bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toxicity of β-(1→3,1→6)-ᴅ-glucans produced by Diaporthe sp. endophytes on Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin assessed by conidia germination speed parameter
Authors: Orlandelli Ravely Casarotti , Almeida Tiago Tognolli de , Lourenco Daniela Andressa Lino , Vasconcelos Ana Flora Dalberto , Da Silva Maria de Lourdes Corradi , Azevedo João Lúcio , Pamphile João Alencar
Published: August 2020

Previously, our study reported that β-(1→3,1→6)-ᴅ-glucans produced by endophytes Diaporthe sp. G27-60 and G65-65 (GenBank accession codes JF766998 and JF767007, respectively) are promising antiproliferative agents against human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2-C3A) cells. However, effects of Diaporthe exopolysaccharides on eukaryotic healthy cells are not described in current literature. The fungus Metarhizium anisopliae has been employed as teste-system to evaluate the toxicity of pharmaceutical and agricultural-interest substances, considering, among other parameters, conidia germination speed. The current study aimed to verify the effect of different concentrations of Diaporthe β-glucans on the germination speed of M. anisopliae. Conidia were incubated with β-glucans treatments (50, 200 and 400 μg/mL) at 28 ºC, sampled throughout 24 h and analyzed by light microscopy. At the end of 24 h of incubation, the amount of germinated conidia was ≈99% for controls and ranged from 97.7 to 98.6% for treatments. Bayesian analysis indicated that Diaporthe glucans had no toxicity on M. anisopliae and the curve of germination occurred as expected for this fungal strain. Considering the validity of filamentous fungi as model systems, these results are important data about the toxicity of these endophytic EPS on healthy cells and may be associated with previous results obtained for these polymers against tumor cells.
Morphogenetic and structural characteristics of gamba grass subjected to nitrogen fertilization and different defoliation intensities
Authors: Sanchês Sâmara Stainy Cardoso , Rodrigues Rosane Cláudia , De Araújo Ricardo Alves , Costa Clésio dos Santos , Da Silva Ivone Rodrigues , Santos Francisco Naysson de Sousa , Rodrigues Marcônio Martins , Silva Raphael Ramos
Published: August 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the morphogenetic, structural, and productive characteristics of Andropogon gayanus cv. ‘Planaltina’ subjected to different nitrogen fertilization levels and defoliation intensities. The experiment was done in a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement of six nitrogen doses (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 kg N ha-1) and two defoliation intensities (15 and 30 cm). The production and structure data were grouped into rainy and dry periods, while morphogenesis data were compared only among different fertilization and defoliation intensities. The total dry forage biomass (TDFB), dry mass of leaves (DML), dry mass of stems (DMS), and dead forage dry mass (DFDM) were then determined. In addition to these variables, the morphogenetic characteristics of the plants and the numbers of tillers alive and dead were evaluated. There was no interaction (P>0.05) between the effects of nitrogen fertilization doses and the intensity of defoliation on TDFB, DML, DMS, and DFDM in both of the evaluated phases (rainy and dry). It was also observed that the rates of leaf elongation, leaf appearance, and leaf blade elongation increased with nitrogen fertilization. On the other hand, the culm elongation rate and phyllochron decreased as the dose applied increased. The defoliation intensity did not influence (P>0.05) the morphogenetic characteristics examined, nor did it affect the senescence rate of nitrogen in leaves and number of live leaves per tiller. The number of dead tillers increased linearly during the rainy period. Based on these results, to improve the efficiency of production of gamba grass it is recommended that it be managed with a defoliation intensity of 30 cm and nitrogen fertilization of 286.52 kg N ha-1 year-1.
Relationship between vegetation indices and agronomic performance of maize varieties under different nitrogen rates
Authors: Flores Marcela da Silva , Paschoalete Willian Meniti , Baio Fabio Henrique Rojo , Campos Cid Naudi  Silva , Pantaleão Ariane de Andréa , Ribeiro Teodoro Larissa Pereira , Silva Júnior Carlos Antônio da , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo
Published: August 2020

Precision agriculture is a set of techniques that assist the monitoring of the agronomic performance of the maize crop by using vegetation indices. This study aimed to verify the relationship between vegetation indices, plant height, leaf N content, and grain yield of three maize varieties, grown under high and low N as topdressing. The experiment was carried out at the Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa Agropecuária de Chapadão (Fundação Chapadão), located in the municipality of Chapadão do Sul, during the 2017/2018 season. The experiment consisted of a randomized block design with four replications, arranged in a 3x2 split-plot scheme. The first factor (plots) corresponded to three open-pollinated maize varieties (BRS 4103, BRS Gorotuba, and SCS 154), and the second factor (subplots) consisted of two N rates applied as topdressing (80 and 160 kg- 1). All the evaluated variables showed varieties x N interaction. Vegetation indices in maize varieties were influenced by the N rate applied as topdressing. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Soil-adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) showed a higher correlation with plant height. At the same time, Normalized Difference Red Edge (NDRE) had a stronger association with leaf N content.
Evaluation of anxiety, depression and stress symptoms in men with prostate cancer during the preoperative period
Authors: Dias Luiz Gustavo da Silva , Silva Ricardo Dias da , Baliana Letícia de Oliveira , Mendes Lorena Campos , Barichello Elizabeth
Published: August 2020

