bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing spatial structure of Abies marocana forest through point pattern analysis
Authors: Ben-Said Mariem , Ghallab Abdelilah , Lamrhari Hajar , Carreira José Antonio , Linares Juan Carlos , Taïqui Lahcen
Published: August 2020

Aim of study: Understanding small-scale patterns caused by stochastic factors or community interactions driving forest structure and diversity of Moroccan fir Abies marocana Trab.Area of study: Talassemtane fir forest, Talassemtane National Park, Rif Mountains, northern Morocco.Material and methods: Eight plots representative of the structural variability of A. marocana forests were selected, and all tree individuals with diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥2 cm were mapped and measured. We performed four types of spatial point pattern analyses: (1) Univariate analyses to explore the overall trees spatial pattern, (2) bivariate analyses to assess the spatial relationship between juveniles and A. marocana adults, (3) correlation between tree sizes (dbh) and distance between points pairs using the univariate mark correlation function, and (4) random labeling analyses between dominant and suppressed Moroccan fir individuals to assess competition patterns.Main results: We found a strong spatial aggregation of fir individuals and a positive intraspecific association between juveniles and adult trees. However, there were weak but significant distance-dependent effect on tree size and density-dependent effect on suppression pattern.Research highlights: Shade-tolerance, seed dispersal and/or microsite heterogeneity might play important roles in the observed fir patterns. Our results provide a basic knowledge on within-stand Moroccan fir spatial distribution, with implications for adaptive management of these relic forests, and prompting to further research to test advanced hypotheses.Additional key words: Moroccan fir; Talassemtane National Park; Rif forest; Spatial analysis; summary statistics; facilitation; aggregation.Abbreviations used: MF (Moroccan fir); Talassemtane National Park (TNP); dbh (diameter at breast height); Univariate pair-correlation function (g(r)); Heterogeneous Poisson (HP); Bivariate pair-correlation function (g12(r)); Univariate mark correlation function (kmm(r)), Mark connection function (p12(r)).
Teachers’ experiences with dyslexic learners in mainstream classrooms: Implications for teacher education
Authors: Thwalaa S’lungile K , Ugwuanyi Christian Sunday , Okeke Chinedu I.O , Gamad Nombuso N , Thewala Abahle
Published: August 2020

Inclusive education represents the main ethos of the Kingdom of Eswatini education system. This reflects on both the Constitution and on various education policies since the country became a signatory to the goals of Education for All. However, it would appear that major constraints impede the education vision that resonates through the charter of ‘no child is left behind’. The education of learners with dyslexia is then called into empirical questions with a focus on the experiences of teachers of such category of learners within the Eswatini education system. A phenomenological research design was chosen, using a convenience sampling technique to select 12 English language teachers of dyslexic learners. Data were obtained by individual semi-structured interviews and by non-participant observations. Content analysis was employed to analyze the data, which were then presented thematically. Peer review, as well as member checks, were used to improve the trustworthiness of data. The main themes that emerged were insufficient time, unwelcoming attitudes, lack of support, and lack of training of teachers of dyslexic learners. It was equally evident that teachers were challenged by insufficient training to enable them to deal with dyslexic learners. Without an effective support structure for teachers, the education of dyslexic learners would remain a chimera. This finding implicates the teacher education programs in colleges of education and universities in the sense that training on inclusive classroom teaching should form part of the teacher education program.
The evolution of cultural competence theories in American (United States) nursing curricula: An integrative review
Authors: Alexander Suzanne , BeLue Rhonda , Kuzmik Ashley , Boltz Marie
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Baccalaureate nursing students develop cultural competence through curricula of theories and frameworks which evolve to reflect new knowledge, but their synthesis and impact upon health quality outcomes is not known.Methods: A cross-platform literature review was conducted to identify innovation and use of cultural competency theories and frameworks in nursing. Optimal literature included a formal theory, pedagogy, measures, and outcomes, which were then classified and evaluated. Additional perspectives and interventions were reviewed for potential influence on curricula and impact through the lens of integrative review.Results: A shift in theory from essentialism to constructivism has occurred in undergraduate curricula.  Challenges to measuring outcomes have been noted.  All studies reported positive outcomes but suffer from self-selection, unvalidated instruments, and little to no longitudinal data.Conclusions: Nursing students are exposed to culturally competent care via several validated and canonical frameworks, but self-efficacy and long-term impact have not been assessed.
Adult cancer patients’ barriers toward pain management: A literature review
Authors: Ibrahim Hodan , Khraim Fadi , Al-Tawafsheh Atef
Published: August 2020

