bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGARUH MODEL PEMBELAJARAN KOOPERATIF TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR KOGNITIF DITINJAU DARI KEMAMPUAN AKADEMIK MAHASISWA
Authors: - Fahruddin , Jufri A. Wahab , - Jamaluddin
Published: January 2018

This research aims to determine the effect of cooperative learning on cognitive learning outcomes in terms of students' academic abilities. This study was aquasi-experimental research design with non-equivalent pretest-posttest control group design with 2x4 factorial design. The study population was a student of biology education STKIP Bima semester IV, total of 8 classes with a number of 336 students. Samples were obtained through a simple random sampling technique, of which there are 8 classes taken 4 classes as the sample with 168 students.The research instrument is a cognitive achievement test. The data were analyze dusing statistical techniques Anacova two paths. The results showed that 1) There is influence of cooperative learning model type STAD, Jigsaw II, and the TGT to the cognitive achievement of students (p <0.05), 2) There is influence of academic ability on the cognitive achievement of students (p <0.05) , 3) There is no influence to interaction effect between cooperative learning model type STAD, Jigsaw II, and TGT with academic ability of the student cognitive learning outcomes (p> 0.05), 4) Different test results show that the cooperative learning model TGT significant differences in their effects oncognitive learning outcomes, compared with Jigsaw II, and STAD (coefficient positively and sig. <0,05).
INDUKSI KALUS TANAMAN KRISAN (Chrysanthemum morifolium) DENGAN PEMBERIAN BENZIL AMINO PURIN (BAP) DAN DICHLOROFENOKSI ACETIL ACID (2,4 D)
Authors: Hariyati Maspan , Bachtiar Imam , Sedijani Prapti
Published: January 2018

Production of chrysant flowers (Chrysanthemum morifolium) is halted due to seedling supplay, that it is necessary to produce seedling on tissue culture. This study aims to determine the effect of BAP and 2.4 D for callus formation of chrysanthemum. The research using completely randomized design (CRD). The treatment was consistsed of two factors. BAP (0,0 mg/l, 1,0 mg/l, 1.5 mg/l and 2,0 mg/l) and concentration of 2,4 D (0,0 mg/l, 2,0 mg/l, 3,0 mg/l, 4,0 mg/l). Dependent variables measured were days of callus occurrence, callus colour and texture of callus. Result showed that growth regulators BAP and 2.4 D influenced the timing of the callus formation. Most rapid callus formation appeared at concentration of 2,0 mg/ l 2,4 D and longest callus formation appeared at concentrations of 0,0 mg/l 2,4 D. Callus did not appear on treatment of 0,0 mg/l BAP. The combination of BAP and 2.4 D did not influence on colour and texture of callus. Highest callus score was obtained in the treatment combination of D0B1, D0B0,5 and D0B2. The lowest callus score obtained in the treatment D4B0.Keyword: BAP, 2,4 D, Chrysanthemum morifolium, explants, Callus.
PENGARUH MODEL PEMBELAJARAN PROCESS ORIENTED GUIDED INQUIRY LEARNING (POGIL) TERHADAP PEMAHAMAN KONSEP IPA, KETERAMPILAN PROSES SAINS DAN KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR KRITIS SISWA SMP NEGERI 3 PRINGGABAYA LOMBOK TIMUR
Authors: - Rustam , Ramdani Agus , Sedijani Prapti
Published: January 2018

This research is aimed at determining the effect of POGIL model teaching on the understanding of Natural Science Concept, Skill of Sciences Process, and Critical Thinking Capability of student in photosynthesis. This research is a experiment with nonequivalent control group design. The sample were selected randomly and the hypothesis was analized with Manova and t-test. The rsearch concludes that (1) there an effect of POGIL model teaching in understanding Natural Sciences concept (2) there an effect of POGIL model teaching on Skill of Sciences Process (3) there an effect of POGIL model teaching on the capability of critical thinking (4) there is simultaneous effect of the application of POGIL model teaching on the Natural Sciences concept, Skill of Sciences Process and in the capability of critical thinking.Keywords: POGIL, understanding Natural Sciences concept, Skill of Sciences Process and the capability of critical thinking
Registration of USDA‐UTWH‐102 Winter‐Hardy Orchardgrass Germplasm
Authors: Robins Joseph G. , Jensen Kevin B. , Bushman B. Shaun
Published: January 2018

The USDA‐ARS announces the release of USDA‐UTWH‐102 orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) (Reg. No. GP‐6, PI 681719) germplasm. USDA‐UTWH‐102 possesses increased winterhardiness and provides utility to applied orchardgrass breeding and genetic programs. USDA‐UTWH‐102 is a 24 clone synthetic derived from orchardgrass collections made at high elevations in central Utah. The selection criteria for USDA‐UTWH‐102 were severity of winter injury and spring recovery (green color) at Panguitch, UT, a cold, high‐elevation location in southern Utah. In comparison to six orchardgrass cultivars (‘Benchmark Plus’, ‘Bruno’, ‘Latar’, ‘Paiute’, ‘Potomac’, and ‘Seco’) in evaluations at Millville and Panguitch, UT, USDA‐UTWG‐102 exhibited less winter injury than all but one cultivar and greater spring recovery than all but two cultivars.
Registration of G13‐6299 Soybean Germplasm Line with Diverse Pedigree
Authors: Stewart-Brown Benjamin B. , Wood E. Dale , Noe Jim , Boerma H. Roger , Li Zenglu
Published: January 2018

The soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm line G13‐6299 (Reg. No. GP‐415, PI 682087) was developed and released by the University of Georgia (UGA) Agricultural Experiment Stations. G13‐6299 is an F5–derived plant selection from G00‐3213 × LG04‐6000. G13‐6299 is a conventional maturity group (MG) VII line containing 19% exotic germplasm by pedigree. G13‐6299 is derived from a wide cross of southern germplasm, G00‐3213 (MG VII), by northern germplasm, LG04‐6000 (MG IV). The genetic basis of US soybean germplasm is narrow, a problem that is further exacerbated by breeding material being grouped into northern versus southern germplasm. G13‐6299 combines beneficial diversity from both northern and southern germplasm to produce a high‐yielding southern germplasm line with a uniquely diverse genetic background. G13‐6299 yielded 110 and 112% of two elite check cultivars across five environments in yield trials conducted by the UGA Soybean Breeding Program. G13‐6299 also yielded 102 to 107% of four elite check cultivars across nine environments in the United Soybean Board Diversity MG‐7 Test. G13‐6299 possesses resistance to soybean cyst nematode (race 3) (Heterodera glycines) and moderate resistance to southern root‐knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). The diversity, yield, and desirable agronomic characteristics of G13‐6299 make this line ideal for use as germplasm to develop superior yielding soybean cultivars in the United States with genetic diversity.
Interdisciplinary care of the periodontally compromised elderly patient
Authors: Alam Mohammad Khursheed , Ayub Ayros Asmawati Mohd , Taib Haslina
Published: January 2018

Aim: Patients with a compromised periodontal condition, multiple missing teeth and pathological migration of tooth may require an interdisciplinarymanagement. To demonstrate that combined periodontic-surgical-restorative-prosthodontic-orthodontic treatment can achieve an improved periodontal condition, masticatory function, esthetics, and occlusion. Materials and Methods: This report describes the case of a 55-year-old woman with severely compromised periodontal tissues, multiple missing teeth, and malocclusion. An interdisciplinary, periodontic-surgicalrestorative- prosthodontic-orthodontic approach with strict plaque control during treatment was carried out.Results: Clinical examination revealeda well-functioning dentition, natural inappearance and in a harmonious occlusion and periodontalstate of health.The treatment outcomes, includingthe periodontal condition and the orthodontic treatment, were stable at the age of 60 years.Conclusion: Successful functional and esthetic results were achieved by an interdisciplinary management.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(1) 2018 p.161-168
Thinking English Literature and Criticism under the Transmodern Paradigm
Authors: Onega Susana
Published: January 2018

Starting from a consideration of the contrasting views on the reading and teaching of English literature held by Ranjan Ghosh and J. Hillis Miller in Thinking Literature across Continents, the essay draws a parallel between Ghosh's Eastern definition of literature through it ‘uselessness’ and that of the Western visionary tradition stemming from Plato and further developed by the Romantic poets as a counter-textual movement against Enlightenment rationalism. From this, it goes on to relate the value of literature to the mimetic function and to argue that, although there is a general impression that we are currently living in a post-literary age, literature is in fact developing a plethora of new forms, genres and modes that proves its intrinsic capacity to adapt to the changing demands of the successive dominant paradigms. It concludes by suggesting that this adaptability of literature is paralleled by a similar evolution and diversification of critical approaches, and that at present there are signs of a worldwide change of sensibility heralding a paradigm shift from postmodernity to transmodernity.
Poetics of Peril
Authors: Johannessen Lene M.
Published: January 2018

From the rich register of ideas in Ranjan Ghosh and J. Hillis Miller's Thinking Literatures across Continents, a few stand out as particularly poignant for the present exploration of literature's work. ‘Poetics of Peril’ is particularly concerned with the relationship between the dynamism embedded in the understanding of ‘presence’ as ‘absence in process’ ( Ghosh and Miller 2016 : 122), the idea of the text as ‘noise’, and the intricate relationship of both of these kinds of ‘presencing’ to metaphor as ‘initiating a kind of change (phora), a translocation of meaning, a momentum for the across’ (87). A selection of texts comes to mind where the triad of what lies between the ‘to be’/the ‘not yet’, ‘noise’, and translocation orchestrates the narrative. It can be read for and brought into dialogue across the periods and locations from where the works speak, from William Kentridge's video installation ‘More Sweetly Play the Dance’ (2015) to Tabish Khair's The Bus Stopped ( 2004 ) and Herman Melville's ‘Benito Cereno’ (1855), to Julie Otsuka's The Buddha in the Attic (2011). While very different in provenance, focus, and even genre, the four share certain narrative patterns whose presencing resides in sudden aesthetic ruptures and shifts which ultimately, and most seriously, bespeak epistemological unravelings and dis-placements, a poetics of peril and aesthetic of absence.
Agroecological, Land-Elevation and Socioeconomic Determinants of Raising Livestock in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Sanzidur
Published: January 2018

