bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of Targeted Lignin–Based Hollow Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Doxorubicin
Authors: Zhou Yu , Han Yanming , Li Gaiyun , Yang Sheng , Xiong Fuquan , Chu Fuxiang
Published: February 2019

Due to their exceptional absorption capacity, biodegradability, and non-toxicity, nanoparticles (NPs) from lignin have emerged as vehicles for inorganic particles and drug molecules. However, the method for preparing targeted lignin particles is still complex and lacks sufficient research. Herein, a succinct strategy was proposed for the preparation of targeted lignin-based drug delivery NPs to load Doxorubicin Hydrochloride (DOX). The lignin hollow NPs (LHNPs) were used as a platform for the preparation of targeted delivery material by incorporating magnetic NPs and folic acid (FA) via layer-by-layer self-assembling. The results showed that the surface of LHNPs was covered uniformly by Fe3O4 NPs and grafted with folic acid. The folic-magnetic-functionalized lignin hollow NPs (FA-MLHNPs) could respond to magnetic field and folic acid receptors. In addition, the targeting performance of the FA-MLHNPs increased the cellular uptake of NPs in the case of HeLa cells. This research not only supported the modified NPs platform as a highly efficient nano-delivery method but also provided a facile approach to utilize renewable lignin biomaterials.
Micro-Area Ferroelectric, Piezoelectric and Conductive Properties of Single BiFeO3 Nanowire by Scanning Probe Microscopy
Authors: Wu Shenglan , Zhang Jing , Liu Xiaoyan , Lv Siyi , Gao Rongli , Cai Wei , Wang Fengqi , Fu Chunlin
Published: February 2019

Ferroelectric nanowires have attracted great attention due to their excellent physical properties. We report the domain structure, ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and conductive properties of bismuth ferrite (BFO, short for BiFeO3) nanowires characterized by scanning probe microscopy (SPM). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern presents single phase BFO without other obvious impurities. The piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) results indicate that the nanowires possess a multidomain configuration, and the maximum piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of single BFO nanowire is 22.21 pm/V. Poling experiments and local switching spectroscopy piezoresponse force microscopy (SS-PFM) demonstrate that there is sufficient polarization switching behavior and obvious piezoelectric properties in BFO nanowires. The conducting atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) results show that the current is just hundreds of pA at 8 V. These lay the foundation for the application of BFO nanowires in nanodevices.
Enhanced Silver Nanowire Composite Window Electrode Protected by Large Size Graphene Oxide Sheets for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Hongye , Li Min , Wen Xiaoyan , Yang Yingping , He Daping , Choy Wallace C. H. , Lu Haifei
Published: February 2019

Despite the outstanding features of high transmittance and low sheet resistance from silver nanowire (Ag NW) based transparent electrodes, their applications in perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) as window electrodes encounter significant obstacles due to the stability issue brought by the corrosion of halogen species from perovskite layer. In this study, we used large size graphene oxide (LGO) sheets as the protective barrier for bottom Ag NW nano-network. Contributed by the LGO with average size of 60 μm, less GO sheet was necessary for forming the fully covered protective barrier with fewer cracks, which consequently improved the optical transparency and anticorrosive ability of the composite electrode compared to the one from relatively small size GO. Our experiments demonstrated the composite electrode of Ag NW/LGO. The glass substrate exhibited transmittance of 83.8% and 81.8% at 550 nm before and after partial reduction, which maintained 98.4% and 95.1% average transmittance (AVT) of the pristine Ag NW electrode. Meanwhile, we utilized the steady hot airflow to assist the fast solvent evaporation and the uniform GO film formation on Ag NW electrode. Before the application of composite electrode in organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells, the operational stability of composite electrodes from different sizes of GO with perovskite film fabricated on top were characterized under continuing external bias and light irradiation. Experimental results indicate that the Ag NW electrode protected by LGO could maintain original resistance for more than 45 h. Finally, the PVSC fabricated on Ag NW/LGO based composite electrode yielded a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.62%, i.e., nearly 85% of that of the reference device fabricated on the commercial indium-tin oxide (ITO) glass. Our proposed low temperature and solution processed bottom electrode with improved optical transparency and operational stability can serve as the very beginning layer of optoelectronic devices, to promote the development of low cost and large area fabrication perovskite solar cells.
Second Law Analysis of Dissipative Nanofluid Flow over a Curved Surface in the Presence of Lorentz Force: Utilization of the Chebyshev–Gauss–Lobatto Spectral Method
Authors: Afridi Muhammad Idrees , Qasim Muhammad , Wakif Abderrahim , Hussanan Abid
Published: February 2019

