bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Modeling Method Base on Candidate Window for Clinical Concept Extraction
Authors: Tang Yongtao , Li Shasha , Ji Bin , Yu Jie , Tan Yusong , Wu Qingbo
Published: February 2020

Background Recently, how to structuralize electronic medical records (EMRs) has attracted considerable attention from researchers. Extracting clinical concepts from EMRs is a critical part of EMR structuralization. The performance of clinical concept extraction will directly affect the performance of the downstream tasks related to EMR structuralization. We propose a new modeling method based on candidate window classification, which is different from mainstream sequence labeling models, to improves the performance of clinical concept extraction tasks under strict standards by considering the overall semantics of the token sequence instead of the semantics of each token. We call this model as slide window model. MethodIn this paper, we comprehensively study the performance of the slide window model in clinical concept extraction tasks. We model the clinical concept extraction task as the task of classifying each candidate window, which was extracted by the slide window. The proposed model mainly consists of four parts. First, the pre-trained language model is used to generate the context-sensitive token representation. Second, a convolutional neural network (CNN) is used to generate all representation vector of the candidate windows in the sentence. Third, every candidate window is classified by a Softmax classifier to obtain concept type probability distribution. Finally, the knapsack algorithm is used as a post-process to maximize the sum of disjoint clinical concepts scores and filter the clinical concepts. Results Experiments show that the slide window model achieves the best micro-average F1 score(81.22%) on the corpora of the 2012 i2b2 NLP challenges and achieves 89.25% F1 score on the 2010 i2b2 NLP challenges under the strict standard. Furthermore, the performance of our approach is always better than the BiLSTM-CRF model and softmax classifier with the same pre-trained language model. ConclusionsThe slide window model shows a new modeling method for solving clinical concept extraction tasks. It models clinical concept extraction as a problem for classifying candidate windows and extracts clinical concepts by considering the semantics of the entire candidate window. Experiments show that this method of considering the overall semantics of the candidate window can improve the performance of clinical concept extraction tasks under strict standards.
Need Assessment and Development of a Mobile-based Medication Dosage Calculation Application for ICU nurses
Authors: Abbasi Faeze , Khajouei Reza , Nejad Mehdi Ahmadi , Razban Faride , Jahani Yunes
Published: February 2020

Background Medication dosage calculation errors are among the most common errors of nurses in intensive care unit (ICU). Information technologies, particularly mobile devices, can advance drug dosage calculation processes. The objective of this study was to develop a medication dosage calculation application for nurses in intensive care units. Methods This study was performed in the ICUs of teaching hospitals in Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2018. First, a need assessment survey of nurses was conducted to determine the required features of the application. As well two specialists were interviewed to determine the medications used in the ICUs. Second, a medication dosage calculation application was developed using formative usability testing. Results Overall, 80% of the participants (n=120) answered the need assessment questionnaire. Of 29 features determined in the needs assessment, 19 were selected to develop the application. Moreover, 25 medications were selected by specialists and participants for the development of the application and its prototype. The usability test of the prototype found 15 problems. After fixing these problems 2 problems were identified, which were fixed in the final version. Conclusion According to the participants, development of the medication dosage calculation application increases the accuracy of drug dosage and reduces the errors. The user-identified features were developed in-app. User-centered usability testing in this study improved development based on needs of users. The method used in this study can be used by developers of health applications to develop applications which are consistent with user needs.
The Association between Care Left Undone and Temporary Nursing Staff ratios in Acute Settings: A cross- sectional survey of registered nurses
Authors: Senek Michaela , ROBERTSON STEVE , RYAN TONY , RN RACHEL KING , WOOD EMILY , TOD ANGELA
Published: February 2020

Background The shortage of health workers is a global phenomenon. To meet increasing patient demands on UK health services, providers are increasingly relying on temporary staff to fill permanent posts. This study examines the occurrence of ‘care left undone’, understaffing and temporary staffing across acute sector settings. Methods Staffing and ‘care left undone’ measures were derived from the responses of 13, 218 registered nurses across the UK. A locally smoothed scatterplot smoothing regression analysis (Loess) was used to model the relationship between any ‘care left undone’ events and full complement, modest and severely understaffed shifts, and proportions of temporary staff. Results Occurrence of ‘care left undone’ was highest in Emergency Departments and lowest in Theatre settings. The odds of ‘care left undone’ increase with increasing proportion of temporary staff. This trend is the same in all understaffing categories. On shifts with a full quota of nursing staff, an increase in the proportion of temporary staff from 0 to 10 per cent increases the odds of care left undone by 6 per cent (OR= 1.06,95% CI, 1.04-1.09 ). Within the full quota staffing category, the difference becomes statistically significant (p<0.05) on shifts with a proportion of temporary nursing staff of 40 per cent or more. On shifts with a full quota of nursing staff the odds of a ‘care left undone’ event is 10 per cent more with the proportion of temporary nursing staff at 50 per cent, compared to shifts with modest understaffing of 25 per cent or less with no temporary nursing staff (OR=1.1, 95%CI, 0.96-1.25). Conclusion The odds of a ‘care left undone’ event is similar for fully staffed shifts with a high temporary nursing staff ratio compared to severely understaffed shifts with no temporary nursing staff. Increasing the proportion of temporary nurse staff is associated with higher rates of self-reported care left undone by nursing staff. This has significant implications for nurse managers and policy makers.
The proteomic response is linked to regional lung volumes in ventilator-induced lung injury
Authors: Yen Seiha , Song Yong , Preissner Melissa , Bennett Ellen , Wilson Richard , Pavez Macarena , Dubsky Stephen , Dargaville Peter A. , Fouras Andreas , Zosky Graeme R.
Published: February 2020

