bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF IONOSPHERIC TEC FORECASTING MODELS USING GPS OBSERVATIONS AT DIFFERENT LATITUDES
Authors: Wang S. , Liu L. L. , Huang L. K. , Yang Y. Z. , Peng H.
Published: February 2020

Abstract. In this paper, Holt-Winters model, ARMA model and ARIMA model in time series analysis were used to predict total electron content (TEC). Taking ionospheric grid data of quiet period and active period in different longitude and latitude provided by IGS center as sample data, the TEC data of the first 8 days were used to build four kinds of prediction models and forecast TEC values of the next 6 days, and the results were compared with the observations provided by IGS center. The prediction effects of the four models in different ionospheric environments and different longitude and latitude are emphatically analyzed. The experimental results showed that the average relative accuracy of ARMA, ARIMA and Holt-Winters models in the quiet and active ionospheric periods for the prediction of 6 days was 89.85% in the quiet period, and 88.76% in the active period. In both periods, the higher the latitude, the lower the RMS value. In addition, VTEC from IGS center value and ARMA model and ARIMA model and Holt - Winters in the quiet period and active forecast VTEC values were compared, in the quiet period or active, four models of forecasting value can better reflect the spatial and temporal variation characteristics of TEC three latitude, the prediction results of the ARIMA model can better reflect the spatial and temporal variation characteristics; But compared with the active period, the prediction results of calm period are relatively good.
RESEARCH ON GPS HEIGHT FITTING BASED ON LINEAR REGRESSION MODEL
Authors: Yang K. Y. , Liu L. L. , Huang L. K.
Published: February 2020

Abstract. This paper mainly expounds the parameter estimation method, the outlier diagnosis and the establishment of the optimal regression equation in the linear regression model theory, the analysis of the principle of the polynomial fitting model, the derivation of the algorithm process, and the research on the accuracy evaluation method.The GPS survey area is fitted and calculated. The fitting model is analyzed and compared in detail. The better parameter values and regression equation models of the planar region are estimated. The fitting accuracy meets the requirements of the fourth level measurement, which can be used in actual engineering. Replace the fourth level measurement in the application.
RESEARCH ON ZENITH TROPOSPHERIC DELAY MODELING OF REGIONAL CORS NETWORK
Authors: Yang Y. F. , Chen X. P. , Yao M. H. , Zhou C. L. , Liao C. M.
Published: February 2020

Abstract. By calculating the zenith troposphere information from 11 reference stations of the CORS network in Guilin City, Guangxi Province in 2018 by GAMIT10.6 as the reference values, analyzing the relationship between the zenith troposphere and the elevation, as well as the latitude in the Guilin Region, building a model for the zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD) suitable for the Guilin Region, uniformly selecting 8 CORS reference stations in the Guilin Region to build a new model, comparing with the ZTD estimated by GAMIT10.6 and studying the applicability of the new model in the Guilin Region, the results showed that: 1) In the Guilin Region, the ZTD presented linear negative correlation with the station elevation; 2) the ZTD estimated by the new model was well consistent with the reference value, with high precision, and increased with the elevation.
AIRBORNE LIDAR POINT CLOUD CLASSIFICATION BASED ON MULTILEVEL POINT CLUSTER FEATURES
Authors: Gao Y. , Li M. C.
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Airborne Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) has become an important means for efficient and high-precision acquisition of 3D spatial data of large scenes. It has important application value in digital cities and location-based services. The classification and identification of point cloud is the basis of its application, and it is also a hot and difficult problem in the field of geographic information science.The difficulty of LiDAR point cloud classification in large-scale urban scenes is: On the one hand, the urban scene LiDAR point cloud contains rich and complex features, many types of features, different shapes, complex structures, and mutual occlusion, resulting in large data loss; On the other hand, the LiDAR scanner is far away from the urban features, and is like a car, a pedestrian, etc., which is in motion during the scanning process, which causes a certain degree of data noise of the point cloud and uneven density of the point cloud.Aiming at the characteristics of LiDAR point cloud in urban scene.The main work of this paper implements a method based on the saliency dictionary and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model for LiDAR point cloud classification. The method uses the tag information of the training data and the tag source of each dictionary item to construct a significant dictionary learning model in sparse coding to expresses the feature of the point set more accurately.And it also uses the multi-path AdaBoost classifier to perform the features of the multi-level point set. The classification of point clouds is realized based on the supervised method. The experimental results show that the feature set extracted by the method combined with the multi-path classifier can significantly improve the cloud classification accuracy of complex city market attractions.
Multi-cooperation of soil biota in the plough layer is the key for conservation
tillage to improve N availability and crop yield
Authors: Zhang Shixiu , Chang Liang , McLaughlin Neil B. , Cui Shuyan , Wu Haitao , Wu Donghui , Liang Wenju , Liang Aizhen
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Conservation tillage facilitates constructing a more complex and heterogeneous distribution of soil organisms in the plough layer relative to conventional tillage (CT), which results in an improvement in crop yield and nitrogen (N) uptake. However, knowledge of how soil biota interact to couple mineralization of N and promote plant growth is still limited. The contribution of soil biota (trophic groups and energy pathways) to soil N mineralization and the relationship between energy pathways and grain yield during soybean (Glycine max Merr.) growing season were investigated at 0–5 and 5–15 cm depths under a long-term tillage trial. The trial was initiated in 2001 on a Black soil in Northeastern China and included no tillage (NT), ridge tillage (RT) and CT. A higher contribution of most trophic groups to soil N mineralization throughout the whole plough layer was observed in RT and NT than in CT, and these differences were more pronounced for higher trophic groups than for lower ones. Furthermore, the responses of trophic groups to tillage practices were also transferred into the energy pathways. Bacterial and predator-prey pathways released more mineral N in RT and NT than in CT. Multiple regression models revealed that soybean yield was significantly related to the mineralized N in RT and NT through root, fungal and prey-predator pathways in 0–5 cm and bacterial pathway in 5–15 cm. Additionally, the relative contribution of the mineralized N by different pathways to soybean yield was different in 0–5 cm and decreased in the order of root pathway (0.487) > fungal pathway (0.389) > predator-prey pathway (0.318). Although soil trophic groups coupled with N mineralization and soybean yield varied with depth in RT and NT soils, a stable supply of mineral N from soil to plant could be maintained in the plough layer by the cooperation of predator-prey pathway horizontally with bacterial and plant pathways and vertically with fungal and bacterial pathways. This favorable effect of multi-cooperation of soil biota on coupling N mineralization and plant growth in the plough layer is a cornerstone of conservation tillage benefits in temperate areas of the world.
Alternative energy in Pennsylvania in the twenty-first century
Authors: Levri Edward P.
Published: February 2020

