bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PERFORMANCE OF BIODEGRADABLE FLOATING DIRECT COVERS IN THE FIELD PRODUCTION OF BUTTERHEAD LETTUCE DURING SPRING AND AUTUMN TRIALS
Authors: Kalisz Andrzej , Sękara Agnieszka , Grabowska Aneta , Sulak Konrad , Capecka Ewa , Libik Andrzej , Jurkow Rita , Kulig Bogdan
Published: May 2021

Non-degradable polypropylene nonwovens are difficult to dispose and their utilization represents high economic costs. This study was conducted on lettuce cultivated during the spring and autumn seasons in the southern part of Poland to test biodegradable nonwovens as plant covers. Several nonwovens were developed from aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters (ACC), one without modifiers (SB48/11) and three with the addition of fatty acid dimers: two commercial variants (SB20/13, SB21/13) and one made from plant biomass (SB28/13). Nonwoven polypropylene (PP) fleece was included as a control cover. One week after covering with SB48/11, stomatal conductance (gs) increased in lettuce plants in parallel with higher transpiration rate (E) and sub-stomatal CO2 concentration (Ci) relative to the control, but differences in these parameters evened out in mature plants. In the spring, degradable covers with their higher mass per unit area, caused a decrease in marketable yield of lettuce compared to the control PP, resulting mainly from the deterioration of plant quality and lower mean weight per head. In the autumn season, yield was statistically not different between treatments. Yield of spring lettuces was 78% higher compared to the autumn cultivation period. Plants grown under SB20/13 had the lowest dry weight and L-ascorbic acid, while plants under SB21/13 had the highest dry weight and L-ascorbic acid content. Plants under SB28/13 had higher chlorophyll a content. Generally, no effect of covers was noted for carotenoid concentrations. The content of dry weight, L-ascorbic acid, and carotenoids were higher in plants harvested in spring, while no effects of crop season on chlorophyll level were observed. All tested biodegradable nonwovens are a potential substitute for standard polypropylene in autumn trials, but for spring covering unit weight of these materials should be reduced.
The PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF PROMISING PLUM (Prunus domestica L.) GENOTYPES BRED AT FRUIT RESEARCH INSTITUTE, ČAČAK
Authors: Glišić Ivana S , Milatović Dragan P. , Milošević Nebojša T. , Marić Slađana A. , Lukić Milan M. , Popović Branko T.
Published: May 2021

Five plum hybrids (38/62/70, IV/63/81, 32/21/87, 34/41/87 and 22/17/87) and newly released cultivar ‘Nada’, obtained by planned hybridisation and singled out within breeding programme at Fruit Research Institute, Čačak, were assessed for the main physical (fruit and stone weight and flesh percentage), chemical (soluble solids content, total and inverted sugars content, sucrose content, total acids content, pH value of fruit juice, ratio of soluble solids and total acids content and ratio of total sugars and total acids content) and sensorial (attractiveness, taste, aroma and consistency) traits compared with the standard cultivar ʻČačanska Lepoticaʼ. Results showed that the studied plum genotypes differed significantly in all of the assessed traits. Regarding the physical features, the best results were shown by hybrid 38/62/70, which had the highest fruit weight (56.92 g) and flesh percentage (96.91%), as well as by the new cultivar ‘Nada’, for which a larger fruit was observed in comparison to the standard (45.54 g and 42.24 g, respectively). Also, ‘Nada’ had better sensorial properties such as attractiveness, taste, aroma and consistency in relation to the other promising hybrids and the standard cultivar. From the aspect of all the studied sensorial characteristics, in addition to ‘Nada’, only hybrid 38/62/70 was aligned with the standard cultivar. Out of the studied genotypes, late ripening hybrid 22/17/87 had the best values of parameters of fruit chemical composition such as the soluble solids content (17.01%), total and inverted sugars contents (12.31% and 8.96%, respectively). The highest sucrose content (3.39%), pH value of fruit juice (3.51), as well as the highest ratio between soluble solids and total acids content (43.72) and ratio between total sugars and total acids content (32.58) were found in cultivar ‘Nada’. The highest total acids content (1.42%) was recorded in hybrid 32/21/87. Compared to ʻČačanska Lepoticaʼ, the same or better results in terms of the fruit chemical composition were determined in cultivar ‘Nada’ and hybrids 34/41/87 and 22/17/87. The study revealed existence of significant correlations between individual studied parameters of the fruit physical, chemical and sensorial properties.
LEAF AND FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS AND GENETIC DIVERSITY OF WILD FRUIT Cerasus prostrata GENOTYPES COLLECTED FROM THE CENTRAL ANATOLIA, TURKEY
Authors: Uzun Aydın , Yaman Mehmet , Pinar Hasan , Gök Batuhan Durmuş , Gazel İsa
Published: May 2021

Cerasus prostrata (Lab.) Ser. is quite widespread in some regions of Turkey. It is a wild and deciduous fruit species. The species is commonly encountered in Central Anatolia over the foothills of Erciyes Mountain. In this study, some fruit and leaf characteristics of 30 C. prostrata genotypes collected from the foothills of Erciyes Mountain were determined and genetic diversity among them was presented. Fruit weights of the genotypes varied between 0.66–0.23 g and fruit flesh ratios varied between 84.59–63.11%. Leaf width, leaf length and petiole lengths of the genotypes respectively varied between 1.61–0.68 cm; 4.02–1.82 cm and 0.60–0.28 cm. In genetic analyses, 17 ISSR primers were used and 115 bands were obtained. Of these bands, 98 were polymorphic. All genotypes were distinguished from each other. Relatively high variation was identified between the genotypes and similarity levels varied between 0.70–0.95. Current findings revealed significant information for the preservation and appraisal of C. prostrata. Further studies are recommended for breeding and protection of this species.
Phosphorus resources and fractions in peat-muck soils
Authors: Becher Marcin , Pakuła Krzysztof , Pielech Joanna , Trzcińska Ewa
Published: May 2021

The goal of the research was to determine the resources and speciation (forms of occurrence) of phosphorus in organic soils of drained fens of the Wysoczyzna Siedlecka. Two profiles of muck soils were generated from different peats. Basic physical and chemical properties of the soils and the quantity, resources and fractions of phosphorus in the soil were determined.

