bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Introduction to Montmorillonite Purification
Authors: Ciftci Hakan
Published: August 2021

Purification of montmorillonite is a process to remove non clay minerals (gangue) such as calcite, feldspar, quartz, opal (C-T), and mica from montmorillonite ore. This is performed to make montmorillonite suitable for use in sensitive applications such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and advanced materials for nanotechnology. Gangue minerals in raw montmorillonite ores can cause serious health problems when used in pharmaceutics, cosmetic, and food industries and reduce material quality in advanced materials production. Montmorillonite purification can be divided into two main classes as physical and chemical purification. Physical purification processes are based on particle size difference between the gangue and montmorillonite minerals. Purification processes based on gravity separation are ineffective since the specific weights of gangue and montmorillonite minerals are very close to each other. Physical purification process includes sedimentation, centrifugal separation, aero separation, and sieving techniques. Chemical purification of montmorillonite is based on dissolution and so extraction of carbonates, metal hydroxides, organic materials, and silica, respectively, using different leaching techniques.
Antimicrobial Agents for Textiles: Types, Mechanisms and Analysis Standards
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmad , Laquerre Joseph-Émile , Forcier Patricia , Deregnaucourt Vincent , Decaens Justine , Vermeersch Olivier
Published: August 2021

The large surface area, and ability to retain moisture of textile structures enable microorganisms’ growth, which causes a range of undesirable effects, not only on the textile itself, but also on the user. Moreover, textiles used in health care environments are required to possess antimicrobial property to minimize spread of pathogenic infection. Anti-microbial property can be imparted via chemical finishing with an antimicrobial agent. Currently the use of antimicrobial agents includes metal compounds (notably copper and silver particle), chitosan, halogenated phenols “triclosan”, quaternary ammonium compounds, antibiotics (a class of antimicrobials produced from microorganisms that act against one another), and N-halamines. The possibility of bacterial resistance limits antibiotic use to specific medical applications, and triclosan is known for being dangerous to the environment and is currently under scrutiny for possible endocrine disrupting to human being. Although quaternary ammonium compounds are stable and easily manufactured, microbial resistance is also a concern. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), Polyhexamethylene Biguanide (PHMB), chitosan and N-halamines are listed under bound or non-leaching type antimicrobials. The bulk of current chapter focuses on the different family of antimicrobial agents used for textiles and their mechanisms.
Telephone Consultations by Medical Scheme Patients Consulting General Medical Practitioners, South Africa
Authors: Mncedisi Willie Michael , Nonyana Neo , Kabane Sipho
Published: August 2021

Background: The COVID-19 climate has seen a shift in the manner that patients seek care. Lockdown measures and COVID-19 regulations, and the fear of contracting the virus at a health care facility has also changed health seeing behaviour among patients. The COVID-19 climate has seen a significant increase in the utilisation of virtual platforms to consult with providers. Objectives: The objective of this chapter was to conduct the descriptive analysis of telephonic consultations by members of medical schemes who consulted general medical practitioners. Methods: The study entailed a descriptive analysis of medical scheme claims data for the 2020 review period. The inclusion criteria were all National Pharmaceutical Product Interface (NAPPI) codes associated with a telephonic consultation consulting general medical practitioners. The ICD-10 code primary diagnosis was used to describe the diagnosis. The study mainly focused on outpatient patients with service dates between March and December 2020. Results: The analysis covered claims data from a total of 12 medical schemes. The schemes analysed accounted for 1,6 million lives. The total number of telephonic consultations was 17 237. The mean (SD) claimed amount for telephone consultation for a general medical practice consult was R2821 (SD = 20). This was slightly lower than the scheme tariff of R2872 (SD = 19). The study found that most telephonic consults were for Acute bronchitis, unspecified; Acute upper respiratory; Emergency use of U07.1 (Confirmed diagnosis); Emergency use of U07.2 (Suspected Diagnosis); Follow-up examination; Special screening. Conclusion: The study found evidence of patients utilising telephonic consultations for general medical practitioner services. The effect of COVID-19 in this respect was seen in the three main primary diagnoses that were associated with the consult, Acute upper respiratory, Emergency use of U07.1 (confirmed diagnosis) and Emergency use of U07.2 (suspected diagnosis). Even though the average telephonic consult was claimed at just under R3003, few general medical practitioners claimed between R4004 and R5005 which were higher than the industry average. There is a need to develop telephone consult guidelines at industry level, these should also address reimbursement rate differentials.
Implications of Ethnoecological and Phytoecological Studies for the Sustainable Management of the Mozogo-Gokoro National Park (Cameroon)
Authors: Constant Sandjong Sani Rodrigue , Ntoupka Mama , Vroumsia Toua , Ibrahima Adamou
Published: August 2021

