bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changing Characteristics of Runoff and Freshwater Export From Watersheds Draining Northern Alaska
Authors: Rawlins Michael A. , Cai Lei , Stuefer Svetlana L. , Nicolsky Dmitry
Published: February 2019

Abstract. The quantity and quality of river discharge in arctic regions is influenced by many processes including climate, watershed attributes and, increasingly, hydrological cycle intensification and permafrost thaw. We used a hydrological model to quantify baseline conditions and investigate the changing character of hydrological elements for Arctic watersheds between Point Barrow and just west of Mackenzie River over the period 1981–2010. The region annually exports 28.1 km3 yr−1 of freshwater via river discharge, with 51.9 % (14.6 km3 yr−1) coming collectively from the Colville, Kuparuk, and Sagavanirktok rivers. Our results point to significant (p < 0.05) increases (134–212 % of average) in cold season discharge (CSD) for several large North Slope rivers including the Colville and Kuparuk, and for the region as a whole. A significant increase in the proportion of subsurface runoff to total runoff is noted for the region and 24 of 42 study basins, with the change most prevalent across the northern foothills of the Brooks Range. Relatively large increases in simulated active-layer thickness (ALT) suggest a physical connection between warming climate, permafrost degradation, and increasing subsurface flow to streams and rivers. A decline in terrestrial water storage (TWS) is attributed to losses in soil ice that outweigh gains in soil liquid water storage. Over the 30 yr period the timing of peak spring (freshet) discharge shifts earlier by 4.5 days, though the time trend is only marginally (p = 0.1) significant. These changing characteristics of Arctic rivers have important implications for water, carbon, and nutrient cycling in coastal environments.
Choosing Impairment: Conflicting Interests
Authors: Metternick-Jones Selina
Published: February 2019

The integration of reproductive genetic testing into clinical care presents both opportunities and challenges for parents in regards to shaping the lives of their future children. The relationship between parents and their future children has become more complex and new questions are being raised in relation to the extent of parental responsibility to future generations. This paper explores the ethical permissibility of using pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to select for impairment, through the use of two case studies involving identity-affecting decisions. Through analysing harm using both a personal and impersonal approach, it is concluded that if a couple, or single reproducer, have a choice between an impaired and healthy embryo, and that the same number of children would result from selection, there is a moral obligation for parents to select the ones which will have an acceptable level of interest fulfilment and a normal opportunity for health.
Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Daniel Ansari
Authors: Sahota Jas , Kim Nicole
Published: February 2019

Dr. Daniel Ansari is an Associate Professor at the Brain and Mind Institute at Western University where he holds a Canada Research Chair in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. Dr. Ansari has won many awards for his work, including the Schloessmann Award, the Society for Research in Child Development Early Contribution Award, and the APA Division 7 (Developmental Psychology) Boyd McCandless Award. His research focuses on discerning which regions of the brain are involved in our ability to calculate, such as how activation of the brain is affected during calculation by the particular arithmetic operation being performed. Jas Sahota and Nicole Kim spoke with Dr. Ansari about his work and research.
Oil Price and Exchange Rate Nexus-Evidence From Nigeria
Authors: Mohammed Dauda , Afangideh J. Udoma , Ogundele Oloruntoba S.
Published: February 2019

Price swings at international crude oil market significantly impact on macroeconomic fundamentals of oil dependent countries. Hence, understanding the relationship between oil price movement and the exchange rate has become imperative especially for oil exporting countries. This paper examines the causal effect between oil prices and Nigerian naira–US dollar exchange rate using frequency daily data for the period 12/07/2010-31/08/2017. Generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) and exponential GARCH (EGARCH) models were used to estimate our oil prices and nominal naira exchange rate equation. Our findings reveal a positive relation between oil price and naira exchange rate meaning that an upward movement in the price of oil causes the naira to depreciate. Conversely, any fall in oil price leads to appreciation in the value of the naira. The result has important policy implication given that 90% of the total annual foreign revenue of Nigeria comes from oil thus oil price shocks have severe impact on the Nigerian economy. This justifies the need for Nigeria’s economic diversification to minimize the vulnerability of the Nigerian economy to vagaries of the international crude oil market and to delink the exchange rate and reserve movement from developments in oil prices.
The Qualities of the Audit Committees of Jordanian Banks in Jordan
Authors: Suleiman Al-Fasfus Fuad
Published: February 2019

The study aims to find the qualities of the size, efficiency, and independence of the Audit Committee, based on data provided in the annual financial reports of banks in Jordan. The results show that all Jordanian banks in the financial sector consist of audit committees. The members of the Audit Committee are graduate holders but a small percentage have professional degrees, and that the committee members numbers are not less than three members, also they receive bonuses and not salaries to enhance their independence. The researcher recommends providing a guide to the committee and providing members with professional certificates to enhance their mandatory role in auditing.
Impact of Strength of Human Resource Management System on Perceived Organizational Support
Authors: Sun Li , Bunchapattanasakda Chanchai
Published: February 2019

