bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching students how to think, not what to think: Pedagogy and political psychology
Authors: Velez Gabriel , Power Séamus A.
Published: July 2020

Academia is often critiqued as an “ivory tower” where research, thinking, and teaching are isolated from the complexity and everyday experience of so many people. As instructors of political and other psychology courses, we strive to break down these barriers and engage with the dynamic and nuanced nature of phenomena as situated in lived social and political contexts. In this report, we unpack and detail how we strive to achieve this goal by expanding on Plous’ articulation of action teaching (2012). We first define our pedagogical focus on active engagement, critical thinking, and staying on the move between multiple perspectives. We then provide specific examples of how we enact our philosophy in activities and assessment. We end by articulating how this approach to teaching in social and political psychology can be understood as furthering not only our students’ intellectual growth as psychologists, but also their development as democratic citizens. In doing so, we argue that action teaching not only involves course activities directly engaging with social issues, but also provides students with a scaffold to actually do so in a way that is attentive to the complexity, pluralism, and dynamism of social and political issues.
Uvedba programa »Skrb za bolnikovo kri« v vsakodnevno klinično prakso
Authors: Bitenc Marko , Gams Polona , Danojević Nenad , Hlebič Gregor , Rozman Aleš , Zupan Irena , Šoštarič, MD, PhD Maja
Published: July 2020

Transfuzija krvi po kirurškem posegu poveča tveganje za pooperativne zaplete, podaljša bolnišnično zdravljenje in poslabša izhod kirurškega zdravljenja. Neopredeljena in nezdravljena slabokrvnost pred operacijo predstavlja neodvisni napovedni dejavnik za perioperativne zaplete in transfuzijo v perioperativnem obdobju. Pred operacijo moramo  odkriti bolnike, pri katerih je tveganje za slabokrvnost večje, ter jim prilagoditi predoperativno pripravo, kirurško tehniko in pooperativno zdravljenje.

Program »Skrb za bolnikovo kri« (angl. Patient Blood Management PBM), ki je že uveljavljen v mnogih evropskih državah in podprt s strani direktorata Evropske komisije, je usmerjen v zdravljenje anemije, optimiziranje hemostaze in zmanjšanje potrebe po transfuziji krvi. Trije osnovni stebri so (1) optimalna hematopoeza,  (2) zmanjšana iatrogena izguba krvi in (3) izboljšana bolnikova toleranca za anemijo.

Analizirali smo potrebe po transfuziji krvi pri bolnikih, operiranih zaradi pljučnega ali urološkega obolenja v kirurškem centru Bitenc, d.o.o, med oktobrom 2016 in oktobrom 2018. Od bolnikov, ki so transfuzijo eritrocitov prejeli med operacijo, so bili predoperativno anemični 4 (57%) bolniki. Od bolnikov, ki so transfuzijo dobili pooperativno na oddelku, je bilo predoperativno anemičnih 12 (50%) bolnikov.

V članku opišemo elemente programa PBM ter načrt za uvedbo programa v vsakodnevno klinično prakso.
Diabetična retinopatija kot subklinično vnetje: Analiza citokinov v steklovini in serumu
Authors: Urbančič Mojca , Korošec Peter , Fležar Matjaž , Globočnik Petrovič Mojca
Published: July 2020

Izhodišče: Diabetično retinopatijo lahko opredelimo kot kronično subklinično vnetje. Želeli smo ugotoviti razlike v ravneh vnetnih citokinov med steklovino in serumom pri bolnikih s proliferativno diabetično retinopatijo (PDR) pri kontrolni skupini ter primerjati ravni citokinov v steklovini glede na aktivnost PDR. Boljše poznavanje vnetnega dogajanja v očesu bolnikov s PDR bi lahko prispevalo k razvoju novih načinov zdravljenja teh bolnikov.Metode: V raziskavo smo vključili 37 bolnikov (37 oči) s PDR, pri katerih je bila potrebna vitrektomija, ter 20 bolnikov (20 oči) z idiopatskim foramnom makule (FM), ki so predstavljali kontrolno skupino. Glede na pregled pred operacijo in oceno očesnega ozadja med samim posegom smo opredelili aktivnost PDR. V steklovini in serumu smo s citometrično metodo CBA (angl. Cytometric Bead Array) analizirali citokine interlevkin 1β (IL-1β), dejavnik tumorske nekroze α (TNF-α), makrofagni vnetni protein 1α (MIP-1α), makrofagni vnetni protein 1β (MIP-1β), monocitni kemotaktični protein 1 (MCP-1), žilni endotelni rastni dejavnik (VEGF), interlevkin 6 (IL-6), interlevkin 8 (IL-8), interlevkin 10 (IL-10) in interlevkin 12 (IL-12).Rezultati: Ravni vseh citokinov so se v steklovini pomembno razlikovale od ravni v serumu. Raven MCP-1, VEGF, IL-6, IL-8 v steklovini bolnikov s PDR je bila statistično pomembno višja v primerjavi z ravnijo v steklovini pri bolnikih v kontrolni skupini, raven MIP-1α, IL-10 in IL-12 v steklovini bolnikov s PDR je bila statistično pomembno nižja v primerjavi z bolniki v kontrolni skupini (p < 0,05). Ravni citokinov v serumu bolnikov s PDR se niso pomembno razlikovale od ravni citokinov pri kontrolni skupini. Bolniki z aktivno PDR so imeli v steklovini višjo raven MCP-1, VEGF, IL-6 in IL-8 kot bolniki z inaktivno PDR, a razlike niso bile statistično značilne.Zaključek: Z našo analizo smo potrdili pomembne razlike v ravneh citokinov med steklovino in serumom pri bolnikih s PDR, kar kaže na pomen lokalnega vnetnega dogajanja v očesu pri PDR. Višje ravni MCP-1, VEGF, IL-6 in IL-8 nakazujejo aktivnost PDR.
La evolución de la relación yo-circunstancia en la obra de Ortega y Gasset
Authors: Alonso Marcos
Published: July 2020