Sustainable management planning of protected areas depends on data from their biophysical and human environment. Based on such a premise, and using established international and national standards, this chapter proposes to outline a range of measures that can be considered in this process, drawing on the results of ecological studies carried out in the Mozogo-Gokoro National Park, located in the Sudano-Sahelian dry zone in the Far North of Cameroon. Initially, determining attributes for conservation were identified, notably those relating to the richness of the flora and the structure of the vegetation, which are close to a reference ecosystem. Subsequently, recommendations for sustainable management were formulated and analyzed in turn, taking into account especially the destructive anthropization identified as a major threat to the stability of the park. These management orientations could also be applied to safeguard other ecosystems in the Sudano-Sahelian zone.
Implantable Wireless Systems: A Review of Potentials and Challenges
Authors: I. Kanaan Amenah , M.A. Sabaawi Ahmed
Published: August 2021

With the current advancement in micro-and nano-fabrication processes and the newly developed approaches, wireless implantable devices are now able to meet the demand for compact, self-powered, wireless, and long-lasting implantable devices for medical and health-care applications. The demonstrated fabrication advancement enabled the wireless implantable devices to overcome the previous limitations of electromagnetic-based wireless devices such as the high volume due to large antenna size and to overcome the tissue and bone losses related to the ultrasound implantable devices. Recent state-of-the-are wireless implantable devices can efficiently harvest electromagnetic energy and detect RF signals with minimum losses. Most of the current implanted devices are powered by batteries, which is not an ideal solution as these batteries need periodic charging and replacement. On the other hand, the implantable devices that are powered by energy harvesters are operating continuously, patient-friendly, and are easy to use. Future wireless implantable devices face a strong demand to be linked with IoT-based applications and devices with data visualization on mobile devices. This type of application requires additional units, which means more power consumption. Thus, the challenge here is to reduce the overall power consumption and increase the wireless power transfer efficiency. This chapter presents the state-of-the-art wireless power transfer techniques and approaches that are used to drive implantable devices. These techniques include inductive coupling, radiofrequency, ultrasonic, photovoltaic, and heat. The advantages and disadvantages of these approaches and techniques along with the challenges and limitations of each technique will be discussed. Furthermore, the performance parameters such as operating distance, energy harvesting efficiency, and size will be discussed and analyzed to introduce a comprehensive comparison. Finally, the recent advances in materials development and wireless communication strategies, are also discussed.
A New Technique of Two Iliac Cortical Bone Blocks Sandwich Technique for Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting in Cleft Lip and Palate Patients
Authors: Van Vo Nhan , Quan Pham Nguyen , Dac Ho Chien , Van Le Son , Manh Nguyen Ha
Published: August 2021

Alveolar cleft bone graft in the second stage of surgery was a crucial part of the cleft palate treatment protocol with many advantages: reconstructing bone for tooth eruption, supporting the periodontal structure for the teeth adjacent to the cleft, supporting and lifting the arch and preventing from collapsing of maxillary arch. Grafting technique and material are selected based on the treatment purpose that for orthodontic moving tooth into the arch or for dental implant rehabilitation. Cancellous material provides rapid vascularization and healing facilitating for tooth moving into the cleft site but easy to resorb that unsuitable for dental implant placement. While dense material is difficult to move teeth into the cleft but increase initial stability. Therefore, we offered a method that limit bone resorption, easily obtain the implant initial stability, quick osseointegration called two iliac cortical bone blocks sandwich technique for a purposes of dental implant rehabilitation. Treatment protocol started with orthodontic treatment prior alveolar bone grafting to create proper space for implant restoration. Our clinical experience with 32 cleft sites using two iliac cortical bone blocks sandwich had shown potential clinical application in follow-up time up to 96 months. Evaluation criteria of bone grafting for alveolar cleft included soft tissue condition of graft area, nasal fistula closure, bone grafting outcome, success in osseointegration and implant prosthesis. This chapter described in detail treatment procedure and outcomes of a new technique of two iliac cortical bone blocks sandwich for alveolar cleft in patients with unilateral cleft palate.
Concepts and Clinical Applications of Intraoral 3D Scanning in the Management of Patients with Orofacial Clefts
Authors: ElNaghy Rahma , Amin Sara , Hasanin Majd
Published: August 2021

