bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STRATEGIC FORESIGHT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Guevara Arnoldo De Hoyos , Garostidi Ibon Zugasti , Alegria Rosa
Published: November 2019

Avançando estrategicamente em direção à Agenda 2030 para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável, a ONU organizou uma Rede de Soluções de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (UNSDSN) e uma Plataforma (HLPF) para aproveitar a chamada Revolução de Dados que poderia ajudar a alcançar sistemicamente os 17 Objetivos, alcançando globalmente os alvos correspondentes. Para este propósito, há uma necessidade de continuar unindo esforços e know-how para desenvolver uma estrutura apropriada e roteiro. Este artigo pode representar uma contribuição baseada na longa experiência do Projeto do Milênio (PM), que trata dos 15 Desafios Globais de alguma forma relacionados. De fato, similarmente ao SDG Index, o MP desenvolveu um Índice do Estado do Futuro (SOFI) que está sendo monitorado há algum tempo; e neste artigo, como exemplo, mostraremos o caso do SDG13, que trata da questão crítica da Ação Climática, como o PM está trabalhando com seu Desafio Global 1, que trata do Desenvolvimento Sustentável e da Mudança Climática.
PLASTIC WASTE FOR ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION A CASE STUDY IN NIGERIA
Authors: Aderoju Olaide Monsor , Oke Ali Bamidele , Agbaje Ganiy Ishola , Dias António Guerner
Published: November 2019

Um dos grandes problemas da Nigéria, na atualidade, é a grande quantidade de resíduos plásticos que são produzidos nas suas principais cidades. Os resíduos plásticos têm sido uma ameaça para os arredores daquelas cidades (em particular sobre o solo e sobre a água) e contribuem para desastres de inundação e outros eventos de degradação ambiental que conduzem a sérios riscos para a saúde humana. Assim, este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o potencial dos resíduos plásticos produzidos na Nigéria para a geração de energia elétrica. O estudo desenvolvido baseia-se em duas estratégias (uma abordagem baseada em incentivos e no princípio da Responsabilidade Estendida do Produtor (REP)) para a coleta de resíduos plásticos no meio ambiente. O foco deste trabalho está na incineração de resíduos plásticos com recuperação da energia produzida. Assim, foram realizadas análises imediata e elementar para determinar o Poder Calorífico Superior (PCS) e o Poder Calorífico Inferior (PCI), bem como estimar o Potencial de Geração de Energia (PGE). Os resultados empíricos mostram que o PCS foi avaliado em 568.96 kcal/kg e o PCI foi avaliado em 561.55 kcal/kg. Adicionalmente, foi determinado o Potencial de Geração de Energia (PGE) usando 100 toneladas de resíduos plásticos e 4.83 milhões de toneladas (81% de plásticos manuseados inadequadamente) obtendo-se, respetivamente, 0.6 MW e 29.0 MW. Este estudo contribui para a literatura como uma visão geral de gestão de resíduos na Nigéria, focando-se nos problemas relacionados com os resíduos plásticos. Além disso, o conceito proporciona uma solução sustentável para esta tipologia de resíduos que afeta particularmente a envolvente das grandes cidades. Além disso, é provável que seja uma solução sustentável para a acumulação de resíduos plásticos no meio ambiente e uma solução suplementar para a produção de energia elétrica.Os resultados mostram que a quantidade de resíduos plásticos produzidos na Nigéria, provavelmente, gerará eletricidade suficiente para complementar as fontes tradicionais de produção de eletricidade.
The Impact of Innovative Technologies on the Insurance Market Operation
Authors: Łańcucki Jerzy
Published: November 2019

Innovative technologies are being increasingly used on the insurance market, as well. However, while analyzing and assessing their impact on the market what must be taken into account are not only distributors of insurance services, but also institutions performing regulatory and supervisory tasks, and perhaps above all, customers and consumers. The present article seeks to analyze the conditions, benefits and barriers associated with the application of innovative technologies with special regard to big data analytics, artificial intelligence and the possibility of absorption of innovative products and services by their customers.It has been emphasized that while evaluating the suitability of innovative technologies for the insurance market it is vital to confront product offers provided by insurance undertakings and intermediaries with the expectations, needs and skills of the purchasers of these products.
Legal Barriers to the Development of Digital Distribution Channels in the Activities of Insurance Companies in Poland
Authors: Wrzesiński Piotr
Published: November 2019

The use of modern technologies in business is primarily aimed at simplifying business processes, reducing the costs of business operations as well as improving the quality of services offered to clients. It is also a response to the changing preferences of customers who are increasingly using digital solutions. Technological solutions may in particular be used in the insurance distribution process, which in recent years has become much more demanding, due a number of provisions regulating the distribution of insurance contracts were introduced.  These changes are mainly aimed at ensuring that client makes conscious decisions regarding the conclusion of the contract, due to broad information requirements as well as matching the insurance to the client's needs. The use of mobile applications, Big Data, artificial intelligence or blockchain technology may allow for simplification, acceleration and reduction of costs in the process of distribution of insurance contracts. The article is an attempt to indicate the main possibilities of using technological solutions, both in relation to the requirements for insurance distributors and in relation to the technologies that can be used. Selected barriers were also discussed, which in the author's opinion significantly limit the possibility of development of digital insurance distribution channels.
The Form of Pre-contractual Obligations of the Parties to the Insurance Contract Provided for in Polish Legislation and the Modern Market Requirements
Authors: Pokrzywniak Jakub
Published: November 2019

