bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El régimen fiscal de Kenia para el sector de petróleo y gas: una perspectiva fiscal internacional para la política y los desafíos prácticos
Authors: Wanyagathi Maina Anne
Published: May 2019

Muchos países, especialmente los países en desarrollo, ofrecen diversos incentivos fiscales para atraer inversiones extranjeras para el crecimiento y el desarrollo sectorial. Este fenómeno se presenta aún más en la industria extractiva porque el sector no solo es altamente especializado, sino que también es intensivo en capital y tecnología. Actualmente existe una gran preocupación por el flujo financiero ilícito de África y la amenaza que representa para la movilización de recursos nacionales. El informe Mbeki (2015) destaca los incentivos fiscales, el abuso de los tratados tributarios, los precios de transferencia, las administraciones tributarias débiles, los regímenes tributarios mal diseñados y los contratos extractivos mal negociados como algunas de las principales causas de los flujos financieros ilícitos. De ello se deduce que otorgar incentivos fiscales a la industria extractiva, especialmente si no están diseñados adecuadamente, puede exacerbar el problema. África oriental se ha convertido en los últimos años en un área de interés para muchas compañías internacionales de petróleo y gas. El petróleo se descubrió en Uganda y Kenia en 2006 y 2012, respectivamente, mientras que Tanzania y Mozambique tienen vastas reservas de gas (Augé, 2015). Esto presenta una oportunidad para que la región prepare el terreno estableciendo el marco legislativo adecuado para beneficiarse plenamente de las actividades extractivas. El documento examina la política y los desafíos prácticos del régimen fiscal del petróleo y el gas desde una perspectiva fiscal internacional. El documento analiza los incentivos fiscales disponibles en el sector de petróleo y gas y si son dañinos o no dentro del ámbito de acción de la OCDE BEPS 5, las áreas de riesgo fiscal internacional, las intervenciones disponibles en la ley actual y hace recomendaciones de políticas. El régimen fiscal ha abordado la mayoría de las áreas de riesgo fiscal internacional. El ITA requiere la determinación de precios de las transacciones. Los incentivos fiscales deben dirigirse a industrias específicas, solicitar un período de tiempo limitado, dejar poco espacio a la discreción personal y ser revisados para garantizar su eficiencia y eficacia. El ITA tiene reglas de precios de transferencia, reglas de cercado, reglas de capitalización delgada y prevé la tributación de la ganancia neta en las transferencias indirectas. Sin embargo, existen desafíos como la capacidad inadecuada para auditar los costos, la falta de datos comparables de calidad, la explotación de la deuda en capital, ratio de restricción de intereses mediante el aumento de capital, y la resolución de conflictos. El documento recomienda desarrollar más capacidad, mejorar la legislación y la cooperación entre las agencias gubernamentales para mantenerse al día con las crecientes necesidades de la industria.
Improving Self-Reported Preoperative Anxiety Through a Preoperative Education Program: A Quality Improvement Project
Authors: Bell Jaimie , Paul Subroto , Sesti Joanna , Granger Bradi
Published: May 2019

Background:

Preoperative education is an important component of preparing patients for surgery. Preoperative anxiety is one of the most important problems for patients, because it causes emotional and psychiatric problems as well as physical problems. Anxiety has been associated with several pathophysiological responses such as hypertension and dysrhythmias, which can increase perioperative morbidity. Estimates suggest that between 11% and 80% of adult presurgical patients experience heightened levels of anxiety.

Objective:

The purpose of this pilot project was to develop a preoperative education program for thoracic surgery patients and to assess the effectiveness of the program in decreasing patient's self-reported anxiety levels using the validated Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) tool.

Methods:

This quality improvement project used a pre- and posttest improvement design to evaluate patient's self-reported anxiety levels at three different timepoints during the preoperative and postoperative period. A total of 15 patients from a thoracic surgery practice participated in the study.

Results:

The study showed no statistically significant change in patients' self-reported anxiety levels after completion of the preoperative education program (p = .538). Patients reported improvements in parameters such as expectations, pain, and preparedness.

Conclusions:

Although some studies have found that preoperative patient education decreases anxiety, this study supports others that indicate that anxiety is not affected by or associated with educational preparation prior to thoracic surgery. Though no statistical improvement in anxiety levels was demonstrated in this study, a majority of patients reported improvements in parameters such as expectations, pain, and preparedness.

Implications for Nursing:

As patient education is largely provided by the nursing profession, this article will help the profession to better understand what is important for patients to know in the preoperative setting. Setting patient expectations has a great impact on the patient's recovery and satisfaction with their surgical experience. As this is a pilot study, the goal is for continued research in the area of decreasing preoperative anxiety and preparing patients for surgery.
Educating Nurses to Use a Brief Tobacco Cessation Intervention With Patients on a Mood Disorder Unit in a Midwestern U.S. Hospital
Authors: Mbata Eucheria C. , Haefner Judy , McFarland Marilyn
Published: May 2019

Background

Evidence shows that smoking cessation interventions are effective in reducing individual's smoking behavior. Despite tobacco cessation efforts, individuals with mental illness smoke more than do members of the general population.

