bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IMPROVING SPEAKING SKILL IN ESP// Actual Problems of Applied Sciences Journal World, 6(16), 2019/ Chief Editor Markus Hemmer: Open European Academy of Public Sciences (OEAPS Inc.). 06.07.2019. Barcelona, Spain, 2019. - PP. 31-33.
Authors: Daminova Gulbahor Oybekovna , Azimov Rafuqjon Kozimjonovich
Published: July 2019

Different cultures talk about different things in their everyday lives. Native speakers very aware of what they should and should not talk about with specific categories of people in their own language, but rules may be different in a foreign language. Both teachers and students need to develop a sense of “taboo” subjects. If they are to avoid offence. Good conversationalists use stress and intonation to keep conversations going. A fall on words like “O.K.” or “So”, often serves to show that we are about to change the subject.
Risk communication in tables vs. text: a Registered Report randomised trial on 'fact boxes'
Authors: Brick Cameron , McDowell Michelle , Freeman Alexandra Lee Jessica
Published: July 2019

ObjectivesAbstractIdentifying effective summary formats is fundamental to multiple fields including science communication, systematic reviews, evidence-based policy, and medical decision making. This study will test whether table or text-only formats lead to better comprehension of the potential harms and benefits of different options, here in a medical context.DesignPre-registered, longitudinal experiment: between-subjects factorial 2 (message format) x 2 topic (topic: therapeutic or preventative intervention) on comprehension and later recall (CONSORT- SPI 2018).SettingLongitudinal online survey experiment.Participants[[ N ]] census-matched UK residents recruited through the survey panel firm YouGov. Primary outcome measureComprehension of harms and benefits and knowledge recall after one month.ResultsFact boxes—simple tabular messages—led to [[ less, equal, more ]] comprehension than text- only formats and [[ greater, equal, lower ]] knowledge recall after one month. Fact boxes led to [[more, equivalent, fewer]] treatment decisions compared to the text-only control. These patterns of results were [[ the same, different ]] between the two topics [[ explain any differences ]].ConclusionsThe brief table format of the fact box [[ improved, did not improve ]] comprehension of harms and benefits relative to the text-only control. Effective communication supports informed consent and decision making and brings ethical and practical advantages. Fact boxes and other summary formats may be effective in a wide range of communication contexts.
Algerian University Teachers’ Disposition and Experiences in Using MOOCs for their Continuous Professional Development
Authors: SIA Selma , CHERIET Imane
Published: July 2019

The professional development (PD) programmes initiated by the Algerian ministry of higher education for newly recruited teachers: “ICT and Pedagogical Practices” and “Pedagogical Accompaniment” cannot prepare the novice teachers for all the challenges they may face along their career. Accordingly, teachers need to look out for additional training opportunities. One of these opportunities is found in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Nevertheless, research on applying MOOCs for continuous professional development (CPD) with regard to Algeria is overlooked. Hence, this study aims at filling in this gap by exploring Algerian university teachers’ familiarity, disposition, and experiences of using MOOCs for CPD. To reach this end, an online questionnaire is administered and a semi-structured interview is conducted with university teachers. The results of the study evinced that: 1) Teachers have low familiarity and weak interaction with MOOCs in general and, 2) teachers acknowledge the importance of CPD and are aware that the initial training and the teaching experience are not sufficient to maintain career advancement. Yet, 3) they do not have the disposition to engage in a CPD, 4) teachers consider this study as an eye opener on MOOCs and show a positive attitude for leveraging MOOCs for their CPD in the future. In the light of these findings, urgent plans to implement and value the culture of informal CPD are recommended, in addition to creating centres at the level of the universities devoted exclusively to CPD and related research. Most importantly, MOOCs that address the Algerian teachers’ CPD needs should be developed.
Nano-scale Iron Oxide as Heterogeneous Fenton Catalyst for Organic Pollution Degradation and Heavy Metal Remediation in Water Sample of Byramangala Lake, Karnataka
Authors: Nagappa Deepthi , Manu Basavaraju
Published: July 2019

A nano-scale iron oxide (Fe2O3/Fe3O4) heterogeneous Fenton catalyst was synthesized for aqueous heavy metals remediation and was utilized to degrade organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), namely, alpha-, and delta-hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH and δ-HCH) as well as heptachlor epoxide (HE), in Byramangala lake water sample. Nano-scale Fe2O3/Fe3O4 was synthesized via Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS), with glycine as fuel and iron oxide separated from raw laterite soil sample (RL) as oxidizer for the reaction. Based on detailed characterization, it was found that iron oxide constituted 34.31% of the RL sample. Later, detection of hematite (Fe2O3), hypersthenes (MgSiO4) and lepidocrocite (FeOOH) in the separated fraction confirmed extraction of Fe2O3 fraction. Next, collection of Byramangala lake water samples and analyses of physico-chemical parameters revealed nil dissolved oxygen (DO) and high chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels. Oxidation of detected pesticides and susceptible heavy metals using the nano-scale Fe2O3/Fe3O4 was investigated under various experimental conditions: pH (3 and ~7), dosages of H2O2 (1-9 mM L−1) and nano catalyst (0.05-0.4 g L−1), as well as contact time (5-120 min) in batch experiments. Optimum values were found to be contact time of 50 mins at near-neutral pH at 5 mM L−1 H2O2 and 0.25g L−1 Fe2O3/Fe3O4 dosages, respectively. Under optimized conditions, 100% removal of both α-HCH and δ-HCH, and 99% removal of HE were observed. Furthermore, appreciable reduction in arsenic (As) and manganese (Mn) concentrations (95% and 76.6%) was also observed. Post-treatment, Fe2O3/Fe3O4 could be efficiently separated by an external magnetic field because of its ferromagnetic behaviour.
24S-Hydroxycholesterol Is Associated with Agitation Severity in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Alzheimer’s Disease: Analyses from a Clinical Trial with Nabilone
Authors: Ruthirakuhan Myuri , Herrmann Nathan , Andreazza Ana C. , Verhoeff Nicolaas Paul L.G. , Gallagher Damien , Black Sandra E. , Kiss Alex , Lanctôt Krista L.
Published: July 2019

