bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Basic Research to Competitiveness: An Econometric Analysis of the Global Pharmaceutical Sector
Authors: Lakner Zoltán , Kiss Anna , Popp József , Zéman Zoltán , Máté Domicián , Oláh Judit
Published: June 2019

The pharmaceutical sector is a flagship of the economy in most developed countries and is one of the most research-intensive sectors of modern economies. The aim of this paper was to determine the mutual relationships between the research and development (R&D) resources, various indicators of scientific performance and the competitiveness of the sector. We carried out a cointegration analysis of a time series of R+D resources, the number of academic papers published, as well as patents and the competitiveness of this sector in various developed states. The econometric analysis of time series is built on panel cointegration models. Based on the combination of different comprehensive and coherent international databases and applying the latest methods of modern time series analysis, the paper proves that, in most developed countries, a direct, significant, causal, lagged relationship between the monetary resources allocated to R&D and the number of academic papers, as well as the number of patents can be observed. In most cases, a causal relationship can be demonstrated between the number of academic papers and patents, but vice versa, this fact is not provable. This study highlights the complexity of innovation systems in the pharmaceutical sector. The results prove only a weak connection between the number of patents and the number of publications. When evaluating the efficiency of the utilisation of resources allocated to pharmaceutical R+D, the effect of the time lag should be considered.
Application of Time-Lapse Ion Exchange Resin Sachets (TIERS) for Detecting Illegal Effluent Discharge in Mixed Industrial and Agricultural Areas, Taiwan
Authors: Shih Po-Kang , Chiang Li-Chi , Lin Sheng-Chi , Chang Tsun-Kuo , Hsu Wei-Chan
Published: June 2019

Many factories were built and scattered around the farmlands in Taiwan due to inappropriate land use planning. Illegal effluent discharge of high concentration of metals from the nearby factories has been threatening the farmlands, causing damages to agricultural production, food safety, and human health. Sampling was mostly responsible for monitoring the water quality of the agricultural environment; however, the analysis is of high cost and time consuming. Due to uneasy controlled environmental factors (i.e., illegal effluents) and time-consuming and expensive traditional analysis techniques (i.e., atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)), we develop a fast-screening method, which is the combination of ion exchange resins and the portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy to identify the source of contaminants in a mixed industrial and agricultural area in Taoyuan County, Taiwan. The time-lapse ion exchange resin sachet (TIERS) is a non-woven bag that is filled with resins and placed in the irrigation channels for continuously absorbing the metal and trace elements in water. The standardization ratios of Cu/Sr and Zn/Sr were calculated as the pollutant indicators for fast-screening the highly polluted sites of exceedance probability of 2.27% in the monitoring area. The TIERS is verified to detect the metal and trace element concentration in an efficient and sufficient way.
A Unified Multiple-Phase Fluids Framework Using Asymmetric Surface Extraction and the Modified Density Model
Authors: Wang Xiaokun , Xu Yanrui , Ban Xiaojuan , Liu Sinuo , Xu Yuting
Published: June 2019

Multiple-phase fluids’ simulation and 3D visualization comprise an important cooperative visualization subject between fluid dynamics and computer animation. Interactions between different fluids have been widely studied in both physics and computer graphics. To further the study in both areas, cooperative research has been carried out; hence, a more authentic fluid simulation method is required. The key to a better multiphase fluid simulation result is surface extraction. Previous works usually have problems in extracting surfaces with unnatural fluctuations or detail missing. Gaps between different phases also hinder the reality of simulation. In this paper, we propose a unified surface extraction approach integrated with a modified density model for the particle-based multiphase fluid simulation. We refine the original asymmetric smoothing kernel used in the color field and address a binary tree scheme for surface extraction. Besides, we employ a multiphase fluid framework with modified density to eliminate density deviation between different fluids. With the methods mentioned above, our approach can effectively reconstruct the fluid surface for particle-based multiphase fluid simulation. It can also resolve the issue of overlaps and gaps between different fluids, which has widely existed in former methods for a long time. The experiments carried out in this paper show that our approach is able to have an ideal fluid surface condition and have good interaction effects.
Emerging Marine Biotoxins
Authors: Gerssen Arjen , Gago-Martínez Ana
Published: June 2019

The emergence of marine biotoxins in geographical areas where they have never been reported before is a concern of considerable impact on seafood contamination, and consequently, on public health [...]
An Analysis of Water Awareness Campaign Messaging in the Case of Jordan: Water Conservation for State Security
Authors: Benedict Skylar , Hussein Hussam
Published: June 2019

This article examines water awareness campaign messaging of the Water Efficiency and Public Information for Action (WEPIA) campaign. Using Jordanian government documents and structured interviews, it argues that the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI) promotes water awareness campaigns to shape water users’ habits and perspectives on water. The goal of this strategy is to align popular concerns about water security with government concerns over state security, i.e., to create responsible water citizens. This article suggests that the Jordanian MWI seeks to shape citizens’ water behavior through two key strategies. First, it convinces the population to shift its habits using ideas of national responsibility for the nation’s water network. Second, it disseminates a topically diverse combination of water awareness materials to the Jordanian population to shape their water habits in a manner that supports state security.
Assessment of Climate Change Impacts in the North Adriatic Coastal Area. Part I: A Multi-Model Chain for the Definition of Climate Change Hazard Scenarios
Authors: Torresan Silvia , Gallina Valentina , Gualdi Silvio , Bellafiore Debora , Umgiesser Georg , Carniel Sandro , Sclavo Mauro , Benetazzo Alvise , Giubilato Elisa , Critto Andrea
Published: June 2019

