bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY OF EXPORT PERFORMANCE IN SOUTH SULAWESI
Authors: Maupa Haris , Sulaiman Syarifuddin , Perdana Hardinasta
Published: May 2019

The development of new commodities or products that are in line with market needs is a challenge for exporters. The company's export performance reflects the specific behavior of the company in utilizing and managing resources and capabilities effectively in the context of international competition. This study aims to identify what factors influence the increase in export performance of products in South Sulawesi. This study uses a quantitative approach. The method used is indepth interview (in-depth interview), observation and questionnaire. Researchers are required to risk their ability to study more deeply about strategies for improving export performance. Research location in South Sulawesi. The data collected includes primary data and secondary data. The analysis technique in this study is qualitative descriptive, IFAS (Internal Factors Analysis Summary) and EFAS (External Factors Analysis Summary) analysis and SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats) analysis to design an ideal export performance strategy. The results show that strong internal and external environmental conditions can support the development and improvement of export performance for companies. This finding can contribute to exporters to determine strategic planning in improving their performance.
ANALISA KESEHATAN KEUANGAN PERUSAHAAN UNTUK MEMPREDIKSI KEBANGKRUTAN PERUSAHAAN DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE ALTMAN (STUDI KASUS PADA PERUSAHAAN MANUFAKTUR SEKTOR KOMPONEN OTOMOTIF YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA PERIODE 2011 – 2015)
Authors: Khaerunnisa Indar , Cahyadi Edy
Published: May 2019

The Indonesian government has set the motor vehicle industry as one of the priority industries of the national interest, economic growth, and increased productivity. In order for the survival of a company is maintained, then the management should be able to maintain or even more spur increased performance. Various analyzes were developed to predict the beginning of the bankruptcy of the company. One analysis is widely used today is the analysis of Altman Z-Score, which this analysis refers to the financial ratios of the company. The purpose of this study was to analyze the bankruptcy of the automotive components companies that go public in Indonesia Stock Exchange year period 2011–2015. This study used a sample of four companies from the automotive components sector. Source of data is done by using secondary data. The data is processed by the method of the Z-score formula Z = 1,2X1 + 1,4X2 + 3,3X3 + 0,6X4 + 0,999X5. With the description of Z < 1,8 the company categorized into unhealthy/will be bankrupt, the value Z 1,8 < 2,99 the company is considered to be in the uncertain/grey area and the value of Z > 2,99 then the company is in a very healthy. In general, the results of these studies indicate that the four automtive components companies namely PT Astra Otoparts year 2011 value of Z = 14,67 year 2012 value of Z = 10,88 year 2013 value of Z = 13,90 year 2014 value of Z = 10,54 year 2015 value of Z = 4,94, PT Gajah Tunggal year 2011 value of Z = 5,72 year 2012 value of Z = 4,75 year 2013 value of Z = 3,10 year 2014 value of Z = 2,79 year 2015 value of Z = 1,58 and the average value of 2011-2015 periode Z = 3,59, PT Goodyear Indonesia year 2011 value of Z = 2,07 year 2012 value of Z = 2,44 year 2013 value of Z = 2,57 year 2014 value of Z = 2,02 year 2015 value of Z = 2,76, PT Indomobil Sukses Internasional year 2011 value of Z = 6,19 year 2012 value of Z = 3,99 year 2013 value of Z = 3,17 year 2014 value of Z = 2,59 year 2015 value of Z = 1,74. The average value 2011-2015 period showed 3 companies are in very healthy state and 1 company is in the uncertain/grey area. Keywords: Financial Ratio Analysis, Analysis of bankruptcy, Altman Z-Score Analysis, Automotive Components Company, Go Public.
Makam Gus Dur, Ikon Pariwisata Jombang*
Authors: Pranata Lexi , Satrya Dewa Gde
Published: May 2019

Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, Jombang district, which is integrated with the tombs of the founders of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and national heroes, is increasingly visited by pilgrims since KH. Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) died and was buried there. The arrival of the pilgrims was in addition to a form of homage to the scholars of the founders of Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), also to pray. This motivation is typical in pilgrimage tours. Gus Dur’s grave deserves to be designated as an icon of Jombang district tourism. As a pilgrimage tourist destination, the iconic tomb complex with Gus Dur’s Tomb has several advantages to be designated as Jombang tourism icons which are then expected to provide added value for Jombang district. This article is conceptual paper, giving a review of Gus Dur’s grave designation as an icon of Jombang tourism. The research approach is qualitatively descriptive, where primary data sources are obtained from data collection through interviews and supported by the observation process. Secondary data sources are carried out through the study of related literature. The formulation of the problem in this study is how the chances of Gus Dur’s grave becoming an icon of Jombang tourism? The conclusion of this study is that the tomb of Gus Dur is appropriate to be used as an icon of Jombang tourism, with consideration, first, the tomb of Gus Dur have an advantage as a heritage area that has high historical value, and is strategically significant for the progress of Jombang tourism in particular. Second, the geographical location of Gus Dur’s tomb which became one area with Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, also higher education, and the National Islamic Museum K.H. Hasyim Asy’ari in one area will focus the relevant government agencies to carry out development programs as a follow-up to iconic tourism designation. Third, the Tomb of Gus Dur is important area in the establishment of NU, which is expected to have a positive impact on the surrounding area when arranged in such a way. Fourth, in terms of tourism components, Gus Dur’s Grave has complete appeal, good accessibility, existing facilities but needs to be developed.
Population morbidity monitoring as a basis for the development of treatment and preventive measures
Authors: Dyachuk M.D. , Hruzeva T.S.
Published: May 2019

Introduction. Measures for the prevention of diseases, their timely diagnosis and effective treatment are based on data on the features and trends of morbidity in different groups of the population, which requires constant quality monitoring.

