bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Percepción del apoyo social en pacientes con cáncer y su influencia en la depresión
Authors: Ulloa Betancourt Nancy Del Carmen , Chérrez Gavilanes Patricia , Muñoz Betancourt Fernando D. , Mantilla Paola
Published: July 2018

Introducción: Diferentes factores influyen en la aparición de depresión en la población oncológica, no todos ellos son modificables. No obstante, la interacción con las redes sociales puede ser un elemento que evite o amortigüe la depresión en lugar de ser un generador o mantenedor de este trastorno. Objetivo: Evaluar la relación entre “apoyo social percibido” y “depresión” en pacientes adultos con cáncer. Material y Método: Este es un estudio transversal, cuantitativo, de tipo descriptivo, correlacional; con una muestra no probabilística de 112 pacientes, 22 hombres y 85 mujeres, de un hospital oncológico. Se utilizaron el inventario de depresión de Beck (BDI) versión breve y el cuestionario MOS-SSS (Social Support Survey). Resultados: Se encontró que el apoyo social se asocia con la depresión [p = 0,007 < α = 0.05], de forma inversa. Los tipos de apoyo más percibidos, conforme a su funcionalidad, son el “apoyo afectivo”, seguido del “apoyo instrumental”, el primero comprendido como manifestaciones de afectividad, y el segundo como ayudas sociales, material y prestación de servicios por parte del entorno. La depresión es moderada en un 14% de los casos, leve en el 24% y grave con un 4,7%. Los mismos que experimentan diversos grados de tristeza, desesperanza e infelicidad, aislamiento, indecisión, sentimientos de culpa, cansancio, entre otros. Conclusiones: Los pacientes de cáncer estudiados que perciben el apoyo social escaso presentan depresión. La mayor parte de personas investigadas considera que tienen un apoyo adecuado, algunas presentan depresión pues son múltiples los factores que se relacionan con la depresión
Social work in municipalities
Authors: Lyngstad Rolv
Published: July 2018

The point of departure of this article is contemporary changes in the relationship between national and local decision making in the Norwegian political system. The last decades’ centralization tendencies seem to be challenged by a “new” emphasis on local discretion, and the article discusses how this will affect social work in municipalities. The changes are contested and controversial and allude to questions such as how much discretion should be given to local decision makers in the name of local democracy, and how much difference should be accepted in the name of diversity? The article argues that professional social work must be context-specific, meaning that in a wide sense local knowledge is a prerequisite for good social work. Devolution and local political and professional discretion are necessary in many cases, but not sufficient in themselves as conditions for success. Professional social workers will encounter a lot of difficult dilemmas arousing from issues related to the equality/liberty debate and the diversity/difference/equality debate in social work discourses. In order to approach these dilemmas, more of a focus on local deliberation and place shaping, in combination with a social work focus on democratic professionalism, is necessary. If this is done successfully, devolution and a recapturing of local discretion and decision-making power will empower clients as well as professionals. Thus, current changes in the relationship between different levels of decision making will enlarge the possibilities for professional social work in the municipalities.
Suvremeni pristupi i modeli zapošljavanja društvenih manjina u javnoj upravi
Authors: Vukojičić Tomić Tijana
Published: July 2018

Zapošljavanje društvenih manjina u javnoj upravi predstavlja poseban pristup odabira i zapošljavanja javnih službenika, koji se sve više proučava. Naime, promjene u socio-demografskoj strukturi stanovništva i sve intenzivnije usložnjavanje suvremenih društava dovode do razvoja politika i čitavog niza mjera koje, strukturom ljudskih potencijala u javnoj upravi, nastoje odraziti složenost društvene okoline. Pored toga,
posebni oblici zapošljavanja društvenih manjina razvijaju se u okviru međunarodnog antidiskriminacijskog prava još od sredine 1960-ih. Budući da u dostupnoj literaturi ne postoje ujednačena definicija, klasifikacija i nazivlje kojima bi bili obuhvaćeni svi aspekti takvog oblika zapošljavanja, u radu se razmatra mogućnost integracije praktičnih pristupa. Polazeći od dvaju temeljnih pristupa zapošljavanja društvenih manjina, afirmativnog pristupa i pristupa upravljanja različitošću, analiziraju se različiti modeli zapošljavanja u odabranim državama.
Na temelju provedene analize, iznosi se prijedlog klasifikacije posebnih mjera zapošljavanja društvenih manjina u javnoj upravi na afirmativne metode i integrativne metode.
Public Financial Management, Accountability, and Citizens’ Trust
Authors: Bajo Anto , Primorac Marko , Runtić Dario
Published: July 2018

The main goal of the paper is to determine opportunities for the application of analytical tools to improve the management of state and local finances and increase the accountability and trust of citizens in state and local self-government units. PEFA is a useful tool for meeting such goals. PEFA is used on a global scale, primarily in countries that are beneficiaries of international aid, but also increasingly in countries that seek to increase their international credibility as well as their credibility regarding financial management in the eyes of their citizens. In the case of Croatia, PEFA was used in four cities in 2014. The implementation experience shows that PEFA allowed local government units to detect key weaknesses and technical shortcomings in their financial management, as well as to recognize the shortcomings of the provisions of certain regulations implemented at central government level. PEFA is an analytical tool that can be applied both at the national (central government) level and at the level of local self-government units. PEFA is certainly a demanding analytical tool which makes previous knowledge on financial management, budget accounting, and
auditing more than desirable. For all European countries likely to join the European Union and finance part of their capital investments through EU funds, PEFA can be a very useful tool not only for the early recognition of weaknesses, but also strengths in financial management. Despite the fact that PEFA does not offer direct instructions on how to solve potential problems in financial management, the findings of the analysis with the accompanying rankings are more than sufficient to serve as recommendations for addressing weaknesses in financial management. The implementation of PEFA requires strong support of the heads of local units and the state. These are also the people expected to initiate reforms and improve financial management. As an analytical tool, PEFA can help these improvements happen much faster and more effectively.
Javna nabava pravnih usluga u Hrvatskoj
Authors: Vlahović Mirna , Arambašić Jelena
Published: July 2018

