bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination Overlapping Interface Structure in the ξ´-Al-Ni-Rh Approximant Phase
Authors: CHEN Yanhui , ZHAI Yadi , ZHANG Wenhan
Published: January 2021

The structure of the overlapping interface in ξ´-Al-Ni-Rh was determined by calculating the total energy of super lattices containing defect structures using the modified analytic embedded-atom method (MAEAM). The structure analyses indicated that only two equivalent types of interfaces exist, which are defined as the PF and PI types. Calculation of the PF- and PI-type super cells indicated that the interface between the close-packed P layer and the slightly puckered I layer has a lower energy and may be a static interface. Although the PI-type overlapping interface may seriously corrupt decagonal cluster columns in the approximant phase, it causes relatively less corruption of the metallic bonds than the PF mode. The total energies of the three types of super lattices caused by different displacement vectors between the two domains found in ξ´-Al-Ni-Rh were also calculated. The domain boundary translated with a vector of r =a + c is the most static state among the three type super lattices from energy perspective.
Schulleitungen und Politikverflechtung. Eine Fallstudie
Authors: Haase Roman , Heinz Dominic
Published: January 2021

Wie reagiert Politik auf unbesetzte Schulleitungspositionen? Politikverflechtung erklärt Politik und setzt sie in den Kontext von Kooperation und Wettbewerb. Koordination von Politik be­fasste sich mit der Kooperation von Ländern über Schulleitungen, so dass Wettbewerb mini­miert wird, aber offen bleibt, ob Schulleitungen besetzt werden.
A new type of hybrid actor in global governance: anti-impunity commissions, shared sovereignty, and the rule of law
Authors: Reinold Theresa
Published: January 2021

This article investigates the contribution of a new type of hybrid actor to fostering the rule of law in weak states. In a number of issue-areas in global governance, hybrid solutions have been experimented with, and the latest manifestation of this global trend towards hybridity are hybrid anti-impunity commissions that have begun to proliferate in Latin America in the past decade or so and that are likely to produce ripple-effects beyond the continent. These commissions do not supplant the justice system of the target state but fight impunity from within it. They do so by assuming some of the sovereign prerogatives traditionally assumed to be falling within the domaine réservé of the host state. The prototype of this new hybrid actor was deployed in Guatemala, where the Comision Internacional Contra la Impunidad en Guatemala had to terminate its mandate after more than a decade of successful work. It remains unclear, however, to what extent such hybrid commissions can effect a lasting transformation of the justice systems of their host states and what scope conditions are required for them to operate successfully. What remains poorly understood, for instance, is how the depth of delegation affects the provision of public goods. In this article I shall argue that hybrid arrangements in which tasks are shared relatively evenly among externals and locals and that thus involve only a partial delegation of authority tend to be more successful and produce more sustainable results than arrangements providing for deeper forms of delegation.
Die Bedeutung des OECD-Musterkommentars für die Auslegung von Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen am Beispiel des Nutzungsberechtigten (Beneficial Owner)
Authors: Milanin Olga
Published: January 2021

The work deals comprehensively with the significance of the OECD model commentary for the interpretation of double taxation agreements and processes literature as well as case law beginning with the work of the League of Nations through the first OECD model commentary from 1963 until today. While concluding that the advantage of the model commentary is non-binding soft law, its importance increases against the background of the BEPS initiative which is illustrated by the specific example of the beneficial owner. Finally, ways are explored to increase the importance of the model commentary, such as by including the definitions from the commentary in a so-called multilateral instrument.
Rechtliche Voraussetzungen und Möglichkeiten der Etablierung von Community Health Nursing (CHN) in Deutschland
Authors: Burgi Martin , Igl Gerhard
Published: January 2021

In this book, the legal requirements and possibilities for establishing Community Health Nursing (CHN) in Germany are presented for the first time. The legal options that already exist are described as well as the requirements for future legal regulations for the broad establishment of CHN. For this purpose, the health professional law, social security law, the possible basic institutional decisions and organizational design options as well as the constitutional aspects for future regulations are shown.
Advanced PlacementU.S.Historyand the Application of Social Justice
Authors: Curry Katherine , Sabina Lou , Loffi Jon
Published: January 2021

Recent changes to Advanced Placement U.S. History have sparked a national debate concerning goals and purposes of college level history courses. Critics suggest that the revisions result in a national curriculum that promotes a revisionist history perspective. Defenders claim that revisions are an important step in preparing students for 21st century citizenship. This document analysis identifies key differences between the 2010 and 2014 APU.S.History frameworks and considers changes made in 2015 by College Board in response to the national debate. The challenges of applying a social justice lens to curriculum are discussed, and suggestions are made concerning the application of procedural social justice to stimulate voluntary cooperative behavior on the part of members of groups, thereby enhancing true social justice for all members of society. A procedural justice lens is suggested to enhance commitment and cooperation among individuals, groups, and societies.
Apuntes sociológicos de las inmigrantes suramericanas (Ecuador, Bolivia y Colombia) en Mallorca.
Authors: Mulet Trobat Bartomeu , Oliver Cardell Catalina , Alvarez Liliana , Gelabert Noguera Biel , González Paredes Francisco , Caramés Balo Rosa
Published: January 2021

