bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do surface lateral flows matter for data assimilation of soil moisture observations into hyperresolution land models?
Authors: Sawada Yohei
Published: August 2020

Abstract. It is expected that hyperresolution land modeling substantially innovates
the simulation of terrestrial water, energy, and carbon cycles. The major
advantage of hyperresolution land models against conventional
1-D land surface models is that hyperresolution land models can explicitly simulate lateral water flows. Despite many efforts on data
assimilation of hydrological observations into those hyperresolution land
models, how surface water flows driven by local topography matter for data
assimilation of soil moisture observations has not been fully clarified.
Here I perform two minimalist synthetic experiments where soil moisture
observations are assimilated into an integrated surface–groundwater land model by an ensemble Kalman filter. I discuss how differently the ensemble
Kalman filter works when surface lateral flows are switched on and off. A
horizontal background error covariance provided by overland flows is
important for adjusting the unobserved state variables (pressure head and soil moisture) and parameters (saturated hydraulic conductivity). However, the
non-Gaussianity of the background error provided by the nonlinearity of a
topography-driven surface flow harms the performance of data assimilation.
It is difficult to efficiently constrain model states at the edge of the
area where the topography-driven surface flow reaches by linear-Gaussian
filters. It brings the new challenge in land data assimilation for
hyperresolution land models. This study highlights the importance of surface lateral flows in hydrological data assimilation.
Basal traction mainly dictated by hard-bed physics over grounded regions of Greenland
Authors: Maier Nathan , Gimbert Florent , Gillet-Chaulet Fabien , Gilbert Adrien
Published: August 2020

Abstract. On glaciers and ice sheets, identifying the relationship between velocity and traction is critical to constrain the bed physics that control ice flow. Yet in Greenland, these relationships remain unquantified. We determine the spatial relationship between velocity and traction in all eight drainage catchments of Greenland. The basal traction is estimated using three different methods over large grid cells to minimize interpretation biases associated with unconstrained rheologic parameters used in numerical inversions. We find the relationships are consistent with our current understanding of basal physics in each catchment. We identify catchments that predominantly show Mohr-Coulomb-like behavior typical of deforming beds or significant cavitation, as well as catchments that predominantly show rate-strengthening behavior typical of Weertman-type hard-bed physics. Overall, the traction relationships suggest that the flow field and surface geometry over the grounded regions of the Greenland ice sheet is mainly dictated by Weertman-type hard-bed physics. Given the complex basal boundary across Greenland, the relationships are captured surprisingly well by simple traction laws over the entire velocity range, including regions with velocities over 1000 m/yr, which provide a parameterization that can be used to model ice dynamics at large scales. The results and analysis serve as a fundamental constraint on the physics of basal motion in Greenland and provide unique insight into future dynamics and vulnerabilities in a warming climate.
Adolescentes y ocio: desarrollo positivo y transición hacia la vida adulta
Authors: Albertos Aranzazu , Osorio Alfonso , Beltramo Carlos
Published: August 2020

A partir del siglo XX el ocio ha tenido un papel crucial en la sociedad, la economía, la cultura y la educación. Este hecho ha despertado un gran interés por estudiar la conexión que tiene este fenómeno con los estilos de vida, la satisfacción, el entorno, y la relación entre ocio y trabajo. Este artículo analiza la influencia del ocio en la vida de los jóvenes. En la primera parte, se realiza una revisión bibliográfica de las principales teorías sociológicas y psicológicas que explican su sentido, evolución y relación con el trabajo. En la segunda parte, se expone el modelo de desarrollo positivo, centrado más en el florecimiento del potencial de los jóvenes que en prevenir conductas de riesgo. El uso positivo del tiempo libre se basa en la realización de actividades estructuradas, con participación voluntaria, motivación intrínseca y supervisadas por adultos. Se concluye que la implicación de los jóvenes en asociaciones, organizaciones e instituciones que desarrollen actividades estructuradas de participación voluntaria o autoimplicada facilita la transición a la vida adulta, en relación con el uso constructivo del tiempo unido a un ocio libre y placentero.
Childhood and Citizenship: The viewpoint of the 21st Century
Authors: Cockburn Tom
Published: August 2020

The latter part of the Twentieth Century saw an increasing recognition of children’s claims to citizenship. Significant inroads were made towards children’s rights, placed onto the global agenda by the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1989. The academic field in childhood studies responded to this social movement (Cockburn, 2013; Warming, 2011) by problematising conventional models of citizenship into one that would be fit for purpose to apply to children. This article will outline the key features of childhood studies’ approach to children’s citizenship in the twentieth century. It will then provide a short commentary on the developments this century. Finally, it will identify the themes that are likely to be pertinent now and the near future.
Bullying escolar: a (in)visibilidade do fenômeno e dos protagonistas crianças
Authors: Farenzena Rosana Coronetti
Published: August 2020

