bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artskunnskap som introduksjon til naturfag i grunnskolelærerutdanningen
Knowledge about species and field work – evaluation of a teaching program
Authors: Kvammen Per Ivar , Munkebye Eli
Published: March 2019

People’s contact with nature has become less frequent, and their experience of nature has become less comprehensive than earlier. The level of knowledge about species has significantly decreased and teaching biology outside the classroom has become less common. The motivation for this study is to try to counteract these trends: its aim is to evaluate a teaching sequence in teacher education where a field course and the collection of organisms were central components. Seventeen months after the teaching sequence, fifteen students took a species identification test and responded to a questionnaire, and four of them were interviewed. Findings indicate that although their level of knowledge about species had decreased by 39.1% since they had finished the course, the teaching had positively influenced the students’ interest in nature, their pleasure at being out in nature, and their overall experience of nature. Their ecological understanding and understanding of biodiversity and sustainable development was less influenced. The teaching was perceived as relevant for their own future work as science teachers.
Inte som i skolan - pedagoger positionerar naturvetenskap i förskolan
Preschool teachers talk about science – Positioning themselves and positioning science
Authors: Due Karin Elisabet , Tellgren Britt , Areljung Sofie , Ottander Christina , Sundberg Bodil
Published: March 2019

This article discusses how preschool teachers, who include a scientific content in their practice, describe their practice and their view of science in preschool. The study is based on 20 interviews in 9 Swedish preschools. The theoretical and analytical framework combine "communities of practice"(Lave & Wenger) and "positioning theory" (Harré & Langehove). The stories reveal a strong position for the pre-school curriculum and traditions. A prominent storyline is that Science in preschool is something different from science in school. This includes an anti-authoritarian view with a focus on "the competent child". The preschool teachers affirm fantasy, creativity and intuition as a part of science and they position science as easy to access. They also position themselves as pedagogues competent to manage science in preschool. One of the dilemmas is about letting children’s interests and initiatives drive the activities while educators curriculum- based goals have certain intentions to fulfill.
Teknik, systemgräns och människa: Tekniklärares uppfattningar om vad tekniska system är
Technology, system boundary, and human: Technology teachers' conceptions of what technological systems are
Authors: Schooner Patrick , Klasander Claes , Hallström Jonas
Published: March 2019

The subject matter of technological systems is central in compulsory school technology education in Sweden. However, technology teachers would need more support in their endeavors to interpret the curriculum as both educational and philosophical research lack a clear answer to the question of what technological systems are. A better conceptualization of technological systems could also facilitate communication between teachers and students, and even improve learning about systems. The aim of this study is thus to investigate Swedish technology teachers’ conceptions about technological systems. We interviewed 11 technology teachers in compulsory education from various parts of Sweden. The transcripts from the interviews were analyzed with thematic content analysis and resulted in four characteristic system properties. In the teachers’ collective depictions of technological systems, the first two system properties focused on the technological core of the system, closely related to a philosophical conception of technology as objects. In contrast, the last two system properties illustrated the teachers’ descriptions of technological systems as something that is closely connected to a socio-technical understanding of systems where humans play a significant role for their evolution. There was one exception to this, namely how the systems are controlled, and here the teachers were ambivalent as to how much humans can intervene. The conception of technological systems as objects and the uncertainty about human control over these systems, are two obstacles to well-designed systems teaching that will lead to technological literacy for students.
In Pursuit of Authenticity in Science Education
Authors: Anker-Hansen Jens , Andreé Maria
Published: March 2019

This article presents a systematic review of how authenticity is used in science education research and discusses the implications these uses have for the design of science education classroom practices. Authenticity has been discussed in education for decades. However, the authenticity of science education not only concerns the design of educational activities, but also the content of what is being taught. This article reviews research articles published in 2013 and 2014, in the three highest ranking journals in science education, regarding how authenticity is framed in science education. The findings suggest that the uses vary greatly from referring to externally defined practices to student relevance. The findings are discussed with the notions of cultural and personal authenticity to suggest important aspects involved with designing science classroom activities authentic to the different references. Based on the review, we have developed a strategy for balancing authenticity in science education classroom practices between cultural and personal authenticity.
Student impulses and teacher feedback The relevance of teacher feedback for the classroom discourse and students’ meaning making in teaching on socio-scientific issues
Authors: Eriksson Cecilia , Lundegård Iann
Published: March 2019

AbstractToday teachers face an increased challenge in listening to classroom discourses and students' areas of interest to let these coincides with the overall teaching purpose by feedback. Present study explore how classroom communication can be modeled to allow this. The socio-scientific-issues raised were at the same time aimed at creating relevance in the students’ social life as giving a respond to the curriculum. The data consisted of recordings from science lessons in grade 7 and 8 in Sweden. To make visible the tension that occurred between different discourses and displacement of power in the conversations, practical epistemological analysis has been made. This resulted in a categorization of five different ways the teacher is taking care of and reconnects the students’ impulses in relation to the overall purpose. Consequently, this study is offering opportunities for teachers to, in a consciously manner, reflect on different strategies for discourse feedback in teaching.
Using organizing purposes to plan and analyse learning progressions in context-based science teaching
Authors: Lagerström Malin Lavett , Piqueras Jesús , Palm Ola
Published: March 2019

