bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE GEORGIAN RESORTS AS A BASIS FOR WELLNESS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Tutberidze Mzia
Published: June 2021

Political, economic, social and ecological changes that have taken place in the world in recent decades have brought about the increase of population's demand for wellness tourism. At present, wellness tourism is the fastest growing and most significant segment of the world tourism industry, with double growth rate, compared with the growth rate of the tourism industry as a whole, each customer spending 53percent more than a typical international tourist. Though wellness tourism is a global phenomenon, its implementation is predominantly localized in the resorts with the appropriate natural conditions and infrastructure. Natural resources have been used in Georgia for health care and wellness since time immemorial. Based on the diversity of this country's natural conditions, 103 sites were given the legal status of resorts, and up 200 are defined as resort areas. Still, the awareness of Georgia's capacity in this aspect is low worldwide. Due to the crisis of the 1990-s and the civil war, part of the resorts were destroyed; another part is located in the occupied territories and to date is outside the Georgian government's jurisdiction. Though the industry's recovery began in the 2000-s, the pace of the health tourism's development lags behind that of other kinds of tourism. According to the infrastructure's present condition and developmental trends, four groups of resorts can be highlighted in Georgia. In the future, upgrading of the legal framework, further development of the resorts' infrastructure, targeted diversification of tourism products, more flexible, high-quality system of services, and improved resort management will create conditions for wellness tourism advancement in Georgia, which, in turn, will establish it in the world tourism industry.
Approaching the national security of the Republic of Moldova from the perspective of foreign and defense policy
Authors:   The American University of Moldova, Oleinic Ludmila
Published: June 2021

The European Union is a stabilizing factor, important for the national security system that is why the Republic of Moldova is working to advance the European integration process. Accession to the European Union will strengthen the country’s security, with the Republic of Moldova becoming a beneficiary and a source of stability and security. In this regard a special place in the security context is also Moldova’s participation in global, regional and subregional efforts to promote international stability and security through cooperation within the UN, the OSCE, as well as NATO. The defense is a fundamental and distinct area of national security, which is in a relationship of interdependence with the processes of state development. Since the proclamation of independence, the Republic of Moldova has undergone a comprehensive process of strengthening the institutional capacities of the national defense system, a process that continues so far. Generalizing, this scientific research is intended to identify, strengthen and combine the efforts of institutions with their powers in the implementation of security and defense policies, as well as to effectively coordinate their actions.
SOCIOLOGICAL METHOD AT VILFREDO PARETO: BETWEEN EPISTEMOLOGICAL PRESSURE AND ANALYTICAL-CONCEPTUAL SCHEMATIZATION
Authors:   University of Political and Economic European Studies ", Bordeianu Catalin ,   Constantin Stere",   , Republic of Moldova
Published: June 2021

In the constellation that is the three great social thinkers from the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, Vilfredo Pareto’s stance regarding the reports between sociology, as a science, and philosophy is a specific one, generating consequences, the most significant in the scheme of an idealistic portrait of the consequences of the positivist method in sociology. Because the Italian sociologist seems to prolong the classic aversion overseeing positivism in philosophy until it became a usual attitude of work and, in the same time, reaching the extreme lengths at which philosophy negates it, on the basis of positive prerogatives of knowledge, overseeing any epistemological status.
Clinical Study of Memory Disorders in Aging Patients and Associated Pathology
Authors: OJ Castejón , CM Carrero Gonzalez , G Lastre , P Galindez , M Salones de Castejón , L Sierra Carrero
Published: June 2021

We have observed semantic memory and episodic memory disorders in patients ranging from 40 to 92 years-old (100%), with associated cardiovascular diseases and blood hypertension (82%), sleep disorders (50%), neurobehavioral disorders (44%), such as depression, anxiety, aggression, and vascular demencia, disorders of language (36%), neurosensory disorders (28%), as diminution of visual and hearing acuity, dizziness (26%), Parkinson disease (34%), Alzheimer disease (21%), gait disturbances (10%), vertigo (10%), cervicalgia and cervicogenic headache (10%) trigeminal neuralgia (2%), We found as comorbidities the following non-nervous diseases: metabolic diseases as diabetes (21%) and hypothyroidism (5%), gastrointestinal pathology (21%), such as constipation, loss of sphincter control, and gastritis, arthritis (13%), prostatic hypertrophy (1%) and loss of weight (1%). A detailed discussion of every pathological condition is provided.
DIVERSIDADE DE FUNGOS MICORRÍZICOS ARBUSCULARES ASSOCIADOS A RAÍZES DE DESCHAMPSIA ANTARCTICA DESV. NA BAÍA DO ALMIRANTADO, ILHA REI GEORGE, ANTÁRTICA
Authors: Andrade Elismara Aparecida Pereira Monteiro de
Published: June 2021

