bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El análisis de redes en la prevención del comportamiento delictivo
Authors: Alieva Deniza
Published: May 2020

El trabajo de Tayebi y Glässer ofrece nuevas ideas a partir de investigaciones previas con un enfoque multidisciplinar. El estudio se realizó con la colaboración de investigadores, criminólogos y expertos en la aplicación de la ley. Los ejemplos propuestos por los autores del libro se basan en una gran base de datos de crímenes reales. El libro presenta no solo las ideas prácticas, sino también las teorías del análisis de redes sociales a nivel básico, lo cual facilita su lectura.
MULHERES NA POLÍTICA: A PRESENÇA DAS CANDIDATAS A DEPUTADA FEDERAL NA PROPAGANDA ELEITORAL TELEVISIVA DE 2014
Authors: Tavares Camilla Quesada , Massuchin Michele Goulart
Published: May 2020

O artigo analisa a presença das candidatas ao cargo de deputada federal no Horário Gratuito de Propaganda Eleitoral (HGPE) de 2014, no Brasil. A partir da implementação da lei de cotas, os partidos são obrigados a apresentar pelo menos 30% de candidaturas do sexo feminino para disputar a eleição. Mas será que as concorrentes conseguem ter uma equidade na distribuição do tempo de propaganda, quando comparada aos homens? Tendo esta pergunta em vista, o trabalho busca mapear o tempo de aparição destinado a essas candidatas e se há diferenças entre os partidos, observando a eleição mais recente. A metodologia utilizada é a análise de conteúdo quantitativa e os resultados indicam que as mulheres ainda são sub-representadas na propaganda eleitoral, embora essa diferença tenha diminuído comparada a eleições anteriores.
!F LAB: EXPERIÊNCIA DO USUÁRIO E RECURSOS NA METODOLOGIA WHAT IF IT PARA DESENVOLVIMENTO DE NARRATIVAS INTERATIVAS E IMERSIVAS
Authors: Paz André Fernandes da , Gaudenzi Sandra
Published: May 2020

O artigo descreve o processo de pesquisa-ação voltado para concepção, implementação e experimentação reiterativas do programa de treinamento !F Lab e sua metodologia WHAT IF IT entre 2015 e 2018. Ambos são voltados para o desenvolvimento de projetos de narrativas digitais interativas e imersivas, orientados pela abordagem de Desing Thinking. O texto apresenta os resultados de questionários aplicados aos participantes do programa em 2017 na Europa. Também analisa os dados de entrevistas e questionários aplicados em 2018 aos participantes na Europa e aos participantes do !F Bug Lab, versão do treinamento concebida e realizada no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
O SILÊNCIO NÃO É A MELHOR ARMA: MISOGINIA E VIOLÊNCIA CONTRA AS MULHERES NO GAME LEAGUE OF LEGENDS
Authors: Medrado Andrea Meyer , Mendes Adler Moreno
Published: May 2020

O objetivo deste artigo é dar voz a um público que vem sendo marginalizado no universo dos games: as mulheres. Analisamos de que maneiras um ambiente sexista estaria contribuindo para invisibilizar a participação das mulheres na indústria dos games e no cotidiano das mulheres que jogam? Para investigar essa questão, selecionamos um jogo, o League of Legends (LoL), distribuído pela Riot Games. As perspectivas teóricas percorrem discussões sobre o papel do marketing, das representações de personagens femininas e da predominância de um “boys club”, que contribuem para a exclusão das mulheres. Com base em observações etnográficas e em entrevistas com jogadoras, argumentamos que as empresas desenvolvedoras de games precisam exercer um papel mais incisivo no combate às práticas misóginas.
CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN CLASSES AND WORKPLACES: THE COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES
Authors: Pieniz Mônica Bertholdo
Published: May 2020

Dr. Peruvemba S Jaya is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication, Faculty of Arts, at the University of Ottawa. Prior to that, she has been in teaching in faculties of business in the USA and Canada.  She has a PhD in Business Administration (Organizational Behaviour and Organizational Studies) from the University of Rhode Island, USA, MA in Sociology from the Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi, India and BA (Hons) in Sociology from the University of Delhi, India. Her research interests include the areas of gender diversity and multiculturalism in the workplace, immigration and gender, immigrant women, South Asian immigrant women’s experience, immigrants’ issues, interpersonal communication, identity formation and construction processes, postcolonial theory, and intercultural communication.  She is also interested in ethnic media and qualitative research methodologies. She is affiliated with the Institute of Women’s Studies, University of Ottawa as well as Affiliate Faculty in the interdisciplinary E Business and Technology PhD Program. She is a member of the Organizational Communication Research Group of the University of Ottawa, Department of Communication. She is currently the Regional Representative of Research Committee 32: Women in Society of the International Sociological Association and a Member of the Board of the Canadian Communication Association.
Rural perspectives on digital innovation: Experiences from small enterprises in the Nordic countries and Latvia
Authors:   Nordregio, Randall Linda , Ormstrup Vestergård Louise , Wøien Meijer Mari
Published: May 2020