This article is concerned with the form of activities performed by the parties to the insurance contract in the pre-contractual phase. Selected provisions of the Civil Code, the Insurance and Reinsurance Activity Act and the Insurance Distribution Act have been analyzed with regard to the form of particular steps aimed at the conclusion of the insurance contract. This comparison suggests the legislator’s inconsistency as to the formal requirements to be met by the communications between prospective contractors. It is hard to admit that these provisions pursue a single and coherent legislative intention. On the contrary, the impression of randomness arises. The Civil Code, which creates the strictest requirements, ‘does not keep up with’ the solutions adopted in other acts, especially those which have originated in the EU legislation. As a consequence of these findings, de lege ferenda postulates have been formulated.
Análisis de la empleabilidad de los trabajadores y trabajadoras sociales en la región de Murcia
Authors: Fernández Robles María Del Mar , Pastor Seller Enrique
Published: November 2019

El artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación empírica orientada a conocer las variables que inciden en la situación de empleabilidad de los profesionales del trabajo social en la actualidad, concretamente las características de las entidades empleadoras, la tipología de la oferta de empleo para la profesión y el perfil de competencias requerido por las entidades empleadoras. Para ello se ha estudiado el total del universo de ofertas de empleo (120) destinadas a los profesionales del trabajo social en la una región de España (Murcia) y en un año (2016). La recogida de datos se realizó a través de un protocolo validado que permitió la recogida sistemática de 27 dimensiones. Sus resultados fueron analizados a través de un grupo focal de personas expertas mediante un informe y guión de 11 categorías de análisis. Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto que la oferta de empleo para Trabajo Social es escasa y proviene mayoritariamente de entidades privadas del tercer sector, con empleos temporales, requiriéndose una especialización por parte de los profesionales en el área de actuación ofertada, siendo los ámbitos de trabajo que más ofertas generan, el área de dependencia y de empleabilidad.The article presents the results of an empirical investigation oriented to know the variables that affect the employability situation of the social work professionals at present, specifically the characteristics of the employing entities, the typology of the job offer for the profession and the profile of competencies required by the employing entities. To this end, the total universe of job offers (120) for social work professionals in the one region of Spain (Murcia) and one year (2016) has been studied. The data collection was done through a validated protocol that allowed the systematic collection of 27 dimensions. Their results were analyzed through a focus group of experts through a report and script of 11 categories of analysis. The results reveal that the job offer for social work is little and it comes mainly of third sector private entities, with temporary jobs, requiring an expertise for this professionals in the area of activity offered, being the areas of work that most job offered, the areas of personal support and employability.
RESEÑA de: Esther Raya Diez y Antonio López Peláez (coords.). 2017. Investigación y práctica en Trabajo Social. Cuestiones para una ciencia del Trabajo Social
Authors: Cuesta Ruiz-Clavijo Ana Belén
Published: November 2019

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Artivismo como herramienta de transformación social: dos iniciativas en los barrios de La Latina y Lavapiés (Madrid)
Authors: Aladro Vico Eva , Cavadas Gormaz María José , Jivkova Semova Dimitrina , Padilla Castillo Graciela , Popelka Sosa Roxana , Requeijo Rey Paula
Published: November 2019

La sociedad occidental ha consolidado un modelo capitalista de hiperconsumo. En el ámbito público, esta política ha cambiado el paisaje de las grandes ciudades, con pocas zonas verdes o de recreo, donde los ciudadanos puedan vivir sin tener que consumir. Como respuesta, algunas comunidades vecinales han creado nuevos espacios. En Madrid, España, destacan dos iniciativas en los barrios de La Latina (Campo de Cebada) y Lavapiés (Ésta es una plaza). Dentro de un Proyecto de Innovación y Mejora de la Calidad Docente, hemos analizado estas iniciativas con estudiantes universitarios de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid. El objetivo es conocer el artivismo como herramienta de transformación política y establecer redes creativas y colaborativas para su mejor desarrollo académico y personal.Occidental society has established a capitalist model of overconsumption. In the public sphere, this policy has changed the landscape of big cities, with very few green or recreation areas, where citizens can live without having to consume. In response, some neighbourhood communities have created new spaces. In Madrid, Spain, there are two initiatives in the neighbourhoods of La Latina (Campo de Cebada) and Lavapiés (Ésta es una plaza). Within a Project of Innovation and Improvement of Teaching Quality, we have discussed these initiatives with university students from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. The goal is to know the artivism as a tool of political transformation and to establish creative and collaborative networks for better academic and personal development.
Relatos de vida de personas sin hogar en la ciudad de Barcelona: desafiliación social y salud
Authors: Matulič Domandzič María Virginia , De Vicente Zueras Irene , Caïs Fontanella Jordi
Published: November 2019

