bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ser gerente em instituições de ensino superior: a percepção de ex-coordenadores de curso de graduação sobre suas aprendizagens gerenciais
Authors: Botelho Louise de Lira Roedel , Scherer Luciana , Borghetti Raquel , Jaeschke Juliana , Bolzan Edson , Ajala Roberto Schuster
Published: July 2019

O presente trabalho objetiva Compreender a experiência vivida por ex-coordenadores de cursos de graduação em diferentes instituições de ensino superior no Brasil. Buscando descobrir as perspectivas dos respondentes sobre tal questionamento, um estudo fenomenológico foi desenvolvido. Para este trabalho, sete gestores de cursos foram investigados. Tais gestores são docentes formados em várias áreas do conhecimento e que se tornaram coordenadores de algum curso de graduação. As entrevistas foram gravadas e transcritas. A análise dos dados visou em descrever e interpretar com base nos relatos adquiridos como ocorreu a aprendizagem desses investigados ao longo de sua trajetória em suas instituições. Ou seja, quais conteúdos e formas de aprendizagem gerencial foram adquiridas por eles durante suas trajetórias gerencias, quais desafios e superações foram presentes no dia a dia do trabalho gerencial. Como resultados pode-se verificar que a aprendizagem gerencial é dinâmica e que envolve diferentes fatores, sejam eles formais ou informais e que os gerentes aprendem diariamente no exercício de suas gestões. Com essa pesquisa espera-se contribuir e fortalecer o cenário de estudos sobre a aprendizagem gerencial em Instituições de Ensino Superior no Brasil e construir um arcabouço de conhecimentos para que docentes tenham acesso ao se tornarem gestores de um curso de graduação.
A sustentabilidade na perspectiva de discentes de administração de uma universidade pública federal: na prática a sustentabilidade fica no discurso
Authors: Silva Junior Annor da , Silva Priscilla de Oliveira Martins da , Vasconcelos Katia Cyrlene de Araújo , Silva Vitor Correa da , Brito Sarah Luiza Martins Silva de , Monteiro José Michel Rocha
Published: July 2019

Investigou-se o ponto de vista de discentes de graduação em administração acerca da noção de sustentabilidade. Articulou-se a teoria dos stakeholders, com o corpo de conhecimento acerca da sustentabilidade, da ética e da formação do administrador. Metodologicamente, realizou-se uma pesquisa survey, cuja coleta envolveu a triangulação de dados por meio da aplicação de questionários e pesquisa documental. Os dados coletados por meio de questionários foram submetidos à análise estatística. A amostra contou com 233 discentes (30,98% do tamanho da população) de todos os períodos do curso e dos turnos matutino e noturno. A síntese dos resultados revela que, do ponto de vista dos respondentes, a noção de sustentabilidade, que pressupõe o tratamento equitativo das dimensões econômica, sociocultural e ambiental, fica apenas no campo do discurso (comportamento esperado) e não se materializa na prática (comportamento efetivo). As evidências indicam que a dimensão econômica prevalece sobre as demais, principalmente, quando a lucratividade do acionista e a sobrevivência da organização são os objetos de investigação. Reflexões acerca do processo de formação do administrador são necessárias, sobretudo pelos indícios de que o modelo de formação cartesiano e voltado para a lucratividade ainda prevalece frente a educação voltada para a sustentabilidade.
Ações de treinamento e desenvolvimento de pessoal com foco na internacionalização: um estudo nas universidades públicas federais brasileiras
Authors: Nunes Francisca Waleska Bruno , Silva Ivana Serra Rodrigues
Published: July 2019

É indiscutível a atuação da globalização sobre a economia mundial e seus efeitos em diversas esferas. Nesse contexto, as Instituições Federais de Ensino Superior (IFES) também sofrem influências e são impulsionadas à internacionalização universitária na busca de atender as demandas de ordem global. Este artigo tem o objetivo de pesquisar as ações desenvolvidas na área de Recursos Humanos direcionadas para o treinamento e desenvolvimento de staff (docentes e servidores técnicos-administrativos) com foco no processo de internacionalização nas Universidades Públicas Federais no Brasil. Esse estudo é descritivo e com abordagem qualitativa dos dados, foi realizado por meio de um questionário enviado por e-mail, no período de julho a dezembro de 2016, através do Serviço de Informação ao Cidadão (SIC) às 63 Universidades Públicas Federais Brasileiras. Após coletados os dados, foram classificadas de acordo com o modelo de categorias de desenvolvimento de staff de Rudzki (1998). Os resultados demonstraram que são diversas as ações que as universidades pesquisadas desenvolvem acerca de ações de treinamento e desenvolvimento de pessoas, contudo tais ações são praticadas por um número reduzido de universidades e que o referido modelo deve ser atualizado.
Modeling the aging process of black carbon during atmospheric transport using a new approach: a case study in Beijing
Authors: Zhang Yuxuan , Li Meng , Cheng Yafang , Geng Guannan , Hong Chaopeng , Li Haiyan , Li Xin , Tong Dan , Wu Nana , Zhang Xin , Zheng Bo , Zheng Yixuan , Bo Yu , Su Hang , Zhang Qiang
Published: July 2019

