bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
As trees walking: the pros and cons of partial sight in the analysis of stream biofilms
Authors: Kelly Martyn G. , King Lydia , Yallop Marian L.
Published: July 2019

Background – The microscopic world of the freshwater biofilm is a complex association of organisms from prokaryotes to metazoans. Understanding the relationships between these organisms, and between them and their environment, is complicated by the processes by which biofilms are studied. Whilst it is possible to observe and minutely describe the individual organisms which comprise biofilms, inter-relationships within the ‘community’ are often destroyed during sample collection and investigation under the microscope. Ecologists often focus on particular groups of organisms (e.g. diatoms) and interrogate data using multivariate statistics. This offers valuable insights that enable us to understand how associations of particular taxonomic groups respond to key environmental gradients yet offers an essentially abstract view of the microscopic world.

Approach – In this essay we contrast the great detail achieved when we see and describe individual cells with the gross approximations necessary when the response of communities is considered. A focus on the diatom assemblage (one part of the intricate biofilm community) and the use of multivariate statistics to interpret responses along ecological gradients offers opportunities to understand environmental change in space and time but at the expense, perhaps, of local detail which may account for some of the unexplained variation in models. We cannot envisage a change in approach in the near future but, instead, encourage a greater awareness of the complexity of stream biofilms to better inform interpretation.
Wildfire overrides hydrological controls on boreal peatland methane emissions
Authors: Davidson Scott J. , Van Beest Christine , Petrone Richard , Strack Maria
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Boreal peatlands represent a globally important store of
carbon, and disturbances such as wildfire can have a negative feedback to
the climate. Understanding how carbon exchange and greenhouse gas (GHG)
dynamics are impacted after a wildfire is important, especially as boreal
peatlands may be vulnerable to changes in wildfire regime under a rapidly
changing climate. However, given this vulnerability, there is very little in the
literature on the impact such fires have on methane (CH4) emissions.
This study investigated the effect of wildfire on CH4 emissions at a
boreal fen near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, that was partially burned by the
Horse River Wildfire in 2016. We measured CH4 emissions and
environmental variables (2017–2018) and CH4 production potential (2018)
in two different microform types (hummocks and hollows) across a peat burn
severity gradient (unburned (UB), moderately burned (MB), and severely burned
(SB)). Results indicated a switch in the typical understanding of boreal
peatland CH4 emissions. For example, emissions were significantly lower
in the MB and SB hollows in both years compared to UB hollows.
Interestingly, across the burned sites, hummocks had higher fluxes in 2017
than hollows at the MB and SB sites. We found typically higher emissions at
the UB site where the water table was close to the surface. However, at the
burned sites, no relationship was found between CH4 emissions and water
table, even under similar hydrological conditions. There was also
significantly higher CH4 production potential from the UB site than the
burned sites. The reduction in CH4 emissions and production in the
hollows at burned sites highlights the sensitivity of hollows to fire,
removing labile organic material for potential methanogenesis. The
previously demonstrated resistance of hummocks to fire also results in
limited impact on CH4 emissions and likely faster recovery to pre-fire
rates. Given the potential initial net cooling effect resulting from a
reduction in CH4 emissions, it is important that the radiative effect
of all GHGs following wildfire across peatlands is taken into account.
Western Faculty Profile: Dr. Shawn Whitehead
Authors: Wang Xin Ran
Published: July 2019

Dr. Shawn Whitehead is an Assistant professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and is cross-appointed in the Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences. He is currently the course coordinator for Integrative Neuroscience, 4451F. His research tackles neurodegenerative disease by using integrative and translational models to investigate how different brain regions exhibit variable vulnerabilities to stress and injury.
Formação De Professores: O Caso “Ciranda Digital Da Cidadania” Do Lim/Life-Ueg
Authors: Toschi Mylena Seabra , Silva Yara Fonseca de Oliveira e
Published: July 2019

Este estudo apresenta o projeto de extensão “Ciranda Digital da Cidadania”, sobre a inclusão digital de idosos a partir do trabalho desenvolvido no Laboratório de Mídias Interativas/Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Formação de Educadores (LIM/LIFE) da Universidade Estadual de Goiás (UEG). O estudo objetiva refletir sobre o processo formativo com base na abordagem da subjetividade e se desenvolveu por meio de observação e entrevistas semiestruturadas com professoras-bolsistas do curso de pedagogia da UEG. O processo formativo com base na abordagem da subjetividade rompe com a visão dicotômica teoria-prática e supera a fragmentação do conhecimento por valorizar a dialogicidade, a reflexão crítica e colaborativa.
Interação Comunitária Na Preservação E Recuperação De Reserva Nativa No Município De Campo Grande – Ms
Authors: Souza Armando Cirilo de , Guedes Pedro Henrique , Raulino Fernando Garcia , Andreatta Mayene Pereira
Published: July 2019