Este artigo debruça-se sobre o bullying escolar, fenômeno complexo e ativo nas escolas. Com caráter inovador, também por estruturar-se sobre pesquisa qualitativa, traz resultados de um estudo desenvolvido com três turmas – pré-escola, 1º e 3º ano – de uma escola de educação básica portuguesa. A metodologia envolveu observações diárias nos tempos livres e formais, grupos focais com crianças e entrevistas individuais com professores e funcionárias. Constatamos que práticas de bullying, por diversas formas, são comuns nas três turmas e poucas vezes são percebidas pelos adultos. Crianças de ambos os gêneros exercem papéis de agressoras e de vítimas. No contexto, essas últimas ocupam um lugar social de incapacidade e de não pertencimento. Agressores habituais evidenciam impossibilidade para uma participação lúdica em jogos e brincadeiras. Participar em jogos e brincadeiras é uma condição determinante à pertença e evita possível vitimização. É comum que uma dupla ou um trio de alto desempenho escolar incite os demais pares para práticas de bullying. Pertencer à etnia cigana é um fator automático de discriminação. As crianças são capazes de uma leitura profunda e propositiva do contexto institucional. Há que ser questionado um modelo de escolarização, alheio às crianças e ao seu direito de participação.
O encontro intergeracional entre crianças e idosos como espaço de construção de cidadania na infância
Authors: Silva Ivone Maria Mendes , Silva Simone Cristina Dalbello da
Published: August 2020

Este trabalho apresenta reflexões sobre como a educação das novas gerações para a participação cidadã na vida social pode ser fomentada por projetos promotores de encontros intergeracionais entre crianças e idosos. Como aporte teórico do trabalho são encapadas contribuições de autores/as que abordam as interconexões entre infância, cidadania e educação, como Hannah Arendt e Manuel Jacinto Sarmento. O desenho metodológico do estudo incluiu a realização de pesquisa etnográfica, com uso de observação participante e recolhimento de narrativas produzidas por crianças e idosos ao longo de sua participação no projeto “Idosos Mestres da Vida”, desenvolvido em escolas públicas de Concórdia-SC. Foi possível observar que o projeto funcionou como um espaço de coeducação, ao possibilitar a ampliação do horizonte de experiências e conhecimentos dos sujeitos participantes. Conclui-se que o convite feito às crianças para que identificassem relações entre presente e passado histórico instigou-as a produzirem reflexões sobre os processos que afetam a organização da vida social na atualidade e em outros tempos, bem como seus sentidos e implicações. O fomento dessa capacidade de leitura crítica da realidade representa um vetor fundamental para a constituição de sujeitos cidadãos plenos, capazes de se responsabilizarem não apenas pela cidadania individual, mas também comunitária e social.
EL CONCEPTO DE LIBERTAD EN LA TEORÍA POLÍTICA DE NORBERTO BOBBIO
Authors: Bernal Pulido Carlos
Published: August 2020

Este ensayo ofrece una reconstrucción crítica del concepto de libertad de Norberto Bobbio. Un estudio histórico y analítico de su obra conduce a la identifi - cación de tres usos descriptivos del concepto de libertad: la libertad negativa o liberal, la libertad democrática o autonomía, y la libertad positiva, o de tipo socialista. En la segunda parte se analizan los alcances y las limitaciones de estos tres conceptos de libertad y se subrayan la insufi ciencia de la dicotomía entre libertad negativa y positiva, la incompatibilidad del concepto del concepto de libertad negativa con la libertad reforzada de los derechos fundamentales y con la fundamentación independiente de los derechos sociales.
PROBLEMAS CONCEPTUALES EN ALGUNOS MODELOS DE VALIDEZ NORMATIVA
Authors: G. de la Vega René
Published: August 2020

Como casi todos los conceptos fi losófi cos, el de «validez normativa» tiene altos grados de ambigüedad y de vaguedad. En este trabajo me encargo de analizar la postura de distintos autores que han tratado de dar respuesta a la pregunta ¿qué significa que una norma sea «válida»? Para ello, tomo como hilo conductor la obra de Ernesto Garzón Valdés. Esto se debe a que los trabajos de Ernesto Garzón dedicados a este tema, le ofrecen al lector un análisis crítico y comprensivo de algunas de las posturas teóricas más relevantes sobre el concepto de validez normativa. Asimismo, trabajar a través de su obra tiene un doble benefi cio: por un lado, no sólo nos permite conocer a fondo la postura teórica de autores que pertenecen a distintas corrientes del pensamiento, como Hans Kelsen, H.L.A. Hart, Francisco Suárez o von Wright por ejemplo, sino que, por el otro, nos permite conocer la postura del mismo Garzón y sus críticas a los diferentes modelos conceptuales.
KRONMAN, EL DERECHO DE LOS CONTRATOS Y LA JUSTICIA DISTRIBUTIVA
Authors: Hevia Martín
Published: August 2020

En “Contract Law and Distributive Justice”, Anthony Kronman sostiene que la voluntariedad en los contratos debe entenderse completamente en base a una concepción de la justicia distributiva. En este ensayo me propongo cuestionar la tesis distributiva de Kronman. El problema central de tal tesis es que entiende a la interacción contractual entre las partes meramente como un medio para promover la justicia distributiva. Mi tesis es que, por tal razón, tal teoría no da cuenta de algunos aspectos centrales del derecho de los contratos tales como el efecto relativo de los contratos y el rol central del consentimiento.
EXTRANJEROS Y CIUDADANOS
Authors: H. Carens Joseph
Published: August 2020