Abstract. The effect of black carbon (BC) on air quality and the climate is
still unclear, which is partly because of the poor understanding regarding
the BC aging process in the atmosphere. In this work, we developed a new
approach to simulate the BC mixing state (i.e., other species coated on the
BC surface) based on an emissions inventory and back-trajectory analysis. The
model tracks the evolution of the BC aging degree (characterized by the size ratio
of the whole particle and BC core) during atmospheric transport. Using
the models, we quantified the mass-averaged aging degree of total BC
particles transported to a receptor (e.g., an observation site) from various
emission origins (i.e., 0.25∘×0.25∘ grids). The
simulations showed good agreement with the field measurements, which
validated our model calculation. Modeling the aging process of BC during
atmospheric transport showed that it was strongly dependent on emission
levels. BC particles from extensive emission origins (i.e., polluted regions)
were characterized by a higher aging degree during atmospheric transport due
to more co-emitted coating precursors. On the other hand, high-emission
regions also controlled the aging process of BC particles that were emitted
from cleaner regions and passed through these polluted regions during
atmospheric transport. The simulations identified the important roles of
extensive emission regions in the BC aging process during atmospheric
transport, implying the enhanced contributions of extensive emission regions
to BC light absorption. This provides a new perspective on the phenomenon of
pollution building up in the North China Plain, further demonstrating that this
is mainly driven by regional transport and transformation. The simulation of
the BC aging degree during atmospheric transport provided more clues for
improving air pollution and climate change.
El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event reduces CO2 uptake of an Indonesian oil palm plantation
Authors: Stiegler Christian , Meijide Ana , Fan Yuanchao , Ashween Ali Ashehad , June Tania , Knohl Alexander
Published: July 2019

Abstract. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in 2015 was one
of the strongest observed in almost 20 years and set the stage for a severe
drought and the emergence of widespread fires and related smoke emission
over large parts of Southeast Asia. In the tropical lowlands of Sumatra,
which were heavily affected by the drought and haze, large areas of tropical
rainforest have been converted into oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plantations during the
past decades. In this study, we investigate the impact of drought and smoke
haze on the net ecosystem CO2 exchange, evapotranspiration, yield and
surface energy budget in a commercial oil palm plantation in Jambi province
(Sumatra, Indonesia) by using micrometeorological measurements, the eddy
covariance method, yield data and a multiple linear regression model
(MLRM). With the MLRM we identify the contribution of meteorological and
environmental parameters to the net ecosystem CO2 exchange. During the
initial part of the drought, when incoming shortwave radiation was elevated,
net CO2 uptake increased by 50 % despite a decrease in upper-layer
soil moisture by 35 %, an increase in air temperature by 10 % and a
tripling of atmospheric vapour pressure deficit. Emerging smoke haze
decreased incoming solar radiation by 35 % compared to non-drought
conditions and diffuse radiation almost became the sole shortwave radiation
flux for 2 months, resulting in a strong decrease in net CO2 uptake by
86 %. Haze conditions resulted in a complete pause of oil palm net carbon
accumulation for about 1.5 months and contributed to a decline in oil palm
yield by 35 %. With respect to a projected pronounced drying trend over
the western Pacific during a future El Niño, our model showed that an
increase in drought may stimulate net CO2 uptake, while more severe
smoke haze, in combination with drought, can lead to pronounced losses in
productivity and net CO2 uptake, highlighting the importance of fire
prevention.
Phytoplankton community disruption caused by latest Cretaceous global warming
Authors: Vellekoop Johan , Woelders Lineke , Sluijs Appy , Miller Kenneth G. , Speijer Robert P.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Phytoplankton responses to a ~ 350 kiloyear long phase of gradual late Maastrichtian (latest-Cretaceous) global warming starting at ~ 66.4 Ma can provide valuable insights into the long-term influences of global change on marine ecosystems. Here we perform micropaleontological analyses on three cores from the New Jersey paleoshelf, to assess the response of phytoplankton using cyst-forming dinoflagellates and benthic ecosystems using benthic foraminifera. Our records show that this Latest Maastrichtian Warming Event (LMWE), characterized by a 4.0 ± 1.3 ⁰C warming of sea-surface waters on the New Jersey paleoshelf, resulted in a succession of nearly monospecific dinoflagellate cyst assemblages, dominated by the species Palynodinium grallator. This response, likely triggered by the combination of warmer and seasonally thermally-stratified seas, appears to have been more intense at offshore sites than at nearshore sites. The LMWE, and related dinoflagellate response, is associated with an impoverished benthic ecosystem. A wider geographic survey of literature data reveals that the dominance of P. grallator is a marker for the LMWE throughout the northern mid-latitudes. While the dinocyst assemblage returned to a stable, normal marine community in the last tens of thousands of years of the Maastrichtian, benthic foraminiferal diversity remained slightly suppressed. Increased ecosystem stress during the latest Maastrichtian potentially primed global ecosystems for the subsequent mass extinction following the K-Pg boundary Chicxulub impact.
Design of experiment-based tolerance synthesis for a lock-or-release mechanism of the Chinese Space Station Microgravity Platform
Authors: Ding Jian , Liu Jinguo , Zhang Lu , Luo Haitao , Zhang Rongpeng , Hao Guangbo , Liu Yuwang
Published: July 2019

