bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rethinking the Problematics of Identity in Northeast India with Special Reference to Temsula Ao’s These Hills Called Home: Stories from a War Zone and Laburnum for my Head: A Discourse of Cultural Recovery
Authors: Gogoi Meghali
Published: December 2019

Northeast India incorporating seven different states with endless sovereignty movements and ethnic reformation during and after the British invasion itself problematises the notion of national identity being alienated from the mainland India. Nagaland, one of the state in Northeast India is still embattling a never ending conflict between the Indian state and the ethnocentric movements. This fluid political situation is a carryover of the colonial past. The colonial past has shaped and reshaped the cultural identities. Christianity, the legacy of the colonialisation has another dimension to cultural loss and recovery. But Temsula Ao, the emerging writer from this region seeks to articulate the wholeness of life in the face of disintegration and fragmentation through collective creativity. The manifestation of creative thoughts and emotions of myth & memory through storytelling provides uniqueness to the region. This tradition of storytelling has a group solidarity for collective welfare. Her works titled These Hills called Home: Stories from a war zone and Laburnum for My Head explores the problematics of identity those that threaten their roots. Thus, this paper critically analyses the revival of a lost identity making it relevant for the new generation.
Linguistic Choices in the Saudi Entrepreneurial Cyberspace
Authors: Almoaily Mohammad
Published: December 2019

Unlike physical linguistic landscapes, virtual linguistic landscapes (VLL) target speakers who are not confined to a geographical area. Hence, a linguistic landscape created in cyberspace is expected to be multilingual, not English monolingual, regardless of the geographical backgrounds of its creators. Yet, different entrepeneurs may have diverging linguistic preferences when creating a VLL. Hence, the current paper provides, to the best of the writer’s knowledge, a first report on the linguistic choices of Arabic-speaking enterpreneurs in a VLL. The study explores the linguistic choices of 400 randomly selected businesses of Saudi entrepreneurs, listed on a local business website (Maroof). Data from three fields, the business name, logo, and description, were classified as either Arabic monolingual, English monolingual, or multilingual. The multilingual signs were further classified following Reh (2004): duplicating, complementary, fragmentary, and overlapping. The results show that the polled sample had varying preferences depending on the genre of the text. Business names were mostly duplicating, while business logos were mostly English monolingual and business descriptions were predominantly written in Arabic only. Since the data showed a great deal of inconsistency across different text genres, the results call for more systematic analyses of VLLs that pay more attention to the genre of the text rather than to the linguistic backgrounds of those who created these landscapes.
The Dialectics of ‘Depravity’ in Steinbeck’s Tortilla Flat
Authors: Mahameed Mohammed , Abdul Karim Majed
Published: December 2019

The aim of this paper is to investigate the dialectics of depravity in John Steinbeck’s Tortilla Fla.t Critics have long debated the technicalities by which Steinbeck conveys the thematic issues associated with his literary works. In Tortilla Flat in particular, there are various stories that do not have a common theme or argument. Readers, we expect an argument that holds the action and centers it on the characters, the setting, and theme. This paper reveals that the issue of depravity and deprivation found in found in Tortilla Flat cannot be easily judged despite the astonishing unity which is as much thematic as structural. The characters are portrayed as innocents, primitives, irresponsible, tender, and brutal at the same time. Loneliness, idealism, and the negative attitude to property denote a love of freedom and a carefree existence that distinguish his characters. Eventually, readers would be fully justified in treating this aspect of characterization as a very realistic and insightful study of an extremely important facet of human psychology. Nevertheless, Steinbeck strives to expose an innate goodness and a deep sensation of humanity within his “depraved” and “deprived” characters. The possibility of interpreting the whole work in several ways as we could be deceived by the ending of Tortilla Flat.
Tenor of Quranic Rhetorical Questions: with reference to two English Translations
Authors: Najjar Ibrahim I.I. , Kwee Soh Bee , Ahmad Abu-Alhaj Thabet
Published: December 2019

A rhetorical question is that question whose form does not match its function. In other words, a rhetorical question has the form of a question, but does not expect an answer. Rather, it aims to serve a specific rhetorical function. This study investigates the two English translations that are used in the translation of the Quranic rhetorical questions. In particular, this is a comparative study that aims to determine to what extent the two English translations sustain the tenor of the Quranic assertion, negation, testing, denial and exclamation rhetorical questions. To this end, the study makes use of Halliday and Hasan’s (1985) context of situation and especially the tenor variable in the comparison between the two English translations, namely “the Koran Interpreted” by Arberry (1955) and “the Noble Quran: English translation of the meanings and commentary” (1996) by al-Hilali and Khan. The study concludes that the tenor of the Quranic rhetorical questions encounters some distortions in the two English translations. Therefore, it is better for translators to understand the context of situation of the source text’s rhetorical question before the process of translation.
Investigation of Cooperative Learning Techniques and Attitudes in Language Learning Classrooms
Authors: Mohammad Alhebaishi Safaa
Published: December 2019

