bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Syllabification System and Stress Pattern of Najdi Arabic
Authors: Alhammad Reham
Published: October 2019

This paper discusses stress pattern in Central Najdi Arabic (CN), a dialect spoken in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The purpose is to determine where stress goes in this dialect, and to underline the correct ranking of constraints within the frame of Optimality Theory (OT). Final consonants in Najdi are assigned to the prosodic word, rendering heavy syllables CVC, CVVC, and CVCC to light CV, heavy CVV, and CVC respectively. Stress is found to fall on rightmost heavy syllables. If no heavy syllables are found, stress goes on the first light. Data show that the hierarchy of constraints in CN is: Culminativity, FtBIN, Trochaee, NoClash, Depµ > SWP > Extrametricality > Rightmost > WSP > AllFtLEFT, Parse-σ.
Determination of Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Content in Grains and Cruciferous Vegetable Seeds
Authors: Al-Taher Fadwa , Nemzer Boris
Published: October 2019

Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) has great physiological functions, mainly as a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which makes it important for the development of functional foods. This study detected GABA in grains and cruciferous vegetable seeds by using HPLC after pre-column on-line derivatization with diode array detection (DAD) and fluorescence detection (FLD). The limit of quantitation was 2.94 and 2.86 µg/mL with DAD and FLD, respectively. GABA recoveries ranged from 98.8 to 111.2% on both detectors. Intra and inter-day precision showed relative standard deviations, generally, less than 10% for both DAD and FLD. GABA was determined in different grains (flaxseeds, white quinoa seeds, and buckwheat) and cruciferous vegetable seeds (broccoli, kale, daikon radish, mustard, cabbage, and brussels sprouts). Organic broccoli seeds contained the highest amount and mustard seeds the least amount of GABA in the Brassica family with none being detected in organic white quinoa and flaxseeds. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) exists between the various lots of the broccoli seeds. GABA is important as a natural source in functional foods.
De redelijke verwachting ten aanzien van de rekenrente
Authors: van Dort R.M.J.T. , Groot E.S.
Published: October 2019

De redelijke verwachting ten aanzien van de rekenrente

Bij het berekenen van toekomstschade als gevolg van letsel, komt het aan op de redelijke verwachting van alle relevante omstandigheden. De rekenrente is een van die omstandigheden. In deze bijdrage pleiten auteurs ervoor de rekenrente te laten aansluiten op de historische ontwikkelingen en actuele prognoses van de financiële markten, inmiddels en langdurig gekenmerkt door lage rendementen en sombere verwachtingen. Daardoor zou de rekenrente naar hun mening in ieder geval gedurende een deel van de schadelooptijd negatief moeten zijn. Auteurs adviseren voorts om een deskundigencommissie aan te stellen die periodiek adviseert omtrent de in redelijkheid te verdisconteren rekenrente bij toekomstschade.
New scientific direction of the bacterial paleontology in Mongolia
Authors: Dorjnamjaa Dorj , Altanshagai Gundsambuu , Enkhbaatar Batkhuyag
Published: October 2019

We review the initial development of Bacterial Paleontology in Mongolia and present some electron microscopic images of fossil bacteria in different stages of preservation in sedimentary rocks. Indeed bacterial paleontology is one the youngest branches of paleontology. It has began in the end of 20th century and has developed rapidly in recent years. The main tasks of bacterial paleontology are detailed investigation of fossil microorganisms, in particular their morphology and sizes, conditions of burial and products of habitation that are reflected in lithological and geochemical features of rocks. Bacterial paleontology deals with fossil materials and is useful in analysis of the genesis of sedimentary rocks, and sedimentary mineral resources including oil and gas. The traditional paleontology is especially significant for evolution theory, biostratigraphy, biogeography and paleoecology; however bacterial paleontology is an essential first of all for sedimentology and for theories sedimentary ore genesis or biometallogeny
A Model for Innovation Culture Management in Organizations (IVALUE 7)
Authors: Keles Ozgul , Battal Tezer
Published: October 2019

Governments, companies, universities, institutes, and individuals all over the world have prioritized innovation on their agenda and some have declared innovation as a strategic goal, but for a few of them, innovation has been a way of life. Organizational development depends on human capabilities more than ever. Not just intellectual, emotional, executive, experiential, and physical quotients of human capacity, but also creative, spiritual, passionate, motivational, and social quotients now need to be considered. When an invention is valued, it becomes an innovation. Although, innovation began with human, it is hard to pinpoint the first inventor in history. Transformation from a learning organization to a thinking organization is needed to be able to sustain innovative culture. At this point, the hard question is how? A smart, creative and dynamic innovation culture will help organizations to see the value of invention. In this study, a brief review is first made on the historical backgrounds of universities, institutes, industrial revolutions, and management systems in order to understand the evolution of the concept of innovation. Then, IVALUE7, a management model for dynamic, smart innovation organizational culture, will be introduced and discussed.
The Intrapreneurial Nature of Organizational Innovation: Toward a New Process Model
Authors: Hecker Achim
Published: October 2019

While innovation research for a long time has been preoccupied with technological innovation, in recent years growing interest has been sparked for research in organizational innovation understood as the invention and implementation of an organizational practice new to the state of the art. However, little is known about the mechanisms and processes generating this non-technological type of innovation. In this paper I argue that organizational innovations are usually not produced by way of institutionalized RD processes but are the result of entrepreneurial employee behavior that breaks with customary business practice. Understanding organizational innovations as a form of intrapreneurship, I develop a new type of process model, explaining their emergence by combining insights from entrepreneurship and innovation studies.
Bürgermeisterinnen und Bürgermeister in Baden-Württemberg
Authors: Huzel Vinzenz
Published: October 2019