This paper determines the influence of agroecological, land-elevation and socioeconomic factors in the raising of different types of livestock in Bangladesh using nationwide sub-district level data from two Agriculture and Livestock Censuses of 1996 and 2008, by applying a simultaneous equations model. Results reveal that socioeconomic, land-elevation and agroecological factors exert significant but varied influence on the type of livestock raised by householders. The number of cattle, goat/sheep and poultry raised per household are significantly higher for medium and small farms as well as for wage-labour households. Cattle raised per household is significantly higher for non-farm households, whereas poultry raised is significantly lower. Gross-cropped area, literacy rate and research and development (R&D) investment significantly influence the number of cattle raised per household, whereas population density negatively influences the number of goat and poultry raised per household. The number of cattle and goat/sheep raised per household is significantly higher in the Old Himalayan Floodplain, whereas poultry-raising is significantly higher in the Eastern Hills and seven other agroecologies. Raising all types of livestock is significantly lower in low-lying areas. The number of cattle raised per household is significantly higher at high land elevation, but significantly lower in medium-low land and low-lying areas. On the other hand, the number of goat/sheep and poultry raised per household is significantly higher in medium-high land areas and significantly lower in low-lying areas. The policy implications of these results will be relevant to investments in R&D, education, tenurial reform and measures to promote different types of livestock suited to specific agroecology and land-elevation levels.
Depopulation of Caged Layer Hens with a Compressed Air Foam System
Authors: Gurung Shailesh , Hoffman John , Stringfellow Kendre , Abi-Ghanem Daad , Zhao Dan , Caldwell David , Lee Jason , Styles Darrel , Berghman Luc , Byrd James , Farnell Yuhua , Archer Gregory , Farnell Morgan
Published: January 2018

During the 2014–2015 US highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, 50.4 million commercial layers and turkeys were affected, resulting in economic losses of $3.3 billion. Rapid depopulation of infected poultry is vital to contain and eradicate reportable diseases like HPAI. The hypothesis of the experiment was that a compressed air foam (CAF) system may be used as an alternative to carbon dioxide (CO2) inhalation for depopulating caged layer hens. The objective of this study was to evaluate corticosterone (CORT) and time to cessation of movement (COM) of hens subjected to CAF, CO2 inhalation, and negative control (NEG) treatments. In Experiment 1, two independent trials were conducted using young and spent hens. Experiment 1 consisted of five treatments: NEG, CO2 added to a chamber, a CO2 pre-charged chamber, CAF in cages, and CAF in a chamber. In Experiment 2, only spent hens were randomly assigned to three treatments: CAF in cages, CO2 added to a chamber, and aspirated foam. Serum CORT levels of young hens were not significantly different among the CAF in cages, CAF in a chamber, NEG control, and CO2 inhalation treatments. However, spent hens subjected to the CAF in a chamber had significantly higher CORT levels than birds in the rest of the treatments. Times to COM of spent hens subjected to CAF in cages and aspirated foam were significantly greater than of birds exposed to the CO2 in a chamber treatment. These data suggest that applying CAF in cages is a viable alternative for layer hen depopulation during a reportable disease outbreak.
Virtual Source Array-Based Multiple Time-Reversal Focusing
Authors: Byun Gihoon , Song Heechun , Kim Jeasoo
Published: January 2018

Time reversal (TR) is the process of generating a spatio-temporal focus at a probe source (PS) location by transmitting a time-reversed version of a received signal. While TR focusing requires the PS for a coherent acoustic focus at its origin, the requirement of the PS has been partially relaxed by the introduction of the concept of a virtual source array (VSA) (J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 2009, 125, 3828–3834). A VSA can serve as a remote platform or lens and redirect a focused field to a selected location beyond the VSA for which the field is assumed as a homogeneous medium with constant sound speed. The objective of this study is to extend VSA-based single TR focusing to simultaneous multiple focusing. This is achieved using the optimization theory by employing the multiple constraints method derived from a constraint matrix, which consists of appropriately synchronized transfer functions. Through numerical simulations, it is found that simultaneous multiple focusing can be achieved with distortionless response at selected multiple locations, and its performance degrades in the presence of sound speed mismatch. For achieving robust multiple focusing in the mismatch environment, singular value decomposition is applied to obtain the weight vector (i.e., backpropagation vector) that best approximates the column vectors of the constraint matrix. Numerical simulation results show that VSA-based multiple TR focusing using SVD is not a method to simultaneously focus on multiple locations, but a method of constructing a field which robustly passes through multiple locations in sound speed mismatch environment.
Calculation of Noise Barrier Insertion Loss Based on Varied Vehicle Frequencies
Authors: Wang Haibo , Luo Peng , Cai Ming
Published: January 2018

A single frequency of 500 Hz is used as the equivalent frequency for traffic noise to calculate the approximate diffraction in current road barrier designs. However, the noise frequency changes according to the different types of vehicles moving at various speeds. The primary objective of this study is the development of a method of calculating the insertion loss based on frequencies. First, the noise emissions of a large number of vehicles classified by speed and type were measured to obtain data the noise spectrum. The corresponding relation between vehicle type, speed, and noise frequency was obtained. Next, the impact of different frequencies on the insertion loss was analyzed and was verified to be reasonable in experiments with different propagation distances compared to the analysis of a pure 500 Hz sound. In addition, calculations were applied in a case with different traffic flows, and the effect of a road noise barrier with different types of constituents and flow speeds were analyzed. The results show that sound pressure levels behind a barrier of a heavy vehicle flow or with a high speed are notably elevated.
Quantifying Impacts of Aerosol Mixing State on Nucleation-Scavenging of Black Carbon Aerosol Particles
Authors: Ching Joseph , West Matthew , Riemer Nicole
Published: January 2018

