bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transformative Aktivitäten von Hochschulen
Authors: Bien Colin , Sassen Remmer
Published: December 2019

Die Herausforderungen einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung führen dazu, dass sich Hochschulen vermehrt als Motoren einer „großen Transformation“ (Wissenschaftlicher Beirat für globale Umweltveränderungen 2011) hin zu einer nachhaltigen Gesellschaft verstehen und als solche verstanden werden. Der Programmvorschlag einer „transformativen Wissenschaft“ bietet einen normativen Rahmen, wie Hochschulen ihre Aktivitäten entsprechend gestalten können. Der Forschungsbestand zur 4. Mission, der „Co-Creation for Sustainability“, zeigt empirisch, wie Hochschulen weltweit transformative Aktivitäten umsetzen. Die Implikationen dieser neuen Rolle von Wissenschaft und Hochschule haben zu kontroversen Diskussionen über den Zweck von Wissenschaft und Hochschule geführt, bei dem zwei grundlegende Wissenschaftsparadigmen aufeinandertreffen. Diese können in einem Spannungsfeld von selbstzweckhafter Wahrheitsfindung und nutzenstiftender Wissensproduktion verortet werden. Während Vertreter des ersteren die wissenschaftlichen Grundwerte in ernsthafter Gefahr wägen, sehen andere in dieser Entwicklung eine Chance für die Zukunft der Hochschule, ihre Legitimation gegenüber der Gesellschaft zu sichern. Fraglich ist, ob transformative Aktivitäten im Kontext der Hochschulgeschichte zu Recht als eine Bedrohung für Hochschule und Hochschulforschung verstanden werden können oder ob es nicht einer gewissen Tradition folgt, dass Hochschulen ihre Aktivitäten am Wohle der Gesellschaft ausrichten. Unsere Analyse von Wissenschaftsparadigmen, Hochschulmodellen und ihren Missionen zeigt, dass einige Aspekte transformativer Aktivitäten auch mit Rückblick auf die Hochschulgeschichte als Novum erscheinen. Diese müssen jedoch nicht als Bedrohung gewertet, sondern können auch als Chance verstanden werden.
Internationale Beziehungen und die Konsequenzen der Multiplizität
Authors: Rosenberg Justin
Published: December 2019

Dieser Beitrag greift zwei gegenwärtige, aber bereits länger bestehende Bedenken bezüglich der Disziplin der Internationalen Beziehungen (IB) auf: dass die IB keinen eigenen unverwechselbaren Ansatz zur gesellschaftlichen Analyse entwirft und daher Ideen und Konzepte aus anderen Bereichen importieren muss; und dass die IB aufgrund dieses Defizits zu einer Fragmentierung verurteilt ist, sodass manche bereits das Ende der IB-Theorie vorhersagen. Dieser Beitrag reagiert auf diese Kritiken in drei Schritten. Zunächst wird argumentiert, dass diese problematische Situation letztlich auf die durch den Realismus geprägte negative Definition des Internationalen als politischer Anarchie zurückzuführen ist. Zweitens zeigt der Beitrag, wie eine positive Neudefinition im Sinne einer gesellschaftlichen Multiplizität der IB einen unverwechselbaren Analyseansatz bietet, der voller Konsequenzen für alle Gesellschaftswissenschaften ist. Und schließlich wird vorgeschlagen, dass Multiplizität auch eine neue gemeinsame Basis für die internationale Theorie selbst eröffnet, die sowohl eine optimistischere Neuinterpretation der scheinbaren Fragmentierung der IB als auch eine konstruktive Agenda für die Weiterentwicklung der IB als eigenständige Disziplin bietet.
Welches Wissen schaffen wir?
Authors: Mucha Witold , Pesch Christina
Published: December 2019

Ein Blick auf Artikeltitel in deutschen Fachzeitschriften, die sich mit Fragestellungen der Friedens- und Konfliktforschung beschäftigen, lässt die Vermutung zu, die Forschungsgemeinde würde sich vorrangig Fragen des Kriegs, Terrors und Staatszerfalls widmen und weniger dem gleichberechtigt firmierenden Sujet des Friedens. Herauszufinden, ob es sich hierbei um eine berechtigte Vermutung handelt, ist eine von drei Zielsetzungen des Artikels. Konkret geht es um eine Zustandsbeschreibung der Fachdebatte zwischen 2012 und 2017 anhand der Zeitschriften Sicherheit + Frieden (S+F), Friedens-Warte (FW), Zeitschrift für Internationale Beziehungen (zib) und der Zeitschrift für Friedens- und Konfliktforschung (ZeFKo). Das vergleichende Mapping erfolgt anhand von drei Fragen: A) Mit welchen methodischen Zugängen werden welche Regionen untersucht? B) In welchem Verhältnis werden friedensrelevante und konfliktrelevante Fragestellungen auf Basis welcher Themen behandelt? C) Inwiefern verfolgen AutorInnen einen Normativitätsanspruch? Die Untersuchungsergebnisse stellen eine empirisch gestützte Replik auf die im Rahmen der Frage nach dem Verhältnis zwischen der Disziplin der Internationalen Beziehungen (IB) und der Friedens- und Konfliktforschung von der zib im Jahre 2012 angestoßene Debatte dar.
Dissoziation als Friedensstrategie?
Authors: Dembinski Matthias , Peters Dirk
Published: December 2019

