bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification with all humanity, support for refugees and for extreme counter-terrorism measures
Authors: Bassett Jonathan F. , Cleveland Amanda J.
Published: April 2019

Two studies examined the ability of Identification with all Humanity to predict attitudes in the United States regarding support for refugees and tolerance for civilian casualties in the war on terrorism. We expected identification with humanity to predict more support for refugees and less tolerance of civilian casualties in the war on terrorism. Moreover, we expected these effects to hold even when taking into account more frequently studied predictors of intergroup attitudes. In Study 1, 202 people (143 women, Age M = 26.62) completed an online survey, assessing Identification with all Humanity, social dominance orientation, right-wing authoritarianism, political orientation, and religiosity. In Study 2, the same measures were administered in person to a sample of 126 university students (91 women, Age M = 18.92). Identification with all Humanity was associated with more support for refugees in both studies and less support for extreme counter-terrorism measures in Study 1, even when controlling for other variables.
Eloquently about the dark predawn ... – Jan Witort’s “Krekenava Case”
Authors: Stankevičienė Regimanta
Published: April 2019

An article “Krekenava Case” (Sprawa krekenowska) originally published in the monthly magazine Przegląd powszechny (Zesz. 9. No. 51) in Lviv by Jan Michał Witort (b. in Pauslajys manor in 1853 – d. in Panevėžys in 1903) under the nickname of Jan Syracomla is translated from Polish into Lithuanian and published with explanations and commentaries. Witort’s article presents the story of getting a permission by the Russian imperial government to build a masonry Catholic church in Krekenava (Lithuania), which lasted for eight years. This publication by Witort is accompanied by an introductory article prepared by the translator. The introductory article presents the author of the publication, his “Krekenava Case”, the historical context of its emergence and its publicistic significance at the time it was published. The value of the article by Witort as a source of sacral architecture, political history as well as anthropological and cultural studies is presented. The introductory article and the original article by Witort together form a small study providing data about the development of Lithuanian sacral architecture in the second half of the 19th c., the hostile politics of the Tsarist Empire against the Catholic Church, operation of the bureaucratic apparatus of the Empire and the awakening of social activism in the Lithuanian countryside at the end of the 19th c.
Juozas Zikaras: remarks
Authors: Smilingytė-Žeimienė Skirmantė
Published: April 2019

After celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Lithuania and turning back to the field of reflection of Lithuanian art, one can enjoy mature publications by art historians and the exposure of various stages and aspects of art life. However, one gap is noticeable: the creative heritage of individual artists is too little publicised and investigated. The article aims to activate the scientific dialogue on the prospects of research into activities of sculptor Juozas Zikaras (1881–1944), the Lithuanian art “signatory” and the main creator of visual-artistic signs of the young Lithuanian State. This is why the fragments of his biography so far unknown are raised. For example, in the summer of 1912, J. Zikaras created decorations for the performance “Duke of Pilėnai”; in 1923, he was ill for a long time and visited Italy; and in 1940, when he was nearly sixty, he entered the Riflemen’s Union witnessing the impending threat of the Soviet Union to his country. Most importantly, remarks are presented about the most notable catalogue about artist Juozas Zikaras up to the present time (prepared in 2009 by the National M. K. Čiurlionis Museum as the main custodian of his creations, authors Miglė Banytė and Vaiva Laukaitienė). The list of sculptural works is completed, and the attributes, dates and history of some works are updated. An attempt is made to identify prominent individuals of the pre-war era in the sculptural portraits created by J. Zikaras: undoubtedly – Colonel Stepas Rusteika, supposedly – Jonas Bielinis, Jonas Yčas, Povilas Žadeikis or Petras Klimas. After all, an extensive gallery of sculptural images is not just a series of realised artistic orders but also an ideological expression of the sculptor’s position – the society should know and recognise its characters. The newly attributed works and the revised dates established in the historiography allow us to say: we need a closer look at the artistic inheritance of the sculptor and to check the facts that became axioms. A more in-depth study of J. Zikaras’ creation and the spreading of art image and cultural relations during the past century in general would benefit from the summary of data about the circulation of author’s works, replicas and the change of owners of his works. On the other hand, in order to open the artistic creation as a whole, it is necessary to supplement the catalogue of his works with the surviving ones (there are sculptures in Lithuania that are not included in the catalogue, and the situation with works that are taken abroad is not known at all) as well as works considered lost.
Naim Stifan Ateek. A Palestinian Theology of Liberation: The Bible, Justice, and the Palestinian Conflict
Authors: Walatka Todd
Published: April 2019

No abstract is available.
Paula Fredriksen. When Christians Were Jews: The First Generation
Authors: Cunningham Philip A.
Published: April 2019

No abstract is available.
Fossilized Jews and Witnessing Dinosaurs at the Creation Museum: Public Remembering and Forgetting at a Young Earth Creationist “Memory Place”
Authors: Nash Dustin
Published: April 2019

