bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Focus strategy-firm structure fit and performance of star rated hotels in Kenya
Authors: Njuguna Jane Nyokabi , Muchara Maina , Namada Juliana
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of focus strategy-firm structure fit on the performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya. The study adopted the positivism research philosophy and descriptive-correlative research design. Multi-stage sampling that included proportionate stratified sampling and simple random sampling was used. The sample consisted of 267 general managers and functional managers from Kenya’s three, four and five star rated vacation and town hotels as in 2018. 253 managers responded out of which 59 respondents were found to represent hotels pursuing a focus strategy. Structural equation modeling was used for hypothesis testing. The study concluded that focus strategy-firm structure fit has a significant influence on the performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya. The study recommends that a hotel’s pursuit of focus strategy be internally consistent with its organizational structure.
Influence of consensus orientation practices on performance of county governments in Kenya
Authors: Waikenda Machel , Lewa Peter M , Muchara Maina
Published: August 2019

The devolved system of governance was adopted to ensure development in all regions and effectiveness in service delivery for all Kenyans. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the consensus orientation practices on the performance of county governments in Kenya. The study used a descriptive and explanatory cross-sectional survey method. The unit of analysis was the county government. The counties in which data was collected helped in the generalization of findings to all the Kenyan 47 counties. For this study, a sample of 354 was arrived at. A simple random sampling method was adopted for selecting the respondents. The study used a questionnaire for the collection of primary data. Data analysis was done with the help of a statistical analysis program. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were obtained for the study’s variables and this information was presented in graphs and frequency tables. Inferential statistics included regression analysis that was used to test the significance between dependent and the independent variables. The researcher observed respondents’ rights to privacy and safety. The study established that consensus orientation had a significant influence on the performance of county governments in Kenya and concluded that consensus orientation influences the performance of county governments in Kenya. The study recommends that Governors need to sensitize county directors to work in consultation with other stakeholders to ensure that all feel part of the developmental agenda for the county. There is a need for county governments to set effective regulations through the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority to regulate and shape the county’s procurement procedures.
Assessment of the correlation between price-earnings ratio and stock market returns of universal banks in the Philippines
Authors: Dayag Antonio Jaramillo , Trinidad Fernando
Published: August 2019

Universal banks are important economic drivers in the Philippines since they provide the financial backbone for businesses and investments. Universal banks comprise 90% of the country’s banking system resources. Eleven [11] of the twenty-one [21] universal banks in the country are listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange, and these banks are the top universal banks based on capitalization. Price to Earnings Ratio [PER] is a commonly utilized investment assessment tool and this ratio indicates how much investors are willing to pay for a stock and is calculated as the ratio of the stock price over earnings per share. Since the stock price is dictated by the stock market, this paper seeks to determine if the P/E ratio of universal banks in the Philippines is correlated to its stock returns, the implication of which is how to form an appropriate balance between stock price volatility and banks’ valuation. The paper uses panel data of the 11 listed universal banks from 2010 to 2018, using Pearson Correlation. The study resulted in a generally weak correlation, however, there were banks that exhibited strong, positive, significant correlation.
Commenting on Top Spanish YouTubers: “No Comment”
Authors: Tur-Viñes Victoria , Castelló-Martínez Araceli
Published: August 2019

The aim of this paper is to analyse commenting activity and sentiment (polarity and subjectivity) in interactions in response to videos by Spain’s most-subscribed YouTubers. An exploratory study was conducted on the content of the comments, their relationship with other social media actions, subjectivity and polarity, as well as from the perspective of the participatory culture. The results show that commenting is a potential option for interaction that is underused by the communities of users. Replies to comments are found to be limited to the user-user level, while YouTubers themselves and the moderators that YouTube allows them to designate rarely comment or reply on social networks. However, creators do monitor comments and provide feedback to a limited selection thereof in subsequent videos. There thus appears to be a strategic, exploitative use of comments, marked by a delayed response aimed at attracting audiences to new content.
Statistical Methods for Computer Experiments with Applications in Neuroscience
Authors: Shapira Gilad , Shaposhnik Ella , Steinberg David M.
Published: August 2019

Many scientific and technological problems are studied with the help of computer codes that simulate the phenomena of interest rather than via traditional laboratory experiments. Such models play an important role in neuroscience where they are used to mimic brain function from the sub-cellular to the macroscopic level. Exploration with computer models carries with it a number of statistical challenges: where to sample the input space for the simulator, how to make sense of the data that is generated, how to estimate unknown parameters in the model, how to validate a model. The simulator setting also has some unique problems and possibilities. This review paper describes statistical research on these issues and how that work might be applied to neural simulations.
What do a Longest Increasing Subsequence and a Longest Decreasing Subsequence Know About Each Other?
Authors: Itskovich Elizabeth J. , Levit Vadim E.
Published: August 2019

