bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dear Reader... some contemporary books by artists
Authors: Bodman Sarah
Published: April 2017

Artists’ books have evolved over the last 60 years into a significant, international contemporary arts practice. In the 1960s, the artist’s book grew in popularity as a means of bypassing dealers in high end galleries, taking artists’ works out to a wider public through self-publishing and distribution. The genre has evolved further through access to new technologies and affordable publishing tools in the twenty-first century. Many artists are engaging with the book format today, creating artworks that allow the viewer/reader to engage closely with the subject matter that they are holding in their hands. And in the digital age, handheld books can include works made for viewing on tablets and e-readers, some produced exclusively for digital platforms, and some that play on the instability of such platforms such as books created from images of broken Kindles. Some artists making books conduct the whole editioning process by hand; producing their own papers, using traditional printmaking and binding processes in celebration of the book as a timeless, physical artefact.
Beef in the Sea
Authors: Hawker Francesca
Published: April 2017

The article is about the band Bday Pres, and about their shows and them sort of getting the embarrassment out of the way for everyone else.
Living in Messy Times: An Interview with Kit Dobson
Authors: Fitzpatrick Ryan
Published: April 2017

Kit Dobson is an Associate Professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary where he works on Canadian literature, film, and art. He is the author of Transnational Canadas: Anglo-Canadian Literature and Globalization (2009), which tracks the development of globalization in Canadian literature. He is also the editor or co-editor of three more books: Please, No More Poetry: The Poetry of derek beaulieu (2013), Transnationalism, Activism, Art (with Áine McGlynn, 2013), and Producing Canadian Literature: Authors Speak on the Literary Marketplace (with Smaro Kamboureli, 2013). More recent work looks at the intersection of neoliberal governance and literary practice. In this interview, we discuss the political potentials of literature in a thickly material field, asking how it circulates amidst calls for social justice, how it helps code and decode spatial stability, and how it helps us map the effects and affects of global pressures on the individual subject.
Art, Politics and Systemic Change: An Interview with Astra Taylor
Authors: Mahoney Tara
Published: April 2017

This interview with writer, filmmaker and activist Astra Taylor explores her recent work with Strike Debt and the role of art and culture in political movements.
Remember the Hoarding: A Public Art Non Happening
Authors: Coombs Gretchen
Published: April 2017

In June 2015, the Banff Research in Culture’s residents contemplated their involvement in a participatory and socially engaged art project in Banff Centre. This article considers this discussion in light of recent contemporary art practices in the public realm, and briefly highlights some of the main theoretical debates circulating at this time.
Monitoring Kualitas Air Secara Real-Time Terintegrasi
Authors: Maulana Yudi Yuliyus , Mahmudin Dadin , Wijaya R Indra , Wiranto Goib
Published: April 2017

Perkembangan budi daya ikan yang menggunakan keramba jaring apung (KJA), saat ini tersebar di berbagai waduk dan danau di seluruh Indonesia, saat ini tumbuh pesat dan menjadi andalan pendapatan daerah. Selama ini monitoring kualitas air dilakukan secara manual, yaitu melakukan pengukuran kualitas air di tempat budidaya ikan tersebut. Selain memerlukan waktu yang lama, biasanya budi daya ikan tersebut berada jauh dari pusat kota. Dalam makalah ini akan dijelaskan desain dan realisasi sistem monitoring kualitas air dan peringatan dini secara real-time yang terintegrasi. Sistem ini telah diterapkan secara khusus untuk memantau parameter suhu, DO (dissolved oxygen) dan pH di sentral budidaya ikan di Waduk Cirata. Tujuannya adalah memantau kualitas air secara real-time, bisa diakses di mana saja dan sekaligus mencegah kematian ikan secara massal yang disebabkan oleh terjadinya up-welling dengan menggunakan sistem peringatan dini. upwelling terjadi apabila nilai suhu menurun drastis mencapai 25 derajat celcius lalu nilai DO menurun sampai 2,38 mg/L. Di sisi lain, data dari stasiun pengukuran yang dikumpulkan di stasiun perantara dapat diakses atau dikirimkan ke stasiun pengendali dengan menggunakan sistem telemetri. Hasil dari penelitian ini memperlihatkan suatu sistem monitoring kualitas air untuk memantau parameter suhu, DO dan pH sekaligus peringatan dini terjadinya upwelling. Sistem ini untuk mendukung pembudidayaan ikan di danau-danau di Indonesia.
Desain dan Implementasi Variasi Dimensi Slot Pada Mikrostrip Double F Menggunakan Metode Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD)
Authors: Kirana Nurista Wahyu , P. Sholeh Hadi , Y. Erni
Published: April 2017

Pada penelitian ini dirancang antena mikrostrip dengan slot double F, di mana antena ini dapat digunakan untuk perangkat wireless yang bekerja pada frekuensi multiband. Antena mikrostrip double F dirancang dengan simulasi, dipabrikasi dan diukur secara riil. Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) digunakan untuk menganalisis karakteristik distribusi arus yang tersebar pada mikrostrip. Nilai parameter terbaik dari hasil simulasi untuk return loss adalah -31,09 dB pada frekuensi 2,4 GHz dan VSWR sebesar 1,057 sedangkan hasil pengukurannya sebesar -32,82 dB pada frekuensi 2,4 GHz dan VSWR sebesar 1,045. Penggunaan slot pada patch antena dan pencatuan proximity yang digunakan meningkatkan bandwidth antena sebesar 48,7% dan gain yang dihasilkan sebesar 5,97 dBi.
Teknik Reduksi PAPR Pada Sistem OFDM Dengan Partial Transmit Sequence (PTS) dan Selected Mapping (SLM)
Authors: Wael Chaeriah Bin Ali , Desvasari Winy , Adji R. Priyo Hartono
Published: April 2017

