bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Editorial
Authors: Pinto Julio Pimentel
Published: April 2020

Editorial do número 178.
The top-down approach to measurement uncertainty
Authors: Martinello Flávia , Snoj Nada , Skitek Milan , Jerin Aleš
Published: April 2020

Introduction:
By quantifying the measurement uncertainty (MU), both the laboratory and the physician can have an objective estimate of the results’ quality. There is significant flexibility on how to determine the MU in laboratory medicine and different approaches have been proposed by Nordtest, Eurolab and Cofrac to obtain the data and apply them in formulas. The purpose of this study is to compare three different top-down approaches for the estimation of the MU and to suggest which of these approaches could be the most suitable choice for routine use in clinical laboratories.
Materials and methods:
Imprecision and bias of the methods were considered as components of the MU. The bias was obtained from certified reference calibrators (CRC), proficiency tests (PT), and inter-laboratory internal quality control scheme (IQCS) programs. The bias uncertainty, the combined and the expanded uncertainty were estimated using the Nordtest, Eurolab and Cofrac approaches.
Results:
Using different approaches, the expanded uncertainty estimates ranged from 18.9-40.4%, 18.2-22.8%, 9.3-20.9%, and 7.1-18.6% for cancer antigen (CA) 19-9, testosterone, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and creatinine, respectively. Permissible values for MU and total error ranged from 16.0-46.1%, 13.1-21.6%, 10.7-26.2%, and 7.5-17.3%, respectively.
Conclusion:
The bias was highest using PT, followed by CRC and IQCS data, which were similar. The Cofrac approach showed the highest uncertainties, followed by Eurolab and Nordtest. However, the Eurolab approach requires additional measurements to obtain uncertainty data. In summary, the Nordtest approach using IQCS data was therefore found to be the most practical formula.
A new marine intertidal chironomid from the Brazilian coast (Diptera: Chironomidae: Telmatogetoninae)
Authors: MARIGO THAÍS COIMBRA , LAMAS CARLOS JOSÉ EINICKER , FUSARI LÍVIA MARIA
Published: April 2020

The male, female, pupa and larva of a new Neotropical chironomid species, Telmatogeton yamaguchiae sp. n., are described and illustrated. Specimens were collected in southeastern Brazilian coast.
Gryllotalpa weisei Simeu-Noutchom & Kekeunou sp. nov. and the first record of Gryllotalpa microptera (Chopard 1939) (Orthoptera, Gryllotalpidae) from Cameroon with redescription of the species
Authors: SIMEU-NOUTCHOM ALAIN , KEKEUNOU SEVILOR , WANDJI ALAIN CHRISTEL , NZIKE MARCELLE MBADJOUN , NGOUTE CHARLY OUMAROU , MESSI NADEGE BRIGITTE MBEZELE , TAMESSE JOSEPH LEBEL
Published: April 2020

Gryllotalpa weisei Simeu-Noutchom & Kekeunou sp. nov. was collected only in Tombel in the South-West region of Cameroon, during a survey conducted from March 2016 to March 2018 in the West, South-West and Centre regions of Cameroon. This species is close to Gryllotalpa microptera, collected for the first time in Cameroon during these investigations, only in the West region. G. weisei is different from G. microptera due to the hind wings that are vestigial; average fore wings length of 5.85±0.56 mm in male and 5.34±0.45 mm in female, not reaching the fifth abdominal segment; anal end of fore wings slightly concave; a stridulatory file with 54±8.02 teeth (47–71) in average, fairly spaced, with an average of 30±5.06 teeth per millimeter; hind tibia bearing 11 spines; internal process of ectophallus quite short. G. weisei abounds in mixed crop fields, followed by cocoa agro-forests; it is scarce in grassy fallows and in forest undergrowth. G. microptera was present in all types of vegetations in Bafoussam, Babeté and Bangoulap in the West region where it has been abundant in mixed crop fields, grass-fallow and coffee agro-forest but rare in forest undergrowth.
The Declining Middle: Occupational Change, Social Status, and the Populist Right
Authors: Kurer Thomas
Published: April 2020

This article investigates the political consequences of occupational change in times of rapid technological advancement and sheds light on the economic and cultural roots of right-wing populism. A growing body of research shows that the disadvantages of a transforming employment structure are strongly concentrated among semiskilled routine workers in the lower middle class. I argue that individual employment trajectories and relative shifts in the social hierarchy are key to better understand recent political disruptions. A perception of relative economic decline among politically powerful groups—not their impoverishment—drives support for conservative and, especially, right-wing populist parties. Individual-level panel data from three postindustrial democracies and original survey data demonstrate this relationship. A possible interpretation of the findings is that traditional welfare policy might be an ineffective remedy against the ascent of right-wing populism.
Biagioniite, Tl2SbS2, from the Hemlo gold deposit, Marathon, Ontario, Canada: occurrence and crystal structure
Authors: Bindi Luca , Moëlo Yves
Published: April 2020

Biagioniite, ideally Tl2SbS2, is a new mineral from the Hemlo gold deposit, Marathon, Ontario, Canada. It occurs as very rare anhedral crystals up to 65 μm across associated with aurostibite, stibarsen and native gold in a calcite matrix. Biagioniite is opaque with a metallic lustre and shows a black streak. In reflected light biagioniite is moderately bireflectant and not pleochroic. Under crossed polars it is weakly anisotropic with blueish to light-blue rotation tints. Internal reflections are absent.

