bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Limits of Language: Philosophical Hermeneutics and the Task of Comparative Philosophy
Authors: Johnson David W.
Published: September 2020

Despite the importance of linguistic disclosure for philosophical hermeneutics, there has been a conspicuous lack of attention to the question of how linguistic disclosure actually works. I examine the mechanics of disclosure by drawing on Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics as well as Ricoeur's concept of translation and his theory of metaphor. My claim is that the background horizon of the unsaid that differs between languages enables each to disclose different things. This situation underscores the importance of engaging in East-West comparative philosophy, of philosophizing across what Ricoeur calls the radical “fold” [pli] in what can be thought and experienced.
Turismo de base comunitária: uma perspectiva desde o bem viver como alternativa ao desenvolvimento na América Latina e Abya Yala
Authors: Vargas Rodrigo Cuevas , Zuñiga Christian Henríquez , Alcantara Liliane Cristine Schlemer
Published: September 2020

O Bem Viver como conceito ontológico proveniente do mundo dos povos originais, vem sendo a partir de seu reconhecimento em diversas esferas e níveis teóricos, políticos e incluso empresariais, um campo em disputa, sendo em alguns casos, esvaziado e apropriado de seu conteúdo cultural e de sua função emancipadora. Por sua parte, o Turismo de Base Comunitária (TBC) se apresenta como uma das possibilidades práticas de repensar e prospectar um desenvolvimento fundado em uma articulação orgânica entre humanos e entre humano e não humanos, resgatando e atualizando o sentido de comunidade em harmonia com a natureza. Metodologicamente, utilizou-se de revisão teórica com análise crítica e estudo de caso do Programa de TBC em Trawun de Panguipulli, Sul do Chile. Por meio de uma discussão/reflexão entre estes conceitos buscou-se discutir elementos que se aproximam ou se distanciam entre os temas a fim de contribuir neste propósito. O objetivo do artigo é dialogar sobre o tema de Turismo de Base Comunitária como estratégia alternativa e emancipadora de desenvolvimento, desde a perspectiva do Bem Viver. Concluiu-se que pensar em novos paradigmas sustentados em perspectivas ontológicas, supõe também enfrentar o desafio de propor projetos que possam disputar as lógicas de apropriação e em tempo, fortaleçam e reafirmem os territórios e as identidades territoriais das comunidades rurais, campesinas e dos povos originários.
Factors associated with the isolation of Candida Spp. from the oral microbiota of people living with HIV
Authors: Da Silva Antônio Uelton Araújo , Da Silva Gabriela Cruz , De Brito Érika Helena Salles , De Araújo Thiago Moura , De Oliveira Serra Maria Aparecida Alves , De Jesus Costa Ana Cristina Pereira , De Oliveira Marcos Renato , De Freitas Roberto Wagner Júnior Freire , De Araújo Márcio Flávio Moura
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to analyze the association between the isolation of Candida species in the oral cavity and the clinical and virulence factors of people living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This cross-sectional study, comprising 106 people living with HIV who were evaluated in an HIV-AIDS outpatient clinic in Fortaleza, Northeast of Brazil, data collection were conducted during August and November 2018. A saliva sample was also collected to isolate Candida. The virulence factors of extracellular and hemolytic phospholipase activities in isolated Candida strains were analyzed. The prevalence of oral Candida was 40.6%, and the presence of oral Candida was associated with smoking habits (p = .005), daily smoking (p = .026), low weight (p = .030), history of hospitalization (p = .014), TCD4 lymphocyte count < 200 cells/mm3 (p = .018), and detectable viral load (p = .005). The multivariate analysis revealed that the variables smoking habits (p = .008), viral load (p = .011), and body mass index (p = .011) were associated with the presence of oral Candida. Strong hemolytic and phospholipase activities were, respectively, identified in 74.4% and 72% of the isolated strains, mainly Candida albicans. As a main conclusion, the isolation of Candida from the oral cavity in people living with HIV/AIDS, has a strong association with the use of tobacco, even under anappropriate treatment.
A Philosophical Analysis of AI and Racism
Authors: Jones Lel ,   Ball State University
Published: September 2020

This paper addresses the problem of racism against Latinx and Black people in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and offers possible solutions. This ethical analysis is necessary because with a dramatic increase in the production of AI, the way we use it is critical in eliminating its current perpetuation of racism. I offer evidence of the current perpetuation of racism through AI by analyzing its use in banking and in law enforcement. I argue that the current way we produce and use AI needs to be seriously reconsidered and reinforce this argument with the use of Rawls’ theories of justice.
Fanon and Recognition
Authors: Visscher Peter ,   Ball State University
Published: September 2020

