bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE USE OF REALISTIC MATHEMATICS EDUCATION IN TEACHING THE CONCEPT OF EQUALITY
Authors: Theodora Febe Ratu Nada , Hidayat Dylmoon
Published: May 2018

Algebra is one of the most fundamental concepts in learning mathematics and the concept of equality is an essential part of learning algebraic topics. However, many students find this concept difficult to understand. The problem is the difficulty of the content and how to teach it. In order to solve the problem, this paper reviews the use of the theory of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) in teaching the concept of equality. RME is a process of teaching and learning mathematics in a contextual way as mathematics is considered as a human activity. This paper aims to review the use of the RME theory in teaching the concept of equality within the Biblical perspective as the parameter of the implementation for mathematics as one of God’s tools to reveal His glory and wisdom. The method used in this paper was literature review which used literature findings as the resources. According to the literature research, it was found that the main problem in teaching and learning the concept of equality was students’ misconception of equality. The use of the RME theory can help teachers to teach the “equality” concept to help student learn contextually. 

BAHASA INDONESIA ABSTRAK: Aljabar merupakan salah satu konsep paling dasar dalam pembelajaran matematika mendalam dan konsep persamaan merupakan bagian yang penting dalam mempelajari topik-topik aljabar. Namun ada murid-murid yang mendapati bahwa konsep persamaan sulit dimengerti. Permasalahannya adalah seputar sulitnya materi yang dipelajari dan cara pengajarannya. Untuk mencari solusi dari permasalahan tersebut, makalah ini akan mengkaji penggunaan teori Matematika Realistis dalam pengajaran konsep persamaan. Matematika Realistis adalah proses belajar mengajar matematika kontekstual yang memandang matematika sebagai aktifitas manusia. Makalah ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji penggunaan teori Matematika Realistis dalam pengajaran konsep persamaan di dalam perspektif Alkitabiah sebagaimana matematika adalah alat Allah untuk menyingkapkan kemuliaan dan hikmat-Nya. Metode yang digunakan dalam makalah ini adalah studi literatur yang menggunakan temuan-temuan literatur sebagai sumber. Berdasarkan studi literatur, masalah utama dalam pengajaran konsep persamaan adalah adanya miskonsepsi pada pemahaman murid dan menggunakan teori Matematika Realistis, pengajar dapat mengajar konsep “keseimbangan” untuk membantu murid belajar secara kontekstual.
Volcanic Activity of Sakurajima Monitored Using Global Navigation Satellite System
Authors: Iguchi Masato ,   Sakurajima Volcano Research Center, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University 1722-19, Sakurajima-Yokoyama, Kagoshima 891-1419, Japan
Published: May 2018

A dense Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network has been deployed at Sakurajima volcano since 1995 and extends to the surrounding area of the Aira caldera. The ground deformation obtained by GNSS observation corresponds to transient eruptive activity of Sakurajima volcano, which has produced frequent vulcanian eruptions since 1955. Inflation of the volcano was detected prior to the increase in vulcanian eruptions in 1999, and resumption of the eruptions at the Showa crater. Magma intrusion events and an increase in eruptions in late 2009, late 2011, and early 2015 suggest the existence of an open-conduit system from the Aira caldera to the vents at the summit area of the Minamidake cone, through the sub reservoir beneath the older Kitadake cone. Ground deformation induced by sudden dike intrusion is different from that of previous intrusions, as revealed by the dense GNSS network. GNSS data are useful in evaluating and forecasting volcanic activity, and are available to grasp the advection and diffusion of volcanic ash.
GNSS Observation and Monitoring of the Hakone Volcano and the 2015 Unrest
Authors: Doke Ryosuke , Harada Masatake , Miyaoka Kazuki ,   Hot Springs Research Institute of Kanagawa Prefecture 586 Iriuda, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0031, Japan,   Meteorological Research Institute, Ibaraki, Japan
Published: May 2018

In recent years, earthquake swarm activities have occurred at the Hakone Volcano in the western area of Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, with a frequency of once in several years. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations have detected the inflation of volcanic edifice during these activities. Hot Springs Research Institute of Kanagawa Prefecture (HSRI) regularly observes crustal deformation for monitoring seismic and volcanic activities by using 16 sites of GNSS observation, which were installed in the western area of Kanagawa Prefecture. These observed data, together with those from other agencies, are analyzed routinely, and time-series graphs, displacement vector diagrams, and strain maps are illustrated to monitor seismic and volcanic activities. Given that GNSS monitoring detected the baseline extension about half a month or a month before the earthquake swarm activities, a stacking analysis is routinely performed for early detection of the extension. Some of the analysis results can be found on the website of HSRI. The Hakone Volcano had the largest earthquake swarm activity beginning at the end of April 2015, and a phreatic eruption occurred in Owakudani at the end of June 2015. The GNSS observed crustal deformation, which indicated the inflation of the volcanic edifice in early April 2015. This inflation can be explained by a volume change of a point pressure source located about 6.5 km below sea level.
Response of the Tourism Industry to Volcanic Hazard Information: A Case Study of the Volcanic Warning at Zao Volcano in 2015
Authors: Kuri Miwa , Donovan Amy , Suppasri Anawat , Torayashiki Tetsuya ,   International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University 6-6-11 Aza-Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan,   Geography and Environmental Hazards, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
Published: May 2018

