bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Invisible Breadcrumbs of Digital Learning
Authors: Paquette Luc , Bosch Nigel
Published: September 2019

A main opportunity provided by digital learning environments is the ability to not only examine the final products of learning activities (e.g., essays, test scores, final answers to problems), but also the detailed logs of how learners interact with the environment itself. Those logs of the learners' actions serve as breadcrumbs marking the path they take as they engage with the environment, providing fine-grained information about when and how they interact with specific components of its user interface. The emerging fields of learning analytics and educational data mining have taken a particular interest in studying how we can make sense of those fine-grained interactions to better inform us of digital learners' experiences and how we can provide new opportunities to better support learners as they engage with digital learning environments. This chapter discusses how those fine-grained logs can be analyzed to identify high-level behaviors, investigate their relationships with learning, and provide us with insights about how to adapt learning environments to learners' needs.
Online learning as a form of distance education: Linking formation learning in theology to the theories of distance education
Authors: Roberts Jennifer J.
Published: September 2019

Distance education (DE) has a long and complex history. It accounts for more than one-third of all higher education students in the world and, because of its very nature, has produced some of the top graduates worldwide who were unable to study fulltime and on-campus for various reasons. One of the most prestigious graduates of the DE system was the former state president of South Africa, the late Nelson Mandela. Online learning is a form of DE and fast becoming the preferred method of instruction and delivery. Critiques of online learning, and of DE itself, will argue that, because of the separation of the teacher and the student, only academic skills can be taught and learnt using this medium. The so-called ‘softer skills’ – those that focus on the development of the person – are best taught in a face-to-face, traditional environment. This article focuses on a review of DE theories and models. A particular emphasis is placed on online learning theories, and how the teaching of formational learning skills can be successfully incorporated into this educational setting. The article draws from a range of studies that have been conducted, based on conceptual and empirical research evidence from various authors. Drawing from Garrison, Anderson and Archer’s Community of Inquiry framework for online education, it presents key elements that relate to the formational (spiritual) training of theology students. The article examines research that both supports and cautions against online learning for formative development. It concludes by suggesting a blended model of both face-to-face and online learning, where meaningful interactions between the learner and teacher take place, is desirable. The article highlights the important role that DE (and specifically online education) can play in developing the human component of education.
Are South African equity investors rewarded for taking on more risk?
Authors: Steyn Johannes P. , Theart Lomari
Published: September 2019

Orientation: It is rational for investors to expect additional compensation for an increased risk exposure. This positive risk–return relationship is in line with traditional financial theory; however, this relationship does not always hold in empirical research.Research purpose: The aim of this article was to investigate the prevalence of the low-risk anomaly in the South African equity market.Motivation for the study: If there is evidence of a low-risk anomaly, where low-risk shares outperform high-risk shares, then the additional return expectation of investors may be misplaced.Research design/approach and method: A unique sampling procedure and an extended time frame were employed in a quintile portfolio analysis methodology.Main findings: The article presents evidence that South African listed shares with low historical volatility earned higher risk-adjusted returns over the period July 2004 to September 2018. Low-volatility shares delivered a Sharpe ratio of 1.10 compared to 0.65 produced by the Financial Times Stock Exchange / Johannesburg Stock Exchange Shareholder Weighted Index over the same period.Practical/managerial implications: The assumption that return in an investment portfolio could be enhanced by taking on more risk could be wrong. It seems that fund managers could potentially enhance returns and decrease risk in their portfolios by focussing on shares with low historical volatility.Contribution/value-add: The negative relationship observed between volatility and return is inconsistent with theoretical expectations. Therefore, the results of this article suggest that investors are not rewarded for assuming higher levels of risk.
Views of stakeholders on the application of procurement practices for the betterment of the commuter bus industry, Gauteng
Authors: Ngcamphalala Thobeka K.T.
Published: September 2019

Background: In South Africa (SA), procurement is seen as a strategic tool for socio-economic development, and is guided by the Supply Chain Management Policy Framework developed in 2003. The commuter bus sector is complex and its operations are not in line with the recommended regulations. Procurement in the sector is marred by many challenges, such as the fact that no new contracts have been concluded since 2001.Objectives: This article investigates the perceptions of key stakeholders on the application of the procurement practices within the commuter bus industry in Gauteng to improve the industry’s performance.Method: This article is descriptive and exploratory in nature and employed a mixed-method research approach. The data were collected from a sample of 18 respondents who are key stakeholders directly involved in the procurement of subsidised commuter bus services in Gauteng by means of a face-to-face interview using a semi-structured questionnaire.Results: The findings of the article revealed that there are three procurement practices employed within the commuter bus industry, namely, interim, negotiated and tender contracts and all these are long overdue.Conclusion: The findings of the article recommend that the key stakeholders need to select the most suitable procurement practice(s) to be employed within the industry and it highlights the challenges stemming from the lack of proper implementation of the guiding policies.
Proposed Features of a Sovereign Debt Restructuring Mechanism
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: September 2019

