bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
أﻤﻴﺔ اﻻﻟﻌﺎب اﻟﻠﻐﻮﺔ ﻟﺘﻌﻠﻴﻢ ﻣﺎرة اﻟﻜﺘﺎﺑﺔ
Authors: Buhori Buhori
Published: March 2017

Menulis merupakan salah satu bagian dari empat keterampilan bahasa (mendengar, berbicara, membaca dan menulis). Dalam konteks pembelajaran bahasa Arab, keterampilan menulis ini baru diajarkan kepada peserta didik setelah ketiga keterampilan sebelumnya selesai diajarkan dan dikuasai oleh mereka. Peserta didik dianggap menguasai keterampilan menulis apabila mereka telah mampu menyalin tulisan-tulisan, dan kata-kata yang didiktekan kepada mereka, serta mampu menuangkan pikiran yang terlintas dalam benaknya ke dalam bahasa tulis yang baik. Keterampilan menulis terdiri dari beberapa tingkatan, mulai dari yang mudah, sampai pada tingkatan penulisan yang rumit, dan semua tingkatan ini harus mampu dikuasai oleh peserta didik. Melihat begitu urgennya keterampilan menulis dalam pembelajaran bahasa, maka dalam proses pembelajarannya, seorang guru dituntut memiliki kompetensi pedagogik, khususnya pada aspek penerapan metode pembelajaran yang efektif dan kreatif, sehingga ia mampu menyajikan pembelajaran dengan baik dan menyenangkan. Salah satu metode pembelajaran yang dapat diterapkan dalam pembelajaran bahasa Arab, khususnya pada aspek keterampilan menulis (maharah al-kitabah), adalah “Permainan Bahasa” (al-Al`ab alLughowiyah). Permainan bahasa yang dimaksudkan dalam tulisan ini adalah aktifitas pembelajaran yang melibatkan peran serta peserta didik secara aktif, baik bersifat kerja sama maupun kompetisi, yang dapat dilakukan dalam berbagai bentuk permainan, dengan maksud untuk mencapai tujuan pembelajaran yang telah ditetapkan sebelumnya. Dengan aneka permainan bahasa ini, seorang guru dapat mengajarkan keterampilan menulis dengan kemasan yang lebih menarik dan menyenangkan, sehingga peserta didik tidak mudah merasa jemu dan bosan pada saat mengikuti proses pembelajaran.
SURAU SEBAGAI PUSAT PENDIDIKAN ISLAM PADA MASA KESULTANAN PONTIANAK
Authors: Rahmatullah Muhammad
Published: March 2017

Historically, the surau has become an important means (institution/agency) in terms of community development and enlightenment, particularly in religious learning and cultivation of moral values. In addition, the surau-based education had a significant reputation with regard to the spread of Islam to various regions and the area around an island and beyond, and probably to other countries.

As a means of religious education, we can still find surau until now, although its role and function are no longer the same as they were in the past, in which educational activities of Islam in the early days of its growth were carried out under the surau educational system. Thus, since the beginning of the spread of Islam to Indonesia, surau has contributed the shape and pattern of its own in the Islamic educational system
PERILAKU MUNAFIK INDIKATOR GANGGUAN JIWA
Authors: Handini Agust
Published: March 2017

Orang-orang munafik pada dasarnya adalah mereka yang ingkar kepada Allah, dan Rasul-Nya, kendatipun secara lahir mereka memakai baju mukmin. Abu Bakar Jabir Al-Jaziri berpendapat bahwa orang-orang munafik itu adalah mereka yang menampakkan keimanan terhadap orang-orang mukmin dengan ucapan-ucapan mereka, akan tetapi menyembunyikan kekafiran dalam hati mereka dan juga mengingkari syara’ serta kufur untuk kepentingan mereka kepada Allah dan Rasul-Nya.

Dalam pandangan Murtadha Muthahari, kemunafikkan dimaknai sebagai sikap bermuka dua dan menampakkan diri secara berbeda dari keadaan yang seseungguhnya. Kendati merupakan sifat yang licik, kemunafikkan menunjukkan evolusi manusia. Artinya manakala manusia jauh lebuh berkembang daripada binatang biasanya tidak memiliki sifat seperti itu.

Tanda orang munafik ada tiga :

• Apabila ia berbicara berdusta,

• Apabila ia berjani ia ingkar, dan

Apabila dia dipercayai ia berkhianat. Ciri yang paling mendasar adalah kebimbangannya antara keimanan dan kekafiran serta ketakmampuannya membuat sikap yang tegas dan jelas berkaitan dengan keyakinan tauhid. Hal itu karena ia adalah pribadi yang kurang percaya diri. Mereka tidak dapat membuat keputusan yang tegas dan jelas untuk bergabung dengan kaum mukminin atau dengan kaum musyrikin.
INTERPRETASI SEJARAH SEBAGAI PERISTIWA DAN MASALAH PENDIDIKAN
Authors: Maksum Ahmad
Published: March 2017

When we talk about history, we usually think of the past and interpret it as something insignificant that does not need to be remembered at all. People merely know the events on the surface, but are not aware of the background. For historians and observers of history, an event must be explained further and more in-depth especially about how it happened, as well as social, economic, political, and cultural backgrounds. Simply recounting an event does not completely explain it, because historians are professional travelers in the world of the past. In the academic context, history is a field of science or study that requires a critical historical imagination in its analysis. This is intended to place history in its phenomenological setting. History is not only about the “past events”, but it is also related to current events. The role of historians is very strategic especially in changing society’s idea which should start from the concept of learning at school or college.

