bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AR Edugame Ayo Cintai Lingkungan Sebagai Media Pembelajaran Siswa Sekolah Dasar
Authors: Purnomo Bashid Hery
Published: February 2017

Perangkat mobile mempunyai beragam aplikasi didalamnya, misalnya mobile learning. Perkembangan mobile learning diperkirakan akan dapat mendunia. Oleh karena itu penulis ingin memanfaatkan perkembangan mobile learning di Indonesia untuk membuat aplikasi Augmented Reality (AR) Edugame Ayo Cintai Lingkungan sebagai media pembelajaran siswa sekolah dasar dalam penelitian ini. Metode yang digunakan adalah prototyping yang merupakan bagian dari metode SDLC (System Development Life Cycle). aplikasi Augmented Reality Edugame Ayo Cintai Lingkungan yang didalamnya terdapat berbagai fitur untuk dimainkan oleh siswa adalah hasil dari penelitiannya yang akan dijelaskan pada paper ini.
ANALISA PERBEDAAN ECO-FRIENDLY ATTITUDE DAN ECO-FRIENDLY INTENTION ANTARA TURIS LOKAL DAN TURIS ASING TERHADAP GREEN
Authors: Jokom Regina , Kristanti Monika
Published: February 2017

The increasing concern for environmental degradation caused many people to pay more attention to theÂ green practice in the industry including hotel. Majority of hotel chains have adopted environmental programs andÂ labeled as green hotel.Â This study examines the significant differences between local tourist and foreign tourist regarding ecofriendlyÂ attitude and eco-friendly intention toward green hotel. Questionnaires were distributed to 120 localtourists and 120 foreign tourists In Juanda International Airport Surabaya. The study reveals that there areÂ significant differences in severity of environmental problems, intention to stay, intention to spread positive wordÂ of mouth, and intention to pay extra for green hotel between local and foreign tourist.Keywords: eco-friendly attitude, eco-friendly intention, green hotel, hospitality
PENGARUH KUALITAS AUDIT TERHADAP MANAJEMEN LABA MELALUI AKTIVITAS RIIL
Authors: Boedhi Nico Radityo , Ratnaningsih Dewi
Published: February 2017

This study examines the impact of audit quality on Real Earnings Management (REM). Real earningsÂ management is defined as management actions that deviate from normal business practices, undertaken withthe primary objective of meeting certain earnings thresholds (Roychowdhury, 2006). One proxy is taken for realÂ earnings management, while abnormal operating cash flows and proxy for audit quality are taken as the size ofÂ audit firm. Research samples are selected from the population of manufacturing companies listed in Bursa EfekÂ Indonesia from year 2007 to 2011. Sample criteria is companies which have strong incentive to engage in realÂ earnings management and 126 companies are selected. Multiple Regression Model has been applied for dataÂ analysis. It is found that impact of audit quality on real earnings management is positive. This result concludesÂ that audit quality is not a warranty that a companyâ€™s financial statement is free from earnings management.Keywords: audit quality, earnings management, real earnings management, abnormal cash flow operation.
PENGARUH FAKTOR INTERNAL DAN EKSTERNAL TERHADAP KINERJA USAHA INDUSTRI KECIL DAN MENENGAH DI PURWOKERTO UTARA
Authors: Purwidianti Wida , Rahayu Tri Septin Muji
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to test the internal and external factors that have an influence on theperformance of small and medium-sized industrial enterprises. The first hypothesis, which states that internalfactors have a positive impact on business performance is not fully supported. This is because of the threevariables that are internal factors; only one variable is a business strategy that has a significant positive effect.Meanwhile, two other variables, namely the value of entrepreneurship and technical aspects and operation haveno significant effect.The second hypothesis states that external factors have a positive impact on business performancewhich is also not supported. It can be seen from the results of statistical tests that found no evidence thataspect of the economy, government policy aspects, and aspects related to the role of institutions do not have asignificant impact on business performance.Keywords: internal factors, external factors, business performance, small business enterprise
PENGARUH LINGKUNGAN KERJA NON FISIK TERHADAP KEPUASAN KERJA DOSEN TETAP STUDI PADA FAKULTAS KOMUNIKASI DAN BISNIS UNIVERSITAS TELKOM BANDUNG
Authors: Pangarso Astadi , Ramadhyanti Vidi
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of non-physical work environment on job satisfactionÂ lecturer of the Faculty of Communication and Business at the University of Telkom Bandung. The independentvariable X of the study is non-physical work environment while the dependent variable Y is job satisfaction. TheÂ data are obtained by distributing questionnaires, sampling technique uses the saturation. The analytical methodÂ used is a simple linear regression analysis method.The research results prove that the non-physical work environment by 38.8% have influence on jobÂ satisfaction lecturer of the Faculty of Communication and Business, University of Telkom Bandung and theremaining 61.2% is influenced by other factors that are not observed in this study. In other words, there isÂ a partial effect of non-physical work environment on permanent lecturersâ€™ job satisfaction on the Faculty ofCommunication and Business, University of Telkom Bandung.Keywords: human resources, non-physical work environment, job satisfaction
GENDER, TINGKAT PENDIDIKAN DAN LAMA USAHA SEBAGAI DETERMINAN PENGHASILAN UMKM KOTA SURABAYA
Authors: Nainggolan Romauli
Published: February 2017

AbstrakPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh perbedaan gender, tingkat pendidikan dan lama usaha terhadap penghasilan pemilik UMKM kota Surabaya. Oleh karena itu, peneliti akan menganalisa pengaruh perbedaan gender, tingkat pendidikan dan lamanya usaha terhadap penghasilan UMKM di Surabaya. Ada sekitar 3.947 pemilik UMKM yang dikelola oleh pemerintah kota Surabaya, namun tidak semua produktif. Untuk menganalisis data, pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui survei dan wawancara semi-struktural kepada pemilik UKM di Surabaya. Peneliti menggunakan analisis regresi logistik pada program SPSS dengan jumlah sampel 170 pemilik UMKM. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perbedaan gender secara signifikan mempengaruhi pendapatan dari UKM. Tapi tingkat pendidikan dan usia bisnis tidak berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap pendapatan UKM.Kata kunci: perbedaan gender, tingkat pendidikan, usia bisnis, UKM di SurabayaAbstractThe purpose of this research is to test the influence gender differences, level of education and business age to income of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Surabaya. This researcher will analyze the influence gender differences, the level of education and business agetowards the income of SMEs in Surabaya. There aremore than 3.947 SMEs managed by government of Surabaya, but they are not all productive. In order to analyze the data, the collection of data is done through survey and semi-structural interview to the owners of SMEs in Surabaya. The researcher utilizes ordinary logistic regression analysis SPSS program while the sample size is170 owners of SMEs. Results show that gender differencessignificantly influences the income of the SMEs.But level of education and business age not significantly influences the income of the SMEs.Key words: gender differences, level of education, business age, SMEs in Surabaya
ANALISIS PENGENDALIAN KUALITAS PRODUK DENGAN METODE SIX SIGMA PADA PERUSAHAAN PERCETAKAN PT. OKANTARA
Authors: F. Hutami Rr. Rieka , Yunitasari Camelia
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis study aims to analyze the implementation of quality control in printing company, causes defective product brochures, as well as knowing the quality control measures that can be implemented based on the analysis of Six Sigma DMAIC approach. We used production data spesific on number of defective product brochures PT Okantara in the period May 2013 - April 2015. The results of this analysis indicate the performance of the production process during the month of May 2013 - April 2015 resulted in sigma level is at 3.78. The root causes of the five factors that cause deviation by a factor method. Priority proposed repairs done on the potential causes are worth RPN 859 are factors working procedures in the corporate environment is not running properlyKeywords: Six Sigma, Quality Control, Product Defects, DMAICAbstrakPenelitian ini memiliki tujuan untuk melakukan analisis dari implementasi kontrol kualitas pada perusahaan yang bergerak di bidang industri percetakan dan grafika yang memiliki tingkat rata-rata pencetakan brosur cacat yang tinggi. Dalam penelitian ini dilakukan analisis dengan pendekatan six sigma DMAIC. Data diperoleh dari PT Okantara pada periode Mei 2013 - April 2015. Hasil dari penelitian ini memperilhatkan kinerja proses produksi perusahaan pada periode Mei 2013 - April 2015 dengan sigma level 3.78. Terdapat lima faktor utama yang mempengaruhi deviasi dari pengendalian kualitas produk pada PT Okantara. Prioritas perbaikan yang dilakukan untuk RPN 859 adalah prosedur kerja pada lingkungan perusahaan yang tidak berjalan dengan baikKeywords: Six Sigma, Kontrol Kualitas, Cacat Produksi, DMAIC
PENGARUH ATRIBUT TOKO ONLINE TERHADAP PERILAKU PEMBELIAN ONLINE KONSUMEN LAZADA INDONESIA
Authors: Hutami Rr. Rieka F , Rahmah Zenia
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe number of Internet users in Indonesia is growing, making business conventional turning into a business online. For understand online consumer behavior patterns, companies need to know the factors that influence buying behavior online. The number of respondents in this study were 387 respondents who shopped online in the website Lazada Indonesia.co.id. Data were analyzed using SEM-PLS (Partial Least Square) and using software SmartPLS3. The results showed that the Site Commitment is the most significant variables that influence the purchasing behavior of online consumers Lazada Indonesia.Keywords: Online Stores Attributes, Online Purchase Behavior
KESIAPAN PEMERINTAH KABUPATEN/KOTA PROVINSI KALIMANTAN TIMUR MENGHADAPI MASYARAKAT EKONOMI ASEAN (MEA)
Authors: Hutauruk Thomas Robert , Salasiah Salasiah , Jamli Jamli
Published: February 2017

