bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
School Principals’ Opinions on the Meaning and Sources of Workload
Authors: Türkoğlu Muhammet Emin , CANSOY Ramazan
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this research is to examine various factors affecting workload of principals including psychological effects and coping strategies. A semi-structured interview was conducted with 13 principals. Participants consisted of primary and secondary school principals in a province in the Western Black Sea Region, Turkey. According to the research, principals perceive workload as work that limits the time, they want to devote to improving education. Therefore, the main sources of workload were perceived as having to run errands at school, time pressure, human resource-based problems, unnecessary formal daily routines and high e-mail volume. Finally, it was found that principals’ coping strategies were not effective, and that workload caused work-family conflict, stress and emotional wear and tear. Thus, this research contributes to the theoretical framework related to workload. It is suggested to organize bureaucratic procedures in schools, share leadership, establish training programs for principals, raise awareness of principals on time management, and employ assistant principals and other technical personnel where there is staff shortage.
Synthesis and anxiolytic activity of 3-aryl-1-(41methoxyphenyl)-1-(6,7,8,9-tetrahydro5H -[1,2,4] triazolo[4,3-a]azepine-3-yl-methyl)- urea derivatives
Authors: Demchenko S. A. , Yadlovskyi O. E. , Yudina O. V. , Tubaltseva I. I. , Fedchenkova Yu. A. , Bobkova L. S. , Demchenko А. M.
Published: June 2020

Anxiety disorders are a widespread and growing problem of healthcare across the world. According to WHO data, neurosis and psychopaties are observed in 5–15 % of world population. In developed countries, about 20 % of population take anxiolytics permanently, and 30 % periodically. According to the WHO data it should be noted, that those pathologies affect different segments of population, from pediatric to geriatric population. Therapy of such nosologies imposes great loses on both individuals and society. 3-(41-Methoxyphenyl)-(6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]azepine-3-yl-methyl)-аmine was obtained by condensation of 2-methoxy-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-7H-azepine with (4-methoxyphenylamino) acetic acid hydrazide and further cyclization of the intermediate product. 3-Aryl-1-(41-methoxyphenyl)1-(6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]azepine-3-yl-methyl)-urea derivatives were obtained by condensation of 3-(41-methoxyphenyl)-(6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]azepine-3-ylmethyl)-аmi ne with appropriate arylisocyanates in dry benzene medium. The aim of the study – to synthesize and study an anxiolytic activity of 3-aryl-1-(41-methoxyphenyl)1-(6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]azepine-3-yl-methyl)-urea derivatives in comparison with known drugs diazepam and gidazepam on the stage of primary pharmacological screening. Tranquilizing activity of compounds was evaluated on models of «open field», «corazol convulsions» and «wire test» on mice, after administration at doses, equimolar to ED50 of diazepam. Diazepam (2 mg/kg) and gidazepam (2 mg/kg) were used as referent compounds. There were established, that 3-aryl-1-(41-methoxyphenyl)-1-(6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]azepine-3-yl-methyl)-urea derivatives are characterized by anticonvulsant and anxiolytic activity. The absence of muscle relaxant effect and absence or moderate inhibition of horizontal activity, suggest the absence of GABAergic component in specific activity of studied compounds. Anticonvulsant and behavioral activity («open field») of studied compounds depend on modification of substitutes on para- and ortho- positions of benzene ring of N`-group of urea. By specific activity, researched compounds are not inferior (or exceed) daytime tranquilizer gidazepam. On open field model compound 1-(41-methoxyphenyl)-1-(6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a] azepin-3-yl-methyl)-3-(p-tolyl)-urea 5 d is characterized by lesser influence on horizontal, vertical and exploration activity, while grooming and quantity of feces droppings are significantly inhibited. This indicates less sedation in comparison to such of diazepam. However, on open field model compound 5 d exceeds daytime tranquilizer gidazepam by results of primary screening.
Strengthening Economic Civic in Forming Independence of Santri as the Good Governance (Case Study of Al-Ittifaq Islamic Boarding School, Rancabali, Bandung)
Authors: Zulkifli  , Nurdiana  , Muchsin
Published: June 2020

