bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher Bioavailability and Contamination of Copper in the Eastern Part of Johore Causeway: Will the Pattern Remain the Same Beyond 2020?
Authors: Yap CK , Nulit R , Sharifinia M , Tony Peng SH , Yap CW , Okamura H , Ismail MS , Saleem M
Published: September 2020

The aim of this paper is to determine and discuss the Concentrations of Copper (Cu) in the different soft tissues of Perna viridis and surface sediments collected from western and eastern parts of Johore Singapore Causeway. In general, it is found that the different tissues of eastern mussel populations were found to have significant (p < 0.05) higher Cu levels than those in the western mussel populations. This indicated higher Cu bioavailability in the eastern part of causeway than that in the western part. The geochemical fractions (except for oxidizable-organic fraction) showed significant (p < 0.05) higher Cu levels in the eastern sediments than those in the western part of the causeway. This indicated higher Cu contamination in the eastern part of causeway than that in the western part. With consistent scientific reports of high metal levels in the eastern part of causeway between 2015-2018, it is predicted that there is a plausible constant source of anthropogenic metal contamination at the eastern part of the causeway beyond 2020 should there is no drastic effective control of the anthropogenic activities.
ASSESSING VARIABLES AFFECTING THE FINANCIAL DISTRESS OF STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES IN INDONESIA (EMPIRICAL STUDY IN NON-FINANCIAL SECTOR)
Authors: Sayida Nur , Assagaf Aminullah
Published: September 2020

The financial distress of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has become the main focus of numerous researchers due to the ongoing financial burden on the state and their inability to secure independent funding. The purpose of this study is to investigate the variables that affect the financial distress of SOEs in Indonesia that have received government subsidies. This research is a quantitative study conducted using secondary data collected from the Indonesian Stock Exchange, from a total of 19 SOEs from 2014 to 2017. The analysis found that investment (X2INV), leverage (X3LEV), cash flow from operating (X4CFO), and firm size (X5SIZE) have a significant negative effect on financial distress in SOEs. It means that increases in these variables will reduce the potential for corporate financial distress. While the independent working capital (X1WC) variable has no significant effect on financial distress, because it is temporary and has a dynamic change, so it is unable to show its influence on financial distress. SOE’s management that receives government subsidies can increase the amount of profitable investment to increase marginal revenue, thereby reducing financial distress. Higher leverage can reduce the level of financial distress, indicating that management uses debt to finance projects that generate higher marginal revenue than marginal costs. This condition has an impact on increasing operating cash flow. The higher the operating cash flow will reduce financial distress.
Tidal flats of recent origin: distribution and sedimentological characterization in the estuarine Cruces River wetland, Chile
Authors: Manzano C. Mario , Jaramillo L. Eduardo , Pino Q. Mario
Published: September 2020

The sedimentary intertidal surfaces (tidal flats from here on) in coastal wetlands are globally recognized by their biological diversity and available ecosystem services. In Chile, these environments are mainly distributed between 30 and 41°S and associated with micro-tidal estuaries. The estuarine Cruces River Wetland (CRW) was formed by tectonic subsidence caused by the giant 9.5 MW Valdivia earthquake in May 1960. The CRW is characterized by relatively uniform water quality conditions and tidal ranges and a significant increase of discharge and elevation of the water table concurrent with intense winter precipitations. The present study focuses on the presence and distribution of tidal flats in the CRW. It evaluates the spatio-temporal variability (April vs. December 2016) of texture and geochemical parameters (pH and ORP (oxidation/reduction potential, ORP)) of surface sediments in six particular tidal flats located along the main channel of the Cruces River. Most of the tidal flats are located in the northern and southern sectors of the CRW. Those located in the middle and southern sectors of the study area exhibit denser coverage with vestigial tree trunks that evidence the former presence of marsh forests along the flooded shores. The texture of the studied sediments is dominated by sand (0.063-2 mm), followed by mud grain size fractions (<0.063 mm). The mud fraction is the only grain size showing significant differences between the studied tidal flats. Both the pH and ORP values vary significantly between sites and sampling periods. In general, ORP values were lower or negative in samples with higher mud and total organic matter contents collected mainly during both sampling times. These results set the first baseline for textural and basic geochemical characteristics of surface sediments from tidal flats in the Cruces River wetland. The database provides a primary tool for evaluating potential effects of possible alterations along the margins of the wetland, which is located in an area of the rapid development of forestry and industrial activities as well as urban expansion.
Perkinsus marinus in the pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis cultivated on the southeast coast of the Gulf of California, Mexico
Authors: Villanueva-Fonseca Lizeth Carolina , García-Ulloa Manuel , López-Meyer Melina , Villanueva-Fonseca Brenda Paulina , Hernández-Sepúlveda Juan Antonio , Muñoz-Sevilla Norma Patricia , Góngora-Gómez Andrés Martín
Published: September 2020

