bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Verbal Politeness as an Important Tool of Diplomacy
Authors: Yapparova Venera Nagimovna , Ageeva Juliya Viktorovna , Pavol Adamka
Published: August 2019

This article examines the notion of diplomatic courtesy and analyzes the ways of its language expression in Russian diplomatic discourse on the example of the speeches delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov.

Diplomatic courtesy is considered by the authors as an integral part of the diplomatic language, which, being a component of the official business style, is characterized by standardization, normalization, lack of emotionality and neutrality. At the same time, the diplomatic language allows the use of language means that are not regulated by the diplomatic protocol, which act as euphemisms and allow expressing opinions on acute political problems without violating the existing rules of diplomatic communication.

The success of diplomatic communication is achieved with the help of universal speech formulas that serve as a means of manifesting courtesy and correspond to the standards of diplomatic communication. Such speech formulas themselves do not have legal force, but they have great moral and political power, since they contribute to the regulation of the nature of relations between countries.

The article shows that diplomatic courtesy can be both positive and negative. The degree of courtesy in a diplomat's speech may depend on a wide range of various factors conditioned by the dependence of diplomatic etiquette on the specifics of interaction between communicants.

Based on the results of the conducted research, the authors came to the conclusion that during various meetings the Minister of Foreign Affairs uses the following verbal means - speech formulas of greeting, address, compliment, invitation, gratitude, condolence, farewell. The frequency of such speech formulas is explained by the need of abidance of an international protocol that prescribes to diplomatic staff a certain sequence of verbal and non-verbal actions.
Entities of Legal Policy
Authors: Okriashvili Timur Giorgievich , Pavlyuk Albert Valentinovich , Platonova Natalya Igorevna , Yakupov Albert Gumarovich
Published: August 2019

Legal policy is a transformation of political goals into state programs and projects and achievement of such goals based on law. Nowadays the problem of effectiveness of legal policy is extremely discussable.

We should underline that for the role of law in Russian society increases as well as a flow of legal information. Various legal acts have been adopted and the new system of legal regulation in different spheres (in particular, in politic sphere) is emerging. As the result our society, individuals and legal entities have more actively began using «Law» to solve their problems, to protect their rights, to resolve conflicts.

But narrow-minded and weak legal policy with the inappropriate legislation is continuously being reflected in the unsatisfactory implementation of social, economy and etc. policies. So, the effectiveness of legal policy determines, inter alia, how effective are the legal policy entities. Some of them take part in all forms of legal policy realization, some of them are active only in particular form. This research helps to understand the peculiarities of the role of legal policy entities.
Violências entre pares no contexto escolar: razões e enfrentamentos
Authors: Britto Éder Soares Sá , Mafra Jason Ferreira
Published: August 2019

Este artigo tem por objeto de estudo as violências na escola ocorridas entre estudantes no contexto escolar. Partiu-se do princípio sociológico de que as ações de violência entre pares são resultado de conflitos existentes na escola que, em certa medida, reproduz, nesse microssistema, conflitos mais gerais da sociedade. Para aprofundar essa discussão, buscou-se responder às seguintes perguntas: Como as violências se apresentam na escola? Com vistas à superação dos conflitos que geram as violências entre pares, haveria na escola espaços para o diálogo rumo à cultura da paz? Para tanto, buscou-se caracterizar a escola e os protagonistas desse contexto pesquisado, identificar e analisar os fatores causais de violências na escola e suas consequências; analisar as manifestações de conflitos geradores de violências e encontrar na escola possibilidades para o diálogo. O universo empírico da pesquisa delimitou-se a uma escola pública estadual situada em uma região de segregação socioespacial do município de São Paulo. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram estudantes do ensino médio regular que vivenciaram conflitos e atos de violência no ambiente escolar. Tomando como fundamento teórico a teoria paulo-freiriana, a metodologia utilizada foi de cunho qualitativo, cujos instrumentos de coletas de dados foram: questionário aplicado para 100 estudantes de ensino médio; análise do livro de ocorrências escolar; diálogos sobre o tema em formato de círculos epistemológicos; observação de campo. O processo de investigação, ocorrido no período de 2017 e 2018, resultou, também, em momentos de pesquisa-ação com vistas a estimular a consciência crítica dos estudantes sobre as práticas de violências e promover o diálogo como instrumento de enfrentamentos de conflitos e violências. Tendo em vista as exigências de uma pesquisa realizada em um programa de pós-graduação profissional, a partir dos resultados da pesquisa, foi sistematizado junto aos estudantes um conjunto de códigos de relações escolares pautados no diálogo e na conscientização dos escolares com foco no enfrentamento das violências no contexto escolar. Essa proposta de intervenção foi entregue à escola a fim de auxiliá-la em suas ações de superação das violências.
Gestão ambiental no setor de alimentação coletiva: estratégias de educação ambiental e marketing verde
Authors: Felisberto Pamella Olivia , Turchetto Queila , Silva Cleiltan Novais da , Milani Rute Grossi , Sartori Rejane , Emanuelli Isabele Picada
Published: September 2019