El objetivo de este artículo es visibilizar las diferentes situaciones de salud que presentan las personas sin hogar en la ciudad de Barcelona.1 A partir de la narrativa de las propias personas se pueden observar cómo perciben su salud, así como las diferencias en relación al género y a sus procesos de desafiliación social. La investigación se ha realizado con 12 personas informantes (hombres y mujeres que estaban atravesando por diversos procesos de exclusión residencial). Se han seleccionado 6 relatos por ser más significativos en relación a los temas de salud. Destaca como conclusión principal que la presencia temprana de dificultades en entornos sociales y familiares, así como la suma de sucesos traumáticos a lo largo de sus trayectorias vitales, incrementan el riesgo de padecer un deterioro de la salud física y mental en etapas adultas que comporte situaciones de sinhogarismo.The objective of this article is to make visible the different health situations presented by the homeless in the city of Barcelona. From the narrative of the people themselves you can see how they perceive their health, as well as the differences in relation to gender and their processes of social disaffiliation. The research was carried out with 12 informants (men and women who were going through various processes of residential exclusion). 8 stories have been selected because they are more significant in relation to health issues. The main conclusion is that the early presence of difficulties in social and family environments, as well as the sum of traumatic events along their life trajectories, increase the risk of suffering a deterioration of physical and mental health in adult stages that involves situations of homelessness.
Los determinantes del desclasamiento social educativo. Un análisis sobre la cohorte de treintañeros con título superior en España
Authors: Bogino-Larrambebere Victoria
Published: November 2019

El objetivo de este artículo es identificar los factores que influyen en el riesgo de caer en el desclasamiento social educativo en España, en el seno de la cohorte de treintañeros con título superior y en el contexto actual de crisis económica. A partir de los datos de la Encuesta de Condiciones de Vida (ECV) de 2011, se ha realizado una regresión logística multinomial con la cual se examinan los parámetros para la población de 30 a 39 años con título superior. Las estimaciones indican que el título universitario es el principal protector contra el riesgo de caer en el desclasamiento social educativo, aunque éste no actúa por sí solo, sino que entra en interacción con otros tipos de factores.The objective of this article is to identify the factors that influence the risk of falling into socio-educational downclassing in the cohort of thirty-year-old with a higher degree in Spain, in the current context of economic crisis. Based on the 2011 Living Conditions Survey (LCS) data, a multinomial logistic regression was performed with which we examined the parameters for the population aged from 30 to 39 years with a higher degree. Estimates indicate that the university degree is the main protector against the risk of falling into socio-educational downclassing, although it does not act on its own, but interacts with other types of factors.
La formación en derechos humanos en el Trabajo Social. Evolución, propuestas y retos
Authors: Cubillos-Vega Carla
Published: November 2019

Este trabajo tiene por objeto explorar la congruencia entre las recomendaciones curriculares y las prácticas reales en la educación en derechos humanos en la formación académica de las/los futuros trabajadores sociales. Mediante la técnica de revisión integrativa de literatura se explora, a escala internacional, las publicaciones científicas sobre la materia. Además, en el caso de España se revisan los planes formativos de las universidades nacionales. Se analizan tres ejes: prescripciones institucionales, la inclusión de los derechos humanos en el currículo, y el contenido de los cursos sobre derechos humanos desarrollados en el marco de los mismos o de experiencias alternativas. Se presenta un estado de la cuestión, una propuesta de indicadores y los retos que las instituciones educativas de Trabajo Social deben afrontar si quieren hacer efectivo el mandato ético de la defensa y promoción de los derechos humanos como parte del cometido profesional.This work aims to explore the congruence between curricular recommendations and real practices in human rights education in social work. Through an integrative literature review, scientific publications on the subject are explored on an international scale. In addition, in the case of Spain, the training plans of national universities are reviewed. Three axes are analyzed: institutional prescriptions, the inclusion of human rights in the curriculum, and the content of the courses on human rights developed within their framework or alternative experiences. It presents a state of the question, a proposal of indicators and the challenges that the Social Work educational institutions must face if they want to make effective the ethical mandate of the defense and promotion of human rights as part of the professional role.
Male Personal Names in the 1813–1814 Church Register of Births of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Radviliškis
Authors: Mickienė Ilona , Petrūnaitytė Jolanta
Published: November 2019

The analysis of nineteenth-century personal names in Radviliškis parish was accomplished by selecting personal names from the church register of births of 1786–1798 and 1813–1814 periods. From the period of 1786–7188, 150 names of baptised boys, 292 names of fathers, and 302 names of godfathers, as well as 588 male surnames were selected. The period of 1813–1814 was represented by 199 names of baptised boys, 281 names of fathers, and 307 names of godfathers and by the surnames of 581 males. The analysis of the 1786–1798 period showed that adults were identified by a binomial personal name consisting of a name and a surname. Male names have Latin, Slavic, Germanic, Greek, Hebrew, Egyptian, Latvian and Celtic origin. At baptism, the boys were usually given the names of Latin origin. Their fathers mainly had names of Hebrew origin, and godfathers – names of Latin origin. We analysed 588 male names: 103 names had Slavic patronymic suffixes, 28 surnames Lithuanian suffixes, and 307 surnames had no clear suffixes, which allowed assigning them to any of the categories mentioned above. The analysis of the 1813–1814 period revealed that adults were identified by a binomial personal name – a name and a surname. The baptised children were given monomial names. We found 44 different names of boys, 48 different names of fathers, and 47 different names of godfathers in the analysed source and divided them by their origin. Latin names made the largest part of the male names. We found many names of Greek, Hebrew, and Germanic origin. The 588 male surnames located in the records were grouped by the available suffixes: 158 surnames had Lithuanian suffixes, 118 surnames had a Slavic suffix -sk, and 86 surnames had the Slavic patronymic suffixes -owicz, -ewicz; 186 surnames had no suffixes. This study aimed to encourage further research into the anthroponymy of Radviliškis. Hopefully, not only registers of birth will be analysed, but also other ecclesiastical books containing records essential for the study of personal names.
‘Candy is Now Flanders’
Authors: Gravon Danielle
Published: November 2019

