bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on lubricity of oils containing the hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Senyk Szymon , Perehubka Maciej , Kałdoński Tadeusz
Published: April 2019

The paper presents the test results of lubricity properties of Hydrol L-HL 32 hydraulic oil, Mobilube 1 SHC 75w-90 gear oil, and two base oils: SN-150 and SN-650, containing hexagonal boron nitride.
To conduct the required tests, a four ball machine was used. This device is commonly used when assessing lubricity properties of oils and greases.
The following normative lubricity parameters were defined: the value of welding point Pz [daN], the value of last non-seizing load Pn [daN], the value of seizing at smoothy growing load Pt [daN], as well as the wear limiting capacity load Goz [daN/mm2]. Furthermore, several non-normative tests were completed that covered indication of two parameters making it possible to complete an assessment of lubricity properties of oils.
Based on the tests, it was determined that hexagonal boron nitride is a good additive that improves lubricity properties. Improvement in the above properties was recorded both in the case of hydraulic oil and gear oil, as well as oil bases. Relatively better improvement results were obtained in the case of oil bases, where the improvement in the results after using boron nitride, was more visible than in the case of hydraulic and gear oil. The best improvement results for hydraulic oil were obtained after adding 4% h-BN, whereas in the case of the SN-150 oil base, this value was 2% h-BN. The best improvement results for gear oil and SN-650 oil base were also obtained after adding 4% h-BN. The possibility of using the values of h-BN bigger than 4% was excluded. It was determined that bigger content of h-BN in oil generates negative effects (under four ball conditions).
Keywords: tribology, lubricity, boron nitride.
La formación profesional básica, una alternativa para atender las necesidades educativas de los jóvenes en riesgo social
Authors: Fernández-García Ana , García LLamas José Luis , García Pérez Marta
Published: April 2019

Resumen: Este artículo se centra en analizar las necesidades de formación que poseen los jóvenes entre 15 y 26 años, que asisten al programa de Formación Profesional Básica, para continuar estudios y/o acceder a un empleo. El estudio realizado es exploratorio, descriptivo e inferencial desarrollado en la Comunidad de Madrid. Se ha elaborado un cuestionario ad hoc, validado por jueces expertos. Se analizaron los datos mediante métodos cuantitativos: descriptivos, inferenciales y multivariados. Los hallazgos han posibilitado el conocimiento de propuestas educativas para lograr una formación eficaz que permita a los jóvenes en riesgo social su integración en la sociedad mediante el apoyo de los implicados. Promover un enfoque formativo integral mediante una relación fuerte entre las instituciones formativas y lugares de trabajo, serían modos de avanzar en la igualdad de oportunidades en todos los estratos poblacionales de la sociedad y sobre todo en aquellos jóvenes más vulnerables.Abstract: This article is focused on analyzing training needs about youth among 15 and 26 years old, who attend the Basic Professional Training program, to continue studies and/or to access to a job post. The made study is exploratory, descriptive and inferential type carried out in the Community of Madrid. A survey has been elaborated (ah doc), which was validate for expert judges. Quantitative methods were used to analysis data: descriptive, inferential and multivariate. The discoveries have let the direct knowledge of the real situations and contexts of the youth in social difficulty, like so the educational proposals which are carried out with the finality to get an efficient training which let youth in social risk to reach an integration in the society through the support of the involved. Promoting an integral and training approach close through a strong relationship among training institutions and labor places, they would be ways to go forward in the equal opportunities in all population strata and especially in youth more vulnerable.
Una mirada sobre las masculinidades en los reales mineros del México virreinal: Zacatecas, siglo XVIII.
Authors: Povea Moreno Isabel M.
Published: April 2019

Resumen: Este artículo analiza, desde una perspectiva social, las causas o motivaciones de las riñas y los enfrentamientos que tienen lugar en Zacatecas durante el siglo XVIII. De ese modo, se percibe la relación entre esa violencia trivial con la configuración de género, pues muchos de los comportamientos desarrollados estaban asociados a los sentimientos de masculinidad de los hombres de esa época. Desde el punto de vista teórico, se hace un recorrido suscinto por las principales aportaciones historiográficas sobre la problemática analizada. Todo ello demuestra que las expresiones de masculinidad de los zacatecanos no fueron distintas a la de otras poblaciones de Nueva España.Abstract: This article analyzes, from a social perspective, the causes and motives that triggered fights and confrontations in Zacatecas in the Eighteenth-century. It sees a relationship between trivial violence and gender configurations because the behavior of men was associated to masculinity feelings of that time. From a theoretical point of view, it makes a concise review of the main historiographical contributions of the topic. All of the above demonstrates that masculinity portrayed by men in Zacatecas was not different from other masculinities in New Spain.
Dietary Diversity Score during Pregnancy is Associated with Neonatal Low Apgar Score: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Quansah Dan Yedu , Boateng Daniel , Kwantwi Louis Boafo , Owusu-Sekyere Anthony , Amegah A. Kofi
Published: April 2019

