bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic hematological changes in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Cui Ming , Liu Jing-Kai , Zheng Bang , Liu Qiao-Fei , Zhang Lu , Zhang Li , Guo Jun-Chao , Dai Meng-Hua , Zhang Tai-Ping , Liao Quan
Published: August 2020

Background: The clinical outcomes of distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (DPS) and spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SPDP) patients have been generally investigated. However, postoperative hematological changes after distal pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy are poorly understood. Methods: Information from patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy (DP) between January 2014 and June 2019 at a single institution was reviewed. A linear mixed-effect model was used to compare dynamic hematological changes between different groups. Results: In total, 302 patients who underwent DP were enrolled. In the long term, most postoperative hematological parameters remained significantly higher than preoperative levels in the DPS group, while postoperative lymphocyte, monocyte, basophil, and platelet levels returned to preoperative levels in the SPDP group. All postoperative hematological parameters except for red blood cell count and serum hemoglobulin level were significantly higher in the DPS group than in the SPDP group. There were no significant differences in hematological changes between the splenic vessel preservation (SVP) and Warshaw technique (WT) groups. Conclusions: Postoperative hematological changes were significantly different between the DPS and SPDP groups. Compared to DPS, SPDP reduced abnormal hematological changes caused by splenectomy. SVP and WT were comparable in terms of postoperative hematological changes.
Circulating and Local Nuclear Expression of Survivin and Fibulin-3 Genes in Discriminating Benign From Malignant Respiratory Diseases: Correlation Analysis
Authors: Hassan Mohammed H. , Abuhamdah Sawsan , Abdel-Bary Mohamed , Wahman Mohammed , Abd-Elhamid Tarek Hamdy , Beshay Morris , Mosallam Karam , Elsadek Bakheet E.M.
Published: August 2020

Background: Survivin is a common member of the inhibitors of the apoptosis protein (IAP) family and promoter of cell proliferation. Fibulin-3 is a matrix glycoprotein with a potential for tumor suppression or propagation. The aim of this study was to validate the expression levels of survivin and fibulin-3 in benign and malignant respiratory diseases.Methods: This case-control study included 219 patients categorized into 5 groups. Group A included 63 patients with lung cancer, group B included 63 patients with various benign lung diseases, group D included 45 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and group E included 48 patients with various benign pleural diseases. Group C included 60 healthy individuals (control group). Serum survivin and fibulin-3 levels were measured using ELISA assay kits, while their nuclear expression in the lung and pleura was assessed using western blot analysis. Data entry and data analysis are done using SPSS version 19. The Medcalc Program was used to calculate sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values with calculation of the AUC (95% CI). Results: The overall results showed significantly higher survivin serum levels with significantly lower fibulin-3 levels among group A when compared with both patients in group B and the controls (p<0.001 for all). There were statistically significant higher serum levels of survivin and fibulin-3 among group D when compared with both patients in group E and the controls (p<0.001 for all). These findings were consistent with nuclear survivin and fibulin-3 expression levels. Fibulin-3 was more valid than survivin in discriminating lung cancer from MPM (p˂0.05). Conclusions: Survivin and fibulin-3 could be helpful diagnostic markers for lung and pleural cancers. Fibulin-3 was more specific in differentiating lung cancer from MPM.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04413292: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04413292, retrospectively registered.
Drought Assessment of Eastern Satara District of Maharashtra Using Rainfall Anomaly Index
Authors: Waghmare Prakash T , Panhalkar Sachin S , Pawar Somanath D
Published: August 2020

Drought is universally acknowledged as a phenomenon associated with scarcity of water. Proper assessment of rainfall is an essential need to reduce the intensity of drought. Present work aims study the space-time variation in the rainfall of the eastern part of the Satara district of Maharashtra using the Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI). Daily precipitation data of sixteen meteorological stations were used for the period between 1979 and 2013. RAI was calculated and plotted in spatial distribution maps. The overall investigation reveals that the eastern and southern part of the study area is prone to dry condition. The present investigation is useful to delineate potential sites of drought and through this study risk of future drought conditions can be curtailed.
Heavy Metal Contaminations in Herbal Medicines: Determination, Comprehensive Risk Assessments, and Solutions
Authors: Luo Lu , Wang Bo , Jiang Jingwen , Huang Qin , Yu Zheng , Li Hui , Zhang Jiqing , Yang Chenyuyan , Zhang Hui , Dong Linlin , Chen Shilin
Published: August 2020

