bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Regularities of the Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Climatic Characteristics of the Maximum Wind (Syunik Marz, Armenia)
Authors: Margaryan V.G.
Published: November 2020

The regularities the features of the distribution spatial basic characteristics of the maximum wind speed, as well as the temporal variability of the maximum wind speed in the territory of the Syunik marz of the Republic of Armenia. Data from the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center, SNCO of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia for a period of 50 years or more (1966-2018) at 6 meteorological stations were used. It is shown that the average long-term speeds of the main characteristics of extreme wind increase in the territory with the height of the terrain, reaching maximum values in the territory with a height of more than 2000-2200 m. Deviation from these patterns is observed in Goris, due to local characteristics. To calculate and predict the maximum average annual wind speed of unexplored territories, correlation annual values of the maximum wind speed, as well as between the annual values of the maximum wind speed and the number of days with a strongwind. It was found that in general throughout the territory of the Syunik marz the annual course of the distribution of the maximum wind speed is not clearly expressed. The highest numbers of days with strong winds are observed in the cold season. For the entire study area there is a decrease in the annual maximum wind speed for the period 1966-2018.
Evaluation Concepts in Legal Reasoning
Authors: Parunova Yu.D.
Published: November 2020

The article considers the place, role and limits of use of evaluation concepts in legal reasoning. In this context the notion of legal reasoning has been defined, the main definitions of evaluation concepts accepted in logic and jurisprudence have been reviewed. The features of evaluation concepts have been identified. Evaluation concepts have an open logical structure, offer some latitude to the enforcer in legal interpretation, give legal reasoning flexibility and dynamism. The attributes of evaluation concepts such as subjective nature have been noted, this property often communicates ambiguity and vagueness to legal rules. Therefore, the use of evaluation concepts in legal reasoning is a process requiring particular professionalism. Some ways have been suggested to help to use correctly evaluation concepts in legal reasoning. They include reliance on common values, identification of formal concepts to which the evaluation concept relates, developing a logical culture among law enforcement professionals, raising the general level of legal awareness.
Caritative Practice of Islam
Authors: Semenov I.A.
Published: November 2020

The article is devoted to the socio-philosophical and religious studies analysis of the charitable activities in Islam. The subject of the research is the theological foundations of caritative activity in Islam. The mechanism of interfaith interaction in the field of charity is considered on the example of the Vladimir Mukhtasibat of the Central Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Russia. Recommendations for the creation of applied strategies in the field of caritative partnership are given. The modern policy of the state is aimed at the implementation of interfaith interaction, including the interaction of religious organizations with government authorities. At the present time, the norms of socio-caritative relations between religious organizations and the state are mostly declared, definitions are generalized and are unable to concretize most of the interaction mechanisms. The key to the successful functioning and development of caritative activity is the equality of religious organizations and the absence of priority spiritual directions for state bodies when building a policy of caritative interaction.
Transformation of Higher Education in Russia in the 1990s
Authors: Ibrahimov A.S.
Published: November 2020

It is shown that independent Russia inherited, on the one hand, one of the most developed education systems in the world, on the other - it was reasonably criticized for conservatism, narrow specialization, dogmatism, isolation from the constantly changing needs of society and the economy, and standardness. These shortcomings were already evident at the end of the Soviet period of Russian history. One of the important components of the policy of “acceleration” and “perestroika” in Russia was an attempt to deeply transform higher education, give it flexibility, and deeply connect it with the urgent needs of the national economy. The study of higher education policy in 1986-1990 is relevant today as an example of a deliberate attempt by the political leadership to transform higher education in Russia in the direction of serving the interests of the changing economic system. Positive and negative elements of the experience of 1986-1990 should help in shaping the state policy of higher education in our time.
Criação de Inovação Local por Subsidiárias Estrangeiras a partir de Vantagens Específicas do Ambiente Subnacional
Authors: Rodrigues Cristina Doritta , Borini Felipe Mendes , Raziq Muhammad Mustafa , Ferreira Manuel Portugal
Published: November 2020