The Aim of the Study. to identify the features and trends in the incidence of the genitourinary system diseases among the population of Ukraine.

Material and Methods. When performing research bibliographic, epidemiological and medical-statistical methods were used.

Results. The structure of incidence and prevalence of the genitourinary system diseases in population of Ukraine is estimated. High levels of incidence and prevalence of the genitourinary system diseases among the population are established, as evidenced by the third ranked place of urugenital diseases in the structure of incidence and the fifth place — in the structure of the prevalence of all diseases.

The negative tendencies in the indicators dynamics during 1991–2017 were revealed, in particular, the increase in the incidence of the genitourinary system diseases of Ukrainian population by 58.8 %, prevalence – by 87.2 %, including among children – by 2 times and by 83.2 % respectively.

The structure of morbidity in different age and sex groups is characterized.

It was found that the incidence of diseases of the genitourinary system of the female population was higher than that of males (by 4.5 times); of the working age population – by 2.0 times compared to the population older than the able-bodied age; of urban population – by 49.8 % higher compared with rural.

The differences in the incidence of certain nosological forms depending on the age of the population and the sex are revealed. The estimation of incidence and prevalence of diseases of the genitourinary system in certain administrative territories of Ukraine is given.

Conclusions. The analysis of statistical information revealed significant rates and negative tendencies in the increase of the morbidity of the population for diseases of the genitourinary system, features of the prevalence of pathology in the regional, sexual, and age aspects. The established features and trends require further indepth study and taking into account in the development of medical-preventive measures.
Investigation of Sodium Doped Lanthanum Manganite in Optical, Dielectric and Capacitive Perspective Prepared by Flux Method
Authors: Majumder R. , Sarker M. A. R. , Hossain M. M. , Hossain M. E. , Shen D. , Reza A. K. M. S. , Kabir M. H.
Published: May 2019

A comprehensive analysis of optical and dielectric properties of a material is very much essential for the research of device fabrication. From this perception, the sodium (Na) doped lanthanum manganite with 15% substitution of La by Na (La0.85Na0.15MnO3) has been synthesized using the flux method and investigated to observe the optical absorbance, refractive index, capacitance and dielectric constant. In this study, we have reported better optical absorbance for the monovalent Na doping with a slightly lower value of the energy band gap (~ 1.57 eV) compared to the divalent Sr doping on parent LaMnO3. The structural analysis has been accomplished using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm the ability of the flux method to grow higher order La0.85Na0.15MnO3 crystal satisfactorily. Optical properties of La0.85Na0.15MnO3 have been estimated using UV-Vis spectroscopy and the frequency dependent electronic properties (ac conductivity, dielectric constants and capacitance) have been investigated using a precision impedance analyzer. The capacitance has been reported in Pico farad range for La0.85Na0.15MnO3 crystal with the low value of dielectric constant throughout the high-frequency region.
Perceptions of the educational environment among undergraduate physical therapy students in a competency-based curriculum at the University of Chile
Authors: Quiroga-Marabolí Pablo , Antúnez-Riveros Marcela Andrea , Aguirre-Jerez Marcela , Saldaña Alvaro Besoain , Peralta-Camposano José , Bahillo María Pilar Ruiz de Gauna
Published: May 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the educational environment (EE) among students in a physical therapy undergraduate program, to identify patterns in EE perceptions among the students by year, and to determine issues that should be addressed.Methods: The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire was used to explore the relationships among the total mean score, subscales, and items in a competency-based curriculum in the physical therapy program at the University of Chile. The DREEM questionnaire was filled out by 166 of 244 students (68.03%), of whom 56.6% were men and 43.4% were women, with 75.9% between 19 and 23 years of age.Results: The total mean score (120.9/200) indicated that the EE was perceived as ‘more positive than negative.’ There were significant differences (P<0.05) between first-year students (113.41), who reported the lowest total mean score, and fourth-year students (126.60), who had the highest total mean score. Students rated their EE favorably on each subscale except social self-perceptions, which second-year students rated as ‘not too bad,’ and for which first-, third-, and fourth-year students gave a rating corresponding to ‘not a nice place.’ On the perceptions of teachers subscale, there were significant differences (P<0.05) between first-year students (28.05/44) and fourth-year students (32.24/44) and between second-year students (28.72/44) and fourth-year students (32.24/44). On the academic self-perceptions subscale, there were significant differences (P<0.05) between first-year students (18.12/32) and second-year (21.68/32), third-year (22.33/32), and fourth-year students (21.87/32).Conclusion: Physical therapy students at the University of Chile had positive perceptions of their EE. First-year students rated the largest number of items as problematic. Improvements are required across the program in the specific subscales mentioned above.
SOCIAL APPEARANCE ANXIETY OF FITNESS PARTICIPANTS
Authors: Alemdag Serdar , Alemdag Ceyhun , Ozkara Abdullah Bora
Published: May 2019

