bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IDENTIFYING EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS OF 5 STAR LOCAL HOTELS IN JAKARTA IN FACING ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
Authors: Abadi Fiter , Soeprapto Vishnuvardhana , Adam Mochammad Riyadh
Published: February 2019

This study is significant for the local five star hotels in Indonesia to identify the needs of human resource improvements especially to face the ASEAN Economic Community. In tourism industry, especially in Hotel Industry, the quality of HR is very crucial since employees face customers in daily life. This research is focused on five star local hotel and the samples are taken from five star local hotels in Jakarta with comparison of international five star hotel. To be more comprehensive, this research as well takes on tourism high school in Jakarta. As five stars hotels, customers are varying from their intention to stay and their nationalities. Therefore, employees are strongly needed to speak fluent English so that they can serve the customers well. However, based on the interview with local five star hotel, only limited employee can speak English and therefore it is needed to have English training as one of the priorities in every hotel. Secondly in it founded that tourism high school as the source of potential employee have done many training and focus on skills for its students and the allocation of time for English skill cannot be maximize since the curriculum of the school on government regulation.
CAPITAL STRUCTURE, PROFITABILITY AND FIRM VALUE: EVIDENCE FROM MINING COMPANIES
Authors: Budianto Diga Cendekia , Bustaman Yosman
Published: February 2019

This research investigates the impact of firm capital structure on profitability and firm value of the twenty eight mining companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange from the year 2009 to 2013. The capital structure is measured by the proportion of debt over total asset, ROA and ROE are used to measure the firm profitability, meanwhile stock price is applied to measure firm value. This study uses panel data regression analysis. After controlling with external factor such as GDP rate and inflation rate, and internal factor such as revenue growth and firm size (total asset), we find leverage has negative impact on ROA however they are not significant, thus it could be said capital structure has no effect on financial performance. The indicators that significantly affect financial performance come from the control variable, which is revenue growth. Our research also finds that the capital structure has a significant effect towards firm value. The firm size and GDP rate is more impactful towards firm value. This contradicts with the MM’s capital structure irrelevance proposition, but supports other theories such as pecking order theory and Trade-off theory
THE IMPACT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT TOWARDS EMPLOYEE JOB PERFORMANCE IN HOTEL MANAGEMENT
Authors: Putri Ristia Kencana , Garibaldi Gemala
Published: February 2019

It is important to take psychological work environment into a study, due to the fact that hotels sometimes do not aware how important is the role of psychological work environment in affecting employee job performance because it is intangible. However, various researches have confirmed that psychological work environment is able to affect positively to employee job performance. Due to this fact, this research aims to study whether the psychological work environment affects employee job performance and to analyze which psychological work environment gives the biggest impact on employee job performance. Simple/linear regression is used to analyze the relationship between psychological work environment and employee job performance. The data used for this quantitative research is collected by questionnaire distributed to a total of 67 staff level employees in a five-star hotel located in Lippo Village. In conclusion, it is confirmed that psychological work environment affects positively to employee job performance, and job attitude gives the biggest impact on employee job performance. The studied company is suggested to improve psychological work environment, particularly job attitude gives the biggest impact.
CORPORATE INCOME TAX OF SMALL MEDIUM ENTERPRISE (SME)
Authors: Nurdayadi Nurdayadi
Published: February 2019

Tax is recently getting the most important income source for the country. In the case of Indonesia, every year the government has increased the annual target of tax income, but it has not been easily and successfully to achieve. In 2013 the government wishes to target the sources of income tax deriving from that small and medium business scale. The research which focuses on the medium scale of corporate tax payer business, would like to see and evaluate implementation of Government Regulation number 46, year 2013 (PP 46/2013), by doing simulation and regression analysis. Those corporate tax payers with the annual sales of around Rp. 7,000,000,000,- seems to be facing a dilemma situation to whether or not to comply with. Particularly since this government regulation does not take into consideration the impact to the tax payers cash flow when financial trouble is being faced and even at the time the companies run in loss situation. It seems it has been the time for the government to review the effectiveness of this regulation, how is being implemented across the country, especially by those corporate tax payers who are preparing book keeping and submitting tax report. The issue of accuracy, accountability and financial engineering follows the implementation of creativity accounting and tax accounting treatment, should have been the concern of the tax office. The idea and advices of mandatory audited financial report is prominent in this research, in order to reach the more targeted collecting tax fund from this class of enterprises in Indonesia.
ANALISA RATIO KEUANGAN DAN PERATAAN LABA TERHADAP RETURN SAHAM PADA INDUSTRI MANUFAKTUR TAHUN 2012-2016
Authors: Dewi Kartika
Published: February 2019