abstract

At the spring meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, held at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2018, a group of scientists and advocates got together to deliver a symposium on alternative energy in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has a rich and diverse energy history. Today, the state stands at a crossroads between the fossil fuels it has been dependent upon in the past and the renewables such as wind and solar that appear to be the energy sources of the future. The immediate path taken will largely be dependent on the true and perceived costs and benefits of the various energy alternatives.
Why Do Contradictions Sink to the Ground? A Reexamination of the Categories of Reflection in Hegel'sLogic
Authors: Brown Nahum
Published: February 2020

This article analyzes Hegel's transition from contradiction to ground in the “Doctrine of Essence” of the Science of Logic and proposes that this transition is crucial to understanding Hegel's controversial claims about the primacy of contradiction over identity. Hegel's conclusion that contradictions “sink to the ground” exposes his commitment to the productive nature and real existence of contradiction, on the one hand, but also to the impossibility of directly actualizing contradiction without a set of mediating concepts that buffer and soften contradictions before they can emerge into actuality. This reading of the transition from contradiction to ground leads to what I call the “substitution” interpretation of Hegel's productive contradiction, where the earlier forms of reflection (identity, difference, diversity, opposition) along with movement and vitality are recognized as substitutions that emerge in the place of and are grounded by contradiction.
Ethnography as a Way of Life
Authors: Shelemay Kay Kaufman
Published: February 2020

While ethnomusicologists have long acknowledged ethnography’s problematic intellectual heritage, as well as the power asymmetries that arise in the field, they don’t always consider the power and longevity of the ethnographic processes they set into motion. This article, the 2018 Charles Seeger Lecture, revised for publication, takes into account the impact of the lived experience that reshapes both the ethnographer’s and research associate’s perceptions over time. The article charts the challenges of studying individuals and communities in flux, especially those from environments torn by persecution and violence. It focuses on the ethnomusicological life cycle, the oral traditions of fieldwork, and ethnomusicological engagement in the field and after the ethnographic experience concludes.
“It’s Not a Specific Klezmer Thing, It’s a Specific Me Thing”: Klezmer Accordion in Berlin
Authors: Alexander Phil
Published: February 2020

Historically an instrument of indeterminate status, the klezmer accordion in Berlin is today a creative space around which concepts of style, idiom, and ensemble communication are performed and negotiated. Through detailed interview material with the disproportionate number of world-class practitioners active in the city, this article traces the role and network relations of the instrument in contemporary klezmer music. In the process it reveals a richly textured approach that makes creative use of the accordion’s cultural ambiguity and musical versatility while at the same time highlighting the tensions surrounding performance aesthetics, personal expression, and being “in the tradition.”
Lyric Formulas as Traditional Compositional Processes in the Folk Blues: A Case Study of Furry Lewis
Authors: Fritts J. Tyler
Published: February 2020

The spontaneous combination of traditional, borrowed, and original lyric formulas is the central process by which traditional blues lyrics are composed. Building on theories of formulaic composition first developed by Milman Parry (1930) and Albert Lord (1960) and later adapted for the study of the blues by David Evans (1982, 2007, 2010), this article maps and compares blues lyrics by Furry Lewis as a means of better understanding this process. The article also identifies how Lewis’s idiosyncratic approach to this process makes his lyrics simultaneously typical and extraordinary.
Surgical resection of pancreatic tumors: review of 70 cases
Authors: Sobhy Zakaria Ashraf , Gamil Mohammed , Okasha Hussein , Mebed Ali Hassan , Tabashy Reda Hassan
Published: February 2020