As grandes e pequenas reservas pertencentes ao município de Campo Grande - MS, tem apresentado sérios problemas causados pelos avanços da construção civil e o desmatamento irregulares e ainda pela falta de conscientização e educação da comunidade local, produzindo uma degradação vegetal e consequências graves para todo o ecossistema.  Com a interação comunitária foram realizadas observações no local, e foi possível classificar a área como degradada. Desta forma, esse projeto teve como objetivo empregar o método de Enriquecimento Vegetal da Reserva com a interação comunitária local. O método utilizado foi a realização da produção de mudas de árvores das espécies nativas regionais e a plantação na reserva, com ajuda da comunidade local, tornando o ecossistema mais próximo daquele originalmente existente. Os resultados apresentados, com a interação comunitária na reserva, foram excelentes; pois algumas espécies das mudas de árvores plantadas mostraram bons desenvolvimentos. Concluímos que a interação da comunidade, resultou em uma conscientização em relação à importância da preservação do meio ambiente em reservas nativas.
O Transe Das Possibilidades Ressignificando A Hipnose E A Filosofia Na Extensão Universitária
Authors: Costa Ramilton Marinho , Lima Amanda Marques de
Published: July 2019

A incrível ferramenta da hipnose, por milênios, produziu alterações na consciência humana por meio de rituais místicos, procedimentos mágicos e pelo pretenso fluxo do magnetismo animal; fascinou Freud, através dos seus mestres: Charcot, Bernheim e Liébeault; expandiu-se no experimentalismo fisiológico de Pavlov e ganhou o mundo acadêmico com as técnicas naturalistas de Milton Erickson; agora, de forma inusitada, passa a ser utilizada em projeto de extensão universitária. O projeto Hypnos nas Escolas tem se dedicado a trabalhar com discentes, docentes e pais de alunos do ensino fundamental, médio e superior, tendo por base o Centro de Educação e Saúde da UFCG, sediado no município de Cuité-PB, utilizando a hipnose, a filosofia, a PNL, a psicanálise e a neurociência em minicursos, palestras, rodas de conversa organizadas na forma de ambientes interativos e vivências coletivas e também através da hipnoterapia, em sessões individualizadas. Tratamos dos principais transtornos emocionais presentes no público estudantil: a ansiedade, a depressão, a dificuldade de concentração, a procrastinação, fobias, crises de autoestima e compulsões alimentares, muitas dessas manifestações ligadas aos processos inconscientes e às crenças internas limitantes, mas também buscamos refletir, nessa perspectiva, sobre os desafios e potencialidades da ação pedagógica no processo ensino-aprendizagem, voltada à prática de uma educação mais humana, cidadã, solidária e que contemple todos os processos emocionais envolvidos.
Organizational Flexibility and Its Impact on the Service Quality: A Survey Study on Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority in Kuwait
Authors: Rashidi Huda Saad Al , Sarayreh Aktham A, AL
Published: July 2019

The current study aimes at recognizing the organizational flexibility and its diminsions mainly (strategic strength exercises, practical flexibility, and structural flexibility). Furthermore, it investigates its impact on the service quality in the General Authority for Communications and Information Technology in the State of Kuwait. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, "Descriptive analysis" approach is used by conducting a study in the General Authority for Communications and Information Technology in the State of Kuwait and the results of the current study. The study finds a significant positive impact of organizational fleixibility on the service quality in the General Authority for Communications and Information Technology in the State of Kuwait. The study basically recommends the following procedures: First of all, the General Authority needs for Communication and Technology Information in the State of Kuwait to improve strategic flexibility through the adoption of methods that contribute to improving capabilities and create a competitive advantage, and away from traditional methods. Secondly, the need for the General Authority to improve the operational flexibility by worling hard to make effective changes in the early stages of the activity , which enhances their ability to adapt with the increase in the volume of operations, commensurate with the demand for those services, and the need to be flexible. Finally, this study recommends that the General Authority has to improve the structural flexibility through following an organizational structure capable of dealing with the growing pressure in the operations of the Authority to continue to develop services.
Storybook reading strategies to enhance English skills with preschool children in Honduras
Authors: Máximo Milena
Published: July 2019

Storybook reading is an effective tool in the classroom. It goes beyond a time of enjoyment; it can also be an ideal strategy for working in various areas and contents. It is thinking on this input of storybook reading that preschool teachers must value the practice of reading stories as a productive time in the class. It is important for educators to know the strategies used for reading story books, and applying them appropriately in the classroom, to make it a fun and educational experience for the teacher and the students. This article introduces the use of reading strategies used by the preschool teachers in some bilingual schools in Tegucigalpa. Also, the article shows the results from the observation of these reading activities. The findings of this study show how some teachers in this country use storybooks to teach English.
Factors Affecting Consumer-Based Brand Equity from the Perspective of Turkish Consumers
Authors: Akyüz İlker , Bayram Bahadır Çağrı , Ersen Nadir
Published: July 2019

This paper contributes to the consumer-based brand equity literature by researching what brand equity means for Turkish consumers and by defining factors that, from their perspective, affect Consumer-Based Brand Equity (CBBE). According to our literature review, although some important cross-cultural studies about CBBE can be found, some aspects of this topic require further research. The target population of the study is households in the Western Black Sea Region. This region was chosen because it is a manageable size, geographically close to the researchers, and statistically representative of the Turkish people. Turkish panel furniture (PF) brands were chosen as the sample, and a stratified sampling method was used to determine the questionnaires sample size. Data were analysed in SPSS, incorporating statistical tests such as factor analysis, correlation analysis and chi-square tests. Factors that affected CBBE were marketing activities, perceived quality, brand awareness, brand association and price.
Application of Chemometrics for Spectral Resolving and Determination of Three Analgesics in Water Samples
Authors: Yehia Ali M , Elbalkiny Heba T , Riad Safa’a M , Elsaharty Yasser S
Published: July 2019