This article examines the various layered concepts of foreignness constructed by ‘t Historiael Journael, a travel account of the first Dutch envoy to Ceylon from 1602 to 1604. It focuses on a map of Ceylon included in the account and positions it in relation to other cartographic projects commissioned by leaders of the early Dutch Republic. It is argued that the Dutch conceived of religious and cartographic images as opposing types of representation and used the stylistic conventions and ideological concepts underpinning these different modes of picturing to construct divergent religious and political identities. It is also suggested that Johann Theodor De Bry’s popular India Orientalis, in which an abridged version of the travel account appears, smooths out the complex layers of political, religious and geographic difference constructed in the original text.
Discrete stochastic marine metapopulation disease model
Authors: Bidegain Gorka , Ben-Horin Tal
Published: November 2019

Some marine microparasitic pathogens can survive several months in the water column to make contact with or to be absorbed or filtered by hosts. Once inside, pathogens invade the host if they find suitable conditions for reproduction. This transmission from the environment occurs via pathogens released from infected and dead infected animals. Some recent modeling studies concentrated on the disease dynamic imposed by this complex interaction between population and water column at the host-pathogen level in single populations. However, only when a marine disease can be understood at the metapopulation scale effective approaches to management will become routinely achievable. The discrete-time disease model in this paper investigates both spatial and temporal dynamics of hosts and waterborne pathogens in a metapopulation system of three patches. This system with a patch providing infective particles and susceptible and infected individuals by dispersal tries to imitate the effect of current forces in the ocean on the passive dispersal of organisms. The model detects behaviours that are not present in single population continuous-time and deterministic models.
Specific lid-base contacts in the 26s proteasome control the conformational switching required for substrate degradation
Authors: Greene Eric R , Goodall Ellen A , de la Peña Andres H , Matyskiela Mary E , Lander Gabriel C , Martin Andreas
Published: November 2019

The 26S proteasome is essential for proteostasis and the regulation of vital processes through ATP-dependent degradation of ubiquitinated substrates. To accomplish the multi-step degradation process, the proteasome’s regulatory particle, consisting of lid and base subcomplexes, undergoes major conformational changes whose origin is unknown. Investigating the Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteasome, we found that peripheral interactions between the lid subunit Rpn5 and the base AAA+ ATPase ring are important for stabilizing the substrate-engagement-competent state and coordinating the conformational switch to processing states upon substrate engagement. Disrupting these interactions perturbs the conformational equilibrium and interferes with degradation initiation, while later processing steps remain unaffected. Similar defects in early degradation steps are observed when eliminating hydrolysis in the ATPase subunit Rpt6, whose nucleotide state seems to control proteasome conformational transitions. These results provide important insight into interaction networks that coordinate conformational changes with various stages of degradation, and how modulators of conformational equilibria may influence substrate turnover.
Concentrated ambient PM2.5exposure affects mice sperm quality and testosterone biosynthesis
Authors: Yang Yingying , Yang Tingting , Liu Shengxin , Cao Zhijuan , Zhao Yan , Su Xiujuan , Liao Zehuan , Teng Xiaoming , Hua Jing
Published: November 2019

Background

Studies suggested that PM2.5exposure could lead to adverse reproductive effects on male animals. However, the underlying mechanism is still not clear. Besides, animals in the majority of previous studies were exposed to PM2.5through intratracheal instillation which should be improved. In addition, limited amount of research has been conducted in China where the PM2.5concentration is higher and the PM2.5components are different. The aim of this work is to explore the effects of concentrated ambient PM2.5(CAP) on mice sperm quality and testosterone biosynthesis.

Methods

A total of 12 male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to filtered air (FA) or CAP for 125 days using the Shanghai Meteorological and Environmental Animal Exposure System. The mice sperm concentration, sperm motility, DNA fragmentation index, high DNA stainability and plasma testosterone were analyzed. Testicular histology and sperm morphology were observed through optical microscope. Testosterone biosynthesis related gene expressions were analyzed using real-time PCR, including cytochrome P450 CHOL side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β HSD), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom), estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR) and follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR).

Results

Exposure to CAP resulted in disturbance of various stages of spermatogenesis and significant higher percentage of abnormal sperm (FA vs. CAP: 24.37% vs. 44.83%) in mice testis. CAP exposure significantly decreased sperm concentration (43.00 × 106vs. 25.33 × 106) and motility (PR: 63.58% vs. 55.15%; PR + NP: 84.00% vs. 77.08%) in epididymis. Plasma testosterone concentration were significantly declined (0.28 ng/ml vs. 0.69 ng/ml) under CAP exposure. Notably, the levels of testosterone biosynthesis related genes, StAR, P450scc, P450arom, ER and FSHR were significantly decreased with CAP exposure.