Development of pesantren role in empowering the community is one of the important efforts to strengthen the role of people in development because the government still faces a variety of cultural and structural problems, as well as the private sector tends to deviate to gain unilateral advantages. In exercising their development, empowerment is an approach that is relevant to strengthen the role of the community (civil society). The research objective was to analyze (1) the values instilled in the process of establishing the independence of the students through economy civic, (2) conceptual model and praxis of strengthening economy civic in establishing the independence of students as a form of good governance, (3) the factors strengthening economy civic in establish independence of students as a form of good governance. This study used a qualitative approach with case study method. Data collected through interviews, observation, documentation studies and literature studies. Subjects of research include builder boarding schools, boarding schools administrators, and students. Qualitative data analysis consists of three activities, namely data reduction, a data display, and conclusion drawing / verification. The results showed some things (1) the values of self-reliance of students of pesantren Al-Ittifaq is highlight the work ethic, high discipline, and ready for hard work, (2) conceptual model in establishing the independence of students with learning system AKOSA (naturally, pointed out, though, and apply). Praxis in forming the independence of the students through the formation of the core committee of agribusiness, doing practical training, forming Agribusiness Incubator Center (PIA), cooperation / partnership, and formed working groups agribusiness. As a manifestation of good governance pesantren Al-Ittifaq role as the private sector to foster public economic activities around the village of Natural Endah through cooperative Al-Ittifaq, while as civil society has been able to interact actively with various activities such as religious, economic, educational, social, and political. (3) The internal factors strengthening economic civic been producing products ranging from production (vegetables and livestock), packing, and marketing and external factors natural conditions Desa Alam Endah fertile, has been establishment of cooperation with farmers' groups, government agencies (Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, and the Ministry of Social Affairs), educational institutions, businesses (Yogya Group, Toserba Banjaran, Kopo Mall).
El taller del artista. Una mirada desde los archivos fotográficos del Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España
Authors: Hinojosa Corbacho María del Carmen
Published: June 2020

Reseña del libro El taller del artista. Una mirada desde los archivos fotográficos del Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España. Madrid: Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, Subdirección General de Documentación y Publicaciones, 2017
El proyecto de didáctica del patrimonio HA del castillo! prioriza lugares en riesgo de exclusión social
Authors: López Sabater Ángela , Laumain Xavier , García López de Andújar Vanesa
Published: June 2020

HA del Castillo! (Historia y Acción social en torno a las fortalezas españolas) es un proyecto, enfocado sobre todo a los niños, para dar a conocer de manera lúdica los barrios históricos situados en las faldas de los castillos que coronan algunas ciudades españolas. Desde su origen, a finales del 2018, se ha planteado acciones pedagógicas-culturales en torno al monumento en lugares en riesgo de exclusión social. Es una actividad que forma parte de las Jornadas Europeas del Patrimonio del Consejo de Europa. Se eligieron doce ubicaciones en toda la geografía española. Dos de los municipios seleccionados fueron andaluces: Íllora (Granada) y La Iruela (Jaén). Aunque la primera fase finalizó en diciembre del 2019, en la actualidad se trabaja sobre los resultados obtenidos con intención de dar continuidad al proyecto.
Un sistema de análisis espectral permite optimizar la iluminación de obras de arte y patrimonio cultural
Authors: Silva Fino Michel
Published: June 2020

El sistema Matissse se presentaba el 23 de febrero de 2019 a la comunidad museística en el Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía durante la XIX Jornada de Conservación de Arte Contemporáneo. Se trata de un sistema de análisis espectral patentando, único en el mundo, que permite deducir la forma más óptima para iluminar una obra de arte. Uno de los factores más importantes del Método Matisse respecto a otros sistemas de iluminación convencionales es que utiliza tecnología LED y elimina las radiaciones IR y UV conocidas por influir negativamente en la conservación de las obras de arte y patrimonio cultural.
The Effect of Partner Reading Strategy on Reading Comprehension
Authors: Sinaga Yanti Kristina , Herman Herman , Siahaan Putri Laura
Published: June 2020

This research is conducted in investigating whether Partner Reading Strategy affects on students’ Reading Comprehension ability in descriptive text. The problem of this research is “What is the effect of Partner Reading strategy significantly for students’ reading comprehension at grade eight of SMP N7 Pematangsiantar?”. To solve the problem of this research, the researchers used related theories ; Grellet (1997), Nunan (1991), Melanie and Paula (2008) and Patel, Jain (2008), Pammun (2017), Snow et al (2002), Dorn and Soffos (2005 ) and Grade (2014). This research was done in SMP N 7 Pematangsiantar. In this research, the researchers conducted an experimental quantitative research. The population of this research was the eight grade of SMP N 7Pematangsiantar The samples of this research were two classes, they were 62students The first class was 31 students of experimental class who had been taught by Partner Reading Strategy and the second was 31 students of control group who had been taught by conventional method. The instrument for collecting the data was 20 items of multiple choice test. The data were analyzed by using t-test formula in order to see whether Partner Reading Strategy significantly affect on students’ reading comprehension or not. The total score of pre-test in control group is 1065, mean 34.35 and the total score of post-test in control group is 1355, mean is 45,16, meanwhile the total score of pre-test in experimental group is1525, mean is 49.19 and the total score of post-test in experimental group is 2470, mean is79.67. The finding indicates that the value of t-test exceeds the value of t-table (8.77> 1,67), at the level of significant p = 0,05 and the degree freedom df= 60. The finding implies that the alternative hypo research is accepted. In other words, there is a significant effect of Partner Reading Strategy on the students reading comprehension.
Birdwatching Track: Peluang Konservasi Burung di RPH Tambak Ngargoyoso Karanganyar Jawa Tengah
Authors: Sari Dewi Puspita , Fadzillah Siti , Trianingsih Wahyu
Published: June 2020