Reflectance percentages for the four standard wavelengths (RminandRmax) are 35.9 and 37.5 (471.1 nm); 34.7 and 36.2 (548.3 nm); 33.8 and 35.3 (586.6 nm); and 31.5 and 33.7 (652.3 nm), respectively. A mean of four electron microprobe analyses gave: Tl 65.12(31), Ag 3.52(9), Sb 20.22(12), S 10.80(8), total 99.66 wt.%, corresponding, on the basis of a total of 5 atoms, to (Tl1.87Ag0.19)Σ2.06Sb0.97S1.97. Biagioniite is monoclinic, space groupPc, witha= 11.0895(9),b= 14.3124(11),c= 7.9352(6) Å, β = 96.230(8)°,V= 1252.02(17) Å3andZ= 8. The four strongest powder-diffraction lines [din Å (I/I0) (hkl)] are: 3.56 (100) (310); 3.37 (75) ($\bar{2}$31); 3.79 (60) (012); 3.03 (60) (032). In the crystal structure [R1= 0.024 for 2655 reflections withI> 2σ(I)], thallium adopts various coordinations extending from quasi-linear to quasi-tetrahedral. Antimony forms Sb–Sb pairs, which lead to the formula [Tl+1]4[Sb2]4+[S2–]4. Biagioniite is isostructural with dervillite, Ag2AsS2. The new mineral has been approved by the International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (IMA2019–120) and named for Cristian Biagioni, Associate Professor of Mineralogy at the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Pisa, Italy.
Robust examination of political structural breaks and abnormal stock returns in Egypt
Authors: Eldomiaty Tarek Ibrahim , Anwar Marwa , Magdy Nebal , Hakam Mohamed Nabil
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper uses the event study methodology to analyze the impact of unexpected political event on stocks abnormal returns. The objective is twofold. The first is to reach robust estimates of stocks abnormal returns. The second is to reach robust estimates of the effects of unexpected political events on stocks abnormal returns.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper experiments with three different methods to estimate stocks abnormal returns, namely: market model, mean-adjusted model and market-adjusted model. The sample includes the firms listed in the leading index in Egypt stock exchange (EGX30). The statistical tests, Anderson–Darling test for normality, Wilcoxon rank-sum test for comparing the significance of the estimates, and Breusch–Pagan, Cook–Weisberg test for heterogeneity of abnormal returns.

Findings

The results indicate that (a) statistical differences between the three estimates exist, which indicates that the three methods of abnormal return estimation are not substitutes, or alternatives, to each other, (b) that is, the political event is considered an anomaly which has idiosyncratic effects. This is contrary to the common belief that political events have systematic effects.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, the estimation of abnormal returns must be examined for robustness in order to ensure reliability. Second, the results offer robust evidence that political risk premium is an anomaly, which is a call for stock market participants not to panic. Eventually, it saves investors’ wealth.
How to create a strong aesthetic clinic marketing campaign
Authors: Kendrick Julia
Published: April 2020

Julia Kendrick shares her top tips to upskill your clinic PR for a successful business approach, including what to mention in online campaigns, how often they should launched and who to target
Reforming Companies House
Authors: Bernstein Adam
Published: April 2020

Adam Bernstein sheds light on Companies House and what it means for businesses in the UK
Simulation of reconfigurable double-input optical gates based on a microring flower-like structure. part I. basic gates
Authors: Seifi Laleh Mohammad , Razaghi Mohammad
Published: April 2020

In this paper, a simulation and general analysis of nonlinear microring resonators (MRRs) as all-optical switches are discussed in a flower-like structure. These MRRs are modulated through an optical pump beam, which receives temporal shift of MRRs’ resonance wavelengths. These shifts are a result of the refractive index changing due to carrier injection. A green laser is used as the optical pump to shift the resonant wavelength of each MRR. This proposed structure can operate as all-optical logic gates. Of those innovations are reconfigurable structure to achieve various gates, integrating capability, and a high extinction ratio between zero and one logical levels. This configuration would be useful to design optical integrated circuits.
Pemetaan Fasies Vulkanik berdasarkan Geomorfologi dan Stratigrafi Batuan Gunungapi pada Gunungapi Sindoro, Jawa Tengah
Authors: Al Haqiqi Jundiya , Marin Jenian , Winarno Tri
Published: April 2020

Gunungapi Sindoro merupakan salah satu gunungapi aktif yang berada di Provinsi Jawa Tengah dan termasuk ke dalam jajaran gunungapi Kuarter di Pulau Jawa. Aktivitas vulkanisme Gunungapi Sindoro dapat dipelajari dari aspek vulkanostratigrafinya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi fasies vulkanik Gunungapi Sindoro berdasarkan aspek geomorfologi dan stratigrafi batuan gunungapi. Pemetaan fasies vulkanik dilakukan dengan analisis peta dan citra satelit, observasi lapangan, dan analisis petrografi. Geomorfologi daerah penelitian diklasifikasikan menjadi 13 satuan berdasarkan aspek genetiknya, mencakup kerucut utama, kerucut parasiter, punggungan aliran lava dan piroklastik, serta dataran antargunungapi. Litologi daerah penelitian dikelompokkan menjadi 22 satuan berumur Kuarter, terutama berupa endapan jatuhan freatik, kubah lava, aliran lava, endapan jatuhan piroklastik dan endapan aliran piroklastik. Satuan vulkanostratigrafi diklasifikasikan ke dalam Khuluk Sindoro yang terdiri atas Gumuk Kembang, Gumuk Kekep dan Gumuk Watu. Khuluk Sindoro juga termasuk ke dalam Bregada Sindoro-Sumbing. Berdasarkan sejarah dan endapan vulkanik yang ditemukan, dapat diinterpretasikan bahwa karakter letusan Gunungapi Sindoro didominasi oleh letusan tipe Strombolian.Berdasarkan geomorfologi dan stratigrafi, Gunung Sindoro dibedakan menjadi 9 fasies vulkanik meliputi Fasies Sentral Sindoro, Fasies Sentral Kembang, Fasies Sentral Kekep, Fasies Sentral Watu, Fasies Proksimal Sindoro, Fasies Proksimal Kembang, Fasies Proksimal Kekep, Fasies Proksimal Watu, dan Fasies Medial Sindoro.
Linking Motoneuron PIC Location to Motor Function in Closed-Loop Motor Unit System Including Afferent Feedback: A Computational Investigation
Authors: Kim Hojeong
Published: April 2020