Se trata de visibilizar y mostrar las desigualdades de género en el marco de la diversidad cultural, en un contexto de multiculturalidad transcultural jerarquizada en Mallorca como sociedad receptora. Para constatar estos planteamientos se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad a mujeres afro-ecuatorianas y originarias, emigradas de Suramérica hacia Mallorca, registrando sus respuestas en un cuestionario-guía preestablecido. Éste fue contestado por 39 mujeres de origen étnico afro-ecuatoriano y originarias de Ecuador, Colombia y Bolivia. Estas mujeres constituyen una muestra y un ejemplo significativo de la feminización de la migración y la supervivencia colectiva.

The aim is to make visible and show gender inequalities within the framework of cultural diversity, in a context of hierarchical cross-cultural multiculturalism in Mallorca as a host society. In order to verify these approaches, in-depth interviews were conducted with Afro-Ecuadorian women and indigenous natives, emigrated from South America to Mallorca, recording their responses in a pre-established questionnaire-guide. This was answered by 39 women of Afro-Ecuadorian and indigenous ethnicity from Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia. They represent a significant aspect of the feminization of migration and collective survival.
Las expectativas y metas de las familias gitanas en Canarias hacia el éxito escolar
Authors: Carmona Santiago José , García Ruíz Marta , Maíquez Chávez María Luisa , Rodirgo López María José
Published: January 2021

La población roma/gitana en España oscila entre las 725.000 y las 750.000 personas. Sin embargo, solo el 22,2% del alumnado gitano logra acabar con éxito la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, mientras que un 75,6% de la sociedad mayoritaria lo logra. A partir de una muestra de 90 familias gitanas, con hijos e hijas estudiantes entre 6 y 17 años residentes en las Islas Canarias, se analizan los deseos, expectativas, celebraciones más importantes y metas de los padres y madres gitanas respecto al futuro de sus hijos e hijas. La recogida de información se ha realizado a través de dos entrevistas semiestructuradas siendo el procedimiento de análisis la Teoría Fundamentada. Tras el proceso de selección se han identificado 15 familias, con metas orientadas al avance educativo de sus hijos e hijas, a las que se examinan las fortalezas, oportunidades, debilidades y amenazas que perciben. Este grupo de familias ha experimentado una buena relación con la escuela, se interesan y apoyan las tareas escolares, dando un paso hacia delante en la promoción de la formación académica de sus hijos e hijas. Son familias referentes, capaces de tener coherencia entre sus deseos, expectativas, celebraciones y prioridades; a lo que se le suma su destreza para hacer frente a los desafíos diarios y muestran la capacidad de creer que un futuro mejor es posible para sus hijos e hijas mientras luchan para conseguirlo.

 

The Roma population in Spain ranges between 725,000 and 750,000 people. However, only 22.2% of gypsy students successfully finish Compulsory Secondary Education, while 75.6% of the majority society achieves it. From a sample of 90 Roma families, with sons and daughters students between 6 and 17 years of age living in the Canary Islands, the wishes, expectations, most important celebrations and goals of Roma fathers and mothers regarding the future of their children are analyzed. The recollection of information was carried out through two semi-structured interviews, the procedure of analysis being the Grounded Theory. After the selection process, only 15 families oriented to the educational development of their sons and daughters have been identified, who were further examined which regard to the strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats they perceive. This group of families have experienced a positive relationship with the school, are interested in and support the school tasks, and have taken a step forward in the promotion of the academic achievement of their children. They are referent families, capable of having coherence between their wishes, expectations, celebrations and priorities; to which is added his ability to face the daily challenges, show the ability to believe that a better future is possible for their children as they struggle to achieve it
Evaluación de narrativas en formación dual docente: diseño y experimentación del instrumento SCAN
Authors: Peguera Carré Maria Carme , Curto Reverte Andreu , Ianos Maria Adelina , Coiduras Rodríguez Jordi Lluís
Published: January 2021

En el artículo se presenta la construcción y validación del instrumento de evaluación Sistema de Categorías para el Análisis de Narrativas (SCAN) integrado en un dispositivo de formación dual. SCAN facilita una evaluación convergente por los distintos agentes de la Formación Dual Universitaria (FDU) en un grado de Educación Primaria: profesorado universitario, Docentes en Formación Inicial (DFI) y mentores escolares.
Este estudio de caso analiza con dos puntos de control la evolución de las narrativas sobre la práctica educativa en la escuela. Se presta especial atención a la relación teoría-práctica mediante la evaluación de cuatro dimensiones: Descripción, Comprensión, Proyección y Aspectos formales.
El análisis de las narraciones de 150 DFI muestra una mejora significativa entre el pretest y el postest, especialmente relevante en la dimensión Proyección, evidenciándose en las categorías: Competencias Docentes, Intervención Docente y Oportunidades de Desarrollo.
Se concluye que el procedimiento formativo descrito contribuye al desarrollo de la Visión Profesional desde una revisión crítica de la práctica. SCAN muestra en este estudio su eficiencia en el análisis y la evaluación de las narrativas de los DFI.

