bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A reduced-order model for dual state-parameter geostatistical inversion
Authors: Wang Yu-Li , Yeh Tian-Chyi Jim , Tsai Jui-Pin
Published: January 2020

Abstract. To properly account the subsurface heterogeneity, geostatistical inverse models usually permit enormous amount of spatial correlated parameters to interpret the collected states. Several reduced-order techniques for the brick domain are investigated to leverage the memory burden of parameter covariance. Their capability to irregular domain is limited. Furthermore, due to the over fitting of states, the estimated parameters usually diverge to unreasonable values. Although some propriate tolerances can be used to eliminate this problem, they are presumed and heavily rely on the personal judgement. To address these two issues, we present a model reduction technique to the irregular domain by singular value decomposition (SVD). Afterward, the state errors and parameters are sequentially updated to leverage the over fitting. The computational advantages of the proposed reduced-order dual state-parameter inverse algorithm are demonstrated through two numerical experiments and one case study in a catchment scale field site. The investigations suggest that the stability of convergence dramatically improves. The estimated parameter values stabilize to reasonable order of magnitude. In addition, the memory requirement significantly reduces while the resolution of estimate preserves. The proposed method benefits multi-discipline scientific problems, especially useful and convenient for assimilating different types of measurements.
Evaluation of a combined drought indicator and its potential for agricultural drought prediction in southern Spain
Authors: Jiménez-Donaire María del Pilar , Tarquis Ana , Giráldez Juan Vicente
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Drought prediction is crucial, especially where the rainfall
regime is irregular, such as in Mediterranean countries. A new combined
drought indicator (CDI) integrating rainfall, soil moisture and vegetation
dynamics is proposed. Standardized precipitation index (SPI) is used for
evaluating rainfall trends. A bucket-type soil moisture model is employed
for keeping track of soil moisture and calculating anomalies, and, finally,
satellite-based normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data are used for monitoring vegetation response. The
proposed CDI has four levels, at increasing degrees of severity: watch,
warning, alert type I and alert type II. This CDI was thus applied over the period 2003–2013 to five study sites,
representative of the main grain-growing areas of SW Spain. The performance
of the CDI levels was assessed by comparison with observed crop damage data. Observations show a good match between crop damage and the CDI. Important
crop drought events in 2004–2005 and 2011–2012, distinguished by crop damage
in between 70 % and 95 % of the total insured area, were correctly predicted
by the proposed CDI in all five areas.
The hydraulic efficiency of single fractures: Correcting the cubic law parameterization for self-affine surface roughness and fracture closure
Authors: Kottwitz Maximilian O. , Popov Anton A. , Baumann Tobias S. , Kaus Boris J. P.
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Quantifying the hydraulic properties of single fractures is a fundamental requirement to understand fluid flow in fractured reservoirs. For an ideal planar fracture, the effective flow is proportional to the cube of the fracture aperture. Yet, real fractures are rarely planar, and correcting the cubic law in terms of fracture roughness has therefore been a subject of numerous studies in the past. Several empirical relationships between hydraulic and mechanical aperture have been proposed, based upon statistical variations of the aperture field. However, often they exhibit non-unique solutions, attributed to the geometrical variety of naturally occurring fractures. In this study, a non-dimensional fracture roughness quantification-scheme is acquired, opposing effective surface area against relative fracture closure. This is used to capture deviations from the cubic law as a function of quantified fracture roughness, here termed hydraulic efficiencies. For that, we combine existing methods to generate synthetic 3D fracture voxel models. Each fracture consists of two random self-affine surfaces with prescribed roughness amplitude, scaling exponent, and correlation length, which are separated by varying distances to form fracture configurations that are broadly spread in the newly formed two-parameter space. First, we performed a percolation analysis on 600'000 synthetic fractures to narrow down the parameter space on which to conduct fluid flow simulations. This revealed that the fractional amount of contact and the percolation probability solely depends on the relative fracture closure. Next, Stokes flow calculations are performed, using a 3D finite differences code on 6400 fracture models to compute directional permeabilities. The deviations from the cubic law prediction and their statistical variability for equal roughness configurations were quantified. The resulting 2D solution fields reveal decreasing cubic-law accordance's down to 1 % for extreme roughness configurations. We show that the non-uniqueness of the results significantly reduces if the correlation length of the aperture field is much smaller than the spatial extent of the fracture. Under this assumption, an equation was provided that predicts hydraulic efficiencies and respective fracture permeabilities with a mean error of 26.7 %. Numerical inaccuracies were quantified with a resolution test, adding another error of 7 % on top of the previous one. By this, we propose a revised parameterization for the permeability of rough single fractures, which takes numerical inaccuracies of the flow calculations into account. We show that this approach is more accurate, compared to existing formulations. It can be employed to estimate the permeability of fractures if a measure of fracture roughness is available, and it can readily be incorporated in discrete fracture network modeling approaches.
The Influence of Oxisol Physics Parameters on Dry Matter Production in Grasses of Brachiaria Genus
Authors: Silva Pedro Luan Ferreira da , Oliveira Flávio Pereira de , Pereira Walter Esfrain , Martins Adriana Ferreira , Nóbrega Camila Costa da , Tavares Danillo Dutra , Botelho Igor Gabriel Dos Santos Oliveira , Silva Alison José da , Santos Tales Emanuel Duarte
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between physical attributes of a Yellow Oxisol and the shoot dry matter production in grasses from the Brachiaria genus in the Brejo region, in Paraíba. The experiment has been conducted since 2005 in an experimental area of the Center of Agricultural Sciences of the Federal University of Paraíba, Areia-PB (6°58’12’’ S; 35°41’15’’ W and 573 m altitude). The experimental design adopted was that of randomized complete blocks (RCB) with 4 treatments and 4 replications. T1- Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.; T2- Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst) Stapf.; T3- Brachiaria humidicola (Rendle) Schwnickerdt Vr.; T4- Brachiaria brizantha MG5 cv. Vitória. The soil in the experimental area was characterized as Dystrophic Yellow Oxisol with clay-sandy texture. Soil samples with disturbed and undisturbed structure were collected within the 0.0-0.10 m layer. The shoot dry matter of grasses was collected in october of 2018. The analyzed variables were: bulk density (BD), compaction degree (CD), total porosity (TP), macroporosity (Ma), microporosity (Mi), field capacity (θFC), permanent wilting point (θPWP), available water content (θAWC), soil aeration capacity (SAC), mean weighted diameter of wet and dry aggregates (Wet and Dry MWD), aggregate stability index (ASI) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kθ). The Student’s t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis (p <0.05) were performed. It was concluded that dry matter production was positively influenced by θFC and θPWP. And the increase of the average values of BD, CD, Wet and Dry MWD favored the increase of shoot dry matter production by grasses.
Concordance Modeling With a Gold Standard for Variables From the Three-Parameter Gamma Distribution
Authors: Oliveira Márcio Paulo de , Uribe-Opazo Miguel Angel , Galea Manuel , Johann Jerry Adriani
Published: January 2020