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menguji pengaruh ratio keuangan profitabilitas, solvabilitas dan perataan laba terhadap return saham pada perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia periode 2012-2016. Profitabilitas di uji dengan menggunakan proxy Return On Asset dan Net Profit Margin. Solvabilitas di uji dengan menggunakan proxy Debt to Equity Ratio. Perataan Laba diuji menggunakan Index Eckel. Data sample diambil sebanyak 205 di uji dengan menggunakan regresi berganda dengan bantuan SPSS versi 20. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan Return On Asset dan Debt to Equity Ratio berpengaruh terhadap Return Saham. Net Profit Margin dan Perataan Laba tidak berpengaruh terhadap Return Saham.
THE ROLE OF VERTICAL INTEGRATION IN INPUT PROCUREMENT
Authors: Nadia Ratu Farah , Cerquera Daniel
Published: February 2019

In the introduction part this paper review of three methods in input procurement that could be chosen by the firm. As well as in the same chapter elaborate the difficulties that could emerge in implementing of these methods. The aim of this paper is to focused on one of method in input procurement that is vertical integration. The role of vertical integration is implemented by the firm can be addressed to neoclassical theories and organizational theories. Both of these theories are constructed in theoretical framework. In chapter three, this paper elaborate Apple and Samsung which have been successfully in doing vertically integrated. The conclusion is concluded from gathering the related theories and summarizing the application of both successfull companies in achieving their profitability with implemented vertical integration.
PENGARUH TOTAL AKTIVA, DEBT EQUITY RATIO DAN EARNING PER SHARE TERHADAP MANAJEMEN LABA PADA PT. ADHI KARYA (PERSERO) TBK
Authors: Novita Wellia
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of total asset, Debt to Equity Ratio (DER)and Earning Per Share (EPS) to earning management using PT Adhi Karya (Persero) Tbkfinancial statement (audited) for the year 2007 to 2011. Based on facts, most of financialstatement’s user only concern to earning not to how company generated the earning. Thisstudy use linear regression as data analysis technic. The results show that total asset, Debt toEquity Ratio and earning per share are significantly and positively influence the earningmanagement at PT Adhi Karya (Persero) Tbk.
A statistical approach to rivalry in lexeme formation: French -iser and -ifier
Authors: Bonami Olivier , Thuilier Juliette
Published: February 2019

Rivalry in lexeme formation refers to a situation where multiple, rival lexeme formation processes may be used to fill a gap in a morphological family. In this paper we study one such situation, the rivalry between the suffixes -iser and -ifier in French to derive verbs from nouns and/or adjectives. We propose a statistical approach to the problem, and use multivariate logistic regression applied to a large dataset derived from existing ressources to establish that phonological, morphological, and semantic properties of the morphological family all contribute independently to predicting preference for one or the other suffix. One main result of this study is that rivalry can not be studied in terms of the relationship of a single base and a derived lexeme, as multiple members of the morphological family play a role in jointly predicting the choice of a suffix.
An instance of productive overabundance: The plural of some Italian VN compounds
Authors: Pellegrini Matteo , Ricca Davide
Published: February 2019

This paper investigates a case of overabundance in the plural cell of an open subclass of Italian VN compounds. The empirical basis includes: (i) a 163-item list of relevant compounds, for which the relative frequency of cell mates has been estimated by means of Web data; (ii) a naming questionnaire based on visual input, with 30 images submitted to about 200 informants, including those of several objects whose names are scarcely established in the lexicon; (iii) a further questionnaire, adapted to each informant, asking for acceptability judgements to detect overabundance at the single speaker's level. Results show that the given subclass of VN compounds provides an instance of systematic and productive overabundance in the Italian morphological system, differently from the examples usually discussed for this language.
Risk Management as a Success Factor in the International Activity of Spanish Engineering
Authors: Lozano-Torró Alicia , García-Segura Tatiana , Montalbán-Domingo Laura , Pellicer Eugenio
Published: February 2019

During the period between 2008–2013, the internal market in Spain was characterized by economic crisis, the contraction of the demand experienced in a turbulent business environment, and strong competition among companies. This situation forced many of these companies to work abroad. One of the success factors for Spanish engineering companies abroad has been effective risk management, which avoids compromising the company’s objectives, market share, or survival. This article examines the importance of risk management in the success of Spanish engineering consulting firms in the international construction market. Ten executives of Spanish engineering companies with international experience were interviewed, analyzing the importance of risk management for them in the success of internationalization compared with other success factors. The results show that the size of the companies interviewed has no influence on the importance that they gave to risk management, but international experience does relate to the assessment of risk identification and management as a success factor. In addition, companies considered risk management a key factor for optimizing their performance in foreign markets.
Experimental Studies of Ethyl Acetate Saponification Using Different Reactor Systems: The Effect of Volume Flow Rate on Reactor Performance and Pressure Drop
Authors: Borovinskaya Ekaterina , Khaydarov Valentin , Strehle Nicole , Musaev Alexander , Reschetilowski Wladimir
Published: February 2019

