bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Success factors model for green computing implementations
Authors: Khan Shafaq Naheed , Aljaberi Manal Abdulla , Muammar Suadad
Published: August 2019

Green computing is quickly rising to the top of the agenda of many organizations. Surveys of the green computing implementations practices in United Arab Emirates (UAE) reveal the awareness level with respect to green computing practices to be 41.23 per cent. This article presents a model that provides IT decision-makers with a set of recommended actions on the implementation of green computing practices. The model is validated empirically through interviews of IT staff from eleven organizations in UAE. The intervention suggests that to reduce the carbon footprint and to become energy efficient, organizations would need to apply policies on printing, procurement and recycling. Implementation of policies is driven by budget allocations for the better utilization of existing IT equipment and for investment in innovative technologies. In addition, this study recommends that organizations encourage a green computing attitude through increased awareness, certifications, penalties or reward systems. The findings of the study are expected to be of great interest to both researchers and IT practitioners.
Review of green building movement and appraisal of rating systems in the Indian context
Authors: Bansal Sunita , Biswas Srijit , Singh S. K.
Published: August 2019

India has two green building programmes: LEED-India and GRIHA, which are in their nascent stages and need to be appraised. This article presents an account of the background to the evolution of the Green Building movement, and compares LEED-India and GRIHA to proven rating tools applied in the United States (US-LEED) and the United Kingdom (BREEAM). It also examines how structural impacts are addressed in the rating tools and how structural engineers, who are one of the stakeholders of Integrated Design Team, can contribute towards assessments of sustainable construction initiatives. The probable criteria to be included in the green building rating systems (GBRS) for the sustainability of structure design are also discussed.
KONSEP NEGARA KEPULAUAN DALAM UPAYA PERLINDUNGAN WILAYAH PENGELOLAAN PERIKANAN INDONESIA
Authors: Soemarmi Amiek , Diamantina Amalia
Published: August 2019

Indonesia adalah negara kepulauan yang berciri Nusantara dengan wilayah yang batas dan haknya diatur dengan Undang–undang. Implementasi konsep negara kepulauan dalam upaya perlindungan perikanan di Indonesia yang menjadi permasalahan dalam artikel ini. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui implementasi konsep negara kepulauan Republik Indonesia dalam mengatur wilayah pengelolaan perikanan dimana terdapat kapal-kapal ikan asing yang masuk di wilayah perikanan Indonesia mengakibatkan kerugian bagi kapal ikan. Metode pendekatan yuridis normatif dan deskriptif analisis digunakan dalam penelitian didukung studi kasus konflik wilayah tangkap baik di wilayah tangkap perikanan Indonesia yang berbatasan dengan wilayah pengelolaan perikanan negara lain. Hasil penelitian diperoleh bahwa negara Indonesia mengatur melalui regulasi wilayah penangkapan ikan secara nasional dan internasional melalui perjanjian atau kerjasama dengan negara lain sebagai upaya perlindungan nelayan Indonesia.
GAGASAN KEDAULATAN LINGKUNGAN DALAM KONSTITUSI DAN IMPLEMENTASINYA DALAM PELESTARIAN LINGKUNGAN HIDUP
Authors: Sodikin Sodikin
Published: August 2019

Amandemen UUD 1945 telah melahirkan ajaran kedaulatan baru yaitu kedaulatan lingkungan. Gagasan kedaulatan lingkungan telah memberikan pemikiran baru dalam hal kedaulatan, yaitu kekuasaan tertinggi dalam suatu negara. Lingkungan hidup telah menjadi suatu kekuasaan tertinggi dalam kehidupan ketatanegaraan Indonesia. Konsep kedaulatan lingkungan secara jelas diatur dalam Pasal 25A, Pasal 28H ayat (1) dan Pasal 33 ayat (3) dan (4). Pasal-pasal tersebut memberikan nuansa hijau terhadap UUD 1945, sehingga implementasi dari pasal-pasal dalam UUD 1945 tersebut memberikan pemikiran baru bagi pembuat Undang-Undang agar konsep kedaulatan lingkungan hidup dapat terwujud dalam setiap Undang-undang yang dibuat. Ada beberapa undang-undang telah memberikan nuansa hijau seperti undang-undang yang mengatur masalah hak asasi manusia, pembangunan perekonomian berkelanjutan dan wilayah negara dengan konsep wawasan nusantara.
Machine Learning Methods in Algorithmic Trading Strategy Optimization – Design and Time Efficiency
Authors: Ryś Przemysław , Ślepaczuk Robert
Published: August 2019

The main aim of this paper was to formulate and analyse the machine learning methods, fitted to the strategy parameters optimization specificity. The most important problems are the sensitivity of a strategy performance to little parameter changes and numerous local extrema distributed over the solution space in an irregular way. The methods were designed for the purpose of significant shortening of the computation time, without a substantial loss of strategy quality. The efficiency of methods was compared for three different pairs of assets in case of moving averages crossover system. The problem was presented for three sets of two assets’ portfolios. In the first case, a strategy was trading on the SPX and DAX index futures; in the second, on the AAPL and MSFT stocks; and finally, in the third case, on the HGF and CBF commodities futures. The methods operated on the in-sample data, containing 16 years of daily prices between 1998 and 2013 and was validated on the out-of-sample period between 2014 and 2017. The major hypothesis verified in this paper is that machine learning methods select strategies with evaluation criterion near the highest one, but in significantly lower execution time than the brute force method (Exhaustive Search).
Judging Popular Novels as Creative Products: Which Creative Attributes Contribute to their Success?
Authors: Form Sven , Aue Judith , Kaernbach Christian
Published: August 2019

