bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Auditor Characteristics on the Value of Diversification
Authors: Lai Shu-Miao , Liu Chih-Liang
Published: June 2017

This paper examines how auditor characteristics (size, tenure, and industry specialization) affect the valuation of diversification. As expected, we find that diversified firms have lower market value than single-segment firms, and the diversification discount is smaller when firms employ Big N auditors and auditors with longer tenure. We also find that the diversification discount is larger when companies hire auditors with industry specialization and speculate that an industry focus may limit auditors' ability to detect misreporting in diversified firms. Also, diversified firms have higher financial reporting and disclosure quality when they employ Big N auditors and auditors with longer tenure, but lower financial reporting and disclosure quality when they employ industry specialist auditors. Overall, our findings suggest that auditor characteristics matter to investors in diversified firms because they contribute to the quality of financial reporting and disclosure, which can mitigate agency problems and the information asymmetry associated with diversification.
When Should Audit Firms Introduce Analyses of Big Data Into the Audit Process?
Authors: Rose Anna M. , Rose Jacob M. , Sanderson Kerri-Ann , Thibodeau Jay C.
Published: June 2017

This study investigates how the timing of the consideration of Big Data visualizations affects an auditor's evaluation of evidence and professional judgments. In addition, we examine whether the use of an intuitive processing mode, as compared to a deliberative processing mode, influences an auditor's use and evaluation of Big Data visualizations. We conduct an experiment with 127 senior auditors from two Big 4 firms and find that auditors have difficulty recognizing patterns in Big Data visualizations when viewed before more traditional audit evidence. Our findings also indicate that auditors who view Big Data visualizations containing patterns that are contrary to management assertions after they view traditional audit evidence have greater concerns about potential misstatements and increase budgeted hours more. Overall, our results suggest that Big Data visualizations used as evidential matter have fewer benefits when they are viewed before auditors examine more traditional audit evidence.
Keskustelunanalyysi nyt
Authors: Lehtinen Esa
Published: June 2017

Arvoitu teos:

Melisa Stevanovic & Camilla Lindholm (toim.): Keskustelunanalyysi. Kuinka tutkia sosiaalista toimintaa ja vuorovaikutusta. Tampere: Vastapaino 2016. 447 s. isbn 978-951-768-567-2.
Laulaen sujuvaksi kirjoittajaksi?
Authors: Martin Maisa
Published: June 2017

Arvioitu teos:

Jenni Alisaari: Songs and poems in the second language classroom. The hidden potential of singing for developing writing fluency. Turun yliopiston julkaisuja. Annales Universitatis Turkuensis B 426. Turku: Turun yliopisto 2016. Johdanto 64 s. ja kolme artikkelia. isbn 978-951-29-6672-1.
THE USE OF GLYCEROL FOR THE CRYOPRESERVATION OF INCONNU’S SPERM
Authors: Karamuldaeva Amina Kumarovna , Tikhomirov Andrey Mikhailovich
Published: June 2017

The article studies the possibility to use glycerol as cryoprotectant, instead of dimethylsulfoxide for cryopreservation of sperm of inconnu ( Stenodus leucichthys Gueldenstaedtii, 1772). Investigations were carried out from 2015 to 2016 in the laboratory of the Southern Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, on the basis of the Astrakhan State Technical University. The material collected on the Alexander sturgeon hatcheries (the Astrakhan region) in the spawning period. Native sperm of 6 male inconnu species was used as a control means. The semen quality was determined in terms of moving activity (life time) of sperm after its activation by water. As the cryoprotectant there were used: base solution - 80%, sucrose - 1.71 g/l, mannite - 0.98 g/l, yolk - 10%, dimethylsulfoxide - 10% and base solution - 87%, sucrose - 1.71% g/l, mannite - 0.98 g/l, yolk - 10%, glycerol - 3 variants: 3; 5 and 10%. In order to provide the most complete penetration of cryoprotectants into the cells there were used electrostimulation of cell membranes. Equilibration time was 5 and 15 minutes. Thawing semen was performed in a water bath at a temperature of 38-40°C. For removing protectors from cells there was chosen a saline solution (0.7% NaCl) as isotonic solution. In tests using dimethylsulfoxide life activity of sex cells was 2 times lower than in tests with glycerol: 78 and 186.2 s at the end of equilibration and 52.3 and 128.9 s after thawing. Sperm showed maximum activity under 5% glycerol concentration during equilibration - 15 min. Concentration of 3% was insufficient, concentration of 10% was excessive, as it suppressed activity of sperm. Egg yolk which coagulated together with glycerol, making difficulty for observing, had to be excluded from the composition of cryoprotectant.
STUDY OF THE POSSIBILITY OF USING THE CONCEPT OF GEOMETRIC PROBABILITY TO ESTIMATE THE PROBABILITY OF CAPTURE OF PELAGIC FISH AGGREGATIONS BY MIDWATER ROPE TRAWL
Authors: Yanchuk Anna Nikolaevna , Dvernik Alexander Vasilievich
Published: June 2017

