bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ЭКСЕРГЕТИЧЕСКИЙ ПИНЧ-АНАЛИЗ ВСЕХ ЭЛЕМЕНТОВ КОТЕЛЬНОГО АГРЕГАТА И КОТЕЛЬНОГО АГРЕГАТА В ЦЕЛОМ
Authors: Лебедев Владимир Александрович , Юшкова Екатерина Александровна
Published: August 2020

The relevance of the research is caused by the need to improve the energy efficiency of heating systems, since all types of fuel are becoming more expensive. In this regard, there is a need to create a method of thermodynamic improvement of heat engineering systems. The main aim of the research is the creation of a method for improving heating systems, the application of this method on the example of a boiler unit PP-2650-255 GM. Objects: a direct-flow boiler PP-2650-255 GM, for which a thermodynamic analysis of the processes occurring in individual elements of the boiler – an air heater, economizer, firebox, and superheater – is performed. The article analyzes all heat fluxes on each element of the boiler. Methods. An exergy method of thermodynamic analysis is used as a research tool. It allows taking into account the energy potential of thermal processes. To date, the most effective method of parametric optimization of heat and power processes is the method of integration of heat flows (pinch method). However, the pinch method is based on a change in flow enthalpy, which does not take into account the qualitative characteristics of energy. In the article, the development of the pinch method continues; flow exergy is used instead of flow enthalpy. Optimization of heat engineering parameters is carried out using an exergy pinch method. Results. Exergy pinch analysis allows you to identify unused exergy and determine in which part the loss occurs. According to the calculations and the graph, it can be seen that hot flows lost 1503,57 MW of exergy, cold flows took 1295,57 MW of exergy, taking into account cooling of the working fluid by bypass. Thus, 47,9 MW of unused exergy was detected in this boiler unit. The results of the exergy pinch analysis allow us to formulate and justify specific design measures to improve the energy efficiency of the boiler unit. This analysis allows you to effectively use the energy and resources of heating equipment.
Crimen e historia en Estados Unidos: Scorsese y el registro del mundo criminal norteamericano
Authors: Bobadilla Daniela , Pinto Fernanda
Published: August 2020

En el siguiente texto se explora cómo las vivencias personales del cineasta Martin Scorsese han tenido una fuerte influencia en sus cintas, por lo que ha registrado en ellas los cambios, variaciones y especificaciones del mundo criminal a lo largo de la historia de Estados Unidos. La vida ítaloamericana, los conceptos de culpa, mafias y violencia que vivió Scorsese en el contexto de su niñez, juventud y adultez entre los años cincuenta y ochenta del siglo pasado se reflejan en películas como “Gangs of New York” (Scorsese, 2002), “Goodfellas” (Scorsese, 1990), “Casino” (Scorsese, 1995), “Mean Streets” (Scorsese, 1973) y “Taxi Driver” (Scorsese, 1976).
P'UNCHAW: una opética de la luz Cusqueña por Víctor Zea
Authors: Zea Diaz Victor
Published: August 2020

En su reciente primer fotolibro, coeditado por Impresiones Choqechaka y KWY Ediciones, el fotógrafo Víctor Zea hace alusión a los mitosancestrales de la ciudad del Cusco a través del P’unchaw, que en quechua significa día.

En un espacio urbano actualmente muy cosmopolita, Zea aborda la observación del sol, la luz y la sombra que terminan pormaterializarse en ‘oro’, elemento de admiración para los Incas, el cual representaba a su dios más importante: el Sol.
El color del tiempo por Miguel Portocarrero
Authors: Chávez Chuquimango Maria Angelica
Published: August 2020

LAS EXPERIMENTACIONES DE UN ALUMNO DE LA FACULTAD DE COMUNICACIONES DE LA UPC INVADENDE LUZ Y COLOR LOS FRÍOS PAISAJES DE LA CIUDAD. INGENIO Y CONTROL DE LA TÉCNICA QUE NOS MUESTRAN UN MUNDO SURREAL DE EXPOSICIONES LARGAS.
Review of the Values in Biology Textbooks of Secondary Education
Authors: ACAR Bilge , YAMAN KASAP Melek
Published: August 2020

