bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pola Komunikasi Suku Samin di Kabupaten Blora terkait Ajaran yang Dianutnya
Authors: Octaviani Emillia Vinna
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study determines the communication pattern samin tribal culture to the community in Blora related teachings espoused, and know the pattern of tribal cultural communication to the outside community cumin cumin in Blora related teachings espoused. The theoretical basis of communication used the symbolic interactionism. This theory explains humans interact and exchange of meaning, create, send, receive symbol agreed. The method used is the in-depth interviews and observation. Researchers chose purposive sampling as a technique of sampling . The case study research in Samin Tribe and the village of Sambong Klopoduwur District of Banjarejo.
INSTAGRAM: Bingkai Kasus Agama di Media Sosial
Authors: Aminuddin Ahsani Taqwim
Published: November 2017

The religion issue is something sensitive in Indonesia. The defamation case that ensnared Basuki Tjahya Purnama by quoting Surah Al- Maidah verse 51 in his speech, so many people are distracted and angry because his words. Whereas technology increasingly sophisticated so that the dissemination of information so fast. Instagram as social media is currently booming among Indonesian teenagers could not ward from this problem conversation. Using framing model analysis method of Robert N. Entman researchers examined instagram contents that posted by official accounts belonging to three great Muslim organization in Indonesia, namely Muhammadiyah, Nahdlatul Ulama, and Front Pembela Islam, and found there is a dichotomy in the framing of this case in the official social media belonging to the Islamic organization i.e., (1) practice of trial by press; (2) whom to look out for; (3) who is wrong; (4) inviting to ‘quiet’ vs ‘indignant’.
Analisis Wacana Kritis pada Pemberitaan TEMPO.CO tentang Kematian Taruna STIP JAKARTA
Authors: Maghvira Genta
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this research is to know critical discourse analysis of the news about the death of taruna STIP that Tempo.co has been published. This research notice all of the aspects such as microstructure, meso-structure, and macrostructure. This research uses a news from Tempo.co with title ‘Taruna STIP Tewas Dihajar Senior, Ini Kronologinya,’ online published in January 11th 2017. This research uses Norman Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis model. Qualitative method has been used as basic thinking and critical paradigm as research standpoint. The result shows that Tempo.co does an election diction; use of the causation phrase; and selecting resource in direct quotation. Realization of the result rates in line with the Tempo.co’s company mission. Which is to create an independent multimedia product that free from any pressure. There was a motivation in news produced which lead the reader to give a positive sight for Tempo.co.
PERANCANGAN PESAN KOMUNIKASI KOMUNITAS HONG DALAM SOSIALISASI MAINAN DAN PERMAINAN TRADISIONAL SUNDA
Authors: Susanti Santi , Nurtania Yuni
Published: November 2017

Hong Community as study center of traditional toys in West Java was formed with the intention of preserving traditional toys and folk games in West Java. As part of the effort to introduce traditional toys, especially to children. This study aims to identify and analyze the process of designing communication messages in the community of Hong in connection to the effort of socializing folk games and traditional toys in West Java. This study evolved five groups of communication target of Hong Community: the public, the government, fellow community members, working partner, the sponsors. The designing process of community communication that Hong Community uses to address its target audience, can be divided into 5 (five) stages as follows: (1) to define communication goals, (2) to identify the target audience, (3) to define the management system of communication event, (4) preparation of facility and infrastructure, and (5) message delivery.
TALENT MANAGEMENT: A NOVEL APPROACH FOR DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TOWARDS HERITAGE COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Khalil Mohamed Hesham Madbouly Hussein , Elsaay Heba Abdelghani Ismail , Othman Ayman Ahmed Ezzat
Published: November 2017

Heritage communities in Egypt have continuously developed to sustain a history of millenniums. Developments have been focused on sustaining the physical heritage such as buildings and cities, yet ignoring the intangible heritage such as stories, memories and traditions of people. The results are deterioration of the developed physical heritage as a natural response of ignorance. Architectural Design Firms (ADFs) are responsible for developing innovative solutions that translate intangible heritage into sustainable projects. Such solutions require talented architects who are in need of being treated in a talented manner. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the role of Talent Management (TM) as a novel approach for developing innovative solutions for Egyptian heritage communities’ development. In order to achieve this aim, a qualitative approach based on (1) literature review is used to investigate heritage development, creative industries, ADFs, motivation and TM and (2) a case study is collected and analysed to study the relationship between TM and intangible heritage preservation.
BOOK REVIEW: COMPLEX HOUSING. DESIGNING FOR DENSITY, JULIA WILLIAMS ROBINSON
Authors: Romice Ombretta
Published: November 2017