Among the various influencing factors of organizational performance, HRM system strength and perceived organizational support are two important factors which focus on employee perception. In modern business management, human resource management runs through the whole process of business management. Effective HR system can influence employee perception, understanding and acceptance of HRM practices, which in turn influence employee’s attributions to organizational behaviours and thereby influence employee attitudes and behaviours. Besides, organizational commitment to employees can promote employee’s positive attributions and feedback through job satisfaction and hard work. So far, there has been a plethora of researches on variables related to HRM system strength and perceived organizational support. However, there is a lack of the research on the relationship between the two variables. Therefore, this paper studied the impact of HRM system strength on perceived organizational support, based on a survey of 508 front-line employees in China. Research findings showed that there is a significant positive relationship between overall HRM system strength and perceived organizational support, between three dimensions of HRM system strength and two dimensions of perceived organizational support. This result can help researchers understand the relationship chain between HRM system strength, perceived organizational support and organizational performance.
Devolution of Water Services, Transformational Leadership and Water Provision in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands in Kenya
Authors: Mohamed Gedi Mohamud , Ngala Michael , Wambua Leonard
Published: February 2019

The source of livelihood for majority of people in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) is mainly livestock. Thus, water is critical in this region. However, in the ASAL regions this has not been fulfilled as conflicts, human and livestock diseases and waterborne diseases are prevalent due to water shortages. The purpose of this study was to establish the role of devolution of water services, transformational leadership on water provision in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands in Kenya. Specifically, the study determined the influence of devolution of water services on water provision in ASAL in Kenya, established the moderating effect of transformational leadership on the relationship between devolution of water services and water provision in ASAL in Kenya. The study used positivism research orientation.Cross- sectional survey research design was adopted. The target population entailed the 113 sub-counties in ASAL where a sample of 89 sub-counties was targeted. Questionnaire helped in collecting primary data. Secondary data collection was done via desk study. Findings of this study would contribute useful information that would help in the formulation of an action plan for sustainable water management, water conservation and how leaders who inspire, motivate employees can achieve these results. From the findings, the study recommended the need to improve water conservation, protection of catchments and water sources. The study also recommends leaders in ASAL to inspire their subordinates to achieve effective, efficient and sustainable management of both urban and rural water services.
The Impact of the Application of International Standard for Financial Reporting No (9) on the Faithful Representation of Financial Accounting Information in Jordanian Commercial Banks
Authors: Sulaiman Alkhresat Amer , Hammad Almubaydeen Tareq
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the impact of the application of IFRS 9 on the faithful representation of financial accounting information in Jordanian commercial banks. To achieve this objective, the study used the descriptive analytical approach to analyze a questionnaire that was answered by the managers of 13 commercial banks, which are listed in Amman stock exchange. The researchers distributed 78 questionnaires, while 76 were retrieved with a percentage of 97%. Additionally, the study relied on the descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients, and the simple regression to analyze the study data, and hypotheses. As a result, the study found a significant impact for the application of IFRS 9 to the faithful representation of financial accounting information. Relied on the aforementioned consequence, the study recommended that there is a necessity for financial departments to focus on measuring their financial obligations, as well as focusing on the development of accounting policies during the application of the standard. In addition, the study concludes that it is important for these banks to have an adequate knowledge of accounting standards in general, while standard No “9” specifically.
‘Again, that is a decision to be taken by Parliament itself’
Authors: Karapetian G.
Published: February 2019

‘Again, that is a decision to be taken by Parliament itself’

De vraag in hoeverre de rechter een bevel mag uitvaardigen aan de Staat om wetgeving tot stand te brengen, houdt de gemoederen in zowel binnen- als buitenland bezig. Het Zuid-Afrikaanse Constitutionele Hof deed in de zomer van 2018 uitspraak in een zaak waarin de federale wetgever wordt bevolen om binnen achttien maanden de Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA – de Zuid-Afrikaanse evenknie van de Wet openbaarheid van bestuur) aan te vullen. In deze bijdrage wordt de notie van het wetgevingsbevel in Zuid-Afrikaans perspectief geplaatst.
Activity of isavuconazole and other triazole derivatives against clinical isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Nawrot Urszula , Włodarczyk Katarzyna , Bartoszewicz Marzenna , Balicka Sylwia , Pomorska-Wesołowska Monika , Kurzyk Ewelina , Brillowska-Dąbrowska Anna , Sulik-Tyszka Beata , Basak Grzegorz , Wróblewska Marta
Published: February 2019

