bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overweight and obesity as potential prognostic factors for severity and mortality in patients with COVID-19: A living systematic review protocol
Authors: Bonilla-Untiveros Catherine , Camacho-Lopez Saby , Baladia Eduard , Ortiz-Muñoz Luis E. , Rada Gabriel
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveThis living systematic review aims to provide a timely, rigorous and continuously updated summary about the impact of overweight or obesity as a prognostic factor for severity and mortality in patients with COVID-19. DesignThis is a protocol of a living systematic review.Data sourcesWe will conduct searches in MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), grey literature and in a centralized repository in L·OVE (Living OVerview of Evidence). L·OVE is a platform that maps PICO questions to evidence from Epistemonikos database. In response to the COVID-19 emergency, L·OVE was adapted to expand the range of evidence it covers and customised to group all COVID-19 evidence in one place. The search will cover the period until the day before submission to a journal.Eligibility criteria for selecting studies and methods We adapted an already published common protocol for multiple parallel systematic reviews to the specificities of this question. We will include all primary studies that assess patients with confirmed or suspected infection with SARS-CoV-2 and inform the relation of overweight or obesity with death or disease severity. Two reviewers will independently screen each study for eligibility, extract data, and assess the risk of bias. We will pool the results using meta-analysis and will apply the GRADE system to assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome. A living, web-based version of this review will be openly available during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will resubmit it every time the conclusions change or whenever there are substantial updates.
Do Open Science Badges increase trust in scientists among undergraduates, scientists, and the public?
Authors: Schneider Jürgen , Rosman Tom , Kelava Augustin , Merk Samuel
Published: August 2020

Open science badges are a promising method to signal a study’s adherence to open science practices (OSP). In three experimental studies, we investigated whether badges affect trust in scientists by undergraduates (N = 270), scientists (N = 250), or the public (N = 257). Furthermore, we analyzed the moderating role of epistemic beliefs in this regard. Participants were randomly assigned to two of three conditions: Badges awarded (visible compliance to OSP), badges not awarded (visible noncompliance to OSP), and no badges (control). In all samples, our Bayesian analyses indicated that badges influence trust as expected with one exception in the public sample: an additional positive effect of awarded badges compared to no badges was not supported here. Further, we found evidence for the absence of a moderation by epistemic beliefs. Our results demonstrate that badges are an effective means to foster trust in scientists among target audiences of scientific papers.
Studying texts in a non-native language: A further investigation of factors involved in the L2 recall cost
Authors: Brysbaert Marc
Published: August 2020

With academic internationalisation at full speed, English is increasingly used as a medium of instruction in higher education. The question arises whether unbalanced bilinguals remember study materials in a non-native language (L2) as well as in a first language (L1). In previous studies, we found a disadvantage for students recalling short, expository texts in L2 compared to L1, but no such disadvantage for a true/false recognition test, not even on delayed tests after a month. Since no additional forgetting occurs, the quality of the memory trace seems to be equally strong in both languages and the recall cost might be caused by a lack of production skill in L2. To test this hypothesis, we ran experiments in L1-L1, L2-L1 and L2-L2 conditions with free and cued recall (short open questions). We replicate the L2 free recall cost reported earlier and show that it is due to the encoding in L2 rather than to an L2 production cost. In contrast, we found no significant difference in a new pair of texts with short, cued recall questions, though there was a trend in the expected direction. A summary of the effect sizes obtained so far shows a considerable variety (with rather big confidence intervals), suggesting that the cost of studying in L2 depends on several factors such as study time, test requirement, and language proficiency level.
Turbulence in the financial markets: Cross-country differences in market volatility in response to COVID-19 pandemic policies
Authors: Bickley Steven J , Chan Ho Fai , Torgler Benno , Colthurst Richard , Brumpton Martin
Published: August 2020

COVID-19 has had far-reaching global effects on the health and wellbeing of individuals on every continent. The economic and financial market response has been equally disastrous with high levels of volatility. This study explores temporal relations between structural breaks, market volatility and government policy interventions for 28 countries and their respective financial market indices.File description:Scripts:breaks.do – test for the unknown structural breaks in the turnover data.turnover.do – merge the mobility dataset (change in mobility to residential), stay-at-home policy, COVID stats, and turnover. It also generates the dataset for the R code (should upload yours) and the rest of the analysis.hurstexponent.R - estimates/calculates log returns, performs STL Decomposition and MFDFA analysis. Data:mobility.dat - Google mobility databloomberg_turnover.dat - Raw traded value from Bloombergturnover.do - merged traded value datacsse.dat - COVID-19 statisticsPlease contact steven.bickley@hdr.qut.edu.au for questions and refer to our accompanying paper. Recommended Citation: TBAData use policy: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY standard.
Individual Differences in Social Distancing and Mask-Wearing in the Pandemic of COVID-19: The Role of Need for Cognition, Self-control, and Risk Attitude
Authors: Xu Ping , Cheng Jiuqing
Published: August 2020