Background: Apgar score is an established index of neonatal well-being and development. Nutrition during pregnancy is an accepted risk factor for neonatal low Apgar score.
Objective: To investigate the association between dietary diversity score and low Apgar score.
Methods: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study. The study participants were 420 mothers who delivered and were attending the postnatal clinic at the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital. Mothers’ dietary information during pregnancy was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. In reference to the FAOs women’s Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), the subjects were categorized into low, medium or high DDS. The primary outcome was Apgar score. Apgar scores < 5 were classified as low.
Results: The mean age (± standard deviation, SD) of subjects was 26.7 ± 5.7 years with a range of 17 to 45 years. The prevalence of low Apgar score among the study population was 16.9%. Majority of the study participants had a low DDS in relation to low Apgar score whereas 7.5% had high DDS. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the odds of low Apgar score in the low DDS group was three times higher than those who had high DDS (Adjusted odds ratio, AOR= 3.10, 95% confidence interval, CI=1.23-4.48).
Conclusion: Dietary diversity score during pregnancy was associated with a low Apgar score in the study area. The results of this study reinforce the significance of adequate nutrition during pregnancy in the study area.
Rural-Urban Differentials of Childhood Malnutrition in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Azizur , Rahman Md. Sazedur
Published: April 2019

Malnutrition is a major health problem in developing countries and it affects childhood growth. Data from the 2014 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey were used in this study to explore the rural-urban disparities of malnutrition in children aged 0-59 months. Findings revealed that the prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting were respectively as 39.6%, 35.7% and 16.7% for the rural children and 32.4%, 27.9% and 13.0% for the urban children. Both moderate and severe malnutrition were significantly higher in rural than urban community, and rural children ran about 1.3 times higher risk of becoming malnourished than their urban counterparts. The height and weight of children, mother’s BMI, parents’ education and family wealth index were found to be the significant factors associated with differentials at rural-urban malnutrition. Appropriate socioeconomic development, antenatal care in pregnancy and poverty reduction programs with a special emphasis on rural community would reduce the overall rural-urban inequality
A LANDSLIDE PREDICTION MODEL BASED ON LOAD-UNLOAD RESPONSE RATIO THEORY AND ITS APPLICATION
Authors: ZHU ZHEN , WANG XUCHUN , ZHANG PENG , HE MANCHAO
Published: April 2019

Landslide is one of the most common geological disasters that seriously threatens human production and life. Hence it is of great significance to accurately predict landslide disasters. However, the process of landslide is accompanied by a series of extremely complex mechanical reactions, which are determined by various factors, such as the strength of rock and soil, the attitude and structure of stratum, the external disturbances and so on, and these factors are difficult to accurately capture. To predict the landslide accurately, a comprehensive landslide forecast model was proposed based on the load-unload response ratio (LURR) theory. In this model, sliding force inside the slope and displacement of the slope surface as the key parameters were measured. The sliding force, as the load-unload parameter, was obtained by a sliding perturbation remote monitoring (SPRM) system. While the displacement, as the load-unload response parameter, was measured by total station. Besides, the velocity and acceleration of displacement were also used as parameters to improve the accuracy of landslide hazard prediction. The LURR landslide prediction model was applied in Antaibao and Pingzhuang west open-pit slopes. Results show that the proposed model is accurate and reliable for landslide prediction. The force-displacement coupling model is more efficient in landslide prediction and early-warning, which is helpful to track the causes of landslide.

Keywords: Landslide prediction, Load-unload response ratio, Sliding force, Remote monitoring
Firmes multinationales et droits syndicaux : la contribution des alliances syndicales internationales à l’effectivité des Accords-cadres internationaux
Authors: Hennebert Marc-Antonin , Lévesque Christian , Murray Gregor , Bourque Reynald
Published: April 2019

Cet article s’intéresse à la contribution des alliances syndicales internationales (ASI) à l’effectivité des Accords-cadres internationaux (ACI), notamment à leur capacité à favoriser le processus de syndicalisation et de négociation de conventions collectives dans des pays où la législation nationale peine à assurer le respect de ces droits fondamentaux. Le contenu de ces accords, généralement le fruit d’une entente bilatérale entre la direction d’une multinationale et celle d’une Fédération syndicale internationale, repose habituellement sur certaines conventions de l’OIT dont celles relatives au droit d’association et à la liberté de recourir à la négociation collective.

Comme les études sur cet objet de recherche se sont d’abord limitées à l’analyse de leur contenu et à leurs contributions potentielles à la régulation sociale des multinationales, cet article s’inscrit plutôt dans des recherches plus récentes qui se consacrent à l’analyse des conditions d’effectivité des ACI comme outil de protection des droits des travailleurs au plan local. Se basant sur une étude de cas longitudinale et sur un important corpus empirique récolté au fil de multiples enquêtes de terrain en Europe et en Amérique du Sud, cette recherche montre comment un tel accord a été mobilisé au sein d’une multinationale européenne du secteur de la distribution.