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most frequent pathogen of the genus Asperillus, which is highly susceptible to triazole derivatives, especially to isavuconazole and voriconazole. Many countries face a growing problem of infections due to A. fumigatus showing acquired resistance to one or several triazoles. In medical centres, monitoring the susceptibility of isolated Aspergillus spp. is recommended.
Aim: The aim of this study was to collect and test triazole susceptibility of Aspergillus fumigatus obtained from clinical samples, which were investigated in diagnostic laboratories located in Wrocław, Warszawa and Ruda Śląska (Poland). In addition, 5 resistant A. fumigatus strains with TR34/L98H mutation were included.
Material/Methods: The microdilution method, according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) was applied to test susceptibility to isavuconazole (ISV), voriconazole (VOR), posaconazole (POS) and itraconazole (ITR).
Results: During a period of 24 months, a total number of 75 A. fumigatus isolates were collected. Most of the strains were obtained from lower respiratory tract specimens (58/75; 77%), from patients hospitalized on pulmonology (41%) or intensive care and surgery units (29%). No isolate resistant
to ISV or other triazoles was found. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of
ISV ranged from 0.125 to 1 mg/L (mean 0.4 ±0.15 mg/L) in triazole susceptible isolates, whereas
among triazole-resistant strains, three showed a MIC of 8 mg/L and two had a MIC of 4 mg/L.
Conclusions: A. fumigatus isolates carrying the mutation TR34/L98H are cross-resistant to ISV. The acquired
resistance is very rare in our region (0-4%), which supports of use of triazole derivatives (VOR,
ISV) in the therapy of aspergillosis.
A HISTÓRIA DA ÁFRICA: UMA LEITURA DO CURRÍCULO ESCOLAR DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO
Authors: Eduardo Rodrigues Carlos
Published: February 2019

The theme to be developed is the way in which the history of the African continent is taught in the history curriculum of the State of São Paulo, the objective is to understand the organization of the contents and the didactic proposal existing in two materials available to students and teachers: the book of the student and the book of teacher's. Through a methodology that revisits the bibliography published in print and digital media accompanied by the theoretical analysis of the curriculum, official document that regulates this field of education throughout the public school, I try to discuss issues that involve the teaching and representation of Africa and the africans. We hope that the research contributes to the socio-cultural and humanistic developmentof the students in order to understand how to improve their perception of Africa.
HABITAÇÃO SOCIAL EM BATAGUASSU –MS: ANÁLISES E DIRETRIZES
Authors: Gonçalves Alonso Merique Flórian , Pissutti Albano Vieira Mayara
Published: February 2019

Housing is recognized as a basic right tosurvival,however, as government actions have taken over time to position itself in any sense of easing the deficit since the late nineteenth century. Public dates are the large extensions of social housing, such as large scales with homogeneous appearances, poor constructive quality and no integration into the urban fabric. already consolidated. In 2009, a Minha Casa Minha Vida creation program was an exchange of actions that were built on previous managements, being a larger and more current production. Given the importance of the present work aimed to raise the housing production in Bataguassu -MS, as well as the existing deficit, and propose guidelines for a new set of social housing. The bibliographic, documentary and field survey processes.
TECNOLOGIAS CONFESSIONAIS: CORPOS QUE SE FAZEM NAS VIRTUALIDADES
Authors: Luiz Polizel Alexandre , Alves de Oliveira Moises
Published: February 2019

Understanding the production of knowledge and bodies as propositions and compositions of culturalpractices, we place ourselves in this manuscript to think about the constitutions of bodies and corporealities in cyberspace. This, however, is part of a larger dissertation research, developed in the Graduate Program in Teaching Science and Mathematics Education of the State University of Londrina. Thus, we aim, in this work, to draw up considerations about the confessional technologies as instruments of embodiment and virtualization of the bodies. The considerations are raised from the theoretical reference of inspiration in the Cultural Studies of Sciences and of Education and the contributions left by Michel Foucault. We appropriate such theorizations in the production of analytical lenses, which help us during the process of anthropological immersion carried out in a group-space of the facebook social network, identified here as Vale. This immersion moves in order to inquire about multiple ontologies of the bodies, being used in this manuscript, the concept of technologies of confessionalities. We show in the group, confessional regimes that are active by: a) Confession of micro-stories, in publications, as a way of telling oneself; b) Invitations to confessions as operant of agency of wills and production of archives; and (c) response to invitations to confession.
Do men post and women view? The role of gender, personality and emotions in online social activity
Authors: Rollero Chiara , Daniele Adriano , Tartaglia Stefano
Published: February 2019

According to Nadkarni and Hofmann’s model (2012), a major motivator of social networking sites (SNS) use is the need to belong, i.e., the basic drive to form and maintain relationships. This need can be fulfilled through two kinds of belongingness-related behaviours: information-seeking (using SNS to learn about others) and communication (using SNS to communicate with others). The present study aimed at examining the role of gender, personality traits and emotional competence on each of these two belongingness-related behaviours. A total of 995 self-selected Italian Internet users (67.1% women; age range: 18-56) participated in the study. Results showed that the two online behaviours are influenced by different variables. Among them, the most relevant appear to be emotional competences, as managing emotions reduces both behaviours, using emotions fosters communication, and understanding emotions decreases information-seeking. Extraversion plays a key role as well, promoting both behaviours in women and information-seeking in men, whereas openness to experiences is positively linked to viewing others’ profiles. Finally, men use social networking sites to communicate and express their opinions more often than women. Implications are discussed.
Predicting SNS addiction with the Big Five and the Dark Triad
Authors: Lee Soon-Li
Published: February 2019

