bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Fluorescence Carbon Nanoparticles from Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Sugiarti Sri , Darmawan Noviyan
Published: February 2017

Carbon nanoparticles (C-dot) are materials that belong to a class of 0-dimensional nanoparticles with a photoluminescence property. C-dot can be synthesized from a variety of organic acids through bottom-up synthetic methods or from other source of inorganic carbons through top-down synthetic methods. Herein, we report a simple and fast synthesis method for the formation of C-dot from ascorbic acid using microwave heating technique. The success of this synthesis was shown by visual analysis, UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Visual analysis showed an increased in fluorescence intensity with the addition of urea as a passivation agent. The maximum fluorescence emission of the C-dot was a blue green color at wavelength 500 nm, after the C-dot was excited at a wavelength of 400 nm. The TEM analysis showed that the synthesized C-dot had an average size of 18 nm. We also conducted a preliminary study on the synthesized C-dot as a heavy ion metal sensor and found selective identification of Cr metal.
Characterization of Butanediol-Alginate Ester as Candidate of Hemodialysis Membrane
Authors: Amri Choirul , Mudasir Mudasir , Siswanta Dwi , Roto Roto
Published: February 2017

An ester of butanediol-alginate has been studied as a possible hemodialysis membrane. With 1,4-butanediol molar ratio of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0, it showed that the membrane mechanical properties, stability, protein adsorption, platelet adhesion and performance for urea and creatinine clearance are better than that of unmodified alginate. The increase in 1,4-butanediol molar ratio causes hemodialysis ratio to improve, and causes protein adsorption and platelet adhesion at the membrane surface to decrease. In the case of protein adsorption and platelet adhesion, the membrane with the molar ratio of 1.0 has better hemocompatibility properties. In the hemodialysis test for 4 h, using 2.742 mg cm-2 h-1 of urea and 0.058 mg cm-2 h-1 of creatinine flux, this membrane showed that 48.5% of urea and 44.2% of creatinine were cleaned.
The Isolation of Xanthones from Trunk Latex of Garcinia mangostana Linn. and Their Antimicrobial Activities
Authors: Anggia Vivi , Bakhtiar Amri , Arbain Dayar
Published: February 2017

ɑ-Mangostin (1), β-mangostin (2) and gartanin (3) have been isolated from the trunk latex of Garcinia mangostana Linn. and investigated for their antimicrobial activities against Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Micrococcus luteus, Salmonella typhosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans and Vibrio cholerae. The significant antibacterial activity showed by α-mangostin (1) against Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Vibrio cholerae, but all compounds showed no activity to inhibit the growth of Micrococcus luteus and Streptococcus mutans.
Synthesis and Characterization of Titania-Rice Husk Silica Composites as Photocatalyst
Authors: Manurung Posman , Situmeang Rudy , Ginting Ediman , Pardede Indra
Published: February 2017

This article describes the synthesis of titania-silica composites by a sol-gel method using a mixture of silica of rice husk and titanium butoxide sols. Microstructures were examined at calcination temperature in the range of 500 to 700 °C, with temperatures interval of 50 °C. The sintered catalysts were subsequently tested for photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under ultraviolet and sunlight rays. Physical characteristics were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The XRD results did not show the presence of silica crystal phase in each sample. The results showed that the highest BET surface area of samples was obtained at the temperature of 650 °C. In sample calcined 500 °C, the activity of the catalyst on MB was relatively similar in both sunlight and ultraviolet rays.
QSAR Analysis of Benzothiazole Derivatives of Antimalarial Compounds Based On AM1 Semi-Empirical Method
Authors: Hadanu Ruslin , Idris Salim , Sutapa I Wayan
Published: February 2017

Quantitative Structure and Activity Relationship (QSAR) analysis of 13 benzothiazoles derivatives compound as antimalarial compounds have been performed using electronic descriptor of the atomic net charges (q), dipole moment (μ), ELUMO, EHOMO and polarizability (α). The electronic structures as descriptors were calculated through HyperChem for Windows 7.0 using AM1 semi-empirical method. The descriptors were obtained through molecules modeling to get the most stable structure after geometry optimization step. The antimalarial activity (IC50) were taken from literature. The best model of QSAR model was determined by multiple linear regression approach and giving equation of QSAR: Log IC50 = 23.527 + 4.024 (qC4) + 273.416 (qC5) + 141.663 (qC6) – 0.567 (ELUMO) – 3.878 (EHOMO)– 2.096 (α). The equation was significant on the 95% level with statistical parameters: n = 13, r = 0.994, r2 = 0.987, SE = 0.094, Fcalc/Ftable = 11.212, and gave the PRESS = 0.348. Its means that there were only a relatively few deviations between the experimental and theoretical data of antimalarial activity.
Theoretical Study on Structure and Electronic Properties of 4H-Cyclopenta[2,1-b,3;4-b’]dithiopene S-oxide and Its CCl2 and CF2 Bridged Derivatives
Authors: Semire Banjo , Odunola Olusegun Ayobami
Published: February 2017