Resort Pemangku Hutan (Forest Manager Resort) or RPH Tambak is one of the forests managed by Indonesian State Forestry Enterprise in the northern part of Lawu Mountain, Surakarta. RPH Tambak located in the Berjo village, in Ngargoyoso, Central Java. This area offers ecotourism attraction for locals and international tourists. The management of forest becomes the main focus with involvement from the locals and stakeholders. This area is a potential area for avian conservation although this area is still relatively unknown. Because of its virgin forest and natural landscape, RPH Tambak has the potential to become a birdwatching spot. The aim of this research is to gather data about local avian species, to interpret the initial data for ecotourism, and to make a birdwatching track. The research methods used in this research are by tracking, and surveying the local avian species to create a roadmap for birdwatching track. The finding of this research is there are 40 species of birds from 25 families living along as cosmopolite and rarely in the birdwatching track. The birdwatching track has 5 posts with different specifications (vegetation, altitude, and tracking time) and tracking distance to make various contact with local avian species. The birdwatching track will be maintained by locals that has the access to the peak of the Lawu Mountain.
Deposition of shells modify nutrient fluxes in marine sediments: effects of nutrient enrichment and mitigation by bioturbation below mussel farms
Authors: Bergström P , Durland Y , Lindegarth M
Published: June 2020

Farming of extractive species such as filter feeding bivalves has been proposed as a potential method to mitigate impacts of eutrophication in marine environments. For such efforts to be sustainable, potential negative effects from mussel farms, such as accumulation of biodeposits in sediment below them, need to be considered and addressed. Benthic burrowing macrofauna strongly influence biogeochemical processes in soft bottom marine habitats by sediment reworking and irrigation and, thus, have the potential to mitigate some of the negative impacts. However, not all biodeposits are organic matter; shells that accumulate on and in the sediment below mussel farms also have the potential to influence processes in the sediment, the activity of bioturbators and the fluxes across the sediment-water interface. In this study, we evaluated the mitigation potential of the bioturbating polychaeteHediste diversicolorin sediments enriched with mussel waste material and the relative impact of mussel shells within the sediment matrix. The polychaetes generally increased fluxes and sediment oxygen uptake. With an observed tendency of increased fluxes of nutrients in sediments containing shells compared to sediments without, the results indicate that the accumulation of shell has a potential to further increase the mitigative effect of the polychaetes by influencing the solute fluxes across the sediment-water interface.
STRATEGI HEBAT KEPALA SEKOLAH MENUMBUHKAN BUDAYA BACA DI SD NO 131/IV KOTA JAMBI
Authors: Yantoro Yantoro
Published: June 2020

Keterampilan dan kemampuan membaca  yang dimiliki oleh siswa mempunyai pengaruh yang sangat besar terhadap diri siswa dalam menentukan keberhasilan mengikuti proses pembelajaran. Siswa yang mampu membaca dengan baik dan cepat akan mencapai hasil belajar yang baik. Melihat pentingnya kemampuan dan keterampilan dalam membaca, sekolah harus mampu menumbuhkan budaya baca pada diri siswa. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui strategi kepala sekolah dalam menumbuhkan budaya baca siswa. Rumusan masalah adalah strategi apa yang dilakukan kepala sekolah dalam menumbuhkan budaya baca?. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan  diskriptif kualitatif. Lokasi penelitian di SD No 131/IV Kota Jambi. Subyek penelitian adalah kepala sekolah dan  guru.Teknik pengumpulan data melalui pengamatan, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Teknik analisis data melalui reduksi data, display data dan verifikasi data. Hasil penelitian strategi  kepala sekolah dalam menumbuhkan budaya baca dilakukan dengan Pembiasaan, keteladanan, kerjasama, pemenuhan sarana dan prasarana serta adanya  klinik membaca. Kesimpulan strategi yang dilakukan oleh kepala sekolah dapat menumbuhkan budaya baca bagi siswa.
Imagining the Sudan in British Film, 1925–53
Authors: Bates Zach
Published: June 2020

Due to its status as a territory under the joint rule of Egypt and Britain, the Sudan occupied an awkward place in the British Empire. Because of this, it has not received much attention from scholars. In theory, it was not a colony, but, in practice, the Sudan was ruled primarily by British administrators and was the site of several developmental schemes, most of which concerned cotton-growing and harnessing the waters of the Nile. It was also the site of popular literature, travelogues and the most well-known of Alexander Korda's empire films. This article focuses on five British films –  Cotton Growing in the Sudan (c.1925), Stark Nature (1930), Stampede (1930), The Four Feathers (1939) and They Planted a Stone (1953) – that take the Sudan as their subject. It argues that each of these films shows an evolving and related discourse of the region that embraced several motifs: cooperation as the foundation of the relationship between the Sudanese and the British; Sudanese peoples in conflict with a sometimes hostile landscape and environment that the British could ‘tame’; and the British being in the Sudan in order to improve it and its people before leaving them to self-government. However, some of the films, especially The Four Feathers, subtly questioned and subverted the British presence in the Sudan and engaged with a number of the political questions not overtly mentioned in documentaries. The article, therefore, argues for a nuanced and complex picture of representations of the Sudan in British film from 1925 to 1953.
ANALISIS IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN KETERBUKAAN INFORMASI PUBLIK PADA BADAN PERPUSTAKAAN DAN KEARSIPAN DAERAH PROVINSI JAWA BARAT
Authors: Pambayun Kuncoro Galih
Published: June 2020