AbstractAlong with the implementation AEC 2015, required the officer is capable of controlling the situation. The research location chosen were the cities of Samarinda, Balikpapan, Bontang, and Berau. This research sampling method using purposive sampling and using qualitative descriptive analysis from Spradley approach. The results showed that the technical personnel in the area have the ability of public services are quite good, because it has been programmed to follow the training in stages, but there are no areas that have caused doubt MEA-related regulations in the area of personnel in the act.Key Words: AFTA, Government Agencies, MEA
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI KUALITAS LAPORAN KEUANGAN PEMERINTAH DAERAH KOTA SEMARANG
Authors: Setyowati Lilis , Isthika Wikan , Pratiwi Ririh Dian
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study is analyze the factors influence the quality of financial statement .This study uses primary data obtained from questionnaires to accounting of SKPD Semarang. The method used in this research is multiple regression analysis. The results of this study indicate that (1) the variable role of information technology did not significantly affect the quality of financial statements, (2) the competence of human resources significant positive effect on the quality of financial statements, (3) the role of internal audit significant positive effect on the quality of financial statements.Keywords: role of IT, competence of human resources, role of internal audit, and quality of financial statement
EFEK HALO DAN KEPUTUSAN AUDIT: STUDI EKSPERIMENTAL PENGUJIAN BENTUK DAN CARA PENYAJIAN INFORMASI
Authors: Octavian Nico , Utami Intiyas
Published: February 2017

AbstractAuditors have limited cognitive in managing information. The form of information presented visually and non-visually can trigger halo effect. This study aims to investigate the accuracy of an audit judgment when the information is served visually and non-visually and the information presentation affects halo effect. This experimental design 2 x 2 between subjects in which 64-bachelor degree students of Accounting Department that assigned as an internal auditor. The result shows that the group who gets the treatment of information presentation in visual forms and order of information positive-negative triggers the positive halo effect and impact to an audit judgment with low accuracy.Keywords: Halo Effect, Information Presentation, Audit Judgement
Reference intervals for serum reactive oxygen metabolites, biological antioxidant potential, and oxidative stress index in adult rams
Authors: Oikonomidis Ioannis L. , Kiosis Evangelos A. , Brozos Christos N. , Kritsepi-Konstantinou Maria G.
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE To establish reference intervals for serum reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), and oxidative stress index (OSi) in adult rams by use of controlled preanalytic and analytic procedures.

ANIMALS 123 healthy 1- to 4-year-old rams of 2 Greek breeds (Chios [n = 62] and Florina [61]).

PROCEDURES 4 hours after rams were fed, a blood sample was obtained from each ram, and serum was harvested. Concentrations of ROMs and BAP were measured colorimetrically on a spectrophotometric analyzer. The OSi was calculated as ROMs concentration divided by BAP concentration. Combined and breed-specific reference intervals were calculated by use of nonparametric and robust methods, respectively. Reference intervals were defined as the 2.5th to 97.5th percentiles.

RESULTS Reference intervals for ROMs, BAP, and OSi for all rams combined were 65 to 109 Carratelli units, 2,364 to 4,491 μmol/L, and 18.2 to 43.0 Carratelli units/(mmol/L), respectively. Reference intervals of Chios rams for ROMs, BAP, and OSi were 56 to 113 Carratelli units, 2,234 to 4,290 μmol/L, and 12.9 to 38.4 Carratelli units/(mmol/L), respectively. Reference intervals of Florina rams for ROMs, BAP, and OSi were 68 to 111 Carratelli units, 2,337 to 4,363 μmol/L, and 14.1 to 38.1 Carratelli units/(mmol/L), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Reference intervals calculated in this study can be used as a guide for the interpretation of ROMs, BAP, and OSi results in rams and, under appropriate conditions, can be adopted for use by veterinary laboratories.
Effect of position and time held in that position on ground-glass opacity in computed tomography images of dogs
Authors: Lee Sang-Kwon , Park Seungjo , Cheon Byunggyu , Moon Sohyeon , Hong Sunghwa , Cho Hyun , Chang Dongwoo , Choi Jihye
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of position, time in that position, and positive end-expiratory pressure on ground-glass opacity caused by physiologic atelectasis on lung CT images and to determine effects of recumbency position before CT.

ANIMALS 6 healthy Beagles.

PROCEDURES In a crossover study, dogs were placed in 4 positions (sternal, dorsal, right lateral, and left lateral recumbency) for 2 holding times (30 and 60 minutes). Dogs were then repositioned in sternal recumbency, and CT was performed at 2 positive end-expiratory pressures (0 and 15 mm Hg). Location, distribution, and degree of ground-glass opacities were evaluated on lung CT images. Volume and mean density of the lungs and ground-glass opacities as well as maximum density of ground-glass opacities were evaluated.

RESULTS Ground-glass opacities were mainly observed in parts of the lungs that were dependent during the various positions before CT, except for sternal recumbency. Opacities were reversible and decreased or disappeared after lung inflation. Ground-glass opacities were observed most frequently and had greatest severity when dogs were positioned in left lateral recumbency before CT. Ground-glass opacities were negligible for dogs positioned in sternal recumbency before CT.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Location and reversibility of ground-glass opacities may help clinicians distinguish whether they are attributable to atelectasis or a result of pathological changes. Dogs should be positioned in sternal recumbency to minimize the occurrence of ground-glass opacities, particularly when several procedures are performed before CT, which increases the time that a dog will remain in the same position.
Comparison of the diagnostic performance of bacterial culture of nasopharyngeal swab and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples obtained from calves with bovine respiratory disease
Authors: Capik Sarah F. , White Brad J. , Lubbers Brian V. , Apley Michael D. , DeDonder Keith D. , Larson Robert L. , Harhay Greg P. , Chitko-McKown Carol G. , Harhay Dayna M. , Kalbfleisch Ted S. , Schuller Gennie , Clawson Michael L.
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE To compare predictive values, extent of agreement, and gamithromycin susceptibility between bacterial culture results of nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples obtained from calves with bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

ANIMALS 28 beef calves with clinical BRD.

