bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of linkage bars for restraint of bridge spans in earthquakes
Authors: Wood John H. , Chapman Howard E.
Published: August 2019

Many New Zealand bridge decks consist of simply supported spans, which are interconnected with steel linkage bars. The main purpose of the bars is to restrain and prevent the bridge spans falling in an earthquake. The prediction of the forces imposed on the linkages is quite indeterminate because of the many variables that affect the response of adjacent bridge spans during strong earthquake motions. For economic reasons it is also usually not practical to make the linkages so strong that they will never fail under the strongest likely shaking. Linkage bars are therefore designed for a reasonable and practical strength, and are then detailed to yield and have large plastic extensions before failing in tension.

The paper presents the results of laboratory tensile testing of a range of linkage bar types and conclusions are made regarding the most suitable bar assemblies, taking into account tensile ductility and cold temperature fracture toughness.

Recommendations are made regarding methods of predicting earthquake loads in linkage system and on design detailing for linkage assemblies.
Reviewer acknowledgements for International Journal of Marketing Studies, Vol. 11, No. 3
Authors: Sun Alyssa
Published: August 2019

Reviewer acknowledgements for International Journal of Marketing Studies, Vol. 11, No. 3, 2019.
Market Integration in the International Market of Soybeans: Are GM Soy and Non-GM Soy Markets Integrated?
Authors: Larre Guillermo Andrés
Published: August 2019

This paper aims to study market integration in the international trade of soybeans from 1999 to 2019. The hypothesis is that the market remained integrated between genetically modified (GM) and non-GM soy, even after stringent regulations against GM soy in major importers starting in 1999. Using FOB prices from major exporters of GM soy (USA and Argentina) and non-GM soy (Brazil), I test for market integration with cointegration analysis and Granger causality tests. All tests show that the market between all three exporters remained integrated throughout the sample period. Furthermore, Granger causality tests show that USA remains the sole price leader. Short run elasticities for reactions to American price changes in Brazil and Argentina are 0.33 and 0.25, respectively. The results validate the Law of One Price and inform policy decisions and forecasts efforts in this valuable commodity.
Research on Advance of Rice False Smut Ustilaginoidea virens (Cooke) Takah Worldwide: IV. Identification of Rice Resistance to RFS, Management and Prospection of RFS
Authors: Huang Shiwen , Liu Lianmeng , Wang Ling , Hou Yuxuan
Published: August 2019

Technological issues in identification of rice resistance were discussed in this part, including inoculum and its preparation, inoculation concentration of inoculum, inoculation time and method. It is very difficult to control RFS, RFS can only prevent but not cure, i.e., to control the RFS only spray fungicides before symptomatic appearance (rice smut balls appeared) can achieve better control efficiency, while once the smut ball appeared it could not be controlled even the concentration of fungicides increase several times, or spraying multiple times. Therefore, in order to achieve better control efficiency to RFS, integratd control measures need to be adopted. The integratd control measures including agricultural control, rice resistant varieties application, cultivation techniques, fertilization and water management, and fungicides application is the last approach and emergency measure for controlling RFS.
Chemokines – role in inflammatory and cancer diseases
Authors: Cisoń-Jurek Sylwia , Czajka-Francuz Paulina , Francuz Tomasz , Wojnar Jerzy
Published: August 2019

Over 50 human chemokines are known at present; the number of the newly discovered compounds from this group still grows. These proteins of low molecular weight, belonging to the family of cytokines with chemotactic properties. Chemokines participate in the physiological and pathological processes of the organism. Recent papers show their role in the processes of embryogenesis, organogenesis, allergies, wound healing, angiogenesis and apoptosis, the course of viral and bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases and cancerogenesis. Chemokines play crucial role in activation and migration of immune cells. Being a key player in chronic inflammation, chemokines may interfere the processes of cellular differentiation and contribute to loss of control over proliferation. Coexistence of inflammatory and cancerogenesis processes, impact of chemokines on cells associated with the tumor and stromal cells, mechanisms of immunological escape is considered to be a current scientific issue. Newly discovered functions of chemokines may reveal their new roles and create the new therapeutic perspectives. It is important to understand the relationship between the structure and function of chemokine receptors, the regulation of their signaling pathways and the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate the expression of chemokines and their receptors. This article presents the current state of knowledge regarding the construction and classification of chemokines and summarizes the most prominent roles of chemokines. Chemokines are still the subject of many scientific studies, new functions are being discovered. It gives an opportunity to limit the development of many dangerous diseases.
POWDER GASES MAXIMAL PRESSURE MEASUREMENT METHODS
USED AT FIRING ON TESTING STAND FOR LEOPARD 2A4 TANK 120 MM GUN
Authors: Bieniek Piotr , Weiss Janusz
Published: August 2019