In this study, it is aimed to examine the value expressions in secondary school biology textbooks. Accordingly, all texts and visuals in the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade biology textbooks were examined, it was determined which root values were conveyed in these textbooks, and the distribution of values conveyed according to subject, unit and grade level were determined. In this research, four books which are accepted as textbooks since the 2018-2019 academic year have been examined. The data were obtained through document examination and analyzed by content analysis method. According to the results obtained, the values in biology textbooks were found to include philanthropy, responsibility and patriotism respectively. Furthermore, it was observed that biology textbooks of secondary education did not contain all ten root values specified in the curriculum, that conveyed values did not show a proportional distribution as per grades and units, and that contents related to values are generally in the form of indoctrination and advice. Results of the research were discussed in terms of possible causes, and recommendations were presented so that value concepts could find more space in biology and science textbooks.
Neurocognitive Functions in Social Anxiety Disorder
Authors: DENİZ ÖZTURAN Deniz , Özyıldız Hatice , ŞAHİN A.Rıfat , Arık Ali , BÖKE Ömer , SARISOY Gökhan , PAZVANTOĞLU Ozan
Published: August 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the neurocognitive functions of patients with social phobia and to examine the relation between these functions and the severity of the disease.
Methods: The study was performed with 30 patients under monitoring with a diagnosis of social phobia at the Ondokuz Mayıs University Psychiatry Clinic and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Patients were assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Both groups were administered the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Stroop Test, the Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), and the Trail Making Test (TMT) forms A and B, and the two groups’ neurocognitive performances were compared.
Results: Social phobia patients exhibited significantly poorer performance than the control group in terms of total number of errors, number of perseverative errors and number of categories completed on the WCST, time taken to complete TMT forms A and B, time taken to complete the first, third, fourth and fifth parts of the Stroop test, and AVLT immediate recall scores. Positive correlation was determined in the patient group between LSAS subscores and time taken to complete the first, third and fourth parts of the Stroop test. Positive correlation was also determined between patients’ time taken to complete the fifth part of the Stroop test and LSAS avoidance and total scores.
Conclusion: Greater impairment was observed in the attention, executive function and immediate recall performances of social phobia patients compared to the healthy controls
O surgimento da pesquisa em Jornalismo de Dados no Brasil
Authors: Bazzo Jessica , Martins Dalton Lopes , Barbosa Filipe Augusto Couto
Published: August 2020

ste trabalho é uma revisão sistemática de artigos, dissertações e teses sobre Jornalismo de Dados publicados no Brasil e tem o objetivo de mapear os principais estudos, abordagens, autores, grupos, projetos e instituições articulados em torno do tema. Os resultados indicam que os estudos e pesquisas sobre o tema são incipientes e recentes no Brasil (o primeiro estudo data de 2007) e que ganharam maior relevância atualmente, registrando-se um importante aumento no número de publicações qualificadas nos anos de 2016 e 2017. Além disso, identificam-se autores e instituições que se colocaram como pioneiros do tema no país, dando os primeiros passos para consolidar o Jornalismo de Dados como subcampo científico do Jornalismo e, portanto, da Comunicação.
Analisis Faktor Kepuasan Pengguna Layanan Website SKCK Online Menggunakan Metode End User Computing Satisfaction (EUCS)
Authors: Nurdiansyah Yanuar , Wulandari Eka Putri Agustini , Wulandari Diah Ayu Retnani
Published: August 2020

One of the main duties of the police is to provide services to the community, namely the preparation of Police Record Certificate (SKCK). Making SKCK based online to facilitate the community in making SKCK. But there are some online SKCK users, there are still many problems that arise and criticism of online SKCK. Therefore it is necessary to measure the level of satisfaction and analyze the factors that affect user satisfaction with online SKCK. This study uses the End User Computing Satisfaction (EUCS) method. This type of research is quantitative by distributing questionnaires to SKCK registrants in the Banyuwangi area. Data analysis was carried out by using valid test, reliable test, descriptive statistical test, F test and T test using SPSS 22. The results of the descriptive test with the Likert scale in order of the largest, namely the content variable with a percentage of 85.4%, are included in the Very Satisfied category, the 80.4% timeliness variable is included in the Very Satisfied category, the 75.8% ease of use variable is included in the Satisfied category, the 73.2% format variable is included in the Satisfied category and 67.5% accuracy variable is included in the Satisfied category.
Educar para um novo conceito de cidadania
Authors: Maia João Jerónimo Machadinha
Published: August 2020

Este artigo procura estabelecer os fundamentos filosóficos e epistemológicos que permitam suportar a educação para a cidadania, tendo em vista um novo conceito de cidadania que responda às necessidades da sociedade contemporânea. Neste âmbito, o artigo confronta autores clássicos com o intuito de indagar acerca dos limites e da natureza do conhecimento e da ação humana. A obra destes autores será relacionada com o trabalho de investigadores recentes, na área da epistemologia experimental e da psicologia. Isto permitirá tirar as conclusões desejadas, não perdendo de vista as caraterísticas e os desafios da sociedade contemporânea.
The ATP Hypothesis Discovers the Missing “Matchmaker” between Proteins and Nucleic Acids
Authors: Xie Ping
Published: August 2020

A plenty of theories on the origin of genetic codes have been proposed so far, yet all ignored the energetic driving force, its relation to the biochemical system, and most importantly, the missing “matchmaker” between proteins and nucleic acids. Here, a new hypothesis is proposed, according to which ATP is at the origin of the primordial genetic code by driving the coevolution of the genetic code with the pristine biochemical system. This hypothesis aims to show how the genetic code was produced by photochemical reactions in a protocell that derived from a lipid vesicle enclosing various life’s building blocks (e.g. nucleotides and peptides). At extant cell, ATP is the only energetic product of photosynthesis, and is at the energetic heart of the biochemical systems. ATP could energetically form and elongate chains of both polynucleotides and polypeptides, thus acting a “matchmaker” between these two bio-polymers and eventually mediating precellular biochemical innovation from energy transformation to informatization. ATP was not the only one that could drive the formation of polynucleotides and polypeptides, but favored by precellular selection. The protocell innovated a photosynthesis system to produce ATP efficiently and regularly with the aids of proteins and RNA/DNA. The completion of permanently recording the genetic information by DNA marked the dawn of cellular life operated by Darwinian evolution. The ATP hypothesis supports the photochemical origin of life, shedding light on the origins of both photosynthetic and biochemical systems, which remains largely unknown thus far.
Storage, Indexing, Query Processing, and Benchmarking in Centralized and Distributed RDF Engines: A Survey
Authors: Ali Waqas , Saleem Muhammad , Yao Bin , Hogan Aidan , Ngonga Ngomo Axel-Cyrille
Published: August 2020