In this light, historians and history teachers should be able to see through the mind of historical actors by trying to revive the thoughts of the historical actors in his/her own mind; in other words, historians should be able to put themselves into the shoes of the actors in history. It is considered an essential element in the “historical thinking” which serves as the basis of historical explanation.

History as an autonomous discipline needs to be developed in accordance with the pattern of the tendency of history itself. Conventional historical writing only tells the story of history in a descriptive-narrative form, simply explaining how an event occurs and does not touch its focal point. To get a more complete picture of the reality, people need to approach historical events from various aspects better known as a multidimensional approach, and it certainly requires a method called an interdisciplinary method.
Health humanities
Authors: Ravi Shankar P
Published: March 2017

Not available.Janaki Medical College Journal of Medical Sciences (2016) Vol. 4 (2): 1-2
New and Simpler Cracking Test Method for Asphalt Mix Designs
Authors: Im Soohyok , Zhou Fujie
Published: March 2017

Because of environmental conservation and sustainability concerns, reclaimed asphalt pavements and recycled asphalt shingles are increasingly used in the asphalt paving industry to replace virgin asphalt and aggregate materials. However, these recycled materials are often highly aged and can cause cracking issues for asphalt pavements. Additionally, other factors such as binder additives, modifiers, and multiple warm-mix asphalt technologies can alter the performance of the mixtures both positively and negatively. The volumetric mix design alone is not sufficient for evaluating the potential cracking behavior of asphalt mixes. Although many cracking test methods are available, there is no widely accepted performance-related cracking test method that is practical enough for routine use in asphalt mix designs. This paper presents a newly developed, simple, and practical cracking test method for asphalt mix designs. The new cracking test method is repeatable, time- and cost-effective, easily implemented, sensitive to mix compositions, and well correlated to field performance. The new cracking test is performed at an intermediate temperature of 25°C and a loading rate of 50 mm/min. Furthermore, a unitless index is proposed as the cracking resistance indicator for evaluation of the cracking resistance of asphalt mixes. Additionally, the effectiveness of the new cracking test was validated with the test results from FHWA’s accelerated loading facility.
Practical Method to Determine Strain Level for Cyclic Direct Tension Fatigue Testing in the Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester
Authors: Li Sean (Xinjun) , Mensching David J. , Gibson Nelson
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a practical procedure for estimating strain levels in the asphalt mixture performance tester cyclic direct tension fatigue test and provides practitioners with guidance for selecting a strain value for testing materials with unknown fatigue characteristics. A large variety of plant-produced and laboratory-prepared mixtures were analyzed. These included hot- and warm-mix asphalt, reclaimed asphalt pavement, and recycled asphalt shingles and various gradations and air void contents; all were tested following the AASHTO TP 107 procedure. The experimental results from a segregated material illustrate that AASHTO TP 107 could produce repeatable results and was sensitive to field variations in binder content. Data for satisfactorily performing and poorly performing mixtures were clustered on the plot of cycles to peak phase angle versus actuator strain level and a Black Space diagram evaluated at the AASHTO TP 107 test temperature. Curves of cycles to peak phase angle versus actuator strain level were built from the experimental database, with each curve representing one ideal mixture that followed a particular power function. The dynamic modulus data are used to determine a recommended actuator strain level to start the set of fatigue tests for each cluster.
Washington State Evaluation of Performance-Based Concrete for Bridge Decks
Authors: Khaleghi Bijan
Published: March 2017

The Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) revamped its bridge deck concrete specifications in an effort to eliminate or reduce early-age restraint cracking in bridge decks. Restraint cracking is caused by length changes resulting from shrinkage or temperature effects that are restrained by girders and internal reinforcement and show up primarily as transverse through cracks. Bridge decks constructed with the revised concrete specification are commonly referred to as “performance-based bridge decks” because the revised specification removes prescribed requirements and adds performance criteria such as shrinkage and permeability limits. Contractors are required to submit test results to prove their concrete mix design meets the specified performance requirements. The performance-based specification was first implemented in mid 2011 and is now included in the 2014 Standard Specifications. To evaluate the effectiveness of the revised concrete specification, bridges recently constructed with the performance-based specification and the traditional specification were visually inspected for cracks. The cracking severity was used to compare the bridges and can be used to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of the revised specification to prevent or reduce early-age restraint cracking in the bridge decks. This study evaluated and documented the effectiveness of the changes made to the Washington State DOT concrete specification for bridge decks and sought to identify any improvements that could be made to the current performance-based specification. The study found that the current performance-based concrete specification resulted in fewer restraint cracks than the traditional concrete specification and worked better for precast girder bridges than for steel girder bridges.
Improved Synthesis of (Z,E)-9,11,13-Tetradecatrienal, the Sex Pheromone of the Carob Moth Apomyelois (=Ectomyelois) Ceratoniae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Noorbakhsh Saeede , Alizadeh Babak Heidary , Saber Moosa , Farazmand Hossein
Published: March 2017