The paper describes a question of measuring the maximum pressure of powder gases in the barrel of 120 mm L44 Leopard 2A4 tank gun in the Institute’s testing position which, in opposite to the thank, deploys two independent methods of simultaneous measurement. The paper compares the measurement methods, the first based on placement of crushing devices directly inside the tested cartridge, and the second on deployment of a piezoelectric sensor assembled into a specially made seat in the gun’s cartridge chamber. Preparation of testing equipment and permanent monitoring of its technical condition to secure the accuracy of measurement of maximum pressure for powder gases is described. Aggregated test results of 120 mm ammunition are used to compare the deployed methods regarding (among others) the repeatability of results, reliability of the measuring equipment, and the time needed to its preparation and to the measurement at the gun site. Recommending of only one from described methods for the application may be difficult as there are many factors affecting the measurement of the maximal pressure of powder gases in the barrel bore.
EFFECTS OF HOT CHIPS IN DRY CUTTING PROCESSES
ON THE TEMPERATURE FIELD AND DISPLACEMENT
OF THE MACHINE TABLE OF MACHINE TOOLS
Authors: ALBRECHT Tom , THIEM Xaver , PENTER Lars , IHLENFELDT Steffen
Published: August 2019

In machining up to 75% of the geometrical variations of work piece, features are caused by thermally induced deformations of machine components [1]. Since in dry cutting up to 80% of the thermal energy is stored in
the chips [2], we expected a significant effect of these process-dependent heat sources on the machine accuracy. Based on preliminary simulation results, we systematically applied determined quantities of heated chips to
a machine table to understand their impact on the temperature field. Temperature sensors where used to measure the temperature change on the tables surface and in the structure. Length measuring probes measured
the corresponding deformations at 24 points distributed over the table. The measurements show a temperature change of 4 K at the surface and 3 K in the structure near the heat source after 6 minutes of exposure to 500°C chips. In this case, the impact on the temperature field is local but causes the bending of the table. We recorded 8 micron of thermo-elastic deformations. The results suggest that high-accuracy processes with large energy input, such as hard turning, require the heat induced into the machine structure by hot chips to be implemented into compensation methods and correction algorithms.
EFFECTS OF VARIATION IN MEASUREMENT CHAIN ON TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT CALIBRATION
WITH RESISTANT TEMPERATURE SENSORS
Authors: DEUTSCH Jessica , RIEDEL Mirko , MÜLLER Jens , IHLENFELDT Steffen
Published: August 2019

Temperature is one of the most important key parameter to consider in measurement and mechanical engineering, because every measurement has to be conducted with reference to standard temperature conditions (20 °C, ISO 1). Strictly speaking, almost every measurement depends on the accuracy of the temperature measurement, which requires proper calibration. Therefore, standards list detailed criteria to fulfil temperature calibration with high precision. In fact, any calibration is only valid, if the whole measurement chain is taken into account. This would make recalibration necessary with each variation of the components in the measuring set-up (varying cable length, different measurement channel etc.), which is time-consuming or even impossible in practice. For that reason, this paper presents a practicable calibration strategy, which specifies each component individually and later combines the calibration results according to the composition of the measurement chain. This provides a fast and useful way to achieve the required accuracy of temperature measurement. The examined, exemplary measurement chain consists of an industrial platinum resistance thermometer (IPRT), cables with different lengths, an electrical amplifier and a reference temperature calibrator.
FAST AND COST EFFICIENT MEASURING OF GEOMETRY
AND TEMPERATURE FOR OPEN-DIE FORGING
Authors: RIEDEL Mirko , WIESE Torben , HELLMICH Arvid , IHLENFELDT Steffen
Published: August 2019

In open-die forging it is state of the art to use simulation tools for creating forging plans and setpoint values for the forging press and the automated part manipulator. These forging plans define required positions and forces. Therefore, the process can be fully automated. However, even small variations of not considered influence parameters lead to different forging results and thus to a discontinuous process. Influencing factors are, e.g. material parameter deviations, uncertainties in force measurements or variations in the part temperature due to varying environmental conditions. This paper presents an approach for a fully automatic open-die forging process with respect to actual conditions, based on a parallel measurement of the workpiece geometry and temperature and a “process-real-time” adaptation on the controller system. The focus of this work is
the development of a measuring strategy and an according sensor setup for the combined temperature and geometry measurement of the workpiece. In addition, the structure, the characteristic features of the components and the beam path of the sensors scanning units are shown. Furthermore, first experimental results for the alignment of the beam path are presented. In the outline, the setup and calibration strategy of the measurement system are stated.
Towards emotion recognition in texts: A sound-symbolic experiment
Authors: Slavova Velina
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the phonetic content of prose texts in English and the emotion that the texts inspire, namely - the effect of vowel-consonant bi-phones on subjects’ evaluation of positive or negative emotional valence when reading. The methodology is based on data from an experiment where the participants, native speakers of three different languages, evaluated the valence invoked in them by one-page texts from English books. The sub-lexical level of the texts was obtained using phonetic transcriptions of the words and their further decomposition into vowel-consonant bi-phones. The statistical investigation relies on density-measures of the investigated bi-phones over each text as a whole. The result shows that there exists a correlation between the obtained sub-lexical representation and the valence perceived by the readers. Concerning the type of the consonants in the bi-phones (abrupt or sonorant), the influence of the abrupt bi-phones is stronger. However, sub-sets of both types of bi-phones showed relatedness with the emotional valence conveyed by the texts. In conclusion, the speech, expressed in written form, is laden with emotional valence even when the words’ lexicological meaning is not taken into consideration and the words are apprehended as mere phonetic constructs. This prompts hypothesizing that words’ semantics itself is partly underpinned by some mental emotion-related level of conceptualization, influenced by sounds. For practical purposes, the result suggests that based on the syllabic content of a text it should be possible to predict the valence that the text would inspire in its readers.
Looking without seeing: The role of meta-cognitive blindness of student with high math anxiety
Authors: Surya Sari Faradiba , Sa'dijah Cholis , I. Nengah Parta , Rahardjo Swasono
Published: August 2019

