-after ending receives significant feminist criticism partly because it falls within a larger framework of utopian politics and poetics, which are frequently accused of essentialism and authoritarianism. However, because fan fiction cultures place all stories in dialogue with numerous other equally plausible versions, the fairy tale happy ending can serve unexpected purposes. By examining several case studies in fairy tale AU fan fiction based on Game of Thrones characters, situations, and settings, this paper demonstrates the genre’s ability to construct surprising critiques of real social and historical situations through strategic deployment of impossible wishes made manifest through the magic of fan creativity.
The Effect of Seasonal Variations in Airborne Particulate Matter on Asthma-Related Airway Inflammation in Mice
Authors: Kurai Jun , Watanabe Masanari , Sano Hiroyuki , Hantan Degejirihu , Shimizu Eiji
Published: June 2016

This study aimed to investigate the effects of winter and spring particulate matter (PM) on airway inflammation and allergies in a mouse asthma model. PM was collected during 7–28 February 2013 (winter) and during 7–28 April 2013 (spring) in Yonago, Japan. NC/Nga mice were co-sensitized using intranasal instillation of the PMs and Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) for 5 consecutive days, and were subsequently challenged using intranasal Df at 7 days after the last sensitization. At 24 h after the challenge, serum immunoglobulin levels, differential leukocyte counts, and inflammatory cytokines levels were measured in the mice’s bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Compared to co-sensitization using spring PM and Df, winter PM and Df induced greater increases in the BALF neutrophil and eosinophil counts and total serum IgE and IgG2a levels. Furthermore, winter PM-sensitized mice exhibited higher BALF levels of interleukin-5, interleukin-13, interleukin-6, and keratinocyte-derived chemokine. Therefore, we observed seasonal variations in the effects of PM on asthma-related airway inflammation. These findings suggest that the compositions of PM vary according to season, and that it is important to evaluate PM compositions in order to understand the associations between asthma and PM.
Prolonged Morphine Exposure Induces Increased Firm Adhesion in an in Vitro Model of the Blood–Brain Barrier
Authors: Strazza Marianne , Pirrone Vanessa , Wigdahl Brian , Dampier Will , Lin Wei , Feng Rui , Maubert Monique , Weksler Babette , Romero Ignacio , Couraud Pierre-Olivier , Nonnemacher Michael
Published: June 2016

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) has been defined as a critically important protective barrier that is involved in providing essential biologic, physiologic, and immunologic separation between the central nervous system (CNS) and the periphery. Insults to the BBB can cause overall barrier damage or deregulation of the careful homeostasis maintained between the periphery and the CNS. These insults can, therefore, yield numerous phenotypes including increased overall permeability, interendothelial gap formation, alterations in cytokine and chemokine secretion, and accelerated cellular passage. The current studies expose the human brain microvascular endothelial cell line, hCMEC/D3, to prolonged morphine exposure and aim to uncover the mechanisms underlying alterations in barrier function in vitro. These studies show alterations in the mRNA and protein levels of the cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule that correlate with an increased firm adhesion of the CD3+ subpopulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Overall, these studies suggest that prolonged morphine exposure may result in increased cell migration into the CNS, which may accelerate pathological processes in many diseases that involve the BBB.
Implementation of Electronic Consent at a Biobank: An Opportunity for Precision Medicine Research
Authors: Boutin Natalie , Mathieu Kathleen , Hoffnagle Alison , Allen Nicole , Castro Victor , Morash Megan , O’Rourke P. , Hohmann Elizabeth , Herring Neil , Bry Lynn , Slaugenhaupt Susan , Karlson Elizabeth , Weiss Scott , Smoller Jordan
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this study is to characterize the potential benefits and challenges of electronic informed consent (eIC) as a strategy for rapidly expanding the reach of large biobanks while reducing costs and potentially enhancing participant engagement. The Partners HealthCare Biobank (Partners Biobank) implemented eIC tools and processes to complement traditional recruitment strategies in June 2014. Since then, the Partners Biobank has rigorously collected and tracked a variety of metrics relating to this novel recruitment method. From June 2014 through January 2016, the Partners Biobank sent email invitations to 184,387 patients at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. During the same time period, 7078 patients provided their consent via eIC. The rate of consent of emailed patients was 3.5%, and the rate of consent of patients who log into the eIC website at Partners Biobank was 30%. Banking of biospecimens linked to electronic health records has become a critical element of genomic research and a foundation for the NIH’s Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI). eIC is a feasible and potentially game-changing strategy for these large research studies that depend on patient recruitment.
Tribology of Graphite-Filled Polystyrene
Authors: Gilardi Raffaele
Published: June 2016