The primary objective of the present work is to study the effects of heat transfer and entropy production in a nanofluid flow over a curved surface. The influences of Lorentz force and magnetic heating caused by the applied uniform magnetic field and energy dissipation by virtue of frictional heating are considered in the problem formulation. The effects of variable thermal conductivity are also encountered in the present model. The dimensional governing equations are reduced to dimensionless form by introducing the similarity transformations. The dimensionless equations are solved numerically by using the Chebyshev–Gauss–Lobatto spectral method (CGLSM). The rate of increase/increase in the local Nusselt number and skin friction coefficient are estimated by using a linear regression model. The expression for dimensionless entropy production is computed by employing the solutions obtained from dimensionless momentum and energy equations. Various graphs are plotted in order to examine the effects of physical flow parameters on velocity, temperature, and entropy production. The increase in skin friction coefficient with magnetic parameter is high for nanofluid containing copper nanoparticles as compared to silver nanoparticles. The analysis reveals that velocity, temperature, and entropy generation decrease with the rising value of dimensionless radius of curvature. Comparative analysis also reveals that the entropy generation during the flow of nanofluid containing copper nanoparticles is greater than that of containing silver nanoparticles.
Preparation of Ce–Mn Composite Oxides with Enhanced Catalytic Activity for Removal of Benzene through Oxalate Method
Authors: Yang Min , Shen Genli , Liu Mi , Chen Yunfa , Wang Zhen , Wang Qi
Published: February 2019

The catalytic activities of CeO2-MnOx composite oxides synthesized through oxalate method were researched. The results exhibited that the catalytic properties of CeO2-MnOx composite oxides were higher than pure CeO2 or MnOx. When the Ceat/Mnat ratio was 3:7, the catalytic activity reached the best. In addition, the activities of CeO2-MnOx synthesized through different routes over benzene oxidation were also comparative researched. The result indicated that the catalytic property of sample prepared by oxalate method was better than others, which maybe closely related with their meso-structures. Meanwhile, the effects of synergistic interaction and oxygen species in the samples on the catalytic ability can’t be ignored.
Plant-Based Diet, Cholesterol, and Risk of Gallstone Disease: A Prospective Study
Authors: Chang Chun-Ming , Chiu Tina H. T. , Chang Chia-Chen , Lin Ming-Nan , Lin Chin-Lon
Published: February 2019

Vegetarian diets may lower symptomatic gallstone disease via cholesterol lowering. This study aimed to examine the risk of symptomatic gallstone disease (GSD) in Taiwanese vegetarians vs. nonvegetarians in a prospective cohort and to explore if this association is related to cholesterol concentration. We prospectively followed 4839 participants, and in the 29,295 person-years of follow-up, 104 new incident GSD cases were confirmed. Diet was assessed through a validated food frequency questionnaire. Symptomatic GSD was ascertained through linkage to the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Blood cholesterol profiles were measured at recruitment. Cox regression was applied to assess the effect of diet on symptomatic GSD, adjusting for age, education, smoking, alcohol, physical activities, diabetes, kidney diseases, body mass index, lipid-lowering medication, and hypercholesterolemia. Vegetarian diet was associated with a decreased risk of symptomatic GSD compared with nonvegetarian diet in women (hazard ratio [HR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28–0.96) but not in men. In women, nonvegetarians with hypercholesterolemia had 3.8 times the risk of GSD compared with vegetarians with normal cholesterol (HR, 3.81, 95% CI, 1.61–9.01). A vegetarian diet may therefore protect against GSD independent of baseline hypercholesterolemia. A nonvegetarian diet and hypercholesterolemia may have an additive effect in increasing GSD risk in women.
Complexity of Medicine Regimens and Patient Perception of Medicine Burden
Authors: Krska Janet , Corlett Sarah A. , Katusiime Barbra
Published: February 2019

From the patient perspective, medicine burden is more than the number of medicines, or the complexity of medicine regimens they need to manage. Relationships between the number of medicines, regimen complexity and patient perception of medicine burden are under-researched. This cross-sectional study measured regimen complexity and determined how this and patient perceived burden are affected by the therapeutic group. Regimen complexity was measured in patients presenting prescriptions to six community pharmacies in South-East England. A sub-sample (166) also completed the Living with Medicines Questionnaire which measures patient perceived burden. The 492 patients were prescribed 2700 medicines (range 1 to 23). Almost half used at least one non-oral formulation. Complexity was correlated strongly with the number of medicines (r = 0.94), number of therapeutic groups (r = 0.84) and number of formulations (r = 0.73). Patients using medicines for skin, eye and respiratory conditions had the highest complexity scores. Increasing the number of medicines, frequency of dosing, number of non-oral formulations and number of different therapeutic groups all increased medicine burden. Although cardiovascular medicines were the most common medicines used by the majority of patients (60%), those for neurological, psychiatric and gastro-intestinal conditions were most strongly associated with high burden. Studies are required to determine medicine burden in different conditions, especially neurological conditions, including chronic pain.
The Power of Genomic in situ Hybridization (GISH) in Interspecific Breeding of Bulb Onion (Allium cepa L.) Resistant to Downy Mildew (Peronospora destructor [Berk.] Casp.)
Authors: Khrustaleva Ludmila , Mardini Majd , Kudryavtseva Natalia , Alizhanova Rada , Romanov Dmitry , Sokolov Pavel , Monakhos Grigory
Published: February 2019