A considerable amount of literature has widely discussed the issue in regard to the prediction of social networking sites (SNS) addiction with personality traits. One of the existing issues is the small effect sizes that showed that the traits outlined by the Five-Factor model are lacking the required specificity to predict specific behaviours such as SNS addiction. In light of this issue, the present research attempted to predict SNS addiction with the Dark Triad traits that have been linked to impulsivity that is central to the development of SNS addiction. In this study, a sample of 204 (Male = 77, 38%; Female = 124, 60%; Not mentioned = 3, 2%; Mage = 22.94, SDage = 3.43) university students in Malaysia completed the Big Five Inventory, the Short Dark Triad, and the adapted Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale. Results indicated that SNS addiction was significantly predicted by the measured psychopathy of the Dark Triad. In predicting SNS addiction, the inclusion of the Dark Triad traits contributed significant amount of variance after controlling the Five-Factor model. Finally, the implications of the results were discussed in this manuscript.
Tramas de um olhar sensível entre o design, a arquitetura e a moda
Authors:   UNAERP - Universidade de Ribeirão Preto Centro Universitário Moura Lacerda - Ribeirão Preto, Mori Fabiana Miano , Monte-Serrat Dionéia Motta ,   IEL-UNICAMP UNAERP
Published: February 2019

Este artigo analisa filosoficamente a moda como maneira de expressar sentimentos, ideias e conceitos diluídos na arquitetura e no design. Discorremos sobre uma narrativa em que o corpo serve como protótipo para permitir que se experimentem diferentes escalas de projetos espaciais de distintas dimensões. Descrevemos características filosóficas do processo criativo, tomado como um processo existencial, que propõe um olhar sensível à compreensão de que há um ponto de intersecção no nível da manifestação de sentimentos ou ideias do sujeito, em que memória e sensações dependem de um corpo operante e atual. É o corpo que constrói e manifesta o sentido e exemplificamos essa asserção ao analisarmos o Bubelle dress, a D-Tower e a Delight Lamp. Nessas criações, as funções corporais realizam um gesto de convergência para expressar as intencionalidades do sujeito, sem necessidade de representação mental. Identificamos que há a necessidade de existirem princípios norteadores que estruturem as vestimentas, o design e a arquitetura para que os processos associativos deflagrem novas possibilidades de construção e de apropriação do uso do espaço em direção a um novo sentido novo, o qual passa a ter nuances de uma totalidade: movimentos singulares do sujeito se interpenetram para formar uma nova unidade que decorre de intuição e sentimento.
O uso do vestuário infantil como elemento de estímulo para o desenvolvimento tátil de crianças com deficiência visual: o papel dos pais e educadores
Authors:   Unesp - Universidade Estadual Paulista ", Bononi Juliana ,   Júlio de Mesquita Filho",   Campus Bauru, Domiciano Cássia Letícia Carrara
Published: February 2019

O presente artigo traz um relato de pesquisa que faz parte da dissertação de mestrado desenvolvida entre 2014 e 2016, e apresenta uma investigação com o objetivo de descobrir como o estimulo tátil de crianças com deficiência visual está sendo trabalhando por meio do vestuário. Partimos de uma pesquisa de campo exploratória, descritiva e qualitativa, onde foi aplicado questionário com os Pais e com os Professores das crianças que estudam em associação para pessoas com deficiência visual de Ribeirão Preto, interior do estado de São Paulo. Constatamos que os Pais abordados acreditam no potencial das roupas como estimuladoras da experiência tátil e da independência em vestir-se e despir-se dos filhos com deficiência, mas não priorizam a presença de elementos táteis, assim como as Educadoras inqueridas afirmaram que o vestuário pode ser pedagógico, mas que não exploram e nem auxiliam os Pais a utilizar esse recurso. Podemos concluir que os mesmos desperdiçam as potencialidades do vestuário como educativo, por esse motivo não estimulam as crianças. Portanto há necessidade de orientá-los sobre a capacidade das experiências e aprendizagens embutidas nos elementos desse objeto tão cotidiano.
Recent advances in neuropeptide signaling in Drosophila, from genes to physiology and behavior
Authors: Nässel Dick R , Zandawala Meet
Published: February 2019

This review focuses on neuropeptides and peptide hormones, the largest and most diverse class of neuroactive substances, known in Drosophila and other animals to play roles in almost all aspects of daily life, as well as in developmental processes. We provide an update on novel neuropeptides and receptors identified in the last decade, and highlight progress in analysis of neuropeptide signaling in Drosophila. Especially exciting is the huge amount of work published on novel functions of neuropeptides and peptide hormones in Drosophila, largely due to the rapid developments of powerful genetic methods, imaging techniques and innovative assays. We critically discuss the roles of peptides in olfaction, taste, foraging, feeding, clock function/sleep, aggression, mating/reproduction, learning and other behaviors, as well as in regulation of development, growth, metabolic and water homeostasis, stress responses, fecundity, and lifespan. We furthermore provide novel information on neuropeptide distribution and organization of peptidergic systems, as well as the phylogenetic relations between Drosophila neuropeptides and those of other phyla, including mammals. As will be shown, neuropeptide signaling is phylogenetically ancient, and not only are the structures of the peptides, precursors and receptors conserved over evolution, but also many functions of neuropeptide signaling in physiology and behavior.
The impact on life cycle carbon footprint of converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers in a large US hospital geographically distant from manufacturing and processing facilities
Authors: McPherson Brett , Sharip Mihray , Grimmond Terry
Published: February 2019

Background

Sustainable purchasing can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at healthcare facilities (HCF). A previous study found that converting from disposable to reusable sharps containers (DSC, RSC) reduced sharps waste stream GHG by 84% but found transport distances impacted significantly on GHG outcomes and recommended further studies where transport distances are large. This case-study examines the impact on GHG of nation-wide transport distances when a large US health system converted from DSC to RSC.