Background: Chemometrics is a discipline that allows the spectral resolution of drugs in a complicated matrix (e.g., environmental water samples) as an alternative to chromatographic methods. Objective: Three analgesics were traced in wastewater samples with simple and cost-effective multivariate approaches using spectrophotometric data. Methods and Results: Four chemometric approaches were applied for the simultaneous determination of diclofenac, paracetamol, and ibuprofen. Partial least squares (PLS), principal component regression (PCR), artificial neural networks (ANN), and multivariate curve resolution (MCR)–alternating least squares (ALS) were selected. The presented methods were compared and validated for their qualitative and quantitative analyses. Moreover, statistical comparison between the results obtained by the proposed methods and the official methods showed no significant differences. Conclusions: The proposed multivariate calibrations were accurate and specific for quantitative analysis of the studied components. MCR-ALS is the only method that has the capacity for both the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the studied drugs. Highlights: Four chemometric approaches were used for analysis of severally overlapped ternary mixture of three analgesics. The analytical performance of PCR, PLS, MCR-ALS, and ANN was compared and validated in terms of root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC), SE of prediction, and recoveries. ANN gave the highest predicted concentrations with the lowest RMSEC and root mean square error of prediction. MCR-ALS has the capacity for both qualitative and quantitative measurement. The methods have been effectively applied for real samples and compared to official methods.
Comfort assessment of two nZEBs in Norway
Authors: Lolli Nicola , Lien Anne Gunnarshaug
Published: July 2019

This work presents the results of a survey and measurement campaign carried on in two wooden buildings in Trondeim, Norway. These are one tower in a student accommodation complex, the Moholt Allmenning, constituted by five CLT towers of 9 floors each, and a mixed CLT-and-timber-frame educational building, the Haukåsen kindergarten. Both buildings comply with the Norwegian Passive house standard and the kindergarten complies with the BREAAM certification as well. Questionnaires focussing on the buildings' users thermal, acoustic, and visual comfort, and on the IAQ were submitted. Measurements of the indoor operative temperature and CO2 levels were performed. The measurements showed that both buildings are in the NS 15251 Class I with regards to the thermal environment, in both summer and winter. The questionnaires that the perceived dissatisfaction is somewhat higher than that assessed in the measurements, leading to a lower rating, especially in the student housing. One of the most reported issue in the student housing was the noise level, which resulted in 28% of student dissatisfied.
Costs and Procurement for Cross-Laminated Timber in Mid-Rise Buildings
Authors: Lien Anne Gunnarshaug
Published: July 2019

The objective of this paper is to report and analyse strategies for cost reduction, design processes, and procurement models of one wooden nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) in Norway. The building investigated in this paper is the Moholt Allmenning, a newly-built student accommodation located in Moholt, Trondheim. Interviews with the building's owner and the contractor were carried out to obtain information on the decision-making process during the procurement phase, the planning phase, and the execution phase. The results show that the environmental goal and the criteria set for the use of wood in the tender announcement were a critical driving force for choosing cross laminated timber (CLT) in the final design. The results also show that the cost of using CLT in student residences is competitive against using concrete and steel. Given the requirement of little greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from materials production in nZEBs, the use of CLT is however a better choice.

The objective of this paper is to report and analyse strategies for cost reduction, design processes, and procurement models of one wooden nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) in Norway. This publication is part of the dissemination activities of the EU Horizon 2020 project NERO, whose scope is to demonstrate the feasibility of cost reduction of nZEBs built with wood in the Nordic Countries. Case buildings from Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden are studied with respect to their technological solutions, energy use, and construction cost. The Norwegian building investigated in this paper is the Moholt Allmenning, a newly-built student accommodation located in Moholt, Trondheim. Interviews with the building's owner and the contractor were carried out to obtain information on the decision-making process during the procurement phase, the planning phase, and the execution phase. The results show that the environmental goal and the criteria set for the use of wood in the tender announcement were a critical driving force for choosing cross laminated timber (CLT) in the final design. The results also show that the cost of using CLT in student residences is competitive against using concrete and steel. Given the requirement of little greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from materials production in nZEBs, the use of CLT is however a better choice.
Ökonomisierung der Bildungsproduktion
Authors: Graßl Hans
Published: July 2019

In this study, the author sheds light on the debate about economisation in education from a sociological perspective and answers, among others, the following questions: What does the popular term ‘economisation’ encapsulate? What economic and social forces are driving cuts in spending on education and in educational output? Which forms of social coordination are being suppressed by the advancement of market mechanisms in the education system? Who is involved in the financing and provision of educational services? How does the state, the key provider of education, change during the course of economisation? Although the state has a decisive influence on the distribution of chances in life and on social inequality, the question of the organisation of educational output in Germany is traditionally not addressed from a sociopolitical perspective, a failing that has to be remedied. From an international comparative perspective, Hans Graßl makes sense of the structures of Germany’s conservative state education system, which differs considerably from the liberal and social democratic state education systems found, for example, in the USA and Sweden respectively.
News from the Field
Authors: Free David
Published: July 2019

