bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hematological Findings in Non-Treated and γ-Irradiated Mice Deficient for MIC-1/GDF15
Authors: HOFER M. , HOFEROVÁ Z. , REMŠÍK J. , NOVÁKOVÁ M. , PROCHÁZKOVÁ J. , FEDR R. , KOHOUTEK J. , DUŠEK L. , HAMPL A. , SOUČEK K.
Published: July 2019

Several members of the TGF-ß family are known to effectively regulate the fate of hematopoietic progenitor cells in a complex and context-dependent manner. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) is a divergent member of the TGF-ß family. This stress-induced cytokine has been proposed to possess immunomodulatory functions and its high expression is often associated with progression of a variety of pathological conditions. GDF15 is also induced by chemotherapy and irradiation. Very few fundamental studies have been published regarding the effect of GDF15 in hematopoiesis. In this study, we analyzed the hematological status of untreated and γ-irradiated mice deficient for GDF15 as a result of genetic knock-out (KO), in order to clarify the regulatory role of GDF15 in hematopoiesis. Significant differences between GDF15 KO mice and their pertinent WT controls were found in the parameters of blood monocyte numbers, blood platelet size, and distribution width, as well as in the values of bone marrow granulocyte/macrophage progenitor cells. Different tendencies of some hematological parameters in the GDF15 KO mice in normal conditions and those under exposure of the mice to ionizing radiation were registered. These findings are discussed in the context of the GDF15 gene function and its lack under conditions of radiation-induced damage.
Tahap Kepercayaan Pelajar Sekolah Menengah terhadap Pembelajaran Bahasa Arab
Authors: Pisal Nadhilah Abdul , Mat Teh Kamarul Shukri
Published: July 2019

Kepercayaan terhadap pembelajaran bahasa dapat mempengaruhi tindakan pelajar dalam pembelajaran bahasa. Selain itu, faktor kepercayaan ini juga dapat mempengaruhi pencapaian bahasa pelajar secara tidak langsung. Oleh itu, kajian ini dijalankan adalah untuk mengenal pasti jenis dan tahap kepercayaan pelajar dalam pembelajaran bahasa Arab secara keseluruhan dan berdasarkan konstruk kepercayaan utama. Seramai 350 orang pelajar tingkatan empat dari 12 buah sekolah menengah agama sekitar Kedah dipilih untuk menjawab satu set soal selidik. Data kajian ini dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis deskriptif. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa responden kajian ini mempunyai kepercayaan yang tinggi terhadap pembelajaran bahasa secara keseluruhan serta mengikut konstruk kepercayaan utama. Responden kajian ini didapati mempunyai kepercayaan yang tinggi dalam konstruk motivasi dan harapan. Kepercayaan terendah pula diwakili oleh konstruk kebolehan semula jadi dalam pembelajaran bahasa. Kesimpulannya, pelajar mempunyai kepercayaan tersendiri terhadap pembelajaran bahasa Arab yang dibentuk berdasarkan pengalaman pembelajaran lalu. Di samping itu, kajian ini juga memberi gambaran awal tahap kepercayaan pelajar terhadap pembelajaran bahasa Arab di peringkat menengah.
A Policy Proposal for Heritage Language Conservation: A Case for Indonesia and Sarawak
Authors: Suwarno Bambang
Published: July 2019

Heritage languages are declining in Indonesia and Sarawak. They need conservation due to their situations as endemic languages. Their decline could be attributed to the fact that they often do not possess significant roles in the public domains. As a result, their speakers see little rewards or prestige for maintaining them. In Indonesian and Malaysian constitutions there is a spirit for protecting heritage languages. However, their executions, through national laws, might not have provided adequate protection for the heritage languages. As heritage languages keep declining, a policy revision needs to be given consideration. A heritage language may better survive if it has some functions in the public domains. Thus, to conserve the heritage languages, there is a need for the revision of language policy, so that these languages may have roles in the public domains, with varying scope, depending on their size. Large regional languages may be given maximum roles in the public domains, while smaller regional languages may be given smaller roles. Language conservation areas could be developed, where heritage languages serve as co-official languages, besides the national language. These areas may range from a district to a province or a state.
Between Knowledge and Use of Iban and Malay Multiword Expression: An Insight into L1 and L2 Acquisition and Competence
Authors: Nadarajan Shanthi , Balan Fiona
Published: July 2019

This article examines usage and use of multiword expressions (MWE) among Iban youths in Sarawak. The questionnaire data were from 80 Iban youths who had to identify 15 MWE (similar, nearly similar and different) in Malay and Iban, and use them at the word, phrase and sentence levels. The findings revealed that close to 67% of the respondents could not recognise or use expressions in Iban, suggesting some loss of productive knowledge and language empowerment. However, respondents with recent schooling experience were able to use the expressions in Malay and reproduce them in written forms. Formal instruction and the written language have helped to extend local knowledge and use of MWE expressions for Iban youths. The study suggests that documentation, preservation and maintenance efforts stand to benefit when there is greater sharing and consciousness raising of common features between and among languages in the region.
Incorporating Blogging into an EFL Writing Course: An Action Research
Authors: Muhtia Anggri , Drajati Nur Arifah
Published: July 2019