Quantum chemical calculations using semi-empirical, ab initio, density functional theory (DFT) and Møller plesset (MP2) methods were performed on 4H-Cyclopenta[2,1-b,3;4-b’]dithiopene S-oxide derivatives (i.e. bridged dithiophene S-oxides, BTOs). The geometries, stabilities, electronic and thermodynamic properties of the compounds were studied. The thermodynamic parameters calculated at PM3 were in good agreement with those calculated at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. The band gap energies calculated at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level for the BTOs were lower than the un-substituted trithiophene but higher than 4H-Cyclopenta[2,1-b,3;4-b’]dithiopene. The absorption λmax calculated using TD-DFT was shifted to longer wavelength by successive replacement of methylene hydrogens of BTO by chlorine and fluorine atoms.
DAMPAK POLA PEREMAJAAN PARTISIPATIF TERHADAP PERKEMBANGAN PERKEBUNAN KARET RAKYAT DI KABUPATEN OGAN KOMERING ULU, SUMATERA SELATAN
Authors: Syarifa Lina Fatayati , Agustina Dwi Shinta , Alamsyah Aprizal , Nugraha Iman Satra
Published: February 2017

Penerapan pola peremajaan karet partisipatif di Kabupaten OKU telah berjalan lebih kurang 10 tahun. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui keberhasilan penerapan model peremajaan karet partisipatif, serta dampaknya terhadap perkembangan perkebunan karet rakyat di Kab. OKU. Penelitian dilakukan dengan metode survey di desa-desa yang menerapkan pola peremajaan karet partisipatif. Pemilihan responden dilakukan secara acak yaitu memilih 10 petani peserta program dan 5 petani non peserta program yang berada disekitar proyek di setiap desa. Selanjutnya analisis data dilakukan secara deskriptif. Dari hasil pengamatan disimpulkan bahwa proyek peremajaan partisipatif di Kab. OKU telah memberikan dampak positif terhadap petani peserta proyek dan lingkungan sekitarnya, hal ini nampak dari adanya perluasan areal penanaman karet di desa, bertambahnya areal karet klonal yang dimiliki petani, meningkatnya pengetahuan dan adopsi petani peserta dan non peserta terhadap teknologi perkaretan, dan meningkatnya pengetahuan petani dalam akses perbankan. Namun demikian, petani masih memerlukan pelatihan yang lebih  intensif dalam hal penyadapan dan pengendalian penyakit karet. Untuk keberlanjutan program peremajaan, pemerintah daerah setempat telah banyak memfasilitasi kebijakan program pengembangan karet melalui pembiayaan program bantuan bibit untuk kebun usahatani dan pembibitan, serta pelatihan bagi para petugas teknis dan petani karet.Kata Kunci: Karet; dampak; peremajaan; partisipatif
ANALISA PERENCANAAN JARINGAN 4G LTE PADA GEDUNG A FAKULTAS TEKNIK UNIVERSITAS JEMBER MENGGUNAKAN RADIOWAVE PROPAGATION SIMULATOR 5.4
Authors: Oktauliah Farah , Setiabudi Dodi , Supeno Bambang
Published: February 2017

Kondisi gedung yang memiliki banyak ruangan juga terdapat banyak redaman yang mengakibatkan pelemahan sinyal sehingga diperlukan adanya perencanaan jaringan nirkabel. Tulisan ini membahas perencanaan jaringan 4G LTE pada Gedung A Fakultas Teknik Universitas Jember yang kemudian disimulasikan oleh perangkat lunak Radiowave Propagation Simulator (RPS) 5.4 dengan variasi pengambilan data berupa jenis antena dan letak ketinggian Femtocell Access Point (FAP). Perencanaan jaringan 4G LTE menggunakan metode propagasi indoor COST 231 Multi Wall diperoleh jumlah FAP yang dibutuhkan pada Lantai 1 sebesar 2 FAP, Lantai 2 sebesar 4 FAP, dan Lantai 3 sebesar 4 FAP. Analisa cakupan yang efektif pada perencanaan jaringan 4G LTE indoor diperoleh saat FAP menggunakan jenis isotropic antenna dan letak ketinggian FAP 2 meter dari permukaan lantai seperti pada Lantai 1 saat ketinggian FAP 2 meter dan menggunakan dipole antenna diperoleh mean level daya sebesar -88,04 dBm dan isotropic antenna diperoleh mean level daya sebesar -87,89 dBm, sedangkan saat FAP 3,5 meter menggunakan dipole antenna diperoleh mean level daya sebesar -88,89 dBm dan isotropic antenna diperoleh mean level daya sebesar -88,33 dBm. Perencanaan jaringan 4G LTE menggunakan RPS 5.4 dan metode COST 231 Multi Wall dapat diterapkan pada Gedung A Fakultas Teknik Universitas Jember.
Factors associated with idiopathic adolescent scoliosis in female population - preliminary results
Authors: Talic Goran , Nozica-Radulovic Tatjana , Nikolic Dejan , Filipovic Tamara , Stevanovic-Papic Djurdjica , Cirovic Dragana , Radlovic Vladimir
Published: February 2017