As empresas passam por um período de transição e implementação de ações sustentáveis e estão sendo desafiadas a encontrar novas formas e práticas produtivas sustentáveis. Para isso, é preciso entender o conhecimento ambiental dos colaboradores e clientes. Objetivou-se, nesse estudo, realizar um diagnóstico do impacto ambiental e da percepção socioambiental em um restaurante-escola, visando desenvolver ações de práticas sustentáveis baseadas em ferramentas de educação ambiental e marketing verde. Aplicou-se uma pesquisa caraterística mista quali-quantitativa, com pesquisa de campo realizado por meio de observações sistemáticas dos processos de produção e de gerenciamento do estabelecimento, e aplicação dos instrumentos de pesquisa (questionários e matriz de impacto ambiental). Foi aplicado, com os 13 colaboradores, um instrumento composto por quatro blocos de questionários de percepção nas seguintes temáticas: comportamento ecológico; comportamento social; individualismo e coletivismo; e conhecimento socioambiental. Para os 300 clientes, adotou-se a escala do novo paradigma ecológico onde se analisaram os resultados, com o intuito de caracterizar os indivíduos avaliando os fatores: preocupação global e local; consumo verde; atitude local; decrescimento; antropocentrismo; crenças; controle do crescimento Econômico. Após a aplicação dos instrumentos de diagnóstico, apresentou-se a proposta de gestão ambiental. A partir da análise de percepção, constatou-se que os envolvidos possuem uma preocupação ambiental, mas o consumo verde ainda não se realiza e as ferramentas de gestão socioambientais vêm para contribuir com essa mudança transmitindo valores ecológicos e adotando práticas e ações sustentáveis para que possa se tronar uma empresa verde.
Perfil clínico de pacientes com Síndrome de Fournier em um hospital terciário
Authors: Cyrino Renata de Souza , Silva Letícia Dogakiuchi
Published: August 2019

Introdução: A Síndrome de Fournier consiste em uma fasciite necrosante que afeta tecido subcutâneo e pele do períneo e genitais externos. Caracterizada como uma urgência cirúrgica, seu tratamento é baseado em três pilares: debridamento de tecidos necróticos e infectados; controle sistêmico e antibioticoterapia; e reparação dos tecidos afetados. Objetivo: Identificar o perfil clínico de pacientes diagnosticados com Síndrome de Fournier em um hospital de urgências. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, retrospectivo e de abordagem quantitativa. A amostra consistiu de pacientes diagnosticados com Síndrome de Fournier acompanhados pela comissão de curativos do hospital no período de agosto de 2016 a agosto de 2017, que receberam alta ou foram a óbito. Resultados: A amostra do estudo foi composta por 14 pacientes, sendo em sua totalidade pacientes do sexo masculino, entre 21 e 82 anos e idade média de 55 anos. Em 50% dos casos, foi necessário internação em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). Quanto ao desfecho, 78,6% (11) receberam alta hospitalar e 21,4% (3) evoluíram para óbito. Conclusão: A assistência a pacientes com Síndrome de Fournier ocorre de forma despadronizada, o que ocasiona altas taxas de mortalidade. A elaboração de protocolos específicos é necessária.
Qualidade de vida de estudantes de medicina e a dificuldade de conciliação do internato com os estudos
Authors: Meyer Caroline , Barbosa Diego Grasel , Andrade Rubian Diego , Ferrari Junior Geraldo Jose , Gomes Filho Neto Manoel , Guimarães Adriana Coutinho , Felden Érico Pereira Gomes
Published: August 2019

Introdução: Os anos finais do curso de graduação em Medicina estão cercados pelo aumento gradual de responsabilidades acumuladas durante o curso, que por muitas vezes, podem sobrecarregar os estudantes modificando a qualidade de vida dos mesmos. Objetivo: Analisar o perfil de qualidade de vida de formandos do curso de Medicina e a sua associação com a dificuldade em conciliar o internato e os estudos. Métodos: A amostra foi formada por 302 estudantes, de ambos os sexos, com média de idade de 25,4 anos, que frequentavam o internato obrigatório do curso de Medicina. Foram investigadas a qualidade de vida por meio do WHOQOL-bref, informações sociodemográficas e características do internato. Resultados: Os scores da qualidade de vida geral (63,52) e domínios Psicológico (73,17) e Físico (73,19) foram os indicadores de qualidade de vida com percepção mais negativa por parte destes estudantes. Da amostra, 29,1% relataram percepção neutra ou negativa destas questões. Os domínios Físico (p=0,004), Psicológico (p=0,008) e Meio ambiente (p=0,026) apresentaram poder preditivo de 15,8% da qualidade de vida geral. Além disso, os estudantes que possuíam dificuldades em conciliar o internato com o estudo tiveram menor qualidade de vida geral (p=0,026) e física (p=0,010). Conclusão: Os piores indicadores de qualidade de vida foram os domínios Psicológico, Físico e a qualidade de vida geral. Uma parcela da amostra relatou percepção neutra ou negativa de sua qualidade de vida. Alunos com dificuldade em conciliar o internato e os estudos apresentaram percepção mais negativa no domínio Físico e na qualidade de vida geral.
Vivências de violência obstétrica experimentadas por parturientes
Authors: Oliveira Maria do Socorro Santos de , Rocha Victor Sebastião Carvalho da , Arrais Teresa Maria Siqueira Nascimento , Alves Sabrina Martins , Marques Amanda De Andrade , Oliveira Dayanne Rakelly De , Santana Milana Drumond Ramos
Published: August 2019

