bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mouse embryonic dorsal root ganglia contain pluripotent stem cells that show features similar to ES cells and iPS cells
Authors: Ogawa Ryuhei , Fujita Kyohei , Ito Kazuo
Published: April 2017

In the present study, we showed that the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in the mouse embryo contains pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) that have developmental capacities equivalent to those of embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Mouse embryonic DRG cells expressed pluripotency-related transcription factors (octamer-binding transcription factor 4, SRY (sex determining region Y)-box containing gene (Sox) 2, and Nanog) that play essential roles in maintaining the pluripotency of ES cells. Furthermore, the DRG cells differentiated into ectoderm-, mesoderm- and endoderm-derived cells. In addition, these cells produced primordial germ cell-like cells and embryoid body-like spheres. We also showed that the combination of leukemia inhibitor factor/bone morphogenetic protein 2/fibroblast growth factor 2 effectively promoted maintenance of the pluripotency of the PSCs present in DRGs, as well as that of neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) in DRGs, which were previously shown to be present there. Furthermore, the expression of pluripotency-related transcription factors in the DRG cells was regulated by chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 7 and Sox10, which are indispensable for the formation of NCSCs, and vice versa. These findings support the possibility that PSCs in mouse embryonic DRGs are NCSCs.
Development and dynamics of cell polarity at a glance
Authors: Campanale Joseph P. , Sun Thomas Y. , Montell Denise J.
Published: April 2017

Cells exhibit morphological and molecular asymmetries that are broadly categorized as cell polarity. The cell polarity established in early embryos prefigures the macroscopic anatomical asymmetries characteristic of adult animals. For example, eggs and early embryos have polarized distributions of RNAs and proteins that generate global anterior/posterior and dorsal/ventral axes. The molecular programs that polarize embryos are subsequently reused in multiple contexts. Epithelial cells require apical/basal polarity to establish their barrier function. Migrating cells polarize in the direction of movement, creating distinct leading and trailing structures. Asymmetrically dividing stem cells partition different molecules between themselves and their daughter cells. Cell polarity can develop de novo, be maintained through rounds of cell division and be dynamically remodeled. In this Cell Science at a Glance review and poster, we describe molecular asymmetries that underlie cell polarity in several cellular contexts. We highlight multiple developmental systems that first establish cell/developmental polarity, and then maintain it. Our poster showcases repeated use of the Par, Scribble and Crumbs polarity complexes, which drive the development of cell polarity in many cell types and organisms. We then briefly discuss the diverse and dynamic changes in cell polarity that occur during cell migration, asymmetric cell division and in planar polarized tissues.
Ontogeny of bite force in a validated biomechanical model of the American alligator
Authors: Sellers Kaleb C. , Middleton Kevin M. , Davis Julian L. , Holliday Casey M.
Published: April 2017

Three-dimensional computational modeling offers tools with which to investigate forces experienced by the skull encountered during feeding and other behaviors. American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) generate some of the highest measured bite forces among extant tetrapods. A concomitant increase in bite force accompanies ontogenetic increases in body mass, which has been linked with dietary changes as animals increase in size. Because the flattened skull of crocodylians has substantial mediolaterally-oriented muscles, they are an excellent model taxon in which to explore the role of mediolateral force components experienced by the feeding apparatus. Many previous modeling studies of archosaur cranial function focused on planar analysis, ignoring the mediolateral aspects of cranial forces. Here we use three-dimensionally accurate anatomical data to resolve 3D muscle forces. Using dissection, imaging, and computational techniques, we developed lever and finite element models of an ontogenetic series of alligators to test the effects of size and shape on cranial loading and compared estimated bite forces to those previously measured in vivo in Alligator mississippiensis. We found that modeled forces matched in vivo data well for intermediately sized individuals, and somewhat overestimated force in smaller specimens and underestimated force in larger specimens, suggesting that ontogenetically static muscular parameters and bony attachment sites alone cannot account for all the variation in bite force. Adding aponeurotic muscle attachments would likely improve force predictions, but such data are challenging to model and integrate into analyses of extant taxa and are generally unpreserved in fossils. We conclude that anatomically accurate modeling of muscles can be coupled with finite element and lever analyses to produce reliable, reasonably accurate estimate bite forces and thus both skeletal and joint loading, with known sources of error, which can be applied to extinct taxa.
Computational analysis of nascent peptides that induce ribosome stalling and their proteomic distribution in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Sabi Renana , Tuller Tamir
Published: April 2017

Interactions between the ribosomal exit tunnel and the nascent peptide can affect translation elongation rates. While previous studies have already demonstrated the feasibility of such interactions, little is known about the nature of the stalling peptide sequences and their distribution in the proteome. Here we ask which peptide sequences tend to occupy the tunnel of stalled ribosomes and how they are distributed in the proteome. Using computational analysis of ribosome profiling data from S. cerevisiae, we identified for the first time dozens of short stalling peptide sequences and studied their statistical properties. We found that short peptide sequences associated with ribosome stalling tend significantly to be either over- or underrepresented in the proteome. We then showed that the stalling interactions may occur at different positions along the length of the tunnel, prominently close to the P-site. Our findings throw light on the determinants of nascent peptide-mediated ribosome stalling during translation elongation and support the novel conjecture that mRNA translation affects the proteomic distribution of short peptide sequences.
A genetic screen implicates a CWC16/Yju2/CCDC130 protein and SMU1 in alternative splicing in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kanno Tatsuo , Lin Wen-Dar , Fu Jason L. , Matzke Antonius J.M. , Matzke Marjori
Published: April 2017

