bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OTs' Views on Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS): A Descriptive Research Study
Authors: Johnson Lauren , O'Connor Shelby , Leathers Alyssa , Voorhes Morgan , Higgins Kaitlyn , Scheirton Linda
Published: November 2019

Date Presented 04/05/19

Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is increasing in the health professions community and has political relevance and ethical considerations. OTs play a holistic role in patients finding meaning and joy in their lives. To do this job to an OT’s best ability, it is important to have an understanding of the process of PAS and the views of other OTs on this topic. This was a critically needed research study due to the lack of data and research on PAS from an OT's view.

Primary Author and Speaker: Lauren Johnson

Additional Authors and Speakers: Shelby O'Connor, Alyssa Leathers, Morgan Voorhes, Kaitlyn Higgins, Linda Scheirton
Contrasting the Decision Making of Mothers of Children With Developmental Disabilities With Those of Typically Developing Children
Authors: Sethi Chetna
Published: November 2019

Date Presented 04/05/19

This paper compares the findings from two grounded theory studies examining how mothers of typically developing children and mothers of children with developmental disabilities make everyday parenting decisions. This knowledge base can equip OTs to deliver competent family-centered pediatric OT services.

Primary Author and Speaker: Chetna Sethi
Evaluating the Quality of Goal Attainment Scales (GAS) for Clients in Therapy
Authors: Russell Maureen , Candelaria Garret , Addario Brooke
Published: November 2019

Date Presented 04/06/19

The aim of this research was to improve the quality of the goal attainment scales (GAS) developed for clients with developmental disabilities. This research focused on providing feedback to therapists based on generally accepted criteria for GAS. These findings will be useful in training and providing guidance for therapists in writing GAS for their clients.

Primary Author and Speaker: Maureen Russell

Additional Authors and Speakers: Garret Candelaria, Brooke Addario
Correlations Between Overall Health Status and Occupational Participation in Forensic Clients
Authors: Fan Chia-Wei
Published: November 2019

Date Presented 04/06/19

OTs who worked at forensic settings in England were expected to use the MOHO-based forensic care pathway to guide their interventions. As part of their standard procedures, therapists administered the Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST) and the Health of Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) to represent clients’ participation and their health conditions. The study built up a picture for forensic patients with assessments that were already being used regularly in practice.

Primary Author and Speaker: Chia-Wei Fan
The Effects of Sensory Processing Patterns on Perceived Stress and Sleep Quality Among College Students
Authors: Chang Megan , Turner Tamara , Kwee Sarah , Shaul Jennifer , Stanbach Tim , Stringari Julie
Published: November 2019

Date Presented 04/06/19

This study aimed to examine the relationship between sensory processing, perceived stress, and sleep quality in graduate students. Results showed that students were moderately stressed. Those who had higher scores in over-responsiveness to auditory, visual, and touch perceived significantly higher stress levels and experienced poor sleep quality. OT educators and practitioners can address sensory processing strategies for reducing perceived stress and improving sleep quality to enhance learning.

Primary Author and Speaker: Megan Chang

Additional Authors and Speakers: Tamara Turner

Contributing Authors: Sarah Kwee, Jennifer Shaul, Tim Stanbach, Julie Stringari
Overcoming Barriers in Fieldwork Supervision of Students With Disabilities
Authors: MsC Ruth Shoham , Schreuer Naomi , Sachs Dalia
Published: November 2019

Date Presented 04/06/19

OT perceives the inclusion of people with disabilities to be mandatory, at large, and specifically in health professions. However, during training of students as OTs, and especially during fieldwork, issues might arise due to disabilities. This qualitative research outlines key issues in supervision of students with disabilities. Findings point to practical recommendations in how supervisors, academia, and field placement can remove obstacles during fieldwork.

Primary Author and Speaker: Ruth Shoham

Contributing Authors: Naomi Schreuer, Dalia Sachs
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through decentralisation and the role of local governments: a systematic review
Authors: Guha Joydeep , Chakrabarti Bhaskar
Published: November 2019

This paper is about the role of local democracy and governance to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Increased reliance on locally generated revenue, difficulties in managing networks of actors with diverse goals and objectives, imperfect flow of information, and trust deficit in stakeholders pose major challenges to achieving SDGs locally. By doing a systematic review of the recent literature on decentralisation with examples from different local governments, the paper outlines ways in which these challenges could be addressed. The paper also highlights the need for enhancing local leadership capabilities and demarcation of responsibilities among local politicians and bureaucrats, a point missed in the SDG agenda.
Factors of International Migration of Haitians to the Dominican Republic in 2010-2015
Authors: Ryakitimbo Crispin Magige , Hossain Babul
Published: November 2019

The problem regarding migrants has occurred a long time ago in the Dominican Republic where Haitian migrants entered as slaves to the sugar industry in 1990 without certain conditions. The problem is further complicated when the flow of migration from Haiti to Dominica issues a policy to tackle the migration problem with the aim of reducing the high flow of migrants from Haiti. This paper examines the push and pulling factors of the Haitian population to migrate to the Republic of Dominica through the concept of the International Migration and Pulling Factors. Through the National Regularization Plan policy of the government of the Republic of Dominica seeks to reduce the flow of migration from Haiti, however this policy has been less effective since it was implemented in 2015.
The Development of English Lessons for Work by Using the Conversation Focusing on Practical English Vocabulary in Hospitality Industry for Thai EFL Students
Authors: Phopayak Salinda , Na Ayudhaya Phanornuang Sudas
Published: November 2019

