bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Excellent Oxygen Evolution Reaction of Activated Carbon-Anchored NiO Nanotablets Prepared by Green Routes
Authors: Sekar Sankar , Kim Deuk , Lee Sejoon
Published: July 2020

A sustainable and efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is vital to realize green and clean hydrogen production technology. Herein, we synthesized the nanocomposites of activated carbon-anchored nickel oxide (AC-NiO) via fully green routes, and characterized their excellent OER performances. The AC-NiO nanocomposites were prepared by the facile sonication method using sonochemically prepared NiO nanoparticles and biomass-derived AC nanosponges. The nanocomposites exhibited an aggregated structure of the AC-NiO nanotablets with an average size of 40 nm. When using the nanotablets as an OER catalyst in 1 M KOH, the sample displayed superb electrocatalytic performances, i.e., a substantially low value of overpotential (320 mV at 10 mA/cm2), a significantly small Tafel slope (49 mV/dec), and a good OER stability (4% decrease of overpotential after 10 h). These outstanding OER characteristics are considered as attributing to the synergetic effects from both the ample surface area of the electrochemically active NiO nanoparticles and the high electrical conductivity of the AC nanosponges. The results pronounce that the fully ecofriendly synthesized AC-NiO nanotablets can play a splendid role as high-performance electrocatalysts for future green energy technology.
In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-inflammatory Activity of Bovine Milkfat Globule (MFGM)-derived Complex Lipid Fractions
Authors: Palmano Kate P. , MacGibbon Alastair K. H. , Gunn Caroline A. , Schollum Linda M.
Published: July 2020

Numerous health related properties have been reported for bovine milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and its components. Here we present novel data on the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of various MFGM preparations which confirm and extend the concept of MFGM as a dietary anti-inflammatory agent. Cell-based assays were used to test the ability of MFGM preparations to modulate levels of the inflammatory mediators IL-1β, nitric oxide, superoxide anion, cyclo-oxygenase-2, and neutrophil elastase. In rat models of arthritis, using MFGM fractions as dietary interventions, the phospholipid-enriched MFGM isolates were effective in reducing adjuvant-induced paw swelling while there was a tendency for the ganglioside-enriched isolate to reduce carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory activity of MFGM, rather than residing in a single component, is contributed to by an array of components acting in concert against various inflammatory targets. This confirms the potential of MFGM as a nutritional intervention for the mitigation of chronic and acute inflammatory conditions.
Perinatal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation Improves Cognition and Alters Brain Functional Organization in Piglets
Authors: Fang Xi , Sun Wenwu , Jeon Julie , Azain Michael , Kinder Holly , Ahn Jeongyoun , Chung Hee Cheol , Mote Ryan S. , Filipov Nikolay M. , Zhao Qun , Rayalam Srujana , Park Hea Jin
Published: July 2020

Epidemiologic studies associate maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/DHA-containing seafood intake with enhanced cognitive development; although, it should be noted that interventional trials show inconsistent findings. We examined perinatal DHA supplementation on cognitive performance, brain anatomical and functional organization, and the brain monoamine neurotransmitter status of offspring using a piglet model. Sows were fed a control (CON) or a diet containing DHA (DHA) from late gestation throughout lactation. Piglets underwent an open field test (OFT), an object recognition test (ORT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to acquire anatomical, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) at weaning. Piglets from DHA-fed sows spent 95% more time sniffing the walls than CON in OFT and exhibited an elevated interest in the novel object in ORT, while CON piglets demonstrated no preference. Maternal DHA supplementation increased fiber length and tended to increase fractional anisotropy in the hippocampus of offspring than CON. DHA piglets exhibited increased functional connectivity in the cerebellar, visual, and default mode network and decreased activity in executive control and sensorimotor network compared to CON. The brain monoamine neurotransmitter levels did not differ in healthy offspring. Perinatal DHA supplementation may increase exploratory behaviors, improve recognition memory, enhance fiber tract integrity, and alter brain functional organization in offspring at weaning.
The Early Food Insecurity Impacts of COVID-19
Authors: Niles Meredith T. , Bertmann Farryl , Belarmino Emily H. , Wentworth Thomas , Biehl Erin , Neff Roni
Published: July 2020

COVID-19 has disrupted food access and impacted food insecurity, which is associated with numerous adverse individual and public health outcomes. To assess these challenges and understand their impact on food security, we conducted a statewide population-level survey using a convenience sample in Vermont from 29 March to 12 April 2020, during the beginning of a statewide stay-at-home order. We utilized the United States Department of Agriculture six-item validated food security module to measure food insecurity before COVID-19 and since COVID-19. We assessed food insecurity prevalence and reported food access challenges, coping strategies, and perceived helpful interventions among food secure, consistently food insecure (pre-and post-COVID-19), and newly food insecure (post COVID-19) respondents. Among 3219 respondents, there was nearly a one-third increase (32.3%) in household food insecurity since COVID-19 (p < 0.001), with 35.5% of food insecure households classified as newly food insecure. Respondents experiencing a job loss were at higher odds of experiencing food insecurity (OR 3.06; 95% CI, 2.114–0.46). We report multiple physical and economic barriers, as well as concerns related to food access during COVID-19. Respondents experiencing household food insecurity had higher odds of facing access challenges and utilizing coping strategies, including two-thirds of households eating less since COVID-19 (p < 0.001). Significant differences in coping strategies were documented between respondents in newly food insecure vs. consistently insecure households. These findings have important potential impacts on individual health, including mental health and malnutrition, as well as on future healthcare costs. We suggest proactive strategies to address food insecurity during this crisis.
Cardiopulmonary Activity Monitoring Using Millimeter Wave Radars
Authors: Antolinos Elías , García-Rial Federico , Hernández Clara , Montesano Daniel , Godino-Llorente Juan I. , Grajal Jesús
Published: July 2020

