bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persepsi, Pengetahuan, dan Sikap tentang Obat pada Siswa Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) di Kota Pariaman, Sumatera Barat
Authors: Syofyan Syofyan , Ghiffari Habibie Deswilyaz , Zaini Erizal
Published: December 2017

Penggunaan obat yang tidak rasional termasuk terjadinya penyalahgunaan obat merupakan salah satu dampak dari rendahnya pengetahuan masyarakat tentang obat, termasuk siswa SMA. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menilai persepsi, pengetahuan dan sikap siswa sekolah menengah atas (SMA) di Kota Pariaman tentang obat-obatan. Penelitian dilakukan dengan metode deksriptif dan analitik secara cross sectional menggunakan instrumen kuesioner. Data dianalisis menggunakan analisis univariat dan bivariat. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa Persepsi siswa terhadap keamanan obat dikategorikan tinggi (95,5%), siswa bersikap positif terhadap obat (60,3%) namun memiliki pengetahuan yang kurang (74,8%). Alamat rumah responden yaitu tinggal di kota atau desa memiliki hubungan yang bermakna dengan tingkat pengetahuan. Siswa yang tinggal di kota memiliki pengetahuan yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan siswa yang tinggal di desa. Terdapat hubungan antara persepsi dengan sikap (P<0,05), namun tidak ada hubungan antara pengetahuan dengan tingkat persepsi (P>0,05) dan antara pengetahuan dengan sikap (P>0,05). Rendahnya persepsi dan pengetahuan dapat mendorong siswa untuk melakukan kesalahan yang lebih fatal seperti penyalahgunaan obat atau penggunaan obat yang tidak rasional. Upaya berupa pendidikan obat di sekolah merupakan langkah yang sangat penting dilakukan untuk meningkatkan pengetahauan siswa tentang obat.
Leveled and Exclusionary Tracking
Authors: Umansky Ilana M.
Published: December 2017

This study examines the characteristics and determinants of English learners’ (ELs’) access to academic content in middle school (Grades 6–8). Following 10 years of data from a large urban school district in California, I identify two predominant characteristics of EL access to content: leveled tracking in which ELs are overrepresented in lower level classes and underrepresented in upper level classes and exclusionary tracking in which ELs are excluded from core academic content area classes, particularly English language arts. Using regression analysis and two regression discontinuity designs, I find evidence that ELs’ access to content is limited by a constellation of factors, including prior academic achievement, institutional constraints, English proficiency level, and direct effects of EL classification. This study contributes to understanding of the experiences and opportunities of students learning English as well as theory regarding educational tracking.
“Just Let the Worst Students Go”
Authors: Zirkel Sabrina , Pollack Terry M.
Published: December 2017

We present a case analysis of the controversy and public debate generated from a school district’s efforts to address racial inequities in educational outcomes by diverting special funds from the highest performing students seeking elite college admissions to the lowest performing students who were struggling to graduate from high school. Widespread arguments against the proposed change emphasized the identification of highly successful students as “worthy” and others as “unworthy” of resources. Through an analysis of print and digital public texts, we identify a narrative cycle that informed public debate: (a) colorblind rhetoric, (b) academic performance is presumed to emerge solely from talent and effort, so (c) academic performance then becomes a measure of worth, and finally, (d) efforts to address racial disparities are “unfair.” We argue that narratives identifying some students as worthy and others unworthy are highly influential in the outcomes of many educational policy and funding debates.
Youth and Schools’ Practices in Hyper-Diverse Contexts
Authors: Malsbary Christine Brigid
Published: December 2017

The article presents findings from a multisited ethnography in two public high schools in Los Angeles and New York City. Schools were chosen for their hyper-diverse student populations. Students came from over 40 countries, speaking 20 languages in one school and 33 languages in another. Results of analysis found that despite contrasting missions, policies, organizational structures, curricular techniques, and teachers’ beliefs and attitudes across schools, youths’ practices were similar. Youth enacted explicit transcultural repertoires of practice: multiplicities of talking, thinking, and acting that engaged the resources and opportunities of ethnically and linguistically diverse classrooms. The article theorizes the importance of recognizing hyper-diversity as a distinct cultural context that shapes and situates youths’ practices and therefore their opportunities to learn.
Devalued Black and Latino Racial Identities
Authors: McGee Ebony O.
Published: December 2017

At some point most Black and Latino/a college students—even long-term high achievers—question their own abilities because of multiple forms of racial bias. The 38 high-achieving Black and Latino/a STEM study participants, who attended institutions with racially hostile academic spaces, deployed an arsenal of strategies (e.g., stereotype management) to deflect stereotyping and other racial assaults (e.g., racial microaggressions), which are particularly prevalent in STEM fields. These students rely heavily on coping strategies that alter their authentic racial identities but create internal turmoil. Institutions of higher education, including minority-serving schools, need to examine institutional racism and other structural barriers that damage the racial identities of Black and Latino/a students in STEM and cause lasting psychological strain.
La communauté américaine à Paris en 1914, la philanthropie et l’Hôpital américain de Paris
Authors: Rochefort Philippe
Published: December 2017

