bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The motivation of the desire of student youth to patriotism in the modern environment
Authors: Bakhtin Anatoly , Turtaev Yuri
Published: November 2019

The article is devoted to the motivational aspects of the attitude of students to patriotism in the modern environment. The relevance of the study of the problem of patriotic education of university students is determined by a number of circumstances - the social situation now in our country, the changes in public, political, and economic
life, the overestimation of values in people's minds.In modern conditions, the priority part of patriotic education is military-patriotic education, focused on the formation of readiness for the defense of the Fatherland, the development of the desire to get military professions, to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a special form of public
service.
The material is provided based on the results of the survey in the regions of the South, the West and the SouthEastern part of Ukraine. The groups of motives for the formation of patriotic feelings are defined by the method of comparison: how does the youth consider the concept of “patriotism”, what does patriotism manifest in, how does
it influence the formation of patriotic feelings, on what grounds do young people explain the concept of “patriotism”?
Patriotic education of student youth is the pedagogical process of the formation of the personality of a citizen and patriot of their homeland based on the adoption of democratic values, compliance with the law, legal norms, universal morality and human participation in democratic processes, preparing them for the implementation of the patriotic education of youth.
The pedagogical aspects of this process consist in a purposeful process of attracting students to the norms and values of a democratic society, creating an educational environment at the university that simulates society, democracy, lives according to the laws, organizing students 'participation in the process of democratization of life at the university, respecting students' rights, giving them assistance in the acquisition and accumulation of their own protection experience.
How Mount Athos becomes the Holy Mountain of Athos. The Experiences of Athos Pilgrims
Authors: GOTHÓNI RENÉ
Published: November 2019

No abstract available
Interpretatio Romana. Tacitus über die germanischen Kulte
Authors: LUND ALLAN A.
Published: November 2019

No abstract available
The Leap Year Concept in the First Descriptions of the Aztec Calendar
Authors: NIELSEN HJØRDIS
Published: November 2019

No abstract available
"mais je passai outre" oder - . Zur Frühgeschichte des 'Orientalismus': Abraham-Hyacinthe Anquetil Duperron und die Zoroastrier in Sürat (1758-1760)
Authors: STAUSBERG MICHAEL
Published: November 2019

No abstract available
The Yoiking of the Sami Peoples
Authors: KJELLSTRÖM ROLF
Published: November 2019

No abstract available.
The Revival of Martyr Cults among Īlavar
Authors: SCHALK PETER
Published: November 2019

No abstract available.
Ethische Dimensionen in der etnographischen Forschung
Authors: SUOJANEN PÄIVIKKI
Published: November 2019

No abstract available.
Religious Revival as Reaction to the Threat of Cultural Alienation in Southeast Asia
Authors: DAHM BERNHARD
Published: November 2019

No abstract available
Climat change – a threat multiplier in the future conflicts
Authors: Gajewski Tomasz
Published: November 2019

Climate change generates great controversies in public opinion. Political
debacles, scientific feuds and NGOs activities sometimes overshadow
objectively defined challenges created by global ecosystem transformation.
Nevertheless, discussion about the genesis of climate change is increasingly
concentrated on security issues. The author of the presented articles explores
the notion of climate change being a threat multiplier in the conflicts of the
future. The purpose of the article is to outline a rudimentary prognose of
climate change impact on existing and potential conflicts. Several case studies
are used in the analysis.
PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE CONFLICT IN DONBASS
Authors: Butyrskyi Andrii BUTYRSKYI
Published: November 2019

The conflict in Donbass is the greatest problem of Ukraine. As a result of this conflict, Ukraine has lost a part of its territory, a lot of money etc. But it is only a part of the problem. Some problems are invisible and arise only after a certain period of time. One of these problems is internally displaced persons. The article examines the problems that arise in the practice of realization of the rights of internally displaced persons in Ukraine and outlines possible ways of further work of state authorities of Ukraine in this area. The problem of internally displaced persons is nationwide since it concerns a very large number of people and is extremely important from a political point of view. It should be noted that the state is trying to resolve this problem in every possible way, but many issues remain unsolved regarding internally displaced persons, which led to the choice of the topic of our research. Speaking about the state's efforts to resolve the problems associated with the internally displaced persons, above all, implies attempts to regulate new relations for our country at the legislative level. At the same time, the legislation of Ukraine should be harmonized with generally accepted international norms, which should include the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons. Regarding the Ukrainian legislation on the internally displaced persons, at the legal level, these relations are regulated by the Law of Ukraine “On Providing Rights and Freedoms of Internally Displaced Persons” and many other by-laws. If the legal regulation of the problems of internally displaced persons is generally at an appropriate level, then in practice there are a lot of problems that range from small households to the most important ones, such as the right to vote in elections at different levels.
Wybrane aspekty podejmowania edukacji w Polsce przez studentów z Białorusi i Ukrainy
Authors: Michno Jerzy
Published: November 2019