Recent observational studies suggest that nucleation-scavenging is the principal path to removing black carbon-containing aerosol from the atmosphere, thus affecting black carbon’s lifetime and radiative forcing. Modeling the process of nucleation-scavenging is challenging, since black carbon (BC) forms complex internal mixtures with other aerosol species. Here, we examined the impacts of black carbon mixing state on nucleation scavenging using the particle-resolved aerosol model PartMC-MOSAIC. This modeling approach has the unique advantage that complex aerosol mixing states can be represented on a per-particle level. For a scenario library that comprised hundreds of diverse aerosol populations, we quantified nucleation-scavenged BC mass fractions. Consistent with measurements, these vary widely, depending on the amount of BC, the amount of coating and coating material, as well as the environmental supersaturation. We quantified the error in the nucleation-scavenged black carbon mass fraction introduced when assuming an internally mixed distribution, and determined its bounds depending on environmental supersaturation and on the aerosol mixing state index χ . For a given χ value, the error decreased at higher supersaturations. For more externally mixed populations ( χ < 20 %), the nucleation-scavenged BC mass fraction could be overestimated by more than 1000% at supersaturations of 0.1%, while for more internally mixed populations ( χ > 75 %), the error was below 100% for the range of supersaturations (from 0.02% to 1%) investigated here. Accounting for black carbon mixing state and knowledge of the supersaturation of the environment are crucial when determining the amount of black carbon that can be incorporated into clouds.
Atmospheric Moisture Content over Europe and the Northern Atlantic
Authors: Wypych Agnieszka , Bochenek Bogdan , Różycki Michał
Published: January 2018

Water vapor plays a major role in the process of radiation, cloud formation, energy exchange within a system, and remains a key component of the Earth’s atmosphere. The purpose of this study is to examine the water vapor content of the troposphere over Europe and the Northern Atlantic. Both temporal and spatial differences were examined for total column water vapor (TCWV) and vertically integrated water vapor flux (IWVF) based on ERA-Interim reanalysis data. The statistical relationship between circulation patterns, as expressed by empirical orthogonal function (EOF) modes, and TCWV were examined, as were statistical relationships between distinguished advection types and TCWV and IWVF. The study confirmed the significance of atmospheric circulation in the formation of moisture content in the winter season (i.e., January) and its markedly lower impact in other seasons. The relationships noted in the study are characterized by statistically significant spatial differentiation. Spatial pattern analysis was used to identify six regions with different moisture content over the course of the year. The boundaries of the regions confirm the significant role of local factors impacting moisture content.
Overview of Model Inter-Comparison in Japan’s Study for Reference Air Quality Modeling (J-STREAM)
Authors: Chatani Satoru , Yamaji Kazuyo , Sakurai Tatsuya , Itahashi Syuichi , Shimadera Hikari , Kitayama Kyo , Hayami Hiroshi
Published: January 2018

The inter-comparison of regional air quality models is an effective way to understand uncertainty in ambient pollutant concentrations simulated using various model configurations, as well as to find ways to improve model performance. Based on the outcomes and experiences of Japanese projects thus far, a new model inter-comparison project called Japan’s study for reference air quality modeling (J-STREAM) has begun. The objective of J-STREAM is to establish reference air quality modeling for source apportionment and effective strategy making to suppress secondary air pollutants including PM2.5 and photochemical ozone in Japan through model inter-comparison. The first phase focuses on understanding the ranges and limitations in ambient PM2.5 and ozone concentrations simulated by participants using common input datasets. The second phase focuses on issues revealed in previous studies in simulating secondary inorganic aerosols, as well as on the three-dimensional characteristics of photochemical ozone as a new target. The third phase focuses on comparing source apportionments and sensitivities under heavy air pollution episodes simulated by participating models. Detailed understanding of model performance, uncertainty, and possible improvements to urban-scale air pollution involving secondary pollutants, as well as detailed sector-wise source apportionments over megacities in Japan are expected.
Promoting Role of Bismuth on Hydrotalcite-Supported Platinum Catalysts in Aqueous Phase Oxidation of Glycerol to Dihydroxyacetone
Authors: Xue Wenjie , Wang Zenglong , Liang Yu , Xu Hong , Liu Lei , Dong Jinxiang
Published: January 2018

Bismuth plays important roles in promoting the oxidation of alcohols towards high-value-added chemicals over a noble metal loading catalyst. Herein, Mg–Al hydrotalcite-supported platinum–bismuth nanoparticles (Pt–Bi/HT) were prepared by the co-impregnation method and used in the selective oxidation of glycerol towards dihydroxyacetone (DHA). The incorporation of Bi species into Pt/HT significantly enhances the conversion of glycerol and the selectivity of DHA. The high selectivity of DHA with 80.6% could be achieved at 25.1% conversion of glycerol. The Bi species of the Pt–Bi/HT catalyst mainly exist in the form of BiOCl and Bi metal, which is different from the previous Pt–Bi based catalyst, confirmed by a combination of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). A plausible mechanism is proposed to elucidate the promoting role of Bi species on the Pt/HT catalyst in the selective oxidation of glycerol towards DHA.
Formation of Phases and Porous System in the Product of Hydrothermal Treatment of χ-Al2O3
Authors: Egorova Svetlana , Mukhamed’yarova Aliya , Nesterova Oksana , Zhang Yuqing , Skibina Juliya , Lamberov Alexander
Published: January 2018