This article addresses a problem widely described in the literature: the theory-practice integration in the texts of Teachers in Initial Training (DFI). A training device is presented with an assessment instrument called Narratives Analysis Categories System (SCAN). This allows a convergent evaluation by the different actors of the Dual University Training (FDU) in the degree of Primary Education: the university teaching staff, the DFI and the school mentors.

The case study focuses on the evolution of narratives about educational practices in schools. The analysis of the narratives of 150 DFI is carried out at two checkpoints through the SCAN. This instrument is structured in four dimensions: Description, Understanding, Projection and Formal Aspects.

The results show a significant improvement of the DFI, especially relevant in the Projection dimension and being this evidenced in the categories: Teaching Competencies, Teaching Intervention and Development Opportunities.

In conclusion, the training with narratives contributes to the development of the Professional Vision from a critical review of the practice. In this study SCAN shows its efficiency in the analysis and evaluation of DFI narratives.
L’expression des sentiments dans la sphère juridictionnelle
Authors: Bernigaud Sylvie
Published: January 2021

Il est difficile d’exclure les sentiments de la sphère juridictionnelle, car ce sont les vecteurs des émotions exprimées dans ce contexte. Le prétoire est le lieu de prédilection où l’on peut trouver un concentré de sentiments plus ou moins clairement verbalisés parce que c’est aussi un espace où les rencontres humaines se font et se défont. Les sentiments ne sont pas de nature à combattre l’idéal de justice, ou à dépasser la norme juridique applicable dès lors que l’impartialité du juge, rempart fondamental contre tout risque d’omniprésence du fait psychique, est requise dans l’exercice de son office et exigée pour le fonctionnement de la police de l’audience.
Kontrastivität in der Diskurslinguitik. Eva Gredel, Heidrun Kämper, Ruth M. Mell, Janja Polajnar (Hrsg.) (2018). Diskurs – kontrastiv. Diskurslinguistik als Methode zur Erfassung transnationaler und sprachübergreifender Diskursrealitäten. (Sprache – Politik – Gesellschaft; 23). Bremen: Hempen Verlag, 307 S.
Authors: Gür-Şeker Derya
Published: January 2021

The goal of this contribution is to review and to discuss the content of the publication by Eva Gredel, Heidrun Kämper, Ruth M. Mell, Janja Polajnar (Hrsg.) (2018). Diskurs – kontrastiv. Diskurslinguistik als Methode zur Erfassung transnatio-naler und sprachübergreifender Diskursrealitäten. (Sprache – Politik – Gesellschaft; 23). Bremen: Hempen Verlag, 307 S.
Zentrale Perspektivierungselemente: Topik und Thema. Bernadett Modrián-Horváth (2016): Topik und Thema. Untersuchungen zur Informationsstruktur in deutschen und ungarischen Erzähl- und Berichtstexten. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 259 S.
Authors: Szatmári Petra
Published: January 2021

The goal of this contribution is to review and to discuss the content of the publication by Bernadett Modrián-Horváth (2016): Topik und Thema. Untersuchungen zur Informationsstruktur in deutschen und ungarischen Erzähl- und Berichtstexten. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 259 S.
Mediolingwistycznie o języku w filmie. Bogusław Skowronek (2020): Język w filmie. Ujęcie mediolingwistyczne. Kraków: Wydawnictwo Naukowe UP. 277 s.
Authors: Wojtak Maria
Published: January 2021

The goal of this contribution is to review and to discuss the content of the publication by Bogusław Skowronek (2020): Język w filmie. Ujęcie mediolingwistyczne. Kraków: Wydawnictwo Naukowe UP. 277 s.
Breaking the vicious circle of subsidiary isolation: a meta-synthesis of subsidiary initiative-taking
Authors: SIMON MAIKE , ROYER SUSANNE
Published: January 2021