The study investigated the use of English lessons for work by using the conversation focusing on practical English vocabulary in the hospitality industry that has any effect on the students’ ability in using English conversation and vocabulary in the hospitality industry. Also, the present research explored the students’ opinions toward the materials. The objects consisted of 34 Non-English major students of undergraduate of Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University. The researcher used the paired sample t-test to analyze the students’ ability in using English conversation and vocabulary in the hospitality industry before and after using the materials. Besides, the mean and standard deviation of items were used to evaluate the students’ opinions toward the materials constructed. The results revealed that the efficiency score of the materials constructed was higher than the excepted criterion. Also, the students’ ability in using English conversation and vocabulary in hospitality industry materials constructed at the 0.05 level, and the students’ opinions toward the materials constructed were generally high.
Co-Teaching in EFL Classroom: The Promising Model
Authors: Boland Dalal E. , Alkhalifa Khalifa B. , Al-Mutairi Mohammad A.
Published: November 2019

The research aimed to examine whether co-teaching in EFL classrooms could have positive impacts on students’ learning outcomes and their overall academic performance, including the improvement of the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing). The experiment of the study was conducted throughout the summer course of 2018 for six weeks at the College of Basic Education with a class of 24 female students. The classes were held every day for one hour and twenty minutes. A simultaneous comparison between two classrooms was conducted in which one class was taught by a single instructor (the control group), and the other class was based on co-teaching (the experimental group). The two groups were taught by Khalifa AlKhalifa and Dalal Boland who acted as “one brain in two bodies” in their EFL classroom. Numerous sittings took place before each class to discuss how the lesson was to be divided between them and to reach an agreement on several matters, such as which instructor would deliver the lesson, which activities were to be solved, and how the second instructor would be beneficial in providing support and assistance to students throughout the entire class period.

Moreover, both instructors established goals and objectives for every lesson and made sure that students meet those objectives by the end of every class period. Well-established plans and ideas on how to grasp those targets were agreed upon throughout the implementation of different materials to cover the content of the syllabus. After the summer semester came to an end and when the class average of both classes was compared, the results proved that the students who were in a co-taught classroom showed a significant improvement in their academic performance, whereas students who were taught solely by one instructor showed less improvement in their overall academic skills. This shows that well-planned co-teaching programs could lead to better student support within classroom settings, which consequently leads to improved EFL learning.
Remnant Volition
Authors: Cruz Tupac ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: November 2019

This study of Walter Benjamin’s ‘theory of fortune,’ understood as a contribution to the ‘theory of events,’ focuses on a detailed reading of a notebook entry from 1932, published under the title ‘Practice.’ In that note Benjamin cites one ordinary example of a ‘fortunate event’: you lose an object, look for it, fail to find it, forget about it; later on, you look for a second object and find the first one. Benjamin describes this event, the finding of an object that you are no longer looking for, as an event that can be attributed to your hand. The concept of a “remnant volition” determines the singular sense in which, in this example, you still wanted to find the first object, although the volition to do so was not active when you were looking for the second object. A volition can be remnant, generally speaking, when it is disjoined from the agent’s anticipation of its fulfillment. Thus, a fortunate event is the fulfillment of a remnant volition by an agent’s body, and practice is a form of activity that makes this possible, for it allows an agent’s will to “abdicate in favor of the body.” In my reading of this notebook entry I contrast Benjamin’s account of practice to Aristotle’s; I argue (by way of Benveniste) for a reactivation of the concept of ‘lucre’; and I determine the relevance of this account to Benjamin’s (and our) understanding of Proust’s theory of ‘aesthetic commitment.’ I also consider some implications of this odd conceptual construction for the philosophy of action.
Niṣkāmakarma: A Philosophical Analysis in Light of the Prisoner's Dilemma and the Concept of Degrowth
Authors: Lehtonen Tommi ,   Society for Indian Philosophy and Religion
Published: November 2019

The prisoner's dilemma famously shows that individuals seeking their own benefit end up with a worse outcome than could be achieved through cooperation. This dilemma provides an effective but neglected method for the study of the Hindu principle of "desireless action" (niṣkāmakarma). In the context of the prisoner's dilemma, one or the other of the following decision-making strategies is feasible for prisoners who want to follow the principle of "desireless action": (1) to be indifferent and to leave the decision to chance (e.g. by arbitrarily drawing lots) or (2) to pursue the common good or the benefit of the other (by remaining silent) instead of seeking primarily to benefit oneself (by confessing). The second strategy is more appropriate assuming the following: the followers of the principle of "desireless action" can be goal-oriented and target-driven, as long as unselfish goals are considered, while remaining indifferent and non-attached in terms of personal benefit. This interpretation is tested and further discussed in this article in light of the values of the modem environmental and anti-consumerist degrowth movement. A non-profit orientation and the emphasis on duties are shared by the concepts of degrowth and niṣkāmakarma. Social- or reality-centredness rather than self-centredness is also common to both concepts. The degrowth movement focuses on economic contraction and deceleration, and thus its scope is narrower and more specific than that of niṣkāmakarma. Moreover, the degrowth movement rejects economic grovrth because of its ecologically and socially harmful effects, such as pollution and income inequality, but it is - at least in theory - indifferent to the harmless results of economic activities. On the contrary, the principle of niṣkāmakarma involves a critical stance toward both good and bad results of actions, insofar as they are pursued because of self-regarding desires.
The Problem of Polytheisms Remains
Authors: Lataster Raphael ,   Society for Indian Philosophy and Religion
Published: November 2019