The article discusses the possibility of using one of the methods of probability theory in the classical problem about the meeting in relation to the issue of full coverage of Jack mackerel aggregations in the Southeast Pacific by the rope part of the midwater trawl. Calculations of the values of the geometric probability of capture were carried out with trawls 69/318 and 120/980 of "Fishering service", LLC. The article proposes a kinematic model of interaction between fish and the system ‘vessel + trawl’, provided that the fish directs to the trawl mouth under the ground line. The results obtained confirm the fruitfulness of using the concept of geometric probability to determine the probability of capture and the average value of the angle of the fish shoal’s routing. There were carried out relevant calculations of errors of such measurements. It has been found reasonable to continue research based on the proposed method for obtaining average weighed values, which are necessary for further improvement of the methods of calculation of technical parameters of the midwater rope trawls.
STATUS OF SIBERIAN WHITEFISH COREGONUS LAVARETUS PIDSCHIAN (GMELIN, 1788) IN THE SYSTEM THE TANJU RIVER - LAKE VARCHATO (THE VOIKAR RIVER BASIN)
Authors: Bogdanova Elena Nikolaevna , Bogdanov Vladimir Dmitrievich , Koporikov Alexander Rostislavovich
Published: June 2017

The Voikar river is a spawning tributary of the lower Ob. Spawning grounds of Siberian whitefish are located both on the river Voikar and on the river Tanju (a tributary of the Voikar), which flows into lake Varchato. The Varchatovis canal flows out of lake Varchato and merges with the river Voikar. Studies have shown that in the system the Tanju river - lake Varchato live Siberian whitefish different from those of other Ural spawning tributaries of the Ob river and of the Ob itself by their age structure, presence of only re-maturing species with a high rate of growth and fecundity. It was found that after breeding on the spawning ground in the Tanju river some individuals of Siberian whitefish do not flow to the Ob river, but remain in system the Tanju river - Varchato lake. In two or three years it matures and goes back to spawn in the Tanju river, merging with the spawning stock which goes up the Ob river. There are no individuals that are constantly living in lake Varchato, as all juveniles, when still being larvae, flow down to the Ob river. That gives grounds for including Siberian whitefish of Varchato lake into the Ob population of semi-passing Siberian whitefish. The presence of re-maturing species in the system of the Tanju river - lake Varchato creates reproductive reserve of breeders that increase heterogeneity and population size. However, in the last decade as a result of total poaching of Siberian whitefish in lake Varchato during feeding and wintering its numbers declined sharply.
Game Concept for Seual Child Abuse Anticipation
Authors: As'ari Fajar , Sanjaya Ridwan , Sanjaya Ridwan , Prasetya Hendra , Prasetya Hendra
Published: June 2017

Sexual child abuse are direct or indirect action from people who is older than children are. People whose close and known by children 90% of them are being sexual child abuse offenders. Sexual child abuse preventive measure delivered through sexual education by media such as pictures, comic, and video. Create this media as a tool to guide parents to teach their children to keep them safe from child sexual abuse.Parents could choose video that provide animation with stories detailing and watching together with their child, or accompany children and tells story through comic and spending time together. Alternatively, by playing education game, children play it and parent accompany them, explain the story in the game, and enjoy the animation on the game.This research will discuss about drafting a game as a media to prevent sexual child abuse. Formulate appropriates story for children and information that will be presented in the game. Reviewing literature and media that already exist about sexual child abuse and the way to prevent it are materials gathering process. Discussion also has done with psychologist and childrens sex education expert to confirm literature review results, also to formulate games for children.
SENSE OF PLACE KOTA BOGOR BERDASARKAN PERSEPSI PENDUDUK DI TIGA TIPOLOGI PERMUKIMAN (Sense of Place of Bogor city based on Community Perception in three typologies of Settlements)
Authors: Tohjiwa Agus Dharma
Published: June 2017

Bogor city has three typologies of settlements that are historical area, internal development area and commuting area. The purpose of this study is to describe the sense of place in the city of Bogor based on the perception of the resident living in those settlements. This research uses a survey method using questionnaire and field observations. Research variables using three components of sense of place which are physical attributes, activities, and conception. The result shows that the natural conditions and colonial heritage still has a major contribution in creating Bogors sense of place. Activity as a commuter from Bogor to Jakarta is the main activity characteristics in this city. Nevertheless, at the weekend most people spend time in their own city. Most resident has a conception that Bogor is a city of tourism and resort. This study shows that Bogor urban identity as historic city only supported by a physical artifact of the empire and colonial periods alone. Activities and perceptions of people living in Bogor unrelated or unsupport the formation of urban identity. To keep the sense of place of Bogor, at least there are two aspects which should be considered which are revitalizing the old city and the development of Transit Oriented Development.
PENGARUH MATERIAL RUANG PADA KENYAMANAN TERMAL RUANG MEMBATIK YANG MENGGUNAKAN SKYLIGHT STUDI KASUS: RUMAH BATIK KATURA, PLERED, CIREBON (The Effect of Space Material to Thermal Comfort of Batik Craftsperson Room with Skylight, Case Study: Batik Katura H
Authors: Nurwidyaningrum Dyah , A.G Hidjan , Farida Rita
Published: June 2017

Problem in using skylight for batik craftsperson is discomfort thermal that could bother batik craftsperson work. The skylight which used in the preliminary study was declared really effective for day lighting batik craftsperson work plane. This must be proved to comfort thermal problem. Questions in this research is how to solve discomfort thermal in the batik craftsperson space caused use skylight to natural light. The research method uses phenomenology and simulation ecotect program. Analysis about the condition of exixting show discomfort thermal because temperature is 32,79-35,01oC, still overheat than 27,1oC according to SNI 03-6572-2001. The analysis on alternatif 1 showed that the decrease in temperature 2,08oC be 30,01oC in June, but still too hot however these materials has have low U-value. Further analysis with the changes material properties, show reduced from the fist alternative 4,27oC become 28,52oC. Although this value has not yet reach 27,1oC l in SNI but thermal comfort could be achieved by air movement (mechanical fan) that can make people feel 2 oC temperature decrease from the real.
“We Are not Just Patriots of a Country, but Citizens of the Planet”: Children’s Identity Negotiations in Julia Alvarez’s Return to Sender
Authors: Fernández García Andrea
Published: June 2017