Introdução: A violência apresenta várias faces e, nesse contexto, pode ocorrer no cenário das instituições de saúde a violência obstétrica, que pode ser definida por qualquer ato ou conduta que venha a causar morte, sofrimento seja de ordem sexual, física ou psicológica à mulher, que pode ocorrer em instituições públicas ou privadas. Objetivo: Analisar as experiências de trabalho de parto e parto de mulheres que sofreram violência obstétrica. Método: Estudo descritivo, transversal, com abordagem qualitativa. Desenvolveu-se em Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) do município de Juazeiro do Norte, região Sul do Ceará, Brasil. Foram convidadas a participar do estudo mulheres que sofreram violência obstétrica no referido município e que estivessem cadastradas em UBS desta mesma cidade. Os critérios de inclusão, mulheres que foram mães em um período de até seis meses e sofreram violência obstétrica. Para a coleta de dados, realizou-se uma entrevista semiestruturada, utilizando-se do critério de saturação dos dados. Para a interpretação dos resultados foi utilizada a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Resultados: O estudo evidenciou que as mulheres sentiram medo, insegurança e ficaram de fato assustadas em estar no ambiente da maternidade. Revelou que à assistência precisa ser modificada, com maior clareza, até para os profissionais, sobre a violência obstétrica. Notou-se que as mulheres não souberam identificar ao certo o que é violência obstétrica e de que forma sofreu essa violência. E por fim, percebeu-se que essa violência afeta no vinculo do binômio mãe-filho. Conclusão: É preciso uma assistência humanizada e qualificada a estas mulheres neste momento tão delicado e importante de suas vidas.
Sensitivity and Accuracy of the Mantel-Haenszel Method and Standardization Method: Detection of Item Functioning Differential
Authors: Rustam Ahmad , Santun Naga Dali , Supriyati Yetti
Published: August 2019

Detection of differential item functioning (DIF) is needed in the development of tests to obtain useful items. The Mantel-Haenszel method and standardization are tools for DIF detection based on classical theory assumptions. The study was conducted to highlight the sensitivity and accuracy between the Mantel-Haenszel method and the standardization method in DIF detection. Simulation design (a) test participants consisted of 1000 responses in both the reference and focus groups, (b) the size of the proportion of DIF (0.1; 0.25; 0.50; and 0.75), and (c) the length of the multiple choice test with 40 choices the answer. Research shows that the Mantel-Haenszel method has the same sensitivity as the standardization method in DIF proportions of 10% and 25%, however, when the ratio of DIF proportions above 25% the standardization method is less sensitive, and conversely the sensitivity of the Mantel-Haenszel method increases. The standardization method has higher accuracy than the Mantel-Haenszel method in the DIF proportion of 10%, however, when the size of the DIF proportion above 10% the accuracy of the standardization method decreases, the accuracy of the Mantel-Haenszel method is higher than the standardization method. Thus, if the ratio of DIF is detected by the standardization method of (≤0.10), then the results of the standardization method are preferred as a reference. Conversely, if the proportion of DIF detected by the standardization method is (≥0.10), then the result of the Mantel-Haenszel method is chosen as a reference.
The Nitty-gritty of Language Learners’ Errors – Contrastive Analysis, Error Analysis and Interlanguage
Authors: Saeed Al-Sobhi Bandar Mohammad
Published: August 2019

The major aim of the current paper is to review and discuss three prevailing approaches to the study of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) since the middle of the twentieth century: Contrastive Analysis (CA, henceforth), Error Analysis (EA) and Interlanguage (IL). It begins with a general overview of how the CA approach was formulated and developed and discusses the three versions of CA which were displaced later by other approaches, such as EA and IL. The paper also provides an in-depth theoretical discussion of the notion of EA in terms of its definitions, goals, significance, development, causes and procedures. The discussion about the SLA approaches concludes with a review of IL which claims that language learners produce a separate linguistic system with its own salient features, which differs from their L1 and target language. Additionally, a bulk of previous studies conducted on EA in different contexts are reviewed throughout the paper.
The Relationship between Hours of Television Watching and Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students: The Case of Some Selected Secondary Schools in Harer City
Authors: Tarekegn Ambachew , Endris Sofiya
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between hours of television watching and student academic achievement. The major objectives of study were examining the status of students’ television watching and the relationship between hours of television watching and academic achievement. There has been a great debate among researchers regarding this area of concern. Some support the contribution of television to academic achievement and others argue that television watching negatively influences academic achievement. Two hundred students were randomly selected for the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The data collected through questionnaire were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Students’ background information and their hours of television watching were analyzed using descriptive statistics. On the other hand, the relationship between hours of television watching and academic achievement was analyzed by Pearson moment correlation. The results show there is no statistically significant relationship between hours of television watching and academic achievement of students. Based on this, it can be concluded that television may not have a significant effect on students’ academic achievement by itself.
Comparative Effectiveness of Mental Contrasting and Self-regulation Strategies on Enhancing Goal Setting Skills of Secondary School Students in Urban Nigeria
Authors: Ndidi Mercy Ofole , Ibukun Victoria Adegoke
Published: August 2019

