bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuromuscular Disorders in Qatar: Research Outcomes and Recommendations
Authors: Fawzi Elsaid Mahmoud
Published: September 2020

Although muscular diseases are monogenetic disorders, inherited in an autosomal recessive (AR),
dominant or X-linked pattern, the marked variability in genetics and presentations can be identified
within the same category of a subtype and among patients even with the same gene involvement. Gulf
and Arab populations are characterized by a high rate of consanguineous marriages, which favors the
appearance of such group of muscular and neuromuscular diseases in multiple and successive
generations. In this presentation, we will discuss the spectrum of genetic muscular diseases in Qatar
and identify the particular genetic causes of muscular disorders in our population.

The presentation learning objectives involve:

1- Epidemiology of muscular diseases in Qatar

2- Clinical presentation of muscular diseases in Qatar

3- Managements and outcomes
The Impact of Distance Education on Learning Outcome in Computer Skills Course in Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University: An Experimental Study
Authors: Mohammed Amer Mohammed Elmetwali
Published: September 2020

The present study aimed to explore the impact of distance education on the learning outcome of students in computer skills course in Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University in Al-Sulail, Saudi Arabia. In this study, the learning outcome is represented in the students’ academic achievement. The researcher adopted an experimental approach. He selected a sample consisting from 80 male students from 4 sections of a computer skills course. Those students were divided equally into control and experimental groups. The members of the control group were taught through adopting a face-to-face instructional approach. They attended 4 face-to-face lectures. The members of the experimental group were taught online through using the Blackboard system. The researcher used a pre-test and a post-test for assessing students’ academic achievement. SPSS program was used. It was found that both groups share similar levels of computer literacy. It was found that distance education has a significant positive impact on students’ academic achievement in the computer skills course. The researcher recommends adding online instructional activities to the curricula used in Saudi universities.
Panorama dos rompimentos de barragens de rejeito de minério no mundo
Authors: Reis Matheus de Oliveira , Moura Ana Carolina Mayrinck Braga de , Cota Guilherme Eduardo Macedo , Magalhães Junior Antônio Pereira
Published: September 2020

A mineração é um dos mais importantes setores da economia mundial, exercendo grande impacto na evolução tecnológica da humanidade. O século XX foi um período decisivo para o setor, no qual a exploração mineral cresceu de forma substancial em termos internacionais. Paralelamente, houve um aumento do número de casos de rompimentos de barragens de rejeito de minério no mundo, inclusive no Brasil. Nesse sentido, o trabalho apresenta um panorama sobre eventos de rompimentos de barragens de rejeito entre os anos de 1910 e 2019. Os dados obtidos apontam para uma predominância de casos de rompimento ao longo das décadas de 1960, 1970 e 1980, além de uma transição da ocorrência destes eventos da Europa para a América do Sul e para a Ásia. É dada ênfase a quatro grandes incidentes: Aznalcóllar (Espanha, 1998), Mount Polley (Canadá, 2014), Fundão (Brasil, 2015) e Brumadinho (Brasil, 2019). O texto traz características da legislação minerária em cada um desses países associando com os eventos citados.
Zoneamento Hidroambiental da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Acará, Amazônia Oriental
Authors: Dias Filipe Gomes , Lima Aline Maria Meiguins de
Published: September 2020

O zoneamento ambiental é um dos principais instrumentos de planejamento ambiental que contempla a análise integrada dos aspectos naturais e socioeconômicos, o qual permite identificar espacialmente as potencialidades e fragilidades dos sistemas ambientais. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo propor um zoneamento hidroambiental da bacia hidrográfica do rio Acará sob um viés sistêmico e integrado da paisagem a partir do conhecimento das suas fragilidades, a fim de identificar as áreas que potencializam a manutenção de água no sistema hidrográfico, com intuito de preservação e conservação dos recursos hídricos. A metodologia baseou-se na proposta de Ross para avaliar a fragilidade dos ambientes antropizados. Para isso, foram utilizados dados geocartográficos dos aspectos do meio físico e o padrão de uso e cobertura da terra com emprego da lógica Fuzzy para confeccionar as cartas de fragilidade hidropotencial e hidroambiental. Os resultados demonstram que o uso e cobertura da terra impactaram diretamente na manutenção de água no sistema hidrográfico da bacia, evidenciado através da conversão de classes com baixa fragilidade hidropotencial para classes com maior nível de fragilidade hidroambiental. Com o diagnóstico das condições hidroambientais da bacia do rio Acará, a proposta de zoneamento hidroambiental apresenta-se como um importante instrumento para os gestores no auxílio do processo de planejamento e reordenamento territorial.
O carste e a qualidade das águas superficiais da bacia hidrográfica do rio Sucuri, Bonito/MS
Authors: Medeiros Rafael Brugnolli , Berezuk André Geraldo , Pinto André Luiz , Boin Marcos Norberto , Alves Lorrane Barbosa
Published: September 2020

