bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
As Novas territorialidades dos Ka’apor nas Comunidades I’puy renda e Turizinho
Authors: Cunha Evilania Bento da
Published: October 2019

O artigo aqui apresentado é o resultado de um capítulo da dissertação de Mestrado do Programa de Linguagens e saberes na Amazônia da Universidade Federal do Pará. Mostraremos uma análise das narrativas orais de lideranças Ka’apor das comunidades Turizinho e I’puy renda na tentativa de compreender os processos de territorialização dessas comunidades. O instrumento  metodológico  adotado foi a entrevista semi estruturada e as memórias e experiências da pesquisadora de quando trabalhou no Projeto de educação Ka’apor como educadora formadora.Palavras–chave: Ka’apor, Amazônia Oriental, Território, TerritorializaçãoAbstract The article presented here is the result of a chapter of the dissertation Master of the Program of Languages and Knowledge in the Amazon of the Federal University of Pará. We will present an analysis of the oral narratives of Ka'apor leaderships of the Turizinho and I'puy communities in an attempt to understand the processes of territorialization of these communities. The methodological instrument adopted was the semi-structured interview and the experiences and memories of the researcher from when she worked on the Ka'apor Education Project as a formative educator.Keywords: Ka'apor; Eastern Amazonia, Territory, Territorialisation.
Projeto Kaya: Design Centrado no Jogador para uma Plataforma Gamificada de Apoio à Colaboração no Ensino
Authors: Santos Vinicius , Souza Leticia , Maia Yves , Darin Ticianne , Barcelos Thiago
Published: October 2019

A colaboração é tida como um aspecto facilitador da aprendizagem em várias teorias pedagógicas. Por outro lado, estratégias baseadas em Aprendizagem Baseada em Jogos (ABJ) e na gamificação de ambientes de aprendizagem têm sido propostas. No entanto, poucas soluções têm sido propostas na comunidade brasileira que incorporem recursos tecnológicos dos dispositivos móveis, tais como a geolocalização, em ambientes gamificados de suporte ao ensino. Os múltiplos desafios vinculados à compreensão das necessidades do público-alvo de sistemas interativos voltados à educação motivaram o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa. O artigo apresenta o estudo de caso de um processo de Design Centrado no Jogador para a Kaya, uma plataforma gamificada que visa suportar explicitamente a colaboração entre participantes. Pesquisas com alunos e professores indicam, por um lado, a predisposição de alunos em colaborarem entre si, e a dissociação, na concepção dos professores, entre um jogo e uma atividade colaborativa, bem como a dificuldade de avaliar individualmente os participantes de uma atividade colaborativa. O design da plataforma Kaya, que levou esses fatores em consideração, é detalhado, e as considerações e lições aprendidas sobre o processo são apresentadas.
Experiência do Usuário em Jogos Digitais: Uma Catalogação de Instrumentos de Avaliação
Authors: Borges Bosco , Sidarta Izac , De Souza Antonio Marcos , Coelho Bianca , Darin Ticianne
Published: October 2019

As influências, métricas e aplicações da experiência do usuário vêm sendo investigadas em diversos contextos, inclusive em jogos digitais, sendo esta identificada como força motriz para impulsionar escolhas no desenvolvimento de jogos. Nesse contexto, jogos digitais demandam formas particulares de avaliação de UX, devido às particularidades da sua interação. Sendo assim, é necessário que profissionais e pesquisadores façam escolhas conscientes ao planejar essas avaliações. Esta pesquisa visa prover um catálogo de instrumentos de avaliação de UX em jogos, reunindo informações para orientar a seleção desses instrumentos no planejamento da avaliação de experiência do jogador.
Developing a Cloud Computing Framework for University Libraries
Authors: Owusu-Ansah Samuel , Budu Stephen , Akuokor Anati Budu Rosina
Published: October 2019

Our understanding of the library context on security challenges on storing research output on the cloud is inadequate and incomplete. Existing research has mostly focused on profit-oriented organizations. To address the limitation within the university environment, the paper unravels the data/information security concerns of cloud storage services within the university libraries. On the score of changes occurring in the libraries, this paper serves to inform users and library managers of the traditional approaches that have not guaranteed the security of research output. The paper is built upon the work of Shaw and the cloud storage security framework, which links aspects of cloud security and helps explain reasons for university libraries moving research output into cloud infrastructure, and how the cloud service is more secured. Specifically, this paper examined the existing storage carriers/media for storing research output and the associated risks with cloud storage services for university libraries. The paper partly fills this gap by a case study examination of two (2) African countries’ (Ghana and Uganda) reports on research output and cloud storage security in university libraries. The paper argues that in storing university research output on the cloud, libraries consider the security of content, the resilience of librarians, determining access levels and enterprise cloud storage platforms. The interview instrument is used to collect qualitative data from librarians and the thematic content analysis is used to analyze the research data. Significantly, results show that copyright law infringement, unauthorized data accessibility, policy issues, insecurity of content, cost and no interoperable cloud standards were major risks associated with cloud storage services. It is expected that university libraries pay more attention to the security/confidentiality of content, the resilience of librarians, determining access levels and enterprise cloud storage platforms to enhance cloud security of research output. The paper contributes to the field of knowledge by developing a framework that supports an approach to understand security in cloud storage. It also enables actors in the library profession to understand the makeup and measures of security issues in cloud storage. By presenting empirical evidence, it is clear that university libraries have migrated research output into cloud infrastructure as an alternative for continued storage, maintenance and access of information.
Language Relativity
Authors: Gherdjikov Serghey ,   Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Published: October 2019