Background and objective: Cancer pain is the most common symptom among cancer patients. Despite strategies to control cancer pain, cancer patients’ beliefs and attitudes influence the effectiveness of cancer pain management. The aim of this literature review was to identify and explore adult cancer patients’ barriers toward pain management.Methods: A literature review was conducted. CINAHL, Medline, and PsychINFO databases were searched for relevant articles from 2008 to 2019. Twenty one articles were included in this literature review. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify and explore adult cancer patients’ barriers toward pain management. Results: This literature review revealed several patient barriers toward pain management. These barriers were categorized into cognitive barriers that include poor pain communication, fatalism, and fear of addiction and tolerance; sensory barrier, such as fear of drug side effects; affective barriers, such as anxiety and depression, and socio-demographic barriers that influence cancer pain management.Conclusions: Adult cancer patients’ barriers toward pain management significantly compromise the effectiveness of pain management and affect cancer patients’ quality of life. A better understanding of cancer patients’ barriers toward pain management by the healthcare providers will result in better assessment and management of these barriers and will enhance evidenced-based patient education.
Early postoperative complications and
90-day mortality in patients undergoing radical
cystectomy
Authors: Hackemer Paweł , Małkiewicz Bartosz , Menzel Fryderyk , Tupikowski Krzysztof , Drabik Aleksandra , Zdrojowy Romuald
Published: August 2020

Introduction: The standard treatment method of muscle-invasive bladder cancer is radical cystectomy. This
complex procedure consists of removing the urinary bladder with distal ureters and regional
lymph nodes. Additionally, the prostate with seminal vesicles in men and uterus with ovaries
in women should be excised. Therefore, this demanding oncological surgery is associated with
a high occurrence of complications. The aim of this study was to assess the complications
after radical cystectomy and identify the factors associated with severe complications and
high mortality rate.
Materials/Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical data of 213 patients who underwent a radical cystectomy.
Preoperative risk factors were assessed based on American Society of Anesthesiologists
classification (ASA) and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Clavien-Dindo classification
was also included in our analysis. We investigated various factors associated with 30-day and
90-day mortality.
Results: Complications after surgery were reported in 38% (n = 81) of patients in the studied group.
Excluding perioperative high fever, the complication rate was 18%. The following complications
were observed in 30-day postoperative period: wound infection (n = 6), wound dehiscence
(n = 4), mechanical bowel obstruction (n = 3), hemorrhage (n = 2), cardiological (n = 8), stroke
(n = 3). Observed 30-day mortality was 2.3% (n = 5), while 90-day mortality was 8.9% (n = 19).
The mortality rate was associated with the stage of cancer and the type of urinary diversion.
Conclusions: Radical cystectomy is a complex and traumatic urological surgery. It is associated with
a significant complication rate and mortality, and it negatively affects quality of life. Therefore,
all known risk factors should be thoroughly assessed preoperatively to select optimal
treatment. Furthermore, the patient should be carefully informed about the risks associated
with the surgery.
Applied Linguistics and Literature
Authors: Gonçalves Clézio Roberto , Silva Vera Lopes da
Published: August 2020

xxxxx
A linguística, o texto e o ensino da língua.
Authors: Gonçalves Clézio Roberto , Ramos Elaine da Fonseca
Published: August 2020

Resenha do livro: AZEREDO, José Carlos de. A linguística, o texto e o ensino da língua. São Paulo: Parábola, 2018. 200 p.
O papel do intérprete indígena na aprendizagem da Matemática Escolar
Authors: Oliveira Karynna Silva
Published: August 2020

Este artigo consiste em um relato de experiência que traz os resultados de uma atividade de campo realizada junto aos educadores e educandos indígenas da escola urbana de Aragarças, Goiás. O trabalho desenvolvido teve como finalidade dialogar e refletir sobre o papel do intérprete indígena e dos materiais manipuláveis na aprendizagem da Matemática escolar. A elaboração e desenvolvimento das atividades foram fundamentados em referências que tratam da Educação escolarIndígena, Etnomatemática, Educação Matemática Crítica, em reflexões sobre o desenvolvimento profissional do professor de Matemática – mais especialmente, no que tange à reflexão sobre a prática e o papel dos materiais manipuláveis na aprendizagem de Matemática. Em relação à análise, tem-se o perfil qualitativo e metodologia fenomenológica. A atividade abordada se situa em oficina sobre “O Segredo dos Números”, um material manipulável, objetivando facilitar atransposição da matemática concreta para a abstrata.
Police Education in the United Kingdom: Challenges and Future Directions
Authors: C. Shohel M. Mahruf , Uddin Gias , Parker-McLeod Julian , Silverstone Daniel
Published: August 2020

This chapter outlines the historical development of police education in the United Kingdom, more precisely in England and Wales, and highlights new strategies and planning for the professional development of the police. There is a plethora of research carried out regarding professionalism in policing to meet the needs and challenges of the twenty-first century. Considering the recent developments in police education and training, this chapter mainly discusses three newly introduced routes for recruitment and education of police constables under the Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF), namely Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP), and Pre-Join Degree (PJD). Higher education institutions (HEIs), in partnership with the police forces, are providing professional qualifications for policing as a graduate level profession. Though they have made remarkable progress in developing police education programmes, they are facing various challenges in implementing the qualification framework. This chapter also explores pedagogical aspects of police education including the effectiveness and contrast between different forms of teaching and learning. While featuring the challenges and prospects of the new police education programmes, this chapter also outlines different aspects of partnership for delivering these professional qualification programmes.
Modeling Antecedent Soil Moisture to Constrain Rainfall Thresholds for Shallow Landslides Occurrence
Authors: Lazzari Maurizio , Piccarreta Marco , L. Ray Ram , Manfreda Salvatore
Published: August 2020

