bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracking collective cell motion by topological data analysis
Authors: Bonilla Luis L. , Carpio Ana , Trenado Carolina
Published: December 2020

By modifying and calibrating an active vertex model to experiments, we have simulated numerically a confluent cellular monolayer spreading on an empty space and the collision of two monolayers of different cells in an antagonistic migration assay. Cells are subject to inertial forces and to active forces that try to align their velocities with those of neighboring ones. In agreement with experiments in the literature, the spreading test exhibits formation of fingers in the moving interfaces, there appear swirls in the velocity field, and the polar order parameter and the correlation and swirl lengths increase with time. Numerical simulations show that cells inside the tissue have smaller area than those at the interface, which has been observed in recent experiments. In the antagonistic migration assay, a population of fluidlike Ras cells invades a population of wild type solidlike cells having shape parameters above and below the geometric critical value, respectively. Cell mixing or segregation depends on the junction tensions between different cells. We reproduce the experimentally observed antagonistic migration assays by assuming that a fraction of cells favor mixing, the others segregation, and that these cells are randomly distributed in space. To characterize and compare the structure of interfaces between cell types or of interfaces of spreading cellular monolayers in an automatic manner, we apply topological data analysis to experimental data and to results of our numerical simulations. We use time series of data generated by numerical simulations to automatically group, track and classify the advancing interfaces of cellular aggregates by means of bottleneck or Wasserstein distances of persistent homologies. These techniques of topological data analysis are scalable and could be used in studies involving large amounts of data. Besides applications to wound healing and metastatic cancer, these studies are relevant for tissue engineering, biological effects of materials, tissue and organ regeneration.
Maternal lipid profile and risk of pre-eclampsia in African pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tesfa Endalamaw , Nibret Endalkachew , Munshea Abaineh
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Some studies have reported the association between maternal serum lipid profile abnormalities and pre-eclampsia. However, many studies have reported controversial results. Hence, this systematic review and meta-analysis was planned to generate summarized evidence on the association between maternal serum lipid profiles and pre-eclampsia in African women.

Methods

Four electronic databases such as; PubMed, Hinari, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online were searched for studies published in English. Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used for data extraction and quality assessment of the included studies. The meta- regression analysis was performed by Stata 14 software. The standardized mean difference (SMD) values of lipid profiles were computed to assess their association with pre-eclampsia at 95% CI.

Results

In this review a total of 15 observational studies were included. The mean values of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDL-c) and very low density lipoprotein- cholesterol (VLDL-c) were significantly higher in pre-eclamptic women as compared with normotensive pregnant women (TG = 229.61±88.27 and 147.00 ± 40.47, TC = 221.46 ± 45.90 and 189.67 ± 39.18, LDL = 133.92 ± 38.77 and 112.41 ± 36.08, VLDL = 41.44 ± 19.68 and 26.64 ± 7.87), respectively. The serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) level was lower, but it is not statistically significant (HDL-c = 51.02 ± 16.01 and 61.80 ± 25.63) in pre-eclamptic women as compared with controls. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) of TG, TC, LDL-C and VLDL-C were significantly increased in pre-eclamptic women as compared with normotensive pregnant women with the SMD of (TG = 1.65 (1.10, 2.21), TC = 0.84 (0.40, 1.29), LDL-C = 0.95 (0.46, 1.45) and VLDL-C = 1.27 (0.72, 1.81)) at 95% CI, respectively, but the pooled SMD of HDL-cholesterol was decreased in pre-eclamptic women as compared with normotensive pregnant women (SMD = -0.91 (95% CI: -1.43, -0.39).

Conclusions

In this review, the maternal serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-c and VLDL-c were significantly associated with the risk of preeclampsia. However, HDL- cholesterol was not significantly associated but it was lower in pre-eclamptic women. Further, large scale prospective studies should verify these outcomes and it is recommended that lipid profiles should be included as a routine diagnostic test for pre-eclamptic women.
Metabolic syndrome and the incidence of knee osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Nie Daqing , Yan Guixin , Zhou Wenyu , Wang Zhengyi , Yu Guimei , Liu Di , Yuan Na , Li Hongbo
Published: December 2020

Background

Cross-sectional studies suggest an association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and knee osteoarthritis (KOA). We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate whether MetS is an independent risk factor for KOA.

Methods

Prospective cohort studies evaluating the association between MetS and KOA in general population were retrieved from PubMed and Embase. Only studies with multivariate analyses were included. Data were pooled with a random-effect model, which is considered to incorporate heterogeneity among the included studies.

Results

Five studies including 94,965 participants were included, with 18,990 people with MetS (20.0%). With a mean follow-up duration of 14.5 years, 2,447 KOA cases occurred. Pooled results showed that MetS was not significant associated with an increased risk of KOA after controlling of factors including body mass index (adjusted risk ratio [RR]: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.92~1.23, p = 0.40; I2 = 33%). Subgroup analysis showed that MetS was independently associated with an increased risk of severe KOA that needed total knee arthroplasty (RR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.03~1.30, p = 0.02), but not total symptomatic KOA (RR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.65~1.08, p = 0.18). Stratified analyses suggested that MetS was independently associated with an increased risk of KOA in women (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03~1.47, p = 0.02), but not in men (RR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.70~1.14, p = 0.37).