Objective

This study's objective was to determine whether educating nurses to use an evidence-based brief tobacco intervention would improve educating patients on smoking cessation and lead to more patients accepting nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

Methods

This study was conducted on a 28-bed mood disorder unit of a Midwestern U.S. psychiatric teaching hospital and used a pre/postchart review. Fourteen nurses participated in the education program that included a PowerPoint presentation, handouts, and weekly e-mails.

Results

Eight weeks after the educational program, statistically significant increases were found in nurses' electronic health record documentation of providing patient education on smoking cessation and patients' acceptance of NRT.

Conclusions

This study's education program was successful in promoting smoking cessation education among psychiatric nurses, with an increase of patients accepting NRT.

Implications for Nursing

Training nurses to use a brief tobacco intervention proved to be an effective short-term method for addressing the high rate of smoking among a group of psychiatric patients.
Using Transcultural Nursing Education to Increase Cultural Sensitivity and Cultural Assessment Documentation by Staff in an In-Home Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
Authors: Neilly Chia-Hui , Rader Anne , Zielinski Sara , Wehbe-Alamah Hiba , Murray-Wright Margaret
Published: May 2019

Background

Despite literature indicating that culturally sensitive care promotes a positive patient environment and may help improve outcomes, limited data exist on the documentation of patients' cultural concerns in electronic medical records (EMR).

Objective

The project's objective was to use an educational intervention to increase clinic staff's cultural sensitivity and cultural assessment documentation.

Methods

Researchers conducted this 3-month project at a Midwestern clinic's in-home, self-care chronic disease management program. The voluntary sample of clinical staff (n= 8) received an educational intervention on transcultural nursing practices. Researchers administered the Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool for the Multidisciplinary Healthcare Provider (TSET-MHP) to participants before and after the intervention. A pre- and postintervention EMR audit was completed on 128 charts to evaluate cultural assessment documentation.

Results

TSET-MHP cognitive and practical subscales scores increased postintervention. Affective subscales scores decreased slightly. Electronic cultural assessment documentation increased by 10%. An assessment questionnaire showed an increase in participants' cultural self-awareness and comfort with cultural assessment.

Conclusions

An educational intervention demonstrated an increase in providers' cultural awareness and cultural assessment documentation.

Implications for Nursing

Transcultural nursing education may help increase providers' perceived cultural self-efficacy, which may improve cultural assessments and culturally competent care.
Pengawasan Warga Negara Asing Penerima Bebas Visa Kunjungan dalam Perspektif Hukum Kewarganegaraan
Authors: Prayulianda Helga Anton , Antikowati Antikowati
Published: May 2019

The President issued a Presidential Regulation concerning visa-free visits to 179 countries aimed at advancing the economy. Referring to Presidential Regulation 21 of 2016 concerning Free Visit visa, in which Article 3 paragraph (1) that the recipient is free of a Visit visa is exempt from the obligation to have a Visit visa to enter Indonesian territory. As well as Article 4 paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) states that foreign tourists will be given permission to stay for a visit for 30 days but cannot extend the period of the visa exemption or convert it into another residence permit. Although the regulation will attract many foreign tourists to visit Indonesia, over time many of them have misused the right. This article found that the increasingly high demand and supply of labor made use of the visa-free policy gap that visited, leading to the emergence of increasingly massive illegal foreign workers. This is clearly a bad impact on Indonesia. So this article seeks to formulate how to improve the oversight mechanism for misuse of visa-free visits that could potentially harm the state.

Keywords: Supervision, Foreign Nationals, Visa-free Visit
Kepastian Hukum dalam Pasal 112 dan Pasal 127 Undang-Undang Nomor 35 Tahun 2009 Tentang Narkotika
Authors: Resnawardhani Fitri
Published: May 2019

Narcotics are commonly used for the world of health. Along with the times, the use and development of narcotics are increasing, no longer for health services. In Law Number 35 of 2009, concerning narcotics, there are many articles that discuss multi-interpretations. Among them include Article 112 and Article 127. This article tries to understand whether Article 112 and Article 127 have provided legal certainty against the Protecting and Fighting of Narcotics Borders, as well as discusses the policy formulation of ius constituendum on the protection and overcoming of narcotic acts. The type of research used is normative juridical, namely legal research, that establishes laws as a building system of norms. Article 112 and Article 127 of the Narcotics Law have not provided legal certainty, because the article editorial still contains multiple interpretations and meanings. Article 112 stipulates not to sell and circulate the editorial. This article ends with a suggestion to add to the article provided in Article 112.

