bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Media and Secondary Education Students: Inclusion or Exclusion?
Authors: Charalampous Constantia
Published: June 2024

Inclusion of students with marginalization tendencies has been one of the demands in the field of education over the last decades, but it remains unrealized. At the same time, our daily lives appear to have changed rapidly because of extensive use of digital media. This fact may have
both positive and negative consequences. So, we were inspired to investigate the relationship between teenagers who may be marginalized and the use of digital media, as well as the degree to which they promote or prevent inclusion, by the foregoing considerations. We chose mixed methodological
approach as the most appropriate. Specifically, sequential exploratory strategy was used to collect the data, while grounded theory was used for their analysis. The quantitative part sample consists of 600 Secondary Education students. Accordingly, the sample of the qualitative part of the
research was 138 Secondary Education students. The survey was conducted over a period of three months (from October 2019 to December 2019). By completing the research project, we concluded that the use of digital media and especially the engagement of adolescent students who show marginalizing
tendencies with social media, digital games and distance education leads to their inclusion.
A matter of timing
Authors: Tian Zhiqi , Diao Jiajie
Published: June 2024

A change in the electric charge of autophagosome membranes controls the recruitment of SNARE proteins to ensure that membrane fusion occurs at the right time during autophagy.
GEOPARQUE QUARTA COLÔNIA E A FORMAÇÃO CONTINUADA DE DOCENTES EM EXERCÍCIO: UMA ANÁLISE DAS JORNADAS INTERDISCIPLINARES DE FORMAÇÃO DE PROFESSORES EM EDUCAÇÃO PATRIMONIAL
Authors: Prestes da Silveira Adriele , De Fátima Vestena Rosemar
Published: June 2024

A Educação Patrimonial é uma abordagem metodológica que prima trabalhar com o passado para a compreensão do presente, visando prospectar o futuro. O presente estudo tem por objetivo analisar como vem sendo promovida a formação continuada dos docentes em exercício no território do Geoparque Quarta Colônia (GQC), por meio das cinco edições das Jornadas Interdisciplinares de Formação de Professores em Educação Patrimonial. A pesquisa é de abordagem qualitativa e documental, adotando como técnica de análise dos dados, a Análise de Conteúdo. Foram levantadas e analisadas a programação, temáticas e iniciativas das cinco edições das Jornadas, ofertadas a docentes, no período de 2020 a 2023. Observou-se que as Jornadas, por meio de suas programações, oportunizaram aos docentes conhecimentos acerca do patrimônio Cultural e Natural do território do GQC sendo que, inicialmente, direcionando às questões históricas, sociais e geológicas (sociodiversidade e geodiversidade) e, no transcorrer das edições, contemplando aspectos da biodiversidade.
HISTÓRIA DA MATEMÁTICA NO ENSINO DA EJA: UM PANORAMA DE PESQUISAS BRASILEIRAS
Authors: Silva Simas Ana Lucia , De Freitas Madruga Zulma Elizabete , Santos Rodrigues Junior Jose Fernando
Published: June 2024

Este artigo analisa como as pesquisas brasileiras apresentam a utilização da História da Matemática como recurso pedagógico para o ensino e aprendizagem de Matemática na Educação de Jovens e Adultos (EJA). Utilizando uma abordagem de pesquisa qualitativa com base no Mapeamento na Pesquisa Educacional, foram coletados dados de fonte como Google Acadêmico, Scielo, Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD) e Catálogo de Teses e Dissertações da CAPES. A partir dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão previamente estabelecidos, foram selecionadas cinco investigações que compuseram o corpus de análise desta investigação. Para realização da análise, foram estabelecidas quatro categorias elencada a priori: a) contexto e objetivos da pesquisa; b) fundamentos teóricos empregados; c) metodologias adotadas; d) principais resultados obtidos. A análise permitiu identificar a relevância da integração da História da Matemática como recurso pedagógico no contexto do ensino e aprendizagem da Matemática na Educação de Jovens e Adultos.
Assessment of Neonatal Mortality amongst Sick Neonates in the Special Care Baby Unit of a Tertiary Institution in Orlu, Nigeria
Authors: Okoro Jude Chidi , Ezeogu Joseph
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Neonatal mortality constitutes more than 41% of under 5 mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, despite advancement in technology and concerted effort aimed at decreasing under-five mortality. This study aims at assessing the risk factors and causes of neonatal mortality among sick infants in the special care baby unit (SCBU); focused at identification of possible areas of improvement in care and result. 
Methods: A retrospective review of medical records of sick neonates admitted into SCBU of Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of 214 sick neonates that died was obtained out of the 948 admitted/treated over a five year period (2018-2022). Descriptive statistics was used to summarize data, logistic regression at 95% level of significance was used to determine association between independent variables and neonatal death. Values of p < 0.05 were considered significant.
Results: A total of 948 sick neonates were admitted into SCBU, with a neonatal mortality rate of 22.6%. Complications of prematurity 78 (36.7%), severe birth asphyxia 63(29.6%) and neonatal sepsis 31(14.6%) are the leading causes of death with majority of death occurring in the first 24 hours of life 130(60.8%). Low birth weight [OR=2.59 (95% CI 1.84-3.54)], prematurity [OR=2.79 (95% CI 2.03-3.83)] and spontaneous vaginal deliveries [OR=1.85 (95% CI 1.32-2.60)] were positively associated with increased mortality. While Caesarean section as mode of delivery [OR=0.54 (95% CI 0.38-0.76)] and birth weight >2.5-4.0kg [OR=0.46 (95% CI 0.34-0.64)] significantly reduced neonatal mortality.
Conclusion: Neonatal mortality rate is still unacceptably high, with complications of prematurity, severe birth asphyxia and neonatal sepsis contributing the highest percentage of poor outcome (death). Low birth weight, prematurity, and spontaneous vaginal deliveries were positively associated with increased mortality. Multidisciplinary measures aimed at reduction of neonatal morbidity and mortality such as improving the utilization of antenatal care services, quality of care at delivery, at the neonatal intensive care unit needs be strengthened.
Self Medication Against COVID19 Infection: Assessment of Practices among Residents in a Semi Urban Nigerian Community
Authors: Igwenagu Henry Chiagozie , Igboeli Nneka U , Nwajiobi Somtochukwu Maria-Regina , Boniface Samuel Ebuka , Ofili Samuel Chijioke , Jokoh Peterkings Eriuroro , Emeka Innocent Jephereson , Okonkwo Micheal Chinyem , Iyi Chidera Lawrencia , Ugboma Evaristus Jideofor
Published: June 2024

