bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
АЙМАҚТЫҚ ИНДУСТРИАЛДЫҚ ЖОБАЛАРДЫҢ АЙМАҚ ЭКОНОМИКАСЫНА ӘСЕРІ
Authors: Шалдарбеков К. Б.  , Нурмухамбетова З. С.
Published: May 2018

The article examines the impact of the implementation of regional industrial projects on the development of the region's economy. The authors carried out an analysis of the implementation of projects in the period from 2010 to 2016 in the framework of the state program of industrial and innovative development in the Zhambyl region. In the course of the study, an analysis of the implementation of regional industrial projects in the sectoral context over the past seven years was carried out. Based on the analysis, the impact of the implementation of projects on the diversification of the region's economy was determined and the impact on improving the socio-economic indicators of the region was examined. In particular, the impact of the implementation of industrial projects on the employment of the population in the region has been studied.
CONCEPTUAL BASIS FOR THE FORMATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL LAND MARKET PURPOSES
Authors: Buiak L. M.  , Pryshliak K. M.
Published: May 2018

In this paper, the conceptual model that describes a wide range of phenomena and processes that will begin in Ukraine's economy after the abolition of the moratorium on land sales. Based on this model, a number of basic conclusions.
Effects of a 10-week strength training programme on hand function of patients with hand osteoarthritis
Authors: Hammed Adebisi İ. , Mukadas Akindele O.
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-week strength training (ST) programme on hand function of patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA). The findings of this study would help clinicians/clinical staff to take ST into consideration in the management of patients with hand OA thereby enhancing clinical outcome. This study was a pre-test, post-test control group design. A total of 30 patients with hand OA participated in the study. Handgrip and pinch strength were measured using electronic hand dynamometer (in kg) and mechanical pinch gauge (in kg) respectively prior to and following a 10-week ST programme. The amount of handgrip and pinch strength of both hands generated by each participant was used as a quantitative measurement of the development of hand function. Data generated were analyzed using inferential statistics of one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the statistical significance was accepted for p value of <0.05. The findings of the study showed that the ST programme had significant effects on hand function of patients with hand OA. It was concluded that the ST programme can substantially enhance hand function of patients with hand OA. Therefore, the ST programme should be considered as a key element in the management of patients with hand OA.
The cardiovascular risk factors and health-related physical fitness of employees at General Directorate of Youth and Sport of Mazandaran Province in Iran
Authors: Arazi Hamid , Shokouhi Roohollah Amin , Sayah Ali , Aboutalebi Shima
Published: May 2018

The evidence shows that the sedentary life increases the risk of coronary heart disease and decreases physical fitness. However, this study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular risk factors and health-related physical fitness of employees at General Directorate of Youth and Sport of Mazandaran Province in Iran. For this purpose, using random sampling method, 40 employees (age mean= 35.54 ± 7.63 years old, body mass index= 22.61 ± 9.70 kg/m2) at General Directorate of Youth and Sport of Mazandaran were selected as sample. Then, after collecting necessary data by questionnaire, the health-related physical fitness was measured in terms of cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, body fat percentage, strength, and flexibility. Also, the sphygmomanometer was used to measure heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). Finally, 5 ml blood was taken from subjects to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), fasting blood sugar (FBS), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL). The findings showed that there was no significant difference between TC, TG, LDL, HDL, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of employees at General Directorate of Youth and Sport of Mazandaran and desirable situation. However, there was significant difference between health-related physical fitness of employees and desirable situation (P < 0.05). It was concluded that due to undesirable situation of physical fitness of employees, it is necessary to take measures to emphasize regular exercise programs and promote their fitness and health.
Which start is faster in finswimming?
Authors: Stavrou Vasileios , Voutselas Vasileios
Published: May 2018

Finswimming is a sport of speed practiced on the surface or underwater. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference between two finswimming starts: the grab start (GS) and the research start with hands on metatarsals (HMS). Fourteen well training young male finswimmers participated in our study and assessment the flight, the angle of entry, the angle of knee and the performance at the first 15-m. The results show differences between the two starts in the flight [GS: 130.3±9.1 vs. HMS 136.2±7.9; t(13)=-6.08, p=0.000], in the angle of knee [GS: 107.1±8.9 vs. HMS 115.7±9.9; t(13)=-2.57, p=0.024], in the angle of entry [GS: 55.4±7.4 vs. HMS 52.6±5.2; t(13)=2.71, p=0.018] and at the first 15-m performance [GS: 5.7±0.5 vs. HMS 5.4±0.3; t(13)=4.17, p=0.001). This study demonstrates that the HMS is able to improve the parameters during entry which related with faster swimming.
ORDU ARICILIĞININ BAŞLICA SORUNLARI VE ÇÖZÜM YOLLARI
Authors: SIRALI Recep
Published: May 2018

Ordu yöresinde arıcılık, çok eski yıllardan beri

sürdürülen önemli bir tarımsal faaliyettir. Ordu ili arıcısayısı, gerek kovan

varlığı ve gerekse üretim payı bakımından arıcılık için en önemli yöremizi oluşturmaktadır.