Conclusion

Concentrated ambient PM2.5exposure altered mice sperm concentration, motility and morphology, which might be mediated primarily by the decline in testosterone concentration and testosterone biosynthesis process.
Synthesis, Characterization, Spectral Studies and Antimicrobial Study on Mixed Ligand Complexes of Chloro-arsenic(III) Derived from β-Ketiminates & Piperidine Dithiocarbamate Ligand Moity
Authors: Kumar Sharma Deepak , Sharma Jyoti , Sharma Ramavtar
Published: November 2019

A series of Chloro-arsenic(III) complexes with N, O donor β-ketiminate ligand (L1) and S, S donor piperidine dithiocarbamate ligand (L2) have been  synthesized by the reactions of AsCl3 with both ligands in equimolar ratio by stirring at room temperature in benzene solution. All these synthesized compounds have been characterized by Elemental Analysis, IR, (1H and 13C) NMR Spectral and ESI-Mass Studies. Both Ligands and their corresponding Chloro-arsenic (III) complexes have been screened for antimicrobial activity against the various bacterial (E. Coli, B. Subtalis and P. Aeruginosa) and fungal (T. Resei, P. Funiculosum and Fusarium) strains and results obtained .
Effect of Silicon and Phosphorus Additions and Their Interactions on Wheat Plants Grown on a Clay Soil
Authors: El-Leboudi Adel El-Sayed , El-Sebaay Abd-Ellatif Saleh , Abd-Elrahman Shaimaa Hassan , El-Etr Wafaa Mohamed , Saad Heba Yahya
Published: November 2019

A pot experiment was conducted in clay soil collected from Agricultural Research Center farm, Giza governorate, Egypt. Wheat grains (Triticum aestivum L., Giza 168) were cultivated to study the effect of silicate and phosphate ions as well as their interactions on the growth and nutritional status of the growing plants, beside their availability in the studied soil. Silicon (Si) in the form of sodium meta-silicate penta-hydrate (Na2SiO3.5H2O) was added at a rate of 0, 200, 300 and 400 mg Si kg-1 soil, and phosphorus (P) in the form of calcium super phosphate was given at a rate of 0, 3.5, 7.0, 10.0 and 13.0 mg P kg-1 soil to represent 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the recommended rate of P fertilization by the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture for wheat cultivation. Also, the experiment included combinations between all these concentrations of Si and P. Obtained results showed that Si and P availability increased in the studied soil with increasing either Si or P concentrations added. This means that P availability in soil as an essential element for plant growth can be improved by addition of Si. Also, Si increased in plant with increasing applied Si concentrations. Interaction between Si and P generally increased all parameters of plant growth; such responses were significant for fresh and dry weights of wheat plants at booting stage. It could be recommended that selecting good P fertilization design, including time and rate of addition, goes along with values of available Si in the soil.
Pedotransfer Functions for Estimating Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity of Selected Benchmark Soils in Ghana
Authors: Tuffour Henry Oppong , Abubakari Awudu , Agbeshie Alex Amerh , Khalid Abdul Aziz , Tetteh Erasmus Narteh , Keshavarzi Ali , Bonsu Mensah , Quansah Charles , Oppong Jimmy Clifford , Danso Lawrence
Published: November 2019

Aims: Direct methods of measuring saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), either in situ or in the laboratory, are time consuming and very expensive. Several Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) are available for estimating Ks, with each having its own limitations. In this study, the performances of four popular PTFs were evaluated on different soil classes in the semi deciduous zone of Ghana. The PTFs considered herein were Puckett et al. (1985), Campbell and Shiozawa (1994), Dane and Puckett (1994), and Ferrer-Julià et al. (2004). In addition, five local data derived PTFs were used to study the possibility of using local datasets to validate PTF accuracy.

Materials and Methods: A total of 450 undisturbed soil cores were collected from the 0 – 15 cm depth from three benchmark soils, namely, Stagni-Dystric Gleysol (SDG), Plinthi Ferric Acrisol (PFA) and Plinthic Acrisol (PA). The Ks of samples were measured by the falling-head permeameter method in the laboratory. Sand, silt and clay fractions, bulk density, organic matter content, and exchangeable calcium and sodium were measured and used as input parameters for the newly derived PTFs. Accuracy and reliability of the predictions were evaluated by the root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of correlation (r), index of agreement (d), and the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) between the measured and predicted values from both tested and newly derived PTFs. The relative improvement (RI) of the newly derived PTFs from this study over the existing ones were also evaluated.

Results: The newly derived PTFs in this study had higher prediction accuracy with r, d, RMSE and NSE ranging from 0.80 – 0.99, 0.79 – 0.94, 0.14 – 1.74 and 0.84 – 0.98, respectively, compared with 0.32 – 0.45, 0.27 – 0.50, 4.00 – 4.90 and 0.41 – 0.47 for the tested PTFs. The relative improvement of the newly derived over the tested PTFs ranged from 56.50 – 95.71% in the SDG, 70.73 – 96.89% in the PFA, and 65.37 – 95.81% in the PA. Generally, RI was observed to be highest for Model 1 in the SDG, and Model 4 in both PFA and PA, and lowest for Model 5 in all three soils. It was observed that the inclusion of exchangeable calcium and sodium as predictors increased the predictability of the newly derived PTFs.
Implication of Proteus spp in the Pathology of Nosocomial Wound Infection in Northeastern Nigeria
Authors: M. Tom Isyaka , B. Agbo E. , A. Faruk Umar , M. Umoru Askira , M. Ibrahim Muhammad , B. Umar Jidda , B. Haruna Ali , Aliyu Abdullahi
Published: November 2019

Aims: To determine the infection rate and antibiogram of Proteus spp among hospitalised patients suffering from wound infection in Maiduguri. 