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men, being considered a cancer of the elderly because about three quarters of cases worldwide occur in individuals aged 65 and over. Anxiety, depression and stress are three emotional states understood as psychological morbidity factors, and they interfere with the patient's adaptation to the diagnosis. The present study aimed to identify anxiety, depression and stress levels in men with prostate cancer, describing sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and investigating whether the influence of such characteristics on the emotional symptoms of patients is significant. Cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach performed in two public hospitals with patients preoperatively for prostatectomy. Two instruments were used, one covering sociodemographic and clinical aspects of the patients, and the other was the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21)-Short Form. In the statistical analysis, the Pearson correlation test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to evaluate the variables of interest, considering the significance level of 0.05. As a preliminary study, 31 patients were interviewed. The results indicated a predominant age of 60 years or older (72.4%), 71% of men had low level of education, and 51.6% did not have partner. The mean scores obtained in the DASS-21 were 2.84 (SD = 3.925) for depression; 3.68 (SD = 3.655) for anxiety; and 6.71 (SD = 6.92) for stress. The results revealed no significant correlation between these constructs and the variables of interest. However, a descriptive analysis of the data showed a minimal correlation of anxiety (r = 0.191) and stress (r = 0.149) with the numerical variable time since diagnosis. In conclusion, the results presented important questions related to prostate cancer diagnosis, involving patients' marital status, religion and cancer staging.
Correlations and path analysis in agronomic traits of soybeans under defoliation
Authors: Zuffo Alan Mario , Alcântara Neto Francisco de , Zoz Tiago , Ratke Rafael Felippe , Aguilera Jorge González , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo
Published: August 2020

Stress events or leaf damage can alter the redistribution of photoassimilates and modify the morphological traits directly related to grain yield. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of agronomic traits on grain yield in soybean crop in function of leaf defoliation. The experiment consisted of a randomized block design with three replications, arranged in a 6 x 3 + 1 factorial scheme. The factors were composed by six reprodutive stages (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6) and three defoliation levels (33%, 66%, and 99%), and one additional treatment without defoliation (control). The following traits were evaluated: plant height, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, thousand grain weight, and grain yield. The magnitudes of the correlations between the same traits showed high oscillation according to the defoliation level. Results revealed the potential for the indirect selection for grain yield by the traits plant height and number of grains per pods under 0% of defoliation and by the trait number of pods per plant under 33% of defoliation.
Cervical cancer and quality of life: an integrative review
Authors: Sardinha Ana Hélia de Lima , Ferreira Thayane Costa , Almeida Joelson dos Santos , Lopes Alynne Radoyk Silva , Aroucha Lívia Alessandra Gomes , Rego Barros Cassandra Mirtes Andrade , Costa Maria do Socorro Candeira
Published: August 2020

To analyze the publications regarding the quality of life of women with cervical cancer. This is an integrative review performed in the indexed LILACS, MEDLINE and SCIELO databases. The descriptors “Quality of Life” AND “Cervical Neoplasms”, “Quality of Life” AND “Woman's Health” and “Woman's Health” AND “Cervical Neoplasms” were used, in which articles published in the period from 2010-2018 that met the inclusion criteria were selected. The research resulted in three articles in Lilacs, three in Medline, and five in Scielo,  totaling 11 articles. The research used three questionnaires, such as EORTC QLQ-C30, WHOQOL-bref, and FACT-Cx. These instruments are the most widely used today to measure the quality of life and health conditions in broad aspects. It was observed that cervical cancer positively affects women's quality of life in social and emotional aspects.  Quality of life, although with a positive evaluation, should encourage the formulation of public health policies aimed at improving this target audience's quality of life. The discovery of the disease brings several fears, including the thought of death. In addition, it has a physical and psychological impact on these women's lives.
Influence of glass fiber posts and class III direct restorations on the resistance of anterior teeth
Authors: Massafra Bruna Carbonari , Dandara Anderle  , Doglas Cecchin  , Bruno Carlini Júnior  , Matheus Albino Souza  , De Carli João Paulo , Migueli Durigon  , Ana Paula Farina
Published: August 2020

This study objectives to evaluate the fracture strength of upper central incisors (UCI) restored with composite resin (CR) in Class III cavities and endodontically treated teeth with or without glass fiber post (GFP), analyzing their failure mode. Sixty human UCI were randomly divided into four experimental groups: endodontically treated teeth without GFP (G1), endodontically treated teeth with GFP (G2), teeth with mesial/distal Class III cavities restored with CR without GFP (G3), and teeth with mesial/distal Class III cavities restored with CR with GFP (G4). The samples were submitted to the fracture strength test in a universal testing machine with a compression shear load applied at speed of 1.0 mm/min until fracture occurred. The data were submitted to one-way ANOVA (α=0.05) and the samples were analyzed for failure mode. The analysis did not show a significant statistical difference in fracture strength between the groups (p>0.05). The results showed that only endodontically treated teeth (G1) (753.4N) presented behavior similar to teeth with GFP (G2) (702.1N). The same occurred when comparing teeth with Class III cavities without GFP (G3) (670.2 N) and with GFP (G4) (746.1N). It can be concluded that glass fiber posts do not change the fracture strength of incisors with endodontic treatment and Class III cavities.
Effects of poultry litter concentration and substrate source on the development of Mangifera indica L. ‘coquinho’
Authors: Coutinho Givago , Melo Berildo de , Alves Paulo Roberto Bernardes , Nomelini Quintiliano Siqueira Schroden , Cezar Juliatti Fernando
Published: August 2020