Si, à bien des égards, les différents contextes nationaux au sein desquels l’ACI a été utilisé se voulaient plutôt défavorables à la mise en application d’un tel dispositif de régulation sociale, nos résultats montrent que les ASI peuvent favoriser la mise en oeuvre de tels accords. Ces ASI seront d’autant en mesure d’assurer l’effectivité des ACI lorsqu’elles parviennent à façonner préalablement des intérêts communs entre leurs membres par l’intermédiaire de la formulation d’un projet collectif, à structurer et mobiliser d’importantes ressources organisationnelles, à profiter de la synergie émergente des dynamiques d’échanges multiniveaux qui leur sont propres et, enfin, à combiner des approches de dialogue et de pressions sociales.
Going the Extra Mile: Managers and Supervisors as Moral Agents for Workers with Disability at Two Social Enterprises
Authors: Bartram Timothy , Cavanagh Jillian , Sim Stephen , Pariona-Cabrera Patricia , Meacham Hannah
Published: April 2019

This study examines the ethical management of workers with disability (WWD) employed at two social enterprises in Australia. Viewed largely through the spectrum of institutionally-based conflict in the employment relationship, this research draws on a framework of situated moral agency (Wilcox, 2012) to establish the ways in which WWD are afforded opportunities to engage in work and how managers and supervisors practise situated moral agency at the workplace. A qualitative case study approach is used with 62 participants through semi-structured interviews and focus groups.

Key findings demonstrate supervisors constantly have to reshape and reinterpret human resource management (HRM) policies and practices to exercise and extend moral agency. This phenomenon suggests contradictions between moral agency and ethical management practice within current HRM regimes. The key message of the paper is that HRM does not always support the ethical management of WWD.

Consequently, we question the ethical nature of contemporary HRM policy and practice for WWD, and argue for further research to unpack ethical ways to more effectively support WWD in the workplace. For WWD to be included at work, achieve life skills and their goals, managers and supervisors need to engage with their moral agency. Finally, we draw implications for management and employment relations theory and practice.
Les référentiels de compétences comme outils de gestion : concilier les apports déterministes et constructivistes
Authors: Foucher Roland , Rhnima Aziz
Published: April 2019

Les démarches relatives aux « compétences », qui marquent la gestion des ressources humaines (GRH) depuis quelques décennies, recourent à des référentiels servant à établir les compétences à maîtriser et déployer. Ces outils de gestion s’inscrivent dans un contexte organisationnel évolutif et interactif suscitant des interrogations, particulièrement sur la façon de les déployer afin qu’ils traduisent les compétences valorisées par les parties concernées et celles effectivement déployées.

Ce questionnement est à l’origine d’une recherche qualitative en deux étapes. La première, qui s’applique à des concepts liés à l’approche de la théorie ancrée, a permis de retracer cinq propositions qui proviennent d’écrits sur les outils de gestion et les référentiels de compétences : ces dernières font ressortir : 1-les limites d’une approche déterministe, 2-les interactions entre instruments et usagers, ainsi que 3- celles entre individus et travail effectué, 4-les appropriations sociopolitiques, psycho-cognitives et symboliques qu’elles suscitent, et 5- la pertinence de créer une rétroaction entre les expériences vécues et la révision des référentiels. En second lieu, l’analyse de différents courants de pensée appartenant à l’approche constructiviste a fourni un complément d’information pouvant servir d’assise aux mécanismes d’appropriation.

Le cadre de référence résultant de ces deux apports a été illustré, lors de la seconde étape de la recherche, par quatre cas prenant racine dans des apports théoriques pertinents, logiquement reliés à un des processus d’appropriation et basés sur une méthodologie reconnue. Ainsi, la recherche montre qu’une complémentarité fructueuse est possible entre les approches déterministes et constructivistes lorsque l’on considère les rapports entre compétences inscrites dans un référentiel, compétences déployées et exigences du travail.
La qualité d’emploi en France : cartographie et classification des professions d’exécution
Authors: Brolis Olivier , Devetter François-Xavier
Published: April 2019

Cet article vise, en s’appuyant sur L’Enquête Conditions de travail (2013), à construire une typologie des professions relevant d’un statut « ouvrier » ou « employé » à partir du niveau et du type de qualité de l’emploi qu’elles induisent. Cette approche de la qualité d’emploi par les professions apparaît importante pour trois raisons complémentaires : d’abord, parce que la nature de la profession s’avère déterminante au-delà des caractéristiques des individus qui l’occupent pour expliquer les écarts en termes de qualité de l’emploi; ensuite, du fait de l’importance de la nature des professions dans la détermination des règles encadrant le travail; et, enfin, en raison du rôle joué par les politiques publiques dans le soutien de la qualité dans certaines professions.

Dans un premier temps, nous élaborons un faisceau de 15 indicateurs mesurant les différentes dimensions de la qualité d’emploi en combinant des variables relatives à la relation d’emploi (rémunération notamment), au niveau d’attractivité non matériel des tâches à effectuer (comme le degré d’autonomie ou nouer des rapports sociaux de qualité) ou, encore, les conditions de travail (notamment les contraintes liées au travail ou aux pénibilités vécues par les salariés comme les pénibilités physiques).

