bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental and Theoretical Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Two Way Slabs Strengthened by Steel Fiber Ferrocement Layers at Tension Zone
Authors: Abdullah Mazen D.
Published: January 2018

An experimental and analytical  behavior of strengthened reinforced  concrete two way slabs  by steel fiber ferrocement layers ,this  study  included  testing 14  simply supported two way slabs, which include 1 control slab, 13 strengthened slabs. In the strengthened slabs the effect of  the ferrocement layers with; steel fiber content in the ferrocement mortar  of (0.25,0.5,0.75.1.1.25%), thickness of ferrocement layers, the compressive strength for ferrocement mortar and wire mesh layers number of ferrocement was investigated. The mid span deflection at ultimate load and cracks pattern  were discussed.  All the reinforced concrete slab specimens were designed of the same dimensions and reinforced identically to fail in flexure. Simply supported conditions for all slabs has bean tested under central concentrated load. The experimental results show that; the ultimate loads and mid span deflection of strengthened reinforced  concrete slabs were more effected by  using the steel fiber on the ferrocement mortar, increasing the thickness of ferrocement and the compressive strength of ferrocement. Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis has been used to conduct the analytical investigation, ANSYS (Version 16.0) computer program was used in this study. The analytical result from modeling in ANSYS program exhibited a good agreement with experimental results.
Study on Combustion Performance of a Diesel Engine Fueled by Synthesized Waste Cooking Oil Biodiesel Blends
Authors: Maki Duraid F.
Published: January 2018

The waste cooking oil or used cooking oil is the best source of biodiesel synthesizing because it enters into the so-called W2E field, whereas not only get rid of the used cooking oils, but produce energy from the waste fuel. In this paper, biodiesel was synthesized from the used cooking oil and specifications are tested. From 1 liter of used cooking oil, 940 ml is gained. The remaining of a liter is glycerine and water. A Blend of 20% of biodiesel with 80% of net diesel by volume is formed. Blends of 100% diesel and 100% biodiesel are prepared too. The diesel engine combustion performance such as Brake thermal efficiency, brake specific fuel consumption, volumetric efficiency, mean effective pressure, and engine outlet temperature are studied in this paper. Cylinder pressure variation with crank angle is analyzed. The concentrations of hydrocarbon and nitrogen pollutants are measured. The results showed a significant enhancement in engine power and pollutant gases emitted. There is positive compatible with other critical researchers.
PENGARUH MODEL PEMBELAJARAN PROBLEM BASED INSTRUCTION TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR DITINJAU DARI GAYA BELAJAR SISWA
Authors: Permatasary Yuni , Purwoko Agus Abhi , Muntari Muntari
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study are: (1) to determine differences on learning achievement between  students who obtained PBI learning model and who received conventional learning models; (2) to determine the different of students achievement on different learning styles (visual, auditory and kinesthetic). The population of this study on all class X SMAN 7 Mataram students (570 students). Two classes were chosen as sample of this study (64 students). Instruments in this study consisted of paper and panel test of learning achievement and quetsionair of student’s learning styles. The results of data analysis showed: (1) PBI learning model significantly influence on student learning achievement; (2) the learning style does not significantly affect to learning achievement.Keywords: Problem Based Instruction, learning styles, student learning achievement
General Method for Selective Mono-Boc Protection of Diamines and Thereof
Authors: Servín Felipe Antonio , Romero José Alfonso , Aguirre Gerardo , Grotjahn Douglas , Somanathan Ratnasamy , Chávez Daniel
Published: January 2018

Here we report a simple and efficient protocol for selectively diamine protection with Boc using Me3SiCl or SOCl2 as HCl source in “one-pot” procedure. This methodology is extended to 1,2- to 1,8-diamines to obtain the corresponding mono-Boc protected diamines.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of ethyl 7-chloro-4-oxo-l,4-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylate by the Grohe-Heitzer reaction
Authors: Leyva-Ramos Socorro , Leyva Elisa , Cardoso-Ortiz Jaime , Hernández-López Hiram
Published: January 2018

A simple and efficient two-step method was implemented for the synthesis of ethyl 7-chloro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylate. Comparing with the reported Grohe-Heitzer reaction, the time and the reaction steps have been reduced using microwave irradiation. This compound is an important intermediate for the preparation of naphthyridone derivatives which have received significant attention due to their broad spectrum of biological activity.
Synthesis and Reactivity Studies of Cationic Ir(III) Alkylidines. α-Hydride Abstraction Reactions
Authors: Campos Jesús , Carmona Ernesto
Published: January 2018

The chemistry of late transition metal alkylidenes [M=CR2], where R is H a hydrocarbyl group, have attracted widespread attention although mainly with reference to complexes of metals in low oxidation state. We focus in this paper on reactions based on electrophilic attacks by Ph3C+ that allow either isolation of stable cationic Ir(III) alkylidenes, considerably more attractive than well-known Ir(I) counterparts, or the generation of very reactive variants that experience fast migratory insertion into existing Ir-C and Ir-H sigma bonds. The present studies are based on (η5-C5Me5)Ir(III) complexes that bear a cyclometalated PMeXyl2 ligand (Xyl = 2,6-Me2C6H3). The contribution of different monoanionic ligands (chloride, alkyl or hydride) to either stabilize the Ir=CR2 linkage or provide facile reactivity routes has been investigated, including the use of various deuterium isotopologues of the iridium complex precursors.
Synthesis and Structural Characterization of [BmMeBenz]2Ca(THF)2: Ca•••H–B interactions in a Sulfur-Rich Coordination Environment
Authors: Chakrabarti Neena , Quinlivan Patrick J. , Parkin Gerard
Published: January 2018