We conducted two experiments to evaluate the growth of mango (Mangifera indica L., CV Coquinho) rootstock in different substrates and determine the optimal concentration of poultry litter amendments to the soil in combination with seeds with or without an endocarp endocarp. The following factors were studied in the first experiment: substrate source: soil, soil + poultry litter (at 25%) and a commercial substrate. In the second experiment, we studied poultry litter amendments at 0% (just soil), 20% and 40%. Both experiments evaluated the presence or absence of the seed endocarp on: plant height, stem diameter (tree base) and leaf count at 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 days after sowing (DAS). After conducting field measurements, we evaluated fresh shoot weight (FW) and then dry shoot weight (DW) after drying at 65°C. No significant differences among the substrate sources or concentrations of poultry litter amendments relative to rootstock development. However, rootstock produced from seeds with no endocarps outperformed all other treatments.
Kontribusi UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta dalam Studi Disabilitas di Indonesia
Authors: Aisyah Liana , Maftuhin Arif
Published: August 2020

Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University (UIN Sunan Kalijaga) Yogyakarta declared its commitment to become an inclusive university in 2007 with the establishment of its Centre for Disability Studies and Services (now Centre for Disability Services). As a higher education institution, this commitment should be reflected on its organizational structure as well as its three main missions, i.e. teaching and learning, research and publication, and community service and engagement. This study was aimed at examining and mapping UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s contribution to research and publication in the field of disability studies and inclusive education. A mixed-method approach was employed to collect data. Item pooling was conducted through literature study and structured interviews as well as focus group discussion. This was followed by a systematic content analysis to answer the main research question: in what forms has UIN Sunan Kalijaga contributed to research and publication in this field. A further analysis was conducted to examine the extent of its contribution in terms the number and kinds of research and publications and their impact to the academic world.[Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta menyatakan komitmennya untuk menjadi universitas inklusif pada tahun 2007 dengan pendirian Pusat Studi dan Layanan Disabilitas (sekarang Pusat Layanan Disabilitas). Sebagai lembaga pendidikan tinggi, komitmen ini harus tercermin pada struktur organisasinya serta tiga misi utamanya, yaitu pengajaran dan pembelajaran, penelitian dan publikasi, serta layanan dan keterlibatan masyarakat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji dan memetakan kontribusi UIN Sunan Kalijaga untuk penelitian dan publikasi di bidang studi disabilitas dan pendidikan inklusif. Pendekatan metode campuran digunakan dalam penelitian ini untuk mengumpulkan data. Pengumpulan dilakukan melalui studi literatur dan wawancara terstruktur serta diskusi kelompok yang terfokus. Penelitian diikuti oleh analisis konten sistematis untuk menjawab pertanyaan penelitian utama: dalam bentuk apa UIN Sunan Kalijaga berkontribusi untuk penelitian dan publikasi dalam bidang ini. Analisis lebih lanjut dilakukan untuk memeriksa sejauh mana kontribusinya dalam hal jumlah dan jenis penelitian dan publikasi serta dampaknya terhadap dunia akademik.]
Experiences in Army Optometry
Authors: Van de Pol Corina
Published: August 2020

In this personal account of 26 years of active service in the Army, the author writes about her experiences in various roles, first as an optician and as a maintenance officer, and then after optometry school, as an Army optometrist, and lastly after completing a Ph.D. degree, as a vision researcher.
Maturity classification of cacao through spectrogram and convolutional neural network
Authors: Bueno Gilbert E. , Valenzuela Kristine A. , Arboleda Edwin R.
Published: August 2020

Cacao pod's ideal harvesting time is when it is about to be ripe. Immature harvest would result in hard cacao beans not suitable for fermentation, while overripe cacao pods lead to fungal-infected, defective, and poor-quality yields. The demand for high-quality cacao products is expected to rise due to advancing technology in the present. Pre-harvesting needs to provide optimal identification of which amongst the pods are ripened enough and ready for the next stage of the cacao process. This paper recommends a technique to determine the ripeness of cacao. Nine hundred thirty-three cacao samples were used to collect thumping audio data at five different pod's exocarp locations. Each sound file is 1 second long, creating 4665 cacao sound file datasets at 16kHz sample rate and 16-bit audio bit depth. The process of the Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficient Spectogram was then applied to extract recognizable features for the training process. The deep learning method integrated was a convolutional neural network (CNN) to classify the cacao sound successfully. The experimental design model's output exhibits an accuracy of 97.50 % for the training data and 97.13 % for the validation data. While the overall accuracy mean of the classification system is 97.46 %, whether the cacao is unripe or ripe.
The empirical evidence on the determinants of fiscal decentralization.
Authors: Bojanic Antonio Nicolás
Published: August 2020

This paper analyzes the main determinants of fiscal decentralization in a sample of eighty-four countries. The empirical findings show that the most consistent variable affecting fiscal decentralization is the size of a country: as land size increases, the level of fiscal decentralization increases as well. Countries with higher income equality, an educated population, more democratic, more urbanized and open to trade are also more likely to be more decentralized, though the findings demonstrate that there are regional and income variations. The most important policy implication is that governments interested in deepening the devolution of fiscal responsibilities to sub-national levels may consider acting to affect those variables that have been shown to exert a positive influence on this process.
Una comparativa de la innovación de España y Rusia : ¿políticas bilaterales para la innovación?.
Authors: Sánchez-Torné Isadora , Pérez-Suárez Macarena , Morán-Álvarez Juan Carlos
Published: August 2020