This paper follows up on the Executive Board’s December 2002 discussion of the design of the Sovereign Debt Restructuring Mechanism and seeks to make further progress on the formulation of a concrete proposal for a statutory sovereign debt restructuring mechanism.
Financial Sector Regulation - Issues and Gaps
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: September 2019

This paper addresses issues in financial sector regulation from two perspectives. First, it reports on the state of implementation of financial regulatory standards across banking, insurance, and securities sectors in a select group of Fund member countries. Second, it raises issues relating to the design of these three sector standards, arising from the implementation experience and the evolving structure of financial systems. In this regard, the paper identifies a few emerging regulatory risks and some cross-sectoral issues that may warrant further guidance by standard setters.
Assessing the Determinants and Prospects for the Pace of Market Access by Countries Emerging from Crisis - Further Considerations
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: September 2019

This paper essentially confirms the main findings of the paper previously discussed by the Board. It (i) discusses the external conditions and the domestic economic policy stance needed for a country to reaccess international Capital markets and (2) describes other considerations to reaccess markets, including a communications strategy and the design of debt instruments to regain market access.
Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) - Status of Implementation
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: September 2019

This report reviews progress and issues in implementing the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative and reports on the implementation of the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) by IDA, the IMF, and AfDF. It concludes that the volume of debt relief has increased significantly since the inception of the HIPC Initiative in 1996, thereby reducing HIPCs’ debt service burdens and allowing them to finance increased poverty reduction efforts. It also provides updated information on the costs of debt relief under the HIPC Initiative and the MDRI. Finally, it reviews the status of creditor participation and delivery of debt relief under the two initiatives, highlighting the challenges to increase the participation by non–Paris Club official bilateral and commercial creditors in the HIPC Initiative.
Inflation Targeting and the IMF
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: September 2019

Inflation targeting is becoming the monetary policy framework of choice in a growing number of emerging market and developing countries. This paper examines the experience of non-industrial inflation targeting countries to review the implications for the Fund’s approach to surveillance, technical assistance, and the design of conditionality in Fund-supported programs. For this examination, the paper uses macroeconomic data, technical assistance reports, and a new survey of central banks in selected emerging markets.
The effect of karate training on changes in physical fitness in school-age children with normal and abnormal body weight
Authors: Rutkowski Tomasz , Sobiech Krzysztof Andrzej , Chwałczyńska Agnieszka
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Physical activity is one of the best methods to prevent civilization diseases in modern times. Studies confirm that the appropriate dose reduces the risk of hypertension, heart diseases, cancer, depression, or overweight and obesity.

Methods

The aim of the study was to assess the changes in individual physical fitness tests among children in early school age participating in karate training. A total of 59 children attending primary school were examined. Selected Eurofit tests were carried out before and after 10 weeks of karate training.

Results and conclusions

Karate training induced positive changes in the fitness of the studied children. Higher improvements were observed among children with normal body mass as compared with the overweight or obese ones.
A Universal Multifractal Approach to Assessment of Spatiotemporal
Extreme Precipitation over the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Zhang Jianjun , Gupta Hoshin V. , Gao Guangyao , Fu Bojie , Zhang Xiaoping , Li Rui
Published: September 2019

Abstract. Extreme precipitation (EP) is a major external agent driving various natural hazards in the Loess Plateau (LP), China. Yet, the characteristics of spatiotemporal EP responsible for such hazardous situations remain poorly understood. We integrate universal multifractals with a segmentation algorithm to characterize a physically meaningful threshold for EP (EPT). Using daily data from 1961 to 2015, we investigate the spatiotemporal variation of EP over the LP. Our results indicate that EPTs range from 17.3 to 50.3 mm/d while the mean annual EP increases from 35 to 138 mm from northwest to southeast LP. Further, EP frequency (EPF) has historically spatially varied from 54–116 days, with the highest EPF occurring in the mid-southern and southeastern LP where precipitation is much more abundant. However, EP intensities tend to be strongest in the central LP where precipitation also tends to be scare, and get progressively weaker as we move towards the margins (similarly with EP severity). An examination of atmosphere circulation patterns indicates that the central LP is the boundary where tropical cyclones reach furthest into inland China, resulting in the highest EP intensities and EP severities being in this area. Under the control of the East Asian monsoon, precipitation from June to September accounts for 72 % of the total amount, while 91 % of the total EP events are concentrated in June to August. Further, EP events occur, on average, 11 days earlier than the wettest part of the season. These phenomena are responsible for the most serious natural hazards in the LP, especially in the Central region. Spatiotemporally, 91.4 % of the LP has experienced a downward trend of precipitation, while 62.1 % of the area has experienced upward trends of the EP indices, indicating the potential risk of more serious hazardous situations.
Desenvolvimento e avaliação de tecnologia educacional sobre administração de vacinas no vasto lateral da coxa
Authors: Costa Lívia Cristina Scalon Da , Freitas Lara Aparecida De , Avelino Carolina Costa Valcanti , Costa Alice Silva , Nery Marcos de Abreu , Goyatá Sueli Leiko Takamatsu
Published: September 2019