The bis(mercaptoimidazolyl)hydroborato calcium compound,[BmMeBenz]2Ca(THF)2, may be obtained by the reaction of Ca(BH4)2•2(THF) with 1-methyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazole-2-thione. X-ray diffraction demonstrates that the [BmMeBenz] ligands coordinate in a k3–S2H manner such that the calcium is eight-coordinate with a dodecahedral geometry that features two Ca•••H–B interactions.
The Folded Conformation of Perezone Revisited. Long Range nOe Interaction in Small Molecules: Interpretable Small Signals or Useless Large Artifacts?
Authors: Reyes-López Elizabeth , Quiroz-García Beatriz , Carpio-Martínez Pablo , Jiménez-Barbero Jesús , Esturau-Escofet Nuria , Cuevas Gabriel
Published: January 2018

The nuclear Overhauser effect (nOe) is a consequence of the cross-relaxation and it involves the transfer of nuclear spin polarization from one population to another intra or inter-molecularly. It is generally accepted that a proton-proton distance between 4 and 5 Å is the upper limit for the occurrence of measurable nOe´s in small molecules. However, we herein show how detectable nOe´s may, in fact, take place between alkyl groups of quinones with substitutions at 1-4 relative positions, showing distances longer than 6 Å. Although the signals of interest are very small, of the order of 1% of a normal nOe, so a priori are considered artifacts originated by decoupling modulation, they maintain, properties that make them interesting and give them coherence as interpretable signals. If the signals of interest are not artifacts these observations represent an important breakthrough with impact on the standard protocols that are commonly used for determination of molecular structure and conformation.
Study of CH/π Interactions in the Molecular Recognition between Acetyl Galactopyranoside and 6-substituted 2-Methoxypyridines and 2(1H)-Pyridones
Authors: Cuetara-Guadarrama Fabian , Ramírez-Gualito Karla , Cuevas Gabriel
Published: January 2018

A series of 6-substituted 2-methoxypyridine and 2(1H)-pyridones was designed and synthesized for its evaluation in the molecular recognition of acetyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl-b-D-galactopyranoside substrate. 1H-NMR titration (affinity constant Ka determination) and chemical shift perturbation experiments were performed to evaluate the capacity of these receptors to form CH/π interactions with the substrate. The addition of 2-methoxypyridines to the substrate effected up-field shift for the H3, H4 and H5 proton signals and down-field shift for the H2 proton signal of galactopyranoside substrate. The determined affinity constant Ka values for the association between 2(1H)-pyridones and galactopyranoside showed that molecular recognition was weak. These results have demonstrated the existence of weak CH/π interactions and have reflected their weak intermolecular nature. Finally DFT calculations were performed to illustrate the geometry of the molecular recognition between 2(1H)-pyridones and galactopyranoside.
Synthesis, Characterization and Heavy Metal Ion Adsorption Behavior of Imidazole-Based Novel Polyamides and Polyimides
Authors: Soleimani Bita , Taghavi Mehdi , Ghaemy Mousa
Published: January 2018

Imidazole-based polyamides (PA)s and polyimides (PI) s were prepared from condensation of a new aromatic heterocyclic diamine, 4,4›(4,4›-(2-(4-(triflouromethyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dyl)bis(4,1-phenylen))bis(oxy)bis(3-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole-2-yl)aniline), with various diacids and dianhydrides, respectively. The structure of diamine, PAs and PIs were fully characterized by using elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR techniques. Also, adsorption capability of these polymers for removal of heavy metal ions such as Co2+, Cr3+, Cd2+, Hg2+ and Pb2+ from aqueous solutions was also tested at pH 7-8. The PAs and PIs showed good solubility in aprotic polar organic solvents with high thermal stability exhibiting the glass transition temperatures (Tg)s and 10% weight loss temperatures (T10%) in the range of 220-286 °C and 383-435 °C for PAs and 251-307 °C and 407-512 °C for PIs.
Tinjauan Etika Terhadap Penggunaan Freon untuk Mesin Pendingin dalam Filsafat Ilmu
Authors: Yusal Yulianti
Published: January 2018

Etika adalah salah satu cabang filsafat perwujudan dan pengejawantahan secara kritis dan rasional ajaran moral yang siap pakai sedangkan moral adalah petunjuk konkret yang siap pakai tentang bagaimana kita harus hidup. Disiplin etika lebih bersifat normatif dan perspektif. Kaidah-kaidah etika perlu dipergunakan dalam menentukan objek penelitian dan aplikasi pengetahuan agar terhindar dari kemunculan dampak negatif dari riset sains dan penerapan pengetahuan sains di masyarakat, seperti kerusakan lingkungan dan dehuminasi. Ilmu pengetahuan dan teknologi seharusnya secara etis dimanfaatkan demi kelestarian alam sebagai prasyarat kelangsungan eksistensi manusia. Seperti pada penggunaan freon untuk mesin pendingin yang berkontribusi pada kenyamanan dan pelestarian bahan makanan melalui pendinginan atau pembekuan tapi bisa mengancam lingkungan melalui penipisan ozon dan pemanasan global. Oleh karena itu, penggunaan freon untuk mesin pendingin sebaiknya dihentikan dan menggantinya sebagai bentuk tanggung jawab untuk mewujudkan perubahan yang terbaik dalam teknologi mesin pendingin untuk pembangunan.
Pengaruh Pemberian Tugas Mandiri Terstruktur Terhadap Hasil Belajar Fisika Madrasah Tsanawiyah Nurul Huda
Authors: Rofiqah Siti Anisatur , Erwin Erwin , Gunarto Wahid
Published: January 2018