We exploited the advantages of genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) to monitor the introgression process at the chromosome level using a simple and robust molecular marker in the interspecific breeding of bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) that is resistant to downy mildew. Downy mildew (Peronospora destructor [Berk.] Casp.) is the most destructive fungal disease for bulb onions. With the application of genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and previously developed DMR1 marker, homozygous introgression lines that are resistant to downy mildew were successfully produced in a rather short breeding time. Considering that the bulb onion is a biennial plant, it took seven years from the F1 hybrid production to the creation of S2BC2 homozygous lines that are resistant to downy mildew. Using GISH, it was shown that three progeny plants of S2BC2 possessed an A. roylei homozygous fragment in the distal region of the long arm of chromosomes 3 in an A. cepa genetic background. Previously, it was hypothesized that a lethal gene(s) was linked to the downy mildew resistance gene. With the molecular cytogenetic approach, we physically mapped more precisely the lethal gene(s) using the homozygous introgression lines that differed in the size of the A. roylei fragments on chromosome 3.
Scientific Landscape of Citizen Science Publications: Dynamics, Content and Presence in Social Media
Authors: Bautista-Puig Núria , De Filippo Daniela , Mauleón Elba , Sanz-Casado Elías
Published: February 2019

Citizen science (CS) aims primarily to create a new scientific culture able to improve upon the triple interaction between science, society, and policy in the dual pursuit of more democratic research and decision-making informed by sound evidence. It is both an aim and an enabler of open science (OS), to which it contributes by involving citizens in research and encouraging participation in the generation of new knowledge. This study analyses scientific output on CS using bibliometric techniques and Web of Science (WoS) data. Co-occurrence maps are formulated to define subject clusters as background for an analysis of the impact of each on social media. Four clusters are identified: HEALTH, BIO, GEO and PUBLIC. The profiles for the four clusters are observed to be fairly similar, although BIO and HEALTH are mentioned more frequently in blogposts and tweets and BIO and PUBLIC in Facebook and newsfeeds. The findings also show that output in the area has grown since 2010, with a larger proportion of papers (66%) mentioned in social media than reported in other studies. The percentage of open access documents (30.7%) is likewise higher than the overall mean for all areas.
On the Spatial Dimension of the Circular Economy
Authors: Graedel T. E. , Reck Barbara K. , Ciacci Luca , Passarini Fabrizio
Published: February 2019

The concept of a “circular economy”, in which material in society is regarded as “a transient phase in anthropogenic resource utilization”, is a growing topic for discussion. The primary motivations for supporting a circular economy include a reduction of environmental impacts and conservation of natural resources. Australia is a vivid example of a country whose large metal extraction capacity is not balanced as it has neither an extensive product manufacturing capability nor a large domestic market. Consequently, Australia must rely on the global resource network to achieve circularity and carbon neutrality. This work illustrates this situation with quantitative material flow cycles for Australian aluminum, nickel, copper, zinc, and stainless steel, and comments on the implications of the results for Australia and for circular economy prospects more generally.
Can Sustainable Investment Yield Better Financial Returns: A Comparative Study of ESG Indices and MSCI Indices
Authors: Jain Mansi , Sharma Gagan Deep , Srivastava Mrinalini
Published: February 2019

‘Sustainable investment’—includes a variety of asset classes selected while caring for the causes of environmental, social, and governance (ESG). It is an investment strategy that seeks to combine social and/ or environmental benefits with financial returns, thus linking investor’s social, ethical, ecological and economic concerns Under certain conditions, these indices also help to attract foreign capital, seeking international participation in the local capital markets. The purpose of this paper is to study whether the sustainable investment alternatives offer better financial returns than the conventional indices from both developed and emerging markets. With an intent to maintain consistency, this paper comparatively analyzes the financial returns of the Thomson Reuters/S-Network global indices, namely the developed markets (excluding US) ESG index—TRESGDX, emerging markets ESG index—TRESGEX, US large-cap ESG index—TRESGUS, Europe ESG index—TRESGEU, and those of the usual markets, namely MSCI world index (MSCI W), MSCI All Country World Equity index (MSCI ACWI), MSCI USA index (MSCI USA), and MSCI Europe Australasia Far East index (MSCI EAFE), MSCI Emerging Markets index (MSCI EM) and MSCI Europe index (MSCI EU). The study also focusses on the inter-linkages between these indices. Daily closing prices of all the benchmark indices are taken for the five-year period of January 2013–December 2017. Line charts and unit-root tests are applied to check the stationary nature of the series; Granger’s causality model, auto-regressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH)-GARCH type modelling is performed to find out the linkages between the markets under study followed by the Johansen’s cointegration test and the Vector Error Correction Model to test the volatility spillover between the sustainable indices and the conventional indices. The study finds that the sustainable indices and the conventional indices are integrated and there is a flow of information between the two investment avenues. The results indicate that there is no significant difference in the performance between sustainable indices and the traditional conventional indices, being a good substitute to the latter. Hence, the financial/investment managers can obtain more insights regarding investment decisions, and the study further suggests that their portfolios should consider both the indices with the perspective of diversifying the risk and hedging, and reap benefits of the same. Additionally, corporate executives shall use it to benchmark their own performance against peers and track news as well.
Long-Range Surface Plasmon-Polariton Waveguide Biosensors for Human Cardiac Troponin I Detection
Authors: Krupin Oleksiy , Berini Pierre
Published: February 2019

