bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of social stories for children with autism: A comprehensive review
Authors: Aldabas Rashed
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND:

The study primarily focuses on systematically analyzing the effectiveness of using social stories as interventions for inappropriate social behavior in individuals with ASD.

OBJECTIVE:

This study also reviewed the effectiveness of integration of technology when using social stories.

METHODS:

Several databases were systematically searched using key words. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were applied to identify appropriate peer-reviewed journal articles for inclusion. Effect size, quality of study, and Gray’s criteria were used to assess the efficacy of social stories as interventions for inappropriate behaviors in individuals with ASD.

RESULTS:

The search yielded 23 peer-reviewed journal articles. The literature indicates that social stories are, in fact, effective in reducing inappropriate social behaviors among such children. A few studies had been about applied social stories with use of technology. However, some researchers have argued that social studies cannot be used alone.

CONCLUSIONS:

There is a need to ensure that teachers involve themselves fully in the process and include verbal prompts and computer-presented social stories employing multimedia features. According to findings of the literature, further research is needed on the effectiveness of social stories when incorporated with other verbal prompts and multimedia features.
Design and performance evaluation of 3D printed writing and typing assistive devices: A pragmatic single participant study
Authors: Maharaj Chris , Ragoo Kiran , Sirjoosingh Vashish , Sahadeo Shreedevi , Lall Deepak , Chowdary Boppana V.
Published: July 2019

INTRODUCTION:

3D Printing can be used to make prosthetic and assistive devices for the physically disabled with the advantages of being affordable and bespoke. A physically challenged test participant was selected who required assistive devices for writing and typing. The participant had a pilocytic astrocytoma in the left peduncle in 2013, which was successfully removed. However, some right arm motor function was lost decreasing writing and typing ability, and forcing adaptation of the left arm. Thus, 3D printed devices were developed to assist the right arm with writing and typing.

METHOD:

The study employed an Alternative Treatment Design, in which writing and typing tests occurred every day for the first three days and then the fifth and seventh days. Two devices were made for writing and two for typing.

RESULTS:

The writing device that consisted of a 2-ring connected design (one finger fits into one ring and the writing utensil into the other) was 15% faster than without any aid on the right hand. Its use also showed the smallest average deviation from a template, 1.8 mm (0.07 in), offering the neatest handwriting quality for the right hand. Regarding typing, the design consisting of a ring and pointer was found to be 54% faster than using no assistive device on the right hand (when typing with right hand alone) and 30% faster than using no assistive device (when using both hands to type).

DISCUSSION:

The study can assist others who intend to produce assistive devices for writing and typing by not only providing ideas for bespoke designs but also the ways in which these assistive devices can be assessed.
Effects of parent instruction in partner-augmented input on parent and child speech generating device use
Authors: Senner Jill E. , Post Kathleen A. , Baud Matthew R. , Patterson Brian , Bolin Brianne , Lopez Jazmyn , Williams Emma
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND:

Lack of parental knowledge about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and how to incorporate them into daily life can be a barrier to AAC use. To support children who are learning an AAC system, parents must understand how to model communication during naturally occurring activities.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of the study was to examine the effects of parent instruction on modeling AAC use in naturally occurring activities.

METHODS:

An eight-step instruction model was used to teach four parents of children who use AAC to provide partner-augmented input (PAI) using the core vocabularies on their children’s speech-generating devices (SGDs) during core family leisure activities. Communication Sampling and Analysis (CSA) was used to compare parent and child language at pretest and post-test.

RESULTS:

All parents demonstrated the ability to perform all of the components of successful PAI (slow rate, model, respect and reflect, repeat, expand, stop) as determined by review of an observation checklist completed during coaching sessions. Parents significantly increased percentage of utterances modeled on their children’s SGDs between pretest and post-test measures. The percentage of unique words modeled (i.e., type-token ratios) by each parent suggests variety in models at post-test. Three of four child participants demonstrated increases in unique words used following parent instruction.

CONCLUSIONS:

Parent instruction can increase parent modeling and child SGD use.
PENGARUH REBUSAN DAUN SIRIH 50% DAN 70% TERHADAP PENURUNAN JUMLAH Candida albicans PADA PLAT RESIN AKRILIK Heat Cured
Authors: Nuning Fransiska
Published: July 2019

Gigi tiruan yang terbuat dari resin akrilik sering menjadi tempat pertumbuhan Candida albicans, dan bila tidak dibersihkan dengan baik akan menyebabkan Candidiasis. Gigi tiruan dapat dibersihkan untuk menghilangkan pertumbuhan Candida albicans, salah satunya adalah menggunakan tanaman daun sirih. Daun sirih (Piper betle L.) diketahui berkhasiat sebagai antijamur dan desinfektan. Penelitian ini menggunakan jenis penelitian eksperimental laboratorium dengan desain posttest control group design. Sampel penelitian yang digunakan yaitu 27 plat resin akrilik heat cured berukuran 10x10x2 mm. Sampel dibagi menjadi 3 kelompok, masing-masing kelompok terdiri dari 9 plat resin akrilik heat cured, yang direndam dalam rebusan daun sirih 50%, 70% dan aquadest sebagai kelompok kontrol selama 30 menit. Sebelum penelitian, plat resin akrilik direndam dalam saliva buatan selama 1 jam. Setelah dibilas dengan larutan NaCl fisiologis 0,85%, plat resin akrilik diinkubasi selama 24 jam pada suhu 37oC didalam suspensi Candida albicans 108 CFU/ml. Kemudian dilakukan pengenceran seri 10-3, diambil 1 ml diteteskan pada media Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) lalu diinkubasi selama 48 jam pada suhu 37oC. Selanjutnya perhitungan Candida albicans dengan colony counter.Data yang diperoleh dianalisis menggunakan Kruskal-Wallis.  Berdasarkan hasil analisa diperoleh nilai p= 0.000 (p<0.05), hal ini menunjukkan bahwa  terdapat perbedaan bermakna antara masing-masing kelompok sampel. Dari hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa rebusan daun sirih 50% dan 70% dapat menurunkan jumlah Candida albicans pada plat resin akrilik heat cured. Rebusan daun sirih 70% lebih menurunkan jumlah Candida albicans pada plat resin akrilik heat cured dibanding rebusan daun sirih 50%.
Reveal the Condition of Students' Identity in Facing Pornography
Authors: Pramesti Advis Arin , Ahmad Riska , Netrawati Netrawati
Published: July 2019

