bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimized Portfolios: All Seasons Strategy
Authors: D. Navas Raúl , R. Bentes Sónia , V.G. Navas Helena
Published: December 2020

Our study explores the efficient frontier of optimal investment, taking behind the Markowitz’s theory, while advocating a diversified portfolio to reduce risk. To perform it, six portfolio models are proposed, and its formation are made by a solver, where the selected solving method is the GRG Nonlinear engine for linear solver problems. Our main goal is to design portfolios that resists to financial crisis but at the same time persists in a wealthy period. We analyze the decade where we assisted to two crashes (2000–2010) and a semi-decade where we assist to a wealthy period (2011–2018). The assets used are varied, such as Equities indexes form various countries, sector equities, bonds, commodities, EURUSD exchange and VIX. Results show that the GRG Nonlinear engine is powerful, providing excess returns in all six models.
Educational Framework for Coaches on Injury Prevention in Adolescent Team Sports
Authors: Gouws Chantell , Millard Lourens , Naude Anne , Meyer Jan-Wessel , Shaw Brandon Stuwart , Shaw Ina
Published: December 2020

Background: Millions of South African youths participate in team sports, with netball and rugby being two of the largest worldwide. This increased participation and professionalism has resulted in an increase in the number of musculoskeletal injuries. Objectives: This study examined the extent to which sport coaching knowledge translates to the injuries and prevention of injuries in adolescents participating in netball and rugby. Methods: Thirty-four South African sport coaches participated in the study. Eighteen netball coaches and 16 rugby coaches with varying levels of coaching experience were selected to participate. An adapted version of Nash and Sproule’s questionnaire was used to investigate the coaches’ knowledge with regards to sport specific common injuries, injury prevention, fitness/conditioning, individual technique development, training programs, mental training, and preparation of players. The analysis of data was carried out using a number of different techniques, outlined by Nash and Sproule (2012). These techniques were determined by the type of data. Descriptive data was used to provide statistical analysis. Quantitative data was used to determine the educational framework and knowledge of sport coaches on injury prevention. Numerical data was obtained through questions on sport injuries, as well as coaches’ sport knowledge level. Participants’ knowledge was measured using a standardized scoring system. Results: For the 0-4 years of netball coaching experience, 76.4% of the coaches had knowledge and experience and 33.3% appropriate first aid knowledge, while for the 9-12 years and 13-16 years, 100% of the coaches had knowledge and experience and first aid knowledge. For the 0 - 4 years in rugby coaching experience, 59.1% had knowledge and experience and 71% the appropriate first aid knowledge, for the 17 - 20 years 100% had knowledge and experience and first aid, while for higher or equal to 25 years, 45.5% had knowledge and experience. In netball, 90% of injuries consisted of ankle injuries, followed by 70% for knee, 50% for shoulder, 20% for lower leg, and 15% for finger injuries. In rugby, 81% of the injuries occurred at the knee, followed by 50% for shoulder, 40% for ankle, 31% for head and neck, and 25% for hamstring injuries. Six hours of training resulted in a 13% chance of injuries in netball and a 32% chance in rugby. For 10 hours of training, the injury prevalence was 10% in netball and 17% in rugby, while 15 hours resulted in an injury incidence of 58% in netball players and a 25% chance in rugby players. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for coaches to improve their knowledge in relation to injuries and injury prevention, along with factors that act as a preventative measure and promote players’ well-being.
The Influential Factors in the Academic Achievement and Failure of Medical Students in Iran: A Review Study
Authors: Niromand Elham , Salehi Ali Reza , Khazaei Mozafar , Khazaei Mohammad Rasool
Published: December 2020

Context: The quality of the educational system is considered to be the most important influential factor in universities. Students have different characteristics that affect their academic achievement and failure. The educational failure of medical students has irreparable effects on various individual, social, and economic aspects. The present study aimed to investigate the influential factors in the academic achievement and failure of medical students in Iran. Methods: This systematic review was conducted through the two-step search of keywords such as “academic achievement” OR “academic failure” AND “medical student” in national and international databases, including SID, Google Scholar, and Scopus, and 32 and 58 articles were extracted from the two database categories, respectively. After reviewing the titles and abstracts, 38 articles were excluded. After the assessment of the remaining full-text articles, 36 other cases were also excluded, and 16 articles were reviewed. Results: The influential factors in academic achievement and failure included the entrance exam quota type, high school diploma grade, gender, parental education level, occupation status, place of residence, interval between the high school diploma and university admission, indigenousness, grades of the specific course of the entrance exam, socioeconomic status, self-esteem, IQ, young age, competitiveness, effort, social interest, the volume of university courses, exam preparation, the quality of the teacher’s education, level of interest in the course, the importance of the course in the comprehensive exam, and the ability of the teachers. In addition, various individual and family factors, socioeconomic status, and educational facilities have been reported to affect the academic achievement or failure of medical students. Conclusions: According to the results, the academic achievement and failure of medical students are affected by several factors, which should be considered in medical education.
Identifying the Gaps in HIV Prevention and Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria
Authors: Edem Bassey Archibong , Chidubem Olisaeloka Lotenna , Adebisi Yusuff Adebayo
Published: December 2020