Abstract. This paper deals with the tolerance synthesis with the application for a typical Lock-or-Release (L/R) mechanism, used for Chinese Space Station Microgravity Platform (SSMP). The L/R mechanism is utilized to lock the SSMP maintaining space position during the launching stage, and to release the SSMP automatically during on-orbit stage. Manufacturing accuracy of L/R mechanism presents direct influence on its kinematic and dynamic behaviors. Tolerance synthesis can provide a reasonable assignment of tolerance, satisfying the critical assembly criteria while lowering manufacturing complexity. In this paper, based on the number-theory method (NTM), a Halton-set based Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is introduced in the accuracy model of the L/R mechanism, aiming at improving analytical precision and efficiency for tolerance synthesis. A design of experiment (DOE) based tolerance synthesis approach is proposed. With initial tolerance determined by capacity, sensitivities of different tolerance factors are generated through the first DOE stage, and then applied to determine feasible tolerance levels. The final tolerance assignments, like points scatted in high-dimensioned space with inherent uniformity, are then produced through uniform DOE in the second stage. Result shows that the majority of feasible tolerance assignments generated have more relaxed tolerance, which can facilitate the manufacturing process.
Presentación
Authors: Ciudad Ruiz Andrés , Iglesias Ponce de León Pepa (Ixpepa)
Published: July 2019

Presentación de los coordinadores
Ingenuity and Ambivalence in Maya Writing
Authors: Houston Stephen
Published: July 2019

Scribal reception and status among the Classic Maya drew on subtle skills and playful games. But it also rested on an evident understanding that scribes (or sculptors) and their provincial patrons needed to obey their superiors. Certain clues indicate that the producers of script existed within established obligations of tribute, for written memorials as well. Elsewhere, myths provide enduring templates for humanity, and that was no less true for the Classic Maya. Historical figures merged with mythic scribes, and, to judge from unusual texts and images, the powers of the literate could be neutralized by physical replacement or even the threat of execution.
La plegaria armada: nuevas religiosidades para un mundo nuevo
Authors: Humberto Ruz Mario
Published: July 2019

Como es sabido, la conquista hispana y sus secuelas de colonización y adoctrinamiento católico representaron un ataque demoledor contra las modalidades mesoamericanas de concebir la existencia y pasar a su través. Ante ello, los pueblos mayas recurrieron a menudo, entre otras estrategias, a la sustitución de ciertos referentes religiosos antiguos por otros de factura cristiana, que les facilitaron desplegar los mecanismos necesarios para ajustar contenidos de pensamiento y actitudes vitales, adaptándolos a la nueva realidad, bien en tiempos de guerra, bien en la cotidianeidad.
De modo meditandi vel contemplandi: A Pedagogical Treatise for Novices from Bury St. Edmunds in Oxford, Bodleian Library, Bodley 240
Authors: Riyeff Jacob
Published: July 2019

abstractThis article presents the first study, edition, and modern English translation of a Latin treatise for novice Benedictine monks copied at the English monastery of Bury St. Edmunds in the fourteenth century in Oxford, Bodleian Library, Bodley 240. The treatise is comprised of two primary parts, the first describing a monastic program of meditation or contemplation to be followed throughout the day, the second discussing the benefits and nature of “the discipline” (the practice of flagellation) for curing a lack of devotion to monastic practice. The introduction and notes place the treatise within the larger context of the manuscript, of religious life and history in England and the West more generally, and of the treatise author's sources, monastic heritage, and a variety of traditional and innovative medieval genres. The text is finally placed in the context of newer historiography on late medieval English monasticism and the relationship of monastics to their lay associates.
The Fabrication of Unclassified Photodetctors in Iraq
Authors: Al-Ani Salwan Kamal
Published: July 2019

