bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxygen radical based on non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma alleviates lignin-derived phenolic toxicity in yeast
Authors: Ito Shou , Sakai Kiyota , Gamaleev Vladislav , Ito Masafumi , Hori Masaru , Kato Masashi , Shimizu Motoyuki
Published: January 2020

Background

Vanillin is the main byproduct of alkaline-pretreated lignocellulosic biomass during the process of fermentable-sugar production and a potent inhibitor of ethanol production by yeast. Yeast cells are usually exposed to vanillin during the industrial production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass. Therefore, vanillin toxicity represents a major barrier to reducing the cost of bioethanol production.

Results

In this study, we analysed the effects of oxygen-radical treatment on vanillin molecules. Our results showed that vanillin was converted to vanillic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, protocatechuic acid, methoxyhydroquinone, 3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde, trihydroxy-5-methoxybenzene, and their respective ring-cleaved products, which displayed decreased toxicity relative to vanillin and resulted in reduced vanillin-specific toxicity to yeast during ethanol fermentation. Additionally, after a 16-h incubation, the ethanol concentration in oxygen-radical-treated vanillin solution was 7.0-fold greater than that from non-treated solution, with similar results observed using alkaline-pretreated rice straw slurry with oxygen-radical treatment.

Conclusions

This study analysed the effects of oxygen-radical treatment on vanillin molecules in the alkaline-pretreated rice straw slurry, thereby finding that this treatment converted vanillin to its derivatives, resulting in reduced vanillin toxicity to yeast during ethanol fermentation. These findings suggest that a combination of chemical and oxygen-radical treatment improved ethanol production using yeast cells, and that oxygen-radical treatment of plant biomass offers great promise for further improvements in bioethanol-production processes.
Promoting healthy ageing through light volleyball intervention in Hong Kong: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Leung Ka Man , Chung Pak-Kwong , Chan Aileen W. K. , Ransdell Lynda , Siu Parco Ming Fai , Sun Ping , Yang Jinjin , Chen Tie Cheng
Published: January 2020

Background

Our pilot study has demonstrated improvements in health outcomes through participation in a new sport, light volleyball (LVB), among older adults. In response to the promising results of the LVB pilot study and the priority of allocating resources to the prevention of age-related fitness degradation by the Hong Kong (HKG) government, the present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a LVB intervention on physical and psychological health attributes among older adults at a larger scale in HKG.

Methods/design

This study will apply both quantitative and qualitative methods with a large sample (approximately 315 participants). We will adopt a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design to further evaluate the effectiveness of a LVB intervention on health outcomes against a comparison group, Tai Chi (TC), and a control group (C). Older adults will be eligible to join the intervention if they are (a) aged 65 years and above; (b) living in the community independently; (c) absent of diagnosed cognitive impairment; (d) not regular participants in a structured PA program for two years preceding the study; and (e) able to achieve a passing score on the Timed-up-and-go test (TUG) and Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT).

About 315 participants will be randomly assigned into 3 groups in 1:1:1 ratio. LVB group participants will receive 16-week LVB program; TC group will utilize a simplified 24-form Yang Style TC, and C group participants will be instructed to maintain their normal daily activity and join regular non-exercise social gatherings. Measurements will be collected before and after the intervention, and 6 months and 12 months after completion of the intervention.

Discussion

This intervention, if effective, will enhance older adult’s physical and psychological health, and provide the data and evidence to support policymaking in relation to future PA promotion for older adults.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR1900026657.
Expressing a Z-disk nebulin fragment in nebulin-deficient mouse muscle: effects on muscle structure and function
Authors: Li Frank , Kolb Justin , Crudele Julie , Tonino Paola , Hourani Zaynab , Smith John E. , Chamberlain Jeffrey S. , Granzier Henk
Published: January 2020

Background

Nebulin is a critical thin filament-binding protein that spans from the Z-disk of the skeletal muscle sarcomere to near the pointed end of the thin filament. Its massive size and actin-binding property allows it to provide the thin filaments with structural and regulatory support. When this protein is lost, nemaline myopathy occurs. Nemaline myopathy causes severe muscle weakness as well as structural defects on a sarcomeric level. There is no known cure for this disease.

Methods

We studied whether sarcomeric structure and function can be improved by introducing nebulin’s Z-disk region into a nebulin-deficient mouse model (Neb cKO) through adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector therapy. Following this treatment, the structural and functional characteristics of both vehicle-treated and AAV-treated Neb cKO and control muscles were studied.

Results

Intramuscular injection of this AAV construct resulted in a successful expression of the Z-disk fragment within the target muscles. This expression was significantly higher in Neb cKO mice than control mice. Analysis of protein expression revealed that the nebulin fragment was localized exclusively to the Z-disks and that Neb cKO expressed the nebulin fragment at levels comparable to the level of full-length nebulin in control mice. Additionally, the Z-disk fragment displaced full-length nebulin in control mice, resulting in nemaline rod body formation and a worsening of muscle function. Neb cKO mice experienced a slight functional benefit from the AAV treatment, with a small increase in force and fatigue resistance. Disease progression was also slowed as indicated by improved muscle structure and myosin isoform expression.

