bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrophytes In The High Barind Tract: Diversity Status Threats And Conservation
Authors: Begum Syeda Salma
Published: March 2020

A survey was conducted to assess the diversity of hydrophytes in some selected locations including Kharoil Beel (Mohanpur), Beel Kumari (Tanore) and Jobai Beel (Sapahar) situated in High Barind Tract, Rajshahi, Bangladesh from June 2005 to May 2008. Among them Jobai Beel is the largest, Beel Kumari is medium and Kharoil Beel is small in size. At experimental areas a total of 151 plant species and 90 genera distributed in 44 families was identified. From the result, diversity status of the study areas, the values ranged between 0.94-0.97 in Simpson’s index and 3.55-4.13 in Shannon’s index. Diversity status of three study areas shows richness. Sequence of richness is as follows- Kharoil Beet> Beel Kumari > Jobai Beel. It is also evident that these wetlands are disturbed by anthropogenic activities. Some of the species have become threatened, some have become rare. Conservation efforts and awareness building are perquisite for the sustainability of these wetlands

Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 40(2): 259-270, December 2014
Takayasu’s Arteritis- A Review
Authors: Aziz Ahmad Monjurul , Yasmin Rubina , Haque Md Azharul , Yeasmin Dilruba
Published: March 2020

Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a rare, idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disease with cell-mediated inflammation, involving mainly the aorta and its major branches. It leads to stenosis, occlusion or aneurysmal degeneration of large arteries. The clinical presentation is characterized by an acute phase with constitutional symptoms, followed, months or years later, by a chronic phase in which symptoms relate to fibrosis or occlusion of vessels. Conventional angiography, the gold standard method for initial diagnosis, appears to have been replaced with new imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and 18Ffluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDGPET) in recent years. These are also used for the assessment of disease activity. New tools for disease assessment such as Indian Takayasu’s Arteritis Score 2010 (ITAS2010) and color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) aim to better characterize and quantify disease activity. Leflunomide, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-± antagonists, and tocilizumab are new options for patients resistant to conventional therapies. Prognosis is possibly getting better, with lower mortality in recent years due to recent advancement in investigations and management.

J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2020; 38(1): 35-45
Influence Of Solution Concentration And Equilibrium Time On Phosphorus Sorption In Calcareous And Non-Calcareous Soils
Authors: Joardar JC , Sikder S , Hasib SB
Published: March 2020

Low availability of phosphorus (P) due to P sorption onto soil is one of the major hindrances that greatly affect crop production. So, the understanding of P-soil interactions plays a vital role for increasing agronomic efficiency as well as proper P management. For optimal crop production, annual P application rates should be in equilibrium with the rate of P sorption by soil to ensure the presence of sufficient P in soil. So, it is important to identify the rate of P sorption with time. The focus of this study was to determine and compare the influence of solution P concentrations and equilibrium time on P sorption in calcareous and noncalcareous soils. In the experiment, 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 50 μg P ml-1 solutions were taken and the sorption rate was investigated at 6, 12, 24 and 48 hour time periods. The results indicate that the P retention onto soil significantly increased with increasing concentration of solution P. Equilibrium time also influenced P sorption. The maximum P sorption was found after 24 hours. After 48 hours, some desorption of fixed P was observed that reflects the reversibility of sorbed P with time. The higher P sorption was found in calcareous soil than in noncalcareous soil irrespective of equilibrium time and solution P concentration.

SAARC J. Agri., 17(2): 117-126 (2019)
Subjective Well-Being of Portuguese Employees: The Role of Personality and Organizational Context
Authors: Figueiredo Cláudia , Daniel Ana D. , Almeida João , Soares Sandra C.
Published: March 2020

Subjective well-being (SWB) has been widely associated with quality of life and health outcomes. In the organizational and work context, SWB has been also related to better outcomes, like higher levels of job satisfaction, productivity and enhanced career development. Yet in the present context of economic pressure and highly dynamic work markets employees are asked to be better at taking risks to come with fast and creative solutions and companies are facing the challenge of recruiting best equipped individuals and assuring the conditions for them to be at their best. Personal and organizational characteristics, like personality and psychological safety seen to play an important role in these matters. However, it is still to know how are these variables associated with the employees’ well-being. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of open to experience, resilience and psychological security on SWB. A sample of 193 Portuguese adults working in 20 companies of the industry and IT sectors answered a standardize questionnaire. In order to explore what and to what extent personal (open to experience and resilience) and organizational (psychological safety) variables impact SWB the multiple regression models were computed. Results showed that the most associated variable in the three models is resilience and that the three predictors have higher impact on explaining Life Satisfaction (29.5%) and Positive Affect (26.5%).
The Relationship between Dramatic Text and Performance with the Centrality of the Body with a Look at Anne Bogart’s Rendition of The Persians
Authors: Gheitasy Samin , Montazeri Leila , Dolatkhah Simin
Published: March 2020