Objetivo - O estudo objetiva examinar os efeitos dos fatores do ambiente subnacional brasileiro – a eficiência do ambiente competitivo subnacional e o embeddedness relacional em cada localidade subnacional - na criação de inovação local em subsidiárias estrangeiras. Método – A abordagem é quantitativa e a pesquisa baseia-se em dados primários coletados por meio de uma survey com 152 subsidiárias estrangeiras localizadas em treze Estados do Brasil e em dados secundários do World Bank Enterprise Surveys. Os dados são analisados por regressão linear múltipla. Principais resultados - Os resultados mostram que existe uma associação positiva e significante entre o ambiente competitivo subnacional e inovação local das subsidiárias. Entretanto, não é observada uma associação significativa entre o embeddedness externo subnacional e a inovação local. Além disso, os resultados mostram que as empresas que entram por meio de aquisições estão mais associadas à inovação local. Relevância/Originalidade - O estudo procura complementar o debate sobre o efeito do ambiente subnacional na inovação local das subsidiárias tendo como contexto o Brasil. A análise em nível subnacional considera a heterogeneidade institucional subnacional e revela variações que poderiam ser desconsideradas por uma análise de nível nacional. Contribuições teóricas/metodológicas: Embora existam indícios do impacto do ambiente institucional na estratégia e inovação, este estudo no âmbito brasileiro avança em dois pontos. Primeiro, os estudos existentes analisam mercados desenvolvidos e mercados emergentes, porém esses últimos de forma pontual e numa realidade asiática, que apresenta uma considerável diferença do mercado latino americano e brasileiro, destacando-se as peculiaridades do ambiente subnacional brasileiro. Segundo, contribui para os estudos de Geografia Econômica reforçando que cada ambiente subnacional tem suas particularidades, conforme demonstrado na natureza das questões subnacionais no Brasil.Contribuições sociais / para a gestão: Em termos gerenciais, o estudo chama a atenção para a importância do conhecimento da dinâmica competitiva subnacional quanto à participação da economia informal e estende implicações para políticas públicas.
Undergraduate Research at a Liberal Arts College during a Time of Disruption
Authors:   Rollins College, Fuse Christopher , Cannaday Ashley ,   Rollins College, Coyle Whitney ,   Rollins College
Published: November 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors, who have expertise in acoustics, optics, and astrophysics, decided to pivot from the experimental components of their research and focus instead on computational studies. Many of their usual research practices were adapted, creating new techniques to optimize the remote research experience for their undergraduate students.
Assessing an Undergraduate Diabetes Research Training Program at the University of Virginia
Authors: Lin Emily , Walters Katherine C. V. , Schmidt-Morris Amy , Demirag Hayriye Nilgun Guvener , Wang Yong , Oberholzer José
Published: November 2020

A NIH-sponsored summer diabetes research internship at the University of Virginia provided undergraduates with opportunities to engage in basic sciences/clinically focused projects mentored by faculty, in areas such as diabetes-related epidemiology, genetics, complications, cell therapy, bioengineering, and artificial pancreas. Lectures, laboratory skills workshops, clinical shadowing, professional development seminars, and a journal club supplemented the intern experience.
Mentoring Underrepresented Student Success: Adapting to COVID-19 Impacts on Awarded Co-curricular Opportunities
Authors:   University of Hawaii at Manoa, Wong Amanda , Guidry Michael ,   University of Hawaii at Manoa
Published: November 2020

Starting in January 2020, a unique mentoring program approach was implemented to facilitate the pursuit of co-curricular opportunities for undergraduates. The personalized structure of the program’s approach allowed mentors to follow up in “real-time” to help the participants successfully navigate and manage the changes caused by the pandemic to their awarded opportunities.
Optimización de un dispositivo portátil de detección de nanopartículas
Authors: Soto-Rivera Oscar
Published: November 2020

El uso de nanopartículas de plata ha crecido tanto en el ámbito industrial como en el médico. Junto con su uso generalizado, también ha aumentado el interés por comprender sus efectos en el cuerpo humano y el medio ambiente. Como resultado, se están investigando técnicas y herramientas novedosas y mejoradas para caracterizar este material. El grupo de neuroelectrónica de la Universidad Técnica de Múnich está desarrollando un dispositivo portátil para detectar nanopartículas de plata in-situ. Para lograrlo, se prevé utilizar tecnología de telefonía celular para comunicarse con el dispositivo, así como realizar los cálculos necesarios para la caracterización de estas nanopartículas. El sistema consta de circuitos analógicos y digitales que aún requieren optimizaciones de rendimiento y portabilidad, de tal manera que contribuyan a la exitosa realización de esta tarea. Este artículo describirá tres fases para lograr la optimización del dispositivo. La primera fase incluye el diseño e implementación de un sistema de gestión de energía, que permitirá la portabilidad del sensor con un tiempo de funcionamiento de al menos una hora. La segunda fase tratara sobre la caracterización y reducción del ruido en el sistema analógico. La tercera y última fase se centrará en verificar la frecuencia de corte del circuito. Además, este artículo explicará cómo estas tres fases se relacionan entre sí y contribuirán a optimizar el dispositivo de detección de nanopartículas de plata.
The prospects for organic agriculture in Hungary – A human ecological approach
Authors: Alföldi Zoltán
Published: November 2020

The natural, social, and economic issues and problems of today and the near future pose new challenges for researchers and educators in every disciplines. In this complex situation, human ecology, which synthesizes the knowledge of individual disciplines and focuses on connections and interactions, has a special role to meet this challenge. In the service of practical sustainability, it helps to reveal the complexity of the agricultural sector and to prepare public policy decisions, taking the special features and capabilities of the particular environments into account. In the complex understanding of the operation of highly complex living systems, in mitigating the effects of climate change, in conserving biodiversity, in assessing the effects of biogeochemical processes and in solving many other problems at local and global level, the holistic system-approach is needed for putting them in contexts. In this study, we highlight the reasonableness and the vital role of human ecology in organic farming as well as outline its future challenges and possibilities.
INTEGRIRANO USVAJANJE STRANOGA JEZIKA I SADRŽAJA (CLIL): PREDNOSTI, IZAZOVI I MJERE
Authors: Vodopija-Krstanović Irena V. , Badurina Dorina R.
Published: November 2020