La Première Guerre mondiale a constitué un tournant dans la façon de collecter des fonds en permettant à la philanthropie de masse de toucher toutes les classes de la société.
Highly Efficient Heterogeneous Copper-Catalysed O-Arylation of Phenols by Nitroarenes Leading to Diaryl Ethers
Authors: Du Yingying , Yao Fang , Tuo Yuxin , Cai Mingzhong
Published: December 2017

The heterogeneous O-arylation of phenols by nitroarenes was achieved in DMF at 100 °C by using an MCM-41-immobilised bidentate nitrogen copper(II) complex [MCM-41-2N-Cu(OAc)2] as catalyst, yielding a variety of unsymmetrical diaryl ethers in good to excellent yields. This heterogeneous copper catalyst can be easily prepared by a simple procedure from commercially readily available and inexpensive reagents, recovered by filtration of the reaction solution and recycled at least seven times without significant loss of activity.
Vestibular Loss Predicts Poorer Spatial Cognition in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Wei Eric X. , Oh Esther S. , Harun Aisha , Ehrenburg Matthew , Agrawal Yuri
Published: December 2017

The vestibular system is an important contributor to balance control, spatial orientation, and falls risk. Recent evidence has shown that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients have a higher prevalence of vestibular impairment relative to healthy controls. We sought to evaluate whether vestibular loss is specifically associated with poor spatial cognitive skills among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. We enrolled 50 patients (22 MCI and 28 AD) from an interdisciplinary Memory Clinic and measured vestibular physiologic function in all patients. Spatial cognitive function was assessed using the Money Road Map Test (MRMT) and the Trail Making Test Part B (TMT-B). General cognitive function was assessed with the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE). In multivariable linear regression analyses adjusted for age, gender, education level, and MMSE, MCI and AD patients with vestibular loss made significantly more errors on the MRMT relative to patients with normal vestibular function (β= 7.3, 95% CI 2.4, 12.1 for unilateral vestibular loss and β= 6.4, 95% CI 1.9, 10.9 for bilateral vestibular loss). We further stratified AD patients into “spatially normal” and “spatially impaired” groups based on MRMT performance, and found that the prevalence of vestibular loss was significantly higher in the spatially impaired AD group relative to the spatially normal AD group. These findings support the hypothesis that vestibular loss contributes specifically to a decline in spatial cognitive ability in MCI and AD patients, independently of general cognitive decline, and may predict a “spatially impaired” subtype of AD.
A bitstring approach for implementing agent-based epidemiological models
Authors: Rizzi Rogério L. , Kaizer Wesley L. , Rizzi Claudia B. , Galante Guilherme , Coelho Flávio C.
Published: December 2017

Agent-based Models (ABM) are gaining importance over traditional epidemiological modeling due to advances in computing technology and by the need for detailed epidemiological analysis of emergent diseases. Unfortunately, the advantages of ABMs are achieved at the cost of significantly large execution times and high memory consumption for large-scale simulations. Addressing the memory issue, we designed and implemented an ABM using an innovative feature: the bitstring approach. In this approach, the attributes of the agents are represented by an array of bits instead of using traditional data structures. We describe the bitstring data representation and present a suitable logical formulation to map conceptual and compartmental models to a computer implementation by using spatio-temporal operators that represent the agents behavior and the disease propagation. Versions for CPU and GPU were implemented and presented good qualitative results and behavior similar to those obtained by traditional versions. The application of the bitstring technique proved to be relevant in economy of memory, allowing to store the same attributes using up to 80% less memory space. Besides, the use of the proposed approach also improved the data copy time between CPU-GPU in the GPU implementation, reducing the execution time up to 20%.
Winglet Geometry Impact on DLR-F4 Aerodynamics and an Analysis of a Hyperbolic Winglet Concept
Authors: Gueraiche Djahid , Popov Sergey
Published: December 2017

In this article, the growth of aerodynamic efficiency and the growth of the wing structural stress is studied for DLR-F4 typical transport aircraft wing-body, after installing classical Whitcomb winglets of different configurations and a delta wingtip fence. A new-concept curved-span winglet was mathematically developed and approved through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and static structural experiments, revealing the interaction of sub- and transonic air flow dynamics with the wingtip device geometry. The design space of the winglet geometry was explored briefly, and an evaluation of the lift-to-drag ratio increment depending on various winglet input parameters was performed. In particular, the winglet cant angle effect on lift and drag was thoroughly analyzed at various flow regimes and angles of attack, revealing an ambiguity and a conflicting character of results between highly canted winglets and nearly vertical ones. As a result of cant angle impact analysis, a curved winglet concept is suggested and mathematically parametrized, that could provide an innovative solution, alternative to a morphing winglet, but much simpler with a fixed structure. In conclusion, a multidisciplinary winglet efficiency estimation criterion is suggested for comparing the aerodynamic efficiency of different wingtip devices with respect to their structural weight penalty in real flight conditions.
Impacts of Agro-Ecological Practices on Soil Losses and Cash Crop Yield
Authors: De Benedetto Daniela , Montemurro Francesco , Diacono Mariangela
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of agro-ecological practices on soil losses, by assessing experimental field topography changes and cauliflower crop yield after an artificial extreme rainfall event. Data were collected in an innovative experimental device in which different combined agronomic strategies were tested such as hydraulic arrangement, crop rotations and agro-ecological service crops (ASC) introduction. The collection of elevation data was carried out in kinematic way before rainfall, and in punctual surveys to evaluate the effects of artificial event on this parameter. Non-parametric tests were performed to evaluate differences between samples. High-resolution digital elevation models were generated from independent data using kriging, and elevation difference maps were produced. The results indicated that the data before and after the artificial rainfall were statistically different. The raised strips suffered soil loss showing that the strip with permanent intercropping was higher than that in the absence of ASC. A significant rise of elevation was registered in the furrowed strips after rainfall, and deposition of soil occurred at the lowest areas of the experimental field. Moreover, the study showed a relationship between cash crop yield and elevation: the areas with lower elevation (higher flooding) were characterized by the lowest yield.
Exploring the Glycans of Euglena gracilis
Authors: O’Neill Ellis , Kuhaudomlarp Sakonwan , Rejzek Martin , Fangel Jonatan , Alagesan Kathirvel , Kolarich Daniel , Willats William , Field Robert
Published: December 2017