Digitalisation holds considerable potential for rural areas. It offers thepromise of overcoming geographical distance, ensuring equal access toopportunity regardless of where people live. At the same time, rural andsparsely populated areas are thought to lag behind their urban counterpartswhen it comes to the provision of digital infrastructure and the developmentof digital knowledge and skills. These urban-rural disparities areoften referred to as the digital divide and can prevent rural communitiesfrom unlocking the opportunities associated with digitalisation.
Trouver un emploi pour une personne réfugiée : les dimensions de l’accueil
Authors: Blain Marie-Jeanne , Caron Roxane , Rufagari Marie-Claire
Published: May 2020

Travailler, étudier, se sentir accueilli sont des dimensions centrales des processus d’intégration. La question du droit à la ville des personnes immigrantes est abordée sous l’angle de l’hospitalité et de l’accueil, soit la place accordée aux personnes réfugiées, illustrée à partir du cas de l’emploi. Le Québec a accueilli plus de 26 000 réfugiés entre 2011-2015. En raison des défis particuliers auxquels ils sont confrontés (trajectoires prémigratoires, langue étrangère, niveau de scolarité), nous visons, avec cette recherche-action, à mieux comprendre les processus d’intégration professionnelle de ces réfugiés et les ressources en employabilité qui sont impliquées. À cette fin, nous avons rencontré 17 intervenants du milieu communautaire et 14 personnes réfugiées à Montréal et dans des villes d’autres régions. Au coeur des entrevues, l’accueil est apparu comme une dimension fondamentale, tant du point de vue des personnes réfugiées que des intervenants. Dans cet article, nous explorons en quoi cet accueil est une porte d’entrée pour le vivre-ensemble, abordé à travers l’emploi, mais touchant plus largement la vie sociale.
Représentations et récits pluriels au sein des familles homoparentales
Authors: Côté1 Isabel , Lavoie Kévin
Published: May 2020

Cet article propose une mise en récit du parcours de deux chercheur·e·s dont les intérêts de recherche et d’enseignement portent sur les familles issues de la diversité sexuelle. En mettant à l’épreuve le modèle hétéronormatif traditionnel, les familles homoparentales, notamment celles qui ont recours à la procréation assistée, font émerger de nouvelles trames familiales et relationnelles, en plus de rendre visibles les normes culturelles associées à la parenté, à la parentalité et à la concrétisation du désir d’enfant. Dès lors, une compréhension de la diversité familiale en adéquation avec les pratiques sociales contemporaines s’actualise par une prise en compte de la pluralité des expériences vécues par les parents de même sexe et de leurs enfants.
Beyond Modularity
Authors: Karmiloff-Smith Annette
Published: May 2020

Taking a stand midway between Piaget's constructivism and Fodor's nativism, Annette Karmiloff-Smith offers an exciting new theory of developmental change that embraces both approaches. She shows how each can enrich the other and how both are necessary to a fundamental theory of human cognition.

Karmiloff-Smith shifts the focus from what cognitive science can offer the study of development to what a developmental perspective can offer cognitive science. In Beyond Modularity she treats cognitive development as a serious theoretical tool, presenting a coherent portrait of the flexibility and creativity of the human mind as it develops from infancy to middle childhood.

Language, physics, mathematics, commonsense psychology, drawing, and writing are explored in terms of the relationship between the innate capacities of the human mind and subsequent representational change which allows for such flexibility and creativity. Karmiloff-Smith also takes up the issue of the extent to which development involves domain-specific versus domain-general processes. She concludes with discussions of nativism and domain specificity in relation to Piagetian theory and connectionism, and shows how a developmental perspective can pinpoint what is missing from connectionist models of the mind.

Bradford Books imprint
Coordinating Distributed Objects
Authors: Frolund Svend
Published: May 2020

Coordinating Distributed Objects presents a novel object-oriented methodology to simplify the construction of distributed software systems. The methodology is based on a programming construct, called synchronizer, that allows the coordination of distributed application components to be programmed in a modular fashion and at a high level of abstraction. The methodology offers new insight into the problem of coordination in distributed systems and can be applied to a broad spectrum of distributed software systems such as process control, multimedia, and groupware.

Current methodologies for developing distributed applications do not adequately address the complexity of coordinating application components. The coherence between asynchronous application components, for instance, is usually implemented by explicitly programming a large number of messages and the responses to them. The synchronizer construct, however, implements coordination as abstract and reusable coordination constraints, and thereby reduces code size and complexity by an order of magnitude.

Synchronizers offer other attractions as well: they maintain procedural abstraction, data encapsulation, and inherent concurrency. Overall, they allow coordination to be expressed at a level of abstraction that is much closer to the mental model of code developers.
Representations, Targets, and Attitudes
Authors: Cummins Robert
Published: May 2020

What is it for something in the mind to represent something? Distinguished philosopher of mind Robert Cummins looks at the familiar problems of representation theory (what information is represented in the mind, what form mental representation takes, how representational schemes are implemented in the brain, what it is for one thing to represent another) from an unprecedented angle. Instead of following the usual procedure of defending a version of "indicator" semantics, Cummins begins with a theory of representational error and uses this theory to constrain the account of representational content. Thus, the problem of misrepresentation, which plagues all other accounts, is avoided at the start. Cummins shows that representational error can be accommodated only if the content of a representation is intrinsic—independent of its use and causal role in the system that employs it.