This paper applies Hegel’s master-slave dialectic to Fanon’s issue of pseudo-recognition discussed in the essay, “The Negro and Recognition,” as a way of establishing a form of self-consciousness. I begin the paper by arguing that in the Hegelian dialectic establishing a self-consciousness is an essential prerequisite to Fanon’s goal of mutual subject-recognition. I then argue that given the position of black people as slaves within the master-slave dialectic, they are denied the recognition required to attain being in-itself for-itself, which in reality can only be obtained if black people establish self-consciousness on their own terms. I then make the case that this required self-consciousness can only be obtained through struggle, essentially reversing the stages of the dialectic to create a new master/slave relation. In particular, I argue that this moment of struggle provides a moment of proto-recognition which can be used to build a new mutual subject-recognition. I then theorize on what form this new relation must take, making the case that it must be a relation where the categories of master and slave are made irrelevant, and where all subjects are capable of mutual recognition.
Weighted composition operators on weighted Bergman spaces induced by doubling weights
Authors: Du Juntao , Li Songxiao , Shi Yecheng
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we investigate the boundedness, compactness, essential norm and the Schatten class of weighted composition operators $uC_\varphi $ on Bergman type spaces $A_\omega ^p $ induced by a doubling weight ω. Let $X=\{u\in H(\mathbb{D} ): uC_\varphi \colon A_\omega ^p\to A_\omega ^p\ \text {is bounded}\}$. For some regular weights ω, we obtain that $X=H^\infty $ if and only if ϕ is a finite Blaschke product.
On $C^*$-algebras associated to actions of discrete subgroups of $\operatorname{SL}(2,\mathbb{R})$ on the punctured plane
Authors: Bassi Jacopo
Published: September 2020

Dynamical conditions that guarantee stability for discrete transformation group $C^*$-algebras are determined. The results are applied to the case of some discrete subgroups of $\operatorname{SL} (2,\mathbb{R} )$ acting on the punctured plane by means of matrix multiplication of vectors. In the case of cocompact subgroups, further properties of such crossed products are deduced from properties of the $C^*$-algebra associated to the horocycle flow on the corresponding compact homogeneous space of $\operatorname{SL} (2,\mathbb{R} )$.
The block Schur product is a Hadamard product
Authors: Christensen Erik
Published: September 2020

Given two $n \times n $ matrices $A = (a_{ij})$ and $B=(b_{ij}) $ with entries in $B(H)$ for some Hilbert space $H$, their block Schur product is the $n \times n$ matrix $ A\square B := (a_{ij}b_{ij})$. Given two continuous functions $f$ and $g$ on the torus with Fourier coefficients $(f_n)$ and $(g_n)$ their convolution product $f \star g$ has Fourier coefficients $(f_n g_n)$. Based on this, the Schur product on scalar matrices is also known as the Hadamard product.

We show that for a C*-algebra $\mathcal{A} $, and a discrete group $G$ with an action $\alpha _g$ of $G$ on $\mathcal{A} $ by *-automorphisms, the reduced crossed product C*-algebra $\mathrm {C}^*_r(\mathcal{A} , \alpha , G)$ possesses a natural generalization of the convolution product, which we suggest should be named the Hadamard product.

We show that this product has a natural Stinespring representation and we lift some known results on block Schur products to this setting, but we also show that the block Schur product is a special case of the Hadamard product in a crossed product algebra.
A direct proof that toric rank $2$ bundles on projective space split
Authors: Stapleton David
Published: September 2020

The point of this paper is to give a short, direct proof that rank $2$ toric vector bundles on $n$-dimensional projective space split once $n$ is at least $3$. This result is originally due to Bertin and Elencwajg, and there is also related work by Kaneyama, Klyachko, and Ilten-Süss. The idea is that, after possibly twisting the vector bundle, there is a section which is a complete intersection.
Funkcje jednostek osadniczych aglomeracji poznańskiej a polityka przestrzenna = Functions of settlement units of the Poznań agglomeration in light of spatial policy
Authors: Szczepańska Magdalena , Wilkaniec Agnieszka
Published: September 2020

Declining importance of agriculture has been accompanied by development of non-agricultural activities in rural areas. Concurrently, there has been an increasing interest in the issues of transforming functional and spatial structure of the village. Functions of rural settlement units are primarily identified based upon analysis of changing tendencies concerning employment structure, land use and infrastructure accessibility. Significant changes have also occurred in the landscape and perception of post-agricultural space. The rural area begins to resemble a city (hub), also in terms of social and living conditions. There is a rise in the standard of living (positive effect) and a widespread of urban style of being (a negative effect). These processes are particularly intense in the villages of the suburban area, as they are being absorbed into the spatial and functional structures of the city. The aim of the research is to determine the functional and spatial differences and similarities among settlement units of the Poznań agglomeration based on the analysis of planning documents as well as spatial and cartographic data. Old villages were selected for the research – currently, self-government housing estates in Poznań (auxiliary units) and villages that are adjacent to the city border. Contemporary changes in the functions of settlement units have been identified in a diverse range and extent. However, in general spatial changes exhibit numerous similarities. The most important spatial decisions affecting the functional and spatial structure of settlement units are undertaken at the commune level. It is however necessary to coordinate these activities also at a higher level and at various scales of planning. In particular, there is a need for a an integrated approach to the management of spatial and landscape resources within strongly connected areas such as urban agglomerations.
Przestrzenne aspekty suburbanizacji w wybranych gminach wiejskich Białostockiego Obszaru Funkcjonalnego = Spatial aspects of suburbanization in selected rural communes of the Białystok Functional Urban Area
Authors: Mrozik Karol , Waszczuk Magdalena
Published: September 2020