A way to compare two or more measurements for the same random variable can be achieved by using a negligible error reference measurement, which is called the gold standard, obtained by consolidated measurement methods. This paper presents a new methodology for comparing measurements in the presence of a gold standard with random variables from the multivariate three-parameter (shape, scale, and location) gamma distribution. The errors between gold standard measures and approximate measures have a gamma difference distribution with the same three parameters of the gamma distribution. The concordance measurements were obtained by mean of a coefficient, which measures the degree of agreement as a ratio between the variances of the gold standard and the errors. The developed methodology is illustrated with climatic data which is divided into four ranges. The measurements analyzed are rainfall forecasts of the following four national centers: Canadian Meteorological Center (CMC), European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), and Center for Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies (CPTEC). The forecast range was 240 hours for the West mesoregion of Paraná – Brazil, and in the October 1–March 31 period of the 2010/2011 –2015/2016 harvest years. The period was selected because it is related to soybean crop development in the region and because several crop estimation models use rainfall forecast data in this period. The methodology applied spatially indicated the center to be selected in each geographical location according to each rainfall range interval. The gamma model fit well with the data and is an alternative to the normal one for modelling rainfall, in particular to estimate concordances between rainfall forecasts and the gold standard, which are used to improve the selection of rainfall forecast centers.
Die Stellung des überlebenden Ehegatten und das Pflichtteilsrecht in der slowenischen Rechtsordnung
Authors: Dugar Gregor
Published: January 2020

Die Stellung des überlebenden Ehegatten und das Pflichtteilsrecht in der slowenischen Rechtsordnung

Der Beitrag befasst sich mit dem rechtlichen Status des überlebenden Ehepartners (nichtehelicher Partner, gleichgeschlechtlicher Partner) und der Pflichterbfolge in Slowenien. Bei einer gesetzlichen Erbfolge erbt der überlebende Ehegatte zusammen mit den Leibeserben des Verstorbenen in der ersten Erbfolgeordnung; wenn der Verstorbene jedoch keine Leibeserben hatte, erbt der Ehegatte zusammen mit den Eltern des Verstorbenen in der zweiten Erbfolgeordnung. Es ist nicht notwendig, dass der Anteil des Ehegatten fest ist, er kann jedoch unter bestimmten Umständen zugunsten anderer Erben erhöht oder herabgesetzt werden. Der Erblasser kann über sein Eigentum von Todes wegen auch so verfügen, indem er es seinem Ehegatten überlässt. Das Erbgesetz hat keine Sondervorschriften über die gewillkürte Erbfolge des Ehegatten, was bedeutet, dass für ihn allgemeine Vorschriften zur testamentarischen Verfügung gelten. Der Ehegatte kann jedoch nicht aufgrund eines Erbvertrags erben, da dieser nach slowenischem Erbrecht nicht zulässig ist. Wenn der Erblasser dem überlebenden Ehegatten im Testament nichts vermacht, hat der Ehegatte das Recht auf den Pflichtteil. In diesem Beitrag wird neben der Stellung des Ehegatten als Pflichterben auch die Regelung der Stellung anderer Pflichterben dargestellt.
Efficacy of and Satisfaction with an In-house Developed Natural Rubber Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Manikin
Authors: Anuntaseree Sittichoke , Kalkornsurapranee Ekwipoo , Yuenyongviwat Varah
Published: January 2020

Introduction: A barrier to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in low-income countries is limited resources. Our goal was to build a CPR training model of simple design that would provide a good feedback system.

