bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hubungan Tingkat Pengetahuan tentang Perubahan Fisiologis dan Psikologis Fase Premenopouse terhadap Tingkat Kecemasan pada Pralansia
Authors: . Zuliana , . Ennimay , Anggreny Yecy
Published: July 2017

Pengetahuan merupakan hasil dari penginderaan manusia yang sangat dipengaruhi oleh intensitas perhatian dan persepsi terhadap objek. Kecemasan merupakan perasaan takut yang tidak jelas dan tidak didukung oleh situasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan tingkat pengetahuan tentang perubahan fisiologis dan psikologis fase premenopouse terhadap tingkat kecemasan pada pralansia. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif dengan desain “cross sectional”. Sampel dalam penelitian ini bejumlah 90 orang wanita pralansia yang mengalami premenopouse di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Lima Puluh Pekanbaru, diambil menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Analisis data dilakukan secara univariat dengan distribusi frekuensi dan bivariat dengan uji chi-square. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat hubungan antara tingkat pengetahuan tentang perubahan fisiologis dan psikologis fase premenopouse terhadap tingkat kecemasan pada pralansia dengan p value= 0,000 (p<0,1). Penelitian ini menyarankan agar dilakukan penelitian dengan variabel lain seperti dukungan keluarga, ekonomi dan pendidikan
Permasalahan Anak Pendek (Stunting) dan Intervensi untuk Mencegah Terjadinya Stunting (Suatu Kajian Kepustakaan)
Authors: Mitra Mitra
Published: July 2017

Masalah anak pendek (stunting) merupakan salah satu permasalahan gizi yang dihadapi di dunia, khususnya di negara-negara miskin dan berkembang. Stunting menjadi permasalahan karena berhubungan dengan meningkatnya risiko terjadinya kesakitan dan kematian, perkembangan otak suboptimal sehingga perkembangan motorik terlambat dan terhambatnya pertumbuhan mental. Stunting  merupakan  bentuk  kegagalan pertumbuhan (growth faltering) akibat akumulasi ketidakcukupan nutrisi  yang berlangsung lama mulai dari kehamilan sampai usia 24 bulan. Keadaan ini diperparah dengan tidak terimbanginya  kejar tumbuh (catch up growth) yang memadai. Di Indonesia, berdasarkan Riskesdas 2013 terjadi peningkatan anak stunting dari 36,8% pada tahun 2010 menjadi 37,2% pada tahun 2013. Selama 20 tahun terakhir, penanganan masalah stunting sangat lambat. Secara global, persentase anak-anak yang terhambat pertumbuhannya menurun hanya 0,6 persen per tahun sejak tahun 1990. WHO mengusulkan target global  penurunan kejadian stunting pada anak dibawah usia lima tahun sebesar 40 % pada tahun 2025,  namun diprediksikan hanya 15-36 negara yang memenuhi target tersebut. Tujuan dari artikel ini adalah untuk mengkaji kebijakan penanggulangan kejadian stunting dan intervensi yang dilakukan dari kebijakan tersebut. Fokus Gerakan perbaikan gizi ditujukan kepada kelompok 1000 hari pertama kehidupan,  pada tatanan global disebut Scaling  Up  Nutrition (SUN) dan  di  Indonesia  disebut dengan  Gerakan  Nasional  Sadar  Gizi  dalam  Rangka  Percepatan  Perbaikan  Gizi  Pada  1000 Hari Pertama Kehidupan. Intervensi yang dilakukan terdiri dari  intervensi spesifik (jangka pendek) dan intervensi sensitif (jangka panjang).
Hubungan Sosial Ekonomi dan Budaya terhadap Partisipasi Ibu Rumah Tangga dalam Pengelolaan Sampah di Kecamatan Bangkinang
Authors: . Hayana
Published: July 2017

Dari komponen sampah yang dihasilkan di Kota Bangkinang selama tiga tahun berturut-turut terdapat volume sampah sebanyak 147,25 m3 tahun 2008, 167,36 m3tahun 2009 dan 188,95 m3 tahun 2010. Volume sampah dari tiga tahun berturut-turut mengalami kenaikan yang cukup tinggi disebabkan oleh kurangnya partisipasi masyarakat dalam melakukan pengelolaan sampah, kurangnya kesadaran masyarakat untuk melakukan pengolaan sampah menjadi barang yang produktif seperti pemanfaatan sampah organik (pengomposan) dan  pemanfaatan sampah plastik menjadi kegiatan 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis pengaruh sosial ekonomi (pendidikan, pendapatan, pekerjaan) dan budaya (pengetahuan, kebiasaan) terhadap partisipasi ibu rumah tangga dalam pengelolaan sampah di Kecamatan Bangkinang Kabupaten Kampar. Penelitian ini bersifat analitik dengan desain Cross sectional. Populasi adalah ibu rumah tangga yang berdomisili di Kecamatan Bangkinang sebanyak 4782 orang. Sampel berjumlah 100 ibu rumah tangga dan teknik sampling dengan    system random sampling. Pengumpulan data melalui wawancara dan observasi yang berpedoman pada kuesioner. Analisis data dilakukan dengan univariat dan bivariat menggunakan uji chi square. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa ada hubungan antara pendidikan, pendapatan, pekerjaan, pengetahuan dan kebiasaan terhadap partisipasi ibu rumah tangga dalam pengelolaan sampah
Faktor-Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Pemilihan Kontrasepsi di Puskesmas Rambah Samo Kabupaten Rokan Hulu
Authors: . Syukaisih
Published: July 2017