Context: To manage the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian government has introduced travel restrictions to reduce the spread of the virus. However, this measure has caused numerous challenges in the accessibility and availability of HIV services (testing, prevention, and treatment) for patients. This study aimed to examine the delivery of HIV care services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria by analyzing the barriers to HIV care in recent years, weighing the impact of these barriers, and bridging the existing gaps by proposing practical solutions to maintain the patients’ uninterrupted access to HIV services throughout the pandemic. Evidence Acquisition: We searched Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct databases, using the following MESH headings: “HIV”, “COVID-19”, and “Nigeria”. The reviewed articles provided information on gaps and solutions for maintaining HIV services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The selected papers were all written in English, with no time restrictions. Also, further publications were identified from the reference lists of articles and reports via snowball sampling. Results: The collected data in 2018 revealed that 67% of people living with HIV were aware of their disease status. Based on the results, 53% of people living with HIV were on antiretroviral treatment, and 42% of people living with HIV had viral suppression, based on the global 90-90-90 HIV targets. Ten barriers and gaps were identified in different aspects of HIV care delivery (prevention, testing, and treatment), and practical solutions were proposed to provide a more effective approach for ensuring the availability and accessibility of services during pandemics. Conclusions: A unique and inter-sectoral approach is generally needed to address different barriers to the delivery of HIV care services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, funding of HIV care services is critical at this time. Based on the findings, HIV care services (prevention, testing, and treatment programs) cannot be postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, otherwise Nigeria may face a double pandemic.
Evaluation of Websites by Many Criteria Using the Algorithm for Pairwise Comparison of Alternatives
Authors:   Institute of Information Technology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, 9A, B. Vahabzada street, AZ1141, Baku, Azerbaijan, Alguliyev Rasim M. , Nabibayova Gulnara Ch. , Abdullayeva Saadat R.
Published: December 2020

The article proposes a comprehensive method for the multicriteria evaluation of websites. The essence of this method is that using this method we can not only evaluate a website traditionally, but also obtain the following useful results: importance coefficient of each of the criteria, the evaluation of the website for each criterion individually. Moreover, we can also compare the sampled websites and then rank them. It is noted that in order to get the precise result, the sampled websites must be referred to the same category, that is, have the same set of criteria for evaluation.
Trazos interrumpidos: humoristas mujeres en la prensa de humor (Argentina, 1974-1984)
Authors: Burkart Mara
Published: December 2020

En la Argentina, el humor gráfico fue una profesión mayoritariamente masculina hasta los años ochenta del siglo XX cuando varias mujeres – Maitena, Patricia Breccia, María del Carmen Alcobre, Petisuí, Ana von Reuber˗ comenzaron a publicar sus tiras en las revistas de Ediciones de la Urraca. Antes de esta irrupción, entre 1974 y 1984, Nelly Hoijman, Patricia Breccia, Lucía Capozzo y Marta Vicente produjeron tiras humorísticas que se publicaron en esas revistas de humor gráfico donde primaban las firmas de varones. Por diversos motivos y salvo Breccia, el resto lo hizo por un período breve de tiempo para luego, dedicarse a otras profesiones. Inspirado teórica y metodológicamente en los aportes de la historia social dirigidos a problematizar la invisibilidad de las mujeres en la vida social, en las preguntas y los estudios que desde hace décadas vienen realizando historiadoras del arte feministas como Linda Nochlin y Griselda Pollock en relación al lugar de las mujeres en las “bellas artes” y Whitney Chadwick e Isabelle de Courtivron sobre la relación entre creatividad y relaciones íntimas, en este trabajo analizamos el paso de estas mujeres por el humor gráfico. Me interesa identificar las condiciones sociales de su producción así como también analizar los temas y las representaciones plasmadas en sus respectivas obras a la luz de los demás contenidos de las revistas donde publicaron. El objetivo último es generar un aporte a una nueva historia del humor gráfico que dé cuenta del lugar de las mujeres en la producción humorística y en los medios de comunicación masiva.
Palabras clave: Mujer Artista. Humor. Prensa Periódica. Argentina.
Navigation Design and Library Terminology
Authors: Vargas Ochoa Isabel
Published: December 2020

The University Library at California State University, Stanislaus is not only undergoing a library building renovation, but a website redesign as well. The library conducted a user-centered usability study to collect data in order to best lead the library website “renovation.” A prototype was created to assess an audience-based navigation design, homepage content framework, and heading terminology. The usability study consisted of 38 student participants. It was determined that a topic-based navigation design will be implemented instead of an audience-based navigation, a search-all search box will be integrated, and the headings and menu links will be modified to avoid ambiguous library terminology. Further research on different navigation and content designs, and usability design approaches, will be explored for future studies.
Automated Fake News Detection in the Age of Digital Libraries
Authors: Mertoğlu Uğur , Genç Burkay
Published: December 2020

The transformation of printed media into digital environment and the extensive use of social media have changed the concept of media literacy and people’s habit of consuming news. While this faster, easier, and comparatively cheaper opportunity offers convenience in terms of people's access to information, it comes with a certain significant problem: Fake News. Due to the free production and consumption of large amounts of data, fact-checking systems powered by human efforts are not enough to question the credibility of the information provided, or to prevent its rapid dissemination like a virus. Libraries, known as sources of trusted information for ages, are facing with the problem because of this difficulty. Considering that libraries are undergoing digitisation processes all over the world and providing digital media to their users, it is very likely that unchecked digital content will be served by world’s libraries. The solution is to develop automated mechanisms that can check the credibility of digital content served in libraries without manual validation. For this purpose, we developed an automated fake news detection system based on the Turkish digital news content. Our approach can be modified for any other language if there is labelled training material. The developed model can be integrated into libraries’ digital systems to label served news content as potentially fake whenever necessary, preventing uncontrolled falsehood dissemination via libraries.
Il “Quaderno ISPRA-Servizio Geologico d’Italia, serie III, vol.14” con le Nuove linee guida al rilevamento e alla rappresentazione della Carta Idrogeologica d’Italia alla scala 1:50.000
Authors: Gafà Rossella Maria , La Vigna Francesco , Martarelli Lucio , Monti Gennaro Maria , Silvi Angelantonio
Published: December 2020

