bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preadmission predictors of graduation success from a physical therapy education program in the United States
Authors: Roman Gretchen , Buman Matthew Paul
Published: February 2019

Purpose: The field of physical therapy education is seeking an evidence-based approach for admitting qualified applicants, as previous research has assessed various outcomes, impeding practical application. This study was conducted to identify preadmission criteria predictive of graduation success. Methods: Data from the 2013–2016 graduating cohorts (n=149) were collected. Predictors included verbal Graduate Record Examination rank percentile (VGRE%), quantitative GRE rank percentile, and analytical GRE rank percentile, the admissions interview, precumulative science grade point average (SGPA), precumulative grade point average (UGPA), and a reflective essay. The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and grade point average at the time of graduation (GGPA) were used as measures of graduation success. Two separate mixed-effects models determined the associations of preadmission predictors with NPTE performance and GGPA. Results: The NPTE model fit comparison showed significant results (degrees of freedom [df]=10, P=0.001), decreasing within-cohort variance by 59.5%. NPTE performance were associated with GGPA (β=125.21, P=0.001), and VGRE%, the interview, the essay, and GGPA (P≤0.001) impacted the model fit. The GGPA model fit comparison did not show significant results (df=8, P=0.56), decreasing within-cohort variance by 16.4%. The GGPA was associated with the interview (β=0.02, P=0.04) and UGPA (β=0.25, P=0.04), and VGRE%, the interview, UGPA, and the essay (P≤0.02) impacted model fit. Conclusion: In our findings, GGPA predicted NPTE performance, and the interview and UGPA predicted GGPA. Unlike past evidence, SGPA showed no predictive power. The essay and VGRE% warrant attention because of their influence on model fit. We recommend that admissions ranking matrices place a greater weight on the interview, UGPA, VGRE%, and essay.
Participación de los lectores/usuarios en los medios digitales. El caso de eltiempo.com, elespectador.com, semana.com y lasillavacia.com
Authors: Acebedo Restrepo Juan Carlos
Published: February 2019

Asistimos a un despliegue heterogéneo y a menudo contradictorio de valoraciones sobre el papel del usuario en el contexto del periodismo digital interactivo: desde la noción de que estos son el “motor principal” de la labor de un medio y por tanto están en el centro de su proyecto periodístico, hasta la idea de que simplemente se incorporan como una fuente adicional a las que por tradición se venían cotejando, pasando por el criterio de que los contenidos autogenerados por los usuarios serían un mero indicador de temáticas de interés para los lectores, que luego pueden ser apropiadas por periodistas para darles un cabal desarrollo. En el artículo se plantea el concepto de interactividad desde varios autores. Se describen las interacciones de los lectores / usuarios con los contenidos de los medios digitales estudiados y las que suceden entre estos y otros sujetos (los periodistas, los directivos del medio, los personajes o fuentes de la información, otros lectores, etc.). Se indica que para habilitar esta interacción se utilizan especialmente los foros de los lectores, de video streaming, “videocomentario” y video on demand. Finalmente, se proponen una serie de preguntas de las cuales podrían partir otros análisis de este tipo: ¿Qué lugar debe tener el lector/usuario en el proyecto periodístico de los medios digitales? ¿Si se le otorga un lugar central al usuario en dicho proyecto, qué implicaciones tiene esto para las prácticas periodísticas y la identidad profesional? ¿Es posible conservar intacta en los medios online la concepción de los medios y los periodistas como filtros inapelables de la información (gatekeeping)?
KEBIJAKAN HUKUM OTONOMI DAERAH DALAM PERSPEKTIF KESEJAHTERAAN SOSIAL PMKS PROVINSI KALIMANTAN TIMUR (REGIONAL AUTONOMY LAW POLICY PERSPECTIVE IN SOCIAL WELFARE PMKS OF EAST KALIMANTAN PROVINCE)
Authors: Pulungan Muhammad Soleh
Published: February 2019

Abstrak

Indonesia merdeka telah mencapai usia ke-72 tahun (1945-2017), tetapi  tujuan nasional yakni mencerdaskan kehidupan bangsa dan mewujudkan kesejahteraan rakyat belum dapat diwujudkan, sehingga kesenjangan sosial masih cukup tinggi. Tujuan penelitian yakni; (1). Untuk menganalisis bagaimana prinsip-prinsip kebijakan otonomi daerah dalam Penyelenggaraan Kesejahteraan Sosial PMKS. (2). Untuk menganalisis konsep Pemerintah mewujudkan Negara Kesejahteraan (welfare state) di Indonesia. (3). Untuk menganalisis kebijakan hukum daerah dalam implementasi Kesejahteraan Sosial di Kalimantan Timur. Metode Penelitian bersifat penelitian hukum normatif, yang menitik beratkan pada obyek penelitian pada Peraturan Perudang-undangan. Hasil Penelitian; Prinsip-prinsip kebijakan otonomi daerah dalam mendukung pengaturan kesejahteraan sosial bagi PMKS, telah diatur pada Undang-Undang No. 11 Tahun 2009 tentang Kesejahteraan Sosial jo. PP. No. 39 Tahun 2012 tentang Penyelenggaraan Kesejahteraan Sosial. Tetapi pada implementasinya tidak berjalan sesuai dengan ketentuan regulasi yang mengaturnya. Hal ini karena tidak didukung oleh kultur hukum masyarakat, serta pemberdayaan PMKS yang berjalan lambat, dan jumlah PMKS yang terus meningkat. Untuk menyelenggarakan kesejahteraan sosial PMKS yang lebih baik, seyogianya di Kalimantan Timur segera dibentuk Peraturan Daerah yang lebih spesifik mengatur persoalan PMKS yakni tiga kategori; kemiskinan, praktek prostitusi dan penyalahgunaan narkoba. Perda tersebut hendaknya lebih fokus terhadap pemberdayaan dan perlindungan terhadap PMKS, sehingga penanganan PMKS dapat berjalan secara simultan dalam rangka mewujukan Kesejahteraan Sosial bagi seluruh  rakyat Indonesia. 

