bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender Differential Effect Of Business Education Students’ Human Capital On Sustainable Economic Development
Authors: Edokpolor James E
Published: May 2020

This research investigates the relationship between business education students’ human capital and core values of sustainable economic development from a gender perspective. This research specifically investigates four interrelated questions. First, do male and female business education students experience different types of general human capital? Second, do male and female business education students possess different types of specific human capital? Third, do differences in both male and female business education students’ general human capital have a differential effect on sustainable development of Nigerian economy? And finally, do differences in both male and female business education students’ specific human capital have a differential effect on sustainable development of Nigerian economy? To answer these questions, bivariate correlation was employed. The hypotheses were tested using analysis of variance and multiple regressions. Using a survey data of all the final-year undergraduate students (N = 375) of business education in Federal Universities in South-South geopolitical region of Nigeria, the results showed a positive correlation between general and specific human capital and core values sustainable development. Male and female business education students experience almost the same type of general human capital. The results also showed that male students possess higher level of specific human capital than female students. The results further showed that changes or variations in core values of sustainable development caused by both general and specific human capital are higher in male than the female students. Logical conclusions and implications for future practices are discussed.
Developing an Instrument to Observe and Evaluate Assessment System Maturity
Authors: Robertson Royce L , Larkin Martha J.
Published: May 2020

Maturity models fill the need for a measure of overall growth in how outcomes assessment is defined and how feedback informs improvement to meet internal and external expectations at individual institutions of higher education. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted to develop an instrument, the Assessment System Maturity Matrix (ASMM), to observe and evaluate outcomes assessment system maturity. Research procedures included conducting a literature review and comparing business, software, and limited education maturity models; administering self-reported questionnaires to higher education outcomes assessment professionals; and piloting the instrument. Data collection results provided the ideal criteria for the ASMM design and content and led to ASMM development and refinement. Some deviation from the established maturity order sequence of plan, build, implement, and evaluate was noted. The ASMM can enable diverse institutions of higher education to focus on current assessment practice maturity efficiently to determine subsequent actions to improve outcomes assessment performance. Further research is required to explore the awareness and development of outcomes assessment system maturity awareness among the various types of institutions within the higher education community.
Accessing Middle School Social Studies Content Through Universal Design for Learning
Authors: Mackey Megan
Published: May 2020

Universal design for learning is intended to provide opportunities for all students to be successful. An exploration of Mr. Morales’s middle school social studies classroom reveals the universal design for learning principles of multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression infused throughout every lesson. These strategies afford access to knowledge and skill development for all students.
Creating Positive Learning Environments in Early Childhood Using Teacher-Generated Prosocial Lessons
Authors: Johnston Callum B , Herzog Teresa K , Hill-Chapman Crystal R , Siney Caitlin , Fergusson Ashley
Published: May 2020

A primary motivation for people to behave as they do is the need to belong socially to a group and to have relevance. A positive learning environment for young students is created when students are recognized and accepted by their peers and their teachers, and studies reveal that in such environments, students perform better academically and tend to have fewer behavioral issues. These environments may also act as a buffer against school dropout rates. This study examined whether teaching prosocial lessons to first-grade students in the southeastern United States would create positive learning environments for children who otherwise may not be recognized and accepted by their peers and also examined the relationship of teacher evaluations of observable classroom behaviors by their students with student recognition by peers. This study confirms the relevance of prosocial lessons in the creation of positive learning environments for young students.
Testing the Psychometric Properties of the Modeling Self-Efficacy Scale
Authors: Sharma Anu , Pape Stephen J , Templin Jonathan
Published: May 2020

The Modeling Self-Efficacy Scale was developed to measure middle and high school students’ confidence in understanding and solving modeling tasks. The scale was administered to 225 eighth- and ninth-grade students. Participants read modeling tasks adapted from Programme for International Student Assessment’s 2003 problem-solving assessment and rated their confidence on a 100-point self-efficacy scale. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that modeling self-efficacy is a unidimensional construct, best elicited by a repeated-measures-style survey design in which participants responded to the same self-efficacy items across multiple modeling problems. The omega reliability coefficient for the scale was .88. The findings suggest that the Modeling Self-Efficacy Scale is a reliable and valid instrument for middle and high school mathematics students.
Transforming Schools: The Power of Teachers’ Input in Professional Development
Authors: Martin Linda E , Kragler Sherry , Quatroche Diana , Bauserman Kathryn
Published: May 2020