The goal of this study is to investigate how the activation location of persistent inward current (PIC) over motoneuron dendrites is linked to motor output in the closed-loop motor unit. Here, a physiologically realistic model of a motor unit including afferent inputs from muscle spindles was comprehensively analyzed under intracellular stimulation at the soma and synaptic inputs over the dendrites during isometric contractions over a full physiological range of muscle lengths. The motor output of the motor unit model was operationally assessed by evaluating the rate of force development, the degree of force potentiation and the capability of self-sustaining force production. Simulations of the model motor unit demonstrated a tendency for a faster rate of force development, a greater degree of force potentiation, and greater capacity for self-sustaining force production under both somatic and dendritic stimulation of the motoneuron as the PIC channels were positioned farther from the soma along the path of motoneuron dendrites. Interestingly, these effects of PIC activation location on force generation significantly differed among different states of muscle length. The rate of force development and the degree of force potentiation were systematically modulated by the variation of PIC channel location for shorter-than-optimal muscles but not for optimal and longer-than-optimal muscles. Similarly, the warm-up behavior of the motor unit depended on the interplay between PIC channel location and muscle length variation. These results suggest that the location of PIC activation over motoneuron dendrites may be distinctively reflected in the motor performance during shortening muscle contractions.
Inventory of managed honey bee population in Zhytomyr region (Ukraine)
Authors: Lisohurska O. V. , Lisohurska D. V. , Sokolyuk V. M. , Furman S. V. , Kryvyi M. M. , Ligomina I. P.
Published: April 2020

Over the last decades, the number of honey bee colonies in the world has been declining. A honey bee is the most important pollinator in agriculture. According to estimates, such a situation can threaten the food security of humanity. The purpose was to investigate the specific aspects of the managed honey bee population in Zhytomyr region. The population dynamics, number, and density were determined. For this purpose the statistics of the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine on the number of bee colonies by categories of producers in Ukraine and Zhytomyr region were used. It was established that in Zhytomyr region over the past quarter century, the population of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) has increased by 2 times up to 193.4 thousand colonies. During the same period, the number of bee colonies in Ukraine has increased by 1.4 times. At present, Zhytomyr region is a leader in the state in the development of the beekeeping industry. Eight percent of all honey bee colonies in the country are concentrated here. In the Zhytomyr region, the density of honey bee population is one of the highest in Ukraine. 82 colonies are concentrated here on one conditional pasture area (1256 hectares), with 7 colonies per 100 hectares of land. In Ukraine, these indicators are 52 and 4 respectively. The distribution of bee colonies in the region is uneven. The vast majority of colonies (58.5%) are concentrated in the Polissia. There are from 1 to 18 colonies per 100 hectares of land in each of the units in the region, on the conditional pasture area from 16 to 224. The results of these studies are relevant for the commodity apiaries for the rational use of honey flow and to make a well-considered decision on the prospect of increasing the number of bee colonies. Further work will be aimed at the investigation into the melliferous base and the calculation of the feed balance of the beekeeping industry in Zhytomyr region.
As rotas do desejo de Zulé: faces da sexualidade em Del rojo de su sombra, de Mayra Montero
Authors: Silva Renato Kerly Marques
Published: April 2020

Como cita Esquelín (2010), o romance Del rojo de su sombra, da escritora cubana/porto-riquenha Mayra Montero, narra diversos deslocamento realizados por imigrantes haitianos que trabalham na República Dominicana. Além dos fatores políticos e econômicos que orientam o processo migratório para a região canavieira de La Romana, o romance de Montero nos apresenta as tensões sociais e as manifestações religiosas vividas pelos haitianos. No centro da narrativa, encontramos a personagem ZuléRevé, sacerdotisa vudu que nos leva pelos caminhos da experiência mística do vuduísmo e pelos caminhos da sexualidade. A partir da ideia de Butler (2003) de que sexo, gênero, desejo e prática sexual são categorias que apresentam diversas possibilidades de performance, o presente artigo analisa as experiências sexuais de Zulé como deslocamentos que borram a perspectiva de uma heterossexualidade compulsória e revisam o papel de uma família nuclear organizada com fins de procriação.
A escrita feminina em La casa de los espíritus, de Isabel Allende
Authors: Oliveira Amanda Da Silva
Published: April 2020

A obra La casa de lo sespíritus, de Isabel Allende, corresponde a uma importante narrativa de escrita de mulheres latino-americanas. Publicada em 1982, faz parte do pós-boom, movimento que atualiza a escrita do boom latino-americano para determinadas características literárias, como o memorialístico. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a obra de Allende a partir da (re)escritura que a personagem Alba faz da história da família como modo de recuperar a si mesma como sujeito. A escrita da memória de Alba significa os novos rumos da literatura latino-americana pós-boom: uma escrita para não esquecer. Por fim, conclui-se desenvolvendo brevemente de que maneira La casa dos espíritus serve como um texto que reforça o papel feminista de empoderamento da mulher, por meio da escrita.
A literatura de autoria feminina no Brasil: um estudo sobre a trajetória de Francisca Júlia
Authors: Borges Jaqueline Ferreira
Published: April 2020