Conclusions

Current evidence from prospective cohort studies did not support MetS was an independent risk factor of overall KOA in general population. However, MetS may be associated with an increased risk of severe KOA in general population, or overall KOA risk in women.
Hepatopancreatic metabolomics shedding light on the mechanism underlying unsynchronized growth in giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
Authors: Jiang Jianping , Yuan Xiang , Huang Guanghua , Shi Wen , Yang Xueming , Jiang Qinyang , Jia Yinhai , Yang Xiurong , Jiang Hesheng
Published: December 2020

The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (M. rosenbergii) as an important freshwater aquaculture species with high commercial value, exhibited unsynchronized growth. However, the potentially metabolic mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we used liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to investigate the hepatopancreatic metabolic profiles of twenty giant freshwater prawns between the fast-growing group and slow-growing group. In the metabolomics assay, we isolated 8,293 peaks in positive and negative iron mode. Subsequently, 44 significantly differential metabolites were identified. Functional pathway analysis revealed that these metabolites were significantly enriched in three key metabolic pathways. Further integrated analysis indicated that glycerophospholipid metabolism and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis have significant impact on growth performance in M.rosenbergii. Our findings presented here demonstrated the critical metabolites and metabolic pathways involved in growth performance, moreover provided strong evidence for elucidating the potentially metabolic mechanism of the unsynchronized growth in M. rosenbergii.
Detailed genetic and functional analysis of the hDMDdel52/mdx mouse model
Authors: Yavas Alper , Weij Rudie , van Putten Maaike , Kourkouta Eleni , Beekman Chantal , Puoliväli Jukka , Bragge Timo , Ahtoniemi Toni , Knijnenburg Jeroen , Hoogenboom Marlies Elisabeth , Ariyurek Yavuz , Aartsma-Rus Annemieke , van Deutekom Judith , Datson Nicole
Published: December 2020

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, progressive neuromuscular disorder caused by reading frame disrupting mutations in the DMD gene leading to absence of functional dystrophin. Antisense oligonucleotide (AON)-mediated exon skipping is a therapeutic approach aimed at restoring the reading frame at the pre-mRNA level, allowing the production of internally truncated partly functional dystrophin proteins. AONs work in a sequence specific manner, which warrants generating humanized mouse models for preclinical tests. To address this, we previously generated the hDMDdel52/mdx mouse model using transcription activator like effector nuclease (TALEN) technology. This model contains mutated murine and human DMD genes, and therefore lacks mouse and human dystrophin resulting in a dystrophic phenotype. It allows preclinical evaluation of AONs inducing the skipping of human DMD exons 51 and 53 and resulting in restoration of dystrophin synthesis. Here, we have further characterized this model genetically and functionally. We discovered that the hDMD and hDMDdel52 transgene is present twice per locus, in a tail-to-tail-orientation. Long-read sequencing revealed a partial deletion of exon 52 (first 25 bp), and a 2.3 kb inversion in intron 51 in both copies. These new findings on the genomic make-up of the hDMD and hDMDdel52 transgene do not affect exon 51 and/or 53 skipping, but do underline the need for extensive genetic analysis of mice generated with genome editing techniques to elucidate additional genetic changes that might have occurred. The hDMDdel52/mdx mice were also evaluated functionally using kinematic gait analysis. This revealed a clear and highly significant difference in overall gait between hDMDdel52/mdx mice and C57BL6/J controls. The motor deficit detected in the model confirms its suitability for preclinical testing of exon skipping AONs for human DMD at both the functional and molecular level.
Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of pulmonary nodules simulated in a dedicated porcine chest phantom
Authors: Bonert Madeleine , Schneider Moritz , Solyanik Olga , Hellbach Katharina , Bondesson David , Gaass Thomas , Thaens Natalie , Ricke Jens , Benkert Thomas , Dinkel Julien
Published: December 2020

Objective

CT serves as gold standard for the evaluation of pulmonary nodules. However, CT exposes patients to ionizing radiation, a concern especially in screening scenarios with repeated examinations. Due to recent technological advances, MRI emerges as a potential alternative for lung imaging using 3D steady state free precession and ultra-short echo-time sequences. Therefore, in this study we assessed the performance of three state-of-the-art MRI sequences for the evaluation of pulmonary nodules.

Methods

Lesions of variable sizes were simulated in porcine lungs placed in a dedicated chest phantom mimicking a human thorax, followed by CT and MRI examinations. Two blinded readers evaluated the acquired MR-images locating and measuring every suspect lesion. Using the CT-images as reference, logistic regression was performed to investigate the sensitivity of the tested MRI-sequences for the detection of pulmonary nodules.

