bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Baan ChokKhwaoSinarin's Jewelry of Isan in Thailand
Authors: Chuathong Yauwalak , Wongpongkham Niyom , Apirating Preechawut
Published: September 2019

This article is a part of dissertation on the topic of factors influencing development of jewelry in Isan region by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Niyom Wongpongkam and Dr. Preechawut Apirating. This research aimed to study the development of jewelry in Baan ChokKhwaoSinarin, Isan region, Thailand. The study was conducted using qualitative methods. The research instrument included survey, observation, interview, and group discussion. The studied samples included jewelry and the jewelry makers. The concept of cultural ecology was employed in the data analysis. The result showed that the development of Baan ChokKhwaoSinarin’s jewelry originated since prehistory period and inherited until today. The development was categorized into 6 areas which were 1) development in patterns; in the past, patterns were imitated from nature without cutting or trimming any parts, while at present, the patterns are partially cut and trimmed to make them more contemporaneous, 2) development in material; in the past, valuable materials such as gold, silver, semi-precious gemstone were used, while gemstones and synthetic sapphire are more commonly used now, 3) development in production; past production was done by melting, molding, trench welding, and polishing which required human labors, whereas the present production involves using machine and technology, 4) development in aesthetic design; the past designs were uniformly outlined, focused on relative geometric patterns, and left-right balanced design, while the present designs has been outlined to one side and trimmed out some parts, 5) development in utility; the jewelry in the past was used as a belief symbol, while at present it has been used as matching ornament for attires 6) development in belief symbolism; in the past, the jewelry was thought of related to amulets, while the present the belief has shifted to zodiac gemstones.
Successful Aging in Individuals From Less Advantaged, Marginalized, and Stigmatized Backgrounds
Authors: Thoma Myriam Verena , Mc Gee Shauna Ledean
Published: September 2019

Health and well-being in later life are heavily influenced by behaviors across the life course, which in turn are influenced by a variety of wider contextual, social, economic, and organizational factors. There is considerable potential for inequalities in health-promoting behaviors and health outcomes, arising from poverty, social, and environmental factors. This suggests that individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and circumstances may have more exposure to (chronic) stressors, coupled with reduced access to resources, and increased susceptibility to risk factors for ill-health and mental disorders in later life. This drastically decreases the likelihood for successful aging in individuals from less advantaged backgrounds. Nevertheless, despite these adverse circumstances, some high-risk, disadvantaged individuals have been shown to achieve and maintain good health and well-being into later life.

This scientific update provides an overview of recently published research with samples that, against expectations, demonstrate successful aging.

Favorable personality traits, cognitive strategies, and a high-level of intrinsic motivation, paired with a supportive social environment, have been found to build a prosperous basis for successful aging and positive health outcomes in later life for individuals living in aversive environmental circumstances.

For clinical psychologists, the movement towards the investigation of underlying mechanisms of successful aging from a psychological perspective, particularly in disadvantaged individuals, may be a critical step towards understanding the vast heterogeneity in aging.

Successful aging is possible in disadvantaged individuals.

Psychological and social resilience resources may compensate for the impact of disadvantage.

The application of multi-level resilience models can aid future research on successful aging.

Successful aging is possible in disadvantaged individuals.

Psychological and social resilience resources may compensate for the impact of disadvantage.

The application of multi-level resilience models can aid future research on successful aging.
Efforts to Improve Bank Marketing Performance
Authors: Wardoyo Paulus , Rusdianti Endang
Published: September 2019

This study aims to build and analyze research models that can be used to improve bank marketing performance. The population is 165 people, while the sampling technique used is purposive sampling and a sample of 135 respondents was obtained. This study uses four variables, namely satisfaction, customer retention, internet banking service quality, and marketing performance. Descriptive analysis was carried out using index numbers, completion of inferential statistics was carried out with the help of Smart software PLS version 2.0. The four hypotheses used in this study were all accepted. To improve marketing performance, management must first be able to build good relationships with its customers. Relationships must be long-term oriented and mutually beneficial.
Cluster Entrepreneurship Development in Lihuania Best Practice
Authors: Išoraitė Margarita
Published: September 2019

Clusters becoming important field in Lithuania. Clusters aim to join forces to gain mutual benefits, accelerate the process of developing new products, services or technologies, and bring them to market, foster innovation and collaborate on science and business. Clusters in Lithuania have benefit:  stimulates innovation and growth, promotes the transfer of knowledge and helps develop new ideas and business, promotes export development, contributes to the internationalization of enterprises, helps to reach foreign markets and find new business partners, helps attract new technologies, skilled labor, investment in research and development and innovation, strengthens the human, technical, scientific, capital, innovation, partnership and other capabilities of individual cluster members, provides access to unique, specialized resources and enhances the competitive advantage of cluster members, helps to reduce the costs of small and medium-sized enterprises,  prepare SMEs for growth,  helps reduce risk and increases the likelihood of success in selecting new R&D trends.
JARINGAN KOMUNIKASI DALAM MENINGKATKAN PRODUKTIVITAS PELAPAK (STUDI KASUS PADA KOMUNITAS BUKALAPAK WILAYAH JAKARTA)
Authors: Kusumastuti Retno Dyah , Wicaksono Agung , Priliantini Anjang
Published: September 2019