Since publishing my argument for polytheisms over monotheism with Herman Philipse, I have encountered many monotheists who were perturbed, but who had not formulated a proper rebuttal. It is also hard not to notice that there is generally a dearth of publications arguing for monotheism's being more probable than polytheism, perhaps because it is generally taken for granted. As such, I am delighted that Mark Saward has taken up the challenge to address at least some of the original article's claims. Unfortunately, his critique fails to establish why polytheism is improbable, and why monotheism is to be privileged by philosophers of religion. I further reiterate that the threat of extreme agnosticism is a bizarre approach for the monotheistic evidentialist, posing no problems whatsoever for agnostic atheists, such as myself In fact, I assert that extreme agnosticism still allows discussants, even further encourages them, to declare monotheism (and also classical theism) to be epistemically improbable.
From Genetic Encyclopaedism to Human Ecology
Authors: Barthélémy Jean-Hugues ,   DePaul University
Published: November 2019

Unlike the free interpretations of Simondon’s genetic encyclopaedism, the constraining exegesis of this doctrine resolves the paradoxes that are essential for it to be constructed in its depth and subtlety. Now, at the root of these simple paradoxes lies what is no longer one, but which constitutes a true contradiction, of a methodological type. That is why today we need an encompassing refounding of Simondon’s genetic ontology, which makes it possible to eliminate the contradiction by transforming this ontology into a translation of a new first problematic, called “archi-reflexive semantics.” Such is the program of the global but radically antidogmatic system of the individuation of (making-)sense, or “human ecology”, the ultimate telos of which is political-economic and articulates itself with a decentered humanism refounding the law outside ethics.
Sistema de esgotamento sanitário estação elevatória de esgoto e linha de recalque em um residencial
Authors: Lisboa Danielle Cristina dos Santos , Mendonça Diefson Rafael Costa , Rocha Lucas Nadler , Zenkner Lucas dos Santos , Sena Matheus Oliveira , Santana Claudemir Gomes de , Muller Renata Medeiros Lobo
Published: November 2019

O projeto apresentado consiste em atender as necessidades de um sistema de coleta de esgoto em um condomínio residencial denominada de Recanto Verde, onde por este se encontra em uma área de declive, impossibilitando o escoamento do esgoto das unidades habitacionais que deve acontecer por gravidade. Foi proposto a implantação de um projeto sanitário dentro de residencial composto por uma estação elevatória de esgoto e uma linha de recalque, com objetivo de realizar a coleta das contribuições por uma tubulação que enviará por ação da gravidade, onde será aproveitado a inclinação do terreno para transportar todo efluente até a estação elevatória, que através de um conjunto de bombas de uma linha de recalque.
Effect of Florasulam and 2,4-D on Fineleaf Fumitory (Fumaria parviflora Lam.) Infestation in Wheat Crop
Authors: Hajjaj B. , Oualkadi A. El , Tantaoui H. , Chentouf M.
Published: November 2019

Aims: High infestations of Fumaria parviflora (Fineleaf fumitory) may led to cereal crops yield reduction. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of mixture of Florasulam and 2,4-D on F. parviflora infestation in a soft wheat crop.

Study Design: The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Each block contained 4 elementary plots, 3 plots of which were treated with three rates of application of mixture of Florasulam and 2.4-D and one untreated control plot.

Place and Duration of Study: Trials were conducted in Ouazzane region of Morocco in January 2017. Calculation of dry F. parviflora biomass was carried out at weed research laboratory of INRA-CRRA Tangier in March 2017.

Methodology: Treatments were carried out with a knapsack sprayer with the nozzle delivering a 3 bar jet. A quadrant of 1 m x 1 m was used to calculate percentage of F. parviflora density reduction, height reduction and biomass reduction. F. parviflora dry biomass were determined using an oven at 75ºC for 48 hours. Then, weighed with a precision balance.

Results: Treatment with mixture of Florasulam and 2,4-D respectively at 5.63 and 270 g/ha  gave the best control of F. parviflora infestations. In fact, “Florasulam+2,4-D” at (5.63+270) g/ha recorded 85±3.1%, 81±2.5% and 92±3.1% respectively on F. parviflora density reduction, F. parviflora height reduction and F. parviflora dry biomass reduction. “Florasulam+2,4-D” at (3.75 +180) g/ha recorded 66±5.3%, 63±4.7% and 74±2.6% respectively on F. parviflora density reduction, F. parviflora height reduction and F. parviflora dry biomass reduction. Florasulam + 2,4-D at (1.88+90) g/ha recorded the lowest efficacies 45±10.4%, 22±9.5% and 45±11.4% respectively on F. parviflora density reduction, F. parviflora height reduction and F. parviflora dry biomass reduction.

