bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PROMOTING EXTENSIVE READING ACTIVITY THROUGH CONSTRUCTING READING LOGS PROJECT IN EFL CLASS
Authors: Aulia Vivi
Published: May 2019

This research aims at knowing the result of students’ extensive reading (ER) activities that is described on reading logs project carried out by English Department students of STKIP PGRI Banjarmasin. Besides that, this research also aims at knowing the students’ attitude towards the ER activity by gaining their personal views on the benefits and difficulties accomplishing the activity. This research took place towards 22 students who were assigned to do ER activity outside the class time. The data were collected through the documentation of their reading logs project and the questionnaire. The reading log project consisted of six elements that were reported by students individually presenting the summary of their ER activities during 16 weeks while the questionnaire gained information further on clarifying the benefits and the difficulties of doing the activity. The result of documentation students’ reading logs project showed that the students were comfortable having freedom to choose reading material based on determined genres and its sources, stating specific reason on choosing reading material, and reflecting what has been discovered while reading. Furthermore, the result of questionnaire showed that students have benefits and difficulties in promoting ER activity through constructing reading log project. Since they were given freedom on this activity, 100% of them stated that ER activity were not easy due to limitation of their free time during the large amount of other courses assignment. This research concluded that promoting ER to build students’ reading habit and reading culture should be developed continually
OPTIMALISASI PELAKSANAAN DANA OTONOMI KHUSUS DALAM PROGRAM PEMBANGUNAN RUMAH LAYAK HUNI DI DISTRIK KUALA KENCANA KABUPATEN MIMIKA PROVINSI PAPUA
Authors: Meiyenti Ira , Jitmau Agnes Ayfellyne
Published: May 2019

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui proses pelaksanaan dana otonomi khusus, upaya – upaya apa yang dilakukan pemerintah daerah, serta faktor – faktor penghambat dalam proses pelaksanaan dana otonomi khusus tersebut.

Hasil penelitian: Pertama, proses pelaksanaan dana otonomi khusus dalam pembanguna rumah layak huni telah digunakan dengan baik dilihat dari terwujudnya bangunan rumah yang telah dinikmati fasilitasnya oleh masyarakat; Kedua, faktor – faktor penghambat dalam proses pelaksanaan dana otonomi khusus dalam program pembangunan rumah layak huni terdiri dari susahnya melepaskan tanah adat, masih lemahnya tata kelola keuangan, masih banyaknya peperangan suku yang menyebabkan kurang efisiennya pengiriman barang material; Ketiga, upaya yang dilakukan adanya dasar hukum  pelaksanaan dana otonomi khusus, dilakukan penghentian pembangunan, aparatur melakukan mediasi untuk pembebasan tanah.
Direction Suggestion of Community Mental Health Nursing by Amendment of Mental Health Law
Authors: Kim Young Sun
Published: May 2019

Mental illness is a common health problem that one in five adults in the world [1] experience more than once in their lifetime. Nonetheless, the social stigma of “people with mental illness is dangerous” and the wrong prejudice and discrimination make it difficult to receive adequate protection and treatment of people with severe mental illnesses.
Stocking Methods and Soil Macronutrient Distributions in Southern Tallgrass Paddocks: Are There Linkages?
Authors: Northup Brian K. , Starks Patrick J. , Turner Kenneth E.
Published: May 2019

Broad ranges of factors (parent materials, climate, plant community, landscape position, management) can influence macronutrient availability in rangeland soils. Two important factors in production-scale paddocks are the influences of location in space and land management. This study examined plant-available macronutrients (total mineral and nitrate-N, P, S, K, Ca, and Mg) in soils, with paired sets of probes (anion and cation exchange membranes) that simulate uptake by plant roots. Data were collected from sets of paddocks of southern tallgrass prairie in central Oklahoma, managed by four stocking methods during the 2015 growing season (mid-March, growth initiation by native grasses, and early-August, time of peak living plant biomass). Macronutrient availability in the 0–7.5 cm and 7.5–15 cm depths were determined at locations in close proximity to water (water tanks and 25% of the distance between tanks and paddock mid-points (PMP)), and distances near the mid-points of paddocks (70% of the distance between water and mid-points (0.7 PMP), and PMP). All of the tested stocking methods affected levels of availability of macronutrients at different times of the growing season, and among different locations within paddocks. Such responses indicated stocking methods may not result in uniform distributions of flux in plant-available macronutrients. The overall exposure of landscapes and arrangement of features within paddocks also appeared to influence macronutrient distributions.
Teff Grain Physical and Chemical Quality Responses to Soil Physicochemical Properties and the Environment
Authors: Abewa Anteneh , Adgo Enyew , Yitaferu Birru , Alemayehu Getachew , Assefa Kebebew , Solomon Juan K. Q. , Payne William
Published: May 2019