Self-identity has an important role in student development. Failure to cultivate this quality leads to deviant behavior such as pornography. The purpose of this study was to describe the identity of students with regard to pornography. The research methods used were quantitative with a descriptive analysis approach. The population sample included 106 public vocational students in the city of Padang selected by the proportional random sampling technique. The data collection technique in this study used a questionnaire instrument with a Likert model scale. The results showed the identity of students have a 7% contribution in identity diffusion conditions, 32% identity foreclosure conditions, 48% moratorium conditions, and 13% achievement conditions. The findings of this study might be used by counselors to help students in forming their own identities especially in the face of pornography.
STRATEGI KETELADANAN GURU DAN PEMBIASAAN SHALAT ZUHUR BERJAMAAH DALAM MENINGKATKAN PRESTASI BELAJAR PENDIDIKAN AGAMA ISLAM
Authors: Saleh Abdurachman
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this research is to know the relationship between the Obedience Teachers and the Habit of the Zuhur Prayers’ Companions with PAI (islamic studies) Student Achievement. The research was carried out at 1 Gunungputri Vocational High School, Bogor Regency. The research respondents were students with population 349 taken proportionally random sampling. The method used is a survey with a correlational approach. In order to obtain data in the field, a questionnaire is prepared based on the indicators in the research variable. From the results of the study produced three conclusions;  are: First, there is a significant positive relationship between Teacher Exemplary (X1) and PAI Student Learning Achievement (Y) are 35,63 % . Second, there is a significant positive relationship between the Variation of the zuhur Prayers’ Companions (X2) and the PAI Student Achievement (Y) are 43,04 %. Third, There is a significant positive relationship between Teacher Exemplary variables (X1) and Habit of Zuhur Prayers (X2) together with Student PAI Learning Achievement (Y) are 47,85 %. Based on these points it can be concluded that Student PAI Learning Achievement can be improved through Teacher's Exemplary and Habit of the Zuhur Prayers.

Abstrak

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mempelajari hubungan antara Keteladanan Guru dan Pembiasaan Shalat Zuhur Berjamaah dengan Prestasi Belajar PAI Siswa. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di SMKN 1 Gunung putri Kabupaten Bogor. Responden penelitian adalah Siswa dengan populasi 349 yang diambil secara  Proporsional Random Sampling. Metode yang digunakan yaitu survei dengan pendekatan korelasional. Untuk mendapatkan data di lapangan digunakan kuesioner yang disusun berdasarkan indikator-indikator yang ada pada variabel penelitian. Dari hasil penelitian menghasilkan tiga kesimpulan; yaitu: Pertama, terdapat hubungan positif yang signifikan antara Keteladanan Guru (X1) dan Prestasi Belajar PAI Siswa (Y) sebesar 35,63 %. Kedua, Terdapat hubungan positif yang signifikan antara Variabel Pembisaan Shalat Zuhur Berjamaah (X2) dengan Prestasi Belajar PAI Siswa (Y) sebesar 43,04 %. Ketiga, Terdapat hubungan positif yang signifikan antara variabel Keteladanan Guru (X1) dan Pembiasaan Shalat Zuhur Berjamaah (X2) secara bersama-sama dengan Prestasi Belajar PAI Siswa (Y) sebesar 47,85 %. Berdasarkan hal-hal tersebut dapat disimpulkan bahwa Prestasi Belajar PAI Siswa dapat ditingkatkan melalui Keteladanan Guru dan Pembiasaan Shalat Zuhur Berjamaah.
Sistem Pendukung Keputusan Pengadaan Perangkat Teknologi Informasi Menggunakan Metode Logic Fuzzy Pada PT. Kojo Balairaja
Authors: Rajab Rajab , Defiariany Defiariany , Adiatma Feri
Published: July 2019

This study discusses decision support system of the procurement information technology devices using fuzzy logic method at PT. Kojo Balairaja. The research objectives are (1) to determine the eligibility criteria for the procurement of information technology devices that are appropriate to the needs of the company, (2) to determine costs according to the company's budget, (3) to determine the quality of devices held, and (4) to determine the update of the devices held. One of the difficullties that found is  the manager’s in making decsion. An  example manager’s decision in considering  some aspects such as costs and needs but they do not consider eligibility criteria, the quality and updating of the equipment needed by the company. The method used  the Fuzzy Logic method karena metode ini dapat memetakan perangkat yang dibutuhkan. The results of this study, namely the system built can help managers at PT. Kojo Balairaja in making decisions to procure information technology devices in accordance with the eligibility criteria, namely managers can approve, consider and reject the device request, the quality and updating of the equipment needed and can predict the cost of good quality but the price is moderate and affordable by the company.
分析水利河道治理与环境生态的关系
Authors: 孙 慧敏 , 辛 暖
Published: July 2019

