bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Time-Lag Stock Return Using Tactical Asset Allocation Trading Strategies Across Global Stock Indices
Authors: Afzal Fahim , Haiying Pan , Afzal Farman , Bhatti Faisal Ghafoor
Published: October 2019

This paper investigates the effectiveness of different tactical asset allocation trading strategies on global stock market indices in order to better forecast the returns. It has been revealed that timing model strategies are appeared to be the best performing one than the passive buy and hold strategy. Results show that the simulated moving average is the best strategy in order to generate buy and sell signals to minimize the investor’s risk and maximize the return of the portfolio. It has been recommended that investors who are looking to minimize the risk of their portfolio and decrease the drawdown can use the proposed timing model strategy to achieve a balanced portfolio in the future.
Input Factors Affecting of Orange Production in Tuyen Quang Province, Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thu Trang Tran , Ho Thi Minh Hop , Bui Thi Nga , Lebailly Philippe
Published: October 2019

Orange production in Tuyen Quang province contributed as one of the largest and most productive for the whole national yield in Viet Nam orange production. This study focused on input factors that impact the orange production in Tuyen Quang and econometric modeling of this production for further assessment. Results in this study show that three main inputs impact on orange production, including fertilizer cost, pesticides cost, and hired labor cost. Econometric models were built which were suitable for the studied population.
The Effect of Organic Rice Productivity on Bali Food Security: A Case Study in Subak Peguyangan Denpasar, Bali
Authors: Laksmi P Kadek Wulandari , Lasmi Ni Wayan , Sukarnasih Desak Made , Wirati Adriati I Gusti Ayu
Published: October 2019

This aimed at analyzing the level of productivity of rice produced by organic rice farmers and non-organic rice farmers in Subak farmer group in Peguyangan Village, Denpasar. From these results, an efficient and effective alternative solution was further formulated by a farmer group to determine the decision on growing organic or non-organic rice. This research was prompted by the concepts of food security, theory of productivity and costs. The research used primary data sourced from subak farmer groups in Peguyangan Village, Denpasar and from documents that existed in the farmer group. The analysis results showed that the difference in the level of significance of organic rice was 0.740 while the non-organic rice had a significant level of 0.581. This result means that the level of productivity produced for organic rice is greater than that of non-organic rice. Based on these results, it is recommended that subak farmer groups in Peguyangan Village, Denpasar plant organic rice because its significance level is greater than that of non-organic rice but also not have to completely ignore growing non-organic rice to stabilize the food needs of Balinese people.
Wilsbekwaam maar te jong? Over euthanasie bij wilsbekwame kinderen jonger dan twaalf jaar
Authors: Meijer O.A.
Published: October 2019

Wilsbekwaam maar te jong? Over euthanasie bij wilsbekwame kinderen jonger dan twaalf jaar

In deze bijdrage wordt naar aanleiding van de actuele discussie en de hierbij door de Nederlandse Vereniging voor Kindergeneeskunde (NVK) en de Minister van VWS ingenomen standpunten, de mogelijkheid tot het schrappen van leeftijdsgrenzen in de Wet toetsing levensbeëindiging op verzoek en hulp bij zelfdoding (Wtl) besproken en becommentarieerd. Dit artikel spitst zich hierbij toe op de juridische positie van kinderen die jonger dan twaalf én wilsbekwaam zijn. Ingegaan wordt op voor- en nadelen van het schrappen van de leeftijdsgrenzen en de juridische mogelijkheden en moeilijkheden die zich bij een eventuele wijziging van de Wtl zullen voordoen.
Wetenschappelijk onderzoek na overlijden: goed geregeld?
Authors: Ploem M.C. , Dute J.C.J.
Published: October 2019

Wetenschappelijk onderzoek na overlijden: goed geregeld?

De regulering van het gebruik van gegevens en lichaamsmateriaal voor medisch-wetenschappelijk onderzoek nadat de patiënt is overleden, vertoont lacunes. Voor gegevens zijn de artikelen 7:457 eerste lid en 7:458 BW richtinggevend. Voor lichaamsmateriaal wordt een toegespitste regeling node gemist. Voor obductie en ontleding in het belang van de wetenschap zou de wet nadere voorwaarden moeten stellen.
Kroniek beschikkingenpraktijk ACM Mededingingsrecht 2015-2016
Authors: Dekker C.T. , Belhadj E.
Published: October 2019

Kroniek beschikkingenpraktijk ACM Mededingingsrecht 2015-2016

In deze kroniek staat de praktijk van de Autoriteit Consument & Markt (ACM) voor wat betreft de toepassing van de Mededingingswet centraal. Daarbij worden ook uitspraken van Rechtbank Rotterdam over besluiten van de ACM behandeld. De periode die door deze kroniek bestreken wordt betreft 1 januari 2015 tot 1 juli 2016.
‘Met de Wmcz in de hand lopen is wat niemand wil’ – of toch wel?
Authors: van Malssen T.
Published: October 2019

‘Met de Wmcz in de hand lopen is wat niemand wil’ – of toch wel?