We produce language forms via their relations in coordinate systems: languages. That is virtual language relativity. Languages are related to phenomena and work in the real life of communities. That is real language relativity. We use languages via symbolic behaviors, living in human communities. Relativism collapses at the level of successful exchange of experience between humans belonging to distant cultures. Relativism is a stance of not recognizing the real relatedness of all languages to one and the same human form and world. Absolutism (Universalism) is a stance of not recognizing relativity as definiteness, that is, the virtual interrelatedness of all languages. Languages are shaped by human life processes. We follow the path from “local languages,” which are analogous to ‘inertial systems’, (this represents ‘virtual relativity,’ which is analogous to special relativity in physics) to living people talking about one shared sensual world (this represents ‘real relativity’).
Mathematical understanding and “What if things had been different?” questions
Authors: Mărăşoiu Andrei ,   Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Published: October 2019

According to Grimm (2014), we only understand a phenomenon if we know what other phenomena it depends on, and we identify dependencies according to how we answer “What if things had been different?” questions. I argue that this view meets with mathematical counterexamples. For, in mathematics, things couldn't have been different. I consider three replies Grimm may make, and argue they do not succeed.
Intervenções psicopedagógicas e discalculia do desenvolvimento: uma revisão sistemática da literatura
Authors: Avila Lanúzia Almeida Brum , Lara Isabel Cristina Machado de , Lima Valderez Marina do Rosário
Published: October 2019

Este artigo apresenta uma análise de teses, dissertações e artigos, no âmbito nacional, tendo como foco principal propostas de intervenções psicopedagógicas para estudantes do Ensino Fundamental com Discalculia do Desenvolvimento - DD, usando-se da Revisão Sistemática da Literatura - RSL, como método de pesquisa. Tem-se como questão guia de pesquisa “Como intervenções psicopedagógicas podem auxiliar estudantes do Ensino Fundamental com DD?”. Desse modo, o objetivo é verificar a existência de propostas psicopedagógicas para serem desenvolvidas com esses estudantes, potencializando e reabilitando as habilidades matemáticas em defasagem na DD. Para selecionar as produções, utilizou-se da base de dados Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações - BDTD e em relação à seleção dos artigos, optou-se pelo Google Acadêmico. Evidencia-se que o Brasil ainda carece de pesquisas na área da Educação Matemática que tenham como preocupação a avaliação, pois a falta de instrumentos padronizados impede que os profissionais de fato compreendam especificamente as áreas debilitadas e estabeleçam um plano de intervenção eficaz para os estudantes em tratamento terapêutico.
La jurisprudence de l’OMC et la recherche d’un équilibre entre développement économique et considérations non-commerciales : le cas de l’environnement
Authors: Marceau Gabrielle , Marquet Clément
Published: October 2019

Une critique récurrente du GATT était son manque d’ouverture aux considérations non-commerciales, et en particulier l’environnement. Pour l’Organe d’appel, le nouveau préambule de l’Accord de Marrakech, et la décision des Membres de créer un Comité du commerce et de l’environnement et d’y négocier des critères sur la cohérence entre commerce et environnement confirment qu’une interprétation plus internationale des exceptions et justifications favorisant la protection de l’environnement et de la santé est dorénavant nécessaire. Dans ce contexte, cet article propose une présentation de l’état de l’art de la jurisprudence sur la question. En particulier, l’accent est mis sur les conditions d’application de l’article XX b) et XX g) du GATT, tous deux pertinents au regard du droit des Membres de l’OMC de protéger l’environnement. L’article XX g) est d’abord abordé, notamment au regard de la dimension évolutive de son interprétation. Concernant l’article XX b), les questions de « nécessité », de mesures alternatives ou d’application du chapeau de l’article sont mises en lumière et développées à travers l’historique de la jurisprudence, jusqu’à la plus récente. Une comparaison est proposée avec l’article 2 de l’Accord OTC qui permet des distinctions réglementaires justifiées et regroupe ainsi nombre de principes similaires à ceux du GATT. Par ailleurs, les articles 2.2, 2.4 et 2.5 de l’Accord OTC permettent la prise de mesures restrictives liées à l’environnement. L’analyse de ces dispositions et de leurs similitudes permet de donner une idée générale du régime OMC relatif aux considérations non-commerciales, au sein desquelles l’environnement tient une place cruciale.
La sociologie de l’éducation dans les sciences de l’éducation québécoise
Authors: Lessard Claude
Published: October 2019

