bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A gamificação no âmbito dos serviços: scoping review
Authors: Afonso Margarida , Andrade António
Published: November 2019

A gamificação, abordagem tecnológica inovadora, tem sido cada vez mais utilizada como forma de motivar a adoção de comportamentos benéficos nos utilizadores. A área do saber relativo à gamificação aplicada ao contexto dos serviços poderá traduzir-se em benefícios diversos – pessoais, sociais, organizacionais, entre outros – e, como tal, importa proceder ao mapeamento sistemático e rigoroso da produção científica subjacente a este tema. Quanto ao método, partiu-se de uma abordagem de scoping review, analisando-se os dados através de duas aplicações – VOSViewer e Citespace – e partindo de métricas disponibilizadas pela Web of Science. Com base nisso realizou-se uma análise bibliométrica englobando vários parâmetros. Concluiu-se que a investigação científica sobre a gamificação e os serviços está ainda numa fase de desenvolvimento muito inicial. A análise realizada forneceu indicadores que sugerem que a gamificação se encontra numa trajetória de crescimento e expansão no que respeita à sua aplicação no âmbito dos serviços, com particular ênfase nos serviços de saúde e de educação. A Finlândia parece ser o país que mais se destaca em termos de produção científica nesta área.
A linguagem figurativa, compreensão e expressão. Estudo comparativo: alunos de classe regular e alunos referenciados com necessidades educativas especiais
Authors: Figueira Ana Paula Couceiro , Ferreira Tiago
Published: November 2019

Linguagem é o principal instrumento de comunicação do Ser Humano, enquanto via de interação com os outros e consigo mesmo. A linguagem é vista como a janela do conhecimento humano, permitindo vivências e aprendizagens individuais e sociais. O presente estudo pretende contribuir para a depuração de um módulo, Linguagem Figurativa, do programa de intervenção neuropsicológica REHACOG. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo e exploratório com 20 indivíduos, comparando-se alunos referenciados com Necessidades Educativas Especiais e alunos que frequentam turmas regulares, sem dificuldades de aprendizagem ou défices cognitivos denunciados. Os resultados demonstram que as crianças com Necessidades Educativas Especiais obtêm resultados inferiores, nos 2º e 3º ciclos do ensino básico e ensino secundário.
O perfil do diretor da escola: a importância das competências emocionais
Authors: Ribeiro Célia , Campos Sofia , Coelho Maria da Luz , Pereira Paulo Almeida
Published: November 2019

O presente estudo teve como objetivo geral conhecer as características da inteligência emocional que norteiam a ação do diretor de escola e que perspetivas têm os professores e os assistentes operacionais relativamente à forma como é levada a cabo a liderança. Foi utilizada uma metodologia de natureza quantitativa, que consistiu na aplicação da Escala de Inteligência Emocional de Moreno (2012) a uma amostra constituída por 131 sujeitos: 3 diretores de escola, 100 professores e 28 assistentes operacionais. Os resultados obtidos apresentam os 3 diretores com consciência de que estão na posse das competências emocionais (pessoais e sociais) para o desempenho do cargo. Para os restantes grupos, professores e assistentes operacionais, o expectável nem sempre é verificado, apesar do reconhecimento de inúmeras características de inteligência emocional, os seus diretores não a manifestam sempre.
Cuidadores formais de idosos institucionalizados: perceções e satisfação profissional
Authors: Guerra Magda , Martins Isabel , Santos Dina , Veiga J. , Moitas R. , Silva R.
Published: November 2019

Introdução: Resultante do crescente envelhecimento demográfico e do aumento da esperança média de vida, a institucionalização do idoso representa nos dias de hoje uma problemática emergente. Consideramos por isso pertinente estudar o perfil do cuidador formal de idosos institucionalizados e a sua satisfação profissional no intuito de melhorar a qualidade dos cuidados prestados. Objetivo: Delineou-se como objetivo principal identificar as representações que os cuidadores formais têm acerca do cuidado prestado ao idoso institucionalizado. Metodologia: Estudo qualitativo através da análise de conteúdo das unidades de registo. O instrumento de recolha de dados utilizado foi a entrevista semiestruturada. A amostra foi constituída por doze cuidadoras formais de uma instituição de idosos da zona centro do país. Resultados: Os significados atribuídos pelas cuidadoras do que é ser idoso foram: uma pessoa merecedora de respeito, com sabedoria, que precisa de afeto e cuidados, que voltar a ser criança e pessoa com limitações físicas. Por cuidar, entendem dar carinho/apoio, transmitir confiança, um bem essencial, cuidar do corpo, mente e coração e ainda, saber escutar. A relação das cuidadoras com os idosos pauta-se pela alegria e boa disposição, uma relação de respeito pela individualidade/vontade da pessoa idosa, tentar adaptar-se à personalidade de cada um. Executam frequentemente os cuidados de higiene (fazer a barba); vestir/despir; levantar/deitar; posicionar; cuidados da alimentação/hidratação; atividades lúdicas e apoio na deambulação dos idosos. É no transporte e posicionamento dos idosos que sentem maiores dificuldades. Na maioria dos casos, as entrevistadas referem que o seu trabalho é apreciado por todos (idosos, família e direção). Para algumas cuidadoras o que lhes dá maior satisfação é sentirem que os idosos estão contentes/confortáveis. Conclusão: Todas as entrevistadas relataram que a atividade de cuidadora lhes traz satisfação profissional e identificaram necessidades formativas em algumas áreas do conhecimento. Os resultados resultantes desta investigação levam-nos à reflexão sobre a importância da criação e monitorização de programas de ação no domínio formativo em áreas especificas adaptado à realidade de cada instituição.
Autonomia e flexibilidade curricular: caminhos e desafios na ação educativa
Authors: Alves Sónia , Madanelo Olga , Martins Maria
Published: November 2019