Conclusion: «Florasulam+2,4-D» at (5.63+270) g/ha could be recommended to farmers in Ouazzane region when F. parviflora infestation is dominant on wheat. A further assessment of «Florasulam+2,4-D» residues in soils and their phytotoxicities should be evaluated on other crops grown in rotations.
Determinant Factors of Sustainable Management Accounting System in Increasing Company Performance
Authors: . Ria , Augustine Yvonne
Published: November 2019

The aim of writing this paper is to identify determinant factors of Sustainable Management Accounting System (SMCA) in increasing company performance. This paper uses a quantitative research approach while analyzing using Multiple Regression techniques with the help of the SPSS program. A questionnaire was distributed to the employees with simple random sampling. The results have represented that significant influences are Accounting in the scope of Environmental Management, Accounting within the scope of Social Management and Workplace Spirituality moderated by Corporate Governance on Corporate Performance simultaneously. Workplace Spirituality significant positive influence on Corporate Performance moderated by Corporate Governance partially, but there is a significant negative influence of Environmental Management Accounting moderated by Corporate Governance partially on Corporate Performance. This study builds a conceptual model of SMAS that is expected to contribute theoretically and can be used as a support for literature. By implementing the SMAS model, companies can encourage better performance when using Corporate Governance to improve management decisions about the determining factors for implementing SMAS.
Comparative Study on Effect of Chrysophyllum albidum Medicinal Plant from Crude Oil Polluted and Non-crude Oil Polluted Areas on Selected Biochemical Parameters in Rats
Authors: Ekpo Grace , Amadi Benjamin , Adindu Eze , Michael Odey , Dasimeokuna Princewill
Published: November 2019

Comparative study on effect of Chrysophyllum albidum medicinal plant from crude oil polluted and non-crude oil polluted areas on selected biochemical parameters in rats was evaluated.  Leaves of C. albidium were collected from a botanical garden (non-crude oil polluted site) and Okrika (crude oil polluted site), and studied. The leaves passed for heavy metals analyses and heavy metals such as mercury (0.38 ±0.07 mg/100 g), lead (3.06±0.40 mg/100 g), cadmium (0.09±0.00 mg/100 g), copper (1.00±0.18 mg/100 g), chromium (0.23±0.01 mg/100 g), and cobalt (4.90±1.22 mg/100 g) were observed in leaves of C. albidum  from crude oil polluted area. Rats placed on compounded feed of C. albidium leaves from crude oil polluted area revealed marked degeneration in haematological indices, liver enzymes, urea and creatinine of the kidney. These observed degeneration could be linked to toxicity of the heavy metals found in the leaves of C. albidum from crude oil polluted area since leaves of C. albidum are known to have medicinal potency that could protect the integrity of internal organs and tissues. There is need to properly inform those who rely on medicinal plants from crude oil polluted areas of the possible dangers such may pose in the body. This study has evaluated the comparative effect of C. albidum medicinal plant from crude oil polluted and non-crude oil polluted areas on selected biochemical parameters in rats.
Viability of Hydrocarbon-degrading Bacterial Consortium Immobilized on Different Carriers
Authors: Ezebuiro Victor , Otaraku Ipeghan Jonathan , Oruwari Boma , Okpokwasili Gideon Chijioke
Published: November 2019

Aim: Viability of hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial consortium immobilized on different carriers was studied.

Methodology: Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria were isolated from crude oil contaminated sites in Gio and K-Dera, Rivers State, Nigeria using enrichment method. Proximate analyses were carried out on the best carrier materials. Immobilization was by direct adsorption of the isolates onto the carrier materials and viability was determined by plate count method. The carrier materials tested included soya bran, sugarcane bagasse, corn cob, brown saw dust, white saw dust, cassava peel and red mud (bentonite).

Results: The bacterial isolates demonstrated varied degradation capacity. The best carrier material was saw dust (103.6% survival) and corn cob (103.6% survival) followed by soya bran (94.4% survival rate) and cassava peel (94.4% survival rate). The saw dust had moisture content, 5.92%; ash content, 7.49%; crude protein, 2.2%; volatile matter, 74.28; and fixed carbon, 12.34%; whereas, the percentage chemical composition observed for soya bran were 10.11, 4.08, 5.22, 42.61, 18.37 and 8.89 for moisture content, ash content, crude fibre, crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrate, respectively. There was significant difference (p=0.05) between viability rate observed with the different carrier materials.

