bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Principals’ Gender-Related Variables and Discipline in Secondary Schools in Southwest, Nigeria
Authors: Olufunke Akomolafe, Comfort , Abimbola Belo, Fawziyah
Published: June 2018

The study examined the relationship between principals’ genderrelated variables and discipline of teachers and students. The study was a descriptive research design of the survey type. The study population comprised 80, 291 teachers in Southwest Nigeria that comprised six states. A sample of 2,040 teachers was drawn from 102 Secondary Schools in 17 local Government Areas from three States in Southwest Nigeria using proportionate random and stratified sampling techniques. Data were collected with an instrument tagged “Gender-Related Variables and Discipline Questionnaire”. The instrument was subjected to face and content validity by expert in Educational management and tests, to ensure the items measure what they are supposed to measure. The reliability of the instrument was established through test-retest method which yielded a coefficient of 0.78. The hypotheses were tested with Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis at 0.05 level of significance. It was revealed from the study that there was significant relationship between principals’ gender-related variables and teachers’ as well as students’ discipline. It was also revealed from the study that courage of principals was the best predictor of teachers’ discipline while principals’ toughness was the best predictor of students’ discipline. It was concluded on the basis of the findings of this study that gender-related variables are critical variables in the discipline of both teachers and students. It was therefore recommended that principals should regularly be reminded that their ability to discipline erring teachers and students is not a function of their sex but their personal attributes. It was equally recommended that principals’ knowledge need to be updated on the need to maintain those variables such as courage, toughness and friendliness that contribute to their being effective in disciplining both teachers and students.
Where Were European Higher Education Institutions within Erasmus Mundus Action2 Strand 1?
Authors: Perez Mariano Martin
Published: June 2018

Teichler (2009) wrote “ERASMUS was a trigger for a qualitative leap of internationalisation strategies and policies since the 1990s: towards cooperation and mobility on equal terms, and towards systematic and strategic internationalisation”. Though, one might say, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) follow that path with the aim of generating, strengthening and promoting said qualitative leap including within their institutional structures. The European Union struggled for each and every one of the HEIs to be strengthened by means of a program that allowed them to strengthen their internationalization process and give them an equality of conditions, at an EU level, as receptors of help to participate in international activities. In this sense, this study will provide an unconventional understanding of the EU’s HEIs’ participation level, and will try to open a debate to discuss at further depth as to how much they were able to be equal beneficiaries of the Erasmus Mundus Action 2 Strand 1. This research is part of a doctoral investigation project. It was structured as a descriptive study and it utilized secondary information which came from data published by the EACEA on its website as well as from different online documents. According to the study’s findings, the EMA2S1 was an open tool for all European HEIs, but it benefitted only some of them.
Project Planning and Implementation in Niegria: Revisiting International Best Practices
Authors: Igwe Nick Ngozi , Ude Anthony Obiora
Published: June 2018

The existence of poor project planning and implementation culture is an anti-thesis to development. This is because the growth of any nation is essentially dependent on successful execution of critical development projectsand infrastructures. The purpose of thispaper is to explore the current issues around project planning and implementation in Nigeria’s public sector vis-à-vis international best practices. The methodology adopted was a documentary review of past and current literature which enhance critical and contextual analysis of project implementation and execution culture in the country. It was found that the three tiers of government have not really planned, implemented and executed projects with due diligence in accordance with global best practices. Thus there exists a widespread institutional mediocrity in project execution, deficiency of vision, and inadequate budgetary allocations leading to high cost of project financing and corruption in the long run. The paper recommends amongst other things the establishment of National Public Projects Implementation System (NPPIS),public projects governance institutional framework and project management offices (PMOs), in Ministries Departments and Agencies to support processes for better public projects delivery system.
The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Emotion Regulation, Cognition and Social Skills
Authors: Jones Thomas M.
Published: June 2018

This review seeks to bridge the gap between the separate but interacting mechanisms of emotion regulation and cognition, as well as their potential relationship with mindfulness meditation tools. By way of mindfulness meditation, individuals can learn how to regulate their emotions in a way that aversive stimuli will be viewed objectively; thus, the person can be free of attachment from said negative feelings. Knowing this, there is a potential link between emotion regulation processes and cognitive mechanisms that allow such regulation to take place, including selective or focused attention and inhibition. The literature on this theory so far has been inconsistent, however more claims suggest that there is a relationship between the two. This review initially speaks to existing mindfulness research and its implications on emotion regulation and cognitive processes. We then discuss emotion and the underlying processes and potential benefits of emotion regulation practice, as they are related to mindfulness mechanisms. Cognition, and the relationship between emotional intelligence and social skills are also discussed. Finally, we put it all together by suggesting a proactive mindfulness technique, which proves to be beneficial for each area mentioned.
Teaching Phonetics Using A Mobile-Based Application in an EFL Context
Authors: Haggag Haggag Mohamed
Published: June 2018