Os microrganismos vivem nos mais diversos hábitats terrestres. Entre os microrganismos destacam-se os fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMAs), os quais se associam às raízes das plantas e colonizam mais de 80% das espécies vegetais terrestres. Estudos sobre a ocorrência de FMAs no Continente Antártico são escassos. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência e diversidade de FMAs em raízes e solo rizosférico de Deschampsia antarctica Desv. coletados próximos às estações de pesquisa do Brasil (Estação Antártica Comandante Ferraz - EACF) e da Polônia (Arctowski), na Baía do Almirantado, Ilha Rei George, arquipélago Shetland do Sul, Antártica. Foram realizadas coletas de solo rizosférico e raízes de Deschampsia antarctica Desv. próximo à EACF e próximo à Estação Arctowski. Foi realizada a caracterização química do solo e definida a densidade e diversidade de espécies de FMAs e a colonização micorrízica nas raízes de Deschampsia antarctica Desv. Foram recuperados 15 esporos no solo da área próxima à EACF e não foi encontrado nenhum esporo na área próxima à Estação Arctowski. A colonização micorrízica das raízes de D. Antarctica foi de 40% para a área próxima à EACF e de 24% para a área próxima à Estação Arctowski. No total foram identificadas duas espécies de FMAs, sendo uma espécies do gênero Acaulospora, identificada como Acaulospora mellea e uma espécie do gênero Glomus classificada como Glomus sp1. A diversidade de FMAs na região é limitada pela baixa temperatura, baixa diversidade vegetal e altos níveis de P e Al presentes no solo.
O IMPACTO DA DESTRUIÇÃO DA Capítulo 4 VEGETAÇÃO NATIVA SOBRE O DESENVOLVIMENTO HUMANO NA BAHIA: PARTE I
Authors: Assis Flora de Lima , Dobrovolski Ricardo , Borges Paloma Ponchet
Published: June 2021

A ocupação e alteração da paisagem pela humanidade é um comportamento que tem sido realizado ao longo de todo seu processo de dispersão e crescimento populacional. Esta transformação da superfície terrestre está ligada à extração e capitalização dos recursos naturais com o objetivo de impulsionar o crescimento social e econômico das populações. Uma das crenças que surgiu ao longo do tempo é a de que empreendimentos agrícolas (principal tipos de ocupação do solo atualmente em todo o mundo) são investimentos que proporcionam ganho de qualidade de vida para as populações que habitam as regiões onde são instalados. Nós testamos a hipótese de que existe uma relação entre quantidade de vegetação nativa remanescente e desenvolvimento humano na Bahia. Além disso, buscamos também investigar de que maneira se relacionam as variáveis econômicas (valor de produção, produtividade agrícola e PIB (Produto Interno Bruto da agricultura) e o uso do solo no estado. Para isso, classificamos os municípios baianos em 5 classes de acordo com a quantidade de vegetação remanescente em cada um, em seguida os comparamos com dados de IDH (índice de desenvolvimento humano), PIB (produto interno bruto), quantidade de cabeças de gado e valor de produção. Os principais resultados apontam que a destruição da vegetação nativa não tem relação com mudanças nos índices de qualidade de vida da população dos municípios baianos, mas ao mesmo tempo revelam um aumento do desmatamento na Caatinga e no Cerrado principalmente. O estudo é apresentado em três capítulos. Este capítulo reúne aspectos introdutórios e relacionados à metodologia adotada.
O IMPACTO DA DESTRUIÇÃO DA VEGETAÇÃO NATIVA SOBRE O DESENVOLVIMENTO HUMANO NA BAHIA: PARTE II
Authors: Assis Flora de Lima , Dobrovolski Ricardo , Borges Paloma Ponchet
Published: June 2021

A ocupação e alteração da paisagem pela humanidade é um comportamento que tem sido realizado ao longo de todo seu processo de dispersão e crescimento populacional. Esta transformação da superfície terrestre está ligada à extração e capitalização dos recursos naturais com o objetivo de impulsionar o crescimento social e econômico das populações. Uma das crenças que surgiu ao longo do tempo é a de que empreendimentos agrícolas (principal tipos de ocupação do solo atualmente em todo o mundo) são investimentos que proporcionam ganho de qualidade de vida para as populações que habitam as regiões onde são instalados. Nós testamos a hipótese de que existe uma relação entre quantidade de vegetação nativa remanescente e desenvolvimento humano na Bahia. Além disso, buscamos também investigar de que maneira se relacionam as variáveis econômicas (valor de produção, produtividade agrícola e PIB (Produto Interno Bruto da agricultura) e o uso do solo no estado. Para isso, classificamos os municípios baianos em 5 classes de acordo com a quantidade de vegetação remanescente em cada um, em seguida os comparamos com dados de IDH (índice de desenvolvimento humano), PIB (produto interno bruto), quantidade de cabeças de gado e valor de produção. Os principais resultados apontam que a destruição da vegetação nativa não tem relação com mudanças nos índices de qualidade de vida da população dos municípios baianos, mas ao mesmo tempo revelam um aumento do desmatamento na Caatinga e no Cerrado principalmente. O estudo é apresentado em três capítulos. Por este capítulo são apresentados os resultados obtidos.
AVALIAÇÃO DE HÁBITATS EM RIACHOS E SEU POTENCIAL PARA A GESTÃO DE BACIAS HIDROGRÁFICAS
Authors: Farias Roberto Nascimento de
Published: June 2021