Laju pertumbuhan penduduk Indonesia sekitar 1,49 % pada tahun 2010. Hal ini dapat berdampak terhadap pembangunan sehingga perlu kebijakan untuk membatasinya. Oleh karena itu Pemerintah menggalangkan program Metoda Kontrasepsi Jangka Panjang (MKJP). Namun kenyataannya MKJP seperti Medis Operasi Pria (MOP), Medis Operasi Wanita (MOW) dan Intra Uterin Device (IUD) /spiral, Implant masih kurang diminati para akseptor Keluarga Berencana (KB). Saat ini sebagian besar akseptor KB lebih memilih metode KB hormonal seperti suntik dan pil. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor yang berhubungan dengan pemilihan kontrasepsi di Puskesmas Rambah Samo Kabupaten Rokan Hulu tahun 2011. Metode penelitian cross sectional. Populasi sebanyak 3134 orang dengan subjek penelitian seluruh akseptor KB aktif di Puskesmas Rambah Samo sebanyak 96 responden dengan menggunakan teknik Accidental Sampling. Data dikumpulkan menggunakan kuesioner dan dianalisis menggunakan uji Chi-Square dengan derajat kepercayaan (p) <0.05. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa akseptor KB sebagian besar memilih menggunakan alat kontrasepsi jenis non MKJP sebesar 56,2%. Faktor yang berhubungan dengan pemilihan kontrasepsi di Puskesmas Rambah Samo Kabupaten Rokan Hulu tahun 2011 adalah faktor pendidikan (p value = 0,037), pengetahuan (p value = 0,000), pemberian informasi (p value = 0,000). Sedangkan faktor yang tidak berhubungan dengan pemilihan kontrasepsi adalah faktor umur (p value = 0,897). Disarankan kepada Puskesmas Rambah Samo dan Badan Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Keluarga Berencana (BPPKB) meningkatkan penyuluhan pengetahuan melalui Promosi Kesehatan dan motivasi kesehatan melalui KIE (Komunikasi, Informasi, dan Edukasi) mengenai Keluarga Berencana dan alat-alat kontrasepsi sebagai upaya meningkatkan pengetahuan masyarakat mengenai KB dan alat kontrasepsi itu sendiri.
Pelaksanaan Pemberian Informasi dan Kelengkapan Informed Consent di Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah Bangkinang (RSUD Bangkinang)
Authors: Octaria Haryani , Trisna Wen Via
Published: July 2017

Informed Consent adalah persetujuan yang diberikan oleh pasien atau walinya yang berhak kepada dokter untuk melakukan suatu tindakan medis terhadap pasien sesudah memperoleh informasi lengkap dan yang dipahaminya mengenai tindakan itu. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pelaksanaan pemberian informasi dan kelengkapan informed consent di Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah Bangkinang (RSUD Bangkinang). Jenis penelitian ini adalah kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data observasi dan pedoman wawancara. Teknik analisa data dilakukan dengan menggunakan tehnik analisis kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Hasil penelitian bahwa pelaksanaan pemberian informasi sudah sesuai dengan standar yang ada. Kelengkapan formulir informed consent menurut rentang nilai kualitas pengisian data oleh arikunto (1992) termasuk kedalam kategori tidak baik hal ini terlihat pada pengisian identitas pasien untuk alamat pasien 14 (14.6%) terisi lengkap dan kelengkapan pengisian identitas penanggung jawab pasien untuk alamat 25 (26.0%) diisi lengkap. kelengkapan untuk pengisian autentikasi pasien untuk jenis tindakan medik 39 (40.6%) diisi lengkap, dan juga untuk pengisian istilah medis 45 (46.9%) diisi lengkap, Begitu juga dengan nama dan tanda tangan saksi I yaitu dari pihak pasien 52 (54.2%) diisi lengkap. Kesimpulan yaitu pelaksanaan pemberian informasi sudah ada, dimulai dari ruang rawat inap dokter memberikan informasi sampai dengan pasien sebelum melakukan tindakan medik. pada kelengkapan identitas termasuk dalam kategori tidak baik, dan kelengkapan autentikasi termasuk dalam kategori kurang baik.dengan saran diharapkan kepada direktur rumah sakit untuk memperhatikan kelengkapan informed consent yang di isi oleh dokter maupun perawat agar terisi dengan lengkap
Estudio y Análisis de la Lateralidad Izquierda en la ciudad de Guayaquil: El Gen Leucine-Rich Repeat Transmembrane Neural Protein 1 (LRRTM1) como factor determinante.
Authors: Vergara Antonio
Published: July 2017

El presente trabajo de investigación pretende analizar el factor determinante en la variación de la lateralidad en el ser humano. El hecho que exista poca información sobre el tema, fue la principal motivación para la realización de este artículo que tiene, como primer objetivo ayudar a encontrar posibles respuestas al hecho de tener dominancia en la parte izquierda del cuerpo, precisando causales genéticas respecto al gen LRRTM1, el cual determina la zurdera. Así mismo, con este documento científico se informa sobre los resultados obtenidos luego del análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo del estudio sistemático realizado durante los periodos 2011-2012 en la Ciudad de Guayaquil.  Los resultados de la investigación sirven de aporte para que las personas poseedoras de lateralidad izquierda puedan ser inducidas desde sus primeros años a desarrollar su talento humano en las ramas de las ciencias exactas, arte y humanidades o varias al mismo tiempo, siendo tarea de la educación del siglo XXI fomentar la ciencia y la técnica a nivel país.
Análisis del ciclo de vida como herramienta para la evaluación del comportamiento ambiental de un proceso. Caso de estudio central eléctrica de fuel oil 110 kv en la provincia de Granma - Cuba
Authors: Llanes Cedeño Edilberto
Published: July 2017

