bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SICAK CAM ÜFLEME TEKNİĞİNDE ODUN KÜLÜ KULLANIMININ ESTETİK İFADE OLANAKLARININ ARAŞTIRILMASI
Authors: YESİLAY Selvin , AKBEY Ufuk
Published: April 2018

Glass has passed some important phases throughout history. The development process that began with the discovery of glass in about 3500 years ago has enabled glass to spread to wider masses with the discovery of hot glass blowing. Later, the use of glassware became widespread with the development of crystal glass and the beginning of low cost glass production. The most important turning point is the movement of the studio glass, which was about 100 years ago. Glass is a material used for decorative purposes from ancient civilizations to day-to-day. Nature has spontaneously produced glassware and the natural glass called obsidian has been used in the construction of various tools since ancient times. With the development of technology, the production of glass industry has started and at the same time, with the development of studio glassware, hot glass forming has made itself a technique in glass arts. In this study, the effect of wood ash on hot glass formation was investigated in order to investigate surface effects in hot glass technique. According to the results obtained, it has been shown that wood ash, which has many advantages such as having very fine particles, high avaliability and high reactivity, can be used in hot glass technique as a eco-friendly decoration material.
Okuma güçlüğü olan bir öğrencinin okuma becerisinin geliştirilmesinde grafiksel sembollerin kullanımına yönelik örnek olay çalışması
Authors: Öztürk Deniz , Okur Alpaslan
Published: April 2018

Bu
çalışma, okuma güçlüğü yaşadığı tespit edilen bir üçüncü sınıf öğrencisinin
okuma hataları ve okuduğunu anlama sorunlarının giderilmesine yönelik
uygulamaları ve değerlendirmeleri kapsayan nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden örnek
olay araştırmasıdır. Dört hafta süren çalışmanın birinci haftasında araştırmacı
ve öğretmen tarafından katılımcı belirlenmiştir. Çalışmanın ikinci haftasında
öğrencinin okuma sorunları ve okuma düzeyi tespit edilmiş, üçüncü haftasında bu
sorunların giderilmesine yönelik uygulanacak strateji belirlenmiş ve bu
süreçte, öğrencinin seviyesine uygun olarak seçilen metinler grafiksel
sembollerle desteklenmiştir. Daha sonra “Tekrarlı Okuma” stratejisiyle
belirlenen metinlerle okuma uygulamaları yapılmıştır. Çalışmanın son haftasında
grafiksel sembollerle desteklenmiş olan “Uyuyan Güzel” adlı metin katılımcıya
okutulmuş ve katılımcının uygulama sonrasında ulaştığı okuma düzeyi tespit
edilmiştir. Okuma hataları ve anlama sorunları analiz edilirken “Yanlış Analizi
Envanteri” kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın sonucunda uygulama öncesinde endişe
düzeyinde olan öğrencinin uygulama sonrasında öğretim düzeyine çıktığı
görülmüştür.
“MELİKÜ’Ş- ŞUARÂ” NİZAMEDDİN AHMED ERZİNCANÎ
Authors: Özdemir Mustafa
Published: April 2018

Nizameddin Ahmed
Erzincanî, üstün vasıfları haiz hem devlet adamımız, hem de ünlü bir
şairimizdir. İki rubaisi ve bir kasidesi günümüze kadar ulaşabilmiştir.
Firdevsi formunda yazdığı Şehname’si ise
henüz bulunamamıştır. Yaşadığı dönem ve çevresindeki sosyal ve kültür ortamı,
onun, şiirlerinde Farsça dil kullanmasını zorunlu kılmıştır.

Üstlendiği münşî, emîr-i ârız ve tuğraî görevlerine
bakıldığı zaman, sürekli yükselişe doğru bir rota izlemiş ve devletin en üst
kademelerinde görev almıştır.  Bu durum
onun çalışkanlığını, tutarlılığını ve güvenilirliğini göstermektedir.
On the Optimal Precoder Design for Energy-Efficient and Secure MIMO Systems
Authors: T. Vu Tung , Kha Ha Hoang
Published: April 2018

In this research work, we investigate precoder designs to maximize the energy efficiency (EE) of secure multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems in the presence of an eavesdropper. In general, the secure energy efficiency maximization (SEEM) problem is highly nonlinear and nonconvex and hard to be solved directly. To overcome this difficulty, we employ a branch-and-reduce-and-bound (BRB) approach to obtain the globally optimal solution. Since it is observed that the BRB algorithm suffers from highly computational cost, its globally optimal solution is importantly served as a benchmark for the performance evaluation of the suboptimal algorithms. Additionally, we also develop a low-complexity approach using the well-known zero-forcing (ZF) technique to cancel the wiretapped signal, making the design problem more amenable. Using the ZF based method, we transform the SEEM problem to a concave-convex fractional one which can be solved by applying the combination of the Dinkelbach and bisection search algorithm. Simulation results show that the ZF-based method can converge fast and obtain a sub-optimal EE performance which is closed to the optimal EE performance of the BRB method. The ZF based scheme also shows its advantages in terms of the energy efficiency in comparison with the conventional secrecy rate maximization precoder design.
Cognitive Multi-Relay Transmission over Asymmetric Fading Channels with Imperfect CSI
Authors: Giang Nguyen Hong , Quoc Bao Vo Nguyen , Nguyen-Le Hung
Published: April 2018