Conclusions

This study reveals that nebulin fragments are well-received by nebulin-deficient mouse muscles and that limited functional benefits are achievable.
Transition of microbial community structures after development of membrane fouling in membrane bioreactors (MBRs)
Authors: Sato Yuya , Zhao Yan-Jie , Hori Tomoyuki , Aoyagi Tomo , Inaba Tomohiro , Aizawa Hidenobu , Ogata Atsushi , Habe Hiroshi
Published: January 2020

Although membrane fouling is a major issue when operating membrane bioreactors (MBRs), information regarding MBR performance and the sludge microbiome after the development of fouling remains limited. For the present study, two MBRs were operated for approximately 1 month under conditions of membrane fouling to investigate the effects of highly stressed environments on the sludge microbiome. After the development of fouling, a Collimonas-related operational taxonomic unit (OTU) was highly dominant in both reactors (relative abundances were ⁓ 63%) and this predomination caused a precipitous decline in the diversity indices of the sludge microbiomes. Because the excessive predomination by limited numbers of OTUs can lead to reductions in the adaptability to environmental changes, monitoring microbial diversity may be a valuable indicator for maintaining the robustness of a sludge microbiome. While, the decrease in the abundance of the Collimonas-related OTU resulted in the predomination of distinct microorganisms in each of the reactors despite being operated under the same conditions; this finding indicates existence of strong pressure to perturb the microbiomes. Detailed analyses suggested that the availability of terminal electron acceptors and competitive interactions between microbes via the secretion of extracellular proteins appeared to differentiate the structures of the respective microbial communities. During the extracellular proteins were secreted in the sludge, considerable portion of microbes were dead and large amounts of biomolecules seemed to be released; resultantly facilitated the predomination of fermentative anaerobes in one reactor as they use organic substances but not inorganic terminal electron acceptors to generate ATP under anaerobic conditions.
An exponential spline approximation for fractional Bagley–Torvik equation
Authors: Emadifar Homan , Jalilian Reza
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we approximate the solution of fractional Bagley–Torvik equation by using the exponential spline function and the shifted Grünwald difference operator. The proposed methods reduce to the system of algebraic equations. The convergence analysis of the methods has been discussed. The numerical examples are presented to illustrate the applications of the methods and to compare the computed results with the other methods.
Retraction Note: Sharp geometrical properties of a-rarefied sets via fixed point index for the Schrödinger operator equations
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Ychussie Beatriz
Published: January 2020

The Editors-in-Chief have retracted this article [1] because it overlaps significantly with a number of previously published articles from different authors [2-4] and one article by different authors that was simultaneously under consideration with another journal [5]. The article also showed evidence of peer review manipulation. Additionally, the identity of the corresponding author could not be verified: Roskilde University have confirmed that Beatriz Ychussie has not been affiliated with their institution. The authors have not responded to any correspondence with regards to this retraction.
Designing a solar and wind hybrid system for small-scale irrigation: a case study for Kalangala district in Uganda
Authors: Ssenyimba Shaffic , Kiggundu Nicholas , Banadda Noble
Published: January 2020

Background

Dynamics in rainfall patterns are posing a threat to crop production in Uganda. Irrigation can be used to ensure constant production; however, the motorized powered irrigation methods are quite costly to run in addition to being environmentally unsustainable. There is thus need for alternative irrigation methods. Renewable energy sources which are readily available can be used to power irrigation systems. This study hence sought to design an appropriate wind-solar hybrid system for irrigating 1 acre of banana plantation in Kalangala district, Uganda.

Methods

Using metrological data, mean wind speed and monthly solar irradiance of global radiation horizontal for the district were analysed. A wind-solar hybrid system was optimally designed for a standalone drip irrigation system of 450 banana plants on 1-acre land with water requirement of 33.73 m3 d−1. The wind turbine was simulated to analyse for static pressure, cut plane flow behaviour, turbulence intensity and stress distribution exposed at 20 m s−1wind speed. A cost analysis was done to estimate the total project investment, maintenance and operational cost, annual project gross income, net income stream and the annual net real rate of returns.

Results and conclusions

The simulation results showed that the system could effectively operate at speeds of 20 m s−1without deformation. The net present value of income stream for the first 5 years atr = 5% was 12,935,468 UGX with a net real rate of return of 3.5% per year. The study will, therefore, be a useful guideline in making investment decisions in hybrids irrigation systems.
Neglected tropical diseases: an effective global response to local poverty-related disease priorities
Authors: Engels Dirk , Zhou Xiao-Nong
Published: January 2020

Background

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have long been overlooked in the global health agenda. They are intimately related to poverty, cause important local burdens of disease, but individually do not represent global priorities. Yet, NTDs were estimated to affect close to 2 billion people at the turn of the millennium, with a collective burden equivalent to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, or malaria. A global response was therefore warranted.

