bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inmigración y salud psicosocial: creando puentes, formando redes
Authors: Ruiz Martínez María Clara
Published: April 2016

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo aportar en la creación de puentes entre entidades, grupos de trabajo y profesionales que trabajan en el campo de la atención psicosocial con población migrante y su sistema familiar, en función de la salud mental y la prevención del fracaso migratorio. Se basa en resultados del trabajo en atención psicológica, tanto a nivel particular como asociativo, en estudios ya realizados y en datos aportados por otras entidades. La creación de redes de trabajo interdisciplinario en los países implicados con la migración, permitirá una atención de mayor calidad, optimizando los recursos mediante la interconexión y el seguimiento de la familia transnacional.
Strategic Step for Environmental Rescue: A Theoretical Legal Studies
Authors: Sutrisno Bambang
Published: April 2016

Indonesia is among the developing countries that are struggling to develop in the field of industrial development. The logical consequence of any development process, especially industrial development is the emergence of associated impacts that greatly affect the durability and sustainability of the environment. Developing the equitable industry in order to create public welfare is important. However, maintaining the security and preservation of the environment is also very important, because it is only with the availability of a good environment and healthy living that human beings can perform daily living. The availability of good and healthy environment is the constitutional responsibility of the government, as well as part of the human rights of all citizens which must be given by the State. Efforts to create a good environment and healthy living will be effective if controlled by State government and institutions who understand the objective conditions on the ground. In this regard, the granting of the authority on environmental control to regional government autonomously is the right, very smart policy choice. How To Cite: Sutrisno, B. (2014). Strategic Step for Environmental Rescue: A Theoretical Legal Studies. Rechtsidee, 1(1), 27-58. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.21070/jihr.v1i1.98
Law Enforcement of Cyber Terorism in Indonesia
Authors: Astuti Sri Ayu
Published: April 2016

Cyber terrorism is one of the category of crimes that cross border organized and has been established as an extraordinary crime. This crime is becoming a serious threat to countries in the world. In this regard, the Government's attitude of firmness needed to enforce cyber laws against the freedom development in social media. The development of the immeasurable it in the country of Indonesia required the limitations by doing legal liability over the behavior of law which deviates towards the use of technology tools. Strict law enforcement efforts as a clear attitude to stop actively moving massive terrorism, by enacting the provisions of the law on information and electronic transactions as well as the law of terrorism effectively. How To Cite: Astuti, S. (2015). Law Enforcement of Cyber Terorism in Indonesia. Rechtsidee, 2(2), 157-178. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.21070/jihr.v2i2.82
Law Enforcement Criminal Acts of Corruption in The Perspective of Human Rights
Authors: Ansori Ansori
Published: April 2016

The overall impact of the acts of corruption according to criminology science, certainly can happen due to two things, namely the first due to the intent or in the science of law is referred to as the evil inner attitude (Mens Rea), and the second because of an opportunity to do evil deeds (Actus Reus). Actus Reus and Mens Rea are an essential element of a crime. The eradication of corruption and the efforts of promoting and fulfilling human rights are not simply left to the elite rulers, because frequently they are more corrupt and oppressive. Corruption eradication efforts can be maximized, while a simultaneous awareness of the Government and people of the importance of protecting, fulfill, maintain, and promote human rights, then it is not impossible that Indonesia becomes a prosperous country, given the authorized capital of development in this country has been in existence since ancient times which is a priceless grace of God Almighty. How To Cite: Ansori, A. (2015). Law Enforcement Criminal Acts of Corruption in The Perspective of Human Rights. Rechtsidee, 2(2), 79-108. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.21070/jihr.v2i2.83
The Importance of Culture in Second and Foreign Language Learning
Authors: Ali Sheeraz , Kazemian Bahram , Mahar Israr Hussain
Published: April 2016

English has been designated as a source of intercultural communication among the people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. A range of linguistic and cultural theories contribute meaningful insights on the development of competence in intercultural communication. The speculations suggest the use of communicative strategies focusing on the development of learners’ efficiency in communicating language through cultural context. However, the teaching of culture in communication has not been paid due importance in a number of academic and language settings of Pakistan and Iran. This assignment study indicates problems in view of teaching English as a medium of instruction in public sector colleges of interior Sindh, Pakistan and prescribed textbooks in Iranian schools. It also aims to identify drawbacks and shortcoming in prescribed textbooks for intermediate students at college level and schools. Therefore, the assignment study recommends integration of cultural awareness into a language teaching programme for an overall achievement of competence in intercultural communication.
Cementing Displacement Practices: Application in the Field
Authors: Smith T. R.
Published: April 2016