The presence of χ-Al2O3 resulting from thermal decomposition gibbsite as part of alumina catalysts is unfavorable because of its acid characteristics. One of the available techniques of χ-Al2O3 removal is crystallization under hydrothermal conditions into boehmite, which is a main precursor of active γ-Al2O3. The influence of products of the hydrothermal treatment of χ-Al2O3 obtaining in result of thermal decomposition gibbsite under T = 150–200 °C, P = 0.5–1.5 MPa and pH = 4.0–9.2 were studied. The hydrothermal treatment products in these conditions are gibbsite and boehmite phases which are formed coincidently by parallel ways. In the alkaline medium at pH = 8.0–9.2 three-dimensional parallelepiped boehmite crystals with the edge length > 200 nm are formed, at pH = 4.0 two-dimensional rhombic-shaped plates with thickness 20–100 nm and with the edge length ~ 80–500 nm are formed. Crystallization of coarse boehmite particles promotes the formation of large and closed mesoporous.
Controllable Molecular Packing Motif and Overlap Type in Organic Nanomaterials for Advanced Optical Properties
Authors: Zou Taoyu , Wang Xiaoyan , Ju Haidong , Zhao Li , Guo Tingting , Wu Wei , Wang Hai
Published: January 2018

The optical properties of organic materials are very sensitive to subtle structural modification, and a proper understanding of the structure-property relationship is essential to improve the performance of organic electronic devices. The phase transitions of the η-CuPc to the α-CuPc, then to the β-CuPc were investigated using In situ X-ray diffraction and the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The five stages in the phase-transition process from low to high-temperature were observed, which consisted of (1) the η-CuPc; (2) a mixture of the η- and α-CuPc; (3) a mixture of the η-, α- and β-CuPc; (4) a mixture of the α- and β-CuPc; and (5) the β-CuPc. The vibrational and optical properties at different phase-transition stages were correlated to molecular packing motif and molecule overlap type through systematic analyses of the Fourier–transform infrared, Raman and UV-VIS spectra. Moreover, the mechanism for the morphology evolution was also discussed in detail.
Teachers’ Thoughts on Student Decision Making During Engineering Design Lessons
Authors: Meyer Helen
Published: January 2018

In this paper, I share the results of a study of teachers’ ideas about student decision-making at entry into a professional development program to integrate engineering into their instruction. The framework for the Engineering Design Process (EDP) was based on a Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) model. The EDP embedded within the CBL model suggests teachers should provide opportunities for students to make decisions throughout the design process. The differentiation consolidation decision-making framework was used to understand the decision-making process. Study data was gathered from 16 teacher participants, interviewed and surveyed at entry into the program. The data were analyzed to understand the kinds of decision-making activities the teachers’ identified as possible for students to make based on eleven engineering design scenarios and the teachers’ current use of, and confidence in applying, lessons that engaged students in decision-making. The results indicated the teachers most frequently identified students that engaged in stage one decisions-making activities, i.e., problem identification and clarification. When the teachers discussed stage two and stage three decision-making activities, they most frequently discussed general problem solving or design process type activities with little differentiation of specific details of how the decision-making was to take place. In addition, in most cases teachers did not mention teaching or supporting student decision-making strategies.
Designing and Implementing an Assistive Technology Lab for Postsecondary Education
Authors: Jones Beth , Williams Nichole , Rudinger Belinda
Published: January 2018

A literature review discusses how teacher knowledge of assistive technology significantly impacts student success with assistive technology and that many teachers enter the field feeling unprepared to implement these technologies with students. This article explores one university’s process in setting up an assistive technology laboratory for students to explore. Such experiential learning opportunities are vital to the success of special education educators. This paper explores how the lab is set up and the activities visitors complete to provide a foundation for those looking to develop a similar lab.
Physiological and Comparative Genomic Analysis of Arthrobacter sp. SRS-W-1-2016 Provides Insights on Niche Adaptation for Survival in Uraniferous Soils
Authors: Chauhan Ashvini , Pathak Ashish , Jaswal Rajneesh , Edwards III Bobby , Chappell Demario , Ball Christopher , Garcia-Sillas Reyna , Stothard Paul , Seaman John
Published: January 2018