In the last five years, the number of SMEs in Indonesia has continued to increase. However, only 4.9% made use of digital access as a sales medium, either through social media or e-commerce. In 2017, the number of SMEs going online increase to 8%, and is targeted to increase in 2018 by the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs of the Republic of Indonesia. Increasing e-commerce is a challenge for Bukalapak. To continue to maintain its exixtance, Bukalapak formed the ‘Komunitas Pelapak’ as a communication network between ‘pelapak’ (seller) in each region. This community allows pelapak to share strategies to increase productivity. This study aims to describe the communication network of ‘Komunitas Pelapak’ in the Jakarta area and analyze it’s role in improving the productivity of pelapak in the community. This research method is qualitative descriptive using a case study spproach. The study, which used in-depth interview techniques with members of the Komunitas Bukalapak Jakarta area, found that within the Bukalapak community in Jakarta, there were four (4) individuals who were chosen by members of the community. The four individuals constitute opinion leaders who are active in providing information and motivation to other community members through social media channels, the WhatsApp Group of the Bukalapak community, and offline activities such as ‘kopdar’ and social activities. By communicating with information and motivation in every community activity, it can increase enthusiasm and innovation for the products and also the sales method. This will ultimately increase the productivity of community members in doing business in the world of e-commerce.
Relation of Media on Adolescents’ Reproductive Health Attitude and Behaviour
Authors: Solehati Tetti , Rahmat Agus , Kosasih Cecep Eli
Published: September 2019

Media as a tool that is widely used by adolescents in seeking information has an impact on their attitudes and behavior, including adolescent reproductive health behaviors. This article aimed to determine the relationship of the media with adolescent reproductive health attitudes and behaviors. The research design was a cross-sectional approach. Data collection was done through questionnaires and were analyzed using frequency distribution and chi-square test. The population of this study were students of SMPN and SMAN in Kabupaten Bandung totaling 12,000, samples were selected by stratified random sampling and totaling 668 students. The results found that the handbook (p = 0.31), newspapers (p = 0.46), TV (p = 0.63), radio (p = 1.00), VCD (p = 0.92), and the Internet (p = 0.13) had no relationship with attitude. However, internet (p = 0.03), newspapers (p = 0.01), and radio (p = 0.02) related to behavior, while handbooks (p = 0.14), TV (p = 0.49), and VCD (p = 1.00) did not have relationship with behavior. Media of internet, radio, and newspapers relate to adolescent reproductive health behavior. The media can be used as a means of education in adolescents, especially behavior about adolescent reproductive health.Keywords: Attitude, Adolescent Reproductive Health, Behavior , Media.
Marketing integral una herramienta de gestión en emprendimientos de economía popular y solidaria (EPS), Ecuador
Authors: Guerra Cristian
Published: September 2019

El presente trabajo de investigativo radicó en la caracterización del comportamiento del consumidor con el propósito de aplicar el marketing integral como una herramienta de gestión interna en los emprendimientos que son parte de la Economía Popular y Solidaria (EPS) en la ciudad de Riobamba, país Ecuador. La implementación de esta herramienta permitirá a estos negocios mejorar el manejo eficiente de los recursos (Humanos, financieros, materiales y tecnológicos) y la toma de decisiones. Mediante un análisis cualitativo y cuantitativo se pudo determinar las variables que permitieron desarrollar la metodología que dio lugar a definir de manera objetiva las estrategias de marketing integral que contribuyen al posicionamiento de estos negocios, los productos, un manejo adecuados de los costos de producción y definición exacta de la cadena de suministros, contribuyendo a ser competitivos en el mercado. Para la recolección de los datos se aplicó encuestas previamente validadas a través del Alfa de Cronbach, determinando un coeficiente significativo que avala la fiabilidad de la escala de medida aplicada de la encuesta; luego se efectuó un análisis estadístico mediante la aplicación del Ci cuadrado, con el que se comprobó que existe relación entre el marketing integral y las estrategias que estos negocios deben implementar para mejorar su gestión empresarial.
Aplicación de la comunicación integral en emprendimientos de la economía popular y solidaria (EPS), Ecuador
Authors: Guerra Cristian
Published: September 2019

En el presente trabajo de investigación se realiza un análisis minucioso de la comunicación integral y como esta puede servir para que los emprendimientos logren posicionar su marca en el mercado, el desarrollo teórico se fundamentó acorde a las variables de estudio y otros parámetros técnicos claves y necesarios, haciendo énfasis en las etapas o proceso a seguir de un plan de comunicación integral. Se realizó varios estudios como la aplicación de entrevistas y encuestas a la población de la ciudad de Riobamba, obteniendo datos cualitativos y cuantitativos. Para el análisis situacional de los emprendimientos se aplicaron herramientas como las 5 fuerzas de Michael Porter direccionado al ámbito interno conjuntamente con la matriz PEST y para el ámbito externo el perfil competitivo. Los resultados muestran la dificultad que tienen estos negocios para posicionar su marca en el mercado, es más algunos de ellos desconocen técnicamente la importancia de esta herramienta para la gestión empresarial. Además, es necesario concientizar a cada una de las unidades de emprendimientos que los medios de comunicación no convencionales que engloban las redes sociales requieren efectivamente la aplicación de una comunicación integral, es decir una conjugación entre el marketing, publicidad y relaciones públicas; caso contrario los productos comunicacionales no serían eficientes y de hacerlo no tendrían ningún impacto positivo en los emprendimientos.
Marca ciudad como estrategia de desarrollo promocional de la ciudad de Salcedo
Authors: Manobanda Fernanda , González Liliana , Guerrerro César
Published: September 2019