Self-lubricating polymer compounds are currently used for a wide range of applications such as bearings, gears, and water meters. Under severe conditions such as high pressure, high velocity, and/or high temperatures, the material fails (PV limit). In this study, we investigated the effect of graphite on the tribological properties of polystyrene (PS) with “ball-on-three-plates” tests. Graphite-filled PS plates were produced via an internal mixer and compression molding. Unhardened steel (1.4401) and nylon (PA66) balls were used for the tribological tests. Our results indicate that graphite loading, graphite type, and particle size have a big influence on the friction coefficient, the wear resistance, and the PV limit of PS both against steel and PA66. In particular, primary synthetic graphite performs better than secondary synthetic graphite due to the higher degree of crystallinity.
Exponential Energy Decay of Solutions for a Transmission Problem With Viscoelastic Term and Delay
Authors: Wang Danhua , Li Gang , Zhu Biqing
Published: June 2016

In our previous work (Journal of Nonlinear Science and Applications 9: 1202–1215, 2016), we studied the well-posedness and general decay rate for a transmission problem in a bounded domain with a viscoelastic term and a delay term. In this paper, we continue to study the similar problem but without the frictional damping term. The main difficulty arises since we have no frictional damping term to control the delay term in the estimate of the energy decay. By introducing suitable energy and Lyapunov functionals, we establish an exponential decay result for the energy.
Metabolic Syndrome and Framingham Risk Score: Observation from Screening of Low-Income Semi-Urban African Women
Authors: Dada Ayokunle , Ajayi Daisi , Areo Peter , Raimi Taiwo , Emmanuel Eyitayo , Odu Olusola , Aremu Olusegun
Published: June 2016

Background: The heightened cardiovascular risk associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been documented by several researchers. The Framingham risk score (FRS) provides a simple and efficient method for identifying individuals at cardiovascular risk. The objective was to describe the prevalence of MetS and its association with FRS in predicting cardiovascular disease among a cohort of semi-urban women; Method: Clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated among 189 healthy women. The International Diabetes Federation definition was used to diagnose metabolic syndrome. FRS was calculated for each participant; Result: About two thirds of the participant make less than $US 90 per month. The mean systolic blood pressure was 131.80 ± 30. Eighty (42.3%) participants were overweight with a mean waist circumference of 91.64 ± 11.19 cm. MetS was present in 46 (24.3%). Individuals with MetS were more likely to have increased FRS, p = 0.012. One hundred and eighty seven (98.9%) were in the low risk category according to FRS. There was a significant difference in the mean FRS between participants with and without MetS (13.52 versus 10.29 p = 0.025); Conclusion: Prevalence of MetS in this study was comparable to the global rate, despite a low economic status. Individuals with MetS were more likely to have cardiovascular disease than persons without MetS, thus emphasizing the need for risk stratification and prompt management.
Affinity-Bead-Mediated Enrichment of CD8+ Lymphocytes from Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cell Products Using Acoustophoresis
Authors: Urbansky Anke , Lenshof Andreas , Dykes Josefina , Laurell Thomas , Scheding Stefan
Published: June 2016

Acoustophoresis is a technique that applies ultrasonic standing wave forces in a microchannel to sort cells depending on their physical properties in relation to the surrounding media. Cell handling and separation for research and clinical applications aims to efficiently separate specific cell populations. Here, we investigated the sorting of CD8 lymphocytes from peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) products by affinity-bead-mediated acoustophoresis. PBPC samples were obtained from healthy donors (n = 4) and patients (n = 18). Mononuclear cells were labeled with anti-CD8-coated magnetic beads and sorted on an acoustophoretic microfluidic device and by standard magnetic cell sorting as a reference method. CD8 lymphocytes were acoustically sorted with a mean purity of 91% ± 8% and a median separation efficiency of 63% (range 15.1%–90.5%) as compared to magnetic sorting (purity 91% ± 14%, recovery 29% (range 5.1%–47.3%)). The viability as well as the proliferation capacity of sorted lymphocytes in the target fraction were unimpaired and, furthermore, hematopoietic progenitor cell assay revealed a preserved clonogenic capacity post-sorting. Bead-mediated acoustophoresis can, therefore, be utilized to efficiently sort less frequent CD8+ lymphocytes from PBPC products in a continuous flow mode while maintaining cell viability and functional capacity of both target and non-target fractions.
Liquid Crystal Formation from Sunflower Oil: Long Term Stability Studies
Authors: Da Rocha-Filho Pedro , Maruno Mônica , Ferrari Márcio , Topan José
Published: June 2016

The Brazilian biodiversity offers a multiplicity of raw materials with great potential in cosmetics industry applications. Some vegetable oils and fatty esters increase skin hydration by occlusivity, keeping the skin hydrated and with a shiny appearance. Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) oil is widely employed in cosmetic emulsions in the form of soaps, creams, moisturizers and skin cleansers due to the presence of polyphenols and its high vitamin E content. Liquid crystals are systems with many applications in both pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations and are easily detected by microscopy under polarized light due to their birefringence properties. The aim of this research was to develop emulsions from natural sunflower oil for topical uses. Sunflower oil (75.0% w/w) was combined with liquid vaseline (25.0% w/w) employing a natural self-emulsifying base (SEB) derivative. The high temperature of the emulsification process did not influence the antioxidant properties of sunflower oil. Fatty esters were added to cosmetic formulations and extended stability tests were performed to characterize the emulsions. Fatty esters like cetyl palmitate and cetyl ester increase the formation of anisotropic structures. O/W emulsions showed acidic pH values and pseudoplastic behavior. The presence of a lamellar phase was observed after a period of 90 days under different storage conditions.
Applications of the Conceptual Density Functional Theory Indices to Organic Chemistry Reactivity
Authors: Domingo Luis , Ríos-Gutiérrez Mar , Pérez Patricia
Published: June 2016