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) merupakan teknik modulasi multicarrier yang banyak diadopsi oleh berbagai teknologi komunikasi nirkabel untuk memenuhi kebutuhan akses broadband yang kian meningkat karena menyediakan transmisi dengan data rate tinggi. Selain itu, OFDM juga tahan terhadap efek multipath fading. Salah satu permasalahan utama pada sistem ini adalah tingginya nilai PAPR yang menyebabkan penggunaan power amplifier menjadi tidak efisien. Sebagai solusi permasalahan ini, teknik Selected Mapping (SLM) dan Partial Transmit Sequence (PTS) digunakan untuk mereduksi nilai PAPR. Kedua teknik ini dipilih karena efisien dalam mereduksi nilai PAPR. Dari hasil simulasi yang dilakukan terhadap 1000 simbol OFDM, kedua teknik ini memberikan reduksi PAPR yang semakin besar untuk jumlah subblok yang semakin banyak. Selanjutnya, kinerja kedua teknik ini dibandingkan. Dengan jumlah subblok yang sama, SLM memiliki performansi yang lebih baik dalam mereduksi PAPR dibandingkan dengan PTS.
Design of 3-stages Parallel Cascade Micro-ring Resonator Type of Interleave Filter for Optical Communication Application
Authors: Maulana Yudi Yuliyus , Mahmudin Dadin
Published: April 2017

Filter will be one of the most important components of the next generation of optical communications. Micro-ring resonators have been widely studied as a potential device for dense wavelength filter due to its advantages. In this paper, a waveguide-based microring-resonator type of interleave filter is investigated. The cascade structure is applied to obtain better characteristics of filter spectra. Our calculation shows that, compared with 2-stage or 4-stage cascade, 3-stage cascaded microring resonator has better performance with pass-band width of 22 GHz, ripple ratio < 1 dB, crosstalk of -33 dB for 1×2 interleaver and -24 dB for 1×4 interleaver. Numerical calculation also clearly shows that general optical waveguide types is reasonable as microring resonator with insertion loss < 2 dB
Ketidakpastian Pengukuran pada Karakteristik Material Magnet Permanen dengan Alat Ukur Permagraph
Authors: Kristiantoro Tony , Idayanti Novrita , Sudrajat Nanang , Septiani Ardita , Mulyadi Dadang , - Dedi
Published: April 2017

Telah dilakukan perhitungan nilai ketidakpastian pengukuran pada karakteristik material magnet permanen menggunakan alat ukur Permagraph Magnet Physik Germany. Karakteristik magnet yang diukur adalah induksi remanen, Br (kG), gaya koersifitas induksi, HcB (kOe), gaya koersifitas polarisasi, HcJ (kOe), kuat medan remanen kiri, Hknee (kOe), produk energi maksimum, BHmax (MGOe), kuat medan produk energi maksimum, Ha (kOe), magnetik fluks, Ba (kG), kuat medan maksimum, Hmax (kOe). Sebelum menentukan nilai ketidakpastian dengan permagraph terlebih dahulu ditentukan nilai ketidakpastian dengan alat penunjang, yaitu jangka sorong dan neraca analitik. Selanjutnya akan didapat nilai ketidakpastian gabungan. Metoda ketidakpastian yang digunakan adalah dengan cara statistik dan berlaku hanya untuk serangkaian observasi. Penentuan nilai ketidakpastian dilakukan dengan cara melakukan pengukuran yang berulang sebanyak sepuluh kali terhadap sample yang sama. Metoda ini mengacu kepada ISO GUM dengan menggunakan evaluasi tipe A. Nilai ketidakpastian yang didapat untuk pengukuran dengan jangka sorong adalah ±0,0329 cm, neraca analitik ±0,0528 gr, dan untuk karakteristik magnet Br ±0,0648 kG, HcB ±0,0632 kOe, HcJ ±0,0628 kOe, Hknee ±0,0643 kOe, BHmax ±0,0631 MGOe, Ha ±0,1213 kOe, Ba ±0,0664 kG,Hmax ±0,0627 kOe.
High Power Amplifier (HPA) pada Frekuensi 437,430 MHz untuk Aplikasi TTC Downlink Nano Satelit TEL-U SAT
Authors: Taryana Y. , Praludi T. , Sulaeman Y. , Wahyu Y. , Prayogo W. I. , Nugroho B. S.
Published: April 2017

Sistem Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TTC) berfungsi sebagai interface komunikasi antara nano satelit dengan stasiun bumi. Salah satu perangkat yang penting dalam TTC adalah transmitter yang bekerja pada frekuensi downlink 437,430 MHz. Dari perhitungan link budget diperlukan sebuah high power amplifier (HPA) yang memiliki daya output 30 dBm agar data yang dikirimkan dapat diterima dengan baik oleh stasiun bumi. Pada tulisan ini dirancang dan direalisasikan HPA dua tingkat dengan frekuensi kerja 435 - 438 MHz. Penguat daya tingkat pertama menggunakan komponen aktif transistor BFR96S dan penguat daya tingkat kedua menggunakan komponen aktif transistor MRF555. Penyepadanan impedansi input menggunakan metode impedance matching Pi-network, sedangkan untuk penyepadanan impedansi interstage dan output menggunakan metode impedance matching T-network. Simulasi penguat daya menggunakan software Advance Design System (ADS 2011). Hasil perancangan HPA pada frekuensi 437,430 MHz menghasilkan gain sebesar 28,400 dB, VSWRin sebesar 1,291, dan VSWRout sebesar 1,295. Dari hasil pengukuran prototipe HPA, pada frekuensi 437,430 MHz menghasilkan gain sebesar 23,01 dB, VSWRin sebesar 2,126, VSWRout sebesar 1,695 pada bandwidth 50 MHz.
Antena Slot Waveguide Segi Empat Segala Arah pada Frekuensi 2.4 GHz
Authors: Hardiati Sri , Wahyu Yuyu , Permatasari Hanindya , R. Budi Prasetya
Published: April 2017