(Z,E)-9,11,13-Tetradecatrienal is a sex pheromone component emitted by virgin females of the Carob Moth Apomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) which is an important pest of Iranian pomegranate fruits. Chemical control of this pest is not possible and biological methods with pheromones are used. The synthesis of the major component of the sex pheromone was achieved in fewer steps and with lower cost than previously. (Z,E)-9,11,13-Tetradecatrienal was synthesised by four steps with 59% overall yield. The coupling of a conjugated dienynol intermediate from E-1,2-dichloroethylene with vinyl magnesium bromide was achieved in good yield and followed by reduction of dienynol with activated zinc in THF-H2O and oxidation gave the aldehyde of the sex pheromone.
Crop coefficient of a popular potato variety in Bangladesh
Authors: Akanda AR , Rahman MS , Islam MS , Mila AJ
Published: March 2017

Crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and crop coefficient (Kc) values of potato (variety: BARI Alu -7, Diamant) at different growth stages were determined through lysimeter method at Irrigation and Water Management Division of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur during 2008 - 2009. The study was conducted by applying irrigation at 25 and 40 days after planting (DAP) allowing drainage (AD) (T1), at 25, 40, and 55 DAP AD (T2), at 25, 40, and 60 DAP AD (T3), and at 25, 40, 55, and 60 DAP AD (T4) within and adjacent of four lysimeter tanks. Irrigation at 25, 40, and 55 DAP produced the highest tuber yield and was considered to be suitable for estimating seasonal ETc, and Kc values. The seasonal highest ETc was found to be 162 mm. The Kc values of 0.25, 0.62, 0.70 and 0.18 were determined at initial, development, midseason and late season stages of potato. These values differed slightly from the FAO recommended values. As the lysimeter provides control environment, the Kc values determined by this method are most dependable and recommended for estimating ETc of potato in semi-arid climatic conditions of Bangladesh.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(1): 67-76, March 2017
Effect of substrates to formulate Trichoderma harzianum based bio-fungicide in controlling seedling disease (Rhizoctonia solani) of brinjal
Authors: Faruk MI , Rahman ML
Published: March 2017

Efficacy of three different substrates viz., rice bran, wheat bran, grass pea bran and their combinations with mustard oilcake (MOC) were tested to formulate a suitable Trichoderma harzianum based bio-fungicide for controlling seedling disease of brinjal caused by Rhizoctonia solani in tray soil as well as in seedbed soil under net house condition of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur during 2010 to 2014. The results of three years experiments revealed that T. harzianum bio-fungicides formulated in five different combinations of substrates viz., (1) rice bran + wheat bran, (2) rice bran + mustard oilcake (MOC) (3) rice bran + grasspea bran, (4) rice bran + wheat bran + MOC and (5) rice bran + grasspea bran +MOC were equally effective to control the soil borne seedling disease of brinjal caused by Rhizoctonia solani in tray soil and seedbed condition. In addition, vegetative growth of brinjal seedlings viz., shoot length, shoot weight, root length and root weight were enhanced significantly by the T. harzianum bio-fungicides in R. solani inoculated seedbed condition.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(1): 159-170, March 2017
Target Tracking Based on a Nonsingular Fast Terminal Sliding Mode Guidance Law by Fixed-Wing UAV
Authors: Wu Kun , Cai Zhihao , Zhao Jiang , Wang Yingxun
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes a modified nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode (NFTSM) guidance law to solve the problem of ground moving target tracking for fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a planar environment. Firstly, the loitering algorithm is analysed, which can steer the UAV to follow and circle around a ground moving target with the desired distance by heading angle control. Secondly, the effects of different parameters on the convergence time of sliding manifold is presented which is helpful for the designing of sliding manifold. Singularity can be avoided by using a modified saturation function which is obtained through a small range around the null point. Moreover, the NFTSM sliding manifold is used in the loitering algorithm. By using the Lyapunov theory, the finite-time convergence of the proposed method has been proved in the the reaching phase and the sliding phase. In order to verify the approach’s feasibility and benefits, numerical simulations are performed by using a moving target with three different motion states in comparison with the conventional sliding model control method. Simulation results indicate that, under the proposed NFTSM guidance law, the UAV can reach the desired distance in a short time.
Perception-Driven Obstacle-Aided Locomotion for Snake Robots: The State of the Art, Challenges and Possibilities †
Authors: Sanfilippo Filippo , Azpiazu Jon , Marafioti Giancarlo , Transeth Aksel , Stavdahl Øyvind , Liljebäck Pål
Published: March 2017