The application of blogs in English teaching and learning, especially in writing, has gained considerable attention. It combines learning activities with advanced Internet technologies and virtual social interaction. Assigning students to write online (blogging) outside classroom hours would enable students to learn in authentic social contexts and allow them to get exposed to authentic learning materials. The purpose of this study was to improve students’ writing skill through incorporating blogging activity into an EFL writing course. The blogging activity was carried out on a social network website that provides a blog section in addition to many features. The members of the website (which is part of an English learning activity) can post their writing and give comments on each other’s blog posts. In this study, mixed methods were applied in action research that integrated qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data were collected using observations and interviews, while the quantitative data were from test scores. The work was developed through two cycles. The findings showed that there was an improvement in students’ writing skill and students’ perceptions towards blogging were positive.
Pragmatic Functions of Insya Allah in Indonesian Speeches
Authors: Pratama Hendi
Published: July 2019

Insya Allah has been part of the Indonesian language and culture for a long time. However, there were very few linguistics studies on the use of Insya Allah. This study aimed to analyse the use of Insya Allah in the Indonesian context using the pragmatic approach. A total of 100 utterances spoken by various speakers at various situations were collected. The study focused on identifying the types of speech acts performed by Insya Allah using Searle’s speech act taxonomy (Searle, 1979). At the second stage, the pragmatic functions of Insya Allah were identified using a combination of classifications used by Pishghadam and Kermananshahi (2012), Nazzal (2005), Ibrahim, Shah, and Armia (2013), and Mohamed Ali (2014). The findings showed that Insya Allah was a reliable marker for commissive and expressive speech acts. This study also found two additional pragmatic functions of Insya Allah which have not been identified in previous studies.
Al-Shicr Al-Taclimi Penyumbang kepada Perkembangan Ilmu pada Zaman Abbasi: Kajian Ringkas terhadap Beberapa Tokoh Bahasa di Zamannya
Authors: Marzuki Raihan
Published: July 2019

Dalam sejarah peradaban tamadun Arab, bermula sejak zaman Jahiliah sehinggalah ke zaman moden ini, shicr di anggap sebagai satu cabang kesenian yang diberi keistimewaan dan kedudukan yang tinggi dalam kalangan masyarakat Arab. Shicr menjadi wadah penting kepada para penyair untuk menzahirkan perasaan dan menggambarkan kehebatan tamadun cArab pada ketika itu. Pertembungan antara peradaban Arab dengan pengaruh luar dari Parsi, Yunani dan India telah membawa kepada proses perkembangan dan penyebaran ilmu yang begitu pesat. Tinjauan terhadap perkembangan shicr pada zaman Abbasi menunjukkan bahawa telah lahirnya satu bentuk shicr baru yang dikenali sebagai al-Shicr al-Taclimi. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk membuat pentakrifan terhadap al-Shicr al-Taclimi, mengenalpasti faktor yang membawa kepada kemunculannya, menyenaraikan beberapa tokoh penyair yang mempelopori al-Shicr al-Taclimi, seterusnya menyusun dan membuat pembahagian tema yang terdapat di dalam al-Shicr al-Taclimi dalam bidang nahu, sejarah, falsafah, ilmu falak dan sebagainya. Kajian ini turut mengenalpasti sumbangan al-Shicr al-Taclimi terhadap perkembangan berbagai bidang ilmu pengetahuan pada zaman Abbasi. Untuk merealisasikan matlamat ini kajian kepustakaan dilakukan dengan menulusuri bahan-bahan ilmiah terutamanya kitab-kitab sejarah dan kesusasteraan Arab khususnya pada zaman Abbasi. Jelasnya, terdapat pelbagai pendapat tentang faktor kewujudan dan kemunculan al-Shicr al-Taclimi. Kesan daripada faktor inilah yang telah menggalakkan para ilmuan Islam gigih menghasilkan al-Shicr al-Taclimi sebagai medium menyampai dan menarik minat masyarakat terhadap ilmu pada ketika itu. Kemunculan al-Shicr al-Taclimi memberi kesan secara langsung sebagai penyumbang terhadap perkembangan ilmu pengetahuan yang giat dibangunkan pada zaman Abbasi sehingga kini.
English Remedial Instruction to Enhance Low-Achieving Students’ Vocabulary
Authors: Ho Jia-Yiing
Published: July 2019

This study examines the extent to which using an English Remedial Instruction Course enhances the vocabulary of Form 3 Malaysian students at a rural school in Sarawak, Malaysia. The research questions addressed were: (1) What are the teachers’ beliefs, assumptions and knowledge (BAK) in regards to teaching remedial students?; (2) Is there a significant difference in vocabulary competency between pre- and post-test mean score for those who underwent the English remedial instruction course in an ESL classroom and the control group?; and (3) What are the students’ feedback regarding the use of remedial instruction in their ESL classroom? The vocabulary chosen for the study was taken from the Ministry of Education Malaysia Form 3 English Textbook Word List, mostly consisting of the common words used in the students’ daily lives. An 8-week remedial instruction course which employed a variety of teaching theory-based activities was designed as the intervention process for the study. Thirty students (experimental group) were chosen from an English language Form 3 low-achieving class to undergo the course while another 30 students (controlled group) underwent the traditional chalk-and-talk and memorisation learning method. Pre-test and post-test statistical results of the students showed there were significant differences using Remedial Instruction enhance the learners’ vocabulary. Learners’ perceptions regarding the English Remedial Instruction course yielded positive responses as gathered through the feedback survey. Educational policy makers could thus improvise workshops and seminars based on these data-proven remedial instruction activities.
Syntactic Translation Strategies for Retaining Parallelism in the Arabic Translation of Moby Dick
Authors: Ikbal Mohd Nor , SYED ABDULLAH Syed Nurulakla , Jabak Omar Osman
Published: July 2019

