bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rido Culture: It’s Impact to the Maranaos’ Contemporary Educational Aspirations
Authors: ALAYA-AY, JR. GAUDENCIO M. , CUIZON ROLANDO C. , DANGDANG GISELLE O. , BRANZUELA NIDA O. , ROMAREZ CHERILYN M.
Published: January 2017

The Maranaos are practicing rido, a long time bloody culture wherein their fami­lies since in the past fought among themselves because of some feuds which greatly affected their plans, ambitions, and dreams in life.    This knowledge led to determine the impacts of rido culture among the Maranaos specifically to their contemporary educational aspirations. The study also directed to answer the questions on the causes and modes of rido settlement as perceived by the secondary teachers, parents, and students and was conducted in the municipality of Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, Philip­pines. The descriptive research design was employed and utilized the questionnaire and interview in data gathering. Frequency counts, percentages distribution, and weighted mean were the statistical tools applied in analyzing the data. It was revealed that the respondents were very responsive and had different views to the causes of rido in the community but murder and theft were the most frequently cited causes. The impacts of rido culture to their educational aspirations were mostly negative. As to the perception of the parent-respondents, majority responded on the hindrance of education, financial burden, community relationship was highly affected, and can­not cooperate to the school activities. However, in terms of the perception of the student-respondents, majority regarded that it greatly affected them as to their aca­demic performances, disturbed them in gathering and organizing their projects and assignments. With the above revelations, it can be concluded that the rido culture really can ruin one’s life.Keywords: Social Science, Rido Culture, Maranao culture, contemporary educational aspirationsof the Maranaos, descriptive design, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
Improving Diving Skill through Verbal Feedback and Video Feedback
Authors: ROBLES SELWYN C.
Published: January 2017

One of the duties of a physical education instructor is to teach students perform motor skills efficiently and excel in different sports activities. However, students have different abilities in performing complex motor skills and usually result in injuries if the execution is incorrect. Feedback is given to improve one’s performance. This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of verbal feedback and video feedback in the perfor­mance of grab start diving skill. Specifically, it determined if verbal with video feedback is more effective than verbal feedback only in improving motor skill. Forty male students enrolled in swimming class were divided into two groups. After the first performance of two groups, group A was given verbal feedback to improve performance while group B viewed their own video clips and discussions were done. The results concurred that verbal feedback is an effective tool which contributes to the improvement of students’ motor skills. However, it is much effective if verbal feedback is combined with video feedback. Using an appropriate technology in aid of teaching motor skills, the students are prohibited in injuries, able to cope with mistakes efficiently in performing motor skills, and teachers manage to use time efficiently in introducing new motor learning.Keywords: Physical Education, motor skill, video feedback, diving, experimental design, Philippines
Outcomes of Curricular Enhancement in a Health Program: LPU CAMP Experience
Authors: VALDEZ ANACLETA P. , PANGANIBAN CITADEL A. , ALDAY MARK H.
Published: January 2017

Higher educational system has gone through substantial reforms and changes vis-à-vis curriculum innovation over the past years. The evaluation of a revised pro­gram is one of the most relevant courses of action done when curriculum change is to be implemented. One of the main reasons is that it is a chance for practitioners to test for themselves if their plan is working. It also serves as an identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the said intervention. This study was conducted to assess the results of the implementation of the Bachelor of Science in Medical Labo­ratory Science program. It employed descriptive survey using two types of self-made questionnaire, the Likert scale and open-ended type survey. Likewise, data on the results of the graduates’ licensure examinations and status of employment were also analyzed and correlated. Eighty two graduates from 2010 to 2012 of the enhanced Medical Technology program of LPU-Batangas and 13 chief medical technologists from identified affiliate-hospitals were surveyed about their perception on the at­tainment of the objectives, the realization of the core competencies as well as the supposed strengths and weaknesses of the program. Results showed that objectives were achieved alongside the significant improvements in the board performance and employment rate were noted. This study can be used as a pilot study for other higher education institutions with the same health program. This can also be used as a basis for a curricular reform by assessing the different parameters that were identified.Keywords: Medical Laboratory Science Curriculum, internship training program, chief medical technologists, board performance, graduates’ employment, Lyceum of the Philippines University Batangas, Philippines
Educators in a Milieu of Maratabat Culture: Its Implication to Teaching Performance
Authors: CUIZON ROLANDO C. , ALAYA-AY, JR. GAUDENCIO M.
Published: January 2017

Maratabat is a Muslim Maranao term which means family honor. It is the wellspring of family values and their inspiration to improve economic status to the point of endangering lives of family members. The study aimed at finding the influence of Maratabat culture on the teaching performance of teachers in Pantao Ragat District, Lanao del Norte Division during SY 2012-2013. Specifically, this study explored the respondents’ level of awareness on Maratabat in the dimensions of ideology, social position, and social coercion. The research method was descriptive using adapted standardized questionnaire. Data from survey were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, mean, and Pearson Moment of Correlation. The study found more than one-half of the respondents in the age range of 51 to 60 years old and in service for more than 20 years, all are female, and majority are married. The respondents are very aware of the three dimensions of Maratabat; the Ideology, Social Position and Social Coercion. The study concludes that Maratabat has an influence on their teaching performance. It is recommended to teachers to integrate Maratabat values in class and to school administrators to initiate outreach programs which are aimed to increase positive Maratabat values of the community.Keywords: Social Sciences, Maratabat, descriptive research, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
Prioritization and Implementation of Information Technology Funding in Higher Education Institutions in the Philippines
Authors: Marcial Dave E.
Published: January 2017