Desenvolvimento e avaliação de um curso sobre administração de vacinas no vasto lateral da coxa, por meio da Plataforma Moodle. Pesquisa quantitativa, descritiva e transversal, realizada em 2016 e 2017, com 39 estudantes de enfermagem. A Teoria da aprendizagem multimídia e o design instrucional nortearam o desenvolvimento do curso, que contou com três módulos e material de apoio didático, vídeo de cenário simulado, fórum de discussão. O Inquérito COLLES foi utilizado para avaliar a qualidade do AVA; 97,5% dos graduandos consideraram a formatação, o acesso, a navegação e a imagem “adequado” e “muito adequado”. Os itens relevância, reflexão crítica e compreensão obtiveram melhores resultados, segundo o Inquérito COLLES; 92,3% dos estudantes disseram que gostariam de utilizar o AVA em outras disciplinas. Conclui-se que a tecnologia educacional desenvolvida é uma potente ferramenta para a atualização sobre a temática, visando uma prática segura do futuro profissional enfermeiro nos serviços de saúde.
DYNAMICS OF HEAT FLUXES BY BOWEN AND MATMNXFLX AND NOAH FLDAS PRODUCTS IN THE PANTANAL OF MATO GROSSO.
Authors: Duarte Leilane Gomes , Romera Kelly Souza , Sabino Marlus , Curado Leone Francisco Amorim , Palácios Rafael Da Silva , Nogueira José De Souza
Published: September 2019

This paper aimed to analyze the dynamics of the energy budget components: latent heat flux (LE), sensible heat flux (H) and soil heat flux (G), in the Mato Grosso Pantanal. The estimates of LE, H, and G were obtained by the Bowen ratio methods, using data from the micrometeorological tower located in the Baía das Pedras Park of SESC-Pantanal Ecological Resort, for the years 2011 to 2013. The normality of the variables Rn, LE, H and G, were tested by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test at 5% significance, and the seasonal differences of the fluxes were verified by the KruskalWallis test, α = 0.05. LE and H data from the remote sensing products MATMNXFLX and FLDAS_NOAH of the MERRA model was also acquired, and their comparison with the tower data was performed by the statistics of Spearman correlation (r), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Erro (RMSE), bias, and Willmott's Concordance Index (d). It was observed that most of the available energy is used for evapotranspiration (latent heat), followed by sensible heat and soil heat flux. In the rainy season there is an increase in the partition of LE and G and reduction of H. Only the estimates of LE of MATMNXFLX and FLDAS_NOAH products correlate with the data observed in the meteorological tower. It is concluded that the energy partitions have a seasonal behavior and that the MATMNXFLX and FLDAS_NOAH products, after being calibrated, can be used to estimate LE in the Mato Grosso Pantanal.
PRÉ-TEXTUAIS
Authors: Ra'e Ga - O Espaço Geográfico em Análise Revista
Published: September 2019

PRÉ-TEXTUAIS
Juiz constitucional e diálogo jurisdicional multinível: a experiência chilena
Authors: Cavallo Gonzalo Aguilar
Published: September 2019

Este estudo começa examinando os casos Eichin e Antilef ante o Tribunal Constitucional chileno sobre a competência da justiça militar. Nestes casos, o Tribunal recorreu tanto à Convenção Americana sobre Direitos Humanos quanto à jurisprudência da Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos. A presente investigação aborda a questão da possibilidade de considerar os casos sobre justiça militar como exemplos de mudança de paradigma no direito público e diálogo entre tribunais. Propomos que os casos mencionados relativos à competência da justiça militar no Chile constituem um exemplo da transição para um novo paradigma constitucional caracterizado por uma intensificação do diálogo entre juízes em matéria de direitos humanos.
Estado, democracia e corrupção: equações complexas
Authors: Leal Rogério Gesta
Published: September 2019

As perspectivas que cientistas políticos e juristas vêm tendo sobre o futuro o Estado Democrático de Direito na Sociedade de Riscos tem sido mais pessimista do que otimistas, em especial quando o fenômeno da corrupção é levado em conta para os fins de pensarmos a própria Democracia. Em face disto é que o presente texto pretende discutir como tem se dado esta equação entre Estado, Democracia e Corrupção, quais seus pontos mais frágeis e o que podemos fazer para superar os aspectos negativos que ela apresenta. Para tanto, vamos buscar elementos teóricos e pragmáticos que proponham formas e instrumentos objetivos para tal escopo.
Sumário Bilíngue
Authors: Table of Contents Bilingual
Published: September 2019

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Expediente
Authors: Masthead Journal
Published: September 2019

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MIECZYSŁAW TRETER (1883–1943):
PRECURSOR OF POLISH MUSEOLOGY
Authors: Wawrzak Małgorzata
Published: September 2019