U prvom dijelu rada analiziraju se odredbe novog Zakona o javnoj nabavi (NN 120/16) koje se primjenjuju na javnu nabavu pravnih usluga u Hrvatskoj te se uspoređuju s pravnim uređenjem važećim do kraja 2016. Prijašnji zakon za javnu je nabavu pravnih usluga predviđao mogućnost provođenja tzv. posebnog postupka, dok novi zakon tu mogućnost otklanja, ali zadržava pregovarački postupak bez prethodne objave poziva na nadmetanje. U drugom dijelu rada analiziraju se podaci o javnim nabavama pravnih usluga u Hrvatskoj u razdoblju 2012.-2016. te se izvode zapažanja o transparentnosti i tržišnoj koncentraciji na tržištu javne
nabave pravnih usluga.
Etničko shvaćanje nacije i dvojno državljanstvo
Authors: Ravlić Slaven
Published: July 2018

U ovom se radu uspoređuju shvaćanja dvojnog državljanstva u politikama građanstva triju država članica Europske unije – Švedske, Njemačke i Hrvatske – koje dijele jedan bitan zajednički element: dugotrajno etničko shvaćanje nacije i dominantno načelo ius sanguinis u određenju državljanstva. Međutim, te se tri države razlikuju prema odnosu prema dvojnom državljanstvu. Švedska se uvrštava u liberalnu
skupinu zemalja, a Njemačka i Hrvatska u restriktivnu, pri čemu i među njima postoje razlike jer se njemačka politika građanstva mijenjala u liberalnijem smjeru, dok je hrvatska ostala restriktivna i nekonzistentna. To se objašnjava ovisnošću politike građanstva o dominantnom shvaćanju nacije u nekoj zemlji te shvaćanjem procesa njezina
oblikovanja, kontinuiteta i promjene u njemu, kao ishoda političkih borbi dominantnih aktera za ostvarenje svojih političkih ciljeva.
Izazovi upravljanja različitostima pri integraciji migranata u Europsku uniju
Authors: Vukojičić Tomić Tijana
Published: July 2018

Integracija migranata predstavlja jedan od najvećih suvremenih izazova za države EU-a, kao i velik izazov upravljanju različitostima u Europi općenito. Zbog toga je okvir za integraciju migranata u EU-u osmišljen kroz različite direktive i druge „mekane“ mehanizme. Iako integracija migranata i dalje ostaje prvenstveno odgovornost individualnih nacionalnih država, politike EU-a važne su zbog (promicanja) razmjene znanja i praćenja integracijskih praksi. EU o integraciji migranata govori kao o ključnom mehanizmu kojim se mogu maksimalno iskoristiti prilike kojima migracija može ostvariti doprinos razvoju EU-a, dok je s druge strane zapošljavanje od središnje važnosti za uključenost migranata. Zakonodavstvo EU-a sadrži učinkovit antidiskriminacijski okvir i
naglašava načelo jednakih prilika kao ključno integracijsko pitanje. U radu se kreće od pretpostavke da se integracijom migranata u području zapošljavanja ne samo prakticira antidiskriminacija, već da je isto tako važan doprinos migranata ekonomskom razvoju i kulturnom bogatstvu Europe jer europska radna snaga stari i brojčano opada. Provedena je analiza dokumenata europskih politika u kontekstu pristupa upravljanja različitostima, te se njome ističe potencijal različitosti pri postizanju boljeg organizacijskog učinka. U radu se tvrdi da je uspješna integracija migranata prepoznata ne samo kao ključ osiguranja njihove uključenosti, već kao potencijal za tržište rada zemlje domaćina i postizanje boljega ekonomskog učinka. Ipak, priljev migranata također može ugroziti fiskalnu održivost države ako se ljudski potencijali ne koriste pravilno. U radu se ističu različiti izazovi uspješnoj integraciji u tržište rada.
Smjernice za izgradnju politike prema izbjeglicama na zapadnom Balkanu
Authors: Stančetić Veran
Published: July 2018