Background: Heavy metal contamination in herbal medicines is a global threat to human beings especially at levels above known threshold concentrations.Methods: The concentrations of five heavy metals cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and copper (Cu) were investigated using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) with 1773 samples. Exposure assessment, Non-carcinogenic risk assessment, and carcinogenic risk assessment were applied to measure their risks in human body.Results: According to Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 30.51% (541) samples were detected with at least one over-limit metal. The over-limit ratio for Pb was 5.75% (102), Cd at 4.96% (88), As at 4.17% (74), Hg at 3.78% (67), and of Cu, 1.75% (31). For exposure assessment, Pb, Cd, As, and Hg have resulted in higher than acceptable risks in 25 kinds of herbs. The maximal Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of Pb in seven herbs, of Cd in five, of Hg in four, and As in three exceeded their corresponding Provisional Tolerable Daily Intakes (PTDI). In total 25 kinds of herbs present an unacceptable risk as assessed with the HQ (Hazard Quotient) or HI (Hazard Index). Particularly, Plantaginis herba (HI = 11.47) is more than 11 times over the limit.Conclusions: Heavy metal contamination in herbal medicines was borderline or higher than the safety level with the majority of the herbal plants were within acceptable risks. Notably, As posed the highest risk in all indicators including EDI, HI, and CR, inducing the most serious risks in all five metals. Herbal medicines Euodiae fructus, Plantaginis herba, and Desmodii styracifolii were considered the most risk-inducing herbal medicines. Therefore, it is of great advantage to establish universal standards and quality requirements for hazardous elements in herbal medicines so that this natural resource can continue and expand further, to benefit health globally.
Region Specific Amyloid-β Accumulation in Olfactory Sensory Neurons Influences Ecto-Ventral Olfactory Dysfunction in 5xFAD Mice
Authors: Son Gowoon , Yoo Seung-Jun , Kang Shinwoo , Rasheed Ameer , Jung Da Hae , Park Hyunjun , Cho Bongki , Steinbusch Harry W.M. , Chang Keun-A , Suh Yoo-Hun , Moon Cheil
Published: August 2020

Background: Hyposmia in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a typical early symptom according to numerous previous clinical studies. Although the causes of damage have been proposed in every olfactory system including olfactory epithelium, olfactory bulb and olfactory cortex, the main causes of AD- related hyposmia are largely unknown. Methods: We here focused on peripheral olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and delved deeper into the direct relationship between pathophysiological and behavioral results using odorants. We also histologically confirmed the pathological changes in three-month-old 5xFAD mouse models which recapitulates AD pathology. We introduced a numeric scale histologically to compare physiological phenomenon and local tissue lesions regardless of anatomical plane. Results: We observed the odorant group, which 5xFAD mouse could not detect, also neither did physiologically activate the OSNs that propagate to the ventral olfactory bulb. Interestingly, the amount of accumulated amyloid-β (Aβ) was high in the ecto-ventrally located OSNs that showed reduced responses to odorants. We also observed irreversible damage to the ecto-region of the olfactory epithelium by measuring impaired neuronal turnover ratio from the basal cells to the matured OSNs. Conclusions: Our results showed that partial and asymmetrical accumulation of Aβ coincided with physiologically and structurally damaged areas in the peripheral olfactory system, which evoked hyporeactivity to some odorants. Taken together, partial olfactory dysfunction closely-associated with peripheral OSN’s loss could be a leading cause of the AD-related hyposmia, a characteristic of early AD.
Retinoic Acid Sensitivity of Triple-Negative Breast-Cancer Cells Characterized by Constitutive Activation of the NOTCH1 Pathway: The Role of RARβ
Authors: Paroni Gabriela , Zanetti Adriana , Barzago Maria Monica , Kurosaki Mami , Guarrera Luca , Fratelli Maddalena , Troiani Martina , Ubezio Paolo , Bolis Marco , Vallerga Arianna , Biancardi Federica , Terao Mineko , Garattini Enrico
Published: August 2020

Background: All-trans retinoic-acid (ATRA) is a promising agent in the personalized treatment/chemo-prevention of breast-cancer. Triple-negative breast-cancer (TNBC) accounts for 15-20% of all mammary tumours and share common features such as a high proliferation index and a basal-like gene expression signature. In spite of this, TNBC is very heterogeneous and lacks effective therapeutic strategies.Methods: We profile eighteen TNBC breast-cancer cell-lines for their sensitivity to the anti-proliferative action of ATRA. In addition, we perform RNA-sequencing studies in two of the most sensitive cell-lines exposed to ATRA, a γ-secretase inhibitor and combinations thereof. Results: The only three TNBC cell-lines (HCC-1599, MB-157 and MDA-MB-157) endowed with ATRA-sensitivity are characterized by constitutive activation of the NOTCH1 γ-secretase product, N1ICD and we identify the associated genetic aberrations of the NOTCH1-gene. N1ICD expression renders HCC-1599, MB-157 and MDA-MB-157 cells sensitive not only to ATRA, but also to γ-secretase inhibitors, like DAPT [N-(N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl)-S-phenylglycine-t-butyl-ester] and PF-03084014. The anti-proliferative action of ATRA and γ-secretase inhibitors is complementary, as combinations of ATRA and DAPT or PF-03084014 cause synergistic effects. This synergism is confirmed in mouse xenografts of HCC-1599 cells. RNA-sequencing studies performed in HCC-1599 and MB-157 cells exposed to ATRA and DAPT demonstrate that the two compounds act on common gene-sets, some of which belong to the NOTCH1 pathway. ATRA inhibits the growth of HCC-1599, MB-157 and MDA-MB-157 cells via RARα, which up-regulates several retinoid target-genes, including RARβ. RARβ induction is observed only in HCC-1599, MB-157 and MDA-MB-157 cells, as the other TNBC cell-lines lack ATRA-dependent stimulation of the retinoid-receptor. RARβ is a key determinant of ATRA anti-proliferative activity, as its silencing suppresses the effects exerted by the retinoid. Conclusions: We demonstrate that ATRA exerts a significant anti-tumor action in TNBC cells characterized by constitutive NOTCH1 activation. We show that ATRA enhances the anti-tumor activity of γ-secretase inhibitors in an additive/synergistic manner. We support the idea that ATRA anti-proliferative activity is mediated by the Retinoid-Acid-Receptor-β (RARβ). The present study represents the basis for the design of clinical trials on the efficacy of combinations between ATRA and γ-secretase inhibitors in the treatment of patients affected by a specific subtype of TNBC.
Malaria Micro-stratification Using Routine Surveillance Data in Western Kenya
Authors: Alegana Victor A , Suiyanka Laurissa , Macharia Peter M , Ikahu-Muchangi Grace , Snow Robert W
Published: August 2020

