bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LiAl5O8:Fe3+ and LiAl5O8:Fe3+, Nd3+ as a New Luminescent Nanothermometer Operating in 1st Biological Optical Window
Authors: Kniec Karolina , Tikhomirov Marta , Pozniak Blazej , Ledwa Karolina , Marciniak Lukasz
Published: January 2020

New types of contactless luminescence nanothermometers, namely, LiAl5O8:Fe3+ and LiAl5O8:Fe3+, Nd3+ are presented for the first time, revealing the potential for applications in biological systems. The temperature-sensing capability of the nanocrystals was analyzed in wide range of temperature (−150 to 300 °C). The emission intensity of the Fe3+ ions is affected by the change in temperature, which induces quenching of the 4T1 (4G) → 6A1 (6S) Fe3+ transition situated in the 1st biological window. The highest relative sensitivity in the temperature range (0 to 50 °C) was found to be 0.82% °C (at 26 °C) for LiAl5O8: 0.05% Fe3+ nanoparticles that are characterized by long luminescent lifetime of 5.64 ms. In the range of low and high temperatures the Smax was calculated for LiAl5O8:0.5% Fe3+ to be 0.92% °C at −100 °C and for LiAl5O8:0.01% Fe3+ to be 0.79% °C at 150 °C. The cytotoxicity assessment carried out on the LiAl5O8:Fe3+ nanocrystals, demonstrated that they are biocompatible and may be utilized for in vivo temperature sensing. The ratiometric luminescent nanothermometer, LiAl5O8:Fe3+, Nd3+, which was used as a reference, possesses an Smax = 0.56%/°C at −80 °C, upon separate excitation of Fe3+ and Nd3+ ions using 266 nm and 808 nm light, respectively.
Post-Synthetic Derivatization of Graphitic Carbon Nitride with Methanesulfonyl Chloride: Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalysis
Authors: Praus Petr , Smýkalová Aneta , Foniok Kryštof , Velíšek Petr , Cvejn Daniel , Žádný Jaroslav , Storch Jan
Published: January 2020

Bulk graphitic carbon nitride (CN) was synthetized by heating of melamine at 550 °C, and the exfoliated CN (ExCN) was prepared by heating of CN at 500 °C. Sulfur-doped CN was synthesized by heating of thiourea (S-CN) and by a novel procedure based on the post-synthetic derivatization of CN with methanesulfonyl (CH3SO2−) chloride (Mes-CN and Mes-ExCN). The obtained nanomaterials were investigated by common characterization methods and their photocatalytic activity was tested by means of the decomposition of acetic orange 7 (AO7) under ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation. The content of sulfur in the modified CN decreased in the sequence of Mes-ExCN > Mes-CN > S-CN. The absorption of light decreased in the opposite manner, but no influence on the band gap energies was observed. The methanesulfonyl (mesyl) groups connected to primary and secondary amine groups were confirmed by high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The photocatalytic activity decreased in the sequence of Mes-ExCN > ExCN > CN ≈ Mes-CN > S-CN. The highest activity of Mes-ExCN and ExCN was explained by the highest amounts of adsorbed Acetic Orange 7 (AO7). In addition, in the case of Mes-ExCN, chloride ions incorporated in the CN lattice enhanced the photocatalytic activity as well.
Binder-Free Nickel Oxide Lamellar Layer Anchored CoOx Nanoparticles on Nickel Foam for Supercapacitor Electrodes
Authors: Chen Bohua , Zhong Yu , Shen Gengzhe , Wang Fengming , Liu Zhihao , Chen Mei , Yang Weijia , Zhang Chi , He Xin
Published: January 2020

To enhance the connection of electroactive materials/current collector and accelerate the transport efficiency of the electrons, a binder-free electrode composed of nickel oxide anchored CoOx nanoparticles on modified commercial nickel foam (NF) was developed. The nickel oxide layer with lamellar structure which supplied skeleton to load CoOx electroactive materials directly grew on the NF surface, leading to a tight connection between the current collector and electroactive materials. The fabricated electrode exhibits a specific capacitance of 475 F/g at 1 mA/cm2. A high capacitance retention of 96% after 3000 cycles is achieved, attributed to the binding improvement at the current collector/electroactive materials interface. Moreover, an asymmetric supercapacitor with an operating voltage window of 1.4 V was assembled using oxidized NF anchored with cobalt oxide as the cathode and activated stainless steel wire mesh as the anode. The device achieves a maximum energy density of 2.43 Wh/kg and power density of 0.18 kW/kg, respectively. The modified NF substrate conducted by a facile and effective electrolysis process, which also could be applied to deposit other electroactive materials for the energy storage devices.
Selected Predictors of the Importance Attached to Salt Content Information on the Food Packaging (a Study among Polish Consumers)
Authors: Bryła Paweł
Published: January 2020

