bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of severity parameters to detect chemotherapy-induced pain and distress in mice
Authors: Rix Anne , Drude Natascha , Mrugalla Anna , Mottaghy Felix M. , Tolba René H. , Kiessling Fabian
Published: October 2019

According to European Union directive 2010/63/EU a severity classification of experimental procedures performed on laboratory animals is mandatory. This includes a prospective evaluation of all interventions performed within the experiment, as well as an assessment of the actual burden of each animal during the experiment. In this regard, the evaluation and scoring of defined criteria regarding the health state of animals could help to early identify deteriorations in animal health and facilitate the application of humane endpoints. This article discusses the applicability of an adapted score sheet in BALB/cAnNRj mice receiving either cisplatin, doxorubicin or busulfan, three chemotherapeutic agents with different toxicological profiles and longitudinal non-invasive molecular imaging. The health state was investigated by score sheets documenting general state, body weight, spontaneous behaviour and treatment specific parameters (e.g. anaemia, neurotoxicity, persistent diarrhoea). Although blood and serum analyses clearly indicated various organ damage, most scoring parameters except for body weight did not report on the deceasing animal health state. Thus, there is need for more sensitive observational parameters to judge the animal's health state and welfare.
US Medical Trainees’ Knowledge of Human Papilloma Virus and Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Laitman Benjamin M. , Ronner Lukas , Oliver Kristin , Genden Eric
Published: October 2019

Given the increasing incidence of human papilloma virus (HPV)–positive head and neck cancers (HNCs), discussion of this oncologic outcome should be incorporated into HPV vaccine counseling practices. Yet, preliminary evidence shows that knowledge of the association between HPV and HNC is lacking among most medical trainees. To better characterize this deficit, we nationally assessed knowledge of HPV’s association with HNC among medical students and residents across 4 specialties (pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine, and otolaryngology). A total of 3141 responses from 46 states were obtained (n = 402 pediatric residents, n = 346 obstetrics/gynecology residents, n = 260 family medicine residents, n = 87 otolaryngology residents, and n = 2045 medical students). Only 40.3% of surveyed medical students and 56.1% of surveyed obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, and family medicine residents identified associations between persistent HPV infection and HNC. When counseling on the vaccine, nonotolaryngology residents more often discussed cervical cancer (99.8%) as compared with HNC (39.7%), commonly because of less HNC knowledge (61.5%). These results suggest that it is imperative to develop educational interventions targeted at medical students and resident trainees on the front line of HPV vaccine counseling and administration.
Problem and Structure: Bachelard, Deleuze and Transdisciplinarity
Authors: Maniglier Patrice
Published: October 2019

The concept of ‘problem’ has been recently promoted by the official academic institutions and put at the centre of a new field of research, self-styled ‘transdisciplinary studies’, in order to provide a foundation to a resolutely transdisciplinary approach to research and thought in general. The paper notes that the same move (i.e. connecting a problem-centred approach to thought with transdisciplinary method) can be found in Deleuze’s philosophy, which provides us with what the technocratic image of thought advocated by transdisciplinary studies ultimately cannot provide: a positive concept of problems where those are not negative moments but originary and active matrices of thought. It then argues that Deleuze owes this concept to the French epistemological tradition, and more specifically to Bachelard, where it is nothing other than the concept of structure. It ends by explicating what particular version of structuralism Deleuze was thus led to construct in order to account for the role of problems in a radically transdisciplinary account of thought: it is the fact that all structures are multi-structured that grounds the essentially transdisciplinary nature of thought. The fact that we could think differently is precisely what makes us think.
Effect of caregiving at end of life on grief, quality of life and general health: A prospective, longitudinal, comparative study
Authors: Breen Lauren J , Aoun Samar M , O’Connor Moira , Johnson Andrew R , Howting Denise
Published: October 2019

Background:

Determining the effect of caregiving and bereavement remains a challenge. To date, no study has employed a comparison group to investigate caregivers’ grief, quality of life and general health in relation to non-caregivers.

Aim:

We aimed to determine how caregivers’ grief, quality of life and general health changed following death compared to non-caregivers and whether pre-death grief predicted these outcomes.

Design:

A prospective, longitudinal study of family caregivers and a comparison group matched for age, gender and postcode was conducted. All participants completed questionnaires at four points – once pre-death and three times post-death (3–4 months, 6–7 months and 9–10 months).

Setting/participants:

Participants ( N = 70) were family caregivers of persons receiving palliative care, mostly for cancer, recruited from three palliative care providers in Western Australia and matched comparisons recruited from advertisements.

Results:

There were significant differences between the caregivers’ and comparisons’ grief, general health and quality of life at pre-death, 3–4 months and 6–7 months post-death, but not at 9–10 months post-death. The rate of progression in these constructs following death was independent from the intensity of pre-death grief. However, caregiver prolonged grief score significantly predicted prolonged grief score at 6–7 and 9–10 months post-death.