Background: There is an increasing need for finer spatial resolution data on malaria risk to provide micro-stratification to guide sub-national strategic plans. Here, spatial-statistical techniques are used to exploit routine data to depict sub-national heterogeneities in test positivity rate (TPR) for malaria among patients attending health facilities in Kenya. Methods: Routine data from health facilities (n=1804) representing all ages over 24 months (2018-2019) was assembled across 8 countries (62 sub-counties) in Western Kenya. Statistical model-based approaches were used to quantify heterogeneities in TPR and uncertainty at fine spatial resolution adjusting for missingness, population distribution, spatial data structure, month, and type of the health facility.Results: The overall monthly reporting rate was 78.7% (IQR 75.0 – 100.0) and public-based health facilities were more likely than private facilities to report ≥ 12 months (OR 5.7, 95% CI 4.3 – 7.5). There was marked heterogeneity in population-weighted TPR with sub-counties in the north of the lake-endemic region exhibiting the highest rates (exceedance probability >70% with 90% certainty) where approximately 2.7 million (28.5%) people reside. At micro-level the lowest rates were in 14 sub-counties (exceedance probability <30% with 90% certainty) where approximately 2.2 million (23.1%) people lived and indoor residual spraying had been conducted since 2017.Conclusion: The value of routine health data on TPR can be enhanced when adjusting for underlying population and spatial structures of the data, highlighting small scale heterogeneities in malaria risk often masked in broad national stratifications. Future research should aim at relating these heterogeneities in TPR with traditional community-level prevalence to improve tailoring malaria control activities at sub-national levels.
Women and Barriers to Harm Reduction Services: A Literature Review and Initial Findings From a Qualitative Study in Barcelona, Spain
Authors: Shirley-Beavan Sam , Forteza Aura Roig , Burke-Shyne Naomi , Daniels Colleen , Csak Robert
Published: August 2020

Background
There are an estimated 3.2 million women who inject drugs worldwide, constituting 20% of all people who inject drugs. The limited data that is available suggests that women who inject drugs are at greater risk of HIV and viral hepatitis acquisition than men who inject drugs. This increased vulnerability is a product of a range of environmental, social and individual factors affecting women, which also affect their ability to engage in health promoting services such as harm reduction.
Methods
The researchers undertook a narrative literature review examining access to harm reduction services for women who use drugs in Europe, and conducted semi-structured focus groups with women who use drugs and harm reduction and prison health workers in Barcelona, Spain.
Results
Women who use drugs face multiple barriers to accessing harm reduction services. These include: stigma, both in society in general and from health and harm reduction workers in prisons and in the community; gender-based violence and a lack of services that are equipped to address the interaction between drug use and experiences of violence; criminalisation in the form of legal barriers to access, arrest and harassment from law enforcement, and incarceration; a lack of services focused on the specific needs of women, notably sexual and reproductive health services and childcare. In Barcelona, participants reported experiencing all these barriers, and that their engagement with the Metzineres harm reduction centre had to some extent mitigated them. However, women continued to experience structural barriers to harm reduction service access.
Conclusions
Women and gender non-conforming people who use drugs face unique barriers to accessing harm reduction services. While services such as Metzineres can be life-changing and life-affirming for its members, it is incumbent on states to act to address the structural barriers to health faced by women who use drugs.
Continuum of Hepatitis C Care Cascade in Prison and Following Release in the Direct-acting Antivirals Era
Authors: Hariri Sanam , Sharafi Heidar , Sheikh Mahdi , Merat Shahin , Hashemi Farnaz , Azimian Fatemeh , Tamadoni Babak , Ramazani Rashid , Gouya Mohamad Mehdi , Abbasi Behzad , Tashakorian Mehrzad , Alasvand Ramin , Alavian Seyed Moayed , Poustchi Hossein , Malekzadeh Reza
Published: August 2020