In dit artikel wordt beargumenteerd dat het wetsontwerp tot wijziging van de Wet medezeggenschap cliënten zorginstellingen (Wmcz) weliswaar zegt vooral maatwerk mogelijk te willen maken bij de inrichting van cliëntparticipatie, maar feitelijk kiest voor (een versterking van) formele rechten van cliëntenraden. Het artikel bepleit een fundamentele (her)bezinning op de invulling van goede en effectieve cliëntmedezeggenschap.
De beoordeling van geneesmiddelenonderzoek onder de nieuwe Europese verordening – niet leuker, niet makkelijker
Authors: van der Windt Th.
Published: October 2019

De beoordeling van geneesmiddelenonderzoek onder de nieuwe Europese verordening – niet leuker, niet makkelijker

Op dit moment staan we aan de vooravond van ingrijpende wijzigingen op het gebied van de toetsing van geneesmiddelenonderzoek. Deze wijzigingen zullen grote gevolgen hebben voor de werkwijze van METC’s en CCMO. In dit artikel wordt ingegaan op deze wijzigingen
Effect of errors in pedigree on the accuracy of estimated breeding value for carcass traits in Korean Hanwoo cattle
Authors: Nwogwugwu Chiemela Peter , Kim Yeongkuk , Chung Yun Ji , Jang Sung Bong , Roh Seung Hee , Kim Sidong , Lee Jun Heon , Choi Tae  Jeong , Lee Seung-Hwan
Published: October 2019

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of pedigree errors (PEs) on the accuracy of estimated breeding value (EBV) and genetic gain for carcass traits in Korean Hanwoo cattle.Methods: The raw data set was based on the pedigree records of Korean Hanwoo cattle. The animals’ information was obtained using Hanwoo registration records from Korean animal improvement association database. The record comprised of 46,704 animals, where the number of the sires used was 1,298 and the dams were 38,366 animals. The traits considered were carcass weight (CWT), eye muscle area (EMA), back fat thickness (BFT), and marbling score (MS). Errors were introduced in the pedigree dataset through randomly assigning sires to all progenies. The error rates substituted were 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80%, respectively. A simulation was performed to produce a population of 1,650 animals from the pedigree data. A restricted maximum likelihood based animal model was applied to estimate the EBV, accuracy of the EBV, expected genetic gain, variance components, and heritability (h2) estimates for carcass traits. Correlation of the simulated data under PEs was also estimated using Pearson’s method.Results: The results showed that the carcass traits per slaughter year were not consistent. The average CWT, EMA, BFT, and MS were 342.60 kg, 78.76 cm2, 8.63 mm, and 3.31, respectively. When errors were introduced in the pedigree, the accuracy of EBV, genetic gain and h2 of carcass traits was reduced in this study. In addition, the correlation of the simulation was slightly affected under PEs.Conclusion: This study reveals the effect of PEs on the accuracy of EBV and genetic parameters for carcass traits, which provides valuable information for further study in Korean Hanwoo cattle.
Effects of husbandry systems and Chinese indigenous chicken strain on cecum microbial diversity
Authors: Dong Xiuxue , Hu Bing , Wan Wenlong , Gong Yanzhang , Feng Yanping
Published: October 2019

Objective: This study was to evaluate the effect of husbandry systems and strains on cecum microbial diversity of Jingyang chickens under the same dietary conditions.Methods: A total of 320 laying hens (body weight, 1.70±0.15 kg; 47 weeks old) were randomly allocated to one of the four treatments: i) Silver-feathered hens in enrichment cages (SEC) with an individual cage (70×60×75 cm), ii) Silver-feathered hens in free range (SFR) with the stocking density of 1.5 chickens per ten square meters, iii) Gold-feathered hens in enrichment cages (GEC), iv) Gold-feathered hens in free range (GFR). The experiment lasted 8 weeks and the cecum fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA high throughput sequencing at the end of experiment.Results: i) The core microbiota was composed of Bacteroidetes (49% to 60%), Firmicutes (21% to 32%) and Proteobacteria (2% to 4%) at the phylum level. ii) The core bacteria were Bacteroides (26% to 31%), Rikenellaceae (9% to 16%), Parabacteroides (2% to 5%) and Lachnoclostridium (2% to 6%) at the genus level. iii) The indexes of operational taxonomic unit, Shannon, Simpson and observed species were all higher in SFR group than in SEC group while in GEC group than in GFR group, with SFR group showing the greatest diversity of cecum microorganisms among the four groups. iv) The clustering result was consistent with the strain classification, with a similar composition of cecum bacteria in the two strains of laying hens.Conclusion: The core microbiota were not altered by husbandry systems or strains. The free-range system increased the diversity of cecal microbes only for silver feathered hens. However, the cecum microbial composition was similar in two strain treatments under the same dietary conditions.
A lower cost method of preparing corn stover for Irpex lacteus treatment by ensiling with lactic acid bacteria
Authors: Zuo Sasa , Jiang Di , Niu Dongze , Zheng Mingli , Tao Ya , Xu Chuncheng
Published: October 2019

Objective: This study investigated a method of preparing corn stover for Irpex lacteus (I. lacteus) treatment to improve its in vitro rumen degradability under non-sterile conditions.Methods: Corn stover was inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum), Lactobacillus buchneri (L. buchneri), and an equal mixture of these strains, and ensiled for 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. After each period, a portion of the silage was sampled to assess the silage quality, and another portion of the silage was further treated with I. lacteus at 28°C for 28 d. All the samples were analyzed for fermentation quality, chemical composition, and in vitro gas production (IVGP) as a measure of rumen fermentation capacity.Results: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was found to improve the silage quality of the corn stover, and the corn stover silage inoculated with L. plantarum produced more lactic acid and higher IVGP than other silage groups. The I. lacteus colonies flourished in the early stage of corn stover silage, especially on the 3-d corn stover silage inoculated with both L. plantarum and L. buchneri. This led to an 18% decrease in the acid detergent lignin content, and a 49.6% increase in IVGP compared with the raw stover.Conclusion: The combination of ensiling with the mixed LAB inoculation and I. lacteus treatment provided a cost-effective method for the improvement of the IVGP of corn stover from 164.8 mL/g organic matter (OM) to 246.6 mL/g OM.
Assessment of cutting time on nutrient values, in vitro fermentation and methane production among three ryegrass cultivars
Authors: Wang Chunmei , Hou Fujiang , Wanapat Metha , Yan Tianhai , Kim Eun Joong , Scollan Nigel  David
Published: October 2019