This paper aims to identify selected antecedents of the importance attached to salt content information (ISCI) placed on food labels, on the basis of a representative survey of 1051 Polish consumers. The study was conducted with the use of the CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviews) method in 2018. Quota sampling was applied with reference to the following five criteria: sex, age, education, place of living (urban and rural areas), and region. In a multiple regression model, ISCI depends on the respondent’s: sex, age, evaluation of the quantity of nutrition claims, importance attached to nutrition claims, willingness to pay a price premium for products with nutrition claims, attention paid to health and nutrition claims, agreeing with the opinion that unreliable nutrition claims are a serious problem, evaluation of healthiness of one’s diet, self-rated knowledge about healthy nutrition, buying organic food, and reading front-of-package (FOP) labels during and after the purchase. The strongest effects on the importance attached to salt content information on the food packaging were displayed by the importance of nutrition claims, attention paid to nutrition and health claims, respondent’s age, FOP label reading at home, and agreeing that the use of unreliable nutrition claims is a serious problem.
Estimating the Clinical and Economic Impact of Switching from the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) to the 10-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV10) in Italy
Authors: Ansaldi Filippo , Pugh Sarah , Amicizia Daniela , Di Virgilio Roberto , Trucchi Cecilia , Orsi Andrea , Zollo Alessandro , Icardi Giancarlo
Published: January 2020

Background: Invasive and non-invasive pneumococcal diseases are significant health and economic burdens, especially in children and the elderly. Italy included the 7-valent (PCV7) and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in the National Immunization Program in 2007 and 2010, respectively, allowing a dramatic reduction in the burden of pneumococcal disease. In the era of budget constraints, decision-makers may consider switching from the higher-valent, more costly PCV13, to the lower-cost PCV10. This study estimated the potential public health and economic impact of changing vaccine programs from PCV13 to PCV10 in Italy. Methods: A decision-analytic forecasting model estimated the impact of PCV programs. Real-world surveillance data were used to forecast serotype distribution and disease incidence among children and the elderly over a specified 5-year time horizon. Costs and outcomes included estimates of cases and deaths avoided, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained, and total costs from a payer perspective, discounted at an assumed rate of 3.0%, and robustness validated through several scenarios and sensitivity analyses. Results: A switch from PCV13 to PCV10 would increase invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) cases by 59.3% (4317 cases) over a 5-year horizon, primarily due to serotypes 3 and 19A. Pneumonia increased by 8.3% and acute otitis media (AOM) by 96.1%. Maintaining a PCV13 program would prevent a total incremental 531,435 disease cases (1.02M over a 10-year time horizon) and 641 deaths due to invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), with €23,642 per QALY gained over 5 years versus PCV10. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses showed that a PCV13-based program remained cost-effective in 99.7% of the simulations in Italy as parameters varied within their plausible range; percent vaccinated had the most impact. Conclusions: Maintaining the PCV13 strategy would provide substantial public health and economic benefits in Italy and is cost-effective. Switching from PCV13 to PCV10 would increase the incidence of pneumococcal disease primarily linked to re-emergence of serotypes 3 and 19A.
Applications of Geophysical Logs to Coal Mining—Some Illustrative Examples
Authors: Zhou Binzhong , Guo Hua
Published: January 2020

Geophysical logs can be used not only for qualitative interpretation such as strata correlation but also for geotechnical assessment through quantitative data analysis. In an emerging digital mining age, such a use of geophysical logs helps to establish reliable geological and geotechnical models, which reduces safety and financial risks due to geological and geotechnical uncertainty for new and existing coal mining projects. This paper presents some examples of geological and geotechnical characterizations from geophysical logs at various coal mines in Australia and India. The applications include rock strength and coal quality estimations, automated lithological/geotechnical interpretation and geophysical strata rating, all based on geophysical logs. These derived parameters could provide input to modelling, control, even ‘digital twin’ generation in a form of geological and geotechnical models as part of the future digital mining. The outcomes can be visualized in 3D space and used for identifying the key geotechnical strata units that are responsible for caving behaviors during longwall mining. This could assist site geologists and planning and production engineers predict and manage mining conditions on an ongoing basis. Both conventional logs such as density, natural gamma and sonic and less common logging data, such as full waveform sonic, televiewer and SIROLOG spectrometric natural gamma logging data are examined for their potential applications. The geotechnical strata classification and rock strengths predicted from the geophysical logs match the laboratory tests, drill core geotechnical strata classification, core photos and the mining condition/behavior observed. These illustrate the usefulness and effectiveness of using geophysical logs for geological and geotechnical characterizations.
Filling Gaps of Monthly Terra/MODIS Daytime Land Surface Temperature Using Discrete Cosine Transform Method
Authors: Liu Hengzi , Lu Ning , Jiang Hou , Qin Jun , Yao Ling
Published: January 2020

Land surface temperature (LST) is a key parameter in geophysical fields. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard Terra provides an accurate LST dataset with global coverage and monthly series, but the monthly MODIS LST data are often obscured by clouds and other atmospheric disturbances and consequently exhibit significant data gaps at a global scale, resulting in a difficult interpretation of LST trends and climatological characteristics. In this paper, an effective and fast LST reconstruction method to fill data gaps in monthly MODIS LST is presented. The proposal combines the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) and the Penalized Least Square approach (PLS) together with the Generalized Cross-Validation (GCV) criterion. It depends only on the spatial high-frequency information from original LST estimates and allows a fast and automatic filling process without the help of any other ancillary data. To analyze its performance, the method is applied to fill data gaps on three continents with synthetic random missing values introduced as validation sets. The statistical evaluation shows that this method is capable of filling a large number of missing values in MODIS LST datasets with very high accuracy. In addition, the trend differences between the original LST and reconstructed LST have assessed the significance by computing 95% confidence intervals for a time series of trend differences is examined. Simulated experiments show that data gaps with large missing counts lead to significant differences in trend patterns and the patterns on validation sets are well estimated by this method, which confirms that the filling process of MODIS LST is necessary and favorable results can be produced for substantial data gaps by the DCT-PLS method.
Comparison of Machine Learning Methods Applied to SAR Images for Forest Classification in Mediterranean Areas
Authors: Lapini Alessandro , Pettinato Simone , Santi Emanuele , Paloscia Simonetta , Fontanelli Giacomo , Garzelli Andrea
Published: January 2020

