bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE EFEECTIVENESS OF PSYCHODRAMA TECHNIQUE TO INCREASE STUDENTS’ SELF-ACCEPTANCE
Authors: Diani Resya Noor , Siddik Riesa Rismawati
Published: September 2018

Self-acceptance refers to individual satisfaction or happiness with itself that is necessary for good mental health. Adolescence who can accept themselves and acknowledge their condition are free to take advantage of the condition. They also acknowledge their weaknesses without blaming themselves. The using of group counselling service with Psychodrama Technique is expected for making an individual to accept its own condition. This research aimsto test the effectiveness of Psychodrama Technique for improving student’s self-acceptance in 16 Junior High School Bandung (8th class). Research method use pre-experiment, which is One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. Data is gathered by using questionnaire as measuring instrument for self-acceptance. This instrument refers to Shepard’s aspect and Berger’s indicators. Total participants are 24 students (male: 10 persons and female: 14 persons). Data calculation analysis used descriptive statistics to see the increase of self-acceptance score and pre-test and post-test analysis. This research shows that Psychodrama Technique is effective to improve student’s self-acceptance.
A case of mumps-associated myocarditis
Authors: LeBlanc Ryan Joseph , Lawati Sadiq Al , Lother Sylvain A , Lester Richard , Jassem Agatha
Published: September 2018

Mumps is a viral infection endemic in North America despite widespread vaccination. Typical symptoms include parotitis, fever, and myalgias; however, absence of parotitis and asymptomatic infection is common. Complications are rare, occurring in 10% or fewer of patients, and have only rarely been described since widespread adoption of the mumps vaccine. Most complications occur in non-vaccinated individuals. Myocarditis is a very rare, but clinically significant, complication of acute mumps infection. We report a case of acute myocarditis with a serological diagnosis of acute mumps infection in a previously healthy, vaccinated 24-year-old female.
Pedagogies of Remembrance and “Doing Critical Heritage” in the Teaching of History: Counter-memorializing Canada 150 with Future Teachers
Authors: Taylor Lisa Karen
Published: September 2018

This article argues that critical heritage studies has much to offer critical approaches to history education that are attentive to the profound challenges to settler colonial national narratives and memory politics occasioned by #Colonialism150 and the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action. The argument is grounded in a review of current debates over the status of Indigenous approaches to the past and memory-based historical accounts within competing movements in history education. If the “doing” of heritage is always contested and inherently pedagogical, this article traces the ways critical heritage studies expands the purview and vocabulary of educational explorations of contemporary memory politics in profoundly divided societies. This argument is illustrated through two examples of critical heritage practices: the national social media debate occasioned by Canada’s 2017 sesquicentennial celebrations in which dissonant publics unsettle and reconfigure state practices of imagining settler colonial temporalities and futurities; and an undergraduate secondary history education course focused on the production of counter-histories and counter-memorials to Canada 150.
Laundry Hygiene and Visible Cleanliness: An Attempt to Predict the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Laundering Processes by its Cleaning Performance
Authors: Honisch Marlitt , Stamminger Rainer , Bockmühl Dirk P.
Published: September 2018

Insufficiently decontaminated textiles could lead to transmission of infections. Thus, laundry hygiene is of particular interest and investigated in numerous studies. However, laundering experiments that use microorganisms to investigate the reduction of microbial loads on textiles are particularly time-consuming and material-intensive and the handling of pathogenic microorganisms is subject to legal regulations. Therefore, alternative methods of investigation are desired. So far, there is no satisfactory solution to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of a laundering process without expensive microbiological investigations. This study introduces an approach to predict the antimicrobial performance of a laundering process by its cleaning performance. It is not possible to conclude immediately from the cleaning index of a washing process to its antimicrobial effect based on stain types used in this study. Also in washing processes with low cleaning indices a high microbial reduction can be achieved. For bleach free liquid detergent, strong, time dependent, positive correlations between microbial reduction and cleaning index for cocoa, soot, and sebum were identified.
Імідж вищого навчального закладу культури і мистецтв як запорука його успіху
Authors: Поплавський Михайло
Published: September 2018

Мета дослідження – виявити сутність основних аспектів і технологій створення іміджу вищого навчального закладу культури і мистецтв. Здійснити спробу їх узагальнення та класифікації у відповідності до обраного фаху. Методи дослідження становлять сукупність базових принципів дослідження: об’єктивності, системності, багатофакторності, комплексності, а для досягнення мети використані наступні методи наукового пізнання: описовий та логіко-аналітичний. Наукова новизна. Досліджується створення позитивного  іміджу  вищого  навчального  закладу  культури  і  мистецтв засобами  PR-технологій. Висновки. Образ вузу складається з безлічі компонентів. Громадська думка про кожну його складову, в свою чергу, впливає на формування іміджу організації загалом.Для побудови адекватної стратегії управління іміджем вузу необхідно знати, які з них, через специфіку даної організації, мають пріоритетне значення. Які компоненти образу вузу виступають одночасно і як критерії вибору даної організації. Сучасний вітчизняний виш, як державний так і приватний, знаходиться в постійному пошуку стратегії посилення власного становища на ринку освітніх послуг. Проте далеко не всі усвідомлюють той факт, що однією з найефективніших стратегій досягнення даної мети є формування позитивного іміджу вузу.
Українське пресове бюро Дипломатичної місії Української Народної Республіки у Римі як урок для сучасної національної журналістики
Authors: Тимошик Микола
Published: September 2018