Cet article analyse la situation de la sociologie de l’éducation au sein des sciences de l’éducation québécoises. D’emblée, constatant le caractère périphérique de la sociologie de l’éducation québécoise, il situe celle-ci dans la mouvance anglo-américaine et franco européenne et rappelle les grandes lignes de son histoire. Puis, sont abordés son institutionnalisation et sa marginalité au sein des sciences de l’éducation, ainsi que ses rapports avec des acteurs de l’éducation en demande d’expertise. Trois figures identitaires sont présentées : celle du disciplinaire, de l’ami-critique et de l’expert. Aussi, sont proposés trois facteurs qui expliquent le relatif développement en recherche de la sociologie de l’éducation. Ces facteurs sont liés aux figures identitaires, les soutenant chacun à leur manière. Enfin, en conclusion la situation actuelle et les défis qu’elle pose sont traités.
SIDEROPENIJSKA ANEMIJA U ADOLESCENCIJI
Authors: Predojević Samardžić Jelica
Published: October 2019

Sideropenijska anemija je najčešći zdravstveni problem dojenčadi i male djece u cijelomsvijetu. Globalna prevalencija sideropenijske anemije prema Svjetskoj zdravstvenojorganizaciji iznosi 32,9% (1). Adolescencija je vrijeme povećanih potreba za željezomi adolescenti imaju često neprepoznatu i/ili kasno otkrivenu sideropenijsku anemiju.Kada se pojave simptomi, oni su uzrokovani prvenstveno anemijom i uključujuslabost, glavobolju, razdražljivost i različit stepen umora te brzo zamaranje u fizičkomnaporu. Osim toga, dugotrajni manjak željeza može narušiti kognitivnu funkciju, koncentracijui sposobnost učenja. Simptomi se razvijaju postupno i dugo se zanemaruju.Laboratorijske manifestacije nedostatka željeza javljaju se u nekoliko faza i karakterišeih progresivno nastajanje anemije. Faktori rizika za razvoj sideropenije a potom i sideropenijskeanemije su: povećanje mišićne i ukupne tjelesne mase te povećanje volumenakrvi, obilni menstrualni gubici krvi, pothranjenost, teški tjelesni napori, vegetarijanskaprehrana ali i pretilost i infekcija s Helicobacter pylori kao i hronične bolesti.Kriteriji za anemiju zavise od životne dobi i za adolescente iznose: djevojčice: 12 godinai starije: feritin <15 μgr/L i hemoglobin <12 g/dL; a za dječake: od 12 do 15 godina:feritin <15 μgr/L i hemoglobin <12 g/dL a za dječake koji su 15 godina i stariji: feritin<15 μgr /L i hemoglobin <13 g/dL.
Distinct recruitment of dorsomedial and dorsolateral striatum erodes with extended training
Authors: Vandaele Youna , Mahajan Nagaraj R , Ottenheimer David J , Richard Jocelyn M , Mysore Shreesh P , Janak Patricia H
Published: October 2019

Hypotheses of striatal orchestration of behavior ascribe distinct functions to striatal subregions, with the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) especially implicated in habitual and skilled performance. Thus neural activity patterns recorded from the DLS, but not the dorsomedial striatum (DMS), should be correlated with habitual and automatized performance. Here, we recorded DMS and DLS neural activity in rats during training in a task promoting habitual lever pressing. Despite improving performance across sessions, clear changes in corresponding neural activity patterns were not evident in DMS or DLS during early training. Although DMS and DLS activity patterns were distinct during early training, their activity was similar following extended training. Finally, performance after extended training was not associated with DMS disengagement, as would be predicted from prior work. These results suggest that behavioral sequences may continue to engage both striatal regions long after initial acquisition, when skilled performance is consolidated.
MEDIATION - ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Authors: KOVAČ CVETAN , KRIŠTO IVANA
Published: October 2019

The European Union actively promotes methods of alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”), such as mediation. The Mediation Directive is applied in all EU countries and it refers to mediation in civil and commercial matters. Encouraging the use of mediation facilitates the resolution of disputes, and it helps to avoid the worry, time and cost associated with court-based litigation. This way, it enables citizens to secure their legal rights in an efficient way.

Keywords: alternative dispute resolution, the Mediation Directive, judicial and extra-judicial mediation
The phylogeny of desmostylians revisited: proposal of new clades based on robust phylogenetic hypotheses
Authors: Matsui Kumiko , Tsuihiji Takanobu
Published: October 2019

Background

Desmostylia is a clade of extinct aquatic mammals with no living members. Today, this clade is considered belonging to either Afrotheria or Perissodactyla. In the currently-accepted taxonomic scheme, Desmostylia includes two families, 10 to 12 genera, and 13–14 species. There have been relatively few phylogenetic analyses published on desmostylian interrelationship compared to other vertebrate taxa, and two main, alternative phylogenetic hypotheses have been proposed in previous studies. One major problem with those previous studies is that the numbers of characters and OTUs were small.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed the phylogenetic interrelationship of Desmostylia based on a new data matrix that includes larger numbers of characters and taxa than in any previous studies. The new data matrix was compiled mainly based on data matrices of previous studies and included three outgroups and 13 desmostylian ingroup taxa. Analyses were carried out using five kinds of parsimonious methods.