The dramatic text defines, to some extent, the structure of the work but the type of performance and the physical approach to the text can represent different meanings. The body of the actor, as a means of conveying concepts from the text to the audience, can be effective in creating different interpretations and meanings of the text. Since eons ago, directors have used the body of the actor with different approaches, and the application of body on the stage has always been underdoing changes. Anne Bogart is one of the few directors who is less known in the Iranian theater despite possessing the most updated and well-known methods of practice and performance in the world. Using her viewpoint method, she brings live and dynamic bodies to the stage; bodies that are able to convey the hidden meanings of the text to the audience in the most suitable way. The overall purpose of this research is to find the relationship between the dramatic text and the performance with the centrality of the body with a sociological view toward the body. To this end, by presenting Foucault's theories, the researchers defines the role of the body in the society and its extent of effectivity and impressibility. Finally, this study explores the implications of this role in each element of Aeschylus’s The Persians, and it shall show how Bogart beautifully represents them using the bodies of her actors during performance.
Life Satisfaction as A Determinant of Loneliness Among College Students
Authors: Salkic Sabina
Published: March 2020

Loneliness is usually defined as an unpleasant and emotionally disturbing subjective experience that occurs as response to the discrepancy between desired and achieved levels of social contact. The experience of loneliness is unpleasant and painful experience, followed by feelings of rejection from the people that we care, with simultaneous desire that they accept us and to be part of their lives.

The sense of global life satisfaction stems from cumulative successes in a variety of specific situations. The measure of overall satisfaction with one's life reflects in addition to the successes experienced, the average level of mood of the person, that is, his emotional state over a long period or even throughout an individual's life. As such, overall life satisfaction is an indicator of quality of life and emotional adjustment.

The main aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the life satisfaction with loneliness.

The study was conducted on a sample of 200 students (82 males and 118 females) of various departments of the final year of Social Sciences and Technical Sciences at the University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The study applied the following instruments: The scale of general life satisfaction; The short version of UCLA loneliness scale.

The results showed a negative relationship of loneliness with life satisfaction among students (r=-.515, p
Fixed Bed Reactor Performance for Herbicide Degradation Under Solar Radiation
Authors: Chekir Nadia , Tassalit Djilali , Mellal Mounir , Benhabiles Ouassila , Sahraoui Naima
Published: March 2020

Photocatalysis has the best potential to replace the traditional wastewater treatment techniques such as activated carbon adsorption, chemical oxidation, and biological treatment.

Photocatalysis is a combination of a catalyst semiconductor is titanium dioxide TiO2 with an ultraviolet light source as the sun. It has the added advantage of not introducing additives in the medium to be treated. However, when applied in slurry form, agglomeration of nanoparticle will lead to serious decrease in photocatalytic performance due to hinderance effect. Further, the present study has made an effort to use a support for the immobilization of catalyst for treating the pesticide polluted water by photocatalytic degradation. In the present paper, we present the performance of 2 kinds of Titanium dioxide (Commercial Media Ahlstrom and impregned TiO2 on glass) as photocatlytic support in fixed bed reactor for the degradation of Metribuzin herbicide under solar radiation. The degradation Performance was studied under various conditions such as substrate and pH solution. Solar photocatalytic degradation rate can reach 100% during 180 min of treatment with using TiO2 immobilized on commercial support media 1048.
Evaluating the Effect of Building Envelope on Thermal Performance in Cold and Warm Climate Regions of Turkey
Authors: Keles Cagla
Published: March 2020

Buildings consume significant amount of energy to keep interior environment at comfort conditions. Most heat losses occur in building envelope, causing the interior comfort conditions to be affected negatively. This leads buildings to consume more energy for keeping interior temperature at comfort level. This paper aims to propose building envelope details that limits the energy consumption and meets the required thermal comfort conditions for Erzurum city, locating at the coldest region in Turkey, and Mardin city, locating at the warmest region in Turkey. There is limited information about energy conservation of buildings in Erzurum city, and comparing of modern and traditional materials’ performances for both warm and cold regions in Turkey. Traditional buildings in Erzurum and Mardin cities have been constructed mostly as masonry which is traditional construction technic, whereas modern buildings are mostly built as reinforced concrete structural system. In this paper, the effect of building envelope on thermal performance has been analyzed for Erzurum and Mardin cities. 25 different building envelope detail alternatives, made up of modern and traditional materials with different insulation and covering materials, have been designed. Reinforced concrete, autoclaved aerated concrete and perforated brick have been chosen as a core material for modern building envelope details, whereas masonry stone, adobe brick and wooden frame have been chosen for traditional building envelope details. In the second part of study, different building envelope alternatives have been modelled in Design Builder software with Energy Plus simulation engine. Heating, cooling and total energy loads of these alternatives have been calculated for Erzurum and Mardin cities. The results of simulation are provided along with the evaluation and comparison. It was showed that adobe brick alternative has the lowest total energy consumption among all building envelope alternatives for both cities.
Towards linking driving complexity to crash risk
Authors: Zurlinden Hendrik , Baruah Anita , Gaffney John
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this article is to present insights into the relationship between complex traffic flow phenomena on urban motorways and crash risk. Unstable or congested flow can trigger low speed/high density clusters (e.g. nucleations or shockwaves) creating ‘surprise elements’, therefore sharply increasing the cognitive workload for motorists. When combined with reduced road space and freedom to perform needed manoeuvres (e.g. lane changes), conditions can exceed the physical or mental capability and hence increase the likelihood of human error. There is overwhelming evidence that high traffic density drastically increases the crash risk. Some density concentrations can be avoided through appropriate planning and real-time traffic control, resulting in a reduction in crashes. Modern measurement devices allow for the analysis of individual vehicle behaviours such as ‘Brake’, ‘Speed alert’ or ‘Lane change’ events and show promise in providing robust data to further exploring what makes dense traffic complex. This allows establishing relationships between “events as elementary units of exposure” and crash occurrence resulting in a new way of understanding crash rates. These relationships are important to predict crashes, identify high-risk locations, and establish suitable measures for crash reduction.
The association of select medical conditions with road transport and other hospitalised injury among older adults
Authors: Mitchell Rebecca , Harvey Lara , Toson Barbara , Draper Brian , Brodaty Henry , Close Jacqueline
Published: March 2020