PROCEDURES Pooled bilateral NPS samples and BALF samples were obtained for bacterial culture from calves immediately before and at various times during the 5 days after gamithromycin (6 mg/kg, SC, once) administration. For each culture-positive sample, up to 12 Mannheimia haemolytica, 6 Pasteurella multocida, and 6 Histophilus somni colonies underwent gamithromycin susceptibility testing. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on all M haemolytica isolates. For paired NPS and BALF samples collected 5 days after gamithromycin administration, the positive and negative predictive values for culture results of NPS samples relative to those of BALF samples and the extent of agreement between the sampling methods were determined.

RESULTS Positive and negative predictive values of NPS samples were 67% and 100% for M haemolytica, 75% and 100% for P multocida, and 100% and 96% for H somni. Extent of agreement between results for NPS and BALF samples was substantial for M haemolytica (κ, 0.71) and H somni (κ, 0.78) and almost perfect for P multocida (κ, 0.81). Gamithromycin susceptibility varied within the same sample and between paired NPS and BALF samples.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated culture results of NPS and BALF samples from calves with BRD should be interpreted cautiously considering disease prevalence within the population, sample collection relative to antimicrobial administration, and limitations of diagnostic testing methods.
Evaluation of gene expression and DNA copy number profiles of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells and consecutive neurosphere-like cells generated from dogs with naturally occurring spinal cord injury
Authors: Lim Ji-Hey , Koh Sehwon , Thomas Rachael , Breen Matthew , Olby Natasha J.
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE To evaluate gene expression and DNA copy number in adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) and in ADSC-derived neurosphere-like cell clusters (ADSC-NSCs) generated from tissues of chronically paraplegic dogs.

ANIMALS 14 client-owned paraplegic dogs.

PROCEDURES Dorsal subcutaneous adipose tissue (< 1 cm3) was collected under general anesthesia; ADSCs were isolated and cultured. Third-passage ADSCs were cultured in neural cell induction medium to generate ADSC-NSCs. Relative gene expression of mesenchymal cell surface marker CD90 and neural progenitor marker nestin was assessed in ADSCs and ADSC-NSCs from 3 dogs by quantitative real-time PCR assay; expression of these and various neural lineage genes was evaluated for the same dogs by reverse transcription PCR assay. Percentages of cells expressing CD90, nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and tubulin β 3 class III (TUJ1) proteins were determined by flow cytometry for all dogs. The DNA copy number stability (in samples from 6 dogs) and neural cell differentiation (14 dogs) were assessed with array-comparative genomic hybridization analysis and immunocytochemical evaluation, respectively.

RESULTS ADSCs and ADSC-NSCs expressed neural cell progenitor and differentiation markers; GFAP and microtubule-associated protein 2 were expressed by ADSC-NSCs but not ADSCs. Relative gene expression of CD90 and nestin was subjectively higher in ADSC-NSCs than in ADSCs. Percentages of ADSC-NSCs expressing nestin, GFAP, and TUJ1 proteins were substantially higher than those of ADSCs. Cells expressing neuronal and glial markers were generated from ADSC-NSCs and had no DNA copy number instability detectable by the methods used.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested ADSCs can potentially be a safe and clinically relevant autologous source for canine neural progenitor cells. Further research is needed to verify these findings.
Implementing yoga as an integrated part of medical curriculum
Authors: Pradhan Arun Kumar
Published: February 2017

No abstract available
Approach to Earthquake Related Health Problems
Authors: Nepal B.P.
Published: February 2017

No abstract available
Respiratory Tract Problems among Wood Furniture Manufacturing Factory Workers in the Northeast of Thailand
Authors: Soongkhang I. , Laohasiriwong W.
Published: February 2017

Background Wood furniture manufacturing factory workers are at high risk of exposure to wood dust in wood working processes. Wood dust exposure could cause respiratory symptoms, such as reduce lung function, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. The Northeast region of Thailand has many wood furniture manufacturing factories. However, limited studies were carried out to explore the effect of wood dust exposure on workers.Objective This study aimed to assess the respiratory symptoms and determine factors associated with these symptoms among wood furniture manufacturing factory workers.Method This cross-sectional analytical research used a multistage random sampling to select 511 workers from three provinces in the Northeast of Thailand. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire interview. The content validity of questionnaire was tested by 3 experts and had a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.82. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regressions.Result The result indicated that 29.94% of these workers had respiratory symptoms, including coughing(18.79%), nasal secretion (15.66%), and stuffy nose (15.07%). Factors that were significantly associated with respiratory symptoms (p–value<0.05) were (a) not always wearing mask (adjusted OR=2.26;95% CI=1.37-3.72), (b) low to medium level of knowledge on dust prevention (adjusted OR=1.83;95% CI=1.23- 2.73) and (c) contacted softwood dust (adjusted OR=1.97;95% CI= 1.06-3.64).Conclusion About 30% of wood furniture manufacturing factory workers had respiratory symptoms with related to both personal preventive behaviors and their working environments. Therefore, the raising awareness for using personal protective equipment during work will help them to prevent from various respiratory track problems.
Evaluation of Sialometric Analysis of Patients Suffering from Depressive Disorders
Authors: Milton Annette B. , Bhambal A. , Nair P.
Published: February 2017