河道治理项目是水利工程项目不可缺少的一部分，随着对环境保护和生态环境的日益重视，对水利河道治理也提出了更高的要求。河道治理在城乡发挥着举足轻重的作用，良好的河道治理不仅能够为人类创造更好的生存环境，而且能保护人们财产及生命安全。通过筑坝、防洪、灌溉等措施，对河道进行治理与控制，消除河道存在的安全隐患，有效提高水资源承载能力、恢复河道基本功能、改善河道生态环境，使人与水自然环境实现协调可持续发展；针对河道治理与环境生态之间的关系进行了分析和研究。
电力通信设备电源管理及运行维护
Authors: 徐 树良
Published: July 2019

电力通信的电源在整个电力系统设备中具有重要作用，所以电力通信设备的电源管理受到我国电力系统部门的重视。在实际工作中，电力通信设备的电源管理工作存在着一些问题，而一旦电力通信电源设备出现故障，将会对相应站点通信设备甚至整个电力系统产生严重的影响，可能导致巨大的破坏性。因此在对电力通信电源的基本运行要求进行阐述的基础上，综合分析了我国现阶段电力通信设备管理存在的问题，最后提出几点对策以优化电力通信设备的电源管理。
无人机在高原电力工程建设中安全质量检查的应用
Authors: 曹 森
Published: July 2019

随着国家西进战略不断纵深推进，海拔较高地区的电力工程建设对于参建人员而言通常存在着低温、缺氧及辐射高等可能危害健康不利因素，且地形复杂、环境恶劣等，同时为工程建设中安全质量检查工作的开展增添了难度。为了加强施工作业现场安全管理,管理人员可采取新技术进行辅助。目前新兴的无人机技术已广泛应用于各个领域,文中将其应用在高原电力工程施工现场安全质量检查过程中,通过无人机的航拍功能和智能化的处理,短时间内完成大面积巡视,并能快速抵达人不方便到达的区域,可有效提高安全质量检查的效率。
浅析水文水资源管理在水利工程中应用探究
Authors: 李 长龙 , 巩 远见
Published: July 2019

在针对水库工程实施加固施工工作的时候，水文水资源管理工作的作用是十分巨大的，并且对于整个水利工程的建造会起到积极的影响作用。在这个工序之中其最为基本的作用就是对水库防洪标准加以检核判断，一旦发现异常需要立即纠正。
生态理念在水利设计中的应用研究
Authors: 李 水华
Published: July 2019

水利工程对于城市具有重大的意义，不仅是城市经济的命脉所在，也是人民赖以生存的基础设施之一。水利工程的建设加速了人类社会的发展，文章以可持续发展为目标，提出一套将水域生态与可持续发展相结合的战略观念，在生态水利的设计过程中应用价值观的关键技术，突破传统水利工程建设使污染环境难以治理、环境保护法规难以设置、清洁生产过程较为落后等难题，发展和创新生态水利工程开发与建设中的手段，并且控制在让大众接受的范围之内。
Screening of rice accessions and newer molecules against lepidopterous pests in Manipur, India
Authors: Das Mukta , Longkumer I. Yimjenjang , Singh K.I
Published: July 2019

Trials conducted to assess the resistant reaction of some rice accessions and evaluation of newer molecules against the incidence of two key lepidopterous pests viz., Scirpophaga incertulas Walker and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee revealed that among the screened varieties, WR-15-6-1, WR-1-9-1-1, CAU-R2, Lamyanbaphou, RC-MANI-PHOU-11, Matamphou, KD-6-18-7-1 and RCMANIPHOU-6-RC-5 reacted moderately susceptible at vegetative stage and among these eight, four varieties viz., WR-1-9-1-1, CAU-R2, RC-MANI-PHOU-11 and Matamphou showed resistant reaction at heading stage against S. incertulas and six accessions viz., WR-1-9-1-1, CAU-R3, KD-5-3-14, RCMANI-PHOU-11, CAU-R4 and KD-6-18-7-1 were categorized as moderately susceptible to C. medinalis. The test on efficacy of newer molecule showed that treatment with Fipronil 5 SC @ 100 ml a.i. ha1 was found to be most effective in reducing Deadheart (DH) and White Ear Head (WEH) with minimum incidence of 3.85 per cent and 1.87% WEH respectively. Whereas the pooled mean data of two spray indicated that Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 250 ml a.i. ha1 showed minimum leaf damage of 4.16 % which was at par with Flubendiamide 39.35 SC @ 50 g a.i. ha-1 (4.63% LD), Fipronil 5 SC @ 100 ml a.i. ha-1.
RANCANG BANGUN MESIN PENGADUK ADONAN AMPIANG
Authors: Sulistyo Eko , Yudo Eko
Published: July 2019

