bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imperatives for the Amendment of the Nigerian Oil Pipelines Act
Authors: Onyi-Ogelle Obioma Helen
Published: April 2020

Pipelines have been recognized to be one of the most effective means of transportation in any oil producing state. It however has its technicalities, hence the provision of regulations and guidelines for their operation. Nigeria as an oil producing state has been operating with pipelines for many years now, but in all ramifications it has not had the best and efficient oil pipeline system. This research work was as a result of the failure of the Oil Pipelines Act and its subsidiary Regulation, Guidelines and Procedure for the Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Oil and Gas Pipelines and their Ancillary Facilities, to create for an effective pipeline operation. This research applied a doctrinal type of methodology and adopted an analytical, comparative and descriptive approach. It was found that the problem with the Nigerian Oil Pipelines Act, is that it is outdated. The Act has been in existence for more than 50 years; and because of this, it cannot meet the current needs and trends in the country. Some of the needs are: meeting up with Technological Advancements, Managerial and maintenance skills, Environmental Protection, Efficiency in transportation and Security issues. More importantly it cannot take care of the current exigenecies in the country with regard to transportation of oil. This research has offered some recommendations to improve the oil pipeline system. Some of which includes a proper creation for an effective monitoring system. This should be done by qualified personnel and also with the use of advanced technology obtainable in some countries like the US. This advanced technological monitoring system will not only report any vandalization, but will also indicate when there is need for maintenance especially pipeline corrosion. There should be more creation of oil and gas pipelines in all the cities to discourage transportation of petroleum products through tanker which over the years have been the cause of so many road accidents and fire outbreaks. There should be an improvement on the types of pipelines operated; this should include new age pipelines. These problems associated with the Oil Pipelines Act necessitated the call for its amendment.
The Role Water Content in the Forming of the Ecological Condition of the Rivers of Siverskyi Donets Basin
Authors: Loboda Natalia S. , Smalii Oksana V.
Published: April 2020

Aims: The aim of the study is to determine the impact of the water content in the forming of the ecological condition of the rivers of Siverskyi Donets Basin (Ukraine) based on chemical and physico-chemical observations.

Study Design: The ecological condition of rivers is determined by their water contents and anthropogenic loading. Therefore, this study focused on the identification of the main trends in the changes of the quality of river water in the conditions of global warming impact.

Place and Duration of Study: The study addressed the industrial Chuhuiv, Zmiiv, Lysychansk cities located along the main river, the Udy River (discharges of municipal and industrial wastewater of the Kharkiv City), Kazennyi Torets, Kryvyi Torets, Bakhmutka (discharges of mine water from Donetsk coal basin) and Luhan (industrial and agricultural waste water) for 26 years from 1990 to 2015.

Methodology: Relationships between the indicators of water quality and the characteristics of water content were established from regression analysis. Determination of the ecological condition of the rivers was in the form estimated as a complex index of the ecological condition of their water, that based on the chemical and physico-chemical variations generated from many years of observations for them in the water.

Results: The study findings show that the indices of mineralization block and sanitary-toxicological block are increasing as the water content decreases, and the indices of toxicological and fishery blocks are increasing. The relationship between the indices of the ecological-sanitary block and water content was not found to be statistically significant. The overall index of the ecological condition of the rivers water steadily increases as the water content increases.

Conclusion: The water quality the rivers of the Siverskyi Donets Basin puts them into the categories of "polluted" and "very polluted" rivers. The analysis of the block indices of water quality generated in this study revealed that the substances of toxicological block (ammonium, nitrites, SSAS, heavy metals) and fishery block (petroleum products, phenols) are the most impacting on the water quality of the rivers of the Siverskyi Donets Catchment.
How are Holiday Photography Startups “Disrupting” Indonesia Tourism Business?
Authors: Yenny Marya , Wiweka Kadek , Wachyuni Suci Sandi , Adnyana Putu Pramania
Published: April 2020

The era of disruption has had an effect on changing the business model of the tourism industry based on startups. This business model has changed a variety of tourism businesses, ranging from online travel agents (OTA) to culinary. One of the startups that are currently developing among the millennial generation is holiday photography. This phenomenon encourages researchers to examine the opportunities and challenges of the development of tourism startups, especially in the company “FAT” (under the pseudonym). More specifically, this study identifies business models and their market characteristics. Besides, this study also analyzes the opportunities and challenges of the emergence of these startups. This study uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods to describe the phenomenon of disruption, startups business models, and illustrate the opportunities and challenges that may be faced in the future by “FAT” company. The sampling technique used in the study is Quota Sampling by involving 31 consumers who have used “FAT” services. This number is used by considering the limited number of consumers who have ever used this startup service. The primary data in this study uses netnographic techniques by observing “FAT”'s website and social media, as well as conducting interviews with key informants from “FAT”. Besides, this study also distributed e-questionnaires via Instagram's direct messages. The analytical method used for this research is interactive analysis, which divided into three stages, including data reduction, drawing conclusions, and presenting data. This research found that the tourism industry in the era of disruption emphasized efficiency and effectiveness strategies. This strategy is entirely appropriate when looking at market segments, most of which are millennials or active users of gadgets and social media. While some alternative strategies that can be done by a “FAT” company include focusing on brands, marketing techniques, attractive and popular tourist sites, service innovation, and collaboration with trusted local photographer partners. Considering the area of holiday photography research is still limited, this research expected to be a reference for further research, especially related to tourism startups. Besides, practically, the results of this study can be useful for tourism stakeholders to find out the challenges of business in the era of distraction and strategies for developing a business model based on startups.
Wittgenstein como pós-moderno: o caso da Filosofia da Educação Matemática
Authors: Wagner Guilherme , Silveira Everaldo
Published: April 2020