The method used in the analyses
presented below was focussed interview
(FGI) conducted for the purpose of
qualitative research carried out within the
project: "Cross-border Centre for
Supporting the Labour Market", microproject: "ABC of studying and working in
Poland".
The main question that the study attempts
to answer is whether Ukrainian and
Belarusian students perceive their own
position in the Polish university and its
immediate surroundings and whether there
is cultural diffusion between Polish and
foreign students. Foreign students
generally rate their own university
positively. The relations between the
studied students and their Polish colleagues
are quite correct. In general, foreign
students do not feel discriminated against
by Polish students. However, a certain
difficulty in these positive relations is the
problem of keeping both Polish and
Ukrainian students in separate national groups. This division is assessed negatively
by foreign students as it makes it difficult to
learn Polish.
Relations with people from outside the
university were rated relatively better or as
good by respondents as with colleagues
from the university. Low frequency of
interactions between students from
Ukraine and Belarus and Poles makes
cultural diffusion difficult.
Niepełna rodzina jako zaburzenie prawidłowego funkcjonowania struktur rodzinnych
Authors: Kuzdak Michał
Published: November 2019

The author discusses the topic of
families, especially incomplete. The work is
about the disorganization of the family
structure, showing its causes and history.
The article describes the dangers of
modern family and relations on the parentchild line. The author refers to economic
emigration as one of the reasons for the
loosening of family ties and the cause of
incomplete families.
The Relationship Between Working Environment and Employee Performance
Authors: Athirah Saidi Nur Shifaa , Michael Florianna Lendai , Sumilan Helmi , Omar Lim Sheilla Lim , Jonathan Victoria , Hamidi Hana , Abg Ahmad Abg Izhar
Published: November 2019

A positive working environment is vital in ensuring employee productivity to avoid unnecessary stress to the employees thus affecting their work performances. There are several working environment factors that contributed towards job satisfaction. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the working environment and employee performance based on five dimensions of the working environment. The quantitative survey design was utilized in this study and data were collected by using questionnaires. The respondents of this study were administrators from different departments in a local municipality located in Kuching. The data were analysed by using Pearson’s Correlation Analysis to measure the relationship between the variables. The finding shows there is a significant relationship between the working environment and employee performance. Support from supervisor was found to be the dominant variables in ensuring a positive working environment.      

 

Keywords: Working environment; Employee performance; Municipality; Human resource; Health
Cannabis Influences the Putative Cytokines-Related Pathway of Epilepsy among Egyptian Epileptic Patients
Authors: Taalab Yasmeen M. , Fathi Mohammed Wessam , Helmy Manar A. , Othman Alyaa A.A. , Darwish Mohamed , Hassan Ibrahim , Abbas Mohammed
Published: November 2019

The study aims to investigate: (1) the prevalence of cannabis among epileptic patients seen at Mansoura University Hospital, (2) serum levels and gene expression of cytokines in epilepsy patients and the controls. and (3) the possibility that cannabis use affects the cytokine levels in epilepsy patients, triggering its future use in treatment. We recruited 440 epilepsy patients and 200 controls matched for age, gender, and ethnicity. Of the epileptic patients, 37.5% demonstrated lifetime cannabis use with a mean duration of 15 ± 73 years. Serum levels of interleukin IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were analyzed and gene expression analysis was conducted only for those cytokines that were different between groups in the serum analysis. The “Epilepsy-only” patients had significantly higher serum and mRNA levels of IL-1α, β, IL-2,6,8, and TNF-α compared to the controls and the “Cannabis+Epilepsy” group (p = 0.0001). IL-10 showed significantly lower levels in the “Epilepsy-only” patients compared to the controls and “Cannabis+Epilepsy” (p = 0.0001). Cannabis use is prevalent among epilepsy patients. Epilepsy is characterized by a pro-inflammatory state supported by high serum and gene expression levels. Cannabis users demonstrated significantly lower levels of inflammatory cytokines compared to epilepsy non-cannabis users which might contribute to its use in the treatment of resistant epilepsy.
LSD1/KDM1A, a Gate-Keeper of Cancer Stemness and a Promising Therapeutic Target
Authors: Karakaidos Panagiotis , Verigos John , Magklara Angeliki
Published: November 2019