The majority of remedial cementing operations and cementing related problem costs are the result of annular gas leakage or zonal communication in the cemented annulus after primary cementing. The most important factor in successful primary cementing, next to the physical properties of the cement, is good mud removal by the cement slurry. All or at least a very high percentage of the drilling fluid must be displaced by the cement in order to obtain a hydraulic seal in the annulus. Good mud removal is achieved through high displacement rates. There have been many laboratory investigations conducted using full scale models to determine those factors which contribute to high displacement efficiencies. Some of these factors include annular velocity, hole conditioning time, casing movement, preflush fluids, drilling fluid condition, mechanical aids and the condition of the wellbore. In actual field conditions it is often very difficult to implement all of these "good practices". In order to try to optimize cementing operations, a study of these practices and the implication to the field operations was conducted. An extensive cementing operations database was developed to relate the historical problems to actual operational practices. Combining this historical data with field testing programs, an effort was made to determine the significance of various displacement parameters. The field tests indicated that one of the most important factors affecting the displacement efficiency is annular velocity. As a result, a practical cement placement program has been developed which incorporates the results of the field and laboratory tests. Since implementation of this program, a decrease in primary cementing failures and remedial cementations has resulted.
Adverse Effects of Bisphenol A Exposure on Glucose Metabolism Regulation
Authors: Menale Ciro , Mita Damiano G. , Diano Nadia , Diano Sabrina
Published: April 2016

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used as basic chemical compound in the production of polycarbonate food containers or epoxy resins coating metallic cans for food and beverages conservation. Its xeno-estrogenic activity alters endocrine-metabolic pathways modulating glucose metabolism and increasing the risk of developing diabetes, insulin resistance, and obesity. Based onin vitroandin vivoexperimental research, here we report some of the major BPA adverse effects on tissues that play a key role in the regulation on the whole body’s metabolism. Evidences have shown that BPA is able to exert its endocrine disrupting action altering glucose metabolism and contributing to the onset of metabolic disorders, acting on liver functions and affecting insulin production by the pancreas. Exposure to BPA has been reported also to modulate glucose utilization in muscles, as well as to interfere with adipose tissue endocrine function. In addition, to peripheral tissues, recent studies have shown that BPA by acting in the Central Nervous System affects neuroendocrine regulation of glucose metabolism, promoting glucose metabolism dysfunction such as glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Thus, exposure to BPA seems to be an important risk factor in the onset of obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, its mechanisms of action need to be further investigated to provide a major evaluation of risk assessment.
Effect of particle size of starting materials on the structure and properties of biogenic hydroxyapatite/glass composites
Authors: Parkhomey Oleksandr , Pinchuk Nataliia , Sych Olena , Tomila Tamara , Kuda Oleksiy , Tovstonoh Hanna , Gorban’ Viktor , Kolesnichenko Valeriy , Evych Yan
Published: April 2016

The work is devoted to investigation of porous glass-ceramic composite
materials on the basis of biogenic hydroxyapatite and sodium borosilicate
glass prepared from starting powders with different particle sizes (<50 ?m
and <160 ?m). Starting hydroxyapatite/glass weight ratio was 1.0/0.46 and
sintering temperature was ~800?C. Microstructural characterization of the
surface and fracture of the samples revealed a decrease in sizes of grains
and pores with decreasing the particle size of the precursor powder.
However, porosity of the composites practically did not depend on the
particle size and was equal to 32.5-33.0%. The same tendency was observed
for the compression strength (66-67MPa). However, investigation of
structural-mechanical properties using an indentation method, where dominant
load is applied to the surface layers of sample, showed up the effect of the
particle size of the starting powder on the mechanical properties of the
composites: the smaller particle size, the higher mechanical properties.
Concept of co-firing coal with biomass and natural gas: On track of sustainable solution for future thermal power plants
Authors: Hodzic Nihad , Smajevic Izet , Kazagic Anes
Published: April 2016

This paper presents R&D project of multi fuel concept (MFC) for future
coal-based power plants, demonstrated on example of cofiring Middle-Bosnia
brown coal with waste woody biomass and natural gas. Pulverised Combustion
(PC) lab-scale furnace has been used for the cofiring tests, varying up to
20%w portion of biomass and up to 10%th portion of natural gas in the fuel
mix. Tests were purposed to optimize the combustion temperature, air
distribution, including Over Fire Air System (OFAS), fuel combination and
fuel distribution, including reburning concept, as function of emissions and
combustion efficiency estimated through the ash deposits behaviours and
unburnt. Considering application of proposed MFC in case of TPP Kakanj unit 6
(118 MWe) set here as a referent power plant, temperature levels and fuel
distributions for lowest emissions of CO2 and NOx were found during lab
tests, provided that combustion efficiency is at an acceptable level. Derived
research results yield input data for calculation sustainability indicators
of MFC for the referent power plant, considering 6 fuel options - different
combinations of coal, biomass and natural gas. Single criteria analysis and
multicriteria sustainability assessment have been done, giving an advantage
to the options of cofiring coal with woody biomass and natural gas in the
case demonstrated.
Degree of Conversion of Self-etch Adhesives: In Situ Micro-Raman Analysis
Authors: Navarra CO , Cadenaro M , Frassetto A , Fontanive L , Di Lenarda R , Breschi L
Published: April 2016

Purpose: Degree of conversion (DC) affects the physicochemical properties of dental adhesives. The aim of this study was to measure the DC within the hybrid layer of four one-step self-etch adhesives using Raman microspectroscopy. The hypothesis tested was that there was no difference among the tested adhesives.