In this paper, multifrequency synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images from ALOS/PALSAR, ENVISAT/ASAR and Cosmo-SkyMed sensors were studied for forest classification in a test area in Central Italy (San Rossore), where detailed in-situ measurements were available. A preliminary discrimination of the main land cover classes and forest types was carried out by exploiting the synergy among L-, C- and X-bands and different polarizations. SAR data were preliminarily inspected to assess the capabilities of discriminating forest from non-forest and separating broadleaf from coniferous forests. The temporal average backscattering coefficient ( σ ¯ °) was computed for each sensor-polarization pair and labeled on a pixel basis according to the reference map. Several classification methods based on the machine learning framework were applied and validated considering different features, in order to highlight the contribution of bands and polarizations, as well as to assess the classifiers’ performance. The experimental results indicate that the different surface types are best identified by using all bands, followed by joint L- and X-bands. In the former case, the best overall average accuracy (83.1%) is achieved by random forest classification. Finally, the classification maps on class edges are discussed to highlight the misclassification errors.
A Face-Shear Mode Piezoelectric Array Sensor for Elasticity and Force Measurement
Authors: Kim Kyungrim , Kim Taeyang , Kim Jinwook , Jiang Xiaoning
Published: January 2020

We present the development of a 6 × 6 piezoelectric array sensor for measuring elasticity and force. The proposed sensor employs an impedance measurement technique, sensing the acoustic load impedance of a target by measuring the electrical impedance shift of face-shear mode PMN–PT (lead magnesium niobate–lead titanate) single crystal elements. Among various modes of PMN–PT single crystals, the face-shear mode was selected due to its especially high sensitivity to acoustic loads. To verify the elasticity sensing performance, gelatin samples with different elastic moduli were prepared and tested. For the force measurement test, different magnitudes of force were loaded to the sensing layer whose acoustic impedance was varied with applied forces. From the experimental results, the fabricated sensor showed an elastic stiffness sensitivity of 23.52 Ohm/MPa with a resolution of 4.25 kPa and contact force sensitivity of 19.27 Ohm/N with a resolution of 5.19 mN. In addition, the mapping experiment of elasticity and force using the sensor array was successfully demonstrated.
Using Ground Penetrating Radar to Reveal Hidden Archaeology: The Case Study of the Württemberg-Stambol Gate in Belgrade (Serbia)
Authors: Ristić Aleksandar , Govedarica Miro , Pajewski Lara , Vrtunski Milan , Bugarinović Željko
Published: January 2020

This paper presents the results of a research study where ground penetrating radar (GPR) was successfully used to reveal the remains of the Württemberg-Stambol Gate in the subsurface of Republic Square, in Belgrade, Serbia. GPR investigations were carried out in the context of renovation works in the square, which involved rearranging traffic control, expanding the pedestrian zone, renewing the surface layer, and valorising existing archaeological structures. The presence of the gate remains was suggested by historical documents and information from previous restoration works. A pulsed radar unit was used for the survey, with antennas having 200- and 400-MHz central frequencies. Data were recorded over a grid and two three-dimensional models were built, one for each set of antennas. The grid was the same for both sets of antennas, therefore the two models could be compared. Several horizontal cross sections of the models were plotted, corresponding to different depths; these images were carefully examined and interpreted, paying particular attention to signatures that could originate from the sought archaeological structures. Reflections coming from the gate remains were identified in both models, in the same region of the survey area and at the same depth; the geometry, size, and layout of the gate columns, as well as of other construction elements belonging to the gate, were determined with very good accuracy. Based on the GPR findings, archaeological excavation works were carried out in the region where the foundation remains were estimated to be. The presence of the remains was confirmed, with various columns and side walls. This case study demonstrates and further corroborates the effectiveness and reliability of GPR for the non-invasive prospection of archaeological structures hidden in the heterogeneous subsurface of urban environments. In the opinion of the authors, GPR should be incorporated as a routine field procedure in construction and renovation projects involving historical cities.
UAV Landing Using Computer Vision Techniques for Human Detection
Authors: Safadinho David , Ramos João , Ribeiro Roberto , Filipe Vítor , Barroso João , Pereira António
Published: January 2020

The capability of drones to perform autonomous missions has led retail companies to use them for deliveries, saving time and human resources. In these services, the delivery depends on the Global Positioning System (GPS) to define an approximate landing point. However, the landscape can interfere with the satellite signal (e.g., tall buildings), reducing the accuracy of this approach. Changes in the environment can also invalidate the security of a previously defined landing site (e.g., irregular terrain, swimming pool). Therefore, the main goal of this work is to improve the process of goods delivery using drones, focusing on the detection of the potential receiver. We developed a solution that has been improved along its iterative assessment composed of five test scenarios. The built prototype complements the GPS through Computer Vision (CV) algorithms, based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), running in a Raspberry Pi 3 with a Pi NoIR Camera (i.e., No InfraRed—without infrared filter). The experiments were performed with the models Single Shot Detector (SSD) MobileNet-V2, and SSDLite-MobileNet-V2. The best results were obtained in the afternoon, with the SSDLite architecture, for distances and heights between 2.5–10 m, with recalls from 59%–76%. The results confirm that a low computing power and cost-effective system can perform aerial human detection, estimating the landing position without an additional visual marker.
Smart Adhesive Joint with High-Definition Fiber-Optic Sensing for Automotive Applications
Authors: Young Stephen , Penumadu Dayakar , Foster Darren , Maeser Hannah , Balijepalli Bharati , Reese Jason , Bank Dave , Dahl Jeff , Blanchard Patrick
Published: January 2020