Aims: The prevalence of self-medication worldwide has been on the increase especially with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though self-medication can reduce pressure on the healthcare, the seeming downsides is overwhelming especially with the lockdown in the COVID-19 era. This study is thus set to understand the prevalence and nature of self-medication against COVID-19 among Individuals in Nsukka Town.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey based on descriptive non-experimental research designed to investigate the prevalence and practices of self-medication against COVID-19 was conducted within the Nsukka town of Enugu state, Nigeria. A 20-item structured, self-administered questionnaire was administered to a population consisting of Health workers, Road Transport workers and market women. Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS version 21.0 were used to analyze the data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize the data.
Results: A total of 840 responses were received. Participants aged 35-44 (262, 29.6%) and males (592, 67%) were the highest in the study. A 38.0% of the respondents have a tertiary education certificate while a 36.5% are traders. Nearly half (45.5%) of the participants were married. Participants indulgence in general self-medication (439, 49.7%) was higher than indulged in self-medication to prevent COVID-19 (415, 46.9%). Most self-medication was done largely to prevent COVID-19 infection. Among the drugs commonly self-medicated are dexamethasone (6.2%) and vitamin C (6%) closely followed prednisolone (3.8%). A few of the participants had “no trust in doctor” (1.8%) while an equal number “have medicines of family members” (1.8%).
Conclusion: Approximately half of the respondents reported to have self-medicated to prevent COVID-19. Dexamethasone and Vitamin C were most commonly used drugs. The only factor associated with COVID-19 self-medication was gender where being a female was associated with self-medicating against COVID-19. Concerted efforts are needed to educate the public on the dangers of self-medication and the need to access medical attention and information from healthcare professionals during pandemics.
First Record of the Hammer-Headed Worm (Bipalium spp) along with Checklist of Invertebrate Fauna from Patna, Bihar, India
Authors: Shahbaz MD , Alam Ahbar , Zafar Mohammad Masroor , Yasmin Shahla
Published: June 2024

There are records of hammerhead flatworms from many parts of India, but no information from Bihar. The hammer-headed worm was first recorded in the campus of Patna Science College in August 2022.  Hammer-headed worms (Bipalium spp.) are known for their unique appearance and behavior, which make them fascinating to researchers and nature enthusiasts alike. These worms have a distinct hammer-shaped head, which contains two eyes and sensory organs that help them detect prey. The authors noted that the spread of exotic land planarians in the region is likely due to human activities such as trade and transportation, and recommended further studies to assess their impact on native soil-dwelling invertebrates. This study emphasizes the importance of conducting regular surveys to document the biodiversity including the soil invertebrates.
Design and Development of Continuous Ohmic Heater for Milk and Its Performance Study
Authors: Rathva Arpita , Patel Sunil , Pinto Suneeta , Chauhan I.A. , Patel Shriyesh
Published: June 2024

Present study aimed for the design and development of a continuous ohmic heating system for heating of milk. The holding capacity of the designed heater was 8.24 litre and had a 'tube in tube' type arrangement. The heat transfer area of the ohmic heater was increased by employing two stages, consisting of SS-316 pipes. Process was controlled by using an electrical panel equipped with all the required electrical components. The designed ohmic heater for milk was optimized for heating of milk temperature up to 73°C. Efficient heating of milk was heated at optimized conditions of 137.7 V (stage-1) and 72.2V(stage-2) with 1.5 l/min flowrate. The average heating rate for milk 4.6˚C/min. At optimized conditions, system performance co-efficient was found to be 86.95. The milk heated using ohmic heater showed no significant difference in the composition and sensory attributes when compared to the conventional heating method. Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase test was also parallel to the thermal heating system and milk was highly acceptable by the sensory panel and cost is considerably lower than the thermal system.
Remediation of Saline Soils Using Halo-Tolerant Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria
Authors: Singh Charan , Kumari Gayatri , Lalita  , Gandhi Vishal , Jain Ashish , Madaan Sukham , Saini Sumit , Kumar Amit , Mahaveer  , Kumar Rakesh
Published: June 2024