This study aims to reveal how metacognitive failure occurs during problem-solving experienced by the pre-service teacher with mathematics anxiety. The data collected are in the form of words obtained through interviews, pictures of the results of the subject’s work, and the results of the mathematics anxiety questionnaire as an instrument for selecting subjects. Description of data analysis and interpretation of the meaning of the findings apply text analysis. Analysis is conducted in all phases of problem-solving including the phase of understanding, analyzing, exploring, planning, implementing, and verifying. The presence of metacognitive blindness is identified through red flag, which is a warning sign to stop or retreat to the previous problem-solving phase and immediately take certain actions. Three types of red flag identified in this study include lack of progress (LP), error detection (ED), and anomalous results (AR). The results of the analysis show that students who experience math anxiety can experience metacognitive blindness during the problem-solving process. Red flag, which is dominant in metacognitive blindness, is error detection. This red flag occurs because subjects with mathematics anxiety pay less attention to the details of the problem, so they miss a lot of important information. The subjects see the problem only on the surface, based on the words they read in the problem presented.
Education, technological changes and economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Popović Goran , Erić Ognjen , Stanić Stanko , Krajišnik Milenko
Published: August 2019

Accumulation of knowledge, the role of education and innovations in the stimulation of economic development are important for understanding the endogenous theory of growth. The aim of this paper is to determine the strength and direction of relations between independent variables of education, technological development, innovations, foreign investments and the economic growth of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). The relations between variables are assessed by multiple regression analysis for the period 2005 - 2017. GDP per capita (pc), as a measure of general wellbeing and economic development is a dependent variable of the regression model. Education Years Average, Technological readiness and Innovations are explanatory variables, whereas Foreign investments and Macroeconomic environment are control variables. The results indicate statistical significance of variables Education Years Average, Technological readiness and Innovations. The first two variables indicate a positive effect on the economic development, whereas Innovations have a negative effect on the economic development. The control variables are statistically insignificant. Therefore, more investment is recommended in the field of education, science and research. Institutions should be more developed and scientific-research systems should be harmonized with the European Union. It is the only way for B&H to be able to respond to global challenges when it comes to competitiveness, export and the GDP growth. Examples and experiences of this country can be useful for research activities in similar post-transition countries.
Teaching methods used in special education: A content analysis study
Authors: Uzunboylu Hüseyin , Özcan Deniz
Published: August 2019

This study aims to reveal the situation and trends in teaching methods used in special education. Content analysis and citation analysis were used in this study as a research model. Published documents were obtained from Scopus by using the keywords ‘teaching method’ and ‘special education’ and a total number of 63 documents were obtained. The published documents were examined based on the previously determined content analysis criteria involving year of publication, name of the journals, authors, affiliations, countries, document type, subject area, keywords, language and citations. Data were analysed and provided with frequency and percentages. Results generally showed that there is an increase in the number of researches on teaching methods and special education throughout the years, most of the published documents were articles and from the areas of social sciences and psychology. All of the results were discussed with the relevant literature and recommendations for further research and practices were presented.
ENGINEERING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SITE IN CÁDIZ AND SAN FERNANDO DURING THE INDEPENDENCE WAR
Authors: MARTÍNEZ DALMAU JAVIER , CASTILLEJO GONZALEZ ISABEL , MONTES TUBIO FRANCISCO
Published: August 2019

In 1810, the Navy Brigadier Diego de Alvear de Alvear y Ponce de León designed a series of channels on the island of León (Cádiz) to guarantee the defence of the square during the siege carried out by French troops during the War of Independence.
The Bay of Cadiz and the river Sancti Petri separate Cadiz and the Island of Leon (later called San Fernando) from the rest of the Iberian Peninsula.
Analyzing texts of the time, we found that the design and construction of canals, which completed and improved the natural layout, was fundamental in the management of these resources.
In the present article we study two channels designed by Diego de Alvear, the problems that they tried to solve with their construction, which was the constructive method used, we investigate to locate the original documents of their design and we try to verify their effective construction, analyzing period plans and orthophotos made in different periods.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator
SPRAY LUBRICATION IN TURNING PROCESSES, EFFECTS ON PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY
Authors: NUÑEZ NUÑEZ DIEGO FERNANDO , ARROBA CESAR , VACA HENRY , PEREZ CRISTIAN , MORALES CARLOS
Published: August 2019