Ekolojik, sosyal ve ekonomik yapısı

gereği, Türkiye’nin her yerinde arıcılık

yapılabilirken, bölge genelinde mevcut bitki türleri ilin arı popülâsyonlarının

ihtiyaçlarını karşılamada yetersiz

kalmaktadır. O nedenle Ordu arıcıları, arılarını il dışına götürerek arıcılık

faaliyetlerini sürdürmektedirler. Bölge arıcılarının devletten başlıca

beklentileri; uygun damızlık materyal

temini, ilde bal

ormanlarının geliştirilmesi, arıcı eğitimi, arı sağlığı, arı adaptasyonu, balda kalite ve standart, bal üretim maliyeti, bal pazarlaması, gezginci

arıcılıkla ilgili kolaylıkların sağlanması, aşırı şeker şurubu

kullanımının ve sahte balın

önlenmesine yönelik tedbirlerin alınmasıdır. Bu nedenle, yöre arıcılığına

ilişkin gerçekleştirilecek birtakım olumlu çalışmalar sosyal ve ekonomik açıdan

yararlı olacaktır. Ayrıca yöre arıcılığı konusunda geliştirilecek bazı

politikalara ve önemli çözümlere yön verebilecektir. Bu derlemenin amacı; Ordu’da arıcılığın genel yapısını ortaya

koyarak, mevcut sorunlarını analiz etmek ve bu

sorunlara yönelik bazı çözüm önerileri geliştirmektir.
KUM ARILARI (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Andrenidae)
Authors: Hazır Canan
Published: May 2018

Yaban arıları, çok sayıda yabani ve kültür bitkisinin tozlaşmasını sağlaması dolayısıyla ekolojik ve
ekonomik öneme sahiptir. Bu nedenle bu canlılar için “temel taşı” türler terimi kullanılır. Andrena
Fabricius, 1775 cinsi yaban arıları genel olarak kum arıları olarak bilinir. Hem tür sayısı hem de birey
sayısı en fazla olan arı cinslerinden biridir. Tanımlanmış 1500 türüyle arı cinsleri arasında en geniş
grubu oluşturur. Tüm türleri yuvasını toprağa yapar. Çoğu türü polilektiktir, çok sayıda farklı yabani
ve kültür bitkisinin tozlaşmasını sağlayarak onların üremedeki başarısına yardım eder. Tarımda ve
yabani hayatta önemli olan kum arısı faunasının saptanması ve muhafazası ülkemiz açısından
değerlidir.
Verbalisme Bahasa Arab Dalam Kehidupan Beragama Masyarakat Muslim
Authors: Angger Rowin Inchinia
Published: May 2018

Religious life and language have a very close relationship that affects the lives of the people. The role of language in religious studies is very important for its adherents, so that when they read religious texts or listen to their appeals they can make them understand the content and purpose of the text. For the Muslim community the Arabic language becomes a major that they must master and understand because the original sources of Islamic teachings and sciences are Arabic, so it is very important for Muslims especially their scientists to learn, understand,  and master the Arabic language. Otherwise, it is difficult for us to study Islam from its original source derived from Arabic. However, this is the most  special problem in Islamic societies. As a result of  unwell understanding Arabic, unfortunately religion becomes easy to sell, religion is easily diverted, religion brought by unscrupulous person in deviation  path, religion used as media for certain purposes.  Arabic verbalism has happened in Muslim society in Indonesia, they make Arabic as formality, only just a form. So there is no inner or deep value inside of  it. It is necessary to reform efforts in its wrong ideology, including changing the culture of verbalism in society, to put the position of Arabic language not only to memorize but used as a tool in deepening knowledge, one of the science of religion.
Konsep Tarbiyah, Ta’lim Dan Ta’dib Dalam Al-Qur’an
Authors: Ridwan Muhammad
Published: May 2018

This research is motivated by various conceptions about education in Islam is apparently has the uniqueness of the meaning contained in Al-Qur'an and Al-Hadith, because it shows the richness of the meaning of the words in the verses and every sentence. Educational concepts or theories experience a heated debate for experts or scientists. Actually, many terms are considered to be close to the meaning of education, among them: Al-Tarbiyah, At-Ta’lim, At-Ta’dib atau al Adab, At-Tahzib, Al- Wa’adz atau Mau’idzah, Ar-Riyadhah, At-Tazkiyyah, Al-Talqin, At-Tadris, At-Tafaqquh, At-Tabyin , At-Tazkiroh, and others. Why is the term tarbiyah used? Is the term tarbiyah indeed able to describe precisely the basic concepts and principles of Islamic education that from of the teachings of Islam? The purpose of this study is to explain and analyze the comparison between the concept of Tarbiyah, Ta'lim and Ta'dib. The research method used is literature research and qualitative descriptive analysis with philosophical approach. The result of the research is that the language is from the same root of the form tsulasi mujarrod with wazan madda-yamuddu, there are rabba-yarubbu, ‘allama-yu’allimu and addaba-yuaddibu and the terms concept of the term tarbiyah, ta'lim and ta'dib have some sense but the tigands are emplicitly related to each other.
Muhasabah Sebagai Upaya Rehabilitasi Eks-Pecandu Narkoba Di Yayasan Suci Hati Padang
Authors: Saefulloh Ahmad
Published: May 2018