Information Technology (IT) funding impacts the opportunities of the group as well as the opportunities of the entire organization. IT funding is among the top-ten IT issues in higher education institutions nowadays. The paper measured empirically the level of prioritization and degree of implementation of IT funding in higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines. A total of 95 HEIs in the Philippines were evaluated. The respondents are all heads in the Management Information Technology units. A survey questionnaire was used that was based on the critical questions from EDUCAUSE. The study reveals that the level of prioritization of IT funding in the Philippine HEIs is high but the degree of implementation is moderate. The study shows that there is a significant positive relationship between degree of implementation of IT funding and level of technical skills possessed by the respondents. There is no significant positive relationship between degree of implementation of IT funding and the respondent’s gender, educational attainment, teaching status, human skill level, conceptual skill level, working status, extent of decision-making, and HEI’s internet bandwidth. It is concluded that there is a remarkable gap between the level of prioritization and degree of implementation of IT funding in these institutions.Keywords: IT in Education, IT funding, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), descriptive design, Philippines
Common Errors in English Written by the Academic Journal Contributors
Authors: DJUWARI .
Published: January 2017

In linguistics, common errors in writing, especially by the non-nativespeakers of English, are beneficial for analysis. Common errors written by theacademic journal contributors especially by the Indonesian authors are typical.Since English in Indonesia is a foreign language, the articles submitted to thejournal may have errors. When editing these articles, some common errors arefound. This research attempted to investigate common errors in English writtenby the academic journal contributors from Indonesia. It is a descriptive researchusing Error Analysis (EA) and Contrastive Analysis (CA) theories. The data weretaken from 15 articles submitted by the Indonesia contributors of the accreditedacademic journals Ventura published by STIE Perbanas Surabaya. First, they wereanalyzed before they were edited and then classified according to the types oferrors. From this, common errors were identified. After this, they were describedbased on the morphological and sentence levels. Finally, possible treatment can be asserted. The results show that there are six types of common errors such as morphological levels: a) Head-Modifier, b) Agreement, c) To-Infinitive andsentence level: Dangling, Agreement, Passive Construction, and Perfect Tense. Itcan be generalized that most of the common errors are due to L1 system so thatCA for L1 with L2 is required.Keywords: Linguistics, Error Analysis (EA), Constrastic Analysis (CA), L1, and L2, Indonesia
Intervención Grupal en Embarazadas: Respuestas Diferenciales de Acuerdo al Tipo de Depresión y Patrón de Apego
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Miranda Ángela , Olhaberry Marcia ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Morales-Reyes Irma ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Published: January 2017

A partir de la alta prevalencia de trastornos depresivos en embarazadas, se describió y analizó la variabilidad en los resultados ante una intervención psicoeducativa grupal. Para ello se consideraron los tipos de depresión (DEQ) propuestos por Blatt (2004) y su asociación con el patrón de apego materno (ECR-S), analizando la respuesta a la intervención en sintomatología depresiva (BDI) y sensibilidad materna (CARE-Index). Se utilizó un diseño cuasi experimental (grupos experimental y control), longitudinal, descriptivo y comparativo, con una muestra intencional de 112 embarazadas con sintomatología depresiva, atendidas en 5 centros de salud pública de Santiago, Chile. Tras los análisis de varianza, los resultados mostraron que la intervención grupal resultó eficaz, reduciendo la sintomatología depresiva y favoreciendo adecuados niveles de sensibilidad materna. Sin embargo, las participantes con depresión introyectiva no disminuyeron su sintomatología depresiva, pero sí mostraron adecuados niveles de sensibilidad materna. Los resultados relevan la importancia de ofrecer otras modalidades de tratamiento para la depresión durante el embarazo, además de la grupal, considerando aspectos individuales. Se requieren estudios con muestras de mayor tamaño para confirmar estos hallazgos.
Narrativas de Padres de Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes que Han Finalizado Psicoterapia por Agresiones Sexuales: Un Proceso de Superación Conjunta
Authors:   Universidad de Chile, Dussert Denise , Capella Claudia ,   Universidad de Chile, Lama Ximena ,   Universidad de Chile, Gutiérrez Carolina ,   Universidad de Chile, Águila Daniela ,   Universidad de Chile, Rodríguez Loreto ,   Universidad de Chile, Beiza Gretchen ,   Universidad de Chile
Published: January 2017