Soil salinization poses a significant threat to global agriculture, affecting approximately 6.73m Ha land area in India. Salinity stress impacts plant growth and soil health negatively, leading to reduced crop yields and soil degradation. This review examines the sources and effects of soil salinity, highlighting the intricate interplay between salinity and soil nutrients and its remediation. Traditional methods for soil remediation often have detrimental long-term effects, prompting the exploration of alternative strategies such as the use of halo-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. HT-PGPR offer a promising solution for sustainable agriculture by enhancing soil fertility and plant resilience to salinity stress through various mechanisms. Furthermore, this review identifies research gaps in understanding the metabolic pathways and strain selection of HT-PGPR, as well as their interactions with soil microbiota. Future research directions include field-scale experiments to validate the effectiveness and economic viability of HT-PGPR inoculation for large-scale application in saline soils. Overall, leveraging the potential of HT-PGPR represents a critical step towards mitigating the global challenge of soil salinity and ensuring food security in the face of climate change.
Optimizing Agriculture: A Review of Chemical Priming in Crop Production
Authors: Margay Adil Rahim , Hassan Arif
Published: June 2024

Agricultural productivity faces increasing challenges due to climate change, soil degradation, and the need for sustainable practices. Chemical priming, a technique involving the pre-treatment of seeds or plants with specific compounds, has emerged as a promising approach to enhance crop resilience, productivity, and stress tolerance. This review synthesizes current literature on the application of chemical priming in crop production, focusing on its mechanisms, effects on plant physiology, and its potential to optimize agricultural practices. Chemical priming operates through diverse mechanisms, including the induction of stress-responsive genes, enhancement of antioxidant activity, and modulation of hormone signaling pathways. These mechanisms result in improved germination rates, accelerated seedling growth, increased nutrient uptake, and enhanced tolerance to various abiotic and biotic stresses. Moreover, chemical priming has been shown to promote crop yield and quality under adverse environmental conditions, making it a valuable tool for sustainable agriculture. The effectiveness of chemical priming depends on various factors, such as the type of priming agent, concentration, timing of application, and the specific crop species. Furthermore, interactions with other agricultural practices, such as irrigation regimes and fertilization strategies, can influence its outcomes. Therefore, optimizing chemical priming protocols requires a comprehensive understanding of crop-specific responses and environmental factors. Despite its potential benefits, the widespread adoption of chemical priming in agriculture faces challenges related to cost-effectiveness, regulatory approval, and potential ecological impacts. Addressing these challenges requires further research to refine priming protocols, assess long-term effects on soil health and ecosystem functioning, and develop sustainable approaches for large-scale implementation.
Comparative Analysis of Nickel Adsorption by Natural Sisal Fiber and Treated with Citric Acid
Authors: Kramer Dany Geraldo , Sousa Anésio Mendes de , Júnior Geraldo Barroso Cavalcanti
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Removing nickel from wastewater is complex and costly, requiring research into alternatives with technical and economic solutions. An alternative would be the use of plant biomass. In the Northeast region of Brazil, one of these alternatives, with a large cultivation area, is sisal (Agave Sisaliana), which may have greater yields for this purpose through surface chemical treatment with citric acid, which inserts carboxylic groups into the structure of the plant fiber. Thus, the objective was to analyze the ability to remove nickel in solution by sisal fibers.
Methodology: For this purpose, part of the sisal fibers was cut into 0.5 cm, washed and dried; initially treated with NaOH (0.1 mol/L); washed with distilled water and treated with citric acid (1.2 mol/L). The fibers were identified by FTIR; XRD; XRF and SEM. Adsorption tests were carried out with nickel solution for the parameters: kinetics, balance, influence of pH and adsorbent mass.
Results: The XRF analysis demonstrated a greater presence of NiO adhered to the treated fiber (55.74%); FTIR confirmed the presence of non-ionized carbonyl in the region from 1700 to 1750 cm-1; the adsorption kinetic test demonstrated greater effectiveness of the treated fiber > 80%; an ideal adsorbent mass was observed to be 0.1g; the ideal pH for removal was 5.0 while the equilibrium test has the best Languimuir isotherm, the uncontrolled fiber obtained R2 = 0.9810 and the controlled fiber R2 = 0.9643.
Conclusion: Therefore, it was observed that the treatment of sisal fiber with citric acid increases the removal efficiency of nickel ion in aqueous solution, presenting itself as a low-cost and widely available material.
Biofortification of Major Crops through Conventional and Modern Biotechnological Approaches to Fight Hidden Hunger: An Overview
Authors: Sen Hritik , Kumar Ashutosh , Janeja Harmeet Singh
Published: June 2024