Cummins's theory of error is based on the teleological idea of a "target," an intentional concept but one that differs importantly from that of an ordinary intentional object. Using this notion he offers a schematic theory of representation and an account of propositional attitudes that takes exception with some popular positions, such as conceptual role semantics, Fodor's representational theory of the mind, and Putnam's twin-earth examples.

Bradford Books imprint
Discordance of vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at 2 μg/mL between Vitek II, E-test, and Broth Microdilution
Authors: Kuo Chien-Feng , Lio Chon Fu , Chen Hsiang-Ting , Wang Yu-Ting Tina , Ma Kevin Sheng-Kai , Chou Yi Ting , Chang Fu-Chieh , Tsai Shin-Yi
Published: May 2020

Background

Vancomycin, the first line antibiotic for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia, is often administered inappropriately when MIC is greater than 2 µg/mL, including ‘susceptible’ strains. This study assessed the discordance of vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Methods

In total, 229 MRSA isolates from blood cultures collected between 2009 and 2015 at a tertiary hospital in Taiwan were examined. The MICs of vancomycin were measured using Vitek 2, E-test, and standard broth microdilution at the level of 2 µg/mL.

Results

The geometric mean of the MICs of hospital-acquired MRSA was higher than that of community-acquired MRSA (P < 0.001), with the exact agreement rates (with broth microdilution) at 2 µg/mL being 53.6% in Vitek 2 and 86.7% in E-test. Overall, E-test (98.1%) had more categorical accordance than did Vitek 2 (94.0%; P = 0.026). Vitek 2 had a tendency to overestimate MRSA in high-MIC isolates, whereas E-test inclined underestimation in low-MIC isolates. Surprisingly, the discordance rates of MRSA vancomycin MICs were higher in hospital-acquired isolates (13.3%–17.0%) than in community-acquired isolates (6.2%–7.0%).

Conclusion

The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends the use of alternative antimicrobial agents when vancomycin MIC is ≥ 2 µg/mL; in this study, only 53.6% of the isolates tested using Vitek 2 showed a high MIC in the broth microdilution method. Accurate identification of the resistance profile is a key component of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Therefore, to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use and mitigate the emergence of resistant strains, we recommend using complementary tests such as E-test or Broth microdilution to verify the MIC before administering second-line antibiotics.

Strengths

(1) We compared the categorical agreement between different methods measuring MRSA MICs level. (2) Physicians should incorporate this information and consider a complementary test to verify the appropriateness of the decision of shifting vancomycin to second-line antibiotic treatment to improve patients’ prognosis. (3) MRSA-vancomycin MICs at a cutoff of 2 µg/mL obtained using Vitek II exhibited a higher sensitivity level and negative predictive value than those obtained using E-test in the prediction of categorical agreement with standard broth microdilution.

Limitation

(1) Our research was based on a single hospital-based study. (2) The MRSA strains in this study were stored for more than 12 months after isolation. (3) We did not collect information on clinical prognosis.
The spindle assembly checkpoint and speciation
Authors: Jackson Robert C. , Mistry Hitesh B.
Published: May 2020

A mechanism is proposed by which speciation may occur without the need to postulate geographical isolation of the diverging populations. Closely related species that occupy overlapping or adjacent ecological niches often have an almost identical genome but differ by chromosomal rearrangements that result in reproductive isolation. The mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint normally functions to prevent gametes with non-identical karyotypes from forming viable zygotes. Unless gametes from two individuals happen to undergo the same chromosomal rearrangement at the same place and time, a most improbable situation, there has been no satisfactory explanation of how such rearrangements can propagate. Consideration of the dynamics of the spindle assembly checkpoint suggest that chromosomal fission or fusion events may occur that allow formation of viable heterozygotes between the rearranged and parental karyotypes, albeit with decreased fertility. Evolutionary dynamics calculations suggest that if the resulting heterozygous organisms have a selective advantage in an adjoining or overlapping ecological niche from that of the parental strain, despite the reproductive disadvantage of the population carrying the altered karyotype, it may accumulate sufficiently that homozygotes begin to emerge. At this point the reproductive disadvantage of the rearranged karyotype disappears, and a single population has been replaced by two populations that are partially reproductively isolated. This definition of species as populations that differ from other, closely related, species by karyotypic changes is consistent with the classical definition of a species as a population that is capable of interbreeding to produce fertile progeny. Even modest degrees of reproductive impairment of heterozygotes between two related populations may lead to speciation by this mechanism, and geographical isolation is not necessary for the process.
A Novel Method to Produce Cost Effective, Environment Friendly Superabsorbent from Eichhornia crassipes for Improved Water Retention in Soil
Authors: Siri J. G. Shantha , Fernando C. A. N. , Silva S. N. T. De
Published: May 2020