Conclusion:

It took 9–10 months for the caregivers’ grief, general health and quality of life to correspond to the comparison group. These findings present an opportunity for palliative care research and practice to consider how best to support the majority of caregivers without grief complications so that their pre- and post-death support needs are realised.
How Nonprofit Arts Organizations Sustain Communities: Examining the Relationship Between Organizational Strategy and Engagement in Community Sustainability
Authors: Moldavanova Alisa V. , Wright Nathaniel S.
Published: October 2019

This article investigates the relationship between several elements of organizational strategy and arts and culture nonprofits perceived contributions to community sustainability. We ask the following research question: What are the drivers of arts and culture nonprofits’ engagement in community sustainability? Drawing on data collected from a survey of 175 nonprofits in the state of Michigan, this article reports the findings about arts and culture organizations perceived engagement in community sustainability and factors that may foster or inhibit such engagement. The study advances our understanding of the role that nonprofit organizations play in fostering local sustainable development, and it also informs broader scholarly discourse on the role of arts and culture organizations in a society.
Planar locomotion of earthworm-like metameric robots
Authors: Zhan Xiong , Fang Hongbin , Xu Jian , Wang Kon-Well
Published: October 2019

The goal of this research is to develop a generic earthworm-like locomotion robot model consisting of a large number of segments in series and based on which to systematically investigate the generation of planar locomotion gaits and their correlation with a robot’s locomotion performance. The investigation advances the state-of-the-art by addressing some fundamental but largely unaddressed issues in the field. These issues include (a) how to extract the main shape and deformation characteristics of the earthworm’s body and build a generic model, (b) how to coordinate the deformations of different segments such that steady-state planar locomotion can be achieved, and (c) how different locomotion gaits would qualitatively and quantitatively affect the robot’s locomotion performance, and how to evaluate them. Learning from earthworms’ unique morphology characteristics, a generic kinematic model of earthworm-like metameric locomotion robots is developed. Left/right-contracted segments are introduced into the model to achieve planar locomotion. Then, this paper proposes a gait-generation algorithm by mimicking the earthworm’s retrograde peristalsis wave, with which all admissible locomotion gaits can be constructed. We discover that when controlled by different gaits, the robot would exhibit four qualitatively different locomotion modes, namely, rectilinear, sidewinding, circular, and cycloid locomotion. For each mode, kinematic indexes are defined and examined to characterize their locomotion performances. For verification, a proof-of-concept robot hardware is designed and prototyped. Experiments reveal that with the proposed robot model and the employed gait controls, locomotion of different modes can be effectively achieved, and they agree well with the theoretical predictions.
Differences between scale steps and absolute interval sizes: A new test for intervallic awareness
Authors: Neto Pedro de Alcântara Senra de Oliveira , Delmolin de Oliveira Guilherme Alves
Published: October 2019

Musical scales can be described as either an organization of scale-step degrees or as a pattern of absolute interval sizes. Even though experimental data show that these two melodic features might have different perceptual implications, not every music education method or psychology experiment separately accounts for them. The present study undertakes an investigation of scale steps, absolute interval sizes, and their cognitive role on melodic perception. The development and partial validation of a new psychometric instrument are reported, and the results are discussed in regard to its experimental and educational implications.
A structure mapping–based representation of knowledge transfer in conceptual design process
Authors: Liu Hongwei , Li Yan , Chen Jian , Tao Ye , Xia Wenhan
Published: October 2019

By the knowledge transferring in different areas, analogical design has been considered as a powerful approach to promote the generation of novel ideas in product conceptual design. An efficient representation scheme for design knowledge is vital to implement analogical transferring. In this article, inspired from the structure mapping mechanism of analogical reasoning, a structure mapping–based representation was proposed to support designers to search and use design analogies. This representation can provide designers with insights into the structural information of knowledge situations, and consequently designers are able to implement the corresponding design analogy search at the level of the structural similarity, rather than the functional or superficial similarity. Based on this new representation scheme, a structure mapping–based analogical design framework was developed. In this framework, patents are used as the source of analogical knowledge, and the relational structure–based representation for the patent knowledge is created using the advanced natural language processing tools/algorithms. Next, the search of design analogies is implemented by means of the vector space model, and a new structure mapping–based concept generation model can finally guide the designers to use design analogies. An industrial case and a compared experiment were carried out to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Protecting women, protecting the state: Militarism, security threats, and government action on violence against women in Jordan
Authors: Forester Summer
Published: October 2019

