bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Business and Management, Vol. 15 No. 11
Authors: Lee Stephen
Published: October 2020

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Business and Management, Vol. 15 No. 11, 2020
THE TRIBOLOGICAL ASPECT OF THE COOPERATION
OF VARIOUS SURFACE-STRENGTHENED STEELS
WITH HEAT-TREATED STEEL
Authors: Senatorski Jan , Mączyński Paweł
Published: October 2020

The presented work was mainly aimed at assessing the tribological properties of gas nitrided samples
subsequently subjected to shot peening. This assessment was carried out using the standard “three rollers –
cone” method. In these tests, different materials of roller samples were used, i.e. both structural and tool steels.
In addition, the selected material of conical counter-samples, i.e. heat-treated medium carbon steel, was used.
The obtained test results allowed us to assess the influence of the use of dissimilar material of nitrided (under
different conditions) roller samples, as well as their surface plastic processing, i.e. shot peening.
“Kappa” conformance test between three acute appendicitis scoring systems (Pediatric Appendicitis Score/Pediatric Appendicitis Risk Calculator/Alvarado) in predicting appendicitis in children
Authors: Hendsun Felicia , Firmansyah Yohanes
Published: October 2020

Background: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal emergency in the pediatric population. The clinical features of appendicitis in children are usually atypical, leading to misdiagnosis in 19–57% of preschool age children, which can result in complications. Thus, scoring systems are used to estimate the risk of appendicitis based on symptomatology and laboratory results.

Aims: The aims of this study were to analyze the conformance of the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS), the Pediatric Appendicitis Risk Calculator (pARC), and the Alvarado score as screening tools for appendicitis in children attending a public hospital emergency department.

Material and methods: The inclusion criteria were all children aged < 14 years who presented with symptoms of appendicitis and were confirmed to have appendicitis either by imaging or surgery. The exclusion criteria were incomplete medical records. Data was collected retrospectively from medical records. Data analysis included examination of the proportion and distribution of data, and statistical analysis in the form of the Kappa conformance test.

Results: The result of the conformance test between the PAS and the Alvarado score was 75%, but the Kappa conformance value between them was only 46.8κ although statistically significant (p value = 0.013). The conformance test between the PAS and the pARC was 50%, but the Kappa conformance value was only 19.4κ and not statistically significant (p value = 0.143). The conformance test between the Alvarado score and the pARC was 55%, but the Kappa conformance value was 13.5κ and not statistically significant (p value = 0.492).

Conclusions: The PAS has advantages over other appendicitis screening questionnaires with greatest conformance between PAS and Alvarado.
Wege aus dem Wahlrechtsdilemma
Authors: Dehmel Niels
Published: October 2020

German electoral law finds itself in a dilemma with regard to reform. Using a well-founded system and context analysis, Niels Dehmel discusses the malfunctions of Germany’s mixed-member proportional system since reunification and the debate surrounding its ability to reform. He does not see solutions in changing the system, but in comprehensive reform that preserves its structure and is committed to optimising existing elements. For this purpose, this comparative and analytical study compares selected reform options based on context-related assessment criteria and examines their suitability in a multi-stage evaluation process. Where there is no easy solution, given the complex requirements of reform, the author develops two contrasting scenarios combining individual reforms to improve the overall performance of the existing electoral system in a sustainable way.
Die Wähler der NPD in Ostdeutschland 2005–2011
Authors: Kreter Maximilian
Published: October 2020

Shortly after Udo Voigt became chairman of the NPD he proclaimed: “The Reich is our goal, the NPD our way”. Only a few years later the NPD made it into the state parliament of Saxony and Mecklenburg-Hither Pomerania. The whole party was on the rise, gaining more and more votes, especially in East Germany. Against the backdrop of the belied collective expectations after the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the global economic crisis and the consequent so called “losers of modernization”, the electoral success of the NPD was an enormous challenge to the established parties. This blurred political situation brings up the question: Which motivation drove the East German voters to vote for an unconstitutional party like the NPD? Maximilian Kreter offers a theoretically well substantiated, empirical analysis of the NPD-voters’ motivations in East Germany during the electoral heydays of the NPD between 2005 and 2011.
Ein Denkmal aus Papier und Tinte
Authors: Herrmann Jule Ana
Published: October 2020

This study examines Benedikte Naubert's literary influence on the almost forgotten work of Ferdinand Grimm, the younger brother of the famous brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. It shows Grimm's affinity to the successful fairy-tale writer for the first time, taking up the trail and following it through the hitherto largely unpublished correspondence with his brothers and the literary labyrinth of the time. Exciting biographical details are revealed and a publication of Grimm - an obituary of Naubert - is discovered. The study shows that Grimm's work can be read as a monument to the writer Benedikte Naubert.
Mothers’ Attitudes toward the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Children with Cancer
Authors: Dadgari Atena , Bagheri Imane , Salmani Naiire , Mirakhor Mahnaz
Published: October 2020