A new exciting area in cancer research is the study of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the translational implications for putative epigenetic therapies targeted against them. Accumulating evidence of the effects of epigenetic modulating agents has revealed their dramatic consequences on cellular reprogramming and, particularly, reversing cancer stemness characteristics, such as self-renewal and chemoresistance. Lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A) plays a well-established role in the normal hematopoietic and neuronal stem cells. Overexpression of LSD1 has been documented in a variety of cancers, where the enzyme is, usually, associated with the more aggressive types of the disease. Interestingly, recent studies have implicated LSD1 in the regulation of the pool of CSCs in different leukemias and solid tumors. However, the precise mechanisms that LSD1 uses to mediate its effects on cancer stemness are largely unknown. Herein, we review the literature on LSD1’s role in normal and cancer stem cells, highlighting the analogies of its mode of action in the two biological settings. Given its potential as a pharmacological target, we, also, discuss current advances in the design of novel therapeutic regimes in cancer that incorporate LSD1 inhibitors, as well as their future perspectives.
Molecular Targeting Therapy against EGFR Family in Breast Cancer: Progress and Future Potentials
Authors: Maennling Amaia Eleonora , Tur Mehmet Kemal , Niebert Marcus , Klockenbring Torsten , Zeppernick Felix , Gattenlöhner Stefan , Meinhold-Heerlein Ivo , Hussain Ahmad Fawzi
Published: November 2019

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family contains four transmembrane tyrosine kinases (EGFR1/ErbB1, Her2/ErbB2, Her3/ErbB3 and Her4/ErbB4) and 13 secreted polypeptide ligands. EGFRs are overexpressed in many solid tumors, including breast, pancreas, head-and-neck, prostate, ovarian, renal, colon, and non-small-cell lung cancer. Such overexpression produces strong stimulation of downstream signaling pathways, which induce cell growth, cell differentiation, cell cycle progression, angiogenesis, cell motility and blocking of apoptosis.The high expression and/or functional activation of EGFRs correlates with the pathogenesis and progression of several cancers, which make them attractive targets for both diagnosis and therapy. Several approaches have been developed to target these receptors and/or the EGFR modulated effects in cancer cells. Most approaches include the development of anti-EGFRs antibodies and/or small-molecule EGFR inhibitors. This review presents the state-of-the-art and future prospects of targeting EGFRs to treat breast cancer.
Synergy of Ginkgetin and Resveratrol in Suppressing VEGF-Induced Angiogenesis: A Therapy in Treating Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Hu Wei-Hui , Chan Gallant Kar-Lun , Duan Ran , Wang Huai-You , Kong Xiang-Peng , Dong Tina Ting-Xia , Tsim Karl Wah-Keung
Published: November 2019

Ginkgetin, a biflavone from Ginkgo biloba leaf, and resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grape and wine, are two phytochemicals being identified for its binding to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): the binding, therefore, resulted in the alteration of the physiological roles of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis. The bindings of ginkgetin and resveratrol were proposed on different sites of VEGF, but both of them suppressed the angiogenic properties of VEGF. The suppressive activities of ginkgetin and resveratrol in VEGF-mediated angiogenesis were supported by several lines of evidence including (i) inhibiting the formation of sub-intestinal vessel in zebrafish embryos and microvascular sprouting in rat aortic ring; and (ii) suppressing the phosphorylations of VEGFR2, Akt, eNOS, and Erk as well as expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-2, and MMP-9 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Here, we showed the synergy of ginkgetin and resveratrol in suppressing the VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation. The synergy of ginkgetin and resveratrol was further illustrated in HT-29 colon cancer xenograft nude mice. Ginkgetin and resveratrol, when applied together, exerted a synergistic anti-tumor effect of 5-fluorouracil with decreasing microvessel density of tumors. In parallel, the combination of ginkgetin and resveratrol synergistically relieved the 5-fluorouracil-induced inflammatory response by suppressing expressions of COX-2 and inflammatory cytokines. Thus, the anti-angiogenic roles of ginkgetin and/or resveratrol could provide effective therapeutic strategy in cancer, similar to that of Avastin, in suppressing the VEGF-mediated angiogenesis during cancer development.
Assessment of Cypermethrin Residues in Tobacco by a Bioelectric Recognition Assay (BERA) Neuroblastoma Cell-Based Biosensor
Authors: Apostolou Theofylaktos , Mavrikou Sophia , Denaxa Nikoleta-Kleio , Paivana Georgia , Roussos Peter A. , Kintzios Spyridon
Published: November 2019

This study presents a bioelectric cell-based biosensor for the monitoring of the pyrethroid pesticide cypermethrin, a voltage-gated sodium channel blocker, in tobacco samples. For this purpose, neuroblastoma cells were used as biorecognition elements. The potential interference by the tobacco major alkaloid nicotine on the detection of cypermethrin was also studied. In addition, fluorescence microscopy revealed a specific pattern of neuroblastoma cell calcium efflux (Ca2+) after treatment with nicotine or cypermethrin. Finally, actual field-derived tobacco extracts were used for assessing matrix effects on the biosensor’s performance. The biosensor could detect cypermethrin in concentrations up to 1.5 μg mL−1 without being influenced by the presence of nicotine and possibly other tobacco alkaloids. Though not selective for cypermethrin, the neuroblastoma-based biosensor system appears to be a promising alternative to laborious analysis methodologies for rapid, high throughput and cost-efficient screening of this pyrethroid in tobacco samples in the near future.
Practically Feasible Robust Quantum Money with Classical Verification
Authors: Kumar Niraj
Published: November 2019

