bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student Experiences with Digital Citizenship: A Comparative Cultural Study
Authors: Kammer Jenna , Atiso Kodjo , Borteye Edward Mensah
Published: April 2021

This comparative cultural study examines differences in digital citizenship between undergraduate information literacy students at two different, but similar, universities across the globe from each other. Under the notion that the internet and prevalence of mobile devices allow students to participate online as digital citizens in ways that were impossible before, we use mixed methods to compare the attitudes and experiences of undergraduate students at a university in the midwestern United States (U.S.), with a university on the southwestern coast of Ghana. We also examine the policies related to technology use at these schools. The findings indicate that Ghanaian students had higher levels of digital citizenship. Other findings suggest that network issues are a problem for students in both schools, especially for Ghana, and ethical aspects of internet use, like cyberbullying, hacking, and fake news, deter students from participating online as much as they would like.
Do dependency lengths explain constraints on crossing dependencies?
Authors: Yadav Himanshu , Husain Samar , Futrell Richard
Published: April 2021

In syntactic dependency trees, when arcs are drawn from syntactic heads to dependents, they rarely cross. Constraints on these crossing dependencies are critical for determining the syntactic properties of human language, because they define the position of natural language in formal language hierarchies. We study whether the apparent constraints on crossing syntactic dependencies in natural language might be explained by constraints on dependency lengths (the linear distance between heads and dependents). We compare real dependency trees from treebanks of 52 languages against baselines of random trees which are matched with the real trees in terms of their dependency lengths. We find that these baseline trees have many more crossing dependencies than real trees, indicating that a constraint on dependency lengths alone cannot explain the empirical rarity of crossing dependencies. However, we find evidence that a combined constraint on dependency length and the rate of crossing dependencies might be able to explain two of the most-studied formal restrictions on dependency trees: gap degree and well-nestedness.
Coding efficiency in nominal inflection: expectedness and type frequency effects
Authors: Guzmán Naranjo Matías , Becker Laura
Published: April 2021

Since (Zipf, George Kingsley. 1935. The psychobiology of language: An introduction to dynamic philology. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press; Zipf, George Kingsley. 1949. Human behavior and the principle of least effort. Journal of Consulting Psychology 13(3)), it has been known that more frequent lexical items tend to be shorter than less frequent ones, and this association between the length of an expression and its frequency has been applied to various grammatical patterns (syntactic, morphological, and phonological) and related to predictability or expectedness in the typological literature. However, the exact interactions of frequency and expectedness, their effect on shortening, and the mechanisms involved, are still not well understood. This paper proposes the Form-Expectedness Correspondence Hypothesis (fech), taking into account not only the frequency of expressions but their overall structure and distribution, and explores the fech in the domain of nominal inflection from a quantitative perspective.
Communicative efficiency and differential case marking: a reverse-engineering approach
Authors: Levshina Natalia
Published: April 2021

The use of differential case marking of A and P has been explained in terms of efficiency (economy) and markedness. The present study tests predictions based on these accounts, using conditional probabilities of a particular feature given the syntactic role (cue availability), and conditional probabilities of a particular syntactic role given the feature in question (cue reliability). Cue availability serves as a measure of markedness, whereas cue reliability is central for the efficiency account. Similar to reverse engineering, we determine which of the probabilistic measures could have been responsible for the recurrent cross-linguistic patterns described in the literature. The probabilities are estimated from spontaneous informal dialogues in English and Russian (Indo-European), Lao (Tai-Kadai), N||ng (Tuu) and Ruuli (Bantu). The analyses, which involve a series of mixed-effects Poisson models, clearly demonstrate that cue reliability matches the observed cross-linguistic patterns better than cue availability. Thus, the results support the efficiency account of differential marking.
On intersection volumes of confidence hyper-ellipsoids and two geometric Monte Carlo methods
Authors: Rabiei Nima , Saleeby Elias G.
Published: April 2021

The intersection or the overlap region of two n-dimensional ellipsoids plays an important role in statistical decision making in a number of applications. For instance, the intersection volume of two n-dimensional ellipsoids has been employed to define dissimilarity measures in time series clustering (see [M. Bakoben, T. Bellotti and N. M. Adams,
Improving clustering performance by incorporating uncertainty,
Pattern Recognit. Lett. 77 2016, 28–34]). Formulas for the intersection volumes of two n-dimensional ellipsoids are not known. In this article, we first derive exact formulas to determine the intersection volume of two hyper-ellipsoids satisfying a certain condition. Then we adapt and extend two geometric type Monte Carlo methods that in principle allow us
to compute the intersection volume of any two generalized convex
hyper-ellipsoids. Using the exact formulas, we evaluate the performance of
the two Monte Carlo methods. Our numerical experiments show that
sufficiently accurate estimates can be obtained for a reasonably wide range
of n, and that the sample-mean method is more efficient. Finally, we develop an elementary fast Monte Carlo method to determine,
with high probability, if two n-ellipsoids are separated or overlap.
Novel Botanical Therapeutic NB-02 Effectively Treats Alzheimer’s Neuropathophysiology in an APP/PS1 Mouse Model
Authors: Lee Yee Fun , Lariviere Lavender , Russ Alyssa N. , Choi Sang-Zin , Bacskai Brian J. , Kastanenka Ksenia V.
Published: April 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder and a major cause of dementia. Some of the hallmarks of AD include presence of amyloid plaques in brain parenchyma, calcium dysregulation within individual neurons, and neuroinflammation. A promising therapeutic would reverse or stymie these pathophysiologies in an animal model of AD. We tested the effect of NB-02, previously known as DA-9803, a novel multimodal therapeutic, on amyloid deposition, neuronal calcium regulation and neuroinflammation in 8- to 10-month-old APP/PS1 mice, an animal model of AD.In vivomultiphoton microscopy revealed that two-month-long administration of NB-02 halted amyloid plaque deposition and cleared amyloid in the cortex. Postmortem analysis verified NB-02-dependent decrease in plaque deposition in the cortex as well as hippocampus. Furthermore, drug treatment reversed neuronal calcium elevations, thus restoring neuronal function. Finally, NB-02 restored spine density and transformed the morphology of astrocytes as well as microglia to a more phagocytic state, affecting neuroinflammation. NB-02 was effective at reversing AD neuropathophysiology in an animal model. Therefore, in addition to serving as a promising preventative agent, NB-02 holds potential as a treatment for AD in the clinic.
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Authors: Scapp Ron
Published: April 2021