Abstract: According to Manuel Castells, the present global era is characterized by a dialectical tension between a globalist imagination of unbounded space (“space of flows”) and an essentialist conception of space as ruptured and divided into bounded entities (“space of places”). These conflicting tendencies are depicted in Julia Alvarez’s Return to Sender(2009), which is told from the dual perspectives of a Mexican immigrant girl and an American boy who struggle for self-definition in a global context. The present paper aims at analyzing how both children navigate through this paradox, focusing on their dilemmas of identity and belonging and the strategies devised to overcome them. Título en español: “No sólo somos patriotas de un país, sino también ciudadanos/as del planeta”: Las negociaciones identitarias de los/as niños/as en Return to Sender, de Julia ÁlvarezResumen: Tal y como sostiene Manuel Castells, la actual era global se caracteriza por una tensión dialéctica entre una visión globalista del espacio como un ente sin límites (“espacio de los flujos”) y una concepción esencialista que presenta el espacio como un ente dividido en partes claramente delimitadas (“espacio de los lugares”). Julia Álvarez retrata estas visiones antagónicas en su novela Return to Sender (2009), que ofrece la doble perspectiva de una niña inmigrante mexicana y un niño estadounidense que tratan de definir su propia identidad en un contexto global. Este artículo pretende analizar cómo estos personajes negocian tal paradoja, prestando especial atención a sus dilemas de identidad y a las estrategias empleadas para resolverlos.
Implementation of Genetic Algorithm to Solve Travelling Salesman Problem with Time Window (TSP-TW) for Scheduling Tourist Destinations in Malang City
Authors: Yuliastuti Gusti Eka , Mahmudy Wayan Firdaus , Rizki Agung Mustika
Published: June 2017

In doing travel to some destinantions, tourist certainly want to be able to visit many destinations with the optimal scheduling so that necessary in finding the best route and not wasting lots of time travel. Several studies have addressed the problem but does not consider other factor which is very important that is the operating hours of each destination or hereinafter referred as the time window. Genetic algorithm proved able to resolve this travelling salesman problem with time window constraints. Based on test results obtained solutions with the fitness value of 0,9856 at the time of generation of 800 and the other test result obtained solution with the fitness value of 0,9621 at the time of the combination CR=0,7 MR=0,3.
HPTLC Fingerprint Analysis of Naregamia alata W and A- A Medicinal Plant
Authors: V. Vinny K. , S. Prameela T. , Saj Oommen P.
Published: June 2017

Aim of this study was to develop a HPTLC fingerprint profiles for various secondary metabolites of methanol extract of
the root of the traditional medicinal plant, Naregamia alata. CAMAG HPTLC system equipped with Linomat V applicator,
TLC scanner 3, Reprostar 3 and WIN CATS-4 software were used. HPTLC finger printing of methanol extract of root
carried out in three different mobile phases, which showed different Rf values. HPTLC finger printing of methanol extract
of root in Mobile phase1 revealed 10 peaks with Rf values in the range of 0.13 to 0.92, Mobile phase 2 showed 7 peaks
with Rf values in the range of 0.27 to 0.93 and Mobile phase 3 revealed 4 peaks with Rf values in the range of 0.25 to 0.78.
It can be concluded that different Rf values of various phytochemicals provide valuable idea regarding their polarity and
selection of solvents for separation of phytochemicals. This study will help in future for identifying this plant for further
research.
Assessment of In Vitro Antibacterial Properties of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Scrophularia striata Against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC No. 25923)
Authors: Zangeneh Mohammad Mahdi , Najafi Fariba , Tahvilian Reza , Zangeneh Akram , Moradi Rohallah
Published: June 2017

Scrophularia striata (S. striata) is a native plant in Iran, which the plant has been used as an antioxidant, antifungal,
antiviral, and antiflammatory agent in Iran. Based on knowledge of authors, as we know, there is low documented proof
on antibacterial properties of S. striata hydroalcoholic extract against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (ATCC No.
25923) in west of Iran. As a screen test to discover antibacterial properties of the extract, agar disk and agar well
diffusion methods were employed. Macrobroth tube test was performed to specify MIC. The results of agar disk and agar
well diffusion tests showed S. striata have prevented the growth of S. aureus and destroyed it. Also, by increasing the
concentration of S. striata, the inhibition zone in many of samples increased. The MIC and MBC value was 0.031 g/ml
for S. striata. This study confirmed the antibacterial effects of the S. striata on S. aureus. Additional in vivo studies and
clinical trials would be needed to justify and further evaluate the potential of the plant as an antibacterial agent in topical
or oral applications.
Efficacy of Saponins From Helianthus annuus Roots on Antihyperglycemic, Antiperoxidative and Antihyperlipidemic Effects in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Ojo Adebola Busola , Adanlawo Isaac Gbadura , Ojo Oluwafemi Adeleke
Published: June 2017