In this review the results of many unclassified homemade optical detectors developed in the last two decades at the research and patents bases in Iraq is demonstrated. These detectors include: CdS doped with Cu (CdS:Cu); CdSe; CdSe:Cu; PbS; and PbSe. They cover a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum ranging from the solar spectrum to the infrared (0.4-10.6 μm). It is found that for the CdS and CdSe type of the detectors, the wavelength tuning are due to the localized energy states of copper atoms inside the valence and conduction band of the CdS and CdSe. The tuning of these photoconductive detectors is compared with the recent quantum well (QWIR) and quantum dots (QDIR) infrared detectors. The major significance of the developed detectors is their synthesis simplicity and very low cost in comparison with that of the QWIR and the QDIR detectors. The CdS:Cu which covers the spectral response range (0.4-0.7 μm) is prepared by using a chemical spray pyrolysis. The CdSe:Cu is found to cover a wider spectral response than that of the CdS:Cu (0.4-10.6 μm). This detector is prepared by vacuum evaporation of CdSe films on glass substrate followed by vacuum annealing under an argon atmosphere for doping of copper. A high gain value of 2.37-107 is measured and explained by the competition of the copper capture cross section. Such competition produces further carriers due to the photoexcitation of copper atoms in the localized states inside the band gap. For the CdSe detector, it is found that vacuum annealing improves the detector characteristics such as the gain. Moreover it is found that the gain increases from 4.3 to 12 when the annealing temperature was increased from 150 to 350°C respectively. However, the doping of CdSe with copper leads to a huge increase of the gain coefficient to about 9-103. On the other hand the PbxS1-x alloys (spectral response 1-2.8 μm) were prepared from pure lead and sulfer powders with two x contents (0.54, 0.55). They were loaded into a clean and baked quartz tube. It is found that the quantum efficiency, responsivity and detectivity of the prepared detector are improved with the little increase of the Pb content from 0.54 to 0.55. As for the PbSe film detector (response range 2-5 μm), the responsivity and quantum efficiency are found to increase by lowering the detector temperature to 180K. It is focused on a brief review of the figure of merits of the mentioned detectors. Moreover these detectors are used for the detection of various laser wavelengths in a pulsed mode of operation and can be used in military areas, particularly, for the detection of thermal targets.
Fungal Diversity in the Arabian Gulf Surrounding Qatar: New Species of Yeasts and Molds
Authors: Boekhout Teun , Fotedar Rasmi , Kolecka Anna , Fell Jack , Zeyara Aisha , Al Malaki Amina , Abdel-Moati Mohamed , Bukhari Sayed , Febbo Eric , Stoeck Thorsten , Al Marri Masoud
Published: July 2019

The Arabian Gulf surrounding Qatar is a unique marine environment with high insolation and salinity. Over 2000 strains of yeasts and filamentous fungi were isolated during 4 samplings in the context of a QNRF funded NPRP project. Approximately 1200 of the isolates were yeasts and over 800 were molds. All isolates were identified by molecular barcodes based on the ribosomal DNA. In addition the yeast isolates were also identified by MALDI-TOF MS with success rates varying from 42% [1st batch] to 80% [3rd batch] due to improvement of the yeast panel in CBS MALDI-TOF MS database. Among the yeasts the carotenoid containing red yeasts were abundant together with Candida tropicalis, Debaryomyces hansenii, Clavispora lusitaniae, and Kondoa sp. Also the black yeast genera Aureobasidium and Hortaea were frequently isolated. Among the molds, the melanized genera Cladosporium with the Cl. cladosporioides complex and Alternaria section Alternata were most abundant. Note that melanized and carotenoid containing fungi were the most prevalent fungi isolated, which may relate to the local extreme environmental conditions. Seasonal differences were observed between summer and winter samplings, but also spatial divergence between plots was observed. Potential new species were found in the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Cladosporium [all molds], Aureobasidium [black yeasts], Pseudozyma, Rhodotorula/Rhodosprodium and Kondoa [all basidiomycetous yeasts].
Growth of Hybrid Perovskites (HP) Light Harvesting Layer and TiO
2
Electron Transport Material for Solar Cells Application
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Istiaque , Belaidi Abdelhak , Alharbi Fahhad , Rashkeev Sergey , Aissa Brahim , Buffiere Marie , Helal Mohammed , Madhavan Vinod , Al-Jufairi Najat H. , Tabet Nouar
Published: July 2019

Hybrid Perovskites (HP) recently emerged as alternative light harvesting layer to fabricate high efficiency thin film solar cells. The perovskite based solar cells took advantage of the experience gained in the field of the dye sensitizes solar cells and the extremely thin absorber (ETA) solar cells. It is worth mentioning that the structure of the perovskite solar cell is very similar to a dye sensitized solar cell and ETA solar cell. These cells are composed of the transparent conducting layer (TCO), the electron transport material (ETM) the absorber, the hole transport material, and the back contact. Our work focuses on the deposition and characterization of two components of the perovskite based solar cell. These components are the ETM which is titanium dioxide layer (TiO2) in this case and the absorber material which is the perovskite layer. Dip coating technique was used to grow compact and pinhole free TiO2 films from a solution of Titanium alkoxide diluted in isopropanol. The dip coating technique is particularly attractive for thin film solar cell application due to its simplicity, low cost, and good quality of films. For a compact film, dipping was restricted to two dips and four dips. The films were structurally and morphologically characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM). XRD analysis showed the deposited TiO2 films have anatase structure. SEM results showed a full coverage of the films with less pinholes. The two step sequential physical vapour deposition was performed to grow HP thin films using thermal evaporation technique. Thin films of HP were deposited using thermal evaporator under high vacuum from two sources namely lead iodide and methylamine iodide. Firstly, Lead iodide was deposited which acts as a template for the crystallization of perovskite layers. Then methylamine iodide was deposited for the desired film. X-ray diffraction of the as deposited film showed the presence of mixed phases of lead iodide and perovskites. This indicates at room temperature methylamine iodide diffused deep enough in the lead iodide film to form the perovskite structure. Films were then annealed at 110 °C for 1 hour in nitrogen atmosphere for better crystallinity which is proven by the sharper and high pick intensities. Also, varying the ratio of both organic and inorganic sources did not influence the presence of lead iodide phases as confirmed by XRD. Further optimization are in progress to form single perovskite phase formation.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Heat Transfer in Grooved Tubes for Solar Collector Applications
Authors: Alex Baby Ben , Raja Sekhar Y.
Published: July 2019

