bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
journal of Religious Studies, University of Chitral
Authors: Haq Zia
Published: December 2019

Dear readers! The human nature right from the very outset has been engrossed with curiosity of knowing the truth of the existence of all things, which is a never ending process of research. It is the demand of the divine will that man uses his wisdom and critical thinking as a guiding force. The truth of the matter is that Islam has out rightly refuted renouncing completely worldly gains. We have to spend our lives in this world by keeping in line with the realities of life and not avoiding them. We have to find out the reality of things like the warmness of the sunlight, the hotness and coolness of the air, the light of the moon, the stars on the milky ways, the rotation of the earth, the uneasy waves of the sea, the snowcapped mountains and colors of the rainbow. All that is what we mean from research, curiosity, deep reflection and critical thinking. The University of Chitral is therefore making an effort towards that end by bringing out this journal to provide a platform for the knowledge seekers to employ their potentials for the greater benefit of future generations.
Митні формальності: проблеми реалізації в Україні
Authors: Кунєв Ю. Д. , Кунєва З. Ю.
Published: December 2019

Стаття присвячена виявленню проблем реалізації правового явища «митні формальності» у митній діяльності. Встановлено, що в національному митному законодавстві підміняється або ототожнюється значення понять «митна процедура», «заходи митного контролю» значенням поняття «митні формальності», що вносить плутанину в праворозуміння та правозастосування митного законодавства в Україні. Запропоновано під час формування та реалізації митного законодавства України врахувати теоретичні розробки та пропозиції вітчизняних вчених, що стосуються митних формальностей і процедур.
Аналіз порушень митного законодавства в Україні
Authors: Лепеха М. О.
Published: December 2019

У статті проведено аналіз сутності порушень митного законодавства. Розкрито сутність механізму адміністративно-правового забезпечення охорони митного правопорядку та проаналізовано основні показники діяльності виконавчих органів у сфері боротьби з митними правопорушеннями
Контроль митної вартості після випуску товарів у вільний обіг
Authors: Микитенко Т. В.
Published: December 2019

Тема статті – організація та методика постмитного аудиту митної вартості товарів як форми митного контролю після випуску товарів, виявлення проблемних питань та розробка шляхів їх усунення. Метою є розробка методики контролю достовірності заявленої митної вартості після випуску ввезених товарів, що дозволяє виявляти характер порушень митного законодавства і систематично вдосконалювати методику. Визначено мету, завдання, джерела інформації та систематизовано об’єкти постмитного аудиту митної вартості товарів. Проведено групування джерел інформації за напрямами отримання: від митних та податкових органів, спеціалізованих експертних організацій, з органів державної статистики, правоохоронних контролюючих органів, банківських та інших фінансово-кредитних установ, від державних органів, установ та організацій, декларантів, митних органів іноземних держав, інших. Рекомендовано впровадження та удосконалення системи управління якістю у діяльності митних аудиторів, підвищення ефективності управління персоналом та мотивації працівників, проведення регулярної оцінки ефективності роботи структурних підрозділів та формування системи управління якістю їх роботи. Для вибору об’єктів для митного постаудиту рекомендовано посилювати оперативність автоматизованого обміну фінансовою інформацією з митними адміністраціями іноземних держав шляхом підписання угод, впровадження науково обґрунтованого підхо ду, проведення дисперсійного аналізу джерел інформації
Удосконалення нормативноправового регулювання питань здійснення процедур митного контролю та митного оформлення водних транспортних засобів та товарів, що переміщуються ними через державний кордон України
Authors: Артеменко А. В.
Published: December 2019

У статті наведено критичний аналіз нормативно-правового забезпечення у сфері здійснення митних процедур на водному транспорті. Визначено проблемні аспекти в контексті обраної тематики й окреслено основні напрями удосконалення нормативноправового регулювання у сфері здійснення митних процедур на водному транспорті. Зокрема, визначено необхідність внесення змін до Митного кодексу України та прийняття ряду інших нормативно-правових актів.
Європейський досвід здійснення процедур митного контролю та митного оформлення товарів, що перевозяться через митний кордон водними транспортними засобами
Authors: Молдован Е. С.
Published: December 2019

У статті досліджено європейський досвід здійснення процедур митного контролю та митного оформлення товарів, що перевозяться через митний кордон водними транспортними засобами. Проаналізовано основні нормативно-правові акти ЄС у досліджуваній сфері. Сформульовано принципи здійснення митного контролю на території ЄС. Визначено особливості здійснення митного оформлення товарів, що переміщуються водними транспортними засобами через митні кордони ЄС
Особливості митного регулювання зовнішньоекономічної діяльності в Новій Зеландії
Authors: Сторожук О. В.
Published: December 2019

Стаття присвячена дослідженню особливостей митного регулювання зовнішньоекономічної діяльності в Новій Зеландії. Проаналізовано підходи різних вчених щодо визначення проблем митного регулювання зовнішньоекономічної діяльності в Новій Зеландії. Досліджено динаміку експортно-імпортних операцій і перспективи співпраці України та Нової Зеландії у сфері зовнішньоекономічної діяльності.
Підвищення компетентності валідатора – шлях до поліпшення якості постмитного контролю
Authors: Бабенко Б. І.
Published: December 2019