Background. It is known that there are multiple associations between physical activity and psychology for
human health. One of these associations is social appearance anxiety. Social appearance anxiety is a feeling of
distress associated with the perceived evaluation of one’s physical self. Some individuals feel relatively little anxiety
over this perceived evaluation, while others are highly stressed. There are many studies on physical activity and
anxiety, but fewer studies on the social appearance anxiety. Therefore, the aim of this research is determining social
appearance anxiety of individuals interested in physical activity and examining it according to some variables.
Methods. The study group of the research consisted of 38 women (age = 28.53 ± 9.1 years), 190 men (age =
26.43 ± 7.78 years) from four different fitness centres, with a total number of 228 individuals. The data were collected
using Social Appearance Anxiety Scale as a data collection tool. Descriptive statistics, t test for independent groups
and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey’s multiple comparison; Kruskal-Wallis H test in the group not
normally distributed were used as statistical methods for the evaluation of data.
Results. Adolescences and those aiming at losing weight demonstrated more social appearance anxiety compared
to young adults and those aiming to keep fit.
Conclusion. It was determined that outgoing individuals demonstrated moderate levels of social appearance
anxiety towards physical activity. Social appearance anxiety of individuals did not vary according to body mass
index (BMI) and gender, but it varied in dependence age group and reasons for participating in physical activity.
Thus it is said that the variables of age and reasons for participating in physical activity are determinant attributes of
social appearance anxiety.
EXPLORING TENNIS COACHES’ INSIGHTS IN RELATION TO THEIR TEACHING STYLES
Authors: Pill Shane , Hewitt Mitchell , Edwards Ken
Published: May 2019

Background. The aim of this study was to explore junior tennis coaches’ insights in relation to teaching styles
they employ as well as the motivations and reasons that underpin these practices.
Methods. The research consisted of implementing interviews with the 13 tennis coaches. It employed purposive
or theoretical sampling. Semi-structured interviews commenced with a prearranged group of questions to permit
scope in direction so that the interviewer may follow what is considered as pertinent to the interviewee. The coaches
were filmed during three 30 minute sessions. Prior to the interviews, each of the coaches was requested to view a
portion of their video-recorded sessions. The interview data were analysed via deductive content analysis.
Results. The results highlighted a lack of knowledge concerning the theoretical and practical application of
various teaching styles required for coaching tennis to junior players. The coaches lacked self-awareness with regard
to their own coaching performance and were incapable of accurately describing the reasons why they implement
particular ways of coaching. Coaches used an assortment of terms to identify the way they coach and that their
decision to employ certain ways of coaching did not alter as a function of the age group, skill level or ability of
the players they were coaching. Observing and/or discussing aspects of coaching with a mentor as well as playing
experience had a greater influence on current coaching behaviour than attending an accreditation course.
Conclusion. The finding from this study is that the personally anticipated coaching behaviour of the coach was
not what they realised upon observation of their coaching.
Deleuze, Whitehead, and the ‘Beautiful Soul’
Authors: Duvernoy Russell J.
Published: May 2019

This paper explores one means of connection between Whitehead and Deleuze through an investigation into the figure of the ‘beautiful soul’. I first examine Deleuze's claim that a philosophy of difference risks a ‘new’ version of the beautiful soul, situating this figure in its historical context in Hegel. I then consider why Whitehead may initially appear to fall into the trap of the beautiful soul before arguing that this is not the case. Seeing how brings Whitehead and Deleuze closer together by showing that their respective insistences on the risks, dangers, and adventures integral to speculative thinking highlight the importance of the intersection between the existential and the metaphysical.
Beyond a Capitalist Atlantic: Fish, Fuel, and the Collapse of Cheap Nature in Ireland, Newfoundland, and Nigeria
Authors: Paye Michael
Published: May 2019

Irish director Risteard O'Domhnaill's 2010 film, The Pipe, documents the battle of a small Mayo community against the Corrib gas pipeline project, following a number of local residents in their eight-year struggle against state-sponsored and corporate violence. In his next major production, Atlantic (2016), a comparative documentary of fishing and fossil-fuel industries in Ireland, Newfoundland, and Norway, O'Domhnaill retreats from the possible anti-systematicity of the Rossport struggle, taking a reformist, nationalist attitude to the question of oil and fish extraction. In this article, I will demonstrate how O'Domhnaill naturalizes this mobilization and ‘cheapening’ through a vocabulary of rightful ownership and human-centric dominance. Using world-ecological and energy humanities theories, I will then demonstrate that numerous other contemporary depictions of life and labour at the fish and oil frontiers, across the Global North and South, articulate how systemic contradiction materializes as environmental violence, focusing on works by Irish author Mike McCormack, Canadian author Lisa Moore, and Nigerian author Nnedi Okorafor.
The Feminist Museum Hack as an aesthetic practice of possibility
Authors: Clover Darlene , Williamson Sarah
Published: May 2019