Background Depressive disorders, worldwide, may rank second by the year 2020. In India; about 10 million people suffer from depressive disorders, the prevalence rate being recorded as 31.2 for every 1000 individuals. A significant impairment of all personal hygiene may occur due a depressive episode which in turn may result in altered salivary flow.Objective The present study was a hospital- based clinical cross-sectional study which was conducted in Bhopal, the heart of Madhya Pradesh, India. It was done to assess the relationship of bring about a comparison of sialometric alterations between normal and subjects with depressive disorders.Method The survey period extended over a period of one year and two months, from May 2009 to July 2010. It was conducted in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Central India. A sample size of 150 individuals, 50 of each group, was taken in the study. Whole salivary flow rates were determined by gravimetric method (i.e. in millilitres per minute). The Tenovuo criterion was used, to which numerical scores (SFI) were attributed.Result Results showed that the unstimulated salivary flow rates between patients of Group I and Group III (p< 0.0001) and between Group II and Group III (p < 0.0001) were statistically significant. The study also showed statistically significant relation between subjective and objective oral dryness (chi 2= 55.789, df= 6 and p< 0.0001).Conclusion It was observed that subjective sensation of dry mouth may exist even in the presence of normal salivary flow rates. This might be acknowledged as a psychophysiological expression of depression and may not necessarily reflect actual salivary gland function. The lack of secreted mucins rather than the quantity of saliva may play a role in the genesis of xerostomia.
Chromium and lead contamination in commercial poultry feeds of Bangladesh
Authors: Jothi JS , Yeasmin N , Anka IZ , Hashem S
Published: February 2017

Heavy metals contamination into food chain is considered as an emerging crisis throughout the world especially in developing countries like Bangladesh. The concentration of heavy metals including Cr and Pb in commercial poultry feed samples (protein meal feed, meat and bone meal and fish meal feed) were detected by using Air/ Acetylene Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The mean concentration of heavy metals were found in protein meal feed in a range where Cr 10.63 to 218.10 mg kg-1 and Pb 7.37 to 52.25 mg kg-1. In meat and bone meal feed samples, Cr was recorded from 9.15 to 40.59 mg kg-1 and Pb 5.0 to 61.42 mg kg-1. Cr was found 17.68 to 78.39 mg kg-1 and Pb 3.54to 16.44 mg kg-1 in fish meal feed samples. However, results showed that all feed samples contained chromium and lead where both metals were present at alarming levels in most of the samples. It is therefore suggested that regular detection of heavy metals especially Cr and Pb should be done to evaluate the health risks and to protect the end user from food that might harmful for their health.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 6 (2): 57-60, December, 2016
Metabolic alterations in liver of fresh water fish, C. punctata exposed to arsenic: an adverse and adaptive response to the environment
Authors: Haque Md Shahidul , Hasan Md Mahmudul , Maniruzzaman Md , Aktaruzzaman Md , Zubair Md Abu , Rahman Md Morshed
Published: February 2017

Arsenic is a major toxicant impairing in diverse metabolic alterations of the organisms and the mechanism of adaptive response is yet to be identified. In the present study, effects of different doses of arsenic in liver of Channa punctata on the regulation of metabolic activities were done. C. punctata, a variety of fresh water fish were exposed to 1, 10 and 1000 ?M concentration of Na2HAsO4 for 1 h. The amount of protein, in response to 1, 10 and 1000 ?M concentration of arsenic were augmented by 184.47% (2.84-folds), 202.82% (3.0- folds) and 317.49% (4.17-folds), respectively and was found to be higher for 1000 ?M dose. Cholesterol contents in liver were similarly exaggerated by 517.45% (6.17-folds), 308.13% (4.1-folds) and 286.41% (3.86-folds), respectively. However, the higher response was found for 1 ?M dose of Na2HAsO4. Similar stimulatory effects on triglyceride level were observed in response to arsenic. Na2HAsO4 causes 443.74% (5.43-folds), 533.11% (6.33-folds) and 548.48% (6.48-folds) enhanced triglyceride level in liver respectively and the effects were pronounced for 1000 ?M concentration. Our findings conclude that arsenic is involved in impairment of metabolic activities in liver of the species of fish and gives an impact to the environment for survival.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 6 (2): 87-94, December, 2016
Can Servant Leaders Fuel the Leadership Fire? The Relationship between Servant Leadership and Followers’ Leadership Avoidance
Authors: Lacroix Martin , Pircher Verdorfer Armin
Published: February 2017

This study tested the effect of servant leadership on followers’ inclinations to strive for and, in contrast, to avoid leadership responsibility. Results from a study in the health care context, including two waves of data from 222 employees, revealed that servant leadership had a small but positive effect on followers’ leadership avoidance. This effect was influenced by followers’ implicit conception of an ideal leader. Specifically, servant leadership was found to reduce leadership avoidance when the congruence with the followers’ ideal leader prototype was high. Furthermore, followers’ core self-evaluations and affective motivation to lead mediated the relationship between servant leadership and reduced leadership avoidance. Implications of these patterns for theory and practice and avenues for future research are discussed.
Extended Backstepping Sliding Controller Design for Chattering Attenuation and Its Application for Servo Motor Control
Authors: Chen Li-Hsin , Peng Chao-Chung
Published: February 2017