Rainfall-triggered shallow landslide events have caused losses of human lives and millions of euros in damage to property in all parts of the world. The need to prevent such hazards combined with the difficulty of describing the geomorphological processes over regional scales led to the adoption of empirical rainfall thresholds derived from records of rainfall events triggering landslides. These rainfall intensity thresholds are generally computed, assuming that all events are not influenced by antecedent soil moisture conditions. Nevertheless, it is expected that antecedent soil moisture conditions may provide critical support for the correct definition of the triggering conditions. Therefore, we explored the role of antecedent soil moisture on critical rainfall intensity-duration thresholds to evaluate the possibility of modifying or improving traditional approaches. The study was carried out using 326 landslide events that occurred in the last 18 years in the Basilicata region (southern Italy). Besides the ordinary data (i.e., rainstorm intensity and duration), we also derived the antecedent soil moisture conditions using a parsimonious hydrological model. These data have been used to derive the rainfall intensity thresholds conditional on the antecedent saturation of soil quantifying the impact of such parameters on rainfall thresholds.
Nanoprecipitation: Applications for Entrapping Active Molecules of Interest in Pharmaceutics
Authors: Iván Martínez-Muñoz Oscar , Fernando Ospina-Giraldo Luis , Elizabeth Mora-Huertas Claudia
Published: August 2020

Nanoprecipitation technique, also named solvent injection, spontaneous emulsification, solvent displacement, solvent diffusion, interfacial deposition, mixing-induced nanoprecipitation, or flash nanoprecipitation, is recognized as a useful and versatile strategy for trapping active molecules on the submicron and nanoscale levels. Thus, these particles could be intended among others, for developing innovative pharmaceutical products bearing advantages as controlled drug release, target therapeutic performance, or improved stability and organoleptic properties. On this basis, this chapter offers readers a comprehensive revision of the state of the art in research on carriers to be used for pharmaceutical applications and developed by the nanoprecipitation method. In this sense, the starting materials, the particle characteristics, and the in vitro and in vivo performances of the most representative of these carriers, i.e., polymer, lipid, and hybrid particles have been analyzed in a comparative way searching for a general view of the obtained behaviors.
Effect of Sequential Compression Device on Hemodynamic Changes After Spinal Anesthesia for Caesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Javaherforooshzadeh Fatemeh , Pipelzadeh Mohammad Reza , Akhondzadeh Reza , Adarvishi Sara , Alghozat Mostafa
Published: August 2020

Background: The benefit of sequential compression device (SCD) for the prevention of hypotension after spinal anesthesia in cesarean sections has not been determined. Objectives: In this study, an attempt was made to determine whether SCD can prevent hemodynamic changes following spinal anesthesia for cesarean sections. Methods: In a prospective clinical trial, 76 parturient women undergoing elective cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia were randomly divided into SCD or control groups. The maternal hemodynamic changes within 75 min after spinal anesthesia, nausea, vomiting, and neonatal Apgar score at 1 and 5 min were compared between the groups. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in the patients’ characteristics, maximum sensory block, skin incision to delivery time, spinal anesthesia to delivery time (min), and the total duration of surgery. Concerning heart rate changes, RM ANOVA showed a significant difference in the effect of time, groups, and the interaction of the two factors (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.0001, respectively). Tukey post hoc test showed that 3 min after spinal anesthesia, diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the SCD group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The SCD group had meaningfully lower rates of nausea (P = 0.005) and vomiting (P = 0.001) than the control group. The SCD group also demonstrated a significantly lower mean ephedrine dosage per patient (4.1 mg against 17.1 mg, P = 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of neonatal Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes. Conclusions: This study showed that SCD could reduce extensive changes in diastolic blood pressure as an important hemodynamic parameter and the incidence of nausea and vomiting. Thus, SCD can be used in spinal anesthesia care practices for elective cesarean sections.
Melatonin as a Potential Prophylactic Therapy for Menstrual-Related Migraine Headache: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Mohammadyahya Elham , Sarraf Payam , Javadian Nina , Shariat Mamak , Bitarafan Sama , Tafakhori Abbas
Published: August 2020

