bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Projeto de Assentamento Vale do Arinos de Juara (MT) no Contexto das Políticas Públicas da Reforma Agrária / Settlement Project Arinos Valley of Juara (MT) in the Context of Public Policies of Agrarian Reform
Authors: Silva Gildete Evangelista da , Silva Letícia Gabrielle de Pinho Da
Published: August 2019

O artigo analisa o “Processo de criação do Projeto de Assentamento do Vale do Arinos de Juara (MT), no contexto das políticas públicas de Reforma Agrária” e aborda os procedimentos adotados na implementação das atividades para o assentamento, sob os auspícios das políticas públicas para Reforma Agrária e Assentamentos Rurais. Os trabalhos de pesquisa visavam elucidar o processo de criação, planejamento, estruturação e seleção dos Assentados. A teoria de base foi construída segundo o aporte teórico-analítico de autores que pesquisam a reforma agrária e se constituiu importante subsídio para compreensão, discussão e análise dos dados pesquisados. O estudo fundamentou-se nos pressupostos do método de pesquisa qualitativa, a qual se instrumentou por meio de levantamento documental e aplicação de entrevistas. O conjunto de dados qualitativos que formaliza o corpus de análise apontou que as ações inerentes à criação, planejamento, estruturação e seleção dos assentados nas parcelas do assentamento foram parcialmente concretizadas, visto que houve pouca efetividade nas políticas públicas de reforma agrária no assentamento, dada a escassez da infraestrutura básica. Todavia, as famílias reconhecem significativos benefícios à população assentada no Assentamento Vale do Arinos.Palavras–chave: Reforma Agrária. Políticas Públicas. Assentados.AbstractThe article analyses the "Process of creating the Arinos Valley of Juara (MT), in the context of the public policies of Agrarian Reform" and discusses the procedures adopted in the implementation of the activities for the settlement, under the auspices of public policies for Agrarian Reform and Rural Settlements. The research works aimed at elucidating the process of creation, planning, structuring and selection of the Seated. The basic theory was constructed according to the theoretical-analytical contribution of authors who research the agrarian reform and constituted substantial subsidy for understanding, discussion and analysis of the data researched. The study was based on the assumptions of the method of qualitative research, which was instrumented using documentary survey and application of interviews. The set of qualitative data that formalised the analysis corpus pointed out that the actions inherent to the creation, planning, structuring and selection of the settlers in the settlement parcels were partially accomplished, since there was little effectiveness in the public policies of agrarian reform in the settlement, given the shortage of necessary infrastructure. However, families recognise significant benefits to the population settled in the Vale do Arinos settlement.Keywords: Agrarian Reform. Public policy. Settled.
Quantificação da perda de água por evapotranspiração em diferentes usos da terra da Bacia do Rio Vieira / Quantification of water loss by evapotranspiration in different land uses of the River Vieira Basin
Authors: Leite Marcos Esdras , De Almeida Maria Ivete Soares , Pereira da Silva Lucas Augusto , Leite Manoel Reinaldo
Published: August 2019

Este trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar a perda de água por evapotranspiração real diária em diferentes usos da terra na bacia do rio Vieira em Minas Gerais, por meio de técnicas de sensoriamento remoto para o período de 17/06/2016. Diante dos dados obtidos, pode-se analisar os usos da terra que perdem maior quantidade de água por evapotranspiração, sendo as áreas de vegetação nativa (com vegetação rala inserida), as grandes potencialidades para a perda de água por meio de evapotranspiração exceto as áreas de Floresta Tropical Caducifólia, devido as suas características fenológicas de perder parte de sua folhagem durante o inverno (período analisado neste estudo). As áreas de eucalipto (uso antropogênico) também entram na estatística de uso da terra que perde mais água por evapotranspiração.  Já as menores perdas são destinadas aos usos da terra de Pastagem, solo exposto, urbano e influência mineradora e pasto degradado.Palavras–chave: SEBAL, Usos da terra e Evapotranspiração Real Diária.Abstract The objective of this work was to quantify the loss of water by daily real evapotranspiration in different Land uses in the Vieira river basin in Minas Gerais, using remote sensing techniques for the period of 06/17/2016. Considering the obtained data, it is possible to analyze the land uses that lose more water by evapotranspiration, being the areas of native vegetation (with sparse vegetation inserted), the great potentialities for the loss of water through evapotranspiration except for the areas of tropical deciduous forest, which due to its phenological characteristics of losing part of its foliage during winter (period analyzed in this study). The areas of eucalyptus (anthropogenic use) also enter into the statistics of land use that loses more water by evapotranspiration.  Already the smaller losses are destined to the uses of the Land of, Grassland, soil exposed, urban and mining influence and degraded grass.Keywords: SEBAL, Land Uses and Daily Real Evapotranspiration.
Gesundheit und Bewegung bei den Maya, im christlichen Denken des frühen Mittelalters und im alten China – der Blick auf vormoderne Kulturen
Authors: Luh Andreas
Published: August 2019