Experts from politics, the media and science have stated for years that the number of suitable candidates for the position of mayor in the state of Baden-Württemberg has been declining steadily. This volume examines whether this is really the case and what the reasons for the seemingly dwindling attractiveness of this position are. Based on empirical data, an up-to-date stocktaking survey is conducted among mayors and possible mayoral candidates. The study provides a comprehensive overview of the job, revealing mechanisms of selective recruitment and its conditional factors. Its concentration on the aspects mentioned gives this investigation a high degree of relevance for public and academic discussions beyond the debates on the office of mayor in Baden-Württemberg.
Vinzenz Huzel studied political science at the University of Augsburg, public management at the HVF in Ludwigsburg and did his doctorate at the TU in Darmstadt. He works for the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation and is a lecturer at the Universities of Applied Sciences for Administration in Ludwigsburg and Kehl.
On a new species of the genus Cyprinotus (Crustacea, Ostracoda) from a temporary wetland in New Caledonia (Pacific Ocean), with a reappraisal of the genus
Authors: Martens Koen , Yavuzatmaca Mehmet , Higuti Janet
Published: October 2019

The New Caledonia archipelago is known for its high level of endemism in both faunal and floral groups. Thus far, only 12 species of non-marine ostracods have been reported. After three expeditions to the main island of the archipelago (Grande Terre), about four times as many species were found, about half of which are probably new. Here, we describe a new species, Cyprinotus drubea sp. nov., which is characterised mainly by the hyper-developed dorsal hump on the right valve, much larger than in any other known Recent species in this genus. After a literature study of the other presumed species in Cyprinotus Brady, 1886, we retain seven Recent species in the genus, including the present new species. Cyprinotus crenatus (Turner, 1893), C. dentatus (Sharpe, 1910), C. flavescens Brady, 1898, C. inconstans Furtos, 1936, C. newmexicoensis Ferguson, 1967, C. ohanopecoshensis Ferguson, 1966, C. pellucidus (Sharpe, 1897), C. scytodus (Dobbin, 1941) and C. sulphurous Blake, 1931 are here all referred to the genus Heterocypris s. lat. Claus, 1892. Cyprinotus unispinifera Furtos, 1936 is assigned to the genus Cypricercus Sars, 1895. Cyprinotus tenuis Henry, 1923, C. fuscus Henry, 1919 and C. carinatus (King, 1855) are here classified as doubtful species. A checklist of the 14 non-marine ostracods, now including Cyprinotus drubea sp. nov. and Cypris granulata (Daday, 1910), thus far reported from New Caledonia, is provided. Herpetocypris caledonica Méhes, 1939 and H. caledonica var. minor Méhes, 1939 are synonymised with Candonocypris novaezelandiae (Baird, 1843).
Mathematics Teacher Educator: Looking Back and Looking Forward
Authors: Hollebrands Karen
Published: October 2019

In this editorial, I look back at what the Mathematics Teacher Educator journal has accomplished during its short existence. In particular, I examine how past editors and panelists have worked to clearly establish the unique identity of the journal. This clearly articulated vision has assisted in attracting well-aligned, high-quality manuscript submissions. It also provides educative scaffolds for authors, reviewers, and editors that have led to the publication of articles relevant to mathematics teacher educators. I then look forward to consider how we can harness the power of the internet to enrich readers' experiences with the journal. Many ways exist for an online journal to capitalize on technology to communicate, interact, and connect.
Complex and Contradictory Conversations: Prospective Teachers Interrogating Dominant Narratives Within Mathematics Education Discourse
Authors: DeAun Guzmán Lynette
Published: October 2019

In this conceptual piece, I explore complex and contradictory conversations during an idea mapping task in which prospective elementary teachers interrogated dominant discourses within mathematics education, such as “mathematics is everywhere” and “being a math person.” I argue that this exercise of engaging with contradictions provided prospective teachers with opportunities to tease out nuances for reconstructing ideas that generate new perspectives for teaching and learning mathematics. Sharing my experience with the idea mapping task as a case study, I offer an alternative role for mathematics teacher educators to consider-as facilitators who create spaces for prospective teachers to interrogate complex and contradictory conversations within mathematics education.
Deslocamento da oferta do MDF brasileiro no período de 2008-2017
Authors: Oliveira Douglas Valente de , Noce Rommel , Oliveira Juliana Mendes de , Lobato Laura Fernanda de Lima , Leal Silmara Ribeiro , Rocha Jobert Silva da
Published: October 2019