We introduce a private quantum money scheme with the note verification procedure based on sampling matching, a problem in a one-way communication complexity model. Our scheme involves a bank who produces and distributes quantum notes, noteholders who are untrusted, and trusted local verifiers of the bank to whom the holders send their notes in order to carry out transactions. The key aspects of our money scheme include: note verification procedure requiring a single round classical interaction between the local verifier and bank; fixed verification circuit that uses only passive linear optical components; re-usability of each note in our scheme which grows linearly with the size of note; and an unconditional security against any adversary trying to forge the banknote while tolerating the noise of up to 21.4%. We further describe a practical implementation technique of our money scheme using weak coherent states of light and the verification circuit involving a single 50/50 beam splitter and two single-photon threshold detectors. Previous best-known matching based money scheme proposal involves a verification circuit where the number of optical components increase proportional to the increase in desired noise tolerance (robustness). In contrast, we achieve any desired noise tolerance (up to a maximal threshold value) with only a fixed number of optical components. This considerable reduction of components in our scheme enables us to reach the robustness values that is not feasible for any existing money scheme with the current technology.
Detecting Metachanges in Data Streams from the Viewpoint of the MDL Principle
Authors: Fukushima Shintaro , Yamanishi Kenji
Published: November 2019

This paper addresses the issue of how we can detect changes of changes, which we call metachanges, in data streams. A metachange refers to a change in patterns of when and how changes occur, referred to as “metachanges along time” and “metachanges along state”, respectively. Metachanges along time mean that the intervals between change points significantly vary, whereas metachanges along state mean that the magnitude of changes varies. It is practically important to detect metachanges because they may be early warning signals of important events. This paper introduces a novel notion of metachange statistics as a measure of the degree of a metachange. The key idea is to integrate metachanges along both time and state in terms of “code length” according to the minimum description length (MDL) principle. We develop an online metachange detection algorithm (MCD) based on the statistics to apply it to a data stream. With synthetic datasets, we demonstrated that MCD detects metachanges earlier and more accurately than existing methods. With real datasets, we demonstrated that MCD can lead to the discovery of important events that might be overlooked by conventional change detection methods.
Modelling the Ammoniation of Barium Chloride for Chemical Heat Transformations
Authors: Hinmers Samuel , Critoph Robert E.
Published: November 2019

The coupling of reversible ammoniation reactions between two salts presents a method for the exploitation of low grade waste heat. This resorption configuration can be used for thermal transformation or heat pumping, to recover waste heat to primary producers, or for integration in heat networks. To understand the solid/gas reaction behaviour and to model its kinetics, Large Temperature Jump (LTJ) experiments were performed on a composite of barium chloride in an expanded natural graphite (ENG) matrix. A model has been built using a semi-empirical equation from the literature, which has been validated with the LTJ results. The results suggest the semi-empirical model provides a reasonable prediction for solid/gas reactions once the constants have been identified. Enhancing the model to handle sequential phase change reactions will enable a wide number of salts to be modelled, making the design of a resorption system practicable.
Biodiesel Production Processes and Sustainable Raw Materials
Authors: Ramos Marta , Dias Ana Paula Soares , Puna Jaime Filipe , Gomes João , Bordado João Carlos
Published: November 2019

Energy security and environmental concerns, related to the increasing carbon emissions, have prompted in the last years the search for renewable and sustainable fuels. Biodiesel, a mixture of fatty acids alkyl esters shows properties, which make it a feasible substitute for fossil diesel. Biodiesel can be produced using different processes and different raw materials. The most common, first generation, biodiesel is produced by methanolysis of vegetable oils using basic or acid homogeneous catalysts. The use of vegetable oils for biodiesel production raises serious questions about biodiesel sustainability. Used cooking oils and animal fats can replace the vegetable oils in biodiesel production thus allowing to produce a more sustainable biofuel. Moreover, methanol can be replaced by ethanol being totally renewable since it can be produced by biomass fermentation. The substitution of homogeneous catalyzed processes, nowadays used in the biodiesel industry, by heterogeneous ones can contribute to improve the biodiesel sustainability with simultaneous cost reduction. From the existing literature on biodiesel production, it stands out that several strategies can be adopted to improve the sustainability of biodiesel. A literature review is presented to underline the strategies allowing to improve the biodiesel sustainability.
Assessing Evidence for Weather Regimes Governing Solar Power Generation in Kuwait
Authors: Tye Mari R. , Haupt Sue Ellen , Gilleland Eric , Kalb Christina , Jensen Tara
Published: November 2019