Mobile based learning has been an effective mean for learning languages. The aim of this study is three-fold: first, to investigate the process of designing mobile-based application for teaching phonetics in EFL context. The second is to verify the effect of this mobile application on pre-service EFL teachers' achievement of English phonetics at a university level. Finally, it aims to investigate participants' satisfaction towards Mobile Assisted Language Learning. The research implements a mobile based program for developing preservice teachers' segmental elements in a phonetics courses. It deals with how to design the program, implement it and test its results. Participants of the study were (23) pre-service English language teachers at Hurghada Faculty of Education, South Valley University, Egypt. Instruments of the study included a mobile based phonetics module, English phonetics achievement Test and an English Satisfaction scale. Results showed a development in participants' achievement at the level (0.01) in mastering the segmental elements (Phonemes identifications- consonants classificationvowels classification). Participants showed their satisfaction of the application through their positive feedback and responses to the items of the questionnaire
História da enfermagem brasileira (1950-2004): o que tem sido discutido na literatura?
Authors: Santos Fernanda Batista Oliveira , Carregal Fernanda Alves dos Santos , Rodrigues Rafaela Dias , Marques Rita de Cássia Marques De Cássia
Published: June 2018

Objetivo: Analisar as produções científicas acerca da história e do ensino da enfermagem brasileira referentes ao período de 1950-
2004. Método: Revisão integrativa, em que a amostra final foi constituída por 18 artigos. Resultados: 22,2% dos estudos trabalham
o progresso da educação em enfermagem no Brasil, ressaltando as contribuições das instituições de ensino e suas especificidades
regionais em prol da valorização da identidade profissional e as modificações no ensino da graduação. 50% abordam percurso e
fatores do ensino para o reconhecimento da profissão e a realização de pesquisas para a qualificação profissional. 27,8% discutem
vida associativa na enfermagem, destacando a Associação Brasileira de Enfermagem (ABEn), sua revista e seus eventos científicos.
Conclusão: Verificam-se modificações na formação do enfermeiro, tendo em vista a conquista de maior cientificidade no ensino,
corroboradas pela ABEn e repercussão dessas modificações na configuração identitária da categoria profissional.
Adesão terapêutica em idosos hipertensos: revisão integrativa
Authors: Pinheiro Fernanda Machado , Do Espirito Santo Fatima Helena , De Sousa Renata Miranda , Da Silva Jaqueline , Santana Rosimere Ferreira
Published: June 2018

Objetivo: identificar evidências sobre adesão terapêutica em idosos hipertensos. Método: Trata-se de revisão integrativa. A coleta

de dado ocorreu na segunda quinzena do mês de agosto de 2015 nas bases de dados da LILACS, MEDLINE via PUBMED e SCIELO.

Utilizou-se os descritores: “Idoso”, “Hipertensão”, “Cuidados de Enfermagem”, “Adesão à medicação”, e o operador booleano and

para os cruzamentos. Para análise, apresentam-se 20 publicações. Resultados: Aspirando melhorar os comportamentos de

autocuidado, o aconselhamento pelo enfermeiro ao paciente idoso é uma estratégia para melhorar a adesão terapêutica.

Conclusão: Identificou-se que as evidências sobre adesão terapêutica em idosos hipertensos, estão relacionadas, ao

desenvolvimento das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e ao estilo de vida da pessoa idosa. Estratégias que envolvam atitudes e

comportamentos dos idosos podem favorecer um comportamento participativo que contribua para uma adequada adesão

terapêutica.
Para una historiografía de la religión hispanorromana en el marco de la civitas: el paradigma de los cultos locales en el noroeste
Authors: González-Rodríguez Mª Cruz
Published: June 2018

Resumen: Esta contribución pretende ofrecer un balance historiográfico de los trabajos más significativos llevados a cabo en el presente siglo sobre la religión hispanorromana (s. I-s. III d. C.) y reflexionar sobre los avances conseguidos en la investigación con respecto al s. XX. El camino que trazamos se centra en los logros alcanzados en tres cuestiones básicas: los sacerdocios; los cultos (con especial atención a los cultos locales del Noroeste) y los lugares de culto. Para finalizar se apuntan las lagunas y los caminos que aún quedan por recorrer.Palabras clave: Religión hispanorromana, Hispania, Noroeste, sacerdocios, lugares de culto, cultos locales, religio, civitasAbstract: This paper aims to offer a historiographic summary of the most significant contributions of this century concerning the religion of Roman Hispania (1st–3rd c. A.D.) in order to reflect on the progress of research conducted since the 20th century. We will focus on the achievements in three fundamental areas: priesthood, cults (especially the local cults of the NW) and places of worship. Finally, mention is made concerning research gaps and issues that should be addressed in the future.Key words: Religion the Roman Hispania, Hispania, Northwest, priesthood, places of worship, local cults, religio, civitas.
Una aproximación al culto imperial en Hispania: avances interpretativos
Authors: Alarcón Hernández Carmen
Published: June 2018