Background: Children who have cancer suffer from a wide range of symptoms and side-effects of disease and treatment, and such conditions have harmful effects on the quality of life of a child and family. So, the families of such children turn to complementary and alternative medicine treatments for children with cancer. Objectives: Therefore, this study aimed at determining the mothers’ attitudes toward the use of complementary and alternative medicine in children with cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted from January 2018 to January 2019 in the oncology section of Yazd Shahid Sadooghi Hospital in a nonrandom and convenience sampling method on 150 mothers of children with cancer. The instruments of data collection include demographic information questionnaires and a 6-part questionnaire to evaluate mothers’ performance. To investigate the face and content validity of the questionnaire, the opinions of 10 experts were considered, and to investigate the reliability of the questionnaire, the test-retest method was used, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was reportedly 0.80. After completing the questionnaires, the collected data were analyzed, using SPSS 23 by utilizing descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation (SD), frequency, and percent. Results: Overall, 83.34% of mothers mentioned praying as a way of complementary and alternative medicine, 67.34% used complementary and alternative medicine to increase child recovery chance, 74% reported general child recovery, 20% reported the occurrence of side-effects following the use of complementary and alternative medicine, 67.33% introduced their friends as their information source, 33.6% avoided informing the physician regarding the use of complementary and alternative medicine, and 76% maintained that due to the objection of physicians, they avoided informing him/her. Conclusions: The use of complementary and alternative medicine is common among mothers but due to the occurrence of side-effects, using invalid information sources and hiding it from a physician, the oncologists must provide a suitable opportunity for asking and answering to guide mothers for correct performance in the use of complementary and alternative medicine.
Evaluation of Needs Assessment in Continuing Medical Education Programs for Community Pharmacists in Isfahan, Iran
Authors: Minaiyan Mohsen , Mashhadi Akbar Boojar Mahdi , Aghaabdollahian Safieh , Bagheri Mahdi
Published: October 2020

Background: Acquiring the participants’ viewpoints of continuing medical education (CME) programs about the implementation of these programs is of special importance. Objectives: The current study aimed to assess the educational needs in CME programs by evaluating the pharmacists’ points of view and motivation for more active participation in these programs. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), from October 2013 to April 2018, 142. Pharmacists were randomly assigned among participants. Self-administered questionnaires were designed, and their content validity and reliability were determined by CME experts and Cronbach’s alpha measurement, respectively. Results: According to the pharmacists, restoring their previous knowledge and acquiring new information (84.5%) were the main reasons for participating in CME programs. Fifty seven percent of pharmacists insisted on the applied aspects of CME programs and stated clinical pharmacology and therapeutics as the most interesting topic (50%). Fifty-two percent of participants selected a combination of lecture and panel discussion as a perfect method for CME presentation. The programs’s levels in knowledge and skills or attitude promotion were evaluated high and very high by 41.9 and 44.5% of pharmacists, respectively. Conclusions: Most community pharmacists who participated in CME programs of IUMS had acceptable attendance with this study. It seemed that CME programs were reasonably by their expectations. The participants also had many interesting and valuable comments and expectations, based on which the planning of future programs may lead to enhance their motivation and improve their quality and satisfaction.
Agenda ambiental da administração pública (A3P) e sua aderência: o caso do Instituto Federal do Amazonas
Authors: Almeida Valdiney Ferreira de , Yunes Neto Camilo , Vidal Terena Couto Sampaio , Damasceno Leandro Amorim , Souza Andrea Lanza Cordeiro de , Simão Maria Olívia de Albuquerque Ribeiro
Published: October 2020

O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar um breve panorama da Agenda Ambiental da Administração Pública (A3P) e analisar seu papel como ferramenta macropolítica de Gestão Ambiental pública em escala local, sua aderência pelo Instituto Federal do Amazonas – IFAM. O presente estudo consistiu no levantamento teórico-bibliográfico da questão socioambiental, levantamento de dados por meio de consulta ao site do Ministério do Meio Ambiente além da pesquisa in loco. Para análise dos dados coletados foram utilizados métodos misto, com predominância qualitativa. A A3P é um programa de Gestão Ambiental institucional para o setor público, e, possui amplitude nas normas/acordos internacionais e nacionais. O panorama demonstra moderada aderência à Agenda pelas instituições públicas, sendo a esfera Federal destaque em adesões e premiações. A pesquisa revela que no IFAM, os resíduos gerados pela instituição precisam de melhor atenção, assim como os resíduos perigosos. Outra oportunidade de melhorias percebida são os investimentos em energias renováveis e o monitoramento do consumo da água. As licitações sustentáveis teve como ponto positivo a aderência ao pregão eletrônico, porém, ainda não é institucionalizada plenamente. A aderência da Agenda no IFAM foi percebida como parcial.
Utilização da técnica AHP nos índices de vulnerabilidade natural a erosão na bacia hidrográfica do Igarapé São Francisco como suporte para o ordenamento territorial
Authors: Soares Júnior Celso José Roberto
Published: October 2020

