bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information security governance: business requirements and research directions
Authors: Höne Karin , Eloff Jan
Published: January 2017

World wide the importance of Information Security Governance is demanding the attention of senior management. This is due to the ever-changing threat landscape requiring that organisations adopt a focussed approach towards the protection of information assets. Any successful approach towards Information Security Governance is dependant on the availability of relevant and timely research outputs. The research community working on Information Security Governance are diverse and appears to be mis-aligned with the needs of the business community. The problem that this paper addresses is twofold. Firstly, it addresses the confusion regarding the meaning of Information Security Governance. Secondly, it assesses the gap between research and business communities from an Information Security Governance perspective. This article analyses the requirements from the business community and mapped it against current research outputs. Findings clearly indicate that the two worlds are not entirely aligned and that in some cases minimum effort is being spent on the topics deemed important by the business community. Information Security Governance in general can benefit from an improved alignment between the needs of business and the outputs of the research community.
Controllership institutionalisation process of corporate governance in Brazilian companies
Authors: Beuren Ilse Maria , Muler Elza Terezinha Cordeiro
Published: January 2017

The aim of the article was thus to verify how the Controllership institutionalization process takes place in corporate governance companies in Santa Catarina State – Brazil. Research was carried out by means of a multi-case study with a qualitative approach. Five companies were selected, but four answered the questionnaire, all listed in Bovespa’s corporate governance. The research found only one company underwent a restructuring process in controllership. In this, the institutionalization process involved the system and sub-systems used in the company, encompassing every task and practice. The institutionalization of controllership assured the implementations, controls, performance, goals and levels of commitment of those involved.
Tax-related political costs and incentives to voluntarily expense stock options an analysis of the regulatory landscape
Authors: Mooney Jane , Weiden Kathleen , Lin Jang Shee Barry
Published: January 2017

The threat of regulation is clear when proposed legislation is introduced in Congress or when other regulatory bodies formally begin consideration of new, tighter requirements. When faced with proposed undesirable regulation, firms may attempt to deflect it in a variety of ways. Accounting and economics research suggests that firms use accounting policy choice as a means of reducing political costs. Prior to 2002, only two firms voluntarily expensed stock options under the provisions of FASB 123. By the end of 2003, a number of firms volunteered to expense stock options in the face of possible mandates from the FASB. A close examination of the record of regulators’ activities indicates that, during 2002 and 2003, Congress proposed five pieces of legislation that would increase the tax costs of firms and six pieces of legislation that would increase the taxes of firm managers. We suggest that the decision to begin expensing options reflects firms’ and managers’ beliefs that the voluntary expensing of stock options for financial reporting purposes would ward off regulatory efforts to convert proposed tax legislation affecting the firms’ and managers’ taxes into enacted tax law. Our preliminary analysis provides evidence consistent with this general hypothesis. While prior research on the impact of taxes on accounting policy choice has examined accounting policy choice in response to enacted tax legislation, this paper provides early evidence on accounting policy choice in the face of proposed tax legislation.
Pengembangan Kultur Sekolah Berbasis Syariah dalam Pembentukan Karakter Siswa di SMK IT Smart Informatika Surakarta
Authors: Hidayah Nur
Published: January 2017

Objective of this study is to determine development of sharia-based school culture in creating character education of students in The Integrated Islamic Vocational School (SMK IT) of Surakarta which includes factors inhibiting development of school culture and the Sharia-based solution.This study is a qualitative descriptive one. The research was conducted at SMK IT. Subjects of this study is principal, student andvice principal of student affairsof the school, while teacher, homeroom, teacher of guidance and counseling, boardinghouse caregiver as an informant. Methods of data collection used interview, observation and documentation. The results showed that the sharia-based school culture that has been developed through religious activities and school culture coming from moral values of Islam can lead to character education in everyday life, in practice there were some obstacles derived from both internal and external of the school. Internal barriers were innate character of students, lack of infrastructure, unstable team work, educational background of the student, and wicked nature of the student. As for the external factors were obstacles derived from negative impact of globalization and technological sophistication, lack of support from parents, social influence, influence of social patterns before staying at the boardinghouse. Keywords: School Culture, Sharia Culture Development, Character Education
THE LANGUAGE USE OF MULTIETHNIC SOCIETY IN KARANG TALIWANG MATARAM (PENGGUNAAN BAHASA PADA MASYARAKAT MULTIETNIS DI KARANG TALIWANG MATARAM)
Authors: Nursaly Baiq Rismarini
Published: January 2017

Karang Taliwang is one of regions in the district of Cakranegara, Kota Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara Province. Here live three language communities. They are Sasak, Bali, and Sumbawa. Each of them use their own language to communicate with their community but do code mixing when communicate with other language communities. Their choice of language depends on some factors among other things; domain, place, situation, participant and purpose as said by Fishman,â€ who speak, what language, to whom, when, and to what endâ€.
SETHE'S MERCY KILLING IN MORRISON'S 'BELOVED'
Authors: Febriyanti Rina Husnaini
Published: January 2017