Background: Migraine is a common disabling and chronic neurological disorder affecting women aged 25 - 55 with a considerably higher frequency. It has been shown that migraine attack rates change according to the hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. A study showed that reduced progesterone levels, especially during the end days of the luteal phase and menstruation, are associated with increased episodes of attacks in more than half of the migraine patients. Moreover, another study suggested that the melatonin level changes are positively correlated with the progesterone blood level. Previous studies indicated that the level of nocturnal urinary melatonin is lower in patients with menstrual-related migraine than in healthy subjects. Objectives: Considering the potential role of melatonin in the circadian system and its relationship with gonadal steroid blood level changes in patients, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of melatonin in patients with menstrual-related migraines. Methods: An open-label randomized clinical trial was conducted (IR code: IRCT20121110011424N4). Patients with menstrual-related migraine referring to the Neurology Clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital were evaluated and randomly assigned to either naproxen (250 mg every 12 hours) or melatonin (3 mg, half an hour before sleep) treatment groups. At the end of the first and third menstrual bleeding phases, the patients were assessed by a migraine diary, Visual Analog scale (VAS) for pain, and the Berlin questionnaire. Results: The study evaluated 56 patients (26 in the melatonin arm and 30 in the naproxen arm). Attack days (P < 0.001) and the headache severity (P < 0.001) improved in both groups compared to baseline. A significant difference was found between the melatonin and naproxen treatment groups in sedative and analgesic drug use (P < 0.05). Also, melatonin significantly changed the snoring rate and post-sleep tiredness compared to baseline (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively) whereas no improvement was observed in the naproxen treatment group concerning the sleep quality. Conclusions: We showed the beneficial role of melatonin in reducing the attack frequency and severity in migraine patients with menstrual-related headaches. Preventive therapy with melatonin also showed a significant reduction in the number of sedative drug use during attacks and improved the patients’ sleep quality when compared to naproxen.
Exode, colonie, révolution : Machiavel, Spinoza et la démocratie originaire
Authors: Trucchio Aldo
Published: August 2020

À partir d’une citation implicite des Discours sur la première décade de Tite-Live de Machiavel dans le Tractatus politicus, nous voudrions montrer que l’idée spinozienne de démocratie est aporétique, car les stratégies que Spinoza propose afin d’établir un régime démocratique paraissent entrer en conflit avec son ontologie de la conservation. En même temps, nous pensons que le vide laissé par l’absence de la partie spécifiquement consacrée à la démocratie dans le Tractatus politicus peut être l’occasion, pour le lecteur de Spinoza, de repenser la politique comme un art de comprendre et de gérer les conflits sociaux plutôt que de les neutraliser. Vu sous cet angle, la démocratie, chez Spinoza, est la manifestation de la conflictualité naturelle de la société, une demande d’égalité entre les hommes qui conduit à une remise en question permanente des droits et de la propriété privée ainsi que de toute forme étatique institutionnalisée.
Making Open Development Inclusive
Authors: Haddadian Nola
Published: August 2020

Drawing on ten years of empirical work and research, analyses of how open development has played out in practice.

A decade ago, a significant trend toward openness emerged in international development. “Open development” can describe initiatives as disparate as open government, open health data, open science, open education, and open innovation. The theory was that open systems related to data, science, and innovation would enable more inclusive processes of human development. This volume, drawing on ten years of empirical work and research, analyzes how open development has played out in practice

Focusing on development practices in the Global South, the contributors explore the crucial questions of who is allowed to participate when an initiative is “open” and who benefits—or not—from them, finding that processes characterized as open can sometimes be exclusionary in their implementation. Examining a wide range of cases, they consider the governance of open development ecosystems and the implementation of a variety of applications, including open educational resources, collaborative science, and the uses of crowdsourcing.

The open access edition of this book was made possible by generous funding from Knowledge Unlatched.

Contributors

Denisse Albornoz, Chris Armstrong, Savita Bailur, Roxana Barrantes, Carla Bonina, Michael Cañares, Leslie Chan, Laura Czerniewicz, Jeremy de Beer, Stefano De Sabbata, Shirin Elahi, Alison Gillwald, Mark Graham, Rebecca Hillyer, Cheryl Hodgkinson-Williams, Dick Kawooya, Erika Kramer-Mbula, Paulo Matos, Caroline Ncube, Chidi Oguamanam, Angela Okune, Alejandro Posada, Nagla Rizk, Isaac Rutenberg, Tobias Schonwetter, Fabrizio Scrollini, Ruhiya Kristine Seward, Raed Sharif, Matthew Smith, William Randall Spence, Henry Trotter, François van Schalkwyk, Sonal Zavaeri
Make It Clear
Authors: Winston Patrick Henry
Published: August 2020

The essentials of communication for professionals, educators, students, and entrepreneurs, from organizing your thoughts to inspiring your audience.

Do you give presentations at meetings? Do you ever have to explain a complicated subject to audiences unfamiliar with your field? Do you make pitches for ideas or products? Do you want to interest a lecture hall of restless students in subjects that you find fascinating? Then you need this book. Make It Clear explains how to communicate—how to speak and write to get your ideas across. Written by an MIT professor who taught his students these techniques for more than forty years, the book starts with the basics—finding your voice, organizing your ideas, making sure what you say is remembered, and receiving critiques (“do not ask for brutal honesty”)—and goes on to cover such specifics as preparing slides, writing and rewriting, and even choosing a type family.

