bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of a Proposed Program Titled (Creativity Lamp) in Raising the Primary School Students’ Academic Achievement and Promoting Creativity among Them in Kuwait
Authors: Fakhrou Abdulnaser A. , Ghareeb Sara A.
Published: July 2020

The present study aimed to explore the effectiveness of a proposed program titled (creativity lamp) in improving students’ thinking skills and academic achievement and promoting creativity among them in Kuwait. This program involves several enrichment activities. The experimental group consists from 26 students. The control group consists from 25 students. Those students were randomly selected from a school named Al-Ma’moun Primary School. The proposed program is based on extracurricular activities. The teacher was trained about the way of implementing the program. The program was implemented throughout the semester. Through using the Torrance test of creative thinking-figural, it was found that the proposed program has a statistically significant impact –at the statistical significance of (a=0.001)- on the students’ academic achievement and creativity. The researchers recommend adding enrichment activities to the curricula of primary school students in Kuwait.
Modern Applied Science, Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2020
Authors: Lee Sunny
Published: July 2020

Modern Applied Science, Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2020
Mannheim B-curve couples in Minkowski 3-space
Authors: ILARSLAN Kazim , UCUM Ali , NESOVIC Emilija , KILIC ASLAN Nihal
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we define null Cartan and pseudo null Mannheim curves in Minkowski 3-space according to their Bishop frames. We obtain the necessary and the sufficient conditions for pseudo null curves to be Mannheim B-curves in terms of their Bishop curvatures. We prove that there are no null Cartan curves in Minkowski 3-space which are Mannheim B-curves, by considering the cases when their Mannheim B-mate curves are spacelike, timelike, null Cartan and pseudo null curves. Finally, we give some examples of pseudo null Mannheim B-curve pairs.
Graphite electrodes as bioanodes for enzymatic glucose biofuel cell
Authors: Bandapati Madhavi , Goel Sanket , Krishnamurthy Balaj
Published: July 2020

This study investigates the performance of pencil graphite (PG) electrodes to identify the grade of pencil most suitable as bioanode for enzymatic glucose biofuel cell. Pencils of H, 3H, 5H and B grades are selected for this study. The surfaces of different grade PGs are modified with carboxylic acid functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MW­CNT/PG), followed by immobilization with glucose oxidase (GOx) to fabricate the respect­tive bioanodes (GOx/COOH-MWCNT/PG). Morphological and electrochemical characteri­zations are carried out using scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. All tested PG electrodes exhibited positive results with variable response characteristics towards glucose oxidation reaction. B-grade PG bioanode is found to have the highest coverage of the deposited nanobiocomposite with the fastest electron transfer rate. The half-cell electrode assembly with this grade of PG recorded the highest current density of 4.25 mA cm-2 at physiological glucose conditions (5 mM glucose, pH 7.0). Enzymatic glucose biofuel cell assembled with B-grade PG bioanode and platinum cathode generated an open circuit potential of 149 mV and maximum power density of 0.789 µW cm−2 from 5 mM glucose at ambient conditions (25 ± 3◦C). The results obtained for B-grade PG bioanode are comparable to those of conventional carbon and glassy carbon electrodes, thus demonstrating its applicability to enzymatic glucose biofuel cells.
SOLUTIONS ENSURING SAFETY DURING TRANSPORT
OF STATE VIPS BY MILITARY AIRCRAFT (PART 3)
Authors: BARTNIK Ryszard , TATAROWSKI Dariusz
Published: July 2020

It should be noted that for reasons of state security (the so-called “national interest”),
the transport of VIPs using military aircraft has a lower acceptable level of risk than
is the case for other passengers. Consequently, the regulatory documents relating to
these transport operations regulate a much broader and more detailed range of issues
than is the case for other passenger transport operations, taking into account the
principle of ‘safety first’. The regulations contained in the regulatory documents for
the carriage of the most important persons in the state on military aircraft are intended
to safeguard against human error, which may affect the possibility of an aviation event
occurring during such operations. The regulatory documents also deal with additional
requirements for equipment needed on military aircraft carrying VIPs, to reduce the
risk of incidents, and a more in-depth analysis of environmental factors to reduce the
safety risks due to adverse weather conditions.
Innovationen im öffentlichen Sektor
Authors: Moschner Sandra-Luisa , Herstatt Cornelius
Published: July 2020

Innovationen werden im öffentlichen Sektor oft nicht vermutet und wurden daher von der bisherigen Forschung vornehmlich im privatwirtschaftlichen Bereich untersucht. Dieser Artikel arbeitet mithilfe einer systematischen Literaturanalyse motivationale Unterschiede zwischen dem privaten und öffentlichen Sektor sowie deren Auswirkungen auf das Innovationsverhalten heraus und identifiziert Hemmnisse und Erfolgsfaktoren für die Ausprägung von Innovationsverhalten, Innovationsprozesse und Innovationen im öffentlichen Sektor. Die Analyse zeigt, dass der öffentliche Sektor Innovationspotenzial birgt, welches durch eine offene Institutionskultur, die Einbindung externer Wissensquellen und ein iteratives Veränderungsvorgehen entfaltet werden kann.
Sozialgenossenschaften als gemeinwirtschaftliche Unternehmen: Begriffsbestimmung und Typologie
Authors: Thürling Marleen
Published: July 2020