Contrary to our understanding of when states act on women’s rights, Jordan adopted a policy on violence against women at the same time as it faced a number of external and internal security threats. In this article, I query the relationship between militarism and the gender policymaking process in Jordan to make sense of this puzzle. I specifically consider the ways in which a feminist conceptualization of militarism offers a more fruitful understanding of government action on violence against women in Jordan than studying this policy development through the lens of patriarchy, state institutions, and/or feminist activism alone. Indeed, evaluating the development of Jordan’s Family Protection Law through the lens of militarism and related security practices reveals the depth and breadth of these phenomena: the martial values and priorities of the Jordanian regime extend beyond the realm of traditional, ‘high politics’ security issues and impact civil, social, and even interpersonal relations – relations that are always already gendered – that are seemingly far removed from military concerns. I argue that the Jordanian government adopted its policy on violence against women because this enhanced the state’s image in the international arena and appeased domestic audiences by adhering to a gendered logic of protection that maintains the state as the ultimate protector of women. Overall, the article deepens our understanding of how militarism and the security climate influence the gender policymaking process, particularly in semi-authoritarian regimes.
Scientization, instrumentalization, and commodification of mindfulness in a professional services firm
Authors: Karjalainen Mira , Islam Gazi , Holm Marie
Published: October 2019

Mindfulness programs, and related practices of contemplation and spirituality, are a growing trend in contemporary work organizations. Increasingly adopted into corporations, mindfulness is often described as a remedy for workplace challenges such as constant hurry, interruptions, and stress. Despite increasing research on mindfulness, little research examines how mindfulness is adapted in corporate settings, including concerns of co-optation during implementation. This article addresses this gap by qualitatively examining corporate mindfulness practices within an international, knowledge-intensive firm. We identify the processes of scientization, instrumentalization, and commodification of mindfulness programs, exploring the mechanisms by which these three processes interact with each other. We conclude by discussing the importance of scientization, instrumentalization, and commodification for understanding mindfulness in practice, and for building a research agenda around emic and situated understandings of corporate mindfulness.
Performance enhancement of an adsorption chiller by optimum cycle time allocation at different operating conditions
Authors: Gado M , Elgendy E , Elsayed Khairy , Fatouh M
Published: October 2019

This article aims to improve the system cooling capacity of an adsorption chiller working with a silica gel/water pair by an allocation of the optimum cycle time at different operating conditions. A mathematical model was established and validated with the literature experimental data to predict the optimum cycle time for a wide range of hot (55°C–95°C), cooling (25°C–40°C), and chilled (10°C–22°C) water inlet temperatures. The optimum and conventional chiller performances are compared at different operating conditions. Enhancement ratio of the system cooling capacity was tripled as the cooling water inlet temperature increased from 25°C to 40°C at constant hot and chilled water inlet temperatures of 85°C and 14°C, respectively. Applying the concept of the optimum cycle time allocation, the system cooling capacity enhancement ratio can reach 15.6% at hot, cooling, and chilled water inlet temperatures of 95°C, 40°C, and 10°C, respectively.
Infection Risk Reduction Program on Pathogens in High School and Collegiate Athletic Training Rooms
Authors: LaBelle Mark W. , Knapik Derrick M. , Arbogast James W. , Zhou Steve , Bowersock Lisa , Parker Albert , Voos James E.
Published: October 2019

Background:

Athletic training rooms have a high prevalence of bacteria, including multidrug-resistant organisms, increasing the risk for both local and systematic infections in athletes. There are limited data outlining formal protocols or standardized programs to reduce bacterial and viral burden in training rooms as a means of decreasing infection rate at the collegiate and high school levels.

Hypothesis:

Adaptation of a hygiene protocol would lead to a reduction in bacterial and viral pathogen counts in athletic training rooms.

Study Design:

Cohort study.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Methods:

Two high school and 2 collegiate athletic training rooms were studied over the course of the 2017-2018 academic year. A 3-phase protocol, including introduction of disinfectant products followed by student-athlete and athletic trainer education, was implemented at the 4 schools. Multiple surfaces in the athletic training rooms were swabbed at 4 time points throughout the investigation. Bacterial and viral burden from swabs were analyzed for overall bacterial aerobic plate count (APC), bacterial adenosine triphosphate activity, influenza viral load, and multidrug-resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE).

Results:

Overall bacterial load, as measured by APC, was reduced by 94.7% (95% CI, 72.6-99.0; P = 0.003) over the course of the investigation after protocol implementation. MRSA and VRE were found on 24% of surfaces prior to intervention and were reduced to 0% by the end of the study. Influenza was initially detected on 25% of surfaces, with no detection after intervention. No cases of athletic training room–acquired infections were reported during the study period.

Conclusion:

A uniform infection control protocol was effective in reducing bacterial and viral burden, including multidrug-resistant organisms, when implemented in the athletic training rooms of 2 high schools and 2 colleges.