Background
People with criminal justice involvement contribute remarkably to the rising hepatitis C virus (HCV) burden; however, the continuum of care is a major barrier to prison-based programs. We aimed to evaluate a comprehensive HCV care model in an Iranian provincial prison.
Methods
Between 2017–2018, in the Karaj Central Prison, newly admitted male inmates received HCV antibody testing and venipuncture for RNA testing (antibody-positive only). Participants with positive RNA underwent direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy (Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir). Sustained virological response was evaluated at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12).
Results
Overall, from 3,485 participants, 182 (5.2%) and 117 (3.4%) tested positive for HCV antibody and RNA, respectively. Among 116 patients who were eligible for treatment, 24% (n = 28) were released before treatment and 72% (n = 83) initiated DAA therapy, of whom 81% (n = 67/83) completed treatment in prison and the rest were released. Of total released patients, 68% (n = 30/44) were linked to care in community, and 70% (n = 21/30) completed treatment, including 60% (n = 12/20) and 90% (n = 9/10) among those who were released before and during treatment, respectively. The overall HCV treatment uptake and completion were 89% (n = 103/116) and 85% (n = 88/103), respectively. From people who completed treatment, 43% (n = 38/88) attended for response assessment and all were cured (SVR = 100%).
Conclusions
Integrated HCV care models are highly effective and can be significantly strengthened by post-release interventions. The close collaboration of community and prison healthcare systems is crucial to promote high levels of adherence to treatment. Future studies should investigate the predictors of engagement with HCV care following release.
Immune Infiltrating Cells in Cholangiocarcinoma May Become Clinical Diagnostic Markers: Based on Bioinformatics Analysis.
Authors: Zhang Yongwei , Chen Sihan , Li Jun , Dai Wei , Qian Yeben
Published: August 2020

Background: intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a malignant tumor originating from the secondary bile duct and its branch epithelium. Among primary liver tumors, the incidence of ICC is second only to hepatocellular carcinoma. tumor microenvironment can regulate the occurrence and development of tumors. This study is dedicated to finding more markers that can diagnose ICC by finding the differential tumor microenvironment cells between ICC and normal tissues. Methods: We wanted to study the infiltration of immune cells between the cholangiocarcinoma of the same patient and its paired non-tumor tissues, to explore the difference of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and adjacent non-tumor tissues in the same organism. So, we searched the relevant data of patients with ICC from the GEO database and found that the GSE45001 data set meets our research needs. CIBERSORT database is used to calculate immune cell composition. Finally, perform visual analysis and data statistics to find out the differentially expressed immune cells.Results: we found that the expression levels of Dendritic cells activated, Macrophages M2 and T cells regulatory (Tregs) in ICC were higher than normal tissues and the expression levels of Macrophages M1, Monocytes and T cells follicular helper in ICC were lower than normal tissues. Conclusion: These 6 types of immune cells are expected to become molecular markers for clinical diagnosis of ICC.
A CONTRIBUIÇÃO DO ENSINO JURIDICO-PENAL PARA A MANUTENÇÃO DA CULTURA PUNITIVA
Authors: Silva Leal Jackson , Da Rosa Alex
Published: August 2020

O presente trabalho visa analisar o processo de formação do jurista, especialmente a formação jurídico-penal (do penalista), ou mais amplamente dos operadores do sistema penal, como contribuição significativamente importante para a manutenção da cultura punitiva. A metodologia utilizada é a hipotético-dedutiva a partir de revisão bibliográfica e desde o marco teórico e acumulo proporcionado pela criminologia critica. O objetivo desse trabalho é abordar a questão da violência a partir de uma perspectiva da formação do conhecimento a partir do fomento da cultura de violência, e problematizar a pedagogia do direito a partir de uma pedagogia libertadora. A principal conclusão é de que a violência e o punitivismo tem uma parcela significativa da estrutura organizacional do Estado e não se resume a sua manifestação, mas remonta ao processo de formação dos próprios operadores.
Understanding water demand and usage in Mandalay city, Myanmar as a basis for resetting tariffs†
Authors: Nagpal Tanvi , Rawlings Henry , Balac Maël
Published: August 2020

Water service providers must understand the needs and consumption patterns of their customers in order to make informed decisions on new investments. The Mandalay City Development Committee is undertaking an expansion of its water supply and sewerage infrastructure with a goal of reaching every citizen. The service provider needs to revise tariffs to cover higher provision costs. To this end, a survey conducted in 2019 in Mandalay City, Myanmar revealed that 80% of users relied on more than one water source. The selection of water source depended on intended use, quality, availability, and reliability more than it did on price. Users are heavily reliant on groundwater, which is also increasingly scarce and contaminated. The findings shed light on the challenges of meeting operational costs through tariffs when municipal supplies are not the sole source of water, water quality is poor, and non-revenue water is high.
Forest riparian buffers reduce timber harvesting effects on stream temperature, but additional climate adaptation strategies are likely needed under future conditions
Authors: Yonce Hillary N. , Sarkar Saumya , Butcher Jonathan B. , Johnson Thomas E. , Julius Susan H. , LeDuc Stephen D.
Published: August 2020