In the United States, while the number of COVID-19 cases continue to increase, the practice of social distancing and mask-wearing have been controversial and even politicized. The present study examined the role of psychological traits in social distancing compliance and mask-wearing behavior and attitude. A sample of 233 U.S. adult residents were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk. Participants completed scales of social distancing compliance, mask-wearing behavior and attitude, need for cognition, self-control, risk attitude, and political ideology. Epidemiological information (seven-day positive rate and the number of cases per 100,000) was obtained based on the state participants resided in. As a result, epidemiological information did not correlate with protective behaviors. Political ideology, on the other hand, was a significant factor, with a more liberal tendency being associated with greater engagement in social distancing compliance and mask-wearing behavior an attitude. Importantly, those who were more risk averse, or had a higher level of self-control or need for cognition practiced more social distancing and mask-wearing, after controlling for demographics, epidemiological information, and political ideology. For mask-wearing behavior, political ideology interacted with both need for cognition and self-control. Collectively, the study revealed the psychological roots of individual differences in social distancing and mask-wearing compliance.
Brief Symptoms Inventory psychometric properties supports the hypothesis of a general psychopathological factor.
Authors: Malloy-Diniz Leandro , Serpa Alexandre Luiz de Oliveira , de Souza Costa Danielle , Pinheiro Mayra Isabel C. , Diaz Alexandre Paim , de Paula Jonas Jardim , de Miranda Débora Marques , Silva Antônio Geraldo
Published: August 2020

The existence of a general factor related to psychiatric symptoms is supported by studies using a variety of methods and in both clinical and nonclinical samples. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of Brief Symptom Inventory assessing the hypothesis that its scores fits better in a bifactor model with both general factor and specific cluster of symptoms. Participants were 6,427 brazilian subjects (81% female). The mean age was 42.1 years old (SD = 13.6, Min = 13, Max = 80). All participants fulfill the online version of the Brief Symptom Inventory. This scale presents a general score (GSI) and nine specific cluster of symptoms (depression, anxiety, phobic anxiety, interpersonal sensibility, psychoticism, paranoid ideation, obsessive-compulsive, hostility and somatization symptoms) Confirmatory factorial analysis was performed to assess the factorial BSI structure. Results supports the bifactorial solution for BSI. Nonetheless, the general factor was the main dimension to explain the variability of examinees. The use of the nine specific clusters of symptoms remains useful to assess specific clinical and research questions.
Antisocial personality traits transcend species
Authors: Hopwood Christopher James , Bleidorn Wiebke
Published: August 2020

Antisocial personality is generally used to describe people who treat other people with callous disregard and disrespect. Although animal cruelty is diagnostic of conduct disorder, a precursor of antisocial personality in children, it is unclear whether the term antisocial also encompasses disregard and disrespect toward non-human animals among adults. In this study we examined associations between three anti-animal attitudes and behaviors – speciesism, hunting/fishing, and lack of sympathy for animal rights – and traits that underlie adult antisocial behavior. We found consistent links between antisocial personality traits and anti-animal attitudes and behaviors in two samples. These effects were generally specific to traits linked to antisociality (although we also found associations with low openness), and these traits were stronger as predictors of variation among meat eaters than as predictors of differences between vegetarians and meat eaters. These results suggest that the term antisocial applies to negative attitudes and behaviors towards both humans and non-human animals and imply the potential value of considering anti-animal attitudes and behaviors in the clinical assessment of antisocial personality.
Apical drive - a cellular mechanism of dreaming?
Authors: Aru Jaan , Siclari Francesca , Phillips William A. , Storm Johan F.
Published: August 2020

Dreams are internally generated experiences that occur independently of current sensory input. Here we argue, based on cortical anatomy and function, that dream experiences are tightly related to the workings of a specific part of cortical pyramidal neurons, the apical integration zone (AIZ). The AIZ receives and processes contextual information from diverse sources and could constitute a major switch point for transitioning from externally to internally generated experiences such as dreams. We propose that during dreams the output of certain pyramidal neurons is mainly driven by input into the AIZ. We call this mode of functioning “apical drive”. Our hypothesis is based on the evidence that the cholinergic and adrenergic arousal systems, which show different dynamics between waking, slow wave sleep, and rapid eye movement sleep, have specific effects on the AIZ. We suggest that apical drive may also contribute to waking experiences, such as mental imagery. Future studies, investigating the different modes of apical function and their regulation during sleep and wakefulness are likely to be richly rewarded.
Tuning Structural and Electronic Properties of Phosphorene with Vacancies
Authors: Pantha N. , Chauhan B. , Sharma P. , Adhikari N. P.
Published: August 2020

Two dimensional materials show multiple applications including in semiconductor devices and gaseous storage. We have carried out First-Principles calculations to study the geometrical structures, stability and electronic/magnetic properties of pristine as well as double vacancy phospherene. Calculations are based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) taking an account of van der Waals (vdW) interaction in the DFT-D2 approach within Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA). Modeling and simulation have been performed with Quantum ESPRESSO (QE) codes. The supercell of 4×4 structure, whose building block is an orthogonal unit cell with four phosphorous atoms, is used to model the samples. Based on the stability of defected single layer phosphorene, a couple of structures (DV(5|8|5)-1 and DV(5|8|5)-2) have been considered to calculate their formation energy, band structure and other properties. Formation energy values find the former structure (DV(5|8|5)-1) more favorable to create than the later one. A band gap of 0.86eV for pristine phospherene, an excellent agreement with the experiment, validates the results of present calculations. The phosphorene with double vacancy, however, shows significant changes in electronic bands with reference to the pristine one. The band gap for DV(5|8|5)-1 and DV(5|8|5)-2 systems are found to be 1.01eV and 0.1 eV respectively. No magnetic moment in both the pure and defected (double vacancy) phospherene monolayer approves that only the vacancies are not enough to induce magnetic properties in phosphorene.
Evaluation of Global Solar Radiation using Sunshine Hour, Temperature and Relative Humidity at Low Land Region of Nepal
Authors: Joshi U. , Poudyal K.N. , Karki I.B. , Chapagain N.P.
Published: August 2020