Kata Kunci: otonomi, kesejahteraan, PMKS, undang-undang, sosial.
Membentuk karakter peserta didik melalui model pembelajaran search, solve, create, and share
Authors: Assidiqi Hasby
Published: February 2019

Matematika merupakan ilmu universal yang mendasari perkembangan sains dan teknologi, mempunyai peran penting dalam berbagai disiplin ilmu dan memajukan daya pikir manusia. Oleh karena itu, pembelajaran matematika harus dirancang dengan baik sedemikian sehingga dapat digunakan sebagai wahana dalam meningkatkan kemampuan akademis dan membentuk karakter positif peserta didik. Salah satu model pembelajaran yang dapat mengakomodasi ranah tersebut, yaitu model pembelajaran Search, Solve, Create, and Share (SSCS).
Pengembangan perangkat penilaian autentik untuk pembelajaran matematika di kelas VIII semester 1
Authors: Ferita Rolina Amriyanti
Published: February 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menghasilkan perangkat penilaian autentik untuk pembelajaran matematika di kelas VII semester 1 yang autentik, reliabel dan valid meliputi instrumen dengan kompetensi dasar bilangan bulat, garis dan sudut, serta rasio dan perbandingan untuk penilaian KI 1, KI 2, KI 3, dan KI 4 berupa: indikator, instrumen penilaian, dan rubrik penilaian. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian pengembangan (research & development). Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan model pengembangan Plomp (2010) tiga tahap pengembangan yaitu preliminary research, prototyping phase, dan assessment phase. Aspek reliabilitas dari uji coba lapangan. Aspek kevalidan perangkat pembelajaran ditinjau dari penilaian para ahli. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa untuk aspek penilaian autentik berupa aspek konteks dan tugas memperoleh kategori baik, sedangkan aspek peserta didik dan indikator memperoleh kategori sangat baik. Perangkat yang dikembangkan juga telah memenuhi taraf konsistensi dan reliabilitas, dengan hasil penilaian kualitas oleh ahli memperoleh kategori valid.
Bentuk-bentuk geometris pada pola kerajinan anyaman sebagai kearifan lokal di kabupaten Barito Kuala
Authors: Royani Muhammad , Agustina Winda
Published: February 2019

Indonesia memiliki ragam budaya yang khas. Di antara wujud kebudayaan tersebut adalah adanya hasil fisik berupa aktivitas perbuatan dan semua karya manusia dalam masyarakat. Kabupaten Barito Kuala memiliki wujud kebudayaan yang khas, yaitu kerajinan anyaman. Masyarakat setempat memanfaatkan tanaman purun untuk dijadikan bahan pembuatan kerajinan anyaman dengan pertimbangan bahwa purun adalah tanaman yang mudah ditemukan di rawa karena tumbuh liar dan tekstur seratnya yang kuat. Dibutuhkan keterampilan untuk menghasilkan anyaman yang memiliki nilai nilai estetika dan nilai ekonomis tinggi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode kualitatif deskriptif. Data bersumber dari pengrajin anyaman purun di Kabupaten Barito Kuala. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis data kualitatif model Miles, yaitu interaktif dan berlangsung terus menerus sampai tuntas sehingga data menjadi jenuh. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan beberapa motif anyaman purun memiliki bentuk geometri bangun datar, yaitu mata punai dan tapak catur berbentuk persegi, motif saluang mudik berbentuk jajargenjang, motif ramak cangkih berbentuk persegi panjang, motif gigi haruan berbentuk segitiga, dan motif anyam badiri dan anyam barabah menggambarkan susunan garis-garis sejajar. Selain itu, anyaman purun memiliki nilai estetika yang berdampak pada munculnya nilai ekonomi sejalan dengan tingginya kebutuhan masyarakat akan barang-barang yang dihasilkan dari anyaman purun.
Etnomatematika dalam ragam hias melayu
Authors: Wahyuni Astri , Pertiwi Surgawi
Published: February 2019

Budaya merupakan aset yang paling berharga yang dimiliki oleh suatu bangsa. Sehingga perlu dikelola secara bersama-sama dengan satu pemikiran. Serta dapat memberikan hasil yang bagus secara positif. Baik secara fisik maupun non fisik. Pendidikan merupakan pewarisan budaya bagi generasi muda dan proses pengembangan budaya bangsa untuk meningkatkan kualitas kehidupan masyarakat dan bangsa di masa mendatang.  Oleh karena itu, pendidikan dan budaya merupakan suatu satu kesatuan yang utuh yang tidak dapat dipisahkan. Etnomatematika merupakan salah satu bentuk strategi pembelajaran matematika yang mengaitkan kearifan budaya lokal dalam pembelajaran matematika. Melalui etnomatematika konsep-konsep matematika dapat dikembangkan dalam praktek-praktek budaya. Dengan demikian  diharapkan peserta didik dapat mengetahui bagaimana budaya mereka terkait dengan metematika. Unsur budaya yang dapat dikembangkan dan digunakan dalam pembelajaran matematika adalah ragam hias melayu. Ragam hias melayu merupakan unsur budaya yang berasal dari Riau dan berkembang di lingkungan masyarakat Riau
Penerapan pendekatan model eliciting activities (MEAS) untuk meningkatkan pemahaman konsep matematika SMP
Authors: Ferdiani Rosita Dwi
Published: February 2019

