bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality Assurance in Nursing Education: A Qualitative Study Involving Students and Newly Graduated Nurses
Authors: López-Entrambasaguas Olga María , Calero-García María José , Díaz-Meco-Niño Ana María , Martínez-Linares José Manuel
Published: December 2019

Background: Assuring quality training for future nursing professionals is essential to preserving population health and socio-economic development. Quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area places students in a leading role to transform and improve higher education programs. Therefore, an innovative way of reviewing strengths and weaknesses of the nursing education program of a Spanish university has been developed. Objectives: The aim of this paper was to explore the perceptions and opinions of nursing students and newly-qualified nurses regarding the contents of the nursing curriculum in order to improve its quality. Methods: Descriptive and exploratory qualitative research was carried out involving 12 newly-qualified nurses and 12 student nurses. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were performed. Results: Based on the thematic analysis, two themes emerged: improving clinical practices and reviewing the theoretical curriculum. Conclusions: Among the improvements suggested by the participants, the most relevant ones were establishing a clear structure of learning contents in the practicum, and redistributing the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System ECTS credits in various courses of the study program. However, additional evidence is needed prior to proceeding with any changes.
Lifestyle Habits Predict Academic Performance in High School Students: The Adolescent Student Academic Performance Longitudinal Study (ASAP)
Authors: Dubuc Marie-Maude , Aubertin-Leheudre Mylène , Karelis Antony D.
Published: December 2019

This study aimed to determine if lifestyle habits could predict changes in cognitive control and academic performance in high school students using a longitudinal approach. One hundred and eighty-seven grade seventh to ninth students (mean age: 13.1 ± 1.0 years old) completed a 3-year prospective study. Lifestyle habits, cognitive control, and academic performance were assessed every year during the 3-year study. Results show that in female students, screen time measures were negatively correlated with academic performance and cognitive control. Furthermore, changes (Δs) in sleeping habits were associated with Δs in academic performance in both genders, whereas Δs in eating habits and in studying time were correlated with Δs in academic performance only in male students. Moreover, in female students, screen time, social media use, and eating habits measures seem to predict the variance in the Δs of cognitive control measures (r2 between 8.2% and 21.0%), whereas, in male students, studying time, eating, and sleeping habits appear to explain the variance in the Δs of academic performance measures (r2 between 5.9% and 24.8%). In conclusion, results of the present study indicate that lifestyle habits were able to predict Δs in cognitive control and academic performance of high school students during a 3-year period.
Health and Occupational Injury Experienced by Latinx Child Farmworkers in North Carolina, USA
Authors: Arcury Thomas A. , Arnold Taylor J. , Quandt Sara A. , Chen Haiying , Kearney Gregory D. , Sandberg Joanne C. , Talton Jennifer W. , Wiggins Melinda F. , Daniel Stephanie S.
Published: December 2019

Children as young as 10 years old are hired to work on farms in the United States (U.S.). These children are largely Latinx. Using interview data collected from 202 North Carolina Latinx child farmworkers in 2017, this analysis documents the heath characteristics and occupational injuries of Latinx child farmworkers and delineates characteristics associated with their health and occupational injuries. Latinx child farmworkers include girls (37.6%) and boys (62.4%), aged 10 to 17 years, with 17.8% being migrant farmworkers. Three-quarters reported receiving medical and dental care in the past year. Respiratory (15.8%) and vision (20.3%) problems were prevalent. Girls more than boys, and younger more than older children had greater health service utilization. Occupational injuries were common, with 26.2% reporting a traumatic injury, 44.1% a dermatological injury, 42.6% a musculoskeletal injury, and 45.5% heat-related illness in the past year. Age increased the odds of reporting work injuries and heat-related illness, and being a non-migrant reduced the odds of reporting work injuries. These results emphasize the need for greater documentation of child farmworker occupational health and safety. They underscore the need to change occupational safety policy to ensure that children working in agriculture have the same protections as those working in all other U.S. industries.
Advances in the Development of Pharmacological Chaperones for the Mucopolysaccharidoses
Authors: Losada Díaz Juan Camilo , Cepeda del Castillo Jacobo , Rodriguez-López Edwin Alexander , Alméciga-Díaz Carlos J.
Published: December 2019

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of 11 lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) produced by mutations in the enzymes involved in the lysosomal catabolism of glycosaminoglycans. Most of the mutations affecting these enzymes may lead to changes in processing, folding, glycosylation, pH stability, protein aggregation, and defective transport to the lysosomes. It this sense, it has been proposed that the use of small molecules, called pharmacological chaperones (PCs), can restore the folding, trafficking, and biological activity of mutated enzymes. PCs have the advantages of wide tissue distribution, potential oral administration, lower production cost, and fewer issues of immunogenicity than enzyme replacement therapy. In this paper, we will review the advances in the identification and characterization of PCs for the MPS. These molecules have been described for MPS II, IVA, and IVB, showing a mutation-dependent enhancement of the mutated enzymes. Although the results show the potential of this strategy, further studies should focus in the development of disease-specific cellular models that allow a proper screening and evaluation of PCs. In addition, in vivo evaluation, both pre-clinical and clinical, should be performed, before they can become a real therapeutic strategy for the treatment of MPS patients.
Geometric and Operational Features of Horizontal Curves with Specific Regard to Skidding Proneness
Authors: Intini Paolo , Berloco Nicola , Ranieri Vittorio , Colonna Pasquale
Published: December 2019