У статті досліджено аспекти, що сприяють митним відомствам (митницям) у сфері полегшення торгівлі й забезпечення безпеки ланцюга товаропотоку від імпортера до споживача; формування ключових компетенцій, притаманних валідаторам, здійснюючим документальні перевірки результатів постмитного контролю, маючих досвід роботи в цій сфері, відповідні компетентності і повноваження.
Дослідження тенденцій розвитку міжнародної інтернет-торгівлі та міжнародного поштового обміну
Authors: Федоришина Л. М.
Published: December 2019

Мета. Аналіз тенденцій розвитку міжнародної інтернет-торгівлі та міжнародного поштового обміну у їхньому взаємозв’язку. Методика дослідження. Теоретичною основою дослідження є наукові праці вітчизняних та зарубіжних вчених за досліджуваною проблемою. У процесі роботи були використані загальнонаукові методи та прийоми: монографічний – для вивчення літературних джерел з теми дослідження; формальної логіки – для аналізу, узагальнення і систематизації матеріалу; табличний та графічний – для наочного відображення проаналізованих даних; абстрактно-логічний – під час обґрунтування теоретичних положень і формулювання висновків. Результати. Проаналізовано динаміку показників розвитку електронної торгівлі України у 2014–2017 рр. і встановлено, що вони характеризуються вищими темпами зростання, ніж показники обсягу роздрібної торгівлі; зростає кількість транскордонних операцій; лідерами поставок товарів в України є AliExpress, eBay та Amazon. Узагальнено умови виконання замовлень зарубіжними торговцями. Виявлено, що найбільша частка обсягом реалізованих міжнародних послуг у сфері телекомунікацій та поштового зв’язку припадає на м. Київ, Львівську, Одеську, Київську та Харківську області, що пояснюється наявністю саме у цих регіонах місць міжнародного поштового обміну (проведення митних формальностей стосовно міжнародних поштових відправлень) та розміщенням центральних сортувальних станцій (проведення митних формальностей стосовно міжнародних експрес-відправлень). Узагальнено місця міжнародного поштового обміну та центральні сортувальні станції в регіональному розрізі. Проаналізовано структуру поштового обміну. Встановлено, що упродовж 2014–2016 рр. зростає кількість оформлених митницями ДФС міжнародних поштових та експрес-відправлень вартістю до 150 євро без сплати до державного бюджету митних платежів. Наукова новизна. Дістало подальшого розвитку дослідження особливостей і наслідків переміщення (пересилання) товарів через митний кордон України у міжнародних поштових та експрес-відправленнях. Обґрунтовано потребу у розробці дієвого механізму аналізу ризиків, що актуалізуються під час здійснення міжнародної електронної торгівлі. Практична значущість. Окремі положення наукового дослідження можуть бути використані в навчальному процесі та щодо написання наукових робіт.
Митний контроль товарів, що містять об’єкти права інтелектуальної власності
Authors: Заяц В. В.
Published: December 2019

У статті висвітлено суть митного контролю товарів, що містять об’єкти права інтелектуальної власності, стан відображення в національному законодавстві міжнародних норм із цього питання, а також вплив зазначеного на розвиток зовнішньої торгівлі України.
Сучасний стан впровадження Cargo targeting system в Україні
Authors: Коновалов Ю. О. , Романюк У. В.
Published: December 2019

Стаття присвячена висвітленню питань сучасного стану впровадження Cargo targeting system в Україні. У статті розкрито поняття Cargo Targeting System, виведені основні принципи дії та виокремлено ряд особливостей і переваг Cargo Targeting System. Крім того, проаналізовано сучасний стан впровадження системи в Українських реаліях та запропоновано перспективи подальших досліджень.
Система критеріїв відбору суб’єктів господарювання для проведення документальних перевірок дотримання вимог законодавства України з питань державної митної справи
Authors: Костенко А. О.
Published: December 2019

У статті висвітлено недоліки поточної процедури відбору підприємтв, що здійснюється органами державної фіскальної служби. За результатами виконання митних формальностей та аналізу встановлених порушень законодавства у попередніх роках, запропоновано систему критеріїв відбору суб’єктів господарювання для проведення документальних перевірок дотримання вимог законодавства України з питань державної митної справи, методику їхнього розрахунку та надано пропозиції щодо методології роботи з такою системою.
THE ROLE OF INFORMATION ASYMMETRY IN MODERATING THE INFLUENCE OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENTS AND BUDGETING PARTICIPATION TOWARDS BUDGETING GAP IN PIUI IN EAST JAVA
Authors: Mujiono Mujiono , Chandrarin Grahita , Assih Prihat
Published: December 2019

This study aims to examine the effect of organizational commitment and budgeting participation on budgeting gap at the Private Islamic University Institutions (PIUI) in the work area of Kopertais IV Pantura Cluster, using information asymmetry as a moderating variable. The analysis was conducted on 136 lecturers as respondents who served as deans, vice deans, chairpersons and secretaries of the study program, director and assistant director of the postgraduate program, and heads of administration from 20 PIUIs in East Java province spread across Gresik, Lamongan, Tuban, and Bojonegoro regions. The research hypothesis testing was carried out by MRA analysis. The research findings show that: organizational commitment has a significant negative effect on budgeting gap, budgeting participation has a positive effect on budgeting gap, information asymmetry does not play a role in moderating the influence of organizational commitment on budgeting gap, and information asymmetry provide weakening effect of budgeting participation on budgeting gap.
EFFECT OF COMPENSATION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT TO EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE THROUGH JOB SATISFACTION AS A VARIABLE OF MEDIATION IN PT METISKA FARMA
Authors: Latuconsina Abdul Samad , Widodo Djoko Setyo , Siswandoko Tjatjuk
Published: December 2019