Eichhornia crassipes is considered the worst aquatic weed in the world as it has become a serious threat to the environment and biodiversity hence eco-friendly utilization of this hydrophyte is needed and important. Enhancement of agricultural production to cater for increased food demand is a global challenge which is aggravated by climate change and scarcity of water. Superabsorbent materials have been developed to improve water retention in soil but majority of superabsorbent are synthetic based and non-biodegradable. Therefore, this study is aimed at developing an eco-friendly superabsorbent from E. crassipes in a cost-effective manner and assess its efficacy on improved water retention in soil. E. crassipes was collected from tank nearby Faculty of Applied Sciences, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and petiole was treated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) followed by microwave irradiation in which reaction conditions were optimized to obtain maximum water absorption and swelling capacity. Prepared superabsorbent was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), XRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Efficacy of the superabsorbent on improved water retention was assessed using normal loam soil. The superabsorbent showed a maximum swelling index of 1276% at KOH concentration of 0.1 moles/l which is attributed to highly porous structure, presence of hydrophilic functional groups in cellulose and hemicellulose, increased number of surface hydrophilic functional groups during the KOH activation process and carboxymethyl cellulose created during microwave irradiation. Water absorption capacity of the superabsorbent is greatly influenced by KOH concentration, reaction time, microwave power and exposure time. Water retention studies in soil showed that superabsorbent has capacity to retain water for 27 days with a slow rate of water evaporation whereas soil samples without superabsorbent showed a high rate of water evaporation retaining water only for 15 days. Findings of this study disclose an innovative method for development of an eco-friendly superabsorbent from E. crassipes in a cost-effective manner excluding toxic chemical reagents which can be used for improved water retention in soil effectively for climate change resilient sustainable agriculture.
Solvothermal Synthesis, Characterization and Cytotoxicity Study of Cobalt and Copper of Complexes Sulfamethoxazole
Authors: Adamu Usman Abubakar , Magaji Buhari , Mohammad Adamu Baba , Sani Mukhtar Muhammad , Hussaini Zulaihat Isa
Published: May 2020

The complexes of Co and Cu with sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) were synthesized in the 1:2 molar ratios. The physical characterization of the ligand and the complexes showed different colours with a good % yield and high melting point/decomposition temperature. The solubility test of the metal complexes and the free drug using various solvents of different polarity and proticity showed that the free drug and the metal complexes are soluble in polar and non-polar solvents. The IR results of the synthesized complexes displayed new peaks that are not present in the free drug, the bands are due to M-O and M-N thus, confirming the coordination. The result from the conductivity measurement shows that the complexes are non-electrolyte. More so, all the complexes were found to be toxic in brine shrimp lethality assay.
Effect of Different Sources and Levels of Nitrogen Fertilizers with and without Organic and Bio-fertilizers on Growth and Yield Components of Fennel Plants (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)
Authors: Youssef Ibrahim A. , Ali Mohamed E. , Noufal Esmat H. A. , Ismail Safwat A. , Ali Maha M. E.
Published: May 2020

Two field experiments were conducted in a newly reclaimed land at a private farm in Village No 8,  El-Minia Governorate, Egypt during two successive seasons (2017/2018) to evaluate the effect of integrated nitrogen fertilizer sources with organic and bio-fertilization on growth and yield components of the fennel plant. The experiment was arranged in a split- split-plot design. The organic treatments (0.0 and 5.0 t compost t/fed.) were arranged in main plots, nitrogen treatments (0.0, 10.0, 50.0 and 80.0 kg N/fed.) as urea or ammonium sulphate were allocated in subplots and bio-fertilizer treatments (without and with) were applied in sub-sub plots. The main effects of compost, nitrogen fertilization and bio-fertilizer showed that the maximum values of plant height, dry weight/plant, number of branches/plant, number of mumble/plant, number of umbellule's/umble and 1000-fruits  weight were attained under 5 t/fed compost,  80 kg N/fed as ammonium sulphate with bio-fertilizer. The results of the interaction among treatments indicated that combined 5.0 t compost /fed with 50 kg N/fed as ammonium sulphate and using bio-fertilizer exhibited the highest values of growth and yield components of fennel. Meanwhile, we can save about 30 kg N/fed by treated fennel plants with organic and bio-fertilizers without any reduction in vegetative growth.
Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Safety Evaluation of Hura crepitans (L.) Stem Bark Hydroethanolic Extract in Animals
Authors: Owojuyigbe Oluwole Sunday , Firempong Caleb Kesse , Komlaga Gustav , Larbie Christopher , Emikpe Benjamin Obukowho
Published: May 2020

Background and Objectives: Medicinal plants have become popular in the search ofa cure for various hepatopathies with a considerable number of herbal products being used for the management of liver ailments. However, most, including Hura crepitans (HC), have not been toxicologically evaluated. The present study was aimed at determining the phytoconstituents of HC, their antioxidant potentials and safety in animals.

Place and Duration: The study was performed at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, KNUST, Kumasi and subacute toxicity studies lasted for 14 days.

Materials and Methods: Hydroethanolic extracts and fractions of the leaves and stem back of HC were assessed for their phytochemical constituent,DPPH and FRAP scavenging activities and total phenolic and total flavonoid content. The acute and sub acute oral toxicity of the hydroethanolic stem back of HCin animals was evaluated using standard methods to establish the LD50, effect on weight, haematological and biochemical parameters.Phytochemical characterization was achieved using standard methods.

Results: The study showed that HC contained tannins, saponins, flavonoids, coumarins, glycosides, and triterpenoids. The hydroethanolic extract of the stem bark (EES) showed the greatest antioxidant potential. The LD50 estimate of the hydroethanolic extract of stem back was greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight/oral route, while the doses used in this study up to 1000 mg/kg body weight/oral route was safe. The extract generally did not cause any significant decrease in the weight of animals nor were there significant differences in relative organ weights in treated animals compared to the normal group. Haematology, liver function, kidney function, and serum electrolyte parameters were within the normal ranges in treated animals when compared to the control group.