Methods and Materials: The selected one-step self-etch adhesives (Clearfil S3 Bond Plus, I-BOND, G-BOND, and Adper Easy Bond) were applied on human dentin disks and polymerized in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions. Specimens were transversally cut to expose the bonded interfaces to the micro-Raman beam, and Raman spectra were collected along the dentin/adhesive interface. Measurements were performed at 1-μm intervals. The relative intensities of bands associated with the C=C bond (at 1640 cm−1) and an internal stable peak (1610 cm−1) were determined to calculate the degree of conversion within the hybrid layer. Data were statistically analyzed with Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Bartlett tests and Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests.

Results: The DC ranked as follows: G-BOND (93%±6%) ≥ Adper Easy Bond (92%±6%) ≥ I-BOND (89%±7%) > Clearfil S3 Bond Plus (80%±14%) (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, all of the tested self-etch adhesives showed a clinically acceptable DC that was material dependent.
Effect of different extracts of Aloe Vera gel (Aloe Barbadensis) on blood glucose level of alloxan induced hyperglycaemic mice
Authors: Haque Shammin , Ara Ferdous , Iqbal Md Jalaluddin , Islam Sheikh Nazrul
Published: April 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different extracts of Aloe Vera gel in alloxan induced hyperglycaemic mice.Three different extracts of Aloe Vera gel (dried extract, ethanolic extract and fresh raw extract) were orally administered at 300 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. The fasting blood glucose level was estimated both in normal and alloxan induced hyperglycaemic mice. It was found that, when compared with the control, there was a significant reduction in blood glucose level in all three experimental groups. Ethanolic and fresh raw gel extracts were more effective than the dried extract. The extracts produced similar results when compared with gliclazide. It can be concluded that, the administration of Aloe Vera gel extract significantly decreases blood glucose level in hyperglycaemic mice. Aloe Vera gel can therefore be a natural remedy and a cost effective resource for the management of diabetes.Bangladesh Med J. 2015 May; 44 (2): 61-66
Determinants of utilization of antenatal care services in rural area of Bangladesh
Authors: Farah Shayela , Karim Mohoshina
Published: April 2016

Appropriate ante-natal care services promote safe motherhood and delivery with improved maternal and neonatal outcome. This population based cross sectional descriptive study was carried out to determine the utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services in a rural community of Bangladesh. Out of the 112 women studied, 63.4% mothers were found to receive antenatal care. Among them one third (32.4%) took it more than 4 occasions, 34(47.8%) pregnant women received antenatal care from government hospitals, 19(27%) from family welfare centre, 6(8.5%) from satellite clinics and around 12(17%) received from private hospitals. Around 71% mothers received ANC service from doctor while 17% mothers received from trained professionals. Seventy four percent mothers received tetanus (TT) injections. Only one fourth (25.3%) mothers had not received it. On an average, 90% mothers received iron tablets during their pregnancy. Regarding have danger signs during pregnancy, it was found that, 58.9% mothers were not aware about the have danger signs and 29.5% respondents knew about all the danger signs. Association between educational status and treatment seeking behaviour for pregnancy complication was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). However, association between educational status and place of treatment for pregnancy complication was also found significant (p<0.01). Intensive awareness programme, behavioural change interventions and regular pregnancy monitoring may promote antenatal care service utilization in rural Bangladesh.Bangladesh Med J. 2015 May; 44 (2): 67-71
Wordsworth, Coleridge, and the Healing Powers of the Imagination
Authors: Jagger Jasmine
Published: April 2016

This article discusses a medical link between Wordsworth and Coleridge during and around the composition of The Prelude. Looking closely at popular medical treatises on the imagination and its specific powers over the human mind and body in the late 1700s and early 1800s, it identifies a medical ‘strand’ within the The Prelude, particularly in relation to its address to an ailing Coleridge. Through biographical tracking and close attention to certain poetic emphases and motifs, it identifies a special motive for Wordsworth's writing of his poem, as well as an emergent dynamic between the two poets at this time: namely, that of benign physician (Wordsworth) and wandering patient (Coleridge).
Wordsworth's ‘bright cavern of romance’
Authors: Burwick Frederick
Published: April 2016