Muchas personas pobres y oprimidas dejan sus paísesen el tercer mundo para veniralas ricas sociedades occidentales. Este artículo sostiene que hay pocas justificaciones para mantenerlos fuera. Su inspiración abreva de tres aproximaciones contemporáneas a la teoría política-la de Rawls, la de Nozick y el utilitarismo para construir argumentos a favor de la apertura de fronteras. El hecho de que, a pesar de sus significativos desacuerdos en otros temas, en esta materia las tres teorías converjan en las mismas conclusiones, fortalece el argumento a favor de la apertura de fronteras y revela su fundamentación en nuestro compromiso en respetar a todos los seres humanos como personas morales libres e iguales. La parte final del ensayo considera los argumentos comunitaristas que objetan la anterior conclusión, en especial los formulados por Michael Walzer.
POR QUÉ UNA CONCEPCIÓN RESTRICTIVA DE LA RAZÓN PÚBLICA VIOLA LA NEUTRALIDAD ESTATAL
Authors: C. Montero Julio
Published: August 2020

La tesis central de este artículo es que la concepción de la razón pública propuesta por John Rawls, incluso en su versión “inclusiva”, es demasiado restrictiva y viola el principio liberal de legitimidad y la tesis de la neutralidad del estado, que constituyen elementos centrales de la teoría política de Rawls y del liberalismo político en general. Finalmente, se propone una concepción alternativa de la razón pública liberal, centrada únicamente en un deber básico de civilidad, el deber de reciprocidad, a la que denominaré la concepción “abierta” de la razón pública.
Overview of non-innovator biological products in India
Authors: Soni G R
Published: August 2020

As per regulatory requirements, biosimilar drugs must show high similarity to their reference product in quality, preclinical and clinical tests. It is by these means that biosimilars are considered to be safe and efficacious. In India, any major deviation(s) from science-based principles in the manufacturing of a recombinant DNA-derived therapeutic biological product leads to its classification as a ‘non-innovator’ biological, which are approved as ‘New Drugs’. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these biological products have uncertain safety and efficacy when compared to the reference biological and are therefore not recommended for use. However, these so-called non-innovator biological products continue to be developed in India, for reasons including brief and poorly implemented guidelines on biologicals, a lack of expertise on biosimilars amongst drug regulatory committees, lack of coordination among government departments working on biosimilars, poor quality accreditation in testing laboratories, and a lack of patent protection for innovator drugs. There is an urgent need to identify deficiencies in the ministries responsible for biosimilars in India, which could be through a scientific audit. Compliance with such an audit could strengthen the Indian regulatory system and thus increase the provision of affordable, high quality biosimilars in India.
Importance of the determination of the higher order structure in the in-use stability studies of biopharmaceuticals
Authors: Astier Alian A
Published: August 2020

Knowledge of the higher order structure of proteins is important in biopharmacological studies, such as in biosimilar comparability studies. This paper describes the analytical methods available to determine higher order structures. It finds that, although other methods exist, spectroscopic methods remain most commonly used.
A TRINDADE E A GLÓRIA DO ESTADO MODERNO
Authors: Souza Daniel Santos
Published: August 2020

Este artigo realiza uma análise político-teológica do estado a partir dos acontecimentos de junho de 2013. Esses eventos foram decisivos para a compreensão da política brasileira, pois colocaram em questão os modos de vida esperados em uma dinâmica de cidade e, também, os modos de organização da política em sua democracia liberal. O ponto decisivo desse texto é apresentar a relação entre dois polos do estado (soberania e biopolítica) como uma determinada teologia trinitária, algo evidenciado pelo filósofo Giorgio Agamben. A hipótese é que junho desvela essa atuação da máquina governamental. Com essa perspectiva, metodologicamente, esse artigo analisa, desde as provocações agambeanas, algumas grafias – como pichações, cartazes e faixas – feitas durante esse período. Como estrutura, esse artigo está dividido em algumas partes: i) uma introdução que retoma a técnica como uma problemática de junho de 2013; ii) a investigação das relações entre trindade e o estado moderno; iii) a apresentação da inoperosidade no centro da máquina governamental do estado; e iv) a relação entre as tentativas de encobrimento do vazio anárquico do estado, por meio dos dispositivos aclamatórios, e os rastros de junho potentes em sua capacidade inoperosa.
MATAR NOSSOS DEUSES
Authors: Carmo Solange Maria , Calil Eduardo César
Published: August 2020

Em tempos de pandemia, as imagens de Deus cultivadas no imaginário religioso de nossa gente são colocadas em xeque. Elas não dão conta de explicar a dor e o sofrimento pelos quais a humanidade tem passado. A teologia cristã tem a tarefa de ajudar a desmontar essas imagens para dar lugar ao Deus de Jesus Cristo.
Communication Through Creative Drama in Architectural Education: Example of Basic Design Course
Authors: Kılıçaslan Hare
Published: August 2020