Conclusion: The results showed that oral administration of hydroethanolic extract of Hura crepitansin animals up to 1000 mg/kg body weight is considered safe as it causes no significant derangement in clinical and haemato-biochemical parameters measured.
In vitro Activity of Ozoroa pulcherrima Schweinf. Extracts and Fractions on Schistosoma mansoni Cercariae and Adult Worms
Authors: Feussom Nestor Gipwe , Jatsa Hermine Boukeng , Kenfack Mérimé Christian , Nkondo Emilienne Tienga , Femoe Ulrich Membe , Fassi Joseph Bertin Kadji , Tsague Christelle Dongmo , Dongo Etienne , Dzeufiet Paul Désiré Djomeni , Tchuente Louis-Albert Tchuem
Published: May 2020

Aims: Continuous attempts are being made to develop new and more effective drugs for the treatment of schistosomiasis. Ozoroa pulcherrima Schweinf. is a medicinal plant used in Africa for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, lower abdominal pain, dystocia and intestinal helminthiasis. This study provides findings on the cercaricidal and schistosomicidal activity of extracts and fractions of Ozoroa pulcherrima in in vitro assays.

Methodology: The aqueous and methanolic extracts from Ozoroa pulcherrima root parts (62.5 – 2000 µg/mL), as well as the methanol derived fractions (n-hexane and ethyl acetate: 31.25 – 1000 µg/mL) were tested on cercariae and adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni. Niclosamide-olamine 5% (1 µg/mL) and praziquantel (10 µg/mL) were respectively used as reference drugs. During the assays, the mortality of cercariae after 2 hours, and adult worms’ mobility and mortality after 48 hours of incubation were evaluated.

Results: Ozoroa pulcherrima extracts and fractions significantly increased cercariae and worm mortality in a concentration-dependent manner. The methanolic extract was the most active on cercariae with a LC50of 20.65 µg/mL after 30 minutes, while the n-hexane fraction was the most active on worm with a LC50 of 79.54 μg/mL (65.58 – 96.47 μg/mL) after 48 hours. Significant reduction of motor activity (18.47 to 100%) was recorded for surviving worms incubated in different concentrations of the extracts and fractions.

Conclusion: This study proves that Ozoroa pulcherrima extracts and fractions have cercaricidal and schistosomicidal activities. Ozoroa pulcherrima may have great potential as an anti-schistosomal agent for further research.
Common Sources of Pre-, Peri- and Post Surgical Site Infections (SSI) in Dogs during Clinical Students’ Surgical Practice
Authors: Yakubu A. S. , Pilau N. N.
Published: May 2020

Surgical site infections (SSI) are important complication of Veterinary surgery. Pre, intra-, and post-surgical procedures are considered to be associated with SSI. An attempt to characterize veterinary SSI in small animal surgery practical was made. 15 dogs were grouped into 5 groups (with each group consisting of 3 dogs), in which skin-defect correction, caudectomy, cystotomy, orchidectomy, or ovariohysterectomy were performed by veterinary students under the guidance of qualified surgeons. Blood samples were obtained pre- and post-surgery. 120 swabs were taken from the following sites; students’ or surgeons’ hands (pre-/post-scrubbing), surgical tables, dog skin, random areas on surgical packs, kennels, and floors of surgical theatre. The microorganisms isolated were as follows; Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp, Micrococcus luteus, Enterobacter spp, and Bacillus subtilis, with Klebsiella being the highest. Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis, increased bands, leukocytopenia, neutropenia, and lymphopenia were observed, with all being signs of infection. This study showed that the sources of SSI were numerous, including the followings; the dogs’ skin microflora, the students’ hands, surgical theater, surgical team, and the kennel. Proper scrubbing techniques should be adopted and maintained. The sterile field created should be kept and proper disinfection of the kennel should be ensured before returning the dogs after surgery.
3-in-1 Block with Bupivacaine VS Bupivacaine Plus Dexamethasone in Acute Pain Control for Patients Undergoing Hip Nailing Surgery: A Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Amini Afshin, , Farbood Arash, , Hashemi Seyed Masoud, , Taheri Mehrdad, , Khaledi Amin Reza, , Asadi Saman,
Published: May 2020

Background: Femoral 3-in-1 block is one of the most effective methods in cases of hip nailing surgery because of its ease, low cost, and fewer complications. This study aims to evaluate the effect of adding dexamethasone to peripheral nerve block solution.

Methods: Forty-four ASA (I,II & III) patients aged between 50-80 years, scheduled for elective hip-nailing surgery who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in this double blind randomized controlled trial. Patients were allocated into two groups randomly; at the end of the surgery, femoral 3-in-1 nerve block was performed with 40 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% solution with or without 8 mg dexamethasone. Pain score was measured for 24 hours.

