bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGARUH FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY TERHADAP KEPUASAN KEUANGAN DENGAN CAPAIAN KEUANGAN SEBAGAI VARIABEL MEDIASI
Authors: Sari Pristin Prima , Rinofah Risal
Published: September 2019

This study aims to investigate the mediation role of financial experience on the link between financial technology and financial satisfaction of Small Business Enterprise (SME) in Beringharjo Market in Yogyakarta. This study uses primary data and random sampling. This Study uses questionairre with likert scale. This study collects data to respondent in Beringharjo Market of Yogyakarta Special Region. The results of the study are the F test showing that financial performance can mediate the effect of using financial technology on financial satisfaction. Financial technology can improve the financial performance of small businesses and financial achievements can increase the financial satisfaction of small businesses in Beringharjo market. Thus, financial performance can mediate the influence of Financial Technology on financial satisfaction. The criteria for the role of mediation in financial performance are fully mediated, meaning that financial performance partial mediated the relationship between financial technology and financial satisfaction. This study can be used to campaign fianncial technology to small busniess entreprise (SME), to develop small business entreprise (SME), to make decision in business especially small business entreprise (SME).
PENGARUH PERUBAHAN TINGKAT SUKU BUNGA BANK INDONESIA DAN PERUBAHAN NILAI TUKAR RUPIAH PADA US DOLLAR TERHADAP HARGA SAHAM-SAHAM LQ45 DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA
Authors: Astuti Eni Puji , Ardila Rika
Published: September 2019

Tujuan Penelitian Untuk mengetahui pengaruh perubahan antara tingkat suku bunga bank Indonesia dan nilai tukar rupiah pada US Dollar  terhadap harga saham – saham LQ45 di Bursa Efek Indonesia Tahun 2009  - 2015 secara simultan.Populasi yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh perusahaan yang sahamnya tergabung dalam indeks LQ45 di BEI selama periode penelitian 2009 sampai dengan 2015. Sampel pada penelitian ini adalah perusahaan yang sahamnya tergabung dalam indeks LQ45 di BEI yang dipilih dengan metode purposive sampling. Kriteria pemilihan sampel penelitian yaitu perusahaan yang aktif tercatat / terdaftar sebanyak empat belas (14) kali secara berturut – turut di Indeks LQ45 selama periode penelitian 2009 – 2015 jumlah sampel yang masuk kriteria penelitian adalah sebanyak 20 perusahaan yang terdaftar pada indeks LQ45. Metode analisis yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah menggunakan analisis statistik melalui pendekatan Uji Asumsi Klasik, Uji Regresi Linier Berganda, Uji Koefisien Korelasi, Uji Koefisien Determinasi, Uji Parsial T dan Uji Simultan F dan selanjutnya akan dianalisis hasil regresi tersebut.Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa Suku Bunga Bank Indonesia dan nilai tukar rupiah pada US Dollar secara parsial tidak mempunyai pengaruh signifikan terhadap Harga Saham – saham LQ45  Nilai Tukar Rupiah pada US Dollar secara parsial tidak mempunyai pengaruh signifikan terhadap Harga Saham – saham LQ45  Suku Bunga Bank Indonesia dan Nilai Tukar Rupiah pada US Dollar secara simultan bersama – sama tidak mempunyai pengaruh signifikan terhadap Harga Saham – saham LQ45 di Bursa Efek Indonesia selama periode 2009 sampai dengan 2015.
PENGARUH RETURN ON ASSETS, CURRENT RATIO, TOTAL ASSET TURN OVER, DAN QUICK RATIO TERHADAP EARNING PER SHARE SERTA DAMPAKNYA TERHADAP DIVIDEND PAYOUT RATIO (Studi Kasus Pada Perusahaan Jasa Konstruksi Yang Terdaftar Di Bursa Efek Tiongkok)
Authors: Suryanto Wirawan
Published: September 2019

Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh return on assets, current ratio, total asset turnover, dan quick ratio terhadap earning per share serta dampaknya terhadap dividend payout ratio (studi kasus pada perusahaan jasa konstruksi yang terdaftar di bursa efek tiongkok).Penelitian ini menggunakan metode asosiatif kausal analisis. Data yang digunakan adalah data keuangan yang di terbitkan oleh masing – masing perusahaan pada website perusahaan. Data pendukung penelitian ini diambil dari beberapa literature, seperti buku, website dan jurnal.Hasil penelitian ini menyatakan bahwa : (1) return on assets berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap earning per share, (2) current ratio tidak berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap earning per share, (3)  total asset turn over berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap earning per share, (4) quick ratio berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap earning per share. (5) Secara simultan return on assets, current ratio, total asset turn over, dan quick ratio berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap earning per share.
Examining the Correlation between American Students’ Cultural Intelligence, Political Affiliations, and Their Social Distances from Their International Peers
Authors: Mejri Sami B
Published: September 2019