The topic of health and physical activity is an important subject of research and teaching in sport scholarship. The present article focuses on the concepts of health and disease of the Mesoamerican Maya, Christians in the late antiquity and the early medieval period, and traditional Chinese medicine. This cultural-historical approach is based on the social history and particular living conditions which formed the Maya, the Christian and the Chinese people. Key sources include the holy book of the Maya, Popol Vuh, the Lorscher Arzneibuch, and the Chinese Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor. Although the concepts of health and physical activity differ greatly, they combined the same element: they always include a theory of life as a whole; they are always a contemporary construction based on the particular living conditions, thinking and belief; and they are always a means of stabilizing authority and social order.
Work
Authors: Smiraglia Richard P.
Published: August 2019

A work is a deliberately created informing entity intended for communication. A work consists of abstract intellectual content that is distinct from any object that is its carrier. In library and information science, the importance of the work lies squarely with the problem of information retrieval. Works are mentefacts-intellectual (or mental) constructs that serve as artifacts of the cultures in which they arise. The meaning of a work is abstract at every level, from its creator’s conception of it, to its reception and inherence by its consumers. Works are a kind of informing object and are subject to the phenomenon of instantiation, or realization over time. Research has indicated a base typology of instantiation. The problem for information retrieval is to simultaneously collocate and disambiguate large sets of instantiations. Cataloging and bibliographc tradition stipulate an alphabetico-classed arrangement of works based on an authorship principle. FRBR provided an entity-relationship schema for enhanced control of works in future catalogs, which has been incorporated into RDA. FRBRoo provides an empirically more precise model of work entities as informing objects and a schema for their representation in knowledge organization systems.
Japan’s Reconciliation in the Issue of Comfort Women with the Netherlands and South Korea: Pragmatic and Reflective Reconciliation
Authors: KUMAGAI Naoko
Published: August 2019

Reconciliation among states tends to be pragmatic, based on cost/benefit national interest calculation. But it can be reflective, involving the perpetrator’s responsibility and remorse and the victims’ forgiveness, thus enhancing their mutual confidence. Japan’s moral compensation for the former Dutch and South Korean comfort women was pragmatic, based on the post-war legal agreements, but its scheme with atonement projects for each survivor had reflective elements. The Netherlands mostly accepted and South Korea mostly rejected Japan’s moral compensation for their distinctive historical and political reasons. However, Japan’s occasional excuse-like denial of coercive recruitment of comfort women based on the absence of public documents significantly reduced their confidence in Japan. This shows that the vindication of the victims’ dignity, anchored with the perpetrator’s consistent acknowledgement of its offense, is at the core of reconciliation. Reflective reconciliation is difficult to achieve but pragmatic reconciliation leaves room for dialogue among all parties concerned toward genuine understanding of the victims and thus to the restoration of their dignity.
Robert TABASZEWSKI Health as a Value in the Integration Policy of European and East Asian Countries. Historical and Legal Perspective
Authors: TABASZEWSKI Robert
Published: August 2019

The article concerns cooperation on individual and public health between EU and ASEAN countries. A specific approach of European countries towards the protection, improvement and control of health was analysed and the involvement of governments from Eastern Asia in the improvement of public health throughout Eurasia was examined. Research showed that the cooperation in the field of health has evolved, both from bilateral to multilateral and from temporary to fixed forms. Legal bases for cooperation created by WHO were also discussed. The article points to new forms of interregional cooperation between the EU and ASEAN on combating cross-border threats to health, including the fight against drug trafficking.
New Work im öffentlichen Sektor?!
Authors: Schachtner Christian
Published: August 2019

Die Dynamisierung der Arbeitswelt erfordert es, zunehmend die Heraus forderungen von agilen und vernetzten Arbeitsmethoden innerhalb einer zunehmend digitalisierten Welt aktiv anzugehen. Dies ist aufgrund von veränderten gesellschaftlichen Anforderungen auch für den öffentlichen Sektor ein Thema. In diesem Beitrag soll ein Umsetzungskonzept auf Basis des „Canvas Business Model“ und dem Methoden set der „Liberating Structures“ vorgestellt werden.
The Way I See It: Research across the curriculum
Authors: McKinzie Steve
Published: August 2019

The Way I See It: Research across the curriculum
Washington Hotline
Authors: Bradley Lynne E. , Eisgau Adam
Published: August 2019

Washington Hotline
Letter
Authors: Hansen Randall S.
Published: August 2019

Letter
Celebrating 30 Years: The Midas Crisis: C&RL News in 2030
Authors: Lyman Peter
Published: August 2019

Celebrating 30 Years: The Midas Crisis: C&RL News in 2030
FOCUS ON COLLECTIONS: Reclaiming the Everglades
Authors: Brown Jr. William E.
Published: August 2019

FOCUS ON COLLECTIONS: Reclaiming the Everglades
New Publications
Authors: Eberhart George M.
Published: August 2019

New Publications
ACRL NATIONAL CONFERENCE: Discover Denver
Authors: Greenblatt Ellen
Published: August 2019

ACRL NATIONAL CONFERENCE: Discover Denver
ACRL NATIONAL CONFERENCE: Expand your horizons at ACRL’s 10th National Conference
Authors: Sutton Margot
Published: August 2019

ACRL NATIONAL CONFERENCE: Expand your horizons at ACRL’s 10th National Conference
Fast Facts
Authors: Viles Ann
Published: August 2019

Fast Facts
L’écriture et la projection
Authors: Martin Marie
Published: August 2019