Il cosiddetto “Quaderno 5” (Servizio Geologico Nazionale 1995; Quaderni serie III, volume 5), dedicato alle linee guida al rilevamento e alla rappresentazione della Carta Idrogeologica d’Italia scala 1:50.000, è piuttosto conosciuto, anche grazie ai suoi 25 anni di vita, ed è anche stato, almeno parzialmente, preso in considerazione per cartografie idrogeologiche elaborate da altre istituzioni (e.g. Boscherini et al. 2005; Celico et al. 2005; Civita et al. 2005; La Vigna e Mazza 2015). Proprio per la sua vetustà, i contenuti del Quaderno 5 attendevano di essere rivisti, anche in base ai risultati della discussione tecnico-scientifica proposta dal Servizio Geologico d’Italia dell’ISPRA nella seconda metà della prima decade del XXI secolo. Ma procediamo con ordine [...].
The Transgressive Narratives of Hamsun's In Wonderland
Authors: Fjågesund Peter
Published: December 2020

The article focuses on the transgressive quality of Hamsun’s In Wonderland, that is on the book’s variety of literary genres and narrative techniques, and on the narrator’s equally transgressive presentation of himself. To examine these qualities more specifically, the paper discusses to what extent Hamsun’s travelogue is indebted to the novel that, according to Martin Nag, was essential for Hamsun’s journey to the Caucasus, namely Mikhail Lermontov’s A Hero of Our Time(1840). This will include an investigation of similarities of genre as well as similarities between Lermontov’s protagonist Pechorin and the narrator in In Wonderland, both of whom are discussed in relation to the Russian tradition of so-called “superfluous men”.
“Hamsun's Liminality”
Authors: El Samad Soha
Published: December 2020

This study seeks to establish the extent to which In Wonderland is a cultural hybridity discourse and a writing-back to Euro-American travelogues. In this ‘different’ travelogue, Hamsun’s voice cuts through the borderlands of the Russian colonized Caucasus region to reveal contempt for acquired culture and a rejection of global uniform identities in a manner that accords with Homi Bhabha’s concept of ‘hybridity.’ While keeping in mind Hamsun’s undisputed parodic style, this postcolonial reading claims that mimicry, as applied by Hamsun, is a practical demonstration of Bhabha’s theory that reflects his propensity to destabilize the West’s monolithic stance as regards the Orient. It therefore reveals the manner in which his supposedly colonial discourse exposes the discriminatory nature of colonial dominance. Within this context, Hamsun has become a cultural hybrid who refuses to imitate conventional European travel narratives or follow in their differentiating paths. On the whole, the basic argument is that Hamsun’s travelogue which invariably asserts, subverts and removes boundaries, does not endorse Orientalism neither in its romantic nor in its subservient form.
Hamsuns litterære geografi
Authors: Silje  , Johnsen Lars G.
Published: December 2020

Denne artikkelen undersøker Knut Hamsuns forfatterskap i et geografisk perspektiv ved hjelp av GIS-teknologi og digitale metoder.
Lydhør identitetsstøtte i samtaler med personer med demens
Authors: Thorsen Kirsten , Johannessen Aud
Published: December 2020

Responsive identity support in conversations with people with dementia: A study of interviews in a five-years narrative longitudinal study

A narrative longitudinal study depends on trust and a positive relationship between the interviewer and the participant to encourage the participant’s continued participation. In reported studies, the methodological part is usually too short to present the complexities in dialogues over time. We therefore have analyzed the interview processes with younger people with dementia, relating the interactions to central concepts associated with identity. The aim was to explore the methodological interview approach used in a longitudinal study, focusing on supporting identity and self-esteem. We used the concept of responsive identity to illuminate our findings. In addition, we demonstrate how the interview dialogues can support identity and self-esteem of the participants. The core of this approach is that the interviewee, living with dementia, should be seen, confirmed and supported to preserve the person`s self and dignity. Dialogue with responsive identity support is a fruitful research method in dementia research. This approach can be generalized to person-centred communication in health and caring relationships.
Diversification and selection pattern of CYP6B genes in Japanese Papilio butterflies and their association with host plant spectra
Authors: Sato Ai , Okamura Yu , Murakami Masashi
Published: December 2020