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir las narrativas de padres y figuras parentales en torno al proceso de superación de las agresiones sexuales vivenciado por sus hijos (víctimas directas) y por sí mismos (víctimas indirectas). Se utilizó el análisis narrativo de entrevistas en profundidad realizadas a una muestra intencionada de 18 padres y/o figuras parentales de niños/as y adolescentes, luego del alta de su proceso terapéutico por agresiones sexuales en 3 centros especializados en Santiago, Chile. Los resultados del estudio permiten visualizar la vivencia y significados asociados a la superación según la perspectiva de los participantes, así como los elementos que la favorecen, estableciendo, al mismo tiempo, las similitudes y diferencias que observan entre su propia experiencia de superación y la de sus hijos/as. Además, dan cuenta de la manera interrelacionada y conjunta en que este proceso se desarrolla en padres e hijos. Junto con ampliar el conocimiento teórico relativo al fenómeno de la superación, los resultados permiten relevar la importancia de ampliar los espacios terapéuticos disponibles actualmente en Chile para los padres de quienes han sido víctimas directas.
Biomarkers in Lake Van sediments reveal dry conditions in eastern Anatolia during 110.000–10.000 years B.P.
Authors: Randlett Marie‐Eve , Bechtel Achim , van der Meer Marcel T. J. , Peterse Francien , Litt Thomas , Pickarski Nadine , Kwiecien Ola , Stockhecke Mona , Wehrli Bernhard , Schubert Carsten J.
Published: January 2017

Lipid biomarkers were analyzed in Lake Van sediments covering the last 600 ka, with a focus on the period between 110 and 10 ka, when a broad maximum in pore water salinity as a relict from the past suggests dry conditions. The occurrence and distribution of biomarkers indicative for terrestrial plants (long‐chain n‐alkane C29), haptophyte algae (methyl alkenones C37) and halophilic archaea (archaeol) all point toward a dry climate in Lake Van region during this time interval. The hydrogen isotopic composition of C29 n‐alkanes (δDC29) and C37 alkenones (δDC37) is enriched between MIS 4 and MIS 2, which is interpreted as a decrease in the regional ratio of precipitation to evaporation. Similarly, the low abundance of the acyclic glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether GDGT‐0 relative to archaeol, quantified by the Archaeol and Caldarchaeol Ecometric (ACE) is assumed to reflect the presence of halophilic euryarchaeota adapted to high salinity water. The climate around Lake Van appears in phase with the Yammouneh basin 800 km southwest and Lake Urmia 250 km southeast of Lake Van over the last two glacial periods. The results highlight the potential of combining ACE, δDC29, and δDC37 for reconstructing salinity changes and regional precipitation to evaporation ratio from lake sediments.
Impacts of a Pinatubo‐size volcanic eruption on ENSO
Authors: Predybaylo Evgeniya , Stenchikov Georgiy L. , Wittenberg Andrew T. , Zeng Fanrong
Published: January 2017

Observations and model simulations of the climate responses to strong explosive low‐latitude volcanic eruptions suggest a significant increase in the likelihood of El Niño during the eruption and posteruption years, though model results have been inconclusive and have varied in magnitude and even sign. In this study, we test how this spread of responses depends on the initial phase of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the eruption year and on the eruption's seasonal timing. We employ the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory CM2.1 global coupled general circulation model to investigate the impact of the Pinatubo 1991 eruption, assuming that in 1991 ENSO would otherwise be in central or eastern Pacific El Niño, La Niña, or neutral phases. We obtain statistically significant El Niño responses in a year after the eruption for all cases except La Niña, which shows no response in the eastern equatorial Pacific. The eruption has a weaker impact on eastern Pacific El Niños than on central Pacific El Niños. We find that the ocean dynamical thermostat and (to a lesser extent) wind changes due to land‐ocean temperature gradients are the main feedbacks affecting El Niño development after the eruption. The El Niño responses to eruptions occurring in summer are more pronounced than for winter and spring eruptions. That the climate response depends on eruption season and initial ENSO phase may help to reconcile apparent inconsistencies among previous studies.
Protein Structure and Interactions from Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Ghose Ranajeet
Published: January 2017

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a biophysical technique that facilitates determination of protein structures and interactions in solution. NMR experiments are used to identify spectral signatures corresponding to specific atoms on individual protein residues and determine their order in the primary sequence. Distance, angular and orientational relationships are subsequently measured and utilised in computational protocols to obtain high‐resolution structural models. Structure determination has been aided by advances in biotechnology allowing the generation of samples optimally labelled with NMR‐active isotopes; by improvements in the design of NMR instrumentation to allow spectral signatures to be recorded with high sensitivity; by the development of efficient techniques to manipulate nuclear spins at the quantum level and by the creation of computer algorithms that allow the rapid processing and manipulation of NMR data and the incorporation of novel information available from NMR experiments into strategies to obtain the atomic models of proteins and their complexes.

Key Concepts

Solution NMR is a spectroscopic technique that enables the determination of the three‐dimensional structure of proteins and their interactions under near‐physiological conditions.

The abundance of chemical and structural information available from NMR spectra derives from the ability to selectively manipulate specific nuclei within the molecules placed in a large static magnetic field by customisable sequences of radio‐frequency pulses.