Nas últimas décadas, a Escola portuguesa não só conseguiu ultrapassar os desafios do alargamento da escolaridade obrigatória, com também reduzir significativamente o abandono e insucesso escolar; ainda assim, subsistem dificuldades na aplicação dos conhecimentos pelos alunos, o contexto socioeconómico permanece determinante no sucesso escolar e o desinteresse e indisciplina, aliados ao predomínio de metodologias pedagógicas tradicionais, continuam a afetar negativamente a aprendizagem. São estas debilidades que justificam a adoção de um paradigma educativo focado no desenvolvimento de competências adequadas aos desafios contemporâneos, para formar cidadãos com saberes diversificados, que sustentem a ação intencional e refletida. O Perfil dos Alunos à Saída da Escolaridade Obrigatória (PA) assegura a convergência das decisões de organização e gestão curriculares, nos diferentes percursos formativos, definindo princípios, valores e áreas de competências a desenvolver. As Aprendizagens Essenciais explicitam os conteúdos indispensáveis, os processos cognitivos a ativar e o saber fazer associado; sugerem também ações estratégicas de ensino orientadas para as competências previstas no PA. No novo currículo para o ensino básico e secundário (Decreto-Lei n.º 55/2018, de 6 de julho), confere-se mais autonomia às Escolas para tomarem decisões que visem a melhoria da qualidade do ensino e aprendizagem, a efetivação da educação inclusiva, a implementação da coautoria curricular na gestão interdisciplinar do currículo, a educação para a cidadania e desenvolvimento e a integração da avaliação no desenvolvimento curricular. A flexibilidade curricular pretende garantir a todos o direito à aprendizagem e ao sucesso educativo, pela adequação da ação educativa às especificidades do aluno e Escola, pela contextualização interdisciplinar dos saberes e pela promoção de aprendizagens ativas e significativas. Nos Domínios de Autonomia Curricular, o aluno é agente da construção de conhecimento pela ação, em ambientes de aprendizagem diferenciados e colaborativos. A avaliação formativa assume uma função reguladora do ensino e da aprendizagem, fundamentando adequações e readaptações, e gera feedback sobre dificuldades e potencialidades, promovendo a autorregulação das aprendizagens.
Importance of considering interoceptive abilities in alexithymia assessment
Authors: Fournier Alicia , Luminet Olivier , Dambrun Michael , Dutheil Frédéric , Pellissier Sonia , Mondillon Laurie
Published: November 2019

Background

Recent studies have shown that people with high alexithymia scores have decreased interoceptive abilities, which can be associated with psychological and physical disorders. Early assessments of the alexithymia trait included the evaluation of these abilities through the dimension measuring the difficulty in identifying and distinguishing between feelings and bodily sensations (the 26-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale; TAS-26). The revised version of the TAS, the TAS-20, contains a three-factor solution that does not involve a dimension assessing interoceptive abilities. However, the three items allowing the evaluation of these abilities are still present in the TAS-20. In this context, we hypothesized that the 3 items which assess interoceptive abilities in the TAS-20 should constitute an independent factor. In addition to exploring the internal structure of the TAS-20, we examined its external validity by assessing the relationships between the new factors and self-reported measures of personality trait and psychological and physical health.

Method

Two online studies (N = 253 and N = 287) were performed. The participants completed the TAS-20 and a set of psychological questionnaires (e.g., anxiety, depression) and health questions (e.g., “Do you suffer from a somatic disorder?”). The structure of the TAS-20 was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), followed by an investigation of the relationships between the resulting new factors and other psychological and health data using regressions. In both studies, EFA revealed a new structure of the questionnaire consisting of four dimensions: (1) difficulty in the awareness of feelings, (2) externally oriented thinking, (3) difficulty in interoceptive abilities, and (4) poor affective sharing. The first factor was positively associated with all self-reported psychological and personality trait measures while the third factor was associated more with somatic disorders and medication intake.