Climate scenarios produce climate change-related information and data at a geographical scale generally not useful for coastal planners to study impacts locally. To provide a suitable characterization of climate-related hazards in the North Adriatic Sea coast, a model chain, with progressively higher resolution was developed and implemented. It includes Global and Regional Circulation Models representing atmospheric and oceanic dynamics for the global and sub-continental domains, and hydrodynamic/wave models useful to analyze physical impacts of sea-level rise and coastal erosion at a sub-national/local scale. The model chain, integrating multiple types of numerical models running at different spatial scales, provides information about spatial and temporal patterns of relevant hazard metrics (e.g., sea temperature, atmospheric pressure, wave height), usable to represent climate-induced events causing potential environmental or socio-economic damages. Furthermore, it allows the discussion of some methodological problems concerning the application of climate scenarios and their dynamical downscaling to the assessment of the impacts in coastal zones. Based on a balanced across all energy sources emission scenario, the multi-model chain applied in the North Adriatic Sea allowed to assess the change in frequency of exceedance of wave height and bottom stress critical thresholds for sediment motion in the future scenario (2070–2100) compared to the reference period 1960 to 1990. As discussed in the paper, such projections can be used to develop coastal erosion hazard scenarios, which can then be applied to risk assessment studies, providing valuable information to mainstream climate change adaptation in coastal zone management.
Multi-Objective Optimal Operations Based on Improved NSGA-II for Hanjiang to Wei River Water Diversion Project, China
Authors: Wu Lianzhou , Bai Tao , Huang Qiang , Wei Jian , Liu Xia
Published: June 2019

It is important to investigate the laws of reservoir multi-objective optimization operations, because it can obtain the best benefits from inter-basin water transfer projects to mitigate water shortage in intake areas. Given the multifaceted demands of the Hanjiang to Wei River Water Diversion Project, China (referred hereafter as “the Project”), an easy-to-operate multi-objective optimal model based on simulation is built and applied to search the multi-objective optimization operation rules between power generation and energy consumption. The Project includes two reservoirs connected by a water transfer tunnel. One is Huangjinxia, located in the mainstream of Hanjiang with abundant inflow but no regulation ability, and the other is Sanhekou, located in the tributary of Hanjiang with multi-year regulation ability but less water. The layout of the Project increases the difficulty of reservoir joint optimization operations. Therefore, an improved Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (I-NSGA-II) with a feasible search space is proposed to solve the model based on long-term series data. The results show that: (1) The validated simulation model is helpful to obtain Pareto front curves to reveal the rules between power generation and energy consumption. (2) Choosing a reasonable search step size to build a feasible search space based on simulation results for the I-NSGA-II can help find more optimized solutions. Considering the influence of the initial populations of the algorithm and limited computing ability of computers, the qualified rate of Pareto points solved by I-NSGA-II are superior to NSGA-II. (3) According to the characteristics of the Project, water transfer ratio threshold value of two reservoirs are quantified for maximize economic benefits. Moreover, the flood season is a critical operation period for the Project, in which both reservoirs should supply more water to intake areas to ensure the energy balanced of the entire system. The findings provide an easy-to-operate multi-objective operation model with the I-NSGA-II that can easily be applied in optimal management of inter-basin water transfer projects by relevant authorities.
Deen (Faith) and Donya (the Secular): Al-Ghazālī’s the “Alchemy of Happiness”
Authors: Mirsepassi Ali , Fernée Tadd Graham
Published: June 2019

The 11th -12th century Abbasid philosopher al-Ghazālī is the center of controversy today in Western societies seeking to understand Islamic radicalism. The article initially examines the al-Ghazālī debate, split between popular images of al-Ghazālī as a fanatical enemy of rational thought, and scholarly depictions of a forerunner of postmodernism. After analyzing a principle example of the latter tendency, centered on the Persian term dihlīz, the article undertakes a sociological investigation of al-Ghazālī’s Alchemy of Happiness within the historic context of the Abbasid crisis of political legitimacy. The troubled historic vista of Abbasid politics, the unique role of al-Ghazālī as representative of ideological power, and the crucial influence of the intercontinental Sufi revolution, are discussed. The analysis focuses on al-Ghazālī’s central concepts of deen (faith) and donya (the secular), that he employed to stabilize and guarantee the continued political success of the multi-civilizational Abbasid state. Spurning the dogma of unified identity, al-Ghazālī recognized the civilizational pluralism underpinning Abbasid political survival. Reconciling multiplicity and unity, al-Ghazālī labored to integrate Islamic and non-Islamic intellectual traditions. Three elements are investigated: (1) Investing epistemology with social significance, al-Ghazālī opposed orthodox conformism; (2) Denouncing ignorance, the passions, and intellectual confusion, al-Ghazālī promoted the dialogic principle – not dogma - as the unique public guarantee of the universal truth; (3) This universal truth had an exclusively secular, not religious, dimension, based on the deen/donya distinction, separating universal secular truth from religious identity. An intellectual exploration of the secular dilemma, of corresponding imaginative magnitude, hardly existed in Western societies at the time. This casts doubt on the current academic enthusiasm for representing traditional Islam in the mirror image of French post-structuralism, and the false depiction of al-Ghazālī as the dogmatic enemy of reason. It opens an entire terrain of possible research that is barely tapped, which contradicts the confused dogmas of Islamic radicalism. A secular conceptual dualism pervaded the Islamic tradition, indeed pre-dating European secularism.
Looking for heteroglossia and chronotope in New York and London: Pacino and Loncraine’s adaptations of "Richard III"
Authors: Hassanzadeh Javanian Mohammad Reza
Published: June 2019

