bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MEMBANGUN KOMITMEN ORGANISASI BERBASIS PADA ISLAMIC LEADERSHIP DAN KNOWLEDGE DONATING BAGI KARYAWAN KOPERASI SYARI’AH BMT KABUPATEN SEMARANG
Authors: Natoil Natoil
Published: May 2019

The purpose of this research is to test the influences of Islamic leadership, and knowledge donating, on organizational commitment moderated by spiritual motivation. Using these variables, the usage of these variables are able to solve the arising problem within employees sharia cooperatives BMT Kabupaten Semarang. Statement of this problem is how increase organizational commitment.

The samples size of this research is 80 employees sharia coopertives BMT Kabupaten Semarang. The results show that Islamic leadership, and knowledge donating, on organizational commitment moderated by spiritual motivation.

The effect of Islamic leadership on organizational commitment are significant; The effect of knowledge donating on organizational commitment are significant; spiritual motivation moderating influence knowledge donating on organizational commitment are significant.
DAMPAK MODAL SOSIAL TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PENDANAAN DALAM MENGELOLA TEKANAN KEUANGAN (Studi Pada UMK Batik di Kota Semarang)
Authors: H Suryakusuma K , Puryandani Siti
Published: May 2019

The purpose aim how financial performance in a business situation have financial distress and how entrepreneurs react to environmental changes and take advantage of the social capital for sustainability.This study will investigate  the social capital, the financial decision and financial distress. The  research objects are SME Batik Semarang thats tenant by goverment bank in Semarang. The SME Batik have operational during 2017 and total questionare are collecting  36 SME Batik.The result argue that social capital have impact to the  financing decision and financing decision eventually influences financial distress.
ANALISIS FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI RETURN SAHAM PADA PERUSAHAAN YANG TERDAFTAR DALAM INDEKS LQ 45 TAHUN 2011-2017
Authors: Estuti Eni Puji , Fauziyanti Wachidah
Published: May 2019

Return merupakan pendorong orang dalam berinvestasi pada saham. Return dapat diartikan sebagai keuntungan ataupun kerugian investasi saat investor membeli aset finansial. Return yang akan didapatkan investor dalam saham bersifat tidak pasti. Untuk mengetahui secara pasti berapa return saham yang akan datang merupakan sesuatu yang mustahil dilakukan. Banyak faktor yang mempengaruhi return saham diantaranya variabel-variabel makro. Dalam penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pengaruh variabel makro yaitu inflasi, PDB, kurs, suku bunga terhadap return saham . Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah semua anggota yang masuk dalam indeks LQ 45 dari tahun 2011-2017. Dengan teknik purposiv sampling maka didapatkan  20 sampel perusahaan. Metode analisis menggunakan regresi berganda. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan inflasi berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap return saham, PDB tidak berpengaruh terhadap return saham, kurs berpengaruh negatif dan signifikan terhadap return saham dan suku bunga berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap return saham
THE BEHAVIOR IN UTILIZING INTERNET BANKING AS COMMUNICATION MEDIA
Authors: Santoso Aprih , Kurniawati Emaya
Published: May 2019

The rapid development of information technology is the impact of globalization. The development of information technology requires that every organization needs information, not only business or government, but also the world of financial institutions. In accordance with this, the information technology has very important position in banking.

 The purpose of this research is to analyze and to test empirically the influence of social factors, affect on intentions and its impact on financial behavior in utilizing internet banking technology as communication media. The method used in data collection is survey method by spreading the questionnaires. The research data obtained is based on the perception of students of Economics Faculty, University of Semarang on the use of internet banking technology implemented by Assistant Branch Bank of BNI Bank in University of Semarang environment as medium of communication between students and University of Semarang, with 96 respondents. The research method used validity test, reliability test, and classical assumption test, hypothesis test, multiple linear regression models with SPSS 23.

Result of testing and analysis found that social factor and affects directly and indirectly did not affect the financial behavior of internet banking technology utilization implemented by Assistant Branch Bank of BNI Bank in University of Semarang environment as communication media of students with university, through the intention of internet banking technology usage by showing insignificant results.
PENGARUH KEPEMIMPINAN TRANSFORMASIONAL, BUDAYA PERUSAHAAN DAN MOTIVASI KERJA TERHADAP KINERJA KARYAWAN DI PT. PLN (PERSERO) WILAYAH PADANG SUMATERA BARAT
Authors: Mirza Bani , Lukito Hendra
Published: May 2019

This research aims to determine and analyze the influence of transformational leadership, corporate culture, and work motivation on employee performance at PT. PLN (Persero) Region of West Sumatra Area Padang. This research is exploratory research with quantitative method. The sampling technique was conducted by the census method, with the sample number of 100 employees. This research uses Partial Least Squares-Structural Equations Modeling (PLS-SEM) with smartPLS 3 program. The results show that transformational leadership have positive but not significant effect to employee performance, Corporate culture have positive and significant effect to employee performance, and work motivation have negative but not significant effect to employee performance at PT. PLN (Persero) Region of West Sumatra Area Padang.
LANGUAGE USED IN ADVERTISEMENTS OF COCO CHANEL PERFUME
Authors: Toplana Alma
Published: May 2019

Propaganda is an information that is used to influence people by presenting arguments and is present everyday in our lives, this paper shows just a little bit of the influence of propaganda through advertisements how they affect us and what forces us to buy that sort of product.