Digital workflow in the dental is on the brink of completely replacing the traditional workflow. This opened the frontier for the introduction of intraoral scanners (IOS). In the craniofacial field, IOS has proven its applicability in various procedures with highly promising results. This includes comprehensive diagnosis of patients with orofacial clefts and custom-made treatment planning of challenging cases as well as its use in nasoalveolar molding (NAM) therapy. IOS also opened the horizon to the advanced digital workflow required for appliances design, manufacturing, and virtual surgical planning. IOS offer various advantages that decrease the time, effort for both the patients, their families and care providers. IOS adopt different optical technologies what aim for precise recording of a three-dimensional (3D) object. This chapter aims to provide a comprehensive review of the use of intraoral scanners in the craniofacial field.
Vitamin E in Human Health and Oxidative Stress Related Diseases
Authors: Ehizuelen Ebhohimen Israel , Stephen Okanlawon Taiwo , Ododo Osagie Augustine , Norma Izevbigie Owen
Published: August 2021

Oxidative stress characterized by an imbalance in the production and degradation of radical species has been implicated in the onset and progression of several diseases. The efficacy of antioxidants acting via the inhibition of radical chain reactions, scavenging of free radicals, direct donation of electrons to radical species and chelation of metal ions have been reported to attenuate the oxidative process. Vitamin E is an effective antioxidant and its hydrophobic nature and membrane permeability offer some benefits to application and bioavailability. This chapter highlights the following; structural differences in the vitamin family, biosynthesis in plants and the native biological role, antioxidant mechanisms of vitamin E, an overview of the prophylactic action of vitamin E as well as the effect on the oxidative process in some diseases.
From ERL to MBZIRC: Development of An Aerial-Ground Robotic Team for Search and Rescue
Authors: Arbanas Barbara , Petric Frano , Batinović Ana , Polić Marsela , Vatavuk Ivo , Marković Lovro , Car Marko , Hrabar Ivan , Ivanović Antun , Bogdan Stjepan
Published: August 2021

This chapter describes the efforts of the LARICS team in the 2019 European Robotics League (ERL) Emergency Robots and the 2020 Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC) robotics competitions. We focus on the implementation of hardware and software modules that enable the deployment of aerial-ground robotic teams in unstructured environments for joint missions. In addition to the overall system specification, we outline the main algorithms for operation in such conditions: autonomous exploration of unknown environments and detection of objects of interest. Analysis of the results shows the success of the developed system in the competition arena of two of the largest outdoor robotics challenges. Throughout the chapter, we highlight the evolution of the robotic system based on the experience gained in the ERL competition. We conclude the chapter with key findings and additional improvement ideas to advance the state of the art in search and rescue applications of heterogeneous robotic teams.
Morphological Aspects of the Maxillary Sinus
Authors: Bozhikova Elena , Uzunov Nikolay
Published: August 2021

The development of modern surgical methods and techniques for treatment of the diseases of the paranasal sinuses and the edentulous ridge of the maxilla requires detailed knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the maxillary sinus. The sinus dimensions and volume, thickness of the mucosa, height of the inferior wall and presence of septa and root prominence are important indicators for the pneumatization of the maxillary sinus and have essential role by performing sino-nasal and dental implant surgery. The preliminary assessment of some morphological aspects of the maxillary sinus is essential for the proper diagnosis and treatment of a number of diseases in maxillofacial region, including treatment of the chronic rhinosinusitis and the edentulous ridges of the distal maxilla.
Prospects for Genome Editing of Potato
Authors: S. Dev Sona , Joseph Jini , Lambert D’Rosario Ligi
Published: August 2021

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a staple food crop that could play a major role in improving food security in developing nations. The sustainable production of this crop faces many challenges like pests, diseases, abiotic stresses and post-harvest problems. Transgenic technology and gene silencing strategies offered a new hope of solution to the conventional time consuming breeding programmes. However the genetically modified crops are affected by regulatory approvals and safety concerns. In this aspect, gene editing techniques like ZFNs (zinc-finger nucleases), TALENs (transcription activator-like effector nucleases), and CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR associated Cas9), offer better choice for production of transgene and marker free disease resistant potatoes.
The Emerging Nematode Problems in Horticultural Crops and Their Management
Authors: Yadav Saroj , A. Patil Jaydeep
Published: August 2021

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are responsible for significant monetary losses to horticultural crops. They are unseen foes of crops and devitalize plants by causing injury to plant roots or aboveground parts. From last few decades, increased attention has been paid to nematode problems in horticultural crops in open as well as under protected cultivation. PPNs are obligate parasites, mostly have wide host range and are widespread pathogens of horticultural crops. The dimension of damage is density dependent and their management options vary with type of crop, nematode species and other factors. Recent approaches to combat losses caused by nematodes are the use of nematicides, cultural practices and resistant cultivars that may be used singly or in an integrated manner. This book chapter gives an overview of the emerging nematode problems in horticultural crops and their management strategies.
Unlocking Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus L.): Role of OMICS Based Biology, Biotic and Abiotic Elicitors
Authors: Kumar Rai Krishna , Rai Nagendra , Pandey-Rai Shashi
Published: August 2021