The protozoan Perkinsus marinus has been associated with high mortality episodes of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica in the USA. The presence of P. marinus on the pleasure oyster Crassostrea corteziensis cultivated in two estuaries on the southeast coast of the Gulf of California was evaluated. Oysters were collected monthly (September 2016 to September 2017) and analyzed using Ray's fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Water parameters and oyster biometrics were also recorded. Pathogen prevalence increased over time from 0 to 100% in oysters from La Pitahaya, and from 0 to 83.33% in those from Bacorehuis. At both oyster farms, infection intensity was light (<1×104 parasites g-1 wet tissue), pathogen prevalence and infection intensity were correlated with oyster size and weight, and there was a strong correlation between P. marinus prevalence and intensity (La Pitahaya r = 0.91; Bacorehuis r = 0.82). The oysters that resulted positive for P. marinus by RFTM also were assayed using PCR. P. marinus presence was confirmed in 98.27% (114/116) of the oysters from La Pitahaya, and 95.83% (46/48) of those from Bacorehuis. The detection of P. marinus confirms that this pathogen is well established in the area with high expression during the warmer season. Despite the light infection intensity of this parasite at both sites, health surveillance of this bivalve in the region is highly advisable.
As universidades sustentáveis e o processo de inclusão de PCD: pessoas com deficiência
Authors: Santos Daniel Ferreira dos , Tortato Ubiratã , Razzolini Filho Edelvino , Santos Aguinaldo Ferreira dos
Published: September 2020

Atualmente uma temática que tem merecido muita atenção é a questão da inclusão de Pessoas com Deficiência na sociedade, e para isso o intuito dessa pesquisa é investigar a percepção sobre dos alunos sobre a lei de acessibilidade de 2015, dando um enfoque na questão das barreiras. Como fundamentação teórica foram abordados o Desenvolvimento Sustentável, ODS – Objetivos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Universidades Sustentáveis, e por fim, a importância a inclusão de pessoas com deficiência nas universidades. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a percepção dos acadêmicos de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior de Curitiba sobre as barreiras de acessibilidade constante na Lei n. 13146/15. Em relação a Metodologia foi adotado a pesquisa com dados primários e secundários, sendo realizada uma coleta de dados por meio de um questionário enviado por e-mail a 1250 alunos da graduação e pós-graduação de uma IES de Curitiba, sendo que se obteve 242 questionários devolvidos respondidos, que representou um retorno de 19,36%. Dentre os principais resultados obtidos na pesquisa identificou-se que apenas 2% percebem a inexistência de barreiras que impedem o acesso a edifícios públicos e privados e que 51,7% dos participantes (concordam ou concordam parcialmente) que o meio de transporte já tem se adaptado as pessoas com algum tipo de deficiência.
Gestão ambiental: evidências no estado de Alagoas
Authors: Marques Junior Eles Calheiros , Marques Ana Luzia De Barros Andrade , Dantas Anderson De Barros , Silva Luciana Santos Costa Vieira da , Veiga Claudimar Pereira da
Published: September 2020

Este artigo tem o proposto de avaliar a capacidade de gestão ambiental dos municípios do Estado de Alagoas, com base nos dados da Pesquisa de Informações Básicas Municipais – MUNIC (IBGE, 2016). Para alcançar o objetivo proposto, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica e análise documental com vistas a apresentar o quadro existente nos municípios alagoanos no que se refere às disponibilidades para a gestão ambiental local. Dessa forma, avalia-se a situação dos municípios alagoanos em relação à existência de (i) base cartográfica digitalizada e sistema de informação geográfica; de (ii) implementação e estágio atual da Agenda 21 local; de (iii) concessão de licenças ambientais; e de (iv) implantação do Cadastro Ambiental Rural. Os resultados indicam que apenas 8,82% dos 102 municípios alagoanos dispõem de capacidade para a gestão ambiental local; e que aproximadamente 52% deles não dispõem de nenhum instrumento de gestão ambiental que os capacite a gerenciar adequadamente os recursos naturais locais em atendimento às demandas da população e da legislação ambiental vigente no Brasil.
Modelagem da cadeia produtiva do couro onde a bovinocultura é leiteira
Authors: Nehring Cláudio , Fabre Valkyrie Vieira
Published: September 2020

Os dados estatísticos oficiais demonstram a importância do agribusiness e da bovinocultura no PIB nacional. O agronegócio se destaca como uma das principais atividades produtivas no Brasil, que está entre os cinco maiores produtores de couro bovino do mundo, com aproximadamente 310 curtumes e 42 mil empregos diretos. O objetivo desta pesquisa é identificar a modelagem da cadeia produtiva do couro onde a bovinocultura é principalmente leiteira. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, com objetivo exploratório, que utilizou procedimento bibliográficos (para conhecer a modelagem nacional) e de levantamento de campo (para identificar a modelagem local). Verificou-se que a modelagem em um município pequeno, onde a produção rural é principalmente voltada à bovinocultura leiteira, difere do padrão nacional. Os resultados revelam que a utilização de agentes intermediários é a principal característica que diferencia esta modelagem de cadeia produtiva do couro de boi. Os agentes apresentam extrema heterogeneidade, com grandes pecuaristas em boas estruturas, investimentos tecnológicos e curtumes capazes de atender demandas de exportação; em contraste com produtores empobrecidos, abatedouros e curtumes que lutam para sobreviver no mercado e atendem as exigências mínimas de normas, como as sanitárias e ambientais. Não existe integração entre os agentes e a cadeia possui muitas falhas operacionais. Existe grande disparidade no processo produtivo local, quanto aos recursos tecnológicos, assimetria de informações e controles gerenciais. As conclusões contribuem para ampliação do conhecimento sobre o tema e apontam caminhos para futuras pesquisas.
Efeitos da adição de goji berry na estabilidade físico-química e sensorial, e perfil de textura de bombons de chocolate amargo
Authors: Machado Flavia Maria Vasques Farinazzi , Giannoni Juliana Audi , Silva André Ribeiro da , Rocatto Igor Guedes , Silva Elaine Santos , Vieira Francis Roberto
Published: September 2020