La población del cantón de Salcedo se ha visto afectada por las deficientes políticas institucionales, migración local y las políticas de desarrollo vial dichos problemas han provocado consigo secuelas en la economía, disminución de visitantes y turistas. Sin embargo, se planteó una propuesta al GAD Municipalidad Salcedo con el objetivo de diseñar la estrategia de Marca Ciudad “Salcedo” y resaltar su importancia como un factor de crecimiento económico. La investigación abordó un diseño metodológico no experimental de corte transversal. A su vez se utilizó un enfoque mixto (cualitativo-cuantitativo), debido a que se necesitó corroborar el problema de investigación mediante el análisis de revisión de literatura, además, se requirió medir y estimar la magnitud del mismo. El alcance del estudio es descriptivo, pues pretende evidenciar características importantes de la población mediante una encuesta constituida de diecisiete preguntas que constan de 4 dimensiones (Estructura, Confiabilidad, Injerencia del investigador y Objetividad). La muestra de estudio fue de 360 citadinos de la ciudad de salcedo entre los 15 y 40 años. Los principales resultados revelaron que la ciudad podría ser catalogada como potencial turístico por su exuberante ecosistema, gastronómico tradicional, su identidad cultural e infraestructura colonial, pues su implementación incrementará la participación de turistas nacionales y extranjeros.
Application of complex instrumental techniques, spectroscopy and
chromatography, for the analysis of biofuels and biomass
Authors: Tomić Tatjana , Parlov Vuković Jelena
Published: September 2019

Biofuels are environmentally friendly alternative
fuels produced from animal and plant raw materials. They have great
significance due to limited availability of crude oil and increased ecological
requirements. The development of biofuels is followed by the development of new
and more efficient analytical procedures for monitoring the composition and
physical-chemical properties. This paper presents the application of
chromatographic and spectroscopic methods in the analysis of different types of
biofuels. The results of the determination of the hydrocarbon composition and
functional groups important for the application of biofuels as blending
components are shown. In this paper, it has confirmed the possibility of using
NMR spectroscopy, HPLC and IC chromatography in biofuel and biomass analysis.
Natural capital preservation and sustainable management as a
prerequisite for year-round tourism
Authors: Runko Luttenberger Lidija , Gudelj Ivana
Published: September 2019

Increasing number
of tourists wants to experience nature and at the same time have a positive
impact on nature during their tourist stay. This paper presents the
relationship between the preservation of natural capital of the locality and
tourist season duration, as well as destination sustainable management and longevity.
Tourism greatly depends on natural world, meaning the beauty of landscapes and
seascapes and man's connection with nature itself. It simultaneously depends on
local natural environment and exerts an impact thereon. Conservation and
sustainable management of natural capital maybe achieved in various ways.
Countries are attempting to preserve natural capital and to monitor its change
through regular reporting, using selected indicators. Croatia should strive to
preserve its unique natural resources and devise the tools to measure own
performance with due consideration of its specific feature, all with the aim of
ensuring sustainable all-year tourism. Finally, the paper considers
comprehensively all pressures on natural environment exerted by tourism as well
as benefits for the locality of preserving domestic natural capital in a long
term, while ensuring the monitoring of changes in state thereof. A 'high value,
low impact' approach would bring in the growing share of affluent nature-loving
tourists throughout the year, thus reducing present tourism seasonality and
highly negative impact on nature, local communities and microclimate change.
Traversing the Øresund: The Transnational Urban Region in Bron/Broen
Authors: Chow Pei Sze
Published: September 2019

This chapter analyses the Nordic Noir television series, Bron/Broen (The Bridge, 2011–2018) as an audiovisual representation of the transnational Danish-Swedish Øresund region. My argument is that Bron/Broen, while a tangible product of the political and planned vision of a transnational region, is at the same time paradoxically critical of the Øresund imaginary of borderlessness and integration. Through the episodic nature of the television drama format, Bron/Broen articulates images of the transnational urban region as a fractured place that is composed of fragmented, albeit imbricated, spaces that emphatically contest the euphoric utopian vision of binational collaboration and cross-border urban energy invoked by Øresund planners in the late 1990s
Core Competencies of University Students and Nursing Competencies: Literature Review
Authors: Kim Jihyun
Published: September 2019

Background: core competency has begun to be emphasized as a key element for the university students preparing for the future as well as for the learning ability of leaner. Competence refers to the basic knowledge needed by the students and ability, power, skill, function, manner and attitude related to problem solving. Nursing competency is the ability of general nurses to perform nursing work regardless of field. It is a combination of knowledge, skills, and personal abilities to effectively perform professional work. The purpose of this research is that the basic concepts of competency, core competencies of university students and nursing competency literature review will be provided, and discuss the present status of Korea presented by reporting.

