bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECTS OF INQUIRY TRAINING MODEL USING MIND MAPPING AND MOTIVATION ON STUDENTS’ SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS PHYSICS.
Authors: Fitrah Dwi Dara , Bangun Harahap Mara , . Derlina
Published: March 2017

This study aims to analyze, student’s science process skills who are taught by inquiry training learning model using mind mapping is better than the students that taught with conventional learning, science process skills in students who have motivated above average are better compared with students who have the motivation below average, and the interaction between the inquiry training learning model using mind mapping and motivation in improving students' science process skills. This research was conducted by quasiexperimental. The sample selection was done by cluster random sampling that were class X2 and X1. The research instrument was using science process skills test in the form of descriptions and tests of motivation in the form of a questionnaire. The data were analyzed by ANOVA two lanes. The results showed that: The ability of students’ physics science process skills using inquiry training learning using mind mapping is better than the ability of students’ science process skills using conventional learning model. The ability of students’ physics science process skills in motivational groups are above average better than the ability of students’ physics science process skills  in conventional groups which are below average, and In this research, motivation above average dominant improves science process skills in Inquiry Training model using mind mapping rather than in conventional learning model
Modelo de Dinámica de Sistemas para la Gestión del Emprendimiento, Fondo Emprender - SENA, Valle del Cauca
Authors: Burbano Criollo Raúl , Gómez Sánchez Elidier , Rubiano Ovalle Oscar Rubiano Ovalle
Published: March 2017

El presente artículo de investigación propone un Modelo de Dinámica de Sistemas para la Gestión del Emprendimiento del Fondo Emprender, el cual se construyó mediante la caracterización de la cadena de valor del proceso, usando la herramienta SIPOC,(Suppliers,Inputs,Process,Outputs and Costumers). Para la definición del problema, en términos estructurales, también fue aplicada mediante una adaptación del Modelo Causal, con el fin de establecer las interdependencias sistémicas y los ciclos de retroalimentación, posibilitando la construcción del modelo a través de la herramienta VENSIM, (Ventana Systems Inc), que utilizó como base conceptual el Diagrama Forrester. De igual manera se realizó una calibración del mismo con datos reales, y se desarrollaron simulaciones que determinaron los principales atributos y permitieron la caracterización del Modelo de Emprendimiento del Fondo Emprender; la quiebra de las empresas, el tiempo dedicado por los asesores a la evaluación de los proyectos, y, en menor grado, el número de planes de negocios evaluados, toda vez que el paradigma propuesto permitió identificar tanto los puntos críticos como de apalancamiento de un modelo dinámico como es el del emprendimiento, convirtiéndose así en una herramienta importante para su gestión.
RANCANG BANGUN APLIKASI ANDROID POS (POINT OF SALE) KAFE UNTUK KASIR PORTABLE DAN BLUETOOTH PRINTER
Authors: Pamungkas Gilang , Yuliansyah Herman
Published: March 2017

Kafe merupakan salah satu jenis usaha di bidang kuliner yang banyak diminati pengunjung. Beberapa permasalahan yang ada adalah sistem transaksi keuangan di kafe belum memanfaatkan kasir digital, hanya berupa mesin drawer. Sehingga terdapat batasan pada perhitungan transaksi. Tujuan dari penelitian menghasilkan aplikasi kasir tablet android untuk membantu proses transaksi penjualan dan dapat merekapitulasi laporan data transaksi di kafe. Selain itu, pada aplikasi ini ditambahkan fitur pencetakan kwitansi untuk pelanggan. Pengujian aplikasi android dilakukan dengan metode unit test dan menunjukkan sudah berjalan dengan lancar dan tidak ada method yang error, sehingga dapat dinyatakan lolos. Selain itu, pengujian black box test dapat disimpulkan bahwa aplikasi berjalan sesuai dengan yang telah dirancang.
SISTEM PENDUKUNG KEPUTUSAN PENJADWALAN PENGEMUDI DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN ALGORITMA ROUND ROBIN (STUDI KASUS: ZENA TRAVEL)
Authors: P Yogi ariyanto , Wicaksono Soetam rizky
Published: March 2017

Penjadwalan merupakan aspek umum dalam suatu perusahaan travel.Â  Dalam proses bisnisnya selain pengaturan reservasi pelanggan, pengaturan jadwal beban kerja pada pengemudi juga merupakan faktor yang penting.Â  Pada travel komuter (dalam kasus ini dengan jadwal rutin harian) yang masih mengadaptasi sistem penjadwalan manual, akan menimbulkan masalah pada saat pembagian jadwal pengemudi sering tidak berimbang.Â  Hal ini akan mengakibatkan beban kerja dan gaji setiap pengemudi juga tidak imbang.Â  Selain itu, sering terjadi kesalahan dari operator dalam melakukan proses penjadwalan yang masih manual. Sehingga perlu dibuat solusi berupa sistem penjadwalan pengemudi dengan memanfaatkan algoritma round robin atau sering disebut RR.Â  RR adalah algoritma yang dalam prosesnya dapat disela oleh proses lain dan tidak berprioritas karena adanya quantum.Â  Hal ini tentu merupakan keunggulan RR dalam kriteria penjadwalan yaitu fairness. Hasil ujicoba algoritma RR telah terbukti meningkatkan efisiensi dalam proses penjadwalan dan dapat dihandalkan sebagai solusi untuk meingkatkan kinerja operator serta sesuai dengan kriteria penjadwlan yaitu fairness.
SISTEM PENCARIAN PROGRAM STUDI PADA PERGURUAN TINGGI DI BALI BERBASIS SEMANTIK
Authors: Novianti Kadek Dwi Pradnyani , Diaz Ricky Aurelius Nurtanto
Published: March 2017