Results

Strict consensus trees of the most parsimonious topologies obtained in all analyses supported the monophyly of Desmostylidae and paraphyly of traditional Paleoparadoxiidae. Based on these results, we propose phylogenetic definitions of the clades Desmostylidae and Paleoparadoxiidae based on common ancestry.
Differences between medically treated and untreated non-fatal self-harm reported by hotline callers in China
Authors: Tong Yongsheng , Yin Yi , Liu Nancy H.
Published: October 2019

Background

Many self-harmers do not present in hospitals due to the self-harm. It is still unclear on the differences between medically treated and untreated self-harm in China. This study described the differences of the two groups of self-harmers using the largest psychological aid hotline data.

Methods

The present observational study recruited 3,403 hotline callers who reported episodes of self-harm before the call. In routine assessment, information about the most recent episode of self-harm was collected, including the method of self-harm, the wish to die, goals of the self-harm, and any medical treatment (irrespective of psychological services) in the hospital. The callers were divided into two groups: those who received hospital-based medical treatment due to the most recent self-harm (treated self-harm callers) and those who did not (untreated self-harm callers).

Results

In the most recent episode of self-harm, 65% (n = 2,217) of callers were untreated and 55% (1,226/2,217) of the untreated self-harm callers reported a wish to die. A total of 67% of the callers reported that their main goal of self-harm was to relieve suffering. The most common self-harm methods were using instruments (knife or rope) and overdosing on medicines. Compared with treated self-harm callers, the untreated self-harm callers were less likely to have a wish to die (OR = 0.57), engage in self-harm outside the home (OR = 0.71 and 0.78), and attribute their self-harm to romantic relationship problems (OR = 0.76); however, they were more likely to use instruments, to jump, or to choose other methods (OR = 3.73, 3.83, and 7.71, respectively).

Conclusions

Among hotline callers, many episodes of self-harm did not receive medical treatment, despite over half reporting a wish to die. Characteristics of self-harm behaviors were different between treated and untreated self-harm callers. Our findings suggest that more strategies should improve access to hospital-based medical treatment and coverage for post-intervention for self-harmers who are not presented in hospitals.
A novel form of wasp mimicry in a new species of praying mantis from the Amazon rainforest,Vespamantoida wherleyigen. nov. sp. nov. (Mantodea, Mantoididae)
Authors: Svenson Gavin J. , Rodrigues Henrique M.
Published: October 2019

A wasp mimicking praying mantis (Mantodea) of the early evolving Mantoididae family was discovered in 2013 at a research station near the Amazon River in Northern Peru. This adult specimen exhibited a striking bright red/orange and black coloration pattern that was undocumented in all known praying mantis species. We tested the status of this new specimen using external morphology, male genital dissections, and geographic distribution. Our findings demonstrate the specimen to represent a new species,Vespamantoida wherleyigen. nov. sp. nov., that is closely allied with a recently described species,Mantoida toulgoetiRoy, 2010, both of which are included within the newly erected genus. To support our actions, we present high resolution images of museum preserved and living specimens, morphological illustrations, a generic-level distribution map, and recorded video of the behavior of the holotype taken in the field at the time of collection. The bright red/orange coloration contrasted with black markings, the general appearance of a hymenopteran that includes a narrowed wasp waist, and the locomotory patterns and antennal movements mark this newly discovered species as unique among all hymenopteran mimicking Mantoididae as well as all other praying mantises.
Identification of key genes and multiple molecular pathways of metastatic process in prostate cancer
Authors: Guo Lihuang , Lin Mingyue , Cheng Zhenbo , Chen Yi , Huang Yue , Xu Keqian
Published: October 2019

Background

Cancer metastasis is well known as the most adverse outcome and the major cause of mortality in cancer patients, including prostate cancer (PCa). There are no credible predictors, to this day, that can reflect the metastatic ability of localized PCa. In the present study, we firstly identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and molecular pathways involved in the metastaic process of PCa by comparing gene expressions of metastaic PCa with localized PCa directly, with the purpose of identifying potential markers or therapeutic targets.

Methods

The gene expression profiles (GSE6919 and GSE32269) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, which contained 141 tissue samples, including 87 primary localized PCa samples and 54 metastaic PCa samples. After data processing, DEGs were identified by R language using the Student’s t-test adjusted via the Beniamini–Hochberg method. Subsequently, the gene ontology functional and pathway enrichment analyses of DEGs were performed and the protein–protein interaction network was constructed. Hub genes were identified using the plug-in cytoHubba in Cytoscape software by MCC and degree. Furthermore, validation and prognostic significance analysis of the hub genes were performed by UALCAN and gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA).

Results

A total of 90 DEGs were identified between localized and metastaic PCa, which consisted of 47 upregulated and 43 downregulated genes. The enriched functions and pathways of the DEGs include catabolic process, cell cycle, response to steroid hormone, extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction and vascular smooth muscle contraction. A total of 10 genes were identified as hub genes and biological process analysis of hub genes showed that cell cycle phase, cell division, and mitotic cell cycle process were mainly enriched. The expression of hub genes were confirmed in metastaic PCa when compared with localized PCa tissues by The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Moreover, the disease-free survival analysis of hub genes revealed that these genes may play an important role in invasion, progression or recurrence. Therefore, these hub genes might be the key genes contributed to tumor progression or metastasis in PCa and provide candidate therapeutic targets for PCa.