Hyacinth bean also known as Indian bean is multipurpose legume crops consumed both as food by humans and as forage by animals. Being a rich source of protein, it also produces distinct secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, phenols and tyrosinase which not only help strengthened plant’s own innate immunity against abiotic/biotrophic attackers but also play important therapeutic role in the treatment of various chronic diseases. However, despite its immense therapeutic and nutritional attributes in strengthening food, nutrition and therapeutic security in many developing countries, it is still considered as an “orphan crop” for unravelling its genetic potential and underlying molecular mechanisms for enhancing secondary metabolite production. Several lines of literatures have well documented the use of OMICS based techniques and biotic and abiotic elicitors for stimulating secondary metabolite production particularly in model as well as in few economically important crops. However, only limited reports have described their application for stimulating secondary metabolite production in underutilised crops. Therefore, the present chapter will decipher different dimensions of multi-omics tools and their integration with other conventional techniques (biotic and abiotic elicitors) for unlocking hidden genetic potential of hyacinth bean for elevating the production of secondary metabolites having pharmaceutical and therapeutic application. Additionally, the study will also provide valuable insights about how these advance OMICS tools can be successfully exploited for accelerating functional genomics and breeding research for unravelling their hidden pharmaceutical and therapeutic potential thereby ensuring food and therapeutic security for the betterment of mankind.
An Evaluation of Recycled Polymeric Materials Usage in Denim with Lifecycle Assesment Methodology
Authors: Uncu Aki Sedef , Candan Cevza , Nergis Banu , Sebla Önder Neslihan
Published: August 2021

Today, World economy is only 8.6% circular, which creates a huge potential in materials reuse. To close the Emission Gap by 2032, this percentage needs to be doubled. The circular economy ensures that with less virgin material input and fewer emissions. With the help of effective recycling technologies, virgin material use can be decreased and especially petroleum based materials impact can fall within planetary boundaries. This book chapter analyzes different chemical and biological recycling technologies, their advantages and challenges in denim production. Moreover, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis will be used to evaluate the environmental impact of recycled polymeric materials usage in denim fabrics. Finally, it concludes by challenges and the future of chemically recycled materials in denim production and opportunities to evaluate waste as a raw material to design circular systems.
Assessment of Secondary Metabolites with Different Uses of Fenugreek
Authors: Yaldiz Gulsum , Camlica Mahmut
Published: August 2021

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an annual medicinal plant with trifoliate leaves, a branched stem, white flowers, rooted tubers, and golden yellow seed belonging to Fabaceae family. Fenugreek is used in different industries such as pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and food industries as an ancient crop plant. Fenugreek is grown as a medicinal herb in many countries and has antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypercholesterolemia, stomach protective, chemopreventive, laxative and appetite stimulating properties. In recent years, many important studies have been conducted on the biological activities and therapeutic properties of fenugreek mainly secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and saponins. These compounds are used for multipurpose uses in different industries and also appreciated by scientists. Based on these several health usefulness as discussed in review, fenugreek might be a good candidate for a herbal drug and used for preparation of new drugs. In this review, secondary metabolites used in different industries of fenugreek will be discussed and general benefits of them will be expressed within the all significant aspect of fenugreek as clearly. This review also highlights the traditional uses and nutraceutical properties (antioxidant activity, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer hypoglemic effects and anti-inflammatory and immunological activity) of fenugreek. These uses and effect properties of fenugreek have been discussed and researchable areas were implied to depending on the previous studies. In the future, studies on fenugreek are needed some important applications to increasing the popularity of fenugreek. In this context, researchers should be focused on secondary and primary metabolite studies in fenugreek seeds and leaves. In addition to these, fenugreek germplasm should be collected and subjected to intensive selection via modern breeding programs and new fenugreek genotypes with desired properties should be obtained.
COBOTS in Industry 4.0: Safe and Efficient Interaction
Authors: F. Castillo Javier , Hamilton Ortiz Jesús , Fernanda Díaz Velásquez María , Fernando Saavedra Diego
Published: August 2021

Cyberphysical systems will have a great development with the digital transformation known as industry 4.0. Cyberphysical Systems systems are devices that integrate capabilities to control and interact with a physical process. Among these are the Cobots, robots that perform tasks directly in conjunction with humans within a shared or nearby space. Safety is a fundamental issue when talking about Cobots, because there are requirements in terms of materials and design, kinetic limitations, and the implementation of sensors and algorithms that guarantee a safe workspace. Therefore, the potential risks of Cobot applications within the boom of industry 4.0 in cyberphysical systems are presented. Defining the fields of: Safety inspections; Routes and algorithms to avoid obstacles; Human-machine interfaces; Humans and Industry 4.0; Cyber security. Framed within the human-machine standards and protocols, within the safety functions and performance of a Cobot (ISO 10218-1 and ISO 10218-2 and ISO TS 15066). In this chapter, we discuss the different problems that are in the application of Cobots, in conjunction with different proposals for improvement and aspects to consider.
Cotton as a Model for Polyploidy and Fiber Development Study
Authors: S. Kamburova Venera , B. Salakhutdinov Ilkhom , E. Shermatov Shukhrat , T. Buriev Zabardast , Y. Abdurakhmonov Ibrokhim
Published: August 2021