Current cardiopulmonary activity monitoring is based on contact devices which cannot be used in extreme cases such as premature infants, burnt victims or rescue operations. In order to overcome these limitations, the use of radar technologies emerges as an alternative. This paper aims to enhance the comprehension that non-contact technologies, in particular radar techniques, offer as a monitoring tool. For this purpose, a modified low cost commercial 122 GHz frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar is used to better fit the current application domain. The radar signals obtained are processed using a classic linear filtering algorithm aiming to separate the breathing from the heartbeat component while preserving signals integrity. In a standoff configuration and with different subject orientations, results show that the signal obtained with the radar can be used to extract not only the respiratory and heartbeat rates, but also the heart rate variability (HRV) sequence. Moreover, results evidence the coupling between breathing and heartbeat, also showing that the HRV sequence obtained can identify the respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) effect. Finally, the radar is tested in a simultaneous multi-target scenario, demonstrating its monitoring capabilities in more complex situations. Nevertheless, there are some challenges left to use the system in a real-life monitoring environments, such as the removal of random body movements.
Estimation of Soil Moisture Applying Modified Dubois Model to Sentinel-1; A Regional Study from Central India
Authors: Singh Abhilash , Gaurav Kumar , Meena Ganesh Kumar , Kumar Shashi
Published: July 2020

Surface soil moisture has a wide application in climate change, agronomy, water resources, and in many other domain of science and engineering. Measurement of soil moisture at high spatial and temporal resolution at regional and global scale is needed for the prediction of flood, drought, planning and management of agricultural productivity to ensure food security. Recent advancement in microwave remote sensing, especially after the launch of Sentinel operational satellites has enabled the scientific community to estimate soil moisture at higher spatial and temporal resolution with greater accuracy. This study evaluates the potential of Sentinel-1A satellite images to estimate soil moisture in a semi-arid region. Exactly at the time when satellite passes over the study area, we have collected soil samples at 37 different locations and measured the soil moisture from 5 cm below the ground surface using ML3 theta probe. We processed the soil samples in laboratory to obtain volumetric soil moisture using the oven dry method. We found soil moisture measured from calibrated theta probe and oven dry method are in good agreement with Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) 0.025 m 3 /m 3 and coefficient of determination (R 2 ) 0.85. We then processed Sentinel-1A images and applied modified Dubois model to calculate relative permittivity of the soil from the backscatter values ( σ ∘ ). The volumetric soil moisture at each pixel is then calculated by applying the universal Topp’s model. Finally, we masked the pixels whose Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) value is greater than 0.4 to generate soil moisture map as per the Dubois NDVI criterion. Our modelled soil moisture accord with the measured values with RMSE = 0.035 and R 2 = 0.75. We found a small bias in the modelled soil moisture ( 0.02 m 3 / m 3 ). However, this has reduced significantly ( 0.001 m 3 / m 3 ) after applying a bias correction based on Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) matching. Our approach provides a first-order estimate of soil moisture from Sentinel-1A images in sparsely vegetated agricultural land.
Validation of Variant Assembly Using HAPHPIPE with Next-Generation Sequence Data from Viruses
Authors: Gibson Keylie M. , Steiner Margaret C. , Rentia Uzma , Bendall Matthew L. , Pérez-Losada Marcos , Crandall Keith A.
Published: July 2020

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) offers a powerful opportunity to identify low-abundance, intra-host viral sequence variants, yet the focus of many bioinformatic tools on consensus sequence construction has precluded a thorough analysis of intra-host diversity. To take full advantage of the resolution of NGS data, we developed HAplotype PHylodynamics PIPEline (HAPHPIPE), an open-source tool for the de novo and reference-based assembly of viral NGS data, with both consensus sequence assembly and a focus on the quantification of intra-host variation through haplotype reconstruction. We validate and compare the consensus sequence assembly methods of HAPHPIPE to those of two alternative software packages, HyDRA and Geneious, using simulated HIV and empirical HIV, HCV, and SARS-CoV-2 datasets. Our validation methods included read mapping, genetic distance, and genetic diversity metrics. In simulated NGS data, HAPHPIPE generated pol consensus sequences significantly closer to the true consensus sequence than those produced by HyDRA and Geneious and performed comparably to Geneious for HIV gp120 sequences. Furthermore, using empirical data from multiple viruses, we demonstrate that HAPHPIPE can analyze larger sequence datasets due to its greater computational speed. Therefore, we contend that HAPHPIPE provides a more user-friendly platform for users with and without bioinformatics experience to implement current best practices for viral NGS assembly than other currently available options.
Investigating the mechanism of impact and differential effect of the Quality Premium scheme on antibiotic prescribing in England: a longitudinal study
Authors: Anyanwu Philip Emeka , Pouwels Koen , Walker Anne , Moore Michael , Majeed Azeem , Hayhoe Benedict W J , Tonkin-Crine Sarah , Borek Aleksandra , Hopkins Susan , Mcleod Monsey , Costelloe Céire
Published: July 2020