Der Beitrag widmet sich dem Phänomen und dem Begriffsverständnis von Sozialgenossenschaften. Argumentiert wird, dass es sich um gemeinwirtschaftliche Unternehmen handelt, die im Unterschied zum klassischen Genossenschaftsmodell primär einen Beitrag zum Gemeinwohl intendieren. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird auch die Frage nach dem „sozialen“ Gehalt genossenschaftlichen Wirtschaftens diskutiert.
The High-Speed 6xxx Aluminum Alloys in Shape Extrusion Industry
Authors: Hubicki Rafał , Richert Maria
Published: July 2020

This chapter describes and analyzes the 6xxx aluminum alloys used in the shape extrusion sector dedicated to automotive and construction industry. The division and application of 6xxx aluminum alloys are performed. The precipitation hardening of 6xxx (Al-Mg-Si) alloys is presented as these alloys easily undergo deformation and present the potential for new kinds of alloys for high-speed extrusion. The mechanisms of strengthening are shown with the evolution of precipitation sequences. Also some examples of industry applications of 6xxx aluminum alloys are presented.
Analgesic Potential of Monoterpenes from Citrus Essential Oils
Authors: Banjari Ines , Balkić Jelena , Yashasvi Waisundara Viduranga
Published: July 2020

Chronic pain is a noteworthy health issue with immense impact on global healthcare systems. Although this issue has not come into the limelight as other noncommunicable diseases, it should be highlighted that modern medicine still has no efficient treatment to curb chronic pain. In this aspect, essential oils have been used for the prevention of several disease conditions including pain management. These odorous products, obtained from botanically defined raw material, have a variable and complex composition. Their composition largely depends on the extraction technique used, from simple hydro-distillation, to supercritical or microwave-assisted extraction. Monoterpenoids are some of the most biologically active and highly researched compounds when it comes to antinociceptive effects. They are volatile oils, primarily composed of two isoprene units with highly distinctive aromas and flavors. More than 90% of the essential oils of medicinal plants consist of monoterpenoids like limonene, myrcene, α-terpineol, linalool, pinene, p-cymene, and nerol. Besides strong anti-inflammatory effect, all essential oils with high D-limonene content pose a significant free radical scavenging effect, predominantly disabling the production of reactive oxygen species. Further studies in humans are encouraged to determine the real long-term potential in treating chronic pain.
Environmental Ignorance
Authors: Rudow L. Brooke ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: July 2020

I argue that environmental ignorance is a group-based form of substantive ignorance that is analogous to race-based ignorance, showing that they are structurally and functionally similar and sometimes overlap. While race theorists offer promising solutions toward eliminating race-based ignorance, I argue that something far more is needed in the environmental case. I turn to panpsychism as a possible solution. Though I conclude that it is too radical for most Americans to willingly embrace, I incorporate a notion of “encounter” to argue that an expanded conception of home helps with the conceptual overhaul needed to overcome environmental ignorance.
The Certification of Standard Reference Material 1979: Powder Diffraction
Line Profile Standard for Crystallite Size Analysis
Authors: Cline James P. , Mendenhall Marcus H. , Ritter Joseph J. , Black David , Henins Albert , Bonevich John E. , Whitfield Pamela S. , Filliben James J.
Published: July 2020

This rather long-standing project has resulted in a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Material
(SRM) for the analysis of crystallite size from a consideration of powder diffraction line profile broadening. It consists of two zinc
oxide powders, one with a crystallite size distribution centered at approximately 15 nm, and a second centered at about 60 nm. These
materials display the effects of stacking faults that broaden specific hkl reflections and a slight amount of microstrain broadening.
Certification data were collected on the high-resolution powder diffractometer located at beamline 11-BM of the Advanced Photon
Source, and on a NIST-built laboratory diffractometer equipped with a Johansson incident beam monochromator and position sensitive
detector. Fourier transforms were extracted from the raw data using a modified, two-step profile fitting procedure that addressed the
issue of accurate background determination. The mean column lengths, (L)area and (L)vol, were then computed from the Fourier
transforms of the specimen contribution for each reflection. Data were also analyzed with fundamental parameters approach
refinements using broadening models to yield (L)area and (L)vol values. These values were consistent with the model-independent
Fourier transform results; however, small discrepancies were noted for the (L)area values from both machines and both crystallite size
ranges. The fundamental parameters approach fits to the laboratory data yielded the certified lattice parameters.
Le droit au logement au Brésil : entre intervention gouvernementale et théorie civile-constitutionnelle engagée
Authors: Debruche Anne-Françoise
Published: July 2020

Au Brésil, la justiciabilité du droit au logement s’est accrue de manière importante sous l’impulsion conjuguée des derniers gouvernements travaillistes et de chercheurs en droit privé. D’une part, grâce à diverses mesures promulguées par l’exécutif, de nouveaux droits réels immobiliers ad hoc, comme le droit d’usage à des fins d’habitation, ont été ajoutés au catalogue classique de façon à permettre la régularisation des logements construits dans les favélas. La mise en oeuvre de tels droits a évidemment été fonction de la coopération des villes touchées, ainsi que de facteurs économiques et politiques. D’autre part, des privatistes ont tiré parti de la théorie du droit civil-constitutionnel pour mettre le droit des biens en phase avec le principe de la dignité humaine et le droit au logement inscrits dans la Constitution fédérale de 1988, notamment au moyen de la fonction sociale de la propriété soutenant des actions possessoires au bénéfice des habitants des favélas face au propriétaire du terrain.
Un pas en avant, deux pas en arrière : la pauvreté, la Charte canadienne des droits et libertés et l’héritage de l’affaire Gosselin c. Québec
Authors: Jackman Martha
Published: July 2020