Man lives in a physical and social environment. It is necessary to be open to all communication in the classroom environment for ensuring an effective learning process. Since the number of students has been increased in recent years, it was inevitable to use different methods in education. It is inevitable to enable the interaction between teacher and teacher, teacher and learner as well as the interaction between learner and learner. In addition, it is necessary to establish learning environments based on the exchange of information and ideas alongside the intellectual and experiential activities based on communication. Since the creative drama focuses on the student, it is a method that will encourage the students to actively participate by sharing the knowledge, skills, and perspectives of the students in the classroom. The study was conducted with 24 students who took the Basic Design course in Architecture Department of Faculty of Architecture of Karadeniz Technical University during the fall semester of the 2012-2013 academic year. It was aimed to determine the effects of the creative drama method in the establishment of communication by giving 7 hours of Basic Design course in the creative method. Following the results of the research, it has been concluded that the creative drama method is effective for enriching the communication and interaction between the students.
Alchemy in Russian Literature
Authors: Isakhanli Hamlet
Published: August 2020

Along with sciences, alchemical activity heavily influenced literature and art, and the images of alchemists were widely reflected in the works of poets, writers, artists, philosophers, and scientists. In Eastern and Western literature of ancient, medieval, and modern times, alchemy, together with the intriguing images of alchemists, was used also as a source of vivid metaphors.
This article is devoted to the subject of alchemy in Russian literature, investigating which writers were interested in it and how it was developed in Russia. Prominent Russian authors’ poetic and prosaic writings have been perused throughout the research paper and it is believed that the images of alchemists portrayed by Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol, Alexander Herzen, Nikolai Ogarev, Alexei Tolstoy, and Mikhail Bulgakov were of European origin.
Efectos de la suplementación de la L-carnitina sobre la composición corporal de ratas entrenadas y sedentarias
Authors: Gómez R. , de Arruda M. , Borges F. , Cossio Bolaños M.A.
Published: August 2020

El objetivo del presente estudio es determinar el efecto de la suplementación de L-carnitina sobre la composición corporal de ratas entrenadas y sedentarias. Fueron seleccionadas de forma aleatoria 30 ratas machos Wistar, de 12 semanas de vida, cuyo peso osciló entre 350 a 380 gramos, constituyéndose cuatro grupos de animales: sedentario no suplementado (SNS), sedentario suplementado (SS), entrenado no suplementado (ENS) y entrenado suplementado (ES). El entrenamiento fue realizado con sesiones de carrera en la estera rodante, con duración de una hora y con suplementación oral crónica de L-Carnitina. Ambos protocolos con una duración de 4 semanas. La composición corporal fue evaluada a través de ecuaciones de predicción para determinar la masa libre de grasa (MLG) y masa de grasa (MG). Los resultados muestran que el entrenamiento físico disminuye los valores de la MLG y MG en el grupo ENS, y que la administración de la L-carnitina en forma conjunta con el entrenamiento físico revierte parcialmente la reducción de la MLG en el grupo ES. Finalmente se concluye que el ejercicio físico debe ser realizado juntamente con la suplementación de L-carnitina, permitiendo una disminución de la MG y mantener los niveles de MLG en ratas en proceso de crecimiento.

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on body composition of trained and sedentary rats. Were randomly selected 30 male Wistar rats of 12 weeks of age, whose weight ranged between 350 to 380 grams, four groups of animals: sedentary non-supplemented (SNS), sedentary supplemented (SS), trained not supplemented (ENS) trained and supplemented (ES). The training was done with sessions running on a treadmill, lasting an hour and chronic oral supplementation of L-carnitine. Both protocols with a duration of 4 weeks. Body composition was assessed by prediction equations to determine fat-free (FFM) and fat mass (FM). The results show that physical training decreases the values of FFM and FM in the ENS group, and that the administration of L-carnitine together with physical training partially reverses the reduction of MLG in ES. Finally concluded that physical exercise should be conducted jointly with the supplementation of L-carnitine, allowing a reduction in the MG and maintain levels in rats MLG growth process.
Sistema Aquíleo Calcáneo Plantar
Authors: Leal Serra V.
Published: August 2020

El Sistema Aquíleo Calcáneo Plantar fue descrito por los Profesores Arandes y Viladot el año 1953 demostrando cómo el Tríceps sural que termina en el tendón de Aquiles, se refleja en la tuberosidad del calcáneo, continuando con la aponeurosis plantar y la musculatura corta plantar, hasta llegar a insertarse en los dedos del pie. Esto representó, desde el punto de vista biomecánico, un gran avance para la comprensión de la marcha, la carrera y el salto en el homo erectus.

The Achillean-calcaneous-plantar system was described by Professors Arandes and Viladot the year 1953 showing how the sural triceps that finishes in the Achilles’ tendon, reflects itself in the tuberosity of the calcaneus bone, continuing with the plantar aponeurosis and the short plantar muscles, until insertion in the toes. This was, from a biomechanical point of view, a great advance for the understanding of the walk, the run and the jump in the homo erectus.
Phenomenology
Authors: Engelland Chad
Published: August 2020

A concise and accessible introduction to phenomenology, which investigates the experience of experience.

This volume in the MIT Press Essential Knowledge series offers a concise and accessible introduction to phenomenology, a philosophical movement that investigates the experience of experience. Founded by Edmund Husserl (1859–1938) and expounded by Max Scheler, Martin Heidegger, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and others, phenomenology ventures forth into the field of experience so that truth might be met in the flesh. It investigates everything as experienced. It does not study mere appearance but the true appearances of things, holding that the unfolding of experience allows us to sort true appearances from mere appearance.