As a kind of converse of the celebrated Erd˝os-Szekeres theorem, we present a necessary and sufficient condition for a sequence of length n to contain a longest increasing subsequence and a longest decreasing subsequence of given lengths x and y, respectively.
Faunal Biodiversity Research in the Republic of Georgia: A Short Review of Trends, Gaps, and Needs in the Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot
Authors: Mumladze Levan , Japoshvili Bella , Anderson Elizabeth P.
Published: August 2019

We evaluated progress towards animal biodiversity research in Georgia, a key area in the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot. By reviewing recently (1990-2018) published articles in all areas of animal diversity research, we unmasked the trends in biodiversity inventory, ecological and biogeographical studies, and conservation issues in Georgia. We concluded that species inventory and biodiversity research in Georgia has significantly increased during the last ten years, however the rate and extent of investigation is far from satisfactory. Major gaps remain in all branches of animal diversity research in Georgia, and consequently existing knowledge is inadequate to address modern challenges related to species and ecosystem conservation. We urge local governmental authorities and international scientific societies to support development of stronger research facilities and cultivate interest in biodiversity inventory and research in Georgia as an important step towards maintaining globally important biodiversity in the Caucasus.
Comparative Study of Organic and Inorganic Modification of Chinese Fir Wood Based on the Respiratory Impregnation Method
Authors: Li Ping , Zhang Yuan , Zuo Yingfeng , Lu Jianxiong , Yuan Guangming , Wu Yiqiang
Published: August 2019

To compare The effects of organic and inorganic impregnation on the properties of unmodified, phenol formaldehyde oligomer-modified (PFOMCF), and sodium silicate-modified Chinese fir wood (SSMCF) were compared using samples prepared using the respiratory impregnation method. Impregnation and reinforcement effects and water resistance of PFOMCF and SSMCF were compared and the results was showed that the weight percentage gain, density increase rate, bending strength, and compressive strength of SSMCF were clearly higher than those of PFOMCF and had a lower water absorption rate within 60 h. The impregnation and reinforcement effects and dimensional stability of SSMCF were better than those of PFOMCF. FT-IR, XRD, CONE, and TGA examinations were used to test and analyze the chemical structure, crystalline structure, flame retardancy, and heat resistance of these modified woods. The results indicated that SSMCF possessed more hydrogen bonds than PFOMCF and that Si–O–Si chemical bonding with high bond energy was formed. Meanwhile, the weakened degree of the diffraction peak of SSMCF was much less than that of PFOMCF. These results explained that the mechanical properties and water resistance of SSMCF were better than PFOMCF. Compared with PFOMCF, SSMCF had a lower heat release rate (HRR), peak-HRR, mean-HRR, total heat release, smoke production rate, and total smoke production as well as higher thermal decomposition temperature and residual rate. Inorganic sodium silicate was shown to be a better flame retardant, while SSMCF had good smoke suppression effects, thermal stability, and safety performance in the case of fire.
Macrodebris and Microplastics Pollution in Nigeria: First Report on Abundance, Distribution and Composition
Authors: Ebere Enyoh Christian , Wirnkor Verla Andrew , Ngozi Verla Evelyn , Chukwuemeka Ihenetu Stanley
Published: August 2019

The abundance, distribution and composition of marine debris (> 5 cm) and small microplastics (11 μm) from five rivers in South Eastern, Nigeria was investigated. This study provided the first assessment of the type and quantity of marine litter and microplastics in Nigeria. A total of 3487 macrodebris items/m2 were counted with the following distribution; plastics (59 %) > metal (10 %) > cloth (7 %), paper /cardboard (7 %), rubber (7 %) > glass/ceramics (5 %), medical and agro-based waste (3 %) > wood (2 %). The cleanliness of the river assessed with clean coast index (CCI) ranged from “very clean” at Okumpi and Obiaraedu river to “extremely dirty” at Nwangele river. Microplastics abundance ranged from 440 to 1556 particles/L, with high accumulation at downstream. Fragment shape was most abundant while fiber and film followed. The distribution of plastic types was; PET (29 %) > PE (22 %) > PVC (16 %) > PP (14 %) > other (6 %) respectively. Significant relationship was found between the total abundances of microplastics and different macrodebris groups suggesting that microplastics were abundant in areas where the macrodebris abundance was high. Our results provide baseline information for future assessments. Management actions should focus on input prevention including proper waste management, recycling of plastics, and strict penalties for illegal dumping of wastes.
Landscape Changes and their Impacts on Land Surface Temperature in Tropical Hill Stations in South Asia: A Case Study of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Authors: Ranagalage Manjula , Murayama Yuji , Dissanayake DMSLB , Simwanda Matamyo
Published: August 2019

