bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KONTRIBUSI CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT DALAM MENINGKATKAN KINERJA PEMASARAN MELALUI PERAN KEUNGGULAN BERSAING
Authors: Prabowo Adimas , Sukarno Gendut
Published: August 2019

Salah satu strategi yang diterapkan organisasi untuk mempelajari kebiasaan dan keperluan pelanggan dinamakan Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Perusahaan yang unggul adalah mempunyai kelebihan disegala aspek dibanding pesaing, diharapkan mampu memberikan dampak terhadap kinerja pemasaran. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji kontribusi CRM dan keunggulan bersaing dalam meningkatkan kinerja pemasaran. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh nasabah kredit pundi rakyat pada BPR Jatim Cabang Surabaya. Adapun sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah nasabah kredit pundi rakyat pada BPR Jatim Cabang Surabaya sebanyak 75 nasabah sebagai responden. Teknik analisis dalam penelitian ini menggunakan Partial Least Square (PLS). Hasil dari olah data menghasilkan temuan Customer Relationship Management (CRM) mampu memberikan kotribusi yang sangat berarti terhadap Keunggulan Bersaing. Serta Customer Relationship Management (CRM) mampu memberikan kotribusi yang sangat berarti terhadap Kinerja Pemasaran, adapun Keunggulan Bersaing mampu memberikan kotribusi yang sangat berarti terhadap Kinerja Pemasaran.
Pengaruh Daya Tarik Wisata dan Word Of Mouth terhadap Keputusan Wisata Berkunjung ke Taman Hutan Kota di Kota Langsa
Authors: Junaida Erni
Published: August 2019

This research intends to know the influence of tourist attraction and word of mouth to tourists' visiting decision in city forest park kota langsa. Samples of this research are 96 respondents. Data analysis of this research is using multiple linear regression method and hypothesis testing is using t test, f test, and determination coefficient test (R2). The result of multiple linear regression is Y = 1,200 + 0,341 X1 + 0.137 X2. T test result shows that tourist attraction variable influenced significantly to tourist's visiting decision in city forest park kota langsa and word of mouth variable also influenced significantly to tourist's visiting decision in city forest park kota langsa. F test result shows that tourist attraction variable and word of mouth variable influenced significantly to tourist's visiting decision in city forest park kota langsa. Determination coefficient test shows that tourist attraction and word of mouth influenced tourist's visiting decision in city forest park kota langsa for 0,301 or 30,1 %.
PENGARUH MINAT USAHA DAN MOTIVASI USAHA TERHADAP KEBERHASILAN USAHA WIRAUSAHA MUDA DI KOTA LANGSA
Authors: Ardiyanti Dyah Ayu , Mora Zulkarnen
Published: August 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui adakah pengaruh minat dan motivasi usaha terhadap keberhasilan usaha para wirausaha muda di Kota Langsa. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode kuantitatif dengan populasi yang tidak diketahui. Sampel yang dipilih dengan teknik purposive sampling berjumlah 125 responden. Temuan penelitian dibuktikan dengan melakukan analisis regresi linier berganda yaitu Y =  α +β1X1 + β2X2 + e. Hasil penelitian diperoleh dengan menggunakan SPSS versi 16 dan hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa minat usaha secara parsial berpengaruh terhadap keberhasilan usaha. Namun motivasi usaha secara parsial justru tidak berpengaruh terhadap keberhasilan usaha. Sedangkan minat usaha dan motivasi usaha secara bersama-sama (simultan) berpengaruh positif terhadap keberhasilan usaha. Koefesien determinasi (R2) yang diperoleh hanya sebesar 0,04 yang artinya hanya 4% keberhasilan usaha dipengaruhi oleh minat dan motivasi usahanya. Sedangkan sisanya sebesar 96%, keberhasilan usaha dipengaruhi oleh variabel lain di luar dari variabel penelitian ini.
Analysis of Control System of Fuel Combustion in Boilers with Oxygen Sensor
Authors: Zaporozhets Artur
Published: August 2019

The method of fuel quality control is considered, which is based on the using of the oxygen sensor (without sensors of incomplete fuel combustion products). An algorithm for the electric drive of a fan is proposed, which is based on a step changing in the rotation speed. The choice of broadband oxygen sensor as a basis for the development of a fuel combustion control system is determined. In the course of experimental studies, the possibility of reconstructing the boiler by replacing a burner with an installed control system was demonstrated. The commissioning works were carried out with the installed system, the optimum operating conditions of the boiler were determined (with the formation of CO in the flue gases at a minimum level <50 ppm). The technical characteristics of the boiler operation under different loads (from 10 % to 100 %) are considered. Ecological and economic analysis of the developed fuel combustion control system was carried out.
Cross Effect of Natural Rubber and Annealing on the Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)
Authors: Hajba Sándor , Tábi Tamás
Published: August 2019