Methods: We developed a low-cost, Basic Life Support training manikin made entirely of natural rubber. Our in-house manikin provides feedback when performing correct chest compression and rescue breathing. The properties of the manikin were tested using simulated chest compression in a laboratory and compared with a commercial manikin. Forty healthy nurse volunteers with CPR experience performed CPR in both types of manikins and responded to questionnaires.

Results: A tensile test in a laboratory demonstrated that both types of manikins had acceptable ranges of properties for real-situation CPR in cardiac arrest patients. There were no differences in aesthetic properties, and the manikins felt to the volunteers like a real patient when they were performing chest compression. The feedback response was clear when chest compressions and rescue breathing were performed correctly, and the overall satisfaction with the manikin was good. In addition, the mean scores in terms of the manikin feeling like a real patient when performing rescue breathing and the positive feedback from the rubber manikin were statistically higher than those for the commercial manikin (p=0.001 vs. p=0.023).

Conclusion: The in-house developed CPR manikin employing real-time feedback by simple mechanics is effective compared with a commercial manikin. The advantage of our manikin is that it is easy to build and costs substantially less than a commercial manikin. The use of an in-house developed manikin could make effective CPR training more available in limited-resource areas.
Establishing an Elective Rotation Director and Its Effect on Elective Opportunities and Satisfaction
Authors: Janicki Adam , Dorfsman Michele
Published: January 2020

Elective rotations are valuable, allowing trainees to personalize their educational experience, focus on areas of weakness, and offer personal and professional development. Emergency medicine (EM) residency program elective rotations may be limited due to the absence of awareness of opportunities and administrative support. We sought to increase the breadth of elective rotation opportunities, improve residents’ satisfaction with their elective rotations, and enhance the opportunities for clinical training. To increase the breadth of our elective rotation opportunities, we established an elective rotation director—a dedicated faculty member to aid in elective planning and provide administrative support. This faculty member met with all residents during their second year, coordinated new electives with the graduate medical education office, and assisted with administrative tasks. Ten new rotations (two local, five domestic away, three international away) were established during the position’s first two years, increasing available rotations from nine to 19. A survey was sent to graduates of the program two years before and two years after the position was established to inquire about their elective experience. Of 64 graduates, 49 (76.6%) participated in the survey. Graduates exposed to the dedicated faculty member reported increased exposure to novel learning environments (p<0.001), improved wellness (p<0.001), and were more likely than pre-director graduates to choose the same elective rotation (p=0.006). Programs with multiple elective rotations may benefit more from this position, but additional resources may be needed given the associated increase in administrative time.
A Roadmap for the Student Pursuing a Career in Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Authors: Leetch Aaron , Glasser Joshua , Woolridge Dale
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Three pathways are available to students considering a pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) career: pediatric residency followed by PEM fellowship (Peds-PEM); emergency medicine residency followed by PEM fellowship (EM-PEM); and combined EM and pediatrics residency (EM&Peds). Questions regarding differences between the training pathways are common among medical students. We present a comparative analysis of training pathways highlighting major curricular differences to aid in students’ understanding of these training options.

Methods: All currently credentialed training programs for each pathway with curricula published on their websites were included. We analyzed dedicated educational units (EU) core to all three pathways: emergency department (ED), pediatric-only ED, critical care, and research. Minimum requirements for primary residencies were assumed for fellowship trainees.

Results: Of the 75 Peds-PEM, 34 EM-PEM, and 4 EM&Peds programs screened, 85% of Peds-PEM and EM-PEM and all EM&Peds program curricula were available for analysis. Average Peds-PEM EUs were 20.4 EM, 20.1 pediatric-only EM, 5.8 critical care, and 9.0 research. Average EM-PEM EUs were 33.2 EM, 18.3 pediatric-only EM, 6.5 critical care, and 3.3 research. Average EM&Peds EUs were 26.1 EM, 8.0 pediatric-only EM, 10.0 critical care, and 0.3 research.

Conclusion: All three pathways exceed pediatric-focused training required for EM or pediatric residency. Peds-PEM has the most research EUs, EM-PEM the most EM EUs, and EM&Peds the most critical care EUs. All prepare graduates for a pediatric emergency medicine career. Understanding the difference in emphasis between pathways can inform students to select the best pathway for their own careers.
Standardized Video Interview Scores Correlate Poorly with Faculty and Patient Ratings
Authors: Hall Matthew , Lewis Jason , Joseph Joshua , Ketterer Andrew , Rosen Carlo , Dubosh Nicole
Published: January 2020