Outage performance of a cognitive multi-relay system using imperfect channel state information (CSI) of interfering links is formulated in this paper. In the considered cognitive system, it is assumed that wireless channels in the secondary network (source-to-relay and relay-to-destination links) experience Rician fading whereas interfering channels between primary and secondary networks undergo Rayleigh fading. Under the assumption of asymmetric fading, an outage probability (OP) expression of the secondary network is approximately formulated. Analytical OP values are in good agreement with related empirical ones in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regimes. As a result, the approximate OP expression can be used to quantify the effect of asymmetric fading channels and CSI imperfection on the performance of cognitive multi-relay systems in practical SNR ranges.
Effects of Fe-doping on structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the intermetallic compound Gd7Pd3-

x
Fe
x
Authors: Huo Jianjun , Du Yusong , Cheng Gang , Wu Xiaofei , Ma Lei , Wang Jiang , Xia Zhengcai , Rao Guanghui
Published: April 2018

The structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Gd7Pd3-

x
Fe
x
compounds with x = 0, 0.2 and 0.4 were investigated. Rietveld refinement of X-ray powder diffraction shows that all the investigated samples are single phase and crystallize in a hexagonal structure with the space group P63mc. The lattice parameters (a, b and c), and the cell volume (v) decrease with the increase of Fe content in Gd7Pd3-

x
Fe
x
, mainly because of the difference in atomic radius between Fe and Pd. Magnetization versus temperature in a magnetic applied field of 0.05 T shows that Gd7Pd3-

x
Fe
x
displays a paramagnetic (PM) – ferromagnetic (FM) transition with the Curie temperature T
C decreasing from 336 K for x = 0.0 to 319 K for x = 0.4. Under a field change of 0 to 5 T, the maximum values of the magnetic entropy change

(

|

Δ

S

M

m
a
x

|

)

$\left( {|{\rm{\Delta }}S_M^{max}|} \right)$

are 5.09 J kg−1 K−1, 4.89 J kg−1 K−1, and 4.46 J kg−1 for x = 0, 0.2, and 0.4, and the corresponding relative cooling powers (RCP) amount to 387.6 J Kg−1, 357.2 J · Kg−1, and 385.5 J Kg−1, respectively. The stable magnetocaloric effect and refrigeration capacity near room temperature reveal that the Gd7Pd3-

x
Fe
x
compounds may be considered as refrigerants for magnetic refrigeration.
TRPC1 Null Exacerbates Memory Deficit and Apoptosis Induced by Amyloid-β
Authors: Li Mengzhu , Liu Enjie , Zhou Qiuzhi , Li Shihong , Wang Xin , Liu Yanchao , Wang Lin , Sun Dongsheng , Ye Jinwang , Gao Yuan , Yang Xifei , Liu Jianjun , Yang Ying , Wang Jian-Zhi
Published: April 2018

The transient receptor potential cation (TRPC) channels are widely expressed in nervous system but their functions remain largely unclear. Here, we found that TRPC1 deletion did not affect learning and memory in physiological conditions, while it aggravated learning and memory deficits induced by amyloid-β (Aβ), the major component of the senile plaques observed in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Further studies demonstrated that TRPC1 deletion did not affect cell apoptosis in physiological condition, but it exacerbated the Aβ-induced cell death in mouse hippocampus. Moreover, the level of TRPC1 was decreased in AD cell and mouse models, and upregulation of TRPC1 decreased Aβ levels with attenuation of apoptosis in the cells stably overexpressing amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP). Finally, the transmembrane domain of TRPC1 could bind to AβPP and thus decreased Aβ production. These findings indicate that loss of TRPC1 exacerbates Aβ-induced memory deficit and cell apoptosis, though it does not impair cognitive function or induce cell death in physiological conditions.
Effect of Saline Sonosalpingography in Unexplained Infertility
Authors: Ferdows Jannat Ara , Jahan Israt , Susan Zobaida Sultana
Published: April 2018

Background: Saline sonosalpingography is a simple technique that has previously proved to be one way of increasing the chance of achieving pregnancy for couples with unexplained infertility.Objective: The purpose of the present was to evaluate the pregnancy rate following saline sonohysterography in stimulated cycles for couples   with unexplained infertility.Methodology: This study was designed as prospective randomized controlled trial which was carried out for a period of two years from January 2015 to December 2016. Women with unexplained infertility were selected randomly for saline sonosalpingography and the procedure was carried out three to four days before ovulation in stimulated cycle. Outcomes measure were rate of pregnancy, first trimester abortion, multiple pregnancy, ectopic etc.Result: In this study total number of 55 patients were recruited for this study and saline sonosalpingography was performed over 2(two) years. Age range was from 23 to 42 years. Maximum patients are within the age range of 23 to 27 years. Among 55 patients, 23 were pregnant. Pregnancy rate was 41.81% cases. Singleton pregnancy without any complication was 52.17% cases. Twin pregnancy rate was 13.01% cases. Among them twin with single fetus demise was 4.3% cases, missed abortion 21.7% cases and ectopic was 8.7% cases.Conclusion: With good case selection, therapeutic hydrotubation may be beneficial in resource poor countries, especially in patients with incomplete tubal occlusion bilateral perifimbrial adhesions and as part of treatment for unexplained infertility. This demonstrates increased chance of pregnancy in this group. So further evaluation is needed to upgrade the result of the study.Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2017;4(2):48-52
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease: Three Distinct Clinical Entities
Authors: Twisk Frank
Published: April 2018