Methodology: A total of 320 wound swab samples were collected from August 2016 to June 2017, and processed via microscopy, culture and further confirmed by biochemical tests. Kirby bauer disc diffusion test was used to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Proteus spp isolated.

Results: Twenty eight (28) samples yielded Proteus spp, giving a prevalence rate of 8.75%. Male patients were more affected (60.71%) compared to females (39.29%). Difference in sex in relation to rate of infection was statistically not significant (X2 =3.963, p<.01). Patients within the age group of 21-30 years (28.57%) recorded the highest bacterial yield while those of 61-70 years and >70 years (3.57% respectively) recorded the least. Patients suffering from Wound Sepsis and Burns recorded the most significant infection rate (28.57% respectively). Proteus mirabilis (53.57%) was the most isolated Proteus specie while Proteus penneri (7.14%) was the least. Proteus spp isolates demonstrated a marked resistance against Augmentin (89.29%) and Nalidixic Acid (85.71%) but high sensitivity was observed towards Ciprofloxacin (85.71%) and Streptomycin (78.57%).

Conclusion: We establish that Proteus spp actually contribute to the pathology of wounds infection among hospitalised patients, and the Proteus specie most implicated in the aetiology of wound infection is Proteus mirabilis. Ciprofloxacin and Streptomycin are the drugs of choice for the treatment of patients with Proteus spp wound infection in the study area, and the use of Nalidixic acid and Augmentin is highly discouraged due to high resistance.
Overview of Major Bacterial Contaminants of Drinking Water in Nigeria: A Review
Authors: Otorkpa Oche Joseph
Published: November 2019

Aim and Objectives: The objective of this study was to provide an overview of the microorganisms implicated in the contamination of household drinking water in Nigeria, their pattern of distribution and the regulatory gap(s) if any that is responsible for the cases of drinking water contamination and water borne diseases in Nigeria.

Study Design and Methodology: The methodology employed for this study involved a comprehensive and critical review of ten randomly selected studies to identify the major bacterial contaminants of drinking water in Nigeria and their distribution. This review was restricted to microbiological measures of drinking water contamination excluding chemical aspects of water quality.

Results: Escherchia coli was found to be the predominant microbial contaminant of drinking water in the studies reviewed with 70%, Klebsiella sp 60%, Pseudomonas aeruginos 60%, Staphylococcus aureus 50%, Proteus sp 50%, Enterobacter aerogenes 40%, Streptococcus fecalis 30%, Salmonella typhi 30% and 10% for Vibrio cholerae and Shigella sp.

Conclusion: The presence of microbes in drinking water especially E. coli reported in 70 percent of the studies reviewed is a source of concern. The presence of toxin producing strains of E. coli like the O157:H7 in drinking water can result in fatal consequences like hemorrhagic diarrhea and kidney failure. The widespread presence of other disease-causing organisms further confirms that a good number of the drinking water presented as safe for consumption across Nigeria are actually not fit for human consumption. The gaps reported in most of the studies reviewed were mainly oversight gaps in monitoring by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and control, NAFDAC, the agency charged with monitoring food and drugs in the country.
Mycoflora and Nutritional Analysis of Smoked Dried Crayfish (Penaeus monodon – Prawns) During Storage
Authors: Fagbohun Emmanuel Dayo , Popoola Oluwabukola Atinuke , Durojaiye Ayobami Opeoluwa
Published: November 2019

This study was carried out to investigate the mycoflora and nutritional composition of smoked dried crayfish Penaeus monodon (prawns) during storage for twenty-four weeks. The mycoflora were isolated at four weeks interval using direct plating and dilution methods on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Saboraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Malt Extract Agar (MEA). The fungi isolated using direct plating methods and dilution methods were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigates, Rhizopus sp., Phytophthora siskiyouensis, Penicillum sp. and Mucor sp. The result of proximate analysis (g/100 g) of smoked dried crayfish Penaeus monodon (prawns) showed a decrease in ash content (12.53-10.86), fat (14.95-12.30), crude fibre (1.60-1.29) while moisture content (3.10-3.71), crude protein (66.34-66.84) and carbohydrate (1.66-5.00) increased respectively. The result of mineral analysis (mg/100 g) of smoked dried crayfish Penaeus monodon (prawns) showed a decrease in Sodium (110.90-104.9), Potassium (107.30-94.96), Calcium (120.61-98.66), Magnesium (137.50-120.22), Zinc (2.15-1.87), Iron (12.33-10.17), Copper (0.16-0.22), Manganese (0.40-0.25), cadmium (0.42-0.13) and Phosphorous (485.00-460.76) respectively. This study showed that the smoked dried crayfish products were invaded by fungi which could be due to display of the products in open trays without coverage for sale, most of the times which were not hygienic. This, in turn, allows the dust and fungal spores to settle on the products leading to fungal contamination, production of toxins and spoilage. Stored smoked dried crayfish (prawns) sellers should be enlightened on good hygienic practices.
Eat Fast, Die Young: The Pattern of Fast Food Consumption amongst International Medical Students
Authors: Kalidass Shantosh , Binti Azhar Fatin Aizaa , Ann Zee Gan , Noor Hasani Muhamad Noor Zuhairi Bin , T. K. Madhura , Javali S. B. , Patil P. A.
Published: November 2019

Objective: To investigate the factors influencing fast-food consumption amongst the International Medical Students of USM-KLE.