During the last years the didactical model organizing purposes have provided important insights about how the teacher in jointly action with the students can create a moment-to-moment learning progression in science lessons, laboratory work and teaching activities. In the present study, organizing purposes were used in practice to plan a lesson within a context-based unit in Biology in which the Ebola disease was the overarching context. The lesson was planned in two main parts. In the first part, the students worked with a model that simulates the spread of the Ebola disease; in the second part, the model was discussed and compared with the real disease. The analysis of the enacted lesson shows that the students’ experiences from the model were effectively used by the teacher to establish a learning progression towards the learning goals. This was done by eliciting questions, comparisons between the model and real diseases, and recalling specific situations that allowed the use of students’ everyday experiences and incorporation of scientific concepts. Moreover, through these actions the teacher constantly directed the discussion towards the learning goals having the context of the unit in focus.
Didactics and didactic models in science education
Authors: Wickman Per-Olof , Hamza Karim , Lundegård Iann
Published: March 2019

This article reviews what didactic models are, how they can be produced through didactic modelling and how didactic models can be used for analyses of teaching and learning and for educational designs. The article is as an introduction to this Nordina special issue on didactic models and didactic modelling in science education research.
Die normative Idee des Gesundheitswesens
Authors: Wils Jean-Pierre , Baumann-Hölzle Ruth
Published: March 2019

The healthcare system is a crisis-ridden institution. From a political perspective, it is subject to constant monitoring, and because austerity measures and budget restructuring are currently all the rage, healthcare often falls victim to considerable cuts which affect substantial parts of the population. However, as far as its economic significance is concerned, healthcare also fuels greed because health is a precious commodity which we are willing to spend a great deal of money on. Economising is the watchword which characterises the persistent tensions that are currently challenging the ethics of the medical and nursing professions. In addition, medical innovations often lead to moral dilemmas. Perhaps we should therefore reconsider some fundamental questions: What is healthcare and why do we have it? Is health a public or a private commodity, and what are the consequences of that? Do principles of fairness underlie the character of healthcare institutions, or should we also think in terms of ‘equitable health’? Is there such a thing as a concept of a healthcare system?
NOSSAS LÍNGUAS SÃO CRIOULAS OU "A" LÍNGUA NÃO HÁ: MITO? VERDADE? OU INTERPRETAÇÃO?
Authors: Branco Luiza Katia Castello
Published: March 2019

Compreendemos mito e verdade como interpretação, isto é, discurso, aqui definido como efeito de sentido entre interlocutores (Pêcheux, 1997). A partir do tema proposto neste número, refletimos discursivamente sobre o conceito de língua crioula pelas relações entre línguas no espaço simbólico de Cabo Verde, país membro da Comunidade de Países de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP). Questionamos o modo como a sociolinguística, ao conceituar língua crioula, atualiza a memória do mito da língua de origem, pura, e significa como variação linguística as diferentes materialidades das línguas cabo-verdiana e portuguesa, silenciando, neste espaço, o político constitutivo da tensa e incontornável relação unidade/diversidade.
A CONSTITUIÇÃO DE UMA LÍNGUA DE REFERÊNCIA NO ENSINO DA GRAMÁTICA: O EXEMPLO DA NOMENCLATURA GRAMATICAL DE 1910
Authors: Fournier Jean-Marie
Published: March 2019

O artigo aborda a questão da regulação da metalinguagem gramatical a partir do exemplo histórico da elaboração da primeira nomenclatura gramatical oficial em 1910. Os objetios perseguidos eram múltiplos: simplificação, harmonização e, sobre o plano teórico, o abandono de certos procedimentos de análise e de certas concepções sintáticas. Enfim, pesam sobre a orientação geral do documento e sobre sua forma definitiva as concepções propriamente terminológicas dos membros da comissão (particularmente F. Brunot), por exemplo no que diz respeito ao status das definições na gramática e sua forma.
This I Know to be True
Authors: Sawden Kari
Published: March 2019

Working within alternative belief communities, I frequently encounter a tension between what is felt to be authentic and the facts provided by external sources. Even a cursory glance at the news headlines and social media postings that saturate daily life with terms such as “fake news” and “alternative facts” reveals that this is not an isolated struggle. Focusing on the ways in which contemporary Canadian divination practitioners establish their own truth, this paper examines how these processes reflect and support folklore’s engagement with and ongoing relationship to the emergence of multiple authenticities defined by the experiential.
Ethnology Unboxed
Authors: Stambach Amy
Published: March 2019

This article compares a present-day etsy.com African curio shop — catalogued online and linked to craft-makers in Africa — with the Smithsonian Institution Abbott Collection of ethnological objects from Kilimanjaro, East Africa. The Smithsonian accessioned the Abbott Collection in 1890. A Tanzanian-born Canadian immigrant established the online curio shop circa 2012; she is a descendent of some of the owners of the Abbott collection objects. Building on Butler’s notion of museums without walls (2016) and Martinón-Torres’ concept of chaîne opératoire (2002), this paper argues that the online curio shop, like the Abbott Collection, renders concrete (as in momentarily “still”) a chain of relations of production and exchange that link near and distant places. I deepen this argument by presenting the curio shop owner’s commentary and reflections on the Smithsonian Abbott collection, which she visited recently. The paper concludes with discussion of ethnology’s renewed significance for consumerist and diasporic communities.
Within-person structures of daily cognitive performance cannot be inferred from between-person structures of cognitive abilities
Authors: Schmiedek Florian , Lövdén Martin , von Oertzen Timo , Lindenberger Ulman
Published: March 2019

