bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zooplankton, zooplanktivorous fish and their interactions in Southeast Asian waterbodies with special reference to Sri Lanka: a review
Authors: Vijverberg Jacobus
Published: June 2018

Many countries in Southeast Asia have no natural lakes but reservoirs, flood-plains and rivers. The reservoirs are mainly inhabited by riverine fish species and introduced pelagic exotics. Benthivores, herbivores and detritivores dominate, whereas zooplanktivores are relatively rare (generally 4.6-9.5% of the fish community). Therefore, zooplanktivorours fish are not dominant in most Sri Lankan reservoirs and play only a minor role in the food web. In the Southeast Asian region, only small, often pelagic, zooplanktivorous fish species occur. They are either of riverine or marine origin. Observations were made that only six predominantly zooplanktivorous species viz a cyprinid from riverine origin Rasbora daniconius, a half beak from marine origin Hemiramphus limbatus, the glass perchlet Ambassis urotaenia and three freshwater clupeids from marine origin (Clupeichthys aesarnensis, Ehirava fluviatilis, Sardinella tawilis) inhabit the reservoirs in Southeast Asian countries such as Sri Lanka and Thailand and a lake in the Philippines. The highest percentages of zooplanktivory in the tropical region are observed in waterbodies which contain zooplanktivores of marine origin. These small pelagics are very productive, i.e., have relative high Annual Production/Biomass (P/B) ratios. P/B ratios of the small Southeast Asian pelagics ranged generally from 3-6, small clupeids showed the highest P/B ratios. Of the riverine species, R. daniconius is the most successful; it is a common species in the Sri Lankan reservoirs. This species is, however, not able to catch the small cladocerans and the cyclopoid copepods efficiently and fails completely to catch the fast moving calanoid copepods. Instead of feeding on larger zooplankton, they often feed on adult winged midges which are floating on the water surface. H. limbatus is not abundant in Sri Lankan reservoirs and its distribution is limited where only occasionally its densities are high enough to permit a profitable fisheries. Although the freshwater clupeids seem to be superior in their efficiency of collecting food organisms, their distribution is often limited. Despite their ability to build up stable and large populations in a handful of water bodies in the Philippines and Sri Lanka, they have a problem in dispersing into other freshwater lakes and reservoirs. In Thailand, the situation is different because C. aesarnensis is well adapted to riverine conditions and, therefore, present in all reservoirs with inflowing riverine habitats, but in most cases these stocks are still unexploited.
Microbial and chemical quality of selected dried fish varieties available in Sri Lankan market
Authors: Ginigaddarage P. H. , Surendra I. H. W. , Weththewa W. K. S. R. , Ariyawansa K. W. S. , Arachchi G. J. Ganegama , Jinadasa B. K. K. K. , Hettiarachchi K. S. , Edirisinghe E. M. R. K. B.
Published: June 2018

Dried fish is one of the traditionally preserved foods in Sri Lanka.Since dried fish is often an important component of daily meal, this study was aimed to assess the quality of selected dried fish varieties in the local market. Dried fish samples of nine selected varieties were collected under three categories, viz. locally produced, imported dried fish before and after distribution to retail market. They were analyzed for microbiological and chemical parameters. Water activity of the samples was also measured. Samples were found to be negative for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and halophilic bacteria. Aerobic Plate Count and yeast and mould count of the majority of the samples were within the acceptable limit. Histamine content exceeded 100 mg/kg level in 33% and 13% of imported and local samples respectively. Water activity of the samples was <0.75 except for imported prawn samples of retail outlets. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the analyzed parameters of all three categories.
Low-cost diagnostic test for susceptible and drug-resistant tuberculosis in rural Malawi
Authors: Zhang Annie , Jumbe Enoch , Krysiak Robert , Sidiki Sabeen , Kelley Holden V. , Chemey Elly K. , Kamba Chancy , Mwapasa Victor , García Juan I. , Norris Alison , Pan Xueliang J. , Evans Carlton , Wang Shu-Hua , Kwiek Jesse J. , Torrelles Jordi B.
Published: June 2018

Background: Rural settings where molecular tuberculosis diagnostics are not currently available need easy-to-use tests that do not require additional processing or equipment. While acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear is the most common and often only tuberculosis diagnosis test performed in rural settings, it is labour intensive, has less-than-ideal sensitivity, and cannot assess tuberculosis drug susceptibility patterns. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of a multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-tuberculosis coloured agar-based culture test (tuberculosis CX-test), which can detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth and evaluate for drug susceptibility to isoniazid, rifampicin and a fluoroquinolone (i.e. ciprofloxacin) in approximately 14 days. Method: In this study, 101 participants were enrolled who presented to a rural health clinic in central Malawi. They were suspected of having active pulmonary tuberculosis. Participants provided demographic and clinical data and submitted sputum samples for tuberculosis testing using the AFB smear and tuberculosis CX-test. Results: The results showed a high level of concordance between the AFB smear (12 positive) and tuberculosis CX-test (13 positive); only one sample presented discordant results, with the molecular GeneXpert MTB/RIF® test confirming the tuberculosis CX-test results. The average time to a positive tuberculosis CX-test was 10 days. Of the positive samples, the tuberculosis CX-test detected no cases of drug resistance, which was later confirmed by the GeneXpert MTB/RIF®. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the tuberculosis CX-test could be a reliable low-cost diagnostic method for active pulmonary tuberculosis in high tuberculosis burden rural areas.
Barriers to evidence-based physiotherapy practice for stroke survivors in Ghana
Authors: Quartey Jonathan , Kwakye Samuel
Published: June 2018