This is a clear, useful and practical book, which makes an important link between research in environment-behaviour studies and practice, in this case architecture, urbanism and planning. The goal of the book is straightforward: to analyse ‘complex housing’, here defined as middle-high density, with a mix of tenures, uses and renting/ownership ranges, and of urban significance, in a structured and consistent manner, and with a degree of professional criticism stemming both from the author’s view and that of a range of professionals involved in the projects illustrated. The context selected is the Netherlands, a country that for geographic, political, cultural and religious reasons has had a rather special and successful record in dealing with density in housing both from an architectural and urban point of view, at least until recently, as the author reminds us (‘spatial plans’ have been abandoned in 2005).
THE YEAR OF VERY IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS – REFERENCE TO EDUCATION
Authors: Urban Yanina
Published: November 2017

The article attempts to address the objective of education and important tasks to be accomplished in terms of preparing young people to manage their lives in democracy. Democracy turned out to be an opportunity, consequently a stipulation in the Visegrad Group countries due to political and social changes. Poland celebrates significant events; namely 25th anniversary of the beginning of political transformation, 15th anniversary of joining military alliance NATO, and 10th anniversary of its accession to the European Union. The tasks cover postulates valid for the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005–2014, established by the UN General Assembly.
OSVITOLOGY – A DISCOURSE ON IDENTITY OF THIS SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINE AND ITS SOCIAL USEFULNESS
Authors: Levovickij Tadeush
Published: November 2017

The article presents humanistic tradition and the contemporary situation of comprehensively formulated educational issues. However, the emphasis is put on the presentation of scientific identity of osvitology. A frame of reference is varied understanding of science, the exemplification of which are ways of describing pedagogy as scientific discipline. The important plot of the discourse is related to social usefulness and appreciation of scientific disciplins. The final part of the text includes the suggestions which could be beneficial towards further maturation of scientific identity and development of osvitology.
IS IT WORTH TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK TO A PROBLEM OF TEACHERS’ BURNOUT?
Authors: Juszczak Krysztof
Published: November 2017

Teacher’s profession is one of those professions in which in order to be successful, except knowledge, also close emotional contact and personality vital to be successful. According to the literature on this matter, people who work in this profession are especially threatened with the burnout syndrome. Due to the fact that the results of teachers’ burnout apply not only to teachers themselves but also affect people with whom they interact in their work, taking a closer look at the problem of burnout is a highly needed task. Professional burnout is more and more common experience among the employees of a contemporary school. In recent years there have occured many publications, which indicate clearly that it is observed in the population of Polish teachers. It is an alarming state, because the syndrome has a negative impact not only on the teacher himself, but also on people he has a contact with at work and in private life. Thus the analysis of this multidimensional phenomenon undertaken in this study is well justified.
MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL PREVENTION OF EXTREMISM AND XENOPHOBIA
Authors: Popova Diana
Published: November 2017

Ukraine, at first glance, is safe in the ethnic sense, tolerant European country. But the process of state building is accompanied by revision of priorities in ethnic relations. Manifestations of ethnic, political, religious xenophobia become more frequent. The theory of multiculturalism, which implies the coexistence of different cultures on the basis of equal dialogue, is the most adequate theoretical response to the social challenges of our time. Prevention of extremism and xenophobia among young people must serve the most important component and integral part of continuous education. Thus, social prevention of extremism and xenophobia should have a comprehensive and integrated nature and reflect the current level of requirements for it. The correct selection of preventive methods, their implementation will ensure the effectiveness of social prevention. The necessity of multicultural education as an effective and efficient means of social prevention of extremism and xenophobia among young people is substantiated in the article. The author reveals the role of the system of education and training in this process, because it has an important mechanism for overcoming the above phenomena – preparing of a person to the interethnic dialogue in multicultural social and cultural environment. The socio-psychological strategies and direction of educational work on preparation young generation for multicultural constructive interaction in the conditions of globalization are analyzed. Aspects of circumscribed problems solutions as well as early warning measures of psychological aggression (extremism, xenophobia, ethnic hatred, ethnic conflict, etc.) are proposed. The paper submits the evaluation criteria of the proposed measures.
IDENTITY AND ITS (SELF-)CONSTRUCTION IN THE COURSE OF LEARNING – THE INQUIRY INTO FUNCTIONALITY OF TEACHERS’ EDUCATION
Authors: Shhurek-Boruta Alina
Published: November 2017