Pendidikan di Indonesia berlangsung secara berjenjang, dimulai dari pendidikan dasar sampai dengan pendidikan tinggi. Pendidikan tinggi diselenggarakan oleh berbagai satuan penyelenggara, seperti Akademi, Sekolah Tinggi, Institut, dan Universitas. Calon mahasiswa sebelum menentukan pilihan program studi dari sebuah perguruan tinggi harus melakukan pencarian informasi berkaitan dengan program studi. Pencarian informasi dapat diselesaikan dengan membangun sebuah sistem pencarian berbasis semantik. Ontologi menjadi dasar dari penerapan web semantik karena dapat merepresentasikan konten menjadi basis pengetahuan yang dapat dipahami oleh mesin, sehingga mesin dan pengguna memiliki pemahaman makna kata kunci yang sama. Sistem ini membantu calon mahasiswa untuk mendapatkan deskripsi informasi program studi yang diinginkan. Pada tahapan pengujian sistem, diperoleh hasil nilai recall sebesar 0.95 dan nilai precision sebesar 0.93, yang menunjukan bahwa sistem memiliki tingkat relevansi dan ketepatan pengembalian informasi yang tinggi. Selanjutnya diharapkan bahwa sistem ini mampu mengakomodasi detail informasi program studi dari seluruh perguruan tinggi di Indonesia.
PERBANDINGAN SEGMENTASI CITRA TELUR AYAM MENGGUNAKAN METODE OTSU BERDASARKAN PERBEDAAN RUANG WARNA RGB DAN HSV
Authors: Pradipta Gede Angga , Wulaning Ayu Putu Desiana
Published: March 2017

Segmentasi bertujuan untuk membagi citra ke dalam sejumlah bagian atau objek, objek pada penelitian ini berupa telur ayam yang bertujuan untuk memperoleh garis tepi dari citra telur dan dapat mengidentifikasi bercak kotor pada telur. Untuk mendapatkan tujuan dari penelitian ini, maka metode yang digunakan adalah dengan segmentasi berdasarkan perbedaan ruang warna, yaitu ruang warna RGB dan HSV, serta segmentasi dengan menggunakan metode otsu. Hasil yang diperoleh dari 20 sampel telur yang digunakan menunjukkan hasil segmentasi dengan ruang warna RGB dalam mendeteksi garis tepi citra pada telur lebih baik dibandingkan dengan ruang warna HSV ,ini terlihat dari pengujian secara visual dimana ruang warna RGB memberikan hasil yang lebih sempurna dalam memisahkan telur dengan objek yang lainnya. Sedangkan dalam pengujian kualitas citra hasil dari segementasi dengan pengujian MSE dan PSNR, ruang warna HSV memberikan hasil yang lebih baik dengan RGB . Penelitian ini diharapkan dapat memberikanÂ  kontribusi penggunaan metode ruang warna agar dapat diterapkan pada segmentasi citra.Â Kata Kunci : Otsu, RGB, HSV, Segmentasi
Describing the population health burden of depression: health-adjusted life expectancy by depression status in Canada
Authors: Steensma C. , Loukine L. , Orpana Heather , Vachon J. , Mo F. , Boileau-Falardeau M. , Reid C. , Choi B.C.
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Few studies have evaluated the impact of depression in terms of losses to both
premature mortality and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) on the overall population.
Health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) is a summary measure of population health that
combines both morbidity and mortality into a single summary statistic that describes the
current health status of a population.

Methods

We estimated HALE for the Canadian adult population according to depression
status. National Population Health Survey (NPHS) participants 20 years and older
(n = 12 373) were followed for mortality outcomes from 1994 to 2009, based on depression
status. Depression was defined as having likely experienced a major depressive episode in
the previous year as measured by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short
Form. Life expectancy was estimated by building period abridged life tables by sex and
depression status using the relative risks of mortality from the NPHS and mortality data from
the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (2007–2009). The Canadian Community
Health Survey (2009/10) provided estimates of depression prevalence and Health Utilities
Index as a measure of HRQOL. Using the combined mortality, depression prevalence and
HRQOL estimates, HALE was estimated for the adult population according to depression
status and by sex.

Results

For the population of women with a recent major depressive episode, HALE at 20
years of age was 42.0 years (95% CI: 40.2–43.8) compared to 57.0 years (95% CI: 56.8–57.2)
for women without a recent major depressive episode. For the population of Canadian men,
HALE at 20 was 39.0 years (95% CI: 36.5–41.5) for those with a recent major depressive
episode compared to 53.8 years (95% CI: 53.6–54.0) for those without. For the 15.0-year difference
in HALE between women with and without depression, 12.3 years can be attributed
to the HRQOL gap and the remaining 2.7 years to the mortality gap. The 14.8 fewer years of
HALE observed for men with depression equated to a 13.0-year HRQOL gap and a 1.8-year
mortality gap.