Conclusion: This study showed that the agro-wastes used in this study can effectively enhance the viability of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacterial. The result is significant as it shows the possibility of using these carrier materials for bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated media.
Celebrity Self-disclosure and Social Cohesion: Perspectives from Ghanaian Instagram Users
Authors: Basilisco Richard , Amenuvor Fortune Edem , Owusu-Antwi Kwasi , Hyeok Choi Jae
Published: November 2019

The phenomenon of social cohesion has gained much traction in the extant literature. However, research that assesses how celebrity self-disclosure can be leveraged to engender social cohesion remains very scanty in the existing literature. The current study aims at empirically testing the effect of celebrity self-disclosure on social cohesion while accounting for the roles of fans’ behavior, social presence and attachment to celebrities. To realize this aim, data is collected from 306 Instagram users who follow at least one celebrity. The hypothesis intended to realize these aims are tested by adopting structural equation modeling technique. The results show that celebrities’ descriptive self-disclosure (but not emotional self-disclosure) influences fans’ archiving and commenting behavior. Additionally, celebrities’ emotional self-disclosure (but not descriptive self-disclosure) as well as fans’ commenting, and archiving behaviors are instrumental in predicting fans’ social presence. The study further finds that fans’ social presence is essential in predicting their attachment to celebrities, while their (fans’) attachment to celebrities and social presence are significant antecedents of social cohesion. Furthermore, attachment to celebrities is found to significantly mediate the relationship between social presence and social cohesion. The study provides practical and theoretical insights into understanding social cohesion, celebrity self-disclosure, fans’ behavior, social presence and attachment to celebrities.
Evaluation of Four Species of Wild Yams, as Potential Natural Reservoirs of Potyviruses Infecting Yams Cultivated in Togo
Authors: Ayisah Kwasi Dzola , Aziadekey Mawuli Kossivi , Gumedzoe Yawovi Mawuena Dieudonné
Published: November 2019

Yams cultivation in Togo is hampered by diseases caused by Potyviruses, mainly Yam mosaic virus (YMV) and Yam mild mosaic virus (YMMV). To understand the Potyviruses dissemination mechanism and to develop an efficient control method, the present study aims to establish the role of wild yams species as potential natural reservoirs of these pathogens. As such, Potyvirus susceptibility assessment was performed on four wild yams, D. dumetorum, D. bulbifera, D. togoensis and, D. smilacifolia, which grow spontaneously in yam fields in Togo. For this, phytosanitary surveys were carried out on yam fields and forests near yam plots, in July 2018 at the long rainy season, covering 27 localities in Maritime, Central and Plateaux regions of Togo, during which wild yam leaves were sampled for viruses identification. The leaves samples were analyzed first by ACP-ELISA test to detect Potyviruses using universal anti-potyvirus monoclonal antibodies, and then by RT-PCR test to identify YMV and YMMV, using respectively pairs of primers YMV1&YMV2 (196 pb) and YMV-CP-2F & YMV-UTR-1R (249 pb). Then 140 seedlings obtained from seeds of the four wild yams, were inoculated with YMV isolate 20-601/06. ACP-ELISA test revealed that only the leaves samples of D. dumetorum and D. togoensis, collected in Plateaux region, were infected by Potyviruses, with respectively 24.24% and 6.25% of incidence rate. But these samples were positive for neither YMV nor YMMV at RT-PCR test. However, after the inoculations, respectively 20% of seedlings of D. dumetorum, 52.5% of D. bulbifera, 64% of D. togoensis, and 3.33% of D. smilacifolia, were infected by YMV. This suggests a high potential of these yams, mostly D. bulbifera and D. togoensis, to become natural reservoirs for YMV, under high pressure of the viruses and their vectors. These wild yams control in and around yam fields can help limit Potyviruses infections.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of People towards Onchocerciasis among Local People Living in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria
Authors: Ibrahim J. L. , Andrew T. , Kugama M. A. , Daudu M. I. , Tese T. , Musa U. B.
Published: November 2019

The study is aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of people in Ija-Gwari and Kofa in Niger State towards onchocerciasis, structured questionnaires were administered to 300 respondents comprising 150 from each of the village, which is about 5% of the total population size of the two villages. The sampling technique used to administer the questionnaire was systemic sampling method. In Kofa and Ija-Gwari village, a high proportion 74 (49.3%) and 80 (53.3%) respectively thought it was both a blood and an eye infection while few of the respondents 8 (5.3%) and 2 (1.45%) respectively claimed to have no idea of river blindness. In Kofa village, out of 150 respondents, 146 (97.3%) said they accepted taking the drug and 4 (2.7%) did not accept taking the drug. In Ija-Gwari village out of 150 respondents, 144 (95.9%) said they accepted taking the drug and 6 (4.1%) did not accept taking the drug. In Kofa village, out of the 150 respondents, 148 (98.7%) use ivermectin as the type of treatment, while In Ija-Gwari village, out of the 150 respondents 149 (99.3%) use ivermectin as the type of treatment. Since lack of knowledge perpetuates disease, appropriate health education strategy will be necessary to improve the situation.
Isolation and Culture Dependent Characterization of Escherichia coli from the Sewage Waste Water of Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Bano Abida , Ali Basharat
Published: November 2019

Aims: Infectious disease haemorrhagic uremic syndrome (HUS), present in sewage water, its cross contamination with drinking water may affect the community. This study was conducted to isolate the pathogenic strain of E. coli O157 from the sewage waste water of Lahore, Pakistan. The aim of this study was to evaluate biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility pattern for the isolated strains. Selective Hichrome EC O157 agar media was used for the isolation of E. coli.

Methodology: Taxonomic status of strain was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Serotyping of E. coli O157 strains was accomplished by ProlexTM E. coli O157 Latex Test Reagent Kit results for O157. Bacterial strains were also evaluated for biofilm formation, toxin related genes (stx1, stx2, stx2c, stx2d) and antibiotic sensitivity.

