bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC ORGANIZATION PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT
Authors: Wargadinata Ella Lesmanawaty
Published: July 2017

Pelaksanaan pengukuran kinerja organisasi publik telah dilakukan oleh Pemerintah Indonesia sejak tahun 1999 sebagai bentuk mekanisme akuntabilitas dari organisasi pemerintah. Kebijakan ini diterapkan untuk seluruh organisasi tingkat nasional maupun organisasi  pemerintah daerah. Hasil capaian kinerja kemudian dinilai secara terbuka oleh Kementerian Penertiban Aparatur dan Reformasi Birokrasi,  berdasarkan penilaian tersebut, Pemerintah Kota Bandung selalu mendapat nilai C. Latar belakang empiris itu yang mendorong penelitian ini dilakukan, mengapa dan bagaimana proses pengukuran kinerja yang dilakukan oleh SKPD Pemerintah Kota Bandung sehingga memberi kontribusi atas rendahnya nilai laporan AKIP yang diperoleh. Penelitian ini dilakukan di 18 SKPD Kota Bandung menggunakan metode deskriptif kuantitatif,  dengan jumlah responden sebanyak 192 orang.   Penelitian ini menggunakan konsep kualitas pengukuran kinerja dari Van Dooren et al (2010). Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa indikator kualitas pengukuran kinerja yang terdiri dari validitas adalah 0,613,  nilai legitimasi 0,601 dan fungsionalitas sebesar 0,618, nilai tersebut jauh dari titik optimum yang bernilai 1,00. Penelitian menunjukan bahwa alat ukur  belum mampu mengukur secara tepat kinerja masing-masing organisasi, pengukuran belum sepenuhnya diakui  sebagai bagian penting dalam manajemen organisasi dan hasil pengukuran belum difungsikan secara optimal sebagai alat untuk meningkatkan kinerja organisasi secara berkesinambungan.
MODEL KEBIJAKAN UNTUK MENINGKATKAN LAPORAN KEMATIAN DALAM TERTIB ADMINISTRASI KEPENDUDUKAN DAN CATATAN SIPIL DI KABUPATEN BANDUNG BARAT
Authors: Mulyana Yaya , - Achdiat
Published: July 2017

Salah satu persoalan yang cukup pelik dalam Administrasi Kependudukan adalah yang berkaitan dengan Pencatatan Kematian. Kematian seseorang merupakan peristiwa hukum yang bukan perbuatan subjek hukum akan tetapi akibatnya diatur oleh hukum.  Akibat hukum yang timbul dari kematian seseorang adalah penentuan ahli waris, pembagian harta peninggalan dan perwalian.Untuk adanya tertib hukum guna melindungi hak-hak dan kewajiban ahli waris dan harta kekayaan yang ditinggalkan pewaris diperlukan regulasi mengenai peristiwa kematian tersebut. Pelaporan mengenai peristiwa kematian seseorang sangat diperlukan untuk pemeliharaan data kependudukan sehingga data yang tersaji merupakan data yang faktual. Kenyataan menunjukkan akibat tidak terekamnya data kependudukan, berkaitan dengan Kematian pada Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil, misalnya pembagian Bantuan Langsung Tunai (BLT) atau Data Pemilih Tetap (DPT) dalam Pemilu dan dengan bantuan sosial lainya menjadi bermasalah karena datanya tidak valid..Potret dan gambaran aktual pencatatan akta kematian di Kabupaten Bandung Barat masih rendah, indikasinya terlihat dari permohonan penerbitan surat kutipan akta kematian pada Dinas Kependudukan dan Catatan Sipil Kabupaten Bandung Barat, sampai akhir Bulan Mei Tahun 2015, masyarakat yang mengajukan permohonan Akta Kematian hanya sebanyak 20 orang pemohon.Penelitian ini menemukan Model kebijakan pencatatan akta kematian untuk    meningkatkan kuantitas pencatatan akta kematian di KBB,  berdasarkan SPM 70 % pada Tahun 2018 sesuai RPJM KBB 2013-2018, dengan menggunakan pendekatan model inkrimentalisme (incrementalism). Simon (Islami, 1994 : 64) menjelaskan bahwa model inkrimental ini memandang kebijakan negara sebagai suatu kelanjutan kegiatan-kegiatan pemerintah di masa lalu dengan hanya mengubahnya (modifikasi) sedikit-sedikit.
Reformas organizativas Versus Burocracia. “El caso de la Universidad ESTIA”. Organizational Reforms versus Bureaucracy “The Case of ESTIA University”
Authors: González Laskibar Xabier , Garechana Anacabe Gaizka , Cilleruelo Carrasco Ernesto , Elissalde Patxi
Published: July 2017

El presente trabajo de investigación pretende describir las características particulares de ESTIA (École Supérieur des Technologies Industrielles Avancées) y del efecto que las últimas reformas legales han podido tener en la organización y en el funcionamiento de ESTIA, así como en la satisfacción laboral de los docentes. La investigación concluye que los docentes defienden valores tradicionales que las reformas organizativas y las exigencias actuales lastiman.