Стаття написана на основі опрацьованих автором бібліотечних та архівних колекцій української еміграції в Римі під час наукового стажування в Італії. Уперше висвітлюється маловідома сторінка українсько-італійських відносин під кутом зору постання, організації праці та результатів діяльності Українського пресового бюро Дипломатичної місії УНР у Римі 1919–1920 років.Як відомо, від початків утворення Української Народної Республіки дипломатичні представництва з Києва були вислані до кількох впливових країн Західної Європи. Їхнім головним завданням було широко інформувати керівників країн Антанти щодо ситуації в Україні та домагатися від цих країн визнання Української Народної Республіки як суверенної незалежної держави. У питаннях розв’язання російсько-української проблеми цей уряд дотримувався на той час проросійської позиції.З огляду на те, що уряд Італії не визнав Україну як самостійну державу, дипломатична місія УНР не мала офіційного статусу і фактично працювала в Римі в напівлегальних умовах. Місію очолював син відомого українського історика Дмитро Антонович.Подаються характеристики штатних працівників місії — Всеволода Шебедєва, Таїсії Липовецької-Бальмен, Івана Гриненка, Антоніо Пескалоцці, друкарів-машиністів, італійців за походженням, Сандріні та Беттанірі. Детально аналізується пресова діяльність місії і зокрема керівника прес-бюро Євгена Онацького. Проаналізована редакційна політика «Бюлетеню Українського пресового бюро в Римі» та тижневика італійського мовою «La Voce del’ Ucraina».У висновках наголошується на найголовніших результатах пресової та видавничої діяльності цього бюро. А вони були такі:- випуск циклостильовим способом «Бюлетені Українського пресового бюро в Римі» (інформаційне видання, що виходив двічі-тричі на тиждень італійською мовою обсягом від двох до чотирьох сторінок, накладом від 100 до 300 примірників; збережено 56 чисел цього видання);- випуск аналітичного періодичного видання «Голос України» (за задумом, тижневик італійською мовою, вийшло у світ 50 чисел);- підготовка працівниками бюро публікацій для італійської преси;- проведення для італійського громадськості лекцій на українознавчі теми;- видання й поширення в перекладених італійською мовою брошур на суспільно-політичну тематику та книг класиків української літератури.
«Шершень» – перший український журнал політичної сатири в Російській імперії
Authors: Гарачковська Оксана
Published: September 2018

У статті розкривається жанрова специфіка сатиричної поезії, опублікованої на сторінках журналу «Шершень» (1906), з’ясовується місце і роль часопису в історії української публіцистичної сатири. Зокрема, аналізуються сатиричні вірші, мініатюри, епіграми, пародії, підписи під карикатурами, що належать перу Лесі Українки, О. Олеся, О. Маковея, В. Самійленка, М. Чернявського та інших авторів.
Варшавський журнал «Рідна Мова» в українському інформаційному просторі Польщі (30-ті роки ХХ ст.)
Authors: Лєцкін Михайло
Published: September 2018

У статті розглянуто факти співпраці в щомісячному журналі «Рідна мова», який видавався протягом 30-х років ХХ ст. у Варшаві українським професором Іваном Огієнком, видатних літераторів-белетристів (С. Черкасенка, Б.І. Антонича, А. Чайковського) та науковців (Л. Білецького, К. Студинського, Є.Ю. Пеленського).
Зовнішня реклама в Єлисаветграді: особливості поширення на початку ХХ століття
Authors: Романюк Наталя
Published: September 2018

У статті описується сфера зовнішньої реклами в Єлисаветграді (нині — Кропивницькому) у період її активного розвитку в Україні — на початку ХХ століття. Джерельною базою дослідження стали архівні джерела, раніше не доступні для широкого загалу.
Pengaruh Keberadaan Pasar Sungai Lulut Terhadap Kinerja Jalan Martapura Lama KM. 05
Authors: Hawinuti Riska
Published: September 2018

Jalan Martapura Lama is an alternative road connecting Banjarmasin, Martapura and Banjarbaru city and it is under the administration of Banjar Regency. The existence of Sungai Lulut Market in Kilometer 05 consistently causing congestion to the area, especially during peak hours. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of market activities on the performance of Jalan Martapura Lama KM 05 indicated by the degree of saturation (DS) and the value of the level of road service.

The method of primary data collection was by conducting traffic surveys and measuring geometric conditions in the site manually on Tuesday to Thursday, 06-08 February 2018 during the morning rush hour (07.00-08.00 a.m), the noon hour (12.00-14.00 p.m) and afternoon rush hour (16.00 to 18.00 p.m) while the secondary data was obtained from the internet. The calculation refers to Indonesian Highway Capacity Manual (MKJI) 1997.