Background

In 2017, approximately 73% of antibiotics in England were prescribed from primary care practices. It has been estimated that 9%–23% of antibiotic prescriptions between 2013 and 2015 were inappropriate. Reducing antibiotic prescribing in primary care was included as one of the national priorities in a financial incentive scheme in 2015–2016.

Aim

To investigate whether the effects of the Quality Premium (QP), which provided performance-related financial incentives to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), could be explained by practice characteristics that contribute to variations in antibiotic prescribing.

Design & setting

Longitudinal monthly prescribing data were analysed for 6251 primary care practices in England from April 2014 to March 2016.

Method

Linear generalised estimating equations models were fitted, examining the effect of the 2015–2016 QP on the number of antibiotic items per specific therapeutic group age–sex related prescribing unit (STAR-PU) prescribed, adjusting for seasonality and months since implementation. Consistency of effects after further adjustment for variations in practice characteristics were also examined, including practice workforce, comorbidities prevalence, prescribing rates of non-antibiotic drugs, and deprivation.

Results

Antibiotics prescribed in primary care practices in England reduced by -0.172 items per STAR-PU (95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.180 to -0.171) after 2015–2016 QP implementation, with slight increases in the months following April 2015 (+0.014 items per STAR-PU; 95% CI = +0.013 to +0.014). Adjusting the model for practice characteristics, the immediate and month-on-month effects following implementation remained consistent, with slight attenuation in immediate reduction from -0.172 to -0.166 items per STAR-PU. In subgroup analysis, the QP effect was significantly greater among the top 20% prescribing practices (interaction p<0.001). Practices with low workforce and those with higher diabetes prevalence had greater reductions in prescribing following 2015–2016 QP compared with other practices (interaction p<0.001).

Conclusion

In high-prescribing practices, those with low workforce and high diabetes prevalence had more reduction following the QP compared with other practices, highlighting the need for targeted support of these practices and appropriate resourcing of primary care.
Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Irradiation in Reducing Pain and Accelerating Socket Healing After Undisturbed Tooth Extraction
Authors: Ahrari Farzaneh , Eshghpour Majid , Zare Reza , Ebrahimi Samaneh , Fallahrastegar Amir , Khaki Hossein
Published: July 2020

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on reducing complications following tooth extraction. Methods: This randomized clinical trial consisted of 40 subjects who underwent lower molar extraction. The patients were randomly assigned to 4 groups. Group 1 was irradiated with a 660 nm laser (200 mW, 30 seconds radiation to lingual, buccal and occlusal surfaces of the socket, 6 J/area). In group 2, an 810 nm laser was applied similar to group 1. In group 3, a combination of 660 and 810 nm lasers was used. The patients in group 4 served as a placebo group. LLLT was performed after 0.5-1 hour of extraction and 2 days later. The participants were asked to record pain degree using a visual analogue scale (VAS) over 7 days. The amount of wound healing was evaluated on the third and seventh days. Results: There was no significant difference in pain scores among the groups at any of the assessment intervals (P>0.05). The between-group differences in wound healing scores were small and insignificant (P>0.05). Conclusion: LLLT with 660 nm or 810 nm lasers or their combination had no greater effect than the placebo laser for reducing the complications of tooth extraction.
Photobiomodulation in Sciatic Nerve Crush Injuries in Rodents: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Perspectives for Clinical Treatment
Authors: Sasso Letícia Lemes , de Souza Luana Gabriel , Girasol Carlos Eduardo , Marcolino Alexandre Márcio , de Jesus Guirro Rinaldo Roberto , Barbosa Rafael Inácio
Published: July 2020

Objective: The aim of the study was to perform a literature review to analyze the effect of photobiomodulation in experimental studies on peripheral nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve crush injury in rodents. Methods: A bibliographic search was performed in the electronic databases, including MEDLINE (PubMed), SCOPUS, and SciELO, from 2008 to 2018. Results: A total of 1912 articles were identified in the search, and only 19 fulfilled all the inclusion criteria. Along with the parameters most found in the manuscripts, the most used wavelengths were 660 nm and 830 nm, power of 30 and 40 mW, and energy density of 4 and 10 J/cm2 . For total energy throughout the intervention period, the lowest energy found with positive effects was 0.70 J, and the highest 1.141 J. Seventeen studies reported positive effects on nerve regeneration. The variables selected to analyze the effect were: Sciatic Functional Index (SFI), Static Sciatic Index (SSI), morphometric, morphological, histological, zymographic, electrophysiological, resistance mechanics and range of motion (ROM). The variety of parameters used in the studies demonstrated that there is yet no pre-determined protocol for treating peripheral nerve regeneration. Only two studies by different authors used the same power, energy density, beam area, and power density. Conclusion: It was concluded that the therapeutic window of the photobiomodulation presents a high variability of parameters with the wavelength (632.8 to 940 nm), power (5 to 170 mW) and energy density (3 to 280 J /cm2 ), promoting nerve regeneration through the expression of cytokines and growth factors that aid in modulating the inflammatory process, improving morphological aspects, restoring the functionality to the animals in a brief period.
LA FONTAINE AND KRYLOV: THE ART OF NEGLIGENCE
Authors: Coates Carrol Franklin
Published: July 2020