U uvodu se naglašava važnost politike prema izbjeglicama u slučaju kada bi se trajno naselile na području Zapadnog Balkana. Države u toj regiji imaju brojne javne probleme, te kulturne, društvene i ekonomske specifičnosti u usporedbi s državama koje tradicionalno prihvaćaju doseljenike. Stoga bi politika prema izbjeglicama trebala biti u skladu s tim specifičnostima kao i s europskim okvirom. U radu se nadalje raspravlja o općenitostima vezanima z a temu javnih politika, te su dva glavna pitanja na koja se pokušava odgovoriti. Što su točno javne politike i koja pravila i kriterije treba primijeniti u izgradnji kvalitetne
javne politike koja je usmjerena na jasno određeno pitanje (u ovom slučaju izbjeglice)? Raspravlja se o važnim aspektima kvalitetne javne politike: tehničkim i financijskim pitanjima kao i prihvatljivosti/izvedivosti politika i njihovoj administrativnoj operativnosti. Druga okosnica rada nalazi se u općim ljudskim
potrebama, prema definicijama koje su ponudili priznati autori u području društvenih znanosti. Osnovnim ljudskim potrebama smatraju se fiziološke potrebe organizma, sigurnosne potrebe, kao i potrebe za pripadanjem, samopoštovanjem i samoostvarenjem. Smjernice za izgradnju politike prema izbjeglicama u radu temelje se na kombinaciji spoznaja iz ova dva područja. Prije navođenja smjernica još se opisuje relevantnost ove teme u prethodnim istraživanjima, te trenutne politike u Srbiji i na Zapadnome Balkanu koje se mogu opisati kao loše. Preporuke koje autor nudi za uspješnu politiku prema izbjeglicama uključuju četiri stupa. Prva se dva bave kratkoročnim pitanjima dok su treći i četvrti usmjereni na dugoročna pitanja. Četiri stupa uključuju egzistencijski (osiguranje prostora i osnovnih životnih uvjeta), socio-ekonomski (osiguranje zaposlenja i zasnivanje održive obitelji), kulturno-obrazovni i integrirajući (osiguranje potpune integracije u sustav).
Using AHP Method for Making a Decision on How the Management of Sewage Sludge in the Northern Croatia
Authors: Dušak Vesna , Gotal Dmitrović Lovorka , Bagnall Renata
Published: July 2018

By 2018, in Croatia, the agglomerations for collecting the sewage and water treatment systems are going to be constructed. All devices will be based on the mechanical-biological method of purification. However, the work of water treatment system produces a problem of sludge management.
The paper presents the challenges of wastewater sludge handling and makes a decision on further sludge management. The hierarchical model of the decision making problem by defining the goal, criteria and alternative solutions is developed. On each level of the hierarchical model the elements of the model are compared with each other in pairs, and the preferences are expressed by using the Saaty’s scale.
Moreover, the APH model compares the alternative pairs (thermal processing, deposition on agricultural land, disposal to waste repositories and composting) among each others. The intensities and weight preferences of one alternative over another are selected within the required criteria (economic, environmental, organisational and sociological).
Comparison of DPSK and RZ-DPSK Modulations in Optical Channel with Speed of 10 Gbps
Authors: Ivaniga Petr , Ivaniga Tomáš
Published: July 2018

This article is devoted to the problematic of error rate and modulations in optical communication. Optic waveguide shows insufficiencies in high speed transfers manifested by corrupted transfer. Although modern technological processes contributed to lowering these insufficiencies, it would be uneconomical to completely reconstruct the optical network infrastructure. The solution is only partial so we approach more economical methods, such as modulations. The article works with a 10 Gbps channel with two modulation types, namely DPSK (Differential Phase Shift Keyed) and RZ-DPSK (Return to Zero-Differential Phase Shift Keyed). These modulations are evaluated and compared according to BER (Bit Error Rate) and Q-factor.
A Study on Recommendation Systems in Location Based Social Networking
Authors: Kullappa Lakshmi Shree , Kumar Ranganath Ashok , Kullappa Rajeshwari
Published: July 2018

Smart devices in the hands of people are revolutionizing the social lifestyle of one's self. Everyone across the world are using smart devices linked to their social networking activities one such activity is to share location data by uploading the tagged media content like photos, videos. The data is of surroundings, events attended/attending and travel experiences. Users share their experiences at a given location through localization techniques. Using such data from social networks an attempt is made to analyse tagged media content to acquire information on user context, individual’s interests, tastes, behaviours and derive meaningful relationships amongst them are referred to as Location Based Social Networks (LBSNs). The resulting information can be used to market a product and to improve business, as well recommend a travel and plan an itinerary. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of recommended systems for LBSNs covering the concepts of LBSNs, terminologies of LBSN and various recommendation systems.
Mechanical, tribological and oxidation resistance properties of Ni-based self-lubricating composite coatings at elevated temperature by APS
Authors: Li Bo , Gao Yimin , Li Cong , Zheng Qiaoling , Liu Zhiwei , Li Yefei , Jia Junhong
Published: July 2018

NiCrAlY-Mo-20Ag composite coating was fabricated by atmospheric plasma spraying. The influence of heat treatment on the mechanical properties, high temperature oxidation resistance properties and tribological properties of the coating were investigated. After 500°C heat treatment, the microstructure of the coating becomes more homogeneous and the amount of precipitated Y2O3 phase clearly increases. The micohardness and adhesive strength of the composite coating are effectively improved after heat treatment. The coating heat-treated at 500°C shows the highest micohardness and adhesive strength of 433.3 HV and 42.9 MPa as well as excellent lubricating properties over a wide range of temperature. Furthermore, the coating presents excellent oxidation resistance properties at 700°C and 800°C.
Students Ability in Producing the Sentences of Simple Present Tense at STMIK Musi Rawas
Authors: Herlina Herlina , Ramasari Maria
Published: July 2018

This research aimed to find out the students  ability in producing the sentences of simple present tense at STMIK Musi Rawas. The research was a qualitative study. As stated in findings, it interpreted that there were 34 students (62.91 percent) in the low category. Thus, there were 15 students (27.50 percent) in the good category. Finally, there were 5 students (9.59 percent) in the excellent category. Hence, it can be concluded that students ability in producing the sentences of simple present tense was still low. It showed that many students still got difficulties in producing the sentences of simple present tense especially for verb in third person singular as the subject pronoun.