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hasil belajar fisika siswa yang telah diberi tugas mandiri struktur. Metode dalam penelitian ini adalah eksperimen dengan desain quasi eksperiment. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa kelas VIII MTs Nurul Huda tahun pembelajaran 2011/2012. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan secara acak yaitu kelas VIII-1 sebagai kelas kontrol dan kelas VIII-4 sebagai kelas eksperimen. Data tes hasil belajar diperoleh dengan pemberian tugas mandiri terstruktur. Perhitungan statistik uji Z yang  digunakan untuk uji hipotesis pada penelitian ini menggunakan taraf signifikan (Î±=5%) Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat pebedaan hasil belajar siswa yang diberi tugas mandiri terstruktur dengan yang tidak diberi tugas mandiri terstruktur dengan  hasil perhitungan diperoleh nilai Zhit= 4,01 tidak terletak antara -1,96 dan 1,96 sehingga Ho ditolak dan Ha diterima. Skor hasil belajar fisika dengan menggunakan metode pemberian tugas mandiri terstruktur lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan yang tidak diberikan tugas mandiri terstruktur yaitu rata-rata nilai kelas eksperimen 73,69, varians 122,59 dan standar deviasi 11,07. Sedangkan rata-rata nilai kelas kontrol 63,90, varians 74,34 dan standar deviasi 8,62.
Evaluasi Program Model CIPP pada Proses Pembelajaran IPA
Authors: Bhakti Yoga Budi
Published: January 2018

Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui penerapan evaluasi model CIPP (Contexs, Input, Prosess, Product), mengetahui hasil belajar siswa pada bidang studi IPA dan mengetahui keefektifan proses pembelajaran IPA dengan menggunakan evaluasi model CIPP di SMP IT Raudlatul Jannah. Penentuan keefektifan suatu proses pembelajaran dilihat dari seberapa besar tingkat ketercapaian tujuan pembelajaran yang telah ditentukan pada awal pembelajaran. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kualitatif yang menggunakan model CIPP dengan mengevaluasi tiap komponen konteks, input, proses dan produk untuk mencapai proses pembelajaran yang efektif. Sumber data penelitian adalah Guru IPA, wakil bidang kurikulum, serta Kepsek yang berada di SMP IT Raudlatul Jannah. Pengumpulan data primer menggunakan instrumen observasi sedangkan data sekunder diperoleh melalui dokumentasi dan wawancara. Data hasil observasi yang diperoleh kemudian dianalisis secara kuantitatif sedangkan data hasil dokumentasi dan wawancara dianalisis secara deskriptif kualitatif. Dari hasil penelitian menunjukkan pelaksanaan pembelajaran yang meliputi persyaratan pelaksanaan pembelajaran dan kegiatan pembelajaran dinyatakan cukup efektif.
Efektivitas Penggunaan Multimedia Interaktif Materi Kalor Berorientasi Peta Kompetensi Siswa Sekolah Menengah Atas
Authors: Saprudin Saprudin , Hamid Fatma
Published: January 2018

Artikel ini merupakan bagian dari penelitian pengembangan model multimedia pembelajaran fisika berorientasi peta kompetensi siswa Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) di provinsi Maluku Utara. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menyelidiki efektivitas penggunaan multimedia interaktif (MMI) dalam meningkatkan penguasaan konsep fisika siswa SMA khususnya pada materi kalor. Penelitian eksperimen ini menggunakan randomized control group pretest-posttest design dengan sampel siswa kelas X pada salah satu SMA di Kabupaten Halmahera Barat. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui tes yakni uji kompetensi siswa yang berisi kemampuan yang diujinasionalkan terkait materi kalor. Hasil perhitungan Effect Size menunjukkan bahwa besarnya Cohen’s d effect size antara kelas eksperimen 1 dengan kelas kontrol sebesar 3,7 (tinggi) dan antara kelas eksperimen 2 dengan kelas kontrol sebesar 0,7 (sedang). Hal ini berarti bahwa penggunaan MMI secara signifikan efektif dalam meningkatkan kompetensi siswa pada kemampuan yang diujinasionalkan khususnya pada materi kalor. Besarnya effect size menunjukkan bahwa implementasi MMI lebih efektif jika digunakan dalam pembelajaran dengan menerapkan model pembelajaran tertentu dalam hal ini model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe Student Team Achievement Division (STAD).
Evolusi Antar Species (Leluhur Sama dalam Perspektif Para Penentang)
Authors: Helmi Helmi
Published: January 2018