In the eighteenth century, the term ‘Romantic’ was applied to a resurgence of wild narratives similar to those of Medieval and Renaissance Europe, from Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur (1485) to Edmund Spenser's Faerie Queene (1590–96). Ludovico Ariosto's Orlando furioso (1516) and Torquato Tasso's Gerusalemme Liberata (1581) were ranked as masterpieces of romance. Anne Radcliffe's Gothic Romance and Sir Walter Scott's Historical Romance contributed further to the popular permutations of the genre. Among the poets who persisted in attributing sublime grandeur to the traditional romance, Wordsworth recognized in the romance a model for exploring the subjective spaces of fantasy and dream. A ‘cavern of romance’ is one of Wordsworth's repeated metaphors for the retreat into the imagination. ‘Caverns there were within my mind which sun/ Could never penetrate’ (Prelude 3:246–249). He also delineates, however, an intruding ‘glimpse/ Of daylight’ which exposes the illusion and enables his cultivation of ‘romantic perception’.
Kinetic and Exchange Energy Densities near the Nucleus
Authors: Constantin Lucian , Fabiano Eduardo , Della Sala Fabio
Published: April 2016

We investigate the behavior of the kinetic and the exchange energy densities near the nuclear cusp of atomic systems. Considering hydrogenic orbitals, we derive analytical expressions near the nucleus, for single shells, as well as in the semiclassical limit of large non-relativistic neutral atoms. We show that a model based on the helium iso-electronic series is very accurate, as also confirmed by numerical calculations on real atoms up to two thousands electrons. Based on this model, we propose non-local density-dependent ingredients that are suitable for the description of the kinetic and exchange energy densities in the region close to the nucleus. These non-local ingredients are invariant under the uniform scaling of the density, and they can be used in the construction of non-local exchange-correlation and kinetic functionals.
Isomorphous Crystals from Diynes and Bromodiynes Involved in Hydrogen and Halogen Bonds
Authors: Baillargeon Pierre , Caron-Duval Édouard , Pellerin Émilie , Gagné Simon , Dory Yves
Published: April 2016

Isomorphous crystals of two diacetylene derivatives with carbamate functionality (BocNH-CH2-diyne-X, where X = H or Br) have been obtained. The main feature of these structures is the original 2D arrangement (as supramolecular sheets or walls) in which the H bond and halogen bond have a prominent effect on the whole architecture. The two diacetylene compounds harbor neighboring carbamate (Boc protected amine) and conjugated alkyne functionalities. They differ only by the nature of the atom located at the penultimate position of the diyne moiety, either a hydrogen atom or a bromine atom. Both of them adopt very similar 2D wall organizations with antiparallel carbamates (as in antiparallel beta pleated sheets). Additional weak interactions inside the same walls between molecular bricks are H bond interactions (diyne-H···O=C) or halogen bond interactions (diyne-Br···O=C), respectively. Based on crystallographic atom coordinates, DFT (B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p)) and DFT (M06-2X/6-31++G(d,p)) calculations were performed on these isostructural crystals to gain insight into the intermolecular interactions.
A Novel Power-Saving Transmission Scheme for Multiple-Component-Carrier Cellular Systems
Authors: Chung Yao-Liang
Published: April 2016

As mobile data traffic levels have increased exponentially, resulting in rising energy costs in recent years, the demand for and development of green communication technologies has resulted in various energy-saving designs for cellular systems. At the same time, recent technological advances have allowed multiple component carriers (CCs) to be simultaneously utilized in a base station (BS), a development that has made the energy consumption of BSs a matter of increasing concern. To help address this concern, herein we propose a novel scheme aimed at efficiently minimizing the power consumption of BS transceivers during transmission, while still ensuring good service quality and fairness for users. Specifically, the scheme utilizes the dynamic activation/deactivation of CCs during data transmission to increase power usage efficiency. To test its effectiveness, the proposed scheme was applied to a model consisting of a BS with orthogonal frequency division multiple access-based CCs in a downlink transmission environment. The results indicated that, given periods of relatively light traffic loads, the total power consumption of the proposed scheme is significantly lower than that of schemes in which all the CCs of a BS are constantly activated, suggesting the scheme’s potential for reducing both energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions.
Adaptation and Evaluation of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale in India (NEWS-India)
Authors: Adlakha Deepti , Hipp J. , Brownson Ross
Published: April 2016

Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality, with most of these deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) like India. Research from developed countries has consistently demonstrated associations between built environment features and physical activity levels of populations. The development of culturally sensitive and reliable measures of the built environment is a necessary first step for accurate analysis of environmental correlates of physical activity in LMICs. This study systematically adapted the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) for India and evaluated aspects of test-retest reliability of the adapted version among Indian adults. Cultural adaptation of the NEWS was conducted by Indian and international experts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with local residents and key informants in the city of Chennai, India. At baseline, participants (N = 370; female = 47.2%) from Chennai completed the adapted NEWS-India surveys on perceived residential density, land use mix-diversity, land use mix-access, street connectivity, infrastructure and safety for walking and cycling, aesthetics, traffic safety, and safety from crime. NEWS-India was administered for a second time to consenting participants (N = 62; female = 53.2%) with a gap of 2–3 weeks between successive administrations. Qualitative findings demonstrated that built environment barriers and constraints to active commuting and physical activity behaviors intersected with social ecological systems. The adapted NEWS subscales had moderate to high test-retest reliability (ICC range 0.48–0.99). The NEWS-India demonstrated acceptable measurement properties among Indian adults and may be a useful tool for evaluation of built environment attributes in India. Further adaptation and evaluation in rural and suburban settings in India is essential to create a version that could be used throughout India.
Media Competition Implementation for the Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Study (MA-CORD): Adoption and Reach
Authors: Criss Shaniece , Cheung Lilian , Giles Catherine , Gortmaker Steven , Viswanath Kasisomayajula , Kwass Jo-Ann , Davison Kirsten
Published: April 2016

The Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Study (MA-CORD) was a multi-level, multi-sector community intervention with a media competition component to provide an overarching synergy and promote awareness of target behaviors to reduce childhood obesity. Students participating in the media competition were tasked with developing videos, song/rap lyrics, and artwork that reflected the goals. The aim of this study is to document the process used to develop and implement the media competition along with its reach and adoption. An adapted version of Neta and colleagues’ 2015 framework on dissemination and implementation was used to summarize the process by which the media competition was developed and implemented. Adoption was defined by whether eligible schools or afterschool programs decided to implement the media competition. Reach was defined by student participation rates within schools/programs and the number of votes cast for the finalists on the coalition website and students’ paper ballots. A total of 595 students participated in the media competition from 18 school and afterschool programs in two communities. Adoption of the media competitions ranged from 22% to 100% in programs and reach ranged from 3% to 33% of the student population. The documentation of the implementation should contribute to the replication of the media competition.
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Neuroinflammation: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Lucke-Wold Brandon , Logsdon Aric , Manoranjan Branavan , Turner Ryan , McConnell Evan , Vates George , Huber Jason , Rosen Charles , Simard J.
Published: April 2016

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) can lead to devastating outcomes including vasospasm, cognitive decline, and even death. Currently, treatment options are limited for this potentially life threatening injury. Recent evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in injury expansion and brain damage. Red blood cell breakdown products can lead to the release of inflammatory cytokines that trigger vasospasm and tissue injury. Preclinical models have been used successfully to improve understanding about neuroinflammation following aneurysmal rupture. The focus of this review is to provide an overview of how neuroinflammation relates to secondary outcomes such as vasospasm after aneurysmal rupture and to critically discuss pharmaceutical agents that warrant further investigation for the treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage. We provide a concise overview of the neuroinflammatory pathways that are upregulated following aneurysmal rupture and how these pathways correlate to long-term outcomes. Treatment of aneurysm rupture is limited and few pharmaceutical drugs are available. Through improved understanding of biochemical mechanisms of injury, novel treatment solutions are being developed that target neuroinflammation. In the final sections of this review, we highlight a few of these novel treatment approaches and emphasize why targeting neuroinflammation following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage may improve patient care. We encourage ongoing research into the pathophysiology of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, especially in regards to neuroinflammatory cascades and the translation to randomized clinical trials.
Reproduction and Population Dynamics as Biotypic Markers of Russian Wheat Aphid Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov)
Authors: Ngenya Watson , Malinga Joyce , Tabu Isaiah , Masinde Emily
Published: April 2016

Russian wheat aphid Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) is widely established in wheat-growing countries where it causes significant economic losses. The development and use of Russian wheat aphid (RWA)-resistant wheat varieties has been constrained by the variation in resident RWA populations and the evolution of virulent biotypes. An experiment was set up at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Njoro, to characterize RWA populations based on phenotypic characteristics of reproduction, development and population dynamics. RWA populations from the regions of Eldoret, Mau Narok and Njoro were used in the study. A factorial experiment was set up in randomized complete block design replicated eleven times. A single day-old nymph was placed on a new, fully-open leaf in a 0.5 cm-diameter clear plastic straw leaf cage and observed daily for its entire lifetime. The results showed that there were variations in aphid lifespan, reproductive longevity and aphid fecundity between populations, indicating that the phenotypic markers used to determine biotypes were good enough to show distinct biotypes among populations of the RWA in Kenya. Further, the study concluded that the use of phenotypic life and reproductive markers was a valid way of characterizing biotypes of RWA worldwide.
New Cyclic Lipopeptides of the Iturin Class Produced by Saltern-Derived Bacillus sp. KCB14S006
Authors: Son Sangkeun , Ko Sung-Kyun , Jang Mina , Kim Jong , Kim Gil , Lee Jae , Jeon Eun , Futamura Yushi , Ryoo In-Ja , Lee Jung-Sook , Oh Hyuncheol , Hong Young-Soo , Kim Bo , Takahashi Shunji , Osada Hiroyuki , Jang Jae-Hyuk , Ahn Jong
Published: April 2016