El presente artículo trata de exponer la fundamental tesis de Ortega “Yo soy yo y mi circunstancia, y si no la salvo a ella no me salvo yo”, mostrando sus distintas modulaciones a lo largo de su obra y su muchas veces desconocida evolución. De este modo, se hará patente la riqueza de la potente propuesta metafísica orteguiana, al tiempo que se gana claridad sobre la evolución biográfica de una de las figuras políticas españolas clave del siglo pasado.
Isonousía y Pereza en el pensamiento de Jacques Rancière
Authors: Ferrández Formoso Raquel
Published: July 2020

Partiendo de la igualdad de las inteligencias (isonousía) postulada por Jacques Rancière, en este escrito recorremos transversalmente la complejidad de su obra política y estética a la luz de su propia filosofía de la educación. La pedagogía es un tema crucial en el pensamiento de Rancière y juega un rol principal en su obra El maestro ignorante, texto que el presente escrito analiza y cuestiona, con la ayuda de la filosofía política de Platón, los planteamientos pedagógicos de John Locke o la célebre teoría de la educación de Paulo Freire.
Coordination of contexts and taste disagreements
Authors: Bordonaba Plou David
Published: July 2020

In this paper, I will defend that there is an asymmetry between straightforwardly factual and non-straightforwardly factual disagreements (Field 2009) in terms of persistency and retraction, and that we can use what I will call coordination of contexts to explain these two asymmetries. To make my point I will focus on the kinematics of this type of disagreements. I will argue that one way to give a proper account of the kinematics of disagreements about taste and to discriminate between these two cases of disagreement is to focus on coordination of contexts.
Archivo camp. Memorias visuales e identidades outsider
Authors: Jiménez Gloria , Marinas Leyre
Published: July 2020

Desde la segunda década del siglo XXI podemos encontrar eferencias camp en diversos ámbitos de las industrias culturales y del espectáculo. Desde Eduardo Casanova con su película Pieles y su cuenta personal de Instagram, pasando por John Waters, el diseñador Palomo Spain, el éxito de la serie estadounidense Pose o la temática de la Gala MET de este año. Lo camp se ensambla en una corriente de sensibilidad estética contemporánea que tiene que ver con la remezcla de archivos y enciclopedias propia de la cultura digital hipertextual. Este resurgimiento de lo camp queda documentado en Instagram, donde gracias al poder difusor de la red social, se mantienen y expanden los conceptos de camp, kitsch, así como los imaginarios visuales outsider, poniéndose de moda y penetrando en las prácticas estéticas de los millennials, permitiéndoles conocer y desarrollar nuevas identidades y estéticas que quedan plasmadas de nuevo en la red.

Since the last decade we can find references to camp in the culture and entertainment industries. From Eduardo Casanova with his film Pieles and his personal Instagram account, including John Waters, the designer Palomo Spain, the success of the American series Pose or the theme of the MET Gala this year. Camp is in a stream of contemporary aesthetic sensibility that has to do with the remixing of archives and encyclopedias for the digital hypertext culture. This resurgence of camp is documented on Instagram, where thanks to the streaming power of the social network, the concepts of camp, kitsch, as well as the visual imaginaries outsider are still and becoming fashionable and penetrating the aesthetic practices of the millenials, allowing them to know and develop new identities and aesthetics that are reflected through the network again.
Hacia una risa posthumana y decolonial: Construyendo una risistencia feminista monstruosa en la payasaria
Authors: Lima Caminha Melissa
Published: July 2020

En las dos últimas décadas, diversas payasas vienen desarrollando un movimiento de visibilización de este tipo cómico, tanto en el circo como en el teatro. Festivales, talleres e investigaciones vienen contribuyendo para escribir la historia doblemente excéntrica de las payasas. Este honorable movimiento, sin embargo, aun parece seguir la misma lógica arquetípica del payaso moderno, heredero de la Ilustración. Este trabajo pone en valor la payasa en tanto cuerpa política fundamental, con el potencial de crear risistencias plurales que puedan deconstruir la figura del payaso moderno y la risa humanista encarnada en su arquetipo. Reconoce la importancia histórica de la payasa, e invita a seguir avanzando en sus políticas artísticas del cuerpo, ahora a partir de una perspectiva feminista posthumanista y decolonial, proponiendo políticas de coaliciones artística y teórica en pro de una democracia de la risa. A través de la creación de figuraciones feministas móviles monstruosas, el proyecto tiene como objetivo animar un movimiento de risistencia a la risa moderna, ilustrada, colonial, humanista y patriarcal.