Clinical Relevance:

A standardized infection control protocol can be utilized in athletic training rooms to reduce bacterial and viral burden.
Sleep – the yet underappreciated player in cardiovascular diseases: A clinical review from the German Cardiac Society Working Group on Sleep Disordered Breathing
Authors: Spiesshoefer Jens , Linz Dominik , Skobel Erik , Arzt Michael , Stadler Stefan , Schoebel Christoph , Fietze Ingo , Penzel Thomas , Sinha Anil-Martin , Fox Henrik , Oldenburg Olaf ,   the German Cardiac Society Working Group on Sleep Disordered Breathing (AG 35-Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie Herz und Kreislaufforschung e.V.)
Published: October 2019

Patients with a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases, including arterial and pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmia, coronary artery disease and heart failure, are more likely to report impaired sleep with reduced sleep duration and quality, and also, sometimes, sleep interruptions because of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea or arrhythmias. Overall, objective short sleep and bad sleep quality (non-restorative sleep) and subjective long sleep duration are clearly associated with major cardiovascular diseases and fatal cardiovascular outcomes. Sleep apnoea, either obstructive or central in origin, represents the most prevalent, but only one, of many sleep-related disorders in cardiovascular patients. However, observations suggest a bidirectional relationship between sleep and cardiovascular diseases that may go beyond what can be explained based on concomitant sleep-related disorders as confounding factors. This makes sleep itself a modifiable treatment target. Therefore, this article reviews the available literature on the association of sleep with cardiovascular diseases, and discusses potential pathophysiological mechanisms. In addition, important limitations of the current assessment, quantification and interpretation of sleep in patients with cardiovascular disease, along with a discussion of suitable study designs to address future research questions and clinical implications are highlighted. There are only a few randomised controlled interventional outcome trials in this field, and some of the largest studies have failed to demonstrate improved survival with treatment (with worse outcomes in some cases). In contrast, some recent pilot studies have shown a benefit of treatment in selected patients with underlying cardiovascular diseases.
Improving the Standards of Reporting of Clinical Trial Data
Authors: Ganju Jitendra
Published: October 2019

Although checklists and guidelines for reporting and interpretation of clinical trial results are of immense value there is still room for a biased presentation in journal publications. Two important sources of bias that remain are as follows: (1) The absence of a principle guiding the display of point estimates in abstracts. For example, bias arises, even for a primary endpoint, when the reported point estimate is preferentially selected and does not correspond to the prespecified method of analysis. The benefit of treatment on an endpoint is often communicated through point estimates, and as abstracts contain the main takeaways, establishing ground rules for what to include and what not to include is crucial. (2) A commingling in the body of the publication of results from α-controlled endpoints, non–α-controlled endpoints, and post hoc analyses. The total number of non–α-controlled and post hoc analyses are unknown. Blending a favored selection of these with α-controlled results provides opportunities to overstate or understate findings as desired. Publicly available results provide the grist for the changes proposed to improve reporting standards. Additional changes are recommended as well, including a threshold of significance more stringent than 0.05 for non–α-controlled analyses. For safety, the proposal is to display the data via the mean cumulative function graph for prespecified adverse events of interest. The bottom line is that more objective reporting can be achieved if journals establish standards for reporting of point estimates in abstracts and require a hierarchical display of results in the main body.
In-vivo and in-vitro evaluation of pharmacological activities of Ardisia solanacea leaf extract
Authors: Islam Mohammad Rashedul , Naima Jannatul , Proma Nawreen Monir , Hussain Md. Saddam , Uddin S. M. Naim , Hossain Mohammed Kamrul
Published: October 2019

Background

The Bangladeshi rural and hilly areas people have long tradition to use various medicinal plants for treating different diseases. That’s why, the crude methanolic leaf extract of Ardisia solanacea with its different fractions (petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride, n-hexane and chloroform fractions) were subjected to investigate bioactivities in swiss albino mice; namely analgesic, CNS, and Oral hypoglycemic activities, while in-vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity.

Methods

Central nervous system activity was investigated by various method such as Elevated plus maze, Hole board, Hole cross and Open field test apparatus. Analgesic activity was evaluated by both acetic acid induced and tail immersion method. Hypoglycemic activity was evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test and cytotoxicity was evaluated by Brine shrimp lethality bioassay.

Results

In CNS activity, among others fractions, ASCF fraction produced a significant anxiolytic activity in both elevated plus maze and Hole board test. During open-field test almost all the fractions of A. solanacea leaves extract display decreased locomotor activities that indicates significant sedative activity. The ASME and ASCF showed significant peripheral analgesic activity at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight (p < 0.05). In tail immersion method, among others extracts chloroform fractions exhibited significant (p < 0.05) elongation of reaction time 30 min after oral dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight respectively. The methanolic and n-hexane extracts reduced blood glucose level significantly after 90 min with value of 53.94% and 48.15% respectively (p < 0.05). In case of cytotoxicity activity, among other fractions carbon tetrachloride fraction showed lowest LC50 values.