Desde meados de 2006 o MDF se destaca na competitividade de mercado, principalmente no Brasil e China, isso se deve ao baixo custo de produção e de matéria prima de florestas plantadas. A principal matéria-prima dos painéis brasileiros são provenientes das florestas plantadas de pinus e eucalipto, localizadas principalmente nas regiões sul e sudeste do país, e dos painéis produzidos no Chile, Espanha, EUA e Canadá, são os resíduos de madeira de outros processos industriais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a oferta do MDF brasileiro em um horizonte de dez anos. O estudo foi baseado nos dados de produção e exportação de painéis de MDF do Brasil, referente ao período de 2008 a 2017, disponível no site da Organização das Nações Unidas para Agricultura e Alimentação – FAO. O cálculo das taxas geométricas de crescimento foi realizado pelo software GRETL, no qual o tempo foi utilizado como regressor e os dados de preço e produção como variável dependente, sendo estabelecido estatisticamente, por regressão linear simples. Os deslocamentos da demanda e da oferta ocorrem em função de todos os fatores mercadológicos, exceto o preço, independentemente de serem conhecidos ou mensurados. Demonstrando quanto um determinado mercado estaria disposto a consumir ou ofertar a mais ou a menos de um produto sem alteração do preço. O comportamento do preço do MDF brasileiro no período analisado demonstrou uma taxa de crescimento negativa com -9,16. Verificou-se que em 2008 apresentou valor de U$ 354,97/M³ e até 2011 apresentou uma valorização em seu preço, porém a partir de 2013 observou-se uma desvalorização do preço chegando a U$ 211,19/M³ em 2017. Verificou-se aumento da quantidade produzida no período amostrado, combinado a queda de preço ambos significativos a 5% de probabilidade. A oferta do MDF brasileiro apresentou dessa forma deslocamento dominante para a direita no período de 2008 a 2017
O modelo de 4 estágios como vantagem competitiva no planejamento e controle da produção (PCP)
Authors: Queiros Gean Breda
Published: October 2019

O objetivo deste ensaio é difundir, no meio empresarial, o modelo de quatro estágios desenvolvido por Wheelwright et al. (1985) como ferramenta processual no Planejamento e Controle da Produção. Da mesma forma, descrevemos seus estágios mediante uma elaboração contextualizada, apresentando sua relevância enquanto indicador para a gestão dentro das organizações. No desenvolvimento, há referências de artigos publicados por autores especializados em administração da produção e suas contribuições ao estudo da temática, o que enriquece e fundamenta este ensaio por meio de uma abordagem metodológica bibliográfica e descritiva. Como uma das ferramentas de gestão efetiva que auxilia a tomada de decisões enquanto mediador da avaliação para vantagem competitiva no Planejamento e Controle da Produção das empresas na condução de seus processos produtivos (bens/serviços), lançamos mão de uma reflexão crítica no intuito de auxiliar administradores da produção como também demais interessados, na compreensão do referido modelo para o Planejamento e Controle da Produção no novo contexto da 4º Revolução Industrial.
La nación costarricense y las poblaciones afrodescendientes: hacia la adopción del modelo multiculturalista.
Authors: Balutet Nicolas
Published: October 2019

Desde hace más de 500 años, el subcontinente hispanoamericano ha conocido numerosas olas de migraciones procedentes de Europa, África, Medio Oriente o Asia. Aunque los migrantes voluntarios o forzados han contribuido a lo largo del tiempo a hacer de esta región del mundo un verdadero crisol de poblaciones ampliamente mestizadas, el sufrimiento original relacionado con el desarraigo y/o la esclavitud no ha desaparecido del todo porque los europeos y sus descendientes consiguieron imponerse a menudo a costa de otras poblaciones. Frente a estas situaciones de relegación e incluso de segregación que, a veces, no han desaparecido, los outsiders étnicos han adoptado estrategias para luchar activamente por el reconocimiento de sus derechos. Este artículo se propone estudiar la evolución de la situación de los afrodescendientes en Costa Rica.

For more than 500 years, the Spanish-American subcontinent has experienced many waves of migration from Europe, Africa, the Middle East or Asia. Although voluntary or forced migrants have contributed over time to make this part of the world a veritable melting pot of largely mixed populations, the original suffering of uprooting and/or enslavement has not been uniformly alleviated because Europeans and their descendants have often succeeded in imposing themselves at the expense of other populations. Faced with these situations of discrimination and even segregation, which haven’t all disappeared today, ethnic outsiders have adopted various strategies to actively fight for the recognition of their rights. This article aims to study the situation of African descendants in Costa Rica.
Observation gestuelle de l’activité enseignante : quels apports d’une rencontre entre chercheuse et professionnelle en contexte plurilingue ?1
Authors: Alletru Amélie
Published: October 2019

Une recherche collaborative sur les pratiques effectives des enseignant·e·s du premier degré à Tahiti et notamment sur l’enseignement des langues et culture polynésiennes a entrainé chez une enseignante de l’école élémentaire la transformation, à quelques mois d’intervalle, de la dynamique interactionnelle engagée avec les élèves. La seule présence de la chercheuse métropolitaine a affecté la pratique de cette enseignante, que nous lui proposons d’analyser avec elle. Cette étude de cas basée sur une théorie de l’activité dans une orientation de didactique professionnelle articulée à une théorie linguistique interactionniste nous permet de montrer qu’une analyse qui privilégie la prise en compte des gestes, postures et artéfacts en situation scolaire, associée à des entretiens avec la professionnelle, donne accès à des dimensions culturelles du sens de son activité.
Joseph Zobel, d’Awa à Présence africaine : histoire et géographies (imaginaires) d’une publication noire
Authors: Demougin Laure
Published: October 2019