The aim of this research study is to describe the causes of Setheâ€™s doing Mercy Killing. The objects of the study are words, phrases, clauses and sentences taken from the novel. The data are collected by the process of recording in cards and tables. The instrument of the research is the researcher herself. The method used in this research study is qualitative method in which the reliability and validity is acquired by expert judgment. The findings of the study show that Setheâ€™s doing Mercy Killing are caused by the disharmony problems of the id, ego and superego in Setheâ€™s personality. This study reveals that finally Setheâ€™s superego controls her personality which leads her to kill her baby. Setheâ€™s mercy killing happens because she was an exslave woman, she was an African American woman, Sethe wished her daughter in a better place than her, and she hoped her daughter who had been killed by her getting a freedom forever.
THE IDEOLOGY OF POPULAR CULTURE IN ESTI KINASIHâ€™S 'FAIRISH'
Authors: Widjayanti Ellita Permata
Published: January 2017

This study aims to investigate the ideology of pop culture in Esti Kinasihâ€™s Fairish teenager literature with descriptive analytical method and is framed based on pop culture and ideology theory. The study was conducted by analyzing the representation of pop culture in the intrinsic elements of the novel and in the dialogues and narrations as well. The elements are then analyzed how they are intertwined to form a particular ideology that is injected to the readers. The result of the analysis shows that the novel contains pop culture which is visible from the colloquial language, the partyculture, the dating culture and the stereotypes of boy/girlfriend, and the idea of how to resolve the problem as well. The ideology found is the idea injection that the artificial culture â€“although it is outside the norm and appropriateness of Indonesian culture- constitutes something that is reasonable and legitimate to do.
Acceptance and commitment therapy: the new wave of cognitive behavior therapy
Authors: Saputra Wahyu Nanda Eka , Widiasari Santi
Published: January 2017

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is one of the major counseling theories today. However, reliability of this theory has received criticism from other theories, which claim to cognitive interventions do not provide added value on behavioral interventions. The theory criticized and showed dissatisfaction with the practice of CBT is the theory of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Furthermore, ACT is known to a new generation of CBT.ACT is one of the new counseling approach that can be applied to school counselors to deal with the issues of students in the school.
Right atrium and superior vena cava pressure measurements in a novel animal model to study one and a half ventricle repair as compared to Fontan type procedure
Authors: Bhattarai Anil , Dedja Arben , Vida Vladimiro L. , Cavallin Francesco , Padalino Massimo A. , Thiene Gaetano , Stellin Giovanni
Published: January 2017

Background & Objectives: To evaluate the advantages of the one and a half ventricle repair on maintaining a low pressure in the inferior vena cava district. Also evaluate the competition of flows at the superior vena cava – right pulmonary artery anastomosis site, in order to understand the hemodynamic interaction of a pulsatile flow in combination to a laminar one. Materials & Methods: Adult rabbits (n=30) in terminal anaesthesia with a follow up of 8 h were used, randomly distributed in three experimental groups: Group 1: animals with an anastomosis between superior vena cava and right pulmonary artery, as a model of one and one half ventricle repair; Group 2: animals with the cavopulmonary anastomosis followed by clamping of the right pulmonary artery proximal to the anastomosis; and Group 3: sham animals. Pressures of superior vena cava and pulmonary arteries were afterwards measured, in a resting condition as well as after induced pharmacological stress test.Results: In Group 1, superior vena cava pressure was significantly higher, while venous pressure in the inferior vena cava – right atrium district was constant or lower in comparison with the other groups. After stress test, the pressure in the superior vena cava and the heart rate both increased further, but the right ventricular, right atrial and pulmonary artery pressures remained similar to the values in a resting condition. This proved that the inferior vena cava return was well-preserved, and no venous hypertension was present in the inferior vena cava district even after stress test (good exercise tolerance).Conclusion: One and one half ventricle repair can be considered a good surgical strategy for maintaining a low pressure in the inferior vena cava district with potential for right ventricle growth, restoring the more physiological circulation in borderline or failing right ventricle conditions. The experiment presented a positive finding in favour of one and one half ventricle repair, as compared to Fontan type procedure.
Esthetic Rehabilitation with a Cast Partial Denture
Authors: Shrestha Suraksha , Sah Sanjay
Published: January 2017

Removable partial denture is a treatment option where fixed prosthesis is not indicated. Due to its esthetic problems in the anterior region various modifications have been designed for its fabrication. This article describes an esthetic alternative using a round rest distal depression clasp for maxillary anterior teeth abutment while restoring the missing teeth with a cast partial denture.
The utility of 3D printing for surgical planning and patient-specific implant design for complex spinal pathologies: case report
Authors: Mobbs Ralph J. , Coughlan Marc , Thompson Robert , Sutterlin Chester E. , Phan Kevin
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

There has been a recent renewed interest in the use and potential applications of 3D printing in the assistance of surgical planning and the development of personalized prostheses. There have been few reports on the use of 3D printing for implants designed to be used in complex spinal surgery.