Guided by the theories of cultural intelligence and social distance, the purpose of this quantitative non-experimental study was to determine whether first-year American-born college students’ political party affiliations and cultural intelligence (CQ) relate to their self-reported social distances (SDs) from international students. One hundred and twenty-one first-year college students at a 4-year Midwestern university participated in this study. Regression analysis showed that political party affiliation (β = .194, t = 3.074, p = .003), metacognitive CQ (β = −.239, t = −.2.885, p = .005), motivational CQ (β = −.363, t = −4.225, p = .001), and behavioral CQ (β = −.215, t = −3.078, p = .003) of American-born college students were statistically significant predictors of their social distances from international peers. However, cognitive CQ (β = .009, t = .112, p = .911) was not a statistically significant predictor of social distance between these two groups of students.
Exploring Oral English Learning Motivation in Chinese International Students with Low Oral English Proficiency
Authors: Xing Deyu , Bolden Benjamin
Published: September 2019

This study employed narrative inquiry to understand the oral English learning motivation of Chinese international students with low oral English proficiency through their academic acculturation stories. Expectancy-Value Theory served as the theoretical framework to inform the study design and the interpretation of results. Findings suggest all participants’ motivation for oral English learning increased as a result of the newly acquired high subjective value of spoken English during their academic acculturation. However, they experienced high levels of psychological stress during their academic acculturation due to their low oral English proficiency. Further, participants’ perceived expectancy of success for learning oral English declined as their academic acculturation progressed, negatively influencing their oral English learning motivation. Implications for various stakeholders are discussed.
La lucha como motor para la vida
Authors: Medellín Delgado Ilse Paulina
Published: September 2019

En el texto psicoanalítico de 1932 ¿Por qué la guerra?, Freud explora las posibles causas de este fenómeno, mismas que rastreó hasta llegar a la constitución psíquica. La pulsión en sus formas constructiva (Eros) y destructiva (Thanatos) revela una guerra que se libra en el corazón mismo del psiquismo. Lacan retorna a la obra de Freud, introduciendo tres registros complementarios al análisis del conflicto psíquico. Las guerras entre yo y ello, entre imaginario y real, son un acercamiento revelador al tema de la lucha, permiten reflexionar sobre la posibilidad y la imposibilidad de alcanzar un estado de paz, en lo interno y lo externo; estos dos registros no son los únicos, hay un tercero, el simbólico, que va más allá de la guerra o la paz. La pulsión está en el origen y tiene la potencialidad de transformase, es a esto a lo que se apuntaría con el trabajo en un análisis. No son deseables las manifestaciones de exceso de pulsión como violencia, ni la ausencia de ésta última.
Trailing Locks and Flowing Robes: Dimensions of Beauty during China's Han dynasty (206bc–ad220)
Authors: Lullo Sheri A.
Published: September 2019

This inquiry explores images of women from mortuary contexts of China's Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 220). These early images are generally regarded as static illustrations that served to frame deceased individuals and define their social position and moral values. Recent research, however, has suggested that artisans were also interested in conveying images for visual pleasure, and were thus attentive to details, particularly of hairstyle and dress, that expressed ideals of female beauty. Close study of a hairstyle common to images of Han women, which comprised a bun with a single lock of hair trailing out, alongside changes in clothing styles across the period's historical divisions indicate a growing preference for volume and fluidity in presentations of the adorned body. It is demonstrated that the trailing lock is visually and figuratively aligned with clothing styles to enhance silhouette. Moreover, the stylistic dialogue between hairstyle and clothing served as a significant indicator of a woman's grace and comportment, facets of beauty that are often overlooked for early China. Finally, such changes are understood against an historical atmosphere where a more fluid and dynamic aesthetic was increasingly favoured.
Pengaruh Senam Otak terhadap Kesehatan Mental Lanjut Usia
Authors: Bachtiar Farahdina
Published: September 2019