Introduction/Objective. Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is an orthopedic condition of multifactorial origin. The aim of our study was to evaluate the factors that are associated with IS in female population and factors associated with varicose veins in females with IS. Methods. This retrospective-prospective cross-section study included 89 patients (the study group) and 87 controls. The following parameters were analyzed: body weight, body height, presence and the degree of varicose veins (the first, second, and third degree), and age (group in the range of 17?26 years, in the range of 27?36 years, and in the range of 37?46 years). Results. The study group has significantly lower body weight (p = 0.046), significantly higher proportion of varicose veins (p < 0.001) compared to controls, significantly lower proportion of patients aged 27?36 years (p = 0.014), and significantly higher proportion of patients aged 37?46 years (p = 0.025) compared to controls. There is significantly higher proportion of patients in the study group with the first degree of varicose veins (p = 0.007). There is weak positive correlation between body weight and body height in the group of patients without varicose veins (R = 0.456) and in the group with the second degree of varicose veins (R = 0.291), while for the group with the first degree of varicose veins there is moderate positive correlation (R = 0.543). Conclusion. Our preliminary findings point out that lower body weight and presence of varicose veins are significantly associated with IS. The group of patients with IS above 37 years of age tends to have significantly higher proportion of varicose veins.
Anti-vaccinationists and their arguments in the Balkan countries that share the same language
Authors: Radovanovic Zoran
Published: February 2017

The objective has been an analysis of anti-vaccination situation in the language-related Balkan countries. Mass and organized opposition to vaccination in this part of the world is a relatively recent phenomenon. It has been an offshoot of the respective ideas from the West, associated with New Ageism, postmodernism, and similar worldviews, but particularly beefed up by MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine fear in the late 1990s. The four key local leaders from four countries have been selected to represent the whole diversity of the Balkan anti-vaccination scene. Each of them exerts his/her influence throughout the region. The result is that vaccination coverage has substantially decreased in many areas. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases that have to follow sooner or later would eventually, at least temporarily, bring a blow to the credibility of anti-vaccinationists. We already witnessed such a trend in Bosnia and Herzegovina where vaccines were not readily available during the Bosnian wars in 1990s. As a result, major epidemics of measles, mumps, and rubella recently took place all over the country. A dynamic balance between the influence of anti-vaccination movement and the incidence of diseases, characterized by an inverse relationship (the more damaging impact of vaccine opponents on public health, the more cases of diseases, and vice versa) has been a pattern that health services have to deal with.
An EOQ model with stock dependent demand and imperfect quality items
Authors: Panda Shibaji
Published: February 2017

This paper deals with an economic order quantity model where demand is stock
dependent. Items received are not of perfect quality and each lot received
contains percentage defective imperfect quality items, which follow a
probability distribution. Two cases are considered. 1) Imperfect quality
items are held in stock and sold in a single batch after a 100 percent
screening process. 2) A hundred percent screening process is performed but
the imperfect quality items are sold as soon as they are detected.
Approximate optimal solutions are derived in both cases. A numerical example
is provided in order to illustrate the development of the model. Sensitivity
analysis is also presented, indicating the effects of percentage imperfect
quality items on the optimal order quantity and total profit.
From Modernism to Metro Maps: Mondrian, Beck, and Salomon
Authors: Lloyd Peter B.
Published: February 2017

Many people have noted a suggestive parallel between the abstract paintings of Piet Mondrian and the design of metro maps such as Henry Beck’s map of the London Underground. Is this just a superficial similarity or is there some more substantive point of connection? This article speculates that the ‘dynamic equilibrium’, which gave Mondrian’s mature pictures their inimitable psychological force, could also be at work in the most iconic metro maps, such as those of Henry Beck and George Salomon. If so, then the automatic generation of metro maps to an acceptable quality may entail the daunting task of operationalising this dynamic balance and encoding it in computer software.
HRECs and journalism research: The uneven playing field
Authors: Davies Kayt
Published: February 2017

This article continues an ongoing investigation into the problems that contemporary researchers in Australia using journalism as a methodology face in meeting the bureaucratic requirements of Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs). This discussion in the peer-reviewed literature includes Richards (2009), Turner (2011), Lindgren and Phillips (2011), Romano (2012) and two articles by the author (Davies 2011a, 2011b). These two articles explored the flexibility built into the HREC’s guiding document, the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, in 2007 in order to make it possible for research that does not fit the standard scientific model to gain timely approval. The professional discussion has also included public conversations at the Journalism Education Association of Australia (JEAA) annual conferences and on the organisation’s online discussion list. It is evident from these discussions that some researchers find the ethics application process sufficiently arduous that research using journalism as a methodology is effectively not possible for them. Meanwhile, others find the approval process to be painless and beneficial to their work. This raises the question of whether these differences are due to the researchers’ competence in lodging applications for approvals, or differences in the approach taken by the various university-based HRECs. The novel contribution of this article to the discussion is quantitative data illustrating the diversity of approaches taken by HRECs to applications regarding research using journalism as a methodology and reflection on the implications for investigative journalism.
Atolls in the ocean—canaries in the mine? Australian journalism contesting climate change impacts in the Pacific
Authors: Nash Chris
Published: February 2017