Cotton is one of the most important crops in the world. The Gossypium genus is represented by 50 species, divided into two levels of ploidy: diploid (2n = 26) and tetraploid (2n = 52). This diversity of Gossypium species provides an ideal model for studying the evolution and domestication of polyploids. In this regard, studies of the origin and evolution of polyploid cotton species are crucial for understanding the ways and mechanisms of gene and genome evolution. In addition, studies of polyploidization of the cotton genome will allow to more accurately determine the localization of QTLs that determine fiber quality. In addition, due to the fact that cotton fibers are single trichomes originating from epidermal cells, they are one of the most favorable model systems for studying the molecular mechanisms of regulation of cell and cell wall elongation, as well as cellulose biosynthesis.
Counseling Parents of Special Children: Insight from Resilient Parents
Authors: Mohan Radhika
Published: August 2021

Resilience is the ability to “bounce back” from adversity. Resilience research shifts our focus from the stress response to coping response. ‘Human agency’ takes center stage, which can be understood as making choices and taking actions intentionally. Defining resilience, as the ability of individuals to navigate their way to psychological, social, cultural, and physical resources in a culturally meaningful way to sustain their wellbeing, will be more meaningful in the Indian context. Factors leading to parental resilience are explored in the context of Indian society, with specific reference to Mumbai city, where the research has been done. This chapter summarizes the factors that both hinder and favor resilience and discusses the role of counselors in this process.
Anemia of inflammation in patients with colorectal cancer: Correlation with interleukin-1, interleukin-33 and galectin-1
Authors: Jocić Miodrag , Arsenijević Nebojša , Gajović Nevena , Jurišević Milena , Jovanović Ivan , Jovanović Milan , Zdravković Nataša , Marić Veljko , Jovanović Marina
Published: August 2021

Background: Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) have anemia often present as a consequence of chronic bleeding from tumor. The exact role of lL-33, Galectin-l and IL-l in the pathological genesis of anemia in colorectal cancer patients has not been elucidated yet. The main goal of this research was to analyze Gal-l, IL-l and lL-33 systemic values in anemic and non-anemic CRC patients. Methods: Concentrations of IL-33, Galectin-1 and IL-1 have been studied in blood samples of 55 CRC patients (27 without anemia and 28 with anemia). Results: CRC patients with anemia had more severe and local advanced disease compared to CRC non-anemic patients. Anemia positively correlated with higher nuclear grade, lymph and blood vessel invasion, as well as with higher TNM stage, detectable metastatic lesions in lung and liver and peritoneal carcinomatosis. Significantly higher IL-33, Gal-1 and IL-1 concentration have been found in sera of patients with CRC and detected anemia. CRC patients mostly had microcytic anemia, while ferritin values were in normal range. Analysis revealed positive mutual correlation between serum values of galectin-1, IL-1 and IL-33 in CRC patients. Level of hemoglobin negatively correlated with serum IL-33, Gal-1 and IL-1. We have analyzed the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves of serum IL-33, Gal-1 and IL-1 showed that these cytokines can be treated as additional markers for anemia of inflammation in CRC patients. Conclusions: Predomination of Galectin-1, IL-1 and IL-33 in anemic CRC patients implicates on their potential role in anemia genesis and further development.
Living the Paradox of Risk: An Approach for Teachers in Democratically Challenging Situations in Education
Authors: Rosén Maria , Arneback Emma
Published: August 2021

This essay elaborates on the notion of risk in relation to democratically challenging situations in education. This refers to situations in which liberal democratic values are potentially challenged, such as in teaching about controversial issues and in moments of expressions of hurtful speech, which can create in teachers an ambivalence for how to act. The essay takes an understanding of risk as holding a plurality, viewing risk as both undesirable and desirable, to be both reduced and embraced. By considering perspectives that implicitly relate to risk in various ways, this essay explores what can be made possible by embracing risk or its reduction in democratically challenging situations. These perspectives envisage tension between different approaches to risk and visualize how risk may be viewed both as possible moments of change and as possible moments of violence. The essay advances the argument that a one-sided approach to risk may thus pose a challenge to the struggle for democracy, arguing instead for a complex approach to risk. Making use of Jonna Bornemark’s work on the “paradox of action,” the essay proposes the viewing of risk as a paradox, spanning our world of action. The paradox formulates a mutual dependence, in which more is required of one side in one moment and more of the other in the next; neither can be neglected. The essay proposes an approach for teachers: “living the paradox of risk,” which is to act in the space between reducing risk and embracing risk in democratically challenging situations.
Coming into Life with Education: Definitions, Difficulty and Meaningfulness in Conceptual Aesthetics
Authors: Gibbs Alexis
Published: August 2021