(1) Run-off-road (ROR) crashes are a crucial issue worldwide, resulting in a disproportionate number of traffic deaths. In safety research, macro-level analysis on large datasets is usually conducted by linking explanatory variables to ROR crash frequency/severity. Micro-analysis approaches, like the one used in this study, are instead less frequent. (2) A comprehensive Italian Fatal + Injury (FI) crash dataset was filtered to identify two-way two-lane rural road curves on the national road network on which more than one ROR FI crash (i.e., at least two crashes) in the observation period of four years had occurred. The typical features of the ROR FI crashes and the recurrent geometric (characteristics of tangents and curves) and operational features (inferred speeds, acceleration/decelerations) of the crash sites were reconstructed. (3) The main contributory factors in ROR FI crashes are: wet pavements, speeding, and distraction. Sites with a relevant history of ROR FI crashes present recurrent safety issues such as inadequate horizontal curve coordination, an insufficient tangent length for decelerating, and inferred operating speeds comparable/higher than the inferred design speeds. (4) Based on findings, some practical suggestions for road safety management and maintenance are proposed through specific indicators and countermeasures (speed, perception, and friction related).
Taxonomic and Functional Response of Millipedes (Diplopoda) to Urban Soil Disturbance in a Metropolitan Area
Authors: Tóth Zsolt , Hornung Elisabeth
Published: December 2019

Urbanization, as a major cause of local species extinction and biotic homogenization, drastically alters soil life. Millipedes are a key group of soil macrodetritivores and significantly influence soil quality, mainly through their essential role in nutrient cycling. Therefore, studying their taxonomic and functional responses to urban disturbance is crucial, as they contribute to the provision of several soil-related ecosystem services in cities. Differently degraded rural, urban forests and other woody patches (e.g., parks, gardens, and cemeteries) were sampled on Buda and Pest sides of the Budapest metropolitan area divided by the Danube River. We measured the most relevant physical and chemical properties of topsoil to characterize habitats. We applied an urbanization index based on vegetation cover and built-up area of the study sites to quantify urban intensity. The composition of the assemblages was determined by the division of the city along the Danube. Urbanization was associated with a reduction in species and functional richness of millipedes on both sides of Budapest. β diversity and species turnover increased with urban intensity. Urban disturbance was the main driver in assembly of taxonomic and functional community composition. A new species (Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus (Wood, 1864)) to the fauna of Budapest was found. Detritivore invertebrates depend on leaf litter and other dead organic matter types, therefore microsites providing these resources greatly improve their survival. Due to increasing urban disturbance, it is recommended to provide appropriate detritus and shelter sites as part of the management of green spaces in order to maintain species richness, abundance, and function of species.
How Bees Respond Differently to Field Margins of Shrubby and Herbaceous Plants in Intensive Agricultural Crops of the Mediterranean Area
Authors: Sanchez Juan , Carrasco Aline , La Spina Michelangelo , Pérez-Marcos María , Ortiz-Sánchez F.
Published: December 2019

(1) Intensive agriculture has a high impact on pollinating insects, and conservation strategies targeting agricultural landscapes may greatly contribute to their maintenance. The aim of this work was to quantify the effect that the vegetation of crop margins, with either herbaceous or shrubby plants, had on the abundance and diversity of bees in comparison to non-restored margins. (2) The work was carried out in an area of intensive agriculture in southern Spain. Bees were monitored visually and using pan traps, and floral resources were quantified in crop margins for two years. (3) An increase in the abundance and diversity of wild bees in restored margins was registered, compared to non-restored margins. Significant differences in the structure of bee communities were found between shrubby and herbaceous margins. Apis mellifera and mining bees were found to be more polylectic than wild Apidae and Megachilidae. The abundance of A. mellifera and mining bees was correlated to the total floral resources, in particular, to those offered by the Boraginaceae and Brassicaceae; wild Apidae and Megachilidae were associated with the Lamiaceae. (4) This work emphasises the importance of floral diversity and shrubby plants for the maintenance of rich bee communities in Mediterranean agricultural landscapes.
Ratio of Transmitral E Wave Velocity to Left Atrial Strain as a Useful Predictor of Total and Cardiovascular Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Tsai Wei-Chung , Lee Wen-Hsien , Wu Pei-Yu , Huang Jiun-Chi , Chen Ying-Chih , Chen Szu-Chia , Hsu Po-Chao , Lee Chee-Siong , Lin Tsung-Hsien , Voon Wen-Chol , Su Ho-Ming
Published: December 2019

