bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatic GALE Regulates Whole-Body Glucose Homeostasis by Modulating Tff3 Expression
Authors: Zhu Yi , Zhao Shangang , Deng Yingfeng , Gordillo Ruth , Ghaben Alexandra L. , Shao Mengle , Zhang Fang , Xu Ping , Li Yang , Cao Huachuan , Zagnitko Olga , Scott David A. , Gupta Rana K. , Xing Chao , Zhang Bei B. , Lin Hua V. , Scherer Philipp E.
Published: September 2017

Transcripts of key enzymes in the Leloir pathway of galactose metabolism in mouse livers are significantly increased after chronic high-fat/high-sucrose feeding. UDP-galactose-4-epimerase (GALE) is the last enzyme in this pathway that converts UDP-galactose to UDP-glucose and was previously identified as a downstream target of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress effector spliced X-box binding protein 1, suggesting an interesting cross talk between galactose and glucose metabolism in the context of hepatic ER stress and whole-body metabolic fitness. However, its specific role in glucose metabolism is not established. Using an inducible and tissue-specific mouse model, we report that hepatic overexpression of Gale increases gluconeogenesis from pyruvate and impairs glucose tolerance. Conversely, genetic reduction of Gale in liver improves glucose tolerance. Transcriptional profiling identifies trefoil factor 3 (Tff3) as one of the downstream targets of GALE. Restoration of Tff3 expression corrects glucose intolerance in Gale-overexpressing mice. These studies reveal a new link between hepatic GALE activity and whole-body glucose homeostasis via regulation of hepatic Tff3 expression.
The Dynamic of Shiva-Sisya (Patron Client) Relationships Within Hindu’s Practice in Denpasar City
Authors: Anom Kumbara AA. Ngurah , Kartika Dewi AA. Sagung
Published: September 2017

Modernization and globalization have spread the ideology of capitalism and materialistic rationalism throughout the world. It has created transformation not only in the socio-cultural and economic aspects, but also in religion practice. One of the Hindu’s practice phenomenon that prevails nowadays in Denpasar is a certain dynastic lawsuit against shiva-sisya relationship (patron-client), which became a tradition in Hindu’s practice in Bali.The purpose of this study is to understand and explain the background of the shifting in shiva-sisya (patron client) relationship and the implications of this shift within Hindu’s practice or religiosity in Denpasar city. To answer the purpose of this study cultural studies approach was used with qualitative analysis. Techniques for collecting data were through in-depth interviews, observations and analysis of the related documents. This study used theories: Patron-Client by James Scott, Structuration by Giddens and Modernization/social change of Marx. Based on the analysis of the collected data, this study has found that the underlying shift in the relationship of shiva-sisya (patron-client) within Hindu’s practice in Denpasar city was the appearance of the religious power decentralization, the strengthening of the market ideology within Hindu’s practice and structured social relations. The implications of that shift, which happen to be the religion privacy and the emergence of Hindu’s internal friction in religious practice in Denpasar city.
The Role of Study Program In Political Education
Authors: Zuryani Nazrina , Citra Ranteallo Ikma , Kebayantini Ni Luh Nyoman
Published: September 2017

Research grant/HUPS for Sociology Department from Udayana University utilized FGD to frame up the political education utilized by internship and learning via text book of ‘Political Parties Accountability’ published in 2015 at FISIP Unud that is compared with general lecture delivered by Nazrina Zuryani1) as guest lecturer at Bina Nusantara International (communication Department) in Jakarta. Bina Nusantara International University has not Faculty of Social and Political Sciences as in UNUD but all the students get double degree with overseas universities and Communication department belongs to Faculty of Computing and Media of Binus International. Political education at Sociology department of UNUD has not yet increase the critical thinking of students by argumentation while Binus International urge their students to be more critical for any social changes and global politics. Utilizing the organizational of political parties by Basedeau dan Stroh (2008), as well as the critics from Heywood (2013) who said that political parties have not yet successfully implementing politic of education for people especially the youth. This research is the result of comparing the political education that has been minor in critical thinking at Sociology department at Unud Bali but in contrary, it becomes a major critical thinking for global politics topic at Binus International in Jakarta. Both participants of Focus Group Discussion/FGD were 26 students and 21 students for general lecture. Almost 85% of FGD participants had undertaking subject of Political Sociology while participants of ‘Political Globalization’ never undertaking it. The result of FGD shows that most of students unaware of global politics as they focus only at subjects’ correlations while at Binus International, the general lecture participants shows the ability to synthesize the social and political engineering to face the dilemma of right wings that now are pandemic in the global world.
Kinetic assessment of the simultaneous hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene and the hydrogenation of diverse polyaromatic structures
Authors: Morales-Valencia Edgar M. , Castillo-Araiza Carlos. O. , Giraldo Sonia A. , Baldovino Medrano Víctor Gabriel
Published: September 2017

The work presents a kinetic study of the simultaneous hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene and hydrogenation of aromatics with different chemical structures. This kind of studies are seldom reported, since many authors deal almost exclusively with hydrodesulfurization. Furthermore, most of these authors employ power rate laws for kinetic modelling neglecting a rigorous analysis of the thermodynamic parameters of the reactions; namely, adsorption enthalpies and entropies.