The recent advancements of the Semantic Web and Linked Data have changed the working of the traditional web. There is significant adoption of the Resource Description Framework (RDF) format for saving of web-based data. This massive adoption has paved the way for the development of various centralized and distributed RDF processing engines. These engines employ various mechanisms to implement critical components of the query processing engines such as data storage, indexing, language support, and query execution. All these components govern how queries are executed and can have a substantial effect on the query runtime. For example, the storage of RDF data in various ways significantly affects the data storage space required and the query runtime performance. The type of indexing approach used in RDF engines is critical for fast data lookup. The type of the underlying querying language (e.g., SPARQL or SQL) used for query execution is a crucial optimization component of the RDF storage solutions. Finally, query execution involving different join orders significantly affects the query response time. This paper provides a comprehensive review of centralized and distributed RDF engines in terms of storage, indexing, language support, and query execution.
Immune Escape Mechanisms and Their Clinical Relevance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Seliger Barbara , Massa Chiara , Yang Bo , Bethmann Daniel , Kappler Matthias , Eckert Alexander , Wickenhauser Claudia
Published: August 2020

β2-m, β2-microglobulin; CAF, cancer associated fibroblast; CSC, cancer stem cell; CTL, cytotoxic T lymphocyte; DC, dendritic cell; ECM, extracellular matrix; EGF-R, epidermal growth factor receptor; ER, endoplasmic reticulum; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; HLA, human leukocyte antigen; HNSCC, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; HPV, human papilloma virus; ICP immune checkpoint; ICPi, immune checkpoint inhibitor; IFN, interferon; LMP, low molecular weight protein; mAb, monoclonal antibody; MDSC, myeloid-derived suppressor cell; mTOR, mammalian target of rapamycin; MSI, multispectral imaging; NK, natural killer; OS, overall survival; PBL, peripheral blood lymphocytes; PBMNC, peripheral blood mononuclear cells; PD1, programmed death receptor 1; PD-L1, programmed death ligand 1; PFS, progression-free survival; PI3K, phosphatidyl-linositol-3-kinase; R/M, recurrence and or metastatic; STAT, signal transducer and activator of transcription; TAA, tumor-associated antigen; TAM, tumor associated macrophages; TAP, transporter associated with antigen processing; TCR, T cell receptor; TIL, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte; TLS, tertiary lymphoid structure; TME, tumor microenvironment; Treg, regulatory T cell; TSA, tumor-specific antigen; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; VEGF-R, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor.
Validity and Reproducibility of Various Linear Sweep Voltammetry Tests of Anode and Cathode Electrodes in Microbial Electrolysis Cells
Authors: Chai Hyungwon , Koo Bonyoung , Son Sunghoon , Jung Sokhee P.
Published: August 2020

Electrode is a key component in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) and it needs significant improvement for practical implementation of MEC. For effective development of electrode technology, accurate and reproducible analytical methods are very important. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) is an essential analytical method for evaluating electrode performance; however, it has not been firmly established yet in the MEC field. In this study, biological brush (BB), abiotic brush (AB), Pt wire (PtW), stainless steel wire (SSW) and mesh (SSM)) were tested to explore the most suitable counter electrode in different medium conditions. Coefficient of variation (CV) for Imax of LSV were comparatively analyzed. In BB-anode LSV, SSW (0.48%) and SSM (2.17%) showed higher reproducibility as a counter electrode. In SSM-cathode LSV, BB (1.76%) and PtW (2.01%) produced more reproducible results. In the Ni-AC-SSM-cathode LSV, PtW (3.54%) and BB (8.81%) produced more reproducible result. It shows electrode used in the operation is an appropriate counter electrode in the acetate-added condition. However, in the absence of acetate, PtW (1.24%) and BB (1.71%) produced more reproducible results in SSM cathode and PtW (0.61%) and SSW (1.21%) did in the Ni-AC-SSM-cathode, showing PtW is an appropriate counter electrode. These results also shows that PtW is an appropriate counter electrode in cathode LSV.
A case of Miller fisher’s Syndrome Presenting with Dysphagia and Nasal Voice
Authors: Tamaoui Leila , Rahmani Mounia , Touati Hajar , Errguig leila , Benabdeljlil Maria , Aidi Sadia
Published: August 2020

Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS) is a rare variant of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). It is largely a clinical diagnosis based on the classical features of ataxia, areflexia, and opthalmoplegia. Its clinical evolution is most often favorable. However, other neurological signs and symptoms may also be present. Supportive laboratory studies (positivity of antibodies, CSF albumin-cytological dissociation and nerve conduction studies) are useful especially in uncommon presentations. We report a case of a 74-year-old patient who exhibited dysphonia and difficulty to swallowing previously to the classic triad of ataxia, areflexia, and opthalmoplegia, characteristic of MFS. CSF analysis demonstrates an albumin-cytological dissociation but anti-GQ1b antibody were negative. The patient has spontaneously and completely recovered after several weeks.
QUMEC: Software for Quantum Mechanics First Principle Calculation in 3-Dimensional Real Space
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Hamed
Published: August 2020