Syracuse University Libraries, Department of Chemistry collaborate to identify chemical composition of plastics artifacts collection2019 ACRL Environmental Scan releasedUNC-Charlotte names 2019 Atkins FellowsAALL presents 2019 Emerging Leader AwardOCLC transfers QuestionPoint 24/7 Reference Cooperative, subscriptions to SpringshareEBSCO, The Carrol Center for the Blind partner for accessibilityRevised ACRL open access policy statement, new Guidelines for Standardized Holding Counts approved
Supervisors as mentors: How supervisory mentorship can supplement formal mentoring programs
Authors: Evans Laura
Published: July 2019

Binghamton University Libraries’ mentoring program has been in place since 2006. The goals of this program are to orient new librarians to the organizational culture by building relationships with more senior librarians, and to help new librarians achieve tenure by providing support and advice on job performance, service, and scholarship throughout the six years leading to tenure review.
Fast Facts
Authors: Pattillo Gary
Published: July 2019

Summer readingUrbanizationLittle Free LibrariesTechnology and the political environmentThe Internet Archive
Evaluation of the service ecosystem of water yield from an analysis of the landscape in the municipality of Valle de Bravo, Mexico
Authors: Lovera Pons Vianney , Roldán Aragón Iván Ernesto , Sánchez Robles Jesús , Torres Lima Pablo
Published: July 2019

El servicio ecosistémico (SE) de rendimiento hídrico (RH) es vital para la generación de agua dulce y es definido como la redistribución de la precipitación en función de la vegetación. Los cambios en el uso del suelo y vegetación (USyV) tienen efectos directos sobre este tipo de SE. Se estudia el caso del Municipio de Valle de Bravo como una región relevante en materia hídrica y forestal para el Estado de México. Forma parte del sistema Cutzamala, el cual abastece de agua potable a la Ciudad de México. Por su importancia como fuente de agua y por las presiones antrópicas que tienen los bosques en esta región, se evalúo el SE de RH, a partir de un análisis comparativo de USyV de los años de 1994 y 2016, a fin de identificar los efectos de la dinámica de cambio. Se empleó el modelo de rendimiento hídrico anual InVEST® que utiliza diferentes mapas con los atributos biofísicos para cada cobertura, definidos para cada píxel del paisaje. Se aplicó un modelo de ANOVA para determinar el efecto que tienen los cambios USyV en las subcuencas y su interacción con el SE de RH. Los resultados indican que los bosques templados aún persisten en la mayor superficie del municipio, sin embargo las zonas urbanas se han duplicado, provocado un incremento en el SE de RH. Estos resultados pueden ser útiles en planeación ambiental y programas de ordenamiento territorial.

The ecosystem service (ES) of water yield (WY) is vital for the generation of fresh water and is defined as the redistribution of precipitation as a function of vegetation. Changes in land use and vegetation (LU&V) have direct effects on this type of ES. T he case of the Municipality of Valle de Bravo is studied as a relevant region in terms of water and forestry for the State of Mexico. It is part of the Cutzamala system, which supplies drinking water to Mexico City. Because of its importance as a source of water and because of the anthropogenic pressures that forests have in this region, the ES WY was evaluated, based on a comparative analysis of LU&V for the years of 1994 and 2016, in order to identify the effects of the dynamics of change. The annual wate r yield model InVEST® was used, which uses different maps with the biophysical attributes for each coverage, defined for each pixel of the landscape. An ANOVA model was applied to determine the effect of the LU&V changes in the sub - basins and their interac tion with the ES WY. The results indicate that temperate forests still persist in the largest area of the municipality, however urban areas have doubled, causing an increase in the ES WY. These results can be useful in environmental planning and land use p lanning programs.
Labrador Inuit on the Hunt: Seasonal Patterns, Techniques, and Animals as They Appear in the Early Moravian Diaries
Authors: Olsthoorn Thea
Published: July 2019

In 1769 an Order in Council from the British government enabled the Moravians to settle in Labrador. The missionaries laid the boundary stones for their land (ca. 405 km2) in the next year, and established their first mission station (Nain) on the Labrador coast in 1771. The brethren’s accounts of their experiences with the Inuit in the Nain diaries include, besides religious issues, weather and travel reports and descriptions of Inuit hunting grounds and hunting techniques for the fauna of the region. This article focuses on their diary depictions of the two main prey species: the seal and the caribou. Consideration is also given to seasonal variation and availability of these animals during the early years of the mission; data were collected for the years 1771 through 1778. Several clues in the Moravian diaries, which went unrecognized by the missionaries, point to interactions and transformations between human and nonhuman beings (animals, spirits). These indications corroborate the spiritual transgression of category boundaries as an essential feature of traditional hunting methods.
Siberian Yupik Names for Birds: What Can Bird Names Tell Us about Language and Knowledge Transitions?
Authors: Krupnik Igor
Published: July 2019