A commentary on the recent assault on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, in which the author situates the attack in the longer history of white supremacy, Christian nationalism, patriarchy, and unfettered capitalism.
Rhymin’ to (Re)Discover One’s Africanité
Authors: Pégram Scooter
Published: April 2021

This paper analyzes the presence and influence of Africa in French hip-hop music over time, giving particular emphasis to recent years where the continent has motivated deeper connections and more meaningful manifestations of one’s heritage culture in songs and video presentations by popular artists. Contemporary rappers in France have been linguistically and stylistically shifting their sounds away from trends present in the United States as they increasingly focus their attention toward the African continent as a way to celebrate the duality of their bicultural identity. This international and transnational musical alteration of their sound toward Africa provides them and their fans much needed comfort against the marginalization that they face at home in France. Thus, these contemporary thematic types of transnational musical shout-outs to the African continent provide rappers and their consumers hailing from ethnocultural communities a means in which to confront the racism and exclusion they face in a country where youths of color are frequently viewed with suspicion and where issues relating their unique diverse social constructs are routinely ignored or dismissed by the French State.
Recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism: a diagnostic and management dilemma
Authors: Wilkinson Ben , Wan Muhamad Hatta Sharifah Faradila , Garnham Andrew , Buch Harit N
Published: April 2021

Primary hyperparathyroidism requires a surgical approach to achieve a long-term cure. However, post-surgical recurrence significantly complicates the management of this condition. A number of causes for recurrent disease are well understood and several diagnostic modalities exist to localise the culprit parathyroid adenoma although none of them is efficacious in localisation of the recurrent lesion. In this case report, we highlight a novel causative mechanism and describe a unique diagnostic sequence that enabled curative treatment to be delivered.

Learning points

In the case described herein, we describe a novel location for a parathyroid adenoma causing recurrent PHPT. The case elucidates well the difficulties presented by such cases in terms of surgical planning and show the utility of PVS in such cases. Based on this case, we make the following recommendations:

Meticulous care must be taken to prevent seeding of adenomatous tissue during primary excision.

To consider the use of PVS in patients with discordant imaging in the setting of recurrent/persistent PHPT as a method to localise the causative adenoma.

Same day PVS and surgery is a viable option for patients who either represent an anaesthetic risk or who are extremely anxious about the prospect of two separate procedures.

Disordered calcium homeostasis is an important but forgotten cause of dysphagia which can be extremely debilitating for affected patients.
A novel SOX10 nonsense mutation in a patient with Kallmann syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome
Authors: Wakabayashi Tetsuji , Takei Akihito , Okada Nobukazu , Shinohara Miki , Takahashi Manabu , Nagashima Shuichi , Okada Kenta , Ebihara Ken , Ishibashi Shun
Published: April 2021

The underlying genetic drivers of Kallmann syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by anosmia and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to impairment in the development of olfactory axons and in the migration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GNRH)-producing neurons during embryonic development, remain largely unknown. SOX10, a key transcription factor involved in the development of neural crest cells and established as one of the causative genes of Waardenburg syndrome, has been shown to be a causative gene of Kallmann syndrome. A 17-year-old male patient, who was diagnosed with Waardenburg syndrome on the basis of a hearing impairment and hypopigmented iris at childhood, was referred to our department because of anosmia and delayed puberty. As clinical examination revealed an aplastic olfactory bulb and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, we diagnosed him as having Kallmann syndrome. Incidentally, we elucidated that he also presented with subclinical hypothyroidism without evidence of autoimmune thyroiditis. Direct sequence analysis detected a nonsense SOX10 mutation (c.373C>T, p.Glu125X) in this patient. Since this nonsense mutation has never been published as a germline variant, the SOX10 substitution is a novel mutation that results in Kallmann syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome. This case substantiates the significance of SOX10 as a genetic cause of Kallmann syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome, which possibly share a common pathway in the development of neural crest cells.

Learning points

Kallmann syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome possibly share a common pathway during neural crest cell development.

SOX10, a key transcription factor involved in the development of neural crest cells, is a common causative gene of Kallmann syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome.