This article outlines the central components, foundations and key activities of the Feminist Museum Hack, an investigative, pedagogical, analytical and interventionist tool we have designed to explore patriarchal assumptions behind the language, images and stragecrafting (positioning, lighting) of museums and art galleries. We also share findings from a study of student and community participants who employed the Hack in a museum in Canada and an art gallery in England. While differences existed due to institutional genres, findings showed participants’ ability to see and to reimagine absences, objectification, fragmentation, and double-standards and apply these to the world beyond the institution’s walls. As a form of pedagogy of possibility, the Hack encourages critique, just ire and the imagination. As it hones visual literacy skills it emboldens participants to challenge the authority of the museum narratives and to engage in creative practices of agency and activism.
Gut Microbiota and Mucin Composition in Female Broiler Chickens Fed Diets including Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor, L.)
Authors: Biasato Ilaria , Ferrocino Ilario , Grego Elena , Dabbou Sihem , Gai Francesco , Gasco Laura , Cocolin Luca , Capucchio Maria Teresa , Schiavone Achille
Published: May 2019

A total of 160 female broiler chickens were divided into four dietary treatments (control feed [C] and 5, 10 and 15% TM meal inclusion, respectively, with five replicate pens/treatment and eight birds/pen) to investigate the effects of Tenebrio molitor (TM) meal utilization on poultry gut microbiota and mucin composition. The cecal microbiota assessment displayed a shift in the beta diversity in chickens fed TM-based diets. The TM10 and TM15 birds showed a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum and lower Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratios (False Discovery Rate [FDR] < 0.05), respectively, than the TM5 group. The relative abundance of Clostridium, Alistipes and Sutterella genera significantly increased in TM chickens (FDR < 0.05), while birds fed TM-based diets displayed a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Ruminococcus genus in comparison with the C group (FDR < 0.05). Gut mucin composition evaluation revealed higher mucin staining intensity in the intestinal villi of TM5 birds than the other TM groups, as well as mucin reduction in the intestinal villi of TM10 birds when compared to the C group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary TM meal utilization (especially the 10–15% inclusion levels) may negatively influence either the cecal microbiota or the intestinal mucin dynamics of broiler chickens.
Computer Vision in Precipitation Nowcasting: Applying Image Quality Assessment Metrics for Training Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Tran Quang-Khai , Song Sa-kwang
Published: May 2019

This paper presents a viewpoint from computer vision to the radar echo extrapolation task in the precipitation nowcasting domain. Inspired by the success of some convolutional recurrent neural network models in this domain, including convolutional LSTM, convolutional GRU and trajectory GRU, we designed a new sequence-to-sequence neural network structure to leverage these models in a realistic data context. In this design, we decreased the numbers of channels in high abstract recurrent layers rather than increasing them. We formulated the task as a problem of encoding five radar images and predicting 10 steps ahead at the pixel level, and found that using only the common mean squared error can misguide the training and mislead the testing. Especially, the image quality of last predictions usually degraded rapidly. As a solution, we employed some visual image quality assessment techniques including Structural Similarity (SSIM) and multi-scale SSIM to train our models. Experimental results show that our structure was more tolerant to increasing uncertainty in the data, and the use of image quality metrics can significantly reduce the blurry image issue. Moreover, we found that using SSIM was very effective and a combination of SSIM with mean squared error and mean absolute error yielded the best prediction quality.
Preserved Cerebral Oxygen Metabolism in Astrocytic Dysfunction: A Combination Study of 15O-Gas PET with 14C-Acetate Autoradiography
Authors: Macaisa Carla Mari , Watabe Tadashi , Liu Yuwei , Romanov Victor , Kanai Yasukazu , Horitsugi Genki , Kato Hiroki , Shimosegawa Eku , Hatazawa Jun
Published: May 2019

Fluorocitrate (FC) is a specific metabolic inhibitor of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle in astrocytes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether inhibition of the astrocyte TCA cycle by FC would affect the oxygen metabolism in the rat brain. At 4 h after the intracranial FC injection, the rats (n = 9) were investigated by 15O-labeled gas PET to measure the cerebral blood flow (CBF), the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2), oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), and cerebral blood volume (CBV). After the 15O-gas PET, the rats were given an intravenous injection of 14C-acetate for autoradiography. 15O-gas PET showed no significant differences in any of the measured parameters between the ipsilateral and contralateral striatum (high dose group: CBF (54.4 ± 8.8 and 55.3 ± 11.6 mL/100 mL/min), CMRO2 (7.0 ± 0.9 and 7.1 ± 1.2 mL/100 mL/min), OEF (72.0 ± 8.9 and 70.8 ± 8.2%), and CBV (4.1 ± 0.8 and 4.2 ± 0.9 mL/100 mL), respectively). In contrast, the 14C-acetate autoradiography revealed a significant inhibition of the astrocyte metabolism in the ipsilateral striatum. The regional cerebral oxygen consumption as well as the hemodynamic parameters were maintained even in the face of inhibition of the astrocyte TCA cycle metabolism in the rat brain.
The Effect of Ventilation Strategies on Indoor Air Quality and Energy Consumptions in Classrooms
Authors: Stabile Luca , Massimo Angelamaria , Canale Laura , Russi Aldo , Andrade Alexandro , Dell’Isola Marco
Published: May 2019