A procura por chocolates amargos tem aumentado visivelmente entre os consumidores, tendo em vista seu alto conteúdo de compostos fenólicos com atividade antioxidante, e sua associação positiva na prevenção de doenças cardiovasculares, hipertensão arterial e resistência à insulina. O objetivo deste estudo foi elaborar bombons de chocolate amargo adicionados de goji berry desidratado e avaliar suas características físico-químicas, sensoriais e perfil de textura durante o período de armazenamento. Foram elaboradas uma amostra controle (apenas chocolate) e duas amostras com 15% e 30% de goji berry, respectivamente, sendo utilizado chocolate amargo de origem Brasil (66,8% cacau). Foram quantificados atividade de água, pH, sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável e umidade, e análises de textura instrumental e avaliação sensorial nos tempos 1, 30 e 60 dias de armazenamento. Utilizou-se ANOVA e teste-t, ajuste de Tukey, (p ≤ 0,05) para análise dos resultados. Evidenciou-se que a amostra com 30% de goji berry apresentou maiores diferenças nos parâmetros físico-químicos, caracterizados por menor pH e maiores valores de acidez titulável e umidade, comparativamente as demais amostras. Durante o armazenamento, houve aumento significativo nos teores de umidade e atividade de água nas amostras com goji berry, especialmente após 60 dias de armazenamento. A análise de textura revelou aumento significativo da força de ruptura na amostra controle, e redução desta, nas amostras adicionadas da fruta, durante o armazenamento, especialmente após o período de 60 dias, sugerindo que as frutas interferiram na dureza dos bombons, o que corroborou com os resultados da analise sensorial de textura das amostras.
Obtenção e caracterização físico-química do extrato hidrossolúvel de amêndoa de baru
Authors: Vieira Carla Francisca De Sousa , Zuñiga Abraham Damian Giraldo , Ogawa Tábitha Akemi Bueno
Published: September 2020

A demanda por alimentos saudáveis, saborosos e funcionais tem aumentado a cada dia, da mesma forma, os frutos nativos do cerrado brasileiro têm despertado interesse crescente devido ao seu sabor exótico, qualidade nutricional e grande potencial para a aplicação de tecnologia, visto que esses alimentos são tradicionalmente consumidos pela comunidade local na forma in natura. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar e caracterizar física e quimicamente o extrato hidrossolúvel elaborado a partir da amêndoa de baru (Dipteryx Alata vog.). Todas as análises foram realizadas em triplicatas e em três repetições independentes. O extrato hidrossolúvel de amêndoa de baru elaborado apresentou valor médio de 6,7 para o pH, 1,4 de acidez total titulável e 5,5 de sólidos solúveis (em °Brix). Para a composição centesimal foram encontrados valores médios (em g 100g-1) de 89,2 para a umidade, 5,5 para lipídios, 3,1 para proteínas e 0,3 para cinzas. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados a outros extratos hidrossolúveis vegetais como o de soja, arroz e coco babaçu e indicaram que o extrato hidrossolúvel de amêndoa de baru pode ser uma alternativa viável para a substituição total ou parcial do leite e do extrato hidrossolúvel de soja na elaboração de bebidas ou outros tipos de produtos lácteos.
Aceitação sensorial e previsão de demanda de refresco de laranja em pó
Authors: Tan Jessica , Miura Flavia Sayuri , Proença Genilso Gomes de , Schmidt Carla Adriana Pizarro , Santos José Airton Azevedo dos
Published: September 2020

Este estudo teve como finalidade a análise e previsão da demanda de refresco em pó, do sabor laranja, utilizando análise de aceitação de mercado do produto e métodos estatísticos de previsão de demanda, para poder assim auxiliar com o planejamento estratégico da cadeia de suprimentos e do controle da produção da fábrica. Os dados históricos da demanda para realização da previsão estatística, formam coletados na empresa produtora de refresco em pó e com o auxílio de softwares foram obtidos os valores previstos para venda nos próximos meses, por meio do método de suavização exponencial tripla multiplicativa. Observou-se forte sazonalidade negativa no período do inverno e tendência de queda na demanda futura. Dessa forma, realizou-se uma avaliação sensorial do produto, em comparação a outras duas marcas comerciais líderes de mercado. Constatou-se que a aceitação de todos os produtos foi menor do que o esperado e que a maioria dos consumidores entrevistados indicaram uma preferência por sucos naturais.
Elaboração, caracterização físico-química e microbiológica de bebida alcoólica fermentada de cajarana (Spondias dulcis)
Authors: Lopes Yasmin Martins dos Santos , Souza Sara Helayne Silva de , Silva Jean Santos , Amador Erlon Silva , Sousa Deyse Dayan Freitas de , Modesto Junior Elivaldo Nunes
Published: September 2020