O avanço da sociedade com a utilização de novas tecnologias somada a necessidade de seu desenvolvimento, requerem cada vez mais o uso extensivo dos recursos naturais, provocando o desequilíbrio dinâmico na natureza. A bacia hidrográfica do Igarapé São Francisco, situada nos municípios de Campo Novo e Buritis, está em uma área de forte crescimento de fronteira agrícola, com isso apresenta intensos processos erosivos, consequência da indevida utilização dos solos. Desta forma, há a necessidade de dispor um planejamento ambiental de modo a instituir indicações e ações para uma apropriada gestão de um ambiente natural. Este trabalho utilizou o Plano Agropecuário e Florestal de Rondônia (Rondônia, 2001) como base para a análise das informações fitográficas na produção da carta de Vulnerabilidade Natural a Erosão, utilizando a metodologia proposta por Crepani et al. (1996; 2001). Tal método instrui e auxilia na consecução de estratégias e ações regionais, sendo, neste estudo, associada a técnica de assistência com multicritério para tomada de decisões, conhecida como técnica de Análise Hierárquica Processual (AHP) desenvolvida por Saaty (1977), que complementa a eficácia do método. A pesquisa, por fim, apura a suscetibilidade natural dos ambientes aos processos erosivo, tendo como produto a carta de vulnerabilidade natural a erosão, categorizando a área segundo grau de vulnerabilidade ambiental aos processos erosivos.
Thermal response of broilers in different poultry house models at the Amazon environmental conditions
Authors: Rufino João Paulo Ferreira , Martorano Lucieta Guerrero
Published: October 2020

The present study aimed to evaluate the thermal response of two models of aviary installed in different conditions of the Amazon rainforest and its effects on the poultry welfare. Two models of aviary were evaluated: conventional model, used in the Eastern Amazon (forced ventilation, low ceiling height, little vegetation around the aviary, and high density of birds per m2), and alternative model, used in the Western Amazon (natural ventilation, high ceiling height, a lot of vegetation around the aviary, and average density of birds per m2). Data collected were subjected to a Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05) after a significant ANOVA result. The conventional model of poultry house presented higher (p < 0.05) heat accumulation in its structures. Birds housed in the conventional model of poultry house had higher (p < 0.05) head, neck, back and leg temperatures, higher (p < 0.05) body heat accumulation, and lower heat exchange efficiency to the environment. From these results, we conclude that under Amazonian environmental conditions, the alternative model of poultry house, with natural ventilation, higher height of ceiling and vegetation around the poultry house, provided better environmental conditions and thermal comfort to the broilers due to lower heat concentration and better possibility of heat exchange with the environment.
Otro ángulo para acercarse a las historias: el periodismo de soluciones
Authors: Ollé Candela
Published: October 2020

La infodemia ha producido un exceso de información, contenidos falsos y noticias negativas. Y la ciudadanía ha reaccionado de manera opuesta a estos hechos: por un lado, una parte ha aumentado el consumo de medios y, por otro, un sector ha disminuido la frecuencia de consumo, incluso ha abandonado la información. Precisamente pensando en este segundo grupo, que tiene un riesgo de desconexión, hoy explicaremos qué es el periodismo constructivo y de soluciones. Otro ángulo para acercarse a las historias.
The influence of procedural features of constitutional control on the style of argumentation: a comparative study
Authors: Chirninov Aldar Munkozhargalovich
Published: October 2020

The subject of the study was the procedural features of constitutional control that affect the style of constitutional and judicial argumentation. The author sought to identify and analyze the parameters of norm-control activity that determine the content of argumentation techniques, using as an empirical basis of the study the experience of organizing constitutional control in Russia, Australia, Austria, Germany, Israel, Spain, Italy, Canada, USA, Taiwan, France and South Africa. Particular attention was paid to such procedural and procedural factors as the model of constitutional control, the procedure for considering cases, including the specifics of raising questions addressed by judges to participants in court proceedings, the availability of texts of procedural documents, the tradition of presenting the text of a court decision, the number of judges, the collegial procedure for making a decision and the content of the institute of dissenting opinion. Using the concept of argumentation style and identifying the correlation between specific procedural rules and argumentation patterns arising in the practice of constitutional justice, the author outlined the advantages and disadvantages of certain parameters of judicial control over the constitutionality of normative acts. In general, the conducted research allows us to conclude that the institutional environment of norm-controlled activity is formed not only by procedural rules, but also by legal traditions that dominate in a particular state, since the relevance, suitability and relevance of individual argumentation strategies used within the framework of constitutional control largely depend on their compatibility with the nature of legal thinking.
Problems of fulfillment of obligations of a bankrupt debtor by a third party in the framework of bankruptcy procedures of an individual
Authors: Bolotov Maksim Viktorovich
Published: October 2020