A degradação dos rios e riachos tem muitos impactos sobre as comunidades bióticas e compromete a geração de diversos serviços ecossistêmicos. Dessa forma, tornam-se fundamentais instrumentos que possibilitem avaliações integradas desses ecossistemas, assim como dos impactos antrópicos presentes na bacia hidrográfica. Nesse sentido, uma alternativa promissora são os Protocolos de Avaliação Rápida (PAR) de hábitats em riachos. Sendo assim, este estudo teve como objetivo propor um PAR e demonstrar seu potencial como uma ferramenta complementar na gestão de bacias hidrográficas antropizadas. O protocolo, baseado em métodos utilizados em outros países, é composto por 11 métricas, que avaliam a qualidade de diferentes atributos do hábitat nos riachos classificando-as em quatro categorias: “péssima”, “ruim”, “regular” ou “boa”. O protocolo foi então aplicado em 30 trechos de riachos da bacia hidrográfica do Arroio Candiota, no sudoeste do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Em relação à qualidade global do hábitat, nos riachos predominou a condição regular e mostrou-se principalmente associada a dois impactos. Um deles é a degradação da zona ripária, especialmente pela ação do gado, e o outro o assoreamento do canal pelo aporte de rejeitos da mineração de carvão a céu aberto. O protocolo proposto mostrouse adequado para avaliar a qualidade do hábitat nos riachos e permitiu identificar os principais impactos antrópicos sobre esses ecossistemas. Além disso, ele tem grande potencial como instrumento complementar a indicadores bióticos e de qualidade da água em programas de monitoramento, avaliação e restauração de bacias hidrográficas.
O ENSINO DE LEITURA E PRODUÇÃO DE TEXTO NA UNIVERSIDADE: EXPERIÊNCIA EM CURSOS DE ENGENHARIA
Authors: Netto Miguel Rodrigues
Published: June 2021

A presente investigação tem como objetivo mostrar a experiência de trabalho docente no ensino de leitura e produção de texto nos cursos de engenharia civil e engenharia elétrica da Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, em Sinop/MT. A disciplina leitura e produção de texto nos referidos cursos abrange uma amenta voltada para aspectos elementares da língua portuguesa como coesão, coerência, período e termos de ligação, isto aliado a conteúdos técnicos como documentos oficiais, relatório, glossário de termos técnicos, memorial e orçamento descritivo. Apresentaremos os resultados do trabalho realizado em três dimensões: elementos textuais e leitura de textos da área, linguagem numérica – gráficos e tabelas e produção textual de documentos especializados.
LEITURA, COTIDIANO E VIDA PROFISSIONAL PELO OLHAR DE ACADÊMICAS DO CURSO DE PEDAGOGIA DA UEMA
Authors: Godinho Clarice Maria Reis
Published: June 2021

Este estudo tem como objetivo ressaltar a importância das experiências de leitura na vida profissional. Participaram desta pesquisa cinco alunas do 5º período do curso de Pedagogia da Universidade Estadual do Maranhão. A natureza da pesquisa é qualitativa, trazendo uma análise situada dentro da história de leitura de cada entrevistada. O instrumento utilizado para obter dados foi a entrevista semiestruturada. O trabalho foi fundamentado em estudos teóricos de diversos autores demonstrando que o percurso de formação acadêmica traz contribuição das vivências em diversos contextos de letramento e da forma de atuação como professoras dos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental. A investigação contribui para os estudos linguísticos na medida em que permite a discussão do acadêmico no processo de formação do professor como usuário da língua materna e atuante como alfabetizador.
USO DE CARVÃO ATIVADO VEGETAL PARA REMOÇÃO DE ZINCO DE ÁGUA PARA CONSUMO HUMANO
Authors: Bazana Simone de Lima , Arakawa Flavia Sayuri , Gomes Raquel Gutierres , Bergamasco Rosângela
Published: June 2021

Esse trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência do processo de filtração, utilizando carvão vegetal de coco de dendê e babaçu para remoção de zinco em água destinadas para o consumo humano. A água foi padronizada com aproximadamente 10mg/L ZnCl2 utilizando separadamente como adsorventes 140 g carvão coco de dendê e babaçu para cada filtro, os testes foram realizados em duplicatas. A água padronizada foi filtrada nos adsorventes utilizando um formato de modelo de filtros convencional, e amostras foram coletadas antes e após a filtração. As amostras coletadas foram concentradas em chapa aquecedora utilizando solução de ácido nítrico posteriormente foram analisados os parâmetros de cor aparente, turbidez, pH, cloro livre e concentração de zinco. As análises dos íons metálicos foram realizadas por espectrometria de absorção atômica com atomizador de chama.
DIAGNÓSTICO DOS RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS GERADOS EM RESTAURANTES NO MUNICÍPIO DE UMUARAMA – PARANÁ
Authors: Narimatsu Renata Tiemi , Sacramento Patricia Almeida
Published: June 2021

O Plano de Gerenciamento de Resíduos Sólidos (PGRS) inserido na Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos tem como intuito manejar os resíduos de forma correta e destiná-los a um ambiente adequado. Dada à importância de gerenciar os resíduos sólidos, este trabalho objetivou realizar um diagnóstico dos resíduos sólidos para quatro restaurantes com intuito de auxiliar na redução destes resíduos e dessa forma destiná-los corretamente. A metodologia utilizada neste estudo consiste em duas etapas, sendo a primeira a definição da área de estudo e segunda a amostragem, que consistiu na segregação dos resíduos, pesagem dos resíduos, e o panorama geral, com propostas de melhorias. Percebeu-se que todos os restaurantes destinam parte dos resíduos orgânicos para propriedades rurais, a fim de reaproveitá-los, utilizando-os para a alimentação de animais. No entanto, constatou-se que ainda existe uma parcela de alimento sendo desperdiçada devido à falta de segregação dos resíduos logo no início do descarte. O diagnóstico elaborado prevê a adição de mais coletores para segregação adequada dos resíduos orgânicos e recicláveis desperdiçados, para que estes possam ser destinados a compostagem e a cooperativa de reciclagem do município. O estudo prevê ainda a substituição de utensílios utilizados em três restaurantes para que possam, a longo prazo, diminuir o consumo de recicláveis e como consequência reduzir os custos financeiros dos estabelecimentos.
Marginalized Maximum Likelihood for Parameters Estimation of the Three Parameter Weibull Distribution
Authors: Ou´edraogo Ouindllassida Jean-Etienne , Katchekpele Edoh , Dossou-Gb´et´e Simplice
Published: June 2021