The majority of the total resource of soil phosphorus was accumulated in the muck horizons of the analysed soils. The total content of phosphorus materially correlated with characteristically variable parameters in the moorshification process (voids free bulk density of the content of organic matter, C/N ratio and C/P ratio). Additionally, a material positive correlation of the content of phosphorus with the content of iron, manganese and aluminium was observed.

The moorshification process of the analysed soils entails the qualitative transformation of phosphorus compounds, mainly involving an increase in the share of more labile and easily available forms, forms released in reduction conditions and forms combined with metallic oxides, apatite, carbonate and labile organic forms.
Application of the thermoporoelasticity model in numerical modelling of underground coal gasification influence on the surrounding medium
Authors: Uciechowska-Grakowicz Anna , Strzelecki Tomasz
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this paper was to present the thermoporoelasticity model adapted for application in modelling processes, where phase transition may occur, such as during underground coal gasification (UCG). The mathematical model of the medium (soil/rock with pores filled with liquid/gas) in non-isothermal conditions is based on Biot's poroelasticity model. The poroelasticity model is expanded here by the influence of temperature and adjusted to the case where both liquid and highly compressible fluid are present in pores by using the gas laws. This requires considering temperature-dependent physical quantities such as pore fluid density, heat transfer coefficient and viscosity as functions of temperature. Based on the proposed mathematical model and the finite element method, a numerical model was built for the purpose of computing processes occurring in the vicinity of the UCG generator. The result of the authors’ work is a three-dimensional (3D) model, which was not only modified, but derived straight from the laws of thermodynamics, where fields of displacement, temperature and fluid flow are coupled. The model makes it possible to determine results significant to modelling of the UCG process, the reach of the gaseous phase's presence in pores, subsidence values, temperature distribution and directions and rate of seepage, without losing the simplicity and elegance of Biot's original concept. Next, the results of simulations for a hypothetical deposit to estimate the environmental impact of UCG are presented. After applying specific geometry and parameters, the model can be useful for verifying if the chosen technology of UCG in specific conditions will be safe for the environment and infrastructure.
Do Auditor Firm Size and Financial Expertise of Audit Committee Affect Voluntary Disclosure of Nigerian Banks?
Authors: Umaru Hussein Omeiza , Bunmi Olawale , Ozovehe Umaru Usman , Shalli Adamu Mohammed
Published: May 2021

Objective – This study explores the effect of auditor firm size and audit committee financial expertise on voluntary disclosure of Nigerian listed banks.  Design/methodology – The correlational research design is adopted. The secondary data source was obtained from the audited annual financial statement of the banks from 2008 to 2018. The study sample size is 13 listed banks drawn out of a population of 15 Nigerian listed banks as reflected in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) fact book as at 31st December, 2018. The study employed the robust ordinary least square (OLS) regression technique to analyze the panel data obtained for the study. Results – The finding reveals that auditor firm size has a significant positive effect with voluntary disclosure of Nigeria banks. Similarly, financial expertise of audit committee has a significant positive effect on voluntary disclosure of the banks in Nigeria. The result suggest that the choice of big audit firms by clients, regulators and users of audited financial statement against their counterparts (non-big four) is warranted. The management should ensure that the audit committee members with accounting and finance expertise possess requisite knowledge of the industry. Originality – Extant studies are foreign based. However, findings from such studies may not be applicable in Nigeria due to different requirements, given environmental disparities amongst others.
Informe Anual 2020
Authors:   Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua
Published: May 2021

El presente informe presenta los proyectos más destacados que este Instituto llevó a cabo durante el 2020, un año en el que todo el mundo fue puesto a prueba por la presencia de un virus, que demostró de manera directa la relación que guardan la salud ambiental y la salud humana. En el caso del agua, ya desde hace mucho tiempo, vivir en la pobreza rural o urbana es sinónimo de un limitado acceso a ella y de una precaria seguridad hídrica, que a su vez se relacionan con la limitada garantía de los derechos humanos al agua y saneamiento de la población que se encuentra en esta situación.
PRIMENA LEAN-A U STARTUP KOMPANIJI
Authors: Almaj Marina
Published: May 2021

U radu su predstavljena unapređenja koja bi proistekla implementacijom Lean-a u startup kom­paniji Nature in Glass, sa posebnim osvrtom na prostornu strukturu preduzeća i organizovanje procesa rada.
PRIMENA EMBOK MODELA NA PRIMERU ORGANIZACIJE SPORTSKOG DOGAĐAJA
Authors: Tomić Nataša
Published: May 2021

U radu je analiziran EMBOK model i mogućnost njegove priene u organizovanju sprtskog događaja. Date susugestije, prikazana ograničenja modela iz čega su dobijene i prikazane smernice za prilagođavanje  modela ovoj vrsti događaja.
IMPLEMENTACIJA ELEKTRONSKOG ZDRAVSTVENOG SISTEMA NA PRIMERU STUDENTSKOG DOMA ZDRAVLJA
Authors: Duraković Aleksandra , Morača Slobodan
Published: May 2021