In recent years, the role of tourism-related workers in regional volcanic disaster prevention has increased in Japan. The coexistence of tourism with disaster mitigation is important in keeping residents and visitors safe and in protecting livelihoods. This paper analyzes responses from tourists and tourism workers on their receipt of volcanic hazard information. Awareness of this hazard is developing in the tourism industry. Information of expert such as members of the JMA and volcanologists at universities and institutes were considered more reliable sources of information than others. However, a direct access to experts’ information was not considered easy. Respondents’ recognition of the past hazards of Zao Volcano and future hazard factors were almost accurate. Some tourism-related workers hoped to obtain volcanic hazard information from the experts to provide to their customers. Many respondents had excessive expectations for predicting an eruption. A few were able to accept the uncertainties associated with volcano warnings and status reports. Experts need to provide adequate explanations of scientific evidence and the associated scientific uncertainties before society can readily accept eruption warnings. Furthermore, in an emergency, it is necessary to make available accurate information from specialized agencies and experts, and promptly provide them to tourism companies.
QUANTIFICATION OF XYLOPIC ACID AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC FINGERPRINT EVALUATIONS OF THE DRIED FRUITS OF XYLOPIA AETHIOPICA FROM FOUR AFRICAN COUNTRIES
Authors: Alolga Raphael N. , Assanhou Assogba G. , Onoja Vitus
Published: May 2018

Dunal) A. Rich, (herein called XYA), family Annonaceae, commonly known as “Guinea pepper”, “Ethiopian pepper” or “Negro pepper”, are widely used in traditional African medicines to treat a wide array of diseases including malaria, fungal infections, rheumatism, arthritis, etc. Scientific investigations have ascribed the following activities to the fruits of XYA; anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, analgesic, anti-nociceptive, anti-proliferative, spermatogenic and neuropharmacological effects. The main active principle reported is xylopic acid (XA), a kaurene diterpene. This study aimed to develop and validate a simple HPLC/UV (high performance liquid chromatography – ultraviolet detection) analytical method for the quantification of XA that can be reproduced in poor-resource settings where advanced analytical detection techniques such as HPLC-MS are unavailable.

Materials and Methods: Thus in this study, a simple C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) column-pretreatment ─ HPLC/UV analytical procedure was developed for the quantification of XA in the dried fruits of XYA from four African countries, Benin, Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria. The samples of XYA from the four countries were assessed for similarities using chromatographic fingerprinting.

Results: The HPLC method was validated for linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision and accuracy. The samples of XYA from Cameroon were found to have the highest average content of XA while those from Benin had the lowest average content of XA.

Conclusion: Using the chromatographic fingerprint evaluation, the similarities of the samples from the four countries to the reference chromatogram was in the order: Benin > Cameroon > Nigeria > Ghana.

Key words: Xylopia aethiopica, xylopic acid, C18
EVALUATION OF THE HYPOGLYCAEMIC POTENTIAL OF KIGELIA AFRICANA FRUIT POWDER BEING SOLD IN MALAWIAN RETAIL PHARMACIES
Authors: Lampiao Fanuel , Kafukiza Samson , Msowoya Denise , Phiri Thokozire , Wyson Lina , Alfazema Louisa
Published: May 2018

Background: Kigelia africana fruit powder is being sold in Malawian retail pharmacies for the purported purpose of lowering blood sugar in diabetic patients when there is scant data on its hypoglycaemic activity. This study was aimed at evaluating the hypoglycaemic potential of the Kigelia africana fruit powder being sold in Malawian retail pharmacies.

Materials and Methods: Hyperglycaemia was induced in rats via intra-peritoneal injection of dexamethasone. Albino rats were randomly allocated into five different groups of eight rats each. Group 1 consisted of non-hyperglycaemic rats receiving no treatment, group 2 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving no treatment, group 3 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving 25mg/kg of metformin, group 4 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving 0.5mL of Kigelia africana fruit powder filtered solution, and group 5 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving 1mL of Kigelia africana fruit powder solution.

Results: The Kigelia africana fruit powder filtered solution administered to hyperglycaemic albino rats significantly lowered the sugar level which was comparable to the reduction caused by the pharmacological drug, metformin.

Conclusions: Kigelia africana fruit powder has the potential of lowering glucose levels in white albino rats.
EFFECT OF CONSUMPTION OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA AND AZADIRACHTA INIDCA PRENATALLY AND POSTNATALLY ON MILK CREAMATOCRIT AND EARLY GROWTH OF OFFSPRING
Authors: Ephraim Ekanem E. , Aniema Ituen , O. Charles Ezeh , Pamela Okorie , Jide Uzoigwe , Princewill Ugwu , Eghosa Iyare E.
Published: May 2018

Background: Aqueous extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (HS) and Azadirachta indica A. juss (AI) are widely used in Nigeria for medicinal purposes and have been shown to affect postnatal growth of offspring. Breast milk creamatocrit is a simple accurate inexpensive technique and useful measure of lipid and energy content of breast milk. No data has shown effects of these extracts on breast milk creamatocrit and early postnatal growth of offspring. This study was designed to investigate effects of HS and AI on breast milk creamatocrit and early postnatal growth of offspring.

Materials and Methods: 40 pregnant rats weighing 150-200g were used for this study. They were divided into control, HS and AI groups. These groups were subdivided into two of low and high doses. Administration was by gavage and commenced on day 1 of pregnancy and ended on postnatal day 21. Litter weight and length were recorded at birth, postnatal days 7-21. Breast milk was collected from 4 dams in each group at postnatal days 7-21 for milk creamatocrit.