Keywords: students ability, simple present tense, sentences
Studi Analisis Gording Baja pada Pembangunan Gedung Auto2000 Kabupaten Sukabumi
Authors: Wibowo Hari , Firmansyah Deni , Sofia Dewi Ayu
Published: July 2018

Gording merupakan salah satu bagian kontruksi vital untuk menopang rangka atap. Dalam perencanaan konstruksi atap, beban yang bekerja pada atap tersebut perlu dianalisis. Tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu untuk menganalisis perhitungan pembebanan pada gording baja profil Light Lip Channel (LLC). Gedung yang digunakan sebagai objek penelitian adalah Gedung Auto2000 yang berlokasi di Kabupaten Sukabumi, Jawa Barat. Metode analisis yang digunakan yaitu distribusi momen. Hasil analisis gording dengan profil LLC 150 x 65 x 20 x 3,2 menunjukan bahwa diperoleh nilai lendutan sebesar 838,27 kg/cm² dan perhitungan tekuk sebesar 166,44 kg/cm². Kedua nilai ini dapat dikatakan aman karena nilainya lebih kecil dari tegangan ijin sebesar 1600 kg/cm².Kata kunci: gording, baja, Light Lip Channel (LLC), distribusi momen
Analisis Karakteristik Perangkat Keras Pengubah Frekuensi ke Tegangan untuk Pengukuran Kecepatan MASTS
Authors: Sumardiono Arif
Published: July 2018

Makalah ini menjelaskan proses analisis karakteristik perangkat keras pengubah frekuensi ke tegangan pada Motor Arus Searah Tanpa Sikat (MASTS) untuk proses pengukuran kecepatan motor tersebut. Sensor yang digunakan pada MASTS adalah sensor hall dengan input perubahan medan magnet dan output frekuensi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji kelayakan perangkat keras tersebut jika digunakan untuk mengukur kecepatan MASTS. Kriteria pengujian yang digunakan yaitu sensistifitas, akurasi, kepresisian dan histerisis. Hasil pengujian menunjukan dengan input frekuensi dari AF Generator sebagai sumber ideal didapatkan sensitifitas 0,0096 V/Hz, akurasi 99,8%, kepresisian 99,81 %, dan histeresis dengan galat 0,02%, sedangkan hasil pengukuran dengan input frekuensi dari sensor hall MASTS didapatkan sensitifitas 0,0095 V/Hz, akurasi 99,6%, kepresisian 99,6%, dan histeresis dengan galat 0,4%.Kata kunci: MASTS, sensor hall, frekuensi, tegangan, kecepatan
Desain dan Purwarupa Fuzzy Logic Control untuk Pengendalian Suhu Ruangan
Authors: Wahab Faisal , Sumardiono Arif , Al Tahtawi Adnan Rafi , Mulayari Agus Faisal Aziz
Published: July 2018

Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) merupakan salah satu metode pengendalian sistem yang saat ini banyak digunakan di beberapa disiplin ilmu, khususnya di bidang sistem kendali. Dalam perancangan FLC tidak diperlukan model matematis dari sistem yang akan dikendalikan. Hal ini menjadi salah satu keunggulan FLC sehingga perancangan pengendali lebih mudah dilakukan dengan hanya mengandalkan aturan logika. Pada makalah ini, akan dirancang FLC untuk sistem pendingin ruangan dan direalisasikan dalam bentuk prototype untuk kesederhanaan perancangan. Sistem ini memiliki masukan suhu ruangan dan banyaknya orang di ruangan, sedangkan keluarannya adalah tingkat pendinginan ruangan  tersebut. Pengujian sistem ini dilakukan dengan membandingkan hasil keluaran pengendali melalui simulasi Fuzzy Logic Toolbox yang tersedia pada MATLAB. Dua unit purwarupa dirancang dengan sensor masukan yang berbeda sebagai perbandingan. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa purwarupa sistem pertama dan kedua mampu mengendalikan suhu ruangan dengan rata-rata kesalahan berturut-turut 1,31% dan 4,06% jika dibandingkan dengan simulasi MATLAB.Kata kunci: fuzzy logic, pengendali, FLC, suhu, MATLAB
Analisis Variasi Sparger pada Instalasi Modified Atmosphere Storage untuk Menurunkan Kadar O2
Authors: Lesmana I Gede Eka , Suwandi Agri , Raynold Arnold
Published: July 2018