Conclusion

The population of adult men and women with depression in Canada had substantially
lower healthy life expectancy than those without depression. Much of this gap is
explained by lower levels of HRQOL, but premature mortality also plays a role.
Deep Sea Tension: The Kingdom of Tonga and Deep Sea Minerals
Authors: Brown Pulu Teena
Published: March 2017

The Kingdom of Tonga was quick off the mark sponsoring deep sea mining companies for exploration licenses to the International Seabed Authority.  On the 11-15 March 2013 a regional workshop on deep sea minerals facilitated by the Secretariat for the Pacific Community was held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.  Fifteen Pacific Island states attended.  It was focused on state law and regulations, and enforcing compliances for safe mining and liability for seabed damage on the mining companies.  Tonga’s bill reading for a deep sea minerals act was scheduled for parliament in August 2013, but in the meantime, the state permitted companies to explore without the legislative framework.  In contrast to Melanesian states, the Kingdom of Tonga and deep sea minerals had not awoken an organised anti-mining movement from civil society and the general public.  Why was that?  And did this mean that Tonga’s experiences in a frontier commercial industry might travel a different course of development?
Rethinking development in Tonga: Dialogues with Sefita Hao'uli, Kalafi Moala, and Melino Maka
Authors: Brown Pulu Teena
Published: March 2017

Acknowledging the work of the late Tongan professors, Futa Helu and Epeli Hau’ofa, this is the first in a series of four articles.  Teena Brown Pulu revisits Helu’s criticism of development in Tonga by framing interview conversations with Sefita Hao’uli, Kalafi Moala and Melino Maka in a Hau’ofa-styled narrative that draws on satire and tongue-in-cheek prodding as a form of criticism.  This is Tongan storytelling with a critical edge which will leave the reader much clearer about the convoluted circumstances and unpredictable politics driving development and democracy in the Kingdom of Tonga.
Modern Colonialism: Dialogues with Sefita Hao'uli, Kalafi Moala, and Melino Maka
Authors: Brown Pulu Teena
Published: March 2017

For this second article in a series of four stimulated by conversations about present day Tonga, Sefita Hao’uli, Kalafi Moala, and Melino Maka discuss whether there is a Tongan frame or explanation for development.  And what about concepts and practices of self-determination?  How can sovereignty and self-determination be realised as a national development plan when aid donors have such a tight grip over Tonga, they shape reality in the present and prospects for the future?  Linking the discussants’ ideas with the work of the late Tongan professors Futa Helu and Epeli Hau’ofa, Teena Brown Pulu examines why Tongans in the homeland state are socialised by a zealous nationalism that does not question, whose development history is this?
Kowhiti 2015
Authors: Cleave Peter
Published: March 2017

Introduction to the Special Edition of Kowhiti edited by Dr Peter Cleave
Putin stirs up UN General Assembly
Authors: Brown Pulu Teena
Published: March 2017

An opinion piece by Dr Teena Brown Pulu
Fieldwork journals on Tonga’s 2014 election: What is funny about that?
Authors: Brown Pulu Teena , Pamatatau Richard
Published: March 2017

This essay presents selected passages from the fieldwork journals of Teena Brown Pulu and Richard Pamatatau on Tonga’s 2014 election.  Staged on November 27th, here was the second general election under an amended constitution intended to bring about a more democratic system of parliament and government.  Woven together are interrelated factors which field researchers like us – academics who craft their written studies on encounters, observations, and conversations gathered from a specific people and place – experience and live through in day-to-day work.

Highlighted in this paper are our reflections and recollections as Richard, a journalism academic, and Teena, an anthropologist, researching in the field while fielding a political climate of ordinary folks’ frustration. By this, Tongan people saw the nineteenth century class-system instituted in the 1875 constitution was fixed to the modified political structure introduced in 2010.  Therefore, the thread interlacing our journal excerpts to an analysis of what is taking hold in Tongan political life is satire and wit, and how humour is manoeuvred to criticise and critique power and authority.
Big bananas in Kiribati
Authors: Brown Pulu Teena , Pamatatau Richard
Published: March 2017

An opinion piece by Dr Teena Brown Pulu and Richard Pamatatau
But can it be Art? Kapa Haka as a contemporary indigenous performance practice
Authors: Mazer Sharon , Papesch Te Rita
Published: March 2017

This talk represents the latest stage in our ongoing conversation. As with our previously performed public dialogues such as ‘Crossing the Cultural Divide’ in 2001and ‘Stages of Pōwhiri’ in 2008, we’re staking positions that are to some degree more contrary than we might hold in private (see Papesch and Mazer 2001 & 2010). We do this for the sake of argument, to have a bit of a play with thinking out loud in ways that you may, or may not, find acceptable, and as such perhaps to spark controversy, because we believe that conscious contentiousness can be cheerful and also genuinely productive of new ideas about the relationship between culture and performance.
Hybridity in Transition
Authors: Madril Eddie
Published: March 2017

In 1923 a paper was written to describe the traditional Hopi ceremonial ways. The phrase “hybridity in transition” was a descriptor of their process. This was a time when many aspects of Indigenous traditions including language, were illegal or prohibited in many ways. This paper and performance explores the evolution of pseudo-traditional performance practices over the past century. How can a culture maintain its core-values and essence, explicitly or embedded within new forms of presenting and representing its identity and authentic voice? Using empirical evidence, we journey through the transition from an art form a child participates in, the lifelong dancer, and to the artist-educator in order to justify creative modifications to traditions. How can cultural traditions be maintained and celebrated during times of suppression? How and why is tradition important to each generation as it faces major social influences? What is the value and power of collaborative work between tradition and modernity? How can an Indigenous culture explore, decolonize and empower its future thorough performance?
Ramarama, Ruatahuna, Oxford, Jerusalem
Authors: Cleave Peter
Published: March 2017

Introduction

He koorero timata

He koorero teenei moo ooku wheako i Tipene Kura ki Ramarama, ki Ruataahuna i te Urewera, ki Hiruhaarama i Israel/Palestine, ki te Whare Waananga o Oxford hoki i te tau 1972 ki 1977. He koorero hoki teenei moo tooku tuutakihanga i eetahi taangata tae hoki raa ki a Hoani Rangihau.