The study investigates the Cooperative Learning (CL) techniques implemented by intermediate school language teachers and examines students’ attitudes regarding the use of CL in language classes. To realize the objectives of the study, two instruments were used to collect data: observation reports and an attitude questionnaire. Observation were conducted in 31 classrooms in 12 intermediate public schools, and the attitude questionnaire was administered to 547 students. The observation results revealed that CL was not accurately implemented in a majority of the classrooms. Language teachers made several mistakes in the implementation of CL techniques. Furthermore, the results of the attitude questionnaire showed that the students’ attitudes towards CL were positive.
Linguistic and Pragmatic Devices in King Abdullah’s Speech: A Political Discourse Analysis
Authors: Tawfiq Bataineh Mohamed
Published: December 2019

This article investigates a speech delivered by King Abdullah of Jordan at Oxford University. The study is carried out on the basis of political discourse analysis. The researcher commences by outlining the growth of concept of discourse, and elucidating features of political discourse. At a later stage, the scrutiny deals with the analysis of linguistic and pragmatic devices which are utilised in the speech. This paper has revealed those features that are employed in the discourse; to be precise, these are: the use of first person deixis, metaphor as a rhetoric figure, repetition, term choice, and the pragmatic use of language. Eventually, the text analysis demonstrates that the King’s speech can be envisaged as a political discourse whose structure is convincing and influential. The researcher has proved that the speech is rich in linguistic elements which are certainly indispensable in language of politics.
Characteristics of Arabic Alphabets: with Special Reference to the Role of the Letter [kha – [خ as Dustbin in the Arabic Language
Authors: Al-Azhri A-Zaeem , Idriss Ibrahim Abdulmahmood
Published: December 2019

This paper is shedding light on the significance and functions of some of the Arabic alphabets. An Arabic letter is found to play an effective role in expressing the speaker or the writer’s target meaning. Our concern here is with the letter [kha - خ], phonetically transcribed as /X/.The discussion in this essay will focus on one strange phenomenon; that this letter is playing a unique role in Arabic. It is found to be associated with almost all the ugly words and dirty jobs in the Arabic language. Its work is similar to the function of the dustbin, where all the house garbage is collected. From 285 root words begins with this letter, it is found that 85% of the words are carrying negative connotative or denotative meanings. To the best of the researchers’ knowledge – there is no similar letter found to play the same role, in any other language as this letter [ خ], does in Arabic. With this result the researchers can showhow rich and lively this language is. The Arabic language has great potentials to maintain survival, shoulder to shoulder, with other living languages of the world. It is also expected to play - with some efforts from its speakers and its linguists - an effective role in the recent human history.
How the Teaching of English Pronunciation can be improved in Pre-service Training Institutions; A study at Wesley College of Education, Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Asante-Nimako Davida Aba Mensima
Published: December 2019

The focus of this research was to discover how the teaching of English pronunciation in the pre-service training institutions in Ghana could be improved. It was a study at Wesley College of Education, Kumasi, Ghana. The purposive sampling method was employed to select three tutors of English and twenty students for the study. Interviews and observations were done to gather information. As part of the findings; Pronunciation teaching must be included in course outlines of the colleges of Education. The Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL) programme should factor in pronunciation when suggesting the review of the course outlines of the Colleges of Education (which are being transformed into University Colleges as of the preparation time of this paper). This will contribute to improving pronunciation teaching. Also, Pronunciation must be well taught at the basic level as the pupils grow with the knowledge and in-turn pass it on to other pupils/students in Ghana. This is because students of the Colleges of Education, complete their course only to go and teach the pupils in basic schools. It is obvious that when pronunciation is not well taught at the basic level, it goes a long way to affect individuals even unto adulthood. In addition, better methods of teaching pronunciation, if employed, will help improve it. Again, a campus FM should be established and utilized appropriately to educate and improve pronunciation. Teaching pronunciation through the media can be helpful if only it is carefully planned. In addition, the language laboratory stereotyped for only the French students, should be upgraded to a standard language laboratory where all other language teachers and student-teachers will benefit from. In sum, if all who may need to contribute to ensure the improvement of pronunciation teaching play their role well, its improvement will become a reality.
The Market Metaphor and Women Empowerment in Contemporary Nigerian Drama: A Study of Three Plays
Authors: Nwaozuzu Uche-Chinemere
Published: December 2019

The importance of market in human society has been recognized not only from the practical utilitarian point of view but also from the theoretical dimensions of economics, anthropology and other social sciences. In most traditional society, the market like other institutionalized components of the community, started in a relatively simple pattern and gradually developed into a relatively complex and heterogeneous organization where women play an important part. The aim of this paper is to investigate the portraiture of women in the market place in three contemporary Nigerian plays and examine the signification of this against the larger backdrop of women’s economic, social and political empowerment in traditional society.
Nominal Constructions in Modern Standard Arabic With Reference to English
Authors: Hazem Ali Hussein , Younus Meteab Waleed
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study is to investigate nominal constructions of modern standard Arabic in terms of their types, their patterns and selectional restrictions and compare them with their counterparts in English so as to arrive at points that will be productive for pedagogical and translation purposes. The analysis of the data focuses on morphsyntactic processes to see in order to show the constructions morphologically as one word nominal or syntactically as a group of nouns in nominal positions. The objective of this study is to provide an account on a specific syntactic structure with special reference to English, in efforts to promote the importance of modern standard Arabic studies as an appropriate mean to better understand the standard and formal form of a language. The study concludes with the investigation as well as the main conclusions reached and offers a suggestion for further studies.
Effect of temperature on pollen germination for several Rosaceae species: influence of freezing conservation time on germination patterns
Authors: Beltrán Roberto , Valls Aina , Cebrián Nuria , Zornoza Carlos , García Breijo Francisco , Reig Armiñana José , Garmendia Alfonso , Merle Hugo
Published: December 2019