The topic treated in this paper are adverts of perfume Channel how they represent female gender and how they affect us with those glamorous and expensive adverts making us feel beautiful and feminine. Considering that Chanel is one of the largest company business in the world and the success of being a best seller of course is thanks to good adverts. Creating very qualitative TV adverts, slogans and also quotes about women, making them feel very confident and using powerful women in their adverts in a way they had directly influenced in personality of women that every dream of woman is to show her feminine parts.
Sensitivity Analysis of Plant- and Cultivar-Specific Parameters of APSIM-Sugar Model: Variation between Climates and Management Conditions
Authors: Gunarathna M.H.J.P. , Sakai Kazuhito , Nakandakari Tamotsu , Momii Kazuro , Kumari M.K.N.
Published: May 2019

With increasing demand for food and energy, there is a great need for improving sugarcane productivity. New cultivars and management strategies can be assessed using process-based crop models. Information on cultivars needs to be updated frequently, but it is still limited in most crop models. Therefore, it is important to identify possible candidates for varietal parameterization and calibration. Because sensitivity analysis is computationally expensive, we used a less expensive emulator-based approach to conduct a global sensitivity analysis using the apsimr package and GEM-SA software. We studied the sensitivity of four yield outputs of the APSIM-Sugar model to 13 parameters in rainfed and irrigated conditions in Japan and Sri Lanka. Unlike previous studies, our aim was to give comprehensive insights into the variation in sensitivity due to variation in climate. The results confirmed distinct variation of parameter influence between climates and between management conditions. We identify possible candidates for parameterization and calibration of new cultivars for APSIM-Sugar under different environments, and show the effect of variation in climate on variation in parameter influence under different management conditions. It was confirmed that both radiation use efficiency and transpiration efficiency were sensitive and have to be examined to use new cultivars, though these are not listed as cultivar parameters.
Effects of Elevated CO2 on Wheat Yield: Non-Linear Response and Relation to Site Productivity
Authors: Broberg Malin C. , Högy Petra , Feng Zhaozhong , Pleijel Håkan
Published: May 2019

Elevated carbon dioxide (eCO2) is well known to stimulate plant photosynthesis and growth. Elevated carbon dioxide’s effects on crop yields are of particular interest due to concerns for future food security. We compiled experimental data where field-grown wheat (Triticum aestivum Linnaeus) was exposed to different CO2 concentrations. Yield and yield components were analyzed by meta-analysis to estimate average effects, and response functions derived to assess effect size in relation to CO2 concentration. Grain yield increased by 26% under eCO2 (average ambient concentration of 372 ppm and elevated 605 ppm), mainly due to the increase in grain number. The response function for grain yield with CO2 concentration strongly suggests a non-linear response, where yield stimulation levels off at ~600 ppm. This was supported by the meta-analysis, which did not indicate any significant difference in yield stimulation in wheat grown at 456–600 ppm compared to 601–750 ppm. Yield response to eCO2 was independent of fumigation technique and rooting environment, but clearly related to site productivity, where relative CO2 yield stimulation was stronger in low productive systems. The non-linear yield response, saturating at a relatively modest elevation of CO2, was of large importance for crop modelling and assessments of future food production under rising CO2.
Anti-Transpirant Effects on Vine Physiology, Berry and Wine Composition of cv. Aglianico (Vitis vinifera L.) Grown in South Italy
Authors: Di Vaio Claudio , Marallo Nadia , Di Lorenzo Rosario , Pisciotta Antonino
Published: May 2019

In viticulture, global warming requires reconsideration of current production models. At the base of this need there are some emerging phenomena: modification of phenological phases; acceleration of the maturation process of grapes, with significant increases in the concentration of sugar musts; decoupling between technological grape maturity and phenolic maturity. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of a natural anti-transpirant on grapevine physiology, berry, and wine composition of Aglianico cultivar. For two years, Aglianico vines were treated at veraison with the anti-transpirant Vapor Gard and compared with a control sprayed with only water. A bunch thinning was also applied to both treatments. The effectiveness of Vapor Gard were assessed through measurements of net photosynthesis and transpiration and analyzing the vegetative, productive and qualitative parameters. The results demonstrate that the application of anti-transpirant reduced assimilation and transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, berry sugar accumulation, and wine alcohol content. No significant differences between treatments were observed for other berry and wine compositional parameters. This method may be a useful tool to reduce berry sugar content and to produce wines with a lower alcohol content.
The Cell Culture Medium Affects Growth, Phenotype Expression and the Response to Selenium Cytotoxicity in A549 and HepG2 Cells
Authors: Arodin Selenius Lisa , Wallenberg Lundgren Marita , Jawad Rim , Danielsson Olof , Björnstedt Mikael
Published: May 2019