Conclusions

From the above results, it is clear that different fractions of A. solanacea showed significant pharmacological potentiality in different in-vitro and in-vivo study model. So, it will be very much possible source for an isolating lead compound for curing the numerous disorders.
Paradise and Perdition: Jesuit Visions of Santiago, Chile, before and after the Earthquake of 1647
Authors: Burdick Catherine
Published: October 2019

This study inserts Santiago, Chile, into contemporary discussions of colonial Latin America by reading two Jesuit documents—a map and a letter—created prior to and following the devastating earthquake of 1647, respectively. Alonso de Ovalle's Prospectiva y planta de la ciudad de Santiago (1646) presents an urban paradise in accordance with Spanish and Catholic ideals, a New World Jerusalem. This depiction is juxtaposed with a letter by Juan González Chaparro that describes postearthquake Santiago as “ruined at the powerful hand of the Almighty.” Focusing on the 1647 earthquake's religious dimensions and perceived causes, the study concludes that the religious authorities of Santiago stand out in the colonial Spanish Americas for assigning fault for such a disaster to their city's elites rather than to its underclasses.
Ephemeral Spaces and Pneumatic Architecture: The Films of Nikolaus Geyrhalter
Authors: Naqvi Fatima
Published: October 2019

The Austrian director Nikolaus Geyrhalter’s films consistently thematize linear perspective as a mode of thought. His documentaries use one-point perspective to draw attention to a scientific habitus, with its studied neutrality and foregrounded objectivity. His “partitive images” home in on the fleeting relation of part to whole, revealing the difficulty of understanding large concepts such as the West or the human species through such supposedly objective images. This article also discusses the connection between Geyrhalter’s photographic mode and sophisticated technological processes. It looks at architecture as an organizing element in relation to Bernd Becher and Hilla Becher’s nomadic typologies and the pneumatic architecture of the 1960s and 1970s, with special attention to the films Unser täglich Brot (Our Daily Bread, 2005), Abendland (Occident, 2011), and Homo Sapiens (2016).
Improved Electrochemical Water Oxidation over Chromium-Substituted Cobalt Aluminate Spinels
Authors: Kanazawa Tomoki , Eguchi Miharu , Nozawa Shunsuke , Maeda Kazuhiko
Published: October 2019

Spinel-type Co-Al-Cr mixed oxides (CoAl2−xCrxO4) were developed as electrochemical water oxidation catalysts. CoAl2−xCrxO4 powders were synthesized by a sol-gel method, followed by calcination at elevated temperatures in air. Electrochemical water oxidation was conducted in a phosphate-buffered aqueous solution (pH 7.5) using CoAl2−xCrxO4-loaded fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) conductive glass support under potentiostatic control. The electrochemical water oxidation activity was enhanced by substitution of Cr3+ ions for B-site Al3+ in CoAl2O4 in all activity metrics (i.e., geometric, specific and mass activities). Among the Cr-substituted CoAl2O4 examined, the highest activity was obtained for CoAl1.6Cr0.4O4, which was stable at +1.80 V (vs. RHE) for the generation of O2 with a Faradaic efficiency of close to unity and with minimal impact of undesirable Cr3+ oxidation. Physicochemical analyses by means of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated that the key to achieve high geometric activity was a reduction in the resistance of the electrode by the use of high surface area CoAl2−xCrxO4, which was achieved by controlling the preparation conditions of CoAl2−xCrxO4, i.e., appropriate adjustment of the Cr concentration and the calcination temperature.
Fundamentals of Biosafety
Authors: Азаев Мамедьяр , Azaev Mamedyar , Дадаева Александра , Dadaeva Aleksandra , Агафонов Александр , Agafonov Aleksandr , Ставский Евгений , Stavskiy Evgeniy , Нетёсов Сергей , Netesov Sergey
Published: October 2019

The presented edition contains definitions of terms in the field of Biosafety, its basic principles and practice of application. Summarizes the long-term practical experience of the authors with pathogens of dangerous human viral infections.
For medical and biological specialists, biotechnologists and all specialists and engineers working in the field of Microbiology, Virology, industrial Microbiology and biotechnology.
ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING ON SPRING WHEAT PRODUCTIVITY IN THE CONDITIONS OF GRAY FOREST SOILS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN METHODS OF MAIN COMPONENTS
Authors: Ибятов Равиль , Ibyatov Ravil , Шайхутдинов Фарит , Shaykhutdinov Farit , Валиев Абдулсамад , Valiev Abdulsamad
Published: October 2019

In this paper, the principal component method is used to process and analyze the main parameters of spring wheat yield formation. The productivity of spring wheat crops is the result of a complex interaction of a variety of factors. Possession of information on inter-factor relationships will allow you to purposefully control the process, influencing one or another factor. Therefore, the task of obtaining information about the structure of the relationship of influencing factors on the yield of spring wheat is relevant. We studied the observation data for spring wheat yields and ten independent factors influencing it for 32 years: productive moisture on the day of sowing, air humidity, precipitation, mass fraction of gluten, mass of 1000 grains, grain weight per spike, length of straw, dose of phosphorus dose of potassium, dose of nitrogen. The main components are constructed in the form of linear combinations of influencing factors. The dispersion fraction of the first main component (GK1) was 39.77%, the second component (GK2) - 20.86%, GK3 - 12.93%, GK4 - 8.79%, GK5 - 6.26%, GK6 - 5, 56%, GK7 - 3.05%, GK8 - 1.78%, GK9 - 0.89%, GK10 - 0.1%. The first three main components explain 73.56% of the variance in total; therefore, a ten-dimensional data array can be analyzed in three-dimensional space. The coordinates of the samples of initial information on the yield of spring wheat in the space of the main components are determined. A visual study of the structure underlying the data was carried out.
DIVERSITY OF SPRUCE SELECTIVE FORMS ACCORDING TO THEIR BARK IN PRIKAMYE
Authors: Иванчина Людмила , Ivanchina Lyudmila , Залесов Сергей , Zalesov Sergey , Кожевников Алексей , Kozhevnikov Aleksey
Published: October 2019