Mieczysław Treter is by no means an ordinary
individual: an art historian, aesthetician, museum
practitioner and theoretician-museologist, an individual
of many professions, lecturer, journal editor, member of
numerous organizations, propagator of Polish art abroad,
manager, exhibition organizer. In the interwar period one
of the most influential critics and art theoreticians, among
the museum circles he was mainly known as the author of
the recently reissued 1917 publication called Contemporary
Museums. Museological Study. Beginnings, Types, Essence,
and Organization of Museums. Public Museum Collections
in Poland and Their Future Development.
Born on 2 August 1883 in Lvov, in 1904 Mieczysław Henryk
Treter started working with the Prince Lubomirski Museum
as the scholarship holder of the Lvov Ossolineum. In 1910,
he became Curator at the Museum, performing this function
until the outbreak of WW I. He participated in the First
Congress of Polish Museologists, held in Cracow on 4 and
5 April 1914. During WW I, he was in Kharkov and Crimea,
and it was there that he wrote his most important study
Contemporary Museums. In 1917, having moved to Kiev
he became involved in the activity of the social movement
for the care of Polish monuments throughout the former
Russian Empire. In 1918, he returned to Lvov, became
member of the national Eastern Galicia Conservation
Circle, and retook the position of the Curator at the Prince
Lubomirski Museum, to finally become its Director. On
4 February 1922, Mieczysław Treter was appointed Director
of the State Art Collections, the position he retained until
1924. In 1926, he became Director of the Society for the
Promotion of Polish Art Abroad, whose main task was to
promote works of Polish artists in Poland and abroad. He
passed away in Warsaw on 25 October 1943.
Systematizing the theoretical knowledge and the report
on the existing museums in the country deprived of its
statehood in the book Contemporary Museums created
a departure point for its Author, who following Poland’s
regaining independence worked out the organization of state
collections. Treter’s proposals were to regulate the position of
Polish museum institutions complicated due to the partition
period, for them, while rivaling foreign museums, to become
elements boosting the young state’s prestige.
Weniger Bürokratielasten durch regelbasierte Software-Architektur
Authors: Steffens Petra
Published: September 2019

By analysing the state of affairs in companies and administrative bodies, this book devises the aims and demands of automatising state information requirements. Based on concepts of enterprise application integration and the business rules approach, it defines a software analysis pattern entitled the ‘rules-based mediator’. The author provides a concrete, architectonic explanation of that pattern in order to present the rules-based software architecture of the data processing accelerator (P23R), which enables contact between companies and the authorities to be automatised. Despite its numerous proven advantages, the P23R approach has not been able to become widely popular. The author explains this fact using the diffusion of innovations theory, which analyses experiences of the P23R approach in practice and discusses obstacles to diffusion. On the basis of this analysis, she presents a solution which not only encompasses a generic rules-based software infrastructure, but also lightweight Reporting Services and a possible ecosystem through which they can be realised.
World-Class Universities and Institutional Autonomy in China
Authors: Blackburn Cohen Chelsea
Published: September 2019

With the release of Scholars at Risk’s (SAR’s) Obstacles to Excellence: Academic Freedom and China’s Quest for World-Class Universities, institutional autonomy ascends to the fore. In China’s pursuit to transform its institutions into world-class universities, global rankings have offered metrics to purported advancement but too often lack consideration of academic freedom and institutional autonomy, permitting only a shrinking space for vital questions as China applies enormous effort to impose control while seeking the status of a world-class knowledge producer.

This article is based on a Scholars at Risk’s report entitled Obstacles to Excellence: Academic Freedom and China’s Quest for World-Class Universities, available on SAR’s website at https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/.
Surface Ligands Stabilized Lead Halide Perovskite Quantum Dot Photocatalyst for Visible Light‐Driven Hydrogen Generation
Authors: Xiao Mu , Hao Mengmeng , Lyu Miaoqiang , Moore Evan G. , Zhang Cheng , Luo Bin , Hou Jingwei , Lipton‐Duffin Josh , Wang Lianzhou
Published: September 2019

Solar hydrogen conversion represents a clean and economic approach to addressing global energy and environmental issues, for which efficient photocatalysts are heavily pursued. Lead halide perovskites are promising candidates for efficient phtocatalysts in solar hydrogen generation due to their attractive properties in light absorption, photogenerated charge transportation, and utilization. However, photocatalytic applications of lead halide perovskites are limited owing to their poor stability in the presence of water or other polar solvent environment. This work presents the rational control of surface ligands in achieving a good balance between stability and photocatalytic activity of CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs). Detailed studies reveal that the deliberate surface ligands engineering is crucial for maximizing the photocatalytic activity of CsPbBr3 QDs while maintaining good QD stability. A certain amount of surface ligands protect the CsPbBr3 QDs from decomposition in moisture during the photocatalytic reaction while still enabling efficient charge transfer for photocatalytic reactions on the surface of QDs. The well‐controlled CsPbBr3 photocatalyst shows efficient visible light‐driven H2 generation with outstanding stability (≥160 h).
Producing Biochemicals in Yarrowia lipolytica from Xylose through a Strain Mating Approach
Authors: Li Haibo , Alper Hal S.
Published: September 2019