The accurate knowledge of solar energy potential is essential for agricultural scientists, energy engineers, architects and hydrologists for relevant applications in concerned fields. It is cleanest and freely available renewable energy measured using CMP6 Pyranometer. However, it is quite challenging to acquire accurate solar radiation data in different locations of Nepal because of the high cost of instruments and maintenances. In these circumstances, it is essential to select an appropriate empirical model to predict global solar radiation for the use of future at low land, Nepalgunj (28.102°N, 81.668°E and alt. 165 masl) for the year 2011-2012. In this paper, six different empirical models have been used based on regression technique, provided the meteorological data. The empirical constants (a = 0.61, b = 0.05, c = -0.0012 and d = -0.017) are obtained to predict Global solar radiation. The values of statistical tools such as mean percentage error, mean bias error, root mean square error, and coefficient of determination obtained for Abdalla model are 1.99%, 0.003 MJ/m2/day, 2.04 MJ/m2/day and 0.74 respectively. Using the error analysis, it is concluded that the Abdalla model is better than others. So the empirical constants of this model are utilized to predict the global solar radiation to the similar geographical sites of Nepal for the years to come and it can be used to estimate the missing data of solar radiation for the respective sites.
Computational Study of the Structural, Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Nanoclusters of Cu2O and CuO: Ab-Initio Approach
Authors: Yadav T. P. , Kaphle G. C. , Srivastava A.
Published: August 2020

The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the nanoclusters of (Cu2O) n= 1, 2, 3 and (CuO) m = 2, 4, 6 have computationally studied. Density Functional Theory incorporated in Atomistic tool kit (ATK-DFT) calculators with exchange-correlation functional (SGGA+U) based ab-initio approach is applied for simulation and calculation of these nanoclusters. In the computational study, the nanoclusters (Cu2O)1, (Cu2O)3 , (CuO)2 and (CuO)6 show semiconducting behavior whereas (Cu2O)2 and (CuO)4 show semi-metallic behaviors. The nanoclusters (Cu2 O)1 and (Cu2O)3 show diamagnetic, (Cu2O)2 and (CuO)4 show ferromagnetic, (CuO)2 and (CuO)6 show antiferromagnetic behaviors. The magnetic moments 0.28μB and 0.03 μB are observed in the nanoclusters (Cu2O)2 and (CuO)4 while others are found to be as nonmagnetic . The total energy of nanoclusters have found to be decreasing towards total minimum energy with increasing number of atoms of copper oxides. The nanoclusters (Cu2O) n = 1, 2, 3 and (CuO) m = 2, 4, 6 are used in various applications as in the synthesis of technological materials. The analysis of the effects of bond length and binding energy with the size of nanoclsters have been presented.
Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions using Organic Source Indicators: A Summary of Examples from Sri Lanka
Authors: Ratnayake A.S.
Published: August 2020

The qualitative and quantitative analysis of sedimentary organic matter (i.e., the residue of past biota) provides integrated histories of marine and continental past life and paleoenvironmental /paleoclimatic changes. Organic geochemical investigations are possible by combining (i) bulk properties such as elemental compositions, stable isotope ratios, and Rock-Eval pyrolysis data, and (ii) biomarker molecular compositions such as n-alkanes, sterol, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons compositions. The analytical approaches described in this overview illustrate the published examples of lacustrine and marine organic geochemical studies in Sri Lanka. In summary, the Jurassic Andigama and Tabbowa Basins provide different sources of organic matter, followed by availability of nutrient for algal growth and the amount of land runoff to the basins. Rock-Eval analysis of the Cretaceous to Paleogene sedimentary rocks in the offshore Mannar Basin reveal the presence of gas-prone land-plant organic matter mainly and minor oil-prone algal organic matter. The amounts and types of organic matter variations in Bolgoda Lake sediments indicate changes in Holocene sea-level, coastal geomorphology, and continental climates during the last 7,000 years. In future directions, applications of novel organic geochemical proxies and understanding of original biologically synthesized materials in tropics would improve interpretations of paleoenvironmental changes. Besides, local and regional paleoclimatic proxy and model studies would refine future paleoenvironmental reconstructions in Sri Lanka.
Biomass and Carbon Stock Estimation of Udawattakele Forest Reserve in Kandy District of Sri Lanka
Authors: Abeysekara A.M.S.K. , Yatigammana S.K. , Premakantha K.T.
Published: August 2020