Methods

The study’s scope was to examine life cycle GHG emissions during 12 months of facility-wide use of DSC and RSC at Loma Linda University Health (LLUH). The facility is an 1100-bed US, 5-hospital system where: the source of polymer was distant from the RSC manufacturing plant; both manufacturing plants were over 3,000 km from the HCF; and the RSC processing plant was considerably further from the HCF than was the DSC disposal plant. Using a “cradle to grave” life cycle GHG tool we calculated the annual GHG emissions of CO2, CH4 and N2O expressed in metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2eq) for each container system. Primary energy input data was used wherever possible and region-specific energy-impact conversions were used to calculate GHG of each unit process over a 12-month period. The scope included Manufacture, Transport, Washing, and Treatment & disposal. GHG emissions from all unit process within these four life cycle stages were summed to estimate each container-system’s carbon footprint. Emission totals were workload-normalized and analysed using CHI2test with P ≤ 0.05 and rate ratios at 95% CL.

Results

Converting to RSC, LLUH reduced its annual GHG by 162.4 MTCO2eq (−65.3%; p < 0.001; RR 2.27–3.71), and annually eliminated 50.2 tonnes of plastic DSC and 8.1 tonnes of cardboard from the sharps waste stream. Of the plastic eliminated, 31.8 tonnes were diverted from landfill and 18.4 from incineration.

Discussion

Unlike GHG reduction strategies dependent on changes in staff behavior (waste segregation, recycling, turning off lights, car-pooling, etc), purchasing strategies can enable immediate, sustainable and institution-wide GHG reductions to be achieved. This study confirmed that large transport distances between polymer manufacturer, container manufacturer, user and processing facilities, can significantly impact the carbon footprint of sharps containment systems. However, even with large transport distances, we found that a large university health system significantly reduced the carbon footprint of their sharps waste stream by converting from DSC to RSC.
Grazing exclosures solely are not the best methods for sustaining alpine grasslands
Authors: Yao Xixi , Wu Jianping , Gong Xuyin , Lang Xia , Wang Cailian
Published: February 2019

Background

Grazing is widely regarded as a critical factor affecting the vegetation structure, productivity and nutritional value of natural grasslands. To protect and restore degraded grasslands, non-grazed exclosures are considered as a valuable tool. However, it is not clear whether long term non-grazed exclosures of grazers can improve the condition and nutritional value of vegetation and soil properties.

Methods

We have compared the impact of long-term non-grazed and continuous grazed management strategy on vegetation structure, nutritional values and soil properties of alpine meadow of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau by field investigation (11–13 years) and indoor analysis during 2015–2017.

Results

Our results showed that long-term non-grazed exclosures clearly increased the aboveground biomass and coverage of plant functional types. Long-term non-grazed exclosures improved the development of all vegetation types, except NG (GG, grass species type; SG, sedge species type; LG, leguminous species type; FG, forbs species type and NG, noxious species type). Long-term non-grazed exclosures significantly improved all six measured soil properties (TN, total nitrogen; TP, total phosphorus; TK, total potassium; AN, available nitrogen; AP, available phosphorus and AK, available potassium) in 0–10 cm soil layer, considerable effect on the improvement of all measured soil properties, except TK in 10–20 cm soil layer and all measured soil properties, except TN and TK in 20–30 cm soil layer were observed. However, long-term non-grazed exclosures significantly decreased biodiversity indicators i.e., species richness, Shannon diversity index and Evenness index of vegetation. A substantial decrease in the density, biodiversity and nutritional values (CP (crude protein), IVTD (in vitroture digestibility) and NDF (neutral detergent fiber)) of all vegetation types, except NG were recorded. While a downward trend in aboveground biomass and all measured soil properties except TP and TK were observed during 2015–2017 in alpine meadows due to long-term grazed treatment. The density, diversity and nutritional value (CP and IVTD) of long-term non-grazed alpine meadows showed a downward trend over time (2015–2017). By considering the biodiversity conservation and grassland livestock production, long-term non-grazed exclosures are not beneficial for the improvement of density, biodiversity and nutritional values of plant functional types. Thus, our study suggests that rotational non-grazed and grazed treatment would be a good management strategy to restore and improve the biodiversity and nutritional values of plant functional types in natural grassland ecosystems.
The response of sulfur dioxygenase to sulfide in the body wall of Urechis unincinctus
Authors: Zhang Litao , Zhang Zhifeng
Published: February 2019

Background

In some sedimentary environments, such as coastal intertidal and subtidal mudflats, sulfide levels can reach millimolar concentrations (2–5 mM) and can be toxic to marine species. Interestingly, some organisms have evolved biochemical strategies to overcome and tolerate high sulfide conditions, such as the echiuran worm, Urechis unicinctus. Mitochondrial sulfide oxidation is important for detoxification, in which sulfur dioxygenase (SDO) plays an indispensable role. Meanwhile, the body wall of the surface of the worm is in direct contact with sulfide. In our study, we chose the body wall to explore the SDO response to sulfide.