Antena diharapkan memiliki desain dengan konstruksi yang lebih mudah, murah dan efisien. Antena slot waveguide adalah antena gelombang mikro. Antena ini berupa suatu waveguide yang mempunyai slot–slot membentuk array dan terletak pada dinding waveguide untuk memperoleh gain tinggi. Dalam paper ini dibahas mengenai eksperimen antena slot waveguide segi empat (rectangular) dengan enam slot yang tersusun secara paralel sepanjang waveguide dan beroperasi pada frekuensi 2.4 GHz. Hasil pengukuran dari antena slot waveguide ini diperoleh karakteristik antena dengan spesifikasi bandwidth sebesar 33 MHz pada batas nilai VSWR ≤ 1.5. Antena slot waveguide ini menghasilkan pola radiasi omnidireksional dengan gain sebesar 4.121 dBi pada frekuensi operasi 2.4 GHz. Sehingga antena tersebut dapat diestimasikan layak untuk diimplementasikan pada sistem Wi-Fi dan system komunikasi lain dengan frekuensi operasi 2.4 GHz.
Homoclinics for strongly indefinite almost periodic second order Hamiltonian systems
Authors: Pankov Alexander
Published: April 2017

Under certain assumptions, we prove the existence of homoclinic solutions for almost periodic second order Hamiltonian systems in the strongly indefinite case. The proof relies on a careful analysis of the energy functional restricted to the generalized Nehari manifold, and the existence and fine properties of special Palais–Smale sequences.
Identifying and analyzing diagnostic paths: a new approach for studying diagnostic practices
Authors: Rao Goutham , Epner Paul , Bauer Victoria , Solomonides Anthony , Newman-Toker David E.
Published: April 2017

Diagnostic error is a serious public health problem to which knowledge gaps and associated cognitive error contribute significantly. Identifying diagnostic approaches to common problems in ambulatory care associated with more timely and accurate diagnosis and lower cost and harm associated with diagnostic evaluation is an important priority for health care systems, clinicians, and of course patients. Unfortunately, guidance on how best to approach diagnosis in patients with common presenting complaints such as abdominal pain, dizziness, and fatigue is lacking. Exploring diagnostic practice variation and patterns of diagnostic evaluation is a potentially valuable approach to identifying best current diagnostic practices. A “diagnostic path” is the sequence of actions taken to evaluate a new complaint from first presentation until a diagnosis is established, or the evaluation ends for other reasons. A “big data” approach to identifying diagnostic paths from electronic health records can be used to identify practice variation and best practices from a large number of patients. Limitations of this approach include incompleteness and inaccuracy of electronic medical record data, the fact that diagnostic paths may not represent clinician thinking, and the fact that diagnostic paths may be used to identify best current practices, rather than optimal practices.
Extraction and characterization of chitin and chitosan: applications of chitosan nanoparticles in the adsorption of copper in an aqueous environment
Authors: Rahmani Oumkelthoum , Bouzid Bachir , Guibadj Abdenacer
Published: April 2017

The main objective of the present work is to develop and characterize a new generation of adsorptive gelled porous bead supports made from nanoparticles of chitosan, bentonite and alginate. There were subsequently used in the purification of water synthetically polluted with cupric ions. The multiple experiments carried out on the adsorption of copper resulted in an equilibrium time reached after 10 min with an elimination percentage of 86%. Adsorption kinetics is better described by the expression of the second-order model whereas the adsorption isotherm is satisfactorily described by the Freundlich model. The different results showed the high affinity of the nanoparticle composite beads of chitosan/bentonite/alginate to cupric ions in an aqueous solution which is probably due to the presence of various chelating agents such as “NH, OH, COO−, and O” in their structure.
Plasticizer effect on melt blending of polylactide stereocomplex
Authors: Srithep Yottha , Pholharn Dutchanee
Published: April 2017

Poly(l-lactide) (PLLA)/poly(d-lactide) (50/50) with plasticizer contents ranging from 2% to 16% w/w were prepared by melt blending using an internal mixer. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry results confirmed that complete stereocomplex polylactide crystallites without any homocrystallites were produced. Compared to neat PLLA, the melting temperature of the stereocomplex polylactide and its plasticized samples was approximately 55°C higher. Higher plasticizer contents decreased glass transition temperature of the stereocomplex, which implied higher flexibility and enhanced the crystallization rate. However, the plasticizer in the stereocomplex reduced the thermal stability.
Design of Planar Leaky Wave Antenna Fed by Substrate Integrated Waveguide Horn
Authors: Cai Yang , Zhang Yingsong , Qian Zuping
Published: April 2017

