bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indigenous Humor in Thomas King's The Back of the Turtle: An Ecocritical Perspective
Authors: Panda Punyashree
Published: October 2020

Although environmental catastrophe seems an unlikely topic for humor, Edward Abbey's The Monkey Wrench Gang established the precedent for this incongruity in 1975. Thomas King's The Back of the Turtle (2012) follows Abbey's postmodern lead. However, this articles argues that King deploys a more comprehensive and diverse strategy of humor, ingeniously synthesizing the tragic and the comic to call attention to the perils of environmental degradation. A central element in his strategy is his infusing his narrative with Indigenous markers—creation stories, Native motifs, and reinterpretations of Indigenous-white relations—that he uses in a scathingly humorous way to carry forward the storytelling style of his earlier works.
Lyman Sargent
Authors: Sands Peter
Published: October 2020

This is a personal reflection on and celebration of Lyman Tower Sargent by the president of the Society for Utopian Studies.
The Social Dreamer Who Chose Utopia
Authors: Baccolini Raffaella
Published: October 2020

This is a personal recollection of Lyman Tower Sargent that stresses his enormous contribution—personal and academic—to the community of utopian studies. After a brief recollection of our academic interactions, the short contribution pays homage to a “social dreamer” who is aware that utopia can be dangerous but is equally sure that it is absolutely essential if we are to survive.
Lyman Tower Sargent, Cosmophage
Authors: Wagner-Lawlor Jennifer
Published: October 2020

This appreciation of Lyman Tower Sargent seeks a term to best capture the utopian sensibilities and contributions of this unique scholar. I propose a word taken from Susan Sontag, who shared a lifelong interest in “other worlds,” real and unreal, utopian and dystopian: cosmophage—literally, “world-eater.”
Utopia Calls
Authors: Roemer Kenneth M.
Published: October 2020

The essay offers a profile of Lyman Tower Sargent's career as a “calling” manifested in his half century of dedication to expanding the utopian literature canon in print and digital bibliographies, his widely used definitions that establish boundaries for the bibliographies, his efforts to convince different academic and nonacademic audiences in a variety of forms of the importance of utopianism, and his mentorship of young scholars.
European Utopias and Dystopias: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Claeys Gregory
Published: October 2020

After the many meetings held in 2016 to commemorate the five hundredth anniversary of the publication of Thomas More's Utopia, it seems fitting that we should consider the relevance (or not) of its central themes to the idea of what Europe has come to represent in the past sixty years or so. This article will proceed by recalling More's leading ideas and then indicating how later thinkers, especially after 1800, moved some of these in a specifically European direction. After touching on some key moments in the European utopian narrative, this article will briefly consider some discordant dystopian episodes in this story. Then it will turn to the present and to our prospects for the longer-term future, or, at any rate, the rest of the twenty-first century.
A Study on Patient Satisfaction among the Patients Admitted in the In-Patient Departments of a Tertiary Health Care Institution in North East India
Authors: Deka Chandana , Borboruah Luish , Sarmah Pranay P , Paul Ipsita
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Tertiary care hospital should be able to provide best possible health care to patients. The study was conducted to determine the patient satisfaction of IPD patients seeking treatment in Jorhat Medical College and Hospitals and to compare the level of satisfaction of the patients across selected departments.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted between July to August 2018 among the patients admitted in the IPD of Jorhat Medical College & Hospitals. Multistage random sampling was first done to select departments of the medical college. Then stratified sampling technique with proportionate allocation was used to select patients from these respective departments. Finally, systematic sampling technique was used to select respondents from among the inpatients of the selected departments.

Results: Satisfaction regarding physical facilities like cleanliness of the wards (79.64%), toilets (51.96%), availability of drugs (59.28%), quality of food and water etc (55.71%) were of major concern. The satisfaction level is statistically significant with bio social characteristics like background (p= 0.0002), sex (p= 0.0356) and socioeconomic status (p= 0.077).

Conclusion: Assessing satisfaction of patients is simple and cost effective way for evaluation of hospital services.
Detection of ammonia leak in laboratory conditions using a FLIR 306 camera and a portable gas detector
Authors: Lisowska-Lis Agnieszka , Siudut Piotr
Published: October 2020

The study aimed to analyse detection methods of ammonia leakage by various electrical methods. Rapid detection of the escape of hazardous technical gases is extremely important in large chemical plants. The basis of the research was the use of a specialized camera, model FLIR GF306, to detect a leak of selected gases in a narrow infrared band. In laboratory conditions, the controlled emission of gaseous ammonia at various concentrations was simulated, and gas detection was performed: a) using a narrow infrared thermography method, and b) by a portable electrochemical detector dedicated to detecting ammonia. The turbulent flow of gas into the environment and high thermal contrast between the expanding gas and the background are the conditions for effective gas detection with a thermal imaging camera operating in a narrow infrared band.
Gender-Associated Oral and Periodontal Health Based on Retrospective Panoramic Radiographic Analysis of Alveolar Bone Loss
Authors: Jain Ashish , V. Bhavsar Neeta , Baweja Amrit , Bhagat Aman , Ohri Anchal , Grover Vishakha
Published: October 2020