This article has two complementary aspects, empirical and theoretical. Empirically, it examines the reportage of the two most prolific Australian journalists on the threat posed by climate change to low-lying Pacific island states, reporting over the two-year period leading up to and following the high-profile COP15 summit in Copenhagen in 2009. It was at that summit that the concerns of the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) were given extensive media coverage and managed to dominate the agenda for several days, to the consternation of some other summit participants. COP15 affords a good case study because the media coverage of this issue was variegated and heavily contested, contrary to earlier scholarly claims about an allegedly mono-dimensional quality to the journalism about climate change in the Pacific Ocean (Nash & Bacon, 2013).
Frontline: Interrogating power and disrupting the discourse about Onslow and the gas hubs
Authors: Davies Kayt , Barndon Karma
Published: February 2017

When government statements talk about a secret deal with a multinational consortium that will see more than A$250 million spent on a town with a population of around 1000 people, questions need to be asked. Basic maths equates the spend to around A$250,000 a person and yet many people in the town are unhappy about the whole deal. Tracking Onslow was a collaboration between a university and a local government that used journalism as a methodology to document and interrogate the interaction between Chevron, the state and local governments and the Onslow community over a three-year period. This article focuses on the production of the lead feature of the final edition. It presents the published article and a reflexive exegesis that uses Foucault’s ideas about power and knowledge to frame and evaluate the journalistic endeavour.
Malcolm Ross, journalist and photographer: The perfect war correspondent?
Authors: Cocker Alan
Published: February 2017

Malcolm Ross was New Zealand’s first official war correspondentand from 1915 until the end of the First World War he provided copy to theNew Zealand press. His journalism has been the subject of recent academicinvestigation, but Ross had another string to his bow—he was an enthusiasticphotographer with the skill to develop his own film ‘in the field’. Itmight therefore be expected that Ross was the ideal war correspondent, anindividual who could not only write the stories, but also potentially illustratethem with photography from the battlefields. Yet by the end of the conflicthis body of photographs was largely unpublished and unrecognised. Thisarticle looks at Ross’s photography and, in an era when media organisationsincreasingly require journalists to be multi-media skilled, asks whether therole of the writer and image-taker are still two different and not necessarilycomplementary skills.
SPECIAL REPORT: Causes for concern: The state of New Zealand journalism in 2015
Authors: Hollings James , Hanusch Folker , Balasubramanian Ravi , Lealand Geoff
Published: February 2017

This survey of NZ journalists completed in late 2015 shows the impact of the rapid move to a digital news environment. Journalists are more educated, but working longer hours and feeling more pressure, both ethically and resource-wise, than they were only two years ago. Technological changes are felt acutely, particularly the use of social media and user-generated content. Journalists are concerned that advertising and commercial pressures are stronger, while overall standards are weakening. This study also shows, for the first time, that women are seriously disadvantaged in pay and promotion despite making up the majority of the workforce. Despite these challenges, overall job satisfaction remains at similar levels to previous surveys, and journalists’ own commitment to ethical standards and journalism’s Fourth Estate role remains strong.
Journalism training aid by Australians: A case study in the Solomon Islands
Authors: Wake Alexandra
Published: February 2017

After the ethnic clashes and generally poor plight of Solomon Islands at the turn of the millennium, the country has been the recipient of substantial international foreign aid, which has included journalism education and training, particularly from Australia. However, little independent research has been done about the role of Australian trainers and the history of journalism training in this period of change and restoration. This article seeks to provide a point-in-time report on journalism training in an aid context, in a bid to provide a baseline for future investigation of changes in the media landscape and training in Solomon Islands. This research draws on independent in-depth interviews with engaged stakeholders in the Solomon Islands, including journalists, civil leaders and government figures. It also discusses the Australian government-funded media aid programmes, including the Solomon Islands Media Assistance Scheme (SOLMAS) and its unnamed predecessor.
Radio New Zealand International: Reporting the Pacific in tight times
Authors: Mollgaard Matt
Published: February 2017

New Zealand International (RNZI) broadcasts from New Zealand into the South Pacific and is relayed to South Pacific listeners by their various national news services. In 2006, American academic Andrew M. Clark characterised the role of RNZI as ‘providing a service for the people of the South Pacific’ that also provided ‘an important public diplomacy tool for the New Zealand government’ (Clark, 2006). A decade on, this article evaluates the ongoing use and utility of RNZI as a taxpayer-funded voice of and from New Zealand, as a service for the diverse peoples of the South Pacific and as a tool of New Zealand’s transnational diplomatic efforts.  RNZI is still a key source of local and regional information and connection for the distinct cultures and nations of the vast South Pacific area, whose peoples have strong links to New Zealand through historical ties and contemporary diasporas living in the country. But, RNZI now faces mounting financial pressure, a government swinging between indifferent and hostile to public broadcasting and questions of legitimacy and reach in the ‘digital age’. With RNZI under pressure in 2016, key questions arise about its present and future. What is RNZI doing well and not so well? What role should New Zealand’s domestic and international politics play in the organisation and its outputs? And how might its importance and impact be measured and understood in such a culturally and geographically diverse region as the South Pacific? Using a variety of sources, including documents released to the author under the New Zealand Official Information Act, this article explores the role of RNZI in the contemporary New Zealand and South Pacific media environments.
Social stigmatisation, cultural coercion, and peer-pressure faced by Pacific student reporters: A Wansolwara student press case study in problem-based learning
Authors: Singh Shailendra , Drugunalevu Eliki
Published: February 2017