Purpose of the paper: We aim at contributing to the current controversial discussion on the vicious circle of subsidiary isolation. Therefore, we (1) strive for a better understanding of the different stages of initiative undertaking and (2) investigate how subsidiaries can make use of this process to attract HQ attention and break out of isolation. Methodology: Building on Schmid et al.'s (2014) process model of subsidiary initiative development, we adopt a meta-synthesis as our research strategy and combine and interpret the findings from a set of systematically chosen case studies. Results: Our findings suggest that the impact of subsidiary characteristics varies considerably over time during the process. For the case of isolated subsidiaries, we adapt Schmid et al.'s (2014) process model and show how an isolated subsidiary can attract HQ attention due to subsidiary initiative taking at the subsidiary level. Research limitations: The included case studies have not been conducted to answer our research questions and our search strategy may have excluded further relevant studies. Practical implications: While managers of less-embedded subsidiaries should be aware of possible HQ resistance and show persistence over time, HQ managers should use HQ monitoring and reporting to detect silent, but motivated subsidiaries. Further, HQ managers are challenged to balance their (positive) attention towards subsidiaries. Originality of the paper: The paper is original in its use of a meta-synthesis that enables a more holistic and finer-grained understanding of subsidiary initiative processes and draws the attention to aspects that are underrepresented in the current body of subsidiary initiative research.
The dark side of retailers regarding digital growth strategies: an exploratory study on augmented reality perception
Authors: SERRAVALLE FRANCESCA , VIASSONE MILENA , VANHEEMS REGINE
Published: January 2021

Purpose of the paper: The present paper aims to investigate retailers’ perception of immersive technology (e.g. augmented reality) to create new growth strategies to expand and internationalize business. Methodology: This study adopts a qualitative approach, based on a multi-case study methodology. Nine Italian SMEs operating in the furniture and interior design sector were interviewed. After transcribing and translating the interviews, they were coded using an inductive approach. Results: This study shows that Italian SMEs still have little exposure to the knowledge of technologies, and thus a higher resistance to adopting digital growth strategies in their business. Research limitations: This study is exploratory in nature and based on a sample of nine SMEs in the Italian cultural context. Therefore, further research could extend our findings, by carrying out a cross-cultural analysis in comparison with other countries. Practical implications: This study highlights the importance for SMEs to understand and introduce digital growth strategies to create competitive advantages on the market and an enhanced experience for consumers. Using technologies, SMEs should be able to maintain a growth orientation with a high level of networking with international corporations to be more flexible towards market advancements and changes. Originality of the paper: This paper provides an original view on retailers’ perception of immersive technologies to create digital growth for SMEs, by highlighting some new challenges that SMEs must face to successfully compete in a digital scenario.
Environmental sustainability and food packaging. The role of packing material in purchasing decisions
Authors: VERGURA DONATA TANIA , ZERBINI CRISTINA , LUCERI BEATRICE , CRISTINI GUIDO
Published: January 2021

Purpose of the paper: The paper aims to enrich the knowledge on the role of packaging material in influencing the product buying process. Methodology: A between-subjects experimental design was conducted in order to investigate if the product quality judgment and the purchase intention towards the product differ among different packaging materials. Findings: Glass is considered better than other materials, especially in terms of lower perceived risk and higher (a) product quality, (b) intention to buy and (c) willingness to pay. By contrast, plastic does not have a good image. Research limits: Since the perception of the material should be closely related to the product category, caution should be exercised in generalizing the findings to the all food categories. Practical implications: The study has useful insights for manufacturers and product managers in the packaging management, one of the relevant components of the marketing mix. Originality of the paper: Most of the evidence regarding packaging cues focuses principally on elements like colour, shape, graphics and nutritional claims. A limited marketing research has been conducted about the crucial role of the packaging material in the consumers’ evaluation process.
Female-biased upregulation of insulin pathway activity mediates the sex difference in Drosophila body size plasticity
Authors: Millington Jason W , Brownrigg George P , Chao Charlotte , Sun Ziwei , Basner-Collins Paige J , Wat Lianna W , Hudry Bruno , Miguel-Aliaga Irene , Rideout Elizabeth J
Published: January 2021

Nutrient-dependent body size plasticity differs between the sexes in most species, including mammals. Previous work inDrosophilashowed that body size plasticity was higher in females, yet the mechanisms underlying increased female body size plasticity remain unclear. Here, we discover that a protein-rich diet augments body size in females and not males because of a female-biased increase in activity of the conserved insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway (IIS). This sex-biased upregulation of IIS activity was triggered by a diet-induced increase instuntedmRNA in females, and requiredDrosophila insulin-like peptide 2, illuminating new sex-specific roles for these genes. Importantly, we show that sex determination genetransformerpromotes the diet-induced increase instuntedmRNA via transcriptional coactivator Spargel to regulate the male-female difference in body size plasticity. Together, these findings provide vital insight into conserved mechanisms underlying the sex difference in nutrient-dependent body size plasticity.
A flagellate-to-amoeboid switch in the closest living relatives of animals
Authors: Brunet Thibaut , Albert Marvin , Roman William , Coyle Maxwell C , Spitzer Danielle C , King Nicole
Published: January 2021