Los procesos de generación de electricidad a partir de combustibles fósiles son fuentes de contaminación ambiental, siendo una preocupación actual de los países en desarrollo. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el impacto ambiental de la generación distribuida de electricidad en una central de 110 kV por medio del Análisis del Ciclo de Vida para la determinación de mejoras en el proceso. El Análisis del Ciclo de Vida (ACV) se realiza de acuerdo con los requisitos establecidos en la NC ISO 14040: 2009, utilizando el Eco-indicador 99 del software Sima Pro 7.1. Los impactos ambientales se evalúan a partir de un análisis de inventario en cada una de las etapas del proceso, contabilizando las entradas y salidas de materias primas, energía y emisiones al aire, agua y suelo, para lo cual se realiza un diagrama de flujo del proceso. A partir del análisis de los flujos, se determinó que los parámetros condenatorios en el caso de los efluentes, sólo se cumple para el pH y la conductividad eléctrica, en el caso de las emisiones al aire se viola con el NO2 y SO2. Los resultados muestran que la etapa de mayor contribución se concentra en el área de generación y los productos más agresivos al ambiente son el consumo de fuel oil (80 % para la salud humana, 53 % para el ecosistema y para los recursos naturales 95 %) y el producto residual de la limpieza de los materiales de explotación (en el caso del ecosistema 35 %).

Abstract

The electricity generation process from fossil fuels its source of environmental pollution, being a current concern at developing countries. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the environmental impact of the distributed electricity generation in an 110 kV oil fuel power station using the Life Cycle Assessment method to determinate improvements in the process. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was perform according to the requirements established in the NC ISO 14040: 2009, using Eco-indicator 99 with software Sima Pro 7.1. The environmental impacts were evaluate starting from an inventory analysis in each stage of the process, accounting the inputs and outputs of raw materials, energy and emissions to the air, water and soil; a flow diagram of the process was generated for the assessment.  From the analysis of the flows, it was determined that the condemnatory parameters in the case of effluents, is only met for the pH and electrical conductivity, in the case of air emissions is violated with on the NO2 and SO2. The results, show that the stage with the greatest contribution is concentrated in the generation area, and the most aggressive products to the environment are the consumption of fuel oil (human health 80 %, ecosystem 53 % and natural resources 95 %) and the residual product of the cleaning of the exploitation materials (35 % in the case of the ecosystem).
Seguridades de las Tecnologías de la Información (TI) en el trabajo colaborativo y su aporte a la gobernanza de TI.
Authors: Valencia Vivas Gloria , Garcés Flor , Wasbrum Tinoco Wendy
Published: July 2017

El ataque de amenazas en las plataformas que se manejan a través del internet en las diferentes organizaciones es cada vez más frecuente, se derivan normalmente por motivos económicos, eludiendo las medidas de seguridad comunes. Es por ello, que en este trabajo de investigación, se hace una revisión de la literatura sobre los diferentes estudios que han surgido en los últimos años abordando factores como  seguridad, vulnerabilidad y mejora, con el fin de proporcionar una base para futuras investigaciones a ser utilizados en la mejora de la calidad y la seguridad en las organizaciones para contribuir con la gobernanza de las TI. Se concluye que hay una ausencia de monitoreo efectiva y escasez de la seguridades en la TI, por abaratar costos, causando la baja efectividad en las seguridades.

Abstract

The attack threats on platforms that are managed through the internet in different organizations is becoming more frequent, threats are usually derived for economic reasons, avoiding common security measures. That is why, in this research, a review of the literature on the various studies that have emerged in recent years addressing factors such as security, vulnerability and improved in order to provide a basis for further research to be done used in improving the quality safety organizations and contribute to the governance of IT. Finally we conclude there is an absence of effective monitoring and lack of assurance on IT to cut costs, causing low effectiveness in securities.
Non-contact micro mass evaluation method using an X-ray microscope
Authors: Kim J. , Sun G. M. , Baek H. N. , Hoang S. M. T. , Park S. A.
Published: July 2017

For the mass inspection of attached foils such as printed electrodes, mass should be measured by a non-contact method with the capacity to measure a small mass of micrograms. In this study, the masses of 1 mg to 10 mg electrodes were evaluated using an X-ray microscope. The results were compared with the masses determined by using a digital scale with a 0.005 mg error. The average of the relative error between the mass measurements using the X-ray microscope and those using the digital scale was less than 2.51%. The results show that X-ray mass evaluation method can be used for mass measurement of micro objects by replacing a digital scale.
The effect of boron dilution transient on the VVER-1000 reactor core using MCNP and COBRA-EN codes
Authors: Jafari N. , Talebi S.
Published: July 2017