Ampiang or crackers ampiang is typical of Bangka original food made from tapioca, fish, pure water, salt and food flavorings. In the process of making ampiang, there is an obstacle, that is in the process of mixing spices, fish and flour. Mixing or stirring the dough by hand by rotating the dough until the dough is ready to be used takes a long time. To overcome the above problems researchers made kneading ampiang horizontal type with a capacity of 10 kg. The purpose of the research is to get the dough mixing uniformity percentage of 100% and 100% increased production time. The stages of the research are the of collecting data through surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and literature. The next step is data process, manufacture and selection of alternative concept, tool making and assembling, testing and analysis. In making the selection of alternative concepts and decided machine made with size 99 x 66 x 90 cm, using the motor 1PK and design mixer horizontal type. The results show the machine is capable to knead the 10 Kg dough of ampiang in 3 minutes and dough mixing uniformity percentage of 100%.
SISTEM KOMUNIKASI JARAK JAUH ALAT PENGUKUR KECEPATAN DAN ARAH ANGIN
Authors: . Jamalludin
Published: July 2019

The process of measuring wind speed and its direction is still manual and considered inefficient. The purpose of making these tools is to help get the data of speed and direction of the wind from a distance in order to work more eficient. In determining the wind speed is done by chopping round of the wind speed sensor by using an encoder while the determination of the wind direction is done by reading the orientation of magnetic hall sensor, constructed as wind direction. Utilizing the Arduino Mega 2560 Microcontroller as controller, the data is recorded with a cycle which can be set. The data that has been recorded is sent to Sim900a GSM shield in the form of SMS. Then the data is received by GSM shield the server and sent to the computer. The results of this system is able to measure and store data speed and direction of the wind from a distance. With a wind speed error of 4. 56% of the measurements manually, and wind direction indicates the actual wind direction.
Jornaleros agrícolas y corporaciones transnacionales en el Valle de San Quintín
Authors: Garrapa Anna Mary ,   Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Published: July 2019

El artículo investiga la aplicación del modelo agrícola californiano en el sector fresero del Valle de San Quintín, en Baja California, México. Se analizan las operaciones económicas implementadas por las compañías comerciales transnacionales, así como la movilización anticorporativa de los jornaleros agrícolas. La investigación contribuye al debate sobre cadenas y redes globales de producción, corporaciones transnacionales y estudios agroalimentarios, combinando un análisis de los procesos de circulación del capital y de las relaciones sociales de producción. La investigación se ha desarrollado durante varias etapas en los años 2016 y 2017, con una combinación de técnicas cuantitativas y, sobre todo, cualitativas.
Migración y fecundidad de las mujeres peruanas en Chile y España
Authors: Grande Rafael ,   Universidad de Málaga, García González Juan Manuel ,   Universidad Pablo de Olavide
Published: July 2019

Este artículo compara el comportamiento reproductivo de las migrantes peruanas que se dirigen a Chile con el de aquellas que lo hacen a España. Se analizan indicadores de la fecundidad construidos a partir de los censos de Chile (2012) y Perú (2007), y el Movimiento Natural de la Población de España (2007). Los resultados muestran que la fecundidad difiere significativamente entre las migrantes peruanas sur-sur y sur-norte, vinculada a las diferentes pautas de selectividad, al mayor peso de la socialización en las migrantes sur-sur, y a la importancia de los contextos de recepción para entender el grado de integración en las pautas reproductivas de destino.
RETRACTED: Exploration of Multiple Signaling Pathways Through Which Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Attenuates Pathologic Remodeling Experimental Infarction
Authors: Mao Shuai , Vincent Matthew , Chen Maosheng , Zhang Minzhou , Hinek Aleksander
Published: July 2019

The level of maladaptive myocardial remodeling consistently contributes to the poor prognosis of patients following a myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we investigated whether and how sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) would attenuate the post-infarct cardiac remodeling in mice model of MI developing after surgical ligation of the left coronary artery. All mice subjected to experimental MI or to the sham procedure were then treated for the following 4 weeks, either with STS or with a vehicle alone. Results of our studies indicated that STS treatment of MI mice prevented the left ventricular dilatation and improved their cardiac function. Results of further tests, aimed at mechanistic explanation of the beneficial effects of STS, indicated that treatment with this compound enhanced the autophagy and, at the same time, inhibited apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes. Meaningfully, we have also established that myocardium of STS-treated mice displayed significantly higher levels of adenosine monophosphate kinase than their untreated counterparts and that this effect additionally associated with the significantly diminished activities of apoptotic promoters: mammalian target of rapamycin and P70S6 kinase. Moreover, we also found that additional administration of the adenosine monophosphate kinase inhibitor (compound C) or autophagy inhibitor (chloroquine) practically eliminated the observed beneficial effects of STS. In conclusion, we suggest that the described multistage mechanism triggered by STS treatment enhanced autophagy, thereby attenuating pathologic remodeling of the post-infarct hearts.
Growth Rate of Escherichia coli During Human Urinary Tract Infection: Implications for Antibiotic Effect
Authors: Haugan Maria Schei , Hertz Frederik Boëtius , Charbon Godefroid , Sahin Berivan , Løbner-Olesen Anders , Frimodt-Møller Niels
Published: July 2019

