bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pediculosis Capitis dan Personal Hygiene pada Anak SD di Daerah Pedesaan Kotamadya Banjarbaru
Authors: Mayasin Rifqoh Mukhtar , Norsiah Wahdah
Published: October 2018

Pediculosis capitis or head lice infestation caused by Pediculus humanus var. capitis. Its caused irritation and scalp pruritus. Its occurs most commonly in children becaused they couldn’t keep their personal hygiene independently. Pediculosis capitis caused disconcentrated, lack of sleep, parental anxiety, social embarrassment and isolation. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between Pediculosis capitis with personal hygiene in rural primary schoolchildren in Cempaka Village, Banjarbaru Municipality. This analytic observational case control study design, at first determined 33 (19,87%) schoolchildren was infested pediculosis capitis from 166 population. Other 33 schoolchildren randomized uninfested pediculosis capitis as the controls group (1:1 to case group). Pediculosis capitis was known by identified head lice, nymph or eggs of Pediculus humanus var. capitis and personal hygiene was measured by questionnaire. Chi Square test result, there was significant moderate positive correlation between pediculosis capitis with personal hygiene (p value <0.001 and r = 0,516). Improved hair hygiene and avoid shared private tool like comb or other hair accesories as strategies for effective control pediculosis were recommended.
Konsum, Ernährung und Gesundheit als zentrale Handlungsfelder für die alltägliche Lebensführung
Authors: Schlegel-Matthies Kirsten
Published: October 2018

Der Artikel diskutiert zunächst Ziele, Aufgaben und Anforderungen an alltägliche Lebensführung und -gestaltung. Im Anschluss werden vor allem Wechselbeziehungen zwischen Entwicklungen und Strukturen in Wirtschaft, Gesellschaft und Politik einerseits und individueller Lebensführung andererseits betrachtet.
Beyond the Printed Page: Promoting Historical Newspapers
Authors: Moczygemba Sarah "Moxy"
Published: October 2018

The George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida and the library system at the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Pedras are engaged in a collaborative newspaper digitization project.
Rancang Bangun Sistem Smart Library pada Perpustakaan SMK Airlangga Balikpapan
Authors: Hardi Richki
Published: October 2018

Rancang Bangun sistem Smart Library didesain dan dikembangkan untuk membantu meningkatkan daya minat baca bagi kalangan remaja, karena selama ini minat baca khususnya pada remaja Indonesia masih tergolong dalam kategori kurang sementara fasilitas baca atau perpustakaan dan ketersediaan buku baca sudah sangat banyak. Sistem smart library juga dihadirkan untuk membantu manajemen perpustakaan modern dengan berbagai fasilitas untuk memberikan kemudahan, kecepatan dan keakuratan proses pengelolaan perpustakaan berbasis teknologi informasi, yang mempunyai entitas pokok, yaitu pengelolaan koleksi, pengelolaan anggota, pengelolaan sirkulasi koleksi, penelusuran koleksi, absensi anggota serta pelaporannya sehingga memudahkan dalam proses manajemen pinjam meminjam buku, koleksi dan lainnya. Smart library dapat dioperasikan pada perangkat computer maupun mobile karena dapat diakses secara global atau online. Kata kunci : buku, mobile library, smart library, perpustakaan online
Algoritma Matriks Segitiga Atas pada Metode Eliminasi Gauss dalam Menentukan Determinan
Authors: Zaini Zaini
Published: October 2018

Metode eliminasi Gauss digunakanuntuk menentukan determinan matriks tanpa memiliki suatu persyaratan dan mampu mempercepat perhitungan untuk berbagai bidang. Sementara itu, algoritma yang diterapkan Zaini dalam penelitiannya melalui pemeriksaan hasil secara satu per satu. Oleh sebab itu, dipandang perlu untuk pengembangan lebih lanjut. Metode pengembangan yang digunakan adalah library research dan praktikum di laboratorium dengan menggunakan Matlab. Data yang terhimpun selanjutnya diuji menggunakan white box dan pengamatan hasil perhitungan yang dibandingkan dengan proses manual. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa algoritma yang dikembangkan dalam kondisi valid dan hasil perhitungan dalam mengkonstruksimatriks segitiga atas antara algoritma dengan proses manual tidak memiliki perbedaan. Kata kunci :  Algoritma, Matriks segitiga atas, Eliminasi Gauss
Assessing changes in saltwater intrusion in main rivers of Dong Nai province and the adaptive capacity of the communities
Authors: Nguyen Bang Van , Tran Hoang Xuan , Le Tuan Ngoc
Published: October 2018

Saltwater intrusion, which is a natural process, is strongly influenced by climate change, and almost negatively affects the lives and livelihoods of communities. This work aims at assessing changes in saltwater intrusion in main rivers located in Dong Nai province. The results indicated that Long Thanh and Nhon Trach districts have been affected by saltwater intrusion with the highest salinity concentrations of about 26-28 ‰. The salinity level during the dry season is higher than that in the rainy one and the salinity boundaries of 1 ‰ and 4 ‰ gradually extend towards inland water. Besides, adaptive capacity (AC) to saltwater intrusion in Bien Hoa city, Long Thanh and Nhon Trach districts was surveyed and assessed by the AC indices. By assessing AC of local government and communities against 19 criteria, Nhon Trach district showed its high AC meanwhile AC of Long Thanh and other districts were moderate and low, respectively. This research also indicates limitations of each locality, an important basis for proposing solutions to improve AC to saltwater intrusion for the communities.
Adsorption of safranin-O dye by peanut shell-based polyurethane type foam
Authors: ACEMİOĞLU Bilal , BİLİR Melike Hilal , ALMA Mehmet Hakkı
Published: October 2018