ABSTRAK

Penelitian ini mengangkat masalah implementasi kebijakan Keterbukaan Informasi Publik pada Badan Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Daerah Provinsi Jawa Barat. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan post positivist dengan metode kualitatif. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa (i) implementasi kebijakan KIP di Badan Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Daerah Provinsi Jawa Barat belum berjalan efektif karena keterbatasan mempergunakan isi kebijakan dan konteks implementasi sehingga belum dapat terwujudnya keterbukaan informasi publik; (ii) untuk mendorong implementasi kebijakan KIP pada Badan Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Daerah Provinsi Jawa Barat agar lebih efektif dapat mengacu tahapan pelaksanaan kebijakan informasi publik yang digagas oleh Open Government Partnership. Tindakan yang disarankan untuk memperbaiki implementasi kebijakan keterbukaan informasi publik adalah penyesuaian regulasi KIP di Kemendagri, penyusunan program yang jelas untuk implementasi kebijakan keterbukaan informasi publik, peningkatan kualitas pelayanan informasi publik, dan menciptakan sistem bank data dan informasi publik di Badan Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Daerah Provinsi Jawa Barat.

Kata kunci: implementasi kebijakan, kebijakan keterbukaan informasi publik.
POLICY CHANGE – THE ROLE OF IDEAS AND POLICY ENTREPRENEURS
Authors: Arwanto Arwanto , Anggraini Wike
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACT

Understanding policy process involves many distinctive approaches. The most common are institutional, groups or networks, exogenous factors, rational actors, and idea-based approach. This paper discussed the idea-based approach to explain policy process, in this case policy change. It aims to analyse how ideas could assist people to understand policy change. What role do they play and why are they considered as fundamental element? It considers that ideas are belong to every policy actor, whether it is individual or institution. In order to answer these questions, this paper adopts Kingdon’s multi streams approach to analyse academic literatures. Through this approach, the relationship between ideas and policy change can be seen clearer. Ideas only can affect in policy change if it is agreed and accepted by policy makers. Therefore the receptivity of ideas plays significant role and it emerges policy entrepreneurs. They promote ideas (through problem framing, timing, and narrative construction) and manipulate in order to ensure the receptivity of ideas. Although policy entrepreneurs play significant role, political aspects remains the most important element in the policy process.

Keywords: policy change, ideas, idea-based approach, Kingdon’s multiple streams, policy entrepreneurs.
MEMBANGUN SMARTAPARATUR SIPIL NEGARA (ASN) MENUJU BIROKRASI BERKELAS DUNIA TAHUN 2024
Authors: Hasan Erliana
Published: June 2020

Membangun Smart Aparatur Sipil Negara (ASN) Menuju Birokrasi Berkelas Dunia Tahun 2024. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengembangan sumber daya aparatur melalui orientasi, pemberdayaan, pendidikan dan pelatihan serta mengembangkan faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi untuk membangun smart aparatur sipil negara menuju birokrasi berkelas dunia. Dalam penelitian ini, penulis menggunakan jenis penelitian deskriptif, yaitu penelitian yang memaparkan dan bertujuan untuk memberikan gambaran serta penjelasan variabel yang diteliti. Teknik analisis data menggunakan teknik Maththew B. Miles dan Michael Huberman, (2007: 16), yang terdiri dari 4 komponen: pengumpulan data: reduksi data, penyajian dan pengambilan simpulan. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa: (1) Aparatur Sipil Negara harus menguasai teknologi, bahkan berkemampuan merekayasa berbagai aplikasi untuk informasi pelayanan kepada masyarakat; (2) memiliki rasa nasionalisme kebangsaan dan mampu mengimplementasikan asas-asas umum pemerintahan yang baik; (3) memiliki rasa empati dan tanggung jawab; (4) perlu faktor pendukung dalam pengembangan sumber daya aparatur secara berkelanjutan dan komprehensif; (5) mampu merumuskan visi dan nilai-nilai yang dapat mendesain ulang pekerjaan untuk seleksi dan penilaian dalam melakukan penempatan sesuai dengan penerapan sistem manajemen kinerja.
UPAYA PENINGKATAN KUALITAS PELAYANAN PERIZINAN LEWAT INOVASI JEMPUT BOLA Kajian Deskriptif pada Dinas Penanaman Modal dan Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu Kabupaten Semarang Provinsi Jawa Tengah
Authors: Sudrajat Yayat
Published: June 2020