Arthrobacter sp. strain SRS-W-1-2016 was isolated on high concentrations of uranium (U) from the Savannah River Site (SRS) that remains co-contaminated by radionuclides, heavy metals, and organics. SRS is located on the northeast bank of the Savannah River (South Carolina, USA), which is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) managed ecosystem left historically contaminated from decades of nuclear weapons production activities. Predominant contaminants within the impacted SRS environment include U and Nickel (Ni), both of which can be transformed microbially into less toxic forms via metal complexation mechanisms. Strain SRS-W-1-2016 was isolated from the uraniferous SRS soils on high concentrations of U (4200 μM) and Ni (8500 μM), but rapid growth was observed at much lower concentrations of 500 μM U and 1000 μM Ni, respectively. Microcosm studies established with strain SRS-W-1-2016 revealed a rapid decline in the concentration of spiked U such that it was almost undetectable in the supernatant by 72 h of incubation. Conversely, Ni concentrations remained unchanged, suggesting that the strain removed U but not Ni under the tested conditions. To obtain a deeper understanding of the metabolic potential, a draft genome sequence of strain SRS-W-1-2016 was obtained at a coverage of 90×, assembling into 93 contigs with an N50 contig length of 92,788 bases. The genomic size of strain SRS-W-1-2016 was found to be 4,564,701 bases with a total number of 4327 putative genes. An in-depth, genome-wide comparison between strain SRS-W-1-2016 and its four closest taxonomic relatives revealed 1159 distinct genes, representing 26.7% of its total genome; many associating with metal resistance proteins (e.g., for cadmium, cobalt, and zinc), transporter proteins, stress proteins, cytochromes, and drug resistance functions. Additionally, several gene homologues coding for resistance to metals were identified in the strain, such as outer membrane efflux pump proteins, peptide/nickel transport substrate and ATP-binding proteins, a high-affinity nickel-transport protein, and the spoT gene, which was recently implicated in bacterial resistance towards U. Detailed genome mining analysis of strain SRS-W-1-2016 also revealed the presence of a plethora of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters likely facilitating resistance to antibiotics, biocides, and metals. Additionally, several gene homologous for the well-known oxygenase enzyme system were also identified, potentially functioning to generate energy via the breakdown of organic compounds and thus enabling the successful colonization and natural attenuation of contaminants by Arthrobacter sp. SRS-W-1-2016 at the SRS site.
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Ground Monitored PM2.5 Concentrations in China in Recent Years
Authors: Li Junming , Han Xiulan , Li Xiao , Yang Jianping , Li Xuejiao
Published: January 2018

This paper firstly explores the space-time evolution of city-level PM 2.5 concentrations showed a very significant seasonal cycle type fluctuation during the period between 13 May 2014 and 30 May 2017. The period from October to April following each year was a heavy pollution period, whereas the phase from April to October of the current year was part of a light pollution period. The average monthly PM 2.5 concentrations in mainland China based on ground monitoring, employing a descriptive statistics method and a Bayesian spatiotemporal hierarchy model. Daily and weekly average PM 2.5 concentrations in 338 cities in mainland China presented no significant spatial difference during the severe pollution period but a large spatial difference during light pollution periods. The severe PM 2.5 pollution areas were mainly distributed in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration in the North China Plain during the beginning of each autumn-winter season (September), spreading to the Northeast Plains after October, then later continuing to spread to other cities in mainland China, eventually covering most cities. PM 2.5 pollution in China appeared to be a cyclic characteristic of first spreading and then centralizing in the space in two spring-summer seasons, and showed an obvious process of first diffusing then transferring to shrinkage alternation during the spring-summer season of 2015, but showed no obvious diffusion during the spring-summer season of 2016, maintaining a stable spatial structure after the shrinkage in June, as well as being more concentrated. The heavily polluted areas are continuously and steadily concentrated in East China, Central China and Xinjiang Province.
Higher Order Support Vector Random Fields for Hyperspectral Image Classification
Authors: Yang Junli , Jiang Zhiguo , Hao Shuang , Zhang Haopeng
Published: January 2018

This paper addresses the problem of contextual hyperspectral image (HSI) classification. A novel conditional random fields (CRFs) model, known as higher order support vector random fields (HSVRFs), is proposed for HSI classification. By incorporating higher order potentials into a support vector random fields with a Mahalanobis distance boundary constraint (SVRFMC) model, the HSVRFs model not only takes advantage of the support vector machine (SVM) classifier and the Mahalanobis distance boundary constraint, but can also capture higher level contextual information to depict complicated details in HSI. The higher order potentials are defined on image segments, which are created by a fast unsupervised over-segmentation algorithm. The higher order potentials consider the spectral vectors of each of the segment’s constituting pixels coherently, and weight these pixels with the output probability of the support vector machine (SVM) classifier in our framework. Therefore, the higher order potentials can model higher-level contextual information, which is useful for the description of challenging complex structures and boundaries in HSI. Experimental results on two publicly available HSI datasets show that the HSVRFs model outperforms traditional and state-of-the art methods in HSI classification, especially for datasets containing complicated details.
Molecular Research on Drug Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Teschke Rolf , Danan Gaby
Published: January 2018

Drugs may cause liver injury in a few susceptible individuals, but the molecular events that lead to this idiosyncratic, largely dose-independent and non-predictable drug-induced liver injury (DILI) are mostly unknown, since animal models to explore the pathogenetic mechanisms of human idiosyncratic DILI are not yet reliable.[...]
Endothelial Ca2+ Signaling and the Resistance to Anticancer Treatments: Partners in Crime
Authors: Moccia Francesco
Published: January 2018