This paper aims to provide educational steps to institutions and agencies that implement rehabilitation programs of active or passive addicts of narcotics users. Institutions that make efforts to cure victims of drug abusers tend to pay less attention to the precise step that is the right step to do before the provision of materials or other religious approach programs. Drug Abuse has dangerous consequences, so the problem of drugs is classified into extra ordinary problems, ie problems that have no end. Various efforts have been made by the Government from preventive to rehabilitative. However, the problem has not yet been resolved, it increases in the next year. This mitigation effort can not be fully burdened to the government only, there needs to be synergy between government, society, parents, and related institutions in their field. This effort is one form of mutual concern that has been listed in the Narcotics Act, and planting aqidah through this muhasabah program as a preventive effort that can be done by institutions and NGOs in charge of rehabilitation of addicts. Research that the authors do is a qualitative type with qualitative descriptive analysis approach. The data of this study were collected through interviews and document analysis. The results show that there is a significant change of conscious attitude in receiving materials, direction, and other debriefing during rehabilitation process.
(تطوير المواد التعليمية لترقية مهارة الكتابة (بحث تطويري مع التطبيق في مدرسة أمانة الأمة الإعدادية فاجت موجوكرطا
Authors: Hafidz Muhammad
Published: May 2018

Ada banyak problem dalam proses belajar mengajar Bahasa Arab di Pondok Pesantren Amanatul Ummah Pacet Mojokerto, terutama dalam pembelajaran menulis.  Diantara problem yang paling dominan adalah terjadinya kesalahan imla’.Untuk mengatasi masalah ini penulis mendesain bahan ajar untuk meningkatkan ketrampilan menulis bagi siswa.Dengan bahan ajar tersebut diharapkan siswa mampu menulis Bahasa Arab dengan benar sesuai dengan kaidah imla’.Atas dasar itulah penulis melakukan penelitian dengan metode penelitian dan pengembangan (R & D) dengan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan tujuan menghasilkan produk bahan ajar dan sekaligus menguji keefektifan produk tersebut.Instrumen penelitian yang digunakan adalah tes, angket dan wawancara.  Setelah penulis mendesain bahan ajar, melakukan uji coba dan menganalisa seluruh data, penulis mendapatkan kesimpulan ; 1) Bahan ajar yang dihasilkan berupa bahan ajar yang memuat kaidah-kaidah penulisan Bahasa Arab, yaitu imla’ mendapatkan penilaian tim ahli sebesar 79 %, artinya bahwa buku tersebut layak digunakan dalam pembelajaran . 2) Bahan tersebut sangat efektif untuk meningkatkan ketrampilan menulis bagi siswa, hal ini didasarkan pada hasil pretest dan posttest yaitu terdapt peningkatan yang cukup signifikan 20, 96 % dari prosentase nilai pretest  62,2 % menjadi 83, 6 % Dinilai posttest.  Hal ini diperkuat dengan hasil analisa angket dan wawancara yang memiliki kesimpulan yang sama dengan analisaa nilai tes.
Effects of Dosage and Spraying Volume on Cotton Defoliants Efficacy: A Case Study Based on Application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Xin Fang , Zhao Jing , Zhou Yueting , Wang Guobin , Han Xiaoqiang , Fu Wei , Deng Jizhong , Lan Yubin
Published: May 2018

Plant protection unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) consist of light and small UAVs with pesticide spraying equipment. The advantage of UAVs is using low-volume spray technology to replace the traditional large-volume mass locomotive spray technology. Defoliant spraying is a key link in the mechanized cotton harvest, as sufficient and uniform spraying can improve the defoliation quality and decrease the cotton trash content. However, cotton is planted at high density in Xinjiang, with leaves in two adjacent rows seriously overlapped, making the lower leaves poorly sprayed. Thus, the defoliation effect is poor, and the cotton quality is degraded. To improve the effect of defoliation and reduce the losses caused by boom sprayer rolling, the effect of defoliant dosage on defoliation, boll opening, absorption and decontamination in cotton leaves and the effect of spraying volume on absorption and decontamination in cotton leaves sprayed by UAVs are studied. The pooled results indicate that plant protection UAVs could be used for cotton defoliants spraying with a twice defoliant spraying strategy, and the defoliant dosage has no significant effect on seed cotton yield and fiber quality in Xinjiang. The residue of thidiazuron in cotton leaves reaches the maximum at four days after spraying, the residue of diuron in cotton leaves reaches the maximum at one day after second spraying. The thidiazuron and diuron residues are increased with spraying volume at rang of 17.6–29.0 L/ha. When the spraying volume is less than 17.6 L/ha, the residue of thidiazuron and diuron is reduced. The research results could provide a reference for further optimization of the spraying parameters of cotton defoliant by plant protection UAVs.
Co-Optimization of Communication and Sensing for Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Cooperative Target Tracking
Authors: Liu Zhong , Fu Xiaowei , Gao Xiaoguang
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we consider motion-planning for multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that oversee cooperative target tracking in realistic communication environments. We present a novel multi-UAVs cooperative target tracking algorithm based on co-optimization of communication and sensing strategy, which can generate information-gathering trajectories considering the multi-hops communication reliability. Firstly, a packet-erasure channel model is used to describe the realistic wireless communication links, in which the probability of a successful information transmission is modeled as a function of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Secondly, the Fisher information matrix (FIM) is used to quantify the information gained in target tracking. Thirdly, a scalar metric is used for trajectories panning over a finite time horizon. This scalar metric is a utility function of the expected information gain and the probability of a successful information transmission. With the combining of the sensing and communication into a utility function, the co-optimization of communication and sensing is reflected in the tradeoffs between maximizing information gained and improving communication reliability. The results of comparison simulations show that the proposed algorithm effectively improved estimation performance compared to the method that does not consider communication reliability.
From e-Health to i-Health: Prospective Reflexions on the Use of Intelligent Systems in Mental Health Care
Authors: Briffault Xavier , Morgiève Margot , Courtet Philippe
Published: May 2018