Este artigo objetiva considerar a trajetória poética de Francisca Júlia da Silva Munster (1871-1920), escritora paulista que publicou quatro livros, sendo Mármores (1895), Livro da Infância (1899), Esphinges (1903) e, por último, em parceria com o irmão, publicou Alma Infantil (1920). A poeta foi uma das precursoras da inserção feminina na literatura a partir de uma perspectiva também feminina, pensando o corpo da mulher na literatura sob uma ótica também da mulher. A escritora enfrentou um sistema social pautado nos valores patriarcais e no silenciamento feminino, mas alcançou singular reconhecimento no cenário literário daquele período, no entanto, definhou-se ao longo do tempo até que se tornasse esquecida nas prateleiras das bibliotecas e carente de visibilidade e reconhecimento nos estudos científicos da atualidade. Para o embasamento teórico, alguns críticos foram considerados para subsidiar as discussões, principalmente, os estudos críticos de Ramos (1961) e Camargos (2007), pautados na trajetória poética de Francisca Júlia e no alcance de seu nome, seja em meados do século XX, seja nos anos seguintes de sua morte.  Paraalém desses, outros teóricos, foram utilizados para compreendermos as temáticas e o modo como se organiza a sua produção poética.
A mediação pedagógica e a alfabetização na educação infantil
Authors: Alvares Sofiati Camila , Toscano Carlos
Published: April 2020

O presente trabalho é parte de uma pesquisa mais ampla e se apoia nos pressupostos da teoria histórico-cultural. Tomou-se como objeto de estudo uma atividade de ensino que envolveu a escrita de palavras, objetivando analisar o processo de apropriação da leitura e escrita, as relações de trocas e, os efeitos produzidos nas crianças. Os sujeitos participantes foram nove alunos, com idades entre cinco e seis anos, que frequentam o último ano da educação infantil de uma escola pública do interior do Paraná. O registro foi feito por videogravação e transcrição integral posterior, sendo que a análise baseou-se na abordagem microgenética. Dentre os resultados destaca-se que a montagem de palavras isoladas, tendo por base a mera fixação das letras e sua disposição, não permitiu um contato significativo com a linguagem escrita, deixando em segundo plano sua função social. Assim, a palavra na vida e a palavra na escola parecem pertencer a mundos que não entram em contato, isto é, que não se interpenetram, não havendo a ampliação das referências pela via do conhecimento.
Miłosierdzie jako istotny temat Ewangelii według świętego Łukasza
Authors: Blajer Piotr
Published: April 2020

Ewangelia św. Łukasza jest jedyną w swoim rodzaju. Jako jedyna ewangelia posiada kontynuację w Dziejach Apostolskich. Każdy kto sięga po ewangelię Łukasza może w niej znaleźć coś dla siebie. Dla przykładu warto zwrócić uwagę, że prolog został napisany w klasycznym stylu greckim, a pierwsze dwa rozdziały, w których autor opowiada o dzieciństwie Jezusa, przypominają stylem i formą księgi Starego Testamentu. Ewangelia Łukasza jest szczególną nie tylko pod względem literackim, ale także tematycznym. Trzeci ewangelista w sposób charakterystyczny wskazuje, że Jezus przyszedł na świat, by zbawić wszystkich. Dokonuje tego ukazując nieskończone Boże miłosierdzie, które pochyla się nad każdym potrzebującym pomocy bez względu na jego status. W centrum tego orędzia znajdują się trzy przypowieści o miłosierdzi w rozdziale 15. Są one odpowiedzią Jezusa na krytykę faryzeuszy i uczonych w Piśmie, którzy złym okiem spoglądają na Jego pochylanie się nad tymi, którzy najbardziej potrzebują Bożego miłosierdzia.
Antropologicznokulturowa interpretacja przypowieści o niemiłosiernym słudze (Mt 18, 23–35)
Authors: Kręcidło Janusz
Published: April 2020

Przedmiotem prowadzonych w artykule analiz jest ekspozycja teologii miłosierdzia zawartej w przypowieści Jezusa w Mt 18, 23–35. Tekst ten został przebadany w świetle trzech kryteriów antropologicznokulturowych, które pozwoliły odczytać tę przypowieść w świetle realiów życia autora i adresatów. Są to: ideologia królewska, relacja „patron – klient” oraz honor i wstyd. Rezultatem analiz jest głębsze wyeksponowanie przesłania teologicznego Mt 18, 23–35: bezwarunkowe miłosierdzie, które Bóg okazuje grzesznikom, powinno stymulować w nich wzajemne okazywanie sobie przebaczenia win.
The Church and Management Science
Authors: Giffard Pierre-Alain
Published: April 2020

This article explores the use of management sciences in the Church and examines the appropriateness of importing modern organizational principles into the ecclesial world. It highlights management principles used by four growing Evangelical Churches. It then it explores the birth and development of modern management. Finally, a principle is proposed from which it is possible for the Church to maintain a healthy dialogue with management sciences that combines openness and prudence.
El método Singapur: sus alcances para el aprendizaje de las matemáticas
Authors: Tapia Reyes Ruth Alesshandra , Murillo Antón Jaimin
Published: April 2020