Metode pengawetan makanan dengan memodifikasi komposisi udara khususnya untuk kandungan oksigen dan karbondioksida  di ruang simpan atau disebut juga dengan Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAS)  telah diterapkan untuk memperpanjang umur simpan dari buah-buhan dan sayuran. Modifikasi komposisi udara dalam ruang simpan MAS menggunakan injector tipe sparger dengan gas karbon dioksida. Kinerja sparger dinilai dari peningkatan jumlah kandungan gas oksigen dalam ruang simpan dan tingkat homogenitas di dalam sparger. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah melakukan pemilihan sparger berdasarkan variasi dimensi sudut keluar terhadap kinerja sparger dengan menggunakan simulasi ANSYS dan uji eksperimental. Lima varian sparger diuji tingkat homogenitas dan kadar oksigen yang terkandung dalam ruang simpan. Hasil simulasi dan eksperimetal untuk kelima sparger menunjukkan sparger varian 3 dengan material PVC dari gabungan dua reducer (diameter 44,4 mm dan 31,7 mm) dan dimensi sudut keluar 26,6° memiliki nilai Turbulance Kinetic Energy (TKE) rata-rata tertinggi yaitu 792,66 J/kg dan kadar oksigen dalam ruang simpan terendah yaitu  6,4%.  Model hubungan antara kadar gas karbon dioksida dengan oksigen dibuat dengan menerapkan metode least square menunjukkan tingkat signifikan sebesar 74,17%. Luaran dari penelitian ini adalah sparger varian 3 terpilih sebagai sparger yang akan digunakan dalam MAS karena mampu menurunkan kadar oksigen di bawah 10%.         Kata kunci: sparger, Turbulence Kinetic Energy (TKE), Modified Atmosphere Storage (MAS), least square
Analisa Kesuksesan Sistem Informasi Akademik Menggunakan Model Terintegrasi
Authors: Nurlani Lani , Permana Budi
Published: July 2018

Evaluasi sistem informasi diperlukan untuk mengetahui kesuksesan sistem yang diterapkan, termasuk pada sistem informasi akademik di Universitas Muhammadiyah Sukabumi. Penelitian ini menggabungkan model penerimaan teknologi informasi dan model kesuksesan sistem informasi yaitu UTAUT (Unified Theory of Acceptance Technology), D&M IS Success Model, dan HOT-Fit (Human Organization and Technology Fit) untuk menganalisa kesuksesan sistem informasi. Penggabungan model dipilih untuk meneliti pengaruh konstruk ke niat keperilakuan (behavioral intention) dan menghubungkan penggunaan dengan dampaknya. Disamping itu, ditambahkan pula variabel moderator yaitu gender untuk mengetahui hubungan faktor individu (human context) dengan niat keperilakuan. Model persamaan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Structural Equation Model (SEM) menggunakan SPSS AMOS v.22. Variabel yang digunakan dalam model terintegrasi ini antara lain faktor manusia, faktor teknologi, faktor organisasi, niat keperilakuan, kepuasan pengguna, dan manfaat-manfaat bersih. Pengujian yang dilakukan meliputi pengujian reliabilitas, CFA, teknik Kolmogrov-Smirnov Goodness of Fit Test, hingga pengujian keseluruhan model.Kata kunci: UTAUT, D&M IS Success Model, HOT-Fit, SEM
Closed- and Open-loop Deep Brain Stimulation: Methods, Challenges, Current and Future Aspects
Authors: Ghasemi P , Sahraee T , Mohammadi A
Published: July 2018

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is known as the most effective technique in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, especially Parkinson disease (PD) and epilepsy. Relative healing and effective control of disease symptoms are the most significant reasons for the tangible tendency in use and development of this technology. Nevertheless, more cellular and molecular investigations are required to reveal the detailed mechanism of DBS. Here, we reviewed the methods, challenges and the ways to overcome the limitations of DBS. Also, challenges in probe fabrication technology, material selection, related mechanical stability and biocompatibility concerns are discussed. Finally, closed- and open-loop stimulation systems were compared.
Effect of Microwave Wi-Fi Radiation at Frequency of 2.4 GHz on Epileptic Behavior of Rats
Authors: Mahmoudi A , Shojaeifard M B , Nematollahii S , Mortazavi S M J , Mehdizadeh A R
Published: July 2018

Background: Electromagnetic fields (EMF) with different intensities are widely used at home, offices and public places.Today, there is a growing global concern about the effects of human exposure to EMFs. Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases, affecting 50 million people of all ages worldwide. We aimed to investigate the effect of exposure to Wi-Fi radiation on epileptic behavior of rats.Methods: 147 male rats, weighing 200-250 g, were divided into seven groups; negative control (no intervention), sham 1(distilled water), positive control (Pentylentetrazol [PTZ]), intervention group 1 (PTZ + Wi-Fi “off”), sham 2 (distilled water + Wi-Fi “off”), sham 3 (distilled water + Wi-Fi “on”), and intervention group 2 (PTZ + Wi-Fi “on”). The rats were exposed to Wi-Fi for 2h at a distance of 30cm from a commercial Wi-Fi router. Convulsive behaviors of rats were monitored and scored based on the intensity and type by measuring latency/threshold time, number of convulsions, sum of scores and durations of seizure, and duration of score 6 seizure. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests were used to analyze the data.Results: Convulsion was observed in interventions Group 4 and Group 7, and positive control. The mean number of events, and sum of scores were significantly different in intervention 2 than other two groups. However, the differences in mean threshold, mean sum of durations and “ time to show convulsion with score 6 ” were not statistically significant (P>0.05).Conclusion: Due to limitations of our study including the sample size, these findings should be interpreted with caution.  In this study, exposure to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi radiation showed significant beneficial effects on the epileptic behaviour of rats. More experiments are needed to verify if these exposures can be used as a therapeutic approach for amelioration of seizures in epilepsy.
An Environmentally Literate Explorer
Authors: Niemi Seija A.
Published: July 2018

Nils Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld (1832–1901), a Finnish Swedish scientist and explorer, made three expeditions to the North Asian coast between 1875 and 1879. He completed ten expeditions to the Arctic region between 1858 and 1883. The unifying goal of the North Asian expeditions was to open a trade route between Europe and Siberia. As a scientist, Nordenskiöld also studied the flora, fauna, geology, geography, hydrology, meteorology, ethnology, and history, and produced charts of this unfamiliar territory. This article argues that Nordenskiöld used his skills of environmental literacy when he combined the commercial and scientific goals of his expeditions. He also had the ability to deal with the environment in practical and rational terms, which I argue is also one expression of environmental literacy.
Dialogical Relationships and the Bear in Indigenous Poetry
Authors: Dudeck Stephan
Published: July 2018