Intracellular Ca2+ signaling drives angiogenesis and vasculogenesis by stimulating proliferation, migration, and tube formation in both vascular endothelial cells and endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs), which represent the only endothelial precursor truly belonging to the endothelial phenotype. In addition, local Ca2+ signals at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–mitochondria interface regulate endothelial cell fate by stimulating survival or apoptosis depending on the extent of the mitochondrial Ca2+ increase. The present article aims at describing how remodeling of the endothelial Ca2+ toolkit contributes to establish intrinsic or acquired resistance to standard anti-cancer therapies. The endothelial Ca2+ toolkit undergoes a major alteration in tumor endothelial cells and tumor-associated ECFCs. These include changes in TRPV4 expression and increase in the expression of P2X7 receptors, Piezo2, Stim1, Orai1, TRPC1, TRPC5, Connexin 40 and dysregulation of the ER Ca2+ handling machinery. Additionally, remodeling of the endothelial Ca2+ toolkit could involve nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, gasotransmitters-gated channels, two-pore channels and Na+/H+ exchanger. Targeting the endothelial Ca2+ toolkit could represent an alternative adjuvant therapy to circumvent patients’ resistance to current anti-cancer treatments.
Mapping the Schizophrenia Genes by Neuroimaging: The Opportunities and the Challenges
Authors: Arslan Ayla
Published: January 2018

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a heritable brain disease originating from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The genes underpinning the neurobiology of SZ are largely unknown but recent data suggest strong evidence for genetic variations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms, making the brain vulnerable to the risk of SZ. Structural and functional brain mapping of these genetic variations are essential for the development of agents and tools for better diagnosis, treatment and prevention of SZ. Addressing this, neuroimaging methods in combination with genetic analysis have been increasingly used for almost 20 years. So-called imaging genetics, the opportunities of this approach along with its limitations for SZ research will be outlined in this invited paper. While the problems such as reproducibility, genetic effect size, specificity and sensitivity exist, opportunities such as multivariate analysis, development of multisite consortia for large-scale data collection, emergence of non-candidate gene (hypothesis-free) approach of neuroimaging genetics are likely to contribute to a rapid progress for gene discovery besides to gene validation studies that are related to SZ.
Pentoxifylline and Methylprednisolone Additively Alleviate Kidney Failure and Prolong Survival of Rats after Renal Warm Ischemia-Reperfusion
Authors: Wystrychowski Grzegorz , Wystrychowski Wojciech , Grzeszczak Władysław , Więcek Andrzej , Król Robert , Wystrychowski Antoni
Published: January 2018

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) induces local inflammation leading to kidney damage. Since pentoxifylline (PTX) and steroids have distinct immunomodulatory properties, we aimed to evaluate for the first time their combined use in IRI-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in rats. In two experiments, PTX (100 mg/kg body weight subcutaneously) was administered 90 min prior to renal IRI or/and methylprednisolone (MP; 100 mg/kg body weight intramuscularly) was infused 60 min after reperfusion of a solitary kidney (AKI model: 45 min ischemia, 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats) or one kidney with excision of contralateral kidney 2 weeks later (CKD model: 90 min ischemia, 38 rats). Saline was infused in place of PTX or/and MP depending on the group. Renal function (diuresis, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, sodium and potassium excretion, and urine protein/creatinine) was assessed at 48 h and 120 h post-IRI (AKI model) or 4, 16 and 24 weeks after IRI, along with survival analysis (CKD model). More evidently at early stages of AKI or CKD, treated animals showed higher glomerular filtration and diminished tubular loss of electrolytes, more so with PTX + MP than PTX or MP (serum creatinine (μmol/L) at 48 h of AKI: 60.9 ± 19.1 vs. 131.1 ± 94.4 vs. 233.4 ± 137.0, respectively, vs. 451.5 ± 114.4 in controls, all p < 0.05; and at 4 weeks of CKD: 89.0 ± 31.9 vs. 118.1 ± 64.5 vs. 156.9 ± 72.6, respectively, vs. 222.9 ± 91.4 in controls, p < 0.05 for PTX or PTX + MP vs. controls and PTX + MP vs. MP). Survival was better by >2-fold with PTX + MP (89%) vs. controls (40%; p < 0.05). PTX + MP largely protect from IRI-induced AKI and CKD and subsequent mortality in rats. This calls for clinical investigations, especially in kidney transplantation.
Urban Land Systems: An Ecosystems Perspective
Authors: Kopecká Monika , Nagendra Harini , Millington Andrew
Published: January 2018

We live in an urbanizing world. Since 2008, more than half of humanity lives in cities, both large and small, and old and new.[...]
Application of a Thermodynamic Concept for the Analysis of Structural Degradation of Soap Thickened Lubricating Greases
Authors: Kuhn Erik
Published: January 2018

Lubricating greases are special lubricants with a wide range of application. The tribologically stressed grease is used as tribological system and finally modeled as an open thermodynamic system. This study investigated the phenomenon of self-optimization and applied to the process of shearing a grease. The conditions for self-optimization and the consequences of created dissipative structures are investigated according to the interpreted literature.
On Multi-Objective Based Constitutive Modelling Methodology and Numerical Validation in Small-Hole Drilling of Al6063/SiCp Composites
Authors: Xiang Junfeng , Xie Lijing , Gao Feinong , Zhang Yu , Yi Jie , Wang Tao , Pang Siqin , Wang Xibin
Published: January 2018