Resumen: El presente trabajo ofrece una aproximación al culto imperial en la Península Ibérica. El análisis aborda los últimos estudios y avances interpretativos sobre su significado e introducción en Hispania y, de acuerdo con las últimas investigaciones arqueológicas, examina uno de los procesos más importantes que experimenta la veneración a los emperadores en la Península: su organización provincial en la Bética, la Tarraconense y la Lusitania.Palabras clave: culto imperial, sacerdotes provinciales, Hispania, sede provincial de culto imperial, domus imperatoria.Abstract: In this study, we present a critical approach to the imperial cult of the Iberian Peninsula. The analysis tackles the latest research and interpretative advances on the introduction of imperial worship in Hispania and, on the basis of the latest archaeological findings, we explore one of the most important processes of the imperial cult in the Iberian Peninsula: its provincial organization into Baetica, Tarraconensis and Lusitania.Key words: imperial cult, provincial priests, Hispania, provincial seat of imperial cult, domus imperatoria.
Auto-análise da imagem corporal de adolescentes com deficiência visual sedentários e fisicamente ativos
Authors: Interdonato Giovanna Carla , Greguol Márcia
Published: June 2018

Pessoas com deficiência visual em geral demonstram dificuldades em estabelecerem parâmetros sobre sua auto-imagem. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar parâmetros da imagem corporal de indivíduos com deficiência visual praticantes de atividades físicas regulares e sedentários. Para tanto, foram avaliados 18 adolescentes com deficiência visual com média de idade 12,27 de anos (±2,13). Como instrumento de coleta foi utilizado um questionário semi estruturado com questões relacionadas à auto-percepção em relação à sua imagem corporal, aspectos psicossociais e competências motoras. Os resultados mostraram que os adolescentes possuem uma fiel percepção de imagem corporal e uma elevada auto–estima.
Anales de Salud Mental (volumen II Nos. 1 y 2, 1986)
Authors: Mariategui Javier
Published: June 2018

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Acción terapeútica del Piracetam en los problemas de aprendizaje en niños con disfunción cerebral mínima.
Authors: Zevallos Juana , Zevallos Federico
Published: June 2018

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Severe trimming and enhanced competition of laterals as a tool to delay ripening in Tempranillo vineyards under semiarid conditions
Authors: Santesteban Luis Gonzaga , Miranda Carlos , Urrestarazu Jorge , Loidi Maite , Royo José Bernardo
Published: June 2018

Aim: An advance in grapevine phenological stages (including ripening) is occurring worldwide due to global warming and, in the hottest seasons, already results in a lack of synchrony between sugar and phenolic ripeness, leading to unbalanced wines. In order to cope with this fact, a general effort is being made by researchers and growers aiming at delaying ripening through cultural practices, particularly under warm growing conditions, where these effects are more deleterious. The aim of this work is to evaluate to which extent severe trimming and enhanced competition of laterals can delay ripening in Tempranillo vineyards under semiarid conditions.Methods and results: The experiment took place during two consecutive seasons in Traibuenas (Navarra, Spain) in a cv. ‘Tempranillo’ vineyard trained to a vertical shoot positioned (VSP) spur-pruned bilateral cordon. Severe mechanical pruning was performed ca. 3 weeks after fruit-set in order to reduce leaf-to-fruit ratio, and in the trimmed plants, three irrigation doses were applied until harvest aiming at enhancing lateral growth, hypothesized to compete with ripening. All measurements were performed in six 10-vine replicates per treatment. Trimming significantly reduced leaf area and yield, resulting in higher water availability in trimmed plants. The whole ripening process was delayed by trimming: mid-veraison was delayed by about 5 days, and the delay in sugar accumulation and acid degradation was longer, differences being more marked in malic than in tartaric acid concentration. The use of increased irrigation levels compensated the losses in yield caused by trimming, enhanced laterals’ growth and implied an additional delay in ripening.Conclusion: trimming and increased irrigation had an additive effect in terms of delaying ripening, and they can be used jointly when that delay is needed.Significance and impact of the study: this study proves the potentiality of the joint use of trimming and increased irrigation to delay ripening, although it is necessary to analyze the implications the obtained delay has on other quality aspects. The lower anthocyanin and phenolic values observed in trimmed vines were not solely due to delayed ripening, as lower values were observed even when data were compared for a given total soluble solid content.
How to adapt winemaking practices to modified grape composition under climate change conditions
Authors: Dequin Sylvie , Escudier Jean-Louis , Bely Marina , Noble Jessica , Albertin Warren , Masneuf-Pomarède Isabelle , Marullo Philippe , Salmon Jean-Michel , Sablayrolles Jean Marie
Published: June 2018

