bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Intention and Behavior of Renting Houses among the Young Generation: Evidence from Jinan, China
Authors: Zheng Shengqin , Cheng Ye , Ju Yingjie
Published: March 2019

In the last decade, the rapid growth of China’s economy and population has generated a large demand for housing. Increasingly high prices have become the main obstacle for homeownership, especially for the young generation. In this study, we investigate the determinants of rental housing among the young generation in Chinese cities. A theoretical model and hypotheses were proposed by extending the theory of planned behavior (TPB). An empirical analysis was conducted via the structural equation model validation to reveal the following conclusions. (1) Attitude towards behavior (perceived usefulness and perceived usability) are the most important factors influencing renting behavior. (2) Mandatory policies and regulatory pressures promote renting behavior. (3) The government’s economic incentives have a significant impact on perceptual behavior control and indirectly affect behavioral intentions through perceptual behavior control. Based on the above conclusions, this study proposed recommendations for the government and businesses. This study contributed to existing theory and practice by providing useful insights into the influences on the young generation’s renting intentions. Furthermore, these findings provide the government with implications for facilitating the sustainability of the housing market.
Does Air Pollution Affect Health and Medical Insurance Cost in the Elderly: An Empirical Evidence from China
Authors: Pi Tianlei , Wu Hongyan , Li Xiaotong
Published: March 2019

In recent years, the health conditions of the elderly (the middle-aged and the old, which for this study means people over 50 years of age) have deteriorated along with the aggravation of air pollution, which led to the change of medical insurance costs. This phenomenon is particularly prominent in developing countries, such as China. A total of 15,892 research subjects from 56 prefecture-level cities in 23 provinces were collected from the database of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS). We investigated the effects of air pollution, physical health, and medical insurance costs among three mechanisms using logistics and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) hybrid cross-sectional regression, and we conducted a robust test. Overall, two pollutants, namely, PM10 and NO2, respectively showed an “inverted U-shaped” and “positive U-shaped” influencing path to health. In addition, when we studied the mechanism of air pollution affecting medical insurance costs, we found that air pollution can affect medical insurance costs through affecting self-rated health, and that the impact path is related to different diseases to some extent. At the same time, there was a certain negative correlation between air pollution and medical insurance: The higher the degree of air pollution, the worse the self-rated health, and the fewer opportunities there are to purchase medical insurance. It can be seen that air pollution affects the physical health of middle-aged and elderly people, thus indirectly and negatively affecting the medical insurance cost. Further research also found that the types of air pollutants in southern and northern China showed some differences. Specifically, NO2 and SO2 were the pollutants that harm the health of the elderly in the south and north, respectively.
Bird Diversity as a Support Decision Tool for Sustainable Management in Temperate Forested Floodplain Landscapes
Authors: Machar Ivo , Poprach Karel , Harmacek Jaromir , Fialova Jitka
Published: March 2019

Sustainably managed forests provide multiple ecosystem services in cultural landscapes, including maintaining biodiversity. Better understanding of the benefits regarding the biodiversity of different silvicultural practices is important for sustainable landscape management. Conservation targets in forested landscapes should be determined by land managers and policy-makers, based on serious ecological research. This study deals with response of bird diversity to three different habitat types of temperate hardwood floodplain forests, which reflect specific forms of forest management. Research was based on long-term field bird census in the years 1998 to 2002 applying the point count method. Data was analysed using regression analysis with dummy variables. The results of the study indicate that hardwood floodplain forest heterogeneity, supported by different types of forest management (old-growth forest protection, group-selection harvesting and forest edge protection), provides large-scale habitat mosaic conditions suitable for many breeding bird species with different ecological niches. This result suggests that comparison of bird diversity response to different forest management types can be used as a decision support tool for sustainable landscape management strategy and local management practices in forested cultural lowland landscapes. Improvements in both regional and local ecological knowledge are generally needed in order to control floodplain land use decisions, which are typically made on the scale of landscape management.
Linking between Renewable Energy, CO2 Emissions, and Economic Growth: Challenges for Candidates and Potential Candidates for the EU Membership
Authors: Bilan Yuriy , Streimikiene Dalia , Vasylieva Tetyana , Lyulyov Oleksii , Pimonenko Tetyana , Pavlyk Anatolii
Published: March 2019

This paper investigates the impact of renewable energy sources (RESs), CO2 emissions, macroeconomics, and the political stability in a country on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The authors analyse the dynamics of RESs use, CO2 emissions, and GDP development and also test the following hypotheses: (1) The country’s economic growth is related to the energy consumption, in terms of both human resources and capital; (2) the share of the renewable energy consumption of the total energy consumption has a positive impact on the economic growth; and (3) the share of the renewable energy consumption of the total energy consumption is unrelated to the economic growth. To test the above hypotheses, the authors use the modified Cobb-Douglas production function, which also considers RES production volumes, CO2 emissions, and economic growth. The study employs data between 1995 to 2015 from the candidate and potential candidate countries for the EU membership. The data are drawn from the World Bank and Eurostat. The analyses entail panel unit root tests, Pedroni panel cointegration tests, fully modified OLS (FMOLS), dynamic OLS (DOLS) panel cointegration techniques, and the Vector Error Correction model (VECM). The findings confirm the relationship between RESs, CO2 emissions, and the GDP. For the EU countries, RESs as human resources and capital have an impact on the GDP. Moreover, the results reveal a correction retraction when the economic growth leads to an increase in renewable energy consumption. The investigation also finds that candidate and potential candidate countries for the EU membership should foster renewable energy development. The authors conclude that developing affordable and effective instruments and mechanisms to boost the RES implementation is necessary to decrease the anthropogenic impact on the environment (in particular, decreasing CO2 emissions) without any attendant reduction in the economic growth.
An Integrated Genotyping‐by‐Sequencing Polymorphism Map for Over 10,000 Sorghum Genotypes
Authors: Hu Zhenbin , Olatoye Marcus O. , Marla Sandeep , Morris Geoffrey P.
Published: March 2019

