Tribo-Corrosion behaviour of TiCxOy thin films in bio fluids

In recent years, the development of thin film systems for decorative applications has attracted significant attention in scientific research. These decorative coatings require, not only an attractive appearance for market applications, but also an ability to protect the surface underneath. Because of this, corrosion, wear and their combined effects (termed tribo-corrosion) are particularly important for lifetime prediction. The tribo-corrosion behaviour of a range of single layered titanium oxycarbide, TiCxOy,coatings, produced by DC reactive magnetron sputtering, has been studied and reported as a function of electrode potential (-0.9 V, -0.5 V, 0.0 V and +0.5 V) and applied load (3, 6 and 9 N). The study was conducted in a reciprocating sliding tribosystem (Plint TE 67/E) in a bio fluid (an artificial perspiration solution) at room temperature. During the wear tests, both the open-circuit potential and the corrosion current were monitored. The results showed that electrode potential and load have a significant influence on the total material loss. The variations in Rp (polarization resistance) and Cf(capacitance) before and after sliding, obtained by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) were evaluated in order to provide an understanding of the resistance of the film in such conditions. Tribo-corrosion maps were generated, based on the results, indicating the change in mechanisms of the tribological and corrosion parameters for such coatings

music21: A Toolkit for Computer-Aided Musicology and Symbolic Music Data

Music21 is an object-oriented toolkit for analyzing, searching, and transforming music in symbolic (score- based) forms. The modular approach of the project allows musicians and researchers to write simple scripts rapidly and reuse them in other projects. The toolkit aims to provide powerful software tools integrated with sophisticated musical knowledge to both musicians with little programming experience (especially musicologists) and to programmers with only modest music theory skills. This paper introduces the music21 system, demonstrating how to use it and the types of problems it is well suited toward advancing. We include numerous examples of its power and flexibility, including demonstrations of graphing data and generating annotated musical scores.Seaver Institut

EXPLORING ATTITUDES AND EXPECTATIONS OF INDONESIAN MUSLIM: A CASE OF UNTAPPED MARKET OF ISLAMIC PENSION FUND

Purpose of the study: This study aims to examine the factors of why the Muslim population is not having Islamic pension funds and to explore their expectation toward Islamic pension funds to make it a promising market in the near future. Methodology: This study used a quantitative method with primary data through questionnaires distributed to 163 samples of the Muslim population in Indonesia. The Pearson correlation coefficient test is used to indicate normality and linearity. Meanwhile, the Kruskal Wallis test and two-tailed independent group t-tests are used to examine the hypotheses. Main Findings: It is found that the low level of knowledge and trust toward Islamic pension funds are the two main reasons for not having Islamic pension funds. Meanwhile, the main society’s expectation is to have the allowance from the government and simple administrative procedures by having an automatic enrolment set by the government. In addition to that, female and higher income group is found to have a better attitude and expectation toward Islamic pension fund. Applications of this study: The study provides a descriptive picture for the Islamic pension fund provider and government to set a product based on the Muslim attitude and expectation. Novelty/Originality of this study: As far as we are concerned, there is only a small number of research on analyzing the demand of Islamic Pension Fund particularly in the largest Muslim population, this work is an attempt to fill in this gap

Indoor Built Environment and Older Adults’ Activity: A Systematic Review

Bien que l’environnement physique puisse influencer l’activité des individus, peu de synthèses de connaissances portent sur les environnements intérieurs et les routines de la vie quotidienne des personnes âgées. Nous avons donc procédé à un examen systématique de publications revues par des pairs afin de guider les recherches et les pratiques futures. Les critères d’inclusion suivants ont été utilisés : études sans restriction quant au devis de recherche, à la date ou à la langue, portant sur les personnes âgées de 60 ans et plus, sur l’activité physique ou le comportement sédentaire, et l’environnement intérieur. Après avoir effectué des recherches dans cinq bases de données, deux des auteurs ont examiné les titres, les résumés et le texte intégral. La dernière recherche a été effectuée le 19 décembre 2020. Nous avons passé en revue 1367 citations et inclus 23 études se rapportant à des logements privés ou collectifs (p. ex. résidences avec services). Les caractéristiques intérieures favorisant l’activité physique étaient associées à trois domaines : les environs (p. ex. les commodités, les chemins), le bâtiment (p. ex. la superficie, le niveau de l’étage) et les équipements (p. ex. les ascenseurs, les couloirs). La connaissance des facteurs environnementaux intérieurs qui favorisent la participation des personnes âgées aux activités quotidiennes peut orienter les recherches et les politiques futures en matière de conception de logements.Although the physical environment can influence people’s activity, there are few knowledge syntheses for indoor environments and older adults’ daily life routines. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed evidence to inform future research and practice. Inclusion criteria were studies with any research designs, across all years and languages focused on older adults 60 years of age or more, on physical activity/sedentary behaviour and the indoor environment. After searching five databases, two authors completed title/abstract and full-text screening. The last search was on December 19, 2020. We screened 1,367 citations, and included 23 studies situated in private or collective dwellings (e.g., assisted living). We identified physical activity-supportive indoor features across three domains: campus (e.g., amenities, pathways), building (e.g., area, floor level), and fixtures (e.g., elevators, hallways). Knowledge of indoor environmental factors for older adults’ engagement in daily activities can guide future research and policy on housing design.Canada Research Chair