This article is devoted to the problem of fulfilling the obligations of a bankrupt debtor by a third party in the framework of bankruptcy procedures of an individual and the possibility of applying the rules provided for debtors вЂ“ legal entities. The question of the need to observe not only a certain sequence of actions of a third party, an arbitration manager and a court, but also the study of such additional issues as confirmation of the source of funds. When studying the issue, an analytical research method was used, which is expressed in the analysis of judicial practice. The choice of this particular research method is dictated, firstly, by the need to obtain information about law enforcement and, secondly, by the lack of research on this issue. В  Every year there are more cases of bankruptcy of individuals, in this regard, there is an increasing need to apply the rules on the performance of obligations by a third party for the debtor. Within the framework of the institution of bankruptcy of individuals, there are no such norms, but law enforcement practice demonstrates the need for norms on repayment of creditors' claims by a third party as part of debt restructuring procedures and the sale of a citizen's property. The rules provided for in Articles 113 and 125 of the Bankruptcy Law may be applied when resolving the issue of repayment of creditors' claims of a debtor вЂ“ an individual by a third party. At the same time, in addition to observing the formal procedure for repayment of claims, it is necessary to investigate the issue of the source of funds from a third party.
Certain controversial issues of definition and delineation of court rulings in criminal proceedings
Authors: Titkov Aleksandr Valer'evich
Published: October 2020

This article is dedicated to examination of certain controversial issues on the attributes of court rulings, as well as reasonableness of their delineation into final and provisional. The research demonstrates that the key attributes of provisional court ruling within the science of criminal proceedings consist in their auxiliary nature, peculiarities of coming into force, and feasibility. Expansion of the essence of the category of “auxiliary nature” of court rulings in combination with the requirements of criminal procedure law on ensuring rights and legal interests of the parties of criminal proceedings allowed the author to refute the affiliation of this attribute to separate court rulings out of a number of provisional. The author is equally critical towards other indicated attributes. The authors formulates an original approach towards classification of court rulings based on the priority of protection of rights and legal interests of the parties to criminal proceedings, namely proposes placing such attributes into the foundation of delineation of court rulings as impact upon constitutional rights of the parties to criminal proceedings. Presence of this impact also substantiates the possibility of independent appeal to the higher judicial instances.
Greenhouse Regulation: The Causan Nature Of Choice
Authors: Pimenova Oxana
Published: October 2020

In my research, I propose to place new emphasis on known facts through the application of the Coase theorem, which justifies the choice in state regulation that carries less social costs. The Kousian theorem of social costs gained its fame by refuting the absolute necessity of prohibiting harmful activities in all cases where harm is established. It turns out that it is not always necessary to fight malicious activity, but only when the implementation of malicious activity will entail costs for the whole society higher than those that society would have if this malicious activity were stopped. Coase's theorem is particularly applicable to the problem of environmental pollution, in which everything is complex and interdependent, and government regulation is associated with uncertainty about the consequences of its implementation due to the lack of complete and reliable information about all possible social costs. Based on the study of theoretical works on political economy and content analysis of international and national documents adopted to combat climate change, I come to the conclusion that the context of taking measures on greenhouse regulation plays a determinant role in their choice: hypothetical risks of global warming and real risks of decarbonization of the economy make rescue efforts incompatible. the planet and maintaining the well-being of citizens for those countries whose budgets depend on oil and gas. The context of national institutional development dictates the choice, and it is obvious вЂ“ either sheep or wolves. It is impossible to decarbonize production at the level of interstate cooperation without reducing the availability of consumption at the national level.
The birth of a bacterial tRNA gene by large-scale, tandem duplication events
Authors: Ayan Gökçe B , Park Hye Jin , Gallie Jenna
Published: October 2020

Organisms differ in the types and numbers of tRNA genes that they carry. While the evolutionary mechanisms behind tRNA gene set evolution have been investigated theoretically and computationally, direct observations of tRNA gene set evolution remain rare. Here, we report the evolution of a tRNA gene set in laboratory populations of the bacteriumPseudomonas fluorescensSBW25. The growth defect caused by deleting the single-copy tRNA gene,serCGA, is rapidly compensated by large-scale (45–290 kb) duplications in the chromosome. Each duplication encompasses a second, compensatory tRNA gene (serTGA) and is associated with a rise in tRNA-Ser(UGA) in the mature tRNA pool. We postulate that tRNA-Ser(CGA) elimination increases the translational demand for tRNA-Ser(UGA), a pressure relieved by increasingserTGAcopy number. This work demonstrates that tRNA gene sets can evolve through duplication of existing tRNA genes, a phenomenon that may contribute to the presence of multiple, identical tRNA gene copies within genomes.
Transcription termination and antitermination of bacterial CRISPR arrays
Authors: Stringer Anne M , Baniulyte Gabriele , Lasek-Nesselquist Erica , Seed Kimberley D , Wade Joseph T
Published: October 2020