Uno de los grandes retos de las matemáticas es implementar estrategias para su aprendizaje. Esto supone un reto para los docentes hoy en día quienes, en la mayoría de los casos, no se desprenden del modelo educativo de enseñanza tradicional, cuya consecuencia es la presencia de alumnos desmotivados y con dificultades para el aprendizaje de las matemáticas. Por ello, el propósito del presente artículo es analizar los alcances que tiene el Método Singapur para la enseñanza de las matemáticas, mencionando las dimensiones, enfoques, metodología y teorías que sustentan dicho método. Este se basa en el desarrollo de pensamiento de los estudiantes para transfórmalos en ciudadanos capaces de enfrentar las exigencias de la sociedad con una actitud creativa y abierta. Asimismo, se basa sobre el enfoque Concreto, Pictórico, Abstracto (CPA). La principal conclusión obtenida es que el Método Singapur ha incrementado positivamente el aprendizaje de las matemáticas, ya que permite a los estudiantes pasar de una fase manipuladora a una fase de dibujo, y gradualmente alcanzar un nivel abstracto.
Cantar para vivir: un estudio del canto oral en adolescentes
Authors: Cueva Espita Maria Andrea , Córdoba González Loida , Alanía Pacovilca Rodolfo
Published: April 2020

El canto es una práctica natural del ser humano; desde la niñez hasta la adolescencia, la persona experimenta muchos cambios fisiológicos y anatómicos; no obstante, el cambio de voz provoca que muchos adolescentes no quieran continuar cantando o piensen que no pueden. Por ello, el objetivo del presente artículo es analizar las características, estrategias pedagógicas y beneficios del canto coral para los adolescentes. En esta perspectiva, se aborda el canto, luego se explica brevemente la anatomía y fisiología del mismo, adentrándose luego en la descripción de la voz y canto coral en adolescentes, didáctica del canto y los beneficios respectivos. Luego de revisar diferentes fuentes, se concluye que, a pesar de los diferentes cambios experimentados, conociendo y aplicando una técnica correcta, ayuda y desarrolla correctamente la voz, además el canto coral provee diferentes beneficios a nivel musical, académico, social, físico y de desarrollo personal.
Watts Bar Nuclear Power Plant Strong-Motion Records of the 12 December 2018 M 4.4 Decatur, Tennessee, Earthquake
Authors: Graizer Vladimir , Seber Dogan , Stovall Scott
Published: April 2020

The moment magnitude M 4.4 on 12 December 2018 Decatur, Tennessee, earthquake occurred in the eastern Tennessee seismic zone. Although the causative fault is not known, the earthquake had a predominantly strike-slip mechanism with an estimated hypocentral depth of about 8 km. It was felt over a distance of 500 km stretching from Southern Kentucky to Georgia. Strong shaking, capable of causing slight damage, was reported near the epicenter. The Watts Bar nuclear power plant (NPP) is only 4.9 km from the epicenter of the earthquake and experienced only slight shaking. The earthquake was recorded by the plant’s seismic strong-motion instrumentation installed at four different locations. Near-real-time calculations by the plant operators indicated that the operating basis earthquake (OBE) ground motion was not exceeded during the earthquake. We obtained and processed the recorded motions to calculate corrected accelerations, velocities, and displacements. In addition, we computed the Fourier and 5% damped response spectra to compare them with the plant’s OBE. Comparisons of the ground-motion prediction models with the digital recordings at the plant site indicated that recorded ground motions were significantly below the predicted results calculated using the ground-motion prediction models approved for regulatory use. Availability of high-quality, digital recordings in this case helped make a quick decision about the ground motions not exceeding the OBE and hence prevented unnecessary shutdown of the NPP. Availability of earthquake recordings from the four locations in the NPP also presented an opportunity to analyze the linear response of plant structures.
Intertextualidade e transgressão na poesia experimental portuguesa / Intertextuality and Transgression in the Experimental Portuguese Poetry
Authors: Cirne Matthews Carvalho Rocha
Published: April 2020

Resumo: A poesia experimental encontra-se constantemente vinculada às obras ensaísticas dos autores que integraram o movimento, em suas diversas fases. Este artigo tem por objetivo compreender a poética de E. M. de Melo e Castro através dos seus ensaios. O ponto de partida será o livro Literatura portuguesa de invenção (1984), do qual serão destacados alguns pontos de interesse, que são a transgressão e a intertextualidade. Buscaremos ainda traçar as fronteiras existentes entre o poema e o ensaio, bem como a relação de ambos com os movimentos de vanguarda e o mecanismo inventivo denominado poesia programática, resultado de um trabalho de pesquisa histórica que reinseriu o Barroco na poesia portuguesa desde o final dos anos 50. As reflexões de Clément Rosset, Georges Didi-Huberman, Hannah Arendt, Marcos Siscar e Walter Benjamin subsidiarão este estudo interpretativo da obra de Melo e Castro.Palavras-chave: intertextualidade; experimentalismo; transgressão; vanguardas.Abstract: The experimental poetry is constantly linked to essayistic works of authors that integrated the movement, in their several phasis. This article seeks the understanding of the poetics of E. M. de Melo e Castro through his essays, as well as their relationship with the movements of vanguard and the inventive mechanism called poesia programática, result of a work of historical research that reinserted the Baroque in portuguese poetry since the late 50’s. The reflections of Clément Rosset, Georges Didi-Huberman, Hannah Arendt, Marcos Siscar and Walter Benjamin will subsidize this interpretative study of the work by Melo e Castro.Keywords: intertextuality; experimentalism; transgression; vanguards.
Analysis of the Feasibility of Generating Solid Biofuel from Ulex Europaeus Plants
Authors: Núñez-Moreno Alejandro , Barbieri Giacomo , Gordillo Gerardo
Published: April 2020