Palabras claves: ESTIA; Reformas; Organización; Satisfacción docente.
Construcción Histórica del actual concepto de desarrollo sostenible. Antecedentes de problemáticas socioeconómicas y ambientales. Historical construction of the current concept of sustainable development. Background of socioeconomic and environmental ...
Authors: Hollmann María Ayelén
Published: July 2017

Este trabajo es el resultado de una investigación documental sobre la construcción histórica del actual concepto de Desarrollo Sostenible a nivel mundial, principalmente en relación a posicionamientos de diferentes ámbitos institucionales. Si bien el concepto cobra gran relevancia en la arena política internacional en el año 1992 con la Cumbre de la Tierra de Río de Janeiro, este estudio abarca el período comprendido entre fines del siglo XIX con el Movimiento Conservacionista Americano (en donde se encuentra una primera aproximación al actual concepto) y finaliza con la entrada en vigencia en enero de 2016 de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de Naciones Unidas.

Resulta fundamental analizar la creciente preocupación por la conservación ambiental así como el debate sobre la sostenibilidad de los sistemas socioeconómicos para poder desarrollar políticas y prácticas concretas en tales sentidos. En este marco, este trabajo buscó realizar una investigación de aquellos hitos que de una u otra forma participaron en la construcción de lo que se entiende en la actualidad por Desarrollo Sostenible. Si bien la construcción teórica del concepto representa un proceso extenso y complejo, la revisión y selección bibliográfica realizada intentó identificar aquellos lineamientos a nivel global más importantes en la materia.
Observational Scapular Dyskinesis: Known-Groups Validity in Patients With and Without Shoulder Pain
Authors: Plummer Hillary A. , Sum Jonathan C. , Pozzi Federico , Varghese Rini , Michener Lori A.
Published: July 2017

Study Design

Cross-sectional.

Background

The scapular dyskinesis test (SDT) has demonstrated reliability and validity, but its utility for clinical decision making is unclear.

Objectives

To characterize the prevalence of scapular dyskinesis in participants with and without shoulder pain, and to determine the influence of blinding to the presence of shoulder pain on prevalence of scapular dyskinesis.

Methods

Participants (n = 135), 67 with shoulder pain and 68 healthy controls, were included in this study. The SDT was performed by 2 examiners, from a total of 21 physical therapists. The second examiner was blinded to the participant's presence of shoulder pain. The SDT involved participants performing 5 repetitions of shoulder flexion and abduction, while the clinician observed for scapular dyskinesis, as characterized by scapular winging or dysrhythmia. Dyskinesis was rated as normal, subtle, or obvious. Ratings were collapsed into 2 groups, dyskinesis (subtle and obvious) and no dyskinesis (normal), as recommended by expert consensus.

Results

There were no significant differences for scapular dyskinesis prevalence between the shoulder pain group and control group during the SDT in abduction (shoulder pain, 67.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.55, 0.77 and control group, 52.9%; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.64; P = .09) or flexion (shoulder pain, 67.2%; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.77 and control group, 61.8%; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.72; P = .51). There were significant differences (P ≤001) between the examiners' SDT ratings in the shoulder pain group. The unblinded examiner reported a higher prevalence when testing the involved shoulder for dyskinesis in flexion (blinded, 67.7%; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.78 and unblinded, 80%; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.88) and during abduction (blinded, 66.2%; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.76 and unblinded, 78.5%; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.87).

Conclusion

Scapular dyskinesis as assessed with the SDT is not more prevalent in those with shoulder pain. Rating was influenced by an examiner's knowledge of shoulder pain presence. Scapular dyskinesis may represent normal movement variability.

Level of Evidence

Diagnosis, level 4. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(8):530–537. Epub 6 Jul 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7268
An outbreak of dengue virus (DENV) type 2 Cosmopolitan genotype in Israeli travellers returning from the Seychelles, April 2017
Authors: Lustig Yaniv , Wolf Dana , Halutz Ora , Schwartz Eli
Published: July 2017

Dengue virus infection was diagnosed in six Israeli travellers returning from the Seychelles in April 2017. Phylogenetic analysis identified identical sequences belonging to the Cosmopolitan genotype of dengue virus type 2 in all samples sequenced, thus providing evidence for a probable dengue type 2 outbreak in the Seychelles. This report further demonstrates the role of travellers as sentinels for arboviral infections, especially in countries with limited diagnostic capabilities.
Toward Improved Adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the Lake Erie Basin: Perspectives from Resilience and Agricultural Innovation Literature
Authors: Akkari Cherine , Robin Bryant Christopher
Published: July 2017

Phosphorus (P) runoff from agricultural sources is a recognized environmental problem, particularly in regions draining into Lake Erie. This problem may well be exacerbated particularly through increased magnitude and frequency of extreme climatic events (e.g., excessive precipitation and droughts). On the physical sciences side, the recent extensive literature focuses on structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) which have the potential to mitigate both surface and sub-subsurface P losses. Modeling studies show that there is still a lack of adoption of these P-related voluntary BMPs by the farmers. At the same time, and while the social sciences side of the literature on structural BMPs adoption weakly affirms the latter, this paper argues that the literature on resilience and on agricultural innovation can better inform our understanding of the limited adoption of phosphorus related structural BMPs by farmers in the Lake Erie Basin.
Phenotypic Variability Assessment of Sugarcane Germplasm (Saccharum officinarum L.) and Extraction of an Applied Mini-Core Collection
Authors: Shadmehr Atena , Ramshini Hossein , Zeinalabedini Mehrshad , Parvizi Almani Masoud , Ghaffari Mohammad , Izadi Darbandi Ali , Fooladvand Mahmoud
Published: July 2017