Carbon dioxide has gained lot of attention in recent past as a greenhouse gas, and therefore it has a potential to affect the climate pattern of the world. Several anthropogenic activities are known to be responsible for the increased level of carbon in the atmosphere and disruption of the global carbon cycle. However, nature has its own mechanism of sequestering and storing the carbon in its “reservoirs”. Forest has the ability to sequester carbon in their biomass and reduce the rate of increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The carbon sequestered in the forest trees are mostly referred to as the biomass of a tree or a forest. It has been identified five carbon pools of the terrestrial ecosystem, involving biomass. The study was designed to estimate biomass stock and then the carbon stock of the Udawattakele Forest Reserve (7°17'58 "N, 80°38'20’’E) in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Allometric equations were used to calculate biomass of trees. The total biomass stock was estimated to be 9475.56 t ha-1 (Mega gram-Mg) and the total carbon stock was estimated to be 4,453.55 t ha-1 (Mg) in the Udawattakele Forest Reserve (UFR). This amount is equivalent to 16,344.52 Mg of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. UFR holds a moderate amount of biomass/carbon stock and the total carbon density of natural forest and plantations was found to be 36.55 Mg ha-1 and 44.89 Mg ha-1 respectively.
Models for Measuring Height-Diameter Relationships for Agarwood (AquilariamalaccensisLamk) Plantations in Bangladesh
Authors: Islam S.M.Z. , Chowdhury M.A.M. , Misbahuzzaman K.
Published: August 2020

The relationship between tree height and diameter is an important element in growth and yield models, in carbon stock estimation and timber volume models, and in the description of stand dynamics.In this paper considered18 functional models and evaluated the performance that predict total tree height from diameter at breast height of agarwood. The models were applied to A.malaccensisLamk (Agarwood) which is economically important tree species planted in some potential forest areas of Bangladesh.A total of 5,866 tree heights and corresponding diameters at breast heights were extracted from many forest areas in Sylhet, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Chittagong Hill Tracts (Rangamati) forest division. The model goodness of fit values were evaluated in terms of adjusted coefficient of determination (R2), root mean squared error (RMSE), Akaike’s information criterion (AIC),Durbin-Watson statistic value,homogeneity of the residuals and significance of the regression parameters. The results of the study indicated that the height-diameter relationship can best be described by non-linear models. The best three models selected for the species with ranking in terms of goodness of fit. The Gompertz ; Parabolic and Logistic  with R2=0.91 were height-diameter models performed better than other models.
Degree and Determinants of Host Communities’ Socio-Economic Dependence on Forest Products of Pendjari National Park, Benin Republic: Automatic Linear Modelling Technique
Authors: Olaniyi O.E. , Ogunjemite B.G. , Akindele O.S. , Sogbohossou E.A. , Zakaria M.H.
Published: August 2020

The study aimed at determining the degree and determinants of host communities’ socio-economic dependence on forest products of Pendjari National Park, Benin. Four hundred households in fourteen host communities of the Park were subjected to direct household survey through multistage sampling technique. Forest Dependency Indices were computed to determine the households’ dependence on forest products. An automatic linear modelling algorithm through forward stepwise model selection method was employed to model the main determinants to host communities' socio-economic dependence on forest products. Household age category (5-14 and above 60 years), total monthly income, education level of the household members (junior/senior high school, bachelor’s degree), place of birth, and religion were the main determinants. Most host communities were observed to be dependent on the park in varied forms and degrees, while Tanguieta and Sangou had the least and highest degree of dependence, respectively. Thus, the findings had provided a template for relevant authorities to rightly allocate resources for alternative livelihood means to the ranked host communities. However, a monitoring indicator had been developed to quantify and safeguard the harms of indigenous people to the biodiversity base. This is believed to create a synergy between sustainable development and indigenous peoples.
Identification of Urban Heat Islands &Its Relationship withVegetation Cover: A Case Study of Colombo & Gampaha Districts in Sri Lanka
Authors: Fernando G.M.T.S.
Published: August 2020

Global Warming is a major environmental problem that all kind of organisms has been affected at present. Urban Heat Island (UHI) is one of primary impacts of Global Warming. UHI is a phenomenon that the temperature of urban area is higher than surrounding rural areas or suburban areas. This increasing trend of temperature in urban areas affects many environmental entities such as air quality, water resources, habitats behaviors and climate changes. The most remarkable incident that relate with UHI is the difference of thermal properties of the surfaces. Many countries experience the consequences of Urban Heat Islands in many aspects such as economic, health, social and environmental affects. Thus to mitigate such impacts of UHI, it is very important to identify the main reasons behind this. In this paper UHIs in Colombo, Gampaha Districts and the relationship between UHI and vegetation cover were analyzed based on Landsat 8, 30m resolution data. Land Surface Temperature was derived from Landsat thermal Infrared band through several equations of United State Geological Survay (USGS) guidelines using Arc GIS 10. Conversion of Digital Number (DN) values to Top of Atmosphere (TOA) Radiance, Conversion of TOA Radiance to Satellite Brightness temperature and final calculation of Land Surface Temperature considering land surface emissivity are the steps that had been done for the analysis. Vegetation cover was derived by using vegetation index with the Red and Near Infra Red bands. The result shows that the land high surface temperature directly relates with the urbanized regions where vegetation cover is very less. High temperature difference could be identified that cause to arise the urban heat island effects in Colombo & Gampaha districts. There is a strong linearly negative correlation with correlation coefficient value of -0.742 between land surface temperature and vegetation cover. 78.8 km2 (including water) of total area had been identified as NDVI value less than 0.1. And extent of high temperature area was 74.12 km2 where temperature more than 27oC at 10.22am. The area in temperature range of 25-27 was 464.95km2 and area in NDVI value range 0.1-0.2 was 333.04 km2. 1471.1 km2 was identified as NDVI value between 0.3-0.4 and the area at low temperature was 1529 km2where temperature less than 25oC. According to this results, high temperature at non-vegetated areas and low temperature at vegetated areas could be noted very clearly. This is probably due to the ecological function of vegetation that lay down the surface temperature from high evapotranspiration. Vegetated areas are mostly sensed with surface temperature.Thus research output can be useful for policy-makers and planners of development projects such as Western province Megapolis project as well as for general public to understand the urban heat island effects and importance of vegetation cover to mitigate such impacts.
منهج سعيد النورسي في التعامل مع الأحاديث المتشابهات في "رسائل النور"
Authors: بنت فتاح ياسين روضة الفردوس , بنت جيئ رحيم نور عينا مرضية
Published: August 2020