This article analyzes the list of Siberian Yupik names for birds from Chukotka, Russia, from the unpublished “Dictionary of Traditional Subsistence Terminology of the Asiatic Yupik Eskimo” (n.d., [2010]), produced by the late Russian biologist Lyudmila Bogoslovskaya and Yupik language expert Lyudmila Ainana. It compares Bogoslovskaya and Ainana’s list against other lists of Indigenous bird names compiled in Chukotka and among the nearby Native Alaskan groups in the Bering Strait area, and biological (Linnaean) bird nomenclatures for the same region. The sequence of collected Yupik bird name lists from the 1930s to the early 2000s reveals a strong correlation to the advancing language and knowledge shift, as the Chukotka Yupik were increasingly driven to bilingualism by the Russian-dominated speech environment, media, and school system. By the time ornithologists and linguists compiled the first Native lists of bird names, the Yupik in Chukotka had already lost certain layers of their traditional bird taxonomy, but some of its elements may be construed. As the loss of traditional names for birds continues, the Yupik actively borrow Russian terms (or English, in Alaska) to describe many bird species they encounter in their environment.
O ecumenismo e o diálogo inter-religioso na Revista Adventista na segunda década do século XXI
Authors: Kossar Furtado Kevin Willian
Published: July 2019

O presente texto aborda como a Revista Adventista reportou o ecumenismo e o diálogo inter-religioso na última meia década. Metodologicamente, a pesquisa parte do acervo digitalizado do periódico disponível na internet, complementada por levantamento bibliográfico. Ao todo, foram analisadas nove edições, entre 2010 e 2015, em que os termos ecumenismo e diálogo inter-religioso são encontrados. Percebe-se que o tratamento dado aos temas considerados pauta-se na compreensão profética do que os adventistas entendem ser o fim dos tempos, em uma incompreensão dos reais significados e propósitos do ecumenismo e do diálogo inter-religioso.
A indizibilidade do Mistério: uma leitura wittgensteiniana de uma alegoria hindu
Authors: Boas Alex Villas , Moreira José Estevão
Published: July 2019

Este artigo visa fazer uma análise da figura de linguagem extraída de um conto hindu milenar que se encontra recolhido nos contos do príncipe Fjort, aplicada à ideia de Mistério, a partir do Filosofia da Linguagem. Esta conhecida alegoria dos mestres indianos ilustra uma situação na qual quatro cegos apresentam seus argumentos como verdades incontestáveis ocasionando um impasse na compreensão do fenômeno ‘elefante’. Discursos se contradizem por tratarem de facetas da realidade, em que o particular é tratado como universal, ou ainda de achar que esta categoria pode ser composta de tal modo que se as ‘percepções’ dos cegos fossem coadunadas haveria a possibilidade de se compor o ‘todo’. Tal alegoria pode oferecer uma ilustração das condições de possibilidades de compreensão e recepção estética do ser da linguagem.
Association of transcription factor WRKY56 gene from Populus simonii × P. nigra with salt tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wang Lei , Yao Wenjing , Sun Yao , Wang Jiying , Jiang Tingbo
Published: July 2019

The WRKY transcription factor family is one of the largest groups of transcription factor in plants, playing important roles in growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stress responses. Many WRKY genes have been cloned from a variety of plant species and their functions have been analyzed. However, the studies on WRKY transcription factors in tree species under abiotic stress are still not well characterized. To understand the effects of the WRKY gene in response to abiotic stress, mRNA abundances of 102 WRKY genes in Populus simonii × P. nigra were identified by RNA sequencing under normal and salt stress conditions. The expression of 23 WRKY genes varied remarkably, in a tissue-specific manner, under salt stress. Since the WRKY56 was one of the genes significantly induced by NaCl treatment, its cDNA fragment containing an open reading frame from P. simonii × P. nigra was then cloned and transferred into Arabidopsis using the floral dip method. Under salt stress, the transgenic Arabidopsis over-expressed the WRKY56 gene, showing an increase in fresh weight, germination rate, proline content, and peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity, when compared with the wild type. In contrast, transgenic Arabidopsis displayed a decrease in malondialdehyde content under salt stress. Overall, these results indicated that the WRKY56 gene played an important role in regulating salt tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis.
Fixed Points of Contractive Type Maps in Cone Metric Space over Banach Algebra
Authors: Rahman Ashfaque Ur , Modi Geeta , Qureshi K. , Ughade Manoj
Published: July 2019

Our goal in this paper is to prove some fixed point and common fixed theorems for contractive type maps in a CMS over Banach algebra, which unify, extend and generalize most of the existing relevant fixed point theorems from Shaoyuan Xu and Stojan Radenovic [1]. We provide illustrative example to verify our results.
Influence of External Parameters on the Dynamic Behavior of Resource-economic-pollution System
Authors: Yin Jiuli , Huang Jing , Fan Xinghua
Published: July 2019