With electricity representing around 20% of the global energy demand, and increasing support for renewable sources of electricity, there is also an escalating need to improve solar forecasts to support power management. While considerable research has been directed to statistical methods to improve solar power forecasting, few have employed finite mixture distributions. A statistically-objective classification of the overall sky condition may lead to improved forecasts. Combining information from the synoptic driving conditions for daily variability with local processes controlling subdaily fluctuations could assist with forecast validation and enhancement where few observations are available. Gaussian mixture models provide a statistical learning approach to automatically identify prevalent sky conditions (clear, semi-cloudy, and cloudy) and explore associated weather patterns. Here a first stage in the development of such a model is presented: examining whether there is sufficient information in the large-scale environment to identify days with clear, semi-cloudy, or cloudy conditions. A three-component Gaussian distribution is developed that reproduces the observed multimodal peaks in sky clearness indices, and their temporal distribution. Posterior probabilities from the fitted mixture distributions are used to identify periods of clear, partially-cloudy, and cloudy skies. Composites of low-level (850 hPa) humidity and winds for each of the mixture components reveal three patterns associated with the typical synoptic conditions governing the sky clarity, and hence, potential solar power.
Potential for Rooftop-Mounted PV Power Generation to Meet Domestic Electrical Demand in Saudi Arabia: Case Study of a Villa in Jeddah
Authors: Alghamdi Abdulsalam S.
Published: November 2019

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has a large solar and wind energy resource. Through its Vision 2030 to exploit such resources, KSA is planning to install 9.5 GW of renewable energy power generation systems by 2030, through a mix of solar and wind energy. The government is planning to invest 109 billion US$ over the next 20 years for solar energy. The focus will be on solar photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar technologies at a national level. So far, the electricity demand in KSA is almost entirely dependent on fossil fuels for generating power. This paper addresses the potential to utilize the solar radiation resource at a different scale and reduce the power demand from the grid, bringing collateral benefits for householders and the government alike. The work presents the results from monitoring the electricity consumption of two typical domestic buildings (villas) in Jeddah, KSA. The electricity consumption observations were associated with indoor environmental conditions to study how and when cooling demand affects final demand. The study investigated options to serve the observed demand profile of the villas with simulated power generation from arrays of PV panels installed on two buildings’ roofs. Finally, a model of dynamic solar radiation simulation was developed to assess the hourly electricity generation, and a cost-benefit analysis was conducted for different capacity PV systems scenarios. The results indicate that locally used rooftop PV output could reduce the household electrical demand from the grid by around 80% at the housing level and in combination with building refurbishment solutions, could result in additional energy savings. The economic analysis discusses the implications of a proposed feed-in tariff with the associated payback periods and ROI, as well as proposals for PV system deployment at a large scale on the roof of buildings in KSA.
Impact of Shale Anisotropy on Seismic Wavefield
Authors: Li Han , Liu Xiwu , Chang Xu , Wu Ruyue , Liu Jiong
Published: November 2019

During unconventional resources exploration, ignoring shale anisotropy may lead to wrong seismic interpretations, thus affecting the accuracy and credibility of sweet spots prediction and reservoir characterization. In order to investigate the impact of shale anisotropy on the seismic wavefield, we propose a quantitative evaluation method by calculating the waveforms’ amplitude and phase deviations. Based on the 3D elastic wave equation and the staggered-grid finite-difference method, the forward modeling theory with the consideration of shale anisotropy is established. Then, we use the envelope misfit (EM) and phase misfit (PM) parameters to illustrate the differences in waveforms’ amplitude and phase morphology, which are caused by anisotropy. Lastly, by comparing the waveforms of the models with/without anisotropy and calculating their EM and PM values, a practical and quantitative evaluation method is constructed. We used synthetic models of different complexity and oilfield models to validate the proposed method. Through the research, we also gained some new insights about the anisotropy’s effects. For a certain medium model, the impact of shale anisotropy on seismic wavefield is complicated and needs specific analysis. The proposed method provides a useful and quantitative tool for the evaluation of shale anisotropy’s impact.
Characterization of Pure and Blended Pellets Made from Norway Spruce and Pea Starch: A Comparative Study of Bonding Mechanism Relevant to Quality
Authors: Anukam Anthony Ike , Berghel Jonas , Frodeson Stefan , Famewo Elizabeth Bosede , Nyamukamba Pardon
Published: November 2019

The mechanism of bonding in biomass pellets is such a complex event to comprehend, as the nature of the bonds formed between combining particles and their relevance to pellet quality are not completely understood. In this study, pure and blended biomass pellets made from Norway spruce and pea starch were characterized using advanced analytical instruments able to provide information beyond what is visible to the human eye, with intent to investigate differences in bonding mechanism relevant to quality. The results, which were comprehensively interpreted from a structural chemistry perspective, indicated that, at a molecular level, the major disparity in bonding mechanism between particles of the pellets and the quality of the pellets, defined in terms of strength and burning efficiency, were determined by variation in the concentration of polar functional groups emanating from the major organic and elemental components of the pellets, as well as the strength of the bonds between atoms of these groups. Microscopic-level analysis, which did not provide any clear morphological features that could be linked to incongruity in quality, showed fracture surfaces of the pellets and patterns of surface roughness, as well as the mode of interconnectivity of particles, which were evidence of the production of pellets with dissimilarities in particle bonding mechanism and visual appearance.
Heartburn-Related Internet Searches and Trends of Interest across Six Western Countries: A Four-Year Retrospective Analysis Using Google Ads Keyword Planner
Authors: Kamiński Mikołaj , Łoniewski Igor , Misera Agata , Marlicz Wojciech
Published: November 2019