This study a purpose to know and analyze the influence of compensation and work environment on employee performance with job satisfaction as a variable of mediation either simultaneously or partially in PT. Metiska Farma. The sampling technique used is accidental sampling is the way of sampling by chance, ie anyone who happens to meet with this researcher and considered suitable to be a source of data will be a sample of this study. The sample of respondents in this study was 80 people. Data analysis using path analysis or path analysis. From result of analysis and discussion hence can be concluded that: (1) partially compensation have positive, strong and significant effect to employee performance with correlation coefficient equal to 0,618; (2) partially working environment has positive, strong and significant effect on employee performance with correlation coefficient of 0.679; (3) partially job satisfaction has a positive, strong and significant effect on employee performance with correlation coefficient of 0.618; (4) simultaneously compensation, work environment, and job satisfaction have a positive, strong and significant effect on employee performance with correlation coefficient of 0.723; (5) the effect of compensation on employee performance through job satisfaction is 0.618 x 0.776 =0.479. While the effect of compensation on employee performance is 0.618. In this case, the direct impact of compensation on employee performance is greater when compared with indirect influence through job satisfaction is 0.618> 0.479, so it can be said that job satisfaction variable not as a mediation variable; and (6) the effect of work environment on employee performance through job satisfaction is 0,640 x 0,618 =0,395. While the effect of the work environment on employee performance is 0,679. In this case, it is known that the direct effect of work environment on employee performance is greater when compared with indirect influence through job satisfaction is 0.679> 0.395, so it can be said that job satisfaction variable, not as a mediation variable.
INFLUENCE OF LEADERSHIP AND DISCIPLINE ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE THROUGH MOTIVATION IN BINWASNAKER AND K3 EMPLOYEES OF JAKARTA
Authors: Astuti Sri , Suharto Suharto , Sodikin Akhmad
Published: December 2019

This study aims to determine the effect of leadership and discipline on organizational performance simultaneously, knowing the influence of leadership on organizational performance partially, knowing the influence of discipline on organizational performance partially, knowing the effect of motivation on organizational performance partially, knowing the effect of leadership on performance through motivation and know the influence of discipline on organizational performance through motivation variables. The study was conducted at the Jakarta Civil Servants and K3 Employees' organization. Sampling using saturated samples involving 200 employees in all parts of the organization. Data analysis uses path analysis.
Based on the results of the study note that the variables of leadership and discipline simultaneously affect organizational performance. Leadership variables affect organizational performance partially. Discipline variables partially affect organizational performance. Motivational variables affect organizational performance partially. The influence of leadership and discipline influences organizational performance through motivation.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Drin Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Drink from Different Food Premises in Kota Samarahan Sarawak
Authors: NILLIAN ELEXSON , AMIZA NUR  , DIYANA NUR  , ZAKIRAH AMIRAH , BEBEY GRACE
Published: December 2019

Contamination of drinks with E. coli O157:H7 served in food premises such as restaurants can cause haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uremic syndrome to humans. The presence or absence of faecal pathogen was demonstrated using coliform group as indicator microorganisms. Therefore, this study was conducted to detect the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in drinking water from food restaurant premise in Kota Samarahan and Kuching to ensure safe and potable drinking water is served to the consumer. A total of thirty (n=30) drink samples including six types of each of the samples are cold plain water, iced tea, iced milo, syrup and iced milk tea. Most Probable Number (MPN) procedure was used in this study to enumerate the MPN values of coliform bacteria in each drink collected. A total of 53.33% (16/30) of the drink samples showed positive E. coli detection. Then, the PCR assay showed 6.25% (one out of 16 isolates) samples were positive and carried stx1 gene produced by E. coli O157:H7 in iced milo sample types. This study showed the drinks collected from food premises was contaminated with faecal contamination, which was not safe to drink by the consumer. Therefore, preventive actions should be taken to prevent foodborne illness outbreak in future
Faktor-Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Siklus Haid Tidak Teratur Pada Mahasiswi Kebidanan Poltekkes Kemenkes Jayapura
Authors: Lestari Muji , Amal Fachry
Published: December 2019

Based on preliminary studies that have been carried out on Jayapura Midwifery students, the results of 30 people who have experienced menstruation, 20 people said the menstrual cycle is irregular and 10 people said the menstrual cycle is regular. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between nutritional status and sports activities with menstrual cycles in midwifery students Department Poltekkes Jayapura. Type of research is quantitative research using cross sectional design. The population is 385 female students and sample is 196 respondents. Technique sampling using simple random sampling. Data is presented by table and and narrative form, the statistikal test is chi-square.The results of bivariate analysis using the chi-square test showed that there is a relationship between nutritional status and the menstrual cycle (ρ=0.008) and there is no relationship between sport activities with the menstrual cycle (ρ = 0.790). Suggestions for students to consume foods that have a balanced nutritional value, routinely do sports activities and avoid stress.
Karakteristik Keluarga Terhadap Kejadian Stunting Pada Anak Sekolah Dasar di Kecamatan Nanggalo Kota Padang
Authors: Dasril Oktariyani
Published: December 2019