What is referred to by the author in her discussion are some partial results of extensive multivariate studies conducted in 2011-2014 in several academic environments differing in location (the centre – the borderland) as well as socio-economic potential and implemented within the research project of the Polish Science Centre (number NN106 416640). These studies constitute the background at which identity and its (self-) construction are viewed. The motives concerning learning prevail in the article, which composes a multisided framework of university students (future teachers)’ learning and a picture of various determinants of professional preparation of the respondents. Learning in the process of cogeneration is viewed by the author as favourable for the ”becoming” of identity, for its constructing a reality marked with social coherence or integration. Questions about functionality of teachers’ education in the context of identity and learning of candidates for teachers is in fact the question how efficiently this education fulfills its functions. This is directed towards educology, developed by Ukrainian scientists – a suggestion for holistic approach to educational phenomena and processes, aiming at better understanding of people and their world environment. The presented study comprises at least several references to educology: to the principle of joining different areas and dimensions of learning (cogeneration of dimensions of learning was indicated here); to a permanent value of educology and the aim of each educational process – development (of the learner, university student, adult); to advancement of educational sphere which enhances individual, socio-economic and scientific-technological development of the society; to integration of the research into learning with respect to various subdisciplines of pedagogy as well as some related areas of science, such as psychology or sociology, and other sciences which do not deal with the theory of education (technical sciences in this case).
MANAGEMENT EDUCAТION ENVIRONMENT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTIТUТION: ТНЕ ESSENCE OF ТНЕ CONCEPT
Authors: Bratko Mariia
Published: November 2017

Тhе purpose of thе article is to define the nature of the concept and phenomenon of managing the educational environment at the local level - the level of higher educational institution. То achieve a goal the author has analyzed the modern scientific approaches to the interpretation of the meaning of the phenomenon of "management"; taking into account the phenomenological feature of the educational environment of higher educational institution the concept of the notion "educational environment management іn higher educational institution" is formulated. Тhe author considers the еаисаііопаі environment management іn higher еііисаііопаі іпзіііиіюп as а сотрlехform of intellectual activity aimed at regulating processes and modification of components of the educational environment of higher еаисаііопаі іпзіииііоп related to detecting and solving problems concerning the еаисаііопаі environment. Thus its integrity is ensured and the educational goals of higher educational institutions аrе achieved. According to the author of the article опе of the most important tasks for the subject that manages is to determine the current state of the components, the degree of their compliance with educational objectives, to identify problems І needs, disadvantages and ensure аn adequate choice of measures for solving them. The impact is made оn the behavior of the subjects of pedagogical interaction, organizational models, logistical and financial resources. Тhе social aspect of the educational environment management іп higher educational institution lies іn а voluntary acceptance bу the university staff of defined educational goals that mау bе summarized іn mission, vision and corporate values that represent the general interests of the existence ofа higher educational institution as ап educational enterprise to the public.
Exploring the Role of M-learning in Elementary Education
Authors: Ju Chen Hsiu
Published: November 2017

Aim/Purpose: This study explores the associations between elementary school learners’
m-learning and learner satisfactions based on the technology-mediated learning model.

Background: M-learning (mobile learning) is emerging, but its role in elementary education still needs clarification.

Methodology: Questionnaires were mailed to several different elementary schools, located in different areas that adopted m-learning. Due to the possible limited cognitive ability because of age, short measures were adopted in the study. Finally, data from eighty-six elementary school learners who had experience in mobile learning were gathered and analyzed with Partial Least Square (PLS) for the limited sample size.

Contribution: The results implied the vital role of m-learning in providing different form of interaction in class to activate elementary school learners’ course participation. They also indicated that mobile learning not only activated learners’ active course participation but linked students, teachers, courses, and schools.

Findings: The results showed that m-technology quality of mobile learning was signifi-cantly associated with learners’ active course participation and satisfaction to-ward apps/tablets in m-learning that contributed to different learner satisfac-tions.

Recommendations for Practitioners: The findings suggested that with good interaction quality facilitated by apps/tablets in m-learning, m-learning could be a suitable medium for teachers to have interaction with students and increased students’ different satisfactions in schools at alternative collective learning environments in elementary education.

Future Research: Future studies to measure and reflect different impact of student-teacher interaction in m-learning are suggested.
Factors Analysis And Profit Achievement For Trading Company By Using Rough Set Method
Authors: Sembiring Muhammad Ardiansyah , Azhar Zulfi
Published: November 2017

This research has been done to analysis the financial raport fortrading company and it is  intimately  related  to  some  factors  which  determine  the profit of company. The result of this reseach is showed about  New Knowledge and perform of the rule. In  discussion, by followed data mining process and using Rough Set method. Rough Set is to analyzed the performance of the result. This  reseach will be assist to the manager of company with draw the intactandobjective. Rough set method is also to difined  the rule of discovery process and started the formation about Decision System, Equivalence Class, Discernibility Matrix,  Discernibility Matrix Modulo D, Reduction and General Rules. Rough set method is efective model about the performing analysis in the company. Keywords : Data Mining, General Rules, Profit,. Rough Set.
The Phenomenon of Research and Development Method in Research of Software Engineering
Authors: Mufadhol Mufadhol , Siswanto Siswanto , Susatyono Djarot Dian , Dewi Maya Utami
Published: November 2017