Background: It is unclear how acid induced lung injury alters the regional lung volume response to mechanical ventilation (MV) and how this impacts protein expression. Using a mouse model, we investigated the separate and combined effects of acid aspiration and MV on regional lung volumes and how these were associated with the proteome.Methods: Adult BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: intratracheal saline, intratracheal acid, Saline/MV or Acid/MV. Specific tidal volume (sVt) and specific end-expiratory volume (sEEV) were measured at baseline and after 2 hours of ventilation using dynamic high-resolution four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) images. Lung tissue was dissected into 10 regions corresponding to the image segmentation for label-free quantitative proteomic analysis. Results: Acid aspiration significantly reduced sVt and caused further reductions in sVt and sEEV after 2 hours of ventilation. Proteomic analysis revealed 42 dysregulated proteins in both Saline/MV and Acid/MV groups, and 37 differentially expressed proteins in the Acid/MV group. Mapping of the overlapping proteins showed significant enrichment of complement/coagulation cascades (CCC). Analysis of 37 unique proteins in the Acid/MV group identified 6 additional CCC proteins and 7 down-regulated proteins involved in the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC). Regional MRC protein levels were positively correlated with sEEV, while the CCC protein levels were negatively associated with sVt. Conclusions: High tidal stretch was associated with increased expression of CCC proteins while low lung volumes were negatively associated with MRC protein expression, suggesting that overstretch and low lung volumes activate different injury pathways.
Care at the Critical Care Medical Center is associated with improved outcomes in patients with accidental hypothermia: A report from the J-Point registry
Authors: Fujimoto Yoshihiro , Matsuyama Tasuku , Morita Sachiko , Ehara Naoki , Miyamae Nobuhiro , Okada Yohei , Jo Takaaki , Sumida Yasuyuki , Okada Nobunaga , Watanabe Makoto , Nozawa Masahiro , Tsuruoka Ayumu , Okumura Yoshiki , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Takegami Tetsurou
Published: February 2020

Background: The recommendation that patients with accidental hypothermia (AH) should be transported to specialized centers which can provide extracorporeal life support has not been validated, and the efficacy still remains unclear.Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients with a body temperature of ≤35°C presenting at the emergency department of 12 hospitals in Japan between April 2011 and March 2016. We divided the patients into the two groups based on the point of care delivery: Critical Care Medical Center (CCMC) or non-CCMC. The primary outcome of this study was in-hospital death. In-hospital death was compared between AH patients at the CCMC and non-CCMC via a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to patients with severe hypothermia (<28°C) or systolic blood pressure of <90 mmHg.Results: A total of 537 patients were included; 413 patients (76.9%) in the CCMC and 124 patients (23.1%) in the non-CCMC group. The in-hospital death rate was lower in the CCMC group than in the non-CCMC group (22.3% versus 31.5%, p<0.001). The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of the CCMC group was 0.54 (95% confidence interval: 0.32-0.90). In subgroup analyses, patients with systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg in the CCMC group were less likely to experience in-hospital death (AOR 0.36, 95% CI 0.23-0.56). However, no such association was observed among patients with severe hypothermia (AOR 1.08, 95% CI 0.63-1.85)Conclusions: Our multicenter study indicated that Care at CCMC was associated with improved outcomes in patients with AH. Optimizing the transport of patients with AH to specialized centers is likely to be beneficial.
Initiation into street, challenges, means of survival and perceived strategies to alleviate its plights among street children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2019
Authors: Chimdessa Ayana Fite
Published: February 2020

Background: The life and health of street children is becoming a global concern. There is a wide range of legislation relevant to street children. However, poor design and implementation of policies, strategies and traditional response by most governments in Africa has been subjugated. This made street children defenseless to harassments, child trafficking and health problems.Methodology: A phenomenological study design was employed to explore difficulties of street life experience and perceived strategies to alleviate them. The study was conducted from January to March 2019. A Time-Space Sampling (TSS) was used to recruit participants. Pre-tested interview guide was used for data collection. Data was analyzed by using framework analysis software. A code book was developed under three themes (Initiation into street life, means of survival and perceived strategies) with different sub-themes and categories.Results: A total of 103 street children age 10-18 years took part in the study. Complexity of push and pull factors pose to a risk of flee to the street. Street children face widespread challenges i.e. social network fragmentation, child trafficking, harassments and shortage of basic needs. Furthermore, absences of complete and representative data on street children as well as strategies are hardly available. Thus, street children have been considered as felon, out laws and having a mentality of committing crime by both law keeping bodies and the society. These in turn is affecting street children’s’ acceptance by their community and get legal protection under the law that made them more susceptible to harassments, denial of access to education and health services. To survive, they use different mechanisms including group formation - where, every individual within the group has his or her mandate for collective security, share available resources and vital information that might be useful for the group. Conclusion: Lack of policies and strategies targeting street children has made them prone to many problems. Therefore, call for different stakeholders in supporting to design and implement clear, case based and contextualized strategic policies to address and prevent plights of street children. Intervention targeting positively perceived street children’s proposed strategies has to be considered.
Routine colonoscopy may not be needed for uncomplicated acute right colonic diverticulitis
Authors: Lee Kil-yong , Lee Jaeim , Park Youn Young , Oh Seong Taek
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Routine colonoscopy is recommended to determine the coexistence of colon cancer after medical treatment for colon diverticulitis. However, in the case of uncomplicated diverticulitis diagnosed by computed tomography imaging, the clinical relevance of routine follow-up colonoscopy has recently been debated. Yet, the role of follow-up colonoscopy for right colon diverticulitis, which tends to develop at a younger age than left colon diverticulitis, has not been specifically evaluated. Therefore, or aim in this study was to evaluate the incidence of colon cancer, detected by routine colonoscopy, after conservative management of acute uncomplicated right colon diverticulitis.