I talk below about my experiences at St Stephens School at Ramarama/Bombay, in Ruataahuna, in Jerusalem in Israel Palestine and at Oxford University in the years 1972-7. It is also  about meeting various people including John Rangihau.

He mea taiaawhio teenei i eetahi ahua inahoki kua hipa eetahi awa, eetahi huarahi, eetahi moana, etahi paparahi, aa, he taawhiti kee te haere i a Aotearoa ki a Ingarangi, i a Ingarangi ki a Hiruhaarama. Kia waanangahia teenei whakaaro e tika ana kia kii pea ka rere eetahi ira i Ruataahuna ki Hiruhaarama me te hokohanga mai hoki ki a Aotearoa, aa, he paku koorero naaku moo eenaa i te nuku o te tuhinga ki raro.

This is something of a circumnavigation in that roads, rivers, oceans and continents around the world are crossed and its a long way from Aotearoa to England and from there to Jerusalem, Israel and then too the return to Aotearoa. Considering this there there are some threads between Ruatahuna and Jerusalem and there is some discussion of them in the course of the writing below.

Naaku noa,

Naa Peter Cleave
A Body of VA'rt
Authors: Raymond Rosanna
Published: March 2017

How can a body act as a tool for decolonising performance? As an artist, my body has become a powerful space for my art practice and cultural heritage to come together, the past and the present. My Polynesian body is the genealogical vessel that collapses time and space, allowing our ancestors and the atua to have a presence in the Now. I live through them, and they live through me at the point of performance. In this, I follow the Ta/Va philosophy (Mahina, Wendt, Refiti, Tavita) as it has been vigorously circulated and exchanged for well over a decade within Polynesian academic, cultural and artistic circles. With this in mind (and body), I will present a visceral experience featuring aural, visual and performative elements, weaving in and out of spoken words, both academic and artistic, to demonstrate the power of the body as a vehicle to create works of VA’rt.
New Zealand in the mid-1960s: A Nexus of Culture, Economics, and Ethnicity
Authors: Keiha Pare , Moon Paul
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this article is to provide a general survey of the nature of New Zealand culture, society, ethnicity, and the nation’s economy in the mid-1960s.  It commences with a snapshot of the country in 1966, and then explores various facets of the country in that decade, with a focus on selected political, economic, and social developments, and the role of Maori in the emerging society and economy.    The nexus between a nation’s culture and history, and its economic condition is well-established (Beugelsdijk & Maseland, 2010), with historical and culturalassessments providing a vital context to economic analyses (Hodgson, 2001). The socio-cultural dimension to economics is critical. It provides frames of reference for economic data, insights into variables that affect economic performance, and helps to explain the decisions of actors in the classical and neoclassical traditions of economic analysis (Smelser, 2010).
Efficiency of Unicast and Broadcast Gossip Algorithms for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zanaj Elma , Baldi Marco , Chiaraluce Franco
Published: March 2017

Gossip is a well-known technique for distributed computing in an arbitrarily connected network, that can be adopted effectively in wireless sensor networks. Gossip algorithms have been widely studied in previous literature, but mostly from a theoretical point of view. The aim of this paper isto verify the behavior of the gossip approach in practicalscenarios, through the analysis and interpretation of simulated results. So, we investigate the impact of optimizing the neighbor selection probabilities, the effect of multiple link failures and that of limited transmission radius. The possibility to use broadcast-like algorithms to increase the rate of convergence in averaging problems is also discussed and its advantage estimated.
Iterative Soft-Decision Decoding of Binary Cyclic Codes
Authors: Baldi Marco , Cancellieri Giovanni , Chiaraluce Franco
Published: March 2017

Binary cyclic codes achieve good error correction performance and allow the implementation of very simpleencoder and decoder circuits. Among them, BCH codesrepresent a very important class of t-error correcting codes, with known structural properties and error correction capability. Decoding of binary cyclic codes is often accomplished through hard-decision decoders, although it is recognized that softdecision decoding algorithms can produce significant coding gain with respect to hard-decision techniques. Several approaches have been proposed to implement iterative soft-decision decoding of binary cyclic codes. We study the technique based on “extended parity-check matrices”, and show that such method is not suitable for high rates or long codes. We propose a new approach, based on “reduced parity-check matrices” and “spread parity-check matrices”, that can achieve better correction performance in many practical cases, without increasing the complexity.
Pengembangan Perangkat Pembelajaran Matematika Berbasis Problem Based Learning untuk Siswa Kelas VII Semester 1 SMP/MTs Materi Bilangan dan Himpunan
Authors: Armis Armis , Suhermi Suhermi
Published: March 2017