Introduction: An increase in the elderly population is something that cannot be avoided as an effect of improving people's quality of life. However, this is a challenge because many elderly not only experience physical disorders but also mental disorders. Various studies have found that physical activity can improve mental health in the elderly. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of brain gym exercise on mental health of the elderly. Methods: This study used an experimental research design. The sample used was elderly women who visited Puskesmas Tamalanrea Jaya Makassar. The number of samples in this study was 20 elderly people divided into the treatment group and control group. The treatment group received the elderly gym and brain gym while the control group was only given elderly gym. Mental status for all elderly people was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) II questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 for Windows package. Results: The results showed that there were significant changes in mental status after brain gym exercise in the treatment group (p<0.05), whereas there were no significant changes in mental status after elderly gym exercise in the control group (p>0.05). In addition, it was found that there were no significant differences in the value of mental status between the treatment group and the control group (p> 0.05). However, the mean value of mental status in the treatment group was greater than the mean value in the control group. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that there is an effect of brain gym exercise to changes in mental status in the elderly. Mental status in the treatment group after administration of brain gym was better compared to the control group.
KEBIJAKAN RELOKASI PEDAGANG KAKI LIMA DI KOTA MANADO PROVINSI SULAWESI UTARA
Authors: Bura Arnold
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was (1) to analyze and find out what the Government’s policy to relocate street vendors Manado City in the center of the city of Manado. (2). To analyze and determine the factors that influence Relocation Policy Implementation street vendors by the City of Manado. Data collection techniques include in-depth interviews and documentation. Data analysis techniques include data reduction, data presentation and conclusion. Data validity checking techniques include degree of confidence, and the degree of dependency and certainty. In this study it was found that PKL relocation policy based Perwako No. 1 of 2006 concerning the relocation of street vendors in the market due to Manado Bersehati population and the presence of street vendors in the city center of Manado 45 raises complex issues that directly impact the other activities in the region, especially public transportation routes to be disrupted due to the capacity of the central area of the city of Manado 45 can no longer accommodate diverse activities. Assertiveness factor is needed in the City Government made a policy on street vendors. Are also important factors to be considered is the feasibility of a sale is seen from all aspects, primarily the physical condition of the building is also provided for the relocation of economic value that can be obtained by street vendors in these locations. Also affecting the relocation policy implementation is weak supervision and monitoring of the implementation of the policy. Thus it can be suggested that the relocation of street vendors Policy mayor Regulation No. 1 of 2006 should be revised or updated to a higher legal force the relocation of local regulation of street vendors. Government policy has had to consider the interests of both parties. On the one hand giving opportunity to all people to a decent life with his work, but still managing urban obliged to be a comfortable place for all activities of the citizens. Assertiveness factor is needed in the City Government made a policy on street vendors. This shows about government authority as the holder of the authority under applicable laws. Are also important factors to be considered is the feasibility of a sale, arranged from all aspects, primarily the physical condition of the building is also provided for the relocation of economic value that can be obtained by street vendors in these locations.

Keywords: public policy, relocation, street vendors.
Countering Gram-Negative Antibiotic Resistance: Recent Progress in Disrupting the Outer Membrane with Novel Therapeutics
Authors: Lehman Kelly M. , Grabowicz Marcin
Published: September 2019

Gram-negative bacteria shield themselves from antibiotics by producing an outer membrane (OM) that forms a formidable permeability barrier. Multidrug resistance among these organisms is a particularly acute problem that is exacerbated by the OM. The poor penetrance of many available antibiotics prevents their clinical use, and efforts to discover novel classes of antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria have been unsuccessful for almost 50 years. Recent insights into how the OM is built offer new hope. Several essential multiprotein molecular machines (Bam, Lpt, and Lol) work in concert to assemble the barrier and offer a swathe of new targets for novel therapeutic development. Murepavadin has been at the vanguard of these efforts, but its recently reported phase III clinical trial toxicity has tempered the anticipation of imminent new clinical options. Nonetheless, the many concerted efforts aimed at breaking down the OM barrier provide a source of ongoing optimism for what may soon come through the development pipeline. We will review the current state of drug development against the OM assembly targets, highlighting insightful new discovery approaches and strategies.
Gut Bacteria of Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator) Are a Potential Source of Antibacterial Compound(s)
Authors: Akbar Noor , Siddiqui Ruqaiyyah , Sagathevan K , Iqbal Mazhar , Khan Naveed Ahmed
Published: September 2019

For the past few decades, there has been limited progress in the development of novel antibacterials. Previously, we postulated that the gut microbiota of animals residing in polluted environments are a forthcoming supply of antibacterials. Among various species, the water monitor lizard is an interesting species that feeds on organic waste and the carcass of wild animals. Gut microbiota of the water monitor lizard were sequestered, identified and cultivated in RPMI-1640 to produce conditioned medium (CM). Next, the antimicrobial properties of CM were evaluated versus a selection of Gram-negative (Escherichia coli K1, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and Gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus). CM were partially characterized by heat inactivation at 95°C for 10 min and tested against P. aeruginosa and S. pyogenes. CM were also tested against immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells lines. The results demonstrated that gut microbiota isolated from water monitor lizard produced molecules with remarkable bactericidal activities. To determine the identity of the active molecules, CM were subjected to Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Several molecules were identified belonging to the classes of flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, polyhydroxy alkaloids, polyacetylenes, bisphenols, amides, oxylipin and pyrazine derivatives with known broad-spectrum antimicrobial, anti-tumour, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic attributes. Furthermore, the detailed analysis of these molecules could lead us to develop effective therapeutic antibacterials.
DNA Methylation of Enhancer Elements in Myeloid Neoplasms: Think Outside the Promoters?
Authors: Ordoñez Raquel , Martínez-Calle Nicolás , Agirre Xabier , Prosper Felipe
Published: September 2019