To identify regulators of pre-mRNA splicing in plants, we developed a forward genetic screen based on an alternatively spliced GFP reporter gene in Arabidopsis thaliana. In wild-type plants, three major splice variants issue from the GFP gene but only one represents a translatable GFP mRNA. Compared to wild-type seedlings, which exhibit an intermediate level of GFP expression, mutants identified in the screen feature either a “GFP-weak” or “Hyper-GFP” phenotype depending on the ratio of the three splice variants. GFP-weak mutants, including previously identified prp8 and rtf2, contain a higher proportion of unspliced transcript or canonically spliced transcript, neither of which is translatable into GFP protein. In contrast, the coilin-deficient hyper-gfp1 (hgf1) mutant displays a higher proportion of translatable GFP mRNA, which arises from enhanced splicing of a U2-type intron with noncanonical AT–AC splice sites. Here we report three new hgf mutants that are defective, respectively, in spliceosome-associated proteins SMU1, SmF, and CWC16, an Yju2/CCDC130-related protein that has not yet been described in plants. The smu1 and cwc16 mutants have substantially increased levels of translatable GFP transcript owing to preferential splicing of the U2-type AT–AC intron, suggesting that SMU1 and CWC16 influence splice site selection in GFP pre-mRNA. Genome-wide analyses of splicing in smu1 and cwc16 mutants revealed a number of introns that were variably spliced from endogenous pre-mRNAs. These results indicate that SMU1 and CWC16, which are predicted to act directly prior to and during the first catalytic step of splicing, respectively, function more generally to modulate splicing patterns in plants.
Research areas of the Department of Medical
Psychology and Psychophysiology of Saint
Petersburg State University
Authors: Shchelkova Olga , Grandilevskaya Irina , Burina Ekaterina , Trąbczyński Piotr
Published: April 2017

This article represents primary aspects of Saint Petersburg School of Clinical Psychology and briefly describes the history of the question, as well as basic research branches implemented at the department of Medical Psychology and Psychophysiology at Saint Petersburg State University, Russia. The main key areas of research presented in the article are the following: research in the field of theory and methodology of clinical psychology, psychological research in clinical and preventive medicine, research in the field of pediatric and perinatal clinical psychology, research on the theory and practice of psychotherapy, research in psychophysiology, and development of methods for clinical psychodiagnostics.
Relations between gestational diabetes and
postpartum depressive disorders and symptoms
Authors: Zwolińska- Kloc Magda , Zabel Monika , Czajkowski Krzysztof , Ostasz- Ważny Joanna , Kokoszka Andrzej
Published: April 2017

Aim of the study

To examine whether Polish women with type 2 diabetes suffer from sexual dysfunction/dissatisfaction, and if so, to investigate the connection between the severity of sexual problems and well-being, anxiety and depression in this group of women.

Subject or material and methods

We surveyed 60 women aged 42-72 years old, M = 59.25 (SD = 9.14). The study was based on the following questionnaires: the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), Sexological Questionnaire Part B, the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, the Brief Self-Rating Scale of Depression and Anxiety.

Results

A total of 75% (N = 45) of the respondents complained of the absence of orgasm (anorgasmia), 63.3% (N = 38) showed a lack or loss of sexual desire, and 50% (N = 30) had no genital response to sexual stimuli and/or experienced sexual aversion. There was also no significant relationship between wellbeing, the presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, and the severity of sexual dysfunction.

Discussion

The current study has significant limitations due to the small number of participants and the lack of a pair matched control group. Our findings indicate higher frequency of SD than other studies. The differences should be interpreted with caution and it would be important to confirm these results in future studies, with a larger group of participants.

Conclusions

Polish women with type 2 diabetes commonly have symptoms of sexual dysfunction. Well-being, depressive and anxiety symptoms appear to co-occur with symptoms of sexual dysfunctions.
Pathological use of mobile phones by secondary
school students
Authors: Warzecha Katarzyna , Pawlak Adam
Published: April 2017

Aim of the study

The dangers resulting from the dysfunctional use of mobile phones by adolescents are presented in the study. The main aim of the conducted study was the exploration of addiction to mobile phones used by secondary students as well as the presentation of differences in addiction to mobile phones in group of women and men.
470 Polish secondary students from Silesia took part in the study.

Subject or material and methods

The author’s distributed questionnaire which contained questions concerning the types of the Internet activity, the aims and intensity of use of modern means of communication (computers with the Internet access and the mobile phones) and the Survey form and the Mobile Phone Addiction Assessment Questionnaire (KBUTK) by Potembska and Pawłowska were used in the study.

Results

The criteria of being at risk of mobile phone addiction were fulfilled by about 35% of tested students and about 4% of students were addicted to mobile phones. Analyzing the level of addiction to mobile phones by gender, it can be stated that more women than men fulfill the criteria of being addicted and being at risk of addiction to mobile phones.