Dans un second temps, nous menons, sur la base de ces 15 indicateurs, une classification ascendante hiérarchique qui fait apparaître huit classes de professions. Les lignes de fracture qui les opposent, permettent ensuite d’établir une hiérarchisation partielle des professions en termes de qualité de l’emploi.

Enfin, nous précisons la composition de ces classes (professions concernées et caractéristiques sociodémographiques des individus) et soulignons une concentration de certains types de travailleurs au sein des professions de bonne ou de mauvaise qualité.
Effectiveness of small road tunnels and fences in reducing amphibian roadkill and barrier effects; case studies of retrofitted roads in Sweden
Authors: Helldin Jan Olof , Petrovan Silviu O
Published: April 2019

Schemes to reduce road impacts on amphibians have been implemented for decades in Europe, yet, several aspects on the effectiveness of such schemes remain poorly understood. Particularly in northern Europe, including Sweden, there is a lack of available information on road mitigation for amphibians, which is hampering implementation progress and cost-effectiveness analyses of mitigation options. Here we present data derived from systematic counts of amphibians during spring migration at three previous hot-spots for amphibian roadkill in Sweden, where amphibian tunnels with guiding fences have been installed. We used the data in combination with a risk model to estimate the number of roadkills and successful crossings before vs. after mitigation and mitigated vs. adjacent non-mitigated road sections. The estimated number of amphibians killed or at risk of being killed by car traffic decreased by 91–100% and the estimated number successfully crossing the road increased by 25–340% at mitigated road sections. Data however suggested fence-end effects that may moderate the reduction in roadkill. We discuss possible explanations for the observed differences between sites and construction types, and implications for amphibian conservation. We show how effectiveness estimates can be used for prioritizing amphibian passages along the existing road network. Finally, we emphasise the importance of careful monitoring of amphibian roadkill and successful crossings before and after amphibian passages are constructed.
First report of cestode infection in the crustacean Artemia persimilis from Southern Chilean Patagonia and its relation with the Neotropical aquatic birds
Authors: Redón Stella , Vasileva Gergana P , Georgiev Boyko B , Gajardo Gonzalo
Published: April 2019

The brine shrimp Artemia Leach (Crustacea, Branchiopoda), a keystone species in extremely saline wetlands all over the world, offers an excellent model to study species interactions (parasitism) and to elucidate “hidden fauna” (avian endoparasites). The present study is the first report on the parasite infection of the South American species Artemia persimilis from the Southern Chilean Patagonia (50ºS-53ºS). Samples were collected in Los Cisnes and Amarga lagoons, the two most austral populations of this crustacean described to date, during two seasons (spring and autumn). A total of 98 larvae of cestodes of the family Hymenolepididae (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea) were found and identified as belonging to the following taxa: Confluaria podicipina (adult parasitic in grebes), Flamingolepis sp. (a cestode parasite of flamingos), Fimbriarioides (?) sp. (adults of the species of this genus infect waterfowl and shorebirds) and Wardium sp. (definitive host unknown, most probably charadriiform birds). This is a new geographical record of C. podicipina and the undescribed species Fimbriarioides (?) sp. for the Neotropical Region, the latter being the most widely distributed species at both localities and seasons surveyed, and the only species recorded in autumn (April). Cestode community composition in the Los Cisnes population was characterised by dominance of Flamingolepis sp., representing more than 65% of the total cestode species recorded, whereas in the Amarga population the most abundant parasite (> 83%) was Fimbriarioides (?) sp. Significant seasonal variations were detected in Cisnes lagoon for Flamingolepis sp. and C. podicipina, with exclusive presence of them in spring (November). Besides providing novel information on cestodes infection in A. persimilis, this study provides new data on the life-cycle of cestodes of Neotropical aquatic birds such as South American flamingos and grebes. Our finding expands the knowledge on the biodiversity and population dynamics of extreme and unique environments from high latitudes (Patagonia), but makes evident the need of further taxonomical and ecological studies to better understanding the life cycle of avian helminth parasites in the Neotropics, and to elucidate the role of aquatic invertebrates in the parasite life cycle in hypersaline wetlands from the Americas.
Software-defined networks: A walkthrough guide from occurrence To data plane fault tolerance
Authors: Malik Ali , Aziz Benjamin , Al-Haj Ali , Adda Mo
Published: April 2019

In recent years, the emerging paradigm of software-defined networking has become a hot and thriving topic that grabbed the attention of industry sector as well as the academic research community. The decoupling between the network control and data planes means that software-defined networking architecture is programmable, adjustable and dynamically re-configurable. As a result, a large number of leading companies across the world have latterly launched software-defined solutions in their data centers and it is expected that most of the service providers will do so in the near future due to the new opportunities enabled by software-defined architectures. Nonetheless, each emerging technology is accompanied by new issues and concerns, and fault tolerance and recovery is one such issue that faces software-defined networking. Although there have been numerous studies that have discussed this issue, gaps still exist and need to be highlighted. In this paper, we start by tracing the evolution of networking systems from the mid 1990's until the emergence of programmable networks and software-defined networking, and then define a taxonomy for software-defined networking dependability by means of fault tolerance of data plane to cover all aspects, challenges and factors that need to be considered in future solutions. We discuss in a detailed manner current state-of-the-art literature in this area. Finally, we analyse the current gaps in current research and propose possible directions for future work.
Hydration, arginine vasopressin, and gluco-regulatory health in humans: A critical perspective
Authors: Carroll Harriet A , James Lewis J
Published: April 2019