The ratio of transmitral E-wave velocity (E) to a left ventricular diastolic parameter is reported to be well correlated with left ventricular filling pressure and is useful in the prediction of mortality. Left atrial (LA) strain has been demonstrated to be associated with left ventricular diastolic function. The aim of the study is to examine the ability of E/LA strain in predicting total and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In 197 routine HD patients, global LA strain during the reservoir phase was estimated by taking the average of longitudinal strain data obtained from the apical four-chamber and two chamber views by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Twenty-nine total mortality and 14 cardiovascular mortality were documented during the 2.7 ± 0.6-year follow-up. After adjusting age, comorbidities, albumin, E/early diastolic mitral annular velocity (Ea), and LA strain, increased E/LA strain (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.191, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.072−1.324, p = 0.001) was still associated with increased total mortality. After adjusting age, comorbidities, albumin, E/Ea, left ventricular ejection fraction, and LA strain, increased E/LA strain (HR = 1.195, 95% CI = 1.041−1.372, p = 0.011) was still associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. In conclusion, E/LA strain is a useful parameter in the prediction of total and cardiovascular mortality in HD patients. Hence, E/LA strain deserves to be calculated in HD patients for better survival prediction.
Dietary Fucoxanthin Induces Anoikis in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma by Suppressing Integrin Signaling in a Murine Colorectal Cancer Model
Authors: Terasaki Masaru , Ikuta Mimori , Kojima Hiroyuki , Tanaka Takuji , Maeda Hayato , Miyashita Kazuo , Mutoh Michihiro
Published: December 2019

Fucoxanthin (Fx), abundantly contained in edible brown algae, is a carotenoid with strong anti-cancer potential. Anoikis is an anchor-dependent apoptosis particularly related to integrin signaling, and a target for cancer preventive strategies. We recently demonstrated that Fx prevented colon cancer in azoxymethane-dextrane sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) carcinogenic model mice, and that it increased anoikis-like integrin β1low/-/cleaved caspase-3high cells in colonic mucosal crypts. However, an induction mechanism of anoikis by Fx in adenocarcinoma tissue remains unresolved. Thus, we investigated anoikis in colonic adenocarcinoma in AOM/DSS mice. Fx administration (30 mg/kg body weight) significantly suppressed the incidence and multiplicity of colonic adenocarcinoma in AOM/DSS mice. A number of anoikis-like integrin β1low/-/cleaved caspase-3high cells in colonic adenocarcinoma and mucosal crypts were significantly increased, 8.3- and 3.5-fold in the Fx group compared with those of the control group, respectively. The results indicated the increase of anoikis-like cells occurred more strongly in colonic adenocarcinoma than in colonic mucosal crypts. In addition, integrin β1 expression, and pFAK (Tyr397) and pPaxillin (Tyr31) activation in mucosal tissue decreased 0.7-, 0.5- and 0.6-fold by Fx administration, respectively. The results suggest that Fx induces anoikis in colonic adenocarcinoma developed by AOM/DSS treatment through attenuation of integrin signaling.
Are Family Firms Financially Healthier Than Non-Family Firm?
Authors: Ntoung Lious Agbor Tabot , Santos de Oliveira Helena Maria , Sousa Benjamim Manuel Ferreira de , Pimentel Liliana Marques , Bastos Susana Adelina Moreira Carvalho
Published: December 2019

This study examines the whether or not family firms are financially healthier than non-family in terms of capital structure and leverage. It therefore takes into consideration the existence of any significant differences between the leverage and risk choices of family and non-family firms. Using a panel data set of 888 firms and 7104 firm-year observations of unlisted small and medium size firms over the period 2007–2014, we present that family owned businesses have lower financial structure than those of non-family owned businesses. This indicates that most family firms use less debt financing than non-family firms, and as such maintain a lower level of debt. Secondly, family firms demonstrate lower risk as illustrated by the Altman Z-score. The Altman Z-score scale illustrates a contrary relationship of significance with respect to family firms and their counterparts in terms of the operation aspect of the business’s risk factors. Family firms managed their business operations with lower risk and are generally healthier financially than their counterpart firms. Lastly, findings from the robust tests for the hypotheses using a sample of bankrupt firms in Iberian Balance sheet Analysis System (SABI) reveal that the proportion of failure of family firms as opposed to their counterpart firms is relatively low. Analyzing the bankruptcy files of firms from 2002 to 2014 shows a considerably low ratio of family firms at the 5% significant level. This affirms that the low risk illustrated in the Altman Z-score regression is consistent to the lower ratio of family firms that were declared bankrupted over the study period, which makes Spain an important case in this study.
Influence of Melt-Pool Stability in 3D Printing of NdFeB Magnets on Density and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Skalon Mateusz , Görtler Michael , Meier Benjamin , Arneitz Siegfried , Urban Nikolaus , Mitsche Stefan , Huber Christian , Franke Joerg , Sommitsch Christof
Published: December 2019