Stream water temperature imposes metabolic constraints on the health of cold-water fish like salmonids. Timber harvesting can reduce stream shading leading to higher water temperatures, while also altering stream hydrology. In the Pacific Northwest, riparian buffer requirements are designed to mitigate these impacts; however, anticipated future changes in air temperature and precipitation could reduce the efficacy of these practices in protecting aquatic ecosystems. Using a combined modeling approach (Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), Shade, and QUAL2K), this study examines the effectiveness of riparian buffers in reducing impacts of timber harvest on stream water temperature in Lookout Creek, Oregon across a range of potential future climates. Simulations assess changes in riparian management alone, climate alone, and combined effects. Results suggest that maximum stream water temperatures during thermal stress events are projected to increase by 3.3–7.4 °C due to hydroclimatic change alone by the end of this century. Riparian management is effective in reducing stream temperature increases from timber harvesting alone but cannot fully counteract the additional effects of a warming climate. Overall, our findings suggest that the protection of sensitive aquatic species will likely require additional adaptation strategies, such as the protection or provisioning of cool water refugia, to enhance survival during maximum thermal stress events.
Variation of economic value produced by environmental flow in water-scarce basins of Northwest China
Authors: Yue Siyu , Li Huaien , Cheng Bo
Published: August 2020

With intensification of human activities, environmental flow is often diverted for human use, particularly in areas with water scarcity. Accurate assessment of economic value produced by environmental flow will help protect environmental flow by means of economics. Based on the concept of opportunity cost, we can estimate economic value produced by environmental flow in water-scarce basins by the maximum loss caused by reduced amounts of water and the availability of water for other purposes. In this study, we propose a method that combined results of water scarcity assessment incorporating environmental flow with an opportunity cost approach to obtain economic value produced by environmental flow on the sub-basin scale. Then, we take the Wei River Basin in Northwest China as an example to test the feasibility of this method and use scenario analysis to discuss the influence of climate factor and land-use factor on economic value produced by environmental flow. This method can better present distribution and variation characteristics of economic value produced by environmental flow more directly and provide a reference for future ecological compensation in water-scarce basins.
Drivers of future water demand in Sydney, Australia: examining the contribution from population and climate change
Authors: Barker Adrian , Pitman Andrew , Evans Jason P. , Spaninks Frank , Uthayakumaran Luther
Published: August 2020

We examine the relative impact of population increases and climate change in affecting future water demand for Sydney, Australia. We use the Weather and Research Forecasting model, a water demand model and a stochastic weather generator to downscale four different global climate models for the present (1990–2010), near (2020–2040) and far (2060–2080) future. Projected climate change would increase median metered consumption, at 2019/2020 population levels, from around 484 GL under present climate to 484–494 GL under near future climate and 495–505 GL under far future climate. Population changes from 2014/2015 to 2024/2025 have a far larger impact, increasing median metered consumption from 457 to 508 GL under the present climate, 463 to 515 GL under near future climate and from 471 to 524 GL under far future climate. The projected changes in consumption are sensitive to the climate model used. Overall, while population growth is a far stronger driver of increasing water demand than climate change for Sydney, both act in parallel to reduce the time it would take for all storage to be exhausted. Failing to account for climate change would therefore lead to overconfidence in the reliability of Sydney's water supply.
Use of real-time sensors for compliance monitoring of nitrate in finished drinking water
Authors: Jones Christopher S. , Li Tianyi , Sukalski Alex , Thompson Darrin A. , Cwiertny David M.
Published: August 2020

Across the Midwestern United States, Public Water Systems (PWSs) struggle with high levels of nitrate in source waters from intense agricultural activity. Leveraging a sensor network deployed across Iowa surface waters, we evaluated the potential of the Hach Nitratax SC Plus, which uses UV-light absorption to quantify dissolved nitrate-nitrite (NOx-N) down to 0.1 mg-N L−1, for real-time monitoring of NOx-N in drinking water. For six different PWSs over multiple years, we compare NOx-N levels in source waters (surface and groundwater under surface influence) to those measured via traditional methods (e.g., ion chromatography (IC)) for US EPA compliance monitoring. At one large PWS, we also evaluated sensor performance when applied to near-finished drinking water (filter effluent). We find good agreement between traditional analytical methods and in situ sensors. For example, for 771 filter effluent samples from 2006–2011, IC analysis averaged NOx-N of 5.8 mg L−1 while corresponding sensor measurements averaged 5.7 mg L−1 with a mean absolute error of 0.23 (5.6%). We identify several benefits of using real-time sensors in PWSs, including improved frequency to capture elevated NOx-N levels and as decision-support tools for NOx-N management.
Microwave-assisted method to degrade phenol using persulfate or hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by Cu-bearing silicon carbide
Authors: Sun Jie , Xia Guotong , Yang Wenjin , Hu Yue , Shen Weibo
Published: August 2020

The radical generation properties of hydrogen peroxide and persulfate for phenol degradation were investigated under microwave irradiation using copper-doped silicon carbide (Cu/SiC) composites as catalyst. The results showed that 90% and 70% of phenol and total organic carbon (TOC), respectively, were removed within 7 min. Microwave activation of hydrogen peroxide and sodium persulfate in terms of thermal effects and accelerated electron transfer was analyzed by degradation kinetics and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The microwave activation of Na2S2O8 demonstrated that the hot spots promote decomposition of persulfate more rapidly and the rate of persulfate decomposition was more than three times the activation rate of a normal heating method. There is a synergistic effect between Cu and microwave radiation, which is highlighted by the H2O2 activation; ·OH was generated due to the redox cycle between Cu(I)/Cu(II) and was responsible for phenol degradation using H2O2. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis indicated that hydroxylation and sulfate radicals addition of phenol were the initial oxidation reaction steps of hydrogen peroxide and persulfate, respectively, followed by further oxidation to form short-chain carboxylic acids.
ÜNİVERSİTE ÖĞRENCİLERİNDE ÖZNEL İYİ OLUŞ VE STRES BELİRTİLERİNİN YORDAYICILARININ İNCELENMESİ
Authors: Terzioğlu Zeynep Ayça , Çakır S.
Published: August 2020