Introduction: Certain cognitive and physical conditions have been associated with increased risk of injury, particularly risk of vehicle crashes among older car drivers. This study aims to examine the association of seven select medical conditions among hospitalised road users compared to other hospitalised injuries, and to estimate the hospitalised injury rates of car drivers, car passengers and pedestrians with these medical conditions.
Method: An examination of road transport and nonroad transport hospitalised injury involving adults aged ≥50 years identified during 2003-2012 in New South Wales, Australia was conducted. Medical conditions were identified from hospital diagnosis records. Conditional fixed effects logistic regression conditioned on the matched cases and comparison-cohort estimated odds ratios for each medical condition by road user type.
Results: There were 35,134 road transport injuries (10,664 car drivers and 4,907 pedestrians) and 447,858 nonroad transport injuries. Individuals with vision disorders, cardiovascular disease including stroke, diabetes, and osteoarthritis had higher odds of hospitalisation for an injury as a car driver compared to all other hospitalised injuries. Individuals with diagnoses of dementia or alcohol dependence had a lower odds of an injury hospital admission as a road user (excluding pedestrians) compared to all other hospitalised injuries.
Conclusions: As the population ages, there are likely to be more older road users with comorbidities that may affect their ability to drive or safely cross the road. Community mobility strategies need to take into account the influence of comorbid health conditions for older adults.
Synthesis and structure of copper(II) complexes with 1-iso-propyl-1Н-1,2,4-triazole
Authors: Degtyarik Mikhail M. , Bogatikov Andrey N. , Voitekhovich Sergei V. , Lyakhov Alexander S. , Ivashkevich Ludmila S. , Grigoriev Yuri V. , Ivashkevich Oleg A.
Published: March 2020

A novel facile method for the synthesis of 1-iso-propyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole (L) is described. This method is based on alkylation of 1,2,4-triazole with isopropyl alcohol in sulfuric acid media. It allows to synthesize the target product selectively with a yield of near 98 %. New coordination compounds [CuL2(Н2О)2Cl2] and [СuL4Cl2] were synthesized by the interaction of 1-iso-propyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole with copper(II) chloride dihydrate. Composition and structure of prepared complexes were studied by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis and IR spectroscopy. Both coordination compounds were found to be mononuclear complexes with octahedral coordination of copper atoms. Ligand L shows monodentate coordination through the triazole ring N4 atom. The analysis of the changes observed in the IR-spectrum of L under coordination with CuII atom was carried out. It was shown that IR spectroscopy can be used in order to study some structural peculiarities of azole complexes, in particular presence of bounded or coordinated water molecules and hydrogen bonds as well as localization of coordination bonds.
Budaya Visual pada Website Fakultas Seni Rupa dan Desain Universitas Trisakti
Authors: Wardoyo Bambang Tri
Published: March 2020

Abstrak Keberadaan website Fakultas Seni Rupa dan Desain, Universitas Trisakti, penting untuk diteliti karena merupakan cermin dari budaya visual institusi yang menampilkannya. Website dapat diakses dengan berbagai perangkat pendukung seperti komputer, laptop, tablet, dan smartphone, baik kondisi pengguna (users) dalam kondisi statik maupun bergerak, serta dalam waktu yang tidak terbatas jam kerja. Metode penelitian tulisan ini adalah deskriptif-kualitatif dengan menggunakan kajian budaya. Kajian budaya dalam tulisan ini mengkaji situs website di institusi Fakutas Seni Rupa dan Desain, Universitas Trisakti dan memberikan gambaran bentuk-bentuk pengetahuan dan perilaku yang diasosiasikan dengan aktifitas sosial atau situs sosial di institusi tersebut. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah gambaran ide, visi misi, perilaku, serta cita-cita yang hendak dibangun oleh website Fakultas Seni Rupa dan Desain, Universitas Trisakti, yang dapat membangun citra positif bagi masyarakat luas. Kata Kunci: budaya visual, desain, identitas, website  AbstractThe existence of the Faculty of Art and Design, Trisakti University, website essential to research because it is a reflection of the institution's visual culture that features it. The website accessible through various devices, such as a computer, a laptop, tablet, smartphone when users at static or mobile state, and within unlimited working hours. This research using descriptive - qualitative with the cultural study approach. The cultural study on this research analyzes the Faculty of Art and Design, Trisakti University, website and providing the picture of knowledge forms and attitudes which associate with social activity and social site in the institution. The result of this research is idea picture, vision, mission, attitude, and the goal that wishes to build by the Faculty of Art and Design, Trisakti University website that can develop a positive image to the larger society. Keywords: design, identity, culture, visual, website
Desain Aplikasi SALIM sebagai Media Pembelajaran untuk Menanggulangi Tindakan Kenakalan Remaja
Authors: Masnuna Masnuna , Kusuma Wardani Nungky Indah , Kadiasti Ristia
Published: March 2020