Background:

Agitation is a prevalent and difficult-to-treat symptom of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been a target of interest for the treatment of agitation. However, ECS signaling may interact with AD-related changes in brain cholesterol metabolism. Elevated brain cholesterol, reflected by reduced serum 24-S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-OHC), is associated with reduced membrane fluidity, preventing ligand binding to cannabinoid receptor 1.

Objective:

To assess whether 24S-OHC was associated with agitation severity and response to nabilone.

Methods:

24S-OHC was collected from AD patients enrolled in a clinical trial on nabilone at the start and end of each phase. This allowed for the cross-sectional and longitudinal investigation between 24S-OHC and agitation (Cohen Mansfield Agitation Inventory, CMAI). Post-hoc analyses included adjustments for baseline standardized Mini-Mental Status Exam (sMMSE), and analyses with CMAI subtotals consistent with the International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) definition for agitation (physical aggression and nonaggression, and verbal aggression).

Results:

24S-OHC was not associated with CMAI scores cross-sectionally or longitudinally, before and after adjusting for baseline sMMSE. However, 24S-OHC was associated with greater CMAI IPA scores at baseline (F(1,36) = 4.95, p = 0.03). In the placebo phase only, lower 24S-OHC at baseline was associated with increases in CMAI IPA scores (b = –35.2, 95% CI –65.6 to –5.0, p = 0.02), and decreases in 24S-OHC were associated with increases in CMAI IPA scores (b = –20.94, 95% CI –57.9 to –4.01, p = 0.03).

Conclusion:

24S-OHC was associated with agitation severity cross-sectionally, and longitudinally in patients with AD. However, 24S-OHC did not predict treatment response, and does not change over time with nabilone.
Early recovery of neuronal functioning in the sensory cortex after nerve reconstruction surgery
Authors: Pei Yu-Chen , Cheng Yu-Po , Chen Ji-Lin , Lin Cheng-Hung , Wen Chih-Jen , Huang Jian-Jia
Published: July 2019

Background:

Nerve reconstructive surgery induces a transient loss and a prolonged and a gradual return of sensory inputs to the brain. It is unknown whether, following this massive peripheral denervation, the brain will experience a prolonged period of severe, intrinsic dysfunction.

Objective:

We aim to investigate the mechanisms of return of processing function in cortical neurons.

Methods:

We used the whisker model in rats to evaluate the functional recovery in the somatosensory cortex after a nerve reconstruction surgery. Multi-unit recording in the barrel cortex was performed in lightly anesthetized rats while their whiskers were stimulated by a whisker stimulator.

Results:

We observed a loss of neuronal responses to whisker stimulation 1 week after surgery, which started to recover 2 weeks after surgery. Following the surgery, only 11.8% of units had principle whiskers (PWs) returned to their original status while 17.7% had PWs different from their original status, indicating the effect of aberrant reinnervation on the whisker response map.

Conclusions:

Robust neuronal responses to sensory stimulation even when only sparse sensory inputs are available in the early recovery phase. During this phase, aberrant reinnervation induces disorganized whisker tuning, a finding that might be account for the hypoesthesia and paresthesia during early recovery after nerve reconstruction.
IN-FLIGHT BARODONTALGIA AMONG COMMERCIAL AND MILITARY PILOTS OF PAKISTANI ORIGIN
Authors: Daud Syed Sohaib , Gilani Syed Daud Shah , Shah Shafqat Ali , Qayum Iftikhar
Published: July 2019

Background: Barodontalgia is defined as oral pain occurring due to changes in ambient pressure. It can be severe enough to cause inflight incapacitation and has a tendency to go undiagnosed in regular sickbays. There is a large variation in incidence of Barodontalgia in the literature and major fraction of epidemiological data on Barodontalgia has been compiled from military flight simulations. The aim of this study was to document the frequency of in-flight Barodontalgia in Pakistani military and civilian aircrew. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on (non- patient) civilian as well as military pilots. Subjects were given standardized and anonymous questionnaires to complete regarding demographic and professional characteristics, occurrence of oral pain during flying, character of pain, treatment seeking and recurrence of the pain. Results: Out of the 100 subjects, 51 responded (response rate of 51%), with mean age 30.31 ± 5.634 Years; 17.6% (09) of these participants (All Civilian) reported at least one event of barodontalgia during their career. A total of 88 %( 8/9) of pilots visited their dentists after they had oral pain. The diagnosis rendered by their dental surgeons was always dental pain. None of the patients reported recurrence of the disease or premature mission termination due to dental pain. None of the military Pilots reported a n y e v e n t o f Barodontalgia. Conclusion: Barodontalgia was reported exclusively by commercial pilots, which was of a minor non-recurrent nature and did not disrupt their health or flight routines.
高效节水灌溉技术在农田水利工程中的有效应用
Authors: 韦 小龙
Published: July 2019