METHODS

The authors report 2 cases in which 3D printing was used for surgical planning as a preoperative mold, and for a custom-designed titanium prosthesis: one patient with a C-1/C-2 chordoma who underwent tumor resection and vertebral reconstruction, and another patient with a custom-designed titanium anterior fusion cage for an unusual congenital spinal deformity.

RESULTS

In both presented cases, the custom-designed and custom-built implants were easily slotted into position, which facilitated the surgery and shortened the procedure time, avoiding further complex reconstruction such as harvesting rib or fibular grafts and fashioning these grafts intraoperatively to fit the defect. Radiological follow-up for both cases demonstrated successful fusion at 9 and 12 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These cases demonstrate the feasibility of the use of 3D modeling and printing to develop personalized prostheses and can ease the difficulty of complex spinal surgery. Possible future directions of research include the combination of 3D-printed implants and biologics, as well as the development of bioceramic composites and custom implants for load-bearing purposes.
Registration of ‘KSUZ 0802’ Zoysiagrass
Authors: Chandra A. , Fry J. D. , Genovesi A. D. , Meeks M. , Engelke M. C. , Zhang Q. , Okeyo D. , Moss J. Q. , Ervin E. , Xiong Xi , Milla-Lewis S. , Brosnan J.T. , Griffin J. , Parsons L.
Published: January 2017

KSUZ 0802 (Reg. No. CV‐282, PI 678793) is a fine‐textured, cold‐tolerant zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) hybrid co‐developed and jointly released by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Dallas, TX, and the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan, KS. KSUZ 0802 is an F1 interspecific hybrid developed in 2001 from a cross between Zoysia matrella (L). Merr. ‘Cavalier’ and an ecotype of Z. japonica Steud. named Anderson 1, a derivative of ‘Chinese Common’. After years of testing (2004 –2008) for turf quality and winter survival at Manhattan, KS, KSUZ 0802 was advanced to a nine location test (2009 –2012) in the transition zone (Wichita and Manhattan, KS, Columbia, MO, Fletcher and Jackson Springs, NC, Stillwater, OK, Knoxville, TN, Virginia Beach and Blacksburg, VA, and Dallas, TX. The freezing tolerance, spring green‐up, and fall color retention of KSUZ 0802 is equivalent to ‘Meyer’, but KSUZ 0802 has a finer leaf texture. KSUZ 0802 is also superior to Meyer for turf quality and resistance to bluegrass billbug damage. KSUZ 0802 is well suited for use on golf course fairways and tees, home lawns, and other recreational areas in the transition zone.
The Notion of ‘Singularity’ in the Work of Gilles Deleuze
Authors: Borum Peter
Published: January 2017

In Deleuze, singularity replaces generality in the economy of thought. A Deleuzian singularity is an event, but the notion comprises the effectuation of the event into form. The triptych émission–distribution–répartition itself distributes the dimensions of the passage from form-giving event to topological morphology. The Deleuzian concept of intensity allows thinking both pre-individuality and the rhizomatic connection of singularities on the metaphysical surface of structure. Reflections upon the philosophy of differential calculus allow for a coherent scaffolding reaching from pre-individual intensity to specific individuality, in the passage from transcendental genesis to empirical morphogenesis. But if singularity as event is intensive, singularity as determinant of morphology – and hence, of structural metastability – is not. Although the differential scaffolding covers both intensive difference and extensive equality, and so the two sides of the notion of singularity, the concept of intensity remains slightly displaced, rendering conceptually difficult not only the perception of intensity, but also the contemplation of individual duration, if viewed in the terms of genetic ‘indi-drama-different/ciation’. The essay concludes that it is art that may let us consciously contemplate our pre-individual differences.
From More’s Utopia to the Jesuit Reducciones in Paraguay
Authors: Cro Stelio
Published: January 2017

The author discusses the Utopian genre in both Spain and Latin America, arguing that some aspects of Utopia—its island form, its philosophical language, its disdain for gold—indicate that More knew certain Hispanic chroniclers and was at home in this genre’s natural tendency to interpret history in relation to Gospel teaching. A series of examples from Las Casas to Peramás reinforces the view that the Hispanic Utopia takes root principally in a program of political reforms on behalf of native Americans.
La Mort et le péché dans les écrits de Sir Thomas More/Death and Sin in the Writings of Sir Thomas More
Authors: Phélippeau Marie-Claire
Published: January 2017

Summary of a doctoral dissertation defended at the Sorbonne on 9 November 2007, for which the candidate received the unanimous congratulations of her four member jury.
Tolerancia religiosa en la isla de Utopía
Authors: Araújo Joachim Machado de
Published: January 2017

Hay diferentes religiones en Utopía. La diversidad de creencias está en camino de centrarse en un credo único, más racional porque más natural. La política religiosa de Utopo se inspira en principios políticos y ético-religiosos. En este artículo, identificamos distintos niveles de tolerancia en Utopía y subrayamos la presencia de una relación estrecha entre religión y violencia.
Thomas More and the Louvain Humanists
Authors: Keane Robert
Published: January 2017