Keywords: Narcotics, Narcotics Abusers, Actors of Narcotics Crime
Formulasi Korporasi sebagai Subjek Hukum Pidana dalam Regulasi Lingkungan Hidup di Indonesia
Authors: Mujiono Mujiono , Tanuwijaya Fanny
Published: May 2019

The existence of human life is extremely dependent on the environment, and the environment has provided free various needs for humans, which is an absolute requirement so that humans can maintain their lives. Environmental problems are essentially human ecological problems and environmental problems arise as a result of environmental pollution. This is an element of many negligence errors committed by companies or legal entities that operate, including the element of deliberate and negligent use of environmental law through Law No. 32 of 2009, concerning Environmental Protection stated in Article 116 UUPPLH.  Corporate liability in environmental crime is the subject of discussion in cases with the decision register number No.1405K / Pid.Sus / 2013, namely PT. KARAWANG PRIMA SEJAHTERA (PT. KPSS), which is engaged in the metal, steel, and export-import aluminum and trade industry. In its location, PT KPSS produces Aero Slag waste from iron and steel smelting, bottom ash waste and fly ash obtained from the burning of coal in power plans. The criminal responsibility of environmental crimes is also carried out by PT KALISTA ALAM, which operates in the fields of plantation, industry, supplier, and shipping in the oil palm business. In its violation, PT KALISTA ALAM has opened land by burning it, which is carried out continuously to expand oil palm cultivation/ In the verdict, No. 131 / Pid.B / 2013 / PN.MBO, the company was charged for committing environmental crimes.

Keyword: Environmental Pollution, Environmental Crime, Criminal Accountability
Turner-szindrómások morfológiai jellegei, kariotípusa és kezelésük típusa közötti kapcsolat elemzése
Authors: ANNÁR Dorina , FEHÉR Piroska V. , ZSÁKAI Annamária , MUZSNAI Ágota , BODZSÁR Éva B.
Published: May 2019

Turner-syndrome is a genetic disorder that involves X-chromosome, and affects about 2500–3000 newborn girls around the world. The disease is accompanied by numerous clinical and morphological characteristics, therefore it is very important to study Turner-syndrome patients’ developmental pattern. The main aim of the study was to examine the relationship between the morphological characteristics, the karyotype and the type of treatment of patients with Turner's syndrome.

Twenty girls and women with Turner-syndrome were studied. The presence or the absence of the morphological characteristics (cubitus valgus, webbed neck, low hairline, four finger crease, short metacarpals and -tarsals, vision problems, low-set ears, spinal malformations, dental malformations) was recorded. The strength of the relationship between the frequency of the examined morphological features and the type of karyotype or treatment was analysed by Fisher’s exact test.

Cubitus valgus, low-set ears, and dental malformations were the most common morphological abnormalities. Webbed neck, four finger crease and short metacarpals and -tarsals showed significant correlation with the karyotype. We didn’t find any correlation of morphological characteristics with the hormone treatment.
Tuberkulózissal összefüggésbe hozható endocranialis csontelváltozások vizsgálata a Robert J. Terry Anatomical Skeletal Collection-ben (Washington, DC, USA)
Authors: SPEKKER Olga
Published: May 2019

Despite significant advances in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), it still presents a global health emergency. Therefore, a renewed interest and funding to the research of the disease and of its aetiological agents, including the palaeopathological diagnostics for TB, has sparked since the late 20th century to eliminate or at least control TB in the future. Traditionally, the palaeopathological diagnosis of TB relies on the identification of pathological lesions in the skeleton. Although a number of endocranial bony alterations, namely abnormally pronounced digital impressions (APDIs), periosteal appositions (PAs), abnormal blood vessel impressions (ABVIs), and granular impressions (GIs) have been attributed to TB in the palaeopathological literature, the diagnostic value of these lesions has more recently been questioned, as their precise aetiology is still a matter of controversy, and similar or even the same morphological features can be found in non-TB-related cases. In the last three decades, the Terry Collection has been used to define and refine palaeopathological diagnostic criteria for TB, however, the possible TB-associated endocranial alteration types were beyond the scope of the aforementioned research projects.

To expand our knowledge and understanding about the development of the four probable TB-related endocranial alteration types and to improve their palaeopathological interpretation, as well as to contribute to strengthening their diagnostic value in the identification of TB in human osteoarchaeological material, a detailed investigation was performed on all individuals recorded to have died of TB in the Terry Collection (TB group), and on a control group consisting of randomly selected specimens from the remaining skeletons of the Terry Collection, identified to have died of causes other than TB (NTB group). The evaluation of the selected skeletons focused on the macromorphological characteristics and on the frequencies of the possible TB-associated endocranial alteration types, as well as of their co-occurrence with each other and with non-endocranial bony changes probably related to TB.