يهدف البحث إلى توضيح منهج سعيد النورسي في التعامل مع الأحاديث المتشابهة من خلال كتابه "رسائل النور" ببيان كيفية منهجه في إيراد المعنى المراد بالأحاديث المتشابهة حيث حللت الباحثة الأحاديث المتشابهة فيه عن درجاته أو مرتبته، واستخرجت الأحاديث من كتب الأحاديث مع ذكر تخريجه. ثم استعملت الباحثة المراجعة والمطالعة بتناول آراء المحدثين عنها، وذكر النتائج لكل منها، كما أنها تحلل المشكل وتوضح المبهم.
De la théorie à la pratique
Authors: Martineau Régis
Published: August 2020

Les outils de gestion véhiculent une certaine philosophie de gestion et une représentation des relations organisationnelles. Comment celles-ci s’inscrivent-elles dans le substrat technique, dans l’artefact qui est censé les porter ? En les considérant comme des textes, cet article met à jour une réalité souvent oubliée de la pensée managériale, plus concrète et située : celle qui est inscrite dans les outils de gestion. La démarche d’analyse proposée permet d’appréhender les outils de gestion dans leur forme artefactuelle (locale, manipulable par les individus) ; fournit une méthode pour les managers qui souhaitent lire et écrire les outils de gestion ; et propose une pédagogie originale d’enseignement des outils de gestion.
Repenser le processus d’innovation dans l’entreprise à partir du courant pragmatiste
Authors: Berthelot Vincent
Published: August 2020

Dans de nombreuses entreprises, les communautés sont considérées comme un précieux réservoir d’innovations. Tout l’enjeu pour ces entreprises est de parvenir à exploiter ces innovations sans altérer la dynamique communautaire des groupes. À partir des travaux de John Dewey, cet article propose de penser l’entreprise comme une « communauté de communautés ». Selon cette perspective, appliquée à une start-up du numérique, les communautés ne sont pas au service de l’innovation des entreprises, mais l’innovation correspond à un processus social permettant de davantage faire communauté en entreprise.
Communautés, paysages de pratique et identité professionnelle des managers hybrides
Authors: Ben Mahmoud-Jouini Sihem , Haas Aurore , Lehiany Benjamin , Servajean-Hilst Romaric
Published: August 2020

Dans un environnement où l’innovation est clé pour la compétitivité, de nouvelles fonctions ayant pour objet de la promouvoir apparaissent dans les entreprises, comme par exemple les acheteurs-innovation en collaboration avec les partenaires externes, en charge de la veille et de la mise en œuvre de projets innovants. Comment ces managers hybrides construisent-ils leur identité professionnelle ? Fondée sur deux études de cas d’entreprises où ces pratiques se sont développées, cette recherche montre le rôle central des communautés et paysages de pratique dans la construction identitaire de ces innovateurs.
Educating the Other
Authors: Roman Nicoleta
Published: August 2020

This article explores the role of foreign governesses in the early nineteenth century in the province of Wallachia, a principality in the southeastern part of present-day Romania and a peripheral territory at the intersection of the Habsburg, Russian, and Ottoman empires. It focuses on the professional integration of governesses into Romanian society, exploring their complementary routes of activity, both in private educational networks for the elite and in the emerging educational institutions for girls. Their cultural identities as transnational teachers sometimes collided with local perceptions and employers’ ambitions, and the study sheds light on the different categories of governesses and how they succeeded in keeping up with a certain model for governesses that prevailed in this period.
Direct carotid puncture for mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients with prohibitive vascular access
Authors: Cord Branden J. , Kodali Sreeja , Strander Sumita , Silverman Andrew , Wang Anson , Chouairi Fouad , Koo Andrew B. , Nguyen Cindy Khanh , Peshwe Krithika , Kimmel Alexandra , Porto Carl M. , Hebert Ryan M. , Falcone Guido J. , Sheth Kevin N. , Sansing Lauren H. , Schindler Joseph L. , Matouk Charles C. , Petersen Nils H.
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVE

While the benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke with large-vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO) has been clearly established, difficult vascular access may make the intervention impossible or unduly prolonged. In this study, the authors evaluated safety as well as radiographic and functional outcomes in stroke patients treated with MT via direct carotid puncture (DCP) for prohibitive vascular access.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively studied patients from their prospective AIS-LVO database who underwent attempted MT between 2015 and 2018. Patients with prohibitive vascular access were divided into two groups: 1) aborted MT (abMT) after failed transfemoral access and 2) attempted MT via DCP. Functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months. Associations with outcome were analyzed using ordinal logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 352 consecutive patients with anterior circulation AIS-LVO who underwent attempted MT, 37 patients (10.5%) were deemed to have prohibitive vascular access (mean age [± SD] 82 ± 11 years, mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score 17 ± 5, with females accounting for 75% of the patients). There were 20 patients in the DCP group and 17 in the abMT group. The two groups were well matched for the known predictors of clinical outcome: age, sex, and admission NIHSS score. Direct carotid access was successfully obtained in 19 of 20 patients. Successful reperfusion (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score 2b or 3) was achieved in 16 (84%) of 19 patients in the DCP group. Carotid access complications included an inability to catheterize the carotid artery in 1 patient, neck hematomas in 4 patients, non–flow-limiting common carotid artery (CCA) dissections in 2 patients, and a delayed, fatal carotid blowout in 1 patient. The neck hematomas and non–flow-limiting CCA dissections did not require any subsequent interventions and remained clinically silent. Compared with the abMT group, patients in the DCP group had smaller infarct volumes (11 vs 48 ml, p = 0.04), a greater reduction in NIHSS score (−4 vs +2.9, p = 0.03), and better functional outcome (shift analysis for 3-month modified Rankin Scale score: adjusted OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.02–24.5; p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

DCP for emergency MT in patients with anterior circulation AIS-LVO and prohibitive vascular access is safe and effective and is associated with higher recanalization rates, smaller infarct volumes, and improved functional outcome compared with patients with abMT after failed transfemoral access. DCP should be considered in this patient population.
Obstructive hydrocephalus treated with endoscopic third ventriculostomy in a patient with Hajdu-Cheney syndrome: case report
Authors: Johnson Ryan M. , O’Neill Brent R.
Published: August 2020

Hajdu-Cheney syndrome (HCS) is a rare genetic disorder with autosomal dominant inheritance, although most cases result from de novo mutations. Progressive platybasia and basilar impression (BI) can potentiate obstructive hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis. Limited literature exists on the surgical intervention for hydrocephalus in patients with this condition. The authors present (to their knowledge) the first case of obstructive hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis from BI treated with an endoscopic third ventriculostomy in a patient with the complex anatomy of HCS.
The Feasibility of Algae Treatment Treating Fecal Sludge Wastewater at Surabaya, Indonesia
Authors: Farahdiba Aulia Ulfah , Hidayah Euis Nurul , Zara Djuni Wulan , Linh Nguyen Thi Thuy
Published: August 2020

This research work was preliminary, carried out to determine the performance of algae in the fecal sludge wastewater treatment. This study was conducted with a batch scale, using an algae reactor to treat fecal wastewater with high organic and nutrient contents. Cultured algae using Chlorella sp. was spiked in domestic wastewater with five days detention period. Environment conditions such as pH, dissolved oxygen, light and temperature were monitored. It was seen that light intensities directly could affect the temperature of the bioreactor. The algae reactor was able to remove 20-50% of COD, 30-40% of nitrate and 50% of phosphate. A high correlation was discovered between organic substance and nutrient removal efficiency. Reducing organic substance was pursued with increasing dissolved oxygen concentration. The microalgae process was found feasible for treating fecal sludge wastewater considering with bacteria-algae symbiosis.
Effect of Mercury on Growth of Several Microalgae
Authors: Arsad Sulastri , Kholifah Siti Nur , Prabawati Estuningdyah , Sari Luthfiana Aprilianita , Kadim Miftahul Khair , Kilawati Yuni
Published: August 2020

This study aimed to analyse the effect of toxic heavy metal on microalgae growth. Several microalgae i.e cyanophyceae ( Spirulina maxima), eustigmatophyceae ( Nannochloropsis oculata), chlorophyceae ( Chlorella vulgaris) and porphyridiophyceae ( Porphyridium cruentum) were exposed to mercury with various concentrations (1, 3 and 5 mg. L−1). An experimental method was carried out in the laboratory scale with one control of microalgae culture without mercury exposure. The microalgae cultivated by using Walne medium with the initial cells were 10,000 cells.mL−1 for S. maxima and N. oculata respectively and 100,000 cells.mL−1 for C. vulgaris and P. cruentum respectively. The microalgae density was counted every day for 8 days. Water quality parameters were temperature, salinity, light intensity and pH. All treatments were set and calculated by using completely randomized design Anova and SPSS.16, respectively. The result depicts that the cell density of microalgae decreased during the culture except in control. A significant decay was shown by microalgae on exposure to 3 mg.L−1 of mercury, where final density of microalgae on the 8th day was 2,333 cells.mL−1 ( S. maxima), 13,000 cells.mL−1 ( N. oculata), 6,000 cells.mL−1 ( C. vulgaris) and 2,000 cells.mL−1 ( P. cruentum). However, all the quality indices are belonging to optimum condition for algae growth, such as temperature was 25-28°C, salinity was 34-38 ppt, light intensity was approximately 3,600 lux, and pH was 7-8. This research recommends to investigate the effect of heavy metals on ultrastructure of microalgae by using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the chlorophyll content of microalgae contaminated.
Evaluation of Radioactivity in Surabaya Coastal Estuary Ecosystem with Spectrometry α, β, γ
Authors: Siswanto  , Taftazani Agus , Prasetyo Dedy
Published: August 2020