Most of the school buildings in Italy are high energy-demanding buildings with no ad-hoc ventilation systems (i.e., naturally-ventilated buildings). Therefore, reducing the heat losses of schools represent the main aspect to be dealt with. Nonetheless, the indoor air quality of the building should be simultaneously considered. Indeed, to date, energy consumptions and air quality are considered as incompatible aspects especially in naturally-ventilated buildings. The aim of the present paper is to evaluate the effect of different ventilation and airing strategies on both indoor air quality and energy consumptions in high energy-demanding naturally-ventilated classrooms. To this purpose, an Italian test-classroom, characterized in terms of air permeability and thermophysical parameters of the envelope, was investigated by means of experimental analyses and simulations through CO2 mass balance equation during the heating season. The air quality was assessed in terms of indoor CO2 concentrations whereas the energy consumptions were evaluated through the asset rating approach. Results clearly report that not adequate indoor CO2 concentrations are measured in the classroom for free-running ventilation scenarios even in low densely populated conditions (2.2 m2 person−1), whereas scheduled airing procedures can reduce the indoor CO2 levels at the cost of higher energy need for ventilation. In particular, when airing periods leading to the air exchange rate required by standards are adopted, the CO2 concentration can decrease to values lower than 1000 ppm, but the ventilation losses increase up to 36% of the overall energy need for space heating of the classroom. On the contrary, when the same air exchange rate is applied through mechanical ventilation systems equipped with heat recovery units, the ventilation energy loss contribution decreases to 5% and the overall energy saving results higher than 30%. Such energy-saving was found even higher for occupancy scenarios characterized by more densely populated conditions of the classroom typically occurring in Italian classrooms.
Mutant p53 and Cellular Stress Pathways: A Criminal Alliance That Promotes Cancer Progression
Authors: D’Orazi Gabriella , Cirone Mara
Published: May 2019

The capability of cancer cells to manage stress induced by hypoxia, nutrient shortage, acidosis, redox imbalance, loss of calcium homeostasis and exposure to drugs is a key factor to ensure cancer survival and chemoresistance. Among the protective mechanisms utilized by cancer cells to cope with stress a pivotal role is played by the activation of heat shock proteins (HSP) response, anti-oxidant response induced by nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), the unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy, cellular processes strictly interconnected. However, depending on the type, intensity or duration of cellular stress, the balance between pro-survival and pro-death pathways may change, and cell survival may be shifted into cell death. Mutations of p53 (mutp53), occurring in more than 50% of human cancers, may confer oncogenic gain-of-function (GOF) to the protein, mainly due to its stabilization and interaction with the above reported cellular pathways that help cancer cells to adapt to stress. This review will focus on the interplay of mutp53 with HSPs, NRF2, UPR, and autophagy and discuss how the manipulation of these interconnected processes may tip the balance towards cell death or survival, particularly in response to therapies.
Thermal and Catalytic Pyrolysis of Dodecanoic Acid on SAPO-5 and Al-MCM-41 Catalysts
Authors: Freitas Carolina , Pereira Marizania , Souza Damari , Fonseca Noyala , Sales Emerson , Frety Roger , Felix Camila , Azevedo Aroldo , Brandao Soraia
Published: May 2019

In this study, dodecanoic acid was decomposed during fast pyrolysis experiments either thermally or in the presence of SAPO-5 and Al-MCM-41catalysts. The catalysts were synthesized by a hydrothermal route and subsequently characterized by XRD, TPD-NH3, and TGA, and dodecanoic acid was characterized by TGA and DSC. Analysis of the post-pyrolysis products was performed online by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results from pyrolysis at 650 °C indicated that the nature of the catalysts strongly influences the composition of the products. Linear alkenes were standard products for all pyrolysis experiments, but with Al-MCM-41, various alkene isomers with a linear and cyclic structure formed, as well as saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons. As a whole, Al-MCM-41 led to a much higher dodecanoic acid conversion and higher deoxygenation than SAPO-5. As these catalysts present small differences in strong acid site density, the difference in the global conversion of dodecanoic acid could be attributed to textural characteristics such as pore volume and surface area. In this case, the textural properties of the SAPO-5 are much lower when compared to Al-MCM-41 and, due to a lower accessibility of the reactant molecule to the acidic sites of SAPO-5, partially blocked for fatty acid molecules by the considerable amount of amorphous material, as detected by XRD.
Simulation for the Performance and Economic Evaluation of Conventional Activated Sludge Process Replacing by Sequencing Batch Reactor Technology in a Petroleum Refinery Wastewater Treatment Plant
Authors: Jafarinejad Shahryar
Published: May 2019