Biofortification, the process of enhancing the nutritional content of crops, offers a promising strategy to combat hidden hunger—micronutrient deficiencies affecting over two billion people globally. This review article explores the biofortification of major crops, focusing on both conventional breeding techniques and modern biotechnological approaches. Conventional methods, such as selective breeding and crossbreeding, have been instrumental in increasing the levels of essential micronutrients like iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in staple crops such as wheat, rice, and maize. For instance, wild relatives of cultivated wheat, including Triticum dicoccoides and Aegilops tauschii, have been utilized to significantly enhance Fe and Zn content in modern cultivars. Advancements in biotechnological tools, including genetic engineering, marker-assisted selection (MAS), and genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9), have further accelerated the development of biofortified crops. These technologies enable precise modifications to increase the accumulation of micronutrients and improve nutrient bioavailability. For example, transgenic rice varieties enriched with β-carotene (Golden Rice) and enhanced Fe and Zn content through gene editing showcase the potential of biotechnology in addressing micronutrient deficiencies. The review also highlights ongoing efforts and challenges in the field, such as regulatory hurdles, public acceptance, and the need for comprehensive strategies integrating conventional and modern approaches. Furthermore, it discusses the role of international research organizations and collaborations in facilitating the development and dissemination of biofortified crops. In conclusion, combining conventional breeding with cutting-edge biotechnological innovations presents a robust approach to biofortify major crops, offering a sustainable solution to mitigate hidden hunger and improve global food security. Continued research and multi-disciplinary collaborations are essential to fully realize the potential of biofortification in enhancing human nutrition.
Phenotypic Screening and Antibiogram of Infectious Ulcerative Keratitis Cases in Tripoli Eye Hospital, Libya
Authors: Doro Basma. M. , Alsousaa Nour Abdulraziq , Momen Raja
Published: June 2024

Aims: This study to investigate the most prevalent pathogens that cause corneal ulcer in Tripoli-Libya, and to recognize the antibiogram of the isolated pathogens
Study Design: This study was a prospective study performed in eye hospital (Zawyet-Aldahmany eye hospital).
Place and Duration of Study: It was conducted at the microbiology laboratory of the hospital over a year from December 2018 to January 2020, The overall size of the sample enrolled in this study was 50  inpatients in the admission department,  which was  taken according to the incidence of the corneal ulceration cases admitted to the hospital.
Methodology: The corneal scrapings and swabs were collected and subjected to microbiological examination. Demographic data and risk factors were collected for each patient. The antibiotic susceptibility of the bacterial microorganisms was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, to identify the most appropriate antibiotic for each bacterial isolate.
Results: 60% of the patients were males, the mean age of the patients was 46.5 years, unilateral right eye keratitis was involved in (54%) of cases, trauma was the major risk factor (24%), followed by systemic disease (14%). Concerning the seasonal distribution of the cases between months, our study revealed that summer and winter seasons in Libya (January, July, August, and September) involved most of the cases, and interestingly, fungal keratitis (Aspergillus) was higher in (July, August), which is the summer season in Libya. The culture positive rate was (80%), of which (36%) were bacterial, and (22%) were fungal pathogens, and the other (22%) were mixed fungal and bacterial cultures. The most common bacterial isolate was (26%) P.aeruginosa and  (16%) staphylococcus aureus, while  Aspergillus (40%) was the most common fungal isolate, followed by Penicillium and  fusarium species. Our results showed that P.aeruginosa was the responsible microorganism for rapid  keratitis progression in three cases who were using cosmetic lenses promptly. Concerning antibiotic sensitivity, all gram-negative bacteria and positive isolates were susceptible to old-generation fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, while ceftazidime showed resistance to penicillins.
Conclusion: In conclusion, with early suspicion and microbiological diagnostic procedures, appropriate therapy can only reduce the incidence of this threatening ocular case.
Examining the Impact of Family-based Anti-corruption Character Education on Adolescent Attitudes: A Case Study of SMA Negeri 12 Makassar
Authors: Hanafi Ali
Published: June 2024

Family is a primary factor in shaping children's character, including their stance against corruption. Permissive family attitudes towards corrupt behavior may normalize such behavior in children. This study aims to analyze the effect of anti-corruption character education within the family on the anti-corruption attitudes of adolescents at SMA Negeri 12 Makassar. Using a quantitative survey approach, the study involved 200 students from grades X and XI. Data were analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment test, revealing a correlation coefficient of 0.398 and a t-value of 6.214, both indicating a significant positive relationship. The determination test showed that 14.8% of the variance in adolescent anti-corruption character is explained by family education, while 85.2% is influenced by other factors. These findings underscore the crucial role of family in fostering anti-corruption values and suggest that enhancing family-based educational strategies could further strengthen anti-corruption character in youth.
Angelman syndrome and prenatally diagnosed Prader–Willi syndrome in first cousins
Authors: Ranganath Prajnya , Agarwal Meenal , Phadke Shubha R.
Published: September 2011

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) and Angelman syndrome (AS) are caused by loss of function of imprinted genes in the 15q11–13 critical region. Reports of PWS and AS in close relatives within the same family are rare. We report on the diagnosis of a familial unbalanced 10;15 translocation causing AS in a child that led to the prenatal diagnosis of an unbalanced 10;15 translocation with resultant deletion of the Prader–Willi critical region in her maternal uncle's offspring. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia in Smith–Magenis syndrome: A possible locus at chromosome 17p11.2
Authors: Sanford E.F. , Bermudez‐Wagner K. , Jeng L.J.B. , Rauen K.A. , Slavotinek Anne M.
Published: September 2011