The Creation Museum (Petersburg, KY) embraces dinosaurs and their bones as witnesses to the historicity of the biblical creation narrative. While many have critiqued the institution’s presentation of the past, approaching this space as a memory place reveals previously unrecognized implications that its historical claims entail. In particular, expanding the place of dinosaurs within the Young Earth creationist memory of the past has compelled a parallel diminution in the representation of ancient and modern Jews in exhibits and related literature. In other words, having incorporated paleontology into its theological worldview, the Creation Museum is compelled to present Jews as quixotic fossils with no particular function in the divine plan for history. As the museum’s profile as a memory place for American evangelicals grows, this could undercut the theological foundations that have encouraged robust relations between that group and Jews over the past half-century.
MetaMSD: meta analysis for mass spectrometry data
Authors: Ryu So Young , Wendt George A.
Published: April 2019

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics facilitate disease understanding by providing protein abundance information about disease progression. For the same type of disease studies, multiple mass spectrometry datasets may be generated. Integrating multiple mass spectrometry datasets can provide valuable information that a single dataset analysis cannot provide. In this article, we introduce a meta-analysis software, MetaMSD (Meta Analysis for Mass Spectrometry Data) that is specifically designed for mass spectrometry data. Using Stouffer’s or Pearson’s test, MetaMSD detects significantly more differential proteins than the analysis based on the single best experiment. We demonstrate the performance of MetaMSD using simulated data, urinary proteomic data of kidney transplant patients, and breast cancer proteomic data. Noting the common practice of performing a pilot study prior to a main study, this software will help proteomics researchers fully utilize the benefit of multiple studies (or datasets), thus optimizing biomarker discovery. MetaMSD is a command line tool that automatically outputs various graphs and differential proteins with confidence scores. It is implemented in R and is freely available for public use at https://github.com/soyoungryu/MetaMSD. The user manual and data are available at the site. The user manual is written in such a way that scientists who are not familiar with R software can use MetaMSD.
Decoupling species richness variation and spatial turnover in beta diversity across a fragmented landscape
Authors: Hu Guang , Wilson Maxwell C. , Wu Jianguo , Yu Jingjing , Yu Mingjian
Published: April 2019

Background

How habitat fragmentation affects the relationship between local richness and the variation in community composition across space is important to both ecology and conservation biology, but this effect remains poorly understood.

Methods

Here, we present an empirical study to address this topic in a fragmented landscape, the Thousand Island Lake (TIL), an artificial land-bridge island system with more than 1,000 islands, which provides an “experimental” fragmented landscape with a homogeneous matrix and similar successional history. We measured species composition and plant functional type (PFT) on 29 islands, and tested the effects of island area and isolation on the relationship between α- and β-diversity. General Linear Models were applied to test the impact of habitat fragmentation. In addition, variation partitioning was used to decouple α-diversity dependent and α-diversity independent spatial turnover in β-diversity of the plant community and across different PFTs.

Results

We found habitat fragmentation influences β-diversity of plants primarily by modifying local α-diversity, not spatial turnover in the TIL system. We also found area-dependent environmental filtering and differential plant responses across functional types were the most likely underlying driving mechanisms.

Discussion

These results highlight the importance of hierarchical linkages between components of biodiversity across scales in fragmented landscapes, and have practical conservation implications.
Contribution of Odoba Forest Reserve to Livelihoods of the Rural People in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Ancha P. U. , Shomkegh S. A. , Onuche P.
Published: April 2019

The study was conducted to assess the contribution of Odoba forest reserve to rural livelihoods of the communities in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires were administered to three hundred and seventy-six respondents in 188 households in four communities. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Fifteen different wood and non-wood products were collected by the respondents from the forest reserve with fuel wood products being the product mostly collected from the reserve (65.5%)  followed by water supply from the streams in the forest reserve  (59%). Others were edible vegetable (56.6%), folder (53.6%), mush room (53.3%), medicinal herbs (52.6%) and timber (50.3%), Bush Meat (46.7%), Chewing stick (43.0%), Pole (40.5%), Honey (37.8%), Snail (27%), Caterpillar (25%), Cricket (20.4%) and Climbers (19%). The result also shows that forest resources contributed very high to the livelihood of the people in the areas of food for household consumption, additional income, medicinal values, water supply and trading of forest products. Furthermore, the study results showed that the most need met by the people from the sale of forest products is feeding of households (19.4%) and investing in farming activities (13.8%). The communities differ significantly (P=0.05) in the contribution of the forest reserve to their livelihoods. The study recommends that State Government, local authorities and aid agencies should provide alternative sources of fuel energy by establishing village owned solar power plants and fuelwood efficient stoves. This will reduce dependence on the forest reserve for energy and also curtail deforestation of the reserve. Modified Taungya system in the reserve to engage households in forest regeneration efforts as well as the sharing of benefits from such efforts should be included in policies of the Government.
Awareness and Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices among Nursing Mothers Attending Primary Health Care Facilities in Uyo, Nigeria
Authors: Motilewa O. O. , Ekanem A. M. , Iyanam V. E.
Published: April 2019

Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is a nutrition specific intervention that is crucial to growth and development of a young child and contributes to the attainment of sustainable development goals.