Results: Bacterial strains showed resistance against amoxicillin, tobramycin, tetracycline and nitrofurantoin antibiotics. Maximum biofilm formation was shown by strain E124 when used as monoculture. In cocultures, strains E35 and E101 were the most efficient biofilm formers. PCR amplification recorded negative results for shiga toxin genes.

Conclusion: Shiga toxin genes were not present in any of the E. coli strain, from which we can suggest that our environment is free of shiga toxin genes. E. coli was present in sewage water, its cross contamination with drinking water may affect the community. Therefore, waste water should be treated properly before discarding it into the common water bodies.
Algorithms for OptimalACPower Flow in the Presence of Renewable Sources
Authors: Chamanbaz Mohammadreza , Dabbene Fabrizio , Lagoa Constantino
Published: November 2019

This article presents recent solutions to the optimal power flow (OPF) problem in the presence of renewable energy sources (RES), such as solar photovoltaic and wind generation. After introducing the original formulation of the problem, arising from the combination of economic dispatch and power flow, we provide a brief overview of the different solution methods proposed in the literature to solve it. Then, we explain the main difficulties arising from the increasing RES penetration, and the ensuing necessity of deriving robust solutions. Finally, we present the state‐of‐the‐art techniques, with a special focus on recent methods we developed, based on the application on randomization‐based methodologies.
Potentiality and limitations of N‐mixture and Royle‐Nichols models to estimate animal abundance based on noninstantaneous point surveys
Authors: Nakashima Yoshihiro
Published: November 2019

Reliable and accurate information on animal abundance is fundamental for the conservation and management of wildlife. Recently, a number of innovative devices (such as camera traps) have been widely used in field surveys and have largely improved survey efficiency. However, these devices often constitute noninstantaneous point surveys, resulting in the multiple counts of the same animal individuals within a single sampling occasion (i.e., false‐positive errors). Many commonly‐used statistical models do not explicitly account for the false‐positive error, with its effects on estimates being poorly understood. Here, I tested the performance of the commonly‐used Poisson‐binomial N‐mixture and the Royle‐Nichols model in the presence of both false‐positive and negative errors (i.e., individuals in a population might not be detected). I also implemented the Poisson‐Poisson mixture model in the Bayesian framework to evaluate its reliability. The results of the simulation using random walks based on Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck processes showed that the Poisson‐binomial model was not robust to false‐positive errors. In comparison, the Royle‐Nichols and Poisson‐Poisson models provided reasonable estimates of the number of animals whose home range included the survey point. However, the number of animals whose home range included the survey point is inherently influenced by the size of animal home ranges, and thus cannot be used as a surrogate of animal density. Although the N‐mixture and Royle‐Nichols models are widely used, their utility might be restricted by this limitation. In conclusion, studies should clearly define the objective of surveys and carefully consider whether the models used are valid.
Hirudin or hirudin‐like factor ‐ that is the question: insights from the analyses of natural and synthetic HLF variants
Authors: Müller Christian , Lukas Phil , Böhmert Michel , Hildebrandt Jan‐Peter
Published: November 2019

The hirudin‐like factor 1 (HLF1) of Hirudo medicinalis belongs to a new class of leech‐derived factors. In previous investigations, HLF1 did not exhibit anticoagulatory activities. Here, we describe the analysis of natural and synthetic variants of HLF1 and HLF‐Hyb, a yet uncharacterized member of the HLF family. Modifications within the N terminus of HLF1 have a strong impact on its activity. Some variants of HLF1 exhibit thrombin‐inhibiting activity comparable to hirudins, whereas others have reduced or no activity. The analyses of HLF‐Hyb variants revealed a strong impact of the central globular domain on activity. Our results indicate a comparable mode of action of hirudins and thrombin‐inhibiting HLF variants. Finally, we propose and discuss criteria for classifying hirudins and HLFs.
TR1801‐ADC: a highly potent cMet antibody–drug conjugate with high activity in patient‐derived xenograft models of solid tumors
Authors: Gymnopoulos Marco , Betancourt Oscar , Blot Vincent , Fujita Ryo , Galvan Diana , Lieuw Vincent , Nguyen Sophie , Snedden Jeanette , Stewart Christine , Villicana Jose , Wojciak Jon , Wong Eley , Pardo Raul , Patel Neki , D’Hooge Francois , Vijayakrishnan Balakumar , Barry Conor , Hartley John A. , Howard Philip W. , Newman Roland , Coronella Julia
Published: November 2019