Mining crop genomic variation can facilitate the genetic research of complex traits and molecular breeding. In sorghum [Sorghum bicolor L. (Moench)], several large‐scale single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) datasets have been generated using genotyping‐by‐sequencing of ApeKI reduced representation libraries. However, data reuse has been impeded by differences in reference genome coordinates among datasets. To facilitate reuse of these data, we constructed and characterized an integrated 459,304‐SNP dataset for 10,323 sorghum genotypes on the version 3.1 reference genome. The SNP distribution showed high enrichment in subtelomeric chromosome arms and in genic regions (48% of SNPs) and was highly correlated (r = 0.82) to the distribution of ApeKI restriction sites. The genetic structure reflected population differences by botanical race, as well as familial structure among recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Faster linkage disequilibrium decay was observed in the diversity panel than in the RILs, as expected, given the greater opportunity for recombination in diverse populations. To validate the quality and utility of the integrated SNP dataset, we used genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) of genebank phenotype data, precisely mapping several known genes (e.g Y1 and Z) and identifying novel associations for other traits. We further validated the dataset with GWAS of new and published plant height and flowering time data in a nested association mapping population, precisely mapping known genes and identifying epistatic interactions underlying both traits. These findings validate this integrated SNP dataset as a useful genomics resource for sorghum genetics and breeding.
Evaluation of RR‐BLUP Genomic Selection Models that Incorporate Peak Genome‐Wide Association Study Signals in Maize and Sorghum
Authors: Rice Brian , Lipka Alexander E.
Published: March 2019

Certain agronomic crop traits are complex and thus governed by many small‐effect loci. Statistical models typically used in a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and genomic selection (GS) quantify these signals by assessing genomic marker contributions in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with these loci to trait variation. These models have been used in separate quantitative genetics contexts until recently, when, in published studies, the predictive ability of GS models that include peak associated markers from a GWAS as fixed‐effect covariates was assessed. Previous work suggests that such models could be useful for predicting traits controlled by several large‐effect and many small‐effect genes. We expand this work by evaluating simulated traits from diversity panels in maize (Zea maysL.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench] using ridge‐regression best linear unbiased prediction (RR‐BLUP) models that include fixed‐effect covariates tagging peak GWAS signals. The ability of such covariates to increase GS prediction accuracy in the RR‐BLUP model under a wide variety of genetic architectures and genomic backgrounds was quantified. Of the 216 genetic architectures that we simulated, we identified 60 where the addition of fixed‐effect covariates boosted prediction accuracy. However, for the majority of the simulated data, no increase or a decrease in prediction accuracy was observed. We also noted several instances where the inclusion of fixed‐effect covariates increased both the variability of prediction accuracies and the bias of the genomic estimated breeding values. We therefore recommend that the performance of such a GS model be explored on a trait‐by‐trait basis prior to its implementation into a breeding program.
The rise of national central banks' TARGET balances in the euro area: a comment
Authors: Terzi Andrea
Published: March 2019

With the implementation of the Eurosystem's asset purchase programme (APP), national central banks’ TARGET balances have risen. For the European Central Bank, this reflects cross-border payments and portfolio rebalancing in the context of the APP. Minenna et al. (2018) disagree and claim that the causes of rising TARGET balances (2015–2017) have been the persistent current-account surplus of Germany and ‘capital flight.’ This comment explains that rising TARGET balances occur under specific monetary policy configurations and that the context of the APP was critical to account for rising TARGET balances. It then questions the decomposition approach employed by the authors by arguing that it shows accounting correspondences, not causality, and concludes that there is no established two-way association between TARGET balances and actual vulnerabilities of the euro area.
Role of Computed Tomography Scan in Evaluating Children with Seizures
Authors: Sipayya Vasudha , Kashikar Shivali
Published: March 2019

Introduction: Seizures are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood. It is important to establish the cause of seizures to appropriately manage such patients. The etiology of seizures is different in developing countries as compared to the developed world. Computed tomography (CT) scan is easily available, is less sensitive to patient motion, and does not generally require sedation. Also the cost is less as compared to MRI, and this makes it an important screening tool in developing countries like India.

Aims: To determine the diagnostic ability of CT to determine the cause of seizures in children.

Settings and design: A prospective analytical study.