The relationship between a cinematic adaptation and its literary source has sparked scholarly debates in the field of adaptation studies. Developed by the Russian literary critic, Mikhail Bakhtin (1895-1975), dialogism can shed new light on the adaptation-source tie as it highlights the mutual interaction between the two sides. The present study argues that Al Pacino and Richard Loncraine’s versions of William Shakespeare’s Richard III (1593) stress such a dialogic aspect of the adaptation process. Within this dialogic framework, Pacino’s Looking for Richard (1996) establishes a heteroglossial relation with the play as it seeks to eliminate the gap between Shakespeare and the movie’s modern viewers. Loncraine’s Richard III (1995), however, is marked by a significant chronotopic strategy which situates Richard in new social and political contexts through a change in the play’s temporal and spatial elements.
THE EFFECTS OF COOPERATIVE LEARNING ACTIVITIES ON IMPROVING STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS WRITING SKILLS AT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HANOI
Authors: Hương Trần Thị Lan
Published: June 2019

Với mục đích tìm hiểu hiệu quả của việc sử dụng hoạt động học hợp tác, học nhóm để nâng cao nhận thức cũng như thái độ của sinh viên đối với kĩ năng viết, tác giả đã sử dụng hai phương pháp giảng dạy khác nhau cho hai nhóm sinh viên trong 10 tuần. Trước và sau khi tiến hành dạy thử nghiệm, tác giả phát ra hai bảng câu hỏi để phân tích tìm hiểu hiệu quả của từng phương pháp đối với nhận thức và thái độ của sinh viên đối với kĩ năng viết. Kết quả từ phân tích dữ liệu bảng hỏi cho thấy phương pháp học hợp tác là một phương pháp thú vị và có ích cho kĩ năng viết của sinh viên tại Khoa Quốc tế, Đại học Quốc gia Hà Nội. Phương pháp mới không chỉ cải thiện khả năng động não lấy ý, chỉnh sửa bài viết của sinh viên mà còn làm tăng sự tự tin của sinh viên khi viết tiếng Anh. Nghiên cứu đóng vai trò như một gợi ý để cải thiện hoạt động giảng dạy kĩ năng viết tại Khoa cũng như là một nguồn thông tin tham khảo cho các giáo viên tiếng Anh ở các đơn vị khác tham khảo.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS IN TREATMENT AND CARE FOR NEWBORNS WITH HYPOXIC-ISCHEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY AT THE ACUTE STAGE OF DISEASE (case report)
Authors: Sirenko T. , Plakhotnaya O. , Ashcheulov O. , Kukuruza A.
Published: June 2019

the article presents the experience of using medical-psychological aspects of treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in newborns in acute period of the disease. The elements of early influence on the development of the child’s psychomotor activity were used on the basis of modern medical technology of treatment. These elements included sensor stimulation: (vestibular, proprioceptor, tactile), development of motility, hearing and sight perception. The study showed positive changes in neurological symptoms in children, resulting in a reduced duration of the hospital stay.KeyWords: newborn, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, medical-psychological treatment. ПСИХОЛОГІЧНІ АСПЕКТИ ЛІКУВАННЯ ТА ВИХОДЖУВАННЯ НОВОНАРОДЖЕНИХ З ГІПОКСИЧНО-ІШЕМІЧНОЮ ЕНЦЕФАЛОПАТІЄЮ В ГОСТРОМУ ПЕРІОДІСіренко Т.В., Плахотна О.М., Ащеулов О.М., Кукуруза А.В. У статті представлений досвід використання медико-психологічних аспектів лікування гіпоксично-ішемічної енцефалопатії у новонароджених в гострому періоді захворювання. Елементи раннього впливу на розвиток психомоторної активності дитини використовувалися на основі сучасної медичної технології лікування. Ці елементи включали сенсорну стимуляцію: (вестибулярну, пропріоцепторну, тактильну), розвиток моторики, слухове і зорове сприйняття. Дослідження показало позитивні зміни в неврологічних симптомах у дітей, що призвело до скорочення тривалості перебування в стаціонарі. Ключові слова: новонароджений, гіпоксично-ішемічна енцефалопатія, медико-психологічне лікування. ПСИХОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ АСПЕКТЫ ЛЕЧЕНИЯ И ВЫХАЖИВАНИЯ НОВОРОЖДЕННЫХ С ГИПОКСИЧЕСКИ-ИШЕМИЧЕСКОЙ ЭНЦЕФАЛОПАТИЕЙ В ОСТРОМ ПЕРИОДЕСиренко Т.В., Плахотная О.Н., Ащеулов А.М., Кукуруза А.В. В статье представлен опыт использования медико-психологических аспектов лечения гипоксически-ишемической энцефалопатии у новорожденных в остром периоде заболевания. Элементы раннего влияния на развитие психомоторной активности ребенка использовались на основе современной медицинской технологии лечения. Эти элементы включали сенсорную стимуляцию: (вестибулярную, проприоцепторную, осязательную), развитие моторики, слуховое и зрительное восприятие. Исследование показало положительные изменения в неврологических симптомах у детей, что привело к сокращению продолжительности пребывания в стационаре. Ключевые слова: новорожденный, гипоксически-ишемическая энцефалопатия, медико-психологическое лечение.
ASSESSMENT OF CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURISM
Authors: Boiko V. , Buchneva O. , Shafer Ya. , Pisklova Yu. , Krylova A.
Published: June 2019