Main text

The World Health Organization (WHO) conceived an innovative strategy in the early 2000s to combat NTDs as a group of diseases, based on a combination of five public health interventions. Access to essential NTD medicines has hugely improved thanks to strong public-private partnership involving the pharmaceutical sector. The combination of a WHO NTD roadmap with clear targets to be achieved by 2020 and game-changing partner commitments endorsed in the London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases, have led to unprecedented progress in the implementation of large-scale preventive treatment, case management and care of NTDs. The coming decade will see as challenges the mainstreaming of these NTD interventions into Universal Health Coverage and the coordination with other sectors to get to the roots of poverty and scale up transmission-breaking interventions. Chinese expertise with the elimination of multiple NTDs, together with poverty reduction and intersectoral action piloted by municipalities and local governments, can serve as a model for the latter. The international community will also need to keep a specific focus on NTDs in order to further steer this global response, manage the scaling up and sustainment of NTD interventions globally, and develop novel products and implementation strategies for NTDs that are still lagging behind.

Conclusions

The year 2020 will be crucial for the future of the global response to NTDs. Progress against the 2020 roadmap targets will be assessed, a new 2021–2030 NTD roadmap will be launched, and the London Declaration commitments will need to be renewed. It is hoped that during the coming decade the global response will be able to further build on today’s successes, align with the new global health and development frameworks, but also keep focused attention on NTDs and mobilize enough resources to see the effort effectively through to 2030.
Bone microarchitectural analysis using ultra-high-resolution CT in tiger vertebra and human tibia
Authors: Inai Ryota , Nakahara Ryuichi , Morimitsu Yusuke , Akagi Noriaki , Marukawa Youhei , Matsushita Toshi , Tanaka Takashi , Tada Akihiro , Hiraki Takao , Nasu Yoshihisa , Nishida Keiichiro , Ozaki Toshifumi , Kanazawa Susumu
Published: January 2020

Background

To reveal trends in bone microarchitectural parameters with increasing spatial resolution on ultra-high-resolution computed tomography (UHRCT) in vivo and to compare its performance with that of conventional-resolution CT (CRCT) and micro-CT ex vivo.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed 5 tiger vertebrae ex vivo and 16 human tibiae in vivo. Seven-pattern and four-pattern resolution imaging were performed on tiger vertebra using CRCT, UHRCT, and micro-CT, and on human tibiae using UHRCT. We measured six microarchitectural parameters: volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), trabecular bone volume fraction (bone volume/total volume, BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and connectivity density (ConnD). Comparisons between different imaging resolutions were performed using Tukey or Dunnett T3 test.

Results

The vBMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, and ConnD parameters showed an increasing trend, while Tb.Sp showed a decreasing trend both ex vivo and in vivo. Ex vivo, UHRCT at the two highest resolutions (1024- and 2048-matrix imaging with 0.25-mm slice thickness) and CRCT showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.047) in vBMD (51.4 mg/cm3 and 63.5 mg/cm3versus 20.8 mg/cm3), BV/TV (26.5% and 29.5% versus 13.8 %), Tb.N (1.3 l/mm and 1.48 l/mm versus 0.47 l/mm), and ConnD (0.52 l/mm3 and 0.74 l/mm3versus 0.02 l/mm3, respectively). In vivo, the 512- and 1024-matrix imaging with 0.25-mm slice thickness showed significant differences in Tb.N (0.38 l/mm versus 0.67 l/mm, respectively) and ConnD (0.06 l/mm3versus 0.22 l/mm3, respectively).

Conclusions

We observed characteristic trends in microarchitectural parameters and demonstrated the potential utility of applying UHRCT for microarchitectural analysis.
Artificial intelligence in bone age assessment: accuracy and efficiency of a novel fully automated algorithm compared to the Greulich-Pyle method
Authors: Booz Christian , Yel Ibrahim , Wichmann Julian L. , Boettger Sabine , Al Kamali Ahmed , Albrecht Moritz H. , Martin Simon S. , Lenga Lukas , Huizinga Nicole A. , D’Angelo Tommaso , Cavallaro Marco , Vogl Thomas J. , Bodelle Boris
Published: January 2020

Background

Bone age (BA) assessment performed by artificial intelligence (AI) is of growing interest due to improved accuracy, precision and time efficiency in daily routine. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy and efficiency of a novel AI software version for automated BA assessment in comparison to the Greulich-Pyle method.

Methods

Radiographs of 514 patients were analysed in this retrospective study. Total BA was assessed independently by three blinded radiologists applying the GP method and by the AI software. Overall and gender-specific BA assessment results, as well as reading times of both approaches, were compared, while the reference BA was defined by two blinded experienced paediatric radiologists in consensus by application of the Greulich-Pyle method.

Results

Mean absolute deviation (MAD) and root mean square deviation (RSMD) were significantly lower between AI-derived BA and reference BA (MAD 0.34 years, RSMD 0.38 years) than between reader-calculated BA and reference BA (MAD 0.79 years, RSMD 0.89 years; p < 0.001). The correlation between AI-derived BA and reference BA (r = 0.99) was significantly higher than between reader-calculated BA and reference BA (r = 0.90; p < 0.001). No statistical difference was found in reader agreement and correlation analyses regarding gender (p = 0.241). Mean reading times were reduced by 87% using the AI system.

Conclusions

A novel AI software enabled highly accurate automated BA assessment. It may improve efficiency in clinical routine by reducing reading times without compromising the accuracy compared with the Greulich-Pyle method.
Autoimmune encephalitis in children and adolescents
Authors: Bien C. G. , Bien C. I.
Published: January 2020

Background

Autoimmune encephalitides with neural and glial antibodies have become an attractive field in neurology because the antibodies are syndrome-specific, explain the pathogenesis, indicate the likelihood of an underlying tumor, and often predict a good response to immunotherapy. The relevance and the management of antibody-associated encephalitides in the pediatric age group are to be discussed.