In the French vers libres of the seventeenth century, we expect to find, most commonly, varied sequences of long lines (alexandrines and decasyllables) and short lines (eight or fewer syllables), linked by unsystematic rhyme groups in neighboring rhyme (AABBCC...), in four-line groups (alternating rhyme, ABAB, or enclosed rhyme ABBA) or in varied groups of five or more lines on two or more rhymes. An isolated line with no answering rhyme was unknown. Two of the great fabulists have produced one fable with a missing rhyme: La Fontaine (“La Cour du Lion”) and Ivan Krylov («Купец»). Critics who have noticed the missing rhyme in “La Cour du Lion” have assumed that La Fontaine was negligent or careless. No commentator of Krylov’s «Басни», so far as I can determine, has noted the missing rhyme in «Купец». Each fable belongs to the mid-career of the poet: “La Cour...” was published in an augmented edition of the Fables in 1678; «Купец» appeared in the «Басни» of 1830, four years after Nicholas I replaced Alexander I as Tsar. This study will consist of a close reading of “La Cour du Lion” and «Купец». The historical context for the publication of each fable will be considered and I propose that, in each case, the line with a missing rhyme be considered as a deliberate phenomenon in the poetic discourse of the fable, rather than as an act of negligence by the fabulist.
ON THE ISSUE OF INTERPRETERS’ PHONETIC COMPETENCE (BASED ON THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE)
Authors: Shamlidi Evgenij Yuryevich
Published: July 2020

The article deals with one of the most important aspects of translators’ linguistic competence - their phonetics, since interpreters’ good pronunciation is of great practical value, including enunciation of phonemes, lexemes, intonation, articulation, stress placement, and even voice timbre. The novelty of this research consists in the fact that it is one of the few works analyzing typical pronouncing errors of Russian learners of English - mainly interpreters, but also teachers and other students of English - who use their English for various pragmatic purposes. Linguistic literature is replete with textbooks and teaching aids in theoretical and practical phonetics of the English language highlighting theoretical and practical aspects of forming correct pronunciation habits; however, they do not pay sufficient attention to most common pronouncing errors, i.e. stress misplacement, wrong articulation of vowels, diphthongs, consonants, etc., enforced by the interference of Russian phonetic system. The writer of this article analyses most common errors gleaned in the course of his career of a professional interpreter and university lecturer by drawing on his own experience and that of his colleagues - teachers and interpreters. This research seems topical due to the fact that audiences form their first impression of an English teacher or an interpreter by the proximity of his/her pronunciation to that of native speakers. The writer of this article holds an opinion that an interpreter’s pronunciation is his/her “business card,” allowing for the fact, however, that an interpreter does not have to speak without any foreign accent at all, but if the accent is still there it must not jar on native speakers’ ear; the enunciation has to be clear, distinct, pleasant, without obvious phonetic errors affected by the phonetics of the Russian language. Hopefully this article will help some Russian learners of English correct their pronunciation errors in their mastery of the English language, should those errors be taken notice of
The Sims 3
Authors: Souza Paulo César Antonini de , Carmo Clayton da Silva , Gonçalves Junior Luiz
Published: July 2020

Nesse estudo objetivamos desvelar os significados atribuídos por jogadores e jogadoras no âmbito do lazer virtual, a partir das relações desenvolvidas na experiência com o jogo The Sims 3. No sentido de tornar compreensível sua dinâmica, apresentamos o jogo e os valores que o tornam atrativo para as pessoas. Como procedimentos metodológicos utilizamos questionários aplicados junto a sete pessoas cadastradas em um fórum online sobre o The Sims e, para a análise de dados, nos valemos da formação de categorias. Foram construídas três categorias: A) Fertilizando imaginações, que se relaciona com a possibilidade de criação e as motivações do jogo analisado; B) Tentando escapar da caixa invisível, indicando as idealizações e perspectivas futuras estimuladas na experiência do jogo; C) Expandindo Horizontes, que indica aprendizados descritos pelos/as participantes no contexto do jogo.
Um Breve Panorama sobre o Caso da Capoeira no Contexto de Salvador/BA (1890-1941)
Authors: Melo Vinícius Thiago de , Ude Walter
Published: July 2020