Review Result: K-CESA used in Korea as a core component of vocational competence refers to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes commonly required to perform a job successfully. Based on domestic and foreign literature, at a university of Korea has developed the BUCCA (Baekseok University Core Competency Assessment) consists of 6 areas, 17 outlines, and 69 items. Nursing students showed the higher level of servant leadership and spirit, calling, humanities than other major students. 7 nursing competencies are suggested by KABONE(Korea Accreditation board of Nursing Education) and a nursing curriculum developed based on that. A school of nursing in Korea develop 9 nursing competencies like as Integrated application of nursing knowledge, Critical thinking, Execute by selecting core basic nursing skills, Therapeutic communication skills, Coordination and Cooperation, Understand of professional standards and establishment of professional intuition, Understanding of healthcare policy and legal, ethical standards, Global nursing leadership, Nursing Research Ability.

Conclusion: A training course for nursing excellent nursing students should include both the core competencies needed by a college student and the nursing competencies to grow as a nurse. The two core competencies are closely related and this should be equally reflected in the curriculum and non subject programs. The development of innovative competency assessment methods is required in addition to the well-known CPE-based competency assessment.
Telling Someone and Telling on Someone—Is There a Difference?
Authors: Kennedy Michelle , McLoughlin Larisa , Clacy Amanda
Published: September 2019

Have you ever been in a situation where you have asked yourself whether you should tell on a person because he or she is not doing the right thing? An example of this might be that you see someone on the school grounds pulling a branch from a tree and that person then tries to hit other children with the branch when they pass by. In your mind, you might start thinking about what might happen if you speak up. Will you get in trouble? Will the person you told on be angry with you? Will someone get hurt if you do not say anything? When faced with such decisions, it is important to understand the difference between telling on someone and telling someone. When we tell on someone (also called dobbing or snitching), we are trying to get someone in trouble on purpose. Telling someone is different, as we are speaking up because we are worried that something bad might happen or someone might get hurt. Our brains help us make decisions based on our past experiences and current thoughts … but sometimes parts of the brain can make this process even more confusing.
Heat Shock Proteins and Ovarian Cancer: Important Roles and Therapeutic Opportunities
Authors: Hoter Abdullah , Naim Hassan Y.
Published: September 2019

Ovarian cancer is a serious cause of death in gynecological oncology. Delayed diagnosis and poor survival rates associated with late stages of the disease are major obstacles against treatment efforts. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are stress responsive molecules known to be crucial in many cancer types including ovarian cancer. Clusterin (CLU), a unique chaperone protein with analogous oncogenic criteria to HSPs, has also been proven to confer resistance to anti-cancer drugs. Indeed, these chaperone molecules have been implicated in diagnosis, prognosis, metastasis and aggressiveness of various cancers. However, relative to other cancers, there is limited body of knowledge about the molecular roles of these chaperones in ovarian cancer. In the current review, we shed light on the diverse roles of HSPs as well as related chaperone proteins like CLU in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer and elucidate their potential as effective drug targets.
Pheochromocytoma (PHEO) and Paraganglioma (PGL)
Authors: Pacak Karel , Taïeb David
Published: September 2019

This series of 23 articles (17 original articles, six reviews) is presented by international leaders in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) [...]
TWIST1 Heterodimerization with E12 Requires Coordinated Protein Phosphorylation to Regulate Periostin Expression
Authors: Mikheeva Svetlana A. , Camp Nathan D. , Huang Lei , Jain Antrix , Jung Sung Yun , Avci Naze G. , Tokita Mari , Wolf-Yadlin Alejandro , Zhang Jing , Tapscott Stephen J. , Rostomily Robert C. , Mikheev Andrei M.
Published: September 2019

Diffuse invasion into adjacent brain matter by glioblastoma (GBM) is largely responsible for their dismal prognosis. Previously, we showed that the TWIST1 (TW) bHLH transcription factor and its regulated gene periostin (POSTN) promote invasive phenotypes of GBM cells. Since TW functional effects are regulated by phosphorylation and dimerization, we investigated how phosphorylation of serine 68 in TW regulates TW dimerization, POSTN expression, and invasion in glioma cells. Compared with wild-type TW, the hypophosphorylation mutant, TW(S68A), impaired TW heterodimerization with the E12 bHLH transcription factor and cell invasion in vitro but had no effect on TW homodimerization. Overexpression of TW:E12 forced dimerization constructs (FDCs) increased glioma cell invasion and upregulated pro-invasive proteins, including POSTN, in concert with cytoskeletal reorganization. By contrast, TW:TW homodimer FDCs inhibited POSTN expression and cell invasion in vitro. Further, phosphorylation of analogous PXSP phosphorylation sites in TW:E12 FDCs (TW S68 and E12 S139) coordinately regulated POSTN and PDGFRa mRNA expression. These results suggested that TW regulates pro-invasive phenotypes in part through coordinated phosphorylation events in TW and E12 that promote heterodimer formation and regulate downstream targets. This new mechanistic understanding provides potential therapeutic strategies to inhibit TW-POSTN signaling in GBM and other cancers.
Cellular Stress Responses in Radiotherapy
Authors: Kim Wanyeon , Lee Sungmin , Seo Danbi , Kim Dain , Kim Kyeongmin , Kim EunGi , Kang JiHoon , Seong Ki Moon , Youn HyeSook , Youn BuHyun
Published: September 2019