Recent legislative actions have mandated the professional development of teachers in hopes of improved student achievement. However, research has shown that mandated professional development most usually does not lead to a positive outcome. This article describes three aspects that have been identified as contributing to the transformation of instruction in schools: school context, role of the administrator, and cohesion between professional development and needs of students/teachers. Mezirow’s adult learning theory supports these important aspects of school reform and has implications for planning and developing educators’ professional development.
Teacher Attitudes Toward the Principal of Multilingual education: Advancing Research on Mother-Tongue Education in Turkey
Authors: Aydin Hasan , Dogan Fatma
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine the attitudes of teacher toward heritage (mother tongue) languages based multilingual education and based on these findings to determine how teachers within public school settings perceive multilingual education. The sample comprised 150 teachers employed in public schools in Turkey. The survey method was used in this study, which used a 5-point Likert-type scale based on the multilingual education attitudes. The scale included 25 items and was prepared through the SurveyMonkey database. The survey was designed to determine the attitudes of teachers on heritage-language–based multilingual education and was conducted through the snowball sampling technique on teachers working in public schools in Turkey. A Cronbach’s alpha reliability analysis on the data was conducted, and the reliability coefficient of the scale was .968. The results showed the positive attitudes of teachers concerning multilingual education policies.
Overcoming Second-Order Barriers to Technology Integration in K–5 Schools
Authors: Durff Lisa , Carter Maryfriend
Published: May 2020

The use of technology engages students and increases academic achievement, as Tamin, Bernard, Brookhovski, Abrami, and Schmid (2011) found in a study summarizing 40 years of research on this topic. Educators face attitudinal, sociocultural, and pedagogical barriers to technology integration in spite of its positive impact on academic achievement. In this qualitative multicase study, three groups of educators were interviewed to determine how some teachers successfully overcame barriers to technology integration. Each case contained two or three teachers, one administrator, and one technology support person in each of three schools in a rural northeastern school district. The findings showed that a team approach among administrators, technology support personnel, and teachers resulted in the strongest technology integration. Successful strategies included providing appropriate professional development, building collegial support and sharing among teachers, training teachers to locate relevant technological resources, and establishing value and support for the use of technology for learning.
Exploring Puerto Rican Preservice Teachers’ Resilience: A Focus Group Study
Authors: Arcelay-Rojas Yitza A.
Published: May 2020

This study explored the experiences of 10 Puerto Rican middle and high school preservice teachers at the end of their student teaching experience. The qualitative design, using the focus group technique, provided insight into the phenomenon of teachers’ resilience. The analysis incorporated the main constructs of resilience-building proposed by Jordan’s model of relational resilience: mutuality, empowerment, and development of courage. This study reinforced the notion of the importance of promoting supportive relationships with mentors and students. These relationships empowered teachers and helped them become more skilled in their profession. Addressing more aspects of resilience-building including before, during, and after their student teaching field experience could benefit preservice teachers in thriving in the profession induction process.
Building a STEM Mentoring Program in an Economically Disadvantaged Rural Community
Authors: Rivera Seema , Knack Jennifer M , Kavanagh Kathleen , Thomas Joshua , Small Mary Margaret , Ramsdell Michael
Published: May 2020

Rural, economically disadvantaged communities face a bigger challenge than urban communities in recruiting and retaining high school (HS) students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) because many of these students do not have access to high-quality STEM opportunities. In this article, we describe a mentoring program we developed as part of a larger New York State education grant. This program was implemented in a rural community to connect undergraduate STEM students with HS students to increase HS students’ interest in these fields. In this program, HS students visited colleges, explored their interests in STEM, and learned about opportunities available to them in college and beyond. Here, we share the challenges and the successful strategies in implementing a mentoring program in a rural, economically disadvantaged region. The ideas described in the article were designed so other educators can gain insight on how to set up successful mentoring programs to attract and retain students in the STEM pipeline.
Die Quellcode-Hinterlegung in der Insolvenz
Authors: Vossius-Köbel Isabelle
Published: May 2020

Die Quellcode-Hinterlegung dient dem Interessenausgleich zwischen Geheimhaltungsbedürfnis des Softwareanbieters und Vermeidung der Abhängigkeit des Kunden vom Anbieter, insbesondere in der Insolvenz des Anbieters. Gerade die insolvenzfeste Gestaltung der Quellcode-Hinterlegung bereitet Schwierigkeiten mit Blick auf die Massezugehörigkeit des Quellcodes aufgrund Treuhandrechts, der Insolvenzfestigkeit des Nutzungsrechts am Quellcode und der Insolvenzanfechtung. Das Werk bietet entsprechende Lösungsansätze zur insolvenzfesten Gestaltung der Hinterlegung des Quellcodes bei einer dritten Hinterlegungsstelle. Unterschieden werden Datenträger- und datenträgerlose Hinterlegung sowie die Hinterlegung beim Escrow Agent und beim Notar.
Europäisches Arbeitsrecht
Authors: Kocher Eva
Published: May 2020

Das Arbeitsrecht in Europa wird inzwischen weitgehend durch Strukturen und Vorgaben des Europäischen Arbeitsrechts geprägt. Das Lehrbuch erläutert die Grundsätze des Arbeitsrechts der Europäischen Union anhand konkreter Fälle aus der Rechtsprechung des EuGH. Der Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf der Vermittlung von Grundbegriffen wie Diskriminierung, Arbeitnehmer oder Betrieb und Unternehmen. Im Europäischen Arbeitsrecht wurden aber auch zahlreiche Grundsätze über die Anforderungen an eine ordnungsgemäße Richtlinienumsetzung oder über die Wirkung von Normen des Europäischen Rechts in Privatrechtsverhältnissen entwickelt und ausgeformt. Das Lehrbuch geht deshalb auch vertiefend auf diese allgemeinen Grundsätze des Europarechts ein. Es richtet sich sowohl an Studierende im rechtswissenschaftlichen Schwerpunktstudium als auch an Studierende in rechtswissenschaftlichen und interdisziplinären Studiengängen zum Europarecht.