AbstrakKenakalan remaja sering terjadi karena kurangnya persiapan remaja dalam menerima perubahan yang terjadi seperti perubahan jasmani, tingkat emosi, akhlak, sosial serta cara bertindak dan berpikir. Tindakan ini sering dialami oleh remaja pada rentan usia 15 hingga 20 tahun baik laki-laki maupun perempuan. Menanggulangi masalah kenakalan remaja melalui bidang agama menjadi salah satu solusi yang dipilih sebagai pondasi utama sebagai umat beragama, sehingga dibutuhkan media melalui 2 tahapan metode yaitu tahap persiapan dan tahap penciptaan. Tahap persiapan meliputi pengumpulan data, analisis data, sintesis, dan penentuan objek perancangan. Tahap penciptaan meliputi pra produksi, produksi, dan pasca produksi. Hasil dari metode yang digunakan menghasilkan konsep “Petualang Kebaikan”, yaitu orang yang bertualang mencari sifat manusia yang sesuai dengan aturan agama Islam. Media ini dirancang untuk media bantu bagi remaja dalam mengontrol perilaku sehari-hari. Apakah pada hari itu para remaja sudah berbuat baik dan bermanfaat bagi orang lain dan lingkungannya atau belum. Jika pada hari itu belum berbuat baik, maka dalam aplikasi poin-poin berbuat baik belum terceklis, begitu juga sebaliknya sehingga para remaja bisa mengontrol dirinya sendiri untuk menghindari perbuatan buruk dan melakukan perbuatan baik dalam kehidupan sehari-harinya. Kata Kunci: android, aplikasi,  multimedia, kenakalan, remaja AbstractTeenager delinquency often happened due to a lack of preparation for teenagers to accept changes such as physical change, emotion, attitude, social, and the way to act and think. This action often experienced by teens at a susceptible age of 15 until 20 years, whether men or women. Overcoming the problem of Teenage delinquency through the religious area becomes one of the solutions chosen as the foundation for a religious congregation, so it needs the media through 2 stages of a method that are preparation stage and production stage. The preparation stage includes data collection, data analysis, synthesis, and the definition of object design. The production stage includes pre-production, production, and post-production. The result of the methods used to generate the “Petualangan Kebaikan” concept, which is persons that travel searching for human nature that appropriate with the rule of Islam. This media designed for media support for teenagers in controlling daily attitudes. Whether on that day the teenager has done a good and beneficial deed for others and the environment. If in that the day the teenager hasn't done a good deed yet, in applications good deed points will not check or vice versa, so the teenager could control themselves to prevent horrible deed and doing a good deed in daily life.Keywords: android, gadget, interactive, multimedia, teens
Cotard syndrome, self-awareness, and I-concepts
Authors: Gennaro Rocco Joseph
Published: March 2020

Various psychopathologies of self-awareness, such as somatoparaphrenia and thought insertion in schizophrenia, might seem to threaten the viability of the higher-order thought (HOT) theory of consciousness since it requires a HOT about one’s own mental state to accompany every conscious state. The HOT theory of consciousness says that what makes a mental state a conscious mental state is that there is a HOT to the effect that “I am in mental state M.” I have argued in previous work that a HOT theorist can adequately respond to this concern with respect to somatoparaphrenia and thought insertion. There is also Cotard syndrome which is a rare neuropsychiatric disorder in which people hold the delusional belief that they are dead, do not exist, or have lost their blood or internal organs. In this paper, I argue that HOT theory has nothing to fear from it either and can consistently account for what happens in such unusual cases. I analyze Cotard syndrome in light of my previous discussion of somatoparaphrenia and thought insertion, and argue that HOT theory can provide a somewhat analogous account without the worry of inconsistency. It is crucial to recognize that there are multiple “self-concepts” and levels of HOTs which can help to provide a more nuanced explanation. With regard to the connection between consciousness and self-consciousness, it is proposed that Cotard patients are indeed capable of having some “I-thoughts” about their bodies and mental states.
Radical disruptions of self-consciousness
Authors: Milliere Raphael , Metzinger Thomas
Published: March 2020

This special issue is about something most of us might find very hard to conceive: states of consciousness in which self-consciousness is radically disrupted or altogether missing.
Economic Peace Revisited: Coercion in a Liberal Order
Authors: Walentek Dawid
Published: March 2020