The internet is becoming the main source of health-related information. We aimed to investigate data regarding heartburn-related searches made by Google users from Australia, Canada, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We retrospectively analyzed data from Google Ads Keywords Planner. We extracted search volumes of keywords associated with “heartburn” for June 2015 to May 2019. The data were generated in the respective primary language. The number of searches per 1000 Google-user years was as follows: 177.4 (Australia), 178.1 (Canada), 123.8 (Germany), 199.7 (Poland), 152.5 (United Kingdom), and 194.5 (United States). The users were particularly interested in treatment (19.0 to 41.3%), diet (4.8 to 10.7%), symptoms (2.6 to 13.1%), and causes (3.7 to 10.0%). In all countries except Germany, the number of heartburn-related queries significantly increased over the analyzed period. For Canada, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom, query numbers were significantly lowest in summer; there was no significant seasonal trend for Australia and the United States. The number of heartburn-related queries has increased over the past four years, and a seasonal pattern may exist in certain regions. The trends in heartburn-related searches may reflect the scale of the complaint, and should be verified through future epidemiological studies.
Effects of Climate Change and Maternal Morality: Perspective from Case Studies in the Rural Area of Bangladesh
Authors: Abdullah Abu Sayeed Md. , Dalal Koustuv , Halim Abdul , Rahman AKM Fazlur , Biswas Animesh
Published: November 2019

This study explored the community perception of maternal deaths influenced by natural disaster (flood), and the practice of maternal complications during natural disaster among the rural population in Bangladesh. It also explored the challenges faced by the community for providing healthcare and referring the pregnant women experiencing complications during flood disaster. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) and eight in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted in the marginalized rural communities in the flood-prone Khaliajhuri sub-district, Netrakona district, Bangladesh. Flood is one of the major risk factors for influencing maternal death. Pregnant women seriously suffer from maternal complications, lack of antenatal checkup, and lack of doctors during flooding. During the time of delivery, it is difficult to find a skilled attendant, and referring the patient with delivery complications to the healthcare facility. Boats are the only mode of transport. The majority of maternal deaths occur on the boats during transfer from the community to the hospital. Rural people feel that the maternal deaths influenced by natural disaster are natural phenomena. Pre-preparation is needed to support pregnant women during disasters. There is unawareness of maternal health, related care, and complications during disasters among local health service providers and volunteers.
Influence of Selective Conditions on Various Composite Sorbents for Enhanced Removal of Copper (II) Ions from Aqueous Environments
Authors: Adeeyo Rebecca O. , Edokpayi Joshua N. , Bello Olugbenga S. , Adeeyo Adeyemi O. , Odiyo John O.
Published: November 2019

Numerous pollutants, including dyes, heavy metals, pesticides, and microorganisms, are found in wastewater and have great consequences when discharged onto natural freshwater sources. Heavy metals are predominantly reported in wastewater. Heavy metals are persistent, non-biodegradable and toxic, transforming from a less toxic form to more toxic forms in environmental media under favourable conditions. Among heavy metals, copper is dominantly found in wastewater effluent. In this review, the effects of high concentration of copper in plants and living tissues of both aquatic animals and humans are identified. The performance of different polymer adsorbents and the established optimum conditions to assess the resultant remediation effect as well as the amount of copper removed are presented. This procedure allows the establishment of a valid conclusion of reduced time and improved Cu (II) ion removal in association with recent nano-polymer adsorbents. Nano-polymer composites are therefore seen as good candidates for remediation of Cu ions while pH range 5–6 and room temperature were mostly reported for optimum performance. The optimum conditions reported can be applied for other metal remediation and development of potent novel adsorbents and process conditions.
Hydrological Simulation for Predicting the Future Water Quality of Adyar River, Chennai, India
Authors: Kumar Pankaj , Dasgupta Rajarshi , Ramaiah Manish , Avtar Ram , Johnson Brian Alan , Mishra Binaya Kumar
Published: November 2019