Bu çalışmanın amacı, üniversite öğrencilerinin farkandalık, öz-duyarlık, duyguları yönetme becerileri ve sosyal ilgi düzeylerinin öznel iyi oluş ve stres belirtileri düzeylerini anlamlı düzeyde yordayıp yordamadığını incelemektir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubu Akdeniz Üniversitesinin farklı fakültelerinde öğrenimine devam eden 519’u kadın ve 315’i erkek olmak üzere toplam 834 öğrenciden oluşmaktadır. Araştırmanın verilerinin toplanmasında, Beş Boyutlu Bilinçli Farkındalık Ölçeği, Öz-duyarlık Ölçeği, Duyguları Yönetme Becerileri Ölçeği, Yaşam Doyumu Ölçeği, Pozitif ve Negatif Duygu Durum Ölçeği, Stres Belirtileri Ölçeği, Toplumsal İlgi Ölçeği ve Kişisel Bilgi Formu kullanılmıştır. Hiyerarşik regresyon analizi sonucunda farkındalığın beş alt boyutu arasında yer alan tanımlama, farkındalıkla davranma ve içsel deneyimlere tepkisizliğin öznel iyi oluşu anlamlı olarak yordadığı bulunmuştur. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre stres belirtilerini farkındalığın alt boyutları arasından gözlemleme, farkındalıkla davranma, içsel deneyimleri yargılamama ve içsel deneyimlere tepkisizlik boyutlarının anlamlı bir şekilde yordadığı bulunmuştur. Öz-duyarlığın alt boyutları arasında öznel iyi oluşu öz-sevecenlik, öz-yargılama ve izolasyon bulunurken stres belirtilerini öz-duyarlığın izolasyon ve aşırı özdeşleşme boyutlarının yordadığı bulunmuştur. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre ayrıca, duyguları yönetme becerilerinin öznel iyi oluşun ve stres belirtilerinin anlamlı bir yordayıcısı olduğu görülmüştür. Son olarak, sosyal ilginin öznel iyi oluşu anlamlı bir şekilde yordadığı ancak stres belirtilerini yordamadığı görülmüştür.
A Model of Intervention and Implementation of Quality Building and Quality Control in Childcare Centers to Strengthen the Mental Health and Development of 1-3–Year Olds: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of Thrive by Three
Authors: Lekhal Ratib , Drugli May Britt , Berg-Nielsen Turid Suzanne , Buøen Elisabet Solheim
Published: August 2020

Background

Universal, high-quality childcare offers a unique opportunity to prevent developmental trajectories leading to mental health problems. Yet, growing evidence has shown that the process quality of Norwegian childcare centers varies considerably, and that research-based models for quality building are significantly lacking.

Objective

To examine whether a model for quality building in childcare centers, Thrive by Three, increases the quality of child–caregiver interactions, and promotes child development, well-being, and mental health.

Methods

The Thrive by Three study is a clustered randomized controlled trial involving 187 toddler groups in childcare centers across 7 municipalities within southern and central Norway. Each center is randomly allocated to the intervention or wait-list control group. Data are collected at 4 points: preintervention (T1), midway (T2), postintervention (T3), and 1-year postintervention (T4). Primary outcomes are changes in childcare quality measured by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System toddler version (CLASS), Student–Teacher Relationship Scale, Short Form (STRS-SF), and Life in Early Childhood Programs (LECP), as well as child development and mental health measured by The Brief Infant Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA, parent and teacher report), the Caregiver–Teacher Report Form (C-TRF), and Child Behavior Checklist (parent report) from the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) from 1.5 to 5 years, and child well-being measured by the Leiden Inventory for Child’s Well-Being in Day Care (LICW-D). Secondary outcomes are child cortisol levels, assessed in a subsample of 372 children.

Results

As of August 2020, a total of 1531 children and 769 staff from 187 toddler groups were recruited. Because of turnover, the recruitment of staff will be ongoing until August 2020. As of January 2020, the intervention group has been working with Thrive by Three for 1.5 years. Data at T1, T2, and T3 from both the intervention and control groups have been completed and T4 will be completed in August 2020.

Conclusions

This study makes an important contribution to the field of quality building in childcare centers. The results will provide greater insight into how high quality can be obtained and the effects of high-quality early childcare on child mental health. This in turn will be significant for policymakers and to the Norwegian society at large.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03879733; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03879733 and Norwegian Research Council 260624/H10; https://prosjektbanken.forskningsradet.no/#/project/NFR/260624/Sprak=en

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/17726
A Web-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention With Email Reminders to Enhance Subjective Well-Being and Encourage Engagement With Lifestyle Behavior Change in Health Care Staff: Randomized Cluster Feasibility Stud
Authors: Brown Menna , Hooper Nic , James Phillip , Scott Darren , Bodger Owen , John Ann
Published: August 2020

Background

Poor mental health and emotional well-being can negatively impact ability to engage in healthy lifestyle behavior change. Health care staff have higher rates of sickness and absence than other public sector staff, which has implications at both individual and societal levels. Individual efforts to self-manage health and well-being which add to the UK mental health prevention agenda need to be supported.