We present software on total energy calculation by quantum mechanics first principle method with a graphic user interface (GUI). Total energy calculation in this software is based on numerical analysis of time-dependent density functional (the used numerical method is finite difference time domain). QUMEC package has been equipped by common exchange-correlation energy terms with electron spin polarization calculation. With this package, users can calculate the total energy of the free particle, bulk materials, and materials with free surfaces at the atomic scale. The package is tested by several physical subjects, i.e., the surface energy of nano-LiCoO2 and diffusion constant of lithium atoms in LiNi­0.5Mn1.5O4.
Adjustments to SIF Aid the Interpretation of Drought Responses at the Caatinga of Northeast Brazil
Authors: Bontempo Edgard , Dalagnol Ricardo , Ponzoni Flavio , Valeriano Dalton
Published: August 2020

Sun-Induced chlorophyll Fluorescence (SIF) relates directly to photosynthesis yield and stress but there are still uncertainties in its interpretation. Most of these uncertainties concern the influences of the emitting vegetation’s structure (e.g., leaf angles, leaf clumping) and biochemistry (e.g., chlorophyll content, other pigments) on the radiative transfer of fluorescent photons. The Caatinga is a large region at northeast Brazil of semiarid climate and heterogeneous vegetation, where such biochemical and structural characteristics can vary greatly even within a single hectare. With this study we aimed to characterize eleven years of SIF seasonal variation from Caatinga vegetation (2007 to 2017) and to study its responses to a major drought in 2012. Orbital SIF data from the instrument GOME-2 was used along with MODIS MAIAC EVI and NDVI. Environmental data included precipitation rate (TRMM), surface temperature (MODIS) and soil moisture (ESA CCI). To support the interpretation of SIF responses we have used red and far-red SIF adjusted by the Sun’s zenith angle (SIF-SZA) and by daily Photosynthetically Active Radiation (dSIF). Furthermore, we have also adjusted SIF through two contrasting formulations using NDVI data as proxy for structure and biochemistry, based on previous leaf-level and landscape level studies: SIF-Yield and SIF-Prod. Data was tested with time-series decomposition, rank correlation, spatial correlation and Linear Mixed Models (LMM). Results show that GOME-2 SIF and adjusted SIF formulations responded consistently to the observed environmental variation and showed a marked decrease in SIF emissions in response to a 2012 drought, that was generally larger than the corresponding NDVI and EVI decreases. Drought sensitivity of SIF, as inferred from LMM slopes, was correlated to land cover at different regions of the Caatinga. This is the first study to show correlation between landscape-level SIF and an emergent property of ecosystems (i.e., resilience), showcasing the value of remotely sensed fluorescence for ecological studies.
Exciton Coupling and Conformational Changes Impacting the Optical Properties of Metal Organic Frameworks
Authors: Windischbacher Andreas , Steiner Luca , Haldar Ritesh , Wöll Christof , Zojer Egbert , Kelterer Anne-Marie
Published: August 2020

In recent years, the photophysical properties of crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have become increasingly relevant for their potential application in light-emitting devices, photovoltaics, nonlinear optics and sensing. The availability of high-quality experimental data for such systems makes them ideally suited for a validation of quantum mechanical simulations, aiming at an in-depth atomistic understanding of photophysical phenomena. Here we present a computational DFT study of the absorption and emission characteristics of a Zn-based surface-anchored metal-organic framework (Zn-SURMOF-2) containing anthracenedibenzoic acid (ADB) as linker. Combining band-structure and cluster-based simulations on ADB chromophores in various conformations and aggregation states, we are able to provide a detailed explanation of the experimentally observed photophysical properties of Zn-ADB SURMOF-2: The unexpected (weak) red-shift of the absorption maxima upon incorporating ADB chromophores into SURMOF-2 can be explained by a combination of excitonic coupling effects with conformational changes of the chromophores already in their ground state. As far as the unusually large red-shift of the emission of Zn-ADB SURMOF-2 is concerned, based on our simulations, we attribute it to a modification of the exciton coupling compared to conventional H-aggregates, which results from a relative slip of the centers of neighboring chromophores upon incorporation in Zn-ADB SURMOF-2.
Highly Resolved Rainfall-Runoff Simulation of Retrofitted Green Stormwater Infrastructure at the Micro-Watershed Scale
Authors: Towsif Khan Sami , Chapa Fernando , Hack Jochen
Published: August 2020