Productivity and quality are parameters of constant research and development in the machining industry. However, the concern for the environment and sustainability have forced a decrease in the limit of the use of cutting fluids. Given this, it is important to take into account solutions focused on satisfying these requirements. In this work, using MQL spray lubrication with the inclusion of TIO2 titanium nanoparticles in the turning process of AISI 304 steel, it has been possible to show improvements in the surface quality and decrease in the wear of the cutting tools. It was determined that the inclusion of 0.5% TiO2 in vegetable oil achieved an improvement in the surface roughness of 50%. In addition, under the conditions of the tests, the flank wear of the cutting tools was reduced by 25%.
INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL MENTORING: KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MENTOR-MENTEE RELATIONSHIP
Authors: GISBERT TREJO NURIA , AZPIAZU CANIVELL LUCIANO MARIA , LANDETA RODRIGUEZ JON , ALBIZU GALLESTEGI ENEKA , FERNANDEZ FERRIN PILAR
Published: August 2019

Inter-organizational mentoring, in which mentoring and mentoring belong to different organizations, is a management development practice that is increasingly being implemented by professional associations and regional clusters. It is an instrument that can contribute to the improvement of the competitiveness of associated companies and their professionals, facilitating the identification and transmission of knowledge of the sector. In order to facilitate the effective implementation of this practice, it is necessary to identify the key aspects of the relationship between mentor and mentor, on which the success of an inter-organisational mentoring programme is based. To this end, after an exhaustive bibliographical analysis, a Delphi study has been carried out to assess the relevance of these key characteristics of the mentoring relationship. The results show that respect, honesty, confidentiality and trust are the most relevant characteristics in the mentor-mentored relationship. This exploratory article also identifies the differences in valuation between groups that have participated in inter-organizational vs. traditional mentoring experiences. The results provided are relevant for inter-organizational mentoring program coordinators, mentors and mentored, in order to know and control the keys to the success of a mentor-mentored relationship in an inter-organizational mentoring program.

KEY WORDS: alternative mentoring, formal mentoring, inter-organizational mentoring, mentoring relationship, career development, management development.
EVOLUTION OF OLIVE OIL FACTORIES IN SPAIN FROM THE REPRESENTED BY JOHANNES STRADANUS
Authors: MONTES BALADO NIEVES , PORCUNA BERMUDEZ DIEGO , SANZ CABRERA JERONIMO , SANCHEZ PINEDA DE LAS INFANTAS MARIA TERESA
Published: August 2019

The technological evolution in the production of olive oil from Middle Ages to the twentieth century, implies the adaptation of the olive oil industry to the different scenarios of the global oil market in that period. Following the traces of the mannerist painter Johannes Stradanus, the evolution in the design and technology of the olive oil factories is analyzed, identifying the fundamental changes that occurred in the different phases of the process represented by the artist.

Keywords: Food industry, olive oil, olive oil factory, technology, preindustrial, Stradanus, Nova Reperta.
ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTY OPTIMIZATION OF AN ETHYLENE-CO-VINYL ACETATE COPOLYMER (EVA) ON THE BACTERIUM ESCHERYCHIA COLI (E.COLI)
Authors: CRUZ SALGADO JAVIER , ESTRADA MONJE ANAYANSI , RUELAS SANTOYO EDGAR AUGUSTO , ALVAREZ RODRIGUEZ SERGIO
Published: August 2019

In the present work, the effect of the ultrasonic parameters on the deagglomeration and dispersion of the TiO2 nanoparticles in a polymer matrix of EVA (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate copolymer) was systematically studied. The ultrasonic parameters studied were amplitude, pulse and time. The antibacterial property of the composite material against the bacterium Escherichia coli (E.coli) was also studied. A significant statistical effect of the ultrasound parameters on the deagglomeration and dispersion of the TiO2 nanoparticles was found and the amplitude, pulse and time levels of the ultrasonic treatment which maximize the percentage of growth inhibition of the studied bacteria were established.

Key Words: Ultrasonic, antibacterial, Escherychia coli (E. coli), TiO2, Experimental design.
PREDICTION OF THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMANCE COST IN DWELLINGS AND BUILDING SITES LOCATED IN SPAIN USING MULTILAYER PERCEPTRONS
Authors: BIENVENIDO HUERTAS DAVID , MARIN DAVID , SANCHEZ GARCIA DANIEL , FERNÁNDEZ-VALDERRAMA APARICIO PEDRO , MOYANO CAMPOS JUAN JOSE
Published: August 2019

The effective asset management of real estate is an area of great interest to the building engineering sector as a whole. The determination and programming of maintenance tasks is essential to allow finance entities to establish market order according to a given budget. The process works slowly, and some optimization is generally required. In this paper, two multilayer perceptrons (MLPs) are developed to determine the economic cost of maintenance works in the two types of real estate asset of more interest to building sector: building sites and dwellings. After training using 76 case studies for building sites and 317 for dwellings, the optimal MLP configurations are shown to have 6 and 12 nodes respectively, and the input variables that most influenced their behavior are also determined. Furthermore, the MLPs showed more optimal behavior than models using multiple linear regression. Finally, the MLPs were tested for 15 new case studies for each model, predicting the budgeted costs of the associated maintenance works with deviations of less than 11% compared with the actual value in most cases.