Enabling xylose catabolism is challenging, especially for unconventional yeasts and previously engineered background strains. In this study, the efficacy of a yeast mating approach with Yarrowia lipolytica that can combine a previously engineering and evolved xylose phenotype with a metabolite overproduction phenotype is demonstrated. Specifically, several engineered Y. lipolytica strains that produce α‐linolenic acid (ALA), riboflavin, and triacetic acid lactone (TAL) with an engineered and adapted xylose‐utilizing strain to obtain three diploid strains that rapidly produce these molecules directly from xylose are mated. Titers of 0.52 g L−1 ALA, 96.6 mg L−1 riboflavin, and 2.9 g L−1 TAL, are obtained from xylose in flask cultures and 1.42 g L−1 production of ALA is obtained using bioreactor condition. This total production level is generally on par or higher than the parental strain cultivated on glucose, although specific productivities decreased as a result of improved overall cell growth by the diploid strains. In the case of ALA, this lipid content reached similar levels to that of flaxseed oil. This result showcases the first study using strain mating in Y. lipolytica for producing biomolecules from xylose, and thus demonstrates the utility of this approach as a routine tool for metabolic engineering.
1D Composite Nanorods of Cobalt Phosphide‐Cobalt Sulfide with Improved Electrocatalyst Performance
Authors: Sidek Haslinda Binti Mohd , Jin Xiaoyan , Islam Md. Shahinul , Hwang Seong‐Ju
Published: September 2019

Efficient electrocatalysts of cobalt phosphide‐cobalt sulfide 1D composite nanorods for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are synthesized by heat‐treatment of cobalt phosphide nanorod under CS2 flow. The reaction of cobalt phosphide with CS2 molecule leads to the formation of CoP−CoS composite with the maintenance of original 1D nanorod morphology. In comparison with the pristine CoP nanorod, the CoP−CoS composite nanorod shows much higher HER electrocatalytic activity with much lower overpotential, highlighting the beneficial effect of composite formation with metal sulfide on electrocatalyst performance of metal phosphide. The composite formation with CoS domain results in the remarkable enhancement of HER kinetics, electrochemical active surface area, and charge transfer kinetics, which is mainly responsible for the enhanced electrocatalytic activity of composite nanorod. The present study underscores that hybridization with metal sulfide can provide an efficient methodology to improve the electrocatalyst functionality of metal phosphide.
Sleep disturbance and neurocognitive outcomes in older patients with breast cancer: Interaction with genotype
Authors: Carroll Judith E. , Small Brent J. , Tometich Danielle B. , Zhai Wanting , Zhou Xingtao , Luta George , Ahles Tim A. , Saykin Andrew J. , Nudelman Kelly N. H. , Clapp Jonathan D. , Jim Heather S. , Jacobsen Paul B. , Hurria Arti , Graham Deena , McDonald Brenna C. , Denduluri Neelima , Extermann Martine , Isaacs Claudine , Dilawari Asma A. , Root James , Stern Robert A. , Mandelblatt Jeanne S. ,   for the Thinking and Living With Cancer Study
Published: September 2019

Background

Sleep disturbance and genetic profile are risks for cognitive decline in noncancer populations, yet their role in cancer‐related cognitive problems remains understudied. This study examined whether sleep disturbance was associated with worse neurocognitive outcomes in breast cancer survivors and whether sleep effects on cognition varied by genotype.

Methods

Newly diagnosed female patients (n = 319) who were 60 years old or older and had stage 0 to III breast cancer were recruited from August 2010 to December 2015. Assessments were performed before systemic therapy and 12 and 24 months later. Neuropsychological testing measured attention, processing speed, executive function, learning, and memory; self‐perceived cognitive functioning was also assessed. Sleep disturbance was defined by self‐report of routine poor or restless sleep. Genotyping included APOE, BDNF, and COMT polymorphisms. Random effects fluctuation models tested associations of between‐person and within‐person differences in sleep, genotype, and sleep‐genotype interactions and cognition and controlled for age, reading level, race, site, and treatment.

Results

One‐third of the patients reported sleep disturbances at each time point. There was a sleep‐APOE ε4 interaction (P = .001) in which patients with the APOE ε4 allele and sleep disturbances had significantly lower learning and memory scores than those who were APOE ε4‐negative and without sleep disturbances. There was also a sleep disturbance–COMT genotype interaction (P = .02) in which COMT Val carriers with sleep disturbances had lower perceived cognition than noncarriers.

Conclusions

Sleep disturbance was common and was associated with worse cognitive performance in older breast cancer survivors, especially those with a genetic risk for cognitive decline. Survivorship care should include sleep assessments and interventions to address sleep problems.
Excellent Properties of Dimer Fatty Acid Esters as Biolubricant Produced by Catalyst‐ and Solvent‐Free Esterification
Authors: Armylisas Abu Hassan N. , Fauzi Siti H. M. , Mohd Noor K. , Yeong Shoot K. , Zainab Idris , Azwadi Che Sidik N.
Published: September 2019