O presente artigo investiga a gênese das teses pós-modernas e a maneira como a filosofia de Wittgenstein tem sido utilizada para acoplar ao campo da Educação Matemática as perspectivas da agenda pós-moderna. Nesse tocante, tomamos como guia metodológico dessa pesquisa o percalço histórico e teórico das teses pós-modernas, a confrontação com os originais do ‘primeiro’ e ‘segundo’ Wittgenstein, assim como, a partir dos paralelos ideológicos com a filosofia heideggeriana, base teórica da agenda pós-moderna (DELLA FONTE, 2006), evidenciar a filosofia wittgensteiniana como expressão de sua época. Concluímos que tal acoplamento é uma falsificação da filosofia de Wittgenstein em prol da proliferação de mitos pós-modernos e identitários no campo.
Pedagogia socialista e política educacional: debate acerca da politecnia
Authors: Gonçalves Leonardo Dorneles , Santos Magda Cruz dos , Paludo Conceição
Published: April 2020

O artigo estuda a categoria Politecnia em decorrência de sua utilização, nos últimos anos, pelas políticas educacionais. Ao analisar a experiência da Escola Politécnica na Revolução Russa e o debate sobre a politecnia no contexto brasileiro, reafirma-se que a absorção dessa categoria pelas políticas educacionais, abstraindo-a de sua natureza histórico-prática, cumpre a função ideológica e sustenta os pressupostos da educação capitalista. Considerar os antagonismos entre as diferentes perspectivas que a fundamentam torna-se importante para os estudos que visam à análise crítica das políticas educacionais que a adotam.
Trajetória da pedagogia histórico-crítica: um olhar sobre a formação e prática pedagógica de professores
Authors: Melo Júnior Arlindo Lins de , Bezerra Neto Luiz , Alves Jackeline Silva
Published: April 2020

A teoria pedagógica denominada por Saviani (2008) Pedagogia Histórico-Crítica tem ganhado destaque no cenário educacional brasileiro. Objetivou-se apresentar a recente trajetória desta proposta, com um olhar voltado à formação de professores. Destaca-se como referencial teórico basilar as seguintes obras de Dermeval Saviani: (a)Pedagogia Histórico-crítica: primeiras aproximações (2008); (b) Pedagogia no Brasil: História e teoria (2011); (c) Escola e democracia (2012) e (d) História das ideias pedagógicas no Brasil (2013a). Recorremos ainda a uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática, observando a produção do conhecimento referente ao tema junto a duas importantes revistas no campo científico da Educação.
Revisitando Marxist Theories of Imperialism, de Anthony Brewer
Authors: Spellmann Samuel
Published: April 2020

Reflete-se sobre o clássico Marxist Theories of Imperialism, A Critical Survey, do renomado Anthony Brewer nesta resenha. Passados quarenta de publicação do livro e um ano do falecimento de seu autor, faz-se necessário maiores elucidações quanto ao tempo histórico e a condição do desenvolvimento teórico marxista no começo da década de 1980. Uma vez que Brewer (1980) segue sendo citado como manual sobre Imperialismo dentro da teoria marxista, torna-se própria a sua reavaliação, agora com o privilégio do distanciamento temporal. São estabelecidas mediações entre os vieses teóricos de Brewer e o contexto sócio-histórico de sua obra mais conhecida, que acompanha a ascensão das Teorias do Sistema Mundo
Estado e políticas educacionais: questões epistemológicas
Authors: Argüelles da Costa Regis
Published: April 2020

O objetivo deste estudo é elaborar um programa de pesquisa das políticas educacionais que dê conta da totalidade histórica. Partirá das reflexões sobre o Estado ampliado e a hegemonia política de classes no capitalismo, bem como sobre o papel dos intelectuais e dos aparelhos privados de hegemonia (APHs) na questão educacional. Um programa de pesquisa de políticas educacionais norteado por esses princípios deve (1) mapear e analisar os APHs e seus intelectuais orgânicos que atuam no setor; (2) analisar as principais estratégias de sistematização e divulgação de parâmetros para as políticas educacionais; e (3) compreender as estratégias utilizadas pelos diferentes sujeitos coletivos em sua atuação e em sua influência no Estado estrito.
A arte sob a perspectiva do marxismo: uma atividade humana potencialmente humanizadora
Authors: Santana Mathias Mércia , Cristina Salvatti Coutinho Luciana
Published: April 2020

Esse ensaio trata-se da discussão acerca dos escritos de Karl Marx e de outros autores sob a perspectiva do marxismo, buscando apreender os principais preceitos marxistas que podem ter relação com a arte. O ponto de partida é a obra de Ernst Fischer (1959) intitulada “A necessidade da arte”. É uma pesquisa do tipo qualitativa bibliográfica exploratória. Conclui-se que a arte deveria ser abordada em sua dimensão cultural, independentemente da forma de expressão utilizada. Sob a perspectiva do marxismo é possível observar as bases materiais da existência humana que corroboram o princípio de que a arte sempre esteve presente na histórica trajetória da existência humana, com diferentes sentidos.
Os planos de elaboração de O Capital e o problema da crise capitalista em Marx
Authors: Antunes Jadir
Published: April 2020