This set of three case studies, with elements of problem-based learning, examines how the University of the South Pacific (USP) journalism students deal with social pressure applied by their peers, and the impact on learning. This is becoming an urgent and increasing concern due to the new, global realities of trolling and cyber bullying. This article is part of ongoing research into applied learning and teaching through the USP journalism student training newspaper, Wansolwara. The first case study deals with social stigmatisation, the second with intimidation, and the third with assault and cyber bullying. This article argues that social pressures are both a threat and an opportunity. As unpleasant as the hostile reactions are, they are a reality of practising journalism. Student reporters’ exposure to such confronting situations provides an early taste of real world journalism. The learning outcomes show that the experience toughens students’ resolve. For those bearing the brunt of the vitriol, coping mechanisms such as guidance by lecturers, support from the fellow journalism students, family encouragement, and due recognition of their journalistic work, are critical. This article contends that unlike physical harm, psychological harm to student journalists is overlooked. This trend is risky, especially in the digital media age, and needs to be addressed.
Mysid (Crustacea: Mysidacea) Distribution in the Bolgoda Estuarine System and Lunawa Lagoon, Sri Lanka
Authors: Punchihewa N. N. , Krishnarajah S. R. , Vinobaba P.
Published: February 2017

Mysids are one of the most abundant and important fauna in estuarine hyperbenthic communities. They form important links in estuarine food chains and play a critical role in the cycling of energy within estuarine systems. Therefore, it is important to recognize the distribution of estuarine mysids in Sri Lanka. The present study was undertaken in Bolgoda estuarine system and Lunawa lagoon, in order to find out the distribution of mysids in these brackish water systems. Reconnaissance surveys were conducted, in Bolgoda North Lake, Panadura estuary of the Bolgoda estuarine system and the Lunawa lagoon from April 2012 to February 2013. The samples were collected using a hand held dip net, during day time at low tide along an eighty meter transect at the boundary of the estuarine waters. Mesopodopsis zeylanica was the only mysid species observed from the low water areas of the lagoon along the boundary of the stream. In each collection, it was recorded, higher percentages of females than the males. Mysids were recoded only from unpolluted areas and they were absent, where Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) was widespread. The findings of this analysis could be used to establish the fact that boundary condition and polluted condition are having a great effect on presence of mysids. It may be due to their specific niche requirements and specialized habitats. Accordingly, mysids serve as pollution indicator species in estuarine ecosystems. An immediate management strategy is required in protecting the Bolgoda estuarine systems from dumping household pollutants as well as other pollutants and complete elimination of the invader plants like E. crassipes, in order to protect estuarine biodiversity.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENT  Volume-6, Issue-1, Dec-Feb 2016/17, page: 23-30
Occupational Health Hazards in Municipal Solid Waste Collecting Workers of Chandrapur City, Central India
Authors: Patil Priyanka V. , Kamble R. K.
Published: February 2017

Solid waste management has important occupational health issues associated with it. Out of 204 solid waste collecting workers of Chandrapur Municipal Corporation, 20 workers were selected (10% of the population) as sample size (15 female and 5 male) and 10 individuals as control group (5 female and 5 male). The study was carried out from November 2015 to January 2016. Peak Expiratory Flow Rate analysis was carried out through Breath-o meter and identification and assessment of other occupational health hazards through interview schedule specially designed and developed for this study. The results of the study showed that, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate values were lower in exposed workers as compared with control group. These workers were exposed to a number of environmental and occupational hazards leading to musculoskeletal disorders (100%), respiratory problems (90%), headache (90%), dermatological problems (25%) and gastrointestinal problems (15%) during work. It was further observed that these workers were suffering from allergies (100%), stomach pain (50%), asthma and bronchitis lungs (45%), cough and cold (25%), vomiting (25%), hearing disorder (20%), fever (15%), typhoid (10%), malaria (5%) etc. after completion of work.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENT, Volume-6, Issue-1, Dec-Feb 2016/17, page: 46-57
Status of Household Solid Waste and People’s Perception on its Management at Sitakunda Upazila, Chittagong
Authors: Rana Md. Juwel , Alam Ohidul , Majumder Sahadeb Chandra , Misbahuzzaman Khaled
Published: February 2017

Urban household solid waste (HSW) is well-known, but has little knowledge about the rural areas and sub-cities. The quest of the study was to investigate current HSW management system and people’s attitude towards it’s at Sitakunda Upazila. The study was conducted through a semi-structured questionnaire survey by interviewing 150 households from 3 different socioeconomic groups. The results showed that on an average each household generated 1.26 kg/day wastes which stands at 0.24 kg/person/day in the study area. However, HSW generation is positively correlated with family size (rxy=0.991, p˂0.05), average age of family members (rxy=0.455, p˂0.01), and monthly earnings (rxy=0.999, p˂0.01) of the households. Amidst the various categories of wastes, vegetable and food wastes (VFWs) were identified as the highest value 68.4%. In contrast, 24.6% of the generated wastes were recyclable and 75.4% non-recyclable; 82.1% organic and 17.9% inorganic. A large percentage of sampled households opined that present HSW management involves merely partial collection that is also irregular in urban areas but absent in rural areas. Unfair HSW collection was noticed by 58.7% and partial source segregation is also rare 14%. Besides, 42.7% people were found to dispose their daily generated wastes by open dumping and 25.3% nearby lagoon. A large number of people were dissatisfied 68% and only 6.7% were satisfied with the existing HSW management system. In addition, most of the people encountered bad odor problems by 28.7% and wastes spread on roadside by 38%. Significant quantity of recyclable wastes was noticed to collect from households by hawkers/scraps in the study area and very few household were found to use VFWs with cow-dung to generate biogas.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENT Volume-6, Issue-1, Dec-Feb 2016/17, page: 58-75
Soil Catena Properties of Daher Al- Jabal in South Syria
Authors: Husein Hussam H. M. , Nammora Tareq , Zaghtiti Ibrahim , Al-Khateeb Anwar , Zenyah Ehsan
Published: February 2017