Background: Physiotherapy has evolved over the years, and this has led to an increasing demand in using evidence as a basis for making clinical decisions because evidence-based interventions for stroke have been shown to be effective. However, the inability to carry out any of the evidence-based practice (EBP) processes may constitute a barrier to its application in practice.Aim: To determine the barriers to EBP of physiotherapy services for stroke survivors in Ghana.Methods: A cross-sectional study that involved 121 physiotherapists of the Ghana Physiotherapy Association providing services to stroke survivors. Physiotherapists completed a self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regressions were used to examine relationships between socio-demographic and practice characteristics of respondents and each practitioner factor. A logistic regression was used to identify the association between organisational characteristics and each organisational factor that facilitates EBP.Results: Self-efficacy ratings for performing EBP were below 50% for critical appraisal of the literature and interpretation of statistics. All the participants stated that they had organisational challenges, which tend to affect the implementation of evidence-based physiotherapy practice for stroke. The five most reported barriers to updating knowledge on EBP included lack of organisational mandate (56.2%), insufficient time (46.3%), lack of information resources (43%), lack of understanding of statistics (35.5%) and lack of interest (33.1%).Conclusion: Lack of adequate resources, lack of organisational support and low self-efficacy to perform EBP activities constitute barriers to implementing EBP for stroke survivors.Clinical implications: Findings of the study reinforce the need to develop a supportive organisational infrastructure to increase research integration in physiotherapy practice.
In Situ Observations of Early Stage Oxidation of Ni-Cr and Ni-Cr-Mo Alloys
Authors: Yu Xiao-xiang , Gulec Ahmet , Andolina Christopher M. , Zeitchick Evan J. , Gusieva Kateryna , Yang Judith C. , Scully John R. , Perepezko John H. , Marks Laurence D.
Published: June 2018

Results of in situ transmission electron microscopy experiments on the early stage oxidation of Ni-Cr and Ni-Cr-Mo alloys are reported. An epitaxial rock-salt oxide with compositions outside the conventional solubility limits initiated at the surface of both alloys, progressing by a layer-by-layer mode. Kirkendall voids were found in Ni-Cr alloys near the metal/oxide interface, but were not seen in the Ni-Cr-Mo. The voids initiated in the oxide then diffused to the metal/oxide interface, driven by the misfit stresses in the oxide. A sequential oxide initiation was observed in NiCr alloys: rock-salt → spinel → corundum; however, for NiCrMo alloys, the metastable Ni2-xCrxO3 (corundum structure) phase formed shortly after the growth of the rock-salt phase. Chemical analysis shows that solute atoms were captured in the initial oxide before diffusing and transforming to more thermodynamically stable phases. The results indicate that Mo doping inhibits the formation of Kirkendall voids via an increase in the nucleation rate of corundum, which was verified by density functional theory calculations.
The impact of QTL allele frequency distribution on the accuracy of genomic prediction
Authors: Davoudi Pourya , Abdollahi-Arpanahi Rostam , Nejati-Javaremi Ardeshir
Published: June 2018

Abstract. The accuracy of genomic prediction of quantitative traits based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers depends among other factors on the allele frequency distribution of quantitative trait loci (QTL). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate different QTL allele frequency distributions and their effect on the accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) using best linear unbiased genomic prediction (GBLUP) in simulated data. A population of 1000 individuals composed of 500 males and 500 females as well as a genome of 1000 cM consisting of 10 chromosomes and with a mutation rate of 2.5 × 10−5 per locus was simulated. QTL frequencies were derived from five distributions of allele frequency including constant, uniform, U-shaped, L-shaped and minor allele frequency (MAF) less than 0.01 (lowMAF). QTL effects were generated from a standard normal distribution. The number of QTL was assumed to be 500, and the simulation was done in 10 replications. The genomic prediction accuracy in the first-validation generation in constant, and the uniform allele frequency distribution was 0.59 and 0.57, respectively. Results showed that the highest accuracy of GEBVs was obtained with constant and uniform distributions followed by L-shaped, U-shaped and lowMAF QTL allele frequency distribution. The regression of true breeding values on predicted breeding values in the first-validation generation was 0.94, 0.92, 0.88, 0.85 and 0.75 for constant, uniform, L-shaped, U-shaped and lowMAF distributions, respectively. Depite different values of regression coefficients, in all scenarios GEBVs are biased downward. Overall, results showed that when QTL had a lower MAF relative to SNP markers, a low linkage disequilibrium (LD) was observed, which had a negative effect on the accuracy of GEBVs. Hence, the effect of the QTL allele frequency distribution on prediction accuracy can be alleviated through using a genomic relationship weighted by MAF or an LD-adjusted relationship matrix.
Assessing the impact of the Kuroshio Current on vertical cloud structure using CloudSat data
Authors: Yamauchi Akira , Kawamoto Kazuaki , Manda Atsuyoshi , Li Jiming
Published: June 2018