Joseph Zobel, auteur antillais connu notamment pour son roman La Rue Cases-Nègres (1950), a vécu au Sénégal et collaboré à la revue Awa en y publiant des nouvelles et des poèmes. Sa présence fréquente dans différentes sections permet de dresser son portrait au fil des numéros. Le présent article vise à analyser ce portrait de l’auteur en prenant appui sur son inscription dans un réseau médiatique et littéraire, ainsi que sur les variations observables entre la parution des nouvelles dans Awa et en recueil. La place des illustrations, la présence de l’auteur dans les différentes rubriques du périodique (courrier des lecteurs, critique littéraire, prix) et les modalités de parution de ses textes concourent en effet à situer Joseph Zobel au sein de la géographie littéraire des années 1960.
L’intermédialité dans l’art romanesque de Léonora Miano
Authors: Vandendorpe Chloé
Published: October 2019

L’intermédialité comme théorie et comme forme permet de penser le projet et l’écriture de Léonora Miano. Elle met en lumière les phénomènes de co-construction des médias et des socialités, en particulier dans les expériences afropéennes. La littérature est dès lors investie d’un pouvoir vis-à-vis du monde. Grâce aux emprunts féconds à d’autres formes artistiques (théâtre, musique, cinéma...), l’écriture romanesque s’affiche comme médium susceptible d’oeuvrer à la création du réel. La mise en scène de la construction et des dynamiques à l’oeuvre invite cependant le lecteur à participer consciemment à ces processus.
АНАЛИЗА ПЈЕСМЕ МОЈА ОТАЏБИНА АЛЕКСЕ ШАНТИЋА У СВЈЕТЛУ ВАСПИТНИХ НАСТАВНИХ ЦИЉЕВА
Authors: Матерић Александар М.
Published: October 2019

Рад репрезентује једну обрађену наставну јединицу из сфере књижевно-сти, Шантићеву родољубиву пјесму Моја отаџбина. Будући да је обрада пјесмебила усмјерена на њене идејне аспекте, рад првенствено доноси интерпрета-тивне стратегије и резултате у вези са васпитним циљевима часа. Говорећи оваспитним циљевима, у центар пажње биће стављене реакције и активност уче-ника, односно наставне методе којима се желио произвести одговарајући ефе-кат битан за реализовање функционалног васпитног циља. Шире гледано, пи-шући о резултатима обраде ове пјесме, изнијеће се и размишљања о интерпре-тативним стратегијама у оквиру наставе књижевности и о начинима како да сеустроји стратегија и васпитни континуитет интерпретација наставних једини-ца из области књижевности.
СРПСКИ ПЈЕСНИЧКИ МАРТИРИОЛОШКИ ПАМЈАТНИК
Authors: Бартула Владан
Published: October 2019

Више пута је речено да је наше вријеме у којем живимо доба забо-рава. Заборављамо дневно и сваког дана се брише трака нашегпамћења. Свемоћни медији служе управо томе, да сваки дан пре-брише онај претходни, да ништа не запамтимо, осим оног најбаналнијег,које се и не може памтити, да се ичега не сјећамо, и да сваког дана изно-ва неко моделује наш идентитет. Отуда је најуноснија и најпрофитабил-нија индустрија данашњице, поред војне и фармацеутске, индустријазабаве и заборава. Брига за памћење је брига за душу. Памћење и забо-рав, и данас као и увијек кроз историју, имају значење живота и смрти.Отуда је и значај новопокренуте библиотеке Памјатник у оквиру изда-вачке дјелатности Друштва наставника српског језика и књижевностиРепублике Српске од пресудног значаја за данашње генерације наставни-ка и предавача, као и шире интелектуалне заједнице у Срба.
Potentials of African nutmeg (Monodora myristica) as a flavourant in cookie production
Authors: Olatoye Kazeem , O. Fapojuwo Omololu , A. Olorunshola Joshu , O. Ayorind Julianah
Published: October 2019

African nutmeg, a possible local substitute for a commercial food flavourant, remains largely underutilized in Nigeria. Its application potential in cookie production was investigated in this study. African nutmeg (Monodora myristica) seed flour (ANM) was produced using a standard method. The flour was substituted for vanilla flavour (VFL) in ratio of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 3.5 g and functional properties of the flour blends (water absorption capacity (WAC), oil absorption capacity (OAC), and bulk density) were determined, using standard methods. Cookies were developed and characterized chemically, physically (colour) and organoleptically using the AOAC method, a colourimeter and sensory panellists respectively. Data were analysed using ANOVA at p<0.05. Replacement of vanilla with African nutmeg had no significant effect on bulk density (0.62 g cm−3 -0.68 g cm−3 ), but significantly affected WAC (133-142 %) and OAC (147-156 %) of flour blends. Crude protein (9.44-15.49 %), crude fat (3.17-6.50 %), total ash (2-2.73 %) and crude fibre (0.12-0.23 %) contents of the cookie increased, whilst metabolizable energy (385.33-367 kcal) decreased. There were reductions in pH (6.83-6.53) and TSS (5.80-1.20). Brown index of the snack increased with addition of nutmeg. Antioxidant indicators (flavonoids, DPPH and phenol) varied among cookie samples. Antinutrients, saponin, tannin and oxalate, were within tolerable limits. All cookie samples were judged acceptable by the panellists, with SLZ being the most acceptable. An acceptable and nutritious snack was produced at 100 % replacement. M. myristica seed could serve as substitute for vanilla in the production of cookies and other related snacks.
Effects of “starch:water” ratio on gelatinization of pinhão starch from nine germplasm collections, measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
Authors: Bet Camila , Godoy Rossane , Cordoba Layse , Demiate Ivo , Lacerda Luiz , Schnitzler Egon
Published: October 2019