The
adsorption of safranin-O dye was performed in batch and continuous column
sysytems by polyurethane-type
rigid foam produced from peanut shell. In batch system, effects of contact
time, initial dye concentration, solution pH and temperature on the adsorption
were investigated. In column system, solution flow rate and initial dye
concentration effect were studied. Under conditions studied, the adsorption of
safranin-O was   95-99% for batch system,
and 93-99% for column system. Adsorption isotherm best followed the Langmuir
model (R2 = 0.986).
Adsorption kinetics was in consistent
with best the pseudo-second order model (R2values ≥ 0.998). Adsorption was of sponteneous nature
and in favor of increasing temperature (i.e. endothermic nature). For example,
when the temperature was increased from 20 to 60°C, standard Gibbs free energy
change (ΔG°) dereased
regularitly from -5303 to -8170 J mol-1. The values of standard
enthalpy (ΔH°) and standard entropy
(ΔS°) were estimated as
13.35 kJ mol-1 and 0.64 kJ mol-1 K-1,
respectively. Moreover, FTIR and SEM analyses were done, and the results were
interpreated in detail.
Fehleranalyse bei der Übersetzung von idiomatischen Wendungen in dem Werk “72. Zelle” von Orhan Kemal
Authors: BAŞARMIŞ Yüksel
Published: October 2018

Kalıplaşmış dil birimlerinin hedef dile aktarılması, edebi eserlerin başka bir dile çevirisi sürecinde çevirmenin karşılaştığı başlıca sorunlardan biridir. Kaynak dil ile hedef dil arasındaki dilsel ve kültürel farklılıklar arttıkça, esas görevi kaynak dildeki eserin okuyucu üzerinde bıraktığı etkiye, hedef dilde de ulaşması beklenen çevirmenin işinin de zorlaştığı bilinmektedir. Atasözü ve deyimlerin çevirisinde eşdeğerliliğin ne kadar sağlanabildiği, çevirmenin bu zorlukları aşmak için hangi yöntemleri tercih ettiği ve ne tür hataların yapıldığı, hatalara neden olan faktörlerin neler olduğu, bu çalışmada incelenecek konulardır. Kalıplaşmış dil birimlerinin özellikleri ve hedef dilde bire bir karşılıklarının bulunmadığı durumlarda izlenecek yöntemler irdelenecek, çevirmenin aktarımlarında izlediği hatalı tutumlar ve hataların önlenebilirliği üzerinde durulacaktır. Konu ile ilişkili olarak bir çevirmenin yeterliliklerinin neler olması gerektiği ve kendisinden nelerin beklendiği araştırılarak çevirmen profilinin incelenmesine de yer verilecektir. “72. Koğuş” adlı eserin Almancaya çevirisini yapan Achim Martin Wensien’ in (“Die 72. Zelle”) mesleki kariyeri üzerinde durulması da gerekli görülmüştür. Türk Edebiyatının usta kalemlerinden olan Orhan Kemal’in “72. Koğuş” adlı eserinde geçen atasözü ve deyimlerin oldukça yüksek bir frekansa sahip olması araştırma için önemli bir kaynak sağlamaktadır.
An English Eccentric: Edith Sitwell and Her Experiments with Sound in Façade
Authors: Danacı Fahriye Selvi
Published: October 2018

Throughout Edith Sitwell’s poetic career, one specific factor was always in the foreground in her works, that is, the experimental use of sound. Especially in her earlier period, employing rhythm as an experimental arrangement of sounds dominated the bulk of her poems. Sitwell prioritised this technical element over thematic components, and thus developed an inventive approach to the art of poetry in the early twentieth century. Her famous poetry collection, Façade (1922) can be considered one of the most distinguished examples of her experimental manner, consisting of several abstract poems which were compiled for dramatic performance and for William Walton’s music. With Walton’s contributions, Sitwell combined the elements of music and poetry in Façade, and she formed a new artistic domain where she could express and improve her poetic style by working on the use of sound and rhythm. The reason for her emphasis on the role of rhythm in poetry was not only its significance as a technical attribute but also its functioning as a representative of the century’s spirit. For Sitwell, the rhythm of the twentieth century must not be the rhythm of the eighteenth or the nineteenth centuries, on the contrary, it should reflect the soul of its era. Accordingly, Sitwell advocated that poetry should be compatible with the tone of the period in which it is produced. Therefore, the poems in the collection were designed to be as unsteady, tumultuous, and complex as the era they belonged to, and this composition was achieved through her experimental style. In this respect, the primary aim of this article is to discuss Sitwell’s technical and stylistic experiments with sound in her Façade poems and examine her perception of artistic creation in the twentieth century.
Vahşet Tiyatrosu ve Şiddetin Politiği: Edward Bond Örneği
Authors: ÇAKIRTAŞ Önder
Published: October 2018