Amoeboid cell types are fundamental to animal biology and broadly distributed across animal diversity, but their evolutionary origin is unclear. The closest living relatives of animals, the choanoflagellates, display a polarized cell architecture (with an apical flagellum encircled by microvilli) that resembles that of epithelial cells and suggests homology, but this architecture differs strikingly from the deformable phenotype of animal amoeboid cells, which instead evoke more distantly related eukaryotes, such as diverse amoebae. Here, we show that choanoflagellates subjected to confinement become amoeboid by retracting their flagella and activating myosin-based motility. This switch allows escape from confinement and is conserved across choanoflagellate diversity. The conservation of the amoeboid cell phenotype across animals and choanoflagellates, together with the conserved role of myosin, is consistent with homology of amoeboid motility in both lineages. We hypothesize that the differentiation between animal epithelial and crawling cells might have evolved from a stress-induced switch between flagellate and amoeboid forms in their single-celled ancestors.
An interbacterial DNA deaminase toxin directly mutagenizes surviving target populations
Authors: de Moraes Marcos H , Hsu FoSheng , Huang Dean , Bosch Dustin E , Zeng Jun , Radey Matthew C , Simon Noah , Ledvina Hannah E , Frick Jacob P , Wiggins Paul A , Peterson S Brook , Mougous Joseph D
Published: January 2021

When bacterial cells come in contact, antagonism mediated by the delivery of toxins frequently ensues. The potential for such encounters to have long-term beneficial consequences in recipient cells has not been investigated. Here, we examined the effects of intoxication by DddA, a cytosine deaminase delivered via the type VI secretion system (T6SS) of Burkholderia cenocepacia. Despite its killing potential, we observed that several bacterial species resist DddA and instead accumulate mutations. These mutations can lead to the acquisition of antibiotic resistance, indicating that even in the absence of killing, interbacterial antagonism can have profound consequences on target populations. Investigation of additional toxins from the deaminase superfamily revealed that mutagenic activity is a common feature of these proteins, including a representative we show targets single-stranded DNA and displays a markedly divergent structure. Our findings suggest that a surprising consequence of antagonistic interactions between bacteria could be the promotion of adaptation via the action of directly mutagenic toxins.
Monitoring recovery of overgrazed lichen communities on Hagemeister Island, southwestern Alaska
Authors: Walsh Patrick , Goward Trevor
Published: January 2021

Understanding the recovery rate of overgrazed lichen communities has value to mangers of lands in northern regions.  We describe lichen community composition and present recovery rate measurements for a 12-year period following overgrazing by reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) on Hagemeister Island, Alaska.  Reindeer were removed from the island in 1993 following overgrazing and average total lichen biomass increased from 504.2 kg/ha (SD 205.4) in 2003 to 795.3 (SD 489.6) in 2015.  We estimate time to recovery with three competing growth curves which estimate grazeable biomass may be reached in 34-41 years.  However, estimates of full recovery to climax biomass varied among the models, ranging from 71 to 400 years.   In 2015, lichen communities were composed of various mixtures of at least 78 lichen taxa, and were dominated by Cladina stygia and other important reindeer forage species.   While reindeer overgrazing diminished forage quantity, it did not extirpate preferred forage taxa.
Assessment of the Inherent in-vitro Antioxidant Potential of Commelina benghalensis Leaf Extract
Authors: Okoko Tebekeme
Published: January 2021

Commelina benghalensis is a troublesome but exotic weed native to the African and Asian subregions used traditionally for the treatment and management of various disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential antioxidant activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Commelina benghalensis using various in vitro models. This was done by investigating the ability of the extract to scavenge hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical. Other activities assessed were the reducing ability, ability to inhibit erythrocyte damage and reduce ferrous-ascorbate induced lipid peroxidation on bovine liver and egg yolk homogenates. The results revealed that the plant extract possessed significant hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging abilities. The extract also possessed  significant ability to reduce ferric ions and molybdate VI. The methanolic extract also significantly inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced erythrocyte hemolysis and lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation in bovine liver and egg yolk homogenates induced       by the ferrous-ascorbate system was also reduced by the extract. In many instances, the effect of the extract was concentration-dependent. (p < 0.05). This antioxidant activity of the extract is ascribed to the phytochemicals which probably acted in synergy thus the Commelina benghalensis leaves could be exploited both nutraceutically and pharmacologically.
The Effectiveness of Pistia stratiotes as Phytoremediation Agents in Reducing Lead (Pb) Levels in Batik Household Industrial Wastewater in Bakaran Village, Central Java-Indonesia
Authors: Ratna Khabibatulloh Dewi Kaswari , Slamet Isworo
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives: The Bakaran Batik industry is engaged in domestic textiles in Juwana district, Indonesia. The wastewater produced by the burnt batik is discharged into the environment without going through any prior treatment. Therefore, an effective and easy-to-implement processing technology is needed by the community. Phytoremediation technology is an effort to treat waste that is proven to be effective and easy to implement. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the Pistia stratiotes in reducing Lead (Pb) levels in batik wastewater.

Methodology: The method used in this research is the type of experimental research. The research method is True Experimental with Post-test Only Control Group Design. The statistical test used is One Way Anova and linear regression test to determine the rate of degradation.