In our work, the effect of Natural Rubber was investigated on the properties of Poly(Lactic Acid). We produced blends containing 0-20 wt% Natural Rubber with different manufacturing technologies (internal mixer and twin screw extrusion) and injection molded specimens from the blends. In addition to the effect of Natural Rubber on PLA, we also examined the effect of D-Lactide content and also the combined effect of Natural Rubber and the crystalline structure developed during heat treatment (annealing) of PLA. A positive synergistic effect was found between the presence of Natural Rubber and the developed crystal structure regarding impact strength and thus high toughness blends could be produced. Finally, it was found that this synergistic effect is even more stronger due to the smaller and better dispersed Natural Rubber particles.
Integrated Approach to Determine Operational Integrity of Crane Metal Structure
Authors: Gubskyi Sergii , Yepifanov Vitalii , Chukhlib Vitalij , Basova Yevheniia , Okun Anton , Ivanova Maryna , Panamariova Olga
Published: August 2019

One of the elements limiting the crane life cycle and affecting the safety of its operation is a metal structure. Currently, there is no single scientifically-based approach to assess the operational integrity of crane metal structures. The paper deals with issues related to the development of an integrated approach to determine the operational integrity of crane metal structures, based on a combination of numerical methods of calculation (the finite element method and boundary states calculation) and magnetic coercive non-destructive control. The research of the influence of the metal chemical composition, its microstructure and the controlled elements thickness on coercive force values have been carried out. In order to take into account these parameters, it is suggested to use certificated experimental samples with variable cross sections. The practical value of the research is to apply the integrated approach that will eliminate the disadvantages of a separate method, complement these methods, increase the objectivity and accuracy of determining the operational integrity of crane metal structures.
Stress reduction in thesis completion through peer tutoring method
Authors: Astuti Budi , Purnama Diana Septi , Laksana Eko Pramudya
Published: August 2019

This study aims to reduce stress in the completion of thesis through peer tutoring method in student of the Guidance and Counseling Study Program, UNY. This research is a classroom action research. The research subjects were 70 Guidance and Counseling Study Program students. Sampling techniques used purposive technique. Data collection used stress scale in the completion of thesis and observation guideline. The result of the pretest with the scale of stress in the completion of the thesis obtained a number of 14 students who were given an action. Data analysis technique used quantitative technique. The results showed a decrease in stress level in Guidance and Counseling student through peer tutoring method. This was indicated by the pretest average score of 104.8 (high category). After being given the action in cycle I, the average post test I score was 90.3 (medium category). This means that in cycle I there was a decrease in the average score of 14.5%. Provision of action continued in cycle II with the result of post test II obtained an average score of 72.2 (low category). This means that in cycle II there is a decrease in the average score of 18.1%. The decrease in the average score in the post test I and II obtained a total of 32.6%.
Despliegue óptimo georreferenciado de estaciones de carga vehicular pública considerando capacidad de flujo y distancias máximas habilitantes
Authors: Campaña Miguel , Inga Esteban
Published: August 2019

Los desafíos modernos están orientados a la reducción significativa de gases de efecto invernadero, los cuales, deterioran la calidad del aire. El parque automotor, suministros de energía (gas, vapor, aire acondicionado, agua para uso industrial y energía eléctrica) son fuentes de  que se liberan en la atmosfera. Es por ello que, el presente artículo propone un modelo heurístico orientado a la reducción significativa de la dependencia de vehículos de combustión interna. El éxito o desacierto de la penetración masiva de vehículos eléctricos enchufables (VEE) no solo dependerá de la capacidad instalada en los sistemas eléctricos de distribución, sino que, además, de la autonomía y confort que los VEE logren brindar al usuario final. Por lo tanto, con el algoritmo Mínimo Emplazamiento de Estaciones de Carga Geolocalizadas (MEECG) se propone un modelo capaz de emplazar infraestructuras de estaciones de carga pública (IECP) considerando flujo vehicular y distancias máximas habilitantes. De tal manera que, se seleccione el mínimo número de estaciones de carga pública (ECP) garantizando la posibilidad de que un VEE pueda conectarse a una ECP reduciendo al máximo la ansiedad de alcance de parte del operador del VEE.
The Factors affecting the purchasing decision of the Millenial Muslim Generation
Authors: Fransisca Yuniati , Purnomo Albert Kurniawan
Published: August 2019

The purpose of the study is to find out the factors that influence  the purchasing decision of millenial Muslim generation toward the halal tourism products of Lombok based on the destination personality, brand attractiveness, and brand awareness. Lombok is the only region in Indonesia that has received the most awards in three categories of twelve categories received by Indonesia at the award ceremony of the World Halal Tourism 2016 in Abu Dhabi, Uni Emirat Arab, as The Wolrd’s Best Halal Beach Resort, The World’s Best Halal Tourism Website, and The World’s Best Halal Honeymoon Destination. Data analysis of the study uses SEM WarPLS 6.0. the research findings show Brand Awareness is the only variable of halal tourism concept that does not influence the purchasing decision toward the halal tourism product of Lombok by millenial Muslim generation. The result of the study is expected to be an additional reference for the effort to develop the halal tourism in Indonesia.