Scholars have argued whether democratic peace also holds in the realm of economic sanctions – whether there is an economic peace. Substantial amounts of evidence have been gathered both for and against economic peace. We can see that findings have been extremely sensitive to changes in research design – new data or changes in statistical methods have led to divergent results. This article provides new insight, with the use of the updated TIES data set and improved methodology, into the topic of economic peace. I find that democracies are more likely to issue economic sanctions, and that there is no economic peace. In fact, democracies are more likely to sanction one another. I indicate that lack of economic peace is consistent with the public choice approach to economic sanctions. I argue that the exercise of power in the liberal order has been rechannelled to economic coercion.
Energy Efficient Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks: A Comprehensive Survey
Authors: Nakas Christos , Kandris Dionisis , Visvardis Georgios
Published: March 2020

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are among the most emerging technologies, thanks to their great capabilities and their ever growing range of applications. However, the lifetime of WSNs is extremely restricted due to the delimited energy capacity of their sensor nodes. This is why energy conservation is considered as the most important research concern for WSNs. Radio communication is the utmost energy consuming function in a WSN. Thus, energy efficient routing is necessitated to save energy and thus prolong the lifetime of WSNs. For this reason, numerous protocols for energy efficient routing in WSNs have been proposed. This article offers an analytical and up to date survey on the protocols of this kind. The classic and modern protocols presented are categorized, depending on i) how the network is structured, ii) how data are exchanged, iii) whether location information is or not used, and iv) whether Quality of Service (QoS) or multiple paths are or not supported. In each distinct category, protocols are both described and compared in terms of specific performance metrics, while their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Finally, the study findings are discussed, concluding remarks are drawn, and open research issues are indicated.
Effects of Management Practices on Quinoa Growth, Seed Yield, and Quality
Authors: Wang Ning , Wang Fengxin , Shock Clinton C. , Meng Chaobiao , Qiao Lifang
Published: March 2020

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) yield potential needs to be further achieved by good management practices to meet the increasing global demand. Two years of orthogonal field experiments were undertaken to investigate the effects of irrigation onset criteria using soil matric potential (SMP) (−15, −25, and −55 kPa), nitrogen fertilizer rate (80, 160, and 240 kg ha−1), and plant density (20, 30, and 40 plants m−2) on quinoa growth, seed yield, weight, and protein content. Initiating irrigations at an SMP of −15 to −25 kPa achieved significantly (p < 0.05) greater seed yield (37.2 g plant−1), thousand kernel weight (2.25 g), and protein content (21.2%) than −55 kPa (25.2 g plant−1, 2.08 g, and 19.8%, respectively). The 240 kg ha−1 nitrogen rate had significantly (p < 0.05) greater thousand kernel weight (2.26 g) and protein content (21.3%) than 80 (2.07 g and 19.5%, respectively) and 160 kg ha−1 (2.14 g and 20.7%, respectively). The yield under 20 plants m−2 reached 39.5 g plant−1, which was 13.5 g plant−1 higher than 40 plants m−2 (p < 0.05). The quinoa consumed most of the available nitrogen in the soil (410–860 kg ha−1), indicating that quinoa should be part of a sound crop rotation program.
Effect of Natural Aging of Biochar on Soil Enzymatic Activity and Physicochemical Properties in Long-Term Field Experiment
Authors: Futa Barbara , Oleszczuk Patryk , Andruszczak Sylwia , Kwiecińska-Poppe Ewa , Kraska Piotr
Published: March 2020

The effect of different rates of biochar on selected soil properties and enzymatic activity 48, 60, and 72 months after biochar application to soil was investigated. Soil enzymatic activity (dehydrogenase—ADh; phosphatase—Aph; urease—AU), the organic carbon content (TOC), the total nitrogen content (Nt), the mineral nitrogen content (NH4+, NO3−), and soil pH were determined. The study was conducted on Haplic Podzol originating from glaciofluvial fine-grained loamy sand. Biochar was applied to soil under winter rye (Secale cereale L.) at rates of 10 (BC10), 20 (BC20), and 30 t ha−1 (BC30). Plots with biochar-unamended soil were the control treatment (BC0). The pH, TOC, and Nt content in the biochar-amended soil were higher compared to the control soil. A broader C:N ratio was found in the BC0 soil compared to BC10, BC20, and BC30. With increasing biochar rate, the content of the ammonium nitrogen form (NH4+) decreased and was statistically lower than in the control soil (BC0). The soil in the BC20 and BC30 treatments was characterized by the highest content of NO3-, whereas the lowest nitrate nitrogen content was found in the control soil (BC0). Biochar application increased soil enzymatic activity. Dehydrogenase activity increased with increasing biochar rate. As far as phosphatase and urease activity is concerned, a similar relationship was not observed. In this case, the soil amended with biochar at a rate of 20 t ha−1 (BC20) was characterized by the highest phosphatase and urease activity.
Interplay between Neuroendocrine Biomarkers and Gut Microbiota in Dogs Supplemented with Grape Proanthocyanidins: Results of Dietary Intervention Study
Authors: Scarsella Elisa , Cintio Michela , Iacumin Lucilla , Ginaldi Federica , Stefanon Bruno
Published: March 2020