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah meningkatkan pemahaman konsep pada materi SPLDV SMP. Konsep merupakan suatu obyek penting dalam matematika. Berdasarkan observasi yang dilakukan di SMP Islam PGRI Sumber Pitu, Kec. Tutur,  Pasuruan kelas VIII A, didapat kesimpulan bahwa terdapat 11 anak dari 28 anak yang belum memahami konsep tentang persamaan linier dua variabel. Penggunaan Pendekatan Model Eliciting Activities (MEAs) dalam pembelajaran merupakan solusi untuk membantu peserta didik  dalam memahami konsep. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian tindakan kelas secara kolaboratif yang dilakukan untuk memahamkan konsep peserta didik SMP Islam PGRI Sumber Pitu, Kec. Tutur. Hasil penelitian ini adalah meningkatnya pemahaman siswa dari tindakan I ke tindakan II. Hal ini terbukti dengan adanya peningkatan pemahaman siswa dari tes tindakan 1 ke tes tindakan 2. Berdasarkan hasil tes yang dilaksanakan pada tindakan 1 yang berjumlah 18 dari 28 peserta didik mencapai kategori cukup paham dengan rata- rata perolehan skor yaitu 6. Berdasarkan hasil tes yang dilaksanakan pada tindakan II yang berjumlah 24 dari 28 peserta didik mencapai kategori paham dengan rata – rata skor 8.
Pengembangan perangkat pembelajaran visual thinking disertai aktivitas quick on the draw pada mata kuliah metode numerik
Authors: Aini Septi Dariyatul , Irawati Sri
Published: February 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menghasilkan perangkat pembelajaran mata kuliah metode numerik semester genap dengan pembelajaran visual thinking disertai aktivitas quick on the draw pada hasil belajar mahasiswa. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian pengembangan model ADDIE (Analysis; Design; Development; Implementation; Evaluation). Subjek penelitian ini adalah dosen dan mahasiswa kelas A semester IV Pendidikan Matematika Universitas Madura. Penelitian ini menghasilkan perangkat pembelajaran berupa RPM, LKM, dan THB. Dari hasil validasi ahli, skor observasi aktivitas dosen dan mahasiswa, tes hasil belajar, dan angket respon mahasiswa menunjukkan bahwa RPM, LKM, dan THB adalah valid, praktis, dan efektif. Dinyatakan valid karena koefisien validitas RPM, LKM, dan THB memiliki nilai rata-rata 3,79. Praktis karena rata-rata skor aktivitas dosen dan mahasiswa berturut-turut sebesar 3,78 (sangat baik) dan 3,38 (baik). Dan efektif karena respon mahasiswa 84,76% (positif); dan hasil tes sebesar 85,71% (tuntas secara klasikal).
Pembelajaran dengan pendekatan Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) dan problem posing ditinjau dari kemandirian belajar siswa SMPN 4 Banjarbaru
Authors: Asy'ari Asy'ari , Rahimah Nonong
Published: February 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui proses dan hasil belajar pembelajaran Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) dan  Problem Posing pada pembelajaran matematika ditinjau dari kemandirian belajar siswa. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimental semu dengan desain faktorial 3 3. Populasi dari penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa kelas VIII SMPN 4 Banjarbaru Tahun Ajaran 2016/2017. Sampel dalam penelitian ini berjumlah  87 orang dengan rincian 29 orang untuk kelas eksperimen 1 dan 28 orang untuk kelas eksperimen 2 dan 30 orang untuk kelas kontrol. Instrumen yang digunakan untuk mengumpulkan data adalah tes hasil belajar matematika dan angket kemandirian belajar siswa. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah uji  ANOVA dua jalan dengan sel tak sama. Berdasarkan uji hipotesis, diperoleh kesimpulan bahwa hasil belajar siswa yang diberi perlakuan model pembelajaran Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) sama baiknya dengan hasil belajar siswa yang diberi perlakuan model pembelajaran Problem Posing. Selain itu, hasil belajar siswa yang diberi perlakuan model pembelajaran Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) dan  Problem Posing lebih baik dari hasil belajar siswa yang diberi perlakuan model pembelajaran konvensional.
WOJNA HYBRYDOWA - ZJAWISKO NOWE CZY EWOLUCJA STAREGO
Authors: Flis Józef
Published: February 2019

Znane porzekadło mówi, że największym błędem generałów (chyba nie tylko)
jest przygotowywanie się do minionej wojny. Rzeczywiście historia dostarcza
na to wiele dowodów. Kierując się gorzkimi doświadczeniami przeszłości naturalna i oczywista staje się potrzeba dogłębnego studiowania nie tylko minionych, ale właśnie ewentualnych przyszłych konfliktów zbrojnych we wszystkich
ich aspektach: przyczyn wybuchu, charakteru fazy początkowej, przebiegu,
rodzaju użytych sił i środków, sposobu ich użycia i wielu innych aspektów charakterystycznych dla tak złożonego zjawiska jakim jest odwiecznie konflikt międzynarodowy o charakterze polityczno-militarnym. W ciągu ostatnich kilku lat
na dobre zadomowiło się w terminologii politycznej i wojskowej pojęcie „wojna hybrydowa”. Ma to niewątpliwy związek z charakterem konfliktów zbrojnych, jakie miały lub mają miejsce w wielu rejonach świata od początku XXI
wieku. Ich przyczyny, cele, sposób prowadzenia, czas trwania, używane siły i
środki są niezwykle różnorodne. Należy jednak pamiętać, że wszystkie wcześniejsze konflikty zbrojne były niezwykle złożoną kombinacją wszystkich tych
elementów, które decydują o takim a nie innym charakterze wojny i niezwykle
trudno wskazać wojnę, którą można byłoby uznać za „klasyczną”. Jakie więc
nowe czynniki decydują o tym, że współcześnie nie mówi się po prostu o wojnie
a o wojnie hybrydowej? Czy sięganie po pojęcie „wojna hybrydowa” to próby
poszukiwania nowej teorii walki i wojny, czy też pojęcie używane post fatum w celu wskazania całej złożoności konfliktu, który już zaistniał? Te i inne pytania
wskazują kierunek rozważań podjętych w ramach podjętego tematu.
Cough-Induced Spontaneous Rıb Fracture
Authors: KUZUCUOĞLU Mustafa
Published: February 2019