Conocer la posición de los países ante la innovación es esencial para el progreso empresarial. El objetivo del artículo es determinar la posición de España y Rusia en este sentido. Con tal fin, se recurrió a los informes de World Economic Forum, donde se encuesta a personas empresarias y directivas de 133 economías, específicamente en desde preguntas de las secciones de tecnología e innovación, para a partir de sus datos realizar un análisis estadístico descriptivo en el horizonte temporal de una década, de 2007-2008 a 2017-2018. Entre las principales derivaciones, destacó que la posición mundial de Rusia es inferior a la posición de España en cuanto a investigación y tecnología, aunque sin implicar una gran distancia.
La economía conductual, un campo multidisciplinar
Authors: Tejedor Estupiñán Joan Miguel
Published: August 2020

Las aproximaciones científicas desde puntos de vista multidisciplinares y heterodoxos, han permitido replantear los paradigmas impuestos por las perspectivas teóricas más ortodoxas, las cuales en el último siglo han venido siendo puestas a prueba por la evidencia empírica, permitiendo el desarrollo de nuevas teorías y métodos dentro de las ciencias económicas.
Rethinking Non-Financial Reporting: A Blueprint for Structural Regulatory Changes
Authors: Monciardini David , Mähönen Jukka Tapio , Tsagas Georgina
Published: August 2020

The article introduces the thematic issue ofAccounting, Economics, and Law: A Conviviumdedicated to the regulation of non-financial reporting. It provides the reader with an overview of the varying approaches and frameworks that have emerged over time in relation to the reporting of non-financial information. In particular, the article focuses on the European Non-Financial Reporting Directive. We maintain that to date this latter initiative has failed to deliver on its intended objectives. In the context of the ongoing revision process of this initiative, the present paper outlines five key areas to be improved drawing on the lessons learnt from the past as well as from key points raised by the papers in the present thematic issue. What emerges from this collective effort is a renewed agenda that highlights some of the structural failures of the current reporting regime and a blueprint for future reforms. The final section summarises the various contributions of articles included in this thematic issue.
Voices of ignorance versus voices of knowledge: Debates on English as medium of instruction in Malawian primary schools
Authors: Kamwendo Gregory Hankoni
Published: August 2020

In 2014, the Government of Malawi announced a new policy under which English would become the medium of instruction from the beginning of primary school. Previously, Chichewa or a relevant local language of wider communication were used as mediums of instruction. Using the notion of “voice” to analyze the new language policy, the paper distinguishes voices from above (government) and voices from below (the people). Embedded within each of the two voices are what can be called “voices of knowledge” and “voices of ignorance”. The paper argues that the new language policy is a deeply retrogressive step, one which reveals how in Africa, myths of English as the language of opportunity and internationalization prevail over voices of knowledge that are based on the conditions of effective learning in multilingual contexts.
Power-HIL-Emulation der Dynamik einer Zug-Oberleitung mittels Echtzeit-Finite-Elemente-Modell in bewegten Koordinaten und modellprädiktiver Regelung
Authors: Schirrer Alexander , Aschauer Guilherme , Kozek Martin , Jakubek Stefan
Published: August 2020

Diese Arbeit stellt eine innovative Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop-Entwicklungsplattform zur Prüfung von Bahnstromabnehmern vor. Ein echtzeitfähiges Finite-Elemente-Modell der Oberleitung wird formuliert, um deren relevante Dynamik um den Stromabnehmer-Kontakt effizient und genau darzustellen. Die Beschreibung in zugfesten, mitbewegten Koordinaten erlaubt es, das Rechengebiet deutlich zu kürzen. Unerwünschte Reflexionen hinauslaufender Wellenanteile an den Rändern werden durch ein leistungsfähiges Konzept zur Aufprägung absorbierenden Randverhaltens vermieden. Ein modellprädiktiver Impedanzregler emuliert die virtuelle Fahrleitungsdynamik auf dem realen Stromabnehmerprüfstand in Echtzeit.
Ein systematischer Backstepping-Zugang zur Regelung gekoppelter ODE-PDE-ODE-Systeme
Authors: Gehring Nicole
Published: August 2020

Der systematische Zugang zum Backstepping-Entwurf von Zustandsrückführungen für gekoppelte ODE-PDE-ODE-Systeme, die sich zumeist für verteilt-parametrische Prozesse unter Berücksichtigung der Dynamik von Aktoren und Sensoren ergeben, erlaubt nicht nur die sukzessive und vereinfachte Herleitung von bereits bekannten Backstepping-Reglern sondern ermöglicht auch deren Entwurf für bisher nicht betrachtete Systemklassen. Der Zugang nutzt dabei die diesen Systemen inhärente strenge Rückkopplungsform aus. Wie beim klassischen Integrator-Backstepping wird das ODE-PDE-ODE-System schrittweise durch virtuelle Zustandsrückführungen stabilisiert und der Zustand in Fehlerkoordinaten überführt. Der vorgeschlagene, modulare Entwurf ist dabei im Wesentlichen unabhängig davon, ob der verteilt-parametrische Teil des Systems parabolisch oder hyperbolisch ist.
Ein regelungstechnischer Ansatz für ein technologieübergreifendes und automatisiertes drahtloses Koexistenzmanagement
Authors: Schulze-Zipper Darina
Published: August 2020