The book explains why you should start with an empowerment promise and conclude by noting you delivered on that promise. It describes how a well-crafted, explicitly identified slogan, symbol, salient idea, surprise, and story combine to make you and your work memorable. The book lays out the VSN-C (Vision, Steps, News–Contributions) framework as an organizing structure and then describes how to create and organize your ideas with a “broken–glass” outline, how to write to be understood, how to inspire, how to defeat writer's block—and much more. Learning how to speak and write well will empower you and make you smarter. Effective communication can be life-changing—making use of just one principle in this book can get you the job, make the sale, convince your boss, inspire a student, or even start a revolution.
Alternatives to Multilateralism
Authors: Partzsch Lena
Published: August 2020

Analysis and case studies of emerging forms of private, public, and hybrid social and environmental governance.

The effects of globalization on governance are complex and uncertain. As markets integrate, governments have become increasingly hesitant to enforce regulations inside their own jurisdictions. At the same time, multilateralism has proven unsuccessful in coordinating states' responses to global challenges. In this book, Lena Partzsch describes alternatives to multilateralism, offering analyses and case studies of emerging—alternative—forms of private, public, and hybrid social and environmental regulation. In doing so, she offers a unique overview of cutting-edge approaches to global governance.

After laying the theoretical and empirical foundation of her argument, Partzsch presents three case studies from the countries most affected by these new forms of governance. Drawing on primary documents, interviews, and participatory observations, she analyzes cotton supply chains and voluntary (private) cotton certification in Ethiopia; public supply-chain regulation of “conflict resources” from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and hybrid governance of palm oil production in Indonesia. Partzsch finds that the new entanglement of public and private regulation fails to address social and environmental considerations in mainstream markets; argues that only in exceptional cases do alternative forms of regulation overcome the power asymmetries between actors in the consuming countries of the Global North and those in the producing countries of the Global South; and concludes that, while the paradigm of free trade fades, we must continue to develop viable alternatives in order to pursue collective norms of environmental sustainability and social justice.

This book was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education (project no. 031B0235A).
Mitochondrial destiny in type 2 diabetes: the effects of oxidative stress on the dynamics and biogenesis of mitochondria
Authors: Skuratovskaia Daria , Komar Alexandra , Vulf Maria , Litvinova Larisa
Published: August 2020

Background

One reason for the development of insulin resistance is the chronic inflammation in obesity.

Materials & Methods

Scientific articles in the field of knowledge on the involvement of mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in obesity and type 2 diabetes were analyzed.

Results

Oxidative stress developed during obesity contributes to the formation of peroxynitrite, which causes cytochrome C-related damage in the mitochondrial electron transfer chain and increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. Oxidative stress contributes to the nuclease activity of the mitochondrial matrix, which leads to the accumulation of cleaved fragments and an increase in heteroplasmy. Mitochondrial dysfunction and mtDNA variations during insulin resistance may be connected with a change in ATP levels, generation of ROS, mitochondrial division/fusion and mitophagy. This review discusses the main role of mitochondria in the development of insulin resistance, which leads to pathological processes in insulin-dependent tissues, and considers potential therapeutic directions based on the modulation of mitochondrial biogenesis. In this regard, the development of drugs aimed at the regulation of these processes is gaining attention.

Conclusion

Changes in the mtDNA copy number can help to protect mitochondria from severe damage during conditions of increased oxidative stress. Mitochondrial proteome studies are conducted to search for potential therapeutic targets. The use of mitochondrial peptides encoded by mtDNA also represents a promising new approach to therapy.
On the spillover effect and optimal size of marine reserves for sustainable fishing yields
Authors: Takashina Nao
Published: August 2020

Marine reserves are an essential component of modern fishery management. Marine reserves, which represent a management tradeoff between harvesting and conservation, are fundamental to maintenance of fisheries. Finding optimal reserve sizes that improve fishing yields is not only of theoretical interest, but also of practical importance to facilitate decision making. Also, since the migratory behavior of some species influences the spillover effect of a marine reserve, this is a key consideration when assessing performance of marine reserves. The relationship between optimal reserve size and migration rate/mode has not been well studied, but it is fundamental to management success. Here, I investigate optimal reserve size and its management outcome with different levels of spillover via a simple two-patch mathematical model. In this model, one patch is open to fishing, and the other is closed. The two-patch model is aggregated by single-population dynamics when the migration rate is sufficiently larger than the growth rate of a target species. At this limit, I show that an optimal reserve size exists when pre-reserve fishing occurs at fishing mortality larger than fMSY, the fishing mortality at the maximum sustainable yield (MSY). Also, the fishing yield at an optimal reserve size becomes as large as MSY at the limit. Numerical simulations at various migration rates between the two patches suggest that the maximum harvest under management with a marine reserve is achieved at this limit. This contrasts with the conservation benefit which is maximized at an intermediate migration rate. Numerical simulations show that the above-mentioned condition for an optimal reserve size to exist derived from the aggregated model is necessary when the migration rate is not sufficiently large, and that a moderate migration rate is further necessary for an optimal reserve size to exist. However, high fishing mortality reduces this requirement.
Opportunities and challenges presented by cryptic bryophyte species.
Authors: Renner Matthew AM
Published: August 2020