Abstract. This study analyzed CloudSat satellite data to determine how the warm ocean Kuroshio Current affects the vertical
structure of clouds. Rainfall intensity around the middle troposphere (6 km in height) over the Kuroshio was
greater than that over surrounding areas. The drizzle clouds over the Kuroshio have a higher frequency of occurrence of
geometrically thin (0.5–3 km) clouds and thicker (7–10 km) clouds compared to those around the
Kuroshio. Moreover, the frequency of occurrence of precipitating clouds with a geometric thickness of 7 to 10 km
increased over the Kuroshio. Stronger updrafts over the Kuroshio maintain large droplets higher in the upper part of the
cloud layer, and the maximum radar reflectivity within a cloud layer in non-precipitating and drizzle clouds over the
Kuroshio is higher than that around the Kuroshio.
How much of the global aerosol optical depth is found in the boundary layer and free troposphere?
Authors: Bourgeois Quentin , Ekman Annica M. L. , Renard Jean-Baptiste , Krejci Radovan , Devasthale Abhay , Bender Frida A.-M. , Riipinen Ilona , Berthet Gwenaël , Tackett Jason L.
Published: June 2018

Abstract. The global aerosol extinction from the CALIOP space lidar was used to compute
aerosol optical depth (AOD) over a 9-year period (2007–2015) and
partitioned between the boundary layer (BL) and the free troposphere (FT)
using BL heights obtained from the ERA-Interim archive. The results show that
the vertical distribution of AOD does not follow the diurnal cycle of the BL
but remains similar between day and night highlighting the presence of a
residual layer during night. The BL and FT contribute 69 and 31 %,
respectively, to the global tropospheric AOD during daytime in line with
observations obtained in Aire sur l'Adour (France) using the Light Optical
Aerosol Counter (LOAC) instrument. The FT AOD contribution is larger in the
tropics than at mid-latitudes which indicates that convective transport
largely controls the vertical profile of aerosols. Over oceans, the FT AOD
contribution is mainly governed by long-range transport of aerosols from
emission sources located within neighboring continents. According to the
CALIOP aerosol classification, dust and smoke particles are the main aerosol
types transported into the FT. Overall, the study shows that the fraction of
AOD in the FT – and thus potentially located above low-level clouds – is
substantial and deserves more attention when evaluating the radiative effect
of aerosols in climate models. More generally, the results have implications
for processes determining the overall budgets, sources, sinks and transport
of aerosol particles and their description in atmospheric models.
Relationships between the planetary boundary layer height and surface pollutants derived from lidar observations over China
Authors: Su Tianning , Li Zhanqing , Kahn Ralph
Published: June 2018

Abstract. The frequent occurrence of severe air pollution episodes in China has raised great concerns with the public and scientific communities. Planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) is a key factor in the vertical mixing and dilution of near-surface pollutants. However, the relationship between PBLH and surface pollutants, especially particulate matter (PM) concentration, across the whole of China, is not yet well understood. We investigate this issue at ~ 1500 surface stations using PBLH derived from space-borne and ground-based lidar, and discuss the influence of topography and meteorological variables on the PBLH-PM relationship. A generally negative correlation is observed between PM and the PBLH, albeit varying greatly in magnitude with location and season. Correlations are much weaker over the highlands than plains regions, which may be associated with lower pollution levels and mountain breezes. The influence of horizontal transport on surface PM is considered as well, manifested as a negative correlation between surface PM and wind speed over the whole nation. Strong wind with clean upwind sources plays a dominant role in removing pollutants, and leads to weak PBLH-PM correlation. A ventilation rate is introduced to jointly consider horizontal and vertical dispersion, which has the largest impact on surface pollutant accumulation over the North China Plain. Aerosol absorption feedbacks also appear to affect the PBLH-PM relationship, as revealed via comparing air pollution in Beijing and Hong Kong. Absorbing aerosols in high concentrations likely contribute to the significant PBLH-PM correlation over the North China Plain (e.g., during winter). As major precursor emissions for secondary aerosols, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide have similar negative responses to increased PBLH, whereas ozone is positively correlated with PBLH over most regions, which may be caused by heterogeneous reactions and photolysis rates.
Three-dimensional tomographic reconstruction of atmospheric gravity waves in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT)
Authors: Song Rui , Kaufmann Martin , Ern Manfred , Ungermann Jörn , Liu Guang , Riese Martin
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Gravity waves (GWs) have been intensively studied over recent decades because
of their dominant role in the dynamics of the mesosphere and lower
thermosphere (MLT). The momentum deposition caused by breaking GWs determines
the basic structure and drives the large-scale circulation in the MLT.
Satellite observations provide a way to qualify the properties and effects of
GWs on a global scale. As GWs can propagate vertically and horizontally in
the atmosphere, resolving both horizontal and vertical wavelengths is
important for the quantification of a wave. However, this can hardly be
achieved by one instrument with a good spatial coverage and resolution. In
this paper, we propose a new observation strategy, called “sweep mode”, for
a real three-dimensional (3-D) tomographic reconstruction of GWs in the MLT
by modifying the observation geometry of conventional limb sounding
measurements. It enhances the horizontal resolution that typical limb
sounders can achieve, while at the same time retaining the good vertical
resolution they have. This observation strategy is simulated for retrieving
temperatures from measurements of the rotational structure of the O2
A-band airglow. The idea of this observation strategy is to sweep the
line of sight (LOS) of the limb sounder horizontally across the orbital track
during the flight. Therefore, two-dimensional (2-D) slices, i.e., vertical
planes, that reveal the projection of GWs can be observed in the direction
along and across the orbital track, respectively. The 3-D wave vector is
then reproduced by combining the projected 2-D wave slices in the two
directions. The feasibility of this sweep-mode tomographic retrieval
approach is assessed using simulated measurements. It shows that the
horizontal resolution in both along- and across-track directions is affected
by an adjustable turning angle, which also determines the spatial coverage of
this observation mode. The retrieval results can reduce the errors in
deducing momentum flux substantially by providing an unbiased estimation of
the real horizontal wavelength of a wave.
Book Review- Entrepreneurial Neighbourhoods Towards an Understanding of the Economies of Neighbourhoods and Communities
Authors: Buheji Mohamed
Published: June 2018