Treatment of the petroleum refinery wastewater containing complex chemicals using biological processes is usually challenging because of the inhibition and/or toxicity of these matters when they serve as microbial substrates. In addition, performance modeling and cost evaluation of processes are essential for designing, construction, and forecasting future economic requirements of the petroleum refinery wastewater treatment plants (PRWWTPs). In this study, the performance and economics of conventional activated sludge (CAS) process replacing by sequencing batch reactor (SBR) technology in a two train PRWWTP were evaluated using simulation. The final treated effluent characteristics for the PRWWTPs containing CAS + CAS and SBR + CAS processes under steady state conditions were studied and evolution of the main parameters of the final effluent during the 30 days of simulation for these plants were investigated. Finally, the total project construction, operation labor, maintenance, material, chemical, energy, and amortization costs of these plants were estimated and compared. Results demonstrated that the project construction cost of PRWWTP containing CAS + CAS processes was lower than that of PRWWTP containing SBR + CAS processes and the energy and amortization costs for both plants were higher in comparison with the operation, maintenance, material, and chemical costs. Note that this study is a computer simulation and drawing general conclusions only on the basis of computer simulation may be insufficient.
Atomic Layer Deposition of NiO to Produce Active Material for Thin-Film Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Koshtyal Yury , Nazarov Denis , Ezhov Ilya , Mitrofanov Ilya , Kim Artem , Rymyantsev Aleksander , Lyutakov Oleksiy , Popovich Anatoly , Maximov Maxim
Published: May 2019

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) provides a promising route for depositing uniform thin-film electrodes for Li-ion batteries. In this work, bis(methylcyclopentadienyl) nickel(II) (Ni(MeCp)2) and bis(cyclopentadienyl) nickel(II) (NiCp2) were used as precursors for NiO ALD. Oxygen plasma was used as a counter-reactant. The films were studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that the optimal temperature for the deposition for NiCp2 was 200–300 °C, but the optimal Ni(MeCp)2 growth per ALD cycle was 0.011–0.012 nm for both precursors at 250–300 °C. The films deposited using NiCp2 and oxygen plasma at 300 °C using optimal ALD condition consisted mainly of stoichiometric polycrystalline NiO with high density (6.6 g/cm3) and low roughness (0.34 nm). However, the films contain carbon impurities. The NiO films (thickness 28–30 nm) deposited on stainless steel showed a specific capacity above 1300 mAh/g, which is significantly more than the theoretical capacity of bulk NiO (718 mAh/g) because it includes the capacity of the NiO film and the pseudo-capacity of the gel-like solid electrolyte interface film. The presence of pseudo-capacity and its increase during cycling is discussed based on a detailed analysis of cyclic voltammograms and charge–discharge curves (U(C)).
High Precision Test of the Pauli Exclusion Principle for Electrons
Authors: Piscicchia Kristian , Amirkhani Aidin , Bartalucci Sergio , Bertolucci Sergio , Bazzi Massimiliano , Bragadireanu Mario , Cargnelli Michael , Clozza Alberto , Curceanu Catalina , Del Grande Raffaele , De Paolis Luca , Egger Jean-Pierre , Fiorini Carlo , Guaraldo Carlo , Iliescu Mihail , Laubenstein Matthias , Marton Johann , Miliucci Marco , Milotti Edoardo , Pichler Andreas , Pietreanu Dorel , Scordo Alessandro , Shi Hexi , Sirghi Diana Laura , Sirghi Florin , Sperandio Laura , Doce Oton Vazquez , Zmeskal Johann
Published: May 2019

The VIP-2 experiment aims to perform high precision tests of the Pauli Exclusion Principle for electrons. The method consists in circulating a continuous current in a copper strip, searching for the X radiation emission due to a prohibited transition (from the 2p level to the 1s level of copper when this is already occupied by two electrons). VIP already set the best limit on the PEP violation probability for electrons 1 2 β 2 < 4.7 × 10 − 29 , the goal of the upgraded VIP-2 (VIolation of the Pauli Exclusion Principle-2) experiment is to improve this result of two orders of magnitude at least. The experimental apparatus and the results of the analysis of a first set of collected data will be presented.
Physiological and Genetic Dissection of Sucrose Inputs to the Arabidopsis thaliana Circadian System
Authors: Philippou Koumis , Ronald James , Sánchez-Villarreal Alfredo , Davis Amanda M. , Davis Seth J.
Published: May 2019

Circadian rhythms allow an organism to synchronize internal physiological responses to the external environment. Perception of external signals such as light and temperature are critical in the entrainment of the oscillator. However, sugar can also act as an entraining signal. In this work, we have confirmed that sucrose accelerates the circadian period, but this observed effect is dependent on the reporter gene used. This observed response was dependent on sucrose being available during free-running conditions. If sucrose was applied during entrainment, the circadian period was only temporally accelerated, if any effect was observed at all. We also found that sucrose acts to stabilize the robustness of the circadian period under red light or blue light, in addition to its previously described role in stabilizing the robustness of rhythms in the dark. Finally, we also found that CCA1 is required for both a short- and long-term response of the circadian oscillator to sucrose, while LHY acts to attenuate the effects of sucrose on circadian period. Together, this work highlights new pathways for how sucrose could be signaling to the oscillator and reveals further functional separation of CCA1 and LHY.
Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Uranium (VI) Adsorption onto Humic Acid Derived from Leonardite
Authors: Meng Fande , Yuan Guodong , Larson Steven L. , Ballard John H. , White Jeremy R. , Arslan Zikri , Han Fengxiang X.
Published: May 2019