Results: Results showed that aqueous extract of HS and AI caused progressive increase in milk creamatocrit during lactation. This increase peaked greatly in the third week of lactation. There was also a progressive increase in BMI of pups in extract treated group that became significantly greater at weaning.

Conclusion: In conclusion, consumption of aqueous extracts of HS and AI during pregnancy and lactation may accelerate the postnatal growth of the offspring through mechanisms that may depend on increased breast milk creamatocrit.
RETRACTION: ANANAS SATIVA INCREASES LONGEVITY THROUGH OXIDATIVE STRESS RESISTANCE IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER
Authors: Ajagun-Ogunleye M.O
Published: May 2018

Background: Ageing is the major risk factor for most non-communicable diseases. It occurs as a result of free radical damage to macromolecules in the cell, coupled with environmental stress assaults. In the quest to identify new anti-ageing bioactive compounds from natural products, and despite the therapeutic values of Ananas sativa, its anti-ageing activity has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to screen the crude, methanol fruit extract of Ananas sativa (MEAS) and its fractions, for anti-ageing bioactivity in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster w1118 wild type flies.

Materials and Methods: Flies reared on food supplemented with 5, 10, and 20mg/ml fruit pulp and juice extract were assayed for longevity, fertility and stress resistance according to established protocols. Phytochemical composition and scavenging activity of extract on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH) were equally evaluated. The crude extract anti-ageing activity was assayed through a successive bioassay-guided fractionation approach, with different extraction solvents; n-Hexane, Chloroform, Ethyl acetate and Acetone.

Results: There was a dose-dependent effect of the fruit extract on lifespan, fertility and oxidative stress resistance, with a unique information on the anti-ageing bioactivity of Ananas sativa. The IC50 values of the fruit extract and Ascorbic acid positive control in the free radical scavenging activity were 248.15μg/ml and 81.51μg/ml respectively. However, the bioactive fraction obtained from the Ethylacetate fraction F1, did not exhibit oxidative stress resistant effect in the model organism.

Conclusion: The methanol fruit extract of Ananas sativa possesses anti-ageing bioactivity through oxidative stress resistance.
Molecular Identification and Characterization of Seeded Turf Bermudagrass Cultivars Using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers
Authors: Yang Lie , Wu Yanqi , Moss Justin Q. , Zhong Sheng , Yang Bin
Published: May 2018

Core Ideas

Six to nine signature alleles were revealed for each of the four standard seeded bermudagrass cultivars with 32 SSR markers.

All individual bermudagrass plants were correctly assigned to their source cultivars using the SSR markers.

The SSR marker profiles can be effectively used to identify blinded individuals to the source cultivars.

Common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon(L.) Pers. var.dactylon], is increasingly used in the development of seed‐propagated turf cultivars. Each seeded bermudagrass cultivar is a heterogeneous population composed of heterozygous genotypes. Therefore, the accurate identification of seeded bermudagrass cultivars is a challenge and has not yet been reported although this kind of information would be valuable for new cultivar development, seed certification, and intellectual property protection. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were (i) to characterize the genetic diversity within and relatedness between turf‐type seeded cultivars; and (ii) to investigate the assignment of individuals to their source cultivars using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Four seeded cultivars, NuMex Sahara, Princess‐77, Riviera, and Yukon were used in the investigation. Thirty individual plants, two bulk samples, and two additional individual plants from each of the four cultivars were genotyped with 32 SSR markers that were sampled to span a major portion of the species genome. The number of alleles amplified per SSR locus ranged from 3 to 10, with a mean of 5. Six to nine signature alleles were identified for each of the four cultivars. Genetic distance estimates and clustering results were consistent with the respective breeding history. Individual plants formed four distinct groupings corresponding exactly to the four cultivars and all individuals were correctly assigned to their respective source cultivars. The total gene diversity of the four cultivars was 0.257, indicating high diversity. The posterior test also indicated that bulk samples and two additional individual plants were clearly assigned to their source cultivars. The approach developed in this study is useful for the accurate identification of seeded bermudagrass cultivars.
Impacts of Certain Imposed Factors on Education and Educationists in Punjab, India
Authors: Kaur Navjot
Published: May 2018

Quality achievements, teacher inputs and outputs require a universal level if our country have to compete with the developed nations. Firstly, this paper examines problems while implementing those according to the present conditions in the schools of Punjab and secondly how those problems affect educationists as employs and educationists as common man. Teacher can fulfil the desires of society if he himself is mentally free from hardships in social responsibilities and free from the threat of insecure future. Education is only way to achieve desired goals in life and to make people aware of their prospect and potentials. Due to disparities presented in the rural and urban conditions of schools of Punjab there are some issues presented which affects the education system but are ignored ever. Often ignored factors, policies and structures either by political will or by bureaucracy have many adverse effects on the thousands of educationists and their families throughout life. This paper thus depicts  categories of Para teacher schemes including contractual and departmental, Unequal wages but equal desired output by department, same policies for rural and urban staff ignoring regional disparities, prioritization of subjects since Kothari commission(1964-1966) without considering demand of today’s 21st century globalised world, poor level of teacher trainings , misinterpretations of compulsory education, Annual confidential reports (ACR’s) without feedback to employs, non-teaching works due to lack of support staff in schools which suffers teacher student contact timings and finally partial transfer policies in which some remained in urban areas forever and others remained in faraway places forever until and unless blessed by political will and ignoring goals of justice, liberty and equality and in last some remedies also suggested for the revision consideration. School education forms the foundation of an education system and this can be achieved only by providing the free environment.
Level of shadow economy in Ukraine: reasons and ways to overcome
Authors: Bukhtiarova Alina , Hayriyan Arsen , Vynokurova Nataliia
Published: May 2018