Die 2. Auflage berücksichtigt

die gestiegene Bedeutung der Grundrechte, insbesondere durch die unmittelbare Horizontalwirkung,

die Entscheidungen zum Diskriminierungsschutz, insbesondere wegen der Religion oder Weltanschauung (nicht nur, aber auch, die Kopftuch-Urteile des EuGH sowie Egenberger und IR),

den neuen Fall zum Arbeitnehmerbegriff im Kollektivvertragsrecht (EuGH-Entscheidung FNV),

die Richtlinie 2019/1152 über transparente und verlässliche Arbeitsbedingungen in der Europäischen Union,

die Whistle-Blower-Richtlinie,

die neuere Rechtsprechung zur Arbeitszeitrichtlinie und Vereinbarkeitsrichtlinie sowie

die Revision der Entsende-Richtlinie durch Richtlinie 2018/957.
Static and Dynamic Analysis of Piezoelectric Laminated Composite Beams and Plates
Authors: Nguyen Thai Chung , Tran Ich Thinh , Le Xuan Thuy
Published: May 2020

In this chapter, the mechanical behavior analysis of piezoelectric laminated composite beams and plates is influenced subjected to static, dynamic, and aerodynamic loads. Algorithm for dynamic, stability problem analysis and vibration control of laminated composite beams and plates with piezoelectric layers is presented. In addition, numerical calculations, considering the effect of factors on static, dynamic, and stability response of piezoelectric laminated composite beams and plates are also clearly presented. The content of this chapter can equip readers with the knowledge used to calculate the static, dynamic, and vibration control of composite beams, panels made of piezoelectric layers applied in the field different techniques.
Potassium Channels as a Potential Target Spot for Drugs
Authors: Djokic Vladimir , Novakovic Radmila
Published: May 2020

Aberrant function or expression of potassium channels can be underlying in pathologies such as cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, preterm birth, and various types of cancer. The expression of potassium channels is altered in many types of diseases. Also, we have previously shown that natural polyphenols, such as resveratrol, and selective synthetic modulators of potassium channels, like pinacidil, can alter their function and lead to the desired outcome. Therefore, targeting potassium channels with substance, which has an influence on their function, is promising access to cancer, diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, or hypertension therapy. In this chapter, we could discuss strategies for targeting different types of potassium channels as potential targets for synthetic and natural molecules therapy.
Application of Natural Language Processing with Supervised Machine Learning Techniques to Predict the Overall Drugs Performance
Authors: MARTHIN Pius , İÇEN Duygu
Published: May 2020

Online product reviews have become a valuable source of information which facilitate customer decision with respect to a particular product. With the wealthy information regarding user's satisfaction and experiences about a particular drug, pharmaceutical companies make the use of online drug reviews to improve the quality of their products. Machine learning has enabled scientists to train more efficient models which facilitate decision making in various fields. In this manuscript we applied a drug review dataset used by (Gräβer, Kallumadi, Malberg,& Zaunseder, 2018), available freely from machine learning repository website of the University of California Irvine (UCI) to identify best machine learning model which provide a better prediction of the overall drug performance with respect to users' reviews. Apart from several manipulations done to improve model accuracy, all necessary procedures required for text analysis were followed including text cleaning and transformation of texts to numeric format for easy training machine learning models. Prior to modeling, we obtained overall sentiment scores for the reviews. Customer's reviews were summarized and visualized using a bar plot and word cloud to explore the most frequent terms. Due to scalability issues, we were able to use only the sample of the dataset. We randomly sampled 15000 observations from the 161297 training dataset and 10000 observations were randomly sampled from the 53766 testing dataset. Several machine learning models were trained using 10 folds cross-validation performed under stratified random sampling. The trained models include Classification and Regression Trees (CART), classification tree by C5.0, logistic regression (GLM), Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline (MARS), Support vector machine (SVM) with both radial and linear kernels and a classification tree using random forest (Random Forest). Model selection was done through a comparison of accuracies and computational efficiency. Support vector machine (SVM) with linear kernel was significantly best with an accuracy of 83% compared to the rest. Using only a small portion of the dataset, we managed to attain reasonable accuracy in our models by applying the TF-IDF transformation and Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) technique to our TDM.
Dostroajan: Facial Recognition Based System Input Control Agent
Authors: AYATA Faruk , ÇAVUŞ Hayati , İNAN Mevlüt , SEYYARER Ebubekir , BİÇEK Emre , KINA Erol
Published: May 2020