Microreactors intensify chemical processes due to improved flow regimes, mass and heat transfer. In the present study, the effect of the volume flow rate on reactor performance in different reactors (the T-shaped reactor, the interdigital microreactor and the chicane microreactor) was investigated. For this purpose, the saponification reaction in these reactor systems was considered. Experimental results were verified using the obtained kinetic model. The reactor system with a T-shaped reactor shows good performance only at high flow rates, while the experimental setups with the interdigital and the chicane microreactors yield good performance throughout the whole range of volume flow rates. However, microreactors exhibit a higher pressure drop, indicating higher mechanical flow energy consumption than seen using a T-shaped reactor.
Determination of Residual Welding Stresses in a Steel Bridge Component by Finite Element Modeling of the Incremental Hole-Drilling Method
Authors: Van Puymbroeck Evy , Nagy Wim , Schotte Ken , Ul-Abdin Zain , De Backer Hans
Published: February 2019

For welded bridge components, the knowledge of residual stresses induced by welding is essential to determine their effect on the fatigue life behavior resulting in optimal fatigue design and a better knowledge about the fatigue strength of these welded connections. The residual stresses of a welded component in an orthotropic steel bridge deck are determined with the incremental hole-drilling method. This method is specified by the American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM E837-13a and it can be used only when the material behavior is linear-elastic. However in the region of the bored hole, there are relaxed plastic strains present that can lead to significant error of the measured stresses. The hole-drilling procedure is simulated with three-dimensional finite element modeling including a simplistic model of plasticity. The effect of plasticity on uniform in-depth residual stresses is determined and it is concluded that residual stresses obtained under the assumption of linear-elastic material behavior are an overestimation. Including plasticity for non-uniform in-depth residual stress fields results in larger tensile and smaller compressive residual stresses. Larger tensile residual stresses cause premature fatigue failure. Therefore, it is important to take these larger tensile residual stresses into account for the fatigue design of a welded component.
Efficient Removal of Heavy Metal Ions in Wastewater by Using a Novel Alginate-EDTA Hybrid Aerogel
Authors: Wang Min , Wang Zhuqing , Zhou Xiaohong , Li Shikun
Published: February 2019

In this study, we prepared a novel calcium alginate-disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate dihydrate hybrid aerogel (Alg-EDTA) by chemical grafting and vacuum-freeze-drying to remove heavy metal ions from wastewater. Experimental results show that the as-prepared Alg-EDTA adsorbent has a high affinity for heavy metal ions, such as Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Cr3+, and Co2+, and can adsorb >85% of metal ions from the corresponding solution. Alg-EDTA also exhibits high selectivity toward Cd2+, and the maximum adsorption capacity for Cd2+ reached 177.3 mg/g, which exceeds the adsorption capacity of most reported Cd2+-adsorbents. Adsorbent regeneration can be achieved by a simple acid-washing process, and adsorption performance of Alg-EDTA remains stable after repeated use. All these findings indicate that Alg-EDTA has a promising prospect in the treatment of heavy metal ions wastewater.
Solution Estimates for the Discrete Lyapunov Equation in a Hilbert Space and Applications to Difference Equations
Authors: Gil’ Michael
Published: February 2019

The paper is devoted to the discrete Lyapunov equation X − A * X A = C , where A and C are given operators in a Hilbert space H and X should be found. We derive norm estimates for solutions of that equation in the case of unstable operator A, as well as refine the previously-published estimates for the equation with a stable operator. By the point estimates, we establish explicit conditions, under which a linear nonautonomous difference equation in H is dichotomic. In addition, we suggest a stability test for a class of nonlinear nonautonomous difference equations in H . Our results are based on the norm estimates for powers and resolvents of non-self-adjoint operators.
Ultrastructure in Transthyretin Amyloidosis: From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Insights
Authors: Koike Haruki , Katsuno Masahisa
Published: February 2019

Transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis is caused by systemic deposition of wild-type or variant amyloidogenic TTR (ATTRwt and ATTRv, respectively). ATTRwt amyloidosis has traditionally been termed senile systemic amyloidosis, while ATTRv amyloidosis has been called familial amyloid polyneuropathy. Although ATTRwt amyloidosis has classically been regarded as one of the causes of cardiomyopathy occurring in the elderly population, recent developments in diagnostic techniques have significantly expanded the concept of this disease. For example, this disease is now considered an important cause of carpal tunnel syndrome in the elderly population. The phenotypes of ATTRv amyloidosis also vary depending on the mutation and age of onset. Peripheral neuropathy usually predominates in patients from the conventional endemic foci, while cardiomyopathy or oculoleptomeningeal involvement may also become major problems in other patients. Electron microscopic studies indicate that the direct impact of amyloid fibrils on surrounding tissues leads to organ damage, whereas accumulating evidence suggests that nonfibrillar TTR, such as oligomeric TTR, is toxic, inducing neurodegeneration. Microangiopathy has been suggested to act as an initial lesion, increasing the leakage of circulating TTR. Regarding treatments, the efficacy of liver transplantation has been established for ATTRv amyloidosis patients, particularly patients with early-onset amyloidosis. Recent phase III clinical trials have shown the efficacy of TTR stabilizers, such as tafamidis and diflunisal, for both ATTRwt and ATTRv amyloidosis patients. In addition, a short interfering RNA (siRNA), patisiran, and an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), inotersen, have been shown to be effective for ATTRv amyloidosis patients. Given their ability to significantly reduce the production of both wild-type and variant TTR in the liver, these gene-silencing drugs seem to be the optimal therapeutic option for ATTR amyloidosis. Hence, the long-term efficacy and tolerability of novel therapies, particularly siRNA and ASO, must be determined to establish an appropriate treatment program.
Design and Actuation of a Fabric-Based Worm-Like Robot
Authors: Kandhari Akhil , Mehringer Anna , Chiel Hillel J. , Quinn Roger D. , Daltorio Kathryn A.
Published: February 2019