Vor dem Hintergrund der aktuellen Krisensymptome liberaler Friedensstrategien entwickelt dieser Beitrag die Konturen eines Forschungsprogramms, das Krisen institutioneller Ordnungen und Prozesse der Dissoziation in den Blick nimmt. Es geht davon aus, dass das Ausscheren von Staaten aus institutionalisierten Ordnungen oft mit hohen Spannungen einhergeht. Die Aufgabe eines solchen Forschungsprogramms besteht folglich darin, die Dynamik derartiger Prozesse besser zu verstehen und zu prüfen, ob und wie sich Dissoziation weniger spannungsreich organisieren lässt.
Interkulturelle Spuren in Biografien von ehemaligen Freiwilligen des Deutsch-Französischen Freiwilligendienstes
Authors: Bedersdorfer Regina
Published: December 2019

Von Freiwilligendiensten, wie dem deutsch­französischen, sollen nicht nur die Zivilgesellschaft, sondern auch die Freiwilligen selbst profitieren. Die politischen Akteure in Deutschland und Frankreich erwarten, dass sich die Teilnehmenden durch das Freiwilligenjahr im Partnerland weiterbilden. Der Aspekt des interkulturellen Lernens wird in diesem Zusammenhang im Besonderen hervorgehoben. Doch welche Wirkungen in Bezug auf Interkulturalität hinterlässt der Deutsch­Französische Freiwilligendienst im Leben ehemaliger Freiwilliger? Dieser Frage wird im Rahmen dieses Forschungsprojektes mithilfe der Theorie der Momente von Henri Lefebvre nachgegangen. In biografischen Interviews erzählen drei ehemalige deutsche Freiwillige von ihrem Leben vor, während und nach dem Freiwilligenjahr und formen so interkulturelle Momente, die über den Freiwilligendienst hinaus für sie und ihr Leben Bedeutung haben.
Storytelling als Dialogansatz – eine Analyse für die Vorbereitung und Durchführung internationaler Freiwilligendienste
Authors: Hennig Felix
Published: December 2019

Würden Freiwillige wie die Romanfigur „Momo“ aufrichtig zuhören können, dann wären internationale Freiwilligendienste wie Weltwärts ihrem Ziel, eine interkulturelle Begegnung und einen entsprechenden Austausch zu ermöglichen einen großen Schritt näher. Entsendeorganisationen sind in der Pflicht, im Rahmen ihrer pädagogischen Begleitung den Erwerb dieser Fähigkeit zu unterstützen. Dieser Artikel zeigt die Notwendigkeit eines gelungenen Dialogs auf, beschreibt die theoretische Basis und umreißt Handlungsmöglichkeiten zur Umsetzung für Seminarleiter*innen. Dabei zeigt sich, dass bereits bestehende Methoden zur Aneignung der Fähigkeit des Zuhörens und Verstehens hin zu einer „interkulturellen Begegnung“ adaptiert und für die pädagogische Arbeit mit den Freiwilligen angewandt werden können. Gleichzeitig würde eine konsequente Umsetzung viele praktizierte Seminarformate inhaltlich auf den Kopf stellen.
Telemedicine Network in Pediatric Cardiology: The Case of Tuscany Region in Italy
Authors: Taddei Alessandro , Festa Pierluigi , Conforti Fabrizio , Santoro Giuseppe , Rocchi Gianluca , Ciucci Luciano
Published: December 2019

Four years ago, a telemedicine project in diagnosis and care of congenital cardiac malformations was developed in Tuscany interconnecting the Heart Hospital of Gabriele Monasterio Tuscany Foundation (FTGM) in Massa with main clinical centers around the region. Both live and store-and-forward tele-echocardiography were implemented, while the FTGM medical record system was applied for collaborative reporting. Mobile medical-grade carts, equipped with videoconferencing and computer units, were installed at main neonatology/pediatric centers throughout the Tuscany region. Today, 13 hospitals are connected to the network, while the MEYER Pediatric University Hospital (MEYER) in Firenze has recently adhered to the project, as HUB center jointly with FTGM, so enabling H24 telemedicine service in pediatric cardiology throughout the region. So far, more than 200 patients were diagnosed and followed by telemedicine.
Análise temporal da fragmentação florestal no leste da Amazônia legal
Authors: Lisboa Leila Sheila , Almeida Arlete Silva de , Lameira Wanja Janayna
Published: December 2019

Neste estudo foram avaliadas as mudanças estruturais dos fragmentos florestais superiores a 1km2 localizados na porção norte da área do Centro de Endemismo Belém (CEB). Os dados foram obtidos de imagens orbitais do satélite Landsat 5 e 8, dos anos de 1985 e 2018, e se aplicaram sete índices de análise da paisagem no sistema computacional FRAGSTATS v. 4.2. Foram considerados tamanho, forma e proximidade dos fragmentos. O resultado da análise temporal evidenciou que, nesse período, houve um aumento do número (quantidade) de fragmentos, redução do tamanho médio da área total dos mesmos, além da redução significativa da agregação, promovendo o aumento no nível de fragmentação que pode afetar a manutenção da biodiversidade local, pois se refere à diminuição da quantidade de área total de habitat na paisagem da área de estudo.
The Knobe Effect with Probable Outcomes and Availability Heuristic Triggers
Authors: Ostillio Tommaso , Bukat Michal ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: December 2019