Stunting is a state of the body that is very short beyond the -2 SD deficit below the median (WHO, 2013). Report of the Padang City Health Office in 2017, where the incidence of stunting at the Lapai Public Health Center was 17.7%. The purpose of this study is to look at the family characteristics of stunting in elementary school children in Nanggalo District, Padang City. This type of analytic research with cross sectional design. The population of all first grade students in five public and private elementary schools is 124 people. While sampling uses a total sampling technique. Data collection on students was measured height (TB), the mother was interviewed about family characteristics related to nutritional status (level of education, economic status and parenting in the family) using a questionnaire guide. The study was conducted in May - September 2019. Data were analyzed univariately and bivariately using computerization. The results showed that 25% of respondents stunted, 19.4% had low maternal education, 24.2% had low family economic status and 48.4% of children had poor parenting. There is a relationship between family characteristics, namely the level of education (p=0,000), economic status (p=0,000) and parenting (p=0,007) with the incidence of stunting in Elementary School Children in Nanggalo District, Padang City. It is recommended that parents and health workers to improve nutritional status and reduce the incidence of stunting in children.
Perbedaan Efektifitas Madu dan Air Gula Terhadap Nyeri Injeksi Imunisasi Campak Bayi Usia 9-15 Bulan Puskesmas Lubuk Buaya Tahun 2019
Authors: Susanti Dewi , Doni Alsri Windra , Desfialni Putri Rizqi Twin
Published: December 2019

Coverage of measles immunization in Padang city is 88.8%, while the target of achieving national measles immunization is 95%. The reason a child is not immunized is 27.5% because it is delayed at another time. Pain management of nonpharmacological immunization with honey and sugar water can increase comfort so as to avoid delaying at another time. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in the effectiveness of honey and sugar water against the pain of measles immunization injection in infants aged 9-15 months. This type of research is a Quasi experiment with post test only design. sampling with a sample size of 32 people. Pain score data obtained from observation sheets and analyzed univariately and bivariately using an independent t test with computerization. The results of the study mean the pain score in the honey group was 1.19 while the mean pain score in the sugar water group was 1.88. After an independent t test was obtained p value = 0.038 (α <0.05) means that there is a difference in the effectiveness of honey and sugar water against the pain of measles immunization injection. The results of the study concluded that honey was more effective on measles immunization injection pain scores. The suggestion of this study was to improve the comfort of children by minimizing the pain of immunization injection using honey and sugar water.
Effect of 3-Phenyllactic Acid and 3-Phenyllactic Acid-Producing Lactic Acid Bacteria on the Characteristics of Alfalfa Silage
Authors: Wu Zhe , Xu Shengyang , Yun Ying , Jia Tingting , Yu Zhu
Published: December 2019

In this study, an experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of lactic acid bacteria and 3-phenyllactic acid (PLA) on the fermentation quality and chemical composition of alfalfa silage. Several PLA-tolerant strains were screened from silages and identified. The selected strains (1 × 106 colony forming units/g fresh alfalfa) and PLA (1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 g/kg) were applied to alfalfa before ensiling. After 45 days of storage, the silages were unsealed and subjected to component analysis. Biochemical methods and 16S rDNA gene sequencing were used for the identification of the two strains as Lactobacillus plantarum. The characteristics of chemical and fermentation compounds indicated that PLA and the two strains efficiently improved the quality of the alfalfa silage. It can be concluded that the use of the strains and PLA can significantly improve the quality of silage.
The Overexpression of Tβ4 in the Hair Follicle Tissue of Alpas Cashmere Goats Increases Cashmere Yield and Promotes Hair Follicle Development
Authors: Dai Bai , Liang Hao , Guo Dong-dong , Bi Zhao-wei , Yuan Jian-long , Jin Yong , Huan Lei , Guo Xu-dong , Cang Ming , Liu Dong-jun
Published: December 2019

Increased cashmere yield and improved quality are some goals of cashmere goat breeding. Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) plays a key role in the growth and development of hair follicles. For the past ten years, we have evaluated the role of Tβ4 by establishing a flock of 15 cashmere goats that specifically overexpress the Tβ4 gene in the hair follicles. These Tβ4 overexpression (Tβ4-OE) cashmere goats had more secondary hair follicles than the WT goats and produced more cashmere. Meanwhile, combined analysis of the skin transcriptome and proteome in cashmere goats suggested that Tβ4 may affect hair growth by interacting with keratin type II cytoskeletal 4 epidermal (KRT4) to mediate the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway, thereby promoting the development of secondary hair follicles, and consequently, increasing cashmere yield. Thus, the specific overexpression of Tβ4 in the hair follicles of cashmere goats effectively increased the cashmere yield.
Combined Effect of Ferrous Ion and Biochar on Cadmium and Arsenic Accumulation in Rice
Authors: Rong Qun , Zhong Kai , Li Fangyuan , Huang He , Li Chuanzhang , Nong Xinyu , Zhang Chaolan
Published: December 2019