Boyko V., Buchneva O. Shafer Ya., Pisklova Yu., Krylova O.To date, vascular disease rank first (more than 50%) among the causes of mortality in Ukraine. Atherosclerotic vascular involvement, being the most frequent etiological factor of abdominal aortic aneurysm, in the absence of timely diagnosis and treatment, causes severe complications, early disability and death. Clinical and functional diversity of abdominal aortic aneurysm causes difficulties in diagnosing, defining different therapeutic approaches, methods of operation and protection of visceral organs and spinal cord. The article analyzes various clinical manifestations of abdominal aortic aneurysms in 264 patients who underwent surgical treatment at the State Facility V.T Zaytsev Institute of General and Urgent Surgery from 2010 to 2018.Key words:a bdominal aortic aneurysm, rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm РезюмеАНАЛІЗ КЛІНІЧНОГО ПЕРЕБІГУ АНЕВРИЗМ ЧЕРЕВНОГО ВІДДІЛУ АОРТИБойко В., Бучнєва О., Шафер Я., Пісклова Ю., Крилова О.На сьогоднішній деньзахворювання судин займають перше місце (більше 50%) серед причин смертності в Україні. Атеросклеротичнеураженнясудин, будучи найбільш частим етіологічним фактороманевризм черевного відділу аорти, за відсутності своєчасної діагностики і лікування викликає важкі ускладнення, ранню інвалідизацію і смерть. Клінічне і функціональне різноманіття аневризм черевної аорти викликає труднощі в діагностиці, визначає різну тактику лікування, способи операції тазахисту внутрішніх органів і спинного мозку. У статті проаналізовані різноманітні клінічні презентації аневризм черевного відділу аорти у 264 пацієнтів, яким було проведено хірургічне лікування на базі ДУ "ІЗНХ ім.В. Т.Зайцева" з 2010 по 2018 рік. Ключові слова: аневризма черевної аорти, розрив аневризми черевної аорти РезюмеАНАЛИЗ КЛИНИЧЕСКОГО ТЕЧЕНИЯ АНЕВРИЗМ БРЮШНОГО ОТДЕЛА АОРТЫБойко В., Бучнева О., Шафер Я., Писклова Ю., Крылова А.На сегодняшний день заболевания сосудов занимают первое место (более 50%) среди причин смертности в Украине. Атеросклеротическом поражении сосудов, являясь наиболее частым этиологическим фактором аневризм брюшного отдела аорты, при отсутствии своевременной диагностики и лечения вызывает тяжелые осложнения, раннюю инвалидизацию и смерть. Клиническое и функциональное многообразие аневризм брюшной аорты вызывает трудности в диагностике, определяет разную тактику лечения, способы операции и защиты внутренних органов и спинного мозга. В статье проанализированы разнообразные клинические презентации аневризм брюшного отдела аорты у 264 пациентов, которым было проведено хирургическое лечение на базе ДУ "ІЗНХ ім.В. Т.Зайцева" с 2010 по 2018 год.Ключевые слова: аневризма брюшной аорты, разрыв аневризмы брюшной аорты
Lyonet’s gland of the tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Paudel Sulav , Miko Istvan , Rajotte Edwin , Felton Gary
Published: June 2019

The Lyonet’s gland is a widespread accessory labial gland in Lepidoptera. Although its function is ambiguous, the Lyonet’s gland arguably plays an important role in silk production. Our knowledge of the Lyonet’s gland in heliothine species is extremely limited; it is reportedly missing fromHelicoverpa armigeraandHeliothis virescens, whereas it is reportedly reduced in size inHelicoverpa zea. Using confocal microscopy and brightfield imaging, we show that the Lyonet’s gland inHelicoverpa zeais present and the size is relatively enlarged relative to other lepidopterans. We also examined whether glucose oxidase, an abundant enzyme found in labial salivary gland is also present in the extracts of Lyonet’s gland, but we found no evidence of that. Based on the size and accessibility of the Lyonet’s gland, future studies should include transcriptomic and proteomics studies inH. zeato provide evidence for potential functions.
Effects of a Clinical Practicum Using Flipped Learning Among Undergraduate Nursing Students
Authors: Im Sookbin , Jang Sun Joo
Published: June 2019

Background:

The need for student-centered teaching methods is increasing. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the effectiveness of the flipped learning method when applied to a mental health nursing practicum using a retrospective research design.

Method:

The effectiveness of these teaching methods was assessed by collecting and comparing data on the core competencies and academic progress of two groups of 70 undergraduate nursing students in South Korea. The flipped learning group watched lecture modules before a conference and then engaged in in-conference activities such as debates, simulations, and role-plays. The traditional learning group was instructed through conventional methods and then participated in similar activities.

Results:

The flipped learning group demonstrated greater academic progress and showed a significant increase in core competencies.

Conclusion:

The flipped learning method was more effective for improving academic progress and core competencies in a practicum for undergraduate nursing students.