Efforts to Improve Licensing Service Quality through Ball Pick Up Innovation. Descriptive Study on the Office of Investment and One-Stop Services in Semarang Regency, Central Java Province. This research is intended to find out how the innovation of licensing services by picking up the ball in improving the quality of licensing services at the Semarang One-Stop Service of Investment and Integrated Services. Other objectives are to find out the factors that hamper the path of innovation in pick-up licensing services and to find out the efforts made by the Semarang District One-Stop Investment Service and Integrated Services to improve the quality of licensing services. In this study the author uses the theory of Basuki Johanes (2013: 179) who sees public service innovation from relative benefits, suitability, complexity, the possibility of observable experiments. The method used in this research is inductive descriptive. Data collection is done by using interview methods, documentation, and observation. Data analysis techniques used include data reduction, data presentation and conclusion drawing. The results of the study showed that in the implementation of the licensing service innovation, picking up the ball had already been running but not yet maximally. It should be noted again about the location in implementing the licensing service for picking up the ball. The limiting factor that arises is the limited number of apparatus resources, the lack of facilities that support the innovation of ball picking licensing services, implementation that is not in accordance with standard operating procedures and lack of public awareness about the importance of licensing
RETRACTED: Numerical Treatment for 3D Squeezed Flow in a Rotating Channel With Soret and Dufour Effects
Authors: Alzahrani Abdullah K. , Ullah Malik Zaka , Muhammad Taseer
Published: June 2020

This article examines magnetohydrodynamic three-dimensional (3D) squeezed flow by a rotating permeable channel subject to Dufour and Soret impacts. Impact of viscous dissipation is also considered. An applied magnetic field is considered subject to electrically conducting viscous fluid. The change from the non-linear partial differential framework to the non-linear ordinary differential framework is assumed into position by utilizing appropriate variables. Governing differential frameworks are computed numerically by shooting method. Numerical results have been achieved by considering numerous values of emerging flow parameters. Contributions of influential parameters on physical quantities are studied thoroughly. Surface drag coefficients and mass and heat transport rates are also processed and examined. Furthermore, the concentration and temperature distributions are reduced for larger values of Soret number. The prime interest of presented study is to model and examine the Dufour and Soret aspects in concentration and energy expressions. To our knowledge, no such analysis has been addressed in the literature yet.
PDMS-Based Microdevices for the Capture of MicroRNA Biomarkers
Authors: Lunelli Lorenzo , Barbaresco Federica , Scordo Giorgio , Potrich Cristina , Vanzetti Lia , Marasso Simone Luigi , Cocuzza Matteo , Pirri Candido Fabrizio , Pederzolli Cecilia
Published: June 2020

The isolation and analysis of circulating biomarkers, the main concern of liquid biopsy, could greatly benefit from microfluidics. Microfluidics has indeed the huge potentiality to bring liquid biopsy into the clinical practice. Here, two polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microdevices are presented as valid tools for capturing microRNAs biomarkers from clinically-relevant samples. After an extensive study of functionalized polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) properties in adsorbing/eluting microRNAs, the best conditions were transferred to the microdevices, which were thoroughly characterized. The channels morphology and chemical composition were measured, and parameters for the automation of measures were setup. The best working conditions were then used with microdevices, which were proven to capture microRNAs on all channel surfaces. Finally, microfluidic devices were successfully validated via real-time PCR for the detection of a pool of microRNAs related to non-small cell lung cancer, selected as proof-of-principle. The microfluidic approach described here will allow a step forward towards the realization of an efficient microdevice, possibly automated and integrated into a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip with high analytical potentialities.
A Customized Semantic Segmentation Network for the Fingerprint Singular Point Detection
Authors: Chen Jiong , Zhao Heng , Cao Zhicheng , Guo Fei , Pang Liaojun
Published: June 2020

As one of the most important and obvious global features for fingerprints, the singular point plays an essential role in fingerprint registration and fingerprint classification. To date, the singular point detection methods in the literature can be generally divided into two categories: methods based on traditional digital image processing and those on deep learning. Generally speaking, the former requires a high-precision fingerprint orientation field for singular point detection, while the latter just needs the original fingerprint image without preprocessing. Unfortunately, detection rates of these existing methods, either of the two categories above, are still unsatisfactory, especially for the low-quality fingerprint. Therefore, regarding singular point detection as a semantic segmentation of the small singular point area completely and directly, we propose a new customized convolutional neural network called SinNet for segmenting the accurate singular point area, followed by a simple and fast post-processing to locate the singular points quickly. The performance evaluation conducted on the publicly Singular Points Detection Competition 2010 (SPD2010) dataset confirms that the proposed method works best from the perspective of overall indexes. Especially, compared with the state-of-art algorithms, our proposal achieves an increase of 10% in the percentage of correctly detected fingerprints and more than 16% in the core detection rate.
Notch Inhibition via GSI Treatment Elevates Protein Synthesis in C2C12 Myotubes
Authors: Huot Joshua R. , Marino Joseph S. , Turner Michael J. , Arthur Susan T.
Published: June 2020