Das Themengebiet der Arbeit gliedert sich in die drahtlose Kommunikation und das Problem der Koexistenz von drahtlosen Systemen ein. Das Management hierfür kann automatisiert oder manuell erfolgen. Für ein automatisches Koexistenzmanagement untersucht die Arbeit regelungstechnische Ansätze. Dabei liegt der Schwerpunkt bei einer Regelung zur Sicherung der Koexistenz, sowohl nach einem zentralen als auch nach einem dezentralen Ansatz. Für die Sicherstellung der Koexistenz wird eine zeitliche Entkopplung durch die Managementeinheit modelliert und an einem Versuchsaufbau erfolgreich validiert.
Es ist Kunst, es ist Buch – aber kein Kunstbuch
Authors: Landes Lilian
Published: August 2020

Künstlerbücher sind Kunstwerke, keine Bücher über Kunst. Sie werden an Bibliotheken wie Museen gesammelt. Künstlerbücher bilden in historischer wie zeitgenössischer Hinsicht ein sehr weites Feld, das von Konzeptbüchern bis hin zu bibliophilen Unikaten reicht. Sie schließen auch nahezu alle künstlerischen Techniken ein, was ihre Definition schwierig macht. Die besonderen Herausforderungen, die ihre Erwerbung, ihre Katalogisierung und Vermittlung mit sich bringen, stellt der Beitrag überblicksartig vor.
Quantifying the Effects of Patent Protection on Innovation, Imitation, Growth, and Aggregate Productivity
Authors: Bento Pedro
Published: August 2020

I develop a general equilibrium model in which patent protection can increase or decrease the costs of sequential innovation, original innovation, and imitation. Depending on these relative effects, protection can in theory increase or decrease markups, imitation, innovation, growth, and aggregate productivity. I discipline the model using data from several different sources, and find that weakening protection in the U.S. would lead to no change in markups and imitation, no change in long-run growth, a significant increase in the number of firms, and an increase in aggregate productivity of 11%.
A survey of marine fungi on wood in South Australia
Authors: Fryar Sally C. , Hyde Kevin D. , Catcheside David E. A.
Published: August 2020

A survey of driftwood and mangrove wood in South Australia revealed a high diversity of marine fungi. Across eight sites there were 43 species of marine fungi, of which 42 are new records for South Australia, 11 new records for Australia and 12 taxa currently of uncertain status likely to be new species. Sites had distinctive species compositions with the largest difference attributable to substrate type (beach driftwood vs. mangrove wood). However, even between mangrove sites, species assemblages were distinctly different with only the more common species occurring at all mangrove sites. More intensive surveys across a broader range of habitats and geographic locations should reveal significantly more species.
The seaweed resources of Peru
Authors: Avila-Peltroche José , Padilla-Vallejos Jaraj
Published: August 2020

The coast of Peru (3.5–18°S) is one of the most productive marine areas in the world. The updated seaweed checklist reports a total of 260 specific/intraspecific taxa, of which the Rhodophyta show the highest number (185 species), followed by Chlorophyta (41 species) and Phaeophyceae (34 species). Since 2012, an increase in molecular studies has been reported mostly in Rhodophyta, while Chlorophyta and Phaeophyceae have lagged far behind. Utilization of seaweed resources has been based on artisanal collection from natural beds. These are mainly consumed fresh or salt-dried (Chondracanthus chamissoi and Porphyra/Pyropia species), or exported for polysaccharide extraction (Lessonia nigrescens, Lessonia trabeculata, Macrocystis pyrifera). Although some regulations for brown seaweed extraction exist, overexploitation is a constant threat that must be addressed. Biomass from seaweed farms accounts, at most, for only 4% of the total annual landings, and there is a decreasing trend on seaweed aquaculture production since 2012. However, some cultivation projects for C. chamissoi and Porphyra/Pyropia species are currently being undertaken. In addition, recent studies have started to explore new uses of commercial and non-commercial seaweeds. Uncovering the Peruvian seaweed diversity and establishing well sustained culture and management projects are essential for utilizing and preserving the seaweed resources of Peru.
Clinical risk assessment of biotin interference with a high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T assay
Authors: Mumma Bryn , Diercks Deborah , Twerenbold Raphael , Valcour André , Ziegler André , Schützenmeister André , Kasapic Dusanka , Tran Nam
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Biotin >20.0 ng/mL (81.8 nmol/L) can reduce Elecsys® Troponin T Gen 5 (TnT Gen 5; Roche Diagnostics) assay recovery, potentially leading to false-negative results in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We aimed to determine the prevalence of elevated biotin and AMI misclassification risk from biotin interference with the TnT Gen 5 assay.

Methods

Biotin was measured using an Elecsys assay in two cohorts: (i) 797 0-h and 646 3-h samples from 850 US emergency department patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS); (ii) 2023 random samples from a US laboratory network, in which biotin distributions were extrapolated for higher values using pharmacokinetic modeling. Biotin >20.0 ng/mL (81.8 nmol/L) prevalence and biotin 99th percentile values were calculated. AMI misclassification risk due to biotin interference with the TnT Gen 5 assay was modeled using different assay cutoffs and test timepoints.