Her dönem ve coğrafyada insanlığın maruz kaldığı önemli sorunlardan biri kişilerarası ve toplumlararası şiddettir. Şiddetin varlığı toplumların sosyokültürel yapısına bağlı olarak değişkenlik gösterse de, şiddet unsurları sözlü, yazılı, psikolojik ve fiziksel olabilir. Şiddetin yol açtığı tahripler, travmalar, kayıplar, psikozlar, depresif ve takıntılı davranışlar insanın bedeninde ve ruhunda çokça etkiler bıraksa da, şiddetin oluşumundaki etkenler de son derece önemlidir. Savaşlar, göçler, ırkçı ve aşağılayıcı söylemler, tacizler, tecavüzler, işkenceler, suçlar, kişilik bozuklukları, şizofren veya sapkın kimlikler vb. şiddetin kişisel veya toplumsal nedenlerindendir.Uzun yıllar madde bağımlısı olan, şiddetin maddi ve manevi yönleriyle mücadele eden ve on iki yıl boyunca çeşitli sağlık kurumlarında tedavi gören Antonin Artaud, şiddetin pratiğini barındıran vahşet tiyatrosunu tanıtırken, metin ve performans arasındaki ayırımı pratiğe dönüştürür ve sahnenin insan bedeninin her organını ayrıştırıcı güce sahip olan bir gerçeklik olduğunu iddia eder. İniltilerin, çığlıkların, bağrışların, acı(n)ma hissinin duyular aracılığıyla bütün organları çevreleyebileceğini; ses, ışık, soluk ve dilin birer somut karakter olarak sahnede maddeleşmesi gerekliliğini savunur. Artaud merkezli bir yaklaşımla tiyatro, insan hal ve hareketlerinin ve ayrıca his ve ruhunun sahnede somutlaşmış halidir. Tiyatro, katarsisin seyircilerce izlenilen yerden yaşanılmasından öte sahnede yaşanmışlığıdır.Artaud ile yakın dönemlerde yaşamış Edward Bond da çeşitli oyunlarında bu tiyatro kuramının izleklerini seyirciyle buluşturur ve vahşet tiyatrosunun unsurlarını kullanarak şiddetin insan yaşamının sıradan bir parçası haline geldiğini örnekler. Özellikle Saved (Kurtulmuş) (1965) adlı oyununda şiddetin insan yaşantısının politik bir yansıması olduğunu, var olmanın ideolojisi içinde şiddetin hüküm sürdüğünü, kişilerin hayatta kalmak için ilkel insandan modern insana bir metamorfoz sürecinden geçtiği halde şiddetin bir güç unsuru olarak ontolojik bir yapı olarak temellendirildiğini yansılar.
The Uses of Storytelling in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner
Authors: NAYEBPOUR Karam
Published: October 2018

In his The Kite Runner (2003), Khaled Hosseini uses storytelling for at least two purposes: to show how the first-person narrator yearns to alleviate or at least control the profoundly destructive impact of a single past experience on his adult mind and to show how, through such a recollection and reconstruction process, the narrator feels satisfied with his atonement by the end of his narration. Storytelling helps Hosseini’s narrator to reconfigure his unfavourable experiences, which act both as the central concern of the narrative plot and as a shared quality weaving the central characters together. Cognitive narratologists, such as Monika Fludernik and David Herman, consider representation of experience an important basic element of narrativity or the qualities that make a narrative accepted as narrative. By focusing on his personal and human-like experiences, the protagonist Amir’s storytelling not only functions as a significant tool to alleviate his intense suffering, but also facilitates the readers’ emotional engagement in Hosseini’s storyworld.
Dijital Yaşamda Mahremiyet (Gizlilik) Kavramı ve Kişisel Veriler: Hacettepe Üniversitesi Bilgi ve Belge Yönetimi Bölümü Öğrencilerinin Mahremiyet ve Kişisel Veri Algılarının Analizi
Authors: EROĞLU Şahika
Published: October 2018

Kişisel verilere yetkisiz erişim ve bu verilerin yetkisiz kişi ve kuruluşlarca kullanımları, günümüz dünyasında öne çıkan sorunlardan biri olarak algılanmaktadır. Bu bağlamda konunun mahremiyet (gizlilik) kavramı çerçevesinde değerlendirilmesi ve toplumun her kesiminde konuya yönelik farkındalığın oluşturulması önem taşımaktadır. Bu çalışma, günlük hayatlarında çoğunlukla dijital ortam ile etkileşim içinde olan kullanıcı gruplarından biri olan öğrencilerin konuya ilişkin algı ve farkındalık düzeylerini ortaya çıkarmayı amaçlamaktadır. Belirtilen amaç doğrultusunda, aldıkları lisans eğitiminin bir sonucu olarak kurumlarda kişisel verilerin yönetimi ile ilgili süreçlerde yer alma potansiyeli taşıyan Hacettepe Üniversitesi Bilgi ve Belge Yönetimi Bölümü öğrencileri analiz edilmiştir. Bu kapsamda öğrencilerin dijital ortamlardaki mahremiyet ve kişisel veri algıları ile ilgili web tabanlı bir anket, literatür taramasından yararlanılarak geliştirilmiştir. 34 sorudan oluşan web tabanlı bu anket 280 öğrenciye gönderilmiştir. 151 öğrenci tarafından yanıtlanan anket ile öğrencilerin kişisel veri mahremiyeti farkındalıklarına yönelik bulgular elde edilmiştir. Çalışma sonuçlarında öğrencilerin neleri kişisel veri olarak algıladıkları, konuyla ilgili farkındalık eksiklikleri ve karşılaşabilecekleri olası durumlara yönelik ne tür önlemler aldıkları vurgulanmıştır.
Fast Tuning of the PID Controller in An HVAC System Using the Big Bang–Big Crunch Algorithm and FPGA Technology
Authors: Almabrok Abdoalnasir , Psarakis Mihalis , Dounis Anastasios
Published: October 2018