Main body

Subacutely evolving, complex neuropsychiatric conditions that are otherwise unexplained should raise the suspicion of autoimmune encephalitis. Determination of autoantibodies is the key diagnostic step. It is recommended to study cerebrospinal fluid and serum in parallel to yield highest diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. The most frequently found antibodies are those against the N-methyl-D-asparate receptor, an antigen on the neural cell surface. The second most frequent antibody is directed against glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 kDa, an intracellular protein, often found in chronic conditions with questionable inflammatory activity. Immunotherapy is the mainstay of treatment in autoimmune encephalitides. Steroids, apheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin are first-line interventions. Rituximab or cyclophosphamide are given as second-line treatments. Patients with surface antibodies usually respond well to immunotherapy whereas cases with antibodies against intracellular antigens most often do not.

Conclusion

With few exceptions, the experience in adult patients with autoimmune encephalitides can be applied to patients in the pediatric age range.
Roadmap for Transforming Preoperative Assessment to Preoperative Optimization
Authors: Aronson Solomon , Murray Sutton , Martin Gavin , Blitz Jeanna , Crittenden Timothy , Lipkin Mike E. , Mantyh Christopher R. , Lagoo-Deenadayalan Sandhya A. , Flanagan Ellen M. , Attarian David E. , Mathew Joseph P. , Kirk Allan D.
Published: January 2020

Preoperative assessment typically equates to evaluating and accepting the presenting condition of the patient (unless extreme) and commonly occurs only a few days before the planned surgery. While this timing enables a preoperative history and examination and mitigates unexpected findings on the day of surgery that may delay throughput, it does not allow for meaningful preoperative management of modifiable medical conditions. Evidence is limited regarding how best to balance efforts to mitigate modifiable risk factors versus the timing of surgery. Furthermore, while the concept of preoperative risk modification is not novel, evidence is lacking for successful and sustained implementation of such an interdisciplinary, collaborative program. A better understanding of perioperative care coordination and, specifically, implementing a preoperative preparation process can enhance the value of surgery and surgical population health. In this article, we describe the implementation of a collaborative preoperative clinic with the primary goal of improving patient outcomes.
Coding Time
Authors: Goldberg David Theo
Published: January 2020

This article analyzes the various ways algorithmic logic structures, streamlines, and delimits the conception of time and memory; orders the logics of social arrangement; and delimits the political. The author considers the ways in which algorithms extend racial discrimination, rendering it less visible, less discernible, and so more difficult to address. He briefly formulates a notion of crypto-value embedded within algorithmic self-conception and elaborates an algorithmic ontology. The latter is distinguished from the contemporary understanding of the post-human. The essay concludes with a reflection on a politics of street encounter as a counter to prevailing algorithmic constraints on the political. “Coding time” accordingly concerns the coding of time, the conception of time embedded in coding, the sociality and value that coding produces, and the implications for being and being human that the time of coding is manifesting.
Stateless Memory
Authors: Hirsch Marianne
Published: January 2020

Responding to current conditions of statelessness by way of Hannah Arendt's mid- twentieth century reflections, this article proposes the aesthetic encounter as a practice of alternative, counter-national community and belonging. Artistic works exploring the vulnerabilities and the vicissitudes of statelessness by Mirta Kupferminc and Wangechi Mutu inspire a definition of stateless memory as a suspension or hiatus in time and space. Stateless memory, the article suggests, can mobilize the memory of painful pasts in a different time frame than the progression toward preordained futures that often seem inevitable in the space-time of the nation-state and the catastrophes it causes and suffers.
Fear conditioning and the basolateral amygdala
Authors: Sun Yajie , Gooch Helen , Sah Pankaj
Published: January 2020

Fear is a response to impending threat that prepares a subject to make appropriate defensive responses, whether to freeze, fight, or flee to safety. The neural circuits that underpin how subjects learn about cues that signal threat, and make defensive responses, have been studied using Pavlovian fear conditioning in laboratory rodents as well as humans. These studies have established the amygdala as a key player in the circuits that process fear and led to a model where fear learning results from long-term potentiation of inputs that convey information about the conditioned stimulus to the amygdala. In this review, we describe the circuits in the basolateral amygdala that mediate fear learning and its expression as the conditioned response. We argue that while the evidence linking synaptic plasticity in the basolateral amygdala to fear learning is strong, there is still no mechanism that fully explains the changes that underpin fear conditioning.
Population-based palliative care planning in Ireland: how many people will live and die with serious illness to 2046?
Authors: May Peter , Johnston Bridget M. , Normand Charles , Higginson Irene J. , Kenny Rose Anne , Ryan Karen
Published: January 2020

Background: All countries face growing demand for palliative care services.  Projections of need are essential to plan care in an era of demographic change.   We aim to estimate palliative care needs in the Republic of Ireland from 2016 to 2046.