Results

For nodules with a diameter of 6 mm, all three sequences achieved high sensitivity values above 0.91. However, the sensitivity dropped for smaller nodules, yielding an average of 0.83 for lesions with 4 mm in diameter and less than 0.69 for lesions with 2 mm in diameter. The positive predictive values ranged between 0.91 and 0.96, indicating a low amount of false positive findings. Furthermore, the size measurements done on the MR-images were subject to a bias ranging from 0.83 mm to -1.77 mm with standard deviations ranging from 1.40 mm to 2.11 mm. There was no statistically significant difference between the three tested sequences.

Conclusion

While showing promising sensitivity values for lesions larger than 4 mm, MRI appears to be not yet suited for lung cancer screening. Nonetheless, the three tested MRI sequences yielded high positive predictive values and accurate size measurements; therefore, MRI could potentially figure as imaging method of the chest in selected follow-up scenarios, e.g. of incidental findings subject to the Fleischner Criteria.
Fighting against fuel poverty by collaborating with social services through energy advice: An innovative case from Spain
Authors: Antepara Lopez de Maturana Iñigo
Published: December 2020

El objetivo de este artículo es describir los esfuerzos contra la pobreza energética de GoiEner, una cooperativa energética de España, que presta asesoramiento energético a los servicios sociales de dos municipios, Zarautz y Usurbil. Se revisaron los contratos de electricidad de hogares de bajos ingresos y se propusieron mejoras, de acuerdo con las especificidades del mercado eléctrico español; priorizando la tarifa regulada con bono social, luego la tarifa discriminación horaria y la optimización de la potencia contratada. El cambio a la tarifa regulada puede suponer un ahorro de alrededor del 10%, teóricamente hasta un 40% incluyendo el resto de optimizaciones. Sin embargo, algunos hogares se mostraron reacios a cambiar las condiciones de sus contratos. Se organizaron formaciones para que en el futuro esta intervención pudiera hacerse sin ayuda. Se pueden sacar conclusiones sobre cómo GoiEner podría beneficiarse de las posibilidades que ofrecen las nuevas tecnologías, e.g. medidores inteligentes
Fictionalism and Meinongianism
Authors: Gan Nathaniel
Published: December 2020

Fictionalism about a kind of disputed object is often motivated by the fact that the view interprets discourse about those objects literally without an ontological commitment to them. This paper argues that this motivation is inadequate because some viable alternatives to fictionalism have similar attractions. Meinongianism—the view that there are true statements about non-existent objects—is one such view. Meinongianism bears significant similarity to fictionalism, so intuitive doubts about its viability are difficult to sustain for fictionalists. Moreover, Meinongianism avoids some of fictionalism’s weaknesses, thus it is even preferable to fictionalism in some respects.
Violencia y reparación: experiencias de mujeres víctimas del conflicto armado colombiano
Authors: Álvarez Múnera José Roberto , Iáñez Domínguez Antonio , Pareja Amador Antonio , Zapata Serna Gloria Estella
Published: December 2020

Este artículo interpreta los discursos de mujeres víctimas del conflicto armado colombiano, residentes en el Valle de Aburrá (Antioquia-Colombia), en el momento de acceder a la reparación que le reconoce el Estado en la Ley 1448 de 2011. A partir de una metodología cualitativa y fenomenológica, fueron entrevistadas setenta mujeres y desarrollado tres talleres con funcionarios/as públicos y organizaciones sociales de víctimas. Los resultados exponen la falta de rigor en la comprensión de la heterogeneidad de la situación de las mujeres víctimas y la inefectividad de la ley para una atención integral de toda la población víctima, limitándose, en la mayoría de los casos, a una reparación monetaria.
Los Pereira, Cardoso y Ladrón de Guevara: tres familias especializadas en el abastecimiento de pertrechos y bastimentos navales en el reinado de Felipe IV
Authors: Gómez Mesas Javier
Published: December 2020

Tras la consolidación de la casa de negocios de los Pereira en Castilla durante la década de 1620, la casa de negocios de los Cardoso heredó sus negocios y se especializó en la provisión de bastimentos y pertrechos a las flotas y escuadras de la monarquía hispánica. A pesar de las restricciones mercantiles con las Provincias Unidas tras la reanudación de hostilidades en 1621, y posteriormente con Francia en 1635, la compañía que formaron con los Ladrón de Guevara garantizó el acopio de los enseres necesarios para sostener el poderío naval de los Austrias durante las décadas sucesivas de 1630 y 1640.
Optimization of ozone chamber using pulse width modulation for sterilization and preservation on fruits and vegetables
Authors: Waskito Adi , Firmansyah Rendra Dwi , Syamsi Djohar , Baskoro Catur Hilman Adritya Haryo Bhakti , Lisdiana Anisya , Wahab Herkuswyna Isnaniyah
Published: December 2020