En 2002, la Cour suprême du Canada a rejeté la demande de Louise Gosselin fondée sur la Charte canadienne des droits et libertés qui contestait un règlement d’application relatif au programme d’aide sociale du Québec prescrivant une réduction aux deux tiers du montant des prestations de base pour les moins de 30 ans, obligeant ces derniers à choisir entre la faim et l’itinérance. Dans le présent texte, l’auteure analyse les conséquences de la décision rendue dans l’affaire Gosselin c. Québec sur les droits et l’inclusion constitutionnelle des personnes vivant en situation de pauvreté. Elle considère d’abord l’important pas en matière de jurisprudence franchi dans cette affaire : le rejet par la Cour suprême de l’argument, étant en contradiction avec les attentes des groupes défavorisés et les obligations internationales du Canada en matière de droits socioéconomiques, selon lequel l’article 7 de la Charte ne peut imposer d’obligations positives aux gouvernements. L’auteure s’intéresse ensuite au recul constaté dans l’affaire Gosselin : plus précisément, à l’approche des juges majoritaires à l’égard de la preuve et au traitement de l’argument de fond articulé par Louise Gosselin. L’auteure soutient que les demandeurs qui invoquent la Charte dans les dossiers relatifs aux droits des personnes en situation de pauvreté continuent d’être confrontés à des stéréotypes préjudiciables et à des fardeaux de preuve disproportionnés. Leurs demandes en vertu de l’article 7 sont aussi constamment reformulées par les tribunaux, puis jugées non recevables. L’auteure conclut que, en n’ayant pas procédé à la révision de l’arrêt Gosselin, ni même accordé l’autorisation d’interjeter appel dans toute affaire soulevant la question de la pauvreté depuis lors, la décision de la Cour suprême représente un échec important du constitutionnalisme au Canada.
TERRITORIOS Y ENERGÍAS RENOVABLES. PROYECTO DE INVESTIGACIÓN “SOSTENIBILIDAD TERRITORIAL DEL MODELO ENERGÉTICO BAJO EN CARBONO (TERRYER)”
Authors: Ruíz Díez Alba , Del Valle Ramos Carolina , Prados Velasco María José
Published: July 2020

Resumen. La alarma climática que acecha actualmente al planeta, así como la preocupación por el agotamiento de los recursos fósiles, han irrumpido con fuerza en el panorama social, político y económico a escala mundial. Esto ha puesto en evidencia la necesidad de una transición hacia un modelo energético bajo en carbono, y para el que las energías renovables se han convertido en la alternativa más viable. Ante este escenario de transición energética, el proyecto de Investigación TERRYER se presenta como una herramienta de refuerzo del compromiso social para con la energía limpia, segura, sostenible y eficiente, a través de la participación activa de la población en la implantación de las energías renovables. A través de un equipo multidisciplinar, basado en los pilares de la comunicación, la transparencia y la inclusión, este proyecto persigue transformar el alcance del conocimiento científico sobre la implantación territorial sostenible de las energías renovables.
 
Palabras clave: energía renovable, sostenibilidad, paisaje, territorio, transición energética.
RESEÑA. CIUDADES SOSTENIBLES EN MÉXICO: UNA PROPUESTA CONCEPTUAL Y OPERATIVA
Authors: Uribe Cortez Jaime
Published: July 2020

Resumen. El libro que se reseña es una obra que otorga mucha luz al debate de la sostenibilidad y la construcción de ciudades. En especial, en la configuración de ciudades sostenibles el documento presenta una propuesta conceptual y operativa que define una serie de formas en las cuales se puede alcanzar el óptimo desarrollo y evolución pertinentes. Aspectos como la conformación de una arquitectura urbana, así como introducir a las agendas de gobierno y a las propias políticas públicas la práctica de la sostenibilidad, de alguna manera aseguraría, una edificación eficaz y adecuada de las urbes.
 
Palabras clave: urbes, sostenibilidad, región, nacional, planeación, concepto.
EL PLAN DE GOBERNANZA Y DINAMIZACIÓN TURÍSTICA DEL CAMP DE MORVEDRE (VALENCIA, ESPAÑA)
Authors: Hernández Ferrer Isaac
Published: July 2020