The book unpacks a series of terms—world, flesh, speech, life, truth, love, and wonder—all of which are bound up with each other in experience. For example, world is where experience takes place; flesh names the way our experiential exploration is inscribed into the bearings of our bodily being; speech is instituted in bodily presence; truth concerns the way our claims about things are confirmed by our experience. A chapter on the phenomenological method describes it as a means of clarifying the modality of experience that is written into its very fabric; and a chapter on the phenomenological movement bridges its divisions while responding to criticisms from analytic philosophy and postmodernism.
Expression of different L1 isoforms of Mastomys natalensis papillomavirus as mechanism to circumvent adaptive immunity
Authors: Fu Yingying , Cao Rui , Schäfer Miriam , Stephan Sonja , Braspenning-Wesch Ilona , Schmitt Laura , Bischoff Ralf , Müller Martin , Schäfer Kai , Vinzón Sabrina E , Rösl Frank , Hasche Daniel
Published: August 2020

Although many high-risk mucosal and cutaneous human papillomaviruses (HPVs) theoretically have the potential to synthesize L1 isoforms differing in length, previous seroepidemiological studies only focused on the short L1 variants, co-assembling with L2 to infectious virions. Using the multimammate mouse Mastomys coucha as preclinical model, this is the first study demonstrating seroconversion against different L1 isoforms during the natural course of papillomavirus infection. Intriguingly, positivity with the cutaneous MnPV was accompanied by a strong seroresponse against a longer L1 isoform, but to our surprise, the raised antibodies were non-neutralizing. Only after a delay of around 4 months, protecting antibodies against the short L1 appeared, enabling the virus to successfully establish an infection. This argues for a novel humoral immune escape mechanism that may also have important implications on the interpretation of epidemiological data in terms of seropositivity and protection of PV infections in general.
Balancing excitation and inhibition in the autistic brain
Authors: Pretzsch Charlotte M , Floris Dorothea L
Published: August 2020

A metric called the Hurst exponent could be a useful biomarker for studies exploring brain differences between men and women with autism spectrum disorder.
Expression of Aspergillus niger glucose oxidase in Pichia pastoris and its antimicrobial activity against Agrobacterium and Escherichia coli
Authors: Wang Yonggang , Wang Jiangqin , Leng Feifan , Ma Jianzhong , Bagadi Alnoor
Published: August 2020

The gene encoding glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger ZM-8 was cloned and transferred to Pichia pastoris GS115, a transgenic strain P. pastoris GS115-His-GOD constructed. The growth curve of P. pastoris GS115-His-GOD was consistent with that of Pichia pastoris GS115-pPIC9K under non-induced culture conditions. Under methanol induction conditions, the growth of the GOD-transgenic strain was significantly lowered than P. pastoris GS115-pPIC9K with the induced-culture time increase, and the optical densities of GOD-transgenic strain reached one-third of that of the P. pastoris GS115-pPIC9K at 51 h. The activity of glucose oxidase in the cell-free supernatant, the supernatant of cell lysate, and the precipitation of cell lysate was 14.3 U/mL, 18.2 U/mL and 0.48 U/mL, respectively. The specific activity of glucose oxidase was 8.3 U/mg, 6.52 U/mg and 0.73 U/mg, respectively. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide formed by glucose oxidase from supernatant of the fermentation medium, the supernatant of the cell lysate, and the precipitation of cell lysate catalyzing 0.2 M glucose was 14.3 μg/mL, 18.2 μg/mL, 0.48 μg/mL, respectively. The combination of different concentrations of glucose oxidase and glucose could significantly inhibit the growth of Agrobacterium and Escherichia coli in logarithmic phase. The filter article containing supernatant of the fermentation medium, supernatant of the cell lysate, and precipitation of cell lysate had no inhibitory effect on Agrobacterium and E. coli. The minimum inhibitory concentration of hydrogen peroxide on the plate culture of Agrobacterium and E. coli was 5.6 × 103 μg/mL and 6.0 × 103 μg/mL, respectively.
Gender, Political Participation and Representation: The Nigeria Story
Authors: Karubi Nwanesi Peter , Wasudawan Komathi
Published: August 2020

Aims: This article aims to examines women's political participation and representation in Nigeria. The study employed the 2019s Nigeria general election data with an emphasis on the number of men and women candidates for various seats and posts.

Study Design: The study implemented quantitative and qualitative research approach.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was held in Nigeria between February and March 2019 within the duration of the General Elections (GE).

Methodology: Data dwelled more on the secondary data from the Nigeria Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) such as Final List of Senatorial Candidates, Final List of Governorship Candidates, Final List of Presidential Candidates, Final List of State House of Assembly Candidates, and Final List of Candidates for House of Representatives followed by interviews.

Results: The findings indicate that even though women in Nigeria are politically active, they are not considered equal to their men counterparts - a product of patriarchal inclination. Certainly, Nigerian society still subscribes to the senseless connotation of: ‘women’, what do they know? A common phrase employed even in an ordinary family conversation. Besides, women participants lack financial backup and social support for political positions.