Methods: Static modelling of secondary data.  First, we estimate the numbers of people who will die from a disease associated with palliative care need.  We combine government statistics on cause of death (2007-2015) and projected mortality (2016-2046).  Second, we combine these statistics with survey data to estimate numbers of people aged 50+ living and dying with diseases associated with palliative care need.  Third, we use these projections and survey data to estimate disability burden, pain prevalence and health care utilisation among people aged 50+ living and dying with serious medical illness.

Results: In 2016, the number of people dying annually from a disease indicating palliative care need was estimated as 22,806, and the number of people not in the last year of life aged 50+ with a relevant diagnosis was estimated as 290,185.  Equivalent estimates for 2046 are up to 40,355 and 548,105, increases of 84% and 89% respectively.  These groups account disproportionately for disability burden, pain prevalence and health care use among older people, meaning that population health burdens and health care use will increase significantly in the next three decades.

Conclusion: The global population is ageing, although significant differences in intensity of ageing can be seen between countries. Prevalence of palliative care need will nearly double over 30 years, reflecting Ireland’s relatively young population.  Older people living with a serious disease outnumber those in the last year of life by approximately 12:1, necessitating implementation of integrated palliative care across the disease trajectory. Urgent steps on funding, workforce development and service provision are required to address these challenges.
E essa aranha aí e esse raio de lua
Authors: Flores Livia , Cunha Analu , Pequeno Fernanda , Modé João , Quintella João Paulo , Moreira Maria
Published: January 2020

Entrevista com a artista Livia Flores feita por Analu Cunha, Fernanda Pequeno, João Modé, João Paulo Quintella e Maria Moreira.
Do outro lado do silêncio: fotografias e vídeos sobre o cotidiano hiperconectado
Authors: Donaduzzi Carlos Alberto
Published: January 2020

Este trabalho expõe um estudo crítico em torno de um ensaio visual composto por fotografias e vídeos que pretendem apresentar um pensamento sobre as relações das pessoas de hoje com a tecnologia e as redes sociais. Partindo de referências de pinturas de Edward Hopper, as imagens dessa série buscam trazer aos olhos e dar visão ao vazio e ao silêncio da vida contemporânea através de encenações com personagens envoltos em atmosferas coabitadas pelo real e o virtual.
An overview of hydronephrosis in adults
Authors: Patel Kishan , Batura Deepak
Published: January 2020

Hydronephrosis is diagnosed more often with the increased availability of computed tomography and ultrasound scanning. Hydronephrosis is an important consideration in patients with abdominal or pelvic pathology as progressive dilation of the upper urinary tract can lead to acute kidney injury and, if not corrected, permanent nephron loss. This article explores how to approach an adult patient with hydronephrosis, encompassing aetiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management.
Comentário ao De caelo I, lição 6, de Tomás de Aquino
Authors: Monteiro Matheus Henrique Gomes
Published: January 2020

Tradução para o português de Expositio in libros De caelo et mundo I, l.6, onde Tomás de Aquino comenta um trecho do De caelo I, 3, sobre a ausência de geração e corrupção nos corpos celestes. No comentário, ele discute algumas objeções de João Filopono de Alexandria, filósofo do século VI, que defendia a possibilidade de os corpos celestes serem gerados e corromperem-se, bem como examina as respostas a essas objeções oferecidas por Simplício e por Averróis.
A recusa da razão como fundamento da moral na filosofia de Schopenhauer
Authors: Santos Alves José Clerison
Published: January 2020

Neste artigo, mostraremos que, na filosofia de Schopenhauer, não é possível fundamentar a moral a partir da faculdade de razão. Pois a razão, em seu sistema, possui apenas uma função lógica, em outras palavras, ela não tem nada a ver com a moralidade. Nesta medida, apresentaremos a crítica de Schopenhauer ao formalismo da moral kantiana. O filósofo recusa a distinção kantiana entre razão prática e razão teórica, pois, na sua visão, a razão não é uma faculdade do incondicionado, ou seja, ela não pode emitir leis puras para conduzir as ações humanas.  Na concepção de Schopenhauer, o imperativo categórico não tem poder para fundamentar a moral, pois este, no seu entender, se apoia em meros conceitos abstratos e vazios de conteúdo. À diferença de Kant, o filósofo sustenta que a moral precisa ter uma base empírica.
A “mistura de mel e cicuta”: o uso das noções de ενέργεια e οὐσία na defesa dos santos hesicastas por Gregório Palamas
Authors: Calvário Patrícia
Published: January 2020

Gregório Palamas (1296-1359) é forçado a explicar a experiência espiritual da luz divina vivenciada pelos monges do Monte Atos. Causava perplexidade o facto de afirmarem a visão, com os olhos corporais, de uma luz que, apesar de perceptível, não é física, mas sim divina e incriada. Numa tentativa explicativa desta experiência identificam esta luz com a luz irradiada por Cristo na Transfiguração. Mas, esta justificação não foi considerada satisfatória pelos monges mais instruídos na filosofia antiga. Estes, tendo como representante o monge Barlaão, acusam Palamas e os hesicastas de messalinianismo. Por isso, Palamas teve de elaborar uma argumentação para justificar a veracidade desta experiência e mostrar como ela estava enraizada na tradição patrística. Se se afirma que os monges hesicastas não experimentam, na visão da luz, a glória divina e incriada, ter-se-á de, ao mesmo tempo, negar a deificação. Pois a visão da luz incriada pressupõe a deificação [também corporal] daquele que a experimenta. Para compor a sua defesa da experiência dos hesicastas, Palamas tem de recorrer ao que considera ser o “veneno de serpente” e “mistura de mel e cicuta” – a filosofia antiga especialmente de Platão e Aristóteles. Pretendo, nesta exposição, mostrar que Palamas procura provar que a luz que os hesicastas contemplam é divina e incriada, recorrendo aos conceitos aristotélicos de ενέργεια e οὐσία e aplicando-os a Deus.Palavras-chave: Palamas, ενέργεια, οὐσία, corpo, luz.
Crítica de Filopono ao conceito de lugar aristotélico
Authors: Matos Tennessee Monteiro
Published: January 2020