Excessive accumulation of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) poses a potential health risk to populations. Cd and As exhibit opposite geochemical behavior in paddy soil, using appropriate remediation materials to reduce their migration and inhibit their uptake by rice is a great challenge. A pot culture experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of application of silkworm excrement biochar (BC) and ferrous sulfate (Fe(II)) on available Cd and As in paddy soils and their uptake by rice. Results showed that the application of BC + Fe significantly accelerated the tillering of rice plants, and the addition of BC alone to soil did not have a significant effect on the pH of soil, while applied 1% (w/w) BC and 1% (w/w) Fe(II) (1BC-1 Fe(II)) treatment could markedly reduce the soil pH. BC+Fe(II) could reduce the content of available Cd (reduced by 10%–23%) and As (reduced by 6%–33%) in soil. BC+Fe(II) has a distinct decreasing effect on the available As, thus inhibiting As uptake in rice tissues, and the effect was more obvious with an increasing mass ratio of Fe in BC+Fe(II) treatment. BC+Fe(II) decreased bioaccumulation factors (BF) of As compared to control and BC alone treatments. Compared with As, Cd was more readily transferred from the root to the shoot and accumulated in rice eventually. These findings provide a safe and reliable remediation strategy though application of BC+Fe(II) in Cd and As co-contaminated soil. However, the improvement effect of amendments should be paid a special attention on soil pH.
Zeolite Synthesis Using Imidazolium Cations as Organic Structure-Directing Agents
Authors: Vinaches Paloma , Pergher Sibele
Published: December 2019

Imidazolium-derivative cations are very interesting molecules used as organic structure-directing agents (OSDAs) for zeolite synthesis, widening the possibilities of new materials and applications in this research area. In this review, the studies performed at LABPEMOL using this kind of compound are presented after a quick overview on imidazolium derivatives. The first zeolite synthesis results that started this research study were obtained with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride. Then, the design of new OSDAs based on the imidazolium cation, such as 1,2,3-triethylimidazolium, 2-ethyl-1,3-dimethylimidazolium and 1,2,3-triethyl-4-methylimidazolium, is reported. Afterwards, the structure-direction effect caused by the introduction of heteroatoms with already-published imidazolium derivatives (for example, the Al3+ insertion into zeolite frameworks with two different OSDAs and the silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) synthesis using 2-ethyl-1,3,4 trimethylimidazolium cations) is discussed. Finally, we also present a quick overview of some achievements of other laboratories.
A Re-Entry Path Planning Method for Service Robots Based on Dynamic Inver-Over Evolutionary Algorithm
Authors: Tao Yong , Chen Chaoyong , Wang Tianmiao , Chen Youdong , Xiong Hegen , Ren Fan , Zou Yu
Published: December 2019

A re-entry path planning method in omitting areas for service robots is suggested based on dynamic Inver-Over evolutionary algorithms after the robot automatically avoids obstacles. The complete coverage path planning is researched for cleaning service robots. Combined with features of dynamic travelling salesmen problem (DTSP), a local operator is employed for the path planning to enhance real-time dynamic properties of the Inver-Over algorithm. The method addresses the path planning problem that a number of cells undergo dynamic changes over time under work environment of cleaning robots. With simulations and experiments performed, it is discovered that the average relative error is 2.2% between the re-entry path planning and the best path, which validates the effectiveness and feasibility of the method.
Hybrid Resonant Converter with Three Half-Bridge Legs for Wide Voltage Operation
Authors: Lin Bor-Ren , Zhuang Yong-Sheng
Published: December 2019

This paper studied a hybrid resonant converter with three half bridge legs for wide input voltage operation. Compared to the conventional resonant converters with narrow voltage operation, the presented converter can achieve wider voltage operation. On the basis of the proper switching status of power switches, the developed converter can operate at half-bridge resonant circuit under high input voltage range and the other two full-bridge resonant circuits under medium and low input voltage ranges. Each resonant circuit has a 2:1 (Vin,max = 2Vin,min) input voltage operation range. Therefore, the developed converter can achieve an 8:1 (Vin,max = 8Vin,min) wide voltage operation. The main advantage of the studied converter is the single-stage direct current (DC)/DC power conversion instead of the two-stage power conversion to achieve wide voltage operation. Because the equivalent resonant tank of the adopted converter is controlled by frequency modulation, the soft switching operation on power switches or rectifier diodes can be realized to improve circuit efficiency. The performance of the proposed circuit was confirmed and verified by experiments with a laboratory circuit.
Compound Analysis of Jing Liqueur and nrf2 Activation by Jing Liqueur—One of the Most Popular Beverages in China
Authors: Cai You-Sheng , Xu Jian , Chen Mosi , Wang Daoqing , Yang Yuejun , Manavalan Arulmani , Wu Xiaohua , Liu Yuancai , Cao Shugeng
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study is to identify the minor compounds in Jing liqueur, determine the concentration of metals, amino acids, and polysaccharides, and evaluate their Nrf2 activity and cytotoxicity. Jing liqueur that contains Chinese medicine is one of the best-selling liqueurs in China, which is also marketed in the United States. Totally, we have isolated 189 minor compounds including one new molecule (7) from a concentrated Jing liqueur, with the concentrations of most isolated compounds at micromolar levels. The structures of all these compounds were determined by using MS and NMR (1D and 2D) or by comparison of their chemical and physical data with reported values in the literatures. Besides, the concentrations of iron (0.52 mg/L), zinc (0.21 mg/L), calcium (11.0 mg/L), L-proline (2.33 mg/L), L-arginine (1.73 mg/L), total amino acids (9.84 mg/L), and total polysaccharides (337.4 mg/L) were determined. Jing liqueur, the five fractions and most of the compounds isolated from Jing liqueur were screened for their activities in the Nrf2-ARE and MTT assays. At 5.2 mg/mL the crude enhanced the Nrf2 activity. At 80 μg/mL, fraction IV weakly but fraction V strongly activated Nrf2. Among the compounds screened in the Nrf2 assay, eighteen activated Nrf2 at 40 μg/mL and compounds 51 and 126 from fraction V were the most active. The crude, all the five fractions, and Nrf2 activators were not cytotoxic toward HepG2 cells. In conclusion, Jing liqueur contains different classes of compounds including flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, coumarins, cinnamic acid or coumaric acid, and phenyl ethanol (or acetic acid) derivatives, benzoquinone, naphthoquinone, anthraquinones or phenanphrene derivatives, xanthones, chromone, and γ-pyrone derivatives, lignans, other aromatic compounds, and others. Jing liqueur and the eighteen compounds, which were isolated from Jing liqueur, could activate Nrf2 without any cytotoxicity.
Genetic Diversity and Identification of Vietnamese Paphiopedilum Species Using DNA Sequences
Authors: Vu Huyen-Trang , Vu Quoc-Luan , Nguyen Thanh-Diem , Tran Ngan , Nguyen Thanh-Cong , Luu Phuong-Nam , Tran Duy-Duong , Nguyen Truong-Khoa , Le Ly
Published: December 2019