Conclusion: Women’s low proportion of political representation at the highest levels of politics is a persistent issue in gender stratification in Africa, but paramount in Nigeria. Despite advances in women’s educational level and economic participation, the findings in this study have shown that women in Nigeria have little or no significant progress with respect to political representation in the country’s political sphere.
The Effects of Peer Conflict Resolution Skills Training on Children’s Psychosocial Development
Authors: Angu Roland Nji
Published: August 2020

This research work was aimed at investigating the effects of peer conflict resolution skills training on the psychosocial development of children. Specifically, the author sought to provide answer to one research question which was: What is the role of play as a peer conflict resolution tool? The theoretical underpinning of this study was Morton Deutsch’s theory of cooperation and competition. The study was also informed by Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s theories on play. A pretest posttest quasi-experimental design was adopted whereby 36 male and female children between 6 to 10 years old were randomly selected for the study. These children were all in class five of secondary school. Eighteen of the selected samples were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the other eighteen to the control group. The children in the experimental group were trained on peer conflict resolution skills for a month (8 sessions in total, 2 days a week, approximately 30 minutes a day) while the children in the control group did not benefit from any such training. A five point Likert scale questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection. An observation check list was also employed to measure children’s post training conflict resolution skills. Data were analyzed using the t-test where the mean scores of both the experimental and control groups were compared, as well as a comparison of the mean scores for the pre and post-tests scores. Results indicate that children who took part in the training learnt how to use play to negotiate their differences. They also learnt how to use humor to manage anger. Recommendations were made to parents and teachers to use instances of children’s disagreements as opportunity to teach them of appropriate peer conflict resolution skills rather than just dispelling such emerging differences/disagreements as bad.
A Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic, Pathogenesis, Clinical Features and Management Options, Public Health Measures
Authors: George Mukoro Duke
Published: August 2020

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 is an unknown corona virus causing COVID-19 disease responsible for the ongoing pandemic affecting over 190 countries, with a mortality rate of about 5%. The high mortality rate resulted from its ability to elicit cytokine storm via non-specific immune response with delay in specific immune response, notably worst in the elderly, HIV, immunocompromised and cancer diseased patients. The article therefore provides frontline health care workers, the opportunity to understand and equip themselves with management options, public health measures used in coping with COVID-19 infections and enables personnel to make quick preparation for Symptomatic COVID-19 infection in-order to reduce mortalities in health facilities. It also provides a summarised teaching material for medical and allied health students around the world.

Methodology: Credible data and information were obtained from the World health organization situation report, Johns Hopkins University Corona Virus resource centre and other notable journal publications. Most information was on public domain.

Results: Clinical features reported include pneumonia, renal dysfunction, hepatobiliary dysfunction and residual tissue damage, especially in the lungs in those that survive. The literature highlights the blood work-up picture (Leucopenia, increased cytokines IL-6, ferritin, Serum creatinine, urea, AST, GGT, ALT and Viremia) and radiological features of the disease. ELISA and RT-qPCR test are required for diagnosis using sputum, or pharyngeal swab, blood, serum, urine and faecal samples which lead to faeco-oral transmission. ELISA/RT-PCR is also required for disease exclusions in co-existing epidemics such as MERS-CoV, SARS-COV and other viral diseases. Treatment modalities employed thus far are trials that have produce results including targeted therapy, anti-retroviral, Favipiravir, Remdesivir, antibody-serum and antimalaria drugs such as chloroquine and quinine which are found among some protocols in African setting and other developing countries. Currently, ongoing preventive measures (face mask, social distancing and hand hygiene, community testing, isolation of confirmed cases and tracking of the exposed, remain the key corner-stone in the management of COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion: COVID -19 disease still remain unclear to many scientists and its pandemic still ongoing. There are many research and clinical trials ongoing while some drugs are used off-label in-order to mitigate the damage caused by the virus in Human body. Cytokine storm needs immunomodulators and viral targeted therapy as discussed in-order to reduce tissue damage, and eventually morbidity and mortalities from COVID-19 infections.
Lead Scratch Resolution through Wirebonding Process Optimization on QFN Packages
Authors: Pulido Jonathan , Gomez Frederick Ray , Jr. Edwin Graycochea
Published: August 2020

With the continuous trend of new technologies in semiconductor manufacturing assembly, challenges and issues are unavoidable. This paper presents an improvement done in quad-flat no-leads (QFN) leadframe package to resolve the quantity of unit rejection due to leads scratch underneath the leadframe. Moreover, the reject manifestation was captured after wirebonding process. Parameter optimization particularly for the second bond with the combination of bond force and bond scrubbing parameters was done to totally eliminate this type of issue after wirebonding process. With the wirebonding process optimization and improvement done, a reduction of 95 percent of leads scratch occurrence was achieved.
Experimental Investigation of the Electrical Resistivity of Cement Dust
Authors: Odewale Stephen Ayodele , Sonibare Jacob Ademola , Ayofe Oluwatobiloba Alade , Oke Michael Abidemi
Published: August 2020