Louvain dans le titre est la ville où parut l’édition princeps d’Utopia, et l’université où étudièrent et enseignèrent plusieurs amis de More : Erasme, Vives, Dorp, et le juriste néerlandais Cranevelt, qu’il découvrit lors de sa mission de 1520 à Bruges. L’auteur base son étude sur plusieurs documents, notamment les treize lettres de More reproduites en facsimilé, avec traduction en anglais et en français, dans Moreana 117/3-84. Cranevelt partageait pluieurs traits avec More : avocat, père de famille, employé de la ville puis conseiller d’Etat, poète et traducteur de textes grecs, fidèle à la foi catholique, amoureux de la paix il correspondit avec More même lorsque leurs pays furent en guerre.
Conscience et liberté de conscience chez les protestants français aux XVIe et XVIIe siècles
Authors: Joblin Alain
Published: January 2017

La notion de « liberté de conscience » semble moins évoquée dans les grands débats philosophiques, politiques, voire théologiques, que celle de « tolérance ». Or, elle fut au coeur des doléances des protestants français aux XVIe et XVIIe siècles. On la retrouve également dans les édits de pacification qui rythmèrent l’histoire des relations mouvementées qu’entretinrent catholiques et protestants entre 1562 et 1598 (Edit de Nantes), Cet attachement des huguenots à la « liberté de conscience » s’explique sans doute par le fait que, très vite, ils ne se firent pas beaucoup d’illusions sur leur avenir en tant que « corps constitué » reconnu au sein de la société française. On les « tolérait » dans l’attente de pouvoir mieux les « contraindre »... Leur seule espérance était qu’on leur reconnaisse la liberté personnelle de demeurer fidèle à leur foi.
Trajectory Tracking of a Tri-Rotor Aerial Vehicle Using an MRAC-Based Robust Hybrid Control Algorithm
Authors: Ali Zain , Wang Daobo , Aamir Muhammad , Masroor Suhaib
Published: January 2017

In this paper, a novel Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC)-based hybrid control algorithm is presented for the trajectory tracking of a tri-rotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The mathematical model of the tri-rotor is based on the Newton–Euler formula, whereas the MRAC-based hybrid controller consists of Fuzzy Proportional Integral Derivative (F-PID) and Fuzzy Proportional Derivative (F-PD) controllers. MRAC is used as the main controller for the dynamics, while the parameters of the adaptive controller are fine-tuned by the F-PD controller for the altitude control subsystem and the F-PID controller for the attitude control subsystem of the UAV. The stability of the system is ensured and proven by Lyapunov stability analysis. The proposed control algorithm is tested and verified using computer simulations for the trajectory tracking of the desired path as an input. The effectiveness of our proposed algorithm is compared with F-PID and the Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC). Our proposed controller exhibits much less steady state error, quick error convergence in the presence of disturbance or noise, and model uncertainties.
Strong Aftershock Study Based on Coulomb Stress Triggering—A Case Study on the 2016 Ecuador Mw 7.8 Earthquake
Authors: Wu Jianchao , Cai Yongjian , Li Weijie , Feng Qian
Published: January 2017

The 2016 Ecuador M 7.8 earthquake ruptured the subduction zone boundary between the Nazca plate and the South America plate. This M 7.8 earthquake may have promoted failure in the surrounding crust, where six M ≥ 6 aftershocks occurred following this mainshock. These crustal ruptures were triggered by the high coulomb stress changes produced by the M 7.8 mainshock. Here, we investigate whether the six M ≥ 6 aftershocks are consistent with the positive coulomb stress region due to the mainshock. To explore the correlation between the mainshock and the aftershocks, we adopt a recently published high-quality finite fault model and focal mechanisms to study the coulomb stress triggers during the M 7.8 earthquake sequence. We compute the coulomb failure stress changes (ΔCFS) on both of the focal mechanism nodal planes. We compare the ΔCFS imparted by the M 7.8 mainshock on the subsequent aftershocks with the epicenter location of each aftershock. In addition, the shear stress, normal stress, and coulomb stress changes in the focal sources of each aftershock are also computed. Coulomb stress changes in the focal source for the six M ≥ 6 aftershocks are in the range of −2.17–7.564 bar. Only one computational result for the M 6.9 aftershock is negative; other results are positive. We found that the vast majority of the six M ≥ 6 aftershocks occurred in positive coulomb stress areas triggered by the M 7.8 mainshock. Our results suggest that the coulomb stress changes contributed to the development of the Ecuador M 7.8 earthquake sequence.
Membrane Operations for Process Intensification in Desalination
Authors: Drioli Enrico , Ali Aamer , Macedonio Francesca
Published: January 2017