cMet is a well‐characterized oncogene that is the target of many drugs including small molecule and biologic pathway inhibitors, and, more recently, antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs). However, the clinical benefit from cMet‐targeted therapy has been limited. We developed a novel cMet‐targeted ‘third‐generation’ ADC, TR1801‐ADC, that was optimized at different levels including specificity, stability, toxin–linker, conjugation site, and in vivo efficacy. Our nonagonistic cMet antibody was site‐specifically conjugated to the pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) toxin–linker tesirine and has picomolar activity in cancer cell lines derived from different solid tumors including lung, colorectal, and gastric cancers. The potency of our cMet ADC is independent of MET gene copy number, and its antitumor activity was high not only in high cMet‐expressing cell lines but also in medium‐to‐low cMet cell lines (40 000–90 000 cMet/cell) in which a cMet ADC with tubulin inhibitor payload was considerably less potent. In vivo xenografts with low–medium cMet expression were also very responsive to TR1801‐ADC at a single dose, while a cMet ADC using a tubulin inhibitor showed a substantially reduced efficacy. Furthermore, TR1801‐ADC had excellent efficacy with significant antitumor activity in 90% of tested patient‐derived xenograft models of gastric, colorectal, and head and neck cancers: 7 of 10 gastric models, 4 of 10 colorectal cancer models, and 3 of 10 head and neck cancer models showed complete tumor regression after a single‐dose administration. Altogether, TR1801‐ADC is a new generation cMet ADC with best‐in‐class preclinical efficacy and good tolerability in rats.
Investigating sexual harassment in online video games: How personality and context factors are related to toxic sexual behaviors against fellow players
Authors: Tang Wai Yen , Reer Felix , Quandt Thorsten
Published: November 2019

Online video games are social spaces for players from around the world. They use this space to form communities, relationships, and identities. However, gaming communities are not always welcoming, and some are even perceived as being “toxic.” A prevalent issue is online sexual harassment, which is keeping many women from participating in the gaming community. Research on the factors contributing to the problem is limited, though. The present study replicates and expands previous research, using a sample of 856 online gamers. The study supports earlier findings that found hostile sexism and social dominance orientation as predictors of sexual harassment perpetration in online video games. In addition, we expanded the previous research with additional predictors: machiavellianism, psychopathy, and gamer identification predicted higher sexual harassment perpetration. Our results have implications for the gaming community's role in curtailing sexual harassment and making itself a more inclusive community.
Neighborhood violent crime and adolescent relationship aggression
Authors: Taylor Bruce G. , Mumford Elizabeth A. , Okeke Nnenna , Rothman Emily
Published: November 2019

Research has shown that neighborhoods play a role in the etiology of violence. However, few adolescent relationship aggression (ARA) studies have objective measures of violent neighborhoods. Drawing on a nationally representative sample of youth, this study examines the association between ARA and local levels of violent crime (measured using geocoded Uniform Crime Report data from each of the youths’ residential neighborhoods). Study analyses are based on survey data from 723 youth (ages 10–18) in current or recent dating relationships (351 males and 372 females) in the Survey on Teen Relationships and Intimate Violence (STRiV), a national representative household panel survey exploring interpersonal violence and related aggression among adolescents. About 19% of the sample reported ARA victimization in their most recent dating relationship (ARA perpetration was 17%). Neighborhood violent crime in the study (males living in 86.9 and females 99.8) was slightly lower than the national average of 100. With a broad national sample, 40% non‐Whites, hypotheses guided by theories of neighborhood influence were tested. The study did not find an association between neighborhood violent crime and ARA victimization and perpetration, controlling for key demographic factors. The results, for a broad range of high‐ and low‐crime neighborhoods, suggest that neighborhood violence does not seem to affect individual rates of ARA. The results suggest the ARA victimization and perpetration are perhaps ubiquitous and found both in low and high violent crime neighborhoods, suggesting that addressing local violent crime rates alone does not seem to be a path to also reducing ARA.
Single Crystal Perovskite Solar Cells: Development and Perspectives
Authors: Cheng Xiao , Yang Shuang , Cao Bingqiang , Tao Xutang , Chen Zhaolai
Published: November 2019

The efficiency of perovskite solar cells has increased to a certified value of 25.2% in the past 10 years, benefiting from the superior properties of metal halide perovskite materials. Compared with the widely investigated polycrystalline thin films, single crystal perovskites without grain boundaries have better optoelectronic properties, showing great potential for photovoltaics with higher efficiency and stability. Additionally, single crystal perovskite solar cells are a fantastic model system for further investigating the working principles related to the surface and grain boundaries of perovskite materials. Unfortunately, only a handful of groups have participated in the development of single crystal perovskite solar cells; thus, the development of this area lags far behind that of its polycrystalline counterpart. Therefore, a review paper that discusses the recent developments and challenges of single crystal perovskite solar cells is urgently required to provide guidelines for this emerging field. In this progress report, the optical and electrical properties of single crystal and polycrystalline perovskite thin films are compared, followed by the recent developments in the growth of single crystal perovskite thin films and the photovoltaic applications of this material. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of single crystal perovskite solar cells are discussed in detail.
Organic Small Molecule Based Photothermal Agents with Molecular Rotors for Malignant Breast Cancer Therapy
Authors: Guo Bing , Huang Zemin , Shi Qi , Middha Eshu , Xu Shidang , Li Ling , Wu Min , Jiang Jianwen , Hu Qinglian , Fu Zhengwei , Liu Bin
Published: November 2019