Objective

The objective of this study was to establish the feasibility and acceptability of the inclusion of a self-guided, automated, web-based acceptance and commitment therapy intervention in an existing health promotion program, to improve subjective well-being and encourage engagement with lifestyle behavior change.

Methods

For this 12-week, 4-armed, randomized controlled cluster feasibility study, we recruited participants offline and randomly allocated them to 1 of 3 intervention arms or control (no well-being intervention) using an automated web-based allocation procedure. Eligibility criteria were current health care staff in 1 Welsh health board, age≥18 years, ability to read English, and ability to provide consent. The primary researcher was blinded to cluster allocation. Feasibility outcomes were randomization procedure, acceptance of intervention, and adherence to and engagement with the wider program. We evaluated health and well-being data via self-assessment at 2 time points, registration and postintervention, using the 14-item Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and the 7-item Acceptance and Action Questionnaire—Revised.

Results

Of 124 participants who provided consent and were randomly allocated, 103 completed full registration and engaged with the program. Most participants (76/103) enrolled in at least one health behavior change module, and 43% (41/96) of those randomly allocated to an intervention arm enrolled in the well-being module. Adherence and engagement was low (7/103, 6.8%), but qualitative feedback was positive.

Conclusions

The procedure and randomization process proved feasible, and the addition of the well-being module proved acceptable to health care staff. However, participant engagement was limited, and no one completed the full 12-week program. User feedback should be used to develop the intervention to address poor engagement. Effectiveness should then be evaluated in a full-scale randomized controlled trial, which would be feasible with additional recruitment.

Trial Registration

International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) 50074817; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN50074817
Perceptions and Attitudes Toward a Mobile Phone App for Mental Health for College Students: Qualitative Focus Group Study (Preprint)
Authors: Holtz Bree E , McCarroll Alexis M , Mitchell Katharine M
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Many college students who have mental health issues do not receive professional care for various reasons. Students who do not receive help often have both short- and long-term adverse health outcomes. Mobile apps for mental health services such as MySSP, a service provided to college students through their university, may help eliminate barriers to seeking mental health care and result in more positive outcomes for college students.

OBJECTIVE

This qualitative study aims to better understand college students’ perceptions and attitudes toward the adoption and use of a mobile phone app for mental health, MySSP, using the technology acceptance model (TAM).

METHODS

A series of nine focus groups were conducted with college students (N=30) between February and May 2019 at a large, public Midwestern university. The moderator’s guide was based on the TAM, and focus group sessions primarily focused on the use and knowledge of apps for mental health, specifically, MySSP. The focus group transcriptions were hand-coded to develop a set of themes that encompassed students’ perceptions and attitudes toward MySSP.

RESULTS

The analysis of the focus groups suggested the following themes: (1) existing awareness of the app, (2) perceived usefulness, (3) perceived ease of use, (4) attitudes toward apps for mental health and MySSP, and (5) social influence.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study provide deeper insights into the perceptions of a mobile app for mental health among college students. Future research should explore the specific contexts in which an app for mental health will be most effective for college students.
Effect of Previous Translations on Retranslation: A Case Study of Russian-Dutch Literary Translation
Authors: Van Poucke Piet
Published: August 2020

As Outi Paloposki and Kaisa Koskinen (2010) correctly stated in their article on the “fine line between retranslating and revising”, the exact relationship of a text with the previous translation(s) cannot always be determined, even if the most recent translation is presented (in the paratext to the edition) as a ‘retranslation’, ‘re-edition’ or ‘revision’. Indeed, in practice the “labels” of “(re)translation, (…) revisions, adaptations and retellings” are “hard to separate and cover different contents” in different circumstances (Van Coillie 2014).

In this paper I will try to study the effect of a first or previous translation on the process of retranslating. In order to do that I will compare a number of literary translations with their predecessors. Literary translations are specifically chosen here because they are probably more often retranslated than other types of texts. Moreover, the style of the translated text is presumably more important than for other genres, which allows me to mutually compare the translations not only at lexical and syntactic, but also at stylistic level.

In order to visualize the effect of a previous translation on a retranslation I will compare a number of Dutch translations of Russian literary works with their retranslations. On the one hand, I will compare three recent retranslations with older translations of the same work, ordered and published by the same publishing house, and explicitly announced to the reader as a ‘refreshed’ and reworked translation of the previous one. In these particular cases the retranslators were fully aware of the existence of another translation and the explicit reference to ‘retranslation’ virtually forced them to use the previous translation as a starting point. In order to avoid the influence of (1) the changing translation strategies throughout time, and (2) the possible idiosyncratic peculiarities of the specific translation strategy of one particular (but not representative) translator, I will use translations made by three different translators and published in approximately the same period.