Straight long-range surface plasmon-polariton (LRSPP) waveguides as biosensors for label-free detection are discussed. The sensors consist of 5-μm-wide 35-nm-thick gold stripes embedded in a low-index optical-grade fluoropolymer (CYTOPTM) with fluidic channels etched to the Au surface of the stripes. This work demonstrates the application of the LRSPP biosensors for the detection of human cardiac troponin I (cTnI) protein. cTnI is a biological marker for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), often referred to as a heart attack, which can be diagnosed by elevated levels of cTnI in patient blood. Direct and sandwich assays were developed and demonstrated over the concentration range from 1 to 1000 ng/mL, yielding detection limits of 430 pg/mL for the direct assay and 28 pg/mL for the sandwich assay (1 standard deviation), the latter being physiologically relevant to the early detection or onset of AMI. In addition, a novel approach for data analysis is proposed, where the analyte response is normalized to the response of the antibody layer.
Measurement Invariance of a Direct Behavior Rating Multi Item Scale across Occasions
Authors: Gebhardt Markus , DeVries Jeffrey M. , Jungjohann Jana , Casale Gino , Gegenfurtner Andreas , Kuhn Jörg-Tobias
Published: February 2019

Direct Behavior Rating (DBR) as a behavioral progress monitoring tool can be designed as longitudinal assessment with only short intervals between measurement points. The reliability of these instruments has been mostly evaluated in observational studies with small samples based on generalizability theory. However, for a standardized use in the pedagogical field, a larger and broader sample is required in order to assess measurement invariance between different participant groups and over time. Therefore, we constructed a DBR, the Questionnaire for Monitoring Behavior in Schools (QMBS) with multiple items to measure the occurrence of specific externalizing and internalizing student classroom behaviors on a Likert scale (1 = never to 7 = always). In a pilot study, two trained raters observed 16 primary education students and rated the student behavior over all items with a satisfactory reliability. In the main study, 108 regular primary school students, 97 regular secondary students, and 14 students in a clinical setting were rated daily over one week (five measurement points). Item response theory (IRT) analyses confirmed the technical adequacy of the instrument and latent growth models demonstrated the instrument’s stability over time. Further development of the instrument and study designs to implement DBRs is discussed.
Marketing and Sustainability: Business as Usual or Changing Worldviews?
Authors: Kemper Joya A. , Hall C. Michael , Ballantine Paul W.
Published: February 2019

Marketing, and the business schools within which most marketing academics and researchers work, have a fraught relationship with sustainability. Marketing is typically regarded as encouraging overconsumption and contributing to global change yet, simultaneously, it is also promoted as a means to enable sustainable consumption. Based on a critical review of the literature, the paper responds to the need to better understand the underpinnings of marketing worldviews with respect to sustainability. The paper discusses the concept of worldviews and their transformation, sustainability’s articulation in marketing and business schools, and the implications of the market logic dominance in faculty mind-sets. This is timely given that business schools are increasingly positioning themselves as a positive contributor to sustainability. Institutional barriers, specifically within universities, business schools, and the marketing discipline, are identified as affecting the ability to effect ‘bottom-up’ change. It is concluded that if institutions, including disciplines and business schools, remain wedded to assumptions regarding the compatibility between the environment and economic growth and acceptance of market forces then the development of alternative perspectives on sustainability remains highly problematic.
Urban Sustainability and Livability: An Analysis of Doha’s Urban-form and Possible Mitigation Strategies
Authors: Al-Thani Soud K. , Amato Alexandre , Koç Muammer , Al-Ghamdi Sami G.
Published: February 2019