Although there is plethora of studies on goal setting skills, there is paucity of experimental studies on this field. This study examined the comparative effectiveness of Mental Contrasting Therapy (MCT) and Self-Regulation Strategies (SRS) on enhancing goal setting skills of students in urban Nigeria. A group of 120 students (male=52, female=68) with age range of 14-17 years and mean age of ≥ 13.5 years were purposively drawn from secondary schools in urban Nigeria. Each of the intervention groups was exposed to 10 sessions of therapy designed to improve their goal setting skills. The control group served as comparison group. The result revealed a significant main effect of treatments on goal setting skills (F(2,105) =14.958, p<0.05) with the intervention groups demonstrating greater ability to utilize the acquired skills than the comparison group as evidenced on the mean score. The effect size reveals that treatment accounted for 22.2% (η2=0.222) change in the participants’ goal setting skills. Participants treated with SRS reported higher mean score at post-test (=69.09) when compared with their counterpart in MCT group (=66.93). Self-efficacy and gender have significant interactive effect with treatments F(4,105) = 6.375, p<0.05, η2=0.195 and F(2,105) =13.561, p<0.01, η2=0.205 respectively. The researchers concluded that though the two therapies were effective, SRS was more potent in enhancing goal setting skills of the participants.
Vascular Rehabilitation Benefits of Tribulus Terrestris (TT), Taurine and High Dose Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) Supplementation with Interval Walking Training Program after Surgical Vascular Bypass Treatment (Pilot Study)
Authors: Solakovic Sid Solakovic , Pavlovic Ratko , Vrcic Mensur , Solakovic Emir
Published: August 2019

Background: Some of main raisons for the elderly graft occlusion after successful aortal-iliac, aortal Femoral and Femoral Distal Vein Bypass, progression of main disease, continuing bad life Habits and uncontrolled risk factors such are mostly: poor nutrition traditional or fast food, Smocking and Lacks of Walking and Physical Activity Habits. Objective: The primary objective of the study was to estimate influence of Interval Walking Training Program combine with Tribulus Terrestris, 3-5 gram of Taurine and high dose of 1800mg supplementation of ALA on primary potency and vascular treatment. Secondary goals of this study is determinate by establishing better understanding connection between ordinary vascular walking therapy 30-45 min and interval walking program combine with Tribulus Terrestris, Taurine and high dose of and ALA as secondary supplementation after surgical and endovascular treatment. Methodology: The study included 112 patients, at the Clinic of cardiovascular surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, age between 50 and 75 (50 patients surgical treated with aortic-iliac, aortic-femoral and femoral distal vein bypass with and without Linton-patch/Taylor patch-first group) and (62 endovascular Iliac treated patients (indication TASC II A and B) with and without support Tribulus Terrestris, high dose of ALA and Taurine - second group). Results: Final analysis has reveal the rehabilitation outcome in 83% patients with bypass above the knee was fully rehabilitated compared to 46,6% patients with bypass below the knee was statistically considered significant by using p value less than (p<0,05) In anamnestic history in 83% patient with amputation above the knee was documented the presence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, nicotinismus and diabetes compared to 66,7% of patients with amputation level below the knee but there was no statistically significant difference (p>0,05). Conclusion: Interval Walking Training Program on Tribulus Terrestris, Taurine and high dose of ALA had a significantly and successfully higher bypass potency and rehabilitation prognosis compare to patients without supplementation and postsurgical physical therapy concept. It is obviously the is certain link between physical activity, life style modification and serum testosterone on primary bypass potency.
CrossFit Athletic Identity’s Relationship to Sponsor Recall, Recognition, and Purchase Intent
Authors: Larson Daniel J. , Wetherbee Jordan C. , Branscum Paul
Published: August 2019

Background: The CrossFit Open is a physical activity competition that allows athletes from across the world to compete in fitness challenges online, whereby participants document their progress via an event website. No apparent studies have examined participant event sponsorship in a case where sponsor messages are delivered primarily via an event website. Furthermore, current research has yet to consider the differential impact of audience athletic identity on sponsor messaging in such a context. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between CrossFit Athletic Identity (CAI) and the ability to recall and recognize official sponsors of a participant event conducted on an online platform. Methodology: A cross-sectional research design was used with a convenience sample (n=170) of CrossFit Open participants from 36 affiliates in the South Central United States. A concurrent treatment validation with a subset of four participants utilized laboratory eye-tracking to evaluate the attention and viewing patterns within the CrossFit online platform. Results: CAI was not a significant predictor for sponsor recognition or recall (α = 0.05). Only one of the case study participants had a recorded brand image fixation (0.29 seconds) during the eye-tracking assessments of their typical website interaction. Conclusion: While CAI was not associated with improved sponsor recognition and recall, the assessment of the participant website interactions suggest that participants in this study were not likely exposed to sufficient sponsor images. This highlights the need for critical evaluation of event website designs using eye-tracking or some other metric of visual exposure.
Assessing the Share of Impaired Visual Function, Fine Motor Coordination and Visual-motor Integration in Dyslexic Children with the Eta/Mu Model
Authors: Aleci Carlo , Vai Francesca
Published: August 2019

Aims: A computational model aimed to estimate the proportion of visual/motor deficits (first-order defects) and visual-motor abnormal integration (second-order defect) in dyslexic children is described.