Cet article concerne quelques romans français récents et la reconfiguration générique – entendue au sens des études cinématographiques – qu’entraînerait la notion de projection pensée comme opérateur intermédiatique. Pour étayer l’hypothèse que la projection, en tant que dispositif technique et processus psychique, fonctionne parfois comme un mode d’articulation du cinéma et de la littérature (l’écrivain comme spectateur aussi bien), il faut penser un principe d’écriture mu par l’évanescence et la hantise de figures filmiques. Cela revient à faire émerger un genre, du moins selon la théorie sémantique-syntaxique-pragmatique de Rick Altman. Il s’agit donc d’explorer l’extension et la compréhension de ce nouveau genre en le différenciant d’autres pratiques de remédiation, en analysant un corpus restreint mais susceptible de s’enrichir (de Cinéma de Tanguy Viel à Cheyenn de François Emmanuel via Le cinéma des familles de Pierre Alferi, Ni toi ni moi de Camille Laurens, Flip-Book de Jérôme Game, Western de Christine Montalbetti, Supplément à la vie de Barbara Loden de Nathalie Léger, Ils ne sont pour rien dans mes larmes d’Olivia Rosenthal…) et enfin en remontant le fil des textes théoriques et critiques qui ont déjà fait émerger l’importance des mécanismes projectifs dans l’écriture (de Marie-Claire Ropars-Wuilleumier à Véronique Campan en passant par Fabien Gris) ainsi qu’en posant quelques jalons généalogiques d’une poétique historique qui remonterait du Malheur au Lido de Louis-René des Forêts au Nouveau Roman en passant par Claude Ollier.
Ode à un Dieu agonisant
Authors: Unger Matthew P.
Published: August 2019

Que le milieu du métal extrême cultive des liens conflictuels avec la religion n’a rien de nouveau. Toutefois, l’engagement du métal extrême avec « Dieu » est éminemment complexe en ce sens qu’il va bien au-delà du simple concept de dérision, de dédain ou de satyre. À travers une analyse approfondie de l’albumMonotheistde Celtic Frost, et de la compilationThrough the Cervix of Hawaah /λόγοςd’Antediluvian, le présent article explore l’engagement souvent réfléchi et sincère, mais critique, qu’entretient le métal extrême avec Dieu et la religion, et ce, par l’entremise d’une voix très particulière que nous percevons dans la philosophie métal-extrémiste. Adoptant la forme d’une déconstruction de la mythologie chrétienne, cette voix emprunte des aspects paradoxaux du religieux — où les aspects étiologiques d’un mythe sont minés, non pas par une analyse raisonnée, mais par la répétition inversée de récits bibliques et mythologiques.
Analyse régulationniste des incertitudes : de l’assurance au principe de précaution
Authors: El Ghezaoui Maria
Published: August 2019

Cet article analyse le statut du principe de précaution comme un principe de gestion de l’incertitude scientifique. Depuis quelques années, cette nouvelle référence normative est apparue dans le champ de l’environnement. Il a commencé à être reconnu par le droit international et par le droit interne. Ce texte présente les fondements du principe de précaution et discute ses limites majeures, tant juridiques que pratiques. Il met en avant certains avantages qu’il y aurait à développer des analyses, incluant plus de transparence dans les décisions de prévention et une meilleure évaluation de leur efficacité. Il suggère que les pratiques courantes de gestion des risques, assurance, ne sont pas toujours efficaces. Il explique la tension qui existe entre un système de prévention plus efficace et un système plus équitable. Il aborde les questions de prise en compte du long terme, de l’incertitude scientifique et des perceptions subjectives du risque par les assurances. Dans l’univers scientifiquement controversé, le principe n’a pas vocation à réduire l’incertitude mais au contraire à la porter comme question vivante dans la société. L’enjeu est l’invention de nouvelles procédures collectives dans le cadre desquelles les acteurs sociaux seront amenés à faire face de façon explicite et raisonnable aux situations risquées Godard (2000) et Triech (2001 et 2005).
Ecological networks reveal contrasting patterns of bacterial and fungal communities in glacier-fed streams in Central Asia
Authors: Ren Ze , Gao Hongkai
Published: August 2019