In nature, snakes can gracefully traverse a wide range of different and complex environments. Snake robots that can mimic this behaviour could be fitted with sensors and transport tools to hazardous or confined areas that other robots and humans are unable to access. In order to carry out such tasks, snake robots must have a high degree of awareness of their surroundings (i.e., perception-driven locomotion) and be capable of efficient obstacle exploitation (i.e., obstacle-aided locomotion) to gain propulsion. These aspects are pivotal in order to realise the large variety of possible snake robot applications in real-life operations such as fire-fighting, industrial inspection, search-and-rescue, and more. In this paper, we survey and discuss the state of the art, challenges, and possibilities of perception-driven obstacle-aided locomotion for snake robots. To this end, different levels of autonomy are identified for snake robots and categorised into environmental complexity, mission complexity, and external system independence. From this perspective, we present a step-wise approach on how to increment snake robot abilities within guidance, navigation, and control in order to target the different levels of autonomy. Pertinent to snake robots, we focus on current strategies for snake robot locomotion in the presence of obstacles. Moreover, we put obstacle-aided locomotion into the context of perception and mapping. Finally, we present an overview of relevant key technologies and methods within environment perception, mapping, and representation that constitute important aspects of perception-driven obstacle-aided locomotion.
Effect of Climatic and Non-Climatic Factors on Cassava Yields in Togo: Agricultural Policy Implications
Authors: Boansi David
Published: March 2017

This paper examines the effects of climatic and non-climatic factors on cassava yields in Togo using an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modelling approach and pairwise Granger Causality tests. Secondary data on production statistics, rural population, climate variables, prices and nominal exchange rate for the period 1978–2009 are used. Results for estimated short- and long-run models indicate that cassava yield is affected by both ‘normal’ climate variables and within-season rainfall variability. An inverse relationship is found between area harvested and yield of cassava, but a significant positive and elastic effect of labour availability on yield in the long run. Increasing within-lean-season rainfall variability and high lean-season mean temperature are detrimental to cassava yields, while increasing main-season rainfall and mean-temperature enhance cassava yields. Through Granger Causality tests, a bilateral causality is found between area harvested and yield of cassava, and four unidirectional causalities from labour availability, real producer price ratio between yam and cassava, main-season rainfall and lean-season mean temperature to cassava yields. Based on the findings from this study, investment in low-cost irrigation facilities and water harvesting is recommended to enhance the practice of supplemental irrigation. Research efforts should as well be made to breed for drought, heat and flood tolerance in cassava. In addition, coupling area expansion with increasing availability of labour is advised, through the implementation of measures to minimize rural–urban migration.
Pigments in Extra-Virgin Olive Oils Produced in Tuscany (Italy) in Different Years
Authors: Lazzerini Cristina , Domenici Valentina
Published: March 2017

Pigments are responsible for the color of olive oils, and are an important ingredient that is directly related to the quality of this food. However, the concentration of pigments can vary significantly depending on the climate conditions, harvesting time, and olive cultivars. In this work, we quantified the main pigments in several extra-virgin olive oils produced from a blend of three cultivars (Moraiolo, Frantoio, and Leccino) typical of Tuscany (Italy) harvested in three different years: 2012, 2013, and 2014. Pigments—namely, β-carotene, lutein, pheophytin A, and pheophytin B—were quantified by a method based on the mathematical analysis of the near ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra of the oils. Data were analyzed by a multivariate statistical approach. The results show that the pigments’ content of extra-virgin olive oils produced in 2014 can be well distinguished with respect to previous years. This can be explained by the anomalous climate conditions, which strongly affected Italy and, in particular, Tuscany, where the olives were harvested. This study represents an interesting example of how pigment content can be significant in characterizing olive oils. Moreover, this is the first report of pigment quantification in extra-virgin olive oils produced in Tuscany.
Incidence of Breast, Prostate, Testicular, and Thyroid Cancer in Italian Contaminated Sites with Presence of Substances with Endocrine Disrupting Properties
Authors: Benedetti Marta , Zona Amerigo , Beccaloni Eleonora , Carere Mario , Comba Pietro
Published: March 2017

The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of breast (females), prostate, testicular, and thyroid cancer in the Italian National Priority Contaminated Sites (NPCSs), served by cancer registries, where the presence of endocrine disruptors (EDs), reported to be linked to these tumours, was documented. Evidence of carcinogenicity of EDs present in NPCSs was assessed based on evaluation by international scientific institutions and committees. Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIRs) were computed for each NPCS and cancer site between 1996 and 2005. Excess incidence of one or more cancer site studied was found in twelve out of fourteen NPCSs. Significantly increased SIRs were found for breast cancer in eight NPCSs, for prostate cancer in six, for thyroid cancer (both gender) in four, and for testicular cancer in two. Non-significantly increased SIRs were found in five NPCSs for testicular cancer and in two for thyroid cancer (males). In a small number of instances a significant deficit was reported, mainly for thyroid and prostate cancer. Although increased incidence of one or more cancer sites studied were found in several NPCSs, the ecological study design and the multifactorial aetiology of the considered tumours do not permit concluding causal links with environmental contamination. Regarding the observation of some excesses in SIRs, continuing epidemiological surveillance is warranted.
A Sparse Manifold Classification Method Based on a Multi-Dimensional Descriptive Primitive of Polarimetric SAR Image Time Series
Authors: He Chu , Han Gong , Feng Di , Du Juan , Liao Mingsheng
Published: March 2017