农业作为我国的重要产业之一。农作物的生长对于水分的需求量较大,因此灌溉也就成为了必然。不合理的灌溉方式会导致水资源被大量浪费,不仅达不到应有的灌溉效果,同时也会阻碍可持续发展理念的贯彻与落实。中国的某些地区水资源短缺问题严重,如何高效地节水灌溉成为当地农业持续发展的突破点。本文以农业高效节水灌溉技术选择为论点,进行了详细的探讨。
Fontevecchia y D'amico vs. Argentina
Authors: De Derechos Humanos Corte Interamericana
Published: July 2019

El caso se refiere a la responsabilidad internacional del Estado por la sanción judicial impuesta a Jorge Fontevecchia y Hector D’Amico debido a una publicación que supuestamente habría afectado la vida privada del entonces Presidente de Argentina.
Diagrammatic scale for assessing foliar symptoms of alternaria brown spot in citrus
Authors: Martelli Ivan Bortolato , Pacheco Camilla de Andrade , Bastianel Marinês , Schinor Evandro Henrique , Conceição Patrícia Marluci da , Azevedo Fernando Alves de
Published: July 2019

Alternaria brown spot (ABS) is the main fungal disease of mandarins. Cause damage to fruits, branches and leaves. For determinations of disease severity in fruit, there is a specific diagrammatic scale, which does not occur for foliar lesions. In order to standardize leaf reviews of ABS in citrus, a diagrammatic scale was developed from the collection of symptomatic Dancy tangerine and Murcott tangor leaves, with ten levels, from zero to 97% of the area damaged by the pathogen. They were tested by five evaluators who analyzed 100 pictures of symptomatic leaves with and without the use of the proposed scale. To validate the scale, precision and accuracy of assessors in rating the images were compared. Results showed that the use of the scale improved the accuracy of the evaluators, with increased accuracy. This shows that the leaf scale can be used to determine the severity of alternaria brown spot in citrus.
Métodos Multicriterio aplicados a la parte lateral de una estructura autoportante para vehículos livianos
Authors: Salazar-Loor Rodger , Martínez-Gómez Javier , Rocha-Hoyos Juan , Llanes-Cedeño Edilberto Antonio
Published: July 2019

INTRODUCCIÓN. La selección de materiales es una etapa importante en el diseño y desarrollo de productos, mediante la utilización de métodos multicriterio, es posible establecer una metodología de selección confiable, convergiendo en una solución única y fiable. OBJETIVO. Aplicar métodos multicriterio para la selección de la parte lateral estructural de un vehículo, para obtener una mayor eficiencia y rendimiento en el aprovechamiento de materiales. MÉTODOS. Mediante la metodología de Pareto y métodos multicriterio (TOPSIS, COPRAS, VIKOR, PROMETHEE II), establecer indicadores de resultados confiables para la selección de materiales estructurales en base a la comparación de criterios cuantitativos. RESULTADOS. Luego de la comparación de los métodos aplicados, se observa que todos establecen que el material del Acero Martensítico YS1200 es el más adecuado. DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIONES. El material determinado tiene gran potencial en la fabricación de estructuras del vehículo, es relativamente económico y ligero, y con la tecnología adecuada es posible su implementación.
Evaluación de la comunicación interna en organizaciones del sector productivo
Authors: Latorre Grace , Dousdebés Agustín , González Lucía , Vasco Gabriela
Published: July 2019

INTRODUCCIÓN. La comunicación organizacional interna es un proceso clave dentro de las organizaciones y facilita la consecución de sus objetivos estratégicos, sin embargo, en la práctica este sistema es manejado de manera empírica, lo que va en detrimento de los demás procesos organizacionales. OBJETIVO. Determinar la situación de la comunicación interna en organizaciones del sector productivo en la ciudad de Quito. MÉTODO. Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, exploratorio, descriptivo para analizar siete dimensiones relacionadas con la comunicación organizacional interna. Se trabajó con una muestra conformada por 48 empresas con 1080 encuestados, pertenecientes a distintos sectores, con diferentes estructuras organizacionales, tamaños y volumen de facturación. Se aplicó el instrumento Communication Evaluation Survey, de la Concordia University. Se ha realizado el análisis de sus propiedades de confiabilidad, obteniendo un Alfa de Cronbach de .948, una media de 3.253 y una desviación estándar de 1.267. RESULTADOS. De manera general, existe una satisfacción moderada con relación a este tema en las empresas participantes en la investigación. DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIONES. Los datos analizados permiten concluir que los canales considerados como las mejores prácticas organizacionales en torno a la comunicación interna fueron el correo electrónico, las reuniones y la mensajería instantánea. Los resultados sociodemográficos muestran que los colaboradores entre 18 y 30 años de edad reportan mayor nivel de satisfacción con el estado general de la comunicación interna en sus organizaciones; así también, los colaboradores que tienen menos de un año trabajando en la organización y aquellos que tienen más de quince, reportan mayor nivel de satisfacción que los demás. Se evidencia la necesidad de recibir o enviar información desde o hacia el jefe inmediato, por considerarlo una fuente clave en el proceso.
40 años de documentación parlamentaria en el Congreso de los Diputados
Authors: Maciá Gómez Mateo
Published: July 2019