Bacterial and fungal communities in biofilms are important components in driving biogeochemical processes in stream ecosystems. Previous studies have well documented the patterns of bacterial alpha diversity in stream biofilms in glacier-fed streams, where, however, beta diversity of the microbial communities has received much less attention especially considering both bacterial and fungal communities. A focus on beta diversity can provide insights into the mechanisms driving community changes associated to large environmental fluctuations and disturbances, such as in glacier-fed streams. Moreover, modularity of co-occurrence networks can reveal more ecological and evolutionary properties of microbial communities beyond taxonomic groups. Here, integrating beta diversity and co-occurrence approach, we explored the network topology and modularity of the bacterial and fungal communities with consideration of environmental variation in glacier-fed streams in Central Asia. Combining results from hydrological modeling and normalized difference of vegetation index, this study highlighted that hydrological variables and vegetation status are major variables determining the environmental heterogeneity of glacier-fed streams. Bacterial communities formed a more complex and connected network, while the fungal communities formed a more clustered network. Moreover, the strong interrelations among the taxonomic dissimilarities of bacterial community and modules suggest they had common processes in driving diversity and taxonomic compositions across the heterogeneous environment. In contrast, fungal community and modules generally showed distinct driving processes to each other. Moreover, bacterial and fungal communities also had different driving processes. Furthermore, the variation of bacterial community and modules were strongly correlated with hydrological properties and vegetation status but not with nutrients, while fungal community and modules (except one module) were not associated with environmental variation. Our results suggest that bacterial and fungal communities had distinct mechanisms in structuring microbial networks, and environmental variation had strong influences on bacterial communities but not on fungal communities. The fungal communities have unique assembly mechanisms and physiological properties which might lead to their insensitive responses to environmental variations compared to bacterial communities. Overall, beyond alpha diversity in previous studies, these results add our knowledge that bacterial and fungal communities have contrasting assembly mechanisms and respond differently to environmental variation in glacier-fed streams.
Study Protocol for ‘Informing American Muslims about Organ Donation (I AM a LD)’
Authors: Padela Aasim I. , Duivenbode Rosie , Quinn Michael , Saunders Milda R.
Published: August 2019

Background: American Muslims tend to hold more negative attitudes towards organ donation than other American populations, and these attitudes are contributed to by gaps in biomedical and religious knowledge. As a result, there is significant need for religiously-tailored health education on organ donation within this community. Thus our study sought to test the effectiveness of a mosque-based, religiously-tailored health education program that addressed biomedical and religious knowledge gaps regarding living organ donation amongst Muslim Americans.

Methods: A randomized, controlled, cross-over trial of religiously-tailored educational workshops held at four mosques in Washington D.C. and Chicagoland. Mosques are randomized into early and late intervention arms and participants are recruited at worship services and other mosque events. The primary study outcomes are changes in biomedical and religious knowledge regarding living organ donation. Secondary outcomes include change in procedural knowledge about the process and types of living organ donation, beliefs regarding organ donation, and religious knowledge regarding end-of-life care.

Funding and Ethics: This study is supported by a grant from the U.S. Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration and received ethics approval from the University of Chicago’s Biological Sciences Division Institutional Review Board.
Teaching Systemic Design in the Context of Organizational Communication
Authors: Rowland Gordon
Published: August 2019

Courses emphasizing systemic design are taught in the Communication Management and Design program at Ithaca College for undergraduate students who seek to positively impact organizations and society through communication and learning. In a first-year course, students engage in a wide variety of learning activities and challenges through which they come to a basic understanding of systems thinking, design, and systemic design. This understanding creates a broad foundation for, and begins to develop connecting threads across, their studies of corporate communication, and workplace learning and performance. Then in their senior year capstone course students engage in a systemic design inquiry, which combines research and design in an attempt to address a critical current issue in organizations. Described here is the pedagogical approach for these courses, including underlying assumptions, links to strategy, and a rich set of concepts and tools that promote systems thinking in design, and which have potential applications beyond pedagogy. Also described is how these have all been informed by research.
Patient-reported outcomes measured with and without dizziness associated with non-specific chronic neck pain: implications for primary care
Authors: Ferrer-Peña Raúl , Vicente-de-Frutos Gonzalo , Flandez-Santos Diego , Martín-Gómez Carlos , Roncero-Jorge Carolina , Calvo-Lobo César
Published: August 2019

Background

The aim of this study was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and disability and fear of movement in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP) associated with dizziness with respect to patients with isolated NSCNP in primary care settings.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in a primary care center. A total of 120 patients were divided into two groups and analyzed in this study. One group of patients reported dizziness combined with NSCNP (n = 60), and the other reported no dizziness with their NSCNP (n = 60). Patient-reported outcome measurements were HRQoL (primary outcome) and disability and kinesiophobia (secondary outcomes) assessed by the EuroQoL Five Dimensions and Five Levels (EQ-5D-5L), neck disability index (NDI) and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), respectively.

Results

Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) for a 95% confidence interval (CI) with a large effect size (Cohen d) were found between both groups with greater values of disability (mean difference = 6.30 points; 95% CI [3.84–8.75]; d = 0.94) and kinesiophobia (mean difference = 8.36 points; 95% CI [6.07–10.65]; d = 1.33), and an impairment of HRQoL (mean difference = 16.16 points; 95% CI [11.09–21.23]; d = 1.16), for patients with NSCNP associated with dizziness with respect to patients with isolated NSCNP.

Conclusions

Patients with NSCNP in conjunction with dizziness present higher HRQoL impairment and higher disability and kinesiophobia compared to patients with isolated NSCNP.
As competências do guia de turismo: um estudo sobre os cursos de formação técnica no Brasil
Authors: Saraiva Ana Lúcia Olegário , Anjos Francisco Antonio
Published: August 2019