The sugarcane germplasm collection located in Khuzestan, Iran, is one of the most important genetic resources with valuable accessions from different continents. However, this collection has not been properly used by breeders due to the extremely large population. The aim of this study was to phenotypically characterize the sugarcane germplasm and form a mini-core collection. Hence, 13 morphological traits were evaluated on 253 accessions. The primary germplasm was grouped into 10 clusters based on partial repeated bisection (RB) data, where the smallest cluster contained three accessions from two breeding centres (USA and Cuba). Using principal component analysis (PCA), the first two PCs (principal component) explained 59.5% of the total variation. A mini-core of 21 accessions was created by using the maximization strategy, with a low mean difference percentage (MD = 2.31%) and large coincidence rate of range (CR = 93.96%). The sugarcane mini-core represented the major diversity of the primary collection. The means and medians between the mini-core and the primary collection did not differ significantly. Accessions with high sugar and cane yield, originating from the USA, Cuba, Argentina, and South Africa, were in the mini-core collection. In this paper, we established, for the first time, an applied mini-core collection in sugarcane germplasm. The mini-core collection, as a breeding collection, is a highly suitable, manageable, and efficient subset for the enhanced use of sugarcane germplasm in breeding programs.
Assigning Numerical Scores to Linguistic Expressions
Authors: Campión María , Falcó Edurne , García-Lapresta José , Induráin Esteban
Published: July 2017

In this paper, we study different methods of scoring linguistic expressions defined on a finite set, in the search for a linear order that ranks all those possible expressions. Among them, particular attention is paid to the canonical extension, and its representability through distances in a graph plus some suitable penalization of imprecision. The relationship between this setting and the classical problems of numerical representability of orderings, as well as extension of orderings from a set to a superset is also explored. Finally, aggregation procedures of qualitative rankings and scorings are also analyzed.
Quincunx Fundamental Refinable Functions in Arbitrary Dimensions
Authors: Zhuang Xiaosheng
Published: July 2017

In this paper, we generalize the family of Deslauriers–Dubuc’s interpolatory masks from dimension one to arbitrary dimensions with respect to the quincunx dilation matrices, thereby providing a family of quincunx fundamental refinable functions in arbitrary dimensions. We show that a family of unique quincunx interpolatory masks exists and such a family of masks is of real value and has the full-axis symmetry property. In dimension d = 2 , we give the explicit form of such unique quincunx interpolatory masks, which implies the nonnegativity property of such a family of masks.
Data Partitioning Technique for Improved Video Prioritization
Authors: Ali Ismail , Moiron Sandro , Fleury Martin , Ghanbari Mohammed
Published: July 2017

A compressed video bitstream can be partitioned according to the coding priority of the data, allowing prioritized wireless communication or selective dropping in a congested channel. Known as data partitioning in the H.264/Advanced Video Coding (AVC) codec, this paper introduces a further sub-partition of one of the H.264/AVC codec’s three data-partitions. Results show a 5 dB improvement in Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) through this innovation. In particular, the data partition containing intra-coded residuals is sub-divided into data from: those macroblocks (MBs) naturally intra-coded, and those MBs forcibly inserted for non-periodic intra-refresh. Interactive user-to-user video streaming can benefit, as then HTTP adaptive streaming is inappropriate and the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) codec is too energy demanding.
Overfitting Reduction of Text Classification Based on AdaBELM
Authors: Feng Xiaoyue , Liang Yanchun , Shi Xiaohu , Xu Dong , Wang Xu , Guan Renchu
Published: July 2017

Overfitting is an important problem in machine learning. Several algorithms, such as the extreme learning machine (ELM), suffer from this issue when facing high-dimensional sparse data, e.g., in text classification. One common issue is that the extent of overfitting is not well quantified. In this paper, we propose a quantitative measure of overfitting referred to as the rate of overfitting (RO) and a novel model, named AdaBELM, to reduce the overfitting. With RO, the overfitting problem can be quantitatively measured and identified. The newly proposed model can achieve high performance on multi-class text classification. To evaluate the generalizability of the new model, we designed experiments based on three datasets, i.e., the 20 Newsgroups, Reuters-21578, and BioMed corpora, which represent balanced, unbalanced, and real application data, respectively. Experiment results demonstrate that AdaBELM can reduce overfitting and outperform classical ELM, decision tree, random forests, and AdaBoost on all three text-classification datasets; for example, it can achieve 62.2% higher accuracy than ELM. Therefore, the proposed model has a good generalizability.
Developing a Hierarchical Model for the Spatial Analysis of PM10 Pollution Extremes in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area
Authors: Aguirre-Salado Alejandro , Vaquera-Huerta Humberto , Aguirre-Salado Carlos , Reyes-Mora Silvia , Olvera-Cervantes Ana , Lancho-Romero Guillermo , Soubervielle-Montalvo Carlos
Published: July 2017