Escherichia coli is the primary cause of urinary tract infection (UTI), which is one of the most frequent human infections. While much is understood about the virulence factors utilized by uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), less is known about the bacterial growth dynamics taking place during infection. Bacterial growth is considered essential for successful host colonization and infection, and most antibiotics in clinical use depend on active bacterial growth to exert their effect. However, a means to measure the in situ bacterial growth rate during infection has been lacking. Due to faithful coordination between chromosome replication and cell growth and division in E. coli, chromosome replication provides a quantitative measure of the bacterial growth rate. In this study, we explored the potential for inferring in situ bacterial growth rate from a single urine sample in patients with E. coli bacteriuria by differential genome quantification (ori:ter) performed by quantitative PCR. We found active bacterial growth in almost all samples. However, this occurs with day-to-day and inter-patient variability. Our observations indicate that chromosome replication provides not only a robust measure of bacterial growth rate, but it can also be used as a means to evaluate antibiotic effect.
Combination of Chemo- and Biocatalysis: Conversion of Biomethane to Methanol and Formic Acid
Authors: Kunkel Benny , Seeburg Dominik , Peppel Tim , Stier Matthias , Wohlrab Sebastian
Published: July 2019

In the present day, methanol is mainly produced from methane via reforming processes, but research focuses on alternative production routes. Herein, we present a chemo-/biocatalytic oxidation cascade as a novel process to currently available methods. Starting from synthetic biogas, in the first step methane was oxidized to formaldehyde over a mesoporous VOx/SBA-15 catalyst. In the second step, the produced formaldehyde was disproportionated enzymatically towards methanol and formic acid in equimolar ratio by formaldehyde dismutase (FDM) obtained from Pseudomonas putida. Two processing routes were demonstrated: (a) batch wise operation using free formaldehyde dismutase after accumulating formaldehyde from the first step and (b) continuous operation with immobilized enzymes. Remarkably, the chemo-/biocatalytic oxidation cascades generate methanol in much higher productivity compared to methane monooxygenase (MMO) which, however, directly converts methane. Moreover, production steps for the generation of formic acid were reduced from four to two stages.
A Brief Recap of Microbial Adhesion and Biofilms
Authors: Achinas Spyridon , Charalampogiannis Nikolaos , Euverink Gerrit Jan Willem
Published: July 2019

Food and beverage industries operate their production units under stringent hygiene standards to verify high-quality products. However, the presence of biofilms can cause hygienic problems in the industries in the case of pathogenic organisms. Microorganisms can form biofilms, which are resistant to cleaning and disinfection. Microorganisms in biofilms are closely packed in a matrix that acts as a barrier to cleaning and disinfection. Biofilms are observed in processing equipment and open surfaces, resulting in food safety problems or weakening of production efficiency. This review provides a recap of the biofouling process, including the production mechanisms and control techniques of microbial adhesion. Microbial adhesion and colonization are the sine qua non of the establishment of bacterial pathogenesis and this report focuses on their prevention.
Comparison Analysis of Total Precipitable Water of Satellite-Borne Microwave Radiometer Retrievals and Island Radiosondes
Authors: Guan Ji-Ping , Yin Yan-Tong , Zhang Li-Feng , Wang Jing-Nan , Zhang Ming-Yang
Published: July 2019

Total precipitable water (TPW) of satellite-borne microwave radiometer retrievals is compared with the data that were collected from 49 island radiosonde stations for the period 2007–2015. Great consistency was found between TPW measurements made by radiosonde and eight satellite-borne microwave radiometers, including SSMI-F13, SSMI-F14, SSMIS-F16, SSMIS-F17, AMSR-E, AMSR-2, GMI, and WindSat. Mean values of the TPW differences for eight satellites ranged from −0.51 to 0.38mm, both root mean square errors and standard deviations were around 3mm, and all of the correlation coefficients between satellite TPW retrievals and radiosonde TPW for each satellite can reach 0.99. Subsequently, an analysis of the comparison results was conducted, which revealed three problems in the satellite TPW retrieval and two problems in radiosonde data. For TPW retrievals of satellite, when the values are above 60 mm, the precision of TPW retrieval significantly decreases with a distinct dry bias, which can reach 4 mm; additionally, abias related to wind speed and the uncertainty with the TPW retrieval in the presence of rain, which is stronger than 1mm/h, was found. The TPW measurements of radiosonde made by the type of IM-MK3 from India were quite unreliable, and almost all of the radiosonde data during the daytime were plagued by a dry bias.
X-rays Activate Telomeric Homologous Recombination Mediated Repair in Primary Cells
Authors: De Vitis Marco , Berardinelli Francesco , Coluzzi Elisa , Marinaccio Jessica , O’Sullivan Roderick J. , Sgura Antonella
Published: July 2019

Cancer cells need to acquire telomere maintenance mechanisms in order to counteract progressive telomere shortening due to multiple rounds of replication. Most human tumors maintain their telomeres expressing telomerase whereas the remaining 15%–20% utilize the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. Previous studies have demonstrated that ionizing radiations (IR) are able to modulate telomere lengths and to transiently induce some of the ALT-pathway hallmarks in normal primary fibroblasts. In the present study, we investigated the telomere length modulation kinetics, telomeric DNA damage induction, and the principal hallmarks of ALT over a period of 13 days in X-ray-exposed primary cells. Our results show that X-ray-treated cells primarily display telomere shortening and telomeric damage caused by persistent IR-induced oxidative stress. After initial telomere erosion, we observed a telomere elongation that was associated to the transient activation of a homologous recombination (HR) based mechanism, sharing several features with the ALT pathway observed in cancer cells. Data indicate that telomeric damage activates telomeric HR-mediated repair in primary cells. The characterization of HR-mediated telomere repair in normal cells may contribute to the understanding of the ALT pathway and to the identification of novel strategies in the treatment of ALT-positive cancers.
Tunicamycin Sensitivity-Suppression by High Gene Dosage Reveals New Functions of the Yeast Hog1 MAP Kinase
Authors: Hernández-Elvira Mariana , Martínez-Gómez Ricardo , Domínguez-Martin Eunice , Méndez Akram , Kawasaki Laura , Ongay-Larios Laura , Coria Roberto
Published: July 2019