Results

Our results suggest the presence of a new latent factor in the assessment of alexithymia that reflects interoceptive abilities specifically related to health and personality trait outcomes. In accordance with the results and the literature, it seems important to include an assessment of interoceptive abilities when considering the evaluation of alexithymia. The next step would be to develop a valid measure of these abilities.
Validating anthropogenic threat maps as a tool for assessing river ecological integrity in Andean–Amazon basins
Authors: Lessmann Janeth , Troya Maria J. , Flecker Alexander S. , Funk W. Chris , Guayasamin Juan M. , Ochoa-Herrera Valeria , Poff N. LeRoy , Suárez Esteban , Encalada Andrea C.
Published: November 2019

Anthropogenic threat maps are commonly used as a surrogate for the ecological integrity of rivers in freshwater conservation, but a clearer understanding of their relationships is required to develop proper management plans at large scales. Here, we developed and validated empirical models that link the ecological integrity of rivers to threat maps in a large, heterogeneous and biodiverse Andean–Amazon watershed. Through fieldwork, we recorded data on aquatic invertebrate community composition, habitat quality, and physical-chemical parameters to calculate the ecological integrity of 140 streams/rivers across the basin. Simultaneously, we generated maps that describe the location, extent, and magnitude of impact of nine anthropogenic threats to freshwater systems in the basin. Through seven-fold cross-validation procedure, we found that regression models based on anthropogenic threats alone have limited power for predicting the ecological integrity of rivers. However, the prediction accuracy improved when environmental predictors (slope and elevation) were included, and more so when the predictions were carried out at a coarser scale, such as microbasins. Moreover, anthropogenic threats that amplify the incidence of other pressures (roads, human settlements and oil activities) are the most relevant predictors of ecological integrity. We concluded that threat maps can offer an overall picture of the ecological integrity pattern of the basin, becoming a useful tool for broad-scale conservation planning for freshwater ecosystems. While it is always advisable to have finer scale in situ measurements of ecological integrity, our study shows that threat maps provide fast and cost-effective results, which so often are needed for pressing management and conservation actions.
Transcriptional characterization and response to defense elicitors of mevalonate pathway genes in cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.)
Authors: Zhang Zhiqiang , Liu Wei , Ma Zongbin , Zhu Wei , Jia Lin
Published: November 2019

The mevalonate (MVA) pathway is responsible for the biosynthesis of cytosolic terpenes including gossypol and its derivatives, which play an important role in the cotton plant’s defense against pathogens and herbivores. In this study, we identified and cloned 17 potentially functional genes encoding enzymes that catalyze the six steps of the MVA pathway in Gossypium arboreum. Expression pattern analysis by qRT-PCR demonstrated that these genes had tissue-specific expression profiles and were most prevalently expressed in roots. Moreover, these genes were up-regulated in response to several elicitors, including methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid, as well as Verticillium dahliae infection and Helicoverpa armigera infestation. This indicates that the MVA pathway genes are involved in the signaling pathway regulated by exogenous hormones and the resistance of cotton plants to pathogens and herbivores. Our results improve the understanding of cytosolic terpene biosynthesis in Gossypium species and lay the foundation for further research on gossypol biosynthesis.
Gross Alpha and Gross Beta Radioactivity in Drinkable Water and Soil/Sediment around Oil Spill Sites in Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Audu M. U. , Avwiri G. O. , Ononugbo C. P.
Published: November 2019

The gross alpha and beta activity concentration in drinkable water and soil/sediment from oil spilled communities of Delta state have been carried out using calibrated MPC 2000 Protean ORTEC desktop gross alpha/beta counter. A total of 22 water samples (11 River water and 11 well water) and 22 soil/sediment (11 soil and 11 sediment) were collected in 2-litre plastic containers with about 1% air space left for thermal expansion and black polyethene bags respectively. All the samples were prepared following international standard organization (ISO) procedure. The result showed that gross alpha activity in River water ranged from 0.013±0.005 to 0.0783±0.015 Bql-1 while the gross beta activity concentration in River water ranged from 0.0073±0.015 to 0.0928 ±0.024 Bql-1. The gross alpha and beta activity in ground (well) water ranged from 0.018±0.006 to 0.0817±0.014 Bql-1 and 0.0126 ±0.013 to 0.173±0.063 Bql-1 respectively. The mean gross alpha and beta activity in soil and sediment are 12.0±1.0 and 23.27±3.0 Bq/kg and 23.0±4.0 and 21.73± 15.0 Bq/kg respectively. The total annual effective dose estimated from both alpha and beta emitting radionuclides in water resources sampled, ranged between 0.007 to 0.063 mSvy-1 in river water and 0.021 to 0.102 mSvy-1 for well water. The annual gonadal dose resulting from gross alpha and beta activity in surface and ground water ranges from 0.019 to 0.238 mSvy-1 and 0.037 to 0.406 mSvy-1 respectively. The highest gonad dose of 0.238 mSvy-1 and 0.439 mSvy-1 was obtained in surface water (OTU1) and ground water (OTU2) respectively. The estimated excess lifetime cancer risks range from 0.024 x 10-3 to 0.220 x 10-3 and 0.039 x 10-3 to 0.358 x 10-3 for river and well water respectively. The result showed a significant relationship in both surface and ground water with regression values of 0.66 and 0.84 respectively. This implies that the same radionuclide is responsible for both alpha and beta activities in the water studied. The result of this study show that all the water resources sampled pose no immediate health risk to the populace though, there is little radioactive contamination of the sampled water arising from oil spillages and may be effluent discharge into the surface water. Following no threshold model, the water sampled need to be treated to remove the radionuclide in it through ion exchange technology or reverse osmosis technology before consuming to avoid long term internal exposure.
Complete Heart Block Due to Coronary Air Embolism during Trans-catheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect
Authors: Bodkhe Mahesh , Shaikh Shakil , Waghmare Nagesh , Mishra Vikas , Kumar Anil , Bansal Narendra
Published: November 2019