Gluco-regulatory diseases, such as type 2 diabetes are currently a key public health priority. Public health messages have started to include the addition of water in their dietary guidelines. Such guidelines however are not based on causal evidence pertaining to the health effects of increased water intake, but rather more heavily based upon non-causal or mechanistic data. One line of thinking linking fluid intake and health is that hypohydration induces elevated blood concentrations of arginine vasopressin (AVP). Research in the 1970s and 1980s implicated AVP in gluco-regulation, supported by observational evidence. This important area of research subsequently appeared to stop until this century during which interest in hypertonic saline infusion studies, animal AVP receptor knockout models, dietary and genetic associations, and human interventions manipulating hydration status have resurged. This narrative review briefly describes and critically evaluates the usefulness of the current AVP-gluco-regulatory research. We offer suggestions on how to test the independent gluco-regulatory effects of body mass reductions versus elevated circulating AVP concentrations, such as investigating hydration manipulations using 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Whilst much research is still needed before making firm conclusions, the current evidence suggests that although AVP may only be partially implicated in gluco-regulation; more ecologically valid models using human participants suggests this effect is independent of hydration status. The key implication of this hypothesis if confirmed in future research is that manipulating hydration status to reduce circulating AVP concentrations may not be an effective method to improve gluco-regulatory health.
Protein denaturation at the air-water interface and how to prevent it
Authors: D'Imprima Edoardo , Floris Davide , Joppe Mirko , Sánchez Ricardo , Grininger Martin , Kühlbrandt Werner
Published: April 2019

Electron cryo-microscopy analyzes the structure of proteins and protein complexes in vitrified solution. Proteins tend to adsorb to the air-water interface in unsupported films of aqueous solution, which can result in partial or complete denaturation. We investigated the structure of yeast fatty acid synthase at the air-water interface by electron cryo-tomography and single-particle image processing. Around 90% of complexes adsorbed to the air-water interface are partly denatured. We show that the unfolded regions face the air-water interface. Denaturation by contact with air may happen at any stage of specimen preparation. Denaturation at the air-water interface is completely avoided when the complex is plunge-frozen on a substrate of hydrophilized graphene.
Eyes in Staurozoa (Cnidaria): a review
Authors: Miranda Lucília Souza , Collins Allen Gilbert
Published: April 2019

The presence of dark pigment spots associated with primary tentacles (or structures derived from them, i.e., rhopalioids) in Staurozoa was recently overlooked in a study on the evolution of cnidarian eyes (defined as a “region made of photoreceptor cells adjacent to pigment cells”, irrespective of image formation, i.e., including all photoreceptive organs). Review of old and recent literature on Staurozoa shows that dark pigment spots are present in virtually all species ofManania, as well as some species ofHaliclystus,Stylocoronella, and probablyCalvadosia. The known ultrastructure of ocelli seems to be compatible with light perception, but no immediate response to changes in light intensity have been observed in the behavior of staurozoans. Therefore, although further studies addressing photic behavior are required, we discuss an earlier hypothesis that the dark spots in some stauromedusae may be related to synchronous spawning, as well as the possible sensorial function of rhopalioids. Observations summarized here suggest a possible ninth independent origin of eyes in Cnidaria, within a lineage of benthic medusae. Alternatively, documented similarity across medusae of Cubozoa, Scyphozoa, and Staurozoa—with eyes being topologically associated with primary tentacles in each of these taxa—could indicate shared ancestry and a single origin of eyes in this clade known as Acraspeda. Information on Staurozoa, one of the least studied groups within Cnidaria, is often neglected in the literature, but correctly recognizing the characters of this class is crucial for understanding cnidarian evolution.
Rapid screening mutations of first-line-drug-resistant genes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains by allele-specific real-time quantitative PCR
Authors: Yang Pengpeng , Song Yuzhu , Xia Xueshan , Zhang A-Mei
Published: April 2019

Tuberculosis (TB) is a worldwide health, economic, and social burden, especially in developing countries. Drug-resistant TB is the most serious type of this burden. Thus, it is necessary to screen drug-resistant mutations by using a simple and rapid detection method. A total of 32 pairs of allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) primers were designed to screen mutation and/or wild-type alleles of 16 variations in four first-line drug-resistant genes (katG, rpoB, rpsL, and embB) of TB strains. A pair of primers was designed to amplify 16S rRNA gene and to verify successful amplification. Subsequently, we tested the specificity and sensitivity of these AS-PCR primers. The optimized condition of these AS-PCR primers was first confirmed. All mutations could be screened in general AS-PCR, but only 13 of 16 variations were intuitively investigated by using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and AS-PCR primers. The results of specificity assay suggested that the AS-PCR primers with mutation and/or wildtype alleles could successfully amplify the corresponding allele under optimized PCR conditions. The sensitivity of nine pairs of primers was 500 copy numbers, and the other seven pairs of primers could successfully amplify correct fragments with a template comprising 103 or 104 copy numbers template. An optimized AS-qPCR was established to screen drug-resistant mutations in TB strains with high specificity and sensitivity.
Agriculture and Food Security in Northern Ghana
Authors: Bawa Alhassan
Published: April 2019