Discussion

The obtained results proved the hypothesis formulated in the study which assumed that there are statistically significant differences between the students who correctly and pathologically use mobile phones in total and by gender.

Conclusions

The problematic use of mobile phones by the adolescents may be a cause of health problems and social expense.
Child self-esteem and different parenting styles of
mothers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Firouzkouhi Moghaddam Mahboubeh , Rakhshani Tayebeh , Assareh Marzieh , Validad Atiye
Published: April 2017

Aim of the study

Several factors affect the formation of self-esteem in children. Given the importance of parental attitudes and educational practices in development of a sense of self-worth in children, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between parenting styles and self-esteem in primary school children .

Subject or material and methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on primary school children in Zahedan during 2013-2014. The data were collected using Cooper-Smith Self-Esteem Inventory and Diana Baumrind Parenting Style Inventory. Then, the data were described using mean, standard deviation, and frequency, and were analyzed using multivariate regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. All analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical software, version 16.frequency, and multivariate regression test as well as Pearson correlation coefficient was applied for data analysis. The SPSS software version 16 was also used for data analysis

Results

The results showed that the total mean score of self-esteem was 32.5±5.6 and most parenting styles were authoritative (80.6%). In addition, a significant relationship was found between self-esteem and authoritative parenting style (p<0.05).

Discussion

According to the present study, the data related to predict self-esteem through the use of parenting styles indicated that authoritative parenting style is a significant predictor of self-esteem. Furthermore, authoritative parenting style is a significant predictor of a child's self-esteem and this suggests that self-esteem is significantly higher in those who have parents with authoritative parenting style

Conclusions

The study results indicated that authoritative parenting style was a significant predictor of children’s self-esteem. In other words, children of parents with authoritative parenting style had significantly higher self-esteem.
Using arts psychotherapy in psycho-oncology
as a means of coping with stress and anxiety
Authors: Schiltz Lony , Zimoch Amelia
Published: April 2017

Aim of the study

According to the state- of-the-arts in psycho-oncology, cancer, as well as the accompanying medical treatments, is a source of intense emotional stress.
As arts psychotherapies favour the imaginary and symbolic elaboration of the tensions of daily life, as well as the re-appropriation of one’s body and personal history, it could play an important role in treatment measures for patients suffering from cancer.

Subject or material and methods

We present an exploratory study with patients treated in an acute cancer ward or in outpatient settings (total N= 42). They assisted to 12 sessions of arts psychotherapy adapted to their physical condition. The evaluation study is based on a mixed methods design, combining the qualitative and quantitative exploration of stories written under musical induction with the qualitative analysis of a final semi-structured interview.

Results

The comparative and multidimensional analysis of the texts documents a significant evolution. Themes of existential importance come out of the phenomenological analysis of the semi-structured interview, and the cross checking of the texts and the interview points to recurrent categories.

Discussion

The findings are discussed at the light of the state-of-the-arts in psycho-oncology and psycho-traumatology. The specific action of arts psychotherapy is analysed.

Conclusions

Arts psychotherapy could become a valuable treating option within a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial approach in psycho-oncology, provided that certain precautions are taken.
Models of eating disorders: a theoretical
investigation of abnormal eating patterns
and body image disturbance
Authors: Brytek-Matera Anna , Czepczor Kamila
Published: April 2017

Research focused on body image issues has increased since the mid-twentieth century. Distortions in size perception, as well as body dissatisfaction, related to eating disorders, refer to body image disturbance. In this paper, the multidimensional model of eating disorders, the sociocultural model of the development of eating pathology, the ‘transdiagnostic’ theory and treatment of eating disorders, and the reward-centred model for the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa have been described. In the first three models, body dissatisfaction has been found to play a relevant role. The fourth is presented as a transtheoretical model of eating disorders, which was created based on a review of previous studies.
Thirty years’ follow-up of depressive adolescents:
a preliminary report
Authors: Bomba Jacek , Modrzejewska Renata , Pilecki Maciej , Pac Agnieszka
Published: April 2017

Aim of the study

The purpose of the study was to describe consequences of depression in adolescence. The history of health problems and the choice of life careers, were selected as indicators of the nature of depressive syndromes appearing through adolescence. Since the ’70s, adolescent depression has been discussed to be related to developmental crisis or a form of affective disorder.

Subject or material and methods

The methods employed for this baseline study was screening youngsters of school age. A sample of youngsters from different schools and different backgrounds were screened through Kraków Depression Inventory (KID) in 1985. There was a second study done 15 years later and a third study 30 years later. The questionnaires written by original authors were sent out. A preliminary analysis of the responses to the third study is presented.

Results

The results showed that there were no significant differences, between depressive students and the non depressive peer group.

Discussion

Discussion: the correspondence method which was employed was found to be limited, as there was a small number of replies received and therefore, they have limited the significance of our findings. Nevertheless it was found that the differences, between the life health histories of the group studied and that of a non depressive peer group were negligible or not at all.