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI), a sustainable engineering design approach for managing urban stormwater runoff, has long been recommended as an alternative to conventional conveyance-based stormwater management strategies to mitigate the adverse impact of sprawling urbanization. Hydrological and hydraulic simulations of small-scale GSI measures in densely urbanized micro watersheds require high-resolution spatial databases of urban land use, stormwater structures, and topography. This study presents a highly resolved Storm Water Management Model developed under considerable spatial data constraints. It evaluates the cumulative effect of the implementation of dispersed, retrofitted, small-scale GSI measures in a heavily urbanized micro watershed of Costa Rica. Our methodology includes a high-resolution digital elevation model based on Google Earth information, whose accuracy was sufficient to determine flow patterns and slopes, as well as to approximate the subsurface stormwater structures. The model produced satisfactory results in event-based calibration and validation, which ensured the reliability of the data collection procedure. Simulating the implementation of GSI shows that dispersed, retrofitted, small-scale measures could significantly reduce impermeable surface runoff (peak runoff reduction up to 40%) during frequent, less intense storm events and delay peak surface runoff 5-10 minutes. The presented approach can benefit stormwater practitioners and modelers conducting small scale hydrological simulation under spatial data constraint.
Analysis of Share Buyback Announcements on Stock Price Returns: A Study of BSE Listed Stocks
Authors: Reddy Vaddula V. Krishna
Published: August 2020

Buyback is a procedure that enables a company to repurchase its shares from its existing shareholders, usually at a price near to or higher than the prevailing market price. The present study is based on secondary data and the event window period of 21 days (10 days before the announcement and 10 days after the announcement) are taken to measure its impact. Based on data availability 24 sample companies cover public sector undertakings and information technology companies selected for the study. The cumulative abnormal return for the entire 21-day period is 1.31%. T-statistic 2.066 with p-value (0.069 > 0.05) at a 5% level of significance indicates that accept the null hypothesis and conclude that there is a significant difference of ARR between pre and post buyback announcement of sample companies.
Impact of Formation Dilation–Recompaction on Cyclic Steam Stimulation
Authors: Jamaloei Benyamin Yadali
Published: August 2020

An integrated modeling of the cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) at the Peace River heavy-oil/oil-sand deposits in Alberta, Canada, is challenging because of the presence of compositional gradient, faulting, and bottomwater pockets, and the variations in the oil viscosity, rock dilation, fracturing, and the pay-zone-thickness variation. Both gravity and viscosity are marked by declining quality with depth, biodegradation, and compartmentalization.

The high oil viscosity and low water mobility at Peace River cause low initial injectivity. High injectivity during the CSS is achieved by high-pressure injection to fail the formation mechanically and trigger fracturing and pore deformation. Moreover, the pore dilation/recompaction triggers relative permeability hysteresis.

History matching of high steam injectivities is challenging when reasonable fracture lengths and rock compressibilities are used. To match injectivities, most reservoir simulations have used either a larger compressibility (“spongy-rock” approach) or long fractures. The spongy-rock approach predicts a steady increase in injection pressure, whereas during the early time of the injection cycles, injection pressures increase and then level off for most of the cycle.

We describe the enhancements made in an iteratively coupled geomechanical–flow model to incorporate the modeling of both pore deformation and relative permeability hysteresis to match the injection pressures, steam injectivity, and oil/water productions from CSS at Peace River that are otherwise difficult to reproduce. The geomechanical model explains surface heave and high injectivity caused by dilation attributable to shear failure, increase in pore pressure/formation compressibility, and decrease in effective stress. A dilation pressure is specified, below which the behavior is elastic and above which a higher compressibility is used. Above a maximum porosity, further dilation is not permitted. Also, the hysteresis model calculates gridblock relative permeabilities that lie on or between the imbibition/drainage curves, making it possible to use the laboratory-derived two-phase oil–water relative permeabilities and still match the field-measured water- and oil-production volumes.

By combining an iteratively coupled reservoir–geomechanical model for the CSS with stochastic workflows, including the Latin-hypercube design (LHD) and response-surface methodology (RSM), the impacts of dilation/recompaction factors (fracturing pressure, maximum injection pressure, dilation pressure, recompaction pressure, and formation compressibility) are quantified through history matching the field results and automated stochastic sensitivity analysis and uncertainty assessment.
QTL mapping of root traits in wheat under different phosphorus levels using hydroponic culture
Authors: Yang Mengjiao , Wang Cairong , Hassan Muhammad Adeel , Li Faji , Xia Xianchun , Shi Shubing , Xiao Yonggui , He Zhonghu
Published: August 2020

Background: Phosphorus (P) is an important macro element in ensuring plant morphogenesis and grain quality, therefore an efficient root system is crucial for P-uptake. Identification of useful loci for root morphological and P uptake related traits at seedling stage is important for wheat production. The aims of this study were to evaluate phenotypic diversity of Yangmai 16/Zhongmai 895 derived doubled haploid (DH) population for root system architecture (RSA) and biomass related traits (RBT) in different P treatments at seedling stage using hydroponic culture, and to identify QTL using 660K SNP array based high-density genetic map. Results: All traits showed significant variations among the DH lines with high heritabilities (0.76 to 0.91) and high correlations (r =0.59 to 0.98) among all traits. Inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM) identified 34 QTL with 4.64–20.41% of the phenotypic variances individually, and the log of odds (LOD) values ranging from 2.59 to 10.43. Seven QTL clusters (C1 to C7) were mapped on chromosomes 3DL, 4BS, 4DS, 6BL, 7AS, 7AL and 7BL, cluster C5 on chromosome 7AS ( AX-109955164 - AX-109445593 ) with pleiotropic effect played key role in modulating root length (RL), root tips number (RTN) and root surface area (ROSA) under low P condition, with the favorable allele from Zhongmai 895. Conclusions: This study carried out an imaging pipeline-based rapid phenotyping of RSA and RBT traits in hydroponic culture. It is an efficient approach for screening of large populations under different nutrient conditions. Four QTL on chromosomes 6BL (2) and 7AL (2) identified in low P treatment showed positive additive effects contributed by Zhongmai 895, indicating that Zhongmai 895 could be used as parent for P-deficient breeding. The most stable QTL QRRS.caas-4DS for ratio of root to shoot dry weight (RRS) harbored the stable genetic region with high phenotypic effect, and QTL clusters on 7A might be used for speedy selection of genotypes for P-uptake. SNPs closely linked to QTLs and clusters could be used to improve nutrient-use efficiency.
Infection of highly insecticide-resistant malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii with entomopathogenic bacteria Chromobacterium violaceum reduces its survival, blood feeding propensity and fecundity
Authors: Gnambani Edounou Jacques , Bilgo Etienne , Sanou Adama , Dabire Roch K. , Diabate Abdoulaye
Published: August 2020