Electrical resistivity is one of the important particle–based factors influencing the performance of an Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP), a particulate control device commonly employed in most cement industries in Nigeria. Therefore, this study investigated the electrical resistivity of Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) across nine locally-operated cement manufacturing plants in Nigeria with the aim of tracing causes of performance problems associated with the ESP used for dust control in the plants. Samples of CKD were collected from the ESPs of these plants and tested for their resistance using the two probe method. The measured electrical resistivities were in the range of 108 – 1011 Ω·cm and showed strong dependence on temperature and slight variation with particle size. The CKD’s resistivity increases as temperature rises from ambient to about 250℃ and declines as temperature rises above 300℃; Nevertheless, the resistivities are adaptable for efficient ESP performance in the collection of cement dust.
Quality Control Measurement and in vitro Bioequivalence of Candesartan Cilexetil Tablets Marketed in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bratty Mohammed Al- , Alhazmi Hassan A. , Makeen Hafiz A. , Najmi Asim , Alam Md Shamsher , Ageeli Rabea Mussa Rabea , Muzafar Hisham M. A. , Alam Nawazish , Alam M. Intakhab
Published: August 2020

Aim: Some generics were reported to be counterfeit and inferior quality than the innovators. This study was aimed to make sure about the compliance with standard specifications and evaluation of the quality of different selected brands (generic and innovator), after performing different pharmacopeial quality control tests, of Candesartan cilexetil tablets (16 mg) commercially available in Saudi Arabia for hypertensive patients.

Study Design: In vitro study of tablets.

Place and Duration of Study: College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, KSA, between September 2018 and May 2019.           

Methodology: The different generic brands of Candesartan cilexetil (CC) and innovator brand (16 mg) were subjected to weight variation, hardness, friability, assay, and disintegration tests following the established protocols. The purity of active ingredient was authenticated by comparative analysis of FT-IR spectra with pure drug. In vitro bioequivalence was studied after analyzing the results of dissolution summaries in phosphate buffer (pH 6.5) mixed with polysorbate 20 (0.35% v/v).

Results: The results of the tests conducted for evaluation of the tablets were found to be in acceptable limits for all the selected brands. After comparative analysis of FT-IR spectra with pure drug, it was inferred that correct active ingredient was used for the preparation of tablets. The drug release profile exhibited 96.89 – 101.97% of release of CC from all generic brands, in comparison to 99.4% for innovator brand after 60 min of study. The assessment of difference factor (f1<15) and similarity factor (f2>50) revealed the resemblance of generic brands with that of innovator brand. Furthermore, the dissolution efficiency (DE = ±10% of the innovator value) of all generic brands (73.12 – 73.25%) exhibited equivalency with that of innovator brand (70.45%).

Conclusion: The selected generics were considered to be biopharmaceutically equivalent to the innovator and maintained their efficacy. As a consequence, these brands can be used interchangeably by the hypertensive patients in Saudi Arabia.
Analytical Pattern in Dermatoglyphics
Authors: Sruthy S. R. , Thomas Jayakar
Published: August 2020

Aim: The aim was to study the analytical pattern in dermatoglyphics.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in Skin Opd, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 100 participants with different hand dermatitis pattern were included in the study. All patients were subjected to: 1. Complete history, 2. Dermatological examination, 3. Finger print pattern of all the patients, 4. Informed consent.

Results: This hospital-based study involved 100 patients with Psoriasis (47) Eczema (23) Dermatophytosis (12), Syphilis (3), Drug reaction (5) Palmar keratoderma. (10), the most common being psoriasis and eczema. In psoriasis patients, whorl pattern was the commonest (48.29%), followed by 31.43% loop, 21.43% arch and 2.86% composite pattern. In eczema patients, loop and whorl pattern was found in (44.74%) followed by 34.23% loop, 22.43% arch and 1.86% composite pattern.

Conclusion: The palmar pattern intensities were increased in both sexes, while the digital pattern intensities were increased in males and decreased in females. TFRC was increased in males and decreased in female patients. In both cases and controls, TFRC was more in males than females. A-b count showed a significant reduction in both sexes.
Complement evasion strategies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato
Authors: Dulipati Vinaya , Meri Seppo , Panelius Jaana
Published: August 2020

Borreliosis (Lyme disease) is a spirochetal disease caused by the species complex of Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by Ixodes spp. ticks. Recorded to be the most common tick‐borne disease in the world, the last two decades have seen an increase in disease incidence and distribution, exceeding 360 000 cases in Europe alone. If untreated, infection may cause skin symptoms, arthritis, and neurological or cardiac complications. Borrelia spirochetes have developed strategies to evade the mammalian host immune system. These include the complement system, which is an important first‐line defense mechanism against invading microbes. To evade the complement, spirochetes bind soluble complement regulators factor H (FH), factor H‐like protein, and C4bp to their outer surfaces. B. burgdorferi spirochetes can inhibit the classical pathway of complement by the outer surface protein (Osp) BBK32, which blocks the activation of the C1 complex, composed of C1q, C1r, and C1s. The FH‐binding proteins of borreliae include Osps OspE, CspA, and CspZ. Following repeated infections, antibodies against these proteins develop and may provide functional immunity against borreliosis. This review discusses critical immune evasion strategies, focusing on complement evasion by borreliae.
Cleavage of the outer membrane protein OmpX by protealysin regulates Serratia proteamaculans invasion
Authors: Tsaplina Olga , Demidyuk Ilya , Artamonova Tatiana , Khodorkovsky Mikhail , Khaitlina Sofia
Published: August 2020