This study examines the concept of sustainability and livability at the neighborhood level in a low-density city such as Doha. In its current form, Metropolitan Doha, Qatar’s capital and where 80% of the population resides, is neither sustainable nor ranked highly in many city livability indices of international cities, although Qatar aims to become a truly sustainable state as envisioned in its Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 and endorsed in its National Development Strategies 2012 and 2018. Doha remains a fractured city; its rapid growth has led to unrestrained, extensive urban sprawl with high dependency on private transportation mainly by large SUVs, continually instigated by the absence of public transportation. Doha is also a relatively low-density city where the main driver of its urban sprawl is the inhabitants’ deep-set desire for privacy, and hence, home ownership of single-family detached villas, which have become the predominant residential building-block of neighborhoods with little to no provisions of in-neighborhood community services and amenities such as basic shopping, health, education, and recreation. Consequently, this urban form has resulted in long and frequent commutes for individuals and families, increasing the number of vehicles in traffic almost every hour of every day, traffic congestion, high transportation-related CO2 emissions, additional expenses, and loss of quality family time, among several other environmental, social, and economic sustainability impacts. The findings of this study, which are based on a behavioral survey, illustrate the residents’ views on neighborhood improvement and changes in the transportation modes, as well as their willingness to change their habits for the benefit of common and future generations.
Water Bodies’ Cooling Effects on Urban Land Daytime Surface Temperature: Ecosystem Service Reducing Heat Island Effect
Authors: Wu Zhijie , Zhang Yixin
Published: February 2019

The urban heat island (UHI) effect caused by urbanization is a major environmental concern. Utilizing cooling effects of water bodies as one type of ecosystem service is an important way to mitigate UHI in urban areas during the daytime. This study aims to examine the influence of water bodies’ cooling effects on the urban land surface temperature (LST). The potential influence on the relationship between urban land cover and the LST are also discussed. The daytime LST in April was retrieved from Landsat-8 thermal infrared band and the grid-based method was adopted to analyze the potential influence. The results indicated that Suzhou Bay is broadly capable of lowering daytime temperatures. The cooling distance can reach 800 m in horizontal space, and the maximum cooling effect was 3.02 °C. Furthermore, the distance to the Suzhou Bay is a great factor for the relationship between land cover and the LST. We found that the cooling effects have weakened the correct quantitative correlation between land cover (e.g., green space and impervious surface) and the LST, particularly green space in the range of 200 m. In addition, the cooling effects have strengthened the “cool edge” phenomenon when analyzing the relationship between the normal difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the LST. We suggest that the distance to the water bodies should be effectively utilized in the microclimate regulation provided by ecosystem services of water bodies. When investigating the thermal effects of urban land, urban planners and designers should consider water bodies’ effects on surrounding areas. These findings have implications for understanding the role of water bodies with ecosystem services of temperature mitigation, which must be fully appreciated for sustainable urban and landscape planning.
The Sacred Landscape of the “Pyramids” of the Han Emperors: A Cognitive Approach to Sustainability
Authors: Magli Giulio
Published: February 2019

The so-called “Chinese pyramids” are huge burial mounds covering the tombs of the Emperors of the Western Han dynasty. If we include also the mounds of the members of the royal families, these monuments sum up to more than 40, scattered throughout the western and the southern outskirts of modern Xi’an. They are mostly unexcavated and poorly known, although taken together, they form a fascinating sacred landscape, which was conceived as a perennial witness of one of the most magnificent Chinese dynasties. This sacred landscape is today encroached by the frenetic urban development of the Xi’an urban area. We discuss and elaborate here some of the results of a recent, new satellite-imagery survey of these monuments, highlighting the aspects which may contribute to solutions for sustainable and compatible development within this important ancient landscape.
The Market Treadmill Against Sustainable Income of European Farmers: How the CAP Has Struggled with Cochrane’s Curse
Authors: Czyżewski Bazyli , Czyżewski Andrzej , Kryszak Łukasz
Published: February 2019

Willard Cochrane was the first to introduce the notion that farmers are on a market treadmill, which, in spite of their constant efforts to improve productivity, wears away any profits that might result. Therefore, the essence of the treadmill is that agricultural income does not grow in line with the increase in productivity. Although reasons of this phenomenon are economic in nature, it has caused a serious social problem, i.e., the relative deprivation of farmers’ income. Solving this problem is crucial for ensuring sustainable farming in its social dimension. The aim of the article was, firstly, to answer the question to what extent the concept of the market treadmill in agriculture is still valid for European countries; and secondly, to develop a sectoral model of agricultural income that would test whether the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been successfully struggling with the Cochrane’s treadmill. The authors carried out panel research in a group of 25 countries over the years 1980–2015 in various subperiods. The main conclusion was that the traditionally understood market treadmill has lost significance in Europe, which might be advocated as a long-term value-added aspect of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Identification of Salt and Drought Biochemical Stress Markers in Several Silene vulgaris Populations
Authors: Koźmińska Aleksandra , Wiszniewska Alina , Hanus-Fajerska Ewa , Boscaiu Monica , Al Hassan Mohamad , Halecki Wiktor , Vicente Oscar
Published: February 2019