Integrirano poučavanje jezika i sadržaja (eng. CLIL) inovativni je pristup nastavi koji potiče višejezično obrazovanje u Europi. Iznimno je važno da CLIL nastavnici imaju jezične i metodičke kompetencije za poučavanje sadržaja (nastavnih predmeta) na stranome jeziku, izradu materijala, provjeravanje znanja i upravljanje učionicom. Međutim, mali broj nastavnika posjeduje navedene kompetencije. Uporabom polustrukturiranih intervjua s osam nastavnika uključenih u CLIL nastavu u jednoj riječkoj gimnaziji u ovome se radu ispituju njihovi stavovi prema CLIL-u, izazovi s kojima se susreću i mjere koje bi preporučili za savladavanje izazova CLIL-a. Rezultati upućuju da nastavnici imaju pozitivan stav prema CLIL-u i podržavaju njegovo uvođenje. Poteškoće s kojima se susreću odnose se na nedostatno poznavanje stranoga jezika, prilagodbu nastavnih materijala nastavi na stranome jeziku, poravnavanje CLIL predmeta s kurikulom i provjerom učenikova znanja. Zaključujemo da valja više pozornosti posvetiti tom obliku nastave u školama.
Legislatywa we francuskich systemach konstytucyjnych pierwszej połowy XIX wieku
Authors: Wiązek Paweł
Published: November 2020

Legislation in French constitutional systems in the fi rst half of the 19th century after the fall of the First Empire

The author attempted to present and compare the formal and legal position of the legislature in three successive constitutions that were passed in France in the fi rst half of the 19th century. The subject of the researcher’s exploration has consequently become the provisions of two Bourbon Constitutional Charters (proclaimed in 1814 and 1830 respectively) and the Republican Constitution passed by the French National Assembly in 1848. The choice of the subject of interest allowed the author to use a variety of methodological instruments, among which the most extensive ones were the exegesis of the normative text and legal comparisons. This made it possible to formulate numerous comments, assessments and opinions, at least some of which can be considered polemical or directly debatable, which the Author not only avoided, but was undoubtedly aware of.

 

Die Legislative in den französischen verfassungsrechtlichen Systemen der ersten Hälfte des 19. Jahrhunderts nach dem Fall des Ersten Kaiserreiches

Der Autor versuchte in seinem Beitrag die formal-rechtliche Position der Legislative in den drei nacheinander folgenden Verfassungen, die in der ersten Hälfte des 19. Jahrhunderts in Frankreich beschlossen wurden, zu schildern und zu vergleichen. Erforscht wurden daher die Bestimmungen zweier bourbonischer Charte constitutionnelle (erlassen entsprechend in den Jahren 1814 und 1830) und der republikanischen Verfassung, die durch die französische Nationalversammlung im Jahre 1848 angenommen wurde. Der gewählte Forschungsgegenstand ermöglichte dem Autor, unterschiedliche methodologische Instrumente zu nutzen, die breiteste Anwendung fanden die Exegese des normativen Textes und die rechtliche Komparatistik. Folglich konnten zahlreiche Bemerkungen, Beurteilungen und Ansichten formuliert werden, einige davon sind polemisch andere sogar diskutabel. Der Autor hat es nicht nur nicht gemieden, sondern das war seine bewusste Wahl der Aussagemittel.
Przestępstwa przeciwko zrzeszeniom prawa publicznego w projekcie kodeksu karnego Komisji Kodyfi kacyjnej Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej
Authors: Pasek Andrzej
Published: November 2020

Off ences against public law associations in the draft Criminal Code of the Codifi cation Commission of the Republic of Poland

The article examines the work in the criminal law section of the Codifi cation Commission of the Republic of Poland on the construction of the factual circumstances of off ences against public law associations. The analysis is based on the papers delivered during a meeting of the section by Wacław Makowski and Juliusz Makarewicz. The proposals presented in them were used in the fi nal version of Chapter XIX of the draft Polish Criminal Code. The author demonstrates that the construction of the off ences in question was shaped by in-depth discussions within the criminal law section. Their objective was to create a modern form of protection of public law associations in the Criminal Code.  