Careful evaluation about various phenotypic features may reveal the unknown genetic drivers of Kallmann syndrome.
Premature ovarian failure after childhood cancer and risk of metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Netterlid Axel , Mörse Helena , Giwercman Aleksander , Henic Emir , Åkesson Kristina E , Erfurth Eva-Marie , Elfving Maria
Published: April 2021

Objective

Female childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk of several late effects, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). The objective is to study if POI is associated with risk of MetS and increased cardiovascular risk in CSS.

Design

A cross-sectional study with a median time since the cancer diagnosis of 25 (12–41) years. Patients and controls were recruited from the South Medical Region of Sweden.

Methods

The study included 167 female CCS, median age 34 (19–57) years, diagnosed with childhood cancer at median age 8.4 (0.1–17.9) years together with 164 controls, matched for age, sex, ethnicity, residence, and smoking habits. All subjects were examined with fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, and lipid profile. Fat mass was calculated with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and questionnaires for medication were obtained. Detailed information of cancer treatment was available.

Results

POI was present in 13% (22/167) among CCS (hypothalamic/pituitary cause excluded) and in none among controls. MetS was present in 14% (24/167) among all CCS (P  = 0.001), in 23% (5/22) of those with POI (P  < 0.001), compared with 4% (6/164) among controls. OR for MetS in all CCS compared with controls was 4.4 (95% CI: 1.8, 11.1) (P  = 0.002) and among CCS with POI the OR was 7.7 (CI: 2.1, 28.1) (P  = 0.002).

Conclusion

The prevalence of MetS was higher in females treated for childhood cancer compared with controls, and the presence of POI significantly increased the risk of developing MetS.
Türk çocuklarında ortodontik lokal maloklüzyon risk faktörlerinin radyografik olarak değerlendirilmesi
Authors: HATİPOĞLU Şirin , ERDUR Emire Aybüke
Published: April 2021

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, 6-12 yaş aralığında bulunan Türk çocuklarının lokal ortodontik maloklüzyon risk faktörleri açısından, panoramik radyograflar üzerinde değerlendirilmesi ve gerekli koruyucu önleyici tedavi ihtiyaçlarının belirlenmesidir.
Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışma, 2008-2014 yılları arasında doğmuş olan 425 Türk çocuğunun panoramik radyografları üzerinden yürütüldü. Kayıtlar, Konya ve İstanbul’da bulunan kliniklere tedavi ve muayene amacıyla başvurmuş hasta kayıtları arasından elde edildi. Daimi diş boyutu, şekil ve pozisyon anomalilerinin yanı sıra; süt ve daimi dişlenmeye ait; diş sayısı, çürük, çekim/erken çekim, dolgu ve kanal dolgulu dişler ve yer tutucu varlığı değerlendirildi. İstatistiksel olarak prevalans hesaplamaları yapıldı. İki merkez arasındaki istatistiksel prevalans farklılığı, iki bağımsız örneklem için oran testi (Z) ile değerlendirildi.
Bulgular: Çürük süt dişi (sd) ve dolgulu sd varlığı sırası ile; % 20.6 ve % 9.5 olarak, en yüksek prevalansa sahip parametreler olarak tespit edilmiştir. Buna karşılık, en az prevalans fazla sd ve çekilmiş daimi diş (dd) parametrelerinde, sırası ile % 0.023 ve % 0.036 olarak hesaplanmıştır. İki merkez arasında karşılaştırma yapıldığında, Konya’da; yer tutucu, çürük sd, dolgulu sd, çürük dd ve erken çekilmiş sd’nin prevalans yüzdeleri istatistiksel olarak İstanbul’dan yüksek çıkmıştır. Buna karşılık, rezidüel kök, şekil dd ve kanal sd’nin prevalansları İstanbul’da istatistiksel olarak yüksek çıkmıştır.
Sonuç: Kazanılmış ortodontik maloklüzyonların önlenmesinde, koruyucu-önleyici diş tedavisinin önemi çok büyüktür. Çalışmamızda, özellikle koruyucu-önleyici tedavi ve ağız diş sağlığı eğitim ihtiyacı yüksek bulunmuştur. Bu nedenle, ağız ve diş sağlığı eğitimine özel önem ve dikkat gösterilmelidir.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVE METABOLITES PRODUCED FROM PROBIOTIC ISOLATES AGAINST DANDRUFF CAUSING MALASSEZIA FURFUR (MTCC: 1374T)
Authors: Priya Krishnamoorthy , Surabi Deo , Sarath Reghunathan , Mohandass Ramya
Published: April 2021

Dandruff is commonly known as seborrheic dermatitis, a common scaling condition, causing itching and discomfort. Anti-dandruff shampoos contain compounds harmful to the environment and humans; therefore, a solution with potential anti-dandruff activity with minimal or no harm is needed for an hour. This study aims to screen and identify the likely anti-dandruff probiotic organisms and characterize their active metabolites. Three morphologically different probiotic microorganisms were isolated from local dairy products and identified by gram staining. 16S rDNA of the isolates were amplified and sequenced for molecular identification. 16S rDNA sequences confirmed the isolates as Lactobacillus rhamnosus (98%), Enterococcus faecalis (98%), and Enterococcus faecium (97.65%). Phylogenetic analysis reveals that L. rhamnosus (MK951691) indicated high sequence similarity with L. paracasei. Similarly, E. faecium (MK951690) represented close similarity with E. faecalis (MK951689). A maximum zone of inhibition of 7 mm was recorded by the extracellular fractions of bacterial isolate L. rhamnosus, followed by the other two isolates of Enterococcus sp. The MIC value of the extracellular fraction of probiotic bacterial strains was optimized to be 100 mg/mL. GCMS analysis revealed that all three extracellular bacterial isolates had propionic acid, lactic acid, phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethyl ethyl), hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, and 3-isobutyl hexahydro pyrrolo [1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione. In conclusion, these isolates are enriched with antifungal components, and hence, they could be considered an antifungal target against Malassezia furfur.
Vaping the Venom: Oral Cavity Cancer in a Young Adult With Extensive Electronic Cigarette Use
Authors: Klawinski Darren , Hanna Issa , Breslin Nathaniel K. , Katzenstein Howard M. , Indelicato Daniel J.
Published: April 2021