Este é um estudo histórico de revisão bibliográfica que aborda o processo de proibição/legalização da capoeira e de sua institucionalização que ocorreu entre 1890 e 1941 em Salvador/BA. Este trabalho se justifica por considerar que o contexto dos acontecimentos que envolvem esta manifestação cultural durante esta época pode revelar como se constituíram os Grupos de Capoeira Angola e Regional. Assim, procurou-se analisar o cenário histórico e as produções dos mestres Bimba e Pastinha por serem eles os fundadores dos estilos acima citados. Concluiu-se que a inauguração deste novo modelo constitui-se como meio de institucionalização de uma prática de lazer que estava fortemente associada à “vadiagem” e criminalidade, passando por uma conformação que aproxima o seu significado a um “bom lazer”, possibilitando assim, uma gradativa valorização social que culminou em sua legalização e expansão.
Registro y Caracterización de las Políticas Públicas en Materia de Actividad Física, Deporte y Recreación en Venezuela (Período 1999-2014)
Authors: Reyes Alixon
Published: July 2020

El presente trabajo tiene como propósito caracterizar las políticas públicas que, en materia de actividad física, deporte y recreación se desarrollaron en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela en el período que abarca los años 1999 y 2014. Para ello se ha privilegiado la investigación retrospectiva, usando el método histórico a través de la técnica documental en función de materiales como memorias y cuenta de los ministerios responsables, páginas web oficiales de instituciones del Estado, declaraciones de responsables como ministros, decretos, leyes, balances de gestión, documentos elaborados por asesores del Estado en el período señalado. Se ha encontrado que las políticas públicas en materia de actividad física, deporte y recreación en Venezuela tienen una reorientación si se comparan con las que venían en desarrollo antes del período señalado entre 1999 y 2014, se generan políticas en campos como la recreación que hasta 1999 jamás se habían desarrollado, entre otros elementos. Finalmente, se encuentra que existen elementos necesarios para corregir durante el proceso de desarrollo y puesta en ejecución.
La actual transición tecnológica y relación con la gerencia empresarial
Authors: Jaramillo Sierra Diana Zoleidy
Published: July 2020

La finalidad de este artículo es abordar la relación que propone la transición de la cuarta revolución industrial y la gerencia empresarial, a partir de una noción primaria sobre los conceptos de ambas variables y la evolución que han tenido en los últimos años. Sumado a esto, se presentan algunas comparaciones entrela gerencia tradicional y la gerencia contemporánea, la inserción de la cuarta revolución industrial en el rol gerencial, así como las ventajas y desventajas que esta trae para las empresas de hoy. La metodología que se utiliza es la revisión bibliográfica a partir de la exploración teórica de algunos autores, bajo un enfoque descriptivo que caracterice la relación que proponen las variables abordadas y que finalmente aporten a la construcción de algunas apreciaciones sobre este desafío tecnológico en la gerencia empresarial actual.
Penentuan Parameter Elektron Plasma Bejana Emiter Berbasis Besar Arus Lucut Busur Gas Udara
Authors: Saefurrochman Agus Purwadi, Suprapto, Ihwanul Aziz,
Published: July 2020

Abstrak – Telah dilakukan penentuan  parameter elektron plasma dalam Bejana Emiter (BE) berbasis besar arus lucut busur gas udara pada tegangan 10 kV untuk Ignitor Discharge Power Supply (IDPS) dan tegangan anoda 1 kV untuk Arc Discharge Power Supply (ADPS).  Tekanan gas udara divariasi mulai dari 5,70 × 10-3 Torr  hingga 7,90 × 10-3 Torr.  BE terbuat dari Stainless Steel-304 (SS-304) silinder berdiameter ф = 4,00 cm dan panjang l = 66 cm, dipasangi grid berukuran 60 cm × 2,6 cm dan ditutup dengan frame yang terdiri dari 15 grup lubang (masing-masing berisi 10 lubang kecil berdiameter ф = 0,4 cm).  Dari hasil eksperimen pada tekanan gas udara sekitar 6,8 × 10-3 Torr diperoleh arus berkas elektron pulsa terekstraksi sebesar 4,17 A pada tegangan tinggi ekstraksi 5 kV.  Berdasarkan arus elekton terekstraksi tersebut, diperoleh kerapatan elektron plasma ne sebesar 3,15 × 1012 partikel/cm3 dan suhu elektron plasma Te  sebesar 1,77 × 104 K ≈ 1,50 eV.Kata kunci: emitter, plasma, bejana emiter (BE), lucutan, kerapatan, suhu Abstract – The determination of plasma electron parameters in the Emitter Vessel (EV) based on arc dischage value of air gas has been conducted at 10 kV of Ignitor Discharge Power Supply (IDPS) and 1 kV of anode voltage for Arc Discharge Power Supply (ADPS).  The air gas pressure was varied from 5.70 × 10-3 Torr to 7, 90 × 10-3 Torr.  The EV was made from Stainless Steel-304 (SS-304) cylindrical shape with diameter ф of 4.00 cm and length l of 66 cm, fitted with 60.00 cm × 2.60 cm grid and covered with a frame consisting of 15 groups of holes (each containing 10 holes small diameter ф of 0.4 cm).  From the experiment result at the average air gas pressure of about 6.80 × 10-3 Torr, it was obtained 4.17 A of extracted pulse electron beam current at 5 kV of extracted high voltage.  Based on that extracted electron beam current, it was obtained 3.15 × 1012 particles/cm3 of plasma electron density ne and 1.77 × 104 K ≈ 1.50 eV of plasma electron temperature Te. Key words: emitter, plasma, emmiter vessel (EV), discharge, density, temperature
Applications of Blockchain Technology in Clinical Trials: Review and Open Challenges
Authors: Omar Ilhaam , Jayaraman Raja , Salah Khaled , Yaqoob Ibrar , Ellahham Samer
Published: July 2020