Paphiopedilum is among the most popular ornamental orchid genera due to its unique slipper flowers and attractive leaf coloration. Most of the Paphiopedilum species are in critical danger due to over-exploitation. They were listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which prevents their being traded across borders. While most Paphiopedilum species are distinctive, owing to their respective flowers, their vegetative features are more similar and undistinguished. Hence, the conservation of these species is challenging, as most traded specimins are immature and non-flowered. An urgent need exists for effective identification methods to prevent further illegal trading of Paphiopedilum species. DNA barcoding is a rapid and sensitive method for species identification, at any developmental stage, using short DNA sequences. In this study, eight loci, i.e., ITS, LEAFY, ACO, matK, trnL, rpoB, rpoC1, and trnH-psbA, were screened for potential barcode sequences on the Vietnamese Paphiopedilum species. In total, 17 out of 22 Paphiopedilum species were well identified. The studied DNA sequences were deposited to GenBank, in which Paphiopedilum dalatense accessions were introduced for the first time. ACO, LEAFY, and trnH-psbA were limited in amplification rate for Paphiopedilum. ITS was the best single barcode. Single ITS could be used along with nucleotide polymorphism characteristics for species discrimination. The combination of ITS + matK was the most efficient identification barcode for Vietnamese Paphiopedilum species. This barcode also succeeded in recognizing misidentified or wrongly-named traded samples. Different bioinformatics programs and algorithms for establishing phylogenetic trees were also compared in the study to propose quick, simple, and effective tools for practical use. It was proved that both the Bayesian Inference method in the MRBAYES program and the neighbor-joining method in the MEGA software met the criteria. Our study provides a barcoding database of Vietnamese Paphiopedilum which may significantly contribute to the control and conservation of these valuable species.
Microstructure, Wettability, Corrosion Resistance and Antibacterial Property of Cu-MTa2O5 Multilayer Composite Coatings with Different Cu Incorporation Contents
Authors: Ding Zeliang , Wang Yi , Zhou Quan , Ding Ziyu , Liu Jun , He Quanguo , Zhang Haibo
Published: December 2019

Bacterial infection and toxic metal ions releasing are the challenges in the clinical application of Ti6Al4V alloy implant materials. Copper is a kind of long-acting, broad-spectrum and safe antibacterial element, and Ta2O5 has good corrosion resistance, wear-resistance and biocompatibility, they are considered and chosen as a potential coating candidate for implant surface modification. In this paper, magnetron sputtering technology was used to prepare copper doped Ta2O5 multilayer composite coating Cu-Ta2O5/Ta2O5/Ta2O5-TiO2/TiO2/Ti (Cu-MTa2O5 for short) on Ti6Al4V alloy surface, for studying the effect of copper incorporation on the microstructure, wettability, anticorrosion and antibacterial activities of the composite coating. The results showed that Cu-MTa2O5 coating obviously improves the hydrophobicity, corrosion resistance and antibacterial property of Ti6Al4V alloy. In the coating, both copper and Ta2O5 exhibit an amorphous structure and copper mainly presents as an oxidation state (Cu2O and CuO). With the increase of the doping amount of copper, the grain size, roughness, and hydrophobicity of the modified surface of Ti6Al4V alloy are increased. Electrochemical experiment results demonstrated that the corrosion resistance of Cu-MTa2O5 coated Ti6Al4V alloy slightly decreased with the increase of copper concentration, but this coating still acts strong anticorrosion protection for Ti6Al4V alloy. Moreover, the Cu-MTa2O5 coating can kill more than 97% of Staphylococcus aureus in 24 h, and the antibacterial rate increases with the increase of copper content. Therefore, Cu-MTa2O5 composite coating is a good candidate for improving anticorrosion and antibacterial properties of Ti6Al4V alloy implant medical devices.
STATUS App: A Mobile Data Collection Tool for Buildings Adjacent to Tunneling Works
Authors: Di Pietro Gianfranco , Rinnone Fabio , Parisi Claudia M. , Caprì Salvatore , Bianco Giovanni
Published: December 2019