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity is one of the most common malignancies of the head and neck. Risk factors for the development of SCC include infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), tobacco use, and alcohol use. HPV-positive SCC of the oral cavity is more commonly seen in young adult patients, whereas HPV-negative disease is more prevalent in older patients with histories of alcohol and tobacco use. We describe the case of a young adult with an extensive history of vaping using nicotine-delivery systems who was diagnosed with HPV-negative SCC that was rapidly progressive and fatal.
Swedish as a Second Language Teachers’ Perceptions and Experiences with CALL for the Newly Arrived
Authors: Hell Anna , Sauro Shannon
Published: April 2021

The use of digital technology in the subject of Swedish as a second language (SSL) has increased in recent years. Schools in Sweden have received many newly arrived students due to the migration situation prevailing in contemporary European society. This article shares the findings of a study carried out on six SSL teachers’ perceptions and experiences of using digital technology for SSL with newly arrived students. Participants’ responses to interview questions were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated the following: participants negotiated the digital tools as an entry ticket for the newly arrived students to become engaged with the teaching, to support literacy development, and to aid communication. The findings also underscore the challenges that respondents struggled with in teaching using digital technology. Results suggest that although digital technology is a regular part of Swedish education, there is no clear research-based framework for computer-assisted language learning (CALL) in SSL education or teacher education that teachers can rely on, meaning that it is up to teachers themselves to uncover relevant uses of digital technology to support SSL teaching.
Dialogi Jana Pawła II
Authors: Mokrzycki Mieczysław
Published: April 2021

The text is an attempt to show the legacy of the thoughts of John Paul II in the context of reflection on dialogue. The author presents, among others the problem of language and communication as specific in relation to the entire Pontificate of the Pope. These reflections do not directly concern the subject of freedom. They were rather thought of as complementing the issues of freedom, with which the sphere of dialogue is closely related
Understanding the rigid-block equilibrium method by way of mathematical programming
Authors: Kao Gene Ting-Chun , Iannuzzo Antonino , Coros Stelian , Van Mele Tom , Block Philippe
Published: April 2021

This paper discusses and extends some main features of the rigid-block equilibrium (RBE) method. RBE is a numerical approach that frames the equilibrium problem of rigid-block assemblies as an optimisation problem to compute possible internal and equilibrated singular stress states. The contact between blocks is considered having a finite friction capacity and the unilateral behaviour is modelled through a penalty formulation. In particular, the penalty formulation widens the standard admissible solution space of compressive-only forces by allowing for tensile forces appearing on potentially unstable regions. The RBE objective function minimises the interface forces whereas the constraints are linear functions enforcing the static equilibrium of the whole assembly. In this paper, along with the original quadratic objective function, the authors propose a linear function to illustrate and explore the role played by both the nodal forces and the interface resultants. Moreover, the authors show how RBE can be used to explore different admissible internal stress states – for example, due to increasing, static, horizontal actions.
Hydraulic conductivity of tyre-derived aggregate for leachate collection and removal
Authors: Adesokan Doyin , Fleming Ian , Hammerlindl Adam
Published: April 2021

This paper presents the determination of horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity in large-particle-sized tyre-derived aggregate (TDA) – that is, TDA with particle sizes over 50 mm – as a substitute for gravel in landfill leachate collection and removal layers. The determination of hydraulic conductivity was completed under applied surface stresses from 56 to 375 kPa, relating to 5–40 m of waste over a TDA drainage layer in waste disposal facilities. Hydraulic conductivity was determined indirectly from measurements of air permeability. At the final applied stress, hydraulic conductivity was measured directly to compare with the values determined from the air permeability measurements. The Forchheimer addition to the typical Darcy’s equation of flow was used to account for the effects of inertia from non-Darcian flows (as indicated from the Reynolds numbers). At all the applied stresses, after correcting for inertia, the equivalent horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity values for all TDA types tested were greater than 0.0001 m/s – a typical requirement for landfill drainage layers. The anisotropy in the hydraulic conductivity decreased with the applied stress from as high as 10 at 56 kPa to up to 2 at 375 kPa.
Environmental assessment of underground coal gasification in deep-buried seams
Authors: An Ni , Zagorščak Renato , Thomas Hywel Rhys
Published: April 2021