The article offers an investigation of the level of the shadow economy in Ukraine in the period 2007–2016, the structure of the shadow (“grey”) economy in the sectoral section, Ukraine’s place in world rankings in terms of economic freedom, corruption, favorable business conditions, and competitiveness. The main reasons of high level of shadow sector of the national economy are considered, and several measures regarding the reduction of the shadow economy in Ukraine and improvement of its economic situation are presented.
Bazı Çilek Çeşitlerinin Merzifon (Amasya) Ekolojisindeki Verim Durumlarının Tespiti
Authors: GEÇER Mustafa Kenan , GÜNDOĞDU Müttalip , BAŞAR Gökhan
Published: May 2018

Çilek üzümsü meyve grubu içerisinde üretim ve tüketim değerleri bakımından birinci sıradadır. Tüketicitaleplerindeki artış, geliştirilen birçok ticari çeşit ve değişik iklim koşuluna uyumu sayesinde çilek yetiştiriciliğigünden güne artış göstermektedir. Çok sayıda geliştirilen çilek çeşidinin değişik iklim ve toprak şartlarında verimve kalitelerinin değerlendirilmesi ve bu çalışmalar sonucunda üreticilere önerilmesi gerekmektedir. Bu çalışmaile Amasya’nın Merzifon ilçesinde dört ticari çilek çeşidinin (Albion, Sweet Charlie, San Andreas, Monterey)verim özellikleri ve üretim imkanları incelenmiştir. Çalışmada bitki başına verim en yüksek 307.8 g ile Montereyçeşidinde belirlenmiş olup bunu 283.7 g ile Albion, 243.7 g ile San Andreas ve 64.41 g ile Sweet Charlie çeşiditakip etmiştir. Bitki başına meyve sayısı en fazla Monterey çeşidinde (26.08 adet) tespit edilmiştir. İrilik indeksibakımından da Albion çeşidi 12.8 g meyve-1 ile en iri meyvelere sahip olurken, en küçük meyvelere sahip çeşitSweet Charlie (7.39 g meyve-1) olmuştur. Suda çözünebilir kuru madde miktarı (SÇKM) bakımından çeşitlerarasında istatistiksel olarak önemli bir fark gözlenmemesine rağmen en yüksek SÇKM içeriği %9.81 ile Montereyçeşidinde tespit edilmiştir.Çalışma ile iklim ve toprak özellikleri bakımından bitkisel üretim için uygun koşullara sahip olan Merzifonilçesinde çilek üretiminin yapılabileceği ve özellikle Albion, Monterey ve San Andreas çilek çeşitlerinin yöre halkıiçin alternatif ürün olarak değerlendirilebileceği sonucuna varılmıştır.
Bilecik Yöresi Mermer Atıklarının “Fiber-Sement” Üretiminde Kullanılabilirliğinin Araştırılması
Authors: SOYDAN Ali Murat , SARI Abdulkadir , AKDENİZ Recep
Published: May 2018

Bu çalışmada, Bilecik bölgesinde bulunan mermer yataklarındaki mermer blokların kesilip, işlenmesisonucu oluşan atık mermer tozlarının elyaf takviyeli çimento matrisli kompozit (Fiber-Sement; FS) levhalarınüretiminde kullanılabilirliği araştırılmıştır. FS levhaların üretimi için ana hammadde olarak çimento, silis kumu,atık mermer tozu ve selüloz kullanılmıştır. Bu hammaddelerin sırasıyla kimyasal bileşimi ve tane boyutu gibikimyasal ve fiziksel özellikleri ve FS üzerine etkileri araştırılmıştır. Mermer atığı kütlece %0-50 oranlarındaeklenmiştir ve FS levhalarının mekaniksel özelliklerine etkileri araştırılmıştır. Üretilen numuneler üzerinde yapılanfiziksel ve mekaniksel test sonuçlarına göre atık mermer tozları kullanılarak kendi grubunda yeterli mekaniközellikleri sağlayan ve daha ekonomik olan elyaf takviyeli çimento matrisli kompozit FS panellerin üretilebileceğibelirlenmiştir.
Çukurova Üniversitesi Yerleşkesinde Görüntü Kirliliğine Neden Olan Etkenlerin Belirlenmesi
Authors: ÇOLAKKADIOĞLU Deniz , YÜCEL Muzaffer
Published: May 2018