A hallmark of CRISPR-Cas immunity systems is the CRISPR array, a genomic locus consisting of short, repeated sequences (‘repeats’) interspersed with short, variable sequences (‘spacers’). CRISPR arrays are transcribed and processed into individual CRISPR RNAs that each include a single spacer, and direct Cas proteins to complementary sequences in invading nucleic acid. Most bacterial CRISPR array transcripts are unusually long for untranslated RNA, suggesting the existence of mechanisms to prevent premature transcription termination by Rho, a conserved bacterial transcription termination factor that rapidly terminates untranslated RNA. We show that Rho can prematurely terminate transcription of bacterial CRISPR arrays, and we identify a widespread antitermination mechanism that antagonizes Rho to facilitate complete transcription of CRISPR arrays. Thus, our data highlight the importance of transcription termination and antitermination in the evolution of bacterial CRISPR-Cas systems.
Communication Skills of Grandview/Southview Medical Center General Surgery Residents
Authors: Johnson Wesley , Ngo Nhat-Anh , Elrod Michael
Published: October 2020

Context

In the transition of osteopathic programs to the single-accreditation graduate medical education (GME) system, residents are required to demonstrate skill in a set of core competencies identified by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) prior to graduation. Included in those core competencies are interpersonal and communication skills along with professionalism.

Objectives

To assess strengths and weaknesses of residents’ interpersonal communication skills and professionalism in the Grandview/Southview Medical Center (Dayton, OH) osteopathic general surgery program using the validated Communication Assessment Tool (CAT).

Methods

From November 2014 to June 2018, all patients who presented for an appointment at the Cassano General Surgery Clinic were asked by a medical assistant to complete a CAT questionnaire following their encounter with a resident physician. Patients at Cassano, an outpatient office-based facility directed to the underserved local community, are seen first by an intern, then by a 4th or 5th year resident and later by an attending physician. Patients 18 years of age or older were included; patients were excluded if they were unable to understand or read English. Patient demographics were collected, including age, gender, race/ethnicity, and previous exposure to this resident physician. Each resident's name was replaced on the CAT with a number for data analysis. The resident variables collected for this study included year of training, gender, and native language.

Results

The mean response for all CAT items was 4.5 out of 5, indicating that responses to resident performance were largely positive. Patients responded to 4 of the 14 CAT items with only excellent, very good, or good responses and no fair or poor responses. Four items had only 1 fair or poor response. The remaining 6 items received more than 1 fair or poor response: “greeted me in a way that made me feel comfortable” (#1), “talked in terms I could understand” (#8), “encouraged me to ask questions” (#10), “involved me in decisions as much as I wanted” (#11), “showed care and concern” (#13), and “spent the right amount of time with me” (#14).

Conclusions

Attending surgeons evaluate residents in multiple areas from a doctor's perspective, but there is a potential lack of correlation between that evaluation and a patient's experience, which is paramount in osteopathic medicine. Patient responses to the CAT questionnaire can be used by program directors to identify deficiencies in milestone/competency achievement and facilitate improvement both individually and programmatically for residents according to ACGME standards.
Readmission Risk Factors and Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Harmon Dustin , Rathousky Jennifer , Choudhry Faiza , Grover Harjot , Patel Ishwar , Jacobson Teresa , Boura Judith , Crawford Joan , Arnautovic Jelena
Published: October 2020

Context

Cases of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) exacerbations continue to affect patients' quality of life and cause significant financial burden on our healthcare system.

Objective

To identify risk factors for readmission in patients discharged with a diagnosis of HFpEF.

Methods

Electronic health records of patients over 18 years of age with a primary diagnosis of HFpEF treated between August 1, 2017 and March 1, 2018 in a community hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The study population included patients with HFpEF greater than 40% who were screened but did not qualify for the ongoing CONNECT- HF trial being conducted by Duke Clinical Research. To be included, subjects had to fall into 1 of 2 classifications (NYHA Class II-IV or ACC/AHA Stage B-D) and have a life expectancy greater than 6 months. Patients were excluded if they had terminal illness other than HF, a prior heart transplant or were on a transplant list, a current or planned placement of a left ventricular assist device, chronic kidney disease requiring hemodialysis, inability to use mobile applications, or inability to participate in longitudinal follow up. Readmission rate was analyzed at 30 and 90 days along with patients’ demographics and associated comorbidities, including peripheral vascular disease, anemia, pulmonary hypertension, arrythmia, and valvular heart disease. Patients were risk stratified using the LACE index readmission score and the Charlson comorbidity index.

Results

Of the 492 cases of HFpEF identified during the 7-month study period, 212 patients were included. The majority of patients were women (126; 59.4%), had a median body mass index above 30 kg/m2 (123; 58%), and had pulmonary hypertension (94; 44.3%), anemia (146; 68.8%), and arrhythmia (101, 47.6%). Forty-five (21.2%) patients were readmitted for HFpEF within 90 days of initial discharge; 32 of those (71.1%) were readmitted within 30 days of initial discharge. Patients with higher LACE and Charlson comorbidity index scores were more likely to be readmitted within 90 days. Peripheral vascular disease (P=.002), tricuspid regurgitation (P=.001), pulmonary hypertension (P=.049), and anemia (P=.029) were risk factors associated with readmissions. Use of ACEi/ARBs (P=.017) was associated with fewer readmissions.