Nosso artigo pretende apresentar uma explicação do problema da crise capitalista em Marx a partir da leitura de O Capital que combine ao mesmo tempo sua dimensão econômica e sua dimensão política, mostrando a importância desta combinação dialética ao longo do conjunto de O Capital.
Reflexões sobre o dinheiro de crédito em Marx
Authors: Melo Ricardo Pereira de
Published: April 2020

O objetivo principal do artigo é desenvolver a exposição dialética de Marx sobre o dinheiro de crédito e desvelar as potencialidades dessa categoria para compreender as relações fetichizadas do modo de produção capitalista. Para isso, pretende-se acompanhar a léxis de Marx sobre o desenvolvimento da categoria a partir do crédito comercial até o seu desenvolvimento em crédito bancário que está presente na seção V do Livro III de O Capital. A seção V, como o próprio Engels afirma, foi a parte mais difícil de organizar e editar, pois muitos textos estavam inacabados e os capítulos não possuíam uma ordem expositiva clara. Dessa forma, o artigo busca organizar uma proposta de apresentação de uma leitura conceitual do dinheiro de crédito exposto nessa seção de O Capital.  
Crise do capital, crise sanitária, crise política - notas de conjuntura e educação
Authors: Peixoto Elza Margarida de Mendonça , Brandão André Figueiredo , Santo Filho Edson Do Espírito , Santos Filho Osvaldo Teodoro dos , Lopes Vania Moraes
Published: April 2020

A humanidade e a natureza em risco estão sob as botas dos ricos. Seus representantes nas cadeiras do Estado – impunes – tripudiam sobre a vida nos empurrando para o caos. O manuscrito reúne fontes e notas de conjuntura no esforço de ligar o volume de informações disperso e em debate que pode ajudar a entender o momento quando devidamente analisado. Em isolamento social, os educadores estão desafiados a plantar a esperança entre os jovens, cuidar de si e pensar saídas para o futuro. Aproveitando a janela do esgotamento do neoliberalismo – contra o firme propósito dos serviçais capachos do imperialismo de insistir na retirada de meios de existência e direitos – resta-nos o firme propósito de empurrar a realidade para o socialismo contra a barbárie. A luta que continuamos a travar em uma riquíssima oferta de debates que temos construído a partir das redes sociais.
Das “armas e religião” nos cadernos do cárcere de Antonio Gramsci
Authors: Semeraro Giovanni
Published: April 2020

Inseparáveis na vida do Estado e na atuação da política, “armas e religião” passam a ser reinterpretadas nas reflexões carcerárias de A. Gramsci e adquirem significado de fecunda originalidade e atualidade.  Partindo da interlocução crítica que Gramsci estabelece com F. Guicciardini e N. Maquiavel, este artigo percorre inúmeras notas esparsas nos Cadernos do cárcere relativas ao assunto e revela a complexidade e as controvérsias das questões implicadas. O surpreendente volume de anotações e a tradução que Gramsci opera a respeito do binômio “armas e religião” e, portanto, da relação dialética entre força e consenso, estrutura e superestrutura, esclarecem o conceito de hegemonia e da sua nova concepção de política e de Estado. Neste sentido, ao focalizar particularmente o desenho teórico desenvolvido por Gramsci em torno das “relações de força”, o artigo finaliza estabelecendo uma inevitável conexão com o emprego de “armas e religião” que as classes dominantes utilizam atualmente na política brasileira.
Crise do capital, financeirização e educação
Authors: Fontes Virginia Maria Gomes de Mattos
Published: April 2020

Para este Volume 11, n. 3 de Germinal: Marxismo e Educação em Debate convidou Virginia Maria Gomes de Mattos Fontes, historiadora formada pela Universidade Federal Fluminense e com Doutorado em Filosofia pela Université de Paris X, Nanterre (1992). É docente da Escola Nacional Florestan Fernandes-MST e Coordenadora do GT História e Marxismo - Anpuh, tendo produzido obras de relevância para o reconhecimento da conjuntura com destaque para a inserção brasileira no capitalismo mundial. Entre estas, destacamos: Reflexões Im-pertinentes (2005); O Brasil e o capital-imperialismo: teoria e história (2010); ou os artigos “A incorporação subalterna brasileira ao capital-imperialismo” publicado na Critica Marxista (São Paulo, v. 36, p. 103-114, 2013); “Capitalismo, Crise e Conjuntura”, Revista de Serviço Social (n. 130, São Paulo, set./dez. 2017). Nos auxiliaram na produção do roteiro os Professores Elza Margarida de Mendonça Peixoto, Pedro Leão da Costa Neto, Maria de Fátima Rodrigues Pereira, José Claudinei Lombardi, Nivia de Moraes Bispo, Elson Moura Dias Junior, Otávio Aranha, Vania de Moraes Lopes e Itamar Sousa.
Electro‐Photoluminescence Color Change for Deformable Visual Encryption
Authors: Lee Gilwoon , Kong Minsik , Park Doowon , Park Junho , Jeong Unyong
Published: April 2020