Essa pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a influência dos litotipos de composição carbonática na qualidade das águas superficiais da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Sucuri - BHRS, localizada no município de Bonito – Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Para tanto, a metodologia consistiu em duas etapas básicas: a primeira delas trata-se da atualização do mapa geológico da bacia, por meio de saídas de campo; e a segunda etapa consistiu no monitoramento da qualidade das águas superficiais ao longo de cinco pontos, selecionados no rio Sucuri. Chegou-se, assim, a resultados que apontaram a influência significativa das rochas carbonatadas na composição química e na qualidade das águas, seja em seu pH alcalino, alta condutividade e na concentração de sólidos totais dissolvidos - TDS, decorrente da quantidade de sais dissolvidos na água. Com isso, seu enquadramento apontou alguns pontos críticos, porém, quando relacionado ao parâmetro principal, as concentrações de oxigênio dissolvido - OD revelaram boa qualidade das águas. O parâmetro referente à turbidez é o impacto mais notável da geologia sobre as águas, pois ocorre a decantação dos componentes químicos dissolvidos dos calcários no leito fluvial, provocando uma translucidez que traz grande beleza cênica ao manancial. Conclui-se que, por meio dessa análise, foi possível enquadrar o rio Sucuri na classe I, limitando seu uso para determinadas funções, além de apontar que o ambiente cárstico exerce forte influência sobre os parâmetros físicos e químicos das águas superficiais.
A chegada da Cultura Caubói no Acre, Brasil
Authors: Hoelle Jeffrey
Published: September 2020

O presente artigo trata de aspectos da cultura rural/urbana no Acre, desenvolvidos durante o processo recente de reocupação da região, trazidos por diferentes grupos migrantes. Tomando o gado bovino, o boi, como elemento a partir do qual se traçam análises da reorganização da vida nesse novo local, recriando com cores próprias a chamada cultura country, com roupas, músicas, danças, apropriada por pessoas, geralmente jovens, sem relações com o universo rural e, por outro lado, o cotidiano dos pequenos proprietários rurais, marcado pela dura rotina de trabalho, poucos recursos e sofrendo as atrações do modo de vida urbano. Nesses cenários onde o boi vai de anima de estimação a commodity, reconstroem-se com cores próprias, as influências trazidas de outros pontos do país que pautam a construção de relações sociais e econômicas.
Gênero e alimentação
Authors: Barbosa Xênia de Castro , Silva Pedro Rammon dos Santos , Nogueira José Henrique dos Santos
Published: September 2020

O estudo em tela visa contribuir, ainda que de forma parcelar e modesta, com o campo da História da Alimentação, evidenciando a percepção social da população amazônica de São Felipe d’Oeste/RO acerca da Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional - SAN. O estudo foi desenvolvido no Núcleo de Extensão em Desenvolvimento Territorial do Território Rural de Identidade Rio Machado (NEDET Rio Machado), sediado no Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Rondônia (IFRO). Seu objetivo principal foi analisar a percepção de segurança alimentar e nutricional de mulheres residentes em São Felipe d’Oeste, município amazônico integrante daquele Território. Buscou-se ainda identificar onde a insegurança alimentar e nutricional tem maior incidência: se na zona urbana ou rural, bem como discutir os fatores que interagem para sua formação e mitigação. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em abordagem qualitativa, mediante observação de tipo participante, em campo, e aplicação da Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar e Nutricional - EBIA. A amostra compreendeu 2% da população total do referido município, da qual metade foi constituída de mulheres residentes na Zona Rural e a outra metade de mulheres residentes na Zona Urbana. As análises tomaram por base Menezes e Carneiro (1997), Bourdieu (2002), Butler (2017), Kepple e Segall-Corrêa (2011), dentre outros. Os resultados apontam que a insegurança alimentar e nutricional teve incidência maior na zona urbana do que na zona rural, contribuindo para a melhor situação da segunda a forte ocupação das mulheres na agricultura familiar de base agroecológica.
Landscape Functional Zoning of Urban Protected Areas
Authors: Havrylenko Olena , Shyshchenko Petro , Tsyhanok Yevhen
Published: September 2020

The article deals with the need to consider the territory landscape structure during the landscape functional zoning of urban protected areas (UPA) (by example of the Holosiyivskyi National Natural Park (NNP) in Kyiv). The study revealed the shortcomings of the UPA functional zoning procedure without applying a landscape approach, regardless of its importance for preventing nature management conflicts. According to the research goals, it is necessary to study the UPA landscape structure and transfer the functional zoning procedure to the landscape basis. Holosiyivskyi Forest, as one of the five massifs in Holosiyivskyi NNP, was chosen for the analysis. A landscape map was created and a landscape-functional zoning scheme of the Holosiyivskyi Forest territory was updated using field research findings, available digital maps and GIS tools. Moreover, the relief morphometric parameters were reflected in the digital model and a hypsometric map of Holosiyivskyi Forest was created on its basis. By providing maximum correspondence of the nature management structure in each functional zone with the existing landscape structure of the territory, traditional zoning turns into a landscape functional one. The study assessed the adverse impact of the urban environment on Holosiyivskyi Forest’s natural landscapes. The research demonstrates the imperfection of Ukrainian nature conservation legislation, the absence of the Holosiyivskyi NNP land management project and the need to define the Park’s true boundaries around its territory. Research findings are a basis for minimizing existing nature management conflicts, reducing the anthropogenic impact on the ecosystems, rationally controlling recreational flows, and planning anti-erosion and other activities to optimize functioning of protected areas in an urbanized environment.
Using Lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia), Orange (Citrus × sinensis), and Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) Waste as a Substrate for Generating Bioelectricity
Authors: Rojas Flores Segundo J. , Cruz-Noriega M. De La , Chirinos L. Cabanillas-Chirinos L. , Benites Santiago M. , Palacios F. Silva-Palacios F. , Altamirano-León Rosa Altamirano-León Rosa , Altamirano-León Zoilita Altamirano-León Zoilita , Luis Angelats-Silva Luis
Published: September 2020