Radiotherapy is one of the major cancer treatment strategies. Exposure to penetrating radiation causes cellular stress, directly or indirectly, due to the generation of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, and subcellular organelle damage and autophagy. These radiation-induced damage responses cooperatively contribute to cancer cell death, but paradoxically, radiotherapy also causes the activation of damage-repair and survival signaling to alleviate radiation-induced cytotoxic effects in a small percentage of cancer cells, and these activations are responsible for tumor radio-resistance. The present study describes the molecular mechanisms responsible for radiation-induced cellular stress response and radioresistance, and the therapeutic approaches used to overcome radioresistance.
Influence of Charge Carriers Concentration and Mobility on the Gas Sensing Behavior of Tin Dioxide Thin Films
Authors: Li Ruiwu , Zhou Yanwen , Sun Maolin , Gong Zhen , Guo Yuanyuan , Wu Fayu , Li Weijuan , Ding Wutong
Published: September 2019

In order to investigate function of carrier behavior on gas-sensing properties, tin oxide-based films with different carrier concentration and mobility were obtained, by magnetron sputtering from the powder target, which was followed by further oxygen-management though the annealing treatment. The microstructure, surface morphology, electrical properties and gas sensitivity were characterized by XRD, Raman spectrum, photoluminescence spectrum, atomic force microscope, the hall effect system and electrochemical workstation, respectively. The results showed that all SnO2-based films had a tetragonal rutile phase with (101) preferred orientation. The introduction of fluorine and regulation of oxygen vacancies tuned carrier concentration from 1015/cm3 to 1021/cm3 and mobility from 102 cm2/V·s to 10−1 cm2/V·s. The decreasing carrier concentration as well as increasing mobility had a positively important function to improve the sensitivity of SnO2-based films. The air-annealed SnO2 film with lowest carrier concentration had a maximum sensitivity of R = 5.0, while vacuum-annealed SnO2:F film with the highest carrier concentration being the minimum sensitivity. This puts forward a novel reference for the design and application of SnO2-based gas sensing films.
The Microstructure of Yellow River Ice in the Freezing Period
Authors: Deng Yu , Li Zongkun , Wang Juan , Xu Lukai
Published: September 2019

Accurately determining true ice microstructure and material parameters is a basis for ice disaster theoretical research on the Yellow River. In this work, natural Yellow River ice was collected, and ice crystals parallel and perpendicular to the ice surface were photographed using an orthogonal polarizing mirror. Morphologies of ice microstructure were extracted, and equivalent ice grain sizes were calculated. The results show that Yellow River ice mainly consists of granular ice and columnar ice and vary greatly in different time and space ranges. The ice crystal shape is irregular, and the ice crystal size is larger span, and mainly between 1 mm and 10 mm. Ice crystal initial defects come from bubbles, sediment particles, impurities, and microcracks; among them, bubbles are the most common and have a relatively large impact. In addition, a calculation model of the Yellow River ice microstructure was constructed according to the ice crystal test results. Based on the experimental data and numerical model, the obtained Yellow River ice parameters provide help for analyzing ice disaster mechanisms along the Yellow River.
Towards Professionalism and Police Legitimacy? An Examination of the Education and Training Reforms of the Police in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Thompson Jeremy , Payne Brian
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we present a thought piece examining recent core policing reforms introduced in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), responding to a perceived crisis of legitimacy, for An Garda Síochána (AGS) (translated: ‘The Guardian of the Peace’). Central to this process is the critical reform of the education and training of police and their relationship to the professionalisation and legitimacy of policing. In this paper, we put forward an explorative analysis of the potential link between the professional education of police and their perceived legitimacy. A literature review was carried out on the reform process, including the related elements of police education, training, professionalisation, community policing, police legitimacy, code of ethics (CoE) and police culture. We consider the espoused ambition to professionalise policing via processes including the provision of professional learning in universities and how this might be deemed to contribute (or not) to legitimacy. While no empirical research to date has been carried out on these specific reforms in the ROI, the reform recommendations had several resonances with broader examination of the themes and challenges (in particular police ethics and culture) associated with reform of democratic policing in other jurisdictions, particularly with respect to increasing professional learning and perceived police legitimacy.
Fast Heating Model for the Aircraft Cabin Air
Authors: Yang Zhi , Long Zhengwei , Wang Guangwen
Published: September 2019

Maintaining a suitable cabin air temperature distribution is essential for providing an acceptable thermal environment for passengers and crew. However, cabin air may be very cold for the first flight in winter morning. It could be difficult to heat quickly the cabin air and to maintain an acceptable temperature gradient before boarding with the existing environmental control system. This study developed numerical model for predicting the heating process that coupled airflow and heat transfer in a cabin. The model was validated by using the experimental data obtained from an MD-82 airliner. With the validated numerical model, this investigation proposed to use an electric blanket to heat cabin air quickly and to reduce the air temperature gradient.
System Reliability Assessment Based on Energy Dissipation: Modeling and Application in Electro-Hydrostatic Actuation System
Authors: Cui Xiaoyu , Wang Shaoping , Li Tongyang , Shi Jian
Published: September 2019