Native starch was extracted from nine germplasm collections of Araucaria angustifolia seeds in aqueous medium and they were characterized by Pasting Properties (RVA), X-ray Powder Diffractometry (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The gelatinization process of each sample was evaluated at different ratios of starch:water by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). A slight displacement in the gelatinization curves was observed for the pinhão starches prepared with different amounts of water. With an increase in water content, most of the samples presented a decrease in the peak, the conclusion temperatures, and the range of gelatinization temperatures, while the enthalpy did not follow a standard behavior. A displacement or a narrowing of the gelatinization temperature range occurred with increasing water content. Pinhão starch showed pasting temperature in the range of 60-67 o C and there were differences in the pasting properties and degree of relative crystallinity between the analyzed samples. The C-type diffraction pattern was found for all the samples and the morphology of starch granules was similar, with oval and round shapes. Therefore, different characteristics were found among starches from nine germplasm collections, encouraging the protection of the biological diversity of selected species, aiming at future applications.
Effect of osmotic drying on physicochemical properties of pansies (viola × wittrockiana)
Authors: Fernandes Luana , Casal Susana , Magalhaes Agostinho , Baptista Paula , A. Pereira Jose , A. Saraiva Jorge , Ramalhosa Elsa
Published: October 2019

The objective of this work was to study the effect of osmotic drying, using different hypertonic solutions (sucrose and sodium chloride), on physicochemical characteristics of pansies (Viola Ö wittrockiana). The same treatments were applied to lettuce to compare the behavior of flowers with other vegetables. Pansies’ superhydrophobic surface structure, called papillae, increased the resistance to exchanges with hypertonic solutions. No weight loss was observed after most treatments (sucrose: between 2.2 and 6.8 %; NaCl: between -23.0 % and 1.5 %), aw maintained high values (> 0,94) and monomeric anthocyanins were preserved (fresh 0.10 and 0.19 mg Cy-3glu/g fresh matter for 20%/1 h in NaCl and 60%/1 h in sucrose). When applying more drastic conditions, as sodium chloride for more than 1 hour, undesirable textural and color changes were observed. For lettuce, all treatments caused osmotic dehydration, weight loss (ranged between -9.3 to -30.3 % for 80%/1 h in sucrose and 15%/1 h in NaCl) and a reduction in aw (< 0,97) and carotenoids, with sodium chloride causing more damage in visual appearance than sucrose. Therefore, immersion in osmotic solutions can be applied to lettuce but the desired effect was not achieved for pansies due to the morphological structure of the flowers’ epidermis.
Detection of long storage and sunflower adulteration of olive oils using ultra-violet (UV) spectroscopy method
Authors: Al-Bachir M. , Othman Y.
Published: October 2019

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of Syrian Kaissy olive oil (SKOO) adulteration and long storage periods on the basic quality indices namely, peroxide value (PV), acid value (AV), and absorbance of UV (K232, K270, ∆K and R (K232/K270) values). This study revealed that the quality indexes, including AV, PV, K232, K270 and ∆K values, of all SKOO specimens increased with increasing storage time. It was revealed that the K232, K270 and ∆K values of SKOO specimens stored for 1 and 2 years remained under the limits, established by International Olive Council (IOC), of 2.5, 0.22 and 0.01 units, respectively. While in some cases, the K232, K270 and ∆K values exceeded their respective limits after 8, 9 and 10 years of storage. The index of R (K232/K270) decreased with time of storage.
Complementary encoding of priors in monkey frontoparietal network supports a dual process of decision-making
Authors: Suriya-Arunroj Lalitta , Gail Alexander
Published: October 2019

Prior expectations of movement instructions can promote preliminary action planning and influence choices. We investigated how action priors affect action-goal encoding in premotor and parietal cortices and if they bias subsequent free choice. Monkeys planned reaches according to visual cues that indicated relative probabilities of two possible goals. On instructed trials, the reach goal was determined by a secondary cue respecting these probabilities. On rarely interspersed free-choice trials without instruction, both goals offered equal reward. Action priors induced graded free-choice biases and graded frontoparietal motor-goal activity, complementarily in two subclasses of neurons. Down-regulating neurons co-encoded both possible goals and decreased opposite-to-preferred responses with decreasing prior, possibly supporting a process of choice by elimination. Up-regulating neurons showed increased preferred-direction responses with increasing prior, likely supporting a process of computing net likelihood. Action-selection signals emerged earliest in down-regulating neurons of premotor cortex, arguing for an initiation of selection in the frontal lobe.
Bacterial survival in microscopic surface wetness
Authors: Grinberg Maor , Orevi Tomer , Steinberg Shifra , Kashtan Nadav
Published: October 2019

Plant leaves constitute a huge microbial habitat of global importance. How microorganisms survive the dry daytime on leaves and avoid desiccation is not well understood. There is evidence that microscopic surface wetness in the form of thin films and micrometer-sized droplets, invisible to the naked eye, persists on leaves during daytime due to deliquescence – the absorption of water until dissolution – of hygroscopic aerosols. Here, we study how such microscopic wetness affects cell survival. We show that, on surfaces drying under moderate humidity, stable microdroplets form around bacterial aggregates due to capillary pinning and deliquescence. Notably, droplet-size increases with aggregate-size, and cell survival is higher the larger the droplet. This phenomenon was observed for 13 bacterial species, two of which – Pseudomonas fluorescens and P. putida – were studied in depth. Microdroplet formation around aggregates is likely key to bacterial survival in a variety of unsaturated microbial habitats, including leaf surfaces.
Structural diversity of oligomeric β-propellers with different numbers of identical blades
Authors: Afanasieva Evgenia , Chaudhuri Indronil , Martin Jörg , Hertle Eva , Ursinus Astrid , Alva Vikram , Hartmann Marcus D , Lupas Andrei N
Published: October 2019