Results

ACS cohort: 1/797 (0.13%) 0-h and 1/646 (0.15%) 3-h samples had biotin >20.0 ng/mL (81.8 nmol/L); 99th percentile biotin was 2.62 ng/mL (10.7 nmol/L; 0-h) and 2.38 ng/mL (9.74 nmol/L; 3-h). Using conservative assumptions, the likelihood of false-negative AMI prediction due to biotin interference was 0.026% (0-h result; 19 ng/L TnT Gen 5 assay cutoff). US laboratory cohort: 15/2023 (0.74%) samples had biotin >20.0 ng/mL (81.8 nmol/L); 99th percentile biotin was 16.6 ng/mL (68.0 nmol/L). Misclassification risk due to biotin interference (19 ng/L TnT Gen 5 assay cutoff) was 0.025% (0-h), 0.0064% (1-h), 0.00048% (3-h), and <0.00001% (6-h).

Conclusions

Biotin interference has minimal impact on the TnT Gen 5 assay’s clinical utility, and the likelihood of false-negative AMI prediction is extremely low.
Age appropriate reference intervals for eight kidney function and injury markers in infants, children and adolescents
Authors: van Donge Tamara , Staub Eveline , Atkinson Andrew , Gotta Verena , van den Anker John , Risch Lorenz , Welzel Tatjana , Pfister Marc
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The use of kidney function and injury markers for early detection of drug-related glomerular or tubular kidney injury in infants, children and adolescents requires age-specific data on reference intervals in a pediatric healthy population. This study characterizes serum values for eight kidney function and injury markers in healthy infants, children and adolescents.

Methods

A single center prospective observational study was conducted between December 2018 and June 2019. Serum samples from 142 healthy infants, children and adolescents aged between 0 and ≤15 years were collected. Statistical analyses for eight markers (albumin (ALB), β2-microglobulin (B2M), β-trace protein (BTP), creatinine (SCR), cystatin C (CYSC), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), uromodulin (URO)) were performed to obtain reference intervals and associations with age, sex and weight were investigated (Pearson correlation, linear and piecewise regression).

Results

ALB and SCR increased with age (p<0.01), whereas B2M, BTP and KIM-1 values decreased with advancing age (p<0.05) in this healthy pediatric study population. CYSC showed dependency on sex (lower concentration in females) and decreased with age until reaching approximately 1.8 years; thereafter an increase with age was seen. NGAL and URO did not show any age-dependency.

Conclusions

This study provides age appropriate reference intervals for key serum kidney function and injury markers determined in healthy infants, children and adolescents. Such reference intervals facilitate the interpretation of changes in kidney function and injury markers in daily practice, and allow early detection of glomerular and tubular injury in infancy, childhood and adolescence.
Establishment of international autoantibody reference standards for the detection of autoantibodies directed against PML bodies, GW bodies, and NuMA protein
Authors: Zheng Bing , Mora Rodrigo A. , Fritzler Marvin J. , Satoh Minoru , Bloch Donald B. , Garcia-De La Torre Ignacio , Boylan Katherine , Kohl Kathryn , Wener Mark H. , Andrade Luis E. C. , Chan Edward K. L.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Reference materials are important in the standardization of autoantibody testing and only a few are freely available for many known autoantibodies. Our goal was to develop three reference materials for antibodies to PML bodies/multiple nuclear dots (MND), antibodies to GW bodies (GWB), and antibodies to the nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA).

Methods

Reference materials for identifying autoantibodies to MND (MND-REF), GWB (GWB-REF), and NuMA (NuMA-REF) were obtained from three donors and validated independently by seven laboratories. The sera were characterized using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) on HEp-2 cell substrates including two-color immunofluorescence using antigen-specific markers, western blot (WB), immunoprecipitation (IP), line immunoassay (LIA), addressable laser bead immunoassay (ALBIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunoprecipitation–mass spectrometry (IP-MS).

Results

MND-REF stained 6–20 discrete nuclear dots that colocalized with PML bodies. Antibodies to Sp100 and PML were detected by LIA and antibodies to Sp100 were also detected by ELISA. GWB-REF stained discrete cytoplasmic dots in interphase cells, which were confirmed to be GWB using two-color immunofluorescence. Anti-Ge-1 antibodies were identified in GWB-REF by ALBIA, IP, and IP-MS. All reference materials produced patterns at dilutions of 1:160 or greater. NuMA-REF produced fine speckled nuclear staining in interphase cells and staining of spindle fibers and spindle poles. The presence of antibodies to NuMA was verified by IP, WB, ALBIA, and IP-MS.

Conclusions

MND-REF, GWB-REF, and NuMA-REF are suitable reference materials for the corresponding antinuclear antibodies staining patterns and will be accessible to qualified laboratories.
The Weighted Gaussian Curvature Derivative of a Space-Filling Diagram
Authors: Akopyan Arsenyi , Edelsbrunner Herbert
Published: August 2020

The morphometric approach [11, 14] writes the solvation free energy as a linear combination of weighted versions of the volume, area, mean curvature, and Gaussian curvature of the space-filling diagram. We give a formula for the derivative of the weighted Gaussian curvature. Together with the derivatives of the weighted volume in [7], the weighted area in [4], and the weighted mean curvature in [1], this yields the derivative of the morphometric expression of solvation free energy.
Modified duality methods for solving an elastic crack problem with Coulomb friction on the crack faces
Authors: Namm Robert V. , Tsoy Georgiy I.
Published: August 2020