The role of Notch signaling is widely studied in skeletal muscle regeneration but little is known about its influences on muscle protein synthesis (MPS). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Notch signaling is involved in the regulation of MPS. C2C12 cells were treated with a γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI), to determine the effect of reduced Notch signaling on MPS and anabolic signaling markers. GSI treatment increased myotube hypertrophy by increasing myonuclear accretion (nuclei/myotube: p = 0.01) and myonuclear domain (myotube area per fusing nuclei: p < 0.001) in differentiating C2C12 cells. GSI treatment also elevated myotube hypertrophy in differentiated C2C12s (area/myotube; p = 0.01). In concert, GSI treatment augmented pmTOR Ser2448 (p = 0.01) and protein synthesis (using SUnSET method) in myotubes (p < 0.001). Examining protein expression upstream of mTOR revealed reductions in PTEN (p = 0.04), with subsequent elevations in pAKT Thr308 (p < 0.001) and pAKT Ser473 (p = 0.05). These findings reveal that GSI treatment elevates myotube hypertrophy through both augmentation of fusion and MPS. This study sheds light on the potential multifaceted roles of Notch within skeletal muscle. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that Notch may modulate the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway.
Erratum: Touil, H.F.Z. et al. Optimum Inhibition of Amphotericin-B-Resistant Candida albicans Strain in Single- and Mixed-Species Biofilms by Candida and Non-Candida Terpenoids. Biomolecules 2020, 10, 342
Authors: Touil Hidaya F.Z. , Boucherit Kebir , Boucherit-Otmani Zahia , Khoder Ghalia , Madkour Mohamed , Soliman Sameh S. M.
Published: June 2020

The authors wish to make the following correction to this paper [...]
On the Reconstruction Peculiarities of Sol–Gel Derived Mg2−xMx/Al1 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) Layered Double Hydroxides
Authors: Valeikiene Ligita , Roshchina Marina , Grigoraviciute-Puroniene Inga , Prozorovich Vladimir , Zarkov Aleksej , Ivanets Andrei , Kareiva Aivaras
Published: June 2020

In this study, the reconstruction peculiarities of sol–gel derived Mg2−xMx/Al1 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) layered double hydroxides were investigated. The mixed metal oxides (MMO) were synthesized by two different routes. Firstly, the MMO were obtained directly by heating Mg(M)–Al–O precursor gels at 650 °C, 800 °C, and 950 °C. These MMO were reconstructed to the Mg2−xMx/Al1 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) layered double hydroxides (LDHs) in water at 50 °C for 6 h (pH 10). Secondly, in this study, the MMO were also obtained by heating reconstructed LDHs at the same temperatures. The synthesized materials were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nitrogen adsorption by the Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) and Barrett, Joyner, and Halenda (BJH) methods were used to determine the surface area and pore diameter of differently synthesized alkaline earth metal substituted MMO compounds. It was demonstrated for the first time that the microstructure of reconstructed MMO from sol–gel derived LDHs showed a “memory effect”.
Advances in the Diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolism: A Literature Review
Authors: Patel Harish , Sun Haozhe , Hussain Ali N. , Vakde Trupti
Published: June 2020

The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) is increasing. The increase in suspicion for VTE has lowered the threshold for performing imaging studies to confirm diagnosis of VTE. However, only 20% of suspected cases have a confirmed diagnosis of VTE. Development of pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (PERC) and update in pre-test probability have changed the paradigm of ruling-out patient with low index of suspicion. The D-dimer test in conjunction to the pre-test probability has been utilized in VTE diagnosis. The age appropriate D-dimer cutoff and inclusion of YEARS algorithm (signs of the DVT, hemoptysis and whether PE is the likely diagnosis) for the D-dimer cutoff have been recent updates in the evaluation of suspected PE. Multi-detector computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and compression ultrasound (CUS) are the preferred imaging modality to diagnose PE and DVT respectively. The VTE diagnostic algorithm do differ in pregnant individuals. The prerequisite of avoiding excessive radiation has recruited planar ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan as preferred in pregnant patients to evaluate for PE. The modification of CUS protocol with addition of the Valsalva maneuver should be performed while evaluating DVT in pregnant individual.
The Evolution Characteristics of Systemic Risk in China’s Stock Market Based on a Dynamic Complex Network
Authors: Shi Yong , Zheng Yuanchun , Guo Kun , Jin Zhenni , Huang Zili
Published: June 2020

The stock market is a complex system with unpredictable stock price fluctuations. When the positive feedback in the market amplifies, the systemic risk will increase rapidly. During the last 30 years of development, the mechanism and governance system of China’s stock market have been constantly improving, but irrational shocks have still appeared suddenly in the last decade, making investment decisions risky. Therefore, based on the daily return of all a-shares in China, this paper constructs a dynamic complex network of individual stocks, and represents the systemic risk of the market using the average weighting degree, as well as the adjusted structural entropy, of the network. In order to eliminate the influence of disturbance factors, empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and grey relational analysis (GRA) are used to decompose and reconstruct the sequences to obtain the evolution trend and periodic fluctuation of systemic risk. The results show that the systemic risk of China’s stock market as a whole shows a downward trend, and the periodic fluctuation of systemic risk has a long-term equilibrium relationship with the abnormal fluctuation of the stock market. Further, each rise of systemic risk corresponds to external factor shocks and internal structural problems.
Varieties Of Evolved Forms Of Consciousness, Including Mathematical Consciousness
Authors: Sloman Aaron
Published: June 2020