Objective: The 3×3 factorial arrangement was used to investigate if either high watersoluble carbohydrates (WSC) cultivars or suitable time of day that the grass cut could improve nutrient values and in vitro fermentation characteristics.Methods: The 3 cultivars were mowed at 3 diurnal time points and included a benchmark WSC ryegrass cultivar ‘Premium’, and 2 high WSC cultivars AberAvon and AberMagic, which contained, on average, 157, 173, and 193 g/kg dry matter (DM) of WSC, and 36.0, 36.5, and 34.1 g/kg DM of N during 7th regrowth stage, respectively. The fermentation jars were run at 39°C with gas production recorded and sampled at 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 22, 28, 36, and 48 h. The rumen liquid was collected from 3 rumen fistulated cows grazing on ryegrass pasture.Results: High WSC cultivars had significantly greater WSC content, in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) and total gas production (TGP), and lower lag time than Premium cultivar. Methane production for AberMagic cultivar containing lower N concentration was marginally lower than that for AberAvon and Premium cultivars. Grass cut at Noon or PM contained greater WSC concentration, IVDMD and TGP, and lower N and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents, but CH4 production was also increased, compared to grass cut in AM. Meanwhile, the effects of diurnal cutting time were influenced by cultivars, such as in vitro CH4 production for AberMagic was not affected by cutting time. The IVDMD and gas production per unit of DM incubated were positively related to WSC concentration, WSC/N and WSC/NDF, respectively, and negatively related to N and NDF concentrations.Conclusion: These results imply either grass cut in Noon or PM or high WSC cultivars could improve nutrient values, IVDMD and in vitro TGP, and that AberMagic cultivar has a slightly lower CH4 production compared to AberAvon and Premium. Further study is necessary to determine whether the increase of CH4 production response incurred by shifting from AM cutting to Noon and/or PM cutting could be compensated for by high daily gain from increased WSC concentration and DM digestibility.
Effects of Lonicera japonica extract on performance, blood biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress during perinatal period in dairy cows
Authors: Zhao Yiguang , Tang Zhiwen , Nan Xuemei , Sun Fuyu , Jiang Linshu , Xiong Benhai
Published: October 2019

Objective: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Lonicera japonica extract (LJE) on milk production, rumen fermentation and blood biomarkers of energy metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress during the perinatal period of Holstein dairy cows.Methods: Eighteen Holstein dairy cows were used in a complete randomized design experiment with 3 dietary treatments and 6 cows per treatment. All cows received the same basal total mixed ration (TMR) including a prepartal diet (1.35 Mcal of net energy for lactation [NEL]/kg of dry matter [DM], 13.23% crude protein [CP]) from –60 d to calving and a postpartal diet (1.61 Mcal of NEL/kg of DM, 17.39% CP) from calving to 30 days in milk (DIM). The 3 dietary treatments were TMR supplemented with LJE at 0 (control), 1 and 2 g/kg DM, respectively. LJE was offered from 21 d before calving to 30 DIM. Dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production were measured daily after calving. Milk and rumen fluid samples were collected on 29 and 30 d after calving. On –10, 4, 14, and 30 d relative to calving, blood samples were collected to analyze the biomarkers of energy metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress.Results: Compared with control diet, LJE supplementation at 1 and 2 g/kg DM increased DMI, milk yield and reduced milk somatic cell count. LJE supplementation also decreased the concentrations of blood biomarkers of pro-inflammation (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-6, and haptoglobin), energy metabolism (nonesterified fatty acid and β-hydroxybutyric acid) and oxidative stress (reactive oxygen metabolites), meanwhile increased the total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase concentrations in blood. No differences were observed in rumen pH, volatile fatty acid, and ammonia-N (NH3-N) concentrations between LJE supplemented diets and the control diet.Conclusion: Supplementation with 1 and 2 g LJE/kg DM could increase DMI, improve lactation performance, and enhance anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities of dairy cows during perinatal period.
A genome-wide association study of reproduction traits in four pig populations with different genetic backgrounds
Authors: Jiang Yao , Tang Shaoqing , Xiao Wei , Yun Peng , Ding Xiangdong
Published: October 2019