Gender-based heterogeneity in periodontal disease has been witnessed in the recent past with huge mounting evidence. The composite effect of sex-based genetic structure and the sex steroid hormones runs in line with the corresponding gender-related differences in risk for chronic periodontitis. Since estrogens, the predominant sex hormones in women, show immune protective and anti-inflammatory effects in hormonally active premenopausal women, they show better periodontal status compared to age-matched men. Conversely, after menopause with a weakening estrogen signal, women may show an equal or even more serious periodontal status compared to men. Periodontal status of postmenopausal women may be improved by menopausal hormone therapy. Alveolar bone loss, an irreversible sign of past periodontal disease activity can be easily observed on radiographs in an objective manner. Orthopantomographs provide a fairly accurate assessment of the status of alveolar bone in the whole mouth. A cross-sectional retrospective panoramic radiographic analysis has been carried out in a north Indian dental institute to decipher the gender-based distribution of periodontal bone loss. The current chapter shall provide an update on gender-based differences in oral health, underlying mechanisms, differences in patterns and distribution of alveolar bone loss (case study), and potential gender-specific disease protection and management strategies.
Plant Growth and Morphophysiological Modifications in Perennial Ryegrass under Environmental Stress
Authors: Xie Fuchun , Datta Rahul , Qin Dong
Published: October 2020

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is a popular and important cool-season turfgrass used in parks, landscapes, sports fields, and golf courses, and it has significant ecological, environmental, and economic values. It is also widely used as forage and pasture grass for animals around the world. However, the growth of perennial ryegrass is often affected by various abiotic stresses, which cause declines in turf quality and forage production. Among abiotic stresses, drought, salinity, temperature, and heavy metal are the most detrimental factors for perennial ryegrass growth in different regions, which result in growth inhibition, cell structure damage, and metabolic dysfunction. Many researches have revealed a lot useful information for understanding the mechanism of tolerance to adverse stresses at morphophysiological level. In this chapter, we will give a systematic literature review about morphological and physiological changes of perennial ryegrass in response to main stress factors and provide detail aspects of improving perennial ryegrass resistance based on research progress. Understanding morphophysiological response in perennial ryegrass under stress will contribute to improving further insights on fundamental mechanisms of perennial ryegrass stress tolerance and providing valuable information for breeding resistance cultivars of perennial ryegrass.
Conserving Freshwater Biodiversity in an African Subtropical Wetland: South Africa’s Lower Phongolo River and Floodplain
Authors: Angelina Acosta Aline , C. Netherlands Edward , Retief Francois , de Necker Lizaan , du Preez Louis , Truter Marliese , Alberts Reece , Gerber Ruan , Wepener Victor , Malherbe Wynand , J. Smit Nico
Published: October 2020

Freshwater biodiversity is under constant threat from a range of anthropogenic stressors. Using South Africa’s Phongolo River and floodplain (PRF) as a study case, the aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the conservation and management of freshwater biodiversity in a highly diverse subtropical ecosystem. The PRF is the largest floodplain system in South Africa which is severely threatened by irregularly controlled flood releases from a large upstream dam, prolonged drought, deteriorating water quality, organic pollutants and the increasing dependence of the local communities. Based on a decade of survey of the PRF conducted from 2010 to 2020, this chapter highlights the current diversity of aquatic organisms (invertebrates, fishes, frogs and their parasitic fauna), followed by an overview of their biological and physical stressors. The current challenges in the management of the aquatic biodiversity of this region and a way forward to conservation strategies are also addressed in this chapter.
Development of Erasmus+ programme at the University of Pristina temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica
Authors: Lazić Goran , Lončar-Vujnović Mirjana
Published: October 2020

After closure of Tempus, European Union programme for reform and modernization of Higher Education at the end of 2013, European Commission promoted new integrated European Union programme Erasmus+ for a period from 2017-2021, which encompassed seven various programme for education, youth and sport of previous generation. Aside from seven implemented Tempus projects, University Pristina temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica, continued with successfull participation in Erasmus+ programme. Since 2015, university gained seven Erasmus+ Key Action 2: Capacity Building in Higher Education projects, which is the most significant action and represents the inheritance of Tempus programme. University also realised inter-institutional cooperation with big number of universities from European Union with whom he gained 10 International Credit Mobility projects aiming at promotion of students, academic and administrative staff mobility of this university.
Developing Structural Reasoning with Diagrams
Authors: Lee Hyung Sook , Yim, Jaehoon , Coomes Jacqueline
Published: October 2020

Advance students' strategies by highlighting properties, diverting attention away from procedures and algebraic skills to see the structures in expressions.
Fostering Parent–Child Math Talk with the 4Cs
Authors: Betts Anastasia L. , Son Ji-Won
Published: October 2020