The aims of this paper is to propose a new approach for fitting a three-parameter weibull distribution to data from an independent and identically distributed scheme of sampling. This approach use a likelihood function based on the n - 1 largest order statistics. Information loss by dropping the first order statistic is then retrieved via an MM-algorithm which will be used to estimate the model’s parameters. To examine the properties of the proposed estimators, the associated bias and mean squared error were calculated through Monte Carlo simulations. Subsequently, the performance of these estimators were compared with those of two concurrent methods.
Covid-19 pandemic: why does it matter for consumer research?
Authors: Silva Lucas Emmanuel Nascimento , Gomes Neto Manoel Bastos , Grangeiro Rebeca Da Rocha , Nadae Jeniffer De
Published: June 2021

Objetivo do estudo: O objetivo deste artigo é revisar sistematicamente a literatura sobre consumo e o comportamento do consumidor no primeiro ano da pandemia COVID-19. Para cumprir esse objetivo, este artigo busca responder às seguintes questões de pesquisa: Qual é o estado da arte da literatura sobre a pandemia de COVID-19 e o consumo/comportamento do consumidor? Quais são as mudanças na vida do consumidor que a literatura tem discutido? Quais são as lacunas de pesquisa sobre consumo/comportamento do consumidor e a pandemia COVID-19?Metodologia: O método selecionado é a  revisão de escopo da literatura (reviewing scope), contemplando a análise bibliométria, temática e de conteúdo, utilizando  as base de dados da Scopus e Web of Science.Resultados: Foram Identificados 7 tópicos principais na literatura: mudanças no comportamento do consumidor; enfrentando  os lockdowns; busca e compartilhamento de informações; efeitos psicológicos; comportamento de vício; mudanças no consumo de alimentos; comportamento de compra por pânico e acumulação. Além disso, foram explorados temas emergentes do consumo, como os antecedentes do consumo e o efeito da crise no comportamento humano. Na literatura investigada, a utilização de survey e a Modelagem de Equações Estruturais se configuram como principais estratégias de coleta e análise de dados e as amostras são originárias principalmente de países como EUA e a China.Contribuições teóricas e metodológicas: Este artigo fornece informações baseadas em evidências para a literatura de marketing, pesquisas de consumo e demais profissionais sobre como a pandemia afetou o domínio do consumidor.Relevância/originalidade: O comportamento do consumidor foi evidenciado no contexto da pandemia, a partir da perspectiva acadêmica e gerencial. A revisão de escopo da literatura identificou os tópicos, métodos e discussões gerais sobre os efeitos da pandemia no consumo e no comportamento do consumidor, que podem ajudar as empresas a entender o comportamento, estimular outras pesquisas e o desenvolver políticas públicas e organizacionais.
Schiedsvereinbarung und Vollstreckung in arabischen Staaten
Authors: Hiller Alexander Tobias
Published: June 2021

For the outside observer, arbitration in Arab states is an Enigma. Though some issues are discussed in general terms in western scholarship, there is no systematic account taking into consideration the latest seismic shifts. This book analyses Arab language jurisprudence and scholarship in the context of global standards. It focusses on the arbitration agreement and discusses the exequatur with its links to general civil procedure and compulsory enforcement. It shows that though international standards and traditional ideas coexist, that coexistence causes friction and today’s dominant views require revision.
Ti3C2 MXene-Based Nanobiosensors for Detection of Cancer Biomarkers
Authors: Lorencova Lenka , Kumar Sadasivuni Kishor , Kasak Peter , Tkac Jan
Published: June 2021

This chapter provides information about basic properties of MXenes (2D nanomaterials) that are attractive for a design of various types of nanobiosensors. The second part of the chapter discusses MXene synthesis and various protocols for modification of MXene making it a suitable matrix for immobilization of bioreceptors such as antibodies, DNA aptamers or DNA molecules. The final part of the chapter summarizes examples of MXene-based nanobiosensors developed using optical, electrochemical and nanomechanical transducing schemes. Operational characteristics of such devices such as sensitivity, limit of detection, assay time, assay reproducibility and potential for multiplexing are provided. In particular MXene-based nanobiosensors for detection of a number of cancer biomarkers are shown here.
Advancing Off-Grid Electrification by Uncovering the Holistic Risk Landscape Using a Standardized Risk Management Procedure (SRMP)
Authors: Hoeck Inken , Steurer Elmar
Published: June 2021

Although it is now well known that access to electrification is a crucial prerequisite for ensuring sustainable development, rural households in sub-Saharan Africa in particular remain unelectrified. It is often not economically viable to connect these remote communities to the main grid. Therefore, mini-grid systems represent a promising alternative to ensure electrification even at long distances from the grid, backed by the fact that these systems are becoming cheaper with the advancement of integrated technologies. However, such systems are fraught with risk if various potential pitfalls are not considered upfront. This discourages investors and thus prevents the electrification rate to increase. The following chapter therefore aims to highlight the risk landscape for the deployment of mini-grid systems in order to assist investors in sustainably integrating mini-grid systems. The approach is illustrated using Namibia’s largest mini-grid in Tsumkwe as an example. Through the application of the SRMP, it is revealed that the mini-grid is exposed to a moderate level of risk, mainly due to a lack of education and a replacement process.
Adaptive Drug Resistance in Malaria Parasite: A Threat to Malaria Elimination Agenda?
Authors: Okpeku Moses
Published: June 2021