Blockchain technology has disclosed unprecedented
opportunities in the healthcare sector by unlocking the true value of interoperability.
Specifically, the striking features of blockchain technology, such as data
provenance, transparency, decentralized transaction validation, and
immutability can help to compensate for stringent data management issues (e.g.,
patient recruitment, persistent monitoring, data management, and data analytics
and accurate reporting) in clinical trials (CTs). Although several research
studies show that blockchain solutions help to improve patient retention, data
integrity, privacy, and ensure CTs compliance with regulatory policies, a
comprehensive survey on this topic is lacking. In this survey, we provide
insights into the adoption of blockchain technology in CTs. We categorize and
classify the literature by devising a meticulous taxonomy of the decentralized
tasks of CT and practices based on indispensable parameters. Furthermore, we
provide insights on works in progress towards deploying blockchain solutions in
CTs. Finally, we identify and discuss several challenges that
hinder the successful implementation of blockchain technologies in CTs.
FoodSQRBlock: Digitizing food production & supply chain with blockchain & QR code in the cloud
Authors: Dey Somdip , Saha Suman , Singh Amit , Mcdonald-Maier Klaus D.
Published: July 2020

Food safety is an important issue in today’s world. Traditional agri-food production system doesn’t offer easy traceability of the produce at any point of the supply chain, and hence, during a food-borne outbreak, it is very difficult to sift through food production data to track produce and origin of the outbreak. In recent years, blockchain based food production system has resolved this challenge, however, none of the proposed methodologies makes the food production data easily accessible, traceable and verifiable by consumers or producers using mobile/edge devices. In this paper, we propose FoodSQRBlock (Food Safety Quick Response Block), a blockchain technology based framework, which digitizes the food production information, and makes it easily accessible, traceable and verifiable by the consumers and producers by using QR codes. We also propose a large scale integration of FoodSQRBlock in the cloud to show the feasibility and scalability of the framework, and experimental evaluation to prove that.
Gdański przekaz wielogłosowej pieśni "Ihesus Christus nostra salus" z XV wieku i jego środkowoeuropejskie koneksje
Authors: Gancarczyk Paweł , Watkowski Kamil
Published: July 2020

Znane są cztery źródła muzyki polifonicznej, które można wiązać z państwem zakonu krzyżackiego sprzed pokoju toruńskiego (1466). Jedno z nich, zawierające dwugłosowe opracowanie cantio Ihesus Christus nostra salus, dotychczas nie doczekało się szerszego komentarza. Niedbale zapisany utwór z rękopisu 2013 z Biblioteki Gdańskiej (PL-GD 2013) utrzymany jest w prostym kontrapunkcie, a cechy pisma muzycznego pozwalają datować kompozycję na drugą ćwierć XV wieku. Bazuje on na melodii i tekście pieśni znanych z najstarszego jej źródła z 1410 r. (CZ-VB 42, „Hohenfurther Liederhandschrift”), choć sposób opracowania polifonicznego jest odrębny od dotychczas nam znanych. Gdański przekaz pieśni Ihesus Christus nostra salus wskazuje – wraz z rękopisami PL-GD 2153a i PL-GD 2315 – na środkowoeuropejskie koneksje muzyki polifonicznej w Prusach XV w., a zarazem sugeruje jej powiązania z czeską kulturą muzyczną.
Emanuel Wurstisen, his Tablature and Links to Poland. Lute Music with Medicine in the Background
Authors: Leszczyńska Agnieszka
Published: July 2020

The lute tablature CH-Bu F IX 70 was compiled by Emanuel Wurstisen (1572–1616), a Basel University student, who became a physician in Biel toward the end of his life. His biography has been supplemented here so as to include new information concerning, among other things, his collaboration with German surgeon Wilhelm Fabricius Hildanus during the first decade of the seventeenth century. When commencing his tablature, in 1591, Wurstisen planned to divide it into eight books, each devoted to works of a similar genre. The manuscript comprises nearly five hundred works, mostly anonymous, while among those of known attribution, compositions by Orlando di Lasso take pride of place. Composers mentioned by name include Amandus Polanus a Polansdorf, a professor of theology at Basel University, who wrote his Was Gott will most likely after the death of his wife, in 1605, which thus becomes the hypothetical terminus post quem for the completion of the tablature. There are many Polish elements in the manuscript. Piotr Poźniak long since identified the works signed with the initials C.S. as written by Kasper Sielicki, and noted that the two works by Wojciech Długoraj, as well as the Fantasia by Diomedes Cato, differ from the versions published by J. B. Besard (1603). Hence they may have reached Wurstisen not through printed editions, but in some other way. The author studies how these and other pieces from the Polish repertoire (including Polish dances) could have found their way to Basel. Among those who could have played some part in this ‘import’ of music, she points, first and foremost, to students and residents who came to Basel from Poland, such as Marcin Chmielewski, a professor of Basel University, the medical student Orestes Cato, brother of Diomedes, and the poet Daniel Naborowski, who frequently returned to Switzerland. The attributions of works from CH-Bu F IX 70 are complemented by the identification of the composer of works signed in the tablature with the initials F.D.D (F.D.D.D.) as Fridericus de Drusina Dantiscanus, a lutenist from Royal Prussia, son of Benedict de Drusina. The pieces by this composer found in Wurstisen’s manuscript (Exercitium and a pair of dances, Passomezo and Saltarello) are his only known works.
The Role of Audit Committee of GCG in Increasing Company Value through ROA
Authors: Kadarningsih Ana , Pangestuti Irene Rini Demi , Wahyudi Sugeng , Safitri Julia
Published: July 2020