Solar thermal energy research and utilization is progressing rapidly since it is clean energy and can achieve carbon credits in developed and developing countries. The energy conversion efficiency of most of the solar collectors is low, as much of the energy absorbed by collectors is lost due to transient atmospheric conditions. Reduction of losses and improving the performance of collectors by providing economical solutions has been the greatest challenge that scientists are facing even today. Material technology has achieved highest boundaries in all the applied fields ranging from medical to space. According to literature, the use of nanofluids in thermal devices improves the performance thereby further increasing the thermal conversion efficiency of solar collectors. The work here aims at numerically and experimentally studying the heat transfer enhancement obtained as a result of introducing grooved tube collector and using ZnO nanofluid as the working media in a solar flat plate collector. Helical grooves of different pitch are made in collector tubes that generate a spin flow which would increases the heat transfer rate at the expense of increased pressure drop. The convection heat transfer is enhanced as a result of flow through these grooved tubes which is the reason for the absorption efficiency increase. Heat transfer augmentation increase in grooved and plain tubes is compared here. Heat transfer augmentation is expected to increase when compared to a plain tube and a comparative analysis is carried out on the basis of the heat transfer coefficient, wall shear stress at constant Reynolds number and constant mass flow rate condition. The improvement in absorption efficiency at two different groove depth (e/d =  .023, .0175) and varying flow velocity is also studied. The use of nanofluid has been a recent technological advancement as the metal/metal oxides dispersed in a base medium improved the absorptive solar energy by up to 95% which further increasing the thermal conversion efficiency. ZnO nanofluids are prepared by economical methods at different volume concentrations. The particle concentration is one determining parameter and on increasing the concentration the heat transfer properties show a rise up to a maximum value and beyond which it decreases. The numerical analysis here is done for ZnO nanofluid with particle concentration varying from .5%–2%. The synergic effect of the two improvements in the heat transfer and fluid flow characteristic is studied experimentally and numerically in the transition and turbulent flow regimes.

Keywords: Flat plate collector, grooved tube, Heat transfer coefficient, Reynolds number, ZnO nanofluid
Prevalence of Virulence/Stress Genes in Campylobacter Jejuni from Chicken Meat Sold in Qatari Retail Outlets
Authors: Abu-Madi Marawan , Behnek Jerzy , Sharma Aarti , Bearden Rebecca , Al-Banna Nadia
Published: July 2019

Chicken meat from the shelves of supermarkets in Qatar was tested for the presence of Camplobacter spp., and the presence of five virulence genes (htrB, cdtB, clpB, cadF and ciaB) was assessed in isolates. Forty eight percent of the chickens provided for supermarkets by Saudi (53%) and Qatari (45.9%) producers were found to be contaminated and the most important factor affecting the overall prevalence of contaminated chickens was the store from which chicken samples originated. Variation in prevalence of Camplylobacter in chicken meat from different stores was evident even when the same producer supplied the three stores in our survey. Differences in the prevalence and in the combinations of virulence genes in isolates that can and cannot grow in a classic maintenance medium (karmali) were identified, providing a starting point for linking presence/absence of particular virulence genes with actual in vivo virulence and pathogenicity. Because of the relatively low infective doses of Canpylobacter that are required to initiate infection in humans, it will be important to explore further the relationships we identified between certain Campylobacter virulence genes and their capacity for survival in poultry meat, and hence their contribution to the incidence of campylobacteriosis.
3D Printing Assisted Prototyping of Anatomically Accurate Aortic Valve Alginate Scaffolds
Authors: Liberski Albert Ryszard
Published: July 2019

Within the field of biomedicine, the scope of alginate application is broad and includes: wound healing, cell transplantation, delivery of bioactive agents such as chemical drugs and proteins, heat burns, acid reflux, and weight control applications. Recently the alginate based biomaterials for the treatment of myocardial infarction are entering into the advanced clinical trials stage. The non-thrombogenic nature of this polymer has made it an attractive candidate for cardiac applications, including scaffold fabrication for heart valve tissue engineering. The next pivotal property of alginates is their ability to form films, fibers, beads and virtually any shape in a variety of sizes. Moreover, alginates could form the gels in mild conditions, for example by adding calcium salt to an aqueous solution of alginate. The calcium ions displace the sodium from the alginate, and grasp the long alginate molecules together, resulting in a gel. This property is a base for obtaining the alginate scaffold with complex geometry of the aortic heart valve, in a few easy steps. These steps could be freely adjusted to yield the structure consenting precisely allocated viable cells. Alginate scaffold preparation was carried out by immersing the agarose mold saturated in CaCl2 solution (2% w/w). The calcium ions diffused form the mold and cross-linked alginate, subsequently the mold was removed. Obtained structure closely matched the mold geometry. The mold was made by casting the agarose into the 3d printed form. Moreover by extending the time of mold immersion into the sodium alginate solution, the thickness of scaffold and its composition can be controlled. The details of the process are discussed in this report. The drawback of alginate is that it yields relatively soft mechanically unstable structures. As reported elsewhere, that could improve if the scaffold will be saturated with viable proliferating cells. Alternatively the hydrogel can be reinforced by polymeric yarns.
Evaluation of an Intervention to Decrease False Positive Blood Culture Contamination Rates in Emergency Department
Authors: Venugopal Parvathy
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Blood cultures are commonly performed in hospitals daily as it is employed to detect infections that are spreading through the bloodstream (eg; bacteremia, septicemia). This is possible because the bloodstream is usually a sterile environment. Positive blood cultures indicate either bacteremia, or false positive blood cultures from contamination with bacterial skin flora through improper technique. False positive blood cultures are associated with unnecessary hospitalization and/or extended length of stay with consequent financial burden. False positive blood culture rates in Emergency Departments (ED) are often twice as high as on the medical wards. We present the results of an intervention – ANTT (Aseptic Non-touch technique) to decrease false Positive blood culture rates at Hamad General Hospital during the period from Nov 2014 through Nov 2015.