Background
This is now a concern that malaria eradication will not be achieved without the introduction of novel control tools. Microbiological control might be able to make a greater contribution to vector control in the future. The interactions between bacteria and mosquito make mosquito microbiota really promising from a disease control perspective. Here, we studied the impact of Chromobacterium violaceum infections isolated from both larvae and adult of wild caught Anopheles gambiae s.l. mosquitoes in Burkina Faso on mosquito survival, blood feeding and fecundity propensy.
Methods
To assess entomopathogenic effects of C. violaceum infection on mosquitoes, three different types of bioassays were performed in laboratory. These bioassays aimed to evaluate the impact of C.violaceum infection on mosquito survival, blood feeding and fecundity, respectively. During bioassays mosquitoes were infected through the well-established system of cotton ball soaked with 6% glucose containing C.violaceum .
Results
C. violaceum kills pyrethroid resistant mosquitoes An. coluzzii (LT80 of 8.78 days ± 0.18 at 10 8 bacteria cell/ml of sugar meal). Interestingly, this bacterium had other negative effects on mosquito lifespan by significantly reducing (~59%, P<0.001) the mosquito feeding willingness from day 4-post infection (~81% would seek a host to blood feed) to 9- day post infection (22 ± 4.62% would seek a host to blood feed). Moreover, C. violaceum considerably jeopardized the egg laying (~16 eggs laid /mosquitoes with C. violaceum infected mosquitoes vs ~129 eggs laid / mosquitoes with control mosquitoes) and hatching of mosquitoes (A reduction of ~22 % of hatching rate with C. violaceum infected mosquitoes). Compared to the bacterial uninfected mosquitoes, mosquitoes infected with C. violaceum showed indeed significantly higher retention rates of immature eggs and follicles.
Conclusion
These data showed important properties of Burkina Faso C. violaceum strains , which are highly virulent against insecticide resistant Anopheles coluzzii , and reduce both mosquito blood feeding and fecundity propensities. However, additional studies as the sequencing of C. violaceum genome and the potential toxins secreted will certainly provide useful information render it a potential candidate for the biological control strategies of malaria and other disease vectors.
Probiotics ameliorate pioglitazone-associated bone loss in diabetic rats
Authors: Gholami Ahmad , Dabbaghmanesh Mohammad Hossein , Ghasemi Younes , Talezadeh Pedram , Koohpeyma Farhad , Montazeri-Najafabady Nima
Published: August 2020

Background

Pioglitazone as a PPAR-g agonist are used for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nevertheless, evidence showed that the therapeutic modulation of PPARg activity using Pioglitazone may be linked with bone mass reduction and fracture risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The objective of the current research was to inspect the preventive role of some types of probiotic strains including ( Lactobacillus acidophilus , Lactobacillus reuteri , Lactobacillus casei , Bifidiobacterum longum and Bacillus coagulans ) against pioglitazone-induced bone loss.

Methods

Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) was administered for diabetes induction. Diabetic rats were fed orally with pioglitazone (300 mg/kg) and probiotics (1×109 CFU/ml/day) alone and in combination of both for 4 weeks. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) were used to asses BMD, BMC and area of the femur, spine and tibia at the experiment termination. Serum glucose, serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus, BUN, Creatinine, and urine calcium were also analyzed.

Results

Administration of pioglitazone and probiotics alone and in combination significantly improved elevated blood glucose. Pioglitazone treatment significantly increased urinary calcium and BUN, and decreased ALP and creatinine. Co-treatment of probiotics with pioglitazone significantly decreased urinary calcium, creatinine and ALP. Pioglitazone showed detrimental effects on femur-BMD whereas treatment with probiotics remarkably ameliorated these effects. Among the tested probiotics Bifidiobacterum longum displayed the best protective effects on pioglitazone-induced bone loss in diabetic rats.