In this paper, the effect of boron dilution transient, as a consequence of the malfunction of the boron control system, was investigated in a VVER-1000 reactor, and then an appropriate setpoint was determined for the actuation of the emergency protection system to the reactor shutdown. In order to simulate the boron dilution, first, the whole reactor core was simulated by MCNPX code to compute the radial and axial power distribution. Then, the COBRA-EN code was employed using calculated power distribution for analyzing the thermal-hydraulic of hot fuel assembly and for extracting the safety parameters. For the safe operation of the reactor, certain parameters must be in defined specified ranges. Comparison between our results and FSARs data shows that the present modeling provides a good prediction of boron dilution transient with the maximum relative difference about 4%.
Autonomic Cardiac Function in Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Santos Cláudia Y. , Machan Jason T. , Wu Wen-Chih , Snyder Peter J.
Published: July 2017

To explore early autonomic cardiac changes in pre-clinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we have evaluated electrocardiologic measures of vagal tone for 63 adults (ages 55–75) at rest, during cognitive testing, and then again at rest. All subjects had multiple risk factors for AD, and all completed amyloid PET scans (18F-Florbetapir) to determine amyloid positivity (Aβ+). No change in electrocardiographic measures were observed for Aβ+ participants under each testing condition, whereas Aβ–subjects showed an expected increase in vagal tone during the cognitive stress condition. These findings suggest an early relationship between cortical Aβ accumulation, a precursor to AD development, and autonomic cardiac function.
Adherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines during Dementia Work-Up in a Real-World Setting: A Study from the Registry of Dementias of Girona
Authors: Turró-Garriga Oriol , Calvó-Perxas Laia , Vilalta-Franch Joan , Hernández-Ferrándiz Marta , Flaqué Margarita , Linares Marta , Cullell Marta , Gich Jordi , Casas Isabel , Perkal Héctor , Garre-Olmo Josep ,   on behalf of the Registry of Dementia of Girona Study Group (ReDeGi Study Group)
Published: July 2017

Background:

There are several position statements and clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for diagnosing dementia.

Objective:

Our aims were to evaluate the adherence to CPG among specialists in the 7 memory clinics included in the Registry of Dementias of Girona (ReDeGi), and to compare the results between 2007–2011 and 2012–2015. We also determined the time and number of visits required to achieve a diagnosis, the supplementary tests ordered, and the drugs prescribed according to dementia subtypes.

Methods:

Medical charts of a stratified random sample of 475 ReDeGi cases were reviewed. Basic dementia work-up was evaluated using as a reference evidence-based CPG. An Index of Adherence (AI) was calculated using the following items in the medical chart: cognitive symptomatology; functional disability evaluation; physical examination; neurological examination; psychiatric examination; brief cognitive examination; activities of daily living performance examination; blood test; structural neuroimaging (CT-scan or MRI).

Results:

The mean AI to CPG among specialists was of 8.2 points, and it improved from 7.9 points in 2007–2011 to 8.5 points in 2012–2015 (Cohen’s d = 0.46). A lower adherence was detected in the most severe cases. A dementia diagnosis required 3.5 visits, regardless of the subtype of dementia, although milder cases required more time, more visits, and more supplementary tests than severe cases.

Conclusion:

The adherence to CPG in the catchment area of the ReDeGi is high, and an epidemiological surveillance system such as the ReDeGi may help in improving it. Dementia guidelines should establish procedures adapted to clinical practice, with simplified recommendations for most severe cases.
Advances in hepatoprotective medicinal plants research
Authors: Qadir Muhammad Imran , Ahmad Zara
Published: July 2017

Hepatic dysfunction is a major catastrophe that challenges the health concern researchers. Multiple factors such as biological, chemical and drug overdose are associated with liver disorders. Man-made pharmaceutical preparations, which are usually used for the treatment, further accelerate the toxification of the liver. In this situation, a great reliance has been evident on natural products which seem promising in dealing with liver diseases effectively. Plants are the basis of innate products, or dynamic constituents named as phytochemicals, which have been analyzed for their hepatoprotective potential and a review article on hepatoprotective plants was published in 2014 in Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology. After that, a number of researches have been completed to identify new hepatoprotective medicinal plants. The purpose of this review was to update the information until now.
Clinicopathologic features, management and outcome of ten cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: Hoque Md Nazmul , Mondal Samiron Kumar , Kabir Md Mohsin , Datta Indrejit Kumar , Azam M Golam , Mamoon Md Abdullah Al , Ahmed Shireen
Published: July 2017

Background and objectives: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GISTs) is an uncommon and rare disease in Bangladesh. Our aims were to describe socio-demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, anatomical location, morphological variation, treatment and outcome of GIST in ten cases.Methods: This study included consecutive ten cases of GISTs diagnosed and treated in two tertiary level hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 2013 to 2016. Patients socio-demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, anatomical location, histological types, presence of CD117 markers were determined. Outcome of the treatment by surgical intervention and imatinib mesylate (400mg/day) were evalauted.Results: Total 10 patients were included in the study. Among them 6 were male and 4 were female. The age range was 32-74 years. Abdominal pain, haematemesis, melaena, haematochezia and anaemia were the most common presentation. One patient had dysphagia and another had features of subacute intestinal obstruction. Five patients had GIST in the stomach (50%), two had in colon and one in esophagus, duodenum and ileum respectively. CD 117 was positive in 8 cases, majority had spindly type cell with low mitotic figure. Imatinib therapy was given in all the cases except two patients. Disease recurrence in the form liver metastasis was found in two cases and both died. Disease free survival for more than 2 years was observed in 4 cases.Conclusion: Haematemesis and melaena were common presentation of GISTs. Stomach was the most common site for GISTs and majority had spindle type of cells and positive CD117 marker. Surgical intervention and imatinib therapy was found effective.IMC J Med Sci 2017; 11(2): 45-49
Can OCT Angiography Be Made a Quantitative Blood Measurement Tool?
Authors: Zhu Jun , Merkle Conrad , Bernucci Marcel , Chong Shau , Srinivasan Vivek
Published: July 2017