In the last two decades, various female clowns have been developing a movement of visibility of this comic type, both in the circus and in the theater. Festivals, workshops and research have been contributing to write the doubly eccentric herstories of women in clowning. This honorable movement, however, still seems to follow the same archetypal logic of the modern clown, heir to the Enlightenment. This work values the female clown as a fundamental political body, with the potential to create plural laughters that can deconstruct the figure of the modern clown and the humanistic laugh embodied in its archetype. It recognizes the historical importance of female clowns, and invites a step forward in its artistic body politics, now from a feminist post-humanist and decolonial perspective, proposing artistic and theoretical coalitions in favor of a democracy of laughter. Through the creation of monstrous mobile feminist figurations, the project aims to encourage a movement of laughteresistance at modern, enlightened, colonial, humanistic, and  patriarchal laughter.
La desigualdad educativa, ¿son los programas de refuerzo la solución? Evidencia empírica del impacto a nivel intracentros
Authors: Villar-Aldonza Adriano , Gambau-Suelves Borja
Published: July 2020

El diferente ritmo de aprendizaje entre el alumnado es, y ha sido, un problema tanto para el profesor como para la comunidad educativa y académica en su conjunto. Entre las políticas públicas dirigidas a corregir esta problemática destacan dos: el agrupamiento del alumnado con base en sus capacidades-tracking- y, más recientemente, los programas de refuerzo extraescolares. En este trabajo se evalúa el impacto que, sobre la desigualdad educativa, tuvo un programa de refuerzo implantado de manera voluntaria en los institutos españoles entre 2005 y 2012: el plan PROA. Como medida de aproximación a la desigualdad educativa se ha empleado la brecha en términos de resultados existente entre los alumnos de un mismo centro, así como el índice de desigualdad de Gini. Los resultados obtenidos, a partir de la técnica de Propensity Score Matching, señalan que la aplicación del programa no redujo las diferencias en términos de puntuación entre el alumnado, de igual modo que no aumentaron las calificaciones medias en lectura en aquellos centros que decidieron participar en el programa.

The need to cater to the different learning pace of students still remains a frequent problem for both teachers and the academic community. Among the public policies aimed to solve this problem, two stand out: the grouping of students based on their abilities -tracking- and, more recently, the extracurricular reinforcement programs.  This paper evaluates the impact that the PROA, a reinforcement program implemented on a voluntary basis by different High Schools in Spain between 2005 and 2012, had on educational inequality. To measure educational inequality, the gap in terms of results between the students of the same school has been used, as well as the Gini inequality index. The results obtained, which are based on the Propensity Score Matching technique, indicate that the implementation of this program did not bridge the gap in terms of marks between students. They also suggest that average reading scores did not increase in those schools that decided to participate in the program.
Vladimir Magar’s spectacle “Don Juan” (Lunacharsky Russian Drama Theatre in Sevastopol, 2006)
Authors: Smirnova Elena Aleksandrovna
Published: July 2020

The subject of this research is poetics of the spectacle “Don Juan” created by the stage director Vladimir Magar in Lunacharsky Russian Drama Theatre in Sevastopol in 2006. Analysis is conducted on the main peculiarities of the directing artistic manner: creation of fiction atmosphere and romantic plot, montage and musical means of structuring action, montage of literary-dramaturgical material. The author reviews fiction method and experience as the conditions for formation of an actor ensemble; examines the role of scenography, eurythmics, music and other elements of dramatic action. The article is based on the use of comparative-historical method, personal audience experience of its author and analysis of publications dedicated to the spectacle. The research of Vladimir Magars’ directing manner, which is insufficiently studied and can become illustrative for determination of patterns common to the regional theatrical life. This article is a continuation of a series of publication of the topic. Analysis of poetics of the spectacle “Don Juan” is important for understanding the fundamentals of his directing activity, which contributed to the fact that Sevastopol Theatre became a noticeable phenomenon within the Russian theatrical space.
Semiosis on non-semiotic formations (symbols, schemes, icons, artworks)
Authors: Rozin Vadim Markovich
Published: July 2020

This article poses a question on the semiotic nature of symbols, schemes, icons, artworks. The matter is that on one hand, these are clearly semiotic formations, but on the other – their attribution to the concepts of semiotics faces theoretical difficulties. The article presents the opinions of semioticians who deal with these questions. The author analyzes two cases, which allows advancing a hypothesis that the indicated formations include two different components – reality (of (symbols, schemes, icons, artworks), and two types noting for actualizing these realities. Discussing what represents noting and realities, as well as suggesting a broader understanding of semiotics, the author concludes on the semiotic nature of formations he is concerned with. As a result, the author was able to distinguish two traditions in understanding and analysis of symbols and semiotics; reveal that in these symbols, schemes, icons, artworks, the realities and two types of noting that allows actualizing such realities, should be differentiated; advance a hypothesis on the semiotic nature of symbols, schemes, icons, artworks attributing them to a specific type that is characterized with Interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity; clarify some of the previously expressed opinions of schemology and symbology.
A New Odd Lindley-Gompertz Distribution: Its Properties and Applications
Authors: Atanda Omolola Dorcas , Mabur Tajan Mashingil , Onwuka Gerald Ikechukwu
Published: July 2020