Herbivorous insects are thought to have evolved counteradaptations to conquer chemical defenses in their host plants in a stepwise co-evolutionary process. Papilio butterflies use CYP6B gene family members to metabolize furanocoumarins in their Rutaceae or Apiaceae host plants. CYP6Bs have functionally diverged among Papilio species to be able to metabolite diverse types of furanocoumarins in their host plants. In this study, we examined the diversification and selection patterns of CYP6B among nine Papilio species in Japan (eight Rutaceae specialists and one Apiaceae specialist) and their association with host plant spectra and furanocoumarin profiles. We compared host plant spectrum of eight Rutaceae feeding Papilio species and also performed a furanocoumarin profiling of their host plants. In addition, we reconstructed CYP6B gene phylogeny and performed selection analysis based on the transcriptome data of those nine Papilio species. Among Rutaceae-feeding Papilio species, host plant spectrum differences were correlated with their furanocoumarin profiles. However, all tested Papilio species had similar duplicated sets of CYP6B, with no apparent lineage-specific or host plant-specific pattern of CYP6B diversification. Selection analysis showed a signature of positive selection on a CYP6B branch. The positively selected sites located at predicted substrate recognition sites and we also found that these CYP6B genes were observed only in Rutaceae-feeding species. These findings indicate that most CYP6B diversification occurred in ancestral species of these Papilio species, possibly in association with specific host plant chemical defenses and subsequent gene loss due to host specialization. These processes would have shaped the complex diversification patterns of the CYP6B gene family in Papilio butterflies. Our results also show potentially important CYP6B clades among Papilio species which likely to have diverged functions and associated with host plant phytochemicals in ancestral Papilio species.
Cuando arden los pianos… Destrucción de instrumentos y poética musical: un estudio de Piano Burning (1966/68) de Annea Lockwood
Authors: Morán Artaiz Alejandro
Published: December 2020

La violencia contra los instrumentos en un contexto musical ha sido un fenómeno recurrente en diversas manifestaciones creativas posteriores a la Segunda Guerra Mundial, desde las corrientes de vanguardia a la música popular urbana. En el presente artículo se interrogan estas prácticas desde el punto de vista de la estética musical y, más en concreto, de lo que cabe denominar como una “poética del instrumento”. La investigación se plantea como un estudio de caso a propósito de Piano Burning(1966/68), de Annea Lockwood, pieza en cuyo transcurso se produce la quema integral de un piano. Con este propósito, en primer lugar, se enmarca la pieza en su contexto histórico y se establece una comparativa con otras obras que involucran, asimismo, arrojar un piano a las llamas. En segundo lugar, se revisan las teorías filosóficas de Stephen Davies y Matteo Ravasio sobre la destrucción de instrumentos musicales. Finalmente, se aplican los resultados de dichas pesquisas al análisis de Piano Burning, revelando en el proceso el potencial de desterritorialización del instrumento que en ella tiene lugar a través de la producción de signos.
EFEITO RESIDUAL DE HERBICIDAS AUXÍNICOS EM SOJA
Authors: Timossi Paulo César , Gazarini Angela Marques , Queiroz Beatriz Branco Tiago , Gonçalves Dênio Celestino , Almeida Dieimisson Paulo , Araújo Raimunda Orineide Barros de , Teixeira Itamar Rosa
Published: December 2020

O controle das plantas daninhas em pastagens é indispensável para melhoria dos índices de produtividade da atividade agropecuária e a utilização correta e consciente dos herbicidas é muito importante para reduzir os problemas ocasionados pelo efeito residual em culturas subsequentes. Portanto, avaliou-se com este estudo o efeito residual dos herbicidas auxínicos 2,4-D, picloram e 2,4-D + picloram no desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de soja. O trabalho foi conduzido em casa de vegetação no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 7 x 3, com quatro repetições. O primeiro fator foi composto pelas porcentagens das doses recomendadas de herbicidas (100%, 50%, 25%, 12,50%, 6,25%, 3,12% e 0,00%) na qual a maior dose (100%) foi equivalente a 2 L ha-1. O segundo fator foi composto pelos herbicidas: 2,4-D, picloram + 2,4-D e picloram. Foram avaliados o número de plantas emergidas para cada tratamento aos 10 DAS, altura de plantas e acúmulo de massa fresca e seca aos 40 DAS. O herbicida picloram afeta negativamente as variáveis número e altura de plantas a partir da dose 3,12% e massa fresca e seca a partir da dose 6,25% e o herbicida picloram + 2,4-D afeta negativamente as variáveis número de plantas a partir da dose 3,12%, altura de plantas a partir da dose 6,25% e massa fresca e seca a partir da dose 12,5%. A soja demonstrou alta sensibilidade aos resíduos de picloram no solo. As doses 25% e 50% respectivamente, dos herbicidas picloram + 2,4-D e picloram, limitaram a emergência das plântulas e a dose 100% impediu a germinação das sementes de soja. Não foi observado efeito residual para o herbicida 2,4-D em plântulas de soja em quaisquer das doses estudadas.
EFEITO DO TEMPO DE EXPOSIÇÃO AO DIQUAT PARA CONTROLE DE PLANTAS AQUÁTICAS SUBMERSAS E DESENVOLVIMENTO DE NOVA TABELA DE AVALIAÇÃO DE EFICÁCIA
Authors: Esteves Bruna Santos , Da Cruz Claudinei , Garlich Nathalia , Moraes Jéssica Campos , Pereira Pâmela Castro
Published: December 2020