Classification using the rich information provided by time-series and polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images has attracted much attention. The key point is to effectively reveal the correlation between different dimensions of information and form a joint feature. In this paper, a multi-dimensional SAR descriptive primitive for each single pixel is firstly constructed, which in the polarimetric scale obtains incoherent information through target decompositions while in the time scale obtains coherent information through stochastic walk. Secondly, for the purpose of feature extraction and dimension reduction, a special feature space mapping for the descriptive primitive of the whole image is proposed based on sparse manifold expression and compressed sensing. Finally, the above feature is inputted into a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. This proposed method can inherently integrate the features of polarimetric SAR times series. Experiment results on three real time-series polarimetric SAR data sets show the effectiveness of our presented approach. The idea of a multi-dimensional descriptive primitive as a convenient tool also opens a new spectrum of potential for further processing of polarimetric SAR image time series.
Bevacizumab for Patients with Recurrent Gliomas Presenting with a Gliomatosis Cerebri Growth Pattern
Authors: Burger Michael , Mildenberger Iris , Wagner Marlies , Mittelbronn Michel , Steinbach Joachim , Bähr Oliver
Published: March 2017

Bevacizumab has been shown to improve progression-free survival and neurologic function, but failed to improve overall survival in newly diagnosed glioblastoma and at first recurrence. Nonetheless, bevacizumab is widely used in patients with recurrent glioma. However, its use in patients with gliomas showing a gliomatosis cerebri growth pattern is contentious. Due to the marked diffuse and infiltrative growth with less angiogenic tumor growth, it may appear questionable whether bevacizumab can have a therapeutic effect in those patients. However, the development of nodular, necrotic, and/or contrast-enhancing lesions in patients with a gliomatosis cerebri growth pattern is not uncommon and may indicate focal neo-angiogenesis. Therefore, control of growth of these lesions as well as control of edema and reduction of steroid use may be regarded as rationales for the use of bevacizumab in these patients. In this retrospective patient series, we report on 17 patients with primary brain tumors displaying a gliomatosis cerebri growth pattern (including seven glioblastomas, two anaplastic astrocytomas, one anaplastic oligodendroglioma, and seven diffuse astrocytomas). Patients have been treated with bevacizumab alone or in combination with lomustine or irinotecan. Seventeen matched patients treated with bevacizumab for gliomas with a classical growth pattern served as a control cohort. Response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival were similar in both groups. Based on these results, anti-angiogenic therapy with bevacizumab should also be considered in patients suffering from gliomas with a mainly infiltrative phenotype.
Al-Doped ZnO Monolayer as a Promising Transparent Electrode Material: A First-Principles Study
Authors: Wu Mingyang , Sun Dan , Tan Changlong , Tian Xiaohua , Huang Yuewu
Published: March 2017

Al-doped ZnO has attracted much attention as a transparent electrode. The graphene-like ZnO monolayer as a two-dimensional nanostructure material shows exceptional properties compared to bulk ZnO. Here, through first-principle calculations, we found that the transparency in the visible light region of Al-doped ZnO monolayer is significantly enhanced compared to the bulk counterpart. In particular, the 12.5 at% Al-doped ZnO monolayer exhibits the highest visible transmittance of above 99%. Further, the electrical conductivity of the ZnO monolayer is enhanced as a result of Al doping, which also occurred in the bulk system. Our results suggest that Al-doped ZnO monolayer is a promising transparent conducting electrode for nanoscale optoelectronic device applications.
Effects of Storage Time on Glycolysis in Donated Human Blood Units
Authors: Qi Zhen , Roback John , Voit Eberhard
Published: March 2017

Background: Donated blood is typically stored before transfusions. During storage, the metabolism of red blood cells changes, possibly causing storage lesions. The changes are storage time dependent and exhibit donor-specific variations. It is necessary to uncover and characterize the responsible molecular mechanisms accounting for such biochemical changes, qualitatively and quantitatively; Study Design and Methods: Based on the integration of metabolic time series data, kinetic models, and a stoichiometric model of the glycolytic pathway, a customized inference method was developed and used to quantify the dynamic changes in glycolytic fluxes during the storage of donated blood units. The method provides a proof of principle for the feasibility of inferences regarding flux characteristics from metabolomics data; Results: Several glycolytic reaction steps change substantially during storage time and vary among different fluxes and donors. The quantification of these storage time effects, which are possibly irreversible, allows for predictions of the transfusion outcome of individual blood units; Conclusion: The improved mechanistic understanding of blood storage, obtained from this computational study, may aid the identification of blood units that age quickly or more slowly during storage, and may ultimately improve transfusion management in clinics.
A Novel Electroosmotic Micromixer with Asymmetric Lateral Structures and DC Electrode Arrays
Authors: Chen Limin , Deng Yongbo , Zhou Teng , Pan Hui , Liu Zhenyu
Published: March 2017

We present a novel electroosmotic micromixer that consists of arrays of direct current (DC) asymmetric electrode and asymmetric lateral structures. By embedding asymmetric electrode arrays on the top and bottom walls of a rectangular microchannel appropriately, the flow perturbations and vortexes can be induced when a DC electric field is imposed. An efficient lateral structure is then sequentially combined with the rectangular microchannel, which enhances the mixing effect significantly. The effects of operational parameters such as the Reynolds number, the applied potential, and the Peclet number on the mixing performance are analyzed in detail by numerical simulations. The results indicate that an enhanced mixing performance can be achieved with low applied potential. The novel method proposed in this paper provides a simple solution for mixing in the field of micro-total-analysis systems.
Vitamin D Insufficiency Exacerbates Adipose Tissue Macrophage Infiltration and Decreases AMPK/SIRT1 Activity in Obese Rats
Authors: Chang Eugene , Kim Yangha
Published: March 2017