El artículo describe la trayectoria de la Dirección de Estudios y Documentación desde el año 1982 hasta el 2007 y después de esa fecha de la Dirección de Documentación, Biblioteca y Archivo de la Secretaría General del Congreso de los Diputados. Para ello, se hace un recorrido por las actividades y transformaciones que han tenido lugar a lo largo de los últimos cuarenta años en los departamentos de Documentación, Biblioteca y Archivo y especialmente la transición del mundo del papel al mundo digital.
La reforma en la Constitución de 1978: propuestas y valoración
Authors: Mateos y de Cabo Óscar Ignacio
Published: July 2019

En los últimos tiempos se está viviendo un apasionante debate sobre la necesidad o no de la reforma de la Constitución, tanto desde las aportaciones de distintos partidos políticos, como desde una perspectiva académica y doctrinal. Sin embargo, no todas las materias de la Constitución están necesitadas de reformas. En este trabajo de investigación se analizan aquellos artículos que podrían ser objeto de una renovación o mejora, por lo que se propone la técnica jurídica de realizar reformas muy concretas y puntuales, que es la que se ha seguido hasta el momento, en las dos reformas operadas en nuestra Carta Magna. De esta forma, el principal objetivo de este trabajo de investigación es el de precisar cuáles de los artículos de la Constitución podrían ser objeto de reforma. El segundo objetivoes el de intentar contribuir, con una aportación constructiva y positiva, a la mejora y eficiencia de los textos normativos, en concreto, de nuestro Texto Fundamental, mediante unas propuestas de reforma constitucional que resulten lógicas y beneficiosas para la convivencia, y para nuestra estabilidad institucional, jurídica y política.
Persepsi Mahasiswa terhadap Fenomena Kepo
Authors: Pranajaya Pranajaya
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this study is to examine perceptions of phenomenon ofKepo (Knowing every particular object) among university students. Inthis study participants were randomly given questionnaire. This research is research that uses descriptive quantitative. Using structured questionnaire, unstructured interview by the research data were collected from 115 respondents of university of YARSI. The study confirmed that most of students are known about Kepo.
Hubungan Stres Kerja dengan Dismenorea pada Operator Mesin Jahit
Authors: Widianti Dini
Published: July 2019

The objective of this study is to know the association between stress at work and dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea has a direct big impact on individual and company. Problems that arise are associated with increased absenteism, resulting in reduced productivity. A cross-sectional study has been carried out, using total sample of 165 workers who operate sewing machine at ‘PT X’ Jakarta. The instruments used for this study is Stres Diagnostic Survey questionnaire to measure stress at work and another questionnaire for identifying dysmenorrhea and other risk factors. Analytical techniques used Chi-Square and logistic regression. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 37%, and prevalence for stres at work was 25,4%. High level stres at work have arise 2,24 times with dysmenorrhea (p value 0,029 ; OR value 2,27 and 95% CI: 1,08 – 4,76) also with work period over five year (p value 0,010 ; OR Value 0,36 and 95% CI : 0,16 – 0,78) is decrease dysmenorrhea 64% . This study has shown that dysmenorrhea among workers of sewing machine operate at ‘PT X’ Jakarta was correlation with high level stress at work and work period less than five year
Menjaga Kestabilan Jaringan Load Balancing Nth Dengan Teknik Failover Pada PT. Jakarta Samudera Sentosa Jakarta
Authors: Haris Syamsul Alam , Suhartono Hero , Herlawati Herlawati
Published: July 2019

Abstract
 
Load Balancing technology is very helpful in overcoming the company's loss problem because there is no even distribution of traffic load evenly into the Router. In the design of the network is done using NDLC method that has stages in its application so that the risk of failure in the next stage can be minimized. To ensure the stability of the network Load Balancing built requires a network recovery process. It is therefore necessary to use a technique used for tissue recovery using the Failover technique. Load Balancing to be used is Load Balancing Nth which has the ability to share the traffic load evenly based on the package and connection. Used 2 (two) parameters each and packet that serves packet counters captured by the Router. So with the Load Balancing Nth with Failover recovery techniques then the network stability and network recovery PT. Jakarta Samudera Sentosa Jakarta will stay up.
 
Keywords: Failover, Load Balancing, NDLC, Nth.
 
                                                                 Abstrak                                                                
 
Teknologi Load Balancing sangat membantu dalam mengatasi masalah kerugian perusahaan karena tidak adanya pembagian beban trafik secara merata yang masuk ke Router.  Dalam perancangan jaringannya dilakukan menggunakan metode NDLC yang memiliki tahapan-tahapan dalam penerapannya sehingga resiko kegagalan di tahap selanjutnya dapat diminimalisir. Untuk menjamin tingkat kestabilan jaringan Load Balancing yang dibangun memerlukan proses pemulihan jaringan. Oleh karena itu diperlukan suatu teknik yang digunakan sebagai pemulihan terhadap jaringan menggunakan teknik Failover. Load Balancing yang akan digunakan adalah Load Balancing Nth yang mempunyai kemampuan membagi beban trafik secara merata berdasarkan paket dan koneksi. Digunakan 2 (dua) paramater yaitu every dan packet yang berfungsi penghitung packet yang ditangkap oleh Router. Sehingga dengan adanya Load Balancing Nth dengan teknik pemulihan Failover maka kestabilan jaringan dan pemulihan jaringan PT. Jakarta Samudera Sentosa Jakarta akan tetap terjaga.
 