What do we mean by the word “education”? How do others know what we mean when the term is under constant revision? Do we even need definitive answers in order to speak meaningfully of it? This paper attempts to explore the potential for education’s meaningfulness via attention to its ordinary usages. In order to justify the need to be attentive to the specific instance of use, I will explore the closing down of conceptual meaning represented by acts of definition. In taking a closer look at what definitions of education try to do when they are articulated, I will follow a line of argument from Cora Diamond that the definition and explanation of a term can constitute a deflection from the difficult “reality” of educational discourse, a reality that poses its own problems in turn, but also should not be ignored. Attending to “education” as a word that appears with particular meanings in particular instances reveals the richness of the various forms it can assume. I describe this as a conceptual aesthetics of education.
Transformational School Leadership from a Neo-Daoist Lens
Authors: Zhang Yenming , Tan Charlene
Published: August 2021

In this article, we aim to extend the existing literature on the theory of transformational school leadership through a neo-Daoist lens. Focussing on the writings of the third-century Chinese philosopher Wang Bi, we make three arguments. First, his ideas promote a transformational leader who effects change through ziran (spontaneity or natural actions). Second, such leaders inspire all of their staff to work towards a communitarian vision by exercising situational judgement and wuming (namelessness). Third, Wang’s philosophy has the potential to address a major criticism concerning the abuse of power in transformational leadership. A neo-Daoist leader does not seek to push for changes in an autocratic, divisive, and hurried manner. Instead, such a leader draws strength from contemplative practice and contextual sensitivity to foster harmonious relationships.
The Insufficiency of High School Completion Rates to Redress Educational Inequities among Indigenous Students
Authors: Louie Dustin William , Gereluk Dianne
Published: August 2021

A continued gap exists in student achievement between Indigenous and non- Indigenous students in the British Columbia school system. This article analyzes the balance of success and failure of the Accountability Framework, a provincial program designed to increase graduation rates in the province. In order to understand the successes and failures of this initiative, we draw upon the principles of John Rawls to consider the implications of rising graduation rates of those occupying the lowest standard of living in society. One of the primary findings is the necessity of policy makers and educational leaders to refrain from considering data regarding Indigenous student success in isolation and instead consider the shifts in disparity compared to non-Indigenous learners. Shifting the level of analysis from the school system to the overall well-being of a population unearths serious concerns regarding indicators of success within school systems. We contend that the initiative to solely draw upon high school completion rates as an indicator of success is misleading and further exacerbates existing problems of marginalization of Indigenous people in education.
#Flygskam : le pouvoir de la honte de prendre l’avion pour gouverner le changement climatique
Authors: Brunet Lucas
Published: August 2021

Le terme suédois flygskam (avion-honte) désigne la honte de prendre l’avion à cause de sa contribution au changement climatique. À partir de 2018, cette honte s’est largement répandue sur les réseaux sociaux (#flygskam) jusqu’à constituer un mouvement de remise en question du transport aérien. Comment cette honte a-t-elle été suscitée, relativisée, reconvertie et quelles ont été ses conséquences politiques ? En analysant qualitativement les récits de honte partagés sur Instagram, l’article montre comment les voyageurs construisent leur expérience de la honte, et y réagissent. Dans la lignée des travaux de la sociologie des émotions, l’article appréhende la honte comme une émotion régulée pour répondre à certaines normes sociales qui définissent les émotions à ressentir et à exprimer selon les situations (règles de sentiment), et qui exigent, parfois, un travail émotionnel d’adaptation. Les voyageurs sensibilisés à l’environnement se conforment ainsi à une nouvelle règle émotionnelle de la honte de prendre l’avion, et ceux qui ne respectent pas cette règle peuvent être ciblés par des campagnes de honte. Pour conjuguer la honte prescrite par la règle de sentiment et le plaisir associé aux trajets aériens, certains voyageurs conduisent un travail émotionnel et se déculpabilisent en compensant les émissions générées par leurs voyages en avion. Enfin, la honte est reconvertie en fierté de voyager en train et donne lieu à l’instauration d’une nouvelle règle émotionnelle. En définitive, l’article montre comment la honte articule les conduites individuelles et collectives par l’établissement de nouvelles normes.
Politiques des émotions des fans de Pokémon : (se) mobiliser par la hype et le sel
Authors: Gervasoni Quentin
Published: August 2021