Soft-bodied animals, such as earthworms, are capable of contorting their body to squeeze through narrow spaces, create or enlarge burrows, and move on uneven ground. In many applications such as search and rescue, inspection of pipes and medical procedures, it may be useful to have a hollow-bodied robot with skin separating inside and outside. Textiles can be key to such skins. Inspired by earthworms, we developed two new robots: FabricWorm and MiniFabricWorm. We explored the application of fabric in soft robotics and how textile can be integrated along with other structural elements, such as three-dimensional (3D) printed parts, linear springs, and flexible nylon tubes. The structure of FabricWorm consists of one third the number of rigid pieces as compared to its predecessor Compliant Modular Mesh Worm-Steering (CMMWorm-S), while the structure of MiniFabricWorm consists of no rigid components. This article presents the design of such a mesh and its limitations in terms of structural softness. We experimentally measured the stiffness properties of these robots and compared them directly to its predecessors. FabricWorm and MiniFabricWorm are capable of peristaltic locomotion with a maximum speed of 33 cm/min (0.49 body-lengths/min) and 13.8 cm/min (0.25 body-lengths/min), respectively.
Development of Tin Oxide-Based Nanosensors for Electronic Nose Environmental Applications
Authors: Sayago Isabel , Aleixandre Manuel , Santos José Pedro
Published: February 2019

Tin oxide nanofibres (NFs) are used as nanosensors in electronic noses. Their performance is compared to that of oxide commercial chemical sensors for pollutant detection. NFs were grown by electrospinning and deposited onto silicon substrates with integrated micro-hotplates. NF morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The NFs presented high sensitivity to NO2 at low temperature.
Reprogramming of Energy Metabolism in Response to Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Cruz-Gregorio Alfredo , Martínez-Ramírez Imelda , Pedraza-Chaverri José , Lizano Marcela
Published: February 2019

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Head and neck squamous cells carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most frequent subtype of HNC. The development of HNSCC is associated to alcohol consumption, smoking or infection by high-risk human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV). Although the incidence of cancers associated with alcohol and tobacco has diminished, HNSCC associated with HR-HPV has significantly increased in recent years. However, HPV-positive HNSCC responds well to treatment, which includes surgery followed by radiation or chemoradiation therapy. Radiation therapy (RT) is based on ionizing radiation (IR) changing cell physiology. IR can directly interact with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or produce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), provoking DNA damage. When DNA damage is not repaired, programmed cell death (apoptosis and/or autophagy) is induced. However, cancer cells can acquire resistance to IR avoiding cell death, where reprogramming of energy metabolism has a critical role and is intimately connected with hypoxia, mitochondrial physiology, oxidative stress (OS) and autophagy. This review is focused on the reprogramming of energy metabolism in response to RT in HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC, showing their differences in cellular metabolism management and the probable direction of treatments for each subtype of HNSCC.
In Vivo Cell Fusion between Mesenchymal Stroma/Stem-Like Cells and Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Melzer Catharina , von der Ohe Juliane , Hass Ralf
Published: February 2019

Cellular communication within the tumor microenvironment enables important interactions between cancer cells and recruited adjacent populations including mesenchymal stroma/stem-like cells (MSC). These interactions were monitored in vivo following co-injection of GFP-labeled human MSC together with mcherry-labeled MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in NODscid mice. Within 14 days of tumor development the number of initially co-injected MSC had significantly declined and spontaneous formation of breast cancer/MSC hybrid cells was observed by the appearance of double fluorescing cells. This in vivo fusion displayed a rare event and occurred in less than 0.5% of the tumor cell population. Similar findings were observed in a parallel in vitro co-culture. Characterization of the new cell fusion products obtained after two consecutive flow cytometry cell sorting and single cell cloning revealed two populations, termed MDA-hyb3 and MDA-hyb4. The breast cancer fusion cells expressed both, GFP and mcherry and displayed more characteristics of the MDA-MB-231 cells than of the parental MSC. While little if any differences were determined in the proliferative capacity, a significant delay of MDA-hyb3 cells in tumor formation was observed when compared to the parental MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, MDA-hyb3 cells developed an altered pattern of distant organ metastases. These findings demonstrated dynamic tumor changes by in vivo and in vitro fusion with the development of new breast cancer hybrid cells carrying altered tumorigenic properties. Consequently, cancer cell fusion contributes to progressively increasing tumor heterogeneity which complicates a therapeutic regimen.
Phosphorylation-Dependent Intra-Domain Interaction of the Cx37 Carboxyl-Terminus Controls Cell Survival
Authors: Jacobsen Nicole L. , Pontifex Tasha K. , Langlais Paul R. , Burt Janis M.
Published: February 2019