Resumen. El Plan de Gobernanza y Dinamización Turística del Camp de Morvedre pretendía impulsar las líneas de trabajo que se venían desarrollando anteriormente en los diferentes municipios de la comarca, para dotar de una visión territorial meso-escalar a la estrategia turística de la zona, consensuando las líneas de trabajo y las actuaciones, no solamente con otras administraciones locales, sino también con actores del sector privado y asociaciones relacionadas con el sector turístico. El Plan también estaba centrado en la detección de recursos con potencial turístico que estuviesen infrautilizados o fueran susceptibles de ser puestos en valor, prestando especial atención a entornos que pudieran ser revalorizados, pero que en su estado actual no aportaban valor al sector turístico. También se hacía hincapié en la generación y creación de productos y paquetes turísticos, trabajando sobre recursos que existían actualmente pero que no eran atractivos para la demanda turística, con el fin de producir una mejora y que pudieran ser competitivos. Hablamos especialmente de productos de turismo activo, natural, gastronómico, turismo accesible, cinematográfico o similar. El Plan constaba en su inicio de un desarrollo de tres años. Tres años orientados a recabar toda la información necesaria para poder elaborar un plan estratégico que recogiera las diferentes visiones del sector turístico, detallar todas las actuaciones a realizar, y por supuesto, ejecutarlas. Aunque el Plan conllevaba una inversión por parte de las principales entidades participantes, el objetivo era crear una red que trascendiera el ámbito espacial del propio Plan y de la inversión inicial, y que sirviera de motor para continuar trabajando de forma conjunta tanto el sector público como el privado a lo largo de los años. El Plan de Gobernanza y Dinamización Turística del Camp de Morvedre ha conseguido el impacto que buscaba. No obstante, queda muchísimo trabajo por hacer, pero ha logrado otorgar la identidad suficiente al conjunto de la comarca del Camp de Morvedre para poder promocionarse como destino cohesionado, creando sinergias entre los recursos.
 
Palabras clave: planificación, desarrollo local, turismo, gobernanza, participación.
LOBO IBÉRICO Y TURISMO EN LA “ESPAÑA VACIADA” / / / \ \ \ IBERIAN WOLF AND TOURISM IN THE “EMPTIED RURAL SPAIN”
Authors: Lora Bavo Pablo , Villar Lama Arsenio
Published: July 2020

Resumen. El presente estudio analiza la actividad turística de observación del lobo ibérico en España como alternativa a otras modalidades turísticas tradicionales en zonas rurales. La experiencia propia dentro del sector ha sido crucial para entender sus dinámicas y elaborar este trabajo. En él se estudia la tendencia al alza del turismo de naturaleza en general y de la observación del lobo ibérico en particular, se describe el modus operandi de la actividad y se exponen sus principales impactos. El turismo lobero propicia por lo general beneficios para la población local en términos económicos, ambientales y socioculturales. Su compatibilidad con el medio y las características intrínsecas de la actividad, muy ligadas a un turismo sostenible, fresco, offline, convierten a este sector en una interesante herramienta para revertir el vaciado demográfico, económico y social de algunas áreas de España.
 
Palabras clave: Lobo ibérico, turismo de observación de fauna salvaje, educación ambiental, desarrollo local, inteligencia territorial, España.
 
Abstract. The present study analyzes the tourist activity of observation of the Iberian wolf in Spain as an alternative to other traditional tourist modalities in rural areas. The own experience within the sector has been crucial to understand its dynamics and develop this work. It studies the upward trend of nature tourism in general and the observation of the Iberian wolf in particular, the modus operandi of the activity is described and its main impacts are exposed. Wolf tourism generally provides benefits for the local population in economic, environmental and socio-cultural terms. Its compatibility with the environment and the intrinsic characteristics of the activity closely linked to a sustainable, fresh and offline tourism turns this sector into an interesting tool to mitigate the demographic, economic and social emptying of some areas of Spain.
 
Key words: Iberian wolf, wildlife tourism, environmental education, local development, territorial intelligence, Spain.
RESEÑA. DE LUGAR GEOGRÁFICO A DESTINO TURÍSTICO. ANÁLISIS, PLANIFICACIÓN Y GESTIÓN DE LOS PROCESOS DE CAMBIO GENERADOS POR EL TURISMO
Authors: Ferreres Bonfill Juan Bautista
Published: July 2020

Resumen. La potencialidad del territorio para transformarse en destino turístico, es decir, de lugar geográfico a destino turístico, título de este libro, refleja la complejidad del fenómeno turístico, que se caracteriza por su transversalidad en el desarrollo, lo que posibilita ser abordado por diversas disciplinas. Es precisamente la Geografía, preocupada por los procesos de cambio que el turismo genera en los destinos y vulnerabilidad de estos frente a fenómenos que inducen cambios en su sistema, la que adquiere especial protagonismo, como disciplina de síntesis para estudiar la actividad turística desde una perspectiva integradora, cuyos resultados son de utilidad en la implementación de mecanismos de planificación y gestión. Este libro de actas trasmite los resultados de investigaciones en las expresadas temáticas, que son de plena actualidad, y que fueron debatidos en el XVI Coloquio de Geografía del Turismo, Ocio y Recreación, celebrado en la Universidad de León, en el mes de septiembre de 2018 y conformado por aportaciones de 82 autores.
 
Palabras clave: movilidad, rutas y excursiones; sociedad local y desarrollo; normativa y planeamiento; gestión; impactos y sostenibilidad; nuevos recursos y modalidades turísticas.
USANDO UN ENFOQUE DEL HEMISFERIO SUR PARA CREAR UN GRAN DESTINO DE NATURALEZA EN ESPAÑA: MAESTRAZGO-ELS PORTS
Authors: Jiménez Pérez Ignacio
Published: July 2020

Resumen. A partir de dos casos de éxito en la generación, organización y gestión de áreas naturales como espacios protegidos en Latinoamérica, se avanza hacia la traslación y adaptación del proceso de Producción de Naturaleza a un ejemplo europeo: el área interautonóminca del Maestrazgo-Els Ports en España. Las estrategias de comunicación y articulación para el desarrollo de esta iniciativa llevan en marcha desde un plano informal desde el año 2020, en un área histórico-cultural y natural que cuenta con diversas diferencias, tanto en positivo como en negativo, con los ejemplos latinoamericanos que sirven de guía. La iniciativa Maestrazgo-Els Ports está recién dando sus primeros pasos y en los próximos años veremos si el enfoque de Producción de Naturaleza desarrollado en el Hemisferio Sur puede ser aplicado con éxito en un paisaje rural español y el tipo de ajustes necesarios para que esto suceda.
 