β-Propellers arise through the amplification of a supersecondary structure element called a blade. This process produces toroids of between four and twelve repeats, which are almost always arranged sequentially in a single polypeptide chain. We found that new propellers evolve continuously by amplification from single blades. We therefore investigated whether such nascent propellers can fold as homo-oligomers before they have been fully amplified within a single chain. One- to six-bladed building blocks derived from two seven-bladed WD40 propellers yielded stable homo-oligomers with six to nine blades, depending on the size of the building block. High-resolution structures for tetramers of two blades, trimers of three blades, and dimers of four and five blades, respectively, show structurally diverse propellers and include a novel fold, highlighting the inherent flexibility of the WD40 blade. Our data support the hypothesis that subdomain-sized fragments can provide structural versatility in the evolution of new proteins.
Inhibition of ErbB kinase signalling promotes resolution of neutrophilic inflammation
Authors: Rahman Atiqur , Henry Katherine M , Herman Kimberly D , Thompson Alfred AR , Isles Hannah M , Tulotta Claudia , Sammut David , Rougeot Julien JY , Khoshaein Nika , Reese Abigail E , Higgins Kathryn , Tabor Caroline , Sabroe Ian , Zuercher William J , Savage Caroline O , Meijer Annemarie H , Whyte Moira KB , Dockrell David H , Renshaw Stephen A , Prince Lynne R
Published: October 2019

Neutrophilic inflammation with prolonged neutrophil survival is common to many inflammatory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are few specific therapies that reverse neutrophilic inflammation, but uncovering mechanisms regulating neutrophil survival is likely to identify novel therapeutic targets. Screening of 367 kinase inhibitors in human neutrophils and a zebrafish tail fin injury model identified ErbBs as common targets of compounds that accelerated inflammation resolution. The ErbB inhibitors gefitinib, CP-724714, erbstatin and tyrphostin AG825 significantly accelerated apoptosis of human neutrophils, including neutrophils from people with COPD. Neutrophil apoptosis was also increased in Tyrphostin AG825 treated-zebrafish in vivo. Tyrphostin AG825 decreased peritoneal inflammation in zymosan-treated mice, and increased lung neutrophil apoptosis and macrophage efferocytosis in a murine acute lung injury model. Tyrphostin AG825 and knockdown of egfra and erbb2 by CRISPR/Cas9 reduced inflammation in zebrafish. Our work shows that inhibitors of ErbB kinases have therapeutic potential in neutrophilic inflammatory disease.
ORCID, RRID’s and Research Objects, Oh My!
Authors: De Waard Anita
Published: October 2019

To support superior ways of sharing scientific, medical and engineering knowledge, Elsevier has been an active participant in a plethora of research projects, multi-stakeholder communities, alliances and data standards organisations. As an example, we will discuss how Elsevier has contributed to organisations that advocate and govern the use of unique identifiers throughout the scholarly lifecycle.

The shared use of unique identifiers for finding and linking to papers, authors, and institutions has been an area where Elsevier has invested in, from the beginning. After the resounding success of the Digital Object Identifier project, which lead to the foundation of CrossRef, a multi-stakeholder organisation that manages DOIs across the publishing landscape, Elsevier was one of the founders of ORCID, intended to assign unique identifiers to scientists.

Further cross-stakeholder initiatives for identifying objects to improve findability were pursued through Force11, a multi-stakeholder organisation to improve scholarly communication, which Elsevier staff helped co-found. The RRID project advocates and governs the use of identifiers for key research resources (such as antibodies and model animals) and the Data Citation Principles advocate a common model of sharing, citing and attributing datasets, based on DOIs for Datasets. These principles have been brought to bear inside the open Mendeley Data platform, where unique identifiers are assigned to datasets, and even versions of datasets, so that distinct iterations of a collection of research data can be cited and found.

Currently, Elsevier staff are collaborating with the University of Manchester to build a portal to generate identifiers for bioinformatics workflows, based on Manchester’s ‘Research Object’ specification. This will allow bioinformatics researchers to link their software, data inputs, outputs, and publications together in a single ‘Research Object’, which can be found, cited, and linked to publications.
A microfluidic approach for sequential assembly of siRNA polyplexes with a defined structure-activity relationship
Authors: Loy Dominik M. , Klein Philipp M. , Krzysztoń Rafał , Lächelt Ulrich , Rädler Joachim O. , Wagner Ernst
Published: October 2019

