bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN MOROCCAN PARKINSON’S PATIENTS
Authors: Ahmadou Taher Moussa , Hanae Benjebara , Ghita Aboulem , Moussa Toudou Daouda , Camara Diankanagbe , Mariam Jilla , Naima Chtaou , Faouzi Belahsen Mohammed , Ahami Ahmed Omar Touhami
Published: April 2020

Parkinson’s disease can lead to disability and reduce the quality of life of its patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of life of a group of people with Parkinson’s disease. The clinical and progressive characteristics of the disease, its motor and neuropsychological impact were evaluated in each Parkinsonian subject included in the study.

A quality of life assessment was performed and collected from 60 Parkinsonian patients followed and hospitalized at Hassan II University Hospital in Fez. Different instruments were used, the Hoenh and Yahr scale and the Parkinson’s disease questionnaire (PDQ-39) UPDRS engine, MMS, clinical fact sheet.

According to our results, through the different tests and scale of evaluation, we observed an impaired quality of life in the areas of physical discomfort, cognitive disorder, activity of daily living, mobility, and emotional well-being, especially in patients with duration of evolution more than 5 years. There was no significant difference between the two sexes.

In addition, the severity of the disease tended to give the impression of an impaired quality of life with respect to the dimensions of activities of daily living and cognition, which is relevant to improving the quality of life patient life and clinical interventions.
HOW WORDS AND EMOTIONS CONTROL BEHAVIOR
Authors: Łysiuk Lidia
Published: April 2020

It is now being realized that people are driven by their emotions too much greater extent than by their intellect. Therefore, most influential are those leaders who knew how to evoke appropriate emotional states in their listeners. Examples of successful propaganda provide Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and recently Rwanda. In fact, both Nazi and Soviet propaganda made it possible to exterminate thousands of people with a silent consent of common citizens. Most people are easy to manipulate because they do not realize that words are symbols that bear strong emotional load. Moreover, party and religious leaders are often not aware of the consequences of the words they use. Whether they speak of an “enemy” of the nation, religion or society their eager followers will sooner or later come to the conclusion that the enemy is a serious obstacle in the welfare of the state. It made the revolutionary to slaughter all those who dared to think and act in a different way. On the other hand, words can also create positive attitudes persuading people to offer help to those in need. It is closely connected with the way the brain works. The studies found that common are not only sensual illusions but cognitive illusions as well. They make people to act in accordance with schemas they have internalized, and to react with negative emotions to those who try to change their word outlook, and the manner of thinking since they in terpret it as an attack on their basic values.
THE TRAVEL GUIDE AND TOUR LEADER JOB MARKET IN POLAND
Authors: Kruczek Zygmunt , Alejziak Bożena , Mazanek Leszek
Published: April 2020

Purpose. The main objective of the article is to diagnose the job market from the point of view ofsupply and demand for travel guide and tour leader services as well as to establish the dominant forms of employment, intensity of orders, forms of job search, status of employers as well as the amount of earnings.

Method. In the research, the method of diagnostic survey was used; the questionnaire was supplied to the respondents via the Internet, with the option of filling it out on-line (CAWI) as well as by conducting telephone interviews with employers (CATI).

Findings. The study proved that the travel guide and tour leader job market is unstable due to its seasonal nature, relatively low earnings and a constantly changing economic situation. The deregulation of occupations did not lead to a change in principles of cooperation between on the one hand, the tour operators one the one hand and the travel guides and tour leaders on the other; it did not exert influence on the costs of their employment or on the prices of tourist services.

Research and conclusions limitations. The research was conducted on a representative sample of tourist guides and tour leaders as well as tour operators.

Practical implications. The results of research may be of use to tour operators, organisations grouping travel guides and tour leaders as well as tourist administrations at central and regional levels.

Originality. A complex study of the tourist guide and tour leader job market is innovative and has never been conducted on such a scale in Poland.

Type of paper. The article presents the results of empirical research on the supply and demand of urban, field and mountain guides as well as tour leaders.
REGIONAL TOURIST GUIDE-INTEPRETER – A NECESSITY CHALLENGE AND CHANCE IN POLISH TOURISM
Authors: Mikos v. Rohrscheidt Armin
Published: April 2020

Purpose. The research problems are: assessing effectiveness regarding the work of tour guides as important components of tourist services in reception regions and the issue of maintaining the demand for their services in conditions changed due to the deregulation of the tour guide and heritage guide professions. In this context, the author proposes to create a new type of service provider that combines the functions of a tour guide and heritage interpreter with regard to regions. The paper aims to justify the usefulness of this service for tourism stakeholders, to present the scope of responsibilities and competences of such a guide and to collect the recommendations regarding the process of its introduction.

Method. The work is based on a status analysis of tour guiding and tourist heritage interpretation services after their deregulation in Poland. It also regards a comparative survey of their functioning in selected countries, where such regulation did not exist. This is connected with the author's experience as a guide, heritage interpreter and organiser of both services.