Objective: Genome-wide association study and two meta-analysis based on GWAS performed to explore the genetic mechanism underlying variation in pig number born alive (NBA) and total number born (TNB).Methods: Single trait GWAS and two meta-analysis (single-trait meta analysis and multitrait meta analysis) were used in our study for NBA and TNB on 3,121 Yorkshires from 4 populations, including three different American Yorkshire populations (n = 2,247) and one British Yorkshire populations (n = 874).Results: The result of single trait GWAS showed that no significant associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. Using single-trait meta analysis and multi-trait meta analysis within populations, 11 significant loci were identified associated with target traits. Spindlin 1, vascular endothelial growth factor A, forkhead box Q1, msh homeobox 1, and LHFPL tetraspan submily member 3 are five functionally plausible candidate genes for NBA and TNB. Compared to the single population GWAS, single-trait Meta analysis can improve the detection power to identify SNPs by integrating information of multiple populations. The multiple-trait analysis reduced the power to detect trait-specific loci but enhanced the power to identify the common loci across traits.Conclusion: In total, our findings identified novel genes to be validated as candidates for NBA and TNB in pigs. Also, it enabled us to enlarge population size by including multiple populations with different genetic backgrounds and increase the power of GWAS by using meta analysis.
Effects of additives on the fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility and aerobic stability of mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves silage
Authors: Dong Zhihao , Wang Siran , Zhao Jie , Li Junfeng , Shao Tao
Published: October 2019

Objective: To explore feed resources capable of replacing regular poor-quality fodder, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of additives on the fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility and aerobic stability of mulberry leaves silage.Methods: The mulberry leaves were ensiled either untreated (control) or treated with 1×106 cfu/g fresh matter Lactobacillus plantarum (L), 1% glucose (G), 3% molasses (M), a combination of 1% glucose and Lactobacillus plantarum (L+G), and a combination of 3% molasses and Lactobacillus plantarum (L+M). The fermentation quality and chemical composition were analyzed after 7, 14, 30, and 60 d, respectively. The 60-d silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test and fermented with buffered rumen fluid to measure the digestibility.Results: Inoculating lactic acid bacteria (LAB) resulted in more rapid increase in lactic acid concentrations and decline in pH of mulberry leaves silage as compared control. Higher acetic acid and lower ethanol and ammonia nitrogen concentrations (p<0.05) were observed in the LAB-inoculated silages as opposed to control during ensiling. The LAB-inoculated silages contained lower water-soluble carbohydrates compared with control during the first 14 d of ensiling, and lower neutral detergent fibre (p<0.05) concentrations as compared with non-LAB inoculated silages. Adding molasses alone increased (p<0.05) the digestibility of dry matter (DM). The aerobic stability of mulberry leaves silage was increased by LAB inoculation, whereas decreased by adding glucose or molasses.Conclusion: The LAB inoculation improved fermentation quality and aerobic stability of mulberry leaves silage, while adding glucose or molasses failed to affect the fermentation and impaired the aerobic stability. Inoculating LAB alone is recommended for mulberry leaves especially when ensiled at a relatively high DM.
Reduction of slaughter age of Hanwoo steers by early genotyping based on meat yield index
Authors: Jeong Chang Dae , Islam Mahfuzul , Kim Jong-Joo , Cho Yong-Il , Lee Sang-Suk
Published: October 2019

Objective: This study was conducted to determine early hereditary endowment to establish a short-term feeding program.Methods: Hanwoo steers (n = 140) were equally distributed into four groups (35/group) based on genetic meat yield index (MYI) viz. the greatest, great, low, and the lowest at Jukam Hanwoo farm, Goheung. All animals were fed in group pens (5 animals/pen) with similar feed depending on the growth stage. Rice straw was provided ad libitum, whereas concentrate was fed at 5.71 kg during the growing period (6 to 13 mo) and 9.4 kg during the fattening period (13 to 28 mo). Body weight (BW) was measured at two-month intervals, whereas carcass weight was determined at slaughtering at about 31 months of age. The Affymetrix Bovine Axiom Array 640K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip was used to determine the meat quantity-related gene in the blood.Results: After 6 months, the highest (p<0.05) BW was observed in the greatest MYI group (190.77 kg) and the lowest (p<0.05) in the lowest MYI group (173.51 kg). The great MYI group also showed significantly (p<0.05) higher BW than the lowest MYI group. After 16 and 24 months, the greatest MYI group had the highest BW gain (p<0.05) and were therefore slaughtered the earliest. Carcass weight was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the greatest and the great MYI groups followed by the low and the lowest MYI groups. Back-fat thickness in the greatest MYI group was highly correlated to carcass weight and marbling score. The SNP array analysis identified the carcass-weight related gene BTB-01280026 with an additive effect. The steers with the allele increasing carcass weight had heavier slaughter weight of about 12 kg.Conclusion: Genetic MYI is a potential tool for calf selection, which will reduce the slaughter age while simultaneously increasing carcass weight, back-fat thickness, and marbling score.
Meat quality characteristics of the Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius) at different ages and post-mortem ageing periods
Authors: Suliman Gamaleldin Mustafa , Al-Owaimer Abdullah Naser , Hussein Elsayed Osman Swelum , Abuelfatah Kamaleldin , Othman Moath Badr
Published: October 2019

Objective: Meat quality characteristics and sensory attributes were evaluated in three age groups (12, 18, and 24 mo) of one-humped camels of the Saudi Arabian Najdi breed.Methods: Thirty-six male camels (12 for each age group) were used. The Longissimus dorsi muscle from each carcass was divided into three parts and subjected to three ageing periods (1, 5, or 10 d) and evaluated for shear force, myofibril fragmentation index (MFI), expressed juice, cooking loss, and sensory attributes.Results: Age had a significant effect on shear force, MFI, expressed juice quantity, and organoleptic properties. Camels slaughtered at 12 mo exhibited lower shear force and MFI, and higher expressed juice quantity, tenderness, juiciness, and overall acceptability than those slaughtered at 24 mo. Ageing had a significant influence on shear force, MFI, expressed juice quantity, but not on cooking loss. Camel meat aged for 10 d exhibited significantly lower shear force values and expressed juice quantity, and significantly higher MFI compared to that aged for 1 d. However, ageing did not significantly affect sensory attributes, except for tenderness, in camels slaughtered at 18 mo.Conclusion: Both instrumental and sensory evaluations showed that young camel meat has desirable quality characteristics, with superior tenderness and juiciness.
Landesrecht Bayern
Authors: Huber Peter M. , Wollenschläger Ferdinand
Published: October 2019