The main purpose of the paper is to identify and evaluate the phenomenon of suburbanization in terms of sustainable spatial development of selected rural communes within the Białystok Functional Urban Area. Depending on data availability, analysis covers the years 2004‒2016. Particular attention was drawn on the impact of this process on establishing spatial order. By employing 8 indicators, suburbanization rate was calculated for all rural communes comprising the Białystok Functional Urban Area. Further analyzes were carried out for two communes, i.e. Juchnowiec Kościelny and Dobrzyniewo Duże, characterized by the highest intensity of the suburbanization process. Detailed analyses have indicated that both communes do not fully use the tools for shaping the spatial order and sustainable development. This is confirmed by a very low planning coverage (approximately 8% in Juchnowiec Kościelny and less than 2% in Dobrzyniewo Duże), as well as a large number of administrative decisions issued. Moreover, high values of population absorptive capacity prove that in the process of planning spatial development, reasonable demographic conditions were not taken into consideration in examined communes.
Marketyzacja handlowa na obszarach wiejskich województwa łódzkiego = Commercial marketing in rural areas of the Łódzkie Voivodship
Authors: Gosik Blanka
Published: September 2020

The new economic reality after the political transformation of the 1990s introduced decisive changes to the commercial space of rural areas. Private stores have been established, significantly expanding their extent of sales and service over time. Currently, the process of commercial marketing has been intensifying in the rural areas in Poland, being evidenced by a large-scale expansion of retail chain stores. These facilities (run by both Polish and foreign capital) introduce new commercial quality that affects spatial, functional and social changes in rural areas.The purpose of this article is to identify the process of commercial marketing in rural areas of the Łódzkie Voivodship and to demonstrate how it affects the behavior of consumers.
Wprowadzenie roweru publicznego jako element rozwoju transportu w gminie Kórnik = Introduction of bike-sharing as part of transport development in the commune of Kórnik
Authors: Iwiński Mateusz , Zydroń Adam , Antkowiak Magdalena
Published: September 2020

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the average number of vehicles per capita, contributing to a rising number of communication conflicts. The solution to such problems in small rural and urban-rural communes would the introduction of alternative transport, which is relatively cheaper and simpler to implement compared to the modernization of road infrastructure. The article examines whether the introduction of a communal bicycle system in Kórnik would avoid some of the transport conflicts and facilitate mobility within the commune. One of the research objectives was an attempt to model the 4th generation of municipal bicycle zones employing the GIS tools for the Kórnik territorial unit. Based on a survey conducted directly on a group of 125 people in May 2018, it was noticed that developing this type of tourist offer would be attractive to residents as providing an alternative form of locomotion to public transport. It was proposed to introduce a bicycle network based on a system of 4th generation without base stations, involving GPS locators and a mobile application. The article also presents the financial aspect- at what costs are residents prepared to make use of this type of solution, attractive not only for tourists, but also as an alternative to intra-municipal bus communication.
Bob Dylan’s 'A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall': Análisis estructural y estilístico de una ruptura poética en el estándar del folk tradicional norteamericano
Authors: Albarrán Jesús
Published: September 2020

Este artículo pretende subrayar el contexto social y creativo donde se gesta la ruptura estética que supuso la canción A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall, compuesta por el cantautor estadounidense Bob Dylan, así como aplicar un análisis estructural y estilístico a los elementos poéticos del himno, concediendo especial atención a sus referencias literarias, musicales y expresivas. La canción protesta norteamericana de principios de los años sesenta presentaba una serie de características realistas que asumirá e integrará Bob Dylan en sus inicios, pero que comenzarán a diluirse progresivamente desde el temprano avance de su carrera musical.
A favor y en contra de la Historia. El cine moderno y el pueblo que falta o el derrumbe de los esencialismos
Authors: Valle Corpas Irene
Published: September 2020

El frescor de las nuevas olas comenzó en realidad como un soplo de memoria y de Historia. Para una generación de cineastas de los sesenta, la irrupción de la Modernidad no debía llevar a la desmemoria, el culto a lo fugaz o lo deslocalizado. Contrariamente, trabajando con los restos de la IIGM y en un clima de fuertes tensión geopolítica, recelosos, tales cineastas, sobre todo en europeos, no quisieron olvidar las heridas pasadas o presentes, y las reabrieron contra el consenso amnésico ínsito a los días de «progreso». Se propusieron criticar los grandes ideales que en el horizonte de las grandes transformaciones sociales de posguerra empezaban a marchitarse y apelaron a la creación con imágenes de otros nuevos.
El «Ángel Negro» en Lisboa: Josephine Baker desafía a Salazar en televisión en directo
Authors: Cravinho Pedro
Published: September 2020

Este ensayo examina la actuación televisada de Josephine Baker que tuvo lugar en Portugal durante el régimen del Estado Nuevo. El 29 de noviembre de 1960, durante su show, además de interpretar Terra Seca, una canción de Ary Barroso que comprende letras que exploran la esclavitud y la discriminación de los negros, abordó deliberadamente temas raciales y de derechos humanos. Las declaraciones de Baker tuvieron lugar durante un período de inestabilidad mundial con respecto al movimiento de descolonización en curso. En ese momento, Portugal era uno de los últimos imperios coloniales europeos y se enfrentaban a una enorme presión internacional respecto a la descolonización. La interpretación televisada de Josephine Baker puede entenderse como una oposición a las políticas coloniales portuguesas. Como ha argumentado Jill Dolan, los «performativos utópicos nos persuaden de que más allá de este “ahora” de la opresión material y las relaciones de poder desiguales vive un futuro que podría ser diferente, uno cuyo potencial podemos sentir» (Dolan, 2008: 7). La declaración de Josephine Baker, en cierta medida, reflejó su oposición contra el colonialismo y demandó una mayor calidad de vida para los oprimidos a nivel mundial. Paradójicamente, la Televisión Pública Portuguesa, el ‘aparato ideológico’ del dictador Salazar, que estaba bajo el riguroso control del Departamento de Censura para evitar la circulación de cualquier contenido potencialmente subversivo, especialmente aquellos relacionados con temas Africanos, fue utilizada contra sí misma por un «Ángel Negro».
Il corpo del testo. Elementi di traduzione transfemminista queer
Authors: Barletta Marco
Published: September 2020