We implemented a spatial model for analysing PM 10 maxima across the Mexico City metropolitan area during the period 1995–2016. We assumed that these maxima follow a non-identical generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution and modeled the trend by introducing multivariate smoothing spline functions into the probability GEV distribution. A flexible, three-stage hierarchical Bayesian approach was developed to analyse the distribution of the PM 10 maxima in space and time. We evaluated the statistical model’s performance by using a simulation study. The results showed strong evidence of a positive correlation between the PM 10 maxima and the longitude and latitude. The relationship between time and the PM 10 maxima was negative, indicating a decreasing trend over time. Finally, a high risk of PM 10 maxima presenting levels above 1000 μ g/m 3 (return period: 25 yr) was observed in the northwestern region of the study area.
Factors Associated with Bone Health in Malaysian Middle-Aged and Elderly Women Assessed via Quantitative Ultrasound
Authors: Chin Kok-Yong , Low Nie , Dewiputri Wan , Ima-Nirwanaa Soelaiman
Published: July 2017

Risk factors for osteoporosis may vary according to different populations. We aimed to investigate the relationship between risk factors of osteoporosis and bone health indices determined via calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in a group of Malaysian women aged 50 years or above. A cross-sectional study was performed on 344 Malaysian women recruited from a tertiary medical centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They answered a self-administered questionnaire on their social-demographic details, medical history, lifestyle, and physical activity status. Their height was measured using a stadiometer, and their body composition estimated using a bioelectrical impedance device. Their bone health status was determined using a water-based calcaneal QUS device that generated three indices, namely speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and stiffness index (SI). A T-score was computed from SI values using a reference database from a mainland Chinese population. Women with three or more lifetime pregnancies, who were underweight and not drinking coffee had a significantly lower BUA. Stepwise multiple linear regression showed that SOS was predicted by age alone, BUA and SI by years since menopause, body mass index (BMI), and number of lifetime pregnancies, and T-score by years since menopause and percentage of body fat. As a conclusion, suboptimal bone health in middle-aged and elderly Malaysian women as indicated by QUS is associated with old age, being underweight, having a high body fat percentage, and a high number of lifetime pregnancies. Women having several risk factors should be monitored more closely to protect their bones against accelerated bone loss.
Maternal Macronutrient Consumption and the Developmental Origins of Metabolic Disease in the Offspring
Authors: Kereliuk Stephanie , Brawerman Gabriel , Dolinsky Vernon
Published: July 2017

Recent research aimed at understanding the rise in obesity and cardiometabolic disease in children suggests that suboptimal maternal nutrition conditions organ systems and physiological responses in the offspring contributing to disease development. Understanding the mechanisms by which the macronutrient composition of the maternal diet during pregnancy or lactation affects health outcomes in the offspring may lead to new maternal nutrition recommendations, disease prevention strategies and therapies that reduce the increasing incidence of cardiometabolic disease in children. Recent mechanistic animal model research has identified how excess fats and sugars in the maternal diet alter offspring glucose tolerance, insulin signaling and metabolism. Maternal nutrition appears to influence epigenetic alterations in the offspring and the programming of gene expression in key metabolic pathways. This review is focused on experimental studies in animal models that have investigated mechanisms of how maternal consumption of macronutrients affects cardiometabolic disease development in the offspring. Future research using “-omic” technologies is essential to elucidate the mechanisms of how altered maternal macronutrient consumption influences the development of disease in the offspring.
Reply to the Letter to the Editor by A. Schwelm and S. Neuhauser: “Detection of Ribosomal DNA Sequence Polymorphisms in the Protist Plasmodiophora brassicae for the Identification of Geographical Isolates”
Authors: Laila Rawnak , Park Jong-In , Robin Arif , Yang Kiwoung , Choi Gyung , Nou Ill-Sup
Published: July 2017

The authors of Laila et al. [1] would like thank to the readers (A. Schwelm and S. Neuhauser) for submitting a letter requesting the authors to correct ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences of 11 Korean Plasmodiophora bassicae isolates at the 3'-end.[...]
Drosophila melanogaster Models of Metal-Related Human Diseases and Metal Toxicity
Authors: Calap-Quintana Pablo , González-Fernández Javier , Sebastiá-Ortega Noelia , Llorens José , Moltó María
Published: July 2017

Iron, copper and zinc are transition metals essential for life because they are required in a multitude of biological processes. Organisms have evolved to acquire metals from nutrition and to maintain adequate levels of each metal to avoid damaging effects associated with its deficiency, excess or misplacement. Interestingly, the main components of metal homeostatic pathways are conserved, with many orthologues of the human metal-related genes having been identified and characterized in Drosophila melanogaster. Drosophila has gained appreciation as a useful model for studying human diseases, including those caused by mutations in pathways controlling cellular metal homeostasis. Flies have many advantages in the laboratory, such as a short life cycle, easy handling and inexpensive maintenance. Furthermore, they can be raised in a large number. In addition, flies are greatly appreciated because they offer a considerable number of genetic tools to address some of the unresolved questions concerning disease pathology, which in turn could contribute to our understanding of the metal metabolism and homeostasis. This review recapitulates the metabolism of the principal transition metals, namely iron, zinc and copper, in Drosophila and the utility of this organism as an experimental model to explore the role of metal dyshomeostasis in different human diseases. Finally, a summary of the contribution of Drosophila as a model for testing metal toxicity is provided.
Relationship of Triamine-Biocide Tolerance of Salmonella enterica Serovar Senftenberg to Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Serum Resistance and Outer Membrane Proteins
Authors: Futoma-Kołoch Bożena , Dudek Bartłomiej , Kapczyńska Katarzyna , Krzyżewska Eva , Wańczyk Martyna , Korzekwa Kamila , Rybka Jacek , Klausa Elżbieta , Bugla-Płoskońska Gabriela
Published: July 2017