Aim: In the context of climate change, adaptation of enological practices and implementation of novel techniques are major challenges for winemakers. The potential interventions are linked in particular with the alcohol content and the global acidity of wine. Here, we review current microbiological and technological strategies to overcome such issues.Methods and results: Reducing ethanol concentration poses a number of technical and scientific challenges, in particular looking for specific yeast strains with lower alcohol yield. Several non-genetically modified organism (GMO) strains – S. cerevisiae or interspecific hybrids of the Saccharomyces genus – have yet been developed using different strategies, and some of them allow decreasing the final ethanol concentration by up to 1%. Several membrane-based technologies have also been developed not only to reduce the ethanol content of wines but also to increase the acidity and more generally to control the wine pH. New strategies are also proposed to improve the control of winemaking, especially the management of alcoholic fermentation of sugar-rich musts and the control of oxidation during the process.Conclusion: Reducing ethanol of wines  and increasing their acidity are good examples of novel techniques  of interest in the context of climate change. Other strategies are still under study to adapt winemaking practices to changes in grape composition.Significance and impact of the study: [Membrane-based technologies can be used to reduce the ethanol content of wines or to increase the acidity.  Microbiological strategies will also be soon available for winemakers.
Developmental, molecular and genetic studies on grapevine response to temperature open breeding strategies for adaptation to warming
Authors: Torregrosa Laurent , Bigard Antoine , Doligez Agnes , Lecourieux David , Rienth Markus , Luchaire Nathalie , Pieri Philippe , Chatbanyong Ratthaphon , Shahood Rezth , Farnos Marc , Roux Catherine , Adiveze Angélique , Pillet Jérémie , Sire Yannick , Zumstein Emmanuelle , Veyret Mélanie , Le Cunff Loic , Lecourieux Fatma , Saurin Nicolas , Muller Bertrand , Ojeda Hernán , Houel Cléa , Péros Jean-Pierre , This Patrice , Pellegrino Anne , Romieu Charles
Published: June 2018

Aim: In the long term, genetic improvement is one of the major strategies to support sustainable wine production in a changing climate. Over the past 5 years, we have developed an interdisciplinary research program that aimed to: i) characterize the impact of temperature increase sensed by the entire plant or individual bunches on the development and functioning of the plant, ii) identify the physiological and molecular mechanisms regulating the response of vegetative and reproductive development to heat stress and iii) develop tools to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of plant and berry development in duly controlled, stable, and contrasting environmental conditions.Methods and results: Performing high-throughput genomic analyses combined with the use of innovative experimental designs (fruiting cuttings, microvines, single berry sampling) was critical to decipher the ecophysiological and molecular mechanisms involved in the vine response to high temperature.Conclusion: Warming promotes vegetative growth and hampers plant carbon balance, disturbing flower set and young berry development. High temperatures modify primary and secondary fruit metabolisms, desynchronizing sugar and organic acid metabolisms and delaying sugar and polyphenol accumulation during ripening. The study of day and night transcriptomic and proteomic signatures associated with heat highlighted key players of the response to temperature in the fruit. Significance and impact of the study: Capitalizing on this knowledge, a new program is being proposed for the selection of cultivars limiting the accumulation of sugars in the berry while maintaining other qualitative compounds.
Which climatic modeling to assess climate change impacts on vineyards?
Authors: Quénol Hervé , Garcia de Cortazar Atauri Iñaki , Bois Benjamin , Sturman Andrew , Bonnardot Valérie , Le Roux Renan
Published: June 2018

The impact of climatic change on viticulture is significant: main phenological stages appear earlier, wine characteristics are changing,... This clearly illustrates the point that the adaptation of viticulture to climate change is crucial and should be based on simulations of future climate. Several types of models exist and are used to represent viticultural climates at various scales. In this paper, we propose a review of different types of climate models (methodology and uncertainties) and then few examples of its application at the scale of wine growing regions worldwide.
A Half-Century History of Applications of Antisense Oligonucleotides in Medicine, Agriculture and Forestry: We Should Continue the Journey
Authors: Oberemok Volodymyr V. , Laikova Kateryna V. , Repetskaya Anna I. , Kenyo Igor M. , Gorlov Mikhail V. , Kasich Igor N. , Krasnodubets Alisa M. , Gal'chinsky Nikita V. , Fomochkina Iryna I. , Zaitsev Aleksei S. , Bekirova Viktoriya V. , Seidosmanova Eleonora E. , Dydik Ksenia I. , Meshcheryakova Anna O. , Nazarov Sergey A. , Smagliy Natalya N. , Chelengerova Edie L. , Kulanova Alina A. , Deri Karim , Subbotkin Mikhail V. , Useinov Refat Z. , Shumskykh Maksym N. , Kubyshkin Anatoly V.
Published: June 2018

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), short single-stranded polymers based on DNA or RNA chemistries and synthesized in vitro, regulate gene expression by binding in a sequence-specific manner to an RNA target. The functional activity and selectivity in the action of ASOs largely depends on the combination of nitrogenous bases in a target sequence. This simple and natural property of nucleic acids provides an attractive route by which scientists can create different ASO-based techniques. Over the last 50 years, planned and realized applications in the field of antisense and nucleic acid nanotechnologies have produced astonishing results and posed new challenges for further developments, exemplifying the essence of the post-genomic era. Today the majority of ASOs are chemically modified and/or incorporated within nanoparticles to enhance their stability and cellular uptake. This review critically analyzes some successful cases using the antisense approach in medicine to address severe diseases, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy, and suggests some prospective directions for future research. We also examine in detail the elaboration of unmodified insect-specific DNA insecticides and RNA preparations in the areas of agriculture and forestry, a relatively new branch of ASO that allows circumvention of the use of non-selective chemical insecticides. When considering the variety of successful ASO modifications with an efficient signal-to-noise ratio of action, coupled with the affordability of in vitro oligonucleotide synthesis and post-synthesis procedures, we predict that the next half-century will produce a fruitful yield of tools created from effective ASO-based end products.
Virological Sampling of Inaccessible Wildlife with Drones
Authors: Geoghegan Jemma L. , Pirotta Vanessa , Harvey Erin , Smith Alastair , Buchmann Jan P. , Ostrowski Martin , Eden John-Sebastian , Harcourt Robert , Holmes Edward C.
Published: June 2018