Although urbanization has contributed to improving living conditions, it has had negative impacts on the natural environment in the urbanized areas. Urbanization has changed the urban landscape and resulted in increasing land surface temperature (LST). Thus, studies related to LST in various urban environments have become a popular research topic. However, few LST studies focusing on the mountain landscapes (i.e. hill stations) have been carried out. The primary objective of this study is to investigate changes in the landscape and their impacts on LST intensity (LSTI) in the tropical mountain city of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. The study utilized annual median temperatures extracted from Landsat data collected from 1996 to 2017 based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) interface. The fractions of built-up (BL), forest (FL), and agricultural (AL) land were calculated using land use and cover maps based on the urban-rural zone (URZ) analysis. The urban-rural margin was demarcated based on the fraction of BL (<10%) and LSTI was measured using the mean LST difference in the urban-rural zone. In addition, the mixture of land use types was calculated using the AL/FL and BL/FL fraction ratios, and grid-based density analysis. The result shows that the BL in all URZ rapidly developed, while AL decreased during the period 1996 to 2017. There was minimal change in the forest area of the Nuwara Eliya owing to the government forest preservation policies. The fraction of the BL increased from 32.4% in 1996 to 58.7% in 2017 in the city center zone (URZ1) resulting in increased mean LST by 4.7 °C. Furthermore, the increase of the BL/FL fraction ratio and the decrease of the AL/FL fraction ratio were positively correlated with the mean LST. Grid-based analysis showed an increasing positive relationship between mean LST and density of BL. This indicated that BL density has been a crucial element in increasing LST in the study area. The results of this study will be a useful indicator to introduce improved landscape and urban planning in the future to minimize the negative impact of LST on urban sustainability.
The Literature Review of Electricity Effects on Cell Physiology and Related New Electrical Treatment Modalities
Authors: Simdi Ertunc , Ozcan Kader
Published: August 2019

This paper is a mini literature review about electromagnetic field’s effects on cells, tissues and new treatment modalities. We have reviewed a papers which have been published in high quality journals in the last 5 years as two authors. This review’s aim is to be a resource for experimental studies about electricity’s effects on cell biology and pathophysiology. As a result of this literature review, we found that especially extremely low electric frequency and intermediate frequency fields have very important pathophysiological effects. We have mentioned four important expressions on this subject; electroporation, electrofusion, electrochemotherapy, gene electrotransference. Two different new treatment approaches have been developed by use of these two important electrical waves. First is tumor treating fields and the other is pulsed electric fields. Most studies in literature have been done with extremely low frequency and pulsed electric fields. In terms of diseases, most studies are about glioblastoma multiforme and malign melanoma.Most studies in literature have been done with extremely low frequency and pulsed electric fields. In terms of diseases, most studies are about glioblastoma and melanoma.
The Decisive Role of Microdispersion Formation in Improved Oil Recovery by Low-Salinity-Water Injection in Sandstone Formations
Authors: Mahzari Pedram , Sohrabi Mehran , Façanha Juliana M.
Published: August 2019

Efficiency of low–salinity–water injection primarily depends on oil/brine/rock interactions. Microdispersion formation (as the dominant interfacial interaction between oil and low–salinity water) is one of the mechanisms proposed for the reported additional oil recovery by low–salinity–water injection. Using similar rock and brines, here in this work, different crude–oil samples were selected to examine the relationship between crude–oil potency to form microdispersions and improved oil recovery (IOR) by low–salinity–water injection in sandstone cores. First, the potential of the crude–oil samples to form microdispersions was measured; next, coreflood tests were performed to evaluate the performance of low–salinity–water injection in tertiary mode. Sandstone core plugs taken from a whole reservoir core were used for the experiments. The tests started with spontaneous imbibition followed by forced imbibition of high–salinity brine. Low–salinity brine was then injected in tertiary mode. The oil–recovery profiles and compositions of the produced brine were measured to investigate the IOR benefits as well as the geochemical interactions.

The results demonstrate that the ratio of the microdispersion quantity to bond water is the main factor controlling the effectiveness of low–salinity–water injection. In general, a monotonic trend was observed between incremental oil recovery and the microdispersion ratio of the different crude–oil samples. In addition, it can be inferred from the results that geochemical interactions (pH and ionic interactions) would be mainly controlled by the rock's initial wettability, and also that these processes could not affect the additional oil recovery by low-salinity-water injection. To further verify the observations of geochemical interactions, a novel experiment was designed and performed on a quartz substrate to investigate the ionic interactions on the film of water between an oil droplet and a flat quartz substrate, when the high–salinity brine was replaced with the low–salinity brine. The results of the flat–substrate test indicated that the water film beneath the oil could not interact with the surrounding brine, which is in line with the results of the core tests.
Comparative analysis of PIA and rSesC mixture, as vaccine candidate against the biofilm forming Staphylococcus aureus.
Authors: Mirzaei Bahman , Babaei Ryhane , Mohammadi Fatemeh , Goli Hamid Reza , Gholami Sanaz Amir , Bahonar Sarah , Haghshenas Mohammad Reza
Published: August 2019