Gene regulation through DNA methylation is a well described phenomenon that has a prominent role in physiological and pathological cell-states. This epigenetic modification is usually grouped in regions denominated CpG islands, which frequently co-localize with gene promoters, silencing the transcription of those genes. Recent genome-wide DNA methylation studies have challenged this paradigm, demonstrating that DNA methylation of regulatory regions outside promoters is able to influence cell-type specific gene expression programs under physiologic or pathologic conditions. Coupling genome-wide DNA methylation assays with histone mark annotation has allowed for the identification of specific epigenomic changes that affect enhancer regulatory regions, revealing an additional layer of complexity to the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. In this review, we summarize the novel evidence for the molecular and biological regulation of DNA methylation in enhancer regions and the dynamism of these changes contributing to the fine-tuning of gene expression. We also analyze the contribution of enhancer DNA methylation on the expression of relevant genes in acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms. The characterization of the aberrant enhancer DNA methylation provides not only a novel pathogenic mechanism for different tumors but also highlights novel potential therapeutic targets for myeloid derived neoplasms.
Contribution of Minerals in Different Occurrence Forms to PM10 Emissions during the Combustion of Pulverized Zhundong Coal
Authors: Zhao Laifu , Du Qian , Gao Jianmin , Wu Shaohua
Published: September 2019

The comprehensive and quantitative assessment of the contribution of minerals with different occurrence forms to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 μm (PM10) emitted from the combustion of Zhundong coal is of great significance for its clean utilization and for the development of particulate matter formation mechanisms. Samples with simplified occurrence forms of inorganic species were prepared by water-, salt-, and acid-washing of Zhundong coal. The samples were combusted in a drop-tube furnace under 20 vol % oxygen at 1250 °C, and the emitted PM10 was collected. The effects of the minerals in different forms on the PM10 emissions were analyzed by comparing the mass concentration distributions, yields, and elemental compositions of PM10. The results showed that water-soluble, ion-exchangeable, acid-soluble, and acid-insoluble minerals contributed 8.3%, 37.8%, 29.7%, and 24.2% of the PM10 emissions, respectively. The distributions of the Na, Mg, Ca, and Fe contents in PM10 were bimodal, as follows: 63.6% of Na and 54.5% of Fe were deported to the ultrafine mode PM, while 63.6% of Mg and 86.6% of Ca were deported to the coarse mode PM. The distributions of the Si and Al contents were unimodal, namely: 92.9% of Si and 90.5% of Al were deported to the coarse mode PM. Water-soluble Na; ion-exchanged Mg, Ca, and Fe; and acid-insoluble Si and Al played decisive roles in the distribution of minerals in PM10.
Coordinated Control in VSC-HVDC Multi-Terminal Systems to Improve Transient Stability: The Impact of Communication Latency
Authors: Renedo Javier , García-Cerrada Aurelio , Rouco Luis , Sigrist Lukas
Published: September 2019

Power transmission is the main purpose of high voltage direct current systems based on voltage source converters (VSC-HVDC). Nevertheless, this type of system can also help to improve transient stability by implementing suitable supplementary controllers. Previous work proposed active- (P) and reactive-power (Q) control strategies in VSC-HVDC multi-terminal systems (VSC-MTDC, for short) to improve transient stability, producing significant improvements. In those strategies, each VSC station of the MTDC system compares its frequency measurement with the average of the frequencies measured by all converter stations of the MTDC system (weighted-average frequency, WAF) in order to modulate its own P and Q injections. Hence, a communication system is required. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the impact of communication latency on the performance of those control strategies. The communication delays have been modelled using a Padé’s approximation and their impact on the performance of the control strategies have been assessed by means of time-domain simulation in PSS/E. The effect of the control strategies on transient stability has been quantified with the critical clearing time (CCT) of a set of faults. Results show that the control strategies analysed present good results for realistic values of communication delays.
Power Density Analysis and Optimization of SMPMSM Based on FEM, DE Algorithm and Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Hao Jinshun , Suo Shuangfu , Yang Yiyong , Wang Yang , Wang Wenjie
Published: September 2019

Surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motors (SMPMSM) with high power density and good speed regulation are widely used in industrial applications. In order to further improve its power density, this paper studied the relationship between the thickness of the stator yoke, the thickness of the rotor yoke, the relative magnet span of the motor and the motor power density using the finite element simulation method. On this basis, a response surface model between the three parameters and the power density of the motor was established. Based on this model and a differential evolution algorithm, the motor was optimized and the power density was improve; finally, the optimization results were verified using the finite element simulation method. In addition, the optimization results showed that, when other structure parameters remain unchanged, there is an optimal combination of parameters that can maximize the motor’s power density, including the thickness of the stator yoke, the thickness of the rotor yoke and relative magnet span of the motor.
Generalized Extreme Value Statistics, Physical Scaling and Forecasts of Oil Production in the Bakken Shale
Authors: Saputra Wardana , Kirati Wissem , Patzek Tadeusz
Published: September 2019