Radioactivity levels have been measured in sediment samples, Echornia crassipes and Anadara granosa at the Surabaya river estuary. Measurement data were obtained by spectrophotometric method, which is a way of measuring and identifying radionuclides through observations of the spectrum emitted with detector material. The results of measurements and calculations that have been done show that the mean concentration of activity α, β, γ (gross) in water in the Morokrembangan estuary and Kenjeran river estuary is still below the threshold value of group C waters quality. Radionuclide identification results indicate the presence of natural radionuclides K 40, Tl 208 and Pb 212, whereas artificial radionuclides Pu 239 and Cs 137 were not detected in all samples.
Visualization of the Microbial Community and Elemental Mapping of Anadara granosa Media Used in a Slow Sand Filter Using a SEM-EDS
Authors: Ni’matuzahroh  , Fitriani Nurina , Soedjono Eddy Setiadi , Kuncoro Eko Prasetyo , Radin Mohamed Radin Maya Saphira , O’Marga Timothy Tjahja Nugraha
Published: August 2020

The removal of contaminants in slow sand filters occurs mainly in the biofilm above the filter media called schmutzdecke - a thin biological layer consisting of various microbial communities of algae, bacteria, diatoms and zooplankton. The layer formed ripens along with continuous straining and adsorption mechanism of impurities in raw water. Anadara granosa shell has been broadly used as an adsorbent to trap organic matter, turbid particles and heavy metal ion in raw wastewater. This research is aimed to visualise the microbial community grown on schmutzdecke in 2-weeks ripening period and maps the elemental characterisation of a grinded Anadara granosa shell media after the ripening period using a Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The result shows that mostly algae and diatoms have been recognised without species identification. Calcium (67%) and oxygen (21%) dominate the major chemical element contained in grinded Anadara granosa shell media, indicating that calcium carbonate and calcite can replace conventional sand as a more-efficient slow sand filter media, with longer maturing period. Such result can lead to further research about the increase of clamshell usage as a slow sand filter media to treat any types of wastewater, especially in rural areas in developing countries.
Consortium of Marsilea crenata and Ludwigia adscendens for Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate Detergent Phytoremediator
Authors: Rachmadiarti F. , Asri M.T. , Bashri A. , Yuliani  , Pratiwi I.A.
Published: August 2020

Water clover ( Marsilea crenata Presl.) and water primrose ( Ludwigia adscendens L.) are plants grow in wetlands, polluted by inorganic or organic materials, including detergent. This study aims to evaluate the capability of M. crenata and L. adscendens individually or as a consortium to remediate linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) detergent-polluted water, and to measure the growth and chlorophyll content of these plants. M. crenata and L. adscendens were grown in a hydroponic system exposed to LAS at 0, 10, 20, and 30 ppm for 10 days. Concentration of LAS (as anionic detergent) in treated media was analysed by UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 652 nm, wet biomass was measured using analytical balance, and chlorophyll content was analysed using spectrophotometer at 649 and 655 nm. Data were analysed statistically using analysis of variance followed by the Duncan test. The results shows that (1) at the end of experiment the concentration of residual detergent increased with increasing LAS in the media and (2) the plants biomass and the chlorophyll concentration decreased with increasing the LAS concentration in media. However, since both M. crenata and L. ascendens can significantly reduce LAS detergent concentration and can survive in 30 ppm concentration of LAS detergent, both species can be applied as phytoremediator agents.
Microalgae Skeletonema costatum for Cd and Cu Remediation
Authors: Pratiwi Dwi Candra , Pratiwi Niken , Yona Defri , Sasmita Respati Dwi , Pratiwi Intan Ayu
Published: August 2020

Cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) are types of heavy metals that can have an adverse effect on the ecosystem. Even copper is an essential metal but in limited concentrations, however, it leads to a toxic effect on the environment when used in high concentrations. Bioremediation of these metals can be done using microalgae Skeletonema costatum. In this study, bioremediation tests of Cd and Cu were carried out on a laboratory scale using various concentrations, control, 0.7, 1.3 and 1.9 ppm, respectively. The metals exposure was carried out for 96 hours. During the test the microalgae population was monitored, and the metal concentration in organism was calculated. The final analysis is to determine bioaccumulation factors as indicators of microalgae ability as heavy metals bioremediation-agent. Cd inhibits the growth of microalgae which is more than Cu. Yet, Cu is easily absorbed by Skeletonema costatum than Cd. The final analysis is to determine bioaccumulation factors as indicators of microalgae ability to be heavy metals bioremediation-agent in the bioconcentration factors (BCF) of Cd and Cu average are 6.15 and 7.97, respectively.
Effect of Media on Constructed Wetlands Performance with Equisetum hyemale
Authors: Wahyudianto Febri Eko , Imron Muhammad Fauzul , Oktavitri Nur Indradewi , Nisa’ AlFikry Salsabilla Choirun , Rahmatullah Lintang Tubagus , Rahman Danar Arifka
Published: August 2020