From the calculation results it can be concluded that the impact of market activities on the performance of Jalan Martapura Lama KM 05 indicated by the degree of saturation (DS) and the value of road level of service with the optimum DS is 0,68 with the value of level of road service is C on Thursday’s afternoon rush hour and the minimum DS is 1.34 with the value of level of road service is F on Wednesday’s morning rush hour. With a total frequency of occurrences and side friction class of 571 frequencies, the maksimum friction is incoming and outgoing vehicles on area alongside roads (EEVs) of 446 occurrences on Tuesday in the morning rush hour.
Store Attributes: A Sustainable Strategy to Influence Customer Satisfaction and Purchase Intention
Authors: Peng Low Foong , Hassan Zubair , Basit Abdul
Published: September 2018

This research examines the influence of store attributes namely store assortment, aesthetics, store convenience, and store service and customer relation on customer satisfaction and purchase intention. A sample of 373 customers were used to collect data using convenient sampling methods at the time of shopping from various hypermarkets located in Selangor. A Likert-scale questionnaire from 1 to 5 was used to measure the items. To analyses the data, SPSS and AMOS software were used. The path analysis showed that store assortment, aesthetics and store convenience had a positive and significant impact on customer satisfaction and purchase intention except store service and customer relation. Therefore, it is very vital for retail managers and marketers to promote these attributes and make it visible for customers to increase satisfaction and purchase volumes. This research potentially contributes to develop and implement more successful relationship marketing strategies for retailers and managers. Also future researchers could emphasis on extending this research by comparing local and foreign hypermarkets attribute and whether there exit any difference in the eyes of customer.
A Modified Sufficient Descent Polak–Ribiére–Polyak Type Conjugate Gradient Method for Unconstrained Optimization Problems
Authors: Zheng Xiuyun , Shi Jiarong
Published: September 2018

In this paper, a modification to the Polak–Ribiére–Polyak (PRP) nonlinear conjugate gradient method is presented. The proposed method always generates a sufficient descent direction independent of the accuracy of the line search and the convexity of the objective function. Under appropriate conditions, the modified method is proved to possess global convergence under the Wolfe or Armijo-type line search. Moreover, the proposed methodology is adopted in the Hestenes–Stiefel (HS) and Liu–Storey (LS) methods. Extensive preliminary numerical experiments are used to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method.
Demographic and Psychological Factors Associated with Feelings of Antibiotic Entitlement in New Zealand
Authors: Lee Carol H. J. , Norris Pauline , Duck Isabelle M. , Sibley Chris G.
Published: September 2018

Patients’ expectations of being prescribed antibiotics can have an important influence on inappropriate prescribing. Therefore, it is important to understand the drivers of patients’ antibiotic expectations. The 2015/16 New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study measured sense of entitlement to antibiotics in a nationally representative sample of New Zealanders (n = 13,484). Participants were asked to rate their agreement with the statement “If I go to my doctor/GP with a minor illness (e.g., sore throat, cough, runny nose, etc.), I think that I should be prescribed antibiotics by default.” Eighty percent of participants showed low feelings of antibiotic entitlement, while 18.5% exhibited moderate and 3.7% high feelings of entitlement. People of ethnic minority, lower socio-economic status, and with diabetes expressed higher expectations of being prescribed antibiotics. This may be partially based on a higher risk of rheumatic fever or other complications. Men, religious people, those with lower educational attainment and self-rated health, but greater psychological distress and feelings of control over their health exhibited higher feelings of antibiotic entitlement. Those high on Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Narcissism, but low on Agreeableness and Openness, also showed greater feelings of entitlement. Our findings help identify key characteristics of those more likely to express inappropriate expectations of antibiotic prescription.
Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress and the Effects of Antioxidant Intake from a Physiological Viewpoint
Authors: Kawamura Takuji , Muraoka Isao
Published: September 2018

It is well established that the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals production during exercise has both positive and negative physiological effects. Among them, the present review focuses on oxidative stress caused by acute exercise, mainly on evidence in healthy individuals. This review also summarizes findings on the determinants of exercise-induced oxidative stress and sources of free radical production. Moreover, we outline the effects of antioxidant supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress, which have been studied extensively. Finally, the following review briefly summarizes future tasks in the field of redox biology of exercise. In principle, this review covers findings for the whole body, and describes human trials and animal experiments separately.
Flooding Conceptual Review: Sustainability-Focalized Best Practices in Nigeria
Authors: Cirella Giuseppe T. , Iyalomhe Felix O.
Published: September 2018