We aim to replace the current industry-standard empirical forecasts of oil production from hydrofractured horizontal wells in shales with a statistically and physically robust, accurate and precise method of matching historic well performance and predicting well production for up to two more decades. Our Bakken oil forecasting method extends the previous work on predicting fieldwide gas production in the Barnett shale and merges it with our new scaling of oil production in the Bakken. We first divide the existing 14,678 horizontal oil wells in the Bakken into 12 static samples in which reservoir quality and completion technologies are similar. For each sample, we use a purely data-driven non-parametric approach to arrive at an appropriate generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution of oil production from that sample’s dynamic well cohorts with at least 1 , 2 , 3 , ⋯ years on production. From these well cohorts, we stitch together the P 50 , P 10 , and P 90 statistical well prototypes for each sample. These statistical well prototypes are conditioned by well attrition, hydrofracture deterioration, pressure interference, well interference, progress in technology, and so forth. So far, there has been no physical scaling. Now we fit the parameters of our physical scaling model to the statistical well prototypes, and obtain a smooth extrapolation of oil production that is mechanistic, and not just a decline curve. At late times, we add radial inflow from the outside. By calculating the number of potential wells per square mile of each Bakken region (core and noncore), and scheduling future drilling programs, we stack up the extended well prototypes to obtain the plausible forecasts of oil production in the Bakken. We predict that Bakken will ultimately produce 5 billion barrels of oil from the existing wells, with the possible addition of 2 and 6 billion barrels from core and noncore areas, respectively.
Community Structure Analyses of Anodic Biofilms in a Bioelectrochemical System Combined with an Aerobic Reactor
Authors: Liang Qiaochu , Yamashita Takahiro , Matsuura Norihisa , Yamamoto-Ikemoto Ryoko , Yokoyama Hiroshi
Published: September 2019

Bioelectrochemical system (BES)-based reactors have a limited range of use, especially in aerobic conditions, because these systems usually produce current from exoelectrogenic bacteria that are strictly anaerobic. However, some mixed cultures of bacteria in aerobic reactors can form surface biofilms that may produce anaerobic conditions suitable for exoelectrogenic bacteria to thrive. In this study, we combined a BES with an aerobic trickling filter (TF) reactor for wastewater treatment and found that the BES-TF setup could produce electricity with a coulombic efficiency of up to 15% from artificial wastewater, even under aerobic conditions. The microbial communities within biofilms formed at the anodes of BES-TF reactors were investigated using high throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Efficiency of reduction in chemical oxygen demand and total nitrogen content of wastewater using this system was >97%. Bacterial community analysis showed that exoelectrogenic bacteria belonging to the genera Geobacter and Desulfuromonas were dominant within the biofilm coating the anode, whereas aerobic bacteria from the family Rhodocyclaceae were abundant on the surface of the biofilm. Based on our observations, we suggest that BES-TF reactors with biofilms containing aerobic bacteria and anaerobic exoelectrogenic bacteria on the anodes can function in aerobic environments.
Determinants of Energy Saving: Evidence from a Vocational School in Greece
Authors: Dumciuviene Daiva , Cibinskiene Akvile , Andrijauskiene Meda
Published: September 2019

For this paper, the authors theoretically analyzed the determinants of energy saving and sustainable energy consumption in schools. Much research exists on energy-saving behavior in residential buildings. However, there is a lack of focus on public buildings and schools. A systematic literature review was conducted in order to construct the theoretical background for the research of school buildings, which are substantially less investigated. The determinants of sustainable energy use in schools were grouped together into three groups: (i) psychological and social, (ii) sociodemographic and economic, and (iii) contextual. The influence of these determinants on energy consumption was investigated empirically by conducting a questionnaire survey in a vocational school in Greece. The results reveal that the intention to save a substantial amount of energy in a vocational school in Greece is greater when students feel morally obliged to consider the environment and nature, believe that it is in their power to avoid unnecessary power consumption, and are positively influenced by teachers, classmates, and other important people in their lives.
Morphology and Rheological Properties of Polyacrylamide/Bentonite Organic Crosslinking Composite Gel
Authors: Li Jun , Zhou Wen , Qi Zhilin , Luo Taotao , Yan Wende , Xu Honglin , Cheng Keyang , Li Hui
Published: September 2019

The use of polymer gel for water control and oil addition is a common technical method in oilfield development. The polymer and hydrated bentonite react under the action of an organic crosslinking agent to form a composite gel. The particle-size change and microstructure of the composite gel were analyzed via shear thinning, thixotropic, viscoelastic, and start-up stress rheology experiments. The experimental results show that the polyacrylamide/bentonite organic crosslinked composite gel was a gel system with bentonite as the core aggregate structure, and the large particle-size distribution was mostly increased with increasing crosslinker content. The composite gel presented shear thinning characteristics, the content of bentonite or crosslinking agent was increased, and the shear resistance was stronger at a high shear rate. The composite gel exhibited positive thixotropic properties, and the thixotropy increased with increasing bentonite content. The composite gel had good viscoelastic characteristics, the elastic characteristics of the composite gel showed more significantly with bentonite increases, and the viscosity of the composite gel showed its characteristics more significantly with the crosslinking agent increased. After loading at a rate on the composite gel, the shear stress increased significantly with time and reached its maximum value, and then the shear stress decreased and gradually stabilized.
Prediction of Metallic Conductor Voltage Owing to Electromagnetic Coupling Via a Hybrid ANFIS and Backtracking Search Algorithm
Authors: Aghay Kaboli S. Hr. , Al Hinai Amer , Al-Badi A.H. , Charabi Yassine , Al Saifi Abdulrahim
Published: September 2019

The electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by high voltage power systems can cause a serious problem for nearby electrically conductive structures, such as railroads, communication lines, or pipelines, that would place a system’s integrity and the operational safety of the structure at high level of risk. According to the IEEE standard-80, by implementing a well-designed mitigation system, the induced voltage on neighboring electrically conductive structure can reach a harmless level. The mitigation system can enhance the overall integrity of pipelines and provide higher operation safety for personal during working on the exposed parts of metallic pipelines or conductive appurtenances. An accurate prediction about the level of induced voltage is absolutely necessary to design a suitable mitigation system for metallic pipelines. Thus, in this work a hybrid prediction methodology composed of an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and a backtracking search algorithm (BSA) is developed to accurately predict the electromagnetic inference’s effects on metallic pipelines with shared right-of-way (RoW) and high voltage overhead lines (OHLs). Through the combination of BSA as a robust and efficient optimization algorithm in the learning process of an ANFIS approach, a hybrid data mining algorithm has been developed to predict the induced voltage on mitigated and unmitigated pipelines more accurately and reliably. The simulation results are validated by data sets observed from the Current Distribution, Electromagnetic Interference, Grounding and Soil Structure Analysis (CDEGS) software. From the simulation results it was confirmed that the proposed hybrid method is effective in accurately predicting the induced voltage on pipelines with changing system parameters. Furthermore, to evaluate the precision and applicability of the developed approach in this paper, its estimates are compared with the results obtained from an artificial neural network (ANN), a support vector regression (SVR) and an ANFIS optimized by other well-known optimization algorithms. The obtained results indicate higher accuracy of the developed hybrid method over other artificial intelligence based approaches.
Molecular Therapies for Choroideremia
Authors: Cehajic Kapetanovic Jasmina , Barnard Alun R. , MacLaren Robert E.
Published: September 2019

Advances in molecular research have culminated in the development of novel gene-based therapies for inherited retinal diseases. We have recently witnessed several groundbreaking clinical studies that ultimately led to approval of Luxturna, the first gene therapy for an inherited retinal disease. In parallel, international research community has been engaged in conducting gene therapy trials for another more common inherited retinal disease known as choroideremia and with phase III clinical trials now underway, approval of this therapy is poised to follow suit. This chapter discusses new insights into clinical phenotyping and molecular genetic testing in choroideremia with review of molecular mechanisms implicated in its pathogenesis. We provide an update on current gene therapy trials and discuss potential inclusion of female carries in future clinical studies. Alternative molecular therapies are discussed including suitability of CRISPR gene editing, small molecule nonsense suppression therapy and vision restoration strategies in late stage choroideremia.
Reading (with) Hannah Arendt: Aesthetic Representation for an Ethics of Alterity
Authors: Ritivoi Andreea Deciu
Published: September 2019

Hannah Arendt’s interest in literature was part of a broader concern, which was inspired by her reading of Kant, with the role played by aesthetic representation in ethical and political judgment. Her rich repertoire of writings about literature deserves to be considered alongside the works more commonly associated with the ethical turn in literary studies. Arendt’s unique contribution, I argue here, is a heightened awareness of the assimilative tendencies of aesthetic and cultural representation, coupled with a critique of empathy as potentially illusory or even condescending when confronted with a political judgment that is set up to absorb difference. To recognize alterity requires us, if we follow Arendt, to understand otherness “in acting and speaking,” as she argued in The Human Condition. Much of her philosophical and political work was dedicated to understanding the obstacles facing human togetherness, so that she could suggest ways for us to overcome them. Aesthetic representation, in her view, was one of the most effective strategies for achieving community because it offers a reconstruction of another’s viewpoints that invites both an imaginative projection and a sustained cognitive effort.
A Fuzzy Model of Risk Assessment for Environmental Start-Up Projects in the Air Transport Sector
Authors: Polishchuk Volodymyr , Kelemen Miroslav , Gavurová Beáta , Varotsos Costas , Andoga Rudolf , Gera Martin , Christodoulakis John , Soušek Radovan , Kozuba Jaroslaw , Blišťan Peter , Szabo Stanislav
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this paper is to develop a fuzzy model of the risk assessment for environmental start-up projects in the air transport sector at the stage of business expansion. The model developed for the following software will be a useful tool for the risk decision support system of investment funds in financing environmental start-up projects at the stage of market conquest. Developing a quantitative risk assessment for environmental start-up projects for the air transport sector will increase the resilience of making risk decisions about their financing by the investors. In this paper, a set of 21 criteria for assessing the risk of launching environmental start-up projects in the air transport sector were formulated for the first time by presenting inputs in the form of a linguistic risk assessment and the number of credible expert considerations. The fuzzy risk assessment model, based on expert knowledge, uses linguistic variables, reveals the uncertainty of the input data, and displays a risk assessment with linguistic interpretation. The result of the paper is a fuzzy model that is embedded in a generalized algorithm and tested in an example risk assessment of environmental start-up projects in the air transport sector.
Structure-Based Design and in Silico Screening of Virtual Combinatorial Library of Benzamides Inhibiting 2-trans Enoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with Favorable Predicted Pharmacokinetic Profiles
Authors: Kouman Koffi Charles , Keita Melalie , Kre N’Guessan Raymond , Owono Owono Luc Calvin , Megnassan Eugene , Frecer Vladimir , Miertus Stanislav
Published: September 2019