Laura Fontanella, Il corpo del testo. Elementi di traduzione transfemminista queer. Sesto San Giovanni: Asterisco, 2019, 196 págs.
Donne, razza e classe
Authors: Franco Alessia
Published: September 2020

Angela Davis, Donne, razza e classe, traduzione italiana di M. Moïse e A. Prunetti, prefazione di C. Arruzza. Roma: Edizioni Alegre, 2018, 304 pag.
La música o el 27
Authors: Silvera Francisco
Published: September 2020

La simplista identificación de la Generación del 27 sólo con un grupo poético choca con la riqueza de la actividad intelectual en la España del primer cuarto del siglo XX. Este artículo, a través del análisis de la diferente fortuna de la obra musical de algunos compositores del momento, aborda el interés que puede estar detrás de la idea estandarizada del 27 y el oscurecimiento del pensamiento modernista, cómo el aparente progresismo de algunos de esos poetas ha servido de coartada para la imposición de una historiografía conservadora y autojustificante, para la asunción de un sino hispano que, en realidad, ha sido impuesto sistemáticamente a través del control y la represión. Quizá sea necesario mirar con ojos nuevos una vocación reformista española que permanece oculta tras mitos culturales que, en el fondo, perpetúan el tópico.
Edad y violencia en el cine. Diálogos entre estudios etarios, de género y fílmicos
Authors: Pacheco Jiménez Laura
Published: September 2020

Francisco A. Zurian, M. Isabel Menéndez Menéndez y Francisco José García-Ramos (eds.), Edad y violencia en el cine. Diálogos entre estudios etarios, de género y fílmicos. Islas Baleares: Edicions UIB, 2019, 203 págs.
Residents’ Dependency on Forest Resources: A Case Study on Ratargul Freshwater Swamp Forest of Bangladesh
Authors: Das Sanjoy , Dutta Shourav , Chowdhury Pinaki , Ray Tusher Kumer , Chowdhury Kishwar Jahan , Saha Narayan
Published: September 2020

The only freshwater swamp forest of Bangladesh namely Ratargul Freshwater Swamp Forest (RFWSF) has a great contribution to the livelihoods of the surrounding local communities. Local communities or residents of the area depend heavily on this biodiversity-rich swamp forest for income, employment, fuelwood, and non-wood forest resources. An exploratory study was carried out in the swamp forest to explore the availability and consumption pattern of various forest resources, and dependency levels of residents on the RFWSF. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire from 301 respondents (randomly selected from the residents) of the surrounding nine villages. The study revealed that respondents were dependent largely on the RFWSF for fuelwood, bamboo, cane, murta, ornamental resource, and other raw materials for cottage industries. Among the respondents 27% were involved in the harvesting of fish resources, followed by fuelwood (23%), grass (11%), and fodder (6%) collection. Bamboo was the main source of fuel for 41 % of the respondents and 40% depended on twigs and branches of trees. The findings of the study revealed that residents were highly dependent on the non-wood forest resources of the RFWSF for their livelihoods. Besides, a substantial amount of wood resources was consumed by the residents as fuelwood. Excessive unscientific exploitation of the forest resources disturbed the ecological functions and threatened the wildlife habitats of the RFWSF tremendously. The study recommended raising awareness and capacity building among the forest-dependent residents, proper implementations of forest law, and sustainable management could be the effective pathway for the upliftment of the resident’s condition with ecological rehabilitation in the RFWSF.
Wavelet and Statistical Analysis of Dissolved Oxygen and Biological Oxygen Demand of Ramganga River Water
Authors: Kumar Anil
Published: September 2020

Ramganga river is the main tributary of holy river Ganga and navigates through various cities of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh of India. Its water quality is very important because a lot of population is directly connected to this river. Wavelet transforms is a new analytical tool to analyze non-stationary signals/data because it captures the localized time frequency information of a signal. In wavelet transforms, the Approximation gives the low frequency terms and average behaviour of any data, while Detail gives the high frequency terms and differential behaviour of any data.  The trend represents the slowest part of the signal and corresponds to the greatest scale value. As the scale increases, the resolution decreases, producing a better estimate of the unknown trend of the signal. The dissolved oxygen and biological oxygen demand data of station Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh from October 2015 to June 2020 are studied and processed by Haar wavelet transforms. The statistical parameters like skewness, kurtosis and correlation coefficient are determined and discussed. The strong agreement between wavelet analytical and statistical results is obtained.
Role of Oats in Ameliorating Hepatic and Renal Toxicity Induced by Acute Lead Nanoparticles in Male Rats
Authors: Alashmouni Sarah , Atrash Afaf El- , Kandeel Manar , Tousson Ehab
Published: September 2020

Aims: Lead is well known environmental pollutant, which can cause toxic effects in multiple organ systems. Lead originates from various industrial and/or household sources, and enters the body through food and fluid intakes, as well as by inhalation. No sufficient information present about the toxic effect of acute lead nanoparticles on kidney and liver. Accordingly, current study was performed to study the therapeutic effects of Oats extract towards the injection of lead nanoparticles (Pb NPs) in rat induced kidney and liver damage by increasing kidney and liver functions, and electrolytes.