Teff is the only cultivated cereal crop from the genus Eragrostis and it is the major staple food of Ethiopians. In Ethiopia, the quality of teff and its market price are primarily determined by its grain color. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of soil physicochemical characteristics across multiple locations in the two main teff growing regions of Amhara and Oromia states in Ethiopia on teff grain color and nutritional quality of a single variety. Grain and soil samples were collected from 24 field sites cultivated with the popular teff variety ‘Quncho’ (DZ-Cr-387/RIL-355). The teff grain samples collected from the 24 locations were evaluated for grain color, proximate composition, amino acid composition, and grain mineral concentration and the soil samples were analyzed for their physicochemical properties. Sample location means were considered different p < 0.05. Teff grain color indices of hue (H), saturation (S), and brightness (V), grain proximate composition, amino acid composition, and mineral concentration differed among locations (p < 0.05). There were significant negative correlations between grain S color value and soil pH, SOC, Ca, Mg, S, and Na. Soils with greater pH, SOC, Ca, Mg, and S generally had lower S values and thus, whiter color teff grains. There were considerable variations in the measured parameters for soil and teff grain physicochemical properties. The results indicated an opportunity for management interventions necessary to obtain uniformity in grain color and chemical composition for the same variety of teff grown in the two major regions in Ethiopia.
Orangutans’ Comprehension of Zoo Keepers’ Communicative Signals
Authors: Dezecache Guillaume , Bourgeois Aude , Bazin Christophe , Schlenker Philippe , Chemla Emmanuel , Maille Audrey
Published: May 2019

Zoological institutions often encourage cooperative interactions between keepers and animals so as to promote animals’ welfare. One useful technique has been conditioning training, whereby animals learn to respond to keepers’ requests, which facilitates a number of, otherwise sensitive, daily routines. As various media have been used to convey keepers’ instructions, the question remains of which modality is best to promote mutual understanding. Here, we explored this question with two captive female orangutans. In the first experiment, we compared orangutans’ understanding of previously acquired instructions when those were performed with verbal signals only, gazes only, gestures only, and when all those modalities were combined. Our results showed that gestures were sufficient for successful comprehension by these two apes. In the second experiment, we asked whether this preference could be driven by the non-arbitrary relationship that gestures bear to what they refer to, through iconicity or pointing. Our results revealed that neither iconicity nor pointing helped the subjects comprehend the keepers’ instructions. Our results indicate a preference for instructions given through gestural signals in two captive female orangutans, although its cause remains elusive. Future practice may encourage the use of gestures in communication between keepers and orangutans in general or potentially other animals.
Optimization of Sperm Cryopreservation Protocol for Mediterranean Brown Trout: A Comparative Study of Non-Permeating Cryoprotectants and Thawing Rates In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Rusco Giusy , Di Iorio Michele , Gibertoni Pier Paolo , Esposito Stefano , Penserini Maurizio , Roncarati Alessandra , Cerolini Silvia , Iaffaldano Nicolaia
Published: May 2019

The aim of our study was to test the effects of different non-permeating cryoprotectants (NP-CPAs), namely low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), sucrose, and egg yolk, and thawing rates on the post-thaw semen quality and fertilizing ability of the native Mediterranean brown trout. Pooled semen samples were diluted 1:3 (v:v) with 2.5%, 5%, 10%, or 15% LDL; 0.05, 0.1, or 0.3 M sucrose; or 10% egg yolk. At the moment of analysis, semen was thawed at 30 °C/10 s or 10 °C/30 s. The post-thaw semen quality was evaluated, considering motility, the duration of motility, viability, and DNA integrity. Significantly higher values of motility and viability were obtained using egg yolk/10 °C for 30 s, across all treatments. However, LDL and sucrose concentrations affected sperm cryosurvival, showing the highest post-thaw sperm quality at 5% LDL and 0.1 M sucrose. Based on the in vitro data, egg yolk, 5% LDL, and 0.1 M sucrose thawed at 10 °C or 30 °C were tested for the in vivo trial. The highest fertilization and hatching rates were recorded using egg yolk/10 °C (p < 0.05). According to these in vitro and in vivo results, egg yolk emerged as the most suitable NP-CPA and 10 °C/30 s as the best thawing rate for the cryopreservation of this trout sperm, under our experimental conditions.
Contribution of Mitochondrial Ion Channels to Chemo-Resistance in Cancer Cells
Authors: Peruzzo Roberta , Szabo Ildiko
Published: May 2019

Mitochondrial ion channels are emerging oncological targets, as modulation of these ion-transporting proteins may impact on mitochondrial membrane potential, efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation and reactive oxygen production. In turn, these factors affect the release of cytochrome c, which is the point of no return during mitochondrial apoptosis. Many of the currently used chemotherapeutics induce programmed cell death causing damage to DNA and subsequent activation of p53-dependent pathways that finally leads to cytochrome c release from the mitochondrial inter-membrane space. The view is emerging, as summarized in the present review, that ion channels located in this organelle may account in several cases for the resistance that cancer cells can develop against classical chemotherapeutics, by preventing drug-induced apoptosis. Thus, pharmacological modulation of these channel activities might be beneficial to fight chemo-resistance of different types of cancer cells.
Biopolymer-Based Films Enriched with Stevia rebaudiana Used for the Development of Edible and Soluble Packaging
Authors: Puscaselu Roxana , Gutt Gheorghe , Amariei Sonia
Published: May 2019