We report on a 7‐month‐old girl with Smith–Magenis syndrome (SMS) due to a 4.76‐Mb deletion of 17p12–17p11.2 detected by array comparative genomic hybridization. She was also affected with a left‐sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and cardiac anomalies including an atypical atrioventricular canal defect and a cleft mitral valve. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a patient with both SMS and CDH. There are numerous chromosomal regions in which duplications, deletions, inversions, or translocations have been associated with CDH, but none have previously been reported at or close to 17p11.2. We discuss candidate genes for the diaphragmatic defect in this patient. Our case demonstrates that it is important to consider the possibility of SMS in non‐isolated cases of diaphragmatic hernia. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic studies of human apolipoproteins. XVII: Population genetics of apolipoprotein polymorphisms in American Samoa
Authors: Crews Douglas E. , Kamboh Mohammad I. , Bindon James R. , Ferrell Robert E.
Published: September 2011

Variation in human apolipoprotein genes is a major source of phenotypic differences in human lipid metabolism. Data regarding genetic variation at apolipoprotein loci in various populations are only beginning to accumulate, and they suggest that different populations vary widely in distribution of apolipoprotein alleles. Using isoelectric focusing‐immunoblotting techniques, we screened 67 serum samples from self‐identified Samoan residents of American Samoa to investigate structural variation at six apolipoprotein loci: A‐I, A‐II, A‐IV, C‐II, E, and H. The APO A‐I, A‐II, and C‐II loci were found to be monomorphic by isoelectrical focusing. In Samoans, the common three‐allele polymorphism was observed for APO E, with no striking differences in frequencies from Caucasian populations. The three common alleles of the APO H locus also were identified; however, frequencies of the less common alleles (APO H*I and APO H*3) were different from those observed elsewhere for Caucasians.
Brief communication: Cerumen phenotypes in certain populations of Eurasia and Africa
Authors: Ibraimov A.I.
Published: September 2011

Cerumen polymorphism was studied in several populations of Eurasia and Africa. The frequencies of dry cerumen were shown to be high in Mongoloid populations and low among Europoids. Intermediate frequencies were found among peoples of subequatorial Africa. Special attention is paid to the potential for using this marker in population and anthropological studies.
The presence of nuclear families in prehistoric collective burials revisited: The bronze age burial of montanissell cave (Spain) in the light of aDNA
Authors: Simón Marc , Jordana Xavier , Armentano Nuria , Santos Cristina , Díaz Nancy , Solórzano Eduvigis , López Joan B. , González‐Ruiz Mercedes , Malgosa Assumpció
Published: September 2011

Ancient populations have commonly been thought to have lived in small groups where extreme endogamy was the norm. To contribute to this debate, a genetic analysis has been carried out on a collective burial with eight primary inhumations from Montanissell Cave in the Catalan pre‐Pyrenees. Radiocarbon dating clearly placed the burial in the Bronze Age, around 3200 BP. The composition of the group—two adults (one male, one female), one young woman, and five children from both sexes—seemed to represent the structure of a typical nuclear family. The genetic evidence proves this assumption to be wrong. In fact, at least five out of the eight mitochondrial haplotypes were different, denying the possibility of a common maternal ancestor for all of them. Nevertheless, 50% of the inhumations shared haplogroup J, so the possibility of a maternal relationship cannot be ruled out. Actually, combining different analyses performed using ancient and living populations, the probability of having four related J individuals in Montanissell Cave would range from 0.9884 to 0.9999. Owing to the particularities of this singular collective burial (small number of bodies placed altogether in a hidden cave, the evidence of non‐simultaneous interments, close dating and unusual grave goods), we suggest that it might represent a small group with a patrilocal mating system. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
“These boots were made for walking”: The isotopic analysis of a C4 Roman inhumation from Gravesend, Kent, UK
Authors: Pollard A.M. , Ditchfield P. , McCullagh J.S.O. , Allen T.G. , Gibson M. , Boston C. , Clough S. , Marquez‐Grant N. , Nicholson R.A.
Published: September 2011

As part of the road widening scheme between London and Dover, Oxford Archaeology South uncovered a large boundary ditch of Iron Age origin that contained Iron Age and Roman inhumations, adjacent to which was a small mid‐late Roman cemetery, interpreted as a rural cemetery for Romano‐British farmers. Grave goods in the cemetery were restricted to a few individuals with hobnailed boots. Bulk bone collagen isotopic analysis of 11 skeletons of Iron Age and Roman date gave a typical C3 terrestrial signal (average δ13C = −19.8‰, δ15N = 9.3‰), but also revealed one (SK12671) with a diet which included a substantial C4 component (δ13C = −15.2‰, δ15N = 11.2‰). This is only the second such diet reported in Roman Britain. Subsequent δ18Oc and 87Sr/86Sr measurements on the dental enamel in this individual were, however, consistent with a “local” origin, indicating that either C4 protein was consumed in Late Roman Britain, or that he came from somewhere else, but where conditions gave rise to similar isotopic values. If we accept the latter, then it indicates that using oxygen and strontium isotopes alone to identify “incomers” may be problematic. The provision of hobnailed boots for the dead appears to have had a strong symbolic element in Late Roman Britain. We suggest that in this case the boots may be significant, in that he was being equipped for the long march home. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physico‐mechanical properties of natural rubber sheets coated by polyethyleneimine‐functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles
Authors: Duangphet Sitthi , Jenjob Somkieath , Sunintaboon Panya , Rattanasom Nittaya , Thanawan Sombat
Published: September 2011