Methods

Two sulfide treatment groups (50 µM and 150 µM) and a control group (natural seawater) were used. The worms, U. unicinctus, were collected from the intertidal flat of Yantai, China, and temporarily reared in aerated seawater for three days without feeding. Finally, sixty worms with similar length and mass were evenly assigned to the three groups. The worms were sampled at 0, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h after initiation of sulfide exposure. The body walls were excised, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80 °C for RNA and protein extraction. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and specific activity detection were used to explore the SDO response to sulfide in the body wall.

Results

The body wall of U. unicinctus consists of a rugal epidermis, connective tissue, outer circular muscle and middle longitudinal muscle. SDO protein is mainly located in the epidermis. When exposed to 50 µM sulfide, SDO mRNA and protein contents almost remained stable, but SDO activity increased significantly after 6 h (P < 0.05). However, in the 150 µM sulfide treatment group, SDO mRNA and protein contents and activity all increased with sulfide exposure time; significant increases all began to occur at 48 h (P < 0.05).

Discussion

All the results indicated that SDO activity can be enhanced by sulfide in two regulation mechanisms: allosteric regulation, for low concentrations, and transcription regulation, which is activated with an increase in sulfide concentration.
Considerations in the design of a monitoring program of the biological effects of the Prestige oil spill
Authors: Carballeira A
Published: February 2019

n/a
Distribution of chlorophyll and primary production by size classes along the Mexican Pacific coast
Authors: Lara-Lara JR , Bazán-Guzmán C
Published: February 2019

From 15 January to 4 February, 1999, we carried out an oceanographic cruise along the west coast of Mexico, from the mouth of the Gulf of California to the Gulf of Tehuantepec. For the first time in this region, size-fractionated chlorophyll a and 14C assimilation experiments were carried out at seven stations. Nutrient concentrations (PO4 and SiO2) were also measured. Nutriclines were very shallow and developed within the euphotic zone depth. Sea surface temperature varied from 19.5ºC at the mouth of the Gulf of California to 28.3ºC in the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The integrated euphotic zone chlorophyll a ranged from 16.8 to 95.6 mg m–2 d–1 ( x = 41.4). Daily integrated primary production rates ranged from 0.16 to 1.15 g C m–2 d–1 (x  = 0.53). Nanophytoplankton (<20 µm) contributed most to both chlorophyll and primary production (60–100%). Microphytoplankton (>20 µm) was significant only at two southern stations (~30% and 44%). The contribution by the nanophytoplankton size fractions (<20 to >10 µm and <10 to >3 µm) and the picoplancton (<3 to >0.45 µm) was variable. Phytoplankton biomass and primary production rates showed a clear spatial pattern, increasing from north to south.
Indigestible Plastic Bags are Hindering Profitability of Dairy Production in Peri-Urban Kampala
Authors: Tayebwa Dickson Stuart , Okwasiimire Rodney , Kesiime Christine , Nansubuga Esther , Kakooza Steven , Komugisha Mariam , Asiimwe Ismail , Ssuna Paul
Published: February 2019

Many Ugandans living in the urban and peri-urban areas have started dairy farming to tap into the demand for milk and its products, driven by the population growth. Unfortunately, they operate on a small scale because land and cattle feeds in the urban and peri-urban areas are limited. In addition, the peri-urban areas are contaminated with indigestible materials such as plastic bags which once consumed by the cattle impair health, cause loss of milk productivity and death. This report documents the findings from three cases referred to the ambulatory clinic at the Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL) in 2018. The cases were diagnosed as hardware disease and surgically treated by rumenotomy. In addition, a review of the patients’ data sheets in CDL was performed to identify other cases of hardware disease documented in 2018. Both metallic and non-metallic indigestible materials were recovered from the rumen and reticulum of the three animals operated. The indigestible foreign materials included nails, wire, plastic bags and a sisal rope. The common clinical signs coherent with the presence of indigestible materials were chronic emaciation and loss of appetite. The review of the patients’ data sheets showed that blood samples of 23 cases of suspected hardware disease were submitted to CDL in 2018 for diagnosis. It is paramount that farmers are sensitized about the effects of indigestible materials on the production of dairy animals. For, such an intervention would liberate the peri-urban dairy farmers from losses attributed to hardware disease.
Association between working hours, work engagement, and work productivity in employees: A cross-sectional study of the Japanese Study of Health, Occupation, and Psychosocial Factors Relates Equity
Authors: Okazaki Emi , Nishi Daisuke , Susukida Ryoko , Inoue Akiomi , Shimazu Akihito , Tsutsumi Akizumi
Published: February 2019

Objectives

The aims of the study were to investigate the association between working hours, work engagement, and work productivity, and to examine if work engagement moderates the influence of working hours on work productivity.