Currently, there is an increasing concern toward the plastic pollution of the environment, in general, and of oceans, in particular, as a result of disposable packaging in the food industry. Thus, it is extremely necessary that we identify solutions for this problem. This study was aimed at identifying a viable alternative—biopolymer-based, edible, and renewable food packaging—and succeeded in doing so. For this work, 30 films with different characteristics and properties were obtained using agar and sodium alginate as film-forming materials and glycerol for plasticization. Tests were performed, such as physical properties, microstructure, mechanical properties, microbiological characteristics, and solubility assessment, showing that edible materials can be used to package powdered products and dehydrated vegetables, or to cover fruits and vegetables, cheese slices, and sausages. These materials come from renewable resources, are easily obtained, and can be immediately applied in the food industry, thus being a viable alternative to food packaging.
MEMe: An Accurate Maximum Entropy Method for Efficient Approximations in Large-Scale Machine Learning
Authors: Granziol Diego , Ru Binxin , Zohren Stefan , Dong Xiaowen , Osborne Michael , Roberts Stephen
Published: May 2019

Efficient approximation lies at the heart of large-scale machine learning problems. In this paper, we propose a novel, robust maximum entropy algorithm, which is capable of dealing with hundreds of moments and allows for computationally efficient approximations. We showcase the usefulness of the proposed method, its equivalence to constrained Bayesian variational inference and demonstrate its superiority over existing approaches in two applications, namely, fast log determinant estimation and information-theoretic Bayesian optimisation.
Algorithmic Probability Method Versus Kolmogorov Complexity with No-Threshold Encoding Scheme for Short Time Series: An Analysis of Day-To-Day Hourly Solar Radiation Time Series over Tropical Western Indian Ocean
Authors: Bessafi Miloud , Mihailović Dragutin T. , Li Peng , Mihailović Anja , Chabriat Jean-Pierre
Published: May 2019

The complexity of solar radiation fluctuations received on the ground is nowadays of great interest for solar resource in the context of climate change and sustainable development. Over tropical maritime area, there are small inhabited islands for which the prediction of the solar resource at the daily and infra-daily time scales are important to optimize their solar energy systems. Recently, studies show that the theory of the information is a promising way to measure the solar radiation intermittency. Kolmogorov complexity (KC) is a useful tool to address the question of predictability. Nevertheless, this method is inaccurate for small time series size. To overcome this drawback, a new encoding scheme is suggested for converting hourly solar radiation time series values into a binary string for calculation of Kolmogorov complexity (KC-ES). To assess this new approach, we tested this method using the 2004–2006 satellite hourly solar data for the western part of the Indian Ocean. The results were compared with the algorithmic probability (AP) method which is used as the benchmark method to compute the complexity for short string. These two methods are a new approach to compute the complexity of short solar radiation time series. We show that KC-ES and AP methods give comparable results which are in agreement with the physical variability of solar radiation. During the 2004–2006 period, an important interannual SST (sea surface temperature) anomaly over the south of Mozambique Channel encounters in 2005, a strong MJO (Madden–Julian oscillation) took place in May 2005 over the equatorial Indian Ocean, and nine tropical cyclones crossed the western part of the Indian Ocean in 2004–2005 and 2005–2006 austral summer. We have computed KC-ES of the solar radiation time series for these three events. The results show that the Kolmogorov complexity with suggested encoding scheme (KC-ES) gives competitive measure of complexity in regard to the AP method also known as Solomonoff probability.
Modified Modeling and System Stabilization of Shunt Active Power Filter Compensating Loads with μF Capacitance
Authors: Bing Yuqi , Jiang Daozhuo , Liang Yiqiao , Jiang Chongxi , He Tianxiang , Yang Lei , Hu Pengfei
Published: May 2019

The interactions between shunt active power filter (APF) and capacitance load tend to result in stability problems and resonance. The conventional model of a shunt APF is not precise enough to reflect this phenomenon. To address it, this paper proposes a modified shunt APF system model to accurately reflect various stability problems. This paper also studies the mechanism of positive feedback resonance brought by capacitance load and proposes a modified hybrid controller to improve the stable margin of the system, making the shunt APF work stably under different working conditions where there are μF capacitors on the demand side. The correctness and validity of the proposed strategy are verified by simulation analysis and prototype experiments.
Community-Based Watershed Change: A Case Study in Eastern Congo
Authors: Sabin Scott , Dieudonne Birori , Mitchell John , White Jared , Chin Corey , Morikawa Robert
Published: May 2019

Conflict and environmental degradation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are interrelated and complex. The authors conducted a case study of a community-based environmental restoration project in Eastern Congo and provide early results which suggest a link between community environmental action and multidimensional outcomes such as peace and reconciliation. The project examined in this study is based on a framework (Theory of Change) which networks communities through autonomous savings groups, churches, mosques, schools, and a community leadership network with the goal of catalyzing sustainable farming, reforestation, and community forest management. The primary project input was training, and the resulting voluntary community action included tree planting and the management of common forest areas. A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate project results comparing two watersheds, and included a difference in differences analysis, participatory workshops, remote sensing analysis, and community activity reports. Positive change was observed in the treatment watershed in terms of ecosystem health and household economic condition. Results suggest a possible influence on peace conditions which, while fragile, offers hope for continued restorative action by communities. This study provides evidence that a community-based approach to environmental restoration may have a positive influence on multidimensional issues such as forests, watershed health, economic well-being, and peace.
Preserving Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in West African Forest, Watersheds, and Wetlands: A Review of Incentives
Authors: Ola Oreoluwa , Benjamin Emmanuel
Published: May 2019