This paper contributes to the existing philosophical literature on the Knobe Effect (KE) in two main ways: first, this paper disconfirms the KE by showing that the latter does not hold in contexts with probable outcomes; second, this paper shows that KE is strongly sensitive to the availability heuristic bias. In particular, this paper presents two main findings from three empirical tests carried out between 2016 and 2018: the first finding concerns the fact that if the issuer of a decision with consequences on third parties is unlikely to be perceived as unfriendly, then KE is reduced or absent; the second finding regards instead the fact that if an action has two possible outcomes (one likely to obtain with strong intensity and one likely to obtain with less intensity), then KE does not obtain for decisions whose side-effects have limited consequences on third parties.
Why Must Justification Guarantee Truth?
Authors: Sankey Howard ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: December 2019

This reply provides further grounds to doubt Mizrahi’s argument for an infallibilist theory of knowledge. It is pointed out that the fact that knowledge requires both truth and justification does not entail that the level of justification required for knowledge be sufficient to guarantee truth. In addition, an argument presented by Mizrahi appears to equivocate with respect to the interpretation of the phrase “p cannot be false”.
Is shame managed through mind-wandering?
Authors: Sedighimornani Neda
Published: December 2019

Shame is a notoriously unpleasant emotion, and although claims about the mechanisms through which we might manage it are none too scarce, relatively little empirical evidence is available concerning how people tend to cope with it. As such, the present study sought to investigate the effects of shame on mind-wandering. To do this, 120 participants were recruited and systematically assigned to one of the three groups, namely shame, pride, or control condition, and traits shame and self-compassion were measured for each participant. In order to assess the frequency of the incidents of mind-wandering, the participants were asked to recall a personal experience of shame or pride and then a reading task of few pages of geography followed. The duration participants spent on the reading task, their scores on a reading comprehension test, their self-reported frequency of mind-wandering, and their reported number of unrelated thoughts during the recall were used as a measure of mind-wandering. The results demonstrated that participants in the shame condition did not differ from those in the pride and control conditions in terms of mind-wandering. In spite of that, participants who had initially scored higher on trait shame (i.e., suffered from chronic shame) reported a significantly higher frequency of mind-wandering. This being the result, the underlying reasons for, and implications of, the findings were discussed.
Humanitarian aid workers’ mental health and duty of care
Authors: Jachens Liza
Published: December 2019

Set in challenging and complex environments, there has been growing concern about the mental health consequences of aid work. Along with existing difficulties in reducing well-known occupational risks such as exposure to trauma, there is a lack of awareness of psychosocial risks in the humanitarian sector. This paper is a discussion, drawing on occupational health perspectives, on ways to reflect on mental health policies, research and interventions in this sector.
Arreda Boi: a brincadeira do Boi-de-mamão como resistência e profanação no processo educativo das culturas populares
Authors:   Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC, Velloso Sonia Laiz Vernacci
Published: December 2019

Este artigo propõe-se a olhar para a brincadeira popular do Boi-de- mamão, tradicional no litoral catarinense, do grupo Arreda Boi da localidade da Barra da Lagoa, situada no município de Florianópolis (SC), a partir da minha experiência na condição de artista, arte educadora e brincante participante do grupo, num período onde a arte e a cultura popular estiveram muito próximas das políticas públicas de cultura. Esse olhar visa refletir sobre a permanência da brincadeira na comunidade, analisando os períodos de existência do grupo e traçar alguns questionamentos no que se refere à sustentabilidade, desenvolvimento e transformações na estrutura do grupo, abordando o conceito de brincadeira e jogo num aspecto de resistência frente à pressão das elites para a homogeneização da cultura.
Histórias de Teatro e Circo: intuindo conexões entre Performances Culturais e a Companhia Carroça de Mamulengos
Authors:   UFT professora efetiva Curso Licenciatura em Teatro UDESC doutoranda PPGT, Gomes Daniela Rosante
Published: December 2019

O artigo tem como tema o trabalho de vida e arte da Companhia Carroça de Mamulengos. Uma companhia formada por uma família de artistas itinerantes que durante 40 anos desenvolveu sua trajetória a partir do contato com as gentes das culturas brasileiras. Como objeto de análise específico deste artigo focalizo o espetáculo Histórias de Teatro e Circo, que se confunde com a própria história da família. Esta história, por sua vez, se confunde com a própria história da companhia, de forma que espetáculo, família e companhia nascem, crescem e continuam se desenvolvendo de forma integrada. Para estruturar uma reflexão analítica, me apoio no artigo “Pontes ou pontos de contato: o Cavalo-Marinho e a Arte da Performance” de Luciana Lyra. Suas reflexões sobre Performances Culturais, ação reparadora e outros conceitos e preceitos da Antropologia da Performance ajudam a pensar sobre aspectos do trabalho do grupo mambembe que se torna tradicional.
A articulação de três tempos para a construção de um espaço de escuta: teatro com jovens em situação de cárcere
Authors:   UDESC, Souza Caroline Vetori de
Published: December 2019

No presente artigo, compartilha-se o trabalho desenvolvido com jovens em situação de cárcere, que cumpriam medida socioeducativa no Centro de Atendimento Socioeducativo Feminino (CASEF), da Fundação de Atendimento Socioeducativo do Rio Grande do Sul. Ao buscar trabalhar com o passado das jovens, através da prática, compreendeu-se a potência do trabalho com as noções de presente e futuro, somando-se à de passado, na construção de espaços necessários de escuta.
De novo design of a homo-trimeric amantadine-binding protein
Authors: Park Jooyoung , Selvaraj Brinda , McShan Andrew C , Boyken Scott E , Wei Kathy Y , Oberdorfer Gustav , DeGrado William , Sgourakis Nikolaos G , Cuneo Matthew J , Myles Dean AA , Baker David
Published: December 2019