Although structural coloring and photoluminescence (PL) have been investigated for radiation‐responsive color change, electroluminescence (EL) has not been used for the radiation‐responsive system. An electro‐photoluminescence (EPL) color change is presented here. The phosphors in the alternating current electroluminescence (ACEL) act simultaneously as electro‐luminophores and photo‐luminophores. The EPL chromaticity is systematically investigated depending on the ACEL frequency and UV intensity. It is found that the PL variation depending on UV intensity is the mechanism of the EPL color change. It is revealed that EL and PL can be controlled independently in the low electric field so that the EPL chromaticity can be adjusted by a linear combination of the EL color and the PL color. The EPL color‐changing device is used as a deformable visual encryption system and a soft skin for a soft robotic rover, imitating the concealment and signaling functions in nature.
Modular Nanocomposite Films with Tunable Physical Organization of Cellulose Nanocrystals for Photonic Encryption
Authors: Yang Yang , Wang Xiaojie , Huang Heqin , Cui Shiqiang , Chen Ye , Wang Xiaohui , Zhang Kai
Published: April 2020

Reported herein is the novel achievement of uniform and tunable interference colors of nanocomposite films containing organized cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from dynamic hydrogel precursors. Homogeneous and amendable interference colors with broad range are obtained either by stacking the nanocomposite films to adjust the amount of CNCs in the propagation pathway of light or by regulating the rotation angles between the individual films to alter the relative organization of CNCs within the system. Moreover, the precise and controllable patterned CNC composite films with multicolors in one film are facilely fabricated for the first time from the patterned hydrogel precursors. Based on this stacking/rotation‐method, these patterned nanocomposite films with tunable interference colors can be further applied as fundamental elements for optical encryption by establishing a ternary‐coded decimal system with encoded decimal numerals, paving the way for the development of photonic functional materials based on CNCs.
Solution‐Processed Polymer Solar Cells with over 17% Efficiency Enabled by an Iridium Complexation Approach
Authors: Wang Tao , Sun Rui , Shi Mumin , Pan Fei , Hu Zhicheng , Huang Fei , Li Yongfang , Min Jie
Published: April 2020

The commercially available PM6 as donor materials are used widely in highly efficient nonfullerene polymer solar cells (PSCs). In this work, different concentrations of iridium (Ir) complexes (0, 0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5 mol%) are incorporated carefully into the polymer conjugated backbone of PM6 (PM6‐Ir0), and a set of π‐conjugated polymer donors (named PM6‐Ir0.5, PM6‐Ir1, PM6‐Ir2.5, and PM6‐Ir5) are synthesized and characterized. It is demonstrated that the approach can rationally modify the molecular aggregations of polymer donors, effectively controlling the corresponding blend morphology and physical mechanisms, and finally improve the photovoltaic performance of the PM6‐Irx‐based PSCs. Among them, the best device based on PM6‐Ir1:Y6 (1:1.2, w/w) exhibits outstanding power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 17.24% tested at Wuhan University and 17.32% tested at Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences as well as a certified PCE of 16.70%, which are much higher than that of the control device based on the PM6‐Ir0:Y6 blend (15.39%). This work affords an effective approach for further break through the reported champion PCE of the binary PSCs.
Precursor Engineering for Ambient‐Compatible Antisolvent‐Free Fabrication of High‐Efficiency CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Duan Chenyang , Cui Jian , Zhang Miaomiao , Han Yu , Yang Shaomin , Zhao Huan , Bian Hongtao , Yao Jianxi , Zhao Kui , Liu Zhike , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: April 2020

High temperature stable inorganic CsPbX3 (X: I, Br, or mixed halides) perovskites with their bandgap tailored by tuning the halide composition offer promising opportunities in the design of ideal top cells for high‐efficiency tandem solar cells. Unfortunately, the current high‐efficiency CsPbX3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are prepared in vacuum, a moisture‐free glovebox or other low‐humidity conditions due to their poor moisture stability. Herein, a new precursor system (HCOOCs, HPbI3, and HPbBr3) is developed to replace the traditional precursors (CsI, PbI2, and PbBr2) commonly used for solar cells of this type. Both the experiments and calculations reveal that a new complex (HCOOH•Cs+) is generated in this precursor system. The new complex is not only stable against aging in humid air ambient at 91% relative humidity, but also effectively slows the perovskite crystallization, making it possible to eliminate the popular antisolvent used in the perovskite CsPbI2Br film deposition. The CsPbI2Br PSCs based on the new precursor system achieve a champion efficiency of 16.14%, the highest for inorganic PSCs prepared in ambient air conditions. Meanwhile, high air stability is demonstrated for an unencapsulated CsPbI2Br PSC with 92% of the original efficiency remaining after more than 800 h aging in ambient air.
The performance of spring wheat cultivar mixtures under conventional and organic management in Western Canada
Authors: Chen Hua , Nguyen Khang , Iqbal Muhammad , Beres Brian L. , Hucl Pierre J. , Spaner Dean
Published: April 2020