The surface modification of sulfur‐prevulcanized natural rubber (SPNR) sheets by the polyethyleneimine‐functionalized‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA/PEI) nanoparticles was successfully performed via a simple dipping method. The percentage of surface coverage (Cs) of the nanoparticles on SPNR sheets was found to be affected by a variation of nanoparticle latex concentrations and immersion times. The adsorption isotherm of PMMA/PEI nanoparticles on SPNR sheets was analyzed and found to fit well to the Freundlich model. After coating, it can be observed that the presence of PMMA/PEI nanoparticles on SPNR surface had no effects over the SPNR mechanical properties e.g., tensile strength, elongation at break, and hardness. On the other hand, the coated SPNR sheets showed a reduction of surface friction coefficients and interfacial adhesion up to 45 and 59%, respectively. Furthermore, PMMA/PEI nanoparticles adsorbed on the SPNR surface was subjected to stretching and wearing conditions, and found to be stable for at least seven stretching and wearing cycles. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
A study of the evolution of interdisciplinarity in library and information science: Using three bibliometric methods
Authors: Chang Yu‐Wei , Huang Mu‐Hsuan
Published: September 2011

This study uses three bibliometric methods: direct citation, bibliographic coupling, and co‐authorship analysis, to investigate interdisciplinary changes in library and information science (LIS) from 1978 to 2007. The results reveal that LIS researchers most frequently cite publications in their own discipline. In addition, half of all co‐authors of LIS articles are affiliated with LIS‐related institutes. The results confirm that the degree of interdisciplinarity within LIS has increased, particularly co‐authorship. However, the study found sources of direct citations in LIS articles are widely distributed across 30 disciplines, but co‐authors of LIS articles are distributed across only 25 disciplines. The degree of interdisciplinarity was found ranging from 0.61 to 0.82 with citation to references in all articles being the highest and that of co‐authorship being the lowest. Percentages of contribution attributable to LIS show a decreasing tendency based on the results of direct citation and co‐authorship analysis, but an increasing tendency based on those of bibliographic coupling analysis. Such differences indicate each of the three bibliometric methods has its strength and provides insights respectively for viewing various aspects of interdisciplinarity, suggesting the use of no single bibliometric method can reveal all aspects of interdisciplinarity due to its multifaceted nature.
Batch, fed‐batch, and microcarrier cultures with CHO cell lines in a pressure‐cycle driven miniaturized bioreactor
Authors: Kim Beum Jun , Zhao Ti , Young Lincoln , Zhou Peng , Shuler Michael L.
Published: September 2011

Miniaturized bioreactors for suspension cultures of animal cells, such as Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, could improve bioprocess development through the ability to cheaply explore a wide range of bioprocess operating conditions. A miniaturized pressure‐cycled bioreactor for animal cell cultures, described previously (Diao et al., 2008), was tested with a suspension CHO cell line producing commercially relevant quantities of human IgG. Results from the suspended CHO cell line showed that the cell growth was comparable to conventional flask controls and the target protein production was enhanced in the minibioreactor, which may be due to the relatively high oxygen transfer rate and the moderate shear stress, measured and simulated previously. Microcarrier culture using an anchorage‐dependent CHO cell line and Cytodex 3 also showed a similar result: comparable growth and enhanced production of a model protein (secreted alkaline phosphatase or SEAP). Various fed‐batch schemes were applied to the CHO cells producing human IgG, yielding cell numbers (1.1 × 107/mL) at day 8 and titers of human IgG (2.3 g/L) at day 14 that are typical industrial values for CHO cell fed‐batch cultures. The alteration of the volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient is a key parameter for viability of the CHO cell line producing human IgG. We conclude that the minibioreactor can provide favorable cell culture environments; oxygen transfer coefficient and mixing time can be altered to mimic values in a larger scale system allowing for potential prediction of response during scale‐up. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 137–145. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pickling Waste as an Inexpensive Iron Source for Fenton Oxidation of Synthetic Dye Bath Waste
Authors: Shrivastava Seema , Rao Sumita Neti
Published: September 2011

A simple, low cost, highly effective, and useful Fenton oxidation treatment of synthetic dye bath waste with pickling liquor as a source of iron (Fe2+ catalyst) is reported. Optimizations of contact time, Fe2+ and H2O2 doses are carried out. Oxidative de‐colorization and degradation of Reactive Blue 4 and Reactive Orange 16 was measured in terms of decrease in absorbance at their wavelength of maximum absorption (RB4, 599 nm; and RO16, 493 nm) and also as reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD). Approximately, 62% COD was removed in 2 h at optimized doses of Fe2+ (8.95 mM) and H2O2 (61.8 mM) by using pickling waste as a source of Fe2+ catalyst. Similar performance efficiency was observed when neat FeSO4 was used as a source of Fe2+, indicating that pickling liquor can be a low cost source of Fe2+ to treat synthetic dye bath waste by Fenton method.
Nodular sclerosing classical Hodgkin lymphoma masquerading as acute suppurative‐necrotizing lymphadenitis
Authors: Florentine Barbara D. , Cohen Alen N.
Published: September 2011