Euglena gracilis is an alga of great biotechnological interest and extensive metabolic capacity, able to make high levels of bioactive compounds, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and β-glucan. Previous work has shown that Euglena expresses a wide range of carbohydrate-active enzymes, suggesting an unexpectedly high capacity for the synthesis of complex carbohydrates for a single-celled organism. Here, we present an analysis of some of the carbohydrates synthesised by Euglena gracilis. Analysis of the sugar nucleotide pool showed that there are the substrates necessary for synthesis of complex polysaccharides, including the unusual sugar galactofuranose. Lectin- and antibody-based profiling of whole cells and extracted carbohydrates revealed a complex galactan, xylan and aminosugar based surface. Protein N-glycan profiling, however, indicated that just simple high mannose-type glycans are present and that they are partially modified with putative aminoethylphosphonate moieties. Together, these data indicate that Euglena possesses a complex glycan surface, unrelated to plant cell walls, while its protein glycosylation is simple. Taken together, these findings suggest that Euglena gracilis may lend itself to the production of pharmaceutical glycoproteins.
Mixed Zinc/Manganese on Highly Reduced Graphene Oxide: A Highly Active Nanocomposite Catalyst for Aerial Oxidation of Benzylic Alcohols
Authors: Assal Mohamed , Shaik Mohammed , Kuniyil Mufsir , Khan Mujeeb , Alzahrani Abdulrahman , Al-Warthan Abdulrahman , Siddiqui Mohammed , Adil Syed
Published: December 2017

Nanocomposites of highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG) and ZnOx nanoparticles doped manganese carbonate containing different percentages of HRG were prepared via a facile co-precipitation method. The prepared sample calcined at 300 °C yielded i.e., ZnOx(1%)–MnCO3/(X%)HRG (where X = 0–7), calcination at 400 °C and 500 °C, yielded different manganese oxides i.e., ZnOx(1%)–MnO2/(X%)HRG and ZnOx(1%)–Mn2O3/(X%)HRG respectively. The prepared catalyst were subjected to catalytic evaluation and a comparative catalytic study between carbonates and oxides for the liquid-phase aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols to corresponding aldehydes using molecular oxygen as an eco-friendly oxidant without adding additives or bases. The influence of various parameters such as percentage of HRG, reaction time, catalyst amount, calcination and reaction temperature was systematically examined to optimize reaction conditions using oxidation of benzyl alcohol as a substrate model. It was found that the catalytic performance is remarkably enhanced after using HRG as catalyst co-dopant for the aerobic oxidation of alcohols, possibly owing to the presence of carbon defects and oxygenated functional groups on HRG surface. The as-synthesized catalysts were characterized by SEM, EDX, XRD, Raman, TGA, BET, and FT-IR. Under optimal conditions, the catalyst with composition ZnOx(1%)–MnCO3/(1%)HRG calcined at 300 °C exhibited remarkable specific activity (57.1 mmol·g−1·h−1) with 100% conversion of benzyl alcohol and more than 99% product selectivity within extremely short time (7 min). The as-prepared catalyst was re-used up to five consecutive times without significant decrease in its activity and selectivity. To the best of our knowledge, the achieved specific activity is the highest so far compared to the earlier reported catalysts used for the benzyl alcohol oxidation. A wide range of substituted benzylic and aliphatic alcohols were selectively oxidized into their corresponding aldehydes with complete convertibility and selectivity in short reaction times without over-oxidation to the acids. Due to their significant low cost, superior reproducibility, excellent catalytic efficiency, the ZnOx(1%)–MnCO3/(X%)HRG nanocomposites possess several application prospect in other organic chemistry reactions.
High-Pressure Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Properties of Ge-Substituted Filled Skutterudite Compounds; LnxCo4Sb12−yGey, Ln = La, Ce, Pr, and Nd
Authors: Fukuoka Hiroshi
Published: December 2017