This paper addresses a new reliability model, based on energy dissipation, considering performance degradation behaviors. Different from the two-state reliability model and traditional reliability model based on failure rate statistics, this paper focuses on the component energy loss due to its fault evolution, such as fatigue, aging and wear, and presents a reliability model based on the component’s energy dissipation, as well as establishing a power dissipation constrained reliability model for degradation-based reliability assessment. As a demonstration, the proposed method is applied to model and evaluate the failure behavior of the electro-hydrostatic actuation system. The results indicate that the proposed method is effective in describing its life-cycle degradation in the energy field, and provides a reliability assessment based on energy dissipation.
Preliminary Design and Optimization of Axial Turbines Accounting for Diffuser Performance
Authors: Agromayor Roberto , Nord Lars O.
Published: September 2019

Axial turbines are the most common turbine configuration for electric power generation and propulsion systems due to their versatility in terms of power capacity and range of operating conditions. Mean-line models are essential for the preliminary design of axial turbines and, despite being covered to some extent in turbomachinery textbooks, only some scientific publications present a comprehensive formulation of the preliminary design problem. In this context, a mean-line model and optimization methodology for the preliminary design of axial turbines with any number of stages is proposed. The model is formulated to use arbitrary equations of state and empirical loss models and it accounts for the influence of the diffuser on turbine performance using a one-dimensional flow model. The mathematical problem was formulated as a constrained, optimization problem, and solved using gradient-based algorithms. In addition, the model was validated against two test cases from the literature and it was found that the deviation between experimental data and model prediction in terms of mass flow rate and power output was less than 1.2% for both cases and that the deviation of the total-to-static efficiency was within the uncertainty of the empirical loss models. Moreover, the optimization methodology was applied to a case study from the literature and a sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the influence of several variables on turbine performance, concluding that: (1) the minimum hub-to-tip ratio constraint is always active at the outlet of the last rotor and that its value should be selected as a trade-off of aerodynamic performance and mechanical integrity; (2) that the total-to-static isentropic efficiency of turbines without diffuser deteriorates rapidly when the pressure ratio is increased; and (3) that there exist a loci of maximum efficiency in the specific speed and specific diameter plane (Baljé diagram) that can be predicted with a simple analytical expression.
Comparing the Forecasting of Cryptocurrencies by Bayesian Time-Varying Volatility Models
Authors: Bohte Rick , Rossini Luca
Published: September 2019

This paper studies the forecasting ability of cryptocurrency time series. This study is about the four most capitalised cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Ripple. Different Bayesian models are compared, including models with constant and time-varying volatility, such as stochastic volatility and GARCH. Moreover, some cryptopredictors are included in the analysis, such as S&P 500 and Nikkei 225. In this paper, the results show that stochastic volatility is significantly outperforming the benchmark of VAR in both point and density forecasting. Using a different type of distribution, for the errors of the stochastic volatility, the student-t distribution is shown to outperform the standard normal approach.
Do Global Value Chains Make Firms More Vulnerable to Trade Shocks?—Evidence from Manufacturing Firms in Sweden
Authors: Quoreshi A. M. M. Shahiduzzaman , Stone Trudy-Ann
Published: September 2019

This paper examines the effect of the Global Financial Crisis on manufacturing firms in Sweden by analyzing the effect of trade exposure on firm performance. This study examines the decline in international trade during the global financial crisis by focusing on the relationship between global production linkages and firm performance. The trade exposure at the firm and industry levels were measured to assess the direct and indirect effects of the crisis on firm performance. Robust evidence was found of a negative relationship between trade exposure and the firms’ sales and value-added growth during the crisis. In addition, it was found that higher export dependence was associated with lower sales growth during the crisis. Our results also show that the effect of the decline in the external demand on firm performance depends on the international input-output linkages. In particular, industries that are upstream in the value chain experienced a less severe decline in performance during the crisis.
Microbial Markers Profile in Anaerobic Mars Analogue Environments Using the LDChip (Life Detector Chip) Antibody Microarray Core of the SOLID (Signs of Life Detector) Platform
Authors: García-Descalzo Laura , Parro Victorino , García-Villadangos Miriam , Cockell Charles S. , Moissl-Eichinger Christine , Perras Alex , Rettberg Petra , Beblo-Vranesevic Kristina , Bohmeier Maria , Rabbow Elke , Westall Frances , Gaboyer Frederik , Amils Ricardo , Malki Moustafa , Marteinsson Viggo , Vannier Pauline , Ehrenfreund Pascale , Monaghan Euan , Riedo Andreas , Cabezas Patricia , Walter Nicolas , Gómez Felipe Gómez
Published: September 2019