The diagnosis of nodular sclerosing classical Hodgkin lymphoma (NSCHL) by fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy has historically been a diagnostic challenge due to the usual paucicellularity of the specimen. This case report, and other previously published reports, suggests that there is another facet to the potentially challenging diagnosis of this particular variant of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL): the presence of suppurative‐necrotizing changes mimicking an infectious etiology. The patient presented here underwent FNA biopsy of an acutely enlarged supraclavicular lymph node and cytologic smears showed marked acute inflammation in a background of necrosis. A diagnosis of infectious suppurative lymphadenitis was made at that time. After a negative infectious work‐up with infectious disease consultation, an excisional biopsy was performed and the patient was definitively diagnosed with NSCHL. The presence of neoplastic Hodgkin and Reed‐Sternberg cells in the purulent exudate was minimal and only appropriately identified after retrospective review. This particular subtype of classical HL represents a potential pitfall in FNA biopsy cytology. Consequently, the cytopathologist and surgeon should always consider this entity in the differential diagnosis of a suppurative, lymphadenitis‐like aspirate, and pursue repeat FNA or an excisional biopsy if there is any clinical index of suspicion. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:238–241. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Statins amplify TLR‐induced responses in microglia via inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis
Authors: Van Der Putten Céline , Kuipers Hedwich F. , Zuiderwijk‐Sick Ella A. , Van Straalen Linda , Kondova Ivanela , Van Den Elsen Peter J. , Bajramovic Jeffrey J.
Published: September 2011

Statins inhibit the endogenous intracellular mevalonate pathway and exposure to statins affects innate and adaptive immune responses. Different statins are currently under evaluation as (co)therapy in neuro‐inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis. However, there are important discrepancies in the reported effects of statins on innate immune responses in different cell types. Studies to characterize such responses in clinically relevant primary cells are currently lacking. In this study, we investigated the effect of statins on Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐induced responses of microglia, the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS). Exposure of primary microglia from adult rhesus monkeys to different statins strongly amplified pro‐inflammatory cytokine protein and mRNA levels in response to myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88‐dependent TLR activation in particular. Rather than affecting nuclear facor‐κB activation levels, statin exposure affected stress‐activated protein/Jun‐amino‐terminal and p38 kinase signaling pathways. Mechanistic studies using specific pathway inhibitors and rescue experiments show that statin‐induced inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis, rather than inhibition of isoprenylation, was mainly responsible for the amplified TLR responses. Additionally, microglia were more sensitive to statin‐mediated effects than bone marrow‐derived macrophages of the same donor. This correlated to lower intrinsic microglial expression levels of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, the enzyme targeted by statins. Amplification of TLR‐induced responses in microglia by statin exposure might contribute to the generation of a more pro‐inflammatory CNS microenvironment which can be of relevance for the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory disorders. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multimodal wavelet embedding representation for data combination (MaWERiC): integrating magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy for prostate cancer detection
Authors: Tiwari P. , Viswanath S. , Kurhanewicz J. , Sridhar A. , Madabhushi A.
Published: September 2011

Recently, both Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging (MRI) and Spectroscopy (MRS) have emerged as promising tools for detection of prostate cancer (CaP). However, due to the inherent dimensionality differences in MR imaging and spectral information, quantitative integration of T2 weighted MRI (T2w MRI) and MRS for improved CaP detection has been a major challenge. In this paper, we present a novel computerized decision support system called multimodal wavelet embedding representation for data combination (MaWERiC) that employs, (i) wavelet theory to extract 171 Haar wavelet features from MRS and 54 Gabor features from T2w MRI, (ii) dimensionality reduction to individually project wavelet features from MRS and T2w MRI into a common reduced Eigen vector space, and (iii), a random forest classifier for automated prostate cancer detection on a per voxel basis from combined 1.5 T in vivo MRI and MRS. A total of 36 1.5 T endorectal in vivo T2w MRI and MRS patient studies were evaluated per voxel by MaWERiC using a three‐fold cross validation approach over 25 iterations. Ground truth for evaluation of results was obtained by an expert radiologist annotations of prostate cancer on a per voxel basis who compared each MRI section with corresponding ex vivo wholemount histology sections with the disease extent mapped out on histology. Results suggest that MaWERiC based MRS T2w meta‐classifier (mean AUC, μ = 0.89 ± 0.02) significantly outperformed (i) a T2w MRI (using wavelet texture features) classifier (μ = 0.55 ± 0.02), (ii) a MRS (using metabolite ratios) classifier (μ = 0.77 ± 0.03), (iii) a decision fusion classifier obtained by combining individual T2w MRI and MRS classifier outputs (μ = 0.85 ± 0.03), and (iv) a data combination method involving a combination of metabolic MRS and MR signal intensity features (μ = 0.66 ± 0.02). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A discretization method for the numerical solution of Dieudonné–Rashevsky type problems with application to edge detection within noisy image data
Authors: Franek Lucas , Franek Marzena , Maurer Helmut , Wagner Marcus
Published: September 2011