Cryptic bryophyte species exhibit a decoupling in the degree of morphological and molecular divergence, as a result of different processes, from recent divergence to stasis. Here a body of cryptic species literature comprising 110 papers published between 2000 and end 2018 is reviewed. Most studies of cryptic species focused on northern hemispheric taxa, but we do not yet have sufficient studies to assess whether a geographic bias in the distribution of cryptic species exists, and we don’t know how many cryptic bryophyte species there might be globally. Fully two-thirds of all studies on cryptic bryophyte species rested their claims of morphological crypsis on previous taxonomic investigations, without revision of morphology to confirm cryptic species status. There is more than one kind of morphological crypsis, and while quantification of morphological patterns can contribute to our understanding of crypsis this is a widely neglected component. The usage of ‘cryptic species’ as an etymological tool to flag instances where traditional species concepts are deficient devalues the term, and a distinction between genuine crypsis and business as usual revision of species circumscription should be re-established and maintained. Hybridisation is possibly an under-appreciated contributor to cryptic species, but inference of hybridization has been limited by study design. Opportunities exist in the application of geometric morphometric methods and next generation sequencing technologies to overcome intrinsic limitations in traditional morphological and molecular data sources.
Reinstatement and revision of the genus Chaetospora (Cyperaceae: Schoeneae)
Authors: Barrett Russell L , Wilson Karen L. , Bruhl Jeremy J.
Published: August 2020

Three species are recognised in a new circumscription of the genus Chaetospora R.Br. Chaetospora is lectotypified on C. curvifolia R.Br. A new combination, Chaetospora subbulbosa (Benth.) K.L.Wilson & R.L.Barrett is made for Schoenus subbulbosus Benth. Lectotypes are also selected for Chaetospora aurata Nees, Chaetospora curvifolia R.Br., Chaetospora turbinata R.Br., Elynanthus capitatus Nees, Schoenus subbulbosus Benth., Schoenus subg. Pseudomesomelaena Kük. and Schoenus sect. Sphaerocephali Benth. Two species are endemic to south-western Australia, while the third is endemic to south-eastern Australia. Full descriptions, illustrations and a key to species are provided. All species have anatomy indicative of C3 photosynthetic-type.
Introductory of Scherrer’s Equation in Laminated Plate-Shaped Hexagonal Hydroxyapatite Nanocrystals System
Authors: Mishra Shiv Prakash
Published: August 2020

Since, hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystal system is hexagonal and its crystalline size in the longitudinal directions of various (a,b,c) axes, which are depending on the thickness of the laminated plate-shaped HAP crystals. Hence, by applying of Scherrer’s equation D100 = Kλ / (β cos ) we calculated their crystallite size as perpendicular to the (100) plane as well as to comparing the thickness of synthesized needle or laminated  thin plate shaped HAP nanocrystals of CALPHOS or CONTROL and SUC or Suc-20 samples under hydrothermal condition via organically modified apatite based octacalcium phosphate (OCP) at 180  for 3h. The pH of solution adjusted to 5.5 with incorporating dicarboxylate or succinate ions having Ca/P molar ratio is expected to be 1.56±0.02, where the morphology of OCP are retained. During incorporating of succinate ions in OCP crystals, the hydrogen phosphate (HPO42-) ions in the hydrated layers of OCP are being substituted by succinate ions.  These organically modified OCP which generated to HAP with unique nanocrystallite structure have been characterized by using of SEM, FTIR and X-ray diffraction analysis.
Socio-economic Determinants Influencing Cervical Cancer Screening in Buea: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Fru C. Neh , Andrew Tassang , Cho F. Nchang , Tassang T. , Fru P. Ngum
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a huge burden in scarce resource communities as Cameroon. The morbidity and mortality are huge, despite the preventable nature of this pathology.

This study set to explore the socio-economic variables which could help influence positively presentation for screening and lessen the pressure on our fragile heath system.

Methodology: A one-day free screening campaign was carried out at the Buea regional hospital on the 2nd of November, 2019. The study population consisted of women aged 16 to 66 years old. After thorough explanation of the exercise to the potential participants to this study, a questionnaire was distributed to them. Assurance was given about the confidentiality of this study, and they were also informed that, they could opt out at any moment, if they so wish.

Results: Some of the socio-economic variables influencing presentation for cervical cancer screening were identified and they seem to modulate individual behaviour towards cervical cancer screening. They were namely: age, level of education, residence, marital status, age at first sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, number of pregnancies and number of deliveries.