NMR signals report on the variety of chemical environments experienced by nuclei in proteins through unique spectral signatures.

The repertoire of information‐rich NMR experiments has been significantly expanded by the ability to enrich biomolecules with NMR‐active nuclei by taking advantage of advances in biotechnology.

Nuclear spins in proteins form magnetically coupled networks, with characteristic signatures in NMR spectra that can be manipulated to extract angular, distance and orientational information to enable the generation of three‐dimensional structural models.

Changes in the spectral signatures of individual nuclei that make up each component of a complex in the presence of the other component/s provide information about the mode of interaction among the constituents in the assembled state. In some cases, where three‐dimensional structures of individual constituents are available, the spectral changes or perturbations may be utilised in novel computational strategies to obtain three‐dimensional structural models of the complexes.
Genetics of Human Laminopathies
Authors: Novelli Giuseppe , D'Apice Maria Rosaria
Published: January 2017

Lamins A/C, encoded by
LMNA
gene, are constituents of the nuclear lamina, a meshwork of proteins underneath the nuclear envelope. Human disorders linked to
LMNA
mutations are known as laminopathies and include cardiac and muscular dystrophies, lipodystrophies, progeroid syndromes and overlapping phenotypes. Associated with this wide clinical variability, there is also a large allelic heterogeneity that is still expanding. New links between
LMNA
mutations and human diseases with already known or unknown molecular cause have been established. In other cases, no evidence that a human disease is another laminopathy has been found. Moreover, the recent availability of high‐throughput sequencing technologies has made feasible to uncover the disease‐causing mutations in patients who were originally diagnosed with laminopathies but whose mutational analysis of candidate gene did not reveal any change in
LMNA
.

Key Concepts

Mutations in the
LMNA
gene, encoding A‐type lamin proteins, lead to a wide range of diseases known as laminopathies.

The clinical and allelic heterogeneity of laminopathies is still expanding.

Studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying laminopathies have led to advances in the understanding of lamin A functions and developing novel therapeutic strategies.

A group of progeroid phenotypes is phenocopy of progeroid laminopathies.

High‐throughput sequencing technologies have made it possible to uncover the disease‐causing mutations in genes that encode proteins involved in nuclear envelope architecture or in control of genomic stability.

Nuclear alterations are linked to human ageing.
Species–Area Relationship
Authors: Tjørve Even , Tjørve Kathleen MC
Published: January 2017

The species–area relationship (SAR) describes the increase in species numbers with increasing area and is often referred to as one of ecology's few genuine laws. Different (mathematical) regression models can be fitted to species–area data to generate a species–area curve. The power model,
S
=
cA

z

, is the most commonly used, but more than 20 models have been proposed. Community ecologists of the early nineteenth century were the first to propose a mathematical model. Subsequently, the SAR has become an important part of biogeography, macroecology and conservation. Two main types of SARs are described: those generated from sample areas (mainlands) and those generated from isolates (islands), more or less isolated from each other. There are many applications of the SAR: to identify, explain and compare patterns in nature, to extrapolate (upscale) species numbers and to forecast changes in species numbers – for example extinctions from habitat loss.

Key Concepts

Species‐area curves result from graphing the model, typically either the power model or the logarithmic model, fitted to species‐area data.

Isolate species–area relationships (iSARs) result from a comparison of the number of species on oceanic islands or other types of isolates, for example mountain tops (‘sky islands’) or forest remnants.

Sample‐area species–area relationships (saSARs) result by accumulating the number of species when adding new, typically continuous, sample areas (or increase the surveyed area) on mainlands (also referred to as ‘mainland SARs’).

Nested sampling areas are spatially organised so that each smaller area is completely contained within the next area, larger than the previous.

The
z
‐value is the exponent of the power‐law SAR and the most preferred SAR measurement. It is often described as the ‘slope’, because it becomes the slope in log–log space, although in reality,
z
is the rate at which the species–area curve decelerates.

Self‐similarity (or scale invariance), resulting if the species–area relationship is power law, causes the same proportional (or percentage) increase in species number for each doubling of area size. The
z
‐value controls this proportion.

Minimum‐area effects (MAEs) result from resource restrictions, when the isolate (or island) becomes too small to sustain viable populations of some species.

The equilibrium theory of island biogeography was proposed by MacArthur and Wilson in 1967 to explain species richness of oceanic islands, and also applies to other isolates.
Gene Discovery in Lethal Foetal Disorders
Authors: Filges Isabel
Published: January 2017

Prenatal ultrasonography identifies an increasing number of foetal malformation phenotypes of unknown cause. For a significant number of these often lethal phenotypes, the underlying causal mutations are not identified yet, but animal data predict that up to 30% of the protein‐coding genes of our genome are implicated in embryonic development. Little attention has been paid to gene identification in these disorders, which often may present with a specific but so far unrecognised phenotype during foetal life. Counselling in prenatal diagnosis clinics to inform prognosis and management decisions but also recurrence risk in these situations remains unsatisfactory. Next‐generation sequencing offers unprecedented opportunities and perspectives to unravel the Mendelian basis of foetal disorders.