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar mixtures may stabilize yield across environments, control air‐borne diseases, and manage pest populations in both conventional and organically managed systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate agronomic and end‐use quality characteristics of wheat cultivar mixtures. Five Canada Western Red Spring wheat cultivars (‘Go Early’, ‘Carberry’, ‘Glenn’, ‘CDC Titanium’, and ‘Lillian’) differing in agronomic and quality traits were selected to compose 20 possible two‐way and three‐way combinations. Field experiments were conducted in four conventional and two organic environments in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada in 2016 and 2017. Wheat cultivar mixtures out‐yielded their mid‐component averages in both conventional and organic environments. Averaged across locations, two mixtures, Glenn–Lillian and Go Early–Glenn–Lillian, significantly out‐yielded their mid‐components. The overall yield increase ranged from 3.3 to 14.1%, with a mean of 0.18 Mg ha–1 over different environments. Grain yield was negatively correlated with protein content (r = –.53) and falling number was negatively correlated with sedimentation volume (r = –.66) in conventional systems. Protein content was positively correlated with falling number in both conventional (r = .60) and organic (r = .40) systems. Days to maturity was positively correlated with yield (r = .40) and sedimentation volume (r = .40), but negatively correlated with falling number (r = –.80) in organic system. Sole cultivars were more stable under conventional, and mixtures were more stable under organic management. Our results suggest that wheat cultivar mixtures may provide yield advantage under abiotic stresses in conventional, whereas superior yield and grain quality in organic management.
The influence of socioeconomic status and age on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 5 to 10‐year‐old children in Curitiba, Brazil
Authors: Hércules Emília , Peralta Miguel , Henriques‐Neto Duarte , Rodrigues Liziane , Galvão Maria Rosi , Cavichiolli Fernando , Marques Adilson
Published: April 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the socioeconomic status (SES) and age on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 5 to 10‐year‐old children from Brazil.

Methods

The sample consisted of 80 782 (41 063 boys) students aged 5 to 10‐year‐old. Height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. SES was self‐reported by parents when registering for school in the same year as the assessment.

Results

An increasing trend in the prevalence of obesity, for boys and girls, and overweight, for girls, as they got older was observed. The prevalence of obesity was greater among medium SES boys, 18.1% (95% CI: 17.7, 18.6), and girls, 18.1% (95% CI: 17.7, 18.6), compared with low SES. For each year boys and girls get older their odds of being underweight, overweight and obese increase. Medium and high SES boys were 23% (95% CI: 1.14, 1.32) and 25% (95%CI: 1.03, 1.52) more likely to be obese than low SES boys. Girls with high SES were 20% (OR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.31) more likely of being obese than girls with low SES. Furthermore, age and being in the medium SES for both sexes and in the high SES for boys was positively related to the BMI z‐score.

Conclusion

Both age and SES were factors associated with obesity among Brazilian children. For public health policies to be effective, it is necessary to understand why higher SES children and older children have higher risk and prevalence of obesity and overweight.
Differences in morbidity and mortality in Down syndrome are related to the type of congenital heart defect
Authors: Baban Anwar , Olivini Nicole , Cantarutti Nicoletta , Calì Federica , Vitello Carmen , Valentini Diletta , Adorisio Rachele , Calcagni Giulio , Alesi Viola , Di Mambro Corrado , Villani Alberto , Dallapiccola Bruno , Digilio Maria Cristina , Marino Bruno , Carotti Adriano , Drago Fabrizio
Published: April 2020

Morbidity and mortality in Down syndrome (DS) are mainly related to congenital heart defects (CHDs). While CHDs with high prevalence in DS (typical CHDs), such as endocardial cushion defects, have been extensively described, little is known about the impact of less common CHDs (atypical CHDs), such as aortic coarctation and univentricular hearts. In our single‐center study, we analyzed, in observational, retrospective manner, data regarding cardiac features, surgical management, and outcomes of a cohort of DS patients. Literature review was performed to investigate previously reported studies on atypical CHDs in DS. Patients with CHDs were subclassified as having typical or atypical CHDs. Statistical analysis was performed for comparison between the groups. The study population encompassed 859 DS patients, 72.2% with CHDs, of which 4.7% were atypical. Statistical analysis showed a significant excess in multiple surgeries, all‐cause mortality and cardiac mortality in patients with atypical CHDs (p = .0067, p = .0038, p = .0001, respectively). According to the Kaplan–Meier method, survival at 10 and 40 years was significantly higher in typical CHDs (99 and 98% vs. 91 and 84%, log rank <0.05). Among atypical CHDs, it seems that particularly multiple complex defects in univentricular physiology associate with a worse outcome. This may be due to the surgical difficulty in managing univentricular hearts with multiple defects concurring to the clinical picture or to the severity of associated defects themselves. Further studies need to address this specific issue, also considering the higher pulmonary pressures, infective complications, and potential comorbidities in DS patients.
Clinical findings of 21 previously unreported probands with HNRNPU‐related syndrome and comprehensive literature review
Authors: Durkin Anna , Albaba Shadi , Fry Andrew E. , Morton Jenny E. , Douglas Andrew , Beleza Ana , Williams Denise , Volker‐Touw Catharina M.L. , Lynch Sally A. , Canham Natalie , Clowes Virginia , Straub Volker , Lachlan Katherine , Gibbon Frances , El Gamal Mayy , Varghese Vinod , Parker Michael J. , Newbury‐Ecob Ruth , Turnpenny Peter D. , Gardham Alice , Ghali Neeti , Balasubramanian Meena
Published: April 2020