Kata kunci: Failover, Load Balancing, NDLC, Nth.
Sistem Informasi Produksi Pakaian Berbasis Desktop
Authors: Prasetyo Kukuh Dwi , Sukma Dadan , Khasanah Fata Nidaul
Published: July 2019

Abstract
 
Analysis and design of information systems is performed to identify the company's needs in the management of data and information of the transaction the company's operations. Analysis and design of it will be used to build a new system that has been integrated and can answer problems–problems encountered. Activity analysis and design method using this Waterfall. With the information systems are expected to facilitate the activities of production, inventory management and purchasing company. Information systems also minimize data loss and human error (huuman error) that often occur due to processing and storing transaction data is done manually. The results of the analysis of the needs of the company will be documented using the unified modeling language.
 
Keywords: Desktop, Information System, Waterfall
 
Abstrak
 
Analisa dan perancangan sistem informasi dilakukan untuk mengidentifikasi kebutuhan perusahaan dalam pengelolaan data dan informasi transaksi operasional perusahaan. Analisa dan perancangan ini akan digunakan untuk membangun sebuah sistem baru yang telah terintegrasi dan dapat menjawab permasalahan–permasalahan yang dihadapi. Kegiatan analisa dan perancangan ini menggunakan metode Waterfall. Dengan adanya sistem informasi diharapkan mempermudah kegiatan produksi, manajemen persediaan dan pembelian perusahaan. Sistem informasi ini juga meminimalisir kehilangan data dan kesalahan manusia (huuman error) yang sering terjadi karena pemrosesan dan penyimpanan transaksi data yang dilakukan secara manual. Hasil analisa terhadap kebutuhan-kebutuhan perusahaan akan didokumentasikan dengan menggunakan unified modeling language.
 
Kata kunci: Desktop, Waterfall, Sistem Informasi
Interactive Political Leadership in Theory and Practice: How Elected Politicians May Benefit from Co-Creating Public Value Outcomes
Authors: Torfing Jacob , Sørensen Eva
Published: July 2019

This paper argues that elected politicians may strengthen their political leadership role by initiating, orchestrating and engaging in the co-creation of public value outcomes. The collaborative turn in public value theory shows how public managers may mobilize the knowledge, ideas and resources of users, citizens and organized stakeholders, but it has so far neglected the role of elected politicians who tend to be reduced to a legitimizing sounding board for public managers aiming to advance public value creation in collaboration with a plethora of public and private actors. This paper seeks to compensate this benign neglect by advancing a new notion of ‘interactive political leadership’. This new construct aims to conceptualize the way that elected politicians may develop new and better policy solutions through a problem-focused interaction with relevant and affected actors from the economy and civil society, including users, volunteers, citizens and other lay actors. The theoretical argument about the development of interactive political leadership, which takes us beyond the traditional forms of sovereign political leadership that perceives politicians as ‘elected kings’, is illustrated by empirical examples drawn from local, national and supranation levels of government.
Caffeine: The Allelochemical Responsible for the Plant Growth Inhibitory Activity of Vietnamese Tea (Camellia sinensis L. Kuntze)
Authors: PHAM Van Thi Thanh , ISMAIL Tamer , MISHYNA Maryia , APPIAH Kwame Sarpong , OIKAWA Yosei , FUJII Yoshiharu
Published: July 2019

The present study aimed to examine the phytotoxic potential of seven Vietnamese tea samples based on the specific and total activity of caffeine and tea extracts on test plants. The sandwich method results indicated that the inhibitory effect of tea samples on the radicle and hypocotyl growth of lettuce seedlings was dependent on the concentration and type of tea samples, and also the presence of agar soluble allelochemicals. Among the seven tea samples, the leachates from Vinatea-green tea showed the highest inhibition on the radicle growth of lettuce seedlings with 50% suppression at 0.12 mg dry leaves/mL of agar. Caffeine concentration in tea samples analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) varied from 20.7 to 38.2 µg/mL of dry leaves. The specific activity (EC50 value) of pure caffeine was 75 µg/mL, and the highest total activity of caffeine estimated in Vinatea-green tea was 0.51 [no unit]. Caffeine from green and oolong tea may be considered as one of the contributors to the inhibitory activity of the crude extract. Moreover, the phytotoxicity of pure caffeine and aqueous tea extracts was highly selective on the growth of different plant species. The concentration of caffeine detected from tea farm soil ranged from 0.137 to 0.145 µg/g soil. The results indicated that caffeine might be considered as a promising allelochemical from Vietnamese tea and can be a good candidate for weed management.
Facing Missing Observations in Data—A New Approach for Estimating Strength of Earthquakes on the Pacific Coast of Southern Mexico Using Random Censoring
Authors: Aguirre-Salado Alejandro Ivan , Vaquera-Huerta Humberto , Aguirre-Salado Carlos Arturo , Jiménez-Hernández José del Carmen , Barragán Franco , Guzmán-Martínez María
Published: July 2019

We introduced a novel spatial model based on the distribution of generalized extreme values (GEV) to analyze the maximum intensity levels of earthquakes with incomplete data (randomly censored) on the Pacific coast of southern Mexico using a random censorship approach. Spatiotemporal trends were modeled through a non-stationary GEV model. We used a multivariate smoothing function as a linear predictor of GEV parameters to approximate nonlinear trends. The model was fitted using a flexible semi-parametric Bayesian approach and the parameters are estimated via Markov chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC). Through a rigorous simulation study, we showed the robustness of both the model and the estimation method used. Maps of the location parameter on the spatial plane for different periods of time show the existence of local variations in the extreme values of seismicity in the study area. The results indicate strong evidence of an increase in the magnitude of earthquakes over time. A spatial map of risk with maximum intensity of earthquakes in a period of 25 years was elaborated.
A Motion Control of Soft Gait Assistive Suit by Gait Phase Detection Using Pressure Information
Authors: Miyazaki Tetsuro , Tagami Toshihiro , Morisaki Daisuke , Miyazaki Ryoken , Kawase Toshihiro , Kanno Takahiro , Kawashima Kenji
Published: July 2019