Several studies on the interaction between gut microbiota and diets, including prebiotics, have been reported in dogs, but no data are available about the effects of dietary administration of grape proanthocyanidins. In the study, 24 healthy adult dogs of different breeds were recruited and divided in 3 groups of 8 subjects each. A group was fed with a control diet (D0), whilst the others were supplemented with 1 (D1) or 3 (D3) mg/kg live weight of grape proanthocyanidins. Samples of feces were collected at the beginning and after 14 and 28 days for microbiota, short chain fatty acid, and lactic acid analysis. Serotonin and cortisol were measured in saliva, collected at the beginning of the study and after 28 days. A significantly higher abundance (p < 0.01) of Enterococcus and Adlercreutzia were observed in D0, whilst Escherichia and Eubacterium were higher in D1. Fusobacterium and Phascolarctobacterium were higher (p < 0.01) in D3. Salivary serotonin increased (p < 0.01) at T28 for D1 and D3 groups but cortisol did not vary. Proanthocyanidins administration influenced the fecal microbiota and neuroendocrine response of dogs, but a high variability of taxa was observed, suggesting a uniqueness and stability of fecal microbiota related to the individual.
Effect of Soybean Meal Substitution by Raw Chickpea Seeds on Thermal Properties and Fatty Acid Composition of Subcutaneous Fat Tissue of Broiler Chickens
Authors: Paszkiewicz Waldemar , Muszyński Siemowit , Kwiecień Małgorzata , Zhyla Mykola , Świątkiewicz Sylwester , Arczewska-Włosek Anna , Tomaszewska Ewa
Published: March 2020

In this study, the effect of soybean meal substitution by raw chickpea seeds on the thermal properties and fatty acid profile of subcutaneous fat tissue of broiler chickens was examined. The experiment, performed on Ross 308 chickens, lasted for 42 days. Tight subcutaneous fat tissue was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements while the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous adipose tissue was determined chromatographically. There was no effect of soybean meal substitution on fat crystallization temperature or crystallization enthalpy. However, the total calorimetric enthalpy of the melting of low-melting monounsaturated and saturated triacylglycerols differed between groups. Fatty acid proportions in the subcutaneous fat tissue of broiler chickens were also altered. Among others, chickpea seed inclusion decreased the content of main saturated acid (palmitic acid) and increased the content of main monounsaturated (oleic) and tri-unsaturated (linolenic) acids. The results show that the soybean meal substitution by raw chickpea seeds in the feed can affect the structural properties of adipose tissue in broiler chickens, including the thermal transformation of unsaturated fatty acids. Due to the numerous physiological functions of subcutaneous fat tissue, understanding these mechanisms can promote the use of alternative protein both in poultry and human nutrition.
Farm Animal Welfare Science in China—A Bibliometric Review of Chinese Literature
Authors: Sinclair Michelle , Zhang Yu , Descovich Kris , Phillips Clive J.C.
Published: March 2020

Farm animal welfare in the People’s Republic of China (henceforth, China) is not well represented in the international scientific literature. This may lead researchers, advocates and those with agricultural partnerships in China to assume that animal welfare is not a field of interest there. This study reports a literature review of published pig and poultry welfare research in China using Chinese scientific databases. We aimed to determine which areas of welfare research have recently received academic attention in China. From an understanding of areas being studied, current and emerging priority areas for research could be determined. This study identified 854 academic publications citing pig or chicken welfare in China published between 2008 and 2018. Within these publications, two broader areas of significant attention were addressed in the context of animal welfare; yield and product quality, such as feeding, biosecurity and antimicrobial resistance, including immunity and second, the relationship of animal welfare with the Chinese philosophy of ‘ecological agriculture.’ Holistic systems were advocated to maximize sustainability and maintain a healthy environment, such as the creation of fermented bedding for pigs. Environmental enrichment was also a focus of attention, demonstrating an interest in animals’ mental welfare, which was usually conjectured from their behavior. Few of the articles were translated into English or other languages and therefore most were largely unavailable to the English-speaking global scientific community. This presents an opportunity to provide relevant animal welfare knowledge, which could improve animal welfare globally. China is a global animal trade leader and the home of the largest agricultural industries in the world. An increase in collaboration on animal welfare research and understanding of the advancements that have been made in China, as reviewed in this manuscript, could advance farm animal welfare from a global perspective.
Astaxanthin Prevents Mitochondrial Impairment Induced by Isoproterenol in Isolated Rat Heart Mitochondria
Authors: Krestinina Olga , Baburina Yulia , Krestinin Roman , Odinokova Irina , Fadeeva Irina , Sotnikova Linda
Published: March 2020