This paper discusses a new type of selective-constrained resource-economic-pollution (REP) system. Based on the nonlinear dynamics theory, the dynamic behavior of the new system is discussed. The genetic algorithm is used to identify the quantitative coefficients of the actual system.This paper further analyses the impact of state regulation, economic marketization management and green lifestyle on economic growth. Taking the actual situation into consideration in China, the empirical research is carried out by adjusting the parameters of the actual system. The dynamic evolution of real economic growth is observed which predicts future trends more realistically. The research shows that the introduction of state regulation into the REP system can promote economic growth quickly at a small rate in the short term. However, state regulation has little effect on economic growth in the long run. The impact of economic marketization management on the economy is moderate. A short-term, small-scale green lifestyle has little impact on system and economic growth because of China’s large population base.
Effect of Social Skills Training on Juveniles’ Psychological Problems in a Detention Center in Ghana
Authors: Alhassan Mustapha
Published: July 2019

Background: In this world it is important to train children to acquire useful skills such that they would take care of themselves tomorrow and show good behaviors. The world can only be a peaceful and developed place if children are trained to acquire social skills that are useful. Therefore, to determine whether social skills training would change juvenile misbehavior this study was conducted.

Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental design. The sample was drawn from a population of 97 juveniles in detention at a Senior Correctional Center (formally known as Borstal Institute) in Accra, Ghana. The sample was 50 juveniles in a Correctional Center. The outcome measure was Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Test scores on delinquent behavior were compared across the two groups; (1) 25 juveniles who underwent social skills training (SST) and (2) 25 matched control group of juveniles who did not undergo SST. Participants in the training group underwent a one-month SST. The training sessions lasted for 60 minutes and they met three times a week for four weeks. Data collection was from May 2017 to August 2017.

Results: The results of the experimental group showed that 8 subscales somatization (df = 48; t = 2.39; p < .025), obsessive-compulsion (df = 48; t = 4.32; p < .001), depression (df = 48; t = 4.13; p <.001), anxiety (df = 48; t = 3.80; p < .001), hostility (df = 48; t = 3.74; p <. 001), phobic anxiety (df = 48; t = 3.80; ρ < .001), paranoid ideation (df = 48; t = 2.46; p < .021), and Psychoticism (df = 48; t = 2.28; p < .032) to have statistically significant differences.

Conclusion: This study found that out of the 9 subscales used only 1 scale was not statistically significant for the experimental group. This study provided evidence indicating juveniles who underwent social skills training (SST) had improvement in their social skills as compared to their colleagues who did not have such training.
Evaluation of Nursing Students' Performance in Controlling Healthcare-associated Infections in Southwest of Iran
Authors: Eskandari Parisa , Azizi Maryam , Madmoli Yaghoob , Madmoli Mostafa , Khodadadi Mahboobe , Yousefi Najime
Published: July 2019

Background & Aim: Given that Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) increase the duration of hospitalization, increase the duration of disability and even death and given the fact that nursing students attend their clinical Nursing practice; the skills gained during this period will determine the performance of this nursing role in controlling future infectious diseases in the future. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the performance of nursing students in controlling HAI in Masjed-Soleyman in 2018.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, stratified sampling was done in nursing students of Islamic Azad University and Masjed-Soleyman health-care Higher Education Complex in 2018. Data were collected using standard questionnaire of students' performance regarding infection control as self-declaration. Data analysis with spss-20 software using T-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient was used.

Results: In this study, 145 students with an average age of 23.38 ± 14.47 years were enrolled. Of these, 66.9% were girls and the rest were boys, 89.0% were single and the rest were married. The mean score of these subjects was 44.02 ± 11. 6 which indicates good performance about hospital infections. Girls, students of Azad University and those who participated in workshops or classrooms beforehand, had significantly higher performance than others (p <0.05) but there was not a significant relationship between mean performance and marital scores, place of residence, and academic year (p >0.05).

Conclusion: The results showed that the control of infection in these people is good at the level and reveals the effect of the classroom and the training courses held. It is suggested that educational programs be used to engage students in advanced infection control processes and merely get out from workshop and education.
Is It the Mesh?
Authors: Woods Tessa N. , Syrquin Abraham F.
Published: July 2019

It is well known that after inguinal herniorrhaphy, some patients develop inguinodynia. Pain has often been blamed on injury or entrapment of the ilioinguinal nerve. Since the advent of mesh, we have noticed a number of patients with persistent pain even after the ilioinguinal nerve has been transected or blocked. For that reason, a retrospective review was done to analyze whether the mesh could be a culprit for this chronic pain syndrome. A total of 12 cases were reviewed. All patients underwent exploration of the inguinal area, along with removal of the previous mesh and herniorraphy with a McVay technique. After exploration and removal of the mesh, the inguinal pain was greatly improved within 2 months of the time of surgery in all 12 patients. Despite changes in mesh manufacturing and hernia repair technique, we believe that there is a possible correlation between the mesh and inguinodynia in a certain subset of patients that seems to be unrelated to nerve pathology. This correlation may prompt revision in training surgical residents in primary tissue repair and may lead to further investigations regarding patient response to inguinal mesh placement.
Protective Effect of Nigella Sativa in an Animal Model of Colon Anastomosis With Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Bali İlhan , Polat Fatin Rüştü , Aziret Mehmet , Sözen Selim , Oruç Cem , Coşkunkan Ufuk , Emir Seyfi , Bilir Bülent , Koç Ahmet
Published: July 2019

Objective:

Anastomotic leaks are one of the chief complications after gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Nigella sativa administration protects against ischemia/reperfusion injury on healing of colonic anastomosis in rats.