Conclusion: The key contributors influencing presentation at screening in this study were: age, level of education, residence, age at first sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, number of pregnancies and number of deliveries. Understanding and acting on these variables could help curb down morbidity and mortality, thus alleviating the burden on our fragile heath system.
Bacterial Isolates from Bivalve Clams (Galatea paradoxa, Born 1778): Occurence, Multi-drug Resistance, Location of Antibiotic Resistance Marker and Plasmid Profiles
Authors: Okon M. U. , Inyang C. U. , Akinjogunla O. J.
Published: August 2020

The occurrence of bacterial isolates in Galatea paradoxa (Born 1778) was determined using standard bacteriological method. The multi-drug resistance, location of antibiotic markers, plasmid DNA extraction and electrophoresis was determined by disc diffusion, acridine orange, TENS alkaline lysis and 0.8% agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively. Of the 63 bacterial isolates from G. paradoxa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes had the highest and lowest percentage of occurrence with 40.0% and 5.0%, respectively. Escherichia coli was 25.0%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.5%), Enterococcus spp and Salmonella spp (15.0%) each, Bacillus subtilis (12.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis (10.0%) each while Vibrio cholerae was (7.5%). The results showed Streptomycin and Ciprofloxacin as the most effective antibiotics against bacterial isolates from G. paradoxa. Bacillus subtilis and P. aeruginosa displayed 100% sensitivity to Streptomycin; Salmonella spp and E. faecalis were 100% sensitive to Augmentin. V. cholerae and S. pyogenes showed 100% resistance to Penicillin and Rifampicin, respectively. Of the 63 bacterial isolates, 43 (68.3%) were multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates, of which S. aureus and E. coli had the widest multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indices ranging from 0.3 to 0.8, while S. pyogenes had the least MAR ≤ 0.5. Of the 43 MDR bacterial isolates, 16.3%, 23.3% and 60.5% had their entire antibiotic resistance encoded on plasmid, chromosome and both plasmid and chromosome, respectively. The agarose gel electrophoresis showed that MDR bacterial isolates from G. paradoxa had plasmid DNA with molecular weights ranging from 23.1 to 31.5kb. This study has showed that G. paradoxa harboured bacteria which could pose serious health risks and G. paradoxa should be adequately cooked before consumption.
Amino Benzamidoxime (ABAO)‐Based Assay to Identify Efficient Aldehyde‐Producing Pichia pastoris Clones
Authors: Horvat Melissa , Larch Tanja‐Saskia , Rudroff Florian , Winkler Margit
Published: August 2020

The chemoselective synthesis of aldehydes is a challenging task. Nature provides carboxylic acid reductases (CARs) as elegant tools for the direct reduction of carboxylic acids to their respective aldehydes. The discovery of new CARs and strains that efficiently produce these enzymes necessitates a robust high‐throughput assay with selectivity for aldehydes. We recently reported a simple assay that allows the substrate independent and chemoselective quantification of aldehydes (irrespective of their chemical structure). The assay utilized amino benzamidoxime (ABAO), which forms UV‐active and fluorescent dihydroquinazolines. In this study, we adapted the ABAO‐assay for the identification and comparison of Pichia pastoris clones with the ability to produce aldehydes from carboxylic acids. Specifically, CAR and PPTase from Mycobacterium marinum (MmCAR and MmPPTase) were co‐expressed using different bidirectional promoters (BDPs). A library of 598 clones was screened for piperonal production with the ABAO assay and the results were validated by HPLC quantification. 1 OD unit of the best Pichia pastoris clone 2.A7, regulating MmCAR and MmPPTase expression by two strong constitutive promoters, fully converted 5 mM of piperonylic acid within 2 h.

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Economics of herbicide programs for weed control in conventional, glufosinate, and dicamba/glyphosate‐resistant soybean across Nebraska
Authors: Striegel Adam , Eskridge Kent M. , Lawrence Nevin C. , Knezevic Stevan Z. , Kruger Greg R. , Proctor Christopher A. , Hein Gary L. , Jhala Amit J.
Published: August 2020

Despite widespread adoption of dicamba/glyphosate‐resistant (DGR) soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in Nebraska and across the United States in recent years, economic information comparing herbicide programs with glufosinate‐resistant (GLU‐R) and conventional soybean is not available. The objectives of this study were to evaluate weed control efficacy, crop safety, gross profit margin, and benefit/cost ratios of herbicide programs with multiple sites of action in DGR, GLU‐R, and conventional soybean. Field experiments were conducted in 2018 and 2019 at three irrigated and two rain‐fed locations across Nebraska, for a total of 10 site‐years. Herbicides applied pre‐emergence (PRE) that included herbicides with three sites of action provided 85–99% control of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson), velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.), and a mixture of foxtail (Seteria spp.) and Poaceae species. Pre‐emergence herbicides evaluated in this study provided 72–96% weed biomass reduction and 61‒79% weed density reductions compared with the nontreated control. Herbicides applied post‐emergence (POST; dicamba plus glyphosate, glyphosate, glufosinate, and acetochlor plus clethodim plus lactofen) provided 93–99% control of all weed species 28 d after POST (DAPOST). Herbicides applied POST provided 89–98% weed biomass reduction and 86–96% density reduction at 28 DAPOST. For individual site‐years, yield was often similar for PRE followed by POST herbicide programs in herbicide‐resistant (HR) and conventional soybean. Gross profit margins and benefit/cost ratios were higher in HR soybean than in conventional soybean, although price premiums for conventional soybean can help compensate for increased herbicide costs.
Marked factor V activity elevation in severe COVID‐19 is associated with venous thromboembolism
Authors: Stefely Jonathan A. , Christensen Bianca B. , Gogakos Tasos , Cone Sullivan Jensyn K. , Montgomery Gabriella G. , Barranco John P. , Van Cott Elizabeth M.
Published: August 2020