Keywords: Millenial Muslim Generation
Quasinormal Fitting classes of finite groups
Authors: Anna V. Martsinkevich
Published: August 2019

Let P be the set of all primes, Zn a cyclic group of order n and X wr Zn the regular wreath product of the group X with Zn. A Fitting class F is said to be X-quasinormal (or quasinormal in a class of groups X ) if F ⊆ X, p is a prime, groups G ∈ F and G wr Zp ∈ X, then there exists a natural number m such that G m wr Zp ∈ F. If  X is the class of all soluble groups, then F is normal Fitting class. In this paper we generalize the well-known theorem of Blessenohl and Gaschütz in the theory of normal Fitting classes. It is proved, that the intersection of any set of nontrivial X-quasinormal Fitting classes is a nontrivial X-quasinormal Fitting class. In particular, there exists the smallest nontrivial X-quasinormal Fitting class. We confirm a generalized version of the Lockett conjecture (in particular, the Lockett conjecture) about the structure of a Fitting class for the case of X-quasinormal classes, where X is a local Fitting class of partially soluble groups.
Developmant of A Medical Error Scale for Nursing Students: A Methodological Study
Authors: KAHRİMAN İlknur , OZTURK Havva
Published: August 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop the Medical Error Scale (MES) for the student nursesMethods: This study was a methodological research. The study was conducted with 662 student nurses to develop a Medical Error Scale for student nurses. The scale development study was carried out in the nursing departments of the health sciences faculty of two universities; one in İstanbul and one in Trabzon. The data were collected with a questionnaire consisting of 6 questions about the demographic characteristics of the students and a draft scale including 94 items. In the analysis of the data, frequency, percentage, mean tests, confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses’ tests were used.Results: Content Validity Index of the scale was 0.82, Cronbach’s Alpha was 0.94, Spearman-Brown was 0.93,Guttman coefficient were 0.92, the upper and lower 27% test was – 44.42 and p=0.000, and item-total item correlation values ranged from 0.36 to 0.68. The scale had seven subscales according to exploratory factor analysis. The results of confirmatory factor analysis were chi-square/degree of freedom 3.01, RMSEA= 0.055, CFI= 0.97, NNFI= 0.97 and NFI= 0.96 and the scale showed a good agreement with the subscales.Conclusion: The scale was a valid and reliable tool to collect data on whether student nurses acted carefully or made medical errors during their patient-related practices.
Antioxidants Profiling of By-Products from Eucalyptus Greenboards Manufacture
Authors: Celeiro Maria , Lamas J. , Arcas Rosa , Lores Marta
Published: August 2019

Three different by-products from the Eucalyptus wood industry have been exhaustively characterized to find compounds with antioxidant properties. The industrial process to manufacture Eucalyptus greenboards is distinguished by using just wood and water, which converts the generated by-products in a highly attractive source of bioactive compounds that are originally in the raw material. The studied by-products were: the screw water, derived from the washing of the wood chips; the condensates, obtained after the evaporation and further condensation of the screw water; and finally, the concentrate of eucalyptus. For all of them and for their derived organic extracts, the total polyphenols content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA) have been evaluated. The chromatographic fingerprints, based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) have been obtained to identify the main extractable organic wood components. Besides, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been employed to characterize the most volatile compounds. Significant differences were observed for the chromatographic profiles of the studied by-products. Up to 48 and 30 different compounds were identified in the screw water, and condensate by-products, respectively; whereas the highest number of compounds, up to 72, have been identified in the organic extracts derived from the concentrate of Eucalyptus, highlighting the presence of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, polyphenols, and other bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. Therefore, these by-products could be exploited to obtain natural extracts with added value which could be reused in the food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical industry, reducing the environmental impact of the industrial activity.
Astrocytic Oxidative/Nitrosative Stress Contributes to Parkinson’s Disease Pathogenesis: The Dual Role of Reactive Astrocytes
Authors: Rizor Asha , Pajarillo Edward , Johnson James , Aschner Michael , Lee Eunsook
Published: August 2019

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide; it is characterized by dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra pars compacta, but its etiology is not fully understood. Astrocytes, a class of glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS), provide critical structural and metabolic support to neurons, but growing evidence reveals that astrocytic oxidative and nitrosative stress contributes to PD pathogenesis. As astrocytes play a critical role in the production of antioxidants and the detoxification of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), astrocytic oxidative/nitrosative stress has emerged as a critical mediator of the etiology of PD. Cellular stress and inflammation induce reactive astrogliosis, which initiates the production of astrocytic ROS/RNS and may lead to oxidative/nitrosative stress and PD pathogenesis. Although the cause of aberrant reactive astrogliosis is unknown, gene mutations and environmental toxicants may also contribute to astrocytic oxidative/nitrosative stress. In this review, we briefly discuss the physiological functions of astrocytes and the role of astrocytic oxidative/nitrosative stress in PD pathogenesis. Additionally, we examine the impact of PD-related genes such as α-synuclein, protein deglycase DJ-1( DJ-1), Parkin, and PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) on astrocytic function, and highlight the impact of environmental toxicants, such as 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), rotenone, manganese, and paraquat, on astrocytic oxidative/nitrosative stress in experimental models.
Vision-Assisted Interactive Human-in-the-Loop Distal Upper Limb Rehabilitation Robot and its Clinical Usability Test
Authors: Nam Hyung Seok , Hong Nhayoung , Cho Minwoo , Lee Chiwon , Seo Han Gil , Kim Sungwan
Published: August 2019