Method:

Thirty male Wistar albino rats, weighing between 200 and 240 g, were used in the study. They were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10 for each group): Anastomosis (group 1), anastomosis and ischemia/reperfusion injury (group 2), and treatment group of anastomosis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and Nigella sativa (group 3). After 7 days, serum, plasma, and colonic tissue were obtained and then all rats were sacrificed. Tissue and serum level of total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, total thiol levels, hydroxyproline, interleukin-6, and TNF-alpha were determined and specimens were histopathologically evaluated.

Results:

In the Nigella sativa treated rats, serum hydroxyproline levels were significantly higher, while tissue levels were significantly lower than those seen in group 1 and group 2 (P = 0.007, P = 0.01, respectively). In the Nigella sativa group, the serum levels of TNF-α were significantly lower than those seen in group 1 and 2 (P = 0.001). Also, in group 3, the tissue IL-6 level was significantly higher than that seen in group 1 and group 2 (P = 0.009). The histopathologic analysis showed less edema and inflammatory cell infiltration in the Nigella sativa treated group, as well as a statistically significant difference according to the Chiu classification (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

The results of this study indicate that Nigella sativa has a protective and therapeutic effect against ischemia/reperfusion injury on the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats.
Reduced Quality of Life, Fatigue, and Societal Participation After Polytrauma
Authors: Leijdesdorff Henry A. , Krijnen Pieta , van Rooyen Lisette , de Mheen Perla Marang–van , Rhemrev Steven , Schipper Inger B.
Published: July 2019

Objective:

This cross-sectional study analyzed associations between and determinants for health-related quality of life (HRQoL), fatigue, and societal participation in polytrauma patients.

Summary of background data:

More polytrauma patients survive their injuries, often resulting in long-term disabilities. HRQoL is therefore an important outcome of trauma care. Fatigue and societal participation may be related to HRQoL. Also, their relation to severe injuries has not been studied to date.

Methods:

A total of 283 polytrauma patients (injury severity score ≥ 16) admitted to the Dutch level 1 Trauma Centre West were analyzed. HRQoL was measured by the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores of the SF-36, fatigue by the multidimensional fatigue inventory, and societal participation by the Utrecht scale for evaluation of rehabilitation-participation. Age, sex, comorbidity, injury pattern, injury severity, and time since trauma were analyzed as potential determinants.

Results:

A total of 122 patients (43%) responded after a median follow-up of 15 (range, 10–23) months after polytrauma; 44% reported reduced physical health (PCS < 45) and 47% reported reduced mental health (MCS < 45). HRQoL was highly correlated with all fatigue and participation subscales. Severe head injury was associated with worse mental health. Female patients reported more general and mental fatigue and were less satisfied with their ability to perform daily activities. Patients with pre-existing comorbidity experienced worse physical health, more fatigue, and reduced societal participation.

Conclusions:

One to 2 years after trauma, polytrauma patients report reduced HRQoL, which is associated with more fatigue and reduced societal participation. Trauma rehabilitation strategies should focus on early recognition of reduced HRQoL, fatigue, and societal participation and facilitate early intervention to improve these outcomes.
Engineered Nanochannels in MXene Heterogeneous Proton Exchange Membranes Mediated by Cellulose Nanofiber/Sodium Alginate Dual Crosslinked Networks
Authors: Zhu Liyu , Yang Hongbin , Xu Ting , Wang Luying , Lei Jiandu , Si Chuanling
Published: December 2024

2D architectures and superior physiochemical properties of MXene offer an exciting opportunity to develop a new class of polymer electrolyte membranes by controlling the stacking behavior of MXene nanosheets. However, assembling MXene nanosheets into macroscopic stable and high‐performance proton conductors is challenging. Here, a general strategy is reported for achieving stable and high‐performance MXene‐based heterogeneous proton conductors via crosslinked cellulose nanofiber/sodium alginate (CNF/SA). Through the coordination of calcium ions with 1D CNF/SA, MXene nanosheets with abundant hydrogen‐bonding networks are firmly locked into the heterogeneous polymer network, and meanwhile, the heterogeneous polymer chains are transformed from a randomly arranged state to a long‐range ordered arrangement, and such arranged polymer molecular channels collaborate with the tightly‐stacked MXene nanosheets jointly guide the stable and efficient proton conduction. Thus, the as‐built CNF/SA/MXene (CSM) composite membrane exhibits superior mechanical properties (164.7 MPa), proton conductivity (45.4 mS cm−1), power density (49.5 mW cm−2), and low open circuit voltage (OCV) decay rate (0.4 mV h−1). The design principle of 2D material anchoring through ionic‐cross‐linking and mixed‐dimensional assembly can inspire the synthesis of various ion exchange membranes for ion filtration, ion transport, ion sieving, and more.
Acute Three‐Dimensional Hypoxia Regulates Angiogenesis
Authors: Ntekoumes Dimitris , Song Jiyeon , Liu Haohao , Amelung Connor , Guan Ya , Gerecht Sharon
Published: December 2024