A new emerging phenomenon is the association between the incorrect use of biocides in the process of disinfection in farms and the emergence of cross-resistance in Salmonella populations. Adaptation of the microorganisms to the sub-inhibitory concentrations of the disinfectants is not clear, but may result in an increase of sensitivity or resistance to antibiotics, depending on the biocide used and the challenged Salmonella serovar. Exposure of five Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Senftenberg (S. Senftenberg) strains to triamine-containing disinfectant did not result in variants with resistance to antibiotics, but has changed their susceptibility to normal human serum (NHS). Three biocide variants developed reduced sensitivity to NHS in comparison to the sensitive parental strains, while two isolates lost their resistance to serum. For S. Senftenberg, which exhibited the highest triamine tolerance (6 × MIC) and intrinsic sensitivity to 22.5% and 45% NHS, a downregulation of flagellin and enolase has been demonstrated, which might suggest a lower adhesion and virulence of the bacteria. This is the first report demonstrating the influence of biocide tolerance on NHS resistance. In conclusion, there was a potential in S. Senftenberg to adjust to the conditions, where the biocide containing triamine was present. However, the adaptation did not result in the increase of antibiotic resistance, but manifested in changes within outer membrane proteins’ patterns. The strategy of bacterial membrane proteins’ analysis provides an opportunity to adjust the ways of infection treatments, especially when it is connected to the life-threating bacteremia caused by Salmonella species.
Application of Synthetic Layered Sodium Silicate Magadiite Nanosheets for Environmental Remediation of Methylene Blue Dye in Water
Authors: Mokhtar Mohamed
Published: July 2017

The removal of methylene blue (MB) dye from water was investigated using synthetic nano-clay magadiite (SNCM). SNCM was synthesized by a hydrothermal treatment under autogenous pressure. A rosette-shaped single mesoporous magadiite phase with 16.63 nm average crystallite size and 33 m2∙g−1 Braunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET)-surface area was recorded. The adsorption results indicated the pronounced affinity of the SNCM to the MB dye molecules, which reached an adsorption uptake of 20.0 mg MB dye/g of SNCM. The elimination of MB dye by the SNCM was kinetically and thermodynamically considered; a pseudo-second-order kinetic model was attained, and its spontaneous, chemical, and endothermic nature was verified. SNCM was shown to be robust without a detectable reduction in the adsorption capacity after up to four times re-use.
An Ab Initio and Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulation Study of Lithium Ion Diffusion on Graphene
Authors: Zhong Kehua , Yang Yanmin , Xu Guigui , Zhang Jian-Min , Huang Zhigao
Published: July 2017

The Li+ diffusion coefficients in Li+-adsorbed graphene systems were determined by combining first-principle calculations based on density functional theory with Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. The calculated results indicate that the interactions between Li ions have a very important influence on lithium diffusion. Based on energy barriers directly obtained from first-principle calculations for single-Li+ and two-Li+ adsorbed systems, a new equation predicting energy barriers with more than two Li ions was deduced. Furthermore, it is found that the temperature dependence of Li+ diffusion coefficients fits well to the Arrhenius equation, rather than meeting the equation from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy applied to estimate experimental diffusion coefficients. Moreover, the calculated results also reveal that Li+ concentration dependence of diffusion coefficients roughly fits to the equation from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a low concentration region; however, it seriously deviates from the equation in a high concentration region. So, the equation from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique could not be simply used to estimate the Li+ diffusion coefficient for all Li+-adsorbed graphene systems with various Li+ concentrations. Our work suggests that interactions between Li ions, and among Li ion and host atoms will influence the Li+ diffusion, which determines that the Li+ intercalation dependence of Li+ diffusion coefficient should be changed and complex.
The Effect of a Multiphase Microstructure on the Inverse Magnetocaloric Effect in Ni–Mn–Cr–Sn Metamagnetic Heusler Alloys
Authors: Czaja Paweł , Chulist Robert , Żywczak Antoni , Hawelek Lukasz , Przewoźnik Janusz
Published: July 2017

Two Ni–Mn–Sn alloys substituted with 0.5 and 1 at.% Cr have been studied. The first alloy shows an average composition of Ni49.6Mn37.3Cr0.7Sn12.4 (e/a = 8.107), whereas the second has a multiphase microstructure with the matrix phase of an average Ni52.4Mn32.7Cr1Sn14 composition (e/a = 8.146). Both alloys undergo a reversible martensitic phase transformation. The Ni49.6Mn37.3Cr0.7Sn12.4 alloy transforms to the martensite phase at 239 K and, under the magnetic field change of μ0·ΔH = 1.5 T, gives the magnetic entropy change equal to 7.6 J/kg·K. This amounts to a refrigerant capacity in the order of 48.6 J/kg, reducible by 29.8% due to hysteresis loss. On the other hand, the alloy with a multiphase microstructure undergoes the martensitic phase transformation at 223 K with the magnetic entropy change of 1.7 J/kg·K (1 T). Although the latter spreads over a broader temperature window in the multiphase alloy, it gives much smaller refrigerant capacity of 16.2 J/kg when compared to Ni49.6Mn37.3Cr0.7Sn12.4. The average hysteresis loss for a field change of 1.5 T in the multiphase alloy is 2.7 J/kg, reducing the effective refrigerant capacity by 16.7%. These results illustrate that the key to gaining a large effective refrigerant capacity is the synergy between the magnitude of the magnetic entropy change and its broad temperature dependence.
Phytosterols from Dunaliella tertiolecta Reduce Cell Proliferation in Sheep Fed Flaxseed during Post Partum
Authors: Ciliberti Maria , Francavilla Matteo , Intini Simona , Albenzio Marzia , Marino Rosaria , Santillo Antonella , Caroprese Mariangela
Published: July 2017