There is growing interest in characterizing the viromes of diverse mammalian species, particularly in the context of disease emergence. However, little is known about virome diversity in aquatic mammals, in part due to difficulties in sampling. We characterized the virome of the exhaled breath (or blow) of the Eastern Australian humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). To achieve an unbiased survey of virome diversity a meta-transcriptomic analysis was performed on 19 pooled whale blow samples collected via a purpose-built Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV, or drone) approximately 3km off the coast of Sydney, Australia during the 2017 winter annual northward migration from Antarctica to northern Australia. To our knowledge, this is the first time that UAVs have been used to sample viruses. Despite the relatively small number of animals surveyed in this initial study, we identified six novel virus species from five viral families. This work demonstrates the potential of UAVs in studies of virus disease, diversity, and evolution.
Sustainability Assessment of the Groundwater Quality in the Western India to Achieve Urban Water Security
Authors: Saraswat Chitresh , Kumar Pankaj , Dasgupta Rajarshi , Bhalani Prashant
Published: June 2018

Achieving water security and availability for all is among the principle agenda of the UN-Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve the goal of water security, particularly in rapidly expanding cities, identification of safe and sustainable water resources is an absolute necessity. The paper conducts an exploratory investigation in the hydro geochemical characteristics of groundwater and thereby, assess the suitability of groundwater as an alternative and reliable resource for public water supply in the Indian city of Surat. A total of 33-groundwater samples, selected on the basis of aquifer depth, land use signatures, were collected from open, bore, dug wells and hand pumps. After the hydrogeochemical analysis, the study evaluated the present state of the groundwater quality and determined the spatial distribution of groundwater quality parameters such as hardness, electrical conductivity, Cl −, pH, SO42-, and NO3 − concentrations. An interpolation technique, known as ordinary kriging, was used to acquire the spatial distribution of parameters of groundwater quality parameters. Based on the permeability index, result showed that 80% of the sampled groundwater quality falls under excellent class i.e. category I with PI value ranging from 1-24%, whereas the rest 20% of the samples has fallen under good class i.e. category II with PI value ranging from 25 to 75% on the suitability of water for irrigation. The results of this study outlines the unsustainability of groundwater for direct consumption, especially without any improved onsite water treatment, but it is appropriate for the irrigation purposes.
Acoustic Parametric Signal Generation for Underwater Communication
Authors: Campo-Valera María , Ardid Miguel , D. Tortosa Dídac , Felis Ivan , Martínez-Mora Juan A. , Llorens Carlos D. , Cervantes Pablo
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a study of different types of parametric signals with application to underwater acoustic communications. In all the signals, the carrier frequency is 200 kHz, which corresponds to the resonance frequency of the transducer under study and different modulations are presented and compared. In this sense, we study modulations with parametric sine sweeps (4 to 40 kHz) that represent binary codes (zeros and ones), getting closer to the application in acoustic communications. The different properties of the transmitting signals in terms of bit rate, directivity, efficiency and power needed are discussed as well.
Prediction and Analysis the Causes of Increasing an Illegal Low-Cost Taxi in Bangladesh Municipalities: A Case Study of Pabna Municipality
Authors: Chakma Mital , Sohel Rana Md. , Ashrafuzzaman Pramanik Md.
Published: June 2018

The impact of an unlicensed low-cost taxi in Bangladesh is very severe, especially in municipal cities. Day by day the numbers of unlicensed low-cost taxi are increasing by jumping up and creating pressure on traffic and transportation system. The aim of this study is to find out the causes of increasing illegal taxi and the extent of this vehicle in the municipalities of Bangladesh. Pabna municipality is used as a case study due to the more activeness of illegal taxi then the other municipalities. To achieve the objectives, the researcher used a qualitative approach to acquire more depth about the problems. Besides a direct observation of the study area, an open-ended questionnaire survey and HIS survey were conducted. The illegal low-cost taxi is very active it was analyzed through the field survey. A statistical model was developed to understand the actual causes of increasing illegal low-cost taxi, where ten predicted hypotheses (age, education level, marital status and family member support of illegal drivers, and the variable of commuter satisfaction e.g. safety, comfort, continuous service, affordability of service, reliability of service and driver behavior) were tested. The model was run through the multiple regression analyses technique in SPSS and the result proved that education level of illegal low-cost taxi drivers, and the commuter satisfaction variable (safety and comfort) had a positive and significant effect of increasing illegal low-cost taxi in the study area. However other variable had no significant effect in case of increasing illegal low-cost taxi. Besides the safety and comfort, steady job for the operators, provision of continuous, individual and door to door service system are the main reasons for increasing the illegal low-cost taxi in the study area. Finally, the researcher concludes with the requirement of some necessary action from the responsible authority on vehicular regulation for the improvement of the local public transport system in Bangladesh.
Short but Continuous Natural Pain for Depression Treatment and Beyond
Authors: Huang Mingwei
Published: June 2018