Materials and methods: Computed tomography scans of 84 children presenting with seizures during the period of September 2014 to August 2015 were analyzed. The study was done using 16-slice CT scan. Intravenous contrast was administered as needed. Uncooperative patients were sedated for the scan.

Results: Out of 84 scans, 40 scans (47.65%) were found to be abnormal. Maximum number of patients were found to have congenital anomalies (10), followed by hydrocephalus which was found in nine children. Five children had posttraumatic seizures. Four presented with tumors. Four children showed features of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Three each had granuloma and calcification. Two children with seizures had infectious causes, which were clinically diagnosed to be meningitis.

Conclusion: Our study indicates that CT is an extremely useful tool for screening the patients of seizures. It is also useful in identifying the treatable causes and monitoring the progression. It is recommended that all children with seizures should be evaluated with CT scan.
Low Back Pain in Pregnancy
Authors: Khanna Vikram , Khanna Ranjana , Gupta Parul
Published: March 2019

Low back pain in pregnancy is a common complaint. Psychologically, it has a negative effect on the patient, adversely affecting the quality of life.

Presenting either as pelvic girdle or as lumbar pain, accurate and early diagnosis is essential for adequate management of patients with low back pain in pregnancy. The mainstay of management is conservative. There is no established protocol and the treatment has to be tailored for each patient.
Pleistocene glacial history of the New Zealand subantarctic islands
Authors: Rainsley Eleanor , Turney Chris S. M. , Golledge Nicholas R. , Wilmshurst Janet M. , McGlone Matt S. , Hogg Alan G. , Li Bo , Thomas Zoë A. , Roberts Richard , Jones Richard T. , Palmer Jonathan G. , Flett Verity , de Wet Gregory , Hutchinson David K. , Lipson Mathew J. , Fenwick Pavla , Hines Ben R. , Binetti Umberto , Fogwill Christopher J.
Published: March 2019

Abstract. The New Zealand subantarctic islands of Auckland and Campbell,
situated between the subtropical front and the Antarctic Convergence in the
Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean, provide valuable terrestrial records
from a globally important climatic region. Whilst the islands show clear
evidence of past glaciation, the timing and mechanisms behind Pleistocene
environmental and climate changes remain uncertain. Here we present a
multidisciplinary study of the islands – including marine and terrestrial
geomorphological surveys, extensive analyses of sedimentary sequences, a
comprehensive dating programme, and glacier flow line modelling – to
investigate multiple phases of glaciation across the islands. We find
evidence that the Auckland Islands hosted a small ice cap
384 000 ± 26 000 years ago (384±26 ka), most likely during
Marine Isotope Stage 10, a period when the subtropical front was reportedly
north of its present-day latitude by several degrees, and consistent with
hemispheric-wide glacial expansion. Flow line modelling constrained by field
evidence suggests a more restricted glacial period prior to the LGM that
formed substantial valley glaciers on the Campbell and Auckland Islands around
72–62 ka. Despite previous interpretations that suggest the maximum glacial
extent occurred in the form of valley glaciation at the Last Glacial Maximum
(LGM; ∼21 ka), our combined approach suggests minimal LGM
glaciation across the New Zealand subantarctic islands and that no glaciers
were present during the Antarctic Cold Reversal (ACR; ∼15–13 ka).
Instead, modelling implies that despite a regional mean annual air
temperature depression of ∼5 ∘C during the LGM, a combination
of high seasonality and low precipitation left the islands incapable of
sustaining significant glaciation. We suggest that northwards expansion of
winter sea ice during the LGM and subsequent ACR led to precipitation
starvation across the middle to high latitudes of the Southern Ocean, resulting
in restricted glaciation of the subantarctic islands.
Gênero e representação política: um estudo sobre a representação sindical de trabalhadoras/es em educação
Authors: Ondina Vieira Ferreira Márcia , Orsato Andréia , Cristiane Völz Klumb Coronel Márcia , Pereira dos Santos Luciano
Published: March 2019

O artigo parte da insuficiência de estudos sobre gênero em sindicatos de educação no Brasil. Observamos que os poucos trabalhos existentes dedicam-se a discutir a participação sindical das mulheres, sem ingressar mais diretamente na posição dos próprios sindicatos. Sabendo que diferenças de gênero e de diversidade sexual são componentes de processos de distribuição de poder e desigualdade social, tivemos por objetivo verificar a proporcionalidade entre homens e mulheres ocupantes de cargos diretivos em sindicatos filiados à CNTE. Para tanto, realizamos levantamentos nos sites da CNTE e de seus sindicatos. Quanto à divisão de poder por sexo, constatamos que, tal como ocorre em outros espaços institucionais como no Legislativo e no Executivo brasileiros, a presença masculina ainda é maior.
Políticas públicas de gênero em Santa Catarina: uma análise dos currículos de graduação e pós-graduação
Authors: Eliane Graupe Mareli , Augusto Locks Geraldo , Antunes Pereira Josilaine
Published: March 2019