Mitochondria are considered to be a power station of the cell. It is known that they play a major role in both normal and pathological heart function. Alterations in mitochondrial bioenergetics are one of the main causes of the origin and progression of heart failure since they have an inhibitory effect on the activity of respiratory complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Astaxanthin (AST) is a xanthophyll carotenoid of mainly marine origin. It has both lipophilic and hydrophilic properties and may prevent mitochondrial dysfunction by permeating the cell membrane and co-localizing within mitochondria. The carotenoid suppresses oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and the development of diseases. In the present study, it was found that the preliminary oral administration of AST upregulated the activity of respiratory chain complexes and ATP synthase and the level of their main subunits, thereby improving the respiration of rat heart mitochondria (RHM) in the heart injured by isoproterenol (ISO). AST decreased the level of cyclophilin D (CyP-D) and increased the level of adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) in this condition. It was concluded that AST could be considered as a potential mitochondrial-targeted agent in the therapy of pathological conditions associated with oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. AST, as a dietary supplement, has a potential in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Study of Interfacial Adhesion between Nickel-Titanium Shape Memory Alloy and a Polymer Matrix by Laser Surface Pattern
Authors: Samal Sneha , Tyc Ondřej , Heller Luděk , Šittner Petr , Malik Monika , Poddar Pankaj , Catauro Michelina , Blanco Ignazio
Published: March 2020

The aim of this article is to investigate the interfacial adhesion of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy with a polymer matrix of Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The surface pattern on Ni-Ti plates was channeled by a solid state laser machine. The laser machine allows for creating channels on the Ni-Ti surface for infiltration of the PMMA matrix, which could be attached as an intra-surface locking pattern to the Ni-Ti surface. The influence of the PMMA matrix on the surface of the NiTi plate was evaluated by thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The surface characterization was carried out by an optical microscope on the PMMA/NiTi composite after mechanical testing. During mechanical testing, the polymer displays the multiple cracks in the longitudinal direction that result in slipping and fracture. TMA and DMA analyses were performed on the Ni-Ti- and PMMA-coated Ni-Ti ribbon to observe elasticity and the storage modulus for both samples. Better adhesion than 80 % was observed in the Ni-Ti surface, in the laser surface pattern, in comparison to the free plain surface. However, the polymer acts as mechanical backing that caused a reduction in the shape-memory properties of the composite material.
Positioning Accuracy of the Shearer Based on a Strapdown Inertial Navigation System in Underground Coal Mining
Authors: Wu Gang , Fang Xinqiu , Zhang Lei , Liang Minfu , Lv Jiakun , Quan Zhiqiao
Published: March 2020

Automation and intelligent coal mining comprise the most important fields in coal mining technology research. The key to automation and intelligent coal mining is the automated mining of the working face, and accurate positioning of the shearer is one of the most important technologies in the automated mining process. However, significant defects in non-inertial navigation system (INS)-based methods have led to low positioning accuracy. In this paper, we propose a new shearer positioning technology to further improve the positioning accuracy of the shearer and monitor the shearer position in real time. The shearer positioning system proposed is based on the strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS). We conducted shearer positioning experiments with gyroscopes, accelerometers, and other inertial navigation instruments. The experimental results are thoroughly studied on the basis of error compensation techniques such as inertial instrument zero bias compensation and Kalman filter compensation. Compared with traditional shearer positioning technology, the experimental results show that the shearer positioning system based on SINS can achieve more accurate positioning of the shearer and can accurately reflect the running characteristics of the shearer working the mining face.
Microscopic Mechanism of the Macroscopic Mechanical Properties of Cement Modified Subgrade Silty Soil Subjected to Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Authors: Liu Hanbing , Sun Shuang , Wang Lixia , Zhang Yunlong , Wang Jing , Luo Guobao , Han Leilei
Published: March 2020

In order to study the effects of the microstructure parameters of cement modified subgrade silty soil (CMSS) in a frozen area under freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles on the macroscopic mechanical properties, the static triaxial test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and grey relation analysis (GRA) were implemented on silty soil modified with 0% and 2% cement at optimum moisture content from the northwest in Jilin Province in China. The results showed that the shear strength, the cohesion of 0% and 2% CMSS, decreased with the increase of F-T cycles, while the internal friction angle was not obviously changed. The shear strength and its parameters of 2% CMSS doubled compared to that of 0% CMSS. The micro-parameters, representing the particle morphological characteristics, particle arrangement, and pore characteristics of CMSS, changed differently under F-T cycles. If the cement was not added, the cohesion and the internal friction angle were most sensitive to the average particle diameter (Dp) and the average particle abundance (C), respectively. When the cement content was 2%, the cohesion was chiefly affected by the particle size fractal dimension (Dps), while the internal friction angle was mainly related to the average pore diameter (Dh). The main principle of cement improvement was to decrease Dh of soil under F-T cycles.
A Hidden Fingerprint Device on an Opaque Display Panel
Authors: Lin Jhe-Syuan , Sun Wen-Shing
Published: March 2020

In recent years, fingerprint recognition has become more and more widely used in mobile phones. A fingerprint recognition device hidden under an opaque display panel designed based on a waveguide and frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) is proposed and demonstrated herein. In order to meet the demand for a high screen ratio for mobile phone displays, we use a symmetrical zoom-in and zoom-out coupler design. With this comprehensive coupler and waveguide design, not only can fingerprint recognition be achieved using an opaque display panel, but it also meets the appearance requirements for a mobile phone with a high screen ratio.
Influence of Exposure to Elevated Temperatures on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Cementitious Thermal Mortars
Authors: Pereira Manuel Cunha , Soares António , Flores-Colen Inês , Correia João Ramôa
Published: March 2020