Keywords: multilayer perceptron, budgeted cost, building site, dwelling, real estate asset.
MACHINE LEARNING CHALLENGES IN BIG DATA ERA
Authors: VENGANZONES BODON MIGUEL A.
Published: August 2019

Over the last decade we have seen the consolidation of a number of disruptive technologies, such as the Internet of Things and Big Data, as well as the popularization of advanced data analysis and other techniques associated with Artificial Intelligence, such as Machine Learning, Machine Vision or Conversational Systems.
USER EXPERIENCE EVALUATION METHOD ADAPTED AND APPLIED TO BLIND USERS TO EVALUATE THE SOFTWARE'S USABILITY IN MOBILE DEVICES
Authors: ÁLVAREZ ROBLES TERESITA DE JESÚS , ALVAREZ RODRIGUEZ FRANCISCO JAVIER , BENITEZ GUERRERO EDGARD IVAN
Published: August 2019

Existing user experience (UX) evaluation methods focus on different aspects of software systems, such as usability, accessibility, usability, value, among others.
THE EXPERIENTIAL COMPONENT FOR TECHNOLOGICAL APPROPRIATION
Authors: MAZMELA ETXABE MAITANE , LASA ERLE GANIX , ARANBURU ZABALO ERIK
Published: August 2019

Currently, the exponential evolution of technological advances in work environments is generating continuous disruption and paradigm shifts. Technology has taken on a transformational role and digitization is impacting processes, strategy and organizational culture. Due to this new context, there is a need to understand the factors that shape the adoption and use of Information Technologies (ITs) during the interaction between users and digital systems.
Systemic disease as a model for development of the genetic ang cell terapy technologies
Authors: Kordium V. A. , Irodov D. M. , Drahulian M. V. , Gulko T. P. , Buchek P. V.
Published: August 2019

Aim. Injury using CCl4 triggers a cascade of reactions and conditions specific for systemic lesions caused by most external anthropogenic environmental factors. Conditions for obtaining a model of systemic injury of an organism have been developed for further performing of restoration technologies with the use of stem cells and cytokines. Methods. Tumor predisposed ICR mice were chosen as the model. Systemic damage was caused with multiple intraperitoneal administration of carbon tetrachloride. Results. The optimal doses and load duration, excess above which leads to irreversible changes in the body that are not amenable to self-healing, were found. Conclusions. The model obtained can be used to study various recovery technologies of systemic damages.
Keywords: systemic disease, model, carbon tetrachloride.
Signalling function of β-catenin is important at early stages of adult heart pathological hypertrophy
Authors: Piven O. O.
Published: August 2019

The spread of cardiovascular diseases, their significant threat to health and socio-economic burden result in considerable interest of scientists to this problem solution. Lately, not only investigations into new methods of diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, but also elucidation of the mechanisms underlying their occurrence and course become topical. The aim of our study was to investigate the signaling function of the canonical Wnt-signaling and b-catenin function in the development of pathological hypertrophy of the adult myocardium. Methods. Studies were conducted using transgenic mice BATGIRL and cultures of isolated cardiomyocytes. To induce pathological hypertrophy, lithium chloride and AnglI were used. Changes in the expression of hypertrophic genes and genes involved in the canonical Wnt-signaling were analyzed by real-time PCR and Western-blot analysis. Morphological studies and X-gal staining were performed. Results. Upon the action of hypertrophic stimuli the activation of b-catenin signaling function is shown to occur in the early stages of observation, as evidenced by X-gal staining and changes in gene-targets expression of this signaling (c-Fos, c-Myc, CyclinD1 and TCF-4). There was also observed an increase in the content of activated b-catenin and phosphorylated GSK3b proteins within a day after the action of angiotensin and lithium chloride in the culture of isolated cardiomyocytes. Conclusions. With the development of pathological hypertrophy due to chronic high blood pressure, there occurs the activation of many signal-regulatory mechanisms of cardiomyocytes and one of them is the canonical Wnt-signaling. However, the activation of the canonical Wnt-signaling and β-catenin, in particular, is the early event and obviously essential to run the genetic program of myocardium remodeling.Keywords: β-catenin, hypertrophy, Wnt-signaling, gene expression, myocardium.
Interdisciplinary: To Be or Not to Be?
Authors: Hejná Míša , Borkfelt Sune , Eaton Mark Ø. , Christensen Ken Ramshøj , Clasen Mathias , Fage-Butler Antoinette , Jespersen Anna Bothe , Jacobsen Ushma Chauhan , Kjeldgaard-Christiansen Jens , Schjoldager Anne , Stephan Matthias , Sørensen Mette Hjortshøj
Published: August 2019

This article introduces student readers to the realm of the interdisciplinary, with a primary focus on the humanities. We first introduce interdisciplinarity and other related terms as concepts. We then present eight specific examples, on which we illustrate interdisciplinary research. Finally, we address the question of when one should be interdisciplinary.
A bicategorical interpretation for relative Cuntz-Pimsner algebras
Authors: Meyer Ralf , Sehnem Camila F.
Published: August 2019