This paper focuses on using lime, orange, and tangerine waste as fuel for the generation of bioelectricity. The tangerine microbial fuel cell evidenced a maximum voltage peak of 1.1 V on day 13, while displaying abrupt voltage losses on the following days and throughout the remaining period of substrate monitoring. On the other hand, orange-based fuel denotes lower current generation during these 28 days with values close to 1.6 mA and 0.25 mA on the first and last day, respectively. Still, orange generated 3.5 mA on the first day with values sharply declining in the following days until reaching 0.91 mA on the last day. In general, substrate volumes in the microbial fuel cells diminished over time, which is consistent with the voltage and current values reported. In addition, pH values increased from day 1 for all substrates, reaching acidic pH values on the last day of measurement due to the consumption of carbon sources. Tangerine reported the highest current density (CD) at 72 mW/cm2 and a maximum voltage of 1.06 volts, while orange generated a CD of 62.5 mW/cm2 and 0.94 volts.
Wind Power Integration Peculiarities in the Electricity System of the Baltic States
Authors: Gecevičius Giedrius , Marčiukaitis Mantas
Published: September 2020

Analysis of wind power utilization efficiency around the world and Europe has revealed the gap between feasible and factual power generation. The paper presents an investigation of wind power generation dynamics, penetration levels into the electricity system, and dependence of capacity factors on the hub height and the rotor diameter of wind turbines in the Baltic States. These factors are the main for the evaluation of wind power utilization efficiency. Wind power penetration levels show that possibilities of the energy system to accept more wind power installations in the Baltic States are far away from its limit. Besides, dependence of high wind turbines capacity factors’ on the hub height and the rotor diameter in the range of 20–120 m was revealed.
Kommunikation, Wissensproduktion und Kartographie
Authors: Bérard Julien
Published: September 2020

The production of commercial maps in the renaissance can only be explained through the complex interaction of diverse unrelated factors. This can be illustrated based on the maps created by Abraham Ortelius (*1527 †1598). The structure of early modern commercial networks affected the flow of and the access to the information he needed to produce these maps significantly. Technical and economic possibilities –and constraints– determined the framework in which he operated. Methodological and cognitive processes shaped the design of his maps and came into play when selecting their content. Those maps were a product of both scholarly and artisanal endeavors. They were also an expression of a widespread humanistic philosophy.
Nash Equilibrium Study for Distributed Mode Selection and Power Control in D2D Communications
Authors: Najeh Sameh , Bouallegue Ammar
Published: September 2020

One of the main challenges of LTE-advanced (LTE-A) is to recover the local-area services and improve spectrum effciency. In order to reach those goals technical capabilities are required. D2D is a promising techniques for the 5G wireless com- munications system using several applications, as: network traffic offoading, public safety, social services and applications such as gaming and military applications. In this chapter, we investigate both mode selection and distributed power control in D2D system. Indeed, the mode selection is provided while respecting a predeter- mined SINR threshold relative to cellular and D2D users. The amount of minimum and maximum power are then derived to fulffill the predetermined requirements, by limiting the interference created by underlaid D2D users. In order to realize our proposed power control step, a new distributed control approach is proposed using game theory tools for several cellular and D2D users. This distributed approach is based on the mode selection strategy already proposed in the previous step. Finally, simulations were established in order to compare the proposed distributed algo- rithm in terms of coverage probability which is based on game theory, with other conventional centralized algorithms.
Flowering of Sweet Cherries “Prunus avium” in Tunisia
Authors: Azizi-Gannouni Thouraya , Ammari Youssef
Published: September 2020

In Tunisia, the development of cherry growing is limited by two major constraints, namely, the chilling requirements and the self-incompatibility of some cultivars. In order to contribute to the development of this high added-value culture, which is capable to play an important socioeconomic role in rural and semi-forestry places, this study has set the main objective, characterization, and selection of best-suited cultivars to mild winter based on the blooming period. The plant materials used for this study are composed of the introduced cultivars, which are “Napoleon,” “Van,” “Moreau,” “Sunburst,” and “Stella,” and unknown cultivars, which are “V1,” “V2,” “V3,” “V4,” and “V5,” and a local one “Bouargoub.” Differential behavior between cultivars was shown for phenological stages (budbreak, flowering, maturity, and leaf fall), and this behavior is dependent in some cases on the cold requirement [chilling requirements (CR)]. The local cultivar “Bouargoub” recorded the lowest “CR” with early flowering and maturity.
Analysis of Optimal Steady-State Operation of Power Systems with Embedded FACTS Devices: A Matlab-Based Flexible Approach
Authors: Miguel García-Guzman Jose , González-Cabrera Néstor , Alberto Contreras-Aguilar Luis , Merced Lozano-García Jose , Pizano-Martinez Alejandro
Published: September 2020