We consider an equilibrium problem for an elastic body with a crack, on the faces of which unilateral non-penetration conditions and Coulomb friction are realized. This problem can be formulated as quasi-variational inequality. To solve it, the successive approximation method is applied. On each outer step of this method, we solve an auxiliary problem with given friction. We solve the auxiliary problem by using modified Lagrange functionals. Numerical results are presented.
Estimating fouling and hydraulic debottlenecking of a clarifier piping system in the expansion of a chemical manufacturing plant
Authors: Karre Avinashkumar V. , Sharma Deepak , Valsaraj Kalliat T.
Published: August 2020

Debottlenecking and estimating fouling in a clarifier piping system for the expansion of an existing chemical manufacturing facility in the U.S. Gulf Coast was analyzed and modified. The existing clarifier piping system fitting data was gathered for the real-world operation from the field. This data was used in the Applied Flow Technology (AFT) Fathom, a program used to study hydraulic systems. The hydraulic results with and without recommended piping modifications along with changing piping roughness factors were also analyzed. The two piping roughness factor cases tested were roughness of 0.152 mm and fouling of 25.4 mm. The AFT Fathom results showed that without piping modifications and specifying fouling of 25.4 mm, required flow cannot be established due to insufficient driving force for liquid movement. The measured field flow data confirmed that the reduced clarifier capacity was due to high pressure losses in the hydraulic system. Also, it was found that the existing clarifier nozzle was inadequately designed originally, and replacing the nozzle showed an increase in the clarifier capacity due to reduced entrainment of the air. These modifications were further adapted in the plant expansion and operations were validated using the actual plant data. The plant data matched closely with the estimated capacities of the clarifiers. AFT Fathom hydraulic software was effective in predicting a fouling severity in the clarifier piping system and debottlenecking of the clarifier capacity was done. The conclusions derived from this study can be used all over the world where clarifiers are utilized.
Arakelov geometry on degenerating curves
Authors: Faltings Gerd
Published: August 2020

We study the behaviour of the Arakelov metric on a smooth curve under semistable degeneration. The final result is a complicated formula involving the local discriminants of the singularities, and the graph governing the degeneration.
Mod-two cohomology rings of alternating groups
Authors: Giusti Chad , Sinha Dev
Published: August 2020

We calculate the direct sum of the mod-two cohomology of all alternating groups, with both cup and transfer product structures,
which in particular determines the additive structure and ring structure of the cohomology of individual groups.
We show that there are no nilpotent elements in the
cohomology rings of individual alternating groups.
We calculate the action of the Steenrod algebra and discuss individual component rings.
A range of techniques are developed, including an almost Hopf ring structure associated to the embeddings
of products of alternating groups and Fox–Neuwirth resolutions, which are new techniques. We also extend understanding of
the Gysin sequence relating the cohomology
of alternating groups to that of symmetric groups and calculation of restriction to elementary abelian subgroups.
On bases of closed classes of Boolean vector functions
Authors: Taimanov Vladimir A.
Published: August 2020

A functional system of Boolean vector functions with a naturally defined superposition operation is considered. It is shown that each closed class of vector functions with α- or δ-functions as components has a finite basis.
Protective effect of Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) extract against scopolamine-induced memory loss and oxidative stress in mouse brain
Authors: Umukoro Solomon , Okoh Love , Igweze Sylvester C. , Ajayi Abayomi M. , Ben-Azu Benneth
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The juice extract of Cyperus esculentus commonly known as tiger nuts (TINUT) is widely used for its numerous health promoting effects including alleviation of symptoms associated with neurological disorders. Herein, we investigated the influence of the aqueous extract of C. esculentus on cognitive disorder and the underlying changes in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress biomarkers in mice exposed to scopolamine.

Methods

C. esculentus (50–200 mg/kg) or saline (10 mL/kg) was given alone or with scopolamine 30 min after, to male Swiss mice (6/group) daily for seven days. We evaluated the cognitive performance using Y-maze and object recognition on day seven post-treatment. Brains of the animals were afterwards processed for spectrophotometric determination of AChE activity and contents of oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde [MDA], glutathione [GSH], catalase, superoxide dismutase and nitrite).

Results

The extract improves cognitive function and also upturned scopolamine amnesia in mice. The extract markedly reduced brain AChE, MDA, and nitrite contents in mice injected with scopolamine (p<0.05). It also attenuated scopolamine-induced deregulated GSH contents and antioxidant enzymes in mouse brain.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that regular consumption of TINUT might offer beneficial effects in memory-related disorders.
The effect of prior experience on diagnostic reasoning: exploration of availability bias
Authors: Monteiro Sandra , Sherbino Jonathan , Ilgen Jonathan S. , Hayden Emily M. , Howey Elizabeth , Norman Geoff
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Diagnostic reasoning has been shown to be influenced by a prior similar patient case. However, it is unclear whether this process influences diagnostic error rates or whether clinicians at all experience levels are equally susceptible. The present study measured the influence of specific prior exposure and experience level on diagnostic accuracy.

Methods

To create the experience of prior exposure, participants (pre-clerkship medical students, emergency medicine residents, and faculty) first verified diagnoses of clinical vignettes. The influence of prior exposures was measured using equiprobable clinical vignettes; indicating two diagnoses. Participants diagnosed equiprobable cases that were: 1) matched to exposure cases (in one of three conditions: a) similar patient features, similar clinical features; b) dissimilar patient features, similar clinical features; c) similar patient features, dissimilar clinical features), or 2) not matched to any prior case (d) no exposure). A diagnosis consistent with a matched exposure case was scored correct. Cases with no prior exposure had no matched cases, hence validated the equiprobable design.