 

Straftaten gegen Vereinigungen öff entlichen Rechtes in dem Entwurf des Strafgesetzbuches der Kodifi kationskommission der Republik Polen  

In der Bearbeitung wurde der Ablauf der Arbeit in der Sektion Strafrecht der Kodifi kationskommission der Republik Polen betreff end die Konstruktion der Sachverhalte der Straftaten gegen die Vereinigungen öff entlichen Rechtes geschildert. Gegenstand der Diskussion und der Analyse stellten die Referate dar, die während der Beratungen der Sektion durch die Herren Wacław Makowski und Juliusz Makarewicz vorgetragen wurden. Ihre Vorschläge wurden bei der endgültigen Ausgestaltung des Kapitels 19. des Entwurfes des polnischen Strafgesetzbuches angewandt. Es wurde bewiesen, dass vertiefte Überlegungen im Rahmen der Sektion für Strafrecht der Konstruktion der besprochenen Straftaten zugrunde lagen. Sie verfolgten das Ziel, den Schutz der Vereinigungen öff entlichen Rechtes im Strafgesetzbuch modern zu erfassen.
Niepomijalność podmiotowości człowieka i niepomijalność misji administracji publicznej w służbie dobru wspólnemu (dobru osobowemu)
Authors: Blicharz Jolanta
Published: November 2020

Istnieją co najmniej trzy poważne argumenty na rzecz tezy, że koncepcja dobra wspólnego i koncepcja godności jako wymiaru podmiotowości człowieka wzajemnie się warunkują i nie mogą być rozwijane niezależnie od siebie. Po pierwsze, dobro wspólne zasadza się w uznaniu godności człowieka; po wtóre, udaremnienie realizacji dobra wspólnego przez prawo i państwo jest podważeniem godności ludzkiej osoby; po trzecie, położenie akcentu na podmiotowość człowieka (jego godność) oraz przyporządkowanie instytucji społecznych dobru wspólnemu pozwala na odróżnienie tego, co jest celem działania państwa, a co środkiem do niego prowadzącym.
In-Stream Tidal Energy Resources in Macrotidal Non-Cohesive Sediment Environments: Effect of Morphodynamic Changes at Two Bays in the Upper Gulf of California
Authors: Bermúdez-Romero Anahí , Magar Vanesa , Gross Markus S. , Godínez Victor M. , López-Mariscal Manuel , Candela Julio
Published: November 2020

While many in-steam tidal energy resource studies have been carried out globally, very few studies have assessed the effect of seabed changes on tidal energy resources. For coastal regions in particular, where the seabed is generally more mobile than in deep waters, bathymetric evolution could have a significant effect on tidal energy production. Here two high-resolution models, one purely hydrodynamic and one morphodynamic, are used to analyse the potential effect of natural morphodynamic evolution on tidal energy resources at two macro-tidal sandy bays, Adaír Bay and San Jorge Bay, in the Upper Gulf of California, Mexico. The high-resolution models are validated using a low-resolution model and ADCP observations to assess the agreement between model predictions and observations of tides at three ADCP moorings within the domain of interest. The models’ skill is evaluated using several error statistics such as the mean relative error, the root mean square error (RMSE), and the correlation coefficient. It was found that the regions with the largest bed changes, and also the largest renewable energy resources, were near the shore. Moreover, the results indicated a good correlation between a) regions with the most significant depth changes, and b) the regions where the difference in annual energy production with and without depth change was largest. Finally, the morphodynamic model was run for two years, and the evolution of a zonal profile (in the west-east direction) off the coast at the southeastern corner of Adaír Bay was inspected. This profile evolved towards a featureless equilibrium profile, in good agreement with the morphological classification for macro-tidal sandy environments and with the model assumptions. But most importantly, this natural evolution would not be detrimental to tidal energy exploitation at the site.
Survive, Revive, Thrive: Chapter 1: In the Storm
Authors: Blasingame Tom
Published: November 2020

Most of you reading this are thinking, okay, he’s SPE President, he must know something I don’t know, see something I don’t see, etc. The truth is we are all in the same storm of pandemic+economic crisis=chaos.

Our salvation is that humans have evolved and survived not despite adversity but because of it. Humans do not like uncertainty - real or perceived. Uncertainty causes anxiety, and anxiety clouds one’s thinking. My advice is to focus on what you know, what you believe in, and what you can do. These actions are tangible and necessary.

The recent industry news is truly unnerving. Nearly 50 companies in North America have filed for bankruptcy during the second and third quarters of 2020, while others are making deep cuts in their workforce. Globally, multinational oil and gas operators and oilfield services providers are reducing staff by 10-20% (15% appears to be an average). The result is job losses totaling more than 100,000. As the pandemic drags on and demand remains contracted, these numbers are only expected to rise.

This hit to our industry is personal for me (and likely for most of you). Many of my former students, friends, and family are affected by the economic calamity that we are currently experiencing, some more severely than others. Please keep in mind that many of us are faring reasonably well, but to someone who has lost their job, it is more than their livelihood - it could also be that they have lost their sense of purpose.

The numbers don’t lie. The demand side of the equation has contracted by roughly 10%, and the expectation for recovery is that demand will continue to increase by about 1% per month. That means demand will return to late-2019/early-2020 levels around mid-2021. This assumes, of course, that the pandemic does not worsen.