Coronary air embolism is a dreadful complication of cardiac intervention despite careful prevention. In literature reported complications of coronary air embolism ranges from clinically non significant events to cardiogenic shock, myocardial infarction and death. We report a case of massive coronary air embolism in right coronary artery, which results in hypotension and complete heart block in a 33 -year-old female undergoing elective closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) by percutaneous transcatheter intervention. The patient stabilized after timely measures like oxygen support, dopamine infusion, cardiac compression and repeated bolus injection of heparinized saline. She then underwent successful percutaneous ASD device closure.
Successful Percutaneous Retrieval of Embolised Septal Occluder Device and Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defect in Combined Procedure
Authors: Singh Gurkirat , Bodkhe Mahesh , Jain Akshat , Bansal Narender Omprakash
Published: November 2019

Transcatheter device closure is the treatment of choice in patients with secundum atrial septal defects with adequate rims. It is technically safe, feasible and has the obvious advantage of being a nonsurgical technique. Patient is free from the scar especially young, unmarried females. It is not free of complications. Device embolization and arrhythmias are the major complications. Embolised device can cause hemodynamic compromise by obstructing the blood flow if it gets embolised in pulmonary artery. We report a case of 24 year old female, taken for device closure of atrial septal defect. Device gets embolised in pulmonary artery causing hemodynamic compromise by causing obstruction to blood flow. This embolised device was successfully retrieved percutaneously. The atrial septal defect was closed with one size larger device, in the same sitting. Patient is asymptomatic and is free from any scar.
Successful Percutaneous Device Closure of Ventricular Septal Rupture in a Patient with Acute Anterior Wall Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Singh Gurkirat , Bodkhe Mahesh , Jain Akshat , Bansal Narender Omprakash
Published: November 2019

Post-infarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but lethal mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction. The incidence of VSR has decreased from 1-3% following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in the pre-reperfusion era to 0.17-0.31% following primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Survival to 1 month without intervention is 6%. We report a case of a 60-year-old male, admitted in a peripheral hospital with acute anterior wall myocardial Infarction. He was thrombolized with streptokinase. He developed breathlessness at rest and shifted to our hospital for further management. On evaluation in intensive care unit found to have VSR. The patient was in cardiogenic shock. The ventricular septal rupture was successfully closed with a septal occluder device. After which the patient stabilized hemodynamically and was discharged after 8 days.
Performance of Drought Indices in Trichy Region, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Sathya L. , Lalitha R.
Published: November 2019

Droughts are regional phenomena, which are considered as one of the major natural environmental hazards and severely affect the water resources. Climate variability may result in harmful drought periods in semiarid regions. Meteorological drought indices are considered as important tools for drought monitoring, they are embedded with different theoretical and experimental structures. This study compares the performance of three indices of Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI) End Palmer Drought Severity Index (PNPI) to predict long-term drought events using the Thomas-Feiring Model and historical data. For studies of areal drought extent, the 61 years (1951-2011) historical rainfall data of Trichy District were utilized to generate 58 years (2012-2070) synthetic data series so that the characteristics of long-term drought might be determined and the performance of those three indices might be analyzed and compared. The results show that SPI and PNPI perform similarly with regard to drought identification and detailed analysis to determine the characteristics of long-term drought. Finally, the RAI indicated significant deviations from normalized natural processes.
Climate-friendly Farming Self-efficacy and Its Correlates among Secondary School Agricultural Science Students in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors: Ekanem J. T. , Okon U. E. , Brown I.
Published: November 2019

The Paper assessed self-efficacy of secondary school agricultural science towards climate-friendly farming. It specifically examined the influence that attitude towards climate-friendly farming, knowledge of climate change and ownership of household farms could have on the climate-friendly farming self-efficacy of the respondents. Correlation analysis, chi-square, percentages and composite index technique were applied to a set of primary data collected from 200 randomly sampled agricultural science students in 4 randomly selected schools in Uyo, AKS. Findings revealed that 52% of the respondents have high climate-friendly farming self-efficacy. The respondents had a positive attitudinal disposition towards climate-friendly farming. Most (48.5%) of the respondents had low knowledge of climate change. There is a need for stakeholders to translate the high climate-friendly farming self-efficacy observed among the respondents into climate-smart farming through a conscious effort at increasing their participation in practical farming activities both in school and home farms. There is a need to include climate change issues in secondary school curriculum to raise the knowledge level of the agricultural students on climate change. Students, upon the acquisition of this knowledge and skills, would help in the extension of innovative and efficient farming methods to their households and communities thereby complementing government efforts in the extension of modern and acceptable practices in farming.
Geoengineering, Coal Fly Ash and the New Heart-Iron Connection: Universal Exposure to Iron Oxide Nanoparticulates
Authors: Whiteside Mark , Herndon J. Marvin
Published: November 2019