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has gradually become the main stream method of the diagnosis and local treatment of pancreatic tumors. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is frequently used in making the cytological diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and its great role in the pre-operative staging of pancreatic tumors.Objective: To evaluate the role of EUS in diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic tumors prospectively for 2 years study 2014-2015.Patients and methods: Prospective study including 70 patients who presented with pancreatic tumors underwent EUS at the endoscopy unit at Faculty of Medicine Cairo University and National Cancer Institute, Cairo University.Results: Out of 70 patients; median age was 55 years (range 32_73 years). Males were 32 (46%) and females were 38 (54%). Jaundice was the main symptom 47 (67%), clay colored stool 46 (65.7%), dark urine 47 (67%) and abdominal pain 50 (71%). There were 20 patients with benign disease and 50 patients with malignant disease. The following results showing the accuracy of the EUS in detecting malignant pancreatic tumors; Sensitivity: 96.0%, specificity: 75%, PPV: 90.6%, NPV: 88.2%, accuracy: 90.0%.Conclusion: EUS can clarify locoregional spread when CT/MR are equivocal. EUS Elastography is a new application in the field of the endosonography and seems to be able to differentiate fibrous and benign tissue from malignant lesions. The combination of superior detection, good staging, tissue diagnosis and potential therapy makes EUS guided FNA a cost-effective modality.
Een steun in de rug voor het investeringsbeleid van de Commissie: Advies 1/17 (CETA)
Authors: Ankersmit L.J.
Published: February 2020

Een steun in de rug voor het investeringsbeleid van de Commissie: Advies 1/17 (CETA)

In Advies 1/17 oordeelt het Hof van Justitie dat het geschillenbeslechtingsmechanisme tussen investeerders en staten (hierna: het ‘ISDS-systeem’) in de Brede Economische en Handelsovereenkomst tussen Canada en de EU (CETA) verenigbaar is met de Verdragen. Het advies was aangevraagd door de Belgische regering op verzoek van de Waalse regering. In het Advies gaat het Hof van Justitie in op drie aspecten van het adviesverzoek van de Belgische regering over de verenigbaarheid van het ISDS-systeem met de Verdragen: de autonomie van de rechtsorde van de Unie, het beginsel van gelijke behandeling en het recht op toegang tot een onafhankelijke rechter. Advies 1/17 is vooral opvallend omdat het minder strikt is dan voorgaande rechtspraak van het Hof van Justitie over externe controlemechanismen in internationale verdragen en doordat het Hof van Justitie zich mengt in de discussie over de impact van het ISDS-systeem op het democratische besluitvormingsproces binnen de EU.

HvJ 30 april 2019, A-1/17, ECLI:EU:C:2019:341 (CETA)
Nieuwe impulsen voor het vrije goederenverkeer
Authors: van Rijn T.P.J.N.
Published: February 2020

Nieuwe impulsen voor het vrije goederenverkeer

Het functioneren van de interne markt kent een aantal problemen die twee recente verordeningen – nrs. 2019/515 en 2019/1020 – proberen te verhelpen. De eerste verordening schoeit het markttoezicht op de conformiteit van producten die onderwerp zijn van op unieniveau geharmoniseerde normen op een nieuwe leest. De andere verordening introduceert een aantal procedures om de wederzijdse erkenning van niet-geharmoniseerde voorschriften van de lidstaten in de praktijk beter te laten werken. De onderhavige bijdrage geeft een overzicht van de belangrijkste bepalingen van de verordeningen.

Verordening (EU) 2019/515 van het Europees Parlement en de Raad van 19 maart 2019 betreffende de wederzijdse erkenning van goederen die in een andere lidstaat rechtmatig in de handel zijn gebracht en tot intrekking van Verordening (EG) nr. 764/2008, PbEU 2019, L 91/1 en Verordening (EU) 2019/1020 van het Europees Parlement en de Raad van 20 juni 2019 betreffende markttoezicht en conformiteit van producten en tot wijziging van Richtlijn 2004/42/EG en de Verordeningen (EG) nr. 765/2008 en (EU) nr. 305/2011, PbEU 2019, L 169/1
La ciudad como lugar
Authors: Silvestro Geuna José María , Roca Cladera Josep
Published: February 2020

Este artículo está fundamentado en una investigación doctoral recientemente culminada y que lleva por título: “La

ciudad en busca del lugar: Una mirada interpretativa a la luz de las experiencias de Barcelona”; tesis desarrollada por

el Dr. Arquitecto José María Silvestro Geuna y dirigida por el Dr. Arquitecto Josep Roca i Cladera, catedrático de la

Escuela Superior de Arquitectura de Barcelona de la Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC).
Fractales del conocimiento
Authors: Vilalta Xavier
Published: February 2020

Xavier Vilalta es el fundador y director de Vilalta Architects.Con su equipo, ha desarrollado trabajos a nivel nacional, seguido de proyectos internacionales en países emergentes deÁfrica y Medio Oriente. Participa regularmente como conferenciante en congresos y eventos nacionales e internacionales. Entre algunos de ellos destacan el TED Global, el día nacional de la Arquitectura de Brunei y la CRE Week de Kazakhstan. También ha sido profesor asociado en la ETSAB.