[
J Nurs Educ.
2019;58(6):354–356.]
Using Social Media to Target Customers for Green Technology Use
Authors: Aimiuwu Ehi E.
Published: June 2019

Global warming is now a real threat to life on earth, and more research in information systems are needed to increase the use of green technology (GT) to contribute to sustaining the environment. The aim of this quantitative study was to investigate how social media (SM) can be used to target customers for increased GT use. Surveys from 99 respondents who used SM and wanted GT within the United States were studied. The study's integrated sustainability framework revealed that firms should be innovative, extend green culture to customers, include green practices in business processes, and increase green market share. Surveys were collected from people in public and online. Microsoft Excel and SPSS were used for statistical analysis. Analysis showed customers who used less than four social media accounts, want insurance deals annually, use affordable GT monthly, and use pricy GT monthly are the best customers to target for GT use. This study could contribute to positive social change by providing knowledge of the best customers to target for more GT use to combat global warming.
Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Flame Retardant Polybutylene Terephthalate Matrix Composites
Authors: Xu Jian Lin , Ma Bing Xue , Kang Cheng Hu , Xu Cheng Cheng , Chen Zhou , Lin Yong Gang
Published: June 2019

The thermal decomposition kinetics of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and flame-retardant PBT (FR-PBT) were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis at various heating rates. The kinetic parameters were determined by using Kissinger, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa and Friedman methods. The y (α) and z (α) master plots were used to identify the thermal decomposition model. The results show that the rate of residual carbon of FR-PBT is higher than that of PBT and the maximum mass loss rate of FR-PBT is lower than that of PBT. The values of activation energy of PBT (208.71 kJ/mol) and FR-PBT (244.78 kJ/mol) calculated by Kissinger method were higher than those of PBT (PBT: 195.54 kJ/mol) and FR-PBT (FR-PBT: 196.00 kJ/mol) calculated by Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method and those of PBT and FR-PBT (PBT: 199.10 kJ/mol, FR-PBT: 206.03 kJ/mol) calculated by Friedman methods. There is a common thing that the values of activation energy of FR-PBT are higher than that of PBT in different methods. The thermal decomposition reaction models of the PBT and FR-PBT can be described by Avarami-Erofeyev model (A1).
Preparation and Characterization of Three-Element Compound Plasticizing Bamboo Fiber-g-Polylactic Acid/Polylactic Acid Composite
Authors: Li Wen Hao , He Xiao Yu , Wang Shu , Xu Bing Jie , Wu Yi Qiang , Zuo Ying Feng
Published: June 2019

In view of the phenomenon that the interfacial adhesion between bamboo fiber（BF）and polylactic acid (PLA) is poor and incompatible. Firstly the BF-g-PLA structure with hydrophobicity is synthesized through grafting lactic acid into bamboo fiber, then plasticizing the composite. Three-element compound plasticizer was prepared by mixing glycerol, tributyl citrate and formamide. The effect of the proportion and addition content of three-element plasticizer on the interfacial compatibility of the composite was investigated. The BF-g-PLA/PLA composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and rotational rheometer (RC) The composites were tested for their bending properties, tensile properties and water resistance properties using national standards. The experimental results show that the best interfacial adhesion between BF-g-PLA and PLA was obtained when the addition content of glycerol, tributyl citrate, formamide was 10%. At the same time, the flexural strength, elastic modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break of composites all reached the maximum, as well as the thermal stability and the storage modulus.
Decontamination of knives used in a slaughterhouse by a commercial non-thermal UV-C treatment
Authors: Raschle Susanne , Zweifel Claudio , Zurfluh Katrin , Stephan Roger
Published: June 2019

To assess the antimicrobial effect of a commercial UV-C system, knives inoculated with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as well as naturally contaminated and collected from the wet and clean area of a slaughterhouse knives were examined. For inoculated knives, UVC treatment for 30 s reduced mean E. coli counts by 5.1 log CFU cm-2 and mean S. aureus counts by 4.5 log CFU cm-2. The presence of blood lowered mean reductions to 3.4 log CFU cm-2 for E. coli and to 2.5 log CFU cm-2 for S. aureus. The presence of fat had a greater negative impact on the efficacy of the UV-C treatment resulting in mean reductions <1.8 log CFU cm-2. For naturally contaminated knives from a slaughterhouse, total viable counts (TVC) before UV-C treatment varied considerably (wet area: 2.0-6.0 log CFU cm-2, clean area: 1.0–3.0 log CFU cm-2). UV-C treatment for 30s reduced mean TVC by 0.8 log CFU cm-2 (wet area) and 0.6 log CFU cm-2 (clean area), but the effect varied greatly between individual knives. Thus, under commercial conditions, the antibacterial effect of UV-C for the decontamination of knives is affected by the presence of additional contaminations like blood or fat. The adequate cleaning of the knives prior to UV-C decontamination is therefore of central importance.
Antimicrobial resistance, virulence & plasmid profiles among clinical isolates of Shigella serogroups
Authors: Sethuvel Dhiviya Prabaa Muthuirulandi , Perumalla Susmitha , Anandan Shalini , Michael Joy Sarojini , Ragupathi Naveen Kumar Devanga , Gajendran Revathi , Walia Kamini , Veeraraghavan Balaji
Published: June 2019

Background & objectives:

Bacillary dysentery caused by Shigella spp. remains an important cause of the crisis in low-income countries. It has been observed that Shigella species have become increasingly resistant to most widely used antimicrobials. In this study, the antimicrobial resistance, virulence and plasmid profile of clinical isolates of Shigella species were determined.