Therapeutic nucleic acids provide versatile treatment options for hereditary or acquired diseases. Ionic complexes with basic polymers are frequently used to facilitate nucleic acid’s transport to intracellular target sites. Usually, these polyplexes are prepared manually by mixing two components: polyanionic nucleic acids and polycations. However, parameters such as internal structure, size, polydispersity and surface charge of the complexes sensitively affect pharmaceutical efficiency. Hence a controlled assembly is of paramount importance in order to ensure high product quality. In the current study, we present a microfluidic platform for controlled, sequential formulation of polyplexes. We use oligo-amidoamines (termed “oligomers”) with precise molecular weight and defined structure due to their solid phase supported synthesis. The assembly of the polyplexes was performed in a microfluidic chip in two steps employing a design of two successive Y junctions: first, siRNA and core oligomers were assembled into core polyplexes. These core oligomers possess compacting, stabilizing, and endosomal escape mediating motifs. Second, new functional motifs were mixed to the core particles and integrated into the core polyplex. The iterative assembly formed multi-component polyplexes in a highly controlled manner and enabled us to investigate structure-function relationships. We chose nanoparticle shielding polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cell targeting folic acid (termed “PEG-ligands”) as functional components. The PEG-ligands were coupled to lipid anchor oligomers via strain promoted azide—alkyne click chemistry. The lipid anchors feature four cholanic acids for inserting various PEG-ligands into the core polyplex by non-covalent hydrophobic interactions. These core—lipid anchor—PEG-ligand polyplexes containing folate as cell binding ligand were used to determine the optimal PEG-ligand length for transfecting folate receptor-expressing KB cells in vitro. We found that polyplexes with 20 mol % PEG-ligands (relative to ncore oligomer) showed optimal siRNA mediated gene knock-down when containing defined PEG domains of in sum 24 and 36 ethylene oxide repetitions, 12 EOs each from the lipid anchor and 12 or 24 EOs from the PEG-ligand, respectively. These results confirm that transfection efficiency depends on the linker length and stoichiometry and are consistent with previous findings using core—PEG-ligand polyplexes formed by click modification of azide-containing core polyplexes with aforementioned PEG-ligands. Hence, successive microfluidic assembly might be a potentially powerful route to create defined multi-component polyplexes with reduced batch-to-batch variability.
Refractory ascites—the contemporary view on pathogenesis and therapy
Authors: Kasztelan-Szczerbinska Beata , Cichoz-Lach Halina
Published: October 2019

Refractory ascites (RA) refers to ascites that cannot be mobilized or that has an early recurrence that cannot be prevented by medical therapy. Every year, 5–10% of patients with liver cirrhosis and with an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity develop RA while undergoing standard treatment (low sodium diet and diuretic dose up to 400 mg/day of spironolactone and 160 mg/day of furosemide). Liver cirrhosis accounts for marked alterations in the splanchnic and systemic hemodynamics, causing hypovolemia and arterial hypotension. The consequent activation of renin-angiotensin and sympathetic systems and increased renal sodium re-absorption occurs during the course of the disease. Cirrhotic patients with RA have poor prognoses and are at risk of developing serious complications. Different treatment options are available, but only liver transplantation may improve the survival of such patients.
Discovery of the Northern Hemisphere hybrid Potamogeton ×salicifolius in the Pilbara region of Western Australia
Authors: Kaplan Zdenek , Fehrer Judith , Jobson Richard W.
Published: October 2019

The interspecific hybrid Potamogeton ×salicifolius (= P. lucens × P. perfoliatus), so far known only from several countries of Europe and a few countries of Asia, was discovered in Western Australia. Morphology of the Australian specimens fits the variation range of the Eurasian specimens. DNA sequencing confirmed the morphological identification as a hybrid P. lucens × P. perfoliatus and identified the former species as the maternal one. This identity is surprising because none of the parental species are known to occur in Western Australia and P. lucens currently even does not occur in the continent. Three possible explanations for the occurrence of P. ×salicifolius in Western Australia are discussed: its relictual occurrence from the time when both the parental species occurred there, long-distance dispersal of a hybrid seed from Eurasia and the remnant of local cultivation or intentional planting.
Comprehensive Drought Analysis Using Statistical and Meteorological Indices Approach: A Case Study of Badin, Sindh
Authors: Akber Aisha , Shah Syed Feroz , Ijaz Muhammad Wajid , Soomro Hira , Alam Nimra , Ahmed Latief
Published: October 2019

Drought is a global phenomenon that can occur in any ecological zone and render signiﬁcant damages to both the natural environment and human lives. However, hydro-climatic stresses are growing distinctly in the arid zones across the globe. Literature suggests that the analysis of a long-term data-set could help in strengthening of mitigation planes and rationalization of disaster management policies. Thus, the present study is aimed to analyze the evidence-based historical drought events happened in arid-zone Badin, Pakistan and predict its occurrence and severity for the next 82 years (2018-2099). Drought indices viz standardized precipitation index and reconnaissance drought index have been used to detect the severity of the drought events. Thirty years (1988 to 2017) past data of precipitation and temperature were used to categorize the drought severity and validated against the local data. Climate projections based on RCP 4.5 and 8.5 made at 25x25 km resolution used for future drought analysis. The results demonstrate that the region faced severe to extreme drought in 1990-91 and 2001-04. While, in future 2020-21, 2036-37, 2038-39 would be the extreme driest years under RCP 4.5 and 2029-30, 2089-90 under RCP 8.5. Further insight revealed that the average annual temperature has increased and precipitation has decreased w.r.t the base year 1988. It is concluded that drought detection with SPI and RDI is suitable and drought prediction with the RCP 4.5 and 8.5 could be a better option.
Residual Effect of Different Sources of Nutrients on Available NPK in Soil after Harvest of Maize in Rice Fallow Maize Cropping System
Authors: Puli Mohana Rao , Prasad P. R. K. , Babu P. Ravindra , Rao K. L. Narasimha , Subbaiah G.
Published: October 2019