Key Concepts

Malformations and genetic disorders are the leading cause of infant mortality in the developed countries accounting for more than one third of cases.

Foetal structural anomalies, often serious or lethal and of unknown cause despite current diagnostic genetic testing available, are increasingly identified at earlier gestational ages due to advancing ultrasound techniques.

Counselling to inform prognosis and management decisions but also recurrence risk in these situations remains unsatisfactory.

By identification of rare variants through whole exome or genome sequencing, many mutations in additional genes have been discovered to cause postnatal disease phenotypes.

Next‐generation sequencing technologies have rarely been used to discover genes in which mutations cause early embryonic and foetal maldevelopment.

On the basis of analysis of knockout and spontaneous mouse models, loss‐of‐function variants in up to 30% of genes could result in embryonic lethality in humans.

Studying genes implicated in embryonic and foetal development and their phenotypes reveals important biological information on early errors in human morphogenesis and will contribute to annotate the function of relevant protein‐coding genes in our genome.

Reliable applications of NGS strategies in future prenatal diagnosis will depend on our knowledge on specific foetal genotype–phenotype correlations.
Stability of a novel corticosteroid nasal irrigation solution: betamethasone 17‐valerate added to extemporaneously prepared nasal irrigation solutions
Authors: Ong Kheng Yong , Lim Wei Ching , Ooi Shing Ming , Loh Zhi Hui , Kong Ming Chai , Chan Lai Wah , Heng Paul Wan Sia
Published: January 2017

Background

There are no commercially available nasal irrigation solutions containing corticosteroids. Instead, such preparations are extemporaneously prepared by adding existing corticosteroid formulations to nasal irrigation solutions. The stability of the corticosteroid betamethasone 17‐valerate (B17V), in nasal irrigation solutions of different compositions and pH and stored under different temperatures, was studied to determine the optimal choice of solution and storage conditions.

Methods

Triplicate extemporaneous preparations made with B17V were prepared by adding a predetermined volume of B17V lotion to each nasal irrigation solution: normal saline (NS), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) powder dissolved in tap water, and a commercially available powder mixture (FLO Sinus Care Powder), dissolved in tap water or pre‐boiled tap water. Preparations were stored at 30°C and 4°C. Sampling was carried out at 0, 1, 2, 6, and 24 hours. The concentrations of B17V and its degradation compound, betamethasone 21‐valerate (B21V), were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography.

Results

Preparations stored at 30°C contained a lower amount of B17V and higher amount of B21V than those stored at 4°C. B17V stability in nasal irrigation solutions decreased in the following order: NS, FLO in fresh tap water, FLO in pre‐boiled tap water, and NaHCO3. The degradation rate of B17V increased with higher storage temperature and higher pH.

Conclusion

B17V is most stable when added to NS and least stable in NaHCO3 solution. FLO solution prepared with either cooled boiled water or tap water is an alternative if administered immediately. Storage at 4°C can better preserve stability of B17V, over a period of 24 hours.
Non‐Aqueous Microwave‐Assisted Syntheses of Deca‐ and Hexa‐Molybdovanadates
Authors: Spillane Samuel , Sharma Rupali , Zavras Athanasios , Mulder Roger , Ohlin C. André , Goerigk Lars , O'Hair Richard A. J. , Ritchie Chris
Published: January 2017

We report a new approach for the synthesis of heterohexa‐ and heterodecametalates via the use of non‐aqueous, microwave‐assisted reaction conditions. The two novel molybdovanadates have been isolated and characterized in the solid and solution states using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, FT‐IR, UV/Vis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and ESI‐MS. The relative stabilities of the possible structural isomers were probed using dispersion‐corrected DFT calculations for both polyoxometalate systems.
Organoselenium‐Catalyzed Regioselective C−H Pyridination of 1,3‐Dienes and Alkenes
Authors: Liao Lihao , Guo Ruizhi , Zhao Xiaodan
Published: January 2017

An efficient approach for organoselenium‐catalyzed regioselective C−H pyridination of 1,3‐dienes to form pyridinium salts has been developed. This method was also successfully applied to direct C−H pyridination of alkenes. Fluoropyridinium reagents, or initially loaded pyridine derivatives, acted as pyridine sources in the pyridination reactions. The obtained pyridinium salts could be further converted under different conditions. This work is the first example of catalytic C‐2 direct C−H functionalization of 1,3‐dienes and the first case of organoselenium‐catalyzed C−H pyridination.
Experimental and numerical analysis of conductive ternary polymer blend composites
Authors: Brigandi Paul J. , Carolan Declan , Cogen Jeffrey M. , Pearson Raymond A.
Published: January 2017