The present study evaluates the antihyperglycemic, antiperoxidative and antihyperlipidemic activities of saponins from
Helianthus annuus roots in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Thirty rat’s weights between 100-150 g was used for the study
and divided into six groups of five rats each. Group A was non-diabetic rats; the remaining five groups was induced
intraperitoneal with 150 mg/kg of alloxan monohydrate. Group B was diabetic control, while group C, D, E and F was
treated with saponin (100, 200, 300 and 500 mg/kg) for 21 days. Administration of saponins significantly reduced the
elevated levels of glucose, decreased total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and
increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the serum towards normalcy compared to the diabetic control (p ˂ 0.05). In
addition, saponins exhibited strong inhibition of lipid peroxidation and increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes
(superoxide dismutase and catalase) in the liver, kidney and pancreas compared to the diabetic control (p ˂ 0.05). Results
suggest that saponins from Helianthus annuus root can enhance the antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and
antioxidant properties in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, and may have the potential to be used in the prevention or in the
management of diabetes.
Comparison on the Cancer Specific Cytotoxicity of Three Gingers (Zingiber officinale Rosc) Leaves Varieties from Indonesia
Authors: S. Susanti , A. Kumoro C. , S. Santoso I. , R. Murwanti , M. Suzery , H. Oku
Published: June 2017

This study was performed to get more insight the cancer specific cytotoxicity of ginger leaf (GL). Three GL varieties
(Gajah, Emprit, and Red) were extracted and fractionated. Each etyl acetate fraction in concentration of 200 µg/ml was
tested about specific cytotoxicity toward cancer dan normal cells. Cancer cell lines used in this study were human colorectal
(HCT116) and human breast (MCF-7 and T47D) cancer while normal cell line was human fibroblast (KMST-6). Based
MTS assay method, the results showed Gajah and Emprit GL more significantly reduce cell viability of HCT116 and T47D
than Red GL although there was no difference on the efficacy of both varieties. All varieties of GL also significantly
reduce cell viability of MCF-7 compare to PBS control. However, there were not significant differences between those GL
varieties on their effectiveness against MCF-7. In contrast, there were no effects on the KMST-6 due to all GL varieties
treatment compare with PBS control. All data suggested that GL treatment only inhibited in the cancer cells without
detrimental effect in the normal cells. Effectiveness of GL against cancer cell varies depend on the varieties. Gajah and
Emprit GL are better varieties possess the cancer specific cytotoxicity that merits to be developed as promising chemo
preventive agent in the future.
ULTRAVIOLET MUTAGENESIS OF LOCAL ISOLATE Trichoderma sp. T065 FOR IMPROVING CELLULASES ACTIVITY (Mutagenesis Isolat Lokal Trichoderma sp. T065 menggunakan Ultraviolet untuk meningkatkan Aktivitas Selulase)
Authors: Anindyawati Trisanti , Jusuf Eddy , Abimanyu Haznan
Published: June 2017

Mutagenesis of indigenous fungal isolates Trichoderma sp. T065 was achieved by UV light in a laminar air flow and UV crosslinker to increase cellulase activity. Thirty-four mutants were tested for their growth capacity in mineral agar with several carbon sources: Whatman filter paper no.1, 1% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), 2% cellulose powder, 1% Avicel and 4% delignified oil palm empty fruit bunches (DOPEFB) with granule size of 200 mesh. Three mutants (UV-1.1, 1.2-UV and UV-1.3) showed bigger growth zone on cellulose substrate of 4% DOPEFB than that of wild type Trichoderma sp. T065. The highest cellulase activities were 0.65 FPU/mL and 0.57 FPU/mL from UV-1.1 and UV-1- 3, respectively higher than wild type that is equal to 0.038 FPU/mL.Keywords: Trichoderma sp. T065, mutations, UV light, carbon source, cellulase activityABSTRAKMutagenesis isolat lokal kapang Trichoderma sp. T065 dilakukan dengan sinar UV pada laminar air flow dan UV crosslinker untuk meningkatkan aktivitas selulase. Tiga puluh empat kapang mutan diuji kapasitas pertumbuhannya pada mineral agar dengan beberapa jenis sumber karbon yaitu kertas saring Whatman no.1, 1% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), 2% serbuk selulosa, 1% avicel dan 4% tandan kosong sawit (TKS) dengan ukuran granula 200 mesh. Tiga mutan (UV-1.1, UV-1.2 dan UV- 1.3) mempunyai zona pertumbuhan yang lebih besar pada substrat selulosa dengan sumber karbon 4% TKS daripada isolat asli Trichoderma sp. T065. Aktivitas selulase tertinggi adalah 0,65 FPU/mL dan 0,57 FPU/mL berturut-turut dari mutan UV-1.1 dan UV-1.3 yang lebih tinggi dari isolat aslinya yaitu 0,038 FPU/mL.Kata kunci : Trichoderma sp. T065, mutasi, sinar UV, sumber karbon, aktivitas selulase
POTENSI SELULASE DAN PENGARUH LAJU PEMBEBANAN PADA EFEKTIVITAS PENGOLAHAN AIR LIMBAH KERTAS PROSES LUMPUR AKTIF (POTENTIAL OF CELLULASE AND EFFECT OF LOADING RATE ON TREATMENT OF PAPER WASTEWATER OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS)
Authors: Rizaluddin Andri Taufick , Purwati Sri
Published: June 2017