Power assistive devices have been developed in recent years. To detect the wearer’s motion, conventional devices require users to wear sensors. However, wearing many sensors increases the wearing time, and usability of the device will become worse. We developed a soft gait assistive suit actuated by pneumatic artificial rubber muscles (PARMs) and proposed its control method. The proposed suit is easy to wear because the attachment unit does not have any electrical sensors that need to be attached to the trainee’s body. A target application is forward walking exercise on a treadmill. The control unit detects the pre-swing phase in the gait cycle using the pressure information in the calf back PARMs. After the detection, the suit assists the trainee’s leg motion. The assist force is generated by the controlled PARM pressure, and the pressure input time is changed appropriately considering the gait cycle time. We conducted walking experiments; (1) verifies the proposed control method works correctly, and (2) verifies whether the gait assistive suit is effective for decreasing muscular activity. Finally, we confirmed that the accurate phase detection can be achieved by using the proposed control method, and the suit can reduce muscular activity of the trainee’s leg.
Finite Memory Structure Filtering and Smoothing for Target Tracking in Wireless Network Environments
Authors: Kim Pyung Soo
Published: July 2019

In this paper, a state estimation problem is considered for a target tracking scheme in wireless network environments. Firstly, a unified algorithm of finite memory structure (FMS) filtering and smoothing is proposed for a discrete-time state-space model. As shown in the terminology unified, both FMS filter and smoother are derived by solving one optimization problem directly with incorporation of the unbiasedness constraint. Hence, the unified algorithm provides simultaneously the current state estimate as well as the lagged state estimate using only finite measurements and inputs on the most recent window. The proposed unified algorithm of FMS filtering and smoothing shows that there are some unique properties such as unbiasedness, deadbeat, time-invariance and intrinsic robustness, which cannot be obtained by the recursive infinite memory structure (IMS) filtering such as Kalman filter. The on-line computational complexity of the proposed unified algorithm is discussed. Secondly, as an application of the proposed unified algorithm, a target tracking scheme in wireless network environments is considered via computer simulations for moving target’s accelerations of various shapes. The proposed unified algorithm-based target tracking scheme provides estimates for position as well as acceleration of moving target in real time, while eliminating unwanted noise effects and maintaining desired moving positions. Due to intrinsic robustness and deadbeat properties, the proposed unified algorithm-based scheme can outperform the existing IMS filtering-based scheme when acceleration suddenly changes.
Effect of Steel Casing on Vertical Bearing Characteristics of Steel Tube-Reinforced Concrete Piles in Loess Area
Authors: Feng Zhongju , Hu Haibo , Dong Yunxiu , Wang Fuchun , Jia Minghui , Zhao Yawan , He Jingbin
Published: July 2019

This study aims at investigating the effect of steel casing on vertical bearing characteristics of steel tube-reinforced concrete piles in loess area by centrifugal model test. Five piles were selected, one of them was a conventional reinforced concrete pile which was 35 cm in length and 2.5 cm in diameter as a contrast pile, and the length of steel casing for the remaining four steel tube-reinforced concrete piles was 8 cm, 12 cm, 16 cm, and 20 cm respectively. The results show that the axial force, unit skin friction, tip resistance, and shaft resistance of steel tube-reinforced concrete piles with different steel casing lengths were different from conventional reinforced concrete pile. Additionally, the ultimate bearing capacity of steel tube-reinforced concrete piles was compared with a conventional reinforced concrete pile. Moreover, advantages of steel casing in pile foundation engineering were summarized. The results of this study can provide reference for vertical bearing characteristics of steel tube-reinforced concrete piles in loess area.
Food Salt Characterization in Terms of Radioactivity and Metals Contamination
Authors: Caridi Francesco , Messina Maurizio , Belvedere Alberto , D’Agostino Maurizio , Marguccio Santina , Settineri Letteria , Belmusto Giovanna
Published: July 2019

The analysis of food salt is very important because of its high consumption by the population, for both medicinal and nutritional use. In this study, nine different samples of food salt (Cyprus black, Himalayan pink, Hawaii red, iodized, hyposodic iodized, Maldon smoked sea, common sea, Breton sea and Persia blue), coming from large Italian retailers and employed by people for different cooking food purposes, were investigated through High Purity Germanium (HPGe) Gamma Spectrometry in order to evaluate the anthropogenic (137Cs) and natural (40K) radioisotopes activity concentration, and used Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in order to assess any possible metals contamination by a comparison between Cu, As, Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations and the limits set by the Italian Legislation. The evaluation of dose levels due to the salt ingestion for the age category higher than 17 years was performed taking into account the human body daily need of about 10 g of salt, and in the precautionary hypothesis, this need was satisfied from a single type of salt. All obtained results are under allowable levels (1 mSv/year), thus excluding the risk of ionizing radiation effects on humans. Regarding to the metals concentration, experimental results show that it is lower than the contamination threshold values, thus excluding their presence as pollutants.
Branching Functions for Admissible Representations of Affine Lie Algebras and Super-Virasoro Algebras
Authors: Kwon Namhee
Published: July 2019