The current work presents the results of an investigation focused on the influence of process parameters on the melt-track stability and its consequence to the sample density printed out of NdFeB powder. Commercially available powder of Nd7.5Pr0.7Fe75.4Co2.5B8.8Zr2.6Ti2.5 alloy was investigated at the angle of application in selective laser melting of permanent magnets. Using single track printing the stability of the melt pool was investigated under changing process parameters. The influence of changing laser power, scanning speed, and powder layer thickness on density, porosity structure, microstructure, phase composition, and magnetic properties were investigated. The results showed that energy density coupled with powder layer thickness plays a crucial role in melt-track stability. It was possible to manufacture magnets of both high relative density and high magnetic properties. Magnetization tests showed a significant correlation between the shape of the demagnetization curve and the layer height. While small layer heights are beneficial for sufficient magnetic properties, the remaining main parameters tend to affect the magnetic properties less. A quasi-linear correlation between the layer height and the magnetic properties remanence (Jr), coercivity (HcJ) and maximum energy product ((BH)max) was found.
Admission Serum Potassium Levels in Hospitalized Patients and One-Year Mortality
Authors: Thongprayoon Charat , Cheungpasitporn Wisit , Hansrivijit Panupong , Mao Michael A. , Medaura Juan , Bathini Tarun , Chewcharat Api , Erickson Stephen B.
Published: December 2019

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between admission serum potassium and one-year mortality in all adult hospitalized patients. Methods: All adult hospitalized patients who had an admission serum potassium level between the years 2011 and 2013 at a tertiary referral hospital were enrolled. End-stage kidney disease patients were excluded. Admission serum potassium was categorized into levels of ≤2.9, 3.0–3.4, 3.5–3.9, 4.0–4.4, 4.5–4.9, 5.0–5.4, and ≥5.5 mEq/L. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to assess the independent association between admission serum potassium and one-year mortality after hospital admission, using an admission potassium level of 4.0–4.4 mEq/L as the reference group. Results: A total of 73,983 patients with mean admission potassium of 4.2 ± 0.5 mEq/L were studied. Of these, 12.6% died within a year after hospital admission, with the lowest one-year mortality associated with an admission serum potassium of 4.0–4.4 mEq/L. After adjustment for age, sex, race, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), principal diagnosis, comorbidities, medications, acute kidney injury, mechanical ventilation, and other electrolytes at hospital admission, both a low admission serum potassium ≤3.9 mEq/L and elevated admission potassium ≥5.0 mEq/L were significantly associated with an increased risk of one-year mortality, when compared with an admission serum potassium of 4.0–4.4 mEq/L. Subgroup analysis of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease patients showed similar results. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that hypokalemia ≤3.9 mEq/L and hyperkalemia ≥5.0 mEq/L at the time of hospital admission were associated with higher one-year mortality.
Ductile Compressive Behavior of Biomedical Alloys
Authors: Affolter Christian , Thorwarth Götz , Arabi-Hashemi Ariyan , Müller Ulrich , Weisse Bernhard
Published: December 2019

The mechanical properties of ductile metals are generally assessed by means of tensile testing. Compression testing of metal alloys is usually only applied for brittle materials, or if the available specimen size is limited (e.g., in micro indentation). In the present study a previously developed test procedure for compressive testing was applied to determine the elastic properties and the yield curves of different biomedical alloys, such as 316L (two different batches), Ti-6Al-7Nb, and Co-28Cr-6Mo. The results were compared and validated against data from tensile testing. The converted flow curves for true stress vs. logarithmic strain of the compressive samples coincided well up to the yield strength of the tensile samples. The developed compression test method was shown to be reliable and valid, and it can be applied in cases where only small material batches are available, e.g., from additive manufacturing. Nevertheless, a certain yield asymmetry was observed with one of the tested 316L stainless steel alloys and the Co-28Cr-6Mo. Possible hypotheses and explanations for this yield asymmetry are given in the discussion section.
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis in HIV and Non-HIV Individuals
Authors: Munro Monique , Yadavalli Tejabhiram , Fonteh Cheryl , Arfeen Safa , Lobo-Chan Ann-Marie
Published: December 2019

Cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) is a severe, vision-threatening disease that primarily affects immunosuppressed patients. CMVR is the most common ocular opportunistic infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients and is the leading cause of blindness in this group; however, the incidence of CMVR in HIV patients has dramatically decreased with antiretroviral therapy. Other causes of immunosuppression, including organ transplantation, hematologic malignancies, and iatrogenic immunosuppression, can also lead to the development of CMVR. Herein, we describe the pathogenesis of CMVR and compare clinical features, epidemiology, and risk factors in HIV and non-HIV infected individuals with CMVR.
Prenatal Transfer of Gut Bacteria in Rock Pigeon
Authors: Dietz Maurine W. , Salles Joana F. , Hsu Bin-Yan , Dijkstra Cor , Groothuis Ton G. G. , van der Velde Marco , Verkuil Yvonne I. , Tieleman B. Irene
Published: December 2019