Discrepancies in capturing material behavior of some materials, such as Particulate Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites, by using conventional ad hoc strategy make the applicability of Johnson-Cook constitutive model challenged. Despites applicable efforts, its extended formalism with more fitting parameters would increase the difficulty in identifying constitutive parameters. A weighted multi-objective strategy for identifying any constitutive formalism is developed to predict mechanical behavior in static and dynamic loading conditions equally well. These varying weighting is based on the Gaussian-distributed noise evaluation of experimentally obtained stress-strain data in quasi-static or dynamic mode. This universal method can be used to determine fast and directly whether the constitutive formalism is suitable to describe the material constitutive behavior by measuring goodness-of-fit. A quantitative comparison of different fitting strategies on identifying Al6063/SiCp’s material parameters is made in terms of performance evaluation including noise elimination, correlation, and reliability. Eventually, a three-dimensional (3D) FE model in small-hole drilling of Al6063/SiCp composites, using multi-objective identified constitutive formalism, is developed. Comparison with the experimental observations in thrust force, torque, and chip morphology provides valid evidence on the applicability of the developed multi-objective identification strategy in identifying constitutive parameters.
Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy in Heusler Alloy Films and Their Magnetoresistive Junctions
Authors: Hirohata Atsufumi , Frost William , Samiepour Marjan , Kim Jun-young
Published: January 2018

For the sustainable development of spintronic devices, a half-metallic ferromagnetic film needs to be developed as a spin source with exhibiting 100% spin polarisation at its Fermi level at room temperature. One of the most promising candidates for such a film is a Heusler-alloy film, which has already been proven to achieve the half-metallicity in the bulk region of the film. The Heusler alloys have predominantly cubic crystalline structures with small magnetocrystalline anisotropy. In order to use these alloys in perpendicularly magnetised devices, which are advantageous over in-plane devices due to their scalability, lattice distortion is required by introducing atomic substitution and interfacial lattice mismatch. In this review, recent development in perpendicularly-magnetised Heusler-alloy films is overviewed and their magnetoresistive junctions are discussed. Especially, focus is given to binary Heusler alloys by replacing the second element in the ternary Heusler alloys with the third one, e.g., MnGa and MnGe, and to interfacially-induced anisotropy by attaching oxides and metals with different lattice constants to the Heusler alloys. These alloys can improve the performance of spintronic devices with higher recording capacity.
Theoretical Analysis and Design of Ultrathin Broadband Optically Transparent Microwave Metamaterial Absorbers
Authors: Deng Ruixiang , Li Meiling , Muneer Badar , Zhu Qi , Shi Zaiying , Song Lixin , Zhang Tao
Published: January 2018

Optically Transparent Microwave Metamaterial Absorber (OTMMA) is of significant use in both civil and military field. In this paper, equivalent circuit model is adopted as springboard to navigate the design of OTMMA. The physical model and absorption mechanisms of ideal lightweight ultrathin OTMMA are comprehensively researched. Both the theoretical value of equivalent resistance and the quantitative relation between the equivalent inductance and equivalent capacitance are derived for design. Frequency-dependent characteristics of theoretical equivalent resistance are also investigated. Based on these theoretical works, an effective and controllable design approach is proposed. To validate the approach, a wideband OTMMA is designed, fabricated, analyzed and tested. The results reveal that high absorption more than 90% can be achieved in the whole 6~18 GHz band. The fabricated OTMMA also has an optical transparency up to 78% at 600 nm and is much thinner and lighter than its counterparts.
The Investigation of the Waveguiding Properties of Silk Fibroin from the Visible to Near-Infrared Spectrum
Authors: Prajzler Vaclav , Min Kyungtaek , Kim Sunghwan , Nekvindova Pavla
Published: January 2018

Silk fibroin protein has been reinvented as a new optical material for biophotonic applications because of its optical transparency, biocompatibility, and easy fabrication process. It is used in various silk-based optical devices, which makes it desirable to investigate the optical properties of silk from diverse perspectives. This paper presents our investigation of the optical properties of silk fibroin, extracted from Bombyx mori cocoons. We have measured transmission spectra from the visible to near-infrared region and investigated waveguiding properties by the prism-coupling technique for five wavelengths (473.0, 632.8, 964.0, 1311, and 1552 nm). From the measurements, we determined the values of refractive indices. The measurements also proved waveguiding properties for all of the wavelengths. Optical scattering losses were measured by the fiber probe technique at 632.8 nm and were estimated to be 0.22 dB·cm−1.
Direct Numerical Study of a Molten Metal Drop Solidifying on a Cold Plate with Different Wettability
Authors: Vu Truong , Nguyen Cuong , Khanh Duong
Published: January 2018

This paper presents a direct numerical simulation of solidification of a molten metal drop on a cold plate with various wettability by an axisymmetric front-tracking method. Because of the plate kept at a temperature below the fusion value of the melt, a thin solid layer forms at the plate and evolves upwards. The numerical results show that the solidifying front is almost flat except near the triple point with a high solidification rate at the beginning and final stages of solidification. Two solid-to-liquid density ratios ρsl = 0.9 (volume change) and 1.0 (no change in volume), with two growth angles φ0 = 0° and 12° are considered. The presence of volume change and a non-zero growth angle results in a solidified drop with a conical shape at the top. The focusing issue is the effects of the wettability of the plate in terms of the contact angle φ0. Increasing the contact angle in the range of 45° to 120° increases time for completing solidification, i.e., solidification time. However, it has a minor effect on the conical angle at the top of the solidified drop and the difference between the initial liquid and final solidified heights of the drop. The effects of the density ratio and growth angle are also presented.