Palabras clave: producción de naturaleza, ecoturismo, parque nacional Iberá, áreas protegidas, ecosistemas naturales, desarrollo territorial, Gran Reserva de Mata Atlántica, orgullo comunitario, sentido de pertenencia.
RESEÑA. GOBERNANZA COLABORATIVA PARA LA INCLUSIÓN SOCIAL. UNA EXPERIENCIA DE INVESTIGACIÓN Y ACCIÓN PARTICIPATIVA
Authors: Agost-Felip María Raquel
Published: July 2020

Resumen. Esta obra permite conocer una experiencia de trabajo colaborativo, dirigida a implementar una nueva gobernanza en el ámbito de la inclusión social en Gipuzkoa. La sistematización del proceso mediante la metodología de la Investigación Acción Participativa, invita a redefinir sinergias e impulsar procesos participativos, en los que la administración aporta la capacidad de rediseñar las políticas públicas y los servicios sociales, el tercer sector social la atención a las personas que viven en situación de exclusión social en el territorio, y la universidad la metodología y la sistematización. Un trabajo desarrollado a lo largo de tres años (2016-2018) y organizado en tres ágoras como espacios de coconstrucción de conocimiento compartido y de trabajo en red.
 
Palabras clave: gobernanza colaborativa, inclusión social, investigación y acción participativa (IAP), servicios sociales, políticas públicas.
LA INTERPRETACIÓN DEL PAISAJE COMO HERRAMIENTA PARA LA DINAMIZACIÓN LOCAL: ENTRE OLIVOS MILENARIOS Y ALCORNOQUES EN LAS COMARCAS DE CASTELLÓ
Authors: Rabasa Edo Chema , Vivas Gimeno Inés
Published: July 2020

Resumen. La interpretación del Paisaje se presenta como una herramienta clave para la dinamización local de gran interés, y, con ello, como una aportación más para la conservación del patrimonio y la lucha contra la despoblación, uno de los mayores problemas que afligen a los espacios rurales españoles, pero también valencianos. Por varios motivos: primero, los destinos de interior y el turismo de naturaleza y cultural ganan peso respecto al, todavía, imperante turismo de sol y playa; segundo, el contexto de las nuevas demandas por un Turismo Responsable, como la reciente creación del manifiesto Turismo Reset; y, tercero, atendiendo a la necesidad de buscar propuestas tangibles para movilizar los municipios de interior y luchar contra su abandono.
 
Palabras clave: planificación, desarrollo local, turismo, gobernanza, participación.
A unified computational model for cortical post-synaptic plasticity
Authors: Mäki-Marttunen Tuomo , Iannella Nicolangelo , Edwards Andrew G , Einevoll Gaute T , Blackwell Kim T
Published: July 2020

Signalling pathways leading to post-synaptic plasticity have been examined in many types of experimental studies, but a unified picture on how multiple biochemical pathways collectively shape neocortical plasticity is missing. We built a biochemically detailed model of post-synaptic plasticity describing CaMKII, PKA, and PKC pathways and their contribution to synaptic potentiation or depression. We developed a statistical AMPA-receptor-tetramer model, which permits the estimation of the AMPA-receptor-mediated maximal synaptic conductance based on numbers of GluR1s and GluR2s predicted by the biochemical signalling model. We show that our model reproduces neuromodulator-gated spike-timing-dependent plasticity as observed in the visual cortex and can be fit to data from many cortical areas, uncovering the biochemical contributions of the pathways pinpointed by the underlying experimental studies. Our model explains the dependence of different forms of plasticity on the availability of different proteins and can be used for the study of mental disorder-associated impairments of cortical plasticity.
Apoptotic neurodegeneration in whitefly promotes the spread of TYLCV
Authors: Wang Shifan , Guo Huijuan , Ge Feng , Sun Yucheng
Published: July 2020

The mechanism by which plant viruses manipulate the behavior of insect vectors has largely been described as indirect manipulation through modifications of the host plant. However, little is known about the direct interaction of the plant virus on the nervous system of its insect vector, and the substantial behavioral effect on virus transmission. Using a system consisting of a Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) and its insect vector whitefly, we found that TYLCV caused caspase-dependent apoptotic neurodegeneration with severe vacuolar neuropathological lesions in the brain of viruliferous whitefly by inducing a putative inflammatory signaling cascade of innate immunity. The sensory defects caused by neurodegeneration removed the steady preference of whitefly for virus-infected plants, thereby enhancing the probability of the virus to enter uninfected hosts, and eventually benefit TYLCV spread among the plant community. These findings provide a neuromechanism for virus transmission to modify its associated insect vector behavior.
Convergent changes in muscle metabolism depend on duration of high-altitude ancestry across Andean waterfowl
Authors: Dawson Neal J , Alza Luis , Nandal Gabriele , Scott Graham R , McCracken Kevin G
Published: July 2020