With advances in genetic testing and improved access to such advances, whole exome sequencing is becoming a first‐line investigation in clinical work‐up of children with developmental delay/intellectual disability (ID). As a result, the need to understand the importance of genetic variants and its effect on the clinical phenotype is increasing. Here, we report on the largest cohort of patients with HNRNPU variants. These 21 patients follow on from the previous study published by Yates et al. in 2017 from our group predominantly identified from the Deciphering Developmental Disorders study that reported seven patients with HNRNPU variants. All the probands reported here have a de novo loss‐of‐function variant. These probands have craniofacial dysmorphic features, in the majority including widely spaced teeth, microcephaly, high arched eyebrows, and palpebral fissure abnormalities. Many of the patients in the group also have moderate to severe ID and seizures that tend to start in early childhood. This series has allowed us to define a novel neurodevelopmental syndrome, with a likely mechanism of haploinsufficiency, and expand substantially on already published literature on HNRNPU‐related neurodevelopmental syndrome.
Dysregulation of the Retromer Complex System in Down Syndrome
Authors: Curtis Mary Elizabeth , Yu Daohai , Praticò Domenico
Published: April 2020

Objective

Most of the patients with Down syndrome (DS) develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology by age 40. Although this increased susceptibility to AD in DS is thought to be primarily due to triplication of the amyloid precursor protein located on chromosome 21, the precise molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Recent evidence has implicated defective protein sorting and trafficking secondary to deficiencies in retromer complex proteins in AD pathogenesis. Thus, the objective of the present study is to assess the retromer complex system in DS.

Methods

Human postmortem brain tissue and fibroblasts from subjects with DS and healthy controls were examined for the various retromer protein components using Western blot analysis and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR).

Results

Retromer recognition core proteins were significantly decreased in DS fibroblasts, and in both the hippocampi and cortices of young (age 15–40 years old) and aged (40–65 years old) subjects with DS compared with controls. Correlation analyses showed a significant inverse relationship between recognition core proteins and levels of soluble forms of Aβ 1–40 and 1–42 in both hippocampus (n = 33, Spearman = −0.59 to −0.38, p ≤ 0.03 for VPS35, VPS26, VPS29, and VPS26B) and cortex tissue (n = 57, Spearman = −0.46 to −0.27, p ≤ 0.04 for VPS35, VPS26, and VPS29) of the same patients.

Interpretation

We conclude that dysregulation of the retromer complex system is an early event in the development of the AD‐like pathology and cognitive decline in DS, and for this reason the system could represent a novel potential therapeutic target for DS. ANN NEUROL 2020 ANN NEUROL 2020;88:137–147
Microstructures and electrothermal characterization of aromatic poly(azomethine ether)‐derived carbon films
Authors: Choi Young Chul , Kim Min Su , Ryu Kyoung Moon , Lee Sang Hoon , Jeong Young Gyu
Published: April 2020

We report the microstructural evolution and electrothermal properties of aromatic poly(azomethine ether) (PAME)‐derived carbon films, which were fabricated by a facile spin‐coating and following carbonization at different temperatures of 300–1,000°C. For the purpose, poly[3‐(4‐nitrilophenoxy)phenylenenitrilomethine‐1,3‐phenylenemethine] (mPAME) with a high residue of ~56.4 wt% after carbonization at 1,000°C was synthesized for a polymeric precursor for carbon films. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that the molecular structures of mPAME films changed into an intrinsically nitrogen‐doped graphitic structure, dominantly at the carbonization temperatures of 800–100°C. The electrical conductivity increased considerably from ~10−7 S/cm for mPAME‐derived films fabricated at 300–700°C to ~100 S/cm for the film carbonized at 800°C to ~101 S/cm for the films carbonized at 900–1,000°C. Accordingly, mPAME‐derived carbon films, which were carbonized at 900–1,000°C, exhibited excellent electrothermal performance, such as rapid temperature responsiveness, high maximum temperatures, and high electric power efficiency to relatively low applied voltages of 5–13 V.
Risk factors in the prediction of long‐term patency of Resonance metallic ureteric stent in malignant ureteric obstruction
Authors: Ho Brian S. H. , Chiu Peter K. F. , Lam Wayne , Wong Julius H. F. , Wong Charles K. W. , Lai Terence C. T. , Tsang Chiu‐Fung , Ng Ada T. L. , Chan Chi‐Kwok , Ma Wai‐Kit , Ng Chi‐Fai , Tsu James H. L.
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally in 2018 with an estimated 9.6 million deaths. The costs of managing malignant ureteric obstruction (MUO) is a significant burden to any healthcare system. However, the management of MUO has long been a challenge for urologists. The standard options of percutaneous nephrostomy or polymer double J stents are fraught with problems. We report a large patient series with long‐term follow‐up in the use of Resonance metallic ureteric stents to relieve MUO, and identification of risk factors associated with stent failure.

Patients and methods

All patients with MUO who were arranged to have Resonance metallic ureteric stent insertion at two university hospitals were included in this cohort study, starting from June 2011 to July 2016. Data were retrieved retrospectively. The primary outcome was the total duration of stent patency before stent failure due to malignant disease progression. Stent failure was defined as ureteric obstruction identified on imaging (functional radioisotope scan or antegrade pyelogram), acute renal failure resolved by subsequent percutaneous nephrostomy, or any other cause requiring stent removal prematurely. Secondary outcomes were identification of factors associated with stent failure, grade III or above complication, and development of a risk‐adopted model to predict metallic ureteric stent patency rates in MUO patients. Median duration of functioning metallic ureteric stent was determined with Kaplan‐Meier survival curve.