Background: During the previous decade a new class of benzamide-based inhibitors of 2-trans enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mt) with unusual binding mode have emerged. Here we report in silico design and evaluation of novel benzamide InhA-Mt inhibitors with favorable predicted pharmacokinetic profiles. Methods: By using in situ modifications of the crystal structure of N-benzyl-4-((heteroaryl)methyl) benzamide (BHMB)-InhA complex (PDB entry 4QXM), 3D models of InhA-BHMBx complexes were prepared for a training set of 19 BHMBs with experimentally determined inhibitory potencies (half-maximal inhibitory concentrations IC50exp). In the search for active conformation of the BHMB1-19, linear QSAR model was prepared, which correlated computed gas phase enthalpies of formation (∆∆HMM) of InhA-BHMBx complexes with the IC50exp. Further, taking into account the solvent effect and entropy changes upon ligand, binding resulted in a superior QSAR model correlating computed complexation Gibbs free energies (∆∆Gcom). The successive pharmacophore model (PH4) generated from the active conformations of BHMBs served as a virtual screening tool of novel analogs included in a virtual combinatorial library (VCL) of compounds containing benzamide scaffolds. The VCL filtered by Lipinski’s rule-of-five was screened by the PH4 model to identify new BHMB analogs. Results: Gas phase QSAR model: −log10(IC50exp) = pIC50exp = −0.2465 × ∆∆HMM + 7.95503, R2 = 0.94; superior aqueous phase QSAR model: pIC50exp = −0.2370 × ∆∆Gcom + 7.8783, R2 = 0.97 and PH4 pharmacophore model: p IC 50 exp = 1.0013 × p IC 50 exp − 0.0085, R2 = 0.95. The VCL of more than 114 thousand BHMBs was filtered down to 73,565 analogs Lipinski’s rule. The five-point PH4 screening retained 90 new and potent BHMBs with predicted inhibitory potencies IC50pre up to 65 times lower than that of BHMB1 (IC50exp = 20 nM). Predicted pharmacokinetic profile of the new analogs showed enhanced cell membrane permeability and high human oral absorption compared to current anti-tuberculotics. Conclusions: Combined use of QSAR models that considered binding of the BHMBs to InhA, pharmacophore model, and ADME properties helped to recognize bound active conformation of the benzamide inhibitors, permitted in silico screening of VCL of compounds sharing benzamide scaffold and identification of new analogs with predicted high inhibitory potencies and favorable pharmacokinetic profiles.
Holothuria Leucospilota Polysaccharides Ameliorate Hyperlipidemia in High-Fat Diet-Induced Rats via Short-Chain Fatty Acids Production and Lipid Metabolism Regulation
Authors: Yuan Yiqiong , Liu Qibing , Zhao Fuqiang , Cao Jun , Shen Xuanri , Li Chuan
Published: September 2019

Holothuria leucospilota polysaccharides (HLP) are expected to become potential resources for the treatment of hyperlipidemia because of their various bioactivities. In the study, the treatment of HLP on improving hyperlipidemia in rats was explored. Oral administration of HLP at 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight effectively alleviated serum lipid levels and liver histological abnormalities in high-fat-diet rats. HLP regulated abnormal mRNA, lipogenesis-related hormones and inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-12) levels. HLP improved the ability of gut microbiota to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs have been found to ameliorate liver lesions. Therefore, HLP alleviated hyperlipidemia by improving the levels of SCFAs to regulate lipid metabolism. These results indicated that HLP could be used as beneficial polysaccharides to alleviate hyperlipidemia.
A Note on a Generalized Gerber–Shiu Discounted Penalty Function for a Compound Poisson Risk Model
Authors: Ruan Jiechang , Yu Wenguang , Song Ke , Sun Yihan , Huang Yujuan , Yu Xinliang
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we propose a new generalized Gerber–Shiu discounted penalty function for a compound Poisson risk model, which can be used to study the moments of the ruin time. First, by taking derivatives with respect to the original Gerber–Shiu discounted penalty function, we construct a relation between the original Gerber–Shiu discounted penalty function and our new generalized Gerber–Shiu discounted penalty function. Next, we use Laplace transform to derive a defective renewal equation for the generalized Gerber–Shiu discounted penalty function, and give a recursive method for solving the equation. Finally, when the claim amounts obey the exponential distribution, we give some explicit expressions for the generalized Gerber–Shiu discounted penalty function. Numerical illustrations are also given to study the effect of the parameters on the generalized Gerber–Shiu discounted penalty function.
On the Sign of the Curvature of a Contact Metric Manifold
Authors: Blair David E.
Published: September 2019