Structural health monitoring of fiber-reinforced composite-based joints for automotive applications during their manufacturing and on-demand assessment for its durability in working environments is critically needed. High-definition fiber-optic sensing is an effective method to measure internal strain/stress development using minimally invasive continuous sensors. The sensing fiber diameters are in the same order of magnitude when compared to reinforcement (glass, basalt, or carbon fibers) used in polymer composites. They also offer a unique ability to monitor the evolution of residual stresses after repeated thermal exposure with varying temperatures for automotive components/joints during painting using an electrophoretic painting process. In this paper, a high-definition fiber-optic sensor utilizing Rayleigh scattering is embedded within an adhesive joint between a carbon fiber-reinforced thermoset composite panel and an aluminum panel to measure spatially resolved strain development, residual strain, and thermal expansion properties during the electrophoretic paint process-simulated conditions. The strain measured by the continuous fiber-optic sensor was compared with an alternate technique using thermal digital image correlation. The fiber-optic sensor was able to identify the spatial variation of residual strains for a discontinuous carbon fiber-reinforced composite with varying local fiber orientations and resin content.
Quartz Crystal Microbalance Based Sensor Arrays for Detection and Discrimination of VOCs Using Phosphonium Ionic Liquid Composites
Authors: Vaughan Stephanie R. , Pérez Rocío L. , Chhotaray Pratap , Warner Isiah M.
Published: January 2020

Herein, we examine two sensing schemes for detection and discrimination of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this work, phosphonium ionic liquids (ILs) were synthesized and vapor sensing properties examined and compared to phosphonium IL-polymer composites. Pure IL sensors were used to develop a QCM-based multisensory array (MSA), while IL-polymer composites were used to develop an MSA and virtual sensor arrays (VSAs). It was found that by employing the composite MSA, five chlorinated VOCs were accurately discriminated at 95.56%, which was an increase in accuracy as compared to pure ILs MSA (84.45%). Data acquired with two out of three VSAs allowed discrimination of chlorinated VOCs with 100% accuracy. These studies have provided greater insight into the benefits of incorporating polymers in coating materials for enhanced discrimination accuracies of QCM-based sensor arrays. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a QCM-based VSA for discrimination of closely related chlorinated VOCs.
SLAM-Based Self-Calibration of a Binocular Stereo Vision Rig in Real-Time
Authors: Yin Hesheng , Ma Zhe , Zhong Ming , Wu Kuan , Wei Yuteng , Guo Junlong , Huang Bo
Published: January 2020

The calibration problem of binocular stereo vision rig is critical for its practical application. However, most existing calibration methods are based on manual off-line algorithms for specific reference targets or patterns. In this paper, we propose a novel simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM)-based self-calibration method designed to achieve real-time, automatic and accurate calibration of the binocular stereo vision (BSV) rig’s extrinsic parameters in a short period without auxiliary equipment and special calibration markers, assuming the intrinsic parameters of the left and right cameras are known in advance. The main contribution of this paper is to use the SLAM algorithm as our main tool for the calibration method. The method mainly consists of two parts: SLAM-based construction of 3D scene point map and extrinsic parameter calibration. In the first part, the SLAM mainly constructs a 3D feature point map of the natural environment, which is used as a calibration area map. To improve the efficiency of calibration, a lightweight, real-time visual SLAM is built. In the second part, extrinsic parameters are calibrated through the 3D scene point map created by the SLAM. Ultimately, field experiments are performed to evaluate the feasibility, repeatability, and efficiency of our self-calibration method. The experimental data shows that the average absolute error of the Euler angles and translation vectors obtained by our method relative to the reference values obtained by Zhang’s calibration method does not exceed 0.5˚ and 2 mm, respectively. The distribution range of the most widely spread parameter in Euler angles is less than 0.2˚ while that in translation vectors does not exceed 2.15 mm. Under the general texture scene and the normal driving speed of the mobile robot, the calibration time can be generally maintained within 10 s. The above results prove that our proposed method is reliable and has practical value.
The Effect of ProHydrolase® on the Amino Acid and Intramuscular Anabolic Signaling Response to Resistance Exercise in Trained Males
Authors: Townsend Jeremy R. , Morimune Jaclyn E. , Jones Megan D. , Beuning Cheryle N. , Haase Allison A. , Boot Claudia M. , Heffington Stephen H. , Littlefield Laurel A. , Henry Ruth N. , Marshall Autumn C. , VanDusseldorp Trisha A. , Feito Yuri , Mangine Gerald T.
Published: January 2020