This article presents a comprehensive study of an odd Lindley-Gompertz distribution which has already been proposed in the literature but without any properties. The present study unlike the previous one has considered the derivation of several properties of the odd Lindley-Gompertz distribution with their graphical representations and discussions which has not been done in the first proposition of the distribution.  The study looks at properties such as survival (or reliability) function, the hazard function, the cumulative hazard function, the reverse hazard function, the odds function, quantile function, moments, moment generating function, characteristic function, cumulant generating function, distribution of order statistics and maximum likelihood estimation of the distribution’s parameters none of which was treated by the previous author of the model. An illustration to evaluate the goodness-of-fit of the odd Lindley-Gompertz distribution has also been done using two real life datasets and the results show that the model fits the datasets better than the five other distributions considered in this present study.
Advantage to Short Circuit Current of Calculation on Power System by the MVA Method
Authors: Lin Ming-Jong
Published: July 2020

The short circuit current of the equipment must be carefully calculated. If it is not effective to isolate the fault point, while the system is abnormal. That will leads to prolonged fault time and the instability of power system. The calculation process is very so complicated that must to establish any capacity of equipment on system. This article will introduce method of the traditional algorithm beginning. Next, to establish the basic principles of simplified procedures such as the capacity of two parallel devices are considered as a series method (plus), but the capacity of two series devices are considered as a parallel method to calculate. Finally, to calculate the fault short-circuits current based on the actual equipment capacity on the power system. Another technique is to transform the structure of transmission line from △ to Y so that it easy to simplify for calculation. It is proved to be a simple and easy to understand what method for short circuit fault current of calculation. The method can provide accurate and effective calculation of system short circuit capacity and current at each equipment point, so that designer can make appropriate specifications in design and procurement to avoid wasteful investment.
Comparative Analysis of Differences and Evolution of Hemorrhoidectomy Techniques
Authors: Coelho Nayara Lobo , Kairala Rodolpho Cesar Oliveira Mellem , Silva Bruna Lemos , Lemos Afrânio Faria , Zambrana Danilo Rocha Chavez , Silva Caio Cesar Faciroli Contin , Arantes Ana Carolina , Carvalho Vergílio Pereira , Júnior Silvio de Almeida- , Daher Bruna Lima
Published: July 2020

Aim: To review from the literature, in a narrative way, techniques used for hemorrhoidectomy as well as benefits and criticisms about the procedures.

Methodology: For this purpose, a descriptive literary review was carried out for the construction of the work. In view of what is found, it is possible to assess this according to an epidemiological study conducted in the United States.

Results: Hemorrhoid disease is a very common condition, occurring in 4.4% of adults, with a maximum prevalence between 45 and 65 years. The etiology of hemorrhoids is still unknown. Hemorrhoidectomy is believed to be the best treatment option for symptomatic hemorrhoid disease grade III and IV. The techniques used present advantages and disadvantages for the patient, since it will depend on the surgeon to choose the best approach and surgical procedure.

Conclusion: It is observed that more risk and benefit assessments are needed than the technique used in hemorrhoidectomy, based on randomized studies with a significant number of patients included in the study.
Long-term Use of Balanced and Integrated Nutrient Management Improved Soil Aggregation and Carbon Stabilization in a Maize-wheat Cropping Sequence
Authors: Singh Anmol , Dheri G. S. , Benbi D. K.
Published: July 2020

Sustainable nutrient management practices have the potential to enhance carbon (C) storage capacity of agricultural soils that may help offset increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration. Nutrient management practices on long-term basis differentially influence aggregates and distribution of soil organic C (SOC) present within aggregates, which in time may affect C stabilization. The present study assessed the impact of long-term application of fertilizers for 44 years either alone or integration with farmyard manure (FYM) on bulk density, SOC and C pools, potassium permanganate oxidizable C (KMnO4), aggregate stability and distribution of C fractions within different size aggregate under maize-wheat cropping sequence. The application of 100%NPK+FYM significantly (P< 0.05) improved soil aggregation and mean weight diameter (MWD). The percent of macro-aggregates (MacroA) and meso-aggregates (MesoA) was maximum in 100%NPK+FYM followed by NPK and the minimum in the control treatment. Irrespective of aggregate classes, TOC (g kg-1 aggregate) was maximum in 100%NPK+FYM treatment with an average of 8.42 g kg-1 aggregate as compared to control (5.05 g kg-1 aggregate). If averaged across the treatments, TOC concentration in aggregates followed the order MacroA> MesoA>MicroA. Correspondingly, results for KMnO4-C were similar in different treatments and aggregate classes. Application of FYM with inorganic fertilizers (NPK) or NPK showed a significant increase in all oxidizable organic C fractions particularly recalcitrant C fraction, which reflects the stable nature of OC as compared to very labile and labile C fractions. In general, C present in mineral fraction and large-sized aggregates (MacroA) has higher recalcitrant fractions of SOC as compared to small-sized aggregates (MesoF and MicroF). The study concluded that long-term balanced and integrated nutrient management improved soil aggregation, C distribution within aggregates, and C storage capacity of soils under maize-wheat. Carbon associated with macro aggregate and a mineral fraction has more recalcitrant C fraction compared to meso and micro aggregate fractions.
Patients Satisfaction with Waiting Time and Attitude of Health Workers in the General Outpatient Department of a State Teaching Hospital, Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Ndibuagu Edmund O. , Omotowo Babatunde I. , Chime Onyinye H.
Published: July 2020

Background/Aim: Overall patients’ satisfaction with services provided in a hospital is an objective of care, and also a desired outcome. Dissatisfied patients are more likely not to comply with prescriptions, follow-up appointments, or further use the health facility. Services provided in public health facilities in Nigeria have been perceived by both patients and health care providers as being poor. Teaching hospitals in Nigeria are the apex referral centers, with the General Outpatient Department (GOPD) being the first unit that patients mostly go to first. Waiting time and attitude of health workers are key contributors to overall patients’ satisfaction. The objective of this study is to assess patients’ satisfaction with waiting time, and attitude of health workers in the GOPD of a Teaching hospital in Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study, conducted over three months in 2017 at the GOPD of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. Exit interview was conducted on randomly selected 13 patients as they were leaving the GOPD Pharmacy unit on Tuesdays and Thursdays of every week, until 313 respondents were interviewed.