High-altitude environments require that animals meet the metabolic O2 demands for locomotion and thermogenesis in O2-thin air, but the degree to which convergent metabolic changes have arisen across independent high-altitude lineages or the speed at which such changes arise is unclear. We examined seven high-altitude waterfowl that have inhabited the Andes (3812–4806 m elevation) over varying evolutionary time scales, to elucidate changes in biochemical pathways of energy metabolism in flight muscle relative to low-altitude sister taxa. Convergent changes across high-altitude taxa included increased hydroxyacyl-coA dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase activities, decreased lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, creatine kinase, and cytochrome c oxidase activities, and increased myoglobin content. ATP synthase activity increased in only the longest established high-altitude taxa, whereas hexokinase activity increased in only newly established taxa. Therefore, changes in pathways of lipid oxidation, glycolysis, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation are common strategies to cope with high-altitude hypoxia, but some changes require longer evolutionary time to arise.
Neuropathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Khan Shumayila , Gomes James
Published: July 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 has recently emerged as a serious jolt to human life and economy. Initial knowledge established pulmonary complications as the chief symptom, however, the neurological aspect of the disease is also becoming increasingly evident. Emerging reports of encephalopathies and similar ailments with the detection of the virus in the CSF has elicited an urgent need for investigating the possibility of neuroinvasiveness of the virus, which cannot be ruled out given the expression of low levels of ACE2 receptors in the brain. Sensory impairments of the olfactory and gustatory systems have also been reported in a large proportion of the cases, indicating the involvement of the peripheral nervous system. Hence, the possibility of neurological damage caused by the virus demands immediate attention and investigation of the mechanisms involved, so as to customize the treatment of patients presenting with neurological complications.
Open Badges for Promoting Open Practices in the Institutional Repository: A Pilot Project
Authors: Hurrell Christie , Ruddock Kathryn , Pival Paul
Published: July 2020

INTRODUCTION This paper describes a pilot project conducted at a mid-sized research university to integrate an Open Badge into the institutional repository (IR) alongside research articles. The Open Badge was intended to indicate that the research article in question complies with a national funders’ open access (OA) policy. METHODS This study employed a two-step process to investigate the value of badges: first, researchers were surveyed to ask their opinions about using badges in the IR; second, user testing was done with a small group of researchers to assess whether badges are easy to apply during the process of depositing an article to the IR. RESULTS A minority of respondents to the survey indicated that they saw value in an open badge. Participants in the testing component revealed several areas where the overall interface to the IR submission process could be improved. DISCUSSION It was clear that there are opportunities to promote open practices relating to national funders’ open access policy in our sample. However, any incentive represented by an open badge may be overshadowed if the infrastructure in which it is presented is not sufficiently streamlined. CONCLUSION Scholars are not willing to spend much, if any, additional time to indicate compliance with an open access policy. Adding an open badge was neither an incentive nor a disincentive for promoting open practices.
DNA from mollusc shell: a valuable and underutilised substrate for genetic analyses
Authors: Ferreira Sara , Ashby Rachael , Jeunen Gert-Jan , Rutherford Kim , Collins Catherine , Todd Erica V. , Gemmell Neil J.
Published: July 2020

Mollusc shells are an abundant resource that have been long used to predict the structures of ancient ecological communities, examine evolutionary processes, reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions, track and predict responses to climatic change, and explore the movement of hominids across the globe. Despite the ubiquity of mollusc shell in many environments, it remains relatively unexplored as a substrate for molecular genetic analysis. Here we undertook a series of experiments using the New Zealand endemic greenshell mussel, Perna canaliculus, to explore the utility of fresh, aged, beach-cast and cooked mollusc shell for molecular genetic analyses. We find that reasonable quantities of DNA (0.002–21.48 ng/mg shell) can be derived from aged, beach-cast and cooked mussel shell and that this can routinely provide enough material to undertake PCR analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear gene fragments. Mitochondrial PCR amplification had an average success rate of 96.5% from shell tissue extracted thirteen months after the animal’s death. A success rate of 93.75% was obtained for cooked shells. Amplification of nuclear DNA (chitin synthase gene) was less successful (80% success from fresh shells, decreasing to 10% with time, and 75% from cooked shells). Our results demonstrate the promise of mollusc shell as a substrate for genetic analyses targeting both mitochondrial and nuclear genes.
Semantic priming and schizotypal personality: reassessing the link between thought disorder and enhanced spreading of semantic activation
Authors: Rodríguez-Ferreiro Javier , Aguilera Mari , Davies Rob
Published: July 2020