Findings. The analyses show that the introduction of a new type of service providers will better adapt the tasks of guides to the heritage structure in a typical Polish region, as well as contribute to the efficiency of work and economic profitability. It will also allow to maintain and even increase the demand for services from tour operators, providers of individual tourism packages as well as local and regional tourism management organisations (DMOs), which will also facilitate the activities of this group of entities.

Research and conclusions limitations. The effects of implementing the proposed solution may have more intense impact in regions with stronger identity and heritage cohesion as well as with a larger and better organised staff of guides and interpreters. Therefore, it is possible to limit its use in the first stage to such regions in Poland, which are indicated.

Practical implications. The analysis can be important for the Polish tour guide staff and heritage interpreters working for the benefit of cultural tourists, as well as for the Destinations Management Organisations in Poland. The introduction of the proposed solutions should result in an increase of the demand for the services of guides and interpreters as well as maintaining or increasing the importance of their certification as proof of the qualifications and quality of their services.

Originality. Due to the novelty of the proposed solutions, there are no equivalents in Polish literature on the subject. For the first time, the cultural intermediation and heritage interpretation has been presented as the topic of the recommended joint venture of professional guide organisations, area managers of tourism products and local/regional governments in the field of tourism management.

Type of work. The article is a conceptual study, based on case analysis.
TOUR LEADERS AND TOUR GUIDES IN THE ERA OF EXPERIENCE ECONOMY
Authors: Stasiak Andrzej
Published: April 2020

Purpose. The aim of the article is to apply selected elements of the experience economy theory in the domain of tourism, with particular consideration of tour leader and tour guides services. The author's intention is to present the general theoretical outline of this conception, emphasize the specificity and particularity of tourist experiences, as well as to define the role of leaders and guides in creating them. In the second part of the article, the author discusses, in detail, the most important tools and the rules of conscious and purposeful staging of tourist experiences by leaders and guides (application aspect). Method. The article is based on a review of literature (Polish and foreign scientific publications), the results of the author's earlier research on tourist experiences, as well as his substantial professional experience (as a courier, course leader and examiner). Theoretical deliberations have been illustrated with the results of participant, covert and uncontrolled observation of several tourist events organised by a major Polish tour-operator. Findings. Based on the discussion, it can be concluded that: 1) tourist experience differs considerably from "ordinary" market experience, because it is, at the same time, the essence and the sense of travelling ; 2) the tour leaders' role should be, among others, care for the desired form of the trip participants' ultimate experience; 3) storytelling still remains the main tool for creating tourist experience; 4) staging tourist experiences is a kind of art, governed by specific rules. Research and conclusions limitations. Due to the theoretical nature of the deliberations and the limited range of the author's own studies, the theses presented in the article require empirical verification on a larger sample. The article may initiate a discussion on supplementing the theoretical basis of the tour leader's (guide's) instruments with selected elements of the experience economy conception, and may become an inspiration to undertake even more detailed research on conscious staging of tourist experiences by tour leaders and tour guides. Practical implications. The article presents a set of well-defined, detailed rules of effectively creating exceptional, unique tourist experiences. These recommendations should prove useful in the everyday work of tour leaders and guides. Originality. This article is the first publication in Polish or even among world literature on the subject, which presents an attempt to adapt elements of the experience economy theory to the issues of tour leader and tour guide work. Type of paper. The article presents both – theoretical concepts and empirical studies.
The Paradox of Securitization within Uncertainty and European Integration
Authors: Junková Dana , Kný Milan , Kný Daniel
Published: April 2020

This article is a contribution to security sciences which underlines, on the basis of the multidisciplinary approach, the importance of skill levels in relation to the resistance to the securitization of security issues in connection with the development of European integration. It enriches the field of security management using the method of securitization as well as the the perspective of political science, sociology, and economic theory. Through the example of French referendum on the European constitutional treaty, it demonstrates the importance of skill level for the susceptibility of different population groups to the securitization of the topics of the campaign, namely within the context of the deepening of European integration, which respectively threatens certainty and increases uncertainty. The paper also draws attention to the possibility of emergence of the so-called paradox of securitization.
On the Spectacle of Walking
Authors: Ray Avishek
Published: April 2020

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in the face of the 21-day nation-wide lockdown imposed in India since 22 March 2020, the migrant worker has become the focal point of public discourse. With public transports being cancelled and the inter-state borders sealed for public transportation, thousands of migrant workers -- particularly, from the national capital, New Delhi -- are literally walking hundreds of miles to travel to their homes. This article is a brief response to the optics of imagery: how the walk of the migrant workers is visibilized with reference to the so-called mobility regime. It discusses how the images of migrant workers walking have generated powerful affect that pierces the spectatorial passivity of the ‘distant’ viewers including the elite travelers and the academics.
Revitalization and Sustainability of Historic Tombs with Their Neighbourhood: A case from Turkey
Authors: DISLI GULSEN
Published: April 2020