Cet article explore la manière dont les fans de Pokémon participent à la production et à la diffusion de régimes émotionnels par un travail émotionnel qui s’appuie sur les ressources mises à disposition par la marque Pokémon. Nous y présentons les deux principaux régimes émotionnels impliqués dans la captation des publics, d’abord la hype, puis le sel, deux expressions empruntées aux discussions de la communauté elle-même. Cette recherche s’appuie sur des observations menées auprès de la communauté Pokémon Trash, en particulier son site internet et son groupe Facebook, sur l’analyse qualitative des commentaires en réaction aux vidéos relatives à Pokémon Épée et Bouclier sur YouTube, ainsi que sur des entretiens semi-directifs menés auprès de fans. Par un travail d’anticipation, ces derniers participent à la production de leurs propres dispositions à la hype et alimentent le bouillonnement collectif d’engouement et d’impatience vis-à-vis de la sortie des nouveaux jeux. Mais le désajustement entre ces attentes et les ressources mises à disposition donne également naissance au régime du sel : les publics se mobilisent alors contre les choix de la marque, comme ce fut le cas lors du mouvement #BringBackNationalDex. La réussite commerciale des derniers opus Pokémon, malgré la mobilisation oppositionnelle, invite à vérifier si la participation des fans leur donne réellement plus de pouvoir.
Se sentir politiquement engagé
Authors: Flammand Benjamin
Published: August 2021

La sociologie du militantisme fait généralement du passage à l’acte la première étape du devenir militant. On gagnerait pourtant à déplacer le regard : comment en vient-on à se sentir politiquement engagé avant même toute institutionnalisation de l’engagement ? Cet article s’appuie sur une observation participante des dispositifs de recrutement de l’organisation trotskyste Lutte ouvrière (LO) et sur une douzaine de récits de vie avec des individus en situation de recrutement, qui ont vocation à être reconduits dans les prochaines années pour mesurer l’évolution du processus d’engagement politique des jeunes recrues. Ces dernières ne peuvent espérer être intégrées comme « révolutionnaires professionnels » avant plusieurs années. Les émotions sont l’instrument de leur transformation subjective et deviennent dès lors une voie essentielle pour pouvoir construire une analyse phénoménologique de l’engagement politique, irréductible à l’adhésion militante.
Nanoscale electromagnetic boundary conditions based on Maxwell’s equations
Authors: Lai Yu-Cheng , Chen Su-Qi , Mou Lan-Ya , Wang Zhao-Na ,   Department of Physics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Published: August 2021

The electromagnetic boundary conditions have great important applications in many physical branchs. Here, the nanoscale electromagnetic boundary conditions are derived by using the integral Maxwell’s equations through constructing the dielectric transition layer across the interface between the two materials. The two interface response functions are obtained to reflect the electromagnetic field response characteristics of the interface. Based on the Maxwell’s equations, the physical meanings of the interface response functions are given as the position of the equivalent interfacial polarization charge and the gradient position of interfacial polarization current density, respectively. The influence of the dielectric constant of the medium, the transition line shape of the electric field and the frequency on the interface response functions are analyzed. When the material scale is large, the interface response function can be ignored, and the nanoscale electromagnetic boundary conditions degenerate to the classical boundary conditions given by the abrupt junction. On this basis, the interface electric dipole moment, the equivalent interfacial polarization charge area density, the equivalent interfacial polarization current density and the equivalent interfacial magnetic current density are introduced, leading to three forms of nanoscale electromagnetic boundary conditions. The results provide a clear physical picture and necessary theoretical basis for nanoscale electromagnetism and interface optics.
Selection of entanglement state in quantum repeater process
Authors: Shi Tao , Lü Li-Hua , Li You-Quan ,   Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Published: August 2021