This study attempted to determine short-term responses to drought and salt stress in different Silene vulgaris genotypes and to identify potential abiotic stress biochemical indicators in this species. Four populations from contrasting habitats were subjected to drought and three levels of salinity under controlled greenhouse conditions. The determination of several growth parameters after the stress treatments allowed for ranking the tolerance to stress of the four analyzed populations on the basis of their relative degree of stress-induced growth inhibition. This was then correlated with changes in the leaf levels of monovalent ions (Na+, Cl−, and K+), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a and b, carotenoids), osmolytes (total soluble sugars, proline), and non-enzymatic antioxidants (total phenolic compounds and flavonoids). Despite the observed differences, all four populations appeared to be relatively tolerant to both stress conditions, which in general did not cause a significant degradation of photosynthetic pigments and did not generate oxidative stress in the plants. Drought and salinity tolerance in S. vulgaris was mostly dependent on the use of Na+ and K+ for osmotic adjustment under stress, a mechanism that appeared to be constitutive, and not stress-induced, since relatively high concentrations of these cations (without reaching toxic levels) were also present in the leaves of control plants. The inhibition of additional transportation of toxic ions to the leaves, in response to increasing external salinity, seemed to be a relevant mechanism of tolerance, specifically to salt stress, whereas accumulation of soluble sugars under drought conditions may have contributed to tolerance to drought.
Use of Dry Dairy Manure Pellets as Nutrient Source for Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) Growth in Soilless Media
Authors: Liu Zong , Howe Julie , Wang Xiao , Liang Xiao , Runge Troy
Published: February 2019

A sustainable dairy manure amendment for soilless crop growth systems was evaluated for its ability to provide nutrients and serve as a major component of the growing media. After manure liquid/solid separation, the solids stream containing organic N and P was pelletized and used as a nutrient source for cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) culture in soilless media. The pellets are low in moisture, odor, and pathogens, and they can be hauled at lower cost over longer distances and more easily stored than raw or composted manure. Manure pellet additions to soilless media were evaluated at 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, and 50% by volume. Manure pellets had a total N content of 3.7%. Fruit size, ripeness, and biomass, plant height, nutrients value in tissue/pellets/media, and time to complete growth cycle were analyzed. Overall, manure pellet treatments improved plant height and growth rate compared to the negative control, especially when pellets were 15% to 50% of the soilless media. This indicates that the nutrients in the manure were being mineralized, and plants were able to utilize the manure-based nutrients for growth. Leaf tissue nutrient analysis revealed that N, K, Zn, and Fe in leaf tissue were not at sufficiency levels at any level of manure pellet addition. Phosphorus and Cu reached sufficiency levels with 10% or greater manure pellet additions. Calcium, Mg, S, Mn, and B were sufficient in all plants, regardless of fertilizer or manure pellet treatment. Manure pellets demonstrate the potential to be used as a substrate and partial growth medium to reduce synthetic fertilizer use for more sustainable soilless container culture.
Electronic Word-of-Mouth for Online Retailers: Predictors of Volume and Valence
Authors: Anastasiei Bogdan , Dospinescu Nicoleta
Published: February 2019

The goal of this research was to build a model that evaluates the influence of affective commitment, high-sacrifice commitment, and satisfaction on the customers’ word-of-mouth concerning an online retailer. Two word-of-mouth dimensions were considered: volume and valence. A survey was administered to 282 respondents and structural equation modeling techniques were used to process the data and test the hypotheses. Our findings show that satisfaction and high-sacrifice commitment have an important impact on both word-of-mouth volume and valence, while affective commitment only influences word-of-mouth valence. This paper offers detailed explanations of these results in light of other theories and studies in the field.
Classification of Driving Fatigue in High-Altitude Areas
Authors: Duan Zhihao , Xu Jinliang , Ru Han , Li Menghui
Published: February 2019

Driving fatigue is one of the main causes of traffic accidents. Thus, to prevent traffic accidents and ensure traffic safety, the properties of driving fatigue at the wheel must be determined. The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in China is known for its high elevation, causing hypoxia, and presence of severely cold areas; all these easily lead to fatigue during driving. This, in turn, seriously affects the traffic safety on the high-altitude highway. Therefore, the factors leading to driving fatigue and the influence of high-altitude on driving fatigue affecting the driver must be further studied. In this study, we classified and quantified driving fatigue according to the driving fatigue degree. We determined three levels of driving fatigues (i.e., mild, moderate, and severe fatigues) to present their influence on drivers. Our study shows that in this high-altitude area, drivers became fatigued within a significantly shorter time.
Oil and Gas Wells: Enhanced Wellbore Casing Integrity Management through Corrosion Rate Prediction Using an Augmented Intelligent Approach
Authors: Al-Shehri Dhafer A.
Published: February 2019