Historic tombs are important buildings in our architectural legacy both in terms of their tangible and intangible values. Hence, they are among the monuments preserved by Turkish government’s related bodies, providing substantial grants for the preservation of these buildings. This study examines a 16th century historic tomb, Karyağdı Sultan Tomb, located in a congested area in Ankara, Turkey.  Although the tomb is at the hearth of the city and can be reached easily, it is not much known and visited by the community because of the unplanned constructions mostly used for commercial purposes surrounding and hiding the building.  The objective of this study is to investigate sustainability potentials and develop revitalization suggestions of the tomb and its neighbourhood appropriate to the environmental, cultural, and social values of the region by means of need analysis, field works, and interviews with the local community.  Overall, the study findings suggest that thanks to the appropriate sustainable solutions for the development of the neighbourhood and existing built heritage with regard to community, neighbourhood, and building context, visiting capacity and recognition of the tomb and the area can be increased substantially. Hence the research formulated several holistic sustainable preservation suggestions, and recommended further studies in order to realize the potentials of sustainability evident.
BIM Integration Possibilities in Different Study Cycles of Architecture Study Programme
Authors: Mlinkauskienė Aušra , Christensen Per , Finocchiaro Luca , Lobaccaro Gabriele
Published: April 2020

European countries are developing or implementing policies that promote or require the use of information modelling in the architecture, engineering, construction and manufacture sectors. The integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to these sectors includes social, economic, political, legal and other aspects. This is why the implementation of BIM requires an integrated and broad approach that includes not only the BIM implementation and development strategy in designing companies but also in the field of education and professional training. The article discusses the potential of integrating BIM in different study programs and the possibilities of international cooperation in interdisciplinary BIM projects. The different levels of BIM will be explored in connection to different curricula. Particular attention is paid to the compatibility and applicability of design and innovative technology solutions using BIM methodology and the development of co-operation between higher education institutions in the Nordic region [1].

The aim of this paper is to carry out a comparative analysis and present the integration model of Building Information Modeling (BIM) into the Architecture programmes in different study cycles based on the example of Nordic countries.

Objectives:

To provide BIM use opportunities in 3 years Bachelor level based on Engineeering architecture study programme of VIA University College;

To provide BIM use opportunities in 5 years Integrated studies based on Architecture studies programme of Kaunas University of Technology;

To provide BIM use opportunities in the 2 years Master of Science program in Sustainable Architecture at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology;

To perform comparative analysis between different countries and different study cycles;

To provide a possible model for integration of the international BIM project in different study cycles.
Investigating the Effect of Balcony Types on the Naturally-Ventilated Buildings
Authors: Mirabi Elahe , Nasrollahi Nazanin , Dadkhah Mehdi
Published: April 2020

Natural ventilation is application of natural drift power of wind. Wind can enter and exit buildings through the openings on facades. Hence, Form of facades can impact the air flow behaviour and consequently natural ventilation because they can change the pressure distribution on facades. Moreover, wind pressure difference between windward and leeward facades of buildings is the most important factor affecting natural ventilation. So, it is worthy to focus on facade details in order to enhance natural ventilation. Particularly, geometrical details of facades such as protrusions and indentations e.g. balconies can be considered effective elements on average pressure distribution on both windward and leeward facades, changing pressure difference between these facades. This difference can drive the air flow towards interior spaces significantly. Although this basic rule has been used by different researchers in order to increase natural ventilation buildings, the most research has been studied buildings with flat facades. Therefore, this study aims to investigate effects of balcony types on the natural ventilation. Three types of balcony are simulated and the wind pressure distribution on the windward and leeward facades are analysed. All these simulations are carried out for normally (perpendicular) and obliquely incident wind. This study is performed with Ansys Fluent 18 for all simulations. The results showed that balcony types can affect the pressure distribution on the windward and leeward facades of buildings, leading to the more or less pressure difference between these two facades. These results show that protrusion (protrusive balcony) can cause more complicated pattern of the wind pressure on facades than the others. Also, Re-entrant balcony causes the more pressure differences between the windward and leeward facades and enhances natural ventilation of buildings more considerably than the protrusive one.
Research and Development of the New Progressive Construction Press Machines
Authors: Šooš Ľubomír
Published: April 2020