One of the most important lessons of the White Chair with Carlos Ferrater and Alberto Peñín, was how to find strategies to synchronize with the landscape through geometry.This way of understanding architecture has matured over time along with the projects, from a small nursery in the Alamús, Lleida, to a hotel in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil through a high-rise market in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Still in this process, which as a fractal is still open, it is proposed each project seeks to find ways of doing Architecture that can improve the relationship between the communities and their environment. Fractal geometry has its origin in the ancestral knowledge of the territories where it is projected and serves us to incorporate in a contemporary way the tradition, the local culture and the existing resources, seeking through Architecture a better relationship between us and nature.
Confesiones
Authors: Ortega Vázquez Estel
Published: February 2020

En un momento en que, frente a una realidad totalmente nueva, la arquitectura está expuesta más que nunca a su capacidad elástica, debiendo definir nuevos perfiles profesionales que han desdibujado la figura clásica del arquitecto más allá de la pura edificación, la invitación de esta revista en el 20 aniversario de la Cátedra Blanca para compartir una visión de la profesión, se presenta como una oportunidad para revisar el impacto, el valor y la influencia del arte y del mestizaje entre arquitectos, pensadores y artistas, a través de la arquitectura efímera.La falta de complejos del arte para formular preguntas incómodas y encontrar nuevos lenguajes expresivos, permitió a muchos arquitectos ver en su naturaleza libre la oportunidad de descubrir todo tipo de sinergias al mezclarse los unos con los otros, construyendo así puentes ente disciplinas aparentemente independientes al apostar por la transversalidad. De dicha experiencia resultó en muchos casos la definición de nuevos postulados que cambiaron la manera de entender la arquitectura contemporánea. De Jackson Pollock a Mark Rothko, pasando por la influencia mutua entre los miembros del Independent Group o del grupo CoBrA, y el valor de sus trabajos conjuntos en forma de espacios efímeros (y su capacidad de establecerse como manifestos), en los que el reto es dar forma palpable al conocimiento.

At a time when, facing of a new reality, architecture is exposed more than ever to its elastic capacity, having the need to define new professional profiles that have blurred the classic figure of the architect beyond the pure building, I take the invitation of this magazine on the 20th anniversary of Cátedra Blanca to share a vision of the profession, as an opportunity to review the impact, value and influence of art and the mixture between architects, thinkers and artists, through ephemeral architecture.The lack of art complexes to formulate uncomfortable questions and find new expressive languages, allowed many architects to see in their free nature the opportunity to discover all kinds of synergies by mixing with each other, thus building bridges between seemingly independent disciplines when betting on transversality. From this experience resulted in many cases the definition of new postulates that changed the way of understanding contemporary architecture. From Jackson Pollock to Mark Rothko, through the mutual influence between the members of the Independent Group or the CoBrA group, and the value of their work together in the form of ephemeral spaces (and their ability to establish those as manifestos), in which the challenge It is to give palpable form to knowledge.
Bohigas inédito
Authors: Clotet Lluís , Granell Trias Enrique , Llena Antoni , Lahuerta Alsina Juan José
Published: February 2020

4 dibujos de Oriol Bohigas comentados por Lluís Clotet, Enrique Granell, Juan José Lahuerta y Antoni Llena
Visions of the Possible: Using Drawings to Elicit and Support Visions of Teaching Mathematics
Authors: Ruef Jennifer
Published: February 2020

Mathematics Teacher Educators (MTEs) help preservice teachers in transitioning from students to teachers of mathematics. They support PSTs in shifting what they notice and envision to align with the collective vision encoded in the AMTE and NCTM standards. This study analyzes drawings and descriptions completed at the beginning and end of a one-year teacher education program—snapshots depicting optimized visions of teaching and learning mathematics. This study analyzed drawings-and-descriptions by cohort and by participants. The findings suggest that the task can be used as formative assessment to inform supports for specific PSTs such as choosing a cooperating teacher or coursework that challenges problematic beliefs. It can also be used as summative assessment to inform revision of coursework for the next cohort.
FINANCE AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: THE FIFTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE FINANCIAL SECTOR
Authors: Golić Zorica
Published: February 2020

A true artificial intelligence (AI) system is something that "learns" from the data it stores,  in order to perform tasks and solve problems that typically require human intelligence - either with the help of a human expert or independently. The area of AI is an interdisciplinary field, which has been designated as a strategic area in the European Union (EU) approach and a key driver of economic development that can bring solutions to many social challenges and problems. Due to its nature and its tendency to be digitally advanced and smarter with analytics, the financial sector is one of the early adopters of AI and expects multiple benefits from its application, that is, the ability to provide better service in the shortest time possible and at a lower cost. AI in the financial sector is based on an understanding of the business needs of financial organizations, institutions and markets and the ability to connect with technological capabilities. They are powerful tools that completely transform this sector. The basic idea of this paper is to consider where the real value of AI in the financial sector is, i.e. what are the practical aspects and business implications of AI in the financial sector globally. It is common knowledge that evolving technologies have always had a strong impact on the sectors in which they are applied because they give them the opportunity to improve existing manufacturing processes, services, customer experiences, operate more efficiently, achieve cost savings, etc. The aim of this paper is to identify areas of application of AI in the financial sector, and to explore leading AI applications that are changing the financial ecosystem, transforming the financial sector and that have the potential to significantly improve many of its functions. The paper further highlights other implications of AI implementation in the financial sector such as employment - job creation and termination of existing AI-influenced employment, the scope and potential of application in developing countries, the problem of regulation and use in the best interests of man, and the importance of properly managing specific AI risks.
Ubiquitous macropinocytosis in anthozoans
Authors: Ganot Philippe , Tambutté Eric , Caminiti-Segonds Natacha , Toullec Gaëlle , Allemand Denis , Tambutté Sylvie
Published: February 2020