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o tempo de exposição ao diquat no controle de Egeria najas, Egeria densa (Planchon) e Hydrilla verticillata (L.F.) Royle e utilização de nova tabela de avaliação para análise de eficácia em plantas aquáticas submersas. Para tanto, foram utilizadas as concentrações 0,2; 0,8 e 1,6 mg L-1 de diquat e um controle (sem aplicação do herbicida). Os fragmentos apicais de 10 cm permaneceram expostos por 5, 15, 30, 60, 240, 480, 720 e 1440 minutos. Em seguida, foram transferidos para recipientes plásticos com 1,0 L de água com 200 g de areia por 56 dias. A eficácia foi avaliada por sinais de toxicidade em 7, 15, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 e 56 dias após aplicação (DAA), em nova tabela de avaliação para plantas aquáticas submersas. A E. densa apresentou maior sensibilidade ao diquat com 100% de controle nas três concentrações, sendo em 0,2 mg L-1 a partir de 240 minutos e em 0,8 e 1,6 mg L-1, em todos os tempos de exposição. Para H. verticillata ocorreu 100% de controle nas três concentrações, sendo 0,2 mg L-1 com 720 e 1440 minutos em 49 e 56 DAA, em 0,8 mg L-1 ocorreu 100% de controle a partir de 240 minutos e em 1,6 mg L-1 a partir de 30 minutos. Para E. najas ocorreu 100% de controle em 0,8 mg L-1 e 240 minutos e em 1,6 mg L-1 em 15, 480 e 1440 minutos, em 56 DAA. O tempo de exposição 240 minutos e a concentração 0,8 mg L-1 do diquat apresentaram excelente controle das três plantas aquáticas submersas. A tabela de sinais de toxicidade desenvolvida para avaliação de controle foi fundamental para a padronização dos resultados obtidos.
Variation of Total Coliforms and Bacteria during Dry and Wet Seasons in Rivers of Sigor Division, West Pokot County, Kenya
Authors: Gershom Nyasimi Ayora , Stella Kirui , John Maingi , Anthony Kebira
Published: December 2020

Aims: There has been an increase in gastro-intestinal and urinary infections in Sigor division, West Pokot, Kenya. These infections result from bacteria and coliforms which are majorly propagated in water systems. Residents of this area are pastoralists and small-scale farmers relying on river water for their consumption and economic needs. This study aimed at characterizing the strains and quantities of bacteria and coliforms in the four rivers during the wet and dry seasons.

Study Design:  An independent measures design was used.

Place and Duration of Study: Samples were taken from four rivers (Weiwei, Chesogon, Lomut and Muruny) in Sigor division, West Pokot county, Kenya. The study was conducted between January and October 2013.

Methodology: Sampling was done at various points of the river in a stratified manner for characterization and analysis. Four main pathogens namely E. coli, V. cholerae, Shigella and Salmonella species as well as F. streptococci were isolated, cultured using different media and characterized. Further biochemical tests were conducted to confirm the exact strains present. Total viable counts for the bacteria and coliforms were then enumerated.

Results: The results found out that E. coli, V. cholerae, Salmonella and Shigella species were abundant in the rivers while F. streptococci were only observed during the wet season. Biochemical tests conducted on the isolates revealed that the strains co-existed in the water samples. Weiwei river had the greatest number of bacteria strains. Muruny river was found to have the largest population of bacteria colony forming units (cfu’s). There was a large disparity in cfu’s in the rivers during the dry seasons. Chesogon river had the highest population of coliform units.

Conclusion: The raw water in all the rivers were concluded to be unsafe for human consumption according to WHO standards.
Alleviated Immunological Activities of Wistar Rat Peritoneal Neutrophils and Macrophages by Polysaccharide Rich Extract from the Fruit Bodies of Microporus vernicipes (Polyporales)
Authors: Mahamat Oumar , Miyanui Chungong N. , Christopher Tume
Published: December 2020

Aim: This study aimed to assess the effect of polysaccharides from fruit body of Microporous vernicipes (Polyporales) on immunological activities of macrophages and neutrophils.

Methodology: Polysaccharides were extracted using hot water (PHW) and cool water (PCW) and tested on the activities of peritoneal macrophage and neutrophil in response of lipopolysaccharides. The effect of the polysaccharides was examined In vitro to assess the phagocytic activities by evaluating the vacuole formation, nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction, lysosomal enzyme activity, nitric oxide, myeloperoxidase in neutrophil and on neutrophil adherence assay.

Results: The cool and hot water polysaccharides of Microporus vernicipes significantly improved the activities of macrophages and neutrophils as demonstrated by an elevated the formation of vacuole following by a high production of nitric oxide, lysosomal enzyme and superoxide. Those polysaccharides extracts of Microporous vernicipes also caused an increase in release of myeloperoxidase by neutrophils. Results also showed that neutrophils treated with polysaccharides extracts of Microporous vernicipes adhered more on a plastic surface than those untreated. It has been also found that polysaccharides of Microporous vernicipes may have cytotoxic effect at high concentration with IC50 of 2.28 and 8.15 mg/mL for PHW and PCW respectively.

Conclusion: The result of this study indicates the immunostimulatory activity of polysaccharides of Microporus vernicipes by stimulating activities of macrophages and neutrophils.
Feedback of Pharmacy Undergraduate Students Regarding the Effectiveness of Theoretical and Practical Courses in the Pharmacy Program
Authors: Ansari Mohammad Javed , Ahmed Nehad J. , Khan Mohd. Faiyaz , Hassan Dina Allam Abdel Maqsoud
Published: December 2020

Aim: The curriculum of pharmacy needs continuing revision and assessment to effectively equip the students with the required skills and with the human values that are needed to become effective and responsible professionals. The aim of the present study was to investigate pharmacy undergraduate students' views regarding the effectiveness of theoretical and practical courses in the pharmacy program in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This study included a survey that was developed based on a literature review related to effectiveness of theoretical and practical courses. The data was collected using Google form and the descriptive data were represented as a numbers and percentages.