Results

A total of 124 renal units in 95 patients with MUO were eligible for the study, with a median follow‐up period of 22.9 months. About 106 (85.5%) renal units had successful metallic stent insertion, of whom 41 (33.1%) renal units ultimately progressed to ureteric obstruction despite the metallic stents, and required subsequent insertion of nephrostomies. Median duration of functioning metallic ureteric stents was 25 months. Female gender (HR 3.0, 95% CI: 1.3‐7.2, P = .014) and suspicious bladder lesion (HR 2.9, 95% CI: 1.4‐6.2, P = .005) were independent risk factors for stent failure, respectively. Stratifying patients into low (0 risk factor), intermediate (1 risk factor), and high (2 risk factors) risk groups, we found that this could predict the duration of stent patency in MUO with the metallic stents. (Low risk: 30.3 months vs intermediate group: 17.8 months vs high risk: 4.9 months, P < .001).

Conclusion

Resonance metallic ureteral stents are able provide a median of 25 months of ureteric drainage in patients with MUO. Determining whether a patient has one or both risks factors (female gender and bladder lesion) will allow one to estimate the duration of metallic stent patency, which in turn may aid in determining cost‐effectiveness in individual patients.
The effect of behavioral skills training on shot performance in field hockey
Authors: O'Neill Kelsey , Miltenberger Raymond
Published: April 2020

Behavior analysis procedures have been used to improve sports performance and enhance player safety across a wide variety of sports. The current study evaluated the effects of behavioral skills training on three common field hockey shots, a slap shot, drive, and sweep for young field hockey players. The procedures were evaluated in a multiple baseline across behaviors for three players. Results showed increases in each type of shot once intervention was implemented.
13C Metabolic Flux Analysis of Escherichia coli Engineered for Gamma‐Aminobutyrate Production
Authors: Im Dae‐Kyun , Hong Jaeseung , Gu Boncheol , Sung Changmin , Oh Min‐Kyu
Published: April 2020

Escherichia coli is engineered for γ‐aminobutyrate (GABA) production in glucose minimal medium. For this, overexpression of mutant glutamate decarboxylase (GadB) and mutant glutamate/GABA antiporter (GadC), as well as deletion of GABA transaminase (GabT), are accomplished. In addition, the carbon flux to the tricarboxylic acid cycle is engineered by the overexpression of gltA, ppc, or both. The overexpression of citrate synthase (CS), encoded by gltA, increases GABA productivity, as expected. Meanwhile, the overexpression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PPC) causes a decrease in the rate of glucose uptake, resulting in a decrease in GABA production. The phenotypes of the strains are characterized by 13C metabolic flux analysis (13C MFA). The results reveal that CS overexpression increases glycolysis and anaplerotic reaction rates, as well as the citrate synthesis rate, while PPC overexpression causes little changes in metabolic fluxes, but reduces glucose uptake rate. The engineered strain produces 1.2 g L−1 of GABA from glucose. Thus, by using 13C MFA, important information is obtained for designing metabolically engineered strains for efficient GABA production.
Closing the gap: Contribution of surgical best practices to outcome differences between high‐ and low‐volume centers for lung cancer resection
Authors: von Itzstein Mitchell S. , Lu Rong , Kernstine Kemp H. , Halm Ethan A. , Wang Shidan , Xie Yang , Gerber David E.
Published: April 2020

Background

Clinical outcomes for resected early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are superior at high‐volume facilities, but reasons for these differences remain unclear. Understanding these differences and optimizing outcomes across institutions are critical to the management of the increasing incidence of these cases. We evaluated the extent to which surgical best practices account for resected early‐stage NSCLC outcome differences between facilities according to case volume.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study for clinical stage 1 or 2 NSCLC undergoing surgical resection from 2004 to 2013 using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Surgical best practices (negative surgical margins, lobar or greater resection, lymph node (LN) dissection, and examination of > 10 LNs) were compared between the highest and lowest quartile volumes.

Results

A total of 150,179 patients were included in the cohort (89% white, 53% female, median age 68 years). In a multivariate model, superior overall survival (OS) was observed at highest volume centers compared to lowest volume centers (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82‐0.96; P = .002). After matching for surgical best practices, there was no significant OS difference (HR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.87‐1.05; P = .32). Propensity score‐adjusted HR estimates indicated that surgical best practices accounted for 54% of the numerical OS difference between low‐volume and high‐volume centers. Each surgical best practice was independently associated with improved OS (all P ≤ .001).

Conclusion

Quantifiable and potentially modifiable surgical best practices largely account for resected early‐stage NSCLC outcome differences observed between low‐ and high‐volume centers. Adherence to these guidelines may reduce and potentially eliminate these differences.
Should psychotherapists apologise after microaggressions? An empirical analogue study of perceptions of therapists
Authors: Overstreet Abigail K. , Pomerantz Andrew M. , Segrist Daniel J. , Ro Eunyoe
Published: April 2020