We interpret the construction of relative Cuntz-Pimsner algebras of correspondences in terms of the correspondence bicategory, as a reflector into a certain sub-bicategory. This generalises a previous characterisation of absolute Cuntz-Pimsner algebras of proper correspondences as colimits in the correspondence bicategory.
Stress-Strength Reliability Estimation for the Type I Extreme-Value Distribution Based on Records
Authors: KIZILASLAN Fatih
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we consider the stress-strength reliability  for record data when the distribution of random stress  and strength  have the type I extreme-value distribution. First, classical inference methods, namely uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimate (UMVUE) and maximum likelihood estimate (MLE), are used for . Second, Bayesian inference of  are considered for gamma priors assumption. When the common parameter of stress and strength variables is known, the exact Bayes estimate and Bayesian credible interval of  are obtained. Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method are used to derive the Bayes estimate and highest probability density (HPD) credible interval of  when the common parameter is unknown. Finally, Monte Carlo simulations are performed to compare the performance of the obtained estimates. A real data set about the weather temperature is analyzed to illustrate the performances of the derived estimators in the paper.
İnsan Protein Etkileşim Ağı Kullanarak Tiroid Karsinomu İle İlgili Moleküler Hedef ve Biyoişaretçi Adayların Belirlenmesi
Authors: GÖV Esra
Published: August 2019

Tiroid kanseri görülme sıklığı yüksek olan ve ölümcül bir kanser türüdür. Dolayısıyla tiroid kanserinde etkin rol alan moleküllerin belirlenmesi hastalığın erken tanı ve tedavi stratejilerinin oluşturulması için çok önemlidir. Bu çalışmada yüksek boyutlu işlevsel genomiks verilerinin sistem biyolojisi araçları ile bütünleştirilerek analizi sonucu tiroid kanserine özgü moleküler hedefler ve biyoişaretçi adaylar belirlenmiştir. Zenginleştirme analizi sonucunda önemli kanser yolaklarının, metabolik yolakların ve immun sistem ilgili yolların aktifleştiği belirlenmiştir. İleri istatistiksel analizler ile belirlenen gen anlatımı farklılık gösteren genlerin protein etkileşim ağı oluşturulmuş ve tiroid kanserine özgü moleküler hedefler ve biyoişaretçi adaylar JUN, LRRK2, BCL2, CCND1, TLE1, MET, ICAM1, DDB2 ve RXRG olarak belirlenmiştir. Bağımsız bir veri setinin analizi ile, bu genlerin tümör ve normal dokuları ayırt edebileceği belirlenmiştir. Bu proteinler arasından JUN, TLE1 ve DBB2’nin yeni moleküler hedef ve biyoişaretçi aday olabileceği bulunmuştur. Belirlenen hedeflerin papiller tiroid kanserinin teşhis ve tedavi stratejilerinin oluşturulmasında kullanılabileceği öngörülmektedir. Ancak söz konusu adayların eş zamanlı PCR ile deneysel çalışmalarının yapılması gerekmektedir.
RIdeogram: drawing SVG graphics to visualize and map genome-wide data on the idiograms
Authors: Hao Zhaodong , Lv Dekang , Ge Ying , Shi Jisen , Weijers Dolf , Yu Guangchuang , Chen Jinhui
Published: August 2019

Background: Owing to the rapid advances in DNA sequencing technologies, whole genome from more and more species are becoming available at increasing pace. For whole-genome analysis, idiograms provide a very popular, intuitive and effective way to map and visualize the genome-wide information, such as GC content, gene and repeat density, DNA methylation distribution, etc. However, most available software programs and web servers are available only for a few model species, such as human, mouse and fly. As boundaries between model and non-model species are shifting, tools are urgently needs to generate idiograms for a broad range of species are needed to help better understanding fundamental genome characteristics.

Results: The R package RIdeogram allows users to build high-quality idiograms of any species of interest. It can map continuous and discrete genome-wide data on the idiograms and visualize them in a heat map and track labels, respectively.

Conclusion: The visualization of genome-wide data mapping and comparison allow users to quickly establish a clear impression of the chromosomal distribution pattern, thus making RIdeogram a useful tool for any researchers working with omics.
Recomendações de atividade física para a saúde (pública): reflexões em busca de novos horizontes
Authors: Carvalho Fabio Fortunato Brasil de
Published: August 2019

Discutir a atividade física a partir de evidências que questionam as atuais recomendações de frequência, duração e intensidade para a saúde a partir da defesa de que foram incorretamente interpretadas e disseminadas, além de apontamentos sobre lacunas nas pesquisas que culminaram nas recomendações é o objetivo deste artigo. Foi realizada pesquisa na literatura para reunir elementos sobre os temas abordados e trazer luz a novas interpretações e compreensões, em um texto de caráter ensaístico. A partir da explicitação da complexidade envolvida na prática de atividade física, destacam-se os múltiplos fatores envolvidos e defende-se a construção de possibilidades que são negociadas e pactuadas com os sujeitos, assim como o apoio processual a partir daí. Em conclusão, novos horizontes são apontados mediante a apresentação de documentos institucionais com destaque para a necessária ampliação da compreensão da relação entre atividade física e saúde na qual extrapola-se o biológico, assim sua realização não deve atender simples e unicamente às recomendações.
Envelopes and exteriority
Authors: Saeidi Sareh
Published: August 2019