Obesity is recognized as a state of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation due to adipose tissue macrophage infiltration and production of proinflammatory adipokines. Decreased vitamin D status is associated with obesity. The specific aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of vitamin D on obesity-induced adipose tissue inflammation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized and fed a normal diet (NOR, 1000 IU vitamin D/kg diet), a 45% high-fat diet (HF, 1000 IU vitamin D/kg diet), or a 45% high-fat diet containing 25 IU vitamin D/kg diet (HF+LVD) for 12 weeks. The vitamin D-insufficient diet (HF+LVD) led to vitamin D inadequacy as determined by serum 25(OH)D level, 68.56 ± 7.97 nmol/L. The HF+LVD group exacerbated HF-increased adipocyte size, adipogenic gene expression of PPARγ, adipose tissue macrophage recruitment, and proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 and TNFα levels in epididymal white adipose tissue. In addition, vitamin D insufficiency significantly decreased mRNA levels of β-oxidation-related genes such as CPT1α, PGC1α, PPARα, VLCAD, LCAD, MCAD, and UCP1. Moreover, significant decrements of SIRT1 and AMPK activity were noted in obese rats fed with a vitamin D-insufficient diet. The observed deleterious effects of vitamin D insufficiency on adipose tissue expansion, immune cell infiltration and inflammatory status suggest vitamin D plays a beneficial role in adipocyte metabolic metabolism and obesity progression. SIRT1 and AMPK activity may play a role in the mechanism of vitamin D action.
Development of a Glycosaminoglycan Derived, Selectin Targeting Anti-Adhesive Coating to Treat Endothelial Cell Dysfunction
Authors: Wodicka James , Chambers Andrea , Sangha Gurneet , Goergen Craig , Panitch Alyssa
Published: March 2017

Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is associated with many disease states including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), chronic kidney disease, sepsis and diabetes. Loss of the glycocalyx, a thin glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-rich layer on the EC surface, is a key feature of endothelial dysfunction and increases exposure of EC adhesion molecules such as selectins, which are involved in platelet binding to ECs. Once bound, platelets cause thrombus formation and an increased inflammatory response. We have developed a GAG derived, selectin targeting anti-adhesive coating (termed EC-SEAL) consisting of a dermatan sulfate backbone and multiple selectin-binding peptides designed to bind to inflamed endothelium and prevent platelet binding to create a more quiescent endothelial state. Multiple EC-SEAL variants were evaluated and the lead variant was found to preferentially bind to selectin-expressing ECs and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and inhibit platelet binding and activation in a dose-dependent manner. In an in vivo model of DVT, treatment with the lead variant resulted in reduced thrombus formation. These results indicate that EC-SEAL has promise as a potential therapeutic in the treatment of endothelial dysfunction.
Virtual Reference Services through Web Search Engines: Study of Academic Libraries in Pakistan
Authors: Khan Rubia , Khan Arif , Malik Sidra , Idrees Haroon
Published: March 2017

Web search engines (WSE) are powerful and popular tools in the field of information service management. This study is an attempt to examine the impact and usefulness of web search engines in providing virtual reference services (VRS) within academic libraries in Pakistan. The study also attempts to investigate the relevant expertise and skills of library professionals in providing digital reference services (DRS) efficiently using web search engines. Methodology used in this study is quantitative in nature. The data was collected from fifty public and private sector universities in Pakistan using a structured questionnaire. Microsoft Excel and SPSS were used for data analysis. The study concludes that web search engines are commonly used by librarians to help users (especially research scholars) by providing digital reference services. The study also finds a positive correlation between use of web search engines and quality of digital reference services provided to library users. It is concluded that although search engines have increased the expectations of users and are really big competitors to a library’s reference desk, they are however not an alternative to reference service. Findings reveal that search engines pose numerous challenges for librarians and the study also attempts to bring together possible remedial measures. This study is useful for library professionals to understand the importance of search engines in providing VRS. The study also provides an intellectual comparison among different search engines, their capabilities, limitations, challenges and opportunities to provide VRS effectively in libraries.
Dimensionality Reduction of Hyperspectral Image with Graph-Based Discriminant Analysis Considering Spectral Similarity
Authors: Feng Fubiao , Li Wei , Du Qian , Zhang Bing
Published: March 2017

Recently, graph embedding has drawn great attention for dimensionality reduction in hyperspectral imagery. For example, locality preserving projection (LPP) utilizes typical Euclidean distance in a heat kernel to create an affinity matrix and projects the high-dimensional data into a lower-dimensional space. However, the Euclidean distance is not sufficiently correlated with intrinsic spectral variation of a material, which may result in inappropriate graph representation. In this work, a graph-based discriminant analysis with spectral similarity (denoted as GDA-SS) measurement is proposed, which fully considers curves changing description among spectral bands. Experimental results based on real hyperspectral images demonstrate that the proposed method is superior to traditional methods, such as supervised LPP, and the state-of-the-art sparse graph-based discriminant analysis (SGDA).
A Coarse Alignment Method Based on Digital Filters and Reconstructed Observation Vectors
Authors: Xu Xiang , Xu Xiaosu , Zhang Tao , Li Yao , Wang Zhicheng
Published: March 2017