This paper presents a robust backstepping design for motion control in the presence of model uncertainties and exogenous disturbances. The main difficulty in dealing with motion control is to reduce the effect of friction, which exists in the moving mechanism and induces nonlinear behavior. In this study, the friction dynamic is considered as the external disturbance, and the proposed backstepping control algorithm is integrated with the sliding mode control, so that the effect of matching disturbances can be eliminated. The proposed approach guarantees the system asymptotic stability, globally, without significant chatter. Therefore, the developed algorithm can be realized for practical manufacturing motion control stages. Experiments including positioning and tracking controls are conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method.
Performance Comparison of Time-Frequency Distributions for Estimation of Instantaneous Frequency of Heart Rate Variability Signals
Authors: Khan Nabeel , Jönsson Peter , Sandsten Maria
Published: February 2017

The instantaneous frequency (IF) of a non-stationary signal is usually estimated from a time-frequency distribution (TFD). The IF of heart rate variability (HRV) is an important parameter because the power in a frequency band around the IF can be used for the interpretation and analysis of the respiratory rate but also for a more accurate analysis of heart rate (HR) signals. In this study, we compare the performance of five states of the art kernel-based time-frequency distributions (TFDs) in terms of their ability to accurately estimate the IF of HR signals. The selected TFDs include three widely used fixed kernel methods: the modified B distribution, the S-method and the spectrogram; and two adaptive kernel methods: the adaptive optimal kernel TFD and the recently developed adaptive directional TFD. The IF of the respiratory signal, which is usually easier to estimate as the respiratory signal is a mono-component with small amplitude variations with time, is used as a reference to examine the accuracy of the HRV IF estimates. Experimental results indicate that the most reliable estimates are obtained using the adaptive directional TFD in comparison to other commonly used methods such as the adaptive optimal kernel TFD and the modified B distribution.
Existence, Stability and Dynamics of Nonlinear Modes in a 2D PartiallyPT Symmetric Potential
Authors: D’Ambroise Jennie , Kevrekidis Panayotis
Published: February 2017

It is known that multidimensional complex potentials obeying parity-time(PT)symmetry may possess all real spectra and continuous families of solitons. Recently, it was shown that for multi-dimensional systems, these features can persist when the parity symmetry condition is relaxed so that the potential is invariant under reﬂection in only a single spatial direction. We examine the existence, stability and dynamical properties of localized modes within the cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation in such a scenario of partiallyPT-symmetric potential.
Operational Application of Optical Flow Techniques to Radar-Based Rainfall Nowcasting
Authors: Woo Wang-chun , Wong Wai-kin
Published: February 2017

Hong Kong Observatory has been operating an in-house developed rainfall nowcasting system called “Short-range Warning of Intense Rainstorms in Localized Systems (SWIRLS)” to support rainstorm warning and rainfall nowcasting services. A crucial step in rainfall nowcasting is the tracking of radar echoes to generate motion fields for extrapolation of rainfall areas in the following few hours. SWIRLS adopted a correlation-based method in its first operational version in 1999, which was subsequently replaced by optical flow algorithm in 2010 and further enhanced in 2013. The latest optical flow algorithm employs a transformation function to enhance a selected range of reflectivity for feature tracking. It also adopts variational optical flow computation that takes advantage of the Horn–Schunck approach and the Lucas–Kanade method. This paper details the three radar echo tracking algorithms, examines their performances in several significant rainstorm cases and summaries verification results of multi-year performances. The limitations of the current approach are discussed. Developments underway along with future research areas are also presented.
Effect of Different Nano-Sized Silica Sols as Supports on the Structure and Properties of Cu/SiO2 for Hydrogenation of Dimethyl Oxalate
Authors: Zhang Chuancai , Wang Denghao , Zhu Mingyuan , Yu Feng , Dai Bin
Published: February 2017

Cu/x-SiO2 catalysts with 4, 10, and 20 nm silica sols as supports was produced by ammonia evaporation method and characterized. Different nano-sized silica sols as supports significantly affected the structure and catalytic properties of the copper catalysts for ethylene glycol synthesis from dimethyl oxalate. Compared with Cu/20-SiO2 and Cu/4-SiO2 catalysts, the catalytic performance and stability of Cu/10-SiO2 catalyst were greatly enhanced. The Cu/10-SiO2 catalyst showed 99.9% conversion with 94% EG selectivity and a lifetime of over 3080 h if it is calculated by industrial weight liquid hourly space velocity (WLHSV) of 0.5 h−1. The Cu/10-SiO2 catalyst has one of the longest lifetimes among the catalysts and is a good alternative catalyst for this reaction. Improvement in the catalytic performance and stability of Cu/10-SiO2 is attributed to the proper SBET, Dp and larger dispersion of copper. In addition, the supports of Cu/10-SiO2 catalyst have smaller particles than that of Cu/20-SiO2; thus, the migration and growth of copper species in catalysts are restrained during the reaction.
Assessment of Urban Heat Islands in Small- and Mid-Sized Cities in Brazil
Authors: Cardoso Renata , Dorigon Larissa , Teixeira Danielle , Amorim Margarete
Published: February 2017