The present study examines strategies for translating parallelism and factors in retaining parallelism in the Arabic translation of the novel of “Moby Dick”. Analysis is conducted on two sets of data taken from the English novel “Moby Dick” written by Melville in 1851 and its Arabic translation ‘Mūbī Dīk’ by ʻAbbās (1980). This qualitative research is guided by Chesterman’s (1997) syntactic strategy model, and contrastive analysis (CA) is also performed. The contrastive analysis is carried out using a coding procedure based on themes and taxonomies in the acquired data constructed by the researchers. The result shows that, based on Chesterman’s (1997) model, the translator of the above-mentioned novel employed three strategies, namely, literal translation, clause structure change and transposition to maintain parallelism in the Arabic translation of the English novel.
Textlinguistic Perspective in Newspaper Editorial Texts: Al-Quds Al-‘Arabi Newspaper as a Case Study
Authors: MOGAJI Tijani Akinola , JUMINGAN Muhammad Fauzi , Ismail Muhd Zulkifl , OTHMAN Mohd Sukki , YAQUB Muhammad Olatunde YAQUB
Published: July 2019

Newspaper editorial texts are argumentative genre which occupies a prime position in the contemporary society such that policy makers are made accountable for their decisions which affect teeming mass of the people. It has been regarded as the voice of the voiceless or the silent majority of the society. This type of texts has been neglected in linguistic research for a long while, in spite of its vital roles in shaping the society. The present paper attempts an evaluation of this genre via the lenses of text linguistics which is primarily interested in the communicative bent of all forms of writings. This study adopted a qualitative descriptive analytical methodology to study the editorial genre in newspapers and a purposeful random technique was used in selecting about one hundred and fifty articles of al-Quds al-‘Arabi newspaper between September 2012 and April 2013, which center on issues of everlasting peace and stability of the middle-east region. The adopted data for the study resides in the electronic version of the newspaper. Al-Quds al-‘Arabi is a fiercely independent, political daily Arabic newspaper which is published in London since 1989 by Palestinian refugees. It is clear from the analysis that cohesion is the basic standard of text linguistics which plays significant role in the formation of the text, this is demonstrated by the presence of most elements of cohesion such as demonstrative pronouns, relative pronouns, pro-forms, references (internal & external), conjuncts, deitics, tenses and repetition in the text, whereas, there is absolutely no substitution, deletion and collocation whatsoever. In addition, other standards such as coherence, intentionality, acceptability, situationality and intertextuality also contributed to the actualization of the communicative value of this particular text.
Fonologi variasi Kumpang di Sungai Ketungau: Analisis perbandingan
Authors: Journal ILS
Published: July 2019

Makalah ini mendeskripsikan fonologi variasi Kumpang, salah satu variasi Ibanik di Sungai Ketungau, Kalimantan Barat. Kajian ini merupakan sebuah kajian sinkronik yang mendeskriptif bahasa Ibanik kontemporari. Aspek linguistik yang dibincangkan ialah sistem vokal, diftong dan konsonan Kumpang. Dengan membandingkannya dengan data-data Ibanik yang lain, misalnya Demam, Sebaru’, Bugau, Banjur dan Iban, kajian ini mempersoalkan kajian-kajian terdahulu tentang jumlah vokal yang terkandung dalam bahasa Ibanik. Analisis terhadap diftong mendapati bahasa Ibanik kaya dengan kosa kata yang berdiftong /-ay/ justeru kerana wujud penjelmaan /*-aŋ/ dan /-an/ > /-ai/. Dari segi aspek konsonan, didapati fonem yang sepadan dengan /ɣ/ dalam variasi Kumpang adalah berdiversiti, misalnya muncul sebagai /r/, /ʁ/ ataupun /h/. Begitu juga dengan /-s/. Pada posisi akhir kata, /-s/ muncul sebagai alofon [-ҫ] atau [-h], bergantung kepada variasi Ibanik tertentu. Berdasarkan data perbandingan, kajian ini telah membuktikan kadar diversiti bahasa Ibanik sebenarnya sangat tinggi di Borneo Barat.
Use of monolingual, bilingual, and bilingualised dictionaries and EFL learners’ vocabulary learning strategies: A case study
Authors: Tahriri Abdorreza , Ariyan Zeinab
Published: July 2019

This study investigated the effect of dictionary use on the vocabulary learning strategies used by elementary level EFL learners. Seventy-five female EFL learners were randomly assigned to one of three groups (25 members each): the monolingual dictionary, the bilingual dictionary, and the bilingualised dictionary groups. Students' responses on the vocabulary learning strategies were collected through a questionnaire which dealt with the vocabulary learning strategies the participants used to understand each target item in a reading passage selected based on readability formula. The results of Chi-square analysis indicated that the participants in the bilingual group consulted their dictionaries more frequently to solve their lexical problems than those in the monolingual and the bilingualised dictionary groups. The bilingualised group reported the least use of other strategies (e.g., analysing morphemes, and using cognates), while guessing was rarely reported by the bilingualised dictionary group. The results also revealed that the participants in the bilingualised and the bilingual dictionary groups were more willing to consult their dictionaries when reading the text than the monolingual dictionary group. In fact, guessing the meaning from the context as well as using other strategies was more common for the monolingual dictionary group.
Mapping Cultural Representations of Machine Vision: Developing Methods to Analyse Games, Art and Narratives
Authors: Rettberg Jill Walker , Gunderson Marianne , Solberg Ragnhild , Kronman Linda , Stokkedal Linn Heidi
Published: July 2019