This study determines the Good Corporate Governances (GCG) influence in increasing company value through Return on Assets (ROA). Good Corporate Governance factors used in this research are independent commissioner (IC) and audit committee (AC). Company Value factors used in this research is PBV (Price to Book Value). Sample of this research contains 23 conventional commercial banks registered on IDX (Indonesia Stock Exchange) in the period of 2014-2018. The method of data analysis uses multiple linear regression. The results show that the fastest variable to increase company value through ROA as a mediating variable is the audit committee. Independent commissioner does not influence on financial performance (ROA) and company value. Another variable that rapidly increases company value is the direct influence of intellectual capital on company value.
Work Readiness across Various Specializations
Authors: Fenech Roberta , Baguant Priya , Abdelwahed Ihab
Published: July 2020

The employability of locals in the United Arab Emirates is a national priority and an integral part of Emiratisation, which is an affirmative action policy of the United Arab Emirates Government that promotes preferential hiring status to Emiratis. The latter safeguards national identity, economic sustainability, and political stability (Modarress, Ansari and Lockwood, 2013). The purpose of this research is to study the work readiness of Emirati graduating students across various specializations. The theoretical framework for this study is the four-factor model by Caballero, Walker and Fuller-Tyszkiewicz (2011). The four factors are personal work characteristics, organizational acumen, work competence and social intelligence. The research conducted so far on work readiness of graduates has been limited to particular disciplines (Walker, Storey, Costa, Leung, 2015; Dermott, 2007; Jollands, Jolly and Molyneaux, 2012; Haigh, Ell and Mackisack, 2013; Dermott and Ortiz, 2017). This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge as it does not focus on a single specialization and takes a broad exploratory look at work readiness across five specializations, namely business, information technology, health sciences, applied communication and engineering. 302 graduating Emirati students chosen randomly from various disciplines in different institutions participated in this quantitative research study by filling in a 60-item work readiness questionnaire. The main findings of this study is that specializations in tertiary education vary not only in terms of curriculum, technical knowledge, skills and abilities taught, but also in the preparation for employment which influences the perceptions of graduating students of their work readiness; graduating students in a health specialization perceiving to be the most work ready and graduating students in a business specialization perceiving to be the least work ready.
Assessing Financial Market Integration in Vietnam: A Price – Based Approach
Authors: Anh Tran Thi Xuan , Hang Ngo Thi , Anh Nguyen Thi Lam
Published: July 2020

This paper investigates the existence of financial market integration between Vietnam and the region (ASEAN, ASIAN) as well as the world using price-based indicators. Our paper is the first to assess the overall integration of the Vietnam financial market based on two different datasets for different sub-capital markets, the bond market and stock market, during the period of 2009 - 2018. The empirical results show that Vietnam, compared to other countries in research, holds lower regional and international integration levels in both the bond market and the stock market, but demonstrates considerably strong signs of progressing regional and global stock market integration over the period. Especially, the absolute values estimated from the beta coefficient and beta convergence approaches for the Vietnamese stock market are larger than for the bond market, proving better convergence degree and speed of Vietnamese stock market over the bond market. These bring policymakers and regulators new thoughts and more challenges in designing appropriate policies towards the development of the financial markets in the future.
Trading Space Rivalry between Street Vendors and Shop-Based Traders in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe: A Conceptual Perspective for Co-Existence
Authors: Nani Gwendoline Vusumuzi
Published: July 2020

There has been a sharp increase in company closures in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe, leaving people with no option but to turn to street vending to earn a living. The ever swelling number of street vendors on shop pavements and roadsides are subjecting formal shop owners to unfair competition as street vendors do not pay rentals and utility bills. That has caused rivalry for trading space between formal shop owners and street vendors. As a conceptual perspective, this study employed a non-empirical approach to evolve alternative ways of possible co-existence between street vendors and formal shop owners. The study concluded that street vending is a reality that cannot be ignored and, thus, recommended that co-existence of formal shop owners and street vendors should be harmonised so as to mitigate against the rivalry of trading space.
Citation Mania in Academic Theses Writing: A Case Study
Authors: Sibanda Jabulani
Published: July 2020