All the examined endocranial alteration types, as well as their association with each other and with non-endocranial lesions occurred significantly more frequently in the TB group compared to the NTB group; therefore, all of them can be used as diagnostic criteria for TB in the palaeopathological practice, especially when they simultaneously occur with each other and/or with probable TB-related non-endocranial bony changes. Our findings fit in with those of previous studies concerning the specificity of the examined lesions: APDIs, PAs, and ABVIs cannot be considered as pathognomonic features of TB and have a weaker diagnostic value compared to GIs, which are TB-specific alterations. In summary, our results contribute to facilitating the establishment of a more reliable and accurate palaeopathological diagnosis of TB.
Változások 1990 és 2017 között a magyar biológiai antropológiában
Authors: FARKAS Gyula L.
Published: May 2019

The author introduces changes and novelties occurring between 1990 and 2017 in Hungarian university departments, academic research facilities and national human biology research centres. Biological anthropology research projects of non-anthropology research institutions are also mentioned from the period of concern. Scientific congresses and conferences are enumerated, and the current problems of Hungarian scientific journals are mentioned. All those professionals are shortly introduced along with the title of their theses who obtained their PhD or other academic degree within this timespan. All those members of the community of Hungarian anthropological research are also mentioned who were awarded with prizes, retired or deceased, and those who have been employed as researchers or professors of human biology in this time period.
An Assessment of Commercial Advertisement’s Effects on Consumer Buying Behaviour
Authors: Sultan Khurram , Abdulrahman Gashaw , Salam Zhino , Mawlod Awin , Dilshad Rayan
Published: May 2019

Consumer buying behaviour is the study of individuals, groups, or organizations and all the activities associated with the purchase. This study aims to investigate the influence of commercial advertisement on consumer buying behaviour regarding internet companies in Erbil. The objectives of the study are multi fold, first To adumbrate the profile of the consumers in Erbil for future advertisement campaign, second to critically examine the perception of the consumer about advertisements, third to analyses and explain the new medium of advertisement and its impact, fourth to assess the role of advertisement in case of internet companies to promote their brands. Three internet companies are selected as sample size including Fast link, Newroz and Tishkent data collected via questionnaire by using 5 likers scale. A structured questionnaire was developed and distributed among 80 users of three internet service provider in Erbil, whereas 60 employees answered rightly. Most of the employees showed positive answers that they have influence of advertisement on their buying behavior toward internet services. This thing leads toward rejection of our Ho and acceptance of H1. Those who left behind with less positive answers  main reason were found during survey that was they are with less education  and most of them they are not  aware with usage of smartphone. Related to future research other authors can consider other variables that are not coved under this study.
Elevated plasma D-dimer level is associated with short-term poor outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a prospective, observational study
Authors: Yao Tao , Tian Bo-Lin , Li Gang , CUI QIN , Wang Cui-fang , Zhang Qi , Peng Bo , Gao Yan , Zhan Yan-Qiang , Hu Dan , Xu Lu , Wang Gao-Hua
Published: May 2019

Background: Elevated level of plasma D-dimer increases the risk of ischemic stroke, stroke severity and progression of stroke status, but the association between plasma D-dimer level and functional outcome is unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate whether Plasma D-dimer level is a determinant of short-term poor functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
Methods: This prospective study included 877 Chinese patients with AIS admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University within 72 hours of symptom onset. Patients were categorized per plasma D-dimer level: Quartile 1(0.24 mg /L), Quartile 2 (0.25–0.56 mg /L), Quartile 3 (0.57–1.78 mg /L), and Quartile 4 (1.78mg /L). Each patient’s medical record was reviewed, and demographic, clinical, laboratory and neuroimaging information was abstracted. Functional outcome at 90 days was assessed with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).
Results: Of 877 patients were included (mean age, 64 years; male, 68.5%), poor outcome was present in 302 (34.4%) patients. After adjustment for potential confounding variables, higher plasma D-dimer level on admission was associated with poor outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.257, 95% CI1.349-3.777 for Q4:Q1; P trend = 0.004). According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the best discriminating factor was a plasma D-dimer level 0.315 mg/L for pour outcome [area under the ROC curve (AUC) 0.657; sensitivity 83.8%; specificity 41.4%].
Conclusion: Elevated plasma D-dimer level on admission was significantly associated with increased poor outcome after admission for AIS, suggesting the potential role of plasma D-dimer as a predictive marker for short-term poor outcome in patients with AIS.
Clinical characteristics of the lamellar macular hole according to two subtypes: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Kim Se Young , Yoon Myung Hun , Chin Hee Seung
Published: May 2019