Just a few decades ago, Adyar River in India’s city of Chennai was an important source of water for various uses. Due to local and global changes (e.g., population growth and climate change), its ecosystem and overall water quality, including its aesthetic value, has deteriorated, and the water has become unsuitable for commercial uses. Adverse impacts of excessive population and changing climate are expected to continue in the future. Thus, this study focused on predicting the future water quality of the Adyar river under “business as usual” (BAU) and “suitable with measures” scenarios. The water evaluation and planning (WEAP) simulation tool was used for this study. Water quality simulation along a 19 km stretch of the Adyar River, from downstream of the Chembarambakkam to Adyar (Bay of Bengal) was carried out. In this analysis, clear indication of further deterioration of Adyar water quality by 2030 under the BAU scenario was evidenced. This would be rendering the river unsuitable for many aquatic species. Due to both climate change (i.e., increased temperature and precipitation) and population growth, the WEAP model results indicated that by 2030, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and Escherichia coli concentrations will increase by 26.7% and 8.3%, respectively. On the other hand, under the scenario with measures being taken, which assumes that “all wastewater generated locally will be collected and treated in WWTP with a capacity of 886 million liter per day (MLD),” the river water quality is expected to significantly improve by 2030. Specifically, the model results showed largely reduced concentrations of BOD and E. coli, respectively, to the tune of 74.2% and 98.4% compared to the BAU scenario. However, even under the scenario with measures being taken, water quality remains a concern, especially in the downstream area, when compared with class B (fishable surface water quality desirable by the national government). These results indicate that the current management policies and near future water resources management plan (i.e., the scenario including mitigating measures) are not adequate to check pollution levels to within the desirable limits. Thus, there is a need for transdisciplinary research into how the water quality can be further improved (e.g., through ecosystem restoration or river rehabilitation).
Empirical Evidence for Professional Practice and Public Policies: An Exploratory Study on Social Exclusion in Users of Primary Care Social Services in Spain
Authors: Giménez-Bertomeu Víctor M. , Domenech-López Yolanda , Mateo-Pérez Miguel A. , de-Alfonseti-Hartmann Nicolás
Published: November 2019

This study examines the social exclusion characteristics of a sample of users of primary care social services in two local entities in Spain. The objective of this study was to identify the intensity and scope of social exclusion in an exploratory way and to look at the typology of existing exclusionary situations to inform policy making and professional practice. Data from 1009 users were collected by primary care social services professionals, completing the Social Exclusion Scale of the University of Alicante (SES-UA). The dimensions with the greatest levels of social exclusion in the study population were those related to work/employment, income and education and training. The dimensions with an intermediate level of exclusion were those related to housing and social isolation. Social acceptance, family and social conflict and health were the dimensions with the lowest levels of exclusion. The analysis also showed the existence of five significantly different groups, that showed five different life trajectories along the continuum between social exclusion and social inclusion. The results show the importance and utility of developing professional and policy intervention protocols based on research evidence, with the objective of improving the quality of life of the users.
Concentration of Healthcare Resources in China: The Spatial–Temporal Evolution and Its Spatial Drivers
Authors: Guo Qingbin , Luo Kang
Published: November 2019

This paper estimated and evaluated the spatial–temporal evolution of the concentration of healthcare resources (HCRs), in 31 provinces in China between 2004 and 2017, by using the entropy method. The spatial Durbin model (SDM) was used to further analyze the mechanisms behind the spatial driving forces at the national and regional levels. The findings revealed that: (i) The concentration of HCRs differed significantly among eastern, central, and western regions. The eastern, followed by the central region, had the highest concentration. Going east to west, the concentration of HCRs in the first echelon decreased, while it increased in the second and third echelons; (ii) places with higher concentrations clustered, while those with lower concentrations agglomerated; and (iii) economic development, population size, and urbanization promoted concentration. Education facilitated HCR concentration in the eastern and central regions, income stimulated HCR concentration in the eastern and western regions, and fiscal expenditure on healthcare promoted HCR concentration in the eastern region. Economic development inhibited HCR concentration in neighboring regions, population size restrained HCR concentration in neighboring areas in the western region, urbanization and income curbed HCR concentration in neighboring areas in the eastern and western regions, and fiscal expenditure on healthcare hindered HCR concentration in neighboring areas in the eastern region. Policy recommendations were proposed toward optimizing allocation of healthcare resources, increasing support for healthcare and education, and accelerating urbanization.
Decolorization and Detoxification of Synthetic Dyes by Mexican Strains of Trametes sp.
Authors: Levin Laura N. , Hernández-Luna Carlos E. , Niño-Medina Guillermo , García-Rodríguez Juan Pablo , López-Sadin Iosvany , Méndez-Zamora Gerardo , Gutiérrez-Soto Guadalupe
Published: November 2019