We explicitly calculate the branching functions arising from the tensor product decompositions between level 2 and principal admissible representations over sl ^ 2 . In addition, investigating the characters of the minimal series representations of super-Virasoro algebras, we present the tensor product decompositions in terms of the minimal series representations of super-Virasoro algebras for the case of principal admissible weights.
Corticotropin Releasing Factor Type 1 and 2 Receptor Signaling in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Modulates Binge-Like Ethanol Consumption in C57BL/6J Mice
Authors: Robinson Stacey L. , Perez-Heydrich Carlos A. , Thiele Todd E.
Published: July 2019

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) signaling via limbic CRF1 and 2 receptors (CRF1R and CRF2R, respectively) is known to modulate binge-like ethanol consumption in rodents. Though CRF signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been shown to modulate anxiety-like behavior and ethanol seeking, its role in binge ethanol intake is unknown. Here, we used “drinking-in-the-dark” (DID) procedures in male and female C57BL/6J mice to address this gap in the literature. First, the role of CRF1R and CRF2R signaling in the mPFC on ethanol consumption was evaluated through site-directed pharmacology. Next, we evaluated if CRF1R antagonist reduction of binge-intake was modulated in part through CRF2R activation by co-administration of a CRF1R and CRF2R antagonist. Intra-mPFC inhibition of CRF1R and activation of CRF2R resulted in decreased binge-like ethanol intake. Further, the inhibitory effect of the CRF1R antagonist was attenuated by co-administration of a CRF2R antagonist. We provide novel evidence that (1) inhibition of CRF1R or activation of CRF2R in the mPFC reduces binge-like ethanol intake; and (2) the effect of CRF1R antagonism may be mediated via enhanced CRF2R activation. These observations provide the first direct behavioral pharmacological evidence that CRF receptor activity in the mPFC modulates binge-like ethanol consumption.
Air Leakage of Joints Filled with Polyurethane Foam
Authors: Hallik Jaanus , Gustavson Heleen , Kalamees Targo
Published: July 2019

Air leakage through the building envelope joints is usually one of the main reasons why airtightness targets are not achieved. The objective of this study was to analyse the air leakage of joints filled with polyurethane foam and its influencing factors. Wooden test specimens (54 in total) with planed, sawn and plastic-coated cavities and two cavity thicknesses were filled with three different polyurethane foams and tested according to standard EN 12114. The surface type and thickness of the joint had a significant effect on the air leakage of joints filled with polyurethane foam. In laboratory conditions, a consistent and very low air leakage rate was obtained with planed timber surfaces. Joints with plastic-coated and sawn timber surfaces performed worse, on average, by a factor of two or more and contributed to very variable airtightness, with up to 28% and 50% of the test specimens failing the airtightness testing. On the basis of the high ‘failure rate’, polyurethane foam may classify as a not completely trustworthy solution in guaranteeing the airtightness of construction joints. A comparison of estimated and previously measured overall airtightness of an entire building envelope showed dependency on ‘failure rate’ rather than on average measured leakage rate.
Inhibition of DNA Repair Mechanisms and Induction of Apoptosis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells Expressing the Human Herpesvirus 6 U94
Authors: Caccuri Francesca , Sommariva Michele , Marsico Stefania , Giordano Francesca , Zani Alberto , Giacomini Arianna , Fraefel Cornel , Balsari Andrea , Caruso Arnaldo
Published: July 2019

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 15–20% of all breast cancers. In spite of initial good response to chemotherapy, the prognosis of TNBC remains poor and no effective specific targeted therapy is readily available. Recently, we demonstrated the ability of U94, the latency gene of human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), to interfere with proliferation and with crucial steps of the metastatic cascade by using MDA-MB 231 TNBC breast cancer cell line. U94 expression was also associated with a partial mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) of cells, which displayed a less aggressive phenotype. In this study, we show the ability of U94 to exert its anticancer activity on three different TNBC cell lines by inhibiting DNA damage repair genes, cell cycle and eventually leading to cell death following activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Interestingly, we found that U94 acted synergistically with DNA-damaging drugs. Overall, we provide evidence that U94 is able to combat tumor cells with different mechanisms, thus attesting for the great potential of this molecule as a multi-target drug in cancer therapy.
The Role of Cancer Stem Cells and Mechanical Forces in Ovarian Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Bregenzer Michael E. , Horst Eric N. , Mehta Pooja , Novak Caymen M. , Repetto Taylor , Mehta Geeta
Published: July 2019

Ovarian cancer is an extremely lethal gynecologic disease; with the high-grade serous subtype predominantly associated with poor survival rates. Lack of early diagnostic biomarkers and prevalence of post-treatment recurrence, present substantial challenges in treating ovarian cancers. These cancers are also characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity and protracted metastasis, further complicating treatment. Within the ovarian tumor microenvironment, cancer stem-like cells and mechanical stimuli are two underappreciated key elements that play a crucial role in facilitating these outcomes. In this review article, we highlight their roles in modulating ovarian cancer metastasis. Specifically, we outline the clinical relevance of cancer stem-like cells, and challenges associated with their identification and characterization and summarize the ways in which they modulate ovarian cancer metastasis. Further, we review the mechanical cues in the ovarian tumor microenvironment, including, tension, shear, compression and matrix stiffness, that influence (cancer stem-like cells and) metastasis in ovarian cancers. Lastly, we outline the challenges associated with probing these important modulators of ovarian cancer metastasis and provide suggestions for incorporating these cues in basic biology and translational research focused on metastasis. We conclude that future studies on ovarian cancer metastasis will benefit from the careful consideration of mechanical stimuli and cancer stem cells, ultimately allowing for the development of more effective therapies.
Lung-Seeking Metastases
Authors: Stella Giulia M. , Kolling Stefan , Benvenuti Silvia , Bortolotto Chandra
Published: July 2019