METHODS

Included were patients with uncomplicated right colon diverticulitis (modified Hinchey stage Ia) diagnosed by computed tomography imaging, between 2011 and 2017, and who underwent follow-up colonoscopy surveillance after treatment. The primary outcome was the incidence of colon cancer, with the detection rate of adenoma being the secondary outcome. Information for analysis was retrieved, retrospectively, from patients’ medical records.

RESULTS

The study group included 330 consecutive patients, with a mean age of 41.9 years, and 51.9% being men. For the primary outcome, the rate of colon cancer on follow-up colonoscopy was 0.3% (1/330 cases). The rate of adenoma detection was 20.3% (67/330 cases), with advanced adenoma identified in 9 of these cases (13.4%).

CONCLUSION

In patients with acute uncomplicated right colonic diverticulitis, routine colonoscopy after conservative treatment may not be necessary.
Health Risk Behavior And Associated Factors Among Myanmar Migrant Workers In Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand
Authors: Paratthakonkun Chirawat , Soonthornworasiri Ngamphol , Maneekan Pannamas , Toraksa Kanittha , Zaw Aung Phone , Thu Sai Wai Yan Myint , Arthan Dumrongkiet
Published: February 2020

Background: Thailand has recently experienced large cross-border migration from nearby countries, in particular from Myanmar that have different lifestyle and health behaviors compared with the local community. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of health-risk behaviors and related factors amongst Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand. Methods: The cross-sectional secondary data analysis was performed by using the primary data from questionnaire survey obtained from Samut Sakhon Hospital. This study explored the health-risk behaviors amongst 1,205 Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand by using a structured questionnaire, and analyzing the related factors by using logistic regression. Results: Lack of exercise was considered to be the most common unhealthy behavior (81.5%) followed by smoking (22.5%), betel quid chewing (18.9%) and alcohol drinking (10.2%). Advancing age (AOR = 1.03, 95%CI 1.02-1.05)) and being male (AOR = 8.29, 95%CI 5.54-12.40)) were significant risk factors for workers having a smoking habit. Additionally, being Mon ethnic led to a lower chance of having a smoking habit compared with the Burmese ethnic group (AOR= 0.518, 95% CI: 0.315-0.851). The odds of having a smoking habit was four times greater in workers who drank alcohol (AOR = 4.08, 95%CI 2.58-6.47)). Additionally, odds of drinking alcohol increased with advancing age, 1.03 (95%CI 1.00-1.05), male gender, 9.30 (95%CI 4.39-19.73), having a smoking habit, 4.23 (95%CI 2.67-6.70) and being a fisherman, 3.08 (95%CI 1.51-6.29). Conclusions: The findings can be used for developing appropriate policies, special health promotion programs and mass communication to prevent treated diseases in migrant workers. Keywords : Exercise, Smoking, Alcohol drinking, Betel quid chewing, Myanmar migrant workers
Women’s decision-making capacity and HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa: A multi-country analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Oduro Joseph Kojo , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Budu Eugene , Appiah Francis , Baatiema Linus , Ameyaw Edward Kwabena , Sambah Francis
Published: February 2020

IntroductionGlobal commitment to stop HIV and ensure access to HIV treatment call for women empowering as these efforts play a major role in mother to child transmission. We explored the association between women decision-making capacity and HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Materials and methodsWe used data from current Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2016 in 30 countries within SSA. At the descriptive level, we calculated the prevalence of women who had undergone HIV testing and decision-making capacity in each of the countries as well as prevalence of HIV testing across their socio-demographic characteristics. We used Binary Logistic Regression to explore the likelihood of HIV testing by decision-making capacity and socio-demographic characteristics at 5% margin of error. The results were presented as Crude Odds Ratios (CORs) and Adjusted Odds Ratios (AORs). ResultsWe found that overall, 10.0% of women had decision-making with Nigeria (4.5%) and Zimbabwe (21.3%) recording the least and the highest respectively. In terms of HIV testing, the prevalence of HIV testing in the 30 SSA countries was 64.4%, with Guinea (12.8%) having the least. The highest occurred in Lesotho (99%) and Rwanda (99%). Women who had capacity to make decisions had higher likelihood of HIV testing [AOR=1.04, CI=1.02–1.09]. Women from Rwanda had the highest likelihood of HIV testing [AOR=53.92, CI=41.31–70.37] with women from Guinea having the least likelihood [AOR=0.10, CI=0.08–0.11]. Other determinants to HIV testing were level of education, wealth status, believing that a healthy-looking person can have HIV, watching television almost every day, age and place of residence.Conclusion SSA countries intending to improve HIV testing need to incorporate women decision-making capacity strategies in terms of education and counselling into the available policies. This is essential because our study indicates that as women are able to make decisions in their households, the possibility for them to test for their HIV status increases.
Estimation of pathogenic potential of an environmental Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate using comparative genomics
Authors: Berger Carola , Rückert Christian , Blom Jochen , Rabaey Korneel , Kalinowski Jörn , Rosenbaum Miriam A.
Published: February 2020