Results: showed that the Pistia stratiotes was effective in reducing lead levels of Lead (Pb) from an initial concentration of 0.042 ppm to 0.022 on a day for 48 hours, the speed of degradation was based on the linear equation - 0.0108x + 0.048, R² = 0.8526 in the treatment with Pistia stratiotes 50 grams, whereas in the 75 grams and 90 grams the Lead (Pb) concentration was not detected. Conclusions: Phytoremediation with the biological agent Pistia stratiotes is quite effective in degrading Lead (Pb) -containing batik waste.
Substance Abuse and Addiction among Undergraduates in Nigerian Private Universities; Communicating Behavioural Change for Sustainable Human Development
Authors: Omolola Oluwasola, , Goodluck Layefa, , Taye Babaleye, Samuel Oloruntobi
Published: January 2021

Substance abuse among youths and young adults in Nigeria has been a significant health problem that threatens sustainable human development. There are a number of studies that have looked into drug abuse among adolescents. Some of the studies reported that youths experiment with substance abuse at some point in their lifetime.  However, not so many of such researchers examined the implications of drug abuse on sustainable human development. This gap was the motivation for this study. The study explored substance abuse and addiction among undergraduates in Nigerian private universities; communicating behavioural change for sustainable human development. The study was premised on the self esteem, family, availability and proneness and developmental stages theories of drug abuse. Using the purposive sampling technique, the key informant interview was used to elicit information from 140 youths who are substance abusers in a private university in south west, Nigeria. Structured interview was also conducted to elicit additional information from the Student affairs officer of the said university. Findings reveal that substance abuse among youths has multi-causal elements. Besides, it was gathered that a lot of communication measures have been directed towards changing substance abusers’ behaviour. It was recommended that wholesome concerted efforts must be made to eradicate the menace for sustainable human development.
Effect of Ingested Foods Preheated (With Microwave) in Plastic Containers on the Reproductive Profile of Male Albino Rats
Authors: Ibama Onengiyeofori , Chioma Ugochukwu , Konne Joshua Lelesi , Konne Felix
Published: January 2021

Recently, there has been a notably increased use of microwave energy for heating and processing foods particularly in catering services and in our homes owing to its speed, convenience and efficiency compared to the traditional heating method. Due to the availability and affordability of plastic containers, they are mostly used to contain foods for preheating in a microwave. However, these plastics pose great risk on humans’ health if they get scratched or heated, and leach out chemicals into the contained foods. Also, the microwave energy has been speculated to have posed risks to the health of humans considering the electromagnetic radiations it emits. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of ingested foods preheated (with microwave) in plastic containers on the reproductive profile of male albino rats. A total of twenty-four (24) male albino rats weighing between 120 to 200 g were used for this study. The rats were divided into three (3) groups (group I, II and III) of eight (8) rats per group. The rats were fed ad libitum with porridge beans and jellof rice with meat and fish daily for 40 days. The foods ingested by group I rats were not preheated in a microwave; the foods ingested by group II rats were put in ceramics and preheated in a microwave for 2 minutes daily; while the foods ingested by group III rats were put in plastic containers (not labeled as ‘‘microwave safe’’) and preheated in a microwave daily for 2 minutes. After an overnight fast, the rats were anaesthetized using chloroform, and blood samples obtained (via cardiac puncture) were used to analyze serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone using the ELISA method. The epididymis was also excised and immediately macerated to obtain semen, which was used for semen analysis. The results obtained showed a significantly decreased (p<0.05) mean LH, FSH, testosterone and sperm count in group III (plastic-microwaved) compared to group I and II. Also noted, was a significantly decreased (p<0.05) sperm count in group II compared to group I. However, there was no significant difference in LH, FSH and testosterone between groups I and II. Conclusively, it was evident from this study that, ingestion of foods preheated (with microwave) in plastic containers overtime, may predispose male rats and thus male individuals to dysfunction in their reproductive system which may eventually lead to male infertility. It is therefore, highly recommended that preheating of foods (with microwave) in plastic containers should be highly prohibited, but should rather be done using ceramics.
Evaluation of Atosiban Therapy in the Management of Preterm Labour in Indian Patients
Authors: Dewan Bhupesh , Navale Sanjaykumar , Shinde Siddheshwar
Published: January 2021

Aims: To assess the efficacy and fetomaternal safety of atosiban among Indian pregnant women presenting with preterm labor.

Study Design: Prospective, open-label, multicentric, non-comparative, phase-IV clinical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at nine hospitals across India from October 2016 to December 2019.

Methodology: A total of 212 pregnant women admitted with preterm labour between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation were administered intravenous atosiban up to 48 hours. Efficacy was defined as the successful delay of delivery without the need of an additional or alternative tocolytic agent for 72 hours. Safety was evaluated by recording the occurrence of adverse events in the mother, fetus and neonate.