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) refers to a powerful class of OCT scanning protocols and algorithms that selectively enhance the imaging of blood vessel lumens, based mainly on the motion and scattering of red blood cells (RBCs). Though OCTA is widely used in clinical and basic science applications for visualization of perfused blood vessels, OCTA is still primarily a qualitative tool. However, more quantitative hemodynamic information would better delineate disease mechanisms, and potentially improve the sensitivity for detecting early stages of disease. Here, we take a broader view of OCTA in the context of microvascular hemodynamics and light scattering. Paying particular attention to the unique challenges presented by capillaries versus larger supplying and draining vessels, we critically assess opportunities and challenges in making OCTA a quantitative tool.
Switched 4-to-1 Transimpedance Combining Amplifier for Receiver Front-End Circuit of Static Unitary Detector-Based LADAR System
Authors: Lee Eun-Gyu , Lee Jae-Eun , Jung Bang , Mheen Bongki , Kim Choul-Young
Published: July 2017

Laser detection and ranging (LADAR) systems are commonly used to acquire real-time three-dimensional (3D) images using the time-of-flight of a short laser pulse. A static unitary detector (STUD)-based LADAR system is a simple method for obtaining real-time high-resolution 3D images. In this study, a switched 4-to-1 transimpedance combining amplifier (TCA) is implemented as a receiver front-end readout integrated circuit for the STUD-based LADAR system. The 4-to-1 TCA is fabricated using a standard 0.18 μm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology, and it consists of four independent current buffers, a two-stage signal combiner, a balun, and an output buffer in one single integrated chip. In addition, there is a switch on each input current path to expand the region of interest with multiple photodetectors. The core of the TCA occupies an area of 92 μm × 68 μm, and the die size including I/O pads is 1000 μm × 840 μm. The power consumption of the fabricated chip is 17.8 mW for a supplied voltage of 1.8 V and a transimpedance gain of 67.5 dBΩ. The simulated bandwidth is 353 MHz in the presence of a 1 pF photodiode parasitic capacitance for each photosensitive cell.
Evaluation of Carbon-Coated Graphite as a Negative Electrode Material for Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Sharova Varvara , Moretti Arianna , Giffin Guinevere , Carvalho Diogo , Passerini Stefano
Published: July 2017

Low-cost and environmentally-friendly materials are investigated as carbon-coating precursors to modify the surface of commercial graphite for Li-ion battery anodes. The coating procedure and final carbon content are tuned to study the influence of the precursors on the electrochemical performance of graphite. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis are used to characterize the carbon coating content and the surface area, respectively, whereas X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy allow tracking of the graphite’s structural changes and surface amorphization. In general, the coating reduces the first cycle coulombic efficiency by 3%–10% compared to pristine graphite due to the increase of the surface area available for the continuous electrolyte decomposition. However, the use of citric acid as a carbon source (5 wt %) improves the rate capability of graphite, resulting in the specific delithiation capacity at 3C of 228 mAh g−1 vs. 211 mAh g−1 for the uncoated graphite. The attempt to reduce the coating amount from 5 wt % to 2 wt % results in a lower rate capability, but the first cycle coulombic efficiency is similar to that of pristine graphite.
Epithelial-to-Pericyte Transition in Cancer
Authors: Lu Jianrong , Shenoy Anitha
Published: July 2017

During epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cells lose epithelial characteristics and acquire mesenchymal properties. These two processes are genetically separable and governed by distinct transcriptional programs, rendering the EMT outputs highly heterogeneous. Our recent study shows that the mesenchymal products generated by EMT often express multiple pericyte markers, associate with and stabilize blood vessels to fuel tumor growth, thus phenotypically and functionally resembling pericytes. Therefore, some EMT events represent epithelial-to-pericyte transition (EPT). The serum response factor (SRF) plays key roles in both EMT and differentiation of pericytes, and may inherently confer the pericyte attributes on EMT cancer cells. By impacting their intratumoral location and cell surface receptor expression, EPT may enable cancer cells to receive and respond to angiocrine factors produced by the vascular niche, and develop therapy resistance.
Rapid Jatropha-Castor Biodiesel Production with Microwave Heating and a Heterogeneous Base Catalyst Nano-Ca(OH)2/Fe3O4
Authors: Chang Ken-Lin , Lin Yuan-Chung , Jhang Syu-Ruei , Cheng Way Lee , Chen Shang-Cyuan , Mao Sung-Yuan
Published: July 2017

In this study, a nano-Ca(OH)2/Fe3O4 catalyst was used to produce biodiesel from a 1:1 mixed jatropha-castor oil. By loading Ca(OH)2 onto Fe3O4 nanoparticles, it increased the specific surface area by almost 40%, which improved the catalytic activity as it provided a larger area for the reactants to interact. The main purpose of mixing jatropha oil with castor oil was to lower the viscosity of the castor oil. The transesterification reaction was carried out at elevated temperature, using a microwave heating system. Moreover, it was shown that the preferred reaction conditions are using high temperature and short reaction duration. The optimized yield of methyl ester was 95%, achieved by using a catalyst with a Ca:Fe ratio of 7:1, temperature of 65 °C, methanol/oil ratio of 12:1, and reaction time of 35 min. The catalyst was shown to be reusable, easily recyclable, and its activity was very stable. Only 2% of the catalyst was lost, and the yield was 3% lower after ten successive applications. The solid, magnetic base catalyst could be easily separated from the reaction products, unlike homogeneous catalysts.
Comparison of the Sensing Properties of ZnO Nanowalls-Based Sensors toward Low Concentrations of CO and NO2
Authors: Bruno Elena , Strano Vincenzina , Mirabella Salvo , Donato Nicola , Leonardi Salvatore , Neri Giovanni
Published: July 2017