Microaggressions are common slights, invalidations or insults directed towards individuals belonging to groups devalued within a society and are often committed by individuals who are unaware that their words/actions may have harmful or marginalising effects. When a therapist commits a microaggression against a client, should the therapist apologise? The use of apology by therapists has received little empirical attention, and the use of apology by therapists specifically after a microaggression has received virtually none. In the current study, participants (N = 230) read and responded to questions about a randomly assigned vignette in which the therapist committed a microaggression towards a client and then apologised (microaggression with apology condition); the therapist committed a microaggression towards a client and did not apologise (microaggression without apology condition); or the therapist committed no microaggression at all (no microaggression condition). The results indicated that for all three dependent variables intended to capture impressions of the therapist in the vignette (perceived multicultural competency, vicarious retention and overall impression of the therapist), no significant differences emerged between the microaggression with apology and microaggression without apology conditions. Both of these conditions received significantly less favourable ratings on all three dependent variables than the no‐microaggression condition, suggesting that apologising after a microaggression may not restore the impression of the therapist back to the level it would have remained if the microaggression had not occurred. The implications of these results for clinical practice are discussed, along with limitations in the method and generalisability of this study.
In‐stent chronic total occlusion angioplasty in the LATAM‐CTO registry
Authors: Lamelas Pablo , Padilla Lucio , Abud Marcelo , Cigalini Ignacio , Vaca Ignacio , Ordoñez Santiago , Santiago Ricardo , Tinoco de Paula João Eduardo , Ybarra Luiz Fernando , Botelho Da Silva Antônio Carlos , Campos Carlos , Piccaro de Oliveira Pedro , Belli Karlyse Claudino , de Quadros Alexandre Schaan
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To inform about contemporary PCI practice of in‐stent (IS) chronic total occlusions (CTO) from a large international registry in Latin America.

Background

IS‐CTO represent a distinctive challenge for PCI, but literature is limited and restricted to high‐resource regions of the world.

Methods

Patients undergoing CTO PCI enrolled in the LATAM CTO registry from 42 centers in eight countries were included. We analyzed demographics, angiographic, procedure technique, success and postprocedural outcomes between IS‐CTO and non‐IS‐CTO PCI.

Results

From 1,565 patients IS‐CTO was present in 181 patients (11.5%). IS‐CTO patients had higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension than patients without IS‐CTO. IS‐CTOs had less calcification (32.5 vs. 46.7%, p < .001), lower prevalence of a proximal branch (36.3 vs. 50.1%, p < .001), more likely to be ostial (24.4 vs. 18.1%, p = .042), were longer (28.5 vs. 25.2 mm, p = .062), and had less interventional collaterals (49.1 vs. 57.3%, p = .038) compared with non‐IS‐CTO. CTO complexity scores were similar between both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the initial or successful strategy between IS‐CTO and non‐IS‐CTO PCI. Technical success rates remained high in IS‐CTO (86.7%) and non‐IS‐CTO (83.1%, p = .230). There was no independent association between IS‐CTO and technical success in multivariable analysis. There were no differences between IS‐CTO and non‐IS‐CTO groups for in‐hospital clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

In a contemporary, multicenter, and international registry from Latin America, IS‐CTO PCI is frequent and has comparable technical success and safety profile compared to non‐IS‐CTO PCI.
Investigation of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity in barley and oats affected by variation in growing location
Authors: Rao Shiwangni , Santhakumar Abishek B. , Chinkwo Kenneth A. , Blanchard Christopher L.
Published: April 2020

Background and objectives

Barley and oat grains in addition to beta‐glucan contain antioxidant phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds that have health beneficial properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of growing location on the composition of phenolic compounds and its antioxidant activity in barley and oats. Barley varieties included Compass, Gairdner and Hindmarsh grown in Condobolin, Northstar and Oaklands. Oat varieties included Echidna, Williams and Yallara grown in Condobolin, Wagga Wagga, and Oaklands.

Findings

Cultivation environment was observed to have a significant impact on the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of both cereals. In barley, proanthocyanidin content was also affected by cultivation location. Variable response of phenolic compounds to cultivation location indicated a genetic influence. In barley, several phenolic compounds were affected by location and genotype, including flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, such as prodelphinidins. In oats in addition to flavonoids, avenanthramide A, B, and C were also affected by environmental conditions.

Conclusion

Phenolic compounds found in barley and oats that were susceptible to environmental conditions are the major contributors of antioxidant activity. The study also outlines the possibility that both genetic and environmental factors affect the regulation of phenolic compounds in cereals.

Significance and novelty

This study contributes to the understanding of phenolic compound response to growth conditions while highlighting the importance of monitoring the impact environment can have on compounds of interest.
White out left hemithorax: A chronic expanding hematoma after blunt chest trauma
Authors: Nguyen Tran‐Thuy , Nguyen Tran‐Chung
Published: April 2020

A chronic expanding hematoma of the chest is rare after blunt chest trauma. Chest radiography and computed tomography showed a huge mass with focal calcification within the mass. Surgical removal is the main treatment for thoracic hematomas.
In situ Image Processing and Data Binning Strategy for Particle Engineering Applications
Authors: El Arnaout Toufic , Cullen Patrick J.
Published: April 2020

Crystallization control can be improved through real‐time monitoring technologies. Here, a workflow is demonstrated on rapid batch cooling crystallization of L‐glutamic acid. First, in situ images were generated using video microscopy sensors and analyzed, by employing a single, rapid macro code to extract particle data descriptors. A binning procedure (over time) was performed, where every data point represented the counts of particles within a specific size or shape range per 100 images. This binning method was found more informative in tracking of the populations compared to whole image averages or individual particle datapoints. This study provides a step‐by‐step guide towards improving mechanistic modeling, control via feedback, automation, and continuous manufacturing for Industry 4.0.