In this paper, a coarse alignment method based on apparent gravitational motion is proposed. Due to the interference of the complex situations, the true observation vectors, which are calculated by the apparent gravity, are contaminated. The sources of the interference are analyzed in detail, and then a low-pass digital filter is designed in this paper for eliminating the high-frequency noise of the measurement observation vectors. To extract the effective observation vectors from the inertial sensors’ outputs, a parameter recognition and vector reconstruction method are designed, where an adaptive Kalman filter is employed to estimate the unknown parameters. Furthermore, a robust filter, which is based on Huber’s M-estimation theory, is developed for addressing the outliers of the measurement observation vectors due to the maneuver of the vehicle. A comprehensive experiment, which contains a simulation test and physical test, is designed to verify the performance of the proposed method, and the results show that the proposed method is equivalent to the popular apparent velocity method in swaying mode, but it is superior to the current methods while in moving mode when the strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) is under entirely self-contained conditions.
Model-Based Estimation of Ankle Joint Stiffness
Authors: Misgeld Berno , Zhang Tony , Lüken Markus , Leonhardt Steffen
Published: March 2017

We address the estimation of biomechanical parameters with wearable measurement technologies. In particular, we focus on the estimation of sagittal plane ankle joint stiffness in dorsiflexion/plantar flexion. For this estimation, a novel nonlinear biomechanical model of the lower leg was formulated that is driven by electromyographic signals. The model incorporates a two-dimensional kinematic description in the sagittal plane for the calculation of muscle lever arms and torques. To reduce estimation errors due to model uncertainties, a filtering algorithm is necessary that employs segmental orientation sensor measurements. Because of the model’s inherent nonlinearities and nonsmooth dynamics, a square-root cubature Kalman filter was developed. The performance of the novel estimation approach was evaluated in silico and in an experimental procedure. The experimental study was conducted with body-worn sensors and a test-bench that was specifically designed to obtain reference angle and torque measurements for a single joint. Results show that the filter is able to reconstruct joint angle positions, velocities and torque, as well as, joint stiffness during experimental test bench movements.
Metal Oxide Gas Sensors, a Survey of Selectivity Issues Addressed at the SENSOR Lab, Brescia (Italy)
Authors: Ponzoni Andrea , Baratto Camilla , Cattabiani Nicola , Falasconi Matteo , Galstyan Vardan , Nunez-Carmona Estefania , Rigoni Federica , Sberveglieri Veronica , Zambotti Giulia , Zappa Dario
Published: March 2017

This work reports the recent results achieved at the SENSOR Lab, Brescia (Italy) to address the selectivity of metal oxide based gas sensors. In particular, two main strategies are being developed for this purpose: (i) investigating different sensing mechanisms featuring different response spectra that may be potentially integrated in a single device; (ii) exploiting the electronic nose (EN) approach. The former has been addressed only recently and activities are mainly focused on determining the most suitable configuration and measurements to exploit the novel mechanism. Devices suitable to exploit optical (photoluminescence), magnetic (magneto-optical Kerr effect) and surface ionization in addition to the traditional chemiresistor device are here discussed together with the sensing performance measured so far. The electronic nose is a much more consolidated technology, and results are shown concerning its suitability to respond to industrial and societal needs in the fields of food quality control and detection of microbial activity in human sweat.
Posture Detection Based on Smart Cushion for Wheelchair Users
Authors: Ma Congcong , Li Wenfeng , Gravina Raffaele , Fortino Giancarlo
Published: March 2017

The postures of wheelchair users can reveal their sitting habit, mood, and even predict health risks such as pressure ulcers or lower back pain. Mining the hidden information of the postures can reveal their wellness and general health conditions. In this paper, a cushion-based posture recognition system is used to process pressure sensor signals for the detection of user’s posture in the wheelchair. The proposed posture detection method is composed of three main steps: data level classification for posture detection, backward selection of sensor configuration, and recognition results compared with previous literature. Five supervised classification techniques—Decision Tree (J48), Support Vector Machines (SVM), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Naive Bayes, and k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN)—are compared in terms of classification accuracy, precision, recall, and F-measure. Results indicate that the J48 classifier provides the highest accuracy compared to other techniques. The backward selection method was used to determine the best sensor deployment configuration of the wheelchair. Several kinds of pressure sensor deployments are compared and our new method of deployment is shown to better detect postures of the wheelchair users. Performance analysis also took into account the Body Mass Index (BMI), useful for evaluating the robustness of the method across individual physical differences. Results show that our proposed sensor deployment is effective, achieving 99.47% posture recognition accuracy. Our proposed method is very competitive for posture recognition and robust in comparison with other former research. Accurate posture detection represents a fundamental basic block to develop several applications, including fatigue estimation and activity level assessment.
What Motivates Farmers’ Adaptation to Climate Change? The Case of Apple Farmers of Shaanxi in China
Authors: Feng Xiaolong , Liu Mingyue , Huo Xuexi , Ma Wanglin
Published: March 2017