A metal strip grating leaky wave antenna (MSG-LWA) fed by substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) horn is proposed. The planar horn shares the same substrate with the MSG-LWA, which leads to a compact structure of the proposed antenna. Furthermore, through introducing phase-corrected structure by embedding metallized vias into the SIW horn, a nearly uniform phase distribution at the horn aperture is obtained, which effectively enhances the radiating performance of the MSG-LWA. Results indicate that the proposed antenna scans from –50° to –25° in the frequency band ranging from 15.3 GHz to 17.3 GHz. Besides, effectiveness of the proposed design is validated by comparing with a same MSG-LWA fed by an ideal rectangular waveguide.
Design and Fabrication of High Gain Multi-element Multi-segment Quarter-sector Cylindrical Dielectric Resonator Antenna
Authors: Ranjan Pinku , Gangwar Ravi Kumar
Published: April 2017

A novel design and analysis of quarter cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna (q-CDRA) with multi-element and multi-segment (MEMS) approach has been presented. The MEMS q-CDRA has been designed by splitting four identical quarters from a solid cylinder and then multi-segmentation approach has been utilized to design q-CDRA. The proposed antenna has been designed for enhancement in bandwidth as well as for high gain. For bandwidth enhancement, multi-segmentation method has been explained for the selection of dielectric constant of materials. The performance of the proposed MEMS q-CDRA has been demonstrated with design guideline of MEMS approach. To validate the antenna performance, three segments q-CDRA has been fabricated and analyzed practically. The simulated results have been in good agreement with measured one. The MEMS q-CDRA has wide impedance bandwidth (|S
Log-space conjugacy problem in the Grigorchuk group
Authors: Miasnikov Alexei , Vassileva Svetla
Published: April 2017

In this paper we prove that the conjugacy problem in the Grigorchuk group Γ has log-space complexity.
A Universal Moral Grammar?
Authors: Cutitaru Laura Carmen
Published: April 2017

This paper describes the main drawbacks of extrapolating Noam Chomsky’s hypothesis about the existence of a Universal Grammar of language to the realm of morality as illustrated in Marc Hauser’s 2006 volume, Moral Minds.
Conceptualisation of Theatrical Characters in the Digital Paradigm: Needs, Problems and Foreseen Solutions
Authors: Galleron Ioana
Published: April 2017

This paper looks at how digital humanities can modify our more traditional understanding and conceptualisation of literary characters. Through the analysis of cast lists from more than 880 French plays from 1630 to 1810, and the “close reading” of some sample texts, it proposes a classification of units of characterisation (caractérisèmes) that can be identified in plays. In the last part, the paper sketches a protocol for the encoding of these characters in a TEI conformant way, and discusses the advantages and the drawbacks of such an endeavour.
GPU-GIST – a case of generalized database indexing on modern hardware
Authors: Beier Felix , Sattler Kai-Uwe
Published: April 2017

A lot of different indexes have been developed for accelerating search operations on large data sets. Search trees,
representing the most prominent class, are ubiquitous in database management systems but are also widely used in non-DBMS
applications. An approach for lowering the implementation complexity of these structures are index frameworks like
generalized search trees (GiST). Common data management operations are implemented within the framework which can be
specialized by data organization and evaluation strategies in order to model the actual index type. These frameworks are
particularly useful in scientific and engineering applications where characteristics of the underlying data set are not
known a priori and a lot of prototyping is required in order to find suitable index structures for the workload.

However, existing frameworks only abstract data organization and data maintenance aspects to model different index
families, while traversal operations for executing searches are implemented serially. This paper presents an approach for
enabling parallel processing in GiST in order to leverage the full power of parallel processor architectures for different
index implementations at once. Further, results of a prototypical implementation are evaluated on a hybrid CPU/GPU system
architecture to verify the applicability of this generic framework idea on different hardware platforms.
The use of a simple model in the inverse characterization of cardiac ischemic regions
Authors: Chávez Carlos Eduardo , Alonso-Atienza Felipe , Álvarez Diego
Published: April 2017

In this paper, we analyze the use of simple models for solving the inverse problem in electrocardiography (IPE), which aims at recovering the heart condition from a set of remote voltages measurements. Specifically, we consider here the problem of estimating the shape, size and location of cardiac ischemic regions. The forward problem to generate the data (voltage measurements) is formulated by using the Luo–Rudy model, which provides a detailed description of the electrical behavior of cardiac cells. As for the inversion process, we use the two-current phenomenological model. The inversion procedure also incorporates a semi-automatic stage to characterize the conduction properties of the cardiac tissue. The ischemic regions are modeled by using standard level set techniques. Numerical results show that the algorithm is capable of estimating the position, size and shape of cardiac ischemic regions from noisy voltage measurements, for both 2D and 3D geometries. Our inverse procedure is benchmarked against zero-order Tikhonov regularization. This work is a proof of principle demonstrating the possibility of using simple models in the IPE towards realistic situations.
The enclosure method for inverse obstacle scattering over a finite time interval: IV. Extraction from a single point on the graph of the response operator
Authors: Ikehata Masaru
Published: April 2017

A final and maybe the simplest formulation of the enclosure method applied to inverse obstacle problems governed by partial differential equations in a spatial domain with an outer boundary over a finite time interval is presented.
The method employs only a single pair of quite natural Neumann data prescribed on the outer boundary and the corresponding Dirichlet data on the same boundary of the solution of the governing equation over a finite time interval, that is, a single point on the graph of the so-called response operator.
It is shown that the methods enables us to extract the distance of a given point outside the domain to an embedded unknown obstacle, that is, the maximum sphere centered at the point whose exterior encloses the unknown obstacle.
To make the explanation of the idea clear only an inverse obstacle problem governed by the wave equation is considered.
Management Practices and Milk Production in Dairy Donkey Farms Distributed Over the Italian Territory
Authors: Dai Francesca , Segati Giulia , Costa Emanuela Dalla , Burden Faith , Judge Andrew , Minero Michela
Published: April 2017