Results: Over 71% students agreed that the courses with practical were comparatively more interesting than the courses that include only theoretical part. Additionally, more than 73% of the students agreed that the practical part helped them to understand the concepts of the course in better way. Only 26.53% of the students agreed that if the course containing theoretical only, it will be difficult to understand effectively and only 22.45% agreed that the courses containing practical only were difficult to understand effectively.

Conclusion: The study showed that pharmacy students had more interest in the practical learning as compared to theoretical learning. Pharmacy schools should ensure that their undergraduate pharmacy programs include enough credit hours of practical courses.
The Lived Experiences of Construction Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic: In Suburban Case
Authors: Asis Celeste A. De
Published: December 2020

The lived experiences of construction workers are explored in this study.  The twelve construction workers were interviewed face-to-face to solicit their struggles and sufferings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data gathered from the respondents were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. In the analysis, the major themes identified were Knowledge of COVID-19, Initial Reaction, Financial Assistance Received, Life during Work Suspension and Challenges experienced as Construction Workers. Fear of infection and worry for their family were the initial reactions of all the respondents upon hearing of this CoVID-19 virus. For them to cope with the crisis during the work suspension period they resorted to an alternative way of livelihoods like went to farming, copra selling, rice harvesting, and 'habal habal' driver.  Homesick is also one of the challenges being experienced by a construction worker for he cannot go home because of travel restrictions.
Hallstatt culture
Authors: Collis John R.
Published: December 2020

The Hallstatt culture is a term used to describe the Early Iron Age in temperate Europe.
Anionic Redox Reactions in Cathodes for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Park Jae‐Hyuk , Ko In‐Hwan , Lee Jaewoon , Park Sangeon , Kim Duho , Yu Seung‐Ho , Sung Yung‐Eun
Published: December 2020

Intercalation‐based cathodes typically rely on the cationic redox activity of transition metals to deliver capacity, but, recently, anionic redox chemistry has emerged as a way to increase the energy density of rechargeable batteries. However, the irreversible structural disorder and voltage fading accompanying oxygen release are major problems preventing commercial use. To overcome these limitations, the connection between structural stability and anionic redox activity must be understood. Here, we present a review of theoretical and experimental progress in anionic redox in sodium intercalation cathodes. First, the effects of structural factors including stacking sequences and cationic vacancies on the reversible capacity originating from anionic redox are discussed. Second, the effects on anionic redox activity of cationic substitution with alkaline earth metals (Li or Na) and the coordination environment are highlighted. Third, the progress and challenges facing materials based on 3d/4d/5d metals are reviewed. Finally, research directions for the development of anionic redox active materials are outlined.
The depositional evolution and controlling factors of the Lower Triassic Baikouquan Formation, Northern Mahu Slope, Junggar Basin, NW China
Authors: Yang Kun , Zhou Diao , Yang Bo , Tong Jingshu , Luo Shuai , Chen Yanhui , He Naixiang , Liu Hailong , Luo Peng
Published: December 2020

Significant hydrocarbon discoveries that resulted from conglomerate reservoirs in the Baikouquan Formation have been found in the last few years in Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin. Many studies have been conducted to describe the sedimentological complexity of reservoirs. However, few of them have been focused on the depositional characteristics and associated controlling factors in Baikouquan Formation. In this study, analysis of cores, thin sections, wireline logs, and seismic volume were carried out obtain detailed descriptions and interpretations of sedimentary microfacies, depositional evolution, and associated controlling factors. The results indicate that seven sedimentary microfacies are identified in Baikouquan Formation. Furthermore, depositional evolution of fan delta systems from bottom to top of Baikouquan Formation shows retrogradation in general. Tectonic activities along the northwestern fault zone, rising lake levels, arid climate, and high temperature together exert the controls on depositional evolution of fan delta systems in Baikouquan Formation.
The effect of short‐term exercise prehabilitation on skeletal muscle protein synthesis and atrophy during bed rest in older men
Authors: Smeuninx Benoit , Elhassan Yasir S. , Manolopoulos Konstantinos N. , Sapey Elizabeth , Rushton Alison B. , Edwards Sophie J. , Morgan Paul T. , Philp Andrew , Brook Matthew S. , Gharahdaghi Nima , Smith Kenneth , Atherton Philip J. , Breen Leigh
Published: December 2020

Background

Poor recovery from periods of disuse accelerates age‐related muscle loss, predisposing individuals to the development of secondary adverse health outcomes. Exercise prior to disuse (prehabilitation) may prevent muscle deterioration during subsequent unloading. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of short‐term resistance exercise training (RET) prehabilitation on muscle morphology and regulatory mechanisms during 5 days of bed rest in older men.

Methods

Ten healthy older men aged 65–80 years underwent four bouts of high‐volume unilateral leg RET over 7 days prior to 5 days of inpatient bed rest. Physical activity and step‐count were monitored over the course of RET prehabilitation and bed rest, whilst dietary intake was recorded throughout. Prior to and following bed rest, quadriceps cross‐sectional area (CSA), and hormone/lipid profiles were determined. Serial muscle biopsies and dual‐stable isotope tracers were used to determine integrated myofibrillar protein synthesis (iMyoPS) over RET prehabilitation and bed rest phases, and acute postabsorptive and postprandial myofibrillar protein synthesis (aMyoPS) rates at the end of bed rest.