Considering this fact, we decided to base our kinetic modelling on a Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) formalism testing the hypothesis of the existence of one or two different catalytic sites for hydrogenation and desulfurization. The consistency of the aforementioned thermodynamic parameters was assessed considering the criteria postulated by Boudart.Our results allowed concluding that a LHHW model considering two actives sites provides a statically satisfactory fitting of experimental data. In addition, it was possible to determine that inhibition effects of aromatics on hydrodesulfurization exist but depend to some extent on the molecular structure of the aromatic.On the other hand, this work also contributes by providing experimental values of adsorption constants of compounds reacting under hydrotreatment conditions which despite the significant advances in theoretical calculations are not yet available in open literature.
Facile Fabrication of Ultralow-Density Transparent Boehmite Nanofiber Cryogel Monoliths and Their Application in Volumetric Three-Dimensional Displays
Authors: Hayase Gen , Funatomi Takuya , Kumagai Kota
Published: September 2017

Low bulk density transparent porous monoliths have unique optical properties such as low refractive index and usually can be obtained via supercritical drying to prevent deformation and collapse of pore structure. We succeeded in fabricating a transparent cryogel with a bulk density of 3.5 mg cm−3 by vacuum freeze drying of a monolithic wet gel composed of boehmite nanofibers. In the case of adding a functional material into the starting sol of the gel, a composite material can be obtained. We analyzed the optical properties of transparent cryogels using image processing (direct-global separation) and applied the composite with a fluorescent molecule to volumetric three-dimensional (3D) displays.
Ethynamine - Ketenimine - Acetonitrile - Rearrangements: A computational Study of Flash Vacuum Pyrolysis Processes
Authors: Wentrup Curt , Begue Didier , Leung-Toung Regis
Published: September 2017

The rearrangements of ethynamine 3 (H-CºC-NH2) to ketenimine 4 (CH2=C=NH) and acetonitrile 5 (CH3CN) were investigated computationally up to the MP4(SDTQ)/6-31G*//MP2(FU)/6-31G* level. The calculated barrier for a concerted reaction 3 -> 4 is very high, 74 kcal/mol, the structure of the transition state very unusual, and this path is discredited. A lower barrier of about 60 kcal/mol via aminovinylidene 2 and imidoylcarbene 15 has been found. The calculated barrier for a concerted second step 4 -> 5 is 61 kcal/mol, and the transition state structure is again very unusual with a virtually linear CCN backbone, but this does not appear to correspond to physical reality. Instead, CASPT2 calculations predict reaction via vinylnitrene 9 and/or homolysis of 4 to the radical pair ·CH2CN + H· (11) with a barrier of 67-70 kcal/mol in agreement with experimental shock-tube data. Recombination (maybe via roaming) affords acetonitrile 5. There is strong experimental evidence for homolytic paths in pas-phase pyrolyses of ketenimines.
Mergers and Acquisitions in CEE Countries
Authors: Szezepaniak Angelika Kedzierska
Published: September 2017

The world market economy is currently characterized by the tendency to globalization, which means that companies have to cooperate and tighten their relations. Companies working on the local market do not have many possibilities for development, so mergers and acquisitions (M&A also called consolidations or takeovers) can be a chance for them to cooperate with companies from all over the world. Consolidations (M&A) concern the aspect of management, corporate finance and corporate strategy dealing with buying, selling and merging of different companies. The main goal of mergers and acquisitions is usually an improvement of company performance and shareholder value over a long period of time. Mergers and acquisitions are similar corporate actions - they combine two previously separate companies into a single legal entity. In some cases, terming the combination a "merger" rather than an acquisition is done purely for political or marketing reasons. In a merger of two corporations, the shareholders usually have their shares in the old company exchanged for an equal number of shares in the merged entity.
Motivos para a Criação de uma Nova Ordem Econômica no Período do Pós-Guerra e os Pilares Jurídicos dessa Nova Ordem
Authors: Velloso Renato Ribeiro
Published: September 2017