Görüntü kirliliği ya da görsel kirlilik olarak adlandırılan olumsuz görsel etki, genel olarak, doğal ve kültürelçevre içinde yer alan, insanı rahatsız eden görüntülerin tümü olarak ifade edilebilmektedir. İçinde bulunduğumuzyüzyılda görsel kirlenmenin yol açtığı sorunların bilincine varılmış ve önlenmesi amacıyla çalışmalar başlatılmıştır.Söz konusu görsel etki değerlendirme çalışmaları ağırlıklı olarak kentsel ölçekte yer almakla birlikte, algılamanınönemli olduğu üniversite yerleşkeleri gibi eğitim ve öğretim dokusunu içeren alanlarda daha detaylı olarakgerçekleştirilebilmektedir. Bu araştırmada Çukurova Üniversitesi Yerleşkesinde katılımcı yaklaşımla görsel etkideğerlendirmesi çalışması gerçekleştirilerek, ilk olarak yerleşkede görüntü kirliliğine neden olan etkenler yapısal vebitkisel elemanlar kapsamında örnek alanlar özelinde saptanmıştır. Daha sonra gerçekleştirilen duyumsal analiz ilekullanıcıların Çukurova Üniversitesi Yerleşkesinde istedikleri görsel etkiye yönelik etkenler belirlenmiş, yerleşkegenelinde görsel kaliteyi arttırıcı öneriler geliştirilmiştir.
İlköğretim Okul Bahçesi Peyzaj Uygulamalarının Eğitim Öğretim ve Öğrencilere Katkıları
Authors: VURAL Hüccet , YILMAZ Sevgi
Published: May 2018

Araştırmada örneklenen okul için katılımcı yaklaşımla peyzaj tasarımı yaparak okul bahçesinde yapılanfiziki iyileştirmenin öğrencilere katkılarının belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Uygulama alanı olarak Erzurum kentmerkezi Yakutiye İlçesinde bulunan Mecidiye İlkokulu ve Ortaokulu seçilmiştir. Araştırma peyzaj tasarım süreci,kısmi peyzaj uygulamaları ve uygulama öncesi ve sonrası anket çalışmaları sonuçlarına dayanmaktadır. Araştırmakapsamında yapılan ankete uygulama öncesi 212 öğrenci, uygulama sonrası 174 öğrenci katılmıştır. Veriler SPSS18 programında betimsel istatistik ve Wilcoxon işaretli sıralar testi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Peyzaj tasarım veuygulama çalışmalarının yapıldığı okulda uygulama öncesi ve sonrası anket sonuçlarının karşılaştırmalı analizindeiyileştirilmiş fiziki çevrenin birçok bakımdan öğrencilere katkı sağladığı ve bu katkının istatistiksel olarak anlamlıolduğu belirlenmiştir (22 soru için Wilcoxon işaretli sıralar testi sonucu; z= -3.52, p<.05). Anket sonuçlarına göreokul bahçesinde yapılan peyzaj uygulamalarının; öğrencilerin memnuniyet oranına %33.1, çevre bilinci kazanmaoranına %20.1, psikolojik olarak rahatlama oranına %39.6, yeni şeyler öğrenme oranına %31.1, okul başarısındaartış oranına %39.2, eğitim amaçlı kullanım oranına %8.7 ve teneffüslerde çarpışma ve kazalarda azalma oranına%28.7 katkı sağladığı belirlenmiştir.
Van İlinde Yenilebilir Üç Yabani Bitkinin Mineral ve Ağır Metal Bileşenleri
Authors: TUNÇTÜRK Murat , TUNÇTÜRK Rüveyda , ERYİĞİT Tamer , KAYA Ali Rahmi
Published: May 2018

Malva sylvestris, Falcaria vulgaris Bernh ve Chenopodium botrys L, Türkiye’nin Doğu Anadolu Bölgesisakinleri tarafından besin ve tıbbi amaçla yaygın olarak tüketilen yabani yenilebilir bitkilerdir. Yabani yenilebilirbitkilerin besin değeri ve mineral bileşimlerinin belirlenmesi gıda güvenliği ve insan sağlığı açısından oldukçaönemlidir. Bu nedenle, bu çalışmada seçilen bitki türlerinin besin değeri ve mineral bileşimi araştırılmıştır. Buçalışma, Doğu Anadolu’daki birçok alanda geleneksel olarak tüketilen üç yabani bitki türünün besin değeri bilgisiniortaya koymak için faydalı veriler de (kuru madde, toplam kül,% N, ham protein, ham lif, pH ve mineral içeriği)sunmaktadır. Laboratuvar analiz sonuçlarına göre Malva sylvestris (% 44.64), Falcaria vulgaris (%18.34) veChenopodium botrys L. (%36.04) ile kıyasla yüksek ham lif oranı sahiptir. Falcaria vulgaris Bernh ve Chenopodiumbotrys L’nin ham protein içeriği sırasıyla %21.69 ve % 12.25, Malva sylystsis’in ham protein içeriği ise %8.57olarak hesaplandı. Toplam kül içeriği açısından, Chenopodium botrys L’nin diğerlerine kıyasla daha yüksek birdeğere (% 20.84) sahip olduğu görülmüştür. Sodyum (1.24g kg-1), potasyum (28.22g kg-1), kalsiyum (46.87g kg-1),fosfor (3.95g kg-1), magnezyum (10.61 g kg-1), demir (580.53 mg kg-1), manganese (79.54mg kg-1) gibi elementlerinen yüksek değerleri Chenopodium botrys L’de gözlenirken, en yüksek kükürt (1.91g kg-1), çinko (43.14mg g-1) vetoplam kül oranı değerleri (% 20.84) Malva sylvestris türünde tespit edilmiştir.
An investigation of some water quality properties from different sources in Pelengana commune, Segou, Mali
Authors: Toure Amadou , Wenbiao Duan , Keita Zakaria
Published: May 2018