Nigeria’s 196 million people is the third fastest growing population in the world; the interactions of this build up has left an indelible mark on the landscape and environment. Urbanization, deforestation, flooding, desertification, over population and all levels of pollution are resultant effects of this interaction with the environment. These changes directly relate to a seemingly endless desire for food, shelter, recreation and infrastructural facilities and urbanization in general. This has placed enormous pressure on ecosystem stability and environmentally sound living conditions. Flooding has become an annual event for Nigerian cities—where it consistently causes economic problems in the rainy season. Effort made by the government and residents to forestall this problem has produced sub-optimal results. There is a need to adopt more proactive, standard and reliable procedures that can offer sustainable outcomes and restore the socioeconomic growth of urban areas. Frequency of flooding is due to a number of factors relating to differing climatological patterns of precipitation, urban growth and increase in paved surfaces. The aim of this review is to utilize a conceptual framework to assess and identify areas within Nigeria prone to flooding and examine possible means of alleviating damage and harm.
Spatial Information on Voice Generation from a Multi-Channel Electroglottograph
Authors: Tronchin Lamberto , Kob Malte , Guarnaccia Claudio
Published: September 2018

In the acoustics of human voice, an important role is reserved for the study of larynx movements. One of the most important aspects of the physical behavior of the larynx is the proper description and simulation of swallowing and singing register changes, which require complex laryngeal manoeuvres. In order to describe (and solve, in some cases) these actions, it is fundamental to analyze the accurate synchronization of vocal fold adduction/abduction and the change of the larynx position. In the case of dysfunction, which often occurs for professional singers, this synchronization can be disturbed. The simultaneous assessment of glottal dynamics (typically electroglottograph, EGG signal) and larynx position might be useful for the diagnosis of disordered voice and swallowing. Currently, it is very difficult to instantaneously gather this information because of technology problems. In this work, we implemented a time-multiplex measurement approach of space-resolved transfer impedances through the larynx (Multi-Channel electroglottograph MC-EGG). For this purpose, we developed specific software (Labview code) for the visualization of the main waveforms in the study of the EGG signals. Moreover, the data acquired by the Labview code have been used to create a theoretical algorithm for deriving the position of the larynx inside the neck. Finally, we verified the results of the algorithm for the 3D larynx movement by comparing the data acquired with the values described in the literature. The paths of the larynx and the displacement on the sagittal and transverse plans matched the ones known for the emission of low/high notes and for swallowing. Besides, we have introduced the possibility to study the movement on the coronal (x) plan (so far, unexplored), which might be a starting point for further analysis.
Adaptive Impedance-Based Fault Location Algorithm for Active Distribution Networks
Authors: Orozco-Henao Cesar , Suman Bretas Arturo , Marín-Quintero Juan , Herrera-Orozco Andres , Pulgarín-Rivera Juan Diego , Velez Juan C.
Published: September 2018

Modern fault location methods are robust; however, they depend strongly on the availability of the measurements given by Distributed Energy Resources (DER). If the communication or synchronism of this information is lost, the fault location is not possible. This paper proposes an adaptive impedance-based fault location algorithm for active distribution systems. The proposal combines information provided by Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) located at the substation, the knowledge of the network topology and parameters, as well as the distributed power sources, to estimate the fault location. Its adaptive feature is given by the use of a Distributed Energy Resources (DER) electrical model. This model is used to estimate the DER current contribution to the fault, in case the information provided by a local IED is not available. The method takes two types of DER technologies into account: Inverter non-interfaced DER (INIDER) and Inverter-interfaced DER (IIDER). The proposed method is validated on a modified IEEE 34-node test feeder, which was simulated with ATP/EMTP. The results obtained using the IEDs information, presented a maximum error of 0.8%. When this information is not available, the method’s performance decreases slightly, obtaining a maximum error of 1.1%. The proposed method showed better performance when compared with two state of the art methods, indicating potential use for real-life applications.
The Construction of an Engineered Bacterial Strain and Its Application in Accumulating Mercury from Wastewater
Authors: Chang Shenghe , Wu Zhengjing , Sun Wei , Shu Haiyan
Published: September 2018

To remove organic and inorganic mercury from wastewater, an engineered bacterial strain, BL21-7, was constructed that contained the artificial operon P16S-g10-merT-merP-merB1-merB2-ppk-rpsT. For BL21-7, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of mercuric chloride, methylmercury chloride and phenylmercury chloride in Luria-Bertani (LB) medium were 100 µmol/L, 60 µmol/L and 80 µmol/L, respectively. After being cultured in three media (liquid LB containing 80 µmol/L mercuric chloride, 40 µmol/L methylmercury chloride or 60 µmol/L phenylmercury chloride) for 72 h, the engineered bacteria accumulated up to 70.5 ± 1.5 µmol/L, 33.5 ± 3.2 µmol/L and 45.3 ± 3.7 µmol/L of mercury, respectively. In the presence of 10 µmol/L Cd2+, 10 µmol/L Pb2+ or 10 µmol/L Cu2+, the accumulation of mercurial derivatives by BL21-7 was not affected. BL21-7 could accumulate mercury well in media with pH values ranging from 5 to 8 and it could work well at temperatures from 25 °C to 37 °C. After BL21-7 was added to wastewater and cultured for 24 h, approximately 43.7% of the Hg in the wastewater was removed.
Choice Poetics by Example
Authors: Mawhorter Peter , Zegura Carmen , Gray Alex , Jhala Arnav , Mateas Michael , Wardrip-Fruin Noah
Published: September 2018