A Segunda Guerra Mundial não foi mais do que uma luta de credos rivais pela supremacia. A partir de 1945, houve prolongada inimizade entre a América e a URSS; a Ásia e partes da África foram libertadas do domínio europeu. Como no final da Primeira Guerra Mundial, houve muita discussão sobre democracia e sobre a necessidade de organizar a paz. A Organização das Nações Unidas foi criada para substituir a velha Liga, e todas as potências, exceto as vencidas, nela ingressaram. Mas a URSS, embora. dissesse falar também em nome da democracia, do direito de cada povo governar-se a si próprio, e da cooperação internacional, não queria que o Ocidente usasse tais princípios contra ela. Assim o mundo passou a ser dividido em dois blocos: o Ocidental (capitalista) e o Oriental (socialista/comunista). O Ocidental ficou sendo liderado pelos Estados Unidos e o bloco Oriental liderado pela União das Repúblicas Socialistas Soviéticas (URSS). A URSS desejava estender suas fronteiras para oeste, estabelecer Estados satélites ao longo delas, e manter a Alemanha dividida, visto que, unida, iria ela juntar-se às potências capitalistas. Para alcançar tais objetivos, usaram força onde foi necessário. O que fez crescer um clamor contra o imperialismo soviético e contra a conspiração para tornar o mundo comunista. Um ano antes do término da guerra, em 1944, foi realizada nos Esta-dos Unidos a. conferência monetária de Bretton Woods, visando assegurar a estabilidade monetária internacional, impedindo que o dinheiro esca-passe dos países e restringindo a especulação com as moedas mundiais. Um ano antes do término da guerra, em 1944, foi realizada nos Estados Unidos a conferência monetária de Bretton Woods, visando assegurar a estabilidade monetária internacional, impedindo que o dinheiro escapasse dos países e restringindo a especulação com as moedas mundiais.
As Operações com Terceiros no Direito Cooperativo Português
Authors: Meira Deolinda Aparício
Published: September 2017

Partindo de um Acórdão do Supremo Tribunal de Justiça que decidiu sobre o destino dos benefícios resultantes das operações com terceiros na cooperativa, o presente estudo visa caracterizar, no ordenamento português, o regime jurídico de tais operações, dando-se particular destaque ao conceito de terceiro na cooperativa e à natureza dos benefícios resultantes das operações da cooperativa com aquele. Conclui-se que, em nome da preservação da causa mutualista, tais benefícios não poderão retornar aos cooperadores por serem juridicamente encarados como lucros e não como verdadeiros excedentes cooperativos, sendo, obrigatoriamente, afectados a reservas obrigatórias.
DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTER EDUCATION BASED ON LOCAL WISDOM IN INDEGENOUS PEOPLE TENGAHAN SEDANGAGUNG
Authors: Marhayani Dina Anika
Published: September 2017

The character education is built from the values of local wisdom that diverse. The value of local wisdom contains noble values of the ancestor of nation that can be used as capital to establish a nation with good and strong character. The role of local wisdom can be used to develop a character education. This study have reviewed same jurnal literature and article about development of character education based on local wisdom. The first part in the study will introduce the meaning of charater, character education, and local wisdom. The second part will discuss relation of character education and local wisdom, social culture on indigenous peoples Tengahan Sendangagung, the values of the local wisdom on indigenous peoples Tengahan Sendangagung, and the wisdom of the local indigenous people to develop a character education. Finally, the last part of this paper will explain some values of the local wisdom to develop character education.
EFFECT OF MOTIVATON AND CREATIVITY ON STUDENTS’ PSYCHOMOTOR ABILITY
Authors: Arpan Muhamad , Sulistiyarini Dewi , Santoso Danar
Published: September 2017

This research aims to determine: (1) the effect of motivation on students’ psychomotor ability; (2) the effect of creativity on students’ psychomotor ability; (3) the effect of motivation and creativity as in aggregate on students’ psychomotor ability; and (4) the contribution of motivation and creativity on students’ psychomotor ability in the subject of Web Programming. This research is an ex-post facto type. The population was sixth semester students of TIK Education Research Program of PGRI Pontianak totaling 217 students. The sample was 135 students with proportional random sampling techniques that determined by the Issac and Michael table. Data collection using a questionnaire. The data was analyzed using regression analysis to test the hypotheses. The results showed that: (1) motivation has a positive and significant effect on students’ psychomotor Ability; (2) creativity has a positive and significant effect on students’ psychomotor Ability; (3) motivation and creativity as in aggregate had a positive and significant effect on students’ psychomotor Ability with 68.88%; and (4) the contribution of motivation is 12.5% and creativity is 32.5% on students’ psychomotor Ability in the subject of Web Programming.
Features of cognitive dysfunction in patients with depressive disorder and cerebrovascular pathology
Authors: Prokhorova Olga
Published: September 2017

Background

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of elderly people, and at the same time the accumulation of mental and somatic diseases inherent in these age categories. Depression, dementia and cardiovascular disease continue to occupy leading positions. Executive dysfunction syndrome in patients with organic depressive disorder with cerebrovascular pathology is one of the pathognomonic features of violation of higher brain functions in subcortical ischemic depression, which is important for the prognosis of the disease, provision of timely medical care, development of preventive measures and improvement of patients' quality of life.

Methods

Using TMT and Strup tests, 138 patients with depressive disorder were screened for the purpose of detecting cognitive dysfunction.

Results

More pronounced cognitive dysfunction in the form of violation of the executive function, cognitive control, volume and distribution of attention was observed in patients with organic depressive disorder and signs of subcortical ischemia of the GM. Differences in the structure of violations of cognition are caused by zones of morphological defeat of the GM and the rupture of cortico-strial paths.