Machine vision technologies are increasingly ubiquitous in society and have become part of everyday life. However, the rapid adoption has led to ethical concerns relating to privacy, bias and accuracy. This paper presents the methodology and some preliminary results from a digital humanities project that is mapping and categorising references to and uses of machine vision in digital art, narratives and games in order to find patterns that may help us understand the broader cultural understandings of machine vision in society. Understanding the cultural significance and valence of machine vision is crucial for developers of machine vision technologies, so that new technologies are designed to meet general needs and ethical concerns, and ultimately contribute to a better, more just society.
Calibration and Validation of a Low-Cost Capacitive Moisture Sensor to Integrate the Automated Soil Moisture Monitoring System
Authors: Nagahage Ekanayaka Achchillage Ayesha Dilrukshi , Nagahage Isura Sumeda Priyadarshana , Fujino Takeshi
Published: July 2019

Readily available moisture in the root zone is very important for optimum plant growth. The available techniques to determine soil moisture content have practical limitations owing to their high cost, dependence on labor, and time consumption. We have developed a prototype for automated soil moisture monitoring using a low-cost capacitive soil moisture sensor (SKU:SEN0193) for data acquisition, connected to the internet. A soil-specific calibration was performed to integrate the sensor with the automated soil moisture monitoring system. The accuracy of the soil moisture measurements was compared with those of a gravimetric method and a well-established soil moisture sensor (SM-200, Delta-T Devices Ltd, Cambridge, UK). The root-mean-square error (RMSE) of the soil water contents obtained with the SKU:SEN0193 sensor function, the SM-200 manufacturer’s function, and the SM-200 soil-specific calibration function were 0.09, 0.07, and 0.06 cm3 cm−3, for samples in the dry to saturated range, and 0.05, 0.08, and 0.03 cm3 cm−3, for samples in the field capacity range. The repeatability of the measurements recorded with the developed calibration function support the potential use of the SKU:SEN0193 sensor to minimize the risk of soil moisture stress or excess water application.
Omeprazole Promotes Chloride Exclusion and Induces Salt Tolerance in Greenhouse Basil
Authors: Carillo Petronia , Woodrow Pasqualina , Raimondi Giampaolo , El-Nakhel Christophe , Pannico Antonio , Kyriacou Marios C. , Colla Giuseppe , Mori Mauro , Giordano Maria , De Pascale Stefania , Rouphael Youssef
Published: July 2019

The role of small bioactive molecules (<500 Da) in mechanisms improving resource use efficiency in plants under stress conditions draws increasing interest. One such molecule is omeprazole (OMP), a benzimidazole derivative and inhibitor of animal proton pumps shown to improve nitrate uptake and exclusion of toxic ions, especially of chloride from the cytosol of salt-stressed leaves. Currently, OMP was applied as substrate drench at two rates (0 or 10 μM) on hydroponic basil (Ocimum basilicum L. cv. Genovese) grown under decreasing NO3−:Cl− ratio (80:20, 60:40, 40:60, or 20:80). Chloride concentration and stomatal resistance increased while transpiration, net CO2 assimilation rate and beneficial ions (NO3−, PO43−, and SO42−) decreased with reduced NO3−:Cl− ratio under the 0 μM OMP treatment. The negative effects of chloride were not only mitigated by the 10 μM OMP application in all treatments, with the exception of 20:80 NO3−:Cl−, but plant growth at 80:20, 60:40, and 40:60 NO3−:Cl− ratios receiving OMP application showed maximum fresh yield (+13%, 24%, and 22%, respectively), shoot (+10%, 25%, and 21%, respectively) and root (+32%, 76%, and 75%, respectively) biomass compared to the corresponding untreated treatments. OMP was not directly involved in ion homeostasis and compartmentalization of vacuolar or apoplastic chloride. However, it was active in limiting chloride loading into the shoot, as manifested by the lower chloride concentration in the 80:20, 60:40, and 40:60 NO3−:Cl− treatments compared to the respective controls (−41%, −37%, and −24%), favoring instead that of nitrate and potassium while also boosting photosynthetic activity. Despite its unequivocally beneficial effect on plants, the large-scale application of OMP is currently limited by the molecule’s high cost. However, further studies are warranted to unravel the molecular mechanisms of OMP-induced reduction of chloride loading to shoot and improved salt tolerance.
Talking to Dogs: Companion Animal-Directed Speech in a Stress Test
Authors: Lesch Raffaela , Kotrschal Kurt , Schöberl Iris , Beetz Andrea , Solomon Judith , Fitch W. Tecumseh
Published: July 2019