Conclusion

Anemia, peripheral vascular disease, pulmonary hypertension, and valvular heart disease are not only postulated mechanisms of HFpEF, but also important risk factors for readmission. These study findings affirm the need for continued research of the pathophysiology and associated comorbidities of the HFpEF population to improve quality of life and lower healthcare costs.
Biases in genome reconstruction from metagenomic data
Authors: Nelson William C. , Tully Benjamin J. , Mobberley Jennifer M.
Published: October 2020

Background

Advances in sequencing, assembly, and assortment of contigs into species-specific bins has enabled the reconstruction of genomes from metagenomic data (MAGs). Though a powerful technique, it is difficult to determine whether assembly and binning techniques are accurate when applied to environmental metagenomes due to a lack of complete reference genome sequences against which to check the resulting MAGs.

Methods

We compared MAGs derived from an enrichment culture containing ~20 organisms to complete genome sequences of 10 organisms isolated from the enrichment culture. Factors commonly considered in binning software—nucleotide composition and sequence repetitiveness—were calculated for both the correctly binned and not-binned regions. This direct comparison revealed biases in sequence characteristics and gene content in the not-binned regions. Additionally, the composition of three public data sets representing MAGs reconstructed from theTaraOceans metagenomic data was compared to a set of representative genomes available through NCBI RefSeq to verify that the biases identified were observable in more complex data sets and using three contemporary binning software packages.

Results

Repeat sequences were frequently not binned in the genome reconstruction processes, as were sequence regions with variant nucleotide composition. Genes encoded on the not-binned regions were strongly biased towards ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, mobile element functions and genes of unknown function. Our results support genome reconstruction as a robust process and suggest that reconstructions determined to be >90% complete are likely to effectively represent organismal function; however, population-level genotypic heterogeneity in natural populations, such as uneven distribution of plasmids, can lead to incorrect inferences.
Food and Nutrition Coping Strategies in Flood Prone Areas of Bunyala and Nyando Sub Counties Kenya
Authors: Odida Lynette Ochuma , Nabiswa Ferdinand
Published: October 2020

The nutrition situation in flood affected areas in Kenya is precarious and likely to deteriorate sharply in the coming years. Humanitarian crises exacerbate nutrition risks and poor food consumption practices thereby aggravating malnutrition. There is lack of data on the pre and post floods food and nutrition situation. This study sought to assess Coping strategies by vulnerable groups for sustainable food consumption patterns and nutrition status in flood prone areas of Bunyala and Nyando Sub Counties, Kenya. The study sample comprised of 208 households out of which the vulnerable groups (children 6-59 months and lactating mothers 15-49 years) was derived, key informants interviews and focus group discussions and informed consents from the participants were taken. The study sites were Nyando and Bunyala Sub counties, in western Kenya. The areas were purposively selected given the long history of floods over time, the study started from 4th November to 15th December, 2018. The study adopted a cross sectional descriptive survey and evaluation design. Cluster sampling was used to select the administrative units and households, purposive sampling to select the key informants and simple random sampling to select the vulnerable groups. The data was collected using questionnaires, key informant interview guide, focus group discussions and secondary data. The data was analyzed by SPSS version 16, Nutri-survey and ENA soft wares. Chi square statistical test was used to determine the relationship between the food consumption patterns and nutritional status of the vulnerable groups. The results were then presented using tables and graphs. The main findings were that most households continued to stay in flood prone areas despite early warnings and food aid was hardly available. The coping strategies were limited with majority adjusting the frequency of food intake and type of food eaten. The study concluded that the coping strategies  were varied and uncoordinated and therefore not sustainable. Thus, there is need to build community resilience through expanding multi-agency social protection programs in flood prone areas to cushion the vulnerable groups against food and nutrition insecurity.
Microbial Assessment of Grey Water Samples Treated with Activated Carbon Forms of Selected Agro-wastes
Authors: Adamma Nduka Chidimma , Nwabueze Okereke Josephat , Chukwudi Peter,
Published: October 2020

This study evaluated the efficacy of activated carbon from rice husk, corn cob and coconut husk wastes in the reduction of microbial properties of grey water samples harvested from students’ hostels. Microscopic characterization, enumerations and identification of microbial isolates were carried out to determine the microbial community before and after the treatment with activated carbon.  Staphylococcus sp, Micrococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Salmonella sp, Saccharomyces sp and Penicillium sp were observed to be present in the grey water. Before treatment, Total Heterotrophic Count (THC) was 1.2 x 1011cfu/ml, Total Coliform Count (TCC), 6.4 x 106cfu/ml and Total Fungi Count (TFC) 2.2 x 1010cfu/ml. THC after the treatment ranged from 1.69 x 109 - 7.6 x 1010cfu/ml; TCC, 2.2 x 105 - 7.3 x 108cfu/ml and TFC 1.0 x 108 - 1.2 x 109cfu/ml. Reduction in the microbial load after treatment revealed that activated carbons from rice husk, corn cob and coconut husk can be used singly or in combined states for the treatment of wastewater.
Agricultural Commercialization and Food Security Nexus among Maize Farmers in Akure South Local Government, Ondo State, Nigeria
Authors: Oparinde L. O. , Aturamu O. A. , Ojo O. Olumide , Kulogun O. S.
Published: October 2020

Aims: An essential path to economic growth and expansion is commercialization of smallholder agriculture for the greatest number of emerging countries that depend on agriculture. Hence, the need to examine agricultural commercialization and food security nexus among maize farmers in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. This is due to the fact that maize is the most important staple food in Nigeria.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Ondo State, Nigeria between March and July 2019.