Vertebrates evolved in concert with bacteria and have developed essential mutualistic relationships. Gut bacteria are vital for the postnatal development of most organs and the immune and metabolic systems and may likewise play a role during prenatal development. Prenatal transfer of gut bacteria is shown in four mammalian species, including humans. For the 92% of the vertebrates that are oviparous, prenatal transfer is debated, but it has been demonstrated in domestic chicken. We hypothesize that also non-domestic birds can prenatally transmit gut bacteria. We investigated this in medium-sized Rock pigeon (Columba livia), ensuring neonates producing fair-sized first faeces. The first faeces of 21 neonate rock pigeons hatched in an incubator, contained a microbiome (bacterial community) the composition of which resembled the cloacal microbiome of females sampled from the same population (N = 5) as indicated by multiple shared phyla, orders, families, and genera. Neonates and females shared 16.1% of the total number of OTUs present (2881), and neonates shared 45.5% of their core microbiome with females. In contrast, the five females shared only 0.3% of the 1030 female OTUs present. These findings suggest that prenatal gut bacterial transfer may occur in birds. Our results support the hypothesis that gut bacteria may be important for prenatal development and present a heritability pathway of gut bacteria in vertebrates.
Pb-Rich Slags, Minerals, and Pollution Resulted from a Medieval Ag-Pb Smelting and Mining Operation in the Silesian-Cracovian Region (Southern Poland)
Authors: Cabała Jerzy , Warchulski Rafał , Rozmus Dariusz , Środek Dorota , Szełęg Eligiusz
Published: December 2019

Since the 12th century in the Silesian-Cracovian area, lead, litharge, and silver have been produced by the pyrometallurgical processing of Pb-Ag-Zn ore. Slags and soils contaminated with heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, Fe, Mn, As) were the subject of this research. Samples were collected during archaeological works in the area of early medieval metallurgical settlement. The main goals of the analyses (Scanning Electron Miscroscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Electron Probe Microanalyzer (EPMA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)) were the determination of the mineralogical composition of furnace batches and smelting temperatures and conditions. In soils, the anthropogenic phases enriched in Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn, P, and primary minerals like goethite, ferrihydrite, sphalerite, galena, smithsonite, minrecordite, cerussite, gypsum, anglesite, jarosite, and hemimorphite were identified. The soil from former metallurgical settlements contained up to 1106 mg·kg−1 Pb, 782 mg·kg−1 Zn, 4.7 mg·kg−1 Cd in the fine fraction. Much higher heavy metal concentrations were observed in the waste products of ore rinsing, up to 49,282 mg·kg−1 Pb, 64,408 mg·kg−1 Zn, and 287 mg·kg−1 Cd. The medieval smelting industry and Pb-Ag-Zn ore processing are marked by highly anomalous geochemical pollution (Pb, Zn, Cd, Fe, Mn, Ba) in the topsoil. The methods of mineralogical investigation, such as SEM-EDS or EMPA, can be used to identify mineralogical phases formed during metallurgical processes or ore processing. Based on these methods, the characteristic primary assemblage and synthetic phases were identified in the area polluted by medieval metallurgy and mining of Pb-Ag-Zn ores, including MVT (Mississippi Valley Type) deposits. The minerals distinguished in slags and the structural features of metal-bearing aggregates allow us to conclude that batches have included mostly oxidised minerals (PbCO3, ZnCO3, CaZn(CO3)2, FeOOH), sulfides (PbS and ZnS) and quartz (SiO2). The laboratory experiment of high-temperature heating of the examined slags showed that smelting temperatures used in the second half of 13th century were very high and could have reached up to 1550 °C. The results indicate, that geochemical and mineralogical methods can be used to obtain important information from archaeological sites, even after archaeological work has long ceased.
Research on the Production of Composite Fuel on the Basis of Fine-Grained Coal Fractions and Biomass—The Impact of Process Parameters and the Type of Binder on the Quality of Briquettes Produced
Authors: Rejdak Michał , Robak Jolanta , Czardybon Agata , Ignasiak Karina , Fudała Piotr
Published: December 2019

This paper presents the partial results of a study on obtaining compacted fuel from fine-grained coal fractions and biomass. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of selected parameters of the extrusion process and the applied binder (mechanical durability and density of the products). The fuels were formulated using the extrusion process. Raw materials used in the research were: Fine-grained coal (flotation concentrates), biomass (hydrolytic lignocellulose), and a wide spectrum of organic and mineral binders and their compositions. During the investigations, the variable factors were the following: Extrusion pressure, preparation of the mixtures for extrusion (mixing time and temperature of the mixture), composition of the extruded mixtures (share of fine-grained coal and biomass and type of binder). It was found that it is possible to extrude mechanically durable briquettes from mixtures containing fine-grained coal products and biomass. Under the conditions of the experiment, the most favorable mechanical durability was characterized by briquettes containing in their composition 90% of coal and 6% of biomass (in relation to the dry state). The briquettes with the most favorable physico-mechanical properties were obtained using organic binders—Starch (based on wheat and potato starch) and cellulose derivatives.
Preparation of Magnetic CuFe2O4@Ag@ZIF-8 Nanocomposites with Highly Catalytic Activity Based on Cellulose Nanocrystals
Authors: Zhang Sufeng , Xu Yongshe , Zhao Dongyan , Chen Wenqiang , Li Hao , Hou Chen
Published: December 2019