Limited information is available about the actual management characteristics of dairy donkeys in Southern Europe. The aim of the present study is to describe animal management of dairy donkey farms in Italy. Twelve farmers were asked to answer a questionnaire on the management of their animals and their farms distributed over the Italian territory. Six farms grouped their animals in paddocks according to the production characteristics (e.g. lactating, dry, stallions); three farms housed the stallions in single boxes. Most of the visited farms were family run and the number of animals cared for by a single person varied from five to 103 animals. All the farms but one performed mechanical milking with a modified goat milkmaid. Vaccinations were regularly performed only on two farms. All the foals received colostrum and suckled from their own mothers. Foals were nursed by their mother until 6-12 months old. During the separation period before milking, foals were usually (83%) housed in paddocks near their mothers with the possibility of visual and/or tactile contact, however such separations could be for up to 12 hours (17%). Even though the assessed sample was small, considerable differences were seen between farms, likely due to lack of uniform information available for the farmers. The adoption of scientific based procedures is suggested in order to improve both animal welfare and milk quality.
Spatial politics and infrastructure development: Analysis of historical transportation data in Gauteng - South Africa (1975–2003)
Authors: McKay Tracey , Simpson Zach , Patel Naeem
Published: April 2017

If South Africa’s Gauteng Province is to become a more ‘sustainable’, urbanised region, attention needs to be paid to building a transportation network that aligns with sustainable development principles. Currently, public transport passenger levels are low, whilst the geographical area it serves is large and becoming larger. This study analysed the long term, historical transportation trends of Gauteng by comparing four transport studies undertaken between 1975 and 2003. It reveals that an adherence to the ‘predict and provide’ transportation planning model has systematically enhanced road infrastructure over rail, and private over public transport. Effective, efficient and low cost public transport has been systematically under-provisioned; while a reliance on private vehicles is now entrenched and systemic. Racial segregation, spatial apartheid and weak urban land use planning, has resulted in an entrenched, low-density urban sprawl. Lastly, there is the need to collect comparable, longitudinal transportation data, if the successes and failures of policies are to be monitored.
Crystal structure of (16S)-12,16-epoxy-11,14-dihydroxy-17(15/16)-abeo-3a,18-cyclo-8,11,13-abietatrien-7-one, C20H24O4
Authors: Yousaf Muhammad , Nur-e-Alam Mohammad , Ghabbour Hazem A. , Al-Oqai Mai , Al-Rehaily Adnan J.
Published: April 2017

C20H24O4, orthorhombic, P212121, a = 8.3007(4) Å, b = 12.0111(6) Å, c = 17.0604(9) Å, V = 1700.93(15) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0621, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1413, T = 296(2) K.
Determination of Nutrient Solutions for Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Seed Production under Aeroponics Production System
Authors: Tessema Lemma , Chindi Abebe , Gebremedhin W. Giorgis , Solomon Atsede , Shunka Egata , Seid Ebrahim
Published: April 2017

In soilless culture like aeroponics, nutrient optimization is the most critical factor to produce high quality and high yield of clean potato seed. Each crop has an optimum nutritional requirement. Even each potato cultivar may require a specific nutrient solution in an aeroponics unit. A nutrient optimization experiment was conducted at Holetta agricultural research center to study the effect of different nutrient solution levels on the physical quality and yield of potato mini-tubers. The treatments were four different nutrient solutions of greenhouse grade macro nutrients measured in (g) for the preparation of 500 liter volume of nutrient solution that is to be restocked when the nutrient tank becomes empty. The nutrient EC and pH were adjusted as per the requirements. A=(118 g CaNO3, 252 g KNO3, 68 g KH2PO4and 100 g MgSO4) ,B=(59 g CaNO3, 126 g KNO3, 68 g KH2PO4and 100 g MgSO4), C=(118 g CaNO3, 252 g KNO3, 68 g KH2PO4and 100 g MgSO4until flowering and reduced by half after flowering), and D=(118 g CaNO3, 252 g KNO3, 136 g KH2PO4and 100 g MgSO4). All treatments included 2.2g of Fe EDTA and 6 g of Fetrilon combi. The potato variety, Belete, was used for the experiment. Acclimatized plantlets were planted randomly in each box of four treatments in CRD design with three replicates. The results showed that each treatment varied in nutrient consumption rate. Treatment A took the highest amount of nutrient (3.29 kg, 28%), treatments B and D consumed the same amount (3.1 kg, 27%), while treatment C consumed the smallest amount (2.02 kg). Roo length was significantly affected by nutrient solutions. Nutrient solution C resulted the maximum root length (300.8 cm), while nutrient solution A produced minimum root length (135.5 cm). Plant height was not significantly affected by nutrient solutions. Small size tubers (<8 g) were not significantly affected by either tuber number or weight. Medium (8-12 g) and large size tubers (>12 g) were significantly affected by nutrient solutions both in number and weight. The maximum tuber numbers was obtained from treatment B. Therefore, the experiment indicated that treatment B represents the optimum nutrient concentration rate to use in an aeroponics minituber production system under Holetta conditions.
Optimized production, quality control, biological evaluation and PET/CT imaging of 68Ga-PSMA-617 in breast adenocarcinoma model
Authors: Sharifi Mehdi , Yousefnia Hassan , Bahrami-Samani Ali , Jalilian Amir Reza , Zolghadri Samaneh , Alirezapour Behrouz , Geramifar Parham , Maus Stephan , Beiki Davood
Published: April 2017