BackgroundNew strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are continuously being isolated and sequenced to increase the genomic accessibility of this important pathogen. This has led to the generation of an impressive dataset of closed P. aeruginosa genomes. To understand the difference between the strains, investigations are focused on the accessory genome, thereby constantly extending the known pan genome of P. aeruginosa as a species. Apart from follow-up studies, many of the publicly available genomes are only used in their original publication while additional in silico information, based on comparison to previously published genomes, is not being explored. In this study, we defined and investigated the genome of the environmental isolate P. aeruginosa KRP1 and compared it to more than 100 publicly available closed P. aeruginosa genomes. ResultsPseudomonas spp. KRP1 could clearly be identified as a P. aeruginosa isolate, via comparative genomics. By using different genomic island prediction programs, we could identify a total of 25 genomic islands that cover ~12% of the genome of P. aeruginosa KRP1. Based on intra-strain comparisons, we are able to predict the pathogenic potential of this environmental isolate. It shares a substantial amount of its genomic information with the highly virulent PSE9 and LESB58 strains. For both of these clones, their increased virulence has been directly linked to their accessory genome before. ConclusionsHere we show, how the integrated use of previously published genomic data today, can help to replace expensive and time consuming wetlab work to determine the pathogenetic potential of environmental isolates. This knowledge is vital to understand what makes an isolate a potential pathogen as it helps design effective treatment.
Response of DREB transcription factor to drought stress based on DNA methylation in wheat
Authors: Zhu Yanqiu , Wang Huihui , Jia Wenjing , Wei Xiaoyan , Duan Zhikun , Qi Qianting , Jiang Lina , Zhou Yanqing , Duan Hongying
Published: February 2020

Background: The growth and development of wheat are seriously influenced by drought stress, and the research on drought resistance mechanism of wheat is very important. Dehydration responsive element binding protein (DREB) plays an important role in plant response to drought stress, but epigenetic regulation for gene expression of DREB transcription factor is less studied, especially the regulatory role of DNA methylation has not been reported.Results: In this research, DREB2, DREB6 and Wdreb2 were cloned from wheat in this study, their CDS sequence was composed of 732bp, 837bp or 1035bp, respectively, one 712bp intron was found in DREB6. Although AP2/EREBP domain of DREB2, DREB6 and Wdreb2 had 73.25% identity, they belong to different types of DREB transcription factor, and the expression of Wdreb2 was significantly higher, yet was the lowest in DREB2. Under drought stress, the expression of DREB2, DREB6 and Wdreb2 could be induced, but had different trends along with the increase of stress time, and their expression had tissue specificity, was obviously higher in leaf. Promoter of DREB2, DREB6 and Wdreb2 in leaf was further studied, some elements related to adverse stress were found, and the promoter of DREB2 and Wdreb2 was slightly methylated, but DREB6 promoter was mildly methylated. Compared with the control, the level of promoter methylation decreased in DREB2 and DREB6 as stressed for 2h, then increased along with the increase of stress time, which was opposite in Wdreb2 promoter, the status of promoter methylation also had significant change under drought stress. Further analysis showed that promoter methylation of DREB6 or Wdreb2 was negatively correlated with their expression, especially was significant in Wdreb2. Conclusions: DREB2, DREB6 and Wdreb2 might function differently in response to drought stress, and promoter methylation had more significant effects on gene expression of Wdreb2 and DREB6.
Measuring Clinical Uncertainty and Equipoise by Applying the Agreement Study Methodology to Patient Management Decisions
Authors: FAHED Robert , DARSAUT Tim E. , FARZIN Behzad , CHAGNON Miguel , Raymond Jean
Published: February 2020

Background: Clinical dilemmas in the treatment of patients translate into disagreements in decision-making. Such disagreements can reveal clinical uncertainty that should be addressed through care research. Our goal was to explore the use of reliability study methods to measure the degree of clinical uncertainty and equipoise regarding the use of rival management options prior to the conduct of randomized trials. Methods: The study design resembles an inter-/intra-observer diagnostic reliability study. A portfolio of a sufficient number of diverse individual patients sharing a similar clinical problem and covering a wide spectrum of clinical presentations can be independently submitted to a variety of clinicians who manage that problem. Clinicians are asked to choose one of the predefined management options that are involved in the clinical dilemma. Intra-rater agreement can be assessed at a later time with a second evaluation. Results: Descriptive statistics are presented, and results analyzed using kappa statistics. Interpretation of results can be facilitated by providing examples or by translating the results into clinically meaningful summary sentences. Reporting should follow standard guidelines. Conclusions: Measuring the uncertainty regarding management options for clinical problems may reveal disagreements, provide an empirical foundation for the notion of equipoise, and inform or facilitate the design/conduct of clinical trials to address the clinical dilemma.
DETERMINATION OF CONSUMER PREFERENCES OF DIFFERENT GROUPS OF FOOD
Authors: Biletska Yana , Perepelytsia Anna , Bilovska Olha
Published: February 2020