Between February 2018 and April 2018, flowers were collected from eight Rosaceae species. Flowers were kept in a freezer at −20 °C for three freezing times (Treatment 1, two months; Treatment 2, four months; Treatment 3, six months). After extracting pollen,in vitrogermination was induced in a culture medium and incubated at six different temperatures for 72 h. The percentage of pollen germination, average pollen tube length and maximum pollen tube length were measured. Pollen germination was maximum for all species between 15 °C and 30 °C.Cydonia oblonga,Malus sylvestris, Prunus avium, Prunus domestica, Prunus dulcis, Prunus persicaandPyrus communisobtained 30–52% pollen germination between 15 °C and 20 °C.Prunus cerasiferahad 40% pollen germination at 30 °C. All species studied reached the maximum pollen tube length between 10 °C and 25 °C. Germination did not change significantly for any of the species with freezing time, but we found significant differences in the three parameters measured between treatments. The highest germination percentages were obtained in Treatment 2 (four months frozen at −20 °C), while the maximum pollen tube length was reached in Treatment 1 (two months frozen at −20 °C). According to our results, freezing time affected the germination-temperature patterns. This could indicate that studies on the effect of temperature on pollen germination should always be carried out with fresh pollen to obtain more conclusive data.
A gestão do conhecimento e a atuação do secretário executivo no processo transitório da coordenação de um programa de pós-graduação
Authors: Snoeijer Enio , Moreira Kátia Denise , Martins Cibele Barsalini
Published: December 2019

A gestão do conhecimento envolve, entre outros elementos, o domínio e o acesso à informação que, nas organizações, se materializam em processos. Ao se refletir sobre o gerenciamento de informações produzidas em Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES), verifica-se que tal ação se tornou um desafio para os gestores, por diversas razões, entre os quais se destaca a descontinuidade da gestão. No âmbito das IES públicas federais, existem, dentre outras estruturas, os programas de pós-graduação, locais constituídos fisicamente por uma secretaria administrativa e uma coordenação. Considerando que esta última é caracterizada pela descontinuidade, ou seja, o cargo é temporário (dois anos, prorrogáveis por mais dois), este estudo objetiva verificar como ocorre à associação entre a gestão do conhecimento e a atuação do secretário executivo no processo transitório da coordenação de um Programa de Pós-Graduação. Metodologicamente trata-se de pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, de natureza aplicada e descritiva, que utiliza o estudo de campo como estratégia de estudo. A partir dos resultados coletados foi possível constatar que a gestão do conhecimento possibilitou a construção de um arcabouço de informações sobre os procedimentos que envolvem as atividades do programa, importantes para o cotidiano e essenciais, quando na troca de equipe de coordenação do programa.
Economia Circular: a percepção dos acadêmicos de Secretariado Executivo da Universidade do Estado do Pará
Authors: Pereira Élida da Silva , Ribeiro Luan Gomes , Cardoso Alexandre Jorge Gaia
Published: December 2019

Este trabalho tem como objetivo geral analisar a percepção dos acadêmicos do curso de Secretariado Executivo Trilíngue da Universidade do Estado do Pará acerca da Economia Circular. A metodologia aplicada teve abordagem quantitativa, classificada como descritiva. Os dados foram analisados por meio de frequências relativas e da análise fatorial exploratória. Os resultados mostram que os alunos do curso não conhecem o termo “Economia Circular”, entretanto, quando indagados acerca das disposições inseridas no campo da sustentabilidade, da gestão de recursos e resíduos, e do meio ambiente os discentes se posicionaram de modo crítico, favoráveis e exigentes quanto às demandas provenientes da sustentabilidade podendo, inclusive, atuar como líderes na socialização e debate de questões sustentáveis junto ao governo, sociedade e empresas.
Canais online de comunicação sobre o secretariado: um mapeamento introdutório de perfis no Instagram
Authors: Paes Raul Vitor Oliveira , Rodrigues Joyce Magno , Oliveira Priscila Eny Souza
Published: December 2019

Vive-se em um ambiente permeado por novas tecnologias e formas de ver o mundo, que contribuem para que a informação se propague com rapidez e eficácia, atingindo públicos diversos e variados. Desse modo, o estudo buscou analisar quais são os perfis online voltados especificamente ao secretariado, e como podem ser compreendidos, com foco na plataforma Instagram. O referencial teórico foi concentrado nas temáticas redes e mídias sociais, canais e comunidades online profissionais e empresariais, com foco específico no secretariado. A metodologia empregada foi de caráter exploratório, com abordagem de métodos mistos, com aplicação da técnica da coleta de levantamento e, para a análise de dados, as técnicas de distribuição de frequências e análise de conteúdo. Os resultados evidenciaram um número expressivo de perfis online voltado a área secretarial (28 perfis), bem como foi possível dividi-los em três categorias voltadas à compartilhamento de conteúdo, oferecimento de serviços e perfis híbridos. A maioria dos perfis no Instagram são microinfluenciadores dentro do âmbito secretarial, em termos numéricos de segmentação de seguidores. Além disso, evidenciou-se uma orientação dos perfis secretariais no Instagram para oferecimento de serviços.
Tourist satisfaction with the Municipality of Ponta Delgada (Azores)
Authors: Ponte João , Couto Gualter , Pimentel Pedro , Sousa Áurea , Oliveira André
Published: December 2019