The purpose of the present study was threefold. First, to explore whether a German version of the Creative Product Semantic Scale can be applied to novels, a hitherto poorly investigated creative product. Second, to determine which of the emerging attributes might affect the potential for success of a novel. Third, to check whether the novels judged are distinguishable in terms of their creative attributes. In an online study, participants judged four popular novels from recollection: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, The Hobbit, Twilight, and Inkheart. A factor analysis of items based on the Harry Potter subsample indicated four major dimensions: Resolution, Novelty, Style and Complexity. Among the dimensions, Resolution was the only dimension predicting potential for commercial success in a multiple regression. Novels were not distinguishable on the basis of the dimensions judged, indicating that the present CPSS did not have enough discriminatory power to detect differences among novels from the same genre. Additional measures indicated judgments had been relatively stable since the reading experience. Furthermore, a large proportion of participants was presumably biased in their memory, due to having watched the respective movie adaptation. This was suggested by a false memory check. Surprisingly however, there were no detectable differences in judgment between those who passed and those who failed the false memory check.
Women’s Everyday Creative Activities: a Qualitative Study
Authors: Elisondo Romina Cecilia , Vargas Ana
Published: August 2019

The objective is to analyze manifestations of everyday creativity from the perspective of a group of women. We are interested in recovering the voices of the participants to understand constructed meanings regarding the actions, emotions, relations and contexts to unfolding processes of everyday creativity. We conducted a qualitative study, in which 20 Argentine women aged between 21 and 69 years participated. The sampling was not probabilistic, intentional and for convenience. The participants reside in cities of intermediate size, namely Córdoba, San Luis and Mendoza (Argentina). They reported daily, during one week, on the creative activities in which they were engaged in their lives. The process of data collection was done through WhatsApp; participants sent texts, audios, videos and photographs. We codified and analyzed the data with the QDA MINER LITE program. We constructed four categories of analysis:doing creative things; others and creative contexts; emotions in play and creative self-belief.The results indicate that people relate creativity to different types of work (cooking, handicrafts, academic activities, artistic workshops, solving daily problems, etc.). Others play an important role in creativity as the recipients of creative work, collaborative co-workers or helpers that facilitate creative tasks. The development of everyday creative activities is also linked to well-being and positive emotions (pleasure, passion, desire, satisfaction, self-realization and personal expression). We highlight the importance of creative identity as a complex construction of expectations, self-evaluations and metacognitive processes. The research contributes to the understanding of everyday creativity as a factor that promotes health and the empowerment of women.
Barbed suture and gastrointestinal surgery. A retrospective analysis
Authors: Manigrasso Michele , Velotti Nunzio , Calculli Federica , Aprea Giovanni , Di Lauro Katia , Araimo Enrico , Elmore Ugo , Vertaldi Sara , Anoldo Pietro , Musella Mario , Milone Marco , Maria Sosa Fernandez Loredana , Milone Francesco , Domenico De Palma Giovanni
Published: August 2019

Although minimally invasive surgery is recognized as the gold standard of many surgical procedures, laparoscopic suturing is still considered as the most difficult skill in laparoscopic surgery.

The introduction of barbed sutures facilitates laparoscopic suturing because it is not necessary to tie a knot. The efficacy of this method has been evaluated in different types of surgery; however, less is known about general surgery.

We retrospectively analysed data from 378 patients who had undergone bariatric or surgical treatment for colic or gastric malignancy requiring a closure of gastroentero, entero-entero or enterocolotomy from January 2014 to January 2019, admitted to the General Surgery Unit and Operative Unit of Surgical Endoscopy of the University Federico II (Naples, Italy).

We registered 12 anastomotic leaks (3.1%), 16 anastomotic intraluminal bleedings (4.2%) and 7 extraluminal bleedings. Other complications included 23 cases of postoperative nausea and vomit (6%), 14 cases of postoperative ileus (3.7%) and 3 cases of intra-abdominal abscess (0.8%). Overall complications rate was 19.8% (75/378). No postoperative death was registered.

Thus, by pooling together 378 patients, we can assess that barbed suture could be considered safe and effective for closure of holes used for the introduction of a branch of mechanical stapler to perform intracorporeal anastomosis.
L-655,708 does not prevent isoflurane-induced memory deficits in old mice
Authors: Gao Teng , Liu Yue , Zhao Zifang , Luo Yuan , Wang Lifang , Wang Yongan , Yin Yiqing
Published: August 2019

Background

General anesthesia and increasing age are two main risk factors for postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Effective agents for the prevention or treatment of POCD are urgently needed. L-655,708, an inverse agonist of α5 subunit-containing γ-aminobutyric acid subtype A (α5GABAA) receptors, can prevent anesthesia-induced memory deficits in young animals. However, there is a lack of evidence of its efficacy in old animals.