Marketing research of consumer preferences of consumers when purchasing various groups of food products are conducted, the factors affecting respondents when purchasing food products are studied. It is established that the consumer in its daily diet takes 10.5 % of bakery products; 7.1 % cereals and soups based on cereals and legumes. 9.5 % of respondents consume confectionery for breakfast and during snacks, and 6.2 % consume sweets. Meat is consumed daily by 5.8 % of respondents. Products based on meat –10.7 %. 8.1 % of respondents consume fish daily and fish-based products 3.1 %. 5.9 % consume milk every day, and milk-based products – 10.2 % of respondents. 12.8 and 10.1 % of the daily diet of respondents are vegetables and fruits (respectively). It is established that the recommended consumption norms are exceeded for such food groups as sweets, meat-based products, and confectionery. Diet within the norm for the consumption of bakery products, milk, fish and fish-based products. Inadequate consumption of cereals, legumes, meat, fruits. Based on the results, it is determined that the consumer prefers food products that have a pleasant (familiar) taste, without harmful, unnatural substances, high nutritional value at a low price. The studies are useful for specialists in food industry who work and develop new foods and diets.
VALENCIAN RECONQUEST CHURCHES. STUDY OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS FOUND IN THE ALGEMESÍ CAPILLA DE LA COMUNIÓN
Authors: SENTAMANS J. García , PLAZAOLA I. Fernández , MONTESINOS J. V. Ferrandis , LANDETE A. Sáez
Published: February 2020

The present paper deals with the examination and research to the vestiges of an ancient church discovered in the basement of the Algemesí Communion Chapel, dating back to the beginnings of Christianity in the city. Considering the disposition of the constructive elements and the documented historical facts that date back to the first parish in the 13th century, it was deduced that the remains found were part of a temple with diaphragmatic arches and a woody roof. These facts are the paradigm of the ecclesiastical architecture that prevailed, by its execution speed, in the kingdom of Valencia after Jaime I reconquest. The study includes the comparison with other buildings of the same nature that allowed reconstructing its hypothetical volume, as well as the analysis of the techniques and materials that shaped its structure. Its identification ascribes another example to the Valencian protogothic architecture.
RESEARCH OF SINGLE ROOM DECENTRALIZED HEAT RECOVERY UNIT
Authors: KOPER Piotr , PALMOWSKA Agnieszka , MYSZKOWSKA Agnieszka
Published: February 2020

Mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery units are one of the key elements of low energy residential buildings and it has gained increasing interest during the last years. This research presents experimental investigation of the work of the compact recuperator, as a part of the decentralized, single pipe ventilation system, in real conditions. An experimental study was carried out to obtain data for tested unit efficiency calculation, for supply and exhaust mode. The scope of measurement encompassed the air temperature and airflow rate. Tested recuperator fulfilled its role of ventilation with heat recovery, however, some deficiencies were indicated. As a result of measurements it has been noticed that it is possible to improve the device in the future. This possibility of improvement of this device was suggested in the conclusions.
ANALYSIS OF THE POSSIBLE APPLICATION OF DEAMMONIFICATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IN ZABRZE
Authors: PĘCIAK-FORYŚ Grażyna , BARBUSIŃSKI Krzysztof , FILIPEK Krzysztof
Published: February 2020

Due to eutrophication phenomena the modern wastewater plants are obliged to apply highly effective technologies to remove nutrient, i.e. nitrogen and phosphorous, substances. The biological methods to remove nitrogen in the processes of nitrification and denitrifications are successfully used in the main technological line (mainstream). It has been observed, however, that in technical design of activated sludge bioreactor the additional ammonia nitrogen load coming from fermented sludge dewatering effluents was not sufficiently considered. This load, of ca. 20–30% of a total nitrogen inflow, could interrupt the nitrogen removal process. Therefore, the sidestream ammonia nitrogen removal technologies have been widely applied. The operating problems and the ways to solve them in the “Śródmieście” WWTP in Zabrze, resulting from additional nitrogen load, coming from dewatering and thickening effluents, are described in the presented paper. Moreover, preliminary calculations of the DEMON® reactor volume, on the basis of actual nitrogen concentrations in the leachate, in order to implementation deammonification technology in the sidestream on a technical scale were also presented.
Entomopathogenic Fungi And Their Biocenotic Importance
Authors: Zimowska Beata , Król Ewa Dorota
Published: February 2020

Naturally occurring entomopathogens are important regulatory factors of insect populations. Among them, entomopathogenic fungi play a meaningful role. The invasion of insects by parasitic fungi occurs through penetration of the host integument. Death of the host is a result of tissue destruction, exhaustion of nutrients, and the production of toxins. Many recent studies show that entomopathogenic fungi are not only considered as insect pathogens, but also play additional roles in nature, including endophytism, plant disease antagonism, plant growth promotion, and rhizosphere colonization. These newly understood attributes provide possibilities to use fungi in multiple roles. Such additional roles recently-discovered to be played by entomopathogenic fungi provide opportunities for multiple uses of these fungi in integrated pest management strategies. This article reviews the literature currently available on entomopathogenic fungi. It also addresses the possible mechanisms of protection conferred by endophytic fungal entomopathogens and explores the potential use of these fungi as dual microbial control agents against both insect and pathogen pests.