Implementation of metadata for OmniPaper RDF prototype

Information Society Technologies (IST) funded OmniPaper project investigates efficient ways for access to distributed and heterogeneous digital news archives using state-of-the-art technologies such as RDF, XTM and SOAP. An approach taken is to create small prototypes based on each of them. This paper presents the first stage of the prototype development, particularly of RDF approach, including analysis on existing news text format standards and metadata vocabularies, definition of metadata elements for OmniPaper, implementation of application profile and RDF schema and development of the RDF prototype in a web-based RDF specific application. The elaborated analysis shows that Dublin Core Metadata Element Set has to be a principal vocabulary to implement the OmniPaper application profile as it provides greater interoperability. The RDF prototype provides RDF “metadatabase” with searchable interface for simple and advance search on the defined metadata elements

Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Generatif dengan Menggunakan Virtual Laboratorium untuk Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Siswa

This study aims to find out the result of student learning, teacher and student activity, the ability of teachers in managing learning and students' response to the application of the generative learning model. This research is a type of class action (PTK) and the approach used in this research is descriptive statistical approach. The subjects of study were students of class IX.4 SMPN 8 Banda Aceh the school year 2016/2017 totaling 21 people. Data collection instruments used in this study is a test and non test. Test instruments in the form of matter pretest and posttest, whereas the non-test instrument in the form of sheets of teacher and student activity observation, sheets teacher's ability in managing learning and sheet of student responses of learning. The fourth non-test instrument are analyzed using percentages. The results showed an increase in student learning outcomes on an individual basis from 57% to 89% and classical completeness also increased from 60% to reach 87.5%. The increase also occurred in the activities of teachers and students. The ability of teachers in managing learning increases from good to be excellent category. In addition, the students' response to learning is also very well where 90% of students said he was happy of generative learning model application using the virtual laboratory. Based on this research can be concluded that the application of the generative learning model by using virtual labs can improve student learning results, increasing the activity of teachers and students, increasing the teacher's ability in managing learning in a dynamic electrical lesson

Measuring the Capacity to Combat Illicit Tobacco Trade In 160 Countries

Background Illicit trade of tobacco negatively affects countries’ tobacco control efforts. It leads to lower tobacco prices and makes tobacco products more accessible to vulnerable populations. In this study, we constructed an illicit tobacco trade index, which measures the structural and institutional capabilities of 160 countries in addressing illicit tobacco trade. We collected the most recent and best available data on general governance, tobacco control policies, and trade and customs practices. Results Singapore, New Zealand, Finland and Sweden lead countries with the most favorable illicit tobacco trade score. We observed a positive relationship between illicit tobacco trade scores and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita and a negative relationship with the share of illicit tobacco trade to total tobacco consumption. Conclusions The capability to combat illicit trade varies across countries. However, on average, low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are less capable of addressing illicit tobacco trade as suggested by the lower illicit tobacco trade index score. The lower index score in low and middle-income countries was mainly driven by low scores in tobacco control policies and trade and customs practices and conditions. Our study reinforces the importance for LMICs to adopt the WHO’s Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Tobacco Trade Products, particularly committing to treaty obligations and investing on track and trace system and other customs reforms

The Succinate Receptor as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Oxidative and Metabolic Stress-Related Conditions

The succinate receptor (also known as GPR91) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is closely related to the family of P2Y purinoreceptors. It is expressed in a variety of tissues, including blood cells, adipose tissue, the liver, retina, and kidney. In these tissues, this receptor and its ligand succinate have recently emerged as novel mediators in local stress situations, including ischemia, hypoxia, toxicity, and hyperglycemia. Amongst others, the succinate receptor is involved in recruitment of immune cells to transplanted tissues. Moreover, it was shown to play a key role in the development of diabetic retinopathy. However, most prominently, the role of locally increased succinate levels and succinate receptor activation in the kidney, stimulating the systemic and local renin–angiotensin system, starts to unfold: the succinate receptor is a key mediator in the development of hypertension and possibly fibrosis in diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. This makes the succinate receptor a promising drug target to counteract or prevent cardiovascular and fibrotic defects in these expanding disorders. Recent development of SUCNR1-specific antagonists opens novel possibilities for research in models for these disorders and may eventually provide novel opportunities for the treatment of patients