Methods

We used cross-sectional data from the Japanese occupational cohort survey, which involved 2093 employees in a manufacturing industry. Working hours were self-reported by the study participants. Work productivity was assessed with absolute presenteeism based on the scale of the validated Japanese version of World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (WHO-HPQ). Work engagement was assessed with the Nine-item Utrecht work Engagement Scale (UWES-9). Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of working hours and work engagement with work productivity. We also carried out stratified multivariable regression analysis separately for those with high-work engagement and those with low-work engagement.

Results

Working >40 to 50 hours per week and >50 hours per week were significantly positively associated with work productivity in univariate analysis. However, the significant association no longer held after adjusting for work engagement. Work engagement was positively associated with work productivity even after controlling for potential confounders. Working hours were not significantly associated with work productivity among those with high-work engagement or among those with low-work engagement.

Conclusions

Working hours did not have any significant associations with work productivity when taking work engagement into account. Work engagement did not moderate the influence of working hours on work productivity, though it attenuated the relationship between working hours and work productivity.
Identification of a novel missense mutation in Friedreich's ataxia –FXNW168R
Authors: Clark Elisia , Strawser Cassandra , Schadt Kimberly , Lynch David R.
Published: February 2019

Friedreich's ataxia, characterized by decreased expression of frataxin protein, is caused by GAA trinucleotide repeats within intron 1 in 98% of patients. Two percent of patients carry GAA repeats in conjunction with a point mutation. In this work, we find that frataxinW168R, a novel disease‐causing missense mutation, is expressed predominantly as the intermediate frataxin42‐210 form, with very little expression of mature frataxin81‐210 form. Its localization to mitochondria is not impaired. Additionally, increasing frataxinW168R precursor levels do not lead to an increase in mature frataxin levels, suggesting these patients will require alternative approaches to repair frataxin processing in order to treat the disorder in a disease‐modifying manner.
Kinetically Controlled Crystallization in Conjugated Polymer Films for High‐Performance Organic Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Kim Yeon‐Ju , Kim Nam‐Koo , Park Won‐Tae , Liu Chuan , Noh Yong‐Young , Kim Dong‐Yu
Published: February 2019

Ordering of semiconducting polymers in thin films from the nano to microscale is strongly correlated with charge transport properties as well as organic field‐effect transistor performance. This paper reports a method to control nano to microscale ordering of poly{[N,N′‐bis(2‐octyldodecyl)‐naphthalene‐1,4,5,8‐bis(dicarboximide)‐2,6‐diyl]‐alt‐5,5′‐(2,2′‐bithiophene)} (P(NDI2OD‐T2)) thin films by precisely regulating the solidification rate from the metastable state just before crystallization. The proposed simple but effective approach, kinetically controlled crystallization, achieves optimized P(NDI2OD‐T2) films with large polymer domains, long range ordered fibrillar structures, and molecular orientation preferable for electron transport leading to dramatic morphological changes in both polymer domain sizes at the micrometer scale and molecular packing structures at nanoscales. Structural changes significantly increase electron mobilities up to 3.43 ± 0.39 cm2 V−1 s−1 with high reliability, almost two orders of enhancement compared with devices from naturally dried films. Small contact resistance is also obtained for electron injection (0.13 MΩ cm), low activation energy (62.51 meV), and narrow density of states distribution for electron transport in optimized thin films. It is believed that this study offers important insight into the crystallization of conjugated polymers that can be broadly applied to optimize the morphology of semiconducting polymer films for solution processed organic electronic devices.
Nonprecious Copper‐Based Transparent Top Electrode via Seed Layer–Assisted Thermal Evaporation for High‐Performance Semitransparent n‐i‐p Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Giuliano Giuliana , Cataldo Sebastiano , Scopelliti Michelangelo , Principato Fabio , Chillura Martino Delia , Fiore Tiziana , Pignataro Bruno
Published: February 2019

Semitransparent perovskite solar cells (ST‐PSCs) are highly attractive for applications in building‐integrated photovoltaics as well as in multijunction tandem devices. To fabricate high‐performance ST‐PSCs, suitable transparent top electrodes are strongly needed. Dielectric/metal/dielectric (DMD) multilayer structures have been shown to be promising candidates, though generally based on high‐value metals such as gold or silver, the latter causing also stability issues by reacting with perovskite. Here, a novel DMD transparent electrode based on nonprecious, less‐reactive copper is developed via thermal evaporation and used as a top anode in the fabrication of high‐performance semitransparent n‐i‐p perovskite solar cells, the best device yielding a power conversion efficiency as high as 12.5%. The DMD architecture consists of a gold‐seeded Cu thin film sandwiched between two MoO
x
dielectric layers. It is demonstrated that Cu self‐aggregation and diffusion into MoOx can be substantially limited by introducing an ultrathin (1.5 nm) Au seed layer, and conductive Cu films as thin as 9.5 nm can be achieved. A fine tuning of the perovskite layer thickness is also carried out to further enhance the device transparency up to a maximum average visible transmittance approaching 25%.
Hierarchical Micro‐Nano Sheet Arrays of Nickel–Cobalt Double Hydroxides for High‐Rate Ni–Zn Batteries
Authors: Chen Hao , Shen Zhehong , Pan Zhenghui , Kou Zongkui , Liu Ximeng , Zhang Hong , Gu Qilin , Guan Cao , Wang John
Published: February 2019