As the effluent quality standards for industrial wastewater are becoming more stringent, it is important for the industry to improve their wastewater treatment efficiency. The research about potential of cellulase application in the activated sludge process has been done. Theoritically, the addition of cellulase was required to support the activity of microorganism on the activated sludge. Since cellulose is the major organic pollutant component in the wastewater, it was expected that cellulase addition could improve the performance of activated sludge process. The experiments were conducted in a continuous process and consisted of two treatments which were with and without activated sludge at about 2400 mg MLVSS/L. The variations in each treatment were the enzyme dosages of 0; 0.2; 0.5; and 0.7 unit/g COD, and the residence time of 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours. The experiment result showed that the addition of cellulase can increase COD and BOD reduction compared to the treatment without enzymes. The highest COD reduction increment was 7.9% at the enzyme dosage of 0.2 unit/g COD and the residence time of 4 hours, while the highest BOD reduction increment was 14.6% at the same enzyme dosage and residence time. In conclusion, celullase application can be combined with the activated sludge process which will be effective in the high load organic wastewater. ABSTRAKDengan semakin ketatnya baku mutu air limbah, peningkatan efisiensi dalam pengolahan limbah menjadi sangat penting bagi industri. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui potensi selulase dan pengaruh laju pembebanan pada efektifitas pengolahan air limbah kertas sistem lumpur aktif. Secara teori, penambahan selulase diperlukan untuk membantu aktivitas mikroorganisme lumpur aktif. Dengan adanya kandungan selulosa sebagai komponen utama pencemar organik dalam air limbah, penambahan selulase diharapkan dapat meningkatkan kinerja proses lumpur aktif. Percobaan dilakukan dengan proses kontinyu yang terdiri dari dua perlakuan, yaitu tanpa dan dengan lumpur aktif pada MLVSS sekitar 2400 mg/L. Variasi pada setiap perlakuan berupa variasi dosis selulase (0; 0,2; 0,5; dan 0,7 unit/g COD) dan variasi laju pembebanan dengan mengatur waktu tinggal 4, 8, 12, dan 24 jam. Hasil percobaan menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan lumpur aktif dengan penambahan selulase dapat menghasilkan peningkatan reduksi COD dan BOD bila dibandingkan perlakuan tanpa menggunakan selulase. Peningkatan reduksi COD tertinggi mencapai 7,9% dengan perlakuan selulase dosis 0,2 unit/g COD dan waktu tinggal 4 jam, sedangkan peningkatan reduksi BOD tertinggi mencapai 14,6%. Perlakuan selulase dapat dikombinasikan dengan proses lumpur aktif yang berjalan efektif pada waktu tinggal yang lebih singkat atau pada beban tinggi.Kata kunci: selulase, lumpur aktif, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand
The Role of Angiogenesis in Cancer Treatment
Authors: Rajabi Mehdi , Mousa Shaker
Published: June 2017

A number of anti-angiogenesis drugs have been FDA-approved and are being used in cancer treatment, and a number of other agents are in different stages of clinical development or in preclinical evaluation. However, pharmacologic anti-angiogenesis strategies that arrest tumor progression might not be enough to eradicate tumors. Decreased anti-angiogenesis activity in single mechanism-based anti-angiogenic strategies is due to the redundancy, multiplicity, and development of compensatory mechanism by which blood vessels are remodeled. Improving anti-angiogenesis drug efficacy will require identification of broad-spectrum anti-angiogenesis targets. These strategies may have novel features, such as increased porosity, and are the result of complex interactions among endothelial cells, extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, pericyte, and smooth muscle cells. Thus, combinations of anti-angiogenic drugs and other anticancer strategies such as chemotherapy appear essential for optimal outcome in cancer patients. This review will focus on the role of anti-angiogenesis strategies in cancer treatment.
A Multi-Wavelength Opto-Electronic Patch Sensor to Effectively Detect Physiological Changes against Human Skin Types
Authors: Yan Liangwen , Hu Sijung , Alzahrani Abdullah , Alharbi Samah , Blanos Panagiotis
Published: June 2017

Different skin pigments among various ethnic group people have an impact on spectrometric illumination on skin surface. To effectively capture photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals, a multi-wavelength opto-electronic patch sensor (OEPS) together with a schematic architecture of electronics were developed to overcome the drawback of present PPG sensor. To perform a better in vivo physiological measurement against skin pigments, optimal illuminations in OEPS, whose wavelength is compatible with a specific skin type, were optimized to capture a reliable physiological sign of heart rate (HR). A protocol was designed to investigate an impact of five skin types in compliance with Von Luschan’s chromatic scale. Thirty-three healthy male subjects between the ages of 18 and 41 were involved in the protocol implemented by means of the OEPS system. The results show that there is no significant difference (p: 0.09, F = 3.0) in five group tests with the skin types across various activities throughout a series of consistent measurements. The outcome of the present study demonstrates that the OEPS, with its multi-wavelength illumination characteristics, could open a path in multiple applications of different ethnic groups with cost-effective health monitoring.
Combining Single- and Poly-Crystalline Measurements for Identification of Crystal Plasticity Parameters: Application to Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: El Shawish Samir , Cizelj Leon
Published: June 2017