Sejarah evolusi telah melewati perjalanan yang panjang. Para saintis dan filsuf  banyak mengalami perdebatan dalam situasi yang kompleks, akan tetapi salah satu masalah inti dari perbedaan pandangan adalah permasalahan peralihan yang diklaim dapat terjadi antar spesies. Begitu banyak ilmuan yang membantah akan hal ini dari sudut pandang kepercayaan maupun dari fakta ilmiah yang dapat dibuktikan. Para penentang ini merupakan ahli Creationisme atau orang-orang yang percaya akan fakta penciptaan. Mereka mengemukakan berbagai alasan mengapa evolusi antar spesies merupakan hal yang mustahil. Diantara penentang adalah Samuel Wilberforce yang merupakan seorang pendeta, Ia mengkritik dan menentang keras The Origin Of Species By Means Of Natural Selection yang mengungkapkan kemungkinan bahwa manusia dan kera memiliki nenek moyang yang sama. Bantahan selanjutnya datang dari ahli Genetika dan  hukum pewarisan sifat yaitu Gregor Mendel. Penemuan Mendel seharusnya menghempaskan teori evolusi Darwin yang dipengaruhi oleh Lamarck kepada krisis yang akut, jika para penerus Darwin tidak segera melakukan revisi untuk membuat penyesuaian. Penentangan yang keras terus berlanjut dari berbagai kalangan dan  ahli sains diantaranya seorang ahli anatomi dan paleontology bernama Georges Cuvier serta seorang cendikiawan muslim Adnan Oktar atau lebih dikenal dengan sebutan  Harun Yahya.
The Youth, The Sciences Students, and Religious Radicalism
Authors: Yusar Yusar
Published: January 2018

This article is an endeavor to describe the tendency of religious radicalism amongst student of science at senior high schools and the students of several universities such as the faculty of medicine, pharmacy, and agriculture.. In many cases students or young people are the main target of the religious radicalism agents. The youth then receive the transmission of the religious radicalism and regenerate those values. In fact, the students of sciences, as individual with science education are more likely become member of religious radicalism group than other students such as humanities or social science. Why? This article portrays the causality of one�s joined the religious radicalism group by the micro sociological approaches divided into two main factors such the individual states of minds of their world views and the student�s relative deprivation.
Radikalisme Islam dalam Representasi Media di Thailand
Authors: Fahmi Muhammad
Published: January 2018

This article intends to look at how Islamic radical (ISIS) is represented in the Thai media. The method used in this study is critical discourse analysis method proposed by Theo van Leuwen which focuses on how actors in the inclusion and exclusion in the news media. This study concluded on: first, The Bangkok Post, represents ISIS identical and just as dangerous as Muslim rebels in southern Thailand. ISIS issue be a way to marginalize the Muslim rebels in southern Thailand region of the country bordering the Malay Peninsula. Second, the Pattaya Mail purposely did not link the issue of ISIS in southern Thailand among the Muslim fighters because they would only weaken efforts to build integration and large associations vis a vis ISIS. Pattaya Mail prefers macro strategy, which attempts to include as many friends to confront a common enemy: ISIS
Pola Pengkaderan Ulama di Sulawesi Selatan (Studi pada Program Ma�had Aly Pondok Pesantren As�adiyah Sengkang Kabupaten Wajo)
Authors: Idham Idham
Published: January 2018

This article aims to elaborate the pattern of regeneration of Islamic scholars (ulama) in South Sulawesi by focusing on the study of Ma�had Aly As�adiyah Sengkang Wajo. In the search, a qualitative approach was used. Data collecting was done through interviews, observation, literature study and documentation. The results of the research indicate that the regeneration of Islamic scholars in South Sulawesi had been long conducted in some Pondok Pesantren (Islamic Boarding Schools). This study finds out that the regeneration of Islamic scholars was provided with a certain medium in a special program. The existence of Pondok Pesantren As�adiyah Sengkang by implementing the regeneration of Islamic scholars through Ma�had Aly caused Pondok Pesantren As�adiyah Sengkang to be one of 13 organizers of Ma�had Aly program that was given an operational license by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.
Model Kepemimpinan Ideal Pada Fak Tarbiyah dan Keguruan : Studi Kasus di IAIN Sultan Amai Gorontalo
Authors: Anwar Herson , Otaya Lian G.
Published: January 2018

This article is aimed to analyse the servant leadership model in achieving and reaching the vision and mission of the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teaching Training because this model becomes an important issue applied by the education leaders. The research methodology used in this research is quantitative research with mixed method approach by Creswell. The primary data are collected though by questionnaire and secondary data by interview and documentation. The sample consists of 36 respondents by using purposive sampling technique. The result shows that from ten characteristics of servant leadership model, there are seven models implemented well. Those seven models are listening, achieving other people and emphatic, awareness, building persuasive power, service-ability, commitment, and building community. There are three models need to be improved, those are predicting ability, conceptualization, and healing ability. This leadership model is not an instant solution to solve the problem faced by the leader, but it is a long-term way, which the result comprehensively gives the change of vision and mission achievement.
Microstructure of aluminide coatings on Ti6Al4V alloy produced by the slurry method with inorganic binder
Authors: Kochmańska Agnieszka E.
Published: January 2018

Slurry aluminide coatings were produced on Ti-based alloy Ti6Al4V in an argon atmosphere. A slurry with a newly-developed composition was applied, consisting of: powders of aluminium and silicon, a fused mixture of salts as an activator and a water solution of a soluble glass as an inorganic binder. The coating production parameters were varied: annealing temperatures of 900, 1000 and 1100°C were used for annealing times of 2, 4 and 6 h. The microstructure, chemical composition and phase composition of the coatings were studied. The correlation between the technological parameters and the coating thickness was also determined. The obtained coatings have a multilayered structure with a phase layout that is desirable from the viewpoint of mechanical and corrosion resistance performance: aluminium-rich phases on the surface and titanium-rich phases near the substrate.
Antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plant extracts against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md Mizanur , Shahriar Md Raquib , Meghla Nigar Sultana , Ishika Tasneema , Roy Pravas Chandra , Kamruzzaman Md
Published: January 2018