Methodology

Young (3- to 5-month-old) and old (18- to 20-month-old) mice were given an inhalation of 1.33% isoflurane for 1 hour and their associative memory was evaluated 24 hours after anesthesia using fear-conditioning tests (FCTs). To evaluate the effect of L-655,708, mice received intraperitoneal injections of L-655,708 (0.7 mg/kg) or vehicle 30 minutes before anesthesia.

Results

Old mice exhibited impaired memory and lower hippocampal α5GABAA levels than young mice under physiological conditions. Pre-injections of L-655,708 significantly alleviated isoflurane-induced memory decline in young mice, but not in old mice.

Conclusions

L-655,708 is not as effective for the prevention of POCD in old mice as it is in young mice. The use of inverse agonists of α5GABAA in preventing POCD in old patients should be carefully considered.
Using Imagery to Enhance Performance in Powerlifting: A Review of Theory, Research, and Practice
Authors: Alexander Danielle M. , Hutt Eric A. , Lefebvre Jordan S. , Bloom Gordon A.
Published: August 2019

Imagery is a frequently used mental performance skill that has been advocated as an invaluable tool by athletes, coaches, and sport psychology professionals. As such, athletes competing in powerlifting can benefit from the use of imagery toward the improvement of individualized mental and physical skills. To provide coaches and athletes with a theoretical and practical understanding of the imagery–performance relationship; this article (a) provides an overview of the PETTLEP model, (b) reviews the benefits of imagery on both the physical and psychosocial outcomes for powerlifting athletes, and (c) provides recommendations for practical use in strength and conditioning contexts.
Distinct Roles of Dopamine and Noradrenaline in Incidental Memory
Authors: Hauser Tobias U. , Eldar Eran , Purg Nina , Moutoussis Michael , Dolan Raymond J.
Published: August 2019

Episodic memory is sensitive to the influence of neuromodulators, such as dopamine and noradrenaline. These influences are considered important in the expression of several known memory biases, though their specific role in memory remains unclear. Using pharmacological agents with relatively high selectivity for either dopamine (400 mg amisulpride) or noradrenaline (40 mg propranolol) we examined their specific contribution to incidental memory. In a double-blind placebo-controlled human study (30 females, 30 males in total), we show that a memory selectivity bias was insensitive to propranolol but sensitive to amisulpride, consistent with a dominant influence from dopamine. By contrast, a putative arousal-induced memory boosting effect was insensitive to amisulpride but was sensitive to propranolol, consistent with a dominant noradrenaline effect. Thus, our findings highlight specific functional roles for dopamine and noradrenaline neurotransmission in the expression of incidental memory.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWhy some information is preferentially encoded into memory while other information is not is a central question in cognitive neuroscience. The neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline are often assumed critical in influencing this selectivity, but their specific contributions remain obscure. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-subjects drug study, we investigate the contributions of noradrenaline and dopamine to episodic memory. Using an incidental memory task, we find that blocking dopamine (400 mg amisulpride) eliminates a neural-gain related memory selectivity bias. Blocking noradrenaline function (40 mg propranolol), in contrast, abolishes an arousal-related memory enhancement. In this assessment of dopamine and noradrenaline neuromodulatory effects we reveal their specific contributions to episodic memory.
Dopamine Enhances Item Novelty Detection via Hippocampal and Associative Recall via Left Lateral Prefrontal Cortex Mechanisms
Authors: Clos Mareike , Bunzeck Nico , Sommer Tobias
Published: August 2019

The involvement of fronto-striatal circuits in item and associative memory retrieval as well as in the stabilization of memories by retrieval practice suggests that both retrieval and re-encoding of stored memories might rely on dopaminergic mechanisms in humans. We tested these hypotheses in a placebo-controlled pharmacological fMRI study using 2 mg of the D2 antagonist haloperidol administered acutely before a cued associative recall task of previously encoded picture–word pairs in 53 healthy humans of both sexes. The cued associative recall was moreover repeated 3 d later outside the scanner without pharmacological intervention. Dopaminergic modulation significantly improved associative recall performance and recognition accuracy of verbal items. Moreover, we observed a significant dopamine effect on re-encoding in terms of increased specificity of associative memories from the first to the second cued associative recall. Better association memory under haloperidol was linked with higher activity in the left lateral prefrontal cortex and right parietal cortex, suggesting that dopamine facilitates associative retrieval through increased recruitment of frontoparietal monitoring processes. In contrast, improved recognition of verbal items under haloperidol was reflected by enhanced novelty detection in the hippocampus and increased activity in saliency networks. Together, these results show distinct but concomitant positive effects of dopamine on associative recall and item recognition and suggest that the specificity of associative recall through re-encoding mechanisms is likewise augmented by dopamine.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAlthough the neurotransmitter dopamine has been linked with learning and memory for a long time, dopaminergic effects on item recognition in humans were demonstrated only recently. The involvement of fronto-striatal monitoring processes in association retrieval suggests that associative memory might be particularly affected by dopamine. Moreover, fronto-striatal dopaminergic signals have been hypothesized to determine the updating and re-encoding of previously retrieved memories. We here demonstrate clear facilitative effects of dopamine on associative recall and item recognition mediated by prefrontal and hippocampal mechanisms respectively. Additionally, effects on re-encoding were reflected by increased specificity of associative memories. These results augment our understanding of dopaminergic processes in episodic memory retrieval and offer new perspectives on memory impairments in dopamine-related disorders and their treatment.
Holistic Recollection via Pattern Completion Involves Hippocampal Subfield CA3
Authors: Grande Xenia , Berron David , Horner Aidan J. , Bisby James A. , Düzel Emrah , Burgess Neil
Published: August 2019