No mundo contemporâneo a formação do profissional Guia de Turismo (GT) precisa ter em conta as mudanças e as adaptações exigidas pelos novos cenários empresariais e educacionais. O objetivo deste artigo foi mapear as competências comtempladas no perfil do egresso de cursos técnicos de GT no Brasil, tendo como pressuposto central do estudo que as competências do GT precisam ser focalizadas em valores para um saber-fazer e um saber-ser. A pesquisa de caráter documental focou na análise da legislação em Educação e em Turismo que rege a oferta dos cursos técnicos de GT no Brasil e nas competências declaradas pelas IEs a partir de seus planos de curso. Fez-se a opção pelo Estudo de Casos Múltiplos com foco em dez Instituições de Ensino que ofertam cursos Técnicos de GT no Brasil, bem como o estudo da legislação, normas e regras pertinentes. Os dados coletados foram conduzidos para uma Análise Textual Discursiva – ATD que permitiu identificar que na grande maioria das IE as competências organizacionais. Quanto às competências do “saber-ser”, ou seja, aquelas voltadas aos aspectos cognitivos, pouco são desenvolvidas. Destacou-se a liderança, a mediação e a interpretação, como expertise nas competências do GT.
A Sequential Third Order Rotatable Design of Eighty Points in Four Dimensions with an Hypothetical Case Study
Authors: Cornelious Nyakundi Omwando , Cruyff Matunde Nambilo
Published: August 2019

In research, experiments must be performed at pre determined levels of the controllable factors, meaning that an experimental design must be selected before the experiment takes place. Once an experimenter has chosen a polynomial model of suitable order, the problem arises on how best to choose the settings for the independent variables over which he has control. A particular selection of settings or factor levels at which observations are to be taken is called a design. A design may become inappropriate under special circumstances requiring an increase in factors or levels to make it more desirable. In agriculture for instance, continuous cultivation of crops may exhaust the previously available mineral elements necessitating a sequential appendage of the mineral elements which become deficient in the soil over time.

In current study, an eighty  points four  dimensional  third order rotatable design is constructed by combining two, four dimensional second order rotatable  designs and a practical hypothetical case study is given by converting coded levels to natural levels. We present an illustration on how to obtain the mathematical parameters of the coded values and its corresponding natural levels for a third order rotatable design in four dimensions by utilizing response surface methodology to approximate the functional relationship between the performance characteristics and the design variables.  This design permits a response surface to be fitted easily and provides spherical information contours besides the economic use of scarce resources in relevant production processes.
GIS-based Analysis of Indigenous and Technical Knowledge of Soil Suitability Evaluation of Cocoa, Citrus and Oil Palm in Ejisu-Juabeng District, Ashanti Region, Ghana
Authors: Calys-Tagoe Edward , Sadick Adams , Asamoah Gideon , Alema Mandela
Published: August 2019

A study was carried out to assess local knowledge about soil suitability in four villages in the Ejisu- Juabeng District in the Ashanti region of Ghana. This study described two approaches in soil mapping using geopedologic approach promoted by Zinck (1988) and the farmer approach using their spatial knowledge and experience. Both maps were assessed for their suitability for cocoa, oil palm and citrus. First, farmers created their soil map and then assessed the soil suitability for a selected number of tree crops which are important for them economically. Secondly, on the other side which is the side of the expert, the approach for soil suitability classification was performed using the Automated Land Evaluation System (ALES) which uses the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) framework for land evaluation that defines suitability by employing matching (comparison) between land quality/land characteristics and land use requirement. The expert and farmer suitability maps were then compared using spatial analysis within the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) environment to determine levels of spatial correlation and the level of agreement among the maps. Farmers’ suitability maps for cocoa accounted for 81% of the study area, citrus and oil palm accounted for 71% and 26% respectively. In the expert suitability map 66% of the study area was suitable for cocoa, citrus and oil palm accounted for 41%and 39% respectively. The overall accuracy from the map comparison was 67% for cocoa, 43% for citrus and 14% for oil palm. The results of spatial correlation between expert and local soil suitability map units reflect differences and similarities in the ways both systems classify soils. Critical is the evaluation of topsoil characteristics, as the understanding and monitoring of topsoil dynamics are fundamental for land use decision-making by farmers. Merging technical and local thinking is indispensable to formulate sustainable land management schemes for agricultural production
Relationship between Placental Location, Blood Group, Genotype and Parity in Port Harcourt Women
Authors: Ordu K. S. , Amadi M. A. , Ogbonda M. C. `
Published: August 2019

Aim: Placental location affects the outcome of pregnancy. The influence of certain maternal factors on placental location is unknown. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between placenta location, maternal blood group, maternal genotype and parity among Port Harcourt women.

Methodology: The study was a retrospective study which investigated the Relationship Between Placental Location, Blood Group and Genotype in Port Harcourt Women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A survey of pregnant women from October 1, 2013, to September 30, 2017, as well as delivery of the pregnancy, was undertaken using medical records. 250 antenatal/post-natal medical records of parous women were randomly selected at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Placental locations were recorded. Each placenta was categorized as anterior, posterior and fundal. Lateral placentas located on the left or right portion of the anterior and posterior uterine walls were classified as anterior and posterior respectively. Data were also collected for other variables such as maternal blood group, genotype and parity.  

Results: Anterior placenta was predominant (47%) followed by the posterior placenta (45%) while Fundal was the least (8%). Majority of the women were of the O blood group (67.6%), blood group A (18%) was next, blood group B (13%) while AB (1.2%) was the least. Genotype AA was predominant (83.6%), followed by AS (15.6%) whereas genotype SS (0.8%) was the least. The distribution of parity showed that women who had given birth twice designated as Two were predominant (33.2%), followed by those who had given birth once designated as One, (30.8%), Three  (19.2%) while Four and above, (10.8%) were the least. The association between placenta location and blood group was not significant (p>0.05). Similarly, there was no significant association between placenta location and genotype (ρ>0.05). However, there was a significant association (p<0.05) between placenta location and parity.