Companion animal-directed speech (CADS) has previously been investigated in comparison to infant-directed speech and adult-directed speech. To investigate the influence of owner caregiving, attachment pattern, and personality on CADS, we used the Ainsworth strange situation procedure. It allowed us to assess voice source parameters of CADS across different contexts. We extracted speech parameters (voicing duration, voice pitch, pitch range, and jitter) from 53 dog owners recorded during the procedure. We found that owner personality and gender but not caregiving/attachment behavior affect their voice’s pitch, range, and jitter during CADS. Further, we found a differential and context-specific modification of pitch and range, consistent with the idea that pitch communicates affect, whereas range is more of an attention-getting device. This differential usage, and the increased pitch, emphasize and support the parallels described between CADS and infant-directed speech. For the first time, we also show the effect of personality on CADS and lay the basis for including jitter as a potentially useful measure in CADS.
Determination of Prolactin in Canine Saliva: Is It Possible to Use a Commercial ELISA Kit?
Authors: Gutiérrez Jara , Gazzano Angelo , Torracca Beatrice , Meucci Valentina , Mariti Chiara
Published: July 2019

Prolactin has been reported to be a remarkable index of stress response, both acute and chronic, in several species. The use of biological matrixes other than blood is receiving increasing interest in the study of hormones, due to the lower invasiveness in collection. This research aimed to investigate the possibility of using a commercial ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kit for measuring canine prolactin in blood for the quantification of canine prolactin in saliva. Study 1 consisted of a validation protocol, using saliva samples collected from lactating and non-lactating dogs. Study 2 was conducted to investigate a possible correlation between prolactin concentration in saliva and plasma in sheltered dogs by using the same kit. Prolactin values were reliably read only when they came from blood samples, not from saliva, but tended to be low in most of the cases. Study 1 showed that saliva had a matrix effect. In study 2, saliva prolactin levels were low and in 42.9% of cases, not readable. No correlation between prolactin values in plasma and saliva was found (ρ = 0.482; p = 0.274). These findings suggested that the determination of prolactin in dog saliva through an ELISA kit created for measuring prolactin in dog blood was unreliable.
Characterization of a Novel Porcine CSN2 Polymorphism and Its Distribution in Five European Breeds
Authors: Șuteu Mihai , Vlaic Augustin , Dărăban Stelian Vasile
Published: July 2019

Here, we describe a novel porcine β-casein (CNS2) polymorphism, initially identified using the isoelectric focusing (IEF) technique, and provide its distribution in five European breeds. Porcine CSN2 cDNA samples, from sows identified using IEF as carriers of polymorphic variants, were sequenced, and based on the sequence alignments, a genotyping assay was developed. The distribution of the polymorphism was investigated by genotyping 167 sows. Population genetic indexes were computed using POPGENE32 version 1.32. Sequence alignments revealed that the mutation which caused the different β-casein IEF migration profiles was c.647G>A, a substitution located in exon 7, which modifies the amino acid from position 201 of the mature protein from arginine to glutamine. The frequency of the G allele was 0.965 in the investigated Landrace population (number of individuals genotyped n = 67), one in the Pietrain population (n = 40), 0.705 in the Large White population (n = 36), 0.885 in the Bazna population (n = 13), and 0.555 in the Mangalita population (n = 11). For all breeds, except Pietrain (monomorphic), the genotype distribution was in accordance with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Given that β-casein is the most important protein in sows’ milk, a polymorphism like the one described here may prove interesting for marker-assisted selection.
Cohomology Theory of Nonassociative Algebras with Metagroup Relations
Authors: Ludkowski Sergey V.
Published: July 2019

Nonassociative algebras with metagroup relations and their modules are studied. Their cohomology theory is scrutinized. Extensions and cleftings of these algebras are studied. Broad families of such algebras and their acyclic complexes are described. For this purpose, different types of products of metagroups are investigated. Necessary structural properties of metagroups are studied. Examples are given. It is shown that a class of nonassociative algebras with metagroup relations contains a subclass of generalized Cayley–Dickson algebras.
Poor Synchronization to Musical Beat Generalizes to Speech
Authors: Lagrois Marie-Élaine , Palmer Caroline , Peretz Isabelle
Published: July 2019