Conclusion

Thus, in patients with subcortical ischemic depression, there is a syndrome of executive dysfunction, which is the leading cause of subcortical ischemic dementia. Ability to develop and implement a comprehensive program for the recovery of cognitive dysfunction will improve the quality of life of patients.
Veterinary Curriculum Transformation at the University of Illinois, 2006–2016
Authors: Foreman Jonathan H. , Morin Dawn E. , Graves Thomas K. , Mitchell Mark A. , Zuckermann Federico A. , Whiteley Herbert E.
Published: September 2017

The organization and delivery of a curriculum is the responsibility of the faculty in educational institutions. Curricular revision is often a hotly debated topic in any college faculty. At the University of Illinois, a 2006 mandate for curriculum modernization from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education provided impetus for a long-discussed curricular revision. After two iterations and a lengthy development process, a new curriculum was gradually implemented at Illinois with the August 2009 matriculation of the Class of 2013. The goals of the revision included earlier clinical exposure for veterinary students through introductions to clinical rotations in years 1 to 3 and an integrated body systems approach in lecture/laboratory courses. A new Clinical Skills Learning Center facilitates development of clinical skills earlier in the curriculum and promotes the development of those skills throughout all 4 years of the curriculum. New outcomes assessments include comprehensive written examinations and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) in years 2 and 3. Curriculum management, including grading of clinical rotations in all 4 years, is achieved through a commercially available software package. For the past 5 years, when candidates were asked why they chose to apply to Illinois, the new curriculum (27.4%) was the most common answer given during interviews. The Illinois revision has resulted in measurably increased veterinary student self-confidence (p<.001) at graduation.
The Hidden Curriculum of Veterinary Education: Mediators and Moderators of Its Effects
Authors: Roder Carrie A. , May Stephen A.
Published: September 2017

The “hidden curriculum” has long been supposed to have an effect on students' learning during their clinical education, and in particular in shaping their ideas of what it means to be a professional. Despite this, there has been little evidence linking specific changes in professional attitudes to the individual components of the hidden curriculum. This study aimed to recognize those components that led to a change in students' professional attitudes at a UK veterinary school, as well as to identify the attitudes most affected. Observations were made of 11 student groups across five clinical rotations, followed by semi-structured interviews with 23 students at the end of their rotation experience. Data were combined and analyzed thematically, taking both an inductive and deductive approach. Views about the importance of technical competence and communication skills were promoted as a result of students' interaction with the hidden curriculum, and tensions were revealed in relation to their attitudes toward compassion and empathy, autonomy and responsibility, and lifestyle ethic. The assessment processes of rotations and the clinical service organization served to communicate the messages of the hidden curriculum, bringing about changes in student professional attitudes, while student-selected role models and the student rotation groups moderated the effects of these influences.
A Segregation of Duties Case Study in the Purchase-to-Pay Process with an SAP Example
Authors: Jones Nancy , Mensching Jim
Published: September 2017

With the advent of legislation dealing with financial responsibility and information assurance, the topic of segregation of duties has gained additional importance. Recent studies have found that segregation of duties is one of the areas in which companies have frequently disclosed material internal control weaknesses under reporting requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This is a case assignment that develops both the theoretical base for segregation of duties and then illustrates how this is accomplished in a highly integrated computerized enterprise business environment. The authorization system within the SAP R/3 system is used to illustrate the implementation of segregated duties in one type of ERP system. There are four steps to the case: assessing risks of the business process, defining positions within the organization to handle a set of defined tasks, developing an authorization matrix for designated employees, and examining the SAP authorizations system.
A REA Business Process Modeling and Relational Database Development Case: The Paws and Claws Veterinary
Authors: Ballenger Robert M.
Published: September 2017

This case provides a real-world end-of-semester project-oriented case study for students enrolled in an accounting information systems course in which resources, events, and agents (REA) business process modeling and database development are taught. The case consists of a business scenario to provide background information, details of the unique operating characteristics of the Paws and Claws Veterinary Clinic, a description of the functional business requirements, and sample data. The case provides sufficient information to create a moderately complex REA conceptual business process model for the revenue and collection cycle of a service-oriented business. Students should be able to convert the conceptual REA model into an Access database, populate it with data, and then develop a series of queries, forms, and reports that satisfy the stated functional requirements of the clinic. Teaching notes containing suggested implementation guidelines, a possible REA model, the resulting Access database containing the solution to the queries, forms and reports are provided.
Accounting Processes and the Accountant's Role in AIS: An Instructional Resource
Authors: Barra Roberta Ann , Savage Arline
Published: September 2017

This paper outlines an Accounting Information Systems (AIS) manual practice set that is purely accounting-oriented. AIS faculty make extensive use of manual practice set projects in upper-division courses. A common feature of projects is their substantial bookkeeping component. In addition to their accounting components, such projects usually require students to perform the tasks of clerk and bookkeeper for the main business processes—sales, cash receipts, cash disbursements, purchases, and payroll—before beginning each accounting task. This amount of repetitive work can be tedious and time-consuming. The accounting-oriented practice set offered here (available free of charge with proper citation) requires only accounting and auditing tasks. Yet it enables students to gain an appreciation of AIS, and to carry their understanding into other systems, including computerized environments. This is consistent with the stated objective of increasing the student's information system skills, as opposed to teaching bookkeeping skills. The paper also explains why this teaching approach may be preferable.
Towards an Understanding of Accounting Information Systems as a Discipline: A Comparative Analysis of Topical Coverage in AIS and MIS Courses
Authors: Murthy Uday S. , Ragland Linda
Published: September 2017