Results: A total of 313 patients were interviewed, 131 (41.9%) males and 182 (58.1%) females. Analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0, and the results were expressed as percentages. Patients’ satisfaction score for the various items studied were found to be 53.7% for waiting time, 74.4% for attitude of Records staff, 78.3% for nurses, 71.9% for doctors, 70.6% for time spent with doctor, 72.5% with doctor's explanation and 40.6% with privacy.

Conclusions: Overall satisfaction with services rendered at the GOPD was 60.4%. Identifying and implementing interventions that will enhance patients satisfaction, shall improve health facility utilization.
Studies on Malaria Vector Population Density in Three Selected Areas in Sokoto Metropolitan, Sokoto State - Nigeria
Authors: Maikano F. A. , Lema S. Y. , Yahaya M. A. , Suleiman J. , Ibrahim J.
Published: July 2020

This study is conducted to determine the population density of mosquitoes in three selected area (Kofar Taramniya, Mabera and Bello Way) in Sokoto metropolis. To identified and count the population of mosquito, different breeding sites were investigated for the preferences of mosquitoes. Mosquito larvae were collected using dipper, ladle spoon from drainages, stagnant water, gutters, open wells, local pots, water tanks and cattle sheds. A total population of 4,764 mosquito larvae were collected and identified From the three (3) selected areas larvae and pupae were encounters in abundance. In Mabera area, a total of 1799 (37.7%) larvae are collected in which 1199 (45.8%) belonging to Anopheles genera and 600 (27.9%) belong to culex genera. In kofar Taramniya a total of 1649 (34.6%) larvae are collected in which 1000 (38.2%) belong to Anopheles genera and 649 (30.2%) belong to culex genera, in Bello Way, A total of 1317 (27.5%) larvae were collected, 417 (15.9%) belong to Anopheles genera and 900 (41.9%) belong to culex genera. Statistical analysis conducted indicated a significant difference (p<0.05) between the three collections. Mosquitoes encountered belong to two genera of Anopheles and Culex. The predominant genus was Anopheles with a total of 2,615 larvae while Culex has a total of 2149 larvae in all the three study areas. Considering the medical importance of mosquitoes, the information provided from this study will serve as a basis for understanding the implication of mosquitoes nuisance and provide effective control strategies against the vector and to reduce mosquitoes born disease.
Questionable Nasolabial Lump: A Case Report
Authors: Rai Kanika , Carvalho Cassandra , Sagane Bhagyashree , Velankar Haritosh K. , Agrawal Shilpi , Hawkes Gabriela
Published: July 2020

As an otorhinolaryngologist it is not an everyday occurrence to find a swelling in the nasolabial fold area. The challenge however lies in the diagnosis, proper and timed treatment of the existing pathology, especially in a non – infective case. There are various pathologies that can lead to a swelling in the nasolabial area. We here report a rare case of a female patient who presented to our outpatient department with a slowly progressive nasolabial swelling which radiologically pointed towards a Nasolabial cyst. However, the final diagnosis was an entity on the other end of spectrum, an Ameloblastoma, an odontogenic tumor.
Sustained-release Theophylline Matrix Tablet Using Hydrophilic Polymers: Effects of Agitation Rates and pH on Release Kinetics
Authors: Akpabio E. I. , Effiong D. E. , Uwah T. O. , Sunday N. I. , Jacob G. , Isong U.
Published: July 2020

Background and Objective: Modified-release tablet of theophylline that can increase its usefulness despite narrow therapeutic index and short half-life, is being formulated. However, the rate and extent of release of a sustained-release delivery system can be affected by some factors. This work is aimed at investigating the effect of agitation rates and pH of dissolution medium on release kinetics of sustained-release theophylline tablet formulated using hydrophilic polymers.

Materials and Methods: Theophylline granules was formulated using 3 polymers (HPMC, SCMC and Sodium alginate) to form 3 batches of granule by wet granulation method, using 95% ethanol. The granules compacted to batches of sustained-release matrix tablets. The tablet batches were characterized for tablet properties, and dissolution studies carried out using simulated gastric and intestinal fluid separately at different agitation rates. The data from dissolution studies were subsequently fitted into 4 drug release kinetics models.

Results: The swelling of the 3 polymers over time was noteworthy, although there was no significant difference between them. The release kinetic followed the Higuchi model and zero-order releasing more than 90% over 8 hours period, with t10 and t90 released at 14 minutes and 6.8 hours respectively. The mechanical properties of the tablets were within the acceptable limit.