Crystal plasticity finite element models have been extensively used to simulate various aspects of polycrystalline deformations. A common weakness of practically all models lies in a relatively large number of constitutive modeling parameters that, in principle, would require dedicated measurements on proper length scales in order to perform reliable model calibration. It is important to realize that the obtained data at different scales should be properly accounted for in the models. In this work, a two-scale calibration procedure is proposed to identify (conventional) crystal plasticity model parameters on a grain scale from tensile test experiments performed on both single crystals and polycrystals. The need for proper adjustment of the polycrystalline tensile data is emphasized and demonstrated by subtracting the length scale effect, originating due to grain boundary strengthening, following the Hall–Petch relation. A small but representative volume element model of the microstructure is identified for fast and reliable identification of modeling parameters. Finally, a simple hardening model upgrade is proposed to incorporate the grain size effects in conventional crystal plasticity. The calibration strategy is demonstrated on tensile test measurements on 316L austenitic stainless steel obtained from the literature.
Enthalpy of Mixing in Al–Tb Liquid
Authors: Zhou Shihuai , Tackes Carl , Napolitano Ralph
Published: June 2017

The liquid-phase enthalpy of mixing for Al–Tb alloys is measured for 3, 5, 8, 10, and 20 at% Tb at selected temperatures in the range from 1364 to 1439 K. Methods include isothermal solution calorimetry and isoperibolic electromagnetic levitation drop calorimetry. Mixing enthalpy is determined relative to the unmixed pure (Al and Tb) components. The required formation enthalpy for the Al3Tb phase is computed from first-principles calculations. Based on our measurements, three different semi-empirical solution models are offered for the excess free energy of the liquid, including regular, subregular, and associate model formulations. These models are also compared with the Miedema model prediction of mixing enthalpy.
Quality Assessment Method for Linear Feature Simplification Based on Multi-Scale Spatial Uncertainty
Authors: Zhai Jingsheng , Li Zhaoxing , Wu Fang , Xie Hang , Zou Bo
Published: June 2017

This study discusses a method for quantitative quality assessment for the simplification of linear features. Considering the multi-scale nature of linear features, this paper combines the improved Douglas–Peucker method without threshold and the multiway tree model to construct a weighted hierarchical linear feature representation model called the Douglas–Peucker Multiway Tree (DMC-tree). Subsequently, the uncertainty computation is conducted from the root of the DMC-Tree top-down level by level to obtain the quality indexes. Then, the quality index of the whole linear feature is obtained by combining the indexes of every layer together with their weights. The results of the presented method are compared with those of the length ratio method and the Hausdorff distance method. The results show the advantages of the presented method over the others, including (1) its sensitivity to feature points of multiple scales, (2) the quantitative characteristics of the indexes, and (3) the finer granularity in assessment.
Participatory Land Administration on Customary Lands: A Practical VGI Experiment in Nanton, Ghana
Authors: Asiama Kwabena , Bennett Rohan , Zevenbergen Jaap
Published: June 2017

Land information is one of the basic requirements for land management activities such as land consolidation. However, the dearth of land information on customary lands limits the development and application of land consolidation. This paper presents and discusses the results of an experiment carried out to test the potential of participatory land administration applied on customary lands in support of land consolidation. A brief overview of the evolution of crowdsourced, voluntary, and participatory approaches is provided alongside newly related insights into neogeography and neo-cadastre, and fit-for-purpose and pro-poor land administration. The concept of participatory land administration is then developed in this context. The area of the experiment is in Northern Ghana where the process was developed together with the local farming community. The study involved collecting land information relating to farms over a two-week period, using a mobile app and a satellite image, based on participatory land administration. The results show that Participatory Land Administration can potentially support land consolidation, though further investigation is needed on how it can be integrated into the formal land registration system, into an actual land consolidation project.
Adiponectin, a Therapeutic Target for Obesity, Diabetes, and Endothelial Dysfunction
Authors: Achari Arunkumar , Jain Sushil
Published: June 2017

Adiponectin is the most abundant peptide secreted by adipocytes, whose reduction plays a central role in obesity-related diseases, including insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In addition to adipocytes, other cell types, such as skeletal and cardiac myocytes and endothelial cells, can also produce this adipocytokine. Adiponectin effects are mediated by adiponectin receptors, which occur as two isoforms (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2). Adiponectin has direct actions in liver, skeletal muscle, and the vasculature.Adiponectin exists in the circulation as varying molecular weight forms, produced by multimerization. Several endoplasmic reticulum ER-associated proteins, including ER oxidoreductase 1-α (Ero1-α), ER resident protein 44 (ERp44), disulfide-bond A oxidoreductase-like protein (DsbA-L), and glucose-regulated protein 94 (GPR94), have recently been found to be involved in the assembly and secretion of higher-order adiponectin complexes. Recent data indicate that the high-molecular weight (HMW) complexes have the predominant action in metabolic tissues. Studies have shown that adiponectin administration in humans and rodents has insulin-sensitizing, anti-atherogenic, and anti-inflammatory effects, and, in certain settings, also decreases body weight. Therefore, adiponectin replacement therapy in humans may suggest potential versatile therapeutic targets in the treatment of obesity, insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. The current knowledge on regulation and function of adiponectin in obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease is summarized in this review.
Experimental Investigation of Magnetic Nanoparticle-Enhanced Microwave Hyperthermia
Authors: McWilliams Brogan , Wang Hongwang , Binns Valerie , Curto Sergio , Bossmann Stefan , Prakash Punit
Published: June 2017