This study aims to develop the learning of mathematics 1st junior class VII, on Numbers and Set. The learning tools developed consists of a syllabus, Lesson Plan (RPP), Sheet Teaching Materials (LMA), Student Activity Sheet (LAS), instructional media, and Authentic Assessment Sheet (LPA). This study is the research, development model 4-D which consists of four stages: Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate. In this study the development process undertaken only to phase 3. The learning tools that have been developed, validated by two-person of experts and two practitioners then conducted a limited trial to the junior high school students in coastal areas. Data validation and students' responses collected through questionnaires which are then revised on the advice. From the results of the validation data showed the average score was 3.93 for syllabus (very valid), RPP was 3.44 (very valid), LAS was 3,67 (very valid), LMA was 3.83 (very valid), LMP was 3.92 (very valid),  and the average score of the students' response was 3.76 (very practical). From the development of learning tools that have been carried out it is concluded that a learning tool developed very valid and ready to be tested on students of SMP / MTs by a larger amount.
Pelaksanaan Kurikulum 2013 pada Bidang Studi Matematika di Sekolah Menengah Pertama Negeri (SMPN) Kota Pekanbaru Tahun Pelajaran 2016/2017
Authors: Heleni Susda , Zulkarnain Zulkarnain
Published: March 2017

This study aims to (1) Determine the  implementation of curriculum 2013 in Mathematics on SMPN of Pekanbaru, the academic year 2016/2017. (2) Knowing what obstacles faced by Mathematics teachers SMPN of Pekanbaru in the implementation of kurikulm 2013. This study is a qualitative descriptive study, which describes the implementation of the curriculum 2013 by Mathematics teachers of  SMPN Pekanbaru and the constraints they face. Subjects in this study are Mathematics teachers in SMPN Pekanbaru that implementing the curriculum 2013, such as SMP 1, SMP 6 and SMP 23 Pekanbaru. The data collection by conducting surveillance documents, and interviews with Mathematics teachers. Based on data analysis, learning process based curriculum 2013 in Pekanbaru SMP has not gone well. There are some problems in the implementation of the curriculum 2013 at SMPN Pekanbaru such as, (1) Teacher have a problem to making Student Activity Sheet; (2) Lack of teacher knowledge about models, strategies, or approach about student-centered learning; and (3) Lack of understanding about the assessment of teachers especially skills assessment.
Persepsi Mahasiswa Terhadap Penggunaan Software Geogebra Sebagai Multimedia Pembelajaran Matakuliah Kalkulus Multivariabel
Authors: Arfinanti Nurul
Published: March 2017

This study aims to determine students' perceptions of the use of multimedia learning software GeoGebra in Multivariable Calculus course. Students' perceptions of the use of media or multimedia learning are closely related to their achievement. Media or multimedia learning in accordance with the desire of students will make them motivated. This research is qualitative data analysis was done descriptively. The data obtained in this study comes from researchers as the main instrument, the data questionnaire and interview data is unstructured. The results are students' perceptions of the use of multimedia learning software GeoGebra in Multivariable Calculus courses are in the positive category.
Review of hazards to female reproductive health in veterinary practice
Authors: Scheftel Joni M. , Elchos Brigid L. , Rubin Carol S. , Decker John A.
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE To review publications that address female reproductive health hazards in veterinary practice, summarize best practices to mitigate reproductive risks, and identify current knowledge gaps.

DESIGN Systematized review.

SAMPLE English-language articles describing chemical, biological, and physical hazards present in the veterinary workplace and associations with adverse reproductive outcomes or recommendations for minimizing risks to female reproductive health.

PROCEDURES Searches of the CAB abstracts database were performed in July 2012 and in May 2015 with the following search terms: veterinarians AND occupational hazards and vets.id AND occupational hazards.sh. Searches of the PubMed database were conducted in November 2012 and in May 2015 with the following medical subject heading terms: occupational exposure AND veterinarians; anesthetics, inhalation/adverse effects AND veterinarians; risk factors AND pregnancy AND veterinarians; pregnancy outcome AND veterinarians; and animal technicians AND occupational exposure. Two additional PubMed searches were completed in January 2016 with the terms disinfectants/toxicity AND female AND fertility/drug effects and veterinarians/psychology AND stress, psychological. No date limits were applied to searches.

RESULTS 4 sources supporting demographic trends in veterinary medicine and 118 resources reporting potential hazards to female reproductive health were identified. Reported hazards included exposure to anesthetic gases, radiation, antineoplastic drugs, and reproductive hormones; physically demanding work; prolonged standing; and zoonoses.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Demographic information suggested that an increasing number of women of reproductive age will be exposed to chemical, biological, and physical hazards in veterinary practice. Information on reproductive health hazards and minimizing risk, with emphasis on developing a safety-focused work culture for all personnel, should be discussed starting in veterinary and veterinary technical schools and integrated into employee training.
Fine needle aspiration cytology of thyroid and its correlation with serological findings
Authors: Karki S , Shrestha A
Published: March 2017