Lately in many countries of the world there has been a massive drying up of spruce stands. Bark form testifies to trees stability to environmental unfavorable factors. Investigations were underway in the central part of Russia, in the zone of coniferous-broadleaved (mixed) forests of Permsky kray. Above scientists established that in the Permsky kray spruce trees with smooth, scaled and longitudinally fissured fracture bark types can be found. The purpose is to determine spruce selective forms the most stable for drying off according to their bark structure. Based on the materials of 9 sample plots, it was established that the sanitary condition of the spruce trees in all the investigated spruce stands was unsatisfactory. According to investigation data in all the SP stands there are dried off trees whose number a varied from 28.4 to 69.6 %. The results of investigations have shown that in stands of all sample plots specimen of spruce with scaled bark form are prevailed. The number of spruce trees with scaled bark varies from 83.1 to 98.9%. Rarely are spruce trees with longitudinally fissured and smooth bark types. We succeeded in singling out a new spruce form according bark structure – smooth warty form too. Share of spruce trees with this bark type does not exceed 4.2 % on stocking. Spruce trees of all the bark forms are subjected significantly to drying off, except the trees with smooth warty form. The conservation of spruce trees with a smooth warty bark form is 100 % on all SP within which specimens of spruce of this bark form were found.
Patients who are incapable of making decisions
Authors: Finch John
Published: October 2019

In the August/September 2019 issue of BJNN, John Finch, a legal member of the Mental Health Act Commission for England and Wales from its creation by statute in 1983 until 1991, examined the legal basics affecting people who are incapacitated with the consequence that they are incapable of making decisions about the treatment and care offered, or available, to them. The over-used term ‘best interests’ figured prominently. He expresses reservations about the term, which can have a shifting meaning in a variety of widely differing circumstances, so much so that it sometimes has no useful meaning at all. The article begins with a degree of pessimism but concludes with a more optimistic view of future practice.
Research Roundup
Authors: Dening Karen Harrison
Published: October 2019

Karen Harrison Dening provides a synopsis and brief review of a selection of recently published research articles on dementia that are of interest to neuroscience nurses, highlighting key points to keep you up to date. A full reference is provided for those who wish to read the research in more detail.
Faecal-oral parasite transmission and the veterinary nurse's role in education
Authors: Wright Ian , Richmond Philippa
Published: October 2019

There are a wide range of parasites endemic in the UK which can infect cats and dogs, their pathological and zoonotic potential mean it is essential veterinary nurses (VNs) educate clients on how to prevent exposure and therefore minimise risk. A key mode of transmission is the faecal-oral route in which infective stages of parasites can pass directly to other hosts. The three main groups of parasites which can be transmitted via this route are roundworms (Toxocara spp.), intestinal protozoa and tapeworms. Through effective communication and the development of partnerships with clients VNs can improve compliance thus reducing parasite risk which is of benefit to both pet and owner.
Qualificação docente e desenvolvimento regional: um estudo de caso em uma faculdade municipal
Authors: Diogo Maria Fernanda , Bianchetti Lucídio
Published: October 2019

Com este texto objetivou-se compreender a influência dos cursos de Pós-Graduação Lato Sensu em Educação no desenvolvimento regional e na qualificação docente dos/as egressos/as da Faculdade Municipal de Palhoça. Esta é uma instituição de ensino pública e gratuita, localizada em Santa Catarina, cujos cursos Lato Sensu em Educação foram planejados para atender às demandas dos profissionais da Educação Básica municipal. Realizou-se uma pesquisa quali-quantitativa, por meio de questionários de acesso on-line aplicados aos/às egressos/as desta especialização profissional. A análise das informações revelou que os cursos supriram as expectativas de formação continuada da maioria dos/as respondentes, abordando conhecimentos úteis e atualizados, alinhados a um compromisso ético e político de transformação social. Observou-se que esses exerceram dois níveis de influência no desenvolvimento regional: a) relacionado ao incremento do capital humano atuante na Educação Básica do município e seu entorno; b) referente à ampliação das perspectivas profissionais dos/as egresso/as. Conclui-se que a Pós-Graduação Lato Sensu é um espaço privilegiado para a construção do conhecimento, tornando-se uma instância de formação continuada. Investir no desenvolvimento regional por meio da oferta desta modalidade de ensino influi na melhoria da educação e padrão de vida das pessoas daquela região, ativando potencialidades locais e servindo de base para uma proposta includente e sustentável.
Saberes e práticas de médicos e enfermeiros relativos ao pré-natal odontológico
Authors: Pereira Rejane Marques , Pinheiro Ferreira Suélem Maria Santana , Silva Rogério Vieira , Da Silva Jinária Fernandes , Dos Santos Isis Cardoso Benício
Published: October 2019