Background: Staphylococcus aureus as a causative agent of hospital-acquired infections, has been considered as the primary concern in biomaterial-related infections (BAIs).
Methods: Following the purification of polysaccharide intercellular adhesion (PIA) as an efficient macromolecule in biofilm formation in the native condition, recombinant S. epidermidis surface exposed rSesC protein, with the most homology to clumping factor A (ClfA) in S. aureus was cloned and expressed in a prokaryotic host as well. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and Western blotting procedure analyzed purified PIA and protein, respectively. Then, the immune response was evaluated by measuring total IgG titers. Moreover, the capacity of Anti-biofilm forming activity of arisen antibodies to a biofilm forming S. aureus strains was assessed by semi-quantitative micro-plate procedure.
Results: Data showed that the total IgGs was boosted in mice immunized sera. By performing inhibition assay, biofilm inhibitory effect of secreted antibodies to test strain was observed. Arisen antibodies against the mixture significantly were more potent than PIA and rSesC, when comparing them in a biofilm inhibition assay.
Predictions of Indigenous Chicken Phenotypes from Genotypes: Comparison Between Machine Learning and conventional Linear Models
Authors: SUMUKWO CHESANG , Chesang Sumukwo , Muasya Thomas K. , Ngeno Kiplangat.
Published: August 2019

Genomic selection is a new breeding strategy which is rapidly becoming the method of choice of selection. It is useful in predicting the phenotypes of quantitative traits based on genome-wide markers of genotypes using conventional predictive models such as ridge regression BLUP. However, these conventional predictive models are faced with a statistical challenge related to the high dimensionality of marker data, inter and intra-allelic interactions and typically make strong assumptions. Machine learning models can be used as an alternative in the prediction of phenotypes due to their ability to address this challenges. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the predictive ability of machine learning using deep convolutional neural network (DeepGS), conventional neural network (Artificial neural network), conventional statistical predictive model ridge regression best linear unbiased (RR-BLUP) model and combination of DeepGS and RR-BLUP(Ensemble model) in predicting body weight (BW) of indigenous chicken based on genome-wide markers. The pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) results from this study for the four models were 0.891,0.889, 0.892 and 0.812 for DeepGS, RR-BLUP, Ensemble and ANN. This showed that DeepGS did not yield significant difference (p>0.05) from the other models, therefore, it can be used in complement to the commonly used conventional models. For individuals with higher phenotypic values, the PCC results showed a drastic decrease in the performance of DeepGS, rrBLUP, Ensemble and ANN from 0.891, 0.889, 0.892, 0.845 to 0.315, 0.466, 0.342, 0.518 respectively. Therefore, more effort should be put on individuals with higher phenotypic values.
The effectives of schistosomiasis health education sessions in primary and secondary schools in Pemba Island, Zanzibar
Authors: Xu Da Cheng , Li Wei , Juma Saleh , He Ming Zhen , Kabole Fatma , Wang Xin Yao , Yang Kun
Published: August 2019

Background: Schistosomiasis seriously endangers the health of African people, hinders local economic and social development, and becomes a serious local public health problem. Since 1994, the Zanzibar government has implemented preventive chemotherapy measures, and the infection rate of the population has been declining. However, due to the singularity of prevention and control measures, the current situation of prevention and control of schistosomiasis is still very serious. This study was to analyze the effects of health education sessions in primary and secondary schools in Pemba Island, Zanzibar.
Methods: 5 primary and 3 secondary schools were selected, and schistosomiasis health education sessions were carried out. Students were randomly selected for cognitive level test including 8 knowledge questions and 4 behavior questions before and after the sessions, thereafter the effect of health education was evaluated.
Result : A total 712 students were sampled before and after the health education in 8 schools. Before the health education session, the awareness rates for schistosomiasis were 64.62% and 68.75% among primary and secondary school, respectively. After the session, the awareness rates increased to 79.74% and 84.70%, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 =8.23, P=0.0041). Before the sessions, the behavioral correctness rates were 63.96% and 54.79% among boys and girls. After the sessions, the behavioral correctness rates increased to 82.83% and 76.58%, and the difference was also statistically significant (χ 2 =143.84, P<0.0001).
Conclusion : The current awareness and behavioral correctness rates of schistosomiasis were low in Pemba Island, Zanzibar, hence health education needs to be strengthened. The schistosomiasis health education sessions can improve the current cognitive level of schistosomiasis for students.
Keywords: Schistosomiasis, Health education sessions, Effect analysis, Zanzibar
Select Gene Expression Across Variable PrPSc Permissive Ovine Microglia
Authors: McElliott Valerie , Dinkel Kelcey , Nesbit Zachary , Stanton James B.
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Abstract