Depressive disorders cover a set of disabling problems, often chronic or recurrent. They are characterized by a high level of psychiatric and somatic comorbidities and represent an important public health problem. To date, therapeutic solutions remain unsatisfactory. For some researchers, this is a sign of decisive paradigmatic failure due to the way in which disorders are conceptualized. They hypothesize that the symptoms of a categorical disorder, or of different comorbid disorders, can be interwoven in chains of interdependencies on different elements, of which it would be possible to act independently and synergistically to influence the functioning of the symptom system, rather than limiting oneself to targeting a hypothetical single underlying cause. New connected technologies make it possible to invent new observation and intervention tools allowing better phenotypic characterization of disorders and their evolution, that fit particularly well into this new “symptoms network” paradigm. Synergies are possible and desirable between these technological and epistemological innovations and can possibly help to solve some of the difficult problems people with mental disorders face in their everyday life, as we will show through a fictional case study exploring the possibilities of connected technologies in mental disorders in the near future.
Review of Renewable Energy Technologies in Zambian Households: Capacities and Barriers Affecting Successful Deployment
Authors: Kachapulula-Mudenda Priscilla , Makashini Lilias , Malama Albert , Abanda Henry
Published: May 2018

Modern renewable energy has been hailed as one of the prerequisites for fostering green growth and the achievement of sustainable development. Despite efforts to promote the use of renewable energy in households, its adoption has remained fairly low, hence the need for an inquiry into household capabilities needed for the acquisition and adoption of renewable energy technologies. This paper reviews the requisite capacities of households for the adoption of renewable energy services and expounds on some of the barriers hampering renewable energy among households. It takes a desk research approach to analyse the capacities which should be possessed by Zambian households and possible barriers constraining the widespread deployment of renewable energy technologies. The findings reveal that there is a need for a broader, multidimensional understanding of access to renewable energy in order for deployment to be effective. Barriers to the successful adoption of clean energy technologies include underserved populations, policy inadequacies; an underexploited renewable energy sector and heavy reliance on a service-challenged hydro-power utility. Since most of the aforementioned challenges are institutional in nature, the paper concludes with a recommendation of a baseline assessment to understand knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and drivers for renewable energy technology adoption among households.
Surface Aging Effect on Tire/Pavement Noise Medium-Term Evolution in a Medium-Size City
Authors: Vázquez Víctor F. , Terán Fernando , Huertas Pedro , Paje Santiago Expósito
Published: May 2018

This paper presents the geo-referenced acoustical results obtained throughout the close proximity noise (CPX) technique carried out on different urban sections included within the 2017 strategic noise mapping (Directive 2002/49/CE) in Ciudad Real, a Spanish medium-sized city. The employed methodology quantifies the tire/pavement noise generated in the contact between the tire and the surface of the studied sections. Measurements were carried out in different research campaigns between 2008 and 2015 (medium-term evolution). They give valuable information about the pavement-aging effect on its surface characteristics. Throughout these years, the acoustic situation of these sections has worsened mainly due to surface damage and higher mean profile depth (MPD) values, although the performance does not follow the same pattern in every section. The relationships between measured tire/pavement noise and theoretical environmental noise, just due to the geometric spreading of sound energy, is also studied in order to elaborate a simple rolling noise mapping and to assess the environmental noise evolution. Traffic noise plays the main role in the noise registered within the assessed sections, therefore, CPX assessment could be used by local authorities to take decisions regarding urban planning and traffic management, with the aim of reducing noise exposure from traffic.
On the Heat Transfer Enhancement of Plate Fin Heat Exchanger
Authors: Xue Yuan , Ge Zhihua , Du Xiaoze , Yang Lijun
Published: May 2018