Conclusions

Conclusion: results of long term prospective study, support the conception of developmental character of adolescent depression.
FROM EDITORS
Authors: Cyranka Katarzyna
Published: April 2017

There is still deficit in the number of health care specialists dealing with child and adolescent
psychiatry and in the subject literature, that could be a solid ground for the practitioners. Opening this
Spring issue of archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy with a Thirty years’ follow-up of depressive
adolescents: a preliminary report, we warmly encourage to get acquainted with all the
papers included in the 1/2017 issue, but also to refresh information from papers already published in Psychiatria Polska and Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy concerning mental health of children
and adolescents [1-7]
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Becoming a governor
Authors: Baglee Paul
Published: April 2017

The hunt is always on for prospective school governors and supporting those new to the role is crucial to ensuring they stay the course. Paul Baglee offers 10 tips for new governors
Semilinear preservers of the immanants in the set of the doubly stochastic matrices
Authors: Duffner M. Antonia , Fernandes Rosario
Published: April 2017

Let $S_n$ denote the symmetric group of degree $n$ and $M_n$ denote the set of all $n$-by-$n$ matrices over the complex field, $\IC$. Let $\chi: S_n\rightarrow \IC$ be an irreducible character of degree greater than $1$ of $S_n$. The immanant $\dc: M_n \rightarrow \IC$ associated with $\chi$ is defined by $$ \dc(X) = \sum_{\sigma \in S_n} \chi(\sigma) \prod_{j=1}^n X_{j\sigma(j)} , \quad X = [X_{jk}] \in M_n. $$ Let $\Omega_n$ be the set of all $n$-by-$n$ doubly stochastic matrices, that is, matrices with nonnegative real entries and each row and column sum is one. We say that a map $T$ from $\Omega_n$ into $\Omega_n$ \begin{itemize} \item is semilinear if $T(\lambda S_1+(1-\lambda )S_2)=\lambda T(S_1)+(1-\lambda )T(S_2)$ for all $S_1,\ S_2\in \Omega_n$ and for all real number $\lambda$ such that $0\leq \lambda\leq 1$; \item preserves $d_{\chi }$ if $d_{\chi }(T(S))=d_{\chi }(S)$ for all $S\in\Omega_n$. \end{itemize} We characterize the semilinear surjective maps $T$ from $\Omega_n $ into $\Omega_n$ that preserve $\dc$, when the degree of $\chi$ is greater than one.
Leisure Activity and Caregiver Involvement in Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Down Syndrome
Authors: Mihaila Iulia , Hartley Sigan L. , Handen Benjamin L. , Bulova Peter D. , Tumuluru Rameshwari V. , Devenny Darlynne A. , Johnson Sterling C. , Lao Patrick J. , Christian Bradley T.
Published: April 2017

The present study examined leisure activity and its association with caregiver involvement (i.e., residence and time spent with primary caregiver) in 62 middle-aged and older adults with Down syndrome (aged 30–53 years). Findings indicated that middle-aged and older adults with Down syndrome frequently participated in social and passive leisure activities, with low participation in physical and mentally stimulating leisure activities. Residence and time spent with primary caregiver were associated with participation in physical leisure activity. The findings suggest a need for support services aimed at increasing opportunities for participating in physical and mentally stimulating leisure activity by middle-aged and older adults with Down syndrome. These support services should partner with primary caregivers in order to best foster participation in physical leisure activity.
Tyrosine Phosphorylation of an Actin-Binding Protein Girdin Specifically Marks Tuft Cells in Human and Mouse Gut
Authors: Kuga Daisuke , Ushida Kaori , Mii Shinji , Enomoto Atsushi , Asai Naoya , Nagino Masato , Takahashi Masahide , Asai Masato
Published: April 2017

Summary

Tuft cells (TCs) are minor components of gastrointestinal epithelia, characterized by apical tufts and spool-shaped somas. The lack of reliable TC-markers has hindered the elucidation of its role. We developed site-specific and phosphorylation-status–specific antibodies against Girdin at tyrosine-1798 (pY1798) and found pY1798 immunostaining of mouse jejunum clearly depicted epithelial cells closely resembling TCs. This study aimed to validate pY1798 as a TC-marker. Double-fluorescence staining of intestines was performed with pY1798 and known TC-markers, for example, hematopoietic-prostaglandin-D-synthase (HPGDS), or doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1). Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated from cell counts to determine whether two markers were attracting (OR<1) or repelling (OR>1). In consequence, pY1798 signals strongly attracted those of known TC-markers. ORs for HPGDS in mouse stomach, small intestine, and colon were 0 for all, and 0.08 for DCLK1 in human small intestine. pY1798-positive cells in jejunum were distinct from other minor epithelial cells, including goblet, Paneth, and neuroendocrine cells. Thus, pY1798 was validated as a TC-marker. Interestingly, apoptosis inducers significantly increased relative TC frequencies despite the absence of proliferation at baseline. In conclusion, pY1798 is a novel TC-marker. Selective tyrosine phosphorylation and possible resistance to apoptosis inducers implied the activation of certain kinase(s) in TCs, which may become a clue to elucidate the enigmatic roles of TCs.
PROCESSO DE INTIMIDAÇÃO-TIMIDEZ NA CONSTRUÇÃO DA PERSONALIDADE DOS ESTUDANTES: REFLEXÕES SOBRE INTERVENÇÕES LUDO-PEDAGÓGICAS NA ESCOLA
Authors: Felix Tatiane Da Silva Pires , Viotto Filho Irineu Aliprando Tuim
Published: April 2017