This article presents a novel technique for the fast tuning of the parameters of the proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller of a second-order heat, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The HVAC systems vary greatly in size, control functions and the amount of consumed energy. The optimal design and power efficiency of an HVAC system depend on how fast the integrated controller, e.g., PID controller, is adapted in the changes of the environmental conditions. In this paper, to achieve high tuning speed, we rely on a fast convergence evolution algorithm, called Big Bang–Big Crunch (BB–BC). The BB–BC algorithm is implemented, along with the PID controller, in an FPGA device, in order to further accelerate of the optimization process. The FPGA-in-the-loop (FIL) technique is used to connect the FPGA board (i.e., the PID and BB–BC subsystems) with the plant (i.e., MATLAB/Simulink models of HVAC) in order to emulate and evaluate the entire system. The experimental results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed technique in terms of optimization accuracy and convergence speed compared with other optimization approaches for the tuning of the PID parameters: sw implementation of the BB–BC, genetic algorithm (GA), and particle swarm optimization (PSO).
WSN Nodes Placement Optimization Based on a Weighted Centroid Artificial Fish Swarm Algorithm
Authors: Yin Hong , Zhang Ying , He Xu
Published: October 2018

Aiming at optimal placement of wireless sensor network (WSN) nodes of wind turbine blade for health inspection, a weighted centroid artificial fish swarm algorithm (WC-AFSA) is proposed. A weighted centroid algorithm is applied to construct an initial fish population so to enhance the fish diversity and improve the search precision. Adaptive step based on dynamic parameter is used to jump out local optimal solution and improve the convergence speed. Optimal sensor placement is realized by minimizing the maximum off-diagonal elements of the modal assurance criterion as the objective function. Five typical test functions are applied to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm, and optimal placement of WSNs nodes on wind turbine blade is carried out. The results show that WC-AFSA has better optimization effect than AFSA, which can solve the problem of optimal arrangement of blade WSNs nodes.
Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Internationalisation Strategies: A Descriptive Study in the Spanish Context
Authors: Godos-Díez José-Luis , Cabeza-García Laura , Fernández-González Cristina
Published: October 2018

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a voluntary competitive strategy that is based upon social, economic, and environmental improvement in which the organisation is involved. Internationalisation, a type of corporate strategy, is a set of processes that help companies to expand globally to achieve the aim of improving their competitive position. Both of the strategies have become more important due to ever increasing globalisation, whose consequences modify economic and business environments, thus causing them to be more dynamic and competitive. This directly affects business management, thus companies increasingly consider the opinion of society, attempting to gain stakeholders’ trust through effective CSR management. In this context, this paper aims to analyse CSR and internationalisation strategies and their possible connection from a theoretical viewpoint. From a practical viewpoint, the relationship between both strategies is analysed while using a sample of Spanish listed companies.
Field Propagation Experiments of Male African Savanna Elephant Rumbles: A Focus on the Transmission of Formant Frequencies
Authors: Baotic Anton , Garcia Maxime , Boeckle Markus , Stoeger Angela
Published: October 2018

African savanna elephants live in dynamic fission–fusion societies and exhibit a sophisticated vocal communication system. Their most frequent call-type is the ‘rumble’, with a fundamental frequency (which refers to the lowest vocal fold vibration rate when producing a vocalization) near or in the infrasonic range. Rumbles are used in a wide variety of behavioral contexts, for short- and long-distance communication, and convey contextual and physical information. For example, maturity (age and size) is encoded in male rumbles by formant frequencies (the resonance frequencies of the vocal tract), having the most informative power. As sound propagates, however, its spectral and temporal structures degrade progressively. Our study used manipulated and resynthesized male social rumbles to simulate large and small individuals (based on different formant values) to quantify whether this phenotypic information efficiently transmits over long distances. To examine transmission efficiency and the potential influences of ecological factors, we broadcasted and re-recorded rumbles at distances of up to 1.5 km in two different habitats at the Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa. Our results show that rumbles were affected by spectral–temporal degradation over distance. Interestingly and unlike previous findings, the transmission of formants was better than that of the fundamental frequency. Our findings demonstrate the importance of formant frequencies for the efficiency of rumble propagation and the transmission of information content in a savanna elephant’s natural habitat.
Genetic Fusion of an Anti-BclA Single-Domain Antibody with Beta Galactosidase
Authors: Anderson George P. , Shriver-Lake Lisa C. , Walper Scott A. , Ashford Lauryn , Zabetakis Dan , Liu Jinny L. , Breger Joyce C. , Brozozog Lee P. Audrey , Goldman Ellen R.
Published: October 2018

The Bacillus collagen-like protein of anthracis (BclA), found in Bacillus anthracis spores, is an attractive target for immunoassays. Previously, using phage display we had selected llama-derived single-domain antibodies that bound to B. anthracis spore proteins including BclA. Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), the recombinantly expressed heavy domains from the unique heavy-chain-only antibodies found in camelids, provide stable and well-expressed binding elements with excellent affinity. In addition, sdAbs offer the important advantage that they can be tailored for specific applications through protein engineering. A fusion of a BclA targeting sdAb with the enzyme Beta galactosidase (β-gal) would enable highly sensitive immunoassays with no need for a secondary reagent. First, we evaluated five anti-BclA sdAbs, including four that had been previously identified but not characterized. Each was tested to determine its binding affinity, melting temperature, producibility, and ability to function as both capture and reporter in sandwich assays for BclA. The sdAb with the best combination of properties was constructed as a fusion with β-gal and shown to enable sensitive detection. This fusion has the potential to be incorporated into highly sensitive assays for the detection of anthrax spores.
Molecular Mechanisms of the Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase System from Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Boschi-Muller Sandrine
Published: October 2018