Soil catena concept is a sequence of soils extends across relief positions and is developed from similar parent material. This study highlighted on the important aspects and properties of soil catena of Daher El-Jabal in Jabal Al-Arab mountainous area South eastern of Syria, by implementing pedologic study in 2010-2012. Six soil profiles have been studied along pedo-genetic transect in order to highlight the soil catena prevailing properties. The results reveal that the soil has formed from igneous basaltic parent casts, related to Neogen era, where reliefs had the key role in the developing of soil solum. Consequently, Entisols were dominated on eroded summits, Inceptisols on back slops and mountain flanks, Mollisols on depressions. Both water erosion of soil surface and leaching inside soil solum processes were responsible for variation of soil texture, as such soils showed evident of changing in particles size distribution as well as in clay content. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) was less than moderate with domination of Magnesium cation. Soil trace elements were poor to somewhat poor. Soil pH values in general were low; which reflect the pedo-genic character of igneous parent material in which soil drifted from. In some cases, where soil body subjected to continuous leaching of soil bases, in particular calcium cation; soil profiles became totally freed from calcium carbonates. Accordingly soil problems related to downing of soil reaction (pH) are more expected to be increasing by time. This is main reason for some physical diseases, which beginning arise on pomes fruits, particularly bitter pit.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENT Volume-6, Issue-1, Dec-Feb 2016/17, page: 87-107
Fenugreek Seed Powder Attenuated Aluminum Chloride-Induced Tau Pathology, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in a Rat Model of Alzheimer’s Disease1
Authors: Prema Asokan , Justin Thenmozhi Arokiasamy , Manivasagam Thamilarasan , Mohamed Essa Musthafa , Guillemin Gilles J.
Published: February 2017

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that mainly affects the aged population and is characterized by the progressive loss of the hippocampal and cortical neurons, which results in memory and cognitive impairments. Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) has been reported to have hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, hyperinsulinemic and anti-diabetic properties. Traditionally, it was used as a galactagogue and to treat anorexia, fever gastritis, gastric ulcers, and various nervous disorders. However, the neuroprotective effect of fenugreek seed powder against aluminum chloride (AlCl3) induced AD rats has not been analyzed. The result of the present study indicated that the chronic administration of AlCl3 induced significant learning and memory impairments, oxidative stress, and alterations in the protein immunocontent patterns of IDE and CDK5 (enzymes involved in the metabolism of tau and amyloid proteins), pTau, GFAP and Iba-1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, NF-κB, COX-2, CDK5, BDNF, and STAT3. Our behavioral, biochemical, and molecular studies revealed that the co-administration of fenugreek seed powder significantly attenuated the AlCl3 induced memory deficits, amyloid and tau pathology, oxidative stress, and inflammation in AD rats could be due to the synergistic action of its active components.
Taking (My) Time: Temporality in Transition, Queer Delays and Being (in the) Present
Authors: Israeli-Nevo Atalia
Published: February 2017

Trans temporalities are usually embedded within a linear progressive force that is directed from the past to the future. Whether embracing a narrative of an ‘extreme’ transformation from one gender to another, or by reimagining the past and claiming that the aspired gender was ‘always there,’ these temporalities ‘jump’ over the present without addressing it. This article aims to illustrate alternative trans temporalities through the notion of ‘taking time.’ Starting with my own autobiographical narrative as a trans woman taking her time with her transition, the article discusses the affective, social, and political meanings of doing a ‘delayed’ transition. Following that, the perspective is broadened to more generalized meanings of ‘taking time,’ analyzed through sociological readings of several trans cultural pieces: Imogen Binnie's novel Nevada, John Greyson's web-series Murder in Passing, and the films Jupiter Ascending (Lana and Lily Wachowski) and Tangerine (Sean S. Baker). These analyses will demonstrate the ways in which ‘taking time’ is embedded within the present, a process that incorporates both dangers and hopes for trans lives.
Effect of Sowing Method and N Application on Seed Yield and N Use Efficiency of Winter Oilseed Rape
Authors: Sieling Klaus , Böttcher Ulf , Kage Henning
Published: February 2017