The combination of unique and differentiating aspects and the concentration of a substantial proportion of accommodation and tourism-related companies has made Ponta Delgada the most developed tourism destination in the Azores. A questionnaire was structured to evaluate tourist satisfaction with the municipality as a tourism destination. The data was analyzed using measures of descriptive statistics, nonparametric hypothesis tests, algorithms of Ascendant Hierarchical Cluster Analysis and the Nonlinear Principal Component Analysis. It reveals that Ponta Delgada has earned competitive tourist satisfaction, has competitive attractions and attracts different tourist profiles, with cruise passengers being more satisfied and more likely to stay in the city and engage in softly activities while tourists travelling by airplane, who are more critical, tend to engage in more dynamic, nature-based activities. This paper contributes to research on destination competitiveness, tourism performance and strategic tourism planning at the local level through statistical analysis of tourism data.
Mapeamento da produção científica internacional sobre intenção empreendedora
Authors: Da Silva Sousa Evangelina , Fontenele Raimundo Eduardo Silveira , Silva Áurio Lúcio Leocádio , De Sousa Filho José Milton
Published: December 2019

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi mapear a produção científica internacional sobre intenção empreendedora. Realizou-se um estudo exploratório e descritivo, no qual os dados coletados foram constituídos de 813 artigos científicos sobre “entrepreneurial intention”, indexados à base de dados da Scopus, publicados entre 1993 a 2018. Foram delineados a evolução da produção científica sobre o tema; os autores mais prolíficos; os periódicos com maior volume de publicações e as obras de maior impacto. Com auxílio do software bibliométrico VosViewer foi possível analisar as redes bibliométricas de: coautoria; cocitação, acoplamento bibliográfico e coocorrência de palavras-chave (no resumo, no título e nas palavras-chave). Os resultados indicaram interação entre os pesquisadores, evidenciando concentração no tocante a produção científica sobre intenção empreendedora. As principais linhas de pesquisa sobre “entrepreneurial intention” são: empreendedorismo social; variáveis de nível pessoal envolvendo gênero e traços de personalidade, educação empreendedora e modelos teóricos de intenção empreendedora. Com esta pesquisa buscou-se fornecer um panorama mais amplo acerca da produção científica internacional sobre intenção empreendedora, e contribuir com a categorização do arcabouço teórico da literatura atual sobre o tema.
El capital humano como factor clave en el desempeño empresarial: Una visión desde el empowerment
Authors: Ríos-Manríquez Martha , López-Mateo Celina , Sánchez-Fernández María Dolores
Published: December 2019

Los  dueños, directivos o gerentes  consideran que el capital humano es el elemento más importante y valioso de cualquier empresa,  ellos sabén que el resultado de las acciones del capital humano tienen un impacto en el desempeño de la empresa, por ello se preocupan de cómo medir su aporte laboral en los resultados empresariales. Por ello el objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar si el impacto del capital humano en el desempeño empresarial está determinado por el significado, autodeterminación, competencia y fluidez de la información, de las micro empresas ubicadas en Celaya, Guanajuato, México, sobre una muestra de 80 microempresas, mediante tres enfoques principales: descriptivo, correlacional y análisis de regresión múltiple por el método de Mínimos Cuadrados Ordinarios.  Los resultados indican que para el microempresario son más importantes la autodeterminación y el significado, es decir, para el micro empresario es escencial que el capital humano o grupos de trabajo sean autónomos para realizar las actividades encomendadas (autodeterminación) y es fundamental que alineé los objetivos de la organización con sus metas y creencias personales (significado), y aunque no sean reveladores la competencia  y la fluidez en la información de la empresa en este estudio,de manera conjunta todas la variabes propuestas en este estudio son relevantes para explicar el impacto del capital humano en el desempeño empresarial.
Simultaneous Estimation of Aspirin, Atorvastatin Calcium and Clopidogrel Bisulphate in a Combined Dosage form by RP-HPLC
Authors: Yadav Pankaj , Taleuzzaman Mohamad , Kumar Pradeep
Published: December 2019

A rugged robust RP-HPLC method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of Aspirin (ASP), Atorvastatin calcium (ATO) and Clopidogrel bisulphate (CLO) in a combined dosage form. Optimized mobile phase composition of 25 mM KH2PO4: Methanol (20:80% v/v) pH 3.0 (adjusted with 20% o-phosphoric acid) isocratic mode with flow rate of 1 ml  min-1, detection at 230 nm. Employed Princeton SPHER C18 (150 x 4.6 mm i.d. 5 µm) column for separation at ambient temperature with an isocratic flow. The linearity of each drug across the range of 0.5-32 µg/ml with correlation coefficient for ASP, ATO, and CLO in value of 0.979, 0.988 and 0.989 respectively. The retention time (min.) for ASP, ATO and CLO were found 1.85, 3.04 and 6.91 respectively. Limit of detection (LOD) of ASP, ATO and CLO - 0.04, 0.04, 0.08 (μg ml-1) respectively and Limit of Quantification (LOQ) of ASP, ATO and CLO- 0.14, 0.13, 0.28 (μg ml-1) in order. Performed analysis of marketed tablet formulation ASP (Ecosprin-75 mg), ATO (Aztor®40- 40 mg), CLO (Clopivas- 75 mg) found percentage recovery for ASP (99.93), ATO (100.00) and CLO (99.87). Performed stability studies found satisfactory results. Developed method has been validated, results of different parameter found in acceptable range. Chromatogram peaks are resolve, symmetric shape and without interference.
Nutraceutical and Pharmacological Appraisal of Āmla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.): A Review
Authors: Fazil Mohammad , Nikhat Sadia
Published: December 2019