In the context of stroke rehabilitation, simple structures and user-intent driven actuation are relevant features to facilitate neuroplasticity as well as deliver a sufficient number of repetitions during a single therapy session. A novel robotic treatment device for distal upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients was developed, and a usability test was performed to assess its clinical feasibility. The rehabilitation robot was designed as a two-axis exoskeleton actuated by electric motors, consisting of forearm supination/pronation and hand grasp/release, which were selected based on a kinematic analysis of essential daily activities. A vision-assisted algorithm was utilized for user-intent extraction in a human-in-the-loop concept. A usability test was performed on six physiatrists, five biomedical engineers, five rehabilitation therapists, two chronic stroke patients, and two caregivers of the patients. After sufficient instruction, all subjects tested the robot for a minimum of 10 min and completed the evaluation form using a 7-point Likert scale. The participants found the device interesting (5.7 ± 1.2), motivating (5.8 ± 0.9), and as having less possibility of causing injury or safety issues (6.1 ± 1.1); however, the appropriateness of difficulty (4.8 ± 1.9) and comfort level (4.9 ± 1.3) were found to be relatively low. Further development of the current device would provide a good treatment option as a simple, low-cost, and clinically feasible rehabilitation robot for stroke.
Effect of Sampling Conditions on the Sub-23 nm Nonvolatile Particle Emissions Measurements of a Moped
Authors: Giechaskiel Barouch
Published: August 2019

The solid (or nonvolatile) particle number (SPN) emissions of light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles and engines are regulated in the European Union. The measurements are conducted from the tailpipe during on-road tests, but from the dilution tunnel in the laboratory under controlled conditions. Recently, dedicated laboratory studies for the evaluation of the measurement uncertainty at the two sampling locations found differences due to the formation of nonvolatile particles, i.e., particles that do not evaporate in the thermal pre-treatment part of the particle number systems. In order to investigate the origin of these particles, measurements at the tailpipe, the transfer tube, and the dilution tunnel were conducted with cold and hot dilution and instruments with different lower detection limits (4 nm, 10 nm, and 23 nm). The results showed that sub-23 nm nonvolatile particles could be detected in the dilution tunnel, but not at the tailpipe, due to growth of low volatility compounds in the transfer tube and the finite residence time in the thermal pretreatment part of the particle number systems. When measuring below 23 nm, diluting at the tailpipe or reducing the residence time in the transfer tube to the dilution tunnel is important in order to minimize such differences.
Safety Evaluation of a Water-Immersed Bridge Against Multiple Hazards via Machine Learning
Authors: Liao Kuo-Wei , Chien Fu-Sheng , Ju Rong-Jing
Published: August 2019

A safety analysis process for an immersed bridge is proposed, in which material nonlinear properties, added mass, soil spring, plastic hinge length and property, nonlinear pushover analysis, and time history analysis are included. Outcomes of interest in a bridge analysis, such as displacement ductility, is not an easy task if the authentic model is adopted. The least-squares support-vector machine (LSSVM) is therefore proposed for replacing the analysis model. Water-immersed bridges under varied water depths, scouring depth, and seismic intensity are investigated. The feasibility of using machine learning as a surrogate model is discussed. Results indicate that the trends of fragility curves derived from LSSVM are very similar to those of the authentic model. Therefore, LSSVM is a suitable tool to reduce the computational burden. Analyses also show that stream velocity and pier length are two important factors for the safety of an immersed bridge, and the immersed effect should not be ignored if pier length is long.
Hierarchical Guided-Image-Filtering for Efficient Stereo Matching
Authors: Zhu Chengtao , Chang Yau-Zen
Published: August 2019

Stereo matching is complicated by the uneven distribution of textures on the image pairs. We address this problem by applying the edge-preserving guided-Image-filtering (GIF) at different resolutions. In contrast to most multi-scale stereo matching algorithms, parameters of the proposed hierarchical GIF model are in an innovative weighted-combination scheme to generate an improved matching cost volume. Our method draws its strength from exploiting texture in various resolution levels and performing an effective mixture of the derived parameters. This novel approach advances our recently proposed algorithm, the pervasive guided-image-filtering scheme, by equipping it with hierarchical filtering modules, leading to disparity images with more details. The approach ensures as many different-scale patterns as possible to be involved in the cost aggregation and hence improves matching accuracy. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme achieves the best matching accuracy when compared with six well-recognized cutting-edge algorithms using version 3 of the Middlebury stereo evaluation data sets.
Temporal Variations in Soil Enzyme Activities and Responses to Land-Use Change in the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Deng Jian , Chong Yujie , Zhang Dan , Ren Chengjie , Zhao Fazhu , Zhang Xiaoxi , Han Xinhui , Yang Gaihe
Published: August 2019

Variability in soil enzyme activity may have important implications for the knowledge of underground ecosystem functions driven by soil extracellular enzymes. To illustrate the temporal variation in soil enzyme activity after afforestation, we collected soil samples during different vegetative growth periods in three Caragana korshinskii Kom. stands of different ages (20, 30, and 40 years) and in a slope cropland in the Loess Plateau. These samples were used to analyze the catalase, sucrase, urease and alkaline phosphatase activities, the soil water content and the available soil nutrients (i.e., dissolved organic carbon, dissolved organic nitrogen, and available phosphorus). The results illustrated that the soil enzyme activities significantly increased following afforestation and varied with temporal variation. Overall, soil enzyme activities were higher in June and August, particularly, and both alkaline phosphatase and sucrase were more sensitive to temporal variation than the other two enzymes. In addition, redundancy analysis showed that soil enzyme activities were greatly correlated with soil nutrients, especially for dissolved organic carbon and dissolved organic nitrogen. Therefore, the results highlighted the importance of soil enzyme activities to soil nutrients under temporal variation following afforestation in the Loess Plateau, which may have practical significance for forest managers’ fertilization management of plantation in different seasons and different stand ages.
Going Digital? New Media and Digital Art at the Stedelijk
Authors: van der Meulen Sjoukje
Published: August 2019

The Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has an extensive collection of time-based media art from the 1960s onwards, which has been expanded into the digital field in recent decades. The Stedelijk makes an interesting case study for this special issue on “Art Curation: Challenges in the Digital Age,” because it has had a reputable history of dealing with time-based art since the mid-1970s but presently faces the same challenges with regard to curating and collecting digital art as other museums of modern art. The Stedelijk’s history began in 1974, when the first curator for time-based art was hired, Dorine Mignot, a pioneer in this field. After Mignot’s retirement in 2006, the museum was closed for almost a decade, but under the leadership of Beatrix Ruf (2014–2017), an innovative agenda was set again for new media and digital art. In this paper, Sjoukje van der Meulen mobilizes the museum’s rich and varied history of new media and digital art to think through some of the issues, challenges and concerns raised by guest editor Francesca Franco for this special issue such as “What are the issues involved in re-contextualizing and exhibiting artworks made in the 1960s and the 1970s?” and “What are [adequate] curatorial approaches regarding digital art?”
Aerosol Microbiome over the Mediterranean Sea Diversity and Abundance
Authors: Mescioglu Esra , Rahav Eyal , Belkin Natalia , Xian Peng , Eizenga Jordan , Vichik Ania , Herut Barak , Paytan Adina
Published: August 2019

Prokaryotic microbes can become aerosolized and deposited into new environments located thousands of kilometers away from their place of origin. The Mediterranean Sea is an oligotrophic to ultra-oligotrophic marginal sea, which neighbors northern Africa (a major source of natural aerosols) and Europe (a source of mostly anthropogenic aerosols). Previous studies demonstrated that airborne bacteria deposited during dust events over the Mediterranean Sea may significantly alter the ecology and function of the surface seawater layer, yet little is known about their abundance and diversity during ‘background’ non-storm conditions. Here, we describe the abundance and genetic diversity of airborne bacteria in 16 air samples collected over an East-West transect of the entire Mediterranean Sea during non-storm conditions in April 2011. The results show that airborne bacteria represent diverse groups with the most abundant bacteria from the Firmicutes (Bacilli and Clostridia) and Proteobacteria (Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria) phyla. Most of the bacteria in our samples have previously been observed in the air at other open ocean locations, in the air over the Mediterranean Sea during dust storms, and in the Mediterranean seawater. Airborne bacterial abundance ranged from 0.7 × 104 to 2.5 × 104 cells m−3 air, similar to abundances at other oceanic regimes. Our results demonstrate that airborne bacterial diversity is positively correlated with the mineral dust content in the aerosols and was spatially separated between major basins of the Mediterranean Sea. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive biogeographical dataset to assess the diversity and abundance of airborne microbes over the Mediterranean Sea. Our results shed light on the spatiotemporal distribution of airborne microbes and may have implications for dispersal and distribution of microbes (biogeography) in the ocean.
The Impact of Microphysics Parameterization in the Simulation of Two Convective Rainfall Events over the Central Andes of Peru Using WRF-ARW
Authors: Martínez-Castro Daniel , Kumar Shailendra , Flores Rojas José Luis , Moya-Álvarez Aldo , Valdivia-Prado Jairo M. , Villalobos-Puma Elver , Castillo-Velarde Carlos Del , Silva-Vidal Yamina
Published: August 2019

The present study explores the cloud microphysics (MPs) impact on the simulation of two convective rainfall events (CREs) over the complex topography of Andes mountains, using the Weather Research and Forecasting- Advanced Research (WRF-ARW) model. The events occurred on December 29 2015 (CRE1) and January 7 2016 (CRE2). Six microphysical parameterizations (MPPs) (Thompson, WSM6, Morrison, Goddard, Milbrandt and Lin) were tested, which had been previously applied in complex orography areas. The one-way nesting technique was applied to four domains, with horizontal resolutions of 18, 6, and 3 km for the outer ones, in which cumulus and MP parameterizations were applied, while for the innermost domain, with a resolution of 0.75 km, only MP parameterization was used. It was integrated for 36 h with National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP Final Operational Global Analysis (NFL) initial conditions at 00:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). The simulations were verified using Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) brightness temperature, Ka band cloud radar, and surface meteorology variables observed at the Huancayo Observatory. All the MPPs detected the surface temperature signature of the CREs, but for CRE2, it was underestimated during its lifetime in its vicinity, matching well after the simulated event. For CRE1, all the schemes gave good estimations of 24 h precipitation, but for CRE2, Goddard and Milbrandt underestimated the 24 h precipitation in the inner domain. The Morrison and Lin configurations reproduced the general dynamics of the development of cloud systems for the two case studies. The vertical profiles of the hydrometeors simulated by different schemes showed significant differences. The best performance of the Morrison scheme for both case studies may be related to its ability to simulate the role of graupel in precipitation formation. The analysis of the maximum reflectivity field, cloud top distribution, and vertical structure of the simulated cloud field also shows that the Morrison parameterization reproduced the convective systems consistently with observations.
Sampling Theorems for Stochastic Signals. Appraisal of Paul L. Butzer’s Work
Authors: Pogány Tibor K.
Published: August 2019