Optimized production, quality control and preclinical evaluation of 68Ga-PSMA-617 as a PET radiotracer for PSMA-positive malignancies as well as successful application in imaging of breast adenocarcinomas are reported. 68Ga-PSMA-617 radiolabeling and QC optimization, stability, log P, biodistribution in breast adenocarcinomas-bearing mice (direct and blockade studies) and also PET/CT imaging was performed. 68Ga-PSMA-617 complex was prepared in high radiochemical purity (>96%, ITLC, HPLC) and specific activity of 300–310 GBq/mM at 95 °C using 2–4 micrograms of the peptide in 10 min followed by solid phase purification. The tracer was stable in serum and final formulation for at least 120 min. The log P was −1.98. Western blot test on the tumor cell homogenates demonstrated distinct existence of the PSMA on the surface. The biodistribution of the tracer demonstrated specific kidney and tumor significant uptake using blocking study. Significant tumor:blood and tumor:muscle ratio uptake observed at 30 min post-injection (2.69 and 19.1, respectively). A reduction of 40–80% off tumor uptake in the study time period observed using blocking test. 68Ga-PSMA-617 can be proposing a possible tracer for PET imaging of breast adenocarcinomas and other breast malignancies.
Fabrication, mechanical, thermal, and electrical characterization of epoxy/silica composites for high-voltage insulation
Authors: Amin Muhammad , Ali Muhammad , Khattak Abraiz
Published: April 2017

For improved performance of epoxy, its composites were studied for high-voltage insulation. Epoxy composites may offer several advantages over neat epoxy and ceramic materials. We fabricated nano- and microepoxy/silica composites with 5 wt% nanosilica and 20 wt% microsilica, respectively. The composites and neat epoxy were studied for thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties. A thermogravimetric analyzer was used for analyzing wt% loss with temperature. Tensile and hardness tests were performed according to DIN 53504/ASTM D412 and DIN 53505/ASTM D2240 standards, respectively. Electrical properties such as dielectric strength and resistivity were tested according to IEC-60243-1 and ASTM D257/IEC 60093 standards, respectively. Neat epoxy, microcomposite, and nanocomposite showed 50% weight loss at 392°C, 410°C, and 421°C, respectively. At 550°C, nanocomposite remained at 20% of its initial weight whereas neat epoxy and microcomposite remained at 10% of their initial weights. Microcomposite and nanocomposite showed tensile strengths of 65.7 Mpa and 69.3 Mpa, respectively. Enhancements of 8% and 19% in dielectric strength were recorded for microcomposites and nanocomposites, respectively. Nanosilica greatly improved surface and volume resistivity whereas microsilica showed negligible effect on resistivity.
The dangers of yoga for sport and psychotherapy: Yoga as the greatest form of straying or falling into an abyss
Authors: Đurica Ilarion
Published: April 2017

The motto of the Olympic games Citus, altius, fortius - faster, higher, stronger, in practice comes down to athleti success, which in an athlete suppresses and blunts a healthy yearning for perfection witnih man-God Christ (or witnih the religion to which and individual belongs); rather it strips the athlete down to ambition (=drive for success), longing to win at any cost, including various forms of misuse. This noble challenge, a motto, is pervertedat competitions into anirreconcilable opposite to the basic principles of athletic life and it's spiritual-corporalnature, and removes the athlete from the precious gift of life, it's freedom and care. Sport is stripped down to material, impersonalscope, into "meat", athletic success, and it thus fallsinto an unavoidable abyss and self-deception: doping, intoxicants, magic, neopolytheism, satyriasis, nymphomania, sodomy, and the biggest and most harmful danger sport - yoga, which is considered permissible as supplementary practice, and even as an aid in psychotherapy. All of these forms of misuse in sport, particularly yoga, are not only deviations, but also criminal acts, which turn the athletic successes themsleves into lies and cheating.
„Wenn’s der Wahrheitsfindung dient“
Authors: Kraft Sandra
Published: April 2017

Vorspann

In den Jahren um 1968 avancierten prominente Vertreter der Studentenbewegung wie Rudi Dutschke, Rainer Langhans oder Fritz Teufel nicht zuletzt deshalb zum Schrecken der bürgerlichen Gesellschaft, weil sie Tradition, Konvention und Autorität radikal in Frage stellten. Sandra Kraft rekonstruiert am Beispiel des Berliner „Brandstiftungsprozesses“ von 1967/68 die sogenannte Justizkampagne der Außerparlamentarischen Opposition, die nicht nur die westdeutsche Justiz als Handlanger eines repressiven Staats mit brauner Vergangenheit brandmarken, sondern auch die Praxistauglichkeit der Kritischen Theorie unter Beweis stellen sollte.
Zeitbögen, Neoliberalismus und das Ende des Westens, oder: Wie kann man die deutsche Geschichte des 20. Jahrhunderts schreiben?
Authors: Leendertz Ariane
Published: April 2017

Vorspann

Was hielt das 20. Jahrhundert im Innersten zusammen? Wie lässt sich die deutsche Geschichte im „Zeitalter der Extreme“ deuten? Welche Leitbegriffe und Periodisierungen bieten sich an? Was ergibt sich daraus für Gesamtdarstellungen zur deutschen Zeitgeschichte? Ariane Leendertz stellt sich diesen Fragen. Sie setzt sich intensiv mit dem Konzept der Zeitbögen auseinander, das Anselm Doering-Manteuffel entwickelt und 2014 in den Vierteljahrsheften für Zeitgeschichte vorgestellt hat, unterzieht die Begrifflichkeit einer kritischen Prüfung und zeigt Stärken und Schwächen des Konzepts auf. Ausgehend von Doering-Manteuffels drittem Zeitbogen plädiert die Autorin dafür, die politische Ökonomie sowie die Ideen- und Politikgeschichte des Neoliberalismus stärker als bisher in der historischen Forschung zu berücksichtigen.
New Approach in Assessing Core Muscle Endurance Using Ratings of Perceived Exertion
Authors: George James D. , Tolley Jeffrey R. , Vehrs Pat R. , Reece Joel D. , Akay M. Fatih , Cambridge Edward D.J.
Published: April 2017