While biodiversity and ecosystem services derived from the natural environment are the backbones of West African rural livelihood, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, conflicts, and climate change threaten the continued provision of ecosystem services. This threat creates an urgent need to safeguard the integrity of the environment. Evaluating the effectiveness of environmental conservation projects is central towards designing and scaling-up successful conservation projects. Using secondary literature and project reports, we reviewed ongoing and completed conservation projects in the West African sub-region. Scientific work on incentives for ecosystem services in sub-Saharan Africa typically focuses on Southern and Eastern Africa, leaving Western Africa underserved. This study fills this literature gap by compiling lessons from conservation projects in West Africa to offer region-specific incentives that should inform the design of conservation projects in the region. The study shows that the way forward is a holistic, sustainable development approach that mirrors and meets strategies outlined in Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 5, 8, 13, and 17: No Poverty, End Hunger and Promote Sustainable Agriculture, Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Climate Action, and Partnerships for the Goals, respectively.
Effect of Deadwood on Ectomycorrhizal Colonisation of Old-Growth Oak Forests
Authors: Olchowik Jacek , Hilszczańska Dorota , Bzdyk Roman Mariusz , Studnicki Marcin , Malewski Tadeusz , Borowski Zbigniew
Published: May 2019

Although the importance of coarse woody debris (CWD) for species diversity is recognized, the effects of coarse woody debris decay class on species composition have received little attention. We examined how the species composition of ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) changes with CWD decay. We describe ectomycorrhizal root tips and the diversity of mycorrhizal fungal species at three English oak (Quercus robur L.) sites. DNA barcoding revealed a total of 17 ECM fungal species. The highest degree of mycorrhizal colonization was found in CWDadvanced (27.2%) and CWDearly (27.1%). Based on exploration types, ectomycorrhizae were classified with respect to ecologically relevant soil features. The short distance type was significantly correlated with soil P2O5, while the contact type was correlated with soil C/N. The lowest mean content of soil Corg was found in the CWDabsent site. The difference in total soil N between sites decreased with increasing CWD decomposition, whereas total C/N increased correspondingly. In this study we confirmed that soil CWD stimulates ectomycorrhizal fungi, representing contact or short-distance exploration types of mycelium.
RNA Sequencing Analysis of Chicken Cecum Tissues Following Eimeria tenella Infection in Vivo
Authors: Wang Xiaohui , Zou Wenbin , Yu Hailiang , Lin Yuxin , Dai Guojun , Zhang Tao , Zhang Genxi , Xie Kaizhou , Wang Jinyu , Shi Huiqiang
Published: May 2019

Eimeria tenella (E. tenella) is one of the most frequent and pathogenic species of protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria that exclusively occupies the cecum, exerting a high economic impact on the poultry industry. To investigate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the cecal tissue of Jinghai yellow chickens infected with E. tenella, the molecular response process, and the immune response mechanism during coccidial infection, RNA-seq was used to analyze the cecal tissues of an E. tenella infection group (JS) and an uninfected group (JC) on the seventh day post-infection. The DEGs were screened by functional and pathway enrichment analyses. The results indicated that there were 5477 DEGs (p-value < 0.05) between the JS and the JC groups, of which 2942 were upregulated, and 2535 were downregulated. GO analysis indicated that the top 30 significantly enriched GO terms mainly involved signal transduction, angiogenesis, inflammatory response, and blood vessel development. KEGG analysis revealed that the top significantly enriched signaling pathways included focal adhesion, extracellular matrix–receptor interaction, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor. The key DEGs in these pathways included ANGPTL4, ACSL5, VEGFC, MAPK10, and CD44. These genes play an important role in the infection of E. tenella. This study further enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanism of E. tenella infection in chickens.
Engineering CatM, a LysR-Type Transcriptional Regulator, to Respond Synergistically to Two Effectors
Authors: Tumen-Velasquez Melissa P. , Laniohan Nicole S. , Momany Cory , Neidle Ellen L.
Published: May 2019

The simultaneous response of one transcriptional regulator to different effectors remains largely unexplored. Nevertheless, such interactions can substantially impact gene expression by rapidly integrating cellular signals and by expanding the range of transcriptional responses. In this study, similarities between paralogs were exploited to engineer novel responses in CatM, a regulator that controls benzoate degradation in Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1. One goal was to improve understanding of how its paralog, BenM, activates transcription in response to two compounds (cis,cis-muconate and benzoate) at levels significantly greater than with either alone. Despite the overlapping functions of BenM and CatM, which regulate many of the same ben and cat genes, CatM normally responds only to cis,cis-muconate. Using domain swapping and site-directed amino acid replacements, CatM variants were generated and assessed for the ability to activate transcription. To create a variant that responds synergistically to both effectors required alteration of both the effector-binding region and the DNA-binding domain. These studies help define the interconnected roles of protein domains and extend understanding of LysR-type proteins, the largest family of transcriptional regulators in bacteria. Additionally, renewed interest in the modular functionality of transcription factors stems from their potential use as biosensors.
Emerging Resistance of Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Scoping Review of the Literature
Authors: Akinsolu Folahanmi T. , Nemieboka Priscilla O. , Njuguna Diana W. , Ahadji Makafui N. , Dezso Dora , Varga Orsolya
Published: May 2019