Urban heat islands (UHIs) in large cities and different climatic regions have been thoroughly studied; however, their effects are becoming a common concern in smaller cities as well. We assessed UHIs in three tropical cities, analyzing how synoptic conditions, urban morphology, and land cover affect the heat island magnitude. Data gathering involved mobile surveys across Paranavaí (Paraná), Rancharia (São Paulo), and Presidente Prudente (São Paulo), Brazil, during summer evenings (December 2013–January 2014). Temperature data collected over five days in each city point to heat islands with magnitudes up to 6 °C, under calm synoptic conditions, whereas summer average UHI magnitudes peak at 3.7 °C. In addition, UHI magnitudes were higher in areas with closely spaced buildings and few or no trees and building materials that are not appropriate for the region’s climate and thermal comfort.
Effect of Electrochemically Deposited MgO Coating on Printable Perovskite Solar Cell Performance
Authors: Peiris T. A. , Baranwal Ajay , Kanda Hiroyuki , Fukumoto Shouta , Kanaya Shusaku , Bessho Takeru , Cojocaru Ludmila , Miyasaka Tsutomu , Segawa Hiroshi , Ito Seigo
Published: February 2017

Herein, we studied the effect of MgO coating thickness on the performance of printable perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by varying the electrodeposition time of Mg(OH)2 on the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)/TiO2 electrode. Electrodeposited Mg(OH)2 in the electrode was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images. The performance of printable PSC structures on different deposition times of Mg(OH)2 was evaluated on the basis of their photocurrent density-voltage characteristics. The overall results confirmed that the insulating MgO coating has an adverse effect on the photovoltaic performance of the solid state printable PSCs. However, a marginal improvement in the device efficiency was obtained for the device made with the 30 s electrodeposited TiO2 electrode. We believe that this undesirable effect on the photovoltaic performance of the printable PSCs is due to the higher coverage of TiO2 by the insulating MgO layer attained by the electrodeposition technique.
Ni-Co Alloy and Multisegmented Ni/Co Nanowire Arrays Modulated in Composition: Structural Characterization and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Méndez Miguel , González Silvia , Vega Víctor , Teixeira Jose , Hernando Blanca , Luna Carlos , Prida Víctor
Published: February 2017

Design of novel multisegmented magnetic nanowires can pave the way for the next generation of data storage media and logical devices, magnonic crystals, or in magneto-plasmonics, among other energy conversion, recovery, and storage technological applications. In this work, we present a detailed study on the synthesis, morphology, structural, and magnetic properties of Ni, Co, and Ni-Co alloy and multisegmented Ni/Co nanowires modulated in composition, which were grown by template-assisted electrodeposition employing nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide as patterned templates. X-ray diffraction, and scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopies allowed for the structural, morphological, and compositional investigations of a few micrometers long and approximately 40 nm in diameter of pure Ni and Co single elements, together with multisegmented Ni/Co and alloyed Ni-Co nanowires. The vibrating sample magnetometry technique enabled us to extract the main characteristic magnetic parameters for these samples, thereby evaluating their different anisotropic magnetic behaviors and discuss them based on their morphological and structural features. These novel functional magnetic nanomaterials can serve as potential candidates for multibit magnetic systems in ultra-high-density magnetic data storage applications.
Detection of Alphacoronavirus vRNA in the Feces of Brazilian Free-Tailed Bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) from a Colony in Florida, USA
Authors: Bonny Tania , Driver John , Paisie Taylor , Salemi Marco , Morris John , Shender Lisa , Smith Lisa , Enloe Carolyn , Oxenrider Kevin , Gore Jeffery , Loeb Julia , Wu Chang-Yu , Lednicky John
Published: February 2017

Bats are natural reservoirs of coronaviruses and other viruses with zoonotic potential. Florida has indigenous non-migratory populations of Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) that mostly roost in colonies in artificial structures. Unlike their counterparts in Brazil and Mexico, the viruses harbored by the Florida bats have been underexplored. We report the detection of an alphacoronavirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene sequence in the feces of two of 19 different T. brasiliensis that were capture/release bats that had been evaluated for overall health. The RdRp sequence is similar but not identical to previously detected sequences in the feces of two different species of bats (T. brasiliensis and Molossus molossus) in Brazil. In common with the experience of others doing similar work, attempts to isolate the virus in cell cultures were unsuccessful. We surmise that this and highly related alphacoronavirus are carried by Brazilian free-tailed bats living in a wide eco-spatial region. As various coronaviruses (CoVs) that affect humans emerged from bats, our study raises the question whether CoVs such as the one detected in our work are yet-to-be-detected pathogens of humans and animals other than bats.
The Influence of BMSs on the Characterization and Modeling of Series and Parallel Li-Ion Packs
Authors: Castano-Solis Sandra , Serrano-Jimenez Daniel , Gauchia Lucia , Sanz Javier
Published: February 2017

This work analyzes the effects of a BMS (battery management system) on the characterization and modeling of series and parallel connections of Li-ion cell packs. The Li-ion pack studied consists of four series modules connected in parallel. This pack has been characterized by means of charge, discharge and frequency tests. As a result of these tests, series and parallel influence on battery parameters have been determined. A model considering the effects of a BMS is established and compared with a model based on a single-cell approach. Experimental validations show that the single cell based approach gives poor results in comparison with a model that considers BMS effects.
Complex Roles of Microglial Cells in Ischemic Stroke Pathobiology: New Insights and Future Directions
Authors: Guruswamy Revathy , ElAli Ayman
Published: February 2017