Throughout the world in the last two decades, solid noble biofuels produced on the basis of wood and agricultural biomass have been widely used. Many European Union countries have enacted legislation for solid noble biofuels oriented primarily to energy carriers manufactured from wood raw materials. The production of noble biofuels is a fitting direction for the recovery of biomass and other energy wastes. Fuel in the twenty-first century must, in addition to environmental and economic criteria, fulfil the criterion of high comfort and safety in its combustion. Modern energy carriers must have uniform size, density, moisture and shape. One of the most progressive means of waste recovery is the compaction of particulate matter into different shapes and sizes. The technologies of transforming biomass into biofuels with the required properties are compacting, briquetting and pelleting. I am working on a research of compaction technologies and the development of compacting machine design at the Institute of Production Systems, Environmental Technology and Quality Management of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of STU in Bratislava for more than 26 years. In its scientific research activity, the definition of equations describing the dynamic process of compaction, experimental tests of the compaction process, design and testing of new press machine were undertaken. Over the stated period, we have designed and developed several machines that are today in serial production. Chief among these is the BL 55–280 briquetting press, the DZ 240 disintegrating machine, the KUDO 2009 mobile unit for treatment of wood waste, the TR 200 solid material separator, the PLG 150 round pelleting press, the ZBL-2-860 double-screw briquetting press or the RCM 650 ring compacting machine. We have submitted over 53 patents and industrial models. The aim of this chapter is to describe the new original and progressive designs of these press machines.
Surgical Treatment Options for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Hanna Jimmy , Izzo Anthony
Published: April 2020

Given the increased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) multiple treatment modalities including medical and surgical have been developed. First-line therapy for most of the people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) consists of behavioral modification, including weight loss if appropriate, and positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. Patients who fail or do not tolerate PAP therapy, treatment options include oral appliances and surgical therapy. Surgical therapies have variable efficacy and are very important tool on OSA management in selected patients. This chapter will review the current surgical approaches sleep specialists use when other treatment options fail to accomplish the valuable outcome.
Influence of Noise in Ambulance Vehicles on Emergency Service Personnel
Authors: Indulis Dundurs Jānis , Janna Janssen Inka
Published: April 2020

Every day, noise is a ubiquitous potential hazard to our body. Importance is already dedicated early in history and still continues by steady investigations in terms of protecting the personnel in loud environment. “Worldwide, 16% of hearing loss in adults is attributed to occupational noise.” Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a sensorineural hearing loss, explained by permanent threshold shift of hearing sensitivity. NIHL not only affects the auditory system but also has psychosocial effects and is proved to have interference with general health by sleep disturbances or cardiovascular symptoms. This study aims to detect and define the sound pressure levels that ambulance service workers are exposed to during their shifts in ambulance vehicle, especially with the focus on differences during signal and non-signal use and different speed levels and determining whether the noise has hazardous character. The collection of study data is composed of two parts. The first part is the indication of noise level in the ambulance vehicle with the help of a sound level meter. The second part included a questionnaire that constituted 14 questions sent electronically. In total, 207 workers responded.
Coal Burst: A State of the Art on Mechanism and Prevention from Energy Aspect
Authors: Yang Xiaohan
Published: April 2020

Coal burst continues to be one of the most catastrophic safety hazards faced by future mining as the stress environment will be more complicated with the increase of mining depth. Many chief coal mining countries including Poland, Czech Republic, the U.S., China, and Australia have experienced fatal accidents caused by coal burst and conducted comprehensive research on the driving forces and solving technologies related to coal burst. In this chapter, the research outcomes of the mechanism, risk evaluation, risk monitoring, and prevention of coal burst are reviewed, which is helpful for mining researchers and engineers to understand and control the safety hazards caused by coal burst, and, hence, to achieve sustainable and safe mining.
A rapid and accurate method for the detection of four aminoglycoside modifying enzyme drug resistance gene in clinical strains of Escherichia coli by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Shi Yaoqiang , Li Chao , Yang Guangying , Xia Xueshan , Mao Xiaoqin , Fang Yue , Zhang A-Mei , Song Yuzhu
Published: April 2020

Background

Antibiotics are highly effective drugs used in the treatment of infectious diseases. Aminoglycoside antibiotics are one of the most common antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial infections. However, the development of drug resistance against those medicines is becoming a serious concern.

Aim

This study aimed to develop an efficient, rapid, accurate, and sensitive detection method that is applicable for routine clinical use.

Methods

Escherichia coli was used as a model organism to develop a rapid, accurate, and reliable multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) for the detection of four aminoglycoside modifying enzyme (AME) resistance genes Aac(6′)-Ib, Aac(3)-II, Ant(3″)-Ia, and Aph(3′)-Ia. M-PCR was used to detect the distribution of AME resistance genes in 237 clinical strains of E. coli. The results were verified by simplex polymerase chain reaction (S-PCR).

Results

Results of M-PCR and S-PCR showed that the detection rates of Aac(6′)-Ib, Aac(3)-II, Ant(3″)-Ia, and Aph(3′)-Ia were 32.7%, 59.2%, 23.5%, and 16.8%, respectively, in 237 clinical strains of E. coli. Compared with the traditional methods for detection and identification, the rapid and accurate M-PCR detection method was established to detect AME drug resistance genes. This technique can be used for the clinical detection as well as the surveillance and monitoring of the spread of those specific antibiotic resistance genes.
Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Onion Bulbs Cultivated in Katsina State, North West Nigeria
Authors: Yaradua A.I. , Alhassan A. J. , Nasir A. , Matazu S. S. , Usman A. , Idi A. , Muhammad I. U. , Yaro S. A. , Nasir R.
Published: April 2020