Past studies showing that barriers to farmers’ adaptation behaviors are focused on their socio-economic factors and resource availability. Meanwhile, psychological and social considerations are sparingly mentioned, especially for the related studies in developing countries. This study investigates the impact of psychological factors and social appraisal on farmers’ behavioral intention to adopt adaptation measures for the aforementioned reason, due to climate change and not to anthropogenic climate change. Drawing on the protection motivation theory, a threat, coping, social appraisal, maladaptation and behavioral intention to adopt adaptation measures (TCSMBI) model was proposed to predict farmers’ adaptation. A structural equation model was then employed to analyze the relationships between variables in the TCSMBI model with 658 apple farmers in Shaanxi province, China. The empirical results showed that threat appraisal and coping appraisal have positive and significant impacts on behavioral intention to climate change. Moreover, threat appraisal reduces the occurrence of maladaptation, and social appraisal tends to have significantly positive impacts on threat appraisal and coping appraisal.
Extensive Evolution of Cereal Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins Translates into Unique Structural Features, Activation Mechanisms, and Physiological Roles
Authors: Zaeytijd Jeroen De , Damme Els J. M. Van
Published: March 2017

Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are a class of cytotoxic enzymes that can depurinate rRNAs thereby inhibiting protein translation. Although these proteins have also been detected in bacteria, fungi, and even some insects, they are especially prevalent in the plant kingdom. This review focuses on the RIPs from cereals. Studies on the taxonomical distribution and evolution of plant RIPs suggest that cereal RIPs have evolved at an enhanced rate giving rise to a large and heterogeneous RIP gene family. Furthermore, several cereal RIP genes are characterized by a unique domain architecture and the lack of a signal peptide. This advanced evolution of cereal RIPs translates into distinct structures, activation mechanisms, and physiological roles. Several cereal RIPs are characterized by activation mechanisms that include the proteolytic removal of internal peptides from the N-glycosidase domain, a feature not documented for non-cereal RIPs. Besides their role in defense against pathogenic fungi or herbivorous insects, cereal RIPs are also involved in endogenous functions such as adaptation to abiotic stress, storage, induction of senescence, and reprogramming of the translational machinery. The unique properties of cereal RIPs are discussed in this review paper.
Une nouvelle espèce de Tachyura d'Iran (Coleoptera Trechidae Tachyini)
Authors: Coulon Jacques , Felix Ron
Published: March 2017

Une nouvelle espèce de Tachyura, Tachyura frischi sp. nov., est décrite d'Iran. Elle est comparée aux espèces susceptibles de se rencontrer dans la région concernée : T. diabrachys Kolenati, T. decolorata Chaudoir et T. derbendensis Jedlicka, toutes connues d'Iran et T. zulficari Schatzmayr & Koch, connue d'Egypte, du Yémen et des Emirats arabes unis. Des différences sont notées dans la couleur, le dessin, les antennes, la forme du pronotum et la striation des élytres. L'espèce est nommée d'après son récolteur, le Dr. Johannes Frisch du Muséum de Berlin (Allemagne).
Microdynerus laticlypeus Giordani Soika 1971 et Odynerus annulicornis (Bluthgen 1956) (Hymenoptera : Vespidae : Eumeninae) : taxons nouveaux pour la faune de France
Authors: Gereys Bruno
Published: March 2017

Microdynerus laticlypeus Giordani Soika 1971 and Odynerus annulicornis (Bluthgen 1956) (Hymenoptera : Vespidae : Eumeninae) : first records from metropolitan France.

First records of Odynerus annulicornis (Bluthgen 1956) and Microdynerus laticlypeus Giordani Soika 1971 from metropolitan France.
Description d'une nouvelle espèce de Peritelini du sud-est de la France, Meira allemandi n.sp. (Coleoptera Curculionidae)
Authors: Rouault Eric
Published: March 2017

Description d'une nouvelle espèce du genre Meira Jacquelin du Val, 1852, récoltée dans les départements de la Drôme et de l'Ardèche (France).
Cryptorhychinae de France (Coleoptera Curculionidae). -1 . Analyse générique à l'échelle paléarctique occidentale
Authors: Komeza Nicolas
Published: March 2017

Cryptorhynchinae of France (Coleoptera Curculionidae) - 1. West-palearctic analysis of genera. -A morphological analysis of the West-Palaearctic subfamily Cryptorhynchinae based on 65 species, considering more than sixty characteristics, allowed identifying new groups within the subtribe Tylodina. These groups called Acallotylodines, Dichromotylodines and Kykliotylodines contribute to a better understanding of the taxonomic arrangement of this subfamily ; and propose a determinating criterias not strictly based on the aedeagus or molecular standards. A definition of genus Acalles s.str. is presented. Some taxonomic changes are proposed, particularly the moving of the genera Poggionymus towards Cryptorhynchina, Acallorneuma towards Torneumatini and Acallocrates are proposed to form a special group, the Cratotylodines. Several taxonomic changes are proposed for species of genera Acalles : Acalles camelus becomes Onyxacalles camelus n.comb., Acalles pulchellus becomes Coloracalles pulchellus n.comb., Acalles edoughensis becomes Coloracalles edoughensis n.comb., Acalles caucasicus becomes Onyxacalles caucasicus n.comb., Acalles milleri becomes Onyxacalles milleri n.comb. Taxa Somodytes and Palaeoacalles are given the status of genus.