Study Design:  A total of 40 male adult albino rats were equally divided into four groups (Control group, Oats group, Pb NPs group as acute toxicity and last group is Pb NPs +Oats).

Results: Current results revealed that; a significant increase in the levels of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, creatinine, potassium and chloride ions after injection with Pb NPs as compared to control group. In contrast; a significant decrease in serum albumin, total proteins, and sodium ions in Pb NPs as compared to control groups. Treatment of Pb NPs with Oats improved this change in liver and kidney functions as compared to Pb NPs group.

Conclusion: These findings suggested that; lead nanoparticles injection induced hepatic and renal damage. This shows that the desired dose of Pb NPs can safely be used with Oats in improving hepatic and renal damage in toxic group in young rats.
Repellent Activity of Piper spp. Leaves Extracts on Rice Ear Bugs (Leptocorisa oratorius Fabricius) and the Characters of Its Volatile Compounds
Authors: Nugroho Laurentius Hartanto , Pratiwi Rarastoety , Soesilohadi R. C. Hidayat , Subin Efrida Ratnasari , Wahyuni Sri , Jekli . , Hartini Yustina Sri , Lailaty Intani Quarta
Published: September 2020

Rice ear bug (Leptocorisa oratorius Fabricius) is still classified as the top of five pests that cause the most losses in rice farming productivity. The attack causes the grain to become empty resulted in reducing the yield of grain up to 40% even to 100%. Betel plants (Genus Piper) are easy to grow and grown by almost all households in Indonesia. Ethnobotany showed that betel is used as one of the insect controllers. This research aimed to study the repellant activities of five species of Piper spp. and their phytochemical composition based on CG-MS chromatograms. Moreover, the active compounds were analyzed in potent plant. The repellant activities of chloroform and methanol extract of P. betle, P. aduncum, P. nigrum, P. longum, and P. crocatum were applied using modified olfactometer, while the phytochemical composition were analyzed using GC-MS. The compounds with insecticidal activity in the potent species were analyzed by the references. The results showed that chloroform extract of P. crocatum was the most potent extract. It contains 28 specific compounds which were not found in other species. Literature studies showed that compounds that had repellent activities are monoterpene and sesquiterpene groups.
Bioaerosol Assessment of Selected Offices within a Polytechnic
Authors: Dick A. Asifamabia , Wekhe C.
Published: September 2020

Aim: Microorganisms are ubiquitous in the built environment and their presence has been documented to have adverse effect on the users of such buildings. This study was conducted to assess the Bioaerosol concentrations of selected offices.

Study Design:  A random sampling technique was adopted to select the eight (8) offices for the study based on accessibility and visitation.

Place and Duration of Study:    The study was carried out in selected offices within Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, Port Harcourt.           

Methodology:   Sedimentation technique was employed for the assessment involving Nutrient Agar, Mac Conkey Agar and Potato Dextrose Agar. The analysis was replicated thrice for both morning and afternoon sessions

Results: The results reveal that the mean total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 5.85 x 103cfu/m3 (SUG Office) to 3.80 x 104 cfu/m3 (Lecturer Office 2) for the morning session while the afternoon session ranged from 1.13 x 104 cfu/m3 (SUG Office) to 6.54 x 104 cfu/m3 (Lecturer Office 2). The mean total coliform counts for the morning session ranged from 1.17 x 104 cfu/m3 (ICE Office) to 4.07 x 104 cfu/m3 (Lecturer Office 2) while the afternoon session ranged from 7.87 x 103 cfu/m3 (Admission Office) to 2.40 x 104 cfu/m3 (DSA Office). The mean total fungal counts ranged from 1.24 x 104 cfu/m3 (DSA Office) to 3.91 x 104 cfu/m3 (CSO Office) for the morning session while the afternoon session ranged from 8.87 x 103 cfu/m3 (CSO office) to 5.13 x 104 cfu/m3 (Lecturer Office 2).

Conclusion: This shows that the selected offices in Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic are being affected by the airborne bacteria and fungi higher than the recommended limit of 103 cfu/m3. This can result in health challenges of the staff and students thereby reducing productivity, hence a need to control factors that increase the presence of bioaerosols and ensure good sanitary practices in offices.
Radiofrequency ablation for DYT‐28 dystonia: short term follow‐up of three adult cases
Authors: Horisawa Shiro , Azuma Kenkou , Akagawa Hiroyuki , Nonaka Taku , Kawamata Takakazu , Taira Takaomi
Published: September 2020