Research shows that frequent, high-quality mathematics talk that is shared between parents and children can increase mathematics achievement. This article describes ways in which teachers can support parents in increasing the frequency and quality of parentchild mathematics interactions, leading to better outcomes for students.
Learning to Collaborate While Learning Mathematics
Authors: Harper Frances K. , Crespo Sandra
Published: October 2020

This task structure both engages students in serious, grade-level appropriate mathematical work and allows the teacher to do the intentional and purposeful work of building a collaborative classroom culture. We highlight possibilities for adapting this task structure to teach different mathematics content across grade levels 3–5.
Now: The Impact of NCTM Conferences
Authors: Foster Halcyon J.
Published: October 2020

This article describes lessons learned about attending conferences from over two decades.
Pandemics and Issues of Equity
Authors: Jessup Naomi A. , Wolfe Jennifer A. , Udiani, Oyita , Kalinec-Craig Crystal A.
Published: October 2020

Ear to the Ground features voices from various corners of the mathematics education world.
Problems to Ponder
Authors: Katt Susie , Korponic Megan
Published: October 2020

Problems to Ponder provides 28 varying, classroom-ready mathematics problems that collectively span PK–12, arranged in the order of the grade level. Individuals are encouraged to submit a problem or a collection of problems directly to mtlt@nctm.org. If published, the authors of problems will be acknowledged.
Folk culture as a foundation for preservation and development of the state
Authors: Mitiay Elena
Published: October 2020

The subject of this research is the cultivation in younger generation of respect to folk culture as a foundation of uniqueness and self-identification of the people. An intrinsic element of folk culture, along with the folksong and folkdance, is the memory of historical events as the basis for the development of folklore. Having analyzed the events of the late XX – early XXI centuries, the conclusion is made on inadmissibility of nullification of panhuman values and separate acts as crimes against humanity. Thus, it is suggested to view the culture of preservation of historical memory as an essential element in cultivation of folk culture. The author establishes correlation between the development of cultural diversity of ethnoses, peoples, nationalities and nations populating the Russian Federation and the formation of the unified national idea of the state. The result of analysis of the events related to violation of the provisions of the Nuremberg Tribunal Verdict on recognition of Nazi collaborators as freedom fighters in separate European states, led to realization of the need to cultivate the culture of preservation of historical memory and refrain the younger generation from overrating the outcome of World War II. Emphasis is made on the need to develop culture of working with the archival data as the foundation for preservation of historical memory of the population of modern Russia.
Charity and donations in the cities of Zabaykalsky Krai during the World War I: interaction between society and the government
Authors: Sevostyanova Elena
Published: October 2020

During the World War I, due to the grand scale of mobilization, it would have not been possible to provide assistance to families of the soldiers without help received from charitable organizations, local authorities and individuals. Public and private charity became a part of supporting those in need. The object of this research is charity and donations during organized during the World War I. The subject of this research is the cooperation between the government and the public in the area of charity and donations. The forms, methods and specificity of such interactions are viewed based on the example of a remote administerial peripheral region – Zabaykalsky Krai, with consideration of the overall trends and regional peculiarities. The main forms and vectors of the work are described. Four key trends can be highlighted in interaction between the government and the city residents: 1) the organization of support for the families of mobilized soldiers (both, legal who received state rations, but also had the opportunity to use charitable support, and civil, who did not have the right to receive state rations); social assistance to children; aid to the refugees; collecting donations for the military needs (air fleet, Red Cross, mobile military infirmary, provision and shipment of things for the army). The author notes that due to a wide variety of charitable organizations (local and nationwide), secular and religious patronages, committees (established upon the local initiative and departments under the aegis of the Romanovs family), the composition of active participants often overlapped: same people were the members of several organizations. An important role in all organizations was played by the government officials; however, their motivation requires additional attention. Largest charity fundraisers were the events that received organizational and information support from the local authorities, or mass actions that became a part of public space of the cities.
Color as a problem of phenomenological aesthetics
Authors: Kormin Nikolai Aleksandrovich
Published: October 2020