I shall introduce a complex, apparently unique, cross-disciplinary approach to understanding consciousness, especially ancient forms of mathematical consciousness, based on joint work with Jackie Chappell (Birmingham Biosciences) on the Meta-Configured Genome (MCG) theory. All known forms of consciousness (apart from recent very simple AI forms) are products of biological evolution, in some cases augmented by products of social, or technological evolution. Forms of consciousness differ between organisms with different sensory mechanisms, needs and abilities; and in complex animals can vary across different stages of development before and after birth or hatching or pupation, and before or after sexual and other kinds of maturity (or senility). Those forms can differ across individuals with different natural talents and environments, some with and some without fully functional sense organs or motor control functions (in humans: hearing, sight, touch, taste, smell, proprioception and other senses), along with mechanisms supporting meta-cognitive functions such as recollection, expectation, foreboding, error correction, and so forth, and varying forms of conscious control differing partly because of physical differences, such as conjoined twins sharing body parts. Forms of consciousness can also differ across individuals in different cultures with different shared theories, and social practices (e.g., art-forms, musical traditions, religions, etc.). There are many unanswered questions about such varieties of consciousness in products of biological evolution. Most of the details are completely ignored by most philosophers and scientists who focus only on a small subset of types of human consciousness—resulting in shallow theories. Immanuel Kant was deeper than most, though his insights, especially insights into mathematical consciousness tend to be ignored by recent philosophers and scientists, for bad reasons. This paper, partly inspired by Turing’s 1952 paper on chemistry-based morphogenesis, supporting William James’ observation that all known forms of consciousness must have been products of biological evolution in combination with other influences, attempts to provide (still tentative and incomplete) foundations for a proper study of the variety of biological and non-biological forms of consciousness, including the types of mathematical consciousness identified by Kant in 1781.
Application of the Second Law of Thermodynamics in Brazilian Residential Appliances towards a Rational Use of Energy
Authors: Keutenedjian Mady Carlos Eduardo , Reis Pinto Clara , Torelli Reis Martins Pereira Marina
Published: June 2020

This article proposes the utilization of the concepts of destroyed exergy and exergy efficiency for equipment and process performance indicators that are related to the current energy planning scenario in Brazil, more specifically with energy-efficiency labelling. Several indicators associated with these concepts are discussed, including one national program that is based on labeling the energy efficiency of several residential, commercial and industrial appliances. The grades are indicated in the equipment using values from A to G. This labeling system is useful for discriminating similar technologies used for the same function; nevertheless produced by different enterprises. For this complementary analysis, two types of refrigeration methods were compared, absorption and vapor compression; however, these energy indexes alone are not sufficient parameters to select among these two technologies, because their performance indexes definition are different. To address this, our research considers the second law of thermodynamics through exergy analysis as a proper sub-index to obtain a systematic comparison between these various indicators. It is significant to highlight that seldom research studies addressed to this problem so explicitly, in an actual governmental working solution, aiming at discussing to the society the advantage of the usage of the “quality of the energy” as a complementary index to governmental and personal choices. Results indicate that it is possible to use the destroyed exergy and exergy efficiency to help select the technology that better utilizes natural resources, considering the energy matrix of the country. Appliances for water heating and air conditioning were compared from energy and exergy viewpoint, where the last gave additional information about the quality of energy conversion process, giving a completely different trend from the energy analysis alone, without the necessity to think about the energy matrix. Later this issue is addressed from both points of view. Future studies may suggest an exergy based index. The energy efficiency suggests that electrical shower (values higher than 95%) are better than gas water heaters (83% ) in using natural resources, whereas the exergy efficiency shares similar magnitudes (about 3%). A related pattern is shown for the theoretical air conditioning systems. The vapor compression systems have an energy index higher than 3, and absorption systems lower than 1. For these circumstances, the exergy efficiency shows figures nearby 30%.
Indoor Climate Modelling and Economic Analysis Regarding the Energetic Rehabilitation of a Church
Authors: Țurcanu Florin-Emilian , Popovici Cătălin-George , Verdeș Marina , Ciocan Vasilică , Hudișteanu Sebastian-Valeriu
Published: June 2020

Background: The aim of our study was to identify an optimal heating system for the analyzed church. We also evaluated the energy consumption of the existing system and of those proposed in order to choose the best heating system. Methods: We analyzed the current existing heating system, a mixed system (static heaters and hot air heating) in a Romanian heritage church, build in the 16th century, and we compared it with an underfloor heating system that has been mentioned in the literature as an alternative for church heating. We used a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the indoor climate with two turbulence models (k-ε and k-ω). Results: Comparing the two heating systems through boxplot graphs, we could highlight pertinent conclusions regarding the temperatures and velocities of the measured air currents. Thus, of all the heating systems, the underfloor heating had the lowest temperatures, but the highest air velocities, in the churchgoers area, especially under the towers zone. Conclusions: We observed that the underfloor heating system was more efficient than the existing heating system (static heaters and hot air heating), ensuring heritage conservation and high thermal comfort to the churchgoers.
Lifetime Degradation Cost Analysis for Li-Ion Batteries in Capacity Markets using Accurate Physics-Based Models
Authors: Gailani Ahmed , Al-Greer Maher , Short Michael , Crosbie Tracey , Dawood Nashwan
Published: June 2020