U radu se analizira primena meto­dologija planiranja uvođenja i kontrole projekta implementacije elektronskog zdravstvenog sistema na primeru Studentskog Doma zdravlja.
LJUDSKI RESURSI I STRES NA RADU
Authors: Ivkov Marko
Published: May 2021

Ovaj rad bavi se prikazivanjem toga kako nastaje stres na poslu, koje su njegove posledice po čoveka i organizaciju, kao i načine na koje se on može prevazići. Analizirana je kompanija Sojaprotein d.o.o. iz Bečeja gde su zaposleni popunjavali upitnik o indikatorima stresa. Predmet rada su stavovi zaposlenih o pogledu stresa na poslu, kakav je njegov uticaj na njihov posao  u kojoj meri je zastupljen. Cilj istraživanja je utvrditi stepen uticaja stresa na zaposlene i ovu kompaniju, načine za njegovo prevazilaženje, kao i u kolikoj meri stres ima uticaj na sam posao koji se obavlja i njegove rezultate. Rezultati istraživanja mogu dati kompaniji uvid u to kakva je trenutna situacija, kao i šta može da se preduzme ne bi li ona bila još bolja.
UPRAVLJANJE PROIZVODNJOM NAMEŠTAJA UZ PRIMENU SAVREMENOG PRISTUPA POSLOVANJU
Authors: Kocić Mila , Morača Slobodan
Published: May 2021

U ovom radu prikazano je upravljanje proizvodnjom nameštaja, zatečeno stanje i predlog unap­ređenja procesa poslovanja automatizacijom, uz imple­mentaciju ERP sistema, RFID i Clouding tehnologija.
ДИЗАЈНЕРСКО РАЗМИШЉАЊЕ КАО МЕТОДА КРЕАТИВНОГ РЕШАВАЊА ПРОБЛЕМА
Authors: Рашевић Ирена
Published: May 2021

Дизајнерско размишљање (енгл. Design Thinking) представља методу у креативном реша­вању проблема која у центар истраживања постав­ља потребе тржишта и потрошача. Предности ове методе је њена применљивост у свим индустријама, фокусираност на проналажење најбољег решења, од­носно решења које је у том тренутку најприхватљи­вије, константно тестирање решења и потрага за могућим унапређењима. Дизајнерско размишљање мо­же представљати алат за управљање иновацијама, али и алат за креативно решавање проблема. Ова ме­тода се успешно комбинује са савременим методама за управљање процесом иновација или унапређења процеса и често је претходница другим методама попут агилних методологија (енгл. Agile) или лина (енгл. Lean). Уз помоћ ове методе, коришћењем конвергентних и дивергентних приступа, односно приступом два дијаманта, добијамо затворени процес у коме се итеративни процеси константно смењују у циљу унапређења процеса, услуге, производа или решавања одређеног проблема.
SMANJENJE TROŠKOVA ZALIHA I POVRAT ROBE
Authors: Džukljev Aleksandra
Published: May 2021

Predmet ovog rada je analiza troškova koje organizacija ima usled potrebe posedovanja zaliha gotove robe, kao i usled poslovanja sa velikim brojem poslovnih partnera koji čine posrednika između dobavljača i potrošača-kupca. Primenom odgovarajućih metoda i tehnika, izvršena je analiza upravljanje zalihama, utvrđeni su nedostaci i predložene mere unapređenja uspešnosti radi umanjenja ili eleminisanja indentifikovanih troškova koji utiču na profitabilnost.
UNAPREĐENJE PROCESA REALIZACIJE SISTEMA PENZIJSKOG I INVALIDSKOG OSIGURANJA
Authors: Maćašev Aleksandra
Published: May 2021

U radu su predstavljene teorijske osnove sistema menadžmenta kvaliteta i primena u oblasti penzionog sistema. Cilj rada je da se prikažu procesi, analiziraju najznačajniji problemi i predlože zaštitne mere za unapređenje procesa realizacije sistema penzijskog i invalidskog osiguranja
UVOĐENJE I IMPLEMENTACIJA STANDARDA ISO 14001:2015 SA ASPEKTA UPRAVLJANJA OTPADOM U KOMPANIJI „ELMED“ D.O.O.
Authors: Vavan Verica , Batinić Bojan
Published: May 2021

Ovim radom je prikazana potreba za uvođenjem standarda ISO 14001:2015, uz sagledavanje prednosti za samu kompaniju ukoliko primenjuje standard i pridržava se osnovnih načela životne sredine. Predstavljena je srž uvođenja standarda sa primenom u kompaniji “Elmed” d.o.o., kao i šira slika u implemen­taciji samog standarda i izazovi sa kojima se kompanija susreće prilikom uvođenja istog. Krajnji rezultat jeste detaljan plan za implementaciju standarda. Predložena je i mogućnost za poboljšanje samog standarda u kompaniju, jer osnovni cilj održavanja svakog standarda jeste upravo permanentno unapređenje.
RAZVOJ UREĐAJA ZA ISPITIVANJE ČISTOĆE HIDRAULIČKOG FLUIDA
Authors: Rodić Goran
Published: May 2021

U radu je razmotren razvijeni prototip mobilnog uređaja za testiranje čistoće hidrauličkog fluida. Testiranje se vrši pomoću hidrauličkog senzora koji broji količinu čvrstih čestica, a zatim se dobijeni kod ispisuje na displej uređaja.
PROCENA RIZIKA HOTELA ,,PATRIA” U SUBOTICI OD POŽARA I ZEMLJOTRESA
Authors: Vučetić Bojan
Published: May 2021