An assessment of consumer quality perception, as well as some physical and chemical characteristics of water samples sourced from wells, boreholes, and rivers in the locality of Pelengana commune, in Mali, was carried out. The World Health Organization (WHO) Guideline (or other) Values (GVs) for drinking water quality was used as a benchmark. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) alongside Duncan's multiple comparison tests for significant differences, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used in analyzing differences and correlations regarding the parameters investigated. Results revealed that the majority of the households (61.2%) regarded wells and river water as unsafe for drinking. The physical and chemical quality of water was affected by climatic season. Also, with the exception of iron (average values), the parameters studied met the WHO GVs. Based on the analyzed parameters, the quality of these different water sources is chemically acceptable.
Total solution for RO system with our RO chemical line up
Authors: Iuchi T. , Nakamura T. , Matoba Y. , Oosawa M. , Harada K. , Ishii K. , Arai K. , Hayato S.
Published: May 2018

Water shortages around the world pose a challenge to all living beings, as well as to humanity's abilityto sustain a high quality of life. Reverse osmosis (RO) technology, such as seawater desalination and wastewater reclamation, has become one solution for preventing water shortages. Improving the operation of RO facilities can increase water production. Kurita Water Industries Ltd. has more than 40 years' experience in engineering, operations and maintenance, and optimization of RO facilities, and today we assist RO operators to improve operating conditions with our KURIVERTER™ Treatment Program, which consists of unique chemicals for stable operation of RO systems. The treatment includes maintenance chemicals (for example, scale inhibitors and slime control agents) and emergency chemicals, such as membrane deterioration. This paper introduces case studies of KURIVERTER™ IK-110 with S.sensing™ B equipment to minimize biological fouling that causes downtime, and also the KURIVERTER™ RC series to recover deteriorated RO membrane performance. The key technology behind the KURIVERTER™ Treatment Program is our specialty product, the KURIVERTER™ IK-110 with S.sensing™ B. Using these technologies, an actual RO facility achieved a 14% production increase and a 28% unit cost reduction for permeate. The KURIVERTER™ RC series could recover damaged RO membranes at commercial plants and prolong their effectiveness for more than 3 months at a cost reduction of 60%.
Causes of intermittent water supply in Lusaka City, Zambia
Authors: Simukonda K. , Farmani R. , Butler D.
Published: May 2018

Water supply systems that operate intermittently rather than continuously are highly complex. This arises from the interaction of large numbers of internal and external factors that produce major consequences for system operation and management. Handling these problems requires understanding, and to some extent eliminating, their causes. In this paper, Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company, Zambia, is used as a case study that shows how poor governance, demographic and economic dynamics, hydrologic regime change, poor system management and operation, unplanned system extensions, limited skilled manpower, poor electricity supply and lack of customer awareness all contribute to sustaining intermittent water supply. Interdisciplinary approaches are recommended to explore interplays between governance, climate change and technical factors when developing solutions to intermittent supplies.
Recovery of ammonia from digestate as fertilizer
Authors: Menkveld H. W. H. , Broeders E.
Published: May 2018

Ammonia inhibition can be a major problem during anaerobic digestion of manure and municipal and industrial sludges. Anaerobic digestion is sensitive to higher NH3-N concentrations, which are inhibiting and at certain levels even toxic for methanogen bacteria. During anaerobic digestion, COD and BOD are converted for 60–80% into biogas. Nitrogen will only slightly be removed due to cell synthesis and due to hydrolysis most of the Kjehldahl nitrogen is converted to ammonium. Because of the reduction of COD in anaerobic digestion the effluent of the anaerobic treatment often results in a COD/N ratio which is too low for further aerobic nitrogen removal. The Nijhuis Ammonium Recovery system (NAR) can solve this problem and removes ammonium from digestate or other substrate for digestion. The NAR is a chemical process based on stripping of ammonia. The ammonium is recovered as ammonium sulphate, which can be used as a fertilizer for agricultural purposes. The NAR was proven to be a robust technology with a stable ammonium removal efficiency of 85–90% for anaerobic digested manure, municipal and other organic waste waters.

The cost effectiveness mainly depends on the concentration of NH3-N in the influent, scale of the installation, the availability of residual heat and the local value and market for ammonium sulphate. Above 2 g/l NH3-N the NAR system is competitive and at higher NH3-N concentrations more cost efficient compared to other state of the art nitrogen removal technologies and ranges between 1–3 €/kg N.
Ceramic membranes for reuse
Authors: Ng Isaac , Shorney-Darby Holly , Zheng Jumeng , Galjaard Gilbert
Published: May 2018

Ceramic membranes are being considered for reuse applications due to their durability and the ability to use strong chemicals to clean the membranes. Some pilot evaluations of different pre-treatments to ceramic membranes have been completed, and more are underway. It is clear that membranes can perform well when the pre-treatment is optimized. This could be pre-coagulation, perhaps with pre-chlorination. If ozone can be used to allow a residual on the membrane surface, then extremely high fluxes can be achieved (e.g., 300 lmh). More study is needed on the benefits of ozone on the water quality when ceramic membranes are used for reuse treatment. With a thorough understanding through continued research, perhaps ozone and ceramic microfiltration could be the basis for some future reuse applications.
Stormwater treatment evaluation on a commercial site in Nambour, Queensland
Authors: Hornbuckle A. , Drapper D.
Published: May 2018