Study Design: Single-masked case-control study.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Service of Neuro-Ophthalmology, University of Turin, between December 2017 and November 2018.

Methodology: Twenty subjects (age 8-10) were administered a set of tests that recruit the visual and motor domain in different proportions. The score obtained in each trial is weighed by the correspondent share of visuoperceptive and motor recruitment. This way two indexes are obtained: Eta (h) and Mu (m), that quantify the expected and estimated damage of the two functions across the range of average performance. The difference between the expected and estimated level of damage in the two domains represents the quota of selective visuoperceptive / motor impairment of the subject. In turn, no or negligible difference in the presence of abnormal z-score would reveal impaired visual-motor integration with no evident visual or motor damage.

Results: The model detected a prevalent first-order defect in the visuo perceptive or motor domain in 58% of the cases (visuo perceptive alteration: 27%, motor alteration: 73%), and a prevalent second-order defect in the remaining 42% of the subjects. Internal consistency was adequate for research and screening purpose (Cronbach’s coefficient alpha: from 0.77 to 0.84).

Conclusion: The Eta/Mu model seems a promising tool to detect cases of visual and motor alteration as well as the level of visual-motor integration in dyslexic children. Further effort is needed to improve test-retest reliability by examining larger samples, so as to make it suitable to customize the rehabilitation program of children suffering from learning disabilities.
Estimation of Non-smooth Functionals in Hilbert Sample Space Using the Edgeworth Expansions
Authors: Kololi M. M. , Orwa G. O. , Mung’atu J. K. , Odhiambo R. O.
Published: August 2019

An arbitrary non-smooth functional is estimated using a nonparametric set-up. Exploratory data analysis methods are relied on to come up with the functional form for the sample to allow both robustness and optimality to be achieved. An infinite number of parameters are involved and thus the Hilbert sample space is a natural choice. An important step in understanding this problem is the normal means problem, . The basic difficulty of estimating  as defined can be traced back to the non differentiability of the absolute value function, at the origin. Accordingly, constructing an optimal estimator is not easy partly due to the nonexistence of an unbiased estimate of the absolute value function. Therefore, best polynomial approximation was used to smooth the singularity at the origin and then an unbiased estimator for every term in the expansion constructed by use of Hermite polynomials when the averages are bounded by a given constant M > 0 say. The expansion of the Gaussian density function in terms of Hermite polynomials gives a clear and almost accurate estimate that admits cumulant generating function; the Saddle point approximation. Additional precision is obtained by using a higher order Taylor series expansion about the mean resulting in Edgeworth expansion techniques.
Phylogenetic Relationship of Bacterial Species Involved in Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon Polluted Soils
Authors: Agbor R. B. , Antai S. P.
Published: August 2019

The bio-stimulation of hydrocarbon degrading microbial population in soil using agricultural wastes was carried out. Top soil (0-25 cm depth) from three points were bulked to form composite soil samples, 6 kg each of the composite soil sample was weighed and transferred into 150 plastic buckets with drainage holes at the base. The soil in each plastic bucket was spiked with 300 ml crude oil and amended with different concentrations of agro-wastes and allowed for duration of 30, 60 and 90 days.  The soil samples were then collected and analysed for both total heterotrophic bacterial counts and crude-oil utilizing bacterial counts. Data collected were subjected to a three-way analysis of variance and significant means were separated using Least Significant Difference Test at 5% probability level. The result showed that the application of the amendments increased the bacterial counts in the soil at different treatment levels. However, a higher proliferation rate was observed with bacteria counts exposed to higher waste concentrations compared to their counterparts exposed to lower waste concentrations. The phylogenetic relationship of the hydrocarbon degrading bacterial species shows that the identified bacteria were in two clusters: cluster 1 consist of Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus altitudinis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Proteus penneri, while cluster 2 consist of Serratia marcescens, Providencia rettgeri and Enterobacter asburiae. The bacterial species obtained shows a greater relationship, this imply that the similarity of the bacterial species could be the reason for their high proficiency in degrading the hydrocarbons in the soil.
Snack Consumption Pattern of Adults in the University of Calabar & its Health Implications
Authors: Onyenweaku Eridiong O. , Oko Gregory E. , A. Fila Winifred
Published: August 2019

Aims: To determine the snack consumption pattern of adults and the effect of consumption of certain snacks on the health status of adults in the University of Calabar.

Study design:  Cross-sectional survey.

Place and Duration of Study: University of Calabar, Calabar - Nigeria. June to July, 2017.

Methodology: After a multi-staged random sampling technique, a cross-sectional survey was carried out on 400 adult respondents using a well-structured questionnaire. Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and 24hour dietary recall were also administered to the respondents. The data obtained from the survey instruments were analysed with the aid of Microsoft excel. For the dietary intake assessment, Food and Agricultural Organisation’s (FAO) ‘Guidelines for Measuring Household and Individual Dietary Diversity’ was used to calculate individual’s dietary diversity score (DDS) before recording.