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, components of the High Osmolarity Glycerol (HOG) pathway are important for the response to diverse stresses including response to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress), which is produced by the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the lumen of this organelle. Accumulation of unfolded proteins may be due to the inhibition of protein N-glycosylation, which can be achieved by treatment with the antibiotic tunicamycin (Tn). In this work we were interested in finding proteins involved in the ER stress response regulated by Hog1, the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) of the HOG pathway. A high gene dosage suppression screening allowed us to identify genes that suppressed the sensitivity to Tn shown by a hog1Δ mutant. The suppressors participate in a limited number of cellular processes, including lipid/carbohydrate biosynthesis and protein glycosylation, vesicle-mediated transport and exocytosis, cell wall organization and biogenesis, and cell detoxification processes. The finding of suppressors Rer2 and Srt1, which participate in the dolichol biosynthesis pathway revealed that the hog1Δ strain has a defective polyprenol metabolism. This work uncovers new genetic and functional interactors of Hog1 and contributes to a better understanding of the participation of this MAPK in the ER stress response.
Discovery and Validation of Novel Biomarkers for Detection of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Kulbe Hagen , Otto Raik , Darb-Esfahani Silvia , Lammert Hedwig , Abobaker Salem , Welsch Gabriele , Chekerov Radoslav , Schäfer Reinhold , Dragun Duska , Hummel Michael , Leser Ulf , Sehouli Jalid , Braicu Elena Ioana
Published: July 2019

Detection of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) poses a critical medical challenge. However, novel biomarkers for diagnosis remain to be discovered. Therefore, innovative approaches are of the utmost importance for patient outcome. Here, we present a concept for blood-based biomarker discovery, investigating both epithelial and specifically stromal compartments, which have been neglected in search for novel candidates. We queried gene expression profiles of EOC including microdissected epithelium and adjacent stroma from benign and malignant tumours. Genes significantly differentially expressed within either the epithelial or the stromal compartments were retrieved. The expression of genes whose products are secreted yet absent in the blood of healthy donors were validated in tissue and blood from patients with pelvic mass by NanoString analysis. Results were confirmed by the comprehensive gene expression database, CSIOVDB (Ovarian cancer database of Cancer Science Institute Singapore). The top 25% of candidate genes were explored for their biomarker potential, and twelve were able to discriminate between benign and malignant tumours on transcript levels (p < 0.05). Among them T-cell differentiation protein myelin and lymphocyte (MAL), aurora kinase A (AURKA), stroma-derived candidates versican (VCAN), and syndecan-3 (SDC), which performed significantly better than the recently reported biomarker fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) to discern malignant from benign conditions. Furthermore, elevated MAL and AURKA expression levels correlated significantly with a poor prognosis. We identified promising novel candidates and found the stroma of EOC to be a suitable compartment for biomarker discovery.
How Roads Affect the Spatial Use of the Guanaco in a South American Protected Area: Human Connectivity vs Animal Welfare
Authors: Cappa Flavio M. , Borghi Carlos E. , Giannoni Stella M.
Published: July 2019

Roads can affect animals as well as their habits at different levels. Avoidance behavior is a common response of animals to this type of perturbation, preventing access to areas rich in resources. The effects of roads on ungulates have not been studied in South America extensively, especially in arid environments. We have studied the space use by ungulates in relation to roads, using a dung heap count and camera traps. The aim was to evaluate whether paved road and unpaved road may have an effect on the spatial use of a low density population of guanacos (Lama guanicoe) in Ischigualasto Provincial Park, Argentina. We observed an increase in dung heap abundance in unpaved road as respect to paved road, this difference was larger for both. Besides, we recorded less individuals in paved road zones than in unpaved road zones. This showed that roads, especially paved roads, negatively affect the space used by guanacos. Our results are relevant to the management and conservation of animal populations in protected areas since spatial segregation due to the presence of roads may lead to the isolation of individuals. It is important to pay attention and further assess the effects that roads can have in the native fauna.
A Survey on Deep Learning in Image Polarity Detection: Balancing Generalization Performances and Computational Costs
Authors: Ragusa Edoardo , Cambria Erik , Zunino Rodolfo , Gastaldo Paolo
Published: July 2019

Deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) provide an effective tool to extract complex information from images. In the area of image polarity detection, CNNs are customarily utilized in combination with transfer learning techniques to tackle a major problem: the unavailability of large sets of labeled data. Thus, polarity predictors in general exploit a pre-trained CNN as the feature extractor that in turn feeds a classification unit. While the latter unit is trained from scratch, the pre-trained CNN is subject to fine-tuning. As a result, the specific CNN architecture employed as the feature extractor strongly affects the overall performance of the model. This paper analyses state-of-the-art literature on image polarity detection and identifies the most reliable CNN architectures. Moreover, the paper provides an experimental protocol that should allow assessing the role played by the baseline architecture in the polarity detection task. Performance is evaluated in terms of both generalization abilities and computational complexity. The latter attribute becomes critical as polarity predictors, in the era of social networks, might need to be updated within hours or even minutes. In this regard, the paper gives practical hints on the advantages and disadvantages of the examined architectures both in terms of generalization and computational cost.
Local Participation in Forest Watershed Management: Design and Analysis of Experiences in Water Supply Micro-Basins with Forest Plantations in South Central Chile
Authors: Vargas Victor , Carrasco Noelia , Vargas Camila
Published: July 2019