Ozonizer is a method used for sterilization and food preservation by utilizing ozone produced from plasma discharge. The effective way of obtaining ozone is to use dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma. The manufacture of a controlled ozonizer chamber system is important to result in effective and efficient performance. The aim of this study is to design and optimize the ozone chamber parameter using pulse width modulation (PWM). The system design is added with the Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller and the L296N motor driver as an ozone generator radiation controller by changing the pulse width modulation to determine the ozone levels produced. The experimental results show that the ozone concentration increases by 50 % on average with increasing variations of the 10 % duty cycle (PWM) and the ignition time length. The optimum value is achieved on a 70 % duty cycle for 60 - 300 seconds, where the ozone level of 3 ppm is obtained and sustained for fruits/vegetables sterilization and preservation application.
Smart guided missile using accelerometer and gyroscope based on backpropagation neural network method for optimal control output feedback
Authors: Faqih Kamil , Sujito Sujito , Sendari Siti , Aziz Faiz Syaikhoni
Published: December 2020

As a maritime country with a large area, besides the need to defend itself with the military, it also needs to protect itself with aerospace technology that can be controlled automatically. This research aims to develop an air defense system that can control guided missiles automatically with high accuracy. The right method can provide a high level of accuracy in controlling missiles to the targeted object. With the backpropagation neural network method for optimal control output feedback, it can process information data from the radar to control missile’s movement with a high degree of accuracy. The controller uses optimal control output feedback, which is equipped with a lock system and utilizes an accelerometer that can detect the slope of the missile and a gyroscope that can detect the slope between the target direction of the missile to follow the target, control the position, and direction of the missile. The target speed of movement can be easily identified and followed by the missile through the lock system. Sampling data comes from signals generated by radars located in defense areas and from missiles. Each part’s data processing speed is calculated using a fast algorithm that is reliable and has a level of accuracy and fast processing. Data processing impacts on the accuracy of missile movements on any change in the position and motion of targets and target speed. Improved maneuvering accuracy in the first training system can detect 1000 files with a load of 273, while in the last training, the system can detect 1000 files without a load period. So the missile can be guided to hit the target without obstacles when maneuvering.
Design and development of the sEMG-based exoskeleton strength enhancer for the legs
Authors: Cenit Mikecon , Gandhi Vaibhav
Published: December 2020

This paper reviews the different exoskeleton designs and presents a working prototype of a surface electromyography (EMG) controlled exoskeleton to enhance the strength of the lower leg. The Computer Aided Design (CAD) model of the exoskeleton is designed, 3D printed with respect to the golden ratio of human anthropometry, and tested structurally. The exoskeleton control system is designed on the LabVIEW National Instrument platform and embedded in myRIO. Surface EMG sensors (sEMG) and flex sensors are used coherently to create different state filters for the EMG, human body posture and control for the mechanical exoskeleton actuation. The myRIO is used to process sEMG signals and send control signals to the exoskeleton. Thus, the complete exoskeleton system consists of sEMG as primary sensor and flex sensor as a secondary sensor while the whole control system is designed in LabVIEW. FEA simulation and tests show that the exoskeleton is suitable for an average human weight of 62 kg plus excess force with different reactive spring forces. However, due to the mechanical properties of the exoskeleton actuator, it will require an additional lift to provide the rapid reactive impulse force needed to increase biomechanical movement such as squatting up. Finally, with the increasing availability of such assistive devices on the market, the important aspect of ethical, social and legal issues have also emerged and discussed in this paper.
La delincuencia importada. Explorando los vínculos entre inmigración europea y delincuencia en la Revista de Policía (Buenos Aires, 1897-1916)
Authors: Abiuso Federico
Published: December 2020

Enmarcado en la investigación que dio lugar a mi tesis doctoral, en este artículo describo algunos de los modos en que fueron conceptualizados los vínculos entre inmigración europea y delincuencia, a partir del análisis de una publicación periódica editada por la Policía de la Capital, la Revista de Policía.
La estrategia teórico-metodológica seleccionada para abordar la temática fue la Teoría Fundamentada, desarrollada pioneramente por Barney Glaser y Anselm Strauss en la década de 1960. Más particularmente, presento las categorías y etiquetas que devinieron centrales en el análisis efectuado, mediante el método de comparación constante, sobre la Revista de Policía, publicada entre fines del siglo XIX e inicios del XX: «asociación estadística entre inmigración y delincuencia», «anarquistas» e «inmigrantes peligrosos».
En la misma dirección, describo a la estadística policial y a dos elementos teóricos de la criminología positivista (la peligrosidad y la «medicalización» de la criminología) en tanto saberes que eran convocados a sustentar tales vínculos entre inmigración y delincuencia.
Deconstruir el ‘efecto barrio’ desde una perspectiva comparada y su implicación criminológica en el sur global
Authors: Moreno José Rodrigo
Published: December 2020