Āmla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn, Family: Euphorbiaceae) is a medicinally important plant indigenous to tropical and sub-tropical regions of South-east Asia. The tree is 5-25 metres tall, deciduous, having deltoid-squamiform leaves and bears pale-green globose fruits 2-4 cm in diameter. In Unani medicine, it is widely used in compound formulations or in raw form in many disorders of central nervous system, gastro-intestinal system, skin, hair, general debility etc. In Ayurveda, it is classified as a rasayana, i.e., drugs which promote longevity and delay ageing. Āmla fruit is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C (478.56 mg/ 100 ml), alongwith important constituents such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium etc. recent researches on Āmla have revealed the presence of several biologically active substances with scientifically proven effects as anti-oxidant, anti-ageing, immunomodulatory, memory enhancing, protective towards vital organs such as liver, heart kidneys; anti-depressant, anti-cancer and many more beneficial effects. Most of the experiments have been carried out on Āmla fruit and are dose-dependent. Moreover, no toxic effects have been reported in any of the studies. This review focuses on the various biologically active components of Āmla and its relevance in modern pharmacology.
Comparative Analysis of Clinical History, Sociodemographic, Behavioural Factors and Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Hypertensive in Awka, Nigeria
Authors: Mmaju Chidinma Ifeyinwa , Okonudo Peter Osezele , Ahaneku Gladys , Uchenna Ufoaroh Chinyelu
Published: December 2019

Background: Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and research studies done in Nigeria observed prevalence rate of hypertension to range from 26.4% to 36.9%.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the sociodemographic, clinical, behavioral and cardiovascular risk factors associated with hypertension in Awka, South East, Nigeria.

Methods: Cross-sectional study was used.391 participants aged from 18 years above were recruited for this study. Structured questionnaires were constructed in line with World Health Organization Step approach was utilized for data collection. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and Diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg. Chi-square and independent sample T test were used to test comparison between two groups.

Results: The mean age of the subjects was 45.87±17. 49.33.7% of retired subjects has the highest prevalence was statistically associated with hypertension in occupational status of the subjects, marital status was statically significant with hypertension and prevalence of hypertension among the subjects were 81.1%, 8.5%, 8.6% for married, single and divorcee respectively, (P<0.001) and also no association was observed between hypertension and subjects that occasionally use high salt often(x2=0.341, P>0.001).

Conclusion: The study showed that age, family history of hypertension, consistent increase in blood pressure, occupational and marital status are associated risk factors of hypertension in Awka, South East, Nigeria. There is need to create awareness on the risk factors and encourage changes in sedentary life style.
Risk factors for development of lower limb osteoarthritis in physically demanding occupations: A narrative umbrella review
Authors: Schram Ben , Orr Robin , Pope Rodney , Canetti Elisa , Knapik Joseph
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disorder which affects the joints. As relationships between occupational factors and lower limb OA have been widely studied in systematic reviews, the aim of this umbrella review was to synthesize their key findings in the risk factors for development of lower limb OA.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted using the databases PUBMED, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Elton B Stevens Company to identify reviews examining associations between lower limb OA and occupational tasks. These reviews were rated for their methodological quality before key data were extracted and synthesized.

Results

Sixteen reviews were found, seven pertained to the knee, four to the hip, two to a variety of joints, and three to both the hip and knee. One was deemed to be of high methodological quality, one of critically low methodological quality, and the others of moderate methodological quality. The reviews found moderate to good evidence for heavy occupational lifting to be associated with an increased risk of OA at the knee and the hip. Kneeling, squatting, and climbing, previous injuries to joints, being overweight and obese were also predictive of lower limb OA.

Conclusion

Occupations which involve heavy physical workloads increase the risk of developing lower limb OA. Heavy lifting, squatting, knee bending, kneeling, and climbing may all increase the risk of developing OA in both the knees and hips. Efforts to reduce exposure to these tasks, reducing joint injuries, optimizing bodyweight may reduce the risks of lower limb OA for occupations which are physically demanding.
Pallidal versus subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation for levodopa‐induced dyskinesia
Authors: Fan Shi‐Ying , Wang Kai‐Liang , Hu Wei , Eisinger Robert S. , Han Alexander , Han Chun‐Lei , Wang Qiao , Michitomo Shimabukuro , Zhang Jian‐Guo , Wang Feng , Ramirez‐Zamora Adolfo , Meng Fan‐Gang
Published: December 2019

Objective

To compare the efficacy of subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) on reducing levodopa‐induced dyskinesia (LID) in Parkinson’s disease, and to explore the potential underlying mechanisms.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed clinical outcomes in 43 patients with preoperative LID who underwent DBS targeting the STN (20/43) or GPi (23/43). The primary clinical outcome was the change from baseline in the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS) and secondary outcomes included changes in the total daily levodopa equivalent dose, the drug‐off Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale Part Ⅲ at the last follow‐up (median, 18 months), adverse effects, and programming settings. Correlation analysis was used to find potential associated factors that could be used to predict the efficacy of DBS for dyskinesia management.