Transport of fluids, molecules, nutrients or nanoparticles through coral tissues are poorly documented. Here, we followed the flow of various tracers from the external seawater to within the cells of all tissues in living animals. After entering the general coelenteric cavity, we show that nanoparticles disperse throughout the tissues via the paracellular pathway. Then, the ubiquitous entry gate to within the cells’ cytoplasm is macropinocytosis. Most cells form large vesicles of 350–600 nm in diameter at their apical side, continuously internalizing their surrounding medium. Macropinocytosis was confirmed using specific inhibitors of PI3K and actin polymerization. Nanoparticle internalization dynamics is size dependent and differs between tissues. Furthermore, we reveal that macropinocytosis is likely a major endocytic pathway in other anthozoan species. The fact that nearly all cells of an animal are continuously soaking in the environment challenges many aspects of the classical physiology viewpoints acquired from the study of bilaterians.
c-Maf restrains T-bet-driven programming of CCR6-negative group 3 innate lymphoid cells
Authors: Tizian Caroline , Lahmann Annette , Hölsken Oliver , Cosovanu Catalina , Kofoed-Branzk Michael , Heinrich Frederik , Mashreghi Mir-Farzin , Kruglov Andrey , Diefenbach Andreas , Neumann Christian
Published: February 2020

RORγt+ group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) maintain intestinal homeostasis through secretion of type 3 cytokines such as interleukin (IL)−17 and IL-22. However, CCR6- ILC3s additionally co-express T-bet allowing for the acquisition of type 1 effector functions. While T-bet controls the type 1 programming of ILC3s, the molecular mechanisms governing T-bet are undefined. Here, we identify c-Maf as a crucial negative regulator of murine T-bet+ CCR6- ILC3s. Phenotypic and transcriptomic profiling of c-Maf-deficient CCR6- ILC3s revealed a hyper type 1 differentiation status, characterized by overexpression of ILC1/NK cell-related genes and downregulation of type 3 signature genes. On the molecular level, c-Maf directly restrained T-bet expression. Conversely, c-Maf expression was dependent on T-bet and regulated by IL-1β, IL-18 and Notch signals. Thus, we define c-Maf as a crucial cell-intrinsic brake in the type 1 effector acquisition which forms a negative feedback loop with T-bet to preserve the identity of CCR6- ILC3s.
Fluid resuscitation-related coagulation impairment in a porcine hemorrhagic shock model
Authors: Ziebart Alexander , Ruemmler Robert , Möllmann Christian , Kamuf Jens , Garcia-Bardon Andreas , Thal Serge C. , Hartmann Erik K.
Published: February 2020

Background

Fast and effective treatment of hemorrhagic shock is one of the most important preclinical trauma care tasks e.g., in combat casualties in avoiding severe end-organ damage or death. In scenarios without immediate availability of blood products, alternate regimens of fluid resuscitation represent the only possibility of maintaining sufficient circulation and regaining adequate end-organ oxygen supply. However, the fluid choice alone may affect the extent of the bleeding by interfering with coagulation pathways. This study investigates the impact of hydroxyethyl starch (HES), gelatine-polysuccinate (GP) and balanced electrolyte solution (BES) as commonly used agents for fluid resuscitation on coagulation using a porcine hemorrhagic shock model.

Methods

Following approval by the State and Institutional Animal Care Committee, life-threatening hemorrhagic shock was induced via arterial blood withdrawal in 24 anesthetized pigs. Isovolumetric fluid resuscitation with either HES, GP or BES (n = 3 × 8) was performed to compensate for the blood loss. Over four hours, hemodynamics, laboratory parameters and rotational thromboelastometry-derived coagulation were analyzed. As secondary endpoint the porcine values were compared to human blood.

Results

All the agents used for fluid resuscitation significantly affected coagulation. We measured a restriction of laboratory parameters, clot development and clot firmness, particularly in HES- and GP-treated animals. Hemoglobin content dropped in all groups but showed a more pronounced decline in colloid-treated pigs. This effect was not maintained over the four-hour monitoring period.

Conclusion

HES, GP, and BEL sufficiently stabilized the macrocirculation, but significantly affected coagulation. These effects were most pronounced after colloid and particularly HES administration. Despite suitability for rapid hemodynamic stabilization, colloids have to be chosen with caution, because their molecular properties may affect coagulation directly and as a consequence of pronounced hemodilution. Our comparison of porcine and human coagulation showed increased coagulation activity in pig blood.
A retrospective study comparing super-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy and flexible ureteroscopy for the treatment of 20–30 mm renal stones in obese patients
Authors: Xu Chen , Song Rijin , Lu Pei , Jiang Minjun , Zeng Guohua , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2020

Objective

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of Super-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (SMP) and flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS) in the treatment of 20–30 mm renal stones in obese patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of outcomes of patients who underwent SMP and F-URS to treat 20–30 mm renal stones from August 2017 to September 2018. Patients with BMI >30 kg/m2 were enrolled into this study. Forty-eight patients underwent SMP, while 104 patients underwent F-URS by the same surgeon. The patients’ demographic data, stone characteristics, perioperative parameters and outcomes, complications, stone-free rate (SFR) and overall costs were retrospectively assessed.

Results

No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of age, gender, BMI, operation side, stone size, number, locations, stone compositions and CT value. The mean operation time was significantly shorter in the SMP group (p < 0.001), while the F-URS group had significantly shorter postoperative stays (p < 0.001) and lower complication rates (p < 0.001). Both groups had similar SFR at a 3-month follow-up (p = 0.190), while the SMP group achieved significant higher SFR 3 days after the operation (p < 0.001). The SMP group had a significantly lower overall cost and fewer stage-2 procedures than the F-URS group.