A facile approach was successfully developed for synthesis of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)-supported magnetic CuFe2O4@Ag@ZIF-8 nanospheres which consist of a paramagnetic CuFe2O4@Ag core and porous ZIF-8 shell. The CuFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were first prepared in the presence of CNC and dispersant. Ag NPs were then deposited on the CuFe2O4/CNC composites via an in situ reduction directed by dopamine polymerization (PDA). The CuFe2O4/CNC@Ag@ZIF-8 nanocomposite was characterized by TEM, FTIR, XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, VSM, and XPS. Catalytic studies showed that the CuFe2O4/CNC@Ag@ZIF-8 catalyst had much higher catalytic activity than CuFe2O4@Ag catalyst with the rate constant of 0.64 min−1. Because of the integration of ZIF-8 with CuFe2O4/CNC@Ag that combines the advantaged of each component, the nanocomposites were demonstrated to have an enhanced catalytic activity in heterogeneous catalysis. Therefore, these results demonstrate a new method for the fabrication of CNC-supported magnetic core-shell catalysts, which display great potential for application in biocatalysis and environmental chemistry.
The Impact of Different Cultivation Systems on the Content of Selected Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Activity of Carlina acaulis Plant Material
Authors: Strzemski Maciej , Dresler Sławomir , Sowa Ireneusz , Czubacka Anna , Agacka-Mołdoch Monika , Płachno Bartosz J. , Granica Sebastian , Feldo Marcin , Wójciak-Kosior Magdalena
Published: December 2019

Roots and leaves of Carlina acaulis L. are still used in ethnomedicine in many European countries; however, the limited occurrence of the plants and protection of this species necessitate a search for alternative ways for obtaining this plant material. In this study, in vitro cultures, hydroponic cultures, and field cultivation were applied to obtain the C. acaulis plant material. Its quality was evaluated using antioxidant activity tests and high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Our study showed that the antioxidant activity and the content of chlorogenic and 3,5-di-caffeoylquinic acid in roots of plants cultivated in hydroponics and field conditions were comparable. However, the amount of carlina oxide was significantly higher in plants from the field. The flavonoid content in leaves obtained from both cultivation systems was at the same level; however, the antioxidant activity and the content of the investigated metabolites were higher in the soil cultivation system. The callus line exhibited high differentiation in phytochemical compositions depending on the treatments and medium compositions.
New Genotypes of Coxiella burnetii Circulating in Brazil and Argentina
Authors: Mioni Mateus de Souza Ribeiro , Sidi-Boumedine Karim , Morales Dalanezi Felipe , Fernandes Joaquim Sâmea , Denadai Renan , Reis Teixeira Wanderson Sirley , Bahia Labruna Marcelo , Megid Jane
Published: December 2019

Coxiella burnetii, the zoonotic agent of Q fever, has a worldwide distribution. Despite the vast information about the circulating genotypes in Europe and North America, there is a lack of data regarding C. burnetii strains in South America. Here, we show the presence of novel multispacer sequence typing (MST) genotypes of C. burnetii in two clusters detected in Brazil and Argentina that seem to be distant in parenthood. Argentinian strains isolated from a tick belongs to a new phylogenetic branch of C. burnetii, and the Brazilians strains may be related to MST 20 and 61. Multilocus variable number tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) typing provided a deeper resolution that may be related to host clusters of bovines, caprine, ovine, and ticks. Our results corroborate with the reports of geotypes of C. burnetii. Thus, we highlight the need for more genotyping studies to understand the genetic diversity of C. burnetii in South America and to confirm the hypothesis of host-related genotypes. We also emphasize the importance of virulence studies for a better understanding of Q fever in the region, which may help in surveillance and disease prevention programs.
Genetic Diversity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Causing Panama Wilt of Banana in the Philippines
Authors: Aguilar-Hawod Kristle Grace I. , de la Cueva Fe M. , Cumagun Christian Joseph R.
Published: December 2019

Panama wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is considered one of the most devastating banana diseases in recorded history. The disease threatens the banana industry due to Tropical Race 4 (TR4) infecting the Cavendish cultivar. Forty-two of the 45 representative isolates from Luzon were pathogenic, based on leaf symptom index and vascular discoloration rating. Accurate, fast and reliable identification are pre-requisites for effective management considering there are yet no proven effective chemicals to control the disease, thus the confirmation by a PCR-based diagnostic tool is essential. Using race-specific primers, FocTr4-F/FocTr4-R and Foc-1/Foc-2, the absence of TR4 in Luzon has been confirmed, however, the occurrence of Race 4 has been reported, which should also be taken in consideration as the latter can also cause severe damage under favorable conditions. Furthermore, to examine genetic diversity of Foc in bananas, 55 of the 164 isolates collected from Regions I, II, III, IV and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) were analyzed by fingerprinting techniques using M13, ERIC and REP primers. Twenty-two reference isolates from Mindanao were also analyzed using the same primers. Foc isolates were differentiated into two clades at 25% similarity level, classifying all Mindanao isolates to clade A. Consistently high genetic variation was obtained from Luzon isolates using M13, an arbitrarily primed fingerprinting technique and repetitive elements, REP and ERIC-PCR, while low genetic variation was obtained from Mindanao isolates. ERIC-PCR was the most informative and predictive fingerprinting method as the TR4 isolates from Mindanao were grouped together. No grouping of Foc isolates was observed with respect to geographical origin, except isolates from Mindanao. In addition, grouping of Foc4 is also regardless of host variety in all analyses conducted. Overall, high genetic variability was recorded in Foc Philippine population for the three primers used, which might render host resistance vulnerable.
Meeting the Spiritual Care Needs of Emerging Adults with Cancer
Authors: Saarelainen Suvi-Maria
Published: December 2019