Neisseria meningitidis, an obligate pathogenic bacterium in humans, has acquired different defense mechanisms to detect and fight the oxidative stress generated by the host’s defense during infection. A notable example of such a mechanism is the PilB reducing system, which repairs oxidatively-damaged methionine residues. This review will focus on the catalytic mechanism of the two methionine sulfoxide reductase (MSR) domains of PilB, which represent model enzymes for catalysis of the reduction of a sulfoxide function by thiols through sulfenic acid chemistry. The mechanism of recycling of these MSR domains by various “Trx-like” disulfide oxidoreductases will also be discussed.
Registration of Dental Tomographic Volume Data and Scan Surface Data Using Dynamic Segmentation
Authors: Jung Keonhwa , Jung Sukwoo , Hwang Inseon , Kim Taeksoo , Chang Minho
Published: October 2018

Over recent years, computer-aided design (CAD) has become widely used in the dental industry. In dental CAD applications using both volumetric computed tomography (CT) images and 3D optical scanned surface data, the two data sets need to be registered. Previous works have registered volume data and surface data by segmentation. Volume data can be converted to surface data by segmentation and the registration is achieved by the iterative closest point (ICP) method. However, the segmentation needs human input and the results of registration can be poor depending on the segmented surface. Moreover, if the volume data contains metal artifacts, the segmentation process becomes more complex since post-processing is required to remove the metal artifacts, and initially positioning the registration becomes more challenging. To overcome these limitations, we propose a modified iterative closest point (MICP) process, an automatic segmentation method for volume data and surface data. The proposed method uses a bundle of edge points detected along an intensity profile defined by points and normal of surface data. Using this dynamic segmentation, volume data becomes surface data which can be applied to the ICP method. Experimentally, MICP demonstrates fine results compared to the conventional registration method. In addition, the registration can be completed within 10 s if down sampling is applied.
A Novel One-Camera-Five-Mirror Three-Dimensional Imaging Method for Reconstructing the Cavitation Bubble Cluster in a Water Hydraulic Valve
Authors: Wang Haihang , Xu He , Pooneeth Vishwanath , Gao Xiao-Zhi
Published: October 2018

In order to study the bubble morphology, a novel experimental and numerical approach was implemented in this research focusing on the analysis of a transparent throttle valve made by Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) material. A feature-based algorithm was written using the MATLAB software, allowing the 2D detection and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of bubbles: collapsing and clustered ones. The valve core, being an important part of the throttle valve, was exposed to cavitation; hence, to distinguish it from the captured frames, the faster region-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN) algorithm was used to detect its morphology. Additionally, the main approach grouping the above listed techniques was implemented using an optimized virtual stereo vision arrangement of one camera and five plane mirrors. The results obtained during this study validated the robust algorithms and optimization applied.
Decomposition of Multicomponent Micro-Doppler Signals Based on HHT-AMD
Authors: Li Wenchao , Kuang Gangyao , Xiong Boli
Published: October 2018

Micro-Doppler signals analysis has been emerging as an important topic in target identification, and relative research has been focusing on features extraction and separation of the radar signals. As a time-frequency representation, the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) could extract the accurate instantaneous micro-Doppler signature from the radar signals by empirical mode decomposition and Hilbert transform. However, HHT has the shortcoming that it cannot decompose the signals with close-frequency components. To solve this problem, an innovative decomposition method for multicomponent micro-Doppler signals based on Hilbert–Huang transform and analytical mode decomposition (HHT-AMD) is proposed. In this method, the multicomponent micro-Doppler signals are firstly decomposed by empirical mode decomposition, and the decomposed signal components are transformed by Hilbert transform to get the Hilbert-Huang spectrum and marginal spectrum. Through the spectrum processing, we get the frequency distribution of each signal component. The next step is to judge whether there exists frequency aliasing in each signal component. If there is aliasing, the AMD method is used to decompose the signal until all the decomposed signals are mono-component signals. Evaluation considerations are covered with numerical simulations and experiments on measured radar data. The results demonstrate that compared with conventional HHT, the proposed method yields accurate decomposition for multicomponent micro-Doppler signals and improves the robustness of decomposition. The method presented here can also be applied in various settings of non-stationary signal analysis and filtering.
Fortified Construction Techniques in al-Ṭagr al-Awsaṯ, 8th–13th Centuries
Authors: Gil Crespo Ignacio Javier , Bru Castro Miguel Ángel , Gallego Valle David
Published: October 2018