This book chapter presents a flexible approach to incorporate mathematical models of FACTS devices into the Power Flow (PF) and the Optimal Power Flow (OPF) analysis tools, as well as into the standard OPF Market-Clearing (OPF-MC) procedure. The proposed approach uses the Matlab Optimization Toolbox because it allows to easily: (a) implement a given optimization model, (b) include different objective functions using distinct equality and inequality constraints and (c) modify and reuse an optimization model that has been previously implemented. The conventional OPF model is the main core of the proposed approach, which is easily implemented and adapted to include the mathematical models of FACTS devices. The resulting implementation of the OPF model featuring FACTS devices can be easily modified and adjusted to obtain the implementation of both the PF and the OPF-MC models which includes such devices. It should be mentioned that with the flexible approach proposed here, the complexity as well as the implementation time of optimized models featuring embedded FACTS devices is significantly reduced, since it is not necessary to define the expressions associated with the hessian matrix and the gradient vector. The flexibility and reliability of the proposed approach are demonstrated by means of several study cases using test as well as real power systems.
Epidemiology of Obesity in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Nittari Giulio , Scuri Stefania , Gamo Sagaro Getu , Petrelli Fabio , Grappasonni Iolanda
Published: September 2020

The childhood overweight and obesity epidemic has become a global emergency in public health and a crucial challenge of the twenty-first century. Nowadays, childhood and adolescent obesity represent a significant public health problem both in developing and developed countries. Globally, above 340 million children and adolescents aged 5–19 years were overweight or obese in 2016. Childhood obesity is a critical burden because it can be associated with a higher possibility of obesity, premature death, and disability in adults, as well as early markers of cardiovascular disease. In Europe, childhood obesity remains a significant health challenge and is distributed disparately across and between countries and population groups. In 2019, over 398,000 children aged 6–9 years were severely obese in Europe. Particularly, Southern European countries such as Greece, Italy, Malta, San Marino, and Spain had one in five children obese in 2018. In Europe, different initiatives and actions have been launched in recent years to fight childhood obesity. However, the progress on combating obesity in children has been slow and inconsistent across the region. In this chapter, we have discussed the prevalence of obesity in children and existing policies to combat childhood obesity in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region.
Drugs Repurposing for Multi-Drug Resistant Bacterial Infections
Authors: Vila Domínguez Andrea , Enrique Jiménez Mejías Manuel , Smani Younes
Published: September 2020

Different institutions recognized that antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat that has compounded by the reduction in the discovery and development of new antimicrobial agents. Therefore, the development of new antimicrobial therapeutic strategies requires immediate attention to avoid the 10 million deaths predicted to occur by 2050 as a result of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Despite the great interest in the development of repurposing drugs, only few repurposing drugs are under clinical development against Gram-negative critical-priority pathogens. In this chapter, we aim: (i) to discuss the therapeutic potential of the repurposing drugs for treating MDR bacterial infections, (ii) to summarize their mechanism of action, and (iii) to provide an overview for their preclinical and clinical development against these critical-priority pathogens.
The Caldera of Mount Bambouto: Volcanological Characterization and Classification
Authors: Zangmo Tefogoum Ghislain , Guimolaire Nkouathio David , Kagou Dongmo Armand , Gountié Dedzo Merlin
Published: September 2020

Mount Bambouto culminates at 2744 m (Meletan Mountain) where an elliptical caldera of 16 × 8 km is found. Although that caldera has been a subject of numerous scientific works, complementary studies were needed to bring out additional data used to classify it through the Caldera DataBase of Geyer and Marti (2008). It emerges that Bambouto Caldera codes are 2 and 203 because it is respectively located in Africa and Central Africa according to the numbering system developed in the Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World. The collapse type of the caldera is piecemeal; this relies on the fact that the caldera floor is uneven. Several rocks crop out in the caldera; accordingly, its code is B, I, T, P, and Ig viz. basalts, intermediate rocks, trachytes, phonolites, and ignimbrites. Bambouto depression is the ignimbrite caldera because it is associated with thick ignimbrite sheer, that ruled its collapse. The chemical analysis of rocks reveals that the magmatic series of Bambouto Caldera is of alkaline type. It has been built through the continental rifting of extensional type (RC-EXT). The collapse process has been followed by post-caldera protrusion of trachytic and phonolitic domes; then, its codes are Type-S and type-MS.
Benefits of Early Tracheostomy in TBI Patients
Authors: Araujo de França Sabrina , M. Tavares Wagner , S. Paiva Wellingson , J. Teixeira Manoel
Published: September 2020

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients are constantly submitted to interventions to cope secondary injury and insults. Oxygen therapy is mostly initiated by endotracheal intubation at the scene of the accident. Due to the severity of the trauma, prolonged mechanical ventilation is expected and tracheostomy (TQT) is often indicated. TQT became one of the most common bedside surgical procedure performed in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). However, discussion regarding the optimal time for TQT placement to improve outcomes of severe TBI patients remains under discussion. This chapter aims to review TBI’s physiopathology and enlighten early tracheostomy’s role in severe TBI management.
Le saumon atlantique de la rivière Matane : croissance marine, abondance des retours en rivière et indice de l’oscillation nord-atlantique
Authors: Grégoire François , Côté Yvon , Caron Alain , Cloutier Richard
Published: September 2020