Episodic memories typically comprise multiple elements. A defining characteristic of episodic retrieval is holistic recollection, i.e., comprehensive recall of the elements a memorized event encompasses. A recent study implicated activity in the human hippocampus with holistic recollection of multi-element events based on cues (Horner et al., 2015). Here, we obtained ultra-high resolution functional neuroimaging data at 7 tesla in 30 younger adults (12 female) using the same paradigm. In accordance with anatomically inspired computational models and animal research, we found that metabolic activity in hippocampal subfield CA3 (but less pronounced in dentate gyrus) correlated with this form of mnemonic pattern completion across participants. Our study provides the first evidence in humans for a strong involvement of hippocampal subfield CA3 in holistic recollection via pattern completion.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMemories of daily events usually involve multiple elements, although a single element can be sufficient to prompt recollection of the whole event. Such holistic recollection is thought to require reactivation of brain activity representing the full event from one event element (“pattern completion”). Computational and animal models suggest that mnemonic pattern completion is accomplished in a specific subregion of the hippocampus called CA3, but empirical evidence in humans was lacking. Here, we leverage the ultra-high resolution of 7 tesla neuroimaging to provide first evidence for a strong involvement of the human CA3 in holistic recollection of multi-element events via pattern completion.
Neuronal BC RNA Transport Impairments Caused by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Autoantibodies
Authors: Muslimov Ilham A. , Iacoangeli Anna , Eom Taesun , Ruiz Anne , Lee Madisen , Stephenson Stacy , Ginzler Ellen M. , Tiedge Henri
Published: August 2019

The etiology of the autoimmune disorder systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains poorly understood. In neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE), autoimmune responses against neural self-antigens find expression in neurological and cognitive alterations. SLE autoantibodies often target nucleic acids, including RNAs and specifically RNA domains with higher-order structural content. We report that autoantibodies directed against neuronal regulatory brain cytoplasmic (BC) RNAs were generated in a subset of SLE patients. By contrast, anti-BC RNA autoantibodies (anti-BC abs) were not detected in sera from patients with autoimmune diseases other than SLE (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis) or in sera from healthy subjects with no evidence of disease. SLE anti-BC abs belong to the IgG class of immunoglobulins and target both primate BC200 RNA and rodent BC1 RNA. They are specifically directed at architectural motifs in BC RNA 5′ stem–loop domains that serve as dendritic targeting elements (DTEs). SLE anti-BC abs effectively compete with RNA transport factor heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2 (hnRNP A2) for DTE access and significantly diminish BC RNA delivery to synapto-dendritic sites of function.In vivoexperiments with male BALB/c mice indicate that, upon lipopolysaccharide-induced opening of the blood–brain barrier, SLE anti-BC abs are taken up by CNS neurons where they significantly impede localization of endogenous BC1 RNA to synapto-dendritic domains. Lack of BC1 RNA causes phenotypic abnormalities including epileptogenic responses and cognitive dysfunction. The combined data indicate a role for anti-BC RNA autoimmunity in SLE and its neuropsychiatric manifestations.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAlthough clinical manifestations of neuropsychiatric lupus are well recognized, the underlying molecular–cellular alterations have been difficult to determine. We report that sera of a subset of lupus patients contain autoantibodies directed at regulatory brain cytoplasmic (BC) RNAs. These antibodies, which we call anti-BC abs, target the BC RNA 5′ domain noncanonical motif structures that specify dendritic delivery. Lupus anti-BC abs effectively compete with RNA transport factor heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2 (hnRNP A2) for access to BC RNAs. As a result, hnRNP A2 is displaced, and BC RNAs are impaired in their ability to reach synapto-dendritic sites of function. The results reveal an unexpected link between BC RNA autoantibody recognition and dendritic RNA targeting. Cellular RNA dysregulation may thus be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric lupus.
The Caenorhabditis elegans Transgenic Toolbox
Authors: Nance Jeremy , Frøkjær-Jensen Christian
Published: August 2019

The power of any genetic model organism is derived, in part, from the ease with which gene expression can be manipulated. The short generation time and invariant developmental lineage have made Caenorhabditis elegans very useful for understanding, e.g., developmental programs, basic cell biology, neurobiology, and aging. Over the last decade, the C. elegans transgenic toolbox has expanded considerably, with the addition of a variety of methods to control expression and modify genes with unprecedented resolution. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of transgenic methods in C. elegans, with an emphasis on recent advances in transposon-mediated transgenesis, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, conditional gene and protein inactivation, and bipartite systems for temporal and spatial control of expression.
Construcción social del miedo en el trabajo: análisis desde la noción de atmósfera afectiva
Authors: Bedoya Dorado Cristian
Published: August 2019