This double-blind study examined effects of a protease enzyme blend (Prohydrolase®) added to whey protein on post-resistance exercise aminoacidemia and intramuscular anabolic signaling were investigated in ten resistance-trained males. Participants completed 4 sets of 8–10 repetitions in the leg press and leg extension exercises at 75% of 1-repetition maximum. Participants then consumed either 250 mg of Prohydrolase® + 26 g of whey protein (PW), 26 g whey alone (W), or non-nutritive control (CON) in counterbalanced order. Blood samples were obtained prior to exercise (baseline) and then immediately-post (IP), 30-, 60-, 90-, 120-, and 180-min post-exercise. Muscle biopsies were taken at baseline, 1-h (1H), and 3-h (3H) post-exercise. Phosphorylation of AKTSer437 was decreased (3H only: p < 0.001), mTORSer2448 was increased (1H: p = 0.025; 3H: p = 0.009), and p70S6KThr412 remained unchanged similarly for each condition. Plasma leucine, branch-chained amino acids, and essential amino acid concentrations for PW were significantly higher than CON (p < 0.05) at 30 min and similar to W. Compared to IP, PW was the only treatment with elevated plasma leucine levels at 30 min (p = 0.007; ∆ = 57.8 mmol/L, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 20.0, 95.6) and EAA levels at 180 min (p = 0.003; ∆ = 179.1 mmol/L, 95% CI: 77.5, 280.7). Area under the curve amino acid analysis revealed no differences between PW and W. While no different than W, these data indicate that PW was the only group to produce elevated amino acid concentrations 30-min and 180-min post-ingestion.
Planning and Simulation of Intermodal Freight Transport on International Networks. Hub and Spoke System in Euro-Mediterranean Area
Authors: Gattuso Domenico , Malara Margherita , Cassone Gian Carla
Published: January 2020

The remarkable demographic growth and economic development of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean regions stimulate an ever increasing need for trade between the shores, especially from regions of North Africa and the Middle East towards Western European countries. Today, these exchanges take place mainly by sea and by roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) ships; but the connections by container ships and by road transport are important too. Ro-Ro services are particularly crammed in some North-South directions, with relationships among few ports and with rather limited frequencies. Road transport, especially between the Middle East and Europe, has different limits in terms of cost, safety, and reliability. The paper proposes a hypothesis of a logistic organization on a Euro-Mediterranean scale, through the transition from a network of direct links to a hub and spoke (H&S) network, according to the scheme envisaged for air transport. The research aims to explore, within a framework of the socio-economic system and the mobility demand system, the feasibility of a H&S network for Ro-Ro freight in the Mediterranean basin, based on a hub with high logistical performances, limiting the planning to supply and process consequent impact assessments.
Embedding Cultivated Diversity in Society for Agro-Ecological Transition
Authors: Chable Véronique , Nuijten Edwin , Costanzo Ambrogio , Goldringer Isabelle , Bocci Riccardo , Oehen Bernadette , Rey Frédéric , Fasoula Dionysia , Feher Judit , Keskitalo Marjo , Koller Beate , Omirou Michalis , Mendes-Moreira Pedro , van Frank Gaëlle , Naino Jika Abdel Kader , Thomas Mathieu , Rossi Adanella
Published: January 2020

Agroecology calls for a global approach, integrating scientific, practical, and advocacy dimensions, to redesign agricultural systems based on ecological and socio-cultural processes and emphasizing biodiversity. This review is grounded on the results of DIVERSIFOOD, a European H2020 multi-actor research project, and explores the concept of cultivated diversity using various dimensions relevant to foster sustainable organic food systems and agro-ecological transition. From the evaluation of underutilized genetic resources and forgotten crops, DIVERSIFOOD has proposed plant breeding strategies, on-farm experimentation, and statistical tools to create new populations, landraces, and organic cultivars with intra-varietal diversity. The added value of Community Seed Banks and forms of collective seed management in Europe have been described in terms of goals and activities, and their value for improving seed regulations, treaties, and genetic resources management is discussed. In the context of the current agro-food system characterized by standardization, DIVERSIFOOD raised awareness of qualities of ‘biodiverse food systems’ in which all actors have a role to play. It highlighted the critical capacity to preserve a diversity of cultural values embodied in ‘biodiverse products’, thereby involving consumers in collective strategies for reviving diversity, and empowering all actors of organic food systems to really and efficiently implement research within their farms and networks.
Being Pregnant during the Kivu Ebola Virus Outbreak in DR Congo: The rVSV-ZEBOV Vaccine and Its Accessibility by Mothers and Infants during Humanitarian Crises and in Conflict Areas
Authors: Schwartz David A.
Published: January 2020

The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak that began in Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in July 2018 is the second largest in history. It is also the largest and most deadly of the ten Ebola outbreaks to occur in DRC, the country where Ebola was first identified during the 1976 Yambuku outbreak. The Kivu region is one of the most challenging locations in which to organize humanitarian assistance. It is an active conflict zone in which numerous armed groups are conducting violent acts, often directed against the inhabitants, healthcare and relief workers and peacekeepers. EVD has been especially problematic in pregnancy—previous outbreaks both in DRC and other countries have resulted in very high mortality rates among pregnant women and especially their infants, with maternal mortality in some outbreaks reaching over 90% and perinatal mortality 100%. The development and implementation of the Merck rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine for Ebola infection has been a tremendous public health advance in preventing EVD, being used successfully in both the West Africa Ebola epidemic and the Équateur DRC Ebola outbreak. But from the start of the Kivu outbreak, policy decisions had resulted in excluding pregnant and lactating women and their infants from receiving it during extensive ring vaccination efforts. In June 2019, this policy was reversed, 10 months after the start of the outbreak. Pregnant and lactating women are now permitted not only the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine in the continuing Kivu outbreak but also the newly implemented Ad26.ZEBOV/MVA-BN vaccine.
Humanized Mice in Dengue Research: A Comparison with Other Mouse Models
Authors: Coronel-Ruiz Carolina , Gutiérrez-Barbosa Hernando , Medina-Moreno Sandra , Velandia-Romero Myriam L. , Chua Joel V. , Castellanos Jaime E. , Zapata Juan C.
Published: January 2020