U radu je predstavljena procena rizika od požara i zemljotresa za hotel ,,Patria” u Subotici. Postupak procenjivanja i sadržaj procene usaglašeni su sa Uputstvom o metodologiji za izradu procene rizika i planova zaštite i spasavanja u vanrednim situacijama.
PROGRAMSKO REŠENJE ZA AUTOMATIZACIJU PRODAJE AUTOMOBILA RAZVIJENO U VEB TEHNOLOGIJI
Authors: Dujaković Milijana
Published: May 2021

Kroz ovaj rad biće opisaniu koraci koji omogućavaju kreiranje programskog rešenja za automa­tizaciju prodaje automobila. Ovo programsko rešenje razvijeno je kao veb aplikacija uz primenu ASP.NET Razor Pages tehnologije koja je sastavni deo Microsoft-ovog .NET okruženja. Detaljno će biti opisane korićene tehnologije, postupak kreiranja aplikacije kao i njen sam izgled.
KORIŠĆENJE DOP, SOP I VOP OPERACIJA ZA DOBIJANJE EFEKTA RAZARANJA U HOUDINI SOFTVERU
Authors: Stolić Aleksandra
Published: May 2021

Vizuelni efekti su neizbežni kada se govori o poboljšanju sekvence u nekom filmu ili seriji. Za razliku od specijalnih efekta koji se fizički dešavaju prilikom snimanja, vizuelni efekti se dodaju kasnije, digitalnom obradom. U ovom radu opisan je proces dobijanja efekta razaranja u Houdini softveru. Iako su i drugi softveri mogu koristiti za dobijanje efekata, ono što izdvaja Houdini je njegovo proceduralno node-based radno okruženje koje nam omogućava da izvršavamo promene u bilo kom delu piepline-a sa malo ili bez ikakvih posledica. Implementacija efekta razaranja u Houdini-u se u ovom radu sastoji iz dva dela. Prvi deo opisuje proceduralno modelovanje objekta stene pomoću VOP operacija, dok se drugi deo bavi fragmentacijom stene prilikom razaranja, gde su primenjene DOP i SOP. Cilj je bio ispitati prednosti i mane DOP, SOP i VOP operacija prilikom izrade efekta.
Did Covid-19 pandemic narrow the spectrum of surgical indications?
Authors: Keskin Ahmet , Karslioglu Bulent
Published: May 2021

Introduction. The Covid-19 outbreak has changed orthopedic practices more than expected. We are going through a period in which conservative treatment will become prominent when deciding on fractures with indistinct surgical margins in guidelines. Considering global tendency for surgical interventions in the pre-pandemic period, we tried to find out the answer to the following question: will conservative treatment be the shining star in the post pandemic period? Materials and Methods. 262 patients who were with “gray zone fractures-injuries” like extraarticular distal radius fracture, proximal humerus fracture and Weber type B ankle fracture was treated conservatively during March and August, 2020. Open or pathological fracture, fractures with vascular or neurological injury and fractures involving the articular joint were excluded. Results. 59 patients with proximal humerus fracture followed with arm-sling. Mean ASES scores at 6th was 48.3 and 69.9 12th week. 91 patients with Weber B-type ankle fracture were followed up with below-knee plaster for 6 weeks. American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Score was 48 in the 6th week and 75 in the 12th week. 90 patients with distal radius fracture were followed up with plaster. Malunion was detected at 5 patients. Mean Quick Dash score at 6th weeks was 52.3 and 29.5 at 12th weeks. Mean wrist flexion was 450, wrist extension was 350, forearm supination 600 and forearm pronation was 700 at final control. Conclusions. The conservative treatment experiences we have gained from pandemic periods probably will change our treatment algorithm.
A case of primary bilateral breast lymphoma presenting with a painless mass in the left breast
Authors: Sanli Deniz Esin Tekcan , Yildirim Duzgun
Published: May 2021

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Patients usually present with a rapidly progressed painless mass in the breast. The first pathological entity to be considered is breast cancer in case of newly developed painless mass, so that radiological and pathological evaluations must be performed. However, some systemic disorders; benign conditions like rheumatological diseases, and also systemic malignancies such as lymphoma, can mimic breast cancer by involving the breast. It is necessary to distinguish between such diseases through a correct diagnosis, because they have very different treatments and prognoses. We present a case diagnosed as bilateral primary breast lymphoma with a palpable mass in a single breast, its clinical and radiological characteristics. This case report suggests that systemic diseases should be considered in the differential diagnosis of breast diseases and breast masses, especially when there is bilaterally involvement, as discussed in this article.
Crossed renal ectopia with an unusual form of fusion (inverted U shape) managed by novel approach - laparoscopic ureterocalicostomy. A case report
Authors: Hani Osama Bani , Halalsheh Omar , Mohammad Yazeed , Yaseen Anas Bani , Khasawneh Ruba , Al–Sheikh Nour , Al-Khalili Mais , Alomari Mohannad Mahmoud
Published: May 2021

Herein we present a case of crossed renal ectopia with an unusual type of fusion, discovered incidentally in a 11-year-old girl presented with recurrent urinary tract infections. Both kidneys were located on the right side of the body fused in their upper poles only, forming an inverted U shape. After reviewing the published data on this topic, we found that most of the described anomalies were within the six well-known types of fusion anomalies. This child had an unusual clinical presentation of severe hydronephrosis of the orthotopic kidney. A unique surgical technique to correct the pathology to be able to preserve the residual mass of that kidney was performed.
Immunohistochemical expression of progesterone receptor and C-erb-B2 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and epithelial dysplasia
Authors: Tarini Emine Zeynep , Özardali Hasan İlyas
Published: May 2021