The computational design of a symmetric protein homo-oligomer that binds a symmetry-matched small molecule larger than a metal ion has not yet been achieved. We used de novo protein design to create a homo-trimeric protein that binds the C3 symmetric small molecule drug amantadine with each protein monomer making identical interactions with each face of the small molecule. Solution NMR data show that the protein has regular three-fold symmetry and undergoes localized structural changes upon ligand binding. A high-resolution X-ray structure reveals a close overall match to the design model with the exception of water molecules in the amantadine binding site not included in the Rosetta design calculations, and a neutron structure provides experimental validation of the computationally designed hydrogen-bond networks. Exploration of approaches to generate a small molecule inducible homo-trimerization system based on the design highlight challenges that must be overcome to computationally design such systems.
The Fml1-MHF complex suppresses inter-fork strand annealing in fission yeast
Authors: Wong Io Nam , Neo Jacqueline PS , Oehler Judith , Schafhauser Sophie , Osman Fekret , Carr Stephen B , Whitby Matthew C
Published: December 2019

Previously we reported that a process called inter-fork strand annealing (IFSA) causes genomic deletions during the termination of DNA replication when an active replication fork converges on a collapsed fork (Morrow et al., 2017). We also identified the FANCM-related DNA helicase Fml1 as a potential suppressor of IFSA. Here, we confirm that Fml1 does indeed suppress IFSA, and show that this function depends on its catalytic activity and ability to interact with Mhf1-Mhf2 via its C-terminal domain. Finally, a plausible mechanism of IFSA suppression is demonstrated by the finding that Fml1 can catalyse regressed fork restoration in vitro.
Single-molecule turnover dynamics of actin and membrane coat proteins in clathrin-mediated endocytosis
Authors: Lacy Michael M , Baddeley David , Berro Julien
Published: December 2019

Actin dynamics generate forces to deform the membrane and overcome the cell’s high turgor pressure during clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) in yeast, but precise molecular details are still unresolved. Our previous models predicted that actin filaments of the endocytic meshwork continually polymerize and disassemble, turning over multiple times during an endocytic event, similar to other actin systems. We applied single-molecule speckle tracking in live fission yeast to directly measure molecular turnover within CME sites for the first time. In contrast with the overall ~20 s lifetimes of actin and actin-associated proteins in endocytic patches, we detected single-molecule residence times around 1 to 2 s, and similarly high turnover rates of membrane-associated proteins in CME. Furthermore, we find heterogeneous behaviors in many proteins’ motions. These results indicate that endocytic proteins turn over up to five times during the formation of an endocytic vesicle, and suggest revising quantitative models of force production.
Genetic characteristics of non-familial epilepsy
Authors: Kang Kyung Wook , Kim Wonkuk , Cho Yong Won , Lee Sang Kun , Jung Ki-Young , Shin Wonchul , Kim Dong Wook , Kim Won-Joo , Lee Hyang Woon , Kim Woojun , Kim Keuntae , Lee So-Hyun , Choi Seok-Yong , Kim Myeong-Kyu
Published: December 2019

Background

Knowledge of the genetic etiology of epilepsy can provide essential prognostic information and influence decisions regarding treatment and management, leading us into the era of precision medicine. However, the genetic basis underlying epileptogenesis or epilepsy pharmacoresistance is not well-understood, particularly in non-familial epilepsies with heterogeneous phenotypes that last until or start in adulthood.

Methods

We sought to determine the contribution of known epilepsy-associated genes (EAGs) to the causation of non-familial epilepsies with heterogeneous phenotypes and to the genetic basis underlying epilepsy pharmacoresistance. We performed a multi-center study for whole exome sequencing-based screening of 178 selected EAGs in 243 non-familial adult patients with primarily focal epilepsy (122 drug-resistant and 121 drug-responsive epilepsies). The pathogenicity of each variant was assessed through a customized stringent filtering process and classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines.

Results

Possible causal genetic variants of epilepsy were uncovered in 13.2% of non-familial patients with primarily focal epilepsy. The diagnostic yield according to the seizure onset age was 25% (2/8) in the neonatal and infantile period, 11.1% (14/126) in childhood and 14.7% (16/109) in adulthood. The higher diagnostic yields were from ion channel-related genes and mTOR pathway-related genes, which does not significantly differ from the results of previous studies on familial or early-onset epilepsies. These potentially pathogenic variants, which were identified in genes that have been mainly associated with early-onset epilepsies with severe phenotypes, were also linked to epilepsies that start in or last until adulthood in this study. This finding suggested the presence of one or more disease-modifying factors that regulate the onset time or severity of epileptogenesis. The target hypothesis of epilepsy pharmacoresistance was not verified in our study. Instead, neurodevelopment-associated epilepsy genes, such as TSC2 or RELN, or structural brain lesions were more strongly associated with epilepsy pharmacoresistance.