A thirty eight year old female
patient presented to our clinic with the complaint of chest pain. She had no
history of a known trauma. She had had intense coughing for a month. Physical
examination revealed fractures in two of her ribs. Spontaneous rib fracture, a
rare pathology, has been presented here with a case.
Sağlık Uygulamalarında Defansif Tıp
Authors: ALTINDİŞ Selma , COŞAR Esra , ATASOY Ali Rıza , AKBABA Beyza , ŞİMŞİR İsmail , ÖZ Semra
Published: February 2019

Amaç: Bu çalışmada bir eğitim araştırma
hastanesinde çalışan hekimlerin sağlık uygulamalarındaki defansif yaklaşımlara
bakış açılarının ve buna ilişkin pratiğe yansıyan unsurların değerlendirilmesi
amaçlandı.Gereç ve yöntem: Çalışma, Sakarya Üniversitesi
Sakarya Eğitim Araştırma Hastanesi’nde farklı kliniklerde görev yapan hekimler
ile yüz yüze görüşülerek yapılan tanımlayıcı bir araştırmadır. Çalışmaya
katılmayı kabul eden 68 hekim çalışma grubunu oluşturdu. Defansif Tıp (DT)
uygulamalarını içeren bir anket form aracılığıyla hekimlerin defansif
yaklaşımlar ile ilgili tutumları değerlendirilmiştir.Bulgular: 
Çalışmamızda hekimlerin %81.54’ünün çok ayrıntılı kayıt tuttuğu,
%69.64’ünün tıbbi hata yapmaktan çekindiği, % 79.41’inin gerekli olmayan
testleri de isteme eğiliminde oldukları, %78.13’ünün yüksek riskli müdahaleleri
reddetme eğilimine girdikleri, %80.88’inin her hastayı potansiyel davacı görme
tedirginliği yaşadıkları, %95.45’inin ülkemiz medyasının hekimlere karşı olumlu
tutumda olmadığını düşündükleri, %74.63’ünün yeni TCK’nın hekimlikle alakalı
maddelerinden tedirginlik duyduğu belirlenmiştir.

Sonuç ve öneriler: Sonuç olarak çalışmaya
katılan hekimlerin büyük bir kısmının her hastayı potansiyel davacı görme
tedirginliği yaşadıkları, gerekli olmayan testleri de isteme eğiliminde
oldukları, yüksek riskli müdahaleleri reddetme eğilimine girdikleri
belirlenirken neredeyse tamamının ülkemiz medyasının hekimlere karşı olumlu
tutumda olmadığını düşündükleri saptanmıştır. Konuyla ilgili yasal
düzenlemelerin hassasiyetle gözden geçirilmesi, komplikasyon/malpraktis
durumunun net olarak ayırımının yapılarak uygulama yapılması ayrıca hekimlerin
etik değerler noktasında geliştirilmesinin DT uygulamalarına etkili olacağı
kanısına varıldı.
Bakırlı ve levonorgestrelli rahim içi araçların servikal sitolojiye etkileri
Authors: KOKANALI Demet , AKBAY Serap , ÖZAKŞİT Müzeyyen Gülnur
Published: February 2019

Amaç: Bakırlı ve levonorgestrelli Rahim içi araç (RİA) uygulanan
kadınlarda, RİA uygulaması öncesi ve sonrası servikal sitolojide herhangi bir
değişiklik olup olmadığını araştırmakGereç ve Yöntemler: Bakırlı ve levonorgestrelli RİA uygulanan
kadınların, RİA öncesi ve sonrası Pap smear sonuçları retrospektif olarak
incelenmiştir. Çalışma preparatlarının tamamı konvansiyonel Pap smear
örneklerinden oluşmuştur.Bulgular: Çalışmaya dahil edilen kadınların 52 tanesine bakırlı, 24
tanesine levonorgestrelli RİA uygulanmıştır. Tüm kadınlar RİA öncesi normal
sitolojik inceleme sonucuna sahipti. RİA sonrası örneklerde, İki grupta da
atipi ya da kanser olgusuna rastlanmadı. Bakırlı RİA grubunda 20 kadında
(38.5%) non-spesifik inflamatuar değişiklik ve 6 kadında (11.5%) ASC-US
mevcutken,  levonorgestrelli RİA grubunda
bu sayılar sırasıyla 10 (41.7%) ve 3 (12.5%) idi. İki grup arasında RİA
uygulaması sonrası Pap smear sonuçları açısından istatistiksel olarak anlamlı
bir fark yoktu.

Sonuç: Bakırlı ve levonorgestrelli RİA kullanımı neoplazi gelişimine
neden olmaz. Fakat endometrial ve servikal hücreler üzerinde bir takım benzer
inflamatuar değişiklikler yapabilirler.
Secrecy Control of Wireless Networks with Finite Encoding Blocklength
Authors: Liu Qiuming , Liu Shumin , Zeng Chunshui , Qiu Xiaohong , Xiao He
Published: February 2019