The rhythmic nature of speech may recruit entrainment mechanisms in a manner similar to music. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that individuals who display a severe deficit in synchronizing their taps to a musical beat (called beat-deaf here) would also experience difficulties entraining to speech. The beat-deaf participants and their matched controls were required to align taps with the perceived regularity in the rhythm of naturally spoken, regularly spoken, and sung sentences. The results showed that beat-deaf individuals synchronized their taps less accurately than the control group across conditions. In addition, participants from both groups exhibited more inter-tap variability to natural speech than to regularly spoken and sung sentences. The findings support the idea that acoustic periodicity is a major factor in domain-general entrainment to both music and speech. Therefore, a beat-finding deficit may affect periodic auditory rhythms in general, not just those for music.
Mir526b and Mir655 Promote Tumour Associated Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis in Breast Cancer
Authors: Hunter Stephanie , Nault Braydon , Ugwuagbo Kingsley , Maiti Sujit , Majumder Mousumi
Published: July 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenously produced RNAs, which regulate growth and development, and oncogenic miRNA regulate tumor growth and metastasis. Tumour-associated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are processes involving the release of growth factors from tumour cells into the microenvioronemnt to communicate with endothelial cells to induce vascular propagation. Here, we examined the roles of cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 induced miR526b and miR655 in tumour-associated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Ectopic overexpression of miR526b and miR655 in poorly metastatic estrogen receptor (ER) positive MCF7 breast cancer cells resulted in upregulation of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis markers vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA); VEGFC; VEGFD; COX-2; lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE1); and receptors VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and EP4. Further, miRNA-high cell free conditioned media promoted migration and tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and upregulated VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and EP4 expression, showing paracrine stimulation of miRNA in the tumor microenvironment. The miRNA-induced migration and tube formation phenotypes were abrogated with EP4 antagonist or PI3K/Akt inhibitor treatments, confirming the involvement of the EP4 and PI3K/Akt pathway. Tumour supressor gene PTEN was found to be downregulated in miRNA high cells, confirming that it is a target of both miRNAs. PTEN inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF1α) and the PI3K/Akt pathway, and loss of regulation of these pathways through PTEN results in upregulation of VEGF expression. Moreover, in breast tumors, angiogenesis marker VEGFA and lymphangiogenesis marker VEGFD expression was found to be significantly higher compared with non-adjacent control, and expression of miR526b and miR655 was positively correlated with VEGFA, VEGFC, VEGFD, CD31, and LYVE1 expression in breast tumour samples. These findings further strengthen the role of miRNAs as breast cancer biomarkers and EP4 as a potential therapeutic target to abrogate miRNA-induced angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in breast cancer.
BCG Therapy of Bladder Cancer Stimulates a Prolonged Release of the Chemoattractant CXCL10 (IP10) in Patient Urine
Authors: Ashiru Omodele , Esteso Gloria , García‐Cuesta Eva M. , Castellano Eva , Samba Celia , Escudero-López Eva , López‐Cobo Sheila , Álvarez-Maestro Mario , Linares Ana , Ho Mei M. , Leibar Asier , Martínez‐Piñeiro Luis , Valés‐Gómez Mar
Published: July 2019

Background: Intra-vesical instillation of Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG), an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, is an effective therapy for high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), which provokes a local immune response resulting in 70% of patients free of relapse after three years. Because non-responder patients usually have a bad prognosis, the early identification of treatment failure is crucial. We hypothesized that, if an effective immune response was taking place in the bladder, soluble factors would be released to the urine many days after BCG instillations. Methods: An extensive panel of cytokines and chemokines released into the urine seven days after every BCG instillation was screened in a cohort of NMIBC patients over three years. Results: The determinations of the urinary concentrations of cytokines, chemokines, and creatinine showed that increasing concentrations of C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10) also known as interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP10) could be detected during the six-week induction cycle of BCG-treated patients released into the urine by CD14+ cells. In vitro, CXCL10 facilitated the recruitment of effector immune cells after the BCG-mediated upregulation of CXCR3 in both T- and natural killer (NK)-cells. Conclusions: The high concentrations of chemokine detected one week after the encounter with mycobacteria suggest that the CXCL10 axis might be related to the intensity of the immune anti-tumor response.
Correction: Li, F.-L. et al. Specific Immobilization of Escherichia coli Expressing Recombinant Glycerol Dehydrogenase on Mannose-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles. Catalysts 2019, 9, 7
Authors: Li Fei-Long , Zhuang Meng-Yao , Shen Jia-Jia , Fan Xiao-Man , Choi Hyunsoo , Lee Jung-Kul , Zhang Ye-Wang
Published: July 2019

The authors wish to make the following corrections to our published paper [...]
High-Power Ultrasonic Synthesis and Magnetic-Field-Assisted Arrangement of Nanosized Crystallites of Cobalt-Containing Layered Double Hydroxides
Authors: Salak Andrei N. , Vieira Daniel E. L. , Lukienko Irina M. , Shapovalov Yuriy O. , Fedorchenko Alexey V. , Fertman Elena L. , Pashkevich Yurii G. , Babkin Roman Yu. , Shilin Aleksandr D. , Rubanik Vasili V. , Ferreira Mário G. S. , Vieira Joaquim M.
Published: July 2019

High-quality stoichiometric Co2Al–NO3 and Co2Al–CO3 layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been obtained by precipitation followed by anion exchange, both high-power-sonication assisted. Application of high-power ultrasound has been demonstrated to result in a considerable acceleration of the crystallization process and the anion-exchange reaction. Two independent approaches were used to form bulk and 2-D samples of Co2Al–NO3 with the oriented crystallites, namely uniaxial pressing of deposits from sonicated LDH slurries and magnetic field-assisted arrangement of LDH crystallites precipitating on glass substrates. A convenient way of preparation of semi-transparent compacts with relatively big blocks of oriented crystallites have been demonstrated. Thin dense transparent films of highly-ordered crystallites of Co2Al–NO3 LDH have been produced and characterized.
Photoperiodic Requirements for Induction and Maintenance of Rhythm Bifurcation and Extraordinary Entrainment in Male Mice
Authors: Sun Jonathan , Joye Deborah A. M. , Farkas Andrew H. , Gorman Michael R.
Published: July 2019