Wellbore integrity management for oil and gas wells plays a vital role throughout the typical lifespan of a well. Downhole casing leaks in oil- and gas-producing wells significantly affect their shallow water horizon, the environment, and fresh water resources. Additionally, downhole casing leaks may cause seepage of toxic gases to fresh water zones and the surface, through the casing annuli. Forecasting of such leaks and proactive measures of prevention will help eliminate their consequences and, in turn, better protect the environment. The objective of this study is to formulate an effective, robust, and accurate model for predicting the corrosion rate of metal casing string using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. The input parameters used to train AI models include casing leaks, the percentage of metal loss, casing age, and average remaining barrier ratio (ARBR). The target parameter is the corrosion rate of the metal casing string. The dataset from which the AI models were trained was comprised of 250 data points collected from 218 wells in a giant carbonate reservoir that covered a wide range of practically reasonable values. Two AI tools were used: artificial neural networks (ANNs) and adaptive network-based fuzzy inference systems (ANFISs). A prediction comparison was made between these two tools. Based on the minimum average absolute percentage error (AAPE) and the highest coefficient of determination (R2) between the measured and predicted corrosion rate values, the ANN model proposed here was determined to be best for predicting the corrosion rate. An ANN-based empirical model is also presented in this study. The proposed model is based on the associated weights and biases. After evaluating the new ANN equation using an unseen validation dataset, it was concluded that the ANN equation was able to make predictions with a significantly lower AAPE and higher R2. Use of the proposed new equation is very cost-effective in terms of reducing the number of sequential surveys and experiments conducted. The proposed equation can be utilized without an AI engine. The developed model and empirical correlation are very promising and can serve as a handy tool for corrosion engineers seeking to determine the corrosion rate without training an AI model.
Cross-Language End-to-End Speech Recognition Research Based on Transfer Learning for the Low-Resource Tujia Language
Authors: Yu Chongchong , Chen Yunbing , Li Yueqiao , Kang Meng , Xu Shixuan , Liu Xueer
Published: February 2019

To rescue and preserve an endangered language, this paper studied an end-to-end speech recognition model based on sample transfer learning for the low-resource Tujia language. From the perspective of the Tujia language international phonetic alphabet (IPA) label layer, using Chinese corpus as an extension of the Tujia language can effectively solve the problem of an insufficient corpus in the Tujia language, constructing a cross-language corpus and an IPA dictionary that is unified between the Chinese and Tujia languages. The convolutional neural network (CNN) and bi-directional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) network were used to extract the cross-language acoustic features and train shared hidden layer weights for the Tujia language and Chinese phonetic corpus. In addition, the automatic speech recognition function of the Tujia language was realized using the end-to-end method that consists of symmetric encoding and decoding. Furthermore, transfer learning was used to establish the model of the cross-language end-to-end Tujia language recognition system. The experimental results showed that the recognition error rate of the proposed model is 46.19%, which is 2.11% lower than the that of the model that only used the Tujia language data for training. Therefore, this approach is feasible and effective.
INTER-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FIRM GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY IN A CONTEXT OF ECONOMIC CRISIS
Authors: Fuertes-Callén Yolanda , Cuellar-Fernández Beatriz
Published: February 2019

This paper examines the dynamics between growth and profitability in an economic crisis context by considering the endogeneity of this relationship. It also analyzes the role of innovation and export intensity in the growth-profit relationship. Using a large firm-level dataset comprising Spanish manufacturing companies during the pre-crisis (2000–2007) and the crisis (2008–2014) period, static and dynamic panel data models are estimated. The analysis suggests the following results. First, in the short term, growth has a positive impact on profits, while the effect of profits on growth depends on the measure of growth used. So, employee’s growth requires previous profit but profit does not play a major role as determinant of sales growth. Second, profit rates are found to persist in the short term. In contrast, a reversion of turnover and employees growth rates is observed. Thirdly, the moderation analysis applied shows that the strategy that has enabled firms to grow is export. Moreover, the influence of the export intensity on profitability in the economic crisis period is obtained indirectly through sales and employee’s growth. Unlike expected, innovation efforts do not moderate the relationship between profitability and firm growth.
Habermas lecteur de Popper : faillibilisme et historicisme
Authors: Durand-Gasselin Jean-Marc
Published: February 2019

Malgré l’opposition de Habermas à Popper dans La querelle du positivisme , le premier reprend du second une grande partie de sa lecture de Marx pour paradoxalement reconstruire le marxisme. Ceci n’est possible que grâce à une traduction des concepts de faillibilisme et d’historicisme dans ses propres coordonnées, celles de la détranscendantalisation, et grâce à un choix motivé pour le fonctionnalisme.
Current State of Trauma-Informed Education in the Health Sciences: Lessons for Nursing
Authors: Li Yang , Cannon Lindsay M. , Coolidge Elizabeth M. , Darling-Fisher Cynthia S. , Pardee Michelle , Kuzma Elizabeth K.
Published: February 2019

Background:

Trauma has significant effects on individuals' health. Nurses are well-positioned to deliver trauma-informed care; however, there is a lack of trauma nursing education. The development of trauma education in nursing is just beginning; therefore, it is unclear what details should be integrated into nursing courses.

Method:

CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify theoretical and empirical literature regarding trauma-information educational practices in health sciences.

Results:

Given that different disciplines have their specific training goals and requirements, trauma-related course goals, content, format, and structure are distinct and unique across disciplines. Educators in health sciences developed guidelines for trauma curricula and strategies for maintaining classroom safety.