Background: The present study compared anatomical parameters and clinical characteristics of two subtypes of lamellar macular hole (LMH): tractional and degenerative.
Methods: This retrospective chart-review study included patients who were monitored for more than 6 months after the initial diagnosis of LMH, from January 2011 to January 2018. Changes in the following morphological characteristics across the study period and between the two subtypes were assessed: the mean central foveal thickness, maximum outer retina diameter (MOD), and maximum inner retina diameter (MID). Differences in the following clinical parameters between the two conditions was also assessed: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anatomical progression rate, rate of surgery, and mean period before surgery.
Results: This study included 51 eyes of 49 patients with a mean follow-up period of 18.94 months in the study: 33 tractional eyes and 18 degenerative eyes. The difference in the mean central foveal thickness between the two groups at baseline and the end of follow-up tended toward significance. MID was not significantly different between the two subtypes at either time point. MOD was significantly different between two subtypes at baseline and the end-of-follow up (tractional, 1131.62 μm, 1358.18 μm; degenerative, 708.88 μm, 697.83 μm; p < 0.01 for both). The changes in the retinal diameters across the observation period were significantly increased in degenerative eyes, and tractional eyes featured a significant increase in MOD across the study period.
BCVA was not significantly different between the two subtypes at baseline and the last follow up. Anatomical progression rate of tractional eyes ( 81.8%) was significantly higher than that of degenerative eyes (27.7%) (p = 0.01). The presence of ERM was significantly different between two subtypes (tractional, 96.9%; degenerative, 22.2%; p < 0.001). Ellipsoid defect, rate of receiving surgery, and mean observation period before surgery were not significant different between the two subtypes.
Conclusion: Analyzing two LMH subtypes according to their clinical and morphologic features, the present study identified characteristics unique to each. Treatment of LMH patients will require different approaches based on the subtype exhibited by the patient.
Rearing pattern alters porcine myofiber type, fat deposition, associated microbial communities and functional capacity
Authors: Qi Keke , Men Xiaoming , Wu Jie , Xu Zi wei
Published: May 2019

Background: The Chinese believe that the meat of pigs reared in the past with free range tastes better than that of the pigs reared indoor on a large scale today. Gastrointestinal microflora is closely associated with the main factor of meat flavour, including fibre characteristics and lipid metabolism. Our method in this study involved different raising patterns within the semi free-grazing farm (FF) or indoor feeding farm (DF), the measurement of fat deposition and myofibre type by paraffin section and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and the identification of microbiome and functional capacities associated with meat quality through metagenomic sequencing.
Results: Results showed that the fat area in muscle and adipose tissue and the myofibre density significantly increased in the pigs of the FF group. The relative abundance of bacteria associated with lipid metabolism, such as g_Oscillibacter, in the feces of the FF group was higher than that in DF group, and the relative abundance of some bacteria with probiotic function, including g_Lactobacillus and g_Clostridium, was lower than that in DF group. A significant positive correlation was found in the intramuscular fat area of g__Clostridium, whereas a significant negative correlation was observed with abdominal fat area, myofibre density and ATGL mRNA expression of health-related bacteria, such as g__Butyricicoccus, g__Eubacterium, g__Phascolarctobacterium and g__Oribacterium. KEGG analysis showed that pigs raised in free free-grazing farm can activate the pathway of inosine monophosphate (IMP) biosynthesis, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism.
Conclusions: Free range feeding improves meat quality by changing the fibre type, myofibre density and metabolic pathways related to flavour amino acids, IMP or glycolysis/gluconeogenesis in muscle. However, prolonged feeding cycle increases fat deposition and associated microbial communities.
Keywords: Rearing pattern, Myofiber type, Fat deposition, Gut micobiota
Interobserver reproducibility and interocular symmetry of the macular ganglion cell complex: assessment in healthy children using optical coherence tomography
Authors: Muñoz-Gallego Alicia , Cruz Javier De la , Rodríguez-Salgado Martín , Torres-Peña José L , Sambricio Javier , Ortueta-Olartecoechea Ana , Tejada-Palacios Pilar
Published: May 2019

Background

The aims of this study were to assess interobserver reproducibility and interocular symmetry using optical coherence tomography (OCT)–based measurements of the macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) in healthy children, and to evaluate candidate determinants of symmetry.

Methods

Cross-sectional study. A total of 126 healthy participants aged 5 to 18 years recruited in primary and tertiary health-care settings were eligible. GCC scans were performed by 4 operators using the Topcon 3D OCT-2000 device. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to estimate reproducibility and symmetry. Cut-off points for symmetry were defined as the 95th percentile of the absolute interocular difference for 6 GCC parameters. Percentile distributions of interocular difference were generated based on age and difference in absolute interocular spherical equivalent (SE).

Results

The reproducibility ICCs ranged from 0.96 to 0.98 for all 6 GCC parameters. Cut-off points for interocular symmetry of the superior and inferior quadrants and total macular retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (mRNFL) and macular ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer thickness were 3.5, 4.5, 3.0, 3.0, 2.5, and 2.5 µm respectively. A positive association was observed between the absolute interocular difference of SE and superior and total mRNFL symmetry values (p=0.047 and p=0.040, respectively).

Conclusions

OCT measurements of GCC in healthy children show excellent reproducibility. Interocular differences in SE should be assessed when mRNFL interocular differences exceed the 95% cut-off.
Comparative genomic analysis of the Hafnia genus reveals an explicit evolutionary relationship between the species alvei and paralvei and provides insights into pathogenicity
Authors: Bin Liu , Yin Zhiqiu , Yuan Chao , Du Yuhui , Yang Pan , Qian Chengqian , Wei Yi , Zhang Si , Huang Di
Published: May 2019

Background

The Hafnia genus is an opportunistic pathogen that has been implicated in both nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Although Hafnia is fairly often isolated from clinical material, its taxonomy has remained an unsolved riddle, and the involvement and importance of Hafnia in human disease is also uncertain. Here, we used comparative genomic analysis to define the taxonomy of Hafnia, identify species-specific genes that may be the result of ecological and pathogenic specialization, and reveal virulence-related genetic profiles that may contribute to pathogenesis.