Methods:

Sixty clinical Shigella isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing using Ion Torrent platform and the genome sequences were analyzed for the presence of acquired resistance genes, virulence genes and plasmids using web-based software tools.

Results:

Genome analysis revealed more resistance genes in Shigella flexneri than in other serogroups. Among β-lactamases, bla
OXA-1 was predominantly seen followed by the bla
TEM-1B and bla
EC genes. For quinolone resistance, the qnrS gene was widely seen. Novel mutations in gyrB, parC and parE genes were observed. Cephalosporins resistance gene, bla
CTX-M-15 was identified and plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases genes were found among the isolates. Further, a co-trimoxazole resistance gene was identified in most of the isolates studied. Virulence genes such as ipaD, ipaH, virF, senB, iha, capU, lpfA, sigA, pic, sepA, celb and gad were identified. Plasmid analysis revealed that the IncFII was the most commonly seen plasmid type in the isolates.

Interpretation & conclusions:

The presence of quinolone and cephalosporin resistance genes in Shigella serogroups has serious implications for the further spread of this resistance to other enteric pathogens or commensal organisms. This suggests the need for continuous surveillance to understand the epidemiology of the resistance.
Efflux pump inhibitors for bacterial pathogens
Authors: Sharma Atin , Gupta Vivek Kumar , Pathania Ranjana
Published: June 2019

With the advent of antibiotics, bacterial infections were supposed to be a thing of past. However, this instead led to the selection and evolution of bacteria with mechanisms to counter the action of antibiotics. Antibiotic efflux is one of the major mechanisms, whereby bacteria pump out the antibiotics from their cellular interior to the external environment using special transporter proteins called efflux pumps. Inhibiting these pumps seems to be an attractive strategy at a time when novel antibiotic supplies are dwindling. Molecules capable of inhibiting these pumps, known as efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs), have been viewed as potential therapeutic agents that can rejuvenate the activity of antibiotics that are no longer effective against bacterial pathogens. EPIs follow some general mechanisms of efflux inhibition and are derived from various natural as well as synthetic sources. This review focuses on EPIs and identifies the challenges that have kept these futuristic therapeutics away from the commercial realm so far.
Antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in healthy gut flora
Authors: Gupta Madhu , Didwal Gunjan , Bansal Shruti , Kaushal Kanica , Batra Nitya , Gautam Vikas , Ray Pallab
Published: June 2019

Background & objectives:

Rampant use of β-lactam antibiotics in both community and hospitals has transformed the human healthy intestinal gut flora into a reservoir of antibiotic-resistant organisms. This study was conducted to find the faecal presence of antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in faecal samples in the community in north India.

Methods:

In this prospective study, 207 stool samples were collected from apparently healthy individuals residing in a semiurban community in Chandigarh, India, from August to October, 2015. Isolates belonging to family Enterobacteriaceae were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and antibiotic susceptibility was determined using Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute disc diffusion method. Detection of extended spectrum β-lactamases (TEM, SHV, OXA-1, CTXM 1, CTXM 2, CTXM 9 and CTXM 8/25), carbapenemases (IMP, VIM and KPC) and New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase was done by multiplex PCR.

Results:

Of the population studied, 55.5 per cent were females and 60 per cent were illiterate or had only primary education; 43.4 per cent individuals were aged <20 yr. Overall, 70.5 per cent of stool samples had antibiotic-resistant isolates. Maximum resistance was seen for cephalosporins (60.4%) followed by fluoroquinolones (41.5%). The multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates were 2.4 per cent. The most commonly detected genes were TEM, SHV, OXA-1, CTXM-1, CTXM-2, CTXM-9 and CTXM-8/25 β-lactamases. Escherichia coli was the most common resistant isolate, and TEM was the most common gene detected.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Overall, 70.5 per cent members of Enterobacteriaceae had antibiotic resistance in the community and 2.4 per cent were MDR. Higher resistance rates were observed for most commonly used drugs such as cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. High rate of antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in gut of healthy individuals points towards the need for active screening and prevention of dissemination.
Susceptibility profile, resistance mechanisms & efficacy ratios of fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin & colistin for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae causing urinary tract infections
Authors: Amladi Anushree Ulhas , Abirami Baby , Devi S. Manjula , Sudarsanam Thambu David , Kandasamy Subramani , Kekre Nitin , Veeraraghavan Balaji , Sahni Rani Diana
Published: June 2019

Background & objectives:

The escalation in carbapenem resistance among Enterobacteriaceae has resulted in a lack of effective therapeutic alternatives. Older antimicrobials, fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and colistin for urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) may be effective treatment options. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the utility of fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and colistin in treating UTI caused by CRE and molecular characterization of the plasmid-mediated carbapenem resistance mechanisms.

Methods:

Consecutive, non-duplicate isolates of CR Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. from urine cultures were included (n=150). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined by E-test (fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin) and broth microdilution (colistin). Efficacy ratios were derived by dividing susceptibility breakpoints by observed MIC values of the drugs for the isolates. Isolates were screened for genes coding for carbapenemases using multiplex PCR. Fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and colistin-resistant isolates were screened for plasmid-borne resistance genes fosA3, oqxAB and mcr-1, respectively using PCR.