Aim: To determine the level of awareness, prevalence and determinants of EBF among nursing mothers attending Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in Uyo Local Government, Nigeria

Place and Duration of Study: three selected Primary Health care facilities in Uyo Local Government (LG) of Akwa Ibom state Nigeria. June-July 2017.

Methods: The study used a descriptive cross sectional design involving 331 mothers attending child welfare clinics in three (PHC) facilities that were selected using simple random sampling techniques.  A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio- demographic characteristics, awareness and practice of EBF. Categorical variables were summarized using percentages, and continuous data using mean and standard deviation, chi square was used to assess the relationship between variables. While multivariate logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of EBF practice .

Results: The level of awareness of EBF and early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) were 89% and 88.5% respectively and universal awareness was 81.3%. Out of 231 infants below 6 months, 42% of them were currently on EBF and 36.8% (122/331) of the infants 0-12 months had EBF, the EIBF rate was 54.4%, about 45% of the infants had been on infant formula. Mothers who practiced EBF were significantly older than those who did not, the predictors of EBF were; delivery at the health facility (AOR 4.3; 1.84-10.49), normal delivery (AOR 2.3; 1.15-4.4), those with 2 (AOR 1.9; 1.04-3.4)  or more than 3 children (AOR 4.7;1.91-9.9), mothers who had opportunity to breastfeed at work place (AOR 4;1.2-12.9) and mothers who were unemployed/self-employed (AOR 7.2; 2.2-23.7).

Conclusion: The practice of EBF remains poor despite relatively high level of awareness, measures such as Community-based breastfeeding support groups, one-on-one counselling and establishment of crèches in workplaces should be put in place. The international codes on marketing of breast-milk substitutes should be fully implemented.
Probabilistic and Economical Design of Roof Top Rainwater Harvesting Tank by Simulation Technique
Authors: Ramachandran J. , Ravikumar V.
Published: April 2019

Introduction: Rainwater harvesting is the collection of rainwater directly from the surface(s) it falls on. Rainwater harvesting through collection tank is an effective method. Numerous methods are available for determining the size of the storage capacity required to satisfy a given demand. These methods vary in complexity and sophistication.

Methods: The tank design method includes general thumb rule (5% of annual runoff), sequential peak analysis (simulating twice the length of the record), optimization (best one that suits objective criteria), simulation, probabilistic and economical design. Simulation water balance model which works on daily basis, normal probability distribution and economics are used in designing the capacity of tanks and it is presented in a graphical form. The tanks are designed for two different purposes like domestic use and toilet flushing only.

Place and Data: Trichy city daily rainfall records from 1951-2011 is used. If a person living in Trichy city wants to construct a rainwater harvesting tank for toilet flushing purpose (6 Nos * 25l = 150l demand per day), the graphs can used.

Results: At a chosen exceedance probability (EP) of failure (how much time the tank fails to supply water), the engineer can decide the storage size under a preset deficit rate and also the cost of each tanks (per 1000 l) from the curves generated in this study. These relationships can be used by engineers in the design process.
Regional Environmental Efficiency Based on a Modified Proportional DEA Model
Authors: Xuan Yuting , Woo Wei
Published: April 2019

With the increased attention paid to environmental and ecological issues in China, many methods have been used to evaluate the performance of ecological conservation. Scholars have evaluated environmental efficiency in the production process with undesirable outputs, and used a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model for further examination. However, previous studies do not detail the influence of uncertain factors on undesirable outputs, such as environmental capacity and risk attitude. Therefore, this study proposes and applies a modified proportional DEA model to evaluate the environmental efficiency of various textile and clothing companies located around the main stem and tributaries of the Yangtze River. The empirical results indicate that this model is more suitable to evaluate the environmental efficiency of companies in these acutely polluted regions. Based on these findings, we suggest considering environmental capacity and risk attitude in ecological conservation policies to improve environmental efficiency.
Introducing a Modificated Local Model of MODIS with Respect to Radiosonde Data, and Estimation of LWIR Radiation Transmission
Authors: Saydi Jabar , Khalilzadeh Javad , Khazaei Safa , Momeni Mehdi
Published: April 2019

Aims: Using a latitude dependent local corrected model and based on MODIS data around Mehrabad Synoptic Station of Tehran, the spectral radiance in long wavelength infrared region was modeled and calculated for total upward and downward radiation flux and direct downward radiation flux for cold and hot seasons. 

Study Design: Design of the study includes  the calculations of local atmospheric profile of the subjected region by radiosonde data, calculations of the atmospheric profile by MODIS data for same region. It presents  a latitude dependent relation for modifying the MODIS data of any point which properly could be used instead of radiosonde data at that point and finally model and calculate LWIR’s total emitted flux at different heights for the area around subjected region with local profile for both hot (June, July, August) and cold (January, February, March) seasons.[G7] [G8] 

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Optic and Laser, Faculty of science, I. H.U University, between February 2016 and December 2017.