The joint “International Forests and Water Conference 2018” highlighted among its main conclusions the need to involve the viewpoint and participation of local communities in the management and monitoring of forest watersheds. This topic constitutes a strategic and transverse challenge for the sciences and public policies in the current context of global climate change. As a contribution to this challenge, the aim of this research was to qualitatively describe and analyze a territorial intervention model based on two case studies. Both involve stakeholders from the public sector, forest companies, and rural communities within the framework of implementing a participatory process at a local scale. The first case study was based on the collective creation of a set of indicators for local water monitoring. The second case, through the incorporation of the social and local dimension, culminated in the collective creation of a forest watershed management guide. The research hypothesis was that the inclusion of stakeholders and local knowledge in forest watershed management is essential to create and/or strengthen local abilities that ensure the involvement of communities in water governance, surpassing the current informative and consultative approaches. The research methodology was qualitative, and the data collection strategies were focused on the compilation of the process, the participatory work, and gathering diverse local knowledge. The data analysis included content tabulation, including both local indicators and ones extracted from the guide. In both cases, the systematization process and the main empirical findings were included. Among the findings, it was observed that both the pilot of local indicators and the design of the forest watershed management guide confirmed that the main challenge of local participation is the effective inclusion of local knowledge in water governance. This ethical and methodological challenge must be approached more rigorously and with more commitment.
Consumer Acceptability, Eye Fixation, and Physiological Responses: A Study of Novel and Familiar Chocolate Packaging Designs Using Eye-Tracking Devices
Authors: Gunaratne Nadeesha M. , Fuentes Sigfredo , Gunaratne Thejani M. , Torrico Damir D. , Ashman Hollis , Francis Caroline , Gonzalez Viejo Claudia , Dunshea Frank R.
Published: July 2019

Eye fixations on packaging elements are not necessarily correlated to consumer attention or positive emotions towards those elements. This study aimed to assess links between the emotional responses of consumers and the eye fixations on areas of interest (AOI) of different chocolate packaging designs using eye trackers. Sixty participants were exposed to six novel and six familiar (commercial) chocolate packaging concepts on tablet PC screens. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate analysis were performed on eye tracking, facial expressions, and self-reported responses. The results showed that there were significant positive correlations between liking and familiarity in commercially available concepts (r = 0.88), whereas, with novel concepts, there were no significant correlations. Overall, the total number of fixations on the familiar packaging was positively correlated (r = 0.78) with positive emotions elicited in people using the FaceReader™ (Happy), while they were not correlated with any emotion for the novel packaging. Fixations on a specific AOI were not linked to positive emotions, since, in some cases, they were related to negative emotions elicited in people or not even associated with any emotion. These findings can be used by package designers to better understand the link between the emotional responses of consumers and their eye fixation patterns for specific AOI.
Influence of Different Wood Chip Extracts Species on Color Changes and Anthocyanin Content in Synthetic Wine Solutions
Authors: Jordão António M. , Lozano Virginia , González-SanJosé María L.
Published: July 2019

There is restricted knowledge about the potential impact of the use of different wood species on color and anthocyanin changes during the red wine aging process. This lack of knowledge is even greater when no oak wood species are used. Thus, the aim of this study was to carry out a comparative analysis of the impact of wood chip extracts from oak, acacia, and cherry species on the color characteristics and anthocyanins changes using synthetic wine solutions. In this context, several methodologies were used to quantify, color, and anthocyanins changes during the aging time studied. The results indicated that the contact between wood chip extracts and grape skin isolated anthocyanin extracts induced a decrease of color intensity (particularly red color), and the anthocyanin content in the different experimental synthetic wine solutions studied. All chromatic modifications are potentially detected by human eyes because ΔE values were much higher than 3 CIELab units. These tendencies seem to be independent of the wood species used, but are more pronounced for higher contact time between wood chip extracts and anthocyanins. The obtained results may contribute to a better understanding of the chromatic changes of red wines when aged in contact with different wood chip species.
Telomere Dynamics Throughout Spermatogenesis
Authors: Fice Heather , Robaire Bernard
Published: July 2019

Telomeres are repeat regions of DNA that cap either end of each chromosome, thereby providing stability and protection from the degradation of gene-rich regions. Each cell replication causes the loss of telomeric repeats due to incomplete DNA replication, though it is well-established that progressive telomere shortening is evaded in male germ cells by the maintenance of active telomerase. However, germ cell telomeres are still susceptible to disruption or insult by oxidative stress, toxicant exposure, and aging. Our aim was to examine the relative telomere length (rTL) in an outbred Sprague Dawley (SD) and an inbred Brown Norway (BN) rat model for paternal aging. No significant differences were found when comparing pachytene spermatocytes (PS), round spermatids (RS), and sperm obtained from the caput and cauda of the epididymis of young and aged SD rats; this is likely due to the high variance observed among individuals. A significant age-dependent decrease in rTL was observed from 115.6 (±6.5) to 93.3 (±6.3) in caput sperm and from 142.4 (±14.6) to 105.3 (±2.5) in cauda sperm from BN rats. Additionally, an increase in rTL during epididymal maturation was observed in both strains, most strikingly from 115.6 (±6.5) to 142 (±14.6) in young BN rats. These results confirm the decrease in rTL in rodents, but only when an inbred strain is used, and represent the first demonstration that rTL changes as sperm transit through the epididymis.
Exploring the Healthcare Seeking Behavior of Medical Aid Beneficiaries Who Overutilize Healthcare Services: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Authors: Cho Jeonghyun , Jeong Kyungin , Kim Samsook , Kim Hyejin
Published: July 2019