We consider wireless multi-hop networks in which each node aims to securely transmit a message. To guarantee the secure transmission, we employ an independent randomization encoding strategy to encode the confidential message. We aim to maximize the network utility. Based on the finite length of a secrecy codewords strategy, we develop an improved control algorithm, subject to network stability and secrecy outage requirements. On the basis of the Lyapunov optimization method, we design an control algorithm, which is decomposed into end-to-end secrecy encoding, flow control and routing scheduling. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve a utility result that is arbitrarily close to the optimal value. Finally, the performance of the proposed control policy is validated with various network conditions.
Research on the Collision Avoidance Algorithm for Fixed-Wing UAVs Based on Maneuver Coordination and Planned Trajectories Prediction
Authors: Wan Yu , Tang Jun , Lao Songyang
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a novel collision avoidance (CA) algorithm for a cooperative fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The method is based on maneuver coordination and planned trajectory prediction. Each aircraft in a conflict generates three available maneuvers and predicts the corresponding planned trajectories. The algorithm coordinates planned trajectories between participants in a conflict, determines which combination of planned trajectories provides the best separation, eventually makes an agreement on the maneuver for collision avoidance and activates the preferred maneuvers when a collision is imminent. The emphasis is placed on providing protection for UAVs, while activating maneuvers late enough to reduce interference, which is necessary for collision avoidance in the formation and clustering of UAVs. The CA has been validated with various simulations to show the advantage of collision avoidance for continuous conflicts in multiple, high-dynamic, high-density and three-dimensional (3D) environments. It eliminates the disadvantage of traditional CA, which has high uncertainty, and takes the performance parameters of different aircraft into consideration and makes full use of the maneuverability of fixed-wing aircraft.
The Electronic Properties of Silicon Nanowires during Their Dissolution under Simulated Physiological Conditions
Authors: Steinbach Annina , Sandner Tanja , Nilsen Madeleine , Hua Ximeng , Sivakumar Ragul , Geiger Dorin , Moeinian Ardeshir , Strehle Steffen
Published: February 2019

Silicon nanowires are considered promising future biomedical sensors. However, their limited stability under physiological conditions poses a challenge in sensor development and necessitates a significantly improved knowledge of underlying effects as well as new solutions to enhance silicon nanowire durability. In the present study, we deduced the dissolution rates of silicon nanowires under simulated physiological conditions from atomic force microscopy measurements. We correlated the relevant change in nanowire diameter to changes in the electronic properties by examining the I-V characteristics of kinked silicon nanowire p–n junctions. Contact potential difference measurements and ambient pressure photoemission spectroscopy additionally gave insights into the electronic surface band structure. During the first week of immersion, the Fermi level of n-type silicon nanowires shifted considerably to higher energies, partly even above the conduction band edge, which manifested in an increased conductivity. After about a week, the Fermi level stabilized and the conductivity decreased consistently with the decreasing diameter caused by continuous nanowire dissolution. Our results show that a physiological environment can substantially affect the surface band structure of silicon nanowire devices, and with it, their electronic properties. Therefore, it is necessary to study these effects and find strategies to gain reliable biomedical sensors.
Hemodynamics and Wall Mechanics after Surgical Repair of Aortic Arch: Implication for Better Clinical Decisions
Authors: Ju Siyeong , Abdullah Ibrahim , Lin Shengmao , Gu Linxia
Published: February 2019

Graft repair of aortic coarctation is commonly used to mimic the physiological aortic arch shape and function. Various graft materials and shapes have been adopted for the surgery. The goal of this work is to quantitatively assess the impact of graft materials and shapes in the hemodynamics and wall mechanics of the restored aortic arch and its correlation with clinical outcomes. A three-dimensional aortic arch model was reconstructed from magnetic resonance images. The fluid–structure interaction (FSI) analysis was performed to characterize the hemodynamics and solid wall mechanics of the repaired aortic arch. Two graft shapes (i.e., a half-moon shape and a crescent one) were considered. Material choices of the aortic arch repair included three commonly used graft materials (i.e., polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) synthetic graft, CorMatrix extracellular matrix, and pulmonary homograft) as well as one native tissue serving as a control. The pathological hemodynamic parameters, in terms of the percentage area of low wall shear stress (WSS), high oscillatory shear index (OSI), and high relative residence time (RRT), were quantified to be associated with potential clinical outcomes. Results have shown that the peak von Mises stress for the aortic arch repaired by the crescent graft was 76% less than that of the half-moon graft. Flow disturbance and recirculation were also minimized with the crescent graft. Moreover, pathological hemodynamic parameters were significantly reduced with the crescent graft. The graft material mismatch with the surrounding tissue aggregated the stress concentration on the aortic wall, but had minimal impact on flow dynamics. The present work demonstrated the role and importance of the graft geometry and materials on hemodynamics and wall mechanics, which could guide optimal graft decisions towards better clinical outcomes.
A Compressed Equivalent Source Method Based on Equivalent Redundant Dictionary for Sound Field Reconstruction
Authors: He Yansong , Chen Liangsong , Xu Zhongming , Zhang Zhifei
Published: February 2019

The equivalent source method (ESM) based on compressive sensing (CS) requires that the source has a sparse or approximately sparse representation in a suitable basis or dictionary. However, in practical applications, it is not easy to find the appropriate basis or dictionary due to the indeterminate characteristics of the source. To solve this problem, an equivalent redundant dictionary is constructed, which contains two core parts: one is the equivalent dictionary used in the CS-based ESMs under the sparse assumption, and the other one is the orthogonal basis obtained by the singular value decomposition (SVD). On this foundation, a method named compressed ESM based on the equivalent redundant dictionary (ERDCESM) is proposed to enhance the performances of source field reconstruction for different types of sources. Moreover, inspired by the idea of functional beamforming (FB), ERDCESM with order v (ERDCESM- v ) can possess a high dynamic range when detecting the source location. The numerical simulations are carried out at different frequencies to evaluate the performance of the proposed method, and the results suggest that the proposed method performs well both for sparse and even spatially extended sources. The validity and practicality of the proposed method are also verified by the experimental results.
A Novel Method to Assess Safety of Buried Pressure Pipelines under Non-Random Process Seismic Excitation based on Cloud Model
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wang Yihuan , Qin Guojin
Published: February 2019