Currently most technologies available to produce esters require acid or base catalysts for esterification or transesterification reactions. Production of dimerate esters (DE) exhibiting potential as a biolubricant for low temperature applications using catalyst‐ and solvent‐free approaches is presented in this article. Hydrogenated C36dimer acid and alcohol are reacted under the following conditions: dimer acid/alcohol (1:4.5 molar ratio), 150–200 °C, 24 h, 3Å molecular sieve (15% w/w). The performances of four DE species—dibutyl, dihexyl, di‐(2‐ethylhexyl), and dioctyl dimerate—as lubricant base stocks are evaluated by kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, cloud and pour point (cold flow properties) as well as oxidative stability, and compared with commercial synthetic lubricant base stock and DE, Radialube 7121. High viscosity indexes ranging between 129 and 138 are observed for the synthesized DEs, which are comparable with two commercial base stock, polyalpha olefin (PAO), and polyolester (POE). Significantly low pour point, less than −42 °C, is observed for di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) dimerate attributed to the branching of the side chain. The DEs are categorized as ISO VG 68 based on their viscosity according to ISO 3448 classification and show potential as biolubricant with high viscosity index and excellent cold flow properties.

Practical Applications: DFAE obtained have high potential to be used as lubricant base stock for equipment and machinery operating at extremely low temperature.
Humidification effect of air plasma effluent gas on suppressing conidium germination of a plant pathogenic fungus in the liquid phase
Authors: Shimada Keisuke , Takashima Keisuke , Kimura Yutaka , Nihei Kenji , Konishi Hideaki , Kaneko Toshiro
Published: September 2019

Increase of the water flow rate into atmospheric pressure air discharge plasma for humidification can significantly improve suppressing conidium germination of a plant pathogenic fungus in the liquid phase by its effluent gas exposure. The role of the introduced water includes enhancement of hydrogen supply to the plasma and cooling of the plasma effluent gas. The hydrogen‐containing precursors for antibacterial species generation are experimentally increased. The gas cooling by the latent heat assists dinitrogen pentoxide density in the gas phase, a suggested precursor for antibacterial species generation near the liquid surface. This suggested near‐surface reaction is a second‐order reaction, generally requiring lower precursors concentrations and leading to less residues, thus it can be an important process for agricultural applications.
Further in vivo characterization of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO uptake into a retina‐like region of interest in humans
Authors: Caravaggio Fernando , Worhunsky Patrick , Graff‐Guerrero Ariel , Matuskey David
Published: September 2019

The neurotransmitter dopamine is present in the retina and is involved in several modulatory functions. Unlike in rodents, dopamine D3 receptors are expressed in the retina of humans. Recently, uptake of the D3 receptor‐preferring radiotracer [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO has been observed in a retina‐like region of interest (ROI) in humans. Here, we attempted to quantify [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO uptake into this ROI using an independent sample, employing an extended scan acquisition time (120 min) and arterial kinetic modeling. Data from 14 healthy controls were analyzed (Mean Age: 38.41 ± 9.55, 3 female), 8 of which provided arterial line input function data (Mean Age: 41.07 ± 7.82, 3 female). Using Ichise's multilinear analysis (MA1) method, it was possible to quantify the volume of distribution (VT) of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO in this retina‐like region (Mean VT = 13.56 ± 3.52; Mean χ2 = 2.08 ± 2.20). Notably, the shape of the time activity curve resembled closely that of the globus pallidus. Moreover, the VT values in the retina correlated well with binding potential (BPND) values calculated using the simplified reference tissue model (Mean BPND = 2.11 ± .94; Mean χ2 = 5.76 ± 2.56), employing the cerebellum as the reference region (r = .76, r2 = .58). In summary, we provide evidence that the in vivo uptake of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO into a retina‐like ROI in humans can be quantified using both arterial blood sampling (VT) and simplified reference tissue methods (BPND).
Can Adoption of Cuban Maternity Care Policy Guide the Rural United States to Improve Maternal and Infant Mortality?
Authors: Bruns Debra Pettit , Pawloski Lisa , Robinson Cecil
Published: September 2019

In the rural United States the infant mortality rate (IMR) is 6.5 per 1,000, and in rural states like Alabama this rate jumps to 9.1. Rural obstetric services are disappearing such that over half of U.S. rural counties do not have enough obstetric services. In contrast, Cuba's IMR is 4.3 while spending half as much as a percent of their gross domestic product than the United States. This raises the question: how has Cuba achieved this health outcome and what lessons can be learned and applied in the United States given decreased availability of obstetric services? This paper presents a field case study of one of Cuba's national public health policies. Specifically, we explore Cuba's Hogares Maternos, or maternity homes. We argue that the Cuban model, which focuses on social determinants of health, ought to be explored. We discuss how Hogares Maternos may be adopted and adapted within the rural United States by leveraging existing infrastructure.
Doubled haploid technology for line development in maize: technical advances and prospects
Authors: Chaikam Vijay , Molenaar Willem , Melchinger Albrecht E. , Boddupalli Prasanna M.
Published: September 2019

Key Message

Increased efficiencies achieved in different steps of DH line production offer greater benefits to maize breeding programs.