Results

During bed rest, daily step‐count and light and moderate physical activity time decreased, whilst sedentary time increased when compared with habitual levels (P < 0.001 for all). Dietary protein and fibre intake during bed rest were lower than habitual values (P < 0.01 for both). iMyoPS rates were significantly greater in the exercised leg (EX) compared with the non‐exercised control leg (CTL) over prehabilitation (1.76 ± 0.37%/day vs. 1.36 ± 0.18%/day, respectively; P = 0.007). iMyoPS rates decreased similarly in EX and CTL during bed rest (CTL, 1.07 ± 0.22%/day; EX, 1.30 ± 0.38%/day; P = 0.037 and 0.002, respectively). Postprandial aMyoPS rates increased above postabsorptive values in EX only (P = 0.018), with no difference in delta postprandial aMyoPS stimulation between legs. Quadriceps CSA at 40%, 60%, and 80% of muscle length decreased significantly in EX and CTL over bed rest (0.69%, 3.5%, and 2.8%, respectively; P < 0.01 for all), with no differences between legs. No differences in fibre‐type CSA were observed between legs or with bed rest. Plasma insulin and serum lipids did not change with bed rest.

Conclusions

Short‐term resistance exercise prehabilitation augmented iMyoPS rates in older men but did not offset the relative decline in iMyoPS and muscle mass during bed rest.
A Randomized Trial Evaluating Exercise for the Prevention of Weight Regain
Authors: Washburn Richard A. , Szabo‐Reed Amanda N. , Gorczyca Anna M. , Sullivan Debra K. , Honas Jeffery J. , Mayo Matthew S. , Krebill Ronald , Goetz Jeannine , Ptomey Lauren T. , Lee Jaehoon , Donnelly Joseph E.
Published: December 2020

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three levels of exercise on weight regain subsequent to clinically meaningful weight loss (WL).

Methods

Adults with overweight or obesity (n = 298) initiated a 3‐month behavioral WL intervention, which included reduced energy intake, increased exercise, and weekly behavioral counseling. Participants achieving ≥5% WL (n = 235) began a 12‐month behavioral WL maintenance intervention and were randomized to 150 min/wk (n = 76), 225 min/wk (n = 80), or 300 min/wk (n = 79) of partially supervised moderate‐to‐vigorous–intensity exercise.

Results

Participants randomized to 150, 225, and 300 minutes of exercise completed 129 ± 30, 153 ± 49 and 179 ± 62 min/wk of exercise (supervised + unsupervised), respectively. Mean WL at 3 months (9.5 ± 3.1 kg) was similar across randomized groups (P = 0.68). Weight change across 12 months was 1.1 ± 6.5 kg, 3.2 ± 5.7 kg, and 2.8 ± 6.9 kg in the 150, 225, and 300 min/wk groups, respectively. Intent‐to‐treat analysis revealed no significant overall trend across the three treatment groups (P = 0.09), effects for group (P = 0.08), or sex (P = 0.21).

Conclusions

This study found no evidence for an association between the volume of moderate‐to‐vigorous–intensity exercise and weight regain across 12 months following clinically relevant WL. Further, results suggest that exercise volumes lower than those currently recommended for WL maintenance, when completed in conjunction with a behavioral weight‐maintenance intervention, may minimize weight regain over 12 months.
The Modal Status of Leibniz's Principle of Sufficient Reason
Authors: PIKKERT OWEN
Published: December 2020

Leibniz's principle of sufficient reason (PSR) is the claim that everything has a sufficient reason. But is Leibniz committed to the necessity or to the contingency of his great principle? I argue that Leibniz is committed to its contingency, given that he allows for the absolute possibility of entities that he claims violate the PSR. These are all cases of qualitatively indiscernible entities, such as indiscernible atoms, vacua, and bodies. However, Leibniz's commitment to the contingency of the PSR seems to stand in tension with his inference of the PSR from his theory of truth. I argue that this apparent tension can be resolved satisfactorily. When it comes to his modal views on the PSR, Leibniz's position is entirely consistent.
Regional Differences in Mortality Rates During the COVID-19 Epidemic in Italy
Authors: Azzolina Danila , Lorenzoni Giulia , Silvestri Luciano , Prosepe Ilaria , Berchialla Paola , Gregori Dario
Published: December 2020

Objective:

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak started in Italy on February 20, 2020, and has resulted in many deaths and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. This study aimed to illustrate the epidemic COVID-19 growth pattern in Italy by considering the regional differences in disease diffusion during the first 3 mo of the epidemic.

Methods:

Official COVID-19 data were obtained from the Italian Civil Protection Department of the Council of Ministers Presidency. The mortality and ICU admission rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated at the regional level and summarized by means of a Bayesian multilevel meta-analysis. Data were retrieved until April 21, 2020.

Results:

The highest cumulative mortality rates per 100 000 inhabitants were observed in northern Italy, particularly in Lombardia (85.3; 95% credibility intervals [CI], 75.7-94.7). The difference in the mortality rates between northern and southern Italy increased over time, reaching a difference of 67.72 (95% CI, 66-67) cases on April 2, 2020.