The Standardized Video Interview (SVI) was developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges to assess professionalism, communication, and interpersonal skills of residency applicants. How SVI scores compare with other measures of these competencies is unknown. The goal of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between the SVI score and both faculty and patient ratings of these competencies in emergency medicine (EM) applicants. This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected dataset of medical students. Students enrolled in the fourth-year EM clerkship at our institution and who applied to the EM residency Match were included. We collected faculty ratings of the students’ professionalism and patient care/ communication abilities as well as patient ratings using the Communication Assessment Tool (CAT) from the clerkship evaluation forms. Following completion of the clerkship, students applying to EM were asked to voluntarily provide their SVI score to the study authors for research purposes. We compared SVI scores with the students’ faculty and patient scores using Spearman’s rank correlation. Of the 43 students from the EM clerkship who applied in EM during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 application cycles, 36 provided their SVI scores. All 36 had faculty evaluations and 32 had CAT scores available. We found that SVI scores did not correlate with faculty ratings of professionalism (rho = 0.09, p = 0.13), faculty assessment of patient care/communication (rho = 0.12, p = 0.04), or CAT scores (rho = 0.11, p = 0.06). Further studies are needed to validate the SVI and determine whether it is indeed a predictor of these competencies in residency.
The Heart in Newman’s Thought
Authors: Wood Robert E. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: January 2020

Newman’s view of the heart corresponds with the recent Catechism of the Catholic Church. His motto, Cor ad cor loquitur, exhibits his central religious preoccupation. There are three factors involved in religious existence: intellectual apprehension, emotional realization, and moral action. The center, located in the heart, is typically considered secondary: clear conception and moral action are all that is required. For Newman, this is truncated religion, for religion has its deepest root in the heart. Here is where he considers conscience. Like taste and common sense, it is an intellectual virtue; but unlike the former, it is always emotional. It is a privileged place of relation to God, the Supreme Judge. A peculiar set of emotional matters cluster around this relation. It plays in relation to the work of intellect as theology in relation to devotion. This exhibits an instance of the larger relation between notional and real assent. The latter deals with concrete matters and is a relation of “the whole person.” Its aim is to realize what we already accept. That may occur organically through experience, but it can also be invoked meditatively in solitude. Imagination is the chief vehicle of that realization.
The Semiotics of Visual Identity
Authors: Skaggs Steven ,   Semiotic Society of America
Published: January 2020

Visual identity systems allow a visual object to stand for, and provide suggestive expression of, a host. The primary graphic element in a visual identity system is the logo. In three sections, this article explores inportant semiotic mechanisms by which logos perform the work of identifying. The first section points to the difference between basic visual differentiation (boundary coherence) and affective/cognitive reference (semantic coherence). It makes a distinction between two kinds of reference that occur simultaneously in logos: (1) an immediate referencing of the host entity (the entity for which identification is sought), and (2), indirect, reference that is often metaphoric in character. The second section offers a four-part classification scheme for logos based upon a Peircean icon/index/symbol division with the addition of an axis of syntactical detail. A “hidden” class of logo is predicted by this Peircean framework; examples are identified and this class is named “gesturegraphs”. It is argued that this four-part classification scheme is both semiotically necessary and sufficient. Any further classes of logos can be considered subclasses within the four semiotic factors proposed. These classes are not judged to be discrete, but rather to afford blended and combinatorial situations. The rhetorical tropes of metonym and metaphor are discussed in terms of their value to the pictographic mode of logo design. Finally, in the third section of the article, genre is defined as the coherence of stylistic features in relation to the sector of the host’s activity. Two case studies are given as examples of how genre influences the semantical context of logos.
A educação de surdos em Portugal: o sistema bilíngue, o currículo e a docência no ensino da Língua Gestual Portuguesa
Authors: Almeida Veronica Lima da Fonseca , Vaz Henrique Malheiro , Correia Isabel Sofia Calvário
Published: January 2020

As políticas internacionais são diretrizes presentes na constituição do modelo atual de educação de surdos, em que a língua surge como um direito no que diz respeito ao acesso à educação. Portugal segue este propósito na política educativa inclusiva bilíngue explícito no Programa curricular de Língua Gestual Portuguesa (LGP). Com o objetivo de discutir o ensino da língua gestual na educação de surdos no ensino formal, constatou-se no currículo e na prática de ensino da LGP, a importância do professor surdo como um marcador cultural e linguístico. A metodologia qualitativa foi desenvolvida por análise documental nos Programas Curriculares de Língua Gestual Portuguesa na Educação Pré-escolar e Ensino Básico e no Ensino Secundário, e num estudo de caso realizado, em 2018, numa Escola de Referência em Educação Bilíngue de Alunos Surdos (EREBAS) com dados empíricos de entrevistas, com cinco professores surdos e observações nas aulas de LGP no ensino básico, na cidade do Porto, em Portugal. Constatou-se que, na constituição do campo da educação de surdos adotou-se a cultura surda na política inclusiva bilingue o que implicou na sistematização de mecanismos orientadores no currículo de forma a responder às necessidades do cenário político internacional e local. Considerou-se que a língua das pessoas surdas surge com o principal intuito de garantir a igualdade de oportunidade no acesso à educação, em que a integração do docente surdo visou fundamentar a prática de ensino, contudo, inicialmente, este não era visto como professor.
Atendimento educacional de crianças e adolescentes em condições complexas de saúde: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Pedrino Mariana Cristina , Lourenço Gerusa Ferreira
Published: January 2020