The post partum period is characterized by immunosuppression and increased disease susceptibility. Both phytosterols from microalga Dunaniella tertiolecta and dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) influence cell proliferation and cytokine release during inflammation. The objective of this paper was the evaluation of the effects of physterols, extracted and purified from D. tertiolecta, on the in vitro immune responses of ewes supplemented with flaxseed during post partum. Twenty Comisana parturient ewes were divided in two balanced groups, and supplemented with flaxseed (FS, 250 g/day) or fed with a conventional diet (CON). Blood samples (15 mL) were collected for five weeks, starting from lambing, in order to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Stimulated PBMC were treated with a total sterols fraction from D. tertiolecta (TS), a mix of ergosterol and 7-dehydroporiferasterol (purified extract, PE), and a mix of acetylated ergosterol and 7-dehydroporiferasterol (acetylated purified extract, AcPE), extracted and purified from D. tertiolecta at two concentrations (0.4 and 0.8 mg/mL). Results of the experiment demonstrated that n-3 PUFA from flaxseed induced an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile, with an increase of both IL-10, IL-6 and a decrease of IL-1β. TS, PE, and AcPE purified from D. tertiolecta showed an anti-proliferative effect on sheep PBMC regardless their chemical composition and concentration.
High-Temperature Tempered Martensite Embrittlement in Quenched-and-Tempered Offshore Steels
Authors: Yen Hung-Wei , Chiang Meng-Hsuan , Lin Yu-Chen , Chen Delphic , Huang Ching-Yuan , Lin Hsin-Chih
Published: July 2017

Embrittlement induced by high-temperature tempering was investigated in two quenched-and-tempered offshore steels. Electron backscattering diffraction and analysis of Kernel average misorientation were applied to study the coalescence of martensite; transmission Kikuchi diffraction coupled with compositional mapping was used to characterize the martensite/austenite (M/A) phases. It is suggested that the formation of lenticular martensite along prior austenite grain boundaries or packet boundaries primarily explains the embrittlement in conventional S690Q steel, which has a higher carbon content. This embrittlement can be cured by additional heat treatment to decompose martensite into ferrite and cementite. In a newly designed NiCu steel with reduced carbon content, new lath martensite formed along interlath or inter-block boundaries of prior martensite. This microstructure is less detrimental to the impact toughness of the steel.
Failure Assessment of Steel/CFRP Double Strap Joints
Authors: Majidi Hamid , Razavi Seyed , Berto Filippo
Published: July 2017

In the current study, the failure behavior of retrofitted steel structures was studied experimentally and theoretically with steel/carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) double strap joints (DSJs) under quasi-static tensile loading. A series of DSJs with different bonding lengths are also considered and examined to experimentally assess the effective bond length. To predict the failure load values of the tested specimens, a new stress-based method, namely the point stress (PS) method is proposed. Although some theoretical predictive modelling for the strength between steel/CFRP joints under various loading conditions has been presented, in this work by using the new proposed approach, one can calculate rapidly and conveniently the failure loads of the steel/CFRP specimens. Furthermore, to assess the validity of the new proposed method, further experimental data on steel/CFRP DSJs available in the open literature are predicted using the PS method. Finally, it was found that a good agreement exists between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions based on the PS method.
Operational Decision Support for Material Management in Continuous Mining Systems: From Simulation Concept to Practical Full-Scale Implementations
Authors: Shishvan Masoud , Benndorf Jörg
Published: July 2017

Material management in opencast mines is concerned with planning, organizing, and control of the flow of materials from their extraction points to destinations. It can be strongly affected by operational decisions that have to be made during the production process. To date, little research has focused on the application of simulation modeling as a powerful supportive tool for decision making in such systems. Practical experiences from implementing a simulation model of a mine for the operational support on an industrial scale are not known to the authors. This paper presents the extension of a developed stochastic simulation model by the authors from a conceptual stage (TRL4) to a new Technology Readiness Level (TRL 6) by implementing it in an industrially relevant environment. A framework for modeling, simulation, and validation of the simulation model applied to two large opencast lignite mines is presented in detail. Operational implementation issues, experiences, and challenges in practical applications are discussed. Furthermore, the strength of applying the simulation modeling as an operational decision support for material management in coal mining is demonstrated. Results of the case studies are used to describe the details of the framework, and to illustrate the strength and limitations of its application.
Substituted Caffeic and Ferulic Acid Phenethyl Esters: Synthesis, Leukotrienes Biosynthesis Inhibition, and Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Morin Pier , St-Coeur Patrick-Denis , Doiron Jérémie , Cormier Marc , Poitras Julie , Surette Marc , Touaibia Mohamed
Published: July 2017