Every year 90,000 young people in Europe and the USA are newly diagnosed with cancer. The majority of earlier studies have taken a quantitative perspective, rarely focusing on the importance of religiosity and spirituality. From these premises, this narrative study explores the spiritual needs of emerging adults with cancer and suggests spiritual care practices that would benefit them in their shift to the remission stage. The data were obtained from the experiences of 16 emerging adults who took part in autobiographical interviews and drew life-tree drawings. Narrative-thematic and visual-narrative methods were used to interpret the data. The results show that spiritual needs manifest in multiple areas: existential questions, value-based searching, and religious seeking. Spiritual care should be targeted to issues such as identity, self-blame, understanding personal values, and relationship with God. Furthermore, family and partners should be supported and dreams of the future after cancer encouraged. The needs for spiritual care are manifold and these needs remain for years after the treatment ends.
Altar Call of Cthulhu: Religion and Millennialism in H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos
Authors: Zeller Benjamin E.
Published: December 2019

Religion suffuses H.P. Lovecraft’s (1890–1937) short stories—the most famous of which, “The Call of Cthulhu,” has led to a literary subculture and a shared mythos employed by Lovecraft’s successors. Despite this presence of religion in Lovecraft’s work, scholars of religion have paid relatively little attention to Lovecraft and the Cthulhu mythos, with a few notable exceptions. This article offers a close analysis of millennialism within Lovecraft’s thought, especially as expressed in three of his “Cthulhu mythos” stories: “The Call of Cthulhu,” “The Dunwich Horror,” and “The Shadow over Innsmouth.” This article considers Lovecraft’s formative experiences and non-fiction writings so as to contextualize his approach and millennial outlook. Tied to his nativist views of social decline, I argue that Lovecraft expresses in his fiction a peculiar form of millennialism, “anti-millennialism,” which entails the reversal of traditional millennialism, offering no hope in a collective salvation, but rather expectation that the imminent future would bring only decline.
Liquid Metal Antennas: Materials, Fabrication and Applications
Authors: Paracha Kashif Nisar , Butt Arslan Dawood , Alghamdi Ali S. , Babale Suleiman Aliyu , Soh Ping Jack
Published: December 2019

This work reviews design aspects of liquid metal antennas and their corresponding applications. In the age of modern wireless communication technologies, adaptability and versatility have become highly attractive features of any communication device. Compared to traditional conductors like copper, the flow property and lack of elasticity limit of conductive fluids, makes them an ideal alternative for applications demanding mechanically flexible antennas. These fluidic properties also allow innovative antenna fabrication techniques like 3D printing, injecting, or spraying the conductive fluid on rigid/flexible substrates. Such fluids can also be easily manipulated to implement reconfigurability in liquid antennas using methods like micro pumping or electrochemically controlled capillary action as compared to traditional approaches like high-frequency switching. In this work, we discuss attributes of widely used conductive fluids, their novel patterning/fabrication techniques, and their corresponding state-of-the-art applications.
Genetically Engineered Bacterial Biohybrid Microswimmers for Sensing Applications
Authors: Sun Zhiyong , Popp Philipp , Loderer Christoph , Revilla-Guarinos Ainhoa
Published: December 2019

Bacterial biohybrid microswimmers aim at exploiting the inherent motion capabilities of bacteria (carriers) to transport objects (cargoes) at the microscale. One of the most desired properties of microswimmers is their ability to communicate with their immediate environment by processing the information and producing a useful response. Indeed, bacteria are naturally equipped with such communication skills. Hereby, two-component systems (TCSs) represent the key signal transducing machinery and enable bacteria to sense and respond to a variety of stimuli. We engineered a natural microswimmer based on the Gram-positive model bacterium Bacillus subtilis for the development of biohybrids with sensing abilities. B. subtilis naturally adhered to silica particles, giving rise to different motile biohybrids systems with variable ratios of carrier(s)-to-cargo(es). Genetically engineered TCS pathways allowed us to couple the binding to the inert particles with signaling the presence of antibiotics in their surroundings. Activation of the antibiotic-induced TCSs resulted in fluorescent bacterial carriers as a response readout. We demonstrate that the genetically engineered TCS-mediated signaling capabilities of B. subtilis allow for the custom design of bacterial hybrid microswimmers able to sense and signal the presence of target molecules in the environment. The generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status of B. subtilis makes it a promising candidate for human-related applications of these novel biohybrids.
Feedback Design in Targeted Exercise Digital Biofeedback Systems for Home Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review
Authors: Brennan Louise , Dorronzoro Zubiete Enrique , Caulfield Brian
Published: December 2019