Literature doesn’t address the importance of neighbourhoods despite its growing importance for entrepreneurial development with minimal resources. There is a clear shortage in addressing the topic from multi-disciplinary perspectives that highlight the importance of local entrepreneurship across different boarders.van Ham et al (2017) work comes to explore how entrepreneurship can influence transformation in neighbourhoods and communities, particularly through entrepreneurially driven residents who can help in reducing socio-economic instability and poverty.Future effects of neighbourhood entrepreneurs are explored along with the challenges it brings specially to low income neighbourhoods and how it reflects even on the economics of the places. A recommendation for further studies be done in different geographies in order to bring in more global solutions that would enhance the innovation and creativity of rural areas of many developing and emerging economy countries.
Levantamientos campesinos en El Salvador
Authors: Montes Segundo
Published: June 2018

No abstract availableRealidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 01, 1988: 79-100
Las fuerzas sociales y el debate nacional
Authors: Editor El
Published: June 2018

No abstract availableRealidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 04, 1988: 283-286
Impacto de la migración de salvadoreños a los Estados Unidos, el envío de remesas y consecuencias en la estructura familiar y el papel de la mujer
Authors: Montes Segundo
Published: June 2018

No abstract availableRealidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 07, 1989: 5-33
Excedente potencial y desarrollo posible
Authors: Arriola Joaquín
Published: June 2018

No abstract availableRealidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 10, 1989: 357-366
Cambios en la economía mundial y desafíos para El Salvador
Authors: Umaña A.
Published: June 2018

No abstract availableRealidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 11, 1989: 457-488
La nueva derecha en El Salvador (parte primera)
Authors: Hernández M. Carlos F.
Published: June 2018

No abstract availableRealidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 12, 1989: 549-576
Amartya Sen: un líder actual proveniente de las ciencias económicas
Authors: Flores Ricardo
Published: June 2018

No abstract available.
Realidad Empresarial No. 1, 2016: 19-20
La empresa familiar
Authors: Tojeira José María
Published: June 2018

Realidad Empresarial No. 2, 2016: 1
La publicidad, creadora de mitos modemos
Authors: Ramírez Mauricio
Published: June 2018

No abstract available.
Realidad Empresarial No. 2, 2016: 32-38
Audit of the use of Seclusion in an Approved Centre following introduction of an Integrated Care Pathway
Authors: McManus Sorcha , McLaughlin Patrick , Cranny Olwyn , Whitty Peter
Published: June 2018

Introduction: The Mental Health Commission (MHC) has published guidelines on the rules governing the use of seclusion. These must be followed and the use of seclusion recorded in the patient’s clinical file during each seclusion episode. We devised a Seclusion Integrated Care Pathway (ICP) for use in the Approved Centre in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. This document was developed in conjunction with the MHC guidelines to assist in the recording and monitoring of each seclusion episode.Methods: The MHC has listed 13 rules governing the use of seclusion. These include the responsibility of the registered medical practitioner (RMP), nursing staff and the levels of observations and frequency of reviews that must take place during each seclusion episode. Using the seclusion register we identified a total of 60 seclusion episodes; 30 prior to the introduction of the ICP and 30 following the introduction of the ICP. We conducted a retrospective chart review to assess the documentation of each seclusion episode. The purpose of this audit was to compare adherence to MHC codes of practice on the use of seclusion before and after the introduction of our ICP.Results: There was overall improvement in adherence following the introduction of the ICP. Areas of improvement included consultant notification, informing the patient of the reasons for and likely duration of seclusion, informing the next of kin, 15 minute nursing observations and 2-hourly nursing review. Medical reviews within 4 hours, documentation of whether seclusion could be discontinued and subsequent medical assessment disimproved following introduction of the ICP.Conclusion: While an ICP is a robust document and ensures that many of the rules in relation to seclusion are explicitly stated adjustments to the document and regular staff training are needed to ensure full adherence to MHC guidelines.
Experiences of involvement in decision-making for patients with breast cancer. A phenomenological-hermeneutical study
Authors: Christoffersen Nausheen , Olling Karina , Steffensen Karina Dahl , Birkelund Regner
Published: June 2018