The present paper is concerned with the numerical solution of multidimensional control problems of Dieudonné–Rashevsky type by discretization methods and large‐scale optimization techniques. We prove first a convergence theorem wherein the difference of the minimal value and the objective values along a minimizing sequence is estimated by the mesh size of the underlying triangulations. Then we apply the proposed method to the problem of edge detection within raw image data. Instead of using an Ambrosio–Tortorelli type energy functional, we reformulate the problem as a multidimensional control problem. The edge detector can be built immediately from the control variables. The quality of our numerical results competes well with those obtained by applying variational techniques. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Reliability of Prayer‐based Self‐efficacy Scale to Assess Self‐confidence of Muslims with Low Back Pain
Authors: Al‐Obaidi Saud , Wall James C. , Mulekar Madhuri S. , Al‐Mutairie Rebecca
Published: September 2011

Background

Low back pain (LBP) may challenge an individual's self‐confidence to perform usual daily activities such as Islamic daily prayer. Existing self‐efficacy scales may not be appropriate to assess individual's self‐confidence to perform Islamic prayers.

Objective

This study aimed to develop a scale to assess self‐confidence to prepare and perform Islamic prayer in the presence of LBP, the Islamic Prayer‐based Self‐efficacy Scale (IpbSeS), and to determine its consistency.

Methods

The IpbSeS consists of three parts: pre‐prayer preparation, getting to and from the mosque, and positions and movements during prayer. On a scale of 0 to 6, 0 indicates ‘not at all confident’ and 6 ‘fully confident’. Sixty individuals with LBP gave their responses on two different visits. Pain intensity was assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the pain intensity changes were assessed using a seven‐point global patient rating scale.

Data analysis

Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Wilcoxon test and t‐test were used in the analysis (alpha set at 0.05).

Results

VAS scores did not differ significantly between visits. No association was found between VAS and age (r = 0.039, p = 0.77) and between VAS and body mass index (BMI; r = 0.06, p = 0. 67). All 28 questions have consistent responses on two visits (0.75 ≤ r ≤ 0.99, p < 0.001 for all) indicating a very high reliability.

Conclusion

IpbSeS appears to be a reliable instrument to assess the self‐confidence of Muslims in the presence of LBP to pray. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Bacoside Extract fromBacopa monnieraon Physical Fatigue Induced by Forced Swimming
Authors: Anand T. , Phani Kumar G. , Pandareesh M. D. , Swamy M. S. L. , Khanum Farhath , Bawa A. S.
Published: September 2011

The antifatigue effect of bacoside extract (BME) fromBacopa monniera(L.) Wettst. was investigated. Rats were subjected to weight‐loaded forced swim test (WFST) every alternate day for 3 weeks. The BME at a dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight was administered orally to rats for 2 weeks in order to evaluate the following biomarkers of physical fatigue: swimming time, change in body weight, lipid peroxidation, lactic acid (LA), glycogen, antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and blood parameters, namely blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatine kinase (CK). The exhaustive swimming time was increased by 3‐fold in the BME supplemented group compared with that of the control group on day 13. The BME treatment lowered malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in brain, liver and muscle tissues by 11.2%, 16.2% and 37.7%, respectively, compared with the control exercised group (p < 0.05). The BME also reduced the LA, serum BUN and CK activities significantly compared with that of the control. Administration of BME significantly protected the depletion of SOD and CAT activities. The HSP‐70 expression studies by western blot also confirmed the antifatigue property of BME. The present study thus indicates that BME ameliorates the various impairments associated with physical fatigue. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic and risk measurement perspectives on bowman's risk‐return paradox for strategic management: An empirical study
Authors: Figenbaum Avi , Thomas Howard
Published: September 2011

Bowman's (1980, 1982) widely quoted papers have reported the existence of a risk‐return paradox for strategic management. In this paper the authors examine the dynamic behavior of the risk‐return relationship and analyze whether the risk‐return paradox is stable across time. The analysis involves tracking Bowman's so‐called negative association ratio across time. Using accounting measures of risk and return, it is demonstrated that while the paradox holds during the 1970s, the finding does not hold in the environment of the 1960s. Further, the paradox disappears if market‐based risk measures are used. Some implications for strategic management are then discussed and attention is directed towards the meaning of risk in the context of strategic management. In addition, possible explanations for this paradox are evaluated and directions for further research are suggested.
Research notes and communications: An exploratory approach to measuring perceptions of strategic decision process constructs
Authors: Fredrickson James W.
Published: September 2011

Two recent studies (Fredrickson, 1984; Fredrickson and Mitchell, 1984) used a new research method to obtain statistically verifiable measures of a strategic decision process construct. In this paper the method's underlying theory and assumptions are made explicit, its benefits and shortcomings are discussed, and possible extensions are suggested.
Strategy formulation processes: Differences in perceptions of strength and weaknesses indicators and environmental uncertainty by managerial level
Authors: Ireland R. Duane , Hitt Michael A. , Bettis Richard A. , De Porras Deborah Auld
Published: September 2011

Some literature suggests that managers' perceptions of strengths and weaknesses indicators vary by management level. Differences likely result because of individuals' cognitive schemes, which include their cognitive biases. In turn, systematic errors may occur in managerial decisions. Results from the research reported herein support the notion that managers' perceptions of the indicators of a firm's strengths and weaknesses, and of environmental uncertainty, vary by managerial level. Differences in these perceptions were discovered to be more significant within each firm. Implications of these results are examined, including the impact on the deployment of firms' strategy formulation processes.