La necesidad esencial de desarrollar políticas sociales que promuevan la reducción de desigualdades es un tema que se ha discutido de forma reiterada en diversos foros académicos y políticos. Cuestionar si la distribución de la población social, en un sentido económico y espacial, puede predecir futuras oportunidades de sus miembros y cómo el barrio en el que una persona crece puede ser un elemento decisivo en la integración del mercado laboral, se mantienen como temas controversiales desde una perspectiva académica. El Neighbourhood effect, o «efecto barrio», se encuentra considerablemente marcado por rastros de desigualdad y segregación que tienen el poder de moldear a las sociedades y de actuar como un factor criminogénico. Desafía a estudiar la relación entre el lugar donde las personas crecieron o residen y su influencia social, económica o psicológica en los individuos. Este ensayo plantea un análisis del «efecto barrio» con radiografías que ilustran sus repercusiones en Latinoamérica, EE.UU. y los países nórdicos, que apuntan a una aproximación del «efecto barrio» en cada realidad social y sus diversas manifestaciones locales. Se argumentará que las condiciones del barrio pueden y van a moldear a los miembros de una comunidad cuando están expuestos a estas características de manera prolongada. Los mecanismos de mejora de estas condiciones serán esbozados
Rushing to the end: Participants’ perceptions of demotivating aspects of online surveys
Authors: Martins João , Lavradio Leonor
Published: December 2020

More and more social science studies are now acquiring data through the internet, reaching participantsonline. Some participants start out engaged and motivated to participate, but progressively slide into“rushing behaviors”. We inquired experts in survey responding about when, in online studies, theywould feel a desire for rushing (defined as speeding with no concerns about the quality of responses).This qualitative approach uncovered Repetition, Survey length and No interest in topic as the threemain features that would motivate these participants to rush in surveys. Subsequent inquiry of thesame participants indicated that repetition concerns the type of questions made (more than stimuli ortask), the execution of the same task more than 5-6 times, or for more than 6 minutes. Survey lengthconcerns a preference for shorter surveys, as well as the subjective experience in which length exceedspreviously set expectations (i.e., longer than announced), contributing to rushing by effectivelylowering the hourly pay rate as the survey increases in length. Interest in topic was reported to beconsistently low, despite not being the main reason to quit the survey. However, a change in expectedlevel of interest in the middle of the survey is reported as a factor that will promote rushing behaviors.We discuss these data as informative regarding how pre-tests of surveys can benefit from theseparticipants’ expertise.
Cognitive deficits, social support, depression and quality of life of post-stroke patients
Authors: Sousa Flávia , Rocha Vânia , Estima Clara , Castro São Luís , Guerra Marina Prista
Published: December 2020

A stroke is a life-threatening event which has physical, emotional and cognitive consequences. Thisstudy aimed to identify differences between participants who suffered a stroke and healthy controls,concerning cognitive performance, depressive symptoms, social support and quality of life; to examinethe associations between these variables among participants who suffered a stroke; and to identify thevariables that best classify patients and controls. The sample included 30 patients who suffered astroke and 30 healthy participants. Both groups presented similar sociodemographic characteristics.All participants were assessed with The Institute of Cognitive Neurology Frontal Screening, theMontreal Cognitive Assessment, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Instrumental-Expressive Social-Support Scale, and the Short Form Health Survey-36. Post-stroke patients had lowercognitive performance, lower social support, lower quality of life and higher depressive symptomsthan the control group. Social support was positively related to quality of life and negatively relatedto depressive symptoms in the clinical group. Cognitive deficits and depressive symptoms correctlyclassified belonging to the clinical group in 85% of cases, and significantly predicted the stroke. Thisstudy underlines the importance of implementing psychological interventions addressing depressivesymptoms and cognitive rehabilitation for post-stroke patients.
Predictors of outcomes following a brief Portuguese parental nutrition intervention
Authors: Gomes Ana Isabel , Barros Luísa , Pereira Ana Isabel
Published: December 2020

Early childhood is largely recognized as a critical period for shaping the child’s eating patterns.Although interventions studies that focus on first years of life are increasing, with positive impact,the moderators of treatment gains and the relative importance of each determinant of the changeprocess have been rarely explored. This study aimed to identify potential predictors of outcomesconcerning children’s healthy and unhealthy eating behaviors after a parental school-basedintervention. An intervention longitudinal study with repeated measures at baseline and afterparticipation in the Red Apple program was performed. Parents and children were recruited in publicand state-funded kindergartens near Lisbon, Portugal. A total of 44 parents of 3- to 6-year-old childrenagreed to participate in the study and 39 met the inclusion criteria. The Red Apple program includedfour parental group sessions about young children’s growth, nutritional guidelines, and positiveparental feeding strategies, and adult-child activities and newsletters delivered to caregivers. Dataregarding children’s dietary intake, food preferences, neophobia/neophilia, parental concerns aboutthe child’s weight, and self-efficacy in promoting healthy dietary patterns in children were collectedbefore (T1) and after (T2) the intervention. Higher parental concerns about weight and self-efficacyat T1 significantly predicted children’s healthy dietary intake at T2. The only significant contributionfor children’s unhealthy dietary intake at T2 was the previous consumption of those foods at T1.Interventions that focus on parental cognitive variables might effectively contribute to positive changes in children’s dietary intake. Findings also suggest that specific targets of children’s diet may pose unlike challenges that respond differently to the mechanisms of influence of the intervention.
The relationship between abusive supervision and organizational trust: The role of subordinates’ self-esteem
Authors: Velez Maria João
Published: December 2020