Results: We found no significant difference in pain intensity scores until hour 0.5 and the scores were below 1. Thereafter, the VAS scores increased, yet it remained below 3 in the first 12 postoperative hours. Morphine was administered during hours 12-24 in both groups, when VAS scores reached to about 4. The total amount of morphine consumption was a little lower in the case group, although the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Adding dexamethasone to bupivacaine 0.25% for 3-in-1 block has no more benefit than bupivacaine 0.25% alone for acute postoperative pain management after elective hip nailing surgery.
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation through Anaerobic Digestion of Urban Waste in Malawi: A Review
Authors: Chamdimba Hope Baxter Nqcube , Mugagga Reuben Gad , Ako Elias Onyango
Published: May 2020

Improper waste management and disposal in major cities of Malawi transpires to be one of the major environmental setbacks as waste remains uncollected and usually disposed in open dump sites. Such waste emits greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere that contribute to global warming and climate change in addition to pollution of water sources. The effects of climate change to Malawi have been far reaching to the extent of experiencing floods and droughts. This in retrospect has also had lasting impacts on Shire River where more than 95% of the country’s electricity is generated. Consequently, the rate of power generation is greatly hindered which has thus left only 11% of the population with access to electricity partly due to droughts. This paper therefore focusses on the capturing of methane from municipal solid waste as a solution to climate change and energy challenges through the utilization of methane, a combustible gas which is beneficial in regard to cooking, heating and electricity generation. This is amplified with particular review of the challenges, opportunities, policy framework in place and the pertinent role of anaerobic digestion as the game changer in climate change mitigation and adaptation in Malawi.
Design and Analysis of a Thermoelectric Air-conditioning System
Authors: Adeyanju A. Anthony , Manohar K.
Published: May 2020

Thermoelectric devices use the Peltier effect which creates a heat flux between the junctions of two different types of materials. The thermoelectric module also referred to as a heat pump transfers heat from one side to the other when a DC current is applied.

This study carried out the theoretical and experimental analysis of a thermoelectric air conditioning system. A prototype thermoelectric air conditioner of 286 W cooling capacity was built and a testing enclosure made from plywood and Styrofoam was also constructed in order to validate the theoretical result with an experimentation. It was discovered that thermoelectric air conditioning took 4 minutes to reach its desired temperature of 22℃ whereas the standard air conditioning system (Refrigeration Cycle) took 20 minutes to cool to a room temperature. Economically it was also discovered that thermoelectric air conditioning system is 50% cheaper than the refrigeration cycle air conditioning systems.

The thermoelectric air conditioner has cheaper maintenance and greater estimated life span of 7 years more than the refrigeration air conditioner. This is because the air conditioner that operates on the refrigeration cycle uses a rotating compressor while the thermoelectric air conditioner uses thermometric module.
Classification of diffuse lower‐grade glioma based on immunological profiling
Authors: Wu Fan , Wang Zhi‐Liang , Wang Kuan‐Yu , Li Guan‐Zhang , Chai Rui‐Chao , Liu Yu‐Qing , Jiang Hao‐Yu , Zhai You , Feng Yue‐Mei , Zhao Zheng , Zhang Wei
Published: May 2020

Transcriptomic data derived from bulk sequencing have been applied to delineate the tumor microenvironment (TME) and define immune subtypes in various cancers, which may facilitate the design of immunotherapy treatment strategies. We herein gathered published gene expression data from diffuse lower‐grade glioma (LGG) patients to identify immune subtypes. Based on the immune gene profiles of 402 LGG patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we performed consensus clustering to determine robust clusters of patients, and evaluated their reproducibility in three Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas cohorts. We further integrated immunogenomics methods to characterize the immune environment of each subtype. Our analysis identified and validated three immune subtypes—Im1, Im2, and Im3—characterized by differences in lymphocyte signatures, somatic DNA alterations, and clinical outcomes. Im1 had a higher infiltration of CD8+ T cells, Th17, and mast cells. Im2 was defined by elevated cytolytic activity, exhausted CD8+ T cells, macrophages, higher levels of aneuploidy, and tumor mutation burden, and these patients had worst outcome. Im3 displayed more prominent T helper cell and APC coinhibition signatures, with elevated pDCs and macrophages. Each subtype was associated with distinct somatic alterations. Moreover, we applied graph structure learning‐based dimensionality reduction to the immune landscape and revealed significant intracluster heterogeneity with Im2 subtype. Finally, we developed and validated an immune signature with better performance of prognosis prediction. Our results demonstrated the immunological heterogeneity within diffuse LGG and provided valuable stratification for the design of future immunotherapy.
Technical Note: A step‐by‐step guide to Temporally Feathered Radiation Therapy planning for head and neck cancer
Authors: Parsai Shireen , Qiu Richard L. J. , Qi Peng , Alfonso Juan C. L. , Donaghue Jeremy , Murray Eric , Majkszak David , Dorio Nicole , Fuller Clifton D. , Brock Kristy , Koyfman Shlomo , Woody Neil , Joshi Nikhil , Scott Jacob G.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Prior in silico simulations propose that Temporally Feathered Radiation Therapy (TFRT) may reduce toxicity related to head and neck radiation therapy. In this study we demonstrate a step‐by‐step guide to TFRT planning with modern treatment planning systems.

Methods

One patient with oropharyngeal cancer planned for definitive radiation therapy using intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) techniques was replanned using the TFRT technique. Five organs at risk (OAR) were identified to be feathered. A “base plan” was first created based on desired planning target volumes (PTV) coverage, plan conformality, and OAR constraints. The base plan was then re‐optimized by modifying planning objectives, to generate five subplans. All beams from each subplan were imported onto one trial to create the composite TFRT plan. The composite TFRT plan was directly compared with the non‐TFRT IMRT plan. During plan assessment, the composite TFRT was first evaluated followed by each subplan to meet preset compliance criteria.