The correlation and comorbidity between depression and chronic pain have been observed for a long time. Generally, it is considered that the two conditions reinforce each other, whereas the causal relationship between them is not clear. However, some evidence suggested that chronic pain may reverse the progression of depression in some cases. This article presents a selective review of clinical and pharmacological relationship between depression and pain, and their interactions at neurochemical and neurobiological levels. In addition, we open a discussion on a recent case report of repeated success of using short but continuous pain (SCP) during meditation as the only treatment for depression, compared to initial success but no remission with other conventional antidepressants on the same patient. Together this review proposes an updated model for depression and its various treatments that is based on synaptic and system homeostasis. More importantly, it suggests that SCP may benefit depression recovery through its properties that are different from either acute or chronic pain and represents a novel research area that has been largely neglected to date.
Development Status of LASER Cladding and the New Metallic Alloys
Authors: Morgado Teresa , Valente Catarina
Published: June 2018

LASER cladding is a technique which has as main purpose to improve mechanical properties of materials surface with the addition of thin layers of other materials. Cladding/coating/addition material can be transferred to the substrate by powder injection, wire feeding or paste feeding and by the method of pre-placing the powders on the substrate. LASER cladding as a technique has only about 40 years. Is not yet a current technology and more work is needed, namely in the characterization of mechanical properties of new alloys used as base or cladding materials in this process. In this paper will be done initially an historical approach, followed by a description of the principles of the LASER cladding, a description of the applicability of the process and its advantages and limitations and the paper will end with a state of the art about the advances in new metallic alloys. So, this paper presents a review and the state of the art of the technological process and will be a contribution for the divulgation of this recent technique.
Hyaluronic Acid in the 3rd Millennium
Authors: Fallacara Arianna , Baldini Erika , Manfredini Stefano , Vertuani Silvia
Published: June 2018

Since its first isolation in 1934, hyaluronic acid (HA) has been studied across a variety of research areas. This unbranched glycosaminoglycan consisting of repeating disaccharide units of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and D-glucuronic acid is almost ubiquitary in humans and in other vertebrates. HA is involved in many key processes -including cell signaling, wound reparation, tissue regeneration, morphogenesis, matrix organization and pathobiology-, and has unique physico-chemical properties -such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, mucoadhesivity, hygroscopicity and viscoelasticity. For these reasons, exogenous HA has been investigated as drug delivery system and treatment in cancer, ophthalmology, arthrology, pneumology, rhinology, urology, aesthetic medicine and cosmetic. To improve and customize its properties and applications, HA can be subjected to chemical modifications: conjugation and crosslinking. The present review gives an overview regarding HA, describing its history, physico-chemical, structural and hydrodynamic properties, and biology –occurrence, biosynthesis (by hyaluronan synthases), degradation (by hyaluronidases and oxidative stress), roles, mechanisms of action and receptors. Furthermore, both conventional and recently emerging methods developed for the industrial production of HA and its chemical derivatization are presented. Finally, the medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications of HA and its derivatives are reviewed, reporting examples of HA-based products which currently are on the market or are undergoing further investigations.
The Association between Age, Comorbidities and Use of Radiotherapy in Women with Breast Cancer: Implications for Survival
Authors: Efird Jimmy T. , Hunter Sharyn , Chan Sally , Jeong Sarah , Thomas Susan L. , Jindal Charulata , Biswas Tithi
Published: June 2018

Background: Radiotherapy plays an important role in the management and survival of patients with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the association between age, comorbidities and use of radiotherapy in this population. Methods: Patients diagnosed with breast cancer from 2004–2013 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Cancer Database (NCDB). Follow-up time was measured from the date of diagnosis (baseline) to the date of death or censoring. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were used as the measure of association. Results: Independently of comorbidities and other important outcome-related factors, patients >65 years of age who received radiotherapy survived significantly longer than those who did not receive radiotherapy (aHR = 0.53, 95%CI = 0.52–0.54). However, as women aged, those with comorbidities were less likely to receive RT (adjusted P-trend by age <0.0001). Conclusions: The development of decision-making tools to assist clinicians, and older women with breast cancer and comorbidities, are needed to facilitate personalized treatment plans regarding RT. This is particularly relevant as the population ages and the number of women with breast cancer is expected to increase in the near future.
MIL-100(Al) Gels as an Excellent Platform Loaded with Doxorubicin Hydrochloride for pH-Triggered Drug Release and Anticancer Effect
Authors: Feng Yuge , Wang Chengliang , Ke Fei , Zang Jianye , Zhu Junfa
Published: June 2018