Background: Patient involvement, including shared decision-making (SDM), has become a key topic in the healthcare system. Only a few studies have been conducted in Denmark on how women with breast cancer experience being involved in the decision-making process during their treatment.Aim: The aim of the study was therefore to explore patients’ experiences in the decision-making process during their treatment course and whether or not it was clear to the individual patient that they had a choice.Methods: The study is based on a qualitative semi-structured interview of 7 patients with breast cancer conducted during February 2017 at a regional hospital for cancer treatment. The design is phenomenological-hermeneutic with inspiration from Ricoeur’s interpretation theory.Results: Through analysis and interpretation of the interviews, 2 themes were identified: (1) Real choice or course determined by the health professionals and (2) Treatment efficiency at the expense of time for consideration for options. The patients experienced that there was neither time for consideration in relation to their treatment, nor time to reflect on their situation. In the decision-making situations, most of the patients felt that they gave their consent only to a treatment course organized by the health professionals. They did not feel that they had a choice, but rather that participation was a prerequisite for getting well.Conclusions: The results of this study can contribute to the improvement of person-centered care and treatment by illustrating patient attitudes to the shared decision-making process and indicating where patient education would play a crucial role in increasing patient involvement in decisions about their care.
Pharmacists’ and patients’ views and feedback on Italian Medicines Use Review (I-MUR)
Authors: Manfrin Andrea , Krska Janet
Published: June 2018

Rationale, aims and objectives: Although medicine review services are offered by community pharmacists in many countries, they are non-existent in Italy. A novel intervention, I-MUR, was developed for patients with asthma aiming to improve medicines use. The aim of this study was to obtain pharmacists’ and patients’ views on the acceptability of the I-MUR service provided by community pharmacists to asthma patients in 4 Italian regions. Methods: Pharmacists’ expectations, experiences and attitudes to delivering the I-MUR were obtained through questionnaires distributed before and after delivering the I-MUR, plus focus groups. Patients’ views were obtained via questionnaires, distributed by the pharmacists and returned anonymously.Results: Seventy-four pharmacists provided the I-MUR service to 895 asthma patients; 49 pharmacists completed both questionnaires, 53 participated in focus groups and 246 patients returned questionnaires. Barriers anticipated most frequently by pharmacists before the I-MUR were lack of time (53%) and lack of co-ordination with other health professionals (61%), while lack of financial compensation was identified by 37%. Lack of co-ordination proved the most common actual barrier (88%), with lack of financial compensation being cited less frequently after providing the intervention (8%). Ninety-six percent of pharmacists anticipated providing both education on inhaler technique and medication counselling, but in practice slightly fewer had provided these (90% and 86% respectively). Focus groups highlighted a lack of relevant undergraduate education to support medication review and structural barriers within some pharmacies, but described positive patient feedback and a desire to extend the I-MUR. Patient respondents were positive; 62% indicated the reason for having an I-MUR as making sure that they were using medication correctly, 75% considered they benefited from it and 86% would recommend it to others.Conclusions: The I-MUR service was perceived positively by both pharmacists and patients, supporting the extension of medicine review services to community pharmacists in Italy in an enhancement of the person-centeredness of care.
Bibliotherapy at Its Best: Reading Aloud in a Swedish Hospital
Authors: Selin Eva , Graube Karin
Published: June 2018

This article is a condensed version of a paper presented by the authors at an International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Conference in August, 2017, in Wroclaw, Poland. All children’s names have been changed.
Research Roundup: Advocating for Children’s Rights
Authors: Prendergast Tess , Diamant-Cohen Betsy , Goldsmith Annette Y.
Published: June 2018

Although the American Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children are international organizations, meaning they welcome members from around the world, our scope tends to be North American in practice. While communities and funding structures in North American libraries are different (rural vs. urban for example), children’s librarians often share similar outlooks on children and childhood in general.However, while most ALSC members work within the cultural context of North American society, it is also important to understand the state of childhood on a more global scale. One way this can be accomplished is by taking a children’s rights approach. The following annotated links (many shortened through TinyUrl.com) and print resources are meant as an introduction to children’s rights for those working in public and school libraries around the world.
Newbery Medal Novels: What They Reveal about Class Differences and the American Dream
Authors: Lathey Jonathan
Published: June 2018

Robert Putnam observed that social class differences, now more than ever, determine the life outcomes of American children. Putnam reported evidence that the American Dream is in crisis for children born into lower-class families—these children have far fewer opportunities for success. This might suggest a loss of a survival narrative for these children.
A representação da mulher nas capas da Elle Brasil: uma história de ausências
Authors: Malta Renata Barreto , Lima Santos Carla Jullyene , De Sousa Pinto Maria Nayene
Published: June 2018

Este estudo propõe analisar as capas da revista ELLE Brasil, ao longo dos seus 28 anos, de forma objetiva e comparativa, mensurando a frequência das aparições de modelos de representação e interpretando qualitativamente os dados. Como método, aplicamos a Análise de Conteúdo do corpus, criteriosamente selecionado. Concluímos que, em sua história, a revista expressa uma representação quase que uníssona, privilegiando corpos magros de mulheres brancas, sendo a representatividade da mulher negra e seus traços fenotípicos praticamente inexistente. Contudo, em uma análise acurada da última década, a pluralidade de representações se fez presente, pela primeira vez, possivelmente um fenômeno em emergência.
Una aproximación al paisaje desde la red vial local. Los huertos de naranjos de la carretera de Alzira a Corbera (Valencia)
Authors: Besó Ros Adrià
Published: June 2018