Results

One complete genome sequence and 19 draft genome sequences for Hafnia strains were generated and combined with 27 publicly available genomes. We provided high-resolution typing methods by constructing phylogeny and population structure based on single-copy core genes in combination with whole genome average nucleotide identity to identify two distant Hafnia species (alvei and paralvei) and one mislabeled strain. The open pan-genome and the presence of numerous mobile genetic elements reveal that Hafnia has undergone massive gene rearrangements. Presence of species-specific core genomes associated with metabolism and transport suggests the putative niche differentiation between alvei and paralvei. We also identified possession of diverse virulence-related profiles in both Hafnia species., including the macromolecular secretion system, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance. In the macromolecular system, T1SS, Flagellum 1, Tad pilus and T6SS-1 were conserved in Hafnia, whereas T4SS, T5SS, and other T6SSs exhibited the evolution of diversity. The virulence factors in Hafnia are related to adherence, toxin, iron uptake, stress adaptation, and efflux pump. The identified resistance genes are associated with beta-lactamases and tetracycline. These virulence-related profiles identified at the genomic level provide insights into Hafnia pathogenesis and the differentiation between alvei and paralvei.

Conclusions

Our research using core genome phylogeny and comparative genomics analysis of a larger collection of strains provides a comprehensive view of the taxonomy and species-specific traits between Hafnia species. Deciphering the genome of Hafnia strains possessing a reservoir of macromolecular secretion systems, virulence factors, and resistance genes related to pathogenicity may provide insights into addressing its numerous infections and devising strategies to combat the pathogen.
Thrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia are markers of poor outcome in pediatric patients with community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Sun Huiming , Li Shuxiang , Zhu Canhong , Yan Yongdong , Wang Yuqing , Hao Chuangli , Chen Zhengrong , Ji Wei
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis in hospitalized pediatric patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and determine whether thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis are associated with patient outcome.
Methods: A total of 9,372 consecutive patients, who were 1-168 months old, diagnosed with CAP and admitted in the Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, were enrolled in the present retrospective observational study. Their clinical and laboratory data were collected. According to the platelet count on admission, these patients were divided into three groups: thrombocytopenia, normal platelet count, and thrombocytosis groups. The clinical characteristics and etiologic pathogens were compared among these groups. The multivariate logistic regression model was applied to identify risk factors for severe CAP, length of hospitalization ≥10 days and respiratory complications. The correlations between platelet count and clinical features were determined by Spearman’s correlation.
Results: Thrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia were found in 3,376 (36.0%) and 43 (0.5%) patients, respectively. Normal platelet count was observed in 5,953 (63.5%) patients. Thrombocytopenia was an independent risk factor of severe CAP (OR, 6.206; 95% CI, 2.209-17.436; P=0.001), while thrombocytosis was associated with length of hospitalization of ≥10 days (OR, 1.315; 95% CI, 1.177-1.470; P<0.001). In addition, thrombocytosis was associated with respiratory complications (OR, 1.658; 95% CI, 1.171-2.346; P=0.004). Platelet count (median 350.0 [IQR 270.2-447.0] × 109/L) was positively correlated with length of hospitalization (median 7.0 [IQR 6.0-9.0] days) (r = 0.101, P<0.001), but negatively correlated with age (median 12.0 [IQR 3.0-36.0] months) (r = -0.401, P<0.001) and C-reactive protein (median 2.0 [IQR 0.3-10.7] mg/dl) (r = -0.191, P<0.001).
Conclusion: Thrombocytosis is highly prevalent, while thrombocytopenia has low prevalence in pediatric CAP patients. Both thrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia are associated with clinical outcomes in pediatric CAP patients.
Genome-wide Sequence Analysis of Human Splice Acceptor Regions for Motif Discovery
Authors: Bahçe Gülşah Karaduman , SON YEŞİM AYDIN
Published: May 2019

Background
Splicing mechanism in eukaryotic cells, drives the protein diversity. This important mechanism is orchestrated by regulatory factors controlled through various splicing signals. 3’ and 5’ splice sites, and common branch point sequences are known as initiating signals of splicing, and changes in these signals can be the underlying cause of diseases. Nevertheless, an extensive genome-wide analysis of the sequences around these signals is lacking. In this study, we focused on the genome-wide motif analysis of splice acceptor region and analyzed 400 nucleotides long sequences (300 nucleotides upstream and 100 nucleotides downstream of 3’) to identify candidate motifs with functional importance.