The plate fin heat exchanger is a compact heat exchanger applied in many industries because of its high thermal performance. To enhance the heat transfer of plate fin heat exchanger further, three new kinds of wavy plate fins, namely perforated wavy fin, staggered wavy fin and discontinuous wavy fin, are proposed and investigated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The effects of key design parameters, including that of waviness aspect ratios, perforation diameters, staggered ratios and breaking distance are investigated, respectively, with Reynolds number changes from 500 to 4500. It is found that due to the swirl flow and efficient mixing of the fluid, the proposed heat transfer enhancement techniques all have advantages over the traditional wavy fin. At the same time, serration is beneficial to reduce the friction factor, and the breaking technique can reduce heat transfer area. Through the performance evaluation criteria, the staggered wavy fin has an advantage over the small waviness aspect ratio; with increasing waviness aspect ratio, this predominance is gradually surpassed by the perforated wavy fin, and the advantage of the discontinuous fin is the smallest and almost invariable. A maximum performance evaluation criteria (PEC) as high as 1.24 can be obtained for the perforated wavy fin at the waviness aspect ratio γ = 0.45.
Turbulence Enhancement by Fractal Square Grids: Effects of Multiple Fractal Scales
Authors: Omilion Alexis , Turk Jodi , Zhang Wei
Published: May 2018

Multi-scale fractal grids can be considered to mimic the fractal characteristic of objects of complex appearance in nature, such as branching pulmonary network and corals in biology, river network, trees, and cumulus clouds in geophysics, and the large-scale structure of the universe in astronomy. Understanding the role that multiple length scales have in momentum and energy transport is essential for effective utilization of fractal grids in a wide variety of engineering applications. Fractal square grids, consisted of the basic square pattern, have been used for enhancing fluid mixing as a passive flow control strategy. While previous studies have solidified the dominant effect of the largest scale, effects of the smaller scales and the interaction of the range of scales on the generated turbulent flow remain unclear. This research is to determine the relationship between the fractal scales (varying with the fractal iteration N), the turbulence statistics of the flow and the pressure drop across the fractal square grids using well-controlled water-tunnel experiments. Instantaneous and ensemble-averaged velocity fields are obtained by a planar Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) method for a set of fractal square grids (N = 1, 2 and 4) at Reynolds number of 3400. The static pressure drop across the fractal square grid is measured by a differential pressure transducer. Flow fields indicate that the multiple jets, wakes and the shear layers produced by the multiple scales of bars are the fundamental flow physics that promote momentum transport in the fractal grid generated turbulence. The wake interaction length scale model is modified to incorporate the effects of smaller scales and thereof interaction, by the effective mesh size M e f f and an empirical coefficient β . Effectiveness of a fractal square grid is assessed using the gained turbulence intensity and Reynolds shear stress level at the cost of pressure loss, which varies with the distance downstream. In light of the promising capability of the fractal grids to enhance momentum and energy transport, this work can potentially benefit a wide variety of applications where energy efficient mixing or convective heat transfer is a key process.
The Glacial Geomorphology of the Ice Cap Piedmont Lobe Landsystem of East Mýrdalsjökull, Iceland
Authors: Evans David , Ewertowski Marek , Orton Chris , Graham David
Published: May 2018

A surficial geology and geomorphology map of the forelands of the Sandfellsjökull and Oldufellsjökull piedmont lobes of the east Mýrdalsjökull ice cap is used to characterise the historical and modern landscape imprint in a glacial landsystems context. This serves as a modern analogue for palaeoglaciological reconstructions of ice cap systems that operated outlet lobes of contrasting dynamics, but the subtle variability in process-form regimes is encoded in the geomorphology. The landsystems of the two piedmont lobes reflect significantly different process-form regimes, and hence contrasting historical glacier dynamics, despite the fact that they are nourished by the same ice cap. The Sandfellsjökull landsystem displays the diagnostic criteria for active temperate glacier operation, including arcuate assemblages of inset minor push moraines and associated flutings, kame terrace and ice-dammed lake deposits, linear sandar directed by overridden moraine arcs, and since 1945, features, such as ice-cored, pitted, and glacially pushed outwash fans that are linked to englacial esker networks representative of recession into an overdeepening. Moraine plan forms have also changed from weakly crenulated and discontinuous curvilinear ridges to sawtooth features and crevasse-squeeze ridges and till eskers in response to changing proglacial drainage conditions. The Oldufellsjökull landsystem displays subtle signatures of jökulhlaup-driven surges, including sparse and widely spaced moraine clusters that are separated by exceptionally long flutings. The subtlety of the surge imprint at Oldufellsjökull was recognised only by comparison with nearby Sandfellsjökull, suggesting that palaeo-surging has likely been under-estimated in the ancient landform record. Hence, the simple imprint of sparse and widely spaced moraine clusters that are separated by exceptionally long flutings should be included as possible surge-diagnostic criteria.
Modelling Individual Evacuation Decisions during Natural Disasters: A Case Study of Volcanic Crisis in Merapi, Indonesia
Authors: Jumadi  , Heppenstall Alison J. , Malleson Nick S. , Carver Steve J. , Quincey Duncan J. , Manville Vern R.
Published: May 2018