Protealysin is a thermolysin‐like protease of Serratia proteamaculans capable of specifically cleaving actin, which correlates with the invasive activity of these bacteria. Here, we show that inactivation of the protealysin gene does not inhibit invasion but, in contrast, leads to a twofold increase in the S. proteamaculans invasive activity. By mass spectrometry, we identified the outer membrane protein OmpX as a substrate of protealysin. Recombinant E. coli carrying the OmpX gene truncated by 40 N‐terminal residues or both the OmpX and protealysin genes, in contrast to the full‐length OmpX, do not increase adhesion of these bacteria, indicating that the 40 N‐terminal residues of OmpX are indispensable for S. proteamaculans invasion. Our results show that both protealysin and its substrates can stimulate Serratia invasion.
Evolution of bubble size distribution, number density, and shape in semi‐batch vertical gas–liquid Taylor vortex flow
Authors: Ramezani Mahdi , Haghighat Arya , Legg Meesha J. , Vigil R. Dennis , Olsen Michael G.
Published: August 2020

Bubble size distribution and bubble ellipticity were measured as a function of axial position in a vertically oriented semi‐batch gas–liquid Taylor vortex reactor with varying gas flow rate and inner cylinder rotation speed producing axial Reynolds numbers in the range 23.8–119 and azimuthal Reynolds numbers up to 4.2 × 104. The mean bubble size increases monotonically with axial distance from the bottom of the reactor at the location of gas injection. The functional form of the growth of the mean bubble size with axial position depends upon the azimuthal Reynolds number. Specifically, when the azimuthal Reynolds number is less than 1.3 × 104, the mean bubble size increases linearly with axial distance from the bubble injection point. In contrast, for azimuthal Reynolds numbers greater than this critical value, the mean bubble size increases with axial distance in a sigmoidal manner.
Ultrasound parameters to identify and diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. A review of the literature
Authors: Linehan Callum , Childs Jessie , Quinton Ann E. , Aziz Aamer
Published: August 2020

Numerous works of literature have assessed the use of ultrasound to detect carpal tunnel syndrome, suggesting various techniques and cut‐off values. Currently, an effective parameter and cut‐off value are still debated. The aim of this review is to determine if these parameters have sufficient rigour to allow their use in clinical practice. Twenty‐one studies using sonographic parameters to identify carpal tunnel syndrome in comparison with electrodiagnostic testing (EDx) were selected for review. Methodological differences were found between studies in the use of EDx criteria, scanning and recruitment protocols, with participant biometrics often not reported. Parameters including the cross‐sectional area of the median nerve at the level of the pisiform bone in addition to the wrist‐to‐forearm difference demonstrated high diagnostic utility for set cut‐off values. Doppler techniques and mobility are promising, and further research is required to understand the effectiveness of these techniques.
Supercritical Water is not Hydrogen Bonded
Authors: Schienbein Philipp , Marx Dominik
Published: August 2020

Thinking about water is inextricably linked to hydrogen bonds, which are highly directional in character and determine the unique structure of water, in particular its tetrahedral H‐bond network. Here, we assess if this common connotation also holds for supercritical water. We employ extensive ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to systematically monitor the evolution of the H‐bond network mode of water from room temperature, where it is the hallmark of its fluctuating three‐dimensional network structure, to supercritical conditions. Our simulations reveal that the oscillation period required for H‐bond vibrations to occur exceeds the lifetime of H‐bonds in supercritical water by far. Instead, the corresponding low‐frequency intermolecular vibrations of water pairs as seen in supercritical water are found to be well represented by isotropic van‐der‐Waals interactions only. Based on these findings, we conclude that water in its supercritical phase is not a H‐bonded fluid.
Time–temperature–transformation (TTT) and TTT–viscosity diagrams of a typical benzoxazine resin
Authors: Xue Xuan , Xiao Tianming , Liu Yu , Ran Qichao
Published: August 2020

Benzoxazine resins have attracted much attention because of their excellent properties. As a new kind of thermosetting resin, their gelation and vitrification behaviors during the curing process are worth studying for promoting their development, but few research works have been done on this subject. In this work, an ordinary diamine‐type benzoxazine resin (PH‐ddm) was chosen as a research object. Its curing kinetics were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and a phenomenological model was used to get equal curing degree curves reflecting the relationship among curing degree, curing temperature and time. Moreover, a gelation curve and a vitrification curve of PH‐ddm based on an Arrhenius equation and a DiBenedetto equation were obtained by parallel plate rheometer and modulated DSC (MDSC), respectively. Then, a well‐known time–temperature–transformation (TTT) diagram was plotted. Besides, the rheological behavior of PH‐ddm was analyzed through rotatory viscometer testing and modified double Arrhenius equation to obtain the equal viscosity curves. A TTT–viscosity diagram was obtained through combining the equal viscosity curves with the TTT diagram. This is the first time for using the TTT diagram to investigate the curing process of benzoxazine resins. Our results provide an effective method to optimizing molding conditions of the benzoxazine resins.