A series of new Ge-substituted skutterudite compounds with the general composition of LnxCo4Sb12−yGey, where Ln = La, Ce, Pr, and Nd, is prepared by high-pressure and high-temperature reactions at 7 GPa and 800 °C. They have a cubic unit cell and the lattice constant for each compound is 8.9504 (3), 8.94481 (6), 8.9458 (3), and 8.9509 (4) Å for the La, Ce, Pr, and Nd derivatives, respectively. Their chemical compositions, determined by electron prove microanalysis, are La0.57Co4Sb10.1Ge2.38, Ce0.99Co4Sb9.65Ge2.51, Pr0.97Co4Sb9.52Ge2.61, and Nd0.87Co4Sb9.94Ge2.28. Their structural parameters are refined by Rietveld analysis. The guest atom size does not affect the unit cell volume. The Co–Sb/Ge distance mainly determines the unit cell size as well as the size of guest atom site. The valence state of lanthanide ions is 3+.
Emission Characteristics for a Homogeneous Charged Compression Ignition Diesel Engine with Exhaust Gas Recirculation Using Split Injection Methodology
Authors: Lee Changhee , Chung Jaewoo , Lee Kihyung
Published: December 2017

Due to the serious issues caused by air pollution and global warming, emission regulations are becoming stricter. New technologies that reduce NOx and PM emissions are needed. To cope with these social exhaust gas regulation demands, many advanced countries are striving to develop eco-friendly vehicles in order to respond to stricter emissions regulations. The homogeneous charged compression ignition engine (HCCI) incorporates a multi-stage combustion engine with multiple combustion modes, catalyst, direct fuel injection and partial mixing combustion. In this study, the HCCI combustion was applied to analyze and review the results of engines applying HCCI combustion without altering the conventional engine specifications. The optimization of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and compression ratio changes provides an optimal fuel economy. In this study, potential for optimum economy within the range of IMEP 0.8 MPa has been evaluated.
The Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Profile of Peripheral Blood Is Not Systematically Changed by Short-Time Storage at Room Temperature
Authors: Staunstrup Nicklas Heine , Starnawska Anna , Nyegaard Mette , Nielsen Anders Lade , Børglum Anders Dupont , Mors Ole
Published: December 2017

Background: Epigenetic epidemiology has proven an important research discipline in the delineation of diseases of complex etiology. The approach, in such studies, is often to use bio-banked clinical material, however, many such samples were collected for purposes other than epigenetic studies and, thus, potentially not processed and stored appropriately. The Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) includes more than 100,000 peripheral and umbilical cord blood samples shipped from maternity wards by ordinary mail in EDTA tubes. While this and other similar cohorts hold great promises for DNA methylation studies the potential systematic changes prompted by storage at ambient temperatures have never been assessed on a genome-wide level. Methods and Results: In this study, matched EDTA whole blood samples were stored up to three days at room temperature prior to DNA extraction and methylated DNA immunoprecipitation coupled with deep sequencing (MeDIP-seq). We established that the quality of the MeDIP-seq libraries was high and comparable across samples; and that the methylation profiles did not change systematically during the short-time storage at room temperature. Conclusion: The global DNA methylation profile is stable in whole blood samples stored for up to three days at room temperature in EDTA tubes making genome-wide methylation studies on such material feasible.
Enhancement Experiment on Cementitious Activity of Copper-Mine Tailings in a Geopolymer System
Authors: Yu Lin , Zhang Zhen , Huang Xiao , Jiao Binquan , Li Dongwei
Published: December 2017

Copper-mine tailings are the residual products after the extraction of precious copper metal from copper ores, and their storage can create numerous environmental problems. Many researchers have used copper-mine tailings for the preparation of geopolymers. This paper studies the enhancement of the cementitious activity of copper-mine tailings in geopolymer systems. First, copper-mine tailings are activated through mechanical grinding activation. Then, the mechanically activated copper-mine tailings are further processed through thermal activation and alkaline-roasting activation. The cementitious activity index of copper-mine tailings is characterized through the degree of leaching concentration of Si and Al. It was observed that the Si and Al leaching concentration of mechanically activated tailings was increased by 26.03% and 93.33%, respectively. The concentration of Si and Al was increased by 54.19% and 119.92%, respectively. For alkaline-roasting activation, roasting time, temperature and the mass ratio of copper-mine tailings to NaOH (C/N ratio) were evaluated through orthogonal tests, and the best condition for activation was 120 min at 600 °C with a C/N ratio of 5:1. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infra-red (IR) analysis show that mechanical, thermal and alkaline-roasting activation could be used to improve the cementitious activity index of copper-mine tailings.
Explicit Second Partial Derivatives of the Ferrers Potential
Authors: Caritá Lucas Antonio , Rodrigues Irapuan , Puerari Ivânio
Published: December 2017

One of the algebraic potentials most commonly used to represent a galactic bar in the stellar orbits integration is the Ferrers potential. Some researchers may be inclined to implement a numerical differentiation for it in the motion or variational equations, since it can be very laborious to calculate such derivatives algebraically, despite a possible polynomial form, and there are no publications showing the second partial explicit derivatives. The purpose of this work is to present the explicit algebraic form of the partial derivatives of the Ferrers potential using the simplifications suggested by Pfenniger.
Investigating the Apparent Seismic Diffusivity of Near-Receiver Geology at Mount St. Helens Volcano, USA
Authors: King Thomas , Benson Philip , De Siena Luca , Vinciguerra Sergio
Published: December 2017