Conclusion

SMP and F-URS are equally effective in obese patients with 20–30 mm renal stones. However, F-URS offers the advantage of a lower complication rate, while SMP performed better in terms of operation time, tubeless rate, stage-2 procedures and overall costs.
Polycultural Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.) as Affected by Tillage Practices, Fertilizer Rates and Intercropping Systems in the Guinea Savannah Agroecology, Ghana
Authors: Ghanney Philip , Xorse Kugbe Joseph , Kongyeli Badii Benjamin
Published: February 2020

Soil impoverishment remains a major constraint to food crop production in the Guinea Savanna agroecology of Ghana. Most soils identified in this ecology are fragile and deficient in nutrients due to inappropriate management practices. To resolve this challenge, field studies were conducted to assess the polycultural productivity of maize as affected by tillage practices, fertilizer rates and intercropping systems. The study was however conducted in two cropping seasons (2016 and 2017) at Yagaba in the Mamprugu Moaduri District of Northern Ghana. Treatments consisting of 2 tillage practices (direct seeding and ploughing), 2 fertilizer application rates (zero rate [0-0-0 kg/ha NPK] and recommended rate [60-30-30 kg/ha NPK]) and 3 intercropping systems (sole maize, cowpea [Vigna unguiculata L. Walp] and soybean [Glycine max L.]) were factorially examined in three replications using randomized complete block design. Although the maize responded differently to the varied treatments, its exposure to ploughing, 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate and soybean intercropping system were in general influential in enhancing vegetative growth, yield and yield components. The responsiveness of maize to ploughing and 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate increased grain yield by 8.60% and 37.68%, respectively than their untreated controls. Regardless of not directly supplying the intercrops with the inorganic fertilizer, nodulation count and effectiveness of cowpea and soybean were improved under ploughed fields treated with 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate. The combined impact of ploughing, 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate and soybean integration resulted in higher profit returns. Hence, this study recommends to small-holder farmers in the Guinea Savannah agroecology of Ghana to adapt to the implementation of ploughing, 60-30-30 kg/ha fertilizer rate and soybean intercropping system for yield improvement and profit maximization.
A Comprehensive Review on Greenhouse Drying Technology
Authors: Dubey Abhinav , Sagar Atish , Malkani Pankaj , Kumar Choudhary Mukesh , Sanket Ramnath Sawant
Published: February 2020

Drying is one of the most important unit operations for food preservation and storage. It is a energy intensive process and with the increase in the price and demand of electricity, renewable energy (solar) is proving its worth. Greenhouse dryers are low cost, easily constructible and can be utilised for invariably majority of agricultural commodities. The above attributes accounts for its high popularity in the Indian sub continents and Africa. An attempt has been made to generate a comprehensive review on the application, advances in construction, modelling, simulation and economics of the solar greenhouse dryers.
P-Wave and QT Dispersion in Children With βeta-Thalassemia
Authors: Salama Marwa , El-Nemr Shimaa , Badraia Ibrahim , Zoair Amr
Published: February 2020

Aim: This study aimed at assessing P-wave and QT interval dispersion in children with β-thalassemia and to correlate them with various laboratory and echocardiographic data.

Methodology: Subjects comprised of 30   children with β-thalassemia major as the patient group. 30 healthy children matched for age and sex served as the control group. All patients were evaluated clinically as well as by echocardiography and 12 leads ECG. The type of study is prospective case control study.

Results: There was a statistically significant increase of Interventricular Septal end diastole (IVSd), Interventricular Septal end systole (IVSs), Left Ventricular Internal Diameter end diastole (LVIDd), Left Ventricular Internal Diameter end systole (LVIDs) and Left Ventricular Posterior Wall end diastole (LVPWd) in patients as compared to controls (Mean ±SD = 0.950±0.166, 0.863±0.103, 3.983±0.456, 2.947±0.535a nd 0.797±0.165 respectively) (P < 0.05). Moreover, there were a significant increase of LV mass (Mean ±SD = 107.267±26.736, P= 0.002) and LV mass index of the studied patients (Mean ±SD = 106.900±22.651, P = 0.005) compared to the controls. There were significant decrease of ejection fraction (EF%)( Mean ±SD = 60.373 ± 8.088,  P = 0.032)and fractional shortening (FS%) (Mean ±SD = 29.495 ± 4.171, P = 0.026) of the studied patients compared to control group.  Both P wave dispersion (PWd) (Mean ±SD = 33.667 ± 13.767, P =     0.029) and QT dispersion (QTd) (Mean ±SD = 53.000 ± 18.411, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in patients compared to controls.  There was a significant positive correlation between PWd and serum ferritin (r =0.551, P-value= 0.002), LVIDd (r =0.406, P-value= 0.026), LVPWd (r =0.461, P-value= 0.010), LV mass (r =0.412, P-value= 0.024), and LV mass index(r = 0.379, P-value= 0.039). While, there were a significant positive correlations between QTd and serum ferritin (r =0.654, P-value <0.001), LVIDd (r = 0.388, P-value = 0.034), LV mass (r = 0.454, P-value = 0.012) and LV mass index (r = 0.456, P-value = 0.011).