The Ulex europaeus (also known as Common Gorse) represents a threat to the native ecosystems of different Colombian regions. Recently, the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development introduced protocols for its prevention and management. Even though the Ulex europaeus has a high calorific value, a wide-spread solution for its post-processing is not yet available in its affected areas. In Colombia, the most common method for the disposal of the harvested plant is incineration, given that this is the suggested method by Resolution 684 of 2018. Due to the importance of the problem, this investigation is focused on studying the viability of creating solid biofuel alternatives derived from the plant. Grinded material and briquettes were produced with different log/foliage ratios in order to investigate both the domestic and industrial applications of the plant; e.g. heating, cooking and cogeneration, respectively. A proximate and ultimate analysis was performed on the produced samples. The generated solid biofuel presents 75% of the carbon heat value, a high volatile material content (83.3%), and low ash and Sulphur residues (1.41% and 0.15% respectively). These results applied to both dry and humid samples, demonstrated that the produced solid biofuel is adequate for applications oriented towards heat generation. However, further analysis and process optimization is required in order to establish the generation of solid biofuel as an appropriate use of the Ulex europaeus remnants. By further analyzing the overall process; from plant removal, through residue disposal, and finally remnant conversion, the investigations value chain can be better established and possibly established for real world implementation.
Cold Atmospheric Plasma for COVID-19
Authors: Chen Zhitong , Wirz Richard
Published: April 2020

The recent pandemic has greatly stressed supply chains, treatment modalities, and medical resources. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been used for a wide range of applications in biomedical engineering due to its many components including electrons, charged particles, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), free radicals, ultraviolet (UV) photons, molecules, electromagnetic fields, physical forces, and electric fields. In this manuscript, we develop CAP devices for COVID-19. Our manuscript indicates the advantages of highlydeployable CAP devices for both sanitation and treatment, without the need for supply chains of special consumables such as hand sanitizers and the like. We hope that this timely research will help engage the broader community of engineers that wish to help the medical community with this pandemic and to prevent and treat future outbreaks.
Per-head cost of patients responding to eltrombopag and rituximab in the treatment of primary immune thrombocytopenia in Spain.
Authors: Gonzalez-Porras José Ramón , Parrondo-García Francisco Javier , Anguita Eduardo
Published: April 2020

Background: Splenectomy, thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) and rituximab are the second-line treatments for steroid-resistant adult primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The last two are becoming the most widely used treatments to avoid splenectomy adverse effects and inconveniences. However, the choice between rituximab and TPO-RAs is unclear. Therefore, the treatment cost may be of particular interest to prioritize the therapy option.Our aim is to determine the cost per patient after 6 months of treatment of rituximab compared to TPO-RA eltrombopag in a European Health Service.Methods: A 26-week decision tree model was developed to assess the cost of treatment response of adult patients with chronic-refractory ITP to eltrombopag and rixutimab from the perspective of the Spanish National Health System. Effectiveness was obtained from the literature, and cost was obtained from the official rates. Costs were expressed in € (2018). Due to the short period of assessment, no discount rate was applied.Results: The average cost per patient after 6 months of treatment was similar for eltrombopag and rituximab, although the first cost was slightly higher. However, the greater response rate of eltrombopag decreases the bleeding costs, resulting in a 29% higher cost with rituximab treatment. Eltrombopag cost was always lower, except in the sensitivity analysis in which the patient received a daily dose of 75 mg of eltrombopag, a scenario where eltrombopag cost is 48€ higher than that of rituximab.Conclusions: The treatment cost of rituximab, including monitoring and bleeding costs, is higher than eltrombopag, favouring the latter over rituximab treatment.
Ameliorating process parameters for zeaxanthin yield in Arthrobacter gandavensis MTCC 25325
Authors: Ram Shristi , Tirkey Sushma Rani , Kumar Madhava Anil , Mishra Sandhya
Published: April 2020

The present study aims to escalate the production of prophylactic agent zeaxanthin using a screened potential bacterial isolate. For this purpose, a freshwater bacterium capable of producing zeaxanthin was isolated from Bor Talav, Bhavnagar. The 16S rRNA sequence confirmed the isolate as Arthrobacter gandavensis. The bacterium was also submitted to Microbial Type Culture Collection, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India, with the accession number MTCC 25325. The chemo-metric tools were employed to optimise the influencing factors such as pH, temperature, inoculum size, agitation speed, carbon source and harvest time on zeaxanthin yield. Thereafter, 6 parameters were narrowed down to 3 factors and were optimised using the central composite design (CCD) matrix. Maximum zeaxanthin (1.51 mg/g) was derived when A. gandavensis MTCC 25325 was grown under pH 6.0, 1.5% (w/v) glucose and 10% (v/v) inoculum size. A high regression coefficient (R2=0.92) of the developed model indicated the accurateness of the tested parameters. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on tailoring the process parameters using chemo-metric optimisation for escalating the zeaxanthin production by A. gandavensis MTCC 25325.
Characterization of an H6N1 avian influenza virus from an illegally imported product
Authors: Wang Yan , Jiang Ming Wen , Li Ping Jin , Zhang Ping Lei , Zhang Qiang , Li Yang Chun
Published: April 2020