In northern Europe, replacing winter barley with winter wheat as the preceding crop for winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.; WOSR) often results in a delayed WOSR sowing and poor autumn growth. Based on data from a field experiment running in 2009/2010, 2010/2011, and 2012/2013, this study aims (i) to investigate how a delayed sowing method affects seed yield, N offtake with the seeds, and apparent N use efficiency (NUE) of WOSR; (ii) to test the ability of autumn and spring N fertilization to compensate for the negative effects of a delayed sowing method; and (iii) to estimate the minimum autumnal growth for optimal seed yield. In order to create sufficiently differentiated canopies, a combination of four sowing methods (first week of August until the third week of September) and four autumn N treatments (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg·N·ha−1) was established. Each of these 16 different canopies was fertilized with 5 N amounts (0/0, 40/40, 80/80, 120/120, 140/140 kg·N·ha−1) in spring in order to estimate separate N response curves. Above-ground N accumulation in autumn and seed yield and N offtake by the seeds were determined. Plant establishment after mid-September significantly decreased seed yield. Autumn N fertilization of at least 30 kg·N·ha−1 increased seed yield and N offtake by the seeds without any significant interaction with sowing method and spring N supply. However, the pathway(s) remain(s) unclear. Spring N fertilization up to 130 kg·N·ha−1 (estimated by a Linear-Plateau N response curve) increased seed yield. NUE decreased with increasing N supply, where WOSR used autumn N to a lesser extent than spring N. An above-ground N uptake of at least 10–15 kg·N·ha−1 at the end of autumn growth was required to achieve high seed yields. From an environmental point of view, optimal autumn growth should be attained by choosing an adequate sowing method, not by applying additional N in autumn.
Comparison Study of Two Semi-Active Hybrid Energy Storage Systems for Hybrid Electric Vehicle Applications and Their Experimental Validation
Authors: Min Haitao , Lai Changlu , Yu Yuanbin , Zhu Tao , Zhang Cong
Published: February 2017

Both the battery/supercapacitor (SC) and SC/battery are two common semi-active configurations of hybrid energy storage systems (HESSs) in hybrid electric vehicles, which can take advantage of the battery’s and supercapacitor’s respective characteristics, including the energy ability, power ability and the long lifetime. To explore in depth the characteristics and applicability of the two kinds of HESS, an analysis and comparison study is proposed in this paper. Based on the data collected from public transit hybrid electric bus (PTHEB) with battery-only on-board energy storage, the range and distribution probability of electric power/energy demand is comprehensively statistically analyzed with the decomposing and normalizing methods. Accordingly, the performance of each topology under different parameter matching conditions but same mass, volume and cost values with battery-only energy storage, are presented and compared quantitatively. The results show that both HESS configurations can meet the electric power demand of the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) through reasonable design. In particular, the SC/battery can make better use of the SC features resulting in high efficiency and long life cycles compared with the battery/SC. Equally, it proves that the SC/battery topology is a better choice for the HEV. Finally, an experimental validation of a real HEV is carried out, which indicated that a 7% fuel economy improvement can be achieved by a SC/battery system compared with battery-only topology.
Reduction of Furfural to Furfuryl Alcohol in Liquid Phase over a Biochar-Supported Platinum Catalyst
Authors: Fuente-Hernández Ariadna , Lee Roland , Béland Nicolas , Zamboni Ingrid , Lavoie Jean-Michel
Published: February 2017

In this work, the liquid phase hydrogenation of furfural has been studied using a biochar-supported platinum catalyst in a batch reactor. Reactions were performed between 170 °C and 320 °C, using 3 wt % and 5 wt % of Pt supported on a maple-based biochar under hydrogen pressure varying from 500 psi to 1500 psi for reaction times between 1 h and 6 h in various solvents. Under all reactive conditions, furfural conversion was significant, whilst under specific conditions furfuryl alcohol (FA) was obtained in most cases as the main product showing a selectivity around 80%. Other products as methylfuran (MF), furan, and trace of tetrahydrofuran (THF) were detected. Results showed that the most efficient reaction conditions involved a 3% Pt load on biochar and operations for 2 h at 210 °C and 1500 psi using toluene as solvent. When used repetitively, the catalyst showed deactivation although only a slight variation in selectivity toward FA at the optimal experimental conditions was observed.
Improving the Reliability of Optimised Link State Routing in a Smart Grid Neighbour Area Network based Wireless Mesh Network Using Multiple Metrics
Authors: Tsado Yakubu , Gamage Kelum , Adebisi Bamidele , Lund David , Rabie Khaled , Ikpehai Augustine
Published: February 2017

Reliable communication is the backbone of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). Within the AMI, the neighbourhood area network (NAN) transports a multitude of trafﬁc, each with unique requirements. In order to deliver an acceptable level of reliability and latency, the underlying network, such as the wireless mesh network(WMN), must provide or guarantee the quality-of-service (QoS) level required by the respective application trafﬁc. Existing WMN routing protocols, such as optimised link state routing (OLSR), typically utilise a single metric and do not consider the requirements of individual trafﬁc; hence, packets are delivered on a best-effort basis. This paper presents a QoS-aware WMN routing technique that employs multiple metrics in OLSR optimal path selection for AMI applications. The problems arising from this approach are non deterministic polynomial time (NP)-complete in nature, which were solved through the combined use of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) algorithm and pruning techniques. For smart meters transmitting Internet Protocol (IP) packets of varying sizes at different intervals, the proposed technique considers the constraints of NAN and the applications’ trafﬁc characteristics. The technique was developed by combining multiple OLSR path selection metrics with the AHP algorithminns-2. Compared with the conventional link metric in OLSR, the results show improvements of about 23% and 45% in latency and Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), respectively, in a 25-node grid NAN.
Isolating and Quantifying the Effects of Climate and CO2 Changes (1980–2014) on the Net Primary Productivity in Arid and Semiarid China
Authors: Fang Xia , Zhang Chi , Wang Quan , Chen Xi , Ding Jianli , Karamage Fidele
Published: February 2017