Neste artigo tratamos do comentário de Filopono à Física de Aristóteles direcionado à investigação sobre o conceito de lugar. Filopono comenta as teses apresentadas por Aristóleles. Teses estas que Aristóteles apresenta a partir das noções aceitas que envolvem o debate com respeito a definição de lugar. Ao longo do comentário, Filopono realiza uma análise dos argumentos de modo a esclarecer em que medida tais teses corroboram ou não para a definição de lugar. Nosso interesse neste artigo é mostrar que na ao longo deste comentário Filopono antecipa mudanças conceituais em Aristóteles que nos parece ser menos descuidos de interpretação e mais a preparação e a revisão de conceitos que permitem à Filopono apresentar, nos corolários sobre o lugar e vazio, sua crítica aos conceitos de lugar e vazio de Aristóteles.
Optical frequency dependence of the light shift effect for vector magnetometry with cesium
Authors: Lou Janet W. , Cranch Geoffrey A.
Published: January 2020

Atomic vapor magnetometers have demonstrated very high sensitivity to the magnitude of the magnetic field. Vector field measurements are possible using bias fields applied to the vapor. For remote operation, the bias field can be generated using the optical light shift (LS) effect created with an optical beam delivered through optical fiber. Here, it is shown that the optical frequency of the LS effect for an optically pumped vapor vector magnetometer causes an angular error in the measured field orientation when it is tuned near the absorption resonances, countering the benefit of higher response. This angle-shifting effect is dependent on the LS beam power. The LS response, normalized to the LS power, is higher for lower powers due to a saturation effect but also shows a dependence on the LS optical frequency. We show that it is necessary to carefully choose the LS optical frequency and power to maximize the LS effect while avoiding potential angular error.
Laser THz emission nanoscopy and THz nanoscopy
Authors: Pizzuto Angela , Mittleman Daniel M. , Klarskov Pernille
Published: January 2020

We present an experimental and theoretical comparison of two different scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) based techniques in the terahertz regime; nanoscale reflection-type terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz nanoscopy) and nanoscale laser terahertz emission microscopy, or laser terahertz emission nanoscopy (LTEN). We show that complementary information regarding a material’s charge carriers can be gained from these techniques when employed back-to-back. For the specific case of THz nanoscopy and LTEN imaging performed on a lightly p-doped InAs sample, we were able to record waveforms with detector signal components demodulated up to the 6th and the 10th harmonic of the tip oscillation frequency, and measure a THz near-field confinement down to 11 nm. A computational approach for determining the spatial confinement of the enhanced electric field in the near-field region of the conductive probe is presented, which manifests an effective “tip sharpening” in the case of nanoscale LTEN due to the alternative geometry and optical nonlinearity of the THz generation mechanism. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of the finite dipole model (FDM) in predicting the broadband scattered THz electric field, and present the first use of this model for predicting a near-field response from LTEN.
Perilaku Masyarakat Desa Terpencil Menonton Tayangan Televisi
Authors: Rozak Abdul
Published: January 2020

Pada tahun 2011, Kementerian Negara Pemberdayaan Perempuandan Perlindungan Anak (Kemenneg PPPA) menginisiasi Kabupaten/Kota Layak Anak (KLA) sebagai suatu sistem pembangunan berbasis hak anak di level kabupaten atau kota melalui pengintegrasian komitmen dan sumberdaya pemerintah, masyarakat dan dunia usaha yang terencana secara menyeluruh dan berkelanjutan dalam kebijakan, program dan kegiatan untuk menjamin terpenuhinya hak anak. Penelitian dengan mengambil setting keterlibatan masyarakat dalam implementasi mewujudkan Kabupaten Layak Anak (KLA) di Kabupaten Slemanini dimaksudkan sebagai upaya merekam proses peran serta masyarakat dalam upaya-upaya pemenuhan hak anak yang secara kelembagaan diintegrasikan dalam sebuah sistem pembangunan dengan tajuk KLA. Artikel ini melihat bentuk partisipasi masyarakat dalam rangka melihat sejauh mana keberlanjutan kebijakan KLA dengan bertumpu pada aktor masyarakat
Membedah Tingginya Angka Perceraian di Lingkungan Peradilan Agama dan Upaya Penanggulangannya
Authors: Ibrahim Malik
Published: January 2020