The rational design of nickel‐based cathodes with highly ordered micro‐nano hierarchical architectures by a facile process is fantastic but challenging to achieve for high‐capacity and high‐rate Ni–Zn batteries. Herein, a one‐step etching–deposition–growth process is demonstrated to prepare hierarchical micro‐nano sheet arrays for Ni–Zn batteries with outstanding performance and high rate. The fabrication process is conducted at room temperature without any need of heating and stirring, and the as‐grown nickel–cobalt double hydroxide (NiCo‐DH) supported on conductive nickel substrate is endowed with a unique 3D hierarchical architecture of micro‐nano sheet arrays, which empower the effective exposure of active materials, easy electrolyte access, fast ion diffusion, and rapid electron transfer. Benefiting from these merits in combination, the NiCo‐DH electrode delivers a high specific capacity of 303.6 mAh g−1 and outstanding rate performance (80% retention after 20‐fold current increase), which outperforms the electrodes made of single Ni(OH)2 and Co(OH)2, and other similar materials. The NiCo‐DH electrode, when employed as the cathode for a Ni–Zn battery, demonstrates a high specific capacity of 329 mAh g−1. Moreover, the NiCo‐DH//Zn battery also exhibits high electrochemical energy conversion efficiency, excellent rate capability (62% retention after 30‐fold current increase), ultrafast charge characteristics, and strong tolerance to the high‐speed conversion reaction.
Combating frailty and sarcopenia in aging populations: Switching to a more positive paradigm
Authors: Woo Jean
Published: February 2019

Frailty may be used as a public health indicator of aging well for projection of health and social care resource allocation. Frailty assessments have been adopted by various medical as well as surgical specialties as part of prognosis in influencing choice of therapy, although the assessment tools are even more heterogeneous than those in the gerontological fields. Recently, the World Health Organization called for a life course approach to healthy aging, placing the emphasis on function, expressed as intrinsic capacity, which would address concerns with the negative image of frailty and with the overemphasis on deficits. The impact of social and physical environments is taken into account in the concept of resilience. These are all related concepts that differ in the setting in which they are used. Frailty may be more useful in clinical management in hospitals and residential care homes, as well as in community models of care. Intrinsic capacity could be used for development of health‐promotion policies and service models across the life course; mainly primary care with low resource needs, using a step‐care approach. Resilience could be considered an overarching holistic concept covering physical, psychological, and environmental domains, which is still in the research arena.
Atom‐Interferometry Measurement of the Fine Structure Constant
Authors: Yu Chenghui , Zhong Weicheng , Estey Brian , Kwan Joyce , Parker Richard H. , Müller Holger
Published: February 2019

Using an atom interferometer to measure the quotient of the reduced Planck's constant and the mass of a cesium‐133 atom , the most accurate measurement of the fine structure constant is recorded, at an accuracy of 0.20 parts per billion (ppb). Using multiphoton interactions (Bragg diffraction and Bloch oscillations), the largest phase (12 million radians) of any Ramsey–Bordé interferometer and controlled systematic effects at a level of 0.12 ppb are demonstrated. Comparing the Penning trap measurements with the Standard Model prediction of the electron gyromagnetic anomaly based on the α measurement, a 2.5 tension is observed, rejecting dark photons as the reason for the unexplained part of the muon's gyromagnetic moment discrepancy at a 99% confidence level according to frequentist statistics. Implications for dark‐sector candidates (e.g., scalar and pseudoscalar bosons, vector bosons, and axial‐vector bosons) may be a sign of physics beyond the Standard Model. A future upgrade of the cesium fountain atom interferometer is also proposed to increase the accuracy of by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude, which would help resolve the tension.
A new strategy to design a graphene oxide supported palladium complex as a new heterogeneous nanocatalyst and application in carbon–carbon and carbon‐heteroatom cross‐coupling reactions
Authors: Bahrami Kiumars , Targhan Homa
Published: February 2019

The palladium nanoparticles were successfully stabilized with an average diameter of 6–7 nm through the coordination of palladium and terpyridine‐based ligands grafted on graphene oxide surface. The graphene oxide supported palladium nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized and applied as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in carbon–carbon (Suzuki‐Miyaura, Mizoroki‐Heck coupling reactions) and carbon–heteroatom (C‐N and C‐O) bond‐forming reactions. The catalyst was simply recycled from the reaction mixture and was reused consecutive four times with small drop in catalytic activity.