Methodology: The radiosonde and MODIS raw data of 13 stations with different latitudes in 1995-2015 were used for modification purpose. By applying statistic calculations on raw data, the atmospheric profile was extracted. Radiosonde data were not available in any points of a region, while the MODIS data were available. A latitude dependent relation is presented in this work for modifying the MODIS data of any point which properly could be used instead of radiosonde data at that point.    

Results: The results were compared and assessed with the default profiles of sub-arctic winter and tropical models. The RMSEs for total upward, downward, and direct radiation fluxes in terms of wavelength in long wavelength infrared in cold and hot seasons were 2.45 Wm-2µ-1 and 1.722 Wm-2µ-1, respectively.

Conclusion: The results showed that local atmospheric profile plays a key role in modifying atmospheric effects on TIR hyperspectral radiance and their accurate understanding improves the quality and quantity of the radiances reaching a sensor and helps better detection of the spectral  signature of the study objectives.
Characterization of Regional Influence of Fine Carbonaceous Particles at Gosan, Korea
Authors: Moon K. J. , Kong B. J. , Han J. S. , Ghim Y. S.
Published: April 2019

Aims: This study aimed to study the long-range transport of anthropogenic carbonaceous aerosol at Gosan, Korea

Study Design: Chemical composition of fine particles (aerodynamic diameter < 2.5㎛) and PAHs of TSP measured at Gosan during six intensive measurement periods covering four seasons. And the chemical characteristics of particulate matter were classified and compared each other according to the major source areas identified by using backward trajectory analysis in order to study the impact of distant source regions on the carbonaceous aerosol at Gosan, Korea.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Gosan, Jeju Island in Republic of Korea, from 13 to 25 Nov. 2001, from 29 Mar. to 11 Apr. 2002, from 27 Aug. to 11 Sep. 2002, from 14 to 26 Feb 2003, from 6 to 22 Jun. 2003, and from 18 Aug. to 1 Sep. 2003.

Methodology: In order to investigate the chemical composition of fine particles, 7 major ion components, 21 trace elements, organic and elemental carbon of PM2.5 were measured. In addition, particulate hazardous pollutants including 17 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed. The measured data were classified according to the dominant source area identified with the three-day backward trajectory analysis. Then several ratios of species combining EC, OC, SO42-, K+ and PAH compounds were used to identify potential sources of carbonaceous materials.

Results: Quite different characteristic in the chemical composition of fine particles was observed by regional groups of backward trajectories. Concentrations of ion components including secondary aerosol such as SO42- and NH4+ were relatively high when air masses were originated from north China. Concentrations of OC and gaseous PAHs were higher when they transported from Japan than from other source regions. High concentrations of secondary aerosols as well as particulate PAHs were observed in the air mass from north China with a higher correlation between them. Elemental carbon had a better correlation in this case not only with secondary aerosols, but also with OC and CO, implying that carbonaceous materials were originated from long-distance combustion sources. Especially positive correlation with benzo(ghi)perylene suggested that they also had a vehicular origin.

Conclusion: The results showed that biomass burning and vehicular emissions mainly influenced ambient fine particles when they derived from north China and the Korea peninsula while fossil fuel combustion chiefly affected them when they originated in south China during six intensive measurement periods.
Analysing the Role of Environmental Stresses on Species Richness and the Process of Hierarchical Structuring of Species Abundances in Marine Gastropods communities at Suva (Fiji Islands)
Authors: Béguinot Jean
Published: April 2019

Anthropogenic environmental stresses, especially physio-chemical pollution, are causing steadily increasing threat to many ecosystems, among which coastal marine communities in tropical shallow waters are especially sensitive. In particular, species-rich marine gastropod assemblages are doomed to bear sharp drops in species diversity when exposed to pollutants released offshore. Yet, the details of the process of decline in species diversity remain to be addressed and analysed more deeply. By addressing a series of previously reported inventories of marine gastropod communities along a sharp gradient of pollution along southern coast at Suva (Fiji Archipelago), I first confirm the already recognised trend towards both a severe decrease in species richness and a strong increase of the unevenness in species abundance distribution, as a response to incremental pollution. Yet, the last trend – increased unevenness – reveals being essentially the purely mathematical consequence of the concomitant decline in species richness. In fact, the genuine intensity of the process of hierarchical structuring of species abundances proves remaining virtually unaffected by environmental degradation, contrary to what has been generally thought so far. Also, another unexpected aspect of the decline in species richness with growing pollution is that this decline is far from being primarily restricted to the set of rarest species; in fact, the originally abundant species are also largely implied in this decline.