This study presents a preliminary assessment of the environmental impact of field-scale underground coal gasification (UCG) targeting deep-buried seams by studying the fate of the UCG products in the reactor vicinity. A series of simulation scenarios are conducted in three deep (900 m) areas of specific interest – namely, South Wales coalfield (UK), Upper Silesian coal basin (Poland) and Ruhr mining district (Germany) – to investigate the transport of gaseous and dissolved chemicals. The results indicate that the syngas propagation is limited to 2.0 m in the vicinity of the reactor after 30 days, except that it is limited to 4.4 m in shale (overburden) of the UK site. Transport of the dissolved chemicals, through diffusion, is limited to 2.0 m without considering adsorption and less than 0.5 m when adsorption is considered after 10 years. Moreover, the effects of hydrology condition, stratum adsorption properties and the thermally induced change in rock porosity and permeability on the propagation of UCG products are studied. The results suggest that unacceptable risks to the environment are unlikely to arise if standard operating conditions are applied, offering a great prospect of deep coal seams to be considered for UCG. This study also provides insights into the environmental evaluation for other potential UCG projects.
Modelling of infill walls in reinforced concrete buildings under low-amplitude vibrations
Authors: Aras Fuat , Akbaş Tolga , Çeribaşi Seyit , Çatbaş Fikret Necati
Published: April 2021

A study was undertaken to analyse the capability of conventional finite-element (FE) models to represent the actual dynamic behaviour of masonry infill walls in reinforced concrete (RC) buildings under ambient conditions. Two commonly used modelling techniques were examined – shell elements and diagonal compression struts. An existing non-symmetrical, six-storey RC building was used as a reference structure. The dynamic characteristics of the real building were determined by an ambient vibration survey. Two FE models of the building were then constructed and the dynamic characteristics of the building were determined numerically. Comparisons of the experimentally obtained dynamic properties and those obtained using each numerical model revealed the most appropriate method for visualising the dynamic behaviour of RC buildings under low levels of vibration. The dynamic behaviour of RC buildings under earthquakes and the use of code-based period estimation formulas were then analysed. The results showed that each modelling technique affected the predicted dynamic frequencies substantially; choosing the most suitable model depends on the level of vibration.
CISOL: el dispositivo de cierre para sonda nasogástrica tipo Levin, en un estudio aleatorio controlado que evalúa su efectividad y seguridad
Authors: Narváez Eraso Carmen Ofelia , Viveros Villada Edison
Published: April 2021

Background: The Levin-type nasogastric tube is indicated for gastric decompression, but due to its economic cost it is used to feed and administer medications in patients who cannot do it by themselves; its proximal end does not have a closure system. The study determined the effectiveness and safety of a device (Cisol), specially created for the proximal closure of the Levin-type nasogastric tube for adults compared to the conventional device (syringe).

Methods: Study of experimental design, randomized of preventive type applied outside the clinical context, through which the effectiveness and safety of both devices were estimated and compared taking into account as markers: their weight, size and shape.

Results: According to the evaluation of the participants, Cisol is considered effective and safe for the proposed purposes since its weight, size and shape would significantly favor patient comfort and handling compared to the syringe.

Conclusions: The new CISOL design is safe to use, and has the potential to reduce risks related to traction and overweight at the proximal end of the probe, as well as contributing to patient comfort. The effectiveness and safety of the CISOL device differs from the effectiveness and safety of the conventional device (syringe) used to close the Levin catheter.
Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Effects and Identification of Ophiocordyceps sinensis Bioactive Proteins Using Shotgun Proteomic Analysis
Authors: Kong Boon-Hong , Yap Chee-Sum Alvin , Mohamad Razif Muhammad Fazril , Ng Szu-Ting , Tan Chon-Seng , Fung Shin-Yee
Published: April 2021

Research background. Ophiocordyceps sinensis, a highly valued medicinal fungus, is close to extinction due to overexploitation. Successful cultivation of O. sinensis fruiting body (OCS02®) shows the cultivar has a promising nutritional value and numerous bioactive compounds. Antioxidant and antiproliferative properties and biologically active proteins of the OCS02® are investigated for possible development into nutraceuticals.

Experimental approach. The chemical composition of the OCS02® cold water extract was determined, and the antioxidant activities were examined using ferric reducing, DPPH· and O2·- scavenging assays. Tetrazolium dye (MTT) cytotoxic assay was performed to assess the antiproliferative activity of the extract. Bioactive proteins in the active fraction of the extract were identified using liquid chromatography (LC) and tandem-mass spectrometry (MS/MS).

Results and conclusions. The OCS02® extract exhibited strong O2·- scavenging (expressed as Trolox equivalents (18.4±1.1) mol/g) and potent cytotoxic activities against adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial (A549) cells (IC50=(58.2±6.8) µg/mL). High molecular mass polysaccharides, proteins and protein-polysaccharide complexes could have contributed to the antioxidant and cytotoxic selectivity of the OCS02®. LC-MS/MS analysis identified several potential cytotoxic proteases and an oxalate decarboxylase protein which may exhibit protection effects on kidneys.