A cajarana (Spondias dulcis) é uma fruta exótica originária das Ilhas da Polinésia, predominante no território brasileiro e possui um amplo potencial para ser explorado industrialmente. As bebidas fermentadas de frutas constituem produtos com perspectiva promissora de consumo, acessíveis e apreciadas por um grande público. Sendo assim o objetivo desse estudo foi produzir uma bebida alcoólica fermentada de cajarana, bem como determinar as características físico-químicas da bebida. A bebida foi produzida a partir de cajaranas coletadas no município de Soure, Ilha do Marajó, Pará, levedura biológica seca (Saccharomyces cerevisae) e sacarose. Na elaboração da bebida, o mosto foi inoculado com o fermento biológico e fermentado a temperatura ambiente (25±2 °C). Durante a fermentação (8 dias) foi determinando o teor de sólidos solúveis. E no produto final obtidos os valores de acidez total (77 mEq  L-1), acidez fixa (13,23  mEq  L-1), acidez volátil (63,77   mEq L-1), pH (3,24), extrato seco (7,3%), teor alcoólico (10 °GL) e Teor de Sólidos Solúveis (10 °Brix). Os resultados obtidos encontram-se dentro dos padrões estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira, o qual demonstraram a cajarana como uma fonte promissora para a produção de bebida alcoólica fermentada.
Taxonomy of Verrucaria species characterised by large spores, perithecia leaving pits in the rock and a pale thin thallus in Finland
Authors: Pykälä Juha , Kantelinen Annina , Myllys Leena
Published: September 2020

Species of Verrucaria, characterised by large spores (at least some spores exceeding 25 µm in length), perithecia leaving pits in the rock and a pale thin thallus, form a taxonomically-difficult and poorly-known group. In this study, such species occurring in Finland are revised, based on ITS sequences and morphology. Maximum likelihood analysis of ITS sequence data was used to examine if the species belong to the Thelidium group, as suggested by BLAST search. Twelve species are accepted in Finland: Verrucaria bifurcatasp. nov., V. cavernarumsp. nov., V. devergens, V. difficilissp. nov., V. foveolata, V. fuscozonatasp. nov., V. karelica, V. kuusamoensissp. nov., V. subdevergenssp. nov., V. subjunctiva, V. subtilis and V. vacillanssp. nov.Verrucaria foveolata is nested in V. subjunctiva in the phylogeny, but due to morphological and ecogeographical differences, the two taxa are treated as separate species pending further studies. Based on the analysis, the study species belong to the Thelidium group. The studied species show a rather high infraspecific morphological, but a low genetic variation. Furthermore, they show considerable overlap in their morphology and many specimens cannot be reliably identified, based on morphology only. All species are restricted to calcareous rocks. Verrucaria alpigena, V. cinereorufa and V. hochstetteri are excluded from the lichen flora of Finland. Verrucaria grossa is considered a species with unresolved identity. Verrucaria foveolata and V. subtilis are rather common on calcareous rocks of Finland while V. devergens and V. kuusamoensis are restricted to northern Finland. Verrucaria subjunctiva occurs mainly in northern Finland. Verrucaria bifurcata has been found only from southern Finland. Verrucaria difficilis has few localities both in SW and NE Finland. Verrucaria vacillans is restricted to calcareous rocks (dolomite) on the mountains of the NW corner of Finland. Verrucaria fuscozonata, V. karelica and V. subdevergens occur only in the Oulanka area in NE Finland. A lectotype is designated for V. subjunctiva. The morphology of the Finnish species was compared with 51 European species of Verrucaria presumably belonging to the Thelidium group.
The bigger the better? Vigour of the exotic host plant Calotropis procera (Apocynaceae) affects herbivory
Authors: Fernandes Geraldo Wilson , de Almeida Jarcilene Silva , Rodrigues-Menelau Maria Fernanda Vicente , Arantes-Garcia Lucas , Novais Samuel
Published: September 2020

The Plant Vigour Hypothesis states that herbivores preferentially feed on the most vigorous plants within a plant population and/or the most vigorous modules within a plant. The goal of this study was to evaluate how shoot size (as an indication of module vigour) affects leaf herbivory in the host plant Calotropis procera, an exotic xerophyte perennial milkweed shrub. We predicted that the proportion of leaf area removed by insect herbivores would be positively related to shoot size. Eight patches were selected containing a varied number of C. procera individuals (5, 8, 29, 31, 55, 79, 116, and 172 individuals/patch) in the Brazilian seasonally dry vegetation (Caatinga), of which five individuals were randomly selected for further analysis. From each individual, three to six shoots were randomly selected, measured and had their leaves collected, for a total of approximately 200 leaves per patch. At the regional scale, the proportion of leaf area removed was positively affected by shoot size. In addition, this pattern was also found for the majority of the studied patches (29, 31, 55, 116, and 172 individuals/patch). Among the insect herbivores associated with C. procera, larvae of Danaus spp. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) were commonly observed feeding on all patches. These herbivores present a specialized behaviour to circumvent the presence of latex in the host leaves. Although more vigorous plant modules should be better defended compared with the less vigorous modules, Danaus species were able to bypass host defences, and feed on healthy, rapidly growing and vigorous plant modules of C. procera, hence causing more damage to these modules.
Association between the progression of immunoglobulin A nephropathy and a controlled status of hypertension in the first year after diagnosis
Authors: Oh Tae Ryom , Choi Hong Sang , Oh Se Won , Oh Jieun , Lee Dong Won , Kim Chang Seong , Ma Seong Kwon , Kim Soo Wan , Bae Eun Hui ,   on behalf of the Korean GlomeruloNEphritis sTudy (KoGNET) Group
Published: September 2020