Vegetable fields in Katsina State are increasingly being loaded with heavy metals through various pollution sources such as agricultural activities mining and traffic. Onion bulb samples from the three senatorial zones that constitute to make up Katsina state in the North West of Nigeria were collected and the concentrations of seven heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Zn, Mn and Ni) in all the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The health risk assessment methods developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) were employed to explore the potential health hazards of heavy metals in the samples on the children and adult population. The highest mean concentration (mg/kg) was observed for Fe, followed by Pb, Zn and Mn. While Cd has the lowest concentration with the heavy metals Cr and Ni being below detection level (BDL). Overall hazard index (Hi) for the heavy metals were within the safety limit. The overall cancer risk to the adults based on pseudo-total metal concentrations exceeded the target value, mainly contributed by Pb.  Mn and Zn were the primary heavy metals posing non-cancer risks while Pb caused the greatest cancer risk. It was concluded that consumption of the onion samples from Katsina State may contribute to the population cancer burden.
Residents’ Perception of Ecotourism in Ratargul Freshwater Swamp Forest of Bangladesh
Authors: Mree Chisol Luis , Das Sanjoy , Ray Tusher Kumer , Chowdhury Pinaki , Saha Narayan
Published: April 2020

Aims: The study aims at finding out the perceived economic, environmental and socio-cultural impacts of ecotourism by residents who live near the Ratargul freshwater swamp forest.

Study Design: The study is qualitative and empirical which focuses on the residents’ attitudes towards the economic, environmental and socio-cultural changes due to ecotourism.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the villages near the Ratargul freshwater swamp forest located in Gowainghat Upazila of Sylhet District of Bangladesh. The study period was from November 2014 to February 2015.

Methodology: A total of 301 respondents were interviewed from the residents using a formulated questionnaire consisting of nine demographic variables and thirty-five impact items classified into economic, environmental and socio-cultural categories. A five-point rating scale was incorporated into each impact item for both belief and evaluation components. The sampling method was arbitrary (non-probability sampling) but without preconceived bias.

Results: The study shows the impact items regarding economic and socio-cultural aspects secured higher ranks by possessing higher mean values. Contrarily, items associated with the environmental aspect possessed lower mean values. These findings denote that residents favored both the economic and socio-cultural impacts of tourism as they positively perceived both impacts, whereas the environmental impact was least favored by the residents. Besides, it was also found that resident’s attitudes towards ecotourism vary with the variations in income, occupation, and gender.

Conclusion: The study concluded that residents acknowledge economic and socio-cultural benefits conveyed by ecotourism without sacrificing environmental and aesthetic aspects. Further studies are recommended to find out the trends of ecotourism and its impacts on residents and the forest.
Impact of Industrial Effluent Discharge on the Physico-chemical Properties of Aleto Stream, Eleme, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Gbarakoro S. L. , Gbarakoro T. N. , Eebu W. L.
Published: April 2020

Aim: This research work aimed to determine the impact of industrial effluent discharge on the physicochemical properties of Aleto Stream, Eleme and Rivers State.

Study Design: Random sampling technique was applied in this study. The study area was divided into three sites; upstream, downstream all of Aleto Stream and Agbonchia Stream which serves for the control experiment. Water samples for eleven physical and six chemical parameters were collected in a Completely Randomized Design.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out on Aleto and Agbonchia streams at Eleme, Rivers State, Nigeria from 2017 to 2018.

Methodology: Two samples were collected; one sample at the Aleto stream where the industrial effluent is being channelled into the stream and the other sample was collected from Agbonchia stream, which was used as a control. In the Aleto Stream, sampling was made at two points; point A (upstream) point B (downstream) and each of these points had their Physico-chemical properties tested while only one sample was collected from the Agbonchia Stream. Physico-chemical properties were analyzed in the samples using pH meter for pH, Turbidity meter for turbidity, Conductivity meter for electrical conductivity, phosphate by colourimetric method, total dissolved solids (TDS) and total suspended solids (TSS) by gravimetric method, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) by standard method, chloride, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), calcium hardness, total hardness by titrimetric method, colour, odour and taste by sensory method.

Results: Results obtained on the Physico-chemical properties had varying concentrations of Temperature, Total hardness, Chloride, Alkalinity, DO and Phosphate that were within world health organization (24)  and Federal Ministry of Environment (1991) permissible limits on both upstream and downstream with values ranging from 29.0-23.7oC, 360-125 mg/l, 120-100 mg/l, 36-30 mg/l, 4.9-4.4 mg/l, 1.92-1.2 mg/l respectively while Electrical conductivity, Turbidity, TSS, TDS, Calcium hardness, COD, BOD, Colour, Taste and Odour were above permissible limits on both upstream and downstream with values ranging from 1660-1700 mg/l, 83-112NTU, 82-80 mg/l, 910-914 mg/l, 1590-1900 mg/l, 100-165 mg/l, 4.36-3.88 mg/l respectively. The pH values ranged from 9.0-6.3 mg/l showing a result on the upstream to be alkaline while the downstream was slightly acidic. The increase in the above parameters above their permissible limits is as a result of the impact of industrial effluent discharges drained into the stream. This indicates that the stream is unfit for both human and aquatic inmates.