O pré-natal odontológico visa identificar riscos à saúde bucal, necessidade de tratamento odontológico e promover a educação para a saúde materno-infantil. Objetivou-se descrever conhecimentos e práticas de médicos e enfermeiros envolvidos no cuidado pré-natal referentes à saúde bucal de gestantes na atenção básica de saúde de Vitória da Conquista, BA, em 2015. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, censitário e descritivo realizado com médicos e enfermeiros da atenção básica. Aplicou-se questionário objetivo para investigação socioeconômica, dos conhecimentos e ações em saúde bucal no pré-natal. Os dados foram analisados de forma descritiva com frequências absolutas e relativas, e medidas de tendência central e dispersão, através do SPSS. Dos 54 entrevistados, 68,5% estão inseridos em Unidade de Saúde da Família, com atuação média de 18 meses; 68,5% são enfermeiros. Apenas 38,9% participaram do curso introdutório da atenção básica, mas sem abordagem sobre a saúde bucal de gestantes (66,7%). A maioria (96,3%) considerou o contato da gestante com o cirurgião-dentista importante independente de queixa bucal; 75,5% incentivam as gestantes a procurarem atendimento odontológico, porém apenas 20,4% realizam inspeção visual da cavidade oral regularmente. As discussões com o Cirurgião-Dentista são raras (25,9%) ou ausentes (31,5%), e alguns mitos ainda persistem entre os profissionais, como a contraindicação de radiografia (57,7%) e procedimentos cirúrgicos para gestantes (35,2%). Conclui-se que os profissionais demonstraram maior conhecimento sobre questões gerais do pré-natal odontológico, em detrimento de aspectos norteadores de práticas. Além disso, houve baixa participação no cuidado compartilhado, com transferência da responsabilidade sobre a saúde bucal exclusivamente para o dentista.
A meditação como ferramenta lúdica
Authors: Viscardi Adriana Aparecida da Fonseca , Lecuona Daliana Stephanie , Correia Priscila Mari dos Santos , Marinho Alcyane
Published: October 2019

A meditação foi inserida no Sistema Único de Saúde – SUS, por meio das Práticas Integrativas e Complementares – PICs, como um recurso terapêutico. Considerando tratar-se de uma prática corporal mais introspectiva, com potencial reflexivo, de envolvimento de si mesmo, este estudo tem como objetivo analisar os potenciais e os limites da meditação, como ferramenta lúdica, à promoção da saúde em uma unidade básica de saúde do município de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de campo, com corte transversal, do tipo descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa dos dados, tendo como participantes a responsável pelo grupo de meditação de uma unidade básica de saúde, na cidade de Florianópolis (SC), e três integrantes desse grupo. Como instrumentos de coleta de dados foram utilizados roteiros de entrevistas, matriz de observação sistemática e diário de campo.  Para análise dos dados foram utilizados elementos da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Verificou-se que a meditação pode permitir a expressão de subjetividade e de autonomia, podendo favorecer a aproximação entre profissionais de saúde e a comunidade, bem como entre os próprios participantes. Além disso, a meditação pode proporcionar a experimentação de um momento de introspecção e autocuidado. Por outro lado, também pode dificultar o sentimento de pertença, observando-se os entraves para as relações conforme as características pessoais e profissionais dos envolvidos. Tais características visualizadas retratam a meditação como uma possível ferramenta lúdica na promoção de saúde, com potenciais notórios, mas, igualmente, com limites, que precisam ser reconhecidos a fim de serem trabalhados em direção à sua minimização.
Preenchimento da Caderneta de Saúde da Criança e antropometria de crianças
Authors: Figueroa Pedraza Dixis
Published: October 2019

Descrever o preenchimento da Caderneta de Saúde da Criança (CSC) e analisar sua relação com o estado nutricional de crianças assistidas em creches. Estudo transversal desenvolvido com 402 crianças de 24 a 72 meses de idade assistidas em creches de Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil. O estado nutricional foi avaliado pelos índices estatura/idade, peso/idade e IMC/idade. Verificou-se a adequação de 17 variáveis da CSC. Analisou-se a relação do escore de preenchimento da CSC com os escores-Z dos índices antropométricos.: As variáveis que apresentaram maiores frequências de preenchimento incorreto foram o registro do peso e perímetro cefálico na curva de crescimento e o registro do desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor. Crianças com preenchimento adequado da CSC tiveram maior média de estatura/idade. Os achados apresentados evidenciam deficiências de preenchimento da CSC entre crianças assistidas em creches que compreendem parâmetros do crescimento e desenvolvimento. Sugere-se o desenvolvimento de pesquisas para testar a associação entre essas deficiências com o crescimento da criança.
Methods of extraction, physicochemical properties of alginates and their applications in biomedical field – a review
Authors: Beata Łabowska Magdalena , Michalak Izabela , Detyna Jerzy
Published: October 2019