Results: Tocolytic efficacy of Atosiban was 84.88% at 48 hours and 74.15% at day 7 without additional tocolytic agent or retreatment after 48 hours. The mean number of days gained after the start of atosiban tocolysis were 29.15 ± 1.82 days with mean gestational age at delivery of 35.1 ± 3.33 weeks. Atosiban reduced the frequency of contractions from 4.3 ± 1.47 to 0.67 ± 1.13 contractions/30 min at 72 hours. The proportion of neonates with birth weights more than 2,500 gm was 41.67%. A total of 205 neonates out of 216 (94.95%) had APGAR score more than 7 after 5 minute. Atosiban successfully delayed the labour in 92.31% (n=13) of “Twin pregnancy” patients for 48 hours and beyond 7 days in 9 patients (69.2%). There were no serious adverse events reported.

Conclusions: In patients with threatened preterm birth, 48 hour tocolysis with atosiban was found to be safe and effective in preventing imminent preterm birth even when it was a twin pregnancy or associated with co-morbidities. Atosiban showed favorable side effects profile and improved the perinatal outcomes.

Clinical Trial Registry of India Number: CTRI/2017/03/008065;
Cost Analysis of Green Infrastructure Compared to Conventional Stormwater Storage
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Ariaratnam Samuel T.
Published: January 2021

Low Impact Development (LID), or green infrastructure, refers to a land planning and engineering design practice to address urban storm runoff. The nature of LID is to mimic the pre-development environment to retain runoff through infiltration, retention, and evaporation. Despite the fact that numerous studies have analyzed the performance of runoff volume reduction and peak flow of various green infrastructures, little is known regarding the economic benefits of adopting LID practices. In this research, three completed construction projects in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area were selected to perform an alternative LID design including extensive green roof (GR) and permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP), to determine the cost effectiveness of using LID to reduce the use of a conventional stormwater storage system. A life cycle cost (LCC) analysis was conducted to better understand the cost benefits of applying LID to meet current drainage design criteria as per the project requirements. The results found that applying LID resulted in an average LCC saving rate of 23% compared to a conventional stormwater storage system over a 50 year service life and 15.1% over a full LID (GR+PICP) strategy.  Furthermore, it was discovered that LID has little cost savings benefits when constructing above-ground retention basins due to cheaper associated construction costs.
The Awareness and Perception of Health Care Specialists about Precision Medicine
Authors: Ahmed Nehad J. , Alrawili Abdulrahman S. , Alkhawaja Faisal Z. , Ansari Mohammad Javed
Published: January 2021

Aim: There are a small number of studies about the populations' knowledge and perceptions on precision medicine in Saudi Arabia till now. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge of health care specialists about precision medicine in Saudi Arabia.

Methodology: This study was a cross sectional study that included an online survey targeting health care specialists. The survey was converted to an online survey using google forms.

Results: More than half of the participants have heard about the different terms of precision medicine. Most of the health care specialists in the present study said that they have an insufficient knowledge about precision medicine (68.00%). Additionally, most of them said that they are interested to learn more about precision medicine and showed a positive attitude about it.

Conclusion: The present study found that health care specialists had a insufficient knowledge about precision medicine but they are interested to learn more about this field. Therefore, more training and awareness programs about precision medicine are needed to ease its introduction in Saudi Arabia.
The potential of using hair cortisol to measure chronic stress in occupational healthcare; a scoping review
Authors: Schaafsma Frederieke G , Hulsegge Gerben , de Jong Merel A , Overvliet Joyce , van Rossum Elisabeth F C , Nieuwenhuijsen Karen
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Workplace-based selective prevention of mental health problems currently relies on subjective evaluation of stress complaints. Hair cortisol captures chronic stress responses and could be a promising biomarker for the early identification of mental health problems. The objective was to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art knowledge on the practical value of hair cortisol in the occupational setting.

Methods

We performed a scoping review of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO up to November 2019 assessing the relations of hair cortisol with work-related stressors, perceived stress, and mental health outcomes in healthy workers.

Results

We found five longitudinal studies, of which two observed an increase in work-related stressors to be associated with higher hair cortisol, one found a relation with lower hair cortisol and one did not find a relationship. Findings of cross-sectional studies were also mixed. The one available longitudinal study regarding mental health showed that hair cortisol was not related to depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Hair cortisol measurement within occupational health research is still in its early stage and more longitudinal studies are urgently needed to clarify its relationship with work-related stressors and perceived stress before hair cortisol can be used to identify workers at risk for mental health problems.
AP‐1 and NF‐κB synergize to transcriptionally activate latent HIV upon T‐cell receptor activation
Authors: Hokello Joseph , Lakhikumar Sharma Adhikarimayum , Tyagi Mudit
Published: January 2021