Choice poetics is a formalist framework that seeks to concretely describe the impacts choices have on player experiences within narrative games. Developed in part to support algorithmic generation of narrative choices, the theory includes a detailed analytical framework for understanding the impressions choice structures make by analyzing the relationships among options, outcomes, and player goals. The theory also emphasizes the need to account for players’ various modes of engagement, which vary both during play and between players. In this work, we illustrate the non-computational application of choice poetics to the analysis of two different games to further develop the theory and make it more accessible to others. We focus first on using choice poetics to examine the central repeated choice in “Undertale,” and show how it can be used to contrast two different player types that will approach a choice differently. Finally, we give an example of fine-grained analysis using a choice from the game “Papers, Please,” which breaks down options and their outcomes to illustrate exactly how the choice pushes players towards complicity via the introduction of uncertainty. Through all of these examples, we hope to show the usefulness of choice poetics as a framework for understanding narrative choices, and to demonstrate concretely how one could productively apply it to choices “in the wild.”
Recreating the Relationship between Subjective Wellbeing and Personality Using Machine Learning: An Investigation into Facebook Online Behaviours
Authors: Marinucci Alexandra , Kraska Jake , Costello Shane
Published: September 2018

The twenty-first century has delivered technological advances that allow researchers to utilise social media to predict personal traits and psychological constructs. This article aims to further our understanding of the relationship between subjective wellbeing (SWB) and the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality by attempting to replicate the relationship using machine learning prediction models. Data from the myPersonality Project was used; with observed SWB scores derived from the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and Five Factor Model (FFM) personality profiles generated using responses on the 100-item IPIP proxy of the NEO-PI-R. After data cleaning, FFM personality traits and SWB scores were predicted by reducing Facebook Likes into 50 dimensions using SVD and then running the data through six multiple regressions (fitting the model via least squares and splitting the data via k-folds validation) with the Likes dimensions as predictors and each of the FFM traits and the SWB score as response variables. Standard multiple regression analyses were conducted for the observed and machine learning predicted variables to compare the relationships in the context of previous literature. The results revealed that in the observed model, high SWB was predicted by high extraversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness, and low openness to experience and neuroticism as per previous research. For the machine learning model, high SWB was predicted by high extraversion, openness to experience, conscientiousness, and agreeableness, and low neuroticism. The relationships between SWB and extraversion, neuroticism, and conscientiousness were successfully replicated in the machine learning model. Openness to experience changed direction in its relationship with SWB from the observed to machine learning-derived variables due to failure to accurately recreate the variable, and agreeableness was multicollinear with SWB in the machine learning model due to the unknowing use of identical digital behaviours to replicate each construct. Implications of the results and directions for future research are discussed.
The Effects of Storage Temperature on the Aroma of Whole Bean Arabica Coffee Evaluated by Coffee Consumers and HS-SPME-GC-MS
Authors: Cotter Andrew R. , Hopfer Helene
Published: September 2018

Although from a food safety point, coffee is considered a shelf-stable product, changes in volatiles over time due to out-gassing and chemical reactions lead to perceivable differences in coffee aroma and “freshness”. Previous studies have looked at the impact of storage conditions on ground or brewed coffee. This study seeks to answer the question of how coffee consumers perceive the smell of coffee grounds of whole beans that have been stored under different conditions: freezer vs. room temperature for 9 weeks compared to a newly roasted control (stored for 1 day). Green beans from the same production lot were roasted to two different levels to also evaluate the impact of roast level on aroma changes. Using projective mapping (PM) followed by ultra-flash profiling (UFP), 48 coffee consumers evaluated, using only smell, 6 different freshly ground coffee samples presented in blind duplicates. In parallel, the profiles of 48 previously reported important coffee volatiles were measured by headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) to relate chemical changes to perceivable sensory aroma changes. Overall, consumer product maps mimicked the instrumental measurements in that the lighter roast coffees showed smaller changes due to storage conditions compared to the dark roast samples. Consumers also perceived the frozen dark roast samples to be more similar to the newly roasted control than the samples stored at room temperature.
Beverage Emulsions: Key Aspects of Their Formulation and Physicochemical Stability
Authors: Molet-Rodríguez Anna , Salvia-Trujillo Laura , Martín-Belloso Olga
Published: September 2018

In the last few decades, lifestyle changes and the awareness of the importance of a balanced diet have led the population to increase the consumption of beverages based on fruit juices and/or vegetables. Fruit and vegetables contain health-related compounds that can impact on physiological processes, thus reducing the risk of certain diseases and improving the overall health status. Consumer demand for more appealing and tasting beverages has also increased. In this sense, fortification of beverages with health-related ingredients and/or flavors arises as a potential strategy for the development of new beverage-based products. Nevertheless, most of those compounds are not soluble in water, thus their incorporation in aqueous food systems, such as beverages, requires an emulsification step. Beverage emulsions are concentrated emulsified systems designed to be further diluted and/or incorporated in beverages and drinks as carriers of water insoluble ingredients. This review article aims at discussing the main key aspects of beverage emulsion formulation and their colloidal stability after being added to complex food systems.
Synthesis and Characterization of Controlled Nitric Oxide Release from S-Nitroso-N-Acetyl-d-Penicillamine Covalently Linked to Polyvinyl Chloride (SNAP-PVC)
Authors: Hopkins Sean , Frost Megan
Published: September 2018