The accounting information systems (AIS) discipline lacks a sense of identity relative to the closely related field of management information systems (MIS). By identifying how AIS is evolving and what makes AIS unique from MIS, the field can gain a better understanding of its importance. We analyze a sample of syllabi for the introductory AIS and MIS courses, focusing on similarities and differences between the AIS and MIS fields as reflected in the topical coverage choices made by AIS and MIS educators. We also investigate the effects of the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on topical coverage in the introductory AIS course. The findings reveal that while AIS courses have a unique focus on transaction processing and internal controls relative to MIS courses, more technical topics such as hardware and software issues and IS solutions are covered more commonly in MIS courses rather than AIS courses. We also find that AIS topical coverage has changed since the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, with a more pronounced focus on internal control and security compared to the pre-Sarbanes Oxley era. The key contribution of this paper is in providing empirical evidence in support of the “intersection view” of AIS, which asserts that while AIS and MIS have some topics in common there are also many issues unique to each field.
A Tourism Financial Conditions Index for Tourism Finance
Authors: Chang Chia-Lin , Hsu Hui-Kuang , McAleer Michael
Published: September 2017

The paper uses monthly data on tourism related factors from April 2005–June 2016 for Taiwan that applies factor analysis and Chang’s (2015) novel approach for constructing a tourism financial indicator, namely the Tourism Financial Conditions Index (TFCI). The TFCI is an adaptation and extension of the widely-used Monetary Conditions Index (MCI) and Financial Conditions Index (FCI) to tourism stock data. However, the method of calculation of the TFCI is different from existing methods of constructing the MCI and FCI in that the weights are estimated empirically. The empirical findings show that TFCI is statistically significant using the estimated conditional mean of the tourism stock index returns (RTS). Granger Causality tests show that TFCI shows strong feedback on RTS. An interesting insight is that the empirical results show a significant negative correlation between F1_visitors (Foreign Visitor Arrivals) and RTS, implying that tourism authorities might promote travel by the “rich”, and not only on inbound visitor growth. The use of market returns on the tourism stock sub-index as the sole indicator of the tourism sector, as compared with the general activity of economic variables on tourism stocks, is shown to provide an exaggerated and excessively volatile explanation of tourism financial conditions.
A Fuzzy-Based Adaptive Streaming Algorithm for Reducing Entropy Rate of DASH Bitrate Fluctuation to Improve Mobile Quality of Service
Authors: Ma Linh , Park Jaehyung , Nam Jiseung , Ryu HoYong , Kim Jinsul
Published: September 2017

Dynamic adaptive streaming over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is an advanced technology in video streaming to deal with the uncertainty of network states. However, this technology has one drawback as the network states frequently and continuously change. The quality of a video streaming fluctuates along with the network changes, and it might reduce the quality of service. In recent years, many researchers have proposed several adaptive streaming algorithms to reduce such changes. However, these algorithms only consider the current state of a network. Thus, these algorithms might result in inaccurate estimates of a video quality in the near term. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a method using fuzzy logic and a mathematics moving average technique, in order to reduce mobile video quality fluctuation in Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH). First, we calculate the moving average of the bandwidth and buffer values for a given period. On the basis of differences between real and average values, we propose a fuzzy logic system to deduce the value of the video quality representation for the next request. In addition, we use the entropy rate of a bandwidth measurement sequence to measure the predictable/stabilization of our method. The experiment results show that our proposed method reduces video quality fluctuation as well as improves 40% of bandwidth utilization compared to existing methods.
A Design Method for Making an LCC Compensation Two-Coil Wireless Power Transfer System More Energy Efficient Than an SS Counterpart
Authors: Liu Xu , Clare Lindsay , Yuan Xibo , Wang Chonglin , Liu Jianhua
Published: September 2017

A new design approach is presented in this paper to show that under certain conditions, in a two-coil wireless power transfer system, the double-sided inductor-capacitor-capacitor (LCC) compensated wireless power transfer (LCC-WPT) system can be more energy efficient than the series-series (SS) compensated wireless power transfer (SS-WPT) system for the same load power, with special attention being paid to the effect that the parasitic coil and capacitor resistances have on the system efficiency. To make a fair comparison between the SS and LCC WPT systems, the direct current (DC) link voltage was adjusted to set equal load power for the two systems whilst using identical transmit and receive coils, coil-to-coil distance and load resistance. The system performance in terms of the system efficiency, the voltage stresses on the components, and the losses in the power devices were analysed for a practical system, comparing the LCC-WPT system and the SS-WPT system with respect to the load resistance. The effect of coil misalignment on the transferred power and efficiency for the two systems was compared. The theoretical proof and the conditions for meeting the objective are derived and practically verified in a two-coil WPT practical prototype, showing good agreement between analysis and experiments.
Is the Effect of Body Mass Index on Hypertension Modified by the Elevation? A Cross-Sectional Study of Rural Areas in Japan
Authors: Hamano Tsuyoshi , Shiotani Yoshiya , Takeda Miwako , Abe Takafumi , Sundquist Kristina , Nabika Toru
Published: September 2017