La vida en el trabajo constituye una fuente de experiencias que son significadas y construidas por los sujetos para organizar y explicar su mundo social. Entre estas experiencias se encuentran las emociones, las cuales tienen implicaciones para el trabajo. El estudio de las emociones durante las últimas décadas ha transitado por diversos dominios teóricos, que han involucrado a la idea de la construcción social de la realidad centrada en el lenguaje, la semiótica de la materialidad, la teoría del actor-red y la performatividad. Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar cómo se construye el miedo en el trabajo. Para ello, la investigación se abordó desde una apuesta cualitativa, en la que se empleó el análisis del discurso como método de investigación. El análisis se inserta en la propuesta teórica de atmósfera afectiva, y de afectividad colectiva de la psicología social. Los resultados permitieron develar que el miedo es co-construido en el contexto del trabajo como una hibridación entre un discurso del cuerpo como materialidad, y un discurso de pensamientos y sentimientos como dimensión social. Este afecto se moviliza y se configura en el entramado de las relaciones sociales del sistema sociomaterial que constituyen las atmósferas afectivas de los trabajadores. Asimismo, se identificó que el miedo es un fenómeno diverso, narrado bajo formas estéticas que recrean las experiencias y la vida en el trabajo.
Determinantes institucionales del crédito bancario: ¿importa el nivel de desarrollo?
Authors: Castillo-Ponce Ramón A. , Rodriguez Espinosa María De Lourdes , Borbón Contreras Irasema
Published: August 2019

En esta investigación se evalúa la relación entre el crédito otorgado al sector privado y variables institucionales considerando países en diferente nivel de desarrollo. El análisis se implementa a través de un ejercicio empírico que utiliza un panel de datos para un universo de 126 países durante el periodo 2004-2013. Los resultados sugieren que la eficiencia institucional es determinante en el desempeño del mercado de crédito, tanto en países desarrollados como en países en vías de desarrollo. Este resultado es contrario a lo que se ha señalado en la literatura: que el impacto de las instituciones es significativo típicamente cuando las economías han alcanzado un nivel umbral de desarrollo.
The use of TOPSIS for Ranking WIPO’S Innovation Indicators
Authors: Do Carmo Silva Marcela , Gomes Carlos Francisco , Da Costa Junior Castelar Lino
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study is to study African, Asian and Oceanic countries in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) ranking of innovation indicators by means of Multicriteria Decision Making (MCDM) analysis, as a support to the methodology applied by WIPO. The quantitative methodology used is the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). This paper includes a Pearson’s correlation between the indicators. Results suggest a novelty to WIPO’s methodology using TOPSIS as a support for ranking countries, contributing to improve the methodology of innovation indicators by joining their qualitative and quantitative perspectives and principles.
Toma de decisiones: intuición y deliberación en la experiencia de los decisores
Authors: Manrique Horacio , De Castro Correa Alberto
Published: August 2019

La toma de decisiones (TD) y los tipos de pensamiento asociados (intuitivo y deliberado) se caracterizan por presentar distintos componentes fenomenológicos. Dada la ausencia de trabajos previos con poblaciones hispanoparlantes y la construcción de conocimiento al respecto, realizamos 11 entrevistas no estructuradas a siete directivos expertos en organizaciones heterogéneas en Colombia. Analizamos los datos mediante el método fenomenológico-hermenéutico. Exploramos componentes fenomenológicos en decisiones laborales que tomaron previamente para identificar experiencias y significados, nutriendo el conocimiento actual. Detectamos siete categorías modulares, seis inherentes y cuatro contextuales, que integramos mediante un esquema cualitativo. Con base en este, y en una metodología para el análisis de la intuición, presentamos una propuesta para la formación en TD. Como limitaciones señalamos la necesidad de contrastar los datos presentados sobre los directivos expertos con novatos y con decisores en cargos no directivos, así como contrastar factores endógenos de la toma de decisiones con factores exógenos.
STUDY ON THE DURATION OF OPERATIONS PERFORMED BY TRANSPORT VEHICLES DURING UNLOADING OF THE GRAIN HARVESTER HOPPER
Authors: Tihanov Galin
Published: August 2019

Unloading time of the harvester hopper at standstill depends also on the duration of the operations performed by the transport vehicle as time from the commencement of the harvester signalling to the start of the transport vehicle and the time from the start of the transport vehicle till its arrival under the unloading screw of the grain harvester. The time measuring of the operations established that the average time of commencement of the harvester signalling until the start of the transport vehicle was 215.5 s, and the time for moving of the transport vehicle to the grain harvester was 222 s. It was found that in 49% of the duration of the operations the drivers of the transport vehicles wait before going to the grain harvester (from the total of 437.5 s). This is due to the incorrect setting of the time of commencement of the first level signalling, which prevents drivers from starting and respectively arriving at the exact moment at the harvesters. It has also been found that the unloading of the harvester grain hopper takes place immediately after the arrival of the transport vehicles at it and therefore a non-filled hopper is unloaded. As a result, about 1 m³ of the harvester hopper is not used and also the number of its stops for unloading increase by about 11%, practically reducing its productivity.
Az Alzheimer-kór molekuláris képi megjelenítése
Authors: Albert Annamária , Borbély Katalin
Published: August 2019

Abstract:

The ever-growing average age of the society significantly increases the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease. The increased prevalence represents considerable social and economic burden, which urges the development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods in the field. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, the typical histopathological abnormality of which are well known. The detection of functional changes results in the early diagnosis of the disease, which precedes the morphological changes by years. Positron-emission tomography plays an important role in the demonstration of metabolic changes. The glucose metabolic pattern differs significantly in each clinical form of dementia. The most important β-amyloid-binding radiopharmaceuticals that should be highlighted are [11C]Pittsburgh compound B that is widely used in the research and [18F]florbetapir that is commonly approved in diagnostics. Tracers visualising neurofibrillary tangles consisting of tau protein appeared most recently. The development continues; newer and newer radiopharmaceuticals appear. These tracers play an important role in both the research and the diagnostics. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(33): 1289–1295.
Stress–strain relationship of cement paste under triaxial compression
Authors: Kohees Mithaq , Rajeev Pathmanathan , Sanjayan Jay G.
Published: August 2019

Understanding the stress–strain behaviour of cement-based materials is important for the performance modelling of concrete structures. This work studied the stress–strain behaviour of cement paste under a triaxial stress state with varying confining pressures. The influence of confining pressure on peak stress, peak strain and volume change was studied using the experimental results obtained from cement paste samples with compressive strengths of 28 and 35 MPa. The samples were tested under four confining pressures (0, 5, 10 and 15 MPa). A simple equation for the strain at peak compressive strength was developed from linear regression analysis of the test data and available results in the literature. The commonly used stress–strain model for concrete was adopted to model the behaviour of cement paste. A functional relationship for model parameters was developed and calibrated using the experimental results. As expected, the obtained results demonstrated that the strength and ductility of cement pastes are significantly improved due to confinement. The relationship between lateral and axial strains was found to be linear. Overall, the proposed model showed good agreement with the experimental results and can be used to numerically analyse structures with cement paste (e.g. oil wells).
Micromechanical investigation of liquefaction of granular media by cyclic 3D DEM tests
Authors: Martin Eduardo L. , Thornton Colin , Utili Stefano
Published: August 2019

In order to evaluate numerically the seismic-induced liquefaction potential of gravelly soils, three-dimensional discrete-element method cyclic undrained triaxial tests were performed in a periodic cell. The undrained tests were conducted by deforming the samples under constant volume conditions. The paper presents a detailed investigation into the mechanical phenomena occurring at the grain scale leading to the liquefaction of gravel when subjected to cyclic straining. The influence of variables characterising the granular assembly, such as inertial number, geometrical coordination number, mechanical coordination number, redundancy index and Reynolds stresses, on liquefaction is investigated. Results of the simulations show that the onset of liquefaction occurs when the granular medium becomes on average isostatic – that is the redundancy index is equal to 1, the geometrical coordination number is equal to 2 and the mechanical coordination number is equal to 3. To elucidate further the transition from solid-like to liquid-like behaviour, an analysis of how particles cluster together is presented. It is shown that, as the mean effective stress decreases, contacts are lost, with the maximum cluster size gradually reducing at an increasing rate. The loss of contacts is uniformly distributed throughout the sample and there is no break-up of the largest cluster into smaller clusters.
Early B Cell Factor 1 (EBF1) Regulates Glomerular Development by Controlling Mesangial Maturation and Consequently COX-2 Expression
Authors: Nelson Tracy , Velazquez Heino , Troiano Nancy , Fretz Jackie A.
Published: August 2019

Significance Statement

The specific mechanisms regulating formation of the glomerular tuft during renal development are largely unknown. A previous study showed the transcription factor Early B cell factor 1 (EBF1) is essential for formation of the glomerular tuft. However, the cell types driving glomerular developmental defects in mice lacking EBF1 were not identified. The authors show that deletion of EBF1 from the glomerular mesangium results in impaired glomerular development, whereas deletion of EBF1 from podocytes does not cause developmental abnormalities. They show that EBF1 in the mesangial cells directs glomerular capillary branching through NFAT activation, and consequently COX-2 expression. This is the first evidence that COX-2 inhibition specifically from the mesangial cells impairs renal development, and furthers our understanding of this essential stage of nephrogenesis.

Background

We recently showed the transcription factor Early B cell factor 1 (EBF1) is essential for the last stages of metanephric development, and that mice globally deficient in EBF1 display impaired maturation of peripheral glomeruli. EBF1 is present within multiple glomerular cell types, including the glomerular mesangium and podocytes.

Methods

To identify which cell type is driving the glomerular developmental defects in the global EBF1 knockout mice, we deleted EBF1 from the mesangium/pericytes (Foxd1-cre) or podocytes (Podocin-cre) in mice.

Results

Deletion of EBF1 from Foxd1 lineage cells resulted in hypoplastic kidneys, poorly differentiated peripheral glomeruli, and decreased proximal tubular mass in the outer cortex. Renal insufficiency was apparent at P21 when proteinuria presents, fibrosis of both the glomeruli and interstitium rapidly progresses, microthrombi appear, and hematuria develops. Approximately half of the Foxd1+, Ebf1
fl/fl mice die before they are 3 months old. Mice with podocyte-targeted deletion of EBF1 exhibited no developmental abnormalities. Mice with Ebf1 deficiency in Foxd1 lineage cells shared characteristics with Ptgs2/COX-2–insufficient models, and mechanistic investigation revealed impaired calcineurin/NFATc1 activation and decreased COX-2 expression. Deletion of COX-2 from the interstitial/mesangial lineage displayed a less severe phenotype than EBF1 deficiency in mice. Overexpressing COX-2 in the EBF1-deficient mice, however, partially restored glomerular development.