Background/Aims: Hypertension is considered a risk factor in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). However, after IgAN diagnosis, the relationship between early blood pressure control and renal prognosis remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the association between the prognosis of IgAN patients and a controlled status of hypertension within the first year of IgAN diagnosis.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 2,945 patients diagnosed with IgAN by renal biopsy. The patients were divided into ‘normal,’ ‘new-onset,’ ‘well-controlled,’ and ‘poorly-controlled’ groups using blood pressure data from two consecutive measurements performed within a year. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional-hazards regression model were used to survey the independent association between recovery from hypertension and the risk of IgAN progression. The primary endpoint was IgAN progression defined as the initiation of dialysis or kidney transplantation.Results: Before IgAN diagnosis, 1,239 patients (42.1%) had been diagnosed with hypertension. In the fully adjusted Cox proportional-hazards models, the risk of IgAN progression increased by approximately 1.7-fold for the prevalence of hypertension. In the subgroup analyses, the ‘well-controlled’ group showed a statistically significant risk of IgAN progression (hazard ratio [HR], 3.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.103 to 9.245; p = 0.032). Moreover, the ‘new-onset’ and ‘poorly-controlled’ groups had an increased risk of IgAN progression compared to the ‘normal’ group (HR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.016 to 6.545; p = 0.046 and HR, 3.85;95% CI, 1.541 to 9.603; p = 0.004, respectively).Conclusions: Although hypertension was well-controlled in the first year after IgAN diagnosis, it remained a risk factor for IgAN progression.
Cancer risk in Korean patients with gout
Authors: Oh Yoon-Jeong , Lee Yun Jong , Lee Eunyoung , Park Bumhee , Kwon Jae-Woo , Heo Jeongwon , Moon Ki Won
Published: September 2020

Background/Aims: Using a nationwide cohort, we investigated the cancer risk in Korean patients with gout.Methods: Data were obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service Database. Patients with gout were defined as those aged ≥ 20 years who were diagnosed with gout and received anti-gout medication (allopurinol, colchicine, and benzbromarone) between 2008 and 2010. Patients with nail disorders were randomly assigned to a control group (1:1 ratio) after frequency matching for age and sex. Cancer incidence was then investigated between 2012 and 2018. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to investigate the association between gout and cancer after adjusting for concomitant diseases.Results: This study included 179,930 patients with gout and an equal number of matched controls. The incidence of overall cancer was higher in patients with gout than in controls (incidence rate ratio, 1.08). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that gout was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.053 (95% confidence interval ,1.031 to 1.077) after adjusting for concomitant diseases.Conclusions: Gout was associated with a significantly high risk of cancer, especially esophageal, stomach, colon, liver, pancreatic, lung, ovarian, renal, and bladder cancers.
Do different surgical techniques in tibia pilon fractures change the results of the midterm?
Authors: BİÇİCİ Vedat , BİNGÖL İzzet
Published: September 2020

Background/aim: Pilon fracture is difficult to treat fractures due to many complications that can develop after surgery. To achieve the best results, different surgical approaches are used.In our study, we aimed to compare the functional results and complication rates of our treatments in patients treated with 3 different surgical tecniques.Materials and methods: 89 pilon fractures of 87 patients treated for pilon fracture were evaluated. Patients were examined in 3 different groups (one step, two step surgery and Ilizarov). Functional results, postoperative complications and ankle AOFAS scores were evaluated.Results: The mean AOFAS score of the all patients was 77.67. There was no significant difference between 3 surgical techniques (P = 0,880). While skin complication was not seen in patients who underwent double-stage surgery and Ilizarov (0%); It was seen in 6 (15.7%) patients who underwent single-stage surgery. Treatment results were found to be better in type 1 and type 2 fractures, while in type 3 fractures (P = 0.004).Conclusion: Despite the different surgical approaches and implants applied, no difference was found between the midterm ankle functional results of the patients. Two-stage surgery and Ilizarov is a safe and effective treatment approach to reduce morbidity and early complications in pilon fractures.
Seed fatty acid compositions and chemotaxonomy of wild Crambe (Brassicaceae) taxa in Turkey
Authors: SUBAŞI İlhan
Published: September 2020

