bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation, Properties and Use of Nanocellulose from Non-Wood Plant Materials
Authors: Barbash Valerii , Yaschenko Olga
Published: November 2020

The chapter describes the chemical structure and hierarchical organization of cellulose fibers, characteristics of non-wood plant raw materials (NWPM), and methods for preparing pulp and nanocellulose (NC). NWPM have the necessary reserves and properties to make up for a possible shortage of wood fiber for pulp production. The methodology for evaluating the efficiency of the delignification processes of plant raw materials is presented. A two-stage technology for producing pulp for the preparation of NC by environmentally friendly organosolvent methods of NWPM delignification is proposed. Methods for preparing nanocellulose are described. The technological parameters of the extraction of NC from pulp are discussed. The influence of NC on the properties of composite materials is analyzed. Areas of use for NC from NWPM are shown.
Using E-Learning Platform for Enhancing Teaching and Learning in the Field of Social Work at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
Authors: Saleh Emad
Published: November 2020

This chapter explores the issue of e-learning as a helpful method in higher education institutes and universities in general, and specifically, in the field of social work education. It is based on a study carried out at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman and presents knowledge and attitudes of students towards reliance on the e-learning platforms, such as Moodle, as a helpful educational tool. It highlights that Moodle as an e-learning platform enhances communication between teachers and students, and among students themselves. The chapter presents the findings about the usefulness of Moodle, as an e-learning platform as well as challenges of social work students face during using e-learning platform in their learning. Finally, it offers recommendations to deal with the challenges and highlights implication of the study beyond social work education.
Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Thermochemical Treatment for the Liquefaction of Lemon Bagasse in a Jacketed Vessel
Authors: S. Leite Brenno , J.O. Ferreira Daniel , A.F. Leite Sibele , F.C. Lins Vanessa
Published: November 2020

In this work, it was investigated the time evolution of thermal profile inside a liquefaction vessel and how the temperature and time of reaction influenced liquefaction yield. Liquefaction was performed in two different ways: (1) Experimental Analysis; (2) Numerical 3-D model, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Liquefaction was performed using lemon bagasse samples, glycerol and sulphuric acid, as catalyst. Temperature and liquefaction Yield (LY) were measured for different time of reaction (30, 60 and 90 minutes). From experimental data, LY were higher than 70 wt% for 90 minutes reaction. The increase in the temperature inside the reactor occurred due to the conduction and natural convection phenomena. Although the jacketed vessel was fed with steam at 125°C, working conditions allowed the heating of the mixture to less than 100°C. CFD thermal profile was in accordance with experimental data. They showed it was necessary 60 minutes to achieve a steady state of heating in the mixture inside this liquefaction vessel. From CFD transient simulations, it was observed some oscillations and detachment from experimental data, which may be due to changes in fluids properties along the process. Despite this consideration CFD could satisfactory analyse heat transfer in this liquefaction process.
Applications of Oxidoreductases
Authors: Rani Gogoi Sandhya
Published: November 2020

Oxidoreductases comprise of a large group of enzymes catalyzing the transfer of electrons from an electron donor to an electron acceptor molecule, commonly taking nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) as cofactors. Research on the potential applications of oxidoreductases on the growth of oxidoreductase-based diagnostic tests and better biosensors, in the design of inventive systems for crucial coenzymes regeneration, and in the creation of oxidoreductase-based approaches for synthesis of polymers and oxyfunctionalized organic substrates have made great progress. This chapter focuses on biocatalytic applications of oxidoreductases, since many chemical and biochemical transformations involve oxidation/reduction processes, developing practical applications of oxidoreductases has long been a significant target in biotechnology. Oxidoreductases are appropriate catalysts owing to their biodegradability, specificity and efficiency and may be employed as improved biocatalysts to substitute the toxic/expensive chemicals, save on energy/resources consumption, generate novel functionalities, or reduce complicated impacts on environment.
Fiabilidad de la velocidad de ejecución en tres modalidades del ejercicio de press de banca: influencia del nivel de experiencia
Authors: García Ramos Amador , Janicijevic D. , González-Hernández J.M. , Ulloa-Díaz D. , Cuevas-Aburto J. , Pérez-Castilla A. , Rozas F.J.
Published: November 2020