Thermal mortars incorporating insulating aggregates are a possible solution to ensure good thermal performance and thermal comfort in buildings due to their low thermal conductivity coefficient. Under some circumstances, namely for particular in-service conditions in industrial applications and/or accidental actions (such as fire), it is important to quantify the retention of their properties after exposure to elevated temperatures, however this information is not yet available in the literature. This study aims to characterize the physical and mechanical behavior of thermal mortars incorporating expanded clay, granulated expanded cork and silica aerogel as aggregates after exposure to elevated temperatures. To this end, five types of mortars were produced in laboratory conditions—three thermal mortars, one reference sand mortar and one sand mortar with admixtures—and then exposed to different elevated temperatures (from 20 °C to 250 °C) in a thermal chamber. After thermal exposure, the following properties were assessed: bulk density; ultrasonic pulse velocity; dynamic elasticity modulus; dynamic shear modulus; Poisson coefficient; compressive strength; and thermal conductivity. The results obtained show that residual properties present a very high dependence on the reactions that take place in the cement paste when the mortars are exposed to elevated temperatures. After such exposure, all mortars with thermal insulating aggregates were able to maintain their insulating characteristics, but experienced internal damage and degradation of their mechanical properties. Results obtained also showed that insulating aggregates allowed to produce mortars with higher aggregate-cement paste compatibility at elevated temperatures compared to conventional mortars, resulting in less micro-cracking of the mortar, and leading to lower reductions in thermal conductivity with increasing temperature.
Fluorogenic and Bioorthogonal Modification of RNA Using Photoclick Chemistry
Authors: Krell Katja , Wagenknecht Hans-Achim
Published: March 2020

A bromoaryltetrazole-modified uridine was synthesized as a new RNA building block for bioorthogonal, light-activated and postsynthetic modification with commercially available fluorescent dyes. It allows “photoclick”-type modifications by irradiation with light (300 nm LED) at internal and terminal positions of presynthesized RNA with maleimide-conjugated fluorophores in good yields. The reaction was evidenced for three different dyes. During irradiation, the emission increases due to the formation of an intrinsically fluorescent pyrazoline moiety as photoclick product. The fluorogenecity of the photoclick reaction was significantly enhanced by energy transfer between the pyrazoline as the reaction product (poor emitter) and the photoclicked dye as the strong emitter. The RNA-dye conjugates show remarkable fluorescent properties, in particular an up to 9.4 fold increase of fluorescence, which are important for chemical biology and fluorescent imaging of RNA in cells.
High-Density Lipoprotein Particles and Their Relationship to Posttransplantation Diabetes Mellitus in Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Sokooti Sara , Szili-Torok Tamas , Flores-Guerrero Jose L. , Osté Maryse C. J. , Gomes-Neto António W. , Kootstra-Ros Jenny E. , Heerspink Hiddo J.L. , Connelly Margery A. , Bakker Stephan J. L. , Dullaart Robin P. F.
Published: March 2020

High concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are likely associated with a lower risk of posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM). However, HDL particles vary in size and density with yet unestablished associations with PTDM risk. The aim of our study was to determine the association between different HDL particles and development of PTDM in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). We included 351 stable outpatient adult RTRs without diabetes at baseline evaluation. HDL particle characteristics and size were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. During 5.2 (IQR, 4.1‒5.8) years of follow-up, 39 (11%) RTRs developed PTDM. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, levels of HDL cholesterol (hazard ratio [HR] 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40–0.94 per 1SD increase; p = 0.024) and of large HDL particles (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50–0.93 per log 1SD increase; p = 0.017), as well as larger HDL size (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.36–0.93 per 1SD increase; p = 0.025) were inversely associated with PTDM development, independently of relevant covariates including, age, sex, body mass index, medication use, transplantation-specific parameters, blood pressure, triglycerides, and glucose. In conclusion, higher concentrations of HDL cholesterol and of large HDL particles and greater HDL size were associated with a lower risk of PTDM development in RTRs, independently of established risk factors for PTDM development.
2-Oxoester Phospholipase A2 Inhibitors with Enhanced Metabolic Stability
Authors: Koutoulogenis Giorgos S. , Kokotou Maroula G. , Hayashi Daiki , Mouchlis Varnavas D. , Dennis Edward A. , Kokotos George
Published: March 2020

2-Oxoesters constitute an important class of potent and selective inhibitors of human cytosolic phospholipase A2 (GIVA cPLA2) combining an aromatic scaffold or a long aliphatic chain with a short aliphatic chain containing a free carboxylic acid. Although highly potent 2-oxoester inhibitors of GIVA cPLA2 have been developed, their rapid degradation in human plasma limits their pharmaceutical utility. In an effort to address this problem, we designed and synthesized two new 2-oxoesters introducing a methyl group either on the α-carbon to the oxoester functionality or on the carbon carrying the ester oxygen. We studied the in vitro plasma stability of both derivatives and their in vitro inhibitory activity on GIVA cPLA2. Both derivatives exhibited higher plasma stability in comparison with the unsubstituted compound and both derivatives inhibited GIVA cPLA2, however to different degrees. The 2-oxoester containing a methyl group on the α-carbon atom to the oxoester functionality exhibits enhancement of the metabolic stability and retains considerable inhibitory potency.