Exposure of mice to a 24 h light:dark:light:dark (LDLD) cycle with dimly illuminated nights induces the circadian timing system to program two intervals of activity and two intervals of rest per 24 h cycle and subsequently allows entrainment to a variety of extraordinary light regimens including 30 h LDLD cycles. Little is known about critical lighting requirements to induce and maintain this non-standard entrainment pattern, termed “bifurcation,” and to enhance the range of apparent entrainment. The current study determined the necessary duration of the photophase for animals to bifurcate and assessed whether requirements for maintenance differed from those for induction. An objective index of bifurcated entrainment varied with length of the photophase over 4–10 h durations, with highest values at 8 h. To assess photic requirements for the maintenance of bifurcation, mice from each group were subsequently exposed to the LDLD cycle with 4 h photophases. While insufficient to induce bifurcation, this photoperiod maintained bifurcation in mice transferred from inductive LDLD cycles. Entrainment to 30 h LDLD cycles also varied with photoperiod duration. These studies characterize non-invasive tools that reveal latent flexibility in the circadian control of rest/activity cycles with important translational potential for addressing needs of human shift-workers.
An Anomalous Phylogenetic Position for Deraiotrema platacis Machida, 1982 (Lepocreadiidae) from Platax pinnatus on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Bray Rodney A. , Cutmore Scott C. , Cribb Thomas H.
Published: July 2019

The monotypic genus Deraiotrema Machida, 1982 has only been reported once, from the orbicular batfish Platax orbicularis (Forsskål) in the waters around Palau in Micronesia (Machida, 1982). It has a body-shape similar to other lepocreadiids from batfishes, such as species of Bianium Stunkard, 1930 and Diploproctodaeum La Rue, 1926, but differs in having multiple testes in ventral and dorsal layers. Here we report Deraiotrema platacis Machida, 1982 for just the second time, infecting the dusky batfish Platax pinnatus (Linnaeus) from the waters off Lizard Island on the northern Great Barrier Reef. We present a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the position of this genus inferred from 28S rDNA sequences. Surprisingly, we find the species most closely related to Echeneidocoelium indicum despite the infection of completely unrelated hosts and the presence of two characters (lateral fold in the forebody and multiple testes) that are found elsewhere in the Lepocreadiidae. We conclude that homoplasy within the Lepocreadiidae is extensive and that morphology-based prediction of relationships has little prospect of success.
Toward Sustainability or Efficiency: The Case of Smallholder Coffee Farmers in Vietnam
Authors: Hung Anh Nguyen , Bokelmann Wolfgang , Thi Nga Do , Van Minh Nguyen
Published: July 2019

This study attempts to uncover the truth behind an increasing number of smallholder farmers participating in sustainable coffee farming in Vietnam. Using stochastic frontier and cost-benefit analysis, a sample of 316 smallholder farmers in Dak Lak was chosen to analyze the economic impacts of sustainable and conventional coffee farming on farmers’ welfare. In addition, we conducted field observation and key informant interviews to describe several farming practices. The results highlight the fact that farmers’ decisions to participate in sustainable coffee farming are mainly driven by economic benefits. Sustainable farming is more cost-effective and profitable than conventional farming, despite the insignificant difference in production efficiency. Improvement of education, farming knowledge, and collective actions could mitigate negative effects of small-scale production for sustainable coffee farmers. Pesticide management, shade coffee encouragement, and reduction of excessive fertilization, over-irrigation, and unproductive coffee varieties are recommended for sustainable development of the sector.
The Cost of Overcoming the Zero Lower-Bound: A Welfare Analysis
Authors: Rösl Gerhard , Seitz Franz , Tödter Karl-Heinz
Published: July 2019

To broaden the operational scope of monetary policy, several authors suggest cash abolition as an appropriate means of breaking through the zero lower-bound. We argue that the welfare costs of bypassing the zero lower-bound by getting rid of cash entirely are analytically equivalent to negative interest rates on cash holdings. Using a money-in-the-utility-function model, we measure in two ways the welfare loss consumers as money holders would be forced to bear once the zero lower-bound is broken: in terms of the amount needed to compensate consumers (compensated variation), and as excess burden (deadweight loss) imposed on the economy as a whole. We calibrated the model for the euro area and for Germany. Our findings suggest that the welfare losses of negative interest rates incurred by consumers as holders of cash and transaction balances (M3) are large and enduring, notably if implemented in the current low-interest rate environment.
Industry 4.0 for the Construction Industry: Review of Management Perspective
Authors: Maskuriy Raihan , Selamat Ali , Maresova Petra , Krejcar Ondrej , David Oladipo Olalekan
Published: July 2019

Technology and innovations have fueled the evolution of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0). Industry 4.0 spurs growth and development through its efficiency capacity, as documented in the literature. The growth of the construction industry is a subset of the universal set of the value of gross domestic product, and thus, industry 4.0 has a spillover effect on the engineering and construction industry. The aim of this paper is to map the state of Industry 4.0 in the construction industry from the point of view of manarial activities, such as investment management, project preparation, and an overall approach to the management of related activities. This study employed scoping review techniques to dissect the status quo for Industry 4.0 and the construction industry. The empirical results from the systematic and scoping review methods for the ten sampled publications revealed that information and communication technology (ICT)—Industry 4.0—has a significant positive impact on the growth of the construction industry. Therefore, construction practitioners should partner more with researchers in the ICT industry to enhance the automation of work processes and managerial activities in the engineering and construction industry.
Individual Phase Full-Power Testing Method for High-Power STATCOM
Authors: Huang Qingjun , Li Bo , Tan Yanjun , Mao Xinguo , Zhu Siguo , Zhu Yuan
Published: July 2019