Ischemic stroke constitutes the major cause of death and disability in the industrialized world. The interest in microglia arose from the evidence outlining the role of neuroinflammation in ischemic stroke pathobiology. Microglia constitute the powerhouse of innate immunity in the brain. Microglial cells are highly ramified, and use these ramifications as sentinels to detect changes in brain homeostasis. Once a danger signal is recognized, cells become activated and mount specialized responses that range from eliminating cell debris to secreting inflammatory signals and trophic factors. Originally, it was suggested that microglia play essentially a detrimental role in ischemic stroke. However, recent reports are providing evidence that the role of these cells is more complex than what was originally thought. Although these cells play detrimental role in the acute phase, they are required for tissue regeneration in the post-acute phases. This complex role of microglia in ischemic stroke pathobiology constitutes a major challenge for the development of efficient immunomodulatory therapies. This review aims at providing an overview regarding the role of resident microglia and peripherally recruited macrophages in ischemic pathobiology. Furthermore, the review will highlight future directions towards the development of novel fine-tuning immunomodulatory therapeutic interventions.
The Diverse Roles of Microglia in the Neurodegenerative Aspects of Central Nervous System (CNS) Autoimmunity
Authors: Thompson Kaitlyn , Tsirka Stella
Published: February 2017

Autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) involve inflammatory components and result in neurodegenerative processes. Microglia, the resident macrophages of the CNS, are the first responders after insults to the CNS and comprise a major link between the inflammation and neurodegeneration. Here, we will focus on the roles of microglia in two autoimmune diseases: the prevalent condition of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the much rarer Rasmussen’s encephalitis (RE). Although there is an abundance of evidence that microglia actively contribute to neuronal damage in pathological states such as MS and RE, there is also evidence of important reparative functions. As current research supports a more complex and diverse array of functions and phenotypes that microglia can assume, it is an especially interesting time to examine what is known about both the damaging and restorative roles that microglia can play in the inflammatory CNS setting. We will also discuss the pharmacological approaches to modulating microglia towards a more neuroprotective state.
Transplantation of Embryonic Spinal Cord Derived Cells Helps to Prevent Muscle Atrophy after Peripheral Nerve Injury
Authors: Ruven Carolin , Li Wen , Li Heng , Wong Wai-Man , Wu Wutian
Published: February 2017

Injuries to peripheral nerves are frequent in serious traumas and spinal cord injuries. In addition to surgical approaches, other interventions, such as cell transplantation, should be considered to keep the muscles in good condition until the axons regenerate. In this study, E14.5 rat embryonic spinal cord fetal cells and cultured neural progenitor cells from different spinal cord segments were injected into transected musculocutaneous nerve of 200–300 g female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, and atrophy in biceps brachii was assessed. Both kinds of cells were able to survive, extend their axons towards the muscle and form neuromuscular junctions that were functional in electromyographic studies. As a result, muscle endplates were preserved and atrophy was reduced. Furthermore, we observed that the fetal cells had a better effect in reducing the muscle atrophy compared to the pure neural progenitor cells, whereas lumbar cells were more beneficial compared to thoracic and cervical cells. In addition, fetal lumbar cells were used to supplement six weeks delayed surgical repair after the nerve transection. Cell transplantation helped to preserve the muscle endplates, which in turn lead to earlier functional recovery seen in behavioral test and electromyography. In conclusion, we were able to show that embryonic spinal cord derived cells, especially the lumbar fetal cells, are beneficial in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries due to their ability to prevent the muscle atrophy.
Tumor Cell-Derived Microvesicles Induced Not Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition but Apoptosis in Human Proximal Tubular (HK-2) Cells: Implications for Renal Impairment in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Zhao Aiqi , Kong Fancong , Liu Chun-Jie , Yan Guoxin , Gao Fei , Guo Hao , Guo An-Yuan , Chen Zhichao , Li Qiubai
Published: February 2017

Renal impairment (RI) is one of the hallmarks of multiple myeloma (MM) and carries a poor prognosis. Microvesicles (MVs) are membrane vesicles and play an important role in disease progression. Here, we investigated the role of MVs derived from MM cells (MM-MVs) in RI of MM. We found that MM-MVs significantly inhibited viability and induced apoptosis, but not epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human kidney-2 (HK-2), a human renal tubular epithelial cell line. The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, 8, and 9, and E-cadherin, were increased, but vementin levels were decreased in the HK-2 cells treated with MM-MVs. Through a comparative sequencing and analysis of RNA content between the MVs from RPMI8226 MM cells (RPMI8226-MVs) and K562 leukemia cells, RPMI8226-MVs were enriched with more renal-pathogenic miRNAs, in which the selective miRNAs may participate in the up-regulation of the levels of cleaved caspase-3. Furthermore, the levels of CD138+ circulating MVs (cirMVs) in the peripheral blood were positively correlated with the severity of RI in newly-diagnosed MM. Our study supports MM-MVs representing a previously undescribed factor and playing a potential role in the development of RI of MM patients, and sheds light on the potential application of CD138+ cirMV counts in precise diagnosis of RI in MM and exploring MM-MVs as a therapeutic target.