The term schizotypy refers to a group of stable personality traits with attributes similar to symptoms of schizophrenia, usually classified in terms of positive, negative or cognitive disorganization symptoms. The observation of increased spreading of semantic activation in individuals with schizotypal traits has led to the hypothesis that thought disorder, one of the characteristics of cognitive disorganization, stems from semantic disturbances. Nevertheless, it is still not clear under which specific circumstances (i.e., automatic or controlled processing, direct or indirect semantic relation) schizotypy affects semantic priming or whether it does affect it at all. We conducted two semantic priming studies with volunteers varying in schizotypy, one with directly related prime-target pairs and another with indirectly related pairs. Our participants completed a lexical decision task with related and unrelated pairs presented at short (250 ms) and long (750 ms) stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs). Then, they responded to the brief versions of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire and the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences, both of which include measures of cognitive disorganization. Bayesian mixed-effects models indicated expected effects of SOA and semantic relatedness, as well as an interaction between relatedness and directness (greater priming effects for directly related pairs). Even though our analyses demonstrated good sensitivity, we observed no influence of cognitive disorganization over semantic priming. Our study provides no compelling evidence that schizotypal symptoms, specifically those associated with the cognitive disorganization dimension, are rooted in an increased spreading of semantic activation in priming tasks.
A smartphone microscopic method for rapid screening of cloth facemask fabrics during pandemics
Authors: Neupane Bhanu B. , Chaudhary Ravindra K. , Sharma Amita
Published: July 2020

Background

In pandemics, because of increased demand and subsequent shortage of commercial facemasks, people need to use cloth facemasks, although such masks are reported to provide reduced protection. These masks can be prepared in local levels from different fabric materials. In developing countries, cloth masks are preferable because of low cost and added advantages of reusability. The filtering performance of a cloth facemask depends on the facial fit and on the material properties of fabrics such as porosity, yarn spacing or packing, and pore size. In resource limited settings, an affordable and easy to implement method that can assess the surface properties of cloth facemask fabrics would be important.

Methods

In this work, we developed a smartphone microscopic method for rapid screening of fabric quality. We measured the field of view of the microscope and as a proof of concept, we implemented the method to examine surfaces of sixteen locally available cloth mask fabrics.

Results

Out of the 16 masks examined, we found very diverse yarn packing and pore morphology (pore size and shape) in the fabrics. The pore size ranged from ~80 to 720 μm; much larger than respiratory droplet and bio-aerosol. This observation partly explains why such cloth facemasks provide reduced protection to the user during pandemics. The performance of a cloth facemask partly depends on the material properties of fabric such as yarn packing, pore size, porosity. Therefore, the surface properties of fabrics obtained from the smartphone method can be used to get preliminary idea on the facemask quality. We believe that the method can be an affordable and rapid method for selection of better fabrics for cloth facemask during pandemics.
Susceptibilities, thoughts and attitudes related to men’s health
Authors: Sousa Maria da Consolação Pitanga de , Cruz Jardel Nascimento da , Vaz Conceição de Maria , Gonçalves Nathasha Pollyane Colaço , Sousa Moisés Lopes de , Sousa Paulo César Cardoso de
Published: July 2020

Objective: The study’s goal has been to analyze the susceptibilities related to men’s health, as well as to highlight the thoughts and attitudes about health according to men’s viewpoint. Methods: It is a descriptive-exploratory study with a qualitative approach, which was carried out from August to December 2012 with employees from a Higher Education Institution and using a semi-structured interview script. Data analysis was performed through the Content Analysis technique. Results: The analysis resulted in the following three categories: Thoughts and attitudes about health according to men’s viewpoint; Susceptibilities related to men’s health; and, Male resistance to searching for health services. Conclusion: Men's habits, thoughts and lifestyle influence their low demand for health services, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and both traffic and work accidents.
Traumatic brain injury: profile of patients admitted in a public hospital from Teresina city
Authors: Carvalho Onédia Naís de , Silva Isa Moema de Castro , Viana Magda Rogeria Pereira , Madeira Maria Zélia de Araujo , Oliveira Adelia Dalva da Silva , Carvalho Ana Raquel Batista
Published: July 2020

Objective: This study meant to identifying the traumatic brain injury patients' profile in a public hospital of Teresina city, Piauí State, Brazil. Methods: It is a descriptive-exploratory, retrospective and documental study with a quantitative approach, which was performed in a public hospital from Teresina city. Data collection took place from September 2016 to January 2017 by researching medical records based on a developed form. Results: Considering the total number of traumatic brain injury hospitalizations, 5.67% were mild, 92.67% were moderate, and 1.67% were severe injuries. There was a predominance of single males within the age group from 19 to 29 years old, holding at most elementary school education. According to the study results, 19.33% of the patients died. Conclusion: It was concluded that the traumatic brain injury patients' profile is characterized by a predominance of single males within the age group from 19 to 29 years old, holding at most elementary school education.
UCHL1 from serum and CSF is a candidate biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Li Ruibing , Wang Jianan , Xie Wei , Liu Jiayu , Wang Chengbin
Published: July 2020

Objective

To identify potential ALS biomarkers in patients and to evaluate their diagnostic performance using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum.

Method

We recruited a discovery cohort, comprising 20 ALS patients and 20 controls to screen for potential CSF biomarker, UCHL1, using a Luminex neurodegenerative disease panel. To validate UCHL1’s diagnostic performance, we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to determine the potential for early diagnosis in another cohort comprising 23 CSF and 69 serum ALS samples. Finally, we analyzed its correlation with clinical features.