This article discusses the relationship of architecture to its surrounding environment. The objective of the article is i) to reposition the relationship of architecture and its surrounding exterior by expanding the understanding of architectural envelopes, and ii) to systematically define exterior space as design input. The notion of the envelope encompasses a spatial recognition defined by interactions between interior and exterior environments that affects an inhabitant’s experience of architectural space. This research is organised in three sections: a) a literature review to systematically examine the terminologies of this research, b) selected case studies that consider exteriority as a design criterion, and c) research through design inquiry to combine a systematic approach with design thinking. The study applies both conceptual and method-oriented approaches to develop an integrated design approach focused on the climatic and atmospheric performances of architectural envelopes.
Phytochemical and Pharmacological Potential of Enhydra fluctuans Available in Bangladesh
Authors: Kamal S. , Rony S. R. , Sharmin S. , Laboni F. R. , Sohrab M. H.
Published: August 2019

Objectives: The possible phytochemical constituents, thrombolytic and membrane stabilizing activities of the crude ethanolic extract of Enhydra fluctuans (CE) were investigated along with the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials of its petroleum ether (PESF), carbon tetrachloride (CTCSF), chloroform (CSF) and aqueous (AQSF) soluble fractions.

Materials & Methods: The coarse leaf powder was extracted at room temperature with ethanol. Solvent-solvent partitioning was done to obtain the four soluble fractions. Anticoagulant potential was determined by the in vitro thrombolytic model, membrane stabilization method was used to assess in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, the disc diffusion method was used for anti-microbial screening, antioxidant potential was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method and brine shrimp lethality bioassay method was used for cytotoxic activity determination.

Results: Chemical screening of the crude extract evidenced the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, reducing sugars and gums. It showed significant clot lysis property of 46.91%. It also significantly inhibited heat and hypotonic solution induced lysis of the human red blood cell membrane with values of 71.80% and 47.60%, respectively. CTCSF and PESF showed mild antimicrobial activity. AQSF showed most prominent antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 12.27 µg/mL. CTCSF showed LC50 value of 0.84 µg/mL, with most potent cytotoxic activity.

Conclusion: Significant thrombolytic, membrane stabilizing, antioxidant and in vitro cytotoxic activities of the ethanolic plant extract were observed in this study. In vivo activities and isolation of active compound(s) from this extract are yet to be investigated.
Conversion of Tuberculosis Screening Tests During Biologic Therapy Among Veteran Patient Population With Rheumatic Disease
Authors: Pattanaik Debendra , Gupta Sandeep , Islam Syed , Singhal Kunal , Raza Syed
Published: August 2019

Objective

The optimal strategy to detect the development of tuberculosis (TB) in subjects receiving biologic agents is not clear. The recommendations vary because there is wide variation in the reported rate of seroconversion in various parts of the world. There is a scarcity of long‐term studies regarding seroconversion of TB in the United States among these patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective study among veteran populations with rheumatic diseases who received various biologic agents between 2003 and 2014. Subjects who had repeated TB screening tests and adequate follow‐up periods were considered for the study.

Results

Out of 298 subjects who received biologic agents, 123 were considered for the study. After the initial negative screening test by tuberculin skin test (TST), patients were screened on an average of 1.2 years for 4.3 to 12 years. A total of 420 tests were performed, which were combination of TST and QuantiFERON‐TB gold in‐Tube assay. Only 1 out of 123 subjects (0.8%) seroconverted to latent TB and was treated with isoniazid for 9 months.

Conclusion

Our results are in line with a few other studies reported from the United States. We conclude that in areas with low prevalence of TB the seroconversion rate is extremely low and annual testing is unnecessary in low‐risk patient populations.
Reactive Oxygen Species–Activatable Liposomes Regulating Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment for Synergistic Photo/Chemodynamic Therapies
Authors: Zhao Zhihao , Wang Weiqi , Li Chenxi , Zhang Yiqiu , Yu Tianrong , Wu Renfei , Zhao Jiayue , Liu Zhuang , Liu Jian , Yu Haijun
Published: August 2019

Tumors have adapted various cellular antidotes and microenvironmental conditions to subsist against photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Here, the development of reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐activatable liposomes (RALP) for therapeutic enhancement by simultaneously addressing the critical questions in PDT and CDT is reported. The design of RALP@HOC@Fe3O4 features ROS‐cleavable linker molecules for improved tumor penetration/uptake and ondemand cargo releasing, and integration of Fe3O4 and an oxaliplatin prodrug for smart regulation of hypoxia tumor microenvironment. Glutathione stored by the tumor cells is consumed by the prodrug to produce highly toxic oxaliplatin. Depletion of glutathione not only avoids the undesired annihilation of ROS in PDT, but also modulates the chemical specie equilibria in tumors for H2O2 promotion, leading to greatly relieved tumor hypoxia and PDT enhancement. Synergistically, Fe (II) in the hybrid RALP formulation can be fuelled by H2O2 to generate •OH in the Fenton reaction, thus elevating CDT efficiency. This work offers a strategy for harnessing smart, responsive, and biocompatible liposomes to enhance PDT and CDT by regulating tumor microenvironment, highlighting a potential clinical translation beneficial to patients with cancer.
Design of High‐Performance Disordered Half‐Heusler Thermoelectric Materials Using 18‐Electron Rule
Authors: Liu Zihang , Guo Shuping , Wu Yixuan , Mao Jun , Zhu Qing , Zhu Hangtian , Pei Yanzhong , Sui Jiehe , Zhang Yongsheng , Ren Zhifeng
Published: August 2019