Speed, time and safety are of great importance in many operations conducted today. There are standards such as ISO 27001, ITIL (Information Technologies Infrastructure Library), COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology), which are globally recognized not only regarding access to information and the use of information but also information retention. Governmental institutions and many large companies use fingerprint, card reading, iris recognition and facial recognition systems in entrances and exits, regarding the protection of information. The facial recognition system application developed within the scope of this study performs the facial recognition by using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), which is one of the deep learning algorithms and restricts the use of your personal computer by people you do not know. In addition to this restriction, it takes a photo of the person who wants to use your personal computer and sends this photo to the mobile phone of the owner of the computer, who was previously defined in the system and informs him/her.Regarding the testing of the face recognition system application FEI (Faculdade de Engenharia Industrial- Faculty of Industrial Engineering) facial database was used. In this facial database, there are 14 different poses of 200 people (one is neutral, one is smiling, one is not smiling, and the others are at different angles). Trials were made to access the system with a total of 2800 photographs and as a result of the trials, success was achieved with a ratio of 76.31% in the worst angle and light and a ratio of 99.15% in the best angle and light.
O poder do ornamento: da forma decorativa ao ornamental
Authors: Pedroni Fabiana
Published: May 2020

Este artigo parte das definições do termo ornamento proposta por Oleg Grabar e Jean-Claude Bonne para expandi-las em uma análise etimológica com o intuito de observar as potencialidades funcionais do ornamento. As distinções terminológicas apontam para uma divergência entre uma acepção formal e outra funcional, divergência a qual não se mantém de modo estrito, mas, torna-se uma diferenciação dialógica.
Costurando conversas de varanda: expressões ornamentais, subjetivas e memoriais em fachadas e palavras da cidade de papel.
Authors: Goulart Fernanda Guimarães
Published: May 2020

Este artigo toma como alicerce o projeto "Urbano Ornamento: um inventário de grades ornamentais em Belo Horizonte (e outras belezas)", que resultou na tese de doutorado da autora e  em livro homônimo, e que tem como produto um exaustivo inventário de desenhos vetoriais que reproduzem modelos da serralheria artística integrada à arquitetura na capital mineira. O objetivo é circunscrever como objeto de análise as recorrentes tipologias arquitetônicas encontradas no trabalho de campo, nomeadas aqui de casas patchwork. Essas moradias que conjugam azujelos e grades ornamentais em suas fachadas, bem como as entrevistas que realizamos com seus moradores são, aqui, um pretexto para refletir sobre a sobrevivência do ornamento no espaço urbano atual, tomando como base sua dimensão popular, as narrativas urbanas e a relação entre imaginação e memória.
Agente da Modernização: A imprensa brasileira pelas mãos de Amilcar de Castro
Authors: Corrêa Clecius Campos
Published: May 2020

Parte integrante da modernidade fruto da modernização, a busca por estilos de vida foi uma das marcas do processo de modernização mundializada no Brasil. A figura do artista teve importância central no movimento de estetização do cotidiano que associava as estéticas vigentes aos estilos de vida. A partir das transformações ocorridas na arte durante a mundialização no Brasil, nos anos 1950 e 1960, com as novas formulações do Concretismo e do Neoconcretismo — baseadas nas diversas fases e reinterpretações do construtivismo europeu —, veremos como a imprensa não apenas foi influenciada por essas tendências, como foi reformulada e moldada pelas mãos dos artistas. A reforma gráfica realizadas no Jornal do Brasil pelo artista plástico Amilcar de Castro, estudada aqui, é exemplo dessa atuação.
A imagem-ficção como estratégia de ação para mundos possíveis
Authors: Romagnoli Bethonico Marina
Published: May 2020

Neste artigo, propõe-se uma aplicação das teorias dos mundos possíveis no estudo da imagem e de seus efeitos. Após uma breve introdução a esse universo teórico, passa-se para o contexto das artes visuais, no qual não existem ainda muitos trabalhos publicados à respeito. Desenvolve-se a ideia de um pensamento dos modos de fazer mundo, que emerge de uma imagem-ficção ativa, instaurada pelo fingere. A atitude de auto-denunciação dessa imagem permite ao espectador encontrar evidências de sua qualidade de manipulada, o que acaba por permitir uma mudança cognitiva em relação às construções e mudanças que podemos realizar no nosso mundo ditoreal. Como a imagem, a realidade é matéria manipulável, e a compreensão disso abre vias para a construção de novos contextos coletivos.
O que falar e ver frente a uma vitrine?
Authors: Rosa Junior João Dalla
Published: May 2020

O texto apresenta uma análise visual de uma vitrine de moda com o objetivo de investigar sua dimensão estética associada à compreensão de seu fator de comunicação. A partir do debate semiótico, a metáfora da linguagem é cotejada na compreensão da forma como palavras e imagens se relacionam ao objeto do vestuário e ao modo como ocorre sua percepção estética.
"A Document in Madness": A study on the insanity of Shakespeare's Ophelia
Authors: Lopes Sofia
Published: May 2020

The chief aim of this paper is to analyse the character of Ophelia, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet. By investigating the elements in the play that are most significant to her character, this study seeks to assess the factors that, woven together, culminated into her madness. The main aspects to be studied are the characters that are closest to her, such as Polonius, Laertes and Hamlet, the challenges of her role as a woman, a daughter and a potential lover, and the abiding influence of the late King Hamlet in the play’s events.
A New Philomycus Mantleslug Species from Texas and a Key to US Philomycus Species
Authors: TABER STEPHEN W. , FLEENOR SCOTT B.
Published: May 2020