This work focuses on the synthesis and gas sensing properties of ZnO nanowalls (ZnO NWLs) grown by a simple cheap chemical bath deposition method on a thin layer of aluminum (about 20 nm thick) printed on the Pt interdigitated electrodes area of conductometric alumina platforms. Post-deposition annealing in nitrogen atmosphere at 300 °C enabled the formation of a ZnO intertwined 2D foils network. A wide characterization was carried out to investigate the composition, morphology and microstructure of the nanowalls layer formed. The gas sensing properties of the films were studied by measuring the changes of electrical resistance upon exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in air. The sensor response to CO or NO2 was found to be strongly dependent on the operating temperature, providing a means to tailor the sensitivity and selectivity toward these selected target gases.
Global Warming and Tea Production—The Bibliometric View on a Newly Emerging Research Topic
Authors: Marx Werner , Haunschild Robin , Bornmann Lutz
Published: July 2017

In this study, we analyzed the newly emerging research field of climate change in combination with tea production. We adapted a valid search query to cover the relevant literature as completely as possible and to exclude irrelevant literature. The search resulted in a publication set of 14 key papers dealing with the implications of climate change for tea production as well as 71 papers citing at least one of the 14 key papers. The VOSviewer software was used for revealing the thematic content of the publication set based on the analysis of the keywords. The analysis illustrates the importance of climate change for tea production and mirrors the emerging discussion on climate change impacts and adaptation strategies. Questions regarding the historical context of research fields or specific research topics can be answered by using a bibliometric method called “Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy” (RPYS). The standard RPYS, as well as RPYS-CO, which is based on co-citations of a marker paper, were applied and the most important publication in the historical context of climate change in combination with tea production was identified: both RPYS analyses revealed a paper by M.A. Wijeratne working at the Tea Research Institute (TRI) in Sri Lanka as the starting point of the newly emerging research topic. Currently, the research topic is stimulated by research projects and publications of Selena Ahmed at the Montana State University (USA).
Variations of Rainfall Rhythm in Alto Pardo Watershed, Brazil: Analysis of Two Specific Years, a Wet and a Dry One, and Their Relation with the River Flow
Authors: Fontão Pedro , Zavattini João
Published: July 2017

This research aims to understand the variability and rhythm of rainfall for two specific standard-years, and their relation with the river flow of the Alto Pardo watershed, located in southeastern Brazil, and thus identify atmospheric systems that can cause extreme events, and which may be reflected in heavy rainfall, floods, or drought episodes. Therefore, the research chose to investigate the years 1983 and 1984, rainy and dry standard-years respectively in the study area, where rainfall was described and spatialized through the geostatistical method of kriging at the monthly level and the rhythmic analysis technique was applied in order to identify what weather types are usual and extreme in the area. The results indicate that a high involvement of the frontal system in the year 1983 was responsible for the episodes of greater rainfall and peak water flow, especially in stationary front episodes. The year 1984 presented low rainfall in summer, a meteorological drought during the year, and the predominance of tropical air masses in relation to the frontal systems. The comparison between the two extreme years, a wet and a dry one, made it possible to understand the frequency and the chaining of the atmospheric systems during this period for the Alto Pardo watershed.
Incompatibility Stresses and Lattice Rotations Due to Grain Boundary Sliding in Heterogeneous Anisotropic Elasticity
Authors: Richeton Thiebaud
Published: July 2017

Non-uniform grain boundary sliding can induce strain and rotation incompatibilities at perfectly planar interfaces. Explicit analytic expressions of stress and lattice rotation jumps are thus derived at a planar interface in the general framework of heterogeneous anisotropic thermo-elasticity with plasticity and grain boundary sliding. Both elastic fields are directly dependent on in-plane gradients of grain boundary sliding. It is also shown that grain boundary sliding is a mechanism that may relax incompatibility stresses of elastic, plastic and thermal origin although the latter are not resolved on the grain boundary plane. This relaxation may be a driving force for grain boundary sliding in addition to the traditionally considered local shears on the grain boundary plane. Moreover, the obtained analytic expressions are checked by different kinds of bicrystal shearing finite element simulations allowing grain boundary sliding and where a pinned line in the interface plane aims at representing the effect of a triple junction. A very good agreement is found between the analytic solutions and the finite element results. The performed simulations particularly emphasize the role of grain boundary sliding as a possible strong stress generator around the grain boundary close to the triple line because of the presence of pronounced gradients of sliding.
Advancing Point-of-Care (PoC) Testing Using Human Saliva as Liquid Biopsy
Authors: Khan Rabia , Khurshid Zohaib , Yahya Ibrahim Asiri Faris
Published: July 2017