Conclusions

We revealed a fraction of possible causal genetic variants of non-familial epilepsies in which genetic testing is usually overlooked. In this study, we highlight the importance of earlier identification of the genetic etiology of non-familial epilepsies, which leads us to the best treatment options in terms of precision medicine and to future neurobiological research for novel drug development. This should be considered a justification for physicians determining the hidden genetics of non-familial epilepsies that last until or start in adulthood.
Sound-Field Speech Evoked Auditory Brainstem Response in Cochlear-Implant Recipients
Authors: Jarollahi Farnoush , Valadbeigi Ayub , Jalaei Bahram , Maarefvand Mohammad , Zarandy Masoud Motasaddi , Haghani Hamid , Shirzhiyan Zahra
Published: December 2019

Background and Objectives: Currently limited information is available on speech stimuli processing at the subcortical level in the recipients of cochlear implant (CI). Speech processing in the brainstem level is measured using speech-auditory brainstem response (S-ABR). The purpose of the present study was to measure the S-ABR components in the sound-field presentation in CI recipients, and compare with normal hearing (NH) children.Subjects and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, participants were divided in two groups: patients with CIs; and NH group. The CI group consisted of 20 prelingual hearing impairment children (mean age=8.90 ± 0.79 years), with ipsilateral CIs (right side). The control group consisted of 20 healthy NH children, with comparable age and sex distribution. The S-ABR was evoked by the 40-ms synthesized /da/ syllable stimulus that was indicated in the sound-field presentation.Results: Sound-field S-ABR measured in the CI recipients indicated statistically significant delayed latencies, than in the NH group. In addition, these results demonstrated that the frequency following response peak amplitude was significantly higher in CI recipients, than in the NH counterparts (p<0.05). Finally, the neural phase locking were significantly lower in CI recipients (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of sound-field S-ABR demonstrated that CI recipients have neural encoding deficits in temporal and spectral domains at the brainstem level; therefore, the sound-field S-ABR can be considered an efficient clinical procedure to assess the speech process in CI recipients.
Relevance and Utility of Different Training Needs of Input Dealers in Jhansi District of Bundelkhand Region
Authors: Verma Arjun Prasad , Yadav Vimal Raj , Patel Diksha , Roy Nishi
Published: December 2019

Agri-input dealers play a vital role in guaranteeing that farming communities have access to some of the essential and critical agricultural input that contribute in boosting the agricultural productivity. Besides this, they also contribute towards strengthening the Agricultural Extension System by providing valuable agro-advisory services to the farmers. It is essential that they are equipped with latest scientific know how through refresher training courses. The present study was conducted during 2018-19 in Jhansi district of Bundelkhand region to ascertain training needs of agri-input dealers. Data was collected personally by using well-structured interview schedule of 57 agri-input dealers. Respondents were found to be young age group (50.88%), one-third had higher secondary education (35.09%), sought financial assistance from bank and other financial institution (36.84%) and identification of trade name, chemical name and properties of pesticides have emerged as the most needed training area. Around 84.21 per cent of the respondent’s priorities vegetable among crop specific training needs and 84.21 per cent of the respondents had expressed ‘most needed’ training needs on micro nutrient fertilizers. More than two-third of respondents had expressed their training needs on improved varieties or hybrids of crops for cultivation (89.47%) and training in computer and its application in business is another preferred area. Lack of technical knowledge of different brands of product, fluctuation of sale on season basis and lack of need based training were some of the major constraints faced by agri-input dealers while delivering services. In order to overcome these problems agricultural institution must arrange some training programme which caters the above mentioned training need of input dealers.
Forecasting Area, Production and Yield of Onion in Bangladesh by Using ARIMA Model
Authors: Mila Farhana Arefeen , Parvin Mst. Tania
Published: December 2019

In Bangladesh, onion is the widely used spices both for preparing food and curing diseases as it has medicinal values. As the demand for onion is increasing day by day, it is necessary to make actual projections of onion for undertaking some policies based on it. Therefore, the study investigates the future changes in the area, yield and production of onion in Bangladesh by using the most popular Box-Jenkins methodology. The auto regressive integrated moving average model has been used to understand the pattern of change over a period of 57 years (1961 to 2017) as well as to forecast the changes in the upcoming years. Some information criteria (such as AIC, AICc and BIC) was considered for selecting the best-fitted models of each variable. The forecasted results showed an upward trend for all the variables considered in this study. It implies that the area of onion will increase from 193932.6 hectares in 2018 to 265770.9 hectare in 2027. Again, the amount of onion production will increase from 2073.61 M tons to 3574.06 M tons and for onion yield, it will rise from 10343.17 Kg/ha to 12988.02 kg/ha from 2018 to 2027. These predictions may help the government balancing the demand with the supply and also regulating the price of onion in the domestic markets of Bangladesh.
Case Series: Management of Foot Drop
Authors: Amole Isaac Olusayo , Adesina Stephen Adesope , Durodola Adewumi Ojeniyi , Eyesan Samuel Uwale
Published: December 2019

Aim: To highlight the functional outcome of surgical management of foot drop in patients with Hansen disease.

Case Presentation:  We present three cases of foot drop following Hansen’s disease that were managed surgically by Tibialis posterior transfer. The patients had preoperative physiotherapy for ten days and postoperative physiotherapy for four weeks. Their post-operative periods were uneventful and the corrections were satisfactory.

Discussion: Involvement of common peroneal nerve in Hansen’s disease usually results in paralysis of the anterior tibial and/or peroneal muscles. Hansen’s disease patients with foot-drop walk with a ‘high-stepping gait’, lifting the leg high as if climbing steps even while walking on level ground. When the paralysis has been present for more than six months to one year without recovery, the best option of treatment at this stage is corrective surgery and the main aim of the corrective surgery is to restore active dorsiflexion of the foot so that the gait becomes normal. This is achieved by re-routing the tendon of Tibialis posterior muscle, brings that tendon to lie in front of the ankle and is anchored distally. If the tendo-achillis tendon is found to be tight, it should be lengthened as the first step of the Tibialis posterior transfer operation.