Latent HIV‐1 proviruses are capable of reactivating productive lytic infection, but the precise molecular mechanisms underlying emergence from latency are poorly understood. In this study, we determined the contribution of the transcription factors NF‐κB, NFAT, and AP‐1 in the reactivation of latent HIV following T‐cell receptor (TCR) activation using Jurkat T‐cell clones harboring single latent HIV proviruses. Our findings demonstrate that during reactivation from latency, NF‐κB enhances HIV transcription while NFAT inhibits it by competing with NF‐κB for overlapping binding sites on the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR). We have also demonstrated for the first time the molecular contribution of AP‐1 in the reactivation of HIV from latency, whereby AP‐1 synergizes with NF‐κB to regulate HIV transcriptional elongation following TCR activation.
Elf4 regulates lysosomal biogenesis and the mTOR pathway to promote clearance of Staphylococcus aureus in macrophages
Authors: Kang Yanhua , Wu Tingyue , He Yan , He Yunfan , Zhao Dongjiu
Published: January 2021

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of infectious disease. Macrophages can directly destroy most of the invading bacteria through the phagolysosomal pathway. E74‐like factor 4 (Elf4) is one of the important transcription factors that controls diverse pathogens, but the role of Elf4 in macrophage‐mediated S. aureus eradication is unknown. Our data show that Elf4 is induced by S. aureus in macrophages. Elevated expression of Elf4 results in decreased bacterial load and inflammatory responses during S. aureus infection in vivo and in vitro. Elf4‐overexpressed macrophages have decreased mTOR activity and increased lysosomal mass. Collectively, these results suggest that S. aureus induces Elf4 expression, which enhances lysosomal function and increases the capacity of macrophages to eliminate intracellular pathogens.
A co‐development approach to conservation leads to informed habitat design and rapid establishment of amphibian communities
Authors: O'Brien David , Hall Jeanette E. , Miró Alexandre , O'Brien Katie , Jehle Robert
Published: January 2021

1. Effective wildlife restoration is a critical requirement of many conservation actions. The outcome of conservation interventions can be optimized through knowledge of species’ habitat requirements, but few studies consider the impact of using explicit evidence from dedicated local research to inform the design phase of habitat management. Furthermore, interventions administered externally from the top down, whilst simpler than those developed in discussion with multiple stakeholders including land managers (i.e. co‐development), run the risk of failing to engage local people.

2. In this study, we focus on interventions in the Scottish Highlands to improve the availability and suitability of breeding ponds for local amphibian assemblages. We collected and analysed data based on 129 ecological variables across 88 reference ponds to quantify the local habitat preferences. We used the findings from these analyses to inform the construction or restoration of 25 intervention ponds co‐developed in partnership with stakeholders (landowners, foresters, citizen scientists and government agencies). Following the interventions, we monitored amphibian communities at these sites over 4 years. We assessed presence and abundance of all five native amphibians (the anurans Rana temporaria and Bufo bufo, and the salamanders Lissotriton helveticus, L. vulgaris and Triturus cristatus) using egg searching, dip‐netting, torching and trapping.

3. The new habitats were overall characterized by ecological conditions more favourable to amphibians than the reference ponds. We recorded a total of 51 colonization events. Within two breeding seasons after construction or restoration, the intervention ponds hosted the full complement of species, mirroring amphibian diversity patterns found in the local reference ponds.

4. Our study shows that ecological research to quantify local habitat requirements and working with commercial landmanagers to ensure equitable benefits prior to designing conservation actions can promote rapid and efficient recovery of wildlife.
Examination of the best head tilt angle to reduce the parotid gland dose maintaining a safe level of lens dose in whole‐brain radiotherapy using the four‐field box technique
Authors: Shimizu Hidetoshi , Sasaki Koji , Aoyama Takahiro , Tachibana Hiroyuki , Tanaka Hiroshi , Koide Yutaro , Iwata Tohru , Kitagawa Tomoki , Kodaira Takeshi
Published: January 2021

The parotid gland is recognized as a major‐risk organ in whole‐brain irradiation; however, the beam delivery from the left and right sides cannot reduce the parotid gland dose. The four‐field box technique using a head‐tilting device has been reported to reduce the parotid gland dose by excluding it from the radiation field. This study aimed to determine the appropriate head tilt angle to reduce the parotid gland dose in the four‐field box technique. The bilateral, anterior, and posterior beams were set for each of ten patients. The orbitomeatal plane angle (OMPA) was introduced as an indicator that expresses the head tilt angle. Next, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to understand the interrelationship between variables (dosimetric parameters of the lens and parotid gland and OMPA). In PCA, the angle between the OMPA vector and maximum lens dose or mean parotid gland dose vector was approximately opposite or close, indicating a negative or positive correlation [r = −0.627 (p < 0.05) or 0.475 (p < 0.05), respectively]. The OMPA that reduced the maximum lens dose to <10 Gy with a 95% confidence interval was approximately 14°. If the lens dose was not considered, the parotid gland dose could be reduced by decreasing the OMPA.