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor that correlates with short patient survival and for which therapeutic options are limited. Polyphenolic compounds, including caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE, 1a), have been investigated for their anticancer properties in several types of cancer. To further explore these properties in brain cancer cells, a series of caffeic and ferulic acid esters bearing additional oxygens moieties (OH or OCH3) were designed and synthesized. (CAPE, 1a), but not ferulic acid phenethyl ester (FAPE, 1b), displayed substantial cytotoxicity against two glioma cell lines. Some but not all selected compounds derived from both (CAPE, 1a) and (FAPE, 1b) also displayed cytotoxicity. All CAPE-derived compounds were able to significantly inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), however FAPE-derived compounds were largely ineffective 5-LO inhibitors. Molecular docking revealed new hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions between the enzyme and some of the investigated compounds. Overall, this work highlights the relevance of exploring polyphenolic compounds in cancer models and provides additional leads in the development of novel therapeutic strategies in gliomas.
Recent Advances in Magnetic Microfluidic Biosensors
Authors: Giouroudi Ioanna , Kokkinis Georgios
Published: July 2017

The development of portable biosening devices for the detection of biological entities such as biomolecules, pathogens, and cells has become extremely significant over the past years. Scientific research, driven by the promise for miniaturization and integration of complex laboratory equipment on inexpensive, reliable, and accurate devices, has successfully shifted several analytical and diagnostic methods to the submillimeter scale. The miniaturization process was made possible with the birth of microfluidics, a technology that could confine, manipulate, and mix very small volumes of liquids on devices integrated on standard silicon technology chips. Such devices are then directly translating the presence of these entities into an electronic signal that can be read out with a portable instrumentation. For the aforementioned tasks, the use of magnetic markers (magnetic particles—MPs—functionalized with ligands) in combination with the application of magnetic fields is being strongly investigated by research groups worldwide. The greatest merits of using magnetic fields are that they can be applied either externally or from integrated microconductors and they can be well-tuned by adjusting the applied current on the microconductors. Moreover, the magnetic markers can be manipulated inside microfluidic channels by high gradient magnetic fields that can in turn be detected by magnetic sensors. All the above make this technology an ideal candidate for the development of such microfluidic biosensors. In this review, focus is given only to very recent advances in biosensors that use microfluidics in combination with magnetic sensors and magnetic markers/nanoparticles.
Administration of Inulin-Supplemented Gluten-Free Diet Modified Calcium Absorption and Caecal Microbiota in Rats in a Calcium-Dependent Manner
Authors: Krupa-Kozak Urszula , Markiewicz Lidia , Lamparski Grzegorz , Juśkiewicz Jerzy
Published: July 2017

In coeliac disease (CD), the risk of adverse calcium balance and reduced bone density is induced mainly by the disease, but also by a gluten-free diet (GFD), the only accepted CD therapy. Prebiotics through the beneficial impact on intestinal microbiota may stimulate calcium (Ca) absorption. In the present study, we hypothesised that the dietary inulin in GFD would influence positively the intestinal microbiota, and by that will stimulate the absorption of calcium (Ca), especially in the conditions of Ca malnutrition. In a six-weeks nutritional experiment on growing a significant (p < 0.05) luminal acidification, decrease in ammonia concentration and stimulation of short chain fatty acids formation indicated inulin-mediated beneficial effects on the caecal microbiota. However, the effect of inulin on characteristics of intestinal microbiota and mineral utilization depended on the dietary Ca intake from GFDs. Inulin stimulated bifidobacteria, in particular B. animalis species, only if a recommended amount of Ca was provided. Most benefits to mineral utilization from inulin consumption were seen in rats fed Ca-restricted GFD where it increased the relative Ca absorption. Administration of inulin to a GFDs could be a promising dietary strategy for beneficial modulation of intestinal ecosystem and by that for the improvement the Ca absorption.
Effect of Nanofibrillated Cellulose Content on the Temperature and Near Infrared Responses of Polyvinyl Butyral Nanofibers-Containing Bilayer Hydrogel System
Authors: Zhao Qian , Ning Luping , Liang Yunhong , Zhang Zhihui , Ren Luquan
Published: July 2017

A novel kind of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) reinforced polyvinyl butyral (PVB) nanofibers-containing bilayer hydrogel system was successfully fabricated via the combination of a one-step, in-situ, free radical polymerization and electrospinning. The hydrogel owned high mechanical strength, thermoresponsive, and near infrared bending/unbending properties. The cross-linking density of hydrogels enhanced along with the increase of NFC content. The addition of NFC and PVB nanofibers presented tiny influence on the variation of chemical bond and volume phase transition temperature. The combination between NFC and PVB nanofibers enhanced the mechanical strength and decreased the strain value, which built the base for high bonding strength of two layers and efficient thermoresponsive and near infrared responses. With the increase of NFC content, the bending degree became smaller. The bilayer hydrogel dimensions affected the deformation degree. Bilayer hydrogels with different NFC content own different deformation abilities, which can be designed as different parts of soft actuators and provide superior performance to satisfy various practical application demands.
Fusion of Multispectral Imagery and Spectrometer Data in UAV Remote Sensing
Authors: Zeng Chuiqing , King Douglas J. , Richardson Murray , Shan Bo
Published: July 2017