Conclusions

The present study identified some DEGs between localized and metastaic PCa tissue samples. These key genes might be potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for the metastaic process of PCa.
Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction development for rapid detection of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus and comparison with other techniques
Authors: Panno Stefano , Ruiz-Ruiz Susana , Caruso Andrea Giovanni , Alfaro-Fernandez Ana , Font San Ambrosio Maria Isabel , Davino Salvatore
Published: October 2019

Background

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is a highly infectious tobamovirus that causes severe disease in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crops. In Italy, the first ToBRFV outbreak occurred in 2018 in several provinces of the Sicily region. ToBRFV outbreak represents a serious threat for tomato crops in Italy and the Mediterranean Basin.

Methods

Molecular and biological characterisation of the Sicilian ToBRFV ToB-SIC01/19 isolate was performed, and a sensitive and specific Real-time RT-PCR TaqMan minor groove binder probe method was developed to detect ToBRFV in infected plants and seeds. Moreover, four different sample preparation procedures (immunocapture, total RNA extraction, direct crude extract and leaf-disk crude extract) were evaluated.

Results

The Sicilian isolate ToB-SIC01/19 (6,391 nt) showed a strong sequence identity with the isolates TBRFV-P12-3H and TBRFV-P12-3G from Germany, Tom1-Jo from Jordan and TBRFV-IL from Israel. The ToB-SIC01/19 isolate was successfully transmitted by mechanical inoculations in S. lycopersicum L. and Capsicum annuum L., but no transmission occurred in S. melongena L. The developed real-time RT-PCR, based on the use of a primer set designed on conserved sequences in the open reading frames3, enabled a reliable quantitative detection. This method allowed clear discrimination of ToBRFV from other viruses belonging to the genus Tobamovirus, minimising false-negative results. Using immunocapture and total RNA extraction procedures, the real-time RT-PCR and end-point RT-PCR gave the same comparable results. Using direct crude extracts and leaf-disk crude extracts, the end-point RT-PCR was unable to provide a reliable result. This developed highly specific and sensitive real-time RT-PCR assay will be a particularly valuable tool for early ToBRFV diagnosis, optimising procedures in terms of costs and time.
Pathogenicity and Molecular Characterization of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Causing Anthracnose Disease in Anthurium
Authors: Rex B. , Sheela J. , Theradimani M. , Ebenezar E. G. , Vanniarajan C. , Swaminathan V.
Published: October 2019

Anthurium is an excellent cut flower crop commercially cultivated throughout the world. Anthracnose or spadix rot disease leads to massive flower loss to anthurium growing farmers. Survey was conducted for anthurium anthracnose disease during the year 2017-2018 in anthurium growing areas of Tamil Nadu, India. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides cultures (10 isolates) were isolated and pathogenicity test was proved by several artificial inoculation methods. Among this, pin prick plus spraying spore suspension method has recorded the highest per cent disease index of 64.38 on anthurium plants. Molecular analysis based on obtained sequences (MH479426) of the rDNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS4) resulted more than 92 per cent identical to ITS sequence of C. gloeosporioides published in GenBank database. The molecular study confirmed that anthracnose disease of anthurium is caused by C. gloeosporioides. The molecular-based clustering demonstrated the genetic relationships of the isolates and species of Colletotrichum and indicated that ITS rDNA sequence data were potentially useful in taxonomic species determination.
Hydraulic Properties and Their Dependence on Physico-chemical Properties of Soils: A Review
Authors: . Seema , Dahiya Rita , Phogat V. K. , Sheoran H. S.
Published: October 2019

In the present day context, the knowledge of the soil, water and its movement in the soil has key importance for optimum plant growth as well as having practical inferences in agricultural, hydrological and ecological situations. Hydraulic properties of soils play a significant role in the adoption of water management strategies capable of improving resource use efficiency and alleviating production constraints of soils worldwide. Hydraulic conductivity is the most important hydraulic parameter to regulate the flow and transport related phenomena in soil. Hence, there is a need for accurate and adequate information regarding the hydraulic properties in relation to soil physico-chemical properties. The aim of this paper is to extend the relationship between the hydraulic properties and other soil physico-chemical properties of soils. Many studies around the world reveal the effect of texture, soil organic carbon content, bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, aggregate stability index and soil water holding capacity on hydraulic properties of soils.
Productivity and Economic Viability of Intercropping of Cucumber and Lettuce, in Southern Tocantins, Brazil
Authors: De Sousa Ádila Pereira , Silva Martins Maria Cristina , Siebeneichler Susana Cristine , Dos Santos Eduarda Veríssimo , Batista Marques Raffael , Rocha Santos Márcia Fernanda , Cabral Ribeiro Michelli Medeiros , Alves Sugai Maria Aparecida , De Oliveira Magno
Published: October 2019