It is necessary to conduct a safety assessment for pipelines which are regarded as important lifeline projects after an earthquake. Since the random process of loading in earthquake engineering requires a large amount of samples, this paper establishes a non-random vibration method based on convex model theory and applies it to small sample engineering. Moreover, a space–time analytical model of buried pipeline and a finite element model are established to solve the dynamic response of pipelines with non-random process seismic excitation. Furthermore, the randomness of the stress values of the pipeline subjected to earthquake and the fuzziness of the degree of damage to pipelines are considered. Therefore, a novel method for assessing damage to pipelines is proposed based on cloud model. The results indicate that an analysis of non-random vibration combined with the cloud inference method can solve the fuzziness and randomness of the quantitative description and qualitative concept conversion for damage evaluation of pipelines. The method is also an adaptive and effective assessment method for pipelines exposed to earthquake and is able to promote safety management of pipeline engineering.
Ocean Contributions to the Marine Boundary Layer Aerosol Budget
Authors: Meskhidze Nicholas , Salter Matthew , Sellegri Karine , Elliott Scott
Published: February 2019

Projections of future climate remain an important scientific goal for much of the Earth science community [...]
Evaluation of Tire Wear Contribution to PM2.5 in Urban Environments
Authors: Panko Julie M. , Hitchcock Kristen M. , Fuller Gary W. , Green David
Published: February 2019

Vehicle-related particulate matter (PM) emissions may arise from both exhaust and non-exhaust mechanisms, such as brake wear, tire wear, and road pavement abrasion, each of which may be emitted directly and indirectly through resuspension of settled road dust. Several researchers have indicated that the proportion of PM2.5 attributable to vehicle traffic will increasingly come from non-exhaust sources. Currently, very little empirical data is available to characterize tire and road wear particles (TRWP) in the PM2.5 fraction. As such, this study was undertaken to quantify TRWP in PM2.5 at roadside locations in urban centers including London, Tokyo and Los Angeles, where vehicle traffic is an important contributor to ambient air PM. The samples were analyzed using validated chemical markers for tire tread polymer based on a pyrolysis technique. Results indicated that TRWP concentrations in the PM2.5 fraction were low, with averages ranging from < 0.004 to 0.10 µg/m3, representing an average contribution to total PM2.5 of 0.27%. The TRWP levels in PM2.5 were significantly different between the three cities, with significant differences between London and Los Angeles and Tokyo and Los Angeles. There was no significant correlation between TRWP in PM2.5 and traffic count. This study provides an initial dataset to understand potential human exposure to airborne TRWP and the potential contribution of this non-exhaust emission source to total PM2.5.
A Logic for Quantum Register Measurements
Authors: Masini Andrea , Zorzi Margherita
Published: February 2019

We know that quantum logics are the most prominent logical systems associated to the lattices of closed Hilbert subspaces. However, what happen if, following a quantum computing perspective, we want to associate a logic to the process of quantum registers measurements? This paper gives an answer to this question, and, quite surprisingly, shows that such a logic is nothing else that the standard propositional intuitionistic logic.
Optimization of Fuzzy Controller Using Galactic Swarm Optimization with Type-2 Fuzzy Dynamic Parameter Adjustment
Authors: Bernal Emer , Castillo Oscar , Soria José , Valdez Fevrier
Published: February 2019

Galactic swarm optimization (GSO) is a recently created metaheuristic which is inspired by the motion of galaxies and stars in the universe. This algorithm gives us the possibility of finding the global optimum with greater precision since it uses multiple exploration and exploitation cycles. In this paper we present a modification to galactic swarm optimization using type-1 (T1) and interval type-2 (IT2) fuzzy systems for the dynamic adjustment of the c3 and c4 parameters in the algorithm. In addition, the modification is used for the optimization of the fuzzy controller of an autonomous mobile robot. First, the galactic swarm optimization is tested for fuzzy controller optimization. Second, the GSO algorithm with the dynamic adjustment of parameters using T1 fuzzy systems is used for the optimization of the fuzzy controller of an autonomous mobile robot. Finally, the GSO algorithm with the dynamic adjustment of parameters using the IT2 fuzzy systems is applied to the optimization of the fuzzy controller. In the proposed approaches, perturbation (noise) was added to the plant in order to find out if our approach behaves well under perturbation to the autonomous mobile robot plant; additionally, we consider our ability to compare the results obtained with the approaches when no perturbation is considered.
Multiple-Layer Microperforated Panels as Sound Absorbers in Buildings: A Review
Authors: Cobo Pedro , Simón Francisco
Published: February 2019

Sound absorbing materials are used in buildings to dissipate sound energy into heat using viscous and thermal processes. Sound absorbers increase the transmission loss of walls, decrease the reverberation time of rooms, and attenuate the noise generated by internal sound sources. Porous absorbers (fibrous, cellular, or granular) are the most used materials in noise control applications because of their high performance-to-cost ratio in the frequency band of interest. However, when cleaning conditions and health reasons are of concern, microperforated panel (MPP) absorbers may be the preferred choice. MPPs, consisting of many minute (sub-millimetric) holes in a panel, are tunable absorbers in a prescribed frequency band, whose main shortcomings are high manufacturing cost and limited absorption frequency band. Currently, the production cost of MPPs can be drastically reduced by means of modern techniques. The absorption frequency band can be considerably enlarged by designing multiple-layer MPPs (ML-MPPs). The aim of this article is to review the high potential of ML-MPPs as a modern, clean, and healthy alternative to porous materials for sound absorption.
Integrative Omic Profiling Reveals Unique Hypoxia Induced Signatures in Gastric Cancer Associated Myofibroblasts
Authors: Najgebauer Hanna , Jarnuczak Andrew F. , Varro Andrea , Sanderson Christopher M.
Published: February 2019