For a high-power static synchronous compensator (STATCOM), a full-power pre-operation test in the factory is necessary to ensure the product quality of a newly manufactured one. But owing to the hardware limitation and cost of test platform, such test is currently too difficult to conduct in the factory, thus it poses great risk to the on-site operation and commissioning. To address this issue, this paper proposes an individual phase full-power testing method for STATCOM. By changing the port connection, three-phase STATCOM was reconstructed into a structure that two phases are in parallel and then in series with the third-phase, and then connected to two phases of the rated voltage grid. Then by rationally matching the voltage and current of three phases, the parallel phases can get a reactive current hedging under both the rated voltage and rated current, meanwhile three phases maintain their active power balance. As a result, STATCOM gets a phase full-power tested phase by phase. The simulation results in Matlab/Simulink show that, under the proposed test system, both the voltage and current of the parallel two phases get their rated values while the grid current is only about 3% of the rated current, meanwhile the DC-link voltage of each phase converter is stabilized. Compared with other testing methods for STATCOM, this method requires neither extra hardware nor high-capacity power supply to construct the test platform, but it can simultaneously examine both the entire main circuit and a large part of the control system in STATCOM. Therefore, it provides a cost-effective engineering method for the factory test of high-power STATCOM.
The Concept of Dynamic Hosting Capacity for Distributed Energy Resources: Analytics and Practical Considerations
Authors: Castelo de Oliveira Tiago Elias , Bollen Math , Ribeiro Paulo Fernando , de Carvalho Pedro M. S. , Zambroni Antônio C. , Bonatto Benedito D.
Published: July 2019

The hosting capacity approach is presented as a planning, improving, and communication tool for electrical distribution systems operating under specific uncertainties, such as power quality issues, power stabilities, and reliability, among others. In other words, it is an important technique, when renewable sources are present, to answer the amount of power that is possible to supply to the system without trespassing power performance limits. However, the power flow in a distribution system, for instance, can change throughout time due to the penetration of distributed generation, as well as load consumption. Based on the dynamic nature existing in distribution grids nowadays, it is important to highlight that the hosting capacity should not be calculated in a specifically chosen time only, but must be analyzed throughout a period of time. Thus, this paper introduces an extended concept of hosting capacity in relation to an integrated impact of harmonic voltage distortion and voltage rise as a function of time for daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly periods. This extended concept is named as Dynamic Hosting Capacity (DHC(t)). General aspects of DHC(t) are demonstrated via measured data on a photovoltaic system (PV) connected at a low-voltage (LV) side of a university building.
A Rebalancing Strategy for the Imbalance Problem in Bike-Sharing Systems
Authors: Yi Peiyu , Huang Feihu , Peng Jian
Published: July 2019

Shared bikes have become popular traveling tools in our daily life. The successful operation of bike sharing systems (BSS) can greatly promote energy saving in a city. In BSS, stations becoming empty or full is the main cause of customers failing to rent or return bikes. Some truck-based rebalancing strategies are proposed to solve this problem. However, there are still challenges around the relocation of bikes. The truck operating costs also need to be considered. In this paper, we propose a customer-oriented rebalancing strategy to solve this problem. In our strategy, two algorithms are proposed to ensure the whole system is balanced for as long as possible. The first algorithm calculates the optimal state of each station through the one-dimensional Random Walk Process with two absorption walls. Based on the derived optimal state of each station, the second algorithm recommends the station that has the largest difference between its current state and its optimal state to the customer. In addition, a simulation system of shared bikes based on the historical records of Bay Area Bikeshare is built to evaluate the performance of our proposed rebalancing strategy. The simulation results indicate that the proposed strategy is able to effectively decrease the imbalance in the system and increase the system’s performance compared with the truck-based methods.
Status of Deep Borehole Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste in Germany
Authors: Bracke Guido , Kudla Wolfram , Rosenzweig Tino
Published: July 2019

The phase-out of nuclear energy in Germany will take place in 2022. A site for final disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLRW) has not yet been chosen, but a site selection process was restarted by the Site Selection Act in 2017. This Act was based on a recommendation by a commission which also advised to follow up the development of deep borehole disposal (DBD) as a possible option for final disposal of HLRW. This paper describes briefly the status of DBD in Germany and if this option is to be pursued in Germany. Although DBD has some merits, it can only be a real option if supported by research and development. The technical equipment for larger boreholes of the required size will only be developed if there is funding and a feasibility test. Furthermore, any DBD concept must be detailed further, and some requirements of the Act must be reconsidered. Therefore, the support of DBD will likely remain at a low level if there are no political changes.
Structural Analysis of Large-Scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Part II: Fatigue and Ultimate Strength Analyses
Authors: Lin Jinghua , Xu You-lin , Xia Yong
Published: July 2019

Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) exhibit many advantages and great application prospect as compared with horizontal ones. However, large-scale VAWTs are rarely reported, and the codes and guidelines for designing large-scale VAWTs are lacking. Designing a large-scale composite blade requires precise finite element (FE) modeling and stress analysis at the lamina level, while precise modeling of an entire VAWT is computationally intensive. This study proposes a comprehensive fatigue and ultimate strength analysis framework for VAWTs. The framework includes load determination, finite element (FE) model establishment, and fatigue and ultimate strength analyses. Wind load determination has been presented in the companion paper. In this study, laminated shell elements are used to model blades, which are separately analyzed by ignoring the influence of the tower and arms. Meanwhile, beam elements are used to model an entire VAWT to conduct a structural analysis of other structural components. A straight-bladed VAWT in Yang Jiang, China, is used as a case study. The critical locations of fatigue and ultimate strength failure of the blade, shaft, arms, and tower are obtained.