We present an expanded approach of the diffusive approximation to map strongly scattering geological structures in volcanic environments using seismic coda intensities and a diffusive approximation. Seismic data from a remarkably consistent hydrothermal source of Long-Period (LP) earthquakes, that was active during the late 2004 portion of the 2004–2008 dome building eruption of Mount St. Helens Volcano, are used to obtain coefficient values for diffusion and attenuation, and describe the rate at which seismic energy radiates into the surrounding medium. The results are then spatially plotted as a function of near-receiver geology to generate maps of near-surface geological and geophysical features. They indicate that the diffusion coefficient is a marker of the near-receiver geology, while the attenuation coefficients are sensitive to deeper volcanic structures. As previously observed by other studies, two main scattering regimes affect the coda envelopes: a diffusive, multiple-scattering regime close to the volcanic edifice and a much weaker, single-to-multiple scattering regime at higher source-receiver offsets. Within the diffusive, multiple-scattering regime, the spatial variations of the diffusion coefficient are sufficiently robust to show the features of laterally-extended, coherent, shallow geological structures.
Pyplis–A Python Software Toolbox for the Analysis of SO2 Camera Images for Emission Rate Retrievals from Point Sources
Authors: Gliß Jonas , Stebel Kerstin , Kylling Arve , Dinger Anna , Sihler Holger , Sudbø Aasmund
Published: December 2017

Ultraviolet (UV) SO2 cameras have become a common tool to measure and monitor SO2 emission rates, mostly from volcanoes but also from anthropogenic sources (e.g., power plants or ships). Over the past decade, the analysis of UV SO2 camera data has seen many improvements. As a result, for many of the required analysis steps, several alternatives exist today (e.g., cell vs. DOAS based camera calibration; optical flow vs. cross-correlation based gas-velocity retrieval). This inspired the development of Pyplis (Python plume imaging software), an open-source software toolbox written in Python 2.7, which unifies the most prevalent methods from literature within a single, cross-platform analysis framework. Pyplis comprises a vast collection of algorithms relevant for the analysis of UV SO2 camera data. These include several routines to retrieve plume background radiances as well as routines for cell and DOAS based camera calibration. The latter includes two independent methods to identify the DOAS field-of-view (FOV) within the camera images (based on (1) Pearson correlation and (2) IFR inversion method). Plume velocities can be retrieved using an optical flow algorithm as well as signal cross-correlation. Furthermore, Pyplis includes a routine to perform a first order correction of the signal dilution effect (also referred to as light dilution). All required geometrical calculations are performed within a 3D model environment allowing for distance retrievals to plume and local terrain features on a pixel basis. SO2 emission rates can be retrieved simultaneously for an arbitrary number of plume intersections. Hence, Pyplis provides a state-of-the-art framework for more efficient and flexible analyses of UV SO2 camera data and, therefore, marks an important step forward towards more transparency, reliability and inter-comparability of the results. Pyplis has been extensively and successfully tested using data from several field campaigns. Here, the main features are introduced using a dataset obtained at Mt. Etna, Italy on 16 September 2015.
Recycling Pricing and Coordination of WEEE Dual-Channel Closed-Loop Supply Chain Considering Consumers’ Bargaining
Authors: Zhu Xiaodong , Wang Jing , Tang Juan
Published: December 2017

Environmentally friendly handling and efficient recycling of waste electrical on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) have grown to be a global social problem. As holders of WEEE, consumers have a significant effect on the recycling process. A consideration of and attention to the influence of consumer behavior in the recycling process can help achieve more effective recycling of WEEE. In this paper, we built a dual-channel closed-loop supply chain model composed of manufacturers, retailers, and network recycling platforms. Based on the influence of customer bargaining behavior, we studied several different scenarios of centralized decision-making, decentralized decision-making, and contract coordination, using the Stackelberg game theory. The results show that retailers and network recycling platforms will reduce the direct recovery prices to maintain their own profit when considering the impact of consumer bargaining behavior, while remanufacturers will improve the transfer payment price for surrendering part of the profit under revenue and the expense sharing contract. Using this contract, we can achieve supply chain coordination and eliminate the effect of consumer bargaining behavior on supply chain performance. It can be viewed from the parameter sensitivity analysis that when we select the appropriate sharing coefficient, the closed-loop supply chain can achieve the same system performance under a centralized decision.
Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 1, Expressed in Myeloid Cells, Slows Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis and Protects against Macrophage Apoptosis in Ldlr KO Mice
Authors: Gonzalez Leticia , Qian Alexander , Tahir Usama , Yu Pei , Trigatti Bernardo
Published: December 2017

We generated myeloid specific sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1pr1) deficient mice by crossing mice that had myeloid specific expression of Cre recombinase (lyzMCre) with mice having the S1pr1 gene flanked by loxP recombination sites. We transplanted bone marrow from these mice and control lyzMCre mice with intact macrophage S1pr1 gene expression into low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene (Ldlr) deficient mice. The resulting chimeras were fed a high fat atherogenic diet for nine or twelve weeks and evaluated for atherosclerosis development in the aortic sinus. Selective S1pr1 deficiency in bone marrow-derived myeloid cells resulted in accelerated development of atherosclerosis, necrotic core formation and the appearance of apoptotic cells within atherosclerotic plaques of Ldlr knockout mice in response to a high fat diet. Examination of macrophages in culture revealed that the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 selective agonist, SEW2871 or high density lipoprotein (HDL), protected macrophages against apoptosis induced by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress or oxidized LDL, through activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt signaling. Targeted S1pr1-deletion prevented Akt activation and protection against apoptosis by either SEW2871 or HDL. Our data suggests that sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 in macrophages plays an important role in protecting them against apoptosis in vitro and in atherosclerotic plaques in vivo, and delays diet induced atherosclerosis development in Ldlr deficient mice.
Proteomic Analysis Reveals Coordinated Regulation of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis through Signal Transduction and Sugar Metabolism in Black Rice Leaf
Authors: Chen Linghua , Huang Yining , Xu Ming , Cheng Zuxin , Zheng Jingui
Published: December 2017