Este trabalho é síntese de nossa dissertação de mestrado, que teve por objetivo compreender de forma crítica a realidade dos indivíduos que apresentam características tímidas na escola, entendendo a timidez como um processo Histórico-Cultural, que se constitui da síntese de múltiplas determinações e relações sociais. Entendemos a timidez como um processo de intimidação-timidez, onde processos de intimidação social resultam no desenvolvimento de emoções e sentimentos relativos ao medo e vergonha, que constituem a timidez. Em nossa pesquisa, realizamos observações sistemáticas das relações sociais de estudantes de 2º ano do Ensino Fundamental de Ciclo I(intervalos, sala de aula, quadra e pátio). Observamos também as relações destes estudantes em um trabalho de intervenção realizada pelo nosso grupo de pesquisa na escola. Podemos afirmar que as situações de intimidação presentes no interior da escola podem resultar em vivências constituídas de emoções de medo e vergonha, o que pode contribuir para a constituição da personalidade dos estudantes de forma tímida/intimidada.
The Performance of A Diesel Engine Fueled With Diesel Oil, Biodiesel and Preheated Coconut Oil
Authors: Hoang Tuan Anh , Le Vang Van
Published: April 2017

Fossil fuel crisis and depletion, environmental pollution and ever-increase in vehicle and transportation means have renewed the scientist’s interest in the world in order to look for potential alternative fuels, which are attractive such as biodiesel, bioethanol, DME and vegetable oils. Inedible vegetable oils such as coconut oil, Jatropha oil, linseed oil or animal fat are full of potential for using directly or manufacturing biodiesel. This work is carried out in order to study the four stroke diesel engine D240 performance characteristics fueled with preheated pure coconut oil (PCO), Jatropha oil methyl ester (JOME) and compare with diesel oil (DO). The test diesel engine performance such as power (Ne), torque (Me), specific fuel consumption (ge) and thermal efficiency (ηe) is determined, calculated and evaluated while using JOME, preheated PCO and compared to DO. The results show that, power (Ne), torque (Me) and thermal efficiency (ηe) while engine is fueled with JOME and PCO are lower, otherwise specific fuel consumption (ge) is higher than those of diesel fuel, the test engine performance are gained the best for JOME and PCO100.Article History: Received Dec 9, 2016; Received in revised form January 28, 2017; Accepted February 4, 2017; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Hoang, T.A and Le,V. V. (2017). The Performance of A Diesel Engine Fueled With Diesel Oil, Biodiesel and Preheated Coconut Oil. International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 6(1), 1-7.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.6.1.1-7
Kinetic and Enhancement of Biogas Production For The Purpose of Renewable Fuel Generation by Co-digestion of Cow Manure and Corn Straw in A Pilot Scale CSTR System
Authors: Taghinazhad Jabraeil , Abdi Reza , Adl Mehrdad
Published: April 2017

Biogas production from anaerobic co-digestion of cow manure (CM) and corn straw residue (CSR) were experimentally investigated using a completely stirred tank reactor (CSTR) under semi- continuously feeding circumstance at mesophilic (35°C±2) temperature. The pilot-scale digester with 180 L in volume was employed under experimental protocol to examine the effect of the change in organic loading rate on efficiency of biogas production and to report on its steady-state performance. An average organic loading rates of 2 and 3 kg VS. (m-3.d-1) and a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 25 days was examined with respect to two different CM to CSR mixing ratios of 100:0 , 75:25 and 50:50, respectively. The results showed both organic loading rates at co-digestion of CM+ CSR gave better methane yields than single digestion of cow manure. The biogas production efficiency was obtained 0.242, 0.204, 0.311 0.296, 259.5 and 235 m3.(kg VS input)-1 for 2 and 3 kg VS.(m-3.d-1) at CM to CSR mixing ratios of100:0 , 75:25 and 50:50, respectively. The reactor showed stable performance with VS reduction between 55-74% during different runs. With increment of loading rate, the VS degradation and biogas yield decreased. Modified Gompertz and logistic plot equation was employed to model the methane production at different organic loading rates and substrate concentrations. The equations gave a good approximation of the maximum methane production (rm) and the methane yield potential (P) with correlation coefficient (R2) over 0.99.Article History: Received Oct 25th 2016; Received in revised form Dec 19th 2016; Accepted 2nd January 2017; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Taghinazhad. J., Abdi, R. and Adl, M. (2017). Kinetic and Enhancement of Biogas Production for the purpose of renewable fuel generation by Co-digestion of Cow Manure and Corn Straw in a Pilot Scale CSTR System. Int Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 6(1),37-44http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ ijred.6.1.37-44
Factors Affecting The Use and Development of Solar Energy in Iran's Agricultural Sector
Authors: Mohammadi Mohsen , Yavari Gholamreza
Published: April 2017