Moreover, considering separately the two co-occurring feeding guilds, it is shown that herbivores and carnivores are substantially involved the same in the drop in species diversity; as a result, their relative contributions in the community do not seem markedly contrasted by growing pollution. In another respect, a recently proposed paradigmatic hypothesis is supported, according to which the herbivore-guild has quite less numerous species with more unevenly distributed abundances, as compared to the carnivore-guild. Yet, once again, this increased unevenness is essentially the purely mathematical consequence of the concomitant decline in species richness; the genuine intensity of the process of hierarchical structuring of species abundances does remain substantially unchanged. At last, a comparatively extremely high sensitivity to pollution is highlighted for the emblematic genus Conus, which suffers, here, a dramatic drop in species diversity.
Characterizing and Monitoring Drought over Upper Blue Nile of Ethiopia with the Aid of Copula Analysis
Authors: Kebede Abebe , Raju U. Jaya Prakash , Koricha Diriba , Nigussie Melessew
Published: April 2019

The main aim of this study is to characterize and monitor drought distribution and expansion over Upper Blue Nile of Ethiopia by using univariate standard precipitation index (SPI) and standardized soil moisture index (SMI) whose joint distribution leads to multi standardized drought index (MSDI). The soil moisture and CHIRPS precipitation data from first January 1980 to 2016 are modeled. The indices of SPI, SMI and the joint MSDI value over the Upper Blue Nile are analyzed. The SPI for different time scales is implemented. The correlation between severity, duration and intensity including wetness and drought strengths is computed and analyzed. It is found that the correlation between duration and severity is 0.96 and normal conditions for SPI 3, 6, 12 month time scales are frequently observed rather than moderate, severe and extreme severe drought or wetness. Building on soil moisture and precipitation data of the summer season, the Clayton copula model is selected based on goodness of fit parameters. After setting the best copula family for the Upper Blue Nile then we applied the joint distribution method is applied for characterizing and monitoring drought. It is found that the MSDI more clearly showed that the severity of drought across the time series of each time scales, than SPI and SMI. As the time scale increases there is decline of fluctuation or frequency of drought and the rising of drought duration is shown by SPI, SMI and MSDI. By using SPI6, SMI6 and MSDI6 the spatial distribution of drought is determined from June to August in the years 1984 and 2015 indicate the drought expansions in the eastern and western parts of Upper Blue Nile during the respective years.
Influence of Climate Variation on Growth of Tropical Tree Species in Western Kenya
Authors: David Eric T. , Chhin Sophan , Skole David
Published: April 2019

Aims: Growth-climate relationships were examined in 7 tropical tree species growing in the Yala river basin of western Kenya: Acacia mearnsii, Cupressus lusitanica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalytus saligna, Mangifera indica, and Markhamia lutea.

Methodology: Standardized basal area increments were correlated with monthly and seasonal (3 month periods) climate variables (precipitation, mean temperature, Climate Moisture Index) obtained from nearby meteorological stations.

Results: A majority of the tree species (M. indica, C. lusitanica, E. camaldulensis, and E. saligna) showed positive correlations with monthly and seasonal precipitation and moisture index during periods of the long and short rainy seasons.  This study also revealed significant correlations between monthly and seasonal temperature data and radial growth of M. indica, M. lutea and E. grandis.  Growth of M. lutea was negatively affected by cool growing season conditions while M. indica and E. grandis experienced high temperature stress. 

Conclusion: Associations between radial growth of tropical tree species and temperature are generally rare in warm tropical regions, and for some of the species examined in this study that are non-native (i.e., M. indica and E. grandis), strongly suggests that they may be growing outside the optimal temperature conditions of their native geographical range.
Community Mangrove Aqua-Silviculture (CMAS Culture): An Innovation and Climate Resilient Practice by the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest Dependent Rural Communities of Bangladesh
Authors: Kabir Md. Humayain , Abdul Baten Mohammed
Published: April 2019

To adapt to the emergent global climate impacts, the local communities of Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat districts in South-Western Bangladesh have spontaneously promoted a number of social innovation using their innovative ideas and traditional knowledge. The present study highlights on this practice called as Community Mangrove Aqua-Silvi-Culture (CMAS) to cultivate some floral and faunal species of the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem. CMAS is a plot of swampy land with 1 to 1.5 feet deep water bordered by a dyke of 0.5 to1.5 feet height from the water level. The mangrove plant species in CMAS includes Goalpata (Nypa fruticans), Goran (Ceriops tagal), Keora (Sonnerata species), Hargoza (Alanthus ilicifolius), and Baen (Avicennia Species). Besides, there is a canal of about 2-2.5 feet depth that runs along the farm dykes where fish (Telapia, Vetki, Amadi, Tengra, Carps), shrimp (Bagda) and crabs are cultured. For in depth analysis of CMAS, face-to-face interview was conducted in 18 CMAS farms to know about the cultivation method, cost-benefit aspects, environmental and social impact of this unique culture. The farm owners opined that after 13 to 14 months of plantation, which is the shortest in comparison with traditional practice, Golpata and Goran can be harvested usually in January to February. On the other hand, farming seasonality of fish and shrimps varies species to species. However, most of the fish species can be harvested in between May to June in each year. Interestingly, CMAS culture doesn’t need much care and maintenance costs. It is expected that the detailed analysis of CMAS will help the Sundarbans depended local communities more climate resilient.
Mosquito Larval Species and Geographical Information System (GIS) Mapping of Environmental Vulnerable Areas, Dakhla Oasis, Egypt
Authors: Sowilem Mohamed M. , El-Zeiny Ahmed M. , Mohamed E. S.
Published: April 2019

Aims: This paper investigates the spatial distribution of mosquito breeding sites within the Dakhla oasis of the Western Desert of Egypt.