The aim of the study is to clarify the aesthetic concept of color perception from the phenomenological reasoning of Edmund Husserl. Today, the orientation diagram of the field of phenomenological research is formed in various zones: from theological to naturalistic. In which of these zones the structures of the phenomenological analysis of color are located is not an easy question. The coloristic region is constituted according to the degree of consciousness, including aesthetic consciousness. It is extremely difficult to meet with the phenomenon of color, if only because its obviousness is fulfilled only by the fervor of the contemplative consciousness with its aesthetic pathos, a consciousness that distinguishes between, as it were, the reality of transcendent color and the aesthetic "continent of givens". We are talking, as Husserl would say, about the halo of consciousness, referring to the essence of perception performed in the mode of turning to the beauty of color. For the first time, approaches to the study of such a complex phenomenological topic as the description of a coloristic attitude, the eidetics of color experiences in Husserl's philosophy are outlined, the significance of its development for the comprehension of aesthetic and artistic consciousness is revealed. The main conclusions of the study are related to the philosophical interpretation of the idea of color as included in phenomenology in the experience of philosophical surprise, which turns into the acquisition of the essence of "phenomenological color" in general, and in aesthetics it is directly correlated with the appearance of its structures on the horizon of the harmonic synthesis of acts of perceptual performance in the imagination, "primordial giving visions" of color, with the creation of a picture coloristic impressions as cognitive emotions, reduced pure color perception, with an understanding of how art makes the very conditions of color visibility obvious, how its artistic synthesis is made, in the structure of which correlation analysis can see an analogue of a priori empiricism вЂ“ this fundamental characteristic of purely Husserl synthesis and method revealed in domestic studies.
Post-truth and daily routine. To the problem of definition of the concept of “post-truth”
Authors: Yakimov Andrey Evgen'evich
Published: October 2020

The object of this research is the popular within modern academic environment, but yet hypothetical without a precise definition, concept of “post-truth”. The subject of this research is the correlation between routine thinking and post-truth as a mode of functionality of the meaning. An attempt is made to clarify the interdependence of “post-truth” with the daily background practices. The concept of “post-truth” is based on the problematization of veracity in relation to dynamic development and expansion of communicative environment. This concept is attributed not only to political reality, but also influences the cultural, artistic and everyday life. The article indicates the key characteristics of post-truth: pluralism, fragmentation, consumer nature of truth, instrumentality, contextuality, post-publicity as an environment for people’s communication using technical means. A hypothesis is substantiated, according to which the “background expectations” as an important element of daily routine are one of the crucial conditions for functionality of meaning in the mode of post-truth. The goal of thus article consists in problematization of the concept of “post-truth” through correlation of its characteristics with the logic of routine thinking, as well as in indication of certain trends in the culture of post-truth. The relevance is justified by the need to clarify the meaning of the concept of “post-truth" for modern culture as a whole. The conclusion is made that the culture of post-truth is a more complex and multifaceted phenomenon, which is not limited by manipulations of public opinion and deception in mass media. Post-truth manifests as a condition for overcoming truth/falsehood dichotomy in the everyday life. In the culture of post-truth, emerges complete distrust in media (especially those that are considered reliable, such as documentaries). This contributes to the formation of “new truth” that rehabilitates the routine subjective experience, artistic language (post-documentary films), resulting in a so-called unveiling of total simulation through construction of individual, subjective perception in the media reality.
A Comprehensive Study on Future Smart Grids: Definitions, Strategies and Recommendations
Authors: MOGHADDAM A. ANVARI , SEIFI A.R.
Published: October 2020

Nowadays, focusing on some critical points such as decreasing global warming and ambient pollution, better utilization of renewable energy resources, energy management and improvement of power systems operation becomes the field of attention for many modern societies. Although a large number of these aspects have been studied carefully and valuable results have been achieved, rarely can be found an article that makes a comprehensive review on different aspects of smart grids and their issues, therefore a working definition is presented that will help to put in context the framework for discussing and designing the Smart Grid. On the other hand, implementation of Smart Grids as the future of power Networks is strongly dependent on successive layers of functionality and capability using existing equipment and systems. Renewable energies (wind, solar), distributed automation and energy management gateways are some key elements of Smart Grids that will be covered discussed as well.
Carolina Bays and the Sewee Shell Ring Site, South Carolina: Evidence for Natural and Planned Water Gathering
Authors: MIDDAUGH DOUGLAS P.
Published: October 2020

Natural water gathering in two newly discovered Carolina bays, designated as Oak Bay and Pine Bay was studied. These bays and the Sewee shell ring, a planned water gathering system built by man approximately 4,100 yr BP, provided a supply of freshwater. The Sewee shell ring is positioned in the lower southeast to southwest quadrant of Oak Bay. Freshwater entered Oak Bay via rainfall, an ephemeral stream and surface flow from Pine Bay. This freshwater moved downslope into a perennial stream that originated in Oak Bay. The perennial stream then flowed into a Slough adjacent to the Sewee shell ring. Evidence indicates that a Slough shell structure, the Sewee shell ring itself, and a Ridge line sequestered this freshwater in the Slough adjacent to the shell ring. Structures designated as Upper and Middle Weirs regulated downslope flow of water from the Slough. A watercourse located within the Upper and Middle Weirs of the Sewee shell ring conducted surface freshwater from the Slough to an Arena-tank at a lower topographic elevation. Water levels in this Arena-tank were controlled by a Lower Weir. This Lower Weir also showed evidence of a watercourse that ended in an estuarine creek. Accumulation of sandy sediments landward of the broad crested Upper and Lower Weirs is consistent with structures built for water retention and storage. The narrow crested Middle Weir, with no associated sediment deposition, was built to control the directional flow of water.
Short-Term Analysis of Distribution Systems with Wind Farms Using Multi Resolution Analysis Neural Networks
Authors: Pourahmadi-Nakhli Meisam , Seifi Ali Reza
Published: October 2020