Background: Thyroid autoimmunity can cause several forms of thyroid disorders i.e. Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis, post-partum thyroidits etc. Cytological diagnosis may be sometimes difficult is some cases. In such conditions, cytology along with serological tests aid at reaching a correct diagnosis.Hence, this study was undertaken to evaluate the serum level of anti-TPO antibody with respect to serum concentrations of thyroid hormones and its importance in diagnosing autoimmune thyroiditis.Material and Methods: This study was carried out in the department of pathology from June 2013-May 2014. Patients coming to the department of pathology TUTH, Maharajgunj for FNA of thyroid were included. TFT level was noted and anti TPO antibody level was evaluated by CLIA.Results: Ninety-five thyroid FNAC was included in the study, which comprises of 16.8 % males and 83.2% females with a M: F 1: 4.9. Maximum number of cases was seen in the age range 21-30 years (25.3%), mean age being 40.4years. The cytological diagnosis comprised colloid goiter(43.2%), lymphocytic thyroiditis (25.3%), Hashimoto thyroiditis(18.9%). Out of 42 cases of autoimmune thyroiditis diagnosed cytologically, 16 (38%) were hypothyroid, 4 (9.5%) hyperthyroid, 8 (19%) sub-clinical hypothyroid and 14 (33.5%) were euthyroid. The sensitivity and specificity of positive anti TPO in correctly identifying autoimmune thyroiditis was 85.7% and 79.2% respectively. The positive and negative predictive value for the test was 76.5% and 87.5% respectively.Conclusion: Nodular goitre can harbour a certain per cent of autoimmune thyroiditis and in such cases anti TPO antibody level along with cytodiagnosis appears to be helpful.
Histopathological pattern of testicular lesion
Authors: Baidya R , Sigdel B , Baidya NL
Published: March 2017

Background: Testicular tumors are rare type of tumors affecting adolescents and young adults. The testicular tumors constitute 4th most common cause of death from neoplasm in a younger male.The present study is undertaken to analyze the pattern and age wise distribution of testicular lesions in our hospital.Materials and methods: This was a prospective study done over a period of 4 years from November 2012 to October 2016, after taking approval of the ethics committee and informed consent from the patients. Histopathological slides were retrieved and reviewed for tumor and its subtype.Results:  A total of 60 cases of testicular lesions were encountered in our study. Out of the total 60 cases,15% (9/60) were diagnosed as malignant testicular tumor.Most of these tumors were seen between 3rd and 4th decades.Germ cell tumor was the most common type (77.7%) among which seminomas (44.44%) and mixed germ cell tumors(28.57%) were most frequently encountered.Other tumor diagnosed was Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Non-neoplastic lesions of the testis are most common in the second decade of life. The youngest patient was at birth and oldest was 71 years of age. Out of all non-neoplastic lesions, vascular lesions like torsion and infarction are the most common findings (54.90%) followed by tuberculous abscess (15.68%).Conclusion: Testicular tumors are uncommon in our population. Histopathological spectrum of our study was comparable with other parts of the world,germ cell tumor accounted for highest percentage of cases in neoplastic lesions and torsion and infarction are the common findings in non-neoplastiic lesions of testis.
Identification of Novel A2/C2 Inter-Genotype Recombinants of Hepatitis B Virus from a Korean Chronic Patient Co-Infected with Both Genotype A2 and C2
Authors: Lee So-Young , Lee Seung-Hee , Kim Ji-Eun , Kim Hong , Kim Kijeong , Kook Yoon-Hoh , Kim Bum-Joon
Published: March 2017

Nearly all cases of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in South Korea have the C2 genotype. Here, we have identified a chronically infected patient who was co-infected with HBV of both the A2 and C2 genotypes by screening 135 Korean chronically infected patients using direct sequencing protocols targeting the 1032-bp polymerase reverse transcriptase (RT) region. Further polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-cloning analysis (22 clones) of the RT showed that this patient had genotype C2 (12 clones), genotype A2 (six clones) and A2/C2 inter-genotype HBV recombinants (four clones). BootScan analysis showed that three of the four recombinants have different types of recombination breakpoints in both the RT and overlapping hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) region. Given the significance of HBsAg as a diagnostic or vaccination target against HBV infection, clinical implications of these identified recombinants should be studied in the future. To our knowledge, this is the first report on A2/C2 inter-genotype HBV recombinants.
Physico-Chemical Properties of CuO Thin Films Deposited by Spray Pyrolysis
Authors: Boudjema Bouzid , Daira Radouane , Kabir Abdenour , Djebien Rafika
Published: March 2017

Our work consists to the deposition of copper oxide (CuO) thin films onto glass substrates by the spray pyrolysis method. The precursor solution was copper chloride of 0.1 M and the deposition rate was 5 ml/h. The time of spray varied between 5 and 20 min and the substrate temperature was kept at 350°C. The structural, optical and electrical properties of CuO films were investigated, as a function of the spray time, by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman scattering, UV-visible spectroscopy in addition to the measurements of the thickness and the electrical resistivity. The obtained results indicated that our films were polycrystalline with a preferential orientation along the (111) planes. The peaks intensity as well as the grain size increased as a function of the spray time indicating the improvement of the films crystalline structure. The Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of the CuO phase. The UV-visible transmission varied between 36% and 53% and the band gap energy decreased from 2 to 1.72 eV as a function of the spray time. The electrical resistivity of the films decreased from 514 to 72 kΩcm and correlated with the decrease of the band gap energy and the increase of the grain size.
Measurement of Nonlinear Properties for PEI Tetra Sulfonated Indium Phthalocyanine Compounds Self-Assembly Film Using Improved Tophat Z-Scan Technique
Authors: Chang Qing
Published: March 2017