In the northern part of Ghana, about 97.9 percent of households are engaged in crop farming such as maize, rice, sorghum, soy beans, cowpea, cassava, yam, cotton and vegetables, with few households engaging in poultry, livestock and pig rearing. Agricultural production is therefore the main activity in the northern sector of Ghana and is practiced mainly on seasonal and subsistence level. The Gross Domestic Product of the country has recorded an annual growth rate of about 4 to 8 percent within the past decade. Agricultural growth has been the major driver of poverty reduction. The agriculture sector is the largest source of employment for the people of northern Ghana, and is dominated by smallholder farmers. The challenges in the agriculture sector include human resource and managerial skills, natural resource management, technology development and food insecurity. Food security is a phenomenon resulting from multiple causes which are food availability, food accessibility, food utilization and food stability. About 5% of Ghanaian populace are food insecure. Additionally, about 2 million Ghanaian people are vulnerable to become food insecure. Growth in the agricultural sector has been more rapid as compared to that of the non-agricultural sectors in recent years, expanding by an average annual rate of 5.5%, compared to 5.2% for the economy as a whole. Agricultural growth however, depends mainly on rainfall patterns and land expansion. The objective of this paper was to review literature on food security in Ghana, agricultural contribution to food security in northern Ghana and some policy measures put in place by successive governments to reduce food insecurity in northern Ghana.
Impact of Homestead Agroforestry on Socio-economic Condition of the Respondents at Kamalganj Upazila of Moulvibazar District in Bangladesh
Authors: Singha Sajal , Uddin M. Sharaf , Banik Sujan Chandra , Goswami Bani Krishna , Kashem M.A.
Published: April 2019

This study was conducted at Kamalganj Upazila of Moulvibazar District in Bangladesh during January to September 2015 to explore the impact of homestead agroforestry on the socio economic condition of the respondents and to explore their relationships with the selected characteristics of the respondents. Face to face interview was performed with 135 respondents to collect the data with the help of questionnaire. Eight different characteristics of the farmers namely; educations, farm size, homestead size, annual income, annual expenditure, savings, knowledge on homestead agroforestry, socio-economic class of the respondents showed significant positive relationships with the numbers of diversified plant species, while negative relationship of diversified plant species was observed with age and family size. Agro forestry based practices plays a vital role to uplift the socio-economic classes of the respondents. For uses of agroforestry products, annual savings and expenditures the highest decisions comes from females 45% and 41% followed by male 38% and 39% respectively. In other cases also female participation is greater than male respondents. Results conclude that homestead agroforestry is a unique area for maintaining both plant diversity and productivity for farmers’ livelihood in the studied area.
Microbial Enzymes: Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Reshma C. V.
Published: April 2019

Enzymes are biomolecules with highly specialized catalytic functions produced by all living organisms and are responsible for biochemical reactions in plants, animals, microorganisms and human beings. Nowadays enzymes are considered as core of biotechnology because they are the main tools for the application of basic biotechnological techniques, they act as the target of the therapeutic drugs and are indispensable intermediates in all biotechnological processes. The concept of the therapeutic enzymes has been around for at least 40 years. Microbial enzymes are preferred over other sources and in this review different types of microbial enzymes are discussed for their therapeutic applications.
Promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) controls breast cancer cell proliferation by modulating Forkhead transcription factors
Authors: Sachini Nikoleta , Arampatzi Panagiota , Klonizakis Antonios , Nikolaou Christoforos , Makatounakis Takis , Lam Eric W.‐F. , Kretsovali Androniki , Papamatheakis Joseph
Published: March 2019

The multitasking promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein was originally recognized as a tumor‐suppressive factor, but more recent evidence has implicated PML in tumor cell prosurvival actions and poor patient prognosis in specific cancer settings. Here, we report that inducible PMLIV expression inhibits cell proliferation as well as self‐renewal and impairs cell cycle progression of breast cancer cell lines in a reversible manner. Transcriptomic profiling identified a large number of PML‐deregulated genes associated with various cell processes. Among them, cell cycle‐ and division‐related genes and their cognitive regulators are highly ranked. In this study, we focused on previously unknown PML targets, namely the Forkhead transcription factors. PML suppresses the Forkhead box subclass M1 (FOXM1) transcription factor at both the RNA and protein levels, along with many of its gene targets. We show that FOXM1 interacts with PMLIV primarily via its DNA‐binding domain and dynamically colocalizes in PML nuclear bodies. In parallel, PML modulates the activity of Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), a factor opposing certain FOXM1 activities, to promote cell survival and stress resistance. Thus, PMLIV affects the balance of FOXO3 and FOXM1 transcriptional programs by acting on discrete gene subsets to favor both growth inhibition and survival. Interestingly, PMLIV‐specific knockdown mimicked ectopic expression vis‐à‐vis loss of proliferative ability and self‐renewal, but also led to loss of survival ability as shown by increased apoptosis. We propose that divergent or similar effects on cell physiology may be elicited by high or low PMLIV levels dictated by other concurrent genetic or epigenetic cancer cell states that may additionally account for its disparate effects in various cancer types.
Dosimetric effect of body contour changes for prostate and head and neck volumetric modulated arc therapy plans
Authors: Sun Lingyue , Kirkby Charles , Smith Wendy
Published: March 2019