Aim

The HGH Microbiology lab indicator showed that our blood culture contamination rate has been consistently higher than the international benchmark, thereby we aim to reduce it in the critical area of ED BY 50% by the end of July 2015 and at least 90% by end of February 2016.

Methods

A pilot area was chosen in the Emergency Dept. to do a study for 44 weeks after which blood culture kits (previously trolleys & trays were used) containing sterile gloves, masks, and blood culture supplies were introduced into the Critical area of ED-HGH in August 2015. Training included- new instructions to have two staff members present when drawing blood cultures (Preceptor-preceptee methodology) there by prohibiting drawing blood cultures from pre-existing lines and proper follow-up of every step. False positive blood culture rates were measured in the weeks preceding and the weeks following, this intervention.

Results

In the 8 weeks following the intervention, the average false positive blood culture contamination rate in HGH ED reached 1.9%–(which was the benchmark) out of 318 blood culture samples. In the 6 months preceding, the blood culture contamination rates ranged from 4% to 1.5% each month.Conclusion:Blood culture kits and educational training on proper technique resulted in significant reduction (> 60%) in the false positive blood culture rate in the Critical areas of ED-HGH. Studies at other institutions have suggested that reducing the false positive blood culture rate could decrease costs by preventing unnecessary hospitalizations and administration of unnecessary antibiotics, as well as helping to prevent the development of multi-drug resistant organisms.
Differential Responsiveness to Braf Inhibitors of Melanoma Cell Lines Braf V600e-Mutated
Authors: Al Hashmi Muna , Sastry Konduru , Silcock Lee , Chouchane Lotfi , Mattei Valentina , Seliger Barbara , Wang Ena , Marincola Francesco , Tomei Sara
Published: July 2019

Background

Melanoma is an aggressive neoplasm characterized by a complex etiology. Several molecular alterations occur during melanoma progression. The most commonly mutated pathway is the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)/ERK cascade. The activation of the MAPK/ERK signaling occurs either through gain-of-function mutations in BRAF and NRAS gene or through autocrine growth factor stimulation. Documented mutations have been found in the kinase domain of BRAF gene encoded by exon 11 and 15 with a frequency of 50–70%. The majority of these mutations affect one critical amino acid, resulting in the V600E substitution which account for more than 90% of all BRAF mutations. Given the high incidence of BRAF V600E mutation in melanoma, patient management is based on the use of specific inhibitors when patients carry BRAF V600E mutation.

By comparing RNA-seq and DNA Sanger sequencing data, we found that among 15 melanoma cell lines 3 were discordant in the mutation detection (BRAF V600E at DNA level/Sanger sequencing and BRAF WT on RNA-seq). We initially postulated that those cell lines may express only the WT allele at the RNA level although mutated at the DNA level. A more careful analysis showed that these cell lines express very low level of BRAF RNA and the expression may be in favor of the WT allele.

Given the low BRAF V600E RNA expression, we tested in this study whether the three discordant cell lines may respond differently to BRAF-specific inhibitors compared to the concordant BRAF WT and BRAF V600E control cell lines.

Methods

The three discordant cell lines, one BRAF V600E and one BRAF WT control cell lines were treated with three BRAF inhibitors, including two BRAF V600E specific (vemurafenib and PLX4720) and one aspecific (sorafenib).

Measurement of cell proliferation was performed by MTT assay. Quantitative real time PCR and Western Blot were also performed to detect BRAF V600E RNA and protein expression and to assess MAPK pathway activation.

Results

The three discordant cell lines showed BRAF V600E expression both at the RNA and protein level and MAPK pathway activation although at a lower level as compared to the BRAF V600E control cell line. The proliferation rate of the discordant cell lines decreased after treatment with vemurafenib and PLX4720 but was not affected by treatment with sorafenib, suggesting a BRAF V600E biological behavior. Yet, responsiveness to the BRAF specific inhibitors was lower as compared to the BRAF V600E control.