Conclusion: The agitation rate and pH of the medium had no significant effect on the release of the theophylline from the batches of matrix tablets except in the case of F1 which showed a marginally significant effect.
Consumer Preferences for Cooking and Lighting Fuels and Domestic Energy Transition: A Nyeri Town, Kenya, Perspective
Authors: Nyaga Peterson Murimi , Sang Anne , Bw’Obuya Mariita , Mundia Simon Maina
Published: July 2020

Improving access to modern fuels in developing countries is crucial in mitigating unfavorable environmental and health impacts caused by the continued use of traditional fuels. Use of modern fuels lead to improved standards of living and gender equity of women and children. This paper estimates preferences for domestic fuels and reasons thereof by households in urban areas in Nyeri town, Kenya. The study uses Nyeri town micro-data to perform correlation analysis to determine the relationship between fuel preference and domestic energy transition. Transition is considered along three categories of domestic fuels: traditional -firewood and charcoal; transitional fuels- kerosene; modern fuels – Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), biogas, solar and grid electricity. The result findings show that urban residents use traditional, transitional and modern fuels through energy stacking theory with the transition to modern fuels following a consistent pattern. The major reasons for fuel preference were established as fuel convenience, affordability, ease of accessibility and cultural beliefs by 46.5%, 37.2%, 10.5% and 5.8% of the respondents respectively.
Genetic Diagnosis of Glaucoma
Authors: Mahmoud Hany , Hashim Marwa S.
Published: July 2020

Purpose: Glaucoma, the most prevalent cause of irreversible blindness across the world, is progressive optic nerve degeneration and affection (neuropathy) caused by a mixture of both genetic and environmental factors [1]. The extracellular matrix (ECM) structure of the trabecular Meshwork TM has a major role in intraocular pressure IOP control.  Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a growth factor that plays major roles in cellular functions, including encouraging extracellular matrix synthesis and vascular angiogenesis. TGFβ2 treatment of TM cells alters ECM components [8] and induces ECM bonds.

Aim of the Study: To study the relationship between family history and glaucoma according to genotype and genetic polymorphism.

Methods: Blood collection and DNA extraction Genotyping: TGFB2 Rs99196 genotyping was done using TaqMan SNP genotyping Assay (ID C___8853564_10). StepOne real time PCR system (Applied Biosystem, Ca, USA) was used for amplifiction.

Statistical Analysis: The sample size of the study group was calculated using a program at (www.openepi.com/SampleSize/ SSCC.htm).

Results: Important genotype differences frequencies were detected between the positive family history and negative family history groups for the codominant, dominant, recessive and overdominant inheritance models.

Conclusion: This study recommends that other polymorphisms of genes associated with glaucoma and the analysis of these gene products and their relationship with disease risk factors should be more studied.
Trust
Authors: Jones Karen
Published: July 2020

This entry offers a taxonomy of accounts of trust and trustworthiness organized along two axes. The first concerns the attitude or stance that an account takes trust to be, whether action, belief, affect, or some combination. The second concerns the motivation that an account claims is tacitly ascribed to the one trusted, where accounts can range from the thin, which claim that trust presupposes no particular motivation on the part of the one trusted, to the thick, which claim that trust imputes good will, and many positions in between. A range of contemporary accounts of trust are surveyed within the framework of this taxonomy. The entry also explores the value of trust and the disvalue of preemptive distrust, as well as the conditions under which trust is justified.
Bradley, F. H.
Authors: Sweet William
Published: July 2020

This article provides an overview of the ethics of the British idealist philosopher, F.H. Bradley. It outlines his relation to other philosophers of the 19th century, such as Jeremy Bentham, J.S. Mill, T.H. Green, and Bernard Bosanquet, and his debates with figures such as Henry Sidgwick and Hastings Rashdall. Bradley's ethical theory is closely related to his metaphysics. He offers not only perceptive challenges to deontology, utilitarianism, and individualist accounts, but a positive theory that is close to perfectionism. Bradley also addresses the morality of self‐sacrifice and the aims of punishment, that bear on contemporary issues such as penal pluralism. Bradley's views have experienced a revival in the past 25 years, and his panpsychism has been seen as congenial to animal and environmental rights.
Taxation
Authors: Halliday Daniel
Published: July 2020

This entry focuses on the topic of a just tax base. This is the question of what kind of activities or entities ought to be taxed and to what extent. Familiar tax bases includeexchangessuch as income, inheritance, consumption, as well asstocks of wealthlike real estate. The entry first distinguishes the tax base question from other questions of tax justice. It then surveys some arguments against the standard approach of making income a major component of the tax base. We focus especially on the difficulties of delineating the set of activities that count as income for the purposes of taxation, followed by concerns about privacy. Later parts of the entry explore a distinction between instrumentalist and constitutionalist concepts of tax justice. This consists in a disagreement about whether tax policy is merely an instrument for pursuing justice, or whether there might be certain constraints against the selection of certain taxes irrespective of what distributive outcome their selection could secure.
Optic disc dose reduction in ocular brachytherapy using 125I notched COMS plaques: A simulation study based on current clinical practice
Authors: Lee Yongsook C. , Lin Shih‐Chi , Kim Yongbok
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Although notched Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) plaques have been widely used, optic disc dose reduction by notched COMS plaques has not been discussed in the literature. Therefore, this study investigated optic disc dose reduction in ocular brachytherapy using 125I notched COMS plaques in comparison with optic disc dose for 125I standard COMS plaques.