Nos últimos trinta anos, houve a criação de importantes leis para a proteção e a manutenção dos direitos da infância e da juventude, com ênfase à educação e à saúde. O Atendimento Educacional Especializado marcou um grande avanço nesse aspecto, contemplando as necessidades da escolarização da pessoa com deficiência em ambiente escolar, hospitalar ou domiciliar. Entretanto, as necessidades educativas dos estudantes em condições complexas de saúde, como as condições crônicas, não têm sido contempladas, seja pela falta de clareza dos serviços dessa natureza, pouco elucidados nas legislações pertinentes; ou mesmo pelo desconhecimento da equipe escolar em lidar com as condições desses estudantes. Diante disso, a pesquisa objetiva identificar em âmbito nacional e internacional, que estratégias e ações são tomadas no atendimento educacional de crianças e adolescentes em condições complexas de saúde. Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura, de artigos publicados em periódicos disponíveis online na base de dados Portal de Periódicos da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). Foram selecionados vinte e dois artigos, distribuídos nas seguintes categorias de análise, de acordo com a temática abordada: Preparo e ações da equipe escolar e de saúde; Desafios enfrentados pelos estudantes e/ou equipe escolar; Instrução fora do ambiente escolar e Políticas Públicas. Os resultados reiteram os desafios para a garantia da manutenção e qualidade do processo de escolarização desse público, a necessidade do estabelecimento de apoios integrados entre escola, saúde e família, o que requisita políticas que contemplem a prestação de serviços, além da formação de professores sobre a área.
Altas Habilidades/Superdotação: políticas visíveis na educação dos invisíveis
Authors: Faveri Fanny Bianca Mette de , Heinzle Marcia Regina Selpa
Published: January 2020

Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar aspectos históricos e conceituais das Altas Habilidades/Superdotação, relacionando-os com as políticas públicas existentes atualmente no Brasil. A partir dessa apresentação, busca-se estabelecer uma interface com os dados estatísticos referentes às matrículas na Educação Básica nos sistemas de ensino brasileiros. Como método, optou-se por uma pesquisa de análise documental por meio de estudos das legislações e políticas vigentes e do Censo Escolar (2013 a 2018). Para análise, buscamos teóricos e pesquisadores da área, como Renzulli; Reis (1986), Gama (2006), Pérez (2004, 2006, 2016), Sabatella (2008), Virgolim (2007, 2014), entre outros. O resultado aponta que o número de matrículas tem crescido, porém, ainda de forma lenta, pressupondo que há uma lacuna na identificação desses potenciais e um distanciamento entre o que está sendo realizado e o que é preconizado pela legislação educacional. Há a necessidade de uma constante reflexão e de estudos sobre políticas para Altas Habilidades/Superdotação, a fim de que sejam conhecidas e reconhecidas no campo educacional para fortalecer as ações.
Genetic diversity and population structure of two subspecies of western honey bees (Apis melliferaL.) in the Republic of South Africa as revealed by microsatellite genotyping
Authors: Eimanifar Amin , Pieplow Johanna T. , Asem Alireza , Ellis James D.
Published: January 2020

Apis mellifera scutellataandApis mellifera capensis, two native subspecies of western honey bees in the Republic of South Africa (RSA), are important to beekeepers in their native region because beekeepers use these bees for honey production and pollination purposes. Additionally, both bees are important invasive pests outside of their native ranges. Recently, whole mitogenome sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphisms were used to study their genetic diversity. To add to our knowledge of the molecular ecology of both bees, we tested the ability of microsatellites to be used as a tool to discriminate betweenA.m. capensisandA.m. scutellata. We analyzed the genetic variability and overall population structure of both bee subspecies and hybrids of the two by genotyping individuals collected from RSA (N= 813 bees from 75 apiaries) at 19 microsatellite DNA loci. Overall, populations averaged between 9.2 and 11.3 alleles per locus, with unbiased heterozygosity values ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 per population. Bayesian clustering analyses revealed two distinct evolutionary units, though the results did not match those of earlier morphometric and molecular analyses. This suggests that the microsatellites we tested were not sufficient for subspecies identification purposes, especially for Cape and hybrid bees. Nevertheless, the microsatellite data highlight the considerable genetic diversity within both populations and a larger-than-expected hybridization zone between the natural distributions ofA.m. capensisandA.m. scutellata.
Teenage Pregnancy: Prevalence, Pattern and Predisposing Factors in a Tertiary Hospital, Southern Nigeria
Authors: Onwubuariri Michael Ifeanyi , Kasso Terhemen
Published: January 2020

Background: Any pregnancy occurring in a young woman who has not reached her 20th birthday is considered as a teenage pregnancy. Globally, approximately a tenth of all births are to women younger than 20 years old and more than 90% of such births occur in developing countries. Socioeconomic deprivation, low contraceptive usage and early marriage are common contributing factors.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern and predisposing factors to teenage pregnancy at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Methodology: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 198 cases of teenage pregnancies managed at University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), from 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2015.