Globally, air pollution is the leading environmental cause of human disease and death, and it is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. Air pollution damages the cardiovascular system by oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and pro-thrombotic changes. Ultrafine particulate matter from the combustion of fossil fuels delivers the most potent and harmful elements of air pollution. Coal fly ash is a rich source of nano-sized metal, iron oxide, and carbonaceous particles. Previous findings revealed that coal fly ash is widely utilized in undisclosed tropospheric aerosol geoengineering.  Proper iron balance is central to human health and disease, and the harmful effects of iron are normally prevented by tightly controlled processes of systemic and cellular iron homeostasis. Altered iron balance is linked to the traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The iron-heart hypothesis is supported by epidemiological, clinical, and experimental studies. Biogenic magnetite (Fe3O4) serves essential life functions, but iron oxide nanoparticles from anthropogenic sources cause disease. The recent finding of countless combustion-type magnetic nanoparticles in damaged hearts of persons from highly polluted areas is definitive evidence of the connection between the iron oxide fraction of air pollution and cardiovascular disease.  Spherical magnetic iron oxide particles found in coal fly ash and certain vehicle emissions match the exogenous iron pollution particles found in the human heart. Iron oxide nanoparticles cross the placenta and may act as seed material for future cardiovascular disease. The pandemic of non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease and also rapid global warming can be alleviated by drastically reducing nanoparticulate air pollution. It is crucial to halt tropospheric aerosol geoengineering, and to curb fine particulate emissions from industrial and traffic sources to avoid further gross contamination of the human race by iron oxide-type nanoparticles.
Socio-demographic Factors Associated with Treatment Initiation Delays among Tuberculosis Patients in Namibia
Authors: Chikuse Francis F. , Dzikiti Loveness N. , Chideme-Munodawafa Auxilia , Maruta Talkmore , Mavondo Greanious A. , Mukesi Munyaradzi , Maisiri Mathew , Gundidza Patricia T. , Soko Munyaradzi M.
Published: November 2019

Background: Delayed tuberculosis (TB) treatment increases the rate of spread of the bacilli in the community and mortality rates. Rapid diagnosis and early TB treatment initiation are crucial to successful outcomes and delays affect TB control programs. In Namibia, there is a paucity of data on the demographic factors affecting TB treatment initiation since GeneXpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) assay was introduced in 2017.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study conducted at Katutura Hospital TB clinic from 1st July 2018 to 31st March 2019. A total of seventy-two (72) participants comprising twenty-five (25) rifampicin resistant-TB (RR-TB) and forty-seven (47) non- RR-TB adult patients were enrolled using consecutive sampling. Patients’ medical records, Xpert results and a questionnaire were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using Stata statistical software version 12. Association between socio-demographic factors and treatment initiation delays were established using logistic regression analysis.

Results: Staying with a TB patient (AOR=17.22, 95% CI: 2.29-129.773), employment status (AOR=1.23, 95% CI, 002-129), previous TB treatment (AOR=2.19, 95% CI: 0.076-0.86) and being HIV positive (AOR= 1.23, 95% CI: 0.0034-057) were the socio-demographic factors that were significantly associated with treatment initiation delays. Treatment initiation delay median time at Katutura Intermediate Hospital TB Clinic was 10 days (IQR: 1-32) and 3 days (IQR: 0-12) for RR-TB and non- RR-TB respectively.

Conclusion: The prolonged treatment initiation delays among HIV positive RR-TB patients might be due to low adherence to HIV care interventions. Staying with a household TB patient and those who were previously treated for TB were also associated with treatment initiation delays. Poor health systems infrastructure and stigma could be the determinants of this delay in these groups. An integrated family-based approach to TB and HIV care involving health care workers can mitigate TB treatment delays post-diagnosis. Further studies should explore the factors associated with late initiation to second-line treatment from a community perspective. Lastly, there is a need to assess the cost-utility of bedaquiline and delamanid drugs roll-out in Namibian health care in comparison with the standard treatment.
Pristine Titanium Carbide MXene Films with Environmentally Stable Conductivity and Superior Mechanical Strength
Authors: Chen Hongwu , Wen Yeye , Qi Yingyi , Zhao Qian , Qu Liangti , Li Chun
Published: November 2019

2D titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx MXene) has potential application in flexible/transparent conductors because of its metallic conductivity and solution processability. However, solution‐processed Ti3C2Tx films suffer from poor hydration stability and mechanical performance that stem from the presence of intercalants, which are unavoidably introduced during the preparation of Ti3C2Tx suspension. A proton acid colloidal processing approach is developed to remove the extrinsic intercalants in Ti3C2Tx film materials, producing pristine Ti3C2Tx films with significantly enhanced conductivity, mechanical strength, and environmental stability. Typically, pristine Ti3C2Tx films show more than twofold higher conductivity (10 400 S cm−1 vs 4620 S cm−1) and up to 11‐ and 32‐times higher strength and strain energy at failure (112 MPa, 1,480 kJ m−3, vs 10 MPa, 45 kJ m−3) than films prepared without proton acid processing. Simultaneously, the conductivity and mechanical integrity of pristine films are also largely retained during the long‐term storage in H2O/O2 environment. The improvement in mechanical performance and conductivity is originated from the intrinsic strong interaction between Ti3C2Tx layers, and the absence of extrinsic intercalants makes pristine Ti3C2Tx films stable in humidity by blocking the intercalation of H2O/O2. This method makes the material more competitive for real‐world applications such as electromagnetic interference shielding.
Perovskite‐Induced Ultrasensitive and Highly Stable Humidity Sensor Systems Prepared by Aerosol Deposition at Room Temperature
Authors: Cho Myung‐Yeon , Kim Sunghoon , Kim Ik‐Soo , Kim Eun‐Seong , Wang Zhi‐Ji , Kim Nam‐Young , Kim Sang‐Wook , Oh Jong‐Min
Published: November 2019