Although hypoxia is known to contribute to several aspects of tumour progression, relatively little is known about the effects of hypoxia on cancer-associated myofibroblasts (CAMs), or the consequences that conditional changes in CAM function may have on tumour development and metastasis. To investigate this issue in the context of gastric cancer, a comparative multiomic analysis was performed on populations of patient-derived myofibroblasts, cultured under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Data from this study reveal a novel set of CAM-specific hypoxia-induced changes in gene expression and secreted proteins. Significantly, these signatures are not observed in either patient matched adjacent tissue myofibroblasts (ATMs) or non-cancer associated normal tissue myofibroblasts (NTMs). Functional characterisation of different myofibroblast populations shows that hypoxia-induced changes in gene expression not only enhance the ability of CAMs to induce cancer cell migration, but also confer pro-tumorigenic (CAM-like) properties in NTMs. This study provides the first global mechanistic insight into the molecular changes that contribute to hypoxia-induced pro-tumorigenic changes in gastric stromal myofibroblasts.
Preoperative Imaging Evaluation after Downstaging of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Multi-Center Study
Authors: Beleù Alessandro , Calabrese Angela , Rizzo Giulio , Capelli Paola , Bellini Nicolò , Caloggero Simona , Calbi Roberto , Tinazzi Martini Paolo , De Robertis Riccardo , Carbognin Giovanni , Marchegiani Giovanni , Scarpa Aldo , Salvia Roberto , Bassi Claudio , D’Onofrio Mirko
Published: February 2019

Introduction: Evaluation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after chemoradiotherapy downstaging is challenging due to computed tomography (CT) overestimation of tumor extension and residual vascular involvement, limiting access to surgery to some patients with potentially resectable tumors. With this study, we wanted to assess which radiological findings are most reliable at pre-operative imaging in the evaluation of PDAC after chemoradiotherapy in order to achieve complete resection. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 71 patients with locally advanced and borderline resectable PDAC who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Pre-operative CT or magnetic resonance (MR) have been evaluated by three radiologists to assess major qualitative and quantitative parameters of lesions. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity compared to anatomopathological results were evaluated for each parameter. Cohen’s K-coefficient has been calculated to evaluate the inter-observer agreement (IOA). Both single and consensus lecture have been tested. Different dimensional cut-offs were tested to categorize tumors according to their major axis and to compare with anatomopathological diameter, tumor persistence, and margin infiltration. Results: A 25 mm cut-off was 67% sensitive, 90% specific, and 77% accurate in assessing real tumor dimension. 25 mm cut-off reported a 64% sensitivity, 78% specificity, and 69% accuracy in assessing R0 resection. Each 5 mm increment of major axis dimension there is an odds ratio (OR) 1.79 (95% CI 1.13–2.80, p = 0.012) for R+ resection. Imaging presence of the perivascular cuff is not associated with tumor persistence and resection margin infiltration (p = 0.362). Lesion enhancement and pattern homogeneity were not accurate in determining tumor persistence. IOA was generally poor to fair, except for >25 mm cut-off classification where IOA was moderate. Diagnostic accuracy is superior in consensus lecture rather than single lecture. Conclusion: Imaging methods tend to underestimate PDAC resectability after neoadjuvant-CRT. IOA is poor to fair in evaluating most of the qualitative parameters of downstaged pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Surgery should be considered for downstaged borderline resectable PDACs, independently from perivascular cuff presence, especially for tumors smaller than 25 mm.
Developing a Prognostic Gene Panel of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Patients by a Machine Learning Model
Authors: Lu Tzu-Pin , Kuo Kuan-Ting , Chen Ching-Hsuan , Chang Ming-Cheng , Lin Hsiu-Ping , Hu Yu-Hao , Chiang Ying-Cheng , Cheng Wen-Fang , Chen Chi-An
Published: February 2019

Epithelial ovarian cancer patients usually relapse after primary management. We utilized the support vector machine algorithm to develop a model for the chemo-response using the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and validated the model in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the GSE9891 dataset. Finally, we evaluated the feasibility of the model using ovarian cancer patients from our institute. The 10-gene predictive model demonstrated that the high response group had a longer recurrence-free survival (RFS) (log-rank test, p = 0.015 for TCGA, p = 0.013 for GSE9891 and p = 0.039 for NTUH) and overall survival (OS) (log-rank test, p = 0.002 for TCGA and p = 0.016 for NTUH). In a multivariate Cox hazard regression model, the predictive model (HR: 0.644, 95% CI: 0.436–0.952, p = 0.027) and residual tumor size < 1 cm (HR: 0.312, 95% CI: 0.170–0.573, p < 0.001) were significant factors for recurrence. The predictive model (HR: 0.511, 95% CI: 0.334–0.783, p = 0.002) and residual tumor size < 1 cm (HR: 0.252, 95% CI: 0.128–0.496, p < 0.001) were still significant factors for death. In conclusion, the patients of high response group stratified by the model had good response and favourable prognosis, whereas for the patients of medium to low response groups, introduction of other drugs or clinical trials might be beneficial.
Iron Exposure and the Cellular Mechanisms Linked to Neuron Degeneration in Adult Mice
Authors: Li Lin-Bo , Chai Rui , Zhang Shuai , Xu Shuang-Feng , Zhang Yan-Hui , Li Hai-Long , Fan Yong-Gang , Guo Chuang
Published: February 2019

Although the causal relationship between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and iron overload remains unclear, iron dyshomeostasis or improper transport mechanisms are speculated to lead to the accumulation of this neurotoxic metal in the hippocampal formation and other cerebral areas related to neurodegenerative diseases, resulting in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and, ultimately, cell death. In this study, exposure to high dietary iron (HDI) revealed no significant difference in the number of iron-positive cells and iron content in the cortex and hippocampal region between wild-type (WT) and APP/PS1 mice; however, compared with the control mice, the HDI-treated mice exhibited upregulated divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and ferroportin (Fpn) expression, and downregulated transferrin receptor (TFR) expression. Importantly, we confirmed that there were significantly fewer NeuN-positive neurons in both APP/PS1 and WT mice given HDI, than in the respective controls. Moreover, this iron-induced neuron loss may involve increased ROS and oxidative mitochondria dysfunction, decreased DNA repair, and exacerbated apoptosis and autophagy. Although HDI administration might trigger protective antioxidant, anti-apoptosis, and autophagy signaling, especially in pathological conditions, these data clearly indicate that chronic iron exposure results in neuronal loss due to apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis, hence increasing the risk for developing AD.
Status of Pediatric Cardiac Care in Developing Countries
Authors: Saxena Anita
Published: February 2019