Esse artigo refere-se a uma pesquisa realizada nas Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) de Santa Catarina sobre a inclusão de gênero, sexualidade e diversidade na Estrutura Curricular de Cursos de Licenciaturas e de Pós-Graduação em Educação. O referencial teórico abarca os/as autoras/es como Scott (1995), Louro (1997), Grossi (1998) e Beauvoir (1980). Trata-se de uma pesquisa documental numa abrangência de 167 IES contabilizando os seus respectivos polos. Dessas Instituições pesquisadas, 53 apresentam disciplina sobre o foco da pesquisa nos Cursos de Licenciatura e em 12 delas a temática é apresentada nos Cursos de Pós-Graduação em Educação. Os dados demonstram que apesar de retrocessos como a exclusão da categoria gênero em alguns Planos Municipais, Estaduais e o Nacional de Educação, da aprovação de Projetos de Lei da Escola sem Partido, a discussão de gênero e sexualidade resiste e faz-se presente significativamente nas IES no Estado de SC.
New approach for accelerating the nonlinear Schwarz iterations
Authors: Nagid Nabila , Belhadj Hassan
Published: March 2019

The vector Epsilon algorithm is an effective extrapolation method used for accelerating the convergence of vector sequences. In this paper, this method is used to accelerate the convergence of Schwarz iterative methods for stationary linear and nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs). The vector Epsilon algorithm is applied to the vector sequences produced by additive Schwarz (AS) or restricted additive Schwarz (RAS) methods after discretization. Some convergence analysis is presented, and several test-cases of analytical problems are performed in order to illustrate the interest of such algorithm. The obtained results show that the proposed algorithm yields much faster convergence than the classical Schwarz iterations.
Intralaboratory Reliability and Variability for Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin Type E Serology Testing
Authors: Zhou Zijin , Pieper Jason B. , Campbell Karen
Published: March 2019

Atopic dermatitis is a very common condition affecting dogs and often managed with allergen-specific immunotherapy, which requires accurate identification of causative allergens. Serology testing is used commonly. Serum was collected from 35 atopic dogs and separated into three samples each (1, 2, and 3). Samples 1 and 2 were sent to IDEXX Laboratories the same day; sample 3 was stored at –80°C and submitted ∼30 days later. Specific immunoglobulin type E reactivity to various allergens were determined using monoclonal anti-canine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and expressed as ELISA absorbance units. Percent difference ranged from 14.30 to 127.34% for samples 1 and 2. These values increased when comparing samples a month apart (21.78 to 129.65%). Between samples 1 and 2, for each allergen there were differences in interpretation 15.18% of the time; 32 of 35 dogs (91.4%) had at least one allergen with a different interpretation. Comparing sample 3 and the average of samples 1 and 2, differences in interpretation increased to 22.32%; all dogs had at least one allergen that was interpreted differently. These differences in interpretation can alter immunotherapy. Overall, results show the need for better reliability for allergen-specific immunoglobulin type E serology testing using monoclonal anti-canine ELISA.
Osteochondrodysplasia in a Scottish Fold Cat Treated with Radiation Therapy and Samarium-153-1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-Tetramethylene-Phosphonic Acid
Authors: Selting Kim A. , Lattimer Jim C. , Hause Wayne , Megan Grobman
Published: March 2019

Osteochondrodysplasia is a painful, progressive clinical syndrome unique to Scottish fold cats because of a heritable missense mutation in the TRPV4 gene. An 8 yr old male neutered Scottish fold cat was presented for a mass on his hind paw. The mass caused decreased mobility in the metatarsal region and digits and resulted in significant discomfort. Because of extensive skeletal abnormalities attributed to breed-related osteochondrodysplasia, the owner was reluctant to pursue amputation. Radiation therapy was pursued for palliation of pain. After coarsely fractionated external beam radiotherapy resulted in stabilization of the mass with eventual progression after 14 mo, samarium-153-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetramethylene phosphonic acid was administered systemically, and the cat showed immediate, whole-body improvement in mobility. Concurrent intestinal and respiratory disease was evaluated and managed. Samarium-153-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetramethylene phosphonic acid administration was repeated approximately every 6 mo for three treatments until the cat succumbed to thromboembolic disease attributed to previously diagnosed cardiac disease. Radiation therapy administered using either external beam or bone-seeking radioisotopes can be effective at palliating clinical signs associated with the skeletal abnormalities that accompany this disease.
Eptifibatide induced acute thrombocytopenia. Case report of 80- years old man with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Kuźma Ł. , Pogorzelski S. , Wróblewski D. , Struniawski K. , Róg-Makal M. , Nowak K. , Matys U. , Gajewska-Bachórzewska H. , Dobrzycki S.
Published: March 2019