Antibacterial active compounds isolated from higher plants appear to be one of the most important alternative approaches to contain antibiotic resistance and the management of disease. The present study was aimed at to investigate the antibacterial activity of some medicinal plant species including seeds namely Centella asiatica, Oxalis corniculata, Phoenix dactylifera, Clitoria ternatea and Nigella sativa. The methanolic and ethanolic extract of Centella asiatica, Oxalis corniculata, Phoenix dactylifera and Clitoria ternatea was investigated for antimicrobial activity at different concentrations by using disc diffusion method against some bacterial strains with standard antibiotic cephachlore (10 μg). The result demonstrated that all the extracts showed antibacterial activities against the isolates, which were dose dependent. The ethanolic extract of Oxalis corniculata at a concentration of 50 μl/disc had the highest effect on the test organism B. subtilis, Salmonella typhi and E. coli with 9.3, 9.7 and 10.8 mm diameter of zone of inhibition respectively while at the same concentration the extract of Clitoria ternatea had a higher antimicrobial activity on Bacillus cereus with 11.3 mm diameter of zone of inhibition. The activities of the plant extracts on the tested pathogens were not as effective as the standard commercial antibacterial disc but was significant. In case of Nigella sativa, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was sensitive to both the ethanolic extract and oils at different concentration. Salmonella typhi shows the same degree of inhibition for ethanolic extract as Bacillus cereus, but greater inhibition for oils. Of all the bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most sensitive bacteria against ethanolic extract and oils, while Bacillus cereus was the most resistant bacteria. Generally, the oils of Nigella sativa sample had higher antibacterial activity against bacteria than ethanolic extract. All the extracts are inhibitory to most common human pathogen S. typhi. The results suggest that the different plant extracts has a significant scope to develop a novel broad spectrum of antibacterial herbal formulations.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 405-411
Effect of deep placement of N fertilizers on nitrogen use efficiency and yield of BRRI dhan29 under flooded condition
Authors: Islam Md Rafiqul , Mohammad Mahthir Been , Akhter Mst Tazmin , Talukder Md Moyeed Hasan , Hossen Kawsar
Published: January 2018

An experiment was conducted at the Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during boro season of 2016 to evaluate the effect of deep placement of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on N use efficiency and yield of BRRI dhan29 under continuous flooded condition. The soil was silt loam in texture having pH 6.27, organic matter content 1.95%, total N 0.136%, available P 3.16 ppm, exchangeable K 0.095 me%, available S 10.5 ppm and EC 348 μS cm-1. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments were T1 [Control], T2 [Prilled Urea, 130 kg N ha-1] , T3 [USG, 130 kg N ha-1], T4 [USG, 104 kg N ha-1], T5 [USG, 78 kg N ha-1], T6 [NPK briquette , 129 kg N ha-1], T7 [NPK briquette, 102 kg N ha-1] and T8 [NPK briquette, 78 kg N ha-1]. All the treatments except T6, T7 and T8 received 25 kg P and 64 kg K ha-1 as TSP and MoP, respectively. In T6, T7 and T8 treatments, P and K were supplied from NPK briquettes. Prilled urea was applied in three equal splits. USG and NPK briquettes were applied at 10 DAT and were placed at 8-10 cm depth between four hills at every alternate row. The results demonstrate that all the yield components except 1000-grain weight and yields of BRRI dhan29 responded significantly to the deep placement of N in the form of USG and NPK briquettes under continuous flooded condition. The highest grain yield of 6561 kg ha-1 was recorded in T3 [USG, 130 kg N ha-1] which was statistically similar to that ofT4 [USG, 104 kg N ha-1].The highest straw yield of 6876 kg ha-1 was obtained in T3 [USG, 130 kg N ha-1]. The lowest grain yield (3094 kg ha-1) and straw yield (3364 kg ha-1) were found for T1 (Control). The deep placement of USG and NPK briquettes enhanced the recovery of applied N and N use efficiency in comparison with the broadcast application of PU. The highest value of NUE (32.05 kg grain increase per kg N applied) was obtained in T5 [USG, 78 kg N ha-1] followed by T4 [30.75 kg grain increase per kg N applied) and the lowest value was found in T8 [130 kg N ha-1 from PU]. Based on yield, N use efficiency and cost-benefit analysis, an application of 104 kg N ha-1 as USG can be recommended as the best treatment for achieving satisfactory yield of boro rice (cv. BRRI dhan29) at BAU farm and at adjacent areas under AEZ 9 (Old Brahmaputra Floodplain).Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 454-461
Transcolonial Bildung: George Lamming, Social Death, and Actually Existing Modernism
Authors: Mao Douglas
Published: January 2018

This article begins by situating the semi-autobiographical narrator of George Lamming's In the Castle of My Skin amid modernist representations of child philosophers at the imperial ‘periphery’ and in relation to the figure of the ‘scholarship boy’ elaborated by Richard Hoggart. It then examines the relation between modernism and exile in Lamming's writing in light of recent work on how Lamming's rise as an author was facilitated by a contest between modernism and rival modes in mid-century British literary life. It further shows that in Castle and related writings, Lamming sets up an opposition in which the scholarship boy, the Caribbean middle classes, British culture, and contempt for blackness appear on the other side of a divide of death from the philosophizing child, the Caribbean peasant, non-British culture, and blackness. It concludes by arguing that Lamming's rendering of this opposition exemplifies how fictions of decolonization could extend and modify the paradigm of thwarted bildung whose centrality to modernist fictions of empire has been illuminated by Jed Esty.
Robust Sampling Frequency Offset Estimation for OFDM over Frequency Selective Fading Channels
Authors: Jung Yong-An , You Young-Hwan
Published: January 2018