Process intensification strategy (PIS) is emerging as an interesting guideline to revolutionize process industry in terms of improved efficiency and sustainability. Membrane engineering has appeared as a strong candidate to implement PIS. The most significant progress has been observed in desalination where substantial reduction in overall energy demand, environmental footprint, and process hazards has already been accomplished. Recent developments in membrane engineering are shaping the desalination industry into raw materials and energy production where fresh water will be produced as a byproduct. The present study discusses the current and perspective role of membrane engineering in achieving the objectives of PIS in the field of desalination.
Possible Causes for Spatial and Temporal Variation of Warm Season Precipitation in Xinjiang from 1960–2014
Authors: Song Shikai , Ding Jianli , Zong Zhaolei , Yang Aixia , Luo Geping
Published: January 2017

In this work, rain totals from 1960–2014, obtained during the warm season (May to October) from 52 meteorological stations, over Xinjiang, China were classified as either light, moderate, or heavy rain in two sub-regions (northern and southern). Spatial and temporal trends for rain amounts and days for the three rain classes were determined. All light, moderate, and heavy rain amounts displayed increasing trends over the two sub-regions. Furthermore, heavy rain amounts contributed the most to changes in total rain amounts. Light rain days in northern Xinjiang significantly decreased, in contrast to increasing light rain days in southern Xinjiang and moderate and heavy rain days within two sub-regions. Results obtained from correlation and relative weights analyses implied that lower-tropospheric specific humidity was the main factor responsible for light rain day trends in Xinjiang. Increasing temperatures were not found to have a significant effect.
Hyperfine Structure and Isotope Shifts in Dy II
Authors: Del Papa Dylan , Holt Richard , Rosner S.
Published: January 2017

Using fast-ion-beam laser-fluorescence spectroscopy (FIBLAS), we have measured the hyperfine structure (hfs) of 14 levels and an additional four transitions in Dy II and the isotope shifts (IS) of 12 transitions in the wavelength range of 422–460 nm. These are the first precision measurements of this kind in Dy II. Along with hfs and IS, new undocumented transitions were discovered within 3 GHz of the targeted transitions. These atomic data are essential for astrophysical studies of chemical abundances, allowing correction for saturation and the effects of blended lines. Lanthanide abundances are important in diffusion modeling of stellar interiors, and in the mechanisms and history of nucleosynthesis in the universe. Hfs and IS also play an important role in the classification of energy levels, and provide a benchmark for theoretical atomic structure calculations.
Reflections on Catalytic Selective Oxidation: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Taylor Stuart
Published: January 2017

Currently, and looking forward, there is an ever increasing demand to perform chemical transformations with optimized atom and energy efficiency [...]
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Luminescence and Magnetism of Three Novel Coordination Polymers Based on Flexible Multicarboxylate Zwitterionic Ligand
Authors: Ma Yulu , Du Lin , Wang Kaimin , Zhao Qihua
Published: January 2017

Three novel zwitterionic coordination polymers, namely, {[Zn(HCbdcp)2]·H2O} (1), {[Mn(Cbdcp)]·3H2O} (2) and {[Cu2(Cbdcp)(HCbdcp)Cl·H2O]·2H2O} (3), Cbdcp = 3,5-dicarboxy-1-(4-carboxybenzyl)pyridin-1-ium, have been prepared by a hydrothermal method and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis, powder X-ray diffraction analysis, IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. With the changing of metal centers, these complexes show distinct structures: a mononuclear 2D 44-sql network for 1, a 3D 6,6-connected-type topology for 2 and a novel dinuclear 2D layer for 3. These diverse architectures prove that coordination geometry of metal ions, coordination modes of carboxylate groups and the rotationally flexible CH2 linker played significant roles in the construction of CPs; moreover, they also indicated that H3CbdcpCl is an ideal organic candidate for the building of novel structures. The solid-state luminescent properties of complexes 1–3 were investigated, respectively. In addition, the magnetic properties of 2 and 3 were studied and both of them exhibit antiferromagnetic behaviors.
Transfer Learning for SSVEP Electroencephalography Based Brain–Computer Interfaces Using Learn++.NSE and Mutual Information
Authors: Sybeldon Matthew , Schmit Lukas , Akcakaya Murat
Published: January 2017

Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCI) using Steady-State Visual Evoked Potentials (SSVEP) are sometimes used by injured patients seeking to use a computer. Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) is seen as state-of-the-art for SSVEP BCI systems. However, this assumes that the user has full control over their covert attention, which may not be the case. This introduces high calibration requirements when using other machine learning techniques. These may be circumvented by using transfer learning to utilize data from other participants. This paper proposes a combination of ensemble learning via Learn++ for Nonstationary Environments (Learn++.NSE)and similarity measures such as mutual information to identify ensembles of pre-existing data that result in higher classification. Results show that this approach performed worse than CCA in participants with typical SSVEP responses, but outperformed CCA in participants whose SSVEP responses violated CCA assumptions. This indicates that similarity measures and Learn++.NSE can introduce a transfer learning mechanism to bring SSVEP system accessibility to users unable to control their covert attention.
Numerical Analysis of the Effects of Rotating Wind Turbine Blades on the Aerodynamic Forces Acting on Tower
Authors: Kono Takaaki , Nebucho Satoshi , Kogaki Tetsuya , Kiwata Takahiro , Kimura Shigeo , Komatsu Nobuyoshi
Published: January 2017