Mutations in the lysine methyltransferase 2B (KMT2B) gene have recently been reported to be associated with childhood‐onset generalized dystonia. There have been no studies investigating ablative treatments for the management of this disorder. Three patients underwent either a staged unilateral pallidotomy and contralateral pallidothalamic tractotomy (19‐year‐old man, 2‐year follow‐up), a unilateral pallidothalamic tractotomy (34‐year‐old man, 6‐month follow‐up) or a simultaneous unilateral pallidothalamic tractotomy and ventro‐oral thalamotomy (29‐year‐old man, 6‐month follow‐up). The average total patient score on the Burke‐Fahn‐Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale‐Movement Scale improved from 39.5 to 13.2 (66.6%) after the procedures. No significant complications were identified. Ablative treatments appear to be a promising alternative surgical option for generalized dystonia with KMT2B mutation.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Thick‐Walled Inconel 625 Alloy Manufactured by Wire Arc Additive Manufacture with Different Torch Paths
Authors: Jiang Qi , Zhang Peilei , Yu Zhishui , Shi Haichuan , Li Shaowei , Wu Di , Yan Hua , Ye Xin , Chen Jieshi
Published: September 2020

Wire arc additive manufacture (WAAM) technology has attracted more and more attention. WAAM technology provides a way to manufacture a large‐scale part at a low cost and with less material loss. Inconel 625 alloys are widely used for their excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Therefore, it is important to investigate the performance of Inconel 625 alloy in WAAM. Herein, cold metal transfer (CMT) arc is used as the heat source to fabricate thick‐walled parts of Inconel 625 alloy by WAAM, and study the difference between microstructure and mechanical properties under the different torch trajectories. The result shows that the grains inside the parts are all thick dendrites and show the trend of epitaxial growth. The thermal input of the oscillation additive is higher than the two‐pass multilayer additives, and the Laves phase also precipitated more. The maximum tensile strength occurs in parallel sampling close to the substrate, which is 693.5 ± 12.6 and 751.2 ± 17.6 MPa in oscillation and two‐pass multilayer modes, respectively. The maximum elongation is obtained in the vertical direction is 60 ± 1.0% and 60 ± 1.1%. The anisotropies are 4% and 4.5%, respectively. The maximum hardness value under the two torch trajectories also appears close to the substrate.
Multifunctional Wearable Strain Sensor Made with an Elastic Interwoven Fabric for Patients with Motor Dysfunction
Authors: Feng Jingdong , Wang Xinyi , Lv Zihao , Qu Jiangang , Lu Xiaomin , Wei Qufu , Wang Qingqing
Published: September 2020

As the recovery of patients with motor dysfunction can be a time‐consuming process, flexible wearable electronics with a large workable strain range and high sensitivity for detecting various human motions may be useful for real‐time monitoring and evaluation of treatment progress. In this study, cotton/spandex core‐spun yarns are chosen as weft yarns and interwoven with acrylic plied yarn to prepare an elastic fabric, which is sequentially coated with carboxylic multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and silver nanoparticle‐based conductive layers to finally obtain a high‐performance strain sensor (resistance = 60 Ω). The strain sensor displays high sensitivity (gauge factor = 1799) and a large detectable strain range (tolerable strain up to 100%). After 1000 stretching–releasing tests, the sensor still shows favorable electromechanical stability. It is confirmed that large‐scale human joint motions and subtle signals can be detected and identified based on relative resistance variations. In addition, the sensor shows a satisfactory photothermal effect (temperature rises from 18.6 to 35.8 °C within 2 min under IR light illumination) and good antibacterial efficiency (99.74% against Escherichia coli and 97.67% against Staphylococcus aureus). This strain sensor has great potential for future application as an auxiliary tool for evaluating motor recovery in patients with motor dysfunction.
Highly Efficient Blue‐Emitting CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals through Neodymium Doping
Authors: Xie Yujun , Peng Bo , Bravić Ivona , Yu Yan , Dong Yurong , Liang Rongqing , Ou Qiongrong , Monserrat Bartomeu , Zhang Shuyu
Published: September 2020

Colloidal CsPbX3 (X = Br, Cl, and I) perovskite nanocrystals exhibit tunable bandgaps over the entire visible spectrum and high photoluminescence quantum yields in the green and red regions. However, the lack of highly efficient blue‐emitting perovskite nanocrystals limits their development for optoelectronic applications. Herein, neodymium (III) (Nd3+) doped CsPbBr3 nanocrystals are prepared through the ligand‐assisted reprecipitation method at room temperature with tunable photoemission from green to deep blue. A blue‐emitting nanocrystal with a central wavelength at 459 nm, an exceptionally high photoluminescence quantum yield of 90%, and a spectral width of 19 nm is achieved. First principles calculations reveal that the increase in photoluminescence quantum yield upon doping is driven by an enhancement of the exciton binding energy due to increased electron and hole effective masses and an increase in oscillator strength due to shortening of the PbBr bond. Putting these results together, an all‐perovskite white light‐emitting diode is successfully fabricated, demonstrating that B‐site composition engineering is a reliable strategy to further exploit the perovskite family for wider optoelectronic applications.
Laser‐Induced Carbonization of Natural Organic Precursors for Flexible Electronics
Authors: Delacroix Simon , Wang Huize , Heil Tobias , Strauss Volker
Published: September 2020