Progress of science and technology is very influential to development of software engineering. Communication between software developers and prospective users of software engineering by prototype system is very important in the development of software engineering. Research and Development method in research of software engineering is very suitable be used because supports the existence of such communications. But it is found there are several research that use this method with not perfect or not completed, so research results produced less fit with purpose. This paper will be explain how to used the stages must be carried out in research of software engineering with the method of research and development, in order to make the research more be effectively and efficiently as well as software development efforts that simultaneously accompanied by the validation effort for the results to be achieved in accordance with the expected goals.
Colaboración internacional en las ciencias sociales y humanidades: inclusión, participación e integración
Authors: Aguado-López Eduardo , Becerril-García Arianna , Godínez-Larios Sheila
Published: November 2017

La generación de conocimiento científico responde, en la actualidad, a un esquema primordialmente colaborativo que transita gradualmente de lo institucional hacia lo internacional. Esta tendencia se explica en buena medida a partir del paradigma “publicar o perecer”, al cual los investigadores encaran desde la racionalidad “asociarse o perecer”. Las ciencias sociales y las humanidades latinoamericanas se adhieren a esta tendencia, sin embargo su colaboración internacional se ha orientado a un esquema asimétrico en términos de inclusión: sólo un sector de países se ha sumado mientras que otro grupo significativo permanece aislado; participación: las interacciones están concentradas por los países con más ciencia escrita; e integración: se tiende a una colaboración de tipo norte-sur. El análisis que se presenta del diálogo científico latinoamericano internacional considera el periodo 2005-2014 y se recurre a redalyc.org por su representatividad en lo disciplinar y regional, partiendo de un universo de 220,223 artículos con datos normalizados.
A Review of the Literature on Principal Turnover
Authors: Snodgrass Rangel Virginia
Published: November 2017

Among the many challenges facing public schools are high levels of principal turnover. Given the important role that principals play and are expected to play in the improvement process, concerns about principal turnover have resulted in a growing body of research on its causes and consequences. The purpose of this review is to take stock of what we have learned about the sources and consequences of principal turnover and to identify what gaps remain. The final review included 36 empirical studies. It discusses and categorizes findings relating to the determinants and consequences of principal turnover. The review concludes with a discussion about the implications of those findings and the areas and kinds of research still needed.
Activity In Vitro of Clotrimazole against Canine Methicillin-Resistant and Susceptible Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
Authors: Frosini Sian-Marie , Bond Ross
Published: November 2017

Emergence of multidrug-resistance in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) has increased interest in topical therapy as an alternative to systemic antibiotics in canine pyoderma. The antifungal imidazole, clotrimazole, is contained in numerous licensed canine ear preparations. Its in vitro activity against SP has not been evaluated, although previous studies have shown that the related imidazole, miconazole, has significant anti-staphylococcal efficacy. We therefore determined minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of clotrimazole amongst 50 SP isolates (25 methicillin-resistant [MR]SP and susceptible [MS]SP) collected from dogs in Germany during 2010–2011 using an agar dilution method (CLSI VET01-A4). MICs amongst MRSP and MSSP were comparable (MIC50 and MIC90 = 1mg/L for both groups, p = 0.317); overall, 49 isolates had MIC = 1 mg/L and one had MIC = 0.5 mg/L. The relatively low MICs obtained in this study are likely to be exceeded by topical therapy and thus further clinical evaluation of clotrimazole use in canine superficial pyoderma and otitis externa caused by MRSP and MSSP is now warranted.
EigenScape: A Database of Spatial Acoustic Scene Recordings
Authors: Green Marc Ciufo , Murphy Damian
Published: November 2017

The classification of acoustic scenes and events is an emerging area of research in the field of machine listening. Most of the research conducted so far uses spectral features extracted from monaural or stereophonic audio rather than spatial features extracted from multichannel recordings. This is partly due to the lack thus far of a substantial body of spatial recordings of acoustic scenes. This paper formally introduces EigenScape, a new database of fourth-order Ambisonic recordings of eight different acoustic scene classes. The potential applications of a spatial machine listening system are discussed before detailed information on the recording process and dataset are provided. A baseline spatial classification system using directional audio coding (DirAC) techniques is detailed and results from this classifier are presented. The classifier is shown to give good overall scene classification accuracy across the dataset, with 7 of 8 scenes being classified with an accuracy of greater than 60% with an 11% improvement in overall accuracy compared to use of Mel-frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) features. Further analysis of the results shows potential improvements to the classifier. It is concluded that the results validate the new database and show that spatial features can characterise acoustic scenes and as such are worthy of further investigation.
ECG Identification Based on Non-Fiducial Feature Extraction Using Window Removal Method
Authors: Jung Woo-Hyuk , Lee Sang-Goog
Published: November 2017