Obesity is an established independent risk factor for developing hypertension. A recent study showed that the effect of obesity on hypertension varies by the elevation of the residence area. Thus, we hypothesized that the interaction effect of body mass index (BMI) and elevation has a significant association with hypertension. The first aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine whether BMI was associated with hypertension, after adjustment for covariates. The second aim was to examine whether the interaction term between BMI and elevation was associated with hypertension, after adjustment for covariates. Data were collected from a cross-sectional study conducted in a rural area of Japan in 2016. After excluding participants with missing data (n = 2), data from 729 participants were analyzed. We found that BMI was significantly associated with hypertension. In addition, the interaction term between BMI and elevation had a significant association with hypertension. The findings of the present study support the recent evidence that high BMI is an independent risk factor for hypertension, but its effect varies by elevation. Thus, context-specific interventions could be an effective approach to prevent hypertension in this area.
Modeling Burns for Pre-Cooled Skin Flame Exposure
Authors: Log Torgrim
Published: September 2017

On a television show, a pre-cooled bare-skinned person (TV host) passed through engulfing kerosene flames. The assumption was that a water film should protect him during 0.74 s flame exposure in an environment of 86 kW/m2 heat flux. The TV host got light burn inflammation on the back, arms and legs. The present work studies skin temperatures and burn damage integral of such dangerous flame exposure. The skin temperature distribution during water spray pre-cooling, transport to the flames, flame exposure, transport to the water pool, and final water pool cooling is modelled numerically. Details of the temperature development of the skin layers are presented, as well as the associated damage integral. It is shown that 5 °C water spray applied for a 30 s period pre-cooled the skin sufficiently to prevent severe skin injury. Soot marks indicate that the water layer evaporated completely in some areas resulting in skin flame contact. This exposed dry skin directly to the flames contributing significantly to the damage integral. It is further analyzed how higher water temperature, shorter pre-cooling period or longer flame exposure influence the damage integral. It is evident that minor changes in conditions could lead to severe burns and that high heat flux levels at the end of the exposure period are especially dangerous. This flame stunt should never be repeated.
Risk Assessment of Metals in Urban Soils from a Typical Industrial City, Suzhou, Eastern China
Authors: Wang Gang , Liu Hou-Qi , Gong Yu , Wei Yang , Miao Ai-Jun , Yang Liu-Yan , Zhong Huan
Published: September 2017

Risk of metals in urban soils is less studied, compared to that in other types of soils, hindering accurate assessment of human exposure to metals. In this study, the concentrations of five metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Hg) were analyzed in 167 surface soil samples collected from Suzhou city and their potential ecological and human health risks were assessed. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg except Cr, were higher than the background values in Jiangsu Province. Metal concentrations varied among districts, where sites of high contamination showed a punctate distribution. Principal components and correlation analyses revealed that As, Pb, and Cd could originate from the same sources. The geo-accumulation (Igeo) and potential ecological risk indices (RI) were calculated and the relatively low values of Igeo (<0) and RI (<150) suggested generally low ecological risk. The noncarcinogenic risks of the metals were relatively low for Suzhou residents (i.e., average hazard index or HI: 0.1199 for adults and 0.5935 for children, <1), while the total carcinogenic risks (TCR) of Cr and As were acceptable (TCR in the range of 1.0 × 10−6 to 1.0 × 10−4). Children faced a higher threat than adults. Results of Monte-Carlo simulations were lower than those obtained from models using deterministic parameters. Of all the uncertain parameters, the ingestion rate and body weight were the most sensitive for adults and children, respectively, while As was an important factor for both. The results as well as the factors controlling risks of metals could help better understand the risks of metals in urban soils of industrial cities in China.
Sedentary and Physical Activity Patterns in Adults with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Oviedo Guillermo , Travier Noémie , Guerra-Balic Myriam
Published: September 2017

Little is known about the patterns of sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) levels throughout the week among adults and older adults with Intellectual Disability (ID). We analyzed ST and PA patterns of adults and older adults with ID. Forty-two adults and 42 older adults with mild to severe ID participated in this study. Height and weight were obtained to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). Body fat and fat-free mass percentages were also obtained. Patterns of PA levels and ST were assessed with GT3X Actigraph accelerometers. Adults performed higher amounts of total PA and moderate to vigorous PA than older adults during the week, on weekdays and in center time (all p > 0.05). No differences between males and females were found for either PA levels or ST. Only 10.7% of the participants met the global recommendations on PA for health. The participants of the current study showed low PA levels and a high prevalence of ST. Interestingly, when comparing age and/or sex groups, no differences were observed for ST. Our findings provide novel and valuable information to be considered in future interventions aiming to increase PA levels and reduce ST.
Spatial Modelling and Prediction Assessment of Soil Iron Using Kriging Interpolation with pH as Auxiliary Information
Authors: Tziachris Panagiotis , Metaxa Eirini , Papadopoulos Frantzis , Papadopoulou Maria
Published: September 2017