Conclusions:

Northern Italy showed higher and increasing mortality rates during the first 3 mo of the epidemic. The uncontrolled virus circulation preceding the infection spreading in southern Italy had a considerable impact on system burnout. This experience demonstrates that preparedness against the pandemic is of crucial importance to contain its disruptive effects.
The Price of Probity: Anticorruption and Adverse Selection in the Chinese Bureaucracy
Authors: Jiang Junyan , Shao Zijie , Zhang Zhiyuan
Published: December 2020

Fighting corruption is often seen as a crucial step toward building better institutions, but how it affects political selection remains less well understood. This article argues that in systems where corruption functions as an informal incentive for government to attract talent, anticorruption initiatives that curb rent-seeking opportunities may unintentionally weaken both the quality and the representativeness of the bureaucracy. The authors test this argument in China using an original nationwide survey of government officials and an identification strategy that exploits exogenous variations in enforcement levels created by the recent anticorruption campaign. The study finds that intensified enforcement has generated two potentially negative selection effects: a deterrence effect that lowers the average ability of newly recruited bureaucrats, and a compositional effect that discourages the entry of lower-class individuals in favor of those who are affluent and well connected. These findings highlight important hidden human capital costs of corruption elimination in developing countries.
Behavioral and electrophysiological indices of inhibitory control in maltreated adolescents and nonmaltreated adolescents
Authors: Bruce Jacqueline , Kim Hyoun K.
Published: December 2020

Early adverse experiences are believed to have a profound effect on inhibitory control and the underlying neural regions. In the current study, behavioral and event-related potential (ERP) data were collected during a go/no-go task from adolescents who were involved with the child welfare system due to child maltreatment (n= 129) and low-income, nonmaltreated adolescents (n= 102). The nonmaltreated adolescents were more accurate than the maltreated adolescents on the go/no-go task, particularly on the no-go trials. Paralleling the results with typically developing populations, the nonmaltreated adolescents displayed a more pronounced amplitude of the N2 during the no-go trials than during the go trials. However, the maltreated adolescents demonstrated a more pronounced amplitude of the N2 during the go trials than during the no-go trials. Furthermore, while the groups did not differ during the go trials, the nonmaltreated adolescents displayed a more negative amplitude of the N2 than the maltreated adolescents during no-go trials. In contrast, there was not a significant group difference in amplitude of the P3. Taken together, these results provide evidence that the early adverse experiences encountered by maltreated populations impact inhibitory control and the underlying neural activity in early adolescence.
Timing of Seafloor Spreading Cessation at the Macquarie Ridge Complex (SW Pacific) and Implications for Upper Mantle Heterogeneity
Authors: Jiang Qiang , Merle Renaud E. , Jourdan Fred , Olierook Hugo K.H. , Whitehouse Martin J. , Evans Katy A. , Wang Xuan‐Ce , Conway Chris E. , Bostock Helen C. , Wysoczanski Richard J.
Published: December 2020

The Macquarie Ridge Complex (MRC) on the Australia‐Pacific plate boundary south of New Zealand is an extinct mid‐ocean ridge that has experienced a complex tectonic history and produced highly heterogeneous mid‐ocean ridge basalts (MORBs). When and how seafloor spreading ceased along the proto‐Macquarie mid‐ocean ridge remain elusive, and it is unclear how the mantle source of MORBs is affected by the gradual cessation of seafloor spreading at mid‐ocean ridges. To constrain the tectonic evolution of the MRC, the mantle source variations for MORBs at dying mid‐ocean ridges, and the mechanisms of mantle enrichment and asthenospheric heterogeneities, we report 11 pyroxene, plagioclase, basaltic glass, groundmass, and sericite 40Ar/39Ar and one zircon U‐Pb ages for the MRC MORBs. Our data reveal that basalts from the MRC seamounts were erupted between 25.9 and 1.6 Ma and Macquarie Island at ∼10 Ma. Combined age and plate reconstruction results reveal that the cessation of seafloor spreading at the MRC generally propagated from south to north along the ridge. Basalts produced by the then dying Macquarie mid‐ocean ridge at different times on different seamounts/island show a large variation in isotopic compositions and there is no clear correlation between ages and isotopic ratios. The heterogeneity of mantle source for MORBs from the proto‐Macquarie mid‐ocean ridge suggests that the upper asthenospheric mantle is heterogeneous, and such heterogeneity becomes most obvious at dying mid‐ocean ridges where the degrees of partial melting are low and a large range of melt compositions are produced.
Recent advances in the applications of nano-agrochemicals for sustainable agricultural development
Authors: Singh Harpreet , Sharma Archita , Bhardwaj Sanjeev K. , Arya Shailendra Kumar , Bhardwaj Neha , Khatri Madhu
Published: December 2020

Modern agricultural practices have triggered the process of agricultural pollution.
Efficient upcycling electroplating sludge and waste PET into Ni-MOF nanocrystals for the effective photoreduction of CO2
Authors: Song Kainan , Qiu Xiaoqing , Han Bin , Liang Shujie , Lin Zhang
Published: December 2020

Simultaneously the upcycling of electroplating sludge and waste PET into Ni-MOF nanocrystals show superior activities towards the photoreduction of CO2.
Hollow-porous fibers for intrinsically thermally insulating textiles and wearable electronics with ultrahigh working sensitivity
Authors: Yu Yunfei , Zheng Guangchao , Dai Kun , Zhai Wei , Zhou Kangkang , Jia Yanyan , Zheng Guoqiang , Zhang Zhicheng , Liu Chuntai , Shen Changyu
Published: December 2020

Wearable smart devices should be flexible and functional to imitate the warmth and sensing functions of human skin or animal fur.