Conclusion: Surgical correction of foot drop usually leads to restoration of active dorsiflexion of the foot thereby preventing development of secondary deformities and ulceration. Our patients were able to dorsiflex their feet after the surgical correction.
A Comprehensive Review on Status of Solar PV Growth in Uganda
Authors: Mugagga Reuben Gad , Chamdimba Hope Baxter Nqcube
Published: December 2019

Uganda is faced with a challenge of huge energy deficit just like many other developing countries in Africa. Currently, only 26.7% of the total population has access to electricity. Energy being the life – blood of any growing economy, subsequent endeavors and strategies need to be put in place in order to expand the use of renewable energies for socio-economic development and environmental sustainability. Uganda being endowed with plenty of solar energy resource, its role in achieving national ambitions of Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) cannot be underestimated. This paper therefore reviews the growth of Solar Photovoltaics (PV) in Uganda that was birthed in the 1980’s and continues to mature steadily today contributing 4.24%(50MW) to the national grid with several un documented off – grid systems. This progress has been realized under different market segments inclusive of the pico and macro solar home systems, Institutional PV, mini-grids, telecommunications and street lighting. Notwithstanding the prevalent challenges, there are numerous existing opportunities for solar PV development consisting of the financial, environmental, Institutional and the socio-economic factors. With more government and different stakeholder engagement however, this growth in the country could be accelerated further as the costs of the technology continue to plummet.
The Chemistry of Organoboron Species: Classification and Basic Properties
Authors: Williams Cory , Luis Mario , Lopez Ivan , Coca Adiel
Published: December 2019

Organoboron chemistry began more than 150 years ago when the synthesis and reactivity of triethylborane was described. Organoboron chemistry research has rapidly increased within the past few decades due to the increased usage of organoboron compounds in organic synthesis and biomedical applications. This chapter gives an overview of the general physical and chemical characteristics of select organoboron compounds. Only compounds incorporating a boron–carbon bond are discussed in detail.
MOSFET dosimeter characterization in MR‐guided radiation therapy (MRgRT) Linac
Authors: Yadav Poonam , Hallil Abdelbasset , Tewatia Dinesh , Dunkerley David A. P. , Paliwal Bhudatt
Published: December 2019

Purpose

With the increasing use of MR‐guided radiation therapy (MRgRT), it becomes important to understand and explore accuracy of medical dosimeters in the presence of magnetic field. The purpose of this work is to characterize metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs) in MRgRT systems at 0.345 T magnetic field strength.

Methods

A MOSFET dosimetry system, developed by Best Medical Canada for in‐vivo patient dosimetry, was used to study various commissioning tests performed on a MRgRT system, MRIdian® Linac. We characterized the MOSFET dosimeter with different cable lengths by determining its calibration factor, monitor unit linearity, angular dependence, field size dependence, percentage depth dose (PDD) variation, output factor change, and intensity modulated radiation therapy quality assurance (IMRT QA) verification for several plans. MOSFET results were analyzed and compared with commissioning data and Monte Carlo calculations.

Results

MOSFET measurements were not found to be affected by the presence of 0.345 T magnetic field. Calibration factors were similar for different cable length dosimeters either placed at the parallel or perpendicular direction to the magnetic field, with variations of less than 2%. The detector showed good linearity (R2 = 0.999) for 100–600 MUs range. Output factor measurements were consistent with ionization chamber data within 2.2%. MOSFET PDD measurements were found to be within 1% for 1–15 cm depth range in comparison to ionization chamber. MOSFET normalized angular response matched thermoluminescent detector (TLD) response within 5.5%. The IMRT QA verification data for the MRgRT linac showed that the percentage difference between ionization chamber and MOSFET was 0.91%, 2.05%, and 2.63%, respectively for liver, spine, and mediastinum.

Conclusion

MOSFET dosimeters are not affected by the 0.345 T magnetic field in MRgRT system. They showed physics parameters and performance comparable to TLD and ionization chamber; thus, they constitute an alternative to TLD for real‐time in‐vivo dosimetry in MRgRT procedures.
Modulating Macrophage Phenotype by Sustained MicroRNA Delivery Improves Host‐Implant Integration
Authors: Lin Junquan , Mohamed Ibrahim , Lin Po Hen , Shirahama Hitomi , Milbreta Ulla , Sieow Je Lin , Peng Yanfen , Bugiani Marianna , Wong Siew Cheng , Levinson Howard , Chew Sing Yian
Published: December 2019

Biomedical implant failure due to the host's response remains a challenging problem. In particular, the formation of the fibrous capsule is a common barrier for the normal function of implants. Currently, there is mounting evidence indicating that the polarization state of macrophages plays an important role in effecting the foreign body reaction (FBR). This opens up a potential avenue for improving host‐implant integration. Here, electrospun poly(caprolactone‐co‐ethyl ethylene phosphate) nanofiber scaffolds are utilized to deliver microRNAs (miRs) to induce macrophage polarization and modulate FBR. Specifically, C57BL/6 mice that are treated with M2‐inducing miRs, Let‐7c and miR‐124, display relatively thinner fibrous capsule formation around the scaffolds at both Week 2 and 4, as compared to treatment with M1‐inducing miR, Anti‐Let‐7c. Histological analysis shows that the density of blood vessels in the scaffolds are the highest in miR‐124 treatment group, followed by Anti‐Let‐7c and Let‐7c treatment groups. Based on immunohistochemical quantifications, these miR‐encapsulated nanofiber scaffolds are useful for localized and sustained delivery of functional miRs and are able to modulate macrophage polarization during the first 2 weeks of implantation to result in significant alteration in host‐implant integration at longer time points.
Antioxidants and Nanotechnology: Promises and Limits of Potentially Disruptive Approaches in the Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases
Authors: Martinelli Chiara , Pucci Carlotta , Battaglini Matteo , Marino Attilio , Ciofani Gianni
Published: December 2019