Results: It was observed that 84% of the respondents skipped meals and breakfast was the most skipped meal followed by lunch. Most people (46%) skipped breakfast because they left early for work while majority who skipped lunch did so because they had no time for food at work (53%). Only 8.6% of the respondents did not eat snacks, and most of those who consumed snacks did so because they preferred snacks to food (32%). The most commonly consumed snacks among the respondents was pastries (36.5%), followed by biscuits (25.7%) while the least consumed snacks were vegetables (1%) followed by sweets and gums (1.1%). Consequently, pastries contributed the most snack calories to the study population.

Conclusion: Most people skip meals; and snacks serve as a substitute for such skipped meals. Only few people frequently consume healthy snacks such as fruits and vegetables. Most people were discovered to eat pastries as snacks and these pastries (such as cakes and pies) are highly processed foods which could increase the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in their consumers.
Robust Cellular Shape‐Memory Ceramics via Gradient‐Controlled Freeze Casting
Authors: Zeng Xiaomei , Arai Noriaki , Faber Katherine T.
Published: August 2019

Shape‐memory ceramics offer promise for applications like actuation and energy damping, due to their unique properties of high specific strength, high ductility, and inertness in harsh environments. To date, shape‐memory behavior in ceramics is limited to micro‐/submicro‐scale pillars and particles to circumvent the longstanding problem of transformation‐induced fracture which occurs readily in bulk polycrystalline specimens. The challenge, therefore, lies in the realization of shape‐memory properties in bulk ceramics, which requires careful design of 3D structures that locally mimic pillar structures. Herein, it is demonstrated that with a gradient‐controlled freeze‐casting approach, honeycomb‐like cellular structures can be fabricated with thin and directionally aligned walls to facilitate martensitic transformation under compression without fracture. With this approach, robust bulk shape‐memory ceramics are demonstrated in a highly porous structure under compressive stresses of 25 MPa and strains up to 7.5%.
Origami‐Based Cellular Structures with In Situ Transition between Collapsible and Load‐Bearing Configurations
Authors: Yasuda Hiromi , Gopalarethinam Balakumaran , Kunimine Takahiro , Tachi Tomohiro , Yang Jinkyu
Published: August 2019

Periodic cellular structures are widely used in engineering applications due to their lightweight, space‐filling, and load‐supporting nature. However, the configuration of cellular structures is generally fixed after they are initially built, and it is extremely difficult to change their structural properties—particularly their load‐bearing capabilities—in a controllable fashion. Herein, it is shown that volumetric origami cells made of Tachi–Miura polyhedron (TMP) can exhibit in situ transition between flat‐foldable and load‐bearing states without modifying their predefined crease patterns or hitting the kinematically singular configuration. Theoretical analysis is conducted to study this mechanical bifurcation to establish the design principle, which is verified experimentally by fabricating self‐folding TMP prototypes made of paper sheets and heat‐shrinking films. The improvement of load‐carrying capabilities by 102 is demonstrated by switching the TMP from foldable to load‐bearing configurations. These programmable structures can provide practical solutions in various engineering applications, such as deployable space structures, portable architectures for disaster relief, reconfigurable packing materials, and medical devices such as stents.
Numerical Investigation of Filtration Influenced by Microscale CO Bubbles in Steel Melt
Authors: Asad Amjad , Aneziris Christos G. , Schwarze Rüdiger
Published: August 2019

Herein, the influence of the formation of carbon monoxide bubbles on steel cleaning and inclusion removal is addressed. The focus herein is the effect of filter surface bubbles formation on the level of melt cleanliness and the cleaning efficiency. The CO bubbles develop due to the reaction between carbon and oxygen on the filter's surface. A numerical model is developed to consider the effect of this phenomenon on the cleanliness of steel melt. The CO bubbles leave the filter and capture nonmetallic inclusions, moving them upward in the melt, eventually transporting the inclusions to the free surface of the melt, where they are deposited and removed from the melt. In this model, it is assumed that the bubble volume increases either linearly or exponentially because of this reaction. The results show that the formation of CO bubbles on the filter walls does not significantly increase the number of removed inclusions from the melt compared with the formation of bubbles on the inclusion surface. These results indicate that the formation of CO bubbles on the inclusions surface is the primary cause for the increase of cleanliness of the melt.
Bifunctional Squaramide‐Catalysed Asymmetric Michael/Hemiketalization/Retro‐Aldol Reaction of Unsaturated Thiazolones with α‐Nitroketones: Synthesis of Chiral 4‐Acyloxythiazole Derivatives
Authors: Song Yong‐Xing , Du Da‐Ming
Published: August 2019

An efficient and practical organocatalytic asymmetric cascade Michael/hemiketalization/retro‐aldol reaction of unsaturated thiazolones with α‐nitroketones by using cyclohexanediamine‐derived bifunctional squaramide as the catalyst has been developed. Under mild conditions, a broad range of chiral 4‐acyloxythiazole derivatives were obtained in high yields (up to 98% yield) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee). Meanwhile, a few synthetic transformations have been demonstrated.

