bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘Just Knocking out Pills’: An Ethnography of British Drug Dealers in Ibiza
Authors: Turner Tim 
Published: March 2019

Background: Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork with British seasonal workers and tourists, this paper provides an extensive overview of the methodological processes of researching drug users and drug dealers within the international nightlife resort of Ibiza. In an innovative application of Bryman’s (2004) Disneyization framework, it is argued that seasonal workers are engaged in a deep form of performative labour. As mediators of Ibiza’s hedonistic atmosphere, this social group are revealed to be deeply immersed in the island’s renowned drug market. Methods: Ethnographic fieldwork employing a grounded theory design was undertaken over three summers in tourist locations across Ibiza, including: nightclubs; bars and cafes; beaches; airports and hotels. Field notes from participant observation were supplemented with data from semi-structured interviews (n=56). Documentary photography was also employed, with 580 images taken during fieldwork. Results and Conclusion: Many British seasonal workers in Ibiza are rapidly enmeshed within the drug market associated with the island’s hedonistic nightlife. Participants in this study were invariably engaged in high levels of illicit drug use, and unlike their tourist counterparts, this was drawn out over several months. As a consequence of the fragile nature of employment within the legal economy, many seasonal workers in Ibiza rely on income from drug dealing. In a social context where drug use is woven into the consumer space, it seems the multiple risks associated with the drug trade are obfuscated. The paper demonstrates that ethnographic immersion within bounded play spaces is essential if researchers are to generate theoretical insight into the complex intersections between illicit drug use, dealing and social context.
H3K9me3 is required for inheritance of small RNAs that target a unique subset of newly evolved genes
Authors: Lev Itamar , Gingold Hila , Rechavi Oded 
Published: March 2019

In Caenorhabditis elegans, RNA interference (RNAi) responses can transmit across generations via small RNAs. RNAi inheritance is associated with Histone-3-Lysine-9 tri-methylation (H3K9me3) of the targeted genes. In other organisms, maintenance of silencing requires a feed-forward loop between H3K9me3 and small RNAs. Here, we show that in C. elegans not only is H3K9me3 unnecessary for inheritance, the modification’s function depends on the identity of the RNAi-targeted gene. We found an asymmetry in the requirement for H3K9me3 and the main worm H3K9me3 methyltransferases, SET-25 and SET-32. Both methyltransferases promote heritable silencing of the foreign gene gfp, but are dispensable for silencing of the endogenous gene oma-1. Genome-wide examination of heritable endogenous small interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs) revealed that endo-siRNAs that depend on SET-25 and SET-32 target newly acquired and highly H3K9me3 marked genes. Thus, ‘repressive’ chromatin marks could be important specifically for heritable silencing of genes which are flagged as ‘foreign’, such as gfp.Editorial note: This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (<xref ref-type="decision-letter" rid="SA1">see decision letter</xref>).
Microgeographic variation in body condition of three Mexican garter snakes in central Mexico
Authors: Valencia-Flores Erika , Venegas-Barrera Crystian S. , Fajardo Victor , Manjarrez Javier 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundGeographic variation in body size and condition can reveal differential local adaptation to resource availability or climatic factors. Body size and condition are related to fitness in garter snakes (Thamnophis), thus good body condition may increase survival, fecundity in females, and mating success in males. Phylogenetically related species in sympatry are predicted to exhibit similar body condition when they experience similar environmental conditions. We focused on interspecific and geographical variation in body size and condition in three sympatric Mexican garter snakes from the highlands of Central Mexico.MethodsWe assessed SVL, mass, and body condition (obtained from Major axis linear regression of ln-transformed body mass on ln-transformed SVL) in adults and juveniles of both sexes ofThamnophis eques,T. melanogaster, andT. scalarissampled at different locations and ranges from 3–11 years over a 20-year period.ResultsWe provide a heterogeneous pattern of sexual and ontogenic reproductive status variations of body size and condition among local populations. Each garter snake species shows locations with good and poor body condition; juvenile snakes show similar body condition between populations, adults show varying body condition between populations, and adults also show sex differences in body condition. We discuss variations in body condition as possibly related to the snakes’ life cycle differences.
The Influence of Vocational Rehabilitation for Societal Re- Integration of Inmates in Nigerian Prisons in Rivers State
Authors: TamBari Deebom, MtormaBari , Promise Kooli, Ledornu , Ibiso Deebom, 
Published: March 2019