Laccases have attracted a great deal of interest because of their remarkable ability for the degradation of synthetic dyes present in wastewaters. New laccase producing sources with robust operational and functional properties are being continuously explored. In this work, the potential for the decolorization and detoxification of synthetic dyes was evaluated in two Mexican strains of the genus Trametes. The decolorization capacity of Trametes maxima LE130 and Trametes sp. LA1 was tested in solid and liquid media. The phytotoxicity of the degradation products was determined using Raphanus sativus and Pisum sativum seeds. In solid media, both strains showed a higher decolorization capacity (p ≤ 0.05) than Phanerochaete chrysosporium ATCC 24725, which is known to be very efficient in lignin and dye-degradation. They produced laccase as the main ligninolytic enzyme; T. maxima LE130 secreted a single isoform of 43.9 kDa, while Trametes sp. LA1 produced three isoforms of 67.3, 58.6 and 52.7 kDa, respectively. Trametes sp. LA1 culture fluids were capable of decolorizing and detoxifying chemically diverse dyes (anthraquinonic dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R, azoic Reactive Black 5 and triphenylmethane Crystal Violet) without the addition of redox mediators. Therefore, this could be considered as a new laccase source which could be potentially competitive in the bioremediation of dye-containing wastewaters.
Heavy Metals in Muscle Tissue of Pterois volitans from the Veracruz Reef System National Park, Mexico
Authors: Montoya-Mendoza Jesús , Alarcón-Reyes Estrella , Castañeda-Chávez María del Refugio , Lango-Reynoso Fabiola , Zamudio-Alemán Rosa E.
Published: November 2019

Concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) were measured in the muscle of 30 specimens of Pterois volitans, captured on April 2018, in the Veracruz Reef System National Park (VRSNP), Veracruz, Mexico. Concentrations, in the samples, were quantified with atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), after microwave digestion. Results of the mean concentration, in descending order were V = 7.3 ± 0.7; Pb = 0.66 ± 0.07; Zn = 0.43 ± 0.14; and Cd = 0.03 ± 0.01 mg kg−1 dry weight. These values did not exceeded limits established in the Mexican National Standard (NOM-242-SSA1-2009), of Cd and Pb (0.5 mg kg−1) wet weight. This means that consumption of lionfish from this site does not pose a potential risk for human health.
Examining Personal and Media Factors Associated with Attitude towards Genetically Modified Foods among University Students in Kunming, China
Authors: Li Li , Bautista John Robert
Published: November 2019

Guided by the theory of reasoned action and media system dependency theory, this study examined attitude towards genetically modified foods (GMF) among university students in Kunming, China, as well as personal and media factors related to such attitude. Data were collected from an online survey with 467 university students across eight universities in Kunming. Results showed that attitude towards GMF were more negative than positive. Moreover, food neophobia and media attention were negatively associated with attitude towards GMF. In contrast, perceived benefit was positively associated with attitude towards GMF. Although the interaction between media dependency and media attention was significant, simple slope analysis confirmed that the interaction slopes were nonsignificant, suggesting that media attention did not moderate the association between media dependency and attitude towards GMF in this study. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
A Spatio-Temporal Bayesian Model for Estimating the Effects of Land Use Change on Urban Heat Island
Authors: Liu Xin , Xiao Zuolin , Liu Rui
Published: November 2019

The urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon has been identified and studied for over two centuries. As one of the most important factors, land use, in terms of both composition and configuration, strongly influences the UHI. As a result of the availability of detailed data, the modeling of the residual spatio-temporal autocorrelation of UHI, which remains after the land use effects have been removed, becomes possible. In this study, this key statistical problem is tackled by a spatio-temporal Bayesian hierarchical model (BHM). As one of the hottest areas in China, southwest China is chosen as our study area. Results from this study show that the difference of UHI levels between different cities in southwest China becomes large from 2000 to 2015. The variation of the UHI level is dominantly driven by temporal autocorrelation, rather than spatial autocorrelation. Compared with the composition of land use, the configuration has relatively minor influence upon UHI, due to the terrain in the study area. Furthermore, among all land use types, the water body is the most important UHI mitigation factor at the regional scale.
Heat Shock Cognate 70 Functions as A Chaperone for the Stability of Kinetochore Protein CENP-N in Holocentric Insect Silkworms
Authors: Li Bingqian , Li Zhiqing , Lu Chenchen , Chang Li , Zhao Dongchao , Shen Guanwang , Kusakabe Takahiro , Xia Qingyou , Zhao Ping
Published: November 2019

The centromere, in which kinetochore proteins are assembled, plays an important role in the accurate congression and segregation of chromosomes during cell mitosis. Although the function of the centromere and kinetochore is conserved from monocentric to holocentric, the DNA sequences of the centromere and components of the kinetochore are varied among different species. Given the lack of core centromere protein A (CENP-A) and CENP-C in the lepidopteran silkworm Bombyx mori, which possesses holocentric chromosomes, here we investigated the role of CENP-N, another important member of the centromere protein family essential for kinetochore assembly. For the first time, cellular localization and RNA interference against CENP-N have confirmed its kinetochore function in silkworms. To gain further insights into the regulation of CENP-N in the centromere, we analyzed the affinity-purified complex of CENP-N by mass spectrometry and identified 142 interacting proteins. Among these factors, we found that the chaperone protein heat shock cognate 70 (HSC70) is able to regulate the stability of CENP-N by prohibiting ubiquitin–proteasome pathway, indicating that HSC70 could control cell cycle-regulated degradation of CENP-N at centromeres. Altogether, the present work will provide a novel clue to understand the regulatory mechanism for the kinetochore activity of CENP-N during the cell cycle.