Introduction: Glycoprotein (Gp) IIb/IIIa is a platelet receptor participating in platelet aggregation. According to ESC guidelines, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors might be considered during percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with the acute coronary syndrome. Purpose: A case study of profound thrombocytopenia in 80-year-old man with the acute coronary syndrome. Case presentation: An 80-year-old, medicationnaive man with acute coronary syndrome was admitted to the Department of Invasive Cardiology. Due to the unsuccessful invasive strategy, an intracoronary bolus of Gp IIb/IIIa inhibitor – eptifibatide - was administered. During the following intravenous infusion, large subcutaneous hematomas were observed. Eptifibatide infusion was discontinued. Drop in platelet count to 1 thou/μL without significant anemia was registered. A control sample in sodium citrate showed similarly low platelet count - 2 thou/uL. Acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel were discontinued, steroids were introduced. Neither PLT nor FFP transfusion were necessary. Consecutive lab tests showed the gradual increase of PLT up to 35 thou/μL at discharge. A week later, the patient did not complain of any cardiovascular or bleeding symptoms; hematomas resented significant involution. Laboratory findings were normal. During follow-up visit 30 days after the discharge, the patient presented no cardiovascular symptoms. Conclusions: There are patients at risk of druginduced thrombocytopenia, especially those with impaired kidney function and the elderly. In such cases, decisions concerning anti-platelet and antithrombotic therapy should be taken cautiously. Because of its rare occurrence, every case of severe thrombocytopenia in ACS patients should be reported. Moreover, such patients should be followed-up to minimalize risk of similar adverse events in the future.
Catadores de recicláveis associados: problemática das condições de trabalho em uma organização localizada no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte - Brasil
Authors: Dantas Gerbeson Carlos Batista , Silva Leonardo Bruno Morais Vieira da , Farias Henriqueta Monalisa , Ramos Sileide De Oliveira , Barros Sâmea Valensca Alves , Forbeloni Jacimara Villar
Published: March 2019

This study aims to evaluate the adverse working conditions of waste pickers in an association placed in Rio Grande do Norte state’s countryside. The research was carried out through questionnaires, documentary analysis and observed the collective operational processes in such association. The research techniques were systematic observation, allied to techniques of extensive direct observation and indirect documentation. Overall, 11 workers are associated to this organization; ten of them are directly immersed in the productive processes while one person is the association’s president. Regarding occupational hazards, these workers were exposed to all environmental risks (physical, ergonomic, accident, biological and chemical ones). With respect to diseases, cutaneous dermatitis, disc herniation, respiratory dysfunctions, leishmaniasis, tetanus and bursitis were identified. Regarding mitigation measures, it is suggested the labour formalization, PPRA and PCMSO creation with training sessions, risk mapping, signalling, use of PPE’s and health assessments. All these measures might be supported by municipal association.
Aproximación a una bibliografía crítica sobre la "Campaña del Rif" de 1909
Authors: Saro Gandarillas Francisco
Published: March 2019

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Analyses of the semantic features of the lexical bundle [(VERB) PREPOSITION the NOUN of]
Authors: Chung Siaw-Fong , Chao F. Y. August , Lan Tien-Yu , Lin Yen-Yu
Published: March 2019

Author/s

Siaw-Fong ChungF.Y. August ChaoTien-Yu LanYen-Yu LinNational Chengchi University, Taiwan

 

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates twenty-two prepositions in two different lexical bundles – [PREPOSITION the NOUN of] (at the point of, from the perspective of, etc.) and [VERB PREPOSITION the NOUN of] (shouted above the noise of, suffering from the effects of, etc.), the only difference being that the former does not include the head verb that is present in the latter. Strings of constructions were extracted from the British National Corpus and the types of possible verbs, prepositions, and nouns in each possible combination were analyzed. The paper also details an experiment in which the types of nouns under each of the twenty-two prepositions were coded by human subjects in terms of their semantic features. Finally, a computer program was also utilized to calculate the shared meaning of the different VERBs and NOUNs. The results showed that the nouns in [(VERB) PREPOSITION the NOUN of], though they might form clusters of meanings, may not behave in the same way with and without the presence of the verbs.
Effects of habitat fragmentation and human disturbance on the population dynamics of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey from 1994 to 2016
Authors: Zhao Xumao , Ren Baoping , Li Dayong , Xiang Zuofu , Garber Paul A. , Li Ming
Published: March 2019

In this study, we integrate data from field investigations, spatial analysis, genetic analysis, and Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) to evaluate the effects of habitat fragmentation on the population dynamics, genetic diversity, and range shifts in the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti). The results indicate that from 1994 to 2016, R. bieti population size increased from less than 2,000 to approximately 3,000 individuals. A primary factor promoting population recovery was the establishment of protected nature reserves. We also found that subpopulation growth rates were uneven, with the groups in some areas, and the formation of new groups. Both the fragmentation index, defined as the ratio of the number of forest patches to the total area of forest patches (e.g., increased fragmentation), and increasing human population size had a negative effect on population growth in R. bieti. We recommend that government conservation plans prioritize the protection of particular R. bieti populations, such as the Baimei and Jisichang populations, which have uncommon haplotypes. In addition, effective conservation strategies need to include an expansion of migration corridors to enable individuals from larger populations such as Guyoulong (Guilong) to serve as a source population to increase the genetic diversity of smaller R. bieti subpopulations. We argue that policies designed to protect endangered primates should not focus solely on total population size but also need to determine the amount of genetic diversity present across different subpopulations and use this information as a measure of the effectiveness of current conservation policies and the basis for new conservation policies.
Review of Different Purification Techniques for Crude Glycerol from Biodiesel Production
Authors: Muniru Oluwasegun Soliu , Ezeanyanaso Chika Scholastica , Akubueze Emmanuel Uzoma , Igwe Chima Cartney , Elemo Gloria Nwakaego
Published: March 2019

The global glycerol market has experienced a surplus in recent decades due to an increase in biodiesel production and thus created a new form of challenge in terms of purification of the crude glycerol. Various techniques have been developed worldwide on purification of crude glycerol. These processes include chemical pre-treatment, methanol removal, vacuum distillation, ion exchange, adsorption, solvent extraction and membrane separation technology to mention a few.