Body contour changes are commonly seen in prostate and head and neck (H&N) patients undergoing volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatments, which may cause a discrepancy between the planned dose and the delivered dose. Dosimetrists, radiation oncologists or medical physicists sometimes are required to visually assess the dosimetric impact of body contour changes and make a judgment call on whether further re‐assessment of the plan is needed. However, an intuitive judgment cannot always be made in a timely manner due to the complexity of VMAT plans as well as the complicated forms of body contour changes. This study evaluated the dosimetric effect of body contour changes for prostate and H&N patients to help with clinical decision‐making. By analyzing the one‐dimensional spatial dose profiles from the original body and the body with different body contour deformations, rules of thumb for dose percentage change and isodose line shift due to body contour changes were ascertained. Moreover, based on dose distribution comparison using three‐dimensional gamma analysis, the response of the clinical prostate and H&N VMAT plans to body contour changes was assessed. Within center specific dose deviation tolerances, prostate patients who had less than 2 cm single side body contour change or less than 1 cm uniform body contour change were unlikely to need plan re‐assessment; H&N VMAT plans with less than 1 cm uniform body contour change or less than 1 cm shoulder superior–inferior positional change were also unlikely to trigger further evaluation. Dose percentage change and isodose line shift were considered independently from the problem of volume changes in this study, but clinically, both aspects must be considered.
Assessing Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity With Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Measures Using Digital Technology
Authors: Yun Huifeng , Nowell W. Benjamin , Curtis David , H. Willig James , Yang Shuo , Auriemma Matthew , Chen Lang , Filby Cooper , Curtis Jeffrey R.
Published: March 2019

Objective

Health information technology has enabled efficient measurement of patient‐reported outcomes (PROs). The National Institutes of Health Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is becoming more widely adopted for research and routine care, and some PROMIS instruments might be substituted for lengthier, legacy PRO instruments.

Methods

Four PROMIS computer‐adaptive testing (CAT) instruments (pain interference, physical function, sleep disturbance, and fatigue) and the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3), along with pain intensity and patient global assessment score, were administered to participants in the ArthritisPower registry. The RAPID3 was predicted using different combinations of these variables to create a new score (CAT‐PROMIS RAPID3). Kappa statistics and Bland‐Altman 95% limits of agreement were used to measure agreement between the observed versus predicted RAPID3.

Results

A total of 6,154 eligible patients contributed 11,275 observations. The mean ± SD age was 52.7 ± 10.5 years, and 93% of patients were women. The median assessment times ranged from 29 seconds (PROMIS sleep disturbance) to 116 seconds (RAPID3). As single pairwise comparisons, the PROMIS CATs examined were modestly correlated (r approximately 0.4–0.7) to one other and RAPID3. Together with the pain intensity and patient global assessment, the PROMIS instruments explained a high fraction of total variance (R2 = 0.97) of the RAPID3 score. In the model with the highest agreement (κ = 0.93) between the observed RAPID3 and the CAT‐PROMIS predicted RAPID3, Bland‐Altman 95% limits of agreement showed minimal residual differences and no systematic biases.

Conclusion

There was excellent agreement between the observed RAPID3 and predicted RAPID3 scores estimated using several PROMIS instruments. The Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire and patient global assessment components of RAPID3 may be unnecessary if PROMIS scores are available.
Hydrogen Evolution and Oxidation: Mechanistic Studies and Material Advances
Authors: Tian Xiaoyu , Zhao Pengcheng , Sheng Wenchao
Published: April 2019

Electrochemical energy storage and conversion through hydrogen is essential for a clean and sustainable energy system. Highly efficient hydrogen electrocatalysts play a key role in the electrochemical transformation reactions. A comprehensive understanding of the hydrogen reaction kinetics and mechanisms is critical for the catalyst design and development. Especially pH‐dependent hydrogen evolution and oxidation reaction (HER/HOR) kinetics receives increasing interest, and understanding its origin adds new knowledge to fundamental hydrogen electrocatalysis. Here, a detailed description of kinetic analysis and reaction mechanisms for HER/HOR, and a brief summary about recent development of highly efficient and cost‐effective hydrogen electrocatalysts are presented. Lastly, recent advances in the fundamental understanding of pH‐dependent hydrogen electrocatalysis are discussed.
Iodine‐Mediated Synthesis of Methylthio‐Substituted Catechols from Cyclohexanones
Authors: Wu Yue‐Hua , Wang Nai‐Xing , Zhang Tong , Yan Zhan , Xu Bao‐Cai , Inoa Joan , Xing Yalan
Published: March 2019

A novel and efficient I2‐mediated direct synthesis of methylthio‐substituted catechols from cyclohexanones was developed. Various cyclohexanones underwent oxygenation, methylthiolation, and dehydrogenative aromatization in one pot to form the desired products in moderate to good yields. DMSO was utilized as the solvent, oxygen source, and methylthiolation agent. A possible reaction mechanism is proposed.