The nonlinear refraction and absorption properties of a PEI (phthalocyanine indium) tetrasulphonated chlorinated phthalocyanine electrostatic self-assembled film were studied using a simple and high sensitivity technique. We adopted picosecond laser pulses as source light and modified top-hat Zscan technique with a disk and a small aperture to explore the nonlinear refraction of the film. Experimental results show that the measuring sensitivity is increased by two orders of magnitude. Through theoretical fitting, we obtain the nonlinear refraction index and nonlinear absorption coefficients of the film are 2.1×10-14 m2/W and 2.4×10-7 m/W, respectively.
Thin-Walled Composite and Plastic Shells for Civil and Industrial Buildings and Erections
Authors: Krivoshapko Sergey Nikolayevich , Shambina Svetlana Lvovna , Hyeng Christian A. Bock
Published: March 2017

Commercial production of synthetic resin has begun at the beginning of the XX century. In 1950s in the USA, small-span dome roofs, scanner assemblies and spherical hangars for radars made of plastic began to appear. Later, invention of reinforced plastics gave a possibility to use them in thin-walled shells for civil and industrial buildings. The subject of the paper associates with today’s renewed interest in thin shells. The modern theoretical base of strength analyses of composite structures give a possibility to design different structures and buildings. The possibility of the application of composites as the basic elements of thin-walled shell structures of industrial and civil purpose are illustrated by the concrete examples. The paper presents information on the well-known composite shells of positive Gaussian curvature in the form of spherical and umbrella domes or with more complex middle surfaces and presents materials that are absent in other publications. The paper contains 9 figures and 15 references.
The Low Velocity Impact Properties of Pandanus Fiber Composites
Authors: Kuan Hoo Tien Nicholas , Lee Meng Chuen , Khan Amir Azam , Sawawi Marini
Published: March 2017

The impact properties of biodegradable Pandanus atrocarpus composite laminate is studied. Laminate samples were fabricated using a hot compression molding technique with high-density polyethylene and extracted Pandanus fiber. Pandanus composites were tested under impact loading in order to study their relative impact performance. Under low velocity impact loading, Pandanus fiber laminates offered an excellent resistance to impact penetration. Tests have shown that increasing the volume fraction of Pandanus fiber can enhance the toughness of the composite. The biodegradable composites imply attractive properties that may be accessible for use in engineering sectors.
FTIR and UV-Visible Absorbance Studies of Hydrothermally Grown ZnO Coated with Polyvinylpyrrolidone
Authors: Agulto Verdad C. , Agulo Ian Jasper , Sarmago Roland V.
Published: March 2017

Hydrothermally grown hexagonal wurtzite ZnO microrods coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) via an ex-situ method, was successfully synthesized without using complex procedure or experimental setup. FTIR results confirm the presence of different functional groups of PVP at the ZnO surface and the chemical interaction of ZnO with the C=O ligand of the PVP molecule. The presence of PVP molecules prevents the absorption of atmospheric CO2 by the Zn2+ ions since PVP chemically interacts with ZnO by attaching to the exposed cations. The coating concentration doesn’t induce a frequency shift in the vibrations of the PVP functional groups. The ZnO microrods possess good optical quality as indicated by the high UV absorption and pronounced excitonic peak at room temperature, even after coating with higher PVP concentrations.
Effect of Sulfur on the Formation of the Graphite Degradation in Ductile Iron
Authors: Boonmee Sarum , Mai-Ngam Nupol
Published: March 2017

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of sulfur in core sand on the formation of the graphite degradation in ductile iron. The graphite degradation is caused by the depletion of Mg in liquid iron resulting in low nodularity zone underneath the casting surface. The content of sulfur in molding materials has been known as an important factor of the occurrence of the graphite degradation. It was found that the greater content of sulfur in the core sand promoted the formation of the graphite degradation. The graphite degradation with the thickness ranged from 113 to 1116 μm was observed for the sulfur content from 0.24 to 1.68 wt%S.
Study by Numerical Simulation of the Deep Drawing Parameters-Material during the Wheelbarrow Forming
Authors: Hamza Faouzi , Boussaid Ouzine , Tadjine Kamel
Published: March 2017

The object of this study is to highlight one the most encountered problems in the sheet metal forming. Cases of rupture on the mild steel sheet were recorded in a deep drawing workshop, during the forming operation of the wheelbarrows. The phenomenon appearance, led us to carry out a study of the material behavior during the metal forming. A characterization of the material is proposed and 3D simulations of the forming operation were performed on the finite element code Abaqus/CAE Explicit. The objective is to highlight the influence of the different deep drawing parameters on the sheet behavior during the deformation, especially the holding force, the die radius, the coefficient of friction between the contact surfaces and the punch velocity.The results are summarized in a representation of the strain curves in the three directions of the drawn part at the end of deep drawing operation, localization of the sheet areas which present a risk of tearing and the proposals to avoid this phenomenon depending on the variation of the operating parameters.
Preparation and Light Trapping Properties of Double-Layered ZnO:Al Films with Textured Surface
Authors: Wang Ying , Hu Da Qiang , Jiang Wei Wei
Published: March 2017

A one-step wet-etching method was developed to prepare the transparent conducting double-layered ZnO:Al films with textured surface for improving the light trapping ability.In this work, we investigated the effects of different deposition and re-deposition conditions including Ar flow rate, working pressure and substrate temperature on the light trapping properties of double-layered ZnO:Al films. Obvious changes for surface morphology of double-layerd films were observed, which displayed the significant influence of the re-deposition process. The double-layered ZnO:Al films presented low resistivity, high optical transmittance and haze value in the visible region, which can meet the requirements of front electrodes.
Dynamics of Bed for Regeneration of Cerium Oxide High-Temperature Coal Gas Desulfurization Sorbent
Authors: Yu Jun Ming , Ju Shang Guan , Liu Li Ping , Yang Lei , An Jia , Mi Jie , Miao Mao Qian
Published: March 2017