We have investigated the effects of the rotating blades of an upwind-type three-blade horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) on the basic characteristics of aerodynamic forces acting on its tower by conducting improved delayed detached-eddy simulations (DESs). Three tip-speed ratios were considered for the operating conditions of the HAWT: λ = 3 (low), λ = 6 (optimum), and λ = 10 (high). The diversion of the flow approaching the tower by the rotating blades and the low-pressure region that formed downwind of the blades significantly affected the aerodynamic forces acting on the tower. For example, the azimuth angle around the tower at which the pressure reached a maximum at each height shifted significantly in the direction of the movement of the blade passing the tower because of the diversion of the flow by the blades. Fluctuations in the lift force of the tower were significantly larger than those in its drag force because of the low-pressure region downwind of the blades.
Nanostructure and Oxidation Reactivity of Nascent Soot Particles in Ethylene/Pentanol Flames
Authors: Ying Yaoyao , Xu Chenxuan , Liu Dong , Jiang Bo , Wang Pengfei , Wang Wei
Published: January 2017

As byproducts of the combustion process of hydrocarbon fuels, soot particles are difficult to remove, and they can greatly harm human health and pollute the environment. Therefore, the formation and growth processes of the soot particles has become a study focus of researchers. In this paper, the nanostructure and oxidation reactivity of carbonaceous particles collected from ethylene inverse diffusion flames with or without the additions of three pentanol isomers (1-pentanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 2-methyl-1-butanol) were investigated in detail. The nanostructure and oxidation characteristics of nascent soot particles were characterized using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that the nascent soot cluster of pure ethylene flame had a loose structure, while the additions of pentanol isomers made the soot agglomerates more compact and delayed the growth of graphitic structures. The pentanol isomer additions also contributed to a higher disorder of the crystallite arrangement in the soot nanostructure. According to the TGA experiments, the results showed that the addition of pentanol isomers enhanced the oxidation reactivity of soot particles, which could help to reduce soot particle emissions.
Integrated Traction Control Strategy for Distributed Drive Electric Vehicles with Improvement of Economy and Longitudinal Driving Stability
Authors: Zhang Xudong , Göhlich Dietmar
Published: January 2017

This paper presents an integrated traction control strategy (ITCS) for distributed drive electric vehicles. The purpose of the proposed strategy is to improve vehicle economy and longitudinal driving stability. On high adhesion roads, economy optimization algorithm is applied to maximize motors efficiency by means of the optimized torque distribution. On low adhesion roads, a sliding mode control (SMC) algorithm is implemented to guarantee the wheel slip ratio around the optimal slip ratio point to make full use of road adhesion capacity. In order to avoid the disturbance on slip ratio calculation due to the low vehicle speed, wheel rotational speed is taken as the control variable. Since the optimal slip ratio varies according to different road conditions, Bayesian hypothesis selection is utilized to estimate the road friction coefficient. Additionally, the ITCS is designed for combining the vehicle economy and stability control through three traction allocation cases: economy-based traction allocation, pedal self-correcting traction allocation and inter-axles traction allocation. Finally, simulations are conducted in CarSim and Matlab/Simulink environment. The results show that the proposed strategy effectively reduces vehicle energy consumption, suppresses wheels-skid and enhances the vehicle longitudinal stability and dynamic performance.
Proper Motions of Jets on the Kiloparsec Scale: New Results with HST
Authors: Meyer Eileen , Sparks William , Georganopoulos Markos , Van der Marel Roeland , Anderson Jay , Sohn Sangmo , Biretta John , Norman Colin , Chiaberge Marco , Perlman Eric
Published: January 2017

The Hubble Space Telescope recently celebrated 25 years of operation. Some of the first images of extragalactic optical jets were taken by HST in the mid-1990s; with time baselines on the order of 20 years and state-of-the-art astrometry techniques, we are now able to reach accuracies in proper-motion measurements on the order of a tenth of a milliarcsecond per year. We present the results of a recent HST program to measure the kiloparsec-scale proper motions of eleven nearby optical jets with Hubble, the first sample of its kind. When paired with VLBI proper-motion measurements on the parsec scale, we are now able to map the full velocity profile of these jets from near the black hole to the final deceleration as they extend out into and beyond the host galaxy. We see convincing evidence that weak-flavor jets (i.e., FR Is) have a slowly increasing jet speed up to 100 pc from the core, where superluminal components are first seen.
A New Strategy for Heavy Metal Polluted Environments: A Review of Microbial Biosorbents
Authors: Ayangbenro Ayansina , Babalola Olubukola
Published: January 2017