Financially, as an industry we are in survival mode. There are segments that are strengthening, and ironically, several of my former students and industry colleagues in leadership positions for companies undergoing bankruptcy are remarkably optimistic about the future. I think it comes down to the uncertainty/anxiety syndrome I discussed above (i.e., as a business, once there is clarity the confidence exists to do what must be done).

I ask that you keep our colleagues who are struggling in mind. Reach out and let them know you are thinking about them and ask them (sincerely) if they need any help. If they say they do, then do whatever you can. If entry-level colleagues (i.e., students) are in your sphere, don’t tell them how tough it was during your career or give them platitudes. Be honest and direct and guide them toward activities and tasks that keep them sharp and focused. If asked difficult questions such as “Should I leave the industry?”, be kind but candid. My reply is “If you really want to be a petroleum engineer, you will have that opportunity, but you must be prepared for competition.”
Artificial Intelligence in Operation Monitoring Discovers Patterns Within Drilling Reports
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: November 2020

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper OTC 29815, “Discovering Patterns Within Drilling Reports by Use of Artificial Intelligence for Operation Monitoring,” by Danilo Colombo, Petrobras, and Daniel Carlos Guimarães Pedronette and Ivan Rizzo Guilherme, UNESP, et al., prepared for the 2019 Offshore Technology Conference Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, 29-31 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2020 Offshore Technology Conference. Reproduced by permission.

In well-drilling activities, successful execution of a sequence of operations defined in a well project is critical. To provide proper monitoring, operations executed during drilling procedures are reported in daily drilling reports (DDRs). The complete paper provides an approach using machine-learning and sequence-mining algorithms for predicting and classifying the next operation based on textual descriptions. The general goal is to exploit the rich source of information represented by the DDRs to derive methodologies and tools capable of performing automatic data-analysis procedures and assisting human operators in time-consuming tasks.

Methods

Classification Tasks. fastText.This is a library discussed in the literature designed to learn word embeddings and text classification. The technique implements a simple linear model with rank constraint, and the text representation is a hidden state that is used to feed classifiers. A softmax function computes the probability distribution over pre-defined classes.

Conditional Random Fields (CRFs). CRFs are a category of undirected graphical models that allow combination of features from each timestep of the sequence, with the ability to transit between labels for each episode in the input sequence. They were proposed to overcome the problem of bias that existed in techniques such as hidden Markov models and maximum-entropy Markov models.

Recurrent Models. Despite achieving good results in several scenarios and learning word embeddings as a byproduct of its training, the fastText classifier does not properly consider word-ordering information that can be useful for several classification tasks. Such a shortcoming can be addressed by a recurrent neural network (RNN), which considers the fact that a fragment of text is formed by an ordered sequence of words. The authors consider the gated recurrent unit variant, which is easier to train than traditional RNNs and achieves results comparable with those of the long short-term memory unit, while figuring fewer parameters to learn. The methodology of these classifiers is detailed mathematically in the complete paper.

Sequence Prediction. Sequential pattern mining can be defined broadly by the task of discovering interesting subsequences in a set of sequences, where the level of interest can be measured in terms of various criteria such as occurrence frequency, length, and profit, according to the application. The authors focus in this paper on the specific task of sequence prediction.
Quantitative Response of Healthy Muscle Following the Induction of Capsaicin: AnExploratory Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Evans Valerie , Behr Michael , Masani Kei , Kumbhare Dinesh
Published: November 2020

Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a prevalent chronic pain disorder primarily characterized by myofascial trigger points (MTrP). There is limited knowledge on the pathophysiology and mechanisms underlying MTrP and its development. Research has previously demonstrated the identification of MTrPs using ultrasound and vibrationsonoelastography, although there is some contradictory evidence regarding if MTrPs present as hyper or hypoechoic regions. Electromyography (EMG) investigations of MTrP have demonstrated that MTrP are usually located proximal to innervation zones where the peak surface EMG signals are obtained from. Central sensitization has been proposed as the primary mechanism underlying MTrP development. Central sensitization is associated withhyperexcitability of neuronal responses to normal or noxious stimuli. There is a need for a study that measures ultrasound image textural changes and motor unit activity responses in the muscle following sensitization. The purpose of this study is to determine whether sensitizing healthy muscle using capsaicin induces a regional change in image texture variables within the specific and surrounding muscles, as well as the motor unit frequency and amplitude changes that accompany them. This is an exploratory trial that aims to provide preliminary evidence on whether central sensitization is a direct cause of taut band and MTrP development.Methods: Ethical approval was obtained from the University Health Network (UHN)Research Ethics Board. This proposed study is a single centered, factorial, randomized placebo-controlled trial with two independent variables, depth of capsaicin application and dose of capsaicin, for a total of six treatment arms and three control treatment groups. Discussion: This will be the first study that assesses the B-mode ultrasound image texture of induced sensitized muscles, and will provide more evidence on muscle motor unit activity and regional changes of central sensitization. Findings from this study may support one of few hypotheses proposed delineating the involvement of central sensitization in the development of trigger points.Trial Registration: Name: National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT03944889 Date of Registration: May 07 2019 URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03944889
Food handling practice and associated factors among food handlers working in food establishments in Woldia town, Northeast Ethiopia
Authors: Reta Melese Abate , Lemma Mekonnin Tesfa , Gemeda Ashete Adere , Lemlem Getasew Assefa
Published: November 2020