L’abondance du saumon atlantique (Salmo salar) dans le nord de l’Atlantique a diminué considérablement au cours des dernières décennies. Jusqu’à maintenant, peu de stocks ont montré des signes de rétablissement malgré des efforts importants pour renverser cette situation. Les niveaux décroissants d’abondance des saumons adultes de retour en rivière pourraient être associés à une augmentation de la mortalité naturelle en mer découlant d’une réduction de la croissance. La présente étude a pour but de vérifier si 2 indices de croissance scalaire en phase marine (la distance intercirculi maximale atteinte lors de la première saison estivale en mer et la somme des distances intercirculi de la zone de croissance marine des écailles) et l’abondance des retours de saumon dans la rivière Matane (Québec, Canada) appuient cette hypothèse. Bien que ces indices présentent des différences interannuelles significatives, ils affichent une tendance à la hausse de 1964 à 1979 et une tendance à la baisse de 1995 à 2012. Ces tendances sont semblables à celles des retours de saumons adultes en rivière et à celles de l’indice de l’oscillation nord-atlantique (IONA). Ces similitudes concordent avec l’hypothèse d’une relation inverse entre la croissance marine et la mortalité et, conséquemment, les variations d’abondance qui en résultent.
Recognizing postoperative nutritional complications of bariatric surgery in the primary care patient: a narrative review
Authors: Chamberlain Carly , Terry Richard , Shtayyeh Tamer , Martinez Carlos
Published: September 2020

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for patients with morbid obesity. However, as safe and common as bariatric procedures have become, multiple complications can still result. These complications vary depending on the type of procedure performed (malabsorptive or restrictive) and are often nutritional derangements from the altered malabsorptive surface of the gastrointestinal tract and decreased capacity of the stomach. Deficiencies in vitamin D after malabsorptive procedures such as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can result in subsequent hypocalcemia and bone demineralization, and anemias can also present after surgery from inadequate vitamin B12and iron absorption. Because of the prevalence of these deficiencies, baseline micronutrient testing and postoperative screening are recommended in many cases. Additionally, supplemental treatment often requires higher doses than those recommended for healthy adults. The purpose of this narrative review is to outline the various nutrient deficiencies that can result from bariatric procedures and report previously-published recommendations for screening and medical treatment of patients with these deficiencies. This review is directed toward primary care practitioners because of their unique position in delivering continuity of care and the frequency with which they will encounter patients who have undergone bariatric surgery and are seeking counseling regarding weight loss modalities.
Making and Remaking Silla Origins
Authors: McBride Richard D.
Published: September 2020

The official narrative on the early history of the Korean state of Silla (trad. 57 BCE–935 CE) was constantly under revision and probably not initially charted until the late seventh or early eighth century. This narrative continued to evolve throughout the remainder of the Silla and early Koryŏ period (918–1392), achieving its final form in the mid-twelfth century with the publication of the Samguk sagi. King Mich’u (trad. r. 262–284) was modeled closely on King Pŏphŭng (r. 514–540) to push Silla origins back several hundred years. Sŏk T’arhae (trad. r. 57–80) and Naemul (trad. r. 356–402) were crafted based on Chinese historiography. The late emergence of the legend of Pak Hyŏkkŏse (trad. 57 BCE–4 CE) as the ultimate founder of Silla in the Koryŏ period reflects the relevance of the Pak descent group in the Silla-Koryŏ transition period and rise of the Pak lineage in the early Koryŏ period.
Effect of Foreign Direct Investment, Inflation, Real Exchange Rate and Transfer Payments on Trade Deficit in Kenya
Authors: Ochieng Eric Oduor , Nyongesa Destaings , Obange Nelson
Published: September 2020

Across all the countries, the balance of trade has remained a key indicator of economic activities as it shows a country’s level of competitiveness in the world market. Economists are divided on whether a persistent trade deficit is good or bad for a developing country like Kenya. Contrary to most of the similar previous studies, this study included trade in services as well as some of the key factors affecting trade balance such as inflation and transfer payments and sought to establish the nature and strength of their connection with the trade deficit in Kenya as well as their respective impulse responses. This study adapted a reduced form of the balance of trade model by hypothesizing that balance of trade is a function of FDI, inflation, real exchange rate and transfer payments. The study embraced an ex post facto correlational research design to gauge the elements and earnestness of synergy between the variables and used time series data obtained from the World Bank ranging from the year 1978 up to the year 2014 with annual frequency. This study also employed use of descriptive statistics, Cointegration, Vector Error Correction Model, Granger causality, impulse response function tests as well as a range of other diagnostics tests. This study concluded that in the long-run, only inflation and transfer payments have positive and negative significant effects respectively on both trade deficit and also foreign direct investments through there is no respective causality. This study also established that trade deficit has positive significant short-run effects on transfer payments while real exchange rate has positive significant short-run effects on inflation though there is also no respective causality. This study found that any shocks need to be addressed within the shortest possible timeframe as the impulse response functions indicate the effects being adverse within the first few years as effects only begin to die out from the fourth year. The study therefore concluded that trade deficit is not really bad for Kenya as measures that should reduce it actually reduces foreign direct investments which are really important for a growing economy like Kenya.
The Evaluation of Waist Circumference and Waist-Hip Ratio as Predictors of Hypertension in Children
Authors: Amamilo Ifeyinwa B. , Sadoh Wilson E. , Iregbu Francis U.
Published: September 2020

Background: Childhood hypertension is a public health concern because of associated cardio-metabolic morbidities in adulthood. Overweight and obesity are main drivers and predictors of childhood hypertension. There is paucity of studies on waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) – measures of central obesity - as predictors of hypertension in children. The study was done to determine if WC and WHR predicts hypertension in children.