Selenium compounds influence cell growth and are highly interesting candidate compounds for cancer chemotherapy. Over decades an extensive number of publications have reported highly efficient growth inhibitory effects with a number of suggested mechanisms f especially for redox-active selenium compounds. However, the studies are difficult to compare due to a high degree of variations in half-maximal inhibitor concentration (IC50) dependent on cultivation conditions and methods to assess cell viability. Among other factors, the variability in culture conditions may affect the experimental outcome. To address this, we have compared the maintenance effects of four commonly used cell culture media on two cell lines, A549 and HepG2, evaluated by the toxic response to selenite and seleno-methylselenocysteine, cell growth and redox homeostasis. We found that the composition of the cell culture media greatly affected cell growth and sensitivity to selenium cytotoxicity. We also provided evidence for change of phenotype in A549 cells when maintained under different culture conditions, demonstrated by changes in cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and vimentin expression. In conclusion, our results have shown the importance of defining the cell culture medium used when comparing results from different studies.
Current Situation and Prospects for Aquifer Storage and Water Quality Enhancement (ASWQE) Projects in Korea: A Legal Perspective
Authors: Shim Young-Gyoo , Choi Jae-Ho
Published: May 2019

The aquifer storage and water quality enhancement (ASWQE) method is a potential alternative to overcome the limitations of water resource policies that focus on surface water and act as an effective measure against water shortage caused by climate change. According to the physical/technical characteristics and operational complexity of the ASQWE, there are various legal/institutional issues to be considered at every stage in the development and implementation of the project. However, in Korea, there is no legislation or legal basis directly related to the ASWQE projects, resulting in large gaps between the initiatives of ASWQE and the relevant laws and statutes. In this respect, this study, to introduce approaches for the establishment of a legal system in line with the requirements of ASWQE projects, mainly analyzes the gaps between the abovementioned principal legal/institutional issues/subjects and the indispensable elements at each phase of the project’s process in the existing Korean legal system concerning the ASWQE, particularly based on the issue tree approach. Through this comprehensive, systematic, and comparative case study, large gaps have been definitely identified between the initiatives surrounding ASWQE projects and the existing Korean legal system, and to conclude, legally multilateral approaches to fill and make up for the gaps have been presented. It is expected that the Korean government will continue to pursue the establishment of a comprehensive and integrated legal system in line with the requirements of ASWQE projects based on this research’s findings. When these attempts succeed, the expected legal achievement for the development and implementation of ASWQE projects could serve as an exemplary legal case for the entire world.
Analysis of the Guide Vane Jet-Vortex Flow and the Induced Noise in a Prototype Pump-Turbine
Authors: Tao Ran , Wang Zhengwei
Published: May 2019

The start-up process of a pump-turbine in pump mode is found with obvious noise, especially at the small guide vane opening angle. The turbulent-flow-induced noise is an important part and must be reduced by flow control. Therefore, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is used in this study to predict the internal flow in a high head prototype pump-turbine (the specific speed nq is 31.5) under an extremely off-design condition (Cφ = 0.015 and Cα = 0.096). The acoustic analogy method is also used to predict the near-field noise based on the turbulence field. Special undesirable flow structures including the flow ring between the runner trailing-edge and the guide vane, guide vane jet, twin-vortexes adjacent to guide vane jet, inter stay vane vortex, stay vane jet, and volute vortex-ring are found in a pump-turbine. These complex jet-vortex flow structures induce local high turbulence kinetic energy and an eddy dissipation rate, which is the reason why noise is generated at small guide vane opening angle. Three dominating frequencies are found on the turbulence kinetic energy pulsation. They are the runner blade frequency fb = 64.5 Hz, the dominate frequency in the guide vane and the stay vane fgsv = 9.6 Hz, and the dominate frequency in volute fvl = 3.2 Hz. The flow pulsation tracing topology gives a good visualization of frequency propagation. The dominating regions of the three specific frequencies are clearly visualized. Results show that different flow structures may induce different frequencies, and the induced specific frequencies will propagate to adjacent sites. This study helps us to understand the off-design flow regime in this prototype pump-turbine and provides guidance when encountering the noise and stability problems during pump mode’s start-up.
Carbon Dioxide Adsorption on Porous and Functionalized Activated Carbon Fibers
Authors: Chiang Yu-Chun , Yeh Cheng-Yu , Weng Chih-Hsien
Published: May 2019