Purpose: The food safety issue is a major public health concern. Inadequate food handler's knowledge and food safety practices are the utmost mentioned contributing factors for potential foodborne disease outbreaks. This study aimed to assess food handling practices and determinants among food handlers working in catering establishments in Woldia town.Design/methodology/approach: In total, 288 food handlers were recruited through a simple random selection method. A structured and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. Data were analyzed using frequencies and through applying bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significance.Findings: Of total 288 participants, 91.7% were females, and 69.8% were literate. This study revealed that good food handling practice was 46.5% (95%CI:37.01-56.20). In the subgroup analysis, advanced age (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=12.01; 95%CI:1.96-17.52), married couples (aOR=2.09; 95%CI:1.05-4.78), education (participants who attend grade 7-12 (aOR=2.33; 95%CI:1.14-4.79), and above secondary education (aOR=2.29; 95%CI:1.05-4.61)), monthly income (aOR=2.29; 95%CI:1.14-5.61), work experience above six years (aOR=2.43; 95%CI:2.08-3.17), received training (aOR=1.79; 95%CI:1.68-4.71), inspected by concerned authority (aOR=2.24; 95%CI:1.05-3.09) and knowledge (aOR=3.15; 95%CI:1.02-6.04) were factors associated with food handling practices.Originality/value: Comprehensive and continuous food handling and safety training to food handlers and/or food establishment owners, regular sanitary inspection visits of public food and drink services establishments by concerned authority is compulsory to ensure that all food handlers have the knowledge and the skill to provide safe food.
The Impact of Irregular Corneal Shape Parameters on Visual Acuity and Contrast Sensitivity
Authors: Liduma Sanita , Luguzis Artis , Krumina Gunta
Published: November 2020

Background: To understand which irregular corneal parameters determine the visual quality in keratoconus subjects.Methods: The cross-sectional study examined the eyes of 44 subjects, graded from the first to third keratoconus stages by Amsler-Krumeich classification. We obtained measurements in two ways: (a) by projecting two perpendicular axes onto a cornea (first, through the central point of the cornea and keratoconus apex; second, as the perpendicular axis) to read the elevation values at points on these axes as parameters characterising the corneal surface; (b) by projecting circles with different diameters around the central part of the cornea (1, 2, and 3 mm) and reading elevation values at points equally displaced on these circles as parameters characterising an anterior surface slope. Irregular corneal shape parameters’ correlations with visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were determined in order to understand which corneal slope parameter has the strongest correlation with visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.Results: Parameters characterising the corneal surface’s correlations with contrast sensitivity were from r=0.25 (p=0.03) at 3 cpd to r=0.47 (p<0.01) at 9 cpd for the highest elevation and from r=0.33 (p=0.09) at 5 cpd to r=0.40 (p<0.01) at 11 cpd for the lowest elevation in all subjects together, while for visual acuity the parameters were r=0.30 (p<0.01) for the highest elevation and r=0.21 (p=0.06) for the lowest elevation in all subjects together. The correlation between contrast sensitivity and the highest and lowest corneal point in all measured cornea was stronger for subjects with a peripheral corneal apex than for those with a central apex. In keratoconus subjects, contrast sensitivity displayed a strong correlation with slope in the central part of the cornea (with a radius of 1 mm) ranging from 0.48 (p<0.01) at 3 cpd to 0.61 (p<0.01) at 9 cpd.Conclusion: Contrast sensitivity has a higher correlation with corneal shape parameters than with visual acuity. Subjects with a peripheral corneal apex had stronger correlations with visual acuity and contrast sensitivity than did subjects with a central apex. In keratoconus subjects, the strongest correlation was for contrast sensitivity and elevation (slope) in the region within a 1 mm radius of the corneal centre in the opposite direction of the keratoconus apex (direction (ax) CB).
Superstoichiometric Alloying of H and Close-Packed FeNi under High Pressures: Implications for Hydrogen Storage in Planetary Cores
Authors: Piet Helene , Chizmeshya Andrew , Chen Bin , Chariton Stella , Greenberg Eran , Prakapenka Vitali , Buseck Peter , Shim Sang-Heon
Published: November 2020