Many researchers consider chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) to be a synonym of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). However, the case criteria of ME and CFS define two distinct clinical entities. Although some patients will meet both case criteria, other patients can meet the diagnosis of ME and not fulfil the case criteria for CFS, while the diagnosis of CFS is largely insufficient to be qualified as a ME patient. ME is a neuromuscular disease with distinctive muscular symptoms, including prolonged muscle weakness after exertion, and neurological signs implicating cerebral dysfunction, including cognitive impairment and sensory symptoms. The only mandatory symptom of CFS is chronic fatigue. Chronic fatigue must be accompanied by at least four out of eight nonspecific symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration, a sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle pain, multijoint pain, a new type of headaches, unrefreshing sleep, and postexertional “malaise” lasting more than 24 h. So, regardless whether the name ME is appropriate or not, ME is not synonymous to CFS. That is not a matter of opinion, but a matter of definition. Due to the definitions of ME and CFS, “ME/CFS” does not exist and cannot be replaced by a new clinical entity (SEID: Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease), as recently suggested.
Energy Storage Characteristic Analysis of Voltage Sags Compensation for UPQC Based on MMC for Medium Voltage Distribution System
Authors: Yang Yongchun , Xiao Xiangning , Guo Shixiao , Gao Yajing , Yuan Chang , Yang Wenhai
Published: April 2018

The modular multilevel converter (MMC), as a new type of voltage source converter, is increasingly used because it is a distributed storage system. There are many advantages of using the topological structure of the MMC on a unified power quality controller (UPQC), and voltage sag mitigation is an important use of the MMC energy storage system for the power quality compensation process. In this paper, based on the analysis of the topology of the MMC, the essence of energy conversion in a UPQC of voltage sag compensation is analyzed; then, the energy storage characteristics are calculated and analyzed to determine the performance index of voltage sag compensation; in addition, the simulation method is used to verify the voltage sag compensation characteristics of the UPQC; finally, an industrial prototype of the UPQC based on an MMC for 10 kV of medium voltage distribution network has been developed, and the basic functions of UPQC have been tested.
Phytophthora cinnamomi Colonized Reclaimed Surface Mined Sites in Eastern Kentucky: Implications for the Restoration of Susceptible Species
Authors: Sena Kenton L. , Yeager Kevin M. , Dreaden Tyler J. , Barton Christopher D.
Published: April 2018

Appalachian forests are threatened by a number of factors, especially introduced pests and pathogens. Among these is Phytophthora cinnamomi, a soil-borne oomycete pathogen known to cause root rot in American chestnut, shortleaf pine, and other native tree species. This study was initiated to characterize the incidence of P. cinnamomi on surface mined lands in eastern Kentucky, USA, representing a range of time since reclamation (10, 12, 15, and 20 years since reclamation). Incidence of P. cinnamomi was correlated to soil properties including overall soil development, as indicated by a variety of measured soil physical and chemical parameters, especially the accumulation of soil organic carbon. P. cinnamomi was detected in only two of the four sites studied, aged 15 and 20 years since reclamation. These sites were generally characterized by higher organic matter accumulation than the younger sites in which P. cinnamomi was not detected. These results demonstrate that P. cinnamomi is capable of colonizing reclaimed mine sites in Appalachia; additional research is necessary to determine the impact of P. cinnamomi on susceptible tree species at these sites.
Drought Decreases Growth and Increases Mortality of Coexisting Native and Introduced Tree Species in a Temperate Floodplain Forest
Authors: Colangelo Michele , Camarero Jesús , Ripullone Francesco , Gazol Antonio , Sánchez-Salguero Raúl , Oliva Jonàs , Redondo Miguel
Published: April 2018

Forest dieback and mortality events induced by drought stress are widely reported. However, few studies have jointly examined the role played by drought on growth and mortality in tree species inhabiting floodplain forests. Here, we focused on mortality events occurring since the early 2000s on large areas in a floodplain forest located within the Ticino regional park in Northwest Italy, where affected native (pedunculate oak, Quercus robur L.) and introduced tree species (black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia L.) coexist. We related growth with climate data and drought severity to discern if these species were similarly affected by drought. Then, we: (i) evaluated the presence of pathogens of the genus Phytophthora in recently dead oak trees since this was the most affected species and pathogens are often associated with oak decline cases; and (ii) compared xylem vessel diameter and tree-ring C isotope discrimination (δ13C) to highlight differences in water-use strategies between living and dead trees in both species. The radial growth of living and dead trees started diverging in the 1970s, although only after warm-drought periods occurred during 1990s did this divergence become significant. Growth of trees that died responded more negatively to drought than in the case of living trees. Moreover, trees that died formed smaller xylem vessels in the past than living trees and also showed more negative δ13C values in both tree species, indicating a higher intrinsic water-use efficiency in living than in dead trees. The pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands was only detected in one recently dead tree, suggesting that it is unlikely that dead oaks were predisposed to drought damage by the pathogen. We conclude that a climate shift from wet to warm-dry summer conditions in the early 1990s triggered forest dieback and induced mortality in both tree species. Temperate floodplain forests are susceptible to drought-induced dieback. The drought-sensitivity of both species could lead to successional shifts driven by a reduction of N inputs through N-fixing by black locust and the replacement of oak by drought-tolerant species.
Active (Opt-In) Consent Underestimates Mean BMI-z and the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Compared to Passive (Opt-Out) Consent. Evidence from the Healthy Together Victoria and Childhood Obesity Study
Authors: Strugnell Claudia , Orellana Liliana , Hayward Joshua , Millar Lynne , Swinburn Boyd , Allender Steven
Published: April 2018