Interest in abusive supervision (Tepper, 2000) has increased due to its serious personal andorganizational costs. As such, there is a need for additional studies that identify the individuals’ factorsthat can minimize the adverse effects of abusive supervision.Specifically, we predict employee self-esteem as a buffer of the relationship between abusivesupervision, organizational trust and in-role behaviors. Additionally, we suggest organizational trustas a possible mechanism linking abusive supervision to in-role behaviors. Our model was exploredamong a sample of 201 supervisor-subordinate dyads from different organizational settings. The resultsof the moderated mediation analysis supported our hypotheses. That is, abusive supervision wassignificantly related to in-role behaviors via organizational trust when employees’ self-esteem waslow, but not when it was high. These findings suggest that self-esteem buffers the impact of abusivesupervision perceptions on organizational trust, with consequences for performance.
Career profiles: Career entrenchment or adaptation to change?
Authors: Oliveira Lucília Cardoso , Lopes Miguel Pereira , Gonçalves Sónia
Published: December 2020

The rapid development of societies and the transformation of labour markets and organizationsrequires more dynamic careers nowadays. Thus, based on the career profiles described by Carson,Carson, Phillips and Roe (1996) and the association of career entrenchment and career satisfaction,we identified in this study, which career profiles currently exist. The cross-reference of data, withorganizational commitment, career commitment and turnover intention, allowed to characterize eachprofile and the factors that weigh on the decision to stay or change career, keeping or not a positiveattitude. We perform a cluster analysis using the K-means method, in a sample of 386 subjects. Theresults came across a new career profile, called transactional career, which might reflect that careersare currently more active and less stable. In the end, the results and the theoretical and practicalimplications are being discussed.
Revising with Metacognition to Promote Writing Achievement
Authors: Sachar Cassandra O'Sullivan
Published: December 2020

Abstract: This study examined the relationship between metacognitive revision and writing achievement. Since American students often have had little strategic writing instruction in high school, they frequently come to college as non-proficient writers. By focusing on self-improvement rather than agonizing over the quality of the final product, struggling writers’ fears and lack of confidence can be mitigated, allowing growth. Requiring students to revise their essays and explain these revisions may influence the likelihood of completing the stages of the writing process, including using feedback. Results indicated that students who received high scores in revision explanations often received higher scores on the final essays than their peers. Additionally, from the pre- to post-intervention attitudinal survey, student responses showed more positive feelings about writing, increased confidence in ability and self-efficacy, and greater interest in providing feedback to classmates. Despite these gains, fewer students at the end of the semester felt that feedback, revision and reflection affected their writing performance, suggesting feelings of frustration at the multi-faceted process.
The Advanced Proposed Architecture of Eco-Currency: Technical Analysis of West Africa Single Currency Program
Authors: TWENEBOAH SENZU Emmanuel
Published: December 2020

The different target of the time period has been established over the past two decades in the institutionalization of a single currency union in West Africa. Depending on varied reasons the proposed programs have always failed before the set timelines in respect of ECOWAS monetary unification and single currency adoption. As a result, the paper explored and developed its argument based on the existing studies of structured economic shocks, significant to the failure of the single currency union, and its major causal factors. And with observed structured analysis propose catalytic activator method as a theoretical guide to attain the single currency union within three (3) years ahead, if the necessary requirement as the commitment level of members’ State is applied towards the single currency unification program. It then elaborates in the spirit of precision the process required to sustain the eco-currency program in other to elevate members State in an out-date of its domestic currencies struggling as a subservient economic bloc to the adoption of a new anticipated domineering currency in its own merit to shoulder with the global dominating hard currencies.
Use of gum blend in the optimization of grape molasses halva Gazi formulation with an emphasis on texture properties
Authors: ABHARI Hassan , ELHAMI RAD Amir Hossein , KARAZHIYAN Hojjat , ABHARI Abbas
Published: December 2020

Grape molasses is a traditional sweet with high nutritional value. One factor limiting the production and storage of grape molasse halva Gazi is related to the thermal sensitivity of its texture properties and decreasing its quality during storage at ambient temperature. Therefore, this study aimed to improve the texture properties of the newly formulated halva during storage at different temperatures. Different levels of gums (0.5 %, 1 % & 1.5 %) including alginate, carrageenan, xanthan, and their blends (0.5 %-0.5 %) were used as additives in the formulation of halva to improve its texture during 48 h storage at 25 °C and 40 °C. The texture analysis tests were then performed to evaluate the firmness and fracturability of the halva. The results showed that the combination of gums, as well as using xanthan gum alone, produced an appropriate and soft texture in comparison to the control halva (0 % gum). However, the halva containing carrageenan-alginate blends showed the softest texture. The samples containing 0.5 and 1 % of alginate and xanthan as well as xanthan-alginate blend and xanthan-carrageenan blend had the best texture properties during storage at 40 °C.
Effect of Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.) leaf extract on cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus [Fabricius, 1775], Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: BABATUNDE Samuel Femi , MUSA Abdulrasak Kannike
Published: December 2020