Over a century of research on between-person differences has resulted in the consensus that human cognitive abilities are hierarchically organized, with a general factor, termed general intelligence or “g,” uppermost. Surprisingly, it is unknown whether this body of evidence is informative about how cognition is structured within individuals. Using data from 101 young adults performing nine cognitive tasks on 100 occasions distributed over six months, we find that the structures of individuals’ cognitive abilities vary among each other, and deviate greatly from the modal between-person structure. Working memory contributes the largest share of common variance to both between- and within-person structures, but the g factor is much less prominent within than between persons. We conclude that between-person structures of cognitive abilities cannot serve as a surrogate for within-person structures. To reveal the development and organization of human intelligence, individuals need to be studied over time.
Ecological illiteracy can deepen farmers' pesticide dependency
Authors: Wyckhuys Kris , Heong KL , Sanchez-Bayo Francisco , Bianchi Felix , Lundgren Jonathan , Bentley Jeffery
Published: March 2019

Over 2.5 billion smallholders cultivate the world’s arable land, strategically positioned to tackle multiple Anthropocene challenges. When consciously adopting ecologically-based pest management practices, they can improve resource use efficiency, slow biodiversity loss, resolve environmental pollution and safeguard human health. Yet, the effective implementation of knowledge-intensive management practices requires underlying ecological concepts to be well-understood. Here, drawing upon published social science research spanning 1910-2016, we illuminate deficiencies in the world’s farmers’ ecological literacy and in their valuation of insect-mediated ecosystem services. Though tribal people and indigenous folk possess sophisticated knowledge of insects that occur within farm settings, contemporary farmers know a mere 2.0 pestiferous herbivores and 0.8 pest-killing organisms (out of a respective 8 and 3 taxa). Ecosystem services such as biological control are annually worth hundreds of dollars ha-1 but remain unknown to nearly 70% of farmers globally. Also, agricultural systems with deficient ecological literacy tend to foster a greater dependency upon chemically-synthesized pesticides. If this ‘cognitive handicap’ can be remediated, farmers could become biodiversity stewards and champions in redressing multiple aspects of global environmental change.
Valence-encoding in the lateral habenula arises from the entopeduncular region
Authors: Li Hao , Pullmann Dominika , Jhou Thomas C
Published: March 2019

Lateral habenula (LHb) neurons are activated by negative motivational stimuli and play key roles in the pathophysiology of depression. Prior reports suggested that rostral entopeduncular nucleus (rEPN) neurons drive these responses in the LHb and rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg), but these influences remain untested. Using rabies viral tracers, we demonstrate disynaptic projections from the rEPN to RMTg, but not VTA, via the LHb in rats. Using in vivo electrophysiology, we find that rEPN or LHb subpopulations exhibit activation/inhibition patterns after negative/positive motivational stimuli, similar to the RMTg, while temporary inactivation of a region centered on the rEPN decreases LHb basal and burst firing, and reduces valence-related signals in LHb neurons. Additionally, excitotoxic rEPN lesions partly diminish footshock-induced cFos in the LHb and RMTg. Together, our findings indicate an important role of the rEPN, and possibly immediately adjacent hypothalamus, in driving basal activities and valence processing in LHb and RMTg neurons.
Importin-9 wraps around the H2A-H2B core to act as nuclear importer and histone chaperone
Authors: Padavannil Abhilash , Sarkar Prithwijit , Kim Seung Joong , Cagatay Tolga , Jiou Jenny , Brautigam Chad A , Tomchick Diana R , Sali Andrej , D'Arcy Sheena , Chook Yuh Min
Published: March 2019

We report the crystal structure of nuclear import receptor Importin-9 bound to its cargo, the histones H2A-H2B. Importin-9 wraps around the core, globular region of H2A-H2B to form an extensive interface. The nature of this interface coupled with quantitative analysis of deletion mutants of H2A-H2B suggests that the NLS-like sequences in the H2A-H2B tails play a minor role in import. Importin-9•H2A-H2B is reminiscent of interactions between histones and histone chaperones in that it precludes H2A-H2B interactions with DNA and H3-H4 as seen in the nucleosome. Like many histone chaperones, which prevent inappropriate non-nucleosomal interactions, Importin-9 also sequesters H2A-H2B from DNA. Importin-9 appears to act as a storage chaperone for H2A-H2B while escorting it to the nucleus. Surprisingly, RanGTP does not dissociate Importin-9•H2A-H2B but assembles into a RanGTP•Importin-9•H2A-H2B complex. The presence of Ran in the complex, however, modulates Imp9-H2A-H2B interactions to facilitate its dissociation by DNA and assembly into a nucleosome.
COMICS: a community property-based triangle motif clustering scheme
Authors: Feng Yufan , Yu Shuo , Zhang Kaiyuan , Li Xiangli , Ning Zhaolong
Published: March 2019