Study Design:  GIS spatial analysis was used to map the area under risk of mosquito proliferation.

Place and Duration of Study: Dakhla oases, during September 2009 to October 2010.

Methodology: Landsat images, synchronized with mosquito larval survey, were processed to identify the vegetation status of the study area. Twenty-two locations distributed in Dakhla oasis were investigated as nine mosquito species were collected from drains, paddle fields, and waterlogged areas.

Results: Results showed that the main vector of Malaria disease (Anopheles pharoensis and Anopheles sergentii), as well as the Culex pipiens, which is the main vector of filarial disease are abundant. Further, the geo-environmental setting and the discharge of increasing cultivated areas develop considerable waterlogging and pond areas, which are favorable breeding sites of mosquito. In Dakhla oases, the produced risk map showed that a large part of urban and cultivated regions were at risk of mosquito spread.

Conclusion: It was concluded that mosquito larval populations fluctuated with the dynamics of vegetation cover in Dakhla. Multi-year data of mosquito collections are still required to provide a better characterization of the abundance of these insects from year to year which can potentially provide predictive capability of their population density based on remotely sensed ecological measurements.
Clinical and genetic profiles of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis in Taiwan
Authors: Chao Hua‐Chuan , Liao Yi‐Chu , Liu Yo‐Tsen , Guo Yuh‐Cherng , Chang Fu‐Pang , Lee Yi‐Chung , Lin Kon‐Ping
Published: April 2019

Objective

The clinical and genetic profiles of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) in Chinese populations remain elusive. We aim to characterize the features of ATTR in a Taiwanese cohort of Han Chinese descent.

Methods

Seventy‐nine patients with molecularly confirmed ATTR from 57 Taiwanese families were identified by sequencing the transthyretin gene (TTR). The clinical and electrophysiological data were scrutinized. Cardiac involvement of ATTR was evaluated by echocardiography and cardiac scintigraphy. Four microsatellite and seven single‐nucleotide polymorphism markers flanking TTR were genotyped to investigate the founder effect of the TTR Ala97Ser mutation.

Results

Most of the patients had a peripheral neuropathy with variable autonomic symptoms. The average age at disease onset (AO) was 58.2 ± 7.2 years, and the male patients had an earlier AO than female patients (56.6 ± 5.7 years vs. 61.8 ± 8.9 years, P = 0.013). Electrophysiological studies revealed a generalized axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy and isolated median neuropathy in 84.5% and 15.5% of the patients, respectively. Up to 80% of the patients with ATTR had symptomatic or subclinical cardiac involvement. Six TTR mutations were identified in the participants including one novel mutation Glu89Asp. Among them, Ala97Ser was the most common mutation, accounting for 91.2% of the ATTR pedigrees. Detailed haplotype analyses demonstrated a shared haplotype in the 47 patients with the Ala97Ser mutation, suggesting a founder effect.

Interpretation

The present study delineates the distinct features of ATTR in Taiwan and provides useful information for the diagnosis and management of ATTR, especially in patients of Chinese descent.
Differences in Longitudinal Disease Activity Between Research Cohort and Noncohort Participants with Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Electronic Health Record Data
Authors: Gianfrancesco Milena A. , Trupin Laura , McCulloch Charles E. , Shiboski Stephen , Schmajuk Gabriela , Yazdany Jinoos
Published: April 2019

Objective

Research using electronic health records (EHRs) may offer advantages over observational prospective cohort studies, including lower costs and a more generalizable patient population; however, EHR data may be more biased because of the high prevalence of missing data. We took advantage of a unique clinical setting in which all patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were asked to participate in a longitudinal cohort study that would examine potential biases of EHR vs. prospective cohort designs in assessment of disease outcomes, but only some chose to participate.

Methods

For individuals both participating in the cohort (“cohort,” n = 187) and not participating (“noncohort,” n = 190), we retrieved data regarding RA disease activity and other sociodemographic and clinical factors from data recorded in the EHR between 2013 and 2017. We compared the prevalence of missing data between groups and studied differences in disease activity measures over time.

Results

Disease activity measures were less likely to be missing for cohort participants compared with noncohort participants (0.2%‐13% vs. 2%‐22%, respectively). No significant differences were present at baseline with respect to race/ethnicity or disease activity measures between groups. However, black, non‐Hispanic race/ethnicity was associated with worse longitudinal disease activity compared with white, non‐Hispanic individuals in noncohort participants (β = 6.47, P =0.03) but not in cohort participants (β = −0.10, P = 0.97) (P interaction = 0.09).