Dengue virus (DENV) is an arbovirus of the Flaviviridae family and is an enveloped virion containing a positive sense single-stranded RNA genome. DENV causes dengue fever (DF) which is characterized by an undifferentiated syndrome accompanied by fever, fatigue, dizziness, muscle aches, and in severe cases, patients can deteriorate and develop life-threatening vascular leakage, bleeding, and multi-organ failure. DF is the most prevalent mosquito-borne disease affecting more than 390 million people per year with a mortality rate close to 1% in the general population but especially high among children. There is no specific treatment and there is only one licensed vaccine with restricted application. Clinical and experimental evidence advocate the role of the humoral and T-cell responses in protection against DF, as well as a role in the disease pathogenesis. A lot of pro-inflammatory factors induced during the infectious process are involved in increased severity in dengue disease. The advances in DF research have been hampered by the lack of an animal model that recreates all the characteristics of this disease. Experiments in nonhuman primates (NHP) had failed to reproduce all clinical signs of DF disease and during the past decade, humanized mouse models have demonstrated several benefits in the study of viral diseases affecting humans. In DENV studies, some of these models recapitulate specific signs of disease that are useful to test drugs or vaccine candidates. However, there is still a need for a more complete model mimicking the full spectrum of DENV. This review focuses on describing the advances in this area of research.
‘Spending the day with your Family Health Team’: rapid ethnography of a patient-centred quality improvement event
Authors: Dainty Katie N , Kiran Tara
Published: January 2020

Background

Primary care practices have started to explore different methods of engaging with patients to advance quality improvement. This approach leverages the strengths of citizen engagement; however, there has been a lack of empirical research to understand the impact of such an approach from the patient perspective.

Aim

To understand how citizen engagement can inform quality improvement in family practice.

Design & setting

A single-centre, rapid ethnographic evaluation of a patient engagement event.

Method

Ten thousand email invitations were sent and posters put up in Family Health Team (FHT) waiting rooms, resulting in 350 patient responses and the purposive recruitment of 36 participants. Observation and key informant interviews were used to collect data. The data corpus was analysed according to ethnographically-informed thematic analysis techniques.

Results

Analysis of the full set of field notes, patient interviews, and informal conversations with the FHT staff revealed three factors that impacted on the success of the patient engagement event: setting the stage, the power of storytelling, and the value of reframing the patient role.

Conclusion

The present study highlights three components of patient and public engagement approaches — the importance of setting the proper stage, storytelling as a tool, and reframing the patient role in healthcare delivery — which may provide useful guidance to those considering similar patient and public engagement events.
A simple dose of antibiotics: qualitative analysis of sepsis reporting in UK newspapers
Authors: Rush Lynne , Hilton Shona , McDaid Lisa
Published: January 2020

Background

A recent drive to improve sepsis awareness has been accompanied by prolific media reporting about its management in children. Media reporting is known to influence public understanding of health issues and subsequent health-seeking behaviour.

Aim

To examine UK newspaper representations of sepsis in children to better understand how the messages they convey may impact on parents' consulting behaviour and expectations about antimicrobial prescribing.

Design & setting

Qualitative analysis of articles published in 12 UK newspapers from January 1988 to June 2018.

Method

Thematic analysis of 140 articles about sepsis in children identified through a search on the Nexis database.

Results

Reporting about sepsis in UK newspapers was characterised by emotive personal narratives about affected children who have suffered death or disability. These events were frequently presented as resulting from failings within the healthcare system that could have been avoided by early treatment. Health professionals were portrayed as inadequately prepared to recognise and manage sepsis, and as reluctant to prescribe antibiotics, even when necessary. Parents were positioned as advocates for their children, and as being ultimately responsible for ensuring that they receive appropriate treatment.

Conclusion

This research identified messages about sepsis in the UK news media that could influence public attitudes about antibiotic prescribing in acute childhood illness. Public health communications about sepsis awareness must acknowledge the wider implications of unnecessary antibiotic use as a driver of antimicrobial resistance to reduce the risk of damaging efforts to promote rational prescribing.
CONDICIONES INTEGRALES DE TRABAJO DE LOS RECOLECTORES DE DESECHOS SÓLIDOS DE UN MUNICIPIO EN VENEZUELA
Authors: Gomes Glenys , Quintero Jaime
Published: January 2020