Since wind power generation as a major input of the power distribution system strictly relies on wind speed, stochastic wind fluctuations challenge an accurate prediction of the power generation. In this paper, an enhancement on Artificial Neural Network-based predicting model has been used to predict the major input of the system. The correlation between a smooth-dilated wavelet and wind speed samples has been calculated to decompose wind series into resolutions in which there is more regular patterns to be approximated. This predicting scheme was validated on the real wind (generation) data as well as consumption level of a real system to give a short-term prediction of the system inputs. The unbalanced three-phase load flow as a robust analysis tool determines system state variables under these predicted inputs. The results indicate the high accuracy of the method in predicting the system state variables from 3 hours to a day in advance.
Factors influencing unmet need for contraception amongst adolescent girls and women in Cambodia
Authors: Rizvi Farwa , Williams Joanne , Bowe Steven , Hoban Elizabeth
Published: October 2020

Background

Unmet need is the gap between women’s need and their practice of using contraception. Unmet need for contraception in female adolescents and women in Cambodia is a public health concern which may lead to unintended pregnancies or abortions that can contribute to maternal morbidity and mortality.

Methods

Bronfenbrenner’s Social Ecological Model was used as a theoretical framework to analyze data from the 2014 Cambodian Demographic and Health Survey to ascertain demographic and social factors potentially associated with unmet need for contraception. Bivariate and weighted multiple logistic regression analyses with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were conducted for 4,823 Cambodian, sexually active females aged 15–29 years.

Results

The percentage of unmet need for contraception was 11.7%. At the individual level of the Social Ecological Model, there was an increased likelihood of unmet need in adolescent girls 15–19 years and women 20–24 years. Unmet need was decreased in currently employed women. At the microenvironment level, there was an increased likelihood of unmet need with the husband’s desire for more children and when the decision for a woman’s access to healthcare was made by someone else in the household. At the macroenvironment level, unmet need was decreased in women who could access a health facility near their residence to obtain medical care. There were no urban rural differences found in the Cambodian sample population.

Conclusion

Unmet need for contraception in Cambodian females adolescents and women is associated with younger age, unemployment and low personal autonomy for accessing healthcare but not with education or wealth status. There is a need to implement culturally appropriate reproductive and sexual health literacy programs to increase access to modern contraception and to raise women’s autonomy.
CKS2 and RMI2 are two prognostic biomarkers of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xiao Dayong , Dong Siyuan , Yang Shize , Liu Zhenghua
Published: October 2020

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (ACA) is the most common subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer. About 70%–80% patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage; therefore, the survival rate is poor. It is urgent to discover accurate markers that can differentiate the late stages of lung ACA from the early stages. With the development of biochips, researchers are able to efficiently screen large amounts of biological analytes for multiple purposes.

Methods

Our team downloaded GSE75037 and GSE32863 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Next, we utilized GEO’s online tool, GEO2R, to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between stage I and stage II–IV lung ACA. The using the Cytoscape software was used to analyze the DEGs and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was further constructed. The function of the DEGs were further analyzed by cBioPortal and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) online tools. We validated these results in 72 pairs human samples.

Results

We identified 109 co-DEGs, most of which were involved in either proliferation, S phase of mitotic cell cycle, regulation of exit from mitosis, DNA replication initiation, DNA replication, and chromosome segregation. Utilizing cBioPortal and University of California Santa Cruz databases, we further confirmed 35 hub genes. Two of these genes, encoding CDC28 protein kinase regulatory subunit 2 (CKS2) and RecQ-mediated genome instability 2 (RMI2), were upregulated in lung ACA compared with adjacent normal tissues. The Kaplan–Meier curves revealed upregulation of CKS2 and RMI2 are associated with worse survival. Using CMap analysis, we discovered 10 small molecular compounds that reversed the altered DEGs, the top five are phenoxybenzamine, adiphenine, resveratrol, and trifluoperazine. We also evaluated 72 pairs resected samples, results revealed that upregulation of CKS2 and RMI2 in lung ACA were associated with larger tumor size. Our results allow the deeper recognizing of the mechanisms of the progression of lung ACA, and may indicate potential therapeutic strategies for the therapy of lung ACA.
Analysis and Prospects of International E-learning Research Hotspots
Authors: Tong Chao
Published: October 2020

Using the Web of Science database as a literature source and Citespace to analyze the 592 selected literatures, first of all, we find that Spain has become one of the most influential countries in the field of E-learning. Then, by clustering analysis, we find that the main research hotspots in E-learning are Universal Design for Learning, Teacher Training, Technology Acceptance Model and Ubiquitous Learning. We also analyze the representative research themes in the field of E-learning. The future picture of E-learning is envisioned, namely, integration of inclusion and personalization, acceptance of diversity and complexity, reaffirmation of humanity and equity and moving towards AI and ubiquity.
Improvement of the Growth Performance, Innate Immunity and Disease Resistance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) against Vibrio parahaemolyticus 1T1 following Dietary Application of the Probiotic Strain Lactobacillus plantarum 1KMT
Authors: Bocamdé Temgoua Jules- , Marie Kaktcham Pierre , François Zambou Ngoufack , Gondal Muhammad Asif , Kausar Rehana
Published: October 2020