El objetivo del estudio fue comparar la fiabilidad de la velocidad media propulsiva (VMP) entre tres variantes del ejercicio de press de banca (PB). Quince hombres con experiencia y 15 sin experiencia con el ejercicio de PB realizaron en orden aleatorizado tres variantes del ejercicio de PB en diferentes sesiones (sólo-concéntrico, excéntrico-rápido y excéntrico-controlado). La VMP se registró ante tres cargas (≈ 30%1RM, 50%1RM y 75%1RM) con un transductor lineal de velocidad. La fiabilidad fue siempre alta (coeficiente de variación [CV] ≤ 5,76%, coeficiente de correlación intraclase [CCI] ≥ 0,74). La comparación de los CV reveló una mayor fiabilidad para las variantes sólo-concéntrico y excéntrico-rápido en comparación con la variante excéntrico-controlado (CV ratio > 1,15), no existiendo diferencias significativas en fiabilidad entre las variantes sólo-concéntrico y excéntrico-rápido (CV ratio < 1,15). No se observaron diferencias en fiabilidad entre los participantes con (CV ≤ 5,76%; CCI ≥ 0,83) y sin experiencia (CV ≤ 5,21%; CCI ≥ 0,74). Estos resultados apoyan el uso de las modalidades de PB sólo-concéntrico y excéntrico-rápido para evaluar la fuerza de los miembros superiores a través de la medición de la velocidad de ejecución en participantes con y sin  experiencia con el ejercicio de PB.
Comparación de las sentadillas con salto usando máquina Smith y masa libre
Authors: Gutiérrez-Dávila Marcos , Marcos-Frutos D. , Morato D. , Morata L. , Manrique J. , Gutiérrez Cruz C.
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to compare the reaction forces, power and the kinematics of the center of mass (CM) during the performance of jump squats using the Smith machine (SM) and the free weight (FW). In this study participated twenty-four athletes with experience in jumping activities and training with loads. In addition to a Smith machine, a Dinascan / IBV force platform has been used at 500 Hz. After obtaining the maximum load for each participant (1RM), the components of the reaction force (FR (X) and FR (Y)) were recorded in three load levels, with respect to their corresponding 1RM (30 %, 50% and 70%). The kinematics of the CM was obtained from the integration of the acceleration with respect to time after dividing the net force (FN) by the mass of the system (m). From the analysis of the performance times and the reaction forces, it is suggested that the FW situation would be more suitable to look for a real approach to the competition, being a movement that produces a greater postural control. The SM situation reduces the execution time and increases the momentum developed during the propulsive phase, which suggests that it could be more suitable for training the development of force at high speeds of concentric contraction.
Falling from Heaven to Earth
Authors: WANG Chengjun ,   Academic Publishing
Published: November 2020

The Qigong movement was one of the most remarkable New Religious Movements, and one of the most important social and cultural phenomena in China during 1980s–1990s. It rose rapidly and created what was termed a “fever” in a very short time in Post-Mao China, and then suddenly fell off the late 1990s. This paper analyzes how and why Qigong, as a new religion, endured such a drastic change within specific political, economic and cultural contexts in China across the course of twenty years. It argues that the rise of Qigong can be mainly ascribed to people’s urgent need for the promotion of health, eagerness to restore national pride, and the change of people’s lifestyle and mindset in response to the “Reform and Opening-up” subsequent to 1978. The collapse of the movement could be seen as an unavoidable result from certain intrinsic and extrinsic factors, namely, the natural tensions between Qigong itself and the national political authorities as well as the scientific establishment, harmful outcomes it produced among some practitioners, and the change in the social and cultural contexts that fostered qigong. In general, it is plausible to say that both its rise and fall were products of the time China underwent subsequent to the “Reform and Opening-up” period.
Закон, философия и религия в архаической Греции
Authors: Соловьева Александра Сергеевна ,   Lobachevsky State University Press
Published: November 2020

Законы архаических Афин служили авторитетом для эллинов классической эпохи. В античной традиции классического времени для обозначения старых правовых положений (законов Драконта и Солона) использовалось отдельное слово θεσμός, под которым древние греки в первую очередь понимали священное постановление и связывали свои первые законы с религией. Однако наравне с употреблением данного понятия классические авторы описывали современные им законы, обозначая их словом νόμος, при этом данный термин широко употреблялся в философской мысли древних греков. В статье рассматриваются возможные причины того, почему понятие θεσμός, актуальное для архаической эпохи, в трудах классических авторов используется крайне редко и заменяется новым термином, который помимо политического закона активно используется в философских системах. Изучается вопрос о том, как развивалась политическая мысль Греции и как она взаимодействовала сперва с религией греков, а затем с философией. Также рассматривается процесс рационализации греческого общества, который, по мнению автора, привел к разграничению архаических правовых положений и политического закона классического периода. Автор статьи приходит к выводу о том, что изменение употребления понятий отражало перемены в сознании древних греков и процесс перехода от мифологическо-религиозного восприятия мира к более рационализированному философскому восприятию.
A Strategy for Meaningful Ethics Curriculum
Authors: LeFrancois Susan ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: November 2020

Recently, there has been a focus on ethics education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and business programs. Scholars, industry representatives, and accreditation bodies have identified ethics education as an element that requires renewed strategies to create better prepared professionals. In this paper, the author argues the importance of educating future technology and business professionals in constructive confrontation, conflict resolution, and creative problem solving. In addition, students need to be provided tools to become self-aware so they can be more assertive in their everyday lives which will lead to more confident decision-making. Ethics curriculum in all fields should provide discussion regarding the normalcy and essential nature of confrontation. Without knowledge and practice of strategy when confrontation is needed, students will be less likely to act when faced with questionable situations in their professional lives. Finally, educational techniques for use in the classroom, such as assignments that promote practice in confrontation and peer mediation, are presented and explained.
Room to Manoeuvre: Moving Beyond the Grotesque in Tierno Monénembo's Convivial Space
Authors: Grayson Hannah
Published: November 2020