El propósito del presente artículo consiste en describir las condiciones integrales de trabajo de recolectores de desechos sólidos de un municipio en Venezuela, con el fin de promover correctivos en el marco regulatorio venezolano y del trabajo decente, apoyado en la teoría Parsons, riesgo de Beck y 2 Factores de Herzberg. Fue una investigación de tipo cualitativa, descriptiva, basado en una estrategia, se apoyó en la lista de chequeo, observación y entrevista dirigida a informantes clave, clasificados en expertos, trabajadores, empresas, usuarios. Como resultados se tiene que la recolección de desechos, es un sistema que inicia desde el hogar con la producción de los desechos sólidos para luego proceder con la recolección y su traslado, es allí donde interactúan en un ambiente que impacta en los recolectores y se evidencia que en la actualidad no se está realizando de la forma adecuada, generando así un riesgo a la salud de los recolectores, en el municipio se está trabajando en la administración de la gestión ambiental, dirigiendo proyectos y programas a las comunidades para disminuir los efectos de contaminación, debido a que esta situación afecta directamente las condiciones de trabajo de los recolectores de desechos sólidos.
APORTES PARA CREACIÓN DE UN PROGRAMA DE HIGIENE Y SEGURIDAD LABORAL PARA PREVENIR ACCIDENTES Y RIESGOS
Authors: Valle Flores Noemi Milenka
Published: January 2020

Este artículo presenta un aporte para el diseño de un Programa de Higiene y Seguridad Laboral en la Entidad Municipal de Aseo Potosí a fin de permitir prevenir accidentes, y enfermedades laborales. El enfoque de la investigación fue mixto (cuantitativo y cualitativo), se utilizaron como métodos teóricos los siguientes: histórico – lógico, análisis – síntesis, inductivo – deductivo. Una vez identificados cada uno de los puntos a desarrollar, se prosiguió a realizar un diagnóstico situacional, aplicando instrumentos de recolección tales como: cuestionarios, entrevistas y observación que permitieron medir las variables: Políticas, procesos y resultados. Se concluyó tras la interpretación y análisis que la entidad no cuenta con un diseño de programa de higiene y seguridad laboral, por lo que la investigación reportada es una contribución a la entidad para dotar la seguridad total, evitar accidentes y reducir costos para crear una cultura de seguridad y hacer conciencia sobre la importancia de todas las operaciones y actividades que contiene el programa.
RANCANG BANGUN ALAT PENIRIS MINYAK PADA KERIPIK SINGKONG
Authors: Adriana Marlia , Syahyuniar Rusuminto
Published: January 2020

Sebagai makanan yang digoreng, keripik singkong biasanya masih banyak mengandung minyak yang berlebih didalamnya. Oleh karena itu untuk memperpanjang nilai konsumsi pada keripik singkong ini dapat dilakukan dengan cara meniriskan kandungan minyak menggunakan mesin peniris minyak. Penelitian ini bertujuan merancang desain rangka dan proses pembuatan rangka alat peniris minyak. Penelitian yang dilakukan adalah membuat rangka alat peniris minyak. Rangka alat peniris minyak ini menyerupai meja didesain menggunakan software Autocad dengan dimensi panjang 74 cm, lebar 54 cm dan tinggi 95 cm . Rangka alat peniris minyak ini dibuat dengan menggunakan pipa hollow stainless steel, stainless steel bulat dan stainless steel plat.
KARAKTERISTIK ALIRAN DI SEKITAR SILINDER SIRKULAR DAN SILINDER BERSIRIP
Authors: Sudirman Sudirman
Published: January 2020

Aliran yang melalui suatu benda akan menghasilkan karakeristik aliran yang sangat tergantung pada beberapa parameter fisik, diantaranya; bentuk benda, kondisi permukaan, maupun orientasi benda yang dilintasi. Penelitian ini,  penulis menggunakan software Gambit 2.4 dan Fluent 6.3 untuk memodelkan silinder bersirip dengan variasi jarak antar fin. Diameter silinder, panjang silinder, panjang fin, dan tebal fin adalah variabel yang tetap konstan. Variabel yang diubah adalah jarak antar fin, yaitu 10 mm, 14 mm, dan 18 mm. Simulasi numerik pada penelitian ini dilakukan dengan pendekatan 3D-steady flow Reynolds Averaged-Navier Stokes (RANS) dan RNG k-ε. Properties udara yang digunakan pada kondisi STP dengan temperatur 28oC adalah, densitas (ρ) = 1,17 kg/m3 dan viskositas (μ)=1,85 x 10-5 N.s/m2. Kondisi inlet aliran udara, velocity inlet 16 m/s dan intensitas turbulensi 1,56 % diterapkan pada kondisi batas inlet domain simulasi numerik. Aliran fluida yang melalui silinder yang terdapat clearance antara silinder dan dinding tidak terbentuk pasangan vorteks dengan arah aliran tertutup (close loop) sebagaimana umumnya vorteks aliran 2D di belakang sililnder sirkular. Terbentuk vorteks pada celah antar fin terutama pada celah antar fin di dekat clearance antara silinder bersirip dan dinding. Semakin banyak vorteks yang terbentuk, maka akan menghasilkan induced drag yang besar terutama pada silinder bersirip dengan jarak antar fin yang lebih sempit. Silinder bersirip menghasilkan daerah wake yang lebih panjang sebelum terjadi attached flow.
Shasira Craft, Usaha Kerajinan Kain Perca Sasirangan Sebagai Upaya Pemberdayaan Ibu-Ibu Warga Perumahan Seribu, Kecamatan Martapura, Kabupaten Banjar, Provinsi Kalimantan Selatan
Authors: Ranti Mayang Gadih , Susilawati Erni
Published: January 2020