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat with the potential to cause millions of deaths. There has been a tremendous increase in the use of antimicrobials, stemming from preventive chemotherapy elimination and control programs addressing neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This study aims to identify the frequency of drug resistance for 11 major NTDs and 20 treatment drugs within a specific period by systematically analyzing the study design, socio-demographic factors, resistance, and countries of relevant studies. Methods: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we performed systematic reviews of the major 11 NTDs to identify publications on drug resistance between 2000 and 2016. A quality assessment tool adapted for evaluating observational and experimental studies was applied to assess the quality of eligible studies. Results: One of the major findings is that six NTDs have information on drug resistance, namely human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and trachoma. Many studies recorded resistance due to diagnostic tests, and few studies indicated clinical resistance. Although most studies were performed in Africa where there is the occurrence of several NTDs, there was no link between disease burden and locations of study. Conclusions: Based on this study we deduce that monitoring and surveillance systems need to be strengthened to enable the early detection of AMR and the mitigation of its global spread.
The Safer Prescription of Opioids Tool (SPOT): A Novel Clinical Decision Support Digital Health Platform for Opioid Conversion in Palliative and End of Life Care—A Single-Centre Pilot Study
Authors: Flint Roger , Buchanan Deans , Jamieson Scott , Cuschieri Alfred , Botros Shady , Forbes Joanna , George Jacob
Published: May 2019

Opioid errors are a leading cause of patient harm. Active failures in opioid dose conversion can contribute to error. Conversion is complex and is currently performed manually using tables of approximate equivalence. Apps that offer opioid dose double-checking are available but there are concerns about their accuracy and clinical validation. This study evaluated a novel opioid dose conversion app, The Safer Prescription of Opioids Tool (SPOT), a CE-marked Class I medical device, as a clinician decision support (CDS) platform. This single-centre prospective clinical utility pilot study followed a mixed methods design. Prescribers completed an initial survey exploring their current opioid prescribing practice. Thereafter prescribers used SPOT for opioid dosage conversions in parallel to their usual clinical practice, then evaluated SPOT through a survey and focus group. SPOT matched the Gold Standard result in 258 of 268 (96.3%) calculations. The 10 instances (3.7%) when SPOT did not match were due to a rounding error. Users had a statistically significant increase in confidence in prescribing opioids after using SPOT. Focus group feedback highlighted benefits in Quality Improvement and Safety when using SPOT. SPOT is a safe, reliable and validated CDS that has potential to reduce harms from opioid dosing errors.
International Comparison of the Levels and Potential Correlates of Objectively Measured Sedentary Time and Physical Activity among Three-to-Four-Year-Old Children
Authors: Dias Kaiseree , White James , Jago Russell , Cardon Greet , Davey Rachel , Janz Kathleen , Pate Russell , Puder Jardena , Reilly John , Kipping Ruth
Published: May 2019

Physical activity (PA) patterns track from childhood through to adulthood. The study aimed to determine the levels and correlates of sedentary time (ST), total PA (TPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) in preschool-aged children. We conducted cross-sectional analyses of 1052 children aged three-to-four-years-old from six studies included in the International Children’s Accelerometry Database. Multilevel linear regression models adjusting for age, gender, season, minutes of wear time, and study clustering effects were used to estimate associations between age, gender, country, season, ethnicity, parental education, day of the week, time of sunrise, time of sunset, and hours of daylight and the daily minutes spent in ST, TPA, and MVPA. Across the UK, Switzerland, Belgium, and the USA, children in our analysis sample spent 490 min in ST per day and 30.0% and 21.2% of children did not engage in recommended daily TPA (≥180 min) and MVPA (≥60 min) guidelines. There was evidence for an association between all 10 potential correlates analyzed and at least one of the outcome variables; average daily minutes spent in ST, TPA and/or MVPA. These correlates can inform the design of public health interventions internationally to decrease ST and increase PA in preschoolers.
Effects of Integrated Rice-Frog Farming on Paddy Field Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Authors: Fang Kaikai , Yi Xiaomei , Dai Wei , Gao Hui , Cao Linkui
Published: May 2019