Hypothesis: Fast food consumption is deleterious to the overall health of a person, and thus we expect low fast food consumption amongst medical students of USM-KLE. Nevertheless, due to the lack of awareness and poor understanding of the ill effects of fast food consumption, the pattern of fast food consumption is increasing among the medical students of USM-KLE.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted in the month of June 2018 by distributing questionnaires to 326 Malaysian students –from year 1 to year 5 – who are studying in Belgaum, India. The questions touched on the aspects of their profile, driving factors of fast food consumption, routine exercise pattern, and their knowledge on the deleterious effects of fast food on their health. Data was collected for their experience both in Malaysia & India, & these were then analysed using SPSS 16.0 software.

Results: In this study, the results were coded & translated according to each question. It is observed that there is a high prevalence of fast food consumption amongst the students; 97% of the students consume fast food.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that despite their knowledge on the poor health effects of these foods. the students prefer to consume fast food mostly on the basis of their hectic schedule, the restaurants’ close distance, the good taste of the meals, as well as their fast availability.
Economic Evaluations of Cabazitaxel for Treatment of Post-docetaxel Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer: Evidence from a Systematic Review
Authors: Shahmirzadi Nikinaz Ashrafi , Zaboli Pardis , Afzali Monireh , Molla Tigabu Bereket , Hajimiri Mirhamed , Ajami Arman , Sepehri Nima
Published: November 2019

Background and Objectives: Prostate cancer is an ever-increasing global incidence and has become the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men. A significant number of patients with prostate cancer develop metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). There are a few second-line treatment options for patients with post-docetaxel mCRPC. This systematic review aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of cabazitaxel for the treatment of mCRPC.

Materials and Methods: Electronic bibliographic databases including: PubMed/Medline, NICE, CRD, and Scopus were searched in January 2018 for identifying full economic evaluations published in English and Persian. The risk of assessment bias and descriptive analyses of individual studies’ findings were presented.

Results: Three articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the current study. All the included records had a reasonable quality. Cabazitaxel was not recommended as the most cost-effective option for the treatment of docetaxel-refractory mCRPC. Abiraterone acetate and radium-223 were the recommended cost-effective treatments for mCRPC treatment.

Conclusion: We found that, in general, while cabazitaxel had equal or slightly higher improvement in Quality-adjusted Life Year (QALY) as compared to the alternatives, it incurred a high cost. Despite the inclusion of a few studies in this review, cabazitaxel was not found to be a cost-effective option. Therefore, we recommend full economic evaluations to be conducted in this area.
Minipigs: Applications in Toxicology
Authors: Brown Larry D. , Stricker‐Kongrad Alain , Bouchard Guy F.
Published: November 2019

Minipigs are accepted models for a variety of drug preclinical and nonregulatory toxicology studies. Acute, subchronic and chronic studies are possible using all routes of administration. Minipigs have distinct size advantages over domestic pigs. There exist some minor limitations with minipigs, but for the most part they offer well correlated models to humans for dermal and systemic toxicology assessments. Phototoxicology and reproductive toxicology usage is expanding. Minipig size, anatomy, physiology, metabolism, and genetics generally correlate well to human factors. The minipig makes an appropriate model for toxicology. Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 56:1.11.1‐1.11.19. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Kobalt
Authors: Wilcke Wolfgang
Published: November 2019

Der Name Kobalt geht auf den deutschen Begriff „Kobold“ zurück, weil frühe Bergleute durch den besonderen Glanz der Kobalterze verwirrt wurden. Kobalt wurde zwar bereits in der Antike zur Herstellung von blau gefärbten Keramikglasuren oder Gläsern verwendet, aber erst im Jahr 1735 durch den schwedischen Chemiker Georg Brandt als Element identifiziert und isoliert (Schrauzer1991;SmithundPaterson1999).
The Characteristic and Thermodynamics/Kinetics of Martensitic Transformation in Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10 High‐Entropy Alloy during Deformation/Heat Treatment
Authors: Yang Shuangjun , Yang Yang , Wang Haimin
Published: November 2019

The characteristic of martensitic transformation in the Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10 high‐entropy alloy during deformation/heat treatment is analyzed with optical microscopy (OM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The mechanism of martensitic transformation is first quantitatively analyzed based on Olson–Cohen thermodynamics calculation and kinetics calculation of critical stresses required for martensitic transformation, twinning, and dislocation slip. The content of martensite in the HR (the as‐cast sample hot rolled at 1173 K and air quenched) sample is decreased, whereas in the HRQ (the HR sample annealed at 1273 K for 2 h and water quenched) sample is increased. The content of martensite in the CR (the HRQ sample cold rolled with 40% deformation) sample is significantly increased, whereas in the CRQ (the CR sample annealed at 1173 K for 5 min and water quenched) sample is decreased. Thermodynamics and kinetics calculations show that the martensitic transformation is inhibited at high temperature due to its positive martensitic transformation free energy difference (ΔGγ→ε), high stacking fault energy, and the highest critical stress required for martensitic transformation compared with twinning and dislocation slip. Martensitic transformation is promoted by deformation at low temperature due to its negative ΔGγ→ε, low stacking fault energy, and the lowest critical stress.
Reversible Conversion between Schottky and Ohmic Contacts for Highly Sensitive, Multifunctional Biosensors
Authors: Zhao Luming , Li Hu , Meng Jianping , Wang Aurelia Chi , Tan Puchuan , Zou Yang , Yuan Zuqing , Lu Junfeng , Pan Caofeng , Fan Yubo , Zhang Yaming , Zhang Yan , Wang Zhong Lin , Li Zhou
Published: November 2019