Background: Tracking population trends in childhood obesity and identifying target areas for prevention requires accurate prevalence data. This study quantified the magnitude of non-participation bias for mean Body Mass Index-z scores and overweight/obesity prevalence associated with low (opt-in) compared to high (opt-out) participation consent methodologies. Methods: Data arose from all Local Government Areas (LGAs) participating in the Healthy Together Victoria Childhood Obesity Study, Australia. Primary schools were randomly selected in 2013 and 2014 and all Grades 4 and 6 students (aged approx. 9–12 years) were invited to participate via opt-in consent (2013) and opt-out consent (2014). For the opt-in wave N = 38 schools (recruitment rate (RR) 24.3%) and N = 856 students participated (RR 36.3%). For the opt-out wave N = 47 schools (RR 32%) and N = 2557 students participated (RR 86.4%). Outcomes: differences between opt-in and opt-out sample estimates (bias) for mean BMI-z, prevalence of overweight/obesity and obesity (alone). Standardized bias (Std bias) estimates defined as bias/standard error are reported for BMI-z. Results: The results demonstrate strong evidence of non-participation bias for mean BMI-z overall (Std bias = −4.5, p < 0.0001) and for girls (Std bias = −5.4, p < 0.0001), but not for boys (Std bias = −1.1, p = 0.15). The opt-in strategy underestimated the overall population prevalence of overweight/obesity and obesity by −5.4 and −4.5 percentage points respectively (p < 0.001 for both). Significant underestimation was seen in girls, but not for boys. Conclusions: Opt-in consent underestimated prevalence of childhood obesity, particularly in girls. Prevalence, monitoring and community intervention studies on childhood obesity should move to opt-out consent processes for better scientific outcomes.
Indoor Radon Exposure in Italian Schools
Authors: Azara Antonio , Dettori Marco , Castiglia Paolo , Piana Andrea , Durando Paolo , Parodi Valentina , Salis Giovanni , Saderi Laura , Sotgiu Giovanni
Published: April 2018

Background: The aim of the study was to assess radon concentration in schoolrooms in a city located in the midwest of Italy. Methods: A two-phase environmental study was carried out in 19 school buildings of 16 primary, secondary, and tertiary schools. Results: Median (interquartile range—IQR) indoor radon concentration in schoolrooms was 91.6 (45.0–140.3) Bq/m3. The highest (median 952.8 Bq/m3) radon concentration was found in one (3.6%) classroom, located in a building of a primary school whose median concentration was 185 Bq/m3. Radon concentration was significantly correlated with the number of students and teachers, foundation wall construction material, and with the absence of underground floors. A geopedological survey was performed close to the building with highest radon level, showing the presence of granite and tonalithic granodiorite in the soil. Conclusions: Radon levels should be routinely assessed where individuals live or work. Schools are susceptible targets, because of childhood stay and the long daily stay of occupants. Low-cost interventions, such as implementation of natural air ventilation and school maintenance, can reduce radon levels, limiting individual exposure.
Carbon Emission Reduction with Capital Constraint under Greening Financing and Cost Sharing Contract
Authors: Qin Juanjuan , Zhao Yuhui , Xia Liangjie
Published: April 2018

Motivated by the industrial practices, this work explores the carbon emission reductions for the manufacturer, while taking into account the capital constraint and the cap-and-trade regulation. To alleviate the capital constraint, two contracts are analyzed: greening financing and cost sharing. We use the Stackelberg game to model four cases as follows: (1) in Case A1, the manufacturer has no greening financing and no cost sharing; (2) in Case A2, the manufacturer has greening financing, but no cost sharing; (3) in Case B1, the manufacturer has no greening financing but has cost sharing; and, (4) in Case B2, the manufacturer has greening financing and cost sharing. Then, using the backward induction method, we derive and compare the equilibrium decisions and profits of the participants in the four cases. We find that the interest rate of green finance does not always negatively affect the carbon emission reduction of the manufacturer. Meanwhile, the cost sharing from the retailer does not always positively affect the carbon emission reduction of the manufacturer. When the cost sharing is low, both of the participants’ profits in Case B1 (under no greening finance) are not less than that in Case B2 (under greening finance). When the cost sharing is high, both of the participants’ profits in Case B1 (under no greening finance) are less than that in Case B2 (under greening finance).
Excessive Extracellular ATP Desensitizes P2Y2 and P2X4 ATP Receptors Provoking Surfactant Impairment Ending in Ventilation-Induced Lung Injury
Authors: Hasan Djo , Satalin Joshua , Van der Zee Philip , Kollisch-Singule Michaela , Blankman Paul , Shono Atsuko , Somhorst Peter , Den Uil Corstiaan , Meeder Han , Kotani Toru , Nieman Gary F.
Published: April 2018