A new species of Philomycus mantleslug from eastern Texas, USA, is described. Philomycus texanus Taber and Fleenor is distinguished from the remaining eight currently recognized Nearctic Philomycus species by its internal reproductive anatomy and by its external coloration. It is currently known only from the relict Lost Pines loblolly forest, which is a post-ice age refugium for a variety of animal and plant species not expected to occur so far west of the southeastern United States. A key to the nine recognized species of the genus is provided.
Reviving the Individual in Socio-technical Systems Thinking
Authors: Taxén Lars
Published: May 2020

Socio-technical Systems theory sees an organizational work system as comprised of two distinct subsystems – a technical and a social one – that influence each other. Together, these subsystems determine the performance of the work system. Alternative socio-technical trends, such as sociomateriality, understand the social and material as non-existent before they are related. A problematic feature of both approaches is the downplaying of the individual, which is either subsumed under the social or only cursorily treated. To this end, an alternative approach for socio-technical systems thinking is proposed, based on the premise that the individual and social are distinct phenomena, however dialectically constituting each other in everyday activities. We illustrate the central idea of the approach with an example from the telecom industry. Further, we discuss theoretical and practical implications of the approach to be elaborated in future research. In conclusion, we provide a theoretical foundation for advancing socio-technical systems thinking in which the individual is on par with the social and the technical.
Cryo-EM structures and functional properties of CALHM channels of the human placenta
Authors: Drożdżyk Katarzyna , Sawicka Marta , Bahamonde-Santos Maria-Isabel , Jonas Zaugg , Deneka Dawid , Albrecht Christiane , Dutzler Raimund
Published: May 2020

The transport of substances across the placenta is essential for the development of the fetus. Here, we were interested in the role of channels of the calcium homeostasis modulator (CALHM) family in the human placenta. By transcript analysis, we found the paralogs CALHM2, 4, and 6 to be highly expressed in this organ and upregulated during trophoblast differentiation. Based on electrophysiology, we observed that activation of these paralogs differs from the voltage- and calcium-gated channel CALHM1. Cryo-EM structures of CALHM4 display decameric and undecameric assemblies with large cylindrical pore, while in CALHM6 a conformational change has converted the pore shape into a conus that narrows at the intracellular side, thus describing distinct functional states of the channel. The pore geometry alters the distribution of lipids, which occupy the cylindrical pore of CALHM4 in a bilayer-like arrangement whereas they have redistributed in the conical pore of CALHM6 with potential functional consequences.
The Impact of Legislative Harmonisation on Effective Judicial Protection in Europe's Area of Criminal Justice
Authors: Mitsilegas Valsamis
Published: May 2020

By focusing on the adoption of EU minimum standards in the field of procedural rights in criminal proceedings, this article will assess the relationship between secondary law harmonisation, and the principles of effectiveness of EU law and of effective judicial protection in Europe's
area of criminal justice. This article will begin by exploring the third pillar legacy on harmonisation, by focusing on what the EU has not done (i.e.to legislate on a horizontal instrument on defence rights) and what the EU has done (i.e.to legislate specifically on judgments in absentia
with the specific purpose of clarifying, and in some instances limiting, the grounds for refusal in a number of EU mutual recognition measures). The analysis will then examine the impact of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty and will evaluate critically the impact of EU harmonisation
measures on defence rights on effective judicial protection. The analysis will focus on the relationship between EU law and national law, as well as on the relationship between EU law and the Charter and ECHR. Great emphasis will be placed on the strengthening of enforcement avenues offered
by the normalisation of EU criminal law after Lisbon. These avenues have the potential to ensure that, even minimum, harmonisation measures in the field of defence rights can have a real impact on enhancing effective judicial protection and achieving the effectiveness of EU legislation on
the ground.
The Horizontal Effects of Charter Rights Given Expression to in EU Legislation, from Mangold to Bauer
Authors: Muir Elise
Published: May 2020

This paper investigates the relationship between legislative provisions and fundamental rights by analyzing the Egenberger, IR, Bauer, Max-Planck and Cresco cases. This paper understands these cases as an invitation to reflect on whether, and if so, to what extent, EU fundamental rights'
legislation, read in conjunction with the Charter, could have an impact on the scope of application, substance and/or legal effects of the Charter. This paper argues that the Court of Justice's recent case law can be understood as allowing for EU legislative guidance on fundamental rights
to interact in an upward process with the rights enshrined in norms with the same rank as EU primary law. This paper sheds light on the constitutional implications of the overlaps between legislation and constitutional norms on fundamental norms while other contributions in this special issue
address effectiveness and the right to an effective remedy in a broader sense.
Cloning, sequencing, and expression analysis of 32 NAC transcription factors (MdNAC) in apple
Authors: Li Huifeng , Ran Kun , Dong Qinglong , Zhao Qiang , Shi Song
Published: May 2020

Background

NAC transcription factors play important roles in the regulation of plant growth, development, abiotic and biotic stress responses. The transcriptional level ofMdNACs in different tissues and under various biotic and abiotic stress treatments was determined to provide a solid foundation for studying the function ofMdNACs.