The objective of this study was to evaluate microwave heating enhancements offered by iron/iron oxide nanoparticles dispersed within tissue-mimicking media for improving efficacy of microwave thermal therapy. The following dopamine-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were considered: 10 and 20 nm diameter spherical core/shell Fe/Fe3O4, 20 nm edge-length cubic Fe3O4, and 45 nm edge-length/10 nm height hexagonal Fe3O4. Microwave heating enhancements were experimentally measured with MNPs dissolved in an agar phantom, placed within a rectangular waveguide. Effects of MNP concentration (2.5–20 mg/mL) and microwave frequency (2.0, 2.45 and 2.6 GHz) were evaluated. Further tests with 10 and 20 nm diameter spherical MNPs dispersed within a two-compartment tissue-mimicking phantom were performed with an interstitial dipole antenna radiating 15 W power at 2.45 GHz. Microwave heating of 5 mg/mL MNP-agar phantom mixtures with 10 and 20 nm spherical, and hexagonal MNPs in a waveguide yielded heating rates of 0.78 ± 0.02 °C/s, 0.72 ± 0.01 °C/s and 0.51 ± 0.03 °C/s, respectively, compared to 0.5 ± 0.1 °C/s for control. Greater heating enhancements were observed at 2.0 GHz compared to 2.45 and 2.6 GHz. Heating experiments in two-compartment phantoms with an interstitial dipole antenna demonstrated potential for extending the radial extent of therapeutic heating with 10 and 20 nm diameter spherical MNPs, compared to homogeneous phantoms (i.e., without MNPs). Of the MNPs considered in this study, spherical Fe/Fe3O4 nanoparticles offer the greatest heating enhancement when exposed to microwave radiation. These nanoparticles show strong potential for enhancing the rate of heating and radial extent of heating during microwave hyperthermia and ablation procedures.
Temperature and Copper Concentration Effects on the Formation of Graphene-Encapsulated Copper Nanoparticles from Kraft Lignin
Authors: Leng Weiqi , Barnes H. , Cai Zhiyong , Zhang Jilei
Published: June 2017

The effects of temperature and copper catalyst concentration on the formation of graphene-encapsulated copper nanoparticles (GECNs) were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance, and transmission electron microscopy. Results showed that higher amounts of copper atoms facilitated the growth of more graphene islands and formed smaller size GECNs. A copper catalyst facilitated the decomposition of lignin at the lowest temperature studied (600 °C). Increasing the temperature up to 1000 °C retarded the degradation process, while assisting the reconfiguration of the defective sites of the graphene layers, thus producing higher-quality GECNs.
A Fatigue Life Prediction Method Based on Strain Intensity Factor
Authors: Zhang Wei , Liu Huili , Wang Qiang , He Jingjing
Published: June 2017

In this paper, a strain-intensity-factor-based method is proposed to calculate the fatigue crack growth under the fully reversed loading condition. A theoretical analysis is conducted in detail to demonstrate that the strain intensity factor is likely to be a better driving parameter correlated with the fatigue crack growth rate than the stress intensity factor (SIF), especially for some metallic materials (such as 316 austenitic stainless steel) in the low cycle fatigue region with negative stress ratios R (typically R = −1). For fully reversed cyclic loading, the constitutive relation between stress and strain should follow the cyclic stress-strain curve rather than the monotonic one (it is a nonlinear function even within the elastic region). Based on that, a transformation algorithm between the SIF and the strain intensity factor is developed, and the fatigue crack growth rate testing data of 316 austenitic stainless steel and AZ31 magnesium alloy are employed to validate the proposed model. It is clearly observed that the scatter band width of crack growth rate vs. strain intensity factor is narrower than that vs. the SIF for different load ranges (which indicates that the strain intensity factor is a better parameter than the stress intensity factor under the fully reversed load condition). It is also shown that the crack growth rate is not uniquely determined by the SIF range even under the same R, but is also influenced by the maximum loading. Additionally, the fatigue life data (strain-life curve) of smooth cylindrical specimens are also used for further comparison, where a modified Paris equation and the equivalent initial flaw size (EIFS) are involved. The results of the proposed method have a better agreement with the experimental data compared to the stress intensity factor based method. Overall, the strain intensity factor method shows a fairly good ability in calculating the fatigue crack propagation, especially for the fully reversed cyclic loading condition.
Development of a Dunaliella tertiolecta Strain with Increased Zeaxanthin Content Using Random Mutagenesis
Authors: Kim Minjae , Ahn Junhak , Jeon Hancheol , Jin EonSeon
Published: June 2017

Zeaxanthin is a xanthophyll pigment that is regarded as one of the best carotenoids for the prevention and treatment of degenerative diseases. In the worldwide natural products market, consumers prefer pigments that have been produced from biological sources. In this study, a Dunaliella tertiolecta strain that has 10–15% higher cellular zeaxanthin content than the parent strain (zea1), was obtained by random mutagenesis using ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) as a mutagen. This mutant, mp3, was grown under various salinities and light intensities to optimize culture conditions for zeaxanthin production. The highest cellular zeaxanthin content was observed at 1.5 M NaCl and 65–85 μmol photons·m−2·s−1, and the highest daily zeaxanthin productivity was observed at 0.6 M NaCl and 140–160 μmol photons·m−2·s−1. The maximal yield of zeaxanthin from mp3 in fed-batch culture was 8 mg·L−1, which was obtained at 0.6 M NaCl and 140–160 μmol photons·m−2·s−1. These results suggest that random mutagenesis with EMS is useful for generating D. tertiolecta strains with increased zeaxanthin content, and also suggest optimal culture conditions for the enhancement of biomass and zeaxanthin production by the zeaxanthin accumulating mutant strains.
Effects of Q&P Processing Conditions on Austenite Carbon Enrichment Studied by In Situ High-Energy X-ray Diffraction Experiments
Authors: Allain Sébastien , Geandier Guillaume , Hell Jean-Christophe , Soler Michel , Danoix Frédéric , Gouné Mohamed
Published: June 2017