Introduction. 2. Historical and taxonomical notes. 3. Ecological aspects. 4. Use of entomopathogenic fungi. 5. Prospects in integrated pest management. 6. Conclusions
Current operators in integrable spin chains: lessons from long range deformations
Authors: Pozsgay Balázs
Published: February 2020

We consider the finite volume mean values of current operators in
integrable spin chains with local interactions, and provide an
alternative derivation of the exact result found recently by the author
and two collaborators. We use a certain type of long range deformation
of the local spin chains, which was discovered and explored earlier in
the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence. This method is immediately
applicable also to higher rank models: as a concrete example we derive
the current mean values in the SU(3)SU(3)-symmetric
fundamental model, solvable by the nested Bethe Ansatz. The exact
results take the same form as in the Heisenberg spin chains: they
involve the one-particle eigenvalues of the conserved charges and the
inverse of the Gaudin matrix.
As Vantagens do empreendedorismo versus a dependência do assistencialismo filantropia: por que estimular o empreendedor e evitar o assistido?
Authors: Neto João Pinheiro de Barros
Published: February 2020

O presente artigo teórico-empírico explica e reflete de forma contextualizada, como o empreendedorismo e não o assistencialismo pode ajudar a resolver grande parte dos problemas econÿmicos e sociais atuais. Com dados e informações de pesquisa bibliográficas e de organismos nacionais e internacionais são apresentadas as vantagens, para todas as partes interessadas, em se substituir o assistencialismo pelo empreendedorismo. O artigo mostra, de maneira objetiva, o equívoco de se adotar políticas e ações assistencialistas em detrimento do fomento ao empreendedorismo. ÿ proposta uma metodologia para implantar projetos empreendedores e obter resultados e conclui com a importância de uma mudança paradigmática relativa à adoção do empreendedorismo com uma visão de abundância ao invés de escassez.
Ferramentas gerenciais utilizadas pelos prestadores de serviços contábeis nas empresas de pequeno e médio porte da região metropolitana de João Pessoa
Authors: Coutinho Anderson Queiroz Henriques , Cruz Vera Lucia , Santos Ramon Rodrigues , Silva Geisa Cassiana Paulino , Morais Rayssa Silva
Published: February 2020

A Contabilidade Gerencial possui diversas ferramentas que podem dar suporte administrativo às entidades no processo de tomada de decisões. Sendo assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo fazer um levantamento sobre a utilização dessas ferramentas por parte das empresas prestadoras de serviços contábeis responsáveis pela contabilidade das Pequenas e Médias Empresas situadas na região metropolitana de João Pessoa. O método utilizado nesta pesquisa foi o bibliográfico e descritivo. Com o intuito de obter as informações necessárias para  condução do estudo, recorreu-se a um questionário semiestruturado, com perguntas fechadas e abertas, aplicado aos responsáveis das 31 empresas contábeis em um universo de 135 cadastradas e ativas no Conselho Regional de Contabilidade da Paraíba em 2013. Foi verificado o conhecimento e a aplicação das ferramentas gerenciais por parte dos escritórios - os resultados indicam que os contadores conhecem a maioria das ferramentas, porém não as aplicam na mesma proporção em seus clientes. Este quadro foi parcialmente justificado quando responderam na pesquisa que o momento da implantação é considerado o de maior dificuldade para a aplicabilidade. Dentre as ferramentas gerenciais, o Fluxo de Caixa e o Planejamento Estratégico foram as mais citadas quanto ao conhecimento e a aplicabilidade, já o certificado do PROCEM e o Downsizing foram os menos mencionados.
Avaliação de cadeias de suprimentos sustentáveis: o caso dos operadores logísticos brasileiros
Authors: Manoel de Queiroz Maciel
Published: February 2020

O trabalho destaca contribuições para que as organizações possam tomar decisões na escolha de parceiros de negócios visualizando um conjunto de variáveis sustentáveis e o possível comportamento que a cadeia de suprimentos poderá estar condicionada. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratória, contemplando uma pesquisa bibliográfica, bem como um questionário encaminhado a onze operadores logísticos brasileiros. Os resultados apontam que as empresas pesquisadas possuem certificações que contemplam as questões ambientais, porém, percebe-se que são ações que priorizam mais a questão de regulamentação, porque, além de serem certificações que, se não adotadas resultam em penalidade, não há um gerenciamento integrado de fluxos destas ações com os demais envolvidos no processo pela falta de inspeção periódica.
Diagnóstico ambiental da produção avícola de postura: estudo sobre os dois principais sistemas de produção sob a óptica dos seus resíduos sólidos
Authors: Salla Andrea , Delgado Marta Fioravante , Piacente Fabrício José
Published: February 2020