This article engages with Achille Mbembe's notion of the grotesque in two novels by Guinean author Tierno Monénembo: Les Crapauds-brousse (Paris: Seuil, 1979) and Les Écailles du ciel (Paris: Seuil, 1986). The article argues that Monénembo's aesthetics of mutedness
and instability constitute a double dismantling of the dictator's staged power in these fictional worlds through reducing the presence of the dictator figure and accentuating the evidence of his failures. By drawing our attention to subtlety and insecurity, these novels demonstrate the limitations
and failures of a grotesque stylistics of power. At the heart of these limitations is Mbembe's notion of 'mutual zombification', which here is contested by the negotiation of convivial space by those who are ruled. The texts' restraint of the dictator figures signals the inevitability of their
decline, caught as they are in continuities of colonial rule that are bound to fail. Instability and decay, alongside silence and absence, constitute an alternative aesthetics that help to reveal the complexities of postcolonial space.
Deconstructing the Grotesque in Contemporary Francophone Algerian Literature, or: How to Move Beyond the 'Zombified' State?
Authors: Ford Joseph
Published: November 2020

Taking Achille Mbembe's theory of the grotesque as a starting point, this article examines how a series of contemporary Algerian novels deploy an aesthetic of the grotesque to contest and deconstruct the operation of State power in Algeria. The article shows how three writers of the
post-civil war period (Habib Ayyoub, Salim Bachi and Mustapha Benfodil) engage in distinct yet related ways with representations of the grotesque and the obscene in a renewed effort to break out of a state of false consciousness that renders citizens and observers complicit with the structures
of power in place. The article argues that one of the reasons Mbembe's landmark essay is so important to the situation now faced by Algerian artists, writers and civil society, is because it helps us to see the failure of the grotesque as a contestatory aesthetic and hence provides new insight
into the spectacle of power at work in Algerian society and politics.
The Compatibility of Motor Vehicle Insurance Law between the UK and EU
Authors:   , Alissa Hasan
Published: November 2020

This thesis examines the EU and UK regulation in respect of motor insurance law, including the Motor Vehicle Insurance Directives (MVID), the Road Traffic Acts 1930 and 1988, the Uninsured Drivers’ Agreements and the Untraced Drivers’ Agreements. It provides a critical assessment of the compatibility of national laws with their EU source/parent laws – in both the substantive elements of the laws and the administrative and procedural rules under which they operate, and, given the significance of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the impact of Brexit is considered. The study will ably demonstrate the deficiencies in the UK’s transposition of the law and will argue, given the supporting case law and the underlying rationale for the development of the Directives – the free movement principles of people and goods, that an rationale can be presented that the offending aspects of the national law should be disapplied. It is this aspect of the work which is unique and offers a consistent and certain future for motor vehicle insurance law and the rights of third-party victims in the UK.
Artistic research into distraction, agency, and the internet
Authors:   , Day Michael
Published: November 2020

This practical study is concerned with flows of attention and distraction that are associated with experiences of the internet. Taking the term ‘internet’ to stand for a range of networked social, media-consumption, and data practices carried out on devices such as smartphones, this study sets out to explore how distraction might arise, how it might be conceptualised, and the potential consequences for agency of the conditions of its emergence. The study is led by the production and analysis of artworks, using practical approaches that engage critically with aspects of the experience of the internet. This thesis begins by exploring conceptions of the ‘attention economy’ articulated by Goldhaber (1997), Beller (2006), and Citton (2017), developing an understanding that counters mainstream deterministic positions regarding the impact of digital technologies on the capacity for focused attention. Distraction is considered as an experience that may be sought out by individuals but can be captured and extended by third parties such as social media platforms. The importance of the data generated by habitual or compulsive engagement with internet-enabled devices and services (Zuboff, 2015) is considered against a backdrop of quantification and managerialism that extends beyond experiences of the internet. The study reviews existing artworks made in response to these concerns, focusing on expressions of the ‘attention economy’ prevalent in ‘postinternet’ art. Works by Vierkant (2010), Roth (2015) and others that interrogate infrastructure, data-gathering, or networked methods of distribution are identified as relevant, and a position is developed from which the consequences of metricised display platforms for an artistic ‘attention economy’ can be explored. Prototype artworks made during the study are appraised using an artistic research methodology that foregrounds the role of the researcher as both producer and reader of the artwork. Works that actively create distraction, that gather and visualise data, and that emphasise calm self-interrogation, are discussed and evaluated. The practical aspects of the research contribute to knowledge by extending understanding of the spatial, infrastructural, and algorithmic dimensions of the relationship between distraction and agency.
Recapitulating Parkinson’s disease pathology in a three-dimensional neural cell culture model
Authors:   , Taylor-Whiteley Teresa Rachel
Published: November 2020