The impact of Lactobacillus plantarum 1KMT on the survival rate, growth performance, innate immunity and disease resistance of Oreochromis niloticus challenged with pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus 1T1 was investigated. This study was conducted in the Fisheries Department of National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC), and Department of Biosciences of Comsats University Islamabad, Pakistan between August 2018 and August 2019. Sixty healthy fish (10.99 ± 1.1 g body weight) were acclimatised to laboratory conditions in 1000 L tank for 14 days. After, they were randomly divided equally into two groups G1 and G2 with one replication: G1 fed with the basal diet (BD) without probiotic (control), and group G2 was fed with 1x108 CFU.g-1 Lactobacillus plantarum 1KMT supplemented diet. The trial was conducted for a period of 60 days. The intestinal microflora, survival rate (SR), weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and food conversion ratio (FCR) were checked after every ten days. After 60 days, the innate immune parameter levels were evaluated. For challenge study against Vibrio parahaemolyticus 1T1, eighteen fish from G2 were randomly selected and divided in two subgroups: G2A, with 1KMT continuous treatment and G2B in which treatment was stopped. After 21 days, the mortalities were recorded. The results showed that the intestinal microflora was significantly improved in G2 compared to G1. The survival rate was 96.5% and 86.0% in G2 and G1, respectively. The WG was not significantly affected, while the SGR and innate immunity parameters were significantly improved (p < 0.05) in G2 compared to G1. The mortality rate was 77.7% and 66.6% in G1 and subgroup G2B, respectively, while no mortality was observed in G2A after the challenge test. The Lactobacillus plantarum 1KMT improves the growth performance, survival rate, innate immunity and disease resistance of Nile tilapia.
Association between Heavy Metals and Selected Reproductive Parameters in the Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, along River Ruiru, Kiambu County, Kenya
Authors: Wamboka Ong’eta M. K , Otieno Syprine A. , Simbauni Jemimah A.
Published: October 2020

The Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, is a tropical fish species of commercial importance in both aquaculture and in the wild. It plays a great role in human nutrition and food security. River Ruiru is one of the rivers faced with pollution from nearby industries. It is inhabited by various species of fish such as tilapia and common carp, which, may be harvested by surrounding communities for food. High levels of heavy metals disrupt normal reproductive process in fish. Besides, it has been reported that edible fish contaminated with heavy metals has deleterious effects on the health of humans and other animals that consume them. There is no documented information on the association between heavy metals and the reproductive biology of Oreochromis niloticus in River Ruiru. This study was aimed at assessing the level of heavy metals in fish ovaries and their association with selected reproductive parameters in the reproductive cycle of O. niloticus. Fish samples were collected monthly, for 8 months, from the downstream and upstream sections. Gonadosomatic index (GSI), serum 17β-estradiol (E2) levels and levels of heavy metals lead, cadmium, copper, iron and zinc in ovaries were determined. The levels of the heavy metals were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The level of E2 was analyzed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. There was no significant difference in the GSI between the upstream and the downstream sites (t=0.82, p=0.416). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the levels of E2 between the downstream and the upstream sampling sections. In the downstream, the levels of lead and iron in fish ovaries were significantly higher compared to the upstream (lead: t = 3.36, p = 0.002; iron: t = 4.920, p=0.001). The results showed that levels of heavy metals did not associate with the selected reproductive parameters in the Nile tilapia, along River Ruiru. Levels of lead and cadmium were above allowable concentrations for fish consumption when compared to WHO levels. The study recommends that the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources should put measures in place to stop discharging raw effluents into River Ruiru.
Hypouricemia and Mortality Risk in the US General Population
Authors: D’Silva Kristin M. , Yokose Chio , Lu Na , McCormick Natalie , Lee Hwajeong , Zhang Yuqing , Choi Hyon K.
Published: October 2020

Objective

The most recent European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for gout advise against maintaining a serum urate (SU) level of <3 mg/dl for prolonged periods of time. While several Asian cohort studies have shown higher rates of mortality in individuals with extremely low SU levels, data from non‐Asian cohort studies are scarce, and the relationship between hypouricemia, cardiovascular risk, and mortality remains unclear.

Methods

Using data collected from the 1988–1994 and 1999–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we examined the relationship between SU level and overall and cause‐specific mortality in 41,807 adults in the US. We calculated multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) that were compared to a referent SU level of 5–6 mg/dl for SU categories <4, 4–5, 6–7, 7–8, and >8 mg/dl in men and SU categories <3, 3–4, 4–5, 6–7, and >7 mg/dl in women.