One of the main objectives for astrobiology is to unravel and explore the habitability of environments beyond Earth, paying special attention to Mars. If the combined environmental stress factors on Mars are compatible with life or if they were less harsh in the past, to investigate the traces of past or present life is critical to understand its potential habitability. Essential for this research is the characterization of Mars analogue environments on Earth through the development of techniques for biomarker detection in them. Biosensing techniques based on fluorescence sandwich microarray immunoassays (FSMI) have shown to be a powerful tool to detect biosignatures and depict the microbial profiles of different environments. In this study, we described the microbial biomarker profile of five anoxic Mars analogues sites using the Life Detector Chip (LDChip), an antibody microarray for multiple microbial marker detection. Furthermore, we contributed to new targets by developing a new 26-polyclonal antibodies microarray using crude extracts from anaerobic sampling sites, halophilic microorganisms, and anaerobic isolates obtained in the framework of the European Mars Analogues for Space Exploration (MASE) project. The new subset of antibodies was characterized and implemented into a microarray platform (MASE-Chip) for microbial marker searching in salty and anaerobic environments.
Divergent Copies of a Cryptosporidium parvum-Specific Subtelomeric Gene
Authors: Zhang Shijing , Chen Li , Li Falei , Li Na , Feng Yaoyu , Xiao Lihua
Published: September 2019

Subtype families of Cryptosporidium parvum differ in host range, with IIa and IId being found in a broad range of animals, IIc in humans, and IIo and IIp in some rodents. Previous studies indicated that the subtelomeric cgd6_5520-5510 gene in C. parvum is lost in many Cryptosporidium species, and could potentially contribute to the broad host range of the former. In this study, we identified the presence of a second copy of the gene in some C. parvum subtype families with a broad host range, and showed sequence differences among them. The sequence differences in the cgd6_5520-5510 gene were not segregated by the sequence type of the 60 kDa glycoprotein gene. Genetic recombination appeared to have played a role in generating divergent nucleotide sequences between copies and among subtype families. These data support the previous conclusion on the potential involvement of the insulinase-like protease encoded by the subtelomeric cgd6_5520-5510 gene in the broad host range of C. parvum IIa and IId subtypes.
Ni0.5Cu0.5Co2O4 Nanocomposites, Morphology, Controlled Synthesis, and Catalytic Performance in the Hydrolysis of Ammonia Borane for Hydrogen Production
Authors: Feng Yufa , Zhang Jin , Ye Huilong , Li Liling , Wang Huize , Li Xian , Zhang Xibin , Li Hao
Published: September 2019

The catalytic hydrolysis of ammonia borane (AB) is a promising route to produce hydrogen for mobile hydrogen‒oxygen fuel cells. In this study, we have successfully synthesized a variety of Ni0.5Cu0.5Co2O4 nanocomposites with different morphology, including nanoplatelets, nanoparticles, and urchin-like microspheres. The catalytic performance of those Ni0.5Cu0.5Co2O4 composites in AB hydrolysis is investigated. The Ni0.5Cu0.5Co2O4 nanoplatelets show the best catalytic performance despite having the smallest specific surface area, with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 80.2 molhydrogen·min−1·mol−1cat. The results reveal that, in contrast to the Ni0.5Cu0.5Co2O4 nanoparticles and microspheres, the Ni0.5Cu0.5Co2O4 nanoplatelets are more readily reduced, leading to the fast formation of active species for AB hydrolysis. These findings provide some insight into the design of high-performance oxide-based catalysts for AB hydrolysis. Considering their low cost and high catalytic activity, Ni0.5Cu0.5Co2O4 nanoplatelets are a strong candidate catalyst for the production of hydrogen through AB hydrolysis in practical applications.
Iron Fortification and Bioavailability of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Seeds and Flour
Authors: Jahan Tamanna A. , Vandenberg Albert , Glahn Raymond P. , Tyler Robert T. , Reaney Martin J. T. , Tar’an Bunyamin
Published: September 2019

Iron (Fe) deficiency is one of the most common nutritional disorders, and is mainly due to insufficient intake of bioavailable Fe. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) was examined as a potential vehicle for Fe fortification. Fortificants (FeSO4·7H2O (ferrous sulfate hepta-hydrate), FeSO4·H2O (ferrous sulfate mono-hydrate) and NaFeEDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid iron (iii) sodium salt)) were applied by a spraying and drying method. At 2000 µg g−1 iron fortificant, the fortified split desi seeds (dal), desi flour and kabuli flour supplied 18–19 mg, 16–20 mg and 11–19 mg Fe per 100 g, respectively. The overall consumer acceptability using a nine-point hedonic scale for sensory evaluation demonstrated that NaFeEDTA-fortified cooked chickpea (soup and chapatti) scored the highest among the three fortificants. Lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) of Fe-fortified products changed over time. However, no organoleptic changes occurred. Fe bioavailability was increased by 5.8–10.5, 15.3–25.0 and 4.8–9.0 ng ferritin mg−1 protein for cooked split desi seeds (soup), desi chapatti and kabuli chapatti, respectively, when prepared using Fe-fortified chickpea. Desi chapatti showed significantly higher Fe bioavailability than the other two. The increase in Fe concentration and bioavailability in fortified chickpea products demonstrated that these products could provide a significant proportion of the recommended daily Fe requirement.
Factors Associated with Sarcopenia and 7-Year Mortality in Very Old Patients with Hip Fracture Admitted to Rehabilitation Units: A Pragmatic Study
Authors: Malafarina Vincenzo , Malafarina Concetta , Biain Ugarte Arantzazu , Martinez J. Alfredo , Abete Goñi Itziar , Zulet M. Angeles
Published: September 2019