Das Studienbuch versammelt alle wichtigen Themenbereiche des bayerischen Landesrechts. Erörtert werden das Verfassungsrecht des Freistaats Bayern, das Polizei- und Sicherheitsrecht, das Bau- und Kommunalrecht, die examensrelevanten Bereiche des Umweltrechts sowie die landesspezifischen Besonderheiten des Verwaltungsverfahrens- und Verwaltungsprozessrechts. Die Themen werden durchgängig von Hochschullehrern der juristischen Fakultäten im Freistaat behandelt.
Aplicação de doses de corretivo líquido na correção da acidez do solo
Authors: Silva Alessandra Vieira da , Silva Filho Jamerson Fábio , Wangen Dalcimar Regina Batista , Santos Amanda Rithieli Pereira
Published: October 2019

Calcários são os produtos mais frequentemente usados na correção da acidez de solos, sendo normalmente vendidos sob a forma de pó. Recentemente, produtos à base de carbonato de cálcio e magnésio, na formulação líquida, foram lançados no mercado, porém com indicações de doses pequenas, cujos resultados de pesquisas tem demonstrado serem insuficientes para corrigir a acidez dos solos. Neste contexto, objetivou-se avaliar doses de um corretivo líquido na correção da acidez do solo a fim de indicar a dose mais adequada. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com os tratamentos: controle (ausência de corretivo de acidez), calcário em pó na dose necessária para elevar a saturação por bases do solo para 60% (2,5 t ha-1) 10; 100 e 1.000 litros de corretivo líquido por tonelada de calcário em pó. Foi utilizado um recipiente de plástico com 0,5 kg de terra retirada da camada entre 0 e 20 cm de um Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico coletado no município de Urutaí-GO no qual foi seco ao ar, passado em peneira de abertura de malha de 2 mm de diâmetro. As doses dos corretivos foram misturadas ao volume de água deionizada suficiente para elevar o teor de umidade à capacidade de campo do material, o qual foi colocado para incubar por um período de 90 dias. Concluiu-se que a dose do corretivo líquido suficiente para elevar a saturação por bases do solo para 60 % foi de 891,93 L por tonelada de calcário em pó, a qual promoveu melhoria dos atributos químicos relacionados à fertilidade do solo a classes adequadas ao cultivo de plantas.
Otimização de metodologia para análise de hidrocarbonetos em sedimentos lagunares
Authors: Arduim Júlia , Hackbart Helen Cristina dos Santos , Amaral Maria Alice Farias da Silva , Sanches Filho Pedro José
Published: October 2019

Os hidrocarbonetos são listados como alguns dos principais contaminantes ambientais nos dias de hoje e são considerados indicadores geoquímicos em relação aos níveis e fontes de contaminação em ambientes hídricos. Por este motivo existem metodologias padronizadas para a determinação destes contaminantes em sedimentos, entre as mais utilizadas, podemos listar o método de extração por soxhlet e o método de extração sob ultrassom, porém os dois métodos de extração apresentam desvantagens em sua utilização. Neste estudo, foi desenvolvida uma metodologia para a extração, pré concentração e clean up de hidrocarbonetos presentes em sedimento, combinando etapas de extração por solvente sob ultrassom e em soxhlet, seguidas por fracionamento em coluna líquida preparativa e os extratos analisados por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas. Para otimização utilizou-se um planejamento experimental 2² com ponto central avaliando os tempos de pré sonificação e extração soxhlet. O método que apresentou os melhores resultados, combinou 15 minutos de ultrassom e 4 horas de soxhlet, com recuperações médias de 102,2% para HPAs deuterados e 100,2% para o hexadeceno, produzindo uma redução de tempo e volume de solventes, gerando um método reprodutível (RSD% < 20%), rápido e de baixo custo. Os limites de detecção para n-alcanos variaram de 0,9 a 13,9 µg kg-1 e para HPAs de 0,11 a 0,93 µg kg-1. A metodologia foi aplicada a amostras da Praia do Pontal, que faz parte da Lagoa Mirim, que é um dos principais corpos hídricos da região Sul do Brasil e possui grande importância para agricultura, indústria e pecuária. Os níveis de HPAs e n-alcanos indicaram baixos níveis de contaminação e fontes de origem biogênica e pirolítica.
Marcas que, más allá de vender, se convierten en producto
Authors: Martorell Sandra
Published: October 2019

Recordarán los tiempos en que nos regalaban camisetas «de propaganda», eufemismo –¡intolerable!– usado comúnmente para referirse a la publicidad. Camisetas de algodón, de corte ancho según las normas dictadas por la moda de los ochenta y los noventa, coloridas y con letreros gigantes que gritaban la marca a los cuatro vientos. Que levante la mano el que alguna vez tuvo una.
Population rate-coding predicts correctly that human sound localization depends on sound intensity
Authors: Ihlefeld Antje , Alamatsaz Nima , Shapley Robert M
Published: October 2019