Study Design:  The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Primary schools in Owerri Municipal Local Government Area (LGA), Imo State, Nigeria between September 2017 to April 2018.

Methodology: 809 school children aged 6-12 years were recruited from three public and six private primary schools using multi-staged sampling method. Their blood pressure (BP), weight, height, hip circumference and WC were measured using standard techniques. The BMI and WHR were then calculated. Central obesity was defined as WC ≥90th percentile. The data were analyzed with IBM-SPSS 21.

Results: The male female ratio was 1:1. The prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension were 8.50% and 2.70% respectively. While those of overweight, obesity and central obesity were 5.10%, 5.90% and 10.10% respectively. WC significantly and positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) [r = 0.57, p = 0.0001] and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) [r = 0.57, p = 0.0001]. WHR had a negative correlation with SBP and DBP [r = -0.33, p = 0.0001 in both cases]. Central obesity increased the odds of developing systolic and diastolic prehypertension/ hypertension by 9 and 8 folds respectively.

Conclusion: Central obesity predicted prehypertension/hypertension in primary school children in this study and therefore can be used as screening tool in programs to prevent childhood obesity and hypertension.
Methanolacinia
Authors: Shao Nana , Akinyemi Taiwo , Whitman William B.
Published: September 2020

Me.tha.no.la.ci'ni.a. N.L. neut. n.methanummethane; L. fem. n.laciniaa lobe; N.L. fem. n.Methanolaciniaa lobed methane‐producing organism.

Halobacterota / Methanomicrobia / Methanomicrobiales / Methanomicrobiaceae / Methanolacinia

Small, irregular rods or disc‐shaped, occurring singly or in pairs. Endospores not formed. Stain Gram‐negative. Strictly anaerobic. Energy metabolism is by reduction of CO2to CH4with H2, 2‐propanol, other secondary alcohols, or formate (one species) as electron donor. Nonmotile or weakly motile, and one species is flagellated. Acetate is required for growth as a carbon source, and yeast extract or peptones are stimulatory. Optimal growth temperature is 35–40°C with no growth at 20°C or 45°C; optimal pH is 7.0. Optimal growth at NaCl concentrations of 10–30 g/l. Occurs in anaerobic marine sediments or oil reservoirs.

DNA G+C content (mol%): 47.4–47.5 (Genome sequence).

Type species:Methanolacinia paynteriZellner et al. 1989, VL35 (basonym:Methanomicrobium paynteriRivard et al. 1983, VL13).
Caldimicrobium
Authors: Kojima Hisaya , Umezawa Kazuhiro
Published: September 2020

Cal.di.mi.cro'bi.um. L. masc. adj.caldushot; N.L. neut. n.microbiummicrobe; N.L. neut. n.Caldimicrobiummicrobe living in hot places.

Thermodesulfobacteria / Thermodesulfobacteria / Thermodesulfobacteriales / Thermodesulfobacteriaceae / Caldimicrobium

Species of the genusCaldimicrobiumare Gram‐negative, oval or slightly curved short rods that are strictly anaerobic, thermophilic, and neutrophilic. They grow chemolithoautotrophically by hydrogen oxidation coupled to reduction of elemental sulfur or by disproportionation of sulfur compounds. Chemoorganotrophic growth of the type species occurs with ethanol, fumarate, succinate, and malate. The type strain of the type species utilizes elemental sulfur and thiosulfate as electron acceptors for anaerobic respiration. The genus belongs to the familyThermodesulfobacteriaceae. The type strains of the described species were isolated from terrestrial hot springs.

DNA G + C content (mol%):35–38.

Type species:Caldimicrobium rimaeMiroshnichenko et al. 2009.
Syntrophobacterium gen. nov
.
Authors: Galushko Alexander , Kuever Jan
Published: September 2020

Syn.tro.pho.bac.te'ri.um. Gr. adj.
syntrophos
, having grown up with one; L. neut. n.
bacterium
, rod; N.L. neut. n.
Syntrophobacterium
, rod which feeds together with (another species).

Desulfobacterota / Syntrophobacteria / Syntrophobacterales / Syntrophobacteraceae / Syntrophobacterium gen. nov.

Cells are lemon‐ or egg‐shaped rods, 1.0–1.6 × 1.8–3.0 μm, and occur singly and in pairs. Gram‐stain‐negative. Endospores not formed. Strictly anaerobic with a respiratory or fermentative metabolism. Chemoorganoheterotrophic, using propionate and a few other simple organic compounds (only some species) as carbon sources and electron donors. Electron donors are incompletely oxidized to acetate. Growth occurs by syntrophic metabolism and sulfate reduction. Propionate oxidation to acetate and CO
2
requires the presence of either an H
2
or formate‐utilizing organism (methanogen or sulfate reducer) or sulfate as the electron acceptor. Sulfate and thiosulfate serve as terminal electron acceptors and are reduced to sulfide. Fermentative growth in pure culture occurs for most of species. Mesophilic, optimal growth temperature is 37°C. Neutrophilic, with optimal pH of 7.0–7.6. All species grow in freshwater media with 0.3–1.0 g/l of NaCl. Media containing a reductant are necessary for growth. Habitat is sludge from anaerobic waste treatment facilities and biogas plants.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 57.3–59.9 (LC, genome).