Salivary diagnostics is an emerging field for the encroachment of point of care technology (PoCT). The necessity of the development of point-of-care (PoC) technology, the potential of saliva, identification and validation of biomarkers through salivary diagnostic toolboxes, and a broad overview of emerging technologies is discussed in this review. Furthermore, novel advanced techniques incorporated in devices for the early detection and diagnosis of several oral and systemic diseases in a non-invasive, easily-monitored, less time consuming, and in a personalised way is explicated. The latest technology detection systems and clinical utilities of saliva as a liquid biopsy, electric field-induced release and measurement (EFIRM), biosensors, smartphone technology, microfluidics, paper-based technology, and how their futuristic perspectives can improve salivary diagnostics and reduce hospital stays by replacing it with chairside screening is also highlighted.
Design and Implementation of a STATCOM Based on a Multilevel FHB Converter with Delta-Connected Configuration for Unbalanced Load Compensation
Authors: Chang Wei-Neng , Liao Ching-Huan
Published: July 2017

A delta-connected STATCOM with cascade multilevel full H-bridge (FHB) converter has been applied for phase balancing and power factor correction of unbalanced load in a three-phase, three-wire power distribution system. In this paper, a feedforward compensation formula is presented for the STATCOM by using the symmetrical components method to compensate unbalanced load. Computer simulation is performed for preliminary verification. Accordingly, a hardware prototype employing a TMS320F2812 DSP-based system is built for final verification test. Experimental results show that the proposed STATCOM is very effective for real-time unbalanced load compensation.
A New Hybrid Wind Power Forecaster Using the Beveridge-Nelson Decomposition Method and a Relevance Vector Machine Optimized by the Ant Lion Optimizer
Authors: Guo Sen , Zhao Haoran , Zhao Huiru
Published: July 2017

As one of the most promising kinds of the renewable energy power, wind power has developed rapidly in recent years. However, wind power has the characteristics of intermittency and volatility, so its penetration into electric power systems brings challenges for their safe and stable operation, therefore making accurate wind power forecasting increasingly important, which is also a challenging task. In this paper, a new hybrid wind power forecasting method, named the BND-ALO-RVM forecaster, is proposed. It combines the Beveridge-Nelson decomposition method (BND), relevance vector machine (RVM) and ant lion optimizer (ALO). Considering the nonlinear and non-stationary characteristics of wind power data, the wind power time series were firstly decomposed into deterministic, cyclical and stochastic components using BND. Then, these three decomposed components were respectively forecasted using RVM. Meanwhile, to improve the forecasting performance, the kernel width parameter of RVM was optimally determined by ALO, a new Nature-inspired meta-heuristic algorithm. Finally, the wind power forecasting result was obtained by multiplying the forecasting results of those three components. The proposed BND-ALO-RVM wind power forecaster was tested with real-world hourly wind power data from the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in China. To verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed forecaster, it was compared with single RVM without time series decomposition and parameter optimization, RVM with time series decomposition based on BND (BND-RVM), RVM with parameter optimization (ALO-RVM), and Generalized Regression Neural Network with data decomposition based on Wavelet Transform (WT-GRNN) using three forecasting performance criteria, namely MAE (Mean Absolute Error), MAPE (Mean Absolute Percentage Error) and RMSE (Root Mean Square Error). The results indicate the proposed BND-ALO-RVM wind power forecaster has the best forecasting performance of all the tested options, which confirms its validity.
Day-Ahead Market Modeling for Strategic Wind Power Producers under Robust Market Clearing
Authors: Zhao Huiru , Wang Yuwei , Zhao Mingrui , Tan Qingkun , Guo Sen
Published: July 2017

In this paper, considering real time wind power uncertainties, the strategic behaviors of wind power producers adopting two different bidding modes in day-ahead electricity market is modeled and experimentally compared. These two different bidding modes only provide a wind power output plan and a bidding curve consisting of bidding price and power output, respectively. On the one hand, to significantly improve wind power accommodation, a robust market clearing model is employed for day-ahead market clearing implemented by an independent system operator. On the other hand, since the Least Squares Continuous Actor-Critic algorithm is demonstrated as an effective method in dealing with Markov decision-making problems with continuous state and action sets, we propose the Least Squares Continuous Actor-Critic-based approaches to model and simulate the dynamic bidding interaction processes of many wind power producers adopting two different bidding modes in the day-head electricity market under robust market clearing conditions, respectively. Simulations are implemented on the IEEE 30-bus test system with five strategic wind power producers, which verify the rationality of our proposed approaches. Moreover, the quantitative analysis and comparisons conducted in our simulations put forward some suggestions about leading wind power producers to reasonably bid in market and bidding mode selections.
Integration of Degradation Processes in a Strategic Offshore Wind Farm O&M Simulation Model
Authors: Welte Thomas Michael , Sperstad Iver Bakken , Sørum Espen Høegh , Kolstad Magne Lorentzen
Published: July 2017

Decision support models for offshore wind farm operation and maintenance (O&M) are required to represent the failure behavior of wind turbine components. Detailed degradation modelling is already incorporated in models for specific components and applications. However, component degradation is only one of many effects that must be captured in high-level strategic decision support models that simulate entire wind farms. Thus, for practical applications, a trade-off is needed between detailed degradation modelling and the level of simplicity of input data representation. To this end, this paper discusses two alternative approaches for taking into account component degradation processes in strategic offshore wind farm O&M simulation models: (1) full integration of the degradation process in the O&M simulation model; and (2) loose integration where the degradation process is translated into simplified input to the O&M model. As a proof-of-concept, a Markov process for blade degradation has been considered. Simulations using the NOWIcob O&M model show that the difference between full and loose integration is small in terms of aggregated output parameters such as average wind turbine availability and O&M costs. Although loose integration models some effects less accurately than full integration, the former is more flexible and convenient, and the accuracy is for most purposes sufficient for such O&M models.
Assessment of Forest Degradation in Vietnam Using Landsat Time Series Data
Authors: Vogelmann James , Khoa Phung , Lan Do , Shermeyer Jacob , Shi Hua , Wimberly Michael , Duong Hoang , Huong Le
Published: July 2017