Background: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of fatal, neurodegenerative diseases that affect multiple species, including sheep, cattle, and humans. A misfolded, pathogenic isoform (PrPD) of the normal, host-encoded, cellular prion protein (PrPC) is the causative agent for TSEs. While there have been advances in understanding TSEs, antemortem diagnostic tests are limited in many species, and there are no effective treatment protocols. Filling these reagent gaps will require knowledge of the molecular pathophysiology of PrPD accumulation. Previous work has suggested that the extracellular matrix (i.e., fibronectin 1) and physiological functions (i.e., cell division) maybe key factors for cellular prion permissibility, at least in specific cell culture models. Using a natural scrapie isolate, six immortalized, ovine microglial clones, of varying permissiveness to classical scrapie were evaluated for differential gene expression in seven genes based on previous RNASeq studies (fibronectin 1 [FN1], follistatin-like 1 [FSTL1], osteonectin [SPARC], survivin [BIRC5], syndecan 4 [SDC4], AXL receptor tyrosine kinase [AXL], and prion protein [PRNP]), and to determine correlations with prion permissibility.
Results: Significant differential gene expression was frequently observed for survivin, follistatin-like 1 and osteonectin between clones, and when evaluated relative to PRNP expression. However, only fibronectin 1 and survivin were significantly correlated with prion permissibility, and only when evaluated relative to PRNP expression. Inoculation had a significant effect on follistatin-like 1, syndecan 4, and osteonectin.
Conclusions: Similar to previous studies in other systems, fibronectin and mitotic rate show promise as potential determinants of prion permissibility in ovine microglia. As determinants of prion permissibility, the expression of fibronectin 1 and survivin coupled with PRNP could be utilized as biomarkers for detection of prion permissibility phenotype in ovine microglia, and perhaps other cell culture models of prion disease.
El sistema penal acusatorio como comunicación universal y como parte del proceso de construcción de una cultura jurídica en Colombia, basada en el respeto de los derechos humanos
Authors: Parra William
Published: August 2019

La implementación del Sistema Penal Acusatorio (SPA) por un lado, deviene de los principios de la ideología procesal o, de la preocupación porque este sistema sea justo, sea un debido proceso, consecuente con la consolidación universal del respeto de los derechos humanos y los derechos fundamentales y, con las responsabilidades por la institucionalización y materialización de estos derechos que tiene el Estado. Por otro lado, está la necesidad pragmática de dotar al sistema de la justicia penal de la eficiencia necesaria para que pueda responder oportunamente con decisiones judiciales, ante el incremento vertiginoso del volumen de casos y de conflictos sociales con consecuencias penales. En suma, tanto los factores pragmáticos como ideológicos, son complementarios en la construcción de un sistema más consecuente con los derechos y garantías de los ciudadanos y personas usuarias del sistema procesal penal en Colombia.  Este artículo constituye una revisión sobre el Sistema Penal Acusatorio (SPA) y su incidencia en la construcción y consolidación de la cultura jurídica en Colombia, la cual, está asociada a la materialización del respeto universal de los Derechos Humanos.
La educación como instrumento para la realización y consolidación de la integración en la región andina
Authors: Rivera Carlos Andrés
Published: August 2019

El artículo que se presentará a continuación intentará exponer algunos argumentos que permitirán dilucidar el papel que juega la educación y la cultura en el esquema de integración andino, CAN, y el análisis correspondiente llevará a descubrir la posible manera como se construirá una identidad andina, que permita la realización, consolidación y profundización de las estructuras, instituciones y acuerdos de la Comunidad Andina. Se hará un énfasis en las propuestas de Antonio Gramsci y Paulo Freire respecto a educación y cultura y como desde ellas es posible abordar el tema de la educación y la cultura en la construcción de la identidad andina. Este es un artículo de investigación científica y tecnológica donde se evidencian los resultados de la investigación titulada El papel de la educación en los esquemas de integración latinoamericanos: el caso de la Comunidad Andina, que se desarrolló para optar el título de la Maestría en Estudios Latinoamericanos de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.
La independencia de Hispanoamérica en los territorios continentales. Una reflexión necesaria a dos siglos de distancia
Authors: Santana Castillo Joaquín
Published: August 2019

La conmemoración del Bicentenario de la Independencia de los territorios hispanoamericanos de la Corona española hace necesaria su reflexión. Un panorama que muestre los avatares en la consolidación de la independencia política y la transformación de las estructuras coloniales desde los diversos proyectos ideológicos de nuestra América, así como de las utopías de la identidad y la integración evidenciando a esta última como urgente para autonomía e independencia de América Latina son los objetos del presente artículo. Este artículo presenta una reflexión sobre el impacto de las transformaciones coloniales en la consolidación de una identidad e integración en Latinoamérica.
Ileal strangulation around mesovarium in a newborn foal
Authors: KUSY ROLAND , NOWICKA BEATA , ŻYLIŃSKA BEATA , BOCHNIARZ MARIOLA , DĄBROWSKI ROMAN
Published: August 2019

The article presents a case of a newborn foal (32 hours of life) with an acute abdominal pain. The foal was sent to the clinic after 24 hours of conservative treatment in the field. Physical examination revealed acute obstruction of the small intestine. The patient was admitted for emergency surgery. General multimodal anaesthesia with endotracheal tube placement and oxygen supplementation was performed. During medial laparotomy, about one meter of necrotic small intestine was resected, and the right ovary was removed. This surgical procedure was performed under general infusion multimodal anaesthesia with intratracheal administration of a mixture of oxygen and air. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and no complications were observed. During the 5-month observation period, no disturbances in the somatic development and general condition of the patient were found.
Real time control schemes for improving water quality from bioretention cells
Authors: Persaud P. P. , Akin A. A. , Kerkez B. , McCarthy D. T. , Hathaway J. M.
Published: August 2019