Field monitoring of a stormwater treatment train had been underway between March 2014 and April 2015 at a commercial development located at Nambour, in Queensland's Sunshine Coast hinterland. The research was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of a Class 1 proprietary stormwater treatment system for removing total suspended solids and nutrients from runoff. Monitoring was undertaken on all events complying with the sampling protocol. The protocol was developed in collaboration with the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), reflecting the Auckland Regional Council Proprietary Device Evaluation Protocol (PDEP) and United States Urban Stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) Performance Monitoring Manual with some minor improvements reflecting local conditions. During the 18 month period, more than 59 rain events have occurred, of which 18 are complying with the protocol. The Efficiency Ratios (ER) observed for the treatment device are 83% TSS, 11% for TP and 23% TN. Dry weather sampling does not show conclusive evidence that pollutants are exported between storms or that concentrations increase significantly over time.
Treatment of industrial used water by UASB+CMBR process to produce industrial grade water for reuse
Authors: Noguchi H. , Niwa T. , Nakamura Y. , Agrawal J. K. , Ang W. S. , Kekre K. , Tao G.
Published: May 2018

Joint project has been conducted in a demonstration plant with 1-MGD capacity at Jurong Water Reclamation Plant to produce high quality effluent through a combined process of up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor and ceramic membrane bioreactor (UASB-CMBR). Water quality of the product and energy consumption met target which were evaluated after one-year operation. The joint project has further been conducted to optimize operating conditions including cleaning procedure. Recovery cleaning (RC) of the ceramic membrane was carried out after 18 months operation and permeability was recovered to be initial value. Stable filtration at 25 LMH was achieved after the RC. RO filtration test was also carried out to treat effluent from the UASB-CMBR. Stable operation in the RO system was achieved with flux of 15 LMH and recovery of 60%. Quality of RO permeates met criteria for industrial water. It is concluded that UASB-CMBR process with RO system can produce high quality water for reuse from industrial used water.
Characterization of antibiofouling behaviors of PVDF membrane modified by quaternary ammonium compound – combined use of QCM-D, FCM, and CLSM
Authors: Wen Yue , Zhang Xingran , Chen Mei , Wu Zhichao , Wang Zhiwei
Published: May 2018

In this study, we systematically evaluated the antibiofouling behavior of quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) blended polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) combined with flow cytometry (FCM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) measurements. QCM-D tests showed that the introduction of QAC reduced bacterial attachment due to the biocidal functions of QAC. FCM indicated that cell integrity of the bacteria in the suspension flowing along QAC-modified membrane surfaces during the QCM-D test was severely affected. CLSM confirmed the significantly lower attachment of bacteria and higher dead/live cell ratio onto the surface of modified membranes after the washing step in QCM-D tests. Both FCM and CLSM results validated the antibacterial behavior of QAC-modified membranes by a contact-killing mechanism, which is in agreement with that of QCM-D tests. In addition, the bacterial cells accumulated on modified membrane surface exhibited higher reversibility compared to the control membrane, indicating ease of membrane cleaning. The results highlight that the combined use of QCM-D, FCM, and CLSM can comprehensively characterize the antibiofouling behavior of membranes.
Emerging plant-based flocculation treatment of phosphate clay: case study from Metlaoui-Gafsa (southwest Tunisia)
Authors: Srarfi Feyda , Rachdi Raouen , Khela Karim , Shimi Najet Slim
Published: May 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of cactus Opuntia ficus-indica, used as a natural flocculant in the treatment of phosphate clay as an industrial wastewater. It is a new process that has proven very promising in the removal of high turbidity from industrial effluents. The volume of clear water recovered (supernatant) is one of the characteristic features which allow us to judge the effectiveness of this bioflocculant. The following of the settling velocity on the one hand and the analysis of supernatant and sludge on the other hand allow us to compare the cactus-based flocculant effectiveness with that of a chemical flocculant (CF) of anionic polyacrylamide nature. The optimum pH required for maximum settling velocity was found to be 12. Obtained results indicated that after 900 seconds of settling, the highest volume of clear supernatant was obtained with the natural flocculant (740 mL/L), against 666 mL/L obtained with CF. Several analyses on recovered clear water (pH, turbidity, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd and Cr) and on dry sludge (P2O5, CaO, MgO, organic C, SiO2 and Cd) are highlighted.
Computational Drug Repurposing: Current Trends
Authors: Karaman Berin , Sippl Wolfgang
Published: May 2018

:

Biomedical discovery has been reshaped upon the exploding digitization of data
which can be retrieved from a number of sources, ranging from clinical pharmacology to
cheminformatics-driven databases. Now, supercomputing platforms and publicly available
resources such as biological, physicochemical, and clinical data, can all be integrated to construct
a detailed map of signaling pathways and drug mechanisms of action in relation to drug
candidates. Recent advancements in computer-aided data mining have facilitated analyses of
‘big data’ approaches and the discovery of new indications for pre-existing drugs has been
accelerated. Linking gene-phenotype associations to predict novel drug-disease signatures or
incorporating molecular structure information of drugs and protein targets with other kinds of
data derived from systems biology provide great potential to accelerate drug discovery and
improve the success of drug repurposing attempts. In this review, we highlight commonly
used computational drug repurposing strategies, including bioinformatics and cheminformatics
tools, to integrate large-scale data emerging from the systems biology, and consider both
the challenges and opportunities of using this approach. Moreover, we provide successful examples
and case studies that combined various in silico drug-repurposing strategies to predict
potential novel uses for known therapeutics.
Genome Wide Approaches to Identify Protein-DNA Interactions
Authors: Ma Tao , Ye Zhenqing , Wang Liguo
Published: May 2018

Background:

Transcription factors are DNA-binding proteins that play key roles in
many fundamental biological processes. Unraveling their interactions with DNA is essential
to identify their target genes and understand the regulatory network. Genome-wide identification
of their binding sites became feasible thanks to recent progress in experimental and computational
approaches. ChIP-chip, ChIP-seq, and ChIP-exo are three widely used techniques
to demarcate genome-wide transcription factor binding sites.