Results

The following organs were feathered: oral cavity, right submandibular gland, left submandibular gland, supraglottis, and OAR Pharynx. Prescription dose PTV coverage (>95%) was met in each subplan and the composite TFRT plan. Expected small variations in dose were observed among the plans. The percent variation between the high fractional dose and average low fractional dose was 29%, 28%, 24%, 19%, and 10% for the oral cavity, right submandibular, left submandibular, supraglottis, and OAR pharynx nonoverlapping with the PTV.

Conclusions

Temporally Feathered Radiation Therapy planning is possible with modern treatment planning systems. Modest dosimetric changes are observed with TFRT planning compared with non‐TFRT IMRT planning. We await the results of the current prospective trial to seeking to demonstrate the feasibility of TFRT in the modern clinical workflow (NCT03768856). Further studies will be required to demonstrate the potential benefit of TFRT over non‐TFRT IMRT Planning.
Independent calculation‐based verification of volumetric‐modulated arc therapy–stereotactic body radiotherapy plans for lung cancer
Authors: Ono Tomohiro , Mitsuyoshi Takamasa , Shintani Takashi , Tsuruta Yusuke , Iramina Hiraku , Hirashima Hideaki , Miyabe Yuki , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Matsuo Yukinori , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: May 2020

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of independent calculation‐based verification of volumetric‐modulated arc therapy (VMAT)–stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for patients with lung cancer using a secondary treatment planning system (sTPS). In all, 50 patients with lung cancer who underwent VMAT‐SBRT between April 2018 and May 2019 were included in this study. VMAT‐SBRT plans were devised using the Collapsed‐Cone Convolution in RayStation (primary TPS: pTPS). DICOM files were transferred to Eclipse software (sTPS), which utilized the Eclipse software, and the dose distribution was then recalculated using Acuros XB. For the verification of dose distribution in homogeneous phantoms, the differences among pTPS, sTPS, and measurements were evaluated using passing rates of a dose difference of 5% (DD5%) and gamma index of 3%/2 mm (γ3%/2 mm). The ArcCHECK cylindrical diode array was used for measurements. For independent verification of dose‐volume parameters per the patient’s geometry, dose‐volume indices for the planning target volume (PTV) including D95% and the isocenter dose were evaluated. The mean differences (± standard deviations) between the pTPS and sTPS were then calculated. The gamma passing rates of DD5% and γ3%/2 mm criteria were 99.2 ± 2.4% and 98.6 ± 3.2% for pTPS vs. sTPS, 92.9 ± 4.0% and 94.1 ± 3.3% for pTPS vs. measurement, and 93.0 ± 4.4% and 94.3 ± 4.1% for sTPS vs. measurement, respectively. The differences between pTPS and sTPS for the PTVs of D95% and the isocenter dose were −3.1 ± 2.0% and −2.3 ± 1.8%, respectively. Our investigation of VMAT‐SBRT plans for lung cancer revealed that independent calculation‐based verification is a time‐efficient method for patient‐specific quality assurance.
Doctors' exemplary treatment success occurs absent high use of buprenorphine
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: May 2020

Physicians experience some of the most noteworthy recovery success rates among professional groups, largely because of the presence of physician health programs (PHPs) that offer a treatment‐focused alternative to discipline while still protecting public safety. For physicians with an opioid use disorder (OUD), the treatment plan that is mapped out under the PHP's supervision ironically appears to rarely include the medication that most have considered revolutionary in OUD treatment.
NAADAC: William White research scholarship announced
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2020

Many people may not think of counselors as being involved in addiction research, but they are. Many just need help financing their education. Last month, NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, announced the availability of the William White Scholarship, created to promote student addiction studies research, as well as to develop the importance of student research projects.
Cell Surface Labeling by Engineered Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Hamilton Nicklas , Claudio Natalie M. , Armstrong Randall J. , Pucci Ferdinando
Published: May 2020

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can mediate local and long‐range intercellular communication via cell surface signaling. In order to perform in vivo studies of unmanipulated, endogenously released EVs, sensitive but stringent approaches able to detect EV–cell surface interactions are needed. However, isolation and reinfusion of EVs can introduce biases. A rigorous way to study EVs in vivo is by genetically engineering membrane‐bound reporters into parental cells. Still, the amount of reporter molecules that EVs can carry is relatively small, and thus, the sensitivity of the approach is suboptimal. This work addresses this issue by engineering EVs to display a membrane‐bound form of Sortase A (SrtA), a bacterial transpeptidase that can catalyze the transfer of reporter molecules on the much bigger surface of EV‐binding cells. SrtA design and reaction requirements are optimized and validated. Efficient in vitro labeling of EV‐binding cells is achieved, even in the presence of only one N‐terminal glycine on cell surface proteins. As compared to indirect labeling of EV‐binding cells (e.g., using CD63‐GFP fusion), the SrtA‐based approach shows 1–2 log increase in sensitivity, depending on the EV source. This novel approach will be useful to identify and study the full set of host cells interacting with native EVs in vivo.
Concurrent Formation of Metallic Glass During Laser Forward Transfer 3D Printing
Authors: Gorodesky Niv , Sedghani‐Cohen Sharona , Altman Marc , Fogel Ofer , Cohen‐Taguri Gili , Fleger Yafit , Kotler Zvi , Zalevsky Zeev
Published: May 2020