Integrated rice-frog farming (IRFF), as a mode of ecological farming, is fundamental in realizing sustainable development in agriculture. Yet its production of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions remains unclear. Here, a randomized plot field experiment was performed to study the GHG emissions for various farming systems during the rice growing season. The farming systems included: conventional farming (CF), green integrated rice-frog farming (GIRF), and organic integrated rice-frog farming (OIRF). Results indicate that the cumulative methane (CH4) emissions from the whole growth period were divergent for the three farming systems, with OIRF having the highest value and CF having the lowest. For nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, the order is reversed. IRFF significantly increased the dissolved oxygen (DO), soil redox potential (Eh), total organic carbon (TOC) content, and soil C:N ratio, which is closely related to GHG emissions in rice fields. Additionally, the average emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from soils during rice growing seasons ranged from 2312.27 to 2589.62 kg ha−1 and showed no significant difference in the three treatments. Rice yield in the GIRF and OIRF were lower (2.0% and 16.7%) than the control. The CH4 emissions contributed to 83.0–96.8% of global warming potential (GWP). Compared to CF, the treatment of GIRF and OIRF increased the GWP by 41.3% and 98.2% during the whole growing period of rice, respectively. IRFF significantly increased greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI, 0.79 kg CO2-eq ha−1 grain yield), by 91.1% over the control. Compared to the OIRF, GIRF decreased the GHGI by approximately 39.4% (0.59 kg CO2-eq ha−1 grain yield), which was 44.2% higher than that of the control. The results of structural equation model showed that the contribution of fertilization to CH4 emissions in paddy fields was much greater than that of frog activity. Moreover, frog activity could decrease GWP by reducing CH4 emissions from rice fields. And while GIRF showed a slight increase in GHG emissions, it could still be considered as a good strategy for providing an environmentally-friendly option in maintaining crop yield in paddy fields.
Intrinsic Motivation and Psychological Connectedness to Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation: The Perspective of Self-Determination
Authors: Chan Gloria H. Y. , Lo T. Wing , Tam Cherry H. L. , Lee Gabriel K. W.
Published: May 2019

This study adopts the perspective of the Self-Determination Theory to look at the psychological experience of drug users and their decisions to take drugs or not, with particular emphasis on the concept of relatedness. To achieve this objective, a qualitative methodology was employed to explore the experiences of these drug users regarding how they take drugs and/or relapse. Theory-driven thematic analysis was employed to identify themes related to this topic. Results show that one’s psychological need for relatedness is an important determinant of whether one will take drugs or not, via the interaction mechanisms that exist in dimensions of affiliation and intimacy. While drug taking is a result of the modeling behavior existing in affiliated relationships, it is also a coping strategy for the ultimate satisfaction of psychological needs when human relatedness disappears. The implication is that significant others can develop unconditionally warm, caring, and empathetic supportive relationships with drug users, so as to enhance their fulfillment of psychological needs and reduce the risk of drug relapse.
Effectiveness of a Health Behavioural Intervention Aimed at Reduction of Risky Sexual Behaviours among Young Men in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
Authors: Manyaapelo Thabang , Van den Borne Bart , Ruiter Robert A. C. , Sifunda Sibusiso , Reddy Priscilla
Published: May 2019

Two studies evaluating the same behavioural intervention were conducted in two areas in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa using a randomized pre-test post-test control group design for study 1 (peri-urban) and a pre-test post-test design without a control group for study 2 (rural). The intervention included discussions and skills training on: (1) notions of masculinity, manhood, and responsibility, (2) personal and sexual relationships, (3) general communication skills, and (4) alcohol and other substance use. The intervention was aimed at men between 18 and 35 years of age. Measures of attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and intention for condom use, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, reduction of alcohol and drug use, avoiding sex while intoxicated, and avoiding sex with intoxicated people were assessed using a facilitator-administered questionnaire. The results for study 1 showed that 4 of the 19 variables scored significantly different at baseline and that all 19 variables showed no significant changes between pre-test and post-test. For study 2, one significant difference was found for attitude towards avoiding sex when one is intoxicated. Overall, the intervention had minimal success with just one area of positive effect. Further development and testing of this programme is recommended before it can be considered for broader scale implementation.
DRL1, Encoding A NAC Transcription Factor, Is Involved in Leaf Senescence in Grapevine
Authors: Zhu Ziguo , Li Guirong , Yan Chaohui , Liu Li , Zhang Qingtian , Han Zhen , Li Bo
Published: May 2019

The NAC (for NAM, ATAF1,2, and CUC2) proteins family are plant-specific transcription factors, which play important roles in leaf development and response to environmental stresses. In this study, an NAC gene, DRL1, isolated from grapevine Vitis vinifera L. “Yatomi Rose”, was shown to be involved in leaf senescence. The quantity of DRL1 transcripts decreased with advancing leaf senescence in grapevine. Overexpressing the DRL1 gene in tobacco plants significantly delayed leaf senescence with respect to chlorophyll concentration, potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), and ion leakage. Moreover, exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) markedly reduced the expression of DRL1, and the ABA and salicylic acid (SA) concentration was lower in the DRL1-overexpressing transgenic plants than in the wild-type plants. The DRL1 transgenic plants exhibited reduced sensitivity to ABA-induced senescence but no significant change in the sensitivity to jasmonic acid-, SA- or ethylene-induced senescence. Transcriptomic analysis and RNA expression studies also indicated that the transcript abundance of genes associated with ABA biosynthesis and regulation, including 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED1), NCED5, zeaxanthin epoxidase1 (ZEP1), ABA DEFICIENT2 (ABA2), ABA4, and ABA INSENSITIVE 2 (ABI2), was markedly reduced in the DRL1-overexpressing plants. These results suggested that DRL1 plays a role as a negative regulator of leaf senescence by regulating ABA synthesis.
Tyroxine Hydroxylase-Positive Neuronal Cell Population is Increased by Temporal Dioxin Exposure at Early Stage of Differentiation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Sarma Sailendra , Nagano Reiko , Ohsako Seiichiroh
Published: May 2019