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, after Alzheimer's disease (AD), occurring at a rate of 0.1%-0.2% of the population. The incidence of PD increases with advancing age, affecting 1% of the population over the age of 65. Extensive loss of dopaminergic neurons and aggregation of the protein α-synuclein (α-syn) into ubiquitin-positive Lewy bodies (LBs) represents a major neuropathological hallmark of PD. The impact of LB pathology on the disease pathogenesis is still largely unknown, with evidence suggesting small soluble oligomeric assemblies that precede LB development are the causative agent in PD. At present, the generation of large nuclear-associated LBs from endogenous wildtype α-syn, translationally regulated under its own promoter in human cell culture models, requires costly and time-consuming protocols. The primary objective of this thesis was to develop a more physiologically relevant cell culture model of PD that recapitulates the development of LB inclusions. Using a cell culture model of fully differentiated human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells grown in three-dimensions (3D), cells were shown to develop LB-like pathology upon exposure to exogenous α-syn species. In contrast to most cell- and rodent based PD models, which exhibit multiple diffuse α-syn aggregates throughout the cytoplasm, a single large nuclear inclusion that is immunopositive for α-syn and ubiquitin is rapidly obtained in our model. However, phosphorylation of α-syn within these inclusions was not observed. This was achieved without the need for overexpression of α-syn or genetic modification of the cell line. To further explore the mechanism of LB formation the recently discovered programmed cell death pathway ferroptosis was investigated. Ferroptosis is an irondependent cell death pathway that shares similar pathogenic features with PD including elevated iron concentration, GSH depletion, lipid peroxidation and increased ROS. However, there are currently no studies that have explored whether α-syn is involved in ferroptotic cell death. Viability assays within the 3D cell culture model following treatment with ferroptosis and apoptosis inducers and qPCR of ferroptotic targets demonstrated resistance to this mechanism of programmed cell death. Nevertheless, treatment with iron was associated with some features of ferroptosis including increased ROS, some lipid peroxidation and reduced levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Phosphorylation of α-syn at serine 129 (S129) was increased upon iron treatment and reduced following treatment with a ferroptosis inhibitor, liproxstatin-1. These results demonstrate the potential implications of iron exposure, α-syn aggregation, and ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of PD. The system described in this thesis provides an ideal tool to screen compounds to intervene therapeutically in LB formation, and to investigate the mechanisms involved in disease progression in synucleinopathies.
Où est donc passé l’art taino ? Un cas d’école : analyse du cartel d’une étrange statuette taino
Authors: Petitjean Roget Henry
Published: November 2020

Une série de photogıraphies d’une statuette taino en pierre, de 44 cm. de hauteur proposée à la vente par une galerie d’art m’a été soumise pour avis. Son style, le traitement de certaines parties du corps, épaules, mains et bras en particulier, l’abondance étouffante de décors, sont peu en accord avec la sobriété de l’art taino. Cette sculpture est un patchwork de motifs ornementaux inspirés de céramiques de la période cedrosan saladoïde ou saladoïde insulaire (±400 ±350) et non pas chicoïdes, période taino. Elle indique des références à des motifs de duhos de bois et à ceux de trigonolithes (pierres à trois pointes). Celui qui l’a réalisée lui a ajouté une touche très personnelle. Il a parsemé les avant-bras du personnage de cupules et de gravures qui font penser à des tatouages. Les traces de façonnage des motifs qui ornent la sculpture sont incompatibles avec l’utilisation d’un outillage de pierre, percuteurs, éclats de pierres dures, de madrépore et de sable pour le polissage de la pièce. Mon analyse met en lumière des pratiques qui, sans être généralisées, le sont déjà trop.
La Scouine couine : poétique de l’a-parole dans le roman d’Albert Laberge
Authors: Godin Louis-Daniel
Published: November 2020

« Aucun des personnages du roman ne possède les mots pour exprimer la souffrance [de sa] vie », écrivent les auteurs de L’histoire de la littérature québécoise à propos des personnages de La Scouine d’Albert Laberge (M. Biron, F. Dumont, É. Nardout-Lafarge, Boréal, 2007, p. 208). L’ignorance de la langue est une thématique privilégiée dans la littérature québécoise, qui s’est prolongée de différentes manières au fil du xxe siècle, notamment grâce à une abondance de narrateurs enfants engendrant leur propre langage, rêvant d’union incestueuse ou de retour au paradis perdu de l’enfance. Cette insistante thématique est souvent considérée comme le signe d’une immaturité nationale à dépasser. Nous défendons la thèse inverse : le désir littéraire de révéler les origines du langage n’est pas synonyme d’immaturité lorsqu’il est assumé par une complexe élaboration poétique. Il relève alors d’un savoir-faire, ce que La Scouine d’Albert Laberge nous permet de démontrer. Nous proposons une hypothèse nouvelle sur la signification du titre de ce classique de la littérature québécoise. Cette analyse de la poétique du roman engage également une réflexion sur le nom propre et les rapports du sujet au langage qui a pour cadre le savoir de la psychanalyse.
Os pobres como boa notícia para a vida da Igreja: as cartas do Papa Francisco para o dia mundial dos pobres | The Poor as Good News to the Life of the Church: Pope Francis’ Letters for the World Day of the Poor
Authors: Zanini Rogério L.
Published: November 2020