A precursor ink for carbon laser‐patterning is developed using inexpensive, naturally abundant molecular compounds, namely citric acid and urea, and used to fine‐print conductive carbon circuits on a flexible substrate. The precursor in the ink consists of organic nanoparticles obtained from the thermal treatment of citric acid and urea. This precursor is thoroughly characterized chemically and structurally. A simple recipe for the ink is then described for the creation of highly reproducible laser‐patterned carbon structures on different substrates. Homogeneous ∼20 µm thick films are cast on different substrates and characterized before and after laser‐carbonization. The carbon content of the final films is 97% and is of turbostratic graphitic nature. As reproducible laser‐induced reactions depend on precise laser conditions, the influence of material properties, film thickness, and laser fluence are thoroughly analyzed. Films on three different substrates, namely aluminum sheets, silicon wafers, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are characterized by electrical impedance measurements. Electrical conductivities of up to 5.21 S cm−1 and maximum current densities of 44 A cm−2 are achieved, which proved applicable as fine carbon circuits on PET as a flexible substrate. This study opens a simple synthetic avenue to producing conductive circuit elements based on carbon.
The Concept of Negative Capacitance in Ionically Conductive Van der Waals Ferroelectrics
Authors: Neumayer Sabine M. , Tao Lei , O'Hara Andrew , Susner Michael A. , McGuire Michael A. , Maksymovych Petro , Pantelides Sokrates T. , Balke Nina
Published: September 2020

Negative capacitance (NC) provides a path to overcome the Boltzmann limit that dictates operating voltages in transistors and, therefore, may open up a path to the challenging proposition of lowering energy consumption and waste heat in nanoelectronic integrated circuits. Typically, NC effects in ferroelectric materials are based on either stabilizing a zero‐polarization state or slowing down ferroelectric switching in order to access NC regimes of the free‐energy distribution. Here, a fundamentally different mechanism for NC, based on CuInP2S6, a van der Waals layered ferrielectric, is demonstrated. Using density functional theory and piezoresponse force microscopy, it is shown that an unusual combination of high Cu‐ion mobility and its crucial role in determining polarization magnitude and orientation (P) leads to a negative slope of the polarization versus the electric field E, dP/dE < 0, which is a requirement for NC. This mechanism for NC is likely to occur in a wide class of materials, offering new possibilities for NC‐based devices. The nanoscale demonstration of this mechanism can be extended to the device‐level by increasing the regions of homogeneous polarization and polarization switching, for example, through strain engineering and carefully selected electric field pulses.
TiO2 Colloid‐Spray Coated Electron‐Transporting Layers for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Paik Min Jae , Lee Yonghui , Yun Hyun‐Sung , Lee Seung‐Un , Hong Seung‐Tack , Seok Sang Il
Published: September 2020

TiO2 is one of the most efficient and widely used materials for electron‐transporting layer (ETLs) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The formation of efficient TiO2 layers is generally carried out at high temperature by baking at a temperature >400 °C or by vacuum deposition (e.g., atomic layer deposition and E‐beam). In this study, the preparation of a TiO2 ETL for PSCs is reported with excellent properties at low temperatures based on the synthesis of a stable TiO2 colloidal aqueous solution and spray coating. The prepared TiO2 colloids are able to produce a dense and uniform ETL even if it is simply dried at 100 °C after spray coating. It is believed that this is owing to the peroxo functional group remaining on the surface of the TiO2 colloids. The TiO2 ETLs, combined with the TiO2 underlayer formed by chemical bath deposition, and the sprayed TiO2 colloids allowed the fabrication of PSCs with performance similar to those of PSCs produced by annealing at 450 °C with a TiO2 paste. The PSCs fabricated entirely at 100 °C demonstrated power conversion efficiency of 22.7% in small cells, and 19.0% in mini‐modules.
Insights into the Electrochemical Reduction Products and Processes in Silica Anodes for Next‐Generation Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Entwistle Jake E. , Booth Samuel G. , Keeble Dean S. , Ayub Faisal , Yan Maximilian , Corr Serena A. , Cumming Denis J. , Patwardhan Siddharth V.
Published: September 2020

The use of silica as a lithium‐ion battery anode material requires a pretreatment step to induce electrochemical activity. The partially reversible electrochemical reduction reaction between silica and lithium has been postulated to produce silicon, which can subsequently reversibly react with lithium, providing stable capacities higher than graphite materials. Up to now, the electrochemical reduction pathway and the nature of the products were unknown, thereby hampering the design, optimization, and wider uptake of silica‐based anodes. Here, the electrochemical reduction pathway is uncovered and, for the first time, elemental silicon is identified as a reduction product. These insights, gleaned from analysis of the current response and capacity increase during reduction, conclusively demonstrated that silica must be reduced to introduce reversible capacity and the highest capacities of 600 mAh g−1 are achieved by using a constant load discharge at elevated temperature. Characterization via total scattering X‐ray pair distribution function analysis reveal the reduction products are amorphous in nature, highlighting the need for local structural methods to uncover vital information often inaccessible by traditional diffraction. These insights contribute toward understanding the electrochemical reduction of silica and can inform the development of pretreatment processes to enable their incorporation into next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries.
The Impact of COVID‐19 on Consumer Food Waste
Authors: Roe Brian E. , Bender Kathryn , Qi Danyi
Published: September 2020