Stretching the alveolar epithelial type I (AT I) cells controls the intercellular signaling for the exocytosis of surfactant by the AT II cells through the extracellular release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (purinergic signaling). Extracellular ATP is cleared by extracellular ATPases, maintaining its homeostasis and enabling the lung to adapt the exocytosis of surfactant to the demand. Vigorous deformation of the AT I cells by high mechanical power ventilation causes a massive release of extracellular ATP beyond the clearance capacity of the extracellular ATPases. When extracellular ATP reaches levels >100 μM, the ATP receptors of the AT II cells become desensitized and surfactant impairment is initiated. The resulting alteration in viscoelastic properties and in alveolar opening and collapse time-constants leads to alveolar collapse and the redistribution of inspired air from the alveoli to the alveolar ducts, which become pathologically dilated. The collapsed alveoli connected to these dilated alveolar ducts are subject to a massive strain, exacerbating the ATP release. After reaching concentrations >300 μM extracellular ATP acts as a danger-associated molecular pattern, causing capillary leakage, alveolar space edema, and further deactivation of surfactant by serum proteins. Decreasing the tidal volume to 6 mL/kg or less at this stage cannot prevent further lung injury.
iAPSL-IF: Identification of Apoptosis Protein Subcellular Location Using Integrative Features Captured from Amino Acid Sequences
Authors: Tang Yadong , Xie Lu , Chen Lanming
Published: April 2018

Apoptosis proteins (APs) control normal tissue homeostasis by regulating the balance between cell proliferation and death. The function of APs is strongly related to their subcellular location. To date, computational methods have been reported that reliably identify the subcellular location of APs, however, there is still room for improvement of the prediction accuracy. In this study, we developed a novel method named iAPSL-IF (identification of apoptosis protein subcellular location—integrative features), which is based on integrative features captured from Markov chains, physicochemical property matrices, and position-specific score matrices (PSSMs) of amino acid sequences. The matrices with different lengths were transformed into fixed-length feature vectors using an auto cross-covariance (ACC) method. An optimal subset of the features was chosen using a recursive feature elimination (RFE) algorithm method, and the sequences with these features were trained by a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Based on three datasets ZD98, CL317, and ZW225, the iAPSL-IF was examined using a jackknife cross-validation test. The resulting data showed that the iAPSL-IF outperformed the known predictors reported in the literature: its overall accuracy on the three datasets was 98.98% (ZD98), 94.95% (CL317), and 97.33% (ZW225), respectively; the Matthews correlation coefficient, sensitivity, and specificity for several classes of subcellular location proteins (e.g., membrane proteins, cytoplasmic proteins, endoplasmic reticulum proteins, nuclear proteins, and secreted proteins) in the datasets were 0.92–1.0, 94.23–100%, and 97.07–100%, respectively. Overall, the results of this study provide a high throughput and sequence-based method for better identification of the subcellular location of APs, and facilitates further understanding of programmed cell death in organisms.
Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties in Superlight Mg-Li Alloy Processed by High-Pressure Torsion
Authors: Su Qian , Xu Jie , Li Yuqiao , Yoon Jae Ik , Shan Debin , Guo Bin , Kim Hyoung Seop
Published: April 2018

Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of LZ91 Mg-Li alloy processed by high-pressure torsion (HPT) at an ambient temperature were researched in this paper. The microstructure analysis demonstrated that significant grain refinement was achieved after HPT processing with an average grain size reducing from 30 μm (the as-received condition) to approximately 230 nm through 10 turns. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed LZ91 alloy was consisted of α phase (hexagonal close-packed structure, hcp) and β phase (body-centered cubic structure, bcc) before and after HPT processing. The mean value of microhardness increased with the increasing number of HPT turns. This significantly increased hardness of specimens can be explained by Hall-Petch strengthening. Simultaneously, the distribution of microhardness along the specimens was different from other materials after HPT processing due to the different mechanical properties of two different phases. The mechanical properties of LZ91 alloy processed by HPT were assessed by the micro-tensile testing at 298, 373, 423, and 473 K. The results demonstrate that the ultra-fine grain LZ91 Mg-Li alloy exhibits excellent mechanical properties: tensile elongation is approximately 400% at 473 K with an initial strain rate of 1 × 10−2 s−1.
Electromagnetic Nanoparticles for Sensing and Medical Diagnostic Applications
Authors: La Spada Luigi , Vegni Lucio
Published: April 2018

A modeling and design approach is proposed for nanoparticle-based electromagnetic devices. First, the structure properties were analytically studied using Maxwell’s equations. The method provides us a robust link between nanoparticles electromagnetic response (amplitude and phase) and their geometrical characteristics (shape, geometry, and dimensions). Secondly, new designs based on “metamaterial” concept are proposed, demonstrating great performances in terms of wide-angle range functionality and multi/wide behavior, compared to conventional devices working at the same frequencies. The approach offers potential applications to build-up new advanced platforms for sensing and medical diagnostics. Therefore, in the final part of the article, some practical examples are reported such as cancer detection, water content measurements, chemical analysis, glucose concentration measurements and blood diseases monitoring.
Tracing Mineral Reactions Using Confocal Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: King Helen , Geisler Thorsten
Published: April 2018