Conclusion

Findings suggest that data derived from the EHR were comparable to a cohort across some variables but captured racial/ethnic disparities in long‐term outcomes not observed in the cohort study. Research utilizing EHR data in conjunction with cohort studies may provide new opportunities for studying health disparities.
Highly Stretchable and Wearable Thermotherapy Pad with Micropatterned Thermochromic Display Based on Ag Nanowire–Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Composite
Authors: Kim Hyunmin , Seo Minjeong , Kim Jong‐Woo , Kwon Do‐Kyun , Choi Song‐Ee , Kim Jin Woong , Myoung Jae‐Min
Published: April 2019

Due to the increasing interest in wearable devices, flexible and stretchable film heaters have been widely studied, as alternatives to heaters with conventional rigid shapes. Herein, a highly stretchable film heater (SFH) based on the silver nanowire (Ag NW)–single‐walled carbon nanotube composite with a thermochromic display on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate is successfully fabricated. The SFH shows excellent electrical conductivity, high mechanical stretchability, and outstanding reliability, with no significant degradation after 10 000 stretching cycles under tensile strain. The SFH can be heated to the target temperature (≈60 °C) within 30 s at a low applied voltage. In addition, a thermochromic display is fabricated to help prevent the risk of low‐temperature burns. Red (R), green (G), and blue (B) thermochromic microparticles (TMPs) are synthesized using drop‐based microfluidic technology. The TMPs show RGB colors at room temperature but change to a white color above a certain temperature. The TMPs are arrayed into a PDMS stencil on the basis of their particle sizes using the rubbing technique. The micropatterned thermochromic display, which functions as a visual alarm, combined with the SFH can pave the way for the development of thermotherapy pads for next‐generation wearable devices in the medical field.
A Roadmap to Low‐Cost Hydrogen with Hydroxide Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers
Authors: Abbasi Reza , Setzler Brian P. , Lin Saisai , Wang Junhua , Zhao Yun , Xu Hui , Pivovar Bryan , Tian Boyuan , Chen Xi , Wu Gang , Yan Yushan
Published: April 2019

Hydrogen is an ideal alternative energy carrier to generate power for all of society's energy demands including grid, industrial, and transportation sectors. Among the hydrogen production methods, water electrolysis is a promising method because of its zero greenhouse gas emission and its compatibility with all types of electricity sources. Alkaline electrolyzers (AELs) and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers (PEMELs) are currently used to produce hydrogen. AELs are commercially mature and are used in a variety of industrial applications, while PEMELs are still being developed and find limited application. In comparison with AELs, PEMELs have more compact structure and can achieve higher current densities. Recently, however, an alternative technology to PEMELs, hydroxide exchange membrane electrolyzers (HEMELs), has gained considerable attention due to the possibility to use platinum group metal (PGM)‐free electrocatalysts and cheaper membranes, ionomers, and construction materials and its potential to achieve performance parity with PEMELs. Here, the state‐of‐the‐art AELs and PEMELs along with the current status of HEMELs are discussed in terms of their positive and negative aspects. Additionally discussed are electrocatalyst, membrane, and ionomer development needs for HEMELs and benchmark electrocatalysts in terms of the cost–performance tradeoff.
Self‐Sacrificial Template‐Directed Vapor‐Phase Growth of MOF Assemblies and Surface Vulcanization for Efficient Water Splitting
Authors: Liu Teng , Li Peng , Yao Na , Kong Taige , Cheng Gongzhen , Chen Shengli , Luo Wei
Published: April 2019

Direct use of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with robust pore structures, large surface areas, and high density of coordinatively unsaturated metal sites as electrochemical active materials is highly desirable (rather than using as templates and/or precursors for high‐temperature calcination), but this is practically hindered by the poor conductivity and low accessibility of active sites in the bulk form. Herein, a universal vapor‐phase method is reported to grow well‐aligned MOFs on conductive carbon cloth (CC) by using metal hydroxyl fluorides with diverse morphologies as self‐sacrificial templates. Specifically, by further partially on‐site generating active Co3S4 species from Co ions in the echinops‐like Co‐based MOF (EC‐MOF) through a controlled vulcanization approach, the resulting Co3S4/EC‐MOF hybrid exhibits much enhanced electrocatalytic performance toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), with overpotentials of 84 and 226 mV required to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental results reveal that the electron transfer between Co3S4 species and EC‐MOF can decrease the electron density of the Co d‐orbital, resulting in more electrocatalytically optimized adsorption properties for Co. This study will open up a new avenue for designing highly ordered MOF‐based surface active materials for various electrochemical energy applications.
Colonic Injuries Induced by Inhalational Exposure to Particulate‐Matter Air Pollution
Authors: Li Xiaobo , Cui Jian , Yang Hongbao , Sun Hao , Lu Runze , Gao Na , Meng Qingtao , Wu Shenshen , Wu Jiong , Aschner Michael , Chen Rui
Published: April 2019