Results
207,583 sequences retrieved from Ensembl Biomart are analyzed with MEME ChIP resulting in 518 significant splice acceptor region motifs. Besides 457 known motifs, 227 of which are observed on various mammalians other than Homo sapiens, 61 novel mammalian motifs are identified. Furthermore, proteins binding to the known motifs, are mainly annotated for homeobox, homeodomain, DNA binding region, and transcription regulation function. Additionally, 4 novel motifs, supported with experimental evidence from DNA binding studies, are identified as potential branch-site motifs.

Conclusions
Genome-wide computational motif analysis around the human acceptor region sequences identified significant splice acceptor region motifs. The known mammalian motifs, among the computationally significant acceptor region motifs, had known biological roles with prior experimental support. The novel acceptor region motifs identified for the first time in this study are proposed as candidate motifs, and studying their biological roles in functional studies will further increase our understanding of the splicing mechanisms.
North American Specialty Cut Flower Production and Postharvest Survey
Authors: Loyola Cristian E. , Dole John M. , Dunning Rebecca
Published: May 2019

In the United States and Canada, there has been an increase in the demand for local specialty cut flowers and a corresponding increase in production. To assess the needs of the industry, we electronically surveyed 1098 cut flower producers and handlers in the United States and Canada regarding their current cut flower production and postharvest problems, and customer issues. We received a total of 210 responses, resulting in a 19% response rate. The results showed that the main production problem was insect management; crop timing was the second most important problem and disease management was the third. Crop timing encompasses a range of related issues such as determining the correct harvest stage, harvest windows that are too short, flowering all at once, or lack of control when the crop is ready to harvest. The main postharvest problems were temperature management, hydration, and flower food management. Timing and stem length were the two most mentioned species-specific production issues, with each one listed by 10% or more of the respondents for eight of the total 31 species. Regarding on-farm postharvest handling, hydration and vase life were the two most mentioned issues; they were reported for five and three species, respectively. For postharvest during storage and transport, damage and hydration were the most common issues; these were listed for three species each. The most commonly mentioned customer complaints were vase life and shattering, which were reported for six and two species, respectively. These results will allow researchers and businesses to focus on the major cut flower production and postharvest issues and on crops that are most in need of improvement in North America.
Farmers as Researchers: In‐depth Interviews to Discern Participant Motivation and Impact
Authors: Thompson Laura J. , Glewen Keith L. , Elmore Roger W. , Rees Jennifer , Pokal Sayli , Hitt Brianna D.
Published: May 2019

On‐farm research is a method for transferring technology to farmers, validating small plot research, generating new discovery, and evaluating field‐scale, site‐specific management techniques. Little has been done to understand what motivates farmers to participate in on‐farm research and what the impact of their participation is on their decision making and farm profitability. This study evaluated the University of Nebraska‐Lincoln's over 25 yr‐old on‐farm research program using a semi‐structured, in‐depth interview tool to complete interviews with a stratified sample of 40 of the 140 past‐participants. The focus of this qualitative study was obtaining rich descriptions of farmer participants to better understand motivation for involvement in an on‐farm research program, participant research experiences, and the economic impacts of an on‐farm research program. Quantitative statistical analyses of the qualitative data are included for informational purposes; however, our conclusions focus on the qualitative analysis. Farmers participated in an on‐farm research program for a variety of reasons, most commonly for economic gain. Positive experiences were largely credited to the interactions with university faculty and other farmers. The participating farmers’ perception regarding whether or not the project took too much time was unrelated to whether weigh wagons or yield monitors were used. Farmers were interested in many aspects of research, including project ideation, experimental design, and statistical analysis. Participating farmers’ satisfaction in their experience and implementation of research results was not dependent on the farmers independently generating their research topic. The most impassioned suggestion from the farmer research participants was to develop innovative research projects.

Core Ideas

In‐depth interviews with participants in an on‐farm research program generated insights into motivation for participation and program impact.

Farmers participated in the program for a variety of reasons including economic gain, seeking answers to a specific questions, general curiosity, and a desire for reliable and unbiased research results.

Positive experiences in the on‐farm research program were largely credited to interactions with university faculty and other farmers.

The origin of the research topic or idea did not influence participant satisfaction in their experience or implementation of the results.

Seventy‐five percent of interviewees had put their research results into practice in their farm operation, either by making a change based on results or by not making a change as the research confirmed their current practice.
Renormalization group consistency and low-energy effective theories
Authors: Braun Jens , Leonhardt Marc , Pawlowski Jan M.
Published: May 2019

Low-energy effective theories have been used very successfully to
study the low-energy limit of QCD, providing us with results for a
plethora of phenomena, ranging from bound-state formation to phase
transitions in QCD. These theories are consistent quantum field theories
by themselves and can be embedded in QCD, but typically have a physical
ultraviolet cutoff that restricts their range of validity. Here, we
provide a discussion of the concept of renormalization group
consistency, aiming at an analysis of cutoff effects and
regularization-scheme dependences in general studies of low-energy
effective theories. For illustration, our findings are applied to
low-energy effective models of QCD in different approximations including
the mean-field approximation. More specifically, we consider hot and
dense as well as finite systems and demonstrate that violations of
renormalization group consistency affect significantly the predictive
power of the corresponding model calculations.
Experimental input from $e^+e^-$ for $a_{\mu}$ light-by-light
Authors: Guo Yuping
Published: May 2019