Salterns, one of the most extreme natural hypersaline environments, are a rich source of halophilic and halotolerant microorganisms, but they remain largely underexplored ecological niches in the discovery of bioactive secondary metabolites. In continued efforts to investigate the metabolic potential of microbial populations from chemically underexplored sites, three new lipopeptides named iturin F1, iturin F2 and iturin A9 (1–3), along with iturin A8 (4), were isolated from Bacillus sp. KCB14S006 derived from a saltern. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by 1D-, 2D-NMR and HR-ESIMS, and their absolute configurations were determined by applying advanced Marfey’s method and CD spectroscopy. All isolates exhibited significant antifungal activities against various pathogenic fungi and moderate cytotoxic activities toward HeLa and srcts-NRK cell lines. Moreover, in an in vitro enzymatic assay, compound 4 showed a significant inhibitory activity against indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.
Synthesis of Dense and Chiral Dendritic Polyols Using Glyconanosynthon Scaffolds
Authors: Shiao Tze , Rej Rabindra , Rose Mariécka , Pavan Giovanni , Roy René
Published: April 2016

Most classical dendrimers are frequently built-up from identical repeating units of low valency (usually AB2 monomers). This strategy necessitates several generations to achieve a large number of surface functionalities. In addition, these typical monomers are achiral. We propose herein the use of sugar derivatives consisting of several and varied functionalities with their own individual intrinsic chirality as both scaffolds/core as well as repeating units. This approach allows the construction of chiral, dense dendrimers with a large number of surface groups at low dendrimer generations. Perpropargylated β-D-glucopyranoside, serving as an A5 core, together with various derivatives, such as 2-azidoethyl tetra-O-allyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, serving as an AB4 repeating moiety, were utilized to construct chiral dendrimers using “click chemistry” (CuAAC reaction). These were further modified by thiol-ene and thiol-yne click reactions with alcohols to provide dendritic polyols. Molecular dynamic simulation supported the assumption that the resulting polyols have a dense structure.
Activated Charge-Reversal Polymeric Nano-System: The Promising Strategy in Drug Delivery for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Hu Yichen , Gong Xiao , Zhang Jinming , Chen Fengqian , Fu Chaomei , Li Peng , Zou Liang , Zhao Gang
Published: April 2016

Various polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) with optimal size, tumor-targeting functionalization, or microenvironment sensitive characteristics have been designed to solve several limitations of conventional chemotherapy. Nano-sized polymeric drug carrier systems have remarkably great advantages in drug delivery and cancer therapy, which are still plagued with severe deficiencies, especially insufficient cellular uptake. Recently, surface charge of medical NPs has been demonstrated to play an important role in cellular uptake. NPs with positive charge show higher affinity to anionic cell membranes such that with more efficient cellular internalization, but otherwise cause severe aggregation and fast clearance in circulation. Thus, surface charge-reversal NPs, specifically activated at the tumor site, have shown to elegantly resolve the enhanced cellular uptake in cancer cells vs. non-specific protein adsorption dilemma. Herein, this review mainly focuses on the effect of tumor-site activated surface charge reversal NPs on tumor treatment, including the activated mechanisms and various applications in suppressing cancer cells, killing cancer stem cell and overcoming multidrug resistance, with the emphasis on recent research in these fields. With the comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the activated surface charge reversal NPs, this approach might arouse great interest of scientific research on enhanced efficient polymeric nano-carriers in cancer therapy.
The Effect of Temperature Treatment on the Structure of Polyelectrolyte Multilayers
Authors: Zerball Maximilian , Laschewsky André , Köhler Ralf , Von Klitzing Regine
Published: April 2016

The study addresses the effect of thermal treatment on the internal structure of polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs). In order to get insight into the internal structure of PEMs, Neutron Reflectometry (NR) was used. PEMs with a deuterated inner block towards the substrate and a non-deuterated outer block were prepared and measured in 1% RH and in D2O before and after a thermal treatment. Complementarily, PEMs with the same number of layers but completely non-deuterated were investigated by ellipsometry. The analysis for the overall thickness (d), the average scattering length density (SLD) and the refractive index (n) indicate a degradation of the PEM. The loss in material is independent of the number of layers, i.e., only a constant part of the PEM is affected by degradation. The analysis of the internal structure revealed a more complex influence of thermal treatment on PEM structure. Only the outermost part of the PEM degenerates, while the inner part becomes denser during the thermal treatment. In addition, the swelling behavior of PEMs is influenced by the thermal treatment. The untreated PEM shows a well pronounced odd—even effect, i.e., PDADMAC-terminated PEMs take up more water than PSS-terminated PEMs. After the thermal treatment, the odd-even effect becomes much weaker.
Improving Spring Maize Yield Estimation at Field Scale by Assimilating Time-Series HJ-1 CCD Data into the WOFOST Model Using a New Method with Fast Algorithms
Authors: Cheng Zhiqiang , Meng Jihua , Wang Yiming
Published: April 2016