With the development of science and technology, network scales of various fields have experienced an amazing growth. Networks in the fields of biology, economics and society contain rich hidden information of human beings in the form of connectivity structures. Network analysis is generally modeled as network partition and community detection problems. In this paper, we construct a community property-based triangle motif clustering scheme (COMICS) containing a series of high efficient graph partition procedures and triangle motif-based clustering techniques. In COMICS, four network cuttingconditionsare considered based on the network connectivity. We first divide the large-scale networks into many dense subgraphs under the cuttingconditionsbefore leveraging triangle motifs to refine and specify the partition results. To demonstrate the superiority of our method, we implement the experiments on three large-scale networks, including two co-authorship networks (the American Physical Society (APS) and the Microsoft Academic Graph (MAG)), and two social networks (Facebook and gemsec-Deezer networks). We then use two clustering metrics, compactness and separation, to illustrate the accuracy and runtime of clustering results. A case study is further carried out on APS and MAG data sets, in which we construct a connection between network structures and statistical data with triangle motifs. Results show that our method outperforms others in both runtime and accuracy, and the triangle motif structures can bridge network structures and statistical data in the academic collaboration area.
Biomarker Ratios and Stablecarbon Isotopes to Describe Crude Oils Characteristics in the Murzuq Basin (Libya)
Authors: Aboglila S. , Abdulgader A. , Albaghdady A. , Hlal O. , Farifr E.
Published: March 2019

This present paper includes a detailed evaluation of specific biomarkers together with stable carbon isotope (δ13C) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and Gas Chromatograph–Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC–IR–MS). Eight crude oil samples were collected from the A, B, H (east) and H (west) Fields, located in the Murzuq Basin, Libya. Stable Carbon isotope data (δ13C) together with biomarker ratios data of individual hydrocarbons, n-alkanes, isoprenoids, terpenes, hopanes, steranes and aromatic have been determined in crude oils to delineate their bacterial degradation, source facies, organic matter precursors, depositional conditions and a variation of maturation. Based on source-specific parameters including n-C19 alkane, % C27S, %C28S, %C29S, %C23TT, %C30αβ, %rC28, DBT/P, CPI, Pr/Ph, Ts/Tm, dh 30/h 30, 1 MN, 2 MN,         26-27 DMN, 15 DMN, 236 TMN, 146-135 TMN, 125 TMN, 136 TMN ratios and δ13C‰ of saturates and aromatics fractions. Such oils showed non-biodegradation, n-C19 peak proved oils generated from a Lower Palaeozoic source rocks as emphasizedvian-C19 peak, the dominance of C29steranes over C27 and C28 with light Carbon isotope ratio (δ13C‰) values. The abundances of isosterane C29, C27, C28.Tricyclohexaprenol and bacteriohopane polyols and aminopolyols, recommended as mixture bioprecursors of tricyclic terpenes and hopanes, furthermore regular sterane ratio gives values characteristic of Lower Palaeozoic marine source rocks and holding green algae and most likely a quantity of contribution from acritarchs. Carbon preference indices (CPIs)>0.9 pointed to an anoxic deposition, dibenzothiophene to phenanthrene (DBT/Prange 0.49 - 0.58) recommend a siliciclastic source rather than carbonate and/or evaporate saline deposition. The ratios of CPIs, pristane/n-C17 and phytane/n-C18, n-alkanes (C16 to C22) against (C23 to C33), Ts/Tm, C30diahopane/C30hopane, methylnaphthalene, dimethyl naphthalene and trimethyl naphthalene indicated that the oils analysed are mature except the B Field oil being slightly less mature than the A, H (east) and  H (west) Fields oils.
Usage of Information Technology on Employee Commitment: Airport & Aviation Industry in Sri Lanka (AASL)
Authors: Abeyrathna A. G. G. S. , Tissera P. V. S , Rajapakshe W.
Published: March 2019

Aims: The objective of the study was to examine how Information Technology (IT) affects the commitment of employees in Airport & Aviation Industry in Sri Lanka (AASL). 

Study Design: This study is primarily a survey research, relying mainly on the collection and analysis of primary data collected through a questionnaire.

Methodology: Based on the review of theoretical background and the literature and exploratory interviews with the participants, three determinant on commitment were identify in this study, including usage of IT, IT infrastructure, IT knowledge management. The population of study constituted of 4000 employees in 19 departments in AASL as a population of interest. The study employed purposive sampling method to select six department from 19 in the population and then random sampling method was used to select 250. Structured questionnaires were used in collecting data. The results of Cronbach’s alpha values are greater than 0.7 for all variables.  To analysis data, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis were used.