In this paper, the current state-of-art of extraction of alginates and the determination of their physico-chemical properties as well as their overall applications focussing on biomedical purposes has been presented. The quality and quantity of the alginate obtained with a variable yield prepared from brown seaweeds as a result of many factors, such as type of algae, extraction methods, chemical modification and others. Alginates are mainly extracted by using conventional alkaline extraction. However, novel extraction techniques such as microwave and ultrasound assisted extractions have gained a lot of interest. The extraction parameters (e.g., temperature and time of extraction) have critical impact on the alginate physiochemical and mechanical properties and thus, their potential applications. By controlling a chemical process makes it possible get various forms of alginates, such as fibres, films, hydrogels or foams. It is important to characterise the obtained alginates in order to their proper applications. This article presents several techniques used for the analysis of alginate properties. These natural polysaccharides are widely used in the commercial production, as a food ingredient, in the pharmaceutical industry due to their antibacterial, anticancer and probiotic properties. Their gelling characteristic and absorbable properties enable using alginates as a wound management material. Moreover, they are also biocompatible, non-toxic and biodegradable, therefore adequate in other biomedical applications.
Calabresi on Merit Goods
Authors: Desmarais-Tremblay Maxime
Published: October 2019

Guido Calabresi has been one of the first scholars to use the concept of merit goods coined by Richard A. Musgrave in The Theory of Public Finance (1959). Although the concept had a mixed reception in economics, Calabresi detected its fruitfulness for a more realistic theorisation of the allocation of goods. Starting from a study of the tragic choices a society needs to make concerning the value of life, Calabresi provides an original conceptualisation of merit goods which is partly complementary to the classical definitions given by Musgrave. However, Calabresi’s conceptualisation is limited by its cost/benefit welfarist approach. Moreover, it leaves out important strands of justification for merit goods. After some preliminary remarks on Calabresi’s encounter with Musgrave, the paper analyses Calabresi’s two arguments for merit goods exposed in The Future of Law & Economics (2016). It then suggests that a theory of merit goods would gain from moving away from the emotivist conceptualisation according to which people feel bad about certain goods being traded for money to a conceptualisation of the reasons for allocating specific goods to specific institutions.
Equivalent stiffness prediction and global buckling analysis using refined analytical model of composite laminated box beam
Authors: Zhu Xiujie , Xiong Chao , Yin Junhui , Yin Dejun , Deng Huiyong
Published: October 2019

The analytical model applicable to calculate the equivalent stiffnesses of composite box beam has been refined. The calculation of equivalent stiffness coefficients of composite laminated box beam is simplified and the connection between shear-deformable beam theory and classical laminate theory is established. The equivalent stiffness analytic formulas expressed by beam cross-section geometry and laminate stiffness coefficients are obtained. These analytical formulas are suitable for composite laminated box beam with circumferential uniform stiffness, and accounts for bending- transverse shear and torsiontensile coupling effect. The correctness and precision of refined analytical model is verified by test and finite element method, respectively. The influences of the lay-ups on the elastic coupling of composite structures and their causes are studied. The variation of the equivalent stiffnesses of the laminated box beams with different lay-ups is predicted. The global buckling analysis of composite laminated box beam considering the transverse shear deformation is carried out. The formula of the global buckling critical load is obtained combining with the theoretical formulas of equivalent stiffnesses. The influences of the lay-ups, shear deformation and slenderness ratio on the global buckling critical load are studied.
Slurry Deposition Method of Low-Plasticity Intermediate Soils for Laboratory Element Testing
Authors: Krage Christopher P. , Price Adam B. , Lukas William G. , DeJong Jason T. , DeGroot Don J. , Boulanger Ross W.
Published: October 2019

A repeatable preparation method is useful for investigating systematic variations in behavior across a range of soil types (e.g., gradation, plasticity) and test conditions (e.g., stress level, stress history). Existing methods for preparation of laboratory specimens can be generally categorized into those for cohesionless and cohesive soils, thereby focusing on a narrow range of soils and test conditions. The applicability of these conventional preparation techniques for soils with intermediate (or transitional) properties and behaviors are relatively unknown. In this study, a range of intermediate soils that are not amenable to traditional sand-like or claylike characterization are prepared using a slurry deposition technique and evaluated in oedemetric consolidation, undrained monotonic triaxial shear, and both undrained monotonic and undrained cyclic direct simple shear by three researchers at two separate universities. Results indicate that the slurry technique developed herein can produce uniform mixtures of nonplastic, low-plasticity, and high-plasticity soils, with repeatable behaviors obtained from singular mixtures for all test methods. Evaluation of specimen response across this range of soils exhibits systematic trends of increasing compressibility with increasing plasticity and a transition from dilative to contractive tendencies with increasing soil plasticity. Collectively, these results for synthetic mixtures of silica silt and kaolin clay suggest that the slurry deposition technique is applicable to fine-grained, intermediate soils across a range of plasticity from nonplastic to high-plasticity soils.