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most widely used polymers in medicine but has very poor biocompatibility when in contact with tissue or blood. To increase biocompatibility, controlled release of nitric oxide (NO) can be utilized to mitigate and reduce the inflammatory response. A synthetic route is described where PVC is aminated to a specified degree and then further modified by covalently linking S-nitroso-N-acetyl-d-penicillamine (SNAP) groups to the free primary amine sites to create a nitric oxide releasing polymer (SNAP-PVC). Controllable release of NO from SNAP-PVC is described using photoinitiation from light emitting diodes (LEDs). Ion-mediated NO release is also demonstrated as another pathway to provide a passive mechanism for NO delivery. The large range of NO fluxes obtained from the SNAP-PVC films indicate many potential uses in mediating unwanted inflammatory response in blood- and tissue-contacting devices and as a tool for delivering precise amounts of NO in vitro.
An Empirical Analysis of the Perceived Challenges and Benefits of Introducing Biosimilars in Bangladesh: A Paradigm Shift
Authors: Kabir Eva Rahman , Moreino Shannon Sherwin , Sharif Siam Mohammad Kawsar
Published: September 2018

The high demand for and resulting financial success of biopharmaceutical products over the last three decades have seen the door open for close copies of these biological products, also known as biosimilars. This paper seeks to collate all relevant published intelligence with acquired survey data to assess the weight of available evidence that these products hold immense potential for the pharmaceutical industry in terms of their applications and benefits. Biosimilars also pose to be of great promise to the Bangladesh pharmaceutical industry, with the commitment of drastically reducing its dependence on foreign imports of biopharmaceutics to meet local demand. Our questionnaire based survey involved 100 Clinicians, 50 Industry Experts and 100 Academicians. The study found that majority of Industry Experts (72%) and Academicians (63%) shared a different concept of biosimilars opposed to majority of Clinicians (78%). Majority of Academicians (68%) and Industry Experts (61%) also shared a different belief from that of most Clinicians (61%) regarding the need for updating the existing regulatory guidelines. The study also showed that Clinicians (67%), Industry Experts (83%) and Academicians (80%) highlighted the benefit of lower costs of biosimilars. Furthermore, the quality data obtained from the survey results allowed us to evaluate and provide recommendations for stakeholders on the need for increased biosimilar awareness, pharmacovigilance and safety in Bangladesh.
Numerical Simulation and FRAP Experiments Show That the Plasma Membrane Binding Protein PH-EFA6 Does Not Exhibit Anomalous Subdiffusion in Cells
Authors: Favard Cyril
Published: September 2018

The fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) technique has been used for decades to measure movements of molecules in two-dimension (2D). Data obtained by FRAP experiments in cell plasma membranes are assumed to be described through a means of two parameters, a diffusion coefficient, D (as defined in a pure Brownian model) and a mobile fraction, M. Nevertheless, it has also been shown that recoveries can be nicely fit using anomalous subdiffusion. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) at variable radii has been developed using the Brownian diffusion model to access geometrical characteristics of the surrounding landscape of the molecule. Here, we performed numerical simulations of continuous time random walk (CTRW) anomalous subdiffusion and interpreted them in the context of variable radii FRAP. These simulations were compared to experimental data obtained at variable radii on living cells using the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of the membrane binding protein EFA6 (exchange factor for ARF6, a small G protein). This protein domain is an excellent candidate to explore the structure of the interface between cytosol and plasma membrane in cells. By direct comparison of our numerical simulations to the experiments, we show that this protein does not exhibit anomalous diffusion in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. The non Brownian PH-EFA6 dynamics observed here are more related to spatial heterogeneities such as cytoskeleton fence effects.
Stimulation of the Production of Prostaglandin E2 by Ethyl Gallate, a Natural Phenolic Compound Richly Contained in Longan
Authors: Wang Hui , Sui Hao , Ding Yan , Zhu Bao
Published: September 2018

Ethyl gallate is a phenolic compound richly contained in Longan. In traditional Chinese medicine, Longan is widely known as a fruit with “hot” properties, with a tendency to promote inflammatory and certain other responses. The mechanism for its proinflammatory as well as health beneficial effects is poorly understood. Based on our earlier observation that certain natural phenolic compounds can serve as reducing cosubstrates for cyclooxygenases (COXs), we sought to test a hypothesis that ethyl gallate may activate the catalytic activity of the COX enzymes. Results from studies using cultured cells and animals show that ethyl gallate can activate the production of prostaglandin E2, a representative prostaglandin tested in this study. Computational analysis indicates that ethyl gallate can activate the peroxidase active sites of COX-1 and COX-2 by serving as a reducing cosubstrate. The effect of ethyl gallate is abrogated by galangin, which is known to bind to the same peroxidase active sites of COX-1 and COX-2 as a competitive inhibitor. The findings of this study offer support for a novel hypothesis that the proinflammatory as well as health beneficial effects of Longan may be partly attributable to the activation of COX-1 and COX-2 by ethyl gallate.
Fluorescent Nanosensor Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Coated on Graphene Quantum Dots for Fast Detection of Antibiotics
Authors: Zhou Tongchang , Halder Arnab , Sun Yi
Published: September 2018