The essay provides a review of a small but remarkable book
on the work of two important Native American and Siberian poets,
Meditations after the Bear Feast by Navarre Scott Momaday and Yuri
Vella, published in 2016 by Shanti Arts in Brunswick, Maine. Their
poetic dialogue revolves around the well-known role of the bear as
a sociocultural keystone species in the boreal forest zone of Eurasia
and North America. The essay analyzes the understanding of dialogicity
as shaping the intersubjectivity of the poets emerging from
human relationships with the environment. It tries to unpack the
complex and prophetic bear dream in one of Vella’s poems in which
he links indigenous ontologies with urgent sociopolitical problems.
Sistematization of Assistance in Nursing in a Post Anesthesic Recovering Unit, Experience Report
Authors: Rhoden Deise Juliana , Dezordi Cátia Cristiane Matte , Husein Raida Ahmad Musa Mheisen , Rosa Marina Brites Calegaro da , Montagner Sandra Emilia Drews , Benetti Sabrina Wagner , Stumm Eniva Miladi Fernandes
Published: July 2018

Objetivo: descrever o processo de implementação da Sistematização da Assistência de Enfermagem (SAE) em uma Unidade de Recuperação Pós-Anestésica de um hospital geral. Metodologia: Refere-se a um relato de experiência que emergiu da atuação como enfermeiro na respectiva unidade, aliado à inserção no curso de pós-graduação lato sensu em Enfermagem em Centro Cirúrgico, Recuperação Anestésica e Centro de Material de Esterilização em uma universidade privada. do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Resultados:A implementação da Sistematização da Assistência de Enfermagem é um processo que exige mudança de cultura a partir do antigo paradigma de prática da Enfermagem que, por vezes, reluta em registrar suas ações. Nesse sentido, o enfermeiro desempenha um papel importante que vai desde a ampliação do conhecimento científico, seguido de ações educativas direcionadas à equipe de enfermagem, até a implementação, acompanhamento e avaliação da qualidade da assistência ao paciente, estendida aos familiares. Considerações finais:durante a implementação da sistematização da assistência de enfermagem surgiram diversas dificuldades dos enfermeiros em relação à execução, conhecimento e quantidade de pessoal. Além disso, evidenciou-se que o uso das tecnologias da informação pode ser utilizado como um fator facilitador na operacionalização das ações cotidianas do enfermeiro e, desta forma, contribuir para diminuir possíveis erros e obter maior confiabilidade ao cuidar. Evidenciou-se gradativo empoderamento dos enfermeiros durante a implementação da assistência, e este, além de contribuir para a ampliação da qualidade e segurança dos pacientes, aumentou seu reconhecimento pelos pacientes atendidos.
Serum Magnesium Level of Newly Detected Patients with Glucose Intolerance and Its Comparison with Serum Magnesium Level of Age and Sex Matched Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Rahim Muhammad Abdur , Mitra Palash
Published: July 2018

Background: Hypomagnesaemia is associated with insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic complications. Diabetic patients, on the other hand, often have low magnesium levels. This study was designed to evaluate serum magnesium level of patients with new diagnosis of any level of glucose intolerance e.g. impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or DM and to compare these with serum magnesium level of age and sex matched healthy controls.Materials & Methods: This case-control study was done in out-patient department of BIRDEM General Hospital from July to September 2017. Newly detected patients with glucose intolerance (DM 49, IGT 1) were cases and equal number (50) of age and sex matched healthy volunteers were controls. Serum magnesium level was measures in all study participants and a comparison was made between cases and controls.Results: There was no significant difference between cases and controls regarding age (p=0.875), sex and body mass index (p=0.386). Serum magnesium level was normal in 29 cases and 37 controls and low in 21 cases and 13 controls. Mean serum magnesium was low in cases (0.70±0.14 m.mol/L) than controls (0.85±0.15 m.mol/L) but the difference was not significant (p=0.362). Serum magnesium level was negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose (r -0.526), 2-h post-glucose value (r -0.559) and glycated haemoglobin (r -0.551) among cases.Conclusion: Serum magnesium level was lower among patients with DM and IGT when compared with serum magnesium level of age and sex matched healthy volunteers and serum magnesium level was negatively correlated with glycaemic status.J MEDICINE JUL 2018; 19 (2) : 95-99
Hyponatraemia in Acute Confusional States and Coma
Authors: Dan Kazal Kanti , Acherjya Goutam Kumar , Chowdhury Mostofa Kamal , Baral Paritosh Kumar , Miah Md Titu
Published: July 2018