Human sound localization is an important computation performed by the brain. Models of sound localization commonly assume that sound lateralization from interaural time differences is level invariant. Here we observe that two prevalent theories of sound localization make opposing predictions. The labelled-line model encodes location through tuned representations of spatial location and predicts that perceived direction is level invariant. In contrast, the hemispheric-difference model encodes location through spike-rate and predicts that perceived direction becomes medially biased at low sound levels. Here, behavioral experiments find that softer sounds are perceived closer to midline than louder sounds, favoring rate-coding models of human sound localization. Analogously, visual depth perception, which is based on interocular disparity, depends on the contrast of the target. The similar results in hearing and vision suggest that the brain may use a canonical computation of location: encoding perceived location through population spike rate relative to baseline.
Neutrophils promote CXCR3-dependent itch in the development of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Walsh Carolyn M , Hill Rose Z , Schwendinger-Schreck Jamie , Deguine Jacques , Brock Emily C , Kucirek Natalie , Rifi Ziad , Wei Jessica , Gronert Karsten , Brem Rachel B , Barton Gregory M , Bautista Diana M
Published: October 2019

Chronic itch remains a highly prevalent disorder with limited treatment options. Most chronic itch diseases are thought to be driven by both the nervous and immune systems, but the fundamental molecular and cellular interactions that trigger the development of itch and the acute-to-chronic itch transition remain unknown. Here, we show that skin-infiltrating neutrophils are key initiators of itch in atopic dermatitis, the most prevalent chronic itch disorder. Neutrophil depletion significantly attenuated itch-evoked scratching in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis. Neutrophils were also required for several key hallmarks of chronic itch, including skin hyperinnervation, enhanced expression of itch signaling molecules, and upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, activity-induced genes, and markers of neuropathic itch. Finally, we demonstrate that neutrophils are required for induction of CXCL10, a ligand of the CXCR3 receptor that promotes itch via activation of sensory neurons, and we find that that CXCR3 antagonism attenuates chronic itch.
Comparisons of Stereological and Other Approaches for Quantifying Macrophage Aggregates in Piscine Spleens
Authors: Matsche Mark A. , Blazer Vicki S. , Mazik Patricia M.
Published: October 2019

Macrophage aggregates (MAs) are focal accumulations of pigmented macrophages in the spleen and other tissues of fish. A central role of MAs is the clearance and destruction of degenerating cells and recycling of some cellular components. Macrophage aggregates also respond to chemical contaminants and infectious agents and may play a role in the adaptive immune response. Tissue damage or physiological stress can result in increased MA accumulation. As a result, MAs may be sensitive biomarkers of environmental stress in fish. Abundance of MAs in tissues has been reported in a variety of ways—most commonly as density, mean size, and relative area—but the utility of these estimates has not been compared. In this study, four different types of splenic MA abundance estimates (abundance score, density, relative area, and total volume) were compared in two fish populations (Striped Bass Morone saxatilis and White Perch M. americana) with a wide range in ages. Stereological estimates of total volume indicated an increase in MA abundance with spleen volume, which generally corresponded to fish age, and with splenic infections (mycobacteria or trematode parasites). Abundance scores were generally limited in the ability to detect changes in MA abundance by these factors, whereas density estimates were greatly influenced by changes in spleen volume. In some instances, densities declined while the total volume of MAs and spleen volume increased. Experimentally induced acute stress resulted in a decrease in spleen volume and an increase in MA density, although the total volume of MAs remained unchanged. Relative area estimates accounted for the size and number of MAs but not for changes in organ volume. Total volume is an absolute measure of MA abundance irrespective of changes in organ volume or patterns of accumulation and may provide an improved means of quantifying MAs in the spleens of fish.
Adolescent boys’ physical fighting and adult life outcomes: Examining the interplay with intelligence
Authors: Frøyland Lars Roar , von Soest Tilmann
Published: October 2019

Although it is well known that adolescent delinquent behavior is related to poor outcomes in adulthood, longitudinal research on specific acts of delinquency and their interplay with important individual characteristics in predicting future outcomes is scarce. We aimed to examine how physical fighting—one of the most common acts of violent delinquency among adolescent boys—is related to adult life success in several domains, and how intelligence influences these associations. The study used data from 1,083 boys that participated in the population‐based longitudinal Young in Norway Study, following adolescents from 1992 to 2015, by combining self‐reports at four time points with comprehensive information from registers. Results showed that adolescent boys’ physical fighting was associated with poor adult outcomes in the domains of employment, education, and criminal behavior. Associations remained significant even after controlling for conduct problems in general—which isolated the effects of fighting from other delinquent acts—as well as from a variety of other potential confounders. Detailed analyses on the interplay of physical fighting and intelligence showed that some parts of the associations between adolescent boys’ fighting and several adverse adult outcomes could be ascribed to lower intelligence among the fighters. Moreover, intelligence moderated the relationship between physical fighting and adult education. Adolescent fighting was not related to educational attainment among boys with high intelligence, whereas boys with lower intelligence experienced detrimental effects of adolescent fighting. The analyses show the importance of considering adolescent boys’ physical fighting as a potential risk factor for future social marginalization.
Real‐Time IR Tracking of Single Reflective Micromotors through Scattering Tissues
Authors: Aziz Azaam , Medina‐Sánchez Mariana , Koukourakis Nektarios , Wang Jiawei , Kuschmierz Robert , Radner Hannes , Czarske Jürgen W. , Schmidt Oliver G.
Published: October 2019