In this work, we developed a novel fluorescent sensor by combining molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with graphene quantum dots (GQDs) for the determination of tetracycline (TC) in aqueous samples. Firstly, we developed a one-pot green method to synthesize GQDs as the fluorescent probes. GQDs with carboxyl groups or amino groups were fabricated. It was found that carboxyl groups played an important role in the fluorescence quenching. Based on these findings, the GQDs-MIPs microspheres were prepared using a sol-gel process. GQDs-MIPs showed strong fluorescent emission at 410 nm when excited at 360 nm, and the fluorescence was quenched in the presence of TC. Under optimum conditions, the fluorescence intensity of GQDs-MIPs decreased in response to the increase of TC concentration. The linear rage was from 1.0 to 104 µg·L−1, and the limit of detection was determined to be 1 µg·L−1. The GQDs-MIPs also demonstrated high selectivity towards TC. The fluorescent sensor was successfully applied for the detection of TC in real spiked milk samples.
Strategies for Applying the Circular Economy to Prefabricated Buildings
Authors: Minunno Roberto , O’Grady Timothy , Morrison Gregory M. , Gruner Richard L. , Colling Michael
Published: September 2018

In this paper, a circular-economy framework is applied to the prefabricated building sector to explore the environmental advantages of prefabrication in terms of reduction, reusability, adaptability, and recyclability of its components. A qualitative approach is used to revisit the design, construction, and demolition stages of prefabricated buildings; in so doing, the circular-economy framework is applied to foster circular prefabricated modi operandi. Prefabrication of buildings can be divided into four entities: elements and components, panels (or non-volumetric elements), volumetric, and entire modules. Through an analysis of published research on how the circular economy can be applied to different industry sectors and production processes, seven strategies emerged, each of which revealed the potential of improving the circular economy of buildings. The first strategy is reduction of waste through a lean production chain. By reusing the waste, the second strategy investigates the use of by-products in the production of new components. The third strategy focuses on the reuse of replacement parts and components. The fourth strategy is based on design toward adaptability, respectively focusing on reusability of components and adapting components for a second use with a different purpose. Similarly, the fifth strategy considers the implications of designing for disassembly with Building Information Modeling so as to improve the end-of-life deconstruction phase. The sixth strategy focuses on design with attention to recyclability of used material. Finally, the seventh strategy considers the use of tracking technologies with embedded information on components’ geometric and mechanic characteristics as well as their location and life cycle to enable second use after deconstruction. It is demonstrated that prefabricated buildings are key to material savings, waste reduction, reuse of components, and various other forms of optimization for the construction sector. By adopting the identified strategies in prefabricated buildings, a circular economy could be implemented within the construction industry. Finally, seven guidelines were distilled from the review and linked to the identified strategies. Owing to their degree of adaptability and capacity of being disassembled, prefabricated buildings would allow waste reduction and facilitate a second life of components.
Recent Advances in the Direct Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide Using Chemical Catalysis—A Review
Authors: Ranganathan Sumanth , Sieber Volker
Published: September 2018

Hydrogen peroxide is an important chemical of increasing demand in today’s world. Currently, the anthraquinone autoxidation process dominates the industrial production of hydrogen peroxide. Herein, hydrogen and oxygen are reacted indirectly in the presence of quinones to yield hydrogen peroxide. Owing to the complexity and multi-step nature of the process, it is advantageous to replace the process with an easier and straightforward one. The direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from its constituent reagents is an effective and clean route to achieve this goal. Factors such as water formation due to thermodynamics, explosion risk, and the stability of the hydrogen peroxide produced hinder the applicability of this process at an industrial level. Currently, the catalysis for the direct synthesis reaction is palladium based and the research into finding an effective and active catalyst has been ongoing for more than a century now. Palladium in its pure form, or alloyed with certain metals, are some of the new generation of catalysts that are extensively researched. Additionally, to prevent the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to water, the process is stabilized by adding certain promoters such as mineral acids and halides. A major part of today’s research in this field focusses on the reactor and the mode of operation required for synthesizing hydrogen peroxide. The emergence of microreactor technology has helped in setting up this synthesis in a continuous mode, which could possibly replace the anthraquinone process in the near future. This review will focus on the recent findings of the scientific community in terms of reaction engineering, catalyst and reactor design in the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide.
Stability and Safety Assessment of Phosphorescent Oxygen Sensors for Use in Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Kelly Caroline A. , Cruz-Romero Malco , Kerry Joseph P. , Papkovsky Dmitri B.
Published: September 2018