Background: Though hyponatraemia is a common scenario in our daily clinical practice, the mortality and morbidity are very high without early detection and prompt treatment. Both under and over treatment of hyponatraemia may cause permanent brain damage. Proper and meticulous treatment may prevent development of permanent brain disorder. So, a study was carried out to see the prevalence of hyponatraemia in acute confusional states and coma. The effect of hyponatraemia on consciousness level was also observed.Materials & Methods: A cross sectional study.Results: A total number of sixty (60) cases with acute confusional state and coma were recruited in our study. Among 60 patients with acute confusional states including coma, 85% (51) patients were presented with hyponatraemia. In the study, mild, moderate and severe hyponatraemia were 20%, 13.33% and 51.67% respectively. Of the total study population, 31.67%, 33.33% and 35% presented with coma, stupor and drowsiness respectively. Severe hyponatraemia was found in 68.42% in comatose, 50% in stuporous and 38.1% in drowsy patients. 47.06% of hyponatraemic patients were noticed in several intracranial disorders. Hepatic encephalopathy, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic renal failure and ischemic heart disease comprised 13.73%, 11.76%, 9.80% and 5.89% respectively. Diabetic ketoacidosis and hypoglycaemic shock comprised 3. 92% each and congestive heart failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome comprised 1.96% each of hyponatraemic patients.Conclusions: Hyponatraemia is a common clinical problem in our day to day clinical practice. If neglected this may result in permanent brain malfunction which may be prevented with earlier detection and correction under meticulous supervision.J MEDICINE JUL 2018; 19 (2) : 110-113
A Review of the Available Land Cover and Cropland Maps for South Asia
Authors: Patil Prashant , Gumma Murali
Published: July 2018

A lack of accuracy, uniqueness and the absence of systematic classification of cropland categories, together with long-pending updates of cropland mapping, are the primary challenges that need to be addressed in developing high-resolution cropland maps for south Asia. In this review, we analyzed the details of the available land cover and cropland maps of south Asia on national and regional scales in south Asia and on a global scale. Here, we highlighted the methodology adopted for classification, datasets used, classification system used for classifying different land covers and croplands and the resolution of datasets available. This listed review of different available datasets can help the reader to know which datasets to be used in their study and to understand which methodology to be chosen to further developing the accurate high-resolution land cover and cropland maps for advanced studies and for better understanding of ground reality in a timely updated version. We tried to identify the major concerns, particularly the inadequacy of knowledge regarding the spatial distribution of major crop types within south Asia, which hinder policy and strategic investment and delay the efforts to improve food security for a rapidly growing human population at a time of constant market instability and changing global climate. The overall focus of this paper is on reviewing the need for timely updated high-resolution cropland maps of south Asia.
A Novel Image Feature for the Remaining Useful Lifetime Prediction of Bearings Based on Continuous Wavelet Transform and Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Yoo Youngji , Baek Jun-Geol
Published: July 2018

In data-driven methods for prognostics, the remaining useful lifetime (RUL) is predicted based on the health indicator (HI). The HI detects the condition of equipment or components by monitoring sensor data such as vibration signals. To construct the HI, multiple features are extracted from signals using time domain, frequency domain, and time–frequency domain analyses, and which are then fused. However, the process of selecting and fusing features for the HI is very complex and labor-intensive. We propose a novel time–frequency image feature to construct HI and predict the RUL. To convert the one-dimensional vibration signals to a two-dimensional (2-D) image, the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) extracts the time–frequency image features, i.e., the wavelet power spectrum. Then, the obtained image features are fed into a 2-D convolutional neural network (CNN) to construct the HI. The estimated HI from the proposed model is used for the RUL prediction. The accuracy of the RUL prediction is improved by using the image features. The proposed method compresses the complex process including feature extraction, selection, and fusion into a single algorithm by adopting a deep learning approach. The proposed method is validated using a bearing dataset provided by PRONOSTIA. The results demonstrate that the proposed method is superior to related studies using the same dataset.
An Emotion-Aware Personalized Music Recommendation System Using a Convolutional Neural Networks Approach
Authors: Abdul Ashu , Chen Jenhui , Liao Hua-Yuan , Chang Shun-Hao
Published: July 2018

Recommending music based on a user’s music preference is a way to improve user listening experience. Finding the correlation between the user data (e.g., location, time of the day, music listening history, emotion, etc.) and the music is a challenging task. In this paper, we propose an emotion-aware personalized music recommendation system (EPMRS) to extract the correlation between the user data and the music. To achieve this correlation, we combine the outputs of two approaches: the deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) approach and the weighted feature extraction (WFE) approach. The DCNN approach is used to extract the latent features from music data (e.g., audio signals and corresponding metadata) for classification. In the WFE approach, we generate the implicit user rating for music to extract the correlation between the user data and the music data. In the WFE approach, we use the term-frequency and inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) approach to generate the implicit user ratings for the music. Later, the EPMRS recommends songs to the user based on calculated implicit user rating for the music. We use the million songs dataset (MSD) to train the EPMRS. For performance comparison, we take the content similarity music recommendation system (CSMRS) as well as the personalized music recommendation system based on electroencephalography feedback (PMRSE) as the baseline systems. Experimental results show that the EPMRS produces better accuracy of music recommendations than the CSMRS and the PMRSE. Moreover, we build the Android and iOS APPs to get realistic data of user experience on the EPMRS. The collected feedback from anonymous users also show that the EPMRS sufficiently reflect their preference on music.
Nonlinear Fatigue Damage of Cracked Cement Paste after Grouting Enhancement
Authors: Wang Zhi , Li Long , Guo Shuaicheng , Dai Qingli
Published: July 2018