Conclusion: P wave dispersion and QT dispersion were prolonged in children with β-thalassemia major denoting cardiac autonomic dysfunction with homogeneity disorders of atrial conduction and ventricular repolarization in these patients.
Distribution of msp1, msp2 and eba175 Allelic Family According to Hemoglobin Genotype and G6PD Type from Children with Uncomplicated Malaria in Banfora Heath District (Burkina Faso)
Authors: Sombié Salif , Sindié Sermé Samuel , Diawara Aïssatou , Massar Dieng Mame , Diarra Amidou , S. Badoum Emilie , Aboubacar Coulibaly Sam , Henry/Béré Noelie , Said Abdrabou Wael , Barry Aissata , Kargougou Désiré , Sababeni Traoré Alfred , B. Tiono Alfred , Bienvenu Sirima Sodiomon , Idaghdour Youssef , Soulama Issiaka
Published: February 2020

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity according to the host hemoglobin and G6PD genetic variants during the course of malaria in infected children aged from 2 to 10 years and living in endemic area in Burkina Faso.

Study Design: The study was designed as a longitudinal follow up conducted between May 2015 and February 2016 in Banfora health district, Burkina Faso.

Methodology: We included 136 subjects (73 males and 63 females; age range from 2-10 years). Blood thick and thin film was done by capillary blood. Venous blood was collected for DNA extraction. Malaria diagnosis was done by microscopy. Human and parasite DNA were extracted based on Qiagen kit procedure. Then, hemoglobin and G6PD were genotyped by RLFP-PCR while the msp1, msp2 and eba175 genes were typed by a nested PCR. All PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis on a 1.5-2% agarose gel and alleles categorized according to the molecular weight.

Results: The prevalence of hemoglobin type was 19.11% for abnormal hemoglobin and 80.9% for normal hemoglobin carriage. The prevalence of G6PD type was 91.18% for normal and 8.82% for G6PD deficiency carriage, respectively. The prevalence of msp1 allelic families was 81.60%, 80.80% and 67.20% for k1, ro33 and mad20 respectively while for msp2 gene, fc27 and 3D7 allelic family the prevalence was 70.53% and 69.64% respectively. The eba175 allelic families’ distribution showed 77.31% and 40.21% for fcr3 and Camp respectively. There was no difference in multiplicity of infection (MOI) according to hemoglobin genotypes and G6PD types. We found that k1 was the predominant allelic family of msp1 in normal hemoglobin genotype (AA) and normal G6PD type. The mixed infection of eba175 was statistically higher in abnormal hemoglobin (p=0.04). There was no statistical difference between fcr3 and camp prevalence excepted in G6PD deficient type. The polymorphism results showed that the prevalence of 450 bp in fc27 was statistically significantly higher in normal hemoglobin variant carriers (AA) than abnormal hemoglobin carriers (p=2.10 -4)). However, the prevalence of 350 bp in fc27 was statistically higher in normal G6PD than deficient G6PD carriers (p=0.034).

Conclusion: Our result showed that the distribution of msp1 and eba75 polymorphism could be influenced by hemoglobin and G6PD variants. These results suggest that hemoglobin and G6PD could influence P. falciparum genetic diversity.
Pattern of Ophthalmic Procedures Performed at a New Peripheral Eye Clinic in a Semi-urban Area in Port Harcourt, Nigeria - A 5 Year Review
Authors: Onyinye Chukwuka Ireju , Akon Awoyesuku Elizabeth
Published: February 2020

Aim: A number of ophthalmic procedures are essential in the management of ocular disorders and are an integral part of ophthalmic practice all over the world. 

As different therapeutic methods evolve, some ophthalmic procedures have become outdated and some have been modified or replaced by various forms of laser therapy, leading to an increase in uptake of ophthalmic procedures in this country. Also though our patients still prefer non-surgical therapy, when surgery is performed, the results are much improved leading to greater patient satisfaction. This is a result of the use of more sophisticated and expensive surgical equipment and better surgical techniques. The ophthalmic procedures analyzed here were carried out in a general ophthalmic clinic without any subspecialty affiliation.

Methodology: This is a retrospective review of ophthalmic procedures carried out in a specialist facility over a five year period. Information on age, sex and type of ocular procedure was retrieved from case notes of patients and entered into excel sheets. Data was exported from excel sheets for statistical analysis.

Results: A total of 111 patients had Ophthalmic procedures over the 5 –year period under review with a mean age of 56.7±18.5 years and age range from 7 to 89 years. Sixty-three of the patients (56.8%) were males while forty-eight (43.2%) were females (M:F = 4:3). The commonest ophthalmic procedure carried out was cataract extraction which accounted for 48.6% of cases followed by yag laser capsulotomy (19.8%) and pterygium excision (18%). No surgical or laser procedures for glaucoma were performed during this period.

Conclusion: Ophthalmic procedures are a very important mode of treatment of eye disorders. The most common procedure performed in our study was cataract extraction and more males than females underwent both cataract surgery and pterygium excision while more females had laser capsulotomy.
Diphenhydramine increases the therapeutic window for platinum drugs by simultaneously sensitizing tumor cells and protecting normal cells
Authors: Melnikova Margarita , Wauer Ulrike Sophie , Mendus Diana , Hilger Ralf Axel , Oliver Trudy G. , Mercer Kim , Gohlke Björn Oliver , Erdmann Kati , Niederacher Dieter , Neubauer Hans , Buderath Paul , Wimberger Pauline , Kuhlmann Jan Dominik , Thomale Jürgen
Published: February 2020