We explored the healthcare seeking behavior of Medical Aid (MA) beneficiaries who over-utilize healthcare services in South Korea. We employed a qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews with fifteen community-dwelling MA beneficiaries—who were categorized as over-utilizing healthcare services—and conventional content analysis. Four categories emerged: having unmet healthcare needs, wandering in search of effective healthcare services, routinizing their use of healthcare services, and being concerned about benefit restrictions due to their healthcare overutilization. Overall, these categories indicate participants’ behaviors used to fill the gap between their high healthcare needs and restricted MA benefits. The findings provide a foundation for healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers, and MA beneficiaries to discuss how to better address beneficiaries’ healthcare needs while preventing healthcare overutilization patterns. Effective and innovative interventions that target MA beneficiaries and their case managers are necessary to improve beneficiaries’ quality of life.
Adolescents’ Psychological Consequences and Cyber Victimization: The Moderation of School-Belongingness and Ethnicity
Authors: Wright Michelle F. , Wachs Sebastian
Published: July 2019

Cyber victimization research reveals various personal and contextual correlations and negative consequences associated with this experience. Despite increasing attention on cyber victimization, few studies have examined such experiences among ethnic minority adolescents. The purpose of the present study was to examine the moderating effect of ethnicity in the longitudinal associations among cyber victimization, school-belongingness, and psychological consequences (i.e., depression, loneliness, anxiety). These associations were investigated among 416 Latinx and white adolescents (46% female; M age = 13.89, SD = 0.41) from one middle school in the United States. They answered questionnaires on cyber victimization, school belongingness, depression, loneliness, and anxiety in the 7th grade (Time 1). One year later, in the 8th grade (Time 2), they completed questionnaires on depression, loneliness, and anxiety. Low levels of school-belongingness strengthened the positive relationships between cyber victimization and Time 2 depression and anxiety, especially among Latinx adolescents. The positive association between cyber victimization and Time 2 loneliness was strengthened for low levels of school-belongingness for all adolescents. These findings may indicate that cyber victimization threatens adolescents’ school-belongingness, which has implications for their emotional adjustment. Such findings underscore the importance of considering diverse populations when examining cyber victimization.
Liquidity Creation and Bank Performance of Syrian Banks before and during the Syrian War
Authors: Sahyouni Ahmad , Wang Man
Published: July 2019

This paper estimates the amount of liquidity created by Syrian banks between 2004 and 2016, and further investigates the effect of liquidity creation on bank performance, controlling for a set of bank-level, industry-level, and macroeconomic variables. The findings show bank liquidity creation improved during the pre-war period and showed positive figures, but started to decline sharply during wartime. The results also show a negative relationship between liquidity creation and bank profitability (return on assets) during wartime; however, this relationship was insignificant before the war. Finally, this study conducted robustness checks to confirm its findings.
Biofilms: The Microbial “Protective Clothing” in Extreme Environments
Authors: Yin Wen , Wang Yiting , Liu Lu , He Jin
Published: July 2019

Microbial biofilms are communities of aggregated microbial cells embedded in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Biofilms are recalcitrant to extreme environments, and can protect microorganisms from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, extreme temperature, extreme pH, high salinity, high pressure, poor nutrients, antibiotics, etc., by acting as “protective clothing”. In recent years, research works on biofilms have been mainly focused on biofilm-associated infections and strategies for combating microbial biofilms. In this review, we focus instead on the contemporary perspectives of biofilm formation in extreme environments, and describe the fundamental roles of biofilm in protecting microbial exposure to extreme environmental stresses and the regulatory factors involved in biofilm formation. Understanding the mechanisms of biofilm formation in extreme environments is essential for the employment of beneficial microorganisms and prevention of harmful microorganisms.
Current Practices and Potential Nanotechnology Perspectives for Pain Related to Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Trandafir Laura M. , Leon Magdalena M. , Frasinariu Otilia , Baciu Ginel , Dodi Gianina , Cojocaru Elena
Published: July 2019

Pain is a complex, multidimensional process that negatively affects physical and mental functioning, clinical outcomes, quality of life, and productivity for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. CF is an inherited multi-system disease that requires a complete approach in order to evaluate, monitor and treat patients. The landscape in CF care has changed significantly, with currently more adult patients than children worldwide. Despite the great advances in supportive care and in our understanding regarding its pathophysiology, there are still numerous aspects of CF pain that are not fully explained. This review aims to provide a critical overview of CF pain research that focuses on pain assessment, prevalence, characteristics, clinical association and the impact of pain in children and adults, along with innovative nanotechnology perspectives for CF management. Specifically, the paper evaluates the pain symptoms associated with CF and examines the relationship between pain symptoms and disease severity. The particularities of gastrointestinal, abdominal, musculoskeletal, pulmonary and chest pain, as well as pain associated with medical procedures are investigated in patients with CF. Disease-related pain is common for patients with CF, suggesting that pain assessment should be a routine part of their clinical care. A summary of the use of nanotechnology in CF and CF-related pain is also given. Further research is clearly needed to better understand the sources of pain and how to improve patients’ quality of life.