Spanish Islamic military architecture shows an attempt at the systematization of works, techniques, and defensive elements, commencing in the era of the Umayyad Emirate and Caliphate up to the North African Empires (Almoravids and Almohads). This article presents an analysis of the constructive techniques and systems employed in the fortified architecture in al-Ṭagr al-Awsaṯ; that is, the Medium Frontier Territory of al-Andalus, called Marca Media, between the 8th and 13th centuries. The fortification of the borders was an objective of the Umayyad Emirate and Caliphate, as well as of the new kingdoms of Taifas and the Almoravid and Almohad Empires. The buildings were designed not only to defend a territory but also as a way of demonstrating the political power, and thus they were used as “state propaganda”. The triumph of the Islamic State over different groups, the advance of the Christian conquest, the decline of the Caliphate, and the invasion of the Almoravids and Almohads were situations that modified the definition of borders, the strategies of defense, and the organization of cities and territories. Therefore, the construction of fortifications acted as a mirror reflecting the social, political, and economic circumstances, whose changes depended on the real possibilities, knowledge, celerity, or technological evolution of the time. As such, these constructions permit an analysis of not only the building techniques, but also the people who carried them out, showing in their remains the social implications and organization of work from the master builders down to the quarry workers. This article presents the organization and technical knowledge of construction through a selection of cases studies, including watchtowers, castles, city walls, and fortresses.
Anime in Academia: Representative Object, Media Form, and Japanese Studies
Authors: Berndt Jaqueline
Published: October 2018

The transcultural consumption of Japan-derived popular media has prompted a significant amount of academic research and teaching. Instead of addressing globalization or localization as such, this article investigates the interplay of anime research and the institution of Japanese studies outside of Japan, addressing recurrent methodological issues, in particular, related to representation and mediation, intellectual critique and affective engagement, subculture and national culture. The inclination towards objects and representation in socio-cultural as well as cinema-oriented Japanese-studies accounts of anime is first introduced and, after considering discursive implications of the name anime, contrasted with media-studies approaches that put an emphasis on relations, modalities, and forms. In order to illustrate the vital role of forms, including genre, similarities between TV anime and Nordic Noir TV drama series are sketched out. Eventually, the article argues that the study of anime is accommodated best by going beyond traditional polarizations between text and context, media specificity and media ecology, area and discipline.
Natural Gas Fugitive Leak Detection Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: Measurement System Description and Mass Balance Approach
Authors: Yang Shuting , Talbot Robert W. , Frish Michael B. , Golston Levi M. , Aubut Nicholas F. , Zondlo Mark A. , Gretencord Christopher , McSpiritt James
Published: October 2018

Natural gas is an abundant resource across the United States, of which methane (CH4) is the main component. About 2% of extracted CH4 is lost through leaks. The Remote Methane Leak Detector (RMLD)-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system was developed to investigate natural gas fugitive leaks in this study. The system is composed of three major technologies: miniaturized RMLD (mini-RMLD) based on Backscatter Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), an autonomous quadrotor UAV and simplified quantification and localization algorithms. With a miniaturized, downward-facing RMLD on a small UAV, the system measures the column-integrated CH4 mixing ratio and can semi-autonomously monitor CH4 leakage from sites associated with natural gas production, providing an advanced capability in detecting leaks at hard-to-access sites compared to traditional manual methods. Automated leak characterization algorithms combined with a wireless data link implement real-time leak quantification and reporting. This study placed particular emphasis on the RMLD-UAV system description and the quantification algorithm development based on a mass balance approach. Early data were gathered to test the prototype system and to evaluate the algorithm performance. The quantification algorithm derived in this study tended to underestimate the gas leak rates and yielded unreliable estimations in detecting leaks under 7 × 10 − 6 m3/s (~1 Standard Cubic Feet per Hour (SCFH)). Zero-leak cases can be ascertained via a skewness indicator, which is unique and promising. The influence of the systematic error was investigated by introducing simulated noises, of which Global Positioning System (GPS) noise presented the greatest impact on leak rate errors. The correlation between estimated leak rates and wind conditions were investigated, and steady winds with higher wind speeds were preferred to get better leak rate estimations, which was accurate to approximately 50% during several field trials. High precision coordinate information from the GPS, accurate wind measurements and preferred wind conditions, appropriate flight strategy and the relative steady survey height of the system are the crucial factors to optimize the leak rate estimations.
Consumer’s Attitude Regarding Soluble Coffee Enriched with Antioxidants
Authors: Corso Marinês , Kalschne Daneysa , Benassi Marta
Published: October 2018

Brazil is the second largest coffee consumer in the world. The development of new products related to healthy eating is one of the demands to maintain this scenario. This research aimed to investigate the role of socio-demographic, cognitive and behavioral characteristics on the acceptance of functional foods by coffee consumers. A questionnaire developed and applied in Belgium was previously translated and validated for application with Brazilian consumers. The habits of coffee consumption, knowledge and interest were investigated regarding functional soluble coffee enriched with antioxidants. The self-administered study was performed with 270 consumers. Acceptance was measured by two items: “Functional foods are all right for me as long as they taste good” and “Functional foods are all right for me even if they taste worse than their conventional counterpart foods”, obtaining a mean score of 4.03 and 2.79 (scale 1: totally disagree and 5: totally agree), respectively. The acceptance of functional foods increased with age, schooling, income, belief in the health benefits and knowledge about functional foods for both items. There was no significant correlation between price and acceptance. With regards to a functional soluble coffee product, the sensory quality was more determinant for its acceptance than price.
Educational Attainment Better Protects African American Women than African American Men Against Depressive Symptoms and Psychological Distress
Authors: Assari Shervin
Published: October 2018