Wild Crambe species have greater potential than Crambe hispanica in industry, medicine, as a vegetable, etc. A total of 53 germplasm accessions, belonging to 7 taxa, were collected from the natural flora of Turkey. The accessions consisted of C. orientalisvar. orientalis (18 accessions), C. orientalis var. dasycarpa (1 accession), C. orientalis var. sulphurea (2 accessions), C.tataria var. aspera(3 accessions), C. tataria var. tataria (26 accessions), C. grandiflora (1 accession), C. orientalis var. sulphurea, and C. maritima (2 accessions). In this study, the seed fatty acid compositions and oil contents were determined, and the data were used for taxonomic cluster, correlation, and principal component analyses. Important correlations were determined among the fatty acids; however, the oil contents were not correlated. Altitude was positively correlated with linolenic acid, while negatively correlated with oleic and linoleic acid. For the principal component and correlation analyses, 7 major fatty acids (>1%) were used, including palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1), linoleic (C18:2), cis-11 eicosenoic (20:1), linolenic (C18:3), erucic (C22:1), and nervonic acid (C24:1). A total of 17 fatty acids were used for the cluster analyses. Two major clusters were formed, where the first consisted of C. orientalis, C. tataria, and C. grandiflorataxa, while the second consisted of only C. maritima taxa. The dendrogram based on the fatty acid values clearly discriminated the species groups; however, C. tataria was not located close to C. maritima, contrary to previous molecular cluster studies.
Prospective Comparison of the Heine Retinometer With the Mentor Guyton-Minkowski Potential Acuity Meter for the Assessment of Potential Visual Acuity Before Cataract Surgery
Authors: Tharp Andy , Cantor Louis , Yung Chi-Wah , Shoemaker John
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACT

Various techniques and devices have been developed to aid in the assessment of potential visual acuity prior to cataract surgery. We report a prospective comparison of two such assessments, one made using a new instrument, the hand-held Heine retinometer (HR) (Heine Instruments, Germany), and the other using the Mentor Guyton-Minkowski potential acuity meter (PAM) (Mentor, Inc, Norwell, Mass). A total of 37 eyes were assessed using both instruments just before cataract surgery. Three eyes were excluded from analysis due to postoperative complications affecting visual acuity that could not have been predicted with either instrument. The falsenegative rate was 44% for the PAM and 32% for the HR. There were no false-positive results with either instrument. Neither instrument was particularly accurate in predicting actual final visual acuity (r
p 2
= 0.290 and 0.144 for the PAM and HR, respectively). The HR was deemed easier to use.
Activité et vision professionnelle
Authors: Tomás Jean-Luc , Ianeva Maria , Simonet Pascal , Clot Yves
Published: September 2020

Notre contribution se propose d’engager une réflexion autour des complémentarités et points de tension entre le concept de « vision professionnelle » et celui d’activité. Si la « vision professionnelle » éclaire le fonctionnement et la dynamique des « façons de voir » dans leur complexité située, elle ouvre à un questionnement autour du développement ou de la fabrique de ce « regard ». En nous appuyant sur des travaux issus de la clinique de l’activité, nous cherchons à montrer comment les modèles de l’activité permettent de reprendre cette question en lien avec le développement psychologique du sujet et des collectifs professionnels.
A Holistic View on Blockchain and Its Issues
Authors: Noor Mohd Azeem Faizi , Khanum Saba , Anwar Taushif , Ansari Manzoor
Published: September 2020

Blockchain, the technology behind most popular cryptocurrency Bitcoin and Ethereum, has attracted wide attention recently. It is the most emerging technology that has changed the financial and non-financial transaction system. It is omnipresent. Currently, this technology is enforcing banks, industries, and countries to adopt it in their financial, industrial, and government section. Earlier, it solved the centralize and double-spending problems successfully. In this chapter, the authors present a study of blockchain security issues and its challenges as well. They divided the whole chapter into two parts. The primer part covers a holistic overview of blockchain followed by the later section that argues about basic operations, 51% attack, scalability issue, Fork, Sharding, Lightening, etc. Finally, they mention an intro about its adaptation (financial or non-financial) in our 24/7 life and collaboration with fields like IoT.
Blockchain-Enabled Secure Internet of Things
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Lalotra Gotam Singh
Published: September 2020

This century is the time of ubiquitous, smart, and intelligent devices. These devices have a wide variety of applications in different fields like business, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, education, security, transportation, etc. Internet of things is now becoming the inexorable part of the all these fields. But security has always been a major concern in embracing these technologies. The blockchain technology is the next frontier for securing the internet of things. It will play a pivotal role to secure the communication in internet of things ecosystem. This chapter discusses the blockchain-enabled secure internet of things (IoT).
Blockchain Technology
Authors: Sharma Suvarna , Rosmin Puneeta , Bhagat Amit
Published: September 2020

Blockchain, as the name suggests, is a linear chain of blocks. It is a digital ledger that holds information on transactions taking place over the web. So every block contains data in the form of coding that is organized in a chronological manner. In 2004, a concept called “reusable proofs of work” was introduced by Hal Finney. In 2009, a mysterious white paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer to Peer Electronic Cash System,” by visionary Satoshi Nakamoto gave birth to the concept of blockchain. This is a survey of blockchain technology that first provides a short introduction of the blockchain, discussing its advantages and followed by possible limitations and their possibilities for the future.
Dementia and Language Bilingualism Helps Ward Off Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Yu Yiyang , Lu Sihan , Wu Yan , Wu Qiong , Wu Jinglong
Published: September 2020

There has been extensive discussion with regard to whether bilingualism helps ward off dementia. However, there is still debate over bilingualism's effects. Researchers have determined that bilinguals have a greater advantage in delaying dementia than monolinguals. Researchers have used cognitive reserve to explain their views. However, recently, some researchers have arrived at a different conclusion, stating that bilinguals have no advantage compared with monolinguals in delaying dementia. In this review, we summarize a review of studies on bilingualism and dementia, supporting the viewpoint that bilinguals have an advantage in delaying dementia compared with monolinguals.
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease Novel Therapeutic Target
Authors: Bourdon Allen K. , Villareal Greg , Perry George , Phelix Clyde F.
Published: September 2020