O Papa Francisco instituiu, em 2016, o Dia Mundial dos Pobres. Nos três anos seguintes, emitiu, em cada ano, uma carta-mensagem enfatizando a necessidade de a Igreja colocar os pobres, prediletos de Jesus Cristo, no centro de sua missão. Por um lado, o mundo dos pobres se apresenta com uma multiplicidade de expressões: rostos marcados pelo sofrimento, pelas injustiças sociais, pelos bolsões de pobreza próximos de mansões e sendo repelidos por muros e esquemas de alta segurança. Por outro lado, os pobres, sob o olhar da fé que brota do Deus revelado por Jesus Cristo, são para o cristianismo a presença do próprio Deus na história. Assim, os pobres não são apenas destinatários de uma boa ação, de alguns gestos improvisados de caridade, mas, ao contrário, na relação com os pobres se toca com as mãos a carne de Cristo. Este artigo reflete sobre essas questões a partir das cartas do Papa para o Dia Mundial dos Pobres, tendo como chave-interpretativa o conceito de pobreza fruto da Conferência de Medellín (1968), que se dá em uma perspectiva tríade: pobreza como carência, fruto de injustiças; a pobreza evangélica que precisa ser buscada como lembram os profetas e o próprio Jesus de Nazaré; e pobreza como realidade de solidariedade e missão intrínseca da vida da Igreja.   Abstract Pope Francis established the World Day of the Poor in 2016. Since then, he wrote, each year, a letter-message emphasizing the need for the Church to place the poor, favorites of Jesus Christ, in the center of her mission. On the one hand, the world of the poor presents itself with a multiplicity of expressions: faces marked by suffering, social injustices, areas blighted by poverty living close to mansions and being repelled by walls and high security schemes. On the other hand, the poor, under the sight of faith, which springs from the God revealed by Jesus Christ, are the presence of God Himself in history. Thereby, the poor are not only recipients of a good deed, some improvised gestures of charity, but, on the contrary, in the relationship with the poor, we touch with our own hands the flesh of Christ. This article reflects on those questions, based on the papal letters for the World Day of the Poor, and taking as a hermeneutical key the concept of poverty established in the Medellín conference (1968) in a triad perspective: poverty as a lack and a fruit of injustice; the evangelical poverty that needs to be pursued as the prophets and Jesus of Nazareth remember; and poverty as a reality of solidarity and an intrinsic mission of the Church's life.
La influencia de León Duguit en la reforma social de 1936 en Colombia: el sistema jurídico, la función social de la propiedad y la teoría de los servicios públicos
Authors: Mercado Gazabón Ana Carolina
Published: November 2020

Este texto muestra la sólida influencia de la corriente doctrinal del profesor francés León Duguit (1859–1928), en la reforma constitucional colombiana de 1936, desde tres perspectivas: el sistema jurídico, la función social de la propiedad y los servicios públicos. Para el primer tercio del siglo XX, en Colombia, al igual que sucedía en Norteamérica y los países europeos que encauzaban nuestra tradición jurídica, las tesis individualistas sobre el modelo de Estado y el derecho, habían envejecido y se planteaban nuevas interpretaciones del sistema jurídico imperante y del papel del Estado en la sociedad. En Colombia León Duguit secundaría de manera decisiva, aunque no exclusiva, tal proceso. Así las cosas la relevancia del documento radica en que logra demostrar como las teorías del autor francés fueron determinantes en la renovación del derecho público colombiano a partir de la década de los años treinta.
Modulation of flight and feeding behaviours requires presynaptic IP3Rs in dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Sharma Anamika , Hasan Gaiti
Published: November 2020

Innate behaviours, although robust and hard wired, rely on modulation of neuronal circuits, for eliciting an appropriate response according to internal states and external cues.Drosophilaflight is one such innate behaviour that is modulated by intracellular calcium release through inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs). Cellular mechanism(s) by which IP3Rs modulate neuronal function for specific behaviours remain speculative, in vertebrates and invertebrates. To address this, we generated an inducible dominant negative form of the IP3R (IP3RDN). Flies with neuronal expression of IP3RDNexhibit flight deficits. Expression of IP3RDNhelped identify key flight-modulating dopaminergic neurons with axonal projections in the mushroom body. Flies with attenuated IP3Rs in these presynaptic dopaminergic neurons exhibit shortened flight bouts and a disinterest in seeking food, accompanied by reduced excitability and dopamine release upon cholinergic stimulation. Our findings suggest that the same neural circuit modulates the drive for food search and for undertaking longer flight bouts.
Transmissibility of coronavirus disease 2019 in Chinese cities with different dynamics of imported cases
Authors: Chong Ka Chun , Cheng Wei , Zhao Shi , Ling Feng , Mohammad Kirran N. , Wang Maggie , Zee Benny CY , Wei Lai , Xiong Xi , Liu Hengyan , Wang Jingxuan , Chen Enfu
Published: November 2020

Background

Monitoring the reproduction number (Rt) of the disease could help determine whether there is sustained transmission in a population, but areas with similar epidemic trends could have different transmission dynamics given the risk from imported cases varied across regions. In this study, we examined the Rt of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by taking different dynamics of imported cases into account and compared the transmissibility of COVID-19 at different intervention periods in Hangzhou and Shenzhen.