Platinum‐based compounds remain a well‐established chemotherapy for cancer treatment despite their adverse effects which substantially restrict the therapeutic windows of the drugs. Both the cell type‐specific toxicity and the clinical responsiveness of tumors have been associated with mechanisms that alter drug entry and export. We sought to identify pharmacological agents that promote cisplatin (CP) efficacy by augmenting the levels of drug‐induced DNA lesions in malignant cells and simultaneously protecting normal tissues from accumulating such damage and from functional loss. Formation and persistence of platination products in the DNA of individual nuclei were measured in drug‐exposed cell lines, in primary human tumor cells and in tissue sections using an immunocytochemical method. Using a mouse model of CP‐induced toxicity, the antihistaminic drug diphenhydramine (DIPH) and two methylated derivatives decreased DNA platination in normal tissues and also ameliorated nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, and neurotoxicity. In addition, DIPH sensitized multiple cancer cell types, particularly ovarian cancer cells, to CP by increasing intracellular uptake, DNA platination, and/or apoptosis in cell lines and in patient‐derived primary tumor cells. Mechanistically, DIPH diminished transport capacity of CP efflux pumps MRP2, MRP3, and MRP5 particularly in its C2+C6 bimethylated form. Overall, we demonstrate that DIPH reduces side effects of platinum‐based chemotherapy and simultaneously inhibits key mechanisms of platinum resistance. We propose that measuring DNA platination after ex vivo exposure may predict the responsiveness of individual tumors to DIPH‐like modulators.
Dosimetric evaluation of incorporating the revised V4.0 calibration protocol for breast intraoperative radiotherapy with the INTRABEAM system
Authors: Shaikh Mubin Y. , Burmeister Jay , Scott Robin , Kumaraswamy Lalith K. , Nalichowski Adrian , Joiner Michael C.
Published: February 2020

In breast‐targeted intraoperative radiotherapy (TARGIT) clinical trials (TARGIT‐B, TARGIT‐E, TARGIT‐US), a single fraction of radiation is delivered to the tumor bed during surgery with 1.5‐ to 5.0‐cm diameter spherical applicators and an INTRABEAM x‐ray source (XRS). This factory‐calibrated XRS is characterized by two depth‐dose curves (DDCs) named "TARGIT" and "V4.0.” Presently, the TARGIT DDC is used to treat patients enrolled in clinical trials; however, the V4.0 DDC is shown to better represent the delivered dose. Therefore, we reevaluate the delivered prescriptions under the TARGIT protocols using the V4.0 DDC. A 20‐Gy dose was prescribed to the surface of the spherical applicator, and the TARGIT DDC was used to calculate the treatment time. For a constant treatment time, the V4.0 DDC was used to recalculate the dosimetry to evaluate differences in dose rate, dose, and equivalent dose in 2‐Gy fractions (EQD2) for an α/β = 3.5 Gy (endpoint of locoregional relapse). At the surface of the tumor bed (i.e., spherical applicator surface), the calculations using the V4.0 DDC predicted increased values for dose rate (43–16%), dose (28.6–23.2 Gy), and EQD2 (95–31%) for the 1.5‐ to 5.0‐cm diameter spherical applicator sizes, respectively. In general, dosimetric differences are greatest for the 1.5‐cm diameter spherical applicator. The results from this study can be interpreted as a reevaluation of dosimetry or the dangers of underdosage, which can occur if the V4.0 DDC is inadvertently used for TARGIT clinical trial patients. Because the INTRABEAM system is used in TARGIT clinical trials, accurate knowledge about absorbed dose is essential for making meaningful comparisons between radiation treatment modalities, and reproducible treatment delivery is imperative. The results of this study shed light on these concerns.
Flattening filter free VMAT for a stereotactic, single‐dose of 30 Gy to lung lesion in a 15‐min treatment slot
Authors: Pokhrel Damodar , Sanford Lana , Dhanireddy Bhaswanth , Molloy Janelle , Randall Marcus , McGarry Ronald C.
Published: February 2020

Cone‐beam CT‐guided single dose of lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) treatment with a flattening filter free (FFF) beam and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a safe and highly effective treatment modality for selective small lung lesions. Four‐dimensional (4D) CT‐based treatment plans were generated using advanced AcurosXB algorithm for heterogeneity corrections. 6X‐FFF beam produced highly conformal radiosurgical dose distribution to the target and reduced lung SBRT fraction duration to less than 10 min for a single dose of 30 Gy, significantly improving patient comfort and clinic workflow. Early follow‐up CT imaging results (mean, 8 months) show high local control rates (100%) with no acute lung or rib toxicity. Longer clinical follow‐up in a larger patient cohort managed in this fashion is underway to further validate this treatment approach.
Technical Note: Use of automation to eliminate shift errors
Authors: Covington Elizabeth L. , Popple Richard A. , Cardan Rex A.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To create automated tools within the treatment planning system (TPS) that eliminate the common error pathway of providing incorrect shift instructions to therapists.

Materials/Methods

Two scripts were created within the TPS using the Eclipse API (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). One script detects whether or not the user origin has been placed correctly at the intersection of the simulation markers while the other calculates a shift instruction sheet that can be printed for treatment.

Results

Analysis of our RO‐ILS database identified eight errors caused by improper setting of the user origin in the treatment planning system. The user origin script flagged all of the treatment plans for markers inconsistent with user origin. Automated calculation of shifts eliminated the error pathway of miscalculating or transcribing shift values.

Conclusion

Automation can eliminate the common error pathway of providing the wrong shifts to therapists. The scripts have been made available as open‐source software for implementation at other radiotherapy clinics.