El trazado de una nueva carretera irrumpe como un elemento ajeno al territorio por donde discurre. Pero durante el siglo xix la concepción de estas obras y su adaptabilidad al medio posibilitaban una fácil integración con el mismo. Incluso en ocasiones, como en el caso que nos ocupa, la carretera introdujo unos valores positivos que repercutieron en una mejora de su entorno. Se estudian estas relaciones en el caso concreto de la carretera de tercer orden de Alzira a Favara (trozo Alzira-Corbera), cuya construcción impulsó la transformación del territorio y la formación de un destacado conjunto de huertos de naranjos burgueses que coinciden en el tiempo con el proceso de expansión de este cultivo comercial. Estas circunstancias han propiciado que se haya convertido en uno de los principales itinerarios para el acercamiento a este tipo de paisaje de reconocidas cualidades estéticas y culturales.
Statistical approaches in weed research: choosing wisely
Authors: Concenço Germani , Andres André , Schreiber Fabio , Scherner Ananda , Behenck Joao Pedro
Published: June 2018

Conceitos e métodos estatísticos possuem papel fundamental para a sociedade, e a análise estatística de dados demanda considerável esforço e conhecimento humano. Por um lado, computadores e softwares estatísticos permitem que virtualmente qualquer pessoa possa escolher e executar testes estatísticos, mas por outro lado qualquer pesquisador, professor, estudante ou profissional pode utilizar estes softwares, mesmo os que não possuem conhecimentos estatísticos básicos para testar seus dados, produzindo com frequência análises estatísticas com algum tipo de incorreção. Objetiva-se com a presente revisão demonstrar como a escolha do método estatístico na ciência das plantas daninhas pode criar um viés na interpretação da eficiência de herbicidas, e impactar sua recomendação. Os problemas discutidos são ilustrados com base em dados de experimentos reais de campo. Propomos pequenas alterações na forma atual de análise de dados para auxiliar a reduzir a má interpretação de dados e a equivocada recomendação de herbicidas com base em sua eficiência em experimentos. Grande parte dos resultados de estudos com herbicidas parece estar embasado em experimentos sem o devido poder estatístico, logo sujeitos a fornecer informações com viés. A escolha por métodos estatísticos falhos, especialmente os baseados no valor-p (ANOVA e testes post-hoc), podem estar levando a conclusões equivocadas mesmo em experimentos com herbicidas corretamente conduzidos. Propõe-se o uso de intervalos de confiança para análise de dados qualitativos e quantitativos, junto ao adequado número de amostragens (“n”).
Recent Advances in Materials, Devices, and Systems for Neural Interfaces
Authors: Won Sang Min , Song Enming , Zhao Jianing , Li Jinghua , Rivnay Jonathan , Rogers John A.
Published: June 2018

Technologies capable of establishing intimate, long‐lived optical/electrical interfaces to neural systems will play critical roles in neuroscience research and in the development of nonpharmacological treatments for neurological disorders. The development of high‐density interfaces to 3D populations of neurons across entire tissue systems in living animals, including human subjects, represents a grand challenge for the field, where advanced biocompatible materials and engineered structures for electrodes and light emitters will be essential. This review summarizes recent progress in these directions, with an emphasis on the most promising demonstrated concepts, materials, devices, and systems. The article begins with an overview of electrode materials with enhanced electrical and/or mechanical performance, in forms ranging from planar films, to micro/nanostructured surfaces, to 3D porous frameworks and soft composites. Subsequent sections highlight integration with active materials and components for multiplexed addressing, local amplification, wireless data transmission, and power harvesting, with multimodal operation in soft, shape‐conformal systems. These advances establish the foundations for scalable architectures in optical/electrical neural interfaces of the future, where a blurring of the lines between biotic and abiotic systems will catalyze profound progress in neuroscience research and in human health/well‐being.
Extremely Flexible Indium‐Gallium‐Zinc Oxide (IGZO) Based Electronic Devices Placed on an Ultrathin Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA) Substrate
Authors: Kumaresan Yogeenth , Lee Ryeri , Lim Namsoo , Pak Yusin , Kim Hyeonghun , Kim Woochul , Jung Gun‐Young
Published: June 2018

The flexibility of metal oxide‐based electronic devices is severely limited by the thickness of their substrate. To enhance the flexibility of semiconducting metal oxide‐based electronic devices, a new and simple way to fabricate indium‐gallium‐zinc oxide (IGZO)‐based electronic devices on an ultrathin (1.9 µm) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrate is introduced. The PMMA layer spin‐coated on an unmodified glass slide has no chemical interactions at the interface, resulting in weak adhesion. Therefore, the PMMA layer with the devices is readily peeled off the underlying glass slide without using any sacrificial layer. Thin film transistors (TFTs) and gas sensors are fabricated on a 1.9 µm thick PMMA substrate. The fabricated bottom‐gated IGZO TFTs exhibits excellent transistor performances with a mobility of 10.7 cm2 V−1 s−1, a threshold voltage of 8.4 V and an on/off current ratio of 5 × 105. The PMMA substrate having palladium (Pd)‐decorated IGZO H2 sensors is attached to the nonplanar substrates such as wrinkled hand glove and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) gas tubes, and the sensors demonstrate an excellent sensitivity of ≈106% at 5% H2 concentration at room temperature. Furthermore, both electronic devices show superior flexibility without any performance degradation even at a bending radius down to <1 mm.
High‐Performance Non‐doped OLEDs with Nearly 100 % Exciton Use and Negligible Efficiency Roll‐Off
Authors: Liu Huijun , Zeng Jiajie , Guo Jingjing , Nie Han , Zhao Zujin , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: June 2018