All together these data suggest that the cell lines carrying BRAF V600E mutations at the DNA level may respond differently to BRAF targeted treatment and the differential responsiveness may be related to a lower BRAF V600E RNA and protein expression.
On the way to the Optimal Design of an Aortic Heart Valve -or- Discovering the Obvious?
Authors: Liberski Albert Ryszard , Kot Radoslaw
Published: July 2019

The first task of tissue engineer trying to make a scaffold of a heart valve, is to adapt some model of a heart valve to establish target geometries and properties that should be recreated in artificial scaffold. The natural way to do so is to conduct literature research and find the current scientific consensus on the topic. Here the problems start, each researcher seems to have an individual opinion about optimal geometry of valve. What makes situation more complex is that each researcher has carefully chosen arguments to explain why that particular design is better than others. Hence, the consensus is not there yet, we chosen to contribute to this discussion. The analysis of available reports enable to “cook out” 2 distinguishable and to some extent contrary hypothesis.

1st –the optimal architecture of artificial valve is an architecture of native one.

2nd-there is not such a thing as optimal architecture of a heart valve, and never will be

The first option is very tempting due to its simplicity. Of course, in most of human beings the valves work fine for entire life so let's make the same structure for the sick patient. But which one? – Literally mine or yours? Maybe we should make an average from 1000 or million healthily examples? Hypothetically, if you would need new face, would you like to have the “median” appearance or you rather would go for the most beautiful one? Let's take it further – what is an optimal design of human face, perhaps one would wish to obtain the most beautiful face possible, while others would opt for younger variant of their old one. When it comes to faces, it is easy to distinguish beautiful from average and ugly. Using our internal standards, we are doing this every day hundreds times. But valves are usually not visible, so do we need to work out the standard of “beauty” for HV. Frequently, clinicians and researchers seem to use the same face-related-internal standards to propose geometries of scaffold. “I like this more than that, because its follows better my internal visual standards of HV beauty”. But this is not the way to go. We need hard core evidence to distinguish structure that is better than the other.

The second option is more radical – each patient needs individually chosen design of the heart valve that will reflect its specific needs and conditions. This is obviously very elegant but horribly expensive solution, since an individualized scaffold not only needs to be designed but also produced only in few copies.

The consensus of both strategies is in our opinion the establishing the most “beautiful HV” but according to objective physical parameters. What additionally supports this logic is that under physiological condition the scaffold will adjust to patient by changing the geometries.

To confirm our observation and conclusion we contacted 30 prominent clinicians (n = 11) and tissue engineers (n = 19) with question: What is an optimal design of aortic heart valve? In this report we are presenting their responses and comments.
Geography of Solidarity: Spatial and Temporal Patterns
Authors: Alemadi Noora , Leson Heather Marie , Lucas Ji Kim , Borge-Holthoefer Javier
Published: July 2019

We would like to propose a panel which discusses this paper but includes special guests from the International and Qatar Humanitarian community to talk about the future of humanitarian research in the MENA region. Abstract: In the new era of data abundance, procedures for crisis and disaster response have changed. As relief forces struggle with assistance on the ground, digital humanitarians step in to provide a collective response at unprecedented shorttime scales, curating valuable bits of information through simple tasks – mapping, tagging, and evaluating. This hybrid emergency response leaves behind detailed traces, which inform data scientists about how far and how fast the calls for action reach volunteers around the globe. Among the few consolidated platforms in the DH technology arena, we find MicroMappers1. It was created at QCRI, partnering with UN-OCHA and the Standby Task Force, as part of a tool set that combines machine learning and human computing: Artificial Intelligence for Disaster Response2 (AIDR) [1]. MicroMappers is activated during natural disasters in order to tag short text messages and evaluate ground and aerial images. Thus, MicroMappers can also be viewed as a valuable data repository, containing historical data from past events in which it was activated. To perform our study, we rely on rich datasets coming from three natural disasters occurring in Philippines (Typhoon Hagupit, 2014) [2], Vanuatu (Cyclone Pam, 2015) [3] and Nepal (earthquake, 2015) [4]. Each event rendered thousands of digital records from the labor inputs of the crowd. We focus particularly on IPaddresses, which can be conveniently mapped to a specific location; and timestamps, which describe for us the unfolding of the collective response in time. The anonymity of each contributor is preserved at all times throughout the project.
Narrowband Powerline Channel Emulation Platform for Smart Grid Applications
Authors: Rebai Chiheb , Souissi Souha , Benrhouma Ons
Published: July 2019

The characterization powerline networks and investigation of communicarion performances has been the interest of several research works. Despite of its complex noise scenario and variable attenuation, narrowband powerline communication (NB-PLC) systems are key element in smart grids which provide different applications such as remote meter reading, home automation and energy management. Mainly located at the last mile communication, NB-PLC systems participate in monitoring and controlling power consumption at different level from local utilities to final customers in conjunction with wireless technology. To provide a proper communication flow over powerlines, it is primordial to get efficient designed and proven PLC systems responding to smart grids requirements. After PLC system design and development, a major task is the infield test which is a heavy task, time consuming and does not give enough information about system performance and robustness. In one hand, test and verification result are as variable as channel conditions. So, it is not obvious to get relevant information from classical infield test. In the other hand, the behavior of existing industrial PLC systems behavior cannot be accurately reproduced in simulation environment. Therefore, getting a flexible standalone platform emulating NB-PLC channel phenomena allows overcoming verification process difficulty. In literature, few research works are interested in emulating narrowband powerline.