Experimental and theoretical analysis of the phase morphology and electrical conductivity of a carbon black (CB)‐filled polypropylene /poly(methyl methacrylate) /ethylene acrylic acid copolymer ternary system were compared. The Cahn‐Hilliard theory was used to model and predict the phase morphology and electrical conductivity as a function of the constituents' characteristics of the ternary system. A method for generating statistically representative microstructures of a co‐continuous ternary polymer system and a numerical method for calculating the resultant electrical conductivity of these ternary polymer systems are presented. Excellent agreement between numerically calculated and experimentally measured results was observed. The developed analytical and numerical models were able to successfully predict the electrical percolation threshold with that of ternary polymer composites containing CB as a conductive medium with minimal experimental input. The combination of experimental and numerical results presented suggests the optimization of the conductive minor phase includes having a conductivity beyond the critical percolation threshold, is at least three orders of magnitude greater than either of the two nonconductive phases, and has a lower viscosity than the other two major phases in order to maximize the phase separation kinetics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44749.
Effect of hygroscopic materials on water vapor permeation and dehumidification performance of poly(vinyl alcohol) membranes
Authors: Bui T.D. , Wong Y. , Thu K. , Oh S.J. , Kum Ja M. , Ng K.C. , Raisul I. , Chua K.J.
Published: January 2017

In this study, two hygroscopic materials, inorganic lithium chloride (LiCl) and organic triethylene glycol (TEG) were separately added to poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to form blend membranes for air dehumidification. Water vapor permeation, dehumidification performance and long‐term durability of the membranes were studied systematically. Membrane hydrophilicity and water vapor sorbability increased significantly with higher the hygroscopic material contents. Water vapor permeance of the membranes increased with both added hygroscopic material and absorbed water. Water permeation energy varied from positive to negative with higher hygroscopic content. This observation is attributed to a lower diffusion energy and a relatively constant sorption energy when hygroscopic content increases. Comparatively, PVA/TEG has less corrosive problems and is more environmentally friendly than PVA/LiCl. A membrane with PVA/TEG is observed to be highly durable and is suitable for dehumidification applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44765.
Morphologies and mechanical properties of polyethersulfone modified epoxy blends through multifunctional epoxy composition
Authors: Cheng Xiaole , Wu Qi , Morgan Sarah E. , Wiggins Jeffrey S.
Published: January 2017

Thermoplastic polyethersulfone (PES) modified multifunctional tetraglycidyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM) and triglycidyl para‐aminophenol (TGAP) epoxy prepolymers cured with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone (44DDS) were prepared using a continuous reactor method and their reaction‐induced phase separated morphologies and mechanical properties were measured and correlated with chemical compositions. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIR) were used to quantify the chemical network formation. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) with nanomechanical mapping was employed to resolve the nanoscale phase‐separated morphologies. The extent of phase separation in cured networks and resultant domain sizes were determined to be controllable depending upon the multifunctional epoxy compositions. The results obtained from mechanical studies further indicated that tensile modulus was not largely affected by multifunctional epoxy compositions while fracture toughness increased with increase of TGAP content. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44775.
Effects of hollow microspheres on the thermal insulation of polysiloxane foam
Authors: Zhang Chunling , Zhang Chunyu , Huang Rong , Gu Xiaoyan
Published: January 2017

Polysiloxane foam (SIF) was prepared through foaming and crosslinking processes and reinforced with modified hollow microspheres (HMs). The HM filler was modified with vinyl trimethoxysilane to improve the compatibility between the vinyl trimethoxysilane modified hollow microsphere (VMS–HM) and the matrix. The treated HMs were characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy, and energy spectroscopy. The thermal stability and insulation of the composites were investigated through differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and thermal conductivity. SIF with 5% VMS–HMs yielded a minimum thermal conductivity of 0.078 W/mK. The thermal stability was improved by the addition of HM, and the mechanical properties were significantly enhanced. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 133, 44778.
Vertically oriented polyaniline‐graphene nanocomposite based on functionalized graphene for supercapacitor electrode
Authors: Zhao Qiang , Chen Junhua , Luo Fubin , Shen Lu , Wang Ying , Wu Kun , Lu Mangeng
Published: January 2017

Polyaniline functionalized reduced graphene oxide (PORGO) is prepared by interfacial polymerization and then vertically oriented polyaniline‐graphene (PANI‐PORGO) nanocomposites based on PORGO are developed successfully by in situ polymerization. The morphology and structure are characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT‐IR), Raman spectra and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical tests indicate that the specific capacitance of PORGO and PANI‐PORGO is as high as 291 and 369 F/g, respectively, at the current density of 1 A/g. PANI—PORGO nanocomposite exhibits high electrochemical activity and enhanced cycle stability with a capacitance retention of 81.2% after 500 cycles at 10 A/g. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44808.
Design and Synthesis of 5‐Substituted Benzo[d][1,3]dioxole Derivatives as Potent Anticonvulsant Agents
Authors: Dong Shiyang , Wang Tiantian , Hu Chundi , Chen Xiaodong , Jin Yi , Wang Zengtao
Published: January 2017