A laboratory study was carried out to examine the efficacy of solvent extract of Eucalyptus globulus leaves in reducing post-harvest losses caused by cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) on cowpea seed variety RSH 256. 450 g of E. globulus leaf powder were put in 1000 ml flask and 450 ml of n-hexane was used as the solvent. The extract was tested at dosages of 50, 100 and 150 µl 50 g-1 of cowpea grains on the weevil in stored cowpea. The different rates of treatment recorded significant differences (p < 0.05) in causing adult mortality compared to the untreated control. The different rates of treatment also recorded significant differences (p < 0.05) in emergence of F1 adults of each treatment compared to the control. The percentage masst loss and grain damage were also suppressed as a result of treatment with the plant material compared to the untreated control. However, among the treatments 150 µl 150 g-1 cowpea recorded the highest adult mortality rate and lowest emergence while control had the lowest mortality rate and the highest emergence of the insect. The rates of application were indicative of bioactive characteristics of the plant extract.
Analyzing cereal and grain legumes (pulses) yields patterns in the forest and forest-steppe zones of Ukraine using geographically weighted principal components analysis
Authors: ZYMAROIEVA Anastasiia , ZHUKOV Oleksandr
Published: December 2020

This paper aims to explore spatial heterogeneity present in the crop yields data collected from 170 administrative districts in the forest and forest-steppe zones of Ukraine for 27 years using the PCA and GWPCA methods. As a result of the principal component analysis of cereal and grain legumes (pulses) yields variability seven principal components were determined which together explain 66.8 % of the overall yields variability. The global PCA revealed the presence of dynamic processes of the cereal and grain legumes yields variation which have the oscillatory nature with different frequencies. We associate oscillatory processes of the varying frequency with causes of a different nature. The oscillating processes with a period of ten years or more may be of climatic origin. The oscillatory process with the longest period (13 years) is characteristic for the principal component 1, which explains the largest part of cereal and grain legumes yields variability (22.6 %). It is possible to assume that among agroecological factors climate change mostly affects crop productivity. The cluster analysis of administrative districts was conducted based on the cereal and leguminous yield dynamics. The clusters are geographically defined administrative districts that together forming spatially connected areas, which we identified as agroecological zones.
Autotransplantation of a Premolar with Incipient Root Development, an 18-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Mejía- Cardona José Luis
Published: December 2020

In young patients, premature tooth loss in the anterior maxilla after trauma is challenging for the patient and the dental professional, with serious implications from aesthetic and functional points of view, as well as from a craniofacial growth aspect perspective. Premolars autotransplanted into the maxillary anterior region have been shown to be a biological alternative in this situation. This report describes the clinical management of a case of premature loss of a maxillary central incisor after traumatic injury. A mandibular premolar at the stage of initial root development was transplanted into the alveolar socket of the lost incisor. After 18 years, the transplanted tooth remained responsive to pulp sensibility tests and the periradicular bone and soft tis- sues were within normal limits. Autotransplantation of premolar teeth into the maxilla could be considered an excellent treatment choice with many biological advantages over implants or fixed dentures as long as proper case selection is followed.
Aristotele e Diogene il Cinico
Authors: Brancacci Aldo
Published: December 2020

In this paper I examine the testimonium of Aristotle’s Rhetoric concern­ing Diogenes the Cynic (SSR V B 184). This piece of evidence is the most ancient source of Diogenes and proves that Aristotle was familiar with his writings. I also study the testimonium on Diogenes that is hand­ed down by Theophrastus (SSR V B 172), which confirms the interest of the ancient Peripatos in this philosopher. Finally, I examine a passage of Book 1 of the Politics where Aristotle refers to the thesis on the aboli­tion of money. I argue that such a thesis could be ascribed to Diogenes. In particular, I attempt to demonstrate that several theses of political philosophy put forward by Diogenes should be considered as constitut­ing a polemical overthrow of the corresponding theses of Aristotle in Book 1 of his Politics.
The Question of God and the Quest for God: Hans Jonas, Plato, and Beyond…
Authors: Spinelli Emidio
Published: December 2020

In reconstructing the conceptual universe of Jonas’s philosophy, a privi­leged place can, or indeed must, be reserved for his relationship with the classical heritage. More specifically, a crucial role is played by Plato, especially because, as Jonas strongly underlines, “with Plato (...) you have to go back a much greater distance to make him applicable to the present. But of course Plato is the greater one, the one we have to study again and again from scratch, the one we must discover (...). With Plato, you’re never finished, that’s the great foundation for all of Western philosophy”. In the light of this premise, this article will focus on the highly original use made in Jonas’s Der Gottesbegriff nach Auschwitz of the Platonic heritage, associated with the mythical figure of the Demi­urge in the Timaeus.
Forensic Analysis of Ignitable Liquids in Fire Debris by Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography
Authors: Frysinger GS , Gaines RB
Published: December 2020