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Pipe diameter effect on flow and heat transfer characteristics of ammonia alum hydrate slurries with additives
Authors: Nakamura Kohei , Ina Takashi , Hidema Ruri , Suzuki Hiroshi , Komoda Yoshiyuki
Published: August 2019

In this study, pipe diameter effect on flow and heat transfer characteristics of ammonia aluminium sulfate dodecahydrate (ammonia alum hydrate: AlNH4(SO4)2·12H2O) slurries with drag reducing surfactants and poly(vinyl alcohol) was investigated. Pressure loss and heat‐transfer coefficients of ammonia alum hydrate solutions and slurries were measured with double‐pipe heat exchangers with different inner tube diameters. Measurement results indicated that pseudo‐laminarization by the surfactant caused drag‐reduction effect and its saturated magnitude was affected by inner tube diameters. Pseudo‐laminarization also produced heat transfer reduction effect and its magnitude was not affected by inner tube diameters. Calculation results of Colburn's j‐factor divided by friction factors indicated that heat transportation efficiency of the hydrate solutions/slurries with additives was increased due to the contribution of drag‐reduction effect.
Precarious working conditions and health of metropolitan bus drivers and conductors in Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Simões Mariana Roberta Lopes , Souza Carla , Alcantara Marcus Alessandro de , Assunção Ada Ávila
Published: August 2019

Background

To investigate the relationship between precarious working conditions and the health of bus drivers and conductors.

Methods

Data were gathered by means of a survey and interviews conducted in 2012 with 1607 employees of the public transport system of the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Nine proxy variables were used to create a precariousness score, ranging from 0 to 9, on a comparative scale: score 0 “less precarious” and 9 “more precarious.” Negative self‐evaluations of health, medical diagnoses of depression and sleep disorders, common mental disorders, musculoskeletal pain and medical leave were assessed. Poisson regression was used to assess associations between precariousness and health adjusted for age, sex, education, vibration, and noise.

Results

The sample was composed of 853 drivers and 754 conductors. Most were men (87%), with age below 40 years (67.4%) and medium educational level (64.5%). The maximum precariousness score observed was 7. Most individuals were in the groups of scores 3 (26.7%) and 4 (26.1%). The prevalences of the health situations were: common mental disorders, 26.3%; medical diagnosis of depression, 9.7%; medical diagnosis of sleep disorder, 14.6%; musculoskeletal pain, 43.0%; medical leave (absenteeism), 34.8%; and negative self‐evaluation of health, 20.2%. The prevalences of health conditions, with the exception of negative self‐evaluations of health, were significantly higher among workers with higher levels of precarious working conditions.

Conclusions

Worse health, particularly common mental disorders, was associated with self‐assessed work precariousness.
Risk factors of clinical dysimmune manifestations in a cohort of 86 children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: A retrospective study in France
Authors: Mahé Perrine , Nagot Nicolas , Portales Pierre , Lozano Claire , Vincent Thierry , Sarda Pierre , Perez Marie‐Jose , Amedro Pascal , Marin Gregory , Jeziorski Eric
Published: August 2019

In this study, we describe the biological immune profiles and clinical dysimmune manifestations (infections, autoimmune diseases, and allergies) of patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome with the aim of determining risk factors for clinical events. This retrospective study concerned all the patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome attending the Montpellier University Hospital from January 1, 1992, to December 31, 2014 who had at least one immune investigation before the age of 18. We analyzed the clinical features, biological tests and the course of infections, autoimmunity, and allergy of 86 children. Among these 86 children, 48 (59%) had a low T lymphocyte level. Twenty‐nine patients (34%) had a severe infection. The only risk factor for severe infection was the low level of CD4+ T‐cells (OR: 3.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.020–11.108]). Eleven patients (13%) developed an autoimmune disease; the only risk factor was an antecedent of severe infection (OR: 4.1; 95% CI [1.099–15.573]). Twenty‐three patients (27%) had allergic episodes. A low level of CD8+ T‐cells (OR: 3.2; 95% CI [1.07–9.409]) was significantly associated with allergy manifestations. Patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome have a high rate of dysimmune manifestations. We found statistic correlations among CD4+ T‐cell count, infectious manifestations, and autoimmunity.
Variations in the microbiome due to storage preservatives are not large enough to obscure variations due to factors such as host population, host species, body site, and captivity
Authors: Asangba Abigail E. , Donohue Mariah E. , Lamb Alicia , Wright Patricia C. , Halajian Ali , Leigh Steven R. , Stumpf Rebecca M.
Published: August 2019

The study of the primate microbiome is critical in understanding the role of the microbial community in the host organism. To be able to isolate the main factors responsible for the differences observed in microbiomes within and between individuals, confounding factors due to technical variations need to be removed. To determine whether alterations due to preservatives outweigh differences due to factors such as host population, host species, body site, and habitat, we tested three methods (no preservative, 96% ethanol, and RNAlater) for preserving wild chimpanzee (fecal), wild lemur (fecal), wild vervet monkey (rectal, oral, nasal, otic, vaginal, and penile), and captive vervet monkey (rectal) samples. All samples were stored below − 20°C (short term) at the end of the field day and then at − 80°C until DNA extraction. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we show a significant preservative effect on microbiota composition and diversity. Samples stored in ethanol and RNAlater appear to be less different compared with samples not stored in any preservative (none). Our differential analysis revealed significantly higher amounts of Enterococcaceae and Family XI in no preservative samples, Prevotellaceae and Spirochaetaceae in ethanol and RNAlater preserved samples, Oligosphaeraceae in ethanol‐preserved samples, and Defluviitaleaceae in RNAlater preserved samples. While these preservative effects on the microbiome are not large enough to remove or outweigh the differences arising from biological factors (e.g., host species, body site, and habitat differences) they may promote misleading interpretations if they have large enough effect sizes compared to the biological factors (e.g., host population).
Reconstructing the Neanderthal Eustachian Tube: New Insights on Disease Susceptibility, Fitness Cost, and Extinction
Authors: Pagano Anthony Santino , Márquez Samuel , Laitman Jeffrey T.
Published: August 2019