Perceraian merupakan keputusan pasangan suami istri yang sangat berat karena dampaknya bukan hanya pada suami istri namun juga terhadap anak-anak dan keluarga besar. Peristiwa perceraian meskipun suatu yang sangat pahit dilakukan, namun hendaknya tidak menimbulkan kebencian dan permusuhan antara kedua belah pihak. Konflik antara suami dan istri bisa terjadi kapan dan di manapun tempatnya, sehingga suami istri hendaknya mampu memikirkan dampak yang akan terjadi jika konflik itu berkelanjutan.Tulisan di bawah ini berupaya memaparkan semakin tingginya angka perceraian di lingkungan PA dan beberapa tawaran alternatif penanggulangannya.
Pendidikan Sosial Berbasis Tauhid dalam Perspektif Al-Qur'an
Authors: Khoiruddin Muhammad
Published: January 2020

The perspectives of Quran to make a statement on also in education social and the paradigms of sosio-humanis teosentris, it is by descriptional quran the relation between a man with god (habl min allâh) and man and man (habl ma’a al-nâs), which are generally what it suggests that there are two issues that need to among the various relevant parties in the practice of in the Islamic education, promised to supply as many dimensions of dialectics horizontally and dimension their desire of submission vertical. In dimension dialectics horizontally, also in education social and evidence of the oneness based should be able to develop the reality of the life of, both the clean water that those concerning with the wide by him my back, the community, as well as the universe with accounts of all all that is in it , while in dimension their desire of submission some more excellent than the vertical that education called social and evidence of the oneness based in addition to providing a an instrument for charged with the care of, capitalize on the fact that , and preserve natural resources, also i desire that can become a bridge to understand phenomena and honeybee in their effort to attain intercourse life to the creator.
Peningkatan Kesadaran Lingkungan Masyarakat Dusun Somodaran Desa Purwomartani Kecamatan Kalasan Kabupaten Sleman Melalui Pembuatan Biogas Dari Kotoran Sapi.
Authors: Farihah Tutik
Published: January 2020

Abstrak. Permasalahan energi mempunyai kecenderungan untuk meningkat setiap tahunnya, terutama di negara berkembang seperti Indonesia. Dusun Somodaran Desa Purwomartani merupakan dusun yang sebagian besar warganya merupakan peternak sapi. Tingginya ketersedian bahan baku biogas inilah yang mendasari pengabdian masyarakat pemanfaatan kotoran sapi menjadi biogas dilakukan. Dalam pengabdian masyarakat ini terdapat tiga tahap yakni: pra pelaksanaan, pelaksanaan dan pasca pelaksanaan. Dalam pra pelaksanaan akan dilakukan pemetaan masalah, penentuan kapasitas instalasi biogas, rekomendasi pendampingan/pelatihan yang diberikan dan koordinasi dengan pihak desa dan peternak. Pelaksanaan dilakukan Pelatihan dan penjelasan mengenai pembuatan instalasi biogas (pembuatan instalasi, cara pengisian, cara analisa kapasitas produksi biogas, analisa penurunan kapasitas biogas akibat penggunaan), pembuatan instalasi biogas. Ouput pengabdian ini yakni terciptanya instalasi biogas dan adanya pemanfaatan biogas sebagai energi alternatif tercapai.
Upaya Peningkatan Ekonomi Masyarakat Desa Monggol Kecamatan Saptosari Kabupaten Gunungkidul Melalui Optimalisasi Pengolahan Hasil Pertanian Lokal
Authors: Firanti Annisa
Published: January 2020

Abstrak. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk: (1) meningkatkan ekonomi masyarakat Desa Monggol melalui optimalisasi pelatihan dan pengolahan hasil pertanian lokal, (2) meningkatkan ekonomi masyarakat Desa Monggol melalui optimalisasi pemasaran olahan hasil pertanian lokal. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian  Community Based Research (CBR) Teknik pengumpulan data dengan menggunakan observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian adalah upaya peningkatan ekonomi masyarakat yang dilakukan dengan kegiatan optimalisasi pelatihan olahan hasil pertanian sangat terbukti membantu dalam menambah ilmu pengetahuan dan wawasan masyarakat, masyarakat sangat termotivasi untuk mengikuti pelatihan dengan materi yang tergolong baru yaitu teknologi pertanian berupa fermentasi. Upaya peningkatan ekonomi masyarakat yang dilakukan dengan kegiatan optimalisasi pengolahan dan pemasaran olahan hasil pertanian sangat membatu karena dilakukan secara bersama dalam kelompok di masing-masing padukuhan, masyarakat termotivasi untuk membuka usahanya sendiri sebagai bentuk mengasah kewirausahaan dan dapat meningkatkan perekonomian keluarga.
Analisis Kinerja Koperasi di Kecamatan Saptosari, Kabupaten Gunung Kidul Menggunakan Balance Score Card
Authors: Faisal Agus , Choiri Miftakhul
Published: January 2020