The study examines how vocational trades’ acquisition rehabilitates inmates for reintegration in to the society. Inmates that are expose to vocational training during the period of incarceration easily gets rehabilitated and can reintegrate in to the society upon discharge as a result of possession of skills that can make him/her useful. The study adopted the descriptive research survey design. The population of the study consists of 4723 inmates and 509 prison officers. A sample of 593 respondents (369 convicted inmates and 224 officers) were selected which is a representative of the population. Inmates were purposively selected while simple random sampling technique was adopted for the selection of the officers from four Nigerian prisons in Rivers State. Three research questions were answered with two null hypotheses that were tested at 0.05 significant levels. Instrument for data collection was a self-constructed questionnaire titled “Vocational Rehabilitation of Inmates for Societal Reintegration Questionnaire” (VRISRQ) which was validated by two experts. The instrument was designed using a checklist and Likert-5 point rating scale of agreement. The instrument was subjected to reliability test through Kuder-Richardson formula 20 (KR20) and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Reliability coefficients of 0.87, 0.82 and 0.86 were obtained for different sections of the instrument respectively. Frequency and percentage was used to answered research question 1 while research questions 2 and 3 were answered using mean with standard deviation. Hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significant using independent sample t-test. The findings of the study revealed that vocational trades that are available in Nigerian prisons in Rivers State can rehabilitate inmates if they are acquired. The study also found that acquisitions of vocational trades by inmates are marred with challenges such as poor training facilities, poor funding. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that prison authorities should expose the inmates to vocational trades that are available in the prison for acquisition to enhance their rehabilitation and reintegration and that Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should assist in provision of training facilities in the prison as this will make acquisition of vocational trades realizable.
Comparative Study on the Proximate Composition, Functional and Sensory Properties of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Pawpaw (Carica papaya) Custard Products
Authors: Odimegwu Nkiru E. , Ubbaonu Collins N. , Ofoedu Chigozie E. , Akajiaku Linda O. , Njoku Njideka E. , Agunwah Ijeoma M. , Alagbaoso Serah O. , Iwuh Glory E. 
Published: March 2019

Aim: To advance the creation of variety through food product development and innovation, a comparative study of custard products with Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Pawpaw (Carica papaya) was done.
Study Design: This study was made to fit into a one way Analysis of Variance.
Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out at the Department of Food Science and Technology laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria, between March 2017 and August 2018.
Methodology: Different ratios of corn starch to pawpaw or turmeric were used in the custard product while a commercial custard product was used as the control. The samples were evaluated for proximate composition, microbiological analysis, functional and sensory properties.
Results: The water absorption capacity (1.44% to 1.64%), swelling index (5.27% to 6.77%), bulk density (0.68% to 1.55%) and gelation concentration (6.47% to 8.62%) of the turmeric treated custard and pawpaw treated custard were significantly different (P<0.05) from the control sample. The pawpaw treated custard had a higher protein and ash content compared to turmeric treated custard and control. With regards to the general acceptability of the custard products, the control was much accepted while the pawpaw sample was moderately accepted by the panellist. Microbial result showed that the pawpaw treated custard had an acceptable level of Streptococcus spp. The contamination level in the pawpaw treated custard, turmeric treated custard and the control were below the safety level recommended by International Microbiology Standard Limits for pseudomonas spp.
Conclusion: The development of these custard products showed that pawpaw treated custard is acceptable and may compete favourably in the market since it has better aroma than some commercial custard present in Nigeria. It is also important to pay close attention to the handling and processing of these products so as to promote food product safety.
Heavy Metals Contamination and Potential Human Health Risk via Consumption of Vegetables from Selected Communities in ONELGA, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Ogbo Ahiakwo Bright , Patrick-Iwuanyanwu Kingsley C. 
Published: March 2019

Background: Anthropogenic activities such as excessive oil exploration, automobile emissions with agricultural activities, etc tend to elevate the concentrations of heavy metals in the soil. These metals are accumulated by plant roots, thereby resulting to heavy metal contamination of such plants.
Objectives: This study evaluated the concentration of heavy metals namely: Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Arsenic (As), Iron (Fe), and Copper (Cu) in edible vegetables from selected communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), Rivers State, Nigeria, and the concentrations of these metals were used to assess the human health risk posed to the consumers of the edible vegetables.
Materials and Methods: Sixteen different vegetable samples comprising Vernonia amygdalina, Talinum triangulare, Abelmoschus esculentus and Telfairia occidentalis were digested and analyzed for heavy metals using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (F-AAS). Results obtained from this study were used to estimate the human health risk of these heavy metals.
Results: The results showed that the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni, As, Fe, and Cu ranged from 0.168-4.908; 0.364-2.977; 2.780-10.241; 0.157-2.633; 61.589-101.520 and 12.029-46.540 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni and As in some of the analyzed vegetable samples exceeded the permissible limit as recommended by WHO/FAO, EC/CODEX and NAFDAC respectively. The concentration of Fe and Cu were below the permissible limit as recommended by WHO/FAO. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of Pb and Cd exceeded the permissible tolerable daily intake of metals (TDI) but fall within the upper tolerable daily intake (UTDI) recommended by Institute of medicine, FDA, also Ni, Fe, and Cu fall within the recommended TDI and the UTDI. The EDI values of As exceeded the recommended TDI and the UTDI. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Hazard Index (HI) values of Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni were greater than 1. The Life Cancer Risk (LCR) of Pb were within the range of permissible predicted lifetime risks for carcinogens as recommended by US EPA.
Conclusion: The result from the present study indicate that the exposed population may be at risk of Pb, Cd, Ni and Cu toxicity.
Identification of Hemin-binding Protein of Oral Streptococci via Electrophoresis in SDS Polyacrylamide Gel
Authors: Kim Eun Jeong , Lee Si Young 
Published: March 2019