Background : H6N1 is low pathogenic virus commonly found in wild and domestic birds across many continents. To investigate the infective status of imported food, we detected avian influenza virus (AIV) in illegally imported frozen food from international flight. Methods : The virus was isolated, the complete genome was sequenced, and the pathogenicity was tested. PQIATR/G was found in the motif of the HA cleavage site of the isolated strain, which conforms to the molecular characteristics of a low pathogenic AIV. The amino acid residues at positions 186, 190, 226, and 228 of the HA protein receptor binding sites were proline (P), valine (V), glutamine (Q), serine (S), respectively, exhibiting the molecular characteristics required to bind to human-like receptors. The SPF chicken test showed that the IVPI was 0 and the virus was a low pathogenic AIV. The infectious results in BALB/c mice showed that the isolate could be replicated in the lower respiratory tract of mice. Mice infected with a high dose of the virus displayed moderate weight loss but no obvious clinical symptoms. Results :The results of the sequence analysis showed that the avian influenza virus was of the H6N1 subtype, which shared the highest nucleotide identity with the AIV subtypes prevalent in Taiwan province. Conclusions : It is important to intensily monitor the illegal carrying.
Development of Statistical Literacy and Scientific Reasoning & Argumentation in Physicians
Authors: Schmidt Felicitas Maria , Zottmann Jan , Sailer Maximilian , Fischer Martin R , Berndt Markus
Published: April 2020

Background: Statistical literacy (SL) of physicians, i.e. the ability to understand and apply statistics, is an essential prerequisite for risk estimation and communication. Together with scientific reasoning and argumentation (SRA) skills, SL provides the basis for evidence-based practice. Several studies suggest that in medical students both skills are developed merely on a medium level.Methods: The aim of the present study was to investigate these skills in practicing physicians ( N = 71, M Age = 40.00, SD = 9.59) and when and how these skills were acquired. Biographical data was collected with an online survey tool. SL was assessed with multiple-choice items. SRA skills evidence evaluation (EE) and drawing conclusions (DC) were measured with a decision scenario.Results: Study results indicated that physicians have medium to high levels of SL ( M = 17.58, SD = 6.92, max 30 pts.) and SRA (EE-Score: M = 7.75, SD = 1.85, max 10 pts.; DC-Score: M = 37.20, SD = 5.35, max 60 pts.). Skills development via autodidactic learning activities ( M = 4.78, SD = 1.125, range 1-6) was reported significantly more often than development during medical education ( M = 2.31, SD = 1.456, t (71) = -9.915, p < .001) or in extracurricular activities ( M = 3.34, SD = 1.869, t (71) = 4.673, p = .000). The active involvement in research seemed decisive: The number of publications and time spent in research predicted SL to a large extent (β = .355, p = .002; β = .280, p = .018). SRA skills were associated with the type of doctoral thesis (β = -.380 ± .154, p = .016) and working in research (β = 3.355 ± 1.229, p = .008).Conclusion : The development of SL and SRA skills needs to be systematically fostered during medical education combined with active involvement in research.
Overall reduced lymphocyte subsets worsening disease severity and prognosis in COVID-19 severe cases with diabetes mellitus in Chengdu, China
Authors: Liu Dafeng , Wang Yong , Lan Lijuan , Liu Yaling , Zhao Bennan , Bao Lei , Chen Hong , Yang Min , Li Qingfeng , Zeng Yilan
Published: April 2020

BackgroundIn early December 2019 the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is widespread from Wuhan throughout China and the world.MethodsDemographic, clinical data of 95 confirmed cases with COVID-19 on admission at the Public and Health ClinicCentre of Chengdu from January 16 to March 16, 2020, were collected and analyzed. The data ofperipheral lymphocyte and subsetswere compared between severe and non-severe patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM), and its relationship to the disease severity, the viral negative conversion time, and the prognosis were analyzed.ResultsIn this COVID-19cohort the prevalence of DM was 20%. Patients with DM had significantly higher severe rate and worseprognosis than those without DM, the difference was significant(severe rate ,cured, unhealed and death in DM and non-DM groups:61.11%vs.25.00%,26.32%,68.42%,5.26%vs.71.05%,26.32%,2.68%,х2=2.940,3.394,P=0.003,0.001,respectively),simultaneously the prevalence of DM in severe cases was higher than that in non-severe group,the obvarious difference was found(36.67% vs.12.31%,х2=2.940,P=0.003). Severe cases with DM tended to have the lowest lymphocytes count levels and percentage values,as well as the lowest T cells count levels, helper T cells count levels, suppressor T cells count levels and B(CD19+) count levelscompared with those severe cases without DM and non-severe cases with or without DM. The important influencing factorswere that age,DM, lymphocyte percentage values and helper T cells percentage values for the disease severity, lymphocyte percentage values andB(CD19+) cell percentage values for the viral negative conversion time, and age, the disease severity and the viral negative conversion time for the prognosis.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 severe cases with DMhad the lowest lymphocytes count levels, especially T lymphocytescount levels and B lymphocytes count levels. Overall decreased lymphocytes subsets and DM maybe worsen prognosis by worseningthe disease severity and prolonging the viral negative conversion time.Combinationimmunomodulatory therapy based on comprehensive treatmentmight improveprognosisof the COVID-19 severe cases with DM.
The dysfunction of affective picture processing in pituitary patients: an ERPs study
Authors: Cao Chenglong , Song Jian , Liu Binbin , Yue Jianren , Lu Yuzhao , Huang Cheng , Ding Huichao , Xu Guozheng
Published: April 2020