This study, premised on the assumption that students over-use citations in academic writing, investigated manifestations of over-citation in three PhD theses. A review of diverse pragmatic functions citations serve, helped in the identification of needless citations which lacked consonance with any of the functions. A content-context analysis of the pragmatic function of each citation in the three theses, revealed over-citation and superfluity in the theses. Manifestations of over-citation included: expressing general or common-sense information; using multiple citations to make a simple point; citing sources to express what the writer did; attributing own deductions and inferences to authors; not following-up on citations; repeating concepts and attendant citations in different parts of the thesis; making most thesis sections literature sections; citing individual words not ideas, unclear content of citation, independent citation of each source for the same idea, over-using a source within a paragraph or section, citing back to back, evincing citation density to the eye. On the basis of the varied manifestations of over-citation and the extent of its compromise on the quality of student presentations, the study recommends sustained efforts in developing sound academic writing skills even at postgraduate levels, and sensitisation of students to pragmatic purposes citations should serve.
A Proposed Program for Developing Early Divorced Women’s Life Skills: A Social Service Perspective
Authors: Alotaibi Nouf M.
Published: July 2020

The present research aims to propose a program, from a social service perspective, to develop early divorced women’s life skills through identifying the most important life skills that should be developed among them, determining the nature of social services provided to them for developing their life skills, and to identify the obstacles hindering social services from playing their roles in this regard. To achieve the research objective, the author adopted the descriptive analytical method, designed a scale for life skills applied to (100) early divorced women, and distributed a questionnaire to a sample of female faculty members, social specialists and managers to identify the social services provided to the early divorced women. The research results showed that the skills of problem solving, decision making, and critical thinking were highly available among the early divorced women while communication and interpersonal skills were the lowest available ones. The results also identified the social services provided to the early divorced women to contribute to the development of their life skills and the most prominent obstacles that prevent social services from playing their roles in developing those skills. Some recommendations have been made including continuing to intensively hold training courses and workshops for the early divorced women and qualifying them for developing their own life skills.
Quality of Life and Its Relationship with Cognitive Flexibility among Higher Education Students
Authors: Al-Zoubi Emad Mohamad
Published: July 2020

The study aimed to inspect the quality of life (QOL) and its relation with cognitive flexibility among higher education students according to gender, accumulative average, and academic year. The study sample consisted of (325) students enrolled in Al-Balqa’a Applied university. Two scales are used to achieve study purposes, QOL scale and cognitive flexibility scale. The study outcomes indicated that there are statistically significant differences in QOL (quality of health and time management) among students due to the gender in favor to male students, there are no statistically significant differences in QOL (quality of social and family life, education and learning, emotional life, and mental health) among students due to gender, and there are statistically significant differences in QOL (quality of health, education and learning, emotional life, mental health, and time management) among students due to accumulative average. Furthermore, the results found that there is a positive statistically significant relationship between QOL (overall scale) and cognitive flexibility (overall scale), there is a positive statistically significant relationship between adaptive cognitive flexibility and QOL (quality of health, social and family life, education and learning, emotional life, mental health, and time management), and there is a statistically significant relationship between spontaneous cognitive flexibility and dimensions of QOL (quality of health, education and learning, mental health, and time management), while there is not a statistically significant relationship between spontaneous cognitive flexibility and dimensions of QOL (social and family life and emotional life).
Improving Economic Empowerment Programs for Low-Income Women in Saudi Society: A Study Applied to Charities’ Beneficiaries in Riyadh
Authors: Lardhi Jehan
Published: July 2020

The current study aims to improve low-income women’s economic empowerment programs in Saudi society from the perspectives of low-income women benefiting from these programs. It also seeks to identify the degree of low-income women’s economic empowerment in Saudi charities, outline the obstacles that hinder low-income women’s economic empowerment, and introduce proposals to improve the level of low-income women’s economic empowerment. To achieve these objectives, the analytical descriptive approach was adopted, quantitative and qualitative techniques were utilized to collect, analyze, and interpret data. A questionnaire was prepared by the author and applied to a sample of (198) low-income women benefiting from Bunyan, a Saudi charitable society. The results demonstrated that there was a medium level of charities’ contribution to low-income women’s economic empowerment in Saudi society. The degree of the obstacles hindering low-income women’s economic empowerment in charitable societies was very high. The participants agreed that the solutions proposed to improve the level of low-income women’s economic empowerment were very good. The study recommends holding workshops and conferences to discuss the standards and indicators of low-income women’s economic empowerment in charitable societies. It also recommends delivering lectures and rehabilitation training to educate women and raise their awareness about the economic sectors and the importance of exchanging experiences at the local and global levels.
Towards an evidence-based approach for road mitigation schemes for amphibians and reptiles in the U.K. – a review
Authors: Petrovan S.O.
Published: July 2020

Road networks have substantial and diverse impacts on wildlife, including amphibians and reptiles. However, despite significant progress, ecological mitigation measures designed to reduce such impacts are often insufficiently tested and described in terms of their efficiency for a range of species. Incorporating a solid evidence-based approach could greatly benefit the sector as a whole, but would require increased and adequate monitoring effort of implemented mitigation schemes, as well as a requirement to make the results available, to ensure practitioners use and regulators validate the evidence. To this goal The Conservation Evidence project (www.conservationevidence.com) brings together and evaluates conservation actions to make them freely accessible and directly comparable for practitioners.