Extreme weather and the proliferation of impervious areas in urban watersheds increases the frequency of flood events and deepens water quality concerns. Bioretention is a type of green infrastructure practice developed to mitigate these impacts by reducing peak flows, runoff volume, and nutrient loads in stormwater. However, studies have shown inconsistency in the ability of bioretention to manage some pollutants, particularly some forms of nitrogen. Innovative sensor and control technologies are being tested to actively manage urban stormwater, primarily in open water stormwater systems such as wet ponds. Through these cyber-physical controls, it may be possible to optimize storage time and/or soil moisture dynamics within bioretention cells to create more favorable conditions for water quality improvements. A column study testing the influence of active control on bioretention system performance was conducted over a 9-week period. Active control columns were regulated based on either maintaining a specific water level or soil moisture content and were compared to free draining (FD) and internal water storage standards. Actively controlled bioretention columns performed similarly, with the soil moisture-based control showing the best performance with over 86% removal of metals and total suspended solids (TSS) while also exhibiting the highest ammonium removal (43%) and second highest nitrate removal (74%). While all column types showed mostly similar TSS and metal removal trends (median 94 and 98%, respectively), traditionally FD and internal water storage configurations promoted aerobic and anaerobic processes, respectively, which suggests that actively controlled systems have greater potential for targeting both processes. The results suggest that active controls can improve upon standard bioretention designs, but further optimization is required to balance the water quality benefits gained by retention time against storage needs for impending storms.
Sensitivity of fecal coliform bacteria transport to climate change in an agricultural watershed
Authors: Dakhlalla Abdullah O. , Parajuli Prem B.
Published: August 2019

Climate change is expected to have impacts on our surface water resources, especially on the deterioration of surface water quality. The objectives of this study were to develop a calibrated and validated watershed model for daily streamflow and daily fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) concentrations using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for the Big Sunflower River Watershed (BSRW) and to assess the sensitivity of FCB concentrations to changes in precipitation, temperature, and CO2 concentrations. The model demonstrated reasonable performances in simulating daily stream flow (R2 = 0.64–0.77, NSE = 0.57–0.75) and FCB concentrations (R2 = 0.56–0.60, NSE = 0.23–0.40) as compared to the previous literature. The one-at-a-time sensitivity analyses showed that average FCB concentrations were sensitive to changes in rainfall, temperature, and CO2 concentrations. Increased rainfall caused greater wash-off of FCB colonies from soil surfaces, while increased temperatures caused a decrease in surface water bacteria concentrations due to increased bacteria die-off rates. The CO2 concentration parameter was determined as the least sensitive parameter in this study.
Influence of northwest Indian Ocean sea surface temperature and El Niño–Southern Oscillation on the winter precipitation in Iran
Authors: Ghasemi Ahmad Reza
Published: August 2019

This paper studies the impact of northwest Indian Ocean (NIO) sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies between the regions 0–29°N and 45–80°E and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the winter precipitation in Iran. The data include monthly precipitation from 45 weather stations in Iran, monthly NIO SST with a 2° horizontal resolution and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) for a 40-year period (1975–2014). This study utilizes canonical correlation analysis and partial correlation to investigate the simultaneous relationship between SST, SOI, and winter precipitation variability. A running correlation method is also used to test the stationarity of these relationships. Analyses of the results reveal that both NIO SST and ENSO index are significantly correlated with the winter precipitation in Iran but with opposite sign. Moreover, a clear variability exists in the correlations revealing a distinct non-stationarity in the relationship over time. The results of partial correlation analysis suggest that the ENSO index has a stronger effect on the winter precipitation in Iran than NIO SST.
Regularity and a statistical model of surface water and groundwater interaction in the Taoer River alluvial fan, China
Authors: Meng Fanao , Xiao Changlai , Liang Xiujuan , Wang Ge , Sun Ying
Published: August 2019

The study of surface water and groundwater (SGW) interaction can be used to improve water resource management. Herein, annual and monthly interactions in the Taoer River alluvial fan were calculated for the 1956–2014 period using the surface water balance method and the groundwater balance method, and a statistical model of interaction was obtained. The SGW interaction is shown in terms of the recharge of groundwater by surface water. From 1956 to 2014, the amount of SGW interaction in the study area varied greatly, averaging 27,848.4 × 104m3 annually. SGW interaction decreased gradually from the 1950s to the 1980s, and increased gradually from the 1980s to the present. During an individual year, SGW interaction increases gradually from January to July, peaking in July, and decreases gradually from August to December. An annual and a monthly multivariate regression statistical model were established. R2 was 0.697 for the annual model and 0.405 for the monthly model; the annual interaction model is more reliable. The model can be used to predict future trends in SGW interaction, which could be of great significance to the management of groundwater resources in the study area.
“Porque si llamas al miedo, el miedo te friega”: La ilegalización de los trabajadores migrantes y sus efectos en las subjetividades
Authors: Aquino Moreschi Alejandra
Published: August 2019