Humic acid (HA) is well known as an inexpensive and effective adsorbent for heavy metal ions. However, the thermodynamics of uranium (U) adsorption onto HA is not fully understood. This study aimed to understand the kinetics and isotherms of U(VI) adsorption onto HA under different temperatures from acidic water. A leonardite-derived HA was characterized for its ash content, elemental compositions, and acidic functional groups, and used for the removal of U (VI) from acidic aqueous solutions via batch experiments at initial concentrations of 0–100 mg·L−1 at 298, 308 and 318 K. ICP-MS was used to determine the U(VI) concentrations in solutions before and after reacting with the HA. The rate and capacity of HA adsorbing U(VI) increased with the temperature. Adsorption kinetic data was best fitted to the pseudo second-order model. This, together with FTIR spectra, indicated a chemisorption of U(VI) by HA. Equilibrium adsorption data was best fitted to the Langmuir and Temkin models. Thermodynamic parameters such as equilibrium constant (K0), standard Gibbs free energy (ΔG0), standard enthalpy change (ΔH0), and standard entropy change (ΔS0), indicated that U(VI) adsorption onto HA was endothermic and spontaneous. The co-existence of cations (Cu2+, Co2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+) and anions (HPO42− and SO42−) reduced U(VI) adsorption. The high propensity and capacity of leonardite-derived HA adsorbing U(VI) suggests that it has the potential for cost-effective removal of U(VI) from acidic contaminated waters.
Effect of an Integrated Payment System on the Direct Economic Burden and Readmission of Rural Cerebral Infarction Inpatients: Evidence from Anhui, China
Authors: Li Haomiao , Chen Yingchun , Gao Hongxia , Chang Jingjing , Su Dai , Lei Shihan , Jiang Di , Hu Xiaomei , Tan Min , Chen Zhifang
Published: May 2019

Rural China is piloting an integrated payment system, which prepays a budget to a medical alliance rather than a single hospital. This study aims to evaluate the effect of this reform on the direct economic burden and readmission rates of cerebral infarction inpatients. The settlement records of 78,494 cerebral infarction inpatients were obtained from the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (NRCMS) database in Dingyuan and Funan Counties in the Anhui Province. The direct economic burden was estimated by total costs, out-of-pocket expenditures, the out-of-pocket ratio, and the compensation ratio of the NRCMS. Generalized additive models and multivariable linear/logistic regression were applied to measure the changes of the dependent variables along with the year. Within the county, the total costs positively correlated to the year (β = 313.10 in 2015; 163.06 in 2016). The out-of-pocket expenditures, out-of-pocket ratios, and the length-of-stay positively correlated to the year in 2015 (β = 105.10, 0.01, and 0.18 respectively), and negatively correlated to the year in 2016 (β = −58.40, −0.03, and −0.30, respectively). The odds ratios of the readmission rates were less than one within the county (0.70 in 2015; 0.53 in 2016). The integrated payment system in the Anhui Province has considerably reduced the direct economic burden for the rural cerebral infarction inpatients, and the readmission rate has decreased within the county. Inpatients’ health outcomes should be given further attention, and the long-term effect of this reform model awaits further evaluation.
Anti-Blastocystis Activity In Vitro of Egyptian Herbal Extracts (Family: Asteraceae) with Emphasis on Artemisia judaica
Authors: Mokhtar Amira B. , Ahmed Shahira A. , Eltamany Enas E. , Karanis Panagiotis
Published: May 2019

Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) Sch. Bip. (known as Qaysoom), Echinops spinosus L. (known as Shoak Elgamal) and Artemisia judaica L. (known Shih Baladi) are members of the Asteraceae family known for their traditional medical use in Egypt. The ethanol extracts of these plants were evaluated for their efficacy against a protozoan parasite (Blastocystis). Two different molecular subtypes of Blastocystis were used (ST1 and ST3). Significant growth inhibition of Blastocystis was observed when exposed to both A. judaica (99.3%) and A. fragrantissima (95.6%) with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC90) at 2000 µg/mL. Under the effect of the extracts, changes in Blastocystis morphology were noted, with the complete destruction of Blastocystis forms after 72 h with the dose of 4000 µg/mL. Different subtypes displayed different responses to the herbal extracts tested. ST1 exhibited significantly different responses to the herbal extracts compared to ST3. A. judaica was selected as the herb of choice considering all of its variables and because of its effective action against Blastocystis. It was then exposed to further fractionation and observation of its effect on ST1 and ST3. Solvent portioned fractions (dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and n-hexane) in A. judaica were found to be the potent active fractions against both of the Blastocystis subtypes used.
Taxonomic and Functional Ant Diversity Along tropical, Subtropical, and Subalpine Elevational Transects in Southwest China
Authors: Fontanilla Alyssa M. , Nakamura Akihiro , Xu Zhenghui , Cao Min , Kitching Roger L. , Tang Yong , Burwell Chris J.
Published: May 2019