A new capacitive‐type humidity sensor is proposed using novel materials and fabrication process for practical applications in sensitive environments and cost‐effective functional devices that require ultrasensing performances. Metal halide perovskites (CsPbBr3 and CsPb2Br5) combined with diverse ceramics (Al2O3, TiO2, and BaTiO3) are selected as sensing materials for the first time, and nanocomposite powders are deposited by aerosol deposition (AD) process. A state‐of‐the‐art CsPb2Br5/BaTiO3 nanocomposite humidity sensor prepared by AD process exhibits a significant increase in humidity sensing compared with CsPbBr3/Al2O3 and CsPbBr3/TiO2 sensors. An outstanding humidity sensitivity (21426 pF RH%−1) with superior linearity (0.991), fast response/recovery time (5 s), low hysteresis of 1.7%, and excellent stability in a wide range of relative humidity is obtained owing to a highly porous structure, effective charge separation, and water‐resistant characteristics of CsPb2Br5. Notably, this unprecedented result is obtained via a simple one‐step AD process within a few minutes at room temperature without any auxiliary treatment. The synergetic combination of AD technique and perovskite‐based nanocomposite can be potentially applied toward the development of multifunctional sensing devices.
Aerobijels: Ultralight Carbon Monoliths from Cocontinuous Emulsions
Authors: Santiago Cordoba Miguel A. , Spendelow Jacob S. , Parra‐Vasquez Alario Nicholas G. , Kuettner Lindsey A. , Welch Paul M. , Hamilton Christopher E. , Oertel John A. , Duque Juan G. , Meierdierks Eric J. , Semelsberger Troy A. , Gordon John C. , Lee Matthew N.
Published: November 2019

Bijels are used to develop a new class of ultralight hierarchically porous aerogels exhibiting multimodal porosity across multiple length scales. Through in situ functionalization of a particle‐laden liquid interface wherein binary liquid pairs are kinetically trapped out of equilibrium through interfacial jamming, monolithic and freestanding carbon electrodes are produced with prescribed bulk densities down to ≈2 mg cm−3. Exemplary electrokinetic experiments indicate that the bicontinuity of the pore structure is essential for enhancing transport to and from the active electrode surfaces, demonstrating that these materials possess a superior ability to accumulate and transport charge when compared to analogous systems with restricted pore connectivity and fluid throughput. This approach offers a new synthetic route to bicontinuous and hierarchical aerogel materials with nested multimodal porosities. The flexibility of this scheme can address critical issues related to transport‐limited behaviors that arise in many technological fields, ranging from energy and catalysis research to remediation and sensing applications.
Current‐Induced Helicity Reversal of a Single Skyrmionic Bubble Chain in a Nanostructured Frustrated Magnet
Authors: Hou Zhipeng , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Xichao , Xu Guizhou , Xia Jing , Ding Bei , Li Hang , Zhang Senfu , Batra Nitin M. , Costa Pedro M. F. J. , Liu Enke , Wu Guangheng , Ezawa Motohiko , Liu Xiaoxi , Zhou Yan , Zhang Xixiang , Wang Wenhong
Published: November 2019

Helicity indicates the in‐plane magnetic‐moment swirling direction of a skyrmionic configuration. The ability to reverse the helicity of a skyrmionic bubble via purely electrical means has been predicted in frustrated magnetic systems; however, it has been challenging to observe this experimentally. The current‐driven helicity reversal of the skyrmionic bubble in a nanostructured frustrated Fe3Sn2 magnet is experimentally demonstrated. The critical current density required to trigger the helicity reversal is 109–1010 A m−2, with a corresponding pulse‐width varying from 1 µs to 100 ns. Computational simulations reveal that both the pinning effect and dipole–dipole interaction play a crucial role in the helicity reversal process.
Ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene reinforced polypropylene and polyamide composites toward developing low‐noise automobile interior
Authors: Lee Kwang Ho , Sinha Tridib Kumar , Choi Kyum Woo , Oh Jeong Seok
Published: November 2019