Neanderthals are among the best studied and yet most enigmatic fossil human groups with aspects of their anatomy and functional morphology remaining poorly understood. We present the first anatomical reconstruction of the Neanderthal cartilaginous Eustachian tube (CET), a vital component of the upper respiratory tract and nexus for the middle ear and postnasal airway. The Eustachian (auditory, pharyngotympanic) tube, comprised of a bony and cartilaginous (CET) portion, is integral to normal physiological functions such as middle ear aeration and pressure equilibration. Findings indicate that Neanderthal tubal morphology may have predisposed them to high rates of middle ear disease (otitis media [OM]). In living humans, mechanical CET dysfunction underlies OM in infants and young children, with sequelae including hearing loss, meningitis, and pneumonia. Despite proven linkage of CET malfunction with OM, the role of CET morphology in Neanderthal health and disease remains unstudied. We reconstructed Neanderthal CET morphology, comparing their crania to a modern human growth series. Methods included geometric morphometrics and univariate measures among Procrustes‐fitted coordinates. Results showed Neanderthal adults exhibiting primitively tall and narrow nasopharynges with infant‐like horizontal CET and choanal orientation. As horizontal CET orientation is associated with increased OM incidence in infants and children until around age six, its appearance in Neanderthal adults strongly indicates persistence of high OM susceptibility at this time. This could have compromised fitness and disease load relative to sympatric modern humans, affecting Neanderthals' ability to compete within their ecological niche, and potentially contributing to their rapid extinction. Anat Rec, 302:2109–2125, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
Regional techno‐economic and life‐cycle analysis of the pyrolysis‐bioenergy‐biochar platform for carbon‐negative energy
Authors: Li Wenqin , Dumortier Jerome , Dokoohaki Hamze , Miguez Fernando E. , Brown Robert C. , Laird David , Wright Mark M.
Published: August 2019

This study investigates the sensitivity of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the minimum fuel selling price for a 2000 metric ton day−1 integrated pyrolysis‐bioenergy‐biochar platform with respect to the biorefinery location and biomass types. The regional techno‐economic and life‐cycle analysis is evaluated in three US counties using representative crops: rice in Glenn County (California), corn in Hamilton County (Iowa), and peanuts in Jackson County (Florida). We evaluate the biochar selling price considering crop yield increases of 0.6%, 2.9%, and 10% after biochar application over 20 years in Glenn County, Hamilton County, and Jackson County, respectively. The biochar prices are calculated under low and high commodity prices to determine upper and lower bounds. Jackson County has the most economically beneficial scenario with an average minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) of $1.55 gal−1 of biofuel produced whereas Hamilton County has the highest average MFSP of $3.82 gal−1. The life‐cycle analysis shows that woody biomass has a strong potential to produce carbon‐negative energy compared to grass and straw. Of the 304 cases scenarios considered for this platform, 64% could produce biofuel with negative GHG emissions, which would meet the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) target for cellulosic biofuels. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Establishing a Fed‐Batch Process for Protease Expression with Bacillus licheniformis in Polymer‐Based Controlled‐Release Microtiter Plates
Authors: Habicher Tobias , Rauls Edward K. A. , Egidi Franziska , Keil Timm , Klein Tobias , Daub Andreas , Büchs Jochen
Published: August 2019

Introducing fed‐batch mode in early stages of development projects is crucial for establishing comparable conditions to industrial fed‐batch fermentation processes. Therefore, cost efficient and easy to use small‐scale fed‐batch systems that can be integrated into existing laboratory equipment and workflows are required. Recently, a novel polymer‐based controlled‐release fed‐batch microtiter plate is described. In this work, the polymer‐based controlled‐release fed‐batch microtiter plate is used to investigate fed‐batch cultivations of a protease producing Bacillus licheniformis culture. Therefore, the oxygen transfer rate (OTR) is online‐monitored within each well of the polymer‐based controlled‐release fed‐batch microtiter plate using a µRAMOS device. Cultivations in five individual polymer‐based controlled‐release fed‐batch microtiter plates of two production lots show good reproducibility with a mean coefficient of variation of 9.2%. Decreasing initial biomass concentrations prolongs batch phase while simultaneously postponing the fed‐batch phase. The initial liquid filling volume affects the volumetric release rate, which is directly translated in different OTR levels of the fed‐batch phase. An increasing initial osmotic pressure within the mineral medium decreases both glucose release and protease yield. With the volumetric glucose release rate as scale‐up criterion, microtiter plate‐ and shake flask‐based fed‐batch cultivations are highly comparable. On basis of the small‐scale fed‐batch cultivations, a mechanistic model is established and validated. Model‐based simulations coincide well with the experimentally acquired data.