A partir de una investigación etnográfica realizada entre California y Mississippi (2005-2006, 2011 y 2013), exploro de qué forma la ilegalización de los migrantes, vía las leyes migratorias y otras prácticas de control, impactan la vida y las subjetividades de migrantes oaxaqueños y chiapanecos a quienes se les ha negado la posibilidad de establecerse de forma regular en Estados Unidos. En el estudio concluyo que el llamado régimen de deportación a través de leyes y de diferentes técnicas de control produce subjetividades marcadas por el miedo, pero también, prácticas de resistencias basadas en la solidaridad, el ingenio, el valor y la entereza de los migrantes, quienes cotidianamente llegan a desafiar el régimen de deportación e incluso subvertir las subjetividades impuestas.
Una década de cambios: Educación formal y nexos transfronterizos de los jóvenes en áreas muy urbanas de la frontera norte
Authors: Vargas Valle Eunice Danitza
Published: August 2019

En el contexto migratorio y económico contemporáneo, se examinan las asociaciones estadísticas entre una serie de indicadores educativos y dos nexos transfronterizos de los jóvenes en áreas muy urbanas de la frontera norte, haber nacido en Estados Unidos (EUA) y tener miembros del hogar que trabajan en EUA, utilizando los microdatos censales de 2010. Asimismo, se comparan los resultados de este análisis con los obtenidos en el 2000. Entre los hallazgos se ubican: 1) la disminución de los jóvenes con trabajadores transfronterizos en el hogar y el aumento de los jóvenes nacidos en EUA en la última década; 2) la persistente asociación positiva entre haber nacido en EUA y asistir a la preparatoria o a la universidad en 2010, contrario a la asociación negativa entre la asistencia escolar posbásica y la inmigración reciente de EUA; 3) la relación nula entre vivir en hogares con trabajadores transfronterizos y cursar educación formal posbásica.
Cadena de valor económico del vino de Baja California, México
Authors: González Andrade Salvador
Published: August 2019

La cadena de valor se encuentra en el centro de los debates de las políticas económicas en los últimos años debido a la necesidad de incrementarla y cuantificarla. El objetivo de este trabajo es caracterizar la cadena de valor de las empresas vitivinícolas de Baja California sobre la base de los subsistemas organizacionales: gerencia, mercadeo, calidad, productividad y ambiente. A partir de un estudio documental y dos de campo de tipo estadístico descriptivo, se identificaron las capacidades de la empresa y del sector en el cual ésta participa. La cadena muestra que los principales problemas se encuentran en los segmentos relacionados con las endebles infraestructuras productivas, en la falta de proveedores locales de insumos, el intermediarismo en la comercialización y desabasto del producto. Es necesario invertir en capital humano para aumentar la formación y capacitación de los recursos humanos; se identificó la insuficiencia en financiamiento, escasez de agua y elevados impuestos en el sector.
Frequency of Interleukins IL1ß/IL18 and Inflammasome NLRP1/NLRP3 Polymorphisms in Sickle Cell Anemia Patients and their Association with Severity Score
Authors: de Almeida Emerson , Frantz Sonia Rejane , Cesar Purim , Tarragô Andrea Monteiro , de Amorim Xabregas Lilyane , Garcia Nadja Pinto , Costa Allyson Guimarães , de Paula Erich Vinicius , Malheiro Adriana
Published: August 2019

Background:

Interleukins IL1ß/IL18 and Inflammasome NLRP1/NLRP3
polymorphisms can change the course of multiple human diseases, both inflammatory
as infectious. SNPs these proteins were associated with the constructive activation of
the Inflammasome and excessive production of IL-1β induce a serious autoinflammatory
disease, as sickle cell anemia (SCA). The present study aims to
association of interleukins IL1ß/IL18 and inflammasome NLRP1/NLRP3 polymorphisms
in SCA patients in Amazon region and their association with severity score.

Methods:

The study was developed at Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e
Hemoterapia do Amazonas (HEMOAM) with 21 patients diagnosed SCA (HbSS) and 50
Healthy Donor´s. Genetic polymorphisms (SNPs) in interleukins IL1ß/IL18 and
inflammasome NLRP1/NLRP3 were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction
fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and real time PCR. Simple and multiple
logistic regression were performed to investigate association between the
polymorphisms and the SCA and severe score.

Results:

The genotypes C/C (IL18 -137G/C) and C/A (NLRP3, rs35829419) appear to
be risk factors for SCA disease (IL18: G/G vs C/C OR=103.500 [95% CI: 8.32-1287.79,
p<0.00001]; IL18: G/G vs G/C OR=7.360 [95% CI: 0.85-63.48, p=0.040]; IL18: G/G vs
CC+CG OR=14.481 [95% CI: 1.79-117.32, p=0.002; NLRP3: C/C vs C/A: OR=10.967
[95% CI: 2.41-49.89, p=0.0004]). In addition, only allelic C (IL18 -137G/C) and A
(NLRP3) appear to be risk factors for SCA disease (IL18: G vs C OR=6.366 [95% CI:
2.73-14.86, p<0.00001]; NLRP3: C vs A OR=8.383 [95% CI: 2.03-34.62, p=0.005]. No
associations were observed between genotypes and alleles with the severity score.