Results

Diagnosis A represented 47% of responses in condition d, but there was no influence of specific similarity of patient characteristics for Diagnosis A, F(3,712)=7.28, p=0.28 or Diagnosis B, F(3,712)=4.87, p=0.19. When re-scored based on matching both equiprobable diagnoses, accuracy was high, but favored faculty (n=40) 98%, and residents (n=39) 98% over medical students (n=32) 85%, F(2,712)=35.6, p<0.0001. Accuracy for medical students was 84, 87, 94, and 73% for conditions a–d, respectively, interaction F(2,712)=3.55, p<0.002.

Conclusions

The differential diagnosis of pre-clerkship medical students improved with prior exposure, but this was unrelated to specific case or patient features. The accuracy of medical residents and staff was not influenced by prior exposure.
Extrapolating sparse gold standard cause of death designations to characterize broader catchment areas
Authors: Lyles Robert H. , Cunningham Solveig A. , Kundu Suprateek , Bassat Quique , Mandomando Inácio , Sacoor Charfudin , Akelo Victor , Onyango Dickens , Zielinski-Gutierrez Emily , Taylor Allan W.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Network is designed to elucidate and track causes of under-5 child mortality and stillbirth in multiple sites in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia using advanced surveillance, laboratory and pathology methods. Expert panels provide an arguable gold standard determination of underlying cause of death (CoD) on a subset of child deaths, in part through examining tissue obtained via minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) procedures. We consider estimating a population-level distribution of CoDs based on this sparse but precise data, in conjunction with data on subgrouping characteristics that are measured on the broader population of cases and are potentially associated with selection for MITS and with cause-specific mortality.

Methods

We illustrate how estimation of each underlying CoD proportion using all available data can be addressed equivalently in terms of a Horvitz-Thompson adjustment or a direct standardization, uncovering insights relevant to the designation of appropriate subgroups to adjust for non-representative sampling. Taking advantage of the functional form of the result when expressed as a multinomial distribution-based maximum likelihood estimator, we propose small-sample adjustments to Bayesian credible intervals based on Jeffreys or related weakly informative Dirichlet prior distributions.

Results

Our analyses of early data from CHAMPS sites in Kenya and Mozambique and accompanying simulation studies demonstrate the validity of the adjustment approach under attendant assumptions, together with marked performance improvements associated with the proposed adjusted Bayesian credible intervals.

Conclusions

Adjustment for non-representative sampling of those validated via gold standard diagnostic methods is a critical endeavor for epidemiologic studies like CHAMPS that seek extrapolation of CoD proportion estimates.
Wetting behaviors of fluoroterpolymer fiber films
Authors: Ok Salim , Sheets Julia , Welch Susan , Liu Tingting , Kaya Savas , Cole David R.
Published: August 2020

Various aspects of electrospun fibers prepared from terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), hexafluoropropylene (HFP), and vinylidene fluoride (VDF) (THV)/acetone solutions at two applied voltages, THV/acetone solutions having Texas montmorillonite with two ratios, and THV/ethyl acetate solutions using two needle sizes are described. Fibers from THV/acetone and THV/ethyl acetate solutions showed shallow indentations and pores, respectively. The clay, functioning as electrospinning agent, did not influence the fiber morphology, but yielded narrower fiber diameter distribution and the thinnest fibers. Heterogeneous fiber diameter distribution and increase in the fiber diameters were observed by lowering the voltage for fibers of THV/acetone solutions. Fibers from THV/ethyl acetate solutions had the largest diameter and the broadest diameter distribution. Electrospun THV fibers having both hydrophobic characteristics with nearly 140° water contact angles and oleophilic properties with oil contact angles less than 45° might have applications in areas such as water/oil separation.
Automorphic Schwarzian equations
Authors: Sebbar Abdellah , Saber Hicham
Published: August 2020

This paper concerns the study of the Schwartz differential equation

{
h
,
τ
}

=

s
⁢

E
4

⁡

(
τ
)

{\{h,\tau\}=s\operatorname{E}_{4}(\tau)}

, where

E
4

{\operatorname{E}_{4}}

is the weight 4 Eisenstein series and s is a complex parameter. In particular, we determine all the values of s for which the solutions h are modular functions for a finite index subgroup of

SL
2

⁡

(
ℤ
)

{\operatorname{SL}_{2}({\mathbb{Z}})}

. We do so using the theory of equivariant functions on the complex upper-half plane as well as an analysis of the representation theory of

SL
2

⁡

(
ℤ
)

{\operatorname{SL}_{2}({\mathbb{Z}})}

. This also leads to the solutions to the Fuchsian differential equation

y
′′

+

s
⁢

E
4

⁡
y

=
0

{y^{\prime\prime}+s\operatorname{E}_{4}y=0}

.
Indefinite Einstein metrics on nice Lie groups
Authors: Conti Diego , Rossi Federico A.
Published: August 2020

We introduce a systematic method to produce left-invariant, non-Ricci-flat Einstein metrics of indefinite signature on nice nilpotent Lie groups.
On a nice nilpotent Lie group, we give a simple algebraic characterization of non-Ricci-flat left-invariant Einstein metrics in both the class of metrics for which the nice basis is orthogonal and a more general class associated to order two permutations of the nice basis.
We obtain classifications in dimension 8 and, under the assumption that the root matrix is surjective, dimension 9; moreover, we prove that Einstein nilpotent Lie groups of nonzero scalar curvature exist in every dimension

≥
8

{\geq 8}

.