This study proposes electrocardiogram (ECG) identification based on non-fiducial feature extraction using window removal method, nearest neighbor (NN), support vector machine (SVM), and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). In the pre-processing stage, Daubechies 4 is used to remove the baseline wander and noise of the original signal. In the feature extraction and selection stage, windows are set at a time interval of 5 s in the preprocessed signal, while autocorrelation, scaling, and discrete cosine transform (DCT) are applied to extract and select features. Thereafter, the window removal method is applied to all of the generated windows to remove those that are unrecognizable. Lastly, in the classification stage, the NN, SVM, and LDA classifiers are used to perform individual identification. As a result, when the NN is used in the Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR), PTB diagnostic, and QT database, the results indicate that the subject identification rates are 100%, 99.40% and 100%, while the window identification rates are 99.02%, 97.13% and 98.91%. When the SVM is used, all of the subject identification rates are 100%, while the window identification rates are 96.92%, 95.82% and 98.32%. When the LDA is used, all of the subject identification rates are 100%, while the window identification rates are 98.67%, 98.65% and 99.23%. The proposed method demonstrates good results with regard to data that not only includes normal signals, but also abnormal signals. In addition, the window removal method improves the individual identification accuracy by removing windows that cannot be recognized.
A High Resolution Spatiotemporal Model for In-Vehicle Black Carbon Exposure: Quantifying the In-Vehicle Exposure Reduction Due to the Euro 5 Particulate Matter Standard Legislation
Authors: Dekoninck Luc , Int Panis Luc
Published: November 2017

Several studies have shown that a significant amount of daily air pollution exposure is inhaled during trips. In this study, car drivers assessed their own black carbon exposure under real-life conditions (223 h of data from 2013). The spatiotemporal exposure of the car drivers is modeled using a data science approach, referred to as “microscopic land-use regression” (µLUR). In-vehicle exposure is highly dynamical and is strongly related to the local traffic dynamics. An extensive set of potential covariates was used to model the in-vehicle black carbon exposure in a temporal resolution of 10 s. Traffic was retrieved directly from traffic databases and indirectly by attributing the trips through a noise map as an alternative traffic source. Modeling by generalized additive models (GAM) shows non-linear effects for meteorology and diurnal traffic patterns. A fitted diurnal pattern explains indirectly the complex diurnal variability of the exposure due to the non-linear interaction between traffic density and distance to the preceding vehicles. Comparing the strength of direct traffic attribution and indirect noise map-based traffic attribution reveals the potential of noise maps as a proxy for traffic-related air pollution exposure. An external validation, based on a dataset gathered in 2010–2011, quantifies the exposure reduction inside the vehicles at 33% (mean) and 50% (median). The EU PM Euro 5 PM emission standard (in force since 2009) explains the largest part of the discrepancy between the measurement campaign in 2013 and the validation dataset. The µLUR methodology provides a high resolution, route-sensitive, seasonal and meteorology-sensitive personal exposure estimate for epidemiologists and policy makers.
Impacts of Low Temperature on the Teleost Immune System
Authors: Abram Quinn , Dixon Brian , Katzenback Barbara
Published: November 2017

As poikilothermic vertebrates, fish can experience changes in water temperature, and hence body temperature, as a result of seasonal changes, migration, or efflux of large quantities of effluent into a body of water. Temperature shifts outside of the optimal temperature range for an individual fish species can have negative impacts on the physiology of the animal, including the immune system. As a result, acute or chronic exposure to suboptimal temperatures can impair an organisms’ ability to defend against pathogens and thus compromise the overall health of the animal. This review focuses on the advances made towards understanding the impacts of suboptimal temperature on the soluble and cellular mediators of the innate and adaptive immune systems of fishes. Although cold stress can result in varying effects in different fish species, acute and chronic suboptimal temperature exposure generally yield suppressive effects, particularly on adaptive immunity. Knowledge of the effects of environmental temperature on fish species is critical for both the optimal management of wild species and the best management practices for aquaculture species.
Factors Associated with the Need for, and the Impact of, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Children with Congenital Heart Disease during Admissions for Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Aiello Salvatore , Loomba Rohit
Published: November 2017

Introduction: This study aimed to determine factors associated with the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) during admission for cardiac surgery (CS). A secondary aim was to determine how ECMO impacted length, cost, and mortality of the admission. Methods: Data from the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KIDS) were utilized. Admissions with CHD under 18 years of age with cardiac surgery were included. Need for ECMO in these admissions was then identified. Univariate analysis was conducted to compare characteristics between admissions with and without ECMO. Regression analyses were conducted to determine what factors were independently associated with ECMO and whether ECMO independently impacted admission characteristics. Results: A total of 46,176 admissions with CHD and CS were included in the final analysis. Of these, 798 (1.7%) required ECMO. Median age of ECMO admissions was 0.5 years. The following were associated with ECMO: decreased age, heart failure, acute kidney injury, arrhythmia, double outlet right ventricle, atrioventricular septal defect, transposition, Ebstein anomaly, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, common arterial trunk, tetralogy of Fallot, coronary anomaly, valvuloplasty, repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, arterial switch, RV to PA conduit placement, and heart transplant (p < 0.01). ECMO independently increased length of stay by 17.8 days, cost of stay by approximately $415,917, and inpatient mortality 22-fold. Conclusion: Only a small proportion of CHD patients undergoing CS require ECMO, although these patients require increased resource utilization and have high mortality. Specific cardiac lesions, cardiac surgeries, and comorbidities are associated with increased need for ECMO.
Parametric PET Image Reconstruction via Regional Spatial Bases and Pharmacokinetic Time Activity Model
Authors: Kawamura Naoki , Yokota Tatsuya , Hontani Hidekata , Sakata Muneyuki , Kimura Yuichi
Published: November 2017