About 1.35 million babies are born with congenital heart disease each year globally. Most of these are expected to lead normal, productive lives if they are treated in time. However, 90% of babies born with congenital heart disease live in regions where medical care is inadequate or unavailable. The privilege of early diagnosis and timely intervention is restricted to only those born in developed countries. Added to the burden of congenital heart disease is rheumatic heart disease, which remains a global health problem in many low-income and middle-income countries. Providing optimal care for all these children is a daunting task, and requires funds and proper planning at various levels of the health care system. This article describes the burden of pediatric heart disease, including lacunae in the current state, as well as challenges and opportunities for providing optimal care to this large population of children.
Functional Performance of Stone Mastic Asphalt Pavements in Spain: Acoustic Assessment
Authors: Vázquez Víctor F. , Terán Fernando , Luong Jeanne , Paje Santiago E.
Published: February 2019

Environmental noise is one of the problems modern societies face today. Traffic noise, especially the noise produced from tire/pavement interaction, plays a main role in environmental noise. Pavement rehabilitation with new bituminous mixtures is a good option for combatting noise pollution in urban areas. This paper studies the functional performance of two bituminous mixtures of stone mastic asphalt (SMA), fabricated with the same polymer modified binder, but with different maximum aggregate size (MAS) (SMA11 and SMA16). The acoustic absorption, the dynamic stiffness, the surface texture and the tire/pavement noise were assessed. The bituminous mixture type SMA16 has higher texture levels at nearly every depicted wavelength of the texture spectra. This characteristic may lead to its higher average tire/pavement sound level compared to the mixture SMA11. The influence of each texture wavelength on the different frequency bands of the tire/pavement noise spectrum was studied, however, this relation is not a simple matter. This paper also presents low-noise pavement labeling methodology (LNP labelingLA²IC). The mixtures SMA11 and SMA16 are labeled at 50 and 80 km/h. An acoustic label is a valuable tool for construction companies and urban planners to use in order to define the best option against noise when pavement rehabilitation must be carried out.
A Combined Experiment and Crystal Plasticity FEM Study of Microstructure and Texture in Aluminium Processed by Reverse and Unidirectional Accumulative Roll-Bonding
Authors: Wang Hui , Lu Cheng , Tieu Kiet
Published: February 2019

In this report, reverse accumulative roll-bonding (ARB) was conducted for the first time. It was found that the microstructure after reverse ARB was relatively coarser than that after unidirectional ARB, and texture intensity was slightly weaker. In addition to the experimental study, the crystal plasticity finite element method was applied to the ARB-processed polycrystalline aluminium. The simulation followed the real deformation of reverse ARB and unidirectional ARB, and the predictions were validated by the experimental observations. Compared to the second cycle of unidirectional ARB, the crystal orientations (after the first cycle) were relatively unstable during the second cycle of reverse ARB, which is believed to be the reason for the relatively coarser microstructure after reverse ARB.
An Information Theory-Based Approach to Assessing Spatial Patterns in Complex Systems
Authors: Eason Tarsha , Chuang Wen-Ching , Sundstrom Shana , Cabezas Heriberto
Published: February 2019

Given the intensity and frequency of environmental change, the linked and cross-scale nature of social-ecological systems, and the proliferation of big data, methods that can help synthesize complex system behavior over a geographical area are of great value. Fisher information evaluates order in data and has been established as a robust and effective tool for capturing changes in system dynamics, including the detection of regimes and regime shifts. The methods developed to compute Fisher information can accommodate multivariate data of various types and requires no a priori decisions about system drivers, making it a unique and powerful tool. However, the approach has primarily been used to evaluate temporal patterns. In its sole application to spatial data, Fisher information successfully detected regimes in terrestrial and aquatic systems over transects. Although the selection of adjacently positioned sampling stations provided a natural means of ordering the data, such an approach limits the types of questions that can be answered in a spatial context. Here, we expand the approach to develop a method for more fully capturing spatial dynamics. The results reflect changes in the index that correspond with geographical patterns and demonstrate the utility of the method in uncovering hidden spatial trends in complex systems.
Entropy Analysis of Soccer Dynamics
Authors: Lopes António M. , Tenreiro Machado J. A.
Published: February 2019

This paper adopts the information and fractional calculus tools for studying the dynamics of a national soccer league. A soccer league season is treated as a complex system (CS) with a state observable at discrete time instants, that is, at the time of rounds. The CS state, consisting of the goals scored by the teams, is processed by means of different tools, namely entropy, mutual information and Jensen–Shannon divergence. The CS behavior is visualized in 3-D maps generated by multidimensional scaling. The points on the maps represent rounds and their relative positioning allows for a direct interpretation of the results.
Complex Dynamics in a Memcapacitor-Based Circuit
Authors: Yuan Fang , Li Yuxia , Wang Guangyi , Dou Gang , Chen Guanrong
Published: February 2019

In this paper, a new memcapacitor model and its corresponding circuit emulator are proposed, based on which, a chaotic oscillator is designed and the system dynamic characteristics are investigated, both analytically and experimentally. Extreme multistability and coexisting attractors are observed in this complex system. The basins of attraction, multistability, bifurcations, Lyapunov exponents, and initial-condition-triggered similar bifurcation are analyzed. Finally, the memcapacitor-based chaotic oscillator is realized via circuit implementation with experimental results presented.