Results: The teenage pregnancy prevalence rate was 15 per 1,000 deliveries (1.5%). Low level of education (below secondary) was seen in 81.3% of the women. A socio-cultural factor like early marriage was noted in 56.1% of the women and only 26.8% of the teenage mothers had ever used any form of contraception.

Conclusion: The teenage pregnancy rate in Port-Harcourt showed a downward trend. Contraceptive awareness creation for teenagers, implementation of teenage-friendly policies, education of the girl child coupled with promotion of moral and sex education will further reduce the trend.
GNG12 regulates PD‐L1 expression by activating NF‐κB signaling in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Juan , Jin Can , Zou Chuanxin , Qiao Xu , Ma Peng , Hu Di , Li Wenqin , Jin Jun , Jin Xin , Fan Ping
Published: January 2020

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive solid tumors in the digestive system. A greater understanding of the pathogenesis of PDAC may facilitate the search for new therapeutic targets. Guanine nucleotide‐binding protein subunit gamma‐12 (GNG12) belongs to the G protein family and participates in the modulation of the inflammatory signaling cascade. However, the cancer‐related function and clinical relevance of GNG12 in PDAC have not previously been reported. Here, we investigated the clinical significance of GNG12 in PDAC using the Oncomine web tool, the gene expression profiling interactive analysis tool and tissue microarray (TMA). GNG12 expression was observed to be higher in PDAC patient specimens than in nontumor pancreatic tissues, and high expression of GNG12 was associated with poor prognosis. We subsequently show that GNG12 promotes pancreatic cancer cell growth in vivo and in vitro, as evaluated using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐5‐(3‐carboxymethoxyphenyl)‐2‐(4‐sulfophenyl)‐2H‐tetrazolium, inner salt assays, colony formation assays and a xenograft mouse model. Furthermore, our results suggest that GNG12 activates nuclear factor‐κB signaling and modulates the immune response. Collectively, our findings suggest that GNG12 may be suitable as a new prognosis‐related biomarker and a promising target for treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Gradient Energy Alignment Engineering for Planar Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficiency Over 23%
Authors: Wang Pengyang , Li Renjie , Chen Bingbing , Hou Fuhua , Zhang Jie , Zhao Ying , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: January 2020

An electron‐transport layer (ETL) with appropriate energy alignment and enhanced charge transfer is critical for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, interfacial energy level mismatch limits the electrical performance of PSCs, particularly the open‐circuit voltage (VOC). Herein, a simple low‐temperature‐processed In2O3/SnO2 bilayer ETL is developed and used for fabricating a new PSC device. The presence of In2O3 results in uniform, compact, and low‐trap‐density perovskite films. Moreover, the conduction band of In2O3 is shallower than that of Sn‐doped In2O3 (ITO), enhancing the charge transfer from perovskite to ETL, thus minimizing VOC loss at the perovskite and ETL interface. A planar PSC with a power conversion efficiency of 23.24% (certified efficiency of 22.54%) is obtained. A high VOC of 1.17 V is achieved with the potential loss at only 0.36 V. In contrast, devices based on single SnO2 layers achieve 21.42% efficiency with a VOC of 1.13 V. In addition, the new device maintains 97.5% initial efficiency after 80 d in N2 without encapsulation and retains 91% of its initial efficiency after 180 h under 1 sun continuous illumination. The results demonstrate and pave the way for the development of efficient photovoltaic devices.
White vitreous opacities in five patients with Gaucher disease type 3
Authors: Seehra Gurpreet K. , Eghbali Areian , Sidransky Ellen , FitzGibbon Edmond
Published: January 2020

Fundal abnormalities, including preretinal and retinal changes, are a rare finding in patients with the autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder Gaucher disease, most often described in patients with the chronic neuronopathic form (type 3). We evaluated whether these ophthalmological findings correlated with other manifestations of type 3 Gaucher disease. Reviewing the records of 40 patients with type 3 Gaucher disease, we identified five with white vitreous opacities and reviewed their clinical course in depth. Each of the patients described decreased visual acuity and “floaters” obstructing their vision. The development and/or progression of these fluffy‐appearing white opacities in each patient were tracked longitudinally in the context of their neurological and other clinical findings. It was noted that all five patients shared genotype p.L483P/p.L483P (L444P/L444P) and had significant neurological, oculomotor and bone involvement and two had undergone splenectomy. Enzyme replacement therapy with recombinant glucocerebrosidase did not prevent the development or progression of these ocular opacities. Since preretinal findings, in addition to other neuro‐ophthalmological findings, can be a feature of Gaucher disease, it is recommended that patients be monitored by regular eye examinations.
Characterization of the structure and diffusion behavior of calcium alginate gel beads
Authors: Hu Minghui , Zheng Guoshuang , Zhao Dewei , Yu Weiting
Published: January 2020