Conclusion

This study suggests probiotic supplementation in diabetic patients on pioglitazone regime could be considering as a good strategy to ameliorate bone loss induced by pioglitazone.
Analgesic Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Paravertebral Block in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Randomised, Controlled Clinical Study
Authors: Yaman Ferda , Tuglu Devrim
Published: August 2020

Background: Paravertabral blocks (PVB) are in use to adequately manage pain arising from a variety of operations on the thorax, abdomen or pelvis. PVB is straightforward, efficacious in operations performed. This study was undertaken to evaluate how efficacious ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block is when used in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCN). Methods: A total of forty-four patients, falling in categories I to III of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and aged between 18 and 65 years, who were scheduled for PCN, were randomly distributed into two groups. The anaesthetic intervention group (PVB) contained 22 individuals, who were injected at level T8-T9 with 20mL 0.25% bupivacaine as a single administration. In the control group C, also containing 22 individuals, the intervention was not carried out. The groups were compared after PCN in terms of opioid use, pain score, opioid adverse effects profile and the need for supplemental analgesia.Results: Visual analogue scale pain scores whilst at rest or moving were lower at the level of statistical significance in the PVB group compared to controls at 2 and 4 hours post-surgery. At 6 and 8 hours post-surgery, the control group had a lower VAS score when moving, and this result reached statistical significance (p<0.05). The controls used more opioid relief than the PVB group and had lower scores for satisfaction (p<0.05).Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided PVB using bupivacaine and an in-plane technique provides effective analgesia in PNL. It is associated with high scores on patient satisfaction and minimal complications.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04406012. Registered retrospectively, on 27 May 2020.
PREDIABETES AND THE NEED FOR CARDIOVASCULAR RISK ASSESSMENT IN AVIATION
Authors: Sharma Sanjiv , Drane Michael
Published: August 2020

Obesity, the disease of the twenty-first century, has a range of serious consequences to health. These are related in part to abnormal glucose levels, resulting in inflammatory and atherogenic response, hypertension and abnormal lipid profile. This increases the risk of cardiovascular disease significantly besides developing diabetes later. Hyperglycaemia is diagnosed with impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance or elevated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) guidelines for diagnosis using oral glucose tolerance test (or HbA1c) recognise the importance of extending diagnosis beyond simply identifying diabetes. This is relevant in view of the risk of composite cardiovascular events, coronary heart disease, stroke, and all-cause mortality associated with abnormal blood glucose. Since the pilot population mirrors this morbidity, the aviation regulator has an obligation to consider the impact in terms of aviation safety. Furthermore, although primary care literature predominantly focusses on the importance of diagnosing diabetes, from a regulator’s perspective there are incapacitation risks originating outside that narrow diagnosis. They arise once the control of glucose has begun to deteriorate. This article considers the regulatory importance of pilots and controllers who present with hyperglycaemia, or what is sometimes termed “prediabetes”. This includes the evidence for the risk assessment to help minimise the likelihood of an adverse event due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among those holding aviation medical certificates, in turn promoting aviation safety.
Spectral filtering copper-coated hibiscus-butanol extract for photovoltaic cells
Authors: Emetere M. E. , Testimony Gabe-Oji
Published: August 2020

The efficiency of the photovoltaic (PV) panel was queried in this research. Past research on spectra response has shown that the maximum solar response, i.e. using color filters is 24%. This result is not very good for a PV system exposed to the harsh weather condition in any part of the African continent. In this research, the bio-filter was used to perform spectral filtering of harmful solar radiation hitting the surface of the solar PV panel. The bio-filter was synthesized from the extract of the hibiscus flower. Hibiscus is a common plant found in almost all parts of Africa. The results show that the bio-filter has a relative efficiency of 94%. This makes the product a novel to be adopted in Africa and other tropical belts to elongate the life span and performance of the solar photovoltaic panel.
MDRP: An Energy-Efficient Multi-Disjoint Routing protocol in WSNs for Smart Grids
Authors: Deepa K. , Zaheeruddin  , Vashist Shruti
Published: August 2020

Rapid increase in sensor electronics has expanded the call for sensor networks in IoT-based devices. Smart grid is a part of IoT framework, which can be used to screen and manage traffic congestion, electricity influxes, extreme weather, and so on. This is done through a network of transmission lines, smart sensors, and smart meters. It is required to distribute and accumulate information remotely on timely basis from different stages of the grid. The periodic data from the smart meters are transferred to MDMS through WSN’s. In WSN’s, depletion of energy due to unequal load on the sensors is a serious issue, which is to be addressed as it affects the operations of the entire network. To assist these traffic requirements and to boost the network lifetime, asynchronous work sleep cycle approach can be used to create node connections. In this article, an energy-efficient adaptive fuzzy-based multi-disjoint routing protocol in WSN’s for smart grids abbreviated as (MDRP) is proposed, where the next hop node is decided through fuzzy logic. Once the subsequent node is decided, a spanning tree is constructed with the sink node as its root, which calculates the optimal path cost, to transmit the collected data. Furthermore, the simulation results show that the proposed MDRP performs better in terms of network lifetime, packet delivery ratio, total energy consumption, etc.
The feasibility of motion sensor-based smart RFID system in improving the power saving
Authors: Mouattah Anas , Hachemi Khalid
Published: August 2020

RFID (radio frequency identification) implementation in large buildings requires setting up a grid that implies a lot of RFID readers. Although these readers are not power greedy, their usage can affect the electricity bill in the long run. In this paper, we study the worthiness of upgrading to a motion sensor-based smart RFID system, from a power-efficiency point of view. A decision-support protocol is developed for this purpose that considers the occupancy ratio of the environment where the system is implanted in deciding its feasibility, given that the energy drain depends on it. Moreover, we discuss the optimal way for integrating the motion sensor into the RFID system’s architecture, as this insertion is able to highly reduce the power consumption in the standby mode, in exchange for slightly augmenting the drain during the reading mode. Finally, the developed decision-support protocol is demonstrated through an analogy on the studied upgrade to assess its overall feasibility. The overall results confirm the suitability of the upgrade for most environments.
Leading for social justice in Ghanaian secondary schools
Authors: Sperandio Jill , Wilson-Tagoe Joyce
Published: August 2020