Although high pressure promotes alloying between hydrogen and iron, it has been believed that H/Fe is limited to 1 in the close-packed alloys. We report a substantial increase in the H solubility for iron through stabilization of superstoichiometric close-packed alloys promoted by Ni and high temperature. We also observe Fe-H polyhydrides at temperatures over 2500 K at high pressures, stability of which has been unknown at temperatures relevant for the planetary interiors. Considering recent results, large storage of H in the planetary cores is possible from H2-rich to even H2O-rich conditions. The H storage in the core can change the mass-radius relations where H has been assumed to de-gas to the atmosphere. Such H solubility and storage in the core are important to consider for understanding the “diluted core” of Jupiter, the “radius cliff” in the sub-Neptune exoplanets population, and massive exoplanets with very thin atmospheres.
WITHDRAWN: Corrosion resistant fluorine-doped graphene nanoribbons for an highly durable PEMFC: combined experiment and ab-initio studies
Authors: Jin Song , Yang Seung Yong , Lee Jong Min , Kang Mun Seon , Choi Sung Mook , Ahn Wook , Fuku Xollie Godfrey , Modibedi Remegia Mmalewane , Han Byungchan , Seo Min Ho
Published: November 2020

Pt-supported carbon material-based electrocatalysts are formidably suffering from carbon corrosion when H2O and O2 molecules are present at high voltages in PEMFC. In this study, we discovered that the edge site of a fluorine-doped graphene nanoribbon (F-GNR) was slightly adsorbed with H2O and thermodynamically unfavorable with O atoms after defining the thermodynamically stable structure of F-GNR from DFT calculations. Based on computational predictions, the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of F-GNRs with/without Pt nanoparticles derived from a modified Hummer’s method and the polyol process were investigated as support materials for electrocatalysts and additives in the cathode of a PEMFC, respectively. Pt/F-GNR showed the lowest degradation rate in carbon corrosion, and was effective in the cathode as additives, resulting from the enhanced carbon corrosion durability owing to the improved structural stability and water management. Notably, F-GNR with highly stable carbon corrosion contributed to achieving a more durable PEMFC for long-term operation.
The role of the tryptophan-nicotinamide pathway in a model of severe malnutrition induced liver dysfunction
Authors: Hu Guanlan , Ling Catriona , Chi Lijun , Furse Samuel , Koulman Albert , Swann Jonathan , Thind Mehakpreet , Lee Dorothy , Calon Marjolein , Versloot Christian , Bakker Barbara , Gonzales Gerard , Kim Peter , Bandsma Robert
Published: November 2020

Mortality in children with severe malnutrition is strongly related to signs of metabolic dysfunction, such as hypoglycemia. Lower circulating tryptophan levels in children with severe malnutrition suggest a possible disturbance in the tryptophan-nicotinamide (TRP-NAM) pathway and subsequently NAD+ dependent metabolism regulator sirtuin1 (SIRT1). We report that severe malnutrition in weanling mice, induced by feeding a low protein diet, leads to an impaired TRP-NAM pathway and affects hepatic mitochondrial turnover and function. We demonstrate that stimulating the TRP-NAM pathway improves hepatic mitochondrial and overall metabolic function which is dependent on SIRT1. Activating SIRT1 is sufficient to induce improvement in metabolic functions. Our findings indicate that modulating the TRP-NAM pathway can partially improve liver metabolic function in severe malnutrition and could lead to the development of new interventions for children with severe malnutrition.
SARS-CoV-2 infection remodels the host protein thermal stability landscape
Authors: Selkrig Joel , Stanifer Megan , Mateus André , Mitosch Karin , Barrio-Hernandez Inigo , Rettel Mandy , Kim Heeyoung , Voogdt Carlos , Walch Philipp , Kee Carmon , Kurzawa Nils , Stein Frank , Potel Clement , Jarzab Anna , Kuster Bernhard , Bartenschlager Ralf , Boulant Steeve , Beltrao Pedro , Typas Athanasios , Savitski Mikhail
Published: November 2020

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global threat to human health and has compromised economic stability. In addition to the development of an effective vaccine, it is imperative to understand how SARS-CoV-2 hijacks host cellular machineries on a systems-wide scale so that potential host-directed therapy can be developed. In situ proteome-wide abundance and thermal stability measurements using thermal proteome profiling (TPP), can inform on global changes in protein activity. Here we adapted TPP to high biosafety conditions amenable to SARS-CoV-2 handling. We discovered pronounced temporal alterations in host protein thermostability during infection, which converged on cellular processes including cell cycle, microtubule and regulation of RNA splicing. Pharmacological inhibition of host proteins displaying altered thermal stability or abundance during infection suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication. Overall, this work serves as a framework for expanding TPP workflows to globally important human pathogens that require high biosafety containment and provides deeper resolution into the molecular changes induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Progression of Physical Function Decline and Gender Difference Among the Elderly in China: A Multiple-Group Latent Transition Analysis
Authors: Fang Shuai
Published: November 2020