Methods

For this simulation study, an in‐house brachytherapy dose calculation program was developed using MATLAB software by incorporating the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group‐43 Update (AAPM TG‐43U1) dosimetry formalism with a line source approximation in a homogeneous water medium and COMS seed coordinates in the AAPM TG 129. Using this program, optic disc doses for standard COMS plaques (from 12 to 22 mm in diameter in 2 mm increments) and notched COMS plaques with one seed removed (Case #1, from 12 to 22 mm) and with two seeds removed (Case #2, from 14 to 22 mm) were calculated as a function of tumor margin‐to‐optic disc distance (DT) for various tumor basal dimensions (BDs) for prescription depths from 1 to 10 mm in 1 mm intervals. A dose of 85 Gy for an irradiation time of 168 h was prescribed to each prescription depth. Then absolute and relative optic disc dose reduction by notched COMS plaques (Cases #1 and #2) was calculated for all prescription depths.

Results

Optic disc dose reduction by notched COMS plaques (Cases #1 and #2) had five unique trends related to maximum optic disc dose reduction and corresponding optimal DT for each BD in each plaque. It increased with increasing prescription depth.

Conclusions

The results presented in this study would enable the clinician to choose an adequate plaque type among standard and notched 125I COMS plaques and a prescription depth to minimize optic disc dose.
Creating nonbelieved memories for bizarre actions using an imagination inflation procedure
Authors: Li Chunlin , Wang Jianqin , Otgaar Henry
Published: July 2020

The current experiments examined the creation of nonbelieved true and false memories after imagining bizarre and familiar actions using the imagination inflation procedure (Goff & Roediger, 1998). In both experiments, participants took part in three sessions. In Session 1, participants had to perform or imagine simple familiar actions (e.g., “stir the water with the spoon”) and bizarre actions (e.g., “balance the spoon on your nose”). A day later, participants needed to imagine simple actions of which some were new actions, and some were old actions that appeared in the first session. After a week, the participants completed a recognition task. For those actions that were correctly or incorrectly remembered as having been performed, the participant was challenged that the action was not performed in order to evoke nonbelieved true and false memories. In general, we found that the imagination inflation procedure can successfully induce participants to produce nonbelieved memories. In Study 1, we successfully induced nonbelieved memories for bizarre actions, although in general nonbelieved memory rates were low. In Study 2, more participants formed nonbelieved memories for bizarre actions than for familiar actions. Also, we found that especially belief was more susceptible to revision when memories were challenged than recollection. In two experiments, we showed that nonbelieved memories can successfully be induced for both familiar and bizarre actions.
A High‐Potential Anion‐Insertion Carbon Cathode for Aqueous Zinc Dual‐Ion Battery
Authors: Guo Qiubo , Kim Keun‐il , Jiang Heng , Zhang Lu , Zhang Chong , Yu Dongxu , Ni Qiao , Chang Xiaoqing , Chen Tingting , Xia Hui , Ji Xiulei
Published: July 2020

Aqueous dual‐ion batteries (DIBs) are promising for large‐scale energy storage due to low cost and inherent safety. However, DIBs are limited by low capacity and poor cycling of cathode materials and the challenge of electrolyte decomposition. In this study, a new cathode material of nitrogen‐doped microcrystalline graphene‐like carbon is investigated in a water‐in‐salt electrolyte of 30 m ZnCl2, where this carbon cathode stores anions reversibly via both electrical double layer adsorption and ion insertion. The (de)insertion of anions in carbon lattice delivers a high‐potential plateau at 1.85 V versus Zn2+/Zn, contributing nearly 1/3 of the capacity of 134 mAh g−1 and half of the stored energy. This study shows that both the unique carbon structure and concentrated ZnCl2 electrolyte play critical roles in allowing anion storage in carbon cathode for this aqueous DIB.
Unprecedented Theranostic LaB6 Nanocubes‐Mediated NIR‐IIb Photodynamic Therapy to Conquer Hypoxia‐Induced Chemoresistance
Authors: Kuthala Naresh , Vankayala Raviraj , Chiang Chi‐Shiun , Hwang Kuo Chu
Published: July 2020

Tumor hypoxia and chemoresistance are long‐lasting challenges in clinical cancer treatments resulting in treatment failures and low patient survival rates. Application of phototherapies to treat deep tissue‐buried tumors has been hampered by the lack of near infrared photosensitizers, and consumption of tissue oxygen, worsening the tumor hypoxia problem. Herein, an unprecedented theranostic lanthanum hexaboride‐based nanodrug is engineered to act as bimodal computed tomographic/magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents, absorb long near infrared (NIR) light in the biological window IIb (1500–1700 nm), generate hydroxyl radicals without using oxygen, and destroy drug‐resistant NCI‐H23 lung tumors completely, leading to an amazingly long average half‐life of 180 days, far exceeding than those of doxorubicin‐treated (21 days) and untreated mice groups (13 days). This work pioneers the field of photodynamic therapy in conquering hypoxia and chemodrug resistance problems for NIR‐IIb oxygen‐independent cancer treatments.
A Battery‐Less Arbitrary Motion Sensing System Using Magnetic Repulsion‐Based Self‐Powered Motion Sensors and Hybrid Nanogenerator
Authors: Bhatta Trilochan , Maharjan Pukar , Salauddin Md. , Rahman M. Toyabur , Rana SM Sohel , Park Jae Yeong
Published: July 2020