Doubled haploid (DH) technology has become an integral part of many commercial maize breeding programs as DH lines offer several economic, logistic and genetic benefits over conventional inbred lines. Further, new advances in DH technology continue to improve the efficiency of DH line development and fuel its increased adoption in breeding programs worldwide. The established method for maize DH production covered in this review involves in vivo induction of maternal haploids by a male haploid inducer genotype, identification of haploids from diploids at the seed or seedling stage, chromosome doubling of haploid (D0) seedlings and finally, selfing of fertileD0plants. Development of haploid inducers with high haploid induction rates and adaptation to different target environments have facilitated increased adoption of DH technology in the tropics. New marker systems for haploid identification, such as the red root marker and high oil marker, are being increasingly integrated into new haploid inducers and have the potential to make DH technology accessible in germplasm such as some Flint, landrace, or tropical material, where the standardR1-njmarker is inhibited. Automation holds great promise to further reduce the cost and time in haploid identification. Increasing success rates in chromosome doubling protocols and/or reducing environmental and human toxicity of chromosome doubling protocols, including research on genetic improvement in spontaneous chromosome doubling, have the potential to greatly reduce the production costs per DH line.
Modelling large timescale and small timescale service variability
Authors: Gribaudo Marco , Horváth Illés , Manini Daniele , Telek Miklós
Published: September 2019

The performance of service units may depend on various randomly changing environmental effects. It is quite often the case that these effects vary on different timescales. In this paper, we consider small and large scale (short and long term) service variability, where the short term variability affects the instantaneous service speed of the service unit and a modulating background Markov chain characterizes the long term effect. The main modelling challenge in this work is that the considered small and long term variation results in randomness along different axes: short term variability along the time axis and long term variability along the work axis. We present a simulation approach and an explicit analytic formula for the service time distribution in the double transform domain that allows for the efficient computation of service time moments. Finally, we compare the simulation results with analytic ones.
Global large herbivore conservation and international law
Authors: Trouwborst Arie
Published: September 2019

Large wild herbivore species are important to ecosystems and human societies, but many of them are threatened and in decline. International wildlife treaties have a role to play in arresting and reversing these declines. This paper provides a global overview and analysis of relevant legal instruments and their roles regarding the conservation of the 73 largest terrestrial herbivores, i.e., those with a body mass of ≥ 100 kg. Outcomes reveal both significant positive contributions and shortcomings of the Ramsar Wetlands Convention, the World Heritage Convention, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, the Convention on Migratory Species and its subsidiary instruments, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and a range of regional and bilateral treaties. Maximizing the potential of these treaties, and attaining their objectives regarding the conservation and restoration of large herbivores, requires substantial increases in funding and political will. Even before such game-changing increases occur, however, it remains worthwhile to seek and use the many opportunities that exist within the current international legal framework for enhancing the conservation of the world’s largest herbivores.
Temperature effect on performance of nanoparticle/surfactant flooding in enhanced heavy oil recovery
Authors: Mahmoudi Sajjad , Jafari Arezou , Javadian Soheila
Published: September 2019

Recently, nanoparticles have been used along with surfactants for enhancing oil recovery. Although the recent studies show that oil recovery is enhanced using nanoparticle/surfactant solutions, some effective parameters and mechanisms involved in the oil recovery have not yet been investigated. Therefore, the temperature effect on the stability of nanoparticle/surfactant solutions and ultimate oil recovery has been studied in this work, and the optimal concentrations of both SiO2 nanoparticle and surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) have been determined by the Central Composite Design method. In addition, the simultaneous effects of parameters and their interactions have been investigated. Study of the stability of the injected solutions indicates that the nanoparticle concentration is the most important factor affecting the solution stability. The surfactant makes the solution more stable if used in appropriate concentrations below the CMC. According to the micromodel flooding results, the most effective factor for enhancing oil recovery is temperature compared to the nanoparticle and surfactant concentrations. Therefore, in floodings with higher porous medium temperature, the oil viscosity reduction is considerable, and more oil is recovered. In addition, the surfactant concentration plays a more effective role in reservoirs with higher temperatures. In other words, at a surfactant concentration of 250 ppm, the ultimate oil recovery is improved about 20% with a temperature increase of 20 °C. However, when the surfactant concentration is equal to 750 ppm, the temperature increase enhances the ultimate oil recovery by only about 7%. Finally, the nanoparticle and surfactant optimum concentrations determined by Design-Expert software were equal to 46 and 159 ppm, respectively. It is worthy to note that obtained results are validated by the confirmation test.
Plate-to-Layer Bi2MoO6/MXene-Heterostructured Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wang Danjun , Zhu Qizhen , Sun Ning , Fu Feng , Xu Bin
Published: September 2019

Bi2MoO6 is a potentially promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) on account of its high theoretical capacity coupled with low desertion potential. Due to low conductivity and large volume expansion/contraction during charge/discharge cycling of Bi2MoO6, effective modification is indispensable to address these issues. In this study, a plate-to-layer Bi2MoO6/Ti3C2Tx (MXene) heterostructure is proposed by electrostatic assembling positive-charged Bi2MoO6 nanoplates on negative-charged MXene nanosheets. MXene nanosheets in the heterostructure act as a highly conductive substrate to load and anchor the Bi2MoO6 nanoplates, so as to improve electronic conductivity and structural stability. When the mass ratio of MXene is optimized to 30%, the Bi2MoO6/MXene heterostructure exhibits high specific capacities of 692 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 200 cycles and 545.1 mAh g−1 with 99.6% coulombic efficiency at 1 A g−1 after 1000 cycles. The results provide not only a high-performance lithium storage material, but also an effective strategy that could address the intrinsic issues of various transition metal oxides by anchoring them on MXene nanosheets to form heterostructures and use as anode materials for LIBs.
Dietary patterns are associated with depressive symptoms in older Australian women but not men
Authors: Hart Michael J. , Milte Catherine M. , Torres Susan J. , Thorpe Maree G. , McNaughton Sarah A.
Published: September 2019