Results

Compared to baseline, both the STN group and the GPi group showed significant improvement in LID with 60.73 ± 40.29% (mean ± standard deviation) and 93.78 ± 14.15% improvement, respectively, according to the UDysRS score. Furthermore, GPi‐DBS provided greater clinical benefit in the improvement of dyskinesia (P < 0.05) compared to the STN. Compared to the GPi group, the levodopa equivalent dose reduction was greater in the STN group at the last follow‐up (43.81% vs. 13.29%, P < 0.05). For the correlation analysis, the improvement in the UDysRS outcomes were significantly associated with a reduction in levodopa equivalent dose in the STN group (r = 0.543, P = 0.013), but not in the GPi group (r = −0.056, P = 0.801).

Interpretation

Both STN and GPi‐DBS have a beneficial effect on LID but GPi‐DBS provided greater anti‐dyskinetic effects. Dyskinesia suppression for STN‐DBS may depend on the reduction of levodopa equivalent dose. Unlike the STN, GPi‐DBS might exert a direct and independent anti‐dyskinesia effect.
Deformation Behavior and Dynamic Recrystallization of Ti–22Al–25Nb Alloy at 750–990 °C
Authors: Huang Shuhui , Shao Bin , Xu Wenchen , Shan Debin , Guo Bin , Zong Yingying
Published: December 2019

Ti–22Al–25Nb is a representative of Ti2AlNb alloys with excellent comprehensive properties, which has great application prospects in the aerospace field. Herein, high‐temperature tensile plastic deformation behavior and dynamic recrystallization process of Ti–22Al–25Nb alloy are researched during 750–990 °C. From 750 to 870 °C, plasticity is gradually improved with temperature increasing, and the fracture mode is crack aggregation. From 900 to 930 °C, the content of B2 phase increases and plasticity is significantly improved because crack along the grain is suppressed by combined precipitation of three phases B2 + O + α2 at grain boundaries with large areas. From 960 to 990 °C, the alloy is mainly composed of B2 phase and has best plastic deformation performance. Fully dynamic recrystallization of B2 phase happens at 990 °C. Texture strength is strengthened by intense plastic deformation, but it is weakened by dynamic recrystallization subsequently.
Ligand Free Palladium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of α‐Trifluoromethylacrylic Acids and Related Acrylates by Three‐Component Reaction
Authors: Xiao Pan , Pannecoucke Xavier , Bouillon Jean‐Philippe , Couve‐Bonnaire Samuel
Published: December 2019

Aryl iodides and 2‐(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid reacted together in ligand‐free Mizoroki‐Heck reaction furnishing a quick and efficient access to highly valuable α‐trifluoromethylacrylic acids. The useful transformation was independent with regard to the electronic nature of the aryl group substituent. A three‐component one‐pot version was also developed to give diverse substituted acrylates. The versatility of α‐trifluoromethylacrylic acids was demonstrated by quick access to 3‐CF3‐coumarins as well as fluorinated analogues of therapeutic or cosmetic agents. Finally, we proposed a catalytic cycle based on the silver carboxylate salt, identified as a key intermediate in the reaction.

magnified image
Inhibitory effects of three chemical dust suppressants on nitrocellulose dust cloud explosion
Authors: Tsai Yun‐Ting , Yang Yi , Huang Hao‐Chun , Shu Chi‐Min
Published: December 2019

Three types of self‐prepared chemical dust suppressants (CDSs) were investigated for their inhibitory effects on nitrocellulose (NC) cloud dust explosion. The results revealed that NC is extremely sensitive to electric sparks and has a high explosion intensity. CaCl2‐CDS effectively increased the particle size to control fly dust substantially inhibiting dust cloud explosions. However, both Na2SO4‐CDS and MgCl2‐CDS exhibited poor abilities and even promoted explosion. Therefore, neither Na2SO4‐CDS nor MgCl2‐CDS is recommended as a CDS for NC. Inappropriately using CDSs may engender severe explosions. Furthermore, a mechanism underlying NC dust cloud combustion and explosion was proposed. NC has three stages of heat release: autoxidation, thermal decomposition, and combustion. Thermal decomposition, combustion, and explosion were triggered depending on the energy provided from autoxidation. CaCl2‐CDS inhibited only combustion. This study reveals the mechanism underlying NC dust cloud explosions and provides useful information for the development of more optimized CDSs.
Economic implications of localization strategies for cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea
Authors: Pool Christopher D. , Patel Vijay A. , Schilling Amber , Hollenbeak Christopher , Goyal Neerav
Published: December 2019

Background

The direct costs associated with different diagnostic algorithms to localize cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea have not been described.