On the other hand, I will investigate two Dutch translations of the same Russian literary work, that were made independently from each other and were published virtually on the same day, as the translators were unaware of each other’s translation effort. In this case the ‘previous’ (the term is not really applicable in this case) translation could not have had any effect on the ‘retranslation’, which makes it an interesting case to compare with the three genuine ‘retranslations’.

Special attention will be drawn to the differences in the translator’s decisions at lexical, syntactical and stylistic level. More specifically, the analysis will include a quantitative and qualitative approach. I will establish the amount of overlap in lexical, syntactical and stylistic choices in the four pairs of texts, and will try to find whether the retention or substitution of certain terms and linguistic features can be explained.
COMO AS ESTUDANTES DE PEDAGOGIA PERCEBEM AS PRÁTICAS DE ESTÁGIO NA EDUCAÇÃO DE JOVENS E ADULTOS?
Authors: Lopes Sant´Anna Sita Mara , Stramare Odilon Antonio , Narvaz Martha Giudice
Published: August 2020

Este trabalho apresenta um recorte de análise que visa levantar os sentidos da formação inicial em EJA, a partir das vozes de acadêmicas de Pedagogia de uma instituição pública estadual. Por objetivo geral, busca-se saber quais são os sentidos sobre a formação inicial evidenciados na prática de estágio curricular obrigatório de EJA. Do ponto de vista metodológico, desenvolve-se pesquisa qualitativa, em estudo de caso, com procedimentos da pesquisa bibliográfica e de campo, mediante aplicação de questionários, que foram respondidos, em 2017, por três acadêmicas. As análises das falas que serão apresentadas foram efetivadas sob o olhar da Análise de Conteúdo apresentada por Bardin (2011). Como principais resultados destacam-se sentidos positivos sobre o estágio, porém demarcados por desafios vinculados às especificidades dos processos pedagógicos, reconhecidos pelas estagiárias como pertencentes e característicos da modalidade EJA.
A RESPEITO DA SOCIEDADE DO ESPETÁCULO E A TAREFA DA EDUCAÇÃO
Authors: Cocco Ricardo
Published: August 2020

Guy Debord, na obra A Sociedade do Espetáculo (1997), afirma que toda a vida das sociedades nas quais reinam as modernas condições de produção se apresenta como uma imensa acumulação de espetáculos. O artigo, de bases teóricas e de caráter bibliográfico, busca compreender o conceito de Sociedade do Espetáculo, sua atualidade e implicações e, a partir da perspectiva Freireana (1977, 2017), refletir sobre a responsabilidade da educação em meio a este diagnóstico revelado por Debord no sentido de promover uma cidadania permanentemente revisitada, infindavelmente revisada e criticamente refletida. A educação não pode se furtar à tarefa de propor uma reflexão crítica sobre o cotidianocomo forma de revelar e combater as artimanhas desse tipo de sociedade a fim de que a vida não caia numa artificialidade irrecuperável devido à nossa apatia em relação à lógica da economia hegemônica, rígida, dogmática e autoritária.
The Constitutional Power Of The Executive in The Age of Rule of Law: A Comparative Study on Malaysia and Indonesia
Authors: Aziz Norazlina binti Abdul , Ristawati Rosa
Published: August 2020

The rule of law sets as an important principle entrenched in the Constitution of Malaysia and Indonesia. This principle stand as a guardian against abuse of power by the government as nobody shall be above the law. This paper examines the practices of the executive power relating to decision-making policy, execution of power and enforcement activities in Malaysia and Indonesia. It also analyses how the executive branch perfoms the powers in accordance to the rule of law. It mainly focuses on the institutional framework of the head of the government and head of state. The analysis allows for identifications of issues and proposals on the enhancement of the executive branch in both countries that would increase the quality of state administration as well as promoting the rule of law. The study adopts a normative method where the fundamental discussions are based on normative approach with content analysis approach on the constitutional and legal provisions, legal cases, circular and directive. The data acquired through doctrinal study is supported by semi-structured interviews with respondents that have been selected through purposive approach. This article concludes that the executive branch plays important roles in promoting the rule of law in both countries. The Constitution, in this case, provides constitutional limitation for the institutional branch of the executive to perform its powers. In the age of rule of law, the executive powers has to be limited. There is no power without limits. The laws has to provide a clear legal direction and reliable mechanism of checks and balances to govern the exercise of the  executive powers.
The Legality of Doctrine of Frustration in the Realm of Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Jayabalan Sheela
Published: August 2020

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19-Outbreak”) has a potential impact in the performance of a contract.  If a contract does not contain a force majeure clause, a contracting party may look to the common law doctrine of frustration to relieve it from its obligations.  Unlike force majeure clauses which focuses on the parties' express intention on how to deal with supervening events, frustration is implied by law and thus would only be considered in the absence of an express force majeure clause. In Malaysia, the doctrine of frustration is codified in section 57(2) of the Contracts Act 1957. A doctrinal analogy of the doctrine of frustration and section 57 of the Contracts Act 1950 indicates a pandemic such as the covid-19 would not frustrate a contract. Force majeure clause should be used as a protective tool to prevent losses to the contracting parties or alternatively the Principles of European Contract Law and the Unidroit Principles that make provisions for hardship as well as force majeure should be implemented.