First, the idea of emulating PLC channels using a stand-alone device has started in a broadband PLC by presenting a hardware platform based on a digital signal processor (DSP) and a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Then, algorithms have been developed and optimized to reduce complexity and improve real-time performance. Regarding NB-PLC, an emulator has been proposed for indoor channels in the frequency range between 95 and 148.5 kHz using analog to digital circuit for channel transfer function and noise scenario. More flexibility and accuracy in generating the NB-PLC channel behavior has been studied and extended to support frequencies up to 500 kHz. The main challenge was the definition of time varying reference channels and tunable sophisticated noise scenarios for emulation. Both proposed NB-PLC channel emulator only takes into consideration the attenuation as predefined function and noise phenomena. The ZC detection is supposed to be ideal that it does not affect the communication performance.

The objective of this research work consists in proposing a flexible DSP based NB-PLC channel emulator encompassing the channel bottlenecks interfering during communication. The channel attenuation is deduced using bottom up approach and appropriate noise scenarios are defined to meet as much as possible realistic phenomena. The effect of zero crossing variation is also taken into account. The overall parameters are optimized to be embedded on a DSP platform.
The Doha Paradox: Disparity between Educated and Working Qatari Women
Authors: Bengali Mariam , Asghar Tehreem , Shahzad Rumsha
Published: July 2019

Qatar is considered one of the best places in the world for women to get an education. Research has shown that for every man, there are six women enrolled in tertiary education. This upward trend in the willingness and ability of women to receive higher education is undeniably encouraging. However, though labelled a “vital element within the development process” of Qatar, the Qatari women's role in the labor market is, at best, limited. Recent data demonstrates that the participation of women in Qatar's labor force was a meagre 35%. Qatar, however, has made the empowerment of women in the labor market a significant part of its Development Strategy. The designers for Qatar National Vision have formulated its first National Development Strategy (2011–2016) with Human development being one of the four major pillars of this strategy. One of the aims of Human Development under NDS (2011–2016) is to increase opportunities for women to “contribute to the economic and cultural world without reducing their role in the family structure.” This research, therefore, intends to analyze a) Qatar's success in carving out a more vital role for its female citizens and b) the obstacles in the realization of their goal to establish a more gender-inclusive labor force. The reasons for this analysis are, therefore, not solely to augment and scrutinize Qatar's Development Strategy but to demonstrate that Qatar's extensive investment in education will not reap benefits if the majority of its educated does not take advantage of the various avenues their learning opens up. Whether this is due to unwillingness on the part of women to work or due to gender neutral reasons such as the gap between education, training and job placement or other motives; this research aims to ascertain the reasons for this difference.
Reasons for Participation in Household Surveys in the Arab Gulf Countries, Qatar
Authors: Elawad Elmogiera , Agied Mohammed Bala
Published: July 2019

Participation in public opinion surveys in the State of Qatar is voluntary, and respondents are not offered incentives for participating. Nevertheless, rates of participation in face-to-face surveys conducted by the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) of Qatar University remain at levels that far exceed those observed in Western and even other Middle East contexts. This study aims to understand why Qatari citizens participate in household surveys conducted in the country. Using data from a 2015 survey of 823 Qatari households, we examine the reasons underlying individuals’ decisions about participation in surveys.
Scarring estimation in the largest whale shark aggregation
Authors: de la Parra-Venegas Rafael , Galván-Pastoriza Beatriz E. , Pierce Simon , Sosa-Nishizaki Oscar
Published: July 2019

Background Ch'ooj Ajauil AC, a non-profit organization created in 2010 involving tour operator and external research collaborations, is devoted to monitoring and preserving marine pelagic life in the Mexican Caribbean. The organization explored the question, how many whale sharks are been damaged by tourism boats? Approach Six years of methodic registration of scars, injuries and abrasion on whale sharks, using video and photographs, conducted by 3 snorkelers alternating with up to 5 surface observers on board a research boat, along 150 transects, observing 1336 whale sharks, in waters off north east Isla Mujeres, México, where the largest aggregation has been reported. Results Whale shark tourism began over 15 years ago in north Quintana Roo, México on the north east coast of the Yucatan peninsula. Tour operators have been stigmatized as the ones responsible for whale shark injuries, regardless of the multiple other boats transiting the area, including commercial fishers, private yachts and huge vessels. Scars on whale sharks come from many sources including other shark bites and smack and graze, but the most conspicuous ones are propeller cuts and mutilations, mostly on the dorsal fins and body. It is hard to determine geographically where an injury happened, or when. Previous reports on the same population at a different zone, estimated between 13 – 33% of total sharks as injured. There have been statements from the public observers suggesting that up to 50% of the sharks show some kind of scars. This shark meta-population moves into other areas across a large region, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and open Atlantic waters. Actual estimations indicate that 29.64% of the whale sharks show some kind of abrasion, including healed and old scars; while less than 5% presented fresh injuries per year. Conclusions No avoidance behavior toward boats was observed from the scarred sharks or from the freshly injured, but the latter were found to be more cautious around snorkelers. Whale sharks with fresh propeller cuts did not modify their site fidelity. Boating enforcement should be improved in order to keep damage to the species at lowest rate possible. A note on healing and recovery is given to document the rapid process of this on some animals.