Perhaps no phenomenon has so quickly and radically altered household production parameters and daily food patterns as the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic. We contemplate the immediate and longer‐term implications of this public health crisis on the amount of food wasted by consumers. We conclude that the pandemic and its aftermath may improve household skills and management practices in a manner that reduces day‐to‐day household food waste. However, pandemic‐driven disruptions may induce larger intermittent purges of food due to changes in work patterns and food service and food retailing availability. We recommend several steps to reduce waste as the pandemic unfolds.
Effect of foliar application of 2,4‐D and calcium on red‐skinned potato cultivars
Authors: Qin Ruijun , Moparthi Swarnalatha , Feldman Max , Charlton Brian , Sathuvalli Vidyasagar
Published: September 2020

Applications of the plant growth regulator 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) and calcium (Ca) are often used to improve the tuber skin quality of red potatoes. Field trials were conducted at Klamath Falls, OR in 2004 and 2005 to evaluate the effect of foliar applications of 2,4‐D and Ca on yield components, specific gravity, and the tuber skin color of four red‐skinned potato cultivars (Red LaSoda, Mazama, Cherry Red, and Rio Rojo). Skin color was evaluated using a Konica Minolta colorimeter at three‐time points during storage. Treatments of either 2,4‐D or Ca did not affect total tuber yield. However, 2,4‐D increased the proportion of tubers less than 170 g potato. When compared to non‐treated potato plants, 2,4‐D resulted in darker tuber skin with increased red pigmentation. Foliar application of Ca did not affect the tuber yield nor skin color. Calcium addition (in a form of CaCl2) decreased specific gravity possibly due to the chloride component. All potato cultivars exhibited color fading throughout the 6‐month storage period. Our data support the evidence that foliar application of 2,4‐D effectively enhances the color of most red‐skin potatoes, whereas foliar application of Ca may be not necessary in soils with adequate Ca supply.
APOE interacts with tau PET to influence memory independently of amyloid PET in older adults without dementia
Authors: Weigand Alexandra J. , Thomas Kelsey R. , Bangen Katherine J. , Eglit Graham M.L. , Delano‐Wood Lisa , Gilbert Paul E. , Brickman Adam M. , Bondi Mark W. ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) interacts with Alzheimer's disease pathology to promote disease progression. We investigated the moderating effect of APOE on independent associations of amyloid and tau positron emission tomography (PET) with cognition.

Methods

For 297 nondemented older adults from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, regression equations modeled associations between cognition and (1) cortical amyloid beta (Aβ) PET levels adjusting for tau and (2) medial temporal lobe (MTL) tau PET levels adjusting for Aβ, including interactions with APOE ε4‐carrier status.

Results

Adjusting for tau PET, Aβ was not associated with cognition and did not interact with APOE. In contrast, adjusting for Aβ PET, MTL tau was associated with all cognitive domains. Further, there was a stronger moderating effect of APOE on MTL tau and memory associations in ε4‐carriers, even among Aβ‐negative individuals.

Discussion

Findings suggest that APOE may interact with tau independently of Aβ and that elevated MTL tau confers negative cognitive consequences in Aβ‐negative ε4 carriers.
Fouling propensity of pyrolytic coke particles in aqueous phase: Thermal and spectral analysis
Authors: Pourabdollah Kobra
Published: September 2020

Agglomeration–deposition of pyrolytic coke particles has been assigned as the main concern of fouling formation of olefin units in heat exchangers, vessels, and towers. The aim of this study is to investigate the agglomeration and the fouling propensity of aliphatic‐coated pyrolytic coke particles in the aqueous phase of quench water. Unusual surface properties of pyrolytic coke particles refer back to selective adsorption and formation of self‐assembled monolayers of long‐chain aliphatic hydrocarbons C14–C24 on the micropores of pyrolytic coke scaffold leading to formation of a thermal sensitive coating for agglomeration of suspended particles. Agglomeration of pyrolytic coke particles on solid surfaces was demonstrated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations, and the morphology of fouling layer was studied. The experimental results revealed that the aliphatic coating, which encompasses about 40 wt% of the pyrolytic coke particles, is responsible for fouling propensity and particulate agglomeration of pyrolytic cokes in hot quench water. Thermal analysis as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) spectra showed that adsorbed layer of hydrocarbons follows a first‐order burning reaction and contains negligible amounts of heteroatoms, mainly aliphatic hydrocarbons.
Preparation of MT‐type polysiloxane containing active vinyl groups with low hydroxyl group content
Authors: Guo Shiping , Liu Qingyue , Dong Hong , Qu Zhirong , Wu Chuan
Published: September 2020

MT‐type polysiloxanes containing active vinyl group were prepared under acid conditions initiated from divinyltetramethyldisiloxane and methyltrimethoxysilane by one‐pot method, co‐hydrolysis method, and reaction‐rectification coupling method, respectively. The influence of different methods on molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and ratios of each kind of segment in the MT‐type polysiloxane containing active vinyl group were discussed in detail. The results indicated that with the reaction‐rectification coupling method, the residual hydroxyl segment in the prepared MT‐type polysiloxane could be lower than 0.5 wt%. For MT‐type polysiloxanes with high hydroxyl group content, the hydroxyl content could be reduced when treated with hexamethyldisilazane, trimethylchlorosilane, zinc naphthalate, or tetramethylammonium hydroxide under suitable conditions. Hexamethyldisilazane was the most convenient and effective regents among these four compounds, the residual hydroxyl content contained in the prepared MT‐type polysiloxanes could be reduced from 13.4 to 0.9 wt% when MT‐type polysiloxane sample was treated with hexamethyldisilazane.