Organic photothermal nanoagents are promising candidates for treating primary tumors and inhibiting metastasis. However, they often exhibit poor photostability, low absorptivity, or limited photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE). Herein, a facile molecular engineering approach to produce efficient organic photothermal molecules is demonstrated. By integrating donor–acceptor structure and molecular motors, a small molecule (TA1) is synthesized with large absorptivity (22.4 L g−1 cm−1), negligible reactive oxygen species generation, high PCE (84.8%), excellent photothermal stability, and good biocompatibility. Furthermore, microfluidics is used to thoroughly study the relationship between the size and process conditions, yielding small uniform nanoparticles (NPs) with a diameter of 44 nm. Importantly, TA1 NPs under near‐infrared laser irradiation significantly suppressed primary breast tumor growth and metastasis, both in vitro and in vivo. This study shows that small organic molecule nanoparticles are promising candidates for future cancer nanomedicine.
Binding and Internalization in Receptor‐Targeted Carriers: The Complex Role of CD44 in the Uptake of Hyaluronic Acid‐Based Nanoparticles (siRNA Delivery)
Authors: Rios de la Rosa Julio M. , Pingrajai Ponpawee , Pelliccia Maria , Spadea Alice , Lallana Enrique , Gennari Arianna , Stratford Ian J. , Rocchia Walter , Tirella Annalisa , Tirelli Nicola
Published: November 2019

CD44 is an endocytic hyaluronic acid (HA) receptor, and is overexpressed in many carcinomas. This has encouraged the use of HA to design CD44‐targeting carriers. This paper is about dissecting the mechanistic role of CD44. Here, HA‐decorated nanoparticles are used to deliver siRNA to both tumoral (AsPC‐1, PANC‐1, HT‐29, HCT‐116) and non‐tumoral (fibroblasts, differently polarized THP‐1 macrophages, HUVEC) human cell lines, evaluating the initial binding of the nanoparticles, their internalization rate, and the silencing efficiency (cyclophilin B (PPIB) gene). Tumoral cells internalize faster and experience higher silencing than non‐tumoral cells. This is promising as it suggests that, in a tumor, HA nanocarriers may have limited off‐target effects. More far‐reaching is the inter‐relation between the four parameters of the study: CD44 expression, HA binding on cell surfaces, internalization rate, and silencing efficiency. No correlation is found between binding (an early event) and any of the other parameters, whereas silencing correlates both with speed of the internalization process and CD44 expression. This study confirms on one hand that HA‐based carriers can perform a targeted action, but on the other it suggests that this may not be due to a selective binding event, but rather to a later recognition leading to selective internalization.
Highly Sensitive 1T‐MoS2 Pressure Sensor with Wide Linearity Based on Hierarchical Microstructures of Leaf Vein as Spacer
Authors: Yang Tingting , Xiang Haiyan , Qin Chaopeng , Liu Yeru , Zhao Xiaorui , Liu Hang , Li Huimin , Ouzounian Miray , Hong Guo , Chen Hong , Dong Qizhi , Hu Travis Shihao , Liu Song
Published: November 2019

Flexible pressure sensors have attracted considerable interest for their promising applications in future robotics and wearable devices. Pressure sensors with high sensitivity and a wide linear range do not require complex signal processing, and greatly enhance device miniaturization and decrease power consumption. High‐performance pressure sensors are prepared based on 1T molybdenum disulfide within polydimethylsiloxane foams (MoS2‐PDMS) as conductive active layer and with hierarchical micro‐network leaf vein as spacers. Due to the excellent electrical conductivity of 1T MoS2‐PDMS and the novel structural design, they exhibit better properties than previously reported devices, including a high sensitivity of 1036.04 kPa−1 over a wide linear range from 1 to 23 kPa, fast response time (<50 ms), ultralow detectable pressure limit of 6.2 Pa, and excellent repetitive load and unloading stability (10 000 cycles). In addition, its applications in sensing subtle pressure and non‐contact breeze and in monitoring different human motion activities and physiological signals are explored. Some new applications including water pressure testing and subtle fluctuations in water caused by small fish swimming are also investigated. The results demonstrate the tested applications of layered 2D materials in pressure sensors that can be feasibly adopted in next‐generation electronic skin and artificial intelligence.
Strain Engineering for 2D Ferroelectricity in Lead Chalcogenides
Authors: Xu Tao , Wang Xiaoyuan , Mai Jiawei , Zhang Jingtong , Wang Jie , Zhang Tong‐Yi
Published: November 2019

The quest for new 2D ferroelectric materials continues to arouse interest. Based on first‐principles calculations, here, 2D ferroelectric properties in lead chalcogenides PbXs (X = S, Se, and Te) with a thickness of two atomic layers via strain engineering is demonstrated. Although these materials are stable in a rocksalt‐type cubic structure and are intrinsically nonferroelectric materials, an appropriate mechanical strain can readily activate a paraelectric to ferroelectric phase transition and induce in‐plane electric polarization in these atomic layers. The induced polarization magnitude can be as large as 1.90 × 10−10 C m−1 at a biaxial strain of ε = 4.0%, which is comparable in magnitude to that of ultrathin ferroelectric SnTe. The Curie temperature Tc of the materials is also estimated using effective Hamiltonian simulations. The origin of the emerged ferroelectric phase is attributed to softening of the polar mode with applied strain. In addition, the band gaps of the crystals are found to be tunable with applied strain, which can be adjusted to the ideal value of 1.3 eV for photovoltaic applications. The results not only provide a new route to explore ferroelectricity in 2D materials but also suggest promising semiconducting ferroelectrics for solar applications.