It is known that the process of reconstruction of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) image from sinogram data is very sensitive to measurement noises; it is still an important research topic to reconstruct PET images with high signal-to-noise ratios. In this paper, we propose a new reconstruction method for a temporal series of PET images from a temporal series of sinogram data. In the proposed method, PET images are reconstructed by minimizing the Kullback–Leibler divergence between the observed sinogram data and sinogram data derived from a parametric model of PET images. The contributions of the proposition include the following: (1) regions of targets in images are explicitly expressed using a set of spatial bases in order to ignore the noises in the background; (2) a parametric time activity model of PET images is explicitly introduced as a constraint; and (3) an algorithm for solving the optimization problem is clearly described. To demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method, quantitative evaluations are performed using both synthetic and clinical data of human brains.
Reduced-Area Constant-Coefficient and Multiple-Constant Multipliers for Xilinx FPGAs with 6-Input LUTs
Authors: Walters E. George
Published: November 2017

Multiplication by a constant is a common operation for many signal, image, and video processing applications that are implemented in field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Constant-coefficient multipliers (KCMs) are often implemented in the logic fabric using lookup tables (LUTs), reserving embedded hard multipliers for general-purpose multiplication. This paper describes a two-operand addition circuit from previous work and shows how it can be used to generate and add pre-computed partial products to implement KCMs. A novel method for pre-computing partial products for KCMs with a negative constant is also presented. These KCMs are then extended to have two to eight coefficients that may be selected by a control signal at runtime to implement time-multiplexed multiple-constant multiplication. Synthesis results show that proposed pipelined KCMs use 27.4% fewer LUTs on average and have a median LUT-delay product that is 12% lower than comparable LogiCORE IP KCMs. Proposed pipelined KCMs with two to eight selectable coefficients use 46% to 70% fewer LUTs than the best LogiCORE IP based alternative and most are faster than using a LogiCORE IP multiplier with a coefficient lookup function. They also outperform the state-of-the-art in the literature, using 22% to 57% fewer slices than the smallest pipelined adder graph (PAG) fusion designs and operate 7% to 30% faster than the fastest PAG fusion designs for the same operand size and number of selectable coefficients. For KCMs and KCMs with selectable coefficients of a given operand size, the placement and routing of LUTs remains the same for all positive and negative constant values, which is advantageous for runtime partial reconfiguration.
Production and Characterization of a Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Obtained by Fermentation of Banana Waste (Musa cavendishii) from Selected Yeast
Authors: De Matos Mara , Bianchi Pedroni Medeiros Adriane , De Melo Pereira Gilberto , Thomaz Soccol Vanete , Soccol Carlos
Published: November 2017

Banana is one of the most important fruits in the Brazilian diet and is mainly consumed naturally. Losses from crop to final consumer are high and estimated in about 30%. The aim of this work was to elaborate a distilled alcoholic beverage from discarded banana and to compare with commercial trademarks. Initially, yeast strains were isolated from banana fruit and characterized by their production of volatile aroma compounds. The highest aroma-producing yeast isolate was identified by ITS-rRNA gene sequencing as Pichia kluyveri. Pasteurized banana pulp and peel was fermented by the selected P. kluyveri at approximately 107 cells/mL. The sugars were converted quickly, and a high ethanol concentration (413 mg/L) was achieved after 24 h of fermentation. The fermented banana must was distilled in a Femel Alambic, and the head, heart and tail fractions were collected. The banana brandy produced had highest concentration of volatile compounds compared to trademarks, such as isoamyl acetate (13.5 mg/L), ethyl hexanoate (0.8 mg/L) and others. The results showed that whole banana must could be a good substrate for fermentation and distillation, and the sensory analysis performed revealed that the produced beverage had good acceptance by the tasters. This study demonstrates the potential of banana as a possible alternative to reduce waste and increase income to farmers.
Role of Non-Coding RNAs in the Etiology of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Gulìa Caterina , Baldassarra Stefano , Signore Fabrizio , Rigon Giuliano , Pizzuti Valerio , Gaffi Marco , Briganti Vito , Porrello Alessandro , Piergentili Roberto
Published: November 2017