In Nigeria, domesticating these technologies or techniques to suit our peculiar situation and also be cost effective needs a critical evaluation of all the available options.

This review, therefore, summarises the progress of crude glycerol purification technologies using various techniques as compared with the process technology developed by researchers at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos Nigeria.
Superhydrophobic 3D Forest‐Like Ag Microball/Nanodendrite Hierarchical Structure as SERS Sensor for Rapid Droplets Detection
Authors: Gao Yukun , You Tingting , Yang Nan , Zhang Chenmeng , Yin Penggang
Published: March 2019

Real environment detection application by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) requires substrates with high sensitivity, rapid detection, and low cost. In this study, a rapid SERS detection of liquid droplets sample by a superhydrophobic 3D forest‐like Ag microball/nanodendrite hierarchical structure is reported. Easy preparation is provided by electrochemical deposition method, developing a Ag forest‐like hierarchical nanostructure. The vertically standing nanodendrites offer more amounts of SERS “hot spots” for enhancing the Raman signals. At the same time, the micro/nanostructures supply suitable condition for superhydrophobicity by low surface energy modification. Probe molecule droplets are directly detected by SERS on the substrate. Detection limit of crystal violet, methyl blue, and rhodamine 6G can be down to 10−8, 10−9, and 10−9 m, with good sensitivity and reproducibility. Practical application is processed for proving the utility of the substrate in real environment by quantitatively detection of melamine in milk. 0.1 ppm melamine in aqueous solution and 0.5 ppm melamine in milk can be detected by droplet detection method, which are far lower than the standard of US Food and Drug Administration. In brief, the droplet detection method offers an extensive and promising application in real life rapid trace detection.
The CRIPSR/Cas gene‐editing system—an immature but useful toolkit for experimental and clinical medicine
Authors: Yang Yuyan , Huang Yue
Published: March 2019

A Chinese scientist, Jiankui He, and his creation of the world's first genetically altered baby made headlines recently. As a newly developed gene‐editing technique, the CRISPR/Cas system should not be applied to human beings for reproductive purposes until it has been extensively tested. However, numerous experimental research studies in human somatic, germline cells, and even in embryos, have been conducted, which have shown CRISPR/Cas to be a useful tool for human genome editing and a potential therapeutic method for future clinical use.
Targeting der kleinen GTPasen über ihre regulatorischen Proteine
Authors: Gray Janine L. , von Delft Frank , Brennan Paul E.
Published: March 2019

Die kleinen GTPasen der Ras‐Superfamilie sind Guaninnukleotid‐abhängige Schalter, die für eine Vielzahl zellulärer Prozesse essentiell sind. Mutationen oder Dysregulationen dieser Proteine stehen in Verbindung mit zahlreichen Erkrankungen. Erfolglose Versuche, die kleinen GTPasen direkt als Zielstruktur anzugreifen, führten zu ihrer Klassifizierung als pharmakologisch nicht adressierbar (“undruggable”). Der GTP‐abhängige Signalweg dieser Proteine wird durch ihre Regulatoren kontrolliert, sogenannte “guanine nucleotide exchange factors” (GEFs), “GTPase activating proteins” (GAPs) und in der Rho‐ und Rab‐Subfamilie “guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors” (GDIs). Dieser Aufsatz beinhaltet die neusten niedermolekularen und biologischen Strategien, um die kleinen GTPasen durch ihre Regulatoren als Zielstruktur anzugreifen. Wir geben eine kritische Re‐Evaluierung der jüngsten chemisch biologischen Vorgehensweisen, wie dem Vorhandensein von PAINs‐Motiven und zellbasierter Auslese mit Verbindungen, die schwach potent sind oder eine unbekannte Spezifität haben, uns diskutieren das breite Feld potentieller Ansätze, um die kleinen GTPasen zukünftig durch ihre regulatorischen Proteine anzugreifen.
Targeting the Small GTPase Superfamily through Their Regulatory Proteins
Authors: Gray Janine L. , von Delft Frank , Brennan Paul E.
Published: March 2019

The Ras superfamily of small GTPases are guanine‐nucleotide‐dependent switches essential for numerous cellular processes. Mutations or dysregulation of these proteins are associated with many diseases, but unsuccessful attempts to target the small GTPases directly have resulted in them being classed as “undruggable”. The GTP‐dependent signaling of these proteins is controlled by their regulators; guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), GTPase activating proteins (GAPs), and in the Rho and Rab subfamilies, guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors (GDIs). This review covers the recent small molecule and biologics strategies to target the small GTPases through their regulators. It seeks to critically re‐evaluate recent chemical biology practice, such as the presence of PAINs motifs and the cell‐based readout using compounds that are weakly potent or of unknown specificity. It highlights the vast scope of potential approaches for targeting the small GTPases in the future through their regulatory proteins.
Fetal aortic valvuloplasty to prevent progression to hypoplastic left heart syndrome in utero
Authors: Crystal Matthew A. , Freud Lindsay R.
Published: March 2019