A simple and novel method using gel shrinkage to indirectly characterize the structure of calcium alginate gel (CAG) beads during the calcium alginate gelation process was presented in this study. The effect of preparation process parameters (gelling cations, bead diameter, and alginate M
w and concentration) on the structure of the CAG bead formation process was thoroughly investigated. It was found that (a) the concentration of the Na+ and Ca2+ ion in gel bath was found to be the determining factor in the gel structure formation process by regulating the dissociation of alginate and the complexation of the calcium; (b) Na+ acts as a competitor with calcium and a screen in the electrostatic repulsion; (c) the effect of beads size below 700 μm on the structure of CAG beads can be neglected; and (d) the sodium alginate concentration has no significant effect on the gel formation process. Furthermore, the diffusion of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was controlled by the density of CAG bead. Consequently, a faster diffusion rate of BSA within the looser structure of beads can be observed. These results are keys to understanding the behavior and performance of beads in their utilization medium. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48923.
Metabolic profiles of ribociclib in rat and human liver microsomes using liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Liu Na , Liu Hongqiang , Zhang Wucheng , Yao Huijie
Published: January 2020

Ribociclib is a highly specific CDK4/6 inhibitor. Determination of the metabolism of ribociclib is required during the drug development stage. In this study, metabolic profiles of ribociclib were investigated using rat and human liver microsomes. Metabolites were structurally identified by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization high‐resolution mass spectrometry operated in positive‐ion mode. The metabolites were characterized by accurate masses, MS2 spectra and retention times. With rat and human liver microsomes, a total of 10 metabolites were detected and further identified. No human‐specific metabolites were detected. The metabolic pathways of ribociclib were oxygenation, demethylation and dealkylation. Most importantly, two glutathione (GSH) adducts were identified in human liver microsomes fortified with GSH. The formation of the GSH adducts was hypothesized to be through the oxidation of electron‐rich 1,4‐benzenediamine to a 1,4‐diiminoquinone intermediate, which is highly reactive and can be trapped by GSH to form stable metabolites. The current study provides an overview of the metabolic profiles of ribociclib in vitro, which will be of great help in understanding the efficacy and toxicity of this drug.
Preparative separation of liquiritigenin and glycyrrhetic acid from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch using hydrolytic extraction combined with high‐speed countercurrent chromatography
Authors: Wang Hao , Shan Hu , Lü Haitao
Published: January 2020

The objective of this paper was to develop a preparative method for the isolation and purification of liquiritigenin and glycyrrhetic acid from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch using hydrolytic extraction combined with high‐speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC). Liquiritigenin and glycyrrhetic acid were well hydrolyzed from liquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid by hydrochloric acid, respectively. The optimal extraction conditions were obtained by single‐factor and orthogonal experiments, which were 100% ethanol, 1.5 mol/L hydrochloric acid, 1:25 ratio of solid to liquid, and extracted 2 h for one time. Using the two‐phase solvent system of n‐hexane‐ethyl acetate‐methanol–water (4:5:4:5, v/v), 2.1 mg liquiritigenin (the purity was 96.5% with a recovery of 87.6%) and 12.3 mg glycyrrhetic acid (the purity was 97.1% with a recovery of 74.4%) were obtained from 315‐mg crude extraction by HSCCC. The retention ratio of stationary phase was 47.2%. Their structures were identified by HPLC, melting points, UV, Fourier‐transform infrared, Electrospray ionization‐MS, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and 13C NMR spectra. According to the antioxidant activity assays, liquiritigenin and glycyrrhetic acid had some scavenging abilities on 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl free radicals; liquiritigenin had stronger scavenging ability on hydroxyl radicals.
Innovation as a driver of eco‐innovation in the firm: An approach from the dynamic capabilities theory
Authors: Arranz Nieves , Arroyabe Marta , Li Jun , Fernandez de Arroyabe Juan Carlos
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study is to investigate how innovative capabilities of the firm affect eco‐innovation from a dynamic capability lens. We build on OECD research to conceptualise eco‐innovation as the capacity with which firms modify, redesign, and create products, processes, procedures, and organisations in order to reduce environmental impact. We propose and test the temporal and relational properties of eco‐innovation as a capability. We demonstrate that eco‐innovation possesses two properties of innovative capabilities, namely, persistence over time and interrelation with other innovations. We thus shed new light on the mechanism through which firms engage in eco‐innovation. We also provide empirical evidence to the debate on the relationship between the “normal” innovation (technological or nontechnological) and eco‐innovation. We show that eco‐innovation and innovation are interrelated both simultaneously and sequentially. Moreover, we show that innovation capabilities and eco‐innovation are not only related, but they also have a complementary nature, which facilitates the development of future eco‐innovation.
How to Illuminate the Druggable Genome Using Pharos
Authors: Sheils Timothy , Mathias Stephen L. , Siramshetty Vishal B. , Bocci Giovanni , Bologa Cristian G. , Yang Jeremy J. , Waller Anna , Southall Noel , Nguyen Dac‐Trung , Oprea Tudor I.
Published: January 2020