Although elevational gradients of biodiversity have long been the topic of scientific research, information on patterns of, and processes that shape insect community structure across elevation is still lacking. Addressing this gap requires the use of both taxonomic and functional approaches when studying diversity across elevational gradients. In this study, we examined taxonomic and functional alpha and beta diversity of ant assemblages sampled along tropical, subtropical, and subalpine elevational transects in Yunnan Province, southwest China. Species richness was used to quantify taxonomic alpha diversity, and two indices (FD and FRic) were calculated using morphological measurements to quantify functional alpha diversity. Taxonomic and functional beta diversity were partitioned into their turnover- and nestedness-resultant components. Though temperature and functional alpha diversity decreased linearly with increasing elevation, taxonomic alpha diversity showed a significant logarithmic decrease, with few species present at elevations greater than 3000 m a.s.l. The turnover-resultant component of taxonomic beta diversity increased with increasing elevational distance, while the nestedness-resultant component of functional beta diversity increased with increasing elevational distance in the subtropical transect. The observed patterns of taxonomic and functional diversity reflected ants’ thermophilic nature, implying functional adaptations (i.e., nested functional diversity) at higher elevations where environmental conditions were unfavorable.
Carry Cost Rate Regimes and Futures Hedge Ratio Variation
Authors: Leistikow Dean , Chen Ren-Raw
Published: May 2019

This paper tests whether the traditional futures hedge ratio (hT) and the carry cost rate futures hedge ratio (hc) vary in accordance with the Sercu and Wu (2000) and Leistikow et al. (2019) “hc” theory. It does so, both within and across high and low spot asset carry cost rate (c) regimes. The high and low c regimes are specified by asset across time and across currency denominations. The findings are consistent with the theory. Within and across c regimes, hT is inefficient and hc is biased. Across c regimes, hc’s Bias Adjustment Multiplier (BAM) does not vary significantly. Even though hc’s bias-adjusted variant’s BAM is restricted to old data that is from a different c regime, the hedging performance of hc and its bias-adjusted variant (=hc × BAM), are superior to that for hT. Variation in c may account for the hT variation noted in the literature and variation in c should be incorporated into ex ante hedge ratios.
Use of a New Non-Pyrophoric Liquid Aluminum Precursor for Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Xia Xueming , Taylor Alaric , Zhao Yifan , Guldin Stefan , Blackman Chris
Published: May 2019

An Al2O3 thin film has been grown by vapor deposition using different Al precursors. The most commonly used precursor is trimethylaluminum, which is highly reactive and pyrophoric. In the purpose of searching for a more ideal Al source, the non-pyrophoric aluminum tri-sec-butoxide ([Al(OsBu)3], ATSB) was introduced as a novel precursor for atomic layer deposition (ALD). After demonstrating the deposition of Al2O3 via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and ‘pulsed CVD’ routes, the use of ATSB in an atomic layer deposition (ALD)-like process was investigated and optimized to achieve self-limiting growth. The films were characterized using spectral reflectance, ellipsometry and UV-Vis before their composition was studied. The growth rate of Al2O3 via the ALD-like process was consistently 0.12 nm/cycle on glass, silicon and quartz substrates under the optimized conditions. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images of the ALD-deposited Al2O3 films deposited on complex nanostructures demonstrated the conformity, uniformity and good thickness control of these films, suggesting a potential of being used as the protection layer in photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Effect of Heat Input on Porosity Defects in a Fiber Laser Welded Socket-Joint Made of Powder Metallurgy Molybdenum Alloy
Authors: Xie Miao-Xia , Li Yan-Xin , Shang Xiang-Tao , Wang Xue-Wu , Pei Jun-Yu
Published: May 2019

Porosity defects are still a challenging issue in the fusion welding of molybdenum and its alloys due to the pre-existing interior defects associated with the powder metallurgy process. Fiber laser welding of end plug and cladding tube made of nanostructured high-strength molybdenum (NS-Mo) alloy was performed in this work with an emphasis on the role of welding heat input. The distribution and morphology of porosity defects in the welded joints were examined by computed tomography (CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Preliminary results showed that laser welding of NS-Mo under low heat input significantly reduced the porosity defects in the fusion zone. The results of computed tomography (CT) showed that when the welding heat input decreased from 3600 J/cm (i.e., 1200 W, 0.2 m/min) to 250 J/cm (i.e., 2500 W, 6 m/min), the porosity ratio of the NS-Mo joints declined from 10.7% to 2.1%. Notable porosity defects under high heat input were related to the instability of the keyhole, expansion and the merging of bubbles in the molten pool, among which the instability of the keyhole played the dominant role. The porous defects at low heat input were generated as bubbles released from the powder metallurgy base metal (BM) did not have enough time to overflow and escape.