Studies have examined the association between depressive symptoms and dietary patterns; however, only few studies focused on older adults. The present study examines the association between current and past dietary patterns and depression in a community-dwelling adult population aged 55 years and over. Adults (n 4082) were recruited into the Wellbeing, Eating and Exercise for a Long Life study in Victoria, Australia. In 2010 and 2014, data were collected using self-administered questionnaires including a 111-item FFQ, the RAND thirty-six-item Short Form Health Survey of health-related quality of life and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale in 2014. Current (2014) and past (2010) dietary patterns were determined using principal component analysis. Association between dietary patterns and depressive symptoms was assessed using a mixed model analysis with adjustment for covariates. Two similar dietary patterns were identified in men and women (n 2142). In women, a healthy dietary pattern (characterised by frequent intake of vegetables, fruits and fish) was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms (current diet: β = −0·260, 95 % CI −0·451, −0·070; past diet: β = −0·201, 95 % CI −0·390, −0·013). A current unhealthy dietary pattern in women (characterised by frequent intake of red and processed meat, potatoes, hot chips, cakes, deserts and ice cream) was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms (β = 1·367, 95 % CI 0·679, 2·056). No associations were identified in men. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to understand the differences that may occur by sex.
The Symmetry of Hypocrisy in Czech-German Legal Conciliation, 1989–1997
Authors: Bracey Sarah
Published: September 2019

Following the collapse of communism in 1989, the Czechoslovak and German governments entered a new phase of relations marked by reconciliatory goodwill. However, relations rapidly deteriorated in the face of mutual claims for material redress concerning the wartime Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia and the expulsion/transfer of the Sudeten German population in the immediate postwar period. The Czechoslovak (later Czech) and German governments disputed the legal status of the Munich Agreement of 1938 and the Beneš Decrees of 1945, and their differing interpretations had implications either strengthening or undermining the Sudeten German restitution claim. Comparing argumentative strategies reveals a striking symmetry of hypocrisy. Czech and German representatives selectively employed two opposing theories of legal legitimacy, reflecting the jurisprudential schools of legal positivism and natural law theory, either to defend or repudiate the abovementioned instruments. This article argues that reciprocal inconsistency critically undermined attempts by Czech and German representatives to achieve a legal resolution in the 1990s.
Neural circuits and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors mediate the cholinergic regulation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons and nicotine dependence
Authors: Xiao Cheng , Zhou Chun-yi , Jiang Jin-hong , Yin Cui
Published: September 2019

Midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons are governed by an endogenous cholinergic system, originated in the mesopontine nuclei. Nicotine hijacks nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and interferes with physiological function of the cholinergic system. In this review, we describe the anatomical organization of the cholinergic system and the key nAChR subtypes mediating cholinergic regulation of DA transmission and nicotine reward and dependence, in an effort to identify potential targets for smoking intervention. Cholinergic modulation of midbrain DA systems relies on topographic organization of mesopontine cholinergic projections, and activation of nAChRs in midbrain DA neurons. Previous studies have revealed that α4, α6, and β2 subunit-containing nAChRs expressed in midbrain DA neurons and their terminals in the striatum regulate firings of midbrain DA neurons and activity-dependent dopamine release in the striatum. These nAChRs undergo modification upon chronic nicotine exposure. Clinical investigation has demonstrated that partial agonists of these receptors elevate the success rate of smoking cessation relative to placebo. However, further investigations are required to refine the drug targets to mitigate unpleasant side-effects.
Integrated network analysis identifies hsa-miR-4756-3p as a regulator of FOXM1 in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Gu Yuanliang , Wang Wenjuan , Wang Xuyao , Xie Hongyi , Ye Xiaojuan , Shu Peng
Published: September 2019

Both aberrantly expressed mRNAs and micro(mi)RNAs play important roles in cancer cell function, which makes integration analysis difficult. In this study, we first applied master regulator analysisalgorithm and confirmed hsa-miR-4756-3p as a candidate miRNA in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients; hsa-miR-4756-3p could regulate TNBC cell line apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and cell cycle as well as suppress TGF-β1 signalling andtumour growth. In TNBC, forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1)was found to be an hsa-miR-4756-3p target gene, and FOXM1 knockout completely inhibited hsa-miR-4756-3p-induced cell migration and metastasis, TGF-β1 signalling, and epithelial mesenchymal signal activation, which indicated that hsa-miR-4756-3p functions via the FOXM1-TGFβ1-EMT axis.