Conclusions

The results suggest that EBF1 regulates metanephric development at the last stages of glomerular maturation through its actions in the stromal progenitor (Foxd1+) lineage where it mediates proper regulation of calcineurin/NFAT signaling and COX-2 expression.
Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Testing (IPGTT) v1
Authors: McClain Donald
Published: August 2019

Summary: This is the standard protocol for most routine glucose tolerance testing. It is performed on awake mice, fasted for 6 hr. Diabetic Complications:
Echocardiography: Mouse v1
Authors: Dale Abel E.
Published: August 2019

Summary: This protocol describes the procedure used by the DiaComp for transthoracic echocardiography in awake mice. Diabetic Complication:
Evaluation of Mitochondrial Function v1
Authors: Dale Abel E.
Published: August 2019

Summary: This protocol describes the procedures used by the DiaComp for evaluating mitochondrial function. Diabetic Complication: References 1. Veksler VI, Kuznetsov AV, Sharov VG, Kapelko VI, Saks VA. Mitochondrial respiratory parameters in cardiac tissue: a novel method of assessment by using saponin-skinned fibers. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1987;892:191-6. 2. Saks VA, Veksler VI, Kuznetsov AV, Kay L, Sikk P, Tiivel T, Tranqui L, Olivares J, Winkler K, Wiedemann F, Kunz WS. Permeabilized cell and skinned fiber techniques in studies of mitochondrial function in vivo. Mol Cell Biochem. 1998;184:81-100. 3. Ouhabi R, Boue-Grabot M, Mazat JP. Mitochondrial ATP synthesis in permeabilized cells: assessment of the ATP/O values in situ. Anal Biochem. 1998;263:169-75.
Measurement of Left Ventricular Hemodynamic Parameters in Intact Mice v1
Authors: Dale Abel E.
Published: August 2019

Summary: This protocol describes the procedure used by the DiaComp for measuring left ventricular hemodynamic parameters in intact mice. Diabetic Complication:
Pancreatic Insulin Content by Acid-Ethanol Extraction v1
Authors: Leiter Ed
Published: August 2019

Summary: Used to calculate the insulin content in the pancreas. Diabetic Complications:
Phenotypic Characterization of the Working Heart v1
Authors: Dale Abel E.
Published: August 2019

Summary: This protocol describes the procedure used by the DiaComp for cardiac performance, oxygen consumption and substrate metabolic rates in isolated working mouse hearts. Diabetic Complication: References: 1. Belke, D.D., Larsen, T.S., Gibbs, E.M., Severson, D.L. 2001.Glucose metabolism in perfused mouse hearts overexpressing human GLUT-4 glucose transporter. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab.280:E420-7. 2. Belke, D.D., Larsen, T.S., Gibbs, E.M., Severson, D.L. 2000.Altered metabolism causes cardiac dysfunction in perfused hearts from diabetic (db/db) mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab.279:E1104-13. 3. Belke, D.D., Larsen, T.S., Lopaschuk, G.D., Severson, D.L. 1999.Glucose and fatty acid metabolism in the isolated working mouse heart. Am J Physiol.277:R1210-7. 4. Larsen, T.S., Belke, D.D., Sas, R., Giles, W.R., Severson, D.L., Lopaschuk, G.D., Tyberg, J.V. 1999.The isolated working mouse heart: methodological considerations. Pflugers Arch.437:979-85. 5. Belke D.D., Betuing S, Tuttle M.J., Graveleau C, Young M.E., Pham M., Zhang D., Cooksey R.C., McClain D.A., Litwin S.E., Taegtmeyer H., Severson D., Kahn C.R., Abel E.D. 2002. Insulin signaling coordinately regulates cardiac size, metabolism, and contractile protein isoform expression. J Clin Invest 109:629-639. 6. Mazumder P.K., O’Neill B.T., Roberts M.W., Buchanan J., Yun U.J., Cooksey R.C., Boudina S., Abel E.D. 2004. Impaired Cardiac Efficiency and Increased Fatty Acid Oxidation in Insulin Resistant ob/ob mouse hearts. Diabetes. 53: 2366-2374. 7. Suga H: Ventricular energetics. Physiol Rev 70:247-277, 1990
Plantar Analgesia Test for Hind Paw and Tail v1
Authors: Feldman Eva
Published: August 2019

Summary: This protocol measures and quantifies the animals sensitivity to pain in the hind paw. These measurements can be used to evaluate the pathology present in the nervous system. Diabetic Complication:
U Mass - Transverse Aortic Constriction v2
Authors: Kelly Mark , P. Fitzgibbons Timothy
Published: August 2019

Summary: This is a Mouse model of Transverse aortic constriction (TAC). A commonly used experimental model for pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Initially leading to compensated hypertrophy of the heart, which often is associated with a temporary enhancement of cardiac contractility. Resulting in cardiac dilatation and heart failure.
U Mass - Hind Limb Ischemia v2
Authors: Kelly Mark , P. Fitzgibbons Timothy
Published: August 2019

Summary: This is a mouse model of hind limb ischemia, a technique involving an interruption in the arterial blood supply to tissue in the hind limb. This model is used to study peripheral artery disease and vascular remodeling.
U Mass - Coronary Artery Ligation v2
Authors: Kelly LAT Mark , P. Fitzgibbons Timothy
Published: August 2019