Persistent heavy metal pollution poses a major threat to all life forms in the environment due to its toxic effects. These metals are very reactive at low concentrations and can accumulate in the food web, causing severe public health concerns. Remediation using conventional physical and chemical methods is uneconomical and generates large volumes of chemical waste. Bioremediation of hazardous metals has received considerable and growing interest over the years. The use of microbial biosorbents is eco-friendly and cost effective; hence, it is an efficient alternative for the remediation of heavy metal contaminated environments. Microbes have various mechanisms of metal sequestration that hold greater metal biosorption capacities. The goal of microbial biosorption is to remove and/or recover metals and metalloids from solutions, using living or dead biomass and their components. This review discusses the sources of toxic heavy metals and describes the groups of microorganisms with biosorbent potential for heavy metal removal.
Workplace Violence against Health Care Workers in North Chinese Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Sun Peihang , Zhang Xue , Sun Yihua , Ma Hongkun , Jiao Mingli , Xing Kai , Kang Zheng , Ning Ning , Fu Yapeng , Wu Qunhong , Yin Mei
Published: January 2017

This research aimed to determine the prevalence of workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers, explore the frequency distribution of violence in different occupational groups, and determine which healthcare occupation suffers from WPV most frequently. Furthermore, the current study aimed to compare risk factors affecting different types of WPV in Chinese hospitals. A cross-sectional design was utilized. A total of 1899 healthcare workers from Heilongjiang, a province in Northeastern China, completed the questionnaire. Of the respondents, 83.3% reported exposure to workplace violence, and 68.9% reported non-physical violence. Gender, education, shift work, anxiety level, and occupation were significantly correlated with physical violence (p < 0.05 for all correlations). Additionally, age, professional title, and occupation were correlated with non-physical violence, which critically affected doctors. Thus, gender, age, profession, anxiety, and shift work were predictive of workplace violence toward healthcare workers. Doctors appeared to experience non-physical workplace violence with particularly higher frequency when compared to nurses and other workers in hospitals. For healthcare workers, interventions aimed at WPV reduction should be enacted according to the types of violence, profession, and other factors underlying the various types of WPV in hospitals.
Linkage of OGC WPS 2.0 to the e-Government Standard Framework in Korea: An Implementation Case for Geo-Spatial Image Processing
Authors: Yoon Gooseon , Kim Kwangseob , Lee Kiwon
Published: January 2017

There are many cases wherein services offered in geospatial sectors are integrated with other fields. In addition, services utilizing satellite data play important roles in daily life and in sectors such as environment and science. Therefore, a management structure appropriate to the scale of the system should be clearly defined. The motivation of this study is to resolve issues, apply standards related to a target system, and provide practical strategies with a technical basis. South Korea uses the e-Government Standard Framework, using the Java-based Spring framework, to provide guidelines and environments with common configurations and functions for developing web-based information systems for public services. This web framework offers common sources and resources for data processing and interface connection to help developers focus on business logic in designing a web system. In this study, a geospatial image processing system—linked with the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Web Processing Service (WPS) 2.0 standard for real geospatial information processing, and based on this standard framework—was designed and built utilizing fully open sources. This is the first case of implementation based on WPS 2.0 running on the e-Government Standard Framework. Establishing a standard for its use will be important, and the system built in this study can serve as a reference for the foundational architecture in building geospatial web service systems with geodata-processing functionalities in government agencies.
Bayesian Fusion of Multi-Scale Detectors for Road Extraction from SAR Images
Authors: Xu Rui , He Chu , Liu Xinlong , Chen Dong , Qin Qianqing
Published: January 2017

This paper introduces an innovative road network extraction algorithm using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery for improving the accuracy of road extraction. The state-of-the-art approaches, such as fraction extraction and road network optimization, failed to obtain continuous road segments in separate successions, since the optimization could not change the parts ignored by the fraction extraction. In this paper, the proposed algorithm integrates the fraction extraction and optimization procedure simultaneously to extract the road network: (1) the Bayesian framework is utilized to transfer the road network extraction to joint reasoning of the likelihood of fraction extraction and the priority of network optimization; (2) the multi-scale linear feature detector (MLFD) and the network optimization beamlet are introduced; (3) the conditional random field (CRF) is used to reason jointly. The result is the global optimum since the fraction extraction and network optimization are exploited at the same time. The proposed algorithm solves the problem that the fractions are bound to reduce in the process of network optimization and has demonstrated effectiveness in real SAR images applications.
Integrated MicroRNA–mRNA Profiling Identifies Oncostatin M as a Marker of Mesenchymal-Like ER-Negative/HER2-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Bottai Giulia , Diao Lixia , Baggerly Keith , Paladini Laura , Győrffy Balázs , Raschioni Carlotta , Pusztai Lajos , Calin George , Santarpia Libero
Published: January 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) simultaneously modulate different oncogenic networks, establishing a dynamic system of gene expression and pathway regulation. In this study, we analyzed global miRNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profiles of 17 cell lines representing different molecular breast cancer subtypes. Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between miRNA and mRNA expression. Hierarchical clustering and pathway analysis were also performed. Publicly available gene expression profiles (n = 699) and tumor tissues (n = 80) were analyzed to assess the relevance of key miRNA-regulated pathways in human breast cancer. We identified 39 significantly deregulated miRNAs, and the integration between miRNA and mRNA data revealed the importance of immune-related pathways, particularly the Oncostatin M (OSM) signaling, associated with mesenchymal-like breast cancer cells. OSM levels correlated with genes involved in the inflammatory response, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling in human estrogen receptor (ER)-negative/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer. Our results suggest that the deregulation of specific miRNAs may cooperatively impair immune and EMT pathways. The identification of the OSM inflammatory pathway as an important mediator of EMT in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) may provide a novel potential opportunity to improve therapeutic strategies.
Bajijiasu Abrogates Osteoclast Differentiation via the Suppression of RANKL Signaling Pathways through NF-κB and NFAT
Authors: Hong Guoju , Zhou Lin , Shi Xuguang , He Wei , Wang Haibin , Wei Qiushi , Chen Peng , Qi Longkai , Tickner Jennifer , Lin Li , Xu Jiake
Published: January 2017