Polyacrylonitrile-based activated carbon fibers (ACFs), modified using potassium hydroxide (KOH) or tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), were investigated for carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption, which is one of the promising alleviation approaches for global warming. The CO2 adsorption isotherms were measured, and the values of isosteric heat of adsorption were calculated. The results showed that the KOH-modified ACFs exhibited a great deal of pore volume, and a specific surface area of 1565 m2/g was obtained. KOH activation made nitrogen atoms easily able to escape from the surface of ACFs. On the other hand, the surface area and pore volume of ACFs modified with TEPA were significantly reduced, which can be attributed to the closing or blocking of micropores by the N-groups. The CO2 adsorption on the ACF samples was via exothermic reactions and was a type of physical adsorption, where the CO2 adsorption occurred on heterogeneous surfaces. The CO2 uptakes at 1 atm and 25 °C on KOH-activated ACFs reached 2.74 mmole/g. This study observed that microporosity and surface oxygen functionalities were highly associated with the CO2 uptake, implying the existence of O-C coordination, accompanied with physical adsorption. Well cyclability of the adsorbents for CO2 adsorption was observed, with a performance decay of less than 5% over up to ten adsorption-desorption cycles.
Climatization—Negligent Attribution of Great Salt Lake Desiccation: A Comment on Meng (2019)
Authors: Wine Michael L. , Null Sarah E. , DeRose R. Justin , Wurtsbaugh Wayne A.
Published: May 2019

A recent article reviewed data on Great Salt Lake (Utah) and concluded falsely that climate changes, especially local warming and extreme precipitation events, are primarily responsible for lake elevation changes. Indeed climatically influenced variation of net inflows contribute to huge swings in the elevation of Great Salt Lake (GSL) and other endorheic lakes. Although droughts and wet cycles have caused lake elevation changes of over 4.5 m, they have not caused a significant long-term change in the GSL stage. This recent article also suggests that a 1.4 °C rise in air temperature and concomitant increase in the lake’s evaporative loss is an important reason for the lake’s decline. However, we calculate that a 1.4 °C rise may have caused only a 0.1 m decrease in lake level. However, since 1847, the lake has declined 3.6 m and the lake area has decreased by ≈50%, despite no significant change in precipitation (p = 0.52) and a slight increase, albeit insignificant, in river flows above irrigation diversions (p = 0.085). In contrast, persistent water extraction for agriculture and other uses beginning in 1847 now decrease water flows below diversions by 39%. Estimates of consumptive water use primarily for irrigated agriculture in the GSL watershed suggest that approximately 85% (2500 km2) of the reduced lake area can be attributed to human water consumption. The recent article’s failure to calculate a water budget for the lake that included extensive water withdrawals misled the author to focus instead on climate change as a causal factor for the decline. Stable stream flows in GSL’s headwaters, inadequate temperature increase to explain the extent of its observed desiccation, stable long-term precipitation, and the magnitude of increased water consumption from GSL together demonstrate conclusively that climatic factors are secondary to human alterations to GSL and its watershed. Climatization, in which primarily non-climatic processes are falsely attributed to climatic factors, is a threat to the credibility of hydrological science. Despite a recent suggestion to the contrary, pressure to support Earth’s rising human population—in the form of increasing consumption of water in water-limited regions, primarily to support irrigated agriculture—remains the leading driver of desiccation of inland waters within Earth’s water-limited regions.
Exploration of Youth’s Digital Competencies: A Dataset in the Educational Context of Vietnam
Authors: Le Anh-Vinh , Do Duc-Lan , Pham Duc-Quang , Hoang Phuong-Hanh , Duong Thu-Huong , Nguyen Hoai-Nam , Vuong Thu-Trang , Nguyen Hong-Kong T. , Ho Manh-Toan , La Viet-Phuong , Vuong Quan-Hoang
Published: May 2019

The recent surge of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has set forth demands for a new generation of the labor force with a comprehensive set of skills to meet the standards of the global market. Despite widespread concerns about educational reforms and renovations to enhance the workforce capacity in terms of information and communication technology (ICT) skills, research into the digital proficiencies of students has been limited in Vietnam. This dataset contains 1061 observations on the digital competency level of 10th-grade students in 20 surveyed schools from five provinces in Vietnam. The investigation, joining frequentist and Bayesian analyses, aims to provide valuable insights into the current state of children’s attitudes, behaviors, competency levels, and use of ICT within the Vietnamese educational context. The values of the dataset lie in its proposed scientific framework for replication in multiple regions and contexts as well as the feasibility of categorical regression techniques together with Bayesian statistics for hierarchical regression analysis.
Distributional Differences and the Native American Gender Wage Gap
Authors: Burnette Jeffrey , Zhang Weiwei
Published: May 2019

We use the Theil index and data from the 2012–2016, American Community Survey 5-Year Sample to document and analyze gender wage inequality for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) women across single, multiracial and ethnic identity groups. Mean differences in hourly wages by gender contribute little to measured wage inequality when individuals are separated based upon their proximity to tribal homeland areas. Instead, we find between-group wage inequality is a function of glass-ceiling effects that differ by AIAN identification and homeland area. Differences in glass-ceiling effects across AIAN identity groups suggest the need to disaggregate data by AIAN ethnic identity. Furthermore, under certain circumstances, it may be appropriate to combine some racial AIAN identity groups into a single population even if the focus is to study policy impacts on citizens of federally recognized AIAN nations for those using government survey data.
Predicting Learning Outcomes with MOOC Clickstreams
Authors: Yu Chen-Hsiang , Wu Jungpin , Liu An-Chi
Published: May 2019