Coagulopathy causes morbidity and mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. Yet, the mechanisms are unclear and biomarkers are limited. Early in the pandemic, we observed markedly elevated factor V activity in a patient with COVID‐19, which led us to measure factor V, VIII, and X activity in a cohort of 102 consecutive inpatients with COVID‐19. Contemporaneous SARS‐CoV‐2‐negative controls (n = 17) and historical pre‐pandemic controls (n = 260‐478) were also analyzed. This cohort represents severe COVID‐19 with high rates of ventilator use (92%), line clots (47%), deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (DVT/PE) (23%), and mortality (22%). Factor V activity was significantly elevated in COVID‐19 (median 150 IU/dL, range 34‐248 IU/dL) compared to contemporaneous controls (median 105 IU/dL, range 22‐161 IU/dL) (P < .001)—the strongest association with COVID‐19 of any parameter studied, including factor VIII, fibrinogen, and D‐dimer. Patients with COVID‐19 and factor V activity >150 IU/dL exhibited significantly higher rates of DVT/PE (16/49, 33%) compared to those with factor V activity ≤150 IU/dL (7/53, 13%) (P = .03). Within this severe COVID‐19 cohort, factor V activity associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 load in a sex‐dependent manner. Subsequent decreases in factor V were linked to progression toward DIC and mortality. Together, these data reveal marked perturbations of factor V activity in severe COVID‐19, provide links to SARS‐CoV‐2 disease biology and clinical outcomes, and nominate a candidate biomarker to investigate for guiding anticoagulation therapy in COVID‐19.
Insulating rigid polyurethane foams from laurel tree pruning based polyol
Authors: Rincón Esther , Balu Alina M. , Luque Rafael , Serrano Luis
Published: August 2020

The present work deals with the production of a natural polyol from laurel tree pruning waste, aiming the preparation of polyurethane foams. The obtained bio‐polyol was characterized and applied into foams studying the influence of the isocyanate used and the addition of the physical blowing agent. The incorporation of the polyol allowed 40% polyol substitution for those foams in which TDI was used, and up to 60% using MDI. Apparent density, cell morphology, mechanical, and thermal properties were evaluated. Mechanical and thermal properties of the foams improve to a greater amount of polyol in the matrix. Specifically, the best thermal and mechanical properties (274.99 and 7275.91 kPa for compressive strength and Young Modulus, respectively) were obtained with 50% polyol substitution (0.63 RNCO/OH). Foams showed small, well‐defined cell morphology. Laurel derived polyol can be used for the preparation of foams using MDI, since the mechanical, and thermal properties are promising for obtaining insulation materials in the construction industry.
The emergence, peak, and abeyance of an online information ground: The lifecycle of a Facebook group for verifying information during violence
Authors: Rohman Abdul
Published: August 2020

Information grounds emerge as people share information with others in a common place. Many studies have investigated the emergence of information grounds in public places. This study pays attention to the emergence, peak, and abeyance of an online information ground. It investigates a Facebook group used by youth for sharing information when misinformation spread wildly during the 2011 violence in Ambon, Indonesia. The findings demonstrate change and continuity in an online information ground; it became an information hub when reaching a peak cycle, and an information repository when entering into abeyance. Despite this period of nonactivity, the friendships and collective memories resulting from information ground interactions last over time and can be used for reactivating the online information ground when new needs emerge. Illuminating the lifecycles of an online information ground, the findings have potential to explain the dynamic of users' interactions with others and with information in quotidian spaces.
Phytosynthesis of CuONPs via Laurus nobilis: Determination of antioxidant content, antibacterial activity, and dye decolorization potential
Authors: Bulut Kocabas Buket , Attar Azade , Peksel Aysegul , Altikatoglu Yapaoz Melda
Published: August 2020

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) were phytosynthesized by Laurus nobilis leaf extract, which was used as a reducing and capping agent. UV‐vis spectroscopy was applied, and the spectrum of CuONPs gave a peak around 300 and 325 nm. An intense Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy between 4000 and 500 cm−1 wavelengths exhibited exterior functional groups of CuONPs. The results of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the green synthesized CuONPs were spherical in shape with sizes between 90 and 250 nm. Antibacterial activity of CuONPs was evaluated against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. Brilliant Blue R‐250 was employed in the dye decolorization studies, and CuONPs achieved 69% decolorization in 60 Min. The antioxidant activity of CuONPs was calculated by analyzing total phenolic compounds and flavonoid content. Furthermore, the reducing power of extract and nanoparticles was determined. Total phenolic compounds of CuONPs were determined as 6.7 µg of pyrocatechol equivalent/mg, while total flavonoids were measured as 236.62 µg catechin/mg sample. Results indicated that the method of CuONP formation is simple and low cost and the phytosynthesized CuONPs had antibacterial, antioxidant, and dye decolorization activity.