Methods

Thirty-two full-length cDNA sequences ofMd NACs were isolated by homologous comparison and RT-PCR confirmation, and the obtained cDNA sequences and the deduced amino acid sequences were analyzed with bioinformatics methods. The prediction of subcellular locations of MdNAC proteins was performed using CELLO v.2.5, PSORT, and SoftBerry ProtComp 9.0. Expression levels ofMdNACs were detected in 16 different tissues using an array. Expression patterns ofMdNACs were detected in response toAlternaria alternataapple pathotype (AAAP) infection using RNA-seq, and the expression ofMdNACs was analyzed under NaCl and mannitol treatments using RT-qPCR.

Results

The sequencing results produced 32 cDNAs (designated asMdNAC24-39,MdNAC54-65,andMdNAC67-70with GenBank accession No.MG099861–MG099876,MG099891–MG099902, andMG099904–MG099907, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that MdNAC34 belonged to the ATAF group, MdNAC63 belonged to the AtNAC3 group, MdNAC24, MdNAC26-30, MdNAC32-33, MdNAC35, MdNAC37-39, MdNAC56-57, MdNAC59-62, MdNAC64-65, and MdNAC67-70 belonged to the NAM group, and MdNAC25, MdNAC36, MdNAC54-55, and MdNAC58 belonged to the VND group. Predictions of subcellular localization showed that MdNAC24-27, MdNAC29-30, MdNAC33-37, MdNAC39, MdNAC54-65, and MdNAC67-70 proteins were located in the nucleus, MdNAC28 proteins were located in the cytoplasm, MdNAC31-32 proteins were located in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and MdNAC38 proteins were located in the nucleus and plasma membrane. Array results indicated that 32MdNACswere expressed in all examined tissues at various expression levels. RNA-seq results showed that expression levels ofMdNAC26-28,MdNAC33-34,MdNAC60,MdNAC62-65,andMdNAC68were induced, butMdNAC24,MdNAC32,andMdNAC58were down-regulated in response to AAAP infection. Under salt treatment,MdNAC24,MdNAC27,MdNAC29,MdNAC34,MdNAC37,MdNAC39,MdNAC54,MdNAC59,andMdNAC63transcription levels were induced. Under mannitol treatment,MdNAC32andMdNAC54transcription levels were induced, butMdNAC24,MdNAC28,MdNAC30,MdNAC33,MdNAC35,MdNAC37,MdNAC55,MdNAC56,MdNAC58,andMdNAC59were down-regulated. Taken together, the results indicated that the clonedMdNACgenes were expressed constitutively in all examined tissues. These genes were up-regulated or down-regulated in response to AAAP infection and to salt or mannitol, which suggested they may be involved in the regulation of growth, development, and stress response in apple.
TRAGO-TE FLORES: MORTE, IMAGENS E LINGUAGENS
Authors: Rodrigues Paula Andréa Caluff , Nunes Paulo J. Martins
Published: May 2020

As flores, com suas diferentes formas, cores e dimensões, têm lugar de destaque nas representações imaginárias tecidas pelo ser humano ao longo das eras. Inumações em sítios arqueológicos atestam sua presença ao lado de antigas sepulturas, sendo esse costume comum desde a pré-história até a atualidade. Este artigo apresenta um aprofundamento sobre este ícone específico na arte sepulcral e as diversas simbologias que ele carrega. A partir da pesquisa de campo em necrópoles brasileiras e portuguesas, complementadas por pesquisas bibliográficas sobre iconografia funerária, foi possível uma contextualização histórica e a elaboração de uma tabela das principais flores com simbologias ligadas à morte, com a exemplificação feita por meio de um túmulo do Cemitério da Soledade, em Belém do Pará. O artigo demonstra a importância de estudos semióticos para o entendimento de linguagens não verbais, como uma forma de comunicação, presentes notadamente em cemitérios históricos, como forma de valorização e preservação de seu patrimônio e de sua memória.
Consumer Behavior Analysis in Purchase of Freshwater Fish in Bandung City (Case Study in the Traditional Market of Kosambi)
Authors: Rotuauli Theresia Febrianty , Handaka Asep Agus , Rizal Achmad , Nurhayati Atikah
Published: May 2020

This research aimed to analyze the relationship of factors that influence consumer behavior in the purchase decision of freshwater fish in Kosambi Traditional Market. The research was conducted in March 2019 to March 2020. The method used in this research was a case study. The sampling technique was used accidental sampling method with 100 respondents. To analyze the behavior of consumers used attitude measurement analysis as measured by a Likert Scale. Correlation of qualitative data is used to analyze the relationship of factors that influence consumer behavior in freshwater fish purchasing decisions. The results showed that four factors that influenced the purchase decision of freshwater fish products had a significant relationship with the correlation coefficient values as follows: Cultural factors of 0.243, Social factors of -0.278, Personal factors of 0.631, and psychological factors of 0.427. Personal factor is the more dominant variable influencing and being considered by consumers in deciding to purchase freshwater fish because the personal factors are defined as psychological characteristics of a person that is different from others that causes relatively consistent and long-lasting responses to the environment.
Multigrain Beetroot Crisps: A Healthy Snacking Option
Authors: Singh Nikita , Sengupta Rupali
Published: May 2020