Background: Recent research has shown smaller health effects of socioeconomic status (SES) indicators such as education attainment for African Americans as compared to whites. However, less is known about diminished returns based on gender within African Americans. Aim: To test whether among African American men are at a relative disadvantage compared to women in terms of having improved mental health as a result of their education attainment. This study thus explored gender differences in the association between education attainment and mental health, using a representative sample of American adults. Methods: The National Survey of American Life (NSAL; 2003) recruited 3570 African American adults (2299 females and 1271 males). The dependent variables were depressive symptoms and psychological distress. The independent variable was education attainment. Race was the focal moderator. Age, employment status, and marital status were covariates. Linear regressions were used for data analysis. Results: In the pooled sample that included both male and female African American adults, high education attainment was associated with lower depressive symptoms and psychological distress, net of covariates. Significant interactions were found between gender and education attainment with effects on depressive symptoms and psychological distress, suggesting stronger protective effects of high education attainment against depressive symptoms and psychological distress for female as compared to male African Americans. Conclusion: A smaller gain in mental health with respect to educational attainment for male African American males as compared to African American females is in line with studies showing high risk of depression in African American men of high-socioeconomic status. High-SES African American men need screening for depression and psychological distress.
An Experiment on the Psychological and Physiological Effects of Skin Moisturization on Lower Legs—In Expectation of Application to Nursing Practice at Hospitals
Authors: Hitomi Taichi , Yachi Chigusa Theresa , Yamaguchi Hajime
Published: October 2018

This study hypothesized that moisturizing treatment of the skin has a positive effect on psychological and physiological aspects. In this experiment, the effect of touch with moisturizer for two minutes on the lower legs was measured in terms of brain activity, heart rate, and center of gravity unrest (X axis) in 10 healthy male and female experiment participants. The Right Laterality Ratio Score decreased after treatment, suggesting a relaxation effect of the treatment. Although it was not statistically significant, a decrease was observed. Heart rate decreased after the treatment at a level of statistical significance (p < 0.01), suggesting a relaxation effect of the treatment. Center of gravity unrest (X axis) increased after the treatment with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Therefore, skin moisturizing treatment was found to be effective both psychologically and physiologically in this experiment. The finding is expected to be applied to the field of nursing to support elderly people to enhance their mental well-being and balancing ability.
Molecular Scoring of Hepatocellular Carcinoma for Predicting Metastatic Recurrence and Requirements of Systemic Chemotherapy
Authors: Nishida Naoshi , Nishimura Takafumi , Kaido Toshimi , Minaga Kosuke , Yamao Kentaro , Kamata Ken , Takenaka Mamoru , Ida Hiroshi , Hagiwara Satoru , Minami Yasunori , Sakurai Toshiharu , Watanabe Tomohiro , Kudo Masatoshi
Published: October 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) causes one of the most frequent cancer-related deaths; an HCC subset shows rapid progression that affects survival. We clarify molecular features of aggressive HCC, and establish a molecular scoring system that predicts metastasis after curative treatment. In total, 125 HCCs were examined for TP53, CTNNB1, and TERT promoter mutation, methylation of 8 tumor suppressor genes, and 3 repetitive DNA sequences to estimate promoter hypermethylation and global hypomethylation. A fractional allelic loss (FAL) was calculated to represent chromosomal instability through microsatellite analysis. Molecular subclasses were determined using corresponding and hierarchical clustering analyses. Next, twenty-five HCC patients who underwent liver transplantation were analyzed for associations between molecular characteristics and metastatic recurrence; survival analyses were validated using a publicly available dataset of 376 HCC cases from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). An HCC subtype characterized by TP53 mutation, high FAL, and global hypomethylation was associated with aggressive tumor characteristics, like vascular invasion; CTNNB1 mutation was a feature of the less-progressive phenotype. A number of molecular risk factors, including TP53 mutation, high FAL, significant global hypomethylation, and absence of CTNNB1 mutation, were noted to predict shorter recurrence-free survival in patients who underwent liver transplantation (p = 0.0090 by log-rank test). These findings were validated in a cohort of resected HCC cases from TCGA (p = 0.0076). We concluded that molecular risks determined by common genetic and epigenetic alterations could predict metastatic recurrence after curative treatments, and could be a marker for considering systemic therapy for HCC patients.
Nanoplasmon–Semiconductor Hybrid for Interface Catalysis
Authors: Wang Jingang , Feng Naixing , Sun Ying , Mu Xijiao
Published: October 2018

We firstly, in this review, introduce the optical properties of plasmonic metals, and then focus on introducing the unique optical properties of the noble metal–metal-oxide hybrid system by revealing the physical mechanism of plasmon–exciton interaction, which was confirmed by theoretical calculations and experimental investigations. With this noble metal–metal-oxide hybrid system, plasmonic nanostructure–semiconductor exciton coupling interactions for interface catalysis has been analyzed in detail. This review can provide a deeper understanding of the physical mechanism of exciton–plasmon interactions in surface catalysis reactions.
Selective Benzyl Alcohol Oxidation over Pd Catalysts
Authors: Chan-Thaw Carine Edith , Savara Aditya , Villa Alberto
Published: October 2018