Many central nervous system (CNS) diseases are still incurable and only symptomatic treatments are available. Oxidative stress is suggested to be a common hallmark, being able to cause and exacerbate the neuronal cell dysfunctions at the basis of these pathologies, such as mitochondrial impairments, accumulation of misfolded proteins, cell membrane damages, and apoptosis induction. Several antioxidant compounds are tested as potential countermeasures for CNS disorders, but their efficacy is often hindered by the loss of antioxidant properties due to enzymatic degradation, low bioavailability, poor water solubility, and insufficient blood–brain barrier crossing efficiency. To overcome the limitations of antioxidant molecules, exploitation of nanostructures, either for their delivery or with inherent antioxidant properties, is proposed. In this review, after a brief discussion concerning the role of the blood–brain barrier in the CNS and the involvement of oxidative stress in some neurodegenerative diseases, the most interesting research concerning the use of nano‐antioxidants is introduced and discussed, focusing on the synthesis procedures, functionalization strategies, in vitro and in vivo tests, and on recent clinical trials.
Turner syndrome in diverse populations
Authors: Kruszka Paul , Addissie Yonit A. , Tekendo‐Ngongang Cedrik , Jones Kelly L. , Savage Sarah K. , Gupta Neerja , Sirisena Nirmala D. , Dissanayake Vajira H. W. , Paththinige C. Sampath , Aravena Teresa , Nampoothiri Sheela , Yesodharan Dhanya , Girisha Katta M. , Patil Siddaramappa Jagdish , Jamuar Saumya Shekhar , Goh Jasmine Chew‐Yin , Utari Agustini , Sihombing Nydia , Mishra Rupesh , Chitrakar Neer Shoba , Iriele Brenda C. , Lulseged Ezana , Megarbane Andre , Uwineza Annette , Oyenusi Elizabeth Eberechi , Olopade Oluwarotimi Bolaji , Fasanmade Olufemi Adetola , Duenas‐Roque Milagros M. , Thong Meow‐Keong , Tung Joanna Y. L. , Mok Gary T. K. , Fleischer Nicole , Rwegerera Godfrey M. , de Herreros María Beatriz , Watts Johnathan , Fieggen Karen , Huckstadt Victoria , Moresco Angélica , Obregon María Gabriela , Hussen Dalia Farouk , Ashaat Neveen A. , Ashaat Engy A. , Chung Brian H. Y. , Badoe Eben , Faradz Sultana M. H. , El Ruby Mona O. , Shotelersuk Vorasuk , Wonkam Ambroise , Ekure Ekanem Nsikak , Phadke Shubha R. , Richieri‐Costa Antonio , Muenke Maximilian
Published: December 2019

Turner syndrome (TS) is a common multiple congenital anomaly syndrome resulting from complete or partial absence of the second X chromosome. In this study, we explore the phenotype of TS in diverse populations using clinical examination and facial analysis technology. Clinical data from 78 individuals and images from 108 individuals with TS from 19 different countries were analyzed. Individuals were grouped into categories of African descent (African), Asian, Latin American, Caucasian (European descent), and Middle Eastern. The most common phenotype features across all population groups were short stature (86%), cubitus valgus (76%), and low posterior hairline 70%. Two facial analysis technology experiments were conducted: TS versus general population and TS versus Noonan syndrome. Across all ethnicities, facial analysis was accurate in diagnosing TS from frontal facial images as measured by the area under the curve (AUC). An AUC of 0.903 (p < .001) was found for TS versus general population controls and 0.925 (p < .001) for TS versus individuals with Noonan syndrome. In summary, we present consistent clinical findings from global populations with TS and additionally demonstrate that facial analysis technology can accurately distinguish TS from the general population and Noonan syndrome.
Ultrasound‐aided rapid and enhanced adsorption of anionic dyes from binary dye matrix onto novel hematite/polyaniline nanocomposite: Response surface methodology optimization
Authors: Deb Akash , Debnath Animesh , Saha Biswajit
Published: December 2019

In recent times, polyaniline (PANI), a conducting polymer, has been studied widely for environmental remediation application due to its controllable electric conductivity with high surface area, which makes it a suitable adsorbent material. But lower mechanical stability of PANI is considered to be a serious drawback for its large‐scale industrial application. To improve the mechanical strength of PANI, in this study, hematite nanoparticles were impregnated onto PANI by oxidative polymerization method in order to fabricate a novel organometallic nanocomposite (hematite‐PANI‐NC). The hematite‐PANI‐NC was used as adsorbent for removal of methyl orange (MO) and eosin yellow (EY) dye from binary dye matrix under ultrasonic‐assisted adsorption. Excellent MO and EY dye removal (more than 98%) was observed from binary matrix at a wide solution pH from 2.0 to 6.0, and under ultrasound wave the adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 15 min only. Both MO and EY dyes adsorption experimental data strictly followed Langmuir isotherm, and maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 126.58 mg/g and 112.36 mg/g was observed for MO and EY dye, respectively. The uptake mechanism of MO and EY dyes onto hematite‐PANI‐NC is governed by electrostatic interaction, π‐π bonding and hydrogen bonding between dye molecules and nanocomposite. Response surface methodology analysis reveals maximum MO and EY removal of 98.43% and 99.35% at optimum experimental conditions. This study implies that the hybrid organometallic material hematite‐PANI‐NC has high potential for quick and enhanced sono‐assisted uptake of anionic dyes from water near neutral solution pH.
Se‐directed synthesis of polymeric carbon nitride with potential applications in heavy metal‐containing industrial sewage treatment
Authors: Zhang Jian , Cao Kuanhong , Zhang Xu , Zhang Qitao
Published: December 2019