Results:

Among E. coli, 98.9, 56 and 95 per cent isolates were susceptible to fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and colistin, respectively, while 94 and 85 per cent of Klebsiella spp. were susceptible to fosfomycin and colistin, respectively. The efficacy ratios indicated fosfomycin as the drug of choice for UTI caused by CR E. coli and Klebsiella spp., followed by colistin. The bla
NDM gene was most common, followed by bla
OXA48-like. Plasmid-borne genes encoding resistance to fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and colistin were absent.

Interpretation & conclusions:

With increasing resistance against the current treatment options, older drugs may emerge as effective options. Molecular screening of resistant isolates is essential to prevent the spread of plasmid-borne resistance against these drugs.
Molecular characterization of colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae & its clonal relationship among Indian isolates
Authors: Shankar Chaitra , Venkatesan Manigandan , Rajan Ranjani , Mani Deepa , Lal Binesh , Prakash John Antony Jude , Anandan Shalini , Pragasam Agila Kumari , Walia Kamini , Ohri V.C. , Veeraraghavan Balaji
Published: June 2019

Background & objectives:

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), a common cause of invasive infections, is often extensively drug resistant in India. At present, studies on resistance mechanism and clonal relationship of KP from India are limited. The present study was undertaken to determine the resistance mechanism and clonal relationship of colistin-resistant isolates obtained from various specimens. Carbapenemases were also determined since the isolates were carbapenem resistant.

Methods:

Sixty five isolates from blood, exudates and respiratory specimens collected between 2016 and 2017 were studied. Colistin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed by broth-micro dilution method. Multiplex PCR was carried out to determine carbapenemases. Targeted sequencing was performed to determine mutations in mgrB, phoP, phoQ and multilocus sequence typing was performed to determine the prevalent clones.

Results:

Colistin MIC ranged from 4 to 256 μg/ml. SHV, TEM and CTX-M were co-produced in 60 per cent and OXA48-like in 71 per cent. Thirteen isolates had mutations in mgrB. Mutations included a premature stop codon at 21st amino acid, the presence of insertion sequences such as IS903, ISKpn14 and ISKpn26; and elongation of mgrB. Novel mutations were also observed among phoP and phoQ genes. Colistin resistance due to mcr genes was absent. Fifteen clonal types were seen with ST231, ST14 and ST2096 being predominant.

Interpretation & conclusions:

This study revealed the changing trend of carbapenem resistance mechanism predominantly to OXA48-like from NDM. Known mgrB mutations and novel mutations in phoP and phoQ were detected. There was no plasmid-mediated colistin resistance. ST14 and ST231 were international clones associated with carbapenem resistance. Colistin-resistant KP was of diverse clones with predominantly ST231, ST14 and ST2096.
Fenologia de três espécies arbóreas em um trecho de vegetação subcaducifólia no norte do Piauí, Brasil
Authors: Braga Antonio Maurício Silva , Lima Graziela De Araujo , Teodoro Mauro Sergio , Lemos Jesus Rodrigues
Published: June 2019

A fenologia auxilia na compreensão da dinâmica dos ecossistemas florestais e é essencial para o estudo ecológico e evolutivo dos trópicos. Assim, torna-se necessário conhecer a periodicidade dos eventos vegetativos e reprodutivos para fornecer subsídios que auxiliem na complexa dinâmica dos ecossistemas. Considerando esses aspectos, foram realizadas observações quinzenais entre maio de 2015 a abril de 2016 de Copaifera langsdorffii Desf., Lecythis lurida Miers S.A.Mori e Swartzia flaemingii Raddi em um trecho de vegetação subcaducifólia no norte do Piauí. Nas três espécies, a queda foliar ocorreu na estação seca, com maior intensidade em setembro, seguida do brotamento, com o início da estação chuvosa, destacando-se entre maio e abril. Copaifera langsdorffii e L. lurida apresentaram a floração no final da estação chuvosa e início da estação seca, diferentemente de S. flaemingii, a qual apresentou floração no período chuvoso. A frutificação ocorreu em diferentes épocas do ano, com C. langsdorffii frutificando no período seco, enquanto L. lurida no final da estação chuvosa, assim como S. flaemingii, a qual se estendeu mais para o período seco. Este estudo permitiu descrever detalhes fenológicos da planta e suas relações com o ambiente, em diferentes períodos e locais, visando subsidiar estratégias para a implantação e o manejo dessas espécies.
Dieta de Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) (Mammalia, Chiroptera) em um fragmento florestal urbano da cidade de Londrina, Paraná, Brasil
Authors: Pereira Alan Deivid , Reis Nélio Roberto , Orsi Mário Luís , Vidotto-Magnoni Ana Paula
Published: June 2019

Morcegos são conhecidos por sua importância na regulação dos ecossistemas e no seu envolvimento na polinização e na dispersão de sementes. Espécies de morcegos fitófagos como, por exemplo, Artibeus lituratus ocupam com frequência áreas alteradas ou até mesmo regiões urbanas. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a dieta de A. lituratus no campus da Universidade Estadual de Londrina, um fragmento florestal com alta interferência antrópica. Foram realizadas quatro coletas mensais, entre outubro de 2012 e setembro de 2013, utilizando quatro redes de neblina por noite. Os animais foram identificados em campo e acondicionados em sacos de algodão por 30 minutos a fim de serem obtidas amostras de fezes para a análise de sua dieta. Foram coletados 86 indivíduos, que forneceram 42 amostras fecais. Os resultados indicam que a dieta de A. lituratus é composta principalmente por frutos de Cecropiaceae e Moraceae. A amplitude de nicho trófico foi maior nos meses de março, agosto e setembro de 2013, porém não ocorreram diferenças significativas na dieta entre as estações do ano (H = 0,3002, p = 0,96). A preferência por espécies pioneiras na dieta de A. lituratus pode ser um indicativo do seu importante papel na restauração de fragmentos florestais mesmo em ambientes urbanos.
Dieta da toninha (Pontoporia blainvillei) na costa norte do Espírito Santo, Brasil
Authors: Rupil Gabriel , Barbosa Lupércio , Marcondes Milton César , Carvalho Barbara Maichak de , Farro Ana Paula
Published: June 2019