In the last decades, the selective liquid phase oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds has been a subject of growing interest. Research has focused on green methods that use “clean” oxidants such as O2 in combination with supported metal nanoparticles as the catalyst. Among the alcohols, benzyl alcohol is one of the most studied substrates. Indeed, benzyl alcohol can be converted to benzaldehyde, largely for use in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. This conversion serves as model reaction in testing new potential catalysts, that can then be applied to other systems. Pd based catalysts have been extensively studied as active catalytic metals for alcohol oxidation for their high activity and selectivity to the corresponding aldehyde. Several catalytic materials obtained by careful control of the morphology of Pd nanoparticles, (including bimetallic systems) and by tuning the support properties have been developed. Moreover, reaction conditions, including solvent, temperature, pressure and alcohol concentration have been investigated to tune the selectivity to the desired products. Different reaction mechanisms and microkinetic models have been proposed. The aim of this review is to provide a critical description of the recent advances on Pd catalyzed benzyl alcohol oxidation.
A Novel Method for the Prediction of Erosion Evolution Process Based on Dynamic Mesh and Its Applications
Authors: Dong Yunshan , Qiao Zongliang , Si Fengqi , Zhang Bo , Yu Cong , Jiang Xiaoming
Published: October 2018

Particle erosion is a commonly occurring phenomenon, and it plays a significantly important role in service life. However, few simulations have replicated erosion, especially the detailed evolution process. To address this complex issue, a new method for establishing the solution of the erosion evolution process was developed. The approach is introduced with the erosion model and the dynamic mesh. The erosion model was applied to estimate the material removal of erosion, and the dynamic mesh technology was used to demonstrate the surface profile of erosion. Then, this method was applied to solve a typical case—the erosion surface deformation and the expiry period of an economizer bank in coal-fired power plants. The mathematical models were set up, including gas motion, particle motion, particle-wall collision, and erosion. Such models were solved by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software (ANSYS FLUENT), which describes the evolution process of erosion based on the dynamic mesh. The results indicate that: (1) the prediction of the erosion profile calculated by the dynamic mesh is in good agreement with that on-site; (2) the global/local erosion loss and the maximum erosion depth is linearly related to the working time at the earlier stage, but the growth of the maximum erosion depth slows down gradually in the later stage; (3) the reason for slowing down is that the collision point trajectory moves along the increasing direction of the absolute value of θ as time increases; and (4) the expiry period is shortened as the ash diameter increases.
Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis, Bio-Evaluation, and in Silico Studies of 2-Aryl-N-alkylbenzimidazoles as Neuroprotective Agents
Authors: Yao Yun-Xin , Jia Nan-Nan , Cao Ya-Nan , Chen Xing-Xiu , Gao Feng , Liang Xiao-Xia
Published: October 2018

2-aryl-N-alkylbenzimidazole derivatives synthesized by CuI/PPh3 promoted direct coupling of N-alkylbenzimidazoles with aryl bromides. In vitro neurotoxicities of 20 compounds were evaluated, and the neuroprotective abilities of low-neurotoxic compounds (3b, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, 3k, 3o, 3q, 3s and 3t) were investigated against toxicity induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. In silico studies revealed that compound 3g could have molecule docking with the following proteins: the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1B (BMPR1B), human cytochrome P450 1B1(CYP1B1), Metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (GRM7), histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 5A (HTR5A), human topoisomerase II beta (TOP2B). A molecular docking simulation of model compound 3g and model protein CYP1B1 has been shown.
Hospital-Acquired Hyponatremia in Children Following Hypotonic versus Isotonic Intravenous Fluids Infusion
Authors: Karageorgos Spyridon A. , Kratimenos Panagiotis , Landicho Ashley , Haratz Joshua , Argentine Louis , Jain Amit , McInnes Andrew D. , Fisher Margaret , Koutroulis Ioannis
Published: October 2018

Hypotonic solutions have been used in pediatrics for maintenance of intravenous (IV) hydration. However, recent randomized control trials and cohort studies have raised significant concerns for association with hospital-acquired hyponatremia (HAH). The study aimed to assess whether the use of hypotonic parenteral solutions (PS) compared with isotonic PS is associated with increased HAH risk in children with common pediatric conditions. Retrospective chart review of 472 patients aged 2 months to 18 years who received either isotonic or hypotonic PS as maintenance fluids. Administration of hypotonic PS was associated with a four-fold increase in risk of developing HAH in the univariate analysis, (unadjusted odds ratio (OR) = 3.99; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.36–11.69, p = 0.01). Hypotonic PS were associated with HAH (p = 0.04) when adjusted for the level of admission serum CO2. There was a mean decrease of serum sodium of 0.53 mEq/L in the hypotonic group compared to the mean increase of 4.88 mEq/L in the isotonic group. These data suggest that hypotonic PS are associated with HAH in children admitted for common pediatric conditions. Isotonic PS should be considered as a safer choice for maintenance fluid hydration.
Quantification of Thermal Barrier Efficiency of Intumescent Coatings on Glass Fibre-Reinforced Epoxy Composites
Authors: Luangtriratana Piyanuch , Kandola Baljinder K. , Duquesne Sophie , Bourbigot Serge
Published: October 2018

In this work, the thermal barrier efficiency of three commercial intumescent coatings of varying thicknesses on glass fibre-reinforced epoxy (GRE) composites has been studied using cone calorimetric parameters and temperature profiles through the thicknesses, obtained by inserting thermocouples in the sample during the experiment. The methodologies developed to measure char expansion of the three coatings during the cone experiment as well under slow heating conditions using an advanced rheometric expansion system have been discussed. While the expansion ratios in the two experiments were different, the trends were similar. Thermal conductivities of the chars as a function of time were measured, which could be related to the intumescence steps of respective coatings. The accurate measurements of these parameters are important in predicting the surface requirements of an ideal coating that can enable a given composite structure to survive a defined thermal threat for a specified period of time.