Background and Objectives: It has been reported that hemin binding proteins are involved in the mechanism of obtaining iron in some bacteria. Oral streptococci in the dental plaque are assumed to acquire iron through hemin or hemin compounds. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of a protein (hemin binding protein) involved in the hemin binding mechanism of oral streptococci.
Methodology: In this study, we investigated the presence of proteins involved in hemin binding of oral streptococci through sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis using hemin-agarose beads.
Results: As a result of SDS-PAGE analysis, similar or different sizes of hemin binding protein bands were observed depending on the strains belonging to streptococci. The molecular weight of hemin binding protein in Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus rattus, Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus oralis were approximately 95 kDa, 43 kDa, 43 kDa, 39 kDa, and 39 kDa, respectively.
Conclusion: In this study, the presence of hemin binding protein in streptococci was confirmed and the proteins involved in hemin binding in different species of oral streptococci may be different.
Price of Basic Food Basket in Brazil and the World (2003-2017): Causes and Consequences
Authors: Costa Maia Nayane Jaqueline , Mourão Gabriela De Almeida , Águas Thiago De Andrade , Martins Jeferson Alves , Gonçalves Larisse Medeiros , Monteiro Pedro Henrique da Silva 
Published: March 2019

Aims: Objective this work is to understand the price dynamics of foods basket products in Brazil and the world, based on multivariate analysis, for 14 years, with data from governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Methodology: Data used for world food prices were taken from official documents provided by governmental and non-governmental organizations. The data were submitted to statistical analysis by Microsoft Excel 2016® and Minitab 16®. The statistical model used in the work is multiple linear regression. When significant linear regression was found, the parameters were compared by means of simple linear regression analysis, a significance of 5% probability (P<0.05) was considered.
Results: The results showed that the items that most cost the foods basket in the world are meat, fruits, and vegetables, and it was noticed that with each increase of 1 dollar in the price of these products, increased 2 dollars in the price food basket. And in Brazil it would not be different, these same products represented an increase in the price of the basic food basket in more than 300% (adding meat) and 110,67% (adding fruits and vegetables).
Conclusion: Concluding that the increase of the basic food basket in Brazil and in the World is directly correlated with meat, fruits, and vegetables. Being an added value caused by the high cost of investment in these sectors, which require very high investment.
Progress in Reducing the Uncertainty of Measurement of Planck’s Constant in Terms of the Information Approach
Authors: Menin Boris 
Published: March 2019

Aims: The purpose of this work is to prove that only by implementing a weighted and thorough theoretical information approach to the development of a physical and mathematical model for measuring Planck’s constant, it is possible to prepare a reasonable justification for calculating the required relative uncertainty.
Place and Duration of Study: Mechanical & Refrigeration Consultation Expert, between June 2018 and February 2019.
Methodology: Using the principles of information theory and similarity theory, a dimensionless parameter (comparative uncertainty) was formulated to compare the experimental results of measurements of Planck’s constant and the simulated data.
Results: Examples of the application of the proposed original method to measure Planck’s constant using the Kibble balance and X-ray crystal density methods are given.
Conclusion: The proposed information-oriented approach is theoretically justified and does not include such concepts as a statistically significant trend, cumulative values of consensus or statistical control, which are characteristic of the statistical expert tool adopted in CODATA. We tried to show how the mathematical and, apparently, rather arbitrary expert formalism can be replaced by a simple, theoretically grounded postulate on the use of information in measurements.
Exosomes: The Indispensable Messenger in Tumor Pathogenesis and the Rising Star in Antitumor Applications
Authors: Wang Shuang , Wang Jianghua , Wei Wei , Ma Guanghui 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAs natural secreted nanovesicles through the endolysosomal pathway, exosomes have attracted increasing attention over the past decades. An overwhelming number of studies have provided evidence for the intriguing roles that exosomes play in intercellular communication. They are widely involved in the transmission of biomolecule cargos between original cells and neighboring/distant cells in normal physiological processes. In addition, it has also been demonstrated that exosomes play vital roles in multiple biological pathways in the development of numerous diseases including cancer. Moreover, both natural and modified exosomes showed promising potential in serving as a versatile nanoplatform for cancer diagnosis and cancer therapy. This review aims to present a comprehensive and critical overview on the recent advances in exosome nanoscience and nanotechnology, ranging from their biogenesis, secretion, isolation, and biological function in tumor pathogenesis to their extensive antitumor applications.
Multicore Liquid Perfluorocarbon‐Loaded Multimodal Nanoparticles for Stable Ultrasound and 19F MRI Applied to In Vivo Cell Tracking
Authors: Koshkina Olga , Lajoinie Guillaume , Baldelli Bombelli Francesca , Swider Edyta , Cruz Luis J. , White Paul B. , Schweins Ralf , Dolen Yusuf , van Dinther Eric A. W. , van Riessen N. Koen , Rogers Sarah E. , Fokkink Remco , Voets Ilja K. , van Eck Ernst R. H. , Heerschap Arend , Versluis Michel , de Korte Chris L. , Figdor Carl G. , de Vries I. Jolanda M. , Srinivas Mangala 
Published: March 2019