As the size of human populations increases, so does the severity of the impacts of natural disasters. This is partly because more people are now occupying areas which are susceptible to hazardous natural events, hence, evacuation is needed when such events occur. Evacuation can be the most important action to minimise the impact of any disaster, but in many cases there are always people who are reluctant to leave. This paper describes an agent-based model (ABM) of evacuation decisions, focusing on the emergence of reluctant people in times of crisis and using Merapi, Indonesia as a case study. The individual evacuation decision model is influenced by several factors formulated from a literature review and survey. We categorised the factors influencing evacuation decisions into two opposing forces, namely, the driving factors to leave (evacuate) versus those to stay, to formulate the model. The evacuation decision (to stay/leave) of an agent is based on an evaluation of the strength of these driving factors using threshold-based rules. This ABM was utilised with a synthetic population from census microdata, in which everyone is characterised by the decision rule. Three scenarios with varying parameters are examined to calibrate the model. Validations were conducted using a retrodictive approach by performing spatial and temporal comparisons between the outputs of simulation and the real data. We present the results of the simulations and discuss the outcomes to conclude with the most plausible scenario.
Geodiversity Research Methods in Geotourism
Authors: Kuleta Magdalena
Published: May 2018

With the emerging new approaches in the field of geodiversity, we can get better use of geographic space in geoparks and increase the number of geotourism destinations. Depending on what we want to study in geodiversity, a suitable research method should be adopted. No method is wrong, because various features of objects be examined this manner. In this study, the main objective is to identify and present not only quantitative but also qualitative character of geodiversity issue. Qualitative and quantitative features of objects based on appropriate categorization and their reference to scales, are to designate areas suitable for sustainable geotourism. It is important to develop a methodological approach in line with the chosen objective. The following material is a presentation of the most frequently used methods in the geodiversity of their purposes and use in geotourism.
Chief Nursing Officers’ Views on Meeting the Needs of the Professional Nurse: How This Can Affect Patient Outcomes
Authors: Ingwell-Spolan Charlene
Published: May 2018

Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) have a demanding, complex role that commands accountability in leading the nursing profession and achieving quality patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to understand the CNO’s view of meeting the needs of the Registered Nurse (RN) at point of care and how this could affect quality patient outcomes. In two qualitative studies twenty-five CNOs were individually interviewed in eight states including: Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. The majority of these CNOs interviewed believed they were doing the best for their nurses and their healthcare facility. After analyzing their responses, it was apparent that some CNOs actually encouraged peer pressure among nurses to achieve compliance and felt patient acuity is being addressed adequately, since most patients were discharged within three to four days and those that were more critical were admitted to the critical care units. The average length of stay, which is the number of paid days a patient remained in the hospital, was an important metric. A large amount of nurses felt they were unable to deliver the care needed for their patients due to patient load, lack of collaboration among the health care team, higher patient acuity and absence of decision-making and autonomy. Many of the CNOs trusted that patient care outcomes, meaning relatively short hospital stays, demonstrated that the nursing practice was successful; rather than first having the nurse being set up for success to provide the best care possible to their patients.
Early-Life Air Pollution Exposure, Neighborhood Poverty, and Childhood Asthma in the United States, 1990–2014
Authors: Kravitz-Wirtz Nicole , Teixeira Samantha , Hajat Anjum , Woo Bongki , Crowder Kyle , Takeuchi David
Published: May 2018

Ambient air pollution is a well-known risk factor of various asthma-related outcomes, however, past research has often focused on acute exacerbations rather than asthma development. This study draws on a population-based, multigenerational panel dataset from the United States to assess the association of childhood asthma risk with census block-level, annual-average air pollution exposure measured during the prenatal and early postnatal periods, as well as effect modification by neighborhood poverty. Findings suggest that early-life exposures to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a marker of traffic-related pollution, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a mixture of industrial and other pollutants, are positively associated with subsequent childhood asthma diagnosis (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.10–1.41 and OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.06–1.46, respectively, per interquartile range (IQR) increase in each pollutant (NO2 IQR = 8.51 ppb and PM2.5 IQR = 4.43 µ/m3)). These effects are modified by early-life neighborhood poverty exposure, with no or weaker effects in moderate- and low- (versus high-) poverty areas. This work underscores the importance of a holistic, developmental approach to elucidating the interplay of social and environmental contexts that may create conditions for racial-ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in childhood asthma risk.
The Effect of Glyphosate on Human Sperm Motility and Sperm DNA Fragmentation
Authors: Anifandis George , Katsanaki Katerina , Lagodonti Georgia , Messini Christina , Simopoulou Mara , Dafopoulos Konstantinos , Daponte Alexandros
Published: May 2018

Glyphosate is the active ingredient of Roundup®, which is one of the most popular herbicides worldwide. Although many studies have focused on the reproductive toxicity of glyphosate or glyphosate-based herbicides, the majority of them have concluded that the effect of the specific herbicide is negligible, while only a few studies indicate the male reproductive toxicity of glyphosate alone. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 0.36 mg/L glyphosate on sperm motility and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF). Thirty healthy men volunteered to undergo semen analysis for the purpose of the study. Sperm motility was calculated according to WHO 2010 guidelines at collection time (zero time) and 1 h post-treatment with glyphosate. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated with Halosperm® G2 kit for both the control and glyphosate-treated sperm samples. Sperm progressive motility of glyphosate-treated samples was significantly reduced after 1 h post-treatment in comparison to the respective controls, in contrast to the SDF of glyphosate-treated samples, which was comparable to the respective controls. Conclusively, under these in vitro conditions, at high concentrations that greatly exceed environmental exposures, glyphosate exerts toxic effects on sperm progressive motility but not on sperm DNA integrity, meaning that the toxic effect is limited only to motility, at least in the first hour.
Dopamine Transporter/α-Synuclein Complexes Are Altered in the Post Mortem Caudate Putamen of Parkinson’s Disease: An In Situ Proximity Ligation Assay Study
Authors: Longhena Francesca , Faustini Gaia , Missale Cristina , Pizzi Marina , Bellucci Arianna
Published: May 2018