A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2011-2012 and 2012-2013) on fine texture soils of Agricultural college farm, Bapatla. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design in kharif season with four treatments. The treatments consisted of M1 (RDF (Recommended dose of fertilizers) - Control), M2 (10t FYM (Farm Yard Manure) ha-1 + RDF), M3 (1.5t vermicompost ha-1 + RDF), M4 (Green manuring + RDF). During the immediate rabi, the experiment was laid out in a split-plot design without disturbing the soil for succeeding maize with the four treatments given to kharif rice as main plot treatments and each of these divided into five sub-plots to receive five levels of fertilizer NPK application viz., N1 - 75% NPK, N2 - 100% NPK, N3 - 125% NPK, N4 - 150% NPK and N5 - 175% NPK for succeeding maize.

Data collected on available NPK after harvest of maize crop were significantly increased with the application of 100% NPK in combination with FYM @10t ha-1 to preceding rice crop, irrespective of the NPK levels applied to succeeding maize crop. However, it was on par with that of green manuring together with 100% NPK during both the years of the study.
A Influência da Inteligência Artificial na Legislação Patentária
Authors: Fonseca Benedito Adeodato , Alcantara Maysa Magalhães , Costa Joyce Natividade
Published: October 2019

A insurgência de dispositivos inteligentes e integrados é uma nova tendência mundial. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste artigo é demonstrar a influência que a Inteligência Artificial (IA) pode surtir em âmbito de patentes quanto a tendências mundiais e legislações. Para isso foi discutido acerca das principais tendências de proteção quanto a propriedade intelectual e IA, uma vez que a lei de propriedade intelectual é controversa quanto ao assunto, em matéria de proteção nacional. O artigo também discutiu tendências mundiais presentes em documentos acerca de IA, aprofundando-se no entendimento do cenário tecnológico de uma das principais empresas de IA, no Brasil e no mundo, a UBER Technologies INC., que mudou radicalmente a forma de transporte pelo mundo.
Physician Reasons for or Against Treatment Intensification in Patients With Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Agarwal Neeraj , George Daniel J. , Klaassen Zachary , Sandin Rickard , Butcher Jake , Ribbands Amanda , Gillespie-Akar Liane , Emir Birol , Russell David , Hong Agnes , Ramaswamy Krishnan , Freedland Stephen J.
Published: December 2024

Importance

Clarifying the underutilization of treatment intensification (TI) for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) may improve implementation of evidence-based medicine and survival outcomes.

Objective

To investigate physicians’ beliefs about TI in mCSPC to understand the gap between evidence-based guidelines and clinical practice.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This survey study analyzed data from the Adelphi Real World retrospective survey, which comprised physician surveys that were linked to medical record reviews of US adult patients treated for mCSPC between July 2018 and January 2022.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The survey included questions on physician and practice demographics. Physicians completed patient record forms, based on patient medical records with information including patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and patient management. Physicians recalled reasons for prescribing decisions using 48 precoded and open-text responses. Bivariate and multivariable analyses assessed the likelihood of their patients receiving first-line TI; the main outcome was the likelihood of their patients receiving TI using odds ratios (ORs).

Results

In total, 617 male patients met the analysis criteria (mean [SD] age, 68.6 [8.1] years). Among these patients, 349 (56.6%) were Medicare beneficiaries. Overall, 430 (69.7%) did not receive first-line TI with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors and/or chemotherapy. The 107 US-based physicians’ top reasons for treatment choice for their patients were tolerability concerns (TI: 121 [64.7%]; no TI: 252 [58.6%]; P = .18) and following guideline recommendations (TI: 115 [61.5%]; no TI: 230 [53.5%]; P = .08). In the bivariate analysis, physicians seeking to reduce prostate-specific antigen (PSA) by 75% to 100% were more likely to provide first-line TI compared with physicians who aimed to lower PSA by 0% to 49% (OR, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.04-2.56]; P = .03). In the multivariable analysis, patients whose physicians based treatment choice on guidelines were more likely to receive TI than patients whose physicians did not report this reason (OR, 3.46 [95% CI, 1.32-9.08]; P = .01).

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this study, which analyzed data from a medical records–linked clinical practice survey, indicated low rates of first-line TI for mCSPC despite guideline recommendations. Barriers to TI included lack of knowledge about guidelines and published efficacy and safety data. Physicians with greater PSA reduction goals were more likely to use TI. Physician education on treatment guidelines and clinical trial data, while raising expectations for PSA response, may increase rates of first-line TI in mCSPC.
Q
‐Factor
Authors: Kajfez Darko
Published: December 2024

Radiofrequency (RF) and microwave resonators are characterized by their resonant frequency, coupling coefficient, and unloaded
Q
‐factor. Definition of the
Q
‐factor consists of a ratio of the stored energy and the dissipated power at resonant frequency. Distinction should be made between the unloaded, loaded, and external
Q
. The article provides some frequently used equations related to the application of
Q
‐factors. The measurement techniques for determining the
Q
‐factor can be classified as being of transmission type, reflection type, and reaction type. The measurement is typically performed with a vector network analyzer and a curve‐fitting procedure is applied to determine the loaded resonant frequency, the loaded
Q
, and the coupling coefficient. The measurement is redundant as many more data points are taken than the necessary minimum, so that it becomes possible to estimate the random uncertainty of the unloaded
Q
.