Conclusion: Therefore, proper management of this effluent should be ensured and an acute test with lethal concentration (LC50) as the endpoint is recommended to determine the degree of toxicity of the effluent waste.
Transient Slug Flow Modelling of Subsea Riser Flowline System
Authors: Moses Akin-Taylor Akinbowale , Briggs Tobinson A.
Published: April 2020

A gas-water system slug velocity was modelled with slug flow like a train of slug units streaming through a steel flowline riser of roughness 0.025 was modelled, the flowline was 2700 m, and the riser was 100 m with a diameter of 0.254 m, with each slug unit having a liquid slug of 100 m and its gas bubble of 200 m. Presumptuously the liquid phase was not compressible; that is, no gas was entrapped in the liquid; there is also no liquid was trapped within the gas. Unsteady state flow was modelled as a mass-spring system with damping. Liquid phase represented the mass, whereas the gas represented the spring and damping as the force of friction that acts on the fluids in motion by the wall. A quasi-steady-state model having a slug velocity of 4 ms-1 was used to simplify the numerical correlations and algorithm and to relate with outcomes of the unsteady state model.  Outputs from both models show that pressure and rate vary sinusoidally at fixed points in the system. Both models are unconcealed that the velocity of every slug unit was most at the end of flowline to the separator. The result from the transient state model is complex for weighing up with other results from the literature. This procedure was as a product of over-simplification owing to some assumptions made. Also, simultaneous solutions to the differential equations were solved with hand. It is determined that quasi-steady-state outputs are more reliable than the unsteady state model for flowlines that are not situated on heaving surfaces because the model is less complicated and follows the predictable trend.
Risk and Toxicity Assessments of Heavy Metals in Tympanotonus fuscatus and Sediments from Iko River, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors: Ubong U. U. , Ekwere I. O. , Ikpe E. E.
Published: April 2020

This study evaluates the physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals in water, sediments and Tympanotonus fuscatus obtained from three sample sites along Iko River in Eastern Obolo LGA, AkwaIbom State. The heavy metal analysis results on Pb, Cd and Ni in sediments and Tympanotonus fuscatus were used to estimate the human health and ecological risk assessment of the study area. The human health risk assessment tools utilized in this study were estimated dietary intake (EDI), total hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) while sediment pollution parameters evaluated were contamination factor (CF), contamination degree (CD), pollution load index (PLI) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo). Results obtained showed that EDI of Cd in periwinkle in the study sites ranged from 0.2 – 6.4 µg/kg-bw/day and exceeded the provisional tolerable dietary intake (PTDI), while EDI for Pb (0.0004 – 2.6 µg/kg-bw/day) and Ni (0.32 – 2 µg/kg-bw/day) was within the limit for all sites, except Ni in site II (34 µg/kg-bw/day) which was higher than the PTDI of 5 µg/kg-bw/day. The THQ of Cd in all sites was greater than 1, while Pb and Ni generally recorded THQ < 1. The hazard index (HI) was as follows: site I (2.36), sites II (24.44) and site III (6.5), highlighting a potential hazardous effect to humans as a result of the consumption of Tympanotonus fuscatus obtained from site II and III. The sediment pollution assessment revealed that the contamination factor (CF) and geoaccumulation index, Igeo of Cd were far above the permissible limits while Pb and Ni were mostly within limits. The estimated contamination degree (CD) and pollution load index (PLI) showed a high degree of pollution, which can be mainly attributed to the high degree of Cd contamination in the sediment. Therefore, the area under investigation is highly polluted and the periwinkle obtained from Iko river in the study area is unfit for human consumption.
Semiconductor QFN Package with Advanced Interlocking Design
Authors: Rodriguez Rennier , Gomez Frederick Ray
Published: April 2020

The mechanical interlocking structure for quad-flat no-lead (QFN) assembly for densified leadframe degrades as the package becomes thinner. Detractors such as package reliability and design requirement hinder further qualification of leadframes with increased number of input/output (I/O) pins. In this paper, a new and advanced design of leadframe is discussed and presented with improvement in mechanical interlocking structure of high stress areas such as lead and pad junction. The leadframe is re-designed having lead lines on the lead and pad that will be etched away after molding process replacing full copper base frame. Through application of the design, the effective mechanical interlocking is improved from 60% to 100% for mold-lead and mold-pad interface.
Content Validation of Basic Education Certificate Examination Questions in Basic Science in Adamawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Buba Maryamu Atari , Kojigili Stephen Tizhe
Published: April 2020