The decoherence of entanglement states stored in quantum memory is a major obstacle when implementing a quantum repeater. So far, the electron spins in quantum dots are usually utilized to construct entangled states in quantum repeater. In the quantum repeater process, the distance between quantum dots is large, so the interaction between them can be neglected. Thus the hyperfine interaction between the electron spin and its neighbor nuclear spins in the quantum dot is considered to be the main reason for the decoherence of the system. In early researches, the hyperfine interaction between the electron spin and its neighbor nuclear spins was considered as an effective magnetic field whose magnitude and direction are random and the magnitude follows the Gaussian distribution. In this paper, we simultaneously consider an applied magnetic field and the interaction between the electron spin and its neighbor nuclear spins, and investigate the decoherence of the quantum repeater of two quantum dots. We first solve the time evolution of the system by the numerical method, and the result shows that when the applied magnetic field is increased to a certain value, the four Bell states can be divided into two kinds, each with two Bell states. The system cannot transit from the Bell state in one kind to that in the other kind, but can transit between two Bell states with in the same kind. This effectively improves the fidelity of the initial state and suppresses the decoherence of the system. For a given applied magnetic field with large magnitude, we theoretically study the effect of the fluctuation of nuclear spin on the entangled state, and give an analytical expression for each of the fidelity and the decoherence time of the initial state. We show that the decoherence times of the four Bell states are the same, but the time evolutions of the Bell states belonging to different kinds are different obviously. The fidelity of two Bell states not only decays exponentially but also oscillates rapidly, so such two Bell states are difficult to be manipulated and not suggested in quantum repeater process. The results in this paper are expected to provide theoretical suggestions for selecting the entangled states in quantum repeater.
Optimization of Ga content gradient in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells through machine learning and device simulation
Authors: Liu Wu , Zhu Cheng-Wan , Li Hao-Tian , Zhao Su-Ling , Qiao Bo , Xu Zheng , Song Dan-Dan ,   Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Optical Information, Ministry of Education, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China,   Institute of Optoelectronics Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
Published: August 2021

Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cell is a kind of highly efficient thin film solar cell, for which Ga ratio (Ga/(Ga+In), GGI) gradient engineering is an efficient approach to achieving high open circuit voltage under no short circuit current loss. In this work, we firstly evaluate the room and the strategies for improving the device performance of the CIGS solar cells based on the comparison among their theoretical efficiency limits. Then we investigate the different schemes of “V” type GGI gradient and their effects on device performance through machine learning and device simulation. Based on these studies, we optimize the scheme of “V” type GGI gradient and obtain a high efficiency of 26% from device simulation. The carrier kinetics for the effect of modifying GGI gradient on device performance are analyzed. This work provides an approach to optimizing the GGI gradient to obtain highly efficient CIGS solar cells, which is referable for experimental optimization.
Assessment of metrics in next-generation sequencing experiments for use in core-genome multilocus sequence type
Authors: Liu Yen-Yi , Chen Bo-Han , Chen Chih-Chieh , Chiou Chien-Shun
Published: August 2021

With the reduction in the cost of next-generation sequencing, whole-genome sequencing (WGS)–based methods such as core-genome multilocus sequence type (cgMLST) have been widely used. However, gene-based methods are required to assemble raw reads to contigs, thus possibly introducing errors into assemblies. Because the robustness of cgMLST depends on the quality of assemblies, the results of WGS should be assessed (from sequencing to assembly). In this study, we investigated the robustness of different read lengths, read depths, and assemblers in recovering genes from reference genomes. Different combinations of read lengths and read depths were simulated from the complete genomes of three common food-borne pathogens: Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica. We found that the quality of assemblies was mainly affected by read depth, irrespective of the assembler used. In addition, we suggest several cutoff values for future cgMLST experiments. Furthermore, we recommend the combinations of read lengths, read depths, and assemblers that can result in a higher cost/performance ratio for cgMLST.
Association between C-Maf-inducing protein gene rs2287112 polymorphism and schizophrenia
Authors: Fu Yingli , Ren Xiaojun , Bai Wei , Yu Qiong , Sun Yaoyao , Yu Yaqin , Zhou Na
Published: August 2021

Background

Schizophrenia is a severely multifactorial neuropsychiatric disorder, and the majority of cases are due to genetic variations. In this study, we evaluated the genetic association between the C-Maf-inducing protein (CMIP) gene and schizophrenia in the Han Chinese population.

Methods

In this case-control study, 761 schizophrenia patients and 775 healthy controls were recruited. Tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs12925980, rs2287112, rs3751859 and rs77700579) from the CMIP gene were genotyped via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. We used logistic regression to estimate the associations between the genotypes/alleles of each SNP and schizophrenia in males and females, respectively. The in-depth link between CMIP and schizophrenia was explored through linkage disequilibrium (LD) and further haplotype analyses. False discovery rate correction was utilized to control for Type I errors caused by multiple comparisons.

Results

There was a significant difference in rs287112 allele frequencies between female schizophrenia patients and healthy controls after adjusting for multiple comparisons (χ2 = 12.296, Padj = 0.008). Females carrying minor allele G had 4.445 times higher risk of schizophrenia compared with people who carried the T allele (OR = 4.445, 95% CI [1.788–11.046]). Linkage-disequilibrium was not observed in the subjects, and people with haplotype TTGT of rs12925980–rs2287112–rs3751859–rs77700579 had a lower risk of schizophrenia (OR = 0.42, 95% CI [0.19–0.94]) when compared with CTGA haplotypes. However, the association did not survive false discovery rate correction.

Conclusion

This study identified a potential CMIP variant that may confer schizophrenia risk in the female Han Chinese population.