Self‐powered arbitrary motion sensors are in high demand in the field of autonomous controlled systems. In this work, a magnetic repulsion‐assisted self‐powered motion sensor is integrated with a hybrid nanogenerator (MRSMS–HNG) as a battery‐less arbitrary motion sensing system. The proposed device can efficiently detect the motion parameters of a moving object along any arbitrary direction and simultaneously convert low frequency (<5 Hz) vibrations into useful electricity. The MRSMS–HNG consists of a central magnet for the electromagnetic (EMG)–triboelectric (TENG) nanogenerator and four side magnets for motion sensors. Because all the magnets are aligned in the same magnetization direction, the repulsive force owing to the movement of the central magnet actuates the side magnets to achieve self‐powered arbitrary motion sensing. These self‐powered motion sensors exhibit a high sensitivity of 981.33 mV g−1 under linear motion excitation and have a tilting angle sensitivity of 9.83 mV deg−1. The proposed device can deliver peak powers of 27 mW and 56 µW from the EMG and TENG, respectively. By integrating the self‐powered motion sensors and hybrid nanogenerator on a single device, real‐time wireless transmission of motion sensor data to a smartphone is successfully demonstrated, thus realizing a battery‐less arbitrary motion‐sensing system for future autonomous control applications.
A Polymer/Carbon‐Nanotube Ink as a Boron‐Dopant/Inorganic‐Passivation Free Carrier Selective Contact for Silicon Solar Cells with over 21% Efficiency
Authors: Chen Jianhui , Wan Lu , Li Han , Yan Jun , Ma Jikui , Sun Biao , Li Feng , Flavel Benjamin S.
Published: July 2020

Traditional silicon solar cells extract holes and achieve interface passivation with the use of a boron dopant and dielectric thin films such as silicon oxide or hydrogenated amorphous silicon. Without these two key components, few technologies have realized power conversion efficiencies above 20%. Here, a carbon nanotube ink is spin coated directly onto a silicon wafer to serve simultaneously as a hole extraction layer, but also to passivate interfacial defects. This enables a low‐cost fabrication process that is absent of vacuum equipment and high‐temperatures. Power conversion efficiencies of 21.4% on an device area of 4.8 cm2 and 20% on an industrial size (245.71 cm2) wafer are obtained. Additionally, the high quality of this passivated carrier selective contact affords a fill factor of 82%, which is a record for silicon solar cells with dopant‐free contacts. The combination of low‐dimensional materials with an organic passivation is a new strategy to high performance photovoltaics.
Organic Electrochemical Transistors Based on the Conjugated Polyelectrolyte PCPDTBT‐SO3K (CPE‐K)
Authors: Lill Alexander T. , Cao David X. , Schrock Max , Vollbrecht Joachim , Huang Jianfei , Nguyen‐Dang Tung , Brus Viktor V. , Yurash Brett , Leifert Dirk , Bazan Guillermo C. , Nguyen Thuc‐Quyen
Published: July 2020

PCPDTBT‐SO3K (CPE‐K), a conjugated polyelectrolyte, is presented as a mixed conductor material that can be used to fabricate high transconductance accumulation mode organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). OECTs are utilized in a wide range of applications such as analyte detection, neural interfacing, impedance sensing, and neuromorphic computing. The use of interdigitated contacts to enable high transconductance in a relatively small device area in comparison to standard contacts is demonstrated. Such characteristics are highly desired in applications such as neural‐activity sensing, where the device area must be minimized to reduce invasiveness. The physical and electrical properties of CPE‐K are fully characterized to allow a direct comparison to other top performing OECT materials. CPE‐K demonstrates an electrical performance that is among the best reported in the literature for OECT materials. In addition, CPE‐K OECTs operate in the accumulation mode, which allows for much lower energy consumption in comparison to commonly used depletion mode devices.
Targeting Neutrophils for Enhanced Cancer Theranostics
Authors: Tang Longguang , Wang Zhantong , Mu Qingchun , Yu Zhiqiang , Jacobson Orit , Li Ling , Yang Weijing , Huang Chunming , Kang Fei , Fan Wenpei , Ma Ying , Wang Maosheng , Zhou Zijian , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: July 2020

Improving tumor accumulation and delivery efficiency is an important goal of nanomedicine. Neutrophils play a vital role in both chemically mediating inflammatory response through myeloperoxidase (MPO) and biologically promoting metastasis during inflammation triggered by the primary tumor or environmental stimuli. Herein, a novel theranostic nanomedicine that targets both the chemical and biological functions of neutrophils in tumor is designed, facilitating the enhanced retention and sustained release of drug cargos for improved cancer theranostics. 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) is equipped onto nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with photosensitizers and Zileuton (a leukotriene inhibitor) to obtain MPO and neutrophil targeting NPs, denoted as HZ‐5 NPs. The MPO targeting property of 5‐HT modified NPs is confirmed by noninvasive positron emission tomography imaging studies. Furthermore, photodynamic therapy is used to initiate the inflammatory response which further mediated the accumulation and retention of neutrophil targeting NPs in a breast cancer model. This design renders a greatly improved theranostic nanomedicine for efficient tumor suppression, and more importantly, inhibition of neutrophil‐mediated lung metastasis via the sustained release of Zileuton. This work presents a novel strategy of targeting neutrophils for improved tumor theranostics, which may open up new avenues in designing nanomedicine through exploiting the tumor microenvironment.