Abstrak. Keberhasilan koperasi tidak hanya dilihat dari seberapa besar pendapatan yang diperoleh. Nilai keberhasilan juga dilihat dari seberapa besar peranannya bagi kesejahteraan anggota. Beberapa indikator yang biasa digunakan untuk melihat hal tersebut adalah (1) besaran SHU yang diterima anggota; (2) kemudahan pelayanan di koperasi; (3) pemenuhan kebutuhan anggota; dan (4) pemberdayaan sumber daya. Koperasi dalam undang-undang berkedudukan sebagai soko guru perekonomian, menjadi penting dalam pengentasan kemiskinan ekonomi maupun keahlian. Untuk mengukur sejauh mana peran koperasi sebagai soko guru perekonomian, penelitian ini mengambil contoh koperasi yang berada di kecamatan Saptosari. Berdasarkan data pemerintah daerah, kecamatan Saptosari merupakan salah satu kecamatan dengan kondisi kesejahteraan 11%-20% terendah di Indonesia. Sedangkan metode yang digunakan adalah metode survey dan wawancara menggunakan kuesioner. Kemudian, data yang diperoleh dianalisis menggunakan logistic regression dan balance score card. Kesimpulan yang bisa dihasilkan adalah kepuasan anggota hanya berlandaskan pada kemudahan melakukan pinjaman lunak. Bahkan mereka tidak berkeberatan bila koperasi tidak memberikan inovasi dalam pengembangan usaha anggota maupun mendorong kemandirian anggotanya.
EVALUATING PPP PROJECTS USING A LEAN FRAMEWORK
Authors: Malaeb Zeina , Hamzeh Farook
Published: January 2020

A Public Private Partnership (PPP) describes an arrangement between the public and the private sectors for providing a public asset or service. PPPs are characterized by their long-term nature, complex contractual agreements, and distinct risk allocation formulas, all which distinguish them from traditional procurement routes. Performance evaluation is a prerequisite of performance improvement and is vital to the realization of project success, particularly in PPP projects. In fact, the absence of an effective performance evaluation framework in PPPs serves as a trigger for generating below optimum service quality. Although several performance evaluation frameworks exist, they prove more suitable for traditional projects, which highlights the need to account for the unique features of PPPs. This paper first introduces the various perspectives, from the literature, used to classify project success and evaluate performance. The paper then addresses the aforementioned need by introducing a new framework for evaluating project success, using the lean concepts of transformation, flow, and value. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are suggested as part of the framework to serve as performance measures on PPP projects. The introduced lean framework is the first of its kind and fills the gap in PPP research by being one of the few performance evaluation tools customized for PPPs.
GLASS FIBER POLYMER ON THE FRESH AND HARDENED PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE
Authors: Uddin Mohammed Jobaer , Hasnat Ariful , Islam Mohammad S , Ahmad Syed F
Published: January 2020

The study describes an experimental study into the relationship among incorporation of Glass Fiber on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete. The effect of fiber fractions on the slump, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength of Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) were investigated for volume fraction (VF) of 0%, 1%, 2% and 4%. In order to serve the purpose, concrete cylindrical and prism specimens were made with various rates of fiber-glass polymer. The cylinder specimens were tested at 7 and 28 days for compressive strength and at 28 days for splitting tensile strength, whereas the prism specimens were tested at 28 days for flexural strength. The experimental test results show that the additions of glass fiber polymer to concrete decrease slump, but increase compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength. In addition, an analytical model has been proposed to predict slump of fresh concrete.
IMPROVING CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION: THE ROLE OF COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Authors: Aliu John , Aigbavboa Clinton
Published: January 2020

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are developmental hubs that contributes to a country's economic growth through knowledge generation, dissemination and skills diffusion among students. For HEIs to maintain their roles in fostering construction education to equip students for the industry, the current traditional pedagogical approaches are simply not enough to deliver on its mandate. One of the many ways through which HEIs can improve the quality of construction education today is through collaborations with the construction industry. Through a structured questionnaire survey, this paper identified the possible roles that collaboration between HEIs and the construction industry will play in fostering construction education. The sample for this study consisted of one hundred and twenty-six (126) respondents drawn from professionals in the Nigerian construction industry. The study revealed that exposing construction students to the world of work, strengthening universities in conducting quality and relevant research and creating and training students with key skills industry require, are among the benefits of collaboration between the HEIs and the construction industry. The study found that there is an increased need for HEIs to collaborate with the construction industry to be progressive, relevant and produce skilled graduates who will spur the activities of the construction industry. This study recommends that HEIs seek collaboration with the industry so as to address the shortcomings of higher education in Nigeria and Africa in general.
MANAGING DESIGN PROJECTS: METHODS AND POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS USING BIM
Authors: Abou-Ibrahim Hisham , Hamzeh Farook
Published: January 2020

The planning and monitoring of the design phase is crucial to ensure the aimed time, cost, and quality performances of the project are met. In this context, monitoring the progress of design is tightly related to the way design is being planned. In other words, the measures taken into account while planning the development of design; whether time, cost or quality measures, are themselves used to monitor the progress of design throughout the project. In this regard, this study sheds light on the methods used to manage design projects, highlights their shortcomings, and suggests new ways to properly manage the progress of design using BIM as a data repository of design information and management decisions. The study reviews current methods used to plan and monitor design projects and suggests improvements in needed areas. Results show that the reviewed methods differ in the way they approach design management and they do not fully represent all design characteristics. Nonetheless, measures used in these methods can mislead managers in detecting the actual progress of design. In this regard, this study suggests a comprehensive framework that builds on existing methods to enhance the management of design and to better control its development.