The sampling reconstruction theory is one of the great areas of the analysis in which Paul Leo Butzer earned longstanding and excellent theoretical results. Thus, we are forced either by earlier exhaustive presentations of his research activity and/or the highly voluminous material to restrict ourselves to a more narrow and precise sub-area in consideration; we discuss here, giving deeper insight, Paul Butzer’s sampling theoretical work with special attention concerning sampling stochastic signals.
A Bilevel Equalizer to Boost the Capacity of Second Life Li Ion Batteries
Authors: Mubenga Ngalula Sandrine , Sharma Kripa , Stuart Thomas
Published: August 2019

There is a strong interest in second life applications for the growing number of used electric vehicle (EV) batteries, but capacity variations amongst these used cells present a problem. Even when these cells are matched for capacity, some imbalance is bound to remain, and a few lower capacity cells are also likely to develop after the pack begins its second life. Conventional cell voltage equalizers (EQU) do not address this problem, and they only provide a battery discharge capacity that is exactly equal to that of the weakest cell in the pack. This can easily result in a capacity loss of perhaps 20% to 25%, or more. This indicates the need for a new class of EQUs that can provide a discharge capacity that is close to the average of the cells, instead of the weakest cell. It is proposed to call these “capacity EQUs”, and the properties they must have are described. One such EQU is the bilevel equalizer (BEQ), described previously. This present paper provides an enhanced analysis of the BEQ and improved modelling methods. It also presents more details that are necessary to implement the microcontroller algorithm for the BEQ hardware.
Grape Infusions: The Flavor of Grapes and Health-Promoting Compounds in Your Tea Cup
Authors: Vilela Alice , Pinto Teresa
Published: August 2019

Traditionally, tea, a beverage made from the processed leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, and herbal infusions have been primarily consumed for their pleasant taste. Nowadays, they are also consumed because they contain nutraceutical compounds, such as polyphenols. Grapes and grape/wine sub-products such as non-fermented/semi-fermented or fermented grapes, skins, and seeds are a rich source of health-promoting compounds, presenting a great potential for the development of new beverages. Therefore, these grape/wine sub-products are used in the beverage sector for the preparation of infusions, tisanes, and decoctions. Besides polyphenols, fermented grapes, skins, and seeds, usually discarded as waste, are enriched with other health-promoting/nutraceutical compounds, such as melatonin, glutathione, and trehalose, among others, which are produced by yeasts during alcoholic fermentation. In this review, we summarize the benefits of drinking herbal infusions and discuss the potential application of some grapevine fermentation waste products in the production of healthy beverages that we can call grape infusions.
The Benefit of Reactivating p53 under MAPK Inhibition on the Efficacy of Radiotherapy in Melanoma
Authors: Krayem Mohammad , Sabbah Malak , Najem Ahmad , Wouters An , Lardon Filip , Simon Stephane , Sales François , Journe Fabrice , Awada Ahmad , Ghanem Ghanem , Van Gestel Dirk
Published: August 2019

Radiotherapy (RT) in patients with melanoma historically showed suboptimal results, because the disease is often radioresistant due to various mechanisms such as scavenging free radicals by thiols, pigmentary machinery, or enhanced DNA repair. However, radiotherapy has been utilized as adjuvant therapy after the complete excision of primary melanoma and lymph nodes to reduce the rate of nodal recurrences in high-risk patients. The resistance of melanoma cells to radiotherapy may also be in relation with the constitutive activation of the MAPK pathway and/or with the inactivation of p53 observed in about 90% of melanomas. In this study, we aimed to assess the potential benefit of adding RT to BRAF-mutated melanoma cells under a combined p53 reactivation and MAPK inhibition in vitro and in a preclinical animal model. We found that the combination of BRAF inhibition (vemurafenib, which completely shuts down the MAPK pathway), together with p53 reactivation (PRIMA-1Met) significantly enhanced the radiosensitivity of BRAF-mutant melanoma cells. This was accompanied by an increase in both p53 expression and activity. Of note, we found that radiation alone markedly promoted both ERK and AKT phosphorylation, thus contributing to radioresistance. The combination of vemurafenib and PRIMA-1Met caused the inactivation of both MAPK kinase and PI3K/AKT pathways. Furthermore, when combined with radiotherapy, it was able to significantly enhance melanoma cell radiosensitivity. Interestingly, in nude mice bearing melanoma xenografts, the latter triple combination had not only a synergistic effect on tumor growth inhibition, but also a potent control on tumor regrowth in all animals after finishing the triple combination therapy. RT alone had only a weak effect. In conclusion, we provide a basis for a strategy that may overcome the radioresistance of BRAF-mutated melanoma cells to radiotherapy. Whether this will translate into a rational to use radiotherapy in the curative setting in BRAF-mutated melanoma patients deserves consideration.
Targeting Degradation of EGFR through the Allosteric Site Leads to Cancer Cell Detachment-Promoted Death
Authors: Iradyan Melkon , Iradyan Nina , Hulin Philippe , Hambardzumyan Artur , Gyulkhandanyan Aram , Alves de Sousa Rodolphe , Hessani Assia , Roussakis Christos , Bollot Guillaume , Bauvais Cyril , Sakanyan Vehary
Published: August 2019

Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) has been widely exploited to disrupt aberrant phosphorylation flux in cancer. However, a bottleneck of potent TKIs is the acquisition of drug resistance mutations, secondary effects, and low ability to attenuate tumor progression. We have developed an alternative means of targeting EGFR that relies on protein degradation through two consecutive routes, ultimately leading to cancer cell detachment-related death. We describe furfuryl derivatives of 4-allyl-5-[2-(4-alkoxyphenyl)-quinolin-4-yl]-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol that bind to and weakly inhibit EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation and induce strong endocytic degradation of the receptor in cancer cells. The compound-promoted depletion of EGFR resulted in the sequestration of non-phosphorylated Bim, which no longer ensured the integrity of the cytoskeleton machinery, as shown by the detachment of cancer cells from the extracellular matrix (ECM). Of particular note, the longer CH3(CH2)n chains in the terminal moiety of the anti-EGFR molecules confer higher hydrophobicity in the allosteric site located in the immediate vicinity of the catalytic pocket. Small compounds accelerated and enhanced EGFR and associated proteins degradation during EGF and/or glutamine starvation of cultures, thereby demonstrating high potency in killing cancer cells by simultaneously modulating signaling and metabolic pathways. We propose a plausible mechanism of anti-cancer action by small degraders through the allosteric site of EGFR. Our data represent a rational and promising perspective in the treatment of aggressive tumors.
Surgery or Locoregional Approaches for Hepatic Oligometastatic Pancreatic Cancer: Myth, Hope, or Reality?
Authors: Ghidini Michele , Petrillo Angelica , Salati Massimiliano , Khakoo Shelize , Varricchio Antonio , Tomasello Gianluca , Grossi Francesco , Petrelli Fausto
Published: August 2019

Despite extensive research, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a difficult-to-treat cancer associated with poor survival. Due to the known aggressive disease biology, palliative chemotherapy is the only routinely recommended treatment in the metastatic setting in patients with adequate performance status. However, in a subset of patients with oligometastatic disease, multimodality treatment with surgery and/or locoregional approaches may provide long-term disease control and prolong survival. In fact, in highly selected cases, median overall survival has been reported to extend to 56 months in patients treated with surgery. In particular, liver and extraregional nodal resections may provide long-term tumor control with acceptable morbidity. Current guidelines do not recommend surgery for patients with metastatic PDAC and, in the case of PDAC with oligometastases, there are no published randomized controlled trials regarding locoregional or surgical approaches. Here we review the literature on surgical and locoregional approaches including radiofrequency ablation, irreversible electroporation, and stereotactic body radiation, and focus on patients with hepatic oligometastatic pancreatic cancer. We provide a summary regarding survival outcomes, morbidity and mortality and discuss selection criteria that may be useful to predict the best outcomes for such strategies.
Cancer Cell Lines Are Useful Model Systems for Medical Research
Authors: Mirabelli Peppino , Coppola Luigi , Salvatore Marco
Published: August 2019

Cell lines are in vitro model systems that are widely used in different fields of medical research, especially basic cancer research and drug discovery. Their usefulness is primarily linked to their ability to provide an indefinite source of biological material for experimental purposes. Under the right conditions and with appropriate controls, authenticated cancer cell lines retain most of the genetic properties of the cancer of origin. During the last few years, comparing genomic data of most cancer cell lines has corroborated this statement and those that were observed studying the tumoral tissue equivalents included in the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We are at the disposal of comprehensive open access cell line datasets describing their molecular and cellular alterations at an unprecedented level of accuracy. This aspect, in association with the possibility of setting up accurate culture conditions that mimic the in vivo microenvironment (e.g., three-dimensional (3D) coculture), has strengthened the importance of cancer cell lines for continuing to sustain medical research fields. However, it is important to consider that the appropriate use of cell lines needs to follow established guidelines for guaranteed data reproducibility and quality, and to prevent the occurrence of detrimental events (i.e., those that are linked to cross-contamination and mycoplasma contamination).
Colorimetric and Fluorescence-Based Detection of Mercuric Ion Using a Benzothiazolinic Spiropyran
Authors: Kumar Ajeet , Kumar Arvind , Sahoo Priya Ranjan , Kumar Satish
Published: August 2019