Summary: This is a mouse model of acute myocardial infarction. This protocol is suitable for studying mouse models thought to be relevant to coronary ischemia or the development of congestive heart failure.
UC Davis - Massons Trichrome v2
Authors: Rutkowsky Jennifer
Published: August 2019

Summary: Massons trichrome staining is used for detection of collagen fibers in tissues such as skin, heart, etc. on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections, and may be used for frozen sections as well. The collagen fibers will be stained blue and the nuclei will be stained black and the background is stained red. Modified from: Massons Trichrome UC Davis Clinical Pathology lab
New Iron Extracting Method from Cattle's Blood for Iron Concentration Analysis v2
Authors: Asnan Khairil , Sadzan Asram bin Aliming Mohd. , Idrus Aprialdy , Eka Pratiwi Diana
Published: August 2019

Cattle's blood component is compressed using centrifuge (5000 rpm for 10 minutes), then supernatant (erythrocytes) collected. Erythrocytes with a ratio of 3:1 (serum:supernatant), treated with initial mixing with NaOH (0.5 M) with an initial ratio 1:1 (v/v) and let it sit for 30 seconds then mixed it by centrifugation about 10 rpm for 30 seconds. Sample then treated by mixing oleic acid (2:1 v/v). The sample then dehydrated by heat about 121oC for a week. Calculated total iron mass was 240000 μg/100 ml whole blood sample (about 14.40% content of the whole sample). Sample puriﬁed by furnace using high temperature about 800oC for 2 hours and increased the iron concentration up to 46.30% (m/m%).
untitled protocol v1
Authors: Asnan Khairil , Sadzan Asram bin Aliming Mohd. , Idrus Aprialdy , Eka Pratiwi Diana
Published: August 2019

Cattle's blood component is compressed using centrifuge (5000 rpm for 10 minutes), then supernatant (erythrocytes) collected. Erythrocytes with a ratio of 3:1 (serum:supernatant), treated with initial mixing each with HCl (0.5 M) NaOH (0.5 M), and 30% H2O2with an initial ratio of 1:1 (v/v). Each variable then treated by mixing SnCl2(1 M, 1:1 v/v), oleic acid (2:1 v/v), and O2(g) (0.5 L/m, 60s). The best sample then purified by heat about 800oC for 120 minutes.The highest calculated total iron mass is 240000 μg/100 ml (NaOH + oleic acid). Sample purification has increased the iron concentration up to 46.30% (m/m%).
Espaços da didática na prática pedagógica de professores do ensino superior
Authors: Moraes Ana Cristina , Moura Castro Francisco Mirtiel Frankson
Published: August 2019

Este artigo objetiva compreender que espaços a Didática ocupa na prática pedagógica de professores do ensino superior. Com suporte em debates sobre a formação didática para o exercício da docência universitária, incluindo os ditames da legislação educacional e do que se tem produzido academicamente, surgiu uma indagação demasiadamente desconsiderada na pesquisa em educação: Que espaços a Didática ocupa na prática pedagógica de professores do ensino superior? Dentre autores que fundamentam essa análise, destaca-se: Almeida (2012); D’Ávila e Veiga (2012); Franco e Pimenta (2010); Gil (2010); Libâneo (1994); Lima (2011); Lima e Sales (2002); Therrien (2012). O estudo adotou o método histórico-dialético ancorado em abordagem qualitativa e exploratória delineada no campo da memória. Para coleta de dados optou-se pelo uso de cartas (LIMA, 2006), que foram remetidas por correio eletrônico. Os sujeitos foram cinco professores do ensino superior. Resultados evidenciam que a Didática fundamenta a prática pedagógica, de modo crítico e reflexivo, sendo um campo de conhecimento relevante à realização dos três momentos da ação didática: planejamento, metodologias e avaliação. Conclui-se que, embora a Didática tenha destaque na formação e na prática docente, o ‘saber ensinar’ como campo científico e profissional necessita ocupar mais espaço no trabalho pedagógico universitário.
DETERMINANTES DO EMPREENDEDORISMO NO RIO GRANDE DO SUL
Authors: Paes Nicolas Nunes , Neto Roque Pinto de Camargo , Moraes Igor Serpa , Menezes Gabrielito Rauter
Published: August 2019

Há uma diversidade de estudos abordando os determinantes do empreendedorismo para países desenvolvidos, e recentemente alguns estudos abordando essa questão no Brasil. No entanto, existe uma lacuna em relação ao aspecto regional nessa abordagem. Portanto, este estudo tem como objetivo contribuir para a literatura com uma análise dos determinantes do empreendedorismo para o estado do Rio Grande do Sul, para isso, faz-se uso dos microdados da Pesquisa Nacional de Amostra por Domicílio de 2015, bem como um modelo de escolha discreta probit. Os principais resultados encontrados apontam que os atributos pessoais (sexo, raça, idade e educação), as características familiares (estado civil e se é chefe de família), os aspectos relacionados à renda (se é aposentado e se recebe renda de aluguel) e questões demográficas (se reside em área urbana ou em área metropolitana) são relevantes para um indivíduo determinar a escolha ocupacional empreendedora no estado do Rio Grande do Sul.