Grouting reinforcement is an important part of modern engineering and has grown in popularity due to the benefits of grouting enhancement on cyclic loading. Understanding the fatigue mechanism of grouting-enhanced structures is vital to the design and the long-term stability analysis of such structures. In this study, the fatigue mechanical properties of cracked cement paste after epoxy resin grouting enhancement under different cyclic conditions were investigated in the laboratory and an inverted S-shaped curve was proposed to describe the damage accumulation. The test results indicated that the fatigue axial deformation can be divided into three stages: the initial stage, constant velocity stage and accelerating stage. The irreversible deformation can be used to describe the damage accumulation. The fatigue process is significantly affected by the upper limit stress level and the stress amplitude. In addition, the exponential relationship between stress amplitude and fatigue life was obtained. The proposed S-shaped curve was validated by an experimental fatigue strain test. The tests result upon various load conditions and crack types represented a good agreement with the predicted data.
Lysophospholipid Signaling in the Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Xu Yan
Published: July 2018

As one of the important cancer hallmarks, metabolism reprogramming, including lipid metabolism alterations, occurs in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). It plays an important role in tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis. Lipids, and several lysophospholipids in particular, are elevated in the blood, ascites, and/or epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tissues, making them not only useful biomarkers, but also potential therapeutic targets. While the roles and signaling of these lipids in tumor cells are extensively studied, there is a significant gap in our understanding of their regulations and functions in the context of the microenvironment. This review focuses on the recent study development in several oncolipids, including lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine-1-phosphate, with emphasis on TME in ovarian cancer.
Correction: Sugiyama, K.; et al. Management of Dyslipidemia in Type 2 Diabetes: Recent Advances in Nonstatin Treatment. Diseases 2018, 6, 44
Authors: Sugiyama Kazutoshi , Saisho Yoshifumi
Published: July 2018

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A Variable Speed Pumped Storage System Based on Droop-Fed Vector Control Strategy for Grid Frequency and AC-Bus Voltage Stability
Authors: Bitew Girmaw Teshager , Han Minxiao , Mekonnen Sifrash Amogne , Simiyu Patrobers
Published: July 2018

Harnessing wind energy is the most rapidly growing amongst renewable energy sources. However, because of its intermittency in nature, wind power results in unfavorable influences on power system control, operation and stability. The voltage sag and flicker and grid frequency fluctuation are significant in this regard. To minimize the effect of wind power fluctuations and other contingencies on the grid frequency and AC-bus voltage, this paper presents a droop-fed vector control strategy based variable speed pumped storage (VSPS) system comprising the doubly fed induction machine. Modelling of the system is undertaken based on a phasor model technique. The case study is made by considering the droop-controlled VSPS plant in a grid containing conventional synchronous machines for hydropower and thermal power plants and an induction machine wind farm. The performance is validated and analyzed using a MATLAB/Simulink platform. The proposed droop-fed control model is compared with the conventional control strategy (without being droop-fed) and tested to wind power fluctuations, start-up transients, load variations and three-phase fault. The results show that the droop-fed vector control strategy of the VSPS plant achieves better dynamic and steady state controlling responses for grid frequency and AC-bus voltage in the power system than the conventional vector control scheme during wind power fluctuations and contingencies.
Numerical Optimization of Gradient Bandgap Structure for CIGS Solar Cell with ZnS Buffer Layer Using Technology Computer-Aided Design Simulation
Authors: Park Joonghyun , Shin Myunghun
Published: July 2018

The band structure characteristics of a copper indium gallium sulfur selenide (Cu(In1–xGax)SeS, CIGS) solar cell incorporating a cadmium-free zinc sulfide (ZnS) buffer layer were investigated using technology computer-aided design simulations. Considering the optical/electrical properties that depend on the Ga content, we numerically demonstrated that the front gradient bandgap enhanced the electron movement over the band-offset of the ZnS interface barrier, and the back gradient bandgap generated a back side field, improving electron transport in the CIGS layer; in addition, the short circuit current density (JSC) and open circuit voltage (VOC) improved. The simulation demonstrated that the conversion efficiency of a double graded bandgap cell is higher than with uniform or normal/reverse gradient cells, and VOC strongly correlated with the average bandgap in the space charge region (SCR) of CIGS. After selecting VOC from the SCR, we optimized the band structure of the CIGS cell with a Cd-free ZnS buffer by evaluating JSC and the fill factor. We demonstrated that the cell efficiency of the fabricated cell was more than 15%, which agrees well with the simulated results. Our numerical method can be used to design high-conversion efficiency CIGS cells with a gradient band structure and Cd-free buffer layer.
Dynamic Traffic Scheduling and Congestion Control across Data Centers Based on SDN
Authors: Sun Dong , Zhao Kaixin , Fang Yaming , Cui Jie
Published: July 2018

Software-defined Networking (SDN) and Data Center Network (DCN) are receiving considerable attention and eliciting widespread interest from both academia and industry. When the traditionally shortest path routing protocol among multiple data centers is used, congestion will frequently occur in the shortest path link, which may severely reduce the quality of network services due to long delay and low throughput. The flexibility and agility of SDN can effectively ameliorate the aforementioned problem. However, the utilization of link resources across data centers is still insufficient, and has not yet been well addressed. In this paper, we focused on this issue and proposed an intelligent approach of real-time processing and dynamic scheduling that could make full use of the network resources. The traffic among the data centers could be classified into different types, and different strategies were proposed for these types of real-time traffic. Considering the prolonged occupation of the bandwidth by malicious flows, we employed the multilevel feedback queue mechanism and proposed an effective congestion control algorithm. Simulation experiments showed that our scheme exhibited the favorable feasibility and demonstrated a better traffic scheduling effect and great improvement in bandwidth utilization across data centers.