Black rice (Oryza sativa L.) is considered to be a healthy food due to its high content of anthocyanins in the pericarp. The synthetic pathway of anthocyanins in black rice grains has been identified, however, the proteomic profile of leaves during grain development is still unclear. Here, isobaric Tags Relative and Absolute Quantification (iTRAQ) MS/MS was carried out to identify statistically significant changes of leaf proteome in the black rice during grain development. Throughout three sequential developmental stages, a total of 3562 proteins were detected and 24 functional proteins were differentially expressed 3–10 days after flowering (DAF). The detected proteins are known to be involved in various biological processes and most of these proteins were related to gene expression regulatory (33.3%), signal transduction (16.7%) and developmental regulation and hormone-like proteins (12.5%). The coordinated changes were consistent with changes in regulatory proteins playing a leading role in leaves during black rice grain development. This indicated that signal transduction between leaves and grains may have an important role in anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation during grain development of black rice. In addition, four identified up-regulated proteins associated with starch metabolism suggested that the remobilization of nutrients for starch synthesis plays a potential role in anthocyanin biosynthesis of grain. The mRNA transcription for eight selected proteins was validated with quantitative real-time PCR. Our results explored the proteomics of the coordination between leaf and grain in anthocyanins biosynthesis of grain, which might be regulated by signal transduction and sugar metabolism in black rice leaf.
Field-Induced Single-Ion Magnet Behaviour in Two New Cobalt(II) Coordination Polymers with 2,4,6-Tris(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine
Authors: Shao Dong , Shi Le , Wei Hai-Yan , Wang Xin-Yi
Published: December 2017

We herein reported the syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of a two-dimensional coordination polymer {[CoII(TPT)2/3(H2O)4][CH3COO]2·(H2O)4}n (1) and a chain compound {[CoII(TPT)2(CHOO)2(H2O)2]}n (2) based on the 2,4,6-Tris(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (TPT) ligand. Structure analyses showed that complex 1 had a cationic hexagonal framework structure, while 2 was a neutral zig-zag chain structure with different distorted octahedral coordination environments. Magnetic measurements revealed that both complexes exhibit large easy-plane magnetic anisotropy with the zero-field splitting parameter D = 47.7 and 62.1 cm−1 for 1 and 2, respectively. This magnetic anisotropy leads to the field-induced slow magnetic relaxation behaviour. However, their magnetic dynamics are quite different; while complex 1 experienced a dominating thermally activated Orbach relaxation at the whole measured temperature region, 2 exhibited multiple relaxation pathways involving direct, Raman, and quantum tunneling (QTM) processes at low temperatures and Orbach relaxation at high temperatures. The present complexes enlarge the family of framework-based single-ion magnets (SIMs) and highlight the significance of the structural dimensionality to the final magnetic properties.
The Silacyclobutene Ring: An Indicator of Triplet State Baird-Aromaticity
Authors: Ayub Rabia , Jorner Kjell , Ottosson Henrik
Published: December 2017

Baird’s rule tells that the electron counts for aromaticity and antiaromaticity in the first ππ* triplet and singlet excited states (T1 and S1) are opposite to those in the ground state (S0). Our hypothesis is that a silacyclobutene (SCB) ring fused with a [4n]annulene will remain closed in the T1 state so as to retain T1 aromaticity of the annulene while it will ring-open when fused to a [4n + 2]annulene in order to alleviate T1 antiaromaticity. This feature should allow the SCB ring to function as an indicator for triplet state aromaticity. Quantum chemical calculations of energy and (anti)aromaticity changes along the reaction paths in the T1 state support our hypothesis. The SCB ring should indicate T1 aromaticity of [4n]annulenes by being photoinert except when fused to cyclobutadiene, where it ring-opens due to ring-strain relief.
Microstructure Analysis of Neutron Absorber Al/B4C Metal Matrix Composites
Authors: Lin Jianxin , Ran Guang , Lei Penghui , Ye Chao , Huang Shilin , Zhao Shangquan , Li Ning
Published: December 2017