Particulate matter (PM) exposure has been associated with intestinal disorders. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the precise molecular mechanism involved and explore potential prevention strategies. In this study, inhaled PM is shown to activate inflammatory pathways in murine colon. In a panel study, it is found that ambient PM levels are significantly associated with elevated number of fecal white blood cells in healthy subjects. Acting as a promoter, PM exposure accelerates chemical carcinogenesis‐induced colonic tumor formation in a murine model. Mechanistically, RNA‐seq assays suggest activation of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT cascades in chronically PM‐exposed human colon mucosal epithelial cells. Ablation of up‐stream driver fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) effectively inhibits inflammation and neoplasia in PM‐exposed murine colons. Notably, dietary curcumin supplement is shown to protect against PM‐induced colonic injuries in mice. Collectively, these findings identify that PM exposure accelerates colonic tumorigenesis in a PI3K/AKT‐dependent manner and suggests potential nutrient supplement for prevention.
Supporting Out‐of‐School Time Staff in Low Resource Communities: A Professional Development Approach
Authors: Farrell Anne F. , Collier‐Meek Melissa A. , Furman Melanie J.
Published: April 2019

Highlights

In low resource communities, afterschool programs provide academic support, enrichment, and safety.

Out‐of‐school time (OST)programs struggle to meet aims due to low resources, low structure, and limited PD and support.

We varied support (business as usual, performance feedback, coaching) and measured fidelity.

Implementation fidelity was associated with level of staff support and site contextual factors.

Targeted investment in OST staff is critical for supporting youth in low‐resource communities.
Asymmetricsyn‐1,3‐Dioxane Construction via Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols Using Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalysts
Authors: Matsumoto Akira , Asano Keisuke , Matsubara Seijiro
Published: April 2019

Herein, we present a novel enantioselective hemiacetalization/intramolecular oxy‐Michael addition cascade for the synthesis ofsyn‐1,3‐diol frameworks via kinetic resolution of chiral secondary alcohols using chiral phosphoric acid catalysts. By utilizing the recovered optically active starting material, both enantiomers of the corresponding protected 1,3‐diols could be obtained with high optical purities. In addition, the products with a carbonyl group were converted diastereoselectively to longer optically active 1,3‐polyols, which are representative motifs in polyketides. Moreover, the organocatalytic approach presented in this study facilitates a library construction of useful chiral building blocks for the asymmetric synthesis of bioactive compounds.
The hybrid emergency room system: a novel trauma evaluation and care system created in Japan
Authors:   The founding members of the Japanese Association for Hybrid Emergency Room System (JA‐HERS)
Published: April 2019

The ultimate trauma management system should allow the completion of all time‐consuming life‐saving procedures in one trauma resuscitation room. In 2011, the Hybrid Emergency Room System (HERS) was developed in Japan as a novel trauma care system that allows clinicians to perform all life‐saving procedures for severely injured patients, including whole‐body computed tomography examination, damage control surgery, and transcatheter arterial embolization by interventional radiology, on the same table in the same room without transferring the patient. Since then, the number of HERS installations has rapidly increased around Japan. To promote further innovation and dissemination of this new and creative concept of trauma management, the Japanese Association for Hybrid Emergency Room System was launched on June 21, 2018. In this article, the concept, history, and current evidence behind this new trauma workflow system are summarized. This is the first review to show the next direction of trauma care using HERS.
Verifying the Japanese version of the Preschool Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (psCAM‐ICU)
Authors: Matsuishi Yujiro , Hoshino Haruhiko , Shimojo Nobutake , Enomoto Yuki , Kido Takahiro , Matsuzaki Asaki , Mathis Bryan J. , Kawano Satoru , Inoue Yoshiaki
Published: April 2019

Aim

Pediatric delirium has been well investigated and its prevalence is reported to be from 20% to 44%. For pediatric intensive care settings, several validated assessment tools for diagnosing delirium, including the Preschool Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (psCAM‐ICU), are available in English. However, validated assessment tools for identifying pediatric delirium are unavailable in Japanese. Therefore, the aim of this study is to verify the Japanese translation of the psCAM‐ICU.

Methods

We enrolled patients at the Pediatric ICU at University of Tsukuba Hospital (Tsukuba, Japan) from May 2017 to February 2019. Enrollment criteria included patients aged 6 months to 5 years, and we excluded coma patients scoring under −4 on the Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale or suffering from stroke. Pediatric patient delirium was simultaneously evaluated by three medical workers (pediatric intensivist and researchers). Psychiatrists then verified these findings against criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5th Edition. We evaluated criterion validity (sensitivity and specificity) and reliability using Cohen's κ coefficient.

Results

We made a total of 56 independent assessments of 19 patients (42% female) with an average age of 18 (±15) weeks. Mechanical ventilation was used at least once in 73% of patients and the positive rate of delirium was 54% in total observation. Overall, the psCAM‐ICU showed high sensitivity, specificity (sensitivity, 0.90 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80–0.94]; specificity, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.83–0.97]), and high reliability within the researcher assessments (κ = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.82–1.0).

Conclusion

We verified the psCAM‐ICU and it shows high validity and reliability.