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Glycosidase‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Glycosyl Esters and Phenolic Glycosides of Aromatic Acids
Authors: Bassanini Ivan , Kapešová Jana , Petrásková Lucie , Pelantová Helena , Markošová Kristína , Rebroš Martin , Valentová Kateřina , Kotik Michael , Káňová Kristýna , Bojarová Pavla , Cvačka Josef , Turková Lucie , Ferrandi Erica E. , Bayout Ikram , Riva Sergio , Křen Vladimír
Published: March 2019

Phenolic glycosides occur naturally in many plants and as such are often present in the human diet. Their isolation from natural sources is usually laborious due to their presence in complex matrices. Their chemical and enzymatic syntheses have been found complex, time‐consuming, and costly, yielding only small amounts of glycosylated products. In quest of a convenient biocatalytic route to structurally complex phenolic glycosides, we discovered that the rutinosidase from Aspergillus niger not only efficiently converts hydroxylated aromatic acids (e. g. coumaric and ferulic acids) into the respective phenolic rutinosides, but surprisingly also catalyzes the formation of the respective glycosyl esters. We report here the results of a systematic study presenting the unique synthesis of naturally occurring glycosyl esters and phenolic glycosides accomplished by glycosidase catalysis. A panel of aromatic acids was tested as glycosyl acceptors and the crucial structural features required for the formation of glycosyl esters were identified. In the light of the present structure‐activity relationship study, a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed. All the products were fully structurally characterized by NMR and MS.

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Estimating restaurant willingness to pay for local beef
Authors: McKay Lettie C. , DeLong Karen L. , Jensen Kimberly L. , Griffith Andrew P. , Boyer Christopher N. , Lambert Dayton M.
Published: March 2019

We suggest an approach for estimating restaurant willingness to pay (WTP) for local foods. Using a telephone survey of Tennessee restaurants and the contingent valuation method, we estimate restaurant WTP for Tennessee Certified Beef (TCB). Probit regressions were used to determine the factors associated with restaurant decisions to purchase TCB ground beef and sirloin steak. Beef price was negatively associated with restaurant adoption of TCB. Restaurants that were located in a city, located in the eastern region of Tennessee, offered local foods, and had a higher percentage of adults as clientele were more likely to purchase TCB ground beef. A restaurant's decision to offer TCB sirloin steak was positively associated with locations in Middle Tennessee, if the restaurant offered local foods, and if managers placed importance on sustainability. This study contributes to understanding local food supply chains and provides a framework for future studies of restaurant WTP for local foods. [EconLit citation: Q130].
Visible‐Light‐Mediated Trifluoromethylation of Enol Acetates Using Trifluoroacetic Anhydride
Authors: Garg Parul , Singh Anand
Published: April 2019

A synthetic method for the radical trifluoromethylation of enol acetates using trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) is reported. This photochemical reaction is operationally simple and employs economical reagents and readily accessible enol acetate precursors. The mild conditions and good scope render this method a useful addition to the repertoire of reactions employing TFAA as a trifluoromethyl source.
Modular‐scale ethane to liquids via chemical looping oxidative dehydrogenation: Redox catalyst performance and process analysis
Authors: Neal Luke , Haribal Vasudev , McCaig Joseph , Lamb H. Henry , Li Fanxing
Published: March 2019

The difficulties in the liquefaction and transportation of ethane in shale gas has led to significant rejection, via reinjection or flaring, of this valuable hydrocarbon resource. Upgrading this low‐value, isolated ethane into easily transportable liquid fuels is a promising solution to this supply glut. In this study, we present a modular system that can potentially be operated economically at geographically isolated gas‐processing facilities. The modular ethane‐to‐liquids (M‐ETL) system uses a chemical looping‐oxidative dehydrogenation (CL‐ODH) technology to efficiently convert ethane and natural gas liquids into olefins (primarily ethylene) via cyclic redox reactions of highly effective redox catalyst particles. The resulting olefins are then converted to gasoline and mid‐distillate products via oligomerization. CL‐ODH eliminates air separation and equilibrium limitations for olefin generation. It also simplifies the process scheme and reduces energy consumption. Here, we present experimental proof‐of‐concept data on CL‐ODH conversion of ethane to ethylene. Using the CL‐ODH performance data at 750°C, we show that a simple, single‐pass configuration can be economically viable at distributed sites. We identify that economic factors such as the capital cost, price of ethane feed, and value of electricity byproduct have strong effects on the required selling price of the liquids. It is also noted that the economic viability of the M‐ETL system is relatively insensitive to the liquid yield under a low ethane price scenario. The demand and value of electricity at distributed locations, on the other hand, can play an important role in the optimal process configuration and economics.