Digital biofeedback systems (DBSs) are used in physical rehabilitation to improve outcomes by engaging and educating patients and have the potential to support patients while doing targeted exercises during home rehabilitation. The components of feedback (mode, content, frequency and timing) can influence motor learning and engagement in various ways. The feedback design used in DBSs for targeted exercise home rehabilitation, as well as the evidence underpinning the feedback and how it is evaluated, is not clearly known. To explore these concepts, we conducted a scoping review where an electronic search of PUBMED, PEDro and ACM digital libraries was conducted from January 2000 to July 2019. The main inclusion criteria included DBSs for targeted exercises, in a home rehabilitation setting, which have been tested on a clinical population. Nineteen papers were reviewed, detailing thirteen different DBSs. Feedback was mainly visual, concurrent and descriptive, frequently providing knowledge of results. Three systems provided clear rationale for the use of feedback. Four studies conducted specific evaluations of the feedback, and seven studies evaluated feedback in a less detailed or indirect manner. Future studies should describe in detail the feedback design in DBSs and consider a robust evaluation of the feedback element of the intervention to determine its efficacy.
Input-Adaptive Proxy for Black Carbon as a Virtual Sensor
Authors: Fung Pak Lun , Zaidan Martha A. , Sillanpää Salla , Kousa Anu , Niemi Jarkko V. , Timonen Hilkka , Kuula Joel , Saukko Erkka , Luoma Krista , Petäjä Tuukka , Tarkoma Sasu , Kulmala Markku , Hussein Tareq
Published: December 2019

Missing data has been a challenge in air quality measurement. In this study, we develop an input-adaptive proxy, which selects input variables of other air quality variables based on their correlation coefficients with the output variable. The proxy uses ordinary least squares regression model with robust optimization and limits the input variables to a maximum of three to avoid overfitting. The adaptive proxy learns from the data set and generates the best model evaluated by adjusted coefficient of determination (adjR2). In case of missing data in the input variables, the proposed adaptive proxy then uses the second-best model until all the missing data gaps are filled up. We estimated black carbon (BC) concentration by using the input-adaptive proxy in two sites in Helsinki, which respectively represent street canyon and urban background scenario, as a case study. Accumulation mode, traffic counts, nitrogen dioxide and lung deposited surface area are found as input variables in models with the top rank. In contrast to traditional proxy, which gives 20–80% of data, the input-adaptive proxy manages to give full continuous BC estimation. The newly developed adaptive proxy also gives generally accurate BC (street canyon: adjR2 = 0.86–0.94; urban background: adjR2 = 0.74–0.91) depending on different seasons and day of the week. Due to its flexibility and reliability, the adaptive proxy can be further extend to estimate other air quality parameters. It can also act as an air quality virtual sensor in support with on-site measurements in the future.
A Multimodal Approach to the Quantification of Kinetic Tremor in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Szumilas Mateusz , Lewenstein Krzysztof , Ślubowska Elżbieta , Szlufik Stanisław , Koziorowski Dariusz
Published: December 2019

Parkinson’s disease results in motor impairment that deteriorates patients’ quality of life. One of the symptoms negatively interfering with daily activities is kinetic tremor which should be measured to monitor the outcome of therapy. A new instrumented method of quantification of the kinetic tremor is proposed, based on the analysis of circles drawn on a digitizing tablet by a patient. The aim of this approach is to obtain a tremor scoring equivalent to that performed by trained clinicians. Models are trained with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method to predict the tremor scores on the basis of the parameters computed from the patients’ drawings. Signal parametrization is derived from both expert knowledge and the response of an artificial neural network to the raw data, thus the approach was named multimodal. The fitted models are eventually combined into model ensembles that provide aggregated scores of the kinetic tremor captured in the drawings. The method was verified with a set of clinical data acquired from 64 Parkinson’s disease patients. Automated and objective quantification of the kinetic tremor with the presented approach yielded promising results, as the Pearson’s correlations between the visual ratings of tremor and the model predictions ranged from 0.839 to 0.890 in the best-performing models.
Combining a Modified Particle Filter Method and Indoor Magnetic Fingerprint Map to Assist Pedestrian Dead Reckoning for Indoor Positioning and Navigation
Authors: Ning Fang-Shii , Chen Yu-Chun
Published: December 2019

Although advancement has been observed in global navigation satellite systems and these systems are widely used, they cannot provide effective navigation and positioning services in covered areas and areas that lack strong signals, such as indoor environments. Therefore, in recent years, indoor positioning technology has become the focus of research and development. The magnetic field of the Earth is quite stable in an open environment. Due to differences in building and internal structures, this type of three-dimensional vector magnetic field is widely available indoors for indoor positioning. A smartphone magnetometer was used in this study to collect magnetic field data for constructing indoor magnetic field maps. Moreover, an acceleration sensor and a gyroscope were used to identify the position of a mobile phone and detect the number of steps travelled by users with the phone. This study designed a procedure for measuring the step length of users. All obtained information was input into a pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) algorithm for calculating the position of the device. The indoor positioning accuracy of the PDR algorithm was optimised using magnetic gradients of magnetic field maps with a modified particle filter algorithm. Experimental results reveal that the indoor positioning accuracy was between 0.6 and 0.8 m for a testing area that was 85 m long and 33 m wide. This study effectively improved the indoor positioning accuracy and efficiency by using the particle filter method in combination with the PDR algorithm with the magnetic fingerprint map.