The paper seeks to identify factors led some farmers to use renewable energy in their poultry farms. The research was a practical study in terms of goal and a descriptive-correlation study in terms of methodology. The population of the study was composed of Semnan Province poultry farmers that used any type of renewable energy in their farms. Based on the farmer's viewpoints, the most important factors made farmers use renewable energy in their poultries were poultry farm revenue, bank loans with low interest rate, and technology and equipment availability. Also, according to stepwise regression, 78.4% of the variance of the dependent variable was accounted for by the variables of economic, technical, subsidies reform, and policies factors. Therefore, financial incentives such as bank loans with low interest, distribution of technical equipment requirements and supportive legislation can be effective on the development of renewable energy use among other farmers.Article History: Received Nov 16th 2016; Received in revised form January 12nd 2017; Accepted 3rd February 2017; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Mohammadi, M and Yavari, G. (2017) Factors affecting the use and development of solar energy in Iran's agricultural sector. International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 6(1),45-53.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.6.1.45-53
Electricity from Wind for Off-Grid Applications in Bangladesh: A Techno-Economic Assessment
Authors: Rahman Md. Mustafizur , Baky Md Abdullah Hil , Islam A.K.M. Sadrul
Published: April 2017

Global GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions are increasing substantially and electricity sector is one of the key contributors to the world’s total GHG emissions. GHG emissions cause ozone layer depletion and global warming. Different policy regulation agencies are adopting regulations to reduce GHG emissions in various sectors. People already have started power generation from cleaner sources. Renewable energy sources can provide cleaner electricity. Bangladesh is a densely populated country and most of the country’s electricity is produced from natural gas and coal. The Bangladesh government has set a goal to utilize renewable energy for the production of 10% of its electricity by the year 2020. Bangladesh has a lot of isolated coastal areas which are not connected to the national grid which can be electrified by using abundant wind energy. In this study a techno-economic analysis has been conducted for an off-grid island of Bangladesh. The analysis was conducted by developing a data intensive model that calculates the generation cost of electricity from wind energy. The model also estimates the capital cost of the system. The model shows that electricity can be produced from wind energy at a cost of $0.57/kWh. The system’s capital cost was calculated to be $63,550.16.Article History: Received October 15th 2016; Received in revised form January 26th 2017; Accepted February 4th 2017; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Rahman, M.M., Baky, M.A.H, and Islam, A.K.M.S. (2017) Electricity from Wind for Off-Grid Applications in Bangladesh: A Techno-Economic Assessment. International Journal of Renewable Energy Develeopment, 6(1), 55-64.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.6.1.55-64
Performance Analysis of Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithms Under Varying Irradiation
Authors: Naick Bhukya Krishna , Chatterjee Tarun Kumar , Chatterjee Kalyan
Published: April 2017

Photovoltaic (PV) system is one of the reliable alternative sources of energy and its contribution in energy sector is growing rapidly. The performance of PV system depends upon the solar insolation, which will be varying throughout the day, season and year. The biggest challenge is to obtain the maximum power from PV array at varying insolation levels. The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller, in association with tracking algorithm will act as a principal element in driving the PV system at maximum power point (MPP). In this paper, the simulation model has been developed and the results were compared for perturb and observe, incremental conductance, extremum seeking control and fuzzy logic controller based MPPT algorithms at different irradiation levels on a 10 KW PV array. The results obtained were analysed in terms of convergence rate and their efficiency to track the MPP.Article History: Received 3rd Oct 2016; Received in revised form 6th January 2017; Accepted 10th February 2017; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Naick, B. K., Chatterjee, T. K. & Chatterjee, K. (2017) Performance Analysis of Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithms Under Varying Irradiation. Int Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 6(1), 65-74.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.6.1.65-74
Improving Stability and Convergence for Adaptive Radial Basis Function Neural Networks Algorithm. (On-Line Harmonics Estimation Application)
Authors: Almaita Eyad K , Al shawawreh Jumana
Published: April 2017