Malaria is a global disease of importance, especially in the sub-Saharan African region, where malaria accounts for great losses economically and to life. Fight to eliminate this disease has resulted in reduced disease burden in many places where the diseases is endemic. Elimination strategies in most places is focus on the use of treated nets and drug application. Exposure of malaria parasites to anti-malaria drugs have led to the evolution of drug resistance in both parasites and host. Development of drug resistance vary but, studies on adaptive drug resistance has implications and consequences. Our knowledge of this consequences are limited but important for the pursuit of an uninterrupted malaria elimination agenda. This chapter draws our attention to this risks and recommends interventions.
New data on some moth species (Lepidoptera) from Mt. Jadovnik and Mileševka river canyon (West Serbia)
Authors: Jakšić Predrag , King Andrew
Published: June 2021

Data on six species of Lepidoptera significant for the fauna of Serbia, as the data on one quite rare species in Serbian fauna are presented.
Expanding standards in viromics: in silico evaluation of dsDNA viral genome identification, classification, and auxiliary metabolic gene curation
Authors: Pratama Akbar Adjie , Bolduc Benjamin , Zayed Ahmed A. , Zhong Zhi-Ping , Guo Jiarong , Vik Dean R. , Gazitúa Maria Consuelo , Wainaina James M. , Roux Simon , Sullivan Matthew B.
Published: June 2021

Background

Viruses influence global patterns of microbial diversity and nutrient cycles. Though viral metagenomics (viromics), specifically targeting dsDNA viruses, has been critical for revealing viral roles across diverse ecosystems, its analyses differ in many ways from those used for microbes. To date, viromics benchmarking has covered read pre-processing, assembly, relative abundance, read mapping thresholds and diversity estimation, but other steps would benefit from benchmarking and standardization. Here we use in silico-generated datasets and an extensive literature survey to evaluate and highlight how dataset composition (i.e., viromes vs bulk metagenomes) and assembly fragmentation impact (i) viral contig identification tool, (ii) virus taxonomic classification, and (iii) identification and curation of auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs).

Results

The in silico benchmarking of five commonly used virus identification tools show that gene-content-based tools consistently performed well for long (≥3 kbp) contigs, while k-mer- and blast-based tools were uniquely able to detect viruses from short (≤3 kbp) contigs. Notably, however, the performance increase of k-mer- and blast-based tools for short contigs was obtained at the cost of increased false positives (sometimes up to ∼5% for virome and ∼75% bulk samples), particularly when eukaryotic or mobile genetic element sequences were included in the test datasets. For viral classification, variously sized genome fragments were assessed using gene-sharing network analytics to quantify drop-offs in taxonomic assignments, which revealed correct assignations ranging from ∼95% (whole genomes) down to ∼80% (3 kbp sized genome fragments). A similar trend was also observed for other viral classification tools such as VPF-class, ViPTree and VIRIDIC, suggesting that caution is warranted when classifying short genome fragments and not full genomes. Finally, we highlight how fragmented assemblies can lead to erroneous identification of AMGs and outline a best-practices workflow to curate candidate AMGs in viral genomes assembled from metagenomes.

Conclusion

Together, these benchmarking experiments and annotation guidelines should aid researchers seeking to best detect, classify, and characterize the myriad viruses ‘hidden’ in diverse sequence datasets.
Utilization of Mobile Based ICT Tools by the Dairy Farmers of Satara and Pune Districts of Maharashtra
Authors: Jadhav Kiran , Kolhe Smita , Nande Milind , Khanvilkar Ajay , Doiphode Aakash
Published: June 2021

This cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the extent of use of mobile based ICT tools by dairy farmers and constraints faced by them while its use. Respondents were randomly selected from two districts of western Maharashtra namely Satara and Pune and study was undertaken during June – November, 2020. A total of 120 respondents (60 each from Satara and Pune districts) were randomly selected and interviewed with the help of structured schedule. Analysis of data was done and frequency and percentage were calculated accordingly. Almost all the variables studied like age group (68.32%), family size (39.17%), land holding (48.33%), herd size (45.00%), experience (69.17%), social participation (75.84%), extension contacts (70.00%) and knowledge level (72.50%) could be grouped under medium level. Dairy farmers were mostly aware about voice calls (90.83%), whatsapp (82.50%) and financial apps for e-transaction (65%). However, they were totally unaware about use of Twitter, Skype, Instagram, Bluetooth and GIS applications. Similarly, most of the respondents never used video calls (73.34%), SMS facility (70.84%), and mobile for taking photographs (64.16%) related to dairy farming. Whats app found to be used on daily basis, and mobile based ICT tools were used primarily for social purposes with less involvement for its use in order to improve dairy farming activities. Major constraints faced by dairy farmers were unavailability of relevant information in local language, lack of reliable, useful and location specific contents, lack of repairing services and centers in the village. Based on the observations, it is concluded that actual utilization of mobile based ITC tools by dairy farmers is poor in terms of its use for the purpose of dairy related activities. There is need to popularized use of mobile based ICT tools and impart competence and skills in its use among the dairy farmers.
Nurses Perception towards the Care of Patients with Terminal Illness in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Okpala Pat Uzo , Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi , Agunwah Lizzy , Eze Clementina , Ogwa Edith Ifeyinwa , Agu Chekwube Catherine
Published: June 2021

Background: Part of becoming a good nurse is being able to understand one’s own perception of death and dying, which can affect the quality of care a patient with terminal illness will receive. This study was carried out to assess the nurses perception towards the care of patients with terminal illness in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State, Nigeria Part of becoming a good nurse is being able to understand one’s own perception of death and dying, which can affect the quality of care a dying patient will receive.