In this expository article, we discuss the author’s conjecture that an associated metric for a given contact form on a contact manifold of dimension ≥5 must have some positive curvature. In dimension 3, the standard contact structure on the 3-torus admits a flat associated metric; we also discuss a local example, due to Krouglov, where there exists a neighborhood of negative curvature on a particular 3-dimensional contact metric manifold. In the last section, we review some results on contact metric manifolds with negative sectional curvature for sections containing the Reeb vector field.
A Study of Determinants and Inverses for Periodic Tridiagonal Toeplitz Matrices with Perturbed Corners Involving Mersenne Numbers
Authors: Wei Yunlan , Zheng Yanpeng , Jiang Zhaolin , Shon Sugoog
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we study periodic tridiagonal Toeplitz matrices with perturbed corners. By using some matrix transformations, the Schur complement and matrix decompositions techniques, as well as the Sherman-Morrison-Woodbury formula, we derive explicit determinants and inverses of these matrices. One feature of these formulas is the connection with the famous Mersenne numbers. We also propose two algorithms to illustrate our formulas.
Computer-Aided Discovery of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Thymocyte Selection-Associated High Mobility Group Box Protein (TOX) as Potential Therapeutics for Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas
Authors: Agrawal Vibudh , Su Mingwan , Huang Yuanshen , Hsing Michael , Cherkasov Artem , Zhou Youwen
Published: September 2019

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are the most common primary lymphomas of the skin. We have previously identified thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group (HMG) box protein (TOX) as a promising drug target in CTCL; however, there are currently no small molecules able to directly inhibit TOX. We aimed to address this unmet opportunity by developing anti-TOX therapeutics with the use of computer-aided drug discovery methods. The available NMR-resolved structure of the TOX protein was used to model its DNA-binding HMG-box domain. To investigate the druggability of the corresponding protein–DNA interface on TOX, we performed a pilot virtual screening of 200,000 small molecules using in silico docking and identified ‘hot spots’ for drug-binding on the HMG-box domain. We then performed a large-scale virtual screening of 7.6 million drug-like compounds that were available from the ZINC15 database. As a result, a total of 140 top candidate compounds were selected for subsequent in vitro validation. Of those, 18 small molecules have been characterized as selective TOX inhibitors.
A Facile Strategy to Prepare Shaped ZSM-5 Catalysts with Enhanced Para-Xylene Selectivity and Stability for Toluene Methylation: The Effect of In Situ Modification by Attapulgite
Authors: Wang Yiren , Chang Yang , Liu Min , Zhang Anfeng , Guo Xinwen
Published: September 2019

A general strategy for preparing shaped toluene methylation catalysts with enhanced para-selectivity and stability is developed by extruding ZSM-5 zeolite with attapulgite as a binder. The novel attapulgite/ZSM-5 extrudate exhibited significantly higher para-selectivity and stability in comparison to the conventional alumina-bound ZSM-5 extrudate. The catalyst samples have been characterized by in situ X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM), NH3 temperature programmed desorption (TPD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) as well as n-hexane/cyclohexane physical adsorption. The enhanced catalytic performance of attapulgite/ZSM-5 extrudate is correlated with the in-situ modification of acid sites in the catalyst by mobile alkaline species, which is introduced via extrusion with attapulgite. Moreover, a higher para-selectivity was obtained over attapulgite-bound modified ZSM-5 extrudate. Such facile and universal strategy of extruding ZSM-5 catalysts with attapulgite as binder could pave a way for preparation of shaped zeolite-base catalyst with enhanced catalytic performance.
Ultrahigh Performance Liquid Chromatography–Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Constituents of Corydalis bungeana Turcz Extract
Authors: Tian Miao , Yang Chunjuan , Yang Jing , Dong Hongrui , Liu Lu , Ren Yixuan , Wang Zhibin
Published: September 2019

In this study, the constituents of a Corydalis bungeana Turcz extract were qualitatively analyzed using gradient elution with a mobile phase of 0.2% acetic acid and acetonitrile. We obtained comprehensive insight into the constituents of C. bungeana Turcz extracts through the quantitative analysis of 14 compounds by comparison with authentic reference standards, and tentatively identified an additional 44 compounds through electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI–MS) and tandem MS detection. The separation was successfully achieved using an Agilent SB-C18 column (1.8 µm, 150 × 2.1 mm; Agilent, Santa, CA, USA). A tandem quadrupole spectrometer was operated in either full-scan mode or multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of the constituents, respectively. Validation data (inter-day and intra-day combined) for accuracy and precision ranged from −4.80% to 4.73%, and 0.30% to 4.97%, respectively. An ultrahigh performance liquid chromatographic–ESI–tandem MS (UHPLC–ESI–MS/MS) method for qualitative of C. bungeana Turcz (C. bungeana) extract and the quantification of 14 alkaloids, namely, A–N, was developed and validated. Quantitative analysis involved gradient elution with a mobile phase of 0.1% acetic acid and methanol for 45 min. The separation was successfully achieved using a Waters SB-C18 column (1.8 µm, 100 mm × 2.1 mm, Waters, Milford, Massachusetts, USA). The repeatability and stability of the method also met USFDA criteria with CV values lower than 5%. The limit of detection of the 14 alkaloids ranged from 9.74 to 13.00 ng/mL, whereas the linearities of the standard curves were between 0.9991 and 0.9995. In total, 15 commercial samples from 11 different sources were analyzed.