Slow and controlled release systems for drugs, have attracted increasing interest recently. A highly efficient metal-organic gels (MOGs) drug delivery carrier, i.e., MIL-100(Al) gels, has been fabricated by a facile, low cost and environment friendly one-pot process. The unique structure of MIL-100(Al) gels leads to a high loading efficiency (620 mg/g) towards doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) as a kind of anticancer drugs. DOX-loaded MOGs exhibited high stability under physiological conditions and sustained release capacity of DOX for up to 3 days (under acidic environments). They further showed sustained drug release behavior and excellent antitumor effects in in vitro experiments on HeLa cells, in contrast with the extremely low biotoxicity of MOGs. Our work provides a promising way for the anticancer therapy, by utilizing this MOGs-based drug delivery system, as an efficient and safe vehicle.
Short but Continuous Natural Pain during Meditation Sittings for Depression Treatment: A Case Report
Authors: Huang Mingwei
Published: June 2018

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disorder, which results in seriously impaired condition in the patients and great global disability burden. In light of its quite diverse etiologies, comorbidity with many other diseases, and complex underlying pathology, it has been a great challenge to understand the physiological basis of MDD, which may be a complex of related diseases, rather than a single one. In addition to the partial understanding of MDD, the individual heterogeneities among patients may render the development of a universal treatment an elusive goal. But studying how each of currently available treatments affects the disease can generate useful information to stratify patients into different subtypes for individualized treatments. In this case report, we present the first report of repeated success of using meditation as the only treatment of MDD, compared to initial success but no remission with other conventional antidepressants on the same patient. We hypothesized that the short but continuous natural pain during one-hour meditation sittings has the therapeutic effect to treat depression in the case of this patient and potentially others with MDD. This special opportunity of eliminating tremendous heterogeneity among different individuals has enabled us to probe deeply into the potential mechanism of depression treatments and the complex physiology of depression itself, both of which have likely profound implications in the treatment of other MDD patients as well. More importantly, this case report helps us to dissect one specific component of meditation for its long-known and well-established benefit against depression.
Encapsulation of NEM Memory Switches for Monolithic-Three-Dimensional (M3D) CMOS-NEM Hybrid Circuits
Authors: Jo Hyun Chan , Choi Woo Young
Published: June 2018

Considering the isotropic release process of nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), defining the active region of NEM memory switches is one of the most challenging process technologies for the implementation of monolithic-three-dimensional (M3D) CMOS-NEM hybrid circuits. In this paper, we propose a novel encapsulation method of NEM memory switches. It uses alumina (Al2O3) passivation layers which are fully compatible with CMOS baseline process. The Al2O3 bottom passivation layer can protect intermetal dielectric (IMD) and metal interconnection layers from vapor hydrogen fluoride (HF) etch process. Thus, the controllable formation of the cavity for the mechanical movement of NEM memory switches can be achieved without causing any damage to CMOS baseline circuits as well as metal interconnection lines. As a result, NEM memory switches can be located in any places and metal layers of an M3D CMOS-NEM hybrid chip, which makes circuit design easier and more volume-efficient. The feasibility of our proposed method is verified based on experimental results.
Nutrients, Nutraceuticals and Xenobiotics Affecting Renal Health
Authors: Cosola Carmela , Sabatino Alice , di Bari Ighli , Fiaccadori Enrico , Gesualdo Loreto
Published: June 2018

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects worldwide 8-16% of the population. In developed countries, the most important risk factors for CKD are diabetes, hypertension and obesity, calling into question the importance of educating and acting on lifestyles and nutrition. A balanced nutrition and supplementation can indeed support the maintenance of a general health status, including preservation of renal function, and help to manage and curb the main risk factors for renal damage. While the concepts of protein and salt restriction in nephrology are historically acknowledged, the role of some nutrients on renal health and the importance of nutrition as a preventative measure for renal care are less known. In this review, we provide an overview of the demonstrated and potential actions of some selected nutrients, nutraceuticals and xenobiotics on renal health and function. The effects on kidney of fibres, proteins, fatty acids, curcumin, steviol glycosides, green tea, coffee, nitrates, nitrites, and alcohol, both direct and indirect, in CKD and non-CKD condition, are reviewed here. In a view of a functional and personalized nutrition, understanding the renal and systemic effects of dietary components is essential since many chronic conditions and CKD are related to systemic dysfunctions such as chronic low-grade inflammation.
Forecasting the Bladder Tumor Size and Immune Response of a Patient Over the Time Using a Dynamic Mathematical Model
Authors: Burgos Clara , García-Medina Noemí , Martínez-Rodríguez David , Pontones José-Luis , Ramos David , Villanueva Rafael-J.
Published: June 2018

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases in the urinary system and a highly aggressive neoplasm. The prognosis is not favourable usually and its evolution for particular patients is very difficult to find out. In this paper we propose a dynamic mathematical model that describes the bladder tumor growth and the immune response evolution. This model is customized for a single patient, determining appropriate model parameter values via model calibration. Due to the uncertainty of the tumor evolution, using the calibrated model parameters, we predict the tumor size and the immune response evolution over the next few months assuming three different scenarios: favourable, neutral and unfavourable. In the former, the cancer disappears; in the second a 5mm tumor is expected around the middle of August 2018; in the worst scenario, a 5mm tumor is expected around the end of May 2018. The patient has been cited around June 15th, 2018, to check the tumor size, if it exists.
The Use of Translocator protein 18 kDa (Tspo) as a Biomarker in Various Human Cancers
Authors: Bhoola Nimisha H. , Mbita Zukile , Hull Rodney , Dlamini Zodwa
Published: June 2018