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool used to identify mineral phases, study aqueous solutions and gas inclusions as well as providing crystallinity, crystallographic orientation and chemistry of mineral phases. When united with isotopic tracers, the information gained from Raman spectroscopy can be expanded and includes kinetic information on isotope substitution and replacement mechanisms. This review will examine the research to date that utilizes Raman spectroscopy and isotopic tracers. Beginning with the Raman effect and its use in mineralogy, the review will show how the kinetics of isotope exchange between an oxyanion and isotopically enriched water can be determined in situ. Moreover, we show how isotope tracers can help to unravel the mechanisms of mineral replacement that occur at the nanoscale and how they lead to the formation of pseudomorphs. Finally, the use of isotopic tracers as an in situ clock for mineral replacement processes will be discussed as well as where this area of research can potentially be applied in the future.
Fabrication of Sericin/Agrose Gel Loaded Lysozyme and Its Potential in Wound Dressing Application
Authors: Yang Meirong , Wang Yejing , Tao Gang , Cai Rui , Wang Peng , Liu Liying , Ai Lisha , Zuo Hua , Zhao Ping , Umar Ahmad , Mao Chuanbin , He Huawei
Published: April 2018

Sericin is a biomaterial resource for its significant biodegradability, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and reactivity. Designing a material with superabsorbent, antiseptic, and non-cytotoxic wound dressing properties is advantageous to reduce wound infection and promote wound healing. Herein, we propose an environment-friendly strategy to obtain an interpenetrating polymer network gel through blending sericin and agarose and freeze-drying. The physicochemical characterizations of the sericin/agarose gel including morphology, porosity, swelling behavior, crystallinity, secondary structure, and thermal property were well characterized. Subsequently, the lysozyme loaded sericin/agarose composite gel was successfully prepared by the solution impregnation method. To evaluate the potential of the lysozyme loaded sericin/agarose gel in wound dressing application, we analyzed the lysozyme loading and release, antimicrobial activity, and cytocompatibility of the resulting gel. The results showed the lysozyme loaded composite gel had high porosity, excellent water absorption property, and good antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Also, the lysozyme loaded gel showed excellent cytocompatibility on NIH3T3 and HEK293 cells. So, the lysozyme loaded sericin/agarose gel is a potential alternative biomaterial for wound dressing.
A Dual Bioconjugated Virus-Like Nanoparticle as a Drug Delivery System and Comparison with a pH-Responsive Delivery System
Authors: Biabanikhankahdani Roya , Ho Kok , Alitheen Noorjahan , Tan Wen
Published: April 2018

Modifications of virus-like nanoparticles (VLNPs) using chemical conjugation techniques have brought the field of virology closer to nanotechnology. The huge surface area to volume ratio of VLNPs permits multiple copies of a targeting ligand and drugs to be attached per nanoparticle. By exploring the chemistry of truncated hepatitis B core antigen (tHBcAg) VLNPs, doxorubicin (DOX) was coupled covalently to the external surface of these nanoparticles via carboxylate groups. About 1600 DOX molecules were conjugated on each tHBcAg VLNP. Then, folic acid (FA) was conjugated to lysine residues of tHBcAg VLNPs to target the nanoparticles to cancer cells over-expressing folic acid receptor (FR). The result demonstrated that the dual bioconjugated tHBcAg VLNPs increased the accumulation and uptake of DOX in the human cervical and colorectal cancer cell lines compared with free DOX, resulting in enhanced cytotoxicity of DOX towards these cells. The fabrication of these dual bioconjugated nanoparticles is simple, and drugs can be easily conjugated with a high coupling efficacy to the VLNPs without any limitation with respect to the cargo’s size or charge, as compared with the pH-responsive system based on tHBcAg VLNPs. These dual bioconjugated nanoparticles also have the potential to be modified for other combinatorial drug deliveries.
Electrochemically-Driven Insertion of Biological Nanodiscs into Solid State Membrane Pores as a Basis for “Pore-In-Pore” Membranes
Authors: Farajollahi Farid , Seidenstücker Axel , Altintoprak Klara , Walther Paul , Ziemann Paul , Plettl Alfred , Marti Othmar , Wege Christina , Gliemann Hartmut
Published: April 2018

Nanoporous membranes are of increasing interest for many applications, such as molecular filters, biosensors, nanofluidic logic and energy conversion devices. To meet high-quality standards, e.g., in molecular separation processes, membranes with well-defined pores in terms of pore diameter and chemical properties are required. However, the preparation of membranes with narrow pore diameter distributions is still challenging. In the work presented here, we demonstrate a strategy, a “pore-in-pore” approach, where the conical pores of a solid state membrane produced by a multi-step top-down lithography procedure are used as a template to insert precisely-formed biomolecular nanodiscs with exactly defined inner and outer diameters. These nanodiscs, which are the building blocks of tobacco mosaic virus-deduced particles, consist of coat proteins, which self-assemble under defined experimental conditions with a stabilizing short RNA. We demonstrate that the insertion of the nanodiscs can be driven either by diffusion due to a concentration gradient or by applying an electric field along the cross-section of the solid state membrane. It is found that the electrophoresis-driven insertion is significantly more effective than the insertion via the concentration gradient.
Diet Quality and Nutrient Intake of Urban Overweight and Obese Primarily African American Older Adults with Osteoarthritis
Authors: Vergis Sevasti , Schiffer Linda , White Tiffany , McLeod Andrew , Khudeira Neda , Demott Andrew , Fitzgibbon Marian , Hughes Susan , Tussing-Humphreys Lisa
Published: April 2018