Type species
:
Syntrophobacterium sulfatireducens
comb. nov. (basonym.
Syntrophobacter sulfatireducens
Chen et al. 2005
VP
).
PAINWeek messages include cannabis for pain
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2020

The virtual PAINWeek meeting held this month had several poster presentations of interest to ADAW readers, as reported by Ryan Basen for MedPage Today.
Emetine‐Loaded Black Phosphorus Hydrogel Sensitizes Tumor to Photothermal Therapy through Inhibition of Stress Granule Formation
Authors: Xie Jianlei , Fan Taojian , Kim Ji Hyeon , Xu Yunjie , Wang Yingwei , Liang Weiyuan , Qiao Lijun , Wu Zongze , Liu Quan , Hu Weibin , Yin Na , Yang Ling , Liu Liping , Kim Jong Seung , Zhang Han
Published: September 2020

During photothermal therapy (PTT), hyperthermia up to 50 °C is required for efficient induction of tumor cell death. Additional increases in temperature can lead to severe damage to adjacent tissues. Conversely, insufficient heating of deep‐seated tumor tissues results in tumor recurrence. Sensitization of tumor cells to PTT may solve this problem. Stress granules (SGs) function in integration of various internal and external stresses to regulate cell viability. However, the role of SGs in PTT is currently unknown. Here, with black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets as photothermal agents, it is found that SGs are induced in tumor by PTT through eukaryotic initiation factor 2α‐dependent pathway and participate in tumor resistance to PTT. To modulate SG formation in tumor, a BP hydrogel is prepared for tumor‐specific delivery and near‐infrared (NIR) light‐controlled release of the SG inhibitor Emetine. Upon NIR‐light irradiation, photothermal conversion of BP nanosheets enables PTT of tumor. Meanwhile, light‐controlled release of Emetine in tumor tissues effectively inhibits PTT‐induced SG formation and sensitizes tumor to PTT, resulting in enhanced tumor inhibition. These results reveal the role of SGs in PTT and present a novel strategy for tumor sensitization to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and reduce the side effects of PTT.
Concentration Gradient‐Based Soft Robotics: Hydrogels Out of Water
Authors: López‐Díaz Antonio , Martín‐Pacheco Ana , Rodríguez Antonio M. , Herrero M. Antonia , Vázquez Andrés S. , Vázquez Ester
Published: September 2020

Hydrogels are biocompatible soft materials that resemble biological tissues more than any other material. However, the use of these systems in soft robotics has been limited to aqueous environments. In the work published to date, hydrogels have relied on external water to swell or shrink in response to stimuli and, therefore, to actuate macroscopically. In the work reported here, this limitation is overcome by synthesizing a novel type of electroactive hydrogels capable of actuating when a low electric field is applied, even outside water. The bending actuation of these materials is caused by the movement of solvated ions within the hydrogel, which generates a concentration gradient, making it possible to use them directly in ambient‐air conditions. A mathematical model for this behavior is proposed. Issues like resistive heating and material drying are addressed by preparing graphene hybrid hydrogels and by using hygroscopic salts. Two applications are presented as a demonstration of the capabilities of these hydrogels: a soft gripper with two continuum actuators and a soft fingertip capable of changing its volume and stiffness. In addition, the possibility of fabrication by 3D printing technologies enhances the applicability of these promising materials, thus paving the way for innovative developments.
Interface Chemistry on MXene‐Based Materials for Enhanced Energy Storage and Conversion Performance
Authors: Hui Xiaobin , Ge Xiaoli , Zhao Ruizheng , Li Zhaoqiang , Yin Longwei
Published: September 2020

MXenes have attracted increasing attention due to their unique advantages, excellent electronic conductivity, tunable layer structure, and controllable interfacial chemistry. However, the practical applications of MXenes in energy storage devices are severely limited by the issues of torpid reaction kinetics, limited active sites, and poor material utilization efficiency. Herein, the most‐up‐to date advances in the rational microstructure design to enhance electrochemical reaction kinetics and energy storage performance of MXene‐based materials are comprehensively summarized. This review begins with the preparation and properties of MXenes, classified into fluorine‐containing acid etching and fluoride‐free etching approaches. Afterwards, the interlayer structure design and interfacial functionalization of MXenes with respect to interlayer spacing and porous structure, terminal groups, and surface defects are summarized. Then the focus turns to the construction of advanced MXene‐based heterojunctions based on in situ derivation and surface self‐assembly. Based on these microstructure modulating strategies, the state‐of‐the‐art progress of MXene‐based applications with respect to supercapacitors, alkali metal‐ion batteries, metal–sulfur batteries, and photo/electrocatalysis are highlighted. Finally, the critical challenges and perspectives for the future research of 2D MXene‐based nanostructures are highlighted, aiming to present a comprehensive reference for the design of MXene‐based electrodes for electrochemical energy storage.
Leveraging Deep Levels in Narrow Bandgap Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 for Record‐High zTave Near Room Temperature
Authors: Hu Lipeng , Meng Fanchen , Zhou Yanjie , Li Jibiao , Benton Allen , Li Junqin , Liu Fusheng , Zhang Chaohua , Xie Heping , He Jian
Published: September 2020