Methods

We obtained the daily aggregated counts of laboratory-confirmed imported and local cases of COVID-19 infections in Hangzhou and Shenzhen from January 1 to March 13, 2020. Daily Rt and piecewise Rt before and after Wuhan lockdown were estimated, accounting for imported cases.

Results

Since the epidemic of COVID-19 in Shenzhen was dominated by imported cases, Rt was around 0.1 to 0.7 before the Wuhan lockdown. After the lockdown of Wuhan and the initialization of measures in response to the outbreak, local transmission was well-controlled as indicated by a low estimated value of piecewise Rt, 0.15 (95% CI [0.09–0.21]). On the contrary, Rt obtained for Hangzhou ranged from 1.2 to 4.9 with a piecewise Rt of 2.55 (95% CI [2.13–2.97]) before the lockdown of Wuhan due to the surge in local cases. Because of the Wuhan lockdown and other outbreak response measures, Rt dropped below unity in mid-February.

Conclusions

Even though Shenzhen had more cases than Hangzhou, local transmission did not sustain probably due to limited transmission from imported cases owing to the reduction in local susceptibles as residents left the city during Chunyun. The lockdown measures and local outbreak responses helped reduce the local transmissibility.
A Study on the Status of Fire-Fighting Training in Buildings
Authors: Jeong Mu Heon , Kim Yoon Jeong , Jung Hyung Mo , Kim Sun-Gyu , Lee Sun Jai
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the actual state of fire drills in buildings. To this end, surveys of 642 fire safety managers and 212 experienced fire-fighters were conducted. The questionnaire covered the necessity of fire drills, excellence, level, training methods, training effects, key training contents, effects of fire drills on disaster preparedness and response, and collaboration with fire safety managers. Through the survey results, it was possible to comprehend the current situation of fire drills, which, in turn, helped identify weaknesses and areas of improvement in fire drills. In the conclusion section, the results of the investigation were discussed and the direction of future development was suggested.
Moderating Effect of Vocational Calling on Firefighters’ Stress and Burnout
Authors: Choi HaeYoun
Published: November 2020

Firefighters are exposed to complex stresses resulting from life-threatening risks in the work environment, expanding scope of work, insufficient compensation and support. This study investigated the role of vocational calling in job stress leading to burnout, which impairs mental health and organizational effectiveness. One hundred and ninety-one firefighters (average age, 40.97 years; average career, 13.14 years) participated in the study. Firefighters with a high sense of calling showed lower burnout at both low and high stresses than those with a low sense of calling. In the group with low sense of calling, burnout increased more rapidly as the stress level increased than in the group with high sense of calling. As a psychological resource, sense of calling, which leads to the perception of one’s work as meaningful and purposeful, showed a moderating effect that buffers the effect of stress on burnout.
Effect of Climate Variability on Finger Millet Productivity: Panel Data Analysis
Authors: Gurusamy Parthasarathi , Rudrasamy Balasubramanian , Raman M. S.
Published: November 2020

Finger millet is widely grown all parts of the world and it is consumed by all people. This paper studies the impact of climate variability on yield of finger millet crop in Tamil Nadu using Panel regression analysis. The data on maximum and minimum rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature and yield of finger millet was collected and used for analysis. Panel data model was used to estimate effect of climate variability. The temperature and its square terms shows the significant impact on finger millet yield, it means after the certain level increase in temperature leads to yield loss. The square term of the SWM maximum temperature will increase the yield of finger millet up to a threshold level, beyond which the yield will decrease. Higher temperature during north-east monsoon season would mean lower yield rates. The regression coefficient of interaction term for NEM rainfall and NEM maximum temperature was found to be positive which indicate that the joint effect of rainfall and temperature during the north-east monsoon season on finger millet yield was positive thus contributing for increased productivity. Thus increasing in climatic variables would support the millets up to a certain level and after that it lower the yield of finger millet.
Implementation of School Based Management in SMP Muhammadiyah 2 Kalasan Sleman Yogyakarta
Authors: Nuryani . , Hasanah Enung , Arikunto Suharsimi , Widodo Hendro
Published: November 2020

School-Based Management (SBM) is implemented with the principles of independence, cooperation, participation, openness and school accountability; however, the application of SBM in each school is different. SMP Muhammadiyah 2 Kalasan Sleman Yogyakarta is one of the schools implementing SBM. This phenomenon has prompted research on the implementation of school-based Management at SMP Muhammadiyah 2 Kalasan Sleman Yogyakarta. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of school independence, the level of school cooperation, the form of stakeholder participation, the level of school openness, and the level of school accountability in the application of school-based Management at SMP Muhammadiyah 2 Kalasan.

We used a non-experimental quantitative research method with a descriptive approach to explore the implementation of school-based Management at SMP Muhammadiyah 2 Kalasan Sleman Yogyakarta . Participants in this study consisted of 40 people. The data collection process was carried out through questionnaires, interviews and documentation.