In this study, different interpolation techniques are presented, assessed, and compared for the estimation of soil iron (Fe) contents in locations where observations were not available. Initially, 400 soil samples from the Kozani area, which is near Polifitou Lake in northern Greece, were randomly collected from 2013 to 2015 and were analysed in the laboratory to determine the soil Fe concentrations and pH. The soil Fe concentrations were examined for spatial autocorrelation, and semivariograms were used to determine whether pH and Fe exhibited spatial cross correlation. Three interpolation methods, including Ordinary Kriging, Universal Kriging, and Co-Kriging, were applied, and their results were compared with the use of two different cross-validation methods. In the current study, there was evidence of spatial cross correlation of soil Fe and pH for each year, which was subsequently used to improve the interpolation results in locations where there were no measurements. In nearly all cases, Co-Kriging, which takes advantage of the covariance between the two regionalized variables (Fe and pH), outperformed the other interpolation techniques each year.
Employing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Techniques for Improving the Discovery of Geospatial Resources on the Web
Authors: Katumba Samy , Coetzee Serena
Published: September 2017

With the increasing use of geographical information and technology in a variety of knowledge domains and disciplines, the need to discover and access suitable geospatial data is imperative. Most spatial data infrastructures (SDI) provide geoportals as entry points to the SDI through which geospatial data are disseminated and shared. Geoportals are often known in geoinformation communities only, and they present technological challenges for indexing by web search engines. To overcome these challenges, we identified and categorized search terms typically employed by users when looking for geospatial resources on the Web. Guided by these terms, we published metadata about geospatial sources “directly” on the Web and performed empirical tests with search engine optimization (SEO) techniques. Two sets of HTML pages were prepared and registered with Google and Bing respectively. The metadata in one set was marked up with Dublin Core, the other with Schema.org. Analysis of the results shows that Google was more effective than Bing in retrieving the pages. Pages marked up with Schema.org were more effectively retrieved than those marked up with Dublin Core. The statistical results were significant in most of the tests performed. This research confirms that pages marked up with Schema.org and Dublin Core are a novel alternative for improving the visibility and facilitating the discovery of geospatial resources on the Web.
Comparative Response of Brain to Chronic Hypoxia and Hyperoxia
Authors: Terraneo Laura , Samaja Michele
Published: September 2017

Two antithetic terms, hypoxia and hyperoxia, i.e., insufficient and excess oxygen availability with respect to needs, are thought to trigger opposite responses in cells and tissues. This review aims at summarizing the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying hypoxia and hyperoxia in brain and cerebral tissue, a context that may prove to be useful for characterizing not only several clinically relevant aspects, but also aspects related to the evolution of oxygen transport and use by the tissues. While the response to acute hypoxia/hyperoxia presumably recruits only a minor portion of the potentially involved cell machinery, focusing into chronic conditions, instead, enables to take into consideration a wider range of potential responses to oxygen-linked stress, spanning from metabolic to genic. We will examine how various brain subsystems, including energetic metabolism, oxygen sensing, recruitment of pro-survival pathways as protein kinase B (Akt), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), neurotrophins (BDNF), erythropoietin (Epo) and its receptors (EpoR), neuroglobin (Ngb), nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), deal with chronic hypoxia and hyperoxia to end-up with the final outcomes, oxidative stress and brain damage. A more complex than expected pattern results, which emphasizes the delicate balance between the severity of the stress imposed by hypoxia and hyperoxia and the recruitment of molecular and cellular defense patterns. While for certain functions the expectation that hypoxia and hyperoxia should cause opposite responses is actually met, for others it is not, and both emerge as dangerous treatments.
The Role of Focal Adhesion Kinase in Keratinocyte Fibrogenic Gene Expression
Authors: Januszyk Michael , Kwon Sun , Wong Victor , Padmanabhan Jagannath , Maan Zeshaan , Whittam Alexander , Major Melanie , Gurtner Geoffrey
Published: September 2017