Thiazolidinedione (TZD) drugs (Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Metabolic Solutions Development Company) targeting inhibition of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) are currently being tested in clinical trials to prevent progression into mild cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or in the pipeline to prevent neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). These have Ki values in the µM range. This study was focused on identifying candidate drug precursors of the natural cinnamic acid products that might have good bioavailability in the nM ranges forming covalent thiol bonds with targets. In silico protein homology modeling and ligand docking has demonstrated that binding cysteine residues within the transport channel is a key part of the inhibitory mechanism. These are covalent thiohemiacetal bonds with the alpha-carbon, carboxylate group, off a phenol ring. Like the classic MPC inhibitors, these natural derivatives of hydroxycinnamic acid have a conjugated pi-system used to form thiol bonds with the cysteine residue via Michael addition.
MSDC-0160 and MSDC-0602 Binding with Human Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier (MPC) 1 and 2 Heterodimer
Authors: Phelix Clyde F. , Bourdon Allen K. , Dugan Jason L , Villareal Greg , Perry George
Published: September 2020

The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) is a novel target for therapeutic drugs to treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Metabolic Solutions Development Company (MSDC) has two thiazolidinediones, MSDC-0160 and MSDC-0602, in the pipeline. This report describes results for a MPC1/2 heterodimer homology model. The FASTA sequences for MPC1 and MPC2 were accessed from UniProt and submitted to RaptorX, resulting in best candidate monomeric “protein data base” files for each. One mutant form of MPC1, L36I, was also processed. These were submitted to PyDock to generate best candidate MPC1/2 heterodimer models that were used for ligand docking analyses with AutoDock Vina and “Rosetta Online Server that Includes Everyone” (ROSIE). Multiple binding sites for pyruvate and both drugs were found on both MPC1 and MPC2 subunits with drugs having nearly double the affinity in each case except the intermediate and open-in states for the L36I mutant transporter.
An Analysis of Privacy Language in the Scholarly Literature on Mental Health Apps
Authors: Ebben Maureen , Murphy Julien S.
Published: September 2020

This chapter charts the language of privacy in published scholarship on mental health apps. What definition of privacy is assumed? What meanings of privacy are deployed in the research about mental health apps? Using a qualitative thematic approach, this analysis shows that privacy language can be understood as occurring in three phases: Phase 1: Discourse of Technological Possibility; Phase 2: Discourse of Privacy Challenges and Threats; and Phase 3: Discourse of Advocacy. The authors discuss each of these phases and propose a more critical discourse of privacy by identifying the issues inherent in understanding privacy as security.
No Child Too Young
Authors: Kahn Sami
Published: September 2020

Research on the Socioscientific Issues (SSI) framework provides compelling evidence of its ability to provide contextualized science learning as preparation for informed citizenship. However, few SSI studies provide insight as to whether the pedagogical demands of SSI warrant modification or refinement when implemented with young children. Through this exploratory teacher research study, SSI units were developed and implemented in the teacher-researcher's first, second, and fourth grade science classrooms over a one-year period. Results suggest that while SSI provided a critical real-world context for science learning and student discourse, several developmentally-influenced challenges were evident including students' difficulties in shifting from emotional to cognitive bases of argumentation, unintended activation of student fears, confusion between real and imaginary scenarios, and uneven emotion regulation. Findings and recommendations provide a foundation for future research on curricular and pedagogical supports that can facilitate successful elementary SSI implementation.
Impact of Socioscientific Issues on Middle School Students' Character and Values for Global Citizenship
Authors: Powell Wardell A. , Newton Mark H. , Zeidler Dana L.
Published: September 2020

This chapter demonstrates the impact of an animal cloning socioscientific issues instructional unit on a group of middle school students' abilities to use their ecological worldview, social and moral compassion, and sense of socioscientific accountability to determine the permissibility of animal cloning. Seventy-seven 7th grade students at a public middle school in the Southeastern region of the United States participated in this investigation. Results from a non-parametric two-tailed Wilcoxon test indicated the students' social and moral compassion (Z = -2.505, p = .012) and socioscientific accountability scores (Z = -2.381, p = .017). In contrast, the results did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between students' pre and post ecological worldview (Z = -1.185, p = .236). Qualitative analyses of the data revealed several interesting trends and themes discussed in the chapter. The findings from this investigation support the use of SSI as key pedagogical strategies in promoting character and values for global citizens among middle school students.
The Association Between Course Context and Preservice Teachers' Perceptions of SSI Instruction
Authors: Newton Mark H. , Kinskey Melanie
Published: September 2020

This chapter explores the association between elementary preservice teachers' (PSTs) perceptions of teaching using socioscientific issues (SSI) and the context in which the PSTs initially engaged with SSI. One course engaged with SSI while learning pedagogical strategies during an elementary science methods (decontextualized) course. The second course engaged with SSI via an environmental sciences course (contextualized). The contextualized course examined gray wolf management in Northern California as part of an ecology unit, which was followed by a series of debriefings regarding the implementation of the SSI. The findings indicate that while PSTs from both courses generally held more positive perceptions of SSI instruction after engaging with SSI, the students in the contextualized course perceived a greater ability to answer SSI-related questions and expressed more positive attitudes towards science content in the post-course data. Additionally, students in both courses perceived a greater need for teacher training on SSI implementation post-course.
Multi-Disciplinary Paths to Actor-Centric Non-Player Character Emotion Models
Authors: Schiffer Sheldon
Published: September 2020