Objective. We aimed to demonstrate whether the immunohistochemical expression of C-erb-B2 and progesterone receptors are valuable in the diagnosis of intraepithelial cervical neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma. Methods and Results. Our retrospective study, a total of 84 cases diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia during 2005-2009, at the pathology department of Harran University, was investigated and stained with immunohistochemistry. Progesterone receptor was stained positive in 5 of 21 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I. As a result of the statistical analysis (SPSS statistic 15.0), a significant correlation was found for positive progesterone receptors. No positive staining was seen in any of the cases with CerbB2 (p>0,05). Conclusions. In this study, it was concluded that positive progesterone receptors can be used to distinguish cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I from other dysplasia and carcinoma, while Cerb-B2 has not been shown to be useful in distinguishing between these lesions.
Investigation on the effects of different concentrations of some fertilizers on yield, quality and essential and fixed oil composition of Nigella damascena
Authors: ULUSU FUNDA , ŞAHIN ALI
Published: May 2021

In this study, the effect of application of fertilizers with different ingredients in different doses in cultivation of Nigella damascena plant on morphological, yield and quality was investigated. According to the obtained results; plant height was 25.07-37.54 cm, and the number of branches per plant was on average 2.33-5.60, besides, it has been observed that root lengths vary between 4.33-8.62 cm. On the other hand, while the average amount of capsules per plant was between 3.53-7.10, the capsule width and length varied by 12.92-15.06 (mm) and 13.85-16.29 (mm), respectively. When evaluated in terms of seed yield, approximately 45.68-113.57 kg da-1 yield has been obtained also, seed weights in the capsule are 0.104-0.158 g, thousand grain weights 2.31-2.84 g and seed weights per plant ranged from 32 to 0.87 g/plant. While the fixed oil rate were seen between 34-36.48% in the application groups, the fixed oil yield was calculated as 15.53- 41.43 kg da-1 . As a result of GC-MS analysis, it was observed that the main compound of essential oils was between 19.47-61.13% β-elemene (sesquiterpen), followed by 6.91-34.53% damascenine (alkaloid). In addition, 17 fatty acids were observed in GC-FID analysis and it showed that fertilizer applications cause a variable effect on saturated and unsaturated fatty acid compositions.
Síndrome da cauda equina em paciente jovem: um estudo de caso
Authors: Lima Mariana de Oliveira , Proença Beatriz Guedes Borges de , Lima Daniela Baldo de Oliveira , Oliveira Marina Rodrigues de , Duarte Sinésio Grace
Published: May 2021

Objetivo: Relatar um caso de hérnia de disco em paciente feminino jovem, que evoluiu com Síndrome da Cauda Equina (SCE) e necessidade de abordagem cirúrgica imediata. Detalhamento do caso: Paciente feminina, 15 anos, encaminhada ao hospital de referência da cidade de Franca-SP, com quadro de dor lombar modera há 3 semanas e piora nos últimos 15 dias, irradiada para membros inferiores – predominantemente à direita e evoluiu com disfunção urinaria e fecal. A Ressonância Magnética (RM) da coluna lombossacra evidenciou hérnia discal L5-S1. Paciente foi submetida imediatamente a laminectomia bilateral e artrodese com estabilização do quadro. A coleta de informações foi autorizada pela paciente e seu responsável legal através do termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido (TCLE) o qual foi subjugado e aceito pelo comitê de ética da fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Franca com o CAAE 00474918.60000.5438. Considerações finais: A SCE é uma emergência neurocirúrgica cujo tratamento cirúrgico tem como objetivo o alívio da dor, a recuperação e preservação neurológica e o restabelecimento funcional.
Management of symptomatic disc herniation in pregnancy: A case report and literature review
Authors: Mitha Rida , Nadeem Syed Faisal , Bukhari Syed Sarmad , Shamim Shahzad M.
Published: May 2021

Background:

Lower back pain with radiculopathy due to a disc herniation occurs in about 0.01% of pregnant females. Surgical intervention is seldom required unless there is intractable pain, and for a significant neurological deficit. Further, the use of intraoperative ionizing radiation may adversely affect the developing fetus.

Case Description:

A 25-year-old female, 17-weeks pregnant, presented with right lower extremity sciatica due to a L4-5 unilateral disc herniation. She underwent a microdiscectomy that required just one intraoperative C-arm fluoroscopic image. Postoperatively, her leg pain resolved, and she delivered a healthy baby at term.

Conclusion:

Using single-image C-arm fluoroscopy in a pregnant female undergoing an emergent lumbar discectomy, employing as low as reasonably achievable/shielding, did not adversely impact the developing fetus.
ASUHAN KEBIDANAN PADA IBU HAMIL TRIMESTER III DENGAN ENDORPHIN MASSAGE UNTUK MENGURANGI NYERI PUNGGUNG DI PMB DELIANA SARAGIH KOTA PEKAN BARU TAHUN 2020
Authors: Fera Safitri Fera Safitri , Liva Maita Liva Maita
Published: May 2021

Nyeri punggung adalah nyeri yang di rasakan di bagian punggung yang berasal dari otot, persarafan, tulang sendi, atau strukturlain di daerah tulang belakang.Pada Ibu hamil yang mengalami ketidaknyamanan nyeri punggung mencapai 68% dengan intensitas sedang, dan 32% ibu hamil mengalami nyeri punggung dengan intensitas ringan. Sebagian besar ibu hamil yang mengalami nyeri punggung disebabkan terjadinya adaptasi anatomis, fisiologi dalam tubuh ibu hamil, termasuk sistem musculoskeletal, dengan bertambahnya berat badan secara bertahap selama kehamilan dan redistribusi pemusatan terdapat pengaruh hormonal pada struktur ligament. Kedua faktor ini merubah postur tubuh ibu hamil menjadikan lordosis, yang kemudian akan berisiko nyeri punggung. Laporan tugas akhir ini bertujuan untuk megetahui pengaruh pemberian endorphin massage pada ibu hamil trimester III dengan nyeri punggug dengan minimal 3 kali kunjungan. Metode yang dipakai yaitu dengan pendekatan manajemen kebidanan kemudian didokumentasikan dalam bentuk SOAP. Tugas akhir dilakukan di rumah pasien di wilayah kerja PMB Deliana Saragih.Setelah dilakukan asuhan kebidanan dengan endorphin massage terdapat pengurangan nyeri punggung.
Thyroid Ultrasound Findings and Its Associated Parameters in Saudi People
Authors:   Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Egypt, MM Mogahed , MA El-Awady ,   Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Egypt, TA Samih ,   Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Egypt
Published: May 2021