Abstract: High spatial resolution hyperspectral data often used in precision farming applications are not available from current satellite sensors, and difficult or expensive to acquire from standard aircraft. Alternatively, in precision farming, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are emerging as lower cost and more flexible means to acquire very high resolution imagery. Miniaturized hyperspectral sensors have been developed for UAVs, but the sensors, associated hardware, and data processing software are still cost prohibitive for use by individual farmers or small remote sensing firms. This study simulated hyperspectral image data by fusing multispectral camera imagery and spectrometer data. We mounted a multispectral camera and spectrometer, both being low cost and low weight, on a standard UAV and developed procedures for their precise data alignment, followed by fusion of the spectrometer data with the image data to produce estimated spectra for all the multispectral camera image pixels. To align the data collected from the two sensors in both the time and space domains, a post-acquisition correlation-based global optimization method was used. Data fusion, to estimate hyperspectral reflectance, was implemented using several methods for comparison. Flight data from two crop sites, one being tomatoes, and the other corn and soybeans, were used to evaluate the alignment procedure and the data fusion results. The data alignment procedure resulted in a peak R2 between the spectrometer and camera data of 0.95 and 0.72, respectively, for the two test sites. The corresponding multispectral camera data for these space and time offsets were taken as the best match to a given spectrometer reading, and used in modelling to estimate hyperspectral imagery from the multispectral camera pixel data. Of the fusion approaches evaluated, principal component analysis (PCA) based models and Bayesian imputation reached a similar accuracy, and outperformed simple spline interpolation. Mean absolute error (MAE) between predicted and observed spectra was 17% relative to the mean of the observed spectra, and root mean squared error (RMSE) was 0.028. This approach to deriving estimated hyperspectral image data can be applied in a simple fashion at very low cost for crop assessment and monitoring within individual fields.
Overview of Single-Molecule Speckle (SiMS) Microscopy and Its Electroporation-Based Version with Efficient Labeling and Improved Spatiotemporal Resolution
Authors: Yamashiro Sawako , Watanabe Naoki
Published: July 2017

Live-cell single-molecule imaging was introduced more than a decade ago, and has provided critical information on remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton, the motion of plasma membrane proteins, and dynamics of molecular motor proteins. Actin remodeling has been the best target for this approach because actin and its associated proteins stop diffusing when assembled, allowing visualization of single-molecules of fluorescently-labeled proteins in a state specific manner. The approach based on this simple principle is called Single-Molecule Speckle (SiMS) microscopy. For instance, spatiotemporal regulation of actin polymerization and lifetime distribution of actin filaments can be monitored directly by tracking actin SiMS. In combination with fluorescently labeled probes of various actin regulators, SiMS microscopy has contributed to clarifying the processes underlying recycling, motion and remodeling of the live-cell actin network. Recently, we introduced an electroporation-based method called eSiMS microscopy, with high efficiency, easiness and improved spatiotemporal precision. In this review, we describe the application of live-cell single-molecule imaging to cellular actin dynamics and discuss the advantages of eSiMS microscopy over previous SiMS microscopy.
Velocity Obstacle Based 3D Collision Avoidance Scheme for Low-Cost Micro UAVs
Authors: Choi Myungwhan , Rubenecia Areeya , Shon Taeshik , Choi Hyo
Published: July 2017

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) must be able to safely reach its destination even, when it can only gather limited information about its environment. When an obstacle is detected, the UAV must be able to choose a path that will avoid collision with the obstacle. For the collision avoidance scheme, we apply the velocity obstacle approach since it is applicable even with the UAV’s limited sensing capability. To be able to apply the velocity obstacle approach, we need to know the parameter values of the obstacle such as its size, current velocity and current position. However, due to the UAV’s limited sensing capability, such information about the obstacle is not available. Thus, by evaluating sensor readings, we get the changes in the possible positions of the obstacle in order to generate the velocity obstacle and make the UAV choose a collision-free trajectory towards the destination. We performed simulation on different obstacle movements and the collision-free trajectory of the UAV is shown in the simulation results.
The Low-Carbon Transition toward Sustainability of Regional Coal-Dominated Energy Consumption Structure: A Case of Hebei Province in China
Authors: Ou Xunmin , Yuan Zhiyi , Peng Tianduo , Sun Zhenqing , Zhou Sheng
Published: July 2017

CO2 emission resulted from fossil energy use is threatening human sustainability globally. This study focuses on the low-carbon transition of Hebei’s coal-dominated energy system by estimating its total end-use energy consumption, primary energy supply and resultant CO2 emission up to 2030, by employing an energy demand analysis model based on setting of the economic growth rate, industrial structure, industry/sector energy consumption intensity, energy supply structure, and CO2 emission factor. It is found that the total primary energy consumption in Hebei will be 471 and 431 million tons of coal equivalent (tce) in 2030 in our two defined scenarios (conventional development scenario and coordinated development scenario), which are 1.40 and 1.28 times of the level in 2015, respectively. The resultant full-chain CO2 emission will be 1027 and 916 million tons in 2030 in the two scenarios, which are 1.24 and 1.10 times of the level in 2015, respectively. The full-chain CO2 emission will peak in about 2025. It is found that the coal-dominated situation of energy structure and CO2 emission increasing trend in Hebei can be changed in the future in the coordinated development scenario, in which Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area coordinated development strategy will be strengthened. The energy structure of Hebei can be optimised since the proportion of coal in total primary energy consumption can fall from around 80% in 2015 to below 30% in 2030 and the proportions of transferred electricity, natural gas, nuclear energy and renewable energy can increase rapidly. Some specific additional policy instruments are also suggested to support the low-carbon transition of energy system in Hebei under the framework of the coordinated development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area, and with the support from the central government of China.