Background: The neurological effects of short-term dioxin exposure during the fetal period is an important health risk in humans. Here, we investigated the effects of dioxin on neural differentiation using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to evaluate human susceptibility to dioxin. Methods: Using an enzymatic bulk passage, neural differentiation from human ESCs was carried out. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was added to various stages of culture. The expression levels of the neuronal markers microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and thyroxine hydroxylase (TH) were measured by RT-qPCR and image analysis of immunostaining. Results: Although early-stage neuronal cells are quite resistant to TCDD, the numbers of neural rosettes and increases in mRNA expression levels and the number of cells positive for MAP2 and TH were significant by temporal exposure at embryoid body stage (Day9-exposure group). In contrast, the TCDD exposures against ESCs (Day0-exposure group) and differentiated neural cells (Day35-exposure group) were not affected at all. The increment was similarly observed by continuous exposure of TCDD from Day9 through Day60. Conclusions: These results indicated that dioxin exposure during the early stage of differentiation from hESCs increases the contents of neuronal cells, especially TH-positive neuronal cells. Regulations of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signaling in an early stage of embryogenesis should be investigated extensively to understand the mechanism underlying the increase in neuronal cell populations and to apply the knowledge to regenerative medicine.
Making Medicines Baby Size: The Challenges in Bridging the Formulation Gap in Neonatal Medicine
Authors: O’Brien Fiona , Clapham David , Krysiak Kamelia , Batchelor Hannah , Field Peter , Caivano Grazia , Pertile Marisa , Nunn Anthony , Tuleu Catherine
Published: May 2019

The development of age-appropriate formulations should focus on dosage forms that can deliver variable yet accurate doses that are safe and acceptable to the child, are matched to his/her development and ability, and avoid medication errors. However, in the past decade, the medication needs of neonates have largely been neglected. The aim of this review is to expand on what differentiates the needs of preterm and term neonates from those of the older paediatric subsets, in terms of environment of care, ability to measure and administer the dose (from the perspective of the patient and carer, the routes of administration, the device and the product), neonatal biopharmaceutics and regulatory challenges. This review offers insight into those challenges posed by the formulation of medicinal products for neonatal patients in order to support the development of clinically relevant products.
Microbiota: Overview and Implication in Immunotherapy-Based Cancer Treatments
Authors: Brandi Giovanni , Frega Giorgio
Published: May 2019

During the last few years, the gut microbiota has gained increasing attention as a consequence of its emerging role as a modulator of the immune system. With the advent of the era of checkpoint inhibitors immunotherapy and adoptive cell transfer (ACT) in oncology, these findings became of primary relevance in light of experimental data that suggested the microbiota involvement as a plausible predictor of a good or poor response. These remarks justify the efforts to pinpoint the specific actions of the microbiota and to identify new strategies to favorably edit its composition.
Unexpected Diversity of Wolbachia Associated with Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Africa
Authors: Gichuhi Joseph , Khamis Fathiya M. , Van den Berg Johnnie , Ekesi Sunday , Herren Jeremy K.
Published: May 2019

Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) is an important pest of fruit-bearing plants in many countries worldwide. In Africa, this pest has spread rapidly and has become widely established since the first invasion report in 2003. Wolbachia is a vertically transmitted endosymbiont that can significantly influence aspects of the biology and, in particular, the reproduction of its host. In this study, we screened B. dorsalis specimens collected from several locations in Africa between 2005 and 2017 for Wolbachia using a PCR-based assay to target the Wolbachia surface protein wsp. Of the 357 individuals tested, 10 were positive for Wolbachia using the wsp assay. We identified four strains of Wolbachia infecting two B. dorsalis mitochondrial haplotypes. We found no strict association between the infecting strain and host haplotype, with one strain being present in two different host haplotypes. All the detected strains belonged to Super Group B Wolbachia and did not match any strains reported previously in B. dorsalis in Asia. These findings indicate that diverse Wolbachia infections are present in invasive populations of B. dorsalis.
Friction Stir Welding of 5754 Aluminum Alloy with Cover Sheet
Authors: Ren Daxin , Zeng Fanyu , Liu Yi , Liu Liming , He Zhubin
Published: May 2019