The study assessed the content validation of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) questions in Basic Science set by Adamawa State Educational Resource Centre (ERC), Yola, Nigeria. This was to determine the representativeness of the topics and their levels of the cognitive domain in the Junior Secondary School Basic Science curriculum in the Basic Education Certificate Examination in Basic Science question papers from 2013 to 2017. Document analysis research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised all past Basic Education Certificate Examination questions in Basic Science. The research instrument used for the data collection was a designed checklist along table of specification. A pilot study was conducted and a reliability index of 0.86 was obtained using Cronbach alpha analysis. Three research questions were raised with two hypotheses tested at 0. 05 level of significance.  The result of the findingp=0.000 revealed that there is no significant difference between the topics in the Basic Science curriculum and those examined in the Basic Education Certificate Examination questions in Basic Science. Again, the result 0.675 showed that there is significant difference between the weights assigned to the various levels of cognitive domain in the Basic Science curriculum and those weights assigned to them in Basic Education Certificate Examination Basic Science question papers. Based on the findings, it was recommended that re-training, workshops, conferences and seminars should be organized for Basic Science teachers and external examiners regularly to update their knowledge on test construction.
Longitudinal trajectories of behavior change in a national sample of patients seeking eating‐disorder treatment
Authors: Chapa Danielle A. N. , Hagan Kelsey E. , Forbush Kelsie T. , Clark Kelsey E. , Tregarten Jenna P. , Argue Stuart
Published: April 2020

Objective

Rapid response to treatment, indicated by substantial decreases in eating‐disorder (ED) symptoms within the first 4–6 weeks of treatment, is the most reliable predictor of treatment outcomes for EDs. However, there is limited research evaluating short‐term longitudinal trajectories of ED symptoms during treatment. Thus, it is difficult to know which aspects of ED psychopathology are slow or fast to change. The purpose of this study was to elucidate three‐month trajectories of ED psychopathology during treatment and test whether ED diagnosis influenced the direction and rate of change.

Method

Participants were Recovery Record users seeking treatment for an ED (N = 4,568; 86.8% female). Participants completed the Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory once per month for 3 months.

Results

Latent growth curve models indicated that ED diagnosis influenced the rate of ED behavior change. Anorexia nervosa was associated with faster reductions in cognitive restraint, excessive exercise, restricting, yet slower reductions in body dissatisfaction, and binge eating. Bulimia nervosa was associated with faster reductions in binge eating, cognitive restraint, excessive exercise, and purging. Binge‐eating disorder was associated with faster reductions in body dissatisfaction and binge eating, yet slower reductions in restricting.

Conclusions

Our results have implications for future research by providing initial information about the direction and rate of ED change over the course of treatment. If clinicians and researchers know which ED symptoms are slow to change, on average, across diagnostic groups, treatment protocols could be adjusted to target slow changing symptoms more quickly, and therefore improve ED treatment outcomes.
Sustained release of stromal cell–derived factor‐1 alpha from silk fibroin microfiber promotes urethral reconstruction in rabbits
Authors: Liu Yang , Huang Li , Yuan Wei , Zhang Dongliang , Gu Yubo , Huang Jianwen , Murphy Sean , Ali Mohamed , Zhang Yaopeng , Song Lujie
Published: April 2020

We developed a stromal cell–derived factor‐1 alpha (SDF‐1α)‐aligned silk fibroin (SF)/three‐dimensional porous bladder acellular matrix graft (3D‐BAMG) composite scaffold for long‐section ventral urethral regeneration and repair in vivo. SDF‐1α‐aligned SF microfiber/3D‐BAMG, aligned SF microfiber/3D‐BAMG, and nonaligned SF microfiber/3D‐BAMG scaffolds were prepared using electrostatic spinning and wet processing. Adipose‐derived stem cell (ADSC) and bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) migration was assessed in the SDF‐1α‐loaded scaffolds. Sustained SDF‐1α release in vitro and vivo was analyzed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting, respectively. The scaffolds were used to repair a 1.5 × 1 cm2 ventral urethral defect in male rabbits in vivo. General observation and retrograde urinary tract contrast assessment were used to examine urethral lumen patency and continuity at 1 and 3 months post‐surgery. Postoperative rehabilitation was evaluated using histological detection. The composite scaffolds sustained SDF‐1α release for over 16 days in vitro. SDF‐1α‐aligned SF nanofiber promoted regeneration of urethral mucosa, submucosal smooth muscles, and microvasculature, increased cellular proliferation, and reduced collagen deposition. SDF‐1α expression was increased in reconstructed urethra at 3 months post‐surgery in SDF‐1α‐aligned SF group. SDF‐1α‐aligned SF microfiber/3D‐BAMG scaffolds may be used to repair and reconstruct long urethral defects because they accelerate urethral regeneration.
Early behavioral and developmental interventions in ADNP‐syndrome: A case report of SWI/SNF‐related neurodevelopmental syndrome
Authors: Shillington Amelle , Pedapati Ernest , Hopkin Robert , Suhrie Kristen
Published: April 2020

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects approximately one in 59 children. Variants in the activity‐dependent neuroprotector homeobox ADNP (OMIM #611386) gene may be one of the most common single‐gene causes of syndromic ASD. Most patients diagnosed with ADNP syndrome have ASD as a comorbidity, and all patients have mild‐to‐severe intellectual disability.