Background: Thyroid abnormalities are the most common endocrine abnormalities in Saudi Arabia (KSA). Ultrasonography (USG) is the commonest method of thyroid gland imaging. Thyroid lesions prevalence depends on factors such as sex, age, iodine intake, and other metabolic parameters. Objectives: Investigating different thyroid lesions and their associated clinical parameters. Subjects and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of adult residents who visited Internal Medicine Clinic in Riyadh, KSA. 206 participants were subjected to thyroid USG, weight and height measurement, laboratory investigations including FBG, HbA1C, ALT, AST, creatinine, uric acid, lipid profile, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and FT4. Results: Thyroid nodules were found in 27.2%, 30.1% had thyroiditis, and 6.8% had pure cysts. There was a significant prevalence of thyroid ultrasound findings within different age groups, (P = 0.002). The highest BMI was found in subjects with nodular size ≤1cm. Subjects with thyroid nodules had higher level of FBG, HbA1c, ALT, AST, uric acid, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C and TSH. The most frequent thyroid status was euthyroid, followed by subclinical hypothyroidism which had higher frequency in subjects with nodular size ≤1cm (30.8%). Conclusion: Imaging, particularly USG, plays an important role in classifying thyroid gland abnormalities. We found that thyroid lesions, including nodules, pure cysts, and thyroiditis, were non-significantly positively associated with disturbed metabolic profile such as high FBS, HBA1C, ALT, AST, total cholesterol, and LDL levels. Our results for biochemical parameters do not allow inferences on whether they are independent factors associated with thyroid lesions or not.
NOAC and Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Patients with AF with/without PCI: a Meta-Analysis
Authors:   st Department of Cardiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland, S Grajek , M Michalak ,   Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland, JM Siller-Matula ,   Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, M Grajek ,   International School of Poznań, Poznań, Poland, Wiśniewska A Olasińska ,   Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
Published: May 2021

Aim: The aim was to assess the risk of Myocardial Infarction (MI) and MACE during non-vitamin K antagonist therapy (NOAC) compared to warfarin in patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) both treated and not treated with Percutaneous Angioplasty (PCI). Methods and Results: Eight randomized clinical trials with a total of 81,943 patients were selected by a systematic search. Dabigatran compared to warfarin significantly increased the risk of MI (RR 1.38, 95% CI: 1.14-1.67), while the FXa inhibitors effect did not differ significantly from warfarin (RR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.86- 1.09). The comparison of relative risks between analyzed subgroups (dabigatran vs. FXa inhibitors) showed a significant difference (Chi²=9.51, df=1, p=0.002). In a network meta-analysis, dabigatran 110mg b.i.d. increased the risk of MI compared to warfarin, apixaban, edoxaban and rivaroxaban. Dabigatran 150mg b.i.d. increased the risk of MI compared to warfarin, apixaban, and rivaroxaban. We estimated the treatment ranking of the best therapy for MI prevention in patients with AF treated with PCI. Rivaroxaban had a 90% probability of being ranked the best therapy for MI prevention, whereas dabigatran 110mg had an 8.2% probability. Dabigatran 150mg was the most effective in stroke prevention (-94% probability). Conclusion: Each NOAC is associated with different risk of MI. Furthermore, FXa inhibitors should be considered as the first line NOACs in patients with AF and coronary artery disease.
Effect of Gold Nanoparticle Aggregation on the Kinetic Aspect of AuNPs/DNA Interactions
Authors:   University of Seville, Department of Physical Chemistry, Spain, EM Grueso , Pérez RM Giraldéz ,   University of Cordoba, Faculty of Science, Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Spain, Gotor R Prado ,   University of Seville, Department of Physical Chemistry, Spain
Published: May 2021

Since successful therapy for curing cancer and others genetic diseases requires the transport of DNA into the cell by delivery vehicles, the understanding of the factors that control the complexation and condensation of the DNA is a key problem. During the last decade, researchers have developed some uses of nanoparticles-DNA systems, the majority of these studies dealing with NPs, which are covalently bound to the DNA. However, the kinetic aspect of AuNPs/DNA system by non-covalent interactions is less explored. Moreover, the role of high salt concentrations in these studies is of great interest due to the majority of nanoparticles have a great tendency to aggregate upon exposure to biological medium, significantly alter the uptake extent, rate, and mechanism of AuNPs/DNA interaction. As a contribution to this field, we have studied kinetics aspects of the binding of small tiopronin gold nanoparticles, AuNPs, to double stranded DNA in at high salt concentration by using the stopped-flow technique. The kinetic curves are biexponential and reveal the presence of two kinetic steps. Moreover, AFM studies reveal AuNPs aggregation in the presence of high salt content, while the same particle are well-dispersed in water. A two-step series mechanism reaction scheme was proposed. According to the reaction scheme, the formation of an intermediate complex formed by aggregated gold nanoparticles and DNA precedes the rate-determining step of the reaction.
Stk: An Extendable Python Framework for Automated Molecular and Supramolecular Structure Assembly and Discovery
Authors: Turcani Lukas , Tarzia Andrew , Szczypiński Filip , Jelfs Kim
Published: May 2021