AbstractUltrasound is the most commonly used clinical imaging modality. However, in applications requiring cell‐labeling, the large size and short active lifetime of ultrasound contrast agents limit their longitudinal use. Here, 100 nm radius, clinically applicable, polymeric nanoparticles containing a liquid perfluorocarbon, which enhance ultrasound contrast during repeated ultrasound imaging over the course of at least 48 h, are described. The perfluorocarbon enables monitoring the nanoparticles with quantitative 19F magnetic resonance imaging, making these particles effective multimodal imaging agents. Unlike typical core–shell perfluorocarbon‐based ultrasound contrast agents, these nanoparticles have an atypical fractal internal structure. The nonvaporizing highly hydrophobic perfluorocarbon forms multiple cores within the polymeric matrix and is, surprisingly, hydrated with water, as determined from small‐angle neutron scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Finally, the nanoparticles are used to image therapeutic dendritic cells with ultrasound in vivo, as well as with 19F MRI and fluorescence imaging, demonstrating their potential for long‐term in vivo multimodal imaging.
Nano Spray‐Dried Block Copolymer Nanoparticles and Their Transformation into Hybrid and Inorganic Nanoparticles
Authors: Weisbord Inbal , Shomrat Neta , Moshe Hen , Sosnik Alejandro , Segal‐Peretz Tamar 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA novel combination of block copolymer (BCP) nano spray‐drying (NSD), solvent annealing, and selective metal oxide growth is utilized to create functional polymer nanoparticles, polymer‐metal‐oxide hybrid nanoparticles, and templated metal oxide nanoparticles with tunable composition, internal morphology, and porosity. NSD of BCPs from chloroform and toluene solutions results in porous and nonporous nanoparticles, respectively, with various degrees of phase separation. Further tuning of the nanoparticle internal morphology is performed by solvent annealing the spray‐dried particles with judicious choice of the nonsolvent dispersion medium and the surfactant, yielding assembly of both blocks at the surface of the nanoparticles. Finally, ZnO and Al2O3 are grown inside the polar blocks of phase‐ordered nanoparticles using a sequential infiltration synthesis method, in a post‐assembly process, resulting in hybrid BCP‐ZnO particles and BCP‐templated Al2O3 nanoparticles, as demonstrated by scanning transmission electron microscopy tomography. These structure engineering methods open new ways to direct and template functional nanoparticles.
Size Effects on the Mechanical Properties of Nanoporous Graphene Networks
Authors: Tang Dai‐Ming , Ren Cui‐Lan , Zhang Ling , Tao Ying , Zhang Peng , Lv Wei , Jia Xiang‐Ling , Jiang Xiaojuan , Zhou Guangmin , Ohmura Takahito , Huai Ping , Li Feng , Bando Yoshio , Golberg Dmitri , Yang Quan‐Hong 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIt is essential to understand the size scaling effects on the mechanical properties of graphene networks to realize the potential mechanical applications of graphene assemblies. Here, a “highly dense‐yet‐nanoporous graphene monolith (HPGM)” is used as a model material of graphene networks to investigate the dependence of mechanical properties on the intrinsic interplanar interactions and the extrinsic specimen size effects. The interactions between graphene sheets could be enhanced by heat treatment and the plastic HPGM is transformed into a highly elastic network. A strong size effect is revealed by in situ compression of micro‐ and nanopillars inside electron microscopes. Both the modulus and strength are drastically increased as the specimen size reduces to ≈100 nm, because of the reduced weak links in a small volume. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the deformation mechanism involving slip‐stick sliding, bending, buckling of graphene sheets, collapsing, and densification of graphene cells. In addition, a size‐dependent brittle‐to‐ductile transition of the HPGM nanopillars is discovered and understood by the competition between volumetric deformation energy and critical dilation energy.