Methods

A decision‐tree analysis of imaging modalities used to localize CSF rhinorrhea was performed to compare associated direct costs. The primary outcome was cost, which was determined based on reimbursement data published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2018. The model was parameterized after a literature review of published studies was performed from 1990 to 2018 to estimate the sensitivity CSF rhinorrhea localization of the following radiographic modalities: high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT), magnetic resonance cisternography (MRC), and CT cisternography (CTC). In addition to base case analysis, 1‐way sensitivity analyses were also performed to evaluate the robustness of results to changes in model parameters.

Results

Among patients with a high suspicion for CSF rhinorrhea, use of HRCT followed by exploration in the operating room if preliminary HRCT was negative was found to be the optimal localization modality from a cost perspective ($172.25). The next least costly algorithm was HRCT followed by MRC ($294.10). Imaging algorithms beginning with CTC were the next least costly modality ($727.37). Sensitivity analyses generally supported HRCT to be the optimal initial radiographic strategy over a wide range of parameter values.

Conclusion

This work advocates HRCT as first‐line modality to localize CSF rhinorrhea from a cost perspective. Although algorithms beginning with MRC were on average $35 more expensive than those starting with CTC, associated risks of CTC were not modeled and may play a role in decision making.
Doped Lead Halide White Phosphors for Very High Efficiency and Ultra‐High Color Rendering
Authors: Yuan Hailong , Massuyeau Florian , Gautier Nicolas , Kama Antoine Blaise , Faulques Eric , Chen Fei , Shen Qiang , Zhang Lianmeng , Paris Michael , Gautier Romain
Published: December 2019

Near‐UV‐pumped white‐light‐emitting diodes with ultra‐high color rendering and decreased blue‐light emission is highly desirable. However, discovering a single‐phase white light emitter with such characteristics remains challenging. Herein, we demonstrate that Mn doping as low as 0.027 % in the hybrid post‐perovskite type (TDMP)PbBr4 (TDMP=trans‐2,5‐dimethylpiperaziniium) enables to achieve a bright pure white emission replicating the spectrum of the sun's rays. Thus, a white phosphor exhibiting an emission with CIE coordinates (0.330, 0.365), a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 60 % (new record for white light emission of hybrid lead halides), and an ultra‐high color rendering index (CRI=96, R9=91.8), corresponding to the record value for a single phase emitter was obtained. The investigation of the photoluminescence properties revealed how free excitons, self‐trapped excitons, and low amount of Mn dopants are coupled to give rise to such pure white emission.
Nickel‐katalysierte inter‐ und intramolekulare Arylthioether‐Metathese durch reversible Arylierung
Authors: Delcaillau Tristan , Bismuto Alessandro , Lian Zhong , Morandi Bill
Published: December 2019

Für die Synthese von hochwertigen Thioethern wurde eine Nickel‐katalysierte Arylthioether‐Metathese entwickelt. 1,2‐Bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethan (dcype) ist essentiell, um diese Reaktion mit breiter Kompatibilität funktioneller Gruppen zu ermöglichen. Weiterhin konnten synthetisch anspruchsvolle Makrocyclen in guter Ausbeute in einem seltenen Beispiel für eine Ringschlussmetathese ohne Doppelbindungen erhalten werden. Umfassende metallorganische Untersuchungen belegen einen reversiblen Ni0‐NiII‐Pfad zur Produktbildung. Insgesamt wird in dieser Arbeit nicht nur eine nachhaltigere Alternative zu früheren katalytischen Systemen auf Pd‐Basis beschrieben, sondern es werden auch neue Anwendungen und mechanistische Informationen aufgezeigt, die für die weitere Entwicklung und Anwendung ungewöhnlicher Metathesereaktionen von Einfachbindungen von hoher Relevanz sind.
A Stable Calcium Alumanyl
Authors: Schwamm Ryan J. , Coles Martyn P. , Hill Michael S. , Mahon Mary F. , McMullin Claire L. , Rajabi Nasir A. , Wilson Andrew S. S.
Published: December 2019

A seven‐memberedN,N′‐heterocyclic potassium alumanyl nucleophile is introduced and utilised in the metathetical synthesis of Mg−Al and Ca−Al bonded derivatives. Both species have been characterised by experimental and theoretical means, allowing a rationalisation of the greater reactivity of the heavier group 2 species implied by an initial assay of their reactivity.
Two‐Dimensional Tin Selenide (SnSe) Nanosheets Capable of Mimicking Key Dehydrogenases in Cellular Metabolism
Authors: Gao Meng , Wang Zhenzhen , Zheng Huizhen , Wang Li , Xu Shujuan , Liu Xi , Li Wei , Pan Yanxia , Wang Weili , Cai Xiaoming , Wu Ren'an , Gao Xingfa , Li Ruibin
Published: December 2019

While dehydrogenases play crucial roles in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle of cell metabolism, which are extensively explored for biomedical and chemical engineering uses, it is a big challenge to overcome the shortcomings (low stability and high costs) of recombinant dehydrogenases. Herein, it is shown that two‐dimensional (2D) SnSe is capable of mimicking native dehydrogenases to efficiently catalyze hydrogen transfer from 1‐(R)‐2‐(R′)‐ethanol groups. In contrary to susceptible native dehydrogenases, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) for instance, SnSe is extremely tolerant to reaction condition changes (pH, temperature, and organic solvents) and displays extraordinary reusable capability. Structure–activity analysis indicates that the single‐atom structure, Sn vacancy, and hydrogen binding affinity of SnSe may be responsible for their catalytic activity. Overall, this is the first report of a 2D SnSe nanozyme to mimic key dehydrogenases in cell metabolism.
Controllable Si−C Bond Activation Enables Stereocontrol in the Palladium‐Catalyzed [4+2] Annulation of Cyclopropenes with Benzosilacyclobutanes
Authors: Wang Xing‐Ben , Zheng Zhan‐Jiang , Xie Jia‐Le , Gu Xing‐Wei , Mu Qiu‐Chao , Yin Guan‐Wu , Ye Fei , Xu Zheng , Xu Li‐Wen
Published: December 2019