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have gradually become a dominant trend in education. Since 2014, the Ministry of Education in Taiwan has been promoting MOOC programs, with successful results. The ability of students to work at their own pace, however, is associated with low MOOC completion rates and has recently become a focus. The development of a mechanism to effectively improve course completion rates continues to be of great interest to both teachers and researchers. This study established a series of learning behaviors using the video clickstream records of students, through a MOOC platform, to identify seven types of cognitive participation models of learners. We subsequently built practical machine learning models by using K-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machines (SVM), and artificial neural network (ANN) algorithms to predict students’ learning outcomes via their learning behaviors. The ANN machine learning method had the highest prediction accuracy. Based on the prediction results, we saw a correlation between video viewing behavior and learning outcomes. This could allow teachers to help students needing extra support successfully pass the course. To further improve our method, we classified the course videos based on their content. There were three video categories: theoretical, experimental, and analytic. Different prediction models were built for each of these three video types and their combinations. We performed the accuracy verification; our experimental results showed that we could use only theoretical and experimental video data, instead of all three types of data, to generate prediction models without significant differences in prediction accuracy. In addition to data reduction in model generation, this could help teachers evaluate the effectiveness of course videos.
Long-Term Monitoring of Sensible Thermal Storage in an Extremely Cold Region
Authors: Hailu Getu , Hayes Philip , Masteller Mark
Published: May 2019

We present more than one-year of monitoring results from a thermal energy storage system located in a very cold place with a long winter season. The studied house is in Palmer city, Alaska (~62° N, ~149° W). The house is equipped with solar PV for electricity production and solar thermal collectors which were linked to a sensible thermal energy storage system which is underneath the house’s normally unoccupied garage and storage space. Sensors were installed in the thermal storage and solar thermal collector array to monitor system temperatures. In addition, TRNSYS was used for numerical simulation and the results were compared to experimental ones. The maximum observed garage ambient temperature was ~28 °C while the simulated maximum ambient garage temperature was found to be ~22 °C. Results indicate that seasonal solar thermal storages are viable options for reducing the cost of energy in a region with extended freezing periods. This is significant for Alaska where the cost of energy is 3–5 times the national average.
A Self-Powered Glucose Biosensor Operated Underwater to Monitor Physiological Status of Free-Swimming Fish
Authors: Huang Shih-Hao , Chen Wei-Hung , Lin Yu-Chen
Published: May 2019

The changes in blood glucose levels are a key indicator of fish health conditions and are closely correlated to their stress levels. Here, we developed a self-powered glucose biosensor (SPGB) consisting of a needle-type enzymatic biofuel cell (N-EFC), which was operated underwater and connected to a charge pump integrated circuit (IC) and a light emitting diode (LED) as the indicator. The N-EFC consisted of a needle bioanode, which was inserted into the caudal area of a living fish (Tilapia) to access biofuels, and a gas-diffusion biocathode sealed in an airtight bag. The N-EFC was immersed entirely in the water and connected to a charge pump IC with a capacitor, which enabled charging and discharging of the bioelectricity generated from the N-EFC to blink an LED. Using a smartphone, the glucose concentration can be determined by observing the LED blinking frequencies that are linearly proportional to the blood glucose concentration within a detection range of 10–180 mg/dL. We have successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the SPGB used to continuously monitor the physiological status of free-swimming fish treated with cold shock in real time. The power generated by a free-swimming fish with an N-EFC inserted into its caudal area, swimming in a fish tank with a water temperature (Tw) of 25 °C, exhibited an open circuit voltage of 0.41 V and a maximum power density of 6.3 μW/cm2 at 0.25 V with a current density of 25 μA/cm2. By gradually decreasing Tw from 25 °C to 15 °C, the power generation increased to a maximum power density of 8.6 μW/cm2 at 0.27 V with a current density of 31 μA/cm2. The blood glucose levels of the free-swimming fish at 25 °C and 15 °C determined by the blinking frequencies were 44 mg/dL and 98 mg/dL, respectively. Our proposed SPGB provides an effective power-free method for stress visualization and evaluation of fish health by monitoring a blinking LED through a smartphone.
Intraday Load Forecasts with Uncertainty
Authors: Kozak David , Holladay Scott , Fasshauer Gregory E.
Published: May 2019

We provide a comprehensive framework for forecasting five minute load using Gaussian processes with a positive definite kernel specifically designed for load forecasts. Gaussian processes are probabilistic, enabling us to draw samples from a posterior distribution and provide rigorous uncertainty estimates to complement the point forecast, an important benefit for forecast consumers. As part of the modeling process, we discuss various methods for dimension reduction and explore their use in effectively incorporating weather data to the load forecast. We provide guidance for every step of the modeling process, from model construction through optimization and model combination. We provide results on data from the largest deregulated wholesale U.S. electricity market for various periods in 2018. The process is transparent, mathematically motivated, and reproducible. The resulting model provides a probability density of five minute forecasts for 24 h.
Varying Physical Constants, Astrometric Anomalies, Redshift and Hubble Units
Authors: Gupta Rajendra P.
Published: May 2019