The dynamic behavior of bed for regeneration of cerium oxide high temperature gas desulfurization sorbent under the atmosphere of O2 was investigated in the fixed bed micro-reactor. O2 concentration during the regeneration can be detected by an oxygen analyzer, and the sulfur content of sorbent in the bed was test using sulfur analyzer. The effects of O2 concentration, regeneration temperature on the dynamic behavior of bed for regeneration of CeO2 desulfurization sorbent were discussed. According to the experimental results, the length and movement speed of regeneration zone are calculated. The results showed that the increase of O2 concentration in inlet gas obviously improves the movement speed of regeneration zone in bed for CeO2 desulfurization sorbent, and the increase of regeneration temperature can decreased the length of the regeneration zone and improved the movement speed of the regeneration zone. The increase of regeneration temperature had a better effect on the improvement of bed utilization of sorbent than that of O2 concentration.
Numerical Study on the Impact of Second Phase Content on the Solidification of Al-Pb Hypermonotectic Alloys
Authors: Kang Zhi Qiang , Zhang Yu Bo , Yang Xue , Feng Guo Hui , Zhang Lin
Published: March 2017

Based on the Euler-Euler method and the conservation equation, a mathematical model for describing the non-steady processes of mass transfer, transmission, heat transfer, solute transport and nonstationary process of nucleation in liquid-liquid separation of Al-Pb monotectic alloys was established. The influence of the second phase content on the solidification microstructure of Al-Pb alloy was analyzed by numerical simulation by combining the calculated temperature field and velocity field with the kinetic equation of controlling solidification microstructure evolution. The results show that the lower the second phase content is, the more uniform the temperature field distribution is, and the lower the velocity of the second phase droplets is. The average diameter and volume fraction of the second phase droplets in the Al-5wt%Pb alloy samples were lower than that in the Al-10wt%Pb alloy samples under the same conditions. It is concluded that the lower the content of the second phase, the liquid - liquid phase separation and decomposition behavior of liquid immiscible liquid in the immiscible zone are relatively slow, and the more easily the droplets of the second phase are distributed uniformly in alloy solidification structure of the matrix.
Efficient SERS Substrate Fabricated by Simple Aluminum Pits Template
Authors: Fu Qun , Miao Li Kun , Lei Yong
Published: March 2017

This paper reports a simple and versatile method with innovative application of photoresist film for fabricating ordered nanodot arrays with tunable structural parameters as large-area surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate with high performance. The substrate is fabricated by evaporating Au on the regularly patterned aluminum template of pits arrays formed from the anodization of Al. A key point in our method is coating a photoresist layer on the fragile Au film to support the film before separating it from the Al template, which insures the integrity of the film on large area. Taking Rhodamine 6G as probing molecules, SERS spectra are investigated. The convenience of preparation as well as the high performance for the SERS signals makes the prepared substrates a promising candidate for SERS sensing or detecting.
Preparation and Properties of Cross-Linked Polysiloxane Microspheres for Light-Scattering
Authors: Yang Ming Shan , Yin Peng Wei , Tong Hong Liang
Published: March 2017

The narrow particle size distribution of poly (vinyl silicone) microspheres were prepared by the hydrolysis-polycondensation method with vinyl silane (VTMS) as raw materials. And the influences of pH value, oil/water ratio on the morphology, particle size and distribution of the microspheres were studied. The results shows that the particle size of microspheres decrease with the increasing of the PH value of polymerization, and the particle size has no specific linear relationship with the PH value of hydrolysis reaction, while the oil-water ratio is smaller, single particle size distribution is more narrow, more uniform distribution.
A Systematic Review of Quality Indicators for Appropriate Antibiotic Use in Hospitalized Adult Patients
Authors: Kallen Marlot C. , Prins Jan M.
Published: March 2017

Many quality indicators for appropriate antibiotic use have been developed. We aimed to make a systematic inventory, including the development methodology and validation procedures, of currently available quality indicators (QIs) for appropriate antibiotic use in hospitalized adult patients. We performed a literature search in the Pubmed interface. From the included articles we abstracted i) the indicators developed ii) the type of infection the QIs applied to iii) study design used for the development of the QIs iv) relation of the QIs to outcome measures v) whether the QIs were validated and vi) the characteristics of the validation cohort. Fourteen studies were included, in which 200 QIs were developed. The most frequently mentioned indicators concerned empirical antibiotic therapy according to the guideline (71% of studies), followed by switch from IV to oral therapy (64% of studies), followed by drawing at least two sets of blood cultures and change to pathogen-directed therapy based on culture results (57% of studies). Most QIs were specifically developed for lower respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection or sepsis. A RAND-modified Delphi procedure was used in the majority of studies (57%). Six studies took outcome measures into consideration during the procedure. Five out of fourteen studies (36%) tested the clinimetric properties of the QIs and 65% of the tested QIs were considered valid. Many studies report the development of quality indicators for appropriate antibiotic use in hospitalized adult patients. However, only a small number of studies validated the developed QIs. Future validation of QIs is needed if we want to implement them in daily practice.