The results showed that the implementation of school-based Management at SMP Muhammadiyah 2 Kalasan was in a suitable category as indicated by; (1) school independence has been running well (2) school cooperation, namely cooperation between school members and with parties outside the school is well established (3) forms of participation of stakeholders (government, community, and school residents), namely in the form of financial support, material support/facilities, thought support, and personnel support in good category; (4) school openness has been running well, and (5) school accountability has gone well by providing responsibility for the process and results of program implementation as well as school finances to school members, school committees, foundations and the government. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested for other schools in Indonesia that implement school-based management to make school independence, school cooperation, and the ability of schools to increase community participation as the foundation for implementing school-based management to build better school quality.
Solving Ordinary Differential Equation of Higher Order by Adomian Decomposition Method
Authors: Othman Sumayah Ghaleb , Hasan Yahya Qaid
Published: November 2020

Aims/ Objectives: In this article, we use Adomian Decomposition method (ADM) for solving initial value problems in the higher order ordinary differential equations. Many researchers have used the ADM in order to find convergent as well as exact solutions of different types of equations. Therefore, the ADM is considered as an effective and successful method for solving differential equations. In this paper, we presented some suggested amendments to the ADM by using a new differential operator in order to find solutions for higher order types of equations. We demonstrated the effectiveness of this method through many examples and we find out that we get an approximate solutions using the proposed amendments. We can conclude that the suggested modification of ADM is afftective and produces reliable results.
Curbing the Challenges in Recent Treatment Guideline for Early Management of Individuals with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Recommendation for Therapeutic Hypothermia
Authors: Ede Stephen Sunday
Published: November 2020

Background: There has been little prognosis in improving function after a complete spinal lesion. The viewpoint that little can be done to improve motor function after complete SCI seems conceptually and scientifically part of the past. With advance in medicine, better neurological outcome is long expected.

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to explore the challenges in recent treatment guidelines’ for early management of patient with TSCI and to draw recommendation for Therapeutic hypothermia.

Methods: We conducted a scoping study review comprising 28 studies (2010 to 2020) to identify and examine the research literature related to challenges’ in recent treatment guidelines’ for early management of patient with TSCI.

Findings: 28 studies were reviewed. Most cited challenges were surgical timing (26%), followed by controversy on the application of MPS (28.6%). In each of the studies, various challenges of acute stage interventions were outline with poor common standards and recommendations for clinical practices. Surgical decompression (16 papers) was the most cited intervention. Generally, result showed that despite the progress that has been made in the acute management of patients with SCI, neurological outcomes have not improved significantly in recent decades.

Conclusion: Key early interventions are increasingly being recognized; combined Neuroprotective and neuroregenerative care are probably more effective and they inspire current and future research. We concluded that an evidence based guidelines for TH would help reduce the doom experience around complete SCIs. Thus there is a need to better define the beneficial effect of TH on the injured SCI.
Primary Orbital Lymphoma – A Rare Challenging Diagnostic Entity
Authors: Marwah Nisha , Dalal Niti , Satiza Manali , Singh Sunita
Published: November 2020

The diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorder of orbit is quite challenging as both Pseudolymphomas and Non‑Hodgkin’s lymphomas can occur in orbit. Primary orbital lymphoma is a rare entity comprising of 1-2% of Non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma, majority of them are B‑cell type. It is a slow growing tumor. It presents in the age group of 50–70 years, with a slight female preponderance. Proptosis is the most common presentation. We, herein, report a case of 48 years old male presenting with right non-axial proptosis, watering of eye, blurring of vision and redness for the last 9 months. After thorough clinical and radiological evaluation, a biopsy was taken for histopathological examination. A primary diagnosis of Lymphoproliferative Disorder was made. Following this, a panel of immunohistochemical markers was applied and a final diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, B-cell type was given.
Constitutive activation of integrin αvβ3 contributes to anoikis resistance of ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Dolinschek Romana , Hingerl Julia , Benge Anke , Zafiu Christian , Schüren Elisabeth , Ehmoser Eva‐Kathrin , Lössner Daniela , Reuning Ute
Published: November 2020

Epithelial ovarian cancer involves the shedding of single tumor cells or spheroids from the primary tumor into ascites, followed by their survival, and transit to the sites of metastatic colonization within the peritoneal cavity. During their flotation, anchorage‐dependent epithelial‐type tumor cells gain anoikis resistance, implicating integrins, including αvß3. In this study, we explored anoikis escape, cisplatin resistance, and prosurvival signaling as a function of the αvß3 transmembrane conformational activation state in cells suspended in ascites. A high‐affinity and constitutively signaling‐competent αvß3 variant, which harbored unclasped transmembrane domains, was found to confer delayed anoikis onset, enhanced cisplatin resistance, and reduced cell proliferation in ascites or 3D‐hydrogels, involving p27kip upregulation. Moreover, it promoted EGF‐R expression and activation, prosurvival signaling, implicating FAK, src, and PKB/Akt. This led to the induction of the anti‐apoptotic factors Bcl‐2 and survivin suppressing caspase activation, compared to a signaling‐incapable αvß3 variant displaying firmly associated transmembrane domains. Dissecting the mechanistic players for αvß3‐dependent survival and peritoneal metastasis of ascitic ovarian cancer spheroids is of paramount importance to target their anchorage independence by reversing anoikis resistance and blocking αvß3‐triggered prosurvival signaling.
Automated phantom analysis for gamma cameras and SPECT: A methodology for use in a clinical setting
Authors: Tazegul Tutku E. , Polemi Andrew M. , Snyder Angela , Snyder Carl , Collins Patricia G.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

We introduce an automated, quantitative image analysis package for gamma camera and single photon emission computed tomography quality control. Our focus was to produce consistent methods that are feasible in clinical settings and use standard phantoms.