Ternary half‐Heusler (HH) alloys display intriguing functionalities ranging from thermoelectric to magnetic and topological properties. For thermoelectric applications, stable HH alloys with a nominal valence electron count (VEC) of 18 per formula or defective HH alloys with a VEC of 17 or 19 are assumed to be promising candidates. Inspired by the pioneering efforts to design a TiFe0.5Ni0.5Sb double HH alloy by combining 17‐electron TiFeSb and 19‐electron TiNiSb HH alloys, both high‐performance n‐type and p‐type materials based on the same parent TiFe0.5Ni0.5Sb are developed. First‐principles calculation results demonstrate their beneficial band structure having a high band degeneracy that contributes to their large effective mass and thereby maintains their high Seebeck coefficient values. Due to the strong Fe/Ni disorder effect, TiFe0.5Ni0.5Sb exhibits a much lower lattice thermal conductivity than does TiCoSb, consistent with very recently reported results. Furthermore, tuning the ratio of Fe and Ni leads to achieving both p‐ and n‐types, and alloying Ti by Hf further enhances the thermoelectric performance significantly. A peak ZT of ≈1 and ≈0.7 at 973 K are achieved in the p‐type and n‐type based on the same parent, respectively, which are beneficial and promising for real applications.
Preparation of Decellularized Triphasic Hierarchical Bone‐Fibrocartilage‐Tendon Composite Extracellular Matrix for Enthesis Regeneration
Authors: Su Mingzhen , Zhang Qi , Zhu Yiwei , Wang Shengyu , Lv Jiawen , Sun Jiaan , Qiu Pengchen , Fan Shunwu , Jin Keke , Chen Lei , Lin Xianfeng
Published: August 2019

Tendon to bone (enthesis) rupture, which may cause disability and persistent pain, shows high rate of re‐rupture after surgical repair. Tendon or enthesis scaffolds have been widely studied, but few of these materials can recapitulate the tissue continuity. Thus, this study is conducted to prepare a triphasic decellularized bone‐fibrocartilage‐tendon (D‐BFT) composite scaffold. The D‐BFT scaffold is developed using a combination of physical, chemical, and enzymatic treatments using liquid nitrogen, Triton‐X 100, sodium‐dodecyl sulfate, and DNase I, which effectively removes the cell components while preserving the biological composite and microstructure. Moreover, the mechanical properties of D‐BFT are highly preserved and similar to those of the human Achilles tendon. Additionally, in vitro, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) adhered, proliferated, and infiltrated into the D‐BFT scaffold, and MSC differentiation is confirmed by up‐regulation of osteogenic‐related and tenogenic‐related genes. The repair outcomes are explored by applying the D‐BFT scaffold in the model of femur‐tibia defects in vivo, which shows good repair results. Thus, the D‐BFT scaffold developed in this study is a promising graft for enthesis regeneration.
Nanomaterial‐Enabled Flexible and Stretchable Sensing Systems: Processing, Integration, and Applications
Authors: Yao Shanshan , Ren Ping , Song Runqiao , Liu Yuxuan , Huang Qijin , Dong Jingyan , O'Connor Brendan T. , Zhu Yong
Published: August 2019

Nanomaterial‐enabled flexible and stretchable electronics have seen tremendous progress in recent years, evolving from single sensors to integrated sensing systems. Compared with nanomaterial‐enabled sensors with a single function, integration of multiple sensors is conducive to comprehensive monitoring of personal health and environment, intelligent human–machine interfaces, and realistic imitation of human skin in robotics and prosthetics. Integration of sensors with other functional components promotes real‐world applications of the sensing systems. Here, an overview of the design and integration strategies and manufacturing techniques for such sensing systems is given. Then, representative nanomaterial‐enabled flexible and stretchable sensing systems are presented. Following that, representative applications in personal health, fitness tracking, electronic skins, artificial nervous systems, and human–machine interactions are provided. To conclude, perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in this burgeoning field are considered.
Tailoring Oxidation State of Solution‐Processed MoO3–x Layer Using Laser‐Irradiation and Its Application in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Dong Wan Jae , Lee Jong‐Lam
Published: August 2019

Solution‐processed molybdenum oxide (MoO3–x) is a promising material for charge transport layer in optoelectronic devices. However, no clear relationship between oxidation state and electrical properties has been experimentally derived to guide the optimization of MoO3–x. Here, oxidation state of solution‐processed MoO3–x is controlled by both a photoassisted reduction and a spontaneous reduction. The photoassisted reduction proceeds by absorbing the incoming high flux photons, resulting in oxygen vacancies. Moreover, the spontaneous reduction occurs when MoO3–x layer is in contact with indium‐tin oxide (ITO) electrode and affects for several nanometers away from the interface. Thus, both the photon flux and the thickness of MoO3–x layer play a key role in determining the oxidation state. Synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy confirms a relationship that the oxidation state gradually decreases with increasing the photon flux and thinning the MoO3–x layer. As a result, at an optimized photon flux and thickness of MoO3–x layer, both high work function (>4.7 eV) and high electrical conductivity (29.1 µS cm‐1) could be simultaneously obtained. These beneficial electronic properties make the solution‐processed MoO3–x thin films to be an efficient hole transport layers in organic solar cells.