A merocyanine dye as a p-toluenesulfonate salt was synthesized. The structure of the dye was characterized using IR, NMR, HR-MS and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The X-ray crystallographic studies revealed the formation of a stacked aggregated structure of the merocyanine dye. The stacking interactions were investigated using the Crystal Explorer program, which estimated the strength of the interactions between different molecular pairs. The merocyanine dye was screened for affinity towards heavy metal ions, which revealed a color change from pink to colorless in the presence of mercuric ions, while other metal ions did not produce a similar change in color. In addition, the fluorescence spectroscopy indicated a change in the fluorescence intensity upon addition of mercuric ions. Both techniques displayed a good limit of detection value towards mercuric ions. In addition, the pixel intensity-based detection technique was also employed for the determination of limit of detection value with the help of a smartphone. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies indicated that the optical change occurred in the spectra of the receptor is due to the disaggregation of the receptor induced by mercuric ions. In addition, 1H-NMR studies were also used for investigating the mechanism of interaction between the receptor and the mercuric ions. The density functional theory (DFT) studies were used to investigate the formation of the complex at the molecular level, while time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) studies were used to understand the observed absorption spectra through the calculation of electronic excitation parameters, which indicated an increase in the energy difference between ground and the excited state.
Adhesion to Zirconia: A Systematic Review of Current Conditioning Methods and Bonding Materials
Authors: Scaminaci Russo Daniele , Cinelli Francesca , Sarti Chiara , Giachetti Luca
Published: August 2019

Background. Reliable bonding between resin composite cements and high strength ceramics is difficult to achieve because of their chemical inertness and lack of silica content that makes etching impossible. The purpose of this review is to classify and analyze the existing methods and materials suggested to improve the adhesion of zirconia to dental substrate by using composite resins, in order to explore current trends in surface conditioning methods with predictable results. Methods. The current literature, examining the bond strength of zirconia ceramics, and including in vitro studies, clinical studies, and a systematic review, was analyzed. The research in the literature was carried out using PubMed and Cochrane Library databases, only papers in English, published online from 2013 to 2018. The following keywords and their combinations were used: Zirconia, 3Y-TZP, Adhesion, Adhesive cementation, Bonding, Resin, Composite resin, Composite material, Dentin, Enamel. Results. Research, in PubMed and Cochrane Library databases, provided 390 titles with abstracts. From these, a total of 93 publications were chosen for analysis. After a full text evaluation, seven articles were discarded. Therefore, the final sample was 86, including in vitro, clinical studies, and one systematic review. Various adhesive techniques with different testing methods were examined. Conclusions. Airborne-particle abrasion and tribo-chemical silica coating are the pre-treatment methods with more evidence in the literature. Increased adhesion could be expected after physico-chemical conditioning of zirconia. Surface contamination has a negative effect on adhesion. There is no evidence to support a universal adhesion protocol.
A Preshaped Titanium Mesh for Guided Bone Regeneration with an Equine-Derived Bone Graft in a Posterior Mandibular Bone Defect: A Case Report
Authors: Di Stefano Danilo Alessio , Greco Gianbattista , Gherlone Enrico
Published: August 2019

One of the most often used bone augmentation techniques is the guided bone regeneration procedure. The authors report the case of a 75-year-old man with an atrophic right posterior mandible who underwent bone augmentation through guided bone regeneration with a preshaped titanium mesh adapted on a stereolithographic model of the patient’s jaw. The graft volume was simulated with a light-curing resin. The actual site was grafted with a mixture of autogenous and equine-derived bone. Five months later, the mesh was retrieved, three cylindrical implants were positioned, and a bone biopsy was collected for histomorphometric analysis. A provisional prosthesis was delivered three and a half months later. Definitive rehabilitation was accomplished after one additional month. The graft allowed for effective bone formation (newly formed bone, residual biomaterial, and medullar spaces were, respectively, 39%, 10%, and 51% of the core volume). The patient has functioned successfully throughout six and a half years of follow-up. Using the preshaped titanium mesh in association with the enzyme-treated equine bone substitute provided effective bone regeneration.
Reactivity and Bond Strength of Universal Dental Adhesives with Co-Cr Alloy and Zirconia
Authors: Papadogiannis Dimitris , Dimitriadi Maria , Zafiropoulou Maria , Gaintantzopoulou Maria-Dimitra , Eliades George
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate (a) the reactivity of six universal dental adhesives with polished cobalt-chrome (Co-Cr) alloy and zirconia (3Y-TZP) surfaces; and (b) to assess the shear bond strength (SBS) of a resin composite with polished and alumina-blasted surfaces as mediated by these adhesives. The products tested were Adhese Universal (AD), All-Bond Universal (AB), Clearfill Universal Bond (CB), G-Premio Bond (GP), Prelude One (PO) and Scotchbond Universal (SB). The reactivity on polished substrates was evaluated by reflection infrared microscopy (RFTIRM). The roughness parameters of polished and 50 μm alumina grit-blasted surfaces were assessed by optical profilometry. The SBS of the composite bonded to the substrates treated with each adhesive (n = 10/product) was evaluated after 1 week of storage (H2O/37 °C) by Weibull statistics. Evidence of phosphate interaction with polished substrates was obtained by FTIRM, with higher peaks on the alloy. Alumina-blasting increased all roughness parameters with higher values on the alloy. AD, CB were the strongest (σ0) treatments on alloy surfaces and AD, CB, AB, SB on zirconia. GP was the weakest on both substrates and the least reliable (β) on alloy. On polished alloy GP, PO performed better (σ0), whereas on zirconia there were no significant differences. All adhesives showed more prominent reaction with the Co-Cr alloy than with 3Y-TZP.