Video game non-player characters (NPCs) are a type of agent that often inherits emotion models and functions from ancestor virtual agents. Few emotion models have been designed for NPCs explicitly, and therefore do not approach the expressive possibilities available to live-action performing actors nor hand-crafted animated characters. With distinct perspectives on emotion generation from multiple fields within narratology and computational cognitive psychology, the architecture of NPC emotion systems can reflect the theories and practices of performing artists. This chapter argues that the deployment of virtual agent emotion models applied to NPCs can constrain the performative aesthetic properties of NPCs. An actor-centric emotion model can accommodate creative processes for actors and may reveal what features emotion model architectures should have that are most useful for contemporary game production of photorealistic NPCs that achieve cinematic acting styles and robust narrative design.
Extension of Clinical/Psychological Approach Using Post Narratology
Authors: Seino Kai , Ishizaki Shun
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the psychological approach from a narrative viewpoint. In addition, the authors discuss the possibility of collaboration with artificial intelligence (AI). They reviewed the narrative approaches in psychology. At result, they showed how the narrative approach in clinical domain was expanded. The following possibilities exist regarding a narrative generative system in a narrow sense: (1) It is the construction of a fluid system. (2) The systems generate a tale communally. (3) There are no clear beginnings and endings. (4) It is a narrative generation through a dialogue. Next, the following possibilities exist regarding a narrative generative system in broad sense: (1) It is the modeling of the stance of the narrative. (2) It is the modeling of narrative generation by the community. (3) It is the modeling of the process. (4) It is the study of the interlocutory peculiarity.
Bridging the Gap Between Narrative Generation Systems and Narrative Contents With Kabuki-Oriented Narratology and Watakushi Monogatari
Authors: Ogata Takashi
Published: September 2020

The author's narrative generation study is based on two types of systems: the integrated narrative generation system (INGS) as a single narrative generation and reception mechanism and the Geinō information system (GIS) as a multiple narrative production and consumption mechanism. The first theme of the chapter is to introduce an idea that deals with narrative phenomena as the integration of both systems. This theme is tied to the topic of narrative content creation by presenting kabuki narrative generation or kabuki-oriented narratology and Watakushi Monogatari as a collection of narrative content to be created by the author. Hence, the second objective is to describe kabuki-oriented narrative generation and the third is to explain the ideas, thoughts, and design underlying Watakushi Monogatari in the context of internal and external narrative generation to create and distribute narrative content. Through these three themes, this chapter bridges the gap between narrative generation systems and narrative content with kabuki-oriented narratology and Watakushi Monogatari.
Artificial Intelligence and Supply Chain Management Application, Development, and Forecast
Authors: Torres-Franco Michael
Published: September 2020

The supply chain has changed over the years, and with technological innovations, many tools have been developed today that seek the optimization of time and costs in this process; unfortunately, there is still a gap between companies with the capacity to implement these developments and small and medium-sized companies. This chapter seeks to show how artificial intelligence has emerged with a portfolio of solutions applicable to the supply chain management, some of which are still under development but are aimed at simplifying and automating these processes. The chapter will define these concepts to then show the different applications that artificial intelligence has in the management of the supply chain to conclude and pose the future challenges that the supply chain will face and that can be solved with the use of technologies innovative and disruptive.
Artificial Intelligence and Backshoring Strategies
Authors: Kinkel Steffen , Capestro Mauro , Di Maria Eleonora
Published: September 2020

The Industry 4.0 technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), are transforming the manufacturing processes and affecting the location of manufacturing activities across countries, with a potentially positive impact on the backshoring of production processes. The chapter aims at providing empirical evidence on the relationship between AI and relocation, exploring how AI is related to both the offshoring and backshoring strategies, using data from an international sample of 124 German and Italian manufacturing companies. Following the investigation of AI use by German and Italian manufacturing companies, the study analyses the differences in some strategic factors and the offshoring and backshoring decisions between German and Italian companies, AI users and non-users, and between the German and Italian AI users. Results show that the most important differences concern AI users and non-users and indicate a higher value of AI use for backshoring rather than offshoring strategies. The findings enable the derivation of both theoretical and managerial contributions.
Modeling Sovereign Rating of India
Authors: Das Rituparna , Guha Niyogi Gargi
Published: September 2020

Against the background that India has been continuously receiving for over a decade till now the same investment grade of sovereign rating, the authors research what the important indicators of sovereign rating are and how to predict the probability that the ratio of foreign direct investment to gross domestic product of a country will be above average. They reviewed existing works and detected certain gaps. In the course of plugging those gaps, the authors collected cross section data available on economic, financial, and institutional variables of the emerging economies of ASEAN and SAARC members. They applied principal component analysis to distill relatively more effective variables determining sovereign rating, and then they applied logistic regression to these variables in order to compute the above probability. The methodology has proved successful in reproducing the past and useful as an internal model of assessing relative sovereign riskiness of an emerging economy among its peers. The work prescribed some policy to improve the aforesaid ratio of India.