Background: Previous research has shown the physiological basis and empirical evidence for judging representative functional statuses and the functional decline pattern characterized by the specific combination and coevolution of muti-limitations among the elderly. However, as for health measures, under the conventional variable-centered view, studies mostly outlined physical function conditions by quantized severity levels rather than the qualitative profile and possessed the status change just uptrend or downside. This paper's central issue is to identify the constructed latent status of physical function among the Chinese elderly, explore the law of the coexistence and progress of functional limitations, also refine the comprehension of gender inequality with age. Methods: We selected 1578 valid elderly samples who participated in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey in 2002, 2008, and 2014, and undertook latent transition analysis to construct the latent status, conduct the membership change overtimes, and examine gender disparity by introducing the multiple-grouplatent model. Results: Chinese elders could be divided into five typical physical functional latent statues.Upper extremity mobility was a distinguishing factor with unimanual dexterity or grip strength. The functional decline started with highly strength-required actions, then, the risk of mobility dysfunction and unimanual indexterity released predominantly, companied by visual and hearing problems. Upper limb disorders rarely occurred alone. The gender differences in distribution and transition of functional status were both distinguishable(ΔG2=74.59,df=4,p<0.000;ΔG2=110.86,df=40, p<0.000). Male elderly preferred maintaining extreme states with a lower risk of deterioration and a higher chance of recovery; females tended toward an unhealthier state and sank into the middle state. Whether gender inequality within physical health expands or shrinks with aging was related closely to the initial status. Conclusion: This study bridges the gap between individualized studies and health measures by typology reference, differentiating the key functional stage and persons at risk. Medical treatments could prioritize the upper limb mobility recure and the strength enhance. Health equity promotion should consider gender typing and original status. Further, individual behaviors under diverse health types would be compared to demonstrate the heterogeneity in real needs and formulate targeted health interventions.
WITHDRAWN: Clinical Applicability of Gait Analysis in the Early Detection of Cognitive Decline: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Authors: de Mettelinge Tine Roman , Desimpelaere Patrick , Cambier Dirk
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND Although promising results concerning dual-task gait predicting dementia progression in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment have been established, the question remains whether this can also be applied to older adults who are not yet suffering from overt cognitive impairments. Spatiotemporal gait analysis has proven to be valuable and reliable in this context. Nevertheless, these instruments are not common in clinical environments. This study aims to investigate whether easy applicable, inexpensive instruments can be used in the detection of gait alterations associated with early cognitive decrements.METHODS Eighty-two healthy community-dwelling older adults (age 60-89) with a MMSE ≥27 were enrolled in this study. Gait analyses using 10-meter walk test (10MWT) and GAITRite-instrument were performed under single and dual-task conditions. Performance on MMSE, CDT, MoCA, TMT-A, TMT-B, Digit Span Forward and Digit Span Backward were registered. Based on the tertiles of dual-task costs (DTC), subjects were categorized as “poor walkers” or “good walkers”. Comparative and predictive statistical analyses were conducted.RESULTS During both types of dual-task 10MWT “poor walkers” performed significantly worse on CDT, MMSECDT, TMT-A and Digit Span Backward compared to “good walkers”. Spatiotemporal gait analysis revealed that temporal DTC resulted in poorer performance on MMSE, CDT, MMSECDT and MoCA orientation whereas spatial DTC showed significantly lower scores on MoCA language, TMT-B and ΔTMT for “poor walkers” compared to “good walkers”. The effort it took to perform either the verbal fluency or the arithmetic dual-task during 10MWT predicted TMT-A and Digit Span Backward outcome. Regarding spatiotemporal dual-task gait analysis, performance on MMSE could be predicted by DTC stride velocity and performance on MoCA language could be predicted by DTC step and stride length.CONCLUSIONS Poor walking abilities can be associated with early cognitive decrements, even in a very early stage when cognitive performance is still more or less intact. Poor walking performance might therefore be considered a clinical precursor or warning signal for beginning cognitive decline. The subtle cognitive and gait decrements can be identified using inexpensive tools, which are easy applicable in all clinical settings.Trial registration Not applicable
Validation of the Chinese Version Community' s Self-Efficacy Scale in Aging Population
Authors: Zhang Xiuli , Zheng Dezhi , Liu Yan , Zhao Huiwen , Luo Wen
Published: November 2020

Background: The original study confirmed the Japanese version Community’s Self-efficacy Scale (CSES) may help to promote health policies, practices and interventions in the community. In China, research on the self-efficacy of community’s life is at an infancy. The aim of this study was to assess the validity, the reliability and the predictors of the Chinese version CSES in aging population.Method: (1) Translation of the original Japanese version CSES into Chinese; (2)Validation of the Chinese version in aging population. Instrument measurement included reliability testing, item generation, construct validity and test-retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to determine construct validity and internal consistency. Meanwhile, we build the Bayesian Network Model of the Chinese version CSES and determined target variable.Result: Finally, 143 samples have been included in this research. By confirmatory factor analysis, we confirmed that the Chinese version CSES fit for two dimensional model. Additionally, this scale showed that the good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α coefficient 0.900) and test-retest reliability (kappa coefficient 0.754). The results of the Bayesian Network Model showed that the education (0.3278) and PEPPI (0.2055) have the important predictors of the CSES. Conclusion: This is the first study to validate the Chinese version CSES in older people. Our research confirmed that the Chinese version CSES has a good internal consistency, construct validity and test-retest reliability. Meanwhile, the confidence of communication with physician and the educational level are the important predictors of community self-efficacy.