O objetivo desta pesquisa é comparar os dois sistemas de produção utilizados atualmente na avicultura de postura: o tradicional e o automatizado. Além das alternativas atuais dadas para disposição do seu principal resíduo sólido, o dejeto das aves. No sistema tradicional as aves são acondicionadas em gaiolas dispostas verticalmente de maneira que seus dejetos se acumulem sob a estrutura. Esse resíduo acumulado é retirado manualmente em torno de 60 dias, com umidade próxima a 28% e estabilizado quimicamente. No geral, o destino desse resíduo é a compostagem, firmas especializadas no tratamento e processamento desse resíduo compram dos produtores de ovos para a produção de adubo. No sistema automatizado o recolhimento do resíduo é contínuo através de uma esteira mecânica instalada sob a base das gaiolas, o resíduo não se acumula na instalação proporcionando um ambiente mais limpo e confortável para as aves. Porém, devido a sua elevada umidade (em torno de 70%) e instabilidade química não é aceito pelas firmas de compostagem, apresenta-se como principal alternativa para sua disposição a biodigestão, uma opção de investimento duplo ganhadora, com vantagens consideráveis do ponto de vista econÿmico e ambiental.
Análise da viabilidade financeira para abertura de uma escola de idiomas da franquia Fisk no município de Tenente Portela, RS
Authors: Padilha Daniel Fernando , Fank Odir Luiz , Hoffmann Álvaro Nestor Weber
Published: February 2020

O objetivo geral deste é analisar a viabilidade financeira para abertura de uma escola de idiomas da franquia FISK no município de Tenente Portela, RS. A metodologia utilizada tem caráter exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa e procedimentos da pesquisa que trataram do estudo de caso. A população são todos os habitantes do município de Tenente Portela, RS, sendo a amostra um total de 400 pessoas entrevistadas. Elaborou-se um questionário com a intenção de verificar o interesse da população em fazer um curso de idiomas. Os resultados demonstram que a abertura da nova escola franqueada é viável, sendo comprovada pelo relatório gerencial, pois foi elaborado um fluxo de caixa considerando um período de cinco anos, onde o tempo de retorno do investimento foi estimado em três anos e três meses, utilizando o método do payback e também o VPL e TIR.
Qualidade da informação contábil em micro e pequenas empresas
Authors: Andrade Pedro Henrique Tavares , Oliveira Alan Santos de
Published: February 2020

O presente estudo tem o objetivo geral investigar a qualidade da informação contábil prestada aos gestores de Micro e Pequenas Empresas, à luz das características qualitativas fundamentais e de melhoria da contabilidade preconizadas pelo CPC 00 (R1). A metodologia aplicada foi classificada como exploratória e o objeto de estudo foi à qualidade das informações contábeis prestadas aos gestores e seu suporte auxiliador na tomada de decisão. Realizada na Cidade de João Pessoa ? PB no primeiro semestre de 2017 o estudo multicaso, foi reconhecido na pesquisa como Unidade de caso I e Unidade de caso II. Para análise dessas informações foi utilizado o método da análise de conteúdo, buscando assim interpretar qualitativamente as percepções dos gestores das Micro e Pequenas Empresas pesquisadas. Dessa forma, as informações foram recolhidas e analisadas obtendo resultados que podem ser significativos para literatura e prática contábil. Na Unidade de caso I, os dados mostraram-se divergentes quanto a interpretação e utilização das caraterísticas da informação contábil (comparabilidade, verificabilidade, tempestividade e compreensibilidade). Na Unidade de caso II, verificou-se compatibilidade quanto às informações do comitê de pronunciamento contábil. Com o resultado do estudo multicaso, observou-se que a contabilidade está intrinsecamente relacionada no processo de tomada de decisões benéficas na gestão das Micro e Pequenas Empresas, quando os contadores prestam informações que atendem as características qualitativas fundamentais e de melhoria, baseando-se na estrutura conceitual da contabilidade.
Analise da gestão estratégica em organizações não governamentais (ongs) pernambucanas por meio da perspectiva do balanced scorecard
Authors: Melo Ana Paula Santana , Borba Marcelo da Costa , Correia Maria Iraê de Souza , Cabral Romilson Marques
Published: February 2020

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar as estratégias desenvolvidas por Organizações Não Governamentais (ONGs) percebidas vias as quatro perspectivas Balanced Scorecard adaptadas à especificidade dessas organizações. Os aspectos metodológicos da pesquisa foram caracterizados pela abordagem qualitativa, com coleta de dados realizada por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, análise documental e aplicação de questionário com os líderes e colaboradores. Como técnica de análise dos dados, foi utilizado o método de análise de discurso. Os resultados mostraram que essas organizações já possuem um sistema de controle e acompanhamento das atividades e o cumprimento das normas pela equipe. Também foi percebido como algo em comum nas instituições pesquisadas uma relevante relação a respeito do entendimento das competências essenciais ao comprometimento da equipe com a propagação da missão institucional. Por outro lado, há a necessidade de uma ferramenta administrativa para quantificar os resultados, analisar os impactos das ações e a avaliação de desempenho organizacional.
Advances in Nanoparticles as Anticancer Drug Delivery Vector: Need of this Century
Authors: Ali Imran , Mukhtar Sofi D. , Ali Heyam S. , Scotti Marcus T. , Scotti Luciana
Published: February 2020