Conclusion: Placental location had no association with blood group and genotype but was associated with parity.  There was an absence of a relationship between placental location and these factors.
Why Don’t Cancer Survivors Attend Cancer Support Groups in Toronto
Authors: Lee Tsorng-Yeh , Pilkington Beryl , Ho Grace
Published: August 2019

Background: Cancer is the leading cause of death for both men and women in Canada. Professionally or nonprofessionally led support groups have been recognized as a significant source of psychosocial support for cancer survivors. However, the participation rate was low and reasons for leaving a support group were not explored fully.

Purpose: To explore the reasons why Chinese cancer survivors left or did not attend a cancer support group in Toronto.

Methods: In-depth individual qualitative interviews were conducted. Five Chinese cancer survivors participated in in-depth interviews. Colaizzi’s phenomenological method was used to analyze the interview data.

Results: Four themes were extracted from the in-depth interviews: “not fit in”, “not satisfied with the information provided”, “tried to be a normal person”, and “lack reliable transportation and convenient scheduling”.

Conclusion: Cancer support groups can improve cancer survivors’ physical and psychosocial outcomes. The services can also help cancer survivors to obtain health related information and connect with professionals and peers. In recognizing the reasons why cancer survivors left support groups, health-care providers need to evaluate and be aware of the needs and difficulties for cancer survivors to attend support groups. They should match cancer survivors with appropriate groups. More language-friendly groups need to be launched, so cancer patients can easily find a suitable one from their neighborhood.
A Part II of the Reports on the Ongoing HMD Technology Research
Authors: Alevanau Aliaksandr Yurievich , Kuznechik Olgerd Pavlovich
Published: August 2019

The report continues reporting of results of an ongoing research verifying a hypothetic energy generation mechanism for reengineering of Gritskevich’s Hydro Magnetic Dynamo (HMD). The HMD technology is a patented technology for electric power generation. It was invented in Russia and deployed in a semi-industrial scale (1.5 MW power unit) in Armenia in 1992. After its successful exploitation during 5 years no more units were assembled. Nowadays the technology needs verification of its physical mechanisms for its successful reengineering. The aim of the report is to present current results of an ongoing theoretical and experimental research of hypothetic physical mechanisms providing energy generation in the unit. It is written without disclosure of its construction and technical details. Thus the theory of hypothetic energy generation mechanisms is described in a general way. The reported experimental results provide only partial support for the theory. They should be independently reproduced and verified.
Surgical Decision-Making and Umbilical Hernia Repair Outcomes
Authors: Sadaka Aymen H. , O’Brien William J. , Itani Kamal M. F.
Published: December 2024

This cohort study examines umbilical hernia repair outcomes with mesh vs suture technique in New England Veterans Affairs Hernia Registry data.
Surgical Turnover Time Using Lean Six Sigma
Authors: Cupples Anagha , Duva Ingrid , Birdsong Hope , Massarweh Nader N.
Published: December 2024

This quality improvement study describes an initiative to increase and sustain efficiency in the operating room using the Lean Six Sigma approach.
Antitubercular potential and pH‐driven mode of action of salicylic acid derivatives
Authors: Laudouze Janïs , Francis Thomas , Forest Emma , Mies Frédérique , Bolla Jean‐Michel , Crauste Céline , Canaan Stéphane , Shlyonsky Vadim , Santucci Pierre , Cavalier Jean‐François
Published: December 2024

In the search for new antituberculosis drugs with novel mechanisms of action, we evaluated the antimycobacterial activity of a panel of eight phenolic acids against four pathogenic mycobacterial model species, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We demonstrated that salicylic acid (SA), as well as the iodinated derivatives 5‐iodo‐salicylic acid (5ISA) and 3,5‐diiodo‐salicylic acid (3,5diISA), displayed promising antitubercular activities. Remarkably, using a genetically encoded mycobacterial intrabacterial pH reporter, we describe for the first time that SA, 5ISA, 3,5diISA, and the anti‐inflammatory drug aspirin (ASP) act by disrupting the intrabacterial pH homeostasis of M. tuberculosis in a dose‐dependent manner under in vitro conditions mimicking the endolysosomal pH of macrophages. In contrast, the structurally related second‐line anti‐TB drug 4‐aminosalicylic acid (PAS) had no pH‐dependent activity and was strongly antagonized by l‐methionine supplementation, thereby suggesting distinct modes of action. Finally, we propose that SA, ASP, and its two iodinated derivatives could restrict M. tuberculosis growth in a pH‐dependent manner by acidifying the cytosol of the bacilli, therefore making such compounds very attractive for further development of antibacterial agents.
Finite‐Time Decentralized Adaptive Fuzzy Control for Non‐Triangular Form Large‐Scale Time‐Delay Systems With Full State Constraints
Authors: Jiao Jianmin , Li Junmin , Zhang Rui
Published: December 2024