Although the net primary productivity (NPP) of arid/semiarid ecosystem is generally thought to be controlled by precipitation, other factors like CO2 fertilization effect and temperature change may also have important impacts, especially in the cold temperate areas of the northern China, where significant warming was reported in the recent decades. However, the impacts of climate and atmospheric CO2 changes to the NPP dynamics in the arid and semiarid areas of China (ASA-China) is still unclear, hindering the development of climate adaptation strategy. Based on numeric experiments and factorial analysis, this study isolated and quantified the effects of climate and CO2 changes between 1980–2014 on ASA-China’s NPP, using the Arid Ecosystem Model (AEM) that performed well in predicting ecosystems’ responses to climate/CO2 change according to our evaluation based on 21 field experiments. Our results showed that the annual variation in NPP was dominated by changes in precipitation, which reduced the regional NPP by 10.9 g·C/(m2·year). The precipitation-induced loss, however, has been compensated by the CO2 fertilization effect that increased the regional NPP by 14.9 g·C/(m2·year). The CO2 fertilization effect particularly benefited the extensive croplands in the Northern China Plain, but was weakened in the dry grassland of the central Tibetan Plateau due to suppressed plant activity as induced by a drier climate. Our study showed that the climate change in ASA-China and the ecosystem’s responses were highly heterogeneous in space and time. There were complex interactive effects among the climate factors, and different plant functional types (e.g., phreatophyte vs. non-phreatophyte) could have distinct responses to similar climate change. Therefore, effective climate-adaptive strategies should be based on careful analysis of local climate pattern and understanding of the characteristic responses of the dominant species. Particularly, China’s policy makers should pay close attention to climate change and ecosystem health in northeastern China, where significant loss in forest NPP has been triggered by drought, and carefully balance the ecological and agricultural water usage. For wildlife conservation, the drought-stressed grassland in the central Tibetan Plateau should be protected from overgrazing in the face of dramatic warming in the 21st century.
WearSense: Detecting Autism Stereotypic Behaviors through Smartwatches
Authors: Amiri Amir , Peltier Nicholas , Goldberg Cody , Sun Yan , Nathan Anoo , Hiremath Shivayogi , Mankodiya Kunal
Published: February 2017

Autism is a complex developmental disorder that affects approximately 1 in 68 children (according to the recent survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—CDC) in the U.S., and has become the fastest growing category of special education. Each student with autism comes with her or his own unique needs and an array of behaviors and habits that can be severe and which interfere with everyday tasks. Autism is associated with intellectual disability, impairments in social skills, and physical health issues such as sleep and abdominal disturbances. We have designed an Internet-of-Things (IoT) framework named WearSense that leverages the sensing capabilities of modern smartwatches to detect stereotypic behaviors in children with autism. In this work, we present a study that used the inbuilt accelerometer of a smartwatch to detect three behaviors, including hand flapping, painting, and sibbing that are commonly observed in children with autism. In this feasibility study, we recruited 14 subjects to record the accelerometer data from the smartwatch worn on the wrist. The processing part extracts 34 different features in each dimension of the three-axis accelerometer, resulting in 102 features. Using and comparing various classification techniques revealed that an ensemble of 40 decision trees has the best accuracy of around 94.6%. This accuracy shows the quality of the data collected from the smartwatch and feature extraction methods used in this study. The recognition of these behaviors by using a smartwatch would be helpful in monitoring individuals with autistic behaviors, since the smartwatch can send the data to the cloud for comprehensive analysis and also to help parents, caregivers, and clinicians make informed decisions.
Nitrogen Related Diffuse Pollution from Horticulture Production—Mitigation Practices and Assessment Strategies
Authors: Cameira Maria , Mota Mariana
Published: February 2017

Agriculture is considered one of the main nitrogen (N) pollution sources through the diffuse emissions of ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) to the atmosphere and nitrate (NO3−) to water bodies. The risk is particularly high in horticultural production systems (HPS), where the use of water and fertilizers is intensive and concentrated in space and time, and more specifically, in the case of vegetable crops that have high growth rates, demanding an abundant supply of water and nitrogen forms. Therefore, to comply with the EU environmental policies aimed at reducing diffuse pollution in agriculture, there is the need for mitigation practices or strategies acting at different levels such as the source, the timing and the transport of N. HPS are often well suited for improvement practices, but efficient and specific tools capable of describing and quantifying N losses for these particular production systems are required. The most common mitigation strategies found in the literature relate to crop, irrigation and fertilization management. Nevertheless, only the success of a mitigation strategy under specific conditions will allow its implementation to be increasingly targeted and more cost effective. Assessment methods are therefore required to evaluate and to quantify the impact of mitigation strategies in HPS and to select the most promising ones.