Capacity markets (CM) are energy markets created to ensure energy supply security. Energy storage devices provide services in the CMs. Li-ion batteries are a popular type of energy storage device used in CMs. The battery lifetime is a key factor in determining the economic viability of Li-ion batteries, and current approaches for estimating this are limited. This paper explores the potential of a lithium-ion battery to provide CM services with four de-rating factors (0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h). During the CM contract, the battery experiences both calendar and cycle degradation, which reduces the overall profit. Physics-based battery and degradation models are used to quantify the degradation costs for batteries in the CM to enhance the previous research results. The degradation model quantifies capacity losses related to the solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, active material loss, and SEI crack growth. The results show that the physics-based degradation model can accurately predict degradation costs under different operating conditions, and thus can substantiate the business case for the batteries in the CM. The simulated CM profits can be increased by 60% and 75% at 5 °C and 25 °C, respectively, compared to empirical and semiempirical degradation models. A sensitivity analysis for a range of parameters is performed to show the effects on the batteries’ overall profit margins.
Coupled Hydraulic Fracture and Proppant Transport Simulation
Authors: Roostaei Morteza , Nouri Alireza , Fattahpour Vahidoddin , Chan Dave
Published: June 2020

This paper focuses on the study of proppant transport mechanisms in fractures during frac-packing operation. A multi-module, numerical proppant, reservoir and geomechanics simulator has been developed, which improves the current numerical modeling techniques for proppant transport. The modules are linked together and tailored to capture the processes and mechanisms that are significant in frac-pack operations. The proposed approach takes advantage of a robust and sophisticated numerical smeared fracture simulator and incorporates an in-house proppant transport module to calculate propped fracture dimensions and concentration distribution. In the development of software capability, the propped fracture geometry and proppant concentration, which are the output of the proppant module, are imported to the hydraulic fracture simulator through mobility modification. Complex issues of proppant transport in fractures that are addressed in the literature and captured by the current model are: hindered settling velocity (terminal velocity of proppant in the injection fluid), the effect of fracture walls, proppant concentration and inertia on settling (due to extra drag forces applied on particles, compared to single-particle motion in Stokes regime in unbounded medium), possible propped fracture porosity and also mobility change due to the presence of proppant, and fracture closure or extension during proppant injection. A sensitivity analysis is conducted using realistic parameters to provide guidelines that allow more accurate predictions of the proppant concentration and fluid flow. The main objective of this study is to link a numerical hydraulic fracture model to a proppant transport model to study the fracturing response and proppant distribution and to investigate the effect of proppant injection on fracture propagation and fracture dimensions.
The Effect of Inclination Angle and Reynolds Number on the Performance of a Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) Process
Authors: Alanezi Adnan Alhathal , Safaei Mohammad Reza , Goodarzi Marjan , Elhenawy Yasser
Published: June 2020

In this numerical study, a direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) system has been modeled considering various angles for the membrane unit and the Reynolds number range of 500 to 2000. A two-dimensional model developed based on the Navier–Stokes, energy, and species transport equations were used. The governing equations were solved using the finite volume method (FVM). The results showed that with an increase in the Reynolds number of up to 1500, the heat transfer coefficient for all membrane angles increases, except for the inclination angle of 60°. Also, an increase in the membrane angle up to 90° causes the exit influence to diminish and the heat transfer to be augmented. Such findings revealed that the membrane inclination angle of 90° (referred to as the vertical membrane) with Reynolds number 2000 could potentially have the lowest temperature difference. Likewise, within the Reynolds numbers of 1000 and 2000, by changing the inclination angle of the membrane, temperature difference remains constant, however, for Reynolds numbers up to 500, the temperature difference reduces intensively.
Valuation of Decision Flexibility and Strategic Value in Coal Gasification Projects with the Option-To-Switch between Different Outputs
Authors: Saługa Piotr W. , Grzesiak Paweł , Kamiński Jacek
Published: June 2020

Coal gasification has been promoted as a sophisticated clean energy technology alternative to coal burning these days. Aside from the usual technical difficulties, economic issues of such projects—especially valuation challenges—are important problems that practitioners usually struggle with. This is because of the major extent of managerial flexibility linked with specific characteristics of coal gasification projects, in particular, possibilities to mothball/restart manufacturing lines, or change between different outputs. The value of such flexibilities may be well assessed by real options valuations. The aim of this paper is to show that for the coal gasification technologies the real options valuation is more suitable than traditional discounted cash flow technique. This approach was applied to calculate an integrated plant that can produce either electricity or methanol. As the valuation approach the multiplicative stochastic process was used. As a consequence, binomial lattices of end-product (electricity and methanol) were developed. Then, in regard to them (reference instruments), two corresponding lattices of net cash flows (consecutive instruments) were created. In the end, two trees of switching option value were developed—one for electricity production as an initial mode, and the second for methanol production, delivering expanded net present (strategic) value.