Background: Admitted bedridden older patients are at risk of the development of sarcopenia during hospital stay (incident sarcopenia). The objective of this study was to assess the factors associated with sarcopenia (incident and chronic) and its impact on mortality in older people with hip fracture. Methods: A multicenter, pragmatic, prospective observational study was designed. Older subjects with hip fracture admitted to two rehabilitation units were included. Sarcopenia was assessed at admission and at discharge according to the revised EWGSOP (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People) consensus definition. The mortality was evaluated after 7 years of follow-up. Results: A total of 187 subjects (73.8% women) age 85.2 ± 6.3 years were included. Risk factors associated to incident and chronic sarcopenia were undernutrition (body mass index—BMI and Mini Nutritional Assessment−Short Form—MNA-SF), hand-grip strength and skeletal muscle index. During follow-up 114 patients died (60.5% sarcopenic vs. 39.5% non-sarcopenic, p = 0.001). Cox regression analyses showed that factors associated to increased risk of mortality were sarcopenia (HR: 1.67, 95% CI 1.11–2.51) and low hand-grip strength (HR: 1.76, 95% CI 1.08–2.88). Conclusions: Older patients with undernutrition have a higher risk of developing sarcopenia during hospital stay, and sarcopenic patients have almost two times more risk of mortality than non-sarcopenic patients during follow-up after hip fracture.
Rational Development of Liposomal Hydrogels: A Strategy for Topical Vaginal Antiretroviral Drug Delivery in the Context of HIV Prevention
Authors: Faria Maria J. , Machado Raul , Ribeiro Artur , Gonçalves Hugo , Real Oliveira Maria Elisabete C. D. , Viseu Teresa , das Neves José , Lúcio Marlene
Published: September 2019

HIV/AIDS stands as a global burden, and vaginal microbicides constitute a promising strategy for topical pre-exposure prophylaxis. Preceding the development of a microbicide containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC), in silico and in vitro studies were performed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of both drugs, and to study their biophysical impact in lipid model systems. Results from these pre-formulation studies defined hydrogels as adequate vehicles to incorporate TDF-loaded liposomes and FTC. After studying interactions with mucin, zwitterionic liposomes with a mean diameter of 134 ± 13 nm, an encapsulation TDF efficiency of approximately 84%, and a transition temperature of 41 °C were selected. The chosen liposomal formulation was non-cytotoxic to HEC-1-A and CaSki cells, and was able to favor TDF permeation across polysulfone membranes (Jss = 9.9 μg·cm−2·h−1). After the incorporation of TDF-loaded liposomes and FTC in carbomer hydrogels, the drug release profile was sustained over time, reaching around 60% for both drugs within 3–6 h, and best fitting the Weibull model. Moreover, liposomal hydrogels featured pseudoplastic profiles that were deemed suitable for topical application. Overall, the proposed liposomal hydrogels may constitute a promising formulation for the vaginal co-delivery of TDF/FTC.
Development of Polyoxymethylene/Polylactide Blends for a Potentially Biodegradable Material: Crystallization Kinetics, Lifespan Prediction, and Enzymatic Degradation Behavior
Authors: Li Jianhua , Wang Yatao , Wang Xiaodong , Wu Dezhen
Published: September 2019

This paper reported the development of polyoxymethylene (POM)/polylactide (PLA) blends for a potentially biodegradable material. A series of POM/PLA blends at different weight ratios were prepared by melt extrusion with a twin-screw extruder, and their mechanical properties, crystallization behavior and kinetics, thermal degradation kinetics and stability, lifespan prediction and enzymatic degradation behavior were investigated extensively. POM and PLA were found to be partially miscible in the melt state at low temperature and become phase-separated at elevated temperatures, and their blends exhibited a typical lower critical solution temperature behavior. There were two distinct glass transition temperatures (Tg) observed for POM/PLA blends at any mass ratios when quenched from the homogeneous state, and both POM and PLA domains showed an apparent depression in their respective Tg’s in the blends. Owing to the partial miscibility between two domains, the tensile strength and impact toughness of POM/PLA blends gradually decreased with an increase of PLA content, but their flexural strength and modulus presented an increasing trend with PLA content. The studies on non-isothermal and isothermal crystallization behaviors of the blends indicated that the crystallization rates of the blends decreased continually with increasing the PLA content, confirming that the crystallization of POM domain was controlled by the molecular-confined mechanism. The introduction of PLA into POM not only led to a slight increase of thermal stability of POM domain at low PLA contents but also shortened the lifespan of the blends, favoring the natural degradation of the blends. The POM/PLA blends exhibited an improvement in partially biodegradable performance with an increase of PLA content and their mass loss reached up to 25.3 wt % at the end of 48-h enzymatic degradation when 50 wt % of PLA was incorporated.