Kain Sasirangan adalah Kain Khas Kalimantan Selatan. Tingginya minat penggunaan Kain Sasirangan oleh masyarakat Kalimantan Selatan mendorong menjamurnya rumah industri dan jahit kain sasirangan. Permasalahan muncul ketika banyak limbah kain perca kain sasirangan yang dihasilkan. Kain perca sasirangan banyak terbuang tanpa dimanfaatkan kembali. Padahal jika dimanfaatkan dapat diolah menjadi produk-produk yang bernilai seni dan jual yang tinggi. Di sisi lain, sekelompok Ibu-Ibu yang memiliki banyak waktu luang dan memiliki hasrat untuk meningkatkan pendapatan keluarga, seperti Ibu-ibu kelompok Yasinan Mushala Nurul Iman di Perumahan Seribu, Martapura, dapat diberdayakan. Pemberdayaan Ibu-Ibu kelompok Yasinan dilakukan melalui Kegiatan pelatihan dan pendampingan pengolahan limbah kain perca sasirangan menjadi produk-produk seperti tas, kantong HP, aksesoris, bros, peci, toples cantik dan lain-lain. Hal ini dilakukan guna memberi bekal wawasan kepada Ibu-Ibu dalam berwirausaha guna membuka lapangan kerja baru dengan memanfaatkan sumber daya yang ada. Kegiatan ini dilakukan sebanyak 7 (tujuh) kali pertemuan dimana pada setiap pertemuan Ibu-Ibu peserta kegiatan pelatihan dibimbing dan diarahkan langsung oleh instruktur untuk mulai dari cara mengolah kain perca sasirangan menjadi berbagai produk yang menarik, hingga kegiatan pengemasan, pemberian merk Shasira Craft dan pemasaran.
Sources of Market Power among Firms in Sub-Saharan Africa: Do Institutions Matter in Competitive Policies?
Authors: Abdu Musa , Jibir Adamu
Published: January 2020

In the context of a high prevalence of both poverty among households and business failures among firms in the majority of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, competition is seen as one of the viable tools for transforming and improving these economies. This can be achieved by boosting productivity, improving output markets, increasing innovation and promoting economic growth. This study examines the sources of market power among firms within a variety of institutional settings using a large sample of data from 23 SSA countries. Tobit panel models comprising both fixed and random effects are used to estimate the determinants of market power. The study reveals that a large number of firms control less than 5 percent of the market with a few firms controlling between 5 and 34 percent of the market. At the same time, there are a small number of firms controlling between 30 and 100 percent of the markets in Sub-Saharan Africa. The findings further show that economic and political institutions significantly matter in the determination of power among firms in SSA. However, the influence of institutions varies significantly depending on the type of institutions and regional differences.
Scientific Racism 2.0 (SR2.0): An erroneous argument from genetics which inadvertently refines scientific racism
Authors: Joyce Eric
Published: January 2020

SR2.0 refers to a prominent argument made by some geneticists, often via social and popular media, which inadvertently amounts to a refinement of scientific racism. At face value it is an attack on racism in science. Upon closer inspection its primary, possibly unconscious, purpose appears to be to protect contemporary genetic research from the charge of racism. The argument is often made alongside an emphasis upon long-falsified errors of early science and open expressions of racism in wider society, rather than the intelligence and statistical theory which has informed both genetics and the social construct scientific racism for a century. The core argument is invalid. It also has profound epistemological failings, including misunderstanding the nature of social constructions and how they how they interact with empirical facts. Finally, the proponents do not fully support their own argument; this exposes the argument’s substantive function as a defensive holding device.
3D-modeling in forensic medicine: a tutorial
Authors: Shakiryanova Yuliya , Leonov Sergey , Korabelnikov Daniil
Published: January 2020

The tutorial provides an overview of the main methods of creating three-dimensional (3D) models of objects and their applications. A step-by-step algorithm for creating virtual copies of objects based on digital photos and video frames using modern computer programs "AgisoftPhotoscan" and "ContextCapture" is described. Details of the necessary conditions for obtaining high-quality digital photos and models, especially the process of photography, the requirements for the resulting digital photos. Recommendations are given for obtaining digital photographs suitable for creating three-dimensional models in various fields of research. The theoretical foundations of the method of creating three-dimensional models using digital photographs are described in detail, the basic concepts used in three-dimensional modeling are defined. The areas of application of three-dimensional models in forensic medicine, as well as problems that can be solved with the help of the created models are determined. Established criteria, which may affect the accuracy of the models, the reproduction of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the research object. Illustrative examples from their own practice.
Bismuth Minerals of Sulfide-Magnetite Ores from the Aktash Deposit
(Western Karamazar, Tajikistan)
Authors: Yatimov U.A. , Ayupova N.R. , Blinov I.A. , Kotlyarov V.A.
Published: January 2020

Bismuth mineralization is studied in sulfde-magnetite ores of the Aktash deposit in Western Karamazar (Northern Tajikistan), which is hosted in the Middle–Upper Paleozoic sedimentary and intrusive rocks. The higher Bi contents are related to the presence of its numerous minerals including native bismuth, bismuthine, Cu–Ag–Pb–Bi sulfosalts (wittichenite, emplectite, aikinit, friedrichite and salzburgite) and Bi oxides (bismite, zavarazkite) in assemblage with galena, chalcopyrite, garnet, pyroxene, epidote and anglesite. The Ag-bearing varieties of wittichenite (Cu,Ag)3BiS3, aikinite (Pb,Ag)CuBiS3 and galenobismuthite (Pb,Ag)Bi2S4 are identifed. Most of the bismuth minerals were frst described not only for this deposit, but for the ore region as well. The mode of occurrence of Bi can be used to refne the genetic features of the deposit.
Figures 4. Tables 3. References 27.