Diet quality may be a unique target for preventing and managing obesity-related osteoarthritis (OA). Using the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010), this study examined the nutrient intake and diet quality of 400 urban overweight and obese primarily African American older adults with self-reported lower extremity OA. Associations between sociodemographic and health-related factors and diet quality were explored. Participants (mean age 67.8 years, SD 5.9) were included. Habitual dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Nutrient intake and diet quality were calculated from the FFQ. Results indicated that diet quality needs improvement (HEI-2010: 66.3 (SD 10.5)). Age, body mass index, employment (multivariable model only), and OA severity (bivariate model only) were significant predictors of HEI-2010 total score in linear models. Mean intakes for fiber, calcium, and vitamin D were below recommendations, while percentage of calories as total fat exceeded recommendations. These findings can inform future dietary intervention trials and public health messaging for a sub-population at a high risk for obesity-related OA.
Condensation of Counterions Gives Rise to Contraction Transitions in a One-Dimensional Polyelectrolyte Gel
Authors: Manning Gerald S.
Published: April 2018

The equilibrium volume of a polyelectrolyte gel results from a balance between the tendency to swell caused by outbound polymer/counterion diffusion along with Coulomb interactions on the one hand; and, on the other, the elastic resilience of the cross-linked polymer network. Direct Coulomb forces contribute both to non-ideality of the equilibrated Donnan osmotic pressure, but also to stretching of the network. To isolate the effect of polyelectrolyte expansion, we have analyzed a “one-dimensional” version of a gel, a linear chain of charged beads connected by Hooke’s law springs. As in the range of weak Coulomb strengths previously studied, the springs are significantly stretched by the repulsive interactions among the beads even when the Coulomb strength is strong enough to cause condensation of counterions. There is a quasi-abrupt transition from a stretched state to a partially collapsed state in a transition range between weak and strong Coulomb strengths. Fluctuations between stretched and contracted conformations occur within the transition range. As the solvent quality decreases past the transition range, a progressive collapse can result if the condensed counterions strengthen the spring constant.
Structural Changes of Bagasse dusring the Homogeneous Esterification with Maleic Anhydride in Ionic Liquid 1-Allyl-3-methylimidazolium Chloride
Authors: Wang Huihui , Chen Wei , Zhang Xueqin , Wei Yi , Zhang Aiping , Liu Shijie , Wang Xiaoying , Liu Chuanfu
Published: April 2018

The maleation of bagasse could greatly increase the compatibility between bagasse and composite matrixes, and the percentage of substitution (PS) of bagasse maleates could be regulated in the homogeneous system. However, due to the complicated components and the linkages of bagasse, it was difficult to control the reaction behaviors of each component. In this paper, the detailed structural changes of bagasse during the homogeneous maleation in ionic liquid 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AmimCl) were comparatively investigated with the three main components (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin) from bagasse. The PS of the maleated bagasse was 12.52%, and the PS of the maleated cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin were 13.50%, 10.89%, and 14.03%, respectively. Fourier translation infrared (FT-IR) and NMR analyses confirmed that the three main components were all involved in the homogeneous maleation. 1H-13C HSQC analysis indicated that the predominant monoesterification of cellulose, diesterification of hemicelluloses and lignin, and the degradation of the three main components simultaneously occurred. Besides, the quantitative analysis from 1H-13C HSQC revealed the relative PS of reactive sites in each component. 31P NMR results showed that the reactivity of lignin aliphatic hydroxyls was higher than that of phenolic ones, and the reactivity of phenolic hydroxyls followed the order of p-hydroxyphenyl hydroxyls > guaiacyl hydroxyls > syringyl hydroxyls.
From Dis-Enclosure to Decolonisation: In Dialogue with Nancy and Mbembe on Self-Determination and the Other
Authors: Gerber Schalk Hendrik
Published: April 2018