Tspo is a receptor involved in the regulation of cellular proliferation, apoptosis and mitochondrial functions. Previous studies showed the expression of TSPO protein correlated positively with tumour malignancy and negatively with patient survival. The aim of this study was to determine the transcription of Tspo mRNA in various types of normal and cancer tissues. In situ hybridization was performed to localise the Tspo mRNA in various human normal and cancer tissues. The relative level of Tspo mRNA was quantified using fluorescent intensity and visual estimation of colorimetric staining. RT-PCR was used to confirm these mRNA levels in normal lung, lung cancer, liver cancer and cervical cancer cell lines. There was a significant increase in the level of transcription in liver, prostate, kidney and brain cancers while a significant decrease was observed in cancers of the colon and lung. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed that the mRNA levels of Tspo are higher in a normal lung cell line than in a lung cancer cell line. An increase in the expression levels of TSPO makes it a good diagnostic biomarker and TSPO could serve as a target for anticancer drug development.
Modeling the Kinetics, Dynamic Profiles and Strategies for Optimal Efficacy of Photo-Polymerization in Thick Polymers
Authors: Lin Jui-Teng , Chen Kuo-Ti , Liu Hsia-Wei , Cheng Da-Chuan
Published: June 2018

The kinetics and optimal efficacy conditions of photoinitiated polymerization are theoretically presented. Analytic formulas are derived for the crosslink time, crosslink depth and efficacy function. The roles of photosensitizer (PS)

concentration, diffusion depth and light intensity on the polymerization spatial and temporal profiles, for both uniform and non-uniform cases, are presented . For optimal efficacy, a strategy via controlled PS concentration is proposed, where re-supply of PS in high light intensity may achieve a combined-efficacy similar to low light intensity, but has a much faster procedure. A new criterion of efficacy based on the polymerization (crosslink) [strength] and [depth] is introduced.
The Associations between Screen Time and Sleep Duration, and Body Mass Index (BMI) in under Five-Year-Old Children
Authors: Sourtiji Hossein , Rassafiani Mehdi , Hosseini Seyed Ali , Motlagh Mohammad Esmaeil , Noroozi Mehdi
Published: June 2018

Today, due to recent developments in technology, children devote plenty of time for screen viewing. However, its harmful effects are not yet clear. The purpose of present study was to examine the associations among screen viewing and sleep duration, and body mass index (BMI) in under-five years old children. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 322 under-five healthy children that were selected using multistage stratified cluster sampling method in 2017. The data that were gathered by time-use diary method were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Spearman correlation tests, multiple linear regression analysis, one-way ANCOVA, two-way ANCOVA. There was a negative correlation between screen time and sleep duration (rs = -0.42, p = 0.00), positive correlation between screen time and BMI (rs = 0.38, p = 0.00) and sleep duration negatively correlated with BMI (rs = -0.22, p = 0.00). screen viewing was a predictive factor for both sleep duration (β = -0.26, p = 0.00) and BMI (β = -0.26, p = 0.00). screen viewing had a significant impact on sleep duration (4, 314) = 5.02, P = 0.001) and BMI (F (4, 314) = 1.16, P=0.298). Results of this study indicated that screen viewing is related to sleep duration and BMI in under-five children. furthermore, screen time has an impact on sleep duration and BMI scores of children. findings of our study suggest that sleep duration negatively is associated with BMI in under-five-year-old children.
Review of Deep Learning Methods in Robotic Grasp Detection
Authors: Caldera Shehan , Rassau Alexander , Chai Douglas
Published: June 2018

In order for robots to attain more general-purpose utility, grasping is a necessary skill to master. Such general-purpose robots may use their perception abilities in order to visually identify grasps for a given object. A grasp describes how a robotic end-effector can be arranged on top of an object to securely grab it between the robotic gripper and successfully lift it without slippage. Traditionally, grasp detection requires expert human knowledge to analytically form the task-specific algorithm, but this is an arduous and time-consuming approach. During the last five years, deep learning methods have enabled significant advancements in robotic vision, natural language processing, and automated driving applications. The successful results of these methods have driven robotics researchers to explore the application of deep learning methods in task generalised robotic applications. This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art in regards to the application of deep learning methods to generalised robotic grasping and discusses how each element of the deep learning approach has improved the overall performance of robotic grasp detection. A number of the most promising approaches are evaluated and the most successful for grasp detection is identified as the one-shot detection method. The availability of suitable volumes of appropriate training data is identified as a major obstacle for effective utilisation of the deep learning approaches, and the use of transfer learning techniques is identified as a potential mechanism to address this. Finally, current trends in the field and future potential research directions are discussed.