A series of 5‐substituted benzo[d][1,3]dioxole derivatives was designed, synthesized, and tested for anticonvulsant activity using the maximal electroshock (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) screens. Neurotoxicity was determined by rotarod test. In the preliminary screening, six compounds, 3a, 3c, 3d, and 4d–f, showed promising anticonvulsant activities in the MES model, and compounds 4c and 4d exhibited full protection against seizures at doses of 300 mg/kg in the scPTZ model. Among the synthesized compounds, 3c as the most active compound showed high protection against the MES‐induced seizures with an ED50 value of 9.8 mg/kg and a TD50 value of 229.4 mg/kg after intraperitoneal injection into mice, thus providing compound 3c with a high protective index (TD50/ED50) of 23.4 comparable to those of reference antiepileptic drugs.
A strategy based on mean reverting property of markets and applications to foreign exchange trading with trailing stops
Authors: Temnov Grigory
Published: January 2017

We propose a strategy for automated trading, outline theoretical justification of the profitability of this strategy, and overview the backtesting results in application to foreign currencies trading. The proposed methodology relies on the assumption that processes reflecting the dynamics of currency exchange rates are in a certain sense similar to the class of Ornstein–Uhlenbeck processes and exhibit the mean reverting property. In order to describe the quantitative characteristics of the projected return of the strategy, we derive the explicit expression for the running maximum of the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process stopped at maximum drawdown and look at the correspondence between derived characteristics and the observed ones. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Absorption, distribution and excretion of the anti‐tuberculosis drug delamanid in rats: Extensive tissue distribution suggests potential therapeutic value for extrapulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Shibata Masakazu , Shimokawa Yoshihiko , Sasahara Katsunori , Yoda Noriaki , Sasabe Hiroyuki , Suzuki Mitsunari , Umehara Ken
Published: January 2017

Delamanid (OPC‐67683, Deltyba™, nitro‐dihydro‐imidazooxazoles derivative) is approved for the treatment of adult pulmonary multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis. The absorption, distribution and excretion of delamanid‐derived radioactivity were investigated after a single oral administration of 14C–delamanid at 3 mg/kg to rats. In both male and female rats, radioactivity in blood and all tissues reached peak levels by 8 or 24 h post‐dose, and thereafter decreased slowly. Radioactivity levels were 3‐ to 5‐fold higher in lung tissue at time to maximum concentration compared with plasma. In addition, radioactivity was broadly distributed in various tissues, including the central nervous system, eyeball, placenta and fetus, indicating that 14C–delamanid permeated the brain, retinal and placental blood barriers. By 168 h post‐dose, radioactivity in almost all the tissues was higher than that in the plasma. Radioactivity was also transferred into the milk of lactating rats. Approximately 6% and 92% of radioactivity was excreted in the urine and feces, respectively, indicating that the absorbed radioactivity was primarily excreted via the biliary route. No significant differences in the absorption, distribution and excretion of 14C–delamanid were observed between male and female rats. The pharmacokinetic results suggested that delamanid was broadly distributed to the lungs and various tissues for a prolonged duration of time at concentrations expected to effectively target tuberculosis bacteria. These data indicate that delamanid, in addition to its previously demonstrated efficacy in pulmonary tuberculosis, might be an effective therapeutic approach to treating extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adolescent depression linked to socioeconomic status? Molecular approaches for revealing premorbid risk factors
Authors: Uddin Monica , Jansen Stefan , Telzer Eva H.
Published: January 2017

The means by which social environmental exposures influence risk of mental disorders is a persistent and still open question. A key candidate mechanism for the biologic mediation of environmental effects involves epigenetic factors, which regulate gene function without altering underlying DNA sequence. Recent work has shown that environmental exposures such as childhood abuse, family history of mental disorder, and low socioeconomic status (SES) associate with differential DNA methylation (5mC) – a relatively stable, but modifiable, epigenetic factor. However, the longitudinal relation among SES, 5mC, brain function, and risk of depression remains to be elucidated. Here, we briefly review literature relevant to these associations and discuss recent findings that, for the first time, prospectively demonstrate sequential links between low SES, changes in 5mC, changes in brain function, and risk of depression in a cohort of adolescents.
Elucidation of stress‐induced degradation products of mangiferin: Method development and validation
Authors: Khurana Rajneet Kaur , Kaur Satvinder , Kaur Jasleen , Singh Bhupinder
Published: January 2017

The degradation behavior of mangiferin, under various ICH Q1A(R2) recommended stress conditions, was studied using an isocratic elution with mobile phase (pH 2.4), composed of acetonitrile and 1% orthophosphoric acid (12:88 v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, with λmax 262 nm. It was suitably adapted for LC–MS studies by replacing with 1% acetic acid (ACN–1% acetic acid; 18:82) and the pH was adjusted to 3.0. Extensive degradation was found to occur during alkaline medium stress studies at 2.31 min of retention time at λmax of 235 nm. The mass spectrum of mangiferin, 3 h after treatment with 0.1 M NaOH, clearly shows the rupture of the tricyclic ring, indicating that a fragment at m/z − 269 was formed. Furthermore, the results were supported by nuclear magnetic resonance as well. However, no degradation was observed in other stress conditions.
Ensure your school's student‐athletes receive appropriate medical care
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: January 2017

You want to protect your school's athletics department from liability and your student‐athletes from preventable injuries. But many collegiate athletics departments overlook or downplay one of the most effective ways you can accomplish both of those goals — providing appropriate medical care.
Does OCR have authority to investigate emotional support animal housing complaints?
Authors: Masinter Michael R.
Published: January 2017