What might a sense of decolonisation (not)/be? Or, what comes after the logic of the coloniser? This question is at the centre of many debates in South Africa and extends to all countries worldwide who are faced with the challenge of self-determination by rethinking the world we live in after the domination of the world by the so-called “all enclosing Western world-view” incarnated in various oppressive political, economic, social and intellectual practices. The challenge of rethinking the world following the demotion of the West from its centre, as will be argued, is not only for those who are particularly living in a previously colonised world, but also for those who were/ still are in the position of dominance, which is a universal task. It is at this point where the various philosophical traditions meet, more precisely that of continental philosophy of religion and African philosophy. Accordingly, this article seeks to explore the question in two parts by way of an inter-cultural approach. Part one retraces the critique of (a certain) Western metaphysics in terms of its onto-theological constitution. Subsequently, this onto-theological constitution is discussed in relation to the notions of identity and political to outline what a sense of decolonisation might not be, that is a re-enforcement of the logic of the coloniser, which denies the full existence of an-other. In part two, four suggestions are made on what a sense of decolonisation might be in dialogue with Jean-Luc Nancy and Achille Mbembe. The suggestions include a two-sided attitude of reticence/dissidence against falling back into the problematic logic. A move to consider decolonisation as the dis-enclosure of the world, which in turn, opens up a space for an alternative ontology that acknowledges our existence as always being-in-the-word with others. The fourth suggestion concerns the implications of this alternative ontology regarding a non-substantialist notion of identity as mêlée, which is the action of constant struggle within the re-opened space for what it means to live in the world. Finally, it is concluded that the alternative ontology of decolonisation as dis-enclosure implies a universal task of taking responsibility for the reparation of the dignity of the whole of humanity within our shared world.
Effects of Heterogeneity within Tree Crowns on Airborne-Quantified SIF and the CWSI as Indicators of Water Stress in the Context of Precision Agriculture
Authors: Camino Carlos , Zarco-Tejada Pablo , Gonzalez-Dugo Victoria
Published: April 2018

This research focused on understanding the effects of structural heterogeneity within tree crowns on the airborne retrieval of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) and the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI). We explored the SIF and CWSI variability observed within crowns of trees subjected to different water stress regimes and its effect on the relationships with leaf physiological measurements. High-resolution (20 cm) hyperspectral imagery was acquired to assess fluorescence retrieval from sunlit portions of the tree crowns using the Fraunhofer line depth method, and from entire crowns using automatic object-based tree crown detection methods. We also measured the canopy temperature distribution within tree crowns using segmentation algorithms based on temperature percentiles applied to high-resolution (25 cm) thermal imagery. The study was conducted in an almond orchard cultivated under three watering regimes in Cordoba, in southern Spain. Three airborne campaigns took place during the summer of 2015 using high-resolution hyperspectral and thermal cameras on board a manned aircraft. Relationships between SIF and the assimilation rate improved significantly when the sunlit tree crown pixels extracted through segmentation were used for all flight dates. By contrast, the SIF signal extracted from the entire tree crowns was highly degraded due to the canopy heterogeneity observed within tree crowns. The quartile crown segmentations applied to the thermal images showed that the CWSI values obtained were within the theoretically expected CWSI range only when the pixels were extracted from the 50th percentile class. However, the CWSI values were biased in the upper quartile (Q75) for all watering regimes due to the soil background effects on the calculated mean crown temperature. The relationship between the CWSI and Gs was heavily affected by the crown segmentation levels applied and improved remarkably when the CWSI values were calculated from the middle quartile crown segmentation (Q50), corresponding to the coldest and purest vegetation pixels (r2 = 0.78 in pure vegetation pixels vs. r2 = 0.52 with the warmer pixels included in the upper quartile). This study highlights the importance of using high-resolution hyperspectral and thermal imagery for pure-object segmentation extractions from tree crowns in the context of precision agriculture and water stress detection.
Fabrication of Flexible Microneedle Array Electrodes for Wearable Bio-Signal Recording
Authors: Ren Lei , Xu Shujia , Gao Jie , Lin Zi , Chen Zhipeng , Liu Bin , Liang Liang , Jiang Lelun
Published: April 2018

Laser-direct writing (LDW) and magneto-rheological drawing lithography (MRDL) have been proposed for the fabrication of a flexible microneedle array electrode (MAE) for wearable bio-signal monitoring. Conductive patterns were directly written onto the flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate by LDW. The microneedle array was rapidly drawn and formed from the droplets of curable magnetorheological fluid with the assistance of an external magnetic field by MRDL. A flexible MAE can maintain a stable contact interface with curved human skin due to the flexibility of the PET substrate. Compared with Ag/AgCl electrodes and flexible dry electrodes (FDE), the electrode–skin interface impedance of flexible MAE was the minimum even after a 50-cycle bending test. Flexible MAE can record electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG) and static electrocardiography (ECG) signals with good fidelity. The main features of the dynamic ECG signal recorded by flexible MAE are the most distinguishable with the least moving artifacts. Flexible MAE is an attractive candidate electrode for wearable bio-signal monitoring.
Social Exclusion of Multicultural Families in Korea
Authors: Kim Anna
Published: April 2018

In recent years, Korea has experienced an increase in the number of international marriages and multicultural families, and the treatment of these families has become an important social policy issue for the Korean government. Adopting a social exclusion perspective and employing comprehensive micro-level datasets, this study examined the exclusion of multicultural families in Korea and compared them with ethnic Korean families. Largely based on indicators developed in the EU, this paper examined the extent of social exclusion across six dimensions: income, employment, housing, education, health and social networks. Comparison of social exclusion showed that multicultural families tend to experience a higher level of social exclusion in general than Korean families do. A multivariate analysis using a zero-inflated Poisson regression model revealed that females, elderly marriage migrants and those with lower social status were exposed to particularly higher risks of exclusion, whereas those who spoke fluent Korean or possessed fertile social networks were less likely to face social exclusion. This paper’s findings underscore the need to provide a wider and more demand-oriented social policy to support immigrants and also emphasises the role of Korean language proficiency and social networks in integrating multicultural families.