Background: Cognitive impairments have been reported in patients with pituitary adenoma; however, there is a lack of knowledge of investigating the emotional stimuli processing in pituitary patients. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether there is emotional processing dysfunction in pituitary patients by recording and analyzing the late positive potential (LPP) elicited by affective stimuli.Methods: Evaluation of emotional stimuli processing by LPP Event related potentials (ERPs) was carried out through central- parietal electrode sites (C3, Cz, C4, P3, Pz, P4) on the head of the patients and healthy controls (HCs).Results: In the negative stimuli, the amplitude of LPP was 2.435 ± 0.419μV for HCs and 0.656 ± 0.427μV for patient group respectively ( p = 0.005). In the positive stimuli, the elicited electric potential 1.450 ± 0.316μV for HCs and 0.495 ± 0.322μV for patient group respectively ( p = 0.040). Moreover, the most obvious difference of LPP amplitude between the two groups existed in the right parietal region. On the right hemisphere (at the P4 site), the elicited electric potential was 1.993 ± 0.299μV for HCs and 0.269 ± 0.305μV for patient group respectively( p = 0.001).Conclusion: There are functional dysfunction of emotional stimuli processing in pituitary adenoma patients. Our research provides the electrophysiological evidence for the presence of cognitive dysfunction which need to be intervened in the pituitary adenoma patients.
Fad Diets: Dietary Dilemmas, Predicaments, and Recommendations for its Use
Authors: Singh Jyoti , Rasane Prasad , Tomer Vidisha , Kaur Sawinder , Gat Yogesh , Dhawan Kajal , Mahato Dipendra K. , Kumar Vikas
Published: April 2020

The health issues, mainly overweight and obesity are the growing concerns nowadays due
to the associated factors and lifestyle changes which significantly have increased the individual’s
health care expenditures. Fad diets are promoted as the easiest and simplest way of shedding the
extra weight despite the availability of several treatments available. The prevention and treatment
measures, including modification in lifestyle, dietary pattern, and physical activity, are the foundation
of weight loss. However, the standard treatment measures are not effective for certain populations
as they require long time adherence, which leads to the search for other approaches like fad
diet. We steered a comprehensive literature review to present the facts related to fad diets to their
efficacy and sustainability. Although fad diets have yielded tremendous positive results in weight
loss and cardiovascular risk prevention, the studies reported death in long-term interventions and the
results and some of them show side effects too. Randomized controlled trials have significantly
reported weight loss in comparison with the popular fad diets; however, persisting on the same diet
has also reported kidney problems, ketosis, and other metabolic related problems. The conclusion of
this critical review reported that gradual weight loss could be attained by the combination of lifestyle
modifications, physical activity, and recommended dietary approaches.
The role of african court on human and peoples’ rights protection: the case of libyan crises
Authors: Antigegn Getahun Kumie
Published: April 2020

The emergence of regional human rights systems depicts one of the greatest achievements in the internationalization of human rights. The foundation of the charter paved the way for the birth of the court thereafter. The African Court is established by virtue of the 1998 protocol to the Charter and the court is built upon an arsenal of protective and remedial techniques. The establishment of the court has reset the stage and created a new platform for the protection of human rights in Africa. The cardinal objective of the paper is to investigate the role of African Court on human and Peoples’ rights protection in Libya Crises taking the case of Saif Al Islam Gaddafi. The paper has utilized qualitative methodology. The government of Libya responded with brutal force against civilian protesters in contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law. The security force of the government of Libya killed many protesters as well. This situation intensified human rights violations and enforced many of the peoples to displace. The court issued an important ruling in March 2011, ordering provisional measures against Libya in the armed conflict in its territory. Libya government denied the claims of human rights violations in its territory and showed its willingness to subject itself to criminal investigations by the Court if necessary. The issue of the fund, independence, commitment and competence of judges to interpret mandate and jurisdiction, the willingness of the states to support and to abide by court decisions, and powers of the concerned body to enforce court decisions hampered the court from being effective. Generally, African States act in good faith with respect to the decisions of the African Human Rights Court, the court becomes more import.
Hubungan Antara Kecerdasan Emosional Dengan Perilaku Agresif Pada Santri Pondok Pesantren
Authors: Kurniawan Ilham , Husin Lauditta Soraya , Rasyidin Yusyafrida , Islamia Intan
Published: April 2020

Pesantren is an Islamic educational institution that aims to develop students into generations who have high knowledge and are able to carry out Islamic aqeedah and sharia, but in the environment of Islamic boarding schools are still often found negative behaviors such as aggressive behavior committed by teenage students. This is because teenagers are often less able to control emotions. One factor the cause of the emergence of aggressive behavior is the low level of emotional intelligence. Individuals who have low emotional intelligence tend to be aggressive. This study aims to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence with aggressive behavior in Islamic boarding school students. The subjects in this study were eighth grade Muslim students of MTs who lived in the Al-Fatah Islamic Boarding School dormitory in 2018/2019, totaling 60 students taken with total sampling techniques. The method of data collection in this study uses two psychological scales namely the aggressive behavior scale of 24 items (α = 0.881) and the emotional intelligence scale of 26 items (α = 0.933). Data that has been collected later analyzed using the product moment correlation analysis technique which is assisted with SPSS 21.0 for Windows. The results showed rxy = -0,454 with p = 0,000 (p <0.01), this indicates that there is a significant and negative relationship between emotional intelligence with aggressive behavior in Al-Fatah Islamic boarding school students so that the hypothesis is accepted, the lower the emotional intelligence owned by students, students tend to have high aggressive behavior and vice versa with an effective contribution of 20.6% which is influenced by the independent variables in this study and 79.4% are influenced by variables outside the study.