We have developed a cosmological model by allowing the speed of light c, gravitational constant G and cosmological constant Λ in the Einstein filed equation to vary in time, and solved them for Robertson-Walker metric. Assuming the universe is flat and matter dominant at present, we obtain a simple model that can fit the supernovae 1a data with a single parameter almost as well as the standard ΛCDM model with two parameters, and which has the predictive capability superior to the latter. The model, together with the null results for the variation of G from the analysis of lunar laser ranging data determines that at the current time G and c both increase as dG/dt = 5.4GH0 and dc/dt = 1.8cH0 with H0 as the Hubble constant, and Λ decreases as dΛ/dt = −1.2ΛH0. This variation of G and c is all what is needed to account for the Pioneer anomaly, the anomalous secular increase of the moon eccentricity, and the anomalous secular increase of the astronomical unit. We also show that the Planck’s constant ħ increases as dħ/dt = 1.8ħH0 and the ratio D of any Hubble unit to the corresponding Planck unit increases as dD/dt = 1.5DH0. We have shown that it is essential to consider the variation of all the physical constants that may be involved directly or indirectly in a measurement rather than only the one whose variation is of interest.
Use of Planning Training Courses and Activities to Enhance the Understanding of Eco-Community Planning Concepts in Participatory Planning Workshop Participants: A Case Study in Taiwan
Authors: Sun Chen-Yi , Tai Hsiu-Hsiung , Yen Ai-Ching
Published: May 2019

In recent years, in order to make community planning content closer to people’s life needs and psychological expectations, and to obtain the support of the people, “citizen participatory planning” and “community-engagement” have become two important strategies of the community planning process. In this study, an indigenous people participatory planning workshop was conducted with the support of government funds, and pre-training and post-training questionnaires were completed by the participants of the planning training of the citizen participation planning. Through questionnaire analysis, this study obtained data of the participants’ cognitive status related to community planning and analyzed the basic background of the participants in order to determine the effectiveness of the planning training. According to the results of this study, most of the participating citizens had a basic understanding of the “community environment”, “the relationship between ecological knowledge and community planning”, and “community identity” before the training. Moreover, the research results also confirm that planning training can effectively enhance participants’ understanding of community planning, spatial planning, planning tools, planning laws, and the environment of the community. Additionally, planning training also contributes to the implementation of participatory decision-making and the promotion of public support for planning content. However, it is necessary to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the needs of participants, and to make appropriate adjustments to the planning training courses and activities in order to obtain stable training effectiveness and build the basic ability of citizens with respect to participatory planning.
Awareness and Factors Associated with Health Care Worker’s Knowledge on Rubella Infection: A Study after the Introduction of Rubella Vaccine in Tanzania
Authors: Chotta Nikolas A.S. , Mgongo Melina , Uriyo Jacqueline G. , Msuya Sia E. , Stray-Pedersen Babill , Stray-Pedersen Arne
Published: May 2019

Background Congenital rubella syndrome is a global health problem. The incidence is much higher in Africa and Southeast Asia than the rest of the world, especially in countries where universal rubella vaccination has not been implemented. Healthcare worker’s knowledge on rubella infection and the rubella vaccine is of utmost importance in achieving and maintaining vaccination coverage targets. This study aimed to assess health care workers knowledge on rubella infection in Kilimanjaro Tanzania, after the introduction of a rubella vaccination. Methods This was a health facility-based cross sectional study. It was conducted in three districts of the Kilimanjaro region between August and October 2016. The study involved eligible health care workers in selected health facilities. An interview guide was used for collecting information by face-to-face interviews. Multivariate analysis was used to assess factors associated with rubella knowledge among healthcare workers. Results A total of 126 health care workers were interviewed. An acceptable level of knowledge was considered if all five questions about rubella were correctly answered. Only 26.4% (n = 31) answered all questions correctly. In multivariate analysis education level and working department were predictors of rubella knowledge; health care workers with an advanced diploma had an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 7.7 (95% Confidence interval; CI: 1.4, 41.0), those with a university degree (AOR: 10; 95% CI: 2.4; 42.5) and health care workers in the outpatient department (AOR: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.04; 0.29). Conclusions Our study confirmed that health care worker’s knowledge on rubella infection was low in the areas where rubella vaccination had been introduced. We recommend continuous education and supportive supervision post vaccine introduction in order to increase healthcare worker’s knowledge on rubella infection, congenital rubella syndrome and prevention through sustained high vaccination coverage.
Macro Risk: A Versatile and Universal Strategy for Measuring the Overall Safety of Hazardous Industrial Installations in China
Authors: Wang Guantao , Pei Jingjing
Published: May 2019