Differential phosphorylation of the carboxyl-terminus of connexin 37 (Cx37-CT) regulates phenotypic switching between cell growth phenotypes (cell death, cell cycle arrest, proliferation). The specific phosphorylation events in the Cx37-CT that are necessary for these growth regulatory effects are currently unknown. Through the combined use of deletion and site specific (de)phospho-mimetic Cx37-CT mutants, our data suggest a phosphorylation-dependent interaction between the mid-tail (aa 273–317) and end-tail (aa 318–333) portions of the Cx37-CT that regulates cell survival. As detected by mass spectrometry, Cx37 was phosphorylated at serines 275, 321, and 328; phosphomimetic mutations of these sites resulted in cell death when expressed in rat insulinoma cells. Alanine substitution at S328, but not at S275 or S321, also triggered cell death. Cx37-S275D uniquely induced the death of only low density, non-contact forming cells, but neither hemichannel open probability nor channel conductance distinguished death-inducing mutants. As channel function is necessary for cell death, together the data suggest that the phosphorylation state of the Cx37-CT controls an intra-domain interaction within the CT that modifies channel function and induces cell death.
Phase Controlled Synthesis of Pt Doped Co Nanoparticle Composites Using a Metal-Organic Framework for Fischer–Tropsch Catalysis
Authors: Panda Atanu , Kim Euisoo , Choi Yong Nam , Lee Jihyun , Venkateswarlu Sada , Yoon Minyoung
Published: February 2019

Recently, metal nanoparticles embedded in porous carbon composite materials have been playing a significant role in a variety of fields as catalyst supports, sensors, absorbents, and in energy storage. Porous carbon composite materials can be prepared using various synthetic methods; recent efforts provide a facile way to prepare the composites from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) by pyrolysis. However, it is usually difficult to control the phase of metal or metal oxides during the synthetic process. Among many types of MOF, recently, cobalt-based MOFs have attracted attention due to their unique catalytic and magnetic properties. Herein, we report the synthesis of a Pt doped cobalt based MOF, which is subsequently converted into cobalt nanoparticle-embedded porous carbon composites (Pt@Co/C) via pyrolysis. Interestingly, the phase of the cobalt metal nanoparticles (face centered cubic (FCC) or hexagonal closest packing (HCP)) can be controlled by tuning the synthetic conditions, including the temperature, duration time, and dosage of the reducing agent (NaBH4). The Pt doped Co/C was characterized using various techniques including PXRD (powder X-ray diffraction), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), gas sorption analysis, TEM (transmission electron microscopy), and SEM (scanning electron microscopy). The composite was applied as a phase transfer catalyst (PTC). The Fischer-Tropsch catalytic activity of the Pt@Co/C (10:1:2.4) composite shows 35% CO conversion under a very low pressure of syngas (1 MPa). This is one of the best reported conversion rates at low pressure. The 35% CO conversion leads to the generation of various hydrocarbons (C1, C2–C4, C5, and waxes). This catalyst may also prove useful for energy and environmental applications.
Extracellular Matrix and Fibrocyte Accumulation in BALB/c Mouse Lung upon Transient Overexpression of Oncostatin M
Authors: Botelho Fernando M. , Rodrigues Rebecca , Guerette Jessica , Wong Steven , Fritz Dominik K. , Richards Carl D.
Published: February 2019

The accumulation of extracellular matrix in lung diseases involves numerous factors, including cytokines and chemokines that participate in cell activation in lung tissues and the circulation of fibrocytes that contribute to local fibrotic responses. The transient overexpression of the gp130 cytokine Oncostatin M can induce extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation in mouse lungs, and here, we assess a role for IL-13 in this activity using gene deficient mice. The endotracheal administration of an adenovirus vector encoding Oncostatin M (AdOSM) caused increases in parenchymal lung collagen accumulation, neutrophil numbers, and CXCL1/KC chemokine elevation in bronchioalveolar lavage fluids. These effects were similar in IL-13-/- mice at day 7; however, the ECM matrix induced by Oncostatin M (OSM) was reduced at day 14 in the IL-13-/- mice. CD45+col1+ fibrocyte numbers were elevated at day 7 due to AdOSM whereas macrophages were not. Day 14 levels of CD45+col1+ fibrocytes were maintained in the wildtype mice treated with AdOSM but were reduced in IL-13-/- mice. The expression of the fibrocyte chemotactic factor CXCL12/SDF-1 was suppressed marginally by AdOSM in vivo and significantly in vitro in mouse lung fibroblast cell cultures. Thus, Oncostatin M can stimulate inflammation in an IL-13-independent manner in BALB/c lungs; however, the ECM remodeling and fibrocyte accumulation is reduced in IL-13 deficiency.
Impedance Study of Dopamine Effects after Application on 2D and 3D Neuroblastoma Cell Cultures Developed on a 3D-Printed Well
Authors: Paivana Georgia , Apostolou Theofylaktos , Mavrikou Sophie , Barmpakos Dimitris , Kaltsas Grigoris , Kintzios Spyridon
Published: February 2019