Non‐doped organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) possess merits of higher stability and easier fabrication than doped devices. However, luminescent materials with high exciton use are generally unsuitable for non‐doped OLEDs because of severe emission quenching and exciton annihilation in neat films. Herein, we wish to report a novel molecular design of integrating aggregation‐induced delayed fluorescence (AIDF) moiety within host materials to explore efficient luminogens for non‐doped OLEDs. By grafting 4‐(phenoxazin‐10‐yl)benzoyl to common host materials, we develop a series of new luminescent materials with prominent AIDF property. Their neat films fluoresce strongly and can fully harvest both singlet and triplet excitons with suppressed exciton annihilation. Non‐doped OLEDs of these AIDF luminogens exhibit excellent luminance (ca. 100000 cd m−2), outstanding external quantum efficiencies (21.4–22.6 %), negligible efficiency roll‐off and improved operational stability. To the best of our knowledge, these are the most efficient non‐doped OLEDs reported so far. This convenient and versatile molecular design is of high significance for the advance of non‐doped OLEDs.
Phase II Study of ABT‐122, a Tumor Necrosis Factor– and Interleukin‐17A–Targeted Dual Variable Domain Immunoglobulin, in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis With an Inadequate Response to Methotrexate
Authors: Mease Philip J. , Genovese Mark C. , Weinblatt Michael E. , Peloso Paul M. , Chen Kun , Othman Ahmed A. , Li Yihan , Mansikka Heikki T. , Khatri Amit , Wishart Neil , Liu John
Published: June 2018

Objective

To investigate the safety and efficacy of ABT‐122, a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)– and interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A)–targeted dual variable domain immunoglobulin, in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who have experienced an inadequate response to methotrexate.

Methods

Patients (n = 240) were randomized to receive ABT‐122 (120 or 240 mg every week), adalimumab (40 mg every other week), or placebo in a 12‐week double‐blind, parallel‐group study. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of patients achieving ≥20% improvement in disease activity according to the American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR20) at week 12. Secondary and exploratory 12‐week end points included 50% improvement (ACR50) and 70% improvement (ACR70) response rates, and proportion of patients meeting the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) response criteria for ≥75% (PASI75) and ≥90% (PASI90) improvement in skin scores among those with ≥3% of their body surface area affected by psoriasis.

Results

In both ABT‐122 dose groups, ACR20 response rates at week 12 (64.8–75.3%) were superior to that in patients receiving placebo (25.0%) (P < 0.001) but similar to that in patients receiving adalimumab (68.1%). ACR50 and ACR70 response rates were also superior in both ABT‐122 dose groups (36.6–53.4% and 22.5–31.5%, respectively) compared to the placebo group (12.5% and 4.2%, respectively) (P < 0.05). Among eligible patients in the placebo, adalimumab, ABT‐122 120 mg every week, and ABT‐122 240 mg every week treatment groups, PASI75 responses were achieved in 27.3%, 57.6%, 74.4%, and 77.6% of patients, respectively, whereas PASI90 responses were achieved in 18.2%, 45.5%, 48.8%, and 46.9% of patients, respectively. Frequencies of treatment‐emergent adverse events, including infections, were similar across all treatment groups, causing no discontinuations. No serious infections or systemic hypersensitivity reactions were reported with ABT‐122.

Conclusion

Dual neutralization of TNF and IL‐17A with ABT‐122 had efficacy and safety that was similar to, and not broadly differentiated from, that of adalimumab over a 12‐week treatment course in patients with PsA.
Asymptotic analysis and optimization of some insurance models
Authors: Bulinskaya Ekaterina
Published: June 2018

The aim of the paper is to show how one can perform asymptotic analysis of models arising in insurance, finance, and other applications of probability theory and solve optimization problems. To this end, we consider two insurance models (one continuous‐time and one discrete‐time). The first one is a dual Sparre Andersen insurance model with dividends. It describes not only the functioning of a life insurance company dealing with annuities but also a venture capital investment company or the capital of a business engaged in research and development. The main attention is paid to investigation of a new strategy of dividends payment. The second model deals with short‐term credits in discrete‐time case. We focus here on the system optimization in the framework of cost approach. In other words, expected discounted n‐period costs are chosen as objective function. The optimal policy is obtained using dynamic programming. We introduce also the notion of asymptotic optimality and establish the form of asymptotically optimal policy. The model stability with respect to claim distribution perturbations is dealt with as well. Although we study only the simple cases, the methods proposed here can be useful for solving other optimization and stability problems.
Hydrazide functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for specific extraction of N‐terminal serine and threonine peptides
Authors: Saraji Mohammad , Yousefi Shila
Published: June 2018