Field crop yield prediction is crucial to grain storage, agricultural field management, and national agricultural decision-making. Currently, crop models are widely used for crop yield prediction. However, they are hampered by the uncertainty or similarity of input parameters when extrapolated to field scale. Data assimilation methods that combine crop models and remote sensing are the most effective methods for field yield estimation. In this study, the World Food Studies (WOFOST) model is used to simulate the growing process of spring maize. Common assimilation methods face some difficulties due to the scarce, constant, or similar nature of the input parameters. For example, yield spatial heterogeneity simulation, coexistence of common assimilation methods and the nutrient module, and time cost are relatively important limiting factors. To address the yield simulation problems at field scale, a simple yet effective method with fast algorithms is presented for assimilating the time-series HJ-1 A/B data into the WOFOST model in order to improve the spring maize yield simulation. First, the WOFOST model is calibrated and validated to obtain the precise mean yield. Second, the time-series leaf area index (LAI) is calculated from the HJ data using an empirical regression model. Third, some fast algorithms are developed to complete assimilation. Finally, several experiments are conducted in a large farmland (Hongxing) to evaluate the yield simulation results. In general, the results indicate that the proposed method reliably improves spring maize yield estimation in terms of spatial heterogeneity simulation ability and prediction accuracy without affecting the simulation efficiency.
MapSentinel: Can the Knowledge of Space Use Improve Indoor Tracking Further?
Authors: Jia Ruoxi , Jin Ming , Zou Han , Yesilata Yigitcan , Xie Lihua , Spanos Costas
Published: April 2016

Estimating an occupant’s location is arguably the most fundamental sensing task in smart buildings. The applications for fine-grained, responsive building operations require the location sensing systems to provide location estimates in real time, also known as indoor tracking. Existing indoor tracking systems require occupants to carry specialized devices or install programs on their smartphone to collect inertial sensing data. In this paper, we propose MapSentinel, which performs non-intrusive location sensing based on WiFi access points and ultrasonic sensors. MapSentinel combines the noisy sensor readings with the floormap information to estimate locations. One key observation supporting our work is that occupants exhibit distinctive motion characteristics at different locations on the floormap, e.g., constrained motion along the corridor or in the cubicle zones, and free movement in the open space. While extensive research has been performed on using a floormap as a tool to obtain correct walking trajectories without wall-crossings, there have been few attempts to incorporate the knowledge of space use available from the floormap into the location estimation. This paper argues that the knowledge of space use as an additional information source presents new opportunities for indoor tracking. The fusion of heterogeneous information is theoretically formulated within the Factor Graph framework, and the Context-Augmented Particle Filtering algorithm is developed to efficiently solve real-time walking trajectories. Our evaluation in a large office space shows that the MapSentinel can achieve accuracy improvement of 31.3% compared with the purely WiFi-based tracking system.
Automatic Identification of Subtechniques in Skating-Style Roller Skiing Using Inertial Sensors
Authors: Sakurai Yoshihisa , Fujita Zenya , Ishige Yusuke
Published: April 2016

This study aims to develop and validate an automated system for identifying skating-style cross-country subtechniques using inertial sensors. In the first experiment, the performance of a male cross-country skier was used to develop an automated identification system. In the second, eight male and seven female college cross-country skiers participated to validate the developed identification system. Each subject wore inertial sensors on both wrists and both roller skis, and a small video camera on a backpack. All subjects skied through a 3450 m roller ski course using a skating style at their maximum speed. The adopted subtechniques were identified by the automated method based on the data obtained from the sensors, as well as by visual observations from a video recording of the same ski run. The system correctly identified 6418 subtechniques from a total of 6768 cycles, which indicates an accuracy of 94.8%. The precisions of the automatic system for identifying the V1R, V1L, V2R, V2L, V2AR, and V2AL subtechniques were 87.6%, 87.0%, 97.5%, 97.8%, 92.1%, and 92.0%, respectively. Most incorrect identification cases occurred during a subtechnique identification that included a transition and turn event. Identification accuracy can be improved by separately identifying transition and turn events. This system could be used to evaluate each skier’s subtechniques in course conditions.
Dynamic Changes of the Ecological Footprint and Its Component Analysis Response to Land Use in Wuhan, China
Authors: Yao Xiaowei , Wang Zhanqi , Zhang Hongwei
Published: April 2016

Humans’ demands for biological resources and energies have always been increasing, whereas evidence has shown that this demand is outpacing the regenerative and absorptive capacity of the planet. Since China is experiencing unprecedented urbanization and industrialization processes, how much impact this has imposed on the earth during economic development worldwide is conspicuous. Therefore, this paper tries to examine the environmental impact in detail and track its changes in a typical city of Central China, Wuhan, based on ecological footprint analysis. By calculating the ecological footprint and its components in terms of biologically productive land areas during the period of 1995–2008, it is found that the ecological footprint increased in fluctuations from 1.48 gha per capita to 2.10 gha per capita, with the carbon footprint contributing most within the whole time period. Compared to the tiny declining biocapacity of the region, a gradually aggravated ecological deficit in the city was observed, which increased from 1.12 gha per capita in 1995 to 1.79 gha per capita in 2008. Component analysis on the trends of the ecological footprint and ecological deficit reveals that the impact on the ecosystem induced by humans’ demands for resource production and energy consumption became greater than before, and cutting down the consumption of fossil fuels could reduce the carbon footprint and the overall ecological deficit of the city.
Bacteriorhodopsin–ZnO hybrid as a potential sensing element for low-temperature detection of ethanol vapour
Authors: Kumar Saurav , Bagchi Sudeshna , Prasad Senthil , Sharma Anupma , Kumar Ritesh , Kaur Rishemjit , Singh Jagvir , Bhondekar Amol P
Published: April 2016