In this paper, an adaptive Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBFNN) algorithm is used to estimate the fundamental and harmonic components of nonlinear load current. The performance of the adaptive RBFNN is evaluated based on the difference between the original signal and the constructed signal (the summation between fundamental and harmonic components). Also, an extensive investigation is carried out to propose a systematic and optimal selection of the Adaptive RBFNN parameters. These parameters will ensure fast and stable convergence and minimum estimation error. The results show an improving for fundamental and harmonics estimation comparing to the conventional RBFNN. Also, the results show how to control the computational steps and how they are related to the estimation error. The methodology used in this paper facilitates the development and design of signal processing and control systems.Article History: Received Dec 15, 2016; Received in revised form Feb 2nd 2017; Accepted 13rd 2017; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Almaita, E.K and Shawawreh J.Al (2017) Improving Stability and Convergence for Adaptive Radial Basis Function Neural Networks Algorithm (On-Line Harmonics Estimation Application).  International Journal of Renewable Energy Develeopment, 6(1), 9-17.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.6.1.9-17
OPTIMASI PRODUKSI PULP FORMACELL DARI TANDAN KOSONG KELAPA SAWIT (TKKS) DENGAN METODE PERMUKAAN RESPON
Authors: Hidayati Sri , Zuidar Ahmad Sapta , Fahreza Ahmad
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT Empty oil-palm bunches (EOPB) contains more enough cellulose so that it can be made as an alternative pulp production.  One of the process of pulp production which friendly environment is by using acetate acid and formic acid called by formacell process.  The aims of the research is to got optimation models of formic acid concentration, HCl concentration and cooking duration for the EFB pulp production.  The optimum result of the EOPB pulp production were 75% of cellulose, 8% of hemiselulosa, 10% of  lignin, and 80% of yield with the optimum concentration 20% of formic acid, 0,5% of HCl, and 2 hour of cooking duration.   Keyword : pulp formacell, EFB, RSM.   ABSTRAK Tandan kosong kelapa sawit (TKKS) mengandung kadar selulosa yang cukup tinggi sehingga dapat dijadikan sebagai bahan baku alternatif produksi pulp.  Salah satu proses produksi pulp ramah lingkungan yaitu dengan menggunakan campuran pelarut asam asetat dan asam formiat sebagai bahan pemasak yang disebut proses formacell.  Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mendapatkan model optimasi dari konsentrasi asam formiat, konsentrasi HCl dan lama pemasakan untuk produksi pulp TKKS.  Konsentrasi pemasakan optimum terjadi pada konsentrasi asam formiat 20%, konsentrasi HCl 0,5%, dan lama pemasakan selama 2 jam dengan hasil optimum untuk produksi pulp TKKS yaitu 75 % selulosa, 8 % hemiselulosa, 10% lignin, dan 80% rendemen.   Kata kunci: pulp formacell, TKKS, RSM.
Excessive Fragmentary Myoclonus: What Do We Know?
Authors: Nepožitek Jiří , Šonka Karel
Published: April 2017

Excessive fragmentary myoclonus (EFM) is a polysomnographic finding registered by the surface electromyography (EMG) and characterized as a result of the muscle activity consisting of sudden, isolated, arrhythmic, asynchronous and asymmetric brief twitches. The EMG potentials are defined by the exact criteria in The International Classification of the Sleep Disorders, 3rdedition and they appear with high intensity in all sleep stages. Clinical significance of EFM is unclear. It was observed in combination with other diseases and features such as obstructive and central sleep apnea, narcolepsy, periodic limb movements, insomnia, neurodegenerative disorders and peripheral nerve dysfunction. Relation to such wide range of diseases supports the opinion that EFM is nor a specific sleep disorder nor a specific polysomnographic sign. The option that EFM is a normal variant has also not been ruled out so far.
Quantitative Parameters of Interdental Gingiva in Chronic Periodontitis Patients with IFN-γ Gene Polymorphism
Authors: Sheibak Nadia , Heidari Zahra , Mahmoudzadeh-Sagheb Hamidreza
Published: April 2017

Chronic periodontitis (CP), an infectious disease resulting in inflammation within the periodontal tissue, is the main cause of adult tooth loss. CP is a multi-factorial disorder and the interaction between multiple genetic and environmental factors results in the manifestation of this disease. Recent researches in periodontitis has focused on cytokine gene polymorphisms that play important role in periodontal inflammation, but few studies investigated histological change that occur during CP in the supporting tissue of teeth. The aims of this study were to investigate the association of IFN-γ +874 A/T polymorphisms and quantitative parameters of interdental gingiva in CP patients. The study samples were interdental gingiva biopsies from 60 individuals including 38 patients and 22 healthy subjects. After determination of IFN-γ +874 A/T gene polymorphism by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR), patients were divided in three subgroups: 10 AA, 18 AT and 10 TT. After slides preparation, quantitative parameters were estimated by Cavalieri’s point-counting method. Statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis test to compare differences between groups. The volume density (Vv) of epithelium, connective tissue and its components were significantly different between the control and CP groups (P<0.05). Statistically significant differences in the Vv of collagenous and non-collagenous matrix of interdental gingiva between AA, AT and TT groups were found (P<0.05). Result of present study shows that IFN-γ +874 A/T is strongly associated with some quantitative parameters of connective tissue constituents of interdental papilla in CP patients.
Can Platelet and Leukocyte Indicators Give Us an Idea about Distant Metastasis in Nasopharyngeal Cancer?
Authors: Arıcıgil Mitat , Dündar Mehmet Akif , Yücel Abitter , Arbağ Hamdi , Aziz Suhayb Kuria
Published: April 2017

This study aimes to evaluate platelet and leucocyte indicators, such as the mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, plateletcrit, white blood cell count, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in nasopharyngeal cancer patients and also to evaluate the relationship between these indicators and nasopharyngeal cancer with distant metastasis. The medical records of 118 patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in our hospital between January 2006 and August 2015 were reviewed. The nasopharyngeal cancer group was further sub grouped according to the presence or absence of distant metastasis and TNM (tumour – T, node – N, metastasis – M) classification. A control group consisted of 120 healthy patients. The platelet and leucocyte values at the time of the initial diagnosis were recorded. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet distribution width values were significantly higher in the nasopharyngeal cancer group. But only platelet distribution width values were significantly higher in the nasopharyngeal cancer group with distant metastasis compared to the nasopharyngeal cancer group without distant metastasis. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet distribution width values may increase in nasopharyngeal cancer. But only the platelet distribution width values may give us an idea about the distant metastasis in nasopharyngeal cancer.
Not so individual after all: An ecological approach to age as an individual difference variable in a classroom
Authors: Pfenninger Simone E.
Published: April 2017