Methods: A descriptive survey method was used, and the population of 284 nurses was used, the instrument used for data collection was questionnaire and checklist developed based on the objectives of the study. The data collected were analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages.

Results: The result of the study revealed that Nurses at UNTH have a positive perception of deaths with the most prevalent nurses perception being death is the cessation of all life processes (100%), In caring for the dying patients; 97.6% agreed that it is a good thing to care for the dying, 98% agreed that the rights of the patients should be protected even till death, 97.3% nurses should aim at achieving a peaceful death in all patients at the end of life and 97.6% agreed that it is good to involve the family members in the care of the dying patient. The study revealed religion (65.8%), belief (84.6%), previous experience with a dying patient (79.1%) and loss of a loved one (79.4%) as personal factors which influenced the perception of nurses towards the care of the dying. Furthermore, 78.7% and 72.8% of the respondents identified Euthanasia and Advance directive as legal and ethical factors influencing the care of the dying (x-0.728 with a p-value of 0.502).Also, in examining the relationship between nurses perception of death and their years of experience the result showed that the years of experience did not significantly influence nurses care of the dying (x=4.653, with a p-value of 0.166).

Conclusion: It is however recommended that basic knowledge and continuing educational program on palliative care should be made available for student nurses and practicing nurses respectively.
Comparison of Chemical Oxygen Demand Measurements by Conventional and Sealed‐Tube Methods
Authors: Charpentier Ronan , Guarini Philippe , Vidor Karine
Published: June 2021

Since 2009, AGLAE has been conducting proficiency tests for which participants can report results for the chemical oxygen demand index using the small‐scale sealed‐tube method (ST‐COD) in addition to the results for the chemical oxygen demand (COD) using a conventional method. In 2013, AGLAE carried out a first study to compare these two types of methods from the results obtained during AGLAE's tests in surface waters and wastewaters. This study was updated in 2019 with data from the proficiency tests carried out in the meantime, i.e. a total of about 20 tests in surface waters and about 30 tests in wastewaters. The conclusions remain the same, namely that the two methods are not fully equivalent, but the differences are reduced:

The ST‐COD method gives values that are 2% higher on average for concentration levels above 200 mg L
−1
. It gives lower results of about 5.5 mg L
−1
for contents below 200 mg L
−1
.

On the one hand, the precision of ST‐COD analyses is slightly lower than that of the conventional method for contents above 100 mg L
−1
. On the other hand, the precision of ST‐COD analyses is better than that of the conventional method for levels below 100 mg L
−1
, especially as the concentration level decreases.
Polymerization of N‐Vinyl Lactam with Reactive Monomers
Authors: Tallon Michael A. , Musa Osama M.
Published: June 2021

This chapter begins with the copolymerization of N‐vinyl pyrrolidone with N‐vinyl caprolactam. It describes the copolymerization of N‐vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) with N‐vinyl formamide (VF), as another example of N‐vinyl amide comonomer. The reactivity ratio for VF and VP monomers are unity, and their copolymerization is the rare case of an azeotropic copolymerization, where the composition of the feed is identical to that found in the copolymer. Polyvinyl acetate is used in water‐based latex as a film former. It is also used in adhesives due to its tacky nature. Maleic anhydride does not readily homopolymerize on its own, and only low molecular weight oligomers are typically formed when using conventional free‐radical polymerization. Poly‐N‐substituted maleimides provides for stiff resins with high thermal and chemical resiliency. These desirable properties are important in the focused development of new polymeric materials combining high thermal and mechanical performance with new functional properties.
Hydration Behavior of Polylactam Clathrate Hydrate Inhibitors and theirSmall‐MoleculeModel Compounds
Authors: Chambers Luke I. , Hall Amy V. , Musa Osama M. , Steed Jonathan W.
Published: June 2021

A major application of polylactams, particularly polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyvinylcaprolactam and related copolymers is in the inhibition of clathrate hydrate formation in the oilfield sector. This chapter introduces the chemistry and importance of clathrate hydrates, examines the need to inhibit their formation particularly in natural gas pipelines and look at developments in the chemistry and mode of operation of γ‐ and ε‐lactam‐based inhibitors. A clathrate is a multi‐component crystalline solid of the host‐guest type in which a guest molecule is trapped inside a cavity‐containing network formed by the host molecule. The most useful part of the natural gas is the light hydrocarbons that are used as fuels and feed stocks in the petrochemical industry. Clathrate hydrates are very important in the oil and gas industry. The most common method of preventing the formation of clathrate hydrates in oilfield conditions is the use of additives.
Physicochemical, Solution, and Colloidal Properties of Pyrrolidone and Caprolactam‐Based Polymers
Authors: McMullen Roger L. , Clark Raymond B. , Ozkan Seher , Senak Laurence
Published: June 2021

Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) is one of the most widely used polymers for numerous biomedical, pharmaceutical, personal care, and industrial applications. This chapter begins with an introduction to the solution properties of PVP as manifested in a number of different important parameters to describe the physicochemical properties of the polymer in aqueous solutions. One of the key features of PVP is its good solubility in both water and organic solvents. The complexation of PVP with polyphenols is the basis for a variety of applications. The generation of binding isotherms provides insight into the interactions between polymers and cosolutes. There is an increasing interest in interpolymer complexes or polymer‐polymer complexes formed by mixing two or more interacting polymers in solution, since they are used to generate multilayered soft nanomaterials, such as self‐assembled films or nanoparticles. There has been significant interest in subcritical and supercritical fluid technology as substitutes for organic solvents.
Dilute Solution Properties and Characterization ofN‐VinylPyrrolidone Based Polymers
Authors: Senak Laurence , McMullen Roger L.
Published: June 2021

This chapter begins from the most fundamental of dilute solution measurements, namely relative viscosity, and how it evolves into several useful iterations. It discusses colligative properties of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), which include several techniques, such as vapor pressure and membrane osmometry, as well as classical Rayleigh scattering, that provide valuable absolute molecular weight average information. At truly dilute concentrations of polymers in solvent, the oldest, most basic, and costeffective means of characterization is capillary viscometry. PVP polymer chains resulting from free radical polymerization occur in a broad distribution of chain lengths. This molar mass or molecular weight distributions (MWD) is often referred to as the polymer polydispersity. The most common tool for the characterization of polymer molecular weight and MWD is size exclusion chromatography. Some of the most valuable uses of field flow fractionation technique include the evaluation of multiphase PVP systems consisting of linear PVP and non‐soluble PVP particles.
Computational Chemistry of Pyrrolidone and Caprolactam Based Materials
Authors: Jacobson Solomon H. , Musa Osama M.
Published: June 2021

Computational chemistry is the branch of chemistry that uses theoretical formalism and mathematical algorithms to study and solve chemical challenges. This chapter focuses on how the computational techniques can be applied to study gamma and epsilon lactams in several chemical and materials science areas of research. Computational chemistry methods can be grouped into two broad categories; molecular simulation, and cheminformatics, data analytics and machine learning. The chapter also describes the relevant methods used for molecular simulation and property predictions, and reviews key aspects of small molecule simulations and properties. The amide functional group which consists of a nitrogen bonded to a carbonyl group can be found in a variety of cyclic lactams. The chapter discusses computational chemistry as applied to polymers, including polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylcaprolactam, and their various copolymers. The amorphous structure of polymers can be studied with experimental diffraction techniques and with molecular dynamics simulations.
Effectiveness of Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide against Ictalurid Catfish Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Simora Rhoda Mae C. , Wang Wenwen , Coogan Michael , El Husseini Nour , Terhune Jeffery S. , Dunham Rex A.
Published: June 2021

One of the major goals in aquaculture is to protect fish against infectious diseases as disease outbreaks could lead to economic losses if not controlled. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), a class of highly conserved peptides known to possess direct antimicrobial activities against invading pathogens, were evaluated for their ability to protect Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus and hybrid catfish (female Channel Catfish × male Blue Catfish I. furcatus) against infection caused by the fish pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila ML09-119. To identify effective peptides, the minimum inhibitory concentrations against bacterial pathogens Edwardsiella ictaluri S97-773, Edwardsiella piscicida E22-10, A. hydrophila ML09-119, Aeromonas veronii 03X03876, and Flavobacterium columnare GL-001 were determined in vitro. In general and overall, cathelicidins derived from alligator and sea snake exhibited more potent and rapid antimicrobial activities against the tested catfish pathogens as compared to cecropin and pleurocidin AMPs and ampicillin, the antibiotic control. When the peptides (2.5 µg of peptide/g of fish) were injected into fish and simultaneously challenged with A. hydrophila through immersion, increased survival rates in Channel Catfish and hybrid catfish were observed in both cathelicidin (alligator and sea snake) treatments as compared to other peptides and the infected control (P < 0.001) with alligator cathelicidin being the overall best treatment. Bacterial numbers in the kidney and liver of Channel Catfish and hybrid catfish also decreased (P < 0.05) for cathelicidin-injected groups at 24 and 48 h after challenge infection. These results show the potential of cathelicidin to protect catfish against bacterial infections and suggest that an approach overexpressing the peptide in transgenic fish, which is the long-term goal of this research program, may provide a method of decreasing bacterial disease problems in catfish as delivering the peptides via individual injection or feeding would not be economically feasible.
Prevention and Control of Streptococcosis in Tilapia Culture: A Systematic Review
Authors: Maulu Sahya , Hasimuna Oliver J. , Mphande Joseph , Munang’andu Hetron M.
Published: June 2021