Results

We found significantly elevated levels of CSF‐derived UCHL1 in both discovery and validation cohorts (P < 0.05). ROC curves revealed an AUC of 0.8288, with a sensitivity and specificity of 73.91% and 81.25%, respectively, when the cut‐off value for UCHL1 was >291.9 pg/mL. A similar result was observed in the serum cohort, with the ALS group exhibiting significantly higher serum UCHL1 levels than the controls (P < 0.05). AUC of the ROC in the serum UCHL1 cohort was 0.7709, with sensitivity and specificity of 61.43% and 79.59%, respectively, when the cut‐off value of serum UCHL1 was >15.22 pg/mL. At the early stage CSF and serum UCHL1 were significantly different between ALS patients and controls (P < 0.05). Furthermore, serum UCHL1 levels showed a positive relationship with the burden of UMN and LMN dysfunction, albeit with no statistical significance.

Interpretation

Taken together, our findings suggest that ALS patients exhibit significantly elevated CSF‐ and serum‐derived UCHL1. Moreover, our data warrant that UCHL1 displays good diagnostic performance and provide novel options for ALS early diagnosis. However, its prognostic value needs to be further investigated.
Elastically and Plastically Foldable Electrothermal Micro‐Origami for Controllable and Rapid Shape Morphing
Authors: Zhu Yi , Birla Mayur , Oldham Kenn R. , Filipov Evgueni T.
Published: July 2020

Integrating origami principles within traditional microfabrication methods can produce shape morphing microscale metamaterials and 3D systems with complex geometries and programmable mechanical properties. However, available micro‐origami systems usually have slow folding speeds, provide few active degrees of freedom, rely on environmental stimuli for actuation, and allow for either elastic or plastic folding but not both. This work introduces an integrated fabrication–design–actuation methodology of an electrothermal micro‐origami system that addresses the above‐mentioned challenges. Controllable and localized Joule heating from electrothermal actuator arrays enables rapid, large‐angle, and reversible elastic folding, while overheating can achieve plastic folding to reprogram the static 3D geometry. Because the proposed micro‐origami do not rely on an environmental stimulus for actuation, they can function in different atmospheric environments and perform controllable multi‐degrees‐of‐freedom shape morphing, allowing them to achieve complex motions and advanced functions. Combining the elastic and plastic folding enables these micro‐origami to first fold plastically into a desired geometry and then fold elastically to perform a function or for enhanced shape morphing. The proposed origami systems are suitable for creating medical devices, metamaterials, and microrobots, where rapid folding and enhanced control are desired.
Influence of Cell Membrane Wrapping on the Cell−Porous Silicon Nanoparticle Interactions
Authors: Fontana Flavia , Lindstedt Hanna , Correia Alexandra , Chiaro Jacopo , Kari Otto K. , Ndika Joseph , Alenius Harri , Buck Jonas , Sieber Sandro , Mäkilä Ermei , Salonen Jarno , Urtti Arto , Cerullo Vincenzo , Hirvonen Jouni T. , Santos Hélder A.
Published: July 2020

Biohybrid nanosystems represent the cutting‐edge research in biofunctionalization of micro‐ and nano‐systems. Their physicochemical properties bring along advantages in the circulation time, camouflaging from the phagocytes, and novel antigens. This is partially a result of the qualitative differences in the protein corona, and the preferential targeting and uptake in homologous cells. However, the effect of the cell membrane on the cellular endocytosis mechanisms and time has not been fully evaluated yet. Here, the effect is assessed by quantitative flow cytometry analysis on the endocytosis of hydrophilic, negatively charged porous silicon nanoparticles and on their membrane‐coated counterparts, in the presence of chemical inhibitors of different uptake pathways. Principal component analysis is used to analyze all the data and extrapolate patterns to highlight the cell‐specific differences in the endocytosis mechanisms. Furthermore, the differences in the composition of static protein corona between naked and coated particles are investigated together with how these differences affect the interaction with human macrophages. Overall, the presence of the cell membrane only influences the speed and the entity of nanoparticles association with the cells, while there is no direct effect on the endocytosis pathways, composition of protein corona, or any reduction in macrophage‐mediated uptake.
Highly Sensitive Flexible Iontronic Pressure Sensor for Fingertip Pulse Monitoring
Authors: Lin Qiupeng , Huang Jun , Yang Junlong , Huang Yi , Zhang Yifan , Wang Yueji , Zhang Jianming , Wang Yan , Yuan Linlin , Cai Minkun , Hou Xingyu , Zhang Weixing , Zhou Yunlong , Chen Shi Guo , Guo Chuan Fei
Published: July 2020

The pulse is a key biomedical signal containing various human physiological and pathological information highly related to cardiovascular diseases. Pulse signals are often collected from the radial artery based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, or by using flexible pressure sensors. However, the wrist wrapped with a flexible pressure sensor exhibits unstable signals under hand motion because of the concave surface of the wrist. By contrast, fingertips have a convex surface and therefore show great promises in stable and long‐term pulse monitoring. Despite the promising potential, the fingertip pulse signal is weak, calling for highly sensitive detecting devices. Here, a highly sensitive and flexible iontronic pressure sensor with a linear sensitivity of 13.5 kPa−1, a swift response, and remarkable stability over 5000 loading/unloading cycles is developed. This sensor enables stable and high‐resolution detection of pulse waveform under both static condition and finger motion. Fingertip pulse waveforms from subjects of different genders, age, and health conditions are collected and analyzed, suggesting that fingertip pulse information is highly similar to that of the radial artery. This work justifies that fingertip is an ideal platform for pulse signals monitoring, which would be a competitive alternative to existing complex health monitoring systems.