Computational software workflows are emerging as all-in-one solutions to speed up the discovery of new materials.Many computational approaches require the generation of realistic structural models for property prediction and candidate screening. However, molecular and supramolecular materials represent classes of materials with many potential applications for which there is no go-to database of existing structures or general protocol for generating structures. Here, we report a new version of the supramolecular toolkit, stk, an open-source, extendable and modular Python framework for general structure generation of (supra)molecular structures. Our construction approach follows a bottom-up process and minimises the input required from the user, making stk user-friendly and applicable to many material classes. This version of stk includes metal-containing structures and rotaxanes as well as general implementation and interface improvements. Additionally, this version includes built-in tools for exploring chemical space with an evolutionary algorithm and tools for database generation and visualisation. The latest version of stk is freely available at github.com/lukasturcani/stk
Combining Evolutionary Conservation and Quantum Topological Analyses to Determine QM Subsystems for Biomolecular QM/MM Simulations
Authors: Hix Mark A. , Leddin Emmett M. , Cisneros G. Andres
Published: May 2021

We present an approach that combines protein sequence/structure evolution and electron localization function (ELF) analyses. The combination of these two analysis allows the determination of whether a residue needs to be included in the QM subsystem, or can be represented by the MM environment. We have applied this approach on two systems previously investigated by QM/MM simulations, 4{oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4OT), and ten-eleven translocation-2 (TET2), that provide examples where fragments may or may not need to be included in the QM subsystem. Subsequently, we present the use of this approach to determine the appropriate QM subsystem to calculate the minimum energy path (MEP) for the reaction catalyzed by human DNA polymerase lambda? with a third cation in the active site.
Residential Cooking-Related PM2.5: Spatial-Temporal Variations Under Various Intervention Scenarios
Authors: Xiang Jianbang , Hao Jiayuan , Austin Elena , Shirai Jeff , Seto Edmund
Published: May 2021

Some cooking events can generate high levels of hazardous PM2.5. This study assesses the dispersion of cooking-related PM2.5 throughout a naturally-ventilated apartment in the US, examines the dynamic process of cooking-related emissions, and demonstrates the impact of different indoor PM2.5 mitigating strategies. We conducted experiments with a standardized pan-frying cooking procedure under seven scenarios, involving opening kitchen windows, using a range hood, and utilizing a portable air cleaner (PAC) in various indoor locations. Real-time PM2.5 concentrations were measured in the open kitchen, living room, bedroom (door closed), and outdoor environments. Decay-related parameters were estimated, and time-resolved PM2.5 emission rates for each experiment were determined using a dynamic model. Results show that the 1-min mean PM2.5 concentrations in the kitchen and living room peaked 1–7 min after cooking at levels of 200–1400 µg/m3, which were more than 9 times higher than the peak bedroom levels. Mean (standard deviation) kt for the kitchen, ranging from 0.58 (0.02) to 6.62 (0.34) h-1, was generally comparable to that of the living room (relative difference < 20%), but was 1–5 times larger than that of the bedroom. The range of PM2.5 full-decay time was between 1–10 h for the kitchen and living room, and from 0 to > 6 h for the bedroom. The PM2.5 emission rates during and 5 min after cooking were 2.3 (3.4) and 5.1 (3.9) mg/min, respectively. Intervention strategies, including opening kitchen windows and using PACs either in the kitchen or living room, can substantially reduce indoor PM2.5 levels and the related full-decay time. For scenarios involving a PAC, placing it in the kitchen (closer to the source) resulted in better efficacy.
Internal Conversion of the Anionic GFP Chromophore: In and Out of the I-twisted S1/S0 Conical Intersection Seam
Authors: List Nanna Holmgaard , Jones Chey Marcel , Martínez Todd J.
Published: May 2021

The functional diversity of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) family is intimately connected to the interplay between competing photo-induced transformations of the chromophore motif, anionic p-hydroxybenzylidene-2,3-dimethylimidazolinone (HBDI–). Its propensity to undergo Z/E photoisomerization following excitation to the S1(pp*) state is of particular importance for super-resolution microscopy and emerging opportunities in optogenetics. However, key dynamical aspects of this process and its range of tunability still remain elusive. Here, we investigate the internal conversion behavior intrinsic to HBDI– with focus on competing deactivation pathways, rate and yield of photoisomerization. Based on non-adiabatic dynamics simulations, we confirm that non-selective progress along the two bridge-torsional (i.e., phenolate, P, or imidazolinone, I) pathways can account for the three decay constants reported experimentally, leading to competing ultrafast relaxation along the I-twisted pathway and S1 trapping along the P-torsion. The majority of the population (~70%) is transferred to S0 in the vicinity of two near-symmetry-related minima on the I-twisted intersection seam (MECI-Is). Despite their reactant-biased topographies, our account of inertial effects suggests that isomerization not only occurs as a thermal process on the vibrationally hot ground state but also as a direct photoreaction with a total quantum yield of ~40%.By comparing the non-adiabatic dynamics to a photoisomerization committor analysis, we provide a detailed mapping of the intrinsic photoreactivity and dynamical behavior of the two MECI-Is. Our work offers new insight into the internal conversion process of HBDI– that enlightens principles for the design of chromophore derivatives and protein variants with improved photoswitching properties.
A Unified Framework for Photophysical Rate Calculations in TADF Molecules
Authors: Sousa Leonardo Evaristo de , de Silva Piotr
Published: May 2021