Metastases from different cancer types most often affect the lung parenchyma. Moreover, the lungs are among the most frequent sites of growth of metastatic masses of uncertain/unknown lineage of origin. Thus, with regards to pulmonary neoplastic parenchymal nodules, the critical issue is to determine if they are IN the lung or OF the lung. In this review, we highlight the clinical, instrumental and molecular features which characterize lung metastases, mainly focusing on recently advancing and emerging concepts regarding the metastatic niche, inflammation, angiogenesis, immune modulation and gene expression. A novel issue is related to the analysis of biomechanical forces which cooperate in the expansion of tumor masses in the lungs. We here aim to analyze the biological, genetic and pathological features of metastatic lesions to the lungs, here referred to as site of metastatic growth. This point should be a crucial part of the algorithm for a proper diagnostic and therapeutic approach in the era of personalized medicine.
Hydrosoluble Complexes Bearing Tris(pyrazolyl)methane Sulfonate Ligand: Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Activity for Henry Reaction
Authors: Mahmoud Abdallah G. , Martins Luísa M. D. R. S. , Silva M. Fátima C. Guedes da , Pombeiro Armando J. L.
Published: July 2019

The catalytic activity of the water-soluble scorpionate coordination compounds [Cu(-NN’O-Tpms)2] (1), [Mn(Tpms)2] (2) and Li[FeCl2(-NN’N’’-Tpms)] (3) [Tpms = tris(pyrazolyl)-methane sulfonate, O3SC(pz)3], were studied towards the (Henry) reaction between benzaldehyde and nitromethane or nitroethane in aqueous medium to afford, respectively, 2-nitro-1-phenylethanol or 2-nitro-1-phenylpropanol, the latter in the syn and the anti diastereoisomeric forms. Complex 1 exhibited the highest activity under the optimum experimental conditions and was used to broaden the scope of the reaction to include several aromatic aldehydes achieving yields up to 94%.
Hybrid Nanostructured Antireflection Coating by Self-Assembled Nanosphere Lithography
Authors: Li Zizheng , Song Chi , Li Qiang , Xiang Xiangjun , Yang Haigui , Wang Xiaoyi , Gao Jinsong
Published: July 2019

Broadband antireflection (AR) coatings are essential elements for improving the photocurrent generation of photovoltaic modules or the enhancement of visibility in optical devices. In this paper, we report a hybrid nanostructured antireflection coating combination that is a clean and efficient method for fabricating a nanostructured antireflection coating (ARC). A multilayer thin-film was introduced between the ARC and substrate to solve the significant problem of preparing nanostructured ARCs on different substrates. In this way, we rebuilt a gradient refractive index structure and optimize the antireflective property by simply adjusting the moth-eye structure and multilayers. Subwavelength-structured cone arrays were directly patterned using a self-assembled single-layer polystyrene (PS) nanosphere array as an etching mask. Nanostructure coatings exhibited excellent broadband and wide-angle antireflective properties. The bottom-up preparation process and hybrid structural combination have the potential to significantly enhance the broadband and wide-angle antireflective properties for a number of optical systems that require high transparency, which is promising for reducing the manufacturing cost of nanostructured AR coatings.
Prototyping of an All-pMOS-Based Cross-Coupled Voltage Multiplier in Single-Well CMOS Technology for Energy Harvesting Utilizing a Gastric Acid Battery
Authors: Yoshida Shinya , Miyaguchi Hiroshi , Nakamura Tsutomu
Published: July 2019

A gastric acid battery and its charge storage in a capacitor are a simple and safe method to provide a power source to an ingestible device. For that method, the electromotive force of the battery should be boosted for storing a large amount of energy. In this study, we have proposed an all-p-channel metal-oxide semiconductor (pMOS)-based cross-coupled voltage multiplier (CCVM) utilizing single-well CMOS technology to achieve a voltage boosting higher than from a conventional complementary MOS (CMOS) CCVM. We prototyped a custom integrated circuit (IC) implemented with the above CCVMs and a ring oscillator as a clock source. The characterization experiment demonstrated that our proposed pMOS-based CCVM can boost the input voltage higher because it avoids the body effect problem resulting from an n-channel MOS transistor. This circuit was also demonstrated to significantly reduce the circuit area on the IC, which is advantageous as it reduces the chip size or provides an area for other functional circuits. This simple circuit structure based on mature and low-cost technologies matches well with disposal applications such as an ingestible device. We believe that this pMOS-based CCVM has the potential to become a useful energy harvesting circuit for ingestible devices.
FT-GAN: Face Transformation with Key Points Alignment for Pose-Invariant Face Recognition
Authors: Zhuang Weiwei , Chen Liang , Hong Chaoqun , Liang Yuxin , Wu Keshou
Published: July 2019

Face recognition has been comprehensively studied. However, face recognition in the wild still suffers from unconstrained face directions. Frontal face synthesis is a popular solution, but some facial features are missed after synthesis. This paper presents a novel method for pose-invariant face recognition. It is based on face transformation with key points alignment based on generative adversarial networks (FT-GAN). In this method, we introduce CycleGAN for pixel transformation to achieve coarse face transformation results, and these results are refined by key point alignment. In this way, frontal face synthesis is modeled as a two-task process. The results of comprehensive experiments show the effectiveness of FT-GAN.