In urban areas, tunneling works inevitably interfere with the adjacent buildings. In the preliminary design stage, designers usually do not inspect buildings adjacent to the construction sites, because these activities are often too expensive. This paper presents the STATUS app, an Android application for mobile data collection. It was developed and tested by Geofunction Srls before the beginning of the tunneling works for the railway doubling in Cefalù (Italy). The system assists technicians during visual inspections and records the pre-existing architectural and/or structural damages in buildings adjacent to construction sites in real time. The output of the data collection is an official report printed and countersigned in situ by the technicians and the owners of the inspected property. The application was used for 1189 inspections inside 96 buildings. The aim of the paper is to show the benefits achieved through the use of STATUS app. It is also useful for several purposes: external risk assessment, damage prevention, damage reporting, preventing future legal disputes, and the free-rider problems. The application is released under closed-source license.
Isobolographic Analysis Demonstrates the Additive and Synergistic Effects of Gemcitabine Combined with Fucoidan in Uterine Sarcomas and Carcinosarcoma Cells
Authors: Bobiński Marcin , Okła Karolina , Łuszczki Jarogniew , Bednarek Wiesława , Wawruszak Anna , Moreno-Bueno Gema , Dmoszyńska-Graniczka Magdalena , Tarkowski Rafał , Kotarski Jan
Published: December 2019

Background: Uterine sarcomas and carcinosarcoma are associated with unfavorable prognosis. The regimens that are used in chemotherapy are associated with high incidence of side effects and usually do not significantly increase patients’ survival rates. In this study we investigated the activity and interactions between gemcitabine and fucoidan, the natural compound known for its anti-tumor properties, in human sarcomas and carcinosarcoma cell models. Methods: SK-UT-1, SK-UT1-B (carcinosarcoma), MES-SA (leiomyosarcoma), and ESS-1 (endometrial stromal sarcoma) cell lines were used for the experiments. Cells were incubated in the presence of gemcitabine, fucoidan, and mixtures, after the incubation the MTT tests were performed. In order to assess the interactions between tested compounds isobolographic analysis was performed. Additional assessments of apoptosis and cell cycle were done. Results: Additive effect of combined treatment with gemcitabine and fucoidan was observed in ESS-1 and SK-UT-1 cell line. Although the supra-additive (synergistic) effect noticed in SK-UT-1B cell line. It was not possible to determine the interactions of fucoidan and gemcitabine in MES-SA cell line due to insufficient response to treatment. Addition of fucoidan to gemcitabine enhances its proapoptotic activity, what was observed especially in ESS-1 and SK-UT-1B cell lines. The arrest of cell cycle induced by mixture of gemcitabine and fucoidan, superior comparing gemcitabine alone was observed in SK-UT-1B. Conclusions: Obtained data showed that a combination of fucoidan and gemcitabine in uterine endometrial stromal sarcoma and carcinosarcoma cell lines has additive or even synergistic effect in decreasing cell viability. Furthermore, this drug combination induces apoptosis and arrest of cell cycle. The resistance of uterine leiomyosarcoma cell line, justifies searching for other drugs combinations to improve therapy efficacy.
Enhancement of HDO Activity of MoP/SiO2 Catalyst in Physical Mixture with Alumina or Zeolites
Authors: Shamanaev Ivan V. , Deliy Irina V. , Gerasimov Evgeny Yu. , Pakharukova Vera P. , Bukhtiyarova Galina A.
Published: December 2019

Catalytic properties of physical mixture of MoP/SiO2 catalyst with SiC, γ-Al2O3, SAPO-11 and zeolite β have been compared in hydrodeoxygenation of methyl palmitate (MP). MoP/SiO2 catalyst (11.5 wt% of Mo, Mo/P = 1) was synthesized using TPR method and characterized with N2 physisorption, elemental analysis, H2-TPR, XRD and TEM. Trickle-bed reactor was used for catalytic properties investigation at hydrogen pressure of 3 MPa, and 290 °C. The conversions of MP and overall oxygen-containing compounds have been increased significantly (from 59 to about 100%) when γ-Al2O3 or zeolite materials were used instead of inert SiC. MP can be converted to palmitic acid through acid-catalyzed hydrolysis along with metal-catalyzed hydrogenolysis, and as a consequence the addition of material possessing acid sites to MoP/SiO2 catalyst could lead to acceleration of MP hydrodeoxygenation through acid-catalyzed reactions. Isomerization and cracking of alkane were observed over the physical mixture of MoP/SiO2 with zeolites, but the selectivity of MP conversion trough the HDO reaction route is remained on the high level exceeding 90%.
Insights into Drought Stress Signaling in Plants and the Molecular Genetic Basis of Cotton Drought Tolerance
Authors: Mahmood Tahir , Khalid Shiguftah , Abdullah Muhammad , Ahmed Zubair , Shah Muhammad Kausar Nawaz , Ghafoor Abdul , Du Xiongming
Published: December 2019