This paper is concerned with the problem of finite‐time decentralized adaptive fuzzy fault tolerant control for a class of non‐triangular form large‐scale time delay systems with full state constraints. By using the fuzzy logic systems and domination approach, the unknown nonlinear functions are approximated and the non‐triangular form structure is tackled, respectively. The time‐varying barrier Lyapunov function (TBLF) is used to ensure that the full state constraints are satisfied. Based on the proposed TBLF and backstepping technique, an adaptive fuzzy fault‐tolerant control protocol is presented. It can assure that the errors converge to a small neighborhood of the origin in a finite time, the signals of the whole closed‐loop systems are bounded and the full state constraints are satisfied. Simulation example is presented to further demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
An Adaptive Metal–Organic Framework Discriminates Xylene Isomers by Shape‐Responsive Deformation
Authors: Li Jiaqi , Sheng Bin , Chen Rundao , Wu Hui , Zhou Wei , Zheng Fang , Liu Baojian , Yang Qiwei , Zhang Zhiguo , Yang Yiwen , Ren Qilong , Bao Zongbi
Published: December 2024

The separation of xylene isomers, especially para‐xylene, is a crucial but challenging process in the chemical industry due to their similar molecular dimensions. Here, a flexible metal–organic framework, Ni(ina)2, (ina = isonicotinic acid) is employed to effectively discriminate xylene isomers. The adsorbent with adaptive deformation accommodates the shapes of isomer molecules, thereby translating their subtle shape differences into characteristic framework deformation energies. Through a combination of multiple local flexibility behaviors, Ni(ina)2 exhibits guest‐specific structural transformations that energetically favor para‐xylene over other isomers. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, in situ powder X‐ray diffraction, and theoretical investigations validate this “adaptive fitting” mechanism, where the degree of structural deformation scales with the mismatch between the molecular shape and pore geometry. As a result, Ni(ina)2 achieves exceptional para‐xylene selectivity in both liquid and vapor phase separations, maintaining a high para‐xylene purity and productivity. This work demonstrates a novel strategy of exploiting framework flexibility to address challenging molecular separations and provides fresh insights into the design of selective adsorbents.
Toward “Green” Vessels: Characterization of Microstructure, Mechanics, and Endothelial Cell Interaction on Three Macro‐Tubular Plants for Vascular Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Salehi Ali , Ernez Meriem , Salido Gemma Lucas , Cattaneo Giorgio
Published: December 2024

Vascular tissue engineering aims to create vessel models for in vitro research and develop vascular grafts for in vivo applications using tubular scaffolds. Natural scaffolds outperform synthetic ones due to their biocompatibility and natural microenvironment supporting cell growth. Given the importance of producing biocompatible tubular scaffolds through cost‐effective and uncomplicated processes, this study introduces nature‐derived tubular structures from three decellularized tubular plants (Water Spinach, Green Onion, and Water Horsetail) as novel alternatives. Microstructural characterization on the luminal surfaces of the plants reveals unique surface topography for each. Water Spinach is the most promising graft candidate in suturability tests besides presenting the highest elongation before rupture in tensile test. Assessment of human endothelial cells on the luminal surfaces of decellularized scaffolds shows higher expression of Ki‐67 protein and a consistent increase in cell number on water spinach and green onion scaffolds compared to tissue culture plate as a control. Focal adhesion‐related molecule Vinculin is expressed more than twice on all scaffolds compared to control, and confluent cell monolayers are formed on water spinach and green onion scaffolds, as confirmed by VE‐cadherin. This study proposes an innovative approach to use the natural structure of macro‐tubular plants for the preparation of vascular scaffolds.
An Aqueous Processed Photosensitive Bilayer van der Waals Thin Film for Flexible Neuromorphic Vision
Authors: Xu Min , Wang Shao‐Hua , Liu Bin , Dong Xue‐Mei , Yu Meng‐Na , Wang Kai‐Li , Zhu Duo‐Yi , Li Xiu‐Juan , Sun Hong‐Chao , Zhang Fa , Wu Ji‐Cai , Liu Ju‐Qing , Li Yin‐Xiang , Huang Wei
Published: December 2024

Printing colloidal ink of semiconductor nanocrystals, particularly 2D nanosheets, facilitates the generation of van der Waal's thin films (vdWTFs) with inherent flexibility and optoelectronic properties, ideal for wearable intelligence devices, such as bionic vision. Several intricate strategies, such as mechanical/electrochemical exfoliation and pulsed laser/chemical vapor, have been devised for producing solvent‐dispersed nanosheets and corresponding vdWTFs; achieving efficient preparation via more environmentally friendly processes remains a challenge. Here, an ecofriendly aqueous approach for crafting vdWTF, relying on a gentle self‐assembly C8‐BTBT nanosheet aqueous ink, is demonstrated. The resulting vdWTF features a bilayer heterostructure, wherein a crystalline C8‐BTBT nanosheet layer is staggeringly stacked atop a graphene oxide (GO) film. This configuration allows the sliding of the staggered 2D nanosheets, accommodating local tension and compression, thereby averting film breakage and ensuring desirable flexibility. Further, by harnessing the natural photosensitivity of C8‐BTBT and the charge‐trapping capabilities of GO component, the heterostructured bilayer vdWTFs confer exceptional photoperception and intrinsic persistent photoconductivity effects upon their flexible planar devices. These attributes enable the emulation of bio‐visual behaviors such as short/long‐term memory, light adaptation, reinforcement learning, and image recognition.
Chronic Stress‐Induced and Tumor Derived SP1+ Exosomes Polarizing IL‐1β+ Neutrophils to Increase Lung Metastasis of Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhang Leyi , Pan Jun , Wang Meijun , Yang Jini , Zhu Sangsang , Li Lili , Hu Xiaoxiao , Wang Zhen , Pang Liwei , Li Peng , Jia Fang , Ren Guohong , Zhang Yi , Xu Danying , Qiu Fuming , Huang Jian
Published: December 2024