Objective:

This review aims to provide an overview of these three techniques including their
experiment procedures, computational approaches, and popular analytic tools.

Conclusion:

ChIP-chip, ChIP-seq, and ChIP-exo have been the major techniques to study genome-
wide in vivo protein-DNA interaction. Due to the rapid development of next-generation
sequencing technology, array-based ChIP-chip is deprecated and ChIP-seq has become the
most widely used technique to identify transcription factor binding sites in genome-wide. The
newly developed ChIP-exo further improves the spatial resolution to single nucleotide. Numerous
tools have been developed to analyze ChIP-chip, ChIP-seq and ChIP-exo data. However,
different programs may employ different mechanisms or underlying algorithms thus
each will inherently include its own set of statistical assumption and bias. So choosing the
most appropriate analytic program for a given experiment needs careful considerations.
Moreover, most programs only have command line interface so their installation and usage
will require basic computation expertise in Unix/Linux.
Cellular Senescence-Inducing Small Molecules for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Liu Peng , Lu Ziwen , Wu Yanfang , Shang Dongsheng , Zhao Zhicong , SHEN Yanting , Zhang Yafei , Zhu Feifei , Liu Hanqing , Tu Zhigang
Published: May 2018

Recently, the chemotherapeutic drug-induced cellular senescence has been considered a promising anti-cancer approach. The drug-induced senescence, which shows both similar and different hallmarks from replicative and oncogene-induced senescence, was regarded as a key determinant of tumor response to chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo. To date, an amount of effective chemotherapeutic drugs that can evoke senescence in cancer cells have been reported. The targets of these drugs differ substantially, including senescence signaling pathways, DNA replication process, DNA damage pathways, epigenetic modifications, microtubule polymerization, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and so on. By summarizing senescence-inducing small molecule drugs together with their specific traits and corresponding mechanisms, this review is devoted to inform scientists to develop novel therapeutic strategies against cancer through inducing senescence.
Toward Small-Molecule Inhibition of Protein–Protein Interactions: General Aspects and Recent Progress in Targeting Costimulatory and Coinhibitory (Immune Checkpoint) Interactions
Authors: Bojadzic Damir , Buchwald Peter
Published: May 2018

Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) that are part of the costimulatory and coinhibitory (immune
checkpoint) signaling are critical for adequate T cell response and are important therapeutic targets
for immunomodulation. Biologics targeting them have already achieved considerable clinical success
in the treatment of autoimmune diseases or transplant recipients (e.g., abatacept, belatacept, and
belimumab) as well as cancer (e.g., ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, durvalumab,
and avelumab). In view of such progress, there have been only relatively limited efforts toward developing
small-molecule PPI inhibitors (SMPPIIs) targeting these cosignaling interactions, possibly because
they, as all other PPIs, are difficult to target by small molecules and were not considered druggable.
Nevertheless, substantial progress has been achieved during the last decade. SMPPIIs proving the feasibility
of such approaches have been identified through various strategies for a number of cosignaling
interactions including CD40-CD40L, OX40-OX40L, BAFFR-BAFF, CD80-CD28, and PD-1-PD-L1s.
Here, after an overview of the general aspects and challenges of SMPPII-focused drug discovery, we
review them briefly together with relevant structural, immune-signaling, physicochemical, and medicinal
chemistry aspects. While so far only a few of these SMPPIIs have shown activity in animal models
(DRI-C21045 for CD40-D40L, KR33426 for BAFFR-BAFF) or reached clinical development (RhuDex
for CD80-CD28, CA-170 for PD-1-PD-L1), there is proof-of-principle evidence for the feasibility of
such approaches in immunomodulation. They can result in products that are easier to develop/
manufacture and are less likely to be immunogenic or encounter postmarket safety events than
corresponding biologics, and, contrary to them, can even become orally bioavailable.
A Six-Gene Signature Predicts Clinical Outcome of Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li YaQi , Yu Qi , Zhu Rui , Wang Yi , Li Jiarui , Wang Qiang , Guo Wenna , Fu Shen , Zhu Liucun
Published: May 2018

Background:

The diverse anticancer measures display varied efficacy in different
patients. Thus, appropriate therapy should be chosen for individual patients, and prognostic
prediction, based on biomarkers, is a prerequisite for personalized therapy.

Objective:

In this study, the prognostic model was established based on the genes that were
significantly correlated with the survival time for patient death risk evaluation.

Method:

Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was utilized for screening the
genes significantly correlated with the patients’ survival time. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards
regression analysis was utilized for establishing the model. Kaplan-Meier and ROC analyses were
used for the validation of the prognostic prediction potential of the constructed model.

Results:

ROC analysis was conducted in the training and validation datasets, and their AUROC
values were 0.774 and 0.723, respectively. In comparison to the known prognostic biomarkers, our
prognostic biomarker model constituted by the combination of 6 genes displayed superiority in
prediction capability.

Conclusions:

These results indicated that our biomarker model could effectively stratify the risks in
gastric adenocarcinoma patients with high prognostic prediction accuracy and sensitivity.