Drought stress restricts plant growth and development by altering metabolic activity and biological functions. However, plants have evolved several cellular and molecular mechanisms to overcome drought stress. Drought tolerance is a multiplex trait involving the activation of signaling mechanisms and differentially expressed molecular responses. Broadly, drought tolerance comprises two steps: stress sensing/signaling and activation of various parallel stress responses (including physiological, molecular, and biochemical mechanisms) in plants. At the cellular level, drought induces oxidative stress by overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ultimately causing the cell membrane to rupture and stimulating various stress signaling pathways (ROS, mitogen-activated-protein-kinase, Ca2+, and hormone-mediated signaling). Drought-induced transcription factors activation and abscisic acid concentration co-ordinate the stress signaling and responses in cotton. The key responses against drought stress, are root development, stomatal closure, photosynthesis, hormone production, and ROS scavenging. The genetic basis, quantitative trait loci and genes of cotton drought tolerance are presented as examples of genetic resources in plants. Sustainable genetic improvements could be achieved through functional genomic approaches and genome modification techniques such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system aid the characterization of genes, sorted out from stress-related candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms, quantitative trait loci, and genes. Exploration of the genetic basis for superior candidate genes linked to stress physiology can be facilitated by integrated functional genomic approaches. We propose a third-generation sequencing approach coupled with genome-wide studies and functional genomic tools, including a comparative sequenced data (transcriptomics, proteomics, and epigenomic) analysis, which offer a platform to identify and characterize novel genes. This will provide information for better understanding the complex stress cellular biology of plants.
Variability of A Subterranean Prey-Predator Community in Space and Time
Authors: Salvidio Sebastiano , Costa Andrea , Oneto Fabrizio , Pastorino Mauro Valerio
Published: December 2019

Subterranean habitats are characterized by buffered climatic conditions in comparison to contiguous surface environments and, in general, subterranean biological communities are considered to be relatively constant. However, although several studies have described the seasonal variation of subterranean communities, few analyzed their variability over successive years. The present research was conducted inside an artificial cave during seven successive summers, from 2013 to 2019. The parietal faunal community was sampled at regular intervals from outside to 21 m deep inside the cave. The community top predator is the cave salamander Speleomantes strinatii, while invertebrates, mainly adult flies, make up the rest of the faunal assemblage. Our findings indicate that the taxonomic composition and the spatial distribution of this community remained relatively constant over the seven-year study period, supporting previous findings. However, different environmental factors were shaping the distribution of predators and prey along the cave. Invertebrates were mainly affected by the illuminance, while salamanders were influenced by both illuminance and distance from the cave’s entrance. The inter-annual spatial distribution of the salamander population was highly repeatable and age specific, confirming a gradual shift towards the deeper parts of the cave with an increasing age. In general, the spatial distribution along the cave of this prey-predator system remained relatively constant during the seven-year study, suggesting that strong selective constraints were in action, even in this relatively recent subterranean ecosystem.
Distributed Identifier-Locator Mapping Management in Mobile ILNP Networks
Authors: Gohar Moneeb , Choi Jin-Ghoo , Ahmed Waleed , Rahman Arif Ur , Muzammal Muhammad , Koh Seok-Joo
Published: December 2019

In the Identifier Locator Network Protocol (ILNP) networks, the existing mobility control schemes based on the centralized entity, called the Dynamic Domain Name Service (DDNS) server, such that all the control traffic is processed at the DDNS server. However, the centralized mobility schemes have significant limitations, such as control traffic overhead at the server and large handover delay. In order to resolve these issues, we propose a new mobility control scheme for ILNP networks, which manages the identifier-locators (ID-LOCs) in the fully distributed manner. In our scheme, each domain has a dedicated mobile DDNS (m-DDNS) server at the site border router (SBR). The m-DDNS server maintains two databases; i.e., home host register (HHR) and visiting host register (VHR), to support the roaming of mobile hosts. When a mobile host roams into a domain, the m-DDNS server in the visiting domain registers the host’s ID-LOC in the VHR and requests the update of HHR to the m-DDNS server in the home domain. Since the m-DDNS servers communicate each other directly, the ID-LOC mappings are managed without involvement of any central entities. We analyzed our proposed mobility scheme via numerical analysis and compared its performance with those of existing schemes. Numerical results showed that our scheme outperforms the existing mobility control schemes substantially in terms of control traffic overhead at the servers, total transmission delay and handover delay.
The Influence of Land Use Patterns on Soil Bacterial Community Structure in the Karst Graben Basin of Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Qiu Jiangmei , Cao Jianhua , Lan Gaoyong , Liang Yueming , Wang Hua , Li Qiang
Published: December 2019

Land use patterns can change the structure of soil bacterial communities. However, there are few studies on the effects of land use patterns coupled with soil depth on soil bacterial communities in the karst graben basin of Yunnan province, China. Consequently, to reveal the structure of the soil bacterial community at different soil depths across land use changes in the graben basins of the Yunnan plateau, the relationship between soil bacterial communities and soil physicochemical properties was investigated for a given area containing woodland, shrubland, and grassland in Yunnan province by using next-generation sequencing technologies coupled with soil physicochemical analysis. Our results indicated that the total phosphorus (TP), available potassium (AK), exchangeable magnesium (E-Mg), and electrical conductivity (EC) in the grassland were significantly higher than those in the woodland and shrubland, yet the total nitrogen (TN) and soil organic carbon (SOC) in the woodland were higher than those in the shrubland and grassland. Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Acidobacteria were the dominant bacteria, and their relative abundances were different in the three land use types. SOC, TN, and AK were the most important factors affecting soil bacterial communities. Land use exerts strong effects on the soil bacterial community structure in the soil’s surface layer, and the effects of land use attenuation decrease with soil depth. The nutrient content of the soil surface layer was higher than that of the deep layer, which was more suitable for the survival and reproduction of bacteria in the surface layer.