Advances in fetal echocardiography have allowed for the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease and an understanding of its natural history in utero. This insight has led to the development of fetal cardiac intervention (FCI) for select defects to prevent significant morbidity or mortality postnatally. Fetal aortic valvuloplasty (FAV) may be performed to prevent progression to hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a severe form of congenital heart disease, in utero. The current review focuses on this type of FCI and discusses the history of FAV, the rationale for intervention, candidate selection, procedural technique, and outcomes to date. Finally, the importance of building a multidisciplinary team to perform FCI is addressed.
ESO Supernova, Besucherzentrum und Planetarium
Authors: Orlinski Adam , Heimrath Moritz , Hofbeck Alexander , Fahlbusch Mark
Published: March 2019

Die Europäische Südsternwarte (ESO) hat von der Klaus Tschira Stiftung ein neues Planetarium und Besucherzentrum für ihren Hauptsitz in Garching bei München erhalten. Das neue Zentrum möchte die Öffentlichkeit für die Astronomie faszinieren. Angelehnt an ein Doppelsternsystem, bei dem ein Stern Masse auf den anderen überträgt, was schließlich zur Explosion des schweren Sterns als Supernova führt, entstand der Entwurf aus zwei kreisenden Körpern, die gemeinsam zu einem Gebäude mit anspruchsvoller Geometrie verschmelzen. Die ESO Supernova umfasst vier Geschosse, davon ein Untergeschoss. Die tragenden Bauteile sind in Stahlbeton ausgeführt. Das Gebäude besteht aus zwei Kernen, welche sich aus je einer Innen‐ und Außenschale, die durch ein Rampensystem miteinander verbunden sind, zusammensetzen. Zwischen den beiden Kernen spannen die brückenartigen Geschossdecken.

Aufgrund der hohen geometrischen Komplexität des Projekts brachte der Entwurf für das neue ESO Besucherzentrum eine Vielzahl an Herausforderungen an Planung und Realisierung mit sich. Die dynamischen Formen des schräg geneigten und gekrümmten Rohbaus bedurften eines dynamischen, flexiblen Werkzeugs und eines adaptiven Planungsprozesses, der weit über eine kartesische Beschreibung eines Systems hinausging. So wurde der komplette Rohbau innerhalb des Planungsprozesses anhand eines 3D‐Modells entwickelt und kommuniziert. Auch die Information zur Schalplanung war vollständig im 3D‐Modell enthalten. Zur Übertragung der Information in das Berechnungsprogramm der Statik wurde eine Systematik entwickelt, um diese Information aus dem 3D‐Rohbaumodell in 2D‐Schalplan‐Zeichnungen automatisiert zu übersetzen.
Mechanistic Insights into the Formation of Lithium Fluoride Nanotubes
Authors: Fantuzzi Felipe , Oliveira Ricardo R. , Henkes Aline V. , Rubayo‐Soneira Jesús , Nascimento Marco Antonio Chaer
Published: March 2019

Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) and periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been applied for describing the mechanism of formation of lithium fluoride (LiF) nanotubes with cubic, hexagonal, octagonal, decagonal, dodecagonal, and tetradecagonal cross‐sections. It has been shown that high energy structures, such as nanowires, nanorings, nanosheets, and nanopolyhedra are transient species for the formation of stable nanotubes. Unprecedented (LiF)n clusters (n≤12) were also identified, some of them lying less than 10 kcal mol−[1] above their respective global minima. Such findings indicate that stochastic synthetic techniques, such as laser ablation and chemical vapor deposition, should be combined with a template‐driven procedure in order to generate the nanotubes with adequate efficiency. Apart from the stepwise growth of LiF units, the formation of nanotubes was also studied by rolling up a planar square sheet monolayer, which could be hypothetically produced from the exfoliation of the FCC crystal structure. It was shown that both pathways could lead to the formation of alkali halide nanotubes, a still unprecedented set of one‐dimensional materials.
Directly Functionalized Cucurbit[7]uril as a Biosensor for the Selective Detection of Protein Interactions by 129Xe hyperCEST NMR
Authors: Truxal Ashley E. , Cao Liping , Isaacs Lyle , Wemmer David E. , Pines Alexander
Published: March 2019

Advancement of hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI technology toward clinical settings demonstrates the considerable interest in this modality for diagnostic imaging. The number of contrast agents, termed biosensors, for 129Xe MRI that respond to specific biological targets, has grown and diversified. Directly functionalized xenon‐carrying macrocycles, such as the large family of cryptophane‐based biosensors, are good for localization‐based imaging and provide contrast before and after binding events occur. Noncovalently functionalized constructs, such as cucurbituril‐ and cyclodextrin‐based biosensors, benefit from commercial availability and optimal exchange dynamics for CEST imaging. In this work, we report the first directly functionalized cucurbituril used as a xenon biosensor. Biotinylated cucurbit[7]uril (btCB7) gives rise to a 129Xe hyperCEST response at the unusual shift of δ=28 ppm when bound to its protein target with substantial CEST contrast. We posit that the observed chemical shift is due to the deformation of btCB7 upon binding to avidin, caused by proximity to the protein surface. Conformational searches and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations support this hypothesis. This construct combines the strengths of both families of biosensors, enables a multitude of biological targets through avidin conjugation, and demonstrates the advantages of functionalized cucurbituril‐based biosensors.
Crime Scene chemistry – visualizing and evaluating latent fingerprints
Authors: Fischer Rachel , Jonas Albert , Rubner Isabel , Oetken Marco
Published: March 2019