Pathological osteolysis is commonly associated with osteoporosis, bone tumors, osteonecrosis, and chronic inflammation. It involves excessive resorption of bone matrix by activated osteoclasts. Suppressing receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) signaling pathways has been proposed to be a good target for inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. Bajijiasu—a natural compound derived from Morinda officinalis F. C. How—has previously been shown to have anti-oxidative stress property; however, its effect and molecular mechanism of action on osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption remains unclear. In the present study, we found that Bajijiasu dose-dependently inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption from 0.1 mM, and reached half maximal inhibitory effects (IC50) at 0.4 mM without toxicity. Expression of RANKL-induced osteoclast specific marker genes including cathepsin K (Ctsk), nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAcP), vacuolar-type H+-ATPase V0 subunit D2 (V-ATPase d2), and (matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) was inhibited by Bajijiasu treatment. Luciferase reporter gene studies showed that Bajijiasu could significantly reduce the expression and transcriptional activity of NFAT as well as RANKL-induced NF-κB activation in a dose-dependent manner. Further, Bajijiasu was found to decrease the RANKL-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), inhibitor of κB-α (IκB-α), NFAT, and V-ATPase d2. Taken together, this study revealed Bajijiasu could attenuate osteoclast formation and bone resorption by mediating RANKL signaling pathways, indicative of a potential effect of Bajijiasu on osteolytic bone diseases.
Post-Translational Modifications of the TAK1-TAB Complex
Authors: Hirata Yusuke , Takahashi Miki , Morishita Tohru , Noguchi Takuya , Matsuzawa Atsushi
Published: January 2017

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) family that is activated by growth factors and cytokines such as TGF-β, IL-1β, and TNF-α, and mediates a wide range of biological processes through activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways. It is well established that activation status of TAK1 is tightly regulated by forming a complex with its binding partners, TAK1-binding proteins (TAB1, TAB2, and TAB3). Interestingly, recent evidence indicates the importance of post-translational modifications (PTMs) of TAK1 and TABs in the regulation of TAK1 activation. To date, a number of PTMs of TAK1 and TABs have been revealed, and these PTMs appear to fine-tune and coordinate TAK1 activities depending on the cellular context. This review therefore focuses on recent advances in the understanding of the PTMs of the TAK1-TAB complex.
An Analysis of the Influence of Graph Theory When Preparing for Programming Contests
Authors: Jordán Cristina , Gómez Jon , Conejero J.
Published: January 2017

The subject known as Programming Contests in the Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering course focuses on solving programming problems frequently met within contests such as the Southwest Europe Regional Contest (SWERC). In order to solve these problems one first needs to model the problem correctly, find the ideal solution, and then be able to program it without making any mistakes in a very short period of time. Leading multinationals such as Google, Apple, IBM, Facebook and Microsoft place a very high value on these abilities when selecting candidates for posts in their companies. In this communication we present some preliminary results of an analysis of the interaction between two optional subjects in the Computer Science Degree course: Programming Contests (PC) and Graphs, Models and Applications (GMA). The results of this analysis enabled us to make changes to some of the contents in GMA in order to better prepare the students to deal with the challenges they have to face in programming contests.
Effect of Annealing Temperature on the Corrosion Protection of Hot Swaged Ti-54M Alloy in 2 M HCl Pickling Solutions
Authors: Sherif El-Sayed , El Danaf Ehab , Abdo Hany , Zein El Abedin Sherif , Al-Khazraji Hasan
Published: January 2017

The corrosion of Ti-54M titanium alloy processed by hot rotary swaging and post-annealed to yield different grain sizes, in 2 M HCl solutions is reported. Two annealing temperatures of 800 °C and 940 °C, followed by air cooling and furnace cooling were used to give homogeneous grain structures of 1.5 and 5 μm, respectively. It has been found that annealing the alloy at 800 °C decreased the corrosion of the alloy, with respect to the hot swaged condition, through increasing its corrosion resistance and decreasing the corrosion current and corrosion rate. Increasing the annealing temperature to 940 °C further decreased the corrosion of the alloy.