In this study, we present hydrazide functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as a sorbent prepared by a new and facile method. Scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared were used for characterizing the synthesized nanoparticles. The ability of the sorbent to extract N‐terminal serine and threonine peptides was evaluated. The peptides were modified by oxidation of the hydroxyl group in the 1,2‐amino alcohol structure before extraction. These aldehyde‐forms of peptides were specifically bonded to the hydrazide groups of the sorbent. The formed hydrazone bonds were cleaved in the presence of hydroxylamine reagent. Finally, the oximated peptides were released and quantified with a high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array spectroscopy. The effects of experimental parameters including extraction time, elution time and elution volume on extraction efficiency were also investigated. The required time for the extraction process to reach equilibrium and elution time was only 8 h. The adsorption efficiency of the sorbent was 79 and 77% for peptides with N‐terminal serine and threonine, respectively. The sorbent showed good specificity for extracting the peptides. In addition, the extraction efficiency of the sorbent remained constant in the presence of a non‐N‐terminal serine and threonine peptide as interference.
Sodium metavanadate induced cognitive decline, behavioral impairments, oxidative stress and down regulation of myelin basic protein in mice hippocampus: Ameliorative roles of β‐spinasterol, and stigmasterol
Authors: Adebiyi Olamide Elizabeth , Olopade James Olukayode , Olayemi Funsho Olakitike
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Exposures to toxic levels of vanadium and soluble vanadium compounds cause behavioral impairments and neurodegeneration via free radical production. Consequently, natural antioxidant sources have been explored for effective and cheap remedy following toxicity. Grewia carpinifolia has been shown to improve behavioral impairments in vanadium‐induced neurotoxicity, however, the active compounds implicated remains unknown. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate ameliorative effects of bioactive compounds from G. carpinifolia on memory and behavioral impairments in vanadium‐induced neurotoxicity.

Methods

Sixty BALB/c mice were equally divided into five groups (A–E). A (control); administered distilled water, B (standard); administered α‐tocopherol (500 mg/kg) every 72 hr orally with daily dose of sodium metavanadate (3 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, test groups C, and D; received single oral dose of 100 μg β‐spinasterol or stigmasterol (bioactive compounds from G. carpinifolia), respectively, along with sodium metavanadate and the model group E, received sodium metavanadate only for seven consecutive days. Memory, locomotion and muscular strength were accessed using Morris water maze, Open field and hanging wire tests. In vivo antioxidant and neuroprotective activities were evaluated by measuring catalase, superoxide dismutase, MDA, H2O2, and myelin basic protein (MBP) expression in the hippocampus.

Results

In Morris water maze, stigmasterol significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased escape latency and increased swimming time in target quadrant (28.01 ± 0.02; 98.24 ± 17.38 s), respectively, better than α‐tocopherol (52.43 ± 13.25; 80.32 ± 15.21) and β‐spinasterol (42.09 ± 14.27; 70.91 ± 19.24) in sodium metavanadate‐induced memory loss (112.31 ± 9.35; 42.35 ± 11.05). β‐Spinasterol and stigmasterol significantly increased exploration and latency in open field and hanging wire tests respectively. Stigmasterol also increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, decreased oxidative stress markers and lipid peroxidation in mice hippocampal homogenates, and increased MBP expression.

Conclusions

The findings of this study indicate a potential for stigmasterol, a bioactive compound from G. carpinifolia in improving cognitive decline, motor coordination, and ameliorating oxidative stress in vanadium‐induced neurotoxicity.
Pharmacokinetic Characteristics of Tofacitinib in Adult Patients With Moderate to Severe Chronic Plaque Psoriasis
Authors: Ma Guangli , Xie Rujia , Strober Bruce , Langley Richard , Ito Kaori , Krishnaswami Sriram , Wolk Robert , Valdez Hernan , Rottinghaus Scott , Tallman Anna , Gupta Pankaj
Published: June 2018

Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. This study characterized the pharmacokinetics of tofacitinib in patients with psoriasis and evaluated the impact of patient factors on disposition. Pooled phase 2/3 data (2981 patients: 9735 concentrations, dose range: 2‐15 mg twice daily) up to 56 weeks were used for modeling. A one‐compartment model parameterized in terms of apparent oral clearance (CL/F), apparent volume of distribution, zero‐order absorption (duration, D), with interindividual variability and inter‐occasion variability terms, described tofacitinib pharmacokinetics. A full covariate model incorporated effects for age, sex, race, ethnicity, and baseline variables (body weight, Psoriasis Area Severity Index [PASI], C‐reactive protein [CRP], creatinine clearance [CrCl]). The parameter estimates (95%CI) for CL/F, Vd/F, and D in a typical individual (white, male, 86 kg, 46 years, CrCl 121 mL/min, PASI 19.8, and CRP 0.267 mg/dL) were 26.7 (25.9, 27.5) L/h, 125 (120.8, 128.3) liters, and 0.69 (0.646, 0.735) hours, respectively. Only CrCl led to clinically relevant changes in exposure. The analysis suggested no dosing modifications for age, body weight, sex, race, ethnicity, baseline PASI, or CRP based on the magnitude of exposure change. Dosing adjustments for renal impairment were derived from a separate phase 1 study.