The main goal of this paper is to analyze how the age factor behaves as an alleged individual difference (ID) variable in SLA by focusing on the influence that the learning context exerts on the dynamics of age of onset (AO). The results of several long-term classroom studies on age effects will be presented, in which I have empirically analyzed whether AO works similarly across settings and learners or whether it is influenced by characteristics of the setting and the learner—and if so, whether there are contextual variables that can help us understand why those outcomes are different. Results of multilevel analyses indicate that macro-contextual factors (i.e., the wider school context) turn out to have a mediating effect on the relation between AO and L2 proficiency increase, exerting both positive and negative influences and thus suggesting that AO effects are malleable, which is what one would expect if we are dealing with an ID variable. In contrast, no such phenomenon can be observed in relation to lower contextual levels; learners within classes do not vary with regard to how sensitive they are to AO. Since the broader social environment in which learning takes place seems to be more influential than the cognitive state assumed to be a characteristic of the individual, I suggest that an ID model that assumes that age is a “fixed factor” (Ellis, 1994, p. 35) is not entirely satisfactory.
Origins of Adulthood Personality: The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Authors: Fletcher Jason M. , Schurer Stefanie
Published: April 2017

We test whether adverse childhood experiences – exposure to parental maltreatment and its indirect effect on health – are associated with age 30 personality traits. We use rich longitudinal data from a large, representative cohort of young US Americans and exploit the differences across siblings to control for the confounding influences of shared environmental and genetic factors. We find that maltreatment experiences are significantly and robustly associated with neuroticism, conscientiousness, and openness to experience, but not with agreeableness and extraversion. High levels of neuroticism are linked to sexual abuse and neglect; low levels of conscientiousness and openness to experience are linked to parental neglect. The estimated associations are significantly reduced in magnitude when controlling for physical or mental health, suggesting that adolescent health could be one important pathway via which maltreatment affects adulthood personality. Maltreatment experiences, in combination with their health effects, explain a significant fraction of the relationship between adulthood conscientiousness and earnings or human capital. Our findings provide a possible explanation for why personality traits are important predictors of adulthood labor market outcomes.
A Nonspeculation Theorem with an Application to Committee Design
Authors: Chen Jidong , Fey Mark , Kristopher W. Ramsay
Published: April 2017

Various well known agreement theorems show that if players have common knowledge of actions and a “veto" action is available to every player, then they cannot agree to forgo a Pareto optimal outcome simply because of private information in settings with unique equilibrium. We establish a nonspeculation theorem which is more general than previous results and is applicable to political and economic situations that generate multiple equilibria. We demonstrate an application of our result to the problem of designing an independent committee free of private persuasion.
Stability of Equilibrium Outcomes under Deferred Acceptance: Acyclicity and Dropping Strategies
Authors: Tello Benjamín
Published: April 2017

We consider two-sided many-to-one matching markets where hospitals have responsive preferences. In this context, we study the preference revelation game induced by the student-proposing deferred acceptance mechanism. We show that acyclicity of the hospitals’ preference profile (Romero-Medina and Triossi 2013a. “Acyclicity and Singleton Cores in Matching Markets.” Economics Letters 118 (1):237–9) is a necessary and sufficient condition to ensure that the outcome of every Nash equilibrium in which each hospital plays a dropping strategy is stable.
A study on Chinese register characteristics based on regression analysis and text clustering
Authors: Hou Renkui , Huang Chu-Ren , Liu Hongchao
Published: April 2017

This paper reports an innovative Chinese register study based on regression analysis for sentence length distribution and text clustering. Although end of sentence is not conventionally marked in Chinese, we resolve this issue by assuming that segments between periods, question marks, and exclamation marks are sentences, which can be further divided into simple sentences and compound sentences. We also assume that segments between punctuation marks that express pauses in utterances form sentences (i.e., clauses). Using regression analysis, we find that the frequency distribution of sentence and clause lengths in Chinese can be fitted by the formula F = aLbcL, where L is sentence/clause length. Texts from different registers give rise to different fitted values of the parameters, and hence can serve to differentiate these registers. Finally, we use these parameters to represent and cluster texts from different registers. The successful text clustering results further prove that the parameters of the fitted results are reliable linguistic characteristics for different registers. In terms of linguistic theories, our study shows that it is just as effective to model sentence length in Chinese using sociological words (i.e., characters) as it is using linguistic words.
The role of thromboxane A2 in complement activation-related pseudoallergy
Authors: Fülöp Tamás Gyula , Metselaar Josbert M. , Storm Gert , Szebeni János
Published: April 2017

Complement activation-related pseudoallergy (CARPA) is a hypersensitivity reaction occurring upon intravenous administration of numerous liposomal therapeutics, other nonbiological complex drugs and biologicals. It has a complex molecular and cellular mechanism that involves the production, actions and interactions of numerous vasoactive mediators in blood, including thromboxane A