Hypoxia elicits a multitude of tissue responses depending on the severity and duration of the exposure. While chronic hypoxia is shown to impact development, regeneration, and cancer, the understanding of the threats of acute (i.e., short‐term) hypoxia is limited mainly due to its transient nature. Here, a novel gelatin‐dextran (Gel‐Dex) hydrogel is established that decouples hydrogel formation and oxygen consumption and thus facilitates 3D sprouting from endothelial spheroids and, subsequently, induces hypoxia “on‐demand.” The Gel‐Dex platform rapidly achieves acute moderate hypoxic conditions without compromising its mechanical properties. Acute exposure to hypoxia leads to increased endothelial cell migration and proliferation, promoting the total length and number of vascular sprouts. This work finds that the enhanced angiogenic response is mediated by reactive oxygen species, independently of hypoxia‐inducible factors. Reactive oxygen species‐dependent matrix metalloproteinases activity mediated angiogenic sprouting is observed following acute hypoxia. Overall, the Gel‐Dex hydrogel offers a novel platform to study how “on‐demand” acute moderate hypoxia impacts angiogenesis, with broad applicability to the development of novel sensing technologies.
Optimizing Perovskite Surfaces to Enhance Post‐Treatment for Efficient Blue Mixed‐Halide Perovskite Light‐emitting Diodes
Authors: Liu Aqiang , Zhang Zheng , Li Jing , Yu Hui , Wang Nana , Wang Jianpu , Zhao Ni
Published: December 2024

The halide postdeposition treatment technique is a widely used strategy for mitigating defects in perovskite. However, when applied to mixed‐halide perovskites, it often leads to surface and internal halide heterogeneity, which compromises luminescence performance and spectral stability. In this work, blue mixed‐halide 3D perovskites are engineered with acetate (Ac⁻)‐rich surfaces to optimize the post‐treatment process and achieve halide homogeneity. The findings demonstrate that the strong interaction between surface Ac⁻ ions and Pb2+ ions significantly reduces the formation of halide vacancy defects caused by the washing effect of isopropanol during post‐treatment. This defect reduction slows the infiltration of halide ions into the perovskite lattice, providing more time for surface reconstruction and minimizing the accumulation of introduced halide ions at the surface. As a result, a mild halide redistribution occurs, promoting the formation of a uniform mixed‐halide perovskite phase. This approach enabled the development of blue mixed‐halide 3D PeLEDs with a record external quantum efficiency of 19.28% (emission peak at 482 nm), comparable to state‐of‐the‐art blue reduced‐dimensional perovskite‐based PeLEDs. Additionally, the device demonstrated a narrowband and stable electroluminescence spectrum with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of less than 16 nm.
Electrochemical Detection of BRAF V600E Mutation in a Liquid Biopsy Format: LAMPing the Way to an Improved Diagnostics and Treatment
Authors: Moranova Ludmila , Strmiskova Johana , Ondraskova Katerina , Bardelcik Miroslav , Cwik Matous , Kiss Igor , Hrstka Roman , Bartosik Martin
Published: December 2024

The BRAF V600E substitution, predominantly found in melanoma and metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), is associated with aggressive traits and poor prognosis. Molecular testing of the BRAF mutational status is crucial for guiding therapeutic decisions, driving the necessity for new rapid diagnostic technologies. Here, a novel LAMP‐based assay is presented for fast and selective amplification of mutated DNA, coupled with simple electrochemical detection on electrode biochips. The assay demonstrated high selectivity across cell lines and in 51 cancer patients, detecting mutations in both tumor tissue DNA and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in serum. Clear discrimination between the mutated and wild‐type sequences is achieved, in perfect agreement with either NGS or ddPCR. The bioassay offers a simple and efficient alternative to traditional PCR methods for point‐of‐care diagnostics, particularly in settings with limited equipment and resources.
Comparative Analysis of Excitonic and Biexcitonic Effects on the Power Conversion Efficiency of a CdSe/CdTe/ZnTe Quantum Dot Solar Cell
Authors: Unluler Murat , Koc Fatih
Published: December 2024

In this study, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of a CdSe/CdTe/ZnTe quantum dot solar cell (QDSC) is investigated considering the influence of internal parameters such as CdSe core radius and CdTe and ZnTe shell thickness along with external parameters such as temperature and hydrostatic pressure. A comparative analysis is performed using both the original detailed balance model (ODBM) and the modified detailed balance model (MDBM). The main focus of the research is to investigate the effects of excitonic and biexcitonic effective gap energies, as well as the biexciton bound state, on the PCE in the presence of multiple exciton generation (MEG). Calculations using both ODBM and MDBM indicate that the distinct excitonic and biexcitonic effective bandgap energies, resulting from strong confinement effects in quantum dot (QD) structures, significantly affect the PCE in the presence of MEG. In addition, MDBM calculations considering the biexciton bound state show that this bound state critically affects the PCE. The discrepancy between the theoretically predicted maximum PCE and the considerably lower PCE observed in practical applications of QDSCs is also examined, along with the potential reasons for this phenomenon.