One of the challenges in organic light emitting diodes research is finding ways to increase device efficiency by making use of the triplet excitons that are inevitably generated in the process of electroluminescence. One way to do so is by thermally activated delayed fluorescence, a process in which singlet excitons undergo up-conversion to singlet states, allowing them to relax radiatively. The discovery of this phenomenon has ensued a quest for new materials that are able to effectively take advantage of this mechanism. From a theoretical standpoint, this requires the capacity to estimate the rates of the various processes involved in the photophysics of candidate molecules, such as intersystem crossing, reverse intersystem crossing, fluorescence and phosphorescence. Here we present a method that is able to, within a single framework, compute all these rates and predict the photophysics of new molecules. We apply the method to two TADF molecules and show that results compare favorably with other theoretical approaches and experimental results. Finally, we use a kinetic model to show how the calculated rates act in concert to produce different photophysical behavior.
Optimizing Nannochloropsis Growing Conditions for Biodiesel Production Through Analysis of Lipid Content
Authors: Liu Steven , Renock Devon
Published: May 2021

Fossil fuels have propelled society to our current technology, but the future of energy lies in renewable resources, starting with vehicles. Despite constituting only 5% of the total vehicles in the United States, medium to heavy-duty trucks, which consume diesel fuel, are responsible for an astounding 23% of annual CO2 emissions in the transportation sector. The full implementation of greener biodiesel is often deemed an infeasible method for mitigating pollution because the production of such biodiesel directly competes with the agricultural industry for the available arable land. Energy-dense algae are more suitable feedstocks for biodiesel and circumvent many of the problems posed by current biodiesel feedstocks, and their potential can be used to propel the biodiesel industry into the future of sustainable energy. Nannochloropsis is a promising genus of algae due to its high productivity and lipid content. Here I show how to optimize the growing medium composition for increased biodiesel quality while maintaining high productivity by quantifying the constituent fatty acid type and composition using gas chromatography (GC). The algae are grown in two groups of three 2.5 L glass jugs spanning three concentration levels of nitrates and phosphates. A growing “f/2” medium is kept constant across trials. The algae are harvested using a flocculating solution of aluminum sulfate and vacuum filtration. In situ transesterification is used to achieve maximum conversion of fatty acids into fatty acid methyl esters, which are then analyzed using GC. The algae grown in low, medium, and high nutrient concentrations produced average absorbance values (a measure of biomass concentration) at 750 nm of 0.91, 0.99, and 1.18, respectively, after 32 days of growth. The maximum monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) concentration of 62.68% of total fatty acids was reached in a low nutrient concentration, which corresponds to high-quality biodiesel. Through this study, a scientific breakthrough was achieved by maximizing both the quality of biodiesel produced, which is beyond any currently available biodiesel, and also the quantity with a productivity of greater than 100 times the current biodiesel feedstocks.
Rate-enhancing Single Amino Acid Mutation for Hydrolases: A Statistical Profiling
Authors: Yan Bailu , Ran Xinchun , Jiang Yaoyukun , Torrence Sarah K. , Yuan Li , Shao Qianzhen , Yang Zhongyue
Published: May 2021

We reported the statistical profiling for rate-enhancing mutant hydrolases with single amino acid substitution. We constructed an integrated structure-kinetics database, IntEnzyDB, which contains 3,907 experimentally characterized hydrolase kinetics and 2,715 hydrolase Protein Data Bank IDs. The hydrolase kinetics data involve 9% rate-enhancing mutations. Mutation to nonpolar residues with a hydrocarbon chain shows a stronger preference for rate acceleration than to polar or charged residues. To elucidate the structure-kinetics relationship for rate-enhancing mutations, we categorized each mutation into one of the three spatial shells of hydrolases. We defined the spatial shells by reference to either the active site or the center-of-mass of the enzyme. In either case, mutations in the first shell (i.e., closest to the reference point) appear on average more rate-deleterious than those in the other two shells (i.e., ~1.0 kcal/mol in ∆∆G‡ ). Under the active-site reference, mutations in the third shell (i.e., most distal to the active site) exhibit the highest likelihood of rate enhancement. This propensity is significant for larger-sized hydrolases. In contrast, under the center-of-mass reference, mutations in the second shell (i.e., 33.3th to 66.7th percentile rank of spatial proximity to the center-of-mass of the enzyme) show the highest likelihood of rate enhancement. This trend is significant for smaller-sized hydrolases. The studies reveal the statistical features for identifying rate-enhancing mutations in hydrolases, which will potentially guide hydrolase discovery in biocatalysis.
Ultrafast Crystallization of Ordered Mesoporous Metal Oxides and Carbon in Seconds
Authors: Wang Leyan , Seah Geok Leng , Li Yun , Tu Wei Han , Corcoran Edward W. , Usadi Adam K. , McConnachie Jonathan M. , Ong Hock Guan , Tan Kwan
Published: May 2021

This Communication describes a facile strategy coupling block copolymer-directed self-assembly with high-power Joule heating to form highly crystalline and long-range ordered mesoporous oxide and carbon nanostructures in just a few seconds. The combined approach is compatible with various self-assembled hybrid systems, generating mesoporous composites of γ-Al2O3-carbon, γ-Al2O3/MgO-carbon and anatase-TiO2-carbon with p6mm symmetry, as well as mesoporous non-close-packed carbon structures. Removing the polymer/carbon gives well-defined mesoporous all-γ-Al2O3 and all-anatase-TiO2 structures. Impregnation of chloroplatinic acid followed by Joule heating yields platinum nanoparticles decorated on the channel walls of mesoporous γ-Al2O3-carbon structures. The rapid formation of thermally stable and periodically ordered crystalline oxide, carbon and oxide-carbon structures.