Medical micromotors have the potential to lead to a paradigm shift in future biomedicine, as they may perform active drug delivery, microsurgery, tissue engineering, or assisted fertilization in a minimally invasive manner. However, the translation to clinical treatment is challenging, as many applications of single or few micromotors require real‐time tracking and control at high spatiotemporal resolution in deep tissue. Although optical techniques are a popular choice for this task, absorption and strong light scattering lead to a pronounced decrease of the signal‐to‐noise ratio with increasing penetration depth. Here, a highly reflective micromotor is introduced which reflects more than tenfold the light intensity of simple gold particles and can be precisely navigated by external magnetic fields. A customized optical IR imaging setup and an image correlation technique are implemented to track single micromotors in real‐time and label‐free underneath phantom and ex vivo mouse skull tissues. As a potential application, the micromotors speed is recorded when moving through different viscous fluids to determine the viscosity of diverse physiological fluids toward remote cardiovascular disease diagnosis. Moreover, the micromotors are loaded with a model drug to demonstrate their cargo‐transport capability. The proposed reflective micromotor is suitable as theranostic tool for sub‐skin or organ‐on‐a‐chip applications.
Self‐Healing and Stretchable 3D‐Printed Organic Thermoelectrics
Authors: Kee Seyoung , Haque Md Azimul , Corzo Daniel , Alshareef Husam N. , Baran Derya
Published: October 2019

With the advent of flexible and wearable electronics and sensors, there is an urgent need to develop energy‐harvesting solutions that are compatible with such wearables. However, many of the proposed energy‐harvesting solutions lack the necessary mechanical properties, which make them susceptible to damage by repetitive and continuous mechanical stresses, leading to serious degradation in device performance. Developing new energy materials that possess high deformability and self‐healability is essential to realize self‐powered devices. Herein, a thermoelectric ternary composite is demonstrated that possesses both self‐healing and stretchable properties produced via 3D‐printing method. The ternary composite films provide stable thermoelectric performance during viscoelastic deformation, up to 35% tensile strain. Importantly, after being completely severed by cutting, the composite films autonomously recover their thermoelectric properties with a rapid response time of around one second. Using this self‐healable and solution‐processable composite, 3D‐printed thermoelectric generators are fabricated, which retain above 85% of their initial power output, even after repetitive cutting and self‐healing. This approach represents a significant step in achieving damage‐free and truly wearable 3D‐printed organic thermoelectrics.
Interlayer Transition in a vdW Heterostructure toward Ultrahigh Detectivity Shortwave Infrared Photodetectors
Authors: Qi Tailei , Gong Youpin , Li Alei , Ma Xiaoming , Wang Peipei , Huang Rui , Liu Chang , Sakidja Ridwan , Wu Judy Z. , Chen Rui , Zhang Liyuan
Published: October 2019

Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures of 2D atomically thin layered materials (2DLMs) provide a unique platform for constructing optoelectronic devices by staking 2D atomic sheets with unprecedented functionality and performance. A particular advantage of these vdW heterostructures is the energy band engineering of 2DLMs to achieve interlayer excitons through type‐II band alignment, enabling spectral range exceeding the cutoff wavelengths of the individual atomic sheets in the 2DLM. Herein, the high performance of GaTe/InSe vdW heterostructures device is reported. Unexpectedly, this GaTe/InSe vdWs p–n junction exhibits extraordinary detectivity in a new shortwave infrared (SWIR) spectrum, which is forbidden by the respective bandgap limits for the constituent GaTe (bandgap of ≈1.70 eV in both the bulk and monolayer) and InSe (bandgap of ≈1.20–1.80 eV depending on thickness reduction from bulk to monolayer). Specifically, the uncooled SWIR detectivity is up to ≈1014 Jones at 1064 nm and ≈1012 Jones at 1550 nm, respectively. This result indicates that the 2DLM vdW heterostructures with type‐II band alignment produce an interlayer exciton transition, and this advantage can offer a viable strategy for devising high‐performance optoelectronics in SWIR or even longer wavelengths beyond the individual limitations of the bandgaps and heteroepitaxy of the constituent atomic layers.
Making Fiber‐Shaped Ni//Bi Battery Simultaneously with High Energy Density, Power Density, and Safety
Authors: Wang Mengying , Xie Songlin , Tang Chengqiang , Zhao Yang , Liao Meng , Ye Lei , Wang Bingjie , Peng Huisheng
Published: October 2019

Fiber‐shaped batteries are widely explored for a variety of important fields such as wearable electronics, information technology, internet of things, and public health. However, it remains difficult to simultaneously achieve high energy density, power density, and safety, which has largely limited their promising applications. Here, a new type of fiber‐shaped Ni//Bi batteries with remarkable electrochemical performances is created from hierarchically 3D electrodes, where reduced graphene oxide sheets framed with Bi serve as the anode while reduced graphene oxide sheets wrapped with nickel oxide/nickel function as the cathode. The fiber‐shaped Ni//Bi batteries show high energy density of 43.35 Wh kg−1 or 26.01 mWh cm−3 and high power density of 6600 W kg−1 or 3.96 W cm−3 with 96% capacity retention after 10 000 cycles. They are also safe with the use of aqueous electrolyte and can be further woven into the next‐generation flexible textile‐type power system. This work provides a general and efficient strategy to develop high‐performance batteries by designing hierarchically structured electrodes.
Multifunctional Dielectric Metasurfaces Consisting of Color Holograms Encoded into Color Printed Images
Authors: Wen Dandan , Cadusch Jasper J. , Meng Jiajun , Crozier Kenneth B.
Published: October 2019