The microstructure of Al/B4C metal matrix composites (MMCs) used as neutron absorbers in both dry storage casks and wet storage pools of spent nuclear fuel was analyzed by SEM and TEM. A polishing method of a focused Ga+ ion beam was used to obtain an ideal sample surface with very low roughness, which was used to statistically analyze the distribution characteristics and size factor of B4C particles in the aluminum matrix. The area of B4C particles mainly ranged from 0 to 0.5 μm2, which was the proportion of 64.29%, 86.99% and 76.86% of total statistical results for the Al-15%B4C, Al-25%B4C and Al-30%B4C MMCs, respectively. The average area of B4C particles in the Al-15%B4C, Al-25%B4C and Al-30%B4C MMCs were about 1.396, 0.528 and 1.183 μm2, respectively. The nanoscale precipitates were analyzed by the element mappings in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) mode and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) mode, which included elliptic alloy precipitates with elemental Cu, Cr, Fe and Si, except for Al, and B4C nanoparticles with polygonal shape. The interface characteristics showed that the (021) crystal plane of B4C particle and (111) crystal plane of aluminum matrix grew together. The lattice misfit was about 1.68% for (111)Al//(021)B4C. The corrosion properties and corresponding mechanism of Al/B4C MMCs were investigated in an aqueous solution with 5000 ppm boric acid at 100 °C and atmospheric pressure, which showed that the mass increment rate was first decreased with increasing corrosion time and then increased.
Ultra-Stretchable Piezoelectric Nanogenerators via Large-Scale Aligned Fractal Inspired Micro/Nanofibers
Authors: Duan Yongqing , Ding Yajiang , Bian Jing , Xu Zhoulong , Yin Zhouping , Huang Yongan
Published: December 2017

Stretchable nanogenerators that directly generate electricity are promising for a wide range of applications in wearable electronics. However, the stretchability of the devices has been a long-standing challenge. Here we present a newly-designed ultra-stretchable nanogenerator based on fractal-inspired piezoelectric nanofibers and liquid metal electrodes that can withstand strain as large as 200%. The large-scale fractal poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) micro/nanofibers are fabricated by combination of helix electrohydrodynamic printing (HE-Printing) and buckling-driven self-assembly. HE-Printing exploits “whipping/buckling” instability of electrospinning to deposit serpentine fibers with diverse geometries in a programmable, accurately positioned, and individually-controlled manner. Self-organized buckling utilizes the driven force from the prestrained elastomer to assemble serpentine fibers into ultra-stretchable fractal inspired architecture. The nanogenerator with embedded fractal PVDF fibers and liquid-metal microelectrodes demonstrates high stretchability (>200%) and electricity (currents >200 nA), it can harvest energy from all directions by arbitrary mechanical motion, and the rectified output has been applied to charge the commercial capacitor and drive LEDs, which enables wearable electronics applications in sensing and energy harvesting.
Performance Analysis of a Novel Hybrid S-ALOHA/TDMA Protocol for Beta Distributed Massive MTC Access
Authors: Sui Nannan , Xu Youyun , Wang Cong , Xie Wei
Published: December 2017

Simultaneous random access of massive machine type communications (MTC) devices are expected to cause congestion in the radio access network. Not only the performance of MTC, but the coexisting human to human (H2H) communications would also degrade dramatically without an appropriate medium access control (MAC) protocol. However, most existing solutions focus on the random access procedure without dealing with the sunsequent data transmission procedure. In this paper, we firstly derive a packet size threshold based on the capacity analysis of slotted ALOHA (S-ALOHA) and time division multiple access (TDMA) protocols. Then a novel hybrid S-ALOHA/TDMA MAC protocol (HSTMAC) is presented for massive MTC access, in which the resources are separated for beta distributed machine to machine (M2M) traffic with small size packets and high priority H2H traffic with large size packets. Considering access class barring (ACB) scheme as an overload control method, the system equilibrium under arbitrary retransmission limit is analyzed rigorously, which can provide insights on quality of service (QoS) guarantee. Finally, a dynamic pre-backoff (DPBO) algorithm is designed for load balance by adaptively scattering the highly synchronized M2M traffic over the transmission interval. Numerical and simulation results validate our analysis and show that the HSTMAC protocol is superior to pure S-ALOHA protocol and pure TDMA protocol. The proposed DPBO algorithm can achieve a higher success probability and resource utilization ratio with a much reduced average delay than that of uniform pre-backoff (UPBO) scheme.
An Online MFL Sensing Method for Steel Pipe Based on the Magnetic Guiding Effect
Authors: Wu Jianbo , Fang Hui , Huang Xiaoming , Xia Hui , Kang Yihua , Tang Chaoqing
Published: December 2017

In order to improve the sensitivity of online magnetic flux leakage (MFL) testing for steel pipe, a sensing method based on the magnetic guiding effect is proposed and investigated in this paper. Compared to the conventional contact sensing method using a non-ferromagnetic support, the proposed method creatively utilizes a ferromagnetic one to guide more magnetic flux to leak out. Based on Hopkinson’s law, the principle of the magnetic guiding effect of the ferromagnetic support is theoretically illustrated. Then, numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the MFL changes influenced by the ferromagnetic support. Finally, the probe based on the proposed method is designed and developed, and online MFL experiments are performed to validate the feasibility of the proposed method. Online tests show that the proposed sensing method can greatly improve the MFL sensitivity.
Response Characterization of an Inexpensive Aerosol Sensor
Authors: Kuula Joel , Mäkelä Timo , Hillamo Risto , Timonen Hilkka
Published: December 2017