A toninha (Pontoporia blainvillei) é considerada a espécie de golfinho mais ameaçada da costa do Brasil. As populações de toninha que ocorrem no litoral norte do estado do Espírito Santo constituem populações isoladas, separadas por um hiato geográfico das demais populações. Da mesma forma, não há informações sobre hábitos alimentares de golfinhos franciscanos na área de estudo. O objetivo desta pesquisa é descrever a dieta da toninha na costa norte do Espírito Santo. Foram analisados 18 conteúdos estomacais de carcaças encalhadas no período de janeiro/2012 a março/2015. Foram contabilizados os itens da dieta identificados e calculadas a frequência de ocorrência e a abundância relativa das presas. São apresentados novos registros de presas para a espécie. A presa mais comum encontrada na dieta da toninha foi Isopisthus parvipinnins. Assim como em outras localidades, a família Sciaenidae foi o grupo mais importante na dieta de Pontoporia blainvillei no Espírito Santo, seguida por presas pelágicas da ordem Clupeiformes.
Revisitando o conceito de serviço público
Authors: Nakamura Andre Luiz Dos Santos
Published: June 2019

Este artigo tem por objetivo revisitar e atualizar o conceito de um instituto fundamental ao estudo do Direito Administrativo: o serviço público. A metodologia utilizada é a hipotético-dedutiva; por meio de pesquisas bibliográficas, serão analisados os conceitos de serviço público que serão refutados ou confirmados, tendo em vista o Direito Positivo brasileiro. Concluímos que o conceito de serviço público não é mais o da Escola Francesa, bem como que os institutos do Direito Europeu e Estadunidense de “serviços econômicos de interesse geral” e “public utilities” não são totalmente adequados ao conceito de serviço público positivado na Constituição Federal; conclui-se que o conceito de serviço público deve ser visto como uma atividade econômica que foi, por meio de lei, atribuída ao Estado para que a exerça de forma direta ou por meio de concessão ou permissão, sempre tendo em vista a finalidade de dar efetividade aos direitos fundamentais.
Development of a versatile source apportionment analysis based on positive matrix factorization: a case study of the seasonal variation of organic aerosol sources in Estonia
Authors: Vlachou Athanasia , Tobler Anna , Lamkaddam Houssni , Canonaco Francesco , Daellenbach Kaspar R. , Jaffrezo Jean-Luc , Minguillón María Cruz , Maasikmets Marek , Teinemaa Erik , Baltensperger Urs , El Haddad Imad , Prévôt André S. H.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Bootstrap analysis is
commonly used to capture the uncertainties of a bilinear receptor model such
as the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. This approach can estimate
the factor-related uncertainties and partially assess the rotational
ambiguity of the model. The selection of the environmentally plausible
solutions, though, can be challenging, and a systematic approach to identify
and sort the factors is needed. For this, comparison of the factors between
each bootstrap run and the initial PMF output, as well as with externally
determined markers, is crucial. As a result, certain solutions that exhibit
suboptimal factor separation should be discarded. The retained solutions
would then be used to test the robustness of the PMF output. Meanwhile,
analysis of filter samples with the Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer and
the application of PMF and bootstrap analysis on the bulk water-soluble
organic aerosol mass spectra have provided insight into the source
identification and their uncertainties. Here, we investigated a full yearly
cycle of the sources of organic aerosol (OA) at three sites in Estonia:
Tallinn (urban), Tartu (suburban) and Kohtla-Järve (KJ; industrial). We
identified six OA sources and an inorganic dust factor. The primary OA types
included biomass burning, dominant in winter in Tartu and accounting for
73 % ± 21 % of the total OA, primary biological OA which was
abundant in Tartu and Tallinn in spring (21 % ± 8 % and
11 % ± 5 %, respectively), and two other primary OA types lower
in mass. A sulfur-containing OA was related to road dust and tire abrasion
which exhibited a rather stable yearly cycle, and an oil OA was connected to
the oil shale industries in KJ prevailing at this site that comprises
36 % ± 14 % of the total OA in spring. The secondary OA sources
were separated based on their seasonal behavior: a winter oxygenated OA
dominated in winter (36 % ± 14 % for KJ,
25 % ± 9 % for Tallinn and 13 % ± 5 % for Tartu)
and was correlated with benzoic and phthalic acid, implying an anthropogenic
origin. A summer oxygenated OA was the main source of OA in summer at all
sites (26 % ± 5 % in KJ, 41 % ± 7 % in Tallinn
and 35 % ± 7 % in Tartu) and exhibited high correlations with
oxidation products of a-pinene-like pinic acid and 3-methyl-1, 2,
3-butanetricarboxylic acid (MBTCA), suggesting a biogenic
origin.