The anomalous magnetic momentum of the muon,
a_{\mu}aμ,
has been measured and calculated with a precision up to
~0.50.5
ppm, but there is a 3 to 4 standard deviations between these two values.
The uncertainty in the calculation is dominated by the hadronic part,
including the hadronic vacuum polarization and the hadronic
light-by-light. The meson transition form factors and the helicity
amplitudes can be used as input or constraint to the calculation of the
hadronic light-by-light contribution. Latest experimental studies of the
transition form factors of \pi^{0}π0,
\etaη,
and \eta^{\prime}η′
and the cross-section of \gamma\gamma^*\to\pi^+\pi^-γγ*→π+π−
from e^{+}e^{-}e+e−
collider are presented.
Demonstrating process robustness of potable reuse trains during challenge testing with elevated levels of acetone, formaldehyde, NDMA, and 1,4-dioxane
Authors: Tackaert Rodrigo A. , Pisarenko Aleksey N. , Chen Elise C. , Kolakovsky Aviv , Pecson Brian M. , Drewes Jörg E. , Rhodes Trussell R. , Shane Trussell R.
Published: May 2019

Robustness of a demonstration potable reuse facility was evaluated through a series of system-wide chemical challenge tests spiking neutral low-molecular weight compounds (acetone, formaldehyde, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), and 1,4-dioxane) which are known to be challenging for removal through advanced treatment. Two advanced treatment train arrangements were compared: O3/BAC-MF/UF-RO-AOP and RO-AOP. Ozone and biological activated carbon (O3/BAC) offered significant attenuation of the smallest and most biologically degradable compounds tested: acetone and formaldehyde. These two compounds had limited reduction across the reverse osmosis (RO) membrane barrier and the different advanced oxidation process (AOP) setups used. 1,4-Dioxane was partially reduced across the oxidation barriers: 62% across ozonation and up to 95% across AOP depending on oxidant used and oxidant dose. Both a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) based AOP (UV/H2O2) and a sodium hypochlorite (as HOCl) based AOP (UV/HOCl) demonstrated sufficient oxidation, providing no less than 0.5-log (68%) 1,4-dioxane attenuation required by regulators in the USA. NDMA was reduced across both UV/H2O2 and UV/HOCl from 157 to 267 ng/L to below the 10 ng/L established notification level for drinking water in California. Overall, addition of O3/BAC enhanced cumulative removal of all the spiked trace organic chemicals, providing greater protection against the spiked contaminants than RO-AOP alone. In addition, online total organic carbon (TOC) monitoring successfully captured the presence of the spiked chemicals.
Case study of sulfide generation and emission in sanitary sewer with drop structures and pump station
Authors: Yang Zhi , Zhu David Z. , Yu Tong , Edwini-Bonsu Stephen , Liu Yanchen
Published: May 2019

Field work was carried out to identify sewer odor hotspots and corresponding causes in a sanitary sewer trunk with drop structures and pump station in Steinhauer area, Edmonton, Canada. Relatively high concentrations of H2S were detected at the beginning and the end of the trunk with odor complaints. At the beginning of the trunk, sulfide emission was mainly caused by the increased stripping effect of the drop structures. The pump operation at the end of the trunk causes the long retention time of the sewage and the subsequent sulfide generation. The sulfide generation was modeled and calibrated using field measurements. The model was applied to assess mitigation strategies, and optimized pump operation was found to be able to reduce sulfide generation in the study trunk sewer.
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in Organic Synthesis: A Review of its Recent Applications Towards Fine Chemicals
Authors: Fan Weigang , Verrier Charlie , Queneau Yves , Popowycz Florence
Published: May 2019

Background:

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is a biomass-derived platform chemical, which can be produced from carbohydrates. In the past decades, 5- HMF has received tremendous attention because of its wide applications in the production of various value-added chemicals, materials and biofuels. The manufacture and the catalytic conversion of 5-HMF to simple industrially-important bulk chemicals have been well reviewed. However, employing 5-HMF as a building block in organic synthesis has never been summarized exclusively, despite the rapid development in this area.

Objective:

The aim of this review is to bring a fresh perspective on the use of 5-HMF in organic synthesis, to the exclusion of already well documented conversion of 5-HMF towards relatively simple molecules such as 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, 2,5-dimethylfuran and so on notably used as monomers or biofuels.

Conclusion:

As it has been shown throughout this review, 5-HMF has been the object of numerous studies on its use in fine chemical synthesis. Thanks to the presence of different functional groups on this platform chemical, it proved to be an excellent starting material for the preparation of various fine chemicals. The use of this C-6 synthon in novel synthetic routes is appealing, as it allows the incorporation of renewable carbonsources into the final targets.