Methods

Four gamma cameras were used to acquire planar images of four‐quadrant bar phantoms and projection views of an American College of Radiology (ACR) phantom as part of a standard gamma camera quality control program. Images were sent to QC‐Track® (Atirix Medical Systems, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA), which automatically placed predetermined regions of interest (ROIs) and performed analysis. For the bar phantom, a standard deviation (SD)‐based modulation transfer function was calculated for a circular ROI in each quadrant. The bar widths at various MTF values were reported using linear interpolation as applicable. For the ACR phantom, the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) for each sphere, a modulation for each rods section, and a percent deviation for uniformity ROIs was calculated. Spheres corresponding to a CNR of 3, and the rod size at various modulations were also reported using linear interpolation. Visual analysis was performed by three medical physicists to evaluate interobserver variability and correlation to quantitative values.

Results

Analysis of the bar phantom showed predictable differences with changes in matrix size and bar width and showed consistency over similar acquisitions over the course of the study. Analysis of the ACR Phantom showed increasing CNR and modulation with increasing sphere and rod diameter, as expected. For both phantoms, quantitative values from linear interpolation correlated well with visual analysis.

Conclusion

Our automated method for quantitative image analysis is consistent and shows increased precision and sensitivity when compared to standard visual methods. Thresholds correspond well with visual analysis and previous guidelines for observer visibility (e.g., Rose criterion), making our framework suitable for routine use in a nuclear medicine department.
Monte Carlo simulations of EBT3 film dose deposition for percentage depth dose (PDD) curve evaluation
Authors: Robinson Spencer M. , Esplen Nolan , Wells Derek , Bazalova‐Carter Magdalena
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To use Monte Carlo (MC) calculations to evaluate the effects of Gafchromic EBT3 film orientation on percentage depth dose (PDD) curves.

Methods

Dose deposition in films placed in a water phantom, and oriented either parallel or perpendicular with respect to beam axis, were simulated with MC and compared to PDDs scored in a homogenous water phantom. The effects of introducing 0.01–1.00 mm air gaps on each side of the film as well as a small 1°‐3° tilt for film placed in parallel orientation were studied. PDDs scored based on two published EBT3 film compositions were compared. Three photon beam energies of 120 kVp, 220 kVp, and 6 MV and three field sizes between 1 × 1 and 5 × 5 cm2 were considered. Experimental PDDs for a 6‐MV 3 × 3 cm2 beam were acquired.

Results

PDD curves for films in perpendicular orientation more closely agreed to water PDDs than films placed in parallel orientation. The maximum difference between film and water PDD for films in parallel orientation was −12.9% for the 220 kVp beam. For the perpendicular film orientation, the maximum difference decreased to 5.7% for the 120 kVp beam. The inclusion of an air gap had the largest effect on the 6‐MV 1 × 1 cm2 beam, for which the dose in the buildup region was underestimated by 21.2% compared to the simulation with no air gap. A 2° film tilt decreased the difference between the parallel film and homogeneous water phantom PDDs from −5.0% to −0.5% for the 6 MV 3 × 3 cm2 beam. The “newer” EBT3 film composition resulted in larger PDD discrepancies than the previous composition. Experimental film data qualitatively agreed with MC simulations.

Conclusions

PDD measurements with films should either be performed with film in perpendicular orientation to the beam axis or in parallel orientation with a ~ 2º tilt and no air gaps.
siRNA Nanoparticle Suppresses Drug‐Resistant Gene and Prolongs Survival in an Orthotopic Glioblastoma Xenograft Mouse Model
Authors: Wang Kui , Kievit Forrest M. , Chiarelli Peter A. , Stephen Zachary R. , Lin Guanyou , Silber John R. , Ellenbogen Richard G. , Zhang Miqin
Published: November 2020

Temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard‐of‐care chemotherapy drug for treating glioblastomas (GBMs), the most aggressive cancer that affects people of all ages. However, its therapeutic efficacy is limited by the drug‐resistance mediated by a DNA repair protein, O6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), which eliminates the TMZ‐induced DNA lesions. Here, the development of an iron oxide nanoparticle (NP) system for targeted delivery of small interfering RNAs to suppress the TMZ‐resistance gene (MGMT) is reported. The NPs are able to overcome biological barriers, bind specifically to tumor cells, and reduce MGMT expression in tumors of mice bearing orthotopic GBM serially passaged patient‐derived xenografts. The treatment with sequential administration of this NP and TMZ result in increased apoptosis of GBM stem‐like cells, reduced tumor growth, and significantly prolonged survival as compared to mice treated with TMZ alone. This study introduces an approach that holds great promise to improve the outcomes of GBM patients.