In this work, the assessment of the interactions of a bioactive substance applied to immobilized cells in either a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) arrangement mimicking in vivo tissue conditions is presented. In particular, dopamine (DA) was selected as a stimulant for the implementation of an impedance analysis with a specific type of neural cells (murine neuroblastoma). The aim of this study was the extraction of calibration curves at various frequencies with different known dopamine concentrations for the description of the behavior of dopamine applied to 2D and 3D cell cultures. The results present the evaluation of the mean impedance value for each immobilization technique in each frequency. The differential responses showed the importance of the impedance when frequency is applied in both 2D and 3D immobilization cases. More specifically, in 2D immobilization matrix impedance shows higher values in comparison with the 3D cell culture. Additionally, in the 3D case, the impedance decreases with increasing concentration, while in the 2D case, an opposite behavior was observed.
Expanding Plasma Process for Nitriding Mo–Ti Bilayer Thin Films
Authors: Jauberteau Isabelle , Mayet Richard , Cornette Julie , Carles Pierre , Mangin Denis , Bessaudou Annie , Jauberteau Jean Louis , Passelergue Armand
Published: February 2019

Owing to the reducing effect of NHx radicals and H species produced in (Ar-N2-H2) expanding plasma, chemical reactions are promoted in thin metal films in contrast with other plasma treatments where the impinging energetic ions play the main role. Multi layers of Mo, Ti, and their nitrides are used in very recent applications such as supercapacitors or solar cells. They combine the interesting properties of the constituents. This work reports on the formation and the structure of Ti nitrides and Mo silicides in Mo–Ti bilayer films coated on Si wafers exposed to (Ar-N2-H2) plasma for 1 to 3 h. Nitrogen diffuses into the surface layers from 400 °C and TiN starts to crystallize from 600 °C. Interdiffusion of Mo, Ti, and Si through Mo–Ti bilayer films gives rise to the formation of Mo–Ti alloys and MoSi2 of hexagonal structure, which transforms into MoSi2 of tetragonal structure at longer treatment durations. A 1 h 30 min plasma exposure at 800 °C leads to the formation of three layers of nearly equal thickness with clear interfaces, which consist of TiN and MoSi2 of nanometric size in the vicinity of the Mo–Ti bilayer film surface.
Effect of High-Temperature Annealing on Graphene with Nickel Contacts
Authors: Kaplas Tommi , Jakstas Vytautas , Biciunas Andrius , Luksa Algimantas , Setkus Arunas , Niaura Gediminas , Kasalynas Irmantas
Published: February 2019

Graphene has shown great potential for ultra-high frequency electronics. However, using graphene in electronic devices creates a requirement for electrodes with low contact resistance. Thermal annealing is sometimes used to improve the performance of contact electrodes. However, high-temperature annealing may introduce additional doping or defects to graphene. Moreover, an extensive increase in temperature may damage electrodes by destroying the metal–graphene contact. In this work, we studied the effect of high-temperature annealing on graphene and nickel–graphene contacts. Annealing was done in the temperature range of 200–800 °C and the effect of the annealing temperature was observed by two and four-point probe resistance measurements and by Raman spectroscopy. We observed that the annealing of a graphene sample above 300 °C increased the level of doping, but did not always improve electrical contacts. Above 600 °C, the nickel–graphene contact started to degrade, while graphene survived even higher process temperatures.
Computational Study on Homogeneous Melting of Benzene Phase I
Authors: Mochizuki Kenji
Published: February 2019

Molecular-dynamics simulations are used for examining the microscopic details of the homogeneous melting of benzene phase I. The equilibrium melting temperatures of our model were initially determined using the direct-coexistence method. Homogeneous melting at a higher temperature is achieved by heating a defect- and surfacefree crystal. The temperature-dependent potential energy and lattice parameters do not indicate a premelting phase even under superheated conditions. Further, statistical analyses using induction times computed from 200 melting trajectories were conducted, denoting that the homogeneous melting of benzene occurs stochastically, and that there is no intermediate transient state between the crystal and liquid phases. Additionally, the critical nucleus size is estimated using the seeding approach, along with the local bond order parameter. We found that the large diffusive motion arising from defect migration or neighbor-molecule swapping is of little importance during nucleation. Instead, the orientational disorder activated using the flipping motion of the benzene plane results in the melting nucleus.
Critical Evaluation of Organic Thin-Film Transistor Models
Authors: Krammer Markus , Borchert James , Petritz Andreas , Karner-Petritz Esther , Schider Gerburg , Stadlober Barbara , Klauk Hagen , Zojer Karin
Published: February 2019