Digital radio mondiale (DRM) is a terrestrial radio broadcasting standard to replace existing analogue AM and FM broadcasting, which is based on an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technique. This paper focuses on the issue of estimating a sampling frequency offset (SFO) in OFDM-based broadcasting systems under frequency selective fading channels. In order to design a robust SFO estimation scheme and to benchmark its performance, the performance of the various conventional SFO estimation schemes is discussed and some improvements on the conventional estimation algorithms are highlighted. The simulation results show that such a design enhances the robustness of the proposed scheme against frequency selective fading.
Control Scheme of a Concentration Photovoltaic Plant with a Hybrid Energy Storage System Connected to the Grid
Authors: Roncero-Sánchez Pedro , Parreño Torres Alfonso , Vázquez Javier
Published: January 2018

In the last few decades, renewable energy sources (RESs) have been integrated into the electrical grid in order to curb the deficiency of energy owing to, among other factors, the depletion of fossil fuels and the increasing awareness of climate change. However, the stochastic nature of these sources, along with changes in levels of energy consumption, signifies that attention now needs to be paid for energy storage systems (ESSs). One of the most promising RESs is concentration photovoltaic (CPV) energy, owing to the high efficiency obtained and its sustainability regarding environmental issues. However, as CPV systems work only with direct solar radiation, they require ESSs in order to smooth the variations in the energy generated. This paper deals with the integration into the grid of a CPV plant that employs a hybrid ESS (HESS) based on ultracapacitors and batteries. The HESS allows the complete system to inject a constant active power level into the grid and thus flatten the profile of the energy generated. This goal is achieved by using a power electronic topology based on various DC–DC converters and a DC–AC converter, both of which share the same DC link. The control system is tailored in order to decouple the active-power and the reactive-power injections. Simulation results obtained using PSCAD/EMTDC (Power System Computer Aided Design/Electromagnetic Transient Direct Current) show the resulting performance of a 200 kW CPV plant with a hybrid ESS.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Fractal and Fractional in 2017
Authors:   Fractal and Fractional Editorial Office
Published: January 2018

Peer review is an essential part in the publication process, ensuring that Fractal and Fractional maintains high quality standards for its published papers. In 2017, a total of 17 papers were published in the journal. Thanks to the cooperation of our reviewers, the median time to first decision was 14 days and the median time to publication was 24 days. The editors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the reviewers for their time and dedication in 2017.
Are Perceived and Objective Distances to Fresh Food and Physical Activity Resources Associated with Cardiometabolic Risk?
Authors: Baldock Katherine , Paquet Catherine , Howard Natasha , Coffee Neil , Taylor Anne , Daniel Mark
Published: January 2018

Perceived and objective measures of neighbourhood features have shown limited correspondence. Few studies have examined whether discordance between objective measures and individual perceptions of neighbourhood environments relates to individual health. Individuals with mismatched perceptions may benefit from initiatives to improve understandings of resource availability. This study utilised data from n = 1491 adult participants in a biomedical cohort to evaluate cross-sectional associations between measures of access (perceived, objective, and perceived-objective mismatch) to fruit and vegetable retailers (FVR) and public open space (POS), and clinically-measured metabolic syndrome and its component risk factors: central obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and pre-diabetes/diabetes. Access measures included perceived distances from home to the nearest FVR and POS, corresponding objectively-assessed road network distances, and the discordance between perceived and objective distances (overestimated (i.e., mismatched) distances versus matched perceived-objective distances). Individual and neighbourhood measures were spatially joined using a geographic information system. Associations were evaluated using multilevel logistic regression, accounting for individual and area-level covariates. Hypertension was positively associated with perceived distances to FVR (odds ratio (OR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02, 1.28) and POS (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.34), after accounting for covariates and objective distances. Hypertension was positively associated with overestimating distances to FVR (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.80). Overestimating distances to POS was positively associated with both hypertension (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.83) and dyslipidaemia (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.57). Results provide new evidence for specific associations between perceived and overestimated distances from home to nearby resources and cardiometabolic risk factors.
Exploring the Impacts of Housing Condition on Migrants’ Mental Health in Nanxiang, Shanghai: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach
Authors: Xiao Yang , Miao Siyu , Sarkar Chinmoy , Geng Huizhi , Lu Yi
Published: January 2018