Zinc oxide (ZnO) and bacteriorhodopsin (bR) hybrid nanostructures were fabricated by immobilizing bR on ZnO thin films and ZnO nanorods. The morphological and spectroscopic analysis of the hybrid structures confirmed the ZnO thin film/nanorod growth and functional properties of bR. The photoactivity results of the bR protein further corroborated the sustainability of its charge transport property and biological activity. When exposed to ethanol vapour (reducing gas) at low temperature (70 °C), the fabricated sensing elements showed a significant increase in resistivity, as opposed to the conventional n-type behaviour of bare ZnO nanostructures. This work opens up avenues towards the fabrication of low temperature, photoactivated, nanomaterial–biomolecule hybrid gas sensors.
APPLICATION OF THE EVM METHOD AND ITS EXTENSIONS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSTRUCTION OBJECTS
Authors: Ziółkowska Aneta , Połoński Mieczysław
Published: April 2016

Surpassing of the planned budget and delivery time is a common feature during the implementation of building investments in Poland. Only a small number of companies use effective methods of project monitoring during investment performance. One of the popular tools used to control projects with regard to cost and time is the earned value method (EVM). There is, however, no detailed guidance how to deploy the method to the specific characteristics and conditions during the execution of building investments. This fact has contributed to this paper, which presents the results of application and adaptation of the earned value method (EVM) and its further extensions in the control of building projects during their execution (with regard to cost and time), prediction of the final duration and costs, and presentation of the effects resulting from calculations. The analyses were performed in terms of the contractor for 5 selected completed and ongoing building projects in Poland.
LONG-PERIOD VARIATIONS IN THE RADIAL VELOCITY OF SPECTROSCOPIC BINARY M GIANT μ URSAE MAJORIS
Authors: Lee Byeong-Cheol , Han Inwoo , Park Myeong-Gu , Mkrtichian David E. , Hatzes Artie P. , Jeong Gwanghui , Kim Kang-Min
Published: April 2016

We report that the spectroscopic binary μ Ursae Majoris (μ UMa) has secondary RV variations of 471.2 days in addition to those of 230.0 days already known. Keplerian orbit analysis yields stellar mass companions of 1.6 M
⊙ for the 230 day period and 0.14 M
⊙ for the 471 day period. However, the HIPPARCOS photometries show a period similar to the stellar rotational period, which is one-quarter of the RV period. Variations in the bisector velocity curvature show a period of 463.6 days. We also find ∼473 day variations in the equivalent width (EW) measurements of the

and

lines, whose origin is probably stellar activity. We note that the nature of 471 day variations is similar to one observed in “Sequence D” of Asymptotic Giant Branch pulsating stars. We therefore conclude that the RV and the EW variations in the spectroscopic binary M giant μ UMa A originate from the complex pulsations and the chromospheric activity.
LUT REVEALS AN ALGOL-TYPE ECLIPSING BINARY WITH THREE ADDITIONAL STELLAR COMPANIONS IN A MULTIPLE SYSTEM
Authors: Zhu L.-Y. , Zhou X. , Hu J.-Y. , Qian S.-B. , Li L.-J. , Liao W.-P. , Tian X.-M. , Wang Z.-H.
Published: April 2016

A complete light curve of the neglected eclipsing binary Algol V548 Cygni in the UV band was obtained with the Lunar-based Ultraviolet Telescope in 2014 May. Photometric solutions are obtained using the Wilson–Devinney method. It is found that solutions with and without third light are quite different. The mass ratio without third light is determined to be q = 0.307, while that derived with third light is q = 0.606. It is shown that V548 Cygni is a semi-detached binary where the secondary component is filling the critical Roche lobe. An analysis of all available eclipse times suggests that there are three cyclic variations in the O–C diagram that are interpreted by the light travel-time effect via the presence of three additional stellar companions. This is in agreement with the presence of a large quantity of third light in the system. The masses of these companions are estimated as m sin i′ ∼ 1.09, 0.20, and 0.52 M
⊙. They are orbiting the central binary with orbital periods of about 5.5, 23.3, and 69.9 years, i.e., in 1:4:12 resonance orbit. Their orbital separations are about 4.5, 13.2, and 26.4 au, respectively. Our photometric solutions suggest that they contribute about 32.4% to the total light of the multiple system. No obvious long-term changes in the orbital period were found, indicating that the contributions of the mass transfer and the mass loss due to magnetic braking to the period variations are comparable. The detection of three possible additional stellar components orbiting a typical Algol in a multiple system make V548 Cygni a very interesting binary to study in the future.