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the degeneration of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons and the presence of Lewy bodies (LB) and Lewy neurites (LN) mainly composed of α-synuclein. By using the in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA), which allows for the visualization of protein-protein interactions in tissues to detect dopamine transporter (DAT)/α-synuclein complexes, we previously described that these are markedly redistributed in the striatum of human α-synuclein transgenic mice at the phenotypic stage, showing dopamine (DA) release impairment without a DAT drop and motor symptoms. Here, we used the in situ PLA to investigate DAT/α-synuclein complexes in the caudate putamen of PD patients and age-matched controls. They were found to be redistributed and showed an increased size in PD patients, where we observed several neuropil-like and neuritic-like PLA-positive structures. In the PD brains, DAT immunolabeling showed a pattern similar to that of in situ PLA in areas with abundant α-synuclein neuropathology. This notwithstanding, the in situ PLA signal was only partially retracing DAT or α-synuclein immunolabeling, suggesting that a large amount of complexes may have been lost along with the degeneration process. These findings reveal a DAT/α-synuclein neuropathological signature in PD and hint that synaptic alterations involving striatal DAT may derive from α-synuclein aggregation.
GBS Mapping and Analysis of Genes Conserved between Gossypium tomentosum and Gossypium hirsutum Cotton Cultivars that Respond to Drought Stress at the Seedling Stage of the BC2F2 Generation
Authors: Magwanga Richard Odongo , Lu Pu , Kirungu Joy Nyangasi , Diouf Latyr , Dong Qi , Hu Yangguang , Cai Xiaoyan , Xu Yanchao , Hou Yuqing , Zhou Zhongli , Wang Xingxing , Wang Kunbo , Liu Fang
Published: May 2018

Cotton production is on the decline due to ever-changing environmental conditions. Drought and salinity stress contribute to over 30% of total loss in cotton production, the situation has worsened more due to the narrow genetic base of the cultivated upland cotton. The genetic diversity of upland cotton has been eroded over the years due to intense selection and inbreeding. To break the bottleneck, the wild cotton progenitors offer unique traits which can be introgressed into the cultivated cotton, thereby improving their performance. In this research, we developed a BC2F2 population between wild male parent, G. tomentosum as the donor, known for its high tolerance to drought and the elite female parent, G. hirsutum as the recurrent parent, which is high yielding but sensitive to drought stress. The population was genotyped through the genotyping by sequencing (GBS) method, in which 10,888 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) s were generated and used to construct a genetic map. The map spanned 4191.3 cM, with average marker distance of 0.3849 cM. The map size of the two sub genomes had a narrow range, 2149 cM and 2042.3 cM for At and Dt_sub genomes respectively. A total of 66,434 genes were mined, with 32,032 (48.2%) and 34,402 (51.8%) genes being obtained within the At and Dt_sub genomes respectively. Pkinase (PF00069) was found to be the dominant domain, with 1069 genes. Analysis of the main sub family, serine threonine protein kinases through gene ontology (GO), cis element and miRNA targets analysis revealed that most of the genes were involved in various functions aimed at enhancing abiotic stress tolerance. Further analysis of the RNA sequence data and qRT-PCR validation revealed 16 putative genes, which were highly up regulated under drought stress condition, and were found to be targeted by ghr-miR169a and ghr-miR164, previously associated with NAC(NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) and myeloblastosis (MYB), the top rank drought stress tolerance genes. These genes can be exploited further to aid in development of more drought tolerant cotton genotypes.
The Influence of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Process Parameters on In-Vitro Cell Response
Authors: Wysocki Bartłomiej , Idaszek Joanna , Zdunek Joanna , Rożniatowski Krzysztof , Pisarek Marcin , Yamamoto Akiko , Święszkowski Wojciech
Published: May 2018

The use of laser 3D printers is very perspective in the fabrication of solid and porous implants made of various polymers, metals, and its alloys. The Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process, in which consolidated powders are fully melted on each layer, gives the possibility of fabrication personalized implants based on the Computer Aid Design (CAD) model. During SLM fabrication on a 3D printer, depending on the system applied, there is a possibility for setting the amount of energy density (J/mm3) transferred to the consolidated powders, thus controlling its porosity, contact angle and roughness. In this study, we have controlled energy density in a range 8–45 J/mm3 delivered to titanium powder by setting various levels of laser power (25–45 W), exposure time (20–80 µs) and distance between exposure points (20–60 µm). The growing energy density within studied range increased from 63 to 90% and decreased from 31 to 13 µm samples density and Ra parameter, respectively. The surface energy 55–466 mN/m was achieved with contact angles in range 72–128° and 53–105° for water and formamide, respectively. The human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) adhesion after 4 h decreased with increasing energy density delivered during processing within each parameter group. The differences in cells proliferation were clearly seen after a 7-day incubation. We have observed that proliferation was decreasing with increasing density of energy delivered to the samples. This phenomenon was explained by chemical composition of oxide layers affecting surface energy and internal stresses. We have noticed that TiO2, which is the main oxide of raw titanium powder, disintegrated during selective laser melting process and oxygen was transferred into metallic titanium. The typical for 3D printed parts post-processing methods such as chemical polishing in hydrofluoric (HF) or hydrofluoric/nitric (HF/HNO3) acid solutions and thermal treatments were used to restore surface chemistry of raw powders and improve surface.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Potential of MicroRNA Maturation Regulators Drosha, AGO1 and AGO2 in Urothelial Carcinomas of the Bladder
Authors: Rabien Anja , Ratert Nadine , Högner Anica , Erbersdobler Andreas , Jung Klaus , Ecke Thorsten H. , Kilic Ergin
Published: May 2018