Although rapid urbanization and associated rural-to-urban migration has brought in enormous economic benefits in Chinese cities, one of the negative externalities include adverse effects upon the migrant workers’ mental health. The links between housing conditions and mental health are well-established in healthy city and community planning scholarship. Nonetheless, there has thusfar been no Chinese study deciphering the links between housing conditions and mental health accounting for macro-level community environments, and no study has previously examined the nature of the relationships in locals and migrants. To overcome this research gap, we hypothesized that housing conditions may have a direct and indirect effects upon mental which may be mediated by neighbourhood satisfaction. We tested this hypothesis with the help of a household survey of 368 adult participants in Nanxiang Town, Shanghai, employing a structural equation modeling approach. Our results point to the differential pathways via which housing conditions effect mental health in locals and migrants. For locals, housing conditions have direct effects on mental health, while as for migrants, housing conditions have indirect effects on mental health, mediated via neighborhood satisfaction. Our findings have significant policy implications on building an inclusive and harmonious society. Upstream-level community interventions in the form of sustainable planning and designing of migrant neighborhoods can promote sense of community, social capital and support, thereby improving mental health and overall mental capital of Chinese cities.
Patient Satisfaction with Pre-Hospital Emergency Services. A Qualitative Study Comparing Professionals’ and Patients’ Views
Authors: García-Alfranca Fernando , Puig Anna , Galup Carles , Aguado Hortensia , Cerdá Ismael , Guilabert Mercedes , Pérez-Jover Virtudes , Carrillo Irene , Mira José
Published: January 2018

Objective: To describe patient satisfaction with pre-hospital emergency knowledge and determine if patients and professionals share a common vision on the satisfaction predictors. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in two phases. First, a systematic review following the PRISMA protocol was carried out searching publications between January 2000 and July 2016 in Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane. Second, three focus groups involving professionals (advisers and healthcare providers) and a total of 79 semi-structured interviews involving patients were conducted to obtain information about what dimensions of care were a priority for patients. Results: Thirty-three relevant studies were identified, with a majority conducted in Europe using questionnaires. They pointed out a very high level of satisfaction of callers and patients. Delay with the assistance and the ability for resolution of the case are the elements that overlap in fostering satisfaction. The published studies reviewed with satisfaction neither the overall care process nor related the measurement of the real time in responding to an emergency. The patients and professionals concurred in their assessments about the most relevant elements for patient satisfaction, although safety was not a predictive factor for patients. Response capacity and perceived capacity for resolving the situation were crucial factors for satisfaction. Conclusions: Published studies have assessed similar dimensions of satisfaction and have shown high patient satisfaction. Expanded services resolving a wide number of issues that can concern citizens are also positively assessed. Delays and resolution capacity are crucial for satisfaction. Furthermore, despite the fact that few explanations may be given due to a lack of face-to-face attention, finding the patient’s location, taking into account the caller’s emotional needs, and maintaining phone contact until the emergency services arrive are high predictors of satisfaction.
Anti-Cancerous Effect of Inonotus taiwanensis Polysaccharide Extract on Human Acute Monocytic Leukemia Cells through ROS-Independent Intrinsic Mitochondrial Pathway
Authors: Chao Tsai-Ling , Wang Ting-Yin , Lee Chin-Huei , Yiin Shuenn-Jiun , Ho Chun-Te , Wu Sheng-Hua , You Huey-Ling , Chern Chi-Liang
Published: January 2018

Acute leukemia is one of the commonly diagnosed neoplasms and causes human death. However, the treatment for acute leukemia is not yet satisfactory. Studies have shown that mushroom-derived polysaccharides display low toxicity and have been used clinically for cancer therapy. Therefore, we set out to evaluate the anti-cancerous efficacy of a water-soluble polysaccharide extract from Inonotus taiwanensis (WSPIS) on human acute monocytic leukemia THP-1 and U937 cell lines in vitro. Under our experimental conditions, WSPIS elicited dose-dependent growth retardation and induced apoptotic cell death. Further analysis showed that WSPIS-induced apoptosis was associated with a mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, such as the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), followed by the activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, and PARP (poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase) cleavage. However, a broad caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD.fmk, could not prevent WSPIS-induced apoptosis. These data imply that mechanism(s) other than caspase might be involved. Thus, the involvement of endonuclease G (endoG), a mediator arbitrating caspase-independent oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation, was examined. Western blotting demonstrated that WSPIS could elicit nuclear translocation of endoG. MMP disruption after WSPIS treatment was accompanied by intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. However, pretreatment with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) could not attenuate WSPIS-induced apoptosis. In addition, our data also show that WSPIS could inhibit autophagy. Activation of autophagy by rapamycin decreased WSPIS-induced apoptosis and cell death. Taken together, our findings suggest that cell cycle arrest, endonuclease G-mediated apoptosis, and autophagy inhibition contribute to the anti-cancerous effect of WSPIS on human acute monocytic leukemia cells.
The Molecular Mechanisms of Plant-Derived Compounds Targeting Brain Cancer
Authors: Fan Hueng-Chuen , Chi Ching-Shiang , Chang Yu-Kang , Tung Min-Che , Lin Shinn-Zong , Harn Horng-Jyh
Published: January 2018

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and malignant forms of brain tumors. Despite recent advances in operative and postoperative treatments, it is almost impossible to perform complete resection of these tumors owing to their invasive and diffuse nature. Several natural plant-derived products, however, have been demonstrated to have promising therapeutic effects, such that they may serve as resources for anticancer drug discovery. The therapeutic effects of one such plant product, n-butylidenephthalide (BP), are wide-ranging in nature, including impacts on cancer cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and cancer cell senescence. The compound also exhibits a relatively high level of penetration through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Taken together, its actions have been shown to have anti-proliferative, anti-chemoresistance, anti-invasion, anti-migration, and anti-dissemination effects against GBM. In addition, a local drug delivery system for the subcutaneous and intracranial implantation of BP wafers that significantly reduce tumor size in xenograft models, as well as orthotopic and spontaneous brain tumors in animal models, has been developed. Isochaihulactone (ICL), another kind of plant product, possesses a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including impacts on cancer cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, as well as anti-proliferative and anti-chemoresistance effects. Furthermore, these actions have been specifically shown to have cancer-fighting effects on GBM. In short, the results of various studies reviewed herein have provided substantial evidence indicating that BP and ICH are promising novel anticancer compounds with good potential for clinical applications.
Sex Hormone Receptors in Benign and Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors: Prognostic and Predictive Role
Authors: Aquino Gabriella , Collina Francesca , Sabatino Rocco , Cerrone Margherita , Longo Francesco , Ionna Franco , Losito Nunzia , De Cecio Rossella , Cantile Monica , Pannone Giuseppe , Botti Gerardo
Published: January 2018