Chronic stress can significantly promote breast cancer progression. When exposed to chronic stress, exosomes released from neural and neuroendocrine cells in the central nervous system are enhanced and modified. However, whether tumor‐derived exosomes (TDEs) are influenced by chronic stress and participate in chronic stress‐mediated distant metastasis remains unclear. Here, it is shown that chronic stress remarkably facilitates the secretion of TDEs and modifies the contents of exosomes by activating the adrenergic β receptor in 4T1 tumor‐bearing mice. Exosomes injection and blockade experiments indicate that exosomes play a crucial role in chronic stress‐mediated lung metastasis of breast cancer. Chronic stress‐induced TDEs are internalized by pulmonary neutrophils and strengthen neutrophil recruitment via the CXCL2 autocrine. In addition, the level of SP1 in TDEs increases, which favors the secretion of IL‐1β by neutrophils through the activation of the TLR4‐NFκβ pathway, ultimately aggravating lung metastasis of breast cancer. Collectively, this study provides a novel mechanism by which neutrophils within a pre‐metastatic niche acquire their inflamed phenotype and establishes an important link among neuroendocrine changes, exosomes, immunity, and metastasis.
The Arabidopsis RING‐Type E3 Ligase TEAR4 Controls Seed Germination by Targeting RGA for Degradation
Authors: Yu Hao , Wang Yutao , Wang Yi , Deng Xing Wang , Qin Genji
Published: December 2024

Light and DELLA proteins are central factors controlling seed germination which is critical for seed plant survival and agricultural production. However, the mechanisms underlying DELLA degradation under different light conditions during seed germination remain to be clarified. Here, it is reported that TIE1‐ASSOCIATED RING‐TYPE E3 LIGASE4 (TEAR4) and other TEARs redundantly promote DELLA degradation to positively regulate seed germination in Arabidopsis. The tear1/2/3/4/5/6 sextuple mutant displayed delayed seed germination under the white or PhyB‐dependent light condition, and nearly no seed germination under the PhyA‐dependent light condition. The DELLA protein REPRESSOR OF ga1‐3 (RGA) accumulated in tear1/2/3/4/5/6, and disruption of RGA and GA‐INSENSITIVE (GAI) in tear1/2/3/4/5/6 rescued defective seed germination. Far‐red (FR) light rapidly induced TEARs, and TEAR4 is shown to act as an E3 ligase. It is showed that both GA‐dependent and TEAR‐mediated DELLA degradation pathways are indispensable for PhyA‐dependent germination. It is found that TEAR homologs PpTEAR1 and PpTEAR2 from the moss Physcomitrium patens interacted with Arabidopsis DELLAs to promote their degradation, and overexpression of PpTEAR1 or PpTEAR2 completely rescued defective PhyA‐dependent seed germination in phya‐211. This findings demonstrate that TEARs act as critical players in fine‐tuning seed germination, and TEAR‐mediated DELLA degradation might be an ancient pathway conserved in plant kingdom.
Prognostic Value of Skull Base Foramen Invasion Subclassification in T Category Modification and Induction Chemotherapy Management for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Post‐Hoc Analysis of a Dual‐Center Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhu Siyu , Li Shuqi , Cao Di , Luo Chao , Liang Zhiying , Liang Shaobo , Zhang Guoyi , Zhao Qin , Ruan Guangying , Liu Lizhi , Fu Gui , Li Haojiang
Published: December 2024

Skull base foramen invasion (SBFI) indicates poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, only a few studies systematically assessed the role of SBFIin staging and treatment of NPC. To investigate the prognostic value of SBFI in NPC, a total of 1,752 patients with nonmetastatic NPC from two hospitals (1,320 and 432) between January 2010 and March 2014 are enrolled. The primary endpoint is overall survival (OS). Heatmap/cluster and network analyses are used to provide subclassification indication. Univariate and multivariate analyses with Kaplan–Meier method are performed to compare survival outcomes. SBFIs are classified into slight (only foramen lacerum and/or pterygopalatine fossa invasion) and severe (other SBFIs). The severe SBFI is an unfavorable prognosticator for OS in both the entire cohort and the T3 group. OS is similar between T3 with severe SBFI and T4 patients. Reclassifying T3 with severe SBFI as the T4 category yields an improved T category discrimination. Additionally, patients in the severe SBFI group gain significant survival benefits from induction chemotherapy ((IC). Therefore, T3 NPC with severe SBFI is an independent negative predictor for OS and is classified into the T4 category. T category adjustment enables better prognostic stratification. Severe SBFI benefits from IC in long‐term OS.