According to data of the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization (Cancer Incidence in Five Continents, GLOBOCAN, and the World Health Organization Mortality), bladder is among the top ten body locations of cancer globally, with the highest incidence rates reported in Southern and Western Europe, North America, Northern Africa and Western Asia. Males (M) are more vulnerable to this disease than females (F), despite ample frequency variations in different countries, with a M:F ratio of 4.1:1 for incidence and 3.6:1 for mortality, worldwide. For a long time, bladder cancer was genetically classified through mutations of two genes, fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3, for low-grade, non-invasive papillary tumors) and tumor protein P53 (TP53, for high-grade, muscle-invasive tumors). However, more recently scientists have shown that this disease is far more complex, since genes directly involved are more than 150; so far, it has been described that altered gene expression (up- or down-regulation) may be present for up to 500 coding sequences in low-grade and up to 2300 in high-grade tumors. Non-coding RNAs are essential to explain, at least partially, this ample dysregulation. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge about long and short non-coding RNAs that have been linked to bladder cancer etiology.
Prediction of Mortality in Patients with Isolated Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Using a Decision Tree Classifier: A Retrospective Analysis Based on a Trauma Registry System
Authors: Rau Cheng-Shyuan , Wu Shao-Chun , Chien Peng-Chen , Kuo Pao-Jen , Chen Yi-Chun , Hsieh Hsiao-Yun , Hsieh Ching-Hua
Published: November 2017

Background: In contrast to patients with traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (tSAH) in the presence of other types of intracranial hemorrhage, the prognosis of patients with isolated tSAH is good. The incidence of mortality in these patients ranges from 0–2.5%. However, few data or predictive models are available for the identification of patients with a high mortality risk. In this study, we aimed to construct a model for mortality prediction using a decision tree (DT) algorithm, along with data obtained from a population-based trauma registry, in a Level 1 trauma center. Methods: Five hundred and forty-five patients with isolated tSAH, including 533 patients who survived and 12 who died, between January 2009 and December 2016, were allocated to training (n = 377) or test (n = 168) sets. Using the data on demographics and injury characteristics, as well as laboratory data of the patients, classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was performed based on the Gini impurity index, using the rpart function in the rpart package in R. Results: In this established DT model, three nodes (head Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score ≤4, creatinine (Cr) <1.4 mg/dL, and age <76 years) were identified as important determinative variables in the prediction of mortality. Of the patients with isolated tSAH, 60% of those with a head AIS >4 died, as did the 57% of those with an AIS score ≤4, but Cr ≥1.4 and age ≥76 years. All patients who did not meet the above-mentioned criteria survived. With all the variables in the model, the DT achieved an accuracy of 97.9% (sensitivity of 90.9% and specificity of 98.1%) and 97.7% (sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 97.7%), for the training set and test set, respectively. Conclusions: The study established a DT model with three nodes (head AIS score ≤4, Cr <1.4, and age <76 years) to predict fatal outcomes in patients with isolated tSAH. The proposed decision-making algorithm may help identify patients with a high risk of mortality.
Effects of Sediment Chemical Properties on Phosphorus Release Rates in the Sediment-Water Interface of the Steppe Wetlands
Authors: He Jing , Su Derong , Lv Shihai , Diao Zhaoyan , Xie Jingjie , Luo Yan
Published: November 2017

Rising temperature causes a process of phosphorus release, which can be characterized well using phosphorus release rates (VP). The objective of the present study was to investigate the major factors affecting sediment phosphorus release rates through a wetland habitat simulation experiment. The results showed that the VP of different wetland sediments were different and changed with the order of W–R (river wetland) > W–L (lake wetland) > W–M (grassy marsh wetland) > W–A (reservoir wetland). The main driving factors which influenced sediment phosphorus flux velocity in the sediment–water interface were sediment B-SO42−, B-MBN and A-MBP content. Path analysis and determination coefficient analysis indicated the standard multiple regression equation for sediment phosphorus release rates in the sediment–water interface, and each main factor was Y = −0.105 + 0.096X1 + 0.275X2 − 0.010X3 (r = 0.416, p < 0.01, n = 144), where Y is sediment phosphorus release rates; X1 is sediment B-SO42− content; X2 is sediment B-MBN; and X3 is sediment A-MBP content. Sediment B-SO42−, B-MBN and A-MBP content and the interaction between them were the main factors affecting sediment phosphorus release rates in the sediment–water interface. Therefore, these results suggest that soil chemical properties and microbial activities likely play an important role in phosphorus release rates in the sediment–water interface. We hope to provide effective scientific management and control methods for relevant environmental protection departments.
The Economic Burden of Violence against Children in South Africa
Authors: Fang Xiangming , Zheng Xiaodong , Fry Deborah , Ganz Gary , Casey Tabitha , Hsiao Celia , Ward Catherine
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this study was to estimate the economic burden of violence against children in South Africa. We assembled summative estimates of lifetime prevalence, calculated the magnitude of associations with negative outcomes, and thereby estimated the economic burden of violence against children. According to our calculations, 2.3 million and 84,287 disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) lost in South Africa in 2015 were attributable to nonfatal and fatal violence against children, respectively. The estimated economic value of DALYs lost to violence against children (including both fatal and nonfatal) in South Africa in 2015 totalled ZAR173 billion (US $13.5 billion)—or 4.3% of South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015. In addition, the reduced earnings attributable to childhood physical violence and emotional violence in South Africa in 2015 were ZAR25.2 billion (US $2.0 billion) and ZAR9.6 billion (US $750 million), respectively. In addition, South Africa spent ZAR1.6 billion (US $124 million) on child care and protection in fiscal year 2015/2016, many of which costs are directly related to violence against children. This study confirms the importance of prioritising violence against children as a key social and economic concern for South Africa’s future.
Integrated Evaluation of Coupling Coordination for Land Use Change and Ecological Security: A Case Study in Wuhan City of Hubei Province, China
Authors: Chai Ji , Wang Zhanqi , Zhang Hongwei
Published: November 2017