In Brazil, vegetable consumption grows every year, as it has many advantages, from the supply of food to the medicinal value, which makes it necessary to optimize the use of land by producers, and an alternative used is the intercropping. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the productivity and economic viability of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in two different cropping systems (intercropped and monoculture). The production of seedlings was held at UFT —Gurupi Campus and the experiment conducted in a given area featuring 13m wide and 23 m in length, totaling 299 m2, in the period between June and August of 2018. The area mentioned was used for the production of Lucy Brown lettuce, and the ‘Caipira’ variety of cucumber. The experiment was conducted in a cazualized block with four replications and three treatments, which were incorporated in: monoculture of cucumber (T1), monoculture of lettuce (T2), and consortium of lettuce with cucumber (T3). Lettuce and cucumber in monoculture presented the best answers for all variables analyzed when compared with the consortium. The index of equivalence area (IEA) was calculated to assess the efficiency of crops in both production systems. And the value found for the IEA showed that the consortium is efficient within the production system. According to the technical coefficients relating to deployment, conducting plants and their production costs, the Consortium has proven economically viable.
Involvement of ST6Gal I‐mediated α2,6 sialylation in myoblast proliferation and differentiation
Authors: Vergé Caroline , Bouchatal Amel , Chirat Frédéric , Guérardel Yann , Maftah Abderrahman , Petit Jean‐Michel
Published: October 2019

Myogenesis is a physiological process which involves the proliferation of myoblasts and their differentiation into multinucleated myotubes, which constitute the future muscle fibers. Commitment of myoblasts to differentiation is regulated by the balance between the myogenic factors Pax7 and MyoD. The formation of myotubes requires the presence of glycans, especially N‐glycans, on the cell surface. We examined here the involvement of α2,6 sialylation during murine myoblastic C2C12 cell differentiation by generating a st6gal1‐knockdown C2C12 cell line; these cells exhibit reduced proliferative potential and precocious differentiation due to the low expression of Pax7. The earlier fusion of st6gal1‐knockdown cells leads to a high fusion index and a drop in reserve cells (Pax7+/MyoD−). In st6gal1‐knockdown cells, the Notch pathway is inactivated; consequently, Pax7 expression is virtually abolished, leading to impairment of the proliferation rate. All these results indicate that the decrease in α2,6 sialylation of N‐glycans favors the differentiation of most cells and provokes a significant loss of reserve cells.
Heteroatom‐Mediated Interactions between Ruthenium Single Atoms and an MXene Support for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Ramalingam Vinoth , Varadhan Purushothaman , Fu Hui‐Chun , Kim Hyunho , Zhang Daliang , Chen Shuangming , Song Li , Ma Ding , Wang Yun , Alshareef Husam N. , He Jr‐Hau
Published: October 2019

A titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene is employed as an efficient solid support to host a nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) coordinated ruthenium single atom (RuSA) catalyst, which displays superior activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy reveal the atomic dispersion of Ru on the Ti3C2Tx MXene support and the successful coordination of RuSA with the N and S species on the Ti3C2Tx MXene. The resultant RuSA‐N‐S‐Ti3C2Tx catalyst exhibits a low overpotential of 76 mV to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm−2. Furthermore, it is shown that integrating the RuSA‐N‐S‐Ti3C2Tx catalyst on n+np+‐Si photocathode enables photoelectrochemical hydrogen production with exceptionally high photocurrent density of 37.6 mA cm−2 that is higher than the reported precious Pt and other noble metals catalysts coupled to Si photocathodes. Density functional theory calculations suggest that RuSA coordinated with N and S sites on the Ti3C2Tx MXene support is the origin of this enhanced HER activity. This work would extend the possibility of using the MXene family as a solid support for the rational design of various single atom catalysts.
Submentalis Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Muscle Activity: A Potential Biomarker for Synucleinopathy
Authors: McCarter Stuart J. , Feemster John C. , Tabatabai Grace M. , Sandness David J. , Timm Paul C. , McCarter Allison R. , Talley Heather N. , Junna Mithri R. , Savica Rodolfo , Singer Wolfgang , Coon Elizabeth A. , Benarroch Eduardo E. , Josephs Keith A. , Boeve Bradley F. , Silber Michael H. , St. Louis Erik K.
Published: October 2019

Accurate antemortem diagnosis of parkinsonism is primarily based on clinical evaluation with limited biomarkers. We evaluated the diagnostic utility of quantitative rapid eye movement (REM) sleep without atonia analysis in the submentalis and anterior tibialis muscles in parkinsonian patients (53 synucleinopathy, 24 tauopathy). Receiver operating characteristic curves determined REM sleep without atonia cutoffs distinguishing synucleinopathies from tauopathies. Elevated submentalis muscle activity was highly sensitive (70–77%) and specific (95–100%) in distinguishing synucleinopathy from tauopathy. In contrast, anterior tibialis synucleinopathy discrimination was poor. Our results suggest that elevated submentalis REM sleep without atonia appears to be a potentially useful biomarker for presumed synucleinopathy etiologies in parkinsonism. ANN NEUROL 2019;86:969–974
Predicting an Antiaromatic Benzene Ring in the Ground State Caused by Hyperconjugation
Authors: Zhao Yu , Xie Qiong , Sun Tingting , Wu Jiashun , Zhu Jun
Published: October 2019