Warum hinterlassen wir Fingerabdrücke? Wie lassen sich Verfahren zur Visualisierung latenter Fingerabdrücke in der Schule einsetzen? Auf welche Weise kann ein Fingerabdruckvergleich realisiert werden? Dieser Artikel gibt Antworten auf diese und weitere spannende Fragen rund um das Thema Fingerabdrücke. Nach einem allgemeinen Einblick in die Thematik werden zwei für den schulpraktischen Einsatz geeignete Verfahren zur Visualisierung latenter Fingerabdrücke vorgestellt. Neben der bereits bekannten und von den Autoren modifizierten Sekundenklebermethode wird zudem ein neuartiges und aktuell fachwissenschaftlich beforschtes Verfahren – die elektrochemische Methode – thematisiert. Anhand der vorgestellten Versuche lassen sich klassische Themen des Chemieunterrichts wie z. B. Polymerisationsreaktionen, Zementation und Elektrolyse in einem motivierenden forensischen Kontext erschließen. Zum Schluss wird eine kostenfreie Software vorgestellt, die einfach und schnell einen Fingerabdruckvergleich im Unterricht ermöglicht.
Recent Advances in the A3 Coupling Reactions and their Applications
Authors: Jesin Irfana , Nandi Ganesh Chandra
Published: March 2019

Propargylamines are an important class of organic compounds that have been widely used as building blocks for the synthesis of various kinds of chemically and biologically relevant compounds. Over the last few years, there have been a rapid growth in the research dedicated to developing the synthetic protocol for propargylamine derivatives. Among various methods that are reported for the synthesis of propargylamines, the three‐component coupling of aldehyde, amine and alkyne (commonly termed as A3 coupling reactions) secured a special place because of its convenient/atom economical approach and thus broadly used by researchers. Our aim in this review is to highlight the most recent advancement on A3 coupling reactions for the synthesis of various propargylamine derivatives as well as on the developments of subsequent transformation of these compounds to useful heterocyclic compounds and the related products.
Samoan migrants’ perspectives on diabetes: A qualitative study
Authors: Shahab Yasin , Alofivae‐Doorbinnia Olataga , Reath Jennifer , MacMillan Freya , Simmons David , McBride Kate , Abbott Penelope
Published: March 2019

Issue addressed

The Samoan community in Australia has one of the highest rates of diabetes in Australia. We explored the experiences and perceptions of Samoan patients living with diabetes and their family members.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with adults from a Samoan background living in Australia who had diabetes and their family members. Participants were recruited from a single general practice with a high proportion of Pacific Islander patients, through self‐response to waiting room flyers. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted using a constructivist‐grounded theory approach. This qualitative project was part of the developmental phase of a larger project aiming to promote healthy lifestyles and decrease diabetes in the Samoan community in Sydney, Australia.

Results

Twenty participants, aged 36–67 years, were interviewed. The majority was men (n = 13) and all were migrants to Australia. Participants reported a range of barriers to early detection and self‐management of diabetes, including dietary practices common within their culture and the role of church and religion. They identified that pride in their heritage and role within families could be a barrier to care but also provided an opportunity for health promotion.

Conclusions

The cultural factors which influence the risk and management of diabetes in the Samoan community in Australia can be the barriers to health change but also provide opportunities for culturally targeted diabetes education and health promotion.

So what?

These findings will inform the development of approaches for the prevention and management of diabetes within the Samoan‐Australian community. These include health‐promotion initiatives which take into account the role of cultural dietary practices, diabetes stigma, cultural pride and working with churches.
What threatens retail employees' thriving at work under leader‐member exchange? The role of store spatial crowding and team negative affective tone
Authors: Xu Angela J. , Loi Raymond , Chow Cheris W. C.
Published: March 2019

Thriving at work is a positive psychological state that captures employees' joint experience of learning and vitality. Building on the socially embedded model of thriving , we first propose the positive relationship between leader‐member exchange (LMX) and retail employees' thriving at work. We then explore store spatial crowding as a contextual constraint on this relationship. To better reveal this contextual impact, we further contend that team negative affective tone mediates the cross‐level moderating effect of store spatial crowding on the LMX–thriving linkage. Using two‐wave survey data collected from retail employees and their store managers across 89 stores of a grocery retail chain, we found empirical evidence on our multilevel‐mediated moderation model. This study highlights the importance of considering wider contextual features as boundary conditions to thriving. Our results suggest theoretical modifications to the existing thriving model and offer implications on the practical interventions that retailing organizations can take to develop a thriving workforce.