Tilapia culture is a very promising industry within the aquaculture sector. However, disease outbreaks have continued to threaten the industry, causing serious economic losses among the producers. Streptococcosis has become the major bacterial disease affecting tilapia production in most regions of the world. To combat the disease and minimize its economic impact on fish producers, numerous preventive and control measures have been developed and reported over the years. This paper aims to systematically review the measures that could be used to manage the disease outbreaks and maintain fish health based on previously published scientific studies. Although numerous measures currently available have been highlighted, it is far better for the producers to maximize the preventive measures for management to be economically feasible. Among the currently available preventive measures, the use of vaccines has been shown to have the most promise, while the use of herbs has been demonstrated to be a more sustainable and economically affordable control measure. However, there are still a number of important gaps in existing literature that require further investigation. Overall, significant progress has been made in preventing and controlling streptococcosis in tilapia although, no single effective measure has been identified. Therefore, a combination of these measures may provide a more effective result.
Increase in the intensity of an optical signal with fluorescein during proton and carbon‐ion irradiation
Authors: Yamamoto Seiichi , Yabe Takuya , Akagi Takashi
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Although the imaging of luminescence emitted in water during irradiation of protons and carbon ions is a useful method for range and dose estimations, the intensity of the images is relatively low due to the low photon production of the luminescence phenomenon. Therefore, a relatively long time is required for the imaging. Since a fluorescent dye, fluorescein, may increase the intensity of the optical signal, we measured the luminescence images of water with different concentrations of fluorescein during irradiation of protons and carbon ions and compared the results with those by measurements with water.

Methods

A cooled charge‐coupled device (CCD) camera was used for imaging a water phantom with different concentrations of fluorescein from 0.0063 to 0.025 mg/cm3, in addition to a water phantom without fluorescein during irradiation of 150‐MeV protons and 241.5‐MeV/n carbon ions.

Results

For both protons and carbon ions, the intensity of the luminescence images increased as the concentration of fluorescein increased. With a fluorescein concentration of 0.025 mg/cm3, the intensities increased to more than 10 times those of water for both protons and carbon ions. Although the shape of the depth profiles of luminescence images of water with fluorescein appeared similar to that of water for protons, those for carbon ions were different from those of water due to the increase in the Cherenkov light component at shallow depths by the decrease in the angular dependencies of the Cherenkov light.

Conclusion

We confirmed the increase in intensity of the luminescence of water by adding fluorescein for particle ions. With a small amount of Cherenkov light contamination in the images, such as protons, the relative distributions of the luminescence images with fluorescein were similar to that of water and will be used for range or dose determination in a short time.
Prescribing Patterns of Hydroxychloroquine and Glucocorticoids Among Lupus Patients After New‐Onset End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Broder Anna , Mowrey Wenzhu B. , Valle Ana , Kim Mimi , Feldman Candace H. , Yoshida Kazuki , Costenbader Karen H.
Published: June 2021

Objective

Optimal strategies for managing lupus medications after end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) have not been addressed. The objective was to identify the current US‐wide prescribing patterns of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and oral glucocorticoids (GS) among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with incident ESRD enrolled in the US Renal Data System (USRDS) registry.

Methods

We identified incident ESRD patients age ≥18 years with SLE as a primary cause of ESRD between January 2006 and June 2013. Patients who were started on dialysis at ESRD onset and enrolled in Medicare Part D within 93 days as required by Medicare were included.

Results

Among the 2,654 new‐onset ESRD patients with Part D, the median duration of follow‐up was 761 days (interquartile range [IQR] 374–1,375). At baseline, 1,076 patients (41%) were not receiving HCQ or GS, 220 (8%) were prescribed HCQ alone, 509 (19%) were prescribed both HCQ and GS, and 849 (32%) were prescribed GS alone. Of the 1,983 patients who either never received or discontinued HCQ after ESRD onset, 667 (34%) continued GS to the end of the follow‐up period. The median GS dose was lower for patients taking HCQ (14 mg [IQR 9–21]) compared to patients who were never prescribed HCQ (15 mg [IQR 9–27]) or patients who discontinued HCQ after ESRD (17 mg [IQR 10–27]; P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Approximately one‐third of patients with lupus nephritis and new‐onset ESRD received GS monotherapy at high doses. As GS‐related complications contribute to hospitalizations and deaths in SLE ESRD, changing these prescribing practices may improve morbidity and mortality outcomes.
Ambiently and Mechanically Stable Ionogels for Soft Ionotronics
Authors: Yiming Burebi , Guo Xiao , Ali Nasir , Zhang Nan , Zhang Xinning , Han Zilong , Lu Yuchen , Wu Ziliang , Fan Xiulin , Jia Zheng , Qu Shaoxing
Published: June 2021

Stretchable ionic conductors such as hydrogels and ionic‐liquid‐based gels (aka ionogels) have garnered great attention as they enable the development of soft ionotronics. Notably, soft ionotronic devices inevitably operate in humid environments or under mechanical loads. However, many previously reported hydrogels and ionogels, however, are unstable in environments with varying humidity levels owing to hydrophilicity, and their liquid components (i.e., ionic liquid, water) may leak easily from polymer matrices under mechanical loads, causing deterioration of device performance. This work presents novel hydrophobic ionogels with strong ionic liquid retention capability. The ionogels are ambiently and mechanically stable, capable of not absorbing moisture in environments with high relative humidity and almost not losing liquid components during long periods of mechanical loading. Moreover, the ionogels exhibit desirable conductivity (10−4–10−5 S cm−1), large rupturing strain (>2000%), moderate fractocohesive length (0.51–1.03 mm), and wide working temperature range (−60 to 200 °C). An ionic skin is further designed by integrating the concept of sensory artificial skins and triboelectric nanogenerators, which can convert multiple stimuli into various types of signals, including resistance, capacitance, short‐circuit current, and open‐circuit voltage. This work may open new avenues for the development of soft ionotronics with stable performance.