Circular ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) of 60 and 140 μm particle size, to ensure the homogenous mixing, was used as filler materials for developing the polypropylene (PP) and polyamide 6 (PA6)‐based composite specimens to investigate the effect of UHMWPE on reducing the noise, if the composites are used in car interior. PP composite containing 5 wt % UHMWPE of 60 μm particle size showed the lowest in‐plane friction coefficient (0.18 ± 0.01), improved Izod impact strength (33 ± 2.9 J/m2), and considerable tensile properties (37 ± 1.5 MPa of strength and 21 ± 1.1% of elongation at break), indicating its promise as low‐noise and durable material to be used in the car interior. Although PA6 composites showed decreasing friction coefficients with increasing UHMWPE content, their tensile and impact properties became poor or inconsistent, maybe due to the incompatibility of nonpolar UHMWPE with polar PA, and the large difference of their melting temperatures. The extent of compatibility of PP and PA6 with the UHMWPE has been investigated by analyzing the morphology (using scanning electron microscope) and the thermal properties of the composites. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48720.
Tracking interactions: Shifting baseline and fisheries networks in the largest Southwestern Atlantic reef system
Authors: Zapelini Cleverson , Bender Mariana G. , Giglio Vinicius J. , Schiavetti Alexandre
Published: November 2019

Increasing evidence has revealed that different fisheries have collapsed around the world. This is generally more evident in countries that can maintain long‐term research and fisheries monitoring. When monitoring data are not available, alternative approaches to assess fisheries trends can be used, such as the local ecological knowledge of fishers.

To investigate decadal changes in fisheries the local ecological knowledge of small‐scale fishers' was evaluated at four sites in Brazil: Porto Seguro, Prado, Alcobaça, and Caravelas. A fisher–fish network weighted by interaction strength was built to indicate the most relevant resources among fishers.

The results suggest the occurrence of the shifting baseline syndrome among generations of fishers regarding commercially important fishes such as groupers and snappers. Handline fishers indicated a decline in catch per unit effort over 5 decades.

Fisher–fish networks from Caravelas showed greater stability with stronger interaction strength, while Porto Seguro and Alcobaça networks were more fragile, and Prado network showed intermediate characteristics. Overfishing has affected high trophic level species that act as module hubs across the majority of sites.

The fisher–fish network approach can be applied in data limited cases, improving the assessments of fisheries' dynamics (in space and time) and declining species.
Defect evaluation by infant photographs in a multicenter pharmaceutical clinical trial
Authors: Scheuerle Angela E. , Kwon Paul , Joing Mark
Published: November 2019

Object

The NT‐04 clinical trial of investigational medication NT100 had a limited, though geographically diverse, study population. To enhance potential birth defect identification, photographic dysmorphology exam of infants was performed along with review of prenatal and postnatal medical records.

Methods

Standardized photographic views were developed: full body (prone and supine), face, both profiles, dorsal and ventral hands and feet, genitalia, and birthmarks/skin lesions. Professional photographers were identified and trained. Photos were taken in the first month of life at the subject's home and uploaded to a secure electronic online photo viewer. The evaluating geneticist accessed the photos electronically and submitted an evaluation.

Results

Forty subjects had 39 evaluable outcomes (55 babies). Twelve photographers were recruited, 10 of whom worked with multiple subjects. Photographic dysmorphology evaluation was done on 38 pregnancy outcomes. Only one baby had missing photos due to an apparent protocol error. Four babies were photographed with diaper on.

Conclusions

The standardized photographs worked well. Advantages include: a single clinician evaluating all infants, the photographs could be reviewed repeatedly as needed, and minor malformations were more uniformly identified. Difficulties were: identifying local photographers and supplying training and training materials. There was no protocol for retaking or obtaining new photos and the study consent form did not include permission to publish the photographs. This was a successful pilot study of infant photographic assessment to detect congenital anomalies in a clinical trial.
Long-term survival after endovascular and open repair of unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Johal A S , Loftus I M , Boyle J R , Heikkila K , Waton S , Cromwell D A
Published: November 2019

Background

The aim of this study was to examine patterns of 10-year survival after elective repair of unruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in different patient groups.

Methods

Patients having open repair or endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in the English National Health Service between January 2006 and December 2015 were identified from Hospital Episode Statistics data. Postoperative survival among patients of different age and Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) modified Charlson co-morbidity score profiles were analysed using flexible parametric survival models. The relationship between patient characteristics and risk of rupture after repair was also analysed.

Results

Some 37 138 patients underwent elective AAA repair, of which 15 523 were open and 21 615 were endovascular. The 10-year mortality rate was 38·1 per cent for patients aged under 70 years, and the survival trajectories for open repair and EVAR were similar when patients had no RCS-modified Charlson co-morbidity. Among older patients or those with co-morbidity, the 10-year mortality rate rose, exceeding 70 per cent for patients aged 80 years. Mean survival times over 10 years for open repair and EVAR were often similar in subgroups of older and more co-morbid patients, but their survival trajectories became increasingly dissimilar, with open repair showing greater short-term risk within 6 months but lower 10-year mortality rates. The risk of rupture over 9 years was 3·4 per cent for EVAR and 0·9 per cent for open repair, and was weakly associated with patient factors.