Results

A higher mortality risk was not observed in women who had an SU level of <3 mg/dl (HR 1.09 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.92–1.28]). A 28% higher mortality risk was observed in men who had an SU level of <4 mg/dl (HR 1.28 [95% CI 1.13–1.45]), with a nearly three‐times higher mortality risk from diabetes mellitus also noted (HR 2.89 [95% CI 1.59–5.23]), but no increase in mortality from any other specific cause.

Conclusion

We found no long‐term excess mortality risk among American women with SU levels as low as <3 mg/dl, a finding which is incompatible with the notion of a causal relationship between hypouricemia and premature mortality in women. We found excess all‐cause mortality and diabetes mellitus–related mortality among hypouricemic American men, which may in part be attributable to the uricosuric effect of hyperglycemia in fatal uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (analogous to reverse causality).
Reinforcement learning based closed‐loop reference model adaptive flight control system design
Authors: Yuksek Burak , Inalhan Gokhan
Published: October 2020

In this study, we present a reinforcement learning (RL)‐based flight control system design method to improve the transient response performance of a closed‐loop reference model (CRM) adaptive control system. The methodology, known as RL‐CRM, relies on the generation of a dynamic adaption strategy by implementing RL on the variable factor in the feedback path gain matrix of the reference model. An actor‐critic RL agent is designed using the performance‐driven reward functions and tracking error observations from the environment. In the training phase, a deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm is utilized to learn the time‐varying adaptation strategy of the design parameter in the reference model feedback gain matrix. The proposed control structure provides the possibility to learn numerous adaptation strategies across a wide range of flight and vehicle conditions instead of being driven by high‐fidelity simulators or flight testing and real flight operations. The performance of the proposed system was evaluated on an identified and verified mathematical model of an agile quadrotor platform. Monte‐Carlo simulations and worst case analysis were also performed over a benchmark helicopter example model. In comparison to the classical model reference adaptive control and CRM‐adaptive control system designs, the proposed RL‐CRM adaptive flight control system design improves the transient response performance on all associated metrics and provides the capability to operate over a wide range of parametric uncertainties.
The variable step‐sizeLMS/F algorithm using nonparametric method for adaptive system identification
Authors: Patnaik Ansuman , Nanda Sarita
Published: October 2020

A fundamental challenge affecting the performance of a system is the undesired effect of noise on the system. Practically, real‐time systems are influenced by Gaussian noise and impulsive noise. Identification of these nonlinear physical systems in the presence of noise offers broader applications than linear system identification. Hence, this article introduces a variable step‐size technique to solve the conflicting requirement of rapid convergence and low mean square error (MSE) in the presence of both Gaussian and impulsive noise. Moreover, to avoid over parameterized equations existing in the variable step‐size equation, this article proposes the nonparametric variable step‐size (NPVSS), which depends on error estimates at instants of time and is used with the least mean square/fourth (LMS/F) algorithm. The computational complexity analysis, computer simulations, and implementation in real‐time setup validate that the proposed NPVSS‐LMS/F algorithm provides superior performance in terms of convergence time and MSE compared to the existing algorithms for both linear and nonlinear system identification in the presence of noise.
Chattering‐free fixed‐time sliding mode control for bilateral teleoperation under unknown time‐varying delay via disturbance and state observers
Authors: Abadi Ali Soltani Sharif , Hosseinabadi Pooyan Alinaghi , Mekhilef Saad , Ordys Andrzej
Published: October 2020

This paper proposes a new chattering‐free Fixed‐time Observer‐Based Sliding Mode Control (FOBSMC) scheme for synchronization of two bilateral teleoperations under unknown time‐varying delay. The system is subjected to unknown disturbances which are estimated in a fixed time by utilizing the Disturbance Observer‐based SMC scheme. The fixed‐time State Observer‐based SMC is designed to estimate the unmeasured velocity state, while the position state is assumed to be available. Fixed‐time stability method is used to provide the system convergence time independently of initial states. A FOBSMC scheme is first designed for master system of bilateral teleoperation under unknown time‐varying delay to track the environmental torque by the human operating torque in the presence of time delay in the communication channel, as well as estimating the unknown disturbances and unmeasured states. A FOBSMC scheme is designed to synchronize slave system to master system in the presence of time delay in the communication channel, as well as estimating disturbances and states. The stability analysis is performed for closed‐loop system of combined controller‐observer by using Lyapunov theory. The efficacy of the proposed method to fulfill a good transparency and stability under time‐varying communication delays is tested by performing numerical simulation in Simulink/MATLAB.
Tuning the Transconductance of Organic Electrochemical Transistors
Authors: Paudel Pushpa R. , Kaphle Vikash , Dahal Drona , Radha Krishnan Raj Kishen , Lüssem Björn
Published: October 2020