Landsat time series data were used to characterize forest degradation in Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. We conducted three types of image change analyses using Landsat time series data to characterize the land cover changes. Our analyses concentrated on the timeframe of 1973–2014, with much emphasis on the latter part of that range. We conducted a field trip through Lam Dong Province to develop a better understanding of the ground conditions of the region, during which we obtained many photographs of representative forest sites with Global Positioning System locations to assist us in our image interpretations. High-resolution Google Earth imagery and Landsat data of the region were used to validate results. In general, our analyses indicated that many land-use changes have occurred throughout Lam Dong Province, including gradual forest to non-forest transitions. Recent changes are most marked along the relatively narrow interfaces between agricultural and forest areas that occur towards the boundaries of the province. One important observation is that the most highly protected national reserves in the region have not changed much over the entire Landsat timeframe (1972–present). Spectral changes within these regions have not occurred at the same levels as those areas adjacent to the reserves.
The Eyes of That Cow: Eating Animals and Theorizing Vegetarianism in James Joyce’s Ulysses
Authors: Adkins Peter
Published: July 2017

At the end of the nineteenth century more than half of Ireland’s entire land surface was being used for the raising of livestock, most of which was transported through Dublin on its way to England to be slaughtered and eaten. The same period saw the development of a new social phenomena of vegetarianism amongst Ireland’s intellectuals and literary figures. This article focuses on James Joyce’s portrayal of livestock, meat and vegetarianism in Ulysses, examining how the novel engages with the politics of cattle raising, the emergence of industrialized animal slaughter and the ethics of meat eating at the turn of the twentieth century. Attending to the ways in which Joyce both historicizes and theorizes the lives of animals and the production of meat, this article places Ulysses in dialogue with recent writings on animal ethics by Jacques Derrida and J. M. Coetzee and the emergence of what is being termed “vegan studies” to suggest a vegetarian reading of Joyce’s novel.
Effect of Organic Solvents on Microalgae Growth, Metabolism and Industrial Bioproduct Extraction: A Review
Authors: Miazek Krystian , Kratky Lukas , Sulc Radek , Jirout Tomas , Aguedo Mario , Richel Aurore , Goffin Dorothee
Published: July 2017

In this review, the effect of organic solvents on microalgae cultures from molecular to industrial scale is presented. Traditional organic solvents and solvents of new generation-ionic liquids (ILs), are considered. Alterations in microalgal cell metabolism and synthesis of target products (pigments, proteins, lipids), as a result of exposure to organic solvents, are summarized. Applications of organic solvents as a carbon source for microalgal growth and production of target molecules are discussed. Possible implementation of various industrial effluents containing organic solvents into microalgal cultivation media, is evaluated. The effect of organic solvents on extraction of target compounds from microalgae is also considered. Techniques for lipid and carotenoid extraction from viable microalgal biomass (milking methods) and dead microalgal biomass (classical methods) are depicted. Moreover, the economic survey of lipid and carotenoid extraction from microalgae biomass, by means of different techniques and solvents, is conducted.
On the Problem of the Existence of a Square Matrix U Such That UUT = −I over Zpm
Authors: Han Sunghyu
Published: July 2017

Building-up construction is one of several methods for constructing self-dual codes. Recently, a new building-up construction method has been developed by S. Han, in which the existence of a square matrix U such that U U T = - I is essential. In this paper, we completely solve the existence problem for U over Z p m , where p is an arbitrary prime number.
Three Hundred and Sixty Degree Real-Time Monitoring of 3-D Printing Using Computer Analysis of Two Camera Views
Authors: Nuchitprasitchai Siranee , Roggemann Michael , Pearce Joshua
Published: July 2017

Prosumer (producing consumer)-based desktop additive manufacturing has been enabled by the recent radical reduction in 3-D printer capital costs created by the open-source release of the self-replicating rapid prototype (RepRap). To continue this success, there have been some efforts to improve reliability, which are either too expensive or lacked automation. A promising method to improve reliability is to use computer vision, although the success rates are still too low for widespread use. To overcome these challenges an open source low-cost reliable real-time optimal monitoring platform for 3-D printing from double cameras is presented here. This error detection system is implemented with low-cost web cameras and covers 360 degrees around the printed object from three different perspectives. The algorithm is developed in Python and run on a Raspberry Pi3 mini-computer to reduce costs. For 3-D printing monitoring in three different perspectives, the systems are tested with four different 3-D object geometries for normal operation and failure modes. This system is tested with two different techniques in the image pre-processing step: SIFT and RANSAC rescale and rectification, and non-rescale and rectification. The error calculations were determined from the horizontal and vertical magnitude methods of 3-D reconstruction images. The non-rescale and rectification technique successfully detects the normal printing and failure state for all models with 100% accuracy, which is better than the single camera set up only. The computation time of the non-rescale and rectification technique is two times faster than the SIFT and RANSAC rescale and rectification technique.