Conclusion:

Trauma curricula in other health science disciplines provide a framework for creating trauma curricula in nursing programs. More groundwork is needed to integrate trauma into nursing education.

[
J Nurs Educ
. 2019;58(2):93–101.]
Using Twitter to Engage Online RN-to-BSN Students in Health Care Policy
Authors: Gazza Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2019

Background:

Baccalaureate-prepared nurses have a professional responsibility to influence health care policy. This article describes a learning experience that effectively used Twitter to engage online RN-to-baccalaureate nursing (BSN) students in health care policy initiatives.

Method:

The learning experience included following individuals and groups involved in health care policy in specific categories that aligned with the weekly learning objectives in a 7-week online course. Effectiveness of the experience was evaluated through a final reflection.

Results:

All 49 students enrolled in the online health care policy course participated in the learning experience and followed a total of 645 policy-related individuals and groups. Analysis of qualitative evaluation data revealed two themes: Staying Up to Date, and Opening My Eyes.

Conclusion:

The findings show that integrating microblogging into an online RN-to-BSN course is an effective approach to engage students in health care policy.

[
J Nurs Educ
. 2019;58(2):107–109.]
Simulation-Based Interprofessional Education: A Nursing and Social Work Collaboration
Authors: Banks Sevaughn , Stanley Mary Jo , Brown Sherri , Matthew Wendy
Published: February 2019

Background:

Contemporary teaching and learning pedagogy commands interprofessional collaboration among allied professions such as nursing and social work, two professions that have a natural inclination to partner in the workforce.

Method:

Nursing and social work students participated in a structured simulated learning experience where they demonstrated their respective professional practice skills in a supported learning environment while working collaboratively to assess one of two patient types: high-fidelity or simulated.

Results:

Both groups expressed initial worry during prebriefing but articulated their appreciation for and usefulness of working with the other profession. Future collaboration includes learning about respective professional roles, more direction regarding the professional handoff, and prior exposure to the appearance and functionality of high-fidelity patient types in an effort to establish best strategies for partnership.

Conclusion:

Interprofessional collaboration diverges from the silo effect, leading to collegiality among affiliated professionals, as well as increased patient safety and improved patient outcomes.

[
J Nurs Educ
. 2019;58(2):110–113.]
An Innovative Simulated Research Practicum for Undergraduate Nursing Students
Authors: Carter Nancy , Tolan Jesseca , Bird Marissa
Published: February 2019

Background:

An understanding of the research process and familiarity with research methods is essential to nursing curricula to prepare graduates to participate in the generation of new nursing knowledge. A research practicum with nurse researchers is one way of providing intensive hands-on training. At our institution, research placements for students has become difficult for a number of reasons.

Method:

To solve the problem related to the low number of quality research placements available, simulation was used to create an innovative research practicum.

Results:

The simulated research practicum increased the number of quality research projects available to students and allowed students to participate in a small study from start to finish. It also used fewer faculty resources.

Conclusion:

The simulated research practicum is an innovative strategy to provide practical research experience to undergraduate students and requires fewer faculty resources than traditional placements.

[
J Nurs Educ.
2019;58(2):114–116.]
Laser in situ Keratomileusis for Spherical Hyperopia and Hyperopic Astigmatism Using the NIDEK EC-5000 Excimer Laser
Authors: Waring George O. , Fant Barbara , Stevens Gary , Phillips Stephen , Fischer Jeffrey , Tanchel Nancy , Schanzer Cathleen , Narvaez Julio , Chayet Arturo
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

To assess the efficacy, predictability, and safety of LASIK for the surgical correction of low to moderate hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism using the NIDEK EC-5000 excimer laser.

Methods:

In a multicenter United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated study of LASIK, 7 centers enrolled 293 eyes with manifest refraction sphere that ranged from +0.50 to +6.00 diopters (D) with or without astigmatism up to 3.00 D. The intended outcome was plano in all eyes. Patients were treated bilaterally. One year postoperative outcomes are reported.

Results:

The mean spherical equivalent refraction (MRSE) for all eyes changed from +2.61±1.19 D (range: +0.50 to +6.63 D) preoperatively to +0.35±0.54 D (range: −1.63 to +2.00 D) 1 year postoperatively. Overall, 61% (170/279) of eyes achieved distance uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/20 or better, 82% (228/279) of eyes saw 20/25 or better, and 99% (277/279) of eyes saw 20/40 or better. Refractive accuracy was demonstrated as 63.1% (176/279) of eyes achieved a MRSE within ±0.50 D and 90.3% (252/279) of eyes within ±1.00 D. Less than 2% (4/279) of eyes lost 2 lines of distance best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. Stability of refraction was demonstrated by 6 months, with a mean hyperopic shift of <0.03 D from 3 to 6 months.

Conclusions:

The NIDEK EC-5000 corrected hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism with UCVA, refractive accuracy, 1-year stability, and safety that surpassed all FDA criteria. [
J Refract Surg
. 2008;24:123–136.]