Novelty and scientific contribution. The findings demonstrate the potential of OCS02® to be developed into functional food due to its promising superoxide anion radical scavenging capacity, cytotoxic effect and presence of bio-pharmaceutically active proteins.
The vital necessity of urban mobility in Brazilian cities
Authors: Guimarães Bruna Rodrigues , Pasqualetto Antônio , Cunha Júlia Pereira de Sousa
Published: April 2021

This article has the objective of presenting what is urban mobility and to show how public policy is primordial for the population’s quality of life and for the planning of Brazilian cities. The right to come and go is a citizen’s right that has been harmed for years by an urban policy aimed at improving private motorized transport. In the last seventy years, the policy of mobility in Brazil has been aimed at the motorized transport and its infrastructure. Only in 2012 with Law NO. 12.587 from the Política Nacional de Mobilidade Urbana (National Policy of Urban Mobility) can we see an incentive for non-motorized transport and collective transport. Even with this stimulus, little has been seen in terms of betterment in the eight years the Law has been applied.
Commodity City: The case of Horizontal Gated Communities in the Municipality of Rondonópolis-MT
Authors: Rodrigues Bezerra Pamela Fernanda , Moraes Lucia Maria
Published: April 2021

This article proposes to analyze the urban phenomena resulting from the implementation of horizontal gated communities, located in the municipality of Rondonópolis-MT. Its high commercial value, characterized as speculative, demonstrates the sale of the city as a commodity in the consolidated soil of the municipality. The socioeconomic development of/in cities occurs unevenly through urban interventions, resulting in socio-spatial and socio-economic inequalities produced and reproduced spatially. Thus, understanding the urban structure resulting from real estate speculation as appropriation of public space, segregation, gentrification, spreading and the fortified enclosure existing in the city's gated communitiess, which makes evident the socio-spatial and socio-economic contradictions and disparities in a medium-sized city with strong support from agribusiness in the region.
Biodigester models used worldwide in the context of intelligent cities
Authors: Neres Letícia Morais , Ramos Heidy Rodriguez , Régis Milena de Moura
Published: April 2021

Urban development is marked by challenges associated with energy demands at a variety of levels, as well as the need of an efficient solid waste management. In the next 30 years an increase of the world’s population and of this population in urban areas is predicted, turning such dilemma a reality. In this context, organic waste can be recycled as a clean, renewable energy resource by means of biogas, which is a sub-product of anaerobic digestion and which can be converted into electric and thermal energy by burning, and therefore be used in heating and as fuel. Biogas is produced in biodigesters, which consist of an airtight chamber with compartments for the substrate inlet and the final product outlet. From a bibliographic research, the present study investigates the main models of biodigesters used in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, in order to present an up-to-date scenario of the application of such equipment in the context of intelligent cities. The results indicate contrasting biodigester installations among the continents. Whereas Europe relies on high-technology models, in Africa, for example, biodigesters are usually built with basic materials, which make biogas production inefficient. Similarly to other energy sources and waste management models, the countries with better infrastructure and resources can better benefit from the use of biodigesters, thus improving the quality of life, whereas poorer countries cannot totally exploit the same productivity potential.
Direct oligonucleotide sequencing with nanopores v1
Authors: Chalapati Sachin
Published: April 2021

Third-generation DNA sequencing has enabled users to sequence long, unamplified DNA fragments with minimal steps. Direct sequencing of ssDNA or RNA gives valuable insights like base-level modifications, an estimate of phosphoramidite synthesis yield and analysis of strand quality, without the need to add the complimentary strand. Direct sequencing of single-stranded nucleic acid species is challenging as they are non-compatible to the double-stranded sequencing adapters used by the manufacturers. The MinION platform from Oxford Nanopore Technologies performs sequencing by passing single-strands of DNA through a layer of biological nanopore sensors, although the sequencing is performed on single-strands of DNA, the recommended template by the instrument manufacturer is still double-stranded. We have identified that the MinION platform from Oxford Nanopore can perform sequencing of short, single-strand oligonucleotides directly without amplification or second-strand synthesis by performing a single annealing step before library preparation. Short 5’ phosphorylated oligos when annealed to an adapter sequence can be directly sequenced in the 5' to 3' direction via nanopores. Adapter sequences were designed to bind to the 5’ end of the oligos and to leave a 3’ adenosine overhang after binding to their target. The 3’ adenosine overhang of the adapter and the terminal phosphate makes the 5’ end of the oligo analogous to an end-prepared dsDNA, rendering it compatible with ligation-based library preparation for sequencing. An oligo-pool containing 42,000, 120 nt orthogonal sequences were phosphorylated and sequenced using this method and ~90% of these sequences were recovered with high accuracy using BLAST. In the nanopore raw data, we have identified that empty signals can be wrongly identified as a valid read by the MinION platform and sometimes multiple signals containing several strands can be fused into a single raw sequence file due to segmentation faults in the software. This direct oligonucleotide sequencing method enables novel applications in DNA data storage systems where short oligonucleotides function as the primary information carriers.
Working Alone in the Lab v2
Authors: Christensen Ken
Published: April 2021

Working alone in the laboratory should be avoided; however, trained personnel can work alone in the laboratory if they adhere to the following Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Students in training (during at least the 1st semester of laboratory work) cannot work alone in the laboratory.
Öz-düzenlemeli Öğrenmeye Yönelik Öğretmen Tutumları Ölçeğinin Türkçeye Uyarlanması ve Sınıf Öğretmenlerinin Öz-düzenlemeli Öğrenmeye Yönelik Tutumlarının İncelenmesi
Authors: SARİKAYA İsmail , SÖKMEN Yavuz
Published: April 2021