We report the first ultra-fast time-resolved quantitative information on the quenching and partitioning process of conventional high-strength steel by an in situ high-energy X-ray diffraction (HEXRD) experiment. The time and temperature evolutions of phase fractions, their carbon content, and internal stresses were determined and discussed for different process parameters. It is shown that the austenite-to-martensite transformation below the martensite start temperature Ms is followed by a stage of fast carbon enrichment in austenite during isothermal holding at both 400 and 450 °C. The analysis proposed supports the concurrent bainite transformation and carbon diffusion from martensite to austenite as the main mechanisms of this enrichment. Furthermore, we give evidence that high hydrostatic tensile stresses in austenite are produced during the final quenching, and must be taken into account for the estimation of the carbon content in austenite. Finally, a large amount of carbon is shown to be trapped in the microstructure.
Evaluation of Classifier Performance for Multiclass Phenotype Discrimination in Untargeted Metabolomics
Authors: Trainor Patrick , DeFilippis Andrew , Rai Shesh
Published: June 2017

Statistical classification is a critical component of utilizing metabolomics data for examining the molecular determinants of phenotypes. Despite this, a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation of the accuracy of classification techniques for phenotype discrimination given metabolomics data has not been conducted. We conducted such an evaluation using both simulated and real metabolomics datasets, comparing Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), Sparse PLS-DA, Random Forests, Support Vector Machines (SVM), Artificial Neural Network, k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN), and Naïve Bayes classification techniques for discrimination. We evaluated the techniques on simulated data generated to mimic global untargeted metabolomics data by incorporating realistic block-wise correlation and partial correlation structures for mimicking the correlations and metabolite clustering generated by biological processes. Over the simulation studies, covariance structures, means, and effect sizes were stochastically varied to provide consistent estimates of classifier performance over a wide range of possible scenarios. The effects of the presence of non-normal error distributions, the introduction of biological and technical outliers, unbalanced phenotype allocation, missing values due to abundances below a limit of detection, and the effect of prior-significance filtering (dimension reduction) were evaluated via simulation. In each simulation, classifier parameters, such as the number of hidden nodes in a Neural Network, were optimized by cross-validation to minimize the probability of detecting spurious results due to poorly tuned classifiers. Classifier performance was then evaluated using real metabolomics datasets of varying sample medium, sample size, and experimental design. We report that in the most realistic simulation studies that incorporated non-normal error distributions, unbalanced phenotype allocation, outliers, missing values, and dimension reduction, classifier performance (least to greatest error) was ranked as follows: SVM, Random Forest, Naïve Bayes, sPLS-DA, Neural Networks, PLS-DA and k-NN classifiers. When non-normal error distributions were introduced, the performance of PLS-DA and k-NN classifiers deteriorated further relative to the remaining techniques. Over the real datasets, a trend of better performance of SVM and Random Forest classifier performance was observed.
Non-Targeted Metabolomics Analysis of the Effects of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Sunitinib and Erlotinib on Heart, Muscle, Liver and Serum Metabolism In Vivo
Authors: Jensen Brian , Parry Traci , Huang Wei , Ilaiwy Amro , Bain James , Muehlbauer Michael , O’Neal Sara , Patterson Cam , Johnson Gary , Willis Monte
Published: June 2017

Background: More than 90 tyrosine kinases have been implicated in the pathogenesis of malignant transformation and tumor angiogenesis. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have emerged as effective therapies in treating cancer by exploiting this kinase dependency. The TKI erlotinib targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), whereas sunitinib targets primarily vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR).TKIs that impact the function of non-malignant cells and have on- and off-target toxicities, including cardiotoxicities. Cardiotoxicity is very rare in patients treated with erlotinib, but considerably more common after sunitinib treatment. We hypothesized that the deleterious effects of TKIs on the heart were related to their impact on cardiac metabolism. Methods: Female FVB/N mice (10/group) were treated with therapeutic doses of sunitinib (40 mg/kg), erlotinib (50 mg/kg), or vehicle daily for two weeks. Echocardiographic assessment of the heart in vivo was performed at baseline and on Day 14. Heart, skeletal muscle, liver and serum were flash frozen and prepped for non-targeted GC-MS metabolomics analysis. Results: Compared to vehicle-treated controls, sunitinib-treated mice had significant decreases in systolic function, whereas erlotinib-treated mice did not. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis of heart identified significant decreases in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA)/ eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), O-phosphocolamine, and 6-hydroxynicotinic acid after sunitinib treatment. DHA was significantly decreased in skeletal muscle (quadriceps femoris), while elevated cholesterol was identified in liver and elevated ethanolamine identified in serum. In contrast, erlotinib affected only one metabolite (spermidine significantly increased). Conclusions: Mice treated with sunitinib exhibited systolic dysfunction within two weeks, with significantly lower heart and skeletal muscle levels of long chain omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA)/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and increased serum O-phosphocholine phospholipid. This is the first link between sunitinib-induced cardiotoxicity and depletion of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and inflammatory mediators DHA and AA/EPA in the heart. These compounds have important roles in maintaining mitochondrial function, and their loss may contribute to cardiac dysfunction.