A novel and unusual palladium‐catalyzed [4+2] annulation of cyclopropenes with benzosilacyclobutanes is reported. This reaction occurred through chemoselective Si−C(sp2) bond activation in synergy with ring expansion/insertion of cyclopropenes to form new C(sp2)−C(sp3) and Si−C(sp3) bonds. An array of previously elusive bicyclic skeleton with high strain, silabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes, were formed in good yields with excellent diastereoselectivity under mild conditions. An asymmetric version of the reaction with a chiral phosphoramidite ligand furnished a variety of chiral bicyclic silaheterocycle derivatives with good enantioselectivity (up to 95.5:4.5 er). Owing to the mild reaction conditions, the good stereoselectivity profile, and the ready availability of the functionalized precursors, this process constitutes a useful and straightforward strategy for the synthesis of densely functionalized silacycles.
Urine Metabolic Fingerprints Encode Subtypes of Kidney Diseases
Authors: Yang Jing , Wang Ran , Huang Lin , Zhang Mengji , Niu Jingyang , Bao Chunde , Shen Nan , Dai Min , Guo Qiang , Wang Qian , Wang Qin , Fu Qiong , Qian Kun
Published: December 2019

Metabolic fingerprints of biofluids encode diverse diseases and particularly urine detection offers complete non‐invasiveness for diagnostics of the future. Present urine detection affords unsatisfactory performance and requires advanced materials to extract molecular information, due to the limited biomarkers and high sample complexity. Herein, we report plasmonic polymer@Ag for laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI‐MS) and sparse‐learning‐based metabolic diagnosis of kidney diseases. Using only 1 μL of urine without enrichment or purification, polymer@Ag afforded urine metabolic fingerprints (UMFs) by LDI‐MS in seconds. Analysis by sparse learning discriminated lupus nephritis from various other non‐lupus nephropathies and controls. We combined UMFs with urine protein levels (UPLs) and constructed a new diagnostic model to characterize subtypes of kidney diseases. Our work guides urine‐based diagnosis and leads to new personalized analytical tools for other diseases.
Mechanical Distension Induces Serotonin Release from Intestine as Revealed by Stretchable Electrochemical Sensing
Authors: Liu Yan‐Ling , Chen Yan , Fan Wen‐Ting , Cao Pan , Yan Jing , Zhao Xing‐Zhong , Dong Wei‐Guo , Huang Wei‐Hua
Published: December 2019

The role of endogenous serotonin (5‐HT) in gastrointestinal motility is still highly controversial. Although electrochemical techniques allow for direct and real‐time recording of biomolecules, the dynamic monitoring of 5‐HT release from elastic and tubular intestine during motor reflexes remains a great challenge because of the specific peristalsis patterns and inevitable passivation of the sensing interface. A stretchable sensor with antifouling and decontamination properties was assembled from gold nanotubes, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and carbon nanotubes. The sandwich‐like structure endowed the sensor with satisfying mechanical stability and electrochemical performance, high resistance against physical adsorption, and superior efficiency in the photodegradation of biofouling molecules. Insertion of the sensor into the lumen of rat ileum (the last section of the small intestine) successfully mimics intestinal peristalsis, and simultaneous real‐time monitoring of distension‐evoked 5‐HT release was possible for the first time. Our results unambiguously reveal that mechanical distension of the intestine induces endogenous 5‐HT overflow, and 5‐HT level is closely associated with the physiological or pathological states of the intestine.
FerriIridium: A Lysosome‐Targeting Iron(III)‐Activated Iridium(III) Prodrug for Chemotherapy in Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Kuang Shi , Liao Xinxing , Zhang Xianrui , Rees Thomas W. , Guan Ruilin , Xiong Kai , Chen Yu , Ji Liangnian , Chao Hui
Published: December 2019

Reported is the FeIII‐activated lysosome‐targeting prodrug FerriIridium for gastric cancer theranostics. It contains a meta‐imino catechol group that can selectively bond to, and be oxidized by, free FeIII inside the cell. Subsequent oxidative rearrangement releases FeII and hydrolyses the amine bond under acidic conditions, forming an aminobipyridyl Ir complex and 2‐hydroxybenzoquinone. Thus, FeII catalyzes the Fenton reaction, transforming hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals, the benzoquinone compounds interfere with the respiratory chain, and conversion of the prodrug into the Ir complex leads to an increase in phosphorescence and toxicity. These properties, combined with the high FeIII content and acidity of cancer cells, make FerriIridium a selective and efficient theranostic agent (IC50=9.22 μm for AGS cells vs. >200 μm for LO2 cells). FerriIridium is the first metal‐based compound that has been developed for chemotherapy using FeIII to enhance both selectivity and potency.