Methodology: The sampling procedure used in the selection of a sample of 120 respondents was a two-stage random sampling procedure. Data for this study were drawn from the sampled respondents with the help of a structured questionnaire and interview schedule. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and probit regression model.

Results: The results show that majority (35.8% and 65%) of the respondents were between 31 and 40 years of age and males, respectively. Also, majority (52.5%) of the respondents had between 81 and 100% level of commercialization, while 54.2% of the respondents were food insecure. Furthermore, household size, year of schooling, level of commercialization, farming experience, non-farm activities, and market information had significant influence on food security status of the respondents in the study area.

Conclusion: In conclusion, agricultural commercialization is capable of swelling the likelihood of being food secure. Therefore, policies and necessary supports that can enhance agricultural commercialization among maize farmers should be put in place by individuals, government and non-governmental organizations in order to alleviate the menace of food insecurity.
Welfare Effects of the Production of Indigenous Food Crops in Farming Communities in the Northern Region of Ghana
Authors: Andani Alhassan
Published: October 2020

Aims: Maintaining diverse diets through diversified farming systems presents opportunities for better nutrition and greater health status for peasant families in rural communities around the globe. This study explores the welfare effects of the adoption of indigenous food crops by farming communities in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Study Design: The study followed a multi-stage sampling procedure and utilized primary data collected.

Methodology: Using a standard treatment effect estimation approach, the study examined the effect of the production of indigenous food crops on household dietary diversity using primary data collected from 405 households in farming communities in Ghana’s Northern Region for the 2016/17 crop season.

Results: Descriptive results reveal a mean dietary diversity score of 8.5 for producer households which is significantly different from the score of 6.2 for non-producer households. Also, the results show a high proportion of indigenous crop-producing households in the medium and high dietary diversity scores compared to non-producing households. Empirical results reveal a positive and significant impact of the production of indigenous food crops on household dietary diversity. The study also finds that household head education, non-farm work, livestock ownership, age and number of children have a positive effect on household dietary diversity.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the production of indigenous food crops promotes the consumption of diverse foods among farm families and recommends that policies aimed at diverse food consumption and improved nutrition security among rural farming communities should consider promoting increased production of indigenous food crops.
Aquaporin 1 mediates early responses to osmotic stimuli in endothelial cells via the calmodulin pathway
Authors: Jiang Yong , Wang Chengqi , Ma Rui , Zhao Ying , Ma Xinyue , Wan Jiaxin , Li Chunxiang , Chen Fanghao , Fang Fang , Li Mingguang
Published: October 2020

The aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of integral membrane proteins which play critical roles in controlling transcellular water movement in various tissues throughout the body. AQP1 helps mediate the cellular response to osmotic stress and tissue water permeability. However, the mechanism by which AQP1 mediates changes in cell volume is not completely clear. Here, we investigated how AQP1 responds to and controls cell volume upon osmotic stimuli during the early phase after the immediate response. Cells overexpressing AQP1 were exposed to hypotonic or hypertonic medium in the presence or absence of staurosporine or W‐7 hydrochloride, and fluorescence imaging was performed at 0, 5, 10, and 15 min later. Osmotic stimuli induced redistribution of AQP1 into the cell membrane, hypotonic stimuli caused cell enlargement, and hypertonic stimuli induced a reduction in cell size, which was blocked by T157A/T239A mutations. Changes in cell size induced by osmotic stimuli were blocked by an antagonist of calmodulin kinase, W‐7 hydrochloride, but not by the PKC inhibitor staurosporine. These results suggest that calmodulin kinase regulates AQP1 activity during the early response to osmotic stimuli.
Boosting Coulombic Efficiency of Conversion‐Reaction Anodes for Potassium‐Ion Batteries via Confinement Effect
Authors: Cao Kangzhe , Zheng Runtian , Wang Shaodan , Shu Jie , Liu Xiaogang , Liu Huiqiao , Huang Ke‐Jing , Jing Qiang‐Shan , Jiao Lifang
Published: October 2020