Conclusion:

Evidence of association between the IL18 (rs16944) and NLRP3
(rs35829419) polymorphisms with sickle cell anemia were described. Our results
suggest that individuals with genotypes evaluated are associated SCA disease even
though it does not influence the severe score.
Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Potentials, Advances and Limitations
Authors: Kolagar Tannaz Akbari , Farzaneh Maryam , Nikkar Negin , Khoshnam Seyed Esmaeil
Published: August 2019

Neurodegenerative diseases are progressive and uncontrolled gradual loss of motor neurons
function or death of neuron cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and the mechanisms underlying
their progressive nature remain elusive. There is urgent need to investigate therapeutic strategies and
novel treatments for neural regeneration in disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease
(PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Currently, the development and
identification of pluripotent stem cells enabling the acquisition of a large number of neural cells in order
to improve cell recovery after neurodegenerative disorders. Pluripotent stem cells which consist of embryonic
stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are characterized by their ability
to indefinitely self-renew and the capacity to differentiate into different types of cells. The first human
ESC lines were established from donated human embryos; while, because of a limited supply of donor
embryos, human ESCs derivation remains ethically and politically controversial. Hence, hiPSCs-based
therapies have been shown as an effective replacement for human ESCs without embryo destruction.
Compared to the invasive methods for derivation of human ESCs, human iPSCs has opened possible to
reprogram patient-specific cells by defined factors and with minimally invasive procedures. Human
pluripotent stem cells are a good source for cell-based research, cell replacement therapies and disease
modeling. To date, hundreds of human ESC and human iPSC lines have been generated with the aim of
treating various neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we have highlighted the recent potentials,
advances, and limitations of human pluripotent stem cells for the treatment of neurodegenerative
disorders.
Stem Cell Transplantation: A Promising Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Gong Zhe , Xia Kaishun , Xu Ankai , Yu Chao , Wang Chenggui , Zhu Jian , Huang Xianpeng , Chen QiXin , Li Fangcai , Liang Chengzhen
Published: August 2019

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) causes irreversible functional loss of the affected population. The incidence of SCI keeps increasing, resulting in huge burden on the society. The pathogenesis of SCI involves neuron death and exotic reaction, which could impede neuron regeneration. In clinic, the limited regenerative capacity of endogenous cells after SCI is a major problem. Recent studies have demonstrated that a variety of stem cells such as induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs), Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and Neural Progenitor Cells (NPCs) /Neural Stem Cells (NSCs) have therapeutic potential for SCI. However, the efficacy and safety of these stem cellbased therapy for SCI remain controversial. In this review, we introduce the pathogenesis of SCI, summarize the current status of the application of these stem cells in SCI repair, and discuss possible mechanisms responsible for functional recovery of SCI after stem cell transplantation. Finally, we highlight several areas for further exploitation of stem cells as a promising regenerative therapy of SCI.
Curcumin Suppresses Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and Proliferative Protein (Ki 67) in Acute Lung Injury and Lung Fibrosis In vitro and In vivo
Authors: Shaikh Sadiya Bi , Prabhu Ashwini , Bhandary Yashodhar Prabhakar
Published: August 2019

Background::

Acute lung injury is one of the common conditions caused due to bleomycin
therapy which leads to pulmonary fibrosis, which is one of the severe interstitial lung diseases most
commonly affecting the elderly individuals. EGFR and Ki67 can be marked as beneficial markers for
detecting pulmonary fibrosis based on which clinicians can guide the therapy.

Objective::

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of curcumin as an intervention on two prognostic
markers EGFR and Ki67 in bleomycin-induced basal alveolar epithelial cells and C57BL/6
mice. Protein expressions and pathological expressions of EGFR and Ki67 were evaluated to analyze
the effect of curcumin via both in vitro and in vivo approaches.

Methods::

The effect of curcumin was investigated both on cell lines (A549) and animal model (both
normal and bleomycin-induced mice, n=6) via techniques like western blotting for protein expression.
Techniques like immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were carried out and examined under
confocal microscopy and phase contrast microscopy to analyze the expressions of the said biomarkers.
Bleomycin was used as a causative agent to induce inflammation.

Results::

The natural polyphenol curcumin could downregulate the expressions levels of Ki67 and
EGFR both in vitro and in vivo. Immunofluorescence analysis of proliferative marker Ki67 showed a
reduced expression on curcumin treatment in vitro. The pathological sections from treated lungs
showed a significant decrease in EGFR and Ki67 levels when exposed to curcumin.

Conclusion::

We conclude that curcumin, a well-known natural bioactive compound holds strong antiproliferative
effects on Ki67 and EGFR expressions.We observed that a clinical outcome in the diagnosis
of pulmonary fibrosis remains to be unconvincing so far. Curcumin can be considered as a potential
therapeutic.