By calcining melamine at 500 °C with selenium powder as the structure director, polymeric carbon nitride could be prepared with enhanced specific surface area and mesoporous volume. Compared with the material fabricated without Se, this cost‐effective Se‐incorporated PCN (PCN‐Se) could adsorb heavy metals (such as Ni, Cu and Pb) much more efficiently. Materials characterizations such as SEM, TEM and XPS demonstrated that the enlarged specific surface area and total mesoporous volume as well as the interaction of the incorporated Se with the metals via coordination should be the promoting factors for the advanced performances of the novel materials.
Study on the activity difference of macromonomers for preparing polycarboxylic superplasticizers
Authors: Liu Guanjie , Wei Xuehong , Wang Ziwei , Ren Jianguo
Published: December 2019

Polycarboxylic superplasticizers produced by polyether macromonomers have attracted widely attention recently. Polyether macromonomers can be divided into vinyl ether‐based and vinyl alcohol‐based macromonomers according to the starting agents (vinyl ether and vinyl alcohol, respectively). In this study, three vinyl ether‐based macromonomers were synthesized to compare with vinyl alcohol‐based macromonomers that commonly used at present. It was found that the three vinyl ether‐based macromonomers all can be copolymerized at lower reaction temperature (5 °C) and shorter reaction time (30–45 min) when the same reaction conversion ratio was achieved. To better explain the high activity of vinyl ether‐based macromonomers, the molecular structure of different polyether macromonomers was calculated. The results show that the electron cloud on the CC double bond of vinyl ether‐based macromonomers exhibits more obvious deflection because of the direct connection with the oxygen atom, which makes it more easily to copolymerize with acrylic acid. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48844.
A hybrid model for pulsar's spin‐down evolution
Authors: Gao Zhi‐Fu , Wang Hui , Peng Qiu‐He , Shan Hao , Wang Na
Published: December 2019

By considering the combined effects of both the standard magnetic dipole model and the composite neutron superfluid vortex model on pulsar's spin‐down, we study the evolution of pulsar's spin‐down on the P −  diagram. The evolution path of each pulsar is dictated by a particular mechanism in our hybrid model within different parameter spaces. The valley of each curve is the most possible place for a neutron star (NS) to be observed as this is the place corresponding to the minimum value of the evolution speed (i.e., the time derivative ). In other words, pulsars would distribute around these valleys on the P −  diagram. The suppressed region in the lower‐right part of the diagram can be explained by neutrino cyclotron emission from the 1S0 neutron superfluid vortexes in NSs.
Hangwassermodellierungen und deren Möglichkeit zur Abschätzung von potenziellen Gefährdungen für Gebäude
Authors: Starl Hans
Published: December 2019

In den letzten Jahren kam es in Österreich vermehrt zu Schäden durch Hochwasser bzw. Hangwasserabflüssen, die von kurzzeitigen, starken Niederschlägen ausgelöst wurden. Im Rahmen einer Modellierung und Analyse von realen Starkregenereignissen mit Schadensfolgen, wie sie sich 2016 in Laakirchen/Oberösterreich ereigneten, wird die Zuverlässigkeit von Hangwassersimulationen im Vergleich zu realen Abflussaufzeichnungen untersucht und das Simulationsmodell validiert. Darauf aufbauend werden die festgestellten Übereinstimmungen und Abweichungen, welche zwischen den Ergebnissen aus den Simulationsrechnungen und den realen Ereignissen erkannt werden, dargelegt und genauer untersucht. Ziel dieser Analyse ist, Möglichkeiten aufzuzeigen, wie zu erwartende Gebäudeschäden durch Hangwasserabflüsse im Vorfeld mit validierten Hangwassersimulationen erkannt werden können bzw. wo die Simulationsrechnung Limitierungen hat.
Revisiting β‐Catenin Signaling in T‐Cell Development and T‐Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Bigas Anna , Guillén Yolanda , Schoch Leonie , Arambilet David
Published: December 2019

β‐Catenin/CTNNB1 is critical for leukemia initiation or the stem cell capacity of several hematological malignancies. This review focuses on a general evaluation of β‐catenin function in normal T‐cell development and T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL). The integration of the existing literature offers a state‐of‐the‐art dissection of the complexity of β‐catenin function in leukemia initiation and maintenance in both Notch‐dependent and independent contexts. In addition, β‐catenin mutations are screened for in T‐ALL primary samples, and it is found that they are rare and with little clinical relevance. Transcriptional analysis of Wnt family members (Ctnnb1, Axin2, Tcf7, and Lef1) and Myc in different publicly available T‐ALL cohorts indicates that the expression of these genes may correlate with T‐ALL subtypes and/or therapy outcomes.