Background:

Nanotechnology has contributed a great deal to the field of medical science. Smart drugdelivery
vectors, combined with stimuli-based characteristics, are becoming increasingly important. The use of
external and internal stimulating factors can have enormous benefits and increase the targeting efficiency of
nanotechnology platforms. The pH values of tumor vascular tissues are acidic in nature, allowing the improved
targeting of anticancer drug payloads using drug-delivery vectors. Nanopolymers are smart drug-delivery vectors
that have recently been developed and recommended for use by scientists because of their potential targeting
capabilities, non-toxicity and biocompatibility, and make them ideal nanocarriers for personalized drug delivery.

Method:

The present review article provides an overview of current advances in the use of nanoparticles (NPs) as
anticancer drug-delivery vectors.

Results:

This article reviews the molecular basis for the use of NPs in medicine, including personalized medicine,
personalized therapy, emerging vistas in anticancer therapy, nanopolymer targeting, passive and active targeting
transports, pH-responsive drug carriers, biological barriers, computer-aided drug design, future challenges and
perspectives, biodegradability and safety.

Conclusions:

This article will benefit academia, researchers, clinicians, and government authorities by providing a
basis for further research advancements.
Bentonite Clays for Therapeutic Purposes and Biomaterial Design
Authors: Srasra Ezzeddine , Bekri-Abbes Imene
Published: February 2020

Background:

Bentonite is a natural clay composed mainly of montmorillonite with other associated minerals such as feldspar, calcite and quartz. Owing to its high cation exchange, large surface area and ability to form thixotropic gels with water and to absorb large quantities of gas, it presents a large medicinal application.

Objective:

This review focuses on the promising potential of bentonite clays for biomaterial design and for therapeutic purposes.

Methods:

PubMed, ACS publications and Elsevier were searched for relevant papers. We have also evaluated the references of some pertinent articles.

Results:

Healing properties of bentonite are derived from the crystalline structure of the smectite group, which is composed of two octahedral alumina sheets localized between two tetrahedral silica sheets. This structure is behind the ability to intercalate cationic bioactive agents and undergoes interaction with various toxic species and exchanging in return species such as Fe3+, Cu2+, Al3+ Ca2+ or Na+, presenting antibacterial activity and providing essential minerals to the body. Furthermore, due to to its layered structure, bentonite has wide application for the design of biomaterials providing, thus, the stability of bioactive agents and preventing them from aggregation.

Conclusion:

Numerous publications have cited bentonite extensive applications as an alternative and complementary treatment for numerous health conditions as a detoxifying agent and for the preparation of several bionanocomposites.
Utilization of Jackfruit Peel as a Low-cost Adsorbent for the Removal of Methylene Blue Dye from Synthetically Polluted Water
Authors: Ahmed Mohsina , Nasar Abu
Published: February 2020

Background:

Due to an abrupt increase in the contamination of freshwater systems by
dye-containing wastewater, there is an urgent need to find robust and greener adsorbents for the elimination
of dyes from the contaminated water. As the dyes not only change the appearance of water
but are also a cause of many serious problems, which can be some time mutagenic and carcinogenic.

Methods:

This research paper is based on the use of adsorbent made from the peel of jackfruit (POJ). The adsorbent derived from agriculture waste was low cost and efficient for the elimination of methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous media. Batch adsorption experiments were accompanied by varying the pH of the solution, contact time, POJ dosage, and initial MB concentration.

Results:

It was seen that adsorption of MB onto Jackfruit peel adsorbent follows pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetics and Langmuir isotherm with maximum biosorption capacity (qm) of 232.55 mg/g. The thermodynamic study revealed that the adsorption was spontaneous, endothermic, and associated with the rise in entropy.

Conclusion:

In view of the low-cost and promising adsorption efficiency, the present investigation submits that that POJ is novel and economically feasible adsorbent for the removal of MB from aqueous solutions.
Intermenselijke vergeving. Maatstaf en richtsnoer voor samenleven in het licht van het evangelie
Authors: Steensma D.J.
Published: February 2020

Should a Christian forgive seventy-seven or seventy-eight times (Augustin)? Did the evangelists deliberately disregard a limit to forgiving in Jesus’ teaching about forgiveness? Must the sinner first repent before he receives forgiveness? Is forgiveness possible if the sinner does not accept the gift of forgiveness? Finally, is it possible to forgive debts done to another person? This article narrowly focusses on the gift of forgiveness one person offers another from the point of view of forgiveness as a theological social ethical norm. Starting with the reality of a low occurrence of forgiveness, the essay moves on to evaluate the nature, origin and limits of forgiveness, in the light of the gospel imperative to forgive, the disposition to forgive as well, and the sinner’s acknowledgement of guilt. The last section of the essay presents the proprium of the gospel regarding the social ethical norm of forgiveness. That is, a Christian must take the initiative in forgiveness, even if the sinner lacks repentance and thus imitating the initiative God in reconciling himself to his fallen image bearer.