Benzene, the prototype of aromatics, has six equivalent C−C bonds (1.397 Å), which are intermediate between a C−C double bond and a C−C single bond. For over 80 years, chemists have spent much effort on freezing a localized structure to obtain a distorted bond‐length alternating benzene ring in the ground state, leading to various localized trisannelated benzene rings. However, most of the central benzene rings are still aromatic or nonaromatic. Here we report an antiaromatic benzene ring caused by hyperconjugation. Specifically, symmetric annulation of 5,5‐difluorocyclopentadiene results in an antiaromatic benzene ring, which is supported by various aromaticity indices, including nucleus‐independent chemical shift, anisotropy of the induced current density, π‐separated electron‐localization function and heat of hydrogenation. Our findings highlight a strong power of hyperconjugation, a “weak” interaction in organic chemistry, paving the way for designing and realizing more novel (anti)aromatics.
Development and Implementation of Electronic Health Record–Integrated Model‐Informed Clinical Decision Support Tools for the Precision Dosing of Drugs
Authors: Vinks Alexander A. , Peck Richard W. , Neely Michael , Mould Diane R.
Published: October 2019

Imagine it is 2030, and the drug label is in the cloud, is interactive, and can provide model‐informed precision dosing support based on an individual's genomic and physiologic makeup that is uploaded via a user‐friendly interface. Precision medicine has vastly improved our ability to provide tailored therapeutics, and groundbreaking advances in noninvasive systems have generated smart wearable devices that can follow our physiologic state and drug exposure in real time. One device consists of a microfluidic drug biosensor with a transmitter attached to the skin and a mobile app that displays concentration values and trends while issuing alerts and providing suggestions on dose changes when out of range. This sounds compelling, but why has model‐informed precision dosing not yet become common clinical reality in 2020?
Patient costs of diabetes mellitus care in public health care facilities in Kenya
Authors: Oyando Robinson , Njoroge Martin , Nguhiu Peter , Sigilai Antipa , Kirui Fredrick , Mbui Jane , Bukania Zipporah , Obala Andrew , Munge Kenneth , Etyang Anthony , Barasa Edwine
Published: October 2019

Objective

To estimate the direct and indirect costs of diabetes mellitus care at five public health facilities in Kenya.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study in two counties where diabetes patients aged 18 years and above were interviewed. Data on care‐seeking costs were obtained from 163 patients seeking diabetes care at five public facilities using the cost‐of‐illness approach. Medicines and user charges were classified as direct health care costs while expenses on transport, food, and accommodation were classified as direct non–health care costs. Productivity losses due to diabetes were classified as indirect costs. We computed annual direct and indirect costs borne by these patients.

Results

More than half (57.7%) of sampled patients had hypertension comorbidity. Overall, the mean annual direct patient cost was KES 53 907 (95% CI, 43 625.4‐64 188.6) (US$ 528.5 [95% CI, 427.7‐629.3]). Medicines accounted for 52.4%, transport 22.6%, user charges 17.5%, and food 7.5% of total direct costs. Overall mean annual indirect cost was KES 23 174 (95% CI, 20 910‐25 438.8) (US$ 227.2 [95% CI, 205‐249.4]). Patients reporting hypertension comorbidity incurred higher costs compared with diabetes‐only patients. The incidence of catastrophic costs was 63.1% (95% CI, 55.7‐70.7) and increased to 75.4% (95% CI, 68.3‐82.1) when transport costs were included.

Conclusion

There are substantial direct and indirect costs borne by diabetic patients in seeking care from public facilities in Kenya. High incidence of catastrophic costs suggests diabetes services are unaffordable to majority of diabetic patients and illustrate the urgent need to improve financial risk protection to ensure access to care.
Absolute Protein Binding Free Energy Simulations for Ligands with Multiple Poses, a Thermodynamic Path That Avoids Exhaustive Enumeration of the Poses
Authors: Sakae Yoshitake , Zhang Bin W. , Levy Ronald M. , Deng Nanjie
Published: October 2019

We propose a free energy calculation method for receptor–ligand binding, which have multiple binding poses that avoids exhaustive enumeration of the poses. For systems with multiple binding poses, the standard procedure is to enumerate orientations of the binding poses, restrain the ligand to each orientation, and then, calculate the binding free energies for each binding pose. In this study, we modify a part of the thermodynamic cycle in order to sample a broader conformational space of the ligand in the binding site. This modification leads to more accurate free energy calculation without performing separate free energy simulations for each binding pose. We applied our modification to simple model host–guest systems as a test, which have only two binding poses, by using a single decoupling method (SDM) in implicit solvent. The results showed that the binding free energies obtained from our method without knowing the two binding poses were in good agreement with the benchmark results obtained by explicit enumeration of the binding poses. Our method is applicable to other alchemical binding free energy calculation methods such as the double decoupling method (DDM) in explicit solvent. We performed a calculation for a protein–ligand system with explicit solvent using our modified thermodynamic path. The results of the free energy simulation along our modified path were in good agreement with the results of conventional DDM, which requires a separate binding free energy calculation for each of the binding poses of the example of phenol binding to T4 lysozyme in explicit solvent. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Approach to Obtain Electrospun Hydrophilic Fibers and Prevent Fiber Necking
Authors: Fischer Thorsten , Möller Martin , Singh Smriti
Published: October 2019