The application of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) for the forensic analysis of ignitable liquids in fire debris is reported. GC × GC is a high resolution, multidimensional gas chromatographic method in which each component of a complex mixture is subjected to two independent chromatographic separations. The high resolving power of GC × GC can separate hundreds of chemical components from a complex fire debris extract. The GC × GC chromatogram is a multicolor plot of two-dimensional retention time and detector signal intensity that is well suited for rapid identification and fingerprinting of ignitable liquids. GC × GC chromatograms were used to identify and classify ignitable liquids, detect minor differences between similar ignitable liquids, track the chemical changes associated with weathering, characterize the chemical composition of fire debris pyrolysates, and detect weathered ignitable liquids against a background of fire debris pyrolysates.
WinID2 versus CAPMI4: Two Computer-Assisted Dental Identification Systems
Authors: Lewis C
Published: December 2020

Disasters produce victims that require identification. Comparing antemortem and postmortem dental records provides an important means of identification. Computers have assisted this process. Currently, the principal computer programs are CAPMI4 and WinID2. The present study compared these programs on a sample of 100 simulated victims and 105 simulated postmortem fragments. CAPMI4 provided 48 correct matches and WinID2 provided 71 correct matches. In addition, comparisons were made within WinID2 to determine which of its three dental data sets was the most successful for suggesting correct matches.
Prevalence of Drug Use in Commercial Tractor-Trailer Drivers
Authors: Couper FJ , Pemberton M , Jarvis A , Hughes M , Logan BK
Published: December 2020

An enforcement emphasis project, “Operation Trucker Check,” was established in order to determine the extent to which commercial tractor-trailer drivers were operating their vehicles while impaired by drugs. A total of 1079 drivers and their vehicles were assessed for driver and equipment violations, and drivers additionally underwent preliminary field sobriety tests conducted by drug recognition expert (DRE) officers. Anonymous urine specimens for drug analysis were requested, and 822 urine specimens were obtained in total. Compliance with the drug-testing portion was voluntary, and there was a 19% refusal rate. Overall, 21% of the urine specimens tested positive for either illicit, prescription, and/or over-the-counter drugs, and 7% tested positive for more than one drug. Excluding caffeine and nicotine, the largest number of positive findings (9.5%) were for CNS stimulants, such as methamphetamine, amphetamine, phentermine, ephedrine/pseudoephedrine, and cocaine. The second most frequently encountered drug class were the cannabinoids, with 4.3% of drivers testing positive for marijuana metabolites. Only 11 drivers (1.3%) were positive for alcohol. Sixteen truck drivers (1.6%) were charged with driving under the influence of drugs after a full DRE evaluation was conducted. The results indicate that in spite of comprehensive drug testing in the trucking industry, some tractor-trailer drivers are continuing to take illicit and other drugs with the potential of having a negative effect on their driving ability. On the other hand, only a few drivers were, in fact, deemed to be under the influence of drugs at the time of driving when evaluated by DRE officers.
A 3-D Transformation to Improve the Legibility of License Plate Numbers
Authors: Wen C-Y , Yu C-C , Hun Z-D
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a novel three-dimensional transformation method for vehicle license plate number recognition is proposed. This method provides an efficient solution to normalize skew distorted vehicle license plate images. The Hough transform is used to estimate the license plate position and the normalization angle. After the three-dimensional transformation and normalization processes, the vehicle license plate numbers are recognized easily. Real vehicle license plate images are used to show the capability of the proposed method. The provided method is also useful for other skewed writings, such as the text printed on a suspect's shirt.
A More Sensitive Method for the Quantitation of Genomic DNA by Alu Amplification
Authors: Sifis ME , Both K , Burgoyne LA
Published: December 2020

Current procedures for human DNA quantitation reach their limit at 150 pg DNA, which is above the limit of the PCR profiling range using Profiler-Plus® (Applied Biosystems, CA). This study tested the potential for the use of primate specific Alu sequences in forensic science for the sensitive detection and quantitation of DNA. A fluorescently labelled primer pair was designed enabling high efficiency amplification of the core Alu sequence within primate DNA. Quantitation was performed by measurement of fluorescence intensity and comparison to a series of standard template DNA amounts via the construction of a standard curve. The new Alu-based quantitation protocol developed has shown its feasibility in more sensitively quantitating (100-2.5 pg) unknown amounts of human DNA for forensic use. The method is compatible with the use and throughput of current forensic procedures.
The Use of Amalgam Powder and Calcium Hydroxide to Recreate a Radiopaque Image of a Lost Dental Restoration
Authors: Shiroma CY
Published: December 2020

Radiographs of dental restorations are highly reliable when used to identify postmortem dental remains. A problem exists if key dental restorations are missing or defective, which results in the loss of a comparative radiographic image. This article describes a simple method allowing the odontologist to quickly recreate a temporary radiopaque restoration. This article presents a method of using amalgam powder (radiopaque material) and calcium hydroxide (radiopaque material and transport medium for the amalgam powder) to recreate a radiopaque image on a tooth that has lost a dental restoration. Amalgam powder and calcium hydroxide is easily obtained (in any dental office), fairly clean, easy to manipulate, inexpensive, inert, stable, and able to be removed without damaging the dental remains. The amalgam powder/calcium hydroxide mixture can easily be re-shaped or modified to reflect the radiopaque image of the original restoration. Radiographic comparison of the “restored” dental remains to the antemortem radiographs is now possible. The use of this technique is presented in a case report.