Potassium‐ion battery anode materials with high capacity always hold one or more K ions and are companied by large volume swelling, which threatens the stability of solid‐electrolyte‐interface (SEI) layers, and results in low coulombic efficiency as well as inferior cycling stability. Herein, an avenue that induces the rapid formation of continuous SEI layers by the confinement effect to boost K ions storage property is proposed. CuS nanoplates are dispersed on the core layer of carbon nanofibers and further confined by the Nb2O5‐C shell layer, constructing core–shell structure CuS‐C@Nb2O5‐C nanofibers (NFs). The shell layer protects the CuS nanoplates from immediate contact with the electrolyte and brings about volume expansion, assisting the rapid formation of continuous SEI layers. As a result, the capacity retention of the CuS‐C@Nb2O5‐C NFs electrode remains at 93.1% after 100 cycles, much larger than that of the CuS‐C NF electrode (74.6%); the process that coulombic efficiency stabilized above 99.0% shortens to 5 cycles from 30 cycles. This progress is also found in the CoS2‐C@Nb2O5‐C and NiS2‐C@Nb2O5‐C NFs electrodes. The improved coulombic efficiency and cycling stability brought about by the confinement effect offer a facile approach to boost the K ion storage property of conversion reaction anodes.
Dislocation‐Strained IrNi Alloy Nanoparticles Driven by Thermal Shock for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Liu Siliang , Hu Zheng , Wu Yizeng , Zhang Jinfeng , Zhang Yang , Cui Baihua , Liu Chang , Hu Shi , Zhao Naiqin , Han Xiaopeng , Cao Anyuan , Chen Yanan , Deng Yida , Hu Wenbin
Published: October 2020

Designing high‐performance and low‐cost electrocatalysts is crucial for the electrochemical production of hydrogen. Dislocation‐strained IrNi nanoparticles loaded on a carbon nanotube sponge (DSIrNi@CNTS) driven by unsteady thermal shock in an extreme environment are reported here as a highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst. Experimental results demonstrate that numerous dislocations are kinetically trapped in self‐assembled IrNi nanoparticles due to the ultrafast quenching and different atomic radii, which can induce strain effects into the IrNi nanoparticles. Such strain‐induced high‐energy surface structures arising from bulk defects (dislocations), are more likely to be resistant to surface restructuring during catalysis. The catalyst exhibits outstanding HER activity with only 17 mV overpotential to achieve 10 mA cm−2 in an alkaline electrolyte with fabulous stability, exceeding state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C catalysts. These density functional theory results demonstrate that the electronic structure of as‐synthesized IrNi nanostructure can be optimized by the strain effects induced by the dislocations, and the free energy of HER can be tuned toward the optimal region.
Meta‐Imaging: from Non‐Computational to Computational
Authors: Li Wenzhi , Qi Jiaran , Sihvola Ari
Published: October 2020

Imaging equipment is one of the most powerful tools for the human to explore the world. Devices utilizing various portions of the electromagnetic spectrum are developed to reveal the fine details of objects and extend the sensing range. Recently, the advent of metamaterials/metasurfaces has significantly advanced the evolution of both imaging components and techniques. Many promising imaging methods based on metamaterials/metasurfaces arise owing to their superior spatial modulation capabilities over the electromagnetic waves. This review focuses on applications of metamaterials/metasurfaces in the electromagnetic/optical imaging, and summarizes the recent developments of metamaterial/metasurface imaging in a new perspective, which can be categorized into the non‐computational and the computational ones. First, the purposes, principles, methodology of non‐computational meta‐imaging are presented, which covers the evanescent‐wave‐collecting lens with sub‐diffraction‐limited imaging potentials and the focal metalens with Fourier transformation functionalities. Second, the principles of various computational meta‐imaging methodologies are elucidated, including mainly the Born approximation, the synthetic aperture radar, and the ghost imaging. Finally, a brief conclusion and prospects to meta‐imaging will be provided.
Direct Printing of Micropatterned Plasmonic Substrates of Size‐Controlled Gold Nanoparticles by Precision Photoreduction
Authors: Zhang Yangxi , Liang Zengtian , Zhang A. Ping , Tam Hwa‐Yaw
Published: October 2020

Although the extraordinary optical property of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has been known for a long time, the anticipated applications of AuNPs in plasmonically enhanced substrates and photonic microdevices are still under development. In this paper, a method for the direct printing of micrometer‐scale patterns of size‐controlled AuNPs is presented for plasmonic substrates and microsensor development. Using in‐house digital ultraviolet lithography, a precision photoreduction technology is developed for light‐controlled growth of AuNPs to create micrometer‐scale micropatterns on a titanium dioxide photocatalytic layer. The titanium dioxide thin layer not only enables a photocatalytic reduction process for high‐precision printing of size‐controlled AuNPs in an additive manner, but also introduces a Fano resonance that can sharpen spectral width of localized surface plasmon resonance peak and increase its peak‐to‐valley value. This printing technology can be used to cost‐effectively fabricate size‐scalable micropatterned plasmonic substrates of size‐controlled AuNPs and thus offers new opportunities to develop various types of miniature plasmonic devices ranging from plasmonic biochemical sensors to plasmonically enhanced photothermal and photovoltaic microdevices.