The objective of this study is to find the effect of the media on constructed wetlands capacity with Equisetum hyemale to remove chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phosphate (PO43-) in laundry wastewater. Four reactors of constructed wetlands made of the plastic container were used. Three units of reactors used different media that had different diameter media for each, which were sand (SM), expanded clay (CM) and gravel (GM) while the fourth reactor was used without using the media as a control. The environmental parameters and performance of constructed wetlands were monitored every day until the fifth day of the experiment. The results showed that there was a difference of COD and PO43- removal capacity between the control reactor and the reactors with media. The best performance was seen in SM, CM, and GM reactors. COD and PO43- removal efficiency in SM reactor was up to 96.06% and 97.07%; in CM reactor was up to 86.32% and 95.69%; and GM reactor was up to 84.36% and 77.23%. These results showed that the constructed wetlands performance with Equisetum hyemale was affected by the presence of media.
Hydrogeochemical Evolution and Quality Assessments of Streams Water in the Bhagirathi Basin, Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand
Authors: Ansari Zabiullah , Ahmad Sarfaraz
Published: August 2020

Hydrogeochemical studies were carried out to assess the quality and evolutions of the streams in the Bhagirathi basin during high and low flow of water in the given environment. The hydrochemical characteristics of the streams water indicated that silicate and mixed type of weathering dominated in the Bhagirathi watersheds. The stream’s water chemistry is mostly influenced by deeper sources of water through joints and fissures in the stream watersheds. A comparison between ion concentrations in the samples suggested that few samples have high sodium and fluoride exceeding the permissible limits. Based on dissolved ions in stream water, the water quality index falls into the excellent/good category (80%), poor quality (14%) and unsuitable class (6%), respectively. Kelly and Permeability index results suggest the impact of rock type on water quality that may affect local agricultural productivity.
Cognitive-affective appraisal of technostressors by ICT-based mobile workers and their impacts on technostrain
Authors: Shirish Anuragini
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND: ICT based mobile working gives organizational flexibility, productivity and performance but at the same time it can lead to techno-stress and technostrain perceptions. A high level of technostrain amongst ICT-based mobile workers would impact their well-being, leading to lesser than expected gains from such organizational ICT investments. Given this paradox, we examine the actual transactional and relational stressor-strain coping response processes in this novel context. OBJECTIVE: The broad research aim of this paper is to explain the relative importance of the cognitive and affective processes used amongst ICT-based mobile workers when coping with technostressors. METHODS: Specifically, based on technology frames literature, we develop dual-path serial mediation models, showing the relationships between technostress-technostrain via two processes: (a) the primary cognitive appraisal process mobilization (threat/opportunity technology frame) and (b) the secondary affective resource process mobilization (affect towards ICT use) to account for technostrain perceptions. We use survey data from 165 ICT-based mobile managers from diverse work settings to empirically confirm the theorized models. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: A predominant cognitive ‘threat frames’ leads to increase in technostrain, which decreases if ‘affective resource’ is available for coping. This relationship is inverse in the case of ‘opportunity frames’ path, as technostrain perceptions decreases with and without affective resource mobilization. Implications to theory, practice and methods are also discussed.
Astrocytic TSPO Upregulation Appears Before Microglial TSPO in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Tournier Benjamin B. , Tsartsalis Stergios , Ceyzériat Kelly , Fraser Ben H. , Grégoire Marie-Claude , Kövari Enikö , Millet Philippe
Published: August 2020

Background:

In vivo PET/SPECT imaging of neuroinflammation is primarily based on the estimation of the 18 kDa-translocator-protein (TSPO). However, TSPO is expressed by different cell types which complicates the interpretation.

Objective:

The present study evaluates the cellular origin of TSPO alterations in Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Methods:

The TSPO cell origin was evaluated by combining radioactive imaging approaches using the TSPO radiotracer [125I]CLINDE and fluorescence-activated cell sorting, in a rat model of AD (TgF344-AD) and in AD subjects.

Results:

In the hippocampus of TgF344-AD rats, TSPO overexpression not only concerns glial cells but the increase is visible at 12 and 24 months in astrocytes and only at 24 months in microglia. In the temporal cortex of AD subjects, TSPO upregulation involved only glial cells. However, the mechanism of this upregulation appears different with an increase in the number of TSPO binding sites per cell without cell proliferation in the rat, and a microglial cell population expansion with a constant number of binding sites per cell in human AD.

Conclusion:

These data indicate an earlier astrocyte intervention than microglia and that TSPO in AD probably is an exclusive marker of glial activity without interference from other TSPO-expressing cells. This observation indicates that the interpretation of TSPO imaging depends on the stage of the pathology, and highlights the particular role of astrocytes.