Campus housing accommodation requests for an emotional support animal continue to rise. Schools may assume the Fair Housing Act is the only federal law that governs requests to keep an ESA in residential housing.
Provide effective mental health services in college athletics
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: January 2017

Most student‐athletes don't like to admit to having problems, especially mental health issues. But that approach becomes an obstacle to their success and wellness when they refuse to seek help.
SmartBiomassHeat – Heat from Solid Biofuels as an Integral Part of a Future Energy System Based on Renewables
Authors: Lenz Volker , Ortwein Andreas
Published: January 2017

Since the global climate agreement of Paris 2015, backed by scientific facts and adopted on highest political level, the world's population has to redirect its energy supply from coal, gas, and oil towards renewables. Germany is one of the leading countries in transitioning its energy system, which resulted in a new term called “Energiewende”. A transition to renewable energies will result in a more decentralized system with more local fluctuation in supply, worldwide. In order to provide a guaranteed supply at the required level, new technologies of energy conversion, storage, and utilization are required, especially when looking at the heating sector and heat from solid biofuels. Two types of technology fulfilling the future requirements for a smart bioenergy usage stand out: integrated back‐up stoves with few kW of thermal output and mini‐ and micro‐combined heat and power (CHP) units with less than 50 kW electrical output.
Desulfurization of Biogas via Dielectric Barrier Discharges
Authors: Unseld Marina , Szepanski Christian , Lindermeir Andreas , Maus‐Friedrichs Wolfgang , Dahle Sebastian
Published: January 2017

The use of CaCO3, FeCl3, and FeOOH as powder sorbents for a plasma‐based hydrogen sulfide removal from biogas mixtures was investigated. No plasma‐enhanced surface reactions were observed during the processing. However, the high surface area provided by the powders led to an increased deposition of atomic sulfur. The dissociation of H2S in dielectric barrier discharges was found to be effective for gas purification purposes, but limited by the backwards reaction. Medium high gas velocities in a nozzle‐like plasma reactor and high retention times in a subsequent expansion vessel thus further improved the desulfurization efficiencies. Furthermore, methane production was observed, whereas the sources could not yet be fully identified.
Poly(benzoxazine) as an Immobilization Matrix for Miniaturized ATP and Glucose Biosensors
Authors: Ziller Charlotte , Lin Jing , Knittel Peter , Friedrich Laura , Andronescu Corina , Pöller Sascha , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Kranz Christine
Published: January 2017

The reproducible immobilization of enzymes represents a key requirement in developing sensitive and fast‐responding amperometric microbiosensors. A microbiosensor for the respective detection of glucose and adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP) is presented by using a poly(benzoxazine) derivative for the entrapment of the enzymes glucose oxidase (GOD) and hexokinase (HEX) at platinum (Pt) microelectrodes (MEs). For glucose, a sensitivity of 123.05±10.78 pA/mM (n=5) was obtained, which shows twice as high sensitivity compared to microbiosensors that use electrophoretic paints as the immobilization matrix for the same size ME (radius: 25 μm). For the determination of ATP, a sensitivity of 48.47±5.12 pA/μM and a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 40 at physiological pH values were obtained. Apart from their enhanced sensitivity, a significant improvement of these sensors is related to their improved mechanical stability. The applicability of these poly(benzoxine)‐based microbiosensors for ATP detection was demonstrated with measurements at receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase zeta (PTPRζ) osteoblastic cells during mechanical stimulation.
Interlayer‐Expanded Vanadium Oxychloride as an Electrode Material for Magnesium‐Based Batteries
Authors: Minella Christian Bonatto , Gao Ping , Zhao‐Karger Zhirong , Mu Xiaoke , Diemant Thomas , Pfeifer Maxim , Chakravadhanula Venkata S. K. , Behm R. Juergen , Fichtner Maximilian
Published: January 2017

Mg‐based batteries, which use the Mg2+ shuttle, theoretically offer several advantages compared to the Li technology, such as higher theoretical volumetric capacity (3833 mA h cm−3) of the Mg‐metal anode, the possibility to be safely handled in air, and dendrite‐free electrodeposition. In this study, vanadium oxychloride was employed as an electrode material in a Mg‐based battery. As the cell delivered just 45 mA h g−1 in the first cycle, we tried to improve the delivered capacity through preliminary cycling of the VOCl electrode with Li. The strategy is based on the ability of VOCl to expand its interlayer spacing upon intercalation of ions or molecules within them. In fact, a VOCl electrode with expanded interlayer spacing should facilitate the intercalation of Mg2+, thus leading to higher specific capacities. The Li pretreatment was able to promote the specific capacity by a factor of four (170 mA h g−1) after the first discharge at 298 K. Over 130 mA h g−1 was retained at 5 mA g−1 after 70 cycles. Structural and electrochemical characterization was carried out by means of galvanostatic charge/discharge tests, cyclic voltammetry, ex situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used to determine the concentration of lithium in the electrode.