Conclusion

Long-term survival patterns after elective open repair and EVAR for unruptured AAA vary markedly across patients with different age and co-morbidity profiles.
Localization of YAP activity in developing skeletal rudiments is responsive to mechanical stimulation
Authors: Shea Claire A. , Rolfe Rebecca A. , McNeill Helen , Murphy Paula
Published: November 2019

Background

Normal skeletal development, in particular ossification, joint formation and shape features of condyles, depends on appropriate mechanical input from embryonic movement but it is unknown how such physical stimuli are transduced to alter gene regulation. Hippo/Yes‐Associated Protein (YAP) signalling has been shown to respond to the physical environment of the cell and here we specifically investigate the YAP effector of the pathway as a potential mechanoresponsive mediator in the developing limb skeleton.

Results

We show spatial localization of YAP protein and of pathway target gene expression within developing skeletal rudiments where predicted biophysical stimuli patterns and shape are affected in immobilization models, coincident with the period of sensitivity to movement, but not coincident with the expression of the Hippo receptor Fat4. Furthermore, we show that under reduced mechanical stimulation, in immobile, muscle‐less mouse embryos, this spatial localization is lost. In culture blocking YAP reduces chondrogenesis but the effect differs depending on the timing and/or level of YAP reduction.

Conclusions

These findings implicate YAP signalling, independent of Fat4, in the transduction of mechanical signals during key stages of skeletal patterning in the developing limb, in particular endochondral ossification and shape emergence, as well as patterning of tissues at the developing synovial joint.
A proposed computation, which benefits from the cooperation of dew, edge, and cloud computations
Authors: Abdoos Mahboobeh , Taheri Hassan , Taeezadeh Ali
Published: November 2019

We propose a computation that compensates the weakness of the processing power and storage capacity of the dew and edge servers. In the proposed computation, the nodes near to each other, which can be the dew, edge, or cloud servers, form a computational grid. The dew servers can be mobile devices, laptops, or computers. Their processing power and storage capacity can be used when they are idle. Our goal is to achieve load balancing of different nodes (servers). A server of the grid with proper processing power, storage capacity, remained energy, and low task load is selected as the grid head (each server of grid shares its specification with the other servers of grid periodically). The grid head (server) is responsible for grid communications. The grid head shares the specification of the grid, with the neighbor nodes (we suppose that the end device is aware of the specification of the nearest dew, edge, and cloud grid heads to itself). The end device decides about sending its created tasks to the grid head of a dew or edge or cloud grid, with attention to the distance between itself and the grid head, and the free processing power and storage capacity of the grid. The scheduling algorithm of a grid is the combination of first‐come–first‐served and priority scheduling algorithms. The simulation results show that the proposed computation has less delay and energy consumption and more efficiency than the cloud and edge computations.
Diversion of the paleo‐Yellow River channel in the Qingtongxia area of Ningxia, China: Evidence from terraces and fluvial landforms
Authors: Chen Hong , Bao Guo‐dong , Shi Wei , Hu Jian‐min
Published: November 2019

The Qingtongxia Grand Canyon (QGC) of the Yellow River is a region of intense tectonic deformation that is located in the southern Yinchuan Basin, at the junction of the western margin of the Ordos Plateau and the northeast arcuate structural belt of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. The Yellow River makes a 90° turn as it traverses the Qingtongxia area, incising the hard Ordovician sandstones of Niushou Mountain, while leaving the relatively soft Quaternary sediments on the northern side of the channel undisturbed. Despite this apparent inconsistency with the expected pattern of river erosion, there has been no significant research to date on the formation of the QGC. Here, we utilize remote sensing, surficial geomorphology, and shallow coring to confirm the evolution of the Yellow River channel and formation of the QGC. Using Landsat Thermic Mapper and ASTER imagery, we identified a N–S‐oriented zone of high water‐content in the northern part of the QGC that is characterized at the surface by marsh and wetlands. Shallow cores reveal the zone is underlain by Yellow River gravel, while seismic profiling confirms anomalous seismic structures relative to the surrounding strata. Together, these data document a paleo‐Yellow River channel in the northern Qingtongxia area. We selected four representative profiles of the Yellow River terraces in the Qingtongxia and adjacent areas to acquire measurements on above water level and age. The uppermost terraces preserved at the entrance, central section, and exit of the QGC are labelled T6, T9, and T3, respectively. Our data indicate that the flow direction during the construction of T9 was different to that of the modern Yellow River and that canyon incision occurred during the development of T3, which we constrain to 65–85 ka. Ultimately, we (a) document a paleo‐Yellow River channel north of the QGC, which may have been affected by tectonic activity since the late Pleistocene and (b) show that the Yellow River has since been diverted towards the Yinchuan Basin via the QGC.
Synthesis of novel piperazine tethered benzocycloheptenone hybrids and their antimicrobial evaluation
Authors: Naikal James Prameela Subhashini , Jilla Lavanya , Vanguru Sowmya
Published: November 2019

A new series of benzosuberone‐piperazine hybrids 6a to j were designed and synthesized efficiently in good yields and their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, ESI‐MS and HRMS. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against Gram positive, Gram negative bacterial strains and a fungal strain. Among the synthesized compounds, compounds 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g and 6h exhibited potent antibacterial activity with MIC value of 1.9 μg/mL against Gram positive and Gram negative organisms.