As land resources and ecosystems provide necessary materials and conditions for human development, land use change and ecological security play increasingly important roles in sustainable development. This study aims to reveal the mutual-influence and interaction between land use change and ecological security in Wuhan, based on the coupling coordination degree model. As such, it provides strategies for the achievement of the synchronous and coordinated development of urbanization and ecological security. The results showed that, during the period from 2006 to 2012, the size of built-up area in Wuhan increased to 26.16%, and that all the other types of land use reduced due to the urbanization process, which appeared to be the main driving force of land use change. The ecological security in Wuhan has been improving as a whole although it was somewhat held back from 2006 to 2008 due to the rapid growth of built-up area. The coupling coordination analysis revealed that the relationship between built-up area and ecological security was more coordinated after 2008. The results can provide feasible recommendations for land use management and environmental protection from the viewpoint of coordinated development. To achieve sustainable development from economic and ecological perspective, policy makers should control the rate of urban expansion and exert more effort on intensive land use, clean energy development and emission reduction.
Effects of Dl-3-n-butylphthalide on Cerebral Ischemia Infarction in Rat Model by Mass Spectrometry Imaging
Authors: Liu Run-Zhe , Fan Chao-Xin , Zhang Zhi-Lin , Zhao Xin , Sun Yi , Liu Hui-Hui , Nie Zong-Xiu , Pu Xiao-Ping
Published: November 2017

Dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) is a drug that is used in the treatment of ischaemic stroke. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no systematic studies investigating the effects of dl-3-n-butylphtalide on the brain metabolism of small molecules. In this study, we first investigated the effects of dl-3-n-butylphthalide on the spatial distribution of small molecules in the brains of rats with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF–MS) imaging. After pMCAO modelling or a sham operation, rats were given four mg/kg of dl-3-n-butylphthalide through the caudal vein or saline once a day for nine days. The degree of neurological deficit in rats was evaluated using the modified neurological severity score (mNSS). MALDI–TOF–MS imaging was used to observe the content and distribution of small molecules related to metabolism during focal cerebral ischaemia. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was used to verify the results obtained from MALDI–TOF–MS imaging. These small molecules were found to be involved in glucose metabolism, ATP metabolism, the glutamate–glutamine cycle, malate aspartate shuttle, oxidative stress, and inorganic ion homeostasis. Of the 13 metabolites identified by MALDI–TOF–MS imaging, seven compounds, ATP, ADP, AMP, GMP, N-acetylaspartic acid, ascorbic acid and glutathione, were further validated by LC–MS/MS. Taken together, these results indicate that dl-3-n-butylphthalide significantly improved ATP metabolism, level of antioxidants, and sodium-potassium ion balance in a rat model of pMCAO.
Understanding the Molecular Genetics of Basal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Pellegrini Cristina , Maturo Maria , Di Nardo Lucia , Ciciarelli Valeria , Gutiérrez García-Rodrigo Carlota , Fargnoli Maria
Published: November 2017

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common human cancer and represents a growing public health care problem. Several tumor suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes have been implicated in BCC pathogenesis, including the key components of the Hedgehog pathway, PTCH1 and SMO, the TP53 tumor suppressor, and members of the RAS proto-oncogene family. Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog pathway represents the molecular driver in basal cell carcinoma pathogenesis, with the majority of BCCs carrying somatic point mutations, mainly ultraviolet (UV)-induced, and/or copy-loss of heterozygosis in the PTCH1 gene. Recent advances in sequencing technology allowed genome-scale approaches to mutation discovery, identifying new genes and pathways potentially involved in BCC carcinogenesis. Mutational and functional analysis suggested PTPN14 and LATS1, both effectors of the Hippo–YAP pathway, and MYCN as new BCC-associated genes. In addition, emerging reports identified frequent non-coding mutations within the regulatory promoter sequences of the TERT and DPH3-OXNAD1 genes. Thus, it is clear that a more complex genetic network of cancer-associated genes than previously hypothesized is involved in BCC carcinogenesis, with a potential impact on the development of new molecular targeted therapies. This article reviews established knowledge and new hypotheses regarding the molecular genetics of BCC pathogenesis.