Deep levels in a narrow bandgap semiconductors are considered detrimental to their electrical performance. Here the constructive role of Indium‐induced deep levels in regulating the majority and minority carriers for state‐of‐the‐art average thermoelectric figure‐of‐merit zTave between 300 and 500 K in narrow bandgap p‐type (Bi,Sb)2Te3 is reported. Two compositional series in the pseudo‐ternary Bi2Te3‐Sb2Te3‐In2Te3 phase diagram: Bi0.475−x Sb1.525InxTe3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) and Bi0.475Sb1.525−yInyTe3 (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.10), namely, the x‐series and y‐series are explored. In the x‐series, the combined experimental and theoretical study shows that Indium doping induced donor‐like and acceptor‐like deep levels, enlarges the band gap, and flattens the conduction band edge, thereby weakening the temperature dependence of Seebeck coefficient and the bipolar heat conduction. Further doping the x‐series with copper (aka shallow acceptors) to optimize the majority carrier concentration leads to a state‐of‐the‐art zT ≈ 1.61 at 390 K and record‐high average zTave ≈ 1.47 between 300 and 500 K in p‐type Bi0.396Sb1.525In0.075Cu0.004Te3. These results attest to the efficacy of deep levels in narrow bandgap thermoelectrics for both power generation and solid‐state refrigeration near room temperature.
Artificial Skin Perception
Authors: Wang Ming , Luo Yifei , Wang Ting , Wan Changjin , Pan Liang , Pan Shaowu , He Ke , Neo Aden , Chen Xiaodong
Published: September 2020

Skin is the largest organ, with the functionalities of protection, regulation, and sensation. The emulation of human skin via flexible and stretchable electronics gives rise to electronic skin (e‐skin), which has realized artificial sensation and other functions that cannot be achieved by conventional electronics. To date, tremendous progress has been made in data acquisition and transmission for e‐skin systems, while the implementation of perception within systems, that is, sensory data processing, is still in its infancy. Integrating the perception functionality into a flexible and stretchable sensing system, namely artificial skin perception, is critical to endow current e‐skin systems with higher intelligence. Here, recent progress in the design and fabrication of artificial skin perception devices and systems is summarized, and challenges and prospects are discussed. The strategies for implementing artificial skin perception utilize either conventional silicon‐based circuits or novel flexible computing devices such as memristive devices and synaptic transistors, which enable artificial skin to surpass human skin, with a distributed, low‐latency, and energy‐efficient information‐processing ability. In future, artificial skin perception would be a new enabling technology to construct next‐generation intelligent electronic devices and systems for advanced applications, such as robotic surgery, rehabilitation, and prosthetics.
Nanoliposomes as Multidrug Carrier of Gemcitabine/Paclitaxel for the Effective Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer Disease: A Comparison with Gemzar and Taxol
Authors: Celia Christian , Cristiano Maria Chiara , Froiio Francesca , Di Francesco Martina , d'Avanzo Nicola , Di Marzio Luisa , Fresta Massimo
Published: September 2020

Several liposomal drugs have received clinical approval for the treatment of cancer due to the reduced side effects and/or improved therapeutic efficacy in comparison to their respective free drug counterparts. In this study, nanoliposomes are designed as multidrug carriers for codelivering gemcitabine hydrochloride (Gemzar) and paclitaxel (Taxol) and evaluating their anticancer activity in several triple negative human breast cancer cell lines and in a mouse model of metastatic breast cancer. The results demonstrate that the nanoliposomes significantly decrease the cell viability of breast cancer cells compared to combination treatment with the free drugs. Furthermore, the chemotherapeutics coloaded nanoliposomes dramatically decrease the tumor growth and improve survival times, while combination treatment with Gemzar and Taxol has a modest effect on cancer progression. Moreover, pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrates that nanoliposomes increase the half‐life of gemcitabine hydrochloride and paclitaxel 6.3‐fold and 1.7‐fold, respectively. Taken together, the findings indicate that gemcitabine hydrochloride and paclitaxel‐coloaded nanoliposomes can provide an effective treatment strategy for metastatic breast cancer.
A Cyclodextrin‐Stabilized Spermine‐Tagged Drug Triplex that Targets Theophylline to the Lungs Selectively in Respiratory Emergency
Authors: Sofian Zarif M. , Benaouda Faiza , Wang Julie Tzu‐Wen , Lu Yuan , Barlow David J. , Royall Paul G. , Farag Doaa B. , Rahman Khondaker Miraz , Al‐Jamal Khuloud T. , Forbes Ben , Jones Stuart A.
Published: September 2020

Ion‐pairing a lifesaving drug such as theophylline with a targeting moiety could have a significant impact on medical emergencies such as status asthmaticus or COVID‐19 induced pneumomediastinum. However, to achieve rapid drug targeting in vivo the ion‐pair must be protected against breakdown before the entry into the target tissue. This study aims to investigate if inserting theophylline, when ion‐paired to the polyamine transporter substrate spermine, into a cyclodextrin (CD), to form a triplex, could direct the bronchodilator to the lungs selectively after intravenous administration. NMR demonstrates that upon the formation of the triplex spermine protruded from the CD cavity and this results in energy‐dependent uptake in A549 cells (1.8‐fold enhancement), which persists for more than 20 min. In vivo, the triplex produces a 2.4‐fold and 2.2‐fold increase in theophylline in the lungs 20 min after injection in rats and mice, respectively (p < 0.05). The lung targeting is selective with no increase in uptake into the brain or the heart where the side‐effects of theophylline are treatment‐limiting. Selectively doubling the concentration of theophylline in the lungs could improve the benefit‐risk ratio of this narrow therapeutic index medicine, which continues to be important in critical care.