Friction stir welding can realize high-strength aluminum alloy joints. In this study, friction stir welding with cover sheet (CFSW) is proposed to solve the thinning caused by the tool shoulder and reduce the heat-affected zone. The microstructures and mechanical properties of CFWS were also studied. After the cover sheet was added, a reinforcement was formed on the weld surface, which compensated the thinning caused by the friction of the tool shoulder. As the cover absorbed heat from the shoulder, the width of the heat-affected zone of the welded sheet became smaller than the diameter of the shoulder. Without milling the cover sheet, the tensile strength of the 5754 aluminum alloy joint reached 94% of that of the base metal. The fracture position was the heat-affected zone of the forward-side weld joint. After the cover sheet was added, the stress concentration shifted from the thinning area of traditional friction stir welding to the outside of the welding seam.
Uncertainty Quantification for Ti-7Al Alloy Microstructure with an Inverse Analytical Model (AUQLin)
Authors: Acar Pınar
Published: May 2019

The present study addresses an inverse problem for observing the microstructural stochasticity given the variations in the macro-scale material properties by developing an analytical uncertainty quantification (UQ) model called AUQLin. The uncertainty in the material property is modeled with the analytical algorithm, and then the uncertainty propagation to the microstructure is solved with an inverse problem that utilizes the transformation of random variables principle. The inverse problem leads to an underdetermined linear system, and thus produces multiple solutions to the statistical features of the microstructure. The final solution is decided by solving an optimization problem which aims to minimize the difference between the computed and experimental statistical parameters of the microstructure. The final result for the computed microstructural uncertainty is found to provide a good match to the experimental microstructure information.
Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Mg-Based Alloys with Gd Addition
Authors: Kania Aneta , Nowosielski Ryszard , Gawlas-Mucha Agnieszka , Babilas Rafał
Published: May 2019

Magnesium alloys with rare earth metals are very attractive materials for medical application because of satisfactory mechanical properties. Nevertheless, low corrosion resistance is an obstacle in the use of Mg alloys as resorbable orthopedic implants. The paper presents results of mechanical and corrosion properties of MgCa5-xZn1Gdx (x = 1, 2, and 3 wt. %) alloys. Based on the microscopic observations it was stated that the studied alloys show a dendritic microstructure with interdendritic solute rich regions. The phase analysis reveals an occurrence of α-Mg and Mg2Ca, Ca2Mg6Zn3 phases that are thermodynamic predictions, and stated Mg26Zn59Gd7 phases in MgCa5-xZn1Gdx (x = 1, 2, and 3 wt. %) alloys. The Mg26Zn59Gd7 phases are visible as lamellar precipitations along interdendritic regions. It was confirmed that an increase of Gd content from 1 to 3 wt. % improves ultimate tensile (Rm; from 74 to 89 MPa) and compressive strength (Rc; from 184 to 221 MPa). Moreover, the studied alloys are active in Ringer’s solution. They are characterized by an increase of corrosion potential (Ecorr) of about 150 mV in comparison with values of open circuit potential (EOCP). The best electrochemical parameters (e.g., corrosion current density, icorr, polarization resistance, Rp, and Ecorr) were obtained for the MgCa3Zn1Gd2 alloy.
Construction of a Novel Lignin-Based Quaternary Ammonium Material with Excellent Corrosion Resistant Behavior and Its Application for Corrosion Protection
Authors: Gao Chao , Wang Shoujuan , Dong Xinyu , Liu Keyin , Zhao Xin , Kong Fangong
Published: May 2019

A novel lignin-based quaternary ammonium material (lignin-DMC) with excellent corrosion resistant behavior was synthesized by grafting DMC (methacrylatoethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride) onto kraft lignin. The structure and anti-corrosion performance of lignin-DMC was investigated using many methods, for instance the scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), charge density analysis, molecular weight analysis, electrochemical methods. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the formation of the lignin-DMC. The experiment results indicated that maximum corrosion inhibition efficiency (87.65%) occurred at a concentration of 75 mg/L via weight loss measurement. Polarization curves indicated that lignin-DMC was a mixed-type inhibitor with an efficient anti-corrosion performance in an acid medium. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results indicated that lignin-DMC could create a shielding effectiveness and achieve a protective effectiveness in the HCl solution. Moreover, lignin-DMC displayed a physical and chemical adsorption process between 20 KJ/mol and 40 KJ/mol, which followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model.
A Macroscopic Strength Criterion for Isotropic Metals Based on the Concept of Fracture Plane
Authors: Gu Jiefei , Chen Puhui , Li Ke , Su Lei
Published: May 2019

Although the linear Mohr–Coulomb criterion is frequently applied to predict the failure of brittle materials such as cast iron, it can be used for ductile metals too. However, the criterion has some significant deficiencies which limit its predictive ability. In the present study, the underlying failure hypotheses of the linear Mohr–Coulomb criterion were thoroughly discussed. Based on Mohr’s physically meaningful concept of fracture plane, a macroscopic strength criterion was developed to explain the failure mechanism of isotropic metals. The failure function was expressed as a polynomial expansion in terms of the stresses acting on the fracture plane, and the quadratic approximation was employed to describe the non-linear behavior of the failure envelope. With an in-depth understanding of Mohr’s fracture plane concept, the failure angle was regarded as a generalized strength parameter in addition to the failure stress (i.e., the conventional basic strength). The undetermined coefficients of the non-linear failure function were calibrated by the strength parameters obtained from the common uniaxial tension and compression tests. Theoretical and experimental assessment for different types of isotropic metals validated the effectiveness of the proposed criterion in predicting material failure.