Theoretical reactivity indices based on the conceptual Density Functional Theory (DFT) have become a powerful tool for the semiquantitative study of organic reactivity. A large number of reactivity indices have been proposed in the literature. Herein, global quantities like the electronic chemical potential μ, the electrophilicity ω and the nucleophilicity N indices, and local condensed indices like the electrophilic P k + and nucleophilic P k − Parr functions, as the most relevant indices for the study of organic reactivity, are discussed.
Cytotoxic Labdane Diterpenes from Hedychium ellipticum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.
Authors: Songsri Sineenard , Nuntawong Nuchnipa
Published: June 2016

In order to reveal the constituents and their biological activities, we carried out a phytochemical study on Hedychium ellipticum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. (Zingiberaceae). Ten labdane diterpenoids (1–10) were isolated from the rhizomes of H. ellipticum for the first time. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including two-dimensional NMR and comparison with literature data. All of these compounds were evaluated for their antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and cytotoxicity against KB, MCF7, NCI-H187 and Vero cells. The result showed that compounds 1 and 7 exhibited moderate activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and compounds 4, 6 and 7 displayed remarkable cytotoxic activity. This is the first report on the presence of all compounds in H. ellipticum and the first time that their structure activity relationship has been discussed.
The Dilemmas of Risk-Sensitive Development on a Small Volcanic Island
Authors: Wilkinson Emily , Lovell Emma , Carby Barbara , Barclay Jenni , Robertson Richard
Published: June 2016

In the Small Islands Developing State (SIDS) of St Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean, the most destructive disasters in terms of human casualties have been the multiple eruptions of La Soufrière volcano situated in the north of St Vincent. Despite this major threat, people continue to live close to the volcano and national development plans do not include risk reduction measures for volcanic hazards. This paper examines the development options in volcanic SIDS and presents a number of conundrums for disaster risk management on the island of St Vincent. Improvements in monitoring of volcanic hazards and ongoing programmes to enhance communications systems and encourage community preparedness planning have increased awareness of the risks associated with volcanic hazards, yet this has not translated into more risk-informed development planning decisions. The current physical development plan in fact promotes investment in infrastructure in settlements located within the zone designated very high-hazard. However, this is not an anomaly or an irrational decision: severe space constraints in SIDS, as well as other historical social and economic factors, limit growth and options for low-risk development. Greater attention needs to be placed on developing measures to reduce risk, particularly from low-intensity hazards like ash, limiting where possible exposure to volcanic hazards and building the resilience of communities living in high-risk areas. This requires planning for both short- and longer-term impacts from renewed activity. Volcanic SIDS face multiple hazards because of their geography and topography, so development plans should identify these interconnected risks and options for their reduction, alongside measures aimed at improving personal preparedness plans so communities can learn to live with risk.
Sentinel-2’s Potential for Sub-Pixel Landscape Feature Detection
Authors: Radoux Julien , Chomé Guillaume , Jacques Damien , Waldner François , Bellemans Nicolas , Matton Nicolas , Lamarche Céline , D’Andrimont Raphaël , Defourny Pierre
Published: June 2016

Land cover and land use maps derived from satellite remote sensing imagery are critical to support biodiversity and conservation, especially over large areas. With its 10 m to 20 m spatial resolution, Sentinel-2 is a promising sensor for the detection of a variety of landscape features of ecological relevance. However, many components of the ecological network are still smaller than the 10 m pixel, i.e., they are sub-pixel targets that stretch the sensor’s resolution to its limit. This paper proposes a framework to empirically estimate the minimum object size for an accurate detection of a set of structuring landscape foreground/background pairs. The developed method combines a spectral separability analysis and an empirical point spread function estimation for Sentinel-2. The same approach was also applied to Landsat-8 and SPOT-5 (Take 5), which can be considered as similar in terms of spectral definition and spatial resolution, respectively. Results show that Sentinel-2 performs consistently on both aspects. A large number of indices have been tested along with the individual spectral bands and target discrimination was possible in all but one case. Overall, results for Sentinel-2 highlight the critical importance of a good compromise between the spatial and spectral resolution. For instance, the Sentinel-2 roads detection limit was of 3 m and small water bodies are separable with a diameter larger than 11 m. In addition, the analysis of spectral mixtures draws attention to the uneven sensitivity of a variety of spectral indices. The proposed framework could be implemented to assess the fitness for purpose of future sensors within a large range of applications.