This article describes a study undertaken to examine what social justice leadership looks like and accomplishes when practiced by three women heads of school in the West African county of Ghana. Definitions of social justice and social justice leadership abound and range from the all-encompassing to the tightly constrained (Berman, 2011; Cribb & Gerwirtz, 2003; Larson & Murtadha, 2002; North, 2008; Theoharis, 2007, 2009). However, this study seeks to examine the leadership responses of self-identifying or peer-identified school leaders for social justice to the unique challenges of a national school system in a developing country. The study assumes that personal definitions of social justice leadership, shaped by the cultural understandings of the study participants interacting with their life and professional experiences, will influence the approach of school leaders to providing for their students. The differences and similarities in their understanding of social justice, and the leadership practices they employ, will reflect the complexity of the interactions amongst national and school contexts, individual leadership identity, and the socially constructed understandings and practices that emerge to solve specific social justice issues in each unique school environment (Bogotch, 2002).
Assessment within ILP: A journey of collaborative inquiry
Authors: Harvie Linda , Harper-Travers Steve , Jaeger Amanda
Published: August 2020

Innovative Learning Pedagogies (ILPs) have given rise to much focus on the pedagogical changes required to ensure students work collaboratively, apply knowledge, create outcomes and communicate these outcomes effectively. One key element that has had much less focus is how students are assessed when working in an Innovative Learning Environment (ILE) and how this assessment information might be communicated to all stakeholders. As a school, we commenced our collaborative inquiry using action research-based Professional Learning to enable us to assess and track students who might not be in our assigned class and reflect upon whether traditional written reports to parents fitted the new pedagogies.

Key findings from collaboration with teachers, students and parents demonstrated the desire for a system of assessment that was online and allowed:

Higher levels of student voice and agency

On-going review so that the most current information about achievement and goals was available

Parents to share in the richness of their child’s learning journey

A holistic profile of the students, rather than one which purely focussed on academic achievements.

We believe that the outcomes of this assessment inquiry will have a significant impact on all teaching and learning in our ILEs.
Reproduction of Meloidogyne enterolobii on selected root-knot nematode resistant sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivars
Authors: Brito Janete A. , Desaeger Johan , Dickson D.W.
Published: August 2020

The ability of Meloidogyne enterolobii to reproduce on selected sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivars (Beauregard, Covington, Evangeline, Hernandez, and Orleans (LA 05-111)) was evaluated in two greenhouse experiments, each with 10 replicates. All cultivars, except Beauregard (control) and Orleans, were reported previously as moderately resistant or resistant to M. incognita, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. batatas, and Streptomyces ipomoeae. Plants were inoculated with M. enterolobii (5,000 eggs/plant) and arranged in a completely randomized design in a greenhouse with an average daily temperature of 24.8°C. Galls and egg masses per root system (0-5 scale), eggs per egg mass, eggs per gram of fresh root (gfr), and reproduction factor (RF) were determined. Meloidogyne enterolobii infected and reproduced on all the sweetpotato cultivars. The nematode induced galls on both fibrous and storage roots, regardless of the cultivar, as well as induced necrosis and cracks on storage roots. The lesions and cracks on the storage roots were more visually pronounced on Hernandez than those on other cultivars. Cultivar Orleans sustained less root galling and egg masses than other cultivars (p ≤ 0.01), and both Orleans and Beauregard cultivars had less eggs per gfr and a lower RF than Covington (5,683 eggs/gfr; RF = 16.92), Evangeline (7,161 eggs/gfr; RF = 30.01), and Hernandez (6,979 eggs/gfr; RF = 22.6). The latter two cultivars sustained the largest amount of reproduction of M. enterolobii. The number of eggs per egg mass ranged from 462 to 503 and was similar among all cultivars. In summary, M. enterolobii reproduced well on all sweetpotato cultivars; however, differences were observed among cultivars (p ≤ 0.001). The host status as previously reported for other root-knot nematode species was not a good predictor of host status to M. enterolobii. Some sweetpotato cultivars that were reported as resistant or moderately resistant to M. incognita race 3, such as Evangeline and Hernandez, were among the best hosts to M. enterolobii. Root growth of Evangeline and Orleans, but not of the other cultivars, was negatively correlated with nematode eggs per gfr.
First report of Meloidogyne javanica infecting Zinnia elegans in Ceará State, Brazil
Authors: Souza Junior Francisco Jorge Carlos , Assunção Mayara Castro
Published: August 2020

Roots of Zinnia elegans exhibiting galls were observed and collected in the city of Pacoti, CE, Brazil. Through the morphological characterization and molecular analysis of the ITS and 28S rDNA regions, the causal agent was identified as a nematode of the genus Meloidogyne species M. javanica. This is the first detection of M. javanica in Zinnia elegans in the state of Ceará in Brazil.