The role of sex hormone receptors in human cancer development and progression has been well documented in numerous studies, as has the success of sex hormone antagonists in the biological therapy of many human tumors. In salivary gland tumors (SGTs), little and conflicting information about the role of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), progesterone receptor (PgR) and androgen receptor (AR) has been described and in most cases the use of sex hormone antagonists is not contemplated in clinical practice. In this study, we analyzed a panel of sex hormone receptors that have not been widely investigated in SGTs—ERα, PgR, AR, but also ERβ and GPR30—to define their expression pattern and their prognostic and predictive value in a case series of 69 benign and malignant SGTs. We showed the aberrant expression of AR in mucoepidermoid and oncocytic carcinoma, a strong relation between cytoplasmic ERβ expression and tumor grade, and a strong correlation between nuclear GPR30 expression and disease-free survival (DFS) of SGT patients.
Discovery of Cryoprotective Activity in Human Genome-Derived Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
Authors: Matsuo Naoki , Goda Natsuko , Shimizu Kana , Fukuchi Satoshi , Ota Motonori , Hiroaki Hidekazu
Published: January 2018

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are an emerging phenomenon. They may have a high degree of flexibility in their polypeptide chains, which lack a stable 3D structure. Although several biological functions of IDPs have been proposed, their general function is not known. The only finding related to their function is the genetically conserved YSK2 motif present in plant dehydrins. These proteins were shown to be IDPs with the YSK2 motif serving as a core region for the dehydrins’ cryoprotective activity. Here we examined the cryoprotective activity of randomly selected IDPs toward the model enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). All five IDPs that were examined were in the range of 35–45 amino acid residues in length and were equally potent at a concentration of 50 μg/mL, whereas folded proteins, the PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ) domain, and lysozymes had no potency. We further examined their cryoprotective activity toward glutathione S-transferase as an example of the other enzyme, and toward enhanced green fluorescent protein as a non-enzyme protein example. We further examined the lyophilization protective activity of the peptides toward LDH, which revealed that some IDPs showed a higher activity than that of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Based on these observations, we propose that cryoprotection is a general feature of IDPs. Our findings may become a clue to various industrial applications of IDPs in the future.
Electrospinning of Chitosan-Based Solutions for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Qasim Saad , Zafar Muhammad , Najeeb Shariq , Khurshid Zohaib , Shah Altaf , Husain Shehriar , Rehman Ihtesham
Published: January 2018

Electrospinning has been used for decades to generate nano-fibres via an electrically charged jet of polymer solution. This process is established on a spinning technique, using electrostatic forces to produce fine fibres from polymer solutions. Amongst, the electrospinning of available biopolymers (silk, cellulose, collagen, gelatine and hyaluronic acid), chitosan (CH) has shown a favourable outcome for tissue regeneration applications. The aim of the current review is to assess the current literature about electrospinning chitosan and its composite formulations for creating fibres in combination with other natural polymers to be employed in tissue engineering. In addition, various polymers blended with chitosan for electrospinning have been discussed in terms of their potential biomedical applications. The review shows that evidence exists in support of the favourable properties and biocompatibility of chitosan electrospun composite biomaterials for a range of applications. However, further research and in vivo studies are required to translate these materials from the laboratory to clinical applications.
Substrate Recognition and Specificity of Chitin Deacetylases and Related Family 4 Carbohydrate Esterases
Authors: Aragunde Hugo , Biarnés Xevi , Planas Antoni
Published: January 2018

Carbohydrate esterases family 4 (CE4 enzymes) includes chitin and peptidoglycan deacetylases, acetylxylan esterases, and poly-N-acetylglucosamine deacetylases that act on structural polysaccharides, altering their physicochemical properties, and participating in diverse biological functions. Chitin and peptidoglycan deacetylases are not only involved in cell wall morphogenesis and remodeling in fungi and bacteria, but they are also used by pathogenic microorganisms to evade host defense mechanisms. Likewise, biofilm formation in bacteria requires partial deacetylation of extracellular polysaccharides mediated by poly-N-acetylglucosamine deacetylases. Such biological functions make these enzymes attractive targets for drug design against pathogenic fungi and bacteria. On the other side, acetylxylan esterases deacetylate plant cell wall complex xylans to make them accessible to hydrolases, making them attractive biocatalysts for biomass utilization. CE4 family members are metal-dependent hydrolases. They are highly specific for their particular substrates, and show diverse modes of action, exhibiting either processive, multiple attack, or patterned deacetylation mechanisms. However, the determinants of substrate specificity remain poorly understood. Here, we review the current knowledge on the structure, activity, and specificity of CE4 enzymes, focusing on chitin deacetylases and related enzymes active on N-acetylglucosamine-containing oligo and polysaccharides.