Results: Four hypotheses were tested and all were accepted. Results indicate that employee background on IT, IT infrastructure and IT knowledge management are affecting by 50.4 percent to employee commitment. In addition, results showed that there is a positive and moderate relationship between employee background on IT and IT knowledge management with employee commitment. Moreover, there is a positive and weak relationship between IT infrastructure and employee commitment. The study concluded that Employee background on IT, IT infrastructure and IT knowledge management factors take part in a critical role in influencing the level of employee commitment is a conclusion that was made.
Mathematical Model Formulation of Stakeholder Management Strategies in Software Engineering Projects
Authors: Eberendu Adanma Cecilia , Chinebu Titus Ifeanyi , Amakree Temple Temple
Published: March 2019

Stakeholder management is the process of identifying, analyzing, and engaging people who have either positive or negative influence in a project. The people involved in any project are called stakeholders and all projects have stakeholders irrespective of the size. Managing these stakeholders is a major function of project managers especially the most important ones because their action will determine whether the project is successful or not. Literatures have outlined different strategies of managing stakeholders which lies around stakeholder identification. This paper formulated mathematical model to determine the most important variable in managing stakeholders. In conclusion, the carrying capacity of a project should be considered alongside other stakeholder management strategies like active listening to bring the project to a successful completion.
Analysis of Morphometric Variables of River Espinharas Hydrographic Sub-basin Using Geographic Information System
Authors: Medeiros Felipe Silva de , Lima Joedla Rodrigues de , Silva Roberta Patrícia de Sousa , Pereira Justino Sérvio Túlio , Freitas Amanda De Lira , Lima Angélica De Araújo , Lima Leonildo Victor Santos de , Silva José Lenildo Barbosa Leite da , Monte Anderlon Arrais de Morais
Published: March 2019

The relief forms, terrain differences, soil type and flora are the most important indicators for the description of a river basin or drainage network. The present work had as objectives, to perform the morphometric characterization of the hidrographic sub-basin (SBH) of the Espinharas river; analyze the intensity of land use; suggesting mitigating measures in areas with greater intensity of use, with the help of geospatial tools. The sub-basin of the Espinharas river, extends through thirty-one (31) municipalities, covering the states of Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte and Pernambuco. For the analysis, images were used, from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM), and Landsat 8 satellite images, resolution 30 m, bands 2, 3 and 4. Next, with QGIS software aid 2.18.17 generated the map of slope, mapping of intensity and land use, later calculations of the morphometric variables, and finally elaborated proposals of mitigating measures for the degradation of the sub-basin. The results of the morphometric parameters found for the Sub-basin indicate values of the Compass coefficient of 2.68 and Form factor 0.32, indicating that the sub-basin presents an irregular shape that differs from the figure of a circle, approaching an elongated shape, and thus not conducive to flooding. In relation to the intensity of use, the areas with low intensity class of use have the largest representation in this basin, covering an area of 2,147.98 km² (65.27%). The Espinharas river sub-basin presents several nonconformities of environmental impacts generated mainly by bad planning of use of the area and disrespect to the legislation. In this case, it is necessary for research to support effective public policies that favor less impacting agricultural practices, allowing farmers to provide their livelihoods at the same time, allowing future generations to survive in the semi-arid.
Effect of Anti-Hypertensive Drugs on Blood Pressure Lowering and Renal Function
Authors: Ajulo Olugbenga M. , Ajulo Oluwatoyin H. , Anietimfon Blessing W. , Umoh Idongesit O.
Published: March 2019

Aim: Study aimed at evaluating blood pressure (BP) lowering effect of antihypertensive medications and their effect on renal function.

Study Design: This was a progressive observational study, evaluating the lowering effect of selected antihypertensive agents on BP and renal functions of hypertensive patients. Study Location: The study involved moderately hypertensive patients who attended Cardiology clinic and were already receiving antihypertensive drug regimen at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state, Nigeria. University of Uyo Teaching Hospital is a tertiary healthcare facility that was established in 1999.

Methods: Seventy hypertensive patients who received antihypertensive medications for at least 6 months were recruited for the study. The recruited participants were advised on adherence and were given adherence chart to record time of medication used. A 3 ml blood was collected and Omron digital BP meter was used to take three separate BP readings and the average was recorded. The blood samples were analysed in the laboratory for serum creatinine (Scr) by using Randox’s Scr and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) kits. The Scr was used to calculate the creatinine clearance (CrCl) by using Corkcroft-Gault equation. Participants were followed-up for three months consecutively. Statistical analysis was considered significant at p=.05. SPSS version 20 was used for the analysis.

Results: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) reduced from 130±2.64 mmHg in phase 1 to 120±1.13 mmHg in phase 3 while CrCl increased from 82.01±4.49 ml/min to 91.62±4.35 ml/min respectively. Both SBP and BUN were higher in females (131±3.30 mmHg and 2.67±0.19 µmol/l)                         while CrCl was higher in males (102.06±8.91 ml/min). Amlodipine (AM) reduced SBP by                           9 mmHg, Lisinopril+Hydrochlorothiazide (LH) reduced SBP by 7 mmHg and Lisinopril+Amlodipine+Hydrochlorothiazide (LAH) reduced SBP by 22 mmHg. CrCl decreased among participants on AM, LH and LAH by 0.89 ml/min, 0.01 ml/min and 8 ml/min respectively. Conclusion: Antihypertensive medications reduced SBP especially in three-drug combinations but worsened renal function.
Synthesis of Morphine Loaded Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles (HAPs) and Determination of Genotoxic Effect for Using Pain Management
Authors: Kölemek Hava , Bulduk İbrahim , Ergün Yavuz , Konuk Muhsin , Korcan S. Elif , Liman Recep , Çoban Funda Karabağ
Published: March 2019