George, JD, Tolley, JR, Vehrs, PR, Reece, JD, Akay, MF, and Cambridge, EDJ. New approach in assessing core muscle endurance using ratings of perceived exertion. J Strength Cond Res 32(4): 1081–1088, 2018—This study sought to develop regression models to estimate maximal endurance time using data from 4 core muscle endurance tests. Eighty healthy university students (age: 22.7 ± 1.9 years) performed the plank, right side-bridge, left side-bridge, and back extension tests in a random order. Participants were instructed to hold each static position for a maximal endurance time, while maintaining proper form, and then rest for 5 minutes between tests. A test administrator recorded participants' ratings of perceived exertion (RPE; a modified 10-point scale) every 5 seconds. Based on regression analysis, the elapsed time to reach an RPE of 8 (RPE8) exhibited statistical significance (p < 0.0001) and the highest accuracy as compared with lower RPE values. The following univariate regression models were generated to estimate maximal endurance time across the 4 tests: plank (r = 0.94; standard error of estimate [SEE] = 17.6 seconds; n = 77) = 23.9 + (1.110 × RPE8); right side-bridge (r = 0.92; SEE = 11.4 seconds; n = 80) = 18.5 + (1.022 × RPE8); left side-bridge (r = 0.93; SEE = 10.8 seconds; n = 80) = 16.8 + (1.062 × RPE8); and back extension (r = 0.93; SEE = 14.2 seconds; n = 79) = 21.5 + (1.027 × RPE8). These results suggest that submaximal protocols based on elapsed time to reach RPE8 provide strength and conditioning professionals relatively accurate univariate regression equation estimates of maximal core muscle endurance time and offer a viable submaximal alternative to maximal capacity testing when time efficiency, participant safety, or certain educational objectives may be a priority.
Gonadotrophin abnormalities in an infant with Lowe syndrome
Authors: Warner Bronwen E , Inward Carol D , Burren Christine P
Published: April 2017

This case, presenting with bilateral impalpable testes, illustrates the relevance of a broad differential disorders of sex development case management. It provides new insights on hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis and testicular function abnormalities in the multisystem disorder of Lowe syndrome. Lowe syndrome, also known as oculocerebrorenal syndrome, is a rare disorder characterised by eye abnormalities, central nervous system involvement and proximal renal tubular acidosis. There are a handful of reports of pubertal delay, infertility and cryptorchidism in Lowe syndrome. Biochemistry aged 72 h: testosterone 6.4 nmol/L, LH <0.5 IU/L and FSH <0.5 IU/L. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test identified significantly raised baseline LH = 45.4 IU/L (contrasts with earlier undetectable LH), with a 20% increase on stimulation, while baseline FSH = 4.3 IU/L with no increase on stimulation. Day 14 HCG stimulation test produced an acceptable 50% increase in testosterone. The constellation of further abnormalities suggested Lowe syndrome: hypotonia, bilateral cataracts (surgical extraction and intraocular lens implantation) and renal tubular acidosis (microscopic haematuria, hypercalciuria, proteinuria, generalised aminoaciduria, hypophosphataemia and metabolic acidosis). DNA sequencing identified de novo hemizygous frameshift mutation OCRL c.2409_2410delCT in exon 22. Interpretation of initial and repeat GnRH and HCG testing indicates the likelihood of testicular failure. Partial testicular descent occurred but left orchidopexy was required. Improving long-term gonadal function in Lowe syndrome assumes increased importance for current cohorts as advances in renal replacement therapy have greatly improved life expectancy. Noting HPG axis abnormalities in Lowe syndrome in infancy can identify cases requiring increased surveillance of pubertal progress for earlier detection and management.

Learning points:

Clinical endocrine problems in Lowe syndrome has been reported, but has focused on abnormalities in adolescence and young adulthood: pubertal delay and infertility.

We present an infant with isolated LH elevation at baseline and on GnRH stimulation testing who also had bilateral impalpable testes.

Early testing of the HPG axis in patients with Lowe syndrome may help predict gonadal abnormalities from a younger age, which will enhance the overall case management into adolescence.
The impact of laparoscopic ovarian drilling on AMH and ovarian reserve: a meta-analysis
Authors: Amer Saad A , Shamy Tarek T El , James Cathryn , Yosef Ali H , Mohamed Ahmed A
Published: April 2017

Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) has been widely used as an effective treatment of anovulatory women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). However, there has been a growing concern over a possible damaging effect of this procedure on ovarian reserve. The objective of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that LOD compromises ovarian reserve as measured by post-operative changes in circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). This meta-analysis included all cohort studies as well as randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating serum AMH concentrations and other ovarian reserve markers in women with PCOS undergoing LOD. Various databases were searched including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Dynamed Plus, ScienceDirect, TRIP database, ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane Library from January 2000 to December 2016. Sixty studies were identified, of which seven were deemed eligible for this review. AMH data were extracted from each study and entered into the RevMan software to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) between pre- and post-operative values. Pooled analysis of all studies (n = 442) revealed a statistically significant decline in serum AMH concentration after LOD (WMD −2.13 ng/mL; 95% confidence interval (CI) −2.97 to −1.30). Subgroup analysis based on duration of follow-up, AMH kit, laterality of surgery and amount of energy applied during LOD consistently showed a statistically significant fall in serum AMH concentration. In conclusion, although LOD seems to markedly reduce circulating AMH, it remains uncertain whether this reflects a real damage to ovarian reserve or normalisation of the high pre-operative serum AMH levels. Further long-term studies on ovarian reserve after LOD are required to address this uncertainty.
Combination Clearance Therapy and Barbiturate Coma for Severe Carbamazepine Overdose
Authors: Agulnik Asya , Kelly Daniel P. , Bruccoleri Rebecca , Yuskaitis Christopher , Ebrahimi-Fakhari Darius , Sahin Mustafa , Burns Michele M. , Kohane Daniel S.
Published: April 2017

A 15-year-old female subject presented comatose, in respiratory failure and shock, after the intentional ingestion of ∼280 extended-release 200-mg carbamazepine tablets with a peak serum concentration of 138 µg/mL (583.74 µmol/L). The patient developed clinical seizures and an EEG pattern of stimulus-induced rhythmic, periodic, or ictal discharges, suggestive of significant cortical dysfunction. Due to the extremely high drug serum concentration and clinical instability, a combination of therapies was used, including lipid emulsion therapy, plasmapheresis, hemodialysis, continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration, and endoscopic intestinal decontamination. The patient’s elevated serum lactate level with a high mixed venous saturation suggested possible mitochondrial dysfunction, prompting treatment with barbiturate coma to reduce cerebral metabolic demand. The serum carbamazepine concentration declined steadily, with resolution of lactic acidosis, no long-term end-organ damage, and return to baseline neurologic function. The patient was eventually discharged in her usual state of health. In the laboratory, we demonstrated in vitro that the active metabolite of carbamazepine hyperpolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential, supporting the hypothesis that the drug caused mitochondrial dysfunction. We thus successfully treated a life-threatening carbamazepine overdose with a combination of modalities. Future studies are required to validate this aggressive approach. The occurrence of mitochondrial dysfunction must be confirmed in patients with carbamazepine toxicity and the need to treat it validated.
For the Good or the “Guild”
Authors: Fitzmier Jack , McCrary Charles , Danner Kerry , Sager Jason , Ramirez Helen , Daley-Bailey Kate
Published: April 2017

In this series, a number of scholars respond to Kate Daley-Bailey’s provocative essay, “For the Good or the ‘Guild’: An Open Letter to the American Academy of Religion,” which appears in the most recent issue of the Bulletin journal, Vol 44, No. 4 (2015). In this series, scholars Charles McCrary (FSU), Jack Fitzmier (Executive Director of the American Academy of Religion), Kerry Danner (member of the AARs Contingent Faculty Task Force, Jason Sagar, and Helen Ramirez respond, with a reply by Kate Daley-Bailey.
Beyond Cynicism
Authors: McCutcheon Russell
Published: April 2017

This is an introduction to a set of papers in which current Swiss doctoral students describe their work--in an effort to suggest that the field is still engaged in important issues of method and theory and that claims that we ought to now be post-theoretical are rather misplaced.
Reviewing air pollution and public health in China
Authors: Xue Bing , Butler Tim , Ren Wanxia , Zhang Zilong , Wang Yanxia , Mu Zhilin
Published: April 2017

Decades of gross domestic product-focused economic development has not only made China the world’s second largest economy, but has also led to massive environmental problems, including air pollution, which has been shown to lead to multiple adverse health outcomes. This review paper aims to contribute a better understanding regarding the interactive relationships between ambient air pollution and public health in China, based on a literature review from international journals, public data from government agencies and relevant reports from international organisations. Various studies have been conducted regarding air pollution and public health in China and their outcomes, which are valuable for further investigations and policymaking. However, current knowledge regarding air pollution and public health is still inadequate and has become a key barrier to supporting recommendations for further policymaking. This is despite the fact that China has launched relevant laws, regulations and standards and built about 106 national monitoring sites. Finally, two recommendations in particular are proposed: to enable public participation and improving the executive power of the government for reducing air pollution and to improve public health in China.
Encapsulación de probióticos para aplicaciones alimenticias
Authors: Rodríguez R. Yeimy Alejandra , Rojas G. Andrés Felipe , Rodríguez B. Sneyder
Published: April 2017

Los alimentos funcionales contienen componentes activos que con un consumo habitual favorecen la salud de consumidor. Dentro del concepto de funcional se encuentran los alimentos con microorganismos probióticos, los cuales al ser ingeridos en dosis adecuadas confieren diversos beneficios, estos microorganismos son sensibles a factores tecnológicos y ambientales que pueden reducir su viabilidad, estabilidad y su capacidad funcional. Existen tecnologías como la encapsulación, las cuales permiten mejorar la estabilidad de los probióticos al protegerlos mediante un material de recubrimiento. En este trabajo se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en diversas bases de datos sobre los probióticos más empleados en la industria de alimentos, su capacidad catalítica en matrices alimenticias, métodos de encapsulación, tipos de matrices en la encapsulación, estabilidad bajo condiciones gastrointestinales y los mecanismos de liberación. Se encontró que la encapsulación, además de favorecer la estabilidad de los microorganismos probióticos frente a factores adversos, condiciona según sus características, su aplicación e incorporación en matrices alimenticias de diversas cualidades.