The thin-film transistor (TFT) is a popular tool for determining the charge-carrier mobility in semiconductors, as the mobility (and other transistor parameters, such as the contact resistances) can be conveniently extracted from its measured current-voltage characteristics. However, the accuracy of the extracted parameters is quite limited, because their values depend on the extraction technique and on the validity of the underlying transistor model. We propose here a new approach for validating to what extent a chosen transistor model is able to predict correctly the transistor operation. In the two-step fitting approach we have developed, we analyze the measured current-voltage characteristics of a series of TFTs with different channel lengths. In the first step, the transistor parameters are extracted from each individual transistor by fitting the output and transfer characteristics to the transistor model. In the second step, we check whether the channel-length dependence of the extracted parameters is consistent with the underlying model. We present results obtained from organic TFTs fabricated in two different laboratories using two different device architectures, three different organic semiconductors and five different materials combinations for the source and drain contacts. For each set of TFTs, our approach reveals that the state-of-the-art transistor models fail to reproduce correctly the channel-length-dependence of the transistor parameters. Our approach suggests that conventional transistor models require improvements in terms of the charge-carrier-density dependence of the mobility and/or in terms of the consideration of uncompensated charges in the carrier-accumulation channel.
Dataset for Scheduling Strategies for Microgrids Coupled with Natural Gas Networks
Authors: Yousif Muhammad , Ai Qian , Gao Yang , Wattoo Waqas Ahmad , Hao Ran , Jiang Ziqing
Published: February 2019

Datasets are significant for researchers to test the functionality of their proposed strategies for the microgrid dispatch. This article presents a dataset to help researchers in testing their algorithms related to the dispatch problem of microgrids coupled with natural gas networks. This preliminary release of a microgrid dispatch dataset contains data related to microgrid components (like solar PV, wind turbine, fuel cell and batteries) and natural gas network elements connected with the microgrid (e.g., micro gas turbine). It also includes the data associated with the authors’ proposed scheduling strategy and its dispatch results. The provided dataset can be used to reproduce the authors’ proposed strategy. The presented dataset further can be used for comparisons of other researchers’ proposed strategies. These comparisons will make a strategy’s features more evident.
Assessing Gait in Parkinson’s Disease Using Wearable Motion Sensors: A Systematic Review
Authors: Brognara Lorenzo , Palumbo Pierpaolo , Grimm Bernd , Palmerini Luca
Published: February 2019

Abstract: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Gait impairments are common among people with PD. Wearable sensor systems can be used for gait analysis by providing spatio-temporal parameters useful to investigate the progression of gait problems in Parkinson disease. However, various methods and tools with very high variability have been developed. The aim of this study is to review published articles of the last 10 years (from 2008 to 2018) concerning the application of wearable sensors to assess spatio-temporal parameters of gait in patients with PD. We focus on inertial sensors used for gait analysis in the clinical environment (i.e., we do not cover the use of inertial sensors to monitor walking or general activities at home, in unsupervised environments). Materials and Methods: Relevant articles were searched in the Medline database using Pubmed. Results and Discussion: Two hundred ninety-four articles were initially identified while searching the scientific literature regarding this topic. Thirty-six articles were selected and included in this review. Conclusion: Wearable motion sensors are useful, non-invasive, low-cost, and objective tools that are being extensively used to perform gait analysis on PD patients. Being able to diagnose and monitor the progression of PD patients makes wearable sensors very useful to evaluate clinical efficacy before and after therapeutic interventions. However, there is no uniformity in the use of wearable sensors in terms of: number of sensors, positioning, chosen parameters, and other characteristics. Future research should focus on standardizing the measurement setup and selecting which spatio-temporal parameters are the most informative to analyze gait in PD. These parameters should be provided as standard assessments in all studies to increase replicability and comparability of results.
Correlations Preceding High-Intensity Events in the Chaotic Dynamics of a Raman Fiber Laser
Authors: Aragoneses Andrés , Ding Yingqi
Published: February 2019

We study the time series of the output intensity of a Raman fiber laser with an ordinal patterns analysis in the laminar-turbulent transition. We look for signatures among consecutive events that indicate when the system changes from triggering low-intensity to high-intensity events. We set two thresholds, a low one and a high one, to distinguish between low intensity versus high-intensity events. We find that when the time series is performing low-intensity events (below the low threshold), it shows some preferred temporal patterns before triggering high-intensity events (above a high threshold). The preferred temporal patterns remain the same all through the pump current range studied, even though two clearly different dynamical regimes are covered (laminar regime for low pump currents and turbulent regime for high pump currents). We also find that the turbulent regime shows clearer signatures of determinism than the laminar regime.
Use of the Complex Zeros of the Partition Function to Investigate the Critical Behavior of the Generalized Interacting Self-Avoiding Trail Model
Authors: Foster Damien , Kenna Ralph , Pinettes Claire
Published: February 2019