In this work, macro risk is used to describe the overall safety of a group of hazards that are congeneric in a certain area, which can effectively help safety supervisors with goal setting and decision-making in China. To demonstrate this, the article proposes a calculation method to quantitatively study the macro risk of hazardous industrial installations. The method simultaneously considers the probability and consequences of accidents as the two core elements of risk, and the consequences cover losses with various dimensions. Assisted by related probability theory and binomial distribution, we analyzed historical accident statistics in detail to reveal hidden laws. To explore how to normalize the dimension of varied losses, the number of person-years was introduced as a loss equivalent to set up a method of conversion between loss of life and economic loss. The calculation method, which manifests a versatile and universal strategy of macro risk, was thus established. The value of the macro risk obtained possesses chronergy. Based on chronergy, two applications in China are further discussed, indicating this method is indeed feasible and practical for safety supervision. Specifically, it can help reasonably allocate regulatory resources by comparing macro risks of the same types of installations in various jurisdictions. In addition, it is conducive to a scientific determination of regulatory direction through the comparison of macro risks of various types of installations in the same jurisdiction.
Poor Family Relationships in Adolescence and the Risk of Premature Death: Findings from the Stockholm Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Alm Susanne , Brolin Låftman Sara , Bohman Hannes
Published: May 2019

Poor family relationships during childhood have been shown to have long-term negative effects on an offspring’s health. However, few studies have followed the offspring to retirement age, and relatedly, knowledge about the link between poor family relationships and premature death is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the association between poor family relationships in adolescence and the risk of premature death, even when considering other adverse childhood conditions. Prospective data from the Stockholm Birth Cohort study were used, with 2636 individuals born in 1953 who were followed up until age 65. Information on family relations was based on interviews with the participants’ mothers in 1968. Information on mortality was retrieved from administrative register data from 1969–2018. Cox proportional hazards regressions showed that poor family relationships in adolescence were associated with an increased risk of premature death, even when adjusting for childhood conditions in terms of household social class, household economic poverty, contact with the child services, parental alcohol abuse, and parental mental illness (Hazard Ratio (HR), 2.08, 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.40–3.09). The findings show that poor family relationships in adolescence can have severe and long-lasting health consequences, highlighting the importance of early interventions.
Physical Activity during the School Holidays: Parent Perceptions and Practical Considerations
Authors: Emm-Collison Lydia , Lewis Sarah , Reid Thomas , Matthews Joe , Sebire Simon , Thompson Janice , Jago Russell
Published: May 2019

Children’s physical activity decreases during school holidays. Less structured days and reduced participation in organised activities may account for some of the decrease. Little is known about the factors that influence parents’ decision to enrol their child in organised activity such as holiday clubs. This paper sought to explore parents’ perceptions of their child’s physical activity during school holidays and the factors that influence holiday activity-based decision making. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 42 parents of children aged 10–11 years in July 2017 or March 2018. Data were analysed using a combination of inductive and deductive content analysis to explore parents’ perceptions of holiday-based physical activity and the factors associated with how they provide physical activity opportunities for their children. The data revealed that most parents consider their child’s physical activity levels when planning for the school holidays. However, work commitments in the holidays meant many parents had to rely on both informal and formal childcare. Grandparents were the primary source of informal childcare, despite a perception that children were not as physically active when with them. Holiday clubs were also a viable option, but the cost, location and age-appropriateness of provision inhibit parents signing older children up to these regularly.
Recovery Degree of the Natural Flow Regimes and the Corresponding Economic Costs for Reservoir Operation in Fish Spawning Seasons
Authors: Liu Cong-Min , Qiu Jun , Li Fang-Fang
Published: May 2019

The construction of large-scale reservoirs alters the natural flow process downstream and inevitably affects the aquatic organism. Current studies have verified that flow regimes play an important role in fish spawning stimulus. Recovery of the flow regimes may be incompatible with the economic benefit, mainly referring to hydropower generation. In this study, multiple models are established to study the relationship between the recovery degree of the natural flow regimes and the cost of the hydropower generation in spawning season for different hydrological years. The flow regimes are first quantitatively described by three characteristic parameters including the number of floods, the average duration of each flood, and the daily increment of the natural flow. The model for ecological operation needs to approach these characteristics as close as possible, while the model for economic benefit is set to generate power as much as possible. The ecological flow constraint is also considered to shape the flow process pattern. The proposed methodology is applied on the upper reaches of the Yellow River, where a large-scale reservoir is under planning. Different schemes are compared for different hydrological years to answer the question that to what extent can we recover the flow regime by reservoir operation, and how much the corresponding economic cost is.
Mitochondrial-Derived Vesicles as Candidate Biomarkers in Parkinson’s Disease: Rationale, Design and Methods of the EXosomes in PArkiNson Disease (EXPAND) Study
Authors: Picca Anna , Guerra Flora , Calvani Riccardo , Bucci Cecilia , Lo Monaco Maria Rita , Bentivoglio Anna Rita , Landi Francesco , Bernabei Roberto , Marzetti Emanuele
Published: May 2019

The progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigro-striatal system is a major trait of Parkinson’s disease (PD), manifesting clinically as motor and non-motor symptoms. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are alleged pathogenic mechanisms underlying aggregation of misfolded α-synuclein that in turn triggers dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Peripheral processes, including inflammation, may precede and contribute to neurodegeneration. Whether mitochondrial dyshomeostasis in the central nervous system and systemic inflammation are linked to one another in PD is presently unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are delivery systems through which cells can communicate or unload noxious materials. EV trafficking also participates in mitochondrial quality control (MQC) by generating mitochondrial-derived vesicles to dispose damaged organelles. Disruption of MQC coupled with abnormal EV secretion may play a role in the pathogenesis of PD. Furthermore, due to its bacterial ancestry, circulating mitochondrial DNA can elicit an inflammatory response. Therefore, purification and characterisation of molecules packaged in, and secreted through, small EVs (sEVs)/exosomes in body fluids may provide meaningful insights into the association between mitochondrial dysfunction and systemic inflammation in PD. The EXosomes in PArkiNson Disease (EXPAND) study was designed to characterise the cargo of sEVs/exosomes isolated from the serum of PD patients and to identify candidate biomarkers for PD.
Role of Mitochondrial DNA Damage in ROS-Mediated Pathogenesis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Authors: Kaarniranta Kai , Pawlowska Elzbieta , Szczepanska Joanna , Jablkowska Aleksandra , Blasiak Janusz
Published: May 2019

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex eye disease that affects millions of people worldwide and is the main reason for legal blindness and vision loss in the elderly in developed countries. Although the cause of AMD pathogenesis is not known, oxidative stress-related damage to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is considered an early event in AMD induction. However, the precise cause of such damage and of the induction of oxidative stress, including related oxidative effects occurring in RPE and the onset and progression of AMD, are not well understood. Many results point to mitochondria as a source of elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in AMD. This ROS increase can be associated with aging and effects induced by other AMD risk factors and is correlated with damage to mitochondrial DNA. Therefore, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage can be an essential element of AMD pathogenesis. This is supported by many studies that show a greater susceptibility of mtDNA than nuclear DNA to DNA-damaging agents in AMD. Therefore, the mitochondrial DNA damage reaction (mtDDR) is important in AMD prevention and in slowing down its progression as is ROS-targeting AMD therapy. However, we know far less about mtDNA than its nuclear counterparts. Further research should measure DNA damage in order to compare it in mitochondria and the nucleus, as current methods have serious disadvantages.
Olive Mill Wastewater Valorization in Multifunctional Biopolymer Composites for Antibacterial Packaging Application
Authors: Sisti Laura , Totaro Grazia , Bozzi Cionci Nicole , Di Gioia Diana , Celli Annamaria , Verney Vincent , Leroux Fabrice
Published: May 2019

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) is the aqueous waste derived from the production of virgin olive oil. OMW typically contains a wide range of phenol-type molecules, which are natural antioxidants and/or antibacterials. In order to exploit the bioactive molecules and simultaneously decrease the environmental impact of such a food waste stream, OMW has been intercalated into the host structure of ZnAl layered double hydroxide (LDH) and employed as an integrative filler for the preparation of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) composites by in situ polymerization. From the view point of the polymer continuous phase as well as from the side of the hybrid filler, an investigation was performed in terms of molecular and morphological characteristics by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD); also, the thermal and mechanical properties were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMTA). Antibacterial properties have been assessed against a Gram-positive and a Gram-negative bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively, as representatives of potential agents of foodborne illnesses.
Structural and Functional Changes in the Na+/H+ Exchanger Isoform 1, Induced by Erk1/2 Phosphorylation
Authors: Fliegel Larry
Published: May 2019

The human Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) is a plasma membrane transport protein that plays an important role in pH regulation in mammalian cells. Because of the generation of protons by intermediary metabolism as well as the negative membrane potential, protons accumulate within the cytosol. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mediated regulation of NHE1 is important in several human pathologies including in the myocardium in heart disease, as well as in breast cancer as a trigger for growth and metastasis. NHE1 has a N-terminal, a 500 amino acid membrane domain, and a C-terminal 315 amino acid cytosolic domain. The C-terminal domain regulates the membrane domain and its effects on transport are modified by protein binding and phosphorylation. Here, we discuss the physiological regulation of NHE1 by ERK, with an emphasis on the critical effects on structure and function. ERK binds directly to the cytosolic domain at specific binding domains. ERK also phosphorylates NHE1 directly at multiple sites, which enhance NHE1 activity with subsequent downstream physiological effects. The NHE1 cytosolic regulatory tail possesses both ordered and disordered regions, and the disordered regions are stabilized by ERK-mediated phosphorylation at a phosphorylation motif. Overall, ERK pathway mediated phosphorylation modulates the NHE1 tail, and affects the activity, structure, and function of this membrane protein.