Morphine is used as a standard analgesic for intensive pain relief. It relieves acute and chronic pain by acting directly on the central nervous system and to treat myocardial infarction and shortness of breath. However, the use of morphine for the alleviation of chronic pain is controversial because of the its adverse side effects. The overall success of this medicine in chronic therapy is due to the long-term activity of the drug at a reasonable concentration. Nanoparticle-based carriers have emerged as a new class of drug delivery systems that can overcome traditional drug side-effect limitations by reducing toxicity to a minimum. In this study, a morphine-loaded HAPs drug delivery system was investigated. Fouirer Transform Infrared Spektrofotometre (FTIR) analysis was used to characterize typical functional groups found in the chemical composition of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles (HAPs) and morphine loaded HAPs (HAP+M). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analyzes were performed to examine the size, morphology, and porosity of morphine loaded HAPs. Characterization analysis showed that HAP nanoparticles were loaded with morphine. The effects of pH on release of morphine-loaded HAPs was determined. The release time of the entrapped morphine in the nanoparticle increased in all conditions, thus increasing the morphine time in the human body. Thus, patients will have to take less morphine. In addition, it was investigated whether the morphine loaded HAP cell produced oxidative stress and genotoxic effect on DNA. Findings presented in this paper suggested that morphine-loaded HAPs have a promising future as a nanocarrier for pain treatment.
Exploring the Optimization of UV Mutants of Streptomyces clavuligerus for Clavulanic Acid Production
Authors: Cruz-Hernández Isara Lourdes , Vasconcelos Eliton Da Silva , Teodoro Juliana Conceição , Baptista-Neto Alvaro De , Da Costa Araujo Maria Lucia Gonsales , Badino Alberto Colli
Published: March 2019

Streptomyces clavuligerus, initially described as a Cephamycin C producer, has been currently utilized to produce clavulanic acid (CA) which shows low antibiotic activity, being, however, a strong β-lactamase inhibitor, enzymes responsible for bacterial resistance to β–lactam antibiotics. Genetic improvement by physical and chemical agents is mandatory since, due to its genetic instability, industrial strains lose production capability making necessary a steady and frequent strain improvement and a screening procedure. The objective of this work was to obtain an increase in CA production in submerged cultures by utilizing mutants obtained by UV radiation of the wild strain Streptomyces clavuligerus ATCC 27064. Submerged cultures were performed, with the best mutants selected, in a 5L bench-scale bioreactor, batch-wise, utilizing a complex medium containing glycerol and a soybean protein isolate as the main components. The mutant 70 was able to produce a maximum CA concentration of 500 mg.L-1, approximately 1.6 times higher than the wild strain. Another finding was a higher CA productivity of 29.5 mg.h-1.L-1 with this mutant, although a lower specific growth rate had been observed.
The Saegusa Oxidation and Related Procedures
Authors: Le Bras Jean , Muzart Jacques
Published: March 2019

The dehydrogenation of carbonyl compounds to the corresponding α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds, also known as the Saegusa reaction, is reviewed. Related methods involving enol acetates, alkyl enol ethers, allyl enol carbonates, allyl β‐keto carboxylates, allyl malonates, and α‐chloro ketones are also discussed.
The Asymmetric Vinylogous Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction
Authors: Cordes Martin H. C. , Kalesse Markus
Published: March 2019

The vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol (VMA) reaction allows efficient access to larger segments for complex natural product synthesis, primarily polyketides, through the construction of vicinal hydroxyl and methyl groups as well as di‐ and tri‐substituted double bonds in a single operation. In this chapter, the current scope and limitations of this transformation, as well as its application in natural product synthesis, are discussed.
The immune microenvironment in non‐small cell lung cancer is predictive of prognosis after surgery
Authors: Öjlert Åsa Kristina , Halvorsen Ann Rita , Nebdal Daniel , Lund‐Iversen Marius , Solberg Steinar , Brustugun Odd Terje , Lingjærde Ole Christian , Helland Åslaug
Published: March 2019

The impact of the tumor immune microenvironment on overall survival in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been studied, but there is little information on its relevance for risk of relapse after surgery. Understanding more about the immune microenvironment in previously untreated NSCLC could help in identifying high‐risk patients and patients more likely to benefit from neoadjuvant/adjuvant immunotherapy. Here, we examined gene expression in 399 surgically derived NSCLC samples and 47 samples from normal lung, using Agilent microarray and RNA sequencing. In 335 of the tumor samples, programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Gene expression was used to estimate content of immune cells and to calculate an immune score. Properties of the immune microenvironment, and its impact on prognosis, were compared in histological subgroups and gene expression subtypes. Tumors with an active immune microenvironment were found for both adenocarcinomas (AD) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). In AD, high immune score and high estimates of several immune cell types belonging to the adaptive immune system were associated with better progression‐free survival (PFS), while in SCC, no association between immune characteristics and PFS was found. The immune microenvironment, including PD‐L1 expression, and its impact on prognosis showed clear differences in AD and SCC gene expression subtypes. In conclusion, the NSCLC immune microenvironment is predictive of prognosis after surgery. Lung AD and SCC gene expression subtypes should be investigated as potential prognostic biomarkers in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Progressively Exposing Active Facets of 2D Nanosheets toward Enhanced Pseudocapacitive Response and High‐Rate Sodium Storage
Authors: Xu Xin , Zhao Ruisheng , Chen Bo , Wu Lishu , Zou Chenji , Ai Wei , Zhang Hua , Huang Wei , Yu Ting
Published: March 2019