Five types of new solid-state oxygen sensors, four based on microporous polypropylene fabric materials and one on polyphenylene sulphide films impregnated with phosphorescent platinum(II)-benzoporphyrin dye, were tested for their stability and safety in food packaging applications. All these sensors exhibit useful optical signals (phosphorescence lifetime readout) and working characteristics and are simpler and cheaper to produce and integrate into standard packaging materials than existing commercial sensors. When exposed to a panel of standard food simulants and upon direct contact with raw beef and chicken meat and cheddar cheese samples packaged under modified atmosphere, the sensors based on ungrafted polypropylene fabric, impregnated with PtBP dye by the swelling method, outperformed the other sensors. The sensors are also stable upon storage under normal atmospheric conditions for at least 12 months, without any significant changes in calibration.
First Aid Practices and Health-Seeking Behaviors of Caregivers for Unintentional Childhood Injuries in Ujjain, India: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Pathak Ashish , Agrawal Nitin , Mehra Love , Mathur Aditya , Diwan Vishal
Published: September 2018

Data on types of community first aid use and treatment provided post-injury from many low‒middle-income countries, including India, are lacking. This cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged one month to 18 years of age, in Ujjain, India, to understand types of first aid given and health-seeking post-injury. A total of 1087 injuries in 1049 children were identified in the past year. A total of 729 (67%) injured children received first aid and 758 (70%) sought some form of health care. Children with burns received the most (86%) first aid, and most children (84%) with road traffic accidents (RTA) sought health care. Most children (52%) sought health care from a private health care facility; most children (65%) were transported to a health care facility within the golden hour. Motorbikes were the most preferred (50%) mode of transport. Only 1% of the injured used ambulance services. Commonly reported methods or substances for first aid included the use of coconut oil on wounds from falls (38%) and burns (44%), the use of antiseptic cream on wounds from RTA (31%), the application of turmeric for wounds from falls (16%), and rubbing of metal on a bitten area (47%). For most injuries, appropriate, locally available substances were used. Potentially harmful substances applied included lime, toothpaste, clay, and mud. The findings will help design community interventions to increase the provision of appropriate first aid for childhood injuries.
Preparation and Characterization of Chemically-Modified Biomaterials and Their Application as Adsorbents of Penicillin G
Authors: Silva Jesie , Morante Lizebel , Demeke Tesfamichael , Baah-Twum Jacqueline , Navarro Abel
Published: September 2018

The prevalence of antibiotics in water creates microbial resistance and has a negative impact on the ecosystem. Biomaterials such as spent tea leaves are rich in functional groups and are suitable for chemical modification for diverse applications. This research proposes the use of spent tea leaves of chamomile (CM), green tea (GT), and peppermint (PM) as structural scaffolds for the incorporation of carboxyl, sulfonyl, and thiol groups to improve the adsorption of Penicillin G (Pe). Adsorbents characterization reported a higher number of acidic functional groups, mainly in thiolated products. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed changes on the surfaces of the adsorbents due to reaction conditions, with a stronger effect on thiolated and sulfonated adsorbents. Elemental analysis by Energy dispersive X-ray spectrophotometry (EDS) corroborated the chemical modification by the presence of sulfur atoms and the increase in oxygen/carbon ratios. Batch experiments at different pH shows a strong pH-dependence with a high adsorption at pH 8 for all the adsorbents. The adsorption follows the trend CMs > GTs > PMs. Thiolation and sulfonation reported higher adsorptions, which is most likely due to the sulfur bridge formation, reaching adsorption percentages of 25%. These results create a new mindset in the use of spent tea leaves and their chemical modifications for the bioremediation of antibiotics.
Past and Future Precipitation Trend Analysis for the City of Niamey (Niger): An Overview
Authors: Bigi Velia , Pezzoli Alessandro , Rosso Maurizio
Published: September 2018

Despite the interest in detecting the extremes of climate in the West African Sahel, few studies have been specifically conducted on the Republic of Niger. This research focuses on past, present, and future precipitation trends for the city of Niamey through the combined assessment of WMO precipitation indices using RClimDex and the Standardized Precipitation Index. Past daily precipitation data were derived from a 60-year reconstructed meteorological dataset for the Niamey airport station for the period of 1950–2009 and validated through comparison with an observed time series at Niamey airport (1980–2012). Precipitation analysis confirms the literature’s findings, in particular, a decreasing trend in total precipitation over the period of 1950–2009, and a positive trend for data that spans over the period of 1980–2009, suggesting a precipitation recovery after the dry epoch (1968–1985), even if the deficit with the wettest years in the period of 1950–1968 has not been made up. Furthermore, WATCH-Forcing-Data-ERA-Interim projections, elaborated under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 socio-economic conditions, show that precipitation will increase in the future. Therefore, the Nigerien population will benefit from increased rainfall, but will also have to cope with the exacerbation of both flood and drought risks due to a great interannual variability that can positively or negatively influence water availability.