Bu çalışmanın amacı Steinbach ve Stoeger tarafından ilkokul öğretmenleri için geliştirilen Öz-düzenlemeli Öğrenmeye Yönelik Öğretmen Tutumları Ölçeğini Türk alanyazınına kazandırmak ve sınıf öğretmenlerinin öz-düzenlemeli öğrenmeye yönelik tutumlarını çeşitli değişkenlere göre incelemektir. Çalışma, ölçeğin Türkçeye uyarlanması ve araştırmaya katılan sınıf öğretmenlerinin öz-düzenlemeye yönelik tutumlarının çeşitli değişkenlere göre incelenmesi olmak üzere iki aşamada; iki farklı örneklemden toplanan veriler ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmanın ilk aşamasında ölçek uyarlama adımları izlenmiştir. Gerekli izinlerin alınmasının ardından ölçek maddeleri uzman denetiminde Türkçeye çevrilmiştir. Ölçek formu Türkiye’nin doğusunda yer alan üç ilde görevli toplam 401 sınıf öğretmenine uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen verilerle doğrulayıcı faktör analizi (DFA) yapılmıştır. Ölçeğin 28 maddeden oluşan yedi faktörlü yapısı sınanmıştır. Model uyum indekslerinin kabul edilebilir ve mükemmel uyum düzeyinde değer aldığı tespit edilmiştir (X2/sd=1.98, RMSEA=.050, CFI=.99, RFI=.98, NFI=.98, IFI=.99, NNFI=.99, SRMR=.028, RMR=.069, AGFI=.87, GFI=.89). Ölçeğin tamamına yönelik Cronbach alfa değeri .90; Guttman’s değeri .91 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Alt faktörler arası korelasyon değerlerinin ise .79 ile .85 arasında değer aldığı görülmüştür. Çalışmanın ikinci aşaması genel tarama modeline uygun olarak yürütülmüştür. Araştırmaya katılan sınıf öğretmenlerinin (n=550) öz-düzenlemeli öğrenmeye yönelik tutumlarının bazı değişkenlere göre anlamlı olarak farklılaştığı tespit edilmiştir.
Performance-Based Bonus on the Efficacy of Public High School Teachers in the Philippines
Authors: SUELTO-CORDOVILLA Ruffa V. , ORTEGA-DELA CRUZ Ruth
Published: April 2021

In any educational system, performance-based reward is always present. Though it bears so much controversies, the government is still designing different types of rewards, bonuses or incentives to help motivate employees. The study used survey research design to evaluate the effectiveness of the Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) in improving the efficacy of public high school teachers in the Philippines. Purposively selected teachers and school heads were included in the study. The teachers’ efficacy before and after the implementation of PBB was determined based on the results of the Results-based Performance Management System (RPMS) and their self-evaluation. This self -evaluation was validated by the school heads using a structured questionnaire. The results showed that teachers’ self-efficacy rating was the same even after the implementation of PBB, whereas the assessment of the school heads showed a decrease in the efficacy rating of the teachers from ‘Highly Proficient’ to ‘Proficient’. This difference was due to the problems encountered during the implementation of the PBB. However, the study proves how public high school teachers remain true to their calling as their levels of teaching efficacy remain the same regardless of the presence or absence of monetary rewards. Thus, this calls for an active involvement of all the stakeholders to help address the underlying issues connected to the PBB implementation while remaining committed to the teaching profession by improving oneself and one’s overall efficacy.
Comparison of PO and INC MPPT Methods Using FPGA In-The-Loop Under Different Radiation Conditions
Authors: ÇELİKEL Reşat , GÜNDOĞDU Ahmet
Published: April 2021

The Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms are applied to obtain maximum efficiency under different atmospheric conditions in photovoltaic (PV) systems. Perturb&Observe (PO) and Incremental Conductance (INC) methods are the oldest algorithms used among MPPT methods. Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) are used especially in applications requiring high speed. FPGA in-the-loop feature is used to test algorithms designed in MATLAB/Simulink environment. In this study, PO and INC methods have been designed to work in FPGA environment. Both algorithms have been tested under different radiation conditions using FPGA-in-the-loop feature. The FPGA in-the-loop simulation result of PO and INC methods has been graphically shown. In this study, Altera DE2-115 development board was used to test PO and INC MPPT algorithms. On the other hand, PO and INC methods were synthesized using the Quartus-II program. Comparisons of simplicity of algorithms were made according to synthesis results. Thus, by using the FGPA in-the-loop feature and performing the synthesis process, both the algorithms were tested and the areas covered by the algorithms in the FPGA were compared.
Caracterização morfométrica da Sub-bacia do Rio Ribeirão, Amazônia Ocidental, Brasil
Authors: Marinho Danilo da Silva , Vendruscolo Jhony , Vasconcelos Tiago Boareto , Cavalheiro Wanderson Cleiton Schmidt , Stachiw Rosalvo
Published: April 2021