Sodium‐ion batteries are gradually regarded as a prospective alternative to lithium‐ion batteries due to the cost consideration. Here, three kinds of tin (IV) sulfide nanosheets are controllably designed with progressively exposed active facets, leading to beneficial influences on the Na+ storage kinetics, resulting in gradient improvements of pseudocapacitive response and rate performance. Interestingly, different forms of kinetics results are generated accompanying with the morphology and structure evolution of the three nanosheets. Finally, detailed density functional theory simulations are also applied to analyze the above experimental achievements, proving that different exposed facets of crystalline anodes possess dissimilar Na+ storage kinetics. The investigation experiences and conclusions shown in this work are meaningful to explore many other proper structure design routes toward the high‐rate and stable metal‐ions storage.
Inflorescence evolution in Santalales: integrating morphological characters and molecular phylogenetics
Authors: Nickrent Daniel L. , Anderson Frank , Kuijt Job
Published: March 2019

Premise of the Study

The sandalwood order (Santalales) includes members that present a diverse array of inflorescence types, some of which are unique among angiosperms. This diversity presents not only interpretational challenges but also opportunities to test fundamental concepts in plant morphology. Here we used modern phylogenetic approaches to address the evolution of inflorescences in the sandalwood order.

Methods

Phylogenetic analyses of two nuclear and three chloroplast genes were conducted on representatives of 146 of the 163 genera in the order. A matrix was constructed that scored nine characters dealing with inflorescences. One character, “trios”, that encompasses any grouping of three flowers (i.e., both dichasia and triads) was optimized on samples of the posterior distribution of trees from the Bayesian analysis using BayesTraits. Three nodes were examined: the most recent common ancestors of (A) all ingroup members, (B) Loranthaceae, and (C) Opiliaceae, Santalaceae s.l., and Viscaceae.

Key Results

The phylogenetic analysis resulted in many fully resolved nodes across Santalales with strong support for 18 clades previously named as families. The trios character was not supported for nodes A and C, whereas it was supported for node B where this partial inflorescence type is best described as a triad.

Conclusions

Essentially every major inflorescence type can be found in Santalales; however, the dichasium, a type of partial inflorescence, is rarely seen and is not plesiomorphic for the order. In the family Erythropalaceae, inflorescences are mostly in small, axillary fascicles or cymes. Successive families show both cymose and racemose types and compound systems (e.g., thyrses). Inflorescences in Amphorogynaceae and Viscaceae are not dichasial and in general are difficult to compare to “standard” inflorescences.
Patterns and biases in an Arctic herbarium specimen collection: Implications for phenological research
Authors: Panchen Zoe A. , Doubt Jennifer , Kharouba Heather M. , Johnston Mark O.
Published: March 2019

Premise of the Study

Herbarium specimens are increasingly used in phenological studies. However, natural history collections can have biases that influence the analysis of phenological events. Arctic environments, where remoteness and cold climate govern collection logistics, may give rise to unique or pronounced biases.

Methods

We assessed the presence of biases in time, space, phenological events, collectors, taxonomy, and plant traits across Nunavut using herbarium specimens accessioned at the National Herbarium of Canada (CAN).

Results

We found periods of high and low collection that corresponded to societal and institutional events; greater collection density close to common points of air and sea access; and preferences to collect plants at the flowering phase and in peak flower, and to collect particular taxa, flower colours, growth forms, and plant heights. One‐quarter of collectors contributed 90% of the collection.

Discussion

Collections influenced by temporal and spatial biases have the potential to misrepresent phenology across space and time, whereas those shaped by the interests of collectors or the tendency to favour particular phenological stages, taxa, and plant traits could give rise to imbalanced phenological comparisons. Underlying collection patterns may vary among regions and institutions. To guide phenological analyses, we recommend routine assessment of any herbarium data set prior to its use.
Ultrahigh‐Content Nitrogen‐doped Carbon Encapsulating Cobalt NPs as Catalyst for Oxidative Esterification of Furfural
Authors: Wang Ting , Ma Hong , Liu Xin , Luo Yang , Zhang Shujing , Sun Yuxia , Wang Xinhong , Gao Jin , Xu Jie
Published: March 2019