Solution electrospinning of a blend containing a hydrophobic polymer with a hydrophilic functional polymer as an additive is a simple and straight‐forward route to obtain functional and hydrophilic fibers accompanied by the mechanical properties of the hydrophobic polymer. However, this process of thermodynamically unfavored surface segregation of the hydrophilic additive is not well understood. To understand the process the dependencies of the surface hydrophilization on type of hydrophilic polymers, the solvent, and the process, using poly(caprolactone) (PCL) as the matrix polymer is explored. The results show that hydrophilic fibers can be obtained using different additive hydrophilic polymers. The combination of polymer blends which show this effect can be predicted using the Flory–Huggins interaction parameter. In addition mechanical and micromechanical properties of PCL fibers blended with NCO‐terminated star‐shaped poly(ethylene glycol) (sPEG‐NCO) as additive are investigated. In this context blending with sPEG‐NCO turns out to be a powerful tool to prevent fiber necking rendering this method an interesting candidate for tissue engineering application, where it is mandatory to retain the surface properties under mechanical stress.
Exploration of Fluorescence Quenching Mechanism in Tryptophan Induced by Norfloxacin: Analytical Applications
Authors: Mahanwar Sunanda T. , Patil Shilpa R. , Naik Vaibhav M. , Waghmare Ravindra D. , Anbhule Prashant V. , Kolekar Govind B.
Published: October 2019

Fluorescence quenching mechanism of tryptophan (Trp) by norfloxacin (NORF) was investigated by spectrofluorometric method at physiological pH. Stern−Volmer quenching constant is positively related with temperature shows the dynamic type of quenching. Life time of Trp decreases by the addition of NORF supports dynamic type of quenching. Fluorescence quenching method was successfully applied for direct determination of NORF from pharmaceutical sample.
Total aesthetic subunit reconstruction of the burned anterior abdomen using pre‐expanded pedicled anterolateral thigh flap—A case report
Authors: Acarturk Tahsin Oguz , Bengur Fuat Baris
Published: October 2019

Combination of tissue expansion and perforator flaps broadened the reconstructive options in burn cases with wide scar contractures. We report a case of total aesthetic subunit reconstruction of the anterior abdominal skin using a pre‐expanded pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap in a patient with postburn contractures. Seventeen‐year‐old girl had a history of scalding burn to the anterior abdomen, resulting in tight contractures inhibiting her mobility. After an expansion period of 6 months, the flap of 27 × 30 cm was elevated at the suprafascial plane and tunneled to the anterior abdomen. The flap was used to resurface the defect from xyphoid process down to the mons pubis and bilaterally at linea semilunaris. Postoperative course was uneventful. A good quality aesthetic and functional reconstruction was achieved at the 10‐year follow‐up. Pre‐expanded pedicled ALT flaps may be considered as an option in extensive scarring requiring large amounts of tissue.
First application of a high‐resolution silicon detector for proton beam Bragg peak detection in a 0.95 T magnetic field
Authors: Causer Trent J. , Schellhammer Sonja M. , Gantz Sebastian , Lühr Armin , Hoffmann Aswin L. , Metcalfe Peter E. , Rosenfeld Anatoly B. , Guatelli Susanna , Petasecca Marco , Oborn Bradley M.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To report on experimental results of a high spatial resolution silicon‐based detector exposed to therapeutic quality proton beams in a 0.95 T transverse magnetic field. These experimental results are important for the development of accurate and novel dosimetry methods in future potential real‐time MRI‐guided proton therapy systems.

Methods

A permanent magnet device was utilized to generate a 0.95 T magnetic field over a 4 × 20 × 15 cm3 volume. Within this volume, a high‐resolution silicon diode array detector was positioned inside a PMMA phantom of 4 × 15 × 12 cm3. This detector contains two orthogonal strips containing 505 sensitive volumes spaced at 0.2 mm apart. Proton beams collimated to a circle of 10 mm diameter with nominal energies of 90 MeV, 110 MeV, and 125 MeV were incident on the detector from an edge‐on orientation. This allows for a measurement of the Bragg peak at 0.2 mm spatial resolution in both the depth and lateral profile directions. The impact of the magnetic field on the proton beams, that is, a small deflection was also investigated. A Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation was performed of the experimental setup to aid in interpretation of the results.

Results

The nominal Bragg peak for each proton energy was successfully observed with a 0.2 mm spatial resolution in the 0.95 T transverse magnetic field in both a depth and lateral profiles. The proton beam deflection (at 0.95 T) was a consistent 2 ±0.5 mm at the center of the magnetic volume for each beam energy. However, a pristine Bragg peak was not observed for each energy. This was caused by the detector packaging having small air gaps between layers of the phantom material surrounding the diode array. These air gaps act to degrade the shape of the Bragg peak, and further to this, the nonwater equivalent silicon chip acts to separate the Bragg peak into multiple peaks depending on the proton path taken. Overall, a promising performance of the silicon detector array was observed, however, with a qualitative assessment rather than a robust quantitative dosimetric evaluation at this stage of development.

Conclusions

For the first time, a high‐resolution silicon‐based radiation detector has been used to measure proton beam Bragg peak deflections in a phantom due to a strong magnetic field. Future efforts are required to optimize the detector packaging to strengthen the robustness of the dosimetric quantities obtained from the detector. Such high‐resolution silicon diode arrays may be useful in future efforts in MRI‐guided proton therapy research.