Aim: With the rise of metabolic disorders like obesity in developed countries, maintenance of healthy lifestyle has become very challenging. Food plays a very important role in this process. Consumption of healthy foods with proper portion control can help in controlling excess weight gain and can prevent metabolic disorders like obesity. Obesity is characterized by excess accumulation of fat. This further leads to complications like dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Increased consumption of calorie dense fatty snacks or high sugar processed foods between meals is one of the causes of obesity. Consumption of low fat high fiber snacks has shown to help in weight reduction. Therefore development of a healthy snacking option was considered. The aim of the study was to develop and standardize a healthy snack for obese as well as healthy population.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Dr. BMN College of Home Science, between November 2019 and February 2020.

Methodology: A healthy snacking option in the form of Multigrain Beetroot Crisps was prepared by using a mixture of cereals and millets flours. The snack was baked instead of frying to reduce the calorific and fat content. Standardization was done by testing for sensory evaluation using 5 point hedonic scale for four weeks. Shelf life study was carried out to find stability of developed product.

Results: Sensory evaluation studies showed the product was well accepted by the target population. On comparison with the commercially available product, Multigrain Beetroot Crisps was high in fiber, calcium and iron. Shelf life study showed, the product was stable for four weeks at room temperature when kept in an airtight container.

Conclusion: A healthy snacking option in the form of Multigrain Beetroot Crisps was developed for obese as well as healthy population which is nutritionally better as compared to commercially available beet chips owing to its fiber, calcium and iron content which are beneficial in obesity related complications.
Management of Leaf Blight Disease Caused by Alternaria polianthi in Tuberose
Authors: Ravikumar M. R. , Harish D. K. , Kumara B. H. , Kumar Amarendra
Published: May 2020

Tuberose is an ornamental crop which is growing under tropical and sub-tropical areas. Recently, the incidence of leaf blight disease caused by Alternaria polianthi a fungal disease of tuberose is considered as a severe problem causing growth reduction and yield loss triggered by high temperature and humidity. Hence an investigation was carried out in farmer fields at Tumnakatti, Ranebennurtq in Karnataka, to study the bio-efficacy of different fungicides against leaf blight of tuberose. There were six chemicals viz., Tebuconazole 250 EC @ 0.1%, Difenconazole – 25% EC @ 0.1%, Propinoconazole 25% EC @ 0.1%,  Hexaconazole  2% SC @ 0.1%, Mancozeb75 WP @ 0.25%, Chlorothalonil 75 WP @ 0.2%, were evaluated in tuberose cultivar Prajwal during kharif  2016 and 2017. Among the different fungicides, four sprays taken with Tebuconazole @ 0.1% at 15 days interval starting from onset of disease proved to be the most effective treatment and resulted in lowest percent disease index, PDI (10.80). Maximum yield and number of flower stalks per square meter area were recorded in Tebuconazole @ 0.1% (50.90). Tebuconazole @ 0.1% could be used for management of leaf blight and increase the yield of tuberose.
Using Agrochemicals in Farming and Its Ecological Impact in Rural Areas in Eastern Bankura of West Bengal
Authors: Gupta Moumita Dey , Rahman F. H. , Mitra Kalyan , Dey Arup , Dasgupta Shubhadip
Published: May 2020

United Nations Hunger Task Force listed eight goals and conservation of nature and protection of environment is one of them. Different practices involved in use of agrochemicals like mishandling, indiscriminate use, disposal could have adverse health and environmental impact. This experiment was done in eight selected villages of Sonamukhi block in Bankura district of West Bengal with the main objectives of assessing the knowledge and practices regarding agrochemicals stewardship role performed at the end user level i.e. farmers; exploring the farmers perceptions of agrochemical use and its potential adverse effects on health and identifying socioeconomic variables which influence this role and perception. Two types of Methodology involved in this study among which participatory types are cross sectional survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews along with descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation Analysis. Pesticides which are highly hazardous according to WHO report, are very much in use for different purposes in the study area. All total of 300 farmers were interviewed, among them 20% stored agrochemicals in their homes prior to usage. Eighty percent of the respondents do not use anything to mix the chemicals and they do it bare hand, Unsafe dispose of empty sacs or containers of agrochemicals found in 40% of the respondents and whereas almost 25% of the respondents reused containers/sacks to store materials at homes. A minimal number of them i.e. only 5% of the respondents used sufficient personal protective equipment during application of agrochemicals. Participatory and bottom-up approaches like focus group discussion and key informant interviews divulged that awareness and perception regarding adverse effects of agrochemicals is moderate among the participants. The practice of handling of agrochemicals without proper protection and unsafe disposal of pesticide containers appears to be widely prevalent in the study villages. It was found the though respondent possess moderate knowledge of health and environmental hazard but the implementation of this perceived knowledge is very low. Among the different socioeconomic variables age and size of land holding has negative but significant, whereas education has shown positive and significant correlation with the use of Personal Protective Equipment. A holistic program for increasing awareness for safe management, handling and disposal of pesticides among both users and agricultural input dealers is required to address this important health and environmental problem.
Assessment of Causes and Effects of Drugs and Substances Abuse among Youth: A Case Study of Katsina Metropolis (North West Nigeria)
Authors: Lawal Nasiru , A. Aliyu Al Mustapha
Published: May 2020