Bladder cancer still requires improvements in diagnosis and prognosis, because many of the cases will recur and/or metastasize with bad outcomes. Despite ongoing research on bladder biomarkers, the clinicopathological impact and diagnostic function of miRNA maturation regulators Drosha and Argonaute proteins AGO1 and AGO2 in urothelial bladder carcinoma remain unclear. Therefore, we conducted immunohistochemical investigations of a tissue microarray composed of 112 urothelial bladder carcinomas from therapy-naïve patients who underwent radical cystectomy or transurethral resection and compared the staining signal with adjacent normal bladder tissue. The correlations of protein expression of Drosha, AGO1 and AGO2 with sex, age, tumor stage, histological grading and overall survival were evaluated in order to identify their diagnostic and prognostic potential in urothelial cancer. Our results show an upregulation of AGO1, AGO2 and Drosha in non-muscle-invasive bladder carcinomas, while there was increased protein expression of only AGO2 in muscle-invasive bladder carcinomas. Moreover, we were able to differentiate between non-muscle-invasive and muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma according to AGO1 and Drosha expression. Finally, despite Drosha being a discriminating factor that can predict the probability of overall survival in the Kaplan–Meier analysis, AGO1 turned out to be independent of all clinicopathological parameters according to Cox regression. In conclusion, we assumed that the miRNA processing factors have clinical relevance as potential diagnostic and prognostic tools for bladder cancer.
Nanoparticles for Signaling in Biodiagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases
Authors: Colino Clara I. , Millán Carmen Gutiérrez , Lanao José M.
Published: May 2018

Advances in nanoparticle-based systems constitute a promising research area with important implications for the treatment of bacterial infections, especially against multidrug resistant strains and bacterial biofilms. Nanosystems may be useful for the diagnosis and treatment of viral and fungal infections. Commercial diagnostic tests based on nanosystems are currently available. Different methodologies based on nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed to detect specific agents or to distinguish between Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. Also, biosensors based on nanoparticles have been applied in viral detection to improve available analytical techniques. Several point-of-care (POC) assays have been proposed that can offer results faster, easier and at lower cost than conventional techniques and can even be used in remote regions for viral diagnosis. Nanoparticles functionalized with specific molecules may modulate pharmacokinetic targeting recognition and increase anti-infective efficacy. Quorum sensing is a stimuli-response chemical communication process correlated with population density that bacteria use to regulate biofilm formation. Disabling it is an emerging approach for combating its pathogenicity. Natural or synthetic inhibitors may act as antibiofilm agents and be useful for treating multi-drug resistant bacteria. Nanostructured materials that interfere with signal molecules involved in biofilm growth have been developed for the control of infections associated with biofilm-associated infections.
Biobanking and Regenerative Medicine: An Overview
Authors: Harris David T.
Published: May 2018

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Antifungal Activities of Volatile Secondary Metabolites of Four Diaporthe Strains Isolated from Catharanthus roseus
Authors: Yan Dong-Hui , Song Xiaoyu , Li Hongchang , Luo Tushou , Dou Guiming , Strobel Gary
Published: May 2018

Four endophytic fungi were isolated from the medicinal plant, Catharanthus roseus, and were identified as Diaporthe spp. with partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1), beta-tubulin (TUB), histone H3 (HIS), calmodulin (CAL) genes, and rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (TEF1-TUB-HIS--CAL-ITS) multigene phylogeny suggested for species delimitation in the Diaporthe genus. Each fungus produces a unique mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with an abundant mixture of terpenoids analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber-GC/MS. These tentatively-detected terpenes included α-muurolene, β-phellandrene, γ-terpinene, and α-thujene, as well as other minor terpenoids, including caryophyllene, patchoulene, cedrene, 2-carene, and thujone. The volatile metabolites of each isolate showed antifungal properties against a wide range of plant pathogenic test fungi and oomycetes, including Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium graminearum, and Phytophthora cinnamomi. The growth inhibition of the pathogens varied between 10% and 60% within 72 h of exposure. To our knowledge, the endophytic Diaporthe-like strains are first reported from Catharanthus roseus. VOCs produced by each strain of the endophytic Diaporthe fungi were unique components with dominant monoterpenes comparing to known Diaporthe fungal VOCs. A discussion is presented on the inhibitive bioactivities of secondary metabolites among endophytic Diaporthe fungi and this medicinal plant.