A hologram records the wavefront of light from an object, but it is usually not an image itself, and looks unintelligible under diffuse ambient light. Here a new paradigm to encode a color hologram onto a color printed image is experimentally demonstrated. The printed image can be directly viewed under white light illumination, while a low‐crosstalk color holographic image can be seen when the device is illuminated with red (R), green (G), and blue (B) laser beams. The device is a dielectric metasurface that consists of titanium dioxide (TiO2) cones on a glass substrate. The dimensions of the TiO2 cones are chosen to allow them to support visible‐wavelength resonances, thereby producing the desired reflection spectra and thus the color printed image. The detour phase method is furthermore used to encode the hologram into the metasurface. The approach is conceptually different from previously demonstrated color printed images or holograms and presents opportunities for optical document security and data storage applications.
Cesium Lead Inorganic Solar Cell with Efficiency beyond 18% via Reduced Charge Recombination
Authors: Ye Qiufeng , Zhao Yang , Mu Shaiqiang , Ma Fei , Gao Feng , Chu Zema , Yin Zhigang , Gao Pingqi , Zhang Xingwang , You Jingbi
Published: October 2019

Cesium‐based inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising due to their potential for improving device stability. However, the power conversion efficiency of the inorganic PSCs is still low compared with the hybrid PSCs due to the large open‐circuit voltage (VOC) loss possibly caused by charge recombination. The use of an insulated shunt‐blocking layer lithium fluoride on electron transport layer SnO2 for better energy level alignment with the conduction band minimum of the CsPbI3‐xBrx and also for interface defect passivation is reported. In addition, by incorporating lead chloride in CsPbI3‐xBrx precursor, the perovskite film crystallinity is significantly enhanced and the charge recombination in perovksite is suppressed. As a result, optimized CsPbI3‐xBrx PSCs with a band gap of 1.77 eV exhibit excellent performance with the best VOC as high as 1.25 V and an efficiency of 18.64%. Meanwhile, a high photostability with a less than 6% efficiency drop is achieved for CsPbI3‐xBrx PSCs under continuous 1 sun equivalent illumination over 1000 h.
Prognostic significance of systemic inflammatory markers in esophageal cancer: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ishibashi Yusuke , Tsujimoto Hironori , Yaguchi Yoshihisa , Kishi Yoji , Ueno Hideki
Published: October 2019

Aim

Impact of several immune‐inflammatory markers on long‐term outcome has been reported in various malignancies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate through a meta‐analysis the oncological outcome of immune‐inflammatory markers, such as neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and C‐reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) in esophageal cancer.

Methods

A systematic electronic search for relevant studies was carried out in PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase, and Google scholar. Meta‐analysis was done using hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) as effect measures. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were undertaken according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses protocol. P‐values <.01 were considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 10 retrospective articles (n = 4551) were included in this study. Synthesized results showed that higher NLR and CAR were significantly associated with poor overall survival (HR 1.47, 95% CI = 1.32‐1.63, P < .00001) and HR 1.88, 95% CI = 1.28‐2.77, P < .001, respectively). On the contrary, PLR was not a prognostic factor in our analysis (HR 1.25, 95% CI = 1.01‐1.54, P < .01). Elevated NLR, PLR, and CAR were strongly associated with a higher T stage (HR 2.28, 95% CI = 1.67‐3.11; HR 1.57, 95% CI = 1.29‐1.90; HR 1.76, 95% CI = 1.16‐2.67, respectively). Begg’s funnel plots identified significant publication bias in NLR, but not in PLR and CAR.

Conclusion

NLR and CAR represent useful guides for the management of esophageal cancer, although publication bias should be considered. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the results of the present study.
Patient care aides: Differences in healthcare coverage, health‐related behaviors, and health outcomes in a low‐wage workforce by healthcare setting
Authors: Silver Sharon , Boiano James , Li Jia
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Patient care aides, who provide basic care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings, have been observed to have higher prevalences of adverse health metrics than the general US workforce. However, few studies have examined how healthcare access and health behaviors and outcomes among patient care aides differ by work setting (home health, nursing home, and hospital).

Methods

Data from the 2013 to 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to assess the prevalences of healthcare access, health‐related behaviors, and health outcomes among patient care aides in different work settings, and among nurses (licensed vocational/practical and registered). Adjusted prevalence ratios were used to compare prevalences for healthcare workers to those for nonhealthcare clerical workers.

Results

Overall, patient care aides are a low‐wage workforce with high prevalences of multiple adverse health metrics and low prevalences of positive health behaviors compared to clerical workers. Results differed by work setting. Home health aides had the lowest income levels and most adverse results for multiple metrics; nursing home aides had better healthcare access and somewhat better health outcomes. Most metrics were best (though still quite poor) for hospital aides, who showed few significant differences from clerical workers.

Conclusions

These results show the need to focus resources on the patient care aide workforce, particularly those in home health. While some needs of nursing home aides, such as improving influenza vaccination coverage and reducing the prevalence of arthritis‐related conditions, would benefit from standardized workplace interventions, alternate, workplace‐specific approaches are needed for home health aides.