In recent years, bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) have drawn much research attention and are shown to be of industrial interest due to their superior mechanical properties and resistance to corrosion. In spite of the interest in harnessing MG for microelectromechanical systems devices, there are limitations in manufacturing such micrometer‐scale structures. A novel approach for the fabrication of 3D MG structures using laser‐induced forward transfer (LIFT) is demonstrated. Inherent tremendous cooling rates associated with the metal LIFT process (≈1010 k s−1) make the formation of a variety of BMGs accessible, including also various binary compositions. In this work, it is demonstrated that LIFT printing of ZrPd‐based metallic glass microstructures can also be performed under ambient conditions. X‐ray diffraction analysis of the printed structures reveals > 95% of amorphous metal phase. Taking advantage of the properties of BMG, high quality printing of high aspect ratio BMG pillars, and microbridges are demonstrated. It is also shown how a composite, amorphous‐crystalline metal structure with a required configuration can be fabricated using multimaterial LIFT printing. The inherent high resolution of the method combined with the noncontact and multimaterial printing capacity makes LIFT a valuable additive manufacturing technique to produce metallic glass‐based devices.
High‐Throughput Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells into Cardiomyocytes with a Microfabricated Magnetic Pattern and Cyclic Stimulation
Authors: Mary Gaëtan , Van de Walle Aurore , Perez Jose Efrain , Ukai Tomofumi , Maekawa Toru , Luciani Nathalie , Wilhelm Claire
Published: May 2020

Pluripotent stem cells are central tools to many regenerative medicine strategies due to their ability to differentiate toward the three embryonic germ layers. One challenge remains in providing control over their differentiation into specific lineages, such as cardiac commitment. Here, the possibility of directing cardiomyogenesis of embryonic stem cells using a microfabricated magnetic pattern is demonstrated. The stem cells are labeled with magnetic nanoparticles, aggregated into embryoid bodies (EBs) onto the pattern, and stimulated with a local magnetic force applied via the pattern. The EBs formed on this magnetic device experience the same differentiation profile as the ones created by the common hanging drop approach, while it allows high‐throughput production of hundreds of EBs. Further on/off cyclic magnetic force stimulation mediated by the same device is sufficient to enhance cardiomyogenesis in a way that almost all EBs develop spontaneous beating, confirmed by the overexpression of α‐actin and troponin proteins, and by the upregulation (twofold to fivefold) of genes involved in mesoderm differentiation (Nkx2.5, Gata4, and Gata6), and more specifically cardiac lineage (Tnnt2, Myh6, and Myl‐2). Beyond holding high application‐level potential, this work confirms that physical forces, and specifically on/off dynamic ones can be sufficient to govern cell function.
Light‐Controlled Ferromagnetism in Porphyrin Functionalized Ultrathin FeS Nanosheets
Authors: Zhou Gang , Li Tinghui , Wu Yuying , Wang Peifang , Leng Kangmin , Liu Chongchong , Shan Yun , Liu Lizhe
Published: May 2020

The intrinsically weak photomagnetic interaction makes it difficult to realize effectively light‐controlled magnetic structure transformation. Here unprecedented light‐induced switching of magnetism is reported in porphyrin functionalized ultrathin FeS nanosheets. Contrary to the antiferromagnetic (AFM) bulk, the troilite FeS nanosheets demonstrate a ferromagnetic (FM) behavior due to superficial symmetry breaking. Under light irradiation, a large number of photo‐generated carriers take part in a singlet‐to‐triplet conversion through intersystem crossing of tetra(4‐carboxyphenyle)porphyrin molecules decorated on the nanosheets. The generated triplet carriers make spin flips occur at FeS surface, finally leading to a magnetic structure transition from FM to AFM configuration. The findings not only shed new light on steering arrangement of spin electrons but also open up almost unlimited possibilities for spintronics and optical detection of spin‐dependent physiological reactions.
An Optically Modulated Organic Schottky‐Barrier Planar‐Diode‐Based Artificial Synapse
Authors: Yang Chengdong , Qian Jun , Jiang Sai , Wang Hengyuan , Wang Qijing , Wan Qing , Chan Paddy Kwok Leung , Shi Yi , Li Yun
Published: May 2020

Phototunable synaptic elements are beginning to emerge for the sustainable development of advanced neuromorphic computing technology in the post‐Moore era. However, the phototunable organic synaptic devices still hardly exhibit superior overall performances. Here, an optically modulated organic planar‐diode‐based artificial synapse is demonstrated in which the Schottky barrier can be sensitively modulated by external UV light because of the intrinsic ultrathin nature of the bilayer organic crystalline semiconductor. The device exhibits excellent optoelectronic synaptic behaviors, especially outstanding photosensitivity, pJ‐level energy consumption, an extremely long state retention time, and a tunable synaptic plasticity transition. Thus, this work can shed new light on developing optoelectronic synaptic devices with superior device performance via interface modulation and device design.