Pharos is an integrated web‐based informatics platform for the analysis of data aggregated by the Illuminating the Druggable Genome (IDG) Knowledge Management Center, an NIH Common Fund initiative. The current version of Pharos (as of October 2019) spans 20,244 proteins in the human proteome, 19,880 disease and phenotype associations, and 226,829 ChEMBL compounds. This resource not only collates and analyzes data from over 60 high‐quality resources to generate these types, but also uses text indexing to find less apparent connections between targets, and has recently begun to collaborate with institutions that generate data and resources. Proteins are ranked according to a knowledge‐based classification system, which can help researchers to identify less studied “dark” targets that could be potentially further illuminated. This is an important process for both drug discovery and target validation, as more knowledge can accelerate target identification, and previously understudied proteins can serve as novel targets in drug discovery. Two basic protocols illustrate the levels of detail available for targets and several methods of finding targets of interest. An Alternate Protocol illustrates the difference in available knowledge between less and more studied targets. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Basic Protocol 1: Search for a target and view details

Alternate Protocol: Search for dark target and view details

Basic Protocol 2: Filter a target list to get refined results
Study on modifying the Li/MnO2 battery by mixing with the carbon fluoride
Authors: Yang Kai , Shan Zhongqiang , Liu Xuesheng , Dong Meijing , Tian Jianhua , Wang Shirong
Published: January 2020

MnO2 modified with CF
x as cathode electrode materials were investigated in order to improve the electrochemical performance of Li/MnO2 battery. The influences of addition amount of CF
x and thermal property of CF
x modified MnO2 electrode on the electrochemical performances were investigated. The results show that the increase of specific capacity is more powerful than the reduction of voltage platform in MnO2 mixed with CF
x electrodes. According to the results of thermal properties test in adiabatic environment, the heating power of Li/MnO2 battery goes up after mixed with CF
x, which agrees well with that of the discharging process. The heating power of CF
x is 1.15 W, which is almost four times than that of MnO2, but nevertheless, the Li/MnO2 battery with CF
x can be safely used by using forced convection, cooling fin or other heating transfer methods.
Intensive Child‐Centered Play Therapy for Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Pilot Study
Authors: Schottelkorb April A. , Swan Karrie L. , Ogawa Yumiko
Published: January 2020

To investigate the effectiveness of intensive child‐centered play therapy (CCPT) for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the authors randomly assigned 23 children with diagnosed ASD and symptoms of ASD on the Social Responsiveness Scale–2nd Edition (Constantino, 2012), to an intensive CCPT condition (n = 12) or a no‐intervention control group (n = 11). Children who participated in 24 sessions of CCPT showed a statistically significant decrease in ASD core symptoms and behavioral symptoms, such as externalizing problems, attention problems, and aggression, compared with children in the control group. Implications are discussed.
Two novel mutations of COL1A1 in fetal genetic skeletal dysplasia of Chinese
Authors: Li Ruibing , Wang Jianan , Wang Longxia , Lu Yanping , Wang Chengbin
Published: January 2020

Background

Skeletal disorders, which have great genotypic and phenotypic varieties, are a considerable challenge to differentiate these diseases and provide a definitive prenatal diagnosis or pre‐implantation. The present study aims to identify the causative mutation in two unrelated outbred Han–Chinese families.

Method

Two short‐limb fetuses were referred to our hospital. Genomic DNA was extracted from the amniotic fluid of the short‐limb fetuses and from peripheral blood of their parents. To identify the causative gene, next‐generation‐based target capture sequencing was performed on these two fetuses, followed by Sanger Sequencing in unrelated healthy controls. Segregation analysis of the candidate variant was performed in parents by using Sanger sequencing. The mutations were analyzed by SIFT, PolyPhen and Provean.

Results

We found that fetal genetic skeletal dysplasia was confirmed according to the correlations between genetic mutations and phenotypes in two Chinese families. Targeted next generation sequencing was performed to screen causative mutations in patients. Two novel heterozygous mutations COL1A1 c.1706 G > C (p. G569A) and c.3307 G > A (p. G1103S) were respectively identified. The results suggested that COL1A1 novel mutations were in highly conserved glycine residues present in the Gly‐X‐Y sequence repeats of the triple helical region of the collagen type I α chain, which was responsible for Osteogenesis Imperfecta. The presence of the missense mutation was also confirmed with the Sanger sequence. These two mutations were predicted to be pathogenic by SIFT, PolyPhen and Provean.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that the mutations of COL1A1 may play important roles in fetal genetic skeletal dysplasia in Chinese patients. Exome sequencing enhances the accurate diagnosis in utero then provides appropriate genetic counseling.
Wideband frequency selective absorber with high‐selective reflective‐band for RCS reduction applications
Authors: Han Ye , Xu Longjie
Published: January 2020

This article presents a wideband frequency selective absorber with a high selective reflective‐band for RCS reduction application. The proposed design consists of three metallic layers. With lossy resonance of the resistors‐loaded folded loop at the front layer, wide absorption performance is obtained. Then two independently lossless resonances are employed to introducing a flexible and high selective reflective‐band with full reflectance into the absorption band. The resultant absorbers have the thickness of only ~0.076 λL at the lowest operating frequencies and exhibit a whole operating bands of 126.3%. Two absorption band with bandwidth of 60.3% and 44.5% have been achieved. A prototype of the proposed structure has been fabricated, whose measured results show reasonable agreement with the simulated responses under normal incidence.