Abnormal skin scarring causes functional impairment, psychological stress, and high socioeconomic cost. Evidence shows that altered mechanotransduction pathways have been linked to both inflammation and fibrosis, and that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a key mediator of these processes. We investigated the importance of keratinocyte FAK at the single cell level in key fibrogenic pathways critical for scar formation. Keratinocytes were isolated from wildtype and keratinocyte-specific FAK-deleted mice, cultured, and sorted into single cells. Keratinocytes were evaluated using a microfluidic-based platform for high-resolution transcriptional analysis. Partitive clustering, gene enrichment analysis, and network modeling were applied to characterize the significance of FAK on regulating keratinocyte subpopulations and fibrogenic pathways important for scar formation. Considerable transcriptional heterogeneity was observed within the keratinocyte populations. FAK-deleted keratinocytes demonstrated increased expression of genes integral to mechanotransduction and extracellular matrix production, including Igtbl, Mmpla, and Col4a1. Transcriptional activities upon FAK deletion were not identical across all single keratinocytes, resulting in higher frequency of a minor subpopulation characterized by a matrix-remodeling profile compared to wildtype keratinocyte population. The importance of keratinocyte FAK signaling gene expression was revealed. A minor subpopulation of keratinocytes characterized by a matrix-modulating profile may be a keratinocyte subset important for mechanotransduction and scar formation.
Glycans as Regulatory Elements of the Insulin/IGF System: Impact in Cancer Progression
Authors: De-Freitas-Junior Julio , Andrade-da-Costa Jéssica , Silva Mariana , Pinho Salomé
Published: September 2017

The insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in mammals comprises a dynamic network of proteins that modulate several biological processes such as development, cell growth, metabolism, and aging. Dysregulation of the insulin/IGF system has major implications for several pathological conditions such as diabetes and cancer. Metabolic changes also culminate in aberrant glycosylation, which has been highlighted as a hallmark of cancer. Changes in glycosylation regulate every pathophysiological step of cancer progression including tumour cell-cell dissociation, cell migration, cell signaling and metastasis. This review discusses how the insulin/IGF system integrates with glycosylation alterations and impacts on cell behaviour, metabolism and drug resistance in cancer.
Event-Associated Oxygen Consumption Rate Increases ca. Five-Fold When Interictal Activity Transforms into Seizure-Like Events In Vitro
Authors: Schoknecht Karl , Berndt Nikolaus , Rösner Jörg , Heinemann Uwe , Dreier Jens , Kovács Richard , Friedman Alon , Liotta Agustin
Published: September 2017

Neuronal injury due to seizures may result from a mismatch of energy demand and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. However, ATP demand and oxygen consumption rates have not been accurately determined, yet, for different patterns of epileptic activity, such as interictal and ictal events. We studied interictal-like and seizure-like epileptiform activity induced by the GABAA antagonist bicuculline alone, and with co-application of the M-current blocker XE-991, in rat hippocampal slices. Metabolic changes were investigated based on recording partial oxygen pressure, extracellular potassium concentration, and intracellular flavine adenine dinucleotide (FAD) redox potential. Recorded data were used to calculate oxygen consumption and relative ATP consumption rates, cellular ATP depletion, and changes in FAD/FADH2 ratio by applying a reactive-diffusion and a two compartment metabolic model. Oxygen-consumption rates were ca. five times higher during seizure activity than interictal activity. Additionally, ATP consumption was higher during seizure activity (~94% above control) than interictal activity (~15% above control). Modeling of FAD transients based on partial pressure of oxygen recordings confirmed increased energy demand during both seizure and interictal activity and predicted actual FAD autofluorescence recordings, thereby validating the model. Quantifying metabolic alterations during epileptiform activity has translational relevance as it may help to understand the contribution of energy supply and demand mismatches to seizure-induced injury.
Implications of ABCG2 Expression on Irinotecan Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Review
Authors: Nielsen Dorte Lisbet , Palshof Jesper , Brünner Nils , Stenvang Jan , Viuff Birgitte Martine
Published: September 2017

Background: One of the main chemotherapeutic drugs used on a routine basis in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer ((m)CRC) is the topoisomerase-1 inhibitor, irinotecan. However, its usefulness is limited by the pre-existing or inevitable development of resistance. The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABCG2/breast cancer resistance protein (BRCP) through its function in xenobiotic clearance might play an important role in irinotecan resistance. With a goal to evaluate the clinical significance of ABCG2 measurements, we here review the current literature on ABCG2 in relation to irinotecan treatment in CRC patients. Results: Few studies have evaluated the association between ABCG2 gene or protein expression and prognosis in CRC patients. Discordant results were reported. The discrepancies might be explained by the use of different criteria for interpretation of results in the immunohistochemistry studies. Only one large study evaluated the ABCG2 protein expression and efficacy of irinotecan in mCRC (CAIRO study, n = 566). This study failed to demonstrate any correlation between ABCG2 protein expression in the primary tumor and response to irinotecan-based treatment. We recently raised questions on how to evaluate ABCG2 immunoreactivity patterns, and the results in the CAIRO study might be influenced by using a different scoring protocol than the one proposed by us. In contrast, our recent exploratory study of ABCG2 mRNA expression in 580 patients with stage III primary CRC (subgroup from the randomized PETACC-3 study) indicated that high ABCG2 tumor tissue mRNA expression might be predictive for lack of efficacy of irinotecan. Conclusion: The biological role of ABCG2 in predicting clinical irinotecan sensitivity/resistance in CRC is uncertain. In particular, the significance of ABCG2 cellular localization needs to be established. Data concerning ABCG2 mRNA expression and prediction of adjuvant irinotecan efficacy are still sparse and need to be confirmed.