Inexpensive aerosol sensors have been considered as a complementary option to address the issue of expensive but low spatial coverage air quality monitoring networks. However, the accuracy and response characteristics of these sensors is poorly documented. In this study, inexpensive Shinyei PPD42NS and PPD60PV sensors were evaluated using a novel laboratory evaluation method. A continuously changing monodisperse size distribution of particles was generated using a Vibrating Orifice Aerosol Generator. Furthermore, the laboratory results were validated in a field experiment. The laboratory tests showed that both of the sensors responded to particulate mass (PM) concentration stimulus, rather than number concentration. The highest detection efficiency for the PPD42NS was within particle size range of 2.5–4 µm, and the respective optimal size range for the PPD60PV was 0.7–1 µm. The field test yielded high PM correlations (R2 = 0.962 and R2 = 0.986) for viable detection ranges of 1.6–5 and 0.3–1.6 µm, when compared to a medium cost optical dust monitor. As the size distribution of atmospheric particles tends to be bimodal, it is likely that indicatively valid results could be obtained for the PM10–2.5 size fraction (particulate mass in size range 2.5–10 µm) with the PPD42NS sensor. Respectively, the PPD60PV could possibly be used to measure the PM2.5 size fraction (particulate mass in size below 2.5 µm).
Fault Diagnosis of Internal Combustion Engine Valve Clearance Using the Impact Commencement Detection Method
Authors: Jiang Zhinong , Mao Zhiwei , Wang Zijia , Zhang Jinjie
Published: December 2017

Internal combustion engines (ICEs) are widely used in many important fields. The valve train clearance of an ICE usually exceeds the normal value due to wear or faulty adjustment. This work aims at diagnosing the valve clearance fault based on the vibration signals measured on the engine cylinder heads. The non-stationarity of the ICE operating condition makes it difficult to obtain the nominal baseline, which is always an awkward problem for fault diagnosis. This paper overcomes the problem by inspecting the timing of valve closing impacts, of which the referenced baseline can be obtained by referencing design parameters rather than extraction during healthy conditions. To accurately detect the timing of valve closing impact from vibration signals, we carry out a new method to detect and extract the commencement of the impacts. The results of experiments conducted on a twelve-cylinder ICE test rig show that the approach is capable of extracting the commencement of valve closing impact accurately and using only one feature can give a superior monitoring of valve clearance. With the help of this technique, the valve clearance fault becomes detectable even without the comparison to the baseline, and the changing trend of the clearance could be trackable.
Sparse Adaptive Iteratively-Weighted Thresholding Algorithm (SAITA) for

L
p

-Regularization Using the Multiple Sub-Dictionary Representation
Authors: Li Yunyi , Zhang Jie , Fan Shangang , Yang Jie , Xiong Jian , Cheng Xiefeng , Sari Hikmet , Adachi Fumiyuki , Gui Guan
Published: December 2017

Both

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1
/
2

and

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2
/
3

are two typical non-convex regularizations of

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p

(

0
<
p
<
1

), which can be employed to obtain a sparser solution than the

L
1

regularization. Recently, the multiple-state sparse transformation strategy has been developed to exploit the sparsity in

L
1

regularization for sparse signal recovery, which combines the iterative reweighted algorithms. To further exploit the sparse structure of signal and image, this paper adopts multiple dictionary sparse transform strategies for the two typical cases

p
∈

{

1
/
2
,
 
2
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}

based on an iterative

L
p

thresholding algorithm and then proposes a sparse adaptive iterative-weighted

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p

thresholding algorithm (SAITA). Moreover, a simple yet effective regularization parameter is proposed to weight each sub-dictionary-based

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p

regularizer. Simulation results have shown that the proposed SAITA not only performs better than the corresponding

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1

algorithms but can also obtain a better recovery performance and achieve faster convergence than the conventional single-dictionary sparse transform-based

L
p

case. Moreover, we conduct some applications about sparse image recovery and obtain good results by comparison with relative work.
Regional-Level Carbon Emissions Modelling and Scenario Analysis: A STIRPAT Case Study in Henan Province, China
Authors: Zhang Pengyan , He Jianjian , Hong Xin , Zhang Wei , Qin Chengzhe , Pang Bo , Li Yanyan , Liu Yu
Published: December 2017

Global warming has brought increased attention to the relationship between carbon emissions and economic development. Research on the driving factors of carbon emissions from energy consumption can provide a scientific basis for regional energy savings, as well as emissions reduction and sustainable development. Henan Province is a major agricultural province in China, and it is one of most populous provinces. Industrial development and population growth are the causes of carbon emissions. The STIRPAT model was conducted for analyzing carbon emissions and the driving factors for future carbon emission in Henan Province. The results show that: carbon emissions and energy consumption in Henan Province presented a rising trend from 1995 to 2014; Energy consumption due to population growth is the main contributor to carbon emissions in Henan Province. As every 1% increase in the population, GDP per-capita, energy intensity, and the level of urbanization development will contribute to the growth of emissions by 1.099, 0.193, 0.043, and 0.542%, respectively. The optimization of the industrial structure can reduce carbon emissions in Henan Province, as suggested by the results, when the tertiary sector increased by more than 1%, the total energy consumption of carbon emissions reduced by 1.297%. The future pattern of carbon emissions in Henan Province is predicted to increase initially and then follows by a decreasing trend, according to scenario analysis; and maintaining a low population growth rate, and a high growth rate of GDP per-capita and technical level is the best mode for social and economic development.