Aims: To determine the cause, effect and type of drugs commonly abuse among youth in Katsina metropolis.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional design carried out in Katsina metropolis in June to September 2018.

Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional design was used for the study where by 384 respondents were selected through a purposive and snowball sampling techniques to select the study subject from the study areas. A validated and structured interviewer administered questionnaire (IAQ) was used to collect data from the respondents. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0.

Results: Findings from the study showed that peer pressure 75(19.5%) and desire for enjoyment 51(13.3%) are the major cause associated with the abuse of drugs by the respondents. The most commonly abused substances by the respondents include Tobacco 112(29.2%), Codeine 68(17.7%) Marijuana (Indian hemp) 55(14.3), and cola nut 17(3.4%) and majority of the respondent perceive negative effect of poor health (madness) 212 (55.2%) as the major effect and aggressive behavior’s 71(18.5%).

Conclusion: The major cause of substance abuse among youth are peer pressure and desire for enjoyment, common effect is poor health and Tobacco is the common abuse drug. It is therefore recommended that Parent should take good care of their children during teenage age and government should control the production and supply of these illicit substances.
Potential anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 drug candidates identified through virtual screening of the ChEMBL database for compounds that target the main coronavirus protease
Authors: Tsuji Motonori
Published: May 2020

A novel coronavirus [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), or 2019 novel coronavirus] has been identified as the pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019. The main protease (Mpro, also called 3‐chymotrypsin‐like protease) of SARS‐CoV‐2 is a potential target for treatment of COVID‐19. A Mpro homodimer structure suitable for docking simulations was prepared using a crystal structure (PDB ID: 6Y2G; resolution 2.20 Å). Structural refinement was performed in the presence of peptidomimetic α‐ketoamide inhibitors, which were previously disconnected from each Cys145 of the Mpro homodimer, and energy calculations were performed. Structure‐based virtual screenings were performed using the ChEMBL database. Through a total of 1 485 144 screenings, 64 potential drugs (11 approved, 14 clinical, and 39 preclinical drugs) were predicted to show high binding affinity with Mpro. Additional docking simulations for predicted compounds with high binding affinity with Mpro suggested that 28 bioactive compounds may have potential as effective anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 drug candidates. The procedure used in this study is a possible strategy for discovering anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 drugs from drug libraries that may significantly shorten the clinical development period with regard to drug repositioning.
Individual differences in visual acuity and face matching ability
Authors: Fox Emily , Bindemann Markus
Published: May 2020

The visual acuity of the eyes varies outside the range of normal vision, requiring corrective lenses, but also within the normal range. This study investigated whether both types of variation relate to individual differences in face‐identity matching, considering this applied task requires perception of detail. Across two experiments, face‐matching accuracy correlated with variation in acuity when this fell outside the normal range of vision and was uncorrected with glasses or contact lenses. In contrast, variation in visual acuity within the normal range did not affect face‐matching accuracy, whereas matching accuracy at a given level of acuity could vary substantially. These results indicate that visual acuity is only a problem for occupations performing face‐identity matching when below‐normal acuity is not diagnosed or adequately corrected. In turn, these findings suggest that variation in acuity within the normal range is not a contributing factor to individual differences in face matching accuracy.
Molecularly Engineered Near‐Infrared Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cells
Authors: Pashaei Babak , Karimi Soheila , Shahroosvand Hashem , Pilkington Melanie
Published: May 2020

The development of near‐infrared (NIR) luminescent materials has emerged as a promising research field with important applications in solid‐state lighting (SSL), night‐vision‐readable displays, and the telecommunication industry. Over the past two decades, remarkable advances in the development of light‐emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) have stunned the SSL community, which has in turn driven the quest for new classes of stable, more efficient NIR emissive molecules. In this review, an overview of the state of the art in the field of near‐infrared light‐emitting electrochemical cells (NIR‐LEC) is provided based on three families of emissive compounds developed over the past 25 years: i) transition metal complexes, ii) ionic polymers, and iii) host–guest materials. In this context, ionic and conductive emitters are particularly attractive since their emission can be tuned via molecular design, which involves varying the chemical nature and substitution pattern of their ancillary ligands. Herein, the challenges and current limitations of the latter approach are highlighted, particularly with respect to developing NIR‐LECs with high external quantum efficiencies. Finally, useful guidelines for the discovery of new, efficient emitters for tailored NIR‐LEC applications are presented, together with an outlook towards the design of new NIR‐SSL materials.