O objetivo do trabalho foi caracterizar a morfometria na sub-bacia do rio Ribeirão, Amazônia Ocidental, Brasil. As características geométricas, topográficas e hidrográficas, foram obtidas com o software QGIS 2.10.1, utilizando principalmente a ferramenta TauDEM, modelo digital de elevação e ferramenta calculadora de campo, com base em dados altimétricos do projeto SRTM. A sub-bacia do rio Ribeirão tem 50 microbacias, altitude média de 153 m, predominância de relevos plano a suave ondulado, padrão dendrítico de 6ª ordem, densidade hidrográfica de 0,66 rios km-2, densidade de drenagem de 1,05 km km-2 e coeficiente de manutenção de 950,32 m2 m-1. As maiores microbacias da sub-bacia do rio Ribeirão pertencem aos rios Ribeirão, Araras, Misericórdia e Taquaras, com áreas de 1.118,00, 628,51, 194,73 e 159,26 km2, respectivamente. Essas microbacias têm formato alongado, baixa suscetibilidade a enchentes, canais principais retos a divagantes, e tempos de concentração de 10,10 a 24,46 h. A sub-bacia do rio Ribeirão e suas principais microbacias têm potencial para o uso de mecanização agrícola e implantação de sistemas de irrigação em propriedades rurais. Para conservar os recursos hídricos da região, recomenda-se a adoção de práticas integradas de manejo conservacionista do solo nos sistemas agropecuários, e manutenção da cobertura florestal nativa nas áreas de Reserva Legal e Áreas de Preservação Permanente.
Indicadores para avaliação de variáveis climáticas e de qualidade da água na rede de distribuição de um município paulista
Authors: Rodrigues Sergio Augusto , Oliveira Paulo André de , Padovani Carlos Roberto
Published: April 2021

A água é um recurso natural de extrema importância para diversas atividades humanas, sendo essencial seu uso racional e sustentável. O monitoramento da água destinada ao consumo humano deve considerar a pluralidade de parâmetros que podem propiciar alterações em sua qualidade, destacando-se fatores climáticos como temperaturas do ar, radiação solar, precipitações pluviométricas entre outros. Considerando a importância de estudos do monitoramento da qualidade da água em diversas condições climáticas, este estudo teve por objetivo criar indicadores que retratem de forma sintética as condições ambientais e as características físico-químicas e microbiológicas (residuais de cloro, pH, turbidez, cor aparente, flúor, temperatura da água, ocorrência de coliformes totais e bactérias heterotróficas) avaliadas em amostras de água coletadas na rede de distribuição de um município paulista entre os anos de 2007 a 2011. Para isso, foi utilizado o procedimento multivariado de análise fatorial visando melhorar a qualidade das informações extraídas dos dados. O uso desse procedimento envolvendo os conjuntos isolados de oito variáveis de qualidade de água e dez climáticas permitiu, para o primeiro, o emprego de três fatores com retenção acumulada de 69,7% da variância total e o segundo, dois fatores com 67,5%, destacando-se como uma ferramenta importante para sintetizar as informações em indicadores. A avaliação das correlações entre os escores dos indicadores obtidos apontaram situações de interesse para a gestão da qualidade da água quanto às características microbiológicas e físico-químicas.
DÜNYADA VE TÜRKİYE’DE YEREL YÖNETİM BANKACILIĞI
Authors: YEĞİNER Pınar , ALİEFENDİOĞLU Yeşim
Published: April 2021

Yerel yönetimler hızlı nüfus ve talep artışı nedeniyle sadece mevcut gelirleri ile hizmetlerini karşılayamamakta ve yeni kaynak arayışlarına girmektedir. Borçlanma yoluna daha fazla başvurmaya başlayan yerel yönetimlerin bu ihtiyacını karşılamak için yerel yönetim bankaları ortaya çıkmıştır. Yerel yönetimlerin hizmetlerine devam edebilmesi için yerel yönetim bankaları çalışmalarında süreklilik sağlamalıdır. Türkiye’de de bir örneği bulunan yerel yönetim bankaları birbirlerinden farklı yöntemlerle işlemlerini gerçekleştirmekte, farklı alanlara hizmet vermektedir. Çalışmanın amacı, dünyadaki yerel yönetim bankalarının yerel yönetimlerin gerçekleştirdiği hizmetlerdeki rolünü inceleyip Türkiye’de yapılandırma sürecinde olan yerel yönetim bankası İLBANK A.Ş.’nin bu alanlardaki faaliyetlerinin geliştirilmesi yönünde öneriler sunmaktır. Bu kapsamda, yapılan karşılaştırma sonucunda teknik destek ve danışmanlık çalışmalarını bir arada yürüten İLBANK A.Ş.’nin dünyada aynı şekilde çalışan bir örneği olmadığı ve yerel yönetimlere vermiş olduğu mali ve teknik danışmanlığın Türkiye’de de alternatifi bulunmadığı görülmektedir. Bu nedenle danışmanlık özelliğini uzun bir süre daha koruyarak yapılacak yeni yatırımların daha hızlı gerçekleşmesinde önemli roller üstlenmesi ve sürdürülebilir bir yapılandırma için bankacılık özelliğinin ön plana çıkarılması gerektiği vurgulanmalıdır.
ASSESSMENT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ACCORDING TO DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS
Authors: MASLAKCI Ahmet , SÜRÜCÜ Lütfi
Published: April 2021

Entrepreneurship is considered to be one of the best resolution to unemployment and economic development problems. In order to enhance entrepreneurship in an economy; policymakers should focus on promoting university students' entrepreneurial intentions. In this context, the study examines the differences in entrepreneurship intentions of university students according to demographic variables. The data were achieved from 574 students studying at universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The data were analyzed with the help of the SPSS-23 program. The results show that entrepreneurship intentions of university students differ according to their demographic factors (age, job experience, family income status, and the university they study at). In the study, the findings are discussed and recommendations are made for the instructors and policymakers of university education.