The complex zeros of the canonical (fixed walk-length) partition function are calculated for both the self-avoiding trails model and the vertex-interacting self-avoiding walk model, both in bulk and in the presence of an attractive surface. The finite-size behavior of the zeros is used to estimate the location of phase transitions: the collapse transition in the bulk and the adsorption transition in the presence of a surface. The bulk and surface cross-over exponents, ϕ and ϕ S , are estimated from the scaling behavior of the leading partition function zeros.
A Bottom-Up Approach to Lithium-Ion Battery Cost Modeling with a Focus on Cathode Active Materials
Authors: Wentker Marc , Greenwood Matthew , Leker Jens
Published: February 2019

In this study, we develop a method for calculating electric vehicle lithium-ion battery pack performance and cost. To begin, we construct a model allowing for calculation of cell performance and material cost using a bottom-up approach starting with real-world material costs. It thus provides a supplement to existing models, which often begin with fixed cathode active material (CAM) prices that do not reflect raw metal price fluctuations. We collect and display data from the London Metal Exchange to show that such metal prices, in this case specifically cobalt and nickel, do indeed fluctuate and cannot be assumed to remain static or decrease consistently. We input this data into our model, which allows for a visualization of the effects of these metal price fluctuations on the prices of the CAMs. CAMs analyzed include various lithium transition metal oxide-type layered oxide (NMC and NCA) technologies, as well as cubic spinel oxide (LMO), high voltage spinel oxide (LNMO), and lithium metal phosphate (LFP). The calculated CAM costs are combined with additional cell component costs in order to calculate full cell costs, which are in turn scaled up to full battery pack costs. Economies of scale are accounted for separately for each cost fraction.
Decentralised Active Power Control Strategy for Real-Time Power Balance in an Isolated Microgrid with an Energy Storage System and Diesel Generators
Authors: Moon Hyeon-Jin , Kim Young Jin , Chang Jae Won , Moon Seung-Il
Published: February 2019

Remote microgrids with battery energy storage systems (BESSs), diesel generators, and renewable energy sources (RESs) have recently received significant attention because of their improved power quality and remarkable capability of continuous power supply to loads. In this paper, a new proportional control method is proposed using frequency-bus-signaling to achieve real-time power balance continuously under an abnormal condition of short-term power shortage in a remote microgrid. Specifically, in the proposed method, the frequency generated by the grid-forming BESS is used as a global signal and, based on the signal, a diesel generator is then controlled indirectly. The frequency is controlled to be proportional to the AC voltage deviation of the grid-forming BESS to detect sudden power shortages and share active power with other generators. Unlike a conventional constant-voltage constant-frequency (CVCF) control method, the proposed method can be widely applied to optimise the use of distributed energy resources (DERs), while maintaining microgrid voltages within an allowable range, particularly when active power balance cannot be achieved only using CVCF control. For case studies, a comprehensive model of an isolated microgrid is developed using real data. Simulation results are obtained using MATLAB/Simulink to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method in improving primary active power control in the microgrid.
Evaluation of the Complexity, Controllability and Observability of Heat Exchanger Networks Based on Structural Analysis of Network Representations
Authors: Leitold Daniel , Vathy-Fogarassy Agnes , Abonyi Janos
Published: February 2019

The design and retrofit of Heat Exchanger Networks (HENs) can be based on several objectives and optimisation algorithms. As each method results in an individual network topology that has a significant effect on the operability of the system, control-relevant HEN design and analysis are becoming more and more essential tasks. This work proposes a network science-based analysis tool for the qualification of controllability and observability of HENs. With the proposed methodology, the main characteristics of HEN design methods are determined, the effect of structural properties of HENs on their dynamical behaviour revealed, and the potentials of the network-based HEN representations discussed. Our findings are based on the systematic analysis of almost 50 benchmark problems related to 20 different design methodologies.
Identifying European Old-Growth Forests using Remote Sensing: A Study in the Ukrainian Carpathians
Authors: Spracklen Benedict D. , Spracklen Dominick V.
Published: February 2019

Old-growth forests are an important, rare and endangered habitat in Europe. The ability to identify old-growth forests through remote sensing would be helpful for both conservation and forest management. We used data on beech, Norway spruce and mountain pine old-growth forests in the Ukrainian Carpathians to test whether Sentinel-2 satellite images could be used to correctly identify these forests. We used summer and autumn 2017 Sentinel-2 satellite images comprising 10 and 20 m resolution bands to create 6 vegetation indices and 9 textural features. We used a Random Forest classification model to discriminate between dominant tree species within old-growth forests and between old-growth and other forest types. Beech and Norway spruce were identified with an overall accuracy of around 90%, with a lower performance for mountain pine (70%) and mixed forest (40%). Old-growth forests were identified with an overall classification accuracy of 85%. Adding textural features, band standard deviations and elevation data improved accuracies by 3.3%, 2.1% and 1.8% respectively, while using combined summer and autumn images increased accuracy by 1.2%. We conclude that Random Forest classification combined with Sentinel-2 images can provide an effective option for identifying old-growth forests in Europe.