Schottky and Ohmic contacts–based electronics play an important role in highly sensitive detection of biomolecules and neural electric impulses, respectively. The reversible conversion between these two contacts appears especially important for multifunctional sensing by just one biosensor. Here, Schottky barrier height (SBH) is successfully tuned by triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and the same device is made to achieve reversible conversion between Schottky contact and Ohmic contact. In the same Schottky to Ohmic reversible (SOR) biosensor, highly sensitive detections of biomolecule (i.e., neurotransmitter) and neural electric signal are achieved at different contact states. The SOR biosensor reveals the feasibility of using one device to realize multifunctional detection. This work proposes a simple and significant method to achieve reversible tuning between the Schottky contact and Ohmic contact on one device by TENG, which exhibits great potential in developing multifunctional and high‐sensitivity biosensors, rectifiers, and other functional electronic devices.
Cobalt Single‐Atom‐Intercalated Molybdenum Disulfide for Sulfide Oxidation with Exceptional Chemoselectivity
Authors: Chen Zhongxin , Liu Cuibo , Liu Jia , Li Jing , Xi Shibo , Chi Xiao , Xu Haisen , Park In‐Hyeok , Peng Xinwen , Li Xing , Yu Wei , Liu Xiaowang , Zhong Linxin , Leng Kai , Huang Wei , Koh Ming Joo , Loh Kian Ping
Published: November 2019

The identification of chemoselective oxidation process en route to fine chemicals and specialty chemicals is a long‐standing pursuit in chemical synthesis. A vertically structured, cobalt single atom‐intercalated molybdenum disulfide catalyst (Co1‐in‐MoS2) is developed for the chemoselective transformation of sulfides to sulfone derivatives. The single‐atom encapsulation alters the electron structure of catalyst owing to confinement effect and strong metal–substrate interaction, thus enhancing adsorption of sulfides and chemoselective oxidation at the edge sites of MoS2 to achieve excellent yields of up to 99% for 34 examples. The synthetic scopes can be extended to sulfide‐bearing alkenes, alkynes, aldehydes, ketones, boronic esters, and amines derivatives as a toolbox for the synthesis of high‐value, multifunctional sulfones and late‐stage functionalization of pharmaceuticals, e.g., Tamiflu. The synthetic utility of cobalt single atom‐intercalated MoS2, together with its reusability, scalability, and simplified purification process, renders it promising for industrial productions.
3D Printed Random Lasers
Authors: Hsu Yun‐Tzu , Lin Yen‐Yu , Chen Yi‐Zih , Lin Hsia‐Yu , Liao Yu‐Ming , Hou Cheng‐Fu , Wu Min‐Hsuan , Deng Wei‐Ning , Chen Yang‐Fang
Published: November 2019

3D printing technology sparks a paradigm shift in one‐step production, mass customization, and waste minimization. Of late, tremendous advances have been made in 3D printing research, including electronic components, energy‐storage gadgets, and medical therapeutic widgets. Lasers with enormous applicable values, ranging from information communication, to health treatment, to industrial manufacturing, have pervasively penetrated and significantly contributed to modern society. However, until now, the platform of 3D printed lasers is absent in all published work. Here, 3D printing technique endowed with great versatility and accessibility allows the possibility to export any desired laser item free from geometrical restraints, constitutional constraints, and skill limitations. Furthermore, based on the biodissolvability, biodegradability, and biocompatibility of the filament, customized 3D printed random laser devices for speckle‐free bioimaging and large‐scale phototherapy are constructed to investigate inherent multistructures and multifunctional biological systems, providing an excellent solution for intriguing yet challenging issues from extremely complicated groups. It is envisioned that 3D printed random lasers will pave the way for a series of long‐anticipated proofs of concept, such as full‐field imaging implants, microfluidic laser sensors, and photonic circuit systems.
Chemoselective Tertiary C−H Hydroxylation for Late‐Stage Functionalization with Mn(PDP)/Chloroacetic Acid Catalysis
Authors: Chambers Rachel K. , Zhao Jinpeng , Delaney Connor P. , White M. Christina
Published: November 2019

Aromatic and heterocyclic functionality are ubiquitous in pharmaceuticals. Herein, we disclose a new Mn(PDP) catalyst system using chloroacetic acid additive capable of chemoselectively oxidizing remote tertiary C(sp3)−H bonds in the presence of a broad range of aromatic and heterocyclic moieties. Although catalyst loadings can be lowered to 0.1 mol% under a Mn(PDP)/acetic acid system for aromatic and non‐basic nitrogen heterocycle substrates, the Mn(PDP)/chloroacetic acid system generally affords 10–15% higher isolated yields on these substrates and is uniquely effective for remote C(sp3)−H hydroxylations in substrates housing basic nitrogen heterocycles. The demonstrated ability to perform Mn(PDP)/chloroacetic acid C(sp3)−H oxidations in pharmaceutically relevant complex molecules on multi‐gram scales will facilitate drug discovery processes via late‐stage functionalization.

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