It is an attractive and challenging topic to endow non‐noble metal catalysts with high efficiency via a nitrogen‐doping approach. In this study, a nitrogen‐doped carbon catalyst with high nitrogen content encapsulating cobalt NPs (CoOx@N‐C(g)) was synthesized, and characterized in detail by XRD, HRTEM, N2‐physisorption, ICP, CO2‐TPD, and XPS techniques. g‐C3N4 nanosheets act as nitrogen source and self‐sacrificing templates, giving rise to an ultrahigh nitrogen content of 14.0 %, much higher than those using bulk g‐C3N4 (4.4 %) via the same synthesis procedures. As a result, CoOx@N‐C(g) exhibited the highest performance in the oxidative esterification of biomass‐derived platform furfural to methylfuroate under base‐free conditions, achieving 95.0 % conversion and 97.1 % selectivity toward methylfuroate under 0.5 MPa O2 at 100 °C for 6 h, far exceeding those of other cobalt‐based catalysts. The high efficiency of CoOx@N‐C(g) was closely related to its high ratio of pyridinic nitrogen species that may act as Lewis basic sites as well as its capacity for the activation of dioxygen to superoxide radical O2.−.
The inhibition of hypoxia‐induced angiogenesis and metastasis by cinnamaldehyde is mediated by decreasing HIF‐1α protein synthesis via PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Patra Kartick , Jana Samarjit , Sarkar Arnab , Mandal Deba P. , Bhattacharjee Shamee
Published: March 2019

Tumor hypoxia is positively correlated with tumor aggressiveness and hence is a negative prognostic factor in cancer. As normal cells usually do not experience such low oxygen levels, hypoxic cell signaling has attracted significant attention for the development of tumor‐selective treatment strategies. In response to hypoxia, the master transcriptional regulator, HIF‐1α plays central role in cellular adaptation by transactivating several crucial downstream target genes, which are involved in angiogenesis, metastasis, and EMT. In this study, we investigated the effect of cinnamaldehyde (CA), the main active ingredient of Cinnamon cassia bark extract, on hypoxia‐induced angiogenesis and metastasis. The study in vitro comprised two cell lines, viz, sarcoma 180 and B16F10 melanoma, which were further confirmed in their respective transplantable in vivo models. Results show that CA administration inhibited tumor angiogenesis, EMT, and metastasis. At the molecular level, this was accompanied by a reduction in VEGF secretion, VEGF receptor (FLK) phosphorylation, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, and activity as well as a reduction in the EMT‐related factors TWIST and ZEB1. Next, we focused our study particularly on the modulation of HIF‐1 α by CA, which revealed that CA decreased HIF‐1 α protein level by inhibiting its synthesis without affecting its proteasomal degradation. Furthermore, the PI3/Akt/mTOR pathway, which plays an important role in HIF‐1α transcription and translation, was also inhibited by CA both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, it can be concluded that CA decreased angiogenesis and metastasis in tumor cells by inhibiting HIF‐1α protein accumulation probably by targeting the PI3/Akt/mTOR pathway. © 2019 BioFactors, 45(3):401–415, 2019
Re‐exploring immune‐related side effects of docetaxel in an observational study: Blood hypereosinophilia
Authors: Hamdan Diaddin , Leboeuf Christophe , Le Foll Christine , Bousquet Guilhem , Janin Anne
Published: March 2019

Docetaxel is a major anticancer drug that can induce hypersensitivity reactions leading to deleterious treatment interruptions. Blood hypereosinophilia could be a biological sign, potentially lethal, of delayed visceral hypersensitivity reactions. We hypothesized this biological event is probably underreported. In this prospective observational study, we followed up 149 patients treated with docetaxel monotherapy for breast or lung cancer. For each patient, blood eosinophil counts were recorded during docetaxel treatment and up to 3 months after the end of docetaxel treatment. For all patients, blood eosinophil counts significantly increased under docetaxel chemotherapy (P < 0.01). Seven percent had persistent eosinophilia after the end of treatment. Four patients had blood eosinophil counts over 1000/mm3 with severe cardiac, cutaneous and digestive toxicities, and docetaxel imputability was confirmed using drug‐imputability scales. For two of these four patients, tissue biopsies were performed during the time of hypereosinophilia and of severe toxicities. Specific immunostainings and electron microscopy found numerous degranulating mast cells and eosinophils. Our study demonstrated that eosinophilia is frequent under docetaxel and could lead to severe complications, implicating eosinophils and mast cells, and possibly IgE. One way of treating hypersensitivity reactions could be by targeting IgEs with omalizumab, an anti‐IgE monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of severe allergic asthma, and successfully used in food and poison‐induced anaphylactic reactions.
Evaluation of failed prosthetic valves in the valve‐in‐valve era: Potential for utilizing positron emission tomography/computed tomography to recognize infective endocarditis
Authors: Lam David H. , Itani Malak , Dvir Danny
Published: March 2019

Bioprosthetic valve dysfunction was treated in the past with redo open heart surgery. The need to identify occult leaflet infection was not an important requirement as all valve tissue was removed during surgery. With the dramatic growth in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) valve‐in‐valve (ViV) therapy, identification of occult infection is of major significance. TAVR should be rarely performed in infected prosthetic valves and the optimal approach should include open heart surgery and removal of infected tissue. With surgical implants, it can be challenging to distinguish infection from degeneration. The use of advanced imaging modalities, including 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography, in the diagnosis of occult infection is emerging. We report the use of this imaging modality to identify or exclude endocarditis in patients with prosthetic valves who were candidates for ViV therapy.