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) operate at very low voltages, transduce ions into electronic signals, and reach extremely large transconductance values, making them ideally suited for bio‐sensing applications. However, despite their promising performance, the dependence of their maximum transconductance on device geometry and applied voltages are not correctly captured by current capacitive device models. Here, current scaling laws are revised in the light of a recently developed 2D device model that adequately accounts for drift and diffusion of ions inside the polymer channel. It is shown that the maximum transconductance of the devices is found at the transition between the depletion and accumulation region of the transistors, which as well provides an explanation for the observed shift of the transconductance peak with geometric dimensions and the drain potential. Overall, the results provide a better understanding of the working mechanisms of OECTs, and facilitate design rules to optimize OECT performance further.
Zwitterionic AIEgens: Rational Molecular Design for NIR‐II Fluorescence Imaging‐Guided Synergistic Phototherapy
Authors: Zhu Wei , Kang Miaomiao , Wu Qian , Zhang Zhijun , Wu Yi , Li Chunbin , Li Kai , Wang Lei , Wang Dong , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: October 2020

Fluorescence imaging in the second near‐infrared region (NIR‐II) can penetrate tissue at centimeter depths and obtain high image fidelity. However, facile synthesis of small‐molecule fluorescent photosensitizers for efficient NIR‐II fluorescence imaging as well as photodynamic and photothermal combinatorial therapies is still a challenging task. Herein, a rational design and facile synthesis protocol are reported for a series of novel NIR‐emissive zwitterionic luminogens with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) features for cancer phototheranostics. Consistent with the intrinsic features including long emission wavelength, effective reactive oxygen species generation, and excellent photothermal conversion efficiency (35.76%), in vitro and in vivo evaluation show that one of these presented AIE luminogens provides excellent performance in NIR‐II fluorescence imaging‐guided synergistic phototherapy against cancer.
Precision 3D‐Printed Cell Scaffolds Mimicking Native Tissue Composition and Mechanics
Authors: Erben Amelie , Hörning Marcel , Hartmann Bastian , Becke Tanja , Eisler Stephan A. , Southan Alexander , Cranz Séverine , Hayden Oliver , Kneidinger Nikolaus , Königshoff Melanie , Lindner Michael , Tovar Günter E. M. , Burgstaller Gerald , Clausen‐Schaumann Hauke , Sudhop Stefanie , Heymann Michael
Published: October 2020

Cellular dynamics are modeled by the 3D architecture and mechanics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and vice versa. These bidirectional cell‐ECM interactions are the basis for all vital tissues, many of which have been investigated in 2D environments over the last decades. Experimental approaches to mimic in vivo cell niches in 3D with the highest biological conformity and resolution can enable new insights into these cell‐ECM interactions including proliferation, differentiation, migration, and invasion assays. Here, two‐photon stereolithography is adopted to print up to mm‐sized high‐precision 3D cell scaffolds at micrometer resolution with defined mechanical properties from protein‐based resins, such as bovine serum albumin or gelatin methacryloyl. By modifying the manufacturing process including two‐pass printing or post‐print crosslinking, high precision scaffolds with varying Young's moduli ranging from 7‐300 kPa are printed and quantified through atomic force microscopy. The impact of varying scaffold topographies on the dynamics of colonizing cells is observed using mouse myoblast cells and a 3D‐lung microtissue replica colonized with primary human lung fibroblast. This approach will allow for a systematic investigation of single‐cell and tissue dynamics in response to defined mechanical and bio‐molecular cues and is ultimately scalable to full organs.
Transparent Flexible Ultra‐Low Permeability Encapsulation Film: Fusible Glass Fired on Heat‐Resistant Polyimide Membrane
Authors: Zhu Longji , Babu Seenivasagaperumal Sriram , Yu Qiaoxi , Long Yubo , Zheng Zhibo , Wu Huiyan , Liu Siwei , Chi Zhenguo , Zhang Yi , Xu Jiarui
Published: October 2020

A good packing of flexible electronics is one of the most critical points to ensure its lifetime. However, efficient and straightforward packaging technology is still very challenging. In this work, a new strategy for preparing encapsulation film is reported by “enameling” a fusible glass layer on a polymer membrane. Careful consideration has been given to the materials properties and manufacturing process, and the obtained glass‐coated polymer can combine the advantageous properties of polymers and inorganic materials unconventionally. The encapsulation films show exceptional overall properties, including transparency (<5% optical deterioration), flexibility (radius of curvature: 1.5 mm), and low permeability. The film with 12 µm glass layer exhibits a water vapor transmission rate of 5.7 × 10−4 g m−2 day−1, and an oxygen transmission rate of 1.46 × 10−4 g m−2 day−1, which is 5 and 3 orders of magnitude lower than that of the polymer substrate, respectively. The fabrication process is suitable for roll‐to‐roll manufacturing, showing great advantages over the existing deposition methods like plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition and atomic layer deposition in terms of reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying the process. Therefore, it is a significant contribution to the development of flexible electronics packaging technology.