Methods/Case Report

We present a case report of a patient diagnosed with ADNP syndrome at 2.5 years of age. The patient has many of the key features of the syndrome, including ASD, global developmental delay, behavioral problems, congenital heart defect, early tooth eruption, and vision problems. The patient's initial presentation included congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), which has not been previously reported in this condition.

Results

The patient exhibited frequent behavioral outbursts and was initiated on antipsychotic medication with near‐complete resolution of symptoms allowing her to engage more fully in early intervention therapies leading to progress in language acquisition.

Conclusion

This short report provides guidance for antipsychotic medication dosing to improve early intervention outcomes. This is the first report of CDH in this syndrome.
Nonreportable rates and cell‐free DNA profiles in noninvasive prenatal testing among women with heparin treatment
Authors: Nakamura Noriyuki , Sasaki Aiko , Mikami Masashi , Nishiyama Miyuki , Akaishi Rina , Wada Seiji , Ozawa Nobuaki , Sago Haruhiko
Published: April 2020

Objective

To evaluate the “nonreportable” rate in patients treated with heparin and to determine the effect of heparin on the results of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT).

Method

This was a single‐center retrospective study of NIPT. The “nonreportable” rate of NIPT was evaluated according to presence or absence of heparin treatment. After excluding true‐positive cases, a matched cohort study evaluating Z‐scores, GC bias, and cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) profiles was performed to investigate the effect of heparin on NIPT results.

Results

Overall, 2651 singleton pregnancies with available clinical information were evaluated; 23 mothers were treated with heparin. The nonreportable rate was much higher among patients treated with heparin than among those who were not (8.70% vs 0.15%). In the matched cohort study, the Z‐scores for chromosomes 13, 18, and 21, and GC bias were significantly higher in the heparin group than in the matched control group. Based on cfDNA library electrophoresis data, the proportion of short‐sized cfDNA was higher in the heparin group.

Conclusion

Heparin use increased the nonreportable rate of NIPT results by borderline Z‐scores, possibly caused by the increased proportions of shorter and GC‐rich cfDNA fragments. This information will be helpful for prenatal genetic counseling for patients requiring heparin treatment.
Architectural control of polystyrene physical properties using branched anionic polymerization initiated at ambient temperature
Authors: Alhilfi Tamara , Chambon Pierre , Rannard Steve P.
Published: April 2020

Ambient temperature‐initiated anionic polymerization has generated branched polystyrenes of varying molecular weights and architectures by inclusion of a distyryl branching comonomer into a conventional sec‐Butylithium‐initiated polymerization of styrene. Primary chain length control within the branched polymers, and restriction of the branching points to varying segments of the primary chains, led to variations of glass transition temperature with no direct correlation to the branched polymer molecular weight but a strong relationship to the length of individual chains comprising the branched macromolecules.
Glucocorticoid receptor mutations and clinical sensitivity to glucocorticoid in Chinese multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Song Tian , Chang Haoxiao , Du Li , Yin Linlin , Shi Fudong , Zhang Xinghu
Published: April 2020

Background

Glucocorticoid (GC) is the first-line therapy in acute attacks of multiple sclerosis (MS), but its efficacy is individually variable and may be associated with glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene.

Objective

To establish the association between GR gene sequence and clinical GC sensitivity in Chinese MS patients. And to investigate the expression differences of serum GRα and FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5) in GC responders and non-responders.

Materials and methods

Coding exons 2–9 of the GR gene from 97 MS patients were sequenced. We performed ELISA to detect serum GRα and FKBP5 before the GC impulse therapy in patients with different GC sensitivities (according to the EDSS changes before and after the GC medication).

Results

Seven new mutations were located in exon 2, but the presence or absence of mutations was not associated with the response to GC therapy (P = 0.416). The GC-sensitive patients had higher GRα (P = 0.011) but lower FKBP5 (P = 0.025) levels in the serum.

Conclusions

The GR mutations detected in our study were not associated with the response to GC in Chinese MS patients. Higher GRα and lower FKBP5 levels in the serum might predict the response to GC, which may provide potential therapeutic target for GC-resistant patients with acute MS attack.
Correction to: Inhibition of melanin production by anthracenone dimer glycosides isolated from Cassia auriculate seeds
Authors: Wang Weicheng , Zhang Yi , Nakashima Souichi , Nakamura Seikou , Wang Tao , Yoshikawa Masayuki , Matsuda Hisashi
Published: April 2020

The article Inhibition of